Eliza Turley

KC had left two days ago. Eliza missed him terribly although at the time, she had thought he was rejecting her. But as she mulled it over for the better part of two nights, she decided that he had said he was sorry for putting her in danger. It even sounded like a reasonable and romantic thing to do. She was sure his heart was hers. She just had to have faith.

She considered all the pieces of the puzzle that she knew. There were at least two homesteaders unaccounted for. The man impersonating one of them had shot at KC. He even lived in Alpin’s house and didn’t correct her when she’d called him by that name.

Eliza was glad to have her family all together again. Uncle Morris’s oldest child, Michael, ended out going to her Uncle Ted’s house to help post a watch over there.

As the family gathered after the evening meal, someone knocked on the door. Ellis opened it after their pa trained a gun on it just in case.

KC stood in the doorway, and Eliza was out of her chair headed toward him when her ma grabbed her by the wrist. Eliza looked at her, and her mother just shook her head. Eliza realized she didn’t have the right to embrace KC though all her heart wanted to pour out that she was thankful for his safety, that she was overjoyed to see him, that she needed his assurance. All that would have to wait.

KC removed his hat. “Evening, Mr. and Mrs. Turley.” His eyes lingered on Eliza’s as she gazed at him, as well. “I was wondering if I might have a private word with you, sir.”

Her father stepped out onto the front porch, waving KC to go before him. No one in the front room spoke. Her mother looked worried. Ellis looked concerned, and Kailin looked confused. Eliza didn’t know how she looked, but she told herself not to build up any expectations. They could just be talking about the problems in Creede.

Soon her father returned, but KC didn’t. “You can talk to Mr. Murray for a few minutes but no longer.”

As the door shut behind her, KC said, “I need to apologize and beg your forgiveness. I had hoped to protect you by not being around you.” She thought she saw pain in his confession.

“I figured that out.” She couldn’t help buy study his face. His sharp features and piercing eyes drew her attention, but relief softened them. He stared at her for several long moments. His lips broadened, and his smile took her breath away. She tried to look down. Maybe that would calm her heart, but her eyes went right back to his. He was standing close, within a foot. She could smell the familiar scent of his soap and the leather of his hat.

“Eliza, I want you in my life.” He leaned forward and brushed her hair behind her shoulder, his knuckles grazing across her skin, leaving a trail of goose flesh. “You’re beautiful and kind. You’re a strong woman but tender, too. You’re smart and brave and a sharp shooter.”

She laughed at that. A thousand dreams of what their life together could be like rushed through her mind. She felt her cheeks warm at a few of them. She’d never considered living with a man that way before but found she greatly looked forward to it. The possibility was thrilling. She felt an ache, small but growing, to be in his arms.

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, his warm breath blowing across her neck. “Eliza, will you marry me?”

Her stomach tingled like a thousand butterflies taking flight at once. “Yes,” she said, barely recognizing her own voice. The world seemed to melt around her and swim in a whirl with them at its center.

He hugged her to him, then angled his head and lowered his lips to hers. A moan rose in the back of her throat. She gave herself up to the sensations she was felling—the strength of his arms and the taste of his lips. When he whispered her name, pleasure shot through her chest like lightning. Then much too soon, KC loosened his hold.

“Thank you for saying yes. I love you.”

Eliza shivered at the loss of his warmth and their closeness. She looked into his eyes again. “You were right. I believe I’ve been good and truly kissed now, and I had no idea it would be like that.” That was quite the understatement. When Eliza’s lips had parted, the kiss had stolen every rational thought from her head.

KC hugged her and quickly let go. “We’d better go inside.”

As they entered the doorway holding hands, Eliza’s pa said, “Come in. I suppose you have some news for us?”

“Yes, sir. Eliza has agreed to be my wife.” His smile was broad, and his voice verged on giddy.

It thrilled Eliza to know she so affected him. Her mother and sister jumped from their chair and hugged her. Her father didn’t seem surprised at all that she’d agreed and shook KC’s hand.

Ellis appeared stunned as she looked over her mother’s shoulder. His eyes seemed to say to her, So this is how you felt when I made it official.

She hoped hers said, Yes, but I’m happy for you, too.

With a nod, his expression replied, Yes, so happy for you. We’ll still be close.

Somehow.

When the excitement settled, Mr. Turley asked KC, “You came for two reasons. Am I right?”

“Yes. I stopped by Ted’s house. They’re coming over. Do you want me to wait until they get here?”

“Yeah, let’s wait. Eliza, could you get Mr. Murray some pie?”

Eliza nodded and went to the kitchen. When she returned, she found that KC had taken the only available chair—next to where Eliza had been, and he’d scooted it closer to hers.

Ellis went to the kitchen and hauled in more chairs when Uncle Ted’s family and Michael came in the back door.

Just as they sat down with the family, there was another knock on the door. Ellis jumped up and opened it. He looked as surprised as Eliza felt to see Louise and Grant Fillan standing there.

“Come in.” Ellis stepped to the side, then looked out before shutting the door behind them.

Eliza could see tracks of tears down Louise’s face as Grant strangled a paper in his hand. Eliza threw her arms around her friend. “What happened? What’s the matter?”

Grant gave the paper to Mr. Turley. “This was tied to a rock and thrown through our window this evening.”

Louise whimpered and covered her mouth with her hands. “We’re next. I don’t know what to do.”

“We’ll tell Marshal Wheeler,” Ellis said.

“That hasn’t helped the others. It seems like someone is doing this because they know there isn’t anyone to stop it or catch them,” Grant said as he stood rigidly by the door, tight-fisted and shaking.

Eliza looked at KC. She thought he looked determined. Although she’d written for his help with this very thing, she wasn’t sure she wanted him to risk his life. But if he didn’t, she knew trouble would come to her family, as well.

“May I read it?” he asked. Mr. Turley passed him the paper. He read it once, maybe twice.

Eliza held out her hand. KC reluctantly put it in her palm.

“’Time for you to sell, or you’ll be buried. Sign the documents in Colorado Springs day after tomorrow at Colorado First Trust and Loan. Collect a hundred dollars and never come back.’”

Eliza watched their neighbors. Mr. Fillan’s arm circled his wife’s shoulders. She held a handkerchief to her face and sobbed quietly. The threats had to end.