When Kat's Away [Sequel to Anna Doubles Down] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (20 page)

Kat felt her eyes fill with tears. “I don’t know, I swear. Don’t you think I would have gone home by now if I knew how to make it work? It’s like it has a mind of its own and only brings certain people here.”

Timothy raised his arm, the leather hanging menacingly down. “Last chance, Miss Evans. Are you going to tell me what I want to know, or do I give you a good strapping?”

“I’m telling you the truth,” she sobbed. “I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

She screamed when he brought the leather strap down hard against her leg. The pain changed quickly to a burning, knifelike agony that seared across her skin. She screamed again when he pulled back his arm for another blow. At the last second she turned, trying to shield her leg, only to take the slicing glance against the back of her thigh. She dropped down and curled into a ball to protect herself, waiting for the next blow.

* * * *

Win moved closer to the rocks with David following close behind. “Look,” he whispered. “That looks like it could be the mouth of a cave.” He’d started forward when a muffled scream pierced the night. He grabbed David’s arm when he started to rush forward. “Stay here and make sure they don’t get by me. This is probably the only way in or out.”

David glanced toward the cave. “Maybe I should go in.”

Another scream, louder than before, echoed from the cave. Win pushed David away and rushed toward the opening. It led to a narrow passage, and he could see light flickering at the end. He moved toward it slowly, peeking cautiously around the end into a small cavern. His body tensed as he felt his temper flare. Kat was on the ground with Timothy standing over her, a leather belt clutched in his hand.

His muscles quivering, he charged forward, letting out a warlike cry his father would have been proud of. Timothy turned, the color draining from his face as he took a quick step back. He followed Timothy’s glance toward the small fire and saw a gun belt lying on the rocks.

Timothy lunged toward the belt at the same time Win tackled him. They fought, rolling across the ground over the small blaze. Win felt the heat burn his back, but the contact was so brief, he put it out of his mind. They pummeled each other with fists, but he felt weak, still a little dizzy from the blow to his head.

“David,” he cried out.

Timothy raised his arm and punched the side of Win’s head, causing him to see stars. His grip loosened, and his opponent slipped away.

“I’m coming in, Win. Don’t shoot me.”

Timothy jumped to his feet and raced toward the darkness at the back of the cave. He disappeared just as David came racing in, his gun drawn.

Win pointed toward the back of the cave. “He went back there. His gun belt’s lying over there, so I don’t think he’s armed so you should be able to get him with no trouble.”

“Win? David?”

Win looked over to see Kat struggling to her feet. “Go, David, get the son-of-a-snake before he gets away. I’ll take care of Kat.” He struggled to his knees, shaking off his dizziness, and then stood, swaying just a little.

Moving slowly, he helped Kat to her feet and then pulled out his knife and cut the ropes from her hands. He led her over to the smoldering fire and sat her down on a stone. Spotting a stack of firewood, he poked the embers and added a few more pieces of wood. Soon, another blaze illuminated the small cave. He turned to look at Kat and swore viciously. A dark-red handprint contrasted sharply against the white of her cheek. Her hand was rubbing the back of her thigh, fat tears streaming down her cheeks. He pulled her close.

“Are you okay, love?”

She shook her head, threw her arms around his neck, and held on tightly.

“The bastard got away.” David walked in and kicked a rock into the fire.

“How?” asked Win.

“There’s another passage in the back that leads outside. When I got there, there was no sign of him and it’s too dark for me to track him down.”

Win sighed. “No matter, we know who did this and we can let the sheriff find him.”

David walked over and squatted beside Kat. “What did he do to you, love?”

She sobbed and leaned back to look at David. “I’m okay. I’m not hurt.”

“Not true.” Win moved her back and pulled her leg onto his lap, sliding up her skirt so he could look at her skin. She tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t let go.

“What is that?” asked David.

Win ran his finger across the wide, raised welt at the top of her thigh. “He strapped her with his belt.” His fingers grasped her chin. “How many times, Kat?”

She trembled and took a shaky breath. “Only twice.”

“Where did the other one hit?”

She pointed to her other leg and raised her skirt. An identical mark lay across the front of her thigh.

“I’m gonna kill him,” David swore. “I’m gonna kill him myself, after I take a horsewhip to him.”

Kat pushed her skirt down. “Please, let’s just let the sheriff handle it. I’m okay, no real damage done. I just wanna go back to the Silver Rush with you.”

David raked his fingers through his hair. “What did he want, Kat?”

“He knows I’m from the future, and he wants to know how to get back to my time.” She told them about her interrogation. “He wouldn’t believe I don’t know how to call the circle to take me back. He’s obsessed with finding a way to get to the future. It’s some sort of twisted idea to make it up to his father since he never got to carry out his own plans with Anna.”

Win sighed, poking a stick into the fire. “He never got over his father’s death.”

She snorted. “Probably not, since the bastards made him and his mother watch the hanging.”

“What?” David asked.

“That’s what he said.”

“Why didn’t he tell the sheriff who hung him?”

Win placed his hand on David’s arm. “They probably threatened to do the same to him if he ever told.”

Kat sighed. “Can we go home now?”

David smiled. “Absolutely. Come on, honey. Let’s get you and Win home.”

“Are we going to go back to the cabin?”

“No, we’re closer to Hamilton than we are the cabin.” David helped Kat to her feet. “Let’s just get back and fill Mom and the dads in on everything.”

Win stood up. “That’s good.” He took Kat’s arm. “Come on, pretty lady. We’re taking you home so you can soak in a tub. I have some cream that’ll help your leg heal faster.”

“Oohhh,” she groaned. “That’ll be great. I can’t wait to get back to town. I’m not cut out for this nature crap. I’ve told you guys before. I’m never gonna be some kind of Daniella Boone.”

