Page 61 of Fool's Gold

"Bull. I didn't miss with all the other stuff I pulled, either."

"What do you mean by that?" Rafe asked in a deceptively calm voice.

"Figure it out, boss man," Whittacker sneered. "Who do you think's been causing all the problems around here? Me, that's who. I've been doing all I could to make you go under."

"You're just talking through your hat, Whittacker. Why would you do that?"

"I figured things would fall apart, and I could buy you out. But instead, you came back and dug your heels in. This ranch should be mine. I loved her. I'd never sell part of her off like you want or have a bunch of city dudes come stay here. It ain't right."

"You'll never get away with this, Whittacker."

Whittacker moved the barrel of his rifle to Rafe's heart level. "I don't care. It doesn't much matter anymore. If I can't have the ranch, you can't either."

Sarah kicked her heels into Umbriago's sides and gave a rebel yell. The horse bolted out of the stall, straight toward the men.

Whittacker turned toward her with a growl just as Rafe jumped him with a flying tackle. A shot rang out, and the rifle clattered to the floor.

Umbriago stopped short, and Sarah slid from his back. She ran forward, scooping up the rifle. She pointed it toward the fighting men as they rolled on the floor.

Good grief, she couldn't shoot for fear of hitting Rafe.

He rolled on top of Whittacker and drove a fist square into his jaw, where sagged against the floor.

Rafe stood and turned a wild glance her way. "Are you all right? You scared the hell out of me."

Sarah rushed toward him, thanking her lucky stars that he appeared unharmed. "I was thinking the same thing, cowboy. I didn't know if it would work, but I knew that I had to try it."

Rafe took the rifle from her and pointed to a coil on the wall. "Go get me that length of rope and I'll tie him up for the sheriff."

She grabbed the rope hanging on a peg and brought it back to him. He handed her the rifle, and she held it on the unconscious man while Rafe trussed him up. When Rafe walked back to her, she put down the rifle and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"Oh, Rafe. Are you all, right?"

He pulled her close. "Why didn't I ever see what a lunatic he was?"

"Because he seemed like family. You've known him all your life."

He sighed and pulled away. "We grew up together. He was like a big brother to me."

He took her hand and walked with her out of the barn. He turned abruptly to hold her at arm’s length. "Where did you ever get the courage to do that?"

She smiled and squeezed his hand. "Love can do amazing things. I love you, Rafe. With all my heart. I wanted to tell you before, but I was afraid you didn't feel the same."

"And now?"

"I know you do, and I want to shout it from the rooftops."

He grinned. "Yes, sweetheart, I love you very much. I'd come to accept the fact that I had to let you go, but I sure am glad you came back." He bent to brush a burning kiss across her lips. "You always seem to come to my rescue, sweetheart," he said warmly as he pulled away.

She smiled up at him "That's my job in life. And I want to help you some more. I want to help fund the dude ranch."

"Now, honey," he said calmly. "I told you before, I don't want your money. We can do without it."

"Am I or am I not family?" she asked with a smile on her face.

"You are," he agreed with a raised eyebrow.

"Then what's mine is yours, and vice versa. Agreed?"

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