“Land sake, Emma, look who’s come to see us!” Thelma screeched upon seeing Shannon.
“Shannon dear, it's so good to see you,” said Thelma taking Shannon’s hand. Thelma whispered, “I see you've survived.”
Shannon smiled. “Aye.”
“Tell me you've come to get a wedding dress,” Emma piped up.
“Wha--?” Shannon sputtered, glancing quickly at Luke. “They--they thought--thought we were getting married.”
Luke’s expression wasn’t very flattering, Shannon thought. He looked like he’d smelled something really foul. Finally, he asked, “What gave you such a fool notion, Emma?”
“Just figured you’d want to do right by Miss Shannon.”
“I have done right by her. I've given her a place to stay and my children to look after.”
Shannon noticed the “said children” were in the corner of the store with their uncle, picking out their favorite candy.
Thelma raised her brows. “Now isn't that mighty nice of you,” she said sarcastically. “But you know, yourself, how people talk. She’s young, and you’re young, and well . . . you know . . .”
Shannon could see the muscles tightening in Luke's neck, and she was afraid that he was getting ready to blow his top at the nice, well-intended ladies. Even if they were busy bodies, she knew they were looking out for her well-being.
“Then, the townsfolk don't have a whole lot to do,” Luke finally ground out, ending the discussion. “Here.” He handed his list of supplies to Shannon. “You get the supplies. I've got some other things to do.”
“My, my, my.” Thelma clucked her tongue once Luke had left. “Must have hit a sore spot.” She laughed, then added, “Probably one of many.”
“I do believe ye did.” Shannon agreed as she watched Luke retreat quickly. However, he dinna huv tae act as if he’d rather hang, she thought. Shannon swung back around and handed Emma the list. “We need a few supplies.” She glanced around. “Where is yer other sister?”
“Afraid Rose is feelin’ poorly,” said Thelma. “She's just not a spring chicken anymore.”
Shannon smiled, thinking what a funny statement for someone who was over seventy and had snow white hair.
Travis brought the children over to the front counter. “I'd like to pay for the children's treats.”
“And who are you, young man?” Thelma questioned.
Shannon thought that was a strange question, and what did it matter who he was? He only wanted to purchase something. She saw Travis smile at her confusion. Then he leaned over and whispered, “Small town. They want to know your family history.”
“Can't you see the family resemblance?” Travis smiled and tipped his black hat back. “I’m Luke's bother, ma'am.”
“Now that you mentioned it.” Thelma nodded. “I can see the resemblance; however, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen your brother smile,” she said frankly. “You seem a lot more friendly.”
“Why thank you, ma'am. My brother does have a sorry attitude every now and then.”
Thelma handed the children their bags of candy.
“What do ye say?” Shannon prodded.
“Thank you, Miss Thelma and Uncle Travis.”
Shannon beamed at the progress the children had made. Those two had come a long way. “Now don't eat it all at once.”
“But it's ours,” Toby protested.
Well maybe they had a little further to go in the manners department, Shannon thought.
“Aye. But if ye eat all that candy ye'll huv a tummy ache fer sure.”
“Oh, all right,” Molly said grudgingly. She sucked on a horehound drop as they left the store with Travis.
“There are some fine men in that family.” Emma sighed. “If only I were a bit younger.”
Shannon laughed. She really would have liked to have known these two when they were younger. “While I’m thinking aboot it,” she paused, “do ye huv any books for bairns?”
“Bairns?” Thelma asked.
“Children,” Shannon clarified.
“Afraid not, honey. Not many children around here can read. We don’t even have a school teacher.”
Emma peered over her glasses at Shannon. “You know, there was a man in here the other day who talked the same way you do. We thought it strange to have met two Scots way out here.”
For a moment, Shannon couldn't say anything. She felt a hot, queasy feeling spread through her. 'Twas very strange, she thought. And probably no coincidence, either. What was she going to do if her father's men had found her?
