by Sara Orwig
Reuben turned to look at her. “You know I want you. I have so much to give you, and I can make you happy.” He studied her, knowing Dan Castle was a wanted man, yet uncertain how Louisa might react to this information. Her parents would never allow such a marriage, but Louisa might find it appealing and exciting. Reuben didn’t want to give the information to Louisa to use. He would find his own uses for it. “I want you, Louisa. Will you marry me instead?”
She gave him a flirtatious look that made him wish they were alone. She had teased and tormented him for years now, and he wanted her. She would make a good wife, and it was time he took one. And as long as he kept Louisa happy, she would be submissive and all he wanted in a woman.
“Louisa,” he coaxed, stroking her throat.
“Yes, Reuben,” she said. “Yes, I will.”
He swept her to him to kiss her. For an instant she let him, her heart pounding. She was so thankful it was over and Reuben had asked for her hand. He would never know that Dan had lost interest in her. “Reuben,” she said, moving away, “we’ll be scandalized. Everyone can see us.”
He laughed and squeezed her hand. “I don’t want a long engagement, Louisa.”
“Talk to Papa soon. I don’t want Dan to talk to him first. Please.”
“I’ll stop at the bank this afternoon and see him. As well as I know your father, this should be a simple matter, except he’ll want to know your wishes, Louisa. All he knows is you plan to marry Castle.”
“Talk to him tomorrow. That way I can tell him tonight and give Dan an answer.”
Reuben looked at her with burning desire that made her pulse race eagerly. “Tomorrow night, Louisa. And only a few months after we announce our engagement, we’ll have a wedding. I’ve waited long enough for you.”
She no longer cared about Dan Castle. She wasn’t sure she had ever cared. Reuben was exciting, handsome, and far more wealthy. She placed her hand on his thigh and drew her fingers higher, watching him inhale deeply.
“I’ll make you happy, Louisa,” he said, thinking he would have a dazzling ring made for her. She would love it, and it would be the talk of Denver. “I wish we were along now.” He leaned close to whisper in her ear, “When you’re mine, I’ll put my hands and my mouth all over you,” he whispered, his tongue flicking over her ear.
She gasped and pulled away, feeling her cheeks burn. “Reuben, you’re scandalous!”
He laughed and called to Franklin to halt. “I’ll ask Mama to have your family over tomorrow night so we can celebrate.”
Delighted, she smiled at him, happy at the turn of events, and thinking that this may have been what she wanted all along.
Reuben watched her carriage move away. He knew he would have the most beautiful wife of any man in this part of the country. There were a few beautiful women around—Dulcie was one—but they weren’t marriageable. And he anticipated taking Louisa’s virginity, initiating her into the rites of love that he expected her to enjoy as much as he did. She enjoyed what she allowed him to do now! He was glad to think the time would soon approach when he could possess her. His smile faded when he thought of Dan Castle. It changed the picture somewhat, and he rubbed his jaw. Should he go ahead with his plans or not? Now Castle was no longer a threat. Someone who would seldom cross paths with them, and he didn’t think Louisa gave a fig for the man. She hadn’t acted as if she did. But Reuben could get rid of him forever, and that might make life easier. Reuben didn’t want Castle to look like a martyr or hero to Louisa. At least Louisa hadn’t become engaged to him. She would have been publicly embarrassed when word got out about the man.
Reuben decided to go ahead. Denver would be a more pleasant place without Dan Castle.
That night Reuben leaned against the bar at the Nevada House. He spotted the men he wanted, and when he caught their attention, he jerked his head in the direction of the door. He had found them a week ago, telling them to wait until he talked to them again. He planned with care, wanting to make certain he was going to achieve his purpose.
He stepped outside and palmed the derringer he carried. He didn’t trust any of the ruffians that passed through town.
Reuben watched the men come out of the saloon, and he turned to step between two buildings where it was dark and they could be alone.
“ ’Evening, sir,” one of them said.
