Those terms agreed with the old man. “I’ll lead you to the cabin.”
“Do they know you are in this canyon?” Harper asked.
“No. They’ve never seen me. But they are not at their cabin.”
“What do you mean?” Dutch said.
“They rode out this morning, but they are coming back.”
“How do you know?” Harper asked.
“They left their supplies and two pack horses,” the old Sioux said.
“Show us the way,” Dutch said.
Dutch whistled for Deke and Corbin to follow them as the old man led them halfway around the canyon on foot. Dutch had to hand it to the old man; he was as surefooted as a mule, and he knew how to fade into the rock. Dutch thought the old Sioux was more like a ghost than man. He wondered how Frank ever saw him in the first place. The tiny shack where Culpepper and Taggart were hiding out was well concealed by the inhospitable landscape. Dutch didn’t think they would have ever found the place without the old Indian’s help.
Harper walked to the back of the shack and found the horses. Deke took a position in the rocks above the cabin to watch the entryway to the canyon. If the killers returned while they were searching the shack, Deke could signal from his location. Dutch, Corbin, and the old man walked inside. Just as Indian Pete said, Culpepper and Taggart had left a lot of supplies behind.
“Wonder where they went?” Corbin asked.
“They’ve left before, but they come back the next day,” Indian Pete said.
“If we take their supplies, do you think they will find you?” Dutch asked the old man.
“They will never find me.” The old Sioux had hidden out in these rocks too many years to be careless.
Harper stuck his head inside the door. “Dutch, come to the back of the cabin. I think I found what you are looking for.”
Reaching the back of the cabin, Harper led them to a rocky ledge where someone had gone to some trouble to cover the opening beneath the ledge with some brush. Harper had shoved the dead brush aside, and Dutch kneeled down on one knee and looked under the ledge. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Saddlebags, guns, rifles, everything Culpepper and Taggart had stolen from them that night in the shack outside of Whispering Pines was under the ledge. He looked up at Harper and shook his head. “How’d you see this?”
Harper grinned. “It was the dead brush stuffed into the opening. It didn’t look natural.”
“This is everything they stole from us that night.” Dutch started pulling out their belongings. When he realized the saddlebags were full, he tore into one. “Well, I’ll be. I ain’t never been this lucky in my entire worthless life. I thought Frank Langtry had all of the luck, not me. No, sir, not me.” He pulled a fistful of money from the saddlebag. “As Frank always said, I think Providence just smiled on me.”
“Don’t count it now. Let’s take everything and get the heck out of here,” Harper said.
“You’re right. We need to walk out of here fast.” The men threw the saddlebags on their shoulders while Indian Pete loaded the supplies from the cabin in a knapsack.
On the way to their cabin, the old man turned to take a different trail, and Dutch said, “You sure they don’t know the location of your cabin?”
“They will not find me,” Pete replied.
“We’re going to ride out of here. We’ll leave our supplies in the cabin; they are yours for your help. I have a few more bottles of whiskey, too.” Dutch wanted to be long gone before Culpepper and Taggart came back.
The old man nodded and disappeared into the brush.
The men wasted no time saddling their horses as soon as they got back to their cabin. “When we get out of this canyon, we’ll ride until we find a safe place for the night, and we’ll split the money then,” Dutch said.
They rode out of Purgatory as if Satan were nipping at their heels. They didn’t slow until they’d ridden for two hours, and only stopped so the horses could rest. They continued on at a more casual pace, pausing every hour to give the horses a breather, until it was too dark to go on. They’d ridden north thinking that would be the only direction they might not run into Culpepper and Taggart.
Harper dismounted and looked back over the land they’d just covered. “I swear I think someone is dogging us.”
Dutch turned to look. “I didn’t see anything amiss.” Harper shrugged. “Maybe too many years of watching my back.” He tossed his saddlebags on the ground, then lifted his stirrup to loosen his girth, but hesitated. The hairs on his neck told him he wasn’t imagining things. He dropped the stirrup back down. “I think I’ll just go have a look before we settle in for the night.”
