Sierra Bride

by Jenna Kernan

  Sam had reached the other side of the coal car when his partner shouted.

  The shooter by the coal car ran along the tracks toward the engine, passing the two injured men as bullets whizzed by him. Despite the Pinkertons’ best efforts, he made it off the track and down the embankment below the tracks.

  “After him, boys,” called someone from the ridge.

  “That’s seven,” shouted the detective.

  Sam was already running for the debris. “I gotta find her.”

  Cole reached the level ground, keeping his rifle gripped in a bloody hand. He’d been hit.

  Above him, the detectives picked their way carefully down the incline.

  Kate noted the movement to her left and turned to see the final man, the other observer, raise his pistol. Kate aimed her derringer at him.

  “Pickett,” called the engineer. “Dietz is hurt.”

  Sam glanced toward the call, but then turned back to the wreckage.

  “I got it,” called Cole.

  Cole disappeared from Kate’s view and the man edged forward, paralleling Sam’s path, coming closer to Kate.

  She looked at the engineer for help, but he was removing his jacket, placing it under the head of his fallen partner. Sam crossed the tracks to check a small section of the car that had not splintered into a thousand pieces. He now stood only fifteen feet from her, but she kept her focus on the gunman as he stepped out of the cover of trees. He drew even with her and she cocked her two-shot pistol, closed one eye and took careful aim at the center of his chest.

  He raised his revolver at Sam and Kate pulled the trigger.

  He spun, his mouth drawn in a wide O of shock as he stared at her. His left hand came up and pressed against his chest, high up by his collarbone, as a red rose of blood spread across his white shirt. Then he lifted his revolver, pointing it at Kate. She fired her second shot at the same time she heard a rifle report. Her bullet missed. Sam’s didn’t.

  Sam rose from one knee as the gunman dropped to his and then pitched forward to the earth.

  Cole charged up the tracks, his rifle aimed at the fallen man. He checked around. “That all?”

  Kate nodded. “I think so.”

  Sam ran to Kate. She dropped her pistol and threw herself into his arms. He absorbed the force of her charge and wrapped her in a warm embrace. They both spoke at once.

  “I thought I’d lost you,” he said.

  “He was going to kill you,” she said.

  She ran her fingers through his hair, knocking off his hat.

  Sam kissed her hard, the force revealing his fear and joy all at once. He drew back to look at her. “I can’t believe you survived that.”

  She stared at the dead man, sprawled on the ground. “Me, neither.”

  Cole glanced at Sam. “Either of you hurt?”

  They stared at each other and said “no” in unison.

  “Got me, though. If anyone is interested.” Cole thrust the index finger of his left hand into a tear in his jacket.

  Kate remembered how he’d clasped his shoulder during the shoot-out.

  “How bad?” asked Sam. He handed his rifle to Kate and tugged off his friend’s coat.

  Cole’s white shirt was soaked with blood from just below the shoulder. He grabbed Cole’s shirt and tore the sleeve open. The injury seemed more a long bloody gash than a hole.

  “Nicked you,” said Sam.

  Cole twisted his arm for a better look. “Burns like a mother…” He glanced at Kate and closed his mouth.

  “Bleeding’s slowing down,” said Sam. He took the two halves of the ragged sleeve and wrapped them around Cole’s arm and tied them in a knot. “That’ll do for now.”

  Cole tentatively prodded the covered wound with his fingers and winced. He glanced at Sam and then Kate. “Guess I’ll see to Cohen and Dietz.”

  Kate could see that the detective had collected the three horses and was making his way along the track to the engineer as the two Pinkertons peeled down the tracks on horseback after the escaping man. The others fanned out, checking each dead man.

  One man hurried toward them. “Mr. Ellis? You all right?”

  Cole waved them down. “We got men hurt down here.” He looked back at Kate and scowled. “Yet she has not one scratch. I wonder why?”

  Cole turned and marched away.

