“How was I supposed to know Hollis was trying to help?”
The sheriff’s protest broke through the haze of being knocked unconscious. Nate lifted his hand, rubbing his face where Caleb had struck him. Shaking his head to clear it, he opened his eyes. The first face he saw was Geneen’s as she bent over him, her features drawn. Turning his head, he noticed Caleb beside her, not a bit of remorse on his face.
“You didn’t need to hit me so hard, Caleb.”
“I should’ve hit you harder.” Extending a hand, Caleb helped him stand.
Looking down at the ground, Nate nodded. “You’re probably right.”
Marcus moved up beside Caleb. “You know Nate?”
Snorting, Caleb glared at his friend before glancing at Geneen and Heather, then back at Marcus. “All three of us do. He was a deputy in Conviction before he took off without a word to anyone.” Caleb looked at Nate. “Isn’t that right?”
He blew out a breath, not meeting Geneen’s eyes. “Brodie knew. And I spoke with Kyla and Ewan before I left.”
Geneen had heard enough. She threw up her hands, then poked a finger into his chest, her face taking on a red flush. “So you could tell Brodie, but not me?”
“Geneen, I—”
“After all the time we spent together, the suppers, the rides, me sitting by your bed when you were sick…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes moistening before taking on a hard glint. “You didn’t see fit to at least let me know you were leaving?”
“Geneen, please, let me explain.” He reached his hand out, meaning to touch her cheek.
Swatting his hand away, she shook her head. “How long have you been in Settlers Valley?”
“I—”
She stepped closer, poking his chest again. “Did you know I was in town?”
“If you’ll—”
She held up her hand for him to stop, her eyes sparking. “If that man hadn’t come into the church tonight, would you have ever let me know you were here?”
Staring down at his mud-encrusted, scuffed boots, he shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Her anger seemed to deflate at his confession, her shoulders sagging. “I see.”
Nate barely heard her whispered response. The look on her face and agony in her eyes caused a tangible pain in his chest. He’d never meant to hurt her. Not ever. Her anguished features, broken voice, and ragged breathing told him he’d done just that.
He reached out to touch her hand, but she pulled away. “If you’ll let me, I’ll try to explain.”
Lifting her chin, Geneen shook her head, straightening her spine. “Don’t bother. I’m not daft, Nate. I understand what you’re not telling me and why you felt no need to say a word about leaving. I’ll do my best to stay out of your way if you’ll do me the courtesy of the same.” Turning, she rushed past Heather and Caleb.
He lifted his hand, trying to stop her, but she’d already moved out of his reach. “Geneen, wait.”
The three watched as she reached the wagon and climbed onto the seat, her back rigid.
“Well, lad, you’ve made a fine mess of things.”
Heather’s words drew his gaze to her. “I never meant to hurt her.”
“Nae. I think you knew what you’d be doing to her by riding off. That’s why you never said a word. It was an awful thing you did to a fine woman.”
Licking his lips, Nate closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “She deserves better.”
Heather slapped his arm. “The lass is wanting you, you eejit. She cares nothing about your injury or wounded pride.”
Nate glared at her. “My wounded pride?”
“Aye, your pride, lad. What she sees is what the rest of us do. A fine lad, strong and honest. There would be nothing more she wants.”
Nate dared a glance at Caleb, seeing the smirk on his friend’s face. “Nothing more, you say?”
Caleb shook his head, as if Nate were the dumbest creature he’d ever seen.
Heather’s voice softened. “You’d best be thinking this over, lad. I’d be guessing you’ll be doing a good bit of groveling if you decide you want Geneen.”
“I’ve always wanted her.”
A wry smile curved up the corners of Heather’s mouth. “Aye. A good bit of groveling.”
It hadn’t taken long for Sheriff Polk to let Nate go, never acknowledging he’d made a mistake in holding him instead of going after the true culprit. Instead, the sheriff issued him a warning about taking the law into his own hands. A warning Nate meant to ignore.
