Safe Havens Bundle

by Sandy James

  No wonder—so had hers. Her family was dead to her now.

  Hearing Ty’s accusation aloud filled Cassie’s heart with more guilt over the pain she’d brought to these people. Robert had tried to get one husband out of the way before he could take her as his wife to please her despicable uncle.

  Drew’s gaze found Cassie’s. “‘From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.’”

  “For God’s sake,” Ty said, taking his hat off and slamming it to the floor. “I’ve had it with the way you and Cassie talk. What in the hell did you just say?”

  “He said the same thing you did,” Matthew replied. “It was the Shays.”

  The marshal stared at Cassie, and she saw the indictment in his eyes.

  Or was it her own guilt that plagued her perception?

  All she could think was that if she’d never come here so many bad things would never have happened to so many good people.

  Drew squeezed her hand. “Stop it, Cass.”

  A tear spilled from the corner of her eye. “I am so sorry, Drew.”

  “This wasn’t your fault,” Ty insisted with a scowl cold enough to make her shiver.

  She instinctively let go of Drew’s hand and covered Ty’s where it again rested on her shoulder. Like her concern for Drew, her fears for Ty’s safety ran bone-deep. She couldn’t even look at Drew’s injuries without panic setting in as she pictured Ty suffering a similar fate—or worse.

  And all because a man she didn’t wish to marry sought to lay claim to a fortune she didn’t even want.

  She closed her eyes and straightened her spine as the solution hit her hard enough to make her gasp.

  This time, Cassie wasn’t running away from something—she was running to it. There would be no new adventure for her. No, there would only be life with a man she despised.

  “It’s the only way,” she whispered.

  “Pardon?” Drew asked.

  She gave her head a quick shake, sniffing back tears.

  “Tell me!” Ty demanded.

  Knowing what she had to do now to keep everyone out of harm’s reach, she resigned herself to her fate. Force of habit made the Bible’s words fall from her lips. “‘To obey is better than to sacrifice.’”

  “Cass, no,” Drew said in a breathless whisper.

  If he hadn’t already slammed his hat to the ground, Ty would have done so when Cassie said yet another thing he didn’t quite understand. While it had seemed like a harmless little game between her and Drew, this wasn’t the time or the place for them to toss around stilted quotes. If the Shays were truly trying to get to her again, there were plans to be made. Quickly.

  “What in the hell are you talking about?” he asked. “Who is going to obey and who is going to sacrifice?”

  Not surprisingly, Drew replied. “She is planning to sacrifice herself and obey her family to keep me safe.” His tone was barely restrained fury—the same fury flowing through Ty at the thought of her doing something so ridiculous.

  “The hell she is!” Ty knew Drew was right when Cassie didn’t immediately turn around and scold him not only for cursing but for ordering her around. “You’re not going anywhere, Cassie!”

  Staring at the floor, she said nothing.

  He wanted to shake some sense into her. “Not only are you not going anywhere, you ain’t getting outta my sight ’til this is all settled.”

  “What is there to settle?” Her voice was whisper quiet.

  The defeat in her voice frightened him. He hadn’t given up, why should she? “Lots. There’s lots to settle. But not yet. Not now.”

  She shrugged.

  The growl rolled up from his chest. He tried to swallow it so he wouldn’t take his anger out on her. Snatching his hat from the floor, he donned it as he turned to Matthew. “I want to talk to the other man. Now.”

  Matthew nodded.

  “Stay with Drew,” Ty ordered Cassie as he followed Matthew out of the bedroom. “Don’t you dare leave. I’ll just have to chase you down.” When she didn’t reply, he lost what control had remained over his temper. “You’ll stay, or else.”

  Her gaze rose, the fire back in her eyes. “Or else what, Mr. Bishop?”

  “Or else I’ll hop on Duke, ride straight to San Francisco, and have it out with your family now. So will you stay put?”

  The threat had merit, but he breathed a relieved sigh when she finally gave him a brisk nod.

  Matthew led the way to the jail, stopping right outside the door. “You know this is Shay’s man, right?”

