Bram studied her for a moment, then nodded. “It’s a shoulder wound. The bullet went through, so the lad should be fine. Where’s Fletch?”
Maddy opened her mouth to answer before realizing she didn’t know where he was, glad Lorna had the answer.
“The lad’s with Ewan, past the last corral. Ewan’s been thinking of adding another one.”
Bram nodded, already moving to the door. “Kyla wants them at the house.”
“I’ll come with you.”
He gave Maddy a quick shake of his head. “Nae, lass. There’s nothing for you to do, and you’ve a wedding tomorrow.”
When she began to object, Lorna placed a hand on her shoulder. “Bram’s right. Kyla and Sarah will take care of the lad.”
“Cam’s with them,” Bram yelled over his shoulder before disappearing out the front door.
Catching her lower lip between her teeth, Maddy gave a reluctant nod. She knew Lew believed she hated him, his presence repulsing her. It wasn’t true.
At first, she’d hated what happened, shocked to have the one person who’d been her protector take her virginity. The rational part of her mind knew he had no choice. They’d both be dead if Lew hadn’t gone through with it. He’d been the one to carry her back to the cabin, provide money, and watched when she’d ridden off.
Over the months she’d been on the run, Maddy thought of him often, knew how much he hated what he’d done. Lew blamed himself, and for a short time, she blamed him, too. Telling Fletcher what happened helped her see how much Lew was a victim as much as her. The initial fear she felt at seeing him in Conviction transformed to empathy since she’d come to Circle M. A part of her wanted him to stay, work for the MacLarens. She doubted Fletcher would feel the same, deciding it best to leave the decision to the men.
Sitting down, she picked up her stitching, her mind still on Lew. He’d been the only other man to have her. Somehow, even knowing the circumstances, she sent up a prayer for the only man to stick by her during one of the worst periods of her life.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Conviction
Bay strummed his fingers on the desk, checking the time on the gilded walnut clock on the wall opposite him. Quarter to three. Suzette had agreed to stop by between two and three o’clock. She still hadn’t appeared.
Running a hand through his hair, he stared at the papers in front of him. He’d prepared them within days of her arriving in Conviction, meaning to have her read and sign them soon after. Each time the opportunity arose, he’d slid them back into the safe, unable to go ahead with his plan. If she didn’t arrive soon, his determination would falter, and once again, he’d secure them behind the metal door.
Hearing the sound of footsteps on the stairs, he braced himself. When the door opened, it wasn’t Suzette who walked in, but Bram MacLaren.
Standing, he held out his hand. “Bram. What can I do for you?”
Shaking Bay’s hand, Bram drew off his hat, wiping a sleeve across his forehead. “Brodie asked me to see if you’d be available to help us.”
Raising a brow, he cocked his head in surprise at a request from the town’s sheriff. “I’ll do whatever I can for you and your family. What is it you need?”
Bending forward, Bram rested his hands on the desk. “You know Maddy?”
Bay’s concern deepened. “Of course. She worked for us at the restaurant. Brodie told me she’s marrying Fletch.”
“Aye. They’re to be marrying tomorrow.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “So the baby is Fletch’s.”
“Aye. There’s no problem with that. It’s her uncle. He’s coming for her, vowing to kill her.”
Bay walked around the desk, already reaching for his gunbelt. “Why?”
“The lass knows too much about him and his gang. She can identify each one of them and list all their crimes.”
A chill sliced through Bay. “And who is her uncle?”
“Dob Colbert.”
They met Brodie and Sam at the edge of town, taking off for the ranch at a brisk run. Each had heard of the Colbert gang, but only Bay had come up against them on his trip west. They’d held up a stagecoach. He’d been a passenger, along with an older gentleman and his niece, a young, vivacious woman.
During the robbery, the woman was shot. Bay killed two of the outlaws before the leader ordered them to ride off. He wouldn’t have known who they were except one of them yelled Colbert’s name. At the next town, Bay tried to convince the sheriff to put up wanted posters, but the man refused. The robbery took place in Kansas, Dob’s home state, and few were willing to go up against him and his men.
