Wes pushed Hayden back against the wall. “It’d be best for your wife if you stay right here and keep quiet.” He put the barrel of his pistol under Hayden’s jaw. “Just stay real quiet.”
Pa edged away from the wall. “Don’t hurt the girl. We’ll do as you say. Won’t tell no one you were here.”
“That’s nice of you. Now, get back against that wall. In fact, all of you sit down, backs against the wall.”
Hayden glanced at his pa and did as Wes said. Hayden watched Penelope, praying that God would protect her.
After Penelope cooked the meal, Wes waved the pistol at Cole and had them get to the wall with the others.
Ray ate his lunch. “You’re a good cook. Maybe we ought to take her with us, Wes. I been missing a woman-cooked meal. What do you think we take her with us?”
Wes chewed on a bit of food and stared at Penelope. “Might be a good idea.”
Hayden stood. “You can’t take her.”
Wes pointed his gun at him. “We can do what we want. You just sit down, so I don’t have to kill you.”
Penelope banged a spoon against the pan. “You will not take me anywhere, and you will not kill anyone! You should have washed your hands before you ate.”
Startled, Wes looked at her and pointed his fork her way. “You be quiet. Women should cook and do what their men say. If not, I’ll have to teach you a lesson.” He sneered at her. “Maybe we’ll all teach you.”
Penelope darted her gaze to Hayden.
He motioned for her to come to him.
Penelope eased away from the three outlaws and ran to Hayden. He held her and whispered to her to stay with him and keep quiet.
Ray stood and belched. “Let’s count the money.”
Wes leaned back in his chair. “Go ahead. I figure after this haul we can beat it for Mexico, and then rest a while.” He gazed at Penelope. “Take missy with us, and she can cook for us.”
Hayden held her tight. “I won’t let them.”
Wes yelled at him. “Quiet. I don’t want to hear anything from you.” He waved Penelope over. “Come here, girl. You look smart and can help us open the box and count the money.”
She stared at Hayden and then darted a look to Cole. Then she walked to the table. “I can count.”
Ray shot off the lock and opened the box.
Wes took out the money. As he did, the skunk odor took over the room.
Penelope covered her face and ran to Hayden.
Ray slammed the lid shut. “What is that?”
Wes coughed. “Skunk. Who would spray their money with skunk.” He jumped up and opened the door.
“Get that box out of here.” Two of the outlaws carried the box out.
Wes kicked the table and faced them. “I ought to shoot the lot of you.”
Bob stood. “We didn’t do it.”
Hayden put Penelope behind him. He had to protect her. He would die for her. And he’d die before he let these men take her.
***
Rand pushed the horses hard and the preacher even harder. He knew the sheriff’s horse went this way. But somewhere after the road, more hoofprints joined in. Either the Burketts had other friends, or that outlaw gang had been to town and now were looking for shelter.
Either way, he feared for Penelope, and for him and the preacher. Rand stopped at the edge of the creek. He didn’t relish the idea of crossing. It was cold, and the water would be colder. But he knew all the tracks went across.
The preacher caught up to him. “I’m freezing and have the awful feeling we’re crossing that stream.”
“That’s right.” Rand didn’t let on about the other group of horse prints.
“I hope Penelope has shelter.”
“I’m believing the Burketts knew of a cabin on the other side. Seems I remember seeing one.” Rand had a bad feeling about what they were going to find. He settled himself and prayed that the Lord would watch over the girl. Then he glanced at the preacher.
The man was praying. Head bowed and hands folded.
Rand’s heart softened. The man was worried about his daughter. Fearful for her. But believing the Lord would watch out for her. Maybe if Rand had prayed before he’d gone after that outlaw—
“Rand, I want to thank you for taking me along. I believe the Lord has His hand on Penelope and us.”
“He tell you all that?” Rand’s bitter words escaped before he could stop them.
Daniel Wyler smiled. “I guess in some way, yes, the Lord told me just that. I’m ready whenever you are.”
