Where Leads the Heart

by Colleen Coble

  His face whitened as he aimed the gun at Rand. “And then there was Sarah. You never noticed how she mooned over you for years. Instead you chased after that Baxter girl, and I hoped Sarah would come to care for me once you were out of the picture. But no. You had to finally set your sights on my girl.”

  “I was never your girl!” Sarah leaned toward him slightly, her eyes on the gun.

  Ben continued as if he didn’t hear her. “But when I got back from the war five months ago and found out they all thought you were dead, I thought fate was finally smiling on me, and Sarah would finally be mine. But you had to come back early and spoil everything, just like you always have. But you’re not going to ruin things for me ever again.” He brought the pistol up higher with sudden determination and fired.

  Just as he pulled the trigger, Sarah leaned against him with all her might, and the shot went wild. “Run, Rand!” she screamed.

  But instead of running, Rand launched himself at Ben and dragged him down off the buckboard seat. The two men thrashed in the muck. Rand gave into the rage and threw a hard right swing that connected solidly with Ben’s cheek. Ben reeled back and hit his head on the wheel of the buckboard as he fell. Rand stared down at the other man lying on the ground.

  He pushed his hair out of his eyes, and with an unsteady hand he stepped away from Ben. Was he dead? He stared at Ben’s pale face, relieved to see him draw a ragged breath. He felt shaken at how easily he could have killed someone who was once a friend. Ma was right, he thought. I have changed.

  Shivering and soaked to the skin, Sarah climbed awkwardly out of the buckboard on rubbery legs and almost fell. “Thank God, you’re all right!”

  He untied the ropes on her hands gently, then stepped away. “What were you doing with Ben, Sarah?”

  She stared at him in dismay. Surely he didn’t think she was running off with Ben willingly? Her green eyes flashed, and she raised her chin defiantly. “I was eloping, of course. Wasn’t it obvious?” She expected him to laugh, but instead he drew back from her. She caught his arm again. “Rand, surely you don’t believe—” She bit her lip as he turned away, his eyes hooded.

  Jacob touched his brother’s arm as Ben drew a groaning breath. “Rand, I think one of us had better ride after Doc Seth. Ben doesn’t look too good.”

  “I’ll go.” Rand shook off Sarah’s restraining hand and mounted his horse.

  She stood looking after him in dismay. He had to listen to her eventually. He just had to!

  six

  Rand could sense Sarah’s gaze as she stood beside Doc Seth, but he resisted looking at her. The rain had soaked through every scrap of his clothing and he shivered as a buggy came sloshing around the corner and a slight, frail figure painfully clambered down.

  “William.”

  Sarah’s father turned at the familiar, deep voice as Rand stepped out from the shadows. Tears started to fill William’s eyes as he opened his arms and drew Rand into an embrace. “My dear boy, I heard the news in town. What a happy day this is for all of us.”

  Rand was shocked when he saw William’s condition, even though Hannah had warned him. William had always been frail, but vibrant in spite of it all. Where was the man he’d idolized all his life? He didn’t recognize him in this stoop-shouldered man with deep lines of pain around his mouth. He felt tears flood his own eyes as he hugged William. The older man’s frailty reminded him of a dying baby bird he’d found once, its bones thin and brittle. “It–it’s good to see you, sir,” he stammered, trying to hide his dismay.

  “You, too, son. You, too.” William drew back and wiped his eyes shakily with his handkerchief. “What’s going on here?”

  “I gather that Ben was trying to force Sarah to go off with him,” Rand said, and then went on to explain Ben’s deception.

  “I can’t believe it,” William said, shaking his head. “I really liked that boy. He seemed so ambitious and honest. I really admired the way he pulled himself up out of his family circumstances. Wade will be very upset.”

  Doc Seth straightened up and stepped over to Rand and William. “He’ll be all right. But he’s sure going to wake up with a sore head tomorrow. I told Labe to take him home and put him to bed, and I’ll look in on him tomorrow.” He thrust out a hand to Rand. “Good to have you home, young Campbell. Amelia told me the news.”

  Rand shook his hand. “Tell her I’ll stop by and see her soon.”

