Wyoming Lawman (23 page)

 

From the moment Sarah had been snatched, Pearl had strained to hear what her captors were doing. She'd heard voices, but she couldn't make out the words over the rush of the nearby stream. Out of nowhere, she heard her father shouting the Lord's prayer. Blinded by the mask, she prayed for God to keep them safe. Matt's voice rose above the others and she prayed some more.

A shot rang out and she shrieked.

A second one echoed.

“Matt!” she cried inside the mask. Was he lying dead on the ground? Had her father been lynched? She couldn't bear the thought of losing either of them. And Sarah? What had happened to the child? Pearl struggled again to free
her hands. She scraped the mask against the seat, but the drawstring tightened and cut off her air. She strained to hear voices or boot steps, anything that would give her hope, but all she heard was her own labored breath.

“Please, Lord,” she murmured. “Let Sarah be safe. Let my father be alive. Dear God in Heaven, save Matt—”

The thunder of hoofbeats jarred her thoughts. As the horse pulled to a stop, a man's boots hit the ground with a thud. She couldn't see a thing. She could only feel the buggy seat, the fabric over her face and the rope binding her hands. No matter who opened the carriage door, she'd be at his mercy. If Jasper touched her, she'd kick and fight. She'd—

“Pearl!”

“Matt!” she cried. As he flung open the door, tears streamed down her cheeks. “You're alive.”

“Very much so.”

“My father—”

“He's safe. So is Sarah.” The seat dipped with his weight. Scooting close, he tried to untie the mask. When the drawstring didn't budge, he cut it with a knife and pulled the black cotton over her head.

Air rushed into her lungs. Breathing deep, she took in the brightness of his eyes. He caressed her cheek, then as he'd done twice before, he looked her up and down for injuries. “Are you hurt?”

“I'm fine.”

At the sight of her bound hands, his jaw tightened. “Turn so I can cut the rope.”

She shifted to give him access. With a single slice of the knife, he cut the laundry cord digging into her wrists. Blood rushed to her fingers. It hurt and felt good all at once. Matt bent down and sliced the binding from her feet. She was free, but what about Matt? The ties binding her body
could be severed with a sharp blade. His bonds were harder to break.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Jasper's dead.” He told her briefly about the gunfight. “Dan's taking the others to jail.”

“Thank God.” She meant it.

Matt's eyes took on a shine. “I won't argue with you, Pearl. God's mercy alone explains what happened today. I'm grateful for it.”

When his lips relaxed into a smile, he looked peaceful. She touched his face. “You're different.”

“I feel good.”

She wanted more, needed more. “Tell me.”

He shrugged. “Let's just say God and I did some talking. He made some good points. I'm not stupid enough to still be angry with Him.”

Pearl wanted to cheer. She also wanted to kiss him, a reaction that filled her with joy. She blushed at the thought.

He touched her cheek. “I lied, you know.”

“About what?”

“Kissing you…it was a lot more than nice.” His eyes burned with their old intensity. “I love you, Pearl. Will you marry me?”

Her breath left in a gasp.
Yes! Yes!
But she couldn't force the words past the lump in her throat.

With one arm around her shoulders and the other cradling her legs, Matt lifted her up and out of the carriage. When she was steady on her feet, he dropped to one knee. “I can't promise you a perfect life. I'm a hard man with a hard job, but I will live and die for you. I'll—”

“Yes!” she finally cried. “I'll marry you.”

He rose to his full height and drew her into his arms. The kiss they shared was joyous and confident, full of love and
so nice that her toes curled. Laughing, she stepped back. Matt grinned, then lifted her into his arms and spun her around.

When she landed, she saw her father and Sarah approaching the carriage. Her father's eyes had a knowing shine. Sarah looked hopeful but worried. Hand in hand, Matt and Pearl closed the gap between them. When they reached Sarah, Matt dropped to a crouch. “Hi, there, darlin'. Are you all right?”

