Duncan

by Jo Jones

  Lainey’s worried expression deepened. “I just don’t know how far to let them go. I need solid evidence of their intent to set a fire, or fires. I have to have it on the tape, or all this is for nothing, but I can’t risk losing my barn and outbuildings. And especially not my house.” She scrubbed her face with both hands. “I just don’t know what to do!”

  He heard the anguish in her voice, felt it in his gut and yearned for some way to comfort her. “All this rain is going to help. ‘Twas a downpour all last evening and night and ‘tis been steady all day with no promise of stoppin’. Everything is saturated. Yer buildings, included. Yer husband’s lackeys will have to work for this bit of mischief.”

  “Ex-husband.” She frowned. “Those lackeys will have gasoline. That will burn, wet or not. They’ll start more than one fire, I’m sure, and you can’t be everywhere at once. The ranch is not equipped to fight something like that.”

  He pulled her into the circle of his arms. “I’ll no’ let them destroy yer home, Lainey. Ye’ve my word.” He kissed the top of her head and tucked her against his chest, enjoying the feel of her arms sliding around him.

  When he heard Molly opening the door, he pulled back and gave Lainey a slow wink. “Will ye trust me?”

  She smiled up at him. “I trust you. It’s the gas cans I don’t trust.”

  ~

  When he returned from hanging the birdhouse, Lainey and Molly were placing the rock camera on the far side of the barn.

  “We get to put a camera here, too,” Molly exclaimed, pushing back the hood on her jacket. “Mama said we’ll be able to see if any wild critters come close to the barn. Maybe we’ll get to see a raccoon. Or a skunk.”

  “I thought this might be the most logical spot to see their approach,” Lainey added.

  “Verra smart,” Duncan replied.

  “And we’re going to do another one. Mama wants to put it on the corner of the bunkhouse. She said we’d probably get to see some varmints from there.”

  “Aye, I’d wager on it,” Duncan replied. “I believe ‘twill capture ‘em scurryin’ about, for sure.”

  Lainey drilled in the last screw on the false breaker-box, while he gathered up the rest of their tools.

  “I guess that’s the best we can do,” she sighed, stepping back. “I just hope they’ll work in the rain.”

  She put the drill back into the case, snapped the lid shut and handed it to Duncan. “I have four fire extinguishers, stored in different locations. “I’ll get them if you’ll put these in the barn?”

  “Ye can help me carry these, lass.” Duncan handed a hammer to Molly.

  He had no idea what Lainey meant to go get, but he needn’t bother her, to ask. She had good instincts, did his Lainey, and he had no trouble trusting her, just as he’d asked her to do for him.

  When they were through, and the milk cow had been moved to the corral and the chickens chased out of the barn, into their coop, he gathered Molly in his arms and they all hurried through the rain to the house.

  Duncan set Molly down on the porch to remove her muddy boots. After he sent her inside, he grasped Lainey’s arm to hold her back. “I know ye’ve a pistol, lass. Do ye have any other weapons?”

  She nodded. “Two shotguns and a hunting rifle.”

  “That should do. I wouldn’t mind a wee bit of something to back me up besides a birdhouse and my bonny good looks.” He winked at her, hoping to ease some of the strain he saw on her face.

  She smiled and rested her forehead against his chest.

  “Take yer pistol with ye when ye leave,” he reminded her. “I’ve seen ye with it before so I know ye can protect Molly, if need be. But don’t forget about yerself. I’ll be having ye both come back to me once ‘tis over.”

  He heard a tiny anguished cry as she hugged him fully. He held her, wanting the moment to last forever.

  He’d not forgotten he couldn’t stay beyond tonight. Mayhap not even long enough for them to return. But he prayed ‘twould be long enough to ensure they had something to return to.

  When Lainey started forward, he held her back a moment longer. “I placed yer ax just inside the barn door.” At Lainey’s puzzled look, he added, “I may need to chop out a burnin’ section of something. I wanted ye to know it’s there if…in case.”

