Quinn: Cowboy Risk
The Kavanagh Brothers Book Two
Kathleen Ball
Copyright © 2019 by Kathleen Ball
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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I dedicate this to all the members of my Facebook Kathleen Ball Western Romance Readers group.
And as always to Bruce, Steven, Colt, Clara and Mavis because I love them.
Contents
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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Untitled
Brogan: Cowboy Pride
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Chapter One
Quinn Kavanagh kicked a stone out of his way. It sailed in a low arc and landed to the side of the track on the dust-dry ground. Sweat stung his eyes, and he took off his hat and mopped at his forehead with his sleeve. He fought an urge to lift his gaze skyward. If he looked at the sun one more time, he’d end up sunblind. Except for the scuffle of footfalls on parched earth, they walked in silence. Even the insects and birds had the good sense to get out of the beating sun. His paint, Bandit plodded along behind him, favoring his front left foot. It was sluggish going as the sun continued its relentless glare and more sweat trickled down Quinn’s soaked back.
Of all the places to live, why Texas? Sure, it was a great state, but that sun.
All around him, as far as the eye could see, scrub brush, cracked earth, and more scrub brush. His current situation was his own fault. It had been his choice to leave home. He needed time alone to get his head right. He’d discovered the family ranch belonged to his brother Teagan and only Teagan. The sweat and blood of all the Kavanaghs had built the ranch, yet their father had left it all to Teagan. It was just too hard to swallow.
His heart felt shredded as it always did when he thought of home. Quinn and his other eight brothers had thought they had inherited equal shares. Why the pretense? That was what galled him the most. He and Teagan had been close, very close.
He sighed. That was the past, and who knew what was around the next bend? And did it really matter? Anything but scorching sun and gritty dust all day would suit him. He was still young, but he felt much older, ever since fighting in the War Between the States. It had aged his soul something fierce, and there were scars inside and out that would never heal.
His paint snorted and bobbed his head, sniffing the air.
Quinn glanced over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Bandit, I can smell water too. Probably just over this here mound.”
The crack of a gunshot not too far off broke the silence. Bandit tried to pull away. Quinn gripped the reins and grabbed his rifle. He jumped down and snatched his saddle bags before he let Bandit go. He wouldn’t go too far. Inching up the hill, Quinn saw an old homestead, a small lake, and what appeared to be a woman with a rifle standing on the porch of the house with three men pointing guns at her.
The shot had most likely come from her, but it didn’t look as though it had scared the men off. He was behind the men and he calculated if he could sneak up on them before they turned around. There was a decent sized boulder, a water trough, and a wagon to use as cover if needed.
He made sure his guns were loaded and ready. Then he put shotgun shells into his pocket before he eased down the hill. He could tell by the small jerk of the woman’s head, she’d seen him. Giving a quick shake of his head, he touched a finger to his lips, warning her to be quiet. She didn’t give him away. Hopefully she was the type that could be counted on. She waited until he reached the boulder before she shot the ground in front of the men and ran into the house. She managed to close the door before they stormed it.
Quinn watched them for a moment and when it looked as though they were going to shoot at the house, he shot into the ground behind them. They whipped around fast, scanning the area, seeking the shooter. They fanned out a bit and cautiously walked away from the house.
Another shot rang out, and one of the men was down. It must have been the woman. The men turned toward the house and Quinn didn’t have much choice when one man put the butt of his rifle against his shoulder.
Quinn shot him in the arm and the rifle dropped. The third man ran to his horse, jumped on and galloped away. Slowly Quinn approached the house when the woman came out again. “Hold it right there!”
“I mean no harm, ma’am.”
“I’ll be the judge of that. What are you doing here?” She proceeded down the porch steps and kicked the man who’d been shot in the leg.
He howled.
“That’ll teach you to bully women.” She settled a cool glare on Quinn, one eyebrow raised waiting for him to explain himself.
“I thought there might be water this way, and my horse needed water. I want to rest him a bit. I can just keep going if that suits you better.” He had his six-shooter in his hand with his finger on the trigger.
“Mister you don’t have a horse.” She angled her head in challenge as she stared at him. “You just happen to be here when these here men tried to kill me?”
“I’m not looking for trouble. In fact, I’m looking for a place where I can find a bit of peace.”
She squinted. “In the war, wasn’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What side?”
He had a fifty-fifty chance of giving the right answer. Not all who now lived in Texas backed the Confederacy. He shrugged and settled on telling the truth. “I’m a Rebel through and through.”
“Hmm. Not everyone admits to being on the losing side.”
