free, and her shout jarred Ridge to action. With a quick jerk, he slid his Colt from the holster while in motion. One squeeze of the trigger, and he shot point-blank into Hiram’s chest.
The bounty hunter crumpled, blood soaking his shirt. Addie clapped a hand to her mouth, watching Ridge limp to the man’s revolver and kick it away, then check to see if he was alive. Relief flooded her when he closed Hiram’s open eyes.
She threw herself at Ridge, sobbing. He pulled her close. “It’s all right. You’re safe.”
“Hold me. I’m so c-c-cold,” she begged.
He placed a gentle kiss on her trembling lips, the warmth of him melting the icy layers of fear. Addie dissolved into his arms, clinging to him with all she was worth, returning his kiss. For a moment, it was only the two of them in the world.
She slid her arms around his neck and knew there was no other place on earth she wanted to be than here with him. She was an outlaw’s wife and would stay by his side through life, death, and every trial.
Ridge broke the kiss, smiling. “You talked, Addie. Your voice is back.”
Her first attempt to reply came out raspy and unsure. “I—I—”
“Don’t rush. Just take your time, sweetheart.”
She cleared her throat and tried again. “Y—You were about to die. I—I had to warn you. I just opened my mouth, and out the words came. My voice is pretty r-r-rusty, though.”
“It’ll get better with use. I’d be dead if you hadn’t yelled.” He tightened his hold and kissed behind her ear.
A loud groan interrupted them, and Ridge limped with Addie’s support to help Bodie up. “How bad are you hurt?” Ridge asked.
The kid was holding his jaw. “I’m not sure yet. Hiram could sure pack a wallop, but I don’t think it’s broken. I was trying to keep him away from Addie.”
She pressed a kiss to Bodie’s cheek. “You were amazing. Thank you.”
“You’re talking!”
“The words were there all along. I just had to find them. I knew it was up to me or that bounty hunter would kill Ridge.” Her eyes met her husband’s. She slid an arm around his waist, loving the solid muscle and bone and heart that made up this man—one who had protected her with so little regard for his own life.
Ridge tightened his hold. “I knew you would. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Why don’t you go into the house while Bodie and I take care of Hiram?”
“First, tell me why you’re limping.”
“I sort of stepped into a hole, running to get here in time to help. I’ll be fine.”
“I hope so. You won’t be long?”
“No. I’ll put him where the animals can’t get him and take him into town in the morning.” He brushed her cheek with his lips.
The feel of his mouth on her skin sent tingles through her. “I’ll get what I need and clean both yours and Bodie’s wounds.” She hurried into the kitchen and was greeted by the cats, their backs up. Miss Kitty gave her a loud scolding, low-pitched grumbles interspersed with long, drawn-out meows. Just when the cat started to wind down, she started up again.
“I know, I know, and I’m sorry you got left inside. But it was for your own good. You’d only have been in the way.” Addie scratched them behind their ears, then pumped water into a large metal bowl.
Her whole body ached from being tossed around and slammed to the ground. She’d be sore for a while, with some bruises of her own, but otherwise fine. Ridge and Bodie were a different story. She gathered soap and plenty of clean bandages and sat to wait for her men.
While she waited, she had a moment to herself. Addie placed her fingertips to her lips and smiled. She’d yelled, not just a tiny peep. It seemed strange to use her voice after years of silence. Her throat didn’t exactly hurt, but her voice was different—a little lower than she remembered. It sounded strange in her ears. Her smile widened. Now she could say whatever she wanted instead of having to write everything down. Dr. Mary would be astonished.
The door opened, and Ridge limped inside, Bodie following. Both had damp hair, which told her they’d washed up outside. Deep scratches and angry skin showed above the collarless neck of Ridge’s shirt, a shirt now torn and bloody beyond anything she could repair. Her breath caught when his whiskey-colored gaze sought hers.
Bodie had a