by Sara Orwig
“No. Come inside, Mr. Jethro.”
Dan moved closer, seeing the earnest look on the man’s face and hearing his question.
“I can’t stay. I came to get the doc. Ma’am, we were in the mountains at a mining camp. Your brother tangled with a bear. I’m taking the doc back with me, and Michael said to get you.”
As Jethro talked, Dan put his arm around her shoulders. “I’m Dan Castle,” he said, extending his hand. “We’ll be ready. Get the doctor and stop back here, and we’ll join you.”
“Right.”
“Do you know the way to the doctor’s house?”
“Yes. I’ve been in Denver before.”
“Mr. Jethro,” Mary said in a quiet, strained voice that Dan hated to hear, “how badly is Michael hurt?”
When Jethro looked into Dan’s eyes, Dan realized it was bad.
“Getting in a scrape with a bear, ma’am, ain’t the thing to do.” He held up his hand, and two fingers were missing. “See. Had my own run-in with a bobcat. Took my fingers clean off.”
“You get the doc,” Dan said, and moved toward the door to close it behind Jethro.
“I’ll go with you,” he said to Mary.
“Oh, no! You don’t—”
“I’m going. You’re not riding off into the mountains with a stranger, so don’t argue, Mary. Get your things. It’ll be a long ride, and we may have to camp. Take enough for a few days. I’ll ride home and be back as soon as possible.”
“Dan, you don’t have to go with me.”
“I’ll get my friend Dulcie to send someone over to cook and stay here. Where’s the most likely place to find Paddy or Brian?”
“I completely forgot the boardinghouse!” She ran her hand across her head. “Pa and Brian could be at the Lazy Dog, the Missouri House, or the Billiard Saloon. I don’t really know.”
“If I don’t find them, we’ll just have to go without them. Leave Brian a letter. Go get ready.”
She nodded, her eyes round and her face pale. Dan ran to mount his horse, then raced to send a telegram to Luke in San Antonio, asking him to tell Ta-ne-haddle what had happened and see if the Kiowa could come help. Next he hurried to the Lazy Dog. When he couldn’t find either of the O’Malley men, he hired a man to search for them. Next he rode to Dulcie’s. She was in the parlor sitting on a man’s lap. At the sight of Dan, she came across the room.
“I need your help,” he said without preamble.
“What can I do?” She moved away from the parlor, where it was quieter.
“Mary O’Malley’s brother was mauled by a bear. She’s going to a mining camp in the mountains, where her brother is. Can you find someone to cook and keep the boardinghouse running while she’s gone? Someone to go over there by breakfast time in the morning?”
Dulcie wrinkled her brow. “I suppose if nothing else, I can send my own cook.”
“That temperamental little chef—do you think he’ll agree?”
“Of course. I’ll tell him what you said, that Mary O’Malley is the best cook in the world. He won’t be able to resist taking over her kitchen.”
Dan hugged her. “Thanks, Dulcie. I knew I could count on you. I’m going with Mary.”
“You’re going?”
“She doesn’t know where Brian and Paddy are. I hired someone to search for them, but it could take all night.”
“One more time Silas should have been at her side. Instead she has you,” Dulcie said, staring at him intently. “You may be gone for days.”
“I’ll go with her and come back tomorrow. If necessary, I can go back and get her later, but Brian will probably be with her. I’ll pay for whatever the cook costs. Just keep the place running for her.”
“Silas can pay, Dan. Take it out of that money. Come here, before you go. I’ll pack food you can take.”
In a few minutes she handed him two baskets of food. “Run along, honey. I hope he’s okay.”
Dulcie watched him stride through the door. She followed him out to the porch as he mounted and wheeled his horse around to ride away. He waved, and she waved in return, shivering in the cold. “And did you think to tell Her Highness you’re leaving town?” Dulcie asked softly with only the sigh of the wind for an answer. Mary Katherine O’Malley. She had seemed quiet, sweet, innocent, and the least likely person to stir up a tempest, but if Dulcie knew anything about men, there was going to be a terrible tempest swirling around Mary O’Malley before long.
