Her face lit up as if she’d been bursting to talk about them. Dinah sat next to him. “Abigail is the eldest and had taken care of us since the death of our parents and brothers. That’s why she accepted our cousin’s marriage proposal in Kansas. She’d hoped to move us all there, so we could stay together, but he died. Cora is the next oldest and she took over the parental role when Abigail left. She’s honest, kind, loyal, and everything I admire and strive to be someday.”
She took a long breath and then continued. “My youngest sister is Josephine. She’s beautiful and smart and loving. A few days after we received a letter from Abigail telling us she was going to try to work our cousin’s homestead on her own, Josephine left for Colorado to meet a husband she had apparently corresponded with a few times, but was introduced through a mail-order bride service. We were close, so close before the war. Elizabeth, my second youngest sister, used to get jealous of our friendship. I think in a way Beth was excited to have me to herself when Josephine left, but I accepted your mail-order proposal shortly after.” Her expression sobered, and she nibbled on her lip.
Colt placed a reassuring hand on her arm, hoping to provide her with a little bit of comfort.
“A soldier attacked her, and she was ruined. That’s why she took a mail-order bride proposal in Colorado.” Dinah sat silent for a moment, and Colt let her collect her thoughts instead of asking questions. Finally, she took a shuddering breath. “What if one of my sisters is sick, or hurt, or they have starved?
He scooted closer. “Can you write to them?”
“I did while you were convalescing. I wanted to wait until I could tell them I had a place for all of them to go. That I had the means to keep them safe.”
“Then write to them. They can live here.” He studied her face, with her perfect, lineless and pale skin, for any indication that this suggestion pleased her, but there was none. “I’ll still live in the barn, and I promise never to hurt your sister.”
Dinah’s brows lifted, and her mouth opened. “No, that’s not it. Your anger doesn’t worry me. I only worried that my sisters wouldn’t come. If I can convince them, then we could take care of the children. I could live here with my sisters and be happy. Maybe even some day, we could laugh again, dance again.” She sighed. “There I go once more, talking about frivolous things. You must think I’m the most self-centered person ever.”
“I don’t think that at all. Dinah, have you ever thought about why you miss your old life so much? I don’t think it’s about the money, fancy gowns, and servants, but rather because it was the world you lived in when you were happy. That world existed before you knew the true horrors of the war, back when you had a ma and a pa and brothers and sisters. That life wasn’t about the parties…it was about who was in attendance. Dinah, you aren’t self-centered. You’re heartbroken.”
Dinah’s expression softened into a question. “You see me that way?”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, inhaling the fresh scent. “Yes.”
She smiled, a proud smile. “Thank you. Your words have brought some light into my life.”
“Let’s send for your sisters then, and you can all dance and sing and enjoy life again.”
“And then, when you leave, you’ll know the children are well cared for,” she said.
Her words sliced through him, causing more pain than any bullet ever could. He didn’t know when the desire to stay and work the farm and maybe even expand the family—with Dinah—had happened, but somehow those feelings had appeared in his heart. That would never work, though. He was still a monster, and Dinah clearly knew it. Yes, he’d learn to talk to her without yelling, mostly. And he’d been inside the house for weeks without flying into a rage, but that was temporary. Most likely, he was docile from the pain. When he was well, someday he’d hurt someone again. And he’d rather die than ever hurt Dinah or the children.
“You should go rest,” Dinah said, studying his face, her lips close enough for him to almost taste. “You don’t want to overdo it. I can see you’re in pain again. Come on, let’s get you into bed.”
A vision of the bed, with Dinah entangled in his arms, slipped into Colt’s mind, uninvited and unwanted. He swallowed. This woman didn’t want him, even though everything in his body and mind screamed that he wanted Miss Dinah McKinnie, in ways that a married man wanted a married woman.
