Claire wasn’t exactly sure what she’d expected, but once again her preconceived ideas of what her sister’s farm would look like were vastly different from reality. The front porch held white rocking chairs, and there were flowers lining the edges. It looked warm and inviting, and a burst of shame rolled through her. Of course it looked cozy and warm — any home of Mary’s would.
The air was hot from the mid-morning sun, but it was clean, and different from Philadelphia. Claire took a deep, full breath, and her stomach rolled with excitement. She’d made it to the Wild West and was about to embark on a new adventure helping her sister…on a farm. She jumped down from the carriage before the sheriff could help her and was rewarded with a grin. Her heart jumped in her chest, and she decided then and there that if there was any place on earth where she could fully be herself with no thought to being proper—this was it! She felt giddy. Free.
Mary called from the barn, and the sheriff offered his arm as they walked away from the house, across the yard, and toward a barking dog.
Claire’s skin tingled where they touched, and she bit her lower lip. How ironic that most of her adult life she’d heard girlfriends talk about the attraction they had with suitors, some sharing juicy details about their romantic interludes, and she had always listened with interest and curiosity. She’d never felt it, though—definitely not with Edward—but now she was in Texas with a handsome sheriff, and wouldn’t you know she’d have her first experience being attracted to a man. A man who was off-limits.
“Hey, fella,” Claire greeted as the dog raced to her, and appeared to accept that she wasn’t going to cause any harm. He danced around her. She dropped the sheriff’s arm and reached down to pat him, rewarded by a sloppy kiss.
Mary joined them. She was wearing pants. Pants! She looked hot, and tired, but happy to see them.
Claire opened her arms for a hug.
“I don’t smell the best right now, sis. Let’s save that for after I have a bath.” Mary said with a smirk after a once-over of Claire’s blue, silk dress.
“I don’t care what you smell like—or what I’m wearing. I’m going to take every opportunity to hug you that I can.”
* * *
Mary laughed and stepped into her sister’s open arms. She closed her eyes. It felt good to be with family.
The sheriff cleared his throat. “Ladies, I’ll get Claire’s bags into the house, and then I must be going. One of my men will be here shortly, and he’ll stay here with the two of you until he’s relieved by one of the others. We’ll make sure you’re both protected until these men are caught.”
“Sheriff Sully,” Mary reprimanded. “We don’t need your protection. I have a gun, and I know how to use it. You need to be with your men, and your men need to be with you.”
He hesitated. “I do need to be with my men, but that doesn’t change the fact that there are two women on this farm, and your brother has been seriously injured by the men we’re seeking. I’ll be more focused if I know you’re both safe.” He looked from Mary to Claire, his pupils flaring.
Mary’s eyebrow raised as she took in the way he looked at her sister. Well, I’ll be, she thought.
Sully looked over at Mary, and she winked at him. His eyes narrowed, and he stepped back, then moved toward the carriage.
“Miss Mary, can I give the horses some water before I head back?” he asked over his shoulder.
“Of course. Take the bags into the house, and I’ll bring a pail over to the horses.”
Claire had wandered over to the corral, and one of the horses joined her at the railing. She was scratching him behind the ears and warily watching the longhorn cattle in the farthest corral.
“Looks like you’ve made a friend or two already,” Mary called over to her.
Claire answered with a smile. “Do they have names?”
“The horses?”
“Well, all of the animals. Let’s start with your dog.”
“That was Mike’s dog. His name is Goliath.”
Claire smiled a sad smile. “That’s a great name for a dog. What about Mister Longhorn over there?”
“The cattle don’t have names. We don’t really consider them to be pets, but you do seem to have his attention.” She pointed in the direction of the largest longhorn in the corral who had massive horns.
“I noticed. The big one looks like he could so some serious damage if he wanted to.”
“He could, so please don’t go near them. I’ll deal with the longhorns.”
