Trembling, but grateful he hadn’t made a move to tie her, she squatted next to the warmth.
Miguel came to stand beside her. He stroked her cheek with his gloved fingers, trailed them across her lips, down her chin and tipped her face toward him. He leaned forward, his dark face inches from hers. “You are so beautiful,” he said in a hoarse whisper.
Rain Shadow’s pulse hammered. Disgust backed up into her throat. “Not nearly as beautiful as a franc, though, am I?”
He smiled unpleasantly. “Each has its own merit. You would be wise to remember that.” His smile flickered, but he managed to retain it. Releasing her chin, he sat across the fire from her. The rifle, slung almost casually over his thigh, pointed at the children.
“I want my son.” His eyes narrowed in challenge.
Her heart leapt in her breast. Fear eddied into every pore, diluting her courage. “You didn’t even know you had a son.”
“I need to punish you for that.”
Keeping her tone conversational, she asked, “What would you do with a child?”
“I will take him home to my father.”
Home. South America. “Why?”
Miguel poured a cup of coffee from the dented pot over the fire and offered it to her. She refused. “Restitution,” he replied, sitting back with the steaming cup.
Confused, she stared at his narrow black features and detested her helplessness. What did he owe his father that an illegitimate son would repay?
“When you came to Pennsylvania, you didn’t know Slade existed. What did you come for?” The question she’d wondered all along tumbled from her lips.
He appeared to consider answering. “I wanted the necklace.”
She frowned. “What necklace?”
“The locket you wear.”
Rain Shadow’s hand grasped her coat front instinctively. “My locket?” She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
He gave her a sharklike grin. “That particular stone is worth much—its quality and cut are unequaled.”
His explanation rang false, but his reasons didn’t matter. She unbuttoned the top of her coat and reached behind her neck. Fingers numb, she fumbled with the clasp. Without a moment’s hesitation, she unfastened the chain and dangled the locket before him. “Here, then. Take it, and let us go.”
Miguel de Ruiz stared. The glittering gold filigree winked in the sunlight, the amethyst stone catching the fire’s glow. All he’d had to do was ask. The locket was his for the taking. He took the necklace from her and weighed it in his palm, the gold still warm from her skin. Avarato would pay dearly for this treasure.
What of Rain Shadow? Could he get her to play along? Would she pose as the Avaratos’ granddaughter? Of course she would...for the right price. He looked from her storm-filled eyes to the ninos cowering against the tree and smiled.
Everyone had his price.
Chapter Fifteen
Rain Shadow met Ruiz’ gaze and subdued a shudder.
“I will let you go when the time is right,” he replied. “First I have a little acting role for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do not be so impatient. You will find out in due time. Trust me.”
She’d trusted him once—with her innocence—and look where it had landed her. She watched him tuck her locket inside his heavy wool coat. Leveling the rifle on her midsection, he stood, moved to Nikolaus and untied his bindings.
Blue lips quivering, Nikolaus released a shuddering frosty breath and turned enormous liquid-blue eyes toward her as though entreating her to do something. Helplessly, her heart aching, she gave him a reassuring nod and smiled.
“Why did you take him?” she asked across the few feet separating them.
“Look at them, querida.” His breath puffed out in white gusts. “In hats and coats I could not tell the difference. It was not such a bad move, however. I have the farmer’s undivided attention, too, do I not?”
“Let Nikky go now. You have the one you want.” Oblivious to the cold, she tried to reason with him.
He gave her a considering once-over. “I have worried which would be to my benefit. Set Neubauer’s nino free and have you tell the plowboy you want to go with me? Your disloyalty might discourage him. However, while the nino is in my possession, I have more bargaining power. Do you not agree?”
Slade glowered at Ruiz with hatred. Rain Shadow felt its chill more clearly than the frigid air on her face. Something tender tore inside her at her child’s lost innocence. Ruiz untied him. Immediately, Slade jumped to his feet and kicked his captor’s shin, then swung a mittened fist in the air.
Like batting away a bee, Ruiz backhanded the boy. Slade sprawled at the base of the tree, his hat landing beside him in the snow.
Rain Shadow sprang forward. “Stop!”
