by Jaclyn Hardy
“Run.” David held her hand tighter and pulled her forward, his heart hammering in his chest. Fires had been set across the valley, and while he wasn’t sure these people were responsible, he didn’t want to wait around to find out what they were doing racing through the town.
Samantha’s breath came in gasps and she was slowing down, so David scooped her up in his arms to run the last hundred yards. He set her on the steps and ran up beside her. David lit the lanterns inside, and started a fire in the stove and fireplace. Anything to show that they were there and not to be bothered. The outlaws tended to go for homes that were empty, lighting them on fire and moving on to the next. They were supposedly ranchers in support of cattlemen who were trying to get the shepherds to leave the land, but they weren’t picky with who they went after.
“Who was that?” Samantha’s eyes were wide as she peeked through the front window.
“I don’t know, but they’re up to no good. And with everyone at the dance, they’re going to do some damage.” David just hoped they wouldn’t crash the ball. There would be casualties if that happened.
Samantha pointed to the door. “Are you going to go stop them?”
He hesitated. “I can’t just leave you here alone.”
“I’ll be fine. Once you’re gone, I’ll latch the door. We can’t just let them get away with it, and we’re the only ones who know they’re here.”
David grabbed his gun from the corner and checked to make sure it had bullets. “If you’re sure, I’ll go. Let Nathaniel know where I am.”
Samantha nodded and reached up to kiss him. “Just come back to me.”
“I will.” He kissed her again. “Don’t forget to latch it.”
Her wide eyes gave away her fear as he left the house and crept around to the back to get his horse. He saddled Spark and took off in the direction he’d heard them go, but it was evident that he’d lost them. They wouldn’t head out into Cottonwood this late at night or they’d risk getting caught.
David slowed Spark to a stop and listened. Barking in the distance was followed by cows and chickens. But then he heard another noise. Movement all around him with the occasional door opening. He peered into the dark, hoping he could see at least one of the outlaws.
There. David cursed under his breath and climbed down, then led Spark to the nearest house and opened the fence to guide his horse inside. No need to have Spark stolen while trying to save the town.
Now that he was on his own, David could move quickly along the shadows, watching for any movement.
A scream pierced the night, sending David running toward the house in front of him. The door to the house sat open. By the sound of the crashing inside, whoever had been awake when the outlaw went in was making him pay. David stepped next to the door and waited for the outlaw to run for the door. He held his gun up and jerked it to the side, knocking the outlaw out as he ran out of the house. David blinked. He hadn’t expected that to work. A woman came outside, her hair in curlers.
“Do you have any rope?” David asked.
The woman reached inside the house and handed it to him. “I was just about to go to sleep when he crashed into the house. Why would someone do that?”
“I don’t know ma’am.” David tied the man’s arms and legs together behind him. “I’ll send the sheriff this way. Are you all right?”
The woman reached into her house again and pulled out a shotgun. “I’m just fine.”
David nodded. “There’s more where this came from. You know how to use that in case another one comes by?”
She cocked the gun. “No one will get past me. Go.”
David took off at a jog until he was a few houses down, then slipped back into the shadows. He heard the whoosh of something coming at him and ducked. He wasn’t as sneaky as he’d thought. Another outlaw stood over him with a gun pointed at him.
“What’d you do to my friend?”
“Made sure he wouldn’t hurt anyone else.” David lifted his gun and jammed it into the man’s stomach, then hit him over the head. There was no rope around, so David took the handkerchief covering the man’s face and used it to tie his wrists. It wouldn’t hold for long, but he needed enough time to get to the sheriff.
He was tempted to go after more, but Samantha was at home by herself and his mother would be coming out of the dance at any time. He needed to finish this. With one final sprint, David burst into the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Wilson jumped up from his desk and pulled a gun. “What do you think you’re do—David? What’s going on?”
“Outlaws . . . breaking into houses . . . I got two, but there are more.” David leaned against the wall to catch his breath.
Sheriff cursed and ran for the door. “Stay here.”
“If you don’t mind, sir, I’d rather head home. My wife is there alone.”
“Very well, but stay out of the light. They may come after you.” Sheriff left the building and climbed on his horse.
David went out the back door and kept to the alleys, making sure no one else was around. Laughter and music erupted, followed by voices. The ball was over. He cringed. If any of the outlaws were still around, they’d be spooked, which meant people were in danger. He turned and ran back toward the ball, ducking just in time to avoid one of the men who were sprinting down the alley cursing.
Carriages passed by, and David waited for the familiar jingle of Nathaniel’s horses. As soon as it passed, David darted out into the road and jumped in next to his mother.
Mother screamed, and David quickly covered her mouth.
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s just me. But there are men out there breaking into people’s houses. We need to get Mother home and then you need to get back home as quickly as you can.” David leaned against the carriage, breathing hard.
Mother pushed his hand away. “Regardless of what’s going on out there, you didn’t have to give me a heart attack.”
