Gunslinger: A Six Guns and Prairie Roses Novel

by Cynthia Breeding

  They went down Montgomery and then onto Pacific Street past the dance halls and saloons. Abby stared wide-eyed at the scantily-clad women on the sidewalk, some of them waving coyly at Luke. She turned to him and her hood fell back. “Do you know those—”

  “No.” He glanced at her before letting his gaze sweep the area. “Keep the damn hood up.”

  “You don’t have to curse.”

  “Then don’t make me.”

  Abby glared at him as they turned on East Street and neared the docks. He certainly had become surly. Was it too much to ask… “Oh!” She clapped a hand over her mouth as two men suddenly stepped out from an alley.

  “Looks like we struck it lucky twice,” one of them said as he brandished a knife.

  “Yeah. Good horseflesh and a real nice-looking filly, too,” the other one answered and flicked his own knife open.

  “You can give them up real easy and live,” the first one said to Luke as he reached for Diablo’s bridle.

  Then, everything became a blur. Diablo reared, striking out with his front hooves as Luke dropped the reins and rose in one smooth motion. Abby never saw him draw his gun, but the burst of noise and the smell of gunpowder reeled her senses. Seconds later, the men ran off, each of them clutching a bleeding hand.

  The commotion had created a stir. A number of unsavory sorts, as well as some sailors, started swarming toward them.

  “Hold on,” Luke said grimly as he gathered the reins. “We’re going home.”

  Abby didn’t need to be told twice, and neither did Diablo. While she clutched the side of the narrow seat tightly, the horse careened down the uneven cobblestone and then onto a rutted road that led away from the wharf. It didn’t take long before the sounds of the mob behind them faded away. As Luke slowed down the stallion, Abby turned to him. “What…” she started to say and then her words were lost as a loud crack rendered the air like thunder.

  The carriage lurched sideways and she felt herself hurtling through the air.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The thunder continued to roll over her, a constant rumble accentuated with loud, booming blasts. As Abby slowly regained consciousness, she became aware the noise was angry male voices.

  She slit an eye slightly. Ben stood on one side of the bed that she lay in, Luke on the other. They were glaring at each other.

  “You must be crazier than a loon. What were you thinking, taking my sister down to the docks at night?” Ben demanded.

  “She was looking for you, hothead.”

  Abby opened her eyes before one of them decided to throw a punch. Everything already hurt. She didn’t want to be caught in the middle—or under—flailing fists.

  “What happened?” Her voice came out in a croak.

  “You’re awake!”

  Luke and Ben spoke in unison as though they’d practiced it. She started to smile, but her face hurt too. Tentatively, she reached up to touch her cheeks, only to have each of them grab one of her hands.

  “Careful,” Luke said. “Your face got scraped when you landed in the dirt.”

  “All because of you,” Ben said.

  “You were the one who ran off.”

  “Stop!” Her voice was still weak. “What happened? I remember riding in the buggy and then there was a loud crack—”

  “The wheel came off. I think the axle broke,” Luke replied.

  Ben scowled. “You should have known your fancy little carriage wasn’t built for roads like those.”

  Luke gave him a cool stare. “I wasn’t planning to be in that area, remember?”

  “Enough, you two!” Abby struggled to sit up. Immediately, Luke bent to assist her. At least, he tried to, until Ben shoved at his hands.

  “I’ll do it,” Ben said.

  “I’ve already got her,” Luke answered.

  They glared at each other, each of them holding one of her arms.

  “Could you both let go?” Abby asked. They both started, and for a moment she was afraid she was going to the center of a tug-of-war. Blessedly, they both came to their senses. In another minute, she was propped against the headboard, a stack of pillows plumbed behind her.

  “Now,” she said before they could start arguing again. “Ben. I asked Luke to take me to the docks because I thought you might have gone down there.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “I know you like to run when you’re angry, and the docks are the flattest place in San Francisco.” Abby answered, “but it’s dangerous, too.”

