The Gem: The Malloy Family, Book 12

by Beth Williamson

  “What if it’s an animal?” She itched to hold her bow.

  “We have too much weight on the horses now. They have to carry us and our gear all the way to Cherry Creek. We can’t add on a few hundred pounds of deer.” Eli, damn him, was right again. “We can get a rabbit for supper if you’ve got a hankering for meat.”

  She looked out at the shadows again. “Even if it’s Big Buck?”

  He chuckled. “You think that old buck is following us?”

  She shrugged. “It’s not impossible.”

  “That cantankerous elk is probably dancing through the woods near the fort now that we’re gone.” Eli got to his feet and held out his hand. “C’mon, Mrs. Sylvester.”

  He had been the first person to call her by her married name. Now he’d done it for a third time. It felt awkward, like a coat that was too tight across the arms and too big on the shoulders. She ignored his proffered hand and pushed herself off the ground. She pretended not to notice his fallen expression. Charlie was still hurting him, even if she was his wife. She didn’t know how to not hurt others.

  “What if it’s not an animal?” he mused as they walked toward the horses. “What if it’s a person?”

  “You made me get up. I was content to pick whoever it is off from my hiding spot.” She refused to look at the spot she’d been watching again. He’d already ruined any aspect of surprise she could have had.

  “I thought I saw a familiar shadow.”

  Charlie stopped so fast, dirt sprayed up from her boots. She grabbed his arm, her fingers digging into the solid muscle. “Who?”

  “It was a big shadow.”

  She closed her eyes and let the shudder pass through her before she spoke. “Gunther.” Was she never going to be free of her past? Why would that great hulking brute follow her?

  “He did save you from Volner and Oxley. That ought to buy him a little forgiveness.”

  She swallowed down the angry retort. Eli still didn’t know everything that had happened to her. She couldn’t speak it aloud. She likely never would.

  “I don’t fucking want him around me and I’m not going to explain it.” She started saddling her gelding, her gut churning.

  Eli took care of his own mount, the air crackling with silence. Their wedding day was anything but normal. Now the second day of their marriage was worse than the first.

  “If we see Gunther, I’ll make sure he understands he’s not to follow us. No matter what I have to do.” Eli’s voice had tightened.

  Charlie turned to him in surprise. “Are you angry?”

  “Damn right. There’s something in your past that involves him. No matter how much you try to avoid him, he stays around you. Like some kind of dark angel who won’t let you go.” Eli’s blue eyes flashed. “You’re my wife. I will defend and protect you.”

  At that, she found herself speechless. He finished both horses and made sure their fire was out before they left. As they mounted, Eli tugged his hat down on his forehead. He was menacing in his fury. She had never considered him to have that level of anger inside him. She was very wrong.

  After the sweet lovemaking with Charlie, things went to hell quick. She was the one who spotted the shadow behind them. He was certain it was Gunther. The man seemed to have an unnatural need to keep watch on her. She wasn’t talking about why. It made Eli want to shake her until she spoke the dark secrets that ate away at her soul.

  It wouldn’t be that easy and he knew it. Hell, if he tried to force her to do anything, she would kick him in the balls. Or possibly shoot him, then kick him in the balls.

  No, there was no use trying to force his wife to do anything. Eli had to use other methods, like earning her trust. He had earned some of it, but not all of it. He knew it and so did she. It was damn slow and that bothered him to no end. He’d had ten years of practice at patience when it came to Charlie Chastain. He would have to put that experience to work or his marriage wouldn’t make it.

  The fact that Gunther was following them—and Eli was sure now it was the big man they’d seen—infuriated him. Charlie was his to protect. He’d told Gunther that when he appeared with Charlie in his arms. The other man was quiet, but he wasn’t dumb. He’d understood Eli, but obviously refused to obey. Damn son of a bitch had followed them. Possibly watched them when they’d made love beneath the sky.

  Eli swallowed the rage that threatened. He needed to be in control, to protect his wife, no matter her protests that she didn’t need it. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her, regardless how many times she put herself in danger.

