Shotgun Bride (10 page)

Mike stared at her. The vision of Kathleen’s fear-filled eyes and the terrified pleas assaulted his mind with a bone-chilling dread. This doxy sitting across from him had been the intended bride, not Kathleen. He dropped his head into his hands. Kathleen had been an innocent bystander who happened to be in the wrong place. And he’d threatened her, handled her roughly, and stolen all her money.

A frigid rope tightened around his neck and his heart searched for a way to escape his ribcage. He was as guilty as these three criminals. “Who was this acquaintance?”

She crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. “Don’t matter.”

He ground his teeth. “Who?”

“Nope, I ain’t sayin’.”

Mike picked up his pistol and chambered a round.

“Sally Hawkins.” The high-pitched squeak came out in a rush.

Mike stiffened and a succession of rapid breaths puffed out his lips.
Sally?
He shook his head to clear the shock. Why didn’t she just tell him the engagement was off? “You lie.”

“Go ask her yourself.” The woman snatched the money and stuffed it between her breasts. “So, where is your bride? I want my money for coming all the way here for nothing.”

“One more question. How long ago where you contacted?”

“Pay me first.”

Mike counted out seventy-five dollars and waved it under her nose. “Answer me.”

“About a week ago. Said her other plans had failed.”

So, Sally had tried to have him murdered and when that failed, she’d spread nasty rumors and hired this bunch. And she botched it. Oh, he was married all right, but to the wrong girl. It was imperative he find Kathleen and help her. If she’d let him.

He threw the money down and left. He had already searched the entire town. Not a soul had admitted to helping her or seeing her. Where would a terrified, penniless person go?

Mike hurried to Barker’s office and shoved inside. “Have you seen or heard anything about my wife?”

“No, why, you lose her already?”

“She’s disappeared. I need to find her.”

Barker scratched his head. “Ain’t my problem.”

Mike placed his palms on the desk and leaned in. “It is now. That woman who claimed I’d accosted her just confessed. She and those two men you sided with were paid to force me into marriage. Only problem is, Kathleen was the wrong girl.”

Mike bent lower. “And you didn’t do a damn thing to stop them.”

“What about all them rumors?”

“Lies.”

“Got any proof?”

Mikes fingers twitched with the urge to slug Barker right in the nose. “I’ll get it.”

“Come back when you do. Now git. I ain’t being roped into your squabble.”

“I suggest you quit before I come back.”

“Don’t threaten me.”

“No threat, just a promise.” Mike turned and stalked out. The lazy bastard didn’t deserve to wear a badge. But Hawkins had backed him every election and that alone assured Barker of winning.

He saddled his roan, raced out of town, and caught up with Juan and Hank a few miles out.

“Change of plans. I just found out who was behind this mess.”

“Who?” Both men asked at the same time. “Sally. But that’s not the problem. Kathleen, the girl I’m married to, didn’t have a thing to do with it. Now, she’s running scared. With no money and no friends I can discover. We have to find her.”

“You sure she’s not in town?” Juan rubbed the side of his face.

“Sure as I can be.”

“What she look like?”

“About five and a half feet tall, pretty green eyes, and brown hair with a touch of red in it. Skinny. Last night she had on a white blouse and faded brown skirt.”

“Where was she headed?”

“I don’t know. She rode the stage here, but no one met her. If she planned on going on, that would mean she was headed south.”

“She rent a horse?”

“Not from the livery. I asked.”

“Umm, she know anything about you?”

Mike snapped his fingers. “I told her about my ranch. Keep your eyes open for her. I’m riding on ahead.”

“Hey, boss.” Hank’s yell stopped Mike and he turned.

“What?”

“If you do find her, remember she’s scared.”

Hours later, Kathleen scowled and turned the horse around. She had ridden into a box canyon. Good thing she knew how to track, because her mind kept replaying Mike’s kiss, and she’d failed to pay proper attention to her surroundings. She snorted. Stupid and dangerous. She had, however, listened well when Mike described the area and somewhere not far to the west was the small town of Cimarron. A place to avoid.

The thick pinion and ponderosa pine left a soft carpet of needles across the ground and muffled the sound of a hoof fall. Rugged cliffs offered excellent concealment for anyone on foot with a multitude of boulders and crevices. Kathleen swiped at the loose hairs in her eyes and frowned. Not a single place a horse and rider could climb, and definitely not a safe place to be caught in. She slapped the saddle horn and rode on.

The afternoon sun disappeared behind dark, rolling clouds. A gust of wind picked up dust and swirled it around, stinging her cheeks. She squinted. Thunder rumbled and echoed up and down the canyon walls. A solid, gray wall moved steadily down the mountainside, swallowing everything in its path. Within minutes, the temperature dropped several degrees. Kathleen shivered. Now would be a good time to be inside with a comforting fire and a hot cup of coffee.

She bailed off the horse, stripped her bundle of supplies from behind the saddle, and tethered him to a nearby branch. Sheets of water drenched the land and she climbed to a small overhang, barely wide enough to stash away her stuff. Water soaked her boots and the hem of her skirt. Arms crossed, she attempted to shield the front of her blouse from the downpour without much success.