  ~

  Lainey peered out the window. Dusk had come and gone, sliding into an inky wet gloom. The rain still fell at a monotonous pace with a low ceiling of angry clouds rumbling their discontent.

  Nothing had happened out of the ordinary. She’d busied herself making sandwiches and coffee to leave for Duncan and gathered water and a blanket for Molly to take in the truck.

  Duncan kept watch outside with an occasional drop-by to nag her to leave, but she’d found one thing after another that needed to be done first.

  She knew she’d been dragging her feet. She just couldn’t bring herself to leave Duncan to face everything alone. But she couldn’t put Molly in harm’s way, either. So she paced and worried and found something else to do before she left.

  Duncan had said he didn’t expect anything to happen until long after dark, so she kept telling herself she had more time.

  But time had run out. She knew that.

  So had Duncan’s. Every moment since they’d returned this afternoon, she’d expected Duncan to announce it was time for him to go. Despite stating his intent to capture the men coming tonight, he’d also said, very emphatically from the beginning, he’d be leaving tonight no matter what. He’d made it clear he was powerless to change that fact.

  Maybe they should all go. Just get in the truck and drive away together and never look back. Let Mark have his victory. But then Duncan would go on to his…appointment, or whatever and she and Molly would be alone, living out of an old wreck of a truck somewhere. Was that the legacy she wanted to leave Molly? The lesson she wanted to teach her? That she should cut and run whenever things got tough?

  Life was tough. And it had been tougher on Molly than most, already. She’d need all the fight and stay her little soul could muster just to get through school, let alone life.

  Lainey shoved her hands through her hair, tugging on the heavy strands, struggling to get things clear in her mind. What should she do? Stay? Go? Her stomach was in knots and her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Why couldn’t the right decision jump up before her, bright and bold, so all she had to do was act on it.

  She paced. From the kitchen to the front window in laps, glancing anxiously at the pistol on the buffet at every pass. Finally she slipped it into her pocket.

  She looked around the room at her home, her history. Did she want to go down as the first quitter in this family? Was she going to roll over and hand the place to Mark just because she was too afraid to fight for it? Where would she be now if her grandparents had taken the cut-and-run option? They’d fought for this place and their family. How could she do less?

  Lainey stopped and watched Molly sort puzzle pieces. This beautiful, sweet child she’d been blessed with was her family. She was more than buildings. More than the legacy and tradition Lainey had built her life around.

  Her choices suddenly became crystal clear and she wondered how she’d ever been torn or confused. This ranch and its history meant everything to her. Everything, but Molly’s safety.

  “We’re going for a ride, Molly. Go get your jacket, okay?”

  “Right now?” Surprise and confusion played across Molly’s face. “But it’s dark. And Duncan hasn’t had his dinner.”

  “I know, sweetheart, but it’s important. Why don’t you put some things in your backpack to play with?”

  She glanced around the room, wondering if she should try to take anything with her. The possibility of it all going up in smoke tore at her heart. No. She’d leave it all. The things didn’t matter as much as what they represented. And she already had that tucked in her heart.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “I’m ready, Mama,” Molly said quietly behind her.

>   “Good girl,” Lainey smiled at her. “Put your jacket on so you don’t get so wet in the rain.” She slipped her own jacket on and slid her cell phone into her pocket.

  Now that she’d made the decision, she was anxious to get Molly out of here. It had just taken her a while to set generations of tradition and beliefs aside.

  Grabbing the blankets, water and Molly’s half-eaten sandwich from earlier, she glanced at the sandwiches she’d left for Duncan. At the last minute she’d added a quick note of goodbye. Even if everything went in their favor tonight and there was a ranch to come back to, Duncan would be gone to wherever it was he had to go.

  Saying goodbye had been harder than she’d realized. What she felt for him wouldn’t fit on a sticky note. Gratitude. Sorrow. Affection. More than affection. She’d finally settled for a mere Thank you. We’ll miss you.

  “Okay,” she said to Molly. “Let’s go.”

  “But where?”

  “I don’t know,” Lainey answered, realizing she truly didn’t. “I guess we get to decide on the way.”

