Promise Trail

by Shirleen Davies

  Ginny sucked in a breath as another sharp pain gripped her stomach. She looked up at Rachel, her eyes wide with panic. “Something’s wrong. This shouldn’t be happening…should it?”

  Rachel bit her lip, not wanting to say anything until she knew more. “Let’s get you inside. I need to do a quick check before we jump to any conclusions.”

  “Now, lay back and take deep breaths. This won’t take long.” Lifting Ginny’s skirt, it only took one glance for Rachel’s heart to sink. The telltale spotting indicated a real problem—one needing more expertise than as a nurse. “I’ll be right back.” Returning a few minutes later with warm water and a rag, she cleaned Ginny as best she could, then helped her sit up. “We need to see my uncle. I’ll get the wagon ready.”

  Harnessing her horse to the wagon, Rachel pulled it to the front porch, secured the lines, then dashed inside to grab blankets from a chest. After spreading them out into a makeshift bed in the back of the wagon, she returned to help Ginny.

  “I feel warm, Rachel.”

  “What’s going on?” The women had been so focused on getting Ginny into the wagon, they’d failed to see Dax and Dirk ride up.

  “She has a fever.” Rachel glanced at Ginny, then ran into the house, Dax following close behind while Dirk stayed by the wagon. “I need to wake Patrick and get water.” She turned to Dax. “She’s spotting. I’m afraid she’s losing the baby.”

  Dax nodded, cursing under his breath. “I’ll get Patrick. You pack whatever else she’ll need before we head to town.” Dax took the stairs two at a time to get their son ready for the trip.

  Within minutes, Dax sat on the wagon bench, the lines in his hands. He glanced over his shoulder at Rachel, holding Patrick, sitting next to Ginny in the back.

  “Are you ready?”

  “We’re good, Dax.”

  He shifted his gaze to Dirk. “You’re in charge while I’m gone. We’ll be at the clinic. Don’t know when we’ll be back.”

  “I’ll take care of everything, boss. Do what you need to.” Dirk leaned over the saddle horn, suspecting their reason for the trip to town. His thoughts went immediately to Luke, knowing he’d blame himself if anything happened to Ginny or their baby while he wasn’t around. What a damn mess, he thought before turning his horse around and heading back to work.

  Ginny moaned, gripping Rachel’s hand so hard her knuckles turned white. Pulling her knees up to lessen the pain, her panicked gaze locked on Rachel.

  “I’m losing the baby.”

  “We don’t know what’s happening, Ginny. I know you’re in pain, but try to relax as much as you can. It won’t take long to get to town.” She continued to hold Ginny’s hand as Patrick squirmed on her lap. “Patrick, sweetheart, please settle down. How would you like to visit Miss Suzanne when we get to town?”

  Old enough to walk, he still didn’t talk much, but nodded his head vigorously. Suzanne Briar, the owner of the local boardinghouse, had a way with children, even young ones like Patrick. Rachel prayed Suzanne would be able to watch him while she and Dax were at the clinic with Ginny.

  “What will I do if I lose the baby? Luke will…he’ll…” She sobbed, unable to continue.

  Rachel didn’t reply, knowing Luke would understand and be supportive, as Dax would. The worst would be the guilt she knew Luke would feel for not being here. At least she has us, Rachel thought as she turned to look over Dax’s shoulder, seeing Splendor come into view.

  “Two more minutes. How’s she doing?” Dax asked, glancing behind him. Rachel shook her head.

  Sucking in a breath, Dax thought of his brother. Luke hadn’t been off his mind for more than a few minutes since the search party left. He thought he’d done a good job of hiding his concern from Rachel and Ginny, letting them believe he wasn’t worried. After two weeks, worry over Luke and the others all but consumed him. And now Ginny might lose the baby. Even if Luke were here, there wasn’t anything he could do to change the outcome.

  “We’re here. I’ll help with Ginny.” Dax secured the lines, then climbed over the seat into the back as Rachel dashed into the clinic with Patrick. “Come on, Ginny. Let’s get you inside.”

  “Uncle Charles, are you here?” Rachel pushed through into the back room. Seeing no sign of him, she went out the back door, taking the short walk to his house behind the clinic. She could smell something cooking the moment she stepped inside. “Uncle Charles?”

  “In the kitchen, Rachel.” He set down the spoon he’d been using to stir the stew, then turned, his smile fading when he saw her face. “What is it?”

  “Ginny may be losing the baby.” Her voice broke.

  Charles wasted no time scooping Patrick out of Rachel’s arms. “Come with me, lad. Let’s go check on your Aunt Ginny.” Walking into the clinic, he found Dax bending over Ginny, holding a cool rag to her forehead. “Here you go, Patrick.” He handed him to Dax, then went right to work.

