A few lengths behind the boys, Nolan rode into the ranch yard just before dark. Nate and Jesse prattled over one another, planning a fishing trip. Jesse promised to take the boy to the Platte River near Fort Laramie.
“The huntin’s good there too,” Jesse said. “Maybe we’ll kill us a bison. We can pack the meat, or most of it, and skin the hide and make ya a big blanket like the Injuns keep warm with.”
At that, Nolan’s little boy was all smiles.
Nolan’s mood was not so good as those two, irked with himself for riding the whole way to Bear Meadow and coming out with no information. Where had that woman’s man gone and so soon after getting supplies in town? Had he been out checking traps? Why not take the boy that was around Nate’s age and teach him? The woman would have given a better excuse, other than not knowing, had her man’s work been the day-to-day sort. Then again, she’d been so defensive she might say anything to protect him. It certainly made Nolan think those two were involved in breaking the law, possibly those abductions.
“Pa, you should come campin’ with me and Jesse when we go.”
“Nathanial, not now.” Nolan needed quiet. His mind was rolling with too many questions, too many possibilities where that couple was concerned.
“You’re a grump,” Nate fired back.
Nolan twisted in the saddle, giving his son a hard look.
Jesse angled his mare, slipping between them, pushing Buck and Nate out of Nolan’s reach. Not that he was going to take hold of the child. However, he would not tolerate disrespect.
“Don’t speak to your father that way.” Jesse scolded the boy.
It was a clear sign that Nolan needed rest, not just a good night’s sleep. He was in desperate need of letting go of work for a while. Not long. A few days would do to step away from his sheriff’s duties and breathe in some fresh air. But he couldn’t, not now, especially with him thinking that couple was involved in something illegal. Birch Creek would be just the ticket, except the trip would take more than a few days. He couldn’t spare that. Perhaps another time. Nate would be disappointed, but he could take off a few hours and they could go fishing.
Kate stepped out of the house, giving a holler from the porch. “Supper’s about ready. Come wash up.”
A good hot meal might put his mood to rights.
“Pa, can I jump the fence?” The boy was prancing Buck, ready for the word go, and he would be off. He’d been told no countless times before this. That son of his would push and push if he thought he could get away with something. And in this case, he could end up breaking his darn fool little neck if the mustang didn’t make the jump. How many times did Nathanial need to be told?
“Hell no.” Nolan could feel the heat in his cheeks, and he was near ready to grab hold and shake the brassiness right out of the boy.
Jesse snickered.
Nolan shot him a hard glare. Laughter would only serve to encourage Nathanial. At the moment, he didn’t want to deal with either knucklehead. A soak in a steamy tub and a shot of whiskey was what he wished for.
Nathanial snorted, but the boy did pull up reins at the corral fence instead of doing as he pleased, which sometimes his orneriness led him to do. At those times, Nolan was forced to take a hand to the child.
“We’ll jump the fence the next time Pa ain’t lookin’.” The disobedient cuss hadn’t whispered softly enough into Buck’s ear.
“I oughta spank ya for even thinkin’ about jumpin’ the fence.” Nolan shook his head.
Nathanial quickly looked at Jesse. They were partners, and the boy wanted out of trouble.
Jesse put his hands up. No help there. “Sorry, little partner. I don’t wanna see ya break your head. I can’t believe ya asked in the first place.”
With a long pout on his face, Nate slid out of the saddle and led the mustang into the corral. Nolan carried Nate’s saddle, plus his own, into the barn, the child on his heels. While he stored the tack and then the entire walk to the house, Nathanial pestered about going to Birch Creek.
“When ya gonna ask Ma?” He anxiously bounced up the porch steps next to Nolan. They stepped inside behind Jesse.
“Suppose after supper.” Nolan hung his hat on a peg just inside the door. He wouldn’t be able to go with this new development, but Jesse might take the family. Though, he was looking forward to the Shorts’ picnic with Kristy, so it wasn’t a guarantee.
The child’s impatience turned from bouncing into something vastly different. He stiffened and stomped his feet.