  Lainey hustled Molly outside and to the truck and reached for the door handle. It was slightly ajar. “Go back against house, Molly.”

  Reaching into her pocket, she pulled her gun half way out and cautiously pulled on the door handle. Molly’s half used water bottle fell from the door jamb into the mud.

  Her breath rushed from her lungs as her pulse slowed to normal. She pushed the gun back in her pocket. “It’s okay, Molly. Come here.”

  “What was it, Mama?”

  The door was open a little. I was worried that a critter of some kind had gotten inside. I guess Duncan didn’t get it shut tight earlier.

  She settled Molly inside and ran through the rain to the driver’s side. An occasional flash of lightening lit the black night. She thought of Duncan standing guard, risking his life for her ranch when she was unwilling to stay and fight for it herself.

  She pushed the key into the ignition. She didn’t have any problem risking her life. It was Molly’s she couldn’t compromise. Nor did she want to risk Duncan’s.

  Why hadn’t she seen that earlier? Whichever choice she made, stay or go, she could find a right and a wrong in the decision.

  After all these preparations, would Duncan leave and go with her? She doubted it, but she wanted to try. She’d swing the truck around by the barn and try to talk him into going.

  She turned the key and all she heard was a clicking sound. She tried again. And again. Panic sizzled up her spine and her hands shook. Praying for a miracle, she tried again.

  The battery was dead.

  “No. No!” It would take hours for the trickle charger to recharge it. Maybe overnight. The only other option was to pull the battery from the tractor and switch it for this one. There was no time for that. No one was going anywhere in this truck tonight.

  “What’s the matter, mama?” Molly asked nervously.

  Lainey struggled to tamp her panic into a manageable size so she could think. How could she possibly tell Molly the truth?

  “I’ve changed my mind about the ride. It wouldn’t be very fun in the rain. You know how we always practice staying out in the old root cellar? In case a storm is especially bad or the wind makes things dangerous?

  “Or just when Patches and me want a place to play? Molly asked.

  “Yes,” Lainey reached out and took her hand in the murkiness of the cab. “I think tonight is a good time to practice again. You know, with all this rain and everything.”

  “Will Duncan come with us?”

  Lainey tried to keep the urgency from her voice.

  “Maybe later. Grab your backpack. Put the hood up on your jacket and I’ll carry you over, piggy back.”

  Lainey carried her through the storm, past the outbuildings to where the original homestead had once stood. Only the rock formation remained, and beyond it, the root cellar.

  She helped Molly through the door and down the stairs, noticing how adept she’d become at negotiating them on her own, since playing here so often.

  Switching on the big LED lantern, she hung it on a ceiling beam, casting bright light into every corner.

  Over the years, her parents had made improvements to the original sod dugout her grandparents had built. They’d expanded, cemented and shored it up until it seemed more of a basement room than a cellar.

  Still used mainly for food storage, the cellar had ceiling to floor shelves and stacked storage bins, but Lainey had added a cot and miniature table and chairs when Molly asked to use it for a play house.

  “Do you want to get out a puzzle?” Lainey asked as she grabbed several water bottles and extra blankets. Even though the room maintained a consistent moderate temperature, if Molly ended up falling asleep, Lainey wanted her to be comfortable. In fact, she hoped Molly would sleep so the time would pass faster.

  “That big puzzle, I guess,” Molly replied, setting her backpack on the bed. “I brought some books, too, and my drawing stuff and Barbie.” She tugged the well-used doll out of her bag, scattering a couple of Barbie-outfits in the process.

  “That’s great, honey.” Lainey pulled a puzzle from one of the bottom shelves. When she turned, she saw the neatly stacked boxes of ammunition.

  Her heart sank. Duncan had asked her if she had any weapons. How had she not remembered? Why hadn’t he asked again instead of going out there completely defenseless?

  Lainey handed Molly the puzzle. “It’s fun to practice to staying in the cellar. Don’t you think?”

  “I guess so,” Molly replied.

