She glanced at them huddled near the back. They were discussing what to do with her and the noise they heard outside.
Hayden left the group and stood at the cave entrance. He hunkered down, gun drawn, reminding her of a panther readying to pounce.
Penelope put a hand to her forehead. How could she have been so naïve? What had she been thinking when she followed Greg and Cole to their hideout? Then again, why hadn’t the sheriff followed those boys?
She did grin at the picture of the townspeople running from the bank and holding their noses. The Burkett boys had caused quite a stir, and the sheriff had been busy dealing with the bank.
Sadness speared her chest. Her father and mother would be frantic. Her brothers and sisters were probably more relieved that she was gone. Penelope wiped a tear from her cheek. She’d never been a very good sister to her siblings.
Being the oldest, she remembered with clarity when her dad held up her new sister. The jealousy she’d felt that day was as real now as that first day. And with each birth, it grew as her worth dwindled. No longer the only child, she had become the oldest of six and the little mother. A term she hated.
“Penelope, take care of your brothers and sisters.” That’s all she heard. She sighed. Perhaps that was what Hayden was trying to get her to see. Maybe there was a reason she always acted so harshly.
Then again, all she was doing was enforcing the Bible. It wasn’t her fault that others didn’t know what it said and strayed from the law.
What had shocked her the most was that Father, a preacher, sided with the sinful. Always taking her brother’s and sister’s sides. He’d even taken up for the Burketts. He was part of the reason she’d decided to ask them for help.
After all, if her father applauded their efforts, perhaps she should as well. And her need to become likable was great. Otherwise, she was going to wind up the wife of that Chico preacher. Ugh, she couldn’t stand the sight of Carl much less the way he walked and talked. Breathed.
No, even if she had to turn outlaw, she was not going to marry that man.
Hayden ducked back inside the cave and put a finger to his lips.
Penelope held her breath. Had she brought destruction down on them?
The other men slid into the shadows. Quiet blanketed the cave. Outside a horse nickered, and she could hear men talking.
“There’s a cave.”
“That posse will be hot on our tail. With the mud, they’ll find us. Let’s keep riding.”
Horses galloped away.
Penelope looked at Hayden.
He stayed crouched and tense. Minutes passed. Finally, he darted, cat-like, out of the cave. More tense minutes passed, and he came back. “We better get out. The rider was right, their tracks lead right up to our door. Whoever is chasing them will find us if we don’t get away.
Cole pointed at Penelope. “What do we do with her?”
Pa glared at her. “Take her with us. We don’t have a choice. If we leave her here, she’ll tell which way we went. Besides, we don’t know who is chasing who. I don’t want her getting hurt and us taking the blame.” He pointed at her. “Thanks Missy. You’ve caused us more trouble than you can know.”
“Sorry.”
“Yeah, sorry don’t patch things up.” He picked up his pack. “Let’s go boys. Saddle her horse and bring him in here. Hayden, keep an eye on her. We don’t want her dashing off on her own, and she’s ornery enough to do just that.”
Penelope stood and was about to counter his words when she caught sight of Hayden, and he slightly shook his head.
She nodded just as slightly to let him know she understood.
Hayden walked over to her and put his jacket around her shoulders. “Next time you run away, bring warmer clothes.”
She had to admit, she liked his warmth. His nearness. She looked into his eyes and longed to see something other than the usual disdain. Except for Preacher Chico, most men averted her gazes when she looked at them.
Hayden kept his gaze steadily on her. Looking at her.
Not exactly the warm look she’d wanted, but he wasn’t looking away. She liked his eyes. There was a tenderness in them.
Cole brought the sheriff’s horse. “I’ll help you up.”
She pulled away from him. “I can get on myself.” She tried to get a foot in the stirrup but struggled.
Hayden hoisted her onto the saddle. “We don’t have time for you to prove you can do anything better than the rest of us.” He handed the reins to Cole. “Hold her here until I get my horse.”
