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“Wait a minute, didn’t you say there was a dead body in the building?”
“Yes, there is, but he will be dead for a while. I suggest you get your coroner to retrieve it and haul it away before that building falls down.”
“That building was condemned last year. No one’s supposed to even be in there.”
“Tell that to the dead guy.” McNeil grinned as he joined Hunter, Jesse and Emily, heading away from the area.
“We need to have a doctor look at that bruise.” Hunter turned her face toward him. “If he wasn’t already dead, I would kill him for doing that.”
“You did,” Jesse said.
“I can’t believe I’m a free man.” Hunter stretched out his long legs and cupped his hands behind his head.
They were all holed up in Jesse’s hotel room, having just returned from the police station. Based on their recount of what had occurred at the offices of Smith and Sanders, and the ensuing chase and shooting, the district attorney dropped the charges against Hunter.
“That leg seems to be a lot better than the doc who saw you in Austin said. You interested in returning to the Rangers?” McNeil leaned forward, his expression questioning.
Hunter hesitated. He loved the Ranger life. Now that he wasn’t driven by finding his father’s killer, he could do a lot of good by corralling all the outlaws and getting them locked up. For a minute it had sounded appealing.
Then his glance slid to Emily who considered him with schooled features. She was his future. Even though he hadn’t yet made it official by proposing to her, that was his next step. He couldn’t imagine a future without her. The Rangers paled in comparison. He wanted what he’d shoved to the back of his mind for years while he’d pursued his father’s killer.
As much as he’d enjoyed sleeping under the stars and being beholden to no one, he was more than ready for a real home, a wife, children, and respectability. How he would earn a living to support this dream had yet to surface. But he was strong, healthy, and a hard worker. With Emily by his side, he could accomplish anything.
“As appealing as your offer sounds, I must refuse.”
Had Emily’s shoulders slumped in relief?
“You could do a lot of good, Henderson. You were always one of the best on our team.”
“Thanks for the offer and compliments, I appreciate it. But I have in mind another type of future.” He smiled at Emily who ducked her head and blushed to the roots of her hair.
“Ah. I see how the wind blows,” McNeil said. He slapped his thighs and stood. “Well, gentlemen—and lady,” he nodded in Emily’s direction, “if I can’t talk this tinhorn into returning with me, I need to be on my way.”
They all stood and Hunter walked him to the door. He stuck his hand out. “Thanks so much for your help, McNeil.”
“You’re welcome.” He opened the door, then stopped and looked at Emily. “Take care of him, ma’am. He’s a good man.”
Once more Emily’s cheeks grew red as Jesse grinned at her.
“We need to get packed up. I want to catch the four-forty train to Oklahoma City.” Jesse moved to the wall where his suitcase stood open.
Then he turned and took in the sight of Hunter and Emily staring at each other. “Um, before I do that,” he headed toward the door, “I think I’ll go on down to the corner store and pick up a newspaper.”
Neither Emily nor Hunter acknowledged Jesse as he left the room.
Once the latch closed, Hunter held his hand out. “Come here.”
Emily didn’t hesitate. She quickly made her way around a chair, and threw herself into his arms.
“God, it feels so good to hold you.” He ran his palms over her body, then pulled back and focused on her face. “Your bruise looks awful. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“A bit of pain, but nothing I haven’t had before.” She flinched, and once more rage swept through Hunter at the thought of how many reasons he had to hate Louis.
He placed his knuckle under her chin and raised her head. “Remember I told you when this mess was cleared up, I had an important question to ask you?”
Emily nodded, her eyes as big as saucers. He assumed she knew the question. Was her look one of refusal? His heart beat double time as he dropped to one knee and gripped her hands in his.
“I love you more than anything in this world. I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you, building you a home, and giving you children. Will you marry me?” He held his breath as she continued to regard him.