  Ben tilted his head toward Luke. “Too bad he didn’t think of that.”

  “He did,” Abby replied before Luke could. “I had to argue with him about it. He wanted to take me home and then go looking for you.”

  Ben glanced at Luke. “Why would you come looking for me?”

  “Because your sister was concerned that you’d get beaten up.”

  He frowned. “I can take care of myself.”

  Luke shrugged. “Tell that to your sister, not me.”

  Ben gave her a determined look. “He should have told you no and stuck to his guns.”

  “That works?” Luke asked.

  “Not usually.” Ben admitted. “But, damnation, you put my sister in danger—”

  “Not really,” Abby interrupted. “You should see how fast Luke is with a gun.”

  When two pair of male eyes turned on her, she realized her error. “What I mean is—”

  “What happened?” Ben asked, his tone as dark as his gaze.

  “Actually, everything turned out all right.”

  “I don’t think so, given your condition.” He turned to Luke. “What happened?”

  Luke glanced at her before he spoke. “We got jumped by a couple of hombres who wanted my horse.” He lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. “I wounded them.”

  Abby breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t going to tell her brother that the men had also wanted her. “You should have seen him, Ben. He moved so fast, I didn’t even know his gun was out until I heard the shots.”

  “Really?” Ben scrutinized him. “You must have had a lot of practice.”

  “Some,” Luke answered. “Knowing how to shoot straight comes in handy in these parts.”

  “And he did,” Abby said. “He shot their hands and made them drop their weapons.”

  Ben lifted a brow. “Weapons? They had guns?”

  “Knives.” Luke shrugged again. “Shooting seemed the best way to stop them. I didn’t want my horse to get slashed.”

  Abby was going to make sure Diablo got a nice, juicy apple for his role. Ben would be furious if he found out the rest. “So Luke thought it best to get his horse out of harm’s way.”

  “At breakneck speed?” Ben still looked upset, but his voice had calmed.

  “The shots attracted a crowd. I thought it best to get your sister out of there before someone saw or recognized her. It’d be bad business for the store.”

  She felt her eyes widen and then glanced down before Ben could see her surprise. She hadn’t even thought of those consequences, but how clever of Luke to bring that up instead of the fact that she had been in danger herself.

  “I suppose you’re right about that,” Ben said grudgingly. “I suppose I should thank you.”

  “No thanks needed,” Luke said. “I’m glad I was there.”

  Ben gave him a long, silent look, then slowly nodded.

  Luke’s words sent a warm tingle through her in spite of everything hurting. He definitely deserved a reward for both his quick action and his quick thinking in response to her brother’s questions, but she doubted he’d be interested in an apple. Perhaps another kiss? When her brother wasn’t around. Heat pooled low in her belly, making her forget the aches and pains for a moment. She’d look forward to awarding that kiss.

  ♦◊♦

  Early the next morning, Luke got a wagon from the stable and returned to the spot where the cabriolet had broken down. The small carriage was still where he left it, on its side and pushe
d to the edge of the road. After the accident, he’d unhitched Diablo and ridden bareback to the boarding house. Thankfully, the horse was so attuned to him that he only had to guide him with his thighs, leaving his arms free to hold an unconscious Abby.

  He didn’t think he’d ever forget the sight of her flying through the air or the sound of the hard thud when she hit the ground. From the way her face was scraped, it appeared she’d landed on her side and skidded a few inches. He’d never forget, either, how his heart had pounded so hard he was afraid it might escape his chest when he’d knelt beside her still body. He’d prayed—something he hadn’t done in a long time—that she still breathed, and tears had actually streamed down his face when he felt her heartbeat. He couldn’t remember crying since he was a small child. Last night, though, that had not mattered. It was only after the physician had come, done his examination, and said she’d had mild concussion, but would live that Luke realized a truth.

  He loved Abigail Clayton Sayer.