  They rode south, but every so often, Eli looked behind to be sure no one followed. Once or twice, he spotted a wagon or a few men on horseback, all heading different directions. No one going the same way as he and Charlie. Yet he had an itch on the back of his neck he couldn’t shake.

  “Stop doing that.”

  “Doing what?” He scratched at the phantom itch.

  “Looking behind us. It’s annoying. There’s no one back there.” Charlie sounded as confident as she always did, but she hadn’t once actually checked to see if she was right.

  “He’s there. I can feel it. For a big man, he’s damn stealthy.”

  She chuckled. “I thought it was my job to do the cussing.”

  “I can cuss too. It’s not yours to own.” He sounded childish and he knew it. He couldn’t let what Gunther did or was doing turn him into an idiot. “Sorry.”

  She shrugged. “It’s nothing to be sorry for. I’m on edge too, but I can’t let it stop us or slow us down. The gold is sliding into other people’s pans for every minute we’re not there.”

  He was worried her need to stake a claim would cause disappointment if she wasn’t able to. Charlie didn’t take no without putting up a fight, verbally or physically. He’d packed as much ammunition as he had or could buy. No doubt he’d need it. Being married to Charlie would be anything but boring or dull. He would constantly be wondering what would happen next.

  “It’s going to take at least ten days to get there. With this much weight, we can’t push the horses any more than that.” Eli patted his horse’s neck. “They’re good animals and we need to take care of them.”

  She made a face. “Damn. You’re right, but I don’t want you to be.”

  “We’re lucky there’s plenty of creeks and tributaries around to water them. Appears the spring was good for rainfall. The grass is thick, so they won’t starve either.” Eli had been surprised and pleased to see the land was as plentiful as it was. However, it also meant the trees were thick with leaves, able to hide anyone following them.

  He scratched at his neck again.

  “Why did you do it?” Her question surprised him.

  “Marry you?”

  “Yeah, of course. Who would marry me?” She sounded genuinely confused.

  “Jesus, Charlie, I told you I loved you. Why else would I marry you?” He was frustrated by her need to pick apart everything good in her life. “You’re a beautiful, smart, gifted pain in the ass. The perfect wife.”

  She burst out laughing. “I am a pain in the ass.”

  “That’s what I said.”

  “You are a saint to marry such a curmudgeon.” Beneath her words, he heard doubt, and it made his heart hurt.

  “Well, I would’ve never married Jane no matter what I did. She deserved to be treated better. I was a fool.” He regretted what he had started, knowing deep down it was the wrong thing to do. Jane was a good woman. He hoped the captain would look after her.

  She snorted. “I’m not gonna disagree with you. I thought you were courting her. Then you married me when I asked.”

  “I was mad because I loved you but you didn’t think of me as anything but someone to hunt with.” He shook his head, his gut tight with the feelings he’d been shoving down deep.

  “You were mad, so you de
cided to court Jane?”

  “Pretty much.”

  She was quiet for a minute. “Why didn’t you just tell me how you felt?”

  “I’m gonna ask myself that question for the next hundred years.” He had struggled to accept his feelings and the idea he wasn’t worthy of Charlie. “I was Fixit, nothing more than a raggedy poor boy who could fix anything you put in front of him.”

  She pulled up on her reins and scowled at him. “There isn’t a bit of truth in saying you were a raggedy poor boy. Pack of fucking lies.”

  He smiled. “Yet another reason I love you. Fierce as a wolf protecting her mate.”

  “If I have to protect you from yourself, then I will.” Charlie kneed her horse into motion. “You can be a fool sometimes.”

  “I already said that.” Eli watched her, infinitely glad he’d decided to love the one woman who wouldn’t think twice about using the word “fuck”. Who needed a sweet, demure girl? Not him.

  Movement to his right, at the tree line, caught his attention. He yanked the reins of the gelding and spurred his horse into a full-out gallop. His healing wrist protested how hard he was clutching the reins, but he ignored it. Charlie shouted behind him, but he didn’t slow down. Not this time. He’d catch the son of a bitch.

