“I saw you stealing out of my larder,” Elise returned. “Now be on your way!”
There was a brief hesitation, and then there was another loud bang on the door, louder than the first. “Don’t be foolish, missus. We can do this the easy way.”
Elise released a slow breath. She reminded herself that she’d been faced with ruffians before and come out unscathed. While this situation didn’t have a hero coming to her rescue, sometimes you had to be the heroine of your own story.
With all of the courage she could muster, she cried hotly, “You can try!”
There was another pause, and then the doorshudderedon its hinges. Elise jumped in alarm, but kept her grip on her rifle as the wood was continuously struck from the other side. She jerked as the door abruptly splintered away from the frameandthe first man she spied outside stumbled into view. He tossed aside the log he held in his hands. Itfellto the floor with an ominous thud.
As his companion entered behind him with a malicious grin, his teeth filled with tobacco juice, Elise raised her rifle. She’d never had to shoot anyone before, but when it came to self-defense, she wasn’t above protecting herself.
Beau stood near her, his back arched as a menacing growl emanated from his throat, his teeth bared in challenge.
The first man crossed his arms and smirked at his friend. “Take care of themongrel.”
He instantly raised his pistol and pointed itrightat Beau.
Elise felt all the blood drain from her face as tears stung her eyes. “No!” She threw herself in front of the hound, shielding him with her body. She still held on to the rifle, but she lowered it to her side. “Please. Don’t hurt him.” She hated the fact she was reduced to begging, but she couldn’t allow anything to happen to Mr. Cade’s faithful hound, that had become her friend as well. She’d promised that she would take care of him, and that is what she would do until her dying breath.
She waited for one of the men to lunge at her, but instead, the man who would have shot Beau suddenly howled in pain. His pistol clattered to the floor as he clutched his hand where a wicked looking knife was protruding from the middle of his palm. Blood was pouring from thewoundas he sputtered obscenities and looked behind him.
But it was too late.
Mr. Cade had already removed the knifefrom the man’s handand held it to his throat. “I suggest that you leave the lady alone if you want to live to see another day.” He tilted his head to the side. “But even then, I’m not sure you deserve to.”
Elise saw the first man start to bend down slowly, his gaze on Chauncey as he attempted to reach for the discarded pistol, but Elise raised her weapon once more and pointed it at his heart. “Don’t move.”
He froze, but his eyes shifted to her and shesuppressed ashudder at the hatred she saw on his face.
“I think it’s time you gentlemen took your leave,” Mr. Cade said evenly. “Don’t you agree?” The man he held nodded his head, he added, “Now kick the gun toward the lady.” After he had done so, the metal skidding across the floor toward Elise, Mr. Cade released his hold on the other man.
For a brief moment, they faced off against one another, like two predators circling around the fresh kill, but in the end, the two men walked out the busted door and went on their way.
Elise allowed her rifle to drop to her side, her arms unable to support the weight any longer. As she looked up and met Mr. Cade’s face, a sob escaped her and she ran across the short distance and flung herself into those strong, comforting arms.
***
Chauncey closed his eyes and breathed in Elise’s familiar scent. He was relieved that he’d gone with his gut instinct, the one that told him those men were up to no good. Hehad beenafraid they might be heading in Miss Erindelle’s direction and he’d been right. He was just thankful that he’d been able to stop them in time, before they’d had a chance to do any real damage.
As she drew away from him, his heart beat steadily in his chest as he looked into her deep blue eyes. He couldn’t resist reaching out and cupping her smooth, soft cheek in his palm. “Are you alright?” he murmured gruffly.
“Yes.” She nodded. “Thanks to you.” He saw her swallow, and then she said, “I’m glad you’re back.”
He smiled slightly. “Me too.”For however long it lasts.But he kept that part to himself. He walked over to the busteddoorand said, “Let’s get this fixed, shall we?”
He saw Elise shiver as she rubbed her arms, as if just now feeling the effects of the cold.
She walked over and threw her woolen cloak over her shoulders and together, they worked to repair the damage. A few pieces would have to be repaired around the frame, so Chauncey went outside to the woodpile and began to chop a few straight pieces. While he was there, he noticed that the cellar door was standing wide open, so he went to investigate. A few things were missing and a couple more scattered about haphazardly, but for the most part, Miss Erindelle should still have enough to survive most of the winter.
Whetheror notChauncey would be around that long remained to be seen.
He was taking a risk coming back here as it was, but the more he thought about Elise all alone in that cabin…
He smiled as he recalled the moment he saw her staring down the barrel of a gun at her intruders. This was no helpless female in need of rescue. She had to be strong to survive in such a Texan wilderness by herself as long as she had, but it would ease Chauncey’s mind to know that she was safe.
And he’drather missed his dog.
He returned to the cabin with the wood in his arms. As he set it down, he was immediately bombarded by Beau, the hound washing his face inadoration. Chaunceylaughed, finding that it felt good to do so. It had been too long,andthesinglehappiness he’d found since Martha and Thomas’ deaths wasbeing here in this little cabin.
