The sound of steers mooing broke through the night air, accompanied by cricket’s song, joining in the sing-along like a well-rehearsed quartet. Storm loved the nighttime and the blended sounds that seeped in from the various nocturnal creatures adding their voices, attempting to be heard as part of the chorus.
“Darn, how can you see anything? It’s pitch black,” Colt said, as they set off, leaving the ranch house and lights in the distance.
Storm didn’t know how she could tell which brother spoke, or why she could tell them apart so easily. Even though, they looked and sounded alike, she just could. She was more tuned into Colt than she’d like. Even his breathing seemed to reach her ear a second or two before his brother’s.
“Sorry, I often forget that not everyone knows and travels these lands as much as I do. Hold up, I’ll tie a rope to your horses and lead the way. When we get to the river, I’ll make you some torches.”
Storm jumped down from her horse, going to Cole first and tying the rope to his saddle, before moving on to Colt. He reached for the rope as she began to tie it to his saddle. Their fingers touched, and Storm’s breath caught in her throat.
She snatched her hand back, and shook out the tingling sensation that ran through her hand and down her spine. Her toes curled in her boots. What was wrong with her? Maybe she was coming down with something. She hoped whatever it was that ailed her held off until she’d rescued her sister.
“It’s okay, I don’t need any help, thank you. I’ve got this,” she said to Colt. She waited for him to take his hand away, and tied the rope. The other end of the rope she slipped through her belt and got back on her horse.
“Now all you boys have to do is steer, the horse will just follow on if you can’t see. We’ll be by the river soon.”
She could already hear the running water as it noisily rolled down from the mountains with the undercurrent.
They traveled along the path in silence. The loose earth and stones shifted beneath their weight with the small pebbles separating as they trotted along. Every so often, the tiny rocks lifted into the air by the horse’s hooves landed musically against other stones clustered on the ground.
The lack of moon and stars above made everything dark and dense. The bluey black of the night may have blinded Cole and Colt to everything ahead of them, but not Storm. She could travel the trail blindfolded. She knew it like the back of her hand, and was acquainted with every stone, tree, and blade of grass as if they were etched into her memory.
Storm turned to look back into the horizon. The ranch was no more than a pinprick of light hovering in the sky like a lone star. Her mind shifted to her father as she imagined him pacing the expanse of his study, pausing to down several glasses of whiskey before resuming his haunted circuit of the room.
If anything were to happen to Emma, it would finish him. Emma was his pride and joy. She may not have been born a boy, but she could outrun, outride, and outshoot most of the hands he had on the ranch, as well as being a master in hand-to-hand combat. Their father couldn’t be prouder of Emma’s achievements if she were male.
She could hunt, and track. Everything Storm could do, Emma could too. However, Storm was better and stronger, having been raised a boy. Although Emma was trained alongside her, their trainers still regarded her as female, so they went easy on her.
Storm was never that lucky—her training had been vigorous and unrelenting. Her mother had seen to it. She was slight in body but as strong as any medium-sized man, with a lot more stamina.
The speed at which they could travel was reduced because Storm had to lead both men’s horses. With their sight impaired, it made no sense to risk their lives, when she knew deep down Emma could take care of herself. She seemed to have forgotten that fact as she took on board their father’s anxiety.
Emma would remember her training and leave her clues to follow just like they did when they were kids. Besides, if her sister was in any real danger, Storm would sense it. She wasn’t getting any gut-wrenching feelings in regards to Emma’s welfare. Storm would know what action to take once they got to their special spot by the river. Emma had to have been taken from there.
They reached a dense cluster of trees. Storm stopped. “It’s better if you wait here. I’ll just go and check—see if I can find any clues to where this gunslinger took Emma, then I’ll be back.”
“No, we’re coming with you,” Colt said.
“Can you see anything?”
“Well, no but still.”
“Stay here. I’ll be back shortly. There are a lot of hazards here. It will be safer and quicker if I go alone. More importantly, I don’t want you tramping over their tracks.”
“He’s right, Colt, we’ll just be getting in his way.”
“Okay, but I just don’t like sitting here doing nothing.”
“I promise I’ll be back soon, and when I return I’ll have some torches for you. It will make things brighter, and light your way.”
“All right then, but be quick. I don’t like waiting.”
“Who does? Leave Storm alone, all this yapping is wasting time.”
Storm left the brothers arguing and made her way through the trees to the spot she frequented with her sister. Falling to her knees, she felt along the ground and smiled. Emma had been there, and left her a message. She knew where they were heading. Storm gathered the materials she needed to make the torches. She lit one and looked around the ground to see if there was anything she missed.
There it was, a sign from Emma telling Storm to delay finding her, and a branch broken in such a way telling Storm she was okay. Storm used the torch to light her way and to let the marshals know she was returning.
She lit the other torch and handed one to each of them, making sure not to make physical contact with either one of them.
“I know where they’re heading. We can go a little farther, then make camp, and start again in the morning.”
“I thought you didn’t want to give them traveling advantage over us.”
“That was before. Now I know where I’m going so we’ll be able to cover more ground at a faster rate in the morning.”