Rand didn’t wait but kicked Black Jack and plunged into the icy waters. The cold seized his breath for a minute, but he didn’t stop and didn’t warn the preacher. Why hadn’t God protected Susanna? That’s what Rand wanted to know. He couldn’t help but believe he was at fault, and there was no comfort in that fact.
He reached the other side and looked back. The preacher was coming. His face looked shocked from the cold, but he didn’t stop.
Finally, Daniel reached the banks, and his horse charged up the side. He glanced at Rand. “I know how hard this is for you. I want you to know I’m praying that you’ll find peace.”
“Peace! There is no peace.” Rand urged his horse on, turning his back on the preacher. He loped up a hill but slowed. The cabin he was thinking of wasn’t that far off. Rand eyed the horizon and spotted smoke. They were close.
He waited in a stand of trees for the preacher to catch up.
Daniel rode to him, concern in his eyes. “Think we’re close?”
Rand pointed. “Smoke. There’s a cabin up ahead. I figure that’s where they are.”
The preacher smiled. “I can’t wait to get my daughter back.”
Irritated, yet knowing the Burketts weren’t the only ones they were likely to find, Rand caught the bridle to the preacher’s horse and stopped him. “I think there’s more than one gang in that cabin. We’ve been following two sets of tracks.”
Daniel sniffed the air. “You think it’s the outlaws. Think they attacked the town. I can smell skunk.”
Rand smelled it now. “Could be they took the strongbox of skunked money.”
Daniel pulled out the rifle, checked to see it was loaded, and draped the gun over his saddle. “What’s the plan?”
Rand liked Daniel in that moment. That he was worried was obvious, but he’d storm into the cabin with him. “We’ll ride carefully on this side of the road until we can see the cabin. We’ll leave the horses and go on foot until we know what we’re up against.”
“I’ll follow your lead.”
Rand nodded and rode beside the trail in the bushes and trees. His blood was hot, on the trail. Anticipating a fight. Like old times. He did miss the thrill. He was good at it. The chase a part of him. As if it was what he was made for. But this time to save Penelope.
As he rode on, a peace did come. Soft and unbidden, yet he felt it. As if a warm blanket covered him. The anger left. The irritation and frustration subsided. To replace it, a focus. His senses aware and his intent to save the girl.
He glanced back. Daniel looked cold but determined. And Rand could see that same peace covered him.
Maybe it was the preacher’s prayers. Maybe his own. But Rand knew it was from the Lord. God was real. And by the feeling in his heart, God didn’t hate him or hold him responsible for Susanna’s death.
By the time he reached the bend where the cabin was, Rand felt freedom from the past. Gone was the guilt. The self-hate. The wish to die. Instead, he wanted to live.
Rand dismounted. He didn’t see anyone outside but saw eight horses tied under the shed. “The outlaws are in there. It looks like the strongbox is outside.”
Daniel stood next him, rifle ready. “They must have found out it was truly, dirty money.” He grinned.
Rand nodded. “Would have liked to have seen that.” He moved behind several large shrubs and motioned for Daniel to follow him. “Stay here and cover me.”
Daniel nodded.
&nb
sp; “I’m going to run around the back. Think you’ll be all right?”
“I’ll watch the front. Rand, don’t—”
Anger flashed through Rand. “I’ll make sure Penelope doesn’t get hurt. Trust me.”
Daniel shook his head. “I was going to say don’t take any unnecessary chances. It’s going to work out.”
“Sorry.” Rand stayed in the bushes and ran for the side of the cabin. Keeping low, he darted for cover and ran to the back. No doors, but there was a window. He ducked down and crawled to the window.
Carefully, he looked in. He could see three men at the table. Penelope in the kitchen. Then to the back, he saw the Burketts. He needed to get Penelope with the Burketts. He crept along the wall and stepped to the side. He waved for the preacher.
Daniel waved back.
Rand pointed to his gun and gestured for Daniel to shoot his gun in the air.
Daniel nodded, and shots rang out.
Rand watched the porch from the side.
One of the outlaws ran outside gun drawn and looking around.
