Wildfire Creek (4 page)

Luke headed north before taking a sharp turn to the west and Wildfire Creek. Dax and the men hadn’t been able to find any trace of the band of renegades. They’d searched most of the western property line without success. The entire incident bothered Luke, until he’d convinced himself the renegades were looking for something other than cattle or horses. They were on foot, following the creek as if trying to decide which way to go—perhaps hunting something other than game.

A small herd of Pelletier cattle grazed in a pasture a few hundred yards away with just three men on guard, the same as on the day of the attack. It would’ve been easy for the band to distract the men and disappear with a steer.

He slid off Prince close to where he’d encountered the Indians and walked toward the creek. It had been several weeks since the attack. He didn’t expect to see anything, yet he still felt the need to inspect the area. An hour later, after finding nothing, he rode north toward the rest of the herd, convincing himself it had been a random event.

Luke’s recuperation had done nothing to lessen the apprehension he felt. It had haunted him throughout his recovery. Although the injury had taken his mind off his sense of unease, he still felt it weighing him down, like an anchor from one of the merchant ships his family had owned in Savannah. Cold, heavy, and indiscriminating as to what might be taken down with it during the descent into the unwelcome salty water.

Luke could see the herd a mile ahead and reined Prince to a stop, pulling out his canteen to take a long drink. He turned in the saddle, checking behind him and to the sides, shaking his head at the melancholy which seemed to envelop him. It was time to shrug off whatever haunted him.

“Hey, Luke. The doc give you the okay to come out this way, or did you run off?” Bull reined up beside him.

“I’m clear to work. What’s Dax have you doing?”

“We’re moving the herd to the south pasture, the one closest to the house. We’ve been changing locations every few days with five men watching the herd at night. Dax doesn’t want to take any chance of the renegades coming for the herd. Some of the men are going into town tonight. You ought to join us. Been a long time since you got off the ranch.”

“I’ve been thinking the same all the way out here. Count me in.” He put the canteen away as Bull turned toward the herd. An evening at the Wild Rose might be just what he needed.

Chapter Two

“Over here, Luke.” Bull waved toward the table where several of the ranch hands played cards.

He took a seat, scanning the saloon.

“If you’re looking for Ginny, she took a break. Her sister’s sick so she needed to check on her.” Ellis scanned his cards and threw down a couple. He’d been with Pat Hanes before Dax and Luke took over the ranch and, along with Rude and Bull, was one of their most trusted men.

“Anyone with a whiskey will do,” Luke lied. He
had
been looking for Ginny, hoping to see the pretty barmaid who’d captured his attention when she’d first come into town. Everyone had been warned by Amos Henderson, owner of the Wild Rose, that Ginny’s job included serving drinks and nothing more. She wasn’t part of the “upstairs social club”, as he liked to refer to the women who offered more than whiskey.

It didn’t matter. Luke had no interest in anything other than conversation. Her sweet disposition, free of the jaded attitude of the women who worked upstairs, made her a favorite of all the men. Besides, he was too much of a free spirit to ever settle down and have a family. Ginny was the type of woman you’d marry.

“What’s wrong with her sister?” Luke asked.

“Stomach pains from what Amos said.” Bull tossed a card down and waited.

“Deal me in the next hand.” Luke walked to the bar, ordering a drink from the bartender while continuing to check the door.

“She ain’t here, Luke.” Al wiped down the bar as he spoke, keeping watch on the patrons.

“Bull said her sister’s sick.”

“That’s what I heard. Fever, stomach pains. Ginny took her over to see the doc.” Al moved further down the bar.

Luke downed his whiskey in one swallow and walked toward the entrance, ignoring the amused gazes of the boys at his table.

He crossed the street, pushed open the clinic door, and walked to the back where the doctor saw patients.

Charles barely looked up from examining Mary, a worried Ginny standing next to the table, holding her sister’s hand. Luke knew she had little money and would fret about paying Doc Worthington.

“Luke. What brings you in here?” Charles asked.

“I heard Mary was sick and thought I’d come over to check on her—and Ginny.”

“It’s a stomach infection. Not much different from what you had when you first came to town.” Doc straightened and looked toward Ginny. “Best to leave her here tonight. I’ll keep watch over her, make sure the fever’s going down.”

“I’ll stay,” Ginny said, her hand tightening on Mary’s.

“Well, then, you’d better let Amos know you won’t be back to work.” Doc used a damp cloth to wipe Mary’s forehead and neck.

Ginny glanced at Luke, then back at Mary. He knew she felt conflicted. Even one night without working would be a major issue for them. She worked a couple days a week for Suzanne Briar at the boardinghouse where they lived. Luke had heard that, plus the money she earned at the Wild Rose kept them in a room and put food on the table, but not much more.

“I’ll let him know, Ginny. Amos will understand.” Luke took off across the dirt street, already deciding what he’d say to the saloon owner. “Where’s Amos?”

Al looked over from pouring a round of drinks and nodded his head. “In the back.”

Luke spent a few minutes with Amos, then stopped at the table where the boys still played cards, noting a slight smirk on Rude’s face.

“How’s your girl?” Rude asked.

Luke glared at one of their most experienced ranch hands, surprised he’d been the one to ask what he knew the others were thinking. “She’s not my girl. Just a woman trying to make it without selling her soul.” The bite in his words wasn’t lost on the others.

“How’s her sister?” Bull asked, tossing back his drink.

