Wildfire Creek

by Shirleen Davies

  “Hell of a storm for starting up so quick.” Gabe wore long sleeves and a heavy vest, the fire in the stove going full force. He grabbed the coffee pot and a cup, poured it full, then handed it to Luke. “Drink this.”

  “I rode in with Rachel. The storm came through so fast, we only made it as far as Noah’s. I offered to check on Doc Worthington.”

  “I saw him walk into the clinic not long before the storm started. Give me a minute and I’ll head over.” Gabe snagged his coat from a hook and slipped an arm inside before Luke stopped him.

  “No need, but I appreciate it.” Luke stepped outside, closing the door behind him. The clinic stood across the street from the jail—a small storefront with the doc’s house in back. Rachel had lived with her uncle when she and Dax first met. Luke tried the front door. Finding it locked, he dashed around back, beginning to feel the cold seep through his thick, wool coat. He pounded on the door and waited a moment before pounding once more. The door flew open.

  “Come in and get out of this storm. Is Rachel with you?” He glanced behind Luke, then shut the door.

  “We made it as far as Noah’s. She’s holed up inside by the fire, keeping warm. We thought it best someone check on you.”

  Doc motioned Luke to follow him to the kitchen and waited while he handed him a cup of coffee. “Drink this, then we’ll go get Rachel.”

  Luke used the cup to warm his cold hands, not too interested in drinking more of the hot liquid.

  “Doc, you stay here. I’ll let Rachel know everything is fine. As soon as there’s a break in the storm, I’ll make certain she gets here.” He handed the still full cup to Charles, slipped on his gloves, and reached for the door as someone pounded from the outside. He threw it open to see Ginny shivering, her lips turning blue.

  “What the hell are you doing out in this storm?” Luke’s words came out hard and tight as he grabbed her arm and pulled her inside. “Where’s Mary?”

  Even though she could hardly speak for being so cold, she ignored his questions, lifted her chin in a defiant gesture, and turned toward the doctor. “Suzanne is hacking something fierce. She holds her chest and can’t draw a full breath. Can you come check on her?”

  “Hold on a minute while I get my bag and coat.” Charles disappeared toward the back, leaving Luke and Ginny alone.

  She moved a couple of feet away, her anger subsiding as her body’s response to Luke increased. Her heart had slammed into her chest the moment he’d opened the door. He looked windblown, cold—and annoyed at her. She’d confided in Belle about what happened between her and Luke a couple nights before. She’d gotten an earful from her friend about what she could expect from him, which was nothing. Belle said men thought of kisses the same way they thought of holding hands or having a woman slip an arm through theirs. It meant little, if anything. More than likely, he’d probably forgotten about it within seconds of walking out the door.

  “Don’t you own anything warmer?” he asked, taking in the thinning wool coat and threadbare cap she’d pulled over her head.

  “No, I don’t. And it’s no business of yours anyway. Aren’t you supposed to be on your way to Denver?” She glanced toward the hall, wondering what was taking the doc so long.

  “At the moment, I’m right where I want to be. Anyway, I plan to make sure you and the doc get to the boardinghouse safe.”

  “It’s three doors down. Nothing will happen between here and there.” At least her teeth weren’t shattering any longer. She almost hated going back outside, but there was no help for it.

  “You ready, Ginny?” the doctor asked, walking back into the room, pulling a woolen cap over his head.

  “I’m coming along. Hope you don’t mind.” Luke opened the door and stepped aside.

  Charles looked at the sky and noted the visibility had deteriorated even more. “Good idea. I’m sure Rachel is safe at the livery.”

  Chapter Ten

  Ginny fumed. She had enough on her mind, with Suzanne being sick and Mary seeking her attention, without dealing with her confusing feelings about Luke. Ignoring him didn’t seem to work. He captured her thoughts without saying a word. As Belle said, the chance he had actual feelings for her were slim.

  She glanced over at Luke and thought of the money she owed him. Today would be a good time to give him what she’d set aside.