David laughed. “Mom told us stories of Daniel Boone and Kentucky.”

Win snickered and moved her toward the cave entrance while David covered the fire with dirt. “Come on, Daniella. It’s time to take you home.”

* * * *

David jumped from the wagon and turned to lift Kat to the ground. She glanced over and watched Win get down slowly, his glance going to the back of the wagon and White Socks.

“Damn, the folks must be here. There’s lamps lit inside,” David said.

She glanced toward the windows. “They were probably worried when we didn’t get back before dark.” She took a step toward the door and winced. “Guess we’d better let them know what happened.”

Win took her arm. “Come on, David, let’s talk to the family and then we can take the horses to the livery and give them an extra helping of grain.”

David looked back at the horses. “Okay, I guess they’ll be okay for a bit.”

“Are you guys gonna send for the sheriff tonight, or wait until the morning?”

Win helped her up onto the boardwalk. “I’ve been thinking about that and I think it’ll be a mistake.” He opened the door and motioned for Kat to go inside.

“What do you mean, a mistake?” She walked into the saloon and glanced around. A glowing kerosene lamp sat on the bar.

“If we tell the sheriff what happened, he’ll have a lot of questions that we can’t answer. I think it’s best if we handle this ourselves and don’t tell him anything.”

“Now, that’s the smartest thing I’ve ever heard you say, Injun boy.”

Kat turned to see Timothy standing in the kitchen doorway. He had Eva by the arm, tears streaming down her face, a gun pressed against her side. “Eva, did he hurt you?”

Timothy laughed. “Not yet, but if you don’t do what I say, I’m going to hurt her bad.”

David moved to stand next to Kat. “What do you want, Timothy?”

“That’s Mr. Canders to you, boy.” He used the gun to motion toward the bar. “Both of you put your guns on the bar and move over to the cellar door.”

David and Win glanced at each other and then moved to the bar. Slowly, they laid their Colt 45s on the polished surface.

“Good, now move over to the cellar door.” He pushed the gun firmly into Eva’s side, causing her to cry out. “Don’t try anything funny, or she’ll be the first one I kill.”

Kat took a step toward the cellar. “Nobody is gonna try and do anything. Why don’t you let her come over here with me?”

He laughed. “I don’t think so, Miss Future Girl. You move over there with your lovers.”

Kat’s breath caught as she darted a glance at Win and David.

“Yeah, I saw the three of you on your little picnic. It made me sick. How could you let that Indian lay hands on you and turn me down all the times I’ve asked you to have dinner with me? And why would you want to be with men that did such unnatural, sick things.”

“They’re better men than you’ll ever be.” She moved to stand between David and Win.

“Eva, what are you doing here?” David asked. “How did he get his hands on you?”

Her eyes widened, and she bit her lip. Timothy prodded her with the gun. “Go ahead, answer him.”

She sniffed, swallowing hard with tears pouring down her cheeks. “Mom was really upset when you didn’t get back earlier. Daddy Beau tried to tell her you were probably just staying out at the cabin, but she was making herself sick so they asked me if I would come over here and wait for you to get home. I’m supposed to go let them know you’re okay as soon as you get home.” She sobbed loudly, wiping at her face with her sleeve. “He was already in here when I unlocked the door. He jumped me in the back hall.” She glared at Timothy. “He forced me to cook him some eggs, and we’ve just been sitting in the kitchen waiting on you ever since.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, little sister? He didn’t do anything to you?”

“As touching as this family reunion is, we’re wasting time.”

Kat took a step toward Timothy. “Then tell us what you want so you can get the hell out of here.”

He dragged Eva over to the cellar door. “You already know what I want, Kat, and I’m gonna put a bullet in Eva if you don’t give it to me.”

“What does he want?” Eva cried out.

“He wants to know how to call the red glowing circle that brought me and your mom here.”

Eva sniffed. “But it can’t be opened from this side. Mom’s been trying for years, and she says it only goes one way.”

Timothy shook her arm. “Then you’d better hope she’s wrong, little girl. Everybody down the steps, and I caution you, gentlemen. Do not do anything that will get your sister killed.”

Kat took David’s and Win’s hands and moved toward the open door. She looked up into David’s eyes and tried to smile.

There has to be a way to keep them safe. I love them, with all my heart. I can’t bear it if they get hurt.

She glanced down the steps and stopped. “Timothy, we need some light.”

“Get the lamp, but be very careful.”

Kat walked over and picked up the lamp and then slowly walked back to the door, giving Win a small smile of encouragement. She started down the steps, the others following close behind her.

“Move over to the back wall, away from the stairs, and keep your hands where I can see them.”

She moved into position with her men and faced the stairs. Squeezing both their hands, she whispered, “I love you.”

They both turned to her and smiled, squeezing her hands once more.

“Keep quiet unless I’m talking to you.” Timothy glanced around the room. “So, where’s this glowing red circle you told me about?”

“I told you, it only showed up when it was ready to transport me here. I don’t know where it went after it dropped me off.”

“Where was it when you saw it last?”

“It first appeared on the wall behind you. It was about even with the middle, and then it started to grow larger.”

He pulled Eva around to face the wall, keeping the gun pressed against her side. He studied the wall thoroughly, even putting out his hand to caress over the painted surface. “I don’t feel anything strange.” He glanced back at Kat. “What were you doing before it showed up? Maybe you said something that triggered it.”

“I was stumbling around down here in the dark looking for my friend. She’d disappeared and I was trying to find her. I don’t remember saying anything other than calling out her name.”

“Then do it.”

Kat frowned. “Do what?”