A.N - I'm sorry that this chapter is so short and that the next is even shorter. I could have combined the two, I suppose, but I didn't really want to. My reasons are rather selfish, I admit.

Following next chapter will be an Epilogue. Then that's it. Not long left now guys. :)

Chapter Ten

Fortunately, I am not a stupid man, and I knew that turning up at the Ackerman household whilst wearing the now-tattered clothes I had worn yesterday, was not the best way to be received.

It was with that reasoning that I returned home first, for a wash and a change of clothes, and wrote a note to Susannah, warning her to expect me that afternoon.

I couldn't believe I was actually going through with this, I thought as I pulled on a new, clean shirt. The thin ring I held in my hand was my lifeline at that moment. Whilst Susannah and I will never be able to marry, I wanted her to know that she will always have my heart. This ring was the only way I could think of telling her that.

The only way that I could think of expressing that was by giving her an engagement ring – even if an engagement was never to take place.

With a sigh, I pocketed the ring and left my household, intending to return tonight a broken man. For there was no way I could go through with this and remain whole.

My horse was ready and waiting for me when I rounded the corner to the stable. As always, my ever-boisterous sister Mercedes was there, admiring the horses she was too small to learn to ride yet.

"Jesse!" She cried excitedly upon seeing me, throwing her self into my arms. Her twelve-year-old frame easily fell against me. "Where are you going?"

"To the Ackerman's, hermana." I told her with a smile, mounting my horse.

"Oh," Her eyes widened excitedly. "Can I come? I wish to see pretty Miss Susannah again. Don't you think that she's very pretty, brother?"

My smiled broadened as I nodded back to her.

"Yes, I do." I told her. "I daresay you may even be that pretty soon."

My compliment soon brought her attention away from wanting to travel with me.

"You really think so?"

I laughed at her easily persuaded ways and nodded, once again. It was really rather easy to placate my sisters. I had so many that I had gotten rather good at it.

I made my escape whilst Mercedes was pleasantly distracted, driving my horse to gallop ever faster, needing to see Susannah soon.

It was the fastest that I had ever made it to the Ackerman house. Men were working on the many fields surrounding the property whilst the silhouettes of maids going about their work could be clearly seen inside the house.

Smiling wistfully, I dismounted my horse. In one of those windows my love sat, awaiting my arrival. My smile swiftly fell from my face. My love sat, awaiting my arrival and, bringing with it, a broken heart.

My horse was passed over to a servant, so he could be fed and watered in the stable.

I was alone. Taking deep breaths, I tried to obtain even some of the slightest form of courage, only to come up short.

"I can't do this." I whispered to myself. "I can't do this. I should just take Susannah, and leave."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Paul Slater's loathed voice interjected from behind me and I turned to face him slowly. He grinned at me handsomely. "Hello, Hector."

"What," I spat out. "Are you doing here, Slater?"

My question was answered with a bark of disbelieving laughter.

"What am I doing here?" He repeated. "This, as you may be aware, is my place of residence during my stay in Carmel. This is where my fiancée lives."

He sneered at me.

"But I can see how you may have forgotten that."

"Oh," I countered sarcastically. "You mean that me seeing you punch Susannah made me think you didn't really care about her enough to marry her?"

"Hey!" Paul took a threatening step forward. "I care about her. I love Susannah."

"Well, you have a funny way of showing it."

I turned away from him to walk up to the Ackerman's front door.

"Where are you going?" Paul shouted.

I carried on walking.

"I have to see Susannah," I called back. "I have to tell her something."

Paul's heavy hand landed on my shoulder as he jerked me backwards.

"You are not going to tell her anything, De Silva." He warned. "You hear me?"

I scoffed at him and nodded, rolling my eyes.

"I hear you," I said quietly. "But I'm not quite sure if I plan on listening to you."

Paul's laugh surprised me.

"Maybe you'll listen to this, then."

His cold words confused me … until I heard the deadly click of a rifle being loaded and ready to shoot.

My eyes fell shut as I willed myself to remain calm.

Turning to face him, I allowed an eyebrow to rise upwards.

"Well, at least let us take this away from the Ackerman front porch?" My voice, thankfully, didn't betray any of my fear.

Paul pretended to consider it.

"You know what?" He replied. "I think I like it. Right. Here."

"Do you really want your fiancée to see you like this?" I was clutching at anything that might take this horrific scene away from Susannah's innocent eyes.

Paul's eyes narrowed.

"I think," he spoke coldly, aiming the rifle at my head. "That you made that decision for me. When you turned up here."

My hands came up in a defensive gesture as I gulped audibly.

"Come on now, Paul." I tried to reason with him. "Not when Susannah could see."

"You leave Suze out of this!" His voice faltered, as did his grip on his gun. "All I want to know, Sheriff, is why? Why Susannah?"

Because I love her.

The unspoken words hung between us awkwardly. I remained silent, however, only serving to fuel Paul's anger.

Unfortunately, he'd regained his composure and with his new found confidence, he pointed his gun directly at my heart.

"I really do think we should leave here."

I was amazed that I managed to sound like I wasn't terrified.

"Aw, leave now?" Paul's gaze darted over my shoulder, before returning to look me icily in the eye. "But my girl is on her way to say hi."

Fear gripped me, much worse then when I was afraid for my own safety, and I clenched my fists as my heart pounded with worry.

No, Susannah. Run.

"Jesse!" She called happily, making her way over to me. "Jesse!"

She obviously couldn't see Paul, or the situation he had me in. Susannah could only see the back of me, and that's what brought her closer.

I didn't have to glance in Paul's direction to know that his face was a mask of anger.

"Susannah," I spoke loudly, hoping she would listen. "Turn around and go back in the house."

I met Paul's eyes levelly, warning him against getting her involved.

"You were the one who said to leave her out of this." I muttered just loud enough for him to hear me.

"I've changed my mind." His voice carried across to Susannah, at least if her sudden stop and astonished gasp was anything to go by. "I say let her stay."

He stepped to one side of me, revealing himself as the gun remained locked on his target, namely me.

"So nice of you to join us, Suze."