Chapter 11

Belle was waiting patiently in the street for Vin to return from his patrol duties. She'd been waiting for quite some time, but it would be worth it. Mary was making Vin come over for dinner. She was taking the chaperoning thing very seriously, much to Belle's dismay, but the whole thing brought them closer, which was something Belle had desperately wanted for years.

"Isabelle! Come inside, you'll freeze out here!" Mary was yelling from across the street, in the doorway.

"In a minute, Mary. Vin should be back soon."

Mary smiled and shook her head, knowing it was a lost cause. She closed the door behind her and remembered all the anxious waiting that had accompanied her nights with Steven when they had been courting. The memories were bittersweet, but she still held them tightly in her heart.

Belle was thinking of all the things she wanted to do with Vin tomorrow. She wanted to go on another ride and sit in the valley on a patch of grass, just talking about their pasts. She wanted to learn everything about him, listen to his voice as he spun his life's tale. She wanted to be with him, breathe in his rustic scent.

Belle sighed deeply. This is what fairy tales were. She had to be careful, or she'd spoil it. And this was one thing she didn't want to spoil if she could help it.

Her thoughts fluttered to Ezra. He was nice enough, but too old for her. He had taken the whole situation well, had even kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "If he hurts you, I'll kill him."

She laughed, remembering the seriousness of his tone. She may not know him well, but she knew she had a friend in Mr. Standish.

"Well, hello gorgeous," a voice said behind her. Belle knew Vin's well enough to know it wasn't him. She recognized the deep country tones, but couldn't place it. "Where the hell have you been?"

Belle turned around and came face to face with Terrence Connelly. He had three other men with him, men she could only assume were his brothers. They were all grinning at her, like hungry lions eyeing a piece of meat. Belle wanted to back away, but her sister's house was on the other side of the street and Mary wouldn't be checking on her for a little while; her system had been to call to Belle every fifteen minutes since she had gone outside. And from the looks of the Connelly boys, they wouldn't be sticking around that long.

"Mr. Connelly, how are you?" Belle smiled, trying to hide the terror building inside of her. "I waited for you to come collect your horse, but you came so early I missed you."

"Well, miss, we don't much like the law round these parts," Terrence spit into the street. "Thought it would be best to come in the early morn."

"I see." Belle was wondering what he wanted. He couldn't be seriously thinking she'd sell herself for a ride on a horse. She straightened her hair, throwing the part that was down over her shoulder, then tightening the horse tail that was the rest. "Well, it's getting cold." She wrapped her arms around herself, appearing quite frozen. "I should maybe go back inside. I'll see you soon, I hope, Mr. Connelly."

"Now wait just a minute, there, pretty lady." Terrence grabbed her upper arm. "We had a deal."

Belle stared at him then laughed softly. "You must be joking! You really think I would sell myself for a ride? Mr. Connelly, you are a funny man." She pulled away and took a step toward the road. She heard a click behind her.

"A deal's a deal." She turned to see Terrence and his three quiet brothers had pulled guns on her. "Come this way, toward the horses, and we won't hurt ya."

Belle's heart leapt into her throat. She looked around wildly and decided to make a break for Mary's. The brother to Terrence's left seemed to be reading her thoughts and managed to stop her before she could get very far. He put a hand over her mouth and the other pinned her arms to her side. She tried to wriggle free but it was no use.

"Forgive me, my dear. These are my brothers. That one holdin' ya is Kenneth." He turned and pointed to the one on his right, who was a few inches shorter than him. "This here is our youngest brother, David." Then he pointed to the one on his left, who had a huge scar over one eye and a five o'clock shadow that would terrify any other man. "And this here is our oldest brother, Everett. He just got out of jail. It was quite a surprise." He laughed, probably because Everett's 'release' had something to do with him. "They're your new kin, darlin'."

Belle tried to scream, but couldn't get anything past Kenneth's hand. The boys all laughed at her attempt and headed toward their horses, looking in every direction for Chris Larabee or one of the other Seven. Silent tears started down Belle's face. She had just gotten Vin and now she was losing him. It was horrible.

"Ah, Terrence, she's bawlin. Here, take her." Kenneth handed her up to Terrence, who had just climbed into the saddle on the horse Isabelle had ridden into town on. The horse's eyes were staring deep into her soul, telling her to do what she had to to get away. When Kenneth's hand left her mouth, she tried to save herself.

"Mary! Get Vin! Mary!" Her voice didn't carry very far through her tears, but she saw movement in the windows of her sister's house. The door opened and Mary was walking toward them with a shotgun pointed toward Terrence.

"Let my sister go, Connelly." Her eyes were fierce; she wasn't going to take anything from these men.

"Why'd you have to do that?" He whispered to Belle as he pulled her up into his lap. "I don't think so, ma'am." Terrence cocked his gun and fired at Mary before she knew what was happening.

"No!" Belle screamed, tears continuing like a flood down her cheeks. Mary fell into a bloody mess on the ground, clutching her stomach. "Mary!"

The Connelly boys all hooted and took off, out of town. Belle was looking over Terrence's shoulder at her fallen sister, wondering what the hell her problem was…and why did her sister have to be involved.

Chris was in the saloon. He had heard Belle's shouts. He had heard Mary's tough voice. He had heard the gunshot. He just hadn't been fast enough.

Chris ran to the street and gathered Mary in his arms. Her face was going pale and she was gasping. Billy was poking his head outside the door.

"Stay there, Billy. Mama's ok." Chris stopped the boy's movement with his hand. Then he picked Mary up like she weighed nothing and carried over to Nathan's. He pushed open the door savagely. "Nathan. Mary's been shot."

Nathan directed Chris toward the operating table. He began to move quickly, trying to get to the wound to clean it out enough to see the bullet. Mary kept staring up at Chris, absolute horror on her face.

"Connelly…Belle…" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"I know, I saw them ride off." Chris fought to keep the tears down. "We'll get her back, Mary."

Mary felt weak. She held her hand out to Chris as Nathan continued to work. He poured some whiskey on the wound to sterilize it and Mary bit her lip.

"Billy…"

"Needs you to quit talking so you can heal." Chris wouldn't let her die. He needed her. She was the only thing in this whole terrible country that kept him sane. He couldn't lose her too. "I'll get the boys after the Connellys. Then, I'll be right back." He leaned closer to her. "I'm staying with you." Then he did something he hadn't dared to do before: Chris kissed Mary's forehead. "So please, stay with me," he whispered.

He nodded to Nathan, knowing she was in good hands. Then Chris went off to find the others. Vin would not be too happy about this…