Chapter Thirteen

Tillie pushed open the creaky, weather-beaten door and stepped onto the porch. Rex stood there, his back against the worn wooden post, facing the vibrant orange sky as the sun rose in the east.

He had said little since he arrived home with a gunshot wound on his arm. Annamae bandaged it up and Tillie made sure he had plenty of fresh coffee and biscuits. Marshal Briggs headed to the Chapman house to let Reverend Billings know what had occurred. The families agreed to delay Thanksgiving as they made plans to resume searching after a few hours of rest.

“Rex?” she ventured softly, drawing closer as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I thought I could find you out here.”

“I was just thinking.”

“What about?”

He turned to her; his expression pained but determined. “About tonight. They took Esther. I saw the fear in her eyes,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “And I can’t bear to think how frightened she must’ve been.” He knocked a pebble off the edge of the porch with his boot. “All I could think of is that it could have been you.”

“But it wasn’t.”

“George wouldn’t have thought twice about putting you with those men. And I’m so angry about Whit. What was he thinking?”

“Maybe Whit has his reasons.”

“No. It goes against all the teachings we received growing up. Hard work. Perseverance. Loyalty to family. Reckon he forgot who we are,” Rex grumbled, one hand gripping the porch railing so tightly his knuckles whitened.

“Sometimes people are caught up with the allure of easy money.”

“That’s not Whit, though. He worked for everything he had.” Rex chuckled. “He came here with nothing after his ma died. Tracked pa down. Like you tracked Sawyer down. He was looking for a family. He wouldn’t risk losing that.”

Tillie’s heart ached at the sincerity in his gaze, the concern etched across his face. She stepped closer, laying a gentle hand on his arm. “Maybe the Lord is using him for something greater.”

He didn’t say a word, but instead held out one arm for her to join him. She nestled into his embrace effortlessly, feeling small and secure against his broad chest.

As she leaned into his chest, he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head and then nuzzled his cheek against her hair. “You’re the perfect size for me to hold,” he murmured.

Tillie felt a blush creep up her neck as she stiffened in Rex’s arms. Words formed in her throat, but the crisp morning air swallowed them, leaving only a silence between them.

“I can’t be what you need, Rex,” she finally whispered, her gaze fixed on the orange hues of the dawn. Her voice was barely audible, a hushed tone resonating with an underlying sorrow.

Rex turned his head; his eyes bore into hers. “What if you’re exactly what I need?” His words were steady.

Tillie shook her head, pulling away from his touch. “You don’t understand.”

His thumb lightly traced circles on her back, soothing her unspoken fears. “Don’t I?” Rex interrupted gently. “I’ve seen you, Tillie. I’ve seen the way you carry your burdens.” His voice was low, rumbling in his chest beneath her ear. “You’re stronger than you believe; you’re worth more than you think. I find you more precious than rubies.”

Tillie felt the tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, blurring the dawn before her. But she willed them back, swallowing.

“George won’t let me go.” Her words shook as she spoke, her voice cracking under the weight of her brother’s actions. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she struggled to find the right words to express her feelings.

Rex tilted her face up and pressed his lips against hers. “But you’re not his to keep. You have a choice, Tillie.”

He spoke with such conviction that Tillie wanted to believe. “It’s not that simple, Rex.”

“Make it simple,” he murmured, his voice carrying into the quiet morning air. “Choose me.”

“I’m afraid.”

“Of what? I can protect you, Tillie.”

“It’s not that. I’m afraid that George or these outlaws might come and take me from you.”

“He can’t hurt you anymore. They killed him, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”

Tillie froze, her heart pounding in her chest as she looked up at him with wide eyes. “He’s... he’s gone?” She had dreamed of freedom from George’s tyranny, but not like this. Not through death.

In that moment, something inside Tillie broke. The fear, the guilt, the terror she had held on for so long came crashing down around her. She felt a sob well up in her throat, a wave of grief overwhelming her. It wasn’t about George dying. It was about the lost years of being under his control, the years she had wasted living in fear.

Her legs gave way beneath her, and she would have fallen to the ground had Rex not held onto her. His arms wound tighter around Tillie as she buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking his shirt.

Rex said nothing, but held her close, his chin resting against the top of her head. He let her cry, continuing to hold her as the night turned into day. Now that George was gone, it was as if a door had opened to a brand-new beginning. She could finally have peace, freedom, and love.

Her beloved Rex offered that to her, along with his unwavering support. His arms held her tightly, providing a sense of stability amidst the chaos of her emotions. Tenderly, he wiped away a tear that had slipped down her cheek with his thumb.

After what felt like an eternity, Tillie’s sobs subsided. She pulled back from him slightly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. His grip tightened around her, a warm anchor in the swirling chaos of her thoughts.

“I’m sorry, Tillie. I should’ve told you sooner.” His voice was soft, his eyes holding a world of sorrow.

“I know I should be sad, but I’m not.” She rubbed her nose against his chest. “I feel relief. I don’t have to worry about him trying to marry me off for land or a fortune.”

Rex looked at her, his eyes softening. “Tillie,” he breathed, reaching up to brush a lock of hair out of her face. “I can’t promise you riches, but I can promise you this.” He took Tillie’s hand in his, pressing it to his chest, over his heart. “I can promise my love for you will outlast the stars. Tell me, sweetheart, do you love me?” His voice was steady, his gaze unwavering.

There was a raw honesty in his words that left her breathless. She stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. Looking into his eyes, knowing she couldn’t deny the truth any longer.

“I do, Rex,” she confessed, her heart swelling with emotion. “I love you more than words can say.”

He paused, gathering his courage before meeting her eyes. “I love you too, Tillie. More than I ever thought possible. Marry me?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible above the rustle of the morning wind. “Yes, Rex Hartman, I will marry you.”

“Ya know, Tillie,” he admitted, brushing her hair from her face. “I don’t know a thing about courting. I know about breeding cattle and wrangling horses, but not courting.”

Tillie laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “Neither do I. But I reckon we can find out about marrying together, can’t we?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Rex grinned, pulling her close as their lips joined in a tender kiss.

I hope you enjoyed Rex’s and Tillie’s story. Get ready for Whitney’s and Esther’s story in Redeeming the Outlaw.

Out of a sense of duty, Esther Billings will marry the man her father selects for her. She prays he is a good man and loves God as much as she does. But when she’s kidnapped, the one man that can help her is the opposite of everything she has dreamed about. Can she step into the darkness to bring this man into the light?

Vowing never to repeat the sins of his father, Whit Hartman has spent a lifetime trying to make up for his own past. Even going undercover to bring an outlaw gang to justice. But when those same outlaws abduct a woman, Whit pretends they are married to keep her safe. Will she play along or put them both in danger? A bigger question is, can Whit keep her safe and do his job without losing his heart?