“Like what?” Byron demanded.
“Like the need to keep the fear alive. Nothing like an accident to have the whole town buzzing.” His eyes narrowed. “And one thing more. Three little girls would be a distraction to a man who wanted their mother all to himself.”
The look on Millie’s face had changed from pain to shock to outrage.
“That’s an interesting theory, Jewel. Do you have any others?”
“As a matter of fact I do.” Malachite unfolded his arms and took a step closer, pausing only when Byron drew back the hammer and cocked the pistol at Millie’s temple.
“A lot of ranches have failed in the past year. More than at any time since the town first started.”
“Are you suggesting that I had a hand in that, as well?”
“You hold the mortgages on every ranch that failed.”
“That may be. But I also happen to be the only banker in the territory.”
“Exactly. That gives you a great deal of power.” Malachite turned his back on Byron and walked to a shelf containing an assortment of ledgers like the one on his desk. And all the while his mind was working, looking for a way to get Millie free of this monster’s. grasp. “If I were to go through all these ledgers, I wonder what I’d find.”
“I don’t think you have the mentality to understand complicated bookkeeping.”
“Probably not. But I’ll bet I could find someone who did.”
“I’m not about to permit anyone else to look over my work.”
Malachite’s tone was measured. “Someone already has.”
Byron’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I asked young Gil to do a survey of the ranches around here. What their value is, how much money is owed, who holds the mortgages. And guess what he came up with?”
For the first time Byron showed a flash of fear. “He can’t prove a thing.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But it’s a start. When Gil takes his findings to the marshal and the marshal takes them to a federal judge, you’re going to have a lot of explaining to do. Especially when the judge finds out who your uncle was.”
Byron blanched. “How did you find out?”
“Who—” Millie’s throat was so painful, every word was an effort. She swallowed and tried again. “Who is his uncle?”
“Was,” Malachite said through clenched teeth. “His uncle was Chester Pierce.”
She sucked in a long, painful breath. “The man who killed your father?”
“The same. I’ve heard the whole sordid story from my sisters. It seemed the greedy bastard wasn’t content to earn a fortune off my father’s money. He wanted it all. And was willing to kill a man who had been his lifelong friend to have it. But greedy men always make mistakes. That’s what stopped Byron’s uncle.” He pinned the banker with a chilling look. “That’s why I finally caught on to what you were doing.”
“There have been no mistakes.” Byron’s voice rose slightly and his hand, holding the gun, trembled. “I vowed I would never make the mistakes my uncle made. I’ve been very thorough.”
“Not quite thorough enough. You made one mistake.” Malachite was already calculating the odds of wresting the gun from Byron’s hand without harming Millie. “The rattlesnakes.”
Byron frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“You overplayed your hand, Conner. Rattlesnakes don’t like snow. There’s no way they’d have crawled out of a warm, cozy nest. And if they had, and if they’d been there for long, they’d be too frozen to be a threat to anybody. So I knew they’d been tossed there just minutes before Diablo attacked.”
Byron’s eyes flashed. “There wasn’t time for anything more elaborate. But it doesn’t matter. A thing like that would never hold up in court.”
Malachite’s tone lowered to a dangerous whisper. “Now, I could understand if the attack had been against me. But you knew April was handling Diablo. And she was your intended victim. You wanted her hurt. Or worse.” Malachite’s eyes smoldered with carefully banked fury. “You stood in the crowd and watched and waited for a little girl to be attacked. And you felt nothing.”
“Oh, dear God.” At the sudden realization, Millie went limp.
It was the opportunity Malachite had been waiting for. While Byron was forced to support her weight, Malachite leaped forward, pushing Millie aside as he went for Byron’s throat.
“Now you’re going to pay, Conner.” Malachite’s fist smashed into Byron’s nose, causing a geyser of blood. “For the innocent cowboys who died at your hand. Admit you killed them.”
“Never.”
