“Mrs. Gresham, do you wish to marry Mr. Porter?” Finnegan emerged like a mole from the group of men behind Porter.
Josie glanced at Arlen, her eyes saying a million things. And in that moment, heknew. She cared for him.Him. And she cared for him deeply. He dared not hope that meant love, but he’d fight for her no matter what. Even if she rejected him, he’d fight for her.
She glanced back at Porter, and then, her eyes cast to the floor, said, “I’ll marry Mr. Porter.”
An indignant anger flooded Arlen. He stepped forward, stopping only when Porter’s men drew their own weapons and aimed them right at him.
“Gentlemen, please! This is a wedding, not a feud,” Pastor Collins said in a desperate attempt to put an end to something he didn’t understand.
“It isn’t a wedding. It’s coercion,” Arlen said, his eyes on Porter. “He doesn’t want Josie. He doesn’t really even want her land. He wants me brought to my knees.” He paused, his gaze boring into Porter’s soulless eyes. “Don’t you? That’s what this is about. Getting revenge on me for running you off that land you didn’t own back in Wyoming Territory.”
“Why, Sheriff Thomas, I can’t believe you’d say such a thing.” Porter’s voice was as snakelike as his expression. And that, along with the malice glittering in his eyes, told Arlen everything he needed to know.
“I’m no longer a sheriff,” he said flatly.
“But I am,” Darcy added. “Turn the lady loose.”
“She doesn’t wish to go. Do you, honey?” Porter asked.
Arlen seethed at the words. And Josie’s hesitant shaking of her head reinforced his anger. Porter was holding something over her. Arlen didn’t know what it was, but it was dire enough that she’d agree to marry him.
“Preacher, if these two folks wish to marry, there’s no one who can interfere, correct?” Finnegan said, looking at Pastor Collins.
The poor pastor looked more confused than ever, but he nodded. “Please just put the weapons away, gentlemen, and we can have a nice ceremony.”
“I’m not leaving,” Arlen said.
“Then stay and watch.” Porter said.
Arlen glanced at Darcy. What could they do? If Josie wouldn’t say no, there was nothing theycoulddo.
All hope seemed to be lost. His heart sank as Porter lifted his hand to take Josie’s.
But she was gone.
Chapter Eighteen