“Are you all right, dear?” Thelma said, patting Shannon’s hand.
“Ah, yes I'm fine. If ye huv everythin’ ready.” She paused, gesturing toward the boxes of groceries and bags of grain. “I'll find Luke so he and Travis can load the supplies, Shannon said in more or less a daze as she turned to leave. “Be back in a moment.”
Resisting the urge to run, Shannon hurried for the door. She stepped outside and blinked a couple of times as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight. Suddenly, she felt as if she were suffocating. It brought back all the old feelings she used to have when she was around her da. Perhaps, the sisters were mistaken and only thought they heard a Scottish accent. Maybe it was British instead, she thought hopefully.
She glanced around for the children or Luke, but didn't see anyone she knew, so she sauntered down the sidewalk a little ways, then a door opened across the street and caught her attention.
She stopped.
Shannon saw Luke stepping from the boardinghouse followed by Louise. His back was to Shannon as he talked to the woman. Not only talking -- he was holding her hand. Shannon wanted to cry, yet she knew she had no right. Still, she didn’t like seeing Luke with another woman, especially one that made him laugh. How many times had she seen him laugh? She could probably count the times on one hand.
Yet she couldn't take her eyes off Luke, and that is why she didn't see or hear the man coming up behind her.
The next thing she knew a man's arm had snaked about her waist, pinning her to him. “Wull if it isn't Shannon McKinley in the flesh, and she's finally alone.”
At the sound of his voice, Shannon's blood ran cold.
“I ken yer da wull be mighty glad tae see ye,” he said, his mouth close to her ear.
“Let me go,” Shannon said through gritted teeth, trying to keep a cool head. But the man was pulling her down the empty sidewalk, and so far he’d not attracted any attention. A little further and they would be at the alley, and she knew what that meant. Shannon bit the man’s hand across her mouth, then let out a blood curdling scream when he jerked his palm away.
He reacted by jerking her around and striking her hard across the face, knocking her to the ground. Then he yanked her back up, slapped his hand back over her mouth as he dragged her toward the alley. She struggled, kicking out at him with her feet and trying to break free from his hold. Nothing seemed to be working.
They had just reached the mouth of the alley when a voice sliced through the air. “Let the woman go!”
Suddenly, they stopped moving. Her assailant swung her around to face the boardwalk behind them, and she saw Luke standing at the edge of the alley.
“I said, let her go!” Luke repeated.
“What's it tae ye?”
“She belongs to me. And if you don't let her go, I'm going to blow your brains out.”
Shannon felt her assailant tense as he considered the options. His arm around her tightened, then he took another step back further into the alleyway.
“If ye come any closer, I'll kill her,” he warned, and then he took two more steps backward using Shannon as a shield. Would Luke take the chance and stop this brute? She didn’t see how as she was directly in the line of fire.
The man holding Shannon drew out his gun and pressed it against her back. She could feel the barrel as he moved to get a bead on Luke. Luke wouldn’t have a chance to draw. But before Shannon could yell, she felt herself being thrown to the side, her he
ad hitting the wall.
Gunfire exploded.
Shannon’s ears buzzed from the sound of the blast, and it took a moment before she could push herself up off the ground. She was so woozy. Vaguely, she saw Travis ushering the children out of the eating-house. She hoped they hadn’t seen what had happened.
And there in the dirt, lying face down was her assailant. Groping the wall, she attempted to stand, but her trembling legs wouldn’t support her.
Luke grabbed her before she slumped back down. “Are you all right?” he asked, his eyes taking in every detail. He touched the red spot on her cheek.
“I-I'm fine. I think,” said Shannon weakly.
“Here.” Luke moved her next to the wall. “Prop against the wall so I can get a good look at this piece of shit.”
He pushed the dead man over with the toe of his boot as Travis came running up to them.
“Where are the children?” Luke asked.
“With Thelma and Emma,” Travis said. “What in the hell happened?”
