Montana Dawn (7 page)

T
HE
huge hotel bed wrapped itself around Faith in a warm hug. She was burrowed deep in the feather mattress, with the colorful green and pink quilt tucked securely around her shoulders. Her cheek had never felt anything quite as wonderful as the soft pillowcase, which smelled faintly of soap and sunshine. She wished she could stay here for the rest of her life.

Reluctantly, she sat up and stretched, then checked on Dawn, who had been up every hour to eat. The babe was sleeping comfortably now, tucked into one of the drawers from the highboy dresser and placed on the floor next to the bed.

Faith took a moment to sink back into the covers, relishing the memory of the night before. Luke had said that she could stay on with him and the herd, go to the ranch and then proceed from there. A giddy excitement galloped through her, relief not to be leaving the group. Everyone had been so good to her, kind and considerate, helpful in every way.

She sat bolt upright, thinking of various incidents: Colton talking back. The men setting up a private camp for her, bringing her a tub. Lucky and Francis staying back so she could wash Dawn’s things. She
had
been a distraction, like
Luke complained. She wouldn’t be surprised if he’d changed his mind.

Hastily she climbed from the bed and ran a brush through her hair. She splashed her face with water and brushed her teeth. She changed Dawn’s diaper, which woke the baby completely and set her howling. Done with that, Faith rushed to the connecting door and knocked.

There was no response, so she knocked a little louder. Perhaps Colton was still asleep. Opening the door, she found the room empty.

“Colton,” she called, hoping he was just playing a game of hide-and-seek. There was still no answer.

Luke, she felt certain, must be with his men somewhere. Had Ward settled for Colton and stolen the boy away while she’d slept? The pair would be so far away by now she’d never catch him. Not alone. She had to find Luke. With his help she’d be able to hunt Ward down. Faith ran back into her room, grabbed up her things and bolted out the door.

Waking early, Luke, with Colton by his side, had dressed and gone out to a nearby restaurant. He was in desperate need of some brew and promised to bring Colton back and order some real restaurant food just as soon as they took a cup of coffee up to Faith.

A white china cup teetered in its saucer, sloshing hot coffee onto Luke’s hand. He set it on the dresser, forgotten. Faith’s room was a mess, the door was ajar, and there was no sign of her or Dawn.

Luke spun on his heel and Colton had a hard time keeping up. “Where’s Ma?” the boy said.

“Don’t know. She probably just…” He couldn’t think of anything to tell the kid. His mind was too busy imagining what might have happened. “Went out.”

“What about her coffee?”

“Hush now. I’ve got some thinking to do.”

“B-but,” Colton stammered, “it’ll get cold.”

Luke stopped. Bending down to Colton’s level, he addressed him eye to eye. “To be honest, I’m a little worried. I don’t think your ma would leave the room alone. I want you to run back over to the livery and tell Mark and Roady. Be quick.”

Colton bolted off like a jackrabbit, his boot heels ringing down the stairs and then the old wooden boardwalk outside.

Faith ran down Main Street, dawn just barely breaking. Not a person was in sight. A horse tied to a post in front of the bank looked her way as she passed, but not seeing anyone else, she turned down one side street and then another looking for the livery stable. Where was it? That was where Luke’s horses would be kept, and the wagons. The men might be there, too.

Her baby, not understanding why she was being jostled so roughly, was past hysterical. She had cried so hard Faith briefly feared she’d been hurt. Not only must her empty tummy be hurting her, but also, Faith thought, she could probably sense her mother’s fear. The baby’s face was still apple red and her cheeks moist with tears. Every once in a while Faith would hear her give a little sob or hiccup.

She stopped for a moment to nuzzle the child’s warm, damp face. “It’s all right,” she whispered. “I’ll find them, I promise. Then you’ll have some breakfast.”

Oh, how she hoped her words were true. With each passing minute Faith lost a little more hope. Why didn’t she see anyone? Not a single man from the ranch. She wasn’t even sure where she was anymore, or what direction she’d come from.

Spotting a lone man muttering to himself and tottering down the boardwalk, she cautiously approached. “Excuse me, sir,” she said, trying to keep the anxiety from her voice.

