Kisses With KC
Page 11
“Fair enough,” KC said, and the men shook hands. He didn’t know how much silver it took to buy secrets, but he hoped there would be enough in that cave.
14
Eliza Turley
As Eliza listened to the men’s conversation in the kitchen from the other side of the door, she had decided to follow the men to the mine. She would stay well behind and only be there to help if things went very wrong. KC wouldn’t be breaking any promises he’d given Anders. Eliza would only look like a man and not be one.
She changed into some borrowed trousers, packed plenty of ammunition, and started out half an hour after the men. The earlier tracks were easy to follow since they stuck to the trail she had been on a few days ago.
As she rounded the last corner, Eliza noticed some tracks veering off the trail to a different one. The current one was wide enough for a small wagon while the new one was more like a deer path. She stayed on the worn trail. She’d take the new one another day.
It wasn’t long until Eliza turned the last corner and saw the opening of the cave. She looked down into the gulley where they’d watered their horses a few days ago and been shot at. When she looked back toward the cave, she saw two men working among the rocks with fat saddle bags hanging over their shoulders.
She’d never seen anyone use dynamite, but, living in a mining town, she’d heard plenty about it. The miners would drill holes and plant the sticks inside them, then light the fuses, and the successive explosions would collapse the rock. From what she could see, she’d bet these men might be doing just that.
Panic flared. How would she get KC out of there? If she tried to go through the opening of the cave, they’d shoot her. She pulled her rifle from the scabbard. She could shoot one of them before he finished his work, but the other could still light the fuse and collapse the mine on KC. Just then, a donkey walked over and nudged her foot out of the stirrup. She looked closely. It sure looked like KC’s donkey. It took a couple of steps away from her and looked back, swinging its head as if inviting her to follow it.
She’d seen it go with KC when he left, so he must be nearby. The donkey ran, and Eliza decided to follow.
The angel had taken KC to a different opening than he’d used when they came to see the bodies. Inside the cave, the old miner led KC through winding passages into the open area. KC knew the bodies were down the passage to his right, but this time the angel went to the one on their left.
The prospector walked confidently through the darkness. “We’re near the opening we took the other day, but that way wouldn’t have been any good for us today.”
“You sure you’re leading me to a silver vein, Mr. Murray?” Anders couldn’t hear the angel and spoke over the top of the last few words he’d said.
“It’s right here,” the angel said and KC echoed him. They slipped into a narrow opening. KC was sure they’d stood near these very rocks the other day, and he hadn’t seen it at all. They were also very near the other opening. The angel stopped where that passage widened.
Mr. Anders held up his lantern to the wall. The whole thing winked with a thousand points of silver reflection. KC realized that the old prospector had been modest when he said there was still some silver. Even the rocks broken off and piled on the ground didn’t diminish the silver yet to be mined.
Mr. Anders began stuffing his pockets with silver rocks. “What I want to know, Mr. Murray, is this. Are we partners, or do you still plan on selling to me?”
Suddenly, KC could hear what sounded like a gunshot. “KC, get out. It’s going to collapse.” Eliza’s voice echoed off the walls and seemed to come from everywhere.
When KC heard the warning, he moved back the way they’d come as did the angel while Anders continued collecting rocks.
“Let’s go,” he said to Anders, but the man continued to pocket as many stones as he could.
“Get yourself outta here,” the angel yelled. KC took off at a run toward the cave’s back door. In a quick moment, a deafening explosion rattled the mine. Dust billowed around him, and even the light from his lantern was swallowed up by it.
Toward the back of the passageway, KC saw the golden glow of the angel’s wings. “Hang on,” the miner said. “This here’s the part you need me for. We’ll get you out of here.”
“Where are we going? Where’s Eliza? I can’t leave her in here.”
“Keep up. We’ll get to her.”
KC blindly followed the angel. When he saw an exit, he also saw Eliza behind MayBelle, who stood across the passageway blocking Eliza from entering.
The dust still hadn’t settled. KC looked over his shoulder. “Where’s Anders?”
The angel shook his head. “You’ve still got some work to do. The marshal is here at the other side.”
“What happened? Was it a cave-in?” KC looked at the angel, but it was Eliza who answered.
“The men you said were Holmans were on the other side, and it looked like they were setting charges.”
KC thought out loud. “They’re the ones who hid the bodies in here, aren’t they?” The angel just nodded. “And they were going to blow up the cave to hide the evidence.” The angel and MayBelle nodded together.
“Oh!” Eliza yelped. “It’s you. You’re … here.” She looked directly at the prospector.
“I reckon you can both see me now.”
MayBelle shook her head and butted against the miner.
“Yeah, maybe I slipped up, but you’ve been trotting around like you’re a donkey.”
“She’s not a donkey?” Eliza asked.
“Well, yeah, she’s a donkey,” the miner replied.
MayBelle sounded like she was laughing again. “She says you’re dirty as a mud monster,” the old miner said to KC.
“Well, I ain’t dead.” KC smiled, tasting a little dirt on his lips. He picked up one of Eliza’s hands and laced his fingers with hers. The other arm pulled her to him.
