Jason and Nichole turned their mounts and raced toward the fallen warrior and slid from their saddles.
Nichole fell to her knees beside her friend. She placed her hand on his back, then turned her head to watch Merril.
Merril yanked Midnight's reins, turning away from Kevin, and followed Jason and Nichole to where Toma lay. He dismounted beside their friend as lightning flashed. A deafening crash of thunder followed immediately and rolled away across the plain. Merril knelt in the wet grass beside Nichole.
She leaned against Merril and glanced up at Jason. “He's dead. Why would Kevin shoot him in the back? He—” She covered her face with her hands, unable to continue.
“I suppose you're goin' to bury that son-of-a-bitch now?” Kevin called at them as he wheeled his mount about in the rain. “Well, I ain’t wastin' any more time here. Yah!” His horse shot forward and disappeared beyond the ridge.
Merril rose to follow Kevin, but Nichole grabbed his hand. “Let him go.” Her voice was hushed and broke as sobs wracked her shoulders.
Merril squeezed her hand and turned his head away. “God, I hate this.” Merril stared back over the trail they'd just ridden.
“He's sick, Merril,” Jason said. “He did this to hurt you.”
Merril nodded and lifted his face into the rain. “We can't leave Toma here.” Rain plastered his hair to his head, and water ran in rivulets down his face.
“Lloyd, grab a blanket. We'll take him to The Highlands,” Jason directed.
Lloyd, Tom, and John dismounted. Lloyd untied a blanket from his bedroll and spread it on the wet ground beside Toma. Together, the men rolled the tall Indian onto the blanket and tied it tight around his body. Then, they lifted and draped him across his pony.
“We have to get you out of this weather,” Jason said softly to Nichole.
She shivered, and her teeth chattered as the ranch hands rode away. Hatred of Kevin boiled inside her but was small compared to the ache in her heart for Toma. She had been so afraid of him at first, and then came to know his gentle soul.
Lloyd led the pony bearing Toma toward The Highlands.
Jason wrapped his jacket around Nichole, helped her to her feet, and guided her to her mount.
“I'll go with Merril,” Jim announced. Another crash of thunder rolled across the plains. Far to the west, a clear line of blue sky appeared. “I’ll make sure he gets back to The Shilo safely and know things are—good there. I'll send one of their men for Doc.”
“Thank you,” Nichole said to Jim and saw Jason nod as well.
“Can you make it?” Jim asked Merril.
Merril pulled himself onto Midnight’s saddle. A shiver shook him even as he nodded to Jim and he lifted his gaze to Nichole. “I'll see you soon, Nicki.” Then, he grinned at Jason.
“He wants me to shoot him,” Jason whispered to Nichole.
Nichole watched her foreman and Merril ride away. “He doesn't look good.”
“You don't look much better. Let's get you home and into a hot bath.”
“Will Kevin try anything?” Nichole tracked Merril and Jim until they disappeared into the rain.
“He won't. Not with Jim there. Come on now, let's go home.”
Nichole shook the reins and rode beside Jason. “Jim can't stay there forever, though,” she whispered.
Chapter 25
Jason Harris
Jason lifted his face to the droplets of rain falling from the blue sky. The storm had blown east and left a gorgeous rainbow in its wake. “Look at the rainbow, Nicki.”
Nichole nodded but continued to stare at her reins. The skin on her bright red nose and the tangled rat’s nest of her hair were bound to give Jeanne fits when she saw them. His cousin looked like a homeless ragamuffin.
I’m more concerned with her frame of mind.
She hadn't said a word since they parted company with Merril and Jim.
Their horses climbed the slight incline into the yard and stopped in front of the house.
Lloyd waited for them on the porch. He took the lead of Nichole’s mount in one hand and steadied her with the other as she dismounted. After he gathered Jason’s reins, he headed toward the stable.
“The Indian?” Jason called to Lloyd, one foot on the porch.
“He's in the barn.” Lloyd paused and stared at Jason. “Not sure what to do with him.”
