Representing both sides, she would imagine. Not everyone believed a horse who had killed a man should live.
“With so much input, I’m waiving the need for additional testimony. I have also received additional information from Phoenix that just came to light.”
The audience shifted and mumbled.
“Late last night evidence surfaced linking Damon Bridger to the brutal kidnapping and murder of Patricia Daniels, as well as the kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder of Lisa Shane.”
The courtroom erupted in complete pandemonium. The judge sharply rapped the gavel and eventually everyone quieted.
Tory felt Josh’s hand tighten around hers. Her heart was squeezing. She had always believed Damon was guilty.
“Under the circumstances and considering the testimony Ms. Bradford gave that she incited the horse to violence as a means of self-defense, the court has decided, with certain safety precautions which must be agreed on, the life of the stallion, Satan’s Star, shall be spared.”
He rapped the gavel. “Case dismissed.”
The courthouse went wild. Tory threw her arms around Josh’s neck and just hung on. She might not be there to see the great colts the stallion would produce, but the magnificent horse would live.
She smiled through her tears. It was enough.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
It was evening, one of Josh’s favorite times of day. Supper was over. The ranch had settled into a quiet peace.
Taking extra care, he showered and shaved, dressed in a white western shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans, pulled on his good boots, and headed over to the trailer. Ivy would be asleep by now. It was time to have that talk with Tory he had been putting off far too long.
As he walked up on the porch, he took a deep breath. He wished he’d gone to town and bought some flowers, maybe a bottle of champagne.
Tonight wasn’t going to be an official proposal—he wanted to do that right. But he needed to clear the air, get his feelings out in the open, let Tory know his intentions.
Pray she felt the same way he did.
Even if she did, ranch life wasn’t easy. Maybe she’d want to go back to the city, return to the more sophisticated life she’d led before. His stomach churned with nerves.
He knocked, waited a moment, then turned the knob, and stepped into the living room. They’d done away with formality a long time ago. Tory was just coming out of her bedroom. She was wearing a short cotton nightgown with tiny sprigs of lilac scattered over the front, her legs and feet bare, her fiery hair a halo of curls around her shoulders.
She always looked so damned pretty, always made him want her. Tonight he wanted more from her than just her sweet little body. Tonight he wanted her heart.
Her eyes widened when she saw him. Something shifted in her features before it disappeared. “Are you . . . are you going out?”
He frowned. “Hell, no. Why would I want to go out when the prettiest girl in Howler County is standing right here?”
“You’re all dressed up. I just thought . . .”
“Clean jeans and a white shirt isn’t exactly a tuxedo.”
She smiled. “I guess not. So what’s the occasion?”
“It’s a nice night. I thought we might sit outside for a while and talk.”
Her smile faded and she glanced away. In the moonlight, her lips trembled, and the knot returned to his stomach.
She sat down on the bench beside the door and Josh sat down beside her. He could hear crickets chirping in the grass, and the barn owl was hooting again.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said, trying to figure where to start. “This trailer . . . eventually the ranch will need a couple more hands. The trailer might make a good bunkhouse.”
He was shocked when her eyes welled with tears.
“I know this must be hard for you,” she said. “You don’t have to worry, Josh. It’s okay. We can be honest with each other. I know it’s time for me to go. Now that Damon is no longer a threat, there’s no need for me to stay. I can finish out the week and—”