Caleb walked back up to him after seeing Heather to the wagon. “I’ll be in town on Friday. We’ll meet at the saloon, and don’t think about telling me no. And do not even consider riding away this time. If you do, I’ll personally come after you.”
Nate would’ve laughed if he didn’t know Caleb was serious. The MacLarens, and their extended family, never gave warnings they didn’t intend to keep.
Staring at Geneen, who refused to look his way, Nate nodded. “Friday after work at the saloon.”
Caleb studied him for a long moment before spinning around and returning to the wagon. Nate watched them take the trail to Highlander Ranch, his heart heavy, pain coursing through him. This time, it wasn’t his arm throbbing. The anguish he felt lodged in his chest, choking him. Feeling a firm hand on his shoulder, Nate turned to see Marcus standing beside him.
“I’ve learned a great deal about you tonight, Hollis. Most of it good.”
Nate struggled with how to respond. Marcus had been good to him, become a friend.
“I didn’t do right by Geneen.”
“I figured that much out, but I also figure you had your reasons for leaving.”
Unconsciously rubbing his left arm, Nate nodded. “I did.”
Marcus watched him, his gaze narrowing. “Do those reasons still exist?”
Blowing out a long breath, he shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“I see.” Marcus pursed his lips, struggling with what else to say. “I suggest you take some time and deal with what haunts you. She seems like a fine woman.”
“The best.”
“Then she deserves a man who’s conquered his demons. You understand my meaning?”
“Yeah, Marcus. I do.”
Chapter Four
Black Jolly paced in the abandoned shack several miles south of Settlers Valley, cursing himself. Knowing desperate men made bad decisions, he forced himself to calm down, think about his next moves and if they involved the small town north of him or another vulnerable spot.
Unlike his raids on Circle M several months before, he had no men to order about and little money. Once his benefactor, Giles Delacroix, crumbled under pressure, confessing his part in the crimes, Black had ridden at a grueling pace west, then north, and finally south again. He had no delusions about how easy he’d be to spot. His height, making him much taller than most men, and facial scar caused many men and most women to leave him alone. Still, if they’d seen the wanted poster Brodie MacLaren had sent out, there’d be few places he could hide.
Working with Delacroix had been a disaster. Black’s men had either died or scattered. Money meant little to them when compared to the alternative of hanging or years spent in prison if they were caught. He didn’t blame them. Black had no desire for either himself.
Reaching into his pockets, he emptied them onto a table, counting the remaining funds, noting he had enough for at least a month, more if he were careful. He had additional funds stashed in a Sacramento bank, money he’d saved for the woman who’d helped him in Conviction. She’d warned him to stop his scurrilous activities against the MacLarens and ride away, start over where no one knew him. Black pushed aside her pleas, as well as her offer to quit her job and come with him. Working with men was one thing. Having a woman in tow a different matter—one he had no intention of allowing.
For now, she didn’t know where Black had gone, or that he’d backtracked to within a few hours’ ride of her. He c
ould check on her, make certain she was doing all right, without her knowing.
Right now, he needed more money. Trying to get it by robbing people at a community dance had been foolish. In his haste to take advantage of the joyous event, he’d almost been caught. If the sheriff’s loud voice hadn’t alerted him, Black would be sitting in a jail cell right now, planning his escape.
The one positive outcome of his trip into town came when spending an hour at the saloon. A group of Acorn miners didn’t conceal their excitement about finding a new vein of gold. They’d toasted each other and played cards while Black listened. He’d heard of the Acorn Gold Mine. Who hadn’t in these parts? It didn’t pay out as much as it had a few years before, but it still provided wealth for the owner and good wages for the workers.
He’d learned the discovery of the new deposit resulted in the owner giving his men the afternoon off. Listening, he learned the only ones still at the mine were a few guards, the owner, and his accountant.
After his failed attempt at the church, Black decided the mine would be his target. He just needed some time to study the operation, learn when the men came and went, and when they hauled the gold to town.
