Rogue Rapids

by Shirleen Davies

  Ebenezer stepped beside him. “My son was guarding them last night. Took a bullet in the shoulder.”

  Mack’s features hardened. “Did you get Doc?”

  “Eb’s good at doctoring. He took care of his son, but—”

  “We need help finding whoever is coming after us,” Ebenezer interrupted, his patience gone.

  Mack had never seen either so agitated. For men who rarely showed emotion, it didn’t bode well.

  Elija straightened, fisted hands at his sides. “Gabe was out a few days ago, told us he didn’t have enough men to do a thorough search. We’re here to convince him otherwise.”

  All three turned at the sound of the back door opening, seeing Gabe walk inside. He took one look at the sheepherders’ faces, guessing what brought them all the way to town.

  Elija walked to him. “We’ve gotta have your help, Sheriff. We lost more sheep last night and Eb’s son was shot.”

  “Mack, go find Cash and Beau. I’m going to need their help. Then locate Dutch and send him here.”

  Nodding at Gabe, he grabbed his hat before heading out. Crossing the street, he shot a look through the windows of the boardinghouse restaurant, seeing Cash and Beau, wishing he could get a glimpse of Sylvia.

  After supper, they’d made a slow walk through town, talking the entire time. He’d wanted to take another turn, knowing the smart thing to do would be to get her back to Suzanne’s. To his surprise, she’d asked him if he’d take her to Ruby’s for the show. It had taken some fast talking, but he’d managed to dissuade her, saying he’d consider escorting her to the Palace another time.

  It was then Mack had seen the gleam in her eyes, knowing she’d been teasing him the entire time. Still, he swore he’d also seen something else flash across her face. A look he couldn’t quite define.

  After saying good night at the bottom of the boardinghouse stairs, he left with a crooked grin, securing her consent for a second supper engagement.

  Taking a quick look around the restaurant, his gaze stopped when he spotted her eating breakfast with May. He was about to move toward her when Beau’s voice stopped him.

  “Hey, Mack. Come join us.” His invitation could be heard throughout the restaurant, garnering Sylvia’s attention.

  Turning to him, she smiled, causing his heart to stutter. He couldn’t recall if he’d ever seen anything more beautiful than Sylvia when her face lit with joy. He’d gone to sleep with the same image on his mind the night before, waking to it that morning. Someday, he hoped to wake with her in his bed, instead of just a memory of her gorgeous face.

  His brain stumbled on the thought. Until that instant, he hadn’t considered anything beyond a few suppers together. The idea of something permanent with the lovely Sylvia Lucero wasn’t repugnant at all.

  Giving her a quick smile and nod, he joined Cash and Beau, providing a brief summary of what happened at the Smith ranch. Within minutes, the three left the restaurant, Mack forcing himself not to take another glance at Sylvia before walking out the door.

  Fifteen minutes later, every deputy, except Caleb, stood inside the jail, waiting for instructions from Gabe. At least one man kept watch on the town each night. Last night had been Caleb’s turn, and they all knew Gabe would let him sleep as long as possible. Judging by the mood in the jail, it wouldn’t be much longer before someone would be sent to roust him.

  “How do you want to handle this, Gabe?” Cash crossed his arms over his chest, his features grim.

  “You and Beau will ride out to the three ranches surrounding the Smith place and question them. I want to know where all their men were last night.”

  “If they’re involved, you know no one’s going to admit it.” Beau had met all three ranchers over the last year. None were anything like Dax and Luke Pelletier, who made friends easily, offering help to anyone in need.

  The Millers had been one of the first pioneers to ranch in Montana. The grandfather worked hard, adding acreage whenever he could. When he died, his son, Norman, took over. A few years ago, he’d split the land in thirds, keeping one parcel for himself while deeding the other two to his sons, Curtis and Morgan. They worked together. If the father made up his mind about something, his sons followed.

  “You’ll go to old man Miller’s place first. If they’re behind any of this, you’ll be able to get a good sense of it. The man is hard, but doesn’t hide his emotions well.” Gabe leaned back in his chair, his gaze moving to Ebenezer and Elija. “Do you two have any reason to think it’s the Millers?”