The next blow landed on Byron’s jaw, snapping back his head. “This is for the ranchers who lost heart and gave up on their land.” He buried his fist in the banker’s midsection. “But especially for what you did to Millie and her daughters.” It was a solid blow to the head that had Byron’ s knees buckling.
The two men reeled, bumping against the desk, toppling to the floor as they grappled and struggled for control.
Millie shook her head, fighting a wave of nausea. When she looked up, she realized that Byron still had hold of the gun, and it was now pointed directly at Malachite’s chest.
“Go ahead,” Malachite taunted. “Let’s see if you’re man enough to kill a man face-to-face. Or would you prefer I turned my back?”
With a look of triumph the banker said, “Oh, I’ll enjoy killing you. More than any of those cowboys I shot. This will give me a whole lot more satisfaction than juggling the books and helping myself to failing ranches.” His evil smile grew. “And before you die, you ought to know that I intend to own the Jewel ranch, as well. By the time I’m through with those sisters of yours, I’ll have them buried so deeply in debt they’ll never be able to get out. And when I foreclose, they’ll thank me for not taking the clothes off their backs, as well. You see, my Uncle Chet taught me very well. And this time, there will be no mistakes.”
As his finger closed around the trigger, Millie lifted a ledger from the desk and brought it against his head with all the force she could manage. A volley of gunfire exploded in the room.
At the sound of it, Millie burst into tears. “Oh, no. Oh, Malachite. What have I done?”
Marshal Quent Regan strode across the room and caught Byron by the hair, tossing him against the wall, where he crumpled to the floor.
At once Millie fell on Malachite, sobbing hysterically. “Where are you shot? Oh, Malachite. Please don’t die. I’m so sorry. I just wanted to help. Oh, please, Malachite, don’t die.”
“All right.” His arms came around her in a fierce bear hug that had her gasping.
“No. Stop that. Where are you hurt?” She pushed far enough away that she could look him over.
There was no sign of blood.
“I heard a gunshot,” she said in wonder. “How could he have missed you at such close range?”
“It was my gun that fired,” Marshal Regan said. “Our slimy banker was so busy boasting, he never even heard me coming in.”
“Oh. Thank heaven.” Millie burst into fresh tears and fell into Malachite’s arms.
With aching tenderness he cradled her against him, while he pressed soft kisses to the bruise at her temple. When he thought about what had nearly happened, he was still terrified.
He looked up as a crowd began to swarm into the office. Diamond was there with Adam. Pearl and Cal stood beside the desk with their son Gil, who was already beginning to collect the ledgers. Ruby crowded through the doorway, along with Reverend Dan Simpson.
“What in hell are you all doing here?” Malachite demanded.
Cal gave a sheepish grin. “After you left the cabin, I had to confide in Pearl. After all, we share everything.”
“And I insisted that if you were anything like Daddy, you’d go straight to town and try to handle this yourself.”
“So Pearl and Cal came and got Adam and me.” Diamond was still aiming her gun at Byron, even though it was plain from his battered demeano
r that he wasn’t going anywhere. “And I said I wasn’t about to let you have all the fun.”
“Oui,” Ruby added. “Though I would not call this fun. But we are family now. And family sticks together.”
“My sentiments exactly,” Marshal Regan said with a grin. “I was just reassuring everybody that you were going to let me handle this. The next thing I knew, Birdie came running to my office to say you looked mad enough to kill.” He glanced at the others. “We all knew where you were headed.”
“I guess,” Malachite said as he got to his feet and helped Millie to stand, “there aren’t too many secrets in a family like this.”
“None at all.” Diamond shoved her gun into its holster as the marshal tied up the banker and herded him toward the door. She turned to Malachite and Millie with a knowing smile. “So if you two are planning to sneak off and do anything without us, you’d better think again.”
Before either of them could offer a denial, Birdie came rushing through the door. She came to a screeching halt when she caught sight of Byron Conner’s bound hands.