“You’ll get no argument from me there!” Claire confirmed, still in a staring contest with the big longhorn. “I’m going to call him Colossal.”
Mary laughed. “It’s fitting.”
“I’ll go get changed and come help you with the chores.”
“I’m almost done with the morning chores. Let’s get you settled—trust me, there will be more chores to do later. You did bring something other than silk dresses, didn’t you?”
“Don’t forget, sis, I wasn’t expecting Jim to be injured. I thought he would be helping you on the farm, so although I have more than just silk dresses, I may need to borrow some more appropriate clothes from you for the chores. Pants, huh?” she asked as Mary reached her side.
“They are much more practical than dresses when you’re working a farm. Mike—” her voice broke. “Well, he didn’t mind me wearing pants. He said I looked beautiful no matter what I was wearing.” Tears filled Mary’s eyes.
“Mary, I’m so sorry,” Claire’s eyes filled with concern as she turned toward her sister. “I can’t even imagine what it must be like to have loved and lost your husband. I know you were just beginning your life together and—”
Mary cut her off. “We can talk about it later, Claire. Let’s get inside so the sheriff can leave, and we’ll get you settled.”
Sheriff Sully was saying his goodbyes when a cloud of dust appeared in the distance. “Get inside, ladies. Now,” he demanded.
Claire started to protest when she noticed the dust cloud. She paled and grabbed Mary’s arm. “Let’s go,” she urged, pulling her sister toward the house. Mary stumbled after her.
“What’s up?”
“Someone’s coming.”
Mary glanced down the road. “It’s probably just one of Sully’s men.” She rolled her eyes, but Claire didn’t slow down or let go of Mary until they’d reached the porch.
The sheriff was riding toward the dust that was getting closer and closer to the house.
“Did you say you have a gun?” Claire asked, a shiver rolling through her body.
“Hey, Claire, it’s okay. You are safe here.”
“How can you know that? You didn’t see what I saw, and you didn’t experience what I did. Those men, from the descriptions of the passengers who survived—they sounded horribly cruel. They kidnapped some of the passengers, Mary. You don’t know that we’re safe.”
Mary took both of Claire’s hands in hers. They were shaking uncontrollably. “I’m sorry, Claire. I guess you’re right, I just have never felt afraid out here. Mike was an excellent marksman, and the first thing he did was teach me to shoot—and I mean he didn’t relent until he knew I could use a gun with confidence.”
“Why do you think he did that, Mary?” she asked, whirling away from her sister. “Why would he have insisted upon that if you were completely safe out here?” She spun back toward Mary. It was more of an accusation.
Mary didn’t have an answer. Both women turned toward the sound of horses galloping toward them. Mary had been right. It was Sully riding beside another man.
When they reached the house, both men got down from their horses and tied them to the porch. “Sheriff, Evan,” Mary greeted them with a strained smile as she welcomed them at the door.
The sheriff hesitated. “Is everything all right?” He inclined his head inside toward Claire, whose arms were wrapped tightly around her waist. Her face pale.
Mary gave him a pointed look.
“Let’
s go inside. Deputy Evan, if you have a bag, bring that in with you. I’m not sure if you’re staying, but Claire and I are sharing a room so there’s a spare room. You can put your things in the room at the back, sleep there, whatever’s appropriate.”
Claire glanced gratefully at Mary and squared her shoulders. She reached her right hand out, “Hello, I’m Claire Hawarden,” she introduced herself with a dazzling smile.
* * *
Charming, I’ll add that to the list.
Sully watched Evan Dow’s face redden in response. Evan was a solid lawman, a good judge of character, and a good man. He was medium height, slight, and still single, and from what Sully knew, had never shown any interest in a woman. He didn’t judge it—he hadn’t shown any interest in the women of Bareglen Creek either.
Evan reached out to take Claire’s hand, his eyes roved over her face, down her neck, taking in her dress before he released her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Ma’am.”