Dan rode to Louisa’s house. Charles Shumacher opened the door in response to Dan’s loud knock.
“Mr. Castle? It’s far too late for you to be calling on Louisa. Do you realize what time it is?”
“Sir, I’m leaving town on an emergency and I wanted to let Louisa know.”
“She’s in bed asleep. I’ll give her the message.”
“Mary O’Malley’s brother was mauled by a bear. He’s at a mining camp in the mountains and one of the men came to get Mary and the doctor. We can’t find her father or brother, so I’ll accompany her to the camp.”
“I see. Sorry. Sounds bad. That Michael O’Malley is a strong one, though. He’s not like the other O’Malleys. Big, strapping fellow who boxes. Is there anything we can do?”
“No, but thanks. Just tell Louisa. I hope to come back in the morning, but I may be delayed. I’d appreciate it if you pass word on to people for me.”
“Certainly.”
Dan hurried off the porch and mounted up, riding to his house to grab the clothes he thought he’d need. He strapped on his six-shooter and got down his rifle, then headed back to the O’Malleys’.
Long past midnight they rode away from town, headed west toward the mountains. The wind was chilly, and low clouds scudded across the sky. They rode until three in the morning, when Dan caught up with Jethro. “I think we should stop. Mary can’t ride straight through.”
Mary appeared beside him. “Yes, I can. I don’t want to sleep. It’s up to Dr. Felton. Ask him.”
“Doc, what about it?”
The lanky, taciturn doctor said, “I can ride. I can sleep in the saddle if necessary.”
Near dawn Dan noticed Mary nodding. He rode close beside her, placing his hand on her arm. “Mary.”
She straightened up and looked at him. “I’m fine.”
He lifted her to his horse. “Ride with me and you can sleep a little.”
The doctor took the reins of Mary’s horse, leading her horse behind his, while Dan settled Mary in front of him. “Comfortable?”
She hooked her knee around the pommel. “Yes,” she said. She knew she should have protested and stayed on her horse, but she was exhausted and it was warm and comforting in Dan’s arms. He held her tightly and she placed her head against his chest, closing her eyes. Without thinking about what he was doing, Dan bent his head to kiss the top of her head lightly, brushing his lips across the top of her furry cloak.
Dawn came and they reached the mountains. They rode upward on a narrow trail, and the wind whistled through pines and spruce. A fresh, woodsy scent that Dan loved filled the cold air, and the white trunks of aspen looked beautiful in the first light of dawn as the sun rose and streamed through the trees. Mary felt warm pressed against him, her arm wrapped tightly around his waist. They halted by a stream to wash and let the animals drink. Dan shook her gently, “Mary, wake up.”
He dismounted and lifted her down. “I’ve got some dried beef and some cold biscuits.”
In a short time they were traveling again. This time Mary rode on her own horse, but she could remember clearly how it had felt to be held tightly in Dan’s arms leaning against the solid strength of his chest. As they wound higher up the mountains, there were patches of snow that became denser, until they reached the mountaintop, which was covered with snow. Sunlight splashed over them and Dan rode beside Mary, casting continual glances at her. Plumes of smoke spiraled up from the valley below, and Dan guessed it was the mining camp.
As they rode into camp, Jethro gave two long whi
stles, a signal, and Dan wondered why he would have to signal their approach. He felt a prickle across his nape, and hoped they weren’t riding into trouble. Jethro turned in his saddle, dropping back to ride beside Dan.
“I think I should take Doc in first. Her brother ain’t a pretty sight. And if I was you, I’d stay close to the lady. We got some tough ones in camp. I wouldn’t want my sister there. The little lady looks nice. ’Course, the thought that Michael O’Malley might recover will keep most of ’em in line. He’s as tough as they come.”
“I don’t doubt it for a second,” Dan replied. “I sent a telegram to a friend who might come.”
Jethro gave him a curious stare. “What kind of friend?”
Dan’s suspicions that all wasn’t right grew stronger. “A Kiowa. He nursed my brother through something as bad as this.”
“You going to bring him back here?”
“Yes.”
