Brodie glanced at Bay, then back at Camden. “Nae, I didn’t know.”
Bram stepped forward. “Aye. For several months now. She’s a nice enough lass, but real private.”
“We’d best get going.” Brodie looked at Bay. “Would you find Sam and let the lad know where I’ve gone?”
“I will.”
Giving Bay a curt nod, Brodie left with Camden and Bram.
Pushing out of the chair, he looked down at the wanted poster once more, committing it to memory. Wasting no more time, Bay headed outside, glancing up and down the boardwalk. He needed to find Sam. Then he’d hunt down Ev.
The stagecoach rumbled along the rutted road toward Conviction, Miss Evangeline Rousseau bouncing along with each bump. It had been a long trip from her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and many years since she’d seen her childhood friend, Suzette.
She’d never considered leaving, until the death of her parents in a buggy accident left her with a good amount of money but no other family. Except for Suzette, who was more a sister than a friend.
“Five minutes to Conviction.”
Her excitement grew at the shouted cry from the driver. Leaning out the window, she drew in a deep breath. The warm air worked to calm her, as did the cloudless sky and patches of wildflowers along the road.
Vangie thought of her decision to surprise Suzette. She could’ve sent a letter, explaining her reason to travel west. Maybe she should’ve. Well, nothing could be done about it now. Feeling the stagecoach slow to a stop, she felt her heart rate surge.
“Conviction.” The driver jumped down, opening the door.
Scooting to the other side of the stage, Vangie accepted the offered hand, taking her first step into an unplanned future. Looking around, she moved to the boardwalk where the driver had set her two trunks and satchel.
“Ma’am.” Bay took slow steps toward her, touching the brim of his hat.
She glanced at him standing a few feet away. “Yes?”
“If you’re looking for help with your luggage, there are always a couple boys at the stagecoach office.” He nodded at boys of about twelve walking toward them.
An appreciative smile broke across her face. “Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure.” He turned away, stopping when she called to him.
“Excuse me, but you didn’t introduce yourself.”
Turning back, he doffed his hat, making a slight bow. “My apologies. I’m Bayard Donahue.”
Her mouth dropped open, the smile turning hopeful. “Would you be Suzette’s husband?”
Bay cocked his head, glancing around, making certain no one overheard. “I am, although most people in town don’t know about us.”
Vangie recalled the last letter from Suzette. “I’m sorry you two are still having trouble, Mr. Donahue.”
“Bay, please. And you would be?”
A slight flush crept up her cheeks. “Miss Evangeline Rousseau.”
“Vangie?”
Her smile returned. “The same. I have to confess, Suzette doesn’t know I’m coming.”
Giving her a conspiratorial wink, he picked up her satchel. “Excellent. I’m certain she’ll be glad to see you.” He spoke with the two boys, handed them some coins, then returned to Vangie, holding out his arm. “It would be my pleasure to escort you to Suzette’s house.”
Chapter Sixteen
Camden and Bram followed Brodie to the spot where Colt and his deputies should be watching the Smith place. Finding no sign of them, they looked around. No tracks, no shells, nothing.
“There’s a group of lads outside the house.” Camden pointed ahead.
Pulling field glasses from his saddlebag, Brodie focused down the valley. “It’s Colt and the others. Let’s go, lads.”
It didn’t take long to reach where the men stood in a group, talking. At their feet lay two bodies. Colt broke away from the circle, meeting Brodie. He nodded at Camden and Bram, hitching a thumb over his shoulder.
“We almost caught him, Brodie. There were four that we saw.” He nodded at the two bodies. “These two and the one who rode off with Delgado.”
Brodie looked over his shoulder at the house. “Where’s Mrs. Smith?”
“Inside with the children. Delgado and his men appeared while she was outside. We didn’t give them time for a family reunion before we rode in from three directions.”
Seth moved next to them. “Delgado herded her inside, then came straight at Alex. He fired his two six-shooters, clipping him in the shoulder.”
Turning, Brodie walked to Alex, whose shirtsleeve dripped with blood. “We need to get you to town, lad.”
