by Bonnie Leon
“He’s the one who recommended Marshal in the first place.” Anger building, Daniel leaned on the counter and gazed out the kitchen window.
Then he remembered how Mr. Oxley had thrown the name in the trash. I’m the one who dug it out. The hurt and betrayal he saw in Nan’s eyes haunted him. Every time she looked at him, she silently accused him, and he deserved it. He studied the open land, half expecting to see the three men who’d hanged Dusty riding across the flats.
“He didn’t recommend him. Oxley told me about Marshal, then threw his address in the trash bin. I dug it out.” Still staring outdoors, he said, “Stay close to the house. And keep Joseph inside.”
“We can’t hide indoors forever,” Willa said. “If we do, then those men will have won.”
“And if they grab one of you?”
Willa rested a hand protectively on Joseph’s back. “We’ve got the good Lord to watch over us. We can’t forget that.”
“Maybe Daniel’s right.” Rebecca looked at Joseph. “I couldn’t bear it if something happened . . .” Her eyes teared, but she straightened her spine and cleared her throat and said, “Some of the children have been asking about school. I suppose we could teach them in the house for the time being.”
Daniel straightened and looked at Rebecca. “That might work.”
“I think it’s a splendid idea,” Willa said.
“All right, then. School will resume, but indoors.” Daniel eyed Rebecca. “And only as long as you’re up to it.”
Rebecca rested a hand on her stomach. “We do need a few supplies. The children have been such enthusiastic students that they’ve nearly gone through the chalk and ink.” She let out a sigh. “And I’ll need two more slates,” she said apologetically. “One was broken, and we’ve a new student.”
“You’ll have to make do,” Daniel said. “I don’t mean to be unsympathetic, but we’ve bigger problems just now.”
“Of course. You’re right. I’ll have the children share.”
He smiled kindly. “I do wish you’d postpone school altogether until after the baby is born. I don’t want you doing too much.” He limped across the room and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “But of course, it’s up to you, luv.”
“I’m fine, and I don’t want to disappoint the children or Lily. She’s doing splendidly. And Koora always looks forward to school. He’s one of my finest students. Did you know he plans to have his own place one day?”
“He’ll have a difficult time of it.”
“He knows that. That’s why he works so hard.” She smiled. “I really do long to go back to teaching. In truth, I think the school occupies my thoughts. With all that’s been happening, I feel better when I’m busy. And I must admit to being distracted by my coming confinement. I’ve been a bit anxious about it all, especially after what happened after Joseph’s birth.”
Daniel rested a hand on Rebecca’s shoulder. “You’ll be fine, luv. No worries.” He forced a smile, but at the idea of the birth, he felt a tightness in his chest. He hadn’t forgotten how sick Rebecca had been after Joseph was born. “Have you talked with Dr. Walker?”
“Yes. He’s assured me he’ll be close by. And he says I have nothing to worry about.” Rebecca glanced at Lily. “Actually, I think what helped me last time was Lily’s medicine.”
“Roight good remedy, that eucalyptus tea,” Lily said.
Rebecca leaned her elbows on the table. “I’m simply not going to worry about it. I’d say we’ve enough to think about. And we can’t forget Chavive. She’s due to foal any day. She’s seemed a bit out of sorts the last few days. And she’s been off her feed.”
“Wouldn’t it be grand if the two of you had your babies the same day,” Willa said with a smile.
“No. It would be dreadful. I want to be with her. And if I’m laboring, I’ll be seeing nothing of Chavive.”
“We’ll have to trust God with it,” Daniel said more cheerfully than he felt. He planted his hat on his head. “Well, I’m off.” He moved slowly toward the back door, careful not to put too much weight on his injured leg.
“Are you sure you’re well enough to ride into town?” Willa asked.
“I’m fine, just a bit sore.”
Rebecca pushed out of her chair and crossed to Daniel. She kissed him. “Please be careful.”
“I will be. And you be praying that I have a proper go at Mr. Oxley.”
“We’ll be praying,” Willa said, offering a warm smile.
