He gave a slight nod and said, “I loved you at first sight. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and then, when I got to know you?” He shook his head. “I loved you even more. Way more.”
“Well, that’s very kind of you to?—”
“Hush, Mary. I told you I’m gonna have my say.”
She laughed again, a beautiful sound, and told him to go ahead and say what he had to say.
“I love everything about you. I love your smile and your laugh. I love the way you look and sound and smell. I love your sense of humor and your ideas and yes, the way you work so hard. And I love knowing that you are going to be the best mother a man could ever hope to have for his children.”
“Thank you, Cole,” she said, coming into his arms. “I feel the same way about you.”
He grinned down at her, loving the way she felt beneath his big hands. “You think I’m gonna make the best mother in the world?”
“Quit,” she laughed and slapped his chest. “You know what I mean. You’re perfect for me, and I love everything about you, and—what is it, Cole? What’s wrong?”
He released her and crossed the room and pulled the curtain aside and peered out the window. “I heard a horse whinny.”
“A horse? Could it be the delivery?”
He shook his head. Something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones. “No, you heard Mr. Diems. The delivery won’t be for a few days.”
Suddenly, she was beaming again. “Could it be your brother?”
“Maybe, but I don’t think so.” He started for the window. Then, thinking of Mary, he said, “Stay clear of the windows.”
“Why? What is it?”
He shook his head again and went to another window, and there, in the gathering gloom, he saw several riders grouped close, standing twenty yards from the house, facing the front door.
One man’s horse stepped out in front of the others.
Even in the gloom, Cole could see the man was the shortest of the bunch.
Who were these people? And what did they want, showing up with night coming on fast?
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light,he thought,neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
“Mary, you’d better get down in the cellar.”
“Cole, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong? What’s out there?”
“Men.”
“What men?”
“I don’t know, but there’s a bunch of them.”
Out in the fading light, the short man spoke to the others. Some rode around toward the back of the house.
They’re surrounding us,Cole thought. Then, with a start, he recognized the short man.
“It’s the man from the hardware store.”
“Mr. Diems? Maybe he brought the shipment early.”
“No, not them. One of the men who came out into the yard then followed us back inside. Do you remember?”
She nodded. “A short man and another one who was sort of average height.”
