Caleb and Sheriff Reed cornered the middle-aged widow in the dining room. Thankfully, no one else was around to hear what he and the sheriff would ask her. But in Caleb's opinion, they didn't have to ask her anything. As soon as she saw the sheriff, her face lost color, and she hardened her expression.

"Mrs. Crane," Denton began, "forgive us for coming so late, but I have a few questions for you about the murders of Brenda Garby and Patsy Zucca, and the attempted murder of Nicole Blake."

Mrs. Crane lifted her chin haughtily. "I fear I don't know those ladies." She pushed past the sheriff and walked toward the parlor.

"Actually, you do," Caleb snapped, following right behind her. "Considering Brenda rented a room from you, and now her cousin is renting a room." He shook his head. "You don't lie very well, Mrs. Crane."

She forced a laugh as she tucked in a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Brenda and Nikki. I don't know them by their last names."

Caleb stepped in front of her, glaring down at the woman. His fingers itched to wrap around her throat and squeeze. And to think, he wasn't a violent man. "Don't try to cover up your lies."

Denton coughed loudly as he pulled Caleb away from the woman. He tried to control his anger, flexing his hands as he breathed slowly.

"Mrs. Crane. The food you served to Miss Blake tonight was tainted with poison. I know you tried to poison her, especially since you are the only one who cooks for your renters."

The woman gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her bosom. "Oh, dear. How could you possibly think I would want to harm that sweet lady?"

"That's what we'd like to know," Caleb snapped. "Neither Brenda nor Nicole has done anything to you. For that matter, Patsy hadn't done anything, either, so why did you kill them?"

"West," Denton warned, shaking his head.

Grumbling, Caleb turned and took a few steps away before he followed through with his idea of strangling the woman. As the sheriff asked questions that she denied, Caleb moved his gaze around the room. A few pictures hung on the walls, and near the rolltop desk, a miniature of a boy sat on the shelf. Familiarity pricked at Caleb's mind, and he stepped closer. Immediately, he recognized the eyes and the bushy hair. Weston?

Alan had mentioned Mrs. Crane having a nephew that lived with her. Could Weston be that man? Something didn't sit right in Caleb's mind. He knew Weston's grandfather was Doctor Stiles. And the old doctor had a few children who still lived around this area of Montana.

Caleb swung around and studied Mrs. Crane closer. She had the doctor's chin and nose. Caleb would bet money that this was the doctor's daughter. Yet, what was the connection? Why was she poisoning the saloon girls, unless...

Before Brenda was killed, Caleb recalled Weston trying to flirt with the woman. Brenda was nice to almost everyone, but she liked her men older. Not scrawny like Weston. And, a few days ago, Weston tried to get chummy with Patsy, even though she was almost as old as his mother. Both times, the women had nicely let the kid down. But Caleb had seen how much it upset Weston that the saloon girls wouldn't pay him any attention. Nicole also mentioned that Weston had tried to flirt with her and had even touched her...

Cussing under his breath, Caleb marched toward Mrs. Crane and gripped her arm, yanking her around to face him. "You were poisoning the girls because they didn't find Weston attractive."

"What?" Sheriff Reed gasped.

Caleb pointed to the miniature on the shelf. "My bartender is Mrs. Crane's nephew... and Doctor Stiles' grandson."

"But what does that have to do with—"

"Answer me," Caleb demanded of the widow, ignoring his friend.

"I... I..."

Mrs. Crane tried to pull her arm away, but Caleb wouldn't let her go. He tightened his hold. "Tell me." He glared at her. "Are you poisoning my friends because they don't want your nephew to be their lover?"

Tears filled the woman's eyes. "Weston is a good boy, but the women don't find him desirable."

"And that's reason enough to poison them?" Caleb shouted.

"You don't understand." A sob escaped Mrs. Crane's throat. "If I didn't poison them, Weston would have... taken his lust on them against their will. I couldn't allow my nephew to become that kind of man. One day he'll be a doctor, don't you know."

"Mrs. Crane," Denton said with authority. "Did Weston help you kill Brenda and Patsy?"

"No. I poisoned their food myself. But... Weston helped me take the dead bodies to the woods."

"And where is there blood?" Caleb asked.

"As I mentioned before, Weston wants to be a doctor. He was just using their bodies to practice on."

Denton took out the handcuffs and secured them to the woman's wrists. "Mrs. Crane, you and your nephew are under arrest."

"Weston is probably still at Doctor Stiles."

"No, he left early this morning," Mrs. Crane mumbled.

Fear started climbing through Caleb again. "Did he know you were going to poison Nicole?"

"Yes."

Caleb swore and ran out of the room. He prayed he made it to Nicole's room before Weston reached here.

Many scenarios played in Caleb's head. He'd kill Weston if he laid one hand on Nicole. Men like Weston were sick in the head. As much as it hurt Caleb to know a friend of his had betrayed Caleb's trust, he'd rather see Weston hanged than hurt any more women ever again.

Caleb's long strides took the stairs three at a time. Just as he turned the corner, a gunshot pierced the air. The sound came from...

No! "Nicole!" Caleb shouted, dashed to her room, and kicked open the door.

