Page 69 of Colorado Bride

ChapterEleven

“Ican’t believe that after all this time, after all the things that have happened, you’re not pressing charges against Rory,” said Sheriff Wayburn.

“He’s my brother and Emily says no damage was done to her.”

Ben looked straight at Rory.

“If she’d have said otherwise, there wouldn’t be a jail strong enough to keep me out.I would make him pay for what he’d done.But I trust my wife and believe her.Rory corroborates her story, so not pressing charges is fine with me.”

Sheriff Wayburn shook his head.

“You know, I could keep him and charge him with the kidnapping whether you press charges or not.”

“What kidnapping?”asked Emily.

The sheriff narrowed his eyes.

Okay.Take him home and don’t let me see him in here again.”

“No sir, you won’t see him again.I promise,” said Ben.

Rory shook his head and rolled his hat brim in his hands before shoving the beat up Stetson onto his head.

“You won’t see me for nothin’.I’m turning over a new leaf, sheriff.I’m a new man.I promise.”

Ben clapped his hand on Rory’s shoulder.

“With new responsibilities.”

Rory looked at Ben.“I’m ready.I’ve been ready all my life to take my place as a Logan, and now, I can.What do you think Jane will say?Will she hate me?”

Ben removed his hand from Rory’s shoulder and got up from the cot in the cell.

“No.Why would she hate you?She doesn’t care about the J Bar L Ranch.She has enough of her own troubles on the ranch they own, though they really are doing very well.”

Emily held her hands in front of her.

“Rory, I want you to come home with Ben and me.It’s time you started being a Logan…being part of this family.”

“I’d like that very much.”

She turned to the tall man with the badge on his chest who stood beside her.

“Sheriff Wayburn, would you let these two men out of this cell, please?”

The sheriff let out a long breath, sighed, and dug in his pocket for the key.

“I guess I might as well.Cassie is never going to believe this.”

“Cassie?”asked Emily.

The sheriff opened the cell door.

“My wife.She’s another one of Maggie Black’s mail-order brides for Caleb, but turned out she was right for me.”

“Another bride for Caleb?How many did he have, before Maggie?”

The sheriff laughed.