“They told you everything?” Mabel Coyfield repeated. “I had to prod them a little,” Nate said.
“Prod them how?”
“As I recollect, I started by breaking the tall one’s nose.”
Mabel went as pale as a sheet. “You didn’t.”
“He was stubborn, I’ll give him that. He didn’t know when he was well off, so I broke one of his fingers.”
Jacob Coyfield was also changing color, but he was turning red. “His nose and a finger, both?”
“You’d think that would be enough for most people. Yet he still gave me a hard time. So I shot him in the leg.” Nate could see more of the man at the southwest corner, who had rashly exposed half his body in order to hear better.
“Shot him?” Mabel said, virtually choking on the words. “Twice. The second time was in the head.”
Neither Jacob nor Mabel spoke for a full minute. Rage radiated from them like light from the sun. It was Jacob who regained enough composure to ask, “What about the other one? What did you do to him?”
Nate shrugged and gestured. As his hands lowered, they came back down on the Hawken, right where he needed them to be. “What else? After he gave me the information I wanted, I shot him too.”
“You killed both of them?” Jacob declared in disbelief.
“They had it coming. They were scheming to murder my whole family.” Nate paused one final time. “But I reckon the two of you already know that, seeing as how their names were Hap and Vin Coyfield.”
The fuse had been lit. The explosion occurred a moment later when Jacob let out with a bellow and grabbed for his pistols. Mabel was a shade slower. Simultaneously, the man at the cabin’s corner stepped into the open and the bear in the tall grass surged erect and brought a Kentucky up.
Nate fired without raising the Hawken. As he threw himself from the saddle, the man in the grass went down. Nate landed on his shoulder, rolled, and came up with a flintlock in each hand.
Winona had also squeezed off a shot, at a youthful visage that filled the window. The face dissolved in a crimson spray as she left the mare in a diving arc. Not an instant too soon. The man at the corner had fixed a bead on her, his rifle spitting lead and smoke. Winona heard the slug buzz overhead.
Nate pointed one pistol at Jacob, the other at Mabel. Jacob was trying to get a clear shot, but the stallion was between them. Mabel had a gun in her hand but couldn’t seem to make up her mind whether she would rather shoot Winona or him. When Mabel pivoted in his direction, Nate cored her brain.
Inside, Cindy Lou had brought up her pistol at the first gunshot, taking aim at Winona King. Before she could fire, Felicity Ward slammed both legs outward. Cindy Lou pitched forward onto her hands and knees, glanced back, and snarled, “You’ll die for that, bitch! Soon as I settle with the Kings.”
Felicity started to wriggle off the bed, frantic to do something – anything – to warn her friends. She happened to be staring at the door when it was flung inward and Winona came hurtling through. Cindy Lou jerked up and extended her pistol, but Winona’s was already spouting doom.
The ball ripped through Cindy Lou’s chest, the impact flipping her onto her back. Her shocked gaze locked on Felicity, and just like that she died.
In front of the cabin, Nate King had one shot left and two enemies out for his blood. The hawk-faced one at the corner was running toward him, unlimbering a pistol. Jacob was coming around the front of the stallion, which nickered and pranced in agitation.
Nate rolled toward the horse. He was almost under its pounding hoofs when Jacob ran into view. Flat on his back, Nate sent a slug into Jacob Coyfield’s cranium. Then, pushing onto his knees, he threw himself at the crumpling form, his hands outstretched to catch Jacob’s pistol as it fell.
The hawkish Coyfield was almost on top of him. They both fired at the same split second, and Nate felt a tug on the whangs of his buckskin shirt. His shot caught the last Coyfield under the chin.
In three bounds Nate was in the cabin, almost colliding with Winona, who was on her way out to aid him. They dashed to the bed. Winona took Felicity in her arms and began to remove the gag, while Nate bent over Simon.
“It’s all right,” Winona said gently. “It’s over.”
“Thank you, thank you,” Felicity said, bursting into tears of gratitude. Her relief was short-lived. Suddenly grasping Winona’s arm, she declared, “Dear God! Zach and Evelyn! Are they with you?”
