This time she recognized the voice, and she sobbed with happiness. “Denton, I’m over here.”
As soon as she saw him, she broke into a run, calling out his name. Her heart burst with gladness. When she reached him, he wrapped her in a tight hug, burying his face in her neck.
“You are all right,” she exclaimed brokenly. “Terrance said he’d hit you. I thought I’d lost you—”
“Never, my love.” Denton lifted his head from her neck, but then he pressed his lips against hers.
She answered back eagerly, kissing him fast but passionately. She couldn’t stop. It was too satisfying to know he was alive and that he wanted to kiss her, as well.
“All right, you two,” the sheriff said with a touch of humor in his voice. “You have plenty of time for that later. Let’s take Mr. Greenwood back to town first, and then you two can be lovey-dovey.”
Denton broke the kiss, but he kept his arm around her waist as he turned toward Terrance’s still form. “What happened here?”
She shrugged. “I just imagined that Terrance was my Goliath, and I overcame my obstacle.” She glanced up at the sky. “Thanks to divine intervention.”
Another man that she hadn’t noticed before stepped past her and Denton, holding a lantern. He stopped by Terrance’s body and chuckled.
“It’s good to see my brother’s traps are still catching animals.”
“Courtney,” Denton grinned, “I want you to meet a good friend of mine. This is Bryan Easton.”
She gave him her best smile. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Easton.”
The man nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet the woman who broke the mold.” Mr. Easton gave Denton a wink before he knelt beside the sheriff and they pulled apart the animal trap.
It didn’t take long before the sheriff handcuffed Terrance and woke the man up from his short, but most likely, painful slumber. The criminal groaned and whined about his injured foot, but he was still able to limp back through the forest toward town with very little help. The sheriff kept a grasp on the man’s arm, although Terrance argued about his innocence the whole way.
Denton and Courtney followed behind, still with their arms around each other’s waist. She enjoyed being this cozy with him.
“Why is Terrance going on about his innocence even though we know the truth?”
Denton kissed her forehead. “Criminals do that. For some reason, they think they can talk their way out of it. However, in Terrance’s instance, we already have a witness. He won’t be able to get out of this one, no matter how much sweet-talking he does.”
Tilting back her head, she peered up at him. Even though night had fallen around them, and the lantern didn’t bring much light to his face, she had every curve memorized. She remembered how one side of his mouth lifted higher than the other when he smiled, and the dimple on his cheek would deepen. His green eyes would sparkle whenever he gazed at her, and when he kissed her, his eyes would turn a lighter color. No, she didn’t need light to know what he looked like right now.
“Denton? What did Mr. Easton mean when he mentioned that Ibroke the mold?”
Denton chuckled. “Well, my lovely Courtney, Bryan never thought I’d find a woman who would make me want to settle down. When I mentioned you today while I was talking to him at the sawmill, he realized that I have indeed found that woman.”
Her heartbeat stilled for a moment as shock rushed over her. “You... have found that woman inme?”
He stopped and faced her, wrapping both arms around her. “Courtney Mills, I’ve fallen in love with you, and for reasons I cannot explain, I find myself wanting to settle down and take on a regular job in a small town. I want to marry you and have children with you, and... I want anormallife.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she nodded. “Oh, Denton.” She threw her arms around his neck and leaned closer. “I want to be your wife. I’ve thought of nothing else since our first kiss.” She kissed him briefly. “I’m so much in love with you, Denton Reed, and I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“What about Timothy Graham?”
“Who?” As soon as she asked, the memory hit her, and she groaned. “Oh, you mean the man who is looking for a mail-order bride?”
“Yes. You did tell him you were accepting his offer.”
She frowned. “Yes, but... I only did it because I wanted to leave Montana. But now... I want to be with the man I love.”
“It’ll make me feel better if you send him another telegram and let him know that you have found the love of your life.”
She nodded vigorously. “As soon as we get back to town.”
He stroked the side of her face. “What would you say to raising our children here in Stumptown?”
