“Surely it won’t take two hours to remove the pilot?”
“No, but we can’t make up the speed we’ve lost. Have to find a signal to throw and stop the oncoming train. You got no idea how complicated train schedules are.”
“I’d hoped never to learn. All I want is to get home.”
From the side, a little voice yelled, “Mama. Papa. Want Mama. My Papa.”
Rena laughed. “She didn’t run away this time. I told her you would paddle her if she moved from that spot. I made a circle in the dirt and told her not to leave it.”
Storm tipped his hat. “Excuse me, sir. I need to check on my children.”
Inside he wanted to laugh at the look on her face when she yelled for them. Her feet were in the circle, but her body leaned as far forward as possible without her falling. She was incorrigible.
They walked toward the children and Pearl. Bill paced back and forth. When they reached Lottie, Storm lifted her. Rena took Drew and Susie by the hand.
He hugged Lottie. “You were good to wait where Mama told you.”
She patted his face. “Want Papa.”
Pearl took Lottie from him and handed her to Rena. “Let me see how you’re doing.” She ran her hand along his forehead and down his cheek. “You’ve given yourself a relapse. You should have stayed here and let Bill ride east.”
Storm shrugged off her hand. “He gets around better than I do, plus he’s the best shot I know. You were safer with him here.”
“Hey, that’s a nice thing to say, Kincaid. But your sister’s right. You could have been in the bunk lying down.”
“Doesn’t look like that’s what any of you did.” He explained what the crew was up to and the remaining danger.
Bill kicked at a rock. “I’ll be dad blamed. Figured once the train stopped we were safe.”
“If I can impose on you again, I’ll ride after Thunder.”
Bill pulled himself to his full height. “No. I’ll ride for your horse.” Bill held up his hand. “I know he only lets you handle him, but he knows me. By now he’s probably feeling abandoned. He’ll let me lead him.”
Pearl put her hands on her hips. “Bill is right and you know it. You get inside the Pullman.”
Rena tugged his hand. “Ja, you must get into the nice car and lie down. We will tell you when it is time to come out and stand.”
“I’ll speak to the engineer and then take off.” Bill mounted his horse and trotted to where the engineer watched the crew.
“Come, children. We will get inside and you can rest or play quietly.”
“Is somebody gonna get dead?”
Rena released Storm to take Susie’s hand. “None of us is going to die for a long time, Susie. From now on, things will go much better for our family.” She lifted Lottie to speed their way.
Drew dragged along looking at the ground. “I wish I could have gone with you.”
Storm put his hand on Drew’s shoulder. “Thanks for taking care of the women folk while I was gone. Needed you to be another man and help McAfee.”
Drew brightened. “I tried. Lottie was pretty good, but Susie thought we were all gonna get dead.”
“She won’t get over that for a long time, son. She’s had too many bad things happen in a short time. I know you have, too, but trouble leaves a different mark on some than on others.”
“What kind of mark?”
“Not one you can see. One inside your head that makes you have bad dreams and be afraid of things.”
“Oh. I’m not afraid you see, but I do have bad dreams sometimes. About that man shooting you at our house and then those men in that town.”
“When you have bad dreams, call Mama or me. We’ll talk to you and hold your hand until you get back to sleep.”
“Really? You won’t tell me I’m being a sissy?”
“Never. Pearl used to hold my hand when I was your age and I had a bad dream.”
Drew stared at Pearl.
She smiled at him. “He’s always been brave, but when bad things happen, each of us has bad dreams.”
“I didn’t know that.”
They reached the car and climbed aboard.
Rena set Lottie on the floor and grabbed Storm’s hand. “I have been lost without you. You must lie down and rest while Pearl doctors you. I cannot bear to be without you again.”
Pearl nudged him. “You heard her.”
“Lord help me, two bossy women nagging me.” But gratitude swelled his heart. His two favorite women in the world caring for him. One as a healer, the other as a lover.
Running Bear had it right, he was a lucky bastard.
