by Regina Scott
“Once the denizens of the Geyser Gateway arrived with news of the fire, he had to realize it was keeping us busy,” Will pointed out.
“But did he need to learn about the fire from Alberta and the others?” she asked, eyes narrowing. “Or could he have set it after all, to flush game?”
“I wondered the same thing, but you said it yourself: there were no major herds in the area.”
Her eyes widened, and she clutched his arm. “That’s it, Will! He located that one bison north of here. He must believe there are others nearby. He was trying to scare them into moving and revealing themselves.”
Will nodded. “The season’s nearly over. Nadler found his pack and the buffalo hide and pieces. Jessup must have nothing to show for his efforts. He’s getting desperate.”
And desperate men did desperate things, which meant Kate, Danny, and her beloved buffalo were in danger.
26
Jessup, in her own backyard? Kate’s hands bunched at her sides. The need to run to their special spot, count every shaggy head, nearly pushed her out the door. But Will had the right of it. Better to track this rumor to its source.
Still, she was on pins and needles for the rest of the afternoon, until he returned from the guard station.
“No sign of him,” he reported, hitching Bess to the post as Kate leaned out over the veranda railing. “No one noticed which way he went when he left. No one knew where he’d been holed up before reaching the hotel. But we’re alerted to his presence now, Kate. If he’s still in Yellowstone, we’ll find him.”
She wished she could believe that. Will and his commander had thought Jessup gone twice before. He could have headed anywhere in the millions of acres that composed Yellowstone. The cavalry could only cover so much ground.
So could Will. He pulled off his gauntlet. “I’ll walk the geyser field. Care to join me?” He held out his hand.
Miss Pringle and Mrs. Pettijohn were inside packing. Mr. Jones remained closeted in his room. No other visitors from the Fire Hole were on the field. There was no reason to patrol, but she recognized the gesture. A gentleman courting a lady might ask her to walk through the park on a Sunday afternoon. Here the park was all around.
Kate came down the steps and took his hand. “I’d be delighted.”
How many times had she strolled this path over the years? It had never felt so comfortable, so companionable.
“Which one’s your favorite?” he asked as if they were discussing dresses instead of mighty geysers.
“Jelly,” she admitted with a nod toward the southwest. “The color reminds me of huckleberries. What about you?”
“I like something with a little more height,” he said as they rounded the mud pots. He raised his voice over the plop-plop. “Fountain reaches for the sky.”
“We’ll have to go back to the Norris Geyser Basin,” she said as they turned for Silex Spring, the scent of sulfur hovering like a dandy’s perfume. “Steamboat Geyser can reach three hundred feet. It’s the largest in the park.”
He tucked her arm closer. “If we go back to Norris, it will be after I leave the Army. I’m not sharing you with Nadler and his men again.”
Kate glanced at him in surprise. “Why, Will, were you jealous?”
His gaze went out over the geysers to the west of them, where Clepsydra was spouting off with puffs of steam. “More than I should have been, I suppose. Seems I still want my share of the attention.”
She squeezed his arm, and he returned his gaze to hers. “You don’t have to worry,” she promised him. “To me, you’re as magnificent as Fountain Geyser. I realized when we were at Mammoth Hot Springs that the other cavalrymen are just mud pots.”
“That’s mighty high praise, ma’am,” he said, but his moss-colored eyes danced with laughter. “At least you didn’t call me Old Faithful. I’d hate to think I was that predictable.”
“There’s a great deal to be said for predictability,” she assured him, leading him toward the Celestine Pool and out of a plume of sulfur. “I admit that’s one thing I like about you, Will. I can count on you.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back. “Always and forever.”
Always and forever. She could get used to that.
They said goodbye to Pansy, Caleb, Miss Pringle, and Mrs. Pettijohn the next morning. Because Elijah’s stagecoach wouldn’t be repaired for some time, Kate’s guests had arranged for a Wakefield and Hoffman stage to carry them and Kate’s staff north. Pansy hugged Danny and Kate, tears shining in her eyes.