“No. They’re at home. Why?”
“The Coyfields aren’t all dead! Two left here earlier! They’ve gone to help some others wipe out your family!”
Twelve
Evelyn King never listened to her big brother, even when what he told her to do was in her own best interest. He was her brother, after all, and she felt he had no right to boss her around. He, on the other hand, thought it perfectly natural to do so. So they squabbled a lot. To get back at him for being bossy, Evelyn would tease him or play pranks. Which resulted in more squabbles.
On this bright and sunny day, shortly before noon, Evelyn was inside playing with her dolls. Her mother had made the first one she ever owned, of a Shoshone woman complete with a beaded buckskin dress and a small parfleche. An aunt had given her another, a Shoshone warrior complete with a tiny bow and shield. Evelyn liked to play at lodge keeping as if the two were husband and wife.
Then there was the doll Felicity had given her, of a white woman with blond hair. It came with two different outfits. Evelyn was changing one for the other when Zach poked his head in the door.
“We’re done hobbling the horses. Now no one can steal them without making a racket.”
“That’s nice.” Evelyn tugged at a small sleeve to slide it off the doll’s arm.
“We’re going to check the trail west of here for tracks. Stay put and keep the door barred. We won’t be gone long.” Evelyn did not like his tone. “I’ll do as I please, thank you very much.”
“Don’t start,”’ Zach said. It never ceased to amaze him how she could be so thickheaded.
“It was yesterday about this time we saw those riders. There’s been no other sign of them, but for all we know, they might be Coyfields.”
“I have my pistol,” Evelyn reminded him. She wanted a rifle, too, but her father had not gotten her one yet. He’d promised they would take a trip to St. Louis just to have one custom-made by the Hawken brothers. “I can take care of myself.”
“Against grown men?” Zach snorted. “Who do you think you are? A warrior woman?” He rapped on the bar. “Lower this as soon as we leave. I mean it. It’s for your own sake.”
“I never knew you cared.”
“You can be a pain in the backside sometimes. You know that?”
With that, Zach was gone.
Evelyn stared at the door, a trifle sorry she had been so mean. But she just couldn’t help herself. Every time he acted high and mighty, something inside of her resented it. She got up to bar the door, then sat back down again. Who did he think he was, ordering her around? She would bar it when she was good and ready.
Evelyn went on playing. She finished changing the dress, then had the two women dolls go for a pretend stroll. “Did I tell you the news?” she had the white doll say to the Shoshone doll. “No,” said the Shoshone doll. “What news?” The white doll leaned toward the Shoshone doll. “I’m going to have a baby. We’re hoping it’s a boy.” The Shoshone doll snickered. “Why would you want a boy? All they do is give everybody a hard time.”
Evelyn set down both dolls and stood. She supposed she should do as her brother wanted. She walked to the door, but instead of barring it, she opened it.
All morning Evelyn had been cooped up indoors. She wanted some fresh air, wanted to stretch her legs. The cries of waterfowl made her think how nice it would be to stroll down to the lake to watch their antics. The ducks were always good for laughs, the way they chased one another and dived and quacked.
Returning to the bed, Evelyn picked up the Shoshone doll and
said, “Keep an eye on our home while I’m gone. If anyone comes snooping around, give a holler.” She lined up the three dolls side by side, then took her pistol from its peg on the wall and walked outside.
Evelyn squinted in the bright sunlight. It felt wonderful to have the sun on her face and the wind fan her hair. Humming, she skipped on down the path. A robin chirped in a nearby tree. A butterfly flitted by.
Evelyn loved the woods. She loved the animals, the birds and cute bunnies and funny chipmunks and things. Not grizzlies, since they ate people. And not painters, ever since that one tried to eat her. Oh, and not rattlesnakes, since they might bite her. But just about everything else she liked.
The lake was tranquil. Evelyn went to her special spot and sat on a small, flat boulder. The ducks were up to their usual antics. She watched a green-headed one chase a blue-headed one, then marveled at how they could dive and stay under for what seemed like minutes before they came up with small fish in their beaks. She couldn’t hold her breath half as long as they could.
