Chapter 9

Vincent

Vincent could hardly sleep that night, tossing and turning as he thought of Sissy. If he didn't think he would scare her half to death, he would marry her right then and there, and sort everything else out later. But there was no rush. They still had time.

Hopefully, Mr. Webster wouldn't come for his sleigh anytime soon. After all, the pass into the mountains was already closed and probably wouldn't open up again until January, which would give him a little time.

Although he had been saving money since he arrived in Whiskey River, he didn't have enough saved to take a wife just yet. Vincent had left the gang right after the bank robbery. He didn't want blood money. Sissy's father had died for that money, and he wanted no part of it.

Unable to sleep, Vincent bathed and headed into work early, walking along the walkway headed toward the livery stable, when a man with long hair gave him a double take.

Vincent nodded once and then headed to work, hoping he hadn't recognized him. But when the man entered the sheriff's office, Vincent's heart sank.

Over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, Vincent had expected the man with long hair to arrive at the livery stable with the sheriff, but he never came. Just when Vincent thought it was over, the man stopped him after work one day.

"The name's Colton Hill." He offered him his hand and Vincent shook it. "Can we talk for a moment?"

Vincent nodded. "Lead the way."

Colton led him to the other side of the General Store, across from The Lady's Dress Emporium. Vincent noticed that Colton wore six-shooters that were strapped down to his legs—the sign of a gunslinger.

"I'm sure you know, but I've been watching you these past few weeks." A crease formed between Colton's eyes, placing his hands on his hips.

"And?"

Colton looked him straight in the eye. "And I know who you are. You're Vincent Gains, a member of the Holloway Gang."

Vincent's heart sank. Just when his life started to turn around, he was going to jail for his past sins. "So, are you going to turn me in?"

Colton tilted his head to the side. "That all depends upon you." Colton let out a deep breath. "From what I can tell, it looks like you're trying to start over, to create a new life for yourself." Colton arched an eyebrow. "Am I right?"

He nodded. "When I was young, I didn't have any family, I needed money, and the Holloway Gang needed muscle and a fast gun. I have both."

Colton nodded, listening.

"But then something happened that made me realize that that wasn't the life I wanted."

Colton's head snapped up. "And what kind of life do you want?"

"A normal life." Vincent lifted one shoulder. "One free of violence. I want what every man wants, a wife, a family, and to make an honest living to support them."

Colton nodded, a crease forming between his eyes. "I've also noticed that you've been courting Miss Spenser."

"Yes, I have."

"Does she know… about your past?"

Vincent sighed. "Yes, she does… and she's willing to accept me anyway. She said that it's all about the choices I've made, and lately, I want to be a good husband and father."

Colton chuckled, giving him a manly slap on the back. "So, then why haven't you married her yet?"

He shrugged. "I'm waiting for the right time… to save money so I can afford more than just a one-bedroom cabin."

"There's nothing wrong with that. With the right woman, you can work and build your life together." Colton sighed. "I used to be a gunslinger. Then I met my wife, and everything changed. I grew tired of people challenging the fastest gun, and I wanted to settle down and live a normal life. To plant roots. And that's exactly what I did. But Ella and I did it together in Whiskey River. Now, we have two children and are happy." A smile lit his lips. "You can have that, too."

"I hope so." Vincent let out a long, slow breath. "I've been looking over my shoulder, waiting for my past to catch up to me… and I'm tired."

"Well, if you like, we can go to the sheriff and talk to him now." Colton smiled. "He's a friend of mine and he's a fair man. When I first arrived here, I was his deputy."

Vincent's head snapped up. "Are you serious?"

Colton chuckled. "Yes, that's what I thought, too. But Daxton believed in me." Colton tilted his head to the side. "Sometimes, all you need is someone to believe in you."

"And the love of a good woman," Vincent added, a smile lighting his lips.

"Yes, that too."

Vincent nodded, biting his lower lip. "For now, I'd like to keep it to myself. I'll tell the truth when I'm ready."

Colton took his hat off, pulled back his long hair and let it fall down his back, and then slid on his hat again. "Well, don't wait too long. You don't want everything you've been working toward to go south. If someone recognizes you, it may do just that."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

Colton clasped his shoulder, giving it a manly squeeze. "Let me know when you decide to tell him, and I'll go in with you." He nodded down the road. "You can find me at the Hill Ranch." Then he nodded toward the sheriff's office. "I also help the sheriff from time to time when he needs me, so I'm easy to find. But stay here and make a name for yourself. The people of Whiskey River judge you for who you are now. Not for who you were." He winked, a smile lifting his lips. "I'm living proof."

Vincent offered him his hand. "Thanks, Mr. Hill. I truly appreciate it."

Colton shook his hand. "Call me Colton."

After Colton headed into the sheriff's office, Vincent thought about running. But if he ran now, he'd be running for the rest of his life.

As he walked past, he glanced over at the restaurant and Sissy was working. She looked up from taking and order and smiled, a lovely blush coloring her cheeks. At that moment, he knew he wasn't going anywhere without Sissy. He had waited his whole life for her, and he wasn't going to blow it now.

Sissy had made him a better man, and he intended to live up to it. She deserved nothing less.

