She ran into her office. First she would get the gold out of the safe and as much money as she could carry, then she would save her jewels.
Faintly, she heard Wannie crying and afraid. Jake Dallinger’s child. Gray Dove didn’t want her; she never had. She realized that now as she ignored the cries and ran to her safe. All the child had meant to her was that someday Gray Dove might use her to get her true love back. Besides, the brat liked the governess best. Well, let them both find their way out the best way they could!
Gray Dove knelt by the safe and began to work the combination. She would sweep all the gold and silver into her skirt and carry it that way, then go save her jewels. There wasn’t a moment to lose—the building burned fiercely, the flames lighting up the dark office. She felt the heat around her and hesitated, tempted to get up and run for the back stairs. Her money. She couldn’t leave it behind. She still had a couple of minutes to save her treasure if she hurried.
The child sobbed faintly but Gray Dove didn’t even look up as she swung the heavy door open. The flames behind her reflected off the gold and silver coins stacked in neat piles inside, the beaded bags behind that. Gold and silver—a lot of it! Enough to give her a fresh start someplace. Maybe San Francisco.
Gray Dove raked some of the treasure off into her skirt. Beneath her, the floor trembled and she realized the hungry flames were gradually devouring the framework that held up the second story. The safe shook slightly.
Cautiously, she looked around. She had a skirt full of money; she ought to make a run for it. But there was still so much more in the safe. Her treasure. Hers! She had worked and cheated and schemed to get it; she wasn’t going to leave any of it behind! The fire seemed all around her now, the heat unbearable on her dark skin.
A spark fell on her sleeve and she slapped it out with a shudder. When she was just a girl, she and her mother had been captured by aPawnee war party. Gray Dove had bought her own life by helping the braves torture her mother to death by fire. Then she charmed the warriors with her body until she managed to kill one and escape as he raped her.
Fire. The old memories came back and with it, the horror of burning flesh. No, she didn’t want to burn to death, there couldn’t be a worse way to die. The building shuddered a little as the floor slumped. She saw the black safe tremble uncertainly and she tried to jump backward, out of its way, but the skirt full of glittering treasure slowed her, and she stumbled as she tried to jump clear.
Almost in slow motion, she fell back as the big safe toppled forward and gold and silver coins went everywhere, ringing as they hit the floor and rolled. The heavy safe crashed forward even as she tripped in trying to get out of the way. Gray Dove screamed with pain as the iron safe crushed down on her ankle.
For a moment, she was in such pain, she thought she would pass out. Her leg! She was caught like a rabbit in a trap. Even though it was agony to pull at her leg, she did it, knowing she had to escape or die. There wasn’t a moment to lose. Any minute now, the second floor would crash down through the ceiling, taking her and the safe straight down into a fiery hell.
She would not die the way her mother had died! Gray Dove was a survivor. She would crawl out from under this thing and make it down the back stairs. Frantically, she struggled. Forgotten now, gold coins rolled away from her skirt and clattered as they spun on the floor. With desperate hands, she beat and pushed at the great iron safe, struggling to lift it from her leg.
She felt the heat of the flames moving closer. She would not die by inches like some primitive Indian torture. She would not die like her mother! A knife! If she could reach a knife or a piece of broken glass or anything sharp, she would cut her leg off and crawl down the back stairs. Gray Dove twisted and pulled to reach anything she might be able to use, but the only thing within reach was money—lots and lots of gold dust and piles of coins.
Useless. So useless. She would trade them all right now for a ragged piece of metal or a man brave enough to come into the office and lift the safe from her leg. But as she had been that long-ago day among the Pawnees, everyone was intent on saving his own life. No one came down the hall to answer her shout for help.
She began to scream in sheer terror, but the roar of the flames drowned out her voice. She saw her mother’s agonized face before her now, resigned, calm. Gray Dove was going to die as her mother had died after all—except she would be surrounded by her treasure, trapped by that she valued most. She threw back her head and laughed, feeling the scarlet flames already singeing her hair.