  A horse and rider was just visible through the thick leaves of the trees. He pulled the horse hard to the right, into the forest. Eli drew the pistol from its holster. He didn’t want to waste a bullet until he had a clear shot.

  The rider was indeed Gunther. Eli’s fury choked him. Breathing hard, he got close enough to kick at the other man’s leg. Gunther grunted and glared at him.

  Eli aimed his pistol at Gunther’s head. “Stop right there or I’ll blow a hole in your head wide enough to spit through.”

  Apparently choosing his life over his scheme, Gunther nodded and pulled his horse to a stop. Eli waved the pistol. “Put your hands up.”

  Charlie came riding into the forest with the grace of a hard wind, at one with her horse, her sunset hair streaming behind her. She was exquisite.

  She pulled the gelding to a stop with a spray of dirt and leaves. “Elijah Sylvester, you stupid jackass. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

  Eli chose to ignore her. No doubt he would reap the rewards of that decision later. “Why are you following us? Actually, why are you following her?”

  Gunther blinked, his muddy brown gaze full of misery and pain. “Only wanna help.”

  “I don’t want your help,” she spat. “You should have helped me ten years ago. Instead, you let them hold me in that wagon. You could have untied me and let us go, but you didn’t. Your mother was a monster and you’re a demon from her cursed cunt!” Spittle flew from her mouth and Eli’s rage paled in comparison to what burbled beneath his wife’s exterior.

  “She was my mam.” Gunther seemed to shrink into himself. “I didn’t do any of the watching or the doings with her. Karl did, and Catherine. I didn’t want no part of it.”

  “That didn’t mean you couldn’t help me! I needed you when I was a child, not when I’m a woman grown, you fucking bastard!” She pulled a knife from her boot and lunged for Gunther.

  Eli dropped his gun and knocked the knife from her hand, tackling her to the ground. The horses whinnied and pulled away, hooves nearly trampling both of them. She fought him like a wildcat, scratching, punching and biting. Eli put every ounce of strength into not hurting her.

  “Charlie, stop! It’s me, stop!” He was desperate to stop her from self-destructing in a black pit of fear and loathing. She had so much blackness inside her, his heart clenched in fear she would be unable to overcome it. “Tamia, je t’aime.” He had asked Mason to teach him how to say “I love you” in French to his little chipmunk. Damn sure didn’t think he’d use it like this.

  She rolled him onto his back. Tears fell from her eyes, splashing on both of them like warm, salty rivers of pain. “Eli.” She dropped her bloodied hands and collapsed atop him, her body shaking so hard, her teeth chattered.

  He ran his hands down her back and held her tight. “Oh, tamia, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” His throat tightened for the unrest in her soul, for the horrible things she’d endured and kept inside for too long.

  Heavy footsteps sounded beside them. Eli looked up into Gunther’s face. Tears ran freely down his cheeks. No matter what Charlie thought, Gunther regretted what had happened to her. His intentions were possibly selfish, to find forgiveness for what he had or hadn’t done.

  “You can ride with us, but the first sign of trouble, I’ll shoot you myself,” Eli growled. “I’d like to shoot you now, but I think it would make things worse for her. You’re worth less than a rat’s fart in the wind to me.”

  Gunther nodded. “Only wanna help,” he repeated.

  “Eli,” she whispered. “Don’t let me go.”

  He held her tighter. “Never.” He would go to the ends of the earth for her. He would die for her. He would kill for her. He would never let her be alone again.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next ten days passed in an uneasy peace. Gunther had his own supplies, fed himself and rarely spoke. The same was true for Charlie. After her outburst in the forest, she didn’t feel much like talking. She’d revealed so much of what had happened to her, shame kept her quiet. Eli hadn’t asked her about it and she wasn’t about to offer up more information. He might change his mind about leaving her. His face sported bruises and cuts from her outburst.