“You whistle before you ride into camp, just like I did,” he said, and moved back in the lead. Dan turned to look at Mary, who was the last in line now, and he suspected she might have heard what Jethro said.
Mary had heard the soft-voiced conversation, but it caused her no worry because all her thoughts were on Michael. She prayed as she rode, thinking the ride seemed interminable. Dan wore a gunbelt and pistol on his hip, the first time she had seen him armed. It changed him, giving him a more formidable appearance. He wore faded denim pants and had a knife in a scabbard at his waist. It was reassuring to have him along, and she was thankful he had come with her. For the first time since Michael left home, she had someone around who really helped bear some of the burden of her problems.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, spilling warmth over the mountain, they rode down into a valley thick with spruce. Along the valley floor, log cabins had been built near a gurgling mountain stream. At one end were sluices, and the land was gouged where men were digging for gold. Jethro rode to a large cabin set off yards away from the others, where he dismounted. Men working paused to watch them, and waved at Jethro, who returned the wave.
“Doc.”
Mary dismounted quickly, but Dan was down first and caught her around the waist. “Let the doc look at him first.”
“I’m not going to faint. Let me go, Dan!” she cried, struggling against him. She pushed against his chest, but he held her tightly.
“Mary, please wait,” he asked gently.
She felt a desperate need to see Michael, to know for certain that he was still alive. For a moment she was bound to Dan. Arms like steel bands held her, and she couldn’t break free.
“Let me go to my brother!”
“When Doc says you can, I will. Mary, they’re trying to take care of him. Give them a chance.”
She stopped struggling and sagged against him, resting her forehead against his chest. He stroked the back of her head. “It won’t be long.”
Growing calmer, she moved away, staring at the door.
“I know you’re cold,” Dan said, rubbing her hands between his. As he rubbed her hands, he looked around. Two men sauntered toward Dan, and the foreboding he had felt earlier returned. Their clothes were ragged, both wore gunbelts and pistols, and both had knives in scabbards. As they came closer, Dan studied the taller one, who had a curly dark beard and black mustache. The man had a pockmarked face where it wasn’t covered with the thick mat of hair, and Dan felt a nagging twinge of recognition.
“Howdy,” the man said. “You O’Malley’s kin?”
“This is his sister, Miss O’Malley. I’m Dan Castle.”
“Sorghum Baines, here, and my friend is Donner Moffit,” the taller man said. Both of them studied Mary intently. “We’re shore glad to have a woman here. You want to come have a bite to eat?”
“I’m going inside as soon as I can,” she answered. “Thank you.”
“The doc is in the cabin,” Dan explained, draping his arm protectively around her shoulders. “We’re waiting until he’s ready.”
“O’Malley and the bear about had a draw. Bear’s dead. We skinned him.”
“You a friend of the O’Malleys’?” Sorghum asked Dan.
“Yes, a very close friend of Miss O’Malley’s father and of her fiancé.”
Both men nodded. Behind them Doc Felton opened the cabin door. “Miss O’Malley.” He stepped outside. “I’ve cleaned his wounds and you can come in now. I’ve done all I can do. I’ve sewed up the cuts and I’ve left laudanum and some ointments. I’d like to give you instructions on his care. I’m riding back to town. I have two babies due anytime now, and I’ve done all I can.”
“Will he be all right?”
“I can’t honestly give you an answer,” Doc Felton replied.
As she moved past him, Doc Felton followed her inside. Dan glanced at Sorghum and Donner. “Glad to meet you,” he said casually.
“Mister, we got a mine here, and it’s off limits except to those who’re working it. ’Course, the little lady can come talk to us anytime. We ain’t had many women around here.”
“We’re just here because of Michael O’Malley,” Dan answered evenly. And while he talked, he remembered Sorghum. The man had ridden with a gang in New Mexico Territory. They had robbed a train and had come into town to spend their money. It was a little Spanish town without a lawman. Dan had ridden with his own gang at the time, and they had stayed in the town because it was a safe hideaway from lawmen. He hoped Sorghum didn’t remember any of that.