Chapter Twenty-One
Silver ran through the cold November night toward the faint glow of the fire ahead. Could it be the Palace? As the only frame building left in the area, it had to be!
She rounded the corner and sighed as she saw the raging flames. The Palace! It was the Palace! An unruly crowd stood out front, watching the building burn.
Gasping for air, Silver pushed her way through the mob to the front. The Duchess! Has anyone seen the Duchess? Did she get the child out?”
The men looked at her, shame and drunken bewilderment on their unshaven faces. Obviously no one had thought about the little girl. Silver paused uncertainly, the heat from the inferno hot against her face. There were hundreds of people in the street watching the fire, dance hall girls mixed with loafers and prospectors. The Duchess could be somewhere in the crowd, but Silver didn’t see the child anywhere. I’m going in!”
One of the men caught her arm. You can’t go in there, lady, that place is a tinderbox! Anytime now, the whole thing will collapse!”
That was true. Even as Silver stared up at the roaring flames, she knew that in only a few more minutes, the structure would be totally consumed. But Wannie might still be in her little bed asleep and no one else appeared ready to save her.
Silver pulled out of his grasp and ran toward the front entrance.
Stop her! Stop that crazy girl! She’ll burn to death!” But Silver was too quick for them. Skillfully, she eluded hands reaching out to stop her and dashed through the doors of the Palace.
So this was what hell was like, she thought as the heat seemed to reach out for her, with all its bright orange and red and yellow. The smoke grew so thick it choked her and brought tears to her eyes. She couldn’t see—how could she find her way?
The stairs. She could make out the fancy stairway in the glow of the flames. Silver ran up the stairs, although most of them were already on fire, the steps hot under her small feet. Wannie? Wannie? Are you up here?”
For a moment as she paused in the hallway and looked below, she thought only of herself and what a terrifying way it would be to die, the second story collapsing down into that roaring inferno. She almost turned and ran back down the stairs, wanting to save herself. Then she heard the Duchess scream for help. Silver stumbled into the office and saw the woman pinned beneath the safe.
Save me! Save me! I’ll give you anything! Anything you want!”
Silver ran to her, choking and coughing on the sooty smoke. One look told her the story—the money and the gold were scattered around. The Duchess had tried to save her wealth and the safe had fallen, trapping her.
Hold on! I’ll move it!” Silver put her shoulder against the safe and tried. She would only have to lift it a few inches to free the Duchess’s foot. She strained and pushed while the woman screamed. No use. In her zeal to protect her fortune, the Duchess had bought only the very heaviest safe. The thing must weight a half a ton or more.
Silver looked around for a board or anything she might use as a level. If she could just move it a couple of inches ...
She found a board and put it under the edge. I’ll move it!” she puffed. I’ll move it now!”
The weight of the safe made a liar of her. She strained with everything in her to move the safe those precious, life-giving inches. Perspiration beaded on her face and her arms ached as she struggled. Nothing happened. Around her, the flames leaped higher. I’ve got to get help!” she shouted. I’ll get men to come
up and lift it!”
Anything! I’ll pay anything!” the woman screamed.
Wannie!” Silver shouted at her. Where’s Wannie?”
Forget her! Save me!”
The little girl must be still up here somewhere. The Duchess had elected to try to save her money first.
Then Silver heard the weeping of the frightened little girl over the roar of the flames. Silvery! Silvery! Where are you! I’m afraid!”
Silver stumbled toward the sound, through the office door into the Duchess’s bedroom. She would carry the child out and get some big men to come back in and lift the safe off the Duchess’s leg. Wannie, where are you? I’m coming for you!”
She found her in the Duchess’s bedroom, huddled down by a chair. What was she doing in here? Oh, baby, I was so worried about you!”
Silvery! I knew you’d come!” Wannie threw her arms around Silver’s neck and Silver hugged her.
There, there, honey, we’ll get down the back stairs. It’s going to be all right, you’ll see!”
