Wildfire Creek (40 page)

Ezra wished he could turn back time, make a different decision regarding the gang who’d terrorized his town in Nebraska. He’d been so certain Marlowe had been involved, putting his faith in the testimony of the wrong man. His decision had caused the deaths of Marlowe’s wife and son, resulted in the loss of Ezra’s own family, and triggered years of nightmares.

“Can we buy you supper?” Dutch asked Ezra after they finished sending their telegrams.

“Thanks, but I want to start patrolling areas where Flatnose might look for help. I have an uneasy feeling about him still being out there, even with a bullet wound.”

“You can never guess what a man like him will do. I’m afraid he’ll be a threat until someone puts him in his grave.” Luke glanced around once more before pulling his collar up against the chill. “I’ll be heading back to Splendor tomorrow. It was good working with you.”

“You, too, Luke. Hope we meet under different circumstances next time.” Ezra shook his hand and turned toward the jail, ready to keep watch for a man he suspected would have vengeance on his mind.

Ezra and the other deputies had circled the streets the night before and into the early morning, watching for any sign of Flatnose. All of his instincts told him the man would seek help, then find vengeance.

Luke had taken off early for Splendor, leaving Dutch and Tom to await word from Pinkerton headquarters about their next assignment. Ezra refused their help to search for Flatnose, believing their work finished.

The sun peeked over the horizon as he rode through the main street and into a section of homes. Most were modest. A few stood out with their sheer size and elaborate trim. One of these had been purchased by Frederick Marlowe.

As Ezra approached Marlowe’s two story home, he heard a horse whinny at the same time a dog raced from the yard. He rode closer, hearing a door open and close before spotting a horse tied along the side of Marlowe’s house, saddled and ready to go—and it looked much like the horse Flatnose had ridden.

He slid to the ground and cautiously made his way toward the house, crouching under an open window, hearing an angry male voice he recognized as belonging to Flatnose.

“You’re the one man outside the ranch, who knew the spot where we planned to take the wagon. No one else, Rick.”

“Why would I tip them off to your plans?”

Ezra straightened enough to peer into the room where Flatnose held a gun on Frederick Marlowe…or Rick, as he’d called him.

“That’s what I want you to tell me. ‘Course, it doesn’t matter. Either way, you’ll still end up dead.”

“I had no reason to tell anyone. What would I have to gain?” Marlowe asked.

Ezra watched as Rick inched toward his desk, keeping his eyes trained on Flatnose.

“Silence, that’s what.”

“Silence?” He edged another inch to his side.

“All the men, except me, are dead. There’s no one else to tell the law how you were involved in all the raids in Idaho and here.”

Ezra’s eyes widened at the accusation, a part of him not surprised to learn of Marlowe’s involvement. For a split second, he wondered what would drive a man to go from being a respected farmer to an outlaw, but in his heart, Ezra knew. Seeing a posse gun down your wife and son could do all kinds of things to a man, including push him into a life he wouldn’t have imagined before the tragedy. A wave of guilt washed over Ezra.

“I’m sorry about the gang, but now you have no one left to testify against you. You can take their share of the gold and leave the territory.” Marlowe’s hand touched the side of the desk as he spoke.

“No one—except you.”

“Why would I say anything? It would be the same as a confession if I came forward and told anyone what I knew.”

Ezra had heard enough. He snuck to a side door and checked the knob. Locked. Next to it a window had been opened a few inches. He lifted it several more inches, holstered his gun, gripped the sill, and pulled himself up through the opening. He landed with a soft thud. He could still hear the voices as he drew his gun and crept forward. Ezra stopped outside the room, poking his head around the corner to see he stood behind Flatnose.

“Nothing you say matters, Rick. You’ve had your bit of fun and now it’s over.” Flatnose lifted his gun, stretching his arm out in front of him.

“Drop it, Flatnose.”

The outlaw spun and fired, hitting Ezra, then turned back toward Rick, who now held the revolver he kept in his desk. A shot rang out, slamming into Flatnose, whose eyes widened in shock just before he crumbled to the floor.

Rick rushed to make sure Flatnose posed no further threat before kneeling next to Ezra. His chest wound didn’t bode well for the deputy, who moaned as Rick pulled off his shirt and tried to stem the flow of blood.

“Hang in there, Ezra.”

Ezra’s eyes opened to slits, trying to focus on Marlowe. “It’s no use.”

“I need to get help.”

“It won’t do any good.” He settled a hand on Rick’s arm, gripping tight as he tried to get the last words out. “It’s for the best. Now we’re even.” His eyes closed as his head rolled to the side.