  Rubbing his stubbled chin, Elija glanced at his brother before answering. “We can’t think of anyone else it could be, Sheriff. They’ve been none too subtle about their hatred of sheep grazing near their cattle. We’ve had animals go missing in the past, but never slaughtered.”

  “How many men do you have?”

  “It’s just me and Ebenezer. Then we’ve got our boys. The oldest is fifteen.”

  Gabe rubbed the back of his neck. “Cash and Beau, I’m going to ask you to stay out at the Smith’s for a couple nights.”

  “Caleb and I will go, Gabe. There’s no sense sending them out, leaving their wives at home. Plus, if anything happens…” Mack shrugged, leaving the rest for the others to figure out.

  Gabe studied his deputy’s face a moment before nodding. “Thanks, Mack. Why don’t you let Caleb know what’s going on, then come back here. You two can follow Ebenezer and Elija to their place, take a look around where the sheep were slaughtered, then ride out to talk to the Millers.”

  “If there’s anything to be found, Caleb and I will find it.”

  Gabe nodded, no one else speaking as Mack left through the jail’s back door. He walked the short distance to the house he and Caleb shared, opened the door, and shouted his name. Pounding on the bedroom door, he shoved it open.

  “Enough beauty sleep, Caleb. Gabe has a job for us.” He chuckled when his friend shot up, looking around while rubbing his eyes.

  “What the hell, Mack? I just got to bed.”

  “It’s been five hours. Plenty of sleep for you.” He picked up a shirt carelessly dropped on the floor, tossing it at Caleb. “Get dressed. We leave in ten minutes.”

  Sylvia watched out the window of the general store, hoping to see some sign of Mack, the same as she’d done the last two days. He hadn’t come in for breakfast or supper at Suzanne’s, nor had May spotted him at the St. James Hotel. It seemed the man had disappeared.

  Adjusting items on a shelf, she took one more look through the dusty front window, seeing Dutch McFarlin take dogged steps across the street toward the Dixie. A few moments later, he came out with Nick Barnett, Suzanne’s husband and the saloon’s owner. They stopped on the boardwalk, locked in deep conversation. Several minutes passed before Dutch nodded, turning to cross the street back to the jail.

  She had the strongest urge to slip outside and intercept the deputy. He’d know where Mack had gone. A wave of embarrassment whipped through her at the thought of showing her interest, or concern, about Mack. She wasn’t quite ready to let anyone else know of the attachment she’d begun to form for the charming, if seemingly lonely, lawman. Taking a breath, she decided no harm would come from a casual inquiry.

  Sylvia’s movement toward the door stalled when it opened, a young couple with two children walking inside. The opportunity had slipped away. A forced smile appeared on her face, pushing away thoughts of Mack to focus on her job. Mr. Petermann trusted her to take care of the store while he worked in the back, and she meant to do her best.

  “May I help you find anything?”

  “Is Mr. Petermann not here today?” the woman asked.

  “He’s in the back. I’m Sylvia Lucero.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Tilly Murton. This is my husband, Ty.”

  He touched the brim of his hat. “Ma’am.”

  Tilly held out a crumpled piece of paper. “This is what we need. It’s a good bit of supplies.”

  Glancing over it, Sylvia
nodded. “Yes, it is. It will take a little while to get all this together. I should have it ready in less than an hour.”

  “That’ll be fine. I need to speak with the sheriff before taking my family to dinner.” Ty shifted his youngest boy in his arms. “Will that give you enough time?”

  The mention of the sheriff returned her thoughts to Mack. Since their supper together, everything seemed to turn her thoughts to him.

  “Yes, that’ll be fine. If your wagon is outside, I can load it while you’re gone.”

  The sharp gaze he cast at Tilly snapped to hers. “No, ma’am. I’ll be loading the wagon. If you get it all ready, I’ll take care of the rest.”

