Belle screamed, scrambling backward, but her britches caught on something, holding her firm. Inside the wardrobe, the snake had the advantage of being a foot off the ground. Its head moved slowly back and forth, as if gauging where to strike.
With another scream, she pushed back with all her force. Her pants ripped. She clambered backward like a crab escaping a seagull. She had to get away before the serpent sank his fangs deep into her throat.
The door flew open, and Mavis rushed in.
“Stay back!” Belle shouted. Her face, drenched in sweat, felt hot and prickly. Her gaze darted around. A snake of that size had to be quick as lightning. “Get out! Get out! There’s a rattler in the wardrobe!”
Sherriff Dawson appeared in the doorway, flanked by Santiago. Both men had their weapons drawn, and their hard eyes said they were ready to kill anyone trying to hurt a Brinkman.
She pointed. “Rattlesnake!”
That was apparent by the racket. She was shaking so hard her teeth clattered almost as loudly as the serpent’s tail. Santiago came to her side at the same time Clint leveled his gun.
Bam! Bam!
Acrid smoke burned and soured the back of Belle’s throat.
Silence.
She collapsed into Santiago’s arms, violently shaking. Mavis rushed forward to take her from Santiago. Katie, along with Lavinia and Emma, watched white-faced from the hallway, the tray of sweets in their hands forgotten.
Sheriff Dawson holstered his gun and closed the distance to Mavis and her. His gaze cut to Santiago, then back at them.
“H-how did that th-thing get in here?” Belle whispered, amazed that she was even able to speak at all. If not for Mavis’s support, she would crumple to the floor.
“That’s a good question, Sheriff.” Karen came through the door. “We’ve never had a snake in any of our rooms before, let alone in a wardrobe.” She glanced to the window, which was open a few inches. “Can they climb up the side of a building?”
The boy delivering the bathing screen glanced inside the wardrobe.
Clint nudged his shoulder. “Get that snake out of here.”
Belle blinked and wanted to look away but was mesmerized. At least four feet long, the menacing creature hung limp in the boy’s hands.
“Can they, Sheriff? Can a snake climb a wall?” Belle squeaked out. “Can it slither up siding and come in our window?”
“No,” he replied flatly. “I’ve never heard of that. A tree, yes, the side of a building, no.”
Mavis’s eyes narrowed. “Then how? How did a rattlesnake get into our room?”
Sheriff Dawson rubbed his chin. “When was the last time you were in your room?” He looked between the two sisters.
“Belle’s been out at the ranch, so I’ve been the only occupant. I left at eight o’clock this morning and have been in Katie’s room since.”
A shocking thought reverberated through Belle. “The doors of the wardrobe were closed, Sheriff! I expressly remember pulling them open. Could this have been deliberate? But who would want to hurt us?”
CHAPTER FORTY
Unable to concentrate on his work, Blake left the remainder of the branding and castration to the men while he made a quick ride into Eden. He should have driven the women himself. They’d been on his mind since they’d left with Moses an hour before, and because of it, he’d burned his hand on the branding iron—not once, but twice. A fumble only a novice would make. Praig Horn was still unaccounted for. He’d been stupid to take such a chance. John’s daughters were his most pressing responsibility.
Rounding the corner into town, he slowed Banjo. The normal fifteen-minute ride on a galloping horse had taken him ten. His horse was breathing hard. A crowd was gathered outside the hotel doors, mulling around. Why? Henry dashed across the street, followed by one of the boys who worked in the hotel. Fear ricocheted up Blake’s back. Just as he reined up and was about to swing his leg over the saddle, a long object flew out of Belle’s second-floor window and landed square on Banjo’s rump. His gelding snorted and bucked, and the object fell to the ground. Blake looked down.
Rattlesnake! What the hell? And not just any rattlesnake, but a large, black mountain diamondback—the kind that would give anyone nightmares. Its head was blown off, but the impressive row of buttons was still there for anyone’s taking.
