There came a round of hugs from every last one of them, Ben looking devastated for fear the man he’d called Father for the last five years wouldn’t make it back home.
“You’re the man of the house now, Ben. I know you’re up for it.”
Ben struggled to hide his tears. “I’ll take good care of Mom.”
“I know you will.” Jake looked at Lloyd. “And so will this guy.”
“Pa, this is killing me,” Lloyd protested. “I don’t feel good about any of it. I should be with you.”
“You should be right here with a great big family that needs you.” Father and son embraced. “After last summer, I just thank God you’re even alive,” Jake told him. “You’ve had my back long enough, Lloyd. This one’s on me, and don’t you feel bad about it. No man could be more proud of his son than I am of you.”
Randy came last. He pulled her into his arms and held her close while the rest of them held hands. Evie reached out for Gretta. Surprised, Gretta took her hand. Jake kept holding Randy, rocking her in his arms while Evie prayed.
“Heavenly Father, we don’t always understand Your choices, but we believe everything happens by Your will and Your will alone. So please keep my father and Cole safe, and let them bring Gretta’s daughter back unharmed. Bless my father in whatever he might face from his past, and please help him understand that his ability with his guns is a blessing, not a curse. Help him understand that what he has is a gift from You, and that he is Your instrument—sometimes Your Avenging Angel—and that’s okay.”
Randy broke down and wept.
“We are all leaving Him in Your hands,” Evie continued. “Whatever happens is Your decision, Lord. But we hope Your plans are to bring Jake Harkner back home, with Cole and Annie in tow. You’ve brought him through things no man should suffer and most wouldn’t survive. We beg You to do so again. Amen.”
Randy clung to Jake, not wanting to let go.
“Baby, the sooner I go, the sooner I’ll be back.” Jake kissed her hair and grasped her arms, gently pulling them from around him. “Look up here, woman.”
Tears ran down her cheeks as Randy met his gaze.
“Of all the reasons to come back, you’re the most important one, understand?” Jake told her. “You keep that peppermint stick right where you put it. We’ll damn well need it when I get back. And don’t forget the pillow.”
Randy couldn’t speak.
Jake leaned down and kissed her hair, her eyes, her lips, her tears. He turned to Rodriguez. “Did you pack everything I told you to pack?”
“Sí, amigo. And your daughter, she gave me a Bible to give to the girl if you find her. She say it will comfort the girl and help her to trust you.”
Jake glanced at Evie, who just smiled and nodded. Only Evie would have thought to give Annie a Bible. It was a good idea. He nodded a thanks to his daughter before turning back to Rodriguez.
“¿Te recordaré de las cosas que le pedi a Gretta que te diera?”
“Sí, jefe, estan empacadas,” Rodriguez replied, assuring Jake everything was properly packed and nothing left out.
“Gracias, amigo.” Jake walked up to Outlaw and grimaced as he mounted up.
Cole took the reins to the packhorse and turned his horse, walking the horse slowly as he left and waited for Jake to catch up.
“One of you take Annie straight to Loretta,” Gretta told him. “Her full name and address are packed with the clothes I gave you. I don’t want that girl to know anything about me.”
Jake nodded. “I understand, but your daughter ought to know how much she’s loved by her real mother.”
Gretta shook her head. “It’s better this way. Just bring her home, Jake.” She met his gaze. “God go with you.”
Jake adjusted his hat. “That’s up to Him. It’s your daughter who needs His blessings, not me.”
Outlaw snorted and tossed his head, a big, strong, black horse that seemed made just for a man like Jake Harkner. The horse turned nervously in a circle. Jake scanned his family. He would never get over the fact that they all came from his blood. How could that be possible?
He looked at Randy. She’d made it all possible. “Lo nuestro será eterno, Randy… Esta tierra es eterno… Tu y yo estaremos unidos eternamente. Tu eres mi vida, mi querida esposa.”
He turned Outlaw and kicked the horse into a gentle lope.
Randy watched him ride off, as she’d done too many times before. “Que Dios te acompane, mi amor,” she whispered. She’d learned enough of the beautiful words of love he’d taught her to know how to tell him God be with you, my beloved. She turned and hurried into the house. She couldn’t watch him disappear over the distant rise. She made right for his chair, which was where she knew she’d sleep with his pillow until he returned. She couldn’t bear lying alone in their big bed upstairs. She curled up into the chair and studied the family picture above the fireplace. There sat Jake, in the center of it all, surrounded by his beautiful children and grandchildren. There was the man she’d met all those years ago in a supply store—bearded, angry, wild, dangerous, notorious…a wanted man who never once in his life had known love. She thought about his remark to Lloyd, the one that worried her most of all. In a way, I’ve always been alone.