Most mines worked on a schedule, making the work more efficient and profitable, but also more attractive to men such as himself. Men who didn’t care who had legal possession of what they wanted. In Black’s mind, whoever carried it owned it. And that applied to gold.
Highlander Ranch
“You just can’t be forgetting the lad’s in town, Geneen. You’ll be seeing him all the time.”
Geneen stopped folding laundry, turning toward Heather. “Don’t you think I understand I’ll have to see him? It’s what’s been keeping me up all week since the dance.”
“A dance Nate kept from turning into a disaster. Who knows what would’ve happened if he hadn’t seen that miscreant come into the church.”
Dropping her hands to her sides, Geneen leaned against the table, a basket full of clean clothes on a chair beside it. “Caleb says he’s been working for Marcus Kamm.”
Heather nodded, lowering herself into another chair. “Aye. The lad’s been working for him since before we arrived in Settlers Valley. Caleb suspects Nate’s known we’ve been here all along. That’s why he’ll be going into town this afternoon. To find out what’s in the lad’s head.”
Geneen shrugged, disappointment showing on her face and in the slump of her shoulders. “What does it matter? It’s obvious Nate wants nothing to do with me.”
“With any of us, lass.”
Shaking her head, Geneen grabbed a pair of pants from the pile on the table, folding them before laying them on top of the stack in the basket.
“I don’t think that’s right. If I wasn’t here, I’m sure he would’ve revealed himself to Caleb and you sooner. It’s me he doesn’t want any part of. He didn’t even try to stop me from leaving town the night of the dance. Just let me ride off without explaining why he left.”
Heather looked down at the folded hands in her lap, fighting the urge to smile. “I’m thinking you didn’t give the lad a chance to explain. If I’m recalling right, he tried more than once, but you’d be having none of it.”
Grabbing another chair, Geneen pulled it up to the kitchen table and sat down. Rubbing her face with both hands, she groaned. “You’re right. He did try to explain. I just didn’t want to hear his excuses. Not in front of all the townspeople who stood around, watching us.”
They sat in silence for several moments before Heather cocked her head to the side. “Did something seem different about him?”
“How do you mean?”
“Think of how he looked before leaving Circle M. Skinny with sunken eyes and a sallow complexion. The lad moved sluggishly, not much faster than Archie.”
Despite her despair, Geneen chuckled at the comparison.
“It’s true, lass. Nate wasn’t the lad we were used to seeing. But on Saturday night…” Heather’s voice trailed off as she lifted a brow, looking at Geneen.
Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she tried to recollect his appearance. After a couple minutes, she nodded. “He did look more like himself. Healthy, with color in his face and a glint in his eyes.” She swallowed the knot in her throat, meeting Heather’s gaze. “Maybe he’s met someone. A woman.”
“You’re jumping a wee bit ahead of yourself. There were no women around him, and none of those at the dance came running up to him. Nae. Maybe the lad’s found a way to fight his need for the devil opium.”
“If that’s true, why didn’t he come home? Come back to Conviction and the people who care about him?” Slamming a fist on the table, Geneen stood, crossing her arms. “It’s because he no longer wants to be around me. Now that I’m here, he has every reason to return to his job as a deputy. Brodie wouldn’t waste a second taking him back.” Picking up the basket, she started for the stairs, glancing over her shoulder. “The man can jump into a cold lake with his clothes and boots on. Maybe they’ll fill with water and I’ll never have to worry about seeing him again…” Her voice trailed off as she pounded up the stairs.
“What’s the matter with Geneen?” Caleb removed his hat as he walked in the back door, bending down to kiss Heather.
“I’ll be giving you one guess.”
He nodded, a knowing grin flashing across his face. “Nate.”
“Aye. The lass is so angry, she might never forgive him. Assuming he wants to be forgiven.”
“That’s why I’m heading into town. I’ve some pretty hard questions for him.” Setting his hat on a chair, he poured himself a glass of water, drinking it down in a few long gulps. “If you’ve a list, I’ll stop at the general store.”
