A Contract Bride's Triple Surprise (42 page)

As soon as he heard Fin and Hugh were moving down, he and Nev knew they had to leave. The Elliotts wanted to come north as well, but Father wanted the rest working for him. Ben escaped to law school, but Ranger had to stay. He finally got his inheritance and put it into the RB ranch next door. He and Patrick were already bringing their cattle north to Montana Territory.

Since he was moping already, he might as well admit he missed them. It would be good to have Ranger, Patrick, and Ben here.

Most of all, he missed Amelia.

He’d missed her every moment while they were away. Did she know how much he cared? She should have realized by the way he held her. The flowers he brought her each morning. He’d see them on the table at dinner and supper. Surely, she knew what that meant.

What if Gil was right?

What if she didn’t know how he felt?

Did she really look away in disgust at him, or had she seen something on his face that made her turn away?

And how the hell could he find out from a jail cell?

The more he thought of it, the more he realized she might have mistaken what he was thinking. He couldn’t really remember what happened. Amelia lying in bed, burned and scratched. Beth talking. Then he was halfway across the yard, telling Daniel to take care of her.

Damn, his head hurt!

When Gil came back, he’d ask him to bring Amelia. They could talk.

Chapter Forty-One

Ross contemplated his next move. Should he take Trace’s man or move the other checker forward to get kinged? He looked up when the door opened. An old man walked, tall and proud, across the room. Four eagle feathers rose from his hair. No haltering step suggested his age.

“Grandfather!”

The three-legged stool scraped against the floor when Ross stood. Trace moved aside the table containing the hard-fought checkers game. He nodded in respect and left the jail, pulling the door shut behind him.

Ross watched his grandfather look around the jail. His eyes skipped past the few posters decorating the walls. He frowned at the battered desk where a large metal ring with one key had been tossed. Finally, he looked at the metal bars in the corner and the man who watched him.

“Why are you in a cage, Raven?”

“They say I shot two of the men who killed Antelope Girl.”

“Someone took those deaths from you, bringing anger.”

Ross didn’t move his eyes or his body.

“And you have anger with me.”

“No, Grandfather. You were right to send me away.”

The old man didn’t seem to move, but Ross picked up his surprise.

“Send you away?”

Sunbird’s father looked at Ross for many minutes. He walked forward and took Trace’s place on the stool, gesturing for Ross to sit as well.

“We asked your mother to send you to us when you were five summers old. You were a warrior living with jackals. You needed training so you would not become one as well.” He gave a regal nod. “You learned well.”

Ross felt as if he was a boy again, facing the wrath of the tribe. Only he’d not had a chance to speak back then. They sent him away without a word. He kept still, his face blank, his body unmoving.

“She died because of me.”

“Do not take that from her,” scolded the Bannock Chief. “She died a warrior. You were a boy, yet you avenged her that day.”

“Three escaped.” He choked out his shame. “Two are now dead, but not by my hand. I will not go home until I kill the last.”

The old man sighed. “I hoped you would be free of this demon who rides you.”

“I won’t be free until I kill the last demon.”

“The demon is not a man. It is the need for revenge that harms you.”

“I don’t understand. You sent me away because I failed—”

“You were sent home to grieve, to honor her death and look once more to life. We did not know your father’s jackal sons would attack you. Sunbird knew one of you would kill the other. She gave you to the Elliotts to protect you from killing your half-brothers.”

Ross could barely breathe, much less swallow the bile that crept up his throat. Yes, his father was a jackal, and so were Fin and Hugh. They’d rip apart a carcass for the joy of destroying, not because of hunger. His mother hadn’t sent him away. She’d sent him to safety. The tight band across his heart eased.

“Until you let Antelope Girl go, you will not be whole. She is gone, her bones dust. A woman carrying your son needs you now. Take care of the living and let the other be at peace.”

“You would have me forget her?”

“I would have you act as a warrior. Not an angry child crying for what is forever lost!”

Ross’s heart pounded at the insult. Heat rushed up his face. He kept his mouth shut by force of will.

“You act like an injured bear,” scoffed his grandfather. “In pain and anger, lashing out at everyone.” He pointed a finger. “You want to be feared. It keeps others away and your heart cold. You have no fire in your heart, only the ashes of death.”

Ross dropped his eyes rather than reply. The man made to stand. Ross reached his strong arm through the bars so his grandfather wouldn’t have to touch the iron. Though the man was much shorter, bent in old age, he looked down on Ross.

“Will you send Daniel away because he did not stop two men from taking your wife?”

“No! He did everything he could.”

“Then why do you hate the boy who could not stop four men?”

Ross gulped. It wasn’t the same. Daniel was only a child, but he’d had years of warrior training by the time he was Daniel’s age.

“You have a good woman and children on the way. Will you cower in the dark like a frightened child clinging to the past? Or will you face the future like a warrior?”

Neither spoke for a few minutes. The old man finally nodded. “If you choose the future over the past, I will be at your son’s naming ceremony.”

Ross gulped. “And if I go after the last man?”

The Chief’s nostrils flared. His eyes became hooded. Ross watched his grandfather turn and shuffle from the room. He’d walked in tall and strong, but now, he moved as if their talk had added a dozen years.

He stopped just in front of the door. Without turning, he spoke.

“If you choose death over life, you are a jackal like your father and no grandson of mine.”

The door shut behind him, leaving Ross alone. He stood at the bars for a long time.

Could he get his life back? Would Amelia even want him now?

He would see her tomorrow. From what he heard, everyone from miles around was coming to see the spectacle. Auntie would never bring Hope to town, but the rest of his family would be there.

The only one he cared about was Amelia.