  “Who in the hell do you think you’re talkin’ to, Matthew?”

  “Fine. I just…I know what they’re capable of firsthand.”

  “You think I don’t? If it weren’t for Cassie, me and Jake would be dead. You don’t need to warn me ’bout the Shays.”

  Matthew set his lips into a grim line. “As long as she’s here, we’re their target.”

  “She ain’t going anywhere.”

  “Ty—”

  “She ain’t going anywhere.” This time the words came out a near roar as he swallowed his panic that Matthew might just be right.

  But how could Ty ever survive without Cassie by his side?

  “You think you can fight the Shay money? The Shay reach?” Matthew shook his head.

  Since the conversation had turned pointless—and since Ty had no intention of letting the Shays win and take Cassie away from him—he opened the door and stepped inside.

  The White Pines jail was nothing more than two cells, but it had served the quiet town well. Most of the time, the cells remained empty, unless the marshal was forced to bring someone who’d gotten a bit too rowdy at the Four Aces in for a night or two. Seldom did the town have to deal with a person as sinister as the one glaring at Ty through the bars.

  A jagged gash ran the length of his cheek. Since it didn’t appear to be bleeding any longer, the wound was only superficial. The man had no idea how lucky he was. Gideon Young was one of the best shots in Montana. The prisoner’s tan shirt was stained with dried blood when it easily could’ve been blood-soaked.

  Stepping up to the cell, Matthew put his hands on his hips. “Time to talk.”

  “Ain’t got nothin’ to say to you,” the man replied.

  “Who sent you?”

  The prisoner’s dark eyes shifted between Matthew and Ty a few times before settling on Ty. “You be Ty Bishop?”

  “Who’s wantin’ to know?”

  The prisoner sat on his bunk as though relaxed. “So you are.” His smile was reptilian. “Lots of people want you dead. Lots of important people.”

  “Who?” Matthew asked. “Who sent you here? Derrick Shay?”

  “Ain’t sayin’.”

  Matthew smacked the bars with the back of his hand. “You might as well talk to us, ’cause you’re here for a good, long while. I’m pretty damn sure the judge’ll throw the book at you.”

  The man shrugged.

  “Why Drew?” Matthew asked. “Who sent you after Drew?”

  Stepping closer to the cell, Ty let him temper get the better of him. “Did Robert Putnam send you?”

  This time the prisoner chuckled. “When’s the judge comin’ to town? It’s my right to post a bond and get outta this pissant town.”

  “Judge will be here in a few days,” Matthew replied. “Maybe even a week or more. Might as well cool your heels. You’re my guest ’til then.”

  Another shrug. “Been in worse. I’m wantin’ some vittles.”

  “You’ll eat later,” Matthew snapped. With a sigh, he went to his desk, sat down, and started sifting through papers.

  Ty turned his temper on Matthew. Striding to the desk, he slapped his hand on the surface. “That’s it? The man near to beats Drew to death and that’s it? You know he would’ve snatched Cassie up.”

  “Cassie’s fine, Ty. He won’t be bothering her now.”

  A snorted laugh came from the prisoner.

  This ti
me, when Ty went to the cell he swept his vest aside and set his hand on his gun. “When you get outta here, I got a message for you to take back to Robert Putnam.”

  “Don’t know no Robert Putnam.”

  “Sure you don’t,” Matthew said, setting his jaw.

  “Tell you what,” Ty continued, “give the message to Derrick Shay while you’re at it. You tell them that Ty Bishop will kill them if they touch one hair on Cassie’s head.”

  The prisoner snorted another laugh.

  “You hear me, you piece of shit? You tell them. Don’t care how long it takes. Don’t care how much it costs. They hurt that lady, and they’re both dead men. Got it?”

  “Don’t know no Robert Putnam. Don’t know no Derrick Shay.”

  “The hell you don’t!” Wrapping his fingers around the cold metal bars, Ty gave them a hard shake. “You tell them! And know this—you lay one hand on her, and I’ll end you, too.”

  Matthew’s hand grabbed Ty’s upper arm. “C’mon. Time for you to go.”

