“And why would I do that, huh?” Marcus pointed at Travis. “This is between us men.”
“Get outta here, Jo. Take Nathan and go!” Travis scolded.
“I have this, Travis. Please. You don’t know him like I do,” she whispered, her body quivering as snowflakes fell. Josie faced Marcus with a straight posture, evident confidence brewing through her. “You can let Travis and his aunt care for Nathan until spring. No harm will come to you. Just don’t hurt them.”
Marcus grinned, pulling back his hammer with one thumb. “Sounds like a deal, but I can’t let you two live. One for revenge and the other for taking my wife.”
“No!” Travis screamed, shoving Josie out of the way just as a gunshot rang. He froze. For a moment, everything stood still. He looked down, seeing no harm to him. Josie’s cry cut through the silence, and she rushed back to Travis’s side. He pulled her close, shielding her with his body. Slowly, he looked up.
Marcus was no longer the menacing figure from moments ago.He clutched his side, blood seeping through his fingers, eyes wide with disbelief. His mouth hung open, a mix of shock and anger distorting his face. He muttered curses, and with a shaky step, Marcus dropped to his knees, glaring at them with venomous intensity.
Travis pulled Josie close as she sobbed into his chest, her body trembling against him. Gently, he ran his fingers through her hair. “It’s over now.”
But as he looked past her, he spotted movement up ahead. There, behind a tree, stood Aunt Polly, her familiar silver hair gleaming in the fading light. She held a rifle, the long barrel still smoking. Travis blinked in disbelief. “Aunt Polly?” Her silver hair and buffalo coat could be picked out anywhere.
Travis looked down at Josie, wiping her tears. “He’s gone. He can’t hurt us anymore.”
Josie looked over his shoulder. She burst out into more tears and collapsed against Travis. He pulled her away from Marcus’s body and towards the spot where Nathan screamed. Travis picked the baby up and kissed his cheeks.Nathan, my son.He turned to Josie and embraced them both.
Aunt Polly rode out and halted before them. After she dismounted, she turned to Marcus, whose blood stained the pure white snow.
“Devil,” Aunt Polly muttered, spitting in his direction.
Aunt Polly reached out and hugged Travis and Josie, burying them in her embrace. She then took Nathan from Travis’s arms, kissing his cheeks after he settled down.
“I followed the trail,” Aunt Polly explained. “When the children told me what happened, I couldn’t stand by and wait. They’re with the Walshes. Alice is looking after them.”
Josie shuddered in Travis’s arms. She looked over at Aunt Polly, smiling feebly. “I owe you my life.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” Aunt Polly said. She looked at Marcus again and shook her head. “No one will find him. I’ll make sure of it.”
Travis pulled Josie aside, wiping her tears with his thumb. “I thought I was going to lose you and Nathan.”
Josie’s lips pressed together as she choked. “I thought we were going to loseyou.I knew he’d cheat.”
Travis placed his hands on her shoulders, gazing into her reddened eyes. “And we won. God is on our side, remember?”
Josie smiled. “I love you, Travis.”
Travis’s heart stumbled over its next beat, nearly leaving him breathless. “I love you too, Jo. I meant it when I said it minutes ago. I didn’t want to die with regrets. I had to tell you the truth. No more secrets.”
Josie buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I don’t know how I can repay you.”
Travis cupped the back of her head. “Being my true wife and staying by my side forever would be enough.”
“Yes,” Josie whispered, peering up at him. “A million times yes.”
Travis looked down at her lips. They called to him, like a fish to water, but her dead husband was only feet away. They wouldn’t have their first kiss here. It would be special, just like the day they’d call each other their own.
Chapter Forty-Five
Josiekissedeachofthe children goodnight twice, for she never thought she’d have the chance again. When Marcus had had his gun pointed at Travis, Josie immediately thought about her children. They already lost too much, and they couldn’t lose more because of her.
Travis loved her, absolutely loved her. He didn’t have to confess aloud before the duel. His actions spoke enough. However, hearing it was what gave her the confidence and faith to stand up to Marcus. Nathan would be safe in Travis’s care because he loved her—and Nathan as well.
General Marcus Wellington would never interfere in their lives again. The man would never be written in history, for he had an unmarked grave that no one would ever know about. His body would decay and rot beneath the earth. However, watching the life drain from him while he cursed them both made Josie pity him for the first time. If only he had sought redemption. If only he had recognized his sin and asked for forgiveness in his finalmoments. Josie despised who he was, but she could never wish eternal damnation on anyone.
Josie rubbed Gideon’s soft head. He was asleep, unlike his brother, with whom he shared the bed. Josie pulled the covers to Jonas’s chin, and he looked at her with sweet eyes and smiled. “Goodnight, Ma.”