“Nae. We’re fine with what we have. Of course, if you’re willing, you can ask Mr. Beall if he’ll take back our hats. It seems a shame to have gotten only an hour of wearing out of them.” The glint in her eyes told Caleb she was fooling…mostly. Although generous, Heather was also more frugal than most women.
“You’ll have church on Sundays, Christmas Eve service, and other dances to wear the hats. You may not have had it on long, but you were beautiful.” He pulled her up, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her soundly. After a few moments, she pushed on his chest, her breathing ragged.
“We’ve someone else in the house, Mr. Stewart.”
“Someone who’s seen us kissing before, Mrs. Stewart.”
“You two can kiss all you want. I don’t care at all.”
Geneen’s voice and the noise she made coming down the stairs had them pulling apart.
“I don’t care at all who kisses who or for how long. I’m through with all of it.” The front door opened, then slammed shut.
Glancing at each other, Heather began to laugh, Caleb following a few seconds later. Calming himself, he placed his arm over her shoulders.
“You’re right. Geneen’s not in her right mind when she’s thinking of Nate.”
Heather nodded, her face sobering. “Aye. The lass might never be in her right mind again.”
Settlers Valley
Caleb rode straight for the livery. It never occurred to him Nate might have packed up and left. His friend wasn’t a stupid man. He knew Caleb meant what he’d said about tracking him down. They’d never had a problem communicating.
Reining up outside the livery, he slid off Jupiter and strolled inside. Marcus worked at the forge, but he saw no sign of Nate.
“Good afternoon, Marcus.”
The blacksmith looked up from his duties, straightening, not offering one of his soiled hands for Caleb to shake.
“Caleb. You looking for Nate?”
“I am.”
“He’s out back working on an order for Leland Nettles. Have you met the man?”
Caleb shook his head. “Can’t say that I have. Who is he?”
“Owns the Acorn Gold Mine up the Feather River from your ranch. Ordered a new type of dredge for the operation. I’d been doing it all myself, but wh
en Leland came in here demanding it be done sooner, I brought Nate in on it. He did such a good job, Leland ordered a second one.” He wiped his soiled hands down the leather apron he wore. “Never met a man with so many talents as Nate, and so little belief in himself. He’s got me stumped.”
“Nate’s got us all stumped, Marcus.”
“From your conversation last Saturday night, I figure you must know him pretty well.” He left the comment hanging between them, not wanting to push Caleb too much.
Taking off his hat, he wiped his brow. “Not as good as I once thought. He worked as a deputy for Brodie MacLaren, who wants him back wearing a badge in Conviction. Did a real fine job. You probably guessed he has a history with Geneen.”
“I figured as much.” Walking away from the forge, Marcus glanced at the door behind him, then back at Caleb. “Why’d he leave?”
“That’s what I came into town to find out. Mind if I head back?”
“Head on out. It’s time for him to finish up anyway.” Marcus went right back to work, leaving the two men to their business.
Stepping out the back door, his gaze landed on Nate, who concentrated on a contraption Caleb had never seen before. His presence didn’t go unnoticed long.
“Afternoon, Caleb.” Nate set the dredge on the ground. “Didn’t know if you’d ride in today.”
He continued to study the device. “I said I would.” Glancing up, he waited while Nate pulled off his gloves and grabbed his hat from a hook a few feet away. “Saloon?”
“It’s as good a place as any for us to talk.”
Caleb had no intention of pretending this visit overly friendly. Nate had hurt someone he cared about, a part of the MacLaren family, and he wanted answers.
“Let me clean up and I’ll meet you out front.” Nate headed to the back of the livery, washing his right hand in the trough near a small shack, then disappearing inside. He returned a couple minutes later wearing clean pants and shirt.
“You live in there?”
Nate’s jaw worked, but he kept his voice smooth and even. “It comes with the job. A little smaller than the room I had at the Gold Dust in Conviction. Marcus and I put in a new stove this week. Helps a lot.” Nate walked ahead of him, cutting off further questions on the subject.
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