In the trees something rustled. Evelyn looked but saw no cause for alarm. It was probably the wind, she reasoned. A tiny voice in her head said it might not be, that she should head for the cabin right away. That she should bar the door and stay there until Zach and Lou got back.
“I’m staying right here,” Evelyn said aloud. She would show Zach. She would prove to him she was able to take care of herself.
Evelyn went on watching the ducks and geese. A big old goose was mad at a red-headed duck and kept chasing it whenever it swam too near. She laughed when the goose nearly pecked it on the head. They were so silly. Almost as funny as chipmunks.
An osprey winged in low over the lake. It must not have seen her, because it flew directly toward where she sat, veering away when it was close to shore. Grinning, Evelyn followed its flight, turning her head as it banked to the north and arched up over the trees. Then her whole body went as cold as ice.
At the base of the trees stood two men. Young men, about her brother’s age, only they had scruffy beards and wore scruffy clothes and floppy hats. They were staring at her and smirking.
Evelyn slid off the boulder and gripped her pistol in both hands. Coyfields! the tiny voice in her head screamed. Then again, maybe they weren’t. Trappers passed through the valley all the time. She took a step back and brought the pistol up, just in case. It would do no good to run. They were only fifteen or twenty feet away and would catch her before she reached the trail.
“Howdy, sprite,” one of them said good-naturedly. “We didn’t know there was anyone else hereabouts.”
The pair came toward her, smiling, friendly.
Evelyn wagged her pistol. “That’s close enough. My pa says I have to be careful of strangers.”
The skinny one laughed and elbowed his companion. Neither of them stopped.
“I mean it!” Evelyn warned. To show she was serious, she thumbed back the hammer. At the click the two men halted.
“Now, hold on there, girl,” said the skinny one. “We don’t mean you no harm. Honest. We’re just passin’ through, is all. Got us a camp up the valley a ways “
The heavier one nodded. “Put the gun down, child.”
Evelyn was not about to do any such thing, and said as much. “And I’m not a child. I know how to use this pistol, so don’t come any closer. I’ve shot plenty of things.” Which was an out-and-out lie. Evelyn could never bring herself to harm another living creature.
The heavy one scowled, but the skinny one went on smiling and responded, “Ain’t no need to put lead in anyone, darlin’. We’ll go away if that’s what you want. But won’t you at least tell us your name?”
Evelyn saw no harm in that, so she did. “Who are you two?”
“I’m Jess,” the skinny one said. “This here is my cousin, Bo. We’re right pleased to meet you, little princess.”
Evelyn did not see how anyone so polite could be much of a threat. She lowered the pistol a trifle. “My brother will be back soon. Stay here until he does and I’ll bring him down to meet you.”
“Where are your folks?” Bo asked.
About to answer, Evelyn suddenly realized it might not be smart to tell the truth. “Oh, they were here a minute ago. They won’t be gone long.”
Bo and Jess grinned at each other.
“Nice meeting you.” Evelyn began to back off. The two men were not acting as if they intended to harm her, but it wouldn’t hurt to run to the cabin and bar the door as Zach had wanted.
“Hold up there, darlin’,” Jess said.
“Yeah,” Bo declared. “Why are you in such an all-fired hurry to go when you just told us your folks are coming’ back any second?”
Evelyn thought fast. “I’m to wait for them inside.”
Jess slowly advanced. “Mind if we mosey along? We sure would like to meet your ma and pa. You see, kin of ours are missin’. We’re hopin’ maybe your folks have seen ’em.”
“That’s right,” Bo said. “His brother and mine. We came across some Injun sign west of here, so we’re a mite worried.”
“No Indians have been through our valley in a good long while,” Evelyn said, continuing to back away. “Unless you count the Shoshones. But they’re more like family.”
“None of you heard any shootin’ recently?” Jess inquired.
“No.” Evelyn did not like how they were slinking forward like a pair of sly foxes stalking a grouse. She steadied the pistol. “That’s far enough. Please. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Both men stopped, but they did not seem very happy. Bo turned to Jess and said, “I just don’t get it. If this ’breed is tellin’ the truth, what could have happened to Vin and Hap? It ain’t like them to up and disappear.”