“But isn’t it harder to track them once they reach mountain territory?”
“Yes, if you don’t know where to look. I do know where to look, so it’s not a problem. Emma is safe for now.”
“How do you know that?”
“Trust me, I’d know if my sister was in trouble. Let’s go. I’ll find us somewhere to bunk down for the night.” Storm unhitched the rope she’d tied to their saddle, rolled it up, and hooked it back onto her belt. She remounted her horse, and began to ride away. The brothers followed.
Chapter 4
“Tell me, old timer, how do you know my pa?” Emma had asked, stealing a glance in the old man’s direction. For an abductor, he was pretty relaxed. If she wanted to get away, all she’d have to do was click her heels and be on her way before he could get his gun out of its holster. It almost seemed to her, his heart wasn’t in it.
“There was a time I would have said we were friends,” he said, scrunching up his face in disgust.
“Aren’t you some kind of gunslinger? My father is a respectable business man.”
He harrumphed, then gave off a dry, humorless laugh. “There was a time when he wasn’t so respectable. He made a lot of enemies.”
“He did?” Emma had furrowed her brow. She didn’t know why the news surprised her. Didn’t all powerful men make enemies? It came with the territory.
“Yup, I use to be his hired gun. Back then, when he had himself an Indian wife, pretty little gal, hard working.” He smiled as if the memory pleased him.
He must be referring to Morningstar, Storm’s mother. “Is that a fact? Wasn’t he a fur trader then? Why would a fur trader need a hired gun?”
“Let’s just say your pa’s business ethics riled a lot a people. To the point they wanted his head. Ambitious, that one. Always has been.”
“He still is,” Emma
said almost to herself, thinking of all the powerful people her father knew, and was on first name terms with.
“You want to rest for a while? I don’t want you getting saddle sore. There can’t be a mark on you when I give you back to your pa. So don’t get to thinking anything stupid. We’re getting along, and I want to keep it that way.” He’d stopped both horses, jumped down off his, and helped Emma down. “You feeling hungry?”
He was nothing if not courteous, she had to give him that. “Why? What do you have? I’m in the mood for a beef stew with some wild mushrooms, sweet corn—”
“Eggs, cured ham, and corn bread,” he’d said, cutting into her speech and patting his saddlebag as he removed it from his horse and led the animal toward some trees in a clearing.
“A feast for a king,” Emma had said and followed behind him.
“Are you mocking me? Do you want some or don’t you?” he asked over his shoulder as he secured their horse, and sat on the ground, setting down his saddlebag.
“Seeing as you asked so nicely, sure why not?”
“Why ain’t you afraid of me?” He’d cocked his head and gazed up at her.
“Should I be?” She’d shrugged her shoulders.
“It’s would be a little more flattering if’n you were.” Their eyes locked, so she stared him out. He broke their connection and opened his bag.
“All right. I’ll try and act more scared after we’ve eaten.”
“Deal. I’ll tear you off an extra portion of cornbread for that. If you give me a moment to set things up, then I’ll release you so you can eat.”
Emma had smiled as he removed the handkerchief from his neck and laid it out like a tablecloth, placing the food on top, and indicating for her to take a seat.
“No need, I’ve got this.” Emma had wriggled her wrists and handed her captor the rope.
He’d laughed, taken the rope, and thrown it next to his saddlebag.
Emma joined in. When they stopped laughing, she’d said, “What’s your name, old timer?”
“It’s Ken Walker, but your pa always called me Red.”
“Why Red?”
“On account of me being mixed.”
“You don’t look mixed.”
“That’s why your pa thought it so funny to advertise the fact. Made up a whole story about me. I’ve never confirmed nor denied what he said about me. I was trying to build a reputation, and it helps when folks fear you. So your pa told these harrowing stories of my horrendous deeds, to gain me notoriety and him license to control the fur trading in these parts. When I say these parts, I’m talking the entire western region. Weren’t a company man who’d dare trade these sides unless they got his permission first. I had a bounty on my head before I even started killing people.
“First man I gunned down was in self-defense. He was looking to make a name for himself but he was only a boy. When your pa spins a yarn, he don’t just spin it, he makes the whole blanket. Killing that boy had me vomiting for weeks.”
“So you’re wanted? Is that why you’re all dressed up like an aging Mexican?” Emma had arched a brow as she waited for him to answer.
He’d grinned, flashing his rotting teeth. “It’s my disguise in casin’ anyone saw me take you.” He’d removed his hat and sat it on the ground next to him.
“And how were you going to ask for the ransom? Who would deliver the note?” She’d taken a bite from the corn bread he’d torn off and placed in front of her.
“To tell you the truth, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. I figured I’d take you and decide everything else after.”
“That doesn’t seem like a good plan to me. How much were you planning on asking for me?”
“Well, your pa owes me seventy-five greenbacks, so I guess the amount he owes me.”
“You don’t think I’m worth more than that?” Emma had asked, shelling the boiled egg he’d handed her.
“I reckon you might be worth a lot more than that to him. But I just want what’s due. I’ve got a price on my head because of him, and I’m getting too old to still be running from the law and bounty hunters. I need to retire, kick back, and hang up my boots. I can’t do that without money.”
