Chapter 23 Conklin

Lucas lay in bed there tossing and turning, his shoulder was throbbing. He sat up unintentionally waking Elizabeth with all his movement.

"Are you okay? She asked concerned rubbing his back.

"I'm fine love!" Kissing her on the cheek. "Go back to sleep sweetheart."

He went to the bathroom to take a pain pill that Faith had given him at the infirmary. Thirty minutes later he returned to the bed and fell asleep. The pain had lessened.

Morning came and Lucas was awake early. He sat down on the edge of the bed, "Elizabeth, I love you! Soon this will all be over and we will have nothing but a lifetime of happiness."

She reached for his hand. "Darling be careful and be sure to return to me in one piece. I love you so much and couldn't bear it if anything more happens to you."

"Nathan and Bill will be right there with me the whole time. I'm confident everything will turn out fine. Have faith!" He told her while gently rubbing her hand and placing a soft kiss on her lips. "Go back to sleep my love."

Bill and Nathan rode up and Lucas joined Bill on his horse, knowing he couldn't ride with his shoulder the way it was. They rode out to the cabin. Bill had slipped Lucas a small pistol to place in his sock, just in case he needed it. They tied the horses up out of sight. Bill and Nathan hid away in the other room. Lucas just sat in the chair like he was still tied up waiting for Conklin to show up.

Finally around noon they heard a car pull up. Lucas was now getting anxious as he was ready to get this over with and get home. The door opened and a tall, skinny man with dark hair and a slick suit walked in. He looked at Lucas with disdain. Lucas returned his gaze.

"If it isn't the infamous Lucas Bouchard." he said. "Businessman, son of a wealthy businessman, magician, literary scholar, traveler, husband, and father but not smart enough to know when to sell and walk away!"

"I see you have been studying me. Get to the point Conklin! Why did you have Walden bring me here?"

"The fact of the matter is I can't have you standing in the way of my power and progress. I am going to bring the railroad here and take over this town and you are a roadblock. How do you get rid of a roadblock? You make them disappear. I hope you kissed that pretty little wife of yours because you won't see her again. Oh yeah Walden told me all about her. After I make her a widow, maybe she'll become my wife." Conklin said with a smug grin.

The last part sent Lucas into protective mode. He had heard enough. The thought of any other man touching his wife consumed his thoughts. Lucas picked up the chair dismissing the pain piercing through his shoulder and hit Conklin over the head with it before he even had a chance to react Conklin fell to the floor. Nathan and Bill rushed out from the other room and tied him up.

"Good job Bouchard!" Bill patted him on the good shoulder.

"Enjoy your time in prison Conklin. You'll be there for a long time!" Lucas said as he grimaced in pain.

Nathan, Bill and Lucas rode back to town with Conklin behind on a separate horse Nathan had brought with him. Bill dropped Lucas off at his house and Lucas walked in with a sigh of relief that all had come to a positive end and he could finally live in peace with his beautiful family. He had taken a risky but necessary step to ensue safety for his family and Hope Valley.

Lucas and Elizabeth's eyes met and with a look of understanding they ran to each other wrapping their arms around each other so tightly that not even the wind could blow between them. He bit back the pain and gave his wife a deep, passionate kiss.

"Is it over?" She asked hopefully already knowing the answer.

"It is!" He smiled a deep dimpled smile and gave her another all consuming kiss that was a joyous release of both their anxieties.

"Daddy! Jack came running and wrapped his arm around his leg.

Lucas wrapped his good arm around him, "I am right here son and I'm not going anywhere."

Lucas watched as Jack played by himself, his mind wondering to the day when Jack would not have to play alone anymore. He could not wait to expand his family. Lucas went upstairs to their bedroom to get a pain pill, because he knew it was going to be a long road to recovery.

Returning downstairs Lucas spent the evening playing cards with their father's talking about the future plans for the railroad. The ladies sat in the family room drinking tea and talking about the plans for the house and Christmas which was right around the corner while they watched Jack.

Knowing tomorrow was Sunday and they had church, they all turned in early. Lucas and Elizabeth gave Jack a bath together and read him a story while they tucked him in and put him to bed. Lucas could not have been happier in that moment. Both, kissing him goodnight, they turned out the lights and headed to their own bedroom.

They both got ready for bed. Elizabeth changed the dressing on his shoulder and got his antibiotic and pain pills for him. Then lying down and pulling the covers up they snuggled up next to each other so comfortable and thankful that they were together and so much in love.

"Elizabeth?" He whispered.

"Yes!"

"These last few days have been the best of my life and God truly blessed me when he brought you and Jack into my life!" Turning over to look at and study the expression on her beautiful face.

"Mine as well!" She said hypnotizing him with her beautiful blue eyes that glistened with love and adoration, drawing him in.

He gave her a passionate goodnight kiss and held her close as they fell asleep content in each other's arms.