As soon as they left the forest and found good light, they stopped. Braxton checked Priscilla's wound. "The bullet gouged a hole in your side but it's not deep."
"Now, let me look at your leg."
He stood while she examined him.
"The bullet went clean through," she said.
He helped her up, held her for a long moment, then they mounted up and rode on.
They followed Mountain Road until it turned into Chestnut and turned north on Front Street, the shortest route to the mortuary.
"You two should go see Doc Spense. Looks like you're both hurt," Alex Terry said after they'd explained the situation and told him how to find the two outlaws.
"We've check ourselves out and the wounds aren't serious," Braxton said.
"Where are we going?" Priscilla asked as he headed back out Chestnut Road.
"Back to the mine. I need to see something." He drew his horse to a halt. "Do you want to go on home and I'll come as soon as I'm done?"
"No, I want to stay with you."
"Good," he said, knowing she still felt shaken about killing Etta.
"I can't believe she's gone," Priscilla said when they reached the spot where they'd left the horses before.
Braxton dismounted and lifted her down. "It is hard. I'm struggling with the whys and wherefores of what she did."
"I know. I keep thinking of all the times she told me I was too trusting."
He gave her a gentle smile. "She knew what she was talking about."
Priscilla followed him up the trail. "Do you think she was always this way or had something happened like losing her husband to change her?"
"I don't know." Braxton wiped a hand over his face, wishing none of today's events had occurred, except maybe for finding the cave — if it turned out to be what he thought it was.
"I was already concerned about her and unsure whether to believe Irish and Logan about her," he said. "I sent a wire yesterday to the county sheriff in Coalville asking if he had any information on her."
"Who is he?"
"Aubrey Bowles is his name."
"Goodness. Coalville is a long way away."
"Bowles would have a long, hard day's ride, for certain if he came up here. More likely, two days."
"I assume you haven't heard back from him yet." She stumbled over a root and he steadied her.
"No, but we'll stop at the office on our way home and see if Mrs. Tweedie's left me a wire."
"All right."
"Why are you crying, sweetheart?" Braxton asked pulling her into his arms.
She nestled her head in the hollow of his shoulder. "Because I could have lost you today."
Braxton set her away from him, continuing to hold her shoulders. "Would it have mattered so much?"
"Oh, Braxton, I…I…." She gulped. "Yes, it would have mattered a great deal."
His gaze seemed to penetrate to her soul. "Do you truly love me, Priscilla?"
"I said so, didn't I?" Question marks filled her eyes. "Do you truly love me?"
He laughed and hugged her again. "Yes, with every drop of blood coursing through my veins and pumping in my heart."
She smiled. "Then yes, I feel the same for you."
"Good. Reckon we ought to get married right away." He started walking again, holding her hand.
"How soon?"
"Very soon. I lost ten years of my life in this cave worrying Etta would kill you. I don't ever want you to be so far away from me again." He paused to kiss her cheeks, tasting the salt of her tears. "I can't wait to wake up in the morning and find you next to me again."
Laughing, she said, "Again? You would have to remind me. I was only there because you were freezing."
"Even so, it was a glorious feeling, and I want more."
The opening to the cave loomed in front of them
"Why are we here?" Priscilla asked.
"I saw something I need to check on."
"What?"
He pulled the rock from his pocket. "See this?"
She shuddered in revulsion. "That's the rock I killed Etta with. Why in heaven's name would you keep it?"
"I meant to be showing you the gold flakes in it."
"Gold? Real gold?"
"Yes. I suspect we've uncovered an old Spanish gold mine."
She gaped at him. "Surely you're jesting."
"No. As we were coming out, I noticed those marks on the wall like a foreign language, and it wouldn't be the first time the presence of Spaniards has been found in the mountains here. I've heard of other Spanish mines in Utah Territory."
"That would be amazing. I can hardly believe it."
"Me either. We'll find out soon enough, once I investigate the cave more."
They took several samples of the gold-streaked rock from different places within the cave. As they were leaving, Priscilla once again tripped over the strange rock she'd nearly fallen over before.