Ruiz swung the rifle barrel toward Slade and challenged her with a smug glare.
She stopped in her tracks.
Nikolaus sobbed.
“He rides with me,” Ruiz commanded. “That one—” his thin black mustache curled in a sneer “—rides with you. I cannot bear his whining. First we go for your horse. Where is it?”
She swallowed hard, controlling her anger and fear. Slade picked himself up off the ground, brushed snow from his clothing and tugged his hat down over his unruly black hair. Blood trickled from the corner of his lower lip. The look he shot her conveyed embarrassed assurance.
Rain Shadow’s mind reeled, and she fought to subdue the panic that rose in her chest. How long ago had she and Anton separated? She couldn’t lead Ruiz directly to where Anton undoubtedly waited with the horses. Turning her head, she signaled Jack with a whistle, waited several seconds and whistled again. Within a minute the paint trotted to her side and nodded, his ice-encrusted mane bobbing with the motion.
Rain Shadow scrubbed his forehead with her gloved knuckles, wishing with all her heart it was Slade she could touch. She swallowed hard. “Good boy, Jack.”
She adjusted her bedroll and saddlebags and, assuring the horse with soft words, lifted Nikolaus onto his back before mounting behind him.
Slade used the stirrups on the black stallion to climb up behind Ruiz and sat there stiffly. Their captor led them forward, the horses’ breath hanging in gusts on the raw air.
Rain Shadow opened her coat and pulled Nikolaus against her body, needing the warm comfort as much as Anton’s son did.
“I—wa-want—my Pa.” Nikolaus no longer cried, but his voice shuddered from his recent outbursts.
“I know you do, darling.” She squeezed him tight. “You’ll be back with him real soon, I promise.”
They left the shelter of the trees, and she prayed her promise wasn’t false. Before they’d traveled far, the exhausted child slept against her. Rain Shadow watched Slade ahead of her, forced to cling to the back of the man he so obviously hated. She closed her eyes momentarily and wanted to cry herself.
Where was Ruiz taking them?
And where was Anton?
* * *
Where in blazes was Rain Shadow?
She’d been gone way too long, and standing here waiting, it was colder than the north side of a gravestone at the North Pole. He stamped his numb feet and cursed under his breath. Beside him, Jack’s ears pricked forward. Anton peered into the snow-still forest. The General nickered behind him. Dismayed, he turned to watch Jack gallop into the trees. What the...?
It only took a heartbeat to wonder what he should do. Jack obviously knew something he didn’t, so Anton mounted and rode the way Rain Shadow’s pony had gone. Minutes later, he studied the white-blanketed ground ahead of him, leading the General along Jack’s clear prints in the snow. They led him to a clearing. The snow was trampled, and a camp fire had been doused.
Anton studied the signs while mocking himself. He was a farmer, confound it. He had no business pretending to be an Indian scout.
You’re trying to find your son, a voice in his head replied. Your son and the woman you—
He identified the spot where Ruiz’ horse had been staked. The boys had packed a patch of snow down around a tree. He stared hard at a few crimson drops of blood on the stark white snow.
Rain Shadow’s boot prints had been trampled by the horses. She’s with them. Good. She was there to see after Nikolaus and Slade. But now all three of them were in that madman’s clutches.
Even Anton could tell the droppings were fresh—he could catch up if he wanted to, if he deemed it the best solution. He decided to stay a discreet distance behind and take stock of the situation.
At noon the sun warmed him, and gratefully Anton unbuttoned his coat and removed his gloves. He ate a biscuit from the saddlebag and continued to follow the tracks. It was unclear where was Ruiz was taking them.
What could he do? Think! he mentally shouted at himself. What could he do? He couldn’t just ride up behind them waving his gun. Ruiz could use any of his three captives to cover himself.
Anton squinted across the expanse of glaring white landscape. The tracks led down an embankment and into another winter-bound stand of timber and brush.
Get ahead of them. Providing he could stay on their course, he could ride ahead and meet Ruiz head-on.
Anton urged the General on a passage parallel to Ruiz’ and increased his pace. The route was difficult, but he ignored the limbs and branches that tore at his coat and he occasionally grabbed his hat to keep from having it torn from his head.