Chapter Twenty
For a week, poor Emma itched and cried, and Dinah tended to her with all she had: ointments and love. For hours, the two of them would play with Emma’s doll, and had pretend tea parties together. Most of all, they talked and sang songs and read stories. Dinah would fall asleep each night on the sofa, exhausted from tending to Colt’s chores that she shared with James and Anna, and from nursing both Emma and Colt. Both the little girl and the large man seemed to be improving much to Dinah’s relief. She’d even found time to write letters to her sisters inviting them to Sioux City and Samuel was kind enough to post them for her.
Dinah woke one morning to the sun already shining bright. She rubbed her eyes and noticed she was lying in bed, in the bedroom. Startled, she sat up, wondering how she’d ended up where Colt usually slept. Had she been so tired that she didn’t even recalled the night before?
With a stretch and a yawn, she noticed she was still wearing the skirt and blouse from yesterday. She got up and went into the living quarters. There, the bedding she usually slept under while sleeping on the sofa, was already stored away. Colt sat next to Emma, tying one of the ribbons Dinah had purchased in the girl’s hair. Emma’s braids were messy and one started higher than the other, but Dinah had never seen a more precious sight. Colt’s hands were so large, next to Emma’s tiny head. And his fingers looked like tree trunks that kept bumping into each other as he tried to braid her hair.
Colt suddenly noticed Dinah. “How long you been standing there?” he asked.
“Long enough.” She smiled and went to Emma. “How you feeling, dear?”
“Much better. But I like not having to go to school.”
“Yesterday Dr. Smith said you were ready to return to school tomorrow,” Dinah gently reminded the girl. “He said you had a mild case. James and Anna went back this morning.”
A knock sounded at the door, startling them all. Colt went to the door and opened it to reveal Andrew Sanbourn.
“You don’t look so bad,” Andrew said to Colt.
Dinah pinched her lips together. She didn’t want to see the man, if for no other reason than she’d chosen not to take his offer. She knew Colt didn’t like the fact that Andrew had propositioned Dinah in the first place. In fact, Colt remained standing in the doorway, staring down his partner in an age-old male challenge.
“Emma,” Dinah quickly said, “why don’t you go to your room and play for a while. If you’re a good girl, we’ll make those cookies a little later.”
Emma’s eyes turned to large round balls of blue. “The cookies that your sister used to bake?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Dinah tapped the end of Emma’s nose. The little girl hopped off the sofa and raced to her room, giving Andrew only a parting glance.
Colt growled, the same growl Dinah had heard a few times when they’d first met. The animal in him was rearing on its hind legs. This visit with Andrew wasn’t going to go well, and she had to do something to keep him calm.
Plastering on a bright smile, she said, “Why, Mr. Sanbourn, how good of you to come check on Colt. I’m happy to report his ribs and shoulder are doing much better. The fever and infection are gone. Samuel has been kind enough to help us when he isn’t running the business.”
Colt’s head snapped back. With his jaw set and his narrowed brows, she knew he wanted her to step back, but she wouldn’t do it. Not when he’d come so far trapping his beast side.
“Please, let’s all step out on the front porch,” she continued. “It’s so beautiful outside right now. I love the cool air. It’s not usually this cool in Georgia this early. This is a refreshing
change for me.” She took Colt’s arm as if he were escorting her to a ball, and guided the two men to the wide front porch, keeping her gaze on Andrew.
The man removed his hat and bowed. “I’m glad to find you all well, but I confess, I didn’t come here only to check on Colt, but to tell you that we had another…” He glanced at Dinah, and then back at Colt. “May we speak in private? This is too gruesome a matter to discuss in front of delicate company.”
Colt remained quiet for a moment, before nodding. “Dinah, would you mind going back inside to check on Emma? I thought she was still a little warm with a fever this morning.”
Dinah eyed them both. Emma was no longer feverish, as Colt well knew.
He gave her a forced smile and said, “I promise we won’t be long, and Andrew is only here to talk. I won’t overdo it.”
Dinah dropped Colt’s arm. She curtsied at Andrew, then turned back around and kissed Colt firmly on the cheek. She wanted to both show Colt whom she’d chosen and also allow Andrew to know that he didn’t win.