She bit her lip. “I was scared.”

“Me, too.” He smoothed her messy hair. “The bad men are gone now. You were very brave.”

“I was.”

“I'm proud of you.” He touched her cheek. “Do you think you can handle another surprise today?”

She looked uneasy. “Will I like it?”

“I think so.” He smiled at her. “Pearl and I are getting married. She's going to be your mama.”

Sarah rushed headlong into Pearl's skirts and hugged her. It was just like that first day in Cheyenne, but this time their dreams were coming true.

Tobias smiled. “Looks like I've got a new granddaughter.”

“That you do,” Matt replied.

The only person missing from the moment was Toby. Still hugging Sarah, Pearl looked at Matt. “My son—”

“
Our
son,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

She smiled. “Where is he?”

Tobias looked pleased. “Carrie has him.”

Pearl let out a long breath. She could hardly wait to hold Toby, but mostly she wanted to see Matt cradling their son in his strong arms. “Let's get home. I can't wait to start forever.”

Matt made show of rubbing his chin. “That sounds like a
good ending for a fairy tale. Do you think we can do some imagining?”

“Like what?” Pearl asked.

He indicated the carriage. “Let's pretend this ugly old coach is white with gold trim, just like Cinderella's.”

Sarah giggled. “I want glass slippers.”

“Me, too,” Pearl echoed.

Matt laughed. “How about fancy dresses?”

“I have one,” Sarah declared. “It's pink.”

“I have one, too,” Pearl said. “It's blue, and I have pretty ribbons that match.”

Matt gave her a sly grin. “I seem to recall those ribbons. They look pretty in that blond hair of yours.”

When he touched the wave falling down her back, she shivered with happiness. From this day forward, she'd wear his ribbons every day.

Her father cleared his throat. “Matt, you take the girls in the carriage. I'll follow with the horses.”

“Sounds good to me, sir.”

Sarah tugged on her daddy's sleeve. “I want to ride outside with you.”

“Me, too,” Pearl said.

Matt agreed. “Let's go, ladies.”

Tobias offered Pearl his arm. “Climb up, princess. Your carriage awaits.”

And so it did…. Her father led her to the front of the coach and handed her off to Matt. With a debonair smile, he helped her up to the high seat, then he lifted Sarah, so she could sit with them. After a salute to her father, he joined them and took the reins. With the sun bright and the sky a perfect blue, Pearl rode into the future with her very own Prince Charming, the man she'd love forever and ever.

December 1875
Swan's Nest

“I
t's time to toss the bouquet,” Adie Blue announced. “Ladies, get ready!”

From the back of the foyer, Matt watched his new wife climb to the third step of a staircase. Less than an hour ago, Tobias had presided over their wedding vows. Dan and Carrie, newly engaged, had stood with them. Sarah had been a flower girl, and Pearl had held Toby to complete their ready-made family.

Matt would have gotten married anywhere, but he'd been glad when Pearl suggested Swan's Nest. The trip had given him a chance to meet her friends. Adie Blue had spunk, and her husband, Josh, had a wry sense of humor. The sisters, Caroline and Bessie, had cooed over Toby and Sarah.

Matt had especially enjoyed meeting Mary Larue. A former actress, she reminded him of someone he used to know…a man with a chip on his shoulder and an angry past. Pearl had told him a lot about Mary. She'd taken some hard knocks in life. Judging by the way she stood apart from
the women waiting for the bouquet toss, she didn't intend to take any more.

With the bouquet in hand, Pearl surveyed her friends. When she spotted Mary against the wall, she waved at her. “Mary! Get over here!”

The blonde shook her head. “Oh no, you don't! I'm
not
getting married. Not ever!”

Matt stifled a grin. He'd once thought the same way.

Adie called to the crowd. “Okay, ladies! Here it comes.”

As Pearl turned to throw the bouquet, Matt caught a look in her eye and knew what she'd do.

