Chapter Six

Whit slowly opened his eyes to the sight of Esther snuggled against him, her chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. A surge of warmth flooded his heart as he realized how much he cared for her. The way her hair cascaded across the bedroll and the gentle sounds she made while sleeping, made him imagine a lifetime of waking up next to her.

As he pictured their future together, he could see himself surrounded by his close-knit family, gathering around a large table for meals and celebrations. He couldn't help but wonder if Esther shared the same vision. Growing up in a tumultuous household, he never thought about having children of his own. Seeing Esther's kind and nurturing nature, he knew she would make a wonderful mother. He made a vow to himself to break the cycle of neglect and be the loving and present father his own wasn't.

Four .

He'd like to have four children if they all looked like the woman lying next to him.

He still hadn't found what the Richards gang was after. They had resorted to stealing livestock and chickens to keep the men fed, but they had yet to uphold their notorious reputation. Except for one thing - kidnapping Esther. They hadn't physically harmed her, only scaring her and making her work for them. As much as it pained him to admit it, they were almost treating her like a member of their ragtag family.

Esther's eyelids slowly fluttered open, revealing her large hazel eyes, which always seemed to captivate Whit. He felt a swell of tenderness in his chest as he watched her wake up. He knew now he was falling for her.

As she stirred, she stretched her arms over her head.

"Morning," she murmured, a sleepy smile forming on her lips.

"Morning," Whit replied softly, brushing his lips against hers. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did. I feel protected when you are next to me. Will you be leaving again today?" she asked softly, her lips barely touching his.

"I don't know what Brodie has planned. I may have to go to town."

"Ma says you spend a lot of time in town."

Whit pushed her away from him so he could look at her face. "What are you saying?"

"I've not had any news about my family. I don't understand why you've not taken me back to town yet."

"Sweetheart, we've not been in Flat River. We have been avoiding it at all costs."

"Then where are we?"

"I can't tell you."

Esther rolled on her back, taking up most of the room in the small tent. "You can't tell me a lot of things."

"I can tell you I want to talk to your father when we get home."

Esther snorted. "I highly doubt Papa would even let you near the sanctuary, let alone entertain any discussion about me when we get home."

"Keep your voice down. If they hear us, then we'll be in trouble." Whit felt his chest tighten at Esther's words. He knew she was right. Convincing the Reverend to approve of him would be no easy feat. Then again, Briggs didn't think Whit could become part of the Richards gang, and here he was.

"I know it won't be easy. I aim to prove myself to him, to show I can provide and care for you properly."

Esther sat up, her eyes searching Whit's face. "Why are you so set on gaining my father's approval? I'm grateful, truly, but..." Her voice trailed off.

Whit took her hand in his. "Because you deserve nothing less," he said earnestly. "When two folks care for each other like we do, it's only right to make it proper. You care for me, don't you, Esther?"

Esther's eyes misted over. No one had ever spoken so sincerely about building a future with her before. "Of course I do, Whit."

"Then you'll trust me when I say things aren't always how they appear."

"I guess..."

Whit gently ran his fingers through her silky hair, then firmly grasped it and pulled her closer to him. He pressed his lips against hers with urgency, deepening the kiss with each passing moment. When he pulled away, she was breathless.

"I hope all those guesses have gone right out of your head."

Her gaze shifted upwards toward the top of the tent, her lips curling slightly in a smirk. "Not a thought in there, save one."

"What thought is that?"

"I need you to kiss me again before you leave."

Whit grinned as he pushed her hair back from her face. "I can do better than that." He kissed her forehead, then eyes. "I'll kiss you now." He moved to the tip of her nose. "Then again, before I leave." His lips captured hers once more. He felt her shift so her hand could reach up and cup his cheek.

There were so many layers of blankets, her paletot and his long duster, plus all their clothing between them. He growled at the thought of tossing them all aside, but he had to remember she wasn't his wife. They were just pretending.

He broke the kiss. Her eyes were wide and soft as he traced her swollen lips with the back of his thumb.

"Why did you stop?"

"Sweetheart, I didn't want to, but one of us has to keep our wits about us." He gently pushed her away and sat up on their makeshift bed, his eyes full of worry. "We can't give in to our desires. I made a promise to protect you, and it includes your virtue. What kind of man would I be if I let anything happen to you?"

Then she remembered the letter...

"Whit, I need to tell you something."

"What is it?"

Esthers voice became so low, he had to strain his ears to hear her. "My father sent a letter asking Reverend Dunn to find me a husband. The Reverend and his wife are looking through matches and sending them to Papa and Mama."

Suddenly, Whit's entire future was paralyzed by the mere suggestion of Esther marrying someone else and leaving town. It felt like a sharp blade piercing his gut.

