Chapter 14 - The Name Behind the Crime
The news spread before midnight.
Vain had escaped after his prison wagon overturned crossing a flooded bridge.
One guard died.
Another was missing.
Vain vanished.
Emmett wanted Odessa surrounded by armed men.
She refused to hide.
“He took three years already.”
“You’re not giving him another minute.”
“Exactly.”
They increased patrols.
Nothing happened.
One day.
Two.
Three.
Then Odessa found something on Elias’s grave.
A black ribbon.
Vain’s message.
Emmett knew where he would go.
North Creek.
Everything returned there.
They informed the territorial marshal.
This time there would be no private confrontation.
No heroics.
No revenge.
They set a trap.
Odessa rode alone toward North Creek while deputies concealed themselves along the ridge.
Emmett hated every second.
Vain appeared near sunset.
Thin.
Dirty.
Nothing left of the wealthy colonel except hatred.
“You ruined me.”
Odessa remained mounted.
“No.”
Her voice was steady.
“You did.”
“I built this county.”
“You stole from it.”
“I could have made you rich.”
“I was already rich.”
Vain laughed.
“You were a freak living alone on a dying ranch.”
Emmett nearly stepped from cover.
Odessa did not flinch.
“That’s why you lost, Barton.”
His smile faded.
“You thought loneliness made me weak.”
Vain raised his gun.
Deputies emerged.
“Drop it!”
He spun.
Emmett came from the opposite side.
Vain was surrounded.
For one terrible second Emmett thought he would fire.
Instead Vain looked toward the ravine.
Then ran.
Odessa followed.
“Stop!”
Vain reached the edge.
Loose earth collapsed.
He slipped.
His hand caught a root.
He hung above the same ravine where Elias died.
Emmett reached him.
Vain stared up.
“Help me.”
The symmetry was cruel.
Emmett reached down.
Odessa watched.
Vain grabbed his wrist.
Emmett pulled.
Deputies helped drag him up.
Vain lay gasping.
“Why?” he whispered.
Odessa answered.
“Because Elias deserved justice, not revenge.”
Vain was shackled.
This time he reached territorial prison alive.
The case ended.
Weeks later, Odessa and Emmett stood before Judge Avery.
Their practical marriage was dissolved.
For precisely nine minutes, they were unmarried.
Outside the courthouse, Emmett stopped on the steps.
People gathered.
Odessa narrowed her eyes.
“You planned something.”
“Maybe.”
He removed his hat.
Then knelt.
Given their height difference, Odessa burst out laughing.
“Emmett, now you’re practically underground.”
“Let me finish.”
She covered her mouth.
He took out a simple silver ring.
“Odessa Kesler, the first time we married, you needed a husband and I needed a roof.”
Her eyes filled.
“This time I have a home. I have my name back. And you have your ranch.”
He swallowed.
“So neither of us needs anything from the other.”
Odessa’s tears fell.
“That’s not very romantic.”
“I’m getting there.”
“Take your time.”
He smiled.
“I love you. I love your stubbornness. Your terrible biscuits.”
“My biscuits are excellent.”
“They could stop bullets.”
“Emmett.”
“I love that you leave half the blanket on the floor. I love that you pretend you don’t worry when I ride late. I love that you are stronger than any person I know, and I’m not talking about the fact you could probably carry my horse.”
Someone laughed.
Odessa ignored them.
Emmett held up the ring.
“I don’t need you, Odessa.”
His voice softened.
“I choose you.”
She was crying openly now.
“Will you choose me?”
Odessa looked down at him.
Then past him.
Her expression suddenly changed.
Emmett followed her gaze.
At the edge of the courthouse crowd stood an elderly stranger holding a battered leather satchel.
He stared directly at Odessa.
“Mrs. Kesler?”
The celebration went silent.
The old man stepped forward.
“I knew Elias.”
Odessa’s hand tightened around Emmett’s.
The stranger opened the satchel.
Inside was a sealed envelope bearing Elias Kesler’s handwriting.
May you like
Across the front were six words.
FOR ODESSA, AFTER SHE IS FREE.