"Cursed rock!" She kicked at it again but carefully this time.
"What rock?" Braxton asked, tucking the specimens in his saddlebag.
"This one."
He walked over and inspected it. "Well, this proves it. It's not a rock, Pris. It's what the Spaniards called an arrastra for milling ore. This was an old Spanish mine for certain. The Indians no doubt forced them to abandon it. I've heard such stories before."
"But when, Braxton? When would they have built this?"
"Long, long ago, at least a hundred years. Maybe two." He walked over to study another round, flat, gargantuan rock leaning against the wall outside the cave. "See this?"
"What is it?"
He ran his hand over the rough surface. "This is the stone the Spaniards used to close off the entrance when they needed to. Indians must have caught them by surprise and they had no time to move it into place. I bet Etta planned to roll this over the opening to ensure we didn't get out."
"Gracious. If she had, we'd never have left that cave."
When they reached the assay office, Rosemary, who took over running it after her husband's death, confirmed the story of Spanish mines.
"It's true, Priscilla. I heard a hundred stories about lost Spanish mines from my husband. It's part of what brought us here from Kansas. He was always hoping to find one." She grew quiet, fondling the gold-speckled ore. "I can't tell you how badly I wish I could tell him about this. He was so sure there was more gold here somewhere."
"Go ahead and do it, Rosemary," Braxton told her. "Go up to the cemetery and tell him. He'll hear you."
She smiled. "I very well might do that. Meanwhile, I can tell you this is high grade gold ore. If I were you, I'd go straight to the claims office. I assure you, no one will hear of this from me, but you'd be surprised how word gets around. You're going to put Wildcat Ridge on the map again, my friend."
"Wouldn't that be nice?" He paid her for the assay and tipped her a small gold nugget.
Priscilla felt giddy as they left the assay office and rode back to the jail.
A strange horse stood at the hitching post outside the jail. After dismounting, Braxton went to the door and edged it ajar, careful to shield Priscilla with his body as he peered inside. A stranger sat at the desk looking over wanted posters. His reddish hair covered his collar, and his jaw bore a reddish blond beard.
"Hello," Braxton said. "You looking for the marshal?"
The man stood up and stepped toward them, spurs jingling on his boots. "Are you Deputy Braxton Gamble?"
"That's me." He drew Priscilla into the office after him. "This is my fiancé, Mrs. Priscilla Heartsel."
"Glad to meet you, ma'am." He tipped his hat. "I'm Aubrey Bowles, Summit County Sheriff. Looks like you two need some medical attention." His gaze dropped to Braxton's leg.
"We're all right. Are you here about my wire regarding Etta Fawks? I'm amazed you got here so fast."
Aubrey smiled. "Not so amazing really. I was at Curdy's Crossing and my office in Coalville forwarded your wire there." He stood by the door to the cells and gestured for Priscilla t
o take the chair.
"You have any news for me?" Braxton asked, pulling up a chair for the sheriff from the back of the office then settling in his own seat.
Aubrey sat, crossed his legs and put his hat on his knee. "Well, that depends. Tell me about this Etta Fawks."
Braxton glanced at Priscilla, hoping she didn't break into tears again. She simply gazed back at him. "Well, now. We learned a mite more about her in the last couple of hours than we ever knew before. Let me start at the beginning."
He proceeded to relate the story of how he became mixed up with Irish O'Malley and Logan Cash, ending with how Priscilla nursed him back to health and Etta arrested him.
"We have posters on those two boys and one on you too, now you mention it." Aubrey combed his mustache with his fingers and studied Braxton. "Did Etta Fawks know who you were?"
"She did."
"He confessed everything to her, and gave her the stolen money to take back to the bank," Priscilla said.
"Don't tell me," Aubrey said. "It never reached there, right?"
"I suspect you already knew," Braxton said.
"You'd be correct. The law has been searching for Charlie and Etta Fawks for a long time. Now I know how they evaded the law all this time. Being lawmen themselves, they could ignore inquiries or answer with lies."
He glanced around. "Couldn't have picked a better place either, isolated, not easy to get to."
"Why were they wanted, Sheriff?" Priscilla asked.
