Safe in His Arms

by Colleen Coble

  Lucy’s blue eyes widened and she stared at Margaret. Margaret flushed and glared at Daniel. He grinned back at her. See how she liked being on the defensive. He had to admit, he rather enjoyed getting her back up. Those eyes of hers flashed like green fire, and the color came into her face when she was angry or upset. It was a bit like watching fireworks, and he’d always loved a show like that.

  “We don’t need a foreman,” Margaret said. “I can handle the work.”

  “Sure, you can handle it, but why should you?” Nate asked. “It’s hard work even for a man.”

  “And I’m a weak female, right?” Margaret glared at Nate, and he held up a hand.

  “Whoa,” he said. “I meant no disrespect. You can work any man I know under the table, Margaret.”

  She gave a shamefaced smile. “I’m sorry. I’m a little prickly tonight. It’s this ridiculous dress. I feel like I must look like a little girl playing dress-up.”

  “You look wonderful,” Lucy said. “Truly. You know I wouldn’t lie to you. Your dance card is going to be full.”

  “I’ve been trying to convince her of that since we left the Triple T,” Daniel said.

  Lucy smiled at him. “Maybe if you danced with her, she could believe it.”

  “Don’t talk about me as if I weren’t here.” Margaret planted her hands on her hips.

  “That’s a great idea, Miss Lucy.” Daniel grinned, then gripped Margaret’s arm and pulled her toward the dance floor as the fiddler struck up a square dance. He winked at her, and Margaret began to smile. His heart leapt at the way she was looking at him. She might not want to admit she was attracted to him, but he could see it in her face.

  They stomped and spun their way around the floor. Margaret was laughing up at him as she dipped and twirled. They were both breathless by the time the dance ended. He led her to a secluded alcove. “Wait here and I’ll get us something to drink.” She nodded, and he went across the room to the refreshment table. He glanced back and frowned when he saw several men heading her direction.

  Lucy was sitting in a chair beside the table. “Hello again. Did Margaret run you off already?”

  “No, I’m getting us something to drink.”

  She patted the chair beside her. “Sit down a minute. I want to talk to you.”

  Daniel arched his eyebrows. Now she had him curious. He settled on the edge of the chair she’d indicated.

  “Nate told me not to interfere, but Margaret is my best friend, and I don’t want to see her hurt.”

  “I won’t hurt her.” Daniel was a little tired of his motives always being called into question, first by Lewis and now by Lucy. Usually people took him at face value, and he didn’t like this constant suspicion.

  “She’s more fragile than she appears,” Lucy said. “She puts up a brave front, but she’s really a little girl looking for love. Are you a Christian, Daniel?”

  “Yes, I am.” Not many people cared about that, and his respect and liking for Lucy Stanton grew.

  Lucy’s face lit in relief. “Then maybe you can guide Margaret. She needs to know God’s unconditional love. She’s a believer, but she can’t seem to grasp the fact that God is the only one we can turn to for that love. I think her father’s high expectations have made her doubt his love for her. And the loss of her mother when she was a child added to her self-doubt. Nate’s choice didn’t help things.”

  He leaned forward. “I heard a little about that. What more can you tell me?”

  “The entire town thought Nate would marry Margaret. He escorted her to a few shindigs, and I think he even thought he would eventually marry her since she knew ranching. Anyone with half an eye can see Margaret would be a hardworking wife. Then I came along, and things changed. I always regretted the way Margaret was hurt. Since then she’s rejected any man’s attempt to escort her anywhere. Not that many have tried since she’s so prickly.” Lucy frowned. “Here comes Nate. I’d better shut up.” She laughed and winked at Daniel.

  Nate came toward them with a young man with red hair, somewhere in age between hay and grass. He had a girl of about six with curly blond hair by the hand, and he carried a little boy of about two who had his daddy’s sandy hair and gray eyes. “I don’t think you’ve met the rest of the family. This is Jed and Eileen, Lucy’s brother and sister. And the little guy is William, our son.”