Chapter Forty-Two

“We want a trial!”

Frank Chambers looked over the crowd from his vantage point. The porch of the Tanner’s Ford Hotel was six steps above the street. The heckler standing near the back of the crowd ducked and shuffled behind a taller man. Frank stuck his thumb under his leather vest and flashed the sheriff’s badge.

“Anytime you want to strap on this star and a gun and take my place, sonny, you let me know. Otherwise, keep your yap shut.”

“He’s got a point,” said John Tanner, off to one side. “There’s two men dead. Don’t we need a trial?”

“I won’t hold a trial without good reason. Charlie Newton said he saw someone tall and dark across the street.” Frank shook his head at the group of men in dark hats. “At least half of you’ve got dark, scruffy beards. Maybe the murderer is right here.”

Many looked at each other sideways and shuffled their feet.

“If you think that, why’s my brother in jail?” asked Nevin.

He stood in the street, thick arms crossed and an unusually belligerent look on his dark face. Considering all the riding the young man had done since yesterday morning, no wonder he scowled like he had a boil on his butt.

“You want this lot to get all fired up with drink and hang him?”

Nevin shrugged and looked away. Frank had other reasons for keeping Ross locked up. Most of them had to do with the people wanting to talk some sense into him.

“Some say you’re a mite friendly with the MacDougals, Sheriff.” Mayor Rivers smiled at the crowd. “Why don’t I go with you to make sure the truth gets out.”

“Only the truth about this crime needs to get out. People are allowed their secrets in my town.”

“Only trying to help, Sheriff.”

Frank thought the man as smooth as a church pew after six generations of fidgeting bottoms. His natty plaid suits were always pressed, his shirt ironed and boots polished. Even if he had witnesses to say he didn’t pull the trigger, it didn’t mean Rivers didn’t pay for it happening.

“A second set of ears can’t hurt,” suggested John Tanner. “Doc Henley’s known for keeping his mouth shut.”

“Doc?” Frank looked at the middle-aged man in the rumpled suit. “Would this take too much of your time?”

“Not too many babies, due and there’s no summer fever, so I’ve got time. Fact is, it’d be pleasant to see people when they don’t need me.”

“Then head back to work. Doc and I will stop by and talk to every one of you. Since I haven’t had breakfast, I’ll start with Mrs. McLeod. That all right with you, Doc?”

“When’s Mary back, Sheriff?” asked Doc as they walked into the hotel entry room.

“Not soon enough,” replied Frank.

* * * *

Doc and Frank, finished questioning those in town, rested over a cup of coffee in a corner of the hotel dining room. Frank counted off points on his fingers.

“Mrs. Dawes saw someone coming from the east end of town after Charlie rode past. No one saw Ross leave Rosa’s kitchen though the light was left on far into the night. Rosa and Ross heard gunshots but figured they were part of the fuss.”

“I saw you talking to Professor Thaddeus,” said Doc. “He see what happened?”

Frank nodded. “Annie and Mollie May started a cat fight at Baldy’s. They both wanted a kid with a poke of gold dust to spend on their favors. A couple of miners wanted to share Molly and hauled the women apart. They knocked over the faro table, and all hell broke loose. Baldy threw everyone outside. They pulled lead and woke up the town.”

“Can the professor identify the miners? They might have been paid to cause the ruckus.”

“I expect so. Thaddeus said they took off when Charlie waded in with his fists.”

They finished their coffee. Doc placed a nickel by his mug and stood up.

“Mind if I head out to the MD? If she’s up to it, I’ll bring Mrs. MacDougal back in the buggy. She must want to be near her husband. We can talk with her at the hotel. Nevin and Gillis are there already.”

Frank looked up at Doc. “Got something on your brain? You look a mite antsy.”

“You’ll know soon enough, Frank.”

He watched out the window as Doc Henley walked over to Miss Lily’s. The man went to the kitchen door, adjusted his hat, brushed the dust off his rumpled pants, and knocked. Frank added another nickel, pushed back his chair, and stood. “Go get her, Doc,” he said quietly to himself. “It’s about damn well time.”

* * * *

Knowing it was a ridiculous gesture, Doc brushed off his wrinkled pants. He’d been alone since his wife died twenty years earlier, giving birth to their dying son. He’d sold the farm, gone to medical school, and headed West. That was where people needed him. He hadn’t lost a mother or baby in all the years since. He hadn’t found a woman he wanted to marry, either. Until now.

When he knocked on the door, he felt as if he was eighteen again, asking to take Martha for a walk.

“Nobody’s sick here, Doc.”

Rosa’s dark eyes looked into his. He suddenly remembered and pulled off his hat.

“May I come in, Miss Rosa?”

She frowned at him. “Where’d that ‘Miss’ come from, Doc?”

He looked at her expectantly. Still frowning, she backed away and let him enter her kitchen. As always, it smelled heavenly. Cinnamon buns, stew, and excellent coffee. His stomach rumbled.

“You here to question me about last night?” She crossed her thick arms across her ample chest. “I told the sheriff that Ross was here the whole time. We heard gunshots while we were—” She looked down and dusted off her apron. Flour motes drifted in the sunshine beaming through the open curtains. “We were talking.”

“No, I’m not here about last night, though I do have a question.”

His stomach rumbled again, louder. He pressed his hand on his belly sheepishly. She rolled her eyes.

“Have a seat, and I’ll dish something up for you,” she said. “What’s your question?” She turned her back to him and walked to the stove.

“Are you free for a few hours?”

She stopped. The muscles in her back, neck, and arms tensed.

“Free?”

He cursed his choice of words. After all, this was a house of prostitution. Nothing was free.