An hour later, the engineer stepped inside. “Those pilots are not intended to come off, but she’s off now. We’ll push you to Bowie and leave you there. Their sidetrack isn’t long enough for us.”
“Any sign of my friend who went after my horse?”
“He’s coming this way. We’ll hold off while he gets the horses in the animal car, but he’ll have to hurry. We’ve no time to lose.”
“Thank you for your help, sir. And thanks to your crew.”
He tipped the bill of his cap. “Fort Worth and Denver Railroad employees do our jobs.”
When he’d gone, Rena leaned over Storm to bathe his face. “He was very gruff.”
He closed his eyes and savored her gentle touch. “Man might not be the most cheerful person around, but he did his duty. That’s all I care about.” He opened his eyes and met Pearl’s gaze. “You don’t need to change the bandage now, Pearl.”
She stared at him with a thoughtful expression. “If I knew we’d have time, I’d dose you with a sleeping draught.”
He turned his head away from her. “Oh, no. If I have to haul myself out of here, I need to be fully awake.”
She laughed. “That’s all that’s saving you right now, Storm. I’m thinking up something especially vile tasting to repay you for worrying me so much.”
Bill entered, still winded from getting the horses secured in their stalls. The car jerked and they moved backward. They were on their way to safety.
Would it be in time?
Pearl and Bill chatted in the chairs near a window and Pearl watched Susie and Drew. The two older children pointed at things outside another window while Lottie napped in the next berth.
Storm pulled Rena to lie beside him. “I can’t wait to hold you.”
She faced him and laid her head on his shoulder and her arm across his waist. “I was so worried. You were gone for hours and hours. At least, that’s what it seemed.”
“Must have been several hours. Hated crossing bridges on horseback.” He whispered in her ear. “Did Susie see the dead man?”
“No, but she heard the gunfire and knew what that meant. Only four and already she knows such fear.” She paused. “Pearl said you were only four when you came to her and also you were afraid.”
“I was, and with good cause. But that’s an old subject. Let’s talk about now and the future. I’m eager for you to see our ranch.”
“Tell me about it.” She snuggled closer.
“It’s the prettiest place anywhere. Creeks and springs and rolling land. Lots of big trees. I bought the place from an elderly man whose kids moved away or had their own ranch. He’s a friend of Grandpa’s and offered me first chance to buy the ranch and house.”
“You said you have a house with several bedrooms.”
“You’ll love it. At least I hope you will. Place is big because the man who built it had seven kids and a bit of money. Built to last, too. His first place is where the head wrangler and his wife live. She helps out in the house.”
She sat up and peered at him. “You have helpers? Like servants?”
He smoothed his hand over her hair and down her back. “We have. Too large for one person to clean if several live there.”
He couldn’t keep his hands off her, had to touch her over and over to reassure himself he had made it back to her. Apparently she shared his need for she
clung to him. They drifted to sleep locked in one another’s arms.
The jerk of a change in motion awakened them. If he hadn’t held her, Rena would have hit the floor.
She sat up. “Is there a problem?”
Bill stood. “Looks like we’re in Bowie. Hey, there’s Drake.”
Before their movement ceased, Drake boarded the car. “Took your time getting here. Sure glad to see you arrive.”
Pearl rushed to him and they embraced. “I worried about you, Drake Kincaid. I hope we never have to be apart again.”
“Pearl, honey, don’t cry.”
She pulled out her handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. “I’m not crying. Must have a cinder in my eye.”
“Be a little hard since the engine is behind this car, but if you say so.” He sat down and pulled her onto his lap.
Bill pretended pique. “Once again, I’m the only man without a gal. This is getting annoying.”
Everyone laughed.
When the rescue train had departed, the men turned Running Bear’s body over to the local sheriff and wired Sheriff Foster in Vernon. Rena waited with Pearl and the children while that distasteful job was concluded. Afterward, the women and children decided they would all celebrate by exploring Bowie. They strolled to the hotel for a meal and browsed the stores. Rena arranged for a meal to be delivered to Storm.
