There was a commotion at the front door. Furious pounding seemed to rattle the entire house. Judith hurried away. “I’ll get it.” When she returned, there were six uniformed policemen behind her. The police had already been apprised as to what was going on, and with very little ado, they took Arthur Morgan into custody and escorted him from the house.
Kenzie didn’t care what else happened. Micah was safe, and that was all that mattered. She looked him over from top to bottom to assure herself that he wasn’t hurt.
Micah ignored the others and swung Kenzie into his arms. Unashamed, he kissed her. Kenzie held tightly to him, thanking God that he was alive and hers.
“I was so worried about you,” he whispered between kisses.
She pulled back. “Me? I was perfectly safe, but you ... where have you been?”
“I don’t know. I was locked in a room without windows, but none of that is important now. I’m just so glad he didn’t hurt you. So glad you believed in me enough to know I’d never willingly leave you.”
She smiled. “When Arthur told me you jumped at the chance to have a hospital named after you, I knew he was lying.”
“But how could you be sure?” he asked, smiling.
“Just as you once suggested, my heart told me. Or perhaps I should say God made it clear to my heart.”
He pulled her close again, then jumped back. She frowned, but when he reached down to remove the revolver from her hands, she had to smile.
“Sorry.”
“You’ve been known to react rather recklessly.”
“Oh, is that so?” She cocked her head. “And why would you say that?”
Patrick didn’t give him a chance to answer. “For sure it might be because of the gun in yer hand, lass. I thought we agreed ye wouldn’t be bringin’ it.”
“Well, you should be glad I did. I knew Arthur wouldn’t risk being unarmed.” Kenzie looked at Patrick, who stood watching the scene play out, and then realized Judith and Camri were watching as well. She shrugged. “Sometimes drastic situations call for drastic measures.”
“And this was definitely one of those.” Camri stepped forward to hug Micah. “We’re all so relieved to find you unharmed.”
Judith nodded. “Caleb sent a telegram to tell us that Arthur Morgan was lying.”
“He also made it clear that they were to do nothing until his return, but ye can see for yerself how well they heeded that,” Patrick added. “And with Caleb’s own gun.”
“Just have a look at the gun if you’re really all that bothered,” Kenzie said. “It isn’t even loaded.”
“What good is an unloaded gun?” Patrick questioned. “Faith, woman. What if Morgan had pressed ye to shoot?”
Kenzie’s confidence faded. “I guess I don’t know the answer to that.”
Micah shook his head. “I don’t suppose any of us will ever know the answer to that.” He looked at the other women. “I wish you hadn’t put yourselves in harm’s way, any of you. But I’m very grateful for the rescue.”
“You would have done it for any one of us,” Camri countered. “So stop fretting about it.” She looked around. “What is this place? Who owns it?”
Micah shrugged. “I have no idea. Arthur mentioned it being on loan to him for a few hours, but nothing else. He probably arranged it through a friend of the family or his other connections.” He pulled on the striped vest he wore. “He furnished this as well.”
“It doesn’t suit you,” Kenzie said, shaking her head.
He laughed. “I didn’t think so either.” He looked at Patrick. “So what happens now?”
Patrick shrugged. “Morgan and his men are in custody. I’m sure ye’ll be havin’ some legal statement to make.”
“Yes, in fact, we need to be on our way. Judge Winters has all the information we could provide him prior to this encounter, but he told me he’d need to get a statement from you before formal charges can be made against Arthur Morgan,” Camri announced.
Patrick offered Camri his arm and headed for the door with Judith following. “I wish I could have Victoria dealt with as neatly,” Judith said. “I’m so weary of her battles.”
“Who knows,” Camri called out over her shoulder, “Caleb may return with a solution for that as well.”
