by Bobbi Smith
"And you honestly don't think the talk about Sheri's reputation will matter?"
"People talk. But you and I both know that Sheri's a lady who's been caught up in circumstances beyond her control."
"I know. She was so excited about coming here and meeting Brand. She's always daring me to try new, exciting things. She'd be the first one to say it's not important what other people thinkit's only important what you think."
"She's definitely a woman ahead of her times."
"And I just want her to stay alive long enough to get to those times."
"I'm sure if Brand has anything to say about it, she'll be fine."
The fear that she'd been trying to control overwhelmed her again and tears filled her eyes.
"I hope you're right." She drew a ragged breath. "I really hope you're right."
There came the sudden sound of shouting from outside on the parade ground, and Maureen and Charles exchanged puzzled looks.
"I wonder what's happened?"
"Maybe they're back!" Maureen ran for the door to see, while Charles waited where he was.
"What is it? Can you see anything?"
There were troopers milling around in a crowd near the center of the area.
"I'll go check. Wait here. I'll be right back. I can't tell from here what's going on."
Charles wanted to tell her to wait for him, that he'd go with her, but he knew that would only slow her down. She was excited, thinking something good had happened. Slowly and painfully, he got to his feet and started after her. He hoped all the shouting was good news about Brand and Sheri, but just in case it wasn't, he wanted to be there for Maureen.
Maureen ran toward the spot where the troopers were gathered. She kept looking for some sign of Sheri, but saw none.
"What is it?" she asked anxiously as she reached the first of the soldiers. "Did you find them?"
A sudden hush fell over the men as they realized she was there. A sergeant who'd been at the center of the throng of soldiers stepped forward to talk to her.
"We didn't find any sign of them, but we did find Brand's horse." He nodded toward the exhausted-looking steed.
Maureen heard one man mumble to another. "You know how much the breed loves that horse. There's no way it would get away from him unless . . ."
When she looked his way, her expression filled with sudden terror, he shut up.
"They had to be somewhere close to where you found the horse! Why did you stop looking for them? You can't just quit. You have to go back . . ." She was growing hysterical at the thought of Sheri on foot in the desert with the Apache after her.
"Ma'am, the horse found us. He was running free and had been for God knows how long."
Maureen began to cry, and she turned away from the soldiers. Charles had been right to go after her. He slipped his good arm around her shoulders in a supportive gesture.
"Let's go back inside," he said softly, drawing her away from the crowd. He could do little to relieve her fears, but he could stay with her and help her keep up her courage.
Chapter Ten
Brand, the Half-Breed Scout, or Trail of the Renegade
The Rescue
Mercy's scream was instantly cut off when a powerful, ruthless hand clamped down firmly over her mouth.
Rachel could barely make out the man before her, but in the darkness he looked like one of the Apache. She reacted instinctively. She was beyond caring as she threw herself at the warrior in a desperate attack.
"You savage!" she cried.
"Are you trying to get us all killed?" the man demanded harshly as he warded off her blows. "If I was one of them, you'd already be dead.
The meaning of his words finally penetrated her fury.
What? Who are you?" she asked in a strangled whisper.
"My name's Brand. I'm a scout from the fort. I've been sent to find you and bring you back. Which one of you is Mrs. Stewart?"
At his words, Brand felt Mercy relax in his grip.
"You are?" he asked, and felt her nod in affirmation. "Are you going to scream any more?"
When she shook her head, he released her.
"Follow me. We haven't got a lot of time. If they heard you, they'll be coming after us right now."
The walk that day seemed interminable and infinitely more difficult than the day before. Sheri told herself she felt that way only because they weren't speaking, but in truth, they did climb many steep hills on their way out of the mountains. It seemed to her that Brand was much more lax in watching for the Apache, but after seeing no trace of them for two days, he probably knew they were safe. Whatever the reason, the trek grew tedious, hot, and miserable.
Sheri could not think of words that would be good enough to describe how she was going to feel once she saw some sign of civilization. Thrilled, ecstatic, excited . . . She only hoped that that moment would come soon.
Philip was disgusted and growing more and more fearful as he and O'Toole began retracing their route in hopes of finding some trace of the vanished Brand and Sheri.
"I don't understand how they could just disappear this way without so much as a trace," Philip complained in frustration.
"I know. I only hope that they weren't taken captive. I hope they're out there somewhere, making their way back toward us."
They rode on, seeking and not finding any clues to the pair's disappearance.
"If you were Brand, which way would you have headed?" Philip asked, trying to second-guess the scout.
"Away from the raiding party for a day or two and then circle back around. He's got to have a good idea of where well be looking for them. If they're still alive and free, he knows where to head. If it's at all possible, Brand will bring Sheri back here."
"I hope you're right. She's been through enough already without being subjected to any more living in the wilds than she has to."
They fell silent as they concentrated on watching the surrounding hills for some sign of Sheri and Brand. Philip's resolve was firm. If they were out there alive, he would find them.
