These men are outlaws with prices on their heads. They've killed innocent people. They deserve whatever comes to them if they're foolish enough to attack us. The intensity in his voice seemed to reassure her. All right, but promise me you'll be careful.
I couldn't bear it if something happened to you because of me. Nothing is going to happen to either of us, he promised, drawing her into his embrace. We have too much to look forward to. The next morning, true to his word, Clayton Carter's men arrived, experienced hands who had faced their share of trouble on the frontier. Yates integrated them into the ranch's defenses, positioning men strategically around the property and establishing a rotation of lookouts.
Sheriff Taylor also returned with news that two more deputies were on their way from the county seat along with a contingent of army scouts who had been tracking the remaining members of the Decker gang. "They can't possibly succeed," Bethany remarked as she and Yates watched the preparations from the porch. "Even Decker must realize he's outnumbered and outgunned." Logic isn't what drives men like Decker, Yates replied grimly. Pride and vengeance are powerful motivators, often stronger than self-preservation.
She considered this, then said quietly, "I should still be able to start school next week." The comment, so mundane amid the preparations for potential violence, startled a laugh from Yates. "Is that what you're worried about, among other things?" she admitted with a small smile. Life goes on, Yates, even in uncertain times. Perhaps especially then.
He marveled at her resilience, her ability to look beyond the immediate danger to the future they were building. You're right. And yes, you'll be teaching on schedule. I'll make sure of it. The attack when it came was not the frontal assault everyone had been expecting.
It came in the pre-dawn hours 2 days later, beginning with a diversionary fire set in one of the distant hay barns. As men rushed to contain the blaze, Decker and three remaining gang members attempted to infiltrate the main house from the rear. They might have succeeded had not one of Carter's men. Returning from the outhouse, spotted movement and raised the alarm. Gunfire erupted in the darkness. bullets splintering wood and shattering windows.
Yates, who had been sleeping lightly in the parlor to be near the front door, was on his feet instantly. "Bethany!" he shouted, racing toward the stairs. "She appeared at the top, fully dressed despite the hour." The revolver he'd given her gripped firmly in her hand. "I'm all right.
Where are they?" "Back of the house. Stay up there." But even as he spoke, a crash from the kitchen indicated at least one of the attackers had breached the house. Yates positioned himself at the base of the stairs, his own weapon drawn, determined that no one would get past him to Bethany.
The kitchen door burst open, and a man Yates recognized as Decker himself lunged through, a revolver in each hand. He fired wildly, forcing Yates to dive for cover behind the sturdy oak sideboard. "Come out, King Cade," Decker shouted. "Give us the woman, and maybe you'll live through this." "Not going to happen, Decker!"
Yates called back, measuring the distance to better cover. "Your gang's finished." "Amy's got half your men already. Surrender now. You might avoid the noose."