“You will be careful, now?” she begged.
“We will,” Kate promised.
Caleb ducked his head respectfully, but his gaze, when he looked at Kate, held more confidence than she’d ever seen. “I’m going home to my ma and pa’s ranch, Mrs. Tremaine, but I hope to come back next spring.”
“We’ll be glad to have you,” Kate told him.
With a shy smile, he boarded the coach.
“At least we didn’t have to travel in Mr. Boyne’s wagon again,” Miss Pringle said as Will and Private Smith helped load her things onto the coach. “I felt like a sack of bone meal.”
“More like a cask of fine wine,” her sister corrected her, adjusting her feathered hat.
“Thank you for staying with us at the Geyser Gateway,” Kate told them, the familiar farewell even more heartfelt this time. “I hope you’ll come again.”
“At our age, it isn’t wise to make promises, dear,” Miss Pringle said with a sigh.
“Nonsense,” Mrs. Pettijohn declared. “We will see you next season, Mrs. Tremaine.” She leveled her gaze on Will. “And I expect you to have made considerable progress before then, Lieutenant. Faint heart never won fair lady.”
Will saluted her. “Ma’am. I will do my utmost.”
Miss Pringle nodded. “I would expect no less from the US Cavalry.”
Private Smith retreated to the porch, but Danny ran beside the coach until it passed the geyser field, and Kate waved until the vehicle disappeared beyond the curve of the road.
“Some guests become more than visitors,” she explained when Will glanced her way.
“That’s my hope,” he said.
Kate smiled as Danny ran back to them. “You don’t need to hope, Will. You graduated from visitor to family days ago.”
Danny gave a little skip as he came up to them. “And you’re going to stay with us always.”
Will took Kate’s hand. “How long is always?”
Danny spread his arms as wide as they could go. “This long.”
“That’s a long time,” Will acknowledged. “You sure you want me here always?”
“Sure!” Danny dropped his arms. “We like you.”
“You promised Elijah you would help him this morning with his coach,” Kate reminded him. “You better get going.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He ran for the barn.
Kate turned to Will. “Join us for dinner?”
He touched his hat. “I’d be honored.”
“No honor involved. You heard Danny. We like you.”
He raised a brow. “We?”
“Danny, Alberta, Elijah.”
“But not Kate?”
She laughed. “Oh, most especially Kate. I thought I’d made that clear.”
“Fairly clear,” he said, taking a step closer. “But I wouldn’t mind another demonstration.”
His eyes looked soft, his lips even softer. Though she knew Private Smith was watching, Kate stood up on her toes and pressed a kiss to Will’s cheek. He was grinning as she stepped back.
“Smith,” he called, and his private came down the steps to remount with a sigh.
She smiled as they headed south toward the Grand Prismatic Spring. She was still smiling an hour later when two riders reined in at the front of the hotel.
Brush in her hands, she paused in painting the southwest wall. Only one saddlebag—they weren’t touring. And those tooled leather boots were a little too fancy for men loo
king for work.
“Welcome to the Geyser Gateway,” she called as they hitched their horses. “How can I help you?”
The taller of the two adjusted his wide-brimmed tan hat. “We’re looking for Mrs. Tremaine.”
“You’ve found her.” Kate put the brush in the paint can and headed down the veranda.
They came up the steps, long coats back over the holsters on their hips. Six guns, in the park? Though they were both taller than she was, she refused to back away.
The one who had spoken held out a piece of paper, while his stockier companion glanced around.
“This is from the Virginia City Outfitters,” the taller man said.
Kate accepted the paper with a frown. “We have mail. No need for special delivery.”
“It was important that you receive it,” he said. “We’re here to take back your answer.”
Kate opened the note, scanned the words, then shook her head. “This offer is less than the last one they made. I refused it. I refuse this.”
He cocked his head, sending lank brown hair along one cheek. His face had been weathered into hard lines, or maybe it was the steely gray of his eyes that made him seem as immovable as granite.