“Do you still want to do what I asked?”
“Sure do. If there’s a reward, we’ll be happy to turn in a murdering thief.”
“There’s a big reward, and I’ll also pay you, but I want it done right.”
“We’re good at it. We’ve earned plenty turning in wanted men.”
“Very well. Here’s you man.” Reuben pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to them. They unfolded it to study the picture.
“ ‘Tigre Danby Castillo,’ ” one of them read, and looked up. “He dropped out of sight, and rumor had it that he was killed out around the California border.”
“He’s here, living in Denver. He goes under another name, and he doesn’t look like he did in that picture. His hair is cut and he’s a respected citizen, but he’s the same man. I want you to take him back to New Mexico, where they’ll hang him. I want you to cross the border and go to the first large town. He has a lawyer brother in San Antonio. Get it done fast, before that brother can come defend him. Raton, Santa Fe, any town you can get to in a hurry. Do we have a deal?”
“You said you were going to pay a little extra.”
“That’s right, but I want to know if you’re going to do as I ask.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you’re not to return to Denver. I don’t want to hear any more about this. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir. We won’t be back.”
“Very well. Here’s the money.” Dan handed over a packet of bills and they took it, one of them counting swiftly.
“It’s more than I originally said. I want the job done.”
“Don’t give it another thought.”
“The sooner it’s done, the better it will suit me. He plays poker at the Front Street Saloon most nights now. And if you wait until late in the night, he’ll have more whiskey under his belt.”
“Yes, sir.”
Reuben waited until they realized he was finished. “Thank you, sir. Consider the task done.”
They left, and Reuben walked out behind them, crossing the street to his horse and mounting. He looked back once to see if they were gone. He smiled with satisfaction. Dan Castle would no longer be a part of Denver life, and that suited him fine. And by this time tomorrow night, he expected to be engaged to Louisa.
22
As May changed to June, Mary tried to run the boardinghouse, take care of Michael, and forget about Dan, but it was impossible. Thoughts of him affected everything she did. She burned food, something she had rarely done before, and now it occurred with increasing regularity because she simply couldn’t remember to watch it. She set the kitchen on fire—a small fire that Brian and Michael extinguished swiftly. She misplaced things, forgot things, and lost her concentration in the middle of conversations. Finally Michael confronted her one day when they were alone in the parlor.
“Mary, for Lord’s sake, what’s the matter with you?”
“I’m fine, Michael.”
“Fine, hell! You’ve never been like this before. Are you ailing?”
“No, really, I’m fine,” she said, turning pink. Michael stared at her. She had been this way since they returned from camp. And he still hadn’t decided what to do about Dan Castle. The man had saved his life. And Michael had asked Mary about Sorghum, and learned Dan had saved Mary from something terrible. Every time he thought about Sorghum, he grew more anxious to get back to camp. He would teach Sorghum to frighten his sister!
He owed Castle, yet the thought of acquiescing to Dan Castle, an outsider who had no business meddling in his affairs…
Michael’s thoughts suddenly shifted. He looked at Mary and remembered Dan’s
anger. His fury had been directed at Michael and Brian because he wanted to shield Mary from hurt. The man would have to care a hell of a lot to threaten the O’Malleys.
“Mary, how well do you know Dan Castle?”
She blinked, and her face became a deeper shade of pink. Michael stared at her in amazement. “I’ve known him since he came back to Denver. Since last winter.”
“He prospected with Silas.”
“Yes, he did.”
“Does he have a woman in his life?”
“No, I don’t think so. He went out with Louisa Shumacher, but that’s over,” she said, dusting faster. “I’m going upstairs to change the beds.”
“Mary. If I get in a fight with Castle, will you be angry with me if I hurt him?”
She turned to stare at him, and he had his answer before she spoke. He knew Mary’s temper and he could see sparks starting to flash in her eyes. “Yes! What a thing to ask! You owe your life to him and so do I! He had his friend ride all the way from San Antonio without stopping to get to you, and you’re better for it!”