  Kate did not like that man.

  Sam gripped her shoulders, scanning her from head to toe. “How? How did you survive that crash?”

  She glanced away, wondering what he’d do if he discovered the truth.

  “Kate?” Sam’s voice grew low and dangerous. “You did that same thing when I asked about the necklace—looking at your toes as if they could talk. Answer me. How did you…”

  She stared up at him and watched his eyes go round. “Did you jump off a moving train?”

  She lowered her head. “It was barely moving.”

  “Sweet mother of us all!”

  “It seemed the only way to help you.”

  “You could have been killed,” bellowed Sam.

  She thrust her fists into her hips, standing up for herself this time. “And you nearly were.”

  “You have to do what I tell you.”

  “Do you really think I would have been better off on that!” She nodded at the wreckage.

  Sam went pale, but he rallied.

  “That’s not the point!”

  “No? Well, if you want perfect obedience, perhaps you should have bought a hound instead of a woman.”

  He smiled.

  That only made her madder. “Why are you smirking?”

  “Cause you’re standing up to me instead of cowering. You aren’t afraid of me anymore?”

  Her heart squeezed tight and all the fight drained out of her. He was right. She was frightened, shaken and near tears, but this was a different kind of fear.

  He cradled her face in his two broad hands. “I’m glad.” His expression grew serious. “Kate? I don’t want a trained hound.”

  She smiled. “No?”

  His smile broadened. “I just want you safe.”

  Kate needed to tell him everything. She clutched his shirt and stared up at him.

  “Sam, I didn’t have anything to do with that other woman. I’m not her partner. And I don’t have the necklace because I gave it to my aunt. I told her to sell it to settle our debts.”

  His eyes widened. “I knew it!”

  “You did?”

  “Not that you sold it, but that you didn’t betray me.”

  “But Sam, how could you have known that?”

  He smiled down at her. “I just had a hunch.”

  Kate wrinkled her brow in confusion. “A hunch?”

  He rested his hands over hers. His smile faded as he gazed down at her. “Kate, why didn’t you just ask me for the money? I’d have given it to you.”

  She felt her throat constricting. Of course he would have, because he was generous and kind and dear. He wouldn’t try to manipulate her as Luke had done. She was ashamed of herself for not giving him the benefit of the doubt.

  “Sam, Luke never gave me any money.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He didn’t trust me. I thought you might be likeminded. I’m sorry.”

  “What’d he think you’d do with it—the money, I mean?”

  “He correctly assumed that I would use it to run.”

  Sam’s eyes widened again. “I’ll be damned.”

  He dragged her into his arms and held her so tight she forgot to breathe.

  “Sam? I have something else to tell you.”

  He eased up on his grip. Now the constriction in her chest was caused by her uncertainty. Was it a bad thing, for a mistress to fall in love with her employer? Bad for her, perhaps, because it gave him more power over her. But it wouldn’t stop him from wanting her, would it?

  He set her at arm’s length to study her. “Kate? What is it? You’ve gone pale.”

  “I’m scare
d again. I’ve never felt like this before.” In fact she felt more dizzy now than when she was preparing to jump from the moving train.

  “Kate, we got them all. There’s no danger now.”

  But she disagreed. It was the most dangerous thing she had ever done, because she was about to give her heart. Even Luke, with all his trickery and charm, had failed to win that.

  “Sam, do you know why I jumped off that train?”

  “To watch my hair turn gray?”

  She didn’t smile and his smile vanished, as well. Now he braced, waiting for her to speak. She closed her eyes and cast out a silent prayer that he would not reject her when he heard. Then she rested her open hands upon his wide, warm chest and drew a breath.

  “I’ve fallen in love with you, Sam.”

  His eyes widened and the he scowled. “Well, hell, woman. You make it sound like you caught some disease.”

  “It scares me, is all.”

  He grinned at her now, looking a little misty and very pleased with himself. “Really? You love me?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll be damned.”