“Don't know,” Luke snapped. “This sidewinder was man-handling Shannon. I intended to wound him, but it didn’t work out liked I’d planned. Maybe you should get the sheriff, Travis.”
Luke searched the dead man's shirt and found a wallet. After he thumbed through the contents, he paused, pulled a paper from the wallet, then moved back over to Shannon. He noticed that she had a small knot coming up on her forehead.
“Do you know this man?”
“Nay, I've never seen him before.”
“Strange,” Travis said, his brow raised. “He comes from your neck of the woods. His name is Alasdair McKinley. A relative?”
“Nay. I just told ye I’ve never seen him. Our clan was large and I dinna know everyone.”
“Really?” Luke’s tone was sarcastic. “Then why would he have this drawing of you,” he snapped and shook the paper at her, “with a damn good description?”
Luke watched the color drain from Shannon’s face, and he knew she wasn't telling him everything. What was she hiding? A few minutes ago she’d scared the shit out of him. Now he found he wanted to shake the answers from her.
“It wull take a bit o’ explainin', but I'd rather not do it in the middle o’ the street if ye dinna mind.”
Luke finally noticed Sheriff Redick had arrived and onlookers were gathering. “Sheriff, if you don't need me for this, I’m going to return to my family.”
“So you don’t know him?”
“Nope.” Luke shook his head. “Until a few minutes ago, I’d never laid eyes on him. Probably some drifter. He was attacking my nanny and I challenged him. He drew first. I had no choice but to defend myself.”
“All right,” the sheriff sighed. “I think I can handle it, Luke. Good thing you don't come to town often.” The sheriff chuckled. “Every time you do, someone gets killed.”
Luke didn't bother to comment. Instead, he went to where Shannon leaned against the wall and lifted her in his arms, then he strode toward the dry goods store. Luke found himself trembling inside now that everything had settled down. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so scared. He took a deep calming breath. When he'd turned around and saw that brute dragging Shannon into the alley, he’d seen red. He didn't want anyone else touching her.
Such a strange feeling. It was not one he wanted to explore.
They entered the rough-hewn store once more, the bell tinkling overhead. He set Shannon on her feet, but kept an arm around her waist – just in case she proved to still be wobbly.
Immediately, the children ran to Shannon and wrapped their arms around her sobbing. “We thought you were dead,” they both cried together.
Luke's heart gave a little lurch. Apparently, his children knew how important Shannon was in their life. That was something he was only just discovering himself. His children had never embraced anyone since their ma died. Strange, how had Shannon made such a difference in such a short time?
Shannon was completely surprised that the little rascals cared. “I'm fine,” she said. She tried to lean down to hug them, but she was so dizzy that she managed only to pat them on their backs instead.
“Lands sake,” Emma shouted rushing over to her. “Heard what happened. Let me put something on your head and clean your face while the men load the wagon. Run along children and help your pa.”
The next thing Shannon knew, she’d been pulled out of Luke’s arms and ushered toward the backroom, and he’d been shooed away. They might be bossy old ladies, but they did seem to care, and she really appreciated their friendship.
Shannon clutched her hands to keep them from shaking now that the worst had passed. The next couple of hours went by in a blur as Emma fussed over her. Emma placed a cold compress on Shannon’s head. They also gave her a splash of brandy which they guaranteed would help calm her nerves. It seemed the sisters used brandy all the time to cure their aches and pains. They called it their miracle cure-all.
However, they were right, she did feel much better after her second drink. She’d not had any sprits since England. She felt the warmth spread all over her body as she sipped the smooth liquid. And the third drink tasted better than the first two.
***
Callum stood behind the saloon holding the two horses while he waited for Alasdair to bring Shannon to him. He’d be glad to have the girl so they could leave this god-forsaken country.
However he wondered what was taking so long and then he heard the gunshot. “Hum, that surely dinna sound good,” he mumbled. He tied the horses and made his way to the alley just as a group of men strode out.