  Luke picked up the wheel that had come off and started to toss it inside the wagon bed. Then he stopped and looked more closely. The wheel wasn’t broken. Luke grimaced. The bolts holding it onto the axle must have loosened because of the rutted road and the speed at which he drove. His stupidity might have gotten Abby killed. He could have slowed Diablo once they were clear of the crowd that had gathered. Or he could have taken a different street, maybe one not so rough. He should have checked the cabriolet before he rented it. The next time he took a carriage out, he’d personally inspect every damn wheel himself.

  Luke tossed the wheel into the wagon, then stooped to right the carriage. The contraption wasn’t heavy, although it was bulky. He maneuvered it to the open end of the wagon, leaned it against the frame to use as a fulcrum and lifted the buggy to slide it in. Taking a coil of rope, he started to secure it when his attention was suddenly caught.

  He stared for a moment, not quite sure he was seeing what he thought he was seeing. Then he tossed the rope aside and slid his hand along the dangling, wooden spindle that had held the wheel in place. Had the bolts simply come loose causing the wheel to fall off, the spindle should not have broken. Of course, at the rate they were traveling, it could have splintered, causing the wheel to fall off. Instead of ragged edges though, the hanging piece of wood was smooth.

  Like it had been sawed partially through.

  The wheel had not accidently come loose. Someone had deliberately sabotaged the axle, weakening the spindle enough that it would break without too much strain. Which meant that someone had wanted to him to get into a serious accident.

  No wonder Diablo had acted so high-strung. He’d witnessed the damage being done, but couldn’t speak English.

  And then, Luke felt his blood chill. The cabriolet was not his regular carriage. He’d only rented the buggy yesterday afternoon because his own needed maintenance. He’d invited Abby for a ride, and he had been parked it beside the general store for about an hour. Could the carriage have been tinkered with during that time because Abby was the one who was supposed to have the accident? Luke recalled the loose step, and the incident with the scorpion in the drawer. Were those done on purpose, as well?

  There was only one person who could have done this.

  John.

  But the question was why. The store’s title was in Abby’s name now so, barring Luke’s own plan for revenge—which was beginning to unravel—John had nothing to gain. He might resent a woman’s presence, but she’d let him keep his job. Abby had even told him that once the profits increased, he’d be getting a substantial raise. So why would he want to harm—maybe even kill—her?

  It made no sense.

  ♦◊♦

  “I’m tired of staying in bed.” Abby thrust her chin out, knowing she probably looked and sounded like a petulant child.

  “The doctor said two days of bed rest,” Delia said, pulling the covers up after Abby had pushed them aside. “You’ve barely had one.”

  “I have things to do,” Abby answered. “The store—”

  “Will get along fine without you for a day. Besides, I’m sure Luke will go there later this afternoon.”

  Abby frowned. “Where is he this morning?”

  Delia grinned. “Do you miss him?”

  “That’s not…no, of course not.” She didn’t sound too sure, even to herself. “That wasn’t why I was asking.”

  “Uh-huh. If you say so,” Delia winked.

  Abby huffed. Her friend could be as persistent as a terrier at a rabbit hole. “Well, it’s not.”

  “Fine. Actually, he was here this morning.”

  “He was?” The question was out before Abby could think not to ask. Any interest she showed would only make Delia more dogged in her insistence that romance brewed.

  Delia gave her a knowing look. “You had finally fallen asleep. He didn’t want to wake you.”

  It was probably just as well. If the soreness of her cheek was any indication, that side of her face must be a mass of bruises that were no doubt turning lovely colors of purple and green by now. Her hair was filthy since she’d landed in dirt and she needed a hot bath. “Did he leave a message?”

  “Only that he was going to go pick up the cabriolet and take it back to the stable.” Delia grimaced. “God help the stable owner if there was something wrong with that buggy.”

  Abby raised a brow on the side of her face that didn’t hurt. “Why do you say that?”