Consequently, Colbert had never been formally linked to any specific crime, which in Bay’s mind was a complete travesty. He welcomed any opportunity to do his part in taking the man out of this world.
At the fast pace, they reached the ranch in half the time it usually took. Reining to a stop, they hurried toward the men already congregated outside Ewan’s house.
“Thank you for coming, Bay.”
He shook Ewan’s hand, nodding to the others. “What’s your plan?”
“We’ve been talking about it.” Ewan glanced around. “Lew Quick was shot earlier when he ran across Colbert’s camp.”
“Quick works for you?” Bay asked.
Ewan shot a quick look at Fletcher before nodding. “We’ve been discussing it. The lad has personal reasons for finding Colbert. With Fletch marrying Maddy, it’s personal to us, also.”
Bay pulled out a six-shooter, checking the cylinder. “How do you want to go after them?”
Brodie stepped next to them. “We’ll be needing to split up into three groups.”
“Aye, lad.” Ewan gazed at Colin. “You’ll be leading one group, Brodie another, and Quinn the third. Bay, you’ll be going with Brodie. We’ll be riding in an arc, moving toward the location of Colbert’s last camp, flanking them. We’ve no room for error, lads.”
“What if they’ve moved, Da?” Fletcher asked Ewan.
“Then we’ll be needing to search until we find them. Colbert’s wanting to kill Maddy, and we’ll not be letting that happen.”
Fletcher stuffed extra ammunition into his saddlebags, tying it before his gaze wandered to the porch. Maddy stood alone, hands resting on her belly, her features unreadable. They’d planned to marry tomorrow. Depending on the outcome of their search, it may be delayed, something neither of them wanted.
“Are you ready, lad?” Camden stood next to him, his voice as serious as the resolute expression on his face.
“Aye, but I’m needing to talk with Maddy before we go.”
Giving him a knowing nod, Camden took the reins of Fletcher’s horse. Camden would be riding with his older brother, Colin, Fletcher with Brodie, and Bram with his brother, Quinn. It seemed odd not riding together. Camden couldn’t remember the last time they’d been separated. Fletcher’s wedding would change their lives even more, as it had when the older brothers had married. Shaking off the thought, Camden started walking the horses toward the other riders.
“I’ll be waiting for you with the others.”
Lifting a hand in acknowledgment, Fletcher continued up the steps and put his arm around Maddy. “Are you all right, lass?”
Leaning into him, resting her head against his shoulder, she nodded. “I’m fine.”
“Nae, you’re not. I’m sorry, lass, but we’ve no choice but to go after Dob.”
Pulling away, she looked up, studying his face as if committing it to memory. “I know. I’m just sorry you and your family are putting yourselves in danger because of me. If anything happens to you—” She stopped when he placed a finger over her lips.
“Shhh, lass. No one is blaming you.”
“Including you, Fletcher?”
Leaning down, he kissed her lips. “Especially not me. I’ll always be doing whatever is needed to keep you safe. Always.” Tugging her closer, he kissed Maddy again. “You’ll be safe at the ranch. Thane will be stay
ing here, and the other lads and lasses know how to use a gun. I’d not be leaving if I thought you’d be in danger.”
She pushed away from him, her bright blues eyes deepening in anger. “I don’t care about me. I’m worried about you, Fletcher.”
His anger flared to match Maddy’s, his voice harsher than intended. “I’ll not be having you say such things. You and the bairn are more important to me than anyone, lass.” He cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to look at him. “You’ll not be riding out or doing anything to put yourself or our bairn in danger. Promise me, lass.” On the last, he noticed the tears in her eyes, moisture on her face, and whispered a quiet curse. He used his thumb to brush the tears from her cheeks. “Ah, lass.”
Bending down, he crushed his mouth to hers, deepening the kiss at her soft moan. Letting his hands wander down her back to rest on her hips, he groaned. He hadn’t been with her in months, yet it felt as if no time at all had passed since they’d made love. Love. Had he always felt this way about her, not knowing what it was?
