by DiAnn Mills
With a heart full of regret for Leah and her sons, Sage turned to her friend. Are you sure this is the road you want to take? With Leahs bonnet shielding her eyes, Sage couldnt see her friends face to detect fear for the unknown.
I am very certain. Every day at the parsonage has been filled with lectures and gossip and ugly accusations that are wrong. I should have taken a stand sooner. Preacher Waller also said horrible things about Frank in front of the children.
But it means returning to your ranch with the possibility of the McCaws seeking revenge. Or have you decided to take Parker up on his offer?
This afternoon I told Parker it was time I took care of my own family. He has his own life without being saddled with a widow and five boys. Theres work to be done at our ranch, a means for my family to eke out a living. You have shown me how to be strong, and Ill forever be grateful. Ive always depended on others to help me and the children when Frank wasnt around. No more. John has been urging me to stand tall, and hes already told me how we can make the ranch work.
Im proud of you, Mama. Johns words were wrapped in affection. Preacher Waller is more interested in himself than helping the folks of Rocky Falls.
We mustnt judge, son. But I agree.
John laughed, and he sounded like Parker. Lets get our things from the parsonage and go home.
Tonight? Sage fretted that Leahs and Johns eagerness ruled over common sense.
Of course tonight, Leah saidand even added a giggle. John, you get our wagon and horse at the livery while the rest of us fetch our belongings from the parsonage before Preacher Waller calls prayer meetin to a close. I want to sleep in my own bed and greet the morning from my own front porch.
Sage wished they would reconsider, perhaps stay the night at the hotel. Id be glad to pay for a couple of rooms at the hotel. You could head home in the morning.
Goodness, Sage. Theres no reason for such luxury. The wagon ride home is about forty-five minutes. The boys and I have much to talk about, and the time will fly by.
Sage couldnt let go of her concern. What if the McCaws are watching your ranch?
We cant live our lives in fear of what might happen. Johns deepened voice resounded around them. Yes, he was a man.
Youre right, son, Leah said. You and I know how to use a rifle, and one of the first things were going to do is show the other boys how to handle one too. Were staying on the land your papa bought for us.
I already know, Evan, the twelve-year-old said. And so does Aaron. Mark will learn soon and then Davis.
Sage reached out to grasp Leahs hand. Parker would have a fine wife in this woman. Shed even be independent and determined.
Frustrated that Leah had made a decision without consulting him, Parker left a note on his desk for Wirt stating he was riding out to Leahs ranch to check on his family. He refused to think about anything happening to them, knowing the McCaws would use whatever means they could to pull him and Sage into the mountains. Why couldnt Leah have waited until the McCaws were brought in? Danger stalked everyone in this town, and shed already been the outlaws target twice.
The longer Parker rode, the more he fretted with what he might find, until he saw smoke curling from the chimney and the older boys working outside. Parker and Wirt had cleaned up the house after finding it torn apart, but not the barn. The family had plenty of work to do, more than these boys could manage. John met him by the well.
Whats going on? Parker didnt attempt to hide his displeasure.
Were home where we need to be. John wiped the sweat from his brow. No more running from the McCaws and cowering under Preacher Waller.
The determination in Johns words told Parker it was useless to try to talk him out of staying. Youve seen the McCaws in action.
John pointed to his rifle propped against the well. This family is sticking together, and I dare anyone to try to stop us.
No point in arguing with an eighteen-year-old who thought he had all the answers. Besides, Parker had the same stubborn pride. Let me talk to your mother.
Early the next morning, Parker rode out from Leahs ranch and back to town. Hed spent all of the preceding day helping John and his brothers put the barn in order, then checking on the cattle and mending a stretch of fence that the McCaws had destroyed. Hed lectured and warned and scolded, but it did no good. Leah was as obstinate as her sons. Parker grinned. It was good to see her full of gumption, and he could only pray theyd be safe.
With sunrise bringing in a new day, he needed to concentrate on how to go after the gang and how to handle Waller. His first stop would be to see if he could convince Sage to rest up another week. She probably wouldnt want to see him, but he didnt care. After yesterday, he was ready to tie her to the bed and put a lock on her room at Docs.
Then he learned from Doc that Sage had left sometime before sunrise yesterday, and when Parker checked the livery, her pony was gone. As Parker placed one foot in front of the other on his way to the hotel to find out what Bess and Wirt knew about the situation, he hoped no one got in his way.
He flung open the door of the hotel and smelled coffee and breakfast. Both sent his stomach to complaining about lack of food, but he had business to tend to first.
Bess, he called out. Youd better not be hiding from me.
She walked from the kitchen with a towel in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. A pleasant mornin to you, too, Parker.
He scowled, trying to find his manners. But fury had grabbed hold of him, and it would take wild horses to rein it in. What is happening around here? She held out the coffee to him, and he took it. He needed it.
My guess is you found out about Sage attending prayer meetin Wednesday night.
Bess knew it all. He could feel it in his bones. Thats just part of it.
Perhaps Sage has left town?
He blew out an exasperated sigh. Of course she knew Sage had left town. Women talk, and Sage considered Bess a friend. I deserve to know what went on the other night.
