Page 76 (1/2)

"You really ly by as she seeh her words "I have one condition"

"Na her nervousness, I took her hands in iti to be your wife, then I want to be married to David Malloy, not Jesse Ja I hadn’t anticipated While I knew she had every reason to request it, I wasn’t sure I could make it happen--or if I truly wanted it to happen "I’m not the president, babe I can’tRev would support"

"We’d still have to have a majority vote in church"

"Then make it happen Convince your brothers that too much blood has been spilled and tooan outlaw is all I’ve known since I was thirteen years old" Feeling like a pussy, I tried not to let Alex see the fear that ran through me It unfortunately didn’t escape her notice, because she brought her arms around my neck

"You can do this I believe in you"

For reasons I didn’t begin to understand, I started to believe that we could turn the Raiders around It wouldn’t be easy It would take time, and there would probably be repercussions for our actions But for her and for Willoilling to try

Sel--el" The ered back

"Deacon, what’s wrong?" Alex asked with alar Preacher Man’s body His words echoed throughfor you They will be your salvation"

Alex stared up at me in confusion "What?"

I realized then that I had said the words aloud "Preacher Man told ine what he meant But now …" I stared down at her beautiful face filled with love and concern for me "Now I understand You and Willow--you’re the dark-haired angels You’reto feel her against me "You’re my salvation," I repeated

"And you’re mine," Alex answered

I would take her hoain I would look after her as she healed Tohter As a unified faiti over us, including the Knights, now floundering without their leader and sergeant at arainst us

In the end, I hoped to never again have to lose another person I loved to the violence I’d bred