“We didn’t lose, we just didn’t win. This time.” He’d walked closer as he talked. She was younger than he thought. Where were her folks? Was she even sixteen? He caught a flash of her blue eyes and noted the riot of her blond hair that might have been combed a few days ago. It didn’t take away from her beauty.
She smiled. “Now if you only had a horse, I’d think you trustworthy.”
“Bandit’s coming this way, isn’t he?”
She nodded.
“Could someone get this bullet out of my leg before I die?” the man on the ground asked.
“If you’re lucky, I’ll take it out after you die. I need every bullet I have.”
The injured man’s eyes widened. “Why would that make me lucky?”
“I’m not a gentle woman with a light touch. I’m more of a stick a knife in and keep cutting until I find the bullet type of woman.”
The man cringed, from pain or fear, Quinn couldn’t tell which.
She stepped forward and took his firearms away along with those of the dead man and then stacked them on the porch. She shot Quinn a glance. “I have a small barn in back, if
you want to tend your horse.” She nodded toward the lake. “He’s a healthy drinker.”
Quinn nodded his thanks as he took the reins and led Bandit to the back. The barn was adequate. He opened a stall door and jumped back, reeling in surprise to see a bunch of children hiding inside, eyes wide with fear.
“Howdy,” he said with a smile. “I thought maybe Bandit here could rest in this stall, but I can see it’s taken.” He closed the door and went to the next stall. It was empty. The children didn’t make one peep. It was unsettling.
“It’s safe to come out my little lambs. Come now, I’ll make up something to eat.”
The shuffling of feet and the rustle of clothing told Quinn the children were leaving. But he was startled when the woman stuck her head in the stall. “Mister, could you drag the dead body out to those rocks to the west? I don’t want the children to see him. Then I’ll help you bring the other one into the barn here. If he lives, he lives… if not, it’s to the rock pile.”
If she hadn’t been staring waiting for an answer, he would have been speechless. He spread his hands and offered a nod. “I… can do that.”
She smiled. “I’m Heaven Burke, and you are?”
He tipped his hat. “Quinn Kavanagh. It’s a pleasure, Miss. Burke.”
“Heaven, please. My father called me his little piece of Heaven on Earth.”
She’d appear angelic if it wasn’t for the rifle. Her honey-blond hair looked soft and silky even though it was a mess. Her blue eyes were a no-nonsense steel blue, though, cold and resolute.
“I’ll see you inside.” Her voice had a hard edge to it as though to warn him she’d be armed.
He finished with Bandit, moved the dead man to the rock pile and dragged the other man into the barn. Thankfully the wounded man had passed out and didn’t put up a fight. Quinn took his guns and saddlebags with him as he walked into the house. It was bigger than it looked, and all the children had a place at the table.
“Make yourself comfortable, Quinn. There’s always plenty of room at my table.”
He removed his hat and hung it on a peg near the door and then laid his saddlebags on the floor. He walked to the fireplace and set his firearms up on the mantel so the children couldn’t reach them. Then he went to the table and grinned. “I’m Quinn.”
“This is Tim and Daisy.” She pointed to two of the children closest to her. “They’re mine. And then we have Joshua, Manuel, and Peter, who are visiting for a while.”
Quinn smiled at fair-haired Tim and Daisy and at the three black boys, Joshua, Manuel, and Peter. “Nice to meet you.” He sat on an empty chair at the table and helped himself to a ham sandwich. He laughed as the children nudged each other and made faces at one another.
After the noon meal Heaven put Daisy down for a nap and had the boys play quietly. She was sweet and gentle with the children. It warmed his heart to observe it. After a fashion, she took a seat across from him.
“I bet you’re wondering about everything around here.” She gestured to their surroundings. “I take in Negro children who have nowhere to go. They’re always boys. I’m part of a network that either finds the children’s parents or a decent home. It’s not a popular concept. I guess people would rather the children die in this part of Texas. The men today were here to take the children. I wish they’d just mind their own business and let us be.”
“What were they going to do with them?”
Tears moistened her eyes. “Sell them.”
He reeled backward in his seat. “To who? Everyone knows slavery is over.”
“They are sold as laborers. There are still crops to be picked. They are workers who don’t get paid and can’t leave. You see their pay goes to room, board, clothing, and whatever else they may need. Before they know it, they owe much more than they make, and they can’t leave while owing money. I think they sell girls over the border in Mexico. But girls always get grabbed up before I get a chance to rescue them.”
His gut clenched. “Where do you find these children?”
“Usually walking, looking for water. They keep the strong ones and let the weaker ones go. But they don’t want me interfering.” She stared at the table.
“Where’s your husband?”
“They hauled him off and killed him when they found out he was actively riding out looking for the boys. They took the boys at the time too.”