“Very well. Call if you need anything,” she said, as she sashayed past Andrew, heading into the house. Even in her worn and faded skirt, she could throw some Southern belle attitude. She caught Colt’s grin and fought not to return it with one of her own. Inside, she shut the door, but stooped under the window so she could hear their conversation. “What are you really doing here?” Colt asked in a warning tone.
“There was another problem. Someone’s been murdered.”
Colt’s mind flicked to the dead, scalped body of Gabe. “One of ours?”
“No. It’s a woman this time. But one of our men is being accused of the crime.”
“Who?”
“Samuel,” Andrew said. They’ve got him at the brothel now, waiting for the sheriff to arrive.
“Not possible,” Colt said, his voice deep and angry. Footsteps sounded on the front porch, and Dinah crouched lower to make sure they couldn’t see her.
“I don’t know. The evidence is substantial,” Andrew said.
“What evidence?”
“A woman went missing from the brothel, and Samuel was seen leaving at that time.”
Colt barked out a disbelieving laugh. “Samuel doesn’t go to brothels. He’s happily married.”
“Please, what married man is truly happy?”
Andrew’s words made Dinah want to run out and smack him across the face, but she wouldn’t give him the pleasure.
“Speaking of marriage,” Colt said, his voice now firm, “I hear you plan to leave your wife.”
“Me?” Andrew said, his voice up an octave. He cleared his throat. “Never. As much as my wife is a prude, I’d never leave her. We’re married for life.”
“Not even if a beautiful woman said she’d marry you?” Colt asked, his voice low with warning.
“Listen, I don’t know what that woman told you, but she wanted me. Dinah begged me to put her up in the hotel.”
Dinah’s nails dug into the wall to keep her from flying out the door and scratching Andrew’s face. How dare he make her sound like a homewrecker? He was the one who’d claimed his marriage was over, that he was getting a divorce.
“You know how desperate she is,” Andrew continued, scoffing. “That Southern hussy offered herself to me. She played me. She’s probably done this to many men. Look at her. She’s a beauty, all right, but certainly no innocent young girl.”
Dinah flew outside and rammed Andrew so hard he flew off the porch. He landed on his backside at the bottom of the steps with an oof. “You! You egotistical, manipulative, lying, cheating scoundrel!” She went after him, but Colt pulled her back.
“Let me go!” she shrieked.
“Stop fighting, and let me handle this.”
She settled, knowing she’d only hurt Colt’s ribs if she continued fighting.
“I’m going to let you go,” he said quietly in her ear, “and you’re going to behave like the lady I know you are. Understand?”
She nodded, but swore she could shoot that nasty Mr. Sanbourn dead.
Colt stood at the edge of the porch, staring down at his partner, who was slowly getting to his knees. “It’s time for you to leave. Don’t ever come to my home again.”
“Gladly,” Andrew spat out. “You two deserve each other. She’s just as crazy as you are.”
“That’s the best compliment I’ve ever received!” Dinah shouted at the man.
Colt held up one hand. “Leave. Now. And if I ever find out that you had anything to do with those two men in the woods who’d tried to kidnap Dinah, I’ll make sure you pay for your crimes. All of your crimes.”
Dinah felt the weight of Colt’s words. He wasn’t referring only to their attack, but what had happened in their past. What horrors in the name of war had those men been forced to take part in?
Andrew brushed off his clothes and his hat. “I’m leaving Sioux City next week. If all goes well, I won’t be returning. You can buy out my half of the company, or I’m shutting the doors.”
“Go ahead. You never actually worked, anyway.”
Andrew plopped his hat on his head, mounted his horse, and rode away.
After the man disappeared over the rise, Dinah sagged. “Colt, I’m sorry. Your business. I hope I haven’t been the cause of any financial calamity.”
He sighed. “I have enough saved so that we can shut the doors and I can work the farm. I’m tired of killing things. Trapping and hunting for furs isn’t something I want to do anymore.” He closed the space between them and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Since I met you, I’m not the same man. I don’t know how you’ve done it, but you’ve tamed the wild in me.”