Shaking his head, Alex glanced at his arm. “A lot of blood, but no real damage.”
“I’ll be inside, talking with Maria Smith.” Colt took a step away.
Brodie looked at the others. “Take Seth and Jack with you.”
Colt lifted a brow. “I won’t be needing Jack.”
One corner of Brodie’s mouth tilted upward. “He’s good with children.”
Colt’s eyes widened in understanding. “Fine. He’ll come with me.”
Brodie motioned to his cousins. “Cam and Bram, I’ll need your help with the bodies.” He walked to Jack’s horse, leading the animal next to the dead men, glancing at his cousins. “Tie them down good, lads. Alex, Jack will be riding back with you.” Brodie didn’t mention he wanted someone with his wounded deputy in case he became dizzy from blood loss.
By the time they finished securing the bodies, Colt, Seth, and Jack emerged from the house, all three expressionless. Without asking, Brodie knew they’d learned nothing from Maria Smith.
Colt stepped in front of him. “I’ve never met a woman so determined to protect a murderer. She won’t talk at all. Never muttered a word while we were inside. Seth searched the house, not finding a horde of cash. I don’t think Delgado had time to give her the money before we rode in. That means he’ll most likely come back.”
A humorless grin formed on Brodie’s face. “Aye.”
“Here we are.” Bay walked up the steps, Vangie still on his arm.
They’d engaged in small talk, nothing serious, and nothing about Suzette. If she wanted to divulge their troubles to Vangie, it would be her decision, not his.
He didn’t bother to knock before opening the door and guiding her inside. “Suzette, are you home?”
“In the kitchen, Bay.”
Leaving Vangie in the parlor, he continued on to the kitchen, approaching her with caution. Having so much to resolve, he didn’t know what to expect.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
She walked toward him, drying her hands on a towel. A smile touched her lips, although it wasn’t the bright one of welcome he’d hoped to see. “I didn’t expect you this afternoon.”
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek, glad she didn’t jerk away. “A woman came on today’s stagecoach. She looked lost, so I approached, told her about the boys who deliver luggage. I believe you know her.”
Brows lifting, she removed the apron. “Who?”
“Come out and see.”
Eyes flashing in confusion, she nodded, following him out of the kitchen. An instant later, both women screamed, rushing toward each other.
Amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes, a slow grin appearing. “Well, I’ll leave you two ladies alone.” Turning to leave, he stopped when Suzette hurried to him.
“Don’t go. Stay for coffee.”
Shaking his head, he lifted his hands as if to ward her off. “Thank you, sweetheart, but I need to get back to the office.” Bay looked at Vangie, refusing to react to the sudden pain in his stomach. “It was a pleasure, Miss Rousseau.” Glancing back at Suzette, he brushed a kiss across her lips. “I’ll be at the restaurant tonight when you close. Tomorrow, I’d like to escort the two of you to lunch.”
Suzette looked at Vangie, who nodded. “Thank you, Bay. We’d love to have lunch with you.”
Touching her arm, he leaned c
loser. “I’ll see you later tonight.”
Bay made two more tours around town, frustrated at not spotting Hunt. Leaning against the corner of a building, he pinched the bridge of his nose, his head continuing to throb. The outlaw stayed somewhere in town. He was certain of it. A hotel, boardinghouse, maybe upstairs in one of the smaller saloons.
Pulling out his pocket watch, he figured there’d be enough time to search for Hunt a little longer before meeting Suzette. The corners of his mouth slid upwards. He wondered how long the two had sat in the parlor, talking of their lives in Grand Rapids and what had happened since. Bay winced, wondering how much Vangie would learn about the way he’d treated her best friend.
Recalling all he’d done, the familiar feeling of guilt and shame ran through him. For some reason, he hated knowing Vangie would learn how he’d hurt Suzette. But he’d brought it on himself.