  Watching them leave, Sylvia slumped against the counter. There wasn’t a smidgeon of doubt about how much Tilly and Ty loved each other and their children. She wondered if they’d met in school when both were young with an entire future before them. Something flashed through her, a wistfulness, an almost melancholy feeling, which made no sense.

  Except she knew it did. The young couple had what she’d always wanted, something her father never understood. Love, respect, and trust. She supposed a man and woman could build mutual respect and trust over time. Love, the kind she sought, either existed or didn’t.

  The fact her father didn’t understand this still angered her, the same as it had back home in Texas. For a man who’d married her mother for love, he seemed determinedly detached from allowing his children to form the same type of union.

  Antonio Lucero ignored the fact his oldest son, Cruz, had loved the woman he meant to marry since they were children. Their father had welcomed the idea, excited at the prospect. Sylvia supposed it was because the young woman’s family ranch bordered the Lucero’s, which would eventually enlarge the dynasty her father envisioned.

  “As if he needs more land or power,” she mumbled to herself.

  “Excuse me?”

  She whipped around, hand to her chest, releasing a breath at the sight of Cash standing across the counter. “Deputy Coulter. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  He looked over his shoulder at the door. “The bell chimed. I guess you didn’t hear it.”

  “Well, what can I get you?”

  “Allie needs yellow, blue, white, and black thread for the shop. We’re also short on flour and sugar. And I’ll need some ammunition.”

  Within minutes, she’d gathered what Cash wanted. “I’ll put this on your account.”

  “Thanks, Miss Lucero. I’d best get going.” He picked up the items and started to turn away.

  “Um, Deputy Coulter?”

  A brow lifted. “Yes?”

  Her courage vanished. She’d meant to ask about Mack, needing to know he was safe, but pride stopped her.

  “Oh, it’s nothing.”

  He stood there a moment, watching her face before nodding and walking out.

  Smith Ranch

  “We’ve learned nothing about who might’ve done this.” Mack raked a hand through his hair. “I suppose we could stay a few more nights.”

  Caleb shook his head. “After talking with the Millers, I have no doubt they’re involved. They also know we’re still at the Smith’s. They won’t do anything as long as we’re here. It might be best to leave, let them relax their guard, and return in a couple days with more men.”

  Mack sat atop his horse, staring into the distance. “Gabe doesn’t have enough men to send more than two out here at a time.”

  “We sure could use at least a couple more men. He’s been thinking about hiring more deputies, but money’s a little tight. Last week, he told me the town leaders were going to meet soon to come up with a solution.”

  “The trouble is the solution may not come before it’s too late. The Millers know we don’t have enough men to take care of the town and handle threats miles away. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re the ones who rustled cattle from the Murtons and Westons. It keeps us thinner than normal. The first group of sheep were slaughtered at the same time.”

  Caleb scrubbed a hand down his face. “We were still trying to figure out the missing cattle when the second group of sheep were laughtered. As disgusting as it makes me, Ebenezer and Elija are right. The Millers are trying to run them off, and from what we’ve seen, they might very well succeed.”

  Swearing under his breath, Mack’s grip tightened on the saddle horn. “Not if I have anything to say about it. I’ve seen too many people swindled out of their land, losing their homes to greed.”

  “This is more than greed. It’s a desire to drive out anyone who doesn’t agree with the Millers’ way of life. They’re cattlemen with all the prejudices of past generations. To them, sheepherders aren’t worth the air they breathe.” A haunted looked appeared in Caleb’s eyes. He wasn’t a man who spoke much about his past, but something about this angered him beyond the normal injustice he fought.

  Mack noticed the change on his friend’s face, saying nothing, not wanting to intrude on the man’s private past. “Let’s get back to town. We’ll explain what we learned to Gabe. Maybe we can at least hire a few men long enough to help us figure out what’s happening to the Smiths, possibly finding the cattle taken from the Murtons and Westons.”

  “You’re right. Delaying the return won’t help the Smiths. We have to come up with a plan. Running them out of the area isn’t acceptable.” Caleb’s hard voice said more than his words. Something deep inside drove him to make certain the Smiths could continue making a living the only way they knew how. A look of determination hardened the deep lines on his face. Without another word, he reined his horse around, Mack following.

