Chapter 13
Gray
I spent years on battlefields and in barracks with my men. If I’m honest, as much as I like and sometimes need my isolation to battle my past and the horrors of war, I have missed this camaraderie.
Glancing around the room, seeing them all stuffed to the gills on Tawny’s cooking, relaxed and smiling, warms me to my soul. This is my family. My chosen family and I couldn’t ask for better. Already they each love Tawny. I know that if anything were to happen to me, they’d take care of her.
I’m not surprised when they insist on doing clean up and tell me to take my bride out to the porch and relax. Gerdie volunteers to supervise.
On the porch I find two new Amish Bentwood rockers. The card on the chair says, Congratulations. The Family.
I sit, urging Tawny onto my lap. “Thank you. Dinner was fantastic. It was good to have us all together here at the cabin. We try to grab a beer once every couple of months, but this... this was so much better. This was a real family get together.”
“I loved it, too. Almost storybook. All the kindness. The way they really enjoyed the food. The respect you all show each other. The way everyone pitched in to help. This is what real families have, isn’t it?”
I swallow the knot in my throat. “Yes, kitten. This is what a real family looks like. We take care of each other.”
“I want to do this every week or at least every other week. They can bring their girlfriend’s, too. Are any of them married?”
“Not yet.”
She cuddles onto my chest and I gently rock us. May have to add on to the front of the cabin to give us more family and eating room. Need a bigger porch, too. I wonder if the team can get it done before the Thanksgiving holiday. That would give us a little over two months.
Two days later, I’m in Cogburn again. I talked to the guys, and they think we can at least get the outside walls up, then we can do the inside over the winter. I finish the order at the lumber yard and make arrangements for it to be delivered in two days.
Gerdie and Tawny are finishing up another grocery run. Beck volunteered to go with them. I’m pretty sure he’s talking Tawny into more cookies. As a precaution, he’s been camping out in the woods at night. A confrontation is coming. I can feel it.
Chris, the oldest Stump boy is doing a piss poor attempt at discreetly following me since we made it to town.
Now I’m in the bar across the street from the grocery waiting see what crawls out from under the woodwork.
Checking my phone, I see Millard in the mirror as he swaggers in like he owns the place.
The female bartender sees him about the same time and crosses to where the male bartender is taking a break, then hightails it down the hall to the restrooms.
Tapping the record button on my phone, I slip it into my shirt pocket.
Stump sidles up to me at the bar. “You’re a dead man, Thorne. Nobody takes what’s mine. I own her and I’ll have her back before the month ends. And I’ll make damn sure she regrets having run off.”
I meet his gaze in the mirror behind the bar, raising an eyebrow. “Who are you talking about?”
“You know who. Tawny is mine. You may have married her and fucked her first. She’ll pay for that and so will you.”
“Your first mistake, Millard Stump, was treating her like your personal slave. The second mistake was thinking you could own her and steal her freedom. Your third and last mistake is thinking you could threaten me or take my wife from me.”
I wave the bartender over. “Hey Brad, it’s two thirty and I need to meet some people. Give Mr. Stump a beer on me. I think he just got some disturbing news.”
I straighten, toss enough bills on the bar for the bartender, and turn into Stump, forcing him to back up a couple steps. “Know this, Stump, I protect what’s mine. I’ll be prepared if you decide to come after her on my private property.”
I walk out the door, climb in my truck and end the recording. Then I send it to Sheriff Harker. Five minutes later I get a call.
“Got the threat on file. You know he’s too stupid to take your advice.”
“His choice. That’s why I made sure you know what’s going on.”
“I wouldn’t mind taking him down for good this time. Watch your back. His three oldest boys are just as bad. The whole damn town is afraid to speak out.
“My guess, it won’t be long,” he continues. “He’s always been arrogant and rash. He’ll make his move soon.”
“Yep,” I agree.
“Oh, before I let you go, I just heard the Cogburn city mayor just had the police chief removed and put on leave pending an outside investigation. They’ve contacted the Oregon State Police. May be a job opening coming up.”
“Later.” I disconnect.
Driving to the grocery store parking lot is a quick trip. I back in close to the exit for easy loading and let Beck know I’m waiting. Watching my side mirror, I see movement by the trash dumpster.
A young man sticks his head out and dodges back. I’ve done my homework, I know that face. It’s Joey, Tawny’s youngest stepbrother from the second marriage. The good one.
I roll down my window and speak loud enough for him to hear. “You need something, Joey?”
He peeks out again.
“You want to talk? Back door’s unlocked.”
Glancing around once more, he staggers to the door listing heavily to one side and climbs in with a beat-up rucksack. “Is Tawny safe? I heard them say you stole her.”
“Who is they?”
“The Stumps.”
“They’re liars. She ran away from them and I’ve been protecting her. She and I got married so they can’t hurt her.”
Slumped into the seat the boy takes a shaky breath. I see the left side of his face is black and blue.
“Did you rape her?” he asks.
“We have not consummated the marriage yet. That will only happen when and if she’s ready. If she chooses annulment after the family issue is resolved I will honor her wishes.”
“You’re gonna take care of her?”
“Yes.”
I can see his jaw working. Anger and fear fighting hope and doubt.
“You care about her?” I ask.
“She and her mom were decent people. They tried to help. Tried to make it a home. We just couldn’t any of us get away.”
“What happened to your face?”
“I tried to stop Chris when I knew what he was gonna do.”
“You took a beating.” I meet his gaze in the rearview mirror.
He shrugs. “I’m not as big as they are. I tried to keep her safe after they killed both our moms. They aren’t happy unless they’re abusing someone.”
“I understand.”
Cocking his head, he studies me.
I take a deep breath. “I had a run in with Millard when he was dating my mom. I was a kid. He thought he could... have me, too. He’s not going to get to your sister. She’s been worried about you. You want to come home with us?”
“They’re looking for me and that won’t be safe for her. I just want to get away from them and this fucking town. I just... They can’t find me, but I don’t know what to do. I—I’ve been peeing blood.”
Not good. “This is what I’d like to happen. I’ve got a friend in another town. I can get you to him. He’ll get you medical help and protection until this is cleared up. He’s legitimate law enforcement.
“If we all work together, maybe we can put them all behind bars. Will you help?”
“You can and will protect Tawny?”
“With my life.”
“The pain’s getting bad. No insurance. Can’t go anywhere in town they know who I am. They’d tell him. I’d never make it out.”
I call Clay on the speaker. “Clay, I got an emergency. I have Tawny’s brother Joey. They beat him pretty bad. He’s peeing blood and needs to get to a hospital but not here. Can you have your unmarked car pick him up and take him to you. I’ll be okay. I got backup with my guys.”
“Ten-four. My driver already alerted me something was up. He’s headed to you now.”
“I see him. Talk later.”
I help the kid into the other car. “Joey, we’ll be in touch soon. I’ll have her call you at the hospital so you can talk. You aren’t alone and neither is she.”
As the unmarked car is pulling out, Tawny, Gerdie and Beck exit the store. Beck lifts a brow and I shake my head to stall his questions.
After all the groceries are in the cabin, Beck and I go to collect eggs.
“What’s going on?”
“They beat the shit out of Tawny’s youngest stepbrother, Joey. He’s no relation to Millard. He tried to protect her the night they planned to rape her. Clay’s getting him to a hospital.
“I also had a meeting with Millard at the bar. We should be expecting him soon.”