by Linda Ford
He checked for any indication of an intruder before he joined her. “Eve, I need to hear you say it. Say you’ve forgiven me.” He took her shoulders and turned her to face him. Tears trailed down her cheeks in two silvery lines. “You’re crying. Why? What did I say? I thought you’d appreciate my apology.”
“I do.”
“Then what’s wrong?” He pulled out his handkerchief which was, thankfully, clean, and wiped away her tears.
She sniffed, shuddered. “It hurt so badly when you left. I felt as if I was drowning. You never said anything. Never wrote. It took me a long time to feel whole again.”
Her pain sliced a portion from his heart and exposed it to the truth of her accusation.
“I regret what I did.” He pulled her to his chest and held her tight. “But please don’t cry. I can’t stand it.” Holding her shook him to the core. He thought he’d gotten over her, but here she was, fitting into his arms and into his heart like both had been waiting for that emptiness to be filled by her presence.
He tried to resist the tug, knowing they couldn’t go back and undo the past. He didn’t even know if she would want to do so.
She pushed away and swiped at her eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.” She blinked to clear her vision and looked past him to the trees. Her eyes widened.
He jerked about. “What did you see?”
She caught his arm. “Something moved. Maybe it was a bird. Let’s get back to the house.” She pulled at his sleeve.
He backed away from the trees, keeping himself between Eve and whatever she’d seen. Shadows shifted and moved in the breeze. He saw nothing else. He’d searched the little grove thoroughly and found nothing to concern himself. But he wasn’t prepared to take a chance. He caught her hand and rushed them toward the house.
They burst inside. “I think my imagination got the best of me,” Eve said.
“Better safe than sorry.” He circled the house, looking out each window. “I don’t see anything to be concerned about.” He was about to leave the front window when something caught his attention. Dust on the road. Lots of dust. Either a wagon or several riders.
Since the warning about the robbers, he’d taken to keeping his rifle near the door. He reached for it.
Eve hurried to his side. “What do you see?” She clutched his arm as she peered out the window. “Someone on the road. Maybe they’ll ride on by.”
He pressed to her side. If that dust brought with it a threat, he meant to protect her at all costs. His mother and aunt too. Hopefully they would remain asleep.
They could see now that the dust followed a wagon that turned into the laneway leading to the house.
“At least it isn’t riders,” Eve said. “Maybe someone coming to tell us the robbers are in jail.”
“Could be.” But when she headed for the door, he stopped her. “We’ll wait and be sure before we reveal ourselves.”
She drew back, practically into his arms. It was about all he could do not to wrap her close.
She glanced past him. “They’re no danger. It’s Victoria and Reese.” She broke from his arms and raced outdoors. He followed to welcome his neighbors.
While he and Reese shook hands, Eve and Victoria hugged and laughed. He was sure he saw tears in the eyes of both.
“Are they all right?” he asked Reese.
“You mean the laughing and crying?”
“Yeah.”
“Pretty sure it just means they’re glad to see each other.”
“All right. Good to know.”
The girls entwined their arms and smiled so widely Cole knew a moment of envy. There was a time he hoped for that kind of welcome.
“Have you brought us news that the robbers have been captured?” Eve asked.
“No news,” Reese answered. “But Victoria wouldn’t give me any peace until I brought her here to make sure you are all right. I see you are.”
“You left your place?” Cole couldn’t help thinking that his wife must have a real influence on Reese’s decisions.
“I have a young fellow working for me. He’s watching it. I hope he doesn’t encounter any trouble. I can’t help thinking those men must be far from here now. Probably hiding out in the mountains.”
Cole wished he could be certain of it. Until he was, he would be keeping an eye on things. “I’m going to have to find someone to help watch the cows. It’s been too many days since I checked on them.”
“Your people are more important.”
“Not going to argue that. Come in for coffee. Eve, do you have some cookies?”
“I most certainly do.”
As they stepped inside, Aunt Alice called for help.
“I’ll be right back.” Eve slipped away to help the two ladies.
“Sit down. Make yourselves at home.” Cole waved them to the table while he put coffee on to boil.
The three women emerged, and Eve introduced Victoria and Reese.
The older ladies were thrilled to have company and plied Victoria with dozens of questions, some of them about Eve.
“Has Eve had many beaus?” Aunt Alice asked.
Victoria grinned at Eve. “I’ve always teased her that her heart was given away once and has never come back to her.”
“Vic, you make me sound like a heartbroken girl.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. You’ve always been a cheerful, helpful sister. Does that sound like someone pining with a broken heart?”
Eve kept her attention on the contents of her cup so Cole wasn’t able to read her expression. Did Victoria mean that Eve had never cared for anyone apart from Cole? It was a bittersweet thought. To think he might have had all he wanted but had thrown it away.
Reese asked him a question, and Cole brought his thoughts back to the present.
They finished their coffee.
“Show us around,” Victoria said.
“May I?” Eve asked.