  Ty shook the bars once again before backing away. He narrowed his eyes. “You tell them, damn you.” He reluctantly followed the marshal out of the jail.

  Matthew launched into him the moment they were outside. “You can’t threaten the man, Ty.”

  “You know damn well he came here for Cassie. He was told to kill Drew ’cause they thought he’d married her. Then they’d haul her ass back to San Francisco.”

  “I believe you. Trouble is I can’t prove it.”

  “You don’t give a shit ’bout her at all, do you?”

  When Matthew didn’t reply, Ty knew he’d hit a bull’s eye. Bringing Cassie home had been a horrible mistake. Not because she was a Shay, but because the people Ty loved could never accept her. “I’m taking Cassie and we’re leavin’.”

  “Leaving? C’mon, Ty. Where do you think you’re gonna go?” He shook his head. “Trust me. Doesn’t matter how far you run. The Shays will find you.”

  “Won’t find me.”

  “You don’t know them like I do. Grace and I ran for near to twenty years.”

  “So?”

  “Twenty years, Ty. Cassie’s uncle found us almost every damn town our long drives ended up in. Every. Damn. Time.”

  “You just want Cassie gone.”

  Using his knuckle, Matthew pushed the brim of his hat up. “Not denying it.”

  “Where she goes, I go.”

  “Not surprised.”

  Ty had heard enough. There were plans to be made to keep Cassie safe, and at that moment, that was all he cared about. If these men were sent by the Shays, more would soon follow. “I’m taking Cassie, and we’re leavin’.”

  “Just exactly where do you think you’ll go?”

  All he could do was shake his head. Right now, he wanted to get Cassie out of White Pines and somewhere—anywhere—safe. “Keep an eye on her. I’m heading to the ranch to grab a few things for me, then going by her place and getting some of her clothes. I’ll be back for by nightfall.”

  “Ty…”

  “Don’t let her leave, Matthew. I’ll be back as fast as I can.”

  ***

  The house was only beginning to take shape. Not that Ty had found much time to work on it. Between his duties at the ranch and spending so much time in White Pines, he’d only put down a good foundation and raised two walls.

  Stepping into what would be the bedroom he’d share with Cassie, he inhaled the smell of fresh cut pine. Damn, but he wished he had time to show her the place before they left. Although he still wasn’t sure where he was taking her, he knew it wouldn’t be forever. The Shays would give up once he married her because he could protect her. Drew was a friend, and he meant well. But he was weak, and the Shays knew that. Hell, their detectives probably knew everything there was about everyone in Cassie’s life—which meant they had to understand Ty would kill anyone who got close enough to hurt her. The would-be kidnappers had surely delivered their message as well.

  Hoof beats drew his attention, and Ty wasn’t at all surprised to see Adam riding up. The man he considered his father reined his bay to a stop next to Duke, threw himself out of the saddle, and strode to Ty’s side.

  “Got a good start on the house.” Adam nodded at the walls. “Won’t finish before the snow flies.”

  “Considering the snow’s already flying…” Sarcasm wasn’t Ty’s usual way of handling things, but his nerves were stretched as tight as Grace’s clothesline.

  “Are you sure running is the right thing to do? If you stay here, I can help. So can Jake and Matthew.”

  “Matthew’s made it pretty clear what he thinks of Cassie.”

  “He’s got a right.”

  Ty gave his head a disgusted shake. “She’s not one of them.”

  “Much as I hate to be unkind, I gotta agree with Matthew.” Adam put his hand on Ty’s shoulder.

  For the first time since Adam had saved Ty and Jake from a life on the streets, Ty thought Adam was wrong. Hell, he’d practically worshipped the ground the man walked on, thinking each and every piece of advice was nothing short of sage.

  This time, however, Adam was wrong. Very wrong. “Cassie’s innocent in all this. She’s every bit as much a victim as Grace. She’s suffered too.”

  Adam rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t tell you who to love, son.”

  There was that word again. Love. Ty was getting damn sick and tired of having it thrown in his face all the time.

  Love didn’t matter.

  Her safety did. “I’m takin’ Cassie away.”