Sully felt a spark of jealousy, but quickly quenched it. He had no time for it, and no claim. “Miss Mary, Miss Howarden—you’ll be safe with Deputy Dow. He’s experienced, and I have full confidence that you’re in good hands.”
His eyes rested on Claire. She had some color back in her face now. She would be okay. “Ladies.” He tilted his hat toward them.
He turned to Evan. “Stay here until someone arrives to take your place.” He paused and gave him a pointed look. “You know what to do.”
“I do, Sheriff. We’ll be fine,” he assured him.
“Sheriff, before you leave, I have a small satchel with some food in it for you.”
“Thank you, Miss Mary. That’s very kind. I’ll share it with my men.” He smiled at her and nodded as Mary turned toward the kitchen.
A swift look of longing crossed Claire’s face but he couldn’t be sure. Instead, she said, “Goodbye, Sheriff—and thank you.” Claire’s eyes were alight with fear and something else he couldn’t quite read.
His face softened. He walked over to her and took her hands into his. “Everything is going to be okay, Miss Hawarden. We’ll get them, and Jim will be home with you before you know it.” She cocked her head curiously.
Mary returned and handed him the parcel with food; with a final nod he turned and left.
The warmth from Claire’s hands lingered on his, and he wondered at the look she’d given him right before he’d left. It dawned on him. Home. He’d suggested this was her home. But it wasn’t. She was only visiting, his mind admonished.
Chapter 12
Kneeland’s Pass
“They’ve been here, Sheriff. From what we can tell there are at least eight of them.” Joseph Cane waited expectantly.
The sheriff nodded. It looked like his deputy’s assessment was correct. There were tracks of at least eight horses in the same location the original shooter had been spotted just two days before. It concerned him. They were far too close to his town. His people. He didn’t know what they were planning, but whatever it was, he would make sure it didn’t happen.
“We need to find them, men.”
Murmurs of agreement rose into the air.
“Adra,” he addressed the only Ranger in their group. “I know you have a relationship with the Indian tribes in this area. Make contact with them. We need their best tracker, and I mean their best.”
Adra nodded. He turned his horse and raced to the west.
Sully’s thoughts went to John Barker—his deputy. He’d been captured two days ago now, and experience dictated that few survived after twenty-four hours. He’d never lost a man, and he wasn’t about to start now.
“We need to find John. I’m not willing to lose him—or anyone in Bareglen Creek. Let’s double our efforts, find every man available that’s willing to join the hunt, and let’s find him. Let’s bring him home.”
The men cheered. It made him cringe—he didn’t want the robbers to know they were on to them—but at the same time it made it him proud. They were good men. All of them. He’d made the right choice in coming here to Bareglen.
* * *
The Indian called Mangus studied the area. He moved seemingly without touching the earth. It was as though he left no mark.
Adra spoke to him in his native tongue.
Mangus pointed west and then looked at Adra as though he were blind.
Sully stifled a chuckle. There was no doubt in his mind that Adra probably was blind—that they were all blind compared to the Indians. The ways the Indians existed on the land without creating the burden, as though they were one with it, it was a sight to behold. Sully had studied various Indian cultures while at Penn with a progressive professor. He had conflicted emotions around their treatment in the current climate, and the dominance with which his own people—white people—were overtaking their lands. He believed there had to be a better way. A way to exist together in peace rather than be in enmity with one another. Was he naive? Possibly, he acknowledged.
Adra gestured for Sully to join them. Sully bowed his head, acknowledging Mangus. Distrust shown clear in Mangus’ eyes, but Sully was okay with that. Everyone had to prove they were trustworthy, even the sheriff’s own men.
“Sheriff, Mangus believes the robbers are within ten miles. From what he can tell, it looks like they may have visited this area more than once.”
“Can he confirm their numbers?”
Adra spoke to Mangus.
“He believes there are two hands of men.”
