Cade thought through the plan one more time, making sure he had every detail of what was to happen figured out. Jason had wanted to be here too, but Nicki, the widow Jason had fallen in love with, was due to have her baby any day now and they’d all convinced him they could pull this off without him.
Lord I hope we were right on that count.
He laid a card aside and took another from the dealer. It was time to put everything into play. He lowered his voice and kept his perusal on his cards as he said, “Judd, unless I miss my guess, your dandy of a brother here has been sneaking down to town and has caused a little ruckus. Two lawmen just came in. One at the bar, one at the table near the door.”
Judd’s voice was just as low, barely audible over the plinking of the piano. “I see ’em. We don’t have anything to worry about. Sheriff Collier wouldn’t know an outlaw from a bread roll. This is his town.”
Pretending great interest in his cards, Cade lifted one shoulder. “The barber said they brought in a couple new men. This must be them.”
“Well, we ain’t done nothing to warrant their attention. They mostly leave us alone so long as we keep to ourselves. I’ll handle this.” Judd swilled his whiskey and took a gulp then started to stand.
Cade flicked the corner of one of his cards. “I hear tell Judge Green’s daughter is sure a pretty little thing.”
Mick shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
Judd cursed softly and sank back down. “Mick?”
Mick couldn’t seem to meet his brother’s gaze.
Judd swore again. “I ought to shoot you, myself! We are just about—” he cut off, tossing Cade a glance before he returned his attention to Mick. “Now I have to figure out a way to get us out of here.”
Cade leaned forward. “Maybe I can help you with that.”
Judd glowered at him.
Cade pressed on. “I’ve been needing a place to… hang my hat, for a bit. I get you out of here and…?” He shrugged. Their whole plan hinged on the decision Judd would make right here.
Mick nodded at Cade. “You get us out of here and you can stay with us for as long as you want.”
Judd wasn’t so quick to take the bait. He lowered his brow. “Why would you do us any favors?”
Cade pushed out his lower lip and eased into a comfortable posture. “Suit yourself. Like I said, I’ve been needing a place to lie low. Word hereabouts is you have the best hide-out around, and….” He lifted his shoulders and resettled his hat, once again leaving the decision in Judd’s hands.
Rocky and Sky stood erect and turned to face their table.
“Judd, just let him help us.” Desperation tinged the edges of Mick’s tone.
Judd glanced toward the slowly approaching lawmen. Then gave Cade a barely perceptible nod.
Cade suppressed a sigh of relief as he stood and swung his jacket over his shoulder. “Gentlemen,” he said loudly, “the game has been fun, but I sense it is time to move on.” He tipped his hat to Sky and Rocky as he stepped past them. They were already drawing their guns, right on cue.
“Mick Rodale, you are under arrest for the molestation of Missy Green.”
Cade palmed his gun, spun around and swung his coat over Rocky’s Colt knocking the aim down and away. He pressed the muzzle of his pistol to Sky’s chest. Sky only had enough time to let loose his scripted cry of shock before Cade pulled the trigger.
The report was a little loud, but about right.
Sky flew backward and crashed over a table, sliding across the surface and disappearing over the other side as the table toppled onto its edge. His body was concealed, only his legs protruded from one end.
Too bad about that. He couldn’t see if the blood packet they’d rigged had worked.
Rocky had recovered from his pretended surprise by this time and had his Colt leveled at Judd’s head. “Drop your gun! I will kill him!”
Calmly Cade turned and pressed the muzzle of his pistol under Rocky’s chin. “Your friend over there is lying in a pool of his own blood. Do you think I’d hesitate to kill you too? You have five seconds to drop that gun.
Rocky’s eyes narrowed.
“Four… three…”
“Alright! Alright!” Rocky’s gun thumped onto the table and he raised his hands above his head.
This was the critical moment. Now he had to keep Judd and Mick from shooting Rocky themselves.
He kept his pistol aimed directly at Rocky and his body between him and the Rodales. “Have a seat in that chair behind you. Judd, Mick. I got this. I’ll meet you outside of town.”
