Every Little Thing About You (Yellow Rose Trilogy 1) (41 page)

for some special reason, Slater?"

"Only to tell you that I love you."

Liberty nearly dropped the brush.

"It's the silliest thing," Slater went on conversationally.

"You know I want to marry you and take care of you, but

not how much I love you. I get things switched around

sometimes."

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Liberty began to paint as though she were under the

gun. She told herself not to look up but to get the job done

and get inside. She worked along steadily for some time

and finally chanced a glance at Slater. He was gone.

Liberty's head whipped around, but he was not in

sight. It was time to paint the lower half of the section she

was in, so Liberty dropped to her knees. However, the

brush didn't move for quite some time, and Liberty got

more paint on her face attempting to wipe away the tears

that she couldn't seem to stop.

S' "S"

Liberty told herself to breathe. She had survived not

being able to play the piano in church the day before and

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hadn't broken down, even when Slater came to sit by her.

She told herself that if she could just keep busy, she would

^iake it. Then Monday came, and she went to get the maiL

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Why she opened Dakota's letter just outside the building,

she didn't know, but she had, and now she must find Slater.

The jailhouse was empty. She thought about heading to

Hathaways' house but was fairly certain he wouldn't still

be there. She had just decided to go ask Tess if she knew

where Griffin was so, she could ask him about Slater, when

the door opened and the man she loved stepped in.

"Hi," he said warmly, a smile coming to his face the

moment he saw her. He came close but didn't try to speak.

Liberty's face looked strained, and he thought she might

cry if he touched her.

"You see, it's like this," Liberty began with no warning. "I just like you so much, Slater." Tears came to her eyes, but she kept on. "I have from the start. I don't know when that

turned to love, but it did, and it just won't go away. But all

my love, Slater, doesn't change the fear, this horrible terror

inside of me, that you only feel obligated."

"I don't Libby," Slater clarified. "I promise you."

"That's what Dakota said," she told him as she handed

him the letter.

Slater read, Dear Libby, nothing would induce Slater to

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marry a woman out of guilt. He's always loved you. Never forget

that. Dakota.

Slater looked down at her, his heart in his eyes. "I can't

tell you how true this is, Libby. I love you so much. I ache

with what I feel. I wish I could have done things differently

at the Potters', if only to convince you that for weeks now,

I've known you were the one."

"Oh, Slater." Liberty wanted to stop crying but

couldn't. "Please ask me again."

Slater's arms were around her before she saw him

coming.

"Marry me?"

"Yes."

296 lori wick

He held her gently, so very careful of her side. Liberty

would have raised both arms to hold him close but could

only manage one. Slater kissed her sweetly, first her soft

cheek and then her mouth.

"I love you, Libby. Don't you ever forget it."

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"I won't, Slater, but you can remind me anytime you

want."

Slater had to laugh. The only thing fuller than his arms

right now was his heart, and that was fair to bursting.

You did it, Lord, his heart cried in joy as he held Liberty

with the utmost care. I didn't know how and I didn't know

when. I only knew You would. I'll spend the rest of my days

thanking You for this miracle You performed on my behalf.

June 1882

the telegram read: Dakota hurt. Come swiftly. D. Curtis. Slater had left for Desmond's house within the hour. Now, a week later, he moved swiftly toward Duffy and Kate's/

one thought on his mind: seeing his wife.

It was getting late. Darkness was falling fast, but Slater

took little notice. He heeled Arrow to just short of a run as

he moved toward the home his in-laws were sharing with

them until he and his wife could find a place, his heart

hoping he would find Liberty on her own.

Slater took Arrow back to the bam, stabled him as

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swiftly as he could, and walked in ground-eating strides

toward the kitchen door. All he could do was smile and

lean against the door when he found Liberty at the kitchen

table, a recipe book open in front of her. She was bent over

reading something and took a moment to look up to see

who had entered. An instant later she flew into his arms.

"I missed you," she said as soon as she could breathe.

Slater wanted only to kiss her again.

"How's Dakota?" she finally got out.

"Hurt bad," Slater said as he led her to a chair, sat in it,

and invited her to sit in his lap. "He's lost a lot of blood,

and he'll be at Desmond's place for a while, but he's strong.

And the best news of all, Libby," Slater added, "he came to

Christ."

"Oh, Slater!"

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298 lori wick

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"It's true. Cash was there too. Dakota told us he's never

been so scared. The bullets just kept coming, and he knew

he couldn't do a thing. He said that he's never before seen

how lost he was, and at that moment was completely terrified

of dying. He talked to Desmond as soon as he woke

up, but not until Cash and I got there did he tell anyone he

was ready to talk to the Lord."

"Oh, Slater." Liberty hugged him tightly. "I've been

praying and praying. I must admit that I thought the Lord

might use this injury in Dakota's life, but I didn't know

how completely."

Slater's sigh was heartfelt. "You should have seen his

face, Lib. He looked so at peace. He's a shot-up mess, but

all the fear and defensiveness are gone." Slater couldn't go

on. He was suddenly too choked up to speak. He and Liberty

sat quietly together until Slater heard a noise. It

sounded like a tiny baby's cry.

"What was that?" Slater asked, wondering if Zach and

Laura had gotten a kitten.

Liberty grinned hugely. "That's my baby sister."

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Slater's mouth fell open. "Your mother had her baby?"

Liberty still grinned. "Last night, just before midnight.

Come see her."

Slater was in a state of shock as Liberty led him to the

living room. It was empty, save for the small person in the

cradle, who was just starting to make noise.

"Well, now," she said tenderly as she scooped up the

light bundle, "did you think we'd all forgotten you? You

have to wake up and meet your big brother-in-law." Liberty

bounced her a little and coaxed, "Come on, Jeanette,

wake up and talk to us."

Liberty and Slater laughed when the baby would have

none of it. She turned her face toward Liberty and went

back to sleep. The three of them sat on the sofa then, and

Slater took Jeanette in his arms.

"I've never seen anything so perfect," he said as he

lifted her tiny hand and examined each finger. Jeanette's

Every Little Thing About You 299

tiny head was beautifully shaped and covered with soft,

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dark fuzz. She was feather-light to hold, and for a time

Slater was transfixed with this precious infant

"How's your mother?" he suddenly remembered to

ask.

"Doing great. Up and around already and feeling

strong. Duffy's plan is for her to take it easy on the stairs-- only two trips down a day--so I'll be bringing Jeanette down here with me so Mam can sleep and not think she's

hearing the baby cry all the time."

Their eyes went back to the baby then, and for a time

they just watched her. Jeanette's next cry was a real one. In

no time at all, she was awake and howling, obviously

ready to be fed. Liberty took her upstairs to Kate and then

rejoined her husband on the sofa. They had not been apart

since they'd been married in April. They spent some time

catching up, both glad for a little time alone.

"We could have one of our own," Slater offered, his

arms holding Liberty tightly.

"Indeed. I'm all for it," Liberty said with a smile.

Slater moved to kiss her, accidently bumping her nose.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

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Liberty shrugged it off, saying, "My aim has always

been better."

Slater couldn't hold his laughter. Indeed, he was still

laughing when Liberty kissed him, and as he expected, her

aim was perfect.

5" *3r 3'

lori wick is one of the most

versatile Christian fiction writers

in the market today. Her works

include pioneer fiction, a series

set in Victorian England, and

contemporary novels. Lori's

books (over 1.5 million copies

in print) continue to delight

readers and top the Christian

bestselling fiction list.

Lori and her husband, Bob,

live in Wisconsin with

"the coolest kids

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in the world."