  “Why don’t you take him to Suzanne, Dax? I’m sure she’ll be glad to watch him.” Rachel stroked a hand down Patrick’s thick, dark hair.

  “I won’t be gone long.”

  As Dax disappeared through the front door, Rachel rolled up her sleeves and washed her hands. Swallowing her concerns, she steeled herself for the news she feared.

  “Who do we have here?” Nick Barnett walked into the boardinghouse, his heart almost coming to a stop when he saw Suzanne bouncing a boy on her lap. He’d lived in a room at Suzanne’s since coming to Splendor to run the Dixie Saloon. Since then, he’d become a well-respected businessman with a significant investment in the town. He’d long since outgrown his need to live upstairs, purchasing land near the Pelletier place in the hopes of someday talking the beautiful woman before him into becoming his bride.

  “You recognize Patrick Pelletier, don’t you?” She smiled up at him, the brilliance sucking the air from his lungs. “Nick, are you all right?”

  Shaking his head, he knelt before her, taking a good look at the laughing little boy. “I’m fine, Suzanne, just surprised at how much he’s grown since I last saw him.” He looked around, expecting to see Rachel or Dax. “What’s he doing here?”

  Suzanne’s face fell. “Ginny’s at the doc’s.”

  “Isn’t it too soon for the baby?” Nick stood, removing his hat, unconsciously adjusting the patch over his left eye.

  “Yes, it is.”

  Her flat voice and change in mood had him studying her. He rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

  Blowing out a breath, she stood, setting Patrick on his feet and taking his hand, lowering her voice. “She may be losing the baby.”

  Nick didn’t respond as he thought of how much Ginny and Luke wanted this baby. He’d liked Ginny from the first time he’d met her when she lived in a tiny room at the boardinghouse with her younger sister, Mary. Suzanne had provided it in exchange for Ginny’s help cleaning rooms. Then she’d met Luke and her life changed, although Nick and Luke had almost come to blows over an unfortunate misunderstanding. Since then, Nick had become good friends with both of them.

  “And Luke hasn’t returned?” Nick walked alongside her as she guided Patrick into the kitchen. She pulled a cookie out of a canister, handing it to the boy.

  “No, he hasn’t. The Pelletiers seem to be getting hit hard from every direction right now.”

  “You know Luke will blame himself if anything happens to Ginny or the baby while he’s gone. That man’s got more pride than any five men.” Nick had learned that first-hand. His jaw hardened at the injustice that might befall the young couple.

  “I just pray Luke, Bull, and the others get back with Sam soon. If she loses the baby, Ginny’s going to need Luke by her side.” She thought about all that had happened over the last few weeks. Cash and Allie’s wedding, Sam being kidnapped, the search party leaving at a time when Dax needed all the help he could get, and now Ginny. “Lydia’s another one I’m worried about, Nick. Who knows what she’ll do if tho
se Indians hurt her brother.” She glanced at him, her eyes showing a spark. “You know she’d die before letting any harm come to him or Selina.”

  Pouring a cup of coffee, Nick took a seat at the small table against one wall, thinking of all the people he now considered friends. Everyone in Splendor came west for a different reason. Each story distinct, the reasons for staying diverse. Suzanne had come with her husband. When she lost him and their daughter in a freak blizzard, she’d buried her heart, putting all her energy into the boardinghouse and helping as many people as she could. Nick had always been drawn to her big heart and giving nature. The fact her beauty took his breath away didn’t hurt.

  “Bull isn’t going to let Lydia do anything foolish. They took a good number of men, all experienced. I’m sure it will turn out all right.” At least Nick hoped it would. There was no telling what would happen if the search party returned without Sam or lost anyone else. Setting down the empty cup, Nick stood. “I’m going to head to the clinic.”

  “You’ll let me know how she’s doing?” Her worried expression caused his chest to constrict.

  Taking a step closer, Nick bent down, brushing his lips across hers, then drawing back, hearing her gasp. “You’ll be the first person I talk to.” Touching a finger to the tip of her nose, he turned, strolling out, leaving Suzanne with her jaw hanging open.

  Nick hadn’t made it twenty feet down the boardwalk when Dax came through the clinic door. He watched as his friend scrubbed a hand down his face, then let out a feral oath. Continuing until he stood a couple feet away, Nick waited for Dax to speak.

  “She lost the baby, Nick. Dear God. What am I going to tell Luke?” Rubbing his eyes, Dax leaned against the outside of the clinic, his eyes haunted.

  Cursing under his breath, Nick debated responding before deciding Dax needed a dose of encouragement. “The truth. Luke’s a good man, married to a wonderful woman. It won’t be easy and they’ll have rough times, but they’re both strong. Real strong, Dax. Now, what can I do to help?”

