Page 9 of The Mountain Man's Hunted Bride

“Why do you care? Why would you do this? Why make such a sacrifice for me, someone you don’t know? What do you get?”

“I knew someone not so different than you who needed someone.”

Not a real explanation, but it’s enough for now. “Thank you.”

“Let’s both sign the contract and Gerdie can witness for us. She can take it to the office and file it for us, that way no one has to see us in town. Once we’re officially married, I want them, and the whole town, to know you are no longer on your own.

“Do you have a state ID?”

“Yes. Mom taught me how to drive and got me a license. They don’t know. I also carry my birth certificate in my backpack. Habit. Sometimes Mom and I had to leave places in a hurry.”

He smiles. Wow, that small gesture changes his whole demeanor. Resting face is intimidating. Smiling is like a fresh breeze.

“I know a sheriff from another town,” he continues. “I’m going to reach out to him so we have a public official aware of what is going on. We’ll get advice on how to take down your stepdad and stepbrothers. At some point we’re going to go public and force their hand so that you are totally free to live your life the way you want. You aren’t alone now. I’m going to help you get and keep your freedom.”

He’s going to help. He believes me. I could finally have the life of my choosing. I can go wherever I want. Be who I want. My heart is racing and I clutch my hands together even tighter. Freedom. I may finally get free.

I watch him sign and date the document then take the pen he hands me.

With Gerdie as my witness, I promise. I won’t take advantage of you, touch you, or hurt you.

I believe him. I boldly write my own name and date. If this is a dream I don’t want to wake up.

CHAPTER 7

Gray

Tawny insists on doing the clean up and shoos us out to the porch. “Gerdie, how did you get your hands on the application? And I want the whole story.”

“Tawny snuck out of the house when they tried to attack her. She made it halfway to my house. Russett found her. I left her at my place and went to town to see what I could learn. I stopped at the Hungry Saloon and Hannie told me about how your team had kicked the Stumps out for her.

“Then the Stumps were all in a tizzy cause their sister wasn’t home when they got there. Tried to tell the chief of police someone kidnapped her while they were gone.

“Before I left, Hannie mentioned she found your application under the table. I offered to get the application to you. After seeing what it was, I went to the office and got a form for Tawny.”

She scowls. “Don’t go trying to tell me I’m a meddlesome old biddy. That’s old news the whole town knows. But I’m right. Thiscould work, Gray. For both of you. At least until you both find your feet.”

If I didn’t know the old codger so well, I’d have doubted her sanity. “This is a legit operation. Not something you made up?” She nods. “How much do I owe you for the fees?”

“Just an invite to the wedding.”

“Gerdie.”

“That’s the least of our worries. We need to get her legally protected before they find her and try to pull something.”

I glance at my wristwatch. “It’s too late to hit the courthouse in Grants Pass today. We’ll still make a run to the store and tomorrow morning we apply for the license. That gives Tawny three days to really think about this and if it’s what she wants.”

“Gerdie, I’d like you to go shopping with us. Why don’t I follow and we take Russett home, then you can ride with us.”

Tawny slumped down in the back seat until we got to Grants Pass. I notice a little tension leave her shoulders as I help her out of the truck and she glances around.

“I’ve never been here before. It looks like a nice place.”

Before the first shop, I slip Gerdie my credit card and make sure she knows I want a good selection of clothes for Tawny from head to foot. After the first shop, and all of Tawny’s carefully selected two items purchased, Gerdie and I work out an arrangement where she pays for the items that Tawny will agree to, and I go back in and pay for the items Gerdie thinks she needs and has put to the side. I follow the ladies from store to store repeating the process and dropping off bags at the truck.

They both look like they need a break before we hit the grocery store, so I suggest they sit and enjoy a beverage and snack at a little café while I make some purchases of my own.

Entering the resale furniture store I see an Adirondack rocking chair. An image of Tawny sitting next to me on the porch has me selecting it before I think twice. With a little work I can have it looking brand new. Next find is a five-drawer dresser that looks barely used and is the perfect size for between the windows beside the bed. At checkout there’s a rack of plastic coat hangers, ten each in a bundle, so I grab a few of those.