“Huh?” His head swiveled in her direction and he tried to focus on her. He stumbled backward, caught his heel and fell to the ground.

Faith gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry!” He didn’t seem to notice he’d taken a tumble and slowly climbed to his feet. He looked again at Faith.

“Could you tell me where the livery is?” she asked shakily. He smelled terrible, of stale liquor and vomit. After taking a moment to process her words, the man pointed. “That way, missy. Down the street a-ways.”

“Thank you.” She was off running again.

For several minutes she ran, expecting to see the livery any moment. Abruptly, the street ended. There were a few shacks, a boarded-up eatery, an out-of-business boot repair, but no stable. Not a horse or person in sight. A niggle of fear prickled her skin.

Her knapsack, full of Dawn’s things, pulled heavily on her shoulder. Faith’s arms throbbed from holding the baby while running for so long. Then she heard it: someone whistling. And it was a tune she not only recognized but knew by heart. It hung eerily on the cool morning air.

“Mornin’, Faith,” Ward called out from down the street. “Where you off to so early?” His tone was friendly, calm. There was no sign of Colton.

Darting a look to each side of the street, Faith contemplated trying to run away, but that was ridiculous. Where could she go where he couldn’t find her? Besides, she had the baby to think about.

Ward was freshly shaven, his blond hair slicked back, his long curls lying along his collar. Blue eyes glittered when they looked into hers. It was like being in a bad dream and wanting to run but not being able to move.

“Why’d you run away? Pa and me were stunned when we couldn’t find you, you being pregnant and all. We can work this out if you’ll just be reasonable.”

Her mind was frozen. Ward was too close. All her senses screamed for her to run, but her feet wouldn’t listen. Forcing herself, she answered, “You know why.”

“No, I truly don’t. We all thought you and Samuel were a happy couple. He never let on that there was any trouble.”

Liar!
She wanted to scream in his face that she knew all about their vicious blackmailing scheme to get her farm. She wanted to, but didn’t.

“Let me have a look at the baby,” Ward suggested, lifting the blanket back from Dawn’s face. “Boy or girl?”

“Girl,” Faith squeaked, inching around his tall body. He was intent on the baby and maybe wouldn’t notice.

“Ain’t she cute,” he said, smiling. “She’ll be a real beauty, just like her ma. What’s her name?”

Oh, why had she taken the advice of that drunken old man? Why had she chosen this deserted, good-for-nothing street? She should have known better, and maybe then Ward wouldn’t have found her. Maybe. “Dawn.”

“Dawn Brown,” her brother-in-law said. “Why, it has a real nice ring to it. I know Pa would be proud as a peacock to see her. He don’t have any girl grandbabies yet.” As if just noticing now that Colton wasn’t with her, he asked, “Where’s the boy?”

Faith was on the opposite side of Ward now. She took one slow, careful step back. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

“With the rest of the cowboys. I have to get back,” she added steadily. “They’re expecting me.”

“Come on then, I’ll walk with you.”

He’d walk with her? She knew all these niceties were just for show. Just what was he was trying to pull?

He reached for her knapsack. She jerked back.

His face turned dark and his eyes flashed in a dangerous way. “I’m warning you, Faith,” he said in almost a growl as the
real
Ward surfaced. “It’ll be better for everyone concerned if you just cooperate.” He snapped his fingers and held his hand open.

She hated to let him touch anything of hers, to help her in any way. But she handed him the knapsack and cursed herself silently for her weakness.

L
UKE
and Roady rounded the corner and entered the livery just as the clock at the First National Bank chimed six o’clock. Chance, Uncle Pete, John, Lucky and Ike stood in a circle, discussing where they’d searched. The others were still out looking.

“Any sign of her?” Luke asked. “It’s been a half hour since I found her room empty.”

“No, boss. Sorry,” Chance answered.

Lucky looked particularly upset, apprehension making him seem older than his fifty-two years.

“The others been back?” Luke asked, trying to hide his edginess. “Where’s Colton?”

“He went out with Smokey. There was no stopping him.”

Ike had stuck his head out the doorway and now called to Luke. “Boss, come here.”