Dismounting, he tossed his reins over the hitching rail and pushed his way through the curious onlookers.
“Did you hear that scream?” one woman whispered to another.
“We’d know by now if she was bitten.”
“I heard the rattler got all five.”
Hell!
Alarmed, Blake took the stairs three at a time. The hall was packed with people. He shouldered his way into the room to see the sisters huddled together. Clint, Santiago, and Henry stood close by.
Belle’s eyes widened when she caught sight of him, but she remained silent. Her face—the same one that had been suntanned and healthy-looking an hour ago—appeared as white as a sheet.
He stayed his impulse to rush to her side and instead went to Clint’s group, glancing at Henry and Santiago. “What happened?”
Henry was shaking his head in disbelief.
“Well?” Blake barked impatiently. “Fill me in. A moment ago, a dead diamondback landed on my horse.”
“The snake was in with Belle’s clothes,” Clint said, pointing to the tall wardrobe.
Again, Blake glanced at Belle. She could have been dying right now. The slow, painful death wasn’t pretty. Ten years ago a ranch hand had succumbed to a deadly bite. Blake hadn’t forgotten the ugly purple-black of the man’s swollen arm. “The hell you say!” He swallowed down his fear. She was standing right there, but still he felt compelled to add, “She all right?”
“Sí, amigo.” Santiago’s squinty gaze moved slowly around the room.
Henry shook his head. “She’s shaken up pretty bad. All of them are. And I don’t blame them.” His gaze caught Blake’s and then Clint’s. “We need to talk. Right now, in my office.”
Henry was right. “And the girls?”
“Them too.”
Santiago took a large step back. His gaze lingered on Henry, Clint, and finally got to Blake. “I will keep watch around town and let you know if I see anything suspicious.” With a half turn, he came face-to-face with Katie and the rest of the girls. Blake didn’t quite know what to make of the tender understanding that darkened his eyes.
“Katie?” The one word was a question and an answer.
She dropped her eyes and blushed.
He put out his hand to Belle. “You had a close call, senorita, but it will take more than one little rattlesnake to frighten John Brinkman’s daughter.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd of curious townsfolk still lingering inside.
Upstairs in his office, Henry held the door for the others. Blake came through the threshold first, followed by the girls. Clint brought up the rear. They stood around in silence.
Henry cleared his throat. “I’m worried. That snake had to be planted.” Henry took in the girl’s reactions. A little color had come back to Belle’s face. For the past five days, they’d been worried about Katie. And now someone had decided to scare Belle. Who would be next?
“You think we’re a target?” Belle asked. “With a snake? That doesn’t make sense. I thought people were waiting on our return to Eden.”
Henry paced the room, feeling as if a giant had his foot planted on his chest. “That rattlesnake didn’t get into your wardrobe by accident, Belle. I should have anticipated this problem. Advised John differently. If the worst happens, the blame rests wholly at my feet. Most people are happy you’ve returned, I promise you that. But I think there’s someone out there who, for some reason, is plotting against you.”
Blake stepped forward. “You’ve been distracted of late, Henry. Is this what’s been troubling you? Worry over the will?”
“No, not this.” Or
could this be related? Are Elizabeth and Johnny involved? He didn’t like to think it.
“You think someone wants the ranch,” Blake said, low, deadly. “For their gain.”
Belle’s eyes brightened, and she sucked in a breath. “Yes! That’s it. If they frighten us enough, they think we’ll take the payout and go home.” She frowned. “That would leave Blake the sole owner.”
Henry’s jaw clenched and released several times. “The will contained a stipulation for that situation. If Blake were to die without an heir, the ranch would be auctioned off—and the proceeds would go to the town.”
Blake and Belle stared across the room as if they were seeing each other for the first time. Since they’d returned from the ranch, Henry didn’t miss the way Blake’s gaze kept tracking back to her. Feelings had grown. Belle was the exact opposite of Ann, Blake’s first wife, who’d been shy, solicitous. The two women couldn’t have been more different if they’d tried, and yet it was plain Blake had fallen in love with Belle. Henry wondered if his friend even realized it yet.
