Heart of a Hero (H.O.C. #3)

Chapter 18

Home of Belinda Williams

1963

Sophie sat in awed silence as the events circled like sharks through her mind. Finally able to articulate a sentence, she asked: "Wow! I can't believe it took so much to get them home together. Poor Lottie. How did they beat El Fora ... The Fugitive?"

"We'll tell you." Belinda smiled at Jess. They both had heard this story many times growing up and had told it to their own children.

"Now I see why you wanted me to hear this. It is so important for, well, everyone to hear this story: True love's triumph in tragedy. I have so many questions. What a legacy? How can we compare our own struggles to theirs? We don't have it bad at all."

"We do, but in a different way. It's a sad fact that we still fight for our rights. Someday, maybe we can say that it doesn't matter; that we can all vote and live where we want, eat where we want, drink out of a fountain regardless of location, or marry outside of our race. We're in a good place, but others have it very rough. I'm so glad we don't live in Mississippi or Alabama right now. So, would you like to hear the end of the story?"

"You bet I would!"

*****

David awoke before dawn. Seeing Lottie at his side brought an unbidden smile to his face as he placed one arm around her waist and pulled her closer. He smelled her skin and nuzzled her neck, but did his best not to wake her. The reunion that he longed for would have to wait a little while longer. He wanted his wife to heal body and soul first. Kissing her cheek, he eased out of bed and stood to wash up and dress.

His men would be out and ready in the midst of a frigid Kansas November, awaiting orders. Today he would finally see the face of his foe; the man who started the whole mess in which they now found themselves. He didn't want to see anyone hurt, but he would shoot to kill if it meant Lottie never had to worry about feeling safe. He'd make sure she felt secure and loved for the rest of his life.

He made his way to the bottom floor of the house as quietly as possible, boots in hand to avoid waking the others. As soon as he smelled coffee brewing, he knew his mother, Hester Sue Harmon, had been up for a while.

"Sit and eat! Vanquishing one's foe can only happen if the body is fueled up." She smiled as he kissed her cheek.

"My stomach is doing flips."

"How'd you sleep last night?" Her smile told him what she was thinking.

"I sleep like a log when she is by my side. I've missed her like the sky would miss the sun if it went out. I pray she heals completely. I cannot imagine, nor do I want to, the things she's been through, Ma."

"Dear Lottie... she's a strong woman. And you, son, are a good husband. She'll let you know when she's ready. Now, sit and eat. The sun will be up soon and you have an appointment with destiny."

*****

Before the sun had crested the horizon, three men on horseback quickly approached the guard that stood at the east post. The man on duty had just finished his light morning meal of bread and coffee. He stood, dusting the crumbs from his shirt, and aimed his rifle. "Halt! Halt! Who goes there?"

"U.S. Marshal! Stand down!" The man with the handle bar mustache called out.

The soldier at his post immediately lowered his rifle. "Sir! Hays Town and Fort Hays are closed to all until Colonel Dudley orders differently. What business do you have here?"

"U.S. Marshal from Oklahoma. We've been chasing Carlos Delacruz, an outlaw who goes by the name of El Forajido, since he crossed the border from Texas." The Marshal did not dismount. "We have reason to believe he is headed this way. "