“Do you know who they are?” Nathaniel asked, keeping his voice quiet.
“I got two of them and I don’t recognize either of them. You might, though. One was shorter with a mustache and scar above his eye. The other guy was in the shadows. Hopefully his bandana held. That’s all I could find to tie him up.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “All those pranks paid off, I see.”
David grinned. “I told you it would come in handy one day.”
“Yes, but you didn’t have to use me for practice.”
Madeline glanced back at David. “You tied up your brother?”
“It happens more often than you’d think.” David jumped and rubbed his arm where Mother elbowed him. “Hey, we stopped.”
Mother snorted. “After I threatened to throw your gold back into the river.”
Nathaniel stiffened. “Someone’s to the right of us. In the shadows.”
“Don’t stop until you’re at our house and then get out of here.”
They were still here? David had underestimated them.
Nathaniel nodded and continued down the road. Shouts arose behind them followed by gunshots. He urged the horses to go faster and pulled Madeline closer to him. Mother gripped David’s arm tightly.
“You need to be ready to jump out. Are you ready?” David whispered.
“Yes.”
Just a few more yards. David slid to the front of the seat and bolted out the moment it came to a stop. Mother was close behind him and had to jump out of the way as Nathaniel took off. David prayed they’d get home safely as he walked up the steps.
The door was still latched, and it was a moment before Samantha finally answered holding a broom in her hand as a weapon. Once they were all inside, David bolted the door again.
The room was sweltering with both fires going. He wanted to open the windows, but that would alert anyone nearby. He paced back and forth in the living room. Samantha took his arm and turned him to face her.
“It will be all right. We all got here safely.”
“We did, but I’m not su
re I can say the same thing for the rest of the party goers. There were gunshots.”
Samantha’s eyes widened. “Who are these people?”
David shook his head. “Nathaniel’s told me about the battles going on between the sheepherders and cattlemen, but the fight hasn’t really come into town before. And the way they were going from house to house was different as well. Usually they start a barn fire or scare off the herds, but this . . .”
Mother handed him a mug. “Have some tea, dear. It will calm your nerves.”
“I don’t need to calm down. I need to know that those men are behind bars.”
“Did you alert the sheriff?”
“Yes, but—”
Mother held up a hand. “Then you’ve done all you can. You have two women that need you here.”
David stared at the tea in his hand and finally relaxed. She was right. He’d stopped two of them. But there was at least one more and they weren’t too far from here.
“I need to make sure they caught that last one we saw on the way here.” David reached for his gun, but Mother grabbed his arm.
“Stay here. If you go out there and you’re seen, they’ll know who to go after.” Mother waited for David to agree before she let go.
David strode to his room to change out of his suit and into something that he could leave in if needed. Samantha wrapped her arms around his waist, and he relaxed, holding her close.
“How long has this been going on?” Samantha rested her head against his chest.
“A few years now. I’m sorry for bringing you into this.” He kissed the top of her head. “I should have warned you.”
Samantha leaned back until her eyes met his. “It wouldn’t have changed things. I’m glad to be here with you.”
“Yes, but if anything happened to you . . .”
“It didn’t.” Samantha moved to a chair to brush her hair. “Tonight was wonderful. Don’t let what happened after ruin that.”
David took the comb from her and brushed the curls out until it was smooth. “It was a good night. You’re a wonderful dancer.”
She beamed. “Thank you.”
David braided Samantha’s hair and secured the end. “Having a few of their number arrested should stop some of the fighting at least for a while.”
“That’s good because my parents will be here in a few weeks. Mama is already going to be on edge here. We don’t need anything to make it worse.”
“We’ll make sure she sees the good here. Which reminds me.” David placed his hands on her shoulders. “I talked to Bill today. He said something about having the delivery ready for tomorrow. And he apologized several times for not having it delivered today. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Samantha sighed. “They weren’t supposed to tell you. I wanted to have it delivered as a surprise.”
“It certainly was a surprise to get that message. And thank you. From what he told me, it should be plenty to build the barn I’d wanted.”
“I saw your markers out back, so I used them to figure out how much you’d need.” Samantha stood and went to the dresser where she pulled out a piece of paper.
David looked over the numbers and then back at her. “You figured all this out?”
“Papa had me go over plans or accounting with him sometimes if something didn’t add up. I picked it up fairly quick. Something Mama would never have approved.” Samantha looked up at him. “You’re not angry?”
“We’d discussed using the money for this. I just didn’t think it would be so soon. I’ll see if there are men who can help build it. Otherwise I’ll just work on it when I have time. For now, I’d better sleep.” He blew out the candles and climbed in bed, listening for the sounds of gunfire outside, but all was quiet. The trees in the back made shadows on the wall, and David kept expecting one of them to open the window.
He’d loved living here since the moment they arrived in the valley, but for the first time, he worried for the safety of those he cared for.