"Oh, they robbed a bank in Murray, outside of Salt Lake City. Got away clean. Where is Etta now?"
"At the undertaker's where he's preparing her for burial," Braxton told hm.
His eyes widened. "She's dead?"
"It's my fault," Priscilla said, moving to the edge of her chair. "I killed her."
Braxton held up a hand. "It was more an accident than anything. Let me tell it, sweetheart."
She sat back, but he noticed her attempt to blink moisture from her eyes.
In detail, Braxton told the sheriff about Irish O'Malley and Logan Cash cornering them in the empty house that morning and how Etta shot them in cold blood.
"They were holding guns on us, Sheriff," Priscilla put in. "And threatening us."
"Yeah," Braxton said. "But she didn't need to shoot them down from the window without so much as calling their names or confronting them."
Aubrey took out a pipe, tamped down the tobacco inside with his little finger, then lit it with a match. "Go on and finish the story."
Ten minutes later, Aubrey sat back in his chair, his pipe put away, arms crossed over his chest, a contemplative expression on his face.
"Are you going to arrest us, Sheriff?" Priscilla asked, wringing her hands in her lap.
"Your fiancée does have a warrant out for his arrest, Mrs. Heartsel."
"But he's innocent. He didn't know they were going to rob the bank."
For the first time, Aubrey Bowles smiled. "We're aware of the fact, ma'am."
"You are?"
"Mrs. Dimsdale, the teller who was at the bank that day, testified on Mr. Gamble's behalf. She didn't see the wanted poster on him until later. It's ironic Etta would be the one entitled to the reward for the two outlaws, since they died at her hands. As it stands, no one will get that money." He turned to Priscilla. "On the other hand, you just earned the eight-hundred-dollar reward on Etta."
Priscilla snapped her gaze to Braxton. "Oh, my. That's a lot of money."
"Yes, but I'm sure, living in this half-dead town, you can use it." The sheriff hoisted himself out of the chair and put on his hat. "I'm going to mosey over to the undertaker and get an official report on Etta, if you'll point me in the right direction."
Braxton came to his feet. "That's it, then? It's over?"
"Reckon so." Aubrey held out a hand. "Nice meeting you folks. Best of luck with your marriage."
"Thank you, Sheriff Bowles. I'm glad to have met you." Braxton led the way out of the office and gave him directions for the undertaker.
Priscilla had been watching the lawman. A tall man, lean and wiry, he had the strength thin young men often had. She wished Cordelia could meet him. Somehow, she thought they'd make a good couple.
"Sheriff," she said, halting his departure. "Are you in a hurry to get back to your wife or could you stick around to have supper with us tomorrow night?"
"No, ma'am. I'm not married. Haven't been so lucky yet."
"What a shame. Will you come to supper?"
"Priscilla," Braxton muttered under his breath.
Aubrey grinned. "Sounds mighty good. Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow evening then." After only a few steps, he stopped and turned back. "Oh, by the way, Mr. Gamble, may I assume you'll be holding down the position as marshal here indefinitely?"
Braxton ducked his head, then gave a chagrined smile. "I didn't intend on it being forever. I reckon I can't honestly say how long I'll keep this badge."
"What about exchanging it for the marshal's badge?"
"I can do that for now, but I still can't guarantee how long I'll keep it. I'd suggest the townsfolk elect a new marshal."
"Well, few lawmen ever plan on making a career of it," Aubrey said. "It's not an easy life, and men with badges tend to die young."
"That settles it," Priscilla said, taking Braxton's hand. "The job is temporary."
Aubrey chuckled. "Thought you'd say that. Where do I go tomorrow night?"
"The house is at the edge of town next to the church on Pine Street."
"Make it seven o'clock, Aubrey," Braxton said. "I have some business to attend to and wouldn't want to miss having supper with you."
Aubrey nodded, tipped his hat and walked away, spurs jingling.
"Priscilla Heartsel, soon-to-be-Mrs. Gamble," Braxton said. "You're a little matchmaking devil. Who are you planning on inviting tomorrow night. Thalia, I'll bet."
