Wildfire Creek (8 page)

His anger surfaced as her meaning became clear. He couldn’t believe she’d think that of him and the more he focused on it, the hotter his temper flared. His expression turned to stone as his gaze bored into hers.

“You think I want to bed you in exchange for the money?” His deep, calm voice held an edge she’d never heard before, causing Ginny to take a step backward. He moved forward until her back hit the wall and he stood inches away, towering over her. “Is that what you think?” he asked again. He trapped her against the wall with a hand on either side of her head. She had nowhere to go.

Ginny swallowed the lump in her throat and shifted her eyes away.

He’d have none of it and captured her chin between his thumb and forefinger, turning her to face him. “Well?”

Tremors swept over her at his closeness and her heart beat so hard, she thought it might burst from her chest. She could feel heat washing over her cheeks. They stood in a small, confined area. Ginny felt certain the temperature had risen well above normal as dampness formed on her skin. She tried to squirm from his grip without success. She lifted her chin in defiance and locked eyes with him.

“Yes.”

Luke cursed under his breath and released his grip, pacing a few feet away as he speared a hand through his hair. He shook his head, then spun toward her, his face impassive.

“First, I would never expect what you’re thinking from
any
woman. If a woman is in my bed, it’s because she wants to be,
not
because I forced her. Second, if a woman was what I wanted, I’d find one. You’re not much older than a child.”

The moment the words passed his lips, he could see the hurt they caused and he regretted being so blunt. However, he knew no other way to get Ginny to understand he wanted nothing from her. He may be attracted to her, want to bed her, but it would never go that far.

She pushed away from the wall, trying to regain what dignity she could, and clasped her trembling hands in front of her. She’d never fooled herself into believing she was attractive like other women. Her figure seemed more like a boy’s than a girl’s, and she dressed in whatever she had, never caring much about fancy hairstyles or rouge. Even so, the truth of his words stung. Of course he’d want someone beautiful and charming, someone who would turn men’s heads. That wasn’t her.

Ginny cleared her throat, her face emotionless as she met his stare. “All right. Then I will find some way to pay you back.” She walked past him, not letting Luke object.

He watched her disappear into the kitchen, realizing that instead of the anger he experienced moments before, he felt hollow, as if she’d taken a part of him with her.

Chapter Five

A week passed, then another, bringing cooler days. There’d been no snow, although it had threatened a few times.

Luke, Bull, and the others worked from dawn to dusk. By the end of the second week, they’d completed as much of the first and second stories as possible without the last of the supplies. Luke and Bull planned a trip to Big Pine the following day for whatever they could get.

Tat and Johnny built shutters for each window opening until glass ones could be found. At least the shutters would help ward off some of the cold. Luke planned for three stoves. One for each of the rooms they’d been able to lay out—kitchen, front living area, and bedroom. He might decide to remove one later, but for now, he’d rather have too many than not enough.

While Luke and Bull were gone, the men planned to chop wood, finish the front porch, and install counters in the kitchen. The trip would take three days—one day to Big Pine, one to pick up supplies, and a third to return.

Every night after supper Luke fell into bed exhausted, yet feeling better about his decision as each day passed. He could almost envision his future, something he hadn’t been able to do for months. He’d work the ranch each day, then retreat to his place, fish the creek when possible, and take on the occasional Pinkerton job. Dutch had already sent him a telegram about a potential assignment in Big Pine. Luke responded, saying to count him in as long as it happened after a few more weeks. By then, he felt he’d be tucked in at his cabin and ready for another job.

“Are you leaving at first light?” Rachel asked when she poked her head into the study after supper. She took a seat next to Dax, who slid an arm over her shoulders as he nursed a whiskey.

“We are,” Luke said. “Neither of us want to get stuck in Big Pine if a storm comes through. I don’t plan to spend more than three days away. I’m ready to finish the last of it and get back to pulling my weight here.”

“The work is getting done. Don’t worry about it for a couple more weeks. We should be good until then.” Dax had noticed the change in Luke over the past few weeks. He seemed more at peace, as if a load had been lifted from his shoulders. At first Dax hadn’t been comfortable with him moving out, especially with the thefts. Now he believed it would be a good move for him.

“Is there a chance you might have room in the wagon for medical supplies?”

“We’ll make room. What do you need?” Luke asked.

“There isn’t much. I’ll get my list.”

“Have you heard anything from Pinkerton?” Dax waited until Rachel left before asking. He knew she didn’t care for Luke taking off for weeks at a time, more out of worry than the effect his absence had on the ranch.

“Dutch sent a telegram. There’s a chance a citizens committee in Big Pine may hire the agency to check into the theft of gold during transport. I thought I’d talk with Sheriff Sterling while I’m there, find out what he knows.”

“I doubt he’s too supportive of vigilante groups. Most lawmen believe they’re as bad as the people they chase.” Everyone had heard of the group further north in Montana who, a year before, had lynched several men without trial. They hadn’t even taken time to hear the men’s side of the story. As ex-Texas Rangers, neither he nor Luke approved of this type of frontier justice.