Luke hurried over, flanked by Roady and the others. From the east came Smokey, Francis, Colton and Mark. From the west strolled Ward and Faith. Her brother-in-law swaggered, toting Faith’s bag and chatting amiably.

Anger slammed into Luke first. Then embarrassment at having called out a search, scaring Colton and the men. He’d thought she’d been taken by force, but here she was with Ward, happy as could be.

Everyone hurried to meet her as she approached. They swarmed around her, the men’s faces etched with the same concern and questions that Luke himself was feeling.

Ward stopped and looked around. “This is quite a welcoming party!” he said, smiling over Faith’s head at them. “From
the looks on your faces, you were worried about Faith. No need to fret, boys, she’s just fine.”

Resentment burned in Luke’s gut and his jaw clenched. He was damn mad at himself for falling victim to his own worry. He’d allowed Faith Brown to turn his whole cattle drive upside down. She’d not only been a distraction, but a liability. And it wasn’t over yet. Smokey coughed, and a couple men shuffled their feet. He wasn’t the only one feeling foolish. And perhaps angry?

Faith took her knapsack from Ward and hurried to her wagon. The men of Luke’s trail drive watched her go. She climbed inside, relishing the security of the place, remembering how it had been her home for the past three months. Tears stung her eyes as she unbuttoned her dress and positioned Dawn for her morning feeding.

The baby dozed, worn out from her hysterical crying earlier. Slowly she woke, as Faith held her to her breast, but the child was indifferent to what was being offered. But she
had
to be hungry, for she hadn’t had any breakfast yet.

Faith coaxed a bit more until the baby began to eat. “That’s better, sweetie,” she struggled to get out. She rocked back and forth and nestled Dawn close, remembering the look in Luke’s eyes. In all of the men’s eyes. Disbelief. Hurt. Anger. Luke believed she’d just gone off with Ward. He surely thought she wanted to be with Ward, wanted to talk with him. He probably believed everything she’d said last night was a lie, and Faith didn’t see how she would convince him otherwise.

Dawn choked on a small swallow, gasped once and then began to hiccup. Each time one interrupted her, the baby would stop nursing and cry. She seemed disoriented, unable to find her mother’s nipple again, even when Faith put it in her mouth.

“Here, baby,” Faith offered, feeling close to hysterical herself.
“Here.” She tried to interest Dawn, but the infant just kept crying.

“Missy?” It was Lucky, outside her wagon. “Let me take the young’un. Sounds like she has a bubble stuck in her belly. Gone colicky. Let me walk her a while and try an’ bring it up.”

“We’re pulling out, Lucky,” she heard Luke bellow. “Mount up, men. We’ll meet the herd and start moving them northwest.”

“It’ll only take a minute,” Lucky fired back, his tone sharp. It was the only time Faith had ever heard the cook talk in that manner. She sucked in a breath. The last thing she wanted to do was cause more trouble for Luke.

“We’ve lost as much time today gallivanting around as we’re going to. Ask her if they’re coming with us, and let’s go.” His tone brooked no argument.

Lucky, grumbling, followed orders and called in to her if she was sticking to the original plan. When she said they were, Colton took the reins of the wagon’s hitched-up team and Francis helped him turn the horses, which fell in line behind the chuck wagon. With a jingle of harness and the muffled sound of hooves on sawdust, the wagons pulled out of Pine Grove. Dawn’s persistent howling echoed down every street.

Luke scowled as he rode. Each time the baby sobbed, it pierced his belly like a hot lance. Damn it! Just what in the hell was Faith trying to pull? Ward looked like no more of a threat to her than Francis. And yet, he’d seen her fear last night written plainly on her face. Was this just some wild story she was making up so she could escape her responsibilities back home and start a new life, sashaying all over the countryside, gathering men’s hearts like they were wildflowers? He scoffed and shook his head.

Roady, riding silently by his side, looked over in question. “Who’s the man?”

“Ward Brown.”

“Husband?”

“No. Brother-in-law.”

“When did he show up?”

“Last night, when we pulled in. Dickson had ridden ahead and was forthcoming when he asked around about Faith. Says he wants to take her and the young’uns home to their farm.” Luke paused and glanced back at the two wagons.

“And…?” Roady prompted.

