being able to play the piano in church the day before and
Every Little Thing About You 295
hadn't broken down, even when Slater came to sit by her.
She told herself that if she could just keep busy, she would
^iake it. Then Monday came, and she went to get the maiL
522
Why she opened Dakota's letter just outside the building,
she didn't know, but she had, and now she must find Slater.
The jailhouse was empty. She thought about heading to
Hathaways' house but was fairly certain he wouldn't still
be there. She had just decided to go ask Tess if she knew
where Griffin was so, she could ask him about Slater, when
the door opened and the man she loved stepped in.
"Hi," he said warmly, a smile coming to his face the
moment he saw her. He came close but didn't try to speak.
Liberty's face looked strained, and he thought she might
cry if he touched her.
"You see, it's like this," Liberty began with no warning. "I just like you so much, Slater." Tears came to her eyes, but she kept on. "I have from the start. I don't know when that
turned to love, but it did, and it just won't go away. But all
my love, Slater, doesn't change the fear, this horrible terror
inside of me, that you only feel obligated."
"I don't Libby," Slater clarified. "I promise you."
"That's what Dakota said," she told him as she handed
him the letter.
Slater read, Dear Libby, nothing would induce Slater to
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marry a woman out of guilt. He's always loved you. Never forget
that. Dakota.
Slater looked down at her, his heart in his eyes. "I can't
tell you how true this is, Libby. I love you so much. I ache
with what I feel. I wish I could have done things differently
at the Potters', if only to convince you that for weeks now,
I've known you were the one."
"Oh, Slater." Liberty wanted to stop crying but
couldn't. "Please ask me again."
Slater's arms were around her before she saw him
coming.
"Marry me?"
"Yes."
296 lori wick
He held her gently, so very careful of her side. Liberty
would have raised both arms to hold him close but could
only manage one. Slater kissed her sweetly, first her soft
cheek and then her mouth.
"I love you, Libby. Don't you ever forget it."
524
"I won't, Slater, but you can remind me anytime you
want."
Slater had to laugh. The only thing fuller than his arms
right now was his heart, and that was fair to bursting.
You did it, Lord, his heart cried in joy as he held Liberty
with the utmost care. I didn't know how and I didn't know
when. I only knew You would. I'll spend the rest of my days
thanking You for this miracle You performed on my behalf.
June 1882
the telegram read: Dakota hurt. Come swiftly. D. Curtis. Slater had left for Desmond's house within the hour. Now, a week later, he moved swiftly toward Duffy and Kate's/
one thought on his mind: seeing his wife.
It was getting late. Darkness was falling fast, but Slater
took little notice. He heeled Arrow to just short of a run as
he moved toward the home his in-laws were sharing with
them until he and his wife could find a place, his heart
hoping he would find Liberty on her own.
Slater took Arrow back to the bam, stabled him as
525
swiftly as he could, and walked in ground-eating strides
toward the kitchen door. All he could do was smile and
lean against the door when he found Liberty at the kitchen
table, a recipe book open in front of her. She was bent over
reading something and took a moment to look up to see
who had entered. An instant later she flew into his arms.
"I missed you," she said as soon as she could breathe.
Slater wanted only to kiss her again.
"How's Dakota?" she finally got out.
"Hurt bad," Slater said as he led her to a chair, sat in it,
and invited her to sit in his lap. "He's lost a lot of blood,
and he'll be at Desmond's place for a while, but he's strong.
And the best news of all, Libby," Slater added, "he came to
Christ."
"Oh, Slater!"
297
298 lori wick
526
"It's true. Cash was there too. Dakota told us he's never
been so scared. The bullets just kept coming, and he knew
he couldn't do a thing. He said that he's never before seen
of dying. He talked to Desmond as soon as he woke
up, but not until Cash and I got there did he tell anyone he
was ready to talk to the Lord."
"Oh, Slater." Liberty hugged him tightly. "I've been
praying and praying. I must admit that I thought the Lord
might use this injury in Dakota's life, but I didn't know
how completely."
Slater's sigh was heartfelt. "You should have seen his
face, Lib. He looked so at peace. He's a shot-up mess, but
all the fear and defensiveness are gone." Slater couldn't go
on. He was suddenly too choked up to speak. He and Liberty
sat quietly together until Slater heard a noise. It
sounded like a tiny baby's cry.
"What was that?" Slater asked, wondering if Zach and
Laura had gotten a kitten.
Liberty grinned hugely. "That's my baby sister."
527
Slater's mouth fell open. "Your mother had her baby?"
Liberty still grinned. "Last night, just before midnight.
Come see her."
Slater was in a state of shock as Liberty led him to the
living room. It was empty, save for the small person in the
cradle, who was just starting to make noise.
"Well, now," she said tenderly as she scooped up the
light bundle, "did you think we'd all forgotten you? You
have to wake up and meet your big brother-in-law." Liberty
bounced her a little and coaxed, "Come on, Jeanette,
wake up and talk to us."
Liberty and Slater laughed when the baby would have
none of it. She turned her face toward Liberty and went
back to sleep. The three of them sat on the sofa then, and
Slater took Jeanette in his arms.
"I've never seen anything so perfect," he said as he
lifted her tiny hand and examined each finger. Jeanette's
Every Little Thing About You 299
tiny head was beautifully shaped and covered with soft,
528
dark fuzz. She was feather-light to hold, and for a time
Slater was transfixed with this precious infant
"How's your mother?" he suddenly remembered to
ask.
"Doing great. Up and around already and feeling
strong. Duffy's plan is for her to take it easy on the stairs-- only two trips down a day--so I'll be bringing Jeanette down here with me so Mam can sleep and not think she's
hearing the baby cry all the time."
Their eyes went back to the baby then, and for a time
they just watched her. Jeanette's next cry was a real one. In
no time at all, she was awake and howling, obviously
ready to be fed. Liberty
took her upstairs to Kate and then
rejoined her husband on the sofa. They had not been apart
since they'd been married in April. They spent some time
catching up, both glad for a little time alone.
"We could have one of our own," Slater offered, his
arms holding Liberty tightly.
"Indeed. I'm all for it," Liberty said with a smile.
Slater moved to kiss her, accidently bumping her nose.
"I'm sorry," he apologized.
529
Liberty shrugged it off, saying, "My aim has always
been better."
Slater couldn't hold his laughter. Indeed, he was still
laughing when Liberty kissed him, and as he expected, her
aim was perfect.
5" *3r 3'
lori wick is one of the most
versatile Christian fiction writers
in the market today. Her works
include pioneer fiction, a series
set in Victorian England, and
contemporary novels. Lori's
books (over 1.5 million copies
in print) continue to delight
readers and top the Christian
bestselling fiction list.
Lori and her husband, Bob,
live in Wisconsin with
"the coolest kids
530
in the world."