Chapter 7

Vin knocked on Lucy's door. It had been four days since she had arrived on the stagecoach, knife in hand, with a new last name.

At the thought of her new last name, and marriage to a sociopath like Eli Joe Walsh, he grit his teeth, everything in him churning, ready for a fight he couldn't have. At least, not yet. Not until the man who had set out to ruin Vin's life, and succeeded in ruining Lucy's, showed his face in the Territory.

He took in a long breath, trying to settle the now-familiar storm of emotion so Lucy wouldn't see anything other than her big brother who was there for her.

The knob turned and the door slowly opened, Lucy's blue eyes peeking through the crack. When she saw it was Vin, she opened the door the rest of the way, but didn't say anything.

She barely spoke. She had always been soft-spoken, but not silent. Never with eyes trained on the ground like she couldn't bear to have Vin look at her. Or worse, like she was scared to look at him.

Vin did everything he could to keep his stance easy. "I thought maybe we could go for a ride."

She raised her eyes and looked at him and for the first time he saw a spark of…something. Something besides fear and guilt and whatever else she was carrying. After the past few days of her taking her meals in her room, only Inez having a moment with her when she brought up a meal tray, it was enough make Vin let out the breath that he had been holding since Lucy first turned up.

She nodded and he stepped back so she could step out into the hallway.

"The sun's gonna get strong. You want to get your hat?" he asked before she pulled the door closed.

She shook her head. "I didn't bring it."

It wasn't much of a statement, but it was strong enough to sucker punch Vin, nonetheless. She didn't bring her hat because she had come with every intention of going back home to Eli Joe after she warned Vin.

Vin didn't say anything, but at the base of the stairs, Buck was studying a hand of cards across from Ezra and Vin took the hat from Buck's head.

"Hey!" Buck shouted and Vin felt Lucy's hand fist in the back of his shirt, pressing close to him for protection.

Buck winced. "Sorry," he said. Then raising his voice a little, leaned to the side, trying to see Lucy behind Vin. "Sorry, Miss," he said. "Your brother's one step above a horse thief, takin' a man's hat right from his head."

"Thanks for the loan," Vin said, taking the hat from his own head and turning to settle it on Lucy. He put Buck's hat on himself. "We'll be back this afternoon."

Lucy stayed right alongside Vin as he left the saloon and he did his best to find the least populated route to the livery stable.

Once there, he let out a quiet whistle and Peso stuck his head out from one of the stalls, answering back with a low whinny.

He heard Lucy let out a small cry and she hurried to keep up with him as he went to his horse. She reached out a hand and rubbed Peso's silky nose. The horse nickered softly and chuffed against Lucy's hand. A smile finally moved her lips and she returned the horse's greeting with a scratch between his eyes. Vin wasn't sure if he should be offended that she seemed happier to see his horse than she had been to see him.

"You still have Peso," she said, not taking her eyes off the paint gelding.

Vin gave his best friend a scratch alongside his neck, but Peso was too busy reacquainting himself with Lucy to lean in like he normally would.

And then her statement sunk in. Why wouldn't he still have Peso? The horse was only seven years old, and family to Vin. He looked down at Lucy. "You still have Gal?" he asked.

Lucy's face clouded and she didn't look at Vin. She kept her focus on Peso. "No."

"What happened?" Vin asked. He knew his sister would have starved before she sold the mare he had given her three years ago.

"Eli Joe took her."

Vin was glad she was looking at the horse then. There was nothing he could do to hold back the fury he felt. That Eli Joe would take the one thing in the world that was Lucy's. The one thing she had left after Vin had to leave her. The one thing that would hurt her more than anything else.

"Gonna get the saddles," he said, striding away before she could see his face. He went to where the saddles were kept, his own included, and wrapped his hands around one. But instead of lifting it, he stood there, his fingers curling tighter around the leather. His hands started to shake and he clenched the edges of the saddle tighter, sucking in a breath and blowing it out. When he had himself fully under control, he brought the saddle back to Peso's stall and settled it over the half door.

"I rented Sparrow there for the day," Vin said, thankful his voice was neutral. "She's a solid mount."

Lucy gave Peso one last stroke on his nose and went to the stall Vin had motioned toward. The shadow of a smile that had appeared when she saw Peso, remained as she met the small black horse.

Vin brought the extra saddle back over. Lucy had already led the mare from the stall and was brushing her down. She shook out the blanket that was folded nearby and doubled it over, settling it on the horse's back. She took the saddle from Vin without comment. He felt some of his tension lighten as he watched her expertly place the saddle on Sparrow's back, in spite of her short height. His petite sister had always managed to find a fence rail to stand on, or a crate, whatever it took to get to the height she needed to saddle and ride.

She took the bridle that was hanging next to the stall. Seeing that Lucy was managing fine, Vin set about seeing to Peso.

It wasn't until they were fully out of town, the green grasses getting thicker and longer the farther they went, more trees dotting the open countryside, that Lucy kicked her heels into her horse's side and took off running.

Vin nudged Peso to match her speed. Lucy's light brown braid trailed out behind her, her full skirts ruffling from the breeze her pace created.

