Finn's Fortune

by Kathleen Ball

  In mid-drink, Mesquite choked.

  Cluck shrugged his shoulders. “Something valuable maybe?”

  Finn could tell by Cluck’s yelp that Bob had kicked him. “Maybe you’re right, Cluck. I’ll have to think on it.”

  And with that, he decided it was time to take his leave. He shoved his chair back, but before he could stand, a pretty saloon girl with long curly blond hair sat down on his lap. Her low-cut gown was the brightest shade of red he’d ever seen.

  “Hello, handsome. I haven’t seen you in here before. I’m Audra. It’s nice to make your acquaintance.” She kissed his cheek and started to touch his neck and chest, leaning close and deliberately teasing with a glance down her dress.

  “I’m Finn. And I don’t want to seem rude, but I have my wife to get home to.”

  Everyone at the table laughed.

  “Having a good time with a saloon girl doesn’t count for cheating. Audra could probably teach you a thing or two,” Mesquite said. His knowing laugh turned Finn’s stomach.

  Finn managed to get Audra off his lap without pushing her to the floor. Then he gave the three men a long, intense glare, silently warning them not to mess with him. “I need to get going.”

  On his way out, he stopped by the bar and settled up with Benny. “Hey, Benny, have you ever heard of anything valuable on the land near the stream?”

  Benny glanced around before he answered. “It’s rumored outlaws used to use the canyon over there for a hideout and they buried a box of gold intended for the army in there somewhere.”

  Finn gave him a generous tip. “Thanks for the information.”

  Finn untied Justice, put his foot in the stirrup, and settled himself in his saddle. Gold was bad news. They’d forever have people trying to find it. People would be willing to kill for it. As he rode home, he wondered if the story was true. Not that it mattered. The important thing was that others thought it to be true. He needed a plan.

  The sun had set by the time he got back to Maureen. At first, she gave him the sweetest smile and then she stared at him. He walked closer to her.

  “Good to be home.”

  “Is it? I bet you enjoyed being in town immensely.” She stood and crossed her arms.

  “Not particularly. I did find out some information though.”

  She cocked her right brow. “Was that information given before or after she kissed you?”

  He frowned. “What are you talking about? I met with three men.”

  She shook her head. “Oh? Which one of those men was wearing lip stain?”

  He groaned and touched his cheek. “It’s not what you think. Audra just sat down as I was leaving. As soon as she kissed me, I told her I had a lovely wife at home and I practically pushed her off my lap.” He knew he’d said the wrong thing by the anger in Maureen’s eyes.

  Her jaw dropped and she closed it quickly. “Goodnight.” She practically jumped into the wagon.

  Finn sighed. So she was the type to jump to conclusions, great, just great. Now what?

  He stared into the fire, watching as the flames danced over the logs, rising and falling. A log popped and sent a shower of sparks into the air, and Finn smiled as realization stole over him. Jealous, was she?

  Maureen quickly put her nightgown on and slid into bed. The nerve of that man! Here she was feeling sorry for herself and trying to come up with a plan to fall into his arms while he was getting kissed by some woman named Audra. He even knew the woman’s name. Suspicious, very suspicious indeed.

  It was a curse. She’d seen it too many times in her life. Men got the drink in them, and all common sense went out the window. Never would she have guessed it of Finn, though. Audra was probably pretty and wearing something more alluring then the dresses Maureen wore. Of course, Audra would also have more experience in man pleasing.

  Her shoulders sagged. She’d wanted to be pleasing to Finn, but now she didn’t want him near her.

  Finn climbed into the wagon, and she turned onto her side, presenting her back to him. She listened while he got undressed. He got under the covers, and she tried to stay as still as possible.

  A moment later cold feet were on her legs making her jump. She had nowhere to go. She was stuck between the side of the wagon and Finn. To make it worse Finn was laughing.

  “Stop it! I’m going to box your ears, Finn.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and his hands were freezing as well.

  “Brrr. What do you think you’re doing? I’ve suffered enough indignity already today. You don’t need to add to it. Get off me and sleep it off. I’ll punch you in the morning. It’ll give me something to look forward to.”