Why? Did she break the law? Did Waller file charges against her for disrupting his prayer meetin?
Cause Im the marshal. At least I am today, and Im not resigning.
Bess pursed her lips, then lifted her chin. Parker Timmons, I suggest you calm down and drink your coffee before you come in here demanding things.
She was right; he was acting like a bear after a spring thaw. He took a big gulp of the hot brew, which he sputtered down the front of him, and forced a smile. Im sorry, Bess. Just dont like surprises, and I suppose you know Leah and the boys are back home.
Good for her. She handed him a towel to wipe the coffee from his shirt. Thats better. Hold on to your temper, Parker Timmons, or you might find my iron skillet across your head.
Outlaws were easier to handle than a provoked woman. Would you please tell me why Sage left town? She didnt say good-bye, and Im worried about her.
She did come by here on her way to prayer meetin to pick up her clothes. I have no idea what went on there, except she was perturbed about Preacher Wallers condemning you for saving her life and trying to replace you as marshal.
Parker had been privy to more of what had gone on in a couple of the church services than he cared to mention. I wish shed have let me handle it.
Your life is none of my business, but if you want my opinion, Id be glad to give it.
He would have laughed if hed not realized she was serious. I want to hear it. He paused and thought about the evening Sage asked him not to visit her alone again. If she wanted a relationship with Wirt Zimmerman, then why did she confront Waller?
Why do you look so mad? Bess frowned.
Because I am. Sage is the most confusing female Ive ever met in my whole life.
Listen to yourself. If you dont know what the problem is, then Im not so sure I should tell you.
Bess was fast becoming as exasperating as Sage. Im calming down. He moistened his lips and took another generous gulp of coffee.
Thats better. I was told she defended you again
st Preacher Wallers accusations.
I heard the same from Bob Culpepper. Im sure Waller found plenty of Scripture to back up his claims.
Im sure she held her own.
Once more he affirmed the stirring in his heart about Sage. I dont understand why she left town when the doc claimed she needed another two weeks to heal.
Bess shook her head. She left because of the obvious.
What obvious?
Bess looked around as though she didnt want anyone else to hear. Are you blind? Shes in love with you. But for some reason she thinks you and Leah are supposed to be together.
Leah? Where had she gotten such a ridiculous idea? Parker had been overwhelmed in his lifefought in a war in which his side lost, faced down outlaws, been bitten by a snake and chased by a bear, and buried his brotherbut he hadnt expected the woman he loved to leave town because she thought he should spend the rest of his life with another woman. Didnt he ask her to marry him? Didnt that stand for something? Sometimes Sage aggravated him to the point he didnt know if it was sunup or sundown.
Say something, Bess said. For the best marshal in the Rockies, for a man who is better than most with a pistol or a rifle, for a man who is getting mighty close to forty years old, youre downright pale with the idea of a woman loving you.
How did Bess manage to lay out his raw emotions like she could read his mind? He swallowed hard. I dont suppose youd understand how a man could feel like his rear had been filled with buckshot over something good. He downed his coffee in hopes hed look more in control. So she left town because of me?
Oh, Im sure theres more to it. She might think you hung the moon, but you didnt hang the stars too. The McCaws murdered her husband, and shes dedicated a few years of her life to bringing them to justice. Then she found out something else about her deceased husband.
As the marshal, I need to know what it is.
Bess shook her head. Would you stop this Im the marshal talk? The only reason you want to know everything about Sage is because youre in love with her.
Besss words clamored like a bell in his ears. If she had read the truth, who else knew his heart?
Whats got your tongue?
Get a hold of yourself. I still need to help bring in the McCaws.
Yeah, ignore me. Cant tell me you dont fancy yourself married to her. Bess wagged a finger at him. She found out about Charles being a part of the McCaw gang when they robbed a train in Denver some years back.
And I suppose she thinks I knew about it?
Probably.
Parker nodded while his heart thumped against his chest. I want to ride after her. She needs another gun to bring in those outlaws.
She might need to hear how you feel about her.
He knew he loved her. She knew he loved her. What was he supposed to do, send up smoke signals? If only he didnt have so many other things to consider. Youre right, Bess. I dont want to lose her.
Dont waste a single minute. Wirt Zimmerman is packing his things to go after her too. Hes been talking mighty big about how he could settle down with a woman like Sage Morrow.
Well see whom she chooses. Parker handed her the empty coffee mug. He grinned. Im still the towns marshal and not a dandy of a US Marshal.
FORTY
Thursday morning, Sage and Hawk rode into the foothills, heading west to the mountains as sunrise graced the eastern horizon, her favorite time of the day. Pastel colors streamed across the sky, then faded into a brilliant blue. Charles used to call sunrise one of Gods promises, just like a rainbow after a hard rain. The man who turned a phrase like a poet might have been an outlaw. At least the evidence stacked against him. If Charles had been part of a train robbery, he could have killed and robbed innocent folks. Yet
Charles, a liar and an outlaw?
