She took a step closer to him, and jabbed a finger into his chest. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you look at her. Fawn over her.”
She was right. He should have been more careful. But not with his heart. Kate was the girl for him. He should have realized it before she came to Ruby, Wyoming. But maybe he could make Leila see. Understand.
“Do you love me Leila?”
“Of course I love you.”
“Would give up the mine for me?”
“Is that what this is about?”
He folded his hands in front of his waist, and stared straight into her eyes. “Would you?”
Leila planted her hands on her hips as a harsh chuckle escaped her. She slowly shook her head and he was a sure a demonic look passed over her. She took a step closer to him, making tension ripple over his body.
“Let me make myself clear, Jack. You’re going to marry me and let that mine proceed, or you won’t like what happens.”
Dear Lord, she was threatening him. And he had a feeling that threat would be implemented against Kate. He took slows steps backwards, and without a parting word to her made his way to his wagon.
“I mean it Jack. A woman has many ways to get what she wants?” Jack stopped short and turned, seeing the malice behind those light blue eyes and the well-dressed blonde ringlets. There really was a demon behind the china doll facade.
He spun around and jumped into his wagon, flickering the reigns. He would go back to his ranch and stay with Kate. He had to make sure no threat came to the one he loved. Thoughts began circulating through his mind. Plans he would need to make. Because he had a feeling, he would need to have those plans settled by the time, he reached home. There would be little time to waste.
***
Kate looked out the window, while Jack drove the wagon into the front yard of the home. He seemed to pushing the poor animals, sweat glistened on their bodies. She brushed a curl from her face, and walked out the door - the crisp fall air surrounding her. Leila must have taken it hard. Though she knew the girl didn’t love Jack, Kate shouldn’t be surprised if the meeting had still lead to an unpleasant scene.
Jack jumped from the wagon racing to her, a grimness etched into his face. He gripped her and pulled her into arms as they wrapped around her, holding her tight almost as if he feared losing her. She lay her head on his leather jacket. Jack lowered his head towards her, the brim of his Stetson bumping against her head.
“We need to marry quickly,” he said.
“When?”
“Perhaps tonight.”
She looked back up at him and saw fear growing in his eyes. “What happened?”
He slowly shook his head and looked off towards the mountain where grey clouds darken the sky almost like they were an omen. Sweat filled his brown hair making the waves of it more noticeable.
“She threatened you,” he finally said.
Tremors of fear sliced through her.
“Threatened me?”
He looked back at her, and stared into her eyes but the confidence she saw could not calm the fear rattling in her. Her threat must have been some kind of threat if he wished to marry so quickly.
“I’m not going to let them tear us apart. So let’s do it. Let’s get married,” Jack whispered.
Kate had always imagined a small church wedding with her family in attendance. She would wear a beautiful blue gown of taffeta and a veil over her face. But she had also imagined marrying Jack, and if she had to sacrifice one dream to get the other, she knew which one she would.
“We’ll quietly get married now and have a small ceremony with your family later,” he continued.
Kate looked back at the house and bit on her bottom lip. Her father wasn’t going to like this. He might even forbid it. But she had to do this. Had to be with the man she loved. Maybe she could explain that if the bank did go under, her family could stay with Jack. She was sure he’d let them. She had thought of that dilemma all night as she wrestled with her selfish decision to marry Jack instead of Travis. Surely her father would understand.
“I’ll go get my things,” she said slipping from his arms, and heading into the house.
EIGHT
Jack gripped the reins in his hands looking behind every dried bush and every tree, trying to find any threat that might come at them. But he didn’t see any, though that didn’t mean there wasn’t one out there waiting behind a rock pile in the distance or just around the bend in the road. In the distance over head he saw a several black vultures flying circling around something. Probably some poor animal that had overtaken by another beast of prey. The clouds in the sky kept thickening. They had had gone from a light grey to now a thick blackness. A weight filled the air though he wasn’t sure if it was humidity or fear making each of his breaths hard to take.
From the corner of his eye, he glanced at Kate as she sat next to him on the wagon, gripping her small carpetbag. Once married they planned to go to the sheriff and telling about the threat made against her. Then they’d find a small inn to stay in for a couple days, in the next town over. He wanted to let Travis and Leila’s anger cool down since they both were being jilted. But he knew their anger wouldn’t lift soon.
They’d both wanted that mine and schemed to secure it, hoping to bring fortunes for themselves. Maybe soon they would find someone else to try and scam. What he couldn’t figure out though was what Travis wanted with Kate? Most likely her family name. it was a name that had great respect in the financial world up North. Travis would probably close her father’s bank as soon as their partnership formed even if the old man objected.
Jack thought back to earlier after they had told her parents of their plans to marry. Her father’s face had gone ashen, and he had tried to argue with them, but once Jack had informed him how Travis had treated Kate, the old man had vowed that he would not let him come near any of his daughters. He would let his bank fail before that ever happened. A good heart rested in him.
Once wed Jack would encourage her parents to stay with them and he would provide for her family. Maybe her father would want to get in the ranching business.
“The mountains no longer feel like a cage to me,” Kate said, her voice breaking into his thoughts.
