Protection

Chapter 33

I AM SUCH AN IDIOT! SO VERY SORRY IF YOU READ CHAPTER 34 BEFORE THIS CHAPTER! UGH! I MEAN TO SAVE IT AS A DRAFT, BUT MY IDIOT SELF PUBLISHED IT! SO VERY SORRY, PLEASE FORGET ABOUT THAT CHAPTER!!!

Chapter 33

Clint had never felt so free in his life. It was almost as if he could walk on air. Even the ongoing presence of the dull ache in his hand seemed to hurt a little less. He had no doubts at all about anything, and he wasn’t even worried about his brothers. A smile felt like the most natural thing to wear, and not the darkest cloud in the sky could have put a damper on his day.

His walk consisted of mainly praying, thanking God for allowing him to see the light. How had he lasted so many years without making a move to find out what God was really all about? For once in his life, he felt genuine. He felt that he could leave his heart wide open, knowing that it could get broken yet not really fearing that ending.

He was free. Finally free.

That thought brought a smile to his face.

He crossed his arms over his chest and a crinkling sound came from his pocket. He remembered the telegram.

There was one more thing that he had to face.

Pulling the envelope from his pocket, he took the slip of paper from it and took a deep breath before opening it.

Just as he had figured all along. The Carlisle Post didn’t have a Damian Jeremiah working for them.

He crumpled the paper in his fist.

Just when things were starting to look up.

He quickened his step to get back to the ranch. He was going to come clean about everything to Bliss.

He reached the porch and composed himself.

He needed to be calm and smooth about this. Opening the front door, he walked down the hall and appeared in the kitchen. Sherman had returned from checking on his herd and Colt was talking to the women, who were too busy cooking to notice his presence.

He spoke up to get their attention. “We need to talk.”

*****

Bliss looked up at Clint, holding a crumpled piece of yellow paper in his hand and his gaze shifting over the room.

“Where’s Damian?” he asked.

Grace shrugged beside her. “He went riding a few hours ago. Hasn’t been back yet.”

Clint nodded. “Mmm-hmm, I’m sure he’s riding.”
“What is it you wanted to talk about?” Daddy asked.

Clint walked over and pulled a chair out away from the table before sitting in it. Something about him was different, and Bliss could see it in his eyes. She didn’t know if it was the contents of that piece of paper, or something else that had made his whole demeanor change. Whatever it was, there was something in that man’s eyes that changed. It was almost as if they shone, even though he obviously carried some bad news around.

“Read this,” Clint laid the paper out in front of Daddy.

Bliss froze as her father read the paper, his expression growing cloudy.

“What is this?” he asked, his jaw clenched.

“Believe me, I wish it wasn’t true. I got a little suspicious of Damian so decided to do a little checking up on him. I sent a telegram to town with Hawk and this in the response I got,” Clint explained.

“He’s a family friend, Slade. I don’t know what you think he’s up to, but you’re wrong. You’re just wrong,” Daddy pushed up from the table.