“Birdie, you’re supposed to be with my girls,” Millie said sharply. “What are you doing here?”
“Sorry, Mrs. Potter. But the girls aren’t alone. Reverend Simpson,” she said, turning to Dan. “You’d better come quick.” Her voice came in short bursts, and it was clear she’d run the whole way. “Doc Prentice is over at Mrs. Potter’s.”
“Doc Prentice?” Dan’s skin turned a sickly shade of green.
“Yes, sir. And he said to fetch you quick ’cause Miss Jade is about to make you a daddy.”
While the marshal hauled his prisoner off to jail, a strange procession made its way through the darkened town. And though Millie insisted that she was strong enough to walk, Malachite carried her the whole way in his arms.
“I’ve learned my lesson,” he muttered against her temple. “Until you’re safely home, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Miss Ruby.” Birdie poked her head in the parlor of Millie’s boardinghouse. “Some ladies from your dress shop are at the front door asking for news of Miss Jade.”
“Thank you, Birdie. I’ll see to them.” Ruby swept by, looking slightly frazzled. It didn’t do to have her customers seeing her in yesterday’s wrinkled gown. But it simply couldn’t be helped. The night had been one of chaos, beginning with a near tragedy pitting Malachite against Byron Conner, and ending with the most joyous of blessings. The birth of nephews, she decided, smoothing her skirts, was far more important than the way she looked.
“Miss Diamond? Miss Pearl?” Birdie again poked her head in the parlor.
Diamond, with little Onyx at her hip, turned from the fireplace.
Pearl, cradling baby Amber, looked up from the horsehair sofa. “Yes, Birdie?”
“Mrs. Thurlong and Mrs. Witherspoon are at the back door, trying to get in through the kitchen. They said they won’t leave until someone lets them see the new twins.”
“Oh dear.” Pearl looked as if she couldn’t possibly cope with the town gossips at a time like this.
Diamond gritted her teeth. “Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll handle those two.”
Birdie followed along, eager to watch the fireworks. But before she got two steps, she heard Jade calling her from the dining room, which had been turned into a temporary dispensary and nursery.
Inside, the new mother was comfortably ensconced in a makeshift bed of quilts and pillows. In her arms was a tiny bundle. Dan, usually so calm and self-assured, was standing by the window with a dazed look in his eyes. In his arms was an identically wrapped bundle.
Doe Prentice was giving his final instructions as he replaced his instruments in his black bag. “I want you to stay put for at least two weeks. I’ll come by every other day to check on you.”
“But we can’t possibly impose on Millie for two weeks,” Jade said in her softly accented voice.
“You heard me. Two weeks. No climbing. Nothing more strenuous than walking to the kitchen and back.”
Jade shot him an incredulous look. “My grandmother traveled to the home of the emperor just days after my mother was born. And my mother claimed she returned to the operation of her pleasure palace, the Golden Dragon, within hours of my birth. I don’t see why I can’t go home tomorrow.”
“Because I said so.” Doc turned to Dan. “Your wife has just given birth to twins. If you have to sit on her, I want her here until I say otherwise.”
Dan nodded. “Okay, Doc. But if I were you, I’d send her home within the week or you’ll have a little wildcat for a patient.”
“I’ll think about it. In the meantime, you two relax and enjoy your blessings. You have two fine, healthy boys.”
When he left, Jade smiled at Birdie. “I’m afraid I’m going to need some help for a while. Would you be willing to come and work for me, Birdie?”
Birdie’s eyes lit up. The thought of helping with two little angels had her heart dancing. “Yes’m. I’ll go ask Mrs. Potter right now.”
“There’s no need. Dan and I already asked Millie if she could spare you.” She couldn’t help adding, “We agreed it might be nice if you had some experience. Who knows? You might soon be taking care of a baby of your own.”
Birdie’s cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. She’d been thinking that very thing. Every time she looked at Gil McCabe.