“We’ll wait before we start a fire,” Dutch said.
“Just to be on the safe side, ride west for a spell. I’ll catch up to you,” Harper said.
“Sounds good.”
* * *
Dutch, Deke, and Corbin rode west for two hours before they stopped to wait for Harper to show. They were freezing, but they didn’t want to start a fire and give away their location. Dutch knew Harper would find them. Finally they heard a horse coming through the trees, but in case it wasn’t Harper, they hid behind some boulders with guns at the ready.
“It’s me, boys,” Harper said.
Dutch walked from the brush. “What’d you find?”
“We’re being followed, but it’s not Culpepper and Taggart. Two lawmen, and one I recognize from Denver. Sheriff Trent.”
“That probably means U. S. Marshal Holt is riding with him,” Deke said.
“They could be looking for Culpepper and Taggart,” Corbin said.
“Yeah, but they could be looking for us, too,” Dutch said. “How long you reckon we have before they catch up to us?”
“They stopped and built a fire. But that could mean they were trying to throw us off, or they decided to get after us again at first light.” Harper had a bad feeling that these two lawmen were not planning on resting long.
“What’s your best guess, Harper?” If there ever was a man Dutch respected more than Harper for his trail savvy, he hadn’t met him yet.
Harper rubbed his whiskers. “I think they are trying to throw us off. They’ll be on our tail after the horses rest for a spell.”
Dutch looked at the men. “Do you want to split up, or stay together?”
“I say we stay together,” Deke said.
“Me, too,” Corbin added.
“Let’s split this money up real quick.” Dutch didn’t say it aloud, but he was thinking if the shooting started, then one or two of them might live to spend the money.
They pulled out all of the money, and Dutch started dividing it in four stacks.
“I don’t feel right about taking a fourth of the cut. I didn’t do much for it,” Harper said.
“That was our deal, and if not for you, we wouldn’t have found it anyway. You didn’t have to show me that hiding spot, Harper. I would have never thought that brush was out of place. You could have kept it all to yourself.” Dutch thought Harper more than earned his money by being so perceptive. He glanced at Deke and Corbin, and they were both nodding their heads in agreement.
“I appreciate it, Dutch. And if you boys don’t mind, I’m going to go ahead and head back to Denver so I can leave this money with my sister.”
“You think it’s safe for you to ride to Denver?” Dutch asked.
“I’ll take the scenic route.” Harper debated whether to tell Dutch the reason he wanted to get the money to his sister, but he thought it was only fair. “Dutch, I didn’t want to say earlier, but I saw the doctor in Denver, and he says I don’t have much time left.”
Dutch was taken by surprise. “What do you mean?”
“I got cancer. I want to make sure my sister gets this money before I go toes up,” Harper said.
Dutch put his hand on Harper’s shoulder. He became emotional thinking about never seeing his friend again. “You should have said something sooner.”
“I was
going to Mexico knowing it could be one of the last jobs where I could make some good money. You’ve given me a way to leave my sister something so she won’t have to worry about raising those kids by herself.”
“If—well, if anything happens to you, I’ll look in on her if I ain’t dead, or in the hoosegow,” Dutch said.
Dutch’s promise meant a lot to Harper, and his voice cracked with emotion when he responded. “I appreciate that, Dutch.”
The two men shook hands, and Dutch finished counting the money. “It looks like they spent some, but we each get almost nine thousand dollars.”
Deke and Corbin smiled, but Harper’s features were grim. “I don’t want to spoil your fun, but you boys be careful. With that bounty on your head, all sorts of killers will be looking to make a buck. Maybe you should consider hiding the money somewhere, and take your chances by turning yourselves in. No one has to know you have the money, and if you tell them you didn’t shoot anyone, that it was Frank, maybe they’ll go easy on you.”
Dutch knew Harper had a point. They might do some time in the territorial prison, but if they didn’t turn themselves in, they stood a good chance of being killed for the bounty. “Harper’s right. We might do better with the law.”