A sadness Rick never thought he’d feel for the man washed over him. After all that happened between them, Ezra had saved his life. It would never make up for the loss of his wife and son, but perhaps, in some strange way, they truly were even. No longer would he have to run to hide his past. He and Felicity could marry, and no one would ever have to learn of the mistakes he’d made since leaving Nebraska.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Redemption’s Edge Ranch

“Do you mind if Mary and I ride into town with you?” Ginny stood on the front porch, bundled against the cold, surprised to see Travis leaving for Splendor this late. The hands not with the herd had eaten their midday meal and were occupied with their afternoon chores.

“I’d welcome the company, if you don’t mind getting back just before sunset.” Travis pulled the wagon to a stop, jumped down and helped Mary up, then Ginny. “With luck, the sky will stay clear.”

Ginny knew little about Travis other than he stayed to himself and worked hard. Besides Bull, Ellis, and Rude, she knew Dax and Luke considered him one of their best men. It wasn’t often he pulled duty picking up supplies. It’s why Ginny dashed outside when she saw him with the wagon. He wouldn’t ask questions. He would just go about his business and make sure she and Mary got to town and back safely.

As she suspected, he said little during the trip, while Mary chatted away, talking about Margaret, Selina, and Lydia, who’d improved enough to help in the kitchen. As they passed the school and livery, Ginny asked him to let them out at the boardinghouse. She knew Suzanne would welcome a visit from Mary, which would allow Ginny to run the errands she had planned.

“Miss Suzanne,” Mary called as she dashed inside, heading straight for the kitchen.

“Why, Mary, what a wonderful surprise.” Suzanne caught Mary in her arms, giving her a squeeze before setting her down.

“I hope it’s all right that we came by to visit.” Ginny gave Suzanne a hug as she looked around the kitchen. “Something seems different.”

“Not much. Noah built a few extra shelves and hooks for my pots. Now I have room for more dishes and serving bowls.”

“You’re keeping busy then?”

“I don’t know why, but the morning after Christmas, the restaurant was full for every meal and has stayed that way since. With stores opening up and people moving in, everyone seems to be keeping busy.” The week before Christmas, she’d despaired, knowing an entire winter with few customers would make it hard for her to survive. Now she felt optimistic.

“Have you had dinner?” Suzanne asked.

“We ate before leaving the ranch.”

“How about some coffee and pie?” Suzanne began to pull down plates and cups.

“Would it be all right if I ran my errands first?”

“Of course. You can leave Mary with me while you’re gone.”

Ginny hoped Suzanne would offer, knowing she couldn’t take Mary into the place she needed to visit.

“She’d love to stay with you. I won’t be gone long.” At least she hoped not.

Luke reined Prince to a stop under the protection of a large group of pines not far from Splendor. He’d made good time, leaving Big Pine early, and stopping twice.

He’d made the decision to decline any further requests from Pinkerton. The money provided extra cash the ranch could always use. The assignments, however, had lost their appeal.

He’d thought of little except the conversation between him and Ginny before he left. He knew she talked of independence, having her own life, and raising Mary. He felt certain a part of her also wanted to settle down and be loved.

This last job, and the risks it entailed, made it clear how much he wanted the life Dax had built with Rachel. He spent most of his time thinking of Ginny, wondering if she’d allow him an opportunity to express the decision he’d made and give them a chance. He loved her, probably had since the first day he’d set eyes on her at the Wild Rose. Now he knew the time had come to express his feelings and hope she felt the same.

He’d stop at the Rose for a drink or two, then head on to the ranch in time for supper. He wanted to speak with Ginny before she pushed him away with her excuses. And they would be excuses. He now realized how much he wanted her in his life. Her thoughts about him being incapable of settling down were dead wrong, and he meant to not just tell her, but show her.

Luke swung back up on Prince and turned toward Splendor, hoping his charm and persuasive abilities didn’t elude him tonight.

“Is Mr. Barnett available?” Ginny almost hadn’t gone through with her plan. She’d stood outside the Dixie, pacing back and forth before finding the courage to walk inside.

The bartender looked at her with narrowed eyes, then nodded once toward the back. “I’ll go get him. What’s your name, girl?”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Ginny Sorensen.”

The man tossed down the towel he held and disappeared into the back.

“There’s a girl out front to see you, Nick.”

He didn’t look up from the paperwork, which seemed to grow each day. “She’ll have to come back another time.”

“I’ll tell Miss Sorensen that.”

“Wait.” Nick tossed down his pen. “What’s her name?”

“Ginny Sorensen.”

Nick’s brow’s knit together. The last he knew, she worked for the Pelletiers. Suzanne had told him how much she liked it out at their ranch.