Anxiety set Daniel’s nerves to popping as he walked toward the bank. He glanced at the overcast sky, then tried to relax tight muscles as he stepped onto the sidewalk. He wouldn’t grovel. He’d already decided that. But he figured Mr. Oxley would demand it.
He placed his hand on the doorknob and, with a heavy breath, turned it decisively. Pushing open the door, he stepped inside. The room was empty except for Mr. Oxley, who sat at an oak desk, bent over paperwork. Daniel strode across the room, purposely setting his boots down hard against the wooden floor.
“Be right with you,” the banker said without looking up.
Daniel stopped at the clerk’s window, keeping his back straight and his shoulders back. He tried to relax his jaw. Just the sight of Mr. Oxley made him angry. If he’d just given me a loan in the first place, everything would have been fine.
“Right, then,” Mr. Oxley said, turning in his chair. When his eyes landed on Daniel, a question touched them and then annoyance. “What can I do for you?” he asked, moving to the window.
Daniel put on a smile. “G’day. Trust you’ve been well.”
“Right fine.” Mr. Oxley waited.
“Glad to hear that.” Daniel swallowed hard and tried to force his request from his throat. “I’m in need of a loan, sir,” he finally managed.
“We’ve already been down that road, Daniel.”
“Right, but—”
“Things the same at your place?”
“No. We’ve got the house mostly finished, the barn’s up, and some of the cottages are rebuilt. And I’ll be on my way south to sell off some cattle soon.”
Mr. Oxley studied Daniel. “I thought you secured a loan from Robert Marshal?”
“I did. But he’s an unsavory type. Unreasonable.”
“But you got a loan?”
“Yes. But I need to pay him off right away. That’s why I’m ’ere. There’s been a misunderstanding between him and me . . . about the payment—when it’s due. He’s being a bit irrational about it.”
“Irrational, eh? Seems to me when a man loans money to a stranger, he ought to be able to count on punctual payments.”
“Right. But as I said, there was a misunderstanding.”
“Straighten it out, then.”
“Well, that’s the problem. I can’t seem to do that.” Daniel hadn’t wanted to tell Mr. Oxley about what had been going on, but there was no way around it. “Marshal sent some of his men to my place, demanding the money.”
“Yes. I seem to recall a visit from you several weeks back. You made a sizable withdrawal.”
“Right. But that wasn’t enough for him. He sent his men back again and threatened my wife.”
The banker lifted his eyebrows. “Not what I would call good business practice, must agree.”
“And then last week they grabbed one of my roustabouts and hanged him.”
“Hanged him?” Mr. Oxley’s voice sounded startled. “Who was it?”
“Dusty.”
“Right, a young blackfella. I’ve seen him around.” Mr. Oxley grasped his bow tie and nudged it up slightly. “Well, don’t figure a black is worth too much fuss, eh?”
Daniel’s anger surged, but he kept his teeth clamped shut and forced the rage down. Finally he said, “He was a fine man. And his wife and children are left with no one to care for them.”
“I’m sure you’ll see to them.”
“Can’t do that if I lose Douloo.” Daniel glanced at a piece of lint on Mr. Oxley’s suit. “I need a loan, sir. My f
amily’s in danger. You knew what kind of man Marshal was when you told me about him. I figure you owe me another chance.”
“I owe you nothing,” Mr. Oxley said, smoothing his perfectly clipped mustache. “You knew the type when you went to him. Everyone ’round ’ere knows about Mr. Marshal.”
“What do you mean everyone?”
“There’re quite a few blokes who’ve done business with him over the years. Some turned out fine, some didn’t.”
“Who?” Daniel pressed.
“Let me see, now. There’s the Burstows, and Patrick Crotty had a run-in with him couple years back, and . . .”
“How many people had to borrow from Marshal because they couldn’t get it from you?” Daniel couldn’t keep the accusation out of his voice.
Mr. Oxley leaned back slightly, looking annoyed. Evenly he said, “Can’t say for sure. Several.”
“Write down the names for me.”
The banker gave him a suspicious look. “Why? What do you want with them?”
