“You planned it!”
Her confusion enrages him even more and he lunges at her, but she smacks a basket sending a chicken flapping up in the air in front of him.
“Why would you sabotage our mill?” she demands stepping sideways to keep Mason behind her.
“Money! Your husband was planning on expanding and I couldn’t allow him to take more of my customers!” Spittle flies and he takes a step towards her. You’re both are coming with me,” he snarls.
“How could you do that? They were innocent!” she hisses. Abbie glances away for a second and spies the shovel they use to clean the coop with.
“I’m not going anywhere with you!”
“What?” he says incredulously.
“I said no, you baboon! You aren’t touching my son,” Abbie shouts and swings the basket of eggs at his arm, knocking the pistol away from them and throws herself at him.
Screaming for help, she grabs the hand with the pistol while Mason grabs his legs. Abbie sinks her teeth into his hand and bites until she tastes blood.
Marcus drops the gun and throws her backward into the nesting baskets. Chickens squawk and wood shatters upon impact.
Mason screams and flings himself at the man, startling the chickens so bad they fly up in a panic.
Abbie scrambles to her feet and grabs the shovel amongst the hay and debris and swings it at his legs.
Marcus roars in pain when the metal connects with his knee. He stumbles for a second as men come running from the barn, but Marcus is oblivious.
Abbie jerks Mason back from him.
Enraged he leaps up roaring, “I’ll kill you both!” he shouts.
“No!” she screams and brings the shovel back again, determined to save Mason.
The sound of a gunshot sounds out and Marcus falls backward. Abbie sobs, dropping the shovel, she wraps herself around Mason.
Tucker is shouting orders and men start ripping the chicken coop apart to get to them.
“I’m here, Abbs let him go,” Tucker demands.
Abbie looks up and nods, releasing Mason. He jumps up and throws himself at Tucker. “You did it Daddy!” he shouts. “You said you’d keep us safe and you did it!”
“Of course I did, Son. All it took was a little faith,” he laughs and isn’t ashamed of the tears in his eyes.
“Daddy?” she gasps and looks at them hugging. It’s true, he loves them and no matter what her mind says, her heart and soul is already his.
“Let’s get you inside and cleaned up,” Tucker says and sets Mason down.
Abbie is trembling “Tucker? He was going to kill us both!” Abbie is shaking so hard that when Mason runs back to throw himself into her arms, she falls back with a startled shout.
“Mama! Are you hurt? Did he shoot you?” Mason pushes back from her arms to look her over.
“Maybe we could take your Mama inside, so we make sure she’s okay,” Tucker asks.
“Yes, Sir,” Mason says with a smile and climbs off her.
Abbie stands up and glances away when they carry Marcus’s body away. Her father picks up Mason as Tucker guides her inside.
“Abbilene!” her mother shouts and rushes toward her holding Coralie.
“I’m okay, just covered in egg. Mason,” she drops to her knees and holds out her arms to him. “You fought to keep me safe,” she sobs and wraps her arms around him.
“We did good, Mama. You didn’t let that bad man take me!”
Abbie is trembling too hard to respond.
“Mason, why don’t you come with me and get washed up and let Tucker help your Mama?” Nora suggests.
“Are you okay, Mama?” Mason asks.
“I am just dirty, go with Nora,” she whispers and stands up slowly with Tucker’s help.
As soon as Mason’s out of sight, Tucker scoops Abbie up, ignoring the shocked stares and protests and stomps up the steps to his bedroom where he promptly kicks the door shut.
Chapter 59
“Tucker!” she hisses at him, but he takes her mouth in a searing kiss, silencing her protests.
Abbie moans and wraps her arms around his neck as he sits on the edge of his bed with her still in his arms.
He releases her mouth and stares into her eyes, and as soon as the doubt starts to creep back in, he kisses her again.
Tucker releases her mouth and puts his forehead against hers. “I’m going to repeat what I said to our son, Abbilene, it’s a question of faith. Do you believe that God is in control?”
Abbie loses her battle the moment he calls Mason his son. Her heart falls and she shakes her head yes.
“I need to hear the words, Abbilene,” Tucker demands.
“I believe that God is in control, Tucker. I believe that you love me, and I know that I love you more than the air I breath.”
Tucker smiles, “There’s my girl,” he murmurs and kisses her once more, until she is tempted to demand he marry her immediately.
Tucker stands up and sets her on the edge of his bed, before kneeling in front of her. “Abbilene Gilbert, I love you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes,” she sobs and throws herself into his arms.
Tucker isn’t ashamed of the tears in his eyes when he pushes her back, “First could you take a bath?”
Laughter, and excitement flicker through her body. “Tucker, is this real? Do you really understand what you’re asking?”
“I do, Sugar. I get to marry the most beautiful, faithful woman who will fight for our family and love me unconditionally, just as I will her.”
Abbie nods and wipes away her tears. “Tucker, I’m tired of crying,” she whispers.
“I know, it’s