“Of course.” She had no reason to make it seem she was a visitor. Then it hit him. She’d only agreed to stay until someone came from Ohio. Or was it he who had said she could only stay that long? It seemed he was forever saying and doing things to turn her away when that was the last thing he really, truly wanted to do.
Could he hope that no one would answer Ma’s request for help from Ohio?
Chapter 11
Eve sensed the restlessness in Cole. Two days had passed since Victoria and Reese had visited. It had been a pleasant time, enjoyed by all. The ladies continually commented on something Victoria had said, or something Eve had said in response to Victoria.
Cole had seemingly enjoyed the visit as well, but today wandered about from place to place, never stopping long.
“Cole, what’s bothering you?” she asked after the ladies had gone for their afternoon nap. “I can’t help but notice how you pace whether inside or out.”
“I need to check on the cows. They could be miles from here or scattered beyond finding.”
“We’ve had no word about the robbers.”
“It’s been four days. Surely they are long gone by now. Disappeared into the mountains. Why would they hang around so close to town? It’d be plumb foolish.”
“I suppose it would.” Every word made sense, yet her insides trembled. She touched the derringer she carried in her pocket.
Cole walked about twenty feet then turned around and returned to her side. “I could ride out and check on them this afternoon. If I see they’re all right, then I could relax.”
“And if they aren’t all right? Would you keep looking for them?”
His shoulders rose and fell. “No. Not until I’m certain those men are truly gone. Would you feel safe with me riding out for a few hours?”
She looked around. They’d seen no sign of any robbers, and nothing had been taken in days. He was right. Why would they hang around when if they kept riding they could disappear into the trees and mountains to the west? “I’ll be all right so long as you are back before dark.”
She laughed. “Seems this particular man gets hungry whatever he does.”
He grinned at her. “There’s a lot of body to keep fed.”
Something sweet flowed through her veins and warmed her heart. How often they had teased each other about his size. “I used to say a big man with a big heart.”
His smile flattened. “Seems I’ve given you plenty of reason to wonder about the truth of the big heart.”
She touched his arm. “We both made mistakes, but I still see your big heart.”
He pressed his hand to hers. “Thanks.” Then he bolted away, into the house.
She followed more slowly, watching as he filled a sack with cookies and biscuits. He did consume a lot of food. It was a good thing she enjoyed cooking and baking.
He trotted from the house. She watched him go into the barn, then waited for him to leave. She waited and waited, counting the minutes. What was taking him so long?
Thankfully, the ladies were content on the veranda, so they didn’t witness the way she rubbed her neck and tapped her toes.
It had been too long. Way too long. What was wrong?
She eyed the area surrounding the barn, saw nothing to concern her. She counted to fifty. Still Cole did not come from the barn. It was time to see what was going on. She’d have to pass the ladies, and they’d want to know what she was doing. A basket on a nearby shelf gave her an idea. She picked it up and stepped outside. “I saw some wildflowers near the barn. Thought I’d pick some.”
“Nan, I told you our mysterious visitor was someone harmless. See, that proves it.” Aunt Alice’s voice followed Eve down the steps.
Eve stumbled. Had they seen someone? Why wouldn’t they inform Cole and Eve if they had? Did they truly think it was a fun adventure? She didn’t believe it was and her nerves twitched with fear that the robbers had waylaid Cole.
As soon as she rounded the corner, she put the basket on the ground and ducked into the trees. She’d once before planned how she’d hide as she made her way to the barn, sticking to the protection of the bushes until she reached the corral fence. From there, she pressed to the rails, keeping low to the ground and moving slowly.
She reached the place where she could see into the open barn. Cole’s horse stood there, saddled, the sack of food tied to the side. There was no sign of Cole.
Eve did not call out or rush forward. She had to assess this situation carefully before she made any sort of move. If only she could see into the barn better, but the interior was shadowed.
She inched closer. Leaned forward for a better look. And almost gasped. Pressing her lips together to stop the sound, she eased back.
She’d seen Cole, his hands above his head. A man with his back to Eve held a gun at Cole’s head.
Eve palmed her derringer, ready to use it. But if she called out a warning, the gunman could shoot Cole. If she tried to shoot from this distance, again, Cole would pay for it, perhaps with his life.
What she needed was a diversion.
She looked about, thinking, planning. Cole’s horse pawed the ground and snorted as if impatient over the delay. Eve considered the animal and made up her mind. She found a rock that fit nicely into the palm of her hand. Our Father, who art in heaven, guide my actions. Protect Cole. Help me.
She steadied her breathing and threw the rock. Her goal was to hit the horse on his back and set him fussing. Her rock hit the mark. The horse snorted, whinnied, and jumped. She dashed forward, slipping into the barn, hopefully unnoticed. She held the little gun out, ready to shoot the intruder. Pa’s instructions raced through her head. Make the shot count. Disarm if possible.
She passed the horse and stopped, relief surging through her veins. Cole held the man’s gun and twisted the man’s arm behind his back.
Cole wanted nothing more than to pull Eve into his embrace and hold her safe and sound, but he had his hands full with the robber.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I’m fine.”