The flames lit up the jewelry box on the bureau, the light sparkling on the gems scattered in the open box. A fortune in gold and jewels, Silver thought. Her own gold nugget bracelet was in that box. But she couldn’t carry both the jewels and the child, and the child mattered most of all to her.
Here, honey, hang on to me, we’ve got to get out of here!” She struggled to lift the little girl, still clad in her long nightgown. Silver didn’t remember her being so heavy. Carrying Waanibe was slowing her down and the flames seemed to be all around them now. She could save herself if she dropped the child and ran for the back stairs.
The thought crossed her mind as she stumbled down the dark hall. Silver didn’t want to die, but she wouldn’t abandon the child who wrapped chubby arms around her neck and hid her tearstained face against Silver’s neck. I’m scared, Silvery! I’m scared!”
It’s okay, baby,” Silver soothed her. We’ll do just fine! Pretend it’s a game like dress-up or princess—” She couldn’t say anymore; she was gasping for air in the smoky heat that seemed to singe her hair and clothes as she stumbled down the hall toward the back stairs. It seemed like a million miles, and she began to wonder if there was any chance she would make it. Both of them were choking on the smoke now. It seemed far... too far ...
Silver was so very, very tired. It would be easier just to give up and sit down in the hall and close her eyes. If she could just rest a moment or two, then she could go on. But to stop was to die, she knew that. Clutching the little girl to her, Silver forced herself to put one foot ahead of the other as she felt her way blindly down the hall. She had to save this child and get some help for the Duchess. That alone kept her staggering blindly through the thick smoke toward the back stairs.
Finally, she stood at the top of the stairs, the child trembling in her arms. Wannie, baby, we’re almost there. We’ll make it now.”
She wasn’t at all sure about that, but she had to keep saying it over and over to force her legs to work. The very steps were on fire as she started down them, the heat on the soles of her shoes almost unbearable.
Shoes. She had left behind her beloved silver shoes that Cherokee had given her. No matter. What were things like shoes and jewelry worth compared to lives?
The trip along those stairs seemed almost like a descent into hell, the flames of the walls licking out at her as she staggered down them. Finally, she was out into the night. She and Waanibe took deep gulps of the crisp, life-giving air as she half carried, half dragged the little girl away from the building.
Silver turned to look back. The whole saloon was ablaze now. The Duchess. She had to get help for the Duchess.
She saw the man she recognized as a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News, Todd Shaw. What’s happened? I just got here!”
Silver pointed without turning loose of Waanibe. The Duchess is still in there. Up in her office! Get some men! She’s trapped!”
I’ll go!”
But she caught his arm. No, you can’t move the safe alone. It’s too heavy! Get some men!”
He ran off into the crowd to find help. Silver held the child close, realizing Waanibe hadn’t asked about her mother once. She would take Wannie back to the hotel and Cherokee. It occurred to her that he wasn’t there. Where was Cherokee now when she needed him so badly?
Keso. Keso would know where he was. Uncertainly, Silver turned toward the roaring blaze. Maybe she should try to go back in and see what she could do to help the Duchess although Silver was powerless to move the giant safe. Todd Shaw would get volunteers. But it would take a dozen powerful men to move it enough to get it off the woman’s ankle. Then even as she watched, the second story collapsed with a roar and a shower of sparks flew up into the blackness of the night.
Oh my God!” Silver gasped, hugging the child close and staring with horror at the pile of blazing rubble. Too late. It was too late. What to do now?
Cherokee. She had never needed him more than she needed the warm comfort of his arms right now.
Waanibe twisted her little face around to smile at Silver. I got a treasure for you.”
Not now, baby, we’ll play later.” Silver never put her down as she started toward the stable. She wouldn’t tell Waanibe about her mother yet. Silver wasn’t quite sure what to do, but she didn’t want to lose the child. Probably some of the do-gooders of the town would try to separate them, and put Waanibe in an orphanage. Cherokee would know what to do.
It seemed like a long way to the stable, carrying the child through the crowds who were all running to see the fire. Even Keso had come out of the stable and stood in the middle of the street, his dark eyes wide. Miss, what’s happened? Is the Palace on fire?”