"You'd bet wrong. I have Cordelia picked out for Aubrey."
He shook his head.
"You aren't angry with me for saying your job isn't permanent?"
"Nope. Didn't plan to keep it anyway." He bent his head and kissed her neck.
"Braxton." She squirmed. "We're on the boardwalk. Anyone could see us."
"Let them. I reserve the right to kiss my wife-to-be anywhere I like. Besides, I must leave now for Coalville, and I may not see you until tomorrow night. Gotta have a kiss to last me until I get home."
"You're incorrigible, Braxton."
"Yeah, but you love me."
Epilogue
July19, 1884, Angel Springs, Utah
"Your big day," Hester said, straightening Priscilla's veil.
"Yes." Priscilla agreed. "Today I'm becoming Mrs. Braxton Gamble." Outside, at the springs, she heard people talking, laughing. If she listened hard, she could hear the water tumbling from pool to pool and smell the earthy aroma of the woods.
Her wedding day.
Well, her second wedding day. But this one seemed more special, happier. She prayed Robert would forgive her and wished her mother could be there with her.
"I'm so honored you asked me to walk you down the aisle," Hester said, handing her a bouquet of wildflowers Braxton had picked from the hillside and tied with a trailing blue ribbon.
Priscilla hugged her, holding the flowers out so they wouldn't be crushed. "I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to the job."
They parted, and Hester adjusted the veil again.
"I've been meaning to ask how the auction went," Priscilla said. "I've been so busy—"
"I know, dear. Don't worry about it. The auction went very well. All the horses went to good homes. At least, in the end, they did."
"In the end? What do you mean?"
Hester waved a hand. "Oh, never mind. That's not for you to worry about today."
The changing room door opened and Thalia, in her new rose-pink, maid-of-honor dress, peeked inside. "You about ready? Everyone's here."
Priscilla raised her brows questioningly. "Everyone?"
>
Thalia laughed. "Yes. Including your groom." She squeezed inside the small room, and Hester went out to wait for them. "Pris, you look absolutely stunning. I am so happy for you I could burst. Our first bride among the widows of Wildcat Ridge."
"I won't be the last. I notice a certain attorney hasn't left town yet." She winked at Thalia.
"No, he hasn't. And I understand he's spending a lot of time with Hester."
"Isn't it wonderful? Hester deserves a good man."
"Don't we all? I hear Braxton has more business for our attorney."
"Yes." Clouds of worry dimmed the joy in Priscilla's eyes. "Mortimer found out about the Spanish mine and is trying to claim it."
Thalia fussed with the hem of Priscilla's sky-blue, silk wedding gown. "I heard Owen tell Hester that Mortimer doesn't have a chance."
"That's good to hear." Priscilla buried her nose in the wildflowers, drawing in their scent. "By the way, do you have any idea how it's going with Aubrey and Cordelia?"
"Very nicely, I suspect. At least he hasn't left yet."
"He's a nice man." Priscilla hugged her. "I so want to see Cordelia happy. And what about you and Dinky?"
Thalia took a deep breath as if about to make an announcement. "I've decided I'm going to help him become sober and stay that way."
"Good for you. I know he'll appreciate it eventually."
Thalia's smile faded. "Yes. Eventually, I hope." She opened the door. "Come on. Time to go."
They stepped out of the small, newly-constructed changing room and found Hester waiting beside the refreshment stand.
"Just look at Priscilla, Hester," Thalia said. "She's glowing."
"I think she's delirious," Hester said. "Giddy, at least. She's been giggling a lot."
"You would too, if it were your wedding day." Priscilla held the bouquet of wildflowers. "I'm ready."
The moment they moved away from the building that held the refreshment stand, changing rooms and office and Priscilla saw the crowd waiting, she gasped. People stood all around the hot springs, even on the hill above and below the pools steaming in the cool evening air. Her heart swelled inside her chest.
Thank you, Papa and Mama, for bringing me here to this beautiful town. I never want to leave. At least, not without Braxton. Not without my husband.
Priscilla (The Widows of Wildcat Ridge Series Book 1) Page 16