Sully nodded. Ten men. It was close to the information they’d heard regarding prior robberies, although he had a feeling there were more of them. Potentially a separate main camp.
“Has he heard anything about a new group of men in this area—or nearby?”
Adra asked Mangus, who responded with a passionate string of words. Sully couldn’t tell exactly what he was saying, but he could see the anger in his eyes.
“Maybe the wrong question, Sheriff. He said there are many new people in the area—too many to keep count.”
Sully turned his eyes to Mangus. He held his gaze and nodded an apology.
Mangus stood watchful and suddenly Sully saw his eyes shift from distrust to respect—at least for today—Mangus knew he had a friend in this white man.
Sully addressed Mangus directly. “Can you help us track them?”
Mangus nodded, turned, and began walking in the direction he had pointed more than five minutes ago.
Sully looked at Adra, his eyes wide. “He’s heading there now?”
“Looks like it,” Adra acknowledged.
“Will you join me?”
“With honor, Sheriff.”
Sully turned to his deputies. “Men, I want all but one of you to return to the town. I’m not sure how long it will take to track the main camp of these robbers, but I’m sticking with Mangus and Adra until we do.”
The men were somber but nodded.
“Hank, I want you to head a group of men to protect Bareglen Creek. Keep at least five of them with you, spread throughout the town, and be vigilant at all times.”
Hank nodded.
“Joseph, I want you to relieve Evan at Mary Trost’s farm tomorrow morning, shortly after sunrise. If there’s any sign of trouble, stay there together. Otherwise, let Evan go back to town.”
“Yes, Sheriff,” Joseph acknowledged.
“We’ll bring John home,” he assured them. Make sure you get some rest when you’re not on duty. We need everyone to be as sharp as possible.”
Chapter 13
Mary’s Farm to Doc Holloway’s
“Of course I can go into town. I’m going to see my brother,” Claire argued.
“Are you trying to get me fired, miss? If the sheriff finds out I let you leave, or that I left without waiting for reinforcements, he’ll kill me.”
Claire’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t want to get the deputy into trouble, but there was no way she was leaving Jim alone in town without someone checking in on him.
“I can ride
a horse. I can make my way to town, and the sheriff is well aware of what I’m like. I won’t let him hold you responsible. Mary rode to town by herself just yesterday, and nothing has changed since then.”
“With all due respect, ma’am, we don’t know that. Besides which, my replacement could be arriving any moment.” Evan’s facial expression changed to one of near desperation.
“Then we’ll all go to town.”
Mary doubled over in laugher and they turned to look at her. “Claire, I’ve missed you,” she uttered between giggles and wiping tears from her eyes. “Evan—it’s no use arguing with her. You won’t win. I think her suggestion that we all go into town is probably one we can all live with, agreed?”
He nodded and looked relieved.
As Deputy Dow had predicted, they met Joseph Cane, Evan’s replacement, halfway to town. He tried to persuade them to turn back to the farm, but Claire wasn’t going to have it. Eventually Joseph gave up and fell in behind them on their way to town.
Once they reached Doc Holloway’s, Joseph took the reins of the horses. “How long are you all going to be?”
“An hour.” Claire decided. “It’s enough time to visit with Jim, and then we’ll go to the merchants to pick up any supplies we need.”
Mary smiled. She’d forgotten how well Claire organized the lives of everyone around her, but in light of all she’d been through since losing Mike, it felt good to let someone else be in charge.
The two sisters walked through the front door of Doc Holloway’s, and Melissa greeted them immediately.
“Hello, you two. We were just discussing you.” She looked directly at Claire.
Claire looked around the room, but clearly there were just the three of them. “We came to visit with Jim. Can we see him?”
Melissa took her usual position between the door to the infirmary and her desk. “Let me get Doctor Holloway. Please wait here,” she requested as she walked through the door to the main house.
CHARMED Boxed Set 1, Hero Hearts Historical: Inspirational Western Romance Page 5