“What’s that?” Drake asked.
“Take her with you,” Fancy stated firmly. “Take her with you, or I’ll start shooting and the whole town will come running.”
“What? Why? She ain’t no use to us!”
“She’s no use to me either. In fact, I can’t wait to see the last of her.”
“What are we supposed to do with her?” Carl asked.
“What were you going to do with us?” Fancy countered.
“To tell you true, we weren’t sure,” Earl replied. “We figured we could take you to Mexico. They pay good money for women down there, and you ones were all pretty. This one’s a real pain in the ass,” he continued, shaking his head.
“Fancy, you can’t mean it,” Lilly gasped, her hands at her throat.
“I don’t see why I should show you anymore compassion than you were willing to show us,” she pointed out. “After all, fair is fair. Of course, I could drug you first to make the transition easier. I mean, you did show us that kindness,” she sneered.
“Oh no, please…”
“Shut up, lady,” Drake snapped. “You got yourself a deal. Tie her on a horse, boys. We’re wasting time and I don’t know if the marshal is the sort to raise a posse. He might. We’re stealing horses.”
“I own those horses,” Fancy said. “I’ll make you a gift of them.”
Lilly snorted in disbelief.
“How could you own four horses?” she demanded.
“I bought them with the money I saved to go to San Francisco.”
“Why?”
“I’ve been watching you for weeks, Lilly. I’ve seen you going back and forth to the jail and looking at your little watch. You’re not quite as sly as you think you are, but I’m sure you’ll find that out in Mexico. Adios, my dear. I have a wedding to attend.”
“Come on! Tain’t likely we’ll get much for her, but at least she ain’t gonna be here when the judge comes through. Maybe Wally will like her. He’s got peculiar tastes.”
Lilly fought for all she was worth, but they soon got her tied to the saddle.
Standing there, Fancy watched them whip up the horses and ride. Lilly screamed, but there was no one to hear her beside Fancy, and she just smiled, tucked her gun into her garter, and locked the door behind her. In the dirt, she spotted Lilly’s pretty time piece. It must have come off in the scuffle. Bending over, she picked it up and slipped it into her pocket. Somehow, she didn’t think knowing the time would be the woman’s primary concern.
Hey, maybe she’d wait to go to San Francisco. She could buy Lilly’s shop and learn to make hats, she thought as she hurried toward the church. She laughed. No way in hell!
CHAPTER 19
Mead’s chest swelled with pride as he looked down at the woman who was about to become his wife. Dressed in a beautiful white gown, a lace veil covering her head, she was breathtaking. Morgan stood at his side, with Callie Mae standing with Marilee, holding her flowers.
Reverend Simms directed him to take Marilee’s hand, and the service began just as Fancy slipped in the door and took a seat beside Jane and Doc Brubaker. She nodded to Caroline and her husband Micah who were holding hands.
Emma Whittaker and Missy and Cole Rathborn were in the front row. Matthew, Laurie and the boys were in the row behind them.
Across the aisle were Annalise and Ty, seated with his family.
“You ever gonna marry Matt?” Jonah whispered. “You gonna wear a pretty dress like Miss Marilee? She sure looks fancy today, and she smells good, too.”
“Hush now,” Laurie scolded. “I don’t plan on marrying anyone. Why should I when I have three sturdy sons to take care of me?” she teased.
Two little chests puffed up in pride and Laurie released a sigh of relief, failing to realize her oldest son wasn’t having it, until he stood up.
“Now look, Ma, I try to mind you the best that I can, but I ain’t always gonna be around. Why some day I might up and get married myself. Where you gonna be then?”
