by Maggie Ryan
"Just go," Sanders said, turning his back. "But if you try to run, I promise you'll regret it."
Rebekah was a bit surprised that she actually did need to relieve herself. She quickly did so, her face burning as she heard him chuckle and state she might not be a liar after all. Adjusting her skirts, she loosened the knot on the strips of cloth around her hand, closing her fist to keep them in place once undone.
"Thank you," she said, stepping around the bush. She kept her eyes to the ground as if embarrassed. Sanders just grabbed her arm and pulled her back towards the horses. The first white strip fluttered to the ground as he dragged her around the horse. Once he'd mounted, Peterson lifted her to sit in front of his partner. Instead of sitting sideways and leaning against him as she'd done with Jeb, she was forced to pull her skirts up to straddle the horse. As Sanders took back the reins, she put her hands into her pockets, filling them with the remaining berries. Peterson mounted and they once more began to ascend the mountain. She only had dropped a few before Sanders grabbed her wrist.
"What the hell! Where did you get those?"
Rebekah moved her hand to her mouth, popping one of the berries inside. "I went berry picking the other day and forgot I had these in my pocket. I'm hungry. Do you want one?" Her heart was pounding as he looked dubiously at her. "They're really good," she said, eating another.
"Sure," he said finally, giving a shrug. She opened her hand so he could pluck some from her palm, her other hand opening to release the final strip of bandage onto the ground. A few minutes later, Peterson came to a halt and waited until Sanders pulled up beside him.
"We've gotta leave the trail here. We'll pick our way up and around…"
"Why? You're the one in a hurry. It'll take longer than if we just keep following the river."
"And what's along the river? Men that's what. I rather doubt any are gonna believe that our new partner is some chit of a gal who finds you her best choice."
Sanders didn't appear to care until Peterson added that some of those men hadn't seen a pretty gal in ages. Rebekah felt his arm tighten around her waist. "No ones havin' her but me. She's mine. Fine, we'll take the long way around but we need to hurry. I'm not liking the look of those clouds." At his words, Rebekah looked up to see clouds rushing across the sky, no longer white but grey and getting darker by the moment. Peterson made his own perusal and nodded.
"Good, if it rains it'll erase any trail we've left." He turned off the trail and they began to climb again. Low hanging branches slapped at her face as they pushed through the forest growth. She began to duck low but one snagged in her hair, causing her to cry out and reach to untangle her braid from the tree. Tugging it free, she was happy to leave a few strands of red hair behind because she'd also managed to leave the blue ribbon.
Hurry, Jeb. That's all I have. I don't know how else to help you find me.
***
An hour later, Jeb had the first white strip of cloth in his hand. "Good girl, Red. I'm coming for you honey. Just hang on."
"Should we split up?" Zeke asked a bit later as the river on their left widened.
"That's a good idea," Gabriel agreed. "We're gonna start seeing some claims but I doubt Sanders and Peterson want to ride through any with Ruby. They are more likely to skirt as many claims as they can. "You and John should cross here and take that side of the river. You can stop to show the drawings to anyone you come across. Jeb and I will follow the trail and look on this side. They've been climbing steadily upwards. My mine is above us. We can meet there if we haven't found them before we reach that small waterfall a few miles upriver."
The men split up, and it wasn't long before Jeb saw another strip of cloth on the edge of the trail. Pulling to a stop, he looked around as Gabriel moved up beside him. "What do you think?" Gabriel asked.
"Not sure. Either she's trying to tell us they left the trail here or maybe it became too dangerous to continue marking the trail. I don't even want to think about what would happen if they think she's been guiding us the whole time."
"We'll keep going. The first claim is just around the next bend. It's owned by a man named Hamilton. We ride in slow and let me do the talking. Prospectors don't cotton to strangers riding up on them, especially not lawmen. We aren't friends but he knows me."
Jeb agreed and he fell in behind Gabe. They made the turn and he heard Gabe call out.
"Hello. Hamilton, it's Vasquez from the Corazón de Oro."
