One White Rose by Julie Garwood Read Free Book Online Page B

let me know. I'd like to have a word with him."
    "How am I going to get word to you?"
    "I'm going to come back every Monday night to check in with you."
    "Just to find out if I've heard from the marshal? Son, that sounds like you're getting false hopes up. The chances of locating him are mighty slim."
    Douglas shook his head. "That isn't my main reason for checking in with you, sir. If I don't show up, you'll know something's wrong, and that's when I want you to send the second telegram. Do you understand?"
    "I do," he agreed. "You'll be careful coming back here?"
    "Yes," he promised. "I wish there was a way I could get Isabel and the baby to you and your wife though."
    "You'd be bringing trouble to town if you tried. Boyle checks in on her, and I'm sure that one of his men will take over the duty while he's gone. If she isn't where she's supposed to be, they'll tear this town apart looking for her. It won't do any good to take them to Liddyville because he's got friends there too, and there isn't another town close enough to be safe for that newborn. You've just got to stay put, son. If you don't let Boyle's men see you, they'll continue to leave Isabel alone. You don't want that monster coming after you. No, sir, you don't."
    Douglas didn't agree. "Just as soon as Isabel and her son are safe, I'm going to want Boyle to come after me. Fact is, I'm looking forward to it."
    The doctor felt a cold draft permeate his bones. Isabel's champion had smiled when he made his last comment, but his eyes told another story. They were cold… deadly.
    Simpson took a step back before he realized he didn't have to be afraid. He followed Douglas into the kitchen and whispered additional advice. "When the time comes, you'll need help, son. There are twenty-four men working the ranch for Boyle, and every one of them is no good riffraff looking for trouble. With Boyle leading them, that makes twenty-five in all."
    "I'm not worried. My brothers will come." Simpson's wife heard the remark. "How many brothers are in your family?" she asked. "Five now, including my brother-in-law." Simpson looked incredulous. "Five against twenty-five?"
    Douglas grinned. "It's more than enough."
     

Chapter Five
    Douglas didn't make it back to the ranch until almost dawn. Before he unloaded the supplies and bedded down the sorrel, he hurried to the cabin to check on Isabel and the baby. She was standing in front of the fireplace with the rifle up and ready. When he called her name and softly knocked, she ran to the door, unbolted the lock, and threw herself into his arms. She didn't mind at all that he was drenched from head to foot.
    "I'm so happy you're home."
    Her arms were wrapped tightly around his waist. He felt the barrel of the rifle against his back and quickly reached behind him to take it away from her. She continued to hug him while he leaned to the side and put the weapon on the table.
    "I couldn't imagine what was taking you so long," she whispered. "But I never once thought you wouldn't come back."
    "I'm glad to hear it," he said. "You're shaking. If you'll let go of me, I'll add another log to the fire. New mothers have to be careful. You don't want to get sick."
    She didn't want to let go of him. "I'm not cold… I'm just very relieved you're back. Douglas, I was worried about you."
    She was trembling almost violently now. He held on to her so she couldn't fall down.
    "I was worried about you too," he admitted.
    Her face was hidden against his chest. "Did you have any trouble?"
    "None at all," he replied. "I got everything on your wish list and a few extras as well. Then I went over to see Dr. Simpson."
    "But Boyle told me his men are watching his cottage night and day," she cried out in alarm.
    "They never saw me," he assured her. "I met the doctor's wife too. She packed up a bag of food and fresh milk for you."
    "Oh, that was nice of her."
    "The doctor sent lots of advice."
    She was patting his chest. He wondered if she realized what she was