Love For Lenore Page 4

  Lenore stifled a yawn and stretched her legs away from her horse. "Are we almost there?" she whispered.

  Heston nodded. He shouldn't have her out here, he should've secured Lenore at the cabin and searched for the thief another day on his own. She smiled sweetly at him, almost dreamingly. A sudden urge to be home overwhelmed him. He turned directions.

  "What are you doing?" Lenore kept her reins pulled tight, refusing her mare to follow.

  "I'm taking you home. I had no business bringing you into this." He refrained from listing the other benefits of going to the cabin but couldn't control the tilt of his mouth.

  "Heston Miller, we've come this far, I think we should take care of business."

  He smiled and pulled his mount beside hers. "Such a wise woman, I couldn't agree more. But are we talking about the same kind of business?"

  A blush darkened Lenore's already rosy cheeks. Heston reached for her hand and brought her palm to his lips. Her eyes shuttered as a light sigh escaped her. He contemplated pulling her from the saddle when a horse snorted less than half a mile away.

  Lenore glanced to the trail-head and back to Heston. A determined spirit set her jaw. "I'll stay here with the pack-mule."

  A wise woman, indeed. Heston gave her an approving grin and pulled his shotgun from its sling. The thief didn't suspect him since they'd kept the animals' tracks away from the main trail. He rode ahead to a familiar bend and pulled a halt to his horse in the middle of the path.

  Moments later, the thief rounded the curve. His horse startled at Heston's presence and reared backward, throwing its rider. The spooked stallion took off down the hill. There, in the middle of the path, sat Lucas, Heston's cousin.

  "Well, well, cous', I guess you're not too smart." Heston repositioned his gun to drive fear into the man. "Though I suppose I could thank you for collecting my hides."

  Lucas struggled to his feet, slipping several times in the snow. "You can't prove nothin'. All you've got me on is trespassing and the sheriff won't do nothin' about it."

  "Lucas, that horse of yours is laden with furs, anyone who sees it will know what you've been up to."

  "You mean this horse?" Lenore emerged through the trees on her mount, leading, not only the pack mule, but Lucas's stallion. She was careful to position herself far from his disreputable cousin.

  Heston's chest swelled with pride. He didn't deserve this woman, yet, God through His mercy, had granted this gift. Heston would do all he could to always be thankful.

  Movement from his left drew his attention back to Lucas. "Since you seem anxious to leave, why don't you help transfer these furs to my pack mule, then be on your way."

  The man started forward and stopped. "You mean, you ain't gonna involve the sheriff?"

  Heston dismounted and stepped toward him. "What do you suppose they'd do with you, if I did?"

  Lucas dropped his gaze. "Hang me."

  "Cousin, you start coming to church meeting with us on Sundays and we'll forget this ever happened."

  Disbelief filled Lucas' eyes. "This ain't like you, Heston. Why aren't you taking your anger out on me?"

  Heston trailed his eyes back to Lenore. "I'm choosing to keep my soul from trouble and stand tall."

  ***

  As the cabin came into view, Lenore saw smoke curling from the chimney. "Oh no, someone must be in your house."

  Heston smiled, "You mean–our house. There's no one there. I just padded the preacher's pocket a little extra to have him come back and stoke a fire."

  Lenore's gaze softened as she stared at her husband. She followed his actions and dismounted then stepped through the door he now held open.

  Heston lit a lantern to light the room. What it revealed made Lenore gasp. From the table to the floor, were gifts of every sort. Doilies, rugs, coverlets and cooking dishes. "Heston, what is all this?"

  He scratched his chin sharing her puzzlement. "There's a card on the table."

  Lenore reached for the delicate folded paper. "Congratulations from Silverton Congregation."

  She searched Heston's face in amazement. "For these people to bless us like this there must be more to you than you've let on." She stepped closer. "And it makes sense, given how many times you've been so generous and selfless."

  Heston didn't reply but she could see her words were affecting him. She touched a hand to his cheek, "And only a moment ago, I thought I couldn't possibly be more proud of you."

  Tenderness encased him as he drew her close. He ran a hand through her hair and touched his forehead to hers. "Lenore, I didn't think it was possible to fall so quickly, but I already love you."

  A sigh escaped her as she leaned into him. "I love you, too."

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