Penelope could still feel his warm hands around her waist. She closed her eyes dreaming that he liked her. Cared for her.
Hayden growled at his brother. “Give me the reins. I’ll watch her.”
She stared at him. Any warmth she may have felt was gone. One look at his face, and she saw that she was an unwanted burden to the four men. Her dreams shattered as she hung onto the saddle and looked at Hayden’s back.
What had she done?
***
Hayden led the woman and his family away from the men who’d come so near to finding them. He had a feeling they were dangerous men. Ones that he needed to protect her from. Her. That woman who had taken it upon herself to disrupt their lives.
She’d forced herself on them, making it imperative they protect her at all costs. Only thinking of herself and her problems. Selfish. Opinionated. Pointing her finger at them for every little wrongdoing. Who did she think she was?
A preacher’s daughter all right. Bringing enough fire and brimstone with her to make the horses cringe.
And now they had to give up the hideout to keep her safe.
Hayden halted his horse and looked back. Not at her. But at his family. Although she took up the center of his gaze. He hadn’t wanted to look at her. Gone was her know-it-all uppity look. Right now, she looked like a scared girl. And cold even with his jacket around her.
Pa rode around her and up to him. “What are you stopping for?”
“I wondered if anyone knew where we were going. It’s cold and raining. We’re responsible for—”
“It was her choice. There used to be an old shack on the Brazos up a few miles. Thought we’d try it out.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It is cold.” He looked at Penelope. “We’ll try and find shelter for her.”
Pa took the lead, his brothers followed and passed him and then Penelope.
Hayden waited until they were away from them. “I could take you back to town.”
She shook her head. “The others wouldn’t like it.” She wanted to go on and tell him that there was nothing but trouble to go back to. Her parents would surely marry her off to Carl. While she’d be warm, and the preacher would take care of her, she knew in her heart that it would kill the small spark of life in her that was trying to come alive.
All her life, she’d lived under the shadow of right and wrong. Afraid to give in to her desires to come alive and risk loving and liking others.
“I can’t promise you we’ll find shelter other than some branches and a small fire.”
She nodded.
“Hayden! Get up here.” Pa’s command bellowed through the cold blanket of drizzle.
“Penelope, this is no life or place for you.”
She kicked her horse to go past him. “I have nothing to go back to.”
Hayden shook his head following the trail left by his family. After a time, they reached the river. It was swollen and angry from the rain. The temperature was dropping, and sleet mixed with the drizzle.
Pa rode to him. “Cabin is on the other side of the river.”
“I know the one.” He stared at his father. “I want to take her back. This is no life for a woman.”
Pa looked past him at her. “She does look a might frail.”
“I’m not wanted. They won’t—”
Penelope kicked her horse and rode up between them. “I can make up my own mind. I’m warm enough. I told you I didn’t want to go back.”
>
Pa growled at her. “Missy, if I could find them men who routed us out of our hideout, I’d give you to them. Let’s go.” He whirled his horse around and headed for the river. “Best we get across now. It’s not going to get better by waiting.”
Hayden pulled her horse close to his. “I don’t know what your game is, but it’s liable to cost you. Pa is not the one to be trifling with. He can be a hard man.”
She held her head high. “I’m not afraid.”
“You should be.” He rushed his horse past her and followed his brothers. Pa was already in the river. The horse swimming but struggling.
Hayden tossed her the reins. “Let your horse have his head. You just hang on.”
“I can do that.”
He stared at her. Even cold and shivering, she was pretty. Unbidden, she tugged at his heart. If he had a lick of sense, he’d whisk her away from this river, his family, and take her to town.
She stared at him as she rode past and plunged into the river. He watched her. Anger and admiration twisting his feelings for her. So stubborn and proud. He followed her. Keeping an eye on her in case the horse stumbled.
And then she was on the other side. Wet and soaked but safe.
Hayden rode to her and grabbed the reins from her.
She pulled them back. “I think I proved I am going along. You don’t need to worry about me running off.”