  He broke off, and they all turned as they heard another horse and buggy canter into the yard.

  Wade slid down from his buggy, his jowled face florid with outrage. “What’s going on here?” he demanded. He didn’t bother to help his wife down, but stomped over to where his father stood. His wife had told him of Rand’s return and his bad mood was evident.

  Joel slid down from the buggy eagerly and bounded into Rand’s arms exuberantly. “Rand! Oh, Rand!”

  Rand laughed and hugged him tightly. He loved Sarah’s little brother as much as his own. “How you doing, Half-Pint?”

  “Great. I’ve missed you so much. When can we go fishing?”

  Rand grinned at the familiar question. He’d always felt sorry for the lad. William’s health prevented much of the usual father-son relationship, and Wade was too self-centered to take any of his precious time for such mundane things as fishing. “Soon,” he said.

  He pulled a hand free and thrust it out as Wade stomped up. “Good to see you, Wade.” It wasn’t really, but he could at least make an attempt at civility, he thought.

  Wade ignored the outstretched hand. “I thought we were rid of you for good! I want you off my land, Campbell. Now!”

  Rand lowered his hand and put it back in his pocket. “I was kind of hoping you’d changed, Wade. I should have known better.”

  Wade took a step toward Rand, his face reddening. “You—”

  “That’s enough!” William’s voice boomed out in a sudden surge of strength. “Your treatment of a guest in our home is unacceptable, Wade. And as long as I own this property, no friend will be turned away—least of all Rand. You have no idea of the wrong that’s been done to him over the past few months.”

  Wade glared at his father, his massive hands clenched. “Who cares? I was just glad to be rid of him. I don’t want him showing up now to spoil all our plans.”

  “What you want doesn’t matter to me. And you know as well as I do that Sarah would never marry Ben now, anyway.”

  Wade’s color deepened. “How do you know her feelings haven’t changed? Ben would make a much better husband than Campbell.”

  “It depends on your definition of a good husband. Money isn’t everything. I wouldn’t want my daughter to marry someone who could deceive her the way Ben has.” William directed a slight smile Sarah’s way. “Ask your sister if she would marry him now that Rand is back.”

  Sarah shook her head. “You know I wouldn’t.”

  The muscles in Wade’s face worked as he clenched his jaw. “But what about the land?” He was eager to take possession of the thirty acres of rich soil in the prairie Ben had promised to give him if Sarah agreed to marry him.

  “Is that all you care about? More land, more money?” William shook his head wearily. “I’m telling you right now, if you do anything to hurt Sarah or Rand, you won’t have this land or house.”

  Wade stared at his father. “You’d cut me out of your will?”

  “In a minute. Now get in the house until you can get a civil tongue in your head.”

  Wade glanced angrily at Sarah, then swung his massive head toward Rand before stomping into the house. He let the screen door slam shut behind him. Rachel sighed and followed him.

  “Good for you, Papa.” Sarah slipped her small hand into his.

  “Wade’s had it coming for too long. I should never have let him get away with his arrogance for so long.” William took his hat off and rubbed his forehead wearily. The confrontation had drained him. “Come in out of the rain, Sweetheart. You and Rand can have the parlor. I’m jus
t going to have a bite to eat and go to bed.” He shook Rand’s hand. “Stop by tomorrow, and we’ll talk. I’m just as eager as Joel to hear the full story.” He walked into the house, his shoulders stooped.

  But an order from his father wouldn’t stop Wade for long, Sarah thought as she watched him stumble up the steps and into the house. Why did Wade hate Rand so? She shook her head in puzzlement. Ever since she could remember there had been an unspoken antagonism between the two men. And Rand had tried. But every overture he’d made had been ignored or ridiculed.

  She pushed the disturbing puzzle out of her mind and turned back to Rand. “Rand, can we talk?”

  “There’s nothing to say right now.” His tone was abrupt. “I still don’t know how I feel about you or anything else.” He took off his sopping hat and ran a weary hand through his wet hair. “And Wade has a point. Maybe your feelings have changed.”

  “Campbell!” Ben’s hoarse cry interrupted them.