She purchased a blue dress for Susie and a red one for Lottie and a blue shirt for Drew. Susie hopped from one foot to the other, and insisted she could carry the package. She skipped along beside the adults. Rena gave thanks she could make Susie happy enough to forget dead people for a while. The child had seen too much sadness for her four years.
Drake bought a newspaper to take with them. Back in the Pullman car he opened the periodical. “We made the headlines. Listen to this. ‘Murderous Assault in Vernon. Money Recovered.’”
He read the story aloud. When he’d finished, he smiled and laid the paper aside.
Storm said, “Don’t know about you, but I’m impressed I even know us. Newspaper makes us sound like we hung the moon and stars.”
Bill nodded. “And maybe the sun. I think I’ll buy one of those to send my folks in Arkansas.”
Drake stood and handed him the paper. “I think I’ll get a few more for us to save. Your kids will enjoy the tale some day.”
“We already know it, Uncle Drake.”
“That’s right, Drew. I meant when your mama and papa have more kids and you’re all grown. And Mr. McAfee will have kids someday too. And your cousins will want one. I’d better get a lot of those papers. You want to come help me carry them?”
Bill leaped up. “I believe I’ll come along too, if you don’t mind.”
“Can I come, Uncle Drake?” Susie looked hopeful.
“Sure, you kids can all come. We might even find some cake or candy.” Drake scooped up Lottie.
“Yay! Come on, Susie.” Drew grabbed his sister’s hand.
Storm sat in one of the burgundy plush chairs. “Guess we’re stuck here while we wait for the train to reverse its route. I’m sorry you’ve had such a rotten honeymoon, Rena. I promise to make it up to you.”
Pearl harrumphed. “You should. Certainly you had the most unsuitable courtship I’ve ever heard of. Storm, you need to make that up to her and court her now in a big way.”
Rena smiled at her husband. “Oh, Pearl, please do not be offended when I say you are wrong. Storm courted me with everything he did. Each day I’ve known him has been a courtship.”
He pulled her beside him. “But I’ll start paying you court now. Expect nice things when we get home, honey.”
“I believe I’ll help Drake with the children. Maybe he’ll buy me some cake or candy.” Pearl’s beautiful amethyst eyes so like her brother’s sparkled with mischief. She stood and smiled at Rena before slipping from the car.
Rena watched Pearl through the car window. “I think our lip kisses embarrass her.”
“Naw, she’s thinking of giving Drake the same.” Storm nuzzled Rena’s neck. “She’s right about me courting you. You deserve a courtship and all the things a young woman receives like flowers and candy. And buggy rides and dances.”
“Then I will look forward to those events with you. I have never been so safe as when I am with you—not even with those men threatening us. I knew I could count on you.”
“You frustrated me. I wanted to protect you, but you were so stubborn.”
Rena kissed his cheek. “Yet still you protected me. You rescued me from the farm. Saved me from drowning. Cared for my injuries. Tried to shield me from unpleasant sights. Protected me from those killers. Helped me with the children. Och, and when you proposed, I knew it was to help the children, but you made me feel special.”
His hand fisted in her hair that she’d left down to please him. “You make me sound better than I am, honey. But I’m grateful we met and you were too stubborn to do as I asked. You proved that I need you by my side.”
How foolish she had acted. “No, I almost caused you to be killed.” How her heart ached when she recalled those moments.
Still holding her hair, his free hand glided over her back and arm in a loving caress. “You saved me. Don’t forget that. You proved we belong together. We work best as a team.”
She raised her head to meet his gaze. “And we will be a team forever, my love. You promised we would grow old together.” She intended to hold him to his promise.
“Yes, we’ll be together for the rest of our lives.” He crushed her mouth with his. When he broke the kiss, he cupped her chin. “Do you believe in happiness now?”
“Ja, Pearl told me she and Drake are still happy and so are your sister Sarah and her husband. And many others in your family are the same. I am glad to know I was wrong.”
He raised an eyebrow and offered a cocky grin. “What about you and your husband?”
She slid her hand along his strong jaw. “I never knew anyone could be as happy as I am to be your wife. And even if there are troubles in our future, I know happiness will follow.”