Mick shucked his gun and pushed Cade aside. He stood trembling in excitement before Rocky. “Let me kill this one.”
Dear God, give me wisdom. Cade hoped his breathing sounded normal to the others in the room. It rasped ragged and thready in his own ears. He made a quick decision, met Rocky’s gaze and then thunked him a good one with the butt of his pistol. Not hard enough to actually knock him out, but Rocky took the cue and slumped over, toppling to the floor with a low moan.
Cade pierced Mick with a look. “You kill a lawman and it will follow you to your grave. Trust me, I know.”
Judd had his pistol free now. He gestured the bartender, piano player, and dealer toward the back wall and they stumbled over themselves to comply. Cade made swift work of tying up Rocky and the bartender while Mick grumbled his way through binding the other two.
Judd stepped over and eyed Sky, then turned to Cade and nodded. “Thanks. We owe you one.”
Cade smoothed down his sleeves, buttoned the cuffs, and swung his jacket on. “Best we make ourselves scarce.” He wanted to get these two out of here before one of them decided to put an extra bullet into either Sky or Rocky.
Judd snapped his fingers at Mick. “Let’s go.”
With a sigh of frustration Mick followed them out the doors. They mounted up and galloped toward the foothills.
A tremor of sheer relief coursed through Cade. First step down. Thank you, Lord.
2
Sharyah blinked at the bandit, her hand still holding the stickpin, frozen in mid air.
It only took her a moment to recognize him.
“Samuel Perry! You nearly startled me right through the Pearly Gates!” She slumped into her chair, resisting the urge to rub her posterior once more, and dropped the tack into her desk drawer. No need for Sam to know the problems she currently faced at the school.
Sam laughed and holstered his pistol. “Aw! You ruined my fun.” He pulled the bandana down and winked at her. “I was hoping to rustle me a kiss from the prettiest school teacher ever.”
Sharyah knew she should feel flattered by that. Instead her irritation rose. “And what if the gun had accidentally gone off?” Her father would have whipped her brothers good if any of them had ever tried a stunt like that.
Sam lifted his bowler and scooped his fingers through his straight sandy hair. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He grinned then. “You should have seen the look on your face, though, Darling.”
The “darling” grated. Especially since she knew he didn’t really mean it. Sam might find her a passing fancy, but his affections belonged to someone else. The signs of a broken heart were all there. I should know them well enough. She just hadn’t figured out who the woman was yet. But she had no doubt Sam dallied with her in an attempt to forget someone.
Who was she to talk? Wasn’t that the same reason she allowed him to call? So she could forget Cade? She sighed and set to gathering the materials she would need at home tonight. “I’m glad I could be your entertainment for the day, Sam.”
He turned serious in an instant. “I’m honestly sorry, Sharyah.” He cocked his head to one side. “Is everything alright?”
She shook herself from her melancholy and forced a smile. “Yes, I’m fine. Just tired, I suppose.”
“Children giving you trouble?”
“All’s well,” she quickly assured. Sam was the head of the school board. It wouldn’t do for him to thi
nk she couldn’t handle the children. “The students and I are just… learning to adjust to one another.”
“Good.” He clasped his hands behind his back and gave her a petulantly pleading look. “Let me take you to dinner, then. You won’t have to cook and I’ll be able to make up for my little bandito faux pas.”
She carefully checked the first window to make sure the lock was secure. “You know my contract stipulates that I can’t fraternize with men.” Crossing to the other window, she checked it, too.
“Well,” he stuck his lower lip out, “I happen to know the banker who is the head of the school board pretty intimately. I know he won’t mind. And the other members are eating from the palm of his hand. They won’t make a fuss. If they do he’ll just call in their loans.”
She grinned and slung her satchel over her shoulder. “This head of the school board seems a little arrogant and callous, don’t you think?”
He laughed outright at that and reached to take the stack of books from her hands. “It’s only arrogant if it isn’t true. As for callous….” He shrugged. “Maybe a little.” With a grin, he held the door for her. “Mrs. Dougherty down at the boarding house makes a mean pot-roast, what do you say? I’ll be a perfect gentleman the whole night. Besides, I have a surprise for you.”