When he arrived at the livery stable, Dirk was already hard at work. He looked up and smiled. "Ah, right on time!" He nodded toward the white horse in the stall. "I need you to shovel out the stalls today. Put the horses in the corral one at a time while you do it. Make sure the mares aren't around the stallions."

"Got it." While Vincent was working, he couldn't help but think of Sissy.

When lunch time came, Vincent wiped his brow on a hand towel and took a drink from the water bucket.

"So, have you decided what you're going to get Sissy for Christmas?" Dirk asked out of the blue.

Vincent chuckled. "I haven't a clue. I've been trying to save money so we can buy a bigger house when we get married and haven't given much thought to Christmas."

Dirk chuckled as he hammered a wheel onto a buckboard that he was repairing. "Well, make sure you get her something special. It doesn't have to be expensive, and you don't have to get her a lot of things, but whatever you do give her should be memorable."

Vincent stood, ready to resume working. "Well, she likes fabric—"

"But that's work," Dirk cut him off. "Think of something special, just for her."

Vincent nodded, having no idea what he could get her, but he still had time yet.

"So, are you and Sissy coming to the church service on Christmas Eve?" Dirk asked, fixing another wheel. "It's a candlelight service."

Vincent's head snapped up. "Seriously?"

Dirk nodded. "Yes, and it's quite beautiful." He chuckled. "Oh! A word of warning, if you haven't asked Sissy to marry you yet, she just might be expecting a ring for Christmas."

"Gee… thanks." Vincent headed back into the next stall wondering if he could give Sissy the life she deserved. He knew she wasn't one for extravagance, but he still wanted to provide for his wife in the manner he saw fit. But he didn't want to wait too long, either. Another man might not see a ring on her finger and ask her to marry him first.

Between what Colton Hill had said and with Christmas not far away, Vincent wondered if he would ever be able to provide Sissy with the life he wanted to give her. Only time would tell… but he was afraid that it was quickly running out.

Just then, there was a rumble in the distance, and growing closer.

"Men, prepare yourself. Something's coming." Dirk wiped his hands on a hand towel and stood out in the snow.

Vincent walked up beside him, wishing he had worn his guns. He hadn't had to wear his guns since arriving in Whiskey River. But after seeing Colton Hill wearing his, that was going to change. Although he wouldn't go looking for trouble, he wanted to be able to defend the town and the people he loved… if trouble came looking for them.

Suddenly, six riders came into town, kicking up snow and dirt. They pulled to a stop in front of the livery stable. The obvious leader was a huge, heavy-set man with a scruffy, unkept beard. He slid off his malnourished horse, a cloud of dust following him.

"Are you Dirk Price, owner of the livery stable?" The man hit his hat against his leg, and dirt surrounded him.

"I am." Dirk squared his shoulders, standing before the men.

"I'm here to collect my horse and sleigh." He looked around. "The name's Elmer. Elmer Webster." He looked out over the town. "My betrothed must be here somewhere—"

"She's not your betrothed." Vincent took a step forward, but Dirk raised his hand, holding him back.

"Mister…." Dirk turned toward Elmer. "Take your sleigh and horse and go. You have no other claim here."

"The hell I don't!" Elmer took two steps closer, doubling his fists at his sides, his eyes flaring as his men took a step back. "I paid good money for that train fare, and I intend to get my money's worth!"

"Women are not to be bought and sold." Dirk took a step closer, staring him down. "And if the lady says she doesn't want to marry you, then she's not going to."

"What do you know about it anyway?" Elmer yelled, his voice booming in the stables.

Dirk lifted his chin. "This is my place of business and you're not going to come in here and create a ruckus." He narrowed his eyes. "So, I suggest you take your sleigh and rig and go of your own accord… while you still can."

Elmer stared at him for a long moment and then burst out laughing as if it were the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "Oh yeah? And what do you plan to do about it?"

Quicker than Vincent would have thought possible, Dirk twisted Elmer's arm behind him, marched him to the door, and threw him out. Then Dirk kicked his backside and Elmer landed face first in the dirt.

Vincent and Billy Griffin, another worker at the stables, both faced off the others. They took a step back, holding up their hands.

"Vincent, go get the sheriff." Dirk flexed his huge muscles, cracking his neck, ready.

"Yes, sir." Vincent walked purposefully out the door and to the sheriff's office. He busted through the door and Daxton was immediately on his feet, jumping up from behind his desk. "Elmer Webster just got here from Laramie for his horse and sleigh, but he says he's not leaving without Sissy."

Colton pushed off the wall, tightening his gun belt as he listened.

"Well, now…." Daxton checked his gun to make sure it was loaded, and then shoved it back into its holster. "We'll just have to see about that. Won't we?"

"I should have worn my gun belt." Vincent shook his head, regret filling his chest.

Daxton's head snapped up. "Don't carry a gun unless you plan to use it."

"Oh, I'd use it all right." Vincent chuckled.

A crease formed between Daxton's eyes. "We'll talk about it later."

Colton gave Vincent a stern look as he walked past.

When they walked outside, Sissy and Millie were standing on the porch outside of the restaurant.

Vincent's heart sank. "Sissy, go inside."

Elmer's head snapped up. "There she is…." His lips curled into a devilish smile as he started toward her. "Sissy, I'm not leaving town without you."