Rand shot him in the leg, rushed him and kicked the gun from his hand. Then pulled him to the other side of the porch. Grabbing handcuffs from his back pocket, he cuffed the outlaw and stuffed a handkerchief in his mouth.
Daniel fired more shots.
Rand braced himself and stood on the side of the porch waiting for another outlaw to come out.
Chapter 14
Penelope heard the shots, glanced at the outlaws, and threw the coffee pot at Wes as she ran for the back wall.
Hayden stood and grabbed her, shoving her behind him.
Ray and Wes stood, guns drawn and moving toward the front door. The other man had run outside, and more shots signaled someone out there had been shot. When he didn’t come back in, she figured whoever was outside had shot the outlaw.
“Give yourselves up.” She recognized Rand’s voice.
Wes glared at her. “We’ve got hostages. A girl. Back away or you’ll get them killed.”
“Let them go.”
“They’re my ticket out. Get back.” Wes fired his gun out the door. He turned and yelled at Ray. “Get the girl.” And he turned back to the door and fired again.
Gun drawn, Ray came toward her.
Penelope shouted, “No!”
Hayden and the other Burketts crowded together blocking Ray from taking her.
“You want to die for her?”
Cole swung a chair at Ray while Greg leaped on him.
Hayden shoved her into the makeshift bedroom and under the bed.
Wes ran toward them and fired.
Bob Burkett grabbed his arm and slumped to the floor.
Wes grabbed Hayden and put the gun to his head. “Get out here girl.”
Penelope scooted out from under the bed. “Don’t hurt him.”
Shoving Hayden from him, Wes grabbed her. “Let Ray go.”
Cole and Greg stepped away, letting Ray get up.
A shot rang out, and Ray fell. Rand charged inside and ran toward Wes, sliding into him and separating him from Penelope. Rand stood, pulled Penelope behind him and aimed his gun at Wes.
Wes and Rand shot at the same time. Both men fell at Penelope’s feet. Rand held his side. Wes put a hand to his leg and aimed his gun at her.
Penelope grabbed Ray’s gun and aimed it at Wes.
“Drop your gun.”
Wes stared at her. “You don’t have the guts to shoot me, girlie.”
Hayden kicked the gun out of his hand just as Daniel ran into the cabin.
“Penelope, are you, all right?”
“Yes, But Rand, he stepped in front of me. Help him, Father.” She ran to her father and pulled him to Rand.
Rand sat up. “I’m all right. Just a nick. Maybe hit a rib.” He leaned against the wall.
Hayden went to Penelope and held her. “I was so worried about you.”
She looked up at him and saw the same look that Billy Ray had for Ellie. “You were?” She smiled and snuggled close to him.
Hayden pointed outside. “The skunked money is outside. We better get to town and check on the sheriff.”
Bob Burkett nodded. “We better go so Penelope can explain about the note and the sheriff’s horse.”
Penelope blushed. “Yes, sir. I’ll tell them everything.”
Her father looked at her. “Penelope, what have you done?”
“Oh, Father.”
Hayden held her close. “She found me, Mr. Wyler. She brought life to me. Purpose. And if you and your wife agree,” He looked at Penelope and smiled. “And she agrees, I’d like to court her.”
Penelope’s knees grew weak. Hayden Burkett. She couldn’t believe it. “I sure do agree.”
He tapped her nose. “That is if you don’t remind me to wash my hands and talk down to me.”
Looking up at him, she smiled. “I don’t see how I could do that.”
Mr. Burkett came over to them. “Congratulations. About time a Burkett got married. About time the rest of us joined civilization. Made amends. We’ll all be going into town.”
Penelope’s father pulled some rope from his pocket. “We better tie up the outlaws. It’s going to be dark soon and too cold to leave tonight. Penelope, why don’t you see what you can cook for us.”
“Yes, Father.” She squeezed Hayden’s hand and left him.
Hayden helped her father.
Penelope found more beans and sliced ham that the Burketts had brought along. She then worked to make enough biscuits. Kneading the flour, she watched her father tend to Rand, and the wounded outlaws. They’d been lucky.