The donkey brayed and bobbed her head with mirth.
“My mine had two entrances. This here is the front entrance. That one that’s collapsed now was the back. And see, that there was my house, and now it’s yours.”
A two-room log cabin sat off at the edge of a meadow.
“You didn’t … um …”
“No. I didn’t die in there.”
“Or in…” KC pointed to the mine.
“Nope. Got it in my head that silver weren’t good enough. All the talk was of the gold rush. I wanted a piece of that, so I left and went up to Cherry Creek. Then I ran off to California, chasing after gold. Didn’t make it back here. Didn’t find gold, neither.”
Everything that had happened over the past few weeks rushed at KC. He’d set out to solve a mystery, and it seemed at an end. Then he looked back into the dark mouth of the cave and saw the fiery orange eyes of Death glowing through the dust. Death walked out of the cave with not a speck of dirt marring his black hat or the overcoat that flailed open as he walked. He carried a large steel pick over his shoulder with three souls skewered on the end. He slammed the pick into the ground, rending the rock beneath him. With the sound of thunder, the earth split into a great crevasse. Wind tugged at the bushes and trees nearby, drawing their limbs toward the opening. The souls of the Holmans and Anders were sucked into the crack with a slurping noise, then it snapped shut, and Death was gone.
Eliza and KC rode around the ridge on the deer trail. On the other side, they yelled and waved toward Marshal Wheeler, who was trying to move boulders.
When they came up next to him, Eliza asked, “Why are you up here, Marshal?”
“I got word you might need my help, Murray.”
“I saw two men here trying to place the powder, caps, and fuses,” the marshal said. “I started riding forward to stop them, but something went wrong, and all the dynamite set off at once. I didn’t see them get away.”
KC hugged Eliza to his side, then asked, “Eliza, will you ride back and arrange for the undertaker to come up? Have him brin
g five boxes. I’ll stay with Marshal Wheeler to help.”
“How do you know they’re dead?” the marshal asked. “And how do you figure there are five?”
“I’ll tell you the whole story while we work.” KC talked while they tied ropes from horses and the donkey to drag stones away from the pile. The old prospector hung around and directed KC as to which rocks to move to find the bodies, including the two the Holman boys had hid in there earlier.
“It seems this town has a legion of angels hovering over it,” Marshall Wheeler said. “We need you here, Murray. I spoke with the city council last night. They voted to have a town marshal and to offer you the job. You interested?”
“I’ll think on it,” KC replied. It seemed like a good thing to do. What he really wanted to do was talk to Eliza. Would she think the job too dangerous?
Shortly after the undertaker had boxed up the five bodies, Marshal Wheeler rode back down the mountain with him.
The old prospector revealed himself again. “Well, my task is done.” MayBelle whinnied in agreement. “I can’t say as I ever thought you’d be all right in the end.” Then he squinted toward KC. “I think I done my best work on you. No rocks fell on your head, right?”
“I’m fine.” KC’s hand petted MayBelle on the neck. “Will you two be around? Or are you gone from now on?”
MayBelle whinnied her laugh at that.
“Oh, yeah, we’ll be around. You’ve worked yourself into needing a constant guardian angel, what with the new job and the babies on the way.”
“What babies?
“Well, twins do run in her family.”
MayBelle kicked up a storm then, stomping and braying.
“I’m done, MayBelle. I wasn’t going to tell him the rest. Stop your caterwauling.”
MayBelle butted the miner.
“Yeah, let’s go already.”
The old miner and MayBelle began to glow. “Stay outta trouble. Anything that happens to you while I’m gone is not my fault.” In a flash of light, they both disappeared.
Epilogue
One month later
KC stood at the front of the small chapel in Bachelor with Ellis beside him on a bright Saturday morning. He had waited a month for this day, settling into his job as the town marshal, finding and swearing in deputies. He’d tried to contact as many settlers as he could find to file charges against Little Archie, the only surviving member of the group that had intimidated and coerced them into selling. Now, Archibald Grady was busy reverting ownership back or paying out fair market value for the homesteads to settle having swindled them earlier without going to jail. Unfortunately, that sniveling snake of a man was one of the richest men in the territory, having inherited all of Mr. Anders’ business interests. KC had decided to let things calm down before he hauled the weasel in on charges of land fraud for the homestead he’d “proved up” on.
It also took time for KC to ready the two-room cabin for his bride. He’d designed their future home. He had marked all around where the walls would be built as a surprise for her tomorrow. That home would straddle both their homesteads with their bedroom sitting smack on the property line.
The Turley family, sitting in the front pews of the church, would become his family today. He stood alone at the front of the room but felt that his parents weren’t far away, that somehow they knew and were happy for him. That they’d been watching and were proud of the man he’d become and the choices he’d made. That he wore their name well. And now that he chose Eliza to wear that name with him. He thought they would love Eliza, too.
