Stained Snow (17 page)

George stepped out of the house as William put a foot on the steps. The heat gathered in his cheeks again, and he couldn’t bear to look in the man’s eyes. George let out a long sigh and walked to the edge of the porch, leaning against the railing. William glanced through the doorway. Maggie sat at the table, her head in her hands. Something moved inside him, and he wanted to go to her. George cleared his throat, and he turned back to the older man.

He took a long breath before finally taking the risk of meeting George’s gaze, surprised at the sadness there. He turned back to lean over the railing. Great, George couldn’t even stand to look at him.

“I’ll pack my things,” William said. “I can leave in the morning.”

George’s head whipped around. “Why would you do that? I wasn’t going to ask you to leave.”

“Then, what? I betrayed your trust. I should have restrained myself.”

“It’s not just you, Will. Maggie has a hand in this. As do I,” he muttered and glanced away again. He didn’t turn back even when he said, “I have never been a good father.”

The words surprised him. “You can’t mean that. Maggie’s a beautiful young woman. You had to have a hand in that. I don’t see anyone else around to influence her.”

George kept his elbows on the railing as he brought his head down into his hands. “My wife left when Maggie was two. Ran away with another man. My son, Henry, was twelve. Instead of staying strong for them, I ran into a bottle. I stayed there for a couple years. My boy did a better job of being a father to Maggie than I ever had been. Even when I came back, I barely saw her. She looks so much like her mother,” he murmured.

William stepped up beside him. “It had to have been hard to be reminded daily.”

George looked over at him. “It’s not like you. I didn’t lose her. She took off. Maybe that was my fault too. I’ve never been hard on Maggie.” He ran a hand over his face. “Let her get away with a lot more than Henry ever did. I thought it would take away my guilt. I regretted it when that lowdown skunk was here last year. He charmed her with stories. He would never take her those places. I knew it. Like I knew when she let him sweep her away. I didn’t say anything.” He brought his gaze to William’s again. “I also never caught them in the act. I can’t stand for that, Will.”

His face flushed again, and he looked away. He’d known Maggie had been with someone else, but having it thrown back into his face twisted his heart. “Like I said, if you want, I can be gone by morning.”

George shook his head. “You aren’t listening to me. I didn’t like that other man.” The last word sounded like he had to rip it out of his throat. “I like you, Will. I don’t want you to go. I also don’t want you two leading each other down a path of sin.”

“What are you saying?” he asked, turning back to George.

“I don’t want you touching her again. Not unless the two of you are married. I like you, Will, but for maybe the first time, she will come first.”

His face paled. Married? He hadn’t even thought of marrying again since he lost Anna. Not being able to touch Maggie anymore terrified him almost as much. But, George was right. This wasn’t a path they should start down. Especially when he didn’t plan to stay.

“I’ll leave her alone, sir. You have my word.”

George sighed, but it didn’t sound relieved. “I don’t want to break you two apart. I’m asking you not to sully her any more.”

“I understand.” He bit out the words, feeling like they tore out of his throat. “I’ll be riding out soon anyway. I should have weeks ago.”

George shook his head as he turned back to the house. “That wasn’t the choice I wanted you to make.”

William stepped down off the porch. He still had chores to do. He kicked at the ground as he walked. It wasn’t the choice he’d wanted to make either, but it was the right one. He was sure of that. He wouldn’t be able to keep his promise to George if he stayed much longer.

#

Lay, Colorado

April 2, 1888

Thomas rode away from town. It had been a good move to spend the winter to the south. There had been plenty of jobs to keep him busy. He hadn’t had to succumb to hiring on at a ranch. That was work he could barely stand. Hiring out his gun was much more palatable to him. So was holding up wagons a few miles from town. Far enough they couldn’t race back to town for help. Not far enough they had their guard up too much. He’d only killed one person in his time as a bandit over the last months.

He couldn’t say the same as a hired gun. He was paid for that, so it didn’t count.

He hadn’t seen one sign William followed him again. Maybe he had killed him with those bullets. He hadn’t wanted to return to Maggie before he was sure he wouldn’t be followed. And there had been the snow. It had been a rough winter even down to the south. Not as rough as up here from what he’d heard in town. That didn’t matter now. He was on his way back to Maggie.

He had missed her.

Of course, there had been plenty of women in the towns he frequented that he could buy a night of pleasure and companionship from. Maggie had always given it to him for free. Maybe that’s why he kept coming back to her.

Thomas slowed his horse as he passed through the copse of trees above the ranch. He reined the horse in and looked down at the scene below him. It was quiet. He remembered it always being busier. The other men must not be back yet. There was still a bit of snow here. They wouldn’t have driven the cows back in from the breaks yet. After the Spring round-up, it would get busy. He’d have to make sure he was gone before that. George tried to nudge him into working when he’d been there before. He’d always found ways to slip out of it.

He’d get a taste of Maggie and be on his way again.

He urged the horse down the hill then pulled up again before he broke through the trees. Someone in the yard caught his attention. It wasn’t George. The older man had a particular way of walking. It wasn’t like this. He opened his saddlebag and drew out his field glass. He steadied his horse then brought the glass to his eye, sweeping it across the span of the ranch. George stood on the porch. His hands gripped the railing as he looked out into the yard. Thomas swung the glass around, trying to see what the old man stared at. His teeth clenched when it came into focus.

After so many months away, he should have been thrilled about seeing Maggie. Instead, rage boiled through him. She wasn’t standing there alone.

William wasn’t dead.

His brother had his hands on Maggie’s shoulders, their faces a breath apart. She wasn’t pushing him away or trying to get out of his embrace.

