Blowing out a frustrated breath, Hunt’s mouth drew into a thin line. “You’re sure the judge will agree?”
August nodded. “I am.”
“How can you be so certain?”
A slight grin turned up the corners of August’s mouth. “Because I’m the judge.”
Suzette refused to show fear as she stared at the silhouette of a man she’d hoped never to see again. She’d thought Dave Calvan was out of her life forever, content with what he’d done to her and Bay in St. Louis. The nightmare hadn’t ended.
He’d somehow found them in Conviction, and she had a good idea how. The newspaper article about Bay had appeared in San Francisco, Denver, Kansas City, and St Louis. And those were the places she knew about.
“What do you think they plan to do with us?” Jasper’s scared voice pierced through her.
Like her, his hands and legs had been tied to a chair. He didn’t deserve to be caught in the nightmare with her and Bay.
Leaning toward him, she lowered her voice. “Calvan is using us as bait to draw out Bay.”
A sick expression passed over Jasper’s face as he absorbed her words. Working to control the bile rising in his throat, he shook his head. “Bay is too smart not to know what Calvan plans.”
“It won’t matter. He’ll still come for us.” She knew that as well as she knew how much they loved each other. If it was within his power, Bay would never allow someone to hurt her. The realization of how much she trusted him whirled through her. He would come for them.
“Won’t be long now.”
Suzette glanced up to see Calvan standing over her. “What won’t be much longer?”
“Donahue. I’ve sent him another message.”
The pounding in her chest increased, but she didn’t respond.
“He’ll come for you. When he does, I’ll allow you one last look at him before he takes his last breath.”
Suzette wanted to scream. Instead, she took a long, calming breath. “You’re a fool if you believe Bay will let you and your men live. You’ll be in the ground before the sun sets.”
If she hadn’t been watching, Suzette would’ve missed the flinch passing over Calvan’s face.
“Unlike in St. Louis, Bay will be ready for you.” She lifted a brow. “Do you know how many jobs he’s taken and not gotten who he was after?”
Calvan’s nostrils flared. “No.”
“None. It doesn’t matter if it’s one, two, three, or more. Bay always gets his prey.”
Bending down, he got within inches of her face. “He won’t be as lucky this time.”
Lifting her chin, she smirked. “Luck has nothing to do with the way Bay will kill you.” She shifted her gaze to the others. “All three of you.”
Grabbing the hair at the back of her head, he tightened his grip until Suzette’s eyes began to water. Calvan drew her face to no more than an inch from his, features twisting in rage.
“Leave her alone.”
Calvan looked at Jasper, pulling his free hand back to deliver a hard slap to his face. “This is none of your business.”
Tilting his head back to stave off the blood flowing from his nose, Jasper ignored the warning. Choking, he glowered at Calvan. “I’m making it my business. Believe me, you won’t be hard for Bay to get the best of. Any man who uses a woman is no man at all.”
Suzette grimaced at Jasper’s words, as well as the pain when Calvan tightened his grip on her hair. She hadn’t expected Jasper to defend her in a way which would cause the outlaw to lash out at him. In fact, she hadn’t expected much at all from the efficient, quiet law assistant. A man she’d never seen wear a gun.
Calvan lifted his hand to strike Jasper again when a shout from one of his men stopped him.
“Dave, we have to get going if we’re going to reach the meeting place before Donahue.”
Dropping his hand from Suzette’s hair, he stepped away. “I’ll deal with the two of you when we get back.” Calvan started to turn away, then stopped. “Once Bay and anyone with him are dead.”
Before leaving for the location the outlaws described in the latest message, August had sent a rider to the MacLaren ranch, letting them know of the kidnapping. And that the wedding had been postponed. By the time the second message arrived, Colin, Quinn, Fletcher, and Bram had joined them.
Colin and Bram had made the mistake of checking on Camden, finding him more than ready to leave, over the doctor’s objection.
“I’m going with you.” Camden struggled to pull on his clothes, determined not to be left behind.
“Nae. You’re not going anywhere, lad.” Colin yanked the shirt from his brother’s hand.