She swiped a tear and shoved the perplexing thoughts from her mind to focus on what needed to be done now: find a place to rest for a couple of days until her body regained strength. Riding west to where the small band of Ute camped had entered her mind, but she didnt want to burden Tall Elk. He cared for her, and she understood the pangs of unreturned love. Why would she want to put him through the same heartache? Better she camp alone and ponder the relationship between Charles and the McCaws than cause a good man to grieve.
Parker had said he loved her, but even if he really did, she wasnt the right woman for him. At least she was smart enough to see that.
The sun warmed her back, and she wanted to think it brought healing to her body and spirit. Hard to believe this beautiful land with the sounds of singing nature and bubbling streams and the beauty of summer growth could turn on a person with a change of weather. Like a friend who deserts you when the road gets steep and rocky. Had that been the circumstance with Charles and Aiden?
In the valley, bighorn sheep grazed on tender green shoots and drank deeply from the narrow Falls River that gushed and gurgled over smooth rocks. The animals majestic stance and surefootedness contrasted to the type of sheep that Parker often spoke of. Parker. When would she be able to push him from her mind?
Purple and yellow wildflowers sprouted from obscure hideaways tucked in the rocks, defying what farmers called the nurturing of rich earth.
She remembered a satisfied life filled with contentment, when the difficult times were few and not so treacherous. People died but were not murdered. People laughed and babies were born, drowning the traces of any sorrow. Perhaps someday those moments could be recaptured in her life. Shed thought Parker might be the man to help her forget the ugliness of the past, but shed been incredibly wrong. Finding love again only to lose to another, more-deserving woman only increased the ache in her heart.
No, she would not reach out to Tall Elk. Once shed turned to him when Charles died, and she refused to do the same again because of Parker.
Parker and Leah deserved a good life after they had been separated as young sweethearts. Leah understood her need to be a strong woman for what lay aheadfrom widowhood and comforting her growing sons who missed their papa to a future with Parker. Leah made a huge step last night in church when she stood up to Preacher Waller. Truth had a way of dividing those who attended church from those who clung to God. Shed like to find that relationship again.
By midmorning, exhaustion had depleted Sages strength. She pushed her pony to a higher elevation where she could make camp. A rushing waterfall filled her ears, flowing around pine trees and over branches tossed across its waters. A deep sadness swept over her, much like she remembered when Charles was killed. She needed no explanation for the source, for the realization of who he had been and what hed done hurt worse than his death. Before, he had been an honorable man who was murdered. Now he lay cold in the grave as an outlaw and a liar.
The longer she rode, the more she grieved. Yet she understood her tears and anguish were necessary. Hawk flew close by, as though he understood her shattered heart. But even with his shadow a frequent reminder of his presence as it slipped back and forth across her horses neck, she had never felt more alone.
God, if You are really there, if You are the God I once trusted and believed, why has my life been broken? Am I being punished for something? Show me what I am supposed to learn.
When she heard nothing around her but the familiar calling of the wild, she realized one more time that God had deserted her.
Parker needed answers fast. Overnight a few things had changed, and he wasnt happy about not being consulted. Uncertainty began when Wirt announced that Sage planned to be ready Sunday noon to trek back into the mountains. The man was using her to get the McCaws, and the thought infuriated him. And Wirts confession about his lack of experience didnt help Parkers mood.
To make matters more complicated, last night John didnt come back to the office after prayer meeting. Parker hadnt been concerned, thinking Leah might have wanted her son at the parsonage. But this morning he learned from Bob Culpepper about the ruckus during prayer meeting, and the undertaker-deputy said hed seen Leah and her boys driving out
of town just as the meeting let out.
FORTY-ONE
Aiden finished skinning the doe hed brought down a few hours before. Already he could taste the roasted venison, but that wouldnt happen until tonight. Soon this time in the mountains would end, and the McCaw brothers would be eating and sleeping in a big fancy hotel. California sounded good. Hed never been to San Francisco, but he heard the weather was easier on a mans bones. Might even try ranching in New Mexico. Many parts were wild there, and the law would leave them alone.
Until then, hed keep Parker and Sage on the trail after them in these mountains.
Late last spring, Quincy had the idea of paying Faye to supply them with information. Usually Quincy didnt have much to say, but he saw the warm weather would be coming to an end, and spending the winter in a frozen death trap didnt sit well with his steady cough.
A twinge of anxiety attacked Aiden, as if he had found himself about to step on a rattler without his boots. None of the McCaw brothers were getting any younger. No wives. No younguns. Ever since the war, Aiden had looked out for his own, promising them a good life if theyd just stick together. Theyd lost one brother in the war, the only one who had red hair besides Aiden. And Karl had died because of Charles Morrow and that no-account marshal. Mitch had grown harder through the years. He masked it with jokes, but Aiden had seen him blow a hole right through a man for looking at him strange. Rex was their best shot, but hed met a girl in El Paso and wanted to get back to her. Jebs simple mind often put him in the middle of crossfire, and Quincy had been spitting more and more blood with his coughing.
If ever Aiden had a reason to get the money due them, it was now. He hated Parker Timmons and the Indian bounty hunter worse than anything hed come up against since the war. Theyd turn over his money, and then theyd pay.