"Do you want to get married to someone you don't know?" She sat up and shook her head. Whit rested his hand on her shoulder. "I wouldn't worry about those letters anymore."

"You think Papa won't make me marry one of those men? They'll be good men. Men of faith, like him."

Whit tilted her chin, so she was looking directly at him. "I don't think they'll marry you because in their eyes you'll be ruined. They won't believe nothing happened to you out here."

"Nothing happened, other than a few kisses."

"Telling everyone we were married. Sleeping next to me every night. What do you think they are going to think if word gets back to town with those stories?"

Her cheeks heated and turned a bright shade of red, showing she had not considered this possibility. "I-I didn't even consider it," she stammered out.

Whit kissed her once more. "I'm going to marry you, Esther Billings. Once we get back home, I'm going to talk to your father, and it will be done." He slid to the bottom of the tent. "When I get back tonight, I need to talk to you about something important. I tried to tell you last night, but you fell asleep."

"When will you be back?"

"I don't know." He swallowed hard. "Brodie is looking for something, but I can't figure out it is."

"Promise me you'll be safe," she pleaded, her fingers fidgeting with the cross pendant around her neck.

His hand found hers, stilling her worry. "I promise, Esther. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you and your family."

"God watch over you, Whitney Moore," she prayed softly, her faith in him shining in her eyes.

He opened his arms and held her close for a few more precious moments before the world outside demanded his attention. Once he returned from whatever errand Brodie sent him on, he'd tell her the truth about why he was in the Richards' gang. He prayed she wouldn't betray him.

Ma's announcement caught Whit off guard. Brodie had already set off for the day, but Ma insisted Whit go to Flat River and purchase supplies.

"Tom's already in town, so you can ride home together." Her sharp eyes watched his every move.

"Wouldn't Flat Junction be easier?" he asked.

Ma ignored the question and waved a piece of paper in front of him. "If you leave now, you'll be back by dark. Snake can go with you."

Whit's hand instinctively went to his beard, the prickly sensation on his chin reminding him he needed a shave. He only let his facial hair grow out as a disguise, but now it felt like a burden. As he scanned the list in front of him, Whit couldn't shake the feeling something was off.

"Is this everything?" he asked, knowing they could easily find these items in the nearby town just two miles away. It would easily take them three hours or more to ride to Flat River.

Ma nodded and pointed at Snake.

Whit looked at Brodie's cousin, Snake, and a chill went down his spine. Snake slithered out from the shadows, his slender frame seeming to glide as he moved. Greasy strands of dark hair hung limply around his sallow face, partially obscuring his narrow eyes which stared out with a sinister glint. As he drew closer, the flickering firelight illuminated his sharp, angular features resembling a viper ready to strike. He curled his lip and hissed in Whit's direction before throwing his head back, laughing.

He couldn't show any fear, even though every single fiber of his being knew this wasn't a normal supply run. This was two men headed out on the prairie and only one was coming back. He wondered if they had figured out who he was. It had been more than a week since he had spoken to Briggs, since he had nothing to report. There was no chance of their communications being intercepted.

Whit made a mental list of what he needed to do. Saddle Topper, load his rifle, and put his gun belt in a saddlebag. Say goodbye to Esther.

Say goodbye.

He didn't want to think about saying goodbye when he had just found her.

"Saddle up then," he commanded, tucking the paper in his shirt pocket. "We'll leave in ten."

They were ready to go in seven minutes as Whit led his horse through the camp. Snake was already on his horse, an evil look in his eye as Whit walked toward Esther.

Silently, he reached out and grasped her waist, pulling her close. He pressed his lips to hers, pouring all his emotions into the kiss. As they parted, he noticed a light dusting of flour on her hands and coat, but he didn't care. With tears in his eyes, he held onto her, wanting to savor this last moment before he had to let her go.

"Whit?" she said, her face showing apparent confusion. He let go and took a moment to examine her again, remembering every aspect of her appearance.

"We got to go, Moore," Snake said. "Daylight's wasting."

With a last kiss, he climbed aboard Topper and looked at her. "I love you, wife. Never forget." Digging his heels into the side of the horse, he rode out of camp.

They had been riding for ten minutes when Whit slowed down enough to look at Snake. "Brodie wants you to kill me?"

Snake laughed. "No. It wasn't Brodie. It was Ma."

"Ma?" Whit shook his head in surprise. He wasn't expecting the order to come from Ma Richards.

"You really don't know, do you?"

Whit relaxed Topper's reins, picking up the speed a bit. "I guess I don't."

"Ma doesn't want her daughter married to an outlaw."