Samantha wiped her brow and stepped back to inspect her work. The barn was nearly done, and she was in charge of helping with building the stalls for the horses. Her parents would be arriving the next day, and she wanted to make sure everything was ready for them. Clover stood nearby enjoying the hay she’d been given. They’d moved the animals in as soon as there was a roof on the barn.
“This stall looks good. Much straighter than the last one.” David wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck.
Samantha elbowed him in the stomach. “It wasn’t that crooked. The door would have worked.”
David laughed. “It would have worked, but it threw off measurements. Mother says she has food ready if you’re hungry.”
“No, I’m almost done. I just have one more.” Samantha pointed at a wall on the ground that she’d built.
“It can wait. Come. I don’t want you wearing yourself out.” David took her hand and pulled her away. “What would your parents think if you were sick in bed when they arrive?”
Samantha sighed. “I’m sure they would blame you for it.”
He was right, though. She was exhausted after working almost nonstop over the last few weeks. It was worth it. They had a place for all the animals David wanted to own, and there was even leftover lumber for a fence to hold horses.
They walked inside and Mother looked up from the book she’d been reading. “You found her.”
Samantha sat at the table and stared at the bread and soup. It took too much effort to eat. Now that she was away from the barn, all she wanted to do was sleep.
David sat next to her and picked up the spoon. “You need to eat. Here, I’ll help.”
Samantha sipped the soup off the spoon and was surprised to find that it was cold. “This is wonderful.”
“We learned after staying out in the sun all day that hot soup was the last thing anyone wanted.” Mother stood and poured some milk to set in front of Samantha. “We made it in the morning and then ate it for lunch or dinner.”
“Brilliant.” Samantha took the spoon from David and finished the rest. “Have you heard about the pigs yet?”
David brightened. “Yes. They should be ready early next week. And the other livestock will be here shortly after that. I’d worried that we’d miss getting animals this year.”
“Speaking of which, do you think it’s too late to start a garden? I’d like to have our own produce rather than having to purchase it from the store. It isn’t always fresh.”
David rubbed his chin. “I’ll see what I can do about getting seeds. If you tell me where you want the garden, I can get the ground prepared after lunch.”
Samantha frowned. “I hadn’t thought of where I want it. Somewhere that gets lots of sun. Maybe to the right of the barn?”
“That should have enough sunlight there.” David stood and took a sandwich. “You know, I left some money on the dresser. Why don’t you go to the general store and see what they have for seeds? If they no longer have any, I can check with friends.”
A nap and a bath were what Samantha really wanted, but she nodded. “I can do that. Thank you.”
David kissed her cheek and left the house whistling. Samantha stood and took her dishes to the sink. After she was done washing them, she used the water to wash her face and arms. A bath could wait until that night.
Mother sat at the table staring at Samantha when she turned around. She set the book down and leaned forward. “Are you well?”
“I’m just tired. I’m not used to working this much.” Samantha smiled and smoothed her hair down. “Do I look presentable enough to go into the store?”
Mother shook her head. “I’d change your dress. You are a young woman of good standing back home. Show that here as well.”
Samantha drew her shoulders back, surprised at how much she was slouching. “I guess I’d better get used to it with Mama coming tomorrow.”
“Don’t do it for her.” Mother walked into Samantha’s room and ret
urned a moment later. “Follow me.”
Samantha made sure to keep her shoulders back while she walked into the bedroom. Mother was busy sorting through dresses until she held one out triumphantly.
“Change into this and then I’ll try to get those knots out of your hair.” Mother left long enough for Samantha to change and then barged back in. She wasn’t as gentle with the comb as David was, but by the time she was finished, her hair flowed down her back. She then pulled it up into a bun and secured it. “There. Now you look like you belong on a plantation and not in a pig sty.”
“Thank you.” Samantha scooped the coins off the dresser into her hand and dropped them into her coin purse. “Would you like to go with me? You haven’t left the house much.”
Mother nodded. “I think I will. I need to purchase some vegetables for tomorrow’s meal anyway. I must say, I do like the idea of having a garden.”
“I’d love to have our storage cellar filled with food for the winter.” Samantha chose a hat to cover her face from the sun and they left the house.
Mother stopped several times to talk with neighbors on their way, and even though Samantha wanted nothing more than to get home, she stood and smiled, answering questions when they were directed at her.
They finally arrived at the store and separated to get what they needed. Samantha went to the front to speak to Clarence, but there was a small line. Those in front of her spoke of battles out at Cottonwood or in the basin. She sighed. Things had seemed like they were calming down.
Clarence waved Samantha forward. “What can I do for you?”
“Do you have any seeds? I didn’t see any.”
“Ah. They’d be in the back. Would you like me to send someone to get them for you?”
She shook her head. “I can find them. Thank you.”
Several bins filled with seeds sat near the back. Samantha bit her lip. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to grow. Samantha grabbed a bag and filled it with pumpkins, then moved on to carrots, potatoes, lettuce, and corn. She bundled them all up in her arms and went back to the front desk to set them down.