“She doesn’t want to go. Says the old man will make her marry Ward.”

“What do you make of it? Her out with him this morning?”

Luke shrugged. Felt duped. He wanted to help her but, without the truth, what was the use in trying?

Ward stood quietly to the side of the street as the outfit pulled out of Pine Grove. If the man were such a threat, wouldn’t he try to stop them? Insist on taking Faith and the young’uns with him now? Instead he just watched Faith’s wagon roll by.

“Well,” Roady said. “This possibility has been in the back of everyone’s mind since you found her out there all alone. Wasn’t likely there wasn’t a man out there somewhere. Not with a woman like her.”

“That’s so.” At least she’d told the truth when she said her husband was dead.

Cresting a hill of waving brown grass they caught sight of the herd on the move down the Valley of Flowers, an area of Montana long traveled by Indians of all tribes. The scene stabilized Luke. It was one he’d seen many times. He was reminded sharply of what really mattered to him most, and what it meant for him to prove to his father and family that he was capable of bringing in a sizable heard without incident. They didn’t want this validation, but he did. His stubbornness kept him from feeling connected to them and there was nothing he’d found that could make him believe different.

His riders rode out and joined the heard that moved slowly
west, surrounded by lofty mountains and trailed by a large brown cloud of dust. It was like one giant living creature, the all-important life’s blood of his family’s ranch. From early childhood Luke had been obsessed with only one thing: running the Heart of the Mountains. Now he was running their trail drive for the first time.

The Heart of the Mountains. He smiled at the silly name of the most powerful ranch this side of the Rocky Mountains. “What was I supposed to do, boys?” Flood had asked, a foolish grin on his face. “There she stood, my bride, like a willow in the wind and not yet sixteen years old. Her heart was shining right through her blue eyes. I was a man in love, smitten. I’d let her name the ten thousand acres Lollipop Lane, if she’d asked.”

Now, there was a couple: his ma and Flood. Luke glanced over to the chuck wagon and then toward Faith’s, which was quiet now, Dawn finally given up on her screaming. No, sir. His ma would never lie to Flood. They had a one-of-a-kind relationship. It was still full of love, respect and honesty, even after all these years. That was pretty amazing.

“What’s the plan?” Roady asked, still riding alongside Luke. “Why’s she still with us?”

“She’s staying on until we reach home; then she’ll contact her aunt”—Luke cringed inwardly, feeling again that Faith had lied to him—“Penelope Flowers, in Priest’s Crossing. Says she’s waiting on her.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

Luke shook his head. “I think she’s lying.”

“If she is, and I say
if,
then just maybe she’s got her reasons.” Roady drew to a halt. “In my way of thinking, Luke, she has a right to go anywhere she wants. Just because Ward Brown shows up and wants to cart her off to who-knows-where don’t mean diddly-squat.”

Luke had stopped his horse, too, and he glanced at Roady sitting easily in the saddle. The man’s hat was tipped back in his usual carefree fashion, and he chewed on the toothpick
that hung as a permanent fixture from his mouth. Luke wished he could be so trusting. He truly did. But something just didn’t feel right. His gut was telling him someone was lying. Hell, he didn’t want to think it was Faith, but…

“That may be,” he said. “But she’s risking Colton’s life and also little Dawn’s by this harebrained idea that she can travel across country without any help from a man.”

Roady snorted. “She’s got plenty of help now, ain’t she?” He looked challengingly to Luke. “Any one of these men, including myself, would be more than glad to escort her to Priest’s Crossing—or to San Francisco for that matter, if that’s where she wants to go.”

“Tell me something I don’t already know.” Luke couldn’t keep the sarcasm from his words.

Roady’s face clouded with annoyance. “Why don’t you try some sweet talk? A little can go a long way with a woman. All you’ve done is scowl and treat her like one of the men!”

“Facts are facts,” Luke shot back hotly. “That’s all that matters. Honey-mouthed sayings are for fairy tales. This”—he gestured to the open countryside with his arm—“is reality.”

“You might be surprised,” Roady said with a scoff. “Your usual good thinking is lacking this time, Luke. Try using some of that wise red man blood you got flowing through your veins. Maybe things will become a little clearer.”