  Ben raised his head from the back of the buckboard and gave Rand a long look filled with hatred. “This isn’t over, Campbell. You’ll never have her. Never. You just remember that.” His head fell back against the floor of the buckboard as Labe slapped the reins against the horse’s flank, but he watched them until he was out of sight, a burning hatred in his eyes.

  Sarah shivered. “I think he means it,” she said. “Watch your back, Rand.”

  “I can take care of myself.” He saw her shiver again. “You’re soaked to the bone,” he said. “I’ll come back and talk in a few days. You go on in now. Just give me some time.”

  Sarah hesitated, her eyes searching his sober face. Time? How much time? But she left the questions unanswered and walked wearily up the porch steps, her spirits as low as her wet skirt dragging in the mud. She turned to watch Rand and Jacob mount up and ride down the lane and around the curve. Didn’t he realize how much time they’d wasted already?

  She was shaking uncontrollably by the time she dragged herself up the steps and into her room. There had to be a way to get through to him, she thought, as she pulled off her dripping clothes and left them in a puddle in the middle of the floor. Her teeth chattering, she climbed into bed and pulled the down comforter up over her shaking shoulders. There just had to be.

  §

  The next morning Rand woke disoriented. The familiar clanging of trays in the hallway and the squeak of nurses’ shoes hurrying with breakfast trays was missing. Sunshine streamed in the window and illuminated suddenly familiar surroundings. The toy soldiers Grampa had carved for him when he was five were lined up on a battered chest against the wall. His fingers stroked the brightly colored quilt, soft and faded with numerous washings. The rug on the unpainted wooden floor was as threadbare as he remembered it. He glanced at the space next to him. Jacob was nowhere to be seen, but the familiar indentation on the pillow brought a lump to Rand’s throat. How good it was to be home!

  He jumped out of bed, suddenly eager to get downstairs. He wouldn’t worry about anything today, he decided as he splashed cold water on his face. He was just going to enjoy being with his family again after three long years. No uniform either, he thought, opening his closet. He grabbed a pair of overalls and his favorite plaid shirt and pulled them on. The pants hung around his waist, and they were too short, but they would have to do.

  By the time he pulled on socks and boots, the aroma of coffee and bacon filled the air and made his stomach rumble hungrily. The low murmur of voices quickened his steps as he hurried down the stairs.

  His mother spun around as he stepped into the kitchen. “I was just coming to wake you.” Her eyes noticed the bagginess of his pants, and she frowned. “I fixed ham and eggs, grits, flapjacks, and coffee. I’ll have you fattened up in no time.” She stepped into his arms for a quick, reassuring hug.

  Rand grinned as he squeezed her, breathing in the faint fragrance of roses that clung to her. She wouldn’t be Ma without that scent. He remembered gathering wild roses every summer for her to make sachets for her bureau drawers. He dropped his arms as she bustled over to the cookstove and offered him a plate piled high with food. His mouth watered as he took it from her and sat down between Shane and Jacob.

  Hannah came hurrying in as Rand took his first sip of strong, hot coffee. Her face brightened as she saw Rand shoveling another forkful of eggs into his mouth. “Now I am sure it’s really you,” she said as she slipped into the chair opposite him. “The brother I remember was always eating.”

  Rand, a wicked grin on his face, caught Jacob’s eye and gave a meaningful nod. “How come you’re still here, anyway, Sis?” he asked. “I thought you would have been successful in trapping a husband by now.”

  “Come on, Rand, be realistic.” Jacob poked his older brother with an elbow. “Who would have her? She has always been the ugliest Campbell.”

  Rand stared at his sister thoughtfully. “Yeah, I forgot about that big nose of hers. And all that hair.”

  “Not to mention her temper! Her tongue could cut a man to ribbons.” Jacob grinned at the rising color on Hannah’s face.

  Rand knew they’d get a reaction when they hit on her sore spot. She was always moaning about her nose. Personally, Rand didn’t see anything wrong with it, but she seemed to think it didn’t match the pert ones described in her favorite novels.

  She flushed a deep red, then burst into tears.