  A small part of her had secretly hoped that he might confess his love for her, as well. It was the sort of romantic notion that had caused her to accept everything Luke had told her at face value.

  Sam continued to grin and she began to wish she had not told him.

  A young Pinkerton interrupted them. “Mr. Pickett, we found no survivors among your attackers. My boys are after the one that escaped.”

  Sam released her to face the man. “My men?”

  “Both alive, sir.” He stooped to pick up something silver and cradled the derringer in his palm. “Yours, miss?”

  She nodded and reclaimed the pistol. Kate glanced at the thing a moment. This little bit of metal and powder had saved Sam’s life.

  Best gift Luke ever gave me, she thought, and tucked the derringer into the waistband of her skirt.

  Sam spoke to the guard. “Get a wagon up here to carry the bodies back to camp. Then send a rider down to Sacramento. We’re going to need another engine and the biggest winch system we can find.”

  “Yes, sir.” The man headed off.

  Sam looped an arm around Kate’s waist, drawing her closer.

  “Jumped, huh?” He turned her around, taking in her drooping skirts and muddy petticoats. “You sure are hard on the duds I bought you. Been through two of them in as many days. Might be better to dress you in dungarees.”

  “You might be better to get me a holster for this as I seem to be forced into the position of bodyguard.”

  He squeezed her shoulder and she looked up at him, expecting to see the teasing smirk. Instead, she found him looking thoughtful and serious.

  “Thank you for not dying, Kate.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Did you like the necklace?” He was changing the subject.

  “It was beautiful.” And cold and impersonal. “But my family’s needs come before mine. And besides…” She couldn’t tell him what she’d thought at the time. It would only hurt him.

  “What?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Kate, tell me what you’re thinking so I can understand.”

  She drew a breath and faced him. He had asked for the truth and she would oblige him.

  “Luke gave me jewelry. A lot of it. Lovely, glittering things that he made me wear when he showed me off to the men he swindled. He used me as bait, do you understand? An enticement, like those little silver fishing lures that shine and flash in the water so the big fish will come and take a bite.” She rested a dirty gloved hand on his wrist. “Can you understand? You came along and bought me that lovely necklace and all new clothing and then told me you wanted me at Dutch Flats when you spoke to the miners. Do you remember?”

  “Just like he did.” He met her gaze and she thought she saw regret in his eyes. “You make me feel ashamed of wanting to show you off.”

  “No, it’s different with you. You don’t treat me like a decoy. You gave me that railroad stock, a gift from your heart, and you brought me that tea this morning.”

  “Which you never got to drink.”

  She flushed, recalling their separation.

  “I think I understand,” he said. “But Kate, you’d be an asset to any man.”

  She lifted her chin so she could meet his eyes. Did he think so? Did he see her as more than a fair face wrapped up in satin and glittering jewels? She needed to know.

  “Sam? I want to ask you something, as well.” She drew in as much air as her corset would allow. “Why did you put me on that train and why did you run down that hill to try to find me?”

  He stared down at her. “Don’t you know?”

  Her heart jumped as hope beat inside her like a flock of sparrows taking flight.

  “Why, Sam?”

  “Because I’ve fallen in love with you, Kate.”

  She gasped as Sam stared at her with cautious eyes. Then she threw herself against him again, pressing tight to his warm chest as she kissed him full on the lips.

  He moved his hand through her hair, sending pins flying as she kissed him with everything she had.

  When they drew apart, they were both breathless.

  “You’ve been through hell since I met you. But I plan to make it up to you, if you’ll let me. I swear I’m not like him. I’ll never raise a hand to you. That’s a promise.”

  “I know that now, Sam.”

  “And I don’t mind you thinking for yourself most times.” He eyed the splintered remains of the freight car, before directing his attention back at her. “And I won’t treat you like some China doll, though I’d like to spoil you a little, Kate. I want you to have pretty things.”