“I agree. When I first arrived in Sioux City, you would have gone crazy and beat up Andrew, or gone off and yelled, but instead you handled yourself with composure and strength.”
He rested his forehead against Dinah’s. “I’m still worried, though. What if this self-control I have found is only temporary? What if I hurt you or the children some day?”
Dinah cupped both his cheeks and stared into his eyes. “You won’t.”
“I wish I knew for sure, but I don’t.” He stepped away from her. “I need to go to town and see to Samuel. He’s a good man, and I know he didn’t do anything to a woman from the brothel. I’m not sure how, but I feel this charge is somehow connected to the death of one of my workers several weeks ago. I thought someone was trying to put us out of business. Perhaps a competitor. But now, I don’t know.”
“I agree, Samuels a good man. He’s helped out so much around here while you were healing. What do you think is going on?”
Colt leaned on the front porch railing. “No clue, but I want you and Emma to stay here and lock the doors. I’ll bring James and Anna home from school.”
“If you think that’s best.”
“I do, and Dinah?”
“Yes?”
“Tonight, I will tell you the truth. Everything. After that, I doubt you’ll want me to stay, but I can’t stay around you and the children without you knowing the risks.”
Dinah moved to his side and grazed her fingers over where the bullet wound nearly took his life.
He sucked in a stuttered breath and closed his eyes. “Don’t do that,” he whispered.
“I want you to know how much I trust you.”
He captured her wrists. “I can’t. Not until you know.” He uncurled his fingers and lowered his arms to his side.
She couldn’t imagine what could be so bad that he wouldn’t let her even touch him until he confessed. But then again, she knew the horrors of war. “I’ll listen, of course. I can promise you it won’t change my mind about you. I’ve watched you with the children. You’re an amazing uncle and would make a perfect father. You have a gentle spirit. War can break people, but broken people can also heal. All you have to do is forgive yourself.”
“I don’t know if I can, but maybe never being able to forgive myself is not what frightens me.”
&nb
sp; “What is it then?”
“I don’t want to see the look on your face when I tell you the truth. A truth that will make you forever hate me.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Colt rode hard to town, determined to find out why Samuel would be falsely accused of murder. None of what Andrew had said sounded right. Why would Samuel be drawn into the murder of a woman in a brothel? He came over the rise, and his heart stuttered at what he saw. On the far side of Perry Creek, a man dangled from a tree, surrounded by a lynch mob. Mounted on his horse, Colt could make out the images of Hedges—his fur business competitor—Henry, the saloon’s bartender, Pete, the brothel owner, and some other men he didn’t recognize. Then the body in the tree twisted, and Samuel’s features swung into view. A rush of relief surged through Colt. The man was still alive.
“Stop!” Colt pulled his horse to a halt and dismounted. “What’re you doing?”
Henry, who was holding the rope released it, and Samuel fell to the ground. “He’s gonna confess one way or ’nother,” Henry snarled.
Colt knelt by Samuel’s side and loosened the rope around his neck. The man coughed and choked, and spat bloody phlegm.
“Where’s Sheriff Lambert?” Colt yelled at the men. That’s when he spotted David Boltin and his brother Charles. So, the scoundrels were still in town. Colt had hoped those two had headed off weeks ago, to some other place where they could wreak their own particular form of havoc.
David chewed the side of his mouth and looked down at Samuel. “No need. This man here’s guilty.”
“Just because a man’s outside a brothel doesn’t make him guilty.” Still kneeling, Colt lifted the noose off Samuel’s head. He noticed a large gash on the man’s scalp, with blood soaking his hair. “What happened?” he asked a glassy-eyed Samuel.
“Don’t know,” Samuel gasped out, then coughed and spat again. When he regained his breath, he continued, his voice raspy. “I was headed to weigh our furs on Hedges’s scale, since someone done broke ours. A whistle sounded, and a voice called me over to the side of the brothel. Next thing I know, I’m waking up next to the brothel, with these men surrounding me. They’re kicking me and saying they’re going to hang me for murder.” Samuel spit in the direction of the crowd. “I ain’t killed no one, but I’m gonna if I get loose.”
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