“Why can’t you ask before we eat?” Nate’s voice was pure whine, which he knew did nothing but annoy his father.
Nolan was one breath away from unbuckling his belt. If he got one more boo-hoo about anything, that would be it. Nate was awful close to having his behind warmed.
“No.” The word cracked off his tongue like a whip.
Jesse pushed his little partner toward the table. Nathanial threw himself into his chair.
“Go wash your hands,” Nolan barked. He wanted to talk to Kate privately about going to Birch Creek. It had sounded like fun and would get her out of the house, be a break for her. He figured he’d at least mention it, but he wouldn’t allow her to travel alone. So unless Jesse agreed to go, no one would.
Kate had him worried. At this very moment, she was green around the gills. That seemed to be happening more often, though she didn’t appear distressed about it at all. There was one other time he could recall she’d had the same symptoms. Surely, if it was that, she would have told him. They hadn’t had much couple time lately, barely a few words. He’d fall into bed at night, exhausted, and if she wasn’t already asleep, she was tending to one of the kids. They needed to talk, and not just about a getaway trip.
Kate had just sat down at the table with her plate of barely anything when Nate loudly cleared his throat.
“Pa has somethin’ important to ask ya.” Their rotten brat was batting his eyes at his mama. “You look real pretty, Ma.” He smiled oh so sweetly.
Nolan was none too happy. And if he wasn’t so blasted tired, he would have dragged Nate away from the table and blistered his hide. Instead, he just gave him a hard glare that the boy ignored by not looking his way, his long lashes still fluttering at his ma.
“I was gonna pick ya some wildflowers, but I got busy with my deputy duties.” Nathanial shook his head as if sorely disappointed in himself. “To make up for that, Jesse’ll do the dishes tonight while you relax or knit or whatever you choose to do.” He offered Jesse up as a slave for the evening. The boy had laid it on a mite thick, irritating Nolan further.
Kate outright laughed. “What do you want, Nathanial?”
Before he could recover from the shock of being called out, Jesse came awake and looked up from his plate with his mouth stuffed full of stew, his cheeks like a chipmunk’s.
“What?” Jesse protested. Food particles sprayed over his lips and across the table. “Partner, if you wanna go to Birch Creek, then you do the dishes.” Jesse gulped down the glob, maybe unchewed.
“Birch Creek!” Kate was flabbergasted and stared past the boys at Nolan.
At no time had Birch Creek ever been a spur-of-the-moment trip for them. It took planning. They had a ranch and stock that required daily tending. It was a long journey, one that required a fair amount of supplies when traveling with a family. Though, Nolan would be at home this time and could take care of things around the house and in town. The rest of them could manage to go last minute if she had a mind to.
“Give your ma the letter from Deputy,” Nolan said.
The boy pulled it quickly out from under his shirt and excitedly handed it over.
“Deputy Huckabee. I might have known.” Kate’s eyes traveled over the script as she read. “Come anyway, even if yer ma and pa say no.” Her lips thinned severely, and Nathanial slid down in his chair.
Nolan reckoned no would be the answer. Those two yahoos were too often trouble when they got together, added to the poor way she’d been feeling lately
. Although, her long silence after folding the paper and handing it back to their son was a good sign that she was seriously considering it. Every second of that time, Nate kept begging with his big blue eyes. Kate and Constance, Marshal Huckabee’s wife, exchanged letters several times a month. Women liked the company of other women, liked to talk of lady things, kids, recipes, and dress patterns and such. It’d be nice for them to have these conversations face to face for once instead of waiting a week or two for correspondence.
A growing excitement made Nathanial’s little face glow as he waited for Ma to say the word. His fingers crossed on both hands, and no one at the table could mistake his giddiness for anything but joy at the thought of seeing his good friend. Even Jesse, who had volunteered to stay behind but would be going if Nolan could convince him, had stopped making a hog of himself and was on the edge of his chair. Nolan found that he, too, was holding his breath.