A surprise? Surely he wasn’t planning to… No. It couldn’t be. Sharyah lifted one eyebrow as she pulled the door to and latched it. “Something tells me you aren’t used to being told no.”
He shrugged. “True. So let’s not start now, shall we?” He peered at her over top the stack of books, pleading with his dark eyes.
How could she say no to that? But what if he was planning—she cut herself off from that thought and picked up the pace toward home. It was too soon. Even though she didn’t think she needed to fear him asking for her hand, she really should say no. But she simply didn’t want to spend the evening alone. Her little cabin on the edge of town was very nice, but also… solitary. “Well, I would hate to be the one to introduce you to the word no, I suppose.”
He grinned. “I was counting on that. How about I pick you up at seven then?”
“Seven sounds fine.”
They had arrived at the cut-off she needed to take to get home.
Sam deposited the heavy books back into her arms. One toppled off and sprawled in the dirt. “I’ll get it.” He picked it up, brushed at the cover and then set it atop the stack and stepped to one side. “Very well, then. I’ll be back this evening.” He tipped his hat. “I’m very much looking forward to it, Sharyah. Good afternoon.” And with that he hurried off toward the livery.
Sharyah rolled her eyes and readjusted her load. Pa would have tanned his hide for leaving her with a pile of books to carry, too.
As she started on toward home she mumbled, “But no man is perfect, right?” A dark-haired visage with alluring blue eyes immediately popped into her mind and she shook it away. “Oh stop it, Sharyah! Not even he was perfect.” I’m pathetic. Still pining for a man who’d made it very clear he was only interested in friendship. But if she didn’t find someone to marry soon, she would end up a genuine old maid. God had good in store for her. His Word said so. Obviously the time had come to stop being so picky and accept that she needed to readjust her wants. She would be nineteen on her next birthday.
She had nearly reached her front door when a loud shot rang out from somewhere in town. She paused to listen but there were no responding reports.
Strange. Perhaps someone scaring off a stray dog? Not likely. She wondered what that could have been about? With the Rodale Gang hanging around, who knew what could be happening. That thought brought Missy to mind and she made a mental note to stop by and see her on the way home tonight. It was a terrible thing to have happened to such a nice girl. Worse yet she felt sure, Missy had been subtly snubbed at church for the past two weeks by the other girls in town. As if the girl was somehow at fault for the monstrous thing that had befallen her. Sometimes society was simply ridiculous!
Smith Bennett squinted his eyes against the Oregon dust filtering over him from the churning of hundreds of hooves. He’d been riding drag for the past hour. Give him lead or flank any day of the week. The constant eating of dust that came with bringing up the rear wore thin, and quick.
He adjusted his bandana and checked the angle of the sun.
Another forty-five minutes and they’d circle up. Tomorrow they’d reach Portland and payday would follow a couple days after that. His boss on these runs had been fair, but this one would be his last. It was time to go back home.
He snapped his whip to the outside of a wandering cow, scaring her back into line.
What was Cade up to these days? Had he sold the ranch?
Smith’s jaw clenched. Doubtful he’d sold out. But whether his son would welcome his return, was another thing altogether.
Couldn’t say as he blamed him, either. Running off the way he’d done after Brenda’s passing wasn’t something he was proud of. But time had given him a little distance and a clearer focus. Family ought to stick together. And he aimed to do his part to make that happen.
What Cade decided when he showed up… well, that would be up to him.
Sam arrived at Sharyah’s door promptly at seven o’clock wearing a black suit and pulling at his collar. As he helped her up to the wagon seat, she glanced around. Seeing nothing remotely resembling his promised surprise, she teased, “I don’t see my surprise.”
His brown eyes twinkled. “Patience is a virtue, Miss Jordan.”
She smoothed the skirt of her best blue serge and adjusted her gloves as he strode around and hopped up in the driver’s seat beside her. She tilted him a smirk. “A virtue best left for times when surprises are not pending.”