  Daniel shook Jed’s hand and teased Eileen for a few minutes, then went back to the refreshment table. By the time he got back to Margaret with punch, she was surrounded by men.

  Calvin was coaxing her to dance, and another man asked if he could get her some refreshments. The wave of jealousy that swept over him caught him off guard. He’d better watch his heart. He shouldered his way past the men and handed her the punch.

  “Sorry, men, the lady is taken,” he told them. Was that relief on Margaret’s face? He smiled at her and she smiled back. Elation raced through him. Why had he thought it fun to make her angry? Her smile warmed him like the first hot day of summer.

  The men dispersed with a few grumbles, and Calvin glared at him. “Sorry if I was overbearing,” Daniel told her.

  “You’re not a bit sorry. You men get like a bull defending his territory.”

  “Guilty. Maybe I’m staking my claim to you.” He nearly bit his tongue, but the words were out. What claim did he have on her? She would never look twice at him.

  Her eyes widened, and she seemed as though she wanted to say something, but then her white teeth clamped against her lip, and she looked away. Her stiff manner came back, and Daniel sighed. He’d messed it up again. This relationship stuff was hard to fathom. One step forward and two steps back. He was much more comfortable with his horse or the cattle.

  His pocket watch read eight. This party had to be over in time for the meeting. He glanced around the crowd and straightened when he saw a familiar figure. What was Golda doing here? If the townspeople got wind of what was going on, his job would be even harder.

  “I’ll be right back,” he told Margaret. He put his drink on the floor next to her and hurried toward where he’d last seen Golda.

  He stepped outside and looked around, and a small hand grabbed his arm.

  He collided with a small figure. “Golda, what are you doing here?”

  She wore a blue dress that showed her curves. “I thought I’d enjoy myself tonight. You have a problem with that?”

  “Someone is going to ask where you’re from and what you’re doing here.”

  She tossed back her golden head. “And I’ll tell them I’m visiting.” Her eyes glittered. “I saw you dancing with that redhead.” She leaned closer. “You’d better not be thinking of throwing me over for another woman. I might have to have a little chat with her.”

  She pulled something from her pocket, and he saw the glint of her gun. Though it was small, she knew how to use it—and had in the past. “You leave Margaret alone.”

  She stepped close enough to run her hand up his shirt. Her perfume was overpowering. “Don’t make me mad. Frank is beginning to question if this plan is a good one. You haven’t sent word about which bank to hit next, and he’s getting antsy.”

  He caught her hand and pushed it off him, then stepped away. “I’m doing my job and Frank knows it.” But she could easily put doubts in her brother’s mind. She was quite good at it. “I just got here. I need a little time to figure everything out. Frank was the one who moved in too soon.”

  “He doesn’t trust you.”

  “You mean you don’t trust me.”

  If he didn’t get out of here, he was going to say something he’d regret.

  NINE

  Margaret clutched the glass of punch in her hand. The coolness of the glass kept her rooted in reality. Stake his claim, indeed. Those other men weren’t interested in her, only in her father’s ranch. And the only claim Daniel was going to stake was on the bank’s money. She had to make sure he failed in that attempt. Still, she wanted to weep, which wasn’t like her. Not at all. But
then, ever since Daniel had arrived, she hadn’t been behaving in a characteristic way. She had a sinking feeling that she was heading for major trouble. The sooner Daniel was exposed and out of her life, the better.

  Where could he have gone in such a hurry? She stood and set her empty glass down among others on top of a barrel. Maybe she could overhear something if she found out where he went. She tried to be nonchalant as she strolled around the barn. But there was no sign of his tall figure. She headed toward the back door, then stepped out into the dark night that enveloped the yard. The sweet scent of flowers teased her nose.

  She heard a murmur of voices from over by the feed trough. Stepping cautiously, she inched her way toward the voices. Just as she was nearly close enough to hear, she stepped in something. From the way it squished up over her ankle, she knew just what it was. Then the unpleasant odor reached her nostrils, and she knew for certain it was a fresh cowpat. She sucked in her breath and gingerly tried to wipe it off on the grass.