“Aye, I am,” Camden shot back, tearing the shirt from Colin’s grasp. “Will you be helping me or be in my way?”
Bram moved beside him. “Ach. You’re in no condition to ride out, Cam. Listen to Colin and stay here.”
“You’re not understanding. I need to be doing something instead of lying here.”
Bay had stepped inside the clinic a minute before, understanding the scene before him. “I need you to stay with Suzette’s friend, Evangeline.” He held up his hand when Camden opened his mouth to protest. “Vangie’s in a panic. She’s never been in the middle of anything like this, much less a kidnapping. I’d appreciate it if you would stay with her, keep her safe.”
Camden knew it was a bad idea for him to be alone with Vangie, a woman he’d had an immediate attraction to when they’d met at the Great West Café. Still, he wouldn’t refuse Bay.
“Assuming the lass wants me there.”
“She will.” Bay looked between Colin and Bram. “He’ll need help getting there.”
“I can walk,” Camden objected. “My shoulder was shot, not my leg.”
“I’ll be going with him, Colin.” Bram helped Camden, who no longer seemed inclined to argue, slip into his shirt.
Bay rubbed a hand across his forehead. “We still haven’t received instructions on what they want us to do next.” The strained sound of his voice had the others looking at him. “If he lays a hand on her…” He couldn’t finish, the thought of losing Suzette after all they’d been through crushing him.
Colin placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll find her and Jasper, lad. And we’ll be getting the men who took them.”
Bay glanced at his friend, praying he was right.
Removing his hat, Camden met Vangie’s gaze when she opened the door, eyes widening. “Um, Mr. MacLaren. It’s, um…good to see you.”
Seeing the redness in her eyes, he hesitated a moment before explaining. “Miss Rousseau. Bay Donahue sent me to stay here with you. I’m hoping it’s all right.” He wished Bram had stayed a few minutes longer, but his cousin had been anxious to get back with the other men.
She bit her lower lip, brows scrunching together. “I’m certain it isn’t proper for the two of us to be in the house alone.”
“Lass, it would be highly improper for you to be waiting here alone for Suzette’s return.” Camden sucked in a slow breath at the pain in his shoulder.
Seeing the brief anguish on his face, Vangie moved aside. “Please, come inside. I’ll worry about consequences later.”
He flashed her a grin as he stepped inside. “We’ll be worrying about it together, lass.”
Vangie’s stomach fluttered at his words. She knew it would be hard having Camden in the house, a man she’d found appealing the first time they’d met, minutes before he’d been shot. Doubting he’d remember her sitting beside his bed in the clinic, holding his hand as he worked through a fitful sleep, she shut the door, clenching her hands in front of her.
“May I offer you coffee or tea?” Biting her lower lip again, she glanced around. “There’s also whiskey.”
He remembered Doc Tilden’s warning to stay away from alcohol a few more days. “Coffee would be good.”
Camden watched her walk into the kitchen, following the sway of her hips, the silky shine of her deep red hair. He knew once the redness on her fa
ce disappeared, he’d see bright blue, inquisitive eyes, the same ones which had drawn him to her before the shooting.
Following her to the kitchen, he rested a shoulder against the jamb, watching as she made coffee. “How are you doing, lass?”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “I’ll be better when they find Suzette.” Straightening, Vangie’s gaze locked on his bandaged arm. “How’s your shoulder?”
“Doing better,” he ground out.
Reaching to grab two cups, she stopped, moving toward him. “You should sit down, Mr. MacLaren.”
“Aye, but only if you call me Camden or Cam.” A grin lifted the corners of his mouth, seeing a flush color her cheeks.
“All right, Camden. But you must call me Vangie.”
He walked to the table in the kitchen, slowly lowering himself into a chair. Even with Tilden’s warning, he’d refused to acknowledge how weak he’d still be. Camden had to wonder how much help he’d be if the outlaws came for Vangie. He’d do what was needed to keep her safe.
“Here you are.” She placed a cup in front of him. “Would you care for sugar or some milk?”
“Black is fine, lass. Thank you.” He waited to take a sip until she sat across from him, enjoying the first swallow of coffee since being shot.