Deke took the money Dutch handed him. “I ain’t going to prison.”
Dutch handed Corbin his money. “What about you, Corbin? There’s no poster on you. I think it’d be wise for you to take off alone.”
“I hate leaving you boys,” Corbin said.
Harper glanced at Dutch, and said, “I don’t want you boys getting killed. Life is short enough when the law ain’t chasing you.”
Dutch gave Harper his cut, and then stood there staring at his share of the money for several seconds. The other men were waiting to hear what he had to say. He released a deep breath, and extended his money to Harper. “Take this to your sister. Tell her I may be in jail for a spell, but when I get out, I’ll come for it. If she needs it before I’m out, tell her I understand. When I get out of jail she can count on me to take care of her the rest of her life, and her kids. If she’ll have me. You can rest easy, Harper.”
Harper choked up and could hardly speak. “I think she’ll like that idea just fine.” He knew his sister had always had a soft spot for Dutch, but Harper always told her not to hold out hope. Dutch had always been a wild one, and Harper wasn’t certain he’d ever settle down and go straight.
“I’ll be good to her, Harper. You’ve got my word on that.”
Harper took the money, unbuttoned his coat, and stuffed the cash inside his shirt. If the lawmen caught up with him, he figured he would show them what was in his saddlebags if asked. The way he saw it, the law had no reason to be looking for him.
Deke and Corbin looked at each other. They’d never ridden without Dutch.
“You leaving us here?” Corbin asked.
“I’ll ride toward the lawmen. That’ll give them some time trying to figure out what to do with me.” Dutch fixed his eyes on Deke. “Deke, you could always give your money to Harper. Both of us could go to jail, and they’d never have to know we have the money. We’ll tell them we were robbed by Culpepper and Taggart, and that Frank was in on it from the get-go. When we get out of jail, we’ll have a nice little nest egg.” He turned his eyes on Corbin. “Corbin, you need to go with Harper.”
Deke took his money out of his saddlebag and handed it to Harper. “Dutch trusts you, so I reckon I will too. Heck, I ain’t never spent more than a night or two in jail, but I guess it makes more sense than always looking over my shoulder waiting for someone to collect a bounty.”
Corbin finally made a decision. “Harper, you mind if I tag along with you?”
“Not at all. We’ll be in Denver by the time Deke and Dutch get there.” Harper put a hand on Dutch’s shoulder. “You two keep your story straight. Culpepper and Taggart robbed you of the money, nothing else. Tell them where those two are hiding and offer to help them. That might go a long way with the judge. Your money will be waiting with my sister if I’m gone. You can trust her.”
“If those two lawmen have been following us, they’ll know there were four of us,” Dutch said. “I’ll tell them two friends just happened on us and rode a while with us.”
Harper shook their hands. “Give them my name; they’ll know me. Tell them I’m headed to Denver, and I’ll say Corbin has been with me for a while. I hope I see you boys again.”
Chapter Ten
Clay Hunt was right on time to pick Emma up the following night. He couldn’t say he wasn’t nervous, because he was. The last time he had been this tense thinking about a date was when he was a young man and he’d asked a girl to his first dance. Good manners had been the only thing that kept him from breaking the engagement with Emma.
When Morgan opened the door, he thought Clay looked like he was on the verge of running like a scared rabbit. “Clay, come on in.” Morgan pointed to the parlor. “Can I get you some coffee?”
“No, thanks.” Once he became a pastor, he no longer imbibed in spirits, but if anything made him inclined to reconsider that decision, it would be facing Miss Emma Langtry tonight.
“So you’re taking Emma to dinner,” Morgan said, grinning. He could tell Clay was nervous and he was enjoying every minute of it.
“That’s the plan.” Clay paced the room instead of sitting.
“That Emma is quite a character,” Morgan said.
Clay looked at him, waiting for him to expound on that statement. When Morgan didn’t say more, he said, “What do you mean?”