  “I need to run back to the house for a minute. I forgot something. I’d really like you to practice staying by yourself while I’m gone.” She watched Molly’s face, trying to guess her reaction. “What do you think? I believe you’re grown up enough. Want to try it?” Please, Lainey prayed, don’t let her be too frightened. I can’t take her out there. But I have to at least give Duncan a fighting chance.

  Molly blinked a couple of times. “Okay, I guess.” She looked at Lainey with obvious uncertainty.

  Lainey had never been more grateful for Molly’s innate willingness to comply.

  “There’s water here and your tea party snack basket. It will be just like when you and Patches play. I won’t be long.” She smiled, trying to reassure herself as well as Molly. She hated leaving her.

  Lainey sat on the cot to gather Molly in a tight hug. “I love you like Buzz - to infinity and beyond.”

  “I love you more,” Molly automatically replied.

  Lainey smiled at their familiar game, trying to breathe through the weight gathering in her chest. “I need you to promise me something.”

  Molly pulled back and looked into Lainey’s face. “What?”

  “I need you to promise that you will stay here until I come back. No matter what you hear, you’ll stay put.”

  “Will it be the wind?”

  Lainey kissed her forehead, lingering over the contact. “Probably. But you’re not to go out. Promise?”

  “Why not?”

  Lainey searched for an answer that wouldn’t scare her. She hated lying to Molly but telling her this truth was more than her five-year-old daughter could handle. Molly was mature for her age in many ways, but this wasn’t one of them. The truth would terrify her enough that she’d never stay here and Lainey couldn’t allow her to be outside with the danger. Omitting the entire truth was Lainey’s only chance of keeping her safe.

  “Well, if the wind gets really bad, it might blow branches and stuff around. You could get hurt. And…there could be a lot of lightening.” She hugged her again. “You have to trust me, Molly. Okay?”

  “Okay,” Molly mumbled against Lainey’s shoulder.

  Lainey grabbed a box of rifle shells and left Molly with a little picnic of snacks and a puzzle and forced herself to leave her.

  Please, don’t let her be afraid. Please.

  Clouds and rain obliterated the stars, leaving the night black and foreboding as Lai
ney hurried back to the house.

  Gathering the rifle from the gun-safe, one of the sandwiches and a mug of coffee for Duncan, she headed back outside.

  “Duncan,” she whispered into the black void beyond the barn. Nothing. She walked a few paces further and tried again. “Duncan?”

  “Here, lass.” He materialized out of the shadows.

  “Have you seen anything?” She whispered.

  “Nay,” He took her arm and led her inside the barn, out of the rain. “What are you doing here? Where’s Molly?” His voice was more of a hiss than a whisper.

  “She’s safe. She’s in the root cellar.”

  “A cellar is a fearful place. Molly will be frightened in there.” He growled.

  “No,” Lainey half-fibbed. She was actually getting pretty good at it. “She plays in there all the time.”

  “Why didna you leave? ‘Twas the plan.”

  She heard the exasperation in his voice. “I tried. The battery’s dead in the truck.”

  “Can ye fix it?”

  “Now?” What was he thinking? “No.”

  “Here. Take these.” She handed him the sandwich and coffee and set the rifle and shells against the barn wall along with the flashlight. “I brought a rifle and shells. Any signs of them yet?”

  “I’ve seen naught but the rain, but I’ve no’ been able to watch both approaches at once. I’ve been goin’ back and forth.”

  “Maybe, with the storm, they’ll change their minds about coming clear out here.” She wished she could believe that.

  Duncan sipped his coffee. “Auch. Thank ye lass. ‘Tis verra good.”

  “Or, maybe we’ve misunderstood the whole thing and they weren’t talking about this place at all?”

  “Mayhap.” He whispered. “But I doona think so.”

  “Me either,” she sighed, putting all pretense aside.

  A bumping, clattering sound came from outside the barn, followed by a string of expletives.

  “You idiot,” a different voice hissed. “Shut up before the ex hears you.”

  “She’ll be in the house, with the kid. I saw their lights on,” he whined. “I hate this miserable mud. Do you think it’s clay? I slid clear down that hill with these gas cans banging and punching me. I think I’m hurt.”