Raising his mouth, Fletcher gazed into eyes glassy with passion. Groaning once more, he placed another kiss on her swollen lips before stepping away.
“Stay inside, lass.” Swallowing the odd lump in his throat, he bounded down the steps, not turning until he heard Maddy’s voice.
“I love you, Fletcher.”
Conviction
Austin DeBell left the sheriff’s office. Swinging into the saddle, he reined east toward Circle M. After leaving Carson City months before, the bounty hunter rode to Sacramento, moving on to Oakland, San Francisco, and numerous smaller towns. Too many for him to recall. Following Colbert hadn’t been easy.
One brave sheriff in Kansas had finally issued a wanted poster on Colbert, Ross Sheehan, and Lew Quick, three of the men in the tintype he kept with him. The image and angry complaints from stagecoach drivers had been what prompted the sheriff to print and send the posters to lawmen in the Midwest.
Austin hadn’t seen a single one in Nevada or California, believing the posters had never made it this far west. He doubted Dob knew anything about them, which pleased him. Before leaving the sheriff’s office in Conviction, he learned Brodie MacLaren and one of his deputies had ridden to the MacLaren ranch, hoping to capture a group of men threatening one of their women—Dob Colbert and his men.
Picking up his pace, Austin felt the beginnings of excitement course through him. He’d never gotten this close to the gang. Capturing them would mean he’d have enough money for the ranch he wanted to start, the only dream he had left.
From their hiding place yards behind one of the barns, Dob and two of his men watched the MacLarens leave the ranch. A feral smile crossed his face when the last group disappeared down the trail. They were riding in a direct path where Lew had last seen the gang. His plan had worked better than he’d anticipated.
“They left a bunch of children to guard the women. This ought to be easy, boss.” Arnold White lowered his field glasses.
Dob considered what his man said. He’d seen the boys and girls carrying weapons, waving to the men who rode off. He also knew mistakes were made when making assumptions.
“Don’t underestimate any of the MacLarens. Young or older, I’m betting any of them can fire a gun better than most.” Dob rubbed his stubbled jaw. “From what we’ve heard about the family, we can’t misjudge a single one.”
“Do you think Lew is holed up in one of the houses?” Erv Champ, one of the older members of the gang asked, his gaze moving over each building.
“I’m certain of it. Maddy’s in there, too.” Dob had overheard a woman talking to a man in Conviction, unaware anyone else listened. She mentioned Maddy, how she’d left to stay at Circle M. The woman hadn’t spoken of Lew, but Dob felt certain he’d been the one to take her to the MacLarens. The timing and Lew’s refusal to discuss his absence had been all he’d needed to convict his longtime friend of a dangerous betrayal.
Arnold stared through the field glasses again. “How do you want to do this?”
“We wait and watch, make certain the men don’t return. Then we go after Maddy and Lew.”
Fletcher rode alongside Brodie, Sam taking a spot behind them. He had a hard time focusing on the reason for the trip, his mind filled with images of Maddy, her last words haunting him.
I love you, Fletcher.
What bothered him weren’t the words themselves. The fact he hadn’t returned the sentiment gnawed at him. She deserved to know what he’d already accepted. He loved her. If anything happened and he didn’t return from the search for Colbert, she’d go through life not knowing. Regret filled him. Fletcher’s mouth twisted as he considered the only solution. He glanced at his older brother.
“Brodie?”
“Aye?”
“I’ve a favor to ask.” Fletcher shifted in the saddle. “If I don’t make it back, I’m needing you to give Maddy a message.”
Brodie slowed, narrowing his eyes at Fletcher. “Don’t make it back, lad? Of course you’ll be making it back.”
Fletcher blew out a breath. “But if I don’t, will you give Maddy a message?”
“Aye, but you will be going back. What do you want me to tell the lass?”
For an instant, Fletcher wanted to take the request back, knowing it was too late. “Tell Maddy I love her.”
Brodie choked out a strangled laugh. “You’ve never told the lass you love her?”