“Any outfit would be tempted by the Five Sisters,” Clint said, rubbing his chin. “Create a misfortune where Blake is accidentally killed and you’d have a shot at it.”
It was all coming to light, Henry thought. John would never have assumed this could happen. “Five heirs would be too difficult to plot untimely deaths for, but without you girls here, there’d only be one target. Somebody either wants a crack at owning the Five Sisters, or they’re interested in the payout Eden would receive after the ranch was sold.”
“What about the gunshots when we first arrived?” Belle glanced at Katie and then the others. “Two different times they came too close for comfort. Could they have been intentional too? To frighten us away? And the kidnapping?” She gasped and went to Katie’s side. “Maybe they’d have been content taking any of us, not just Katie.”
Henry couldn’t believe this was happening. “Makes sense to me.”
He’d never seen Blake’s face so set, so angry.
Clint nodded, his expression dark. “I’ll ride up to Dove Creek tomorrow. Get answers from the prisoners one way or the other. If they were paid by someone, I’ll find out.”
“And the bloody hatchet that was left sunk deep in the porch post out at the homestead?” Emma’s hands were shaking. “Do you think that’s connected?”
“No doubt.” Blake fisted and relaxed his hands. “And now the rattlesnake. Somebody wants you out of town. My fear is, he may be getting frustrated.”
The Brinkmans’ expressions made Henry think they wouldn’t be sticking around Eden too much longer. They had their lives to worry about. But where does that leave Blake? A prime target?
Belle went to the window, glanced out, then turned to face them. “Nobody is scaring me out of Eden. Not today, not ever. I make my own decisions for when I stay and when I go.” The firm set to her mouth reminded Henry of John. “Katie, I think you’re the one with the most difficult decision. You know we love you and will stand with you.” Her gaze went to Blake’s as if to say she stood behind him as well. “What do you say? Are we going to cower in fear? Run away?”
“Whoever’s behind this may become more aggressive,” Blake responded, his gaze riveted on Belle. “Things could get worse. There’s no telling how far he’ll take things.”
Henry was glad Blake was warning them of the growing danger. Until they knew what they were dealing with, everyone had to be careful. “We don’t know that the culprit is a man. Could be anyone.”
Even a mother with a small son?
“I wonder how they discovered the terms of the will,” Clint said.
Blake nodded at Henry. “Where’s the document been besides here in your safe?”
“Only out at the ranch.” Henry didn’t like what that implied.
Blake’s expression darkened. “Could someone have read it?”
Henry shrugged. “Anything’s possible.”
“Praig Horn?” Belle asked.
Clint and Blake exchanged a long look.
“Could be,” Blake said. “He was around the month John was dying. Most of the men stuck close to the ranch. But we have to keep an open mind. As much as I hate the idea, could be any of the men.”
“Maybe Trevor?” Clint said quietly. “Even if you don’t like to think it. Or it could be a person totally unrelated.”
Blake nodded. “Or an individual from a ranch we’ve had trouble with. The Diamond J?”
Henry sat in his chair, drilling his fingers on the desktop. As much as he’d like to tell them about Elizabeth, he couldn’t. They’d spoken in confidence. But if anything happened to one of John’s daughters or Blake and they later found out Elizabeth was working with an accomplice, he’d never forgive himself. He vowed to press her harder the next time they talked. He had no other options.
“Trouble with a ranch?” Emma breathed. “What kind of trouble?”
Blake rolled his shoulders. “Where to begin? Over the years we’ve had run-ins a time or two. A couple years back, a disagreement over water rights. And last year, we had rustlers. Turned out to be a rancher losing his place to the bank and looking for any way to hang on. Being the largest puts a target on our back.”
