Just then the door to his office burst open.
“Stop. She can’t marry him.” An older man came rushing toward Mattie. Frank running behind the older man.
Jesse moved to guard Mattie, putting her between them, blocking the man from reaching her.
“Too late,” Jesse said his voice almost gleeful. “Alex just married her.”
The man’s cheeks flushed with anger.
“Undo the vows,” the man said. “She doesn’t have my permission. She’s going to marry my son.”
“No,” Mattie said. “I don’t need your permission and I’m not marrying Frank. Alex is my husband.”
The man’s face turned red and he glowered at her. “You’re going to regret this.”
Jesse stepped up to him. “If you want to live, don’t come near Mattie or I will kill you.”
“She’s my stepdaughter. She’s not right in the head.”
“I’m very sane. Your son tried to force himself on me today. These gentlemen rescued me and Alex offered to marry me. We’re done.”
“You’d go off and leave your momma dying to get married?” the older man said, his eyes glaring at her. “You’re a selfish bitch.”
Mattie began to tremble and Alex feared she would change her mind.
Instead, she did her best to get around Jesse, her fists doubled. He laid his hand on her arm to restrain her.
“Oh, I regret the day you came into our lives. Momma knew what the two of you were doing and made me leave.”
That was enough. Anger rushed through Alex at how these men had treated her mother and Mattie and the urge to beat them senseless was building and about to explode.
“Stop,” Alex said in a quiet, deadly tone. “Leave now unless you want the judge to witness your killing.”
“This is not over,” Edward said. He grabbed his son. “Let’s go. Soon you’ll be dead men.”
The two men walked out the door and the judge sighed. “Boys, you know I have to report this to the sheriff.”
“Yes, sir,” Jesse said. “Why do you think Mattie’s dress is stained and the bodice ripped. Because of Frank. We’re just lucky we came along when we did.”
And now they had the woman they had been dreaming of.
Mattie sighed. “No, I’m the lucky one. Judge, I’m begging you to please let me know when my mother passes. I didn’t want to leave her, but she insisted I marry Alex. And I’m so thankful I did.”
The man nodded. “Of course. I remember your father. He was a good man.”
“Thank you,” she said.
?
??Let’s head home, so we can make it before dark,” Jesse said, gazing at Alex.
The man was sending him a warning. One that said they needed to get home before Frank and Edward found help. They needed to get home, so they could give their bride the attention she deserved. They needed to get home before their cocks exploded.
“Congratulations, Alex and Mattie,” the judge said.
The three of them walked out of the judge’s chambers. Alex tensed and looked around for the two scalawags, but they were nowhere to be seen.
As Alex helped Mattie onto Jesse’s horse, he shook his head. “Jesse, I think we married ourselves a little spitfire. She was ready to punch Edward.”