January 29

6 a.m.

Rosemary awoke to the rumble of men's voices down in the parlor, immediately reminding her of the events of yesterday. She had hoped it was all a bad dream— that someone had not been snooping around in her house— but here she was, in Elizabeth's bedroom, the both of them huddled together for safety. Elizabeth's breath was even and slow, as she must still be sleeping. Rosemary snuck from the bed as quietly as possible, a few of the springs groaning as she shifted her weight.

Spotting her slippers on the floor, she slipped her feet into them, and then walked to the bedroom door and opened it a crack. Immediately the voices carried from downstairs.

"I just don't see what the man would be looking for," A new voice, sounding like Jesse, said. He must have stopped in for the latest news. He was the acting sheriff after all.

"Well whatever it is, it must be of extreme worth to him for him to risk arrest by coming back into town like that, especially with the men hot on his trail," Gowen's rough voice reasoned.

"But you are sure it was Fife's footprint?" Carson's voice interjected.

"I'm not sure. But the boot prints—they are not typical of this area. They were more like cattle ranch boot prints. I guess someone around these parts could put an order in or pick up a pair in a surrounding city, but boots like that, they are much more typical out East." Jesse cleared his throat and the room quieted for a moment. "Couple that with the wad of chewed up tobacco we found in the snowdrift outside the door, and, well… it looks like Fife is likely to be our perpetrator."

"But how in tarnation would he evade the men who were trailing him to high tail it over here?" Gowen scoffed.

"Well, experienced outlaws have a way of drawing out their prey… " Jesse's voice trailed off.

"So you are saying that Fife meant to lead the men on a rabbit trail, while he came back here to look for something important? Something so important he would risk coming back into town for it?" Carson questioned.

"Yep, that is exactly what I am saying. And well… I know a bit of what I am talking about, being an ex-outlaw and all." Jesse's drawl was long and filled with regret.

"You've led authorities on rabbit trails? Called them out and left them stranded?" Carson inquired, his voice curious.

"Only the best do. And they only do it for a reward that they have got their heart set on. So, Fife, whatever he came back for, he won't let it go until he gets it." Jesse said.

"But why not storm in and trash the place? Intimidate us a bit? Instead, the place was just as pristine as before. The only thing out of place was one darned thimble. And even that, it is hard to believe. What would a man need to snoop through a women's sewing basket for?" Gowen sounded quite confounded.

"I sure don't know." Jesse grunted.

A chair scraped against the floor.

"So you two can handle this? I'm going to head out and bring the men back by evening at the latest. I just don't see how he could have duped Bill like that…" Gowen's voice became louder as he must have stood to his feet and moved towards the front door.

"I sure wish I could ride out with you, but with this bum leg and all…" Jesse's voice cracked.

"Yes, you most definitely should not be riding on that leg." Came Carson's voice. "We will hold down the fort here and look for your return."

It became silent. The men must have been shaking hands or loading up as she just heard scuffles down below and then the door shutting.

She bit on the tip of her nail, running the new details over in her mind. They had reason to believe it was Fife in her home? She fought off the shiver threatening to climb up her spine.

Again, she felt the prompt to pray.

Lord, be with Gowen and help him to find the men and bring Lee back home soon, where he belongs by her side, his presence keeping her safe and strong.

Later that Day

The minute Rosemary saw him, her heart flipped, and she ran into his arms. Lee was dirty and worn, cold and discouraged, but nonetheless, his eyes crinkled and his lips found hers, the passion in them warmly her thoroughly. After the intense kiss, he pulled away and looked deep in her eyes, as if searching to make sure she was okay.

She nodded and his eyes softened and warmness fell over her, warming her from head to toe.

"Rosie, I couldn't home soon enough. Are you are okay, darling?" He looked her up and down as if he'd find some physical sign she was harmed.

She nodded. "Right as rain now that you are here." And she meant every word of it.

"Lee?" Bill's voice came from behind them, where the other men had gathered. Lee kept his arm around her waist as he turned around to meet him.

"I know we didn't catch Fife, but I appreciated your assistance nonetheless." Bill reached out and shook Lee's hand.

"I'm always happy to help." His eyes immediately saddened. "I regret though that it left things wide open over here." He gestured towards Rosemary.

Jesse, Gowen and Carson walked over to join the conversation.

"We patrolled the best we could but none of us had a clue this would happen. If anyone made a wrong move it was me," Bill hung his head. "Maybe by going to stake him out we spooked him and he came out here to search for whatever he was looking for."

Jesse shrugged, "The way I see it, if he really was looking for something, nothing you could do would be able to keep him away."

The men murmured their agreement, and once again, Lee turned his deep blue eyes on her.

He grasped her hand. "Let's go home, shall we?"

She squeezed his hand and Lee led them to the front of the row house, his gait a little slower and stiffer than usual, but the warmth of his hand in hers was all she needed.

A Good Hour Later

Rosemary set the bowl of goulash in front of Lee. It was not the fancy welcome back supper she had imagined she would prepare for him, but considering the circumstances, it would do. She turned back to the kitchen to retrieve the thick slices of warm, homemade bread, but before she could, Lee tugged her arm gently.

"Come sit with me." He looked up at her, his eyes more desperate than ever.

"Okay. Let me grab the bread."

She brought the bread with her to the table and lathered the butter on it before handing it to him. Lee, as hungry as he must have been, gripped her hand when she tried to pass the bread to him.

"Love, do you know, my heart almost stopped within me when I heard Fife supposedly was snooping around our home? I couldn't get home to you fast enough." His eyes lifted to meet hers, filled with regret and fear. "I never should have left."

"But look—" she motioned to herself and to the baby within her belly, "We are fine."

"But what if you weren't? Whatever would I do?" His voice caught.

"Let's not borrow trouble. We are both fine and dandy. Truly." She softly pulled on his hand until it reached the small mound at her middle.

He rubbed her belly, his eyes softening. In the next moment, surprise came over his face. "She kicked me," he said, awe-filled.

Rosemary laughed. "I guess she desperately missed you. I did too, you know."

He gave a pat to her belly and then reached up and laced his fingers with hers.

"Rosie, I love you more than life itself. Do you believe it?"

She studied his deep blue eyes, the love in them nearly overpowering her. "I do. I truly do."

She then leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his whiskered cheek.

"I love you, too." She whispered.

Lee smiled in satisfaction and bowed his head as he led them in a heartfelt prayer before eagerly diving into his meal.

After Supper

Lee barely finished the supper of bread and goulash before his eyelids started to droop. She'd walked with him up to bed, both of them ready for a good night's sleep after the last few tumultuous nights. Pulling her nightgown on over her head and feeling the silk brush over her body, she couldn't help but anticipate how well she would sleep tonight now that Lee returned. She felt safe, secure with him by her side. She would never take his companionship for granted. Not ever again.

Slipping under the bedcovers next to Lee, who was already still and sleepy, she reached over to turn off the lamp. Oh, she'd nearly forgot. She pushed herself up from the bed and knelt down alongside it, the floorboards cool against her feet before folding her hands and bowing her head.

"Thank you, God, for bringing the love of my life back to me." She whispered, the words sincere and true.

She'd say more of a thank you tomorrow, but for tonight that would suffice. Slipping back into the sheets, she adjusted the covers just so and stilled. Lee moved closer, cuddling into her curves, his presence offering her the protection and sheltering she craved as his arms draped around her middle.

"Good night, Squiget." He sleepily whispered her nickname on her ear.

"Good night, honey-bunny." She returned, a contented smile curving onto her lips.