She scolded herself. Not lucky. Blessed. She knew that the Lord had watched over her. Penelope finally felt the things-will-work-out idea that her mother always preached. She glanced at Hayden. God had really blessed her with that man.
Penelope thought about Preacher Carl from Chico and felt a twinge of sorrow over the way she’d treated the man. He wasn’t a bad sort. She prayed a quick prayer that he would find a woman who would appreciate and love him.
Then she looked at the Burketts and prayed that the Lord would work out a way for them. That they could start over and become part of the town. And Hayden. She sighed. She truly liked him maybe love. That he asked to court her made her heart sing. Someone finally liked her.
She shook her head. No more pointing her finger at others. She was done being the too-gooder of Duston. She was going to like others. Look for their good points and not their faults. How many times had mother and father told her that?
She turned the ham and laughed to herself. All it took was for a couple of outlaw gangs to teach her about seeing others in a good light. She whispered a hurried prayer of thanks that the Lord hadn’t given up on her.
She brought the dinner to the table. “Food’s ready.” She dished out a plate for the outlaws and one for Rand.
She and Hayden gave the food to the outlaws, but she took the one to Rand. She owed him an apology and her life. She handed the plate to him. “Thank you for finding me and saving me.”
He looked at her. He had a light in his eyes that she’d not seen before. He took the plate and smiled at her. “Maybe looking for you, saved me.”
“I guess you were with Father for some time. He’s a persuasive man.”
Rand nodded. “Words I’d heard from many finally made their way to my heart. I think I can finally let Susanna go. Know that I’m forgiven. That I can live.”
“I’m happy for you.”
He looked at her and grinned. “I’m happy for you, too. Go and live a good life with Hayden. He’s a good man.”
She looked at her man. “Yes, I think so, too.” She went to Hayden and sat beside him. “Thank you for liking me.”
He looked at her and tucked a strand of wild hair behind her ear. “I never dreamed I would find someone who took over my heart. But you have. I can’t think of living a day without you by my side.” He took her hand in his. “I hope you don’t require a l
ong courtship.”
Her heart fluttered. “I don’t think it will be too long.” As she said the words, her heart leaped and joy lit her in warmth. No, it wouldn’t be long. Her doubts were fluttering away driven out by joy and love. Yes, she believed she did love that man.
He did fit her requirements. Tall, dark, and kind. She could see it in his eyes. He’d take care of her. Love her. And she purposed in her heart to make him happy.
Father put his arms around her. “Penelope, I hope you’ve learned a valuable lesson. You gave your mother and me quite a scare.”
“I’m sorry Father. But I’m glad. I would have never met Hayden.”
“God does work in mysterious ways.” He smiled and hugged her.
“I hope you won’t hold it against me that I didn’t like Pastor Weatherly from Chico.”
He laughed. “No, that was more your mother’s doing. She didn’t like to see you so alone and took it upon herself to make sure you had someone. Don’t worry about Carl. He’s a focused man. He’ll find someone to marry.”
***
Hayden stood guard through most of the night. He didn’t mind as it gave him time to think about Penelope and what he needed to do. He couldn’t marry her until he had something to give her.
He pondered on how quickly he’d fallen for her. At first, she angered him, but she’d caught his attention. Now, he couldn’t imagine leaving her. He wasn’t sure what his family was going to do.
Pa had talked about throwing themselves on the mercy of the sheriff and town. They’d done wrong, and he knew it. That he was willing to change gave Hayden hope for them. Hayden laughed to himself about the skunked money. Cole and Greg would have to answer for that one on their own.
The sun was just rising when she came and sat next to him. “Hayden, we can make something together. I’m a hard worker.”
He patted her hand. “I have a little money in the bank. I want to start a ranch.”
“We can work together to earn the money. I know we can.”
With a playful tug on her hair, he nodded. “Yes, we can. How are Rand and the others?”
“Fine. The bleeding stopped. The sun is out so it should warm up.” She frowned. “Do you think the sheriff will be mad about his horse?”
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