He had come to this town for a short assignment but would commit to stay here because of the love of a beautiful woman. He felt humbled that the Lord had made her just for him. His knees felt weak, and anticipation, like hot coals, raced through his veins.
He remembered the night he met Eliza. He couldn’t regret the mistake and felt heaven’s hand in it. It marked a turning point in his life from which he would never walk away. Every event in his life had brought him to this moment. If he’d missed any one of them, he might have missed Eliza completely.
The door cracked open, and he held his breath and then blew it out slowly. She walked in on her father’s arm. KC’s heart lurched, and he coughed into his hand to tamp down his emotions. Her smile was a promise of the love to come. She had pulled her hair up into soft waves and tucked early spring flowers into it.
His fists brushed across his eyes, pushing out unshed tears and clearing his vision. He didn’t want to miss one step. His heart leaped into his throat. If he could have one wish, it would be to live this moment over a thousand times, watching her walk to him and their future. When they left this church, it would be together. They would be a family and with God’s blessing, create a family of their own.
Mr. Turley placed Eliza’s hand in KC’s. “I’m giving you my daughter. I’m giving you my job to love and protect her. She’s an actual piece of me and the lives of all my family who came before. We’re trusting you with this precious gift.”
KC nodded in agreement.
Reverend Bing recited the vows, and KC thought he’d never heard sweeter words than the “I do” that came from Eliza’s lips.
As they were pronounced man and wife, KC whispered in Eliza’s ear, “My wife.” Then he kissed her before their family and friends. From this day going forward, they were one.
Among the well-wishers, the angel patted him on the back. “Congratulations, my friend. You might want to enjoy all the sleep you can. Twins run in her family.” Then he laughed and disappeared. In the distance, KC thought he could hear a donkey braying.
By early afternoon, KC carried Eliza over the threshold of the old prospector’s cabin. Stepping into their home, KC placed her feet on the floor but didn’t remove his arms from around her. She tipped to her toes and kissed him. “I love you, KC Murray.”
“I love you, Eliza, with all my heart.” His lips covered hers, and desire shot through him. His arms tightened around her as she mirrored the embrace. She tasted of life itself. Of spring mornings and winter nights. His kiss only paused as he whispered, “Thank you for saying yes.”
“I plan to say yes all night,” she whispered back, and he deepened the kiss. He thought his heart could not expand more, but then she moaned, and it did.
“If that kiss was meant to steal every rational thought from my mind, it came very close.”
“Should I try again?” KC leaned toward her. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and love. It warmed his heart and burned through his chest.
“Yes, I think we should.”
About the Author
Jo Noelle is a Colorado native but lived in several other mountain states--Idaho, Utah, and California. She has two adult children and three small kids. She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking (especially desserts), builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains. Oh, and by the way, she's two people--Canda and Deanna, a mother/daughter writing team. We write sweet romance stories with contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, or time-travel twists. Visit Jo's site at http://JoNoelle.com or connect with us on Facebook @JoNoelle.
Connect with Jo Noelle online:
Facebook
Amazon Author Page
Jo Noelle’s Website Join our Readers’ Club on our website.
Other Books by Jo Noelle
Newbie “The housing market is crashing, and Sophie’s life is crashing with it.”
Lexi’s Pathetic Fictional Love Life “Falling in love is easy in fiction—in high school, not so much.”
Amnesty “Cassie is going to heaven, if she can get amnesty from hell in the next 20 days.”
Years & an Ocean “Going to a séance was supposed to be a harmless diversion in Victorian England, but for Delia Spencer it was life-altering.”
All By My Selfie “Gwen Mackenzie has nightly dreams of an ancient warrior bound by a curse, nicknamed #ScottishBoyfr
iend, and can that man rock a kilt!”
One Last Summer “A year ago, Jenna broke Cole’s heart. Now, she’s back, and she isn’t sure which worries her more—a summer of rivalry or romance?
Lucky in Love “Hugh knows a woman like Julianne is above his touch. But—what would he give to be wrong?”
***
We are always striving to improve our books and the reader’s experience. If you see an error, we would appreciate knowing about it. Please email Jo@JoNoelle.com
Cowboys & Angels
Here’s what’s out or already planned:
Book 1: Beatrice the Bride
Book 2: Lucky in Love
Book 3: Rescuing the Rancher
Book 4: Taming the Trainer
Book 5: Mail Order Merchant
Book 6: Waiting on Waylon
Book 7: Hannah the Healer
Book 8: Wooing the Widow
Book 9: Bribing the Blacksmith
Book 10: Bargaining for Baby
Book 11: Kisses With KC
Hang onto your hat—there’ll be more!
Join the conversation in the Facebook
Cowboys & Angels Readers’ Group
and chat with us in
Pioneer Hearts
Read the first chapters of books before they come out at
Sneak Peek
Also by Jo Noelle
P.S. I Love You
Lucky in Love
Waiting on Waylon
Kisses With KC
Newbie
All By My Selfie
One Last Summer
Lexi’s Pathetic Fictional Love Life
Amnesty
Years & an Ocean
See all of Jo Noelle’s books on Amazon.com