Standing in the middle of the room holding the still-smoking pistol was... Nicole. Weston lay on the bed with a bullet hole in his head.

"Oh, Nicole." Caleb sighed in relief as he gathered her in his strong arms, never wanting to let her go again.

"I... I'm sorry, Caleb, but I couldn't let Weston touch me... like that."

Nicole's voice quivered, but it was nothing like how she had sounded when she had shot him in the arm last night.

"You had told me that the gun was supposed to be used to protect myself, and that's what I did."

"Shhh..." He brushed his lips over her cheek, pulling her head to his chest. "My darling, you don't need to make excuses. Weston deserved what you did to him. He and his aunt were the ones who killed Brenda and Patsy."

Nicole expelled a deep breath and relaxed against him. "Weston hit Alan unconscious. He'll have a splitting headache when he awakens."

Caleb glanced at the man on the floor. "I'll tend to him personally."

"Caleb?" She lifted her gaze and met his.

"Yes, my love?"

"Will you take me to your ranch? I don't want to be by myself tonight."

He caressed her cheek and smiled. "If it's all right with you, I want to take you back to my ranch and keep you there... forever."

Her eyes widened. "Forever?"

"I love you, Nicole, and I don't ever want us to be apart again."

Smiling, tears filled her eyes, and she nodded. "That sounds like a very sweet life to me."

* * * *

Nicole cuddled next to her new husband as they sat on the sofa in front of the fire. Their wedding was small but perfect. Teresa, Amber, and Mary were witnesses, and Sheriff Denton performed the wedding while his lovely wife played the organ. Timothy gave her away since that was something that her father would never do. Alan Cartwright even came to the wedding as a guest, wearing a fresh bandage around his head.

She smiled happily and sighed. Beside her, Caleb chuckled.

"My dear wife, do you realize how many times you've sighed blissfully since we exchanged vows?"

She laughed. "I haven't counted, no. Do you want me to start now?"

He shook his head. "I don't mind it at all. In fact, I've been sighing more now than I ever have before. You make me so happy." He cupped the side of her face. "I've found the perfect woman who will not only be my wife and the mother to our children but who will be my friend."

"That's an important trait."

"Indeed, it is." He brushed his lips over hers briefly. "Have I told you what my wedding present to you is?"

"No." She narrowed her gaze playfully. "Do you want to give me a hint so I can guess?"

"As much fun as that sounds, I'd rather tell you." He winked. "I'm going to take over as Stumptown's doctor as soon as our honeymoon is over."

Pleasure shone on her face. She smiled brightly, and her eyes twinkled. "Are you sure?"

"When I thought you were dying, I felt helpless, not knowing what to do. Then suddenly, I recalled a class I had taken about poison in a person's body. When I realized you were going to be fine, I knew I had to be a doctor. I like saving people."

She nodded. "You're very good at it." She leaned up and kissed his chin. "But what about the saloon?"

"I'm going to let Timothy manage it, and of course, he can hire more people to help him."

"That's wonderful." She stared into his hazel eyes, sighing again. "You are wonderful."

Caleb shifted them on the sofa as he lay her back against the cushions and loomed over her. "I've been curious about something since you thought you were dying."

"What is that, my dearest husband?"

"Why did you think I had kissed Brenda?"

Nicole nearly laughed. She'd forgotten about that. Yet, it didn't matter now. "I had read it in my cousin's journal. Brenda was falling in love with you, and she said the two of you kissed."

Caleb shook his head. "I never kissed her."

Nicole shrugged. "She had written that you were very drunk because you'd attended one of your brother's hanging."

Caleb was silent for a few moments before he chuckled. "Well, if I kissed Brenda, I didn't mean to. I was never attracted to my saloon girls... until you came along."

Nicole's heart swelled. "It doesn't matter whether you did or you didn't. That's all in the past, and I don't know about you, but I'd rather keep my past behind me."

"Agreed." He leaned in and kissed her neck. "And that reminds me of another wedding present I got you."

"Caleb." She pushed on his shoulder to make him lift enough to look at her. "You don't need to keep getting me things."

"Actually, you won't receive this gift at all."

"What did you do?"

"I paid off all the people who your father stole from. Come springtime, Billings, Montana, is going to get a new church, and we, my darling wife, are going to renew our vows in front of God."

She gasped. Emotion clogged her throat. "Oh, Caleb. I can't believe... That's a dream come true."

"Which part? Me going to church, or Billings getting their fancy steeple?"

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down upon her. "All the above... and more."

Nicole kissed Caleb, knowing she would always be happy and protected as long as they were together.

THE END

HEY!! If you enjoyed this story, I have four others that are part of the "Runaway Brides Series".

Prequel story - "Hannah's Hardship" - https://www.amazon.com/Hannahs-Hardship-Westward-Hearts-Mail-Order-ebook/dp/B085DS7TZF

Book One of the "Runaway Brides Series" - Denton's Bride - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CQ4TJ6X

Book Two - Anthony's Bride - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PHQ39ZG

Book Three - Joel's Bride - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08V21CYXR 

They are all on Amazon, and if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read these books for FREE!