As Emma had listened to Red-Ken, her sense of doing what’s right took a hold of her. If what he said was true, her father owed him a lot more than seventy-five greenbacks. He owed this man his livelihood. Would her father have gotten to where he was today if this old gunslinger hadn’t cleared his way? She guessed her father probably would have, on the back of someone else like Red-Ken. Her father was that kind of man.
The more Emma thought about it, the more she thought her father should pay. Pay for the loss of her sisters, Storm’s lack of freedom, and for everyone he’d ever wronged. It was obvious he’d gotten where he had by riding on the backs of others. This old gunslinger deserved to be paid. Had she not seen that shadier side of her father, she probably wouldn’t have given what Red-Ken said a second thought.
But since he’d started donating, and sponsoring a few political figures and their causes, Emma had gotten a glimpse of the man capable of selling her siblings. She was going to make sure that never happened to Storm. She’d help Red-Ken, because one day she may need a favor.
“What if I help you get a lot more than that?”
“Like I said before, I don’t want more than he owes.”
He hadn’t made it easy to help him. “Didn’t you say my pa was responsible for you having a bounty on your head?”
“Yeah, I did. What’s that got to do with anything?”
“How much reward money are they offering for you?”
“Last I heard it was two hundred and fifty.”
“Then that’s how much you should ask for.”
Red-Ken had laughed, and shaken his head. “You young’uns sure are crazy. I’ll need to think on it. We’d better eat up and get going before my leg starts playing up. It usually gets worse when the night falls. Sometimes I can barely stand to walk on it.”
He’d slapped the top of his thighs, his expression weary. He was tired, of that Emma had no doubt. Red-Ken had put away what was left of the food and shaken out his kerchief. He’d bounced the rope in his hand and glanced at Emma. “I don’t suppose I’ll be needing this anymore?”
Emma had shaken her head. He’d grinned, stood up, and held his hand out to her.
Chapter 5
Storm traveled in silence, listening to the brothers discussing family matters. They were wondering if their other brothers had also heard the news, and what if anything they could do about it. From what she could make out, they were worried about their parents.
Their parents sounded like they were in the thick of something. When the brothers got back, they needed to contact their parents and tell them it was time to leave Charleston and go to New York to stay with family, start over. Colt said he’d go there himself to drag his mother out kicking and screaming if he had to.
She had questions but thought better of it. However, she couldn’t help wondering why anyone would want to drag their mother about? Best to say nothing as what they were saying didn’t involve her, and she needed to keep her nose out of it.
With any luck, Emma would get bored of this game she was playing and they could head home by morning. Then the brothers could go back to where they come from and do whatever they liked. She wouldn’t have to see them again. The thought made her sad, and she didn’t know why, she barely knew them. She hadn’t even really had an opportunity to talk with them.
So why did the thought of not seeing them again make her hurt inside? It was a similar feeling to when she lost her mother. She gave herself a mental shake. It wasn’t them she’d be missing, she missed Emma, and was worried for her. Her sister could be reckless at times, and this was one of those times.
Storm’s emotions were all jumbled up because of the situation they were in. As much as she trusted Emma to stay safe, she couldn’t neglect the fact there were two set of tracks, and even if Emma fe
lt safe now, there was no telling what could happen to her.
Then again, if Emma wasn’t finished having her fun, and they did end up going into the mountains, Storm would have to get supplies. She’d have to visit one of the local tribes in the area and find something to trade so they could borrow some furs. The weather in the mountains was unpredictable. Blankets alone wouldn’t keep them warm. She needed to be prepared.
They traveled a few more miles before Storm found a spot where they could rest for the night. She dismounted, and told the brothers to make camp, while she looked for firewood. Colt decided to go with her, and Cole tended the horses.
As they set off, Colt began to make small talk. His voice had her pulse racing, as his breath caressed her cheek. Having him so close as they walked made her itchy, she felt warm inside, and it was like tiny critters were crawling about under her skin. She didn’t like the sensation one bit, especially the thumping of her heart in her ear, and the gurgling in her belly as it contracted.
The sooner she could get away from him the better. Storm suggested Colt fetch the firewood while she snared them something for dinner. When Storm returned, she was carrying a creature already skinned. The brothers had started the fire, and were sitting talking, their voices barely a whisper.
Colt eyed what she was carrying. "What is that?" he asked, pointing at the animal in her hand.
She held it up and said, “It’s better if you don’t ask.”
“Why is that? It looks like a rabbit to me,” Cole said, raising a brow.
“It’s tasty, that’s what it is. But yeah, let’s call it a rabbit.” Storm smiled and pushed forward to sit by the fire and cross her legs. She didn’t want to let them know it was actually prairie dog. Not knowing their take on eating rodent meat, she thought it was best not to say anything. They needed rest and food.
Although she’d brought other food stuff, which was in each of the saddlebags, it was better to eat off the land and use the canned and dried vittles for rougher terrain. There was no telling when Emma would be done doing whatever, before deciding she should be rescued.
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