She gently placed her hand over his. Was he about to hear a list of reasons why she didn’t want to go? Was she sicker than she was letting on? If that were true, then right away tomorrow morning, he would take her to see Doc Martin. Nolan would then at least find out if she was expecting. Maybe it was too early for her to be sure, but Doc … Well, he’d delivered lots of babies. He would be able to diagnosis her symptoms. And Nolan wasn’t about to ask in front of Nathanial, who had acted out in the past when jealous.
“We should go.” She flashed a stunningly beautiful smile. Nolan would never tire of it. He was just sorry he couldn’t go. Time alone with her and the kids sounded wonderful.
“There’s one thing.” Nolan didn’t know how to say it. His wife would want him at her side, especially since she wasn’t feeling well. “I have to stay here.”
Nathanial jumped up, nearly knocking his chair over backward. “Thought you said … Now you’re not going either?” He smacked a hand on the table.
“Nolan, why bring it up if you can’t go with us?” Kate’s eyes glistened. “Then we won’t go.”
“What?” Nathanial shoved his plate away. “Jesse can be sheriff. He knows how. You taught him.”
“Nathanial, settle down,” Kate snapped.
“I was hopin’ Jesse would change his mind and take my place.” Nolan glanced at his older son.
Jesse shook his head. “I’m sorry. I got somethin’ special planned on the fourth. Been meanin’ to talk to ya about it. Just haven’t had the chance.”
Nathanial turned and ran out of the house. “I’m going,” he hollered over his shoulder. Then the door slammed behind him.
Jesse stood. “I’ll get him.” He turned back after a few steps. “I can handle things here. I understand that watchin’ over the town is a huge responsibility. I won’t let ya down.” He stared straight into Nolan’s eyes, his gaze never wavering. “If you’re worried about that couple, I’ll keep my eyes on them. Planned on tryin’ to trail him tomorrow.”
“Son, it’s not that I don’t trust you. I do. I’m just worried there’s more goin’ on than we initially thought. That couple’s trouble. If anything should happen to you and I ain’t here, I’d never forgive myself.”
“Yes, sir … But might I remind you that I am your deputy? Let me do this. You go with Kate and the kids. If I run into any problem too big, I’ll have Ned send a wire. And Big John is always willin’ to help at the jailhouse. If I would need more assistance than that, Shorty and some of his men can help. You know they would.”
Jesse was a bright young man, a fast learner, strong as an ox, and had enough nerve for three men. No one could forget that boy’s skill with his Winchester. At almost nineteen, he was practically a legend. Nolan had sent him alone on assignments, but never out from under wing for more than a week. It was just scary since Jesse was like a son, but he was right. He was capable of handling things there. They hadn’t actually found any sign of that couple being involved in the stealing of women. What he was feeling was a strong hunch, believing they were guilty of something.
“I’ll help you track him tomorrow. Depending on what we find, maybe I’ll take the family to Birch Creek.”
Jesse grinned.
Kate reached over and squeezed Nolan’s hand. By the smile on her face, he could see she was pleased. As much as he would hate to make that shine fade, if he wasn’t certain there was no threat to the citizens of Gray Rock, including Jesse, they wouldn’t go anywhere until this matter was settled. And Nathanial would have to understand that.
“Partner will be happy to hear it.” Jesse rushed out the door.
CHAPTER 4
After breakfast, Nolan and Jesse hit the trails, steering their mounts toward Bear Meadow while Kate and the children headed into town. Flour, coffee, and a few other items were on her list of supplies for traveling—if Nolan’s work didn’t keep them at home. That morning before the rooster crowed, Nate had landed in bed with them, bouncing as he pestered, going on about packing, adding a few pleases and batting those long lashes. Plain and simple, that boy was a pain in the ass sometimes. But Kate had a good point. All the necessities, common goods, could be packed in their pantry.
Nolan wasn’t sure what they might find today, and he’d given no hint of going to Birch Creek, not wishing to overexcite Nathanial. He had okayed Kate buying the supplies, and she seemed nearly as excited as their son.
Jesse pulled up reins a hundred yards from the shack, his eyes studying the ground. “Single rider.” With a finger, he pointed, drawing a line in the air to the south.
