“Where was he shot?” Her voice trembled. She looked past him into the room, but could not see much. Doctor Dougherty and his daughter, Olivia, spoke in short, soft tones and moved about with swift precision, trusting Mitch to keep people out.
“Point blank, in the chest.” Mitch hesitated at her gasp. “But the bullet missed his heart.”
Blood had splattered onto the floor, so much of it. The coppery smell combined with the sight made it harder to breathe than when running in the corset. She stumbled backward to the front room to collapse onto a chair. One of the men she had noticed before came to her. “Is there anything I can get you, ma’am?”
She saw now he was older, probably her father’s age. “No, thank you. I’m sorry, you don’t look familiar to me.”
He nodded. “My partner and I came to town escorting a costly shipment. We went to see your father just as Mr. Banks found him. We helped bring him here. Figure we’ll head to the hotel now.” The kindness in his eyes touched her.
“Thank you so much.”
The minutes ticked by in a slow rhythm and Grace paused from prayer to stand and peek into the back room, only to be sent back by Mitch. The only sounds were her mother and friend’s soft prayers and her footsteps.
Shouts sounded outside, one voice familiar and she shot through the doorway to stand outside. Mounted on their horses, Erwin Ford and several other men held ropes and torches while circling and talking in loud tones. Fearing her mother would be upset by the display, she closed the door behind her and went down the steps. She looked up at Erwin who stopped talking to someone and scowled down at her. “Go back inside, Grace. I’m going to take care of this.”
Grace glared up at him. “What are you doing?”
“We’re going to hunt down the criminal who shot your father. Someone said they saw Ashley Cole riding away from the direction of your father’s office earlier today. I will avenge your father’s death.”
Grace opened her mouth to tell him her father was not dead, but decided against it. Instead, she lifted her hand to get the men’s attention again. “Don’t any of you do anything foolish based on a rumor.”
Ford moved his horse to block her from the others. “Don’t you want justice? After everything your father has done for this town, he would want his attacker caught.”
“Yes, I do. But my father would not want an innocent man persecuted for something he didn’t do.”
“Neither do I.” He spoke louder so that the others would hear him clearly. “As a cavalry captain, I always ensured justice prevailed. And that everything was accomplished to the letter of the law.” He spurred his horse forward. “It’s getting late. We better go.” Hooves thundered as the men rode away.
Grace turned in a circle, not sure she could handle any more emotions. Tears streamed down her face and she swiped at them while taking deep breaths. The nightmare of the day continued to get worse. Her mind whirled in several directions at once. Of course Erwin’s sole motivation was not justice, but to gain power. He didn’t care about her father, hadn’t bothered to inquire about him prior to gathering a posse.
Now, they went after an innocent man. She was sure it had something to do with whatever happened in the past. There was no reason for Ashley to shoot her father. In all probability, he’d been riding from her house not the jailhouse when he’d been spotted earlier. In her heart, she refused to believe Ashley was the shooter.
The door opened and Mitch peered out at her. “Everything all right?”
“Captain Ford has formed a posse. They are going after Ashley, said someone saw him leaving the jailhouse earlier.”
Mitch exited and looked toward where the men had ridden off. “Why is Ashley always blamed? He didn’t shoot your Pa, had no reason to.”
“Will you please go and see about him?” Grace grabbed at his sleeve. “I can’t be worrying about both my father and Ashley. I know Ashley didn’t shoot Father. I just know it.”
“All right. But you go on back inside and see about your mother. And don’t worry, everything will be all right.”
“Okay, but make sure neither you nor your mother go into the back room until Doc calls for ya.”
After Mitch walked past her toward the stables, Grace made it as far as the first step before having to put a hand out to ensure she didn’t falter and lowered to sit. She needed to be strong for not only her parents, but for Ashley. Even if there was no future possible between them, she still needed to know he would be all right.
Just as she entered, Doctor Dougherty poked his head into the front room. Grace’s mother shot to her feet and moved toward the physician. “Is he going to be all right? Please, how is he?”
Grace closed the distance and stood with her mother, clasping hands. “Yes, Doctor Dougherty, tell us. How is he?”
“He is alive.” Relief made her legs tremble, but Grace had to take a breath to ensure she didn’t collapse. The man ushered them into the back room where her pale father lay on the bed. Olivia pulled the sheet over his chest and cleaned the blood from the floor, putting the cloths into a large pail. The blonde continued to work without stopping.
The doctor looked to both of them. “Miles is in a very delicate state. He sustained a lot of damage. If he lives until morning, then I will be able to tell you more. For now, all we can do is wait.”
Her mother stifled a sob moving closer to where her father lay and caressed his face. She leaned over and placed a kiss on his brow. “He’s so pale and still.” When she swayed, Olivia helped her to a nearby chair.
*****
The view of Grayson’s cabin gave Ashley the strength to continue forward. It proved good fortune that Ford was not aware his brother lived only a few miles from where he’d left Ashley. Thankfully, his arm stopped bleeding, but the bullet would have to be removed.
He assured to knock on the door and not pound. With Grayson’s wife pregnant, he didn’t want to upset her more than necessary. His brother opened the door, his eyes immediately flying to his wound. “What happened to you?” He moved back and allowed him to enter.