They turned away, and Dan watched them walk back toward the fire. Jethro came out of the cabin.
“I see you’ve met Sorghum and Donner.”
“Yes. They warned me to stay away from the mine.”
“Take their advice, mister. Those two are better off alone.” He rubbed his neck. “Actually, Michael and I were about ready to pull up stakes and move on. We’d been discussing it. And keep your eye on the lady. I’d get her back to Denver as soon as you can.”
“Thanks, I intend to.” Dan wondered if they were hiding anything more than a mine. “Who’s been caring for Michael?”
“I have,” Jethro answered. “No one touched him since I left.”
As Jethro walked away, Dan entered the cabin. The man who lay on the bed bore little resemblance to Paddy, Brian, or Mary. He looked pale as snow, with a thick shock of black curls showing above a bandage. Even with bandages wrapped around his chest and arms and hands, some cuts were still visible. He was a big man, with broad shoulders and thick muscles, something Dan suspected would help him through the next few days. Mary lightly touched Michael O’Malley’s hand.
Dan pulled a straight wooden chair beside the bed. “Sit down here, Mary.” He moved away with Dr. Felton.
“I’m going back to Denver,” Felton said. “You said you were coming along.”
Dan shook his head and stepped outside with the doctor, closing the door behind them. “I’ll pay the bill for this. I don’t think I should leave her alone, though,” he said, remembering fleetingly that in two days he had an appointment with Edward Ringwood. “What are Michael’s chances?”
Doc Felton shrugged his broad, bony shoulders. “Can’t say. I’ve seen men that weren’t hurt that bad who couldn’t survive. I’ve seen others who were hurt worse than that, and they were strong enough to pull through.”
“I don’t know him, but I know the family,” Dan said, “and I’d wager Michael O’Malley is as tough a man as you’ll ever meet.”
Doc set his hat squarely on his head. “If that’s the case, he’ll make it.”
“Thanks for what you’ve done.”
Doc Felton’s brown eyes swept the camp. “They didn’t give you a big welcome, did they?”
“No. They warned me to stay away from their mining. If he does pull through, I want to get Mary back to Denver as quickly as possible.”
“She ought to come now, and let someone else tend him.”
“The moon would fall out of the sky before she would do that.”
“Be ca
reful. No one has been tending him. When I went in, he had his six-shooter in hand.”
“Damn, he can’t trust his cronies!”
The physician offered his hand. “Good luck.”
“Thanks for everything, Doc.” Dan stood with his thumbs hooked in his belt while Doc Felton mounted. Dan waved, his gaze shifting to the miners. The men were out of sight except for one standing over the sluices, and Dan could hear picks striking rock in the distance. He surveyed the area, glad their cabin was isolated and at the opposite end of the camp. The area reminded him of home, and he inhaled deeply, realizing his love for the mountains would always be part of him. They were in a beautiful valley surrounded by spruce-covered mountains, and a sparkling stream ran only feet away from the cabin’s back door. He walked around the cabin, trying to get familiar with the cabin and the land, because he had a hunch trouble was brewing. He remembered tales about Sorghum; he was wanted for robbery and murder, and was known for gunning down people in holdups.
There was a privy in back, along with a pump, a well, and a small shed, where he put the horses. There were two doors to the cabin, one in front and one in back and he decided it had been built to serve as a home long before the other cabins were put up. Kindling was piled against the back wall. As a precaution, Dan filled buckets of water and a copper tub, so they would have a good supply inside in case they had to board up in the cabin. Mary didn’t look around to see what he was doing, remaining as still as Michael, her hand over his while his chest rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths.
Dan went inside to build up the fire, glad they had brought plenty of provisions. He didn’t think he could ride out to hunt for meat and leave Mary alone for so much as an hour. While he waited for coffee to brew, he glanced around, wondering if Michael had stayed in this cabin alone. It was larger than all the others, and inside there were four beds made of rough-hewn logs and hides. One was along the east wall, and Dan strung a rope and hung blankets around it to give Mary a corner to herself and some privacy. “Mary, you sleep here,” he said, and she nodded, turning her attention right back to Michael.