Silence lay between them, Vangie not meeting his gaze, Camden watching her hands shake as she brought the cup to her lips.
“Bay, Brodie, and the rest of my family aren’t going to let anything happen to her, Vangie. The outlaws made the mistake of taking her and the lad. They’ll be the ones to suffer.”
“I hope so.” Slapping a hand over her mouth, she winced. The words had spewed out before she could stop them.
“I’ll not be disagreeing with you, lass. Those miscreants deserve whatever they get.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Those lads won’t be getting out of this alive.” Colin spit out the words as the group rode closer to the meeting place.
Half a mile down the trail, they broke into two groups, meaning to surround the outlaws. Brodie kept Hunt with his group, which included Bay, Griff, and Sam. Before they’d left the jail, Hunt admitted he believed Dave Calvan and two of his men were the ones who took Suzette and Jasper. The news didn’t surprise Bay.
“We’ll be doing this right, Bay.” Brodie’s hard gaze landed on his friend. “I’ll not allow this to be a vigilante hunt.” He also shot a warning look at Griff, who answered with a curt nod.
Bay didn’t answer. He respected Brodie, knowing he had a job to do. If it contrasted with what Bay wanted, though, he wouldn’t let friendship or any lawman get in the way of rescuing Suzette and Jasper. And it wouldn’t stop him from doling out justice to Dave Calvan, the man who’d abducted them.
“Bay, did you hear me?”
“I heard you, Brodie.” It wasn’t a promise, and Bay knew the sheriff understood.
“Calvan won’t be bringing the hostages with him.”
Hunt’s unexpected announcement had Brodie reining to a stop in front of him. “What do you mean?”
“Simple. They’ll be at that shack he uses to store his weapons and supplies. My guess is he’ll leave his woman,” Hunt nodded at Bay, “and Jasper there until it’s over. Even if he and his men die, you won’t be able to find the hostages until they’ve starved to death or animals have taken care of them.” He couldn’t suppress an approving grin. “If he lives, he has Miss Gasnier to himself. It’s quite brilliant, really. Of course, Calvan doesn’t intend to die.” Hunt sent a pointed look at Bay.
Brodie ignored the last, his jaw set. “Where is this cabin?”
Shrugging, Hunt gave a slow shake of his head. “If Calvan wins this little skirmish, you won’t need the location. If he dies, I’ll be happy to tell you.”
Before Brodie realized what was happening, Bay launched himself out of his saddle at Hunt. The impact sent both men to the ground, where Bay slammed a fist into the outlaw’s face.
“You’ll tell us where the cabin is, or so help me God…” He lifted his arm to land another punch when Griff’s hand clasped Bay’s wrist.
“Enough. There’s another way to work this out.” Griff hauled him up, leaving Hunt to take care of himself, including the blood on his face, knowing he’d have a tough time with his hands tied in front of him. Griff glanced at an amused Brodie. “Were you just going to leave Bay to beat the answer out of him?”
“I’d have stopped it if I thought the lad intended to kill him.” Brodie turned his attention to Hunt. “Before you mount up, you’ll be telling me—” The sound of gunshots rang through the air, halting whatever else he intended to say.
“It’s coming from the direction of Colin’s group.” Sam had already reined his horse toward the direction of the gunfire.
“Get on your horse, Hunt!” Brodie emphasized his order with a six-shooter pointed at the outlaw’s chest. He shot a glance over his shoulder at the others. “Hold up.”
The instant Hunt landed in the saddle, Brodie motioned for the group to ride out. The gunfire had subsided, but the lack of it didn’t lessen the churning in everyone’s stomach. Especially Bay’s.
When he thought the gunfire had stopped, two more shots split the air, confirming the direction Sam had selected. Bay pushed his horse forward, passing Sam, unable to stay behind any longer. Calvan and his men were out there. So were the MacLarens. One group sought revenge against Bay, and he didn’t intend to let them take it.
Charging to the edge of a clearing, he reined up. From the spot hidden within the trees, his gaze darted over the nearby trees and rock formations. A sharp whistle drew his attention, as well as that of the other men who’d stopped around him.