Shaking his head, Fletcher felt heat flush his face. “Nae. I wasn’t sure of my feelings until a few days ago.”
Unable to hide his surprise, Brodie stared at him. “Fletch, you’ve been in love with the lass since you laid eyes on her.”
Brows furrowing, his jaw clenched. “How would you be knowing that?”
“Everyone knows it, lad. One look at the two of you together and how you feel about each other is obvious.” Brodie shook his head. “Ach, lad. If I’d known you’d been this blind, I’d have said something sooner.”
Fletcher winced at the subtle rebuke, surprised at what Brodie said. How could everyone else know his feelings when he wasn’t sure? Had he always loved Maddy, not allowing himself to accept it out of misplaced pride?
He admitted believing his family wouldn’t approve of his feelings for a saloon girl. His father had said as much when discouraging him from seeing her again. But as Fletcher thought back on their talk before he volunteered to assist Blaine, he realized Ewan hadn’t discouraged him as much as insisted he get his head back on ranch work. There’d been no condemnation in his father’s voice, only a request to spend less time at Buckie’s.
An amused grin tipped up the corners of Brodie’s mouth. “Fletch, don’t worry about Maddy. The lass knows you love her. And you’re going to make it home. Now, no more eejit talk about it.”
Fletcher’s mouth drew into a thin line. Brodie had made two important points. First, everyone, including Maddy, already believed he loved her. Second, his brother would make sure she knew it if he didn’t return. Both thoughts gave him a measure of gratification. Still, he’d make it his first priority to make sure Maddy had no doubt about his feelings for her. She’d been honest with him. The time had come for him to be honest, as well.
“Up ahead.” Sam caught up with Brodie and Fletcher, pointing to a spot a couple hundred yards away. “Looks like a camp.”
They slowed their pace, moving into the cover of large boulders and wide trees before dismounting. Pulling out their field glasses, being careful to stay hidden, they crept to the edge of the large rocks.
Brodie raised the glasses and peered around the boulders. Sam did the same on the opposite end while Fletcher dropped to his stomach and crawled forward. Brodie spoke first.
“I’m counting eight men, eight horses. One of the men is on the ground.”
Fletcher lowered his glasses. “Does the lad look to be alive to you?”
Brodie looked again, giving his head a quick shake. “I can’t tell from here.”
“Co
uld be the lad Lew shot,” Fletcher said as he studied the camp.
Moving back behind the boulder, Brodie knelt next to Fletcher. “I thought Lew told you he killed one of them.”
“The lad wasn’t sure.” Fletcher shifted the glasses beyond the camp. “Colin’s group is riding up on the east side.”
“Can you see Quinn?” Brodie asked.
“He’s taken a position on the north.” Sam walked closer to them. “They’ve got more cover than Colin. If there’s a guard, he’s sure to spot them.”
Brodie hurried to his horse. “Get saddled. I’ll signal Colin and Quinn. It’s time to ride in.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Brodie watched the camp another few minutes, making a final decision. He, Colin, and Quinn had agreed their groups would surround the camp so Brodie and Sam could arrest them. If the outlaws resisted and fired, the MacLarens wouldn’t hesitate to shoot back.
He glanced at Fletcher and Sam. “All the lads are in place.”
Raising his rifle, Brodie pointed it into the air and fired. A split second later, the three groups charged toward the camp, surrounding the men within a couple short minutes.
Brodie didn’t know what he expected, but the quick capitulation of the outlaws surprised him. Not one drew a weapon. All raised their hands, backing into a tight circle.
“Where’s Colbert?” Fletcher shouted, his gun trained on one of the men.
A tall, wiry man with a long, gray beard took a step forward. “He’s not here.”
“Where is he?” Colin yelled.
Several shrugged, looking away.
Fletcher pointed his gun on the man with the beard. “Where is Colbert?”
He shook his head. “Dob didn’t tell us. He just said to stay here until they got back.”
Brodie nudged his horse closer. “They?”
“Dob took Arnold and Erv with him.”
Fletcher’s chest tightened, afraid of where they’d gone. “What direction did they go?”
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