  She stumbled into the side of the horse trough, and a pail clattered to the ground. The murmur of voices stopped, and she heard Daniel’s familiar deep voice.

  “Get out of here before someone sees you. Tell Frank I’ll be in touch so we can make our final plans.”

  A woman answered, “I don’t want to talk about Frank. I want to talk about us. I want you back, Daniel.”

  “Golda, this is not the time or the place. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Moments later the moon illuminated Daniel’s white shirt as he came toward her.

  “Margaret, what are you doing out here in the dark?” When he saw her trying to scrape her shoe, he grinned. “Need some help?”

  She wanted to shout her questions at him, but she forced herself to smile at him instead. “I think I’ll go to the house and get cleaned up. Tell Lucy, would you, please?” She needed to get away from him before she said something she shouldn’t.

  “I’ll come with you.” He took her arm.

  She wanted to shake his fingers off her arm. The only reason he was working at the Triple T was to scout out the job he’d come here to do. It had nothing to do with her or any attraction he might feel. And there was another woman involved, and if her voice was any indication, she was beautiful. He was a good actor. A man in his position would have to know how to lie and cover up the truth pretty well. Daniel was an obvious master at it.

  He guided her across the yard to Lucy’s front porch. “I’ll send Lucy in to help you.” He hurried back across the yard toward the barn.

  Margaret should have felt relieved at his absence, but she was furious with herself and her own gullibility. In spite of what she knew about him, she had begun to believe that he really did feel something for her. But that conversation she’d overheard had made it clear he had only one purpose in coming here tonight. She had made a good cover for him to meet with his cohorts.

  That was the way it had been all her life. She was never loved for who she was, only for what she could provide. Tears burned the backs of her eyelids, but she fiercely willed them away. He’d be gone soon. Then life would get back to normal, and all these odd feelings that had plagued her lately would be gone. She would take over running the ranch, and life would be good again.

  By the time Lucy got to her, Margaret had already managed to get cleaned up. Lucy made suitable noises of commiseration. “I think I’ll just go home,” Margaret told her. “Could you loan Daniel a horse? I’ll take the buggy and go home by myself.”

  “Oh, don’t do that, Margaret! I’ll fetch him and let him drive you. It’s not safe to go alone.”

  “I’ve been doing it all my life.” Alone was what she did best.

  “Not at night,” Lucy said firmly. She stopped and put a hand to her stomach. “Oh dear.”

  “What is it?”

  “I—I think the baby is coming.” A puddle of fluid pooled at her feet. “The baby isn’t expected for more than a month.”

  “Stay calm. You get to bed and I’ll fetch Nate and have Jed go for the doctor.”

  “The doctor is here.” Lucy clutched Margaret’s hand. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “I thought I was ready for this, but it’s too soon. What if the baby dies?”

  “You’ll both be fine,” Margaret said, though her heart fluttered at how fragile Lucy looked tonight. She prayed silently and ran for the door. “I’ll be right back with the doctor and Nate.”

  She collided with Daniel on the front porch. A wave of relief so intense passed through her that she shuddered. He put his hands on her shoulders to steady her, and his touch did just that: a sense of calmness quieted her turmoil.

  “What’s wrong?” Alarm tinged his words.

  “It’s Lucy. The baby is coming.”

  He pulled away. “I’ll fetch Nate.”

  “And the doctor,” she called after him. “He’s at the dance too.” She rushed back inside to Lucy.

  A confused expression on her face, Lucy sat woodenly in a chair. “I should know what to do, but my mind is empty.”

  “Let’s get you undressed and into your nightgown.” Margaret helped Lucy disrobe, then found her nightgown in the bureau. Lucy was trembling when Margaret dropped the nightgown over her head.

  “I’m so scared, Margaret. I’m not strong and brave like you.”

  Strong and brave. That’s how everyone saw her. What would they think if they knew it was all a facade? People thought of her as mannish because of her size, so she had obliged them by becoming even more that way. No one seemed to appreciate her feminine qualities, so why bother cultivating them? It was ironic. Lucy wanted to be more like her, and Margaret wanted to be like Lucy.

