Free Kiss of The Christmas Wind by Janelle Taylor Page B

staring him in the face and preparations to be made. “You don’t want those outlaws to get away any more than I do. They were smart to hit the bank at dusk; they knew it would be morning before anyone could ride after them. They won’t be traveling hard and fast, and they may doubt anyone will pursue them in this weather and under these conditions. I’ll overtake them and capture them quick and easy. I’ll make it back before Christmas.”
    Carrie Sue knew he might not be able to keep his promise, despite his impressive skills. The weather was unpredictable, outlaws were desperate men, and travel over snow-covered landscape was hazardous and slow. “Can’t you take someone with you this time?” she urged.
    Thad shook his head. He couldn’t tell her that he didn’t want to drag men away from their families during the holidays or out into the harsh weather. She would only respond that if he could risk his life and endure the hardships to protect their lives, they could do the same to assist him to end the matter swiftly and safely. So he simply said, “I can move faster without anyone to slow me down. I can handle two men alone.”
    Carrie Sue knew he wasn’t boasting, just stating a proven fact. “I don’t understand why President Grant insisted you come to Gates as the town marshal. There are plenty of towns and lawmen nearby to handle trouble.”
    “Too many of them have conflicts of interest, love. Most of them are battling over mining sites, railway locations, and ranch lands. Me, I’m unbiased, and well-trained with problem situations. With so much gold and silver and timber around, this territory is growing fast. Where riches can be made quick and easy, there’ll always be trouble. Besides, no one knows us here; we’ve made a fresh start far from Texas.”
    “You mean, no one here knows me or about my villainous past.”
    “You’re still being too hard on yourself, Carrie Sue. You’re free, pardoned. Your past is over, done with, gone.”
    “As long as we do as we’re told. My pardon was based on you marrying me, keeping me out of trouble, and resigning from the Rangers and as a Special Agent for the President and,” she stressed, “on you becoming marshal of this town.”
    “I’ll admit Grant gave me a way out of a nasty situation. I’m grateful to him. And I’m glad I’d saved enough money to buy this ranch outside of town. A man surely doesn’t spend much of his earnings when he’s on the trail alone. We have twenty beautiful acres in this valley, love, and forty more in the adjoining one. We’re sheltered on nearly all sides by mountains from the worst weather winter could throw at us. We’ve got plenty of water, a cozy home, a big barn, sturdy fencing, winter feed, a few cattle and horses, food to last for months, and each other. It’s more than either of us has had since childhood.”
    She reasoned in a gentle tone, “But how can we enjoy it, make it succeed and grow, if you’re called away half the time to put yourself into danger? I’m grateful for all we have, but maybe I’m selfish in wanting my husband safe and at my side more. Some of those claims disputes get out of hand and bullets fly wildly. I don’t like you riding into a den of greedy wolves alone. Gold and silver crazed prospectors could rip you to pieces just to frame their enemies. I feel like we’re still paying for my wicked past, and we’ll keep on paying for my mistakes until we’re too old to ranch or you’re killed tracking down countless outlaws. How many do you have to bring to justice before you’ve paid for freeing one?”
    Thad ignored that question; to answer it would give away a special surprise in the making. “I’ll be fine, love. You worry about me too much.”
    “Because I love you and I want you around forever. I have confidence in your prowess, T.J., but—”
    “No buts, Mrs. Jamison. I won’t be marshal forever; I promise. My belly’s rumbling and our supper will be burning