“Got shot.” Ashley stated the obvious not able to keep from goading Grayson. “I need to borrow a horse.”
“Oh goodness, let me see.” Nora wobbled over and took his uninjured arm with both hands, making him grimace. “I think it’s best if we look at your wound first.” With surprising strength, she pulled him toward the kitchen, grumbling. “Never a dull moment with you Cole men.”
“Who shot you?” Grayson pushed Ashley into a chair where Nora immediately helped him remove his jacket. The ripping of his sleeve made him wonder if pregnancy gave women extra strength, as she didn’t use scissors. “I asked you a question,” his brother demanded.
“Ford.” Ashley met his brother’s gaze. “I know him from before…from the cavalry.”
Nora went to the stove to boil water. She gave Ashley a reassuring smile. “I’m going to get some bandages. Don’t move.” Her pointed look gave no room for argument.
“Ford said he killed Miles Dawson. He put the sheriff’s gun in my saddlebag and set the horse off,” Ashley told a now glowering, tight-jawed Grayson.
“I’m going to kill him.” Grayson’s voice, barely above a whisper, ensured his wife did not overhear. “He can’t come into our town and think to get away with all this.”
Ashley looked at the floor and rounded his shoulders. Enough was enough. He was tired of the constant blaming, of being judged. “Townsfolk will believe I shot Dawson.”
“Have more faith, Ash. They may not understand you, but they know you. Know our family.”
“I want to see about my horse and about…” He stopped before saying her name. Would Grace believe he shot her father? Although she said she cared for him, it didn’t mean she trusted him fully. Would she side with her fiancé and demand he be hung?
Grayson grabbed his gun belt from a peg and fastened it around his hips. “I’ll go see about your horse. Don’t leave. I’m trusting you to watch after my
wife.” He looked to Nora, who walked in with an armful of cloths. “Will you be all right to take care of his arm?”
Nora nodded. “Yes. Go. Be careful.” She went to Grayson and held up her face for him to kiss and lifted her hand to caress his jaw. “I love you.”
“I’ll be back before you know it.” Grayson tore his eyes away from his wife to look at Ashley.
Ashley slumped forward and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to stay behind and hide like a coward. He needed to face what happened. To see what happened with Grace. If her father was dead, she would be inconsolable and he wanted to be the one to hold her.
Just as he went to stand, Nora placed her hand on his shoulder. “You’re being brave by allowing your brother to go out there and help. God knows, I’m scared as hell.”
She took a breath and offered him a weak smile. “Now, rest your arm on the table.” Ashley did as he was told. When she poured antiseptic into the wound, he growled in pain.
“Now, how about you tell me what exactly Grace Dawson means to you and why you haven’t proposed to her?”
Chapter Fifteen
A light drizzle kept Bronson from riding faster as the visibility through the haze was not good. He lowered his hat and pulled up his collar to keep the frigid moisture from his neck and continued forward.
A few hours later, he spotted his destination and spurred the horse forward. He didn’t want to stop. He needed to return to Alder Gulch as soon as possible to deliver the news to his brother, but his horse needed to rest. They’d already traveled two days nonstop and he could barely stay awake.
The door opened just as he reached the outer corral and Laura Foster emerged, her hand over her brow in an attempt to keep the rain from her face. She watched as he neared. Her expression was a mixture of apprehension and anticipation. Bronson tied the horse to the porch and stepped up out of the rain. It was best to tell her the news and not lift her expectations.
“I found your husband’s horse. The cavalry wouldn’t release it to me. They believe your husband was killed by Sioux about a month or so ago. They came across the horse while on routine patrol.”
She took a deep breath and turned from him, her hand resting on the porch’s column. “So there’s nothing to bury?” Her voice shook and Bronson reached to touch her shoulder, but decided against it.
“No. They did not find him.”
Her troubled gaze met his. “So he could be alive. He could have fallen off his horse and is somewhere out there.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know more.” Bronson wondered at her lack of tears, but then considered that perhaps she was in shock at the news. Or that she already suspected her husband’s death and was not surprised at the confirmation.
“Can I bother you to stay in the stable for a few hours? I need to sleep then I’ll be on my way.” He eyed the wood he’d chopped and gauged if she would have enough for the long, Montana winter. “I can repay you by chopping more wood for you before I leave.”
Her head bowed, she nodded. “Of course. Please see about your horse. Come in for supper before you lay down.”
Finally, she turned and he noted once again how attractive the woman was. He touched her forearm. “Mrs. Foster, I’m not sure it will be safe for you here alone all winter. Why don’t you and your child come with me to Alder Gulch? You can stay at my family home until the spring and then decide what to do.”
Her brows lowered at his words and she bit her bottom lip. “I couldn’t possibly do that. It’s best I remain here. I’ll be fine. Been through worse. I have plenty of food canned and there’s meat in the larder. Don’t worry, Mr. Cole.”
“My parents would welcome you. It’s a large home where you and your child will be comfortable. What about Indians or other riders happening by who will see you as defenseless?”