“It’s our lads.” Brodie recognized the unique call perfected by most of the MacLarens. Putting fingers to his mouth, he returned the whistle. An instant later, he heard a quick response, followed by a more intricate whistle. Brodie’s teeth ground together. “One of the lads is hurt. Another is making his way toward us. We’re to stay here.”
Bay arched a brow. “You understood all that from a few calls?”
The corners of Brodie’s mouth lifted. “Aye. We’ve more if you want to hear them sometime.”
Sam would’ve chuckled if the reason for them sitting atop their horses at this spot wasn’t so serious. “When this is over, you’ll want to take Brodie up on his offer. It’s a real education.”
A crackling in the brush stopped Bay’s response. Instead, he pulled his gun, as did the others, the group allowing their gazes to move over the area behind them. Staying as still as an alerted deer, they watched, no one moving a muscle.
A low whistle preceded a man striding from behind the trees, his hands held up.
Bay blew out a slow breath. “It’s Quinn.”
Sam kicked his horse forward, holding out a hand so he could swing up behind him. Quinn set his gaze on his cousin, Brodie.
“Calvan and his lads are hidden in the rocks. They have us pinned down. One of their shots clipped August on the leg, but the lad’s doing fine. I’ve never heard such a long stream of cursing.” Quinn shook his head. “Colin wants us to go around behind them and wait for his signal.”
“How many men?” Bay asked.
“Three for certain. Maybe four,” Quinn responded. He shot a look at Hunt. “We should be sending him out to draw fire.”
Ev straightened in his saddle, opening his mouth to protest, when bullets rained around them. His horse bucked, knocking him from the saddle and onto his injured right arm. The outlaw didn’t attempt to stop the roar of pain. The sound brought another round of gunfire, most hitting the ground, some chipping at tree limbs.
Bay and the others slid from their horses, taking refuge wherever they could, leaving Hunt rolling on the ground. When the shots stalled, Brodie and Bay dashed out, hauling the outlaw into the brush. Before Hunt could gather his breath, Bay leaned down, his face red with rage.
“Where is the cabin?” A smirk appeared on Hunt’s fa
ce before Bay slapped it away, his gun inches from the outlaw’s face. “You’ve got three seconds.” Cocking the gun, he waited.
Hunt’s eyes widened an instant before he blew out a curse. He nodded south. “It’s less than half a mile down the Feather River from here, on the east side. It’s surrounded by trees and rocks. Hard to get to. You’ll never find it by yourself, especially with the sun setting.”
Bay straightened, shaking off Hunt’s warning before glancing at Brodie. “I’m going after her.”
“Not by yourself, lad.”
Griff crouched low, moving closer to them. “I’ll go with him. Will you have enough men if we leave?”
Brodie nodded. “Three of them. Seven of us. Aye. We’ll be fine. Be watching in case Calvan left a man behind with Suzette and Jasper.”
“We’ll go that way.” Griff nodded to a trail leading away from the shooters.
Leaving Brodie with Hunt, Sam, and Quinn, they found their horses, mounting quickly before riding into the approaching darkness.
Suzette’s chest rose and fell, the continuing band of worry tightening to a painful degree. Her head pounded, and if her hands hadn’t been tied, she knew they’d be shaking.
It had been well over an hour since the gunmen had ridden out, leaving her and Jasper alone. No water. No food. They’d been given nothing since arriving at the old shack. It wasn’t the thirst or hunger bothering her. At least they’d left the door open, allowing somewhat of a breeze to cool the stifling air inside.
Knowing Calvan had gone after Bay spurred a pain in her heart no amount of wishful thinking could lessen. Suzette’s mind told her the outlaws didn’t stand a chance against Bay. No one ever had, and she doubted his luck would change now. Although it hadn’t been luck that had made him successful as a hired gun.
Skill and experience had made him of great value to landowners and others who desired someone to rid them of rustlers and thieves. Bay had always made certain the men he went after were outlaws, not just an inconvenience to the rich and powerful.
Calvan wasn’t rich or powerful, but he had taken something more important than Bay’s own life. She knew he’d do anything to find and rescue her. Even if it meant putting himself in front of a bullet.
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