Morgan chuckled. “I mean any man who would make a wrong move on her would have his head handed to him on a platter. That’s one woman who can take care of herself.”
Recalling how Emma had stood up to Frank, Clay couldn’t disagree with that statement. So why was he standing here ready to stick his neck out waiting for that platter like a Christmas turkey? He had no reasonable answer to that question. He stopped pacing and glanced Morgan’s way. “I asked her to dinner so Granny would know I support her granddaughter.”
Morgan gave him a long look. “Really? I think after your sermon, everyone in Whispering Pines is aware you support Emma Langtry.”
Clay nodded, and started pacing again. Then he abruptly stopped and turned toward Morgan. “I want her to feel welcome.”
“Uh-huh.”
Three more steps—stop. “It’s important for the congregation to know they can count on their pastor.”
“Uh-huh.”
Three steps—stop. He glanced at Morgan again, primed to say more, but he couldn’t think of one more thing to say.
“Are you ready?”
At her question, Clay’s eyes slid to the doorway. There stood Emma wearing a beautiful red dress, much finer than any woman in Whispering Pines normally wore. Clay felt as though his feet had taken root to the floorboards. Heaven help him, she would no doubt attract a lot of attention in that dress. The color was definitely not going to blend into the background. He thought she looked beautiful, but as a pastor, he didn’t want to be forced to confront men who might gawk at her.
Seeing Clay wasn’t saying anything, Morgan said, “That’s some dress.” He glanced back at Clay and almost burst out laughing at the expression on his face. In case the pastor hadn’t figured it out yet, he was definitely smitten with Emma. “Don’t you think she looks beautiful, Clay?”
Emma gave Morgan a look that said he was going to pay for that comment the next time she saw him.
Clay managed to nod as he cleared his throat. “May I help you with your cloak?”
Emma handed her fur-trimmed cloak to him. “Thank you.” Emma could tell he didn’t care for her dress. He was trying to cover her up as fast as he could. She’d chosen this particular dress specifically to make him uncomfortable. That’s what he got for acting so smug when he’d caught her off guard and asked her to dinner. It was obvious he’d only asked her out because of Granny. He’d mentioned several times how kind Granny had
been to him after he’d arrived in Whispering Pines. No doubt he would have preferred she wore something a bit more sedate and boring. If he thought she would dress to please him, then he didn’t know Emma Langtry. Granny made it clear she would be upset if she cancelled the date, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t make him regret asking.
“It’s starting to snow, so I brought along extra blankets.” He was making idle conversation just to take his mind off of her dress. When he draped Emma’s cloak over her shoulders, he noticed how good she smelled.
“When can we expect you two kids home?” Morgan said.
“Obviously after dinner,” Emma retorted with more than a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Morgan opened the front door for them, and saw the snow was picking up speed. “It could get bad out there before you two make it home.”
“Would you prefer to make it another night?” Emma asked, thinking that he had to be having second thoughts about this date after seeing her red dress.
Clay felt he’d lost his mind asking her to dinner in the first place, and it was tempting to say they should postpone. But he’d come this far, so he was determined to see things through. “If it is too bad after dinner, you can always stay at the hotel for the night.”
Hearing he didn’t want to cancel made her feel like smiling, and she didn’t know why. She wanted to cancel the date, didn’t she? She looked at Morgan and said, “Don’t worry if we are not back at a reasonable hour. You’ll know I decided to stay at the hotel.” She petted Sweetie good-bye. “You stay here tonight.”
“I’ll look after Sweetie,” Morgan said. “You two kids have fun.”
Emma laced him with a look that would have made a lesser man tuck tail and hide.
* * *
Even wrapped in two blankets, Emma was shivering on the way to town, but she didn’t dare sit too close to Clay to find warmth. If they happened on someone, the gossips would have his reputation ruined before sunrise. While she didn’t mind raising a few eyebrows with her red dress, she didn’t want to cause real harm with his church members. Still, she thought it was unfair that he seemed impervious to the cold while her teeth were chattering.
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