Conner's Contrary Bride by Barbara Goss (accelerated reader books .txt) 📗

over to the window.” Conner wanted to separate Frank from his guns. “Pull up your trousers.”

When Frank had pulled them up, Conner yelled, “Now, untie Elsie.” When Frank failed to move, Conner said, “I’m not afraid to shoot. I have the right to shoot anyone who comes into my home and threatens my family. Untie her… now.” Conner cocked one of his guns, hoping the click of it would be loud enough to let Frank know just how serious he was.

As Frank untied Elsie’s feet, Conner holstered one gun but kept his other still cocked and aimed at Frank. He moved to Elsie’s head and removed the sock from her mouth.

“Conner!” was all she said. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “God has answered my prayer.”

He stroked her cheek. “Of course, He did. He gave me a powerful urge to hurry home. Don’t worry anymore.”

Conner yelled loudly, “Bertie!”

Of course, she was right behind the door, watching. She poked her head inside the room. “Yes?”

“Run down and get the sheriff. If you hear a gunshot coming from our house, stop and get the undertaker, too.”

His words made Bertie race from the room, and Frank untied Elsie faster.

“Listen,” Frank said, “let me go right now, and I promise I’ll never come back. I’ll go to Mexico and never bother Elsie again, I swear.”

“I think not, Frank. You aren’t just guilty of attacking my wife—again—but also of tying up my housekeeper and killing my wife’s mother.”

Conner’s voice cracked with emotion. “If I hadn’t felt moved to come home early, I’d be coming home a widower.” He kept the cocked gun on Frank and caressed Elsie’s cheek to relax the pulse in her neck that throbbed wildly.

“It’s all right, Elsie. I’m here.”

Frank finished untying Elsie’s feet, and Conner grabbed one of the ropes. “Turn around and face the window,” he told him.

Frank obeyed. Conner set the gun on the bed while he tied Frank’s hands behind his back and then pushed him into a chair. Conner picked up the cocked gun and kept it aimed on him as he untied Elsie’s wrists from the bedposts.

Elsie rubbed her wrists and gave him a weak smile.

Once again, Frank pleaded for Conner to let him go. “I didn’t harm your wife any. Let me go now, and you’ll never see me again.”

“No, Frank,” Conner said. “You need to pay for killing Elsie’s mother.”

Frank was sweating. “It was an accident, I swear.”

“You’ll get a fair trial. Elsie, here, will testify as to what she saw. She can do that in an attorney’s office and sign a legal affidavit without ever returning to Gobbler’s Snob or whatever the town’s name is.”

Elsie sat up and smiled. “Gobbler’s Knob.”

There was a commotion at the front door. It moved inside, and before he knew it, in walked Sheriff Babcock, pointing his gun. He put it back in his holster once he’d assessed the situation.

 “Ah, Conner—nice work.” Babcock went over to Frank and yanked him to his feet. “You are under arrest for the assault of Conner’s wife, his housekeeper, and his doctor friend, as well as for the murder of your late wife.”

“The doctor?” Conner asked.

“Bertie’s untying him now,” the sheriff said.  He’s all right.”

“Now, let’s go!” Babcock yelled at Frank and gave him a shove to get him moving. On his way out, he winked at Elsie. “Now, you can relax.”

Conner sat on the bed, took Elsie into his arms, and kissed her forehead. “I’m so glad I listened to my instincts and came home. I’m sure the push to do so came from God.”

Elsie’s heart had slowed to normal, and she leaned closer. “I thought I would die today.”

“No, sweetheart—I plan on us growing old together. I realized something while I was gone.”

She looked up at him expectantly.

“I love you with all my heart.”

Elsie stroked his face. “I knew that.”

Conner chuckled. “How could you know it when I didn’t know it myself?”

“I saw it in your eyes.”

He hugged her. “With your permission, I’d like to make this a proper marriage. I want you to move into this bedroom tomorrow. What do you say?”

Elsie nodded shyly. “All I want to do tonight is curl up and sleep.”

“I’ll carry you to your room.”

“No—stay with me.”

Conner gave her a doubtful look. “You’ve been through enough—”

“I just want you beside me, is all. So I’ll feel safe and protected. Tomorrow is soon enough for us to become a genuine husband and wife. I’ve been through too much today, but I need you near me.”

Conner nodded. “You got it. I just need to take care of one thing first.” He sat up on the bed and yelled, “Bertie!”

When she came into the room, he asked, “Did Dr. Wadsworth go back to his hotel room?”

Bertie nodded.

“Good. Then you can close up the house for the night. I’m staying here with Elsie.”

“Is she all right?”

“Yes, thanks to God. She just needs comforting. I’ll stay with her tonight.”

“Goodnight to you both.” Bertie shut the door quietly, and they heard her steps as she walked away.

Elsie touched something with her foot, and she bent down and picked up Conner’s gun gingerly. “Conner, take this thing before it goes off!”

He smiled and took the gun from her. “I didn’t have time to load it—there are no bullets inside.” Conner took the gun from her and threw it on the floor. After removing his gun belt, he laid back down beside his wife and took her into his arms. “Goodnight, my love.”

Chapter Sixteen

Elsie was first to awaken. She still had her head on Conner’s chest, but his hold on her had loosened. Elsie looked up at him. He was still asleep. Her prince looked so handsome and peaceful.