While Lucy's horse was smaller, Lucy's speed was increasing, leaving Peso and Vin behind as she grew less cautious, more reckless.

"Lucy!" Vin yelled when she ignored the rocky terrain off the more traveled trail and headed that direction anyway. A downed tree was in her path and she made no sign that she was going to steer around it. Lucy knew better than to try to jump on a horse she wasn't familiar with.

He couldn't yell again when he saw her lean down over the horse's neck, ready for the jump. He kicked Peso, trying to get him to run faster.

Lucy cleared the downed tree, her horse landed, stumbled.

Vin let out a strangled shout.

Lucy managed to keep her seat, her horse found its footing and continued on, but Lucy was no longer pushing the mare's speed.

Vin caught up to her easily as she let the horse slow to a stop.

"Are you ok?" he asked. "You coulda broke your neck!"

She didn't look at him and Vin pulled up alongside her. Lucy was looking straight ahead. Her face was streaked with tears.

Vin didn't say anything more. But he promised himself Lucy was never going back to Eli Joe. No matter what it took.

#

"Judge," Chris said, nodding a greeting. "Didn't know you were comin'."

Judge Travis didn't return the greeting. He looked down the street. The stage he had exited was already pulling out. "Are the others around? We should talk."

Chris settled his chair back down on all four legs. He jerked his head towards the jail behind him. "JD's inside. The rest are in the saloon. Ezra's probably still in bed. He's been pullin' some late nights." Not that Chris hadn't been, as well. While Ezra spend the nights in the saloon, standing guard in case Eli Joe made it to town, Chris was in his room, pacing, stepping out into the hallway periodically to make sure Lucy wasn't alone and shivering as she had been her first night in her room. While he would hear sounds of restless sleep and cries that told of bad dreams, Lucy hadn't again ventured into the hallway. As far as he knew, she hadn't left her room in the past three days.

"I'll meet you and JD over at the saloon," Travis said. "I'd like to take care of business first so I can go enjoy my meal over at Mary's."

Chris let the judge get started on his way to the saloon before he opened the door to the jail and called for JD to join him.

In the saloon Judge Travis was seated at a table in the empty saloon, a bleary eyed Ezra just settling down to a seat with the others. Vin was guiding a pale Lucy toward the table, pulling up a chair for her before tossing Buck's hat over to him.

"Did you enjoy the ride?" Buck asked, settling his hat in place.

Lucy kept her eyes trained on her lap.

Vin frowned.

It was enough of an answer.

Chris sat, sure his own frown was growing darker at the thought of all Vin's sister had lost to Eli Joe. Even something as simple as enjoying a ride in the countryside was tainted.

"The jury found the man you boys brought over for trial guilty," Travis said, not beating around the bush. "Marshalls brought him over to the Territorial jail yesterday."

"He ain't hanging?" Chris asked. He didn't bother to temper his tone. He didn't miss Lucy tensing at his words, Vin's eyes hardening at what Travis said.

The judge didn't seem to take offense. He shook his head. "Not without an eyewitness at the trial. And I didn't want to put Miss Tanner through that."

"Mrs. Walsh," Vin corrected him under his breath. Chris saw his friend's knuckles turn white as he gripped the shot glass Inez had placed in front of him. Vin tossed it back.

"About that," Travis said. "I wired over to Tuscosa. The county seat and several churches in the area."

Chris stilled, not sure where the older man was heading with this.

"There's no record of your marriage, Miss Walsh," he said, his voice gentling as he spoke to her. "Who performed the marriage?"

Lucy's voice was so quiet, Chris had to strain to hear. "Eli Joe's cousin. Henry Lee."

The judge nodded. "And is he a minister of some sort?" Vin snorted, but Travis didn't react. "A judge?"

Lucy shook her head.

Judge Travis didn't speak immediately and when he did, it was with all the care a grandfather would have if he had to impart upsetting news to a family member. "Miss Tanner, it would seem you are not legally married to Eli Joe Walsh."

#

Lucy's eyes flew up to the older man who Vin had told her was a judge. His brow was wrinkled, the lines in his face soft with compassion. She quickly dropped her eyes back to her hands, twisted together in her lap.

She wasn't married to Eli Joe. She didn't have to go back to him. He didn't have a legal claim on her.

She had never been married to him.

That knowledge came quickly on the heels of the first revelation and rolled right over the relief she had felt for too brief a moment. She had never been married and had lived with Eli Joe for nearly a year. She was ruined. She would have a reputation that kept her from any sort of decent society. And she would ruin the reputation of respect Vin had earned in his new home.

Her hands started to tremble and she linked her fingers more tightly together.

"I won't…if he comes here…I won't have to go back to Texas with him?" she ventured. She would just focus on that for right now.

The judge didn't answer immediately. Lucy closed her eyes. She should have known his news was too good to be true.

"No," Vin answered in the space. "You aren't going with him." She risked a look and saw him fix the judge with a hard look.

The Judge Travis looked at Lucy and she dropped her eyes again.

"It's always possible he could say the marriage license got lost, or produce a forged marriage certificate."

Any small flutter of hope that had stirred in Lucy died.