Lavinia went over to Katie, who was staring at her hands in her lap. She touched her sister’s shoulder. “Our decision really depends on how you feel about staying, Katie.”
Katie finally looked up. “Blake saved my life. We can’t abandon him now.” She looked at the people in the room. “We’re Brinkmans,” she said in a strong voice—the first time she had used it since her nightmare ordeal. “We need to show our backbone, stay, discover what’s going on. For Father, if for nothing else.” She tipped her head thoughtfully. “But if we just make our intentions of staying known, won’t the person give up? We’ll beat him.”
Clint shook his head. “If only it were that simple. Any man depraved enough to go to all this trouble is determined. We need to find him—or her—before they succeed in another plot and one of you is killed.”
Henry watched Belle and Mavis close in around their younger sisters. Katie had been through the most trying experience, and if she was still willing to stay in Eden, the rest would follow. Henry prayed John’s will hadn’t condemned one of his daughters to die. Or Blake. A day ago, the sisters’ staying would have been the best news in the world. Now, he wasn’t sure at all.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The next day, after a stern lecture from Mavis that they’d all be fine in town without her, Belle sat atop a bluff at the ranch looking out over an empty prairie. Katie was doing surprisingly well, proving to be a stalwart example for Emma and Lavinia. Mavis was holding the three together.
We’ll get through this one day at a time.
No cattle. All were in corrals at the ranch. She’d grown used to seeing the muscular steers grazing in large herds. The valley before her felt lonely, and the air seemed to stand still. She’d needed a break from the sorting, dust, and flies, so she’d ridden out a short way to see if she could spot any strays. Today was her birthday. She missed her father with a heavy heart.
How much different this day could have been if he’d survived.
She turned at the sound of a long whistle.
Blake.
Loping to her side, he reined in with ease, his movements again reminding her of a dancer. The hair around his collar was tousled from his gallop out. Wide shoulders leaned her way as he searched her face. His handsome good looks made her feel worse.
“You doin’ okay?” He pushed up the brim of his hat. “Saw you ride out on your own. You know that makes me uneasy.”
She was surprised at his tone—neither scolding nor annoyed.
“Just needed a little open space,” she said without taking her gaze away from the view in front of her.
“A phrase your father said often. I’d find him out here in this exact spot just memorizing the horizon. I’m not surprised to find you here now.”
Cutting her gaze to him, she was unable to stop two fat tears from spilling from her eyes. She could talk herself blue in the face, but that wouldn’t change the way Blake’s voice melted any of her resolve.
He leaned forward and gently brushed them away with his thumb.
“Father was so right; this ranch is in my blood. What am I going to do when the six months is over and I’m supposed to return to Philadelphia? I’m so confused.”
He didn’t respond, just sat at her side giving her the support she needed.
“Blake?”
“You’ll have to decide that on your own.”
Several moments passed. It was as if he were deliberately giving her time to think.
He reached over and touched her hand resting on her saddle horn. “Why so sad today?”
She gave a small shrug. “Don’t know. Well, maybe I know. It’s my birthday, and I’m feeling a little sorry for myself.”
His brow arched. “Is that so?” He went for his inside pocket, making enough noise to make her smile. He pulled out an envelope. “Happy birthday.”
She studied what looked to be a letter in his hand. “You knew?”
He nodded. “Henry gave it to me. It’s from your father. He wrote one out for each of you while he still had the strength.”
She couldn’t speak for the knot lodged in her throat. Finally, she took the white envelope from his hand. “I-I don’t know if I can.”
A small smile played at the corner of his lips. “You can. I’ll ride over there a ways and give you some privacy. Go on, Belle. He’s waiting to speak with you.”
Belle took great care opening the precious gift. Her pounding heart made her head feel dizzy. Taking the sheets from the envelope, she was careful not to let any get away in the breeze that had begun to stir the grass. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, noting the stains on the paper.
My Dearest Belle,
Heart of Eden Page 23