All are in peril in BG. Will Uncle Bubba survive? What are William Land's plans for CG? Will Tiger get to Raven before he's forced to do this favor for a mysterious Bounty Hunter and clear his name? Brandy and Bruce are about to face down Regan and...
"The sheriff is getting together some men to try and take back the ship. And rescue those aboard it."
"Oh bloody hell!" yelled Jake.
He didn't know how much more he could take.
Jacob staggered to his feet, "Where is Rue?"
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"That's something else I need to tell you. There was incident at the hotel. Ronan was shot, and a Kit Kat woman as well. But thanks to Billy, Rue lived to tell, that tale. The woman from her tribe didn't make it, but if Ronan will remains unclear."
Jacob's knees felt weak. His head pounded too. He wanted to check on Rue, but first there was something else he had to do.
"I'm going to find Josie. I need a fresh horse on the double."
"Jacob! You're just asking for trouble! You're exhausted. Injured. Not thinking straight. Please let the sheriff and the deputies handle it."
But Jacob only shook his head, clearly pissed.
"I'm going to bring my sister home and you won't talk me out of it! I need a fresh horse saddled lickity split. I'll ride down the river a bit. See if I can find the ship."
Bella raised her brows, "And then?"
"I'll figure it out. Maybe I'll meet up with the Sheriff and his men."
"Please be careful Jake. At least for Josie's sake. Don't do anything stupid. Like get yourself killed Jacob Craven. Please let the sheriff do all the savin'"
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He ran his hand through his hair. Counted the ammo lying there, on the bale of hay.
"You know I can't sit back while Josie's in trouble. Besides, if I don't make it back, I know that you and Rue will take care of her properly. Until she is grown into a fine lady. She'd probably be better off anyway. Raised without me."
Bella smacked him lightly, "What an awful thing to say! And not true Jake. Josie loves you for pity's sake! She needs her family by her side."
Jacob began to repack his bag made of deer hide. He stowed his extra ammo and canteen inside. He'd made up his mind alright. He'd get Josie back or die trying tonight. Not willing to lose another sister on this cursed day.
He grabbed his saddle blanket from a bale of hay.
"Take Blaze," Bella did say, "He's fast and has energy to spare. And he knows his way back to town if you run into trouble out there."
Bella went to grab the reigns.
"Thank you kindly Bella for everything. You've been mighty kind to Josie and treated her well. I also enjoyed our playful banter for a spell. I'll never admit this to him, but Brody is a good man. You and I just weren't meant to be. But I wish you all the best, a happy life for you and the deputy."
Bella was a bit stunned as Jacob kissed her on the cheek.
"Don't do this to me. Jacob don't act like you're never coming back."
Jacob shut his saddle pack. Walked inside Blaze's stall and petted his snout, before across the horse back, the saddle blanket he spread out.
"There's no use pretending this might not be goodbye. But if I do happen to die, Bella promise you'll take care of Josephine. Oh, and give Rue a kiss for me. Tell Rue I love her, and I was an idiot. She was the best thing that happened to me, and I was too much of a stubborn fool to see it."
Bella handed Jake the saddle. Several seconds passed before she began to speak.
"You can tell those words to Ruechari. You'll make it back. And you can fix things between you and Rue. But you certainly have your work cut out for you."
Jacob chuckled, "Way to kick a man when he's already down."
Bella helped him strap the saddle on with a frown, "You know she's been in love with Ronan for quite a while. And she stills loves Billy too. You need to prove yourself , if you really love Rue. Prove yourself worthy of her Jake. No more drinking would be a good place to start for both your sake."
Jacob slung his pack into place, while Bella finished tightening the straps.
"I'll think about that. If I live past tonight anyway. By the way, I have a will in the box under my bed at the hotel. The key is hidden well. Inside a bottle of cod oil, well its just water actually. But no one touches that stuff trust me."
Jacob smiled as he mounted the horse.
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"Of course. But it won't be necessary I'm sure. Just come back safely and quickly Jake. And don't do anything dangerous for pity's sake."
"Do you even know me Bella?" he teased, "Just hands off my poetry. Promise me, if I don't make it back, you'll burn my poems for me?"
Now Bella was intrigued, "All the more incentive then, to make it back in one piece Jacob Craven. Or at the café, will be a poetry reading."
Jacob grinned, "Goodbye Bella."
"See you later Jake."
Bella moved outta the way.
Jacob urged Blaze into a trot. At least until they got, out of the heart of BG.
He urged Blaze into a gallop quickly. Making for the river with haste.
To find the Liberty Belle in a deadly race against time.