When the torrent stopped, she stripped off her wet clothes, wrapped up in the blanket, and dug out some food with shaking fingers. A fire would be welcome, but she didn’t want to take the chance of being seen. Especially not by Mike, just in case he came searching for her. But why would he? He got what he wanted. Gradually, warmth returned to her damp skin and as her eyelids grew heavy, she drifted into an exhausted sleep.

Mike found no evidence of anyone coming along the road to his ranch. His repeated calls were met with silence, but he really didn’t expect to hear Kathleen. If she’d passed this way, she left no sign. He cursed the approaching rainstorm and headed for the corral.

When Blackie didn’t come trotting up for his favorite treat, Mike sighed. That darned horse always managed to get out. Blackie was a firm believer that the grass tasted better on the other side of the fence. Not too worried, since Blackie never went far, Mike dropped the reins and circled the corral. Petite boot prints led north. He ran to his horse and mounted. Eyes on the ground, he followed Blackie’s trail. His gut roiled like the impending thunderstorm. If those footprints were Kathleen’s, he would strangle her. She had no business out in this weather, not to mention trying to traverse the mountain alone. Raindrops spattered the ground and he shucked on his slicker.

He turned in the saddle, and then faced forward and eased the horse to the right. If Kathleen went in a straight line she’d wind up in a box canyon and forced to turn around. He hoped he guessed right because her trail rapidly disappeared in the deluge.

Blackie was a good horse, his best, and Blackie loved to be home in his own barn. He would find his way home, if only Kathleen would let him have his head. Mike sighed. That was a futile thought. He sloshed through the rain at a slow pace, searching for a patch of black.

Mike cursed. By Kathleen’s sign, she was no tenderfoot. He rubbed a hand across his jaw, what was he going to say to her when he found her?

Where the hell did Miss Barnes disappear to?
Hawkins slammed the whisky glass on the bar and ordered another. He had fully expected the girl to come crawling to his door, seeking his help and protection.

“Who you mad at?” The bartender topped off Hawkins glass.

“None of your damn business.”

“I know you had your hopes set on Baca marrying your daughter. And all these wild stories? Mike never acted that way before. Always worked hard and minded his own business.”

“What are you saying?”

“Well, what did this girl gain by marrying Mike? Has to be more than just a husband.”

“I know. I’ve sent out some telegrams checking into her background. By morning I should have a few answers.”

Lies, of course, but Andy didn’t need to know that. No one did. His plan of pitting Mike and Kathleen against each other was risky. If they ever decided to set down and talk it out he’d have to change tactics. But for now, the small populace of Raton seemed eager to lap up the juicy tidbits of gossip about Kathleen’s supposed wild history and do most of the work for him.

“Might check with the sheriff. See if she’s wanted for something.”

Hawkins grinned, saluted Andy, and gulped down the pricey whiskey he made the bartender keep in stock just for his personal consumption. The man just gave him another idea to add to his arsenal for the unsuspecting Miss Barnes.

He’d always made it his business to support the current politicians and those high up in law enforcement. A little favor every now and then was all he asked in return. Time to collect on one.

“Give me another, Andy.”

Andy laughed. “You better slow down or there won’t be any left before the next shipment arrives.”

“Then order more next time.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hawkins tapped his fingers on the glass. The new Mrs. Baca would soon be a grieving widow and he’d be the only one consoling her. Two ranches in one fell swoop. He downed the glass and strode outside.

The woman would soon be begging him to take her in. Maybe he’d try for a few sons before he got rid of her. Tall, strapping lads he could teach how to expand the Hawkins Empire.

He clomped down the sidewalk to the sheriff’s office and stepped inside the dim room. The smell of burnt coffee and sweat permeated the jailhouse. Barker never did keep the place clean but Hawkins didn’t care as long as the man obeyed orders.

“You keep an eye out for Baca’s new bride. She’s up to no good and I want to talk to her. Lock her up when you find her.”

“On what charge?”

“Fraud, disturbing the peace, I don’t care just do it.”

“What if Baca objects? I don’t want a fight with him.”

“Baca doesn’t keep you in this job. I do. Don’t you forget it.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t mess this up. I want Baca to see he’s chained to a thieving, lying, hussy.”

“Why?”

“You fool. I didn’t plan my daughter’s wedding to Baca just to have some whore come along and snatch him right out from under my nose.”

“Right.”

“And keep your damn mouth shut or you’re fired.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hawkins left the sweating Barker, satisfied with his work. One more stop by an old friend that had a knack for drawing up false documents and the noose around Miss Barnes’ neck would be complete.

With a huge sigh, Mike reined in. Kathleen made a pretty picture curled up under his blanket, her hair spread around her like a frame. He started to dismount but settled back in the saddle to enjoy the view. She would not appreciate waking with him looming over her. “Kathleen. Wake up.”

Her eyelids fluttered in a struggle to open. She yawned, stretched, and Mike grinned. It would be fun to kiss her awake. “Open your eyes, Kathleen.”

Her eyes flew open. Kathleen gasped and jerked up, clutching the blanket to her breast. “Stay away from me.”

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Go away.” She glanced around and scrambled back.