Anger filled him. “When was this?”
“Well over a year ago.” Her voice was full of despair.
He couldn’t help but look at her swollen belly. She was carrying, but that wasn’t his business. “That ain’t right. What about the law?”
A wry smile twisted her lips. “They are the law around here. They’ll be back in force when they find out one of their men was killed and the other injured. I figure we have about a half hour left before they come. You’d best get going.” She glanced up and gave him a sad smile while she laid her hands protectively over her unborn babe.
Pounding hoofbeats rumbled on the ground outside. Heaven gasped and stared at the door, wide-eyed. That sounded like a lot of horses riding toward them.
“I don’t think we have that half hour.” Quinn got up and peeked out the window. He felt her right behind him.
She released a relieved sigh. “Boys get ready! Joshua, Manuel, and Peter, the good men are here to take you to safe homes.”
The three darker-skinned boys turned and stared at her with fright in their eyes.
She went to them and kneeled. “Listen my sweets, I trust these men. There will be good, safe homes where no one will sell you. I’m hoping they can find your parents. Don’t be scared.” She took four peppermint stick candies out of her apron pocket and handed one to each boy, including her own son. Each boy received a tight hug. Then she went into one of the bedrooms and came back with three bundles of clothes. “These belong to you. Be good now.” Heaven led them outside and smiled as each boy was put on a horse with a rider. She watched until they were put of sight and then tears poured down her face.
Chapter Two
“I was so hoping they’d be gone before the men came. They would have taken them for sure. I think one day they might even kill me. I can’t turn children away, and word is out that this is a safe house.” She glanced up at Quinn. “You might as well go. No sense you getting caught up in my troubles. It was nice to meet you.” He was so tall and handsome. If only she could lean against him. Just for a moment. She needed strength. God was with her, of course, and she had the utmost faith that He was always there. It was just hard.
He was already shaking his head. “I’m not leaving. I was looking for peace but protecting you and your children is much more important. That is… if you don’t mind my staying for a bit.”
His big blue eyes held her gaze as he waited for her answer.
Relief washed over her, and she nodded. “I could use a bit of help, and I’d be grateful for a few days of it.” He’d best realize he was sleeping on the floor. She might be a widow but that didn’t mean she made free with her affections. More hoofbeats thundered outside. She’d make sure he understood after the townsmen left.
“They’re coming.”
“Get your daughter and son somewhere low and safe.”
She nodded and ran to get Tim into the bedroom with Daisy. When she came back, she was surprised to see three rifles in three different places with extra shells on the floor. Two of the rifles were hers.
“I’ll need you to load the rifles as quickly as you can. Stay low. I want them to think more than one man is in here. Don’t make a sound. I’m going to tell them you and your children left. Shoot your gun occasionally when I’m at a different window. We need to keep them guessing.”
For just a moment, she stared, not moving. She was putting a lot of trust in a stranger and that wasn’t like her. But as the sound of men’s voices reached her ears, she nodded and sat on the floor near the first window, waiting.
“Heaven Burke, get out here! You just never lea
rn, do you? It’s time for another lesson!” yelled a man in a red shirt named Marsh Down, the leader.
She started to gasp, but she quickly put her hand over her mouth. Quinn sent her a questioning glance, but she looked away.
The men built a fire in the yard. Did they plan to burn her at the stake? Maybe they were going to burn the house down. Her hands shook. Then she saw them put a branding iron in the fire and fear coursed through her. They intended to use it on her. She’d heard of them doing it before but never on a white woman.
“Don’t worry,” Quinn whispered.
She nodded and swallowed hard, but she didn’t believe him. What if they went after her children or hurt the baby she carried? It unnerved her.
A rock slammed against the door, hard.
“Come on out, Heaven! It’s time you learned once and for all to stop helping Negroes.”
Quinn put his finger to his lips. “What’s going on out there? Who are you? What do you want?”
“We’re here for Heaven Burke,” hollered Marsh Down. “She broke the rules, and now she has to be punished.”
A chill raced down her spine.
“I’m afraid you won’t find her here,” Quinn called back. “I bought this ranch. She left, took on outa here with a passel o’ kids.”
“Well now,” Marsh yelled. “I sent three men here this morning and only one came back with a story about a man with no horse. She was here then.”
“Yes, she was. But not for long. I helped her drag one man to the rock pile, and there’s another in the barn. Don’t know and don’t care whether or not he’s dead. Men came for the boys, and she wouldn’t let them take ’em. Sold me the place right on the spot.” He chuckled. “Got myself a good deal too.”
Quinn: Cowboy Risk: The Kavanagh Brothers Book Two Page 1