“No?”
“Yes, now they make me think of endless possibilities.”
He wished he could take her hand feeling the smooth skin underneath but he needed to keep focused. He didn’t quite understand why he had this overwhelming fear. Her father had even suggested that he might be overreacting, but there was something in the harsh glint of Leila’s eyes. And her and her brother’s fixation on his land was just too strong. Greed could make people do a many bad things, and he just didn’t want to risk losing Kate. If nothing came out of it, he would he still have Kate as his wife just like he wanted so there would be no regret with his rash decision. Once she was his wife only death would be able to separate them.
A blast sounded to his right. He flinched just as gunfire split the air. His horses reared, and then their black hooves slashed at the air. He pulled on the reigns, but the beasts began pounding down the dirt path while gunfire sliced through the air. They were under attack. And he hadn’t even seen it. How had he missed them?
“Get down,” he yelled.
Kate threw her body on the floorboard, gripping the metal bar of the wagon. Tear poured down her face.
He bent low, and tried to straighten the horses’ path, but they pounded on, rushing off the trail. Dust and dirt flew around them, kicked up from the horses’ fast pace. He was not going to be able to get them to calm down. They’d have to jump. But how could they? How could he get both of them off safely? Soon a large rock came into focus up ahead. The horses ran straight to it. Dear God. He let go of the reins, slipped down on the floorboard, gripping Kate into his arms. He crawled towards the side of the wagon and flung their bodies off. He turned halfway through the air, pulling her on top of him as his shoulder smashed into the green grass of the h
ill. Pain ricocheted through him. They rolled a few times and then stopped.
As aches seared through his body, he looked up in time to see the horses turn, the wagon smashing into the large boulder. They had barely gotten off in time. Though every part of him ached, he knew they could not stay here. He pushed to his feet, dragging Kate with him. Her once pretty light brown gown, was now covered in grass stains. Grass and dirt clung to her hair and skin, but she looked unharmed. He swallowed hard, and looked around seeing no one. But he knew they would find them soon.
He reached to his side and found that his gun was still strapped to his holster. “Let’s take one of the horses,” he said, limping off towards one. Kate put her arms around his waist and helped support him.
Once they made their way to the horses, Kate left him leaning against the boulder as she quickly worked to unharness the horses. The wagon had been broken into many pieces. Wood and iron lay in scattered piles. Kate gripped the reigns of both horses and walked them over to him. There was no way, he was going to be able to ride on his own. He knew his ankle wasn’t broken but it was badly twisted. Just the barest weight sent pain through him.
“Just hit the stallion on the rump and tell him to go home. He’ll make his way there.”
She nodded and followed his direction. He turned and watched the stallion race back down the trail they had been traveling down. Hopefully, he would make it there. But he had no time to focus on a horse.
With beads of sweat slipping down his face, he made his way to the other horse, half dragging his foot and gritting his teeth since each step felt like a knife slice into his ankle. Bracing himself against the bolder, he propelled himself onto the horse as the pain intensified, throbbing. If he didn’t have Kate to protect, he might just lie down, and try to hide. But they needed to get moving. Who knew when those outlaws would find them again?
He helped propel Kate to sit him front of him and then kicked the horse, sending the beast into a fast gallop. But just as he did, a bullet hit the boulder ricocheting off. The horse reared. It’s neighs filling the air. A gasp flew from Kate as her body slammed against him. He pulled hard on the reigns, making the horse’s hoofs pound against the ground. From the corner of his eyes he spotted two riders on a fast approach. Travis and his sister, both with snarls in their eyes. The threat was real.
Leila slipped off the horse she sat on holding a shotgun like she was an outlaw. The leather skirt she wore hung tightly to her hips, but matched the Stetson on her head. She raised the shotgun to her shoulder and pointed at them.
“What do you want?” Jack demanded.
“Told you I’d make you pay. Tell your tramp to get down,” she said.
“I’ll never let her go.”
A harsh chuckle escaped Travis. “Then we’ll shoot you.”
Another bead of sweat trickled down his face and his arms tightened around Kate, her form trembling in his embrace.
“I’ll give you the mine. Just let us be.”
Travis yanked his pistol out of his pocket, cocking it.
“This isn’t about that mine. That girl is my ticket to all the riches of New York. So unless you want your blood splattered everywhere, you best give her to me. We got us a date with a preacher.”
A war of emotions pounded through Jack. There was no way, he could hand over the love of his life to this mad man so bent on greed. But how could he free them? Fight against two outlaws with shotguns pointed right at them? He thought of how Travis had tried to take liberties with Kate and he knew it would kill him to see her suffer.
“I’ll go,” said a soft voice.
She turned to look at him and such sorrow mixed with resignation filled her eyes. And it was that look that fueled something in him. He would never let them have her.
“If I get killed you keep riding,” he said.
