Dutch wouldn’t let go of her hand. He couldn’t. He had this deep sense that if he let her out of his sight or he wasn’t touching her that she’d disappear. He couldn’t let that happen. He pulled her close and brought her against him so he could kiss her. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “I love you, Mrs. Holan,” and traced his lips down her jaw before bringing them down on her mouth.

Lost in their kiss, he thought about the path that had brought them there. He’d come to Creede to fetch the Dobbs sisters and return them to New York to face their fate. He’d stayed and managed to rile up the underworld before turning it on its head and hopefully settling it back down. He’d almost been blown to pieces but ended up with the best part of his life because of that blast. He tightened his hold on his wife’s back, moving his one hand from the arch of her back to between her shoulders.

He remembered clearly the moment she’d agreed to marry him as well as the moment they’d told her father. Dutch had thought for a moment the man was going to jump from his chair and pin him to the wall, but he hadn’t. He’d ranted and then relented. After a few days, he told Rachel that she and Dutch could have the cabin after they were married. He’d decided to do some traveling work for Aedan, nothing too far, mostly Topaz, Durango, and Denver. He thought it would give the couple a chance to spend time together without anyone in their business.

Dutch and Rachel had been grateful as well as sad, but her father had assured her that she’d still see him all the time. He’d only be gone a few days in a row and then back for a few days. He’d work in town and out so that he wasn’t in the way.

John Henry had been thrilled when Rachel told him that Dutch had accepted an offer from KC to become a deputy Marshal. Neither were sure how long they’d be able to stay in Creede, but it was reassuring to her father nonetheless.

Dutch moved his lips from his wife’s, and after catching his breath, “I’ll be right back, love.”

They were at the train station. Nessa had waited exactly one hour after the wedding to leave for New York, so they were all standing on the platform in their finest. Nessa and Beth said their goodbyes, and Byron gave her the information she’d need to contact his family in New York. Dutch silently hoped that her connection to them might be helpful to her once the Whyos caught up to her. Which was sure to happen.

Nessa offered a short but sweet farewell to her brother-in-law before the tears started to fall when she looked at her sister. Dutch knew better than anyone that the sisters had never been apart. Not since their mother died had they ever gone different ways. They were always together. Dutch sighed and, still clinging to her hand, pulled Rachel with him toward his friends.

“This isn’t forever. I’ll be back,” Nessa assured her sister as the two hugged each other tightly.

Kara nodded against her sister’s shoulder. “And who knows, maybe Aedan and I will visit you in New York.”

“Yes. See, exactly.” Nessa stepped back from her sister. “Thank you for supporting me doing this.”

Kara nodded and leaned forward. She kissed Nessa on the cheek and whispered something in her ear before she turned and fell into her husband’s arms. Aedan held her as the two walked away.

The whistle blew, piercing the moment. Nessa turned to Rachel. “Take care of him.”

Rachel squeezed his hand. “I promise.”

Nessa nodded. She stepped toward him and hugged him. “Thank you, brother.”

Dutch laughed. “Be safe, sister.”

Nessa moved to the steps and took two of them before she turned to wave. Dutch watched and pulled Rachel closer to him. He had hope Nessa was doing the right thing. If she cared for Henry even half as much as he cared for Rachel, then she was. He just hoped she’d find him before the Whyos found her. A lump formed in his throat, and he let go of Rachel’s hand, quickly taking a few huge steps so that Nessa could hear him as she was now up the steps and headed down the isle of the train car to find a seat. “Trust no one, Ness!”

She didn’t turn. He called out again, “Nessa!” That time she turned. She smiled. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled once more, “Trust no one, Ness!”

Relief washed over him as she gave him a short nod and turned back to finding a seat. Rachel came up behind him and touched his back. “Alright?”

He reached back and wrapped an arm around her waist. He nodded. “Let’s go home.”