  Shuffling in his pocket for a moment, Adam pulled out some folded bills. He shoved them at Ty. “Take this.”

  “I ain’t takin’ your money.”

  “Take it. Please. If you need anything, send a message.”

  “Adam…”

  “Take the money, Ty. It’s not charity. You can pay me back later if that makes you happy.”

  With a frown, he took the money. “Just for Cassie.”

  “Fine. For Cassie.” Adam clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s near dark. You best be going.” He nodded at the house. “We’ll keep putting time in on this while you’re gone. You’ll want a place to bring her to when you return.” His stern expression eased into a slow grin. “Are you going by the church on your way out of town?”

  Ty had been asking himself the same question. “If I have my way, yes.”

  “You usually do, son. You usually do.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “She’s what?” Ty resisted the urge to grab Matthew and pound him into a bloody pulp—friend or not. All unleashing his frustration would do was get him thrown in the jail when he needed to find Cassie. Quickly.

  “She’s gone,” Matthew replied. “I’m sorry, Ty.”

  With a disgusted shake of his head, Ty brushed off the snow clinging to the shoulders of his coat. Shoving the door to the bedroom open, he marched right up to Drew. “You let her leave? After what happened to you, you let her leave?”

  Drew had been reclining against the pillows, but rose up on his elbows. “You should realize by now, sir, that no one lets Cassie do anything. And I will have you know that I was asleep at the time.”

  Since Gideon suddenly seemed very busy fiddling with the things on the nightstand, Ty knew exactly what had happened. “Damn you, Gideon. You knew she was taking off, didn’t you?”

  Drew turned to gape at Gideon. “You knew Cassie would leave town—and you let her?”

  Gideon dropped the cloth he was folding and heaved a sigh. “Yes, I let her leave. It was the best thing for everyone.”

  Ty set his jaw. “It sure as hell wasn’t best for her. The Shays will find her.”

  “That’s what I mean—it really is the best thing. She should be back with her family, not here, living with–with… She should go home.”

  “You don’t want her here,” Ty said. “With Drew. Ain’t that right, Gideon? You’re jealous ’cause Drew said he’d marry her.” When Gideon
didn’t answer, Ty took a threatening step closer. “You’d leave her to those vermin just ’cause you want Drew for yourself?”

  “I’ll leave you three to discuss this in private.” Matthew didn’t make eye contact with anyone before he stepped outside the bedroom, closing the door as he left.

  Pushing himself up to lean back against the brass headboard, Drew fixed his blackened eyes on Gideon. “You shouldn’t have let her go.”

  Gideon drew his mouth into a hard line but didn’t reply.

  “Did she at least give you some idea where she’s headin’?” Ty asked.

  Gideon clearly wanted to guard Drew every bit as much as Ty protected Cassie, and whatever there was between Gideon and Drew was none of his business. But at that moment, all that mattered was getting to Cassie before Shay’s hirelings did. It also didn’t help that dark, heavy clouds had gathered, meaning more snow was on the way—a lot more than she was prepared to deal with.

  The woman didn’t even have a warm pair of gloves.

  “Gideon…” Ty tried to soften his tone. “Just tell me this—where was she going?”

  “Didn’t say. Only said she needed to go and to tell you and Drew to respect her wishes.”

  “You should have woken me, Gideon.” Drew struggled to throw off his quilt, hisses of pain falling from his bruised lips.

  “Where in the hell do you think you’re going?” Ty asked.

  “We should go after her.” Bare feet on the floor, Drew tried to rise. After standing for a few moments on shaky legs, he dropped back to the bed, panting for breath. “I fear… I might not be—”

  “For God’s sake, Drew.” Gideon helped Drew get settled against the pillows again. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  “Where was Cassie going?” Ty demanded again. While he appreciated that Drew was worried about her, all the man would do was slow him down.

  “She didn’t really say. Just used one of those quotes.”

  “What did she say?” Drew asked.

  “I can’t remember exactly. Something ’bout loving with words was bad, then something about acting. Figured she was talking about not doing the play with you.”