He guffawed and slapped the reins down. “So patience isn’t your strong suit, I see.” The team settled into an easy gait and Sam rested his elbows on his knees and looked over at her. “I promise, Miss Impatient, that the surprise will be plainly evident the moment we arrive at the boarding house.”
He was good on his word, for when they were still a block from Miss Dougherty’s Boarding House Sharyah noticed the two men standing on the porch. “Sky! Rocky! Oh, thank you!” Before she thought better of it, she reached over and squeezed Sam’s arm. “Thank you, so much!”
He reined the team to a stop and she didn’t even wait for him to come around and help her down but jumped immediately to the ground and rushed up onto the porch. “It’s so good to see you!” She pulled first Sky and then Rocky into an embrace. “I’ve missed you so mu—” She frowned, only at that moment realizing that Sky had winced when she hugged him and a distinct lump bulged on the side of Rocky’s head. “—Are you two okay? Rocky what happened?” She reached toward his head.
He jerked away before her fingers could connect with the lump. “We’re just fine.” He met Sky’s gaze briefly. “Nothing a little time won’t ease. Now, how about you?” He offered her his arm and indicated the diner. “Shall we?”
“Yeah,” Sky chimed in, “how are you liking your new job?”
Sharyah ignored their attempts to change the subject and stood her ground. “That shot I heard earlier? That had something to do with you two, didn’t it?”
Both of her brothers looked guilty, but her focus zoomed in on Sam, who was just joining them. “And you? How do you know my brothers?”
Sam’s feet shuffled. “Well… they were doing a little work for me today. I’ve known Cade for years – bought stock from him on a number of occasions, and he introduced me to Rocky and Sky not too long ago. I needed a little job done, so I went and hired them. And Ca—”
“—let’s go into dinner.”
“—that roast sure smells good.”
“Cade? He’s here?” Sharyah glanced around. A surge of joy pumped through her, yet a hint of unease at Sky and Rocky’s rush to stop Sam from saying his name also niggled at the back of her mind.
Sam’s brow furrowed speculatively. He settled h
is hands into his suit coat pockets, studying Sharyah with a curious lift of his brow.
Sky sighed and folded his arms over his chest, piercing Sam with a glare.
And Rocky attempted to pull her toward the diner’s entryway. “Let’s go eat, shall we?”
“He wasn’t k-killed, was he?” Sharyah couldn’t move. The sudden thought had frozen her to the boardwalk, and a wave of light-headedness washed over her.
Sky huffed, rubbed a hand over his chest, and winced. “Cade will most likely outlive us all.”
Rocky gingerly touched the lump on his head. “Isn’t that the truth.” He looked at her. “He’s not here, Shar. But he’s fine.”
The relief nearly took the strength from her legs. “O-okay. Let’s go in and eat.” She needed to change the subject. “How are Brooke and Sierra, Sky?”
The mention of his wife and daughter brought a smile to Sky’s face as he held the door for them all to enter. “They’re fine. Sierra’s crawling all over the place now. And talk about a chatter box.” He whistled. “Can’t hardly get her to be quiet now that she’s discovered she has a voice.”
Sharyah chuckled and sat in the chair Sam held out for her. “I miss her so much.” She glanced at Rocky as she settled the blue-and-white-checked napkin in her lap. “And Victoria and the kids? How’s everyone?”
“They’re good.” Rocky’s countenance softened. “They miss having you as their teacher, but they like Miss Cooper well enough. Especially Jimmy.” He chuckled. “That boy’s been studying his lessons like there is no tomorrow.”
Sharyah laughed. “Oh good. He’s so bright. Well, so are Damera and ChristyAnne.”
“Yes, they all are.”
The evening passed too quickly and Sharyah was soon blinking away tears as she hugged her brothers goodbye. Their work done, they would be heading home in the early hours of the morning. “Give my love to Ma and Pa.”
The Shepherd's Heart Series: A Boxed Set Book Bundle Collection Volumes 1-4 Page 87