  “You’re stronger than you think,” Margaret said.

  A white-faced Nate burst into the room, followed by Dr. Cooper. Nate knelt and embraced his wife. “I’m here, Lucy. How are you feeling?”

  “I—I’m not sure,” Lucy stammered.

  Nate helped her to the bed, with Margaret trailing behind. The doctor shooed them all out of the room so he could examine Lucy.

  Daniel was pacing across the parlor floor with William in his arms when Margaret stepped into the room. Jed was sitting in the rocker with his head in his hands. Eileen sat on the floor beside him. He sprang to his feet when he saw Margaret and Nate.

  “She’s fine,” Margaret said soothingly.

  Jed’s stiff shoulders relaxed and he sat back down. “Will it be a long time?”

  “Probably. Babies take their time.” Margaret wanted to go to Daniel and feel his strong arms around her. She needed comfort and reassurance too, but he wasn’t the appropriate one to turn to for consolation. He looked solid and strong standing there with little William in his arms. His strong, craggy face looked like the face of someone who could be trusted. Unfortunately, looks were deceiving. Margaret sighed and looked away.

  Daniel put William on the floor, and the tot scampered across the room to his father. Nate scooped him up. “You should be getting to bed, little man,” he said.

  “Baby brother,” William announced.

  “Maybe a brother but maybe a sister,” Nate said. “You’ll like either one. Maybe the baby will be here when you get up in the morning. Like Margaret said, babies take a long time. Your new brother or sister might not make an appearance until tomorrow.” He motioned to Jed. “Jed and Eileen will tuck you in and read you a story.”

  Jed took William from Nate and carried him from the room. He was still protesting at being put to bed, but he didn’t cry. Margaret wished the little one could have stayed. It would have given her something to do with herself.

  The doctor came through the door, wiping his hands on a cloth. “She’s doing fine, but it’s going to be awhile. Might as well get comfortable.”

  “What about the baby?” Nate asked.

  “Too soon to know. Perhaps we’ve just miscalculated the date,” the doctor said. “Otherwise, we may lose it.”

  A lump formed in Margaret’s throat. Daniel took her hand, and
she looked up in surprise.

  “Let’s pray together,” he whispered.

  Pray with an outlaw. The thought seemed ridiculous, but as she bowed her head, Margaret found it made perfect sense.

  THE MOON GLIMMERED on the rocks around the river and bounced off the water. Charlie took out his pocket watch and held it up to the scanty light. Well past midnight. Had something happened to Daniel? He chewed his lip and thought about it. Daniel knew too much to get caught by the law. He was much too experienced a rider to get thrown or injured by his horse.

  What if Daniel had lured him here to get him out of the camp? Maybe he intended to tell Frank that Charlie was too young to be involved. Daniel had been adamantly against him hooking up with Golda and her brother. Charlie didn’t trust him. Not one bit.

  He stood and paced along the river. Small pebbles rolled away from his boots, and one splashed into the water. The small sound distracted him. He should leave right now. Make sure there was no funny business going on behind his back.

  Another sound came to his ears, softer and more furtive. He yanked his revolver free from the holster. “Who’s there? Show yourself or I’ll shoot.”

  A figure stepped out of the shadows. The moonlight illuminated her beautiful face. Golda had followed him? The rush of pleasure at the realization was quickly squelched when he saw the displeasure on her face.

  “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “When you sneaked off, I thought maybe you were going to meet Daniel.”

  “So what if I was?” he countered.

  She laughed and stepped closer. Her perfume filled his head and made it impossible to think. All he could do was stare at her full lips.

  Her fingers caressed his face. “Don’t play me for a fool, Charlie. We both know Daniel is up to something. I want to know what it is.”

  What did she want from him? If she were to take a man, it would be someone like Daniel. Strong, powerful. Not a guy like him. She had some plan, but Charlie couldn’t fathom what it was.

  “I don’t know anything other than what we both know—he’s gathering information about banks in the area.”