“Oh, Mary, calm down! I won’t hurt him, but he can be annoying.”
“What’s he done to you that’s annoying?”
“He doesn’t like the men I run with at the cabin and he threatened me if I go back.”
“Dan did that?” she said, round-eyed. “Why would he interfere in your life?”
“He doesn’t want me to associate with men like that. If something happens to me, he thinks it’ll hurt you.”
She snapped her mouth shut. “Dan threatened you? Oh, Michael, I’m so glad you didn’t fight!”
“He wouldn’t fight while I have broken ribs. He said you’d never forgive him if he hurt me,” he said, studying her and thinking about his discovery.
She blinked several times. “Well, I didn’t think I’d see the day when I thought someone might hurt you badly, but if there is anyone that could, it would be Dan.”
“I’m not scared of him. I’m bigger than he is.”
“Well, big doesn’t always mean you’ll win. That bear was bigger than you, from what you said. Now he’s skinned.”
“I can whip Castle,” Michael said, trying to see what reaction he would get.
“Michael O’Malley, you’re not to try!”
“Have you heard from Silas?”
“No.”
He leaned back, thinking about Dan. “I hear Castle is going to build houses for Trent Waltham and Edward Ringwood. That should set him up solidly with folks here.”
“Yes, isn’t that marvelous!”
Michael wondered why he had been so blind to see what had happened right beneath his nose. Now that he realized what had caused such a change in Mary, it seemed as obvious as her red hair. He thought about what Dan had told him about his past and weighed it with the kind of man he seemed to be, the future he appeared to have. “Mary, has Dan ever told you anything about his past?”
She paused to stare at him. “Yes, he’s told me. And he must have told you,” she said, closing the parlor door.
“He’s wanted for murder,” Michael said.
“In New Mexico Territory. Why would he tell you, Michael?”
“I think he was trying to scare me. He threatened me because he doesn’t want me to do anything to hurt you.”
“You won’t,” she said gently, her features softening. “You won’t ever hurt me, Michael.”
He turned angrily to stare out the window. “I’m no saint, Mary, and don’t make me feel like I have to be one!”
She laughed. “I’m not asking you to be a saint.” She crossed the room to hug him, and he turned to give her a squeeze. He looked into her eyes. “You love him very much, don’t you?”
“Who?”
It was his turn to laugh. “Don’t act so innocent and shocked. Why I haven’t realized the truth before this is beyond me. Dan Castle.”
Her smile vanished and worry filled her expression.
Suddenly he realized something was terribly wrong. “Surely it isn’t because you promised to wait for Silas? That man hasn’t written you or come home—”
“No, it isn’t. I never loved Silas like I do Dan,” she said quietly. She looked into Michael’s eyes. “Dan promised Silas to take care of me. He says he won’t betray Silas’ trust. That he can’t take Silas’ woman while he’s gone.”
Michael studied her in silence, thinking that over. He realized he could understand. “Mary, it would be a low-down skunk who would woo a man’s love while he’s away from her.”
“But do you know how long Silas has been away? He hasn’t written me one letter. Not one, Michael! Am I to wait until I’m thirty or forty?”
“No, I understand how you feel. I agree with you. But at the same time, I can understand Dan’s reaction. Men who are honorable, and trustworthy, and have a shred of conscience just won’t do something like that.”
“Even if it means the woman may be unhappy the rest of her life?”
He rubbed his forehead. “No wonder you set the kitchen on fire!”
“Oh, Michael! You’re a fine help!”
“Sorry. You’ll work it out. You always work everything out,” he said cheerfully, standing up and patting her shoulder as he left.
Mary glared after him. “Men!” She moved around the room, dusting. Today she would see Doc Felton and perhaps get the wrapping off her ankle. It felt better, and she would be relieved. Her thoughts went from that to Dan. She hadn’t seen him for days, and it hurt more with each passing day. She missed him terribly and wondered if he missed her or if he had already forgotten her.