"Come on," a man called and when Gabe moved his horse forward, Jeb saw the prospector lowering his rifle. After they dismounted and Gabe had introduced Jeb to the older man, he asked, "I'm guessin' this ain't no social call since you brought the sheriff. Who you lookin' for?"
Gabriel handed him the copies of the drawings. "We're pretty sure they are responsible for robbing and killing a man in town. We definitely know they kidnapped a young woman. Have you ever seen them around?"
Hamilton spent a few minutes studying the men's faces. "Maybe. The guy with the beard looks like a fellow who showed up a few weeks back. He wanted to know if there were any abandoned claims around. He looked shifty and I didn't trust him as far as I can spit. I sent him on his way with nothing but a good look at the business end of my rifle. Good thing too as he rode in alone but I saw another man join up with him after I stepped out into the river and could see around the bend."
"Probably checking to see if you were alone," Jeb said.
"I was but since then, I've hired a guy so now the claim is never unmanned."
"Thanks, Hamilton," Gabe said. "Be careful because one of them is already wanted for murder."
They rode off to check at another mine and those men told just about the same story. "So, we know they've been around for a month or so. Since they aren't in town, I'm guessing they found a place but not around here. There are a few old claims up the mountain. Let's head up and pick up John and Zeke," Gabriel suggested.
Jeb agreed and they reached Gabriel's and Jewel's mine the same time as the other two men. Dismounting, they gathered Gabe's men and handed the drawings around.
"I've seen this one," Carlos said, holding up the poster on Sanders. "I was out hunting and ran across him a couple miles west. He said he and his partner had just bought the old Gutherson place. Something about the man had me decide I didn't need him to know where we were mining so I just wished him luck and kept going west."
"Seems like listening to your gut is a good idea," Gabriel said and the men agreed. "The place is gonna be hard to approach unseen. The mine's set back from the river. There's a clearing so very little cover. Gutherson managed to dig out the cave quite a ways into the mountain but I never heard of him having much success. Maybe he gave up and sold it."
"Not according to the records," Jeb said. "I remember Gutherson's name but the records don't indicate any transfer."
"They probably just jumped the claim," Zeke said. "Why buy it if it's abandoned?"
The men spent some time discussing a plan of attack conscious of the fact that Rebekah was being held by cold-blooded killers. Pistols were checked and the men mounted again. Leaving the horses a half-mile from the mine, they made their approach on foot.
***
"Maybe this isn't it," John said. "There's no sign of them or their horses."
"We took a more direct route," Gabriel said. "Like I thought, they were avoiding any claims and would have to weave around quite a lot. My gut says this is where they are heading. John and I will go up top. We'll have a better view to spot them as they come in."
"We'll take the inside," Jeb said. There's no cover out here but maybe we can get the drop on them in the dark."
The men moved into position. The interior of the cave was dark and it didn't take but two steps to trip over equipment scattered on the floor. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, Jeb could make out blankets used for bedding on either side and empty cans and piles of trash everywhere. The carcass of some animal, most likely a rabbit, was spitted above a ring of stones where a fire
would have been lit to cook. The air was fetid with the smell of the meat left on the bone.
"God, they live like pigs," Zeke said, kicking at a pile of dirty clothing.
Jeb was beyond caring how the men lived; he was far more intent on the fact that if they touched one hair on Red's head, they wouldn't continue to live.
"You take the front," Zeke said. "The moment you can, grab Rebekah and get her down to the ground. That'll give me a clear line of sight." The low roof made it necessary for Jeb to crouch, his center low but ready to spring up or forward when the outlaws entered. Zeke, a few inches shorter, took a place against the other wall, deep enough in the cave to become nothing but a shadow.
Jeb heard the sound of a bird call only moments before a clap of thunder rolled through the mountain. Was the call the signal Gabriel had worked out or simply the bird's warning that the storm that had been brewing was here? What if they were in the wrong place? What if they should have gone off-trail at the sight of that bandage? Fuck, what if the men weren't as stupid as they hoped and were already miles and miles away? He cursed softly when the skies opened and a sheet of rain began to fall, obscuring the already limited view outside the cave's entrance. A crack of lightning made what he saw almost seem an illusion but Red's cry of fright told him that she was indeed standing just outside the entrance. He needed her inside to be able to get her and give Zeke a shot at the outlaws.
