Cole's Redemption (Love Amongst the Pines) Read Online Free PDF Page B

think he's a good man, deep inside. There's just something about him."
                  "I saw it, too," Natty said. "I don't know how to describe it, but he was ready to walk up those steps to the gallows, brave- like, not pissin ' himself like most anybody else would."
                  Judge shook his head. "In all my years of being a judge, I've never had anybody thank me for a hanging sentence. I knew then that there was more to him than we could fathom. Something's eating away at his insides. Whether or not you can heal him, only God knows. I hope for both your sakes, you can, Natalie. I surely do."
                  "Hey, Judge," Sheriff Watkins called out. "We're ready to get started."
                  When the two of the entered the room once more, Natty gasped at the sight before her. The gunslinger sat, barely conscious, his face pale, his breaths coming in fast, shallow puffs.
                  "Let's get this over with," Doc said quietly.
                  All of the men circled around the table, each one removing their hat in reverence to the occasion. Only the groom sat, no longer tied to the chair, his wrapped hands still resting on the table. The bloodied bandages looked black in the dim light of a single oil lamp.
                  "We are gathered here," Preacher began, "to witness the joining of this convict, uh, man and this woman into the sacred bonds holy matrimony. It is on such occasions that we must all pause to remember..."
                  The judge stepped forward. "Make it brief, Gus, before the groom becomes too lucid."
                  "Um, well, of course. Do you Natalie Lane take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and obey for all time until death do you part?"
                  "Or at least until the spring thaw next year," Doc muttered beside him.              
                  A quick elbow from Sheriff Watkins silenced him.
                  "I do," Natty stated quietly, not able to take her eyes from the pitiful figure that was about to be her husband. Guilt slithered through he mind.              
                  Maybe he would have been better off dead than forced to work in a mine and be saddled with a wife and her simple relation.
                  "Do you, Cole Remmington , also take this woman, to love, honor, and cherish for all time until death do you part?"
                  A silence spread across the room, each person looking to the other.
                  "Well, who's speaking for him?" Preacher asked. All eyes looked to Judge Cummings.
                  "I guess that'll be me." He walked over to kneel beside Remmington's chair.
                  Gently he tilted the man's head back and spoke in low tones. "Son, I swear I don't know what road brought you here. Hell, I don't know if what we're doing is entirely legal or even morally right. But it's a chance I'm giving you, and I pray to God you don't throw it away."
                  The gunslinger's eyes fluttered open. For a moment, a brief bit of clarity passed between them.
                  "Help me," Cole whispered.
                  "That's what I intend." He turned to the others gathered, and nodded. "He just said 'I do'. Let's get on with it." The preacher nodded and read from his book. "By the laws of the great state of South Dakota, I now pronounce you man and wife. May God bless and keep you."
                  A collective sigh went around the room.
     
                  "I forgot Uncle Dermott!" Natty said as they walked out of the jail. The gunslinger had passed out cold when they'd begun to move him out to the wagon.
                  "Forgot what, honey?" Dermott said from his seat on the bench outside the jail