put coffee on. Smell it?”
“I know what you’re doing. My business with you doesn’t include food.”
The moment Ridge had prayed he could avoid, came. Addie opened the back door. He felt a change in her and knew the minute she’d figured out what was happening, felt her indecision.
“Ridge?” Her voice trembled.
He kept his back to her and forced calm into his voice. “It’s all right, love. Tom Calder and I have some things to work out. Why don’t you get breakfast started, honey?”
“That sounds good. Mr. Calder, you’ll be welcome to sit at our table, but you’ll have to leave your gun outside.” The words strangled in her throat.
The squeak of the screen door sounded, letting Ridge know she’d gone back inside.
“Does she know she married a killer, a man who forces himself on women?” Calder spat.
“I keep no secrets from my wife. She knows everything.”
“Your version.”
“The day’s wasting, Calder. Whatever it is you have a mind to do, let’s get it over with.” The sun would be up in a moment and shining in his eyes, blinding him.
Tom Calder shifted his weight and stuck his gun into the holster at his hip. Ridge guessed the time for talking had ended. He mentally measured the twenty paces between them, the slight breeze, the face of the grief-stricken man facing him, his eyes so full of hate. It would devastate anyone to lose one son, much less two, and Ridge bore him no ill will. It just frustrated him that Calder refused to see the truth. Maybe it was easier to believe a lie.
Ridge straightened his shoulders and inhaled, flexing his hand. “I forgive you for what you’re about to do, Tom Calder.”
Rage blazed across the rancher’s weathered face. He jerked his pistol from the leather and fired.
One second separated Ridge from death.
No time to think. To aim. To try reason one last time. Pure reflexes kicked in. He drew.
The bullet struck Calder’s hand, the force ripping his gun away. Blood flew, splatters following it.
The acrid taste of gunpowder filled Ridge’s mouth. Through the haze of smoke, he watched Calder clutch his bloody hand and drop to his knees, sobbing.
Bodie ran from the barn where he’d evidently been watching. He came full of purpose, but when he reached them, he stopped, crossed his arms, and stuck his hands in his armpits. He clearly wanted to help but didn’t know what to do next.
Ridge knew little more than the kid. “It’s all right, Bodie. It’s over.”
Addie flew from the house in a panic and ran to Ridge. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.” He walked to the rancher and knelt beside him, laid an arm across his shoulders. “This is done. Go home to your ranch and your grandson, Calder. It’s not too late to put your life back together.”
Calder scowled at him from under shaggy eyebrows. “With a useless hand?”
“Others have managed with much less. You still have one good one, and you’re alive. That counts for a whole lot.”
The breeze blew the hem of Addie’s dress around her ankles. “Come into the house, Mr. Calder, and let me wrap your hand. Then we’ll eat breakfast and you can tell me about that fine grandson of yours.” She stood aside while Bodie and Ridge lifted the rancher to his feet. “What is his name?”
“Jacob Calder, ma’am. He’s three.”
“I’m sure he’s a fine boy.” Addie held the screen door while Ridge and Bodie helped the man inside and settled him at the table.
Ridge’s hand trembled as he poured coffee, and Bodie plunked a cup down in front of Tom while Addie got out her medical supplies. Ridge watched the care with which she tended the wound and wrapped it. No anger, no harsh words. Just a heart full of forgiveness. His chest swelled with pride.
He’d waited five long years to resolve this part of his life, and to do it without more killing seemed a sweet miracle. He bowed his head for a moment of thanks.
* * *
After Calder left to seek Dr. Mary’s services before heading back to his ranch, Addie found herself alone with Ridge. She took his hands. They were so large, callus-lined from work. He could hold a child or an animal as easily as his Colt.
“You have so much power in these hands, but you also have great tenderness.” She pressed a kiss on his palm. “What I love is that you know which one to use for different situations. I’m glad you forgave Calder. He was hurting and