  “Hey, I’m sorry, Sis.” Rand’s voice was dismayed. He hadn’t expected this much of a reaction. He slid over and put an arm around her. “You know we were only teasing. I’ve always liked your nose.”

  Hannah just cried harder. “It’s not that,” she finally sputtered as Rand handed her his bandanna. She drew a deep breath. “It’s just so wonderful to have you here, to see Jacob smile again, to hear your voice—” She stopped and gulped.

  The dimples deepened in Rand’s cheeks as he stared at his sister. “It sure is good to be home,” he burst out. “To be with you all again just like before this crazy war ever happened. You don’t know how afraid I was to get home. I was so scared when no one answered my letters.”

  Jeremiah and Margaret had been watching the exchange between their children with indulgent smiles, and Margaret’s eyes welled with tears at Rand’s words. She dabbed at her eyes with a lace-edged hanky, too overcome to talk.

  Jeremiah forced back tears in his own eyes, then cleared his throat gruffly. “You’re just in time to help with the farming, too,” he said heartily. “It’s almost more than Shane and I can handle. I’ve tried to talk your brother into staying home, but he won’t listen. Now I’ll have some help come spring.”

  Rand glanced at Jacob apprehensively. Hadn’t Jacob told them of his plans? He and his brother had laid awake for hours talking last night. He’d been hoping that by now Jacob would have broken the news to their father. His brother shook his head slightly.

  Jeremiah saw the wordless exchange. “What is it?” he asked, his eyes traveling from one to the other.

  Rand hated to disappoint his pa. “I–I won’t be able to stay long, Pa,” he stammered. “I’m in the Third Cavalry. I can stay for about a week, but then I have to report for duty.” He winced at the stricken look in his mother’s eyes. “I’ve been garrisoned at Fort Laramie.”

  “Not you, too!” Hannah stood twisting her hands in her apron. “The Indians have been rampaging for months out there. Isn’t it bad enough we’re losing Jacob?”

  “That’s why so many of us are being sent out there. And I’ve found out in the past couple of years how much I enjoy the cavalry. I’ve always wanted to see the frontier. Maybe I can find my own spread while I serve my country a few more years. Besides, it’s what I want—I volunteered.”

  “You can’t!” Jeremiah rose to his feet. “Why do you think I’ve worked so hard on this farm? Always expanding, always looking for ways to make more money?” He put an arm around his wife. “It’s been for you! For you and your brothers. I agreed to let Jacob go against my better judgment, but you’ve always
been the one who had a feel for the land. I forbid you to go!”

  Rand saw his mother flinch as the words echoed in the warm kitchen. His face hard and unyielding, he stood and faced his father. “You forbid? You forget I’m a grown man, Pa.”

  Margaret laid a gentle hand on her son’s arm. “Your pa is just concerned, Rand. Can’t you think about staying home now and letting us all begin to heal? You can raise horses right here on land that’s been in the Campbell family for twenty-five years instead of fighting Indians to gain a small piece of land in some God-forsaken wilderness. You haven’t been with us for three years.”

  His mother had always been able to change his mind in the past, and he fought against the soft persuasion in her voice. “I can’t, Ma.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’ve fought worse than Indians in the last three years. And I know what it’s like to be hungry and alone. It’s something I have to do. Maybe it’s just because I need to prove something to myself, to build my own dreams with my own sweat, but I have to go.”

  Jeremiah took a long look at his son’s granite face, then wheeled and stomped from the room. Margaret opened her mouth to try again, but one look at the firm set to Rand’s mouth changed her mind. Her eyes filling with tears, she hurried from the kitchen.

  Always the peacemaker, Hannah cleared her throat and laughed self-consciously. “Land sakes, who could forget the way you’ve always had with horses and cattle. When Ma was carryin’ Jacob, she asked you if you wanted a baby brother or sister. You looked up with those brown eyes of yours all serious and said, ‘If it’s all the same to you, Ma, I’d just as soon have a horse.’ ”

  Laughter diffused the tension as they heard the familiar story. Jacob punched Rand in the arm. “Yeah, and you’ve been treating me like a beast of burden ever since!”