  Finn laughed louder and harder, shaking them both. Ah, my love, I’m flattered you’re so mad, but nothing happened. She sat in my lap and kissed my cheek before I even knew it was happening. Like I said, I got her off my lap as fast as I could. The other men said sleeping with a wh… a saloon girl didn’t count as cheating but I said it did.”

  He kissed the back of her neck. “Maureen, I’d never want another. You’re the only one for me. I never felt this way about another colleen.”

  Did he mean it, or was he a fast talker? She hoped he meant it. His kisses made her forget herself. “Finn, I need to think things through and I can’t do that with you kissing and touching me.”

  He loosened his hold on her and took his feet off her. “Anything you want, my love.”

  It felt nice to be in his arms. Before long, her eyes grew heavy and she drifted to sleep.

  She woke early and found herself still in the circle of Finn’s strong arms. She felt safe and cherished, but she couldn’t trust her feelings when he was near.

  He stirred and tightened his hold. “Good morning, my beautiful wife.” He kissed her between her neck and her shoulder, tickling her skin with his whiskers and making her laugh. “I’ll get the fire going so you won’t be so cold.” His voice was so tender she decided she’d been wrong about Audra.

  Maureen waited until Finn was outside before she dressed. She took a little more care than usual. When she climbed out of the wagon, she was rewarded with a grin that took her breath away.

  “I’m sorry about the accusations last night, Finn.”

  He poured her a cup of coffee and handed it to her. “No harm done.”

  “Did you find anything else about the land?”

  “According to Benny the bartender, legend has it that outlaws buried a box of gold on your part of the land. Supposedly from the army.”

  She put her hand to her neck. “Oh no. We’ll have people on our land forever.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. We need to come up with some plan where someone finds the box—empty or something. I’ll need to find out exactly what type of box it was. Oh if anyone asks I did plant a few explosives around the perimeter of our property.”

  She opened her mouth.

  “Don’t ask. I’ll tell you later. I want to get that roof done and then go hunting.” He leaned in and gave her a long lingering kiss that warmed her insides better than any fire.

  She touched her lips while he walked to the cabin. He was a confusing man and she couldn’t figure him out. His kiss was a tonic for her, and hopefully she wasn’t being a fool.

  Chapter Seven

  Every chance he got during the following week, Finn touched Maureen. Light touches, quick kisses, and standing close to her appeared to be working. She seemed to be softening up to him. She eagerly slept in his arms at night. The cabin would be done in about two days, and he had crafted a bedframe in the little spare time he had. He had Maureen sew a mattress they could stuff with dried hay.

  He planned to make their first night together special. But first, he needed to make another trip to New Dawn Springs. He needed more information about the money supposedly buried on their property. He wanted to live in peace and not constantly looking out on the horizon for trouble.

  He was busy fashioning a secure door when he decided now was as good as any t
o go to town. Maureen was making a rag rug for their home.

  “I need to find out more about that box and who stole it and where the outlaws are now. For all we know it’s a tall tale but people believe it.”

  Maureen glanced up at him. “Do you want to go and find it for ourselves?”

  “No, definitely no. People would kill us for money like that. I’ve found if you have money, you don’t advertise it. You’ll live longer.”

  She looked thoughtful for a moment. “You’re right but it sure would be nice to be rich.”

  “A ghrá, remember where we came from. The richest were the most unjust. They felt entitled to take anything they wanted, including another man’s wife to warm their beds for a night, and they were always backed by the soldiers. I’d rather sacrifice the money before I became like one of them. My way of thinking is that they wanted to be rid of all Irish.” He sighed loudly. “I’m sorry. I feel helpless here when I could be fighting for our freedom.”

  Maureen stood and stroked his face. “Finn, you did fight. You made a difference. It’s just out of your hands at the moment. I’m sure once we’re settled and secure you’ll find a way to keep helping from here.”

