Heart of the Rockies Collection by Kathleen Morgan

Author:Kathleen Morgan [Morgan, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC042040, FIC027050
ISBN: 9781493402960
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2015-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

“Or what, Caldwell?” Cord demanded as he shielded Sarah with his own body. “Are you so intent on murder these days that you’ll kill your own child?”

“Sh-she’s no child of mine if she chooses to betray her own father.” Jacob’s hold on the rifle wavered a bit. His breathing turned shallow and fast.

“You’re wrong if you think Sarah’s ever betrayed you. She’s always loved you. Always.”

As he spoke, Cord cast about for how to get her out of harm’s way. If Jacob fired on him, and he was forced to draw and discharge the pistol he had shoved in the back of his belt, Sarah could get caught in the crossfire. And if anything should happen to her . . .

With a fierce effort, he shoved that consideration aside. This wasn’t the time to get bogged down in emotion. He had to keep a clear head. He had to remain alert to any signal Caldwell might give indicating he was about to shoot him.

The way the old man was shaking now, Cord thought, eyeing him closely, it’d be a wonder if he could even manage to pull the trigger. He was so sick and weak, he could barely remain upright. But Jacob stood there nonetheless, struggling with all his remaining strength to salvage some shred of his pride, of his long-held, if futile and self-destructive dream.

A surprising compassion filled Cord. As wrong and misguided as Sarah’s father had always been, he wasn’t much different from any other man who’d lost what he’d deemed most important. True, Jacob had chosen poorly and, in the doing, had forfeited everything that really mattered in life. But hadn’t he himself almost done the very same thing? And hadn’t his own father, as well?

He exhaled a long, weary breath. Help me, Lord. For Sarah’s sake, if not for my own, help me find some honorable way out of this. Help me finally bring some good from all these years of pain and suffering.

“She’s always loved you,” he softly reiterated. “Always wanted the best for you. And for her sake, and the sake of your two remaining sons, it’s time we end this feud. You’re my father-in-law now, and I love my wife. I won’t press charges against you or Noah if you just give this up. Now and forever.”

Caldwell’s face had gone ashen. He could barely hold up his rifle. “And give up the ranch. No, never!”

“Then don’t give it up.” Inspiration struck Cord. “Come back with us, you and Noah, and live on the ranch with us. In peace. As family.”

Behind him, he heard Sarah gasp. Her arms encircled his waist and she hugged him.

For a long moment, Jacob Caldwell stared at him in disbelief. Then he savagely shook his head.

“No. It’s a trick. A lie.” He lifted his rifle and pointed it at Cord. “You’re a liar and cheat, just like your father. And now you’re going to die, just like—”

With an agonized cry, Noah leaped toward his father, deflecting the rifle upward just as it fired.

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