“Like you’d expect. Ginny refuses to leave her, so you boys are on your own if you want another drink.” He turned toward the doors, pushing them open as Gabe Evans, the town sheriff, came up the steps.

“Leaving already?” Gabe asked. They’d become unlikely friends within weeks of the ex-Union colonel’s arrival in Splendor to visit his good friend, Noah Brandt. He’d volunteered to take on the role of sheriff until the town could hire someone else. So far, there’d been no takers.

“Ginny’s sister is over at the clinic. I’m going to check on them.”

“Is it serious?”

“I don’t believe so, but doc wants her to stay overnight.”

Gabe pushed open the saloon doors before turning back to Luke. “Say hello to Ginny for me.” He shot Luke a knowing grin.

Hell, did everyone think he’d set his sights on Ginny? Luke shook his head and crossed the road. Even though Splendor seemed small, it had grown over the years and now had as many people as other large towns in Montana. They had one main street anchored by Noah Brandt’s livery and the school at one end, and the church and bank on the other.

“Her fever breaking any?” Luke asked as his gaze landed on Ginny sitting next to the exam table where Mary slept.

Ginny glanced up, her tired eyes red around the edges. “A little. What did Amos say?”

“He said to tell you to take care of Mary and come back when you can.” At least that was a fair summary of the conversation Luke had with him.

“Amos is a good man,” she muttered, then shifted her gaze back to Mary. She laid her head on their joined hands and prayed, glancing up at the feel of Luke’s warm hand on her shoulder.

“She’ll make it. The doc won’t let anything happen to her.”

His calm words reassured her, even though the fear she felt at loosing Mary almost choked her. She’d promised—
promised
—her parents she’d keep her safe. Their mother and father hadn’t survived the wagon trip west, but she and Mary had. Ginny would not lose her now.

“Ginny?”

The weak, raspy voice wasn’t much above a whisper, yet it pierced Luke’s consciousness. He opened his eyes, surprised he’d fallen asleep in the uncomfortable chair. Ginny lay quiet, her head propped on her folded arms next to Mary.

“Ginny?” The voice sounded stronger this time, more determined.

“It’s all right, Mary. Ginny’s right here.” Luke looked down at the little girl. Her color had returned and, although tired, her eyes weren’t as red as they’d been earlier. He felt her forehead. No fever.

Ginny jolted at the sound of Luke’s voice as he leaned over Mary.

“Mary.” Relief flooded through her. She took her sister’s hand and held it to her face. “How do you feel?”

“Thirsty.”

“I’ll get the doc.” Luke walked out, took the few steps to the doctor’s house in back, and pounded.

“Coming,” Charles called, then pulled the door open.

“Mary’s awake.”

He moved past Luke and walked toward the clinic. When he saw Mary, he smiled. “Well, you look much better. How does your stomach feel?”

Mary looked at Ginny, who nodded. “Good,” she said in a small voice and turned her head back toward her sister.

“That’s wonderful.” He glanced at Ginny. “The fever is gone and her color is much improved. I see no reason why you can’t take her home.”

A radiant smile broke out on Ginny’s hopeful face. She looked at her sister. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Yes.” Even as tired as she looked, Mary clearly wanted to leave.

Ginny grabbed her reticule from a nearby chair. “How much do I owe you, doctor?”

“Don’t concern yourself with it now. We’ll discuss it after you’ve had a chance to rest and Mary is fully recovered.”

“All right. Thank you.” She felt her face heat up, knowing she had almost no money and nothing to trade. She reached for Mary’s blanket to see Luke already wrapping it around her sister, pulling it tight.

“Will you let me carry you home?” Luke asked in a soft, calm voice.

Mary’s gaze moved up to look up at the tall man and nodded, reaching her arms up to wrap around his neck.

“I can take her.”

“No, ma’am. All you need to do is show me where you live and we’ll get her back to bed.” Luke turned toward the doctor. “Thanks, doc. I’ll be in touch.”

Charles nodded, opening the door for the three to pass into the early morning light.

Ginny walked toward the boardinghouse a few doors from the clinic, Luke following with Mary. She stepped around back and through a door leading to a narrow staircase.

“Upstairs?” Luke asked.

“No. We’re behind the stairwell.” She kept her words quiet, yet Luke could hear the hint of awkwardness behind them.

He glanced around the staircase and narrowed his eyes before sending her a questioning look.

“Here.” She opened a door not more than two feet wide hidden behind the stairs, and stepped aside.

Luke walked past her to see one narrow bed, a dresser, and wash basin. It couldn’t have been more than an eight foot square with one window at the top for ventilation. He didn’t say anything as he lay Mary down.

Ginny pulled another blanket from under the bed and bent down to drape it across her sister, feeling her forehead once more. She watched as Mary’s eyes closed and she dropped off to sleep.

“Will you be all right in here?” He looked around, noticing a few clothes hung on hooks, a small satchel against one wall. A brush and mirror sat on the dresser next to a small pitcher.

Ginny stood and rested fisted hands on her hips as her face turned red. “Of course. This is our home.”

Luke held up his hands in surrender and took a step backwards. “I didn’t mean anything by it, Ginny.” He kept his gaze on her until her anger began to fade and she let her hands drop to her sides. He needed to get out of there. Something about being this close to her, with no one else around, unsettled him more than he wanted. He had the wildest urge to reach out and pull her toward him. Yes, it was definitely time to leave.