  He pulled her to a standing position and kissed her. It was a light kiss at first and then he deepened it until he felt her shiver. He could feel her lips turn into a smile. He pulled back, stared into her wide blue eyes, and smiled back. “I should go.”

  They heard the horses and sprang apart. Finn had his hand on his sidearm as he pushed Maureen behind him. It was the sheriff followed by another man. What did they want?

  “Good day, Sheriff,” Finn said when they reined in their horses. “What can I do for you?”

  “It’s your wife we’re here to talk to.”

  Finn felt Maureen stiffen behind him and she let out the softest of whimpers.

  A tall man, nicely dressed with brown hair that touched his shoulders pointed to her. “That’s Maureen McDonald. I own her, and she ran off.”

  Finn stepped forward. “Her name was Maureen Cleary and now is Maureen Langley. You have the wrong person.”

  “Sorry, friend,” the tall man said. “I’m Carlton Jones and that woman is my Maureen. She still owes me two years plus five days for every day you’ve been on the run. That’s two and a half more years added on.” His smile was chilling.

  So he’d been right; she had left something out of her story. His heart sank. From her tears, he suspected things were about to get a lot more complicated.

  “She also stole a horse,” Carlton added.

  “I left it at the stable in Independence. You’re riding that horse now!” Maureen’s eyes opened wide as she realized how much she’d said.

  She stared into Finn’s eyes. Hers were full of defeat and regret. “I’m sorry I lied. I guess this means we’re not married either.” Tears began to flow.

  The sheriff dismounted and took Maureen by the arm. “Finn, if you have a horse for her to ride into town you’d best saddle it.”

  Finn nodded. Four and a half years. She owed that bastard four and a half more years. Why hadn’t she told him the truth? He felt his dreams disappearing one by one. He got Vala ready, and Carlton grabbed the reins.

  “I’m so sorry, Finn. I wish—”

  Carlton grabbed Maureen and put her up on the horse. “Hush! You have no more wishes of your own. You only wish what I tell you to wish.”

  Maureen closed her mouth and lowered her head, staring at Vala’s neck. Finn’s anger nearly boiled over. His feisty wife had been immediately cowed. She’d been mistreated by that man harsher than she’d let on.

  “Hold up, I’m coming with you,” Finn growled.

  “No can do, Finn,” said the sheriff. “You can’t interfere and if you do I’ll have to arrest you.”

  Finn stood helplessly while they rode away. Maybe he should shoot both Carlton and the Sheriff out of their saddles, take Maureen and make a run for it, but that would be no kind of life for them. Over four years was a long time to wait, but as far as he was concerned, he was still married.

  He sat down on the top step leading to the cabin, took his hat off, and buried his face in his hands. There had to be something he could do. Maureen had said Carlton was starting to make advances on her.

  He got up, saddled Justice, and rode to town. He’d do whatever it took, he vowed.

  Maureen’s tears dried up on the way into town. She didn’t want Carlton to think he had a major win by taking her away from Finn. He’d taunt her with her love for Finn for the next four and a half years. Carlton had certainly come a very long way to find her. She wondered what his wife Sadie had to say about that.

  Sadie had never wanted Maureen in the first place but Carlton had insisted, and Sadie did everything Carlton told her to do. Theirs was the type of marriage Maureen was trying to avoid. At least she had experienced about six months of freedom.

  She’d failed everyone, herself included. They rode to the jailhouse and when she went to dismount, Carlton grabbed her waist and practically threw her to the ground.

  The sheriff frowned. “No need to be so rough. Let’s get her inside. I have paperwork to do before you can take her.”

  She stood straight and tall with her head held high as she walked by the gathering crowd. Didn’t they have something else to do?

  “Hey! Can I have your property?” asked a man who hadn’t bathed in at least a month.

  “It belongs to my husband.” She kept walking.

  Did she still have a husband? Her heart felt as though someone was yanking it out of her body, and she wanted cry out from the agony of it.

  The sheriff led her to a cell and put her in. The sound of the metal door closing and the lock clicking sent chills up her spine. How had she gotten herself into such a muddle? It was going to be a long journey back to Missouri, and how were they to do so with the upcoming winter? An ache developed in her chest. And how would she be able to live without Finn?