The Palace is gone,” she sighed wearily, standing the little girl on her feet beside her. Never mind all that now. Where’s Cherokee? He’s not in his room.”
Keso looked at her along moment. He’s gone.”
Silver blinked in surprise. Gone? How could he be gone? What—”
He’s gone to stop Jake Dallinger from reaching the soldiers. I don’t think he’s coming back.”
A thousand questions came to her mind, but she grabbed the boy’s thin shoulder. How can he be gone? Who led him? If he can’t see, how could—”
But he can see,” Keso said. I wasn’t supposed to tell you, but what difference does it make now?”
Her hands flew to her scarred face. She didn’t understand any of it. Cherokee could see? She was glad for him—so glad! But that meant he would know she was ugly. She yearned for his love, but she couldn’t abide his pity. She turned away. What would she do now?
Behind her, the boy said, You ain’t going after him?”
She shrugged. I’m glad for him, but he won’t need me anymore if he can see. He’ll find another girl somewhere—a pretty girl.”
Then it’s just like he said! I’m glad you’re leaving!” the boy shouted. You ain’t worth it, you know that? You don’t deserve to have him! You know why he ain’t coming back? He said you would leave him when you knew. That was why he’s been pretending to be blind the last couple of days. He didn’t want to lose you, but you ain’t worthy of him and I hope you never get him back!”
Whirling, she faced the furious child and realized suddenly how much he was suffering because Cherokee had gone. She knelt and grabbed the boy’s thin shoulders. Tell me again where he’s gone, Keso. Tell me or I’ll shake your teeth out!”
He’s gone to stop that Dallinger fella! If that one don’t scout for the soldiers, they might not find the Cheyenne camp, or at least, not for a couple of extra days. He’s gone to stop the scout and then he’s riding on out. You know what he said?” The boy was screaming at her now. He said you were too vain and self-pitying to know love when you saw it. He loves you, miss, and all you can think about is your face!”
She stood up slowly. Always, her mother had told her she was worthless without her beauty and yet tonight she knew she wasn’t. She had saved a child’
s life and a man loved her, no matter how scarred she was. Silver turned and looked toward the east. Somewhere out there, Cherokee and the man she feared might already be in a life-and-death battle.
Suppose Cherokee lost? She shuddered at the thought. In that case, Silver might be riding right into Dallinger’s clutches and she was so afraid of him. That didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she be at Cherokee’s side, whatever happened—if he still wanted her.
Keso, saddle me the Duchess’s horse and be quick about it!”
His dark eyes lit up with a grin. Yes ma’am!”
She took Waanibe’s hand and went into the barn as the Indian boy ran to do her bidding. Silver wasn’t quite sure what she was going to do, but one thing was certain: if she could overtake Cherokee, she would make sure that he knew she did love him and the rest was up to him.
Waanibe clung to her hand in the darkness of the barn. I got a treasure to put in your pocket, Silvery.”
Sure, dear, sure.” She patted the dark head with her free hand absently. Later she would tell Waanibe about her mother and play games with her, but now she had no time for all that.
Keso led the saddled horse out. Here you are, miss. If you find him, are you coming back?”
Whatever he wants to do, I’ll do.” She paused, trying to decide what to do about Waanibe. What if she left her here and someone took charge of her and turned her over to an orphanage? She might leave her with Keso, but he was just a boy himself. He couldn’t stop grown-ups if they decided to take custody of the Duchess’s child.
She grabbed Waanibe’s waist and lifted her up on the horse, thinking how tall and heavy the child was becoming. Then she swung up on the horse herself, awkward in the billowing skirt. Which way did he go?”
Keso pointed. Out the Cherry Creek Road. This is a thoroughbred, miss, faster than any horse in town. If you ride like the wind, you might catch him. And when you do . . .”
Yes?” She looked down on him, feeling Wannie’s two little arms about her waist.
Quicksilver Passion Page 33