Evelyn recalled hearing those names before. “Vin and Hap!” she blurted. “They’re the coyotes who tried to kill my brother! The ones my pa killed! You two must be Coyfields!”
The change that came over them was startling. Their smiles faded like twilight into night, and dark, ugly clouds loomed on their bushy brows. They reminded Evelyn of the ogres in a fairy tale she had read.
“Your pa killed our brothers?” Bo was ablaze with hatred. “Then I reckon it’s only fair we repay the favor.” He took a step, but Jess grabbed his arm.
“Hold on. Ma wanted this little one and the white girl alive, remember?”
“She doesn’t know about Hap and Vin. If’n she did, she’d do just like I’m fixin’ to do.” And with that, Bo raised his rifle.
Fear rooted Evelyn in place. As much fear as she felt that time the mountain lion tried to eat her. Maybe more. Then she realized Zach and Lou were bound to hear the shot and come running, right into the guns of the Coyfields. She couldn’t let that happen. As much of a nuisance as her brother was, he was still her brother, and she loved him. As the muzzle of Bo’s rifle centered on her chest, she jerked on the trigger of her pistol.
An invisible fist smashed into Bo’s right shoulder, spinning him half around. He tottered and would have fallen if Jess had not caught him. Jess glanced at Evelyn, exclaiming, “I’ll be damned! She did it!”
Bo sagged to his knees. “Get her! Gut the half-breed bitch!” He shoved his cousin.
“Don’t worry about me! Do it.”
Evelyn pivoted and fled for her life.
Zachary King had an ulterior motive for checking for tracks. Other than when hobbling the horses, he had not been alone with Lou since Evelyn spotted the two riders. Most of the time they had stayed indoors, keeping vigilant watch at the window and gun ports. Evelyn had always been close by, and Zach refused to propose with her around. She might laugh or poke fun and spoil the moment.
So Zach had thought up the idea of checking for tracks. He felt it was safe to leave Evelyn alone for a while. Almost twenty-four hours had gone by, and everything was fine. Maybe Evelyn really hadn’t seen them. Maybe she only thought she did. Or maybe they had been Indians. Utes, perhaps, hunting for elk. There were any number of poss
ibilities.
Now, winding along the trail their family routinely used to reach the west end of the valley, Zach mustered his courage once more. It didn’t help matters that Lou hadn’t said much to him since the day before. She was upset, and Zach was at a loss as to why. He worried she was having second thoughts, that when he proposed she would jilt him.
Little did Zach know, it was just the opposite. Louisa was heartbroken that every time he tried to ask her, they were interrupted. She was dying for him to try again. Please, please, please, she inwardly begged.
Lou noticed Zach glancing at her as they walked among the stately pines. She grew excited, knowing him well enough to guess he was building up his nerve to ask again. To encourage him, she slipped her hand into his and gently squeezed.
Zach smiled and pecked her on the cheek, his confidence restored. A log beside the trail was as good a spot as any, so he walked to it and sat. A stray beam of sunlight bathed Lou’s face as she perched next to him. She was so incredibly lovely, she took his breath away.
Lou wondered why Zach suddenly looked as if he had been hit on the noggin by a club. His eyes had a dazed quality about them. “Are you all right?”
The question puzzled Zach. “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You look a little strange, is all.”
“Strange how?”
“Oh, I don’t know. As if you aren’t feeling well.”
“I’ve never felt better.” Zach was embarrassed. He must be so nervous, it was showing.
“Am I red in the face? Do I have a rash? What?”
Lou was sorry she had brought it up. “No, no. You’re fine. Believe me.”
“I feel fit enough to wrestle a bear.”
“You look fine.”
Zach hoped so. At an important moment like this, he wanted to be at his best. Which was peculiar, since he had never been one to primp and preen. He wasn’t like those who fawned over their own reflection.
Lou decided not to open her mouth again until he was done. She waited, and waited, but he was deep in thought, apparently bothered by what she had said. Men were so odd at times. Just as her mother always claimed.
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