Thomas’s hand tightened around the telescope as he watched. Maggie leaned closer and touched her lips to his. With a growl, he tossed the glass to the ground then jumped out of the saddle. He barely even heard the crunch as his boot slammed down on it. He whipped his rifle from the scabbard and moved forward to a bunch of rocks in front of him. He used one as a rest for the rifle barrel as he sighted in on the ranch below him. He’d had a lot of practice over the months with this when certain targets wouldn’t agree to face him.

It would only take one shot to get rid of his brother for good.

Chapter 20

Barnes Ranch

April 2, 1888

William should have stepped away when Maggie came to him. He’d already told her the promise he’d made to her father. She hadn’t been happy about it. Her tears nearly ripped his heart out. It was the right decision. Even though he still couldn’t bring himself to ride out.

In the morning.

That’s why he hadn’t pushed her away. Why he said he’d wanted to take a walk with her. He wanted to tell her first. He couldn’t put it off any longer. After he tracked Thomas down and made sure he paid for his crimes, he could return. He’d marry Maggie if she wanted him. After that, he didn’t really know. He was almost afraid to even plan that far ahead.

When she pressed her lips to his, a walk was the last thing on his mind. If George hadn’t been standing on the porch watching them, he may have pulled her away to do more than kiss. He couldn’t risk it. He’d kept his hands to himself for more than two days. He wanted to touch her so bad, but he wouldn’t go back on his word. Still, a kiss was innocent enough.

He broke away after a moment but kept his hands on her shoulders. “We need to talk, Maggie.” He cast a glance over her shoulder at her father. “Will you walk with me?”

A nervous look fluttered through her eyes, then she nodded, and he reached down to take her hand. They turned away and walked toward the corner of the barn. “What’s going on, Will?”

His stomach twisted into knots. He didn’t want to leave her, but it had to be done. The fact Thomas remained out there ate away at him. He couldn’t rest easy until this was over. He cleared his throat but didn’t look over at her.

“I’ll be riding out in the morning.”

She gasped and tore her hand away from his. He finally looked over at her and the hurt in her eyes. “Maggie.”

She shook her head. “You brought me out here to tell me that? Why didn’t you just leave then?”

He reached out for her again. “I don’t want to go. I have to finish this with my brother, though. I can’t live with myself if he remains free. I can’t start a life with anyone else either.”

Something bloomed in her eyes. “You want to start a life with me?”

He took her hands. “I don’t have anything to return to back in Lander. My family’s gone, my ranch is gone. The land’s the only thing, and Patrick can take care of that. My heart’s here with you, Maggie.”

She pressed up on her toes and lifted her face toward him. “Then, stay here with me.” She brushed her lips over his.

His hands tightened on hers, and he pulled her closer. He couldn’t stay, but he would take this with him. Her lips parted for him, and he shifted, taking the kiss deeper. His hands had moved up her arms when the first shot rang out. Fire ripped across the edge of his shoulder then he took Maggie down to the ground. He used his arms to cushion her fall, but stunned pain still came into her eyes. It took the breath out of him, but when another bullet kicked up dirt and snow in his face, he pulled her up, still guarding her with his body. “Get in the barn.” He pushed her ahead of him.

“Who is it?” Her voice came out sounding a little breathless.

“I don’t know. Stay in here.” He pulled the door closed between them. He started for the wood pile where he left his rifle before Maggie had come out to him. Another shot splintered wood in his face. He brushed his arm over it but didn’t have time to do more about it. He grabbed up the rifle and turned back toward the yard. His breath came fast and his shoulder burned. He forgot about that when the next shot slammed him back against the wood pile. He dropped to his knees, almost losing his grip on the rifle. George ran across the yard, but he waved him back.

He breathed through the pain and crawled back toward the barn. If he could get behind it, he might be able to figure out where the shots came from. He knew the answer to who. All of the shots had been focused on him. Even when George had been in plain view.

His brother had found him.

He leaned his back against the barn when he reached it, and tried to draw in a deep breath. Blood ran down his arm, but he didn’t think the wound went deep. He ran his hand down his side where the other bullet hit, and his fingers came away from his hip smeared with blood. He looked down and saw the deep gouge.

He’d live. His belt and trousers stopped much of the damage. Now, he had to get to Thomas and stop him.

He drew in a breath before getting to his feet and starting around the barn. As soon as he rounded the corner, another shot sounded. He saw the flash from a distance and jerked back behind the barn. More wood hit his face. Well, he knew where he was now. Will took a moment to form a plan as he looked around. A trail led up the hill behind the barn. If he got up there, he might be able to get behind Thomas. Another deep breath, and he took off in a run.

Another shot sounded, but he had already headed up the trail, never in a straight line. He paused behind a large rock, trying to catch his breath. He winced at the pain in his hip, but he couldn’t let it stop him. If George or Maggie were hurt by his brother, he would never forgive himself. He should have left weeks ago. He could have stopped all of this.

He started around the boulder, taking it slower now. He kept the ranch in sight as he worked his way around to where he’d seen the muzzle flash. There were no more shots. Suddenly he stopped and looked around. At least half a dozen shells lay around a set of boulders. He moved over to study them and the scrapes he found on top of one of the rocks. He imagined Thomas kneeling here, taking careful shots at him. He cursed and turned away. He wasn’t here now.

He turned away and started back down to the ranch. By the time he reached the yard, he’d fallen at least three times and couldn’t walk without a limp. George and Maggie stood out in front of the barn. “What are you doing out here?” he asked Maggie, walking right toward her. “I told you to stay in the barn.”

“The shots stopped,” she said. “Pa came for me. We figured it was safe.”

“What if that’s what he was waiting for?” He didn’t mean to yell at her, but his heart pounded so fast he thought it would burst from his chest. He couldn’t fight the pain and the panic at the same time.