Pushing away from the building, his steps slowed as he walked down the boardwalk toward the saloon next to the Great West Café. Bay knew the shabby saloon rented a few rooms upstairs. He also knew Hunt would prefer something more fashionable. Still, the outlaw wasn’t stupid. Ev wouldn’t want to draw unwanted attention to himself by staying at the Feather River Hotel, which offered the most expensive rooms in town.
Bay walked inside, heading straight to the bartender. Five minutes later, he left, entering Lucky’s Saloon. Continuing down the boardwalk, he checked every saloon, hotel, and boardinghouse on the main street. No one recognized Hunt’s description.
Frustrated, he wondered if the outlaw would stay in one of the hotels in Chinatown, dismissing the idea. Then Bay remembered the new hotel next to the newspaper office, a location close to his house. The perfect place to keep watch on Bay, as well as Suzette’s house three doors away.
Cursing under his breath, he made his way to the other end of town, ducking between buildings to enter the next street. His restaurant stood in front of him, the newspaper office to the right, and the new hotel next to it.
During the last hour, his headache had returned with a vengeance, along with stomach cramps, causing him to stoop over. When he’d started the day, the symptoms had decreased. As the hours passed, they’d increased until all he wanted was a hot bath and soft bed, preferably with Suzette beside him. Steadying himself against the outside wall of the building, he let out a ragged breath, knowing it could take weeks or months for her to trust him again.
Pushing from the building, he focused on the small hotel across the street. Besides Chinatown, it was the last place Hunt could be staying. If he wasn’t there, Bay didn’t have any idea where else to look.
Stepping inside the hotel, he glanced around the lobby in surprise. He’d watched the building go up, seen men carry furniture inside, but never saw the finished interior. It was lovely.
Carved wooden tables and chairs upholstered in beautiful tapestry graced the lobby. A young man looked up as Bay approached the front desk.
He offered a welcoming smile. “May I help you?”
“I’m looking for a friend of mine and believe he might be staying here.”
“What’s his name?”
Bay took a chance. “Bill Jones.”
“William Jones is staying here.”
“About six feet tall, slender with short brown hair?”
The clerk nodded. “Yes, that would describe him. If you’d like to go upstairs, he’s in room two hundred, although I don’t know if he’s in right now.”
“Thank you, but I’ll come by tomorrow.” Bay shifted away, then turned back. “I’d like to surprise him, so please don’t let him know of my visit.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll keep your secret.”
A tight smile formed on his face. Bay needed to go by the jail, tell Brodie what he’d learned, before meeting Suzette. His body ached, head throbbed, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so tired. Still, relief washed over him. He’d found Hunt. Now Brodie and his men would do the rest.
Suzette walked out of the kitchen for the third time since eight o’clock. Bay should’ve arrived by now. She wondered if he’d forgotten or gone to her house, too weary to come in tonight. Or maybe the man trying to poison him had tired of waiting and came after him directly. The instant the last thought crossed her mind, Suzette shoved it aside. If anything had happened, someone would notify August, who wouldn’t hesitate to tell her.
Staring at the front door, her body sagged in relief when Bay walked inside. He came straight to her, reaching out to take her hands in his.
“Do you have time to sit with me before returning to the kitchen?”
She glanced around the dining room, seeing Ezekiel speaking to one of the two remaining couples. Both had already been served. “Yes, I have time.”
He followed Suzette to the same table as the night before, pulling out a chair for her before taking his own seat.
“Have you had supper, Bay?”
Shaking his head, he pressed fingers to his forehead. “No, but I’m not hungry.”
Her worried gaze moved over his face. “You’re feeling worse, aren’t you?”
Drawing in a breath, a slight grin tipped the corners of his mouth. “Worse than this morning, yes. I do have good news, though.”
The worry faded at the way his face brightened. “What?”
He explained about searching for Hunt, finding him in the new hotel down the street. “Brodie knows and has one of the deputies posted outside. He’ll be followed the moment he leaves until returning to his room. Brodie wants to be absolutely sure the man is Hunt. He also wants to know if there’s anyone else involved.”
“Do you think there is?”
“More than just Hunt involved?” Bay asked.