“We'll talk to Merril.” Jason rubbed his hand over his eyes. “He might know how to contact the man's people. If not, he'll know their customs.”
Lloyd nodded and continued to the stable.
Nichole remained where she was, staring at her dust-covered moccasins.
Jason took her elbow and guided her up the step and into the house.
Once inside, Nichole shrugged out of Jason's jacket and handed it to him. “Here,” she said softly. “I'm going to my room.”
Concern kept his gaze on his cousin as she mounted the stairs. He stood at the base, jacket folded over his arm, and watched her drag herself up each step. “Everyone will want to know what happened.”
“Tell them what you like.” Her words floated down to him as she disappeared from view.
He draped the jacket over a high-backed dining room chair and ran a weary hand over his face.
What else could happen?
He'd send men out again this afternoon to look for Jones. If the bastard were smart, he would have hightailed it out of the territory.
As if the whole fiasco with Nichole and Jones weren't enough, Renata had hatched some new scheme. The note she handed him this morning at The Shilo made that plain enough. He reached into his vest pocket for a scrap of paper, unfolded it and reread the cryptic words.
J ~
I have made new plans and set them in motion.
Others are now involved, but you should not be displeased.
It will not be long now. Trust me.
~ R
Jason folded the note and replaced it in his pocket.
What new plan? What others?
An uncomfortable feeling settled between Jason’s shoulders. His eyes moved to the stairs. Whatever Renata planned, she would have to call it off. Nichole had been through too much already.
“You've returned.”
Amy's voice startled him. “Only just.” He smiled. “Nicki went up to her room.”
“Is she all right?” Amy seated herself across the table from where Jason stood.
“I think so. She needs a bath and a good rest. It's been one hell of an afternoon—for everyone.”
“What happened?” Amy's eyes filled with concern.
Jason pulled out the chair and tossed his hat on the table as he took a seat. “She wasn't at The Shilo, but Kevin was. When he heard she was missing, he insisted he come with us. Jim found a trail, and we followed it east.” He looked up at Amy. “We found them on their way back, from wherever the heck they were. Nichole, without clothes. Merril with no shirt, and shot to hell. The biggest damn Indian I've ever seen rode with them.”
“Nichole was naked?” Amy's brows rose, and her eyes grew large.
“No ... not exactly. She had on her undergarments and a shirt of Merril's. She's badly sunburned. I know her skin will blister and peel.”
“Who's the dead man Lloyd brought in?”
Jason sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “The big Indian, and a friend of Merril's. Kevin shot him in the back as he was leaving.”
“He did what?” Amy rose from her chair in shock.
Jason nodded. “It seems our neighbors’ disagreements are about to come to a head.”
Amy sank into her chair, reached across the table and took her husband's hand. “Should you cancel the barbeque?”
“No.” Jason shook his head and lifted his gaze from their hands to Amy's face. “We can't do that. The men deserve it. Besides, the invitations have been sent. Other ranchers have made arrangements to come and stay the night.” He murmured, “There won't be any trouble between the Shilos. Not here.”
“No,” she said softly. “We haven't.”
“I've not behaved as a good husband.”
“What? Why do you say that? There's no need—”
“Please, Amy.” He waved his hand to dispel her arguments. “You should have been here, at the ranch, instead of in Denver.” Jason paused to collect his thoughts and studied his wife's face.
She's so beautiful and carries a peaceful spirit within her. She's had to, being married to me.
“Amy.” He spoke with hesitation. “There are things you don't know ... things I've been involved with that if you knew—”
“Don't,” she interrupted. “Not right now. There will be time later for confession and absolution.” She leaned forward and ran a hand along Jason's firm jaw. “Besides, even if I knew, it wouldn't make any difference to me. Not between us. We started over when I came home.”
Jason pressed her soft hand against his lips, eyes closed and nodded, expelling a sigh of relief. His thoughts moved to another concern. He opened his eyes and gazed across the table. “Something must be done about Jones. I'm afraid he'll come back again.”
“He will,” Amy stated with conviction. “Hate can drive people mad. Jones is riddled with it, like wormwood.”