“You sure about that?” he asked. “It can’t be safe for a widow out here all alone.”
She should have brought her paintbrush with her. Let him look so smug with a stripe of yellow down his chest.
“I do all right,” she told him. “Tell your employer the answer is no.”
He straightened. “That’s a real shame. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to your little boy.”
Cold doused her. “You leave Danny out of this!”
He lowered his head to meet her gaze. “I’m not the one putting him in danger. You are. If you’re smart, you’ll take the money and go.”
She could hardly breathe. “Get off my land.”
He straightened with a smirk. “It’s not your land, is it? This is government property. You have a lease, and a short one at that. How much money do you think this place will be worth when the Department of the Interior refuses to renew?”
“Alberta!” Kate shouted. “Bring me my rifle!”
“Is there a problem, Mrs. Tremaine?”
Will’s rough voice had never sounded dearer. The men in front of her turned, hands on their guns, and she saw him on Bess, rifle in his arms. Private Smith rode beside him.
The taller man held up both hands. “No problem, Lieutenant. We were just leaving.” He glanced back at Kate. “I hope you take my advice, Mrs. Tremaine.”
“Never,” Kate spat out.
With a grim smile, he and his companion descended the steps to unhitch their horses under Will’s sharp gaze.
“I’ll see you up the road,” he told them. “The terrain is trickier than it looks. We wouldn’t want you getting lost on your way out of the park. Smith, stay with Mrs. Tremaine.”
Rifle in his grip, he directed Bess with his knees and followed them from the yard.
“Are you all right, Mrs. Tremaine?” Private Smith asked solicitously. “Perhaps a piece of Alberta’s excellent pie is called for.”
That made her smile. “Yes, Private. By all means, ask Alberta for pie. I’ll be here, keeping an eye out for Will.”
Hired guns, in the park. Who would have thought it possible? All Will knew was that he never wanted to see such a look on Kate’s face again—half defiance, half terror.
“Just what did you advise Mrs. Tremaine?” he asked as he herded the two men north toward the Fire Hole area, rifle at the ready.
“The Virginia City Outfitters made her a fair offer to buy her lease,” the taller tossed back over his shoulder. “Not our fault she refused to listen to reason.”
Will spurred Bess and passed them, then wheeled his horse to confront them, forcing them to rein in. “You tell your employer that Mrs. Tremaine has the trust and admiration of the US Cavalry. You threaten her at your peril.”
It was a bluff. He had no authority to bring in the cavalry, even though each of his men would likely have stood by Kate.
The taller man knocked one finger to the brim of his hat. “Appreciate the warning, Lieutenant. You might carry a similar one to the lady. The Virginia City Outfitters don’t take kindly to refusal. She’d be wiser to leave while she can.”
“So would you,” Will said. “If I see you around these parts again, I’ll arrest you for squatting. Ride north, and don’t look back.”
“Lieutenant.”
Will directed Bess out of their way and watched until they disappeared among the pines. Then he stayed where he was for another quarter hour to make sure they didn’t double back.
He found Kate, Alberta, and Smith on the porch when he returned. An empty plate and fork in his lap, Smith had his pistol drawn, Kate had her rifle in her arms, and Alberta cradled a cast iron fry pan as if she knew how to use it for other than cooking.
“Are they gone?” Kate demanded.
“For now.” Will swung down and hitched Bess. “Is it true? The Virginia City Outfitters made you another offer?”
She leaned back as if to distance herself from the very idea. “A ridiculous offer. I refused it like I refused the others.”
“Bullies and louts,” Alberta pronounced, gripping her pan tighter.
“I’ll send word to Captain Harris,” Will said, climbing the steps. “He needs to know there may be hired guns in the park.”
“Thank you.” Kate drew a deep breath. “And thank you, Alberta and Private Smith, for keeping watch with me. I should let you get back to your duties.”
“I have more pies to bake,” Alberta said, rising. She nodded to Will and Smith, who stood as well. “I expect you both for a piece later.”
