Claimed by the Outlaw: A Twisted Hansel and Gretel Retelling (A Meet Me at Midnight Romance) by Cyndi Faria

Author:Cyndi Faria [Faria, Cyndi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A Twisted Hansel and Gretel Retelling
Publisher: Sugarbird Publishing
Published: 2020-06-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

James

Before Giana can breeze straight through us, I roll Emily in the opposite direction, closer to the storefronts, kicking my ass all the way to the curb. What the hell is wrong with me? This was my chance to console Emily when she comes to terms that she's not of this world. Instead, I’m playing along like everything about this veil is hunky-dory.

“Well, that was embarrassing. I guess I should dress up more often, so people recognize me instead of avoiding the crazy lady.”

Only she’s not crazy. There’s nothing wrong with her memory. She’s dead, and with that, some memories are stuck in a freeze frame. “Happens to me all the time,” I lie, and, for the first time, I consider telling her the truth.

Of course, I don’t. I don’t want her to leave me when I’m enjoying reacquainting myself with my wife. Don't I deserve to spend a day with her? A solid day, where nothing goes wrong, and we are free to love and laugh and live?

I regain our leisurely stroll as the tension drifts, and Emily pauses at each storefront window, peering at the displays, tooled leather belts and shoes, coffee cups with my name emblazoned on the sides, key chains and finger towels, shirts with hoods built right into the collars…

“Of course, people know you. You perform as Wild Bill. Naturally, the friends you made all recognize you.”

As if on cue, Charlie Utter beelines toward us. He’s a plainsman, scout, merchant, and one of my good friends. Seeing him formally dressed, my heart clenches, his ritualistic tidiness apparent even in death. How long has it been since my friend buried me, though he tried to save my life a million times over from my excessive drinking and gambling?

I’m a damn fool, breaking my own rule and turning my back to the open door the day I was shot dead, as if I encouraged Jack McCall’s vengeance. But I ask myself, why is my comrade here? Will Charlie chastise me again? Is he here to warn me that keeping Emily here will gravely cost me my soul? Hers?

No. I’m here to guide her. To show her true love exists.

“My pard, J.B., you didn’t tell me Agnes arrived. When? How is it possible I was so busy to miss such grace and beauty, just as you described her?” Charlie lifts Emily’s hand and plants a gentle kiss on top.

“Oh, my.” Emily bats her lashes against pinking cheeks.

“I’m Charlie Utter, a bit of a sidekick to J.B., here. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hickok.”

Emily blushes even more as she dangles her hand until Charlie releases her. “Oh, I’m not really his wife—”

“As Deadwood doesn’t yet have the means to recognize legal decisions,” I interject.

Charlie spies me derisively. “Bill, you must teach her the rules, if you plan on keeping her here. Otherwise, your time here together will be short-lived.”

Emily must catch on or consider Charlie’s threat because she takes up my hand, giving me a squeeze.

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