“Yes.”
He rubbed his chin, expression clouding. “I don’t know. There are still people who’d be happy to see me dead. I just don’t know why they would hire Hunt instead of coming after me themselves. And why poison me first?”
She thought of his question, brows furrowing. “I don’t understand how poisoning you would help if someone besides Hunt is after you.”
Scrubbing both hands over his face, he pursed his lips before his eyes grew wide. “Unless the plan is to use the poison to weaken me.”
Her brows scrunched together. “Weaken you for what reason?”
“I’m not certain, but my instincts are telling me there’s a reason for the poison, and it’s not to kill me.”
Brodie rubbed his eyes, opening them to slits as the early morning sun shone through the thin curtains. By the time he and his men returned to town the day before, delivered the bodies to the undertaker, and made arrangements for a deputy to be posted outside the hotel, it had been almost midnight.
He’d woken Maggie and their son when he finally made it home, then stayed up another hour, getting Shaun back to sleep. It had taken him another hour to drift off.
Sitting up, he slid from the bed, doing his best not to disturb his wife. Brodie planned to check with the deputy outside the hotel before finding Bay and discussing how best to handle Hunt. He also wanted to make a list of anyone who might be looking for vengeance against his friend, the former hired gun. Brodie expected Colt to be at the jail early. He wanted Hunt as much as any of them, except possibly Bay.
Before he could leave the house, a loud pounding sounded at the front door, waking both Maggie and Shaun. Cursing under his breath, he stalked to the door. Pulling it open, his jaw dropped in surprise.
Camden sat on the ground, reeking of whiskey, a foolish grin on his face. “Ach. There you are, Brodie. I’d thought you’d never open the door.”
Crossing his arms, he glared down at his cousin. “Are you daft, Cam?”
“Aye, daft I am.” His head lolled to one side, eyes rolling back in his head.
“What’s going on?” Maggie stepped next to Brodie, anger simmering at the sight of Camden. “Are you drunk?”
“Aye, lass. Very drunk.” He slapped his thigh, chuckling. “I fell off my hors
e. The foul beast ran off.”
Shaking his head, Brodie looked at Maggie. “We can’t leave the lad outside.”
She bent down to take one arm while Brodie took the other, dragging Camden inside, lifting him onto the sofa. “I’ll get a blanket.”
“And headache powder, lass. This miscreant is going to need it.”
Camden looked up, his red eyes drooping. “I just need to find Duke and I’ll be off.”
“What you need is to sleep off the whiskey, lad.” Brodie murmured a curse as Maggie spread the blanket over Camden. “Did you spend the entire night at Buckie’s?”
Shaking his head, he tried to focus on the man hovering over him. “Nae. I slept right there.” He pointed toward the door.
“Ach, lad. You could’ve let us know before now you were outside.”
Touching his head, Camden’s mouth twisted. “Nae, I couldn’t.” His eyes closed on the last.
Leaning down, Brodie jostled his shoulder. “Why’d you get yourself in such a fit with whiskey?”
Eyes opening to slits, his brows furrowed. “Betsy left town.”
Brodie and Maggie exchanged glances. “Who’s Betsy?” she asked.
Scratching his head, Camden looked up at them in confusion. “The woman I intended to marry.”
Chapter Seventeen
“There’s been no sign of him, Brodie.” Jack shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing at the hotel entrance. “Seth watched until two this morning, then I took over. He didn’t see him, either.”
Massaging the back of his neck, he thought of his morning. After Camden’s drunken confession, he’d closed his eyes and passed out. Thank God he had a wife with endless patience and an understanding nature. She’d sent Brodie on his way, assuring him his intoxicated cousin would be fine.
Camden being drunk didn’t concern him as much as the reason for drowning himself in whiskey. Since becoming sheriff, Brodie hadn’t been as close to his family as before moving to town. He’d take Maggie and Shaun out for Sunday supper, and sometimes during the week. Learning Camden had intended to marry emphasized how little he knew about what was going on at the ranch.
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