Her eyes widened and before she could say anything he kicked the horses hard and bent low, A whistle sounded. Bullets splayed off the rock, ground. But he kept kicking his horse, pounding hard. His gaze straight ahead. Pain shattered through him, as his body jerked. A gasp flew from Kate, but he gripped the reins hard. His body could shield her. Shield her to safety. More bullets sounded, missing. Kate took the reins and began kicking the horse as the green grass began to fade and the world around him darkness. He slumped forward, as the strength fled from him. He didn’t know where he had been hit. But at the moment he didn’t care. At least he would die protecting Kate.
NINE
The bullets had stopped firing as the weight of Jack’s body pressed against her. She wanted to look back as she kept kicking the horse, pounding into the beast’s side. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t lose focus. She had felt his body jerk behind her. Could feel the warm liquid seeping onto her back. Her love had been hit. Had risked his life to keep her from becoming the wife of a madman. She wanted to yell, scream, to tell him, that his life was worth more to her than anything on this earth. But she couldn’t do that now. She had to keep pounding the horse, watching the mountains speed by. The horse ran parallel to the dirt road and she knew that if she kept following it at some point she would get to a town. She just hoped that Jack would still be alive. Dear Lord, if you could rise from the dead to save many, couldn’t you please save my Jack, she prayed.
The small outline of a store came into focus, and her heart rate sped up. She encouraged the horse on, and soon she found herself riding past several wood buildings.
Several town members gathered around to watch them. She pulled on the horse's reins bringing the animal to an abrupt stop. She turned to see that Travis and Leila hadn’t followed them into to town. But she also spotted a slumped over Jack with his eyes closed.
Fear sliced through her. A fear stronger than one she had ever felt before. He looked dead. Like she had already lost him. Dear Lord no. That just couldn’t be. She looked around at the small gathering of women in linsey-woolsey and men in leather pants and jackets looking at them as if they were some kind of oddity.
“Help,” she screamed.
A young man with thick blond curls raced to them and gripped Jack pulling him from the horse. He then lay his limp body on the ground, face down. Blood covered his back. Tears poured down her face as she slipped off and ran to him, taking his hand.
“Jack please don’t be dead,” she cried.
“Someone inform the doctor,” a woman yelled.
Kate ran her hand down Jack’s face, and trailed her fingers to his neck finding a faint pulse. He stilled lived, but for how long. The young man ripped a shawl from a kneeling lady and pressed it to Jack’s bleeding wound. He had removed the jacket, which now lay in a mangled pile at Jack’s feet. Jack had been hit once on his shoulder. But had bled much. The red crimson stain pretty much covered the white shirt he wore.
“Let’s get him to the doc,” the young man said. He and a few other men picked up Jack’s limp body and carried him down the street.
As tears poured down her face, Kate wrapped her arms around her waist and followed the throng of people. With each step, fear sunk deeper into her heart. Jack hadn’t responded to any of their prodding. Did that mean he was almost dead? Hopefully, he had just passed out and nothing more.
A woman wearing a black dress with a head of grey curls wrapped her arms around Kate and helped guide her.
“Your husband is in God’s hands my dear.”
Kate sniffled hard, trying to fight the tears, but it was no use they were going to keep pouring down her face. Her husband. He had been so close to becoming her husband and now she doubted he ever would. What would she do if she lost him? How could she carry on? But those were selfish thoughts. She had to think of Jack. The one who had risked his life to save her.
The woman guided her past the mercantile to a small store next to it. She opened it and immediately the scent of many spices and alcohol filled Kate along with the metallic scent of blood. No doubt Jack’s. A man screamed from behind a curtain and a black book jerked that just peek out. She flinch
ed and clenched the woman next to her. Had that been Jack? Was her dear love the one crying out in pain? It had to be. For who else could it be? She closed her eyes, and took several deep breaths. She would trade places with him if she could. If she only could. But at least he was responding. That had to be a good sign, wasn’t it?
“Perhaps, you should sit here, my dear.” The woman guided her to a small wooden chair and sat her down.
She then sat next to her and took her hands. “Have you been married long?”
Kate looked at her, noticing her brows were furrowed. How should she answer that question? She didn’t even want to. Surely the woman must realize there was no ring on her finger, but maybe she hadn’t even looked since a mass of confusion surrounded everyone.
Another scream sounded and Kate jumped to her feet.
“I’ve got it,” said a male voice. “Just hold him so I can sew him up.”
He must have gotten the bullet from Jack’s shoulder. Was he almost done? Would she be able to go to him soon? Provide, comfort, love. Dear Lord what if a fever took root?
“I think he passed back out again,” said another male voice.
The woman took Kate’s shoulders and guided her back to her seat. Taking her hands the woman closed her eyes and began saying soft prayers. Prayers that sounded just like mumbling to Kate because she couldn’t focus on anything. Only the black boot sticking out from behind the curtain. Several seconds went by. The clanking of metal could be heard and feet moving from one side of the room to the next. Finally, the curtain slowly slid back as a tall man wearing a white apron covered in blood stepped out. Jack’s blood.
She jumped to her feet and tried to look around him as the doctor took off his apron and dropped in a nearby basket.
He walked over to her and she noticed a softness in his grey eyes that almost seemed to blend in with his blond hair. A somber smile crossed his face.
“Ma’am, I’ve done what I could. He’s still holding on, but it’s in the Lord's hands now.”
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