Come on, Red. Come to me, honey. I'm here. A man's voice gave her much cruder instructions.
"Get your skinny ass inside, I'm getting fucking soaked out here!"
"It's dark and it-it stinks…"
"It's a damn cave now move."
"No, I don't want…" Her denial was cut off as she flew forward, her arms flailing as she attempted to keep her balance. Her scream split the air as Jeb flew up, sweeping her into his side with one arm as they rolled to the floor. She fought like a tigress, her feet kicking and her hands raking down his arms.
"Red, it's me!" he shouted. "Stay down!" He pressed her to the floor and sat up, drawing his gun as shots began to ring out. Flashes of light inside the cave fought with nature's fire as lightning cracked outside. A man was standing in the entrance, his gun spitting bullets that were ricocheting off the cave walls. With Jeb's pull of the trigger, the man arched, grunted and then began to fall forward, his dead weight landing across Jeb's legs. Gunfire continued for another moment but it was outside the cave. Jeb pushed the man off of him and turned to Rebekah.
"Are you all right?"
"I-I think so," she said before sitting up and flinging her arms around his neck. "I knew you'd come for me."
"You were so brave," Jeb said, bending down and finding her lips in the dark. A groan had him pulling away and turning back towards the center of the cave.
"Zeke? You all right?" Another groan gave him his answer and had Rebekah moving from behind him. "Red, no, stay back until we're sure…"
"Zeke's hurt," she countered, crawling towards the groans. Jeb was about to pull her back when Gabriel's voice told of his entrance.
"Everyone all right?"
"Zeke's hurt," Jeb said. "One of them is down but I'm not sure which."
"It's gotta be Sanders," John said, entering with Gabriel. "We've got Peterson outside."
"I saw a lantern to the right of the door," Jeb said, "someone light it."
In a moment, they were finally able to see the details of their environment. Sanders was lying face down, his body covering the center of the cave. He wasn't going to be killing or raping anyone ever again. Rebekah scrambled over him to reach Zeke who was sitting on the ground, his back against the wall.
"Oh my God, he's bleeding!"
Jeb was prepared to catch her when she fainted at the sight of the blood welling from the bullet wound in the deputy's shoulder. Instead, he watched as she reached beneath her skirts and began to rip strips of cloth from her petticoat. Joining her, he took the strips, wadded several into a ball to press against the wound and then used several more to secure his arm across his chest.
"I'll stay here with Red, if you men can get Zeke down the mountain. I think the bullet is still inside…"
"No! I'm not staying here!" Rebekah said emphatically.
"Honey, it's storming and…"
"I don't care. I can't stay here a moment longer! Please, Jeb, please don't make me stay."
"Shh, it's all right, honey. I won't," Jeb promised. "You stay here with Zeke for a few minutes but I promise, we will all go down together."
She nodded, sitting with Zeke, murmuring words of thanks and encouragement as John went for their horses while Jeb and Gabriel secured the bodies of the outlaws over their horses.
"Can you ride alone?" Jeb asked, helping Zeke to his feet.
"Yes, I think so," Zeke said. "And I know what happened to Gutherson. His body is a little ways down the tunnel."
"They… they stayed here with a… a dead man?" Rebekah asked.
"I was afraid they'd killed him," Gabriel said. "He was a recluse but he was a good man."
"We'll come back and bring him down," Jeb said. "He deserves a proper burial."
Gabriel lifted Rebekah to sit in front of Jeb and grinned when she instantly turned to straddle the horse, not facing the front, but burying her head in Jeb's shirt, her arms wrapped around his waist. It appeared her fear of storms had a far weaker hold on her when she was secure in the arms of the man she loved.