He gave them to her. “I worry more about you not running off. Hurry, let’s get to that cabin and get you dry.”
Her eyes glinted. “I’ll not take my clothes off in front of you and your brothers.”
Hayden didn’t argue. No point in it. He wasn’t going to see her freeze and get sick. They rode another cold mile and saw that the old cabin was still there. Vacant and cold, it stood in the frosty mist.
Pa rushed in and back out. “There’s a stove. Get some firewood.” He glanced at Penelope. “The girl gets the blankets. Cole, you and Greg get the firewood, but throw your blankets in the house first.”
Hayden helped her down from the horse. She was shivering. Her lips blue, but her eyes fiery. He was beginning to like the fight inside her.
Pa threw some rope at him. “Tie off an area and hang a blanket over it. You, girl, get in there and take your wet clothes off. We’ll let ’em dry and wrap you in blankets.”
Penelope started to argue, but she was shivering so hard, the fight in her had frozen.
Hayden walked her inside the cabin. Drafty and dark, it offered little shelter. A broken shutter clattered letting the north wind free entry. He picked up a rock and tried to nail in the slats.
He pointed to the hanging blanket. “Go on. Nobody will look.”
She edged her way behind the cover.
After several minutes, Hayden called out to her. “You about ready?”
“N-n-no.”
He stood in front of the blanket. “Need some help?”
“Y-y-yes. Please.”
He stepped behind the cover and saw that she was still dressed in the dripping clothes. “You need to get out of those things.”
“I c-c-can’t. Too cold.” She stared at him. “Don’t look.”
Hayden shook his head. “At the buttons only.” As fast as his shaking fingers allowed, he undid the buttons.”
After the last one, she turned from him. “Thank you.”
He went back to his side of the blanket and waited. “Let me know when you’re ready. The boys have a good fire going.”
In minutes, she came out wrapped in her blanket.
Hayden wrapped his blanket around her too and led her to the fire. Gently, he pushed her onto the only chair in the small house and rubbed her shoulders.
She relaxed and in minutes, stopped shivering. She laid her head back and closed her eyes.
Hayden wanted to run his hands through her hair. Wanted to protect her. And then he shook his head. He was in no way ready to think of having a woman to care for. He needed to get his family away from the lifestyle they’d fallen into.
She sat up and stared at him. “Thank you.”
Her green eyes sliced through him. She’d only said two words, and she owned his heart.
Chapter 11
Rand tired of watching an edgy town and edgier sheriff. No outlaws came to rob the town. And now the rain had erased the tracks to the Burketts. He was wasting his time. Not that he had anything else to do. Maybe trim a rose. Wash a couple dishes.
He stared down Main Street and willed something to happen. When had he become so bored? Then again, perhaps it was a sign that he was coming out of the grave of a black hole his wife’s death had sunk him into.
He slapped his hat against Grady’s foot. “I’m going to grab a bite to eat at Carol’s.”
Waking up, the sheriff stretched his back. “All right. I’ll join you in a few minutes. Wilson has the stinking money all wrapped up in a strong box. And he set it outside the bank and poured some of his wife’s perfume over it. He’s just asking for it to be stolen.”
“Not like we can take it inside the jail or Carol’s diner.”
The sheriff laughed. “No, although it doesn’t stink too bad in the box. Let me chain it to the post. I can keep an eye on it from the diner.”
A loud thud sounded.
Rand crouched, gun drawn.
“Relax, it was the wind. Knocked the store sign down.” Despite his calming words, the sheriff holstered his own gun.
“I see you’re relaxed.”
With a grin, the sheriff nodded. “Yeah, I’m a little jumpy. With the girl being taken, and word of the outlaws, I’m on edge. Lunch will do us both good.”
Rand held the door for the sheriff and then walked into Carol’s diner. She smiled at him and rushed to set them at the table by the front window. “Thought you two might want to watch the skunk money.”
“Thanks, Carol.” The sheriff positioned his chair to see the jail.
Rand nodded at her. “Just coffee.”