As Brand and Sheri topped one hill, he caught sight of the cavalry's dust in the distance, and he was glad. Rescue hadn't come a minute too soon. He held up his rifle so the sun glinted off the metal, using it as a signal to those below.
O'Toole had been keeping careful watch over the craggy hills. When he saw the momentary flash, he reined in hard.
"There!" he shouted excitedly, pointing toward the rugged hillside.
The entire column wheeled around, and with O'Toole and Philip in the lead, they spurred their mounts to a run in the direction he'd indicated.
"What's that?" Sheri asked, finally seeing the dust.
"That is your lieutenant, coming to your rescue."
"They found us!" she cried, ecstatic at the thought of finally being rescued. "That must mean that Maureen and the others made it back to the fort!"
Her happiness was boundless at the thought that her cousin was uninjured and safe. She started to run toward the cavalry. In her wildest dreams, she had never thought that seeing Philip again would be such a thrill.
Brand watched without emotion as she charged ahead of him down the hill toward the coming troops. He preferred to think that they had found the cavalry, not the other way around, but it really didn't matter. Soon, they would be back at McDowell. Soon, he would be done with her.
Brand had expected to be pleased at the prospect of being free of Sheri's presence. He had had little to say to her since the night before, and that was just fine with him. There was really nothing more to say. She had her life to go back to, and he had hisand his didn't include any emotional entanglements. He had made a vow to himself never to care for another woman, and he had meant it. Still, as he watched her racing toward the cavalry, he knew a longing that things could be different. But when he saw the lieutenant dismount to greet her, a pang of a very different emotion stabbed at him.
Brand ignored it as best he could. He told himself he was glad that this was over.
She had her life back East to return to. And that was what he'd wanted all along. She'd had no business being out here doing her research. She was a woman, innocent of the ways of the West. He was just glad that no harm had come to her while she'd been with him.
"Brand!"
He heard O'Toole's shout and lifted his arm in greeting. He watched as his friend separated himself from where the others had gathered around the lieutenant and Sheri, and rode straight for him.
"How the hell are you?" O'Toole asked, smiling broadly.
"Fine, now," Brand answered simply.
"What happened to your arm?"
"The raiding party decided to come after us, after they'd finished with you."
"Where did you fight them?"
"The cave."
O'Toole nodded, "Good place to wait them out. Anywhere else and they would have had you."
Brand grunted in agreement. "What took you so long to find us? Are you slipping in your old age?"
O'Toole shot him a look of mock outrage. "We've been out every day. What took you so long to hike out of the mountains? Did she slow you down that much?" he teased, nodding toward Sheri. "She doesn't look too much worse for the wear, though. How did it go?"
"Not bad. Not many women could have put up with what she just went through."
O'Toole knew Brand, and he knew what a high compliment his friend had just paid Sheri. "She held up well? No hysterics?"
"No. She kept her nerve. The only thing that scared her was worrying about her cousin. She was afraid you'd all been killed."
"They tried damned hard, I'll tell you, but we managed to get away. I guess that's when they decided to double back and go after you."
"I figured they'd come looking for us. That's why I sent the horse on. Did he make it to the fort?"
"Yep, but I'll tell you whatwhen he came back in, Maureen thought for sure you were both dead."
"I guess we'd better head back, so we can put her at ease."
O'Toole held out his hand and, clasping Brand's forearm, helped him swing up behind him. They joined the others.
Brand displayed no emotion at the sight of Sheri mounted behind the lieutenant, her arms wrapped around him to hold on. Long seemed to be preening at having her so close.
"Well done, Brand. Sheri looks wonderful. You took good care of her."
Brand only nodded in response.
"Sheri tells me you fought off four of them?"
"Yes, sir, but she did her share, too. I'd be dead now if it wasn't for her straight shooting."
Philip twisted in the saddle to look at her in surprise. "You can handle a firearm?"
"Some." She did not want to go into detail or talk about the killing. She just wanted to get back to the fort and see Maureen. "It was luck mostly. Brand did all the fighting. He's the one who kept me safe."
Sheri wanted to deflect any questions about her using the gun. She wanted to forget all about that if she could. She wanted to forget all about the time that followed, too.
"Then we're doubly grateful to you, Brand," Philip said. "Sheri's back with us safe and unharmed. That's the most important thing. Shall we ride for the fort? Are you ready to see your cousin? I know she's anxious to see you."
"More than ready," she replied quickly, looking forward to a warm bath and clean clothes. She avoided Brand's unfathomable gaze as he watched her.
"We'll see you back at McDowell."
The lieutenant put his heels to his horse and headed off toward McDowell. He left the others to follow.
"I don't know what I'm going to do if something terrible has happened to Sheri," Maureen said solemnly to Charles as she sat with him in the hospital.
It was late in the afternoon, almost sundown, in fact, and there had been no new information one way or the other about Brand and Sheri since his horse had returned earlier that day. Her nerves were stretched taut as she imagined all the terrible things that might have happened to her cousin if she had been taken by the Apache.
"Try not to think about it," Charles said. "It will only make things worse if you let your imagination run wild."