“I need to talk with the blokes, find out more about this Mr. Marshal.” Daniel slowly shook his head back and forth. “Figured a neighbor like you, a man I’ve done business with for years, would know better than to suggest I do business with the likes of Marshal.”
Mr. Oxley smoothed the front of his suit jacket, finding the lint and removing it. “I simply told you he made loans from time to time.”
Daniel wanted to throttle the man. If not for the counter being in his way, he might not have been able to restrain himself. “You’re no better than the dingoes that slink ’round this town.” He leaned on the counter and pushed his face close to Mr. Oxley’s. “Write down the names.”
Mr. Oxley walked to his desk and took a piece of paper from a drawer and an ink pen from the top of the desk. Bending over the note, he wrote down several names, then carefully folded the paper in half. He walked back to Daniel.
“Hope I didn’t smudge the ink,” he said, sliding the folded halves across each other.
Daniel snatched the list from him.
“What are you going to do with them, anyway?”
“Don’t know just yet. I’ll figure it out.”
Mr. Oxley’s lips turned up in a satisfied smile.
“I’ll be back the end of the week to close my account,” Daniel said.
The banker’s smile disappeared. “What do you plan to do without a bank?”
“I’ll do just fine.” Feeling like he might explode at any moment, Daniel turned and strode out of the bank, doing the best he could not to hobble.
He was glad he’d ridden his stallion. He needed a good ride. He yanked the reins free of the hitching post and slung himself up onto the horse, gritting his teeth against the pain from his wound. He pulled hard on the reins and turned the animal into the street. With a tap from the heels of his boots, he leaned forward and galloped out of town.
By the time Daniel reached the home of Stephen Burstow, the first name on the list, his anger had quieted. His horse was in a lather, but he felt better. His mind felt more focused, and he was set on finding out what kind of business dealings Stephen had had with Marshal.
Stephen pounded a nail into a corral fence as Daniel approached. He straightened and smiled. The creases at the corners of his eyes deepened. “G’day to you.”
“G’day.” Daniel carefully dismounted; the pain in his leg had become a throb. He led the stallion to a trough, where the horse slurped up water.
“Right good to see you, Daniel. It’s been too long.” Stephen lifted his hat and smoothed back graying hair.
“I wish it was pleasure that brought me ’ere. I’ve been having trouble with a bloke from Brisbane. Heard you’ve done business with him.”
“Maybe.”
“I need you to tell me what you know about Robert Marshal.”
Stephen’s eyes narrowed, and his expression turned grim. “Right. Marshal. About all I know is he’s no good. And that you shouldn’t have anything to do with the likes of him.”
“Too late. I’m already indebted to the wog.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Stephen studied the brim of his hat, turning it in his hands. “The drought and the fire push you too hard?”
“Right. I needed money to get on my feet, and he was the only one who would give me a loan.”
“Oxley wouldn’t give it to you, eh?”
“Nope.”
Stephen thought a moment, then said, “Marshal’s a snake. Nearly did me and my family in.” He glanced at the house. “I managed to get him paid, but only because of a generous brother-in-law.” He settled his hat on his head. “You needing help?”
“Maybe. Right now I need information and money. Marshal’s gotten hostile. If I don’t pay him . . .” Daniel let the sentence trail off, unwilling to give voice to the possibilities.
“Wish I had the money to give, but the drought’s been hard on me.” He pulled off his gloves. “Anything else I can do, I will. The stink of that man’s stayed with me. I paid more than twice what I borrowed.”
Daniel rubbed his neck. “That’s the way of it. You have any advice?”
“Get out from under. Marshal won’t give up. He’s got no qualms ’bout hurting folks. He’s a bad one.”
“He killed one of my roustabouts.”
Stephen thought a moment. “Ol’ Patrick Crotty had a run-in with him a while back, and John Oliver too. I know they’d help. None of us would object to turning the tables on that viper.” He grinned. “Wouldn’t mind having a go at him myself.”
“Be fine if we could get a leg up on him. Might if we stick together, eh?” Daniel smiled, but inside he felt dismal. “I’ll let you know if there’s a need. Be on my way, then.”