Almost an hour later, Anton hobbled the General and traveled the last distance on foot, praying he’d guessed the direction correctly. He chose a spot in a small stand of conifers and hunkered down behind a fallen log. Snow drifted before him like a silver blanket in the afternoon sun. He checked his rifle. Removing his gloves, he blew on his fingers to warm them. He squinted into the distance, drew a breath and implored God’s providence on sending Ruiz this way even if he was waiting in the wrong spot.
Cheeks and nose numb, he scanned the woods before him. A queasy feeling settled in his chest and stomach, and he forced down his panic.
An interminable time passed before he became aware of something. Rain Shadow’s words came to him, the last words she’d spoken before they’d parted. Listen and sniff the air, she’d whispered. What you don't hear is as important as what you hear.
There wasn’t a sound in the woods except his own breathing.
His heart thudded in his good ear. He strained to listen, cocking his head and slipping off his gloves. Dark forms appeared between the trees fifty yards away. Two horses and riders single file. Anton squinted down his rifle barrel. Ruiz rode closer, and Rain Shadow followed with one of the boys draped in front of her. Her much smaller mount placed her beneath and to the left of Anton’s sights, to his advantage.
Anton held his breath and tensed his finger on the trigger. A little closer. A little closer. Patience now.
Where was the other boy?
Anton’s concentration wavered as he recognized Nikolaus’ coat and hat on the child in her arms. Where was Slade? Behind Rain Shadow? Behind Ruiz? His heart lurched—behind them somewhere on the trail?
Anton sent a prayer heavenward and made a hasty calculation of the space Slade would fill if he were behind Ruiz. He held his breath—this should have been you. Rain Shadow, you’re the crack shot—and slowly squeezed the trigger.
Ruiz jerked sideways, half hanging from his saddle. The black stallion reared, tumbling Slade to the forest floor, where he recovered quickly and sprang to his feet. Ruiz twisted and yanked his foot from the stirrup, falling to the ground and rolling away from the animal’s hooves. He staggered to his knees and aimed his rifle at Slade, one arm hanging at his side.
Anton peered over the log. His muttered curses turned the air blue.
“Stay mounted and do not move!” Ruiz shouted at Rain Shadow.
She obeyed. Nikolaus’ wail pierced the silent woods. Rain Shadow lowered her face to his and touched his cheek with her gloved hand.
“Show yourself, Neubauer!” Ruiz scanned the area where Anton hid. “Show yourself if you care for any of these troublemakers!” He jerked his head at Rain Shadow. “Throw his nino down by the other one!”
Anton revealed himself. “I’m here, Ruiz. Take on somebody your own size.”
Ruiz laughed. “You are a predictable fool. Throw your rifle down.”
Anton complied.
“The gun under your coat, too.”
Anton unbuttoned his coat, yanked out the revolver and sent it sailing into a snowdrift.
“Now, move over here.” Ruiz kept his eyes on Anton, the rifle aimed at Slade. “It seems our party has grown too large. Someone will have to stay behind.”
“Papa!” Nikolaus shrieked, and twisted from Jack’s back. Rain Shadow caught his sleeve and held him fast, his feet kicking the ground and sending clumps of snow into the air. “Let me go!” he howled. “I want my pa!”
Anton forced himself to watch Ruiz. The vaquero sneered at Nikolaus in disgust. A tiny movement caught Anton’s attention, and he sneaked a glance at Slade.
Slade met his gaze deliberately, slid off his glove and edged his hand into the top of his boot.
Nikolaus’ tantrum still held Ruiz’ attention. Unobtrusively, Slade slid a knife into his palm and hid it in his sleeve.
No. Anton shot him a guarded look. Don’t try it. He stepped closer to Ruiz and noticed the bright red stain spreading outward from the hole in his sleeve.
Slade, too, inched toward the wounded man.
“Come back up with me, now, Nikky. You’re safe up here.” Rain Shadow had Anton’s son halfway slung over her lap.
“Let them, go, Ruiz,” Anton suggested mildly. “Take this thing up with me.”