Adie counted down. “One…two…three!”

Pearl tossed the flowers high and to the left. Sure enough, the bouquet landed smack in Mary's arms. She looked mad enough to throw it back. As she sputtered objections, Matt grinned at his wife. Knowing what he did about love, he had no doubt he and Pearl would someday return to Denver for another Swan's Nest wedding.

Dear Readers,

 

When I was a little girl, I used to sit on my bedroom floor with a big book of fairy tales. The cover showed Rapunzel with her long hair, Little Red Riding Hood in a forest, and Puss in Boots. I loved this book, especially the color plates for
Thumbelina
and
The Flying Trunk.
Every story fed my imagination.

That book of fairy tales came to mind as I described Deputy Matt Wiley reading a bedtime story to his little girl. Children's books as we know them weren't common in 1875. He would most likely have read from
The Tales of Mother Goose,
a collection of fairy tales collected by Charles Perrault in 1658. The first American edition was published in 1787 and had many of the stories we love today. Among them were
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty in the Wood
and
Little Red Riding Hood.

In addition to traditional stories, children's books in the nineteenth century contained short rhymes, moral lessons and simple drawings. Some of the rhymes would be familiar to us, things like “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” or “Hey Diddle Diddle.” I can't read those words without smiling. Both my sons (now grown) were fascinated with the idea of a cow jumping over the moon.

My book of fairy tales and a children's book from 1875 would have been quite different, but the feeling of discovery would be the same. Like me, Matt's daughter would have been transported to another place and time. No matter where we live or when we were born, stories have the power to open our eyes to amazing possibilities.

Looking back I see God's hand on my book of fairy tales. Who could have known? The little girl reading about Cinderella and Rapunzel grew up to write stories of her own.

All the best,

1. After a traumatic experience in Denver, Pearl decides to start a new life in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Which of her problems is she able to leave behind? Which problems follow her? What are the pros and cons of a change in geography when a person is recovering from trauma?
   
2. Matt is grateful to Pearl for saving his daughter's life, but he doesn't want to be in her debt. How would you describe his attitude? Does it show integrity or pride?
   
3. Matt gave up a job he loved with the Texas Rangers and moved to Cheyenne. Have you ever made a big move? How did it affect your family?
   
4. When Pearl is interviewed for a position as a teacher, she refuses to hide the fact that her son was born out of wedlock. What were the consequences? What might have happened if she'd been less open?
   
5. Matt's daughter needs a mother, but he's reluctant to remarry. Why? What are his biggest fears? What factors contributed to his doubts?
   
6. Carrie and Pearl have a special friendship. What makes them so close? Do you have a friend like Carrie in your life?
   
7. The Golden Order was once an honorable civic organization. With time, the group's leaders lost their moorings. Why do you think this occurred? What makes good people go bad?
   
8. Matt is more than troubled by his past. He's crippled by guilt and shame. What must he do to find redemption? Describe the steps of his journey, starting with his offer to write a letter of reference for Pearl.
   
9. The blue ribbons are significant throughout the story. When does Pearl wear them? What do they represent to her? How does their meaning change for Matt?
   
10. When two prostitutes visit Jasper Kling's store, Pearl treats them with courtesy even though she knows she might lose her job. Have you ever had to make a similar choice? What were the circumstances?
    
11. What motivates Tobias to help stop the Golden Order? Does he compromise his morals when he goes “undercover”?
    
12. Matt initially criticizes the psalms as poetry. Do you have a favorite psalm? Which one is it? What do you love about it?
    
13. Pearl's journey from timidity to courage takes several steps. What are the most significant events in her recovery? How do fear and faith interact?
    
14. What is Matt's deepest motivation for stopping the Golden Order? What is he seeking? What does he need to do to find peace?
    
15. Sarah's favorite story is
    Cinderella.
    Do you have a favorite fairy tale? How would you describe the relationship between today's romances and the tales we all grew up with?