Whit repeated the words in his head. "Daughter?" Then it clicked. "Esther is a Richards?"

"Libby, too."

Whit's mind raced as he and Snake rode across the open prairie. Though he tried to appear calm on the surface, his thoughts churned like a gathering storm.

Esther was a Richards ? How had he not known? Her kind spirit and gentle nature were so unlike the rest of the outlaw clan. She was nothing like Snake, with his icy stare and sinister air. Nor did she resemble Ma, with her hardness and iron will. She wasn't even anything like Brodie with his calculating ways.

No, Esther was different which was why Whit had to find a way out of this. Determination surged within him. He couldn't allow Ma to take Esther's sister, Libby, too. He had to do whatever it took to protect them.

Whit glanced at the sky, judging he had maybe five hours before sundown. He knew the land around here like the back of his hand. All he needed was an opportunity.

"I thought Esther's folk were the Billings in Flat River."

"Stop talking and keep riding." Snake moved his horse to a light run. "I'll even let you pick the spot, but make it quick because I have to get into town."

"You really are going to Flat River after you kill me?"

"Yeah. I need to wrap up some loose ends in town."

Whit's mind raced as he considered his options. He needed to get the upper hand against Snake somehow, but out on the open prairie, it seemed unlikely. What he needed was seclusion. There was a place near Trapper's Rock which had plenty of cover. Overhanging trees and thick brush lined the creek where it met the river. It could provide him with an advantage if he could plan it right. He just needed a place to hide a body where Brodie or the other men wouldn't find it on their way back to camp.

When they reached the creek, Whit reined Topper in. "This'll do," he said gruffly. Snake eyed him with amusement, no doubt thinking Whit had resigned himself to his fate. They dismounted. "Don't try anything funny."

Whit quickly surveyed the area as he calculated his next move. The brush and trees along the creek provided decent cover, but he needed to get Snake closer to make his attack.

"Let's walk up the bank a bit," Whit suggested casually, leading Snake further up the creek to where the bushes thinned. Snake followed, his hand resting on the revolver at his hip. Once they were a suitable distance from the horses, partially obscured by the trees, Whit stopped and turned.

"No need to drag this out," he said bluntly, standing tall and staring Snake down. "If you're going to shoot me, then get on with it."

Snake smirked, clearly enjoying having the upper hand. "I want to enjoy this. Once I'm done with you, I'm going to head to town and take care of the preacher's family."

"The Billings? Why?"

"Ma allowed them preacher folks to take her daughter and raise her as their kin. She wanted to give Esther a good home away from all the thieving and rustling. Libby went with another family. The Billings were supposed to let Ma see her, but one day they were just gone. It has taken her all these years to bring the family back together. There is just one of our kin left to find."

"Who's the last one?"

"Why should I tell you?"

Whit held out his hands. "It isn't like I'm able to tell anyone. It will probably do you good to release the secret."

"Duke's son is somewhere near Flat River, and Ma wants her grandchild back. Once we find out where he is, then we'll get him back and eliminate the family who has him."

"What about his ma?"

"Brodie is looking for her, too. She will not get away with what she did to our family."

"You're a lunatic."

Snake pulled out his revolver and waved it at Whit. "I'm not the one looking down the barrel of a six-shooter."

"Everyone in town knows Esther is gone. They are probably surrounding the Billings if they aren't out looking for her."

"Ma thought about that, too."

"How so?"

"The Billings haven't left their house. No one knows she's missing."

"That's impossible."

"Ma is smart. She put up a sign stating the church was closed because of a fever. The whole town fears getting it again, so no one is going near their house."

Whit removed his dusty hat and ran a calloused hand through his unruly hair. He made a mental note to ask Esther for a trim the next time he saw her. With Esther and her family's lives in danger, he knew there was only one opportunity to take down Snake and make it to town to rescue the Billings family.

Faking putting on his hat, Whit swiftly reached inside and pulled out a small single shot pistol hidden within the brim. He fired without hesitation, aiming carefully between Snake's eyes.

The man's eyes widened as he stumbled backwards, his fingers instinctively loosening their grip on the cold metal of the revolver. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground, panting heavily as he tried to make sense of what just happened.

Whit rushed over and picked up the Colt. Looking at Snake, Whit sneered. "I should have done this the first time you touched Esther."

Lifting his foot, he planted it in the middle of Snake's chest, knocking the man into the river. As Snake disappeared into the muddy water of Flat Creek, Whit raced back to his horse. After securing his gun belt and storing the Colt in his saddlebag, he climbed onto Topper. Leading Snake's horse, he double timed it to Mrs. Brown's house to hide it before heading to town to ensure the Billings family was safe.