Chapter 174

Eventually, Dylan and the other officers did a sweep for the area and determined that it was safe for all of them to go back and get their horses. Fortunately, they were right where Charlotte had left them, unaware of the trauma that occurred nearby.

"Charlotte, are you sure you want to ride with us? We could just walk Hazel back to the horse trailer," Grace suggested.

"Yes, I'm okay. I think I just needed to get all of that emotion out because I had pushed it back while I had to be calm and deal with the gun and everything, but it didn't mean I wasn't freaking out on the inside. It was scary, but I just tried to be like my mom. Everyone has told me my entire life what a strong, tough woman Claire McLeod was. I just tried to do what she would have done," Charlotte explained

"Charlotte, you were spectacular! You rode in here like a boss. You were like straight out of a western movie. Cold as ice. 'Do you want to die right now mother fucker?' Seriously Charlotte, that was unreal," Grace exclaimed.

"Well, I just tried to be like the heroes you see in movies, because it was all an act. Thank God Dylan showed me how to use that rifle, before that, I didn't even know how to take the safety off, or where it was. Without that training yesterday, I would never have been able to do what I did. He was right to convince me to learn."

"You would have found a way. I know you would have," Grace said as she walked alongside Charlotte on Hazel.

"I'm not sure I would have, but I'm glad I did. I just tried to act like the strong women that everyone keeps saying McLeods are."

"Charlotte, don't you realize that you are that strong woman?"

"I don't feel that way. I don't feel like I have much figured out in my life at all." said Charlotte.

"Don't confuse lack of strength with uncertainty. Strength is what gets us through uncertain times. You showed you had that today." Grace explained. "You messed with the wrong family asshole! Charlotte, not only did you save us, but you dropped two of the best, most badass lines ever in the process! You are a total badass." Grace said as she reached up and gave Charlotte an encouraging pat on her leg. "I think that might be the new family tagline "You messed with the wrong family, asshole!"

Ben pulled the ute and horse trailer up towards the mine where the girls were waiting for him. He put it in park and jumped out of the car. He just wanted to hold Jaz, to feel for himself that she and her sisters and everyone were safe.

"Jaz, I'm so glad you're safe. Please don't do that to me again. I love you so much. I can't lose you." he said.

"I love you Ben. I don't want to do that again. Let's go home. I want to see Kelly, I want to hold my daughter tight."

They loaded the horses and Regan, Grace, and Jaz climbed into the ute with Ben. Dylan remained to finish his police business.

Tess was so happy to be safe and in the ute headed back. It had been a wonderful weekend with her sister and cousins and niece, up until being held at gunpoint had shaken them. Charlotte had saved all of them. She had acted so bravely, and Tess was proud, but she was also worried. Someone so young shouldn't have experienced anything like that. She wanted to get home and hold Claire close and tell her she loved her. Being in a near death experience made you reevaluate the things that are important. She knew love was the most important thing. Tess thought about Finn. She felt so lucky to have found him and was excited about what the future might hold for them, she realized she wanted a long future with him. Finn had lost a woman he loved, she didn't want to do that to him again. She had worried so much about the fact that she was so afraid of being hurt by Finn, that she forgot she could hurt him too. If she had been shot and killed, how would Finn have handled that? What would that have done to him? They would have had no time to be together. Tess shuddered at the thought.

"Finn? I'm headed back. I need to see you. Can you come to Drovers?" Tess asked.

"Tess, I know what happened. I'm already here. Thank God you're okay. I love you."

"You're at Drovers? Really?" Tess' eyes lit up when she heard the news.

"I hope that's okay?" ased Finn.

"No. It's perfect." It's right where you belong right now."

As the ute pulled into Drovers, Tess had two things on her mind. The first was relief that it was over, and the second was the desire to hold those people who were so important to her in her arms.

Kate pulled the ute into the drive and there was Russell and Matt, with Meggie and Katie, Meg with Terry, and there was Claire standing with Finn, all waving to them.

Jodi climbed out of the passenger seat and Meggie and Katie ran to her.

"Mommy! We missed you!"

Charlotte got out of the ute and Meg gave her a hug.

"Mom! They told me what happened. I'm so glad you're okay. I don't know what I'd do without you," said Claire, crying as she ran to Tess as she climbed out of the ute..

"I'm okay, Claire, I'm okay. I'm home. I'm safe. Charlotte saved all of us. Dylan has arrested the man and he is headed to jail. I'm okay. I'm here." Tess held her daughter tight. "It's okay Claire. Everyone is safe."

Finn watched the interactions among the McLeod family and he felt a little uncomfortable. He loved Tess, but he wasn't family. He was so terrified when Russell called him inside and told him what was going on. He had already been back and forth between town and Drovers, preparing to make it up to Tess for not being able to be with her the night before she left on the trip. He had worked with Matt the last couple days putting things together, but none of it seemed important anymore. He owed Matt an even bigger debt of gratitude for sitting with him through that ordeal. He hadn't known about Matt's past and his previous family. He was reminded that everyone carries burdens with them.

"Charlotte, I can't believe you saved everyone." Claire released her mom and turned to her cousin," You're a hero. You saved my mom. You saved everyone." Claire hugged her cousin. "Thank you. I will never forget this."

Tess looked up at Finn. He was sort of off to the side watching everything as a family was reunited.

"Finn?"

"Tess. I was so scared. It brought back everything to when Leah died. I thought I was going to lose you too. I can't lose you when I just found you." Finn pulled Tess into his arms. "I have never been so scared. I love you Tess. I still have so much to learn about you." Finn released her and said "but I just needed to see you and know you were okay. I can breathe again, but I'll leave you with your family now. This is family time and I don't want to intrude."

"Finn, don't you dare leave. I need you here. I need all the people I love here with me now. I know I was afraid of moving too fast, but something about having a gun pointed at me made me realize we should use every minute we have together, because we never know when it might end. Please stay, stay with me tonight." Tess whispered into his ear.

"Of course I'll stay, I love you." replied Finn.

The group moved into the house and began to unwind and relax.

Jodi gave a spirited recounting of Charlotte's heroics and the mood turned lighter.

"Mom? Would it be okay if I stayed at the house tonight? I want to have a sleepover of sorts with Charlotte. She might be a little freaked out and I thought she could use a friend tonight," asked Claire.

"Of course honey. It's probably good for Charlotte to have a friend with her tonight. That was thoughtful of you," replied Tess.