She searched his face, ran her gaze up and down his length…at least what she could see around the man in Cole’s grip.
“We ain’t done yet.” The man squirmed.
Cole pushed the man’s hands higher up his back, and the man lowered his voice but continued mumbling threats and curses.
“Keep quiet.” A little more pressure, and the man subsided.
“What happened?” Eve asked,
“He wanted shelter for his friend.”
“Friend?” The derringer came up, and she slowly turned to study her surroundings. She saw the second man propped against the wall, his color that of old straw. “Is he alive?”
“He needs a doctor,” the captured man growled. “Have a little pity.”
“Like you had in town, attacking the storekeeper and his sister-in-law.” Eve obviously believed these were the robbers they’d been watching for. “What are we going to do with them?”
Cole had already snagged the rope that hung nearby and trussed the gunman up good and tight. He knelt before the wounded man whose breath wheezed in and out. Blood soaked the side of his shirt. “I don’t think he’ll bother us.” Nevertheless, he made a search for a weapon and removed a knife from the man’s boot.
“I’ll have to take them to town. Can you watch them while I hitch up the wagon?”
She nodded. The light from the doorway caught in her eyes, revealing how dark they had grown. Her teeth were clenched.
Cole paused before he hurried to bring in the pair of Percherons from the pasture. He had to keep moving. Had to keep busy so he wouldn’t think. Wouldn’t recall the overwhelming fear he’d felt when he saw Eve coming along the corral fence. If she rushed in, one—or both of them—could end up dead. He vowed it would not be her. His muscles tensed for the moment she would rush in. At that moment, he would throw himself at the gunman.
He had neglected to take into account Eve’s careful nature. Never before had he been so grateful for it. She didn’t rush in but took stock of the situation and moved only when she had a plan. And it was a good one. Already prepared to move when Sanchez reared, attracting the gunman’s attention, Cole was able to snatch the gun and twist the man’s arm behind his back.
Eve was safe and sound. The pair who robbed the store were ready to be hauled away. His ma and aunt were safe. All thanks to Eve.
He drove the wagon to the barn door, went inside, and lifted the trussed man to his feet, half carried, half walked him to the wagon. He made him sit in the box and tied him to the seat so he couldn’t leave.
He carried the injured man and lay him beside his friend. The man’s wound smelled rotten. The nearest doctor was miles away, but Cole didn’t think a doctor was going to be much help.
He washed the blood and stench off his hands at the trough, then returned to the barn.
Eve leaned against the doorjamb. Her right hand, still holding the derringer, hung at her side.
He caught her other hand and drew her inside, away from prying eyes. He enveloped her in his arms and held her tight. “You scared me something fierce.” His words rumbled from his throat.
She sniffled. “Not near as much as you scared me.” A shudder shook her, and he tightened his hold.
“You were very brave.” He stroked her hair.
“Nope. I was scared clear through.”
“But it didn’t stop you.”
She lifted her head to look into his face. “I would never let fear keep me from acting.”
He read the accusation in her words. But dare he hope he also saw a world of hope and possibility? “I am so grateful for you.” He caught her chin with one finger and lowered his head to catch her lips.
She wrapped an arm about his neck and pulled him into a kiss full of gratitude and hope.
“Hello, th
e barn,” someone called.
They broke apart and went to the door.
“It’s the sheriff and his posse,” Eve said.
“I see you’ve found them.” The sheriff swung to the ground and went to the back of the wagon. “This one don’t look so good.”
Eve introduced Cole to the sheriff and the four men with him.
“How did you come to capture them?”
Cole told how they’d followed him into the barn as he saddled his horse. “That one had me cornered until Eve came along.” He told how Eve had managed a diversion. She blushed under his admiring look.
The sheriff patted her shoulder. “I’ll be sure and tell your pa. He’ll be proud of you.” He turned back to Cole. “Can we use your wagon to take this pair to town? I’ll see that it’s returned right away.”
“Go ahead. Take it.”
The sheriff signaled one of the men to drive the wagon. One of the others led his horse, and they prepared to leave.
“Wait,” Eve called. “Can you stop by the Cartwright place and let them know these men have been captured?”
“We’ll let them know.” The sheriff touched the brim of his hat, and the men and wagon left.
There was one more thing to do…inform the two ladies hovering on the veranda what had transpired.
He and Eve went to the house.
“Was that the man who has been stealing food?” Ma asked.
“I expect so.”
She pressed a hand to her mouth. “I think he was more dangerous than we thought. And his friend? What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s been shot.”
“We want all the details,” Aunt Alice said, giving him a look fit for a naughty little boy.
He pulled Eve close as he told about the robbery in town and her part in capturing the culprits.
Aunt Alice hugged Eve. “You are a brave young woman.”
His ma reached for Eve’s hand. “Thank you for saving my boy.”
“Ma, I’m not a boy.” He waved his hands up and down the length of his body. “Look at me. I’m all grown up.”
She grabbed his hand and squeezed. “You’ll always be my boy.”