Jason released her hand, stood, and stretched. “Kevin Shilo is another man eaten with hate. Until today, I wouldn't have traded Kevin for a dozen of his brother. Now, I'm not so sure.”
Amy smiled. “To be honest, I've always preferred Merril, even if he is a bit wild at times.”
“Well, you would.” Jason laughed as he turned to his office. There were several things he needed to see to right away. He looked back at Amy from the doorway. “Don't make any plans for after dinner, Mrs. Harris,” he said with a grin. “I intend to make up for lost time.”
* * *
Amy Harris
Amy looked up at Jason with a smile, but he'd already turned away and disappeared into his office. Her smile faded, and she released a worried sigh. She rose from the chair and walked down the short hallway to the kitchen door. “Cookie, have you seen Jeanne? Nichole's back, and she'll need help with her bath.” Her gaze rose and stared unfocused at the second floor, toward the place where Nichole cried, alone in her room.
Amy firmed her resolve, despite the apprehension that tightened in her chest. She'd have to share what she knew, what she guessed, and how she knew it. Despite her fear of discovery, she had to make Nichole understand the danger.
* * *
Merril Shilo
Merril rode with Jimmy Leigh and took shelter in the relative safety of The Shilo bunkhouse. The cowhands were at the branding site, and the place was empty, except for Bill, who had stayed behind to mend his saddle.
Jim helped Merril to his cot and sent Bill to Kiowa Crossing for Doc Johnson.
Merril reclined on his bunk, hand over his eyes, and listened to Jim pace the floor. He knew his fever had worsened. He'd been shot before, but he'd never had a gunshot wound go bad, though he'd seen it.
Not a pretty way to go.
When the door opened, Merril turned his head and blinked his eyes. His vision swam in and out of focus as he tried to see who had entered.
Henny bobbed her head and gave a guarded smile to Jimmy Leigh. She took a hesitant step toward Merril. “I brought bandages and Amy's salve.” Her eyes moved from Jim's furrowed stare to Merril. She lifted her chin and carried her basket around The Highlands’ foreman to Merril's bunk and set it at the foot of the bed.
“I've already sent for Doc Johnson,” Jim informed her. He paced away across the room again.
“I know ya have, and he's a good man, but this needs tendin' right away. Miss Amy's salve is a wonder. If I didn't know better, I'd think the woman was a witch.” Her dark gaze rose to meet Jim's glare, and she crossed herself. “A green witch, mind ya. I wouldn’t say an unkind thing about Miss Amy—a miracle worker is what she is.”
Katy followed her mother in and set a pot of steaming water by Merril's cot. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at the blood on Merril's chest and trousers.
“I'll be all right, Katy.” Merril smiled and winked at the young woman. “Your mama's here to take care of me, and Doc Johnson's on the way.”
“That's right.” Henny placed one of the bandages in the scalding water. “You run back up to the house and keep an eye on dinner. I'll be along shortly. Go on, now.” She shooed her hand at Katy, then turned to the strips of colored cloth that bound Merril's chest. “Let's get these rags off and get you cleaned up proper.”
Henny unwrapped the bandages with delicate care. Before the last strip of cloth was unbound, Merril could see red streaks of infection worming their way down his chest, and across his shoulder, from the wound. He let his head fall back onto the cot and clenched his teeth as Henny tore the pus-encrusted dressing free.
“Damn,” Jimmy muttered and stepped away.
“Don't you listen to him, Mr. Merril. We are goin' to clean this right up. Miss Amy's salve will turn this around, you wait and see.”
Merril opened his eyes and saw tears on Henny's dark cheeks, then hissed as she pressed a scalding hot compress against the wound.
“This will draw the poison out.” She looked over her shoulder. “Mr. Leigh, if you could help me, please?”
Henny rinsed another compress in the water and folded it.
Jim moved to the head of the cot. “What do you need me to do?”
“I need to see his back to know how much poison is on that side.”
“I can roll over,” Merril muttered, then grimaced as he leaned to one side.