But she merely lowered her eyes and said softly, “Yes’m.” Hearing a commotion outside the door, she turned away. “But right now I’d better take April, May and June up to Durfee’s Mercantile. I promised Mrs. Potter I’d keep them busy for a few hours.”
“That’s a fine idea,” Jade said. “I’m sure this has been far too much excitement for them. You might want to see if Daniel and Gil would like to go along.”
Gil? Birdie’s flush deepened and she ran a hand over her hair before opening the door.
In the kitchen Adam, Cal and the marshal juggled cups of coffee while helping themselves to Millie’s biscuits.
“Hurry, girls,” Millie called. Throughout the night she had remained a sea of calm despite the chaos swirling around her. “Birdie’s ready to take you to Durfee’s.”
She handed each of her daughters a precious penny and another to Birdie. “You may buy a peppermint stick. But remember, when Mr. Durfee offers you the candy jar, don’t touch the candies until you’ve made your choice. Mr. Durfee doesn’t like sticky fingers.”
“Yes’m,” they called as they bounded away.
A few minutes later Gil and Daniel, pockets jingling with coins, joined them.
When they were gone, Millie picked up her empty laundry basket and headed outside, where sheets and colorful towels flapped in the breeze. She had managed to do an amazing amount of work, considering all the interruptions. But she pushed herself to do even more in order to keep her mind occupied.
Malachite, who stood brooding by the window, watched her with a frown.
“You ought to try these biscuits.” Adam held out the plate. “They’re just about the best I’ve ever tasted. I don’t know how Millie does it.”
Malachite shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”
“The coffee might do you some good,” Cal suggested. Malachite didn’t respond. Instead he strode across the room and let himself out.
“What’s eating him?” Adam asked.
“You mean you’ve already forgotten what it was like to be miserable and in love?” Quent Regan chuckled. “I saw that look in your eyes every time Diamond got within a mile of you. And I felt the same way the first time I laid eyes on Ruby,” he muttered. “Like I’d been run over by a team of mules. And every time I’d get to my feet, she’d smile at me and I’d be run over again.”
The three men shared a laugh. Love, they agreed, could be the most wonderful feeling in the world. And the most horrible.
“I wonder what he’s going to do about it?” Cal mused.
“Do?” The marshal laughed
again. “He’s going to do what we all did. Chase that little woman until she catches him.”
* * *
Millie gathered the sheet off the line, folding and folding until it was a smooth, perfect square. Then she set it in the basket and reached for another.
From behind a strong hand closed over her wrist.
She whirled. “Malachite. You startled me. What are you—”
“Not a word, do you hear, Millie? Just come with me.”
He hauled her along until they reached the shed. Inside, Diablo lifted his head as they entered, then returned to his oats.
Malachite released her, then latched the door and leaned against it.
“What is this all about?” Millie demanded.
“I need to talk to you. And I sure as hell can’t do it in there.” He indicated the house.
“It is a bit hectic. But it will pass.” She studied him, so tense and edgy, and felt a quick slice of uneasiness. “You seem angry about something.”
“Should I be?”
She shrugged and started to turn away.
“Why were you at Byron’s office?” His words had her stopping.
“I... don’t see that’s any of your business.”
“I’m making it my business. Now tell me why you were there.”
“I... needed money. I thought I could get a loan from the bank by mortgaging the house.”
“Why do you need money?”
“Malachite, this isn’t your concern.”
“Tell me, Millie. Why did you want the money?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “We’re not leaving here until you do.”
Her eyes filled with tears and she quickly blinked them away, mortified that her emotions were so close to the surface. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I can’t get the money now. And if I told you why I wanted it, you’d only hate me.”
He closed the space between them and his hand snaked out, catching her before she could move away. He held her hand between both of his, idly smoothing his thumbs over her pale skin. “Believe me, Millie. I could never hate you. But you’re going to tell me.”
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