She sat down on the chair to stare out the window. Time was passing, and the man she loved was going to do the honorable thing and refuse to see her or acknowledge that love. She cried now, when she had spent a lifetime in bad situations without resorting to tears. She stared at the trees, thinking of Dan and how deeply she loved him. And he had to love her. Any man who would threaten Michael to keep him from hurting his sister had to love her deeply. Suddenly she remembered the fight Brian had been in a while back. He wouldn’t say who it was with or why it happened, and she never quizzed him too much about his activities. Could it have been with Dan, for the same reason as he had threatened Michael? Why would he threaten Brian, though? Brian didn’t live in a mining camp with ruffians. But he had disappeared for days at a time. He could be riding out to see Michael, and both could be doing something they shouldn’t. Dan must have learned about it some way when they were in the mountains. The more she thought about it, the more sense it made.
She ran her hand across her forehead. All the men in her life worried her, each in his own way. Pa with his drinking and inventions, Michael and Brian with their wildness, Silas with his absence, Dan with his stubbornness.
“Hi, Mary,” Brian said from the doorway. “Michael and I—”
“I hate you all!” she snapped, standing up and hurrying past him to run to her room to slam the door.
Brian stared after her with his jaw hanging open while Michael came the rest of the way down the stairs.
“What on earth happened to her? You’d think I dropped a scorpion down her dress.”
“You can’t guess what’s befallen our sister?” Michael asked with a grin.
“No. Do you know?”
“Yes, and if you had a little brain in that head of yours, you’d know too. I should have guessed sooner. Who’s been threatening you if you hurt her?”
“Dan Castle. So what the hell does that have to do with anything?”
“I forget your youth.”
Brian’s eyes widened. “Mary’s in love?” he asked.
“Ah, maybe you’re becoming a man of the world after all. Yes. And he won’t betray his trust to Silas and take his woman while he’s away.”
“Mary doesn’t want to wait for Silas?”
“No. Would you want to wait years for someone?”
“Hell, no. She shouldn’t.”
“And would you like a
man who would marry his best friend’s woman while the friend was gone from home?”
“No, but this is different. I mean, Silas has been gone a long time. A hell of a long time. I told Mary she should forget him. I don’t think Castle ought to honor his promises to Silas if he really loves her and she loves him.”
“Oh, she loves him. Why do you think she fell down the stairs and set the kitchen on fire?”
“Holy saints. It’s that bad?”
“And why do you think he threatened us with our lives and revealed his past?”
“Lord, he must love her something awful. I’m glad you didn’t kill him.”
“I’m glad too.”
“But what are we supposed to do? Do we stop or risk seeing if his threats were idle?”
“We stop. Except I’m going back up there to get Sorghum and Donner for what they tried to do to Mary.”
“Michael, why should we stop? He didn’t scare you, did he?”
Michael looked at his younger brother, realizing what jeopardy he had put him in and what kind of an example he had set for him. It had seemed harmless at first, but he had seen Sorghum and Donner take captives and sell them, and he knew he had to get out. He and Jethro had planned to move on anyway. Dan had made him really think about it, though, and when he learned the men had tried to attack Mary, it was the final straw. “No, Brian, I’m not scared of Dan. But he’s right. We stop.”
“Well, you may stop, but I—”
Michael yanked him up by the shirtfront. “You do a damned good job at the livery. You’re going to make a good smithy, and Dan told me you’re a good carpenter. I catch you doing anything illegal, you’ll have me to answer to before Castle! I’ll whip your ass into pudding.”
Brian kicked Michael and doubled his fist to punch him in the belly. Michael grunted from the blow that sent pain shooting through his ribs. He doubled his fists and slammed his right into Brian’s jaw, and followed with a left, sending him crashing across the hall. Brian hit the wall and slumped to the floor. Michael stood over him, his fists clenched.