"I know, but it was easier to pretend that we were going to find her and that she was fine and unhurt before they found Brand's horse."
Charles understood and knew there was little he could say to ease her concern. All he could do was hope to distract her.
"Well, if you're looking for a way to pass the time,
I could teach you how to play poker,'' he offered with a grin.
"Poker?" She blinked, surprised by his offer. "You mean gamble?"
His smile turned even more rakish. "All in the name of helping you stay busy so you don't have time to Worry."
"I've never played poker." Maureen was pondering the idea. "I mean, my father always said ladies shouldn't play such games."
"Ah, but your father's not here, and I promise I won't write and tell him."
"Well . . ."
"We won't bet anything too outrageous."
"I do have a little money," she said thoughtfully, intrigued by the idea.
"We don't have to play for cash."
"What would we play for then?" she asked.
"We'll think of something. We'll worry about that later, once you understand the game."
Then, when Maureen realized what she was considering doing, she smiled widely at Charles. "I can't believe I'm going to do this, but I am. If Sheri's taught me nothing else, she's taught me to not be afraid to try something new. Where do they keep the cards around here?"
"I played with some of the troopers last night for a while, and they left a set here with me." He took them out of the drawer in the small table beside his bed, then pulled the table over between them.
Maureen watched as he shuffled. He seemed to be quite good at it. "Are you a card sharp?"
Charles just smiled. "I played my share of poker in college."
"Am I in danger of losing my entire fortune?"
"No . . . Just a portion of it." He laughed and dealt her a hand, explaining the rules as he did.
Maureen was a quick study and caught on right away. Glad for the distraction, she concentrated on the cards and played a mean hand. Charles was glad that she was proving to be so adept at it. After she'd soundly trounced him on two consecutive hands, he decided to make the stakes interesting.
"All right," he said in a serious tone. "I think you've figured out how to play."
"What makes you think that? I'm just an innocent beginner." She tried to keep her expression sweet as she spoke, but her eyes were twinkling as she looked at him across the small table.
"An innocent beginner who's very good."
"No wonder Sheri always says to try new things. This is fun."
"I wonder what you're going to say when you start losing."
"Hah!" she scoffed. "You just told me I'm good. I'm not going to lose."
"Good, now you're over-confident. I've got you right where I want you. It's time to start playing for big stakes."
"Oh?"
"Yes. If I win this next hand, I know exactly what I want from you."
"What? Lots of money?"
He gave her a leering grin. "No, not this time. If I win, you'll have to pay up."
"Pay up, with what? I don't like the look on your face," she said astutely.
He gave a low chuckle. "A kiss."
She stared at him, amazed by his suggestive wager. Heat crept into her cheeks as she imagined herself kissing Charles. What surprised her even more was that she found the idea quite intriguing. "Oh."
"Are you ready for such a wild proposition?"
"You have to beat me first to claim your prize," she said with mock intensity. "I'm ready."
"But what do you want for your prize if you win the hand?"
She gave him a daring look. "You'll just have to wait and see. I'll name mine when we're through. I wouldn't want to make you so nervous you couldn't play."
He laughed out loud and got ready to play. Maureen dealt him a h
and that was a definite winner, and he was glad. The more he was with her, the more he liked her. She was witty and bright, not to mention beautiful. He'd been wondering what it would be like to kiss her for some time now, and at last he was going to find out.
Charles kept his cards close to his chest. He studied them and decided the best way to play the hand. He took two cards, and knew fate was on his side when Maureen dealt him exactly what he needed.
"I call. What have you got?" he asked when the time was right.
"Nothing," she said. "I was going for a straight, but I didn't get it."
"Pity. It looks like I win."
"Yes, it does." She tried not to smile. She didn't want to let him know that she'd deliberately discarded two of her three kings in order to let him have this hand.
"What shall I do about collecting my winnings?" he asked.
"I'm not sure."
Their gazes met across the table, and time seemed to stand still. Awareness faded until it was just the two of them, alone.
Charles might have brazenly kissed her right then in the middle of the hospital, if the shout hadn't come from outside.
"They're back!"
They heard the call distantly, and all thoughts of the poker hand and its enticing stakes were instantly forgotten.
"Thank God. They're back!" Maureen cried, running to look out the window.
In the distance, she could see Philip riding in. As he dismounted, she saw that Sheri had been riding double with him.
"Charles! Sheri's here! Philip's found her!" She couldn't hold back her cry of joy. "Come with me?"
She turned and waited as he rose to accompany her. He was moving slowly, but steadily, and they went outside to greet Sheri together.
Sheri had never thought Fort McDowell would look this good to her. She was thrilled to be back. The only thing that might have looked better would have been her own home. The troopers and their wives came out to welcome her.
"Where's Maureen?' she asked as she climbed down from the lieutenant's horse.
"I'm right here, Sheri!" Maureen called out in excitement as she charged through the milling soldiers to get to her cousin.
Charles stayed back, following the last short distance a bit behind her.