Callum could see Alasdair lying in the dirt and a dread ran through him. He waited until the Sheriff had walked away. Callum would not leave Alasdair in the dirt like a common animal. Callum went and got the horses and when no one was watching, he tossed Alasdair across the saddle, covered him with a blanket, and hightailed it out of town.
Callum would find someplace to bury his friend, and then he’d watch and wait until he could snatch Shannon. And this time he wouldn’t fail.
The lass was going home one way or the other.
Chapter 10
After awhile, Luke appeared in the back room’s doorway and gave Shannon a start of surprise especially since she’d been thinking about him. He looked breathtakingly handsome, as he always did, and a little concerned.
He leaned against the door jam. “Are you feeling well enough to travel?”
“Aye,” Shannon said with a nod and a grin. In spite of her headache, she certainly had lustful thoughts about Luke right this moment. He was a fine mon and when his bold eyes met hers a strange warmth spread over her. Of course, the brandy could have something to do with it, but she didn’t think so.
Luke shoved away from the door to help Shannon stand. When he was sure she was steady on her feet, they made their way out of the back room, slowly walking to the front of the store.
“Thanks fer all yer help,” Shannon said, hugging Emma and Thelma goodbye. “I want ye tae come and visit us.” Shannon glanced at Luke to confirm the invitation, and he grudgingly nodded.
Thelma glared at Luke. “You take good care of Miss Shannon. She might still be a little shaky. Land sake, being attacked on our own streets. What’s a body to think?”
“I’ll take care of her,” Luke assured them. “Obliged for your help, ladies.”
Outside, Shannon didn’t see anything but the buckboard which had been loaded, a tarp spread tight across the top of the supplies. “Where are the children and Travis?”
“Travis and Wilson took the saddle horses and children back to the ranch. I knew you’d need a little more time before you could travel.” Luke helped her up on the wagon seat, then placed a blanket over her legs since it was still chilly outside. “It’s a little late to be traveling.” He glanced up at the darkening sky. “But there will be a full moon tonight to provide us a little light. The roads are fairly straight so we shouldn’t have a problem. I also thought we’d have a chan
ce to talk on the way back home.”
Once Luke was seated, Shannon glanced at him. “Talk? About what?”
He ignored her. He clucked his tongue, snapped the reins, and the team started forward, clopping along until they were out of town. It brought back memories of her first ride to the ranch.
Of course, then she’d wanted to talk.
They traveled in silence for a little while. She thought maybe Luke had forgotten that he wanted to talk, but as soon as they turned onto the last road toward home, he asked, “Why did that man have your picture?”
Shannon was sure Luke wasn’t going to understand; he didn’t seem the understanding sort. She bumped her nose with the back of her hand, realizing that it was quiet numb. She’d much prefer riding along with her leg pressed next to Luke’s instead of answering his questions.
She glanced at the setting sun. “’Tis late.” Shannon decided to change the subject, avoiding Luke’s question all together. “I saw ye talkin’ tae Louise. Ye must miss seein’ her?”
Luke jerked around. “Miss seeing her? What kind of question is that?”
“I thought ye were courting her before I came?”
“You thought wrong.” Luke grumbled. “And you still haven’t answered my question.”
Shannon couldn’t help the little flutter in her stomach. Maybe Luke wasn’t in love with the other woman, but he was back on the subject she really didn’t want to discuss. Obviously, there was no avoiding it this time.
“I dinna ken who he was,” said Shannon finally. She took a deep breath and added, “but I expect he was hired by my da.”
Luke glanced at her. “Da?”
“My father if ye want tae call him that because he wasn’t much o’ one.”
Luke frowned as he stared down the dark road, bathed by the last faint rays of light. He handed Shannon the reigns. “Don’t drop them.” He lit a lantern that hung above their heads on a pole. The woman wasn’t making much sense, and she seemed to be swaying a lot, much like the lantern. What had those two old biddies given her? “Why would he send someone after you?”
Western Seduction (The Seduction Series Book 2) Page 11