His beautiful purple blue eyes twinkled. “Want some more lip kisses to make us even happier?”
“Always, my love. Always.”
A peek at the next Kincaid novel, due out in 2014:
THE KINCAIDS: GABE
Savannah, Georgia, 1887
Katie Worthington waved at her friend Mary Lou Chitwood’s departing carriage. Her best friend’s blond curls danced with the breeze and swaying coach as Mary Lou leaned her head and arm out the window to return the farewell. The new play they had attended had proven so boring that she and Mary Lou had left at intermission. By then the evening was too advanced for the two young women to go elsewhere. An evening out wasted.
Servant’s half day off meant Grandpa had left the door unlocked for her and she slipped inside. Sounds drifted toward her and she realized her grandfather had visitors. Should she risk intruding to greet them or go up to bed? Katie paused outside his study and listened.
“Get these damn papers tidied. Can’t have it looking like there was a struggle.” Unmistakably Uncle Walt, but his voice sounded odd. Cold instead of friendly. Angry instead of jovial.
She stepped closer to determine why.
“Old fool never should have challenged us. He had money enough to spare.” The second man sounded like his friend Douglas Banterman.
“He won’t give us any trouble now. All we have to do is make this look good.”
A terrible suspicion crept up her spine and sent goose bumps speeding along her arms. What struggle? Surely they didn’t mean Grandpa was an old fool. And make what look good? She tiptoed to the study and peeked inside.
“Grandpa?” The words escaped in a strangled cry when she saw the hole in her beloved grandfather’s temple and the gun lying nearby. She rushed toward him, but stopped when she spotted blood that had sprayed across the desk and nearby wall.
Uncle Walt looked up. His gaze held cold fury. “Kathryn? Your grandfathe
r killed himself. We were trying to clean up and spare you. Go to your room until I call you.” No soft words of condolence. Instead, his icy tone cut the air like a knife aimed at her heart.
What had happened to her kindly Uncle Walt? Fear gripped her and sent frightening thoughts spinning in her mind. Shaking her head, she turned and raced for the front door.
Uncle Walt yelled. “Stop her. Don’t let her leave the house.”
Mr. Banterman caught up with her and grabbed her arm. “You’ll have to come with me now.” In his other hand, he held a pistol pointed at her.
Uncle Walt met them in the foyer. “Get her up to her room and lock her inside. I’ll decide how to deal with her later.”
Deal with her? Katie hated the man’s ominous tone. Tears poured from her eyes but she met Uncle Walt’s gaze. “What happened to Grandpa?”
His glare froze all hope of escape. “I told you he shot himself. If you know what’s good for you, Kathryn Elizabeth Worthington, you’ll go to your room peacefully.”
Only a fool would argue now, but she knew he lied. Pretending a meekness she had never possessed and likely never would, she sobbed and allowed Mr. Banterman to lead her up the stairs.
“My room’s at the end of the hall.” As she wept tears of genuine sorrow, she continued her ruse of compliance. “Poor Grandpa. I didn’t know he was sad or worried.”
“Yeah, well, live and learn.” The man’s tone held no trace of sympathy or respect. Without another word, he took the key from the door and locked her inside her room.
Pondering her situation, she sat in her favorite blue moiré chair and thought about the two men downstairs. Uncle Walt wasn’t really related. He’d been her godfather, her father’s best friend.
Now Walter Milligan was a powerful Federal Judge. Douglas Banterman was a respected attorney. If they said her grandfather committed suicide, no one would question them.
Grandpa would never shoot himself, especially where she would find him. Strong, healthy, and forceful, he had cared for her since the death of her parents ten years ago when she was twelve. He doted on her, protected her, loved her. He would never willingly leave her.
Suicidal men didn’t make plans for the future, did they? Grandpa had planned to take her and Mary Lou to the museum’s new exhibit tomorrow. He’d booked a trip for next week on the newly extended Georgia of Central Railroad for Tybee Island and two weeks at their cottage there.
Most Unsuitable Courtship Page 22