“I do not want you,” he snarled. “You are of no use. You or your squalling brat.”
Anton recognized the peculiar edge to Ruiz’ thickly accented voice. His scalp tingled. The man wasn’t sane. Ruiz had a fanatical tone, an obsessive look in his eye. For whatever it was worth, Anton tried to reason with him. “What do you want with them?”
“Slade is my son!”
“Real proud of that fact, are you?”
“They are my future. My fortune.”
“What about their futures?”
“Mi padre will see that they are taken care of. Family is everything to him. All family but myself, that is. I am the— how do you call it?—black sheep of the family. He disinherited me years ago. He did not appreciate my worth. I, however, have the firstborn grandson.” Ruiz jerked the rifle. “The little bastard is my ticket back into grace.”
Anton gritted his teeth and bit back a growl.
“Anton!” Slade shouted.
Before Anton knew what was happening, metal flashed in the sunlight, and Slade lunged toward him.
Anton’s first thought was to disarm Ruiz. He burst forward and kicked the rifle. It fired harmlessly into the sky.
“Anton!” Slade shouted again.
Anton reached for the knife Slade held toward him.
“No!” Ruiz, too, leapt toward the knife, his shout surprising Slade into hanging onto the handle.
Anton tackled Ruiz from the side, knocking him forward. They fell in a pile on the frozen ground, a tangle of boots and legs and thick coats. A sickening gurgle sounded from beneath Anton. He raised his head from Ruiz’ back and focused on Slade.
Horror turned the boy’s face ashen. Slade jerked his hand back and gaped at the blood covering his palm and seeping between his fingers.
“You all right?” Anton asked him.
Rain Shadow appeared and pulled Slade away.
“Is he all right?”
“He’s fine, Anton.” Mouth set in a grim line, she nodded toward the man beneath her husband. “It’s him.”
Realizing Ruiz hadn’t moved, Anton pulled himself up and knelt at Ruiz’ other side. He lay, eyes glazed, Slade’s knife protruding from his neck. Blood bubbled from Miguel’s lips, trickled across his stubbled cheek and was absorbed by the hard-
packed snow.
Dead. Anton absorbed the fact. Against their will, they’d all played a hideous part in this final scene. Miguel de Ruiz had been a fool. All those years ago he could have had Rain Shadow’s love, could have been her husband, could have been a father to Slade, but he’d thrown it all away. For what? What could have been more satisfying than an honest woman’s love and trust? Apparently, Ruiz had alienated his father and family, as well. Apparently the vaquero had dealt pain to many.
Standing, Anton slid his gaze to Slade, and his chest ached for the boy. That he’d had to learn about the dark aspects of life in this manner—worse, that he’d had to witness cruelty and greed in his own father—saddened Anton beyond measure. At least Nikolaus had been a baby when his mother had died and he hadn’t been present. The only bad memories Nikolaus would ever have would be of this man—but Slade....
Rain Shadow embraced her son. Sobbing, Nikolaus ran into Anton’s side with an impact that nearly sent him sprawling. Anton lifted his son and hugged him against his chest, tears prickling at the backs of his eyes. “It’s all right, son. It’s over now, and you’re fine.”
Over Nikolaus’ shoulder, he met Rain Shadow’s shimmering gaze. He reached her in a second, pulling her and Slade into his embrace. The four of them hugged one another in consolation, comfort and love.
Thank you, Lord, Anton breathed, but his relief was marred by the disturbing remembrance of his father. Lord, let Pa be all right.
Chapter Sixteen
“Pa! Pa, wait up!” Nikolaus raced beside his father, stumbling against his thigh and panting. “You made me run my breath off!”
“I did, huh?” Anton steadied his son and resumed his walk. “D’juh get your chores done?”
“Yep.” Nikolaus plucked a stick from the ground and flung it in typical little-boy fashion. “There’s new kittens in the barn.”
“Uh-huh.”
Nikolaus studied his father’s preoccupied expression and fell into step at his side, futilely attempting to match his much longer strides. Beneath their boots, the meadow grass squished, sodden from the early spring thaw. “You miss them, too, don’t you?”
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