It was a long, slippery trip down the mountain and they were soon soaked to the skin. Gabriel led Sanders' horse and John led Peterson's. All of them kept an eye on Zeke, his face growing paler with each mile but he never once complained. As they entered Culpepper Cove, Jeb dismounted and lifted Rebekah from the saddle before turning and barely catching Zeke in time as he slid from his horse. Rebekah opened the door to the doctor's office while Gabriel and John moved to leave their cargo with the undertaker. They would meet up at The Red Petticoat, each grateful that the horrible ordeal was finally over.
Chapter Twelve
Jeb kept his arm around Rebekah as they left the doctor's office. She'd refused to leave even though her teeth chattered from the chill of the storm. He'd been amazed as she insisted on helping the doctor with his patient. After they'd removed Zeke's shirt, Rebekah had gently washed the blood from his chest, murmuring apologies each time Zeke flinched.
"Red, I can do this," Jeb said. "I know you don't like the sight of blood."
"Only my blood," Rebekah said with a smile though her face was very pale. "I can't not help a man who risked his very life to save me." Seeing the tears in her eyes, Jeb had lightened the mood by stating that Zeke should consider himself lucky.
"Lucky? How can you say that? Poor man was shot all because of me."
"Yes, lucky," Jeb said, soaking another cloth. "How many men get not one but two bathing assistants?"
"While she's great, you're dripping freezing water all over me," Zeke protested weakly, a wobbly grin on his lips.
"Well, excuse me," Jeb said with his own grin. "I guess those pretty pink bandages are making you forget you're a man…"
"He's a wonderful man," Rebekah said, giving Jeb a shove to move him far enough away that the water dripping off his clothing would stop falling onto Zeke. By the time she'd washed him, the doctor was ready to extract the bullet.
"Get some whiskey into him," Anson directed, handing Jeb a bottle. Jeb supported Zeke's head as the man managed a few mouthfuls before shaking his head. Rebekah moved to take his hand as the door opened to admit Mayor Rockwell.
"How is he, Doc?"
"I'm just about to remove the bullet. He's lucky that it didn't hit any major artery."
The mayor shook Jeb's hand and nodded at Zeke. "Good job, men. Sheriff, why don't you take Miss McTavish home and then get changed yourself before you both catch your death?"
"No, I want to stay," Rebekah said, swaying a bit on her feet.
"You've done enough, honey," Jeb said.
"This is going to h
urt and get messy," Anson informed her as he settled on a chair, a pair of forceps in his hand.
"I'll stay," Rockwell said. "I'll come over to the saloon as soon as the doc is finished and fill you in."
Jeb cut off any further protests as he simply lifted her into his arms. When she protested, he bent to speak softly near her ear. "Red, the doctor needs to concentrate on Zeke."
"All right," she finally said, stilling in his arms and resting her cheek against his chest. She gave the patient one more look to see that Zeke had passed out. "Take good care of him, Doctor Norwood."
"I will, now go let Jeb take care of you."
Jeb carried her down the street, pausing after stepping onto the porch of the saloon. "You are an amazing woman, Rebekah McTavish. I know how scared you were but you managed to leave a trail and keep your wits. I'm so incredibly proud of you and will thank God every day that you are safe. I love you, Red."
"I love you too and I knew you'd never stop until you found me," Rebekah said. Their lips met in one of the softest kisses they'd shared. When they parted, it was to look up and see the porch had filled with all their friends, smiles on their faces.
Jeb reluctantly released her to Jewel who promised to bring her back to him after she'd had a hot bath and changed her clothes. Jeb could do nothing but watch as his love disappeared, followed by the gems. A hand slapped against his shoulder. "Face it, that little lady is loved by a great many people."
"She is," Jeb agreed. "Thanks, Gabriel. You and John were invaluable today. Zeke and I wouldn't have found the place without your help."
"How is Deputy Tanner?"
"The doc is removing the bullet now, but says he was lucky."
"We were all lucky," Gabriel said. "Come on, we're about the same size. I've got a change of clothes for you." After changing, he walked into the dining room and was shown that he was also loved by a great many people. Nettie engulfed him, tears shining in her eyes.
"Thank you for bringing her back."
"It took all of us," Jeb said, returning her hug and bending to kiss her cheek.