Will joined his private in saluting her. “Ma’am.”
Kate climbed to her feet as Alberta headed into the inn. “I should check on Elijah and Danny.”
“Give me a moment, then I’ll join you,” Will said. She nodded and headed for the barn.
Will turned to Smith.
“Mrs. Tremaine was threatened, and you sit eating pie.”
Smith patted the holster at his side. “With pistol at the ready.”
Will drew in a breath. “Smith, you try my patience.”
“The feeling is mutual,” his private said with a sorrowful sigh.
He would not allow the fellow to make him lose his temper. “Walk the geyser field.”
“With all due respect, Lieutenant, there’s no need. The last of the guests left. Might I suggest I could be put to better use?”
“Doing what?” Will asked, eyes narrowing.
“Surveying the hotel interior,” Smith said. “Developing a plan for our winter accommodations.”
“Making sure you get the best bed,” Will guessed.
“See how well you know me?” Smith asked with a smile.
“But I don’t know you,” Will told him. “You served on a riverboat, you know something about fine manners, and you have trouble with cards.”
“Oh, I have no trouble with cards,” Smith corrected him. “It’s the people holding the cards who trouble me.” He tilted to one side and peered around Will toward the barn as if making sure no one else was in hearing distance. Then he straightened and met Will’s gaze.
“I’m the last of a long line of gamblers, Lieutenant. I plied my trade between New Orleans and Memphis. I wore fine suits, smoked the best cigars. I never seemed to lose, even when it was in my best interest. I played against the owner of a riverboat and won, but he wasn’t inclined to give me the boat he’d bet.”
“Imagine that,” Will drawled.
“Not a gentleman,” Smith agreed. “Worse, he offered five hundred dollars to anyone who would bring him my head, not necessarily attached to my body. He seemed to think I’d cheated.”
Will eyed him. “Did you?”
Smith smiled. “I didn’t need to cheat. But that didn’t matter. I soon learned I was safest among well-armed men. So, I
joined the military and ended up in the cavalry.”
“I’m guessing that means Smith isn’t your real name.”
He shuddered. “Certainly not. But it serves its purpose. So, you see, Lieutenant, I know how it feels to run from your past.”
“You should also know that I’ve told Mrs. Tremaine about mine.”
Smith pressed his fingertips together. “Oh, happy day. That only leaves the rest of the detachment.”
Will shook his head. “Tell, then, if it suits you. I will work the rest of my life to atone for that day. If Lercher, Waxworth, and the others want to be reassigned, I’ll understand.”
Smith clucked his tongue. “How noble. And shortsighted. I just gave you everything you need to blackmail me in return, Lieutenant. Consider it my wedding gift.”
Will stared at him. “Why would you do that?”
Smith leaned closer. “Because you actually are the better man, whether you want to believe it or not.” He straightened. “And here comes the lovely Mrs. Tremaine, apparently still concerned.”
Will turned. Kate hurried toward them, face tight and pale. He felt as if someone had struck his spine with a hammer, her fear ricocheting up him.
“Will,” she said breathlessly as she reached his side, “Elijah said Danny went for lemonade, but he wasn’t in the kitchen, and he didn’t answer my call. Something terrible has happened. I know it.”
27
Kate’s heart raced with her thoughts. Where could Danny be that he didn’t answer her? He knew not to stray far from the inn. Could those riders have returned, kidnapped him?
Will took her in his arms. For once, his strength brought little comfort.
“It’s all right, Kate,” he said against her hair. “We’ll find him. Go get Alberta and Mr. Jones.” He pulled back and nodded to his man. “Smith, fetch Elijah.”
The private dashed for the barn. It dawned on Kate that it was the first time she’d ever seen him run.
She managed a breath, then made herself return to the hotel. Once again, the place felt empty, and she knew it was because of the lack of a little boy. Fear tiptoed closer, reached for her. She shoved through the door to the kitchen and Alberta’s warmth.