Chapter Twelve #3
Amanda looked into his dark eyes and saw his love for her reflected in their depths. "I will do as you ask, Rob, as long as you promise me something in return."
"What is that?" Unless it was too outrageous for words, he would grant her request. He smiled, waiting for her answer.
"I want you to be careful, too. I could not bear for you to be harmed."
"I will be very careful," he replied, then leaned down to kiss her to seal the pact, forgetting that Matt was only a few feet away.
"I'll go and see if Goldie is almost done with lunch. Rob, you look like you could use a good meal..."
"I am famished," Rob admitted, and while Matt was out of the room, he pulled Amanda close and hugged her tightly. "Thank you for obeying me in this matter, my love. I am so proud of you."
"I did not have much choice at first," she confessed. "Rob, I was welted and I do not want another spanking like that ever again!" she said firmly.
"I will not spank you again, my love... as long as you behave yourself, so that rather puts it in your hands." He smiled at her. "I promise I will find him, Mandy. And, after I do, we shall go riding and take a picnic lunch with us."
"I'll look forward to that."
"Come on, you two. Goldie has food hot and on the table," Matt called out.
He was happy to see the two of them on good terms once again.
He approved of Robert Thorne, and he liked the idea of his little girl living next door to him.
After all, when he got too old to care, this ranch would go to Mandy and her husband and kids.
He just might go hunting for this rotten polecat himself!
Goldie served them with a smile, her actions letting them know that she was pleased to have Rob at 'her' table once again. Perhaps the two kids would get married after all.
* * *
Helene knew the countryside better than the two lawmen and she was relieved to realize that she arrived at the ranch ahead of what she assumed were Texas Rangers. The Whitey she knew wasn't capable of doing anything wrong. She jumped down and ran into the barn, looking for him. "Whitey!"
"Helene, what are you doing here?" Whitey stepped out of the shadows to ask. He was happy to see her, but he could see that something was very wrong.
"You were right. I shouldn't have sent out those wires. Two men came into Uncle Peter's store and wanted me to lead them here. Uncle Peter said 'no', but he gave them directions, and they are on their way here as we speak. I am so very sorry."
"It is time I face up to my past, Helene. I can't have a future with you until I deal with my past."
"No! I want us to leave here right away. We'll ride north until we get to Canada!"
"Canada? Do you have any idea how far that is?"
"We can do it. I don't want you to go to prison." She pleaded with him, but Whitey was adamant. He meant to stay and face up to whatever he'd done.
Helene felt despair when the pair rode into the yard and asked another hand where they could find Whitey.
He pointed them in the direction of the barn and Helene did the unthinkable.
She pointed a gun at them and said, "You two can just turn your horses around and get out of here. Whitey is not a criminal, and I won't let you have him!"
"Miss, please put the gun down," the tall man said quietly. "We don't want any trouble."
"Mace...?" Whitey called out, his face pale as he recognized the other man.
"Yeah, little brother, it's me," Mace grinned. "I'd about given up hope. I was afraid you were lying dead somewhere."
"Helene, put the gun down, honey. This is my brother, Mace. And, I'm not wanted. I'm a Texas Ranger!" Whitey said proudly. He picked her up and spun her around. "Will you marry me, darlin'?"
Helene looked at Whitey, crying and laughing at the same time. "Yes, of course I will! I was ready to run away to Canada with you, wasn't I?"
"I ought to spank you for pulling that gun on Mace and Snyder, missy, but I won't. Not today, anyway. I'm too happy."
"Have you been here all along?" Mace asked curiously.
"Sure have. The Boss found me, half dead, and he nursed me back to health. I've been here since then, working for my keep."
"He thought he was involved in a robbery, but he wasn't. I knew it!"
"Is there a problem?" Matt Chambers suddenly materialized, standing beside Whitey in a protective manner.
"No, sir. I'd like for you to meet my brother, Mace Gibbons."
Matt shook hands with Mace. "I'm glad to meet you. I never did feel Whitey done anything wrong.
"He's a Texas Ranger," Helene pointed out. "Isn't that wonderful?" Her smile was tremulous and full of pride as she clung to his arm. "I can't wait to tell Uncle Peter. He will be happy, too, because he likes you! And, I've got to go and tell Amanda the good news right now!"
She took off running for the big house and Matt had to grin.
She was so full of energy that it amazed him, and he knew that Amanda would be planning a big party to celebrate the engagement.
He just wanted the same for his daughter and Matt.
"Men..." he began, "We could sure use some help around here. There's a man who calls himself Sir Gregory Flockton, and he is trying to kill my neighbor, Robert Thorne...."