She dashed into the house without replying. He’d scared her. Bronson took his hat off and beat it against his thigh. Stupid to point out her vulnerabilities right after informing the woman her husband was, in all probability, dead.
They ate in silence a few minutes later. Bronson gobbled up the savory stew and she stood and refilled his bowl. She went to check on the sleeping child before returning to her chair. “I hope you don’t think me rude for walking off earlier. I appreciate your offer. That was very kind of you.”
Taken by surprise, Bronson considered how to respond. “I don’t mean to lay any extra burden on you, but winter is fast approaching and you will be isolated out here.”
She looked around the sparse room and nodded. “Albert insisted we build out here. I don’t like being so far from town and everything, but he liked the open spaces and plenty of room to grow.” Her words were spoken without warmth and just a hint of resentment. “Now I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”
“Do you have family that you can live with?”
“I have a sister not too far from Alder Gulch, actually. But she lives with her husband and three children in a small house on a ranch where he works. They don’t have room for me and my baby.” She glanced at the crib. “Besides, I would rather take care of him on my own.”
Laura covered her face with both hands and her shoulders shuddered and he realized she was crying. Bronson rounded the table and sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into his shoulder and sobbed, her entire body shaking with each harsh breath. It wasn’t lost on him how this poor woman had no one to turn to for comfort except for a stranger.
“Oh goodness, I’m so sorry.” She straightened and wiped tears with the hem of her apron. “It’s just so much.” Laura motioned to his plate, her face down and turned away from him. “Please eat, you must be exhausted. I’ll get you a warm quilt for the barn. It’s chilly out there.”
Bronson finished eating while keeping a watch on Laura, whose face remained flushed, her dainty nose, red. He almost smiled when she smoothed her hair back from her face. Her subconscious gesture proving to him that she still maintained some sense of appearance and, for some reason, that made him feel better at leaving her the next day.
“I’ll make sure you have enough wood to last for at least two months and will return as soon as I can to check on you.”
Her eyes flew to his face and she looked as if she’d cry again. “Why would you do that for me?”
Bronson stood and went to her. Placing his hand on her shoulder he spoke. “It’s like you said to me when I came by before. It’s the Christian thing to do. I am havin’ a hard time leavin’ you here alone with your child with winter coming.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes lingered on his face then darted away. Laura reddened and stepped away. “I’ll be right back with that quilt.”
Breath left him at the awareness he was attracted to her more than he should be. She was a lovely creature, delicate and strong at the same time. Her reddish curls constantly escaped to circle her face, perfecting the look of an angel.
When she returned from the back room a thick quilt in her arms, she gave him a weak smile. “I appreciate you looking for Albert. There isn’t much I can do now, but wait. Please don’t feel obligated to return for me. Once spring arrives, I’ll be able to drive the cart to town for provisions and such.”
“Mrs. Foster, you just lost your husband. You’re alone and isolated. I’m afraid I will have to insist that I check on you. You need time to mourn your loss. I understand that. But time is of the essence.”
Her eyes met his and she inhaled deeply. “My husband was a cruel man, Mr. Cole. I do not mourn his death. I’m not sure he died. If I were, then I’d not hesitate to leave. But you see, I can’t leave with his child if there is any chance he’s alive. He’d find me and make me pay for it.”
The baby began to cry and she went to the crib. She lifted the child to her shoulder, swaying and hushing the infant, her back to him. “Have a good night, Mr. Cole. Sleep well.”
In the barn, Bronson lay in the dark and thought about the woman in the adjacent house. She feared both that her husb
and would return and that he wouldn’t. What had Albert Foster done that kept her chained to him even at the possibility of his death?
No matter what, he’d make sure to come back and see about her and the child once the worst of the winter was over. By then, if her husband had not returned, he’d insist she leave with him, either to her sister’s or to his family ranch.
The infant’s cries carried toward the barn, the loud mewling sounds made him visualize Laura Foster swaying back and forth in the dim light of a lantern as she soothed her baby.
A child. He’d never considered having children of his own.
At least, not until that moment.
Chapter Sixteen
They rode hard in the direction he’d last seen Cole’s horse head. Erwin Ford hated that the damn animal was nowhere to be found. Of course, if it was a familiar route, perhaps it turned and headed to his barn on Cole’s ranch. “Let’s go to the Cole’s ranch and see what we find,” he yelled out.
After only a few miles, a large group of riders appeared in the distance and headed straight towards them. He instantly recognized Ashley’s brother, Grayson. The long hair was hard to miss. Next to him, rode an older, large man who, by the resemblance, had to be his father, Hank Cole. Every one of the men in the group wore almost identical menacing expressions when they came to a stop in front of Ford’s posse.
“Don’t think to stop us from capturing Ashley Cole. He murdered the sheriff just a few hours ago. We’ve come to take him back to town and ensure justice is done.”
Ford held his place when the patriarch of the family neared. Hank’s brilliant blue eyes met his and, for the first time, Ford wondered if he’d finally met his match. “You and I both know Ashley did not shoot Miles Dawson. Those two don’t care much for each other but, after all these years, why would Ashley decide to shoot his uncle?”
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