Jimmy steadied him as Henny studied the injury. “This side is better.” She flipped the metal clasp from the jar of ointment and scooped two fingers through the cream-colored paste. “I'm goin' to work this into the wound as far as I can, then bandage your back.”
Merril closed his eyes and bit back on the scream that crawled up his throat. His brother might be in the ranch house, and he didn't want Kevin to hear his cry of pain.
When it was over, Jim held his shoulders as he eased down onto his back.
“This side ain't goin' to be any easier. I need to press as much of the poison from the front as I can. Then I'll douse it with alcohol.” She wrung out a compress and rinsed it again. The smell of infection was putrid in the air. “Before I bind up the wound, I'll use more salve. Are you ready, Mr. Merril?”
Merril nodded and held up his hand. “Wait, Henny.” His gaze turned to The Highland’s foreman. “Jim, if I don't —”
“You'll make it, Merril. It's not that bad.”
Merril could see as well as hear the lie in Jim's voice. His one-sided grin ticked up, and he shook his head. “We both know how bad it is. I need something from you. A promise.”
Jimmy tipped his head and looked Merril in the eye. “Whatever you need.”
“Watch out for Nicki. Don't let Kevin— Pa's death, and everything that happened changed him. After what he did today, I don't know. I couldn't bear it if he hurt her.”
Jim gripped Merril's arm and nodded. “You have my word. I'll do what I can to keep her safe.” His eyebrows rose as he spoke. “You know as well as I do, she never listens to anyone, except maybe you. Fight this, Merril Shilo. Don't let that bastard win.”
Merril nodded and let his head fall back.
Henny handed him a piece of leather, the size of a flat biscuit, from her basket. “Bite down on the leather, Mr. Merril. This... won't be pleasant.”
Merril closed his eyes and slipped the leather piece between his teeth. Pain exploded in his chest as Henny's strong hands expelled the matter from the wound. He didn't want to open his eyes and see their faces. He could smell the corruption.
“This will be the worst part, Mr. Merril.” Henny's voice was soft and apologetic.
A heartbeat later, a fire tore across his skin
and burned deep into his chest. Jim's big hands pressed his shoulders onto the cot. The horrible sound of a man's tortured cry echoed in Merril's ears—and then, he knew nothing.
Chapter 26
Merril Shilo
Merril's consciousness returned enough to hear boots pace in the silence. They came toward him, paused, and then moved away. He tried to open his eyes, but couldn't. The sound faded, and he slept. Sometime later, he heard voices and felt a firm hand touch his shoulder.
“Doc just pulled up to the house. Can you wake up?” Jim's voice was soft and close.
Merril tried to blink his eyes, but they were crusted shut. He wiped them clear and squinted at Jim. “How long have I been out?”
“About three hours. How do you feel?”
How do I feel?
Such an easy question, yet he wasn't sure.
Numb? Alive?
Merril took a breath, then a deeper one. Nausea and fatigue were gone, as well as the bone-deep weakness. “I'm better.” His eyes opened wider and sought Jim's. “How is that possible?”
Jim's head shook in short, slow motions, never breaking their locked gaze. “I'm not sure. Henny has a healing touch, or Amy's salve has magic in it.” Jim smiled and sat back in the chair beside the bed. “Now, you can do me a favor. Don't mention the salve or Amy to Doc. Henny already named her a witch. She doesn't need a rumor like that gettin' started.”
Merril pushed himself up and leaned against the wall. He looked down at his chest; the poisonous red streaks were gone. “The Cheyenne have some powerful medicine men.” His gaze lifted from his chest to meet Jim's.
“Damned if they don't. Besides, that gunshot wasn't as bad as we first thought.” Jim rose to his feet as the door opened. “You were mostly tired.”
Doc Johnson walked across the long room with his black medical bag in hand. “I went to the big house first.” He stopped and looked from Jim to Merril. “Henny thinks you're dying.”
Behind him, Bill's brows had risen into his hairline as he stared at Merril.
“Henny was pretty upset. I passed out when she poured alcohol in the wound,” Merril offered.
Passage (Soul of the Witch Book 1) Page 21