Indian country. According to the mountain woman, the Cheyenne were on the prowl. Not a good time to be riding that way. A desperate or wanted man might, though. Nolan didn’t know that the fella they were hunting was either. That sassy woman could have warned her man, and he probably figured they’d be back. Was this sign of him hightailing it out of there, slipping away from jail time or a noose?
“Bet our man’s gone. These hoofprints are right in line with that shack.” Jesse nudged his mare toward the little house. Smoke puffed out of the chimney and over the treetops. “I say we talk to her first, then trail him.” Jesse nodded, agreeing with himself.
Nolan touched spurs to the bay. That was exactly his thinking.
No kids were running around. The wagon that had been there during their last visit was missing. The dozen or so pelts that had been lying around were all gone. The house was too quiet, not a single noise coming from inside. Odd, given that five children resided there.
Nolan tossed his reins to Jesse. He stepped up to the door and pounded two, three times. A bird called from a branch somewhere behind the shack. Where had she gone? No one that he knew of in town dealt in furs. He jiggled the knob, opening the door.
The room was clean, spotless. Quite a surprise, given that the brood he had seen wore strong evidence of outside chores. Wood crackled in the fireplace. That fire would have been outed had everyone left. Someone had it jumping. Strange since it was the end of June and hot as hell. Sweat trickled down his back.
Four chairs without occupants sat on each side of a small table, center room, but tin plates had been laid out. A pallet of three or four patchwork haps was stacked all messy in a corner. He pushed the door farther without stepping inside, that sense of being watched making him breathe rapidly.
Without warning, a boy—the one about Nate’s age—swinging a sizeable chunk of kindling leaped from behind the door, aiming at Nolan’s belt buckle.
He sprang back, hands flying up as the kid missed and whacked against the doorframe, sending a shudder through him and causing him to drop the slab. Nolan, accustomed to reacting quickly, grabbed the little bugger, who let out hollering as though he were being whipped. He had not recovered swiftly enough to run and hide, which scared kids would do. Poor boy. His eyes were stretched grotesquely wide, and Nolan swore he could hear the child’s heart pounding even over his shrieks. God only knew what he’d been told about lawmen. The wetness in his round eyes indicated a fear of staring helplessly at his demise, which was the furthest
thing from the truth.
“I ain’t gonna hurt ya, son.” Nolan slowly released his grip on the boy’s shoulders.
The child stood stiff as a board, not even blinking. He was obviously alone, or he wouldn’t have been so frightened.
“Where’s your ma and pa?” Nolan had no intention of petrifying the kid more by hounding him with questions he probably didn’t know the answers to anyway.
The boy wiped at his eyes while glancing between Nolan and Jesse, who was off his horse and stood nearby. Given a chance, that kid still might run. He seemed to be considering it.
“I ain’t supposed to talk to you, either of ya.” His little voice was so soft Nolan barely made out the words.
Nolan hunkered in front of the kid, who stared at the ground as though he could dig a hole with his mind and disappear, shifting from one foot to the other repeatedly.
“Son, look at me.”
The kid hesitantly raised his head, even slower to make eye contact.
“Do you know when your ma and pa will be back?”
The little fella shook his head. Nolan glanced over his shoulder at the wagon tracks that rutted the yard. The boy’s mother would return. It wasn’t likely that she just up and ran, leaving him behind. What kind of woman would do that? Besides that, why have five if you didn’t like kids?
“Ah-choo, ah-choo, ah-choo …” Three sneezes in a row, then a blow horned from inside.
Nolan’s head spun on his shoulders. He stood, staring into the blackened room. Sunlight overhead made it appear as a cavern would. He could see no farther than a foot inside. Eyes narrowed, he searched every dark inch. He had started backward at the kid’s earlier swing, which put him three or four feet from the open doorway.
Jesse had drawn his pistol, and Nolan’s right hand, of its own will, came to rest on the butt of his revolver.
The kid suddenly bounded forward with one great leap, tearing Nolan’s hand away from his holster. “She’s sick. Don’t hurt her.” Tears cascaded down his face.
“Willie,” a frail, quivery voice called.
Nathanial Page 3