  She sat on the old, stained mattress and rested her head against the wall behind her. She’d have to learn to live with her actions. She’d been wrong to leave, and she’d been wrong in not telling Finn the truth. This muddle was of her own making. She knew it was wrong leaving before her indentureship was completed. Now she had two and a half years added.

  Carlton had a gleam in his eye. “You know, Sheriff, if she belongs to me then so does her property. How much do I own now?”

  “None,” the sheriff said without looking up from his desk. He was searching for some papers.

  “Now see here—”

  “Listen, Mr. Jones, you’re lucky I’ve gone along with getting Mrs. Langley for you. Her marriage is legal. Her property now belongs to her husband.”

  “But if I had been here, she wouldn’t have been allowed to get married. She can only do what I say she can do. She is a servant, and I own her,” Carlton said, puffing out his chest.

  The sheriff narrowed his eyes. “You keep saying you own her, but we don’t own people here in Oregon Territory. It’s a free territory and we’re proud of it.”

  Carlton smiled. “For slaves yes but I have a signed contract. I’ll need to get headed back East before winter sets in.”

  “You’ll never make it back over the mountains. In fact, I’m surprised you made it here this time of year. You got lucky.”

  “In that case we’ll settle in her cabin. It’ll be cozy just the two of us, right Maureen?”

  Maureen shook her head. “It’s not my cabin. It’s Finn’s, and it’s on his original land. I do have a broken down wagon with a damaged canvas you could use. I don’t think it would be very warm though.”

  Carlton frowned then chuckled. “It’ll be warm with the two of us.”

  The sheriff got up and opened his door. “That’s enough of that type of talk, Mr. Carlton. I run a clean town, and I won’t have you sleeping with another man’s wife. I suggest you go think of another plan. Don’t you already have a wife?”

  Maureen’s body
sagged as Carlton walked out the door.

  The sheriff shook his head, muttering to himself. Then he turned to her. “I thought it was against the law to have indentured servants. I’m not sure though. The laws of the States and Territories differ in a few areas. He was able to do it, so there must be some type that was legal. I’m going to send a few messages out and see exactly what the law is in this situation. Sorry, but you’ll probably be here for a few days. I’ll have one of the gals come and bring you fresh sheets and the like. I’m sure Finn will be along soon.”

  Maureen’s body began to shake, and she wrapped her arms around herself. Her worst fear had come true. Why had Carlton come all this way? He’d left Sadie and the children alone? Closing her eyes tight, she tried to block it all out and think of Finn’s smile and touch. Even that didn’t last long, though, and she wasn’t sure how to comfort herself.

  Would Finn show up? She wouldn’t have blamed him if he washed his hands of her. She’d told him one lie after another, and all he’d ever been was good to her. She should have told him the truth, but fear had stopped her, and now here she was in a stinking cell, alone. The worst part was that she’d hurt Finn.

  The door opened, and she immediately stood, her heart jumping in hope that it was Finn. But it was a woman, and Maureen’s heart dropped. The stranger wore a warm cape and carried bedding and a basket, all of which she placed on the sheriff’s desk.

  Her dress was that of a saloon girl, and Maureen didn’t know what to think.

  “I’m Audra. I brought you sheets and a quilt. They don’t get too many female guests in here.” She grabbed the bedding and pushed the items one at a time between the bars.

  They were clean. “Thank you, Audra. I believe you know my husband.”

  Audra’s face reddened and she looked away. “Do I?”

  “Finn Langley. He came home recently with lip stain on his cheek.” It probably wasn’t a good idea to make an enemy of the person taking care of her but she couldn’t help it.

  Audra turned back around. Her blush had faded and she smiled. “You got yourself a good one. Nearly had me sprawled on the dirty saloon floor when I sat on his lap. He told me he was married. Most of the time it doesn’t matter to the men at the saloon, but he was not happy with the attention I gave him.” Her smile widened. “Hold on to that one.”