He shook Stephen’s hand, a plan formulating in his mind. If he made a stand against Marshal, there might be enough blokes in the district to trounce the man and his thugs.
Rebecca stood at Chavive’s stall, resting her arms on the top of the gate. The mare shifted her back feet, then lay down. A few moments later, she stood up again.
“She’s been doing that all morning,” Rebecca said. “She’ll foal soon.”
Daniel laid an arm over Rebecca’s shoulders. “It’ll be a fine one too. Noble was a grand stallion.”
“If she has a colt, it will be like having him back again,” Rebecca said wistfully. “He was splendid, wasn’t he?”
“He was at that. I hated selling him.”
“You did what was necessary.” Rebecca felt the ache return to her lower back. It intensified and moved to her abdomen. She managed to smile, ignoring the pain but knowing she’d soon be forced to give way to it. The contraction continued to build, and she closed her eyes against it.
“You all right, luv?”
Rebecca nodded. The pain eased. “I’m fine.” She blew out a breath. “But I might be having our baby today.” She smiled up at him.
“Rebecca. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I haven’t known long. And I don’t want your mother to force me to bed.”
“I thought you’d been acting a bit peculiar. You’re moving slower than usual, and you’ve been awfully quiet.”
Rebecca looked at her rounded abdomen and rested a hand on it. “Of course I’m moving slowly. How would you be getting around if you were carrying this bundle?” She grinned. “You don’t expect me to be leaping about, do you?”
“No. Course not.” Daniel gave her a gentle hug. “But maybe you ought to go to bed.”
“No. I want to be here for Chavive.”
Rebecca turned her attention back to the mare, who was now lying on a fresh bed of straw. “I’m a bit worried. This is her first foal. One never knows just what kind of trouble a mare might have.”
The death of Miss had been nagging at Rebecca. The mare had seemed fine, the foal healthy and strong. There’d been no hint that something was so wrong.
Just like when Joseph was born. Rebecca felt herself tense. Taking a deep breath and releasing it sl
owly, she told herself, Everything will be fine.
“No need to worry,” Daniel said. “Chavive’s in fine health. She’s got a strong spirit that will see her through. Like you.”
“Sometimes a strong spirit isn’t enough.” Rebecca thought of the men who had been threatening them. “Daniel, what if those men return? What are we going to do?”
“I’m working on a plan. There are some other blokes who might be able to help us.”
She opened the gate and walked into the stall. “What do you mean—a fight?”
“Maybe if we have to.”
Chavive lifted her head and looked at her as Rebecca approached. In spite of her advanced pregnancy, Rebecca managed to squat beside the mare. She stroked Chavive’s neck. “You’re a fine one,” she said, running her hand over the horse’s chestnut coat. She looked up at Daniel. “Do you think it will come to that?”
“Maybe.”
“I pray not.”
Chavive blew air from her nostrils and pushed to her feet with a grunt. In a resolute way, she stared at the stall’s wall. Rebecca straightened and rested a hand on the mare’s abdomen. She could feel the muscles tighten. “She’s contracting. This is a strong one.” She looked at Daniel. “It shouldn’t be long now.”
Without warning, a sharp pain hit Rebecca, and she let out a gasp, clutching her abdomen.
“Rebecca? Are you all right?” Daniel moved to her side.
Through gritted teeth, Rebecca said, “I don’t know who’s going to have her baby first, me or Chavive.”
“Mum said she hoped you and that horse of yours would have your babies on the same day.”
“It appears she’ll get her wish.” Rebecca gripped Daniel’s hand as the pain intensified.
“It’s time you went to your bed. I’ll send for the doctor.”
“I want to stay here with Chavive. But yes, send for the doctor.” The contraction ebbed, and Rebecca loosened her grip. “The pains aren’t lasting long. I’m sure I have lots of time yet.”
“I won’t risk your health. We’ll let the doctor decide if it’s safe for you to stay with your horse.”
“All right, then.”
Daniel studied her. “I won’t have a child of mine born on the barn floor.”