Page 156 of In These Hills

“You make it awfully hard for a man to rescue you when you’re rescuing yourself.”

Josephine threw her arms around his neck, silently vowing never to let go, and Dodge held her tight. He carried her to the carriage, which lurched forward almost before he’d closed the door. The interior was dim, the curtains mostly drawn.

“I knew you’d come,” she whispered.

“I’ve been watching from across the street all day. I’d almost given up hope, when you walked out. Then just as quick, I saw a look on your face, and spotted the man getting out of the carriage.”

“Darden.”

“I figured as much. So I followed you until I could get to you without drawing too much attention. But Josephine—” He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t spare you what you went through in there. But I knew if I tried to grab you on the way, Rigby would make good on his threat. And somebody could’ve been killed.” He drew her to him. “I saw you board the train with him. I followed you all the way to the jail, and it—” His voice broke. “—about killed me to watch him walk in there with you. But we had talked it through several times, and—”

“We?”

“Uncle Jack. He’s here, so is Bethie. We’re headed their way now. But first, tell me the truth. Are you all right?”

“I am now.” She touched his face, still needing to be sure he was real. “And this—” She pulled the handwritten jerky recipe still tucked in her sleeve. “—gave me such hope. I’ve thanked God for you and Slim Poyner so many times in recent days.” She quickly told him what he needed to know for the moment, deciding the rest could wait. “But Dodge, the money that was posted for bond. I know it was either you or Mr. Daniel.”

“Actually, it was both.” He smiled, smoothing the hair back from her face.

She looked down, self-conscious. “I can’t imagine what I look like right now.”

Thumb beneath her chin, he urged her gaze back to his. “You are, and always will be, the most captivating woman I’ve ever seen. But Josephine, you need to know . . . While I could never have given you the cathedrals of Europe or the pyramids of Egypt, now I can’t even offer you what I once could.”

“Dodge, I don’t—”

He pressed a finger to her lips. “The bond money took most of the proceeds from the sale of the land, but I would have given every penny. The money’s on its way, but Uncle Jack gave me a loan until it comes through.” He exhaled. “You need to know that he offered to pay the bond outright, but I aim to take care of the woman I love. The woman I want to be my wife . . . If you’ll have me.”

“If I’ll have you?” She smiled through tears. “Dodge Coburn, I will go anywhere with you. To the farthest ends of the earth. Which is actually preferable at the moment, please.”

They both laughed.

“Then that bodes well for what I have to tell you next. Because, while it’s a far cry from Wyoming . . . Uncle Jack saw a posting from a rancher out in Colorado needing a foreman. It’s a good ways from Denver, I think. It wouldn’t be our farm or our cattle, but—”

“I don’t need a farm or cattle or a ranch or riches, or even Europe or cathedrals. At least not without you. And Bethie. But . . .” She looked into his eyes. “I know that working another man’s ranch isn’t what you’ve dreamed of. Will this be enough for you? Do you think there might ever come a day when you . . . regret what you’ve done for me? What it’s cost you?”

“Regret doing what I’ve done for—” He blew out a breath. “Look at me closely as I say this. I would give everything I own to be with you. No, working for another man’s spread wasn’t my dream. But dreams change, Josephine. I used to dream about Wyoming, and cattle, and a stretch of land wide enough that a man could ride half the day and never cross his own tracks. Now . . . I dream about you and me starting a new life, the children we’ll have, and how we’ll prepare them, along with Bethie, for all the changes coming in this world. Changes we’ll work for together.”

Josephine’s throat tightened as her gaze lowered to his mouth, her love for him stronger than anything she could remember.

He pulled her closer on the bench seat. “Is that an invitation to kiss you, Miss Dunham?”

“Always, Mr. Coburn.”

His lips brushed hers, softly, their breath mingling, and his tenderness roused a passion within her, and in her heart—one she prayed they’d have a lifetime to explore together.

“One last thing,” he said after a moment. “Uncle Jack managed to track down how Clay Darden was there in Lynchburg. At the last minute, a son of one of the vendors invited Darden to come along as his guest. Uncle Jack feels so bad for what happened.”

“It’s not his fault. There’s no way he could have known.”

“That’s what I told him, too. Still . . .”

When the carriage finally stopped, Dodge lifted a curtain and peered out. Apparently satisfied, he helped her out and led her through a discreet side door of a hotel and down a short hallway. He paused outside a door. “They’re expecting us.”

But when he opened it, Josephine could barely believe her eyes.

“There’s me Finny girl!” Sarah ran to her and hugged her tight. “Oh, heavens be praised, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be seein’ you again.” She drew back. “Here I told you not to be trustin’ anyone, and you go and put your faith in this motley crew?” She gave a sideways glance at Mr. Daniel and Bethie, who stood to the side smiling.

Josephine hugged her again. “You were the one who told me that when someone shows you who they are, I should believe them the first time.” She looked at Dodge, Mr. Daniel, then at Bethie, and even Jessie lying nearby. “So I did.”