  They hadn’t made love since their wedding night. However, they slept beside each other, spooning for comfort and warmth. He didn’t treat her differently or act as though she was less than before. Yet she felt different. Her secrets were supposed to stay hidden, not be shouted loud enough to be heard within ten miles.

  Yet nothing happened. She almost wished he would ask or say something to her. Instead they traveled steadily south toward Cherry Creek. They started to run into other people in wagons, on mules or on horseback. Charlie watched them with interest. Some watched their group with suspicion, others with curiosity.

  She cataloged all their belongings, their abilities and their eyes, looking for the crazy ones. She wasn’t about be taken by surprise if she could help it. The more she knew about the other folks prospecting, the better they’d be.

  They arrived shortly before noontime to a cacophony of noise, mud and a stench that rivaled any outhouse. They rode past tents, campsites and women tending fires. Everyone watched them pass; most gazes landed on Gunther, the largest of the trio. A good dose of fear and distrust hovered in the air. Having a big man like him wasn’t an advantage she had considered, but much to her dismay, she was glad he was with them and not against them.

  A few gunshots rang out, accompanied by shouting and general noise up and down the side of the creek. They would have to find a spot where no one had staked a claim before. There were hundreds of people, and finding a virgin spot would be difficult.

  “We need to ride up and down to see who’s where. Most folks will let us know if we’re near their claim.” Eli kept one hand on his pistol, the other—the healing one—on the reins.

  “This won’t be easy.” She didn’t know what she expected, but it wasn’t this. She’d lived in a wagon, camped out under the stars, even slogged through mud. But she’d never been in a place where such a dark presence hovered over everyone and everything. It made her skin crawl.

  “These folks will kill you for looking at ’em crosswise.” Eli’s jaw was tight.

  “We stay together. No one goes anywhere alone.” Charlie was sure if they kept as a unit, they would be safer. “I am damn glad you insisted on coming with me.”

  Eli managed a small smile. “I’m damn glad you asked me to marry you.”

  The ring was heavy on her finger, but it had become a natural extension of her hand. She touched it often, like a talisman that kept her who
le and sound. His grandmother’s ring had been a wonderful gift from his mother. She hoped no one at Cherry Creek saw it as a nice prize and killed her for it. Charlie was no fool. She knew the darkness that lurked within a human being.

  A flash of blue behind a tent caught her eye, but it was gone before she could see what it was. The only colors out here were dirt, shit and gray. Different colors stood out. If she were to hazard a guess, it was Army blue. Her stomach clenched.

  “Eli.” She spoke loud enough for only him to hear her. “To your right. I saw an Army blue uniform.”

  Eli’s head snapped around and he peered intently. “Are you sure?”

  “No, but my gut tells me I’m right.” She swallowed. “Do you think Kenneth sent some of the soldiers here?”

  “Kenneth, is it?” Eli frowned hard enough his brows almost touched. “I don’t think the captain had decided to send troops. And they couldn’t have passed us without us noticing. We came the most direct route from the fort.”

  “Volner.” Saying his name aloud sent a shiver down her spine.

  “Fuck.” Eli tightened his grip on the pistol. “He must’ve left the fort right after he broke my wrist. No doubt Oxley is with him. Son of a bitch!”

  Gunther turned to look at them. “Volner is stupid. I’ll kill him for you.”

  Charlie was surprised to hear Gunther speak and even more surprised to hear him offer to do something for her. “They’ll hang you if you kill a soldier.”

  The big man shrugged. “I ain’t got no one else. I promised to protect you.”

  Disconcerted by the unwanted attention from a man who represented her dark past, she refused to respond to him. She had tried to pretend he wasn’t there during their journey, but he hung on like a dogged cocklebur stuck to her back.

  “If Volner is here, he knows we’re here.” Charlie kept her gaze moving, searching every nook and cranny she could see. “We’ll have to be doubly careful.”

  “There are three of us. We can cover more ground than he can.” Eli made sense, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.