“I know you didn’t have anything to do with those two men.”

“You expect me to believe anything you have to say? I’m not a fool.” She hugged the blanket and shuffled further from him.

“Let’s go home and I’ll explain everything along the way.”

“Me? Go with you?” Kathleen’s tone bordered on the incredulous.

Hands draped across the saddle horn, he shifted. “If I meant you any harm why, would I have called out to wake you instead of slipping up on you and tying you up or something?” Kathleen scooted further away until the edge of the boulder stopped her. “Watch where you’re going.”

“I—” Her reply was cut off by a cry. She fell backward, an arrow protruding from her shoulder.

Mike rolled off his horse and the sting of an arrow creased his back. Dropping to his knees, he fired from under the horse’s belly at the charging Ute’s. One stumbled and was caught up by his friend and dragged back. The third didn’t move.

Mike grabbed the reins of his horse, lunged to his feet, and scurried to where Blackie was tied. He tugged both horses along as he dodged around the pile of rocks.

Another arrow clattered across the rocks inches from his head. Mike ducked and crawled to where a large rock wedged against another. He took off his hat and eased it in sight as he peered through the opening created by the angle of the fallen rocks.

A dark stain of blood smeared a nearby rock and Mike spotted a darker patch of brown and sent two rapid shots at the exposed leg. With a yelp, the Ute jerked back. Mike shoved his hat back on and loaded three shells into his Colt before snatching up the trailing reins of the horses and scrambling closer to where Kathleen had fallen.

At a muted rush of hoof beats, Mike scanned the area and holstered his gun as a grim hush settled over the canyon. Three horses topped the rise and disappeared. Mike wiped sweat from his eyes, looped the reins around a branch, then went in search of Kathleen. At the sight of a patch of white petticoat and one bare foot propped over a rock, Mike clambered to her side. “Kathleen?”

A nest of writhing vipers took up residence in his stomach. She didn’t stir. Blood oozed from her shoulder and soaked her chemise. He knelt and ran a shaking hand over her body. When he didn’t feel any broken bones, Mike scooped her into his arms and carried her to a soft patch of pine needles. He yanked off his bandana and tied it around her shoulder. One hand braced around the shaft of the arrow then he broke it off as close to her flesh as possible. With bloody hands, he ripped a strip of material from her petticoat and wrapped it multiple times around the wound.

With the spare horse tied behind Blackie and Kathleen bundled in the blanket, Mike hurried from the canyon.

Halfway home, Juan and Hank met him.

“We heard gunshots. Figured you might need help.” Hank glanced at Kathleen. “She hurt bad?”

“I don’t know. She took a nasty fall. I’m taking her to the doc.”

“Who’d you run into?”

“Some Ute’s.”

“Boss, you’re bleeding.” Juan’s black eyes scanned the area.

“Just a scratch.”

“You need me or Hank to ride along with you?”

“No, but I’m staying in town tonight. See how she’s doing and maybe get something decided. Keep the cows home.”

“We will, boss.”

Mike untied the roan and kicked Blackie into a gallop, worry a heavy weight on his shoulders. If he hadn’t threatened Kathleen, she probably wouldn’t have ran. He was responsible for her condition.

Kathleen moaned and put a hand on her head her gaze unfocused. She tried to sit up.

“Easy, now, I’m taking you to the doc.”

“What did you do to me?”

Mike leaned down to hear the muttered question and frowned as she sagged in his arms.

“I didn’t. A few Ute’s admired our horses and tried to steal them. You have an arrowhead in your shoulder.”

“I hurt all over.”

“You fell. The doctor will check you over.”

Mike urged Blackie faster. The sun dipped below the mountain and bathed the landscape in soft pinks, purples, and oranges. A few tears glistened at the corners of Kathleen’s eyes and a white line formed around her clamped lips.

“I’m sorry I accused you of being involved with the plot to force me into marriage. I know you’re innocent.”

“Don’t try to sweet talk me.”

“I’m not. Another woman showed up and confessed. She also told me Sally hired her and those two men.”

“Your fiancée?”

“Yes. Don’t know why she didn’t just tell me she didn’t want to marry me.”

“That is the most ridiculous story I’ve ever heard.”

Mike tensed.

“Ow.”

He relaxed his grip on Kathleen.

“Sorry.”

How could he convince Kathleen he told the truth? Why did it matter anyway? He planned on getting rid of her as soon as possible. But he wanted her to have a good opinion of him. See him as a decent, honorable man. Not some thief that took her money or some leach that pinned her to the bed and offered to take her by force. “I know it sounds farfetched. But it’s the truth. Believe me.”

“Why should I? You didn’t believe me.”

“And I should have. What I did was wrong. What do you want me to do?”

“I want my freedom and all my possessions back. But that’s not what you have in mind, is it? I know what you’re after.”

A muscle twitched along his jaw as he ground his teeth. She believed all he wanted was up her skirt?

“You’ll have your money back just as soon as you’re off my lap and I can reach my pocket.”

“And?”

“Soon as you’re able we’ll go find a judge in Santa Fe and get shuck of this marriage. Then you can do whatever the heck you want.”