  “If you could have seen him when he carried you in, you wouldn’t have to ask.” Delia smiled. “He was nearly beside himself, shouting orders like a Union general and kicking your door open before anyone could get to it.”

  Abby shifted her gaze to the door. “He kicked it in?”

  “Luckily, it wasn’t latched. Mrs. Bartlett wouldn’t have been happy if he’d torn it off its hinges.”

  “I doubt he’d do that.”

  “You didn’t see him. He was like a wild animal until the physician finally got here.” Delia shook her head. “I’d say that man cares for you a whole lot more than he’s willing to let on.”

  Abby felt a warmth spread through her. Was it possible that he did? She hadn’t dared hope the kiss they’d shared had meant as much to him as it did to her. He’d probably kissed scores of women. But what if…

  “You’re blushing,” Delia teased.

  “I’m not.”

  Delia arched a brow. “Want a mirror?”

  “I’d probably only scare myself.”

  “You are rather mottled.” Her friend sobered. “You really are lucky you weren’t killed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two men as upset as Luke and Ben were.”

  Abby attempted a smile. “I woke to them arguing.”

  “I think because they both felt helpless.”

  “Helpless?” Abby had a hard time fathoming Luke ever feeling helpless and she knew her brother. He’d never admit to feeling vulnerable. If he thought her accident was his fault… She frowned. “By the way, where is Ben?”

  “I’m not sure. After breakfast he disappeared. Said he’d be back later.” Delia brightened as they heard the front door slam below. “That might be him now. Should I go find out?”

  Abby was about to say Ben could find his way to her room, but then she noticed the hopeful expression on Delia’s face. It reminded her of her own sense of anticipation when she knew she’d be seeing Luke. She couldn’t fault her friend for that feeling.

  “You might as well.” She’d hardly gotten the sentence out before Delia was striding through the doorway. Abby shook her head. Even though she’d tried to warn her friend that Ben wasn’t the type to settle down, she had a feeling she’d have more luck trying to stop a locomotive with an engine full of steam.

  She just hoped the train wouldn’t crash…although she wasn’t sure if she was thinking of Delia just then or herself.

  ♦◊♦

  By early evening, Abby had had all she could take of lying abed. Ben hadn’t returned by the time Delia bro
ught tea and biscuits up earlier, and Abby was a bit disgruntled that Luke hadn’t put in an appearance either, but at least she’d been able to take a bath. Although she was stiff and sore and had a myriad of multi-colored bruises everywhere, being clean made her feel that she would live.

  She was just about to go down for supper when she heard boots coming up the stairs, followed by a brief knock on her door before it swung open. Her brother stood in the doorway with an unreadable expression on his face.

  “What is it?” she asked, quickly pulling him inside to shut the door. “Is Luke all right?”

  Ben sharpened his gaze. “You’re not falling for him, are you?”

  She hoped her bruises would cover the blush she felt. “Don’t be silly. I just haven’t heard from him all day. I thought he might let me know about the buggy.”

  “Don’t know about that. He wasn’t at the store when I went by there a little while ago.”

  “Had John seen him?”

  Ben shrugged. “I didn’t ask.”

  Abby refrained from rolling her eyes. Typical male response. Not bothering to find out the details. But she dared not chide him about it, since he already suspected she had a personal interest.

  “What have you been doing all day?”

  “That’s what I came up to talk to you about.”

  Abby studied him. Ben looked as serious as she’d ever seen him, even the day he was sentenced to prison. Her nape began to prickle. “There is something wrong. What aren’t you telling me?”

  Her brother hesitated. “Luke Cameron isn’t exactly who he says he is.”

  Her stomach sank to her feet and she sat down quickly on the edge of the bed. “What…what do you mean?”

  Ben closed the distance and sat down beside her. “I spent the day nosing around the Barbary Coast.”

  Abby frowned. “What were you doing in that area? I thought you were going to stay away from saloons and dance halls and gambling dens.”

  “It’s a great place to get information,” Ben answered.