"The law is very clear on the wife being property of her husband and that's not something we can argue with, though we can try to disprove any paperwork Eli Joe produces."

"We can try?" Vin asked. Lucy heard the incredulous disbelief in his voice. She bit her lip. She should never have stayed. She should have delivered the news that Eli Joe was looking for Vin, then headed back to Texas. She shouldn't have put Vin through any of this.

The judge's chair creaked slightly and Lucy heard his fingers drum against the table. He spoke again. "If Miss Travis had a solid piece of evidence that she could not be married to Eli Joe, that would put this whole matter to rest."

"Like what?"

Lucy tried to keep thoughts of Eli Joe from flooding her. She was going back to Texas and there was nothing anyone would be able to do to—

"If she was married to someone else."

The judge's words had the effect of a physical slap. Lucy felt Vin jerk back in his seat next to her. She squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't imagine trading off a marriage to Eli Joe for a marriage to some stranger being a good solution.

"Who do you propose Miss Tanner marry?" she heard Ezra's voice, southern drawl thick.

The entire table was silent. Lucy wondered if she should speak up and tell them it didn't matter what the judge said, she was going home to Eli Joe. She wasn't going to make this worse.

"It would be helpful if she was married to someone with a place outside of town where she could stay. And clearly someone who doesn't have any interest in another lady," the judge said and Lucy could tell he had someone in mind. She drew in a breath, preparing to tell Vin she would be leaving that afternoon.

"Someone who has the skills to defend her if Eli Joe and his men find out where she is," the judge continued.

She lifted her head and opened her mouth to interrupt the judge.

"Chris." Judge Travis said it like it made perfect sense to suggest Lucy marry the stern man in black.

Lucy jolted, her eyes going against her will to the man seated across from her. Chris Larabee's green eyes met hers and Lucy ducked her head quickly.

"Not sure that's the answer," Chris said. Lucy could hear the doubt and disapproval in his voice.

No one else at the table said anything and Lucy's fingernails curled into her palms, digging in painfully.

"It's not a bad idea," Josiah said slowly.

Lucy risked a look and saw all the men looking at Vin.

"Ain't no one I'd trust more to protect my sister," Vin finally said. "Are you willin', Cowboy?"

Lucy willed Chris Larabee to say no.

"It's a plan." Chris' voice was rough. "But as soon as she's safe, we annul it. Get her back her own life."

Lucy felt his eyes on her.

"You think you could do it, Luce?" Vin asked. "Just until we know you're safe. Until I know you're outta trouble."

Lucy swallowed hard. She gave a slight nod, all she could manage.

"Alright then. I'll go let Mary know. Should we meet at the church in a few hours?"

A few hours. Lucy wasn't sure if she wanted to wait, or to just get this over with. She also wasn't sure why she needed a few hours.

"That ok with you?" Vin was asking softly.

Lucy managed a nod.

The judge pushed back from the table. His glass thumped against the table when he set it down. "I'll send Mary over to help you with anything you might need, Miss Tanner."

Lucy shook her head slightly. She didn't need anything. But the judge must not have seen her because he was saying farewell to the others.

There was silence after the judge departed.

"I never expected I'd be goin' to a wedding today," JD said. Lucy winced at his forced cheerfulness.

"Come on. Let's go help Josiah clean up the church."

Lucy's shoulders sank with relief when Nathan took JD and Josiah with him. Buck stood and Lucy recoiled slightly at his height towering over her.

"You're gonna be a real pretty bride," he said.

Lucy tried to respond, but couldn't get any words to come out.

"You need anything, Chris?" Buck asked. Lucy assumed Chris shook his head because the sound of Buck's boots started toward the door.

"I don't believe I have much to offer in maid service at the chapel, but I will see to it that there are refreshments available later. Is there anything in particular you would like, Miss Tanner?"

She'd like to go back to Texas, a year ago. Before Eli Joe. But she didn't figure Ezra could help with that so she just shook her head.

Ezra left the table then, calling for Inez, leaving just Lucy with Vin and Chris.

Vin was the next to stand. "I'm going to ride a patrol, make sure things are still clear around town. You want me to walk you to your room?"

Lucy shook her head. She could go up the stairs on her own. Maybe she could even figure out a way to avoid this plan of Judge Travis'. She should be able to do something on her own. Tears threatened behind her eyes as she realized how helpless she had become since marrying Eli Joe. Or not marrying him. Whatever the case was.

It was just Lucy and Chris left in the saloon. She looked through her lowered lashes at Chris. Deep lines framed his mouth as he looked at her.

"You don't have to do this," she said, the words barely carrying across the table to him.

He didn't respond. "You need anything before…" he frowned. "Before we meet Travis at the church?"

Lucy shook her head. She wanted to run for the stairs, hide in her room as long as possible. But she couldn't move until the man left the table. Eli Joe had knocked her around plenty for leaving the room when he still needed something.

"Alright then." The man pushed back from the table and stood. The gun at his hip looked more intimidating than it had before she had agreed to marry him. He gave her a nod and left without saying anything more.

Lucy shoved her own chair back and hurried to the stairs, climbing them as quickly as she could, finding the solace of her room and closing the door tightly against everything that threatened from outside.

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