  “Ginny doesn’t want to go back to the ranch. She needs a little time to herself, but Doc says she can’t be left alone. Does Suzanne have a room until she’s ready to come back?”

  “Ginny’s room is vacant.”

  Dax’s eyes narrowed. “Ginny’s room?”

  “The room Ginny and Mary lived in when they first came to town. It’s how Suzanne refers to it. I’m sure she’d be welcome to it or another empty room upstairs.” With the expansion he, Gabe Evans, and Gabe’s wife, Lena, had helped fund, Suzanne had added several more rooms and expanded the restaurant. He liked being one of Suzanne’s partners, maybe more than he should. “I’ll let Suzanne know. Bring Ginny over whenever she’s ready. When she’s well enough to head home, Suzanne and I will bring her back.”

  “Don’t know if that will be necessary, but thanks. I believe Rachel will be coming to town each day Ginny’s here.” He blew out a breath. “Well, guess I’d better head back inside.” Dax started to turn, then stopped. “You know, I’d like one month…just one month when life seems easy, Nick. No hard choices, no illness, no death, and none of this bull going on with Sam. Is a month too much to ask?”

  Nick let his gaze move up the street, then back down, drifting over the many businesses, thinking of the people and the lives they lived. Danger, tragedy, and difficult choices were all part of their daily life.

  “Never thought I’d hear an ex-Confederate general gripe about the facts of life. Especially not an arrogant, hard-headed man like you.”

  Dax straightened, his mouth tilting up slightly at the corners, although there was no joy in his eyes. “You know, Nick, you are one brutal man. But…well said.” With that, Dax walked back into the clinic, closing the door quietly behind him.

  Chapter Eight

  “Running Bear’s village is over the next hill.” Mal reined to a stop next to Luke and Bull. For two days, he and Travis had scouted the trail to the Blackfoot village. “We’re being watched. Two small groups.”

  “Ignore them. They won’t stop us when Running Bear realizes who we are.”

  “Are you certain about that, Luke?” Sam joined them, his gaze darting about, looking for any type of danger. Since his release, he’d been tense, unable to sleep or eat more than a few bites.

  “Running Bear isn’t a threat to us, Sam. His enemy is the Crow.”

  “If you say so.” Sam shifted in his saddle, unable to control his unease. The Blackfoot distrust of white settlers was well-known, although he hadn’t heard of any raids in a long time.

  “Luke’s right, Sam.” Bull’s voice held an edge, as it had from the moment he’d realized Lydia had ridden away. His total focus was on getting her back by any means available. “Besides, we have little choice but to ask for his help. We don’t have enough men to go against Red Tail and White Buffalo, and I’ll not rest until Lydia is back with us. We’re wasting time. Let’s get going.” He didn’t wait as he reined Abe back onto the trail, heading toward Running Bear’s village.

  Luke hurried to ride alongside him. “You calm enough to talk?”

  Bull sent him a scathing look, then nodded.

  “We should all ride in, but only you, Sam, and I should approach Running Bear.” Luke guided Prince toward the camp a few hundred yards ahead, seeing people emerging from tipis, young children running to be with adults.

  “As long as he agrees to help, I’ll do whatever seems right.”

  Stopping a hundred yards away, Luke turned to the others, explaining the plan. The expression on Sam’s face wasn’t what he expected. His fifteen-year-old frame straightened in the saddle, but the fear in his eyes gave him away. Bull noticed it, too.

  “Would you rather stay here with the other men, Sam?” Bull moved toward him, getting close and lowering his voice. “You don’t need to go in with us.” The young man had been through a lot. Bull knew he felt a great deal of guilt about Lydia’s decision, although no one else blamed him.

  Sam’s eyes locked on Bull’s, his face hardening. “I’m going with you.”

  Luke looked at the others, each of them eyeing the village with a mixture of curiosity and unease. “Stay here. Don’t come closer unless Bull or I signal you. Leave your hands where the braves can see them, away from your weapons.”

  “Whatever you say, boss.” Travis glanced at the rest of the men, who nodded in agreement.

  The three continued to the edge of the village before several Blackfoot warriors charged forward on horses, circling them. Raising lances and yelping, they did their best to intimidate them. Luke and Bull stayed calm, not letting the antics bother them, but Sam began to panic, pulling back hard on the reins, causing his horse to dance around.

  “Easy, Sam. This is the way they always act when we ride into their village.” Bull’s deep, soothing voice had the desired effect. Sam sucked in a slow breath, relaxing in the saddle.

  A few moments later, Running Bear emerged from one of the tipis. Walking toward them, he spoke to the warriors, who immediately stopped their yelling and backed away.

  “Running Bear, it is good to