  The ride to town seemed to take forever, longer than the trip out. Mack kept his mind occupied, switching between the problems at the Smith ranch and a more pleasurable topic—Sylvia. She hadn’t been far from his thoughts the last two days. As odd and uncomfortable as it seemed, he missed her.

  After his first experience with love ended in disaster, he had no desire to try it again. Not even with someone as lovely as Sylvia Lucero.

  Memories of the woman he’d once loved raked over him as they continued along the trail. Unbeknownst to him, his fiancée hadn’t spent much time alone after Mack left to serve the Union.

  They’d known each other for years, fallen in love, and planned to marry when he returned after the war. The thought he wouldn’t return never occurred to either of them. Now he understood why his leaving didn’t seem to bother her. She already had other plans, which didn’t include him.

  At some point, her affections switched from Mack to his cousin, and he’d never suspected anything. She’d never broken their engagement, and his parents had not seen fit to forewarn him. Instead, he’d learned of her marriage to his cousin while preparing for another battle. It came as a brief mention in a letter from an aunt, as if the news meant nothing to him. The callous actions of his entire family stunned him. As far as Mack was concerned, he no longer had a family. He didn’t need people in his life who betrayed him. It was also why he hadn’t considered marriage again—until meeting Sylvia.

  Mack had no objection to marriage or raising a family. He knew love didn’t have to be a part of a union benefiting both people. Sylvia was a beautiful, vivacious young woman—someone he could forge a life with, even if it didn’t include love. He already liked her, respected her—two important aspects of a marriage. Wooing her wouldn’t be a hardship.

  The toughest job would be convincing her of his way of thinking.

  Chapter Six

  Splendor

  “The town leaders approved two more deputies. I’m sure Dax’s strong support made a big difference. Cash and Mack are riding to Big Pine tomorrow to talk with Sheriff Parker Sterling. Last I heard, the town is growing faster than the jobs. With any luck at all, the boys will come back with a couple more men.” Gabe let out a deep breath, lines of frustration on his face.

  Mack and Caleb had spent considerable time explaining what they hadn’t been able to find during their stay at the
Smith ranch. Dead animals and horse prints, but nothing else. Meeting with the Millers had been a waste of time.

  “The territorial capital is your best chance of finding men quickly.” Mack pinched the bridge of his nose. “Have you sent telegrams anywhere else?”

  Gabe shook his head. “I thought I’d wait until the boys return. If they don’t bring back anyone, I’ll send word to all the big towns within a few days’ ride.”

  Mack stood, walking to the window to glance outside. As soon as they were finished, he’d take a bath and hunt down Sylvia, hoping she hadn’t already made plans for supper. It wasn’t what he should do. As tired as he was, Mack knew he should stay home, get a good night’s sleep, and look for her tomorrow.

  That’s not going to happen, he mused.

  “Dutch and I are working tonight. You two get supper and sleep.” Gabe chuckled. “You both look like you’re about ready to fall over.”

  “See you at first light tomorrow.” Mack headed out the back door, Caleb not far behind him.

  “Where are you headed in such a hurry?”

  Mack shot him a quick glance. “I’d think the same as you. I’m in need of a bath before getting a table at Suzanne’s.”

  Caleb snorted, shaking his head. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were trying to impress someone.”

  “You’d be wrong. I just don’t want to chase out any of Suzanne’s customers because of the smell.” Mack threw open the door of the house they shared, wasting no time building a fire in the stove and placing the pot of water they kept beside it on top. He wouldn’t wait for it to get hot. All he wanted was for it to be warm enough to dip in a rag and drag it over his grimy body. Tomorrow, when he wasn’t in such a rush, he’d take a real bath.

  Tossing off his dirt-encrusted clothes, he grabbed two rags from the cupboard, throwing one to Caleb. He nodded at the water. “Help yourself.”

  Rushing through the process of cleaning and dressing, they were back outside twenty minutes later. Neither spoke as they made the short walk to the boardinghouse.