Sheriff patted the table. “I’m here for lunch. I’ll have the special.”
After Carol left, Rand leaned forward. “I can go out and look for the girl.”
“I don’t think she’s in any real harm. Haven’t gotten a ransom note for her yet.” The sheriff glanced out the window and frowned. “Here comes her father. I’m sure he’d want to go with you.”
Rand groaned. He wanted to ride out alone. Like the old days when he tracked men. What he sure didn’t want was a preacher tagging along.
The door opened, and a cold breeze entered along with the preacher. Daniel Wyler nodded and sat at their table.
“Sheriff, Mr. Ketcham, I’m worried about Penelope. It’s cold and getting colder. She could be lying out there hurt.”
Rand saw the fear in the man’s eyes. “I was going out to look for her. I can travel quicker alone.”
“No, I need to go with you. I feel it in my soul. Somehow, I have failed my daughter. My Penelope needs me. I’m ready whenever you are.”
“You have a horse? A gun?”
“I do. The animal is a bit old, and the gun is my old shotgun.”
Rand wanted more than anything to tell the man, no. But he saw the desperation in the preacher’s eyes. Nothing was going to stop him from going. “We’ll stop by the livery and pick up a fresh horse for you. Sheriff here can loan you a good rifle.”
Grady nodded.
The preacher looked down. “I don’t handle guns. Hunted when I was younger is about all.”
Rand stared at him. “You’ll do fine. Let’s go.” That he’d told the man he’d do fine was stretching the truth a mile or two. Yet, Rand felt in his gut that the preacher was supposed to go along. He got up and went to the door. Without looking back, he warned. “Make sure you keep up.”
Leading his horse to the livery, Rand grinned when he heard the preacher’s footsteps behind him. He might be a greenhorn, but Preacher Wyler was one determined man. Rand hoped they could find where the Burketts had taken his daughter.
> At the livery, he picked out a sturdy but docile horse for the preacher and had him saddled. Turning, he nearly ran into Wyler.
“We’ll leave in a few minutes. Did you get your bedroll?”
“I brought it with me. I was going to look for Penelope whether you went with me or not.”
Rand nodded. “Once I get on the trail, I don’t stop for anything.”
The preacher stared him in the eye. “I’d think less of you if you did. Thanks for letting me join you.” He paused. “Besides, sometimes the Lord has a couple of plans going at the same time.” He grinned and climbed into the saddle. “Don’t worry. I can ride. I won’t slow you down.”
Now it was Rand who felt ill at ease. What had he meant by that? Preacher Wyler had made it no secret that he’d wanted to talk. About God things. About Susanna’s death. Anger at being trapped into riding with this man, alone, made Rand’s blood boil.
Rand walked away, tossing his words over his shoulder. “Let’s go to the sheriff’s and get that rifle.”
The preacher kicked his horse into a slow lope to keep up. “I really don’t want to use one, but if it makes you feel better, let’s go.”
“Funny, very funny.” Rand looked into the sky and hoped the Lord would understand how unfair this all was. “Just help us find Penelope quickly.”
Disgusted with himself, Rand slapped his leg with the reins causing Black Jack to prance. “Not even on the trail, and the man has me praying. It’s not right. Not right at all. I’m losing it.”
The sheriff met them at the door and handed the rifle to the preacher. “Watch for that gang of desperados, and I don’t mean the Burketts. Stay safe and bring that girl home.”
Rand nodded and rode out of town. He didn’t look back. Didn’t wait for the preacher to say goodbye to his family. Didn’t even talk to him. No, the man was going to have to prove himself, or Rand would send him back. Rand only hoped it would be soon. Was it a bad thing to pray for the preacher to get saddle sore?
***
Penelope cooked the gang ham and beans with her special biscuits. One thing was sure, they appreciated her cooking. They even talked to her and hardly ever rolled their eyes at the things she would say. In fact, she was getting along with the Burkett gang better than she had with anyone in town or her church. Including her family.
Penelope Page 7