“Dutch believes bringing in the Pinkerton agents helps cut down those types of reactions. Usually the town steps back, for a while anyway, and lets us do our job. At least with the agency, the people we arrest get a trial.”

They looked up as Rachel walked back in and handed a slip of paper to Luke. “Here you are. I hope it’s not too much.”

He scanned the few items. “We should be able to find room.” He stood, folded the paper, and shoved it in his pocket. “Guess I’d better get some sleep. See you in the morning.” The stairs to his room seemed steeper tonight, as if he had to lift his legs higher to hit each step. Perhaps a few days away from building would be good for both he and Bull.

“You ready?” Luke asked Bull as he climbed onto the wagon. Bull would ride ahead, keeping watch for intruders and trouble along the trail.

“Ready, boss.”

The sun had yet to rise, although most of the men were up and preparing for their day. Dax and Rachel stood on the porch and watched the two men disappear, hoping their journey would be safe and they’d return without incident.

The last year had seen an increase in Indian raids along the trial between Big Pine and Splendor. The worst occurred when a group of Sioux renegades killed a couple who fell behind in a wagon train. The Indians disappeared with the wagon before most of the settlers realized what had happened.

They cut across a trail north of Splendor, then dropped into the flatlands before connecting with what had become the main road to Big Pine. Bull kept up his pattern of riding ahead, then cutting back to check on Luke. Halfway to their destination, he pulled up alongside the wagon and motioned for Luke to stop.

“A group of settlers are stopped a mile up the trail. The wagon master hopes to reach the outskirts of Splendor tonight.” Bull wiped a sleeve across his forehead. “They saw what he believes was a Sioux scouting party a couple of hours outside of Big Pine.”

“They didn’t approach the wagons?”

Bull shook his head. “Just sat up on a ridge, watching.”

Luke reached for his canteen, took a long swallow, and handed it to Bull. “We’ll stop and talk with them. I want to know more about what they saw.”

He pulled to a stop alongside the lead wagon and jumped down, watching a man he thought to be the wagon master walk toward him. He nodded at Bull, then looked at Luke and exchanged introductions.

“Your man tells me you’re heading to Big Pine.”

“We are. He says you spotted a band of Sioux not far from here. I’d like to know more about what you saw.”

“Not much to tell. Looked to be about a dozen of them on horseback, sitting on a northeast ridge about five miles back. They didn’t try to hide and made no move to approach us. My scout is Sioux. He started to ride out and talk with them, but they disappeared back over the hill.”

“Have you heard of any recent attacks between Big Pine and Splendor?”

“That where you’re from?”

Luke nodded, then broke eye contact long enough to scan the horizon.

“I spoke with Sheriff Sterling when we first arrived in Big Pine. He knew of a couple instances of settlers making camp and having a horse or other supplies disappear. A few weeks ago the bodies of three cowhands were found a few miles from town. Appeared to be the work of Indians.” He pulled off his hat and scratched his head. “All I can figure is we’ve got a decent-sized group of people in the wagon train. Maybe they decided it was too great a risk. If they’d been looking to trade, I don’t know why they’d ride off the way they did.”

“We’d better all get moving. Don’t want to be stuck out here after dark.” Luke shook the man’s hand. “Maybe we’ll see you in Splendor.”

“Maybe so. Good luck to you.”

Luke and Bull kept going, spotting a small group of riders who appeared to be Sioux. As with the wagon train, they didn’t approach. The two had no idea what it meant.

By nightfall, they’d entered Big Pine, found hotel rooms, and had spoken with Sheriff Sterling. He told them nothing more than what the wagon master mentioned. There was one bit of information he did share which caught Luke’s interest. Three gold transport wagons had been attacked over the last two months.

“Good evening, gentlemen. What can I get you?”

“Hello, Miss Ginny. Whiskey for all of us,” Ellis said, leaning back in his chair.

She walked to the bar and watched as Al poured their drinks, then carried them to the table, setting a glass before each man.

“It’s a little quiet in here tonight.” Ellis dealt the cards while glancing about. Saturday was usually the busiest day all week, yet the tables were half-full and the bar almost empty.

“I heard King Tolbert is having a shindig at his place. Most of the town was invited.” She looked toward the doors as Gabe and Noah walked inside. She guessed not everyone decided to attend.

“Good evening, Ginny. How are you doing?” Gabe asked, acknowledging the men around the table as he and Noah took seats nearby.

“Good, Sheriff. Can I get you each a drink?”

“That’d be great. Thanks.” Gabe watched her walk toward the bar, noticing the gaze of most of the men following her. They all knew her agreement with Amos and most respected it. When someone didn’t, one of the men set him straight real quick.

“You want to join us?” Ellis asked Noah and Gabe as he prepared to deal another hand.

“Not me. Maybe later.” Noah paid Ginny for the drinks and took a slow sip. “Luke and Bull not with you tonight?”