  “I’ll be happy to accept them.”

  “And not hock them?”

  She laughed. “Not if I can also keep my family safe and well cared for.”

  “I can do that.”

  Now she found her voice failed her. No man had ever seen fit to help her family.

  “Maybe we can get Phoebe a tutor or something.”

  The tears were streaming down her face an instant later. Sam’s eyes rounded in alarm.

  “Just an idea, Kate. We don’t have to get a tutor.”

  “Oh, Sam.” She threw her arms around him. “How I love you.”

  He patted her back until the tears slowed and she drew away.

  “So that was a good idea?” he asked, his voice uncertain.

  She laughed and nodded. “I confuse you, don’t I?”

  “That’s a fact.” Sam’s smile was dazzling. “So you promise? No more hocking jewelry?”

  She placed a hand over her heart. “I swear.”

  Sam reached into his pocket and drew out a small, dusty, red leather box.

  Sam stared down at his closed fist. She rested a hand on his forearm.

  “Sam?”

  He smiled, but his face showed strain.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Just more afraid now than I was the last time I was up on this mountain.”

  She gripped his arm. “I don’t understand.”

  “You will,” he promised, and sank to one knee before her.

  Kate could think of only one reason a man would assume such a position and the realization hit her so hard her heart began a painful flutter.

  Sam clasped her hand.

  “Kate, I told you already I love you. And I don’t think of you as…what’d you call it? A lure? I want you at my side as a partner, because you’re smart and brave and, well, you’re beautiful, too, of course.”

  “Oh, Sam.”

  “Let me get it out, now.” He cleared his throat. “You had a man who didn’t deserve you once. But if you let me, I’ll try so hard to deserve you. I swear I’m nothing like him. And it’s true that I don’t know much about how to raise a family, but I’m a quick study and if you’re willing, I’d like to have one, a family, I mean.”

  Her vo
ice was breathless now, as if she’d just run down the tracks. “Sam, are you asking me to be your wife?”

  He nodded glumly. “I know you said you’d never marry again. But I want to change your mind. I want you to marry me, Kate.”

  He flipped open the ring box to reveal a dazzling, sparkling rainbow of light. He pinched the ring between his thumb and forefinger and offered it to her.

  She stared at him, feeling both humbled and honored. This wonderful man wanted her as his wife.

  “Say yes, Kate.”

  She extended her bare hand and he slipped the ring into place. Kate stared a minute at the diamond ring and then smiled at Sam.

  “Yes,” she said.

  Sam shot to his feet and dragged her off hers. He spun her around in a circle and then set her gently back to earth, but she swore her feet still did not touch the ground.

  From down the track came the sound of several men cheering.

  The following morning, Cole sat with Kate in the ornate parlor car as Sam finished supervising the repair of the track.

  A new engine had arrived from Sacramento. The dead had been placed on board and the wounded engineer and his assistant were resting in the bunkhouse railcar.

  Outside the window, two Pinkertons led the shackled surviving shooter toward the train. He had been captured, uninjured and they were taking him to the city to be charged.

  Cole said, “He’s our proof that Donahue’s behind this. Glad they didn’t kill him.”

  The Pinkertons marched past them with their prisoner and out of sight. Kate turned to Cole to find him studying her.

  “It’s rude to stare, Mr. Ellis.”

  He grinned. “I’m still trying to get my mind around Sam finding a wife.”

  “And you disapprove of his choice.” There were many reasons he could. She had been married before and to a notorious man. She had been Sam’s mistress. She would not come to this marriage a virgin, of course. She would be less than an ideal choice in the minds of many, including, unfortunately, Sam’s very best friend. And if all that were not reason enough to object, her loyalty had been called into question. Sam no longer believed she had betrayed him and that should have been enough, but she would have liked the blessing of her fiancé’s best friend and partner.

  It saddened her, for she had great respect for Cole and the tenacity with which he guarded Sam.