  “I’ll get coffee,” Ginny said as they walked into the boardinghouse. She’d prepared breakfast for the one guest, then closed the restaurant, telling the man to seek her out when he wanted another meal. If the storm cleared, she’d check with Amos to see if he needed her at the Rose. She’d heard customers were slim when the larger storms blew through.

  Charles made his way to Suzanne’s bedroom while Luke found a seat in the front sitting room. He’d never had reason to use this room before and found it comfortable. His mother would have called it “cozy”.

  “Here you are.” Ginny handed him a cup and stepped back. “You don’t need to stay. I’m certain the storm will pass soon.”

  “I’m staying. Rachel is safe in the livery with Noah.” He set the cup down and stood. “Is your need to get rid of me because of the other night?”

  She raised her chin to stare up at him. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  He chuckled before his expression sobered. “All right, but if it is, don’t worry about it. It was just a kiss and it won’t happen again.”

  She lowered her eyes, disappointment flooding through her. Even though she had no intention of ever falling in love and marrying, her fantasy about him enjoying the kiss as much as she did was now blown to dust, as so many of her dreams had been. Once more, Belle had been right.

  Luke saw the conflicting emotions flash across Ginny’s face and wondered at her thoughts. Had she liked the kiss, enjoying it as much as he did? Had remembering kept her awake as it did him? Regardless, it wouldn’t happen again.

  He looked at the open doorway to see a small head poke around the corner, then duck back out of sight. “I believe we have company,” Luke whispered to her.

  Ginny shot a look toward the hall and walked to the opening. “Mary, come in and say hello to Mr. Luke.” She took her hand and guided her into the room, stopping in front of Luke, who crouched in front of the little girl.

  “Good morning, Mary.”

  “Hello, Mr. Luke.” She fidgeted a little and grabbed hold of Ginny’s skirt, clutching it in her small hand.

  “You look much better than the last time I saw you.”

  She glanced up at her sister, her face scrunched in confusion.

  “Remember when Mr. Luke carried you home from Doctor Worthington’s clinic? You were sick.” Ginny placed a hand on Mary’s shoulder.

  She looked back at Luke and shook her head. “I was sick.”

  Luke smiled, glad it all worked out so well. Colds could turn into a major illness within hours. He stood as Charles walked into the room.

  “Well, good morning, Mary. How are you doing?”

  “Good.” She shook her head again. “Can I go outside and see the snow?” she asked Ginny.

  “We’ll have to wait until it clears. You can watch from the window, though.”

  Mary raced to the settee in an alcove in front of a window, climbed up onto her knees, and peered out.

  “Suzanne should be fine in a few days, although keeping her down could be an issue. She wanted to get up as I left, but I told her she was to stay in bed at least two days. I’d better get back to the clinic. Let me know if she starts to worsen.”

  “Can I get you some breakfast before you leave?” Ginny asked.

  “No, I’ve had mine. I’ll see you both later.” Charles pulled up his collar and walked into the storm, which hadn’t let up since they’d entered the boardinghouse.

  “Guess I’d better take off, too. I need to let Rachel know her uncle is fine and get her to the clinic.” Luke drained the last of his coffee and handed the cup to Ginny.

  “Are you still leaving for Big P
ine today?”

  “If the storm passes. If not, I’ll ride with Rachel back to the ranch and leave tomorrow. Regardless, I need to be in Big Pine in two days.”

  “I guess you won’t be back for several weeks?”

  “Maybe. I have no idea how long I’ll be gone.” He buttoned his heavy coat before settling his hat on his head. “Take care of yourself, Ginny.” He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. Even the brief contact caused his body to react. He backed away, not wanting to act on his impulse to wrap his arms around her and claim her mouth—which is what every instinct screamed for him to do.

  Ginny recovered from the brief contact just as he reached the door. “Wait.” She turned and disappeared down the hall, returning a minute later holding a hand out to him. “This is for you.”

  Luke looked at her in confusion, then stretched out his arm and opened his hand, watching as Ginny dropped coins into it.

  “Part of what I owe you.” She met his gaze, a look of triumph on her face.

  Luke could feel the heat creep up his face as his jaw clenched. Ginny saw his reaction and took a step backward, not liking his expression. Luke grabbed her wrist, opened her hand, and dropped the coins back into it.

  “Save enough to buy yourself a decent coat. I won’t take a penny from you until then.” He turned on his heels before he said something he’d regret.

  Ginny looked at the coins, swallowing a lump in her throat as he opened the door to let in the cold wind. “Take care of yourself, Luke.”

  His gaze locked with hers a moment before he nodded once and stepped into the storm.

  “He should be on his way to Denver by now.” Bull settled into a chair at the usual table the men claimed for their card game.

  Ginny walked up as the men shook off their coats and draped them over the back of their chairs. “Are you talking about Luke?”

  “Yep. He left the day after the storm. Man’s got a wanderlust something fierce.” Bull began to shuffle the cards.

  “You ask me, he’s got no business leaving the ranch this time of year,” Rude grumbled, then glanced up at Ginny. “Whiskey for me.”

  “Well, no one asked you. It’s his and Dax’s business what the two of them decide. You know he wouldn’t have taken off if Dax objected.” Ellis felt the same, but he’d had his say a few nights before. It didn’t change the decision.

  “Did he say how long he’d be gone?” Ginny asked, even though she knew it would be wise to keep her mouth shut.

  “He didn’t tell you?” Tat asked.

  Her eyes darted to the young cowhand. “Tell me what?”

  “He’s thinking of staying there. Maybe never coming back.” Tat grinned until a hard kick got his attention. “Hell, Bull. What’d you do that for?” He bent down to rub the lump already forming on his shin.

  Bull had watched Ginny’s eyes grow wide and her shoulders slump at Tat’s news. “Tat is fooling with you, Ginny. Luke will be back. He’s just not sure when.”

  She let out an audible breath, even though she knew it shouldn’t matter to her whether he returned or not. “It doesn’t matter to me one way or another. I was just curious, that’s all.”

  Bull and Ellis exchanged glances, both knowing a lie when they heard one.

  Tom Horton secured his saddlebags, checked the cinches once more, then mounted his horse. After fighting for the Union Army, he’d signed on with the Pinkerton Agency over a year before, wanting to put the war behind him. He’d been in Big Pine two weeks, checking into the gold thefts north of town, when he’d received Dutch’s message. Tom hadn’t been pleased with being asked to leave just as new information had come to his attention, but when headquarters sent an order, you followed it.

  “You about ready?” Tom asked Luke.

  Luke finished securing his belongings, then swung up onto Prince. “Let’s go.” He glanced at Tom, then lowered his hat over his forehead to shield the sun.

  They rode in silence through the town of Moosejaw, keeping a continuous watch of the hills and sky. Their route would take them through the Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado territories in an attempt to avoid the snow storms they’d heard were already moving over the Rocky Mountains. Dutch had suggested taking the stagecoach, but neither he nor Tom wanted to be without their horses. Besides, they could travel over trails a stage couldn’t.

  The first two days were uneventful—good weather and no Indian sightings. Luke spent most of his time trying to stay warm, thinking of Ginny, wondering if she and the rest of the citizens of Splendor were safe from the marauding Sioux. It seemed unlikely they’d attack a town when travelers were easier targets.

  He worried about Ginny making it through a full winter with the meager clothing she and Mary owned. If she’d let him, Luke would buy them whatever they needed. It still burned him the way her pride pushed her to not accept his help, yet a part of him understood it. She had a hard life in front of her. All he wanted was to make it easier.

  The thought brought a wry smile to his face. The day before he and Tom had left Big Pine, he’d made an impulsive decision. Walking past a dress shop window, he’d noticed a dark tweed woman’s coat with a small collar and six large black buttons, hanging next to a woolen dress. The coat was meant to be worn over a full skirt, not the cotton calico dresses common on the frontier. He pictured Ginny and knew the coat would hang to below her knees. Luke noticed the black fur banding of the sleeves and collar as he pushed the door open and walked inside. It took less than ten minutes for him to purchase the dress and coat, arrange for it to be sent to Suzanne’s boardinghouse, and make payment. A part of him wanted to be there when she opened the package. Another part, the part focused on self-preservation, was glad he’d be far away. By the time he made it back home, she might still be mad, but he’d wager she’d be wearing both.

  The thought of returning home had his mind shift directions to a conversation he had the day before he’d left.

  Gabe confided in him that an investor from Big Pine had purchased the vacant lot between the clinic and land office with plans to build a saloon in competition with the Wild Rose. When Luke questioned Gabe, the sheriff said the local banker who’d made the loan, Horace Clausen, wasn’t allowed to divulge the owner’s name until the saloon opened. The owner had plans to hire a number of men to build the saloon, with orders it must open prior to Thanksgiving. Luke found himself wondering how a second saloon would impact the Rose and Ginny. She relied on the income, and a loss of business might put pressure on Amos to make changes.

  Nearing sundown on the third day, Tom spotted a small group of what he guessed were Sioux riding along a bluff. They had been attacking soldiers and settlers near Fort Karney in Wyoming, stealing horses and killing as many whites as they could. Luke and Tom had hoped to slip through the area unseen.

  “We’d better keep moving.” Tom picked up the pace and continued southeast.

  They rode long into the night, not stopping, putting as much distance as possible between them and the raiding party. The freezing wind whipped around them, penetrating their clothing, hindering their progress until they were forced to stop just before dawn and take refuge within a thick stand of trees.

  By midmorning they were ready to ride again and headed south toward Denver. In three or four days they’d reach their destination.

  “What do you think, Al?” Ginny asked as she watched the men working sixteen hours each day, except Sunday, to complete the building across the street. Amos had pitched a fit when Horace told him the news, but nothing could be done. The town had grown and the new owner felt it could accommodate two saloons—the Rose and his place. It was a belief Amos shared, except he’d hoped to be the one to open the second establishment.

  “Don’t know. Amos had been talking with Horace Clausen about purchasing the land. Looks like someone beat him to it.” Al continued to wipe down the counter and glanced about the saloon. The evening card players were trickling in, while other patrons were headed home. Everyone speculate
d about who owned the place, what it would be called, and how it would be different from the Rose.

  “Does anyone know who the owner is?”

  Al looked at Ginny and shook his head. “From what I hear, just Clausen, and he’s not talking.”

  “I know Rachel and the doc aren’t too happy about it being right next door to the clinic.”

  “And with the doc’s house at the back of his property, it’s going to be kind of hard to ignore the noise on a Saturday night. At least we’ve never had complaints about it.” Al listened to the pounding of nails and men yelling at each other. They worked across the street and three doors down, yet he could still hear the conversations as if they were right in front of him.

  “Maybe because we’re right next to the jail?” Ginny asked, amusement in her voice. It wouldn’t be long before the Rose would be filled with cowboys celebrating the end of another week. The men from Redemption’s Edge should be coming in at any time—they always did on Saturday nights. She wondered if they’d have news of Luke.

  As if her thoughts had conjured them up, the doors swung open and Bull walked in, followed by several of the men. She nodded a greeting, watching them take their seats, then walked over to the table.

  “Let me guess. Whiskey all around?”

  “That’d be great, Ginny.” Ellis pulled out a deck of cards and watched the expression on Johnny’s face turn from amusement to awe in a split second. Following the man’s gaze, Ellis noticed a pretty, young woman walking down the steps in an emerald green dress.

  “Will you look at that?” Tat stared along with his friend.

  “She must be new.” Bull never paid much attention to the women of the Rose. Although he wasn’t immune to their charms, he’d never had an interest in seeking them out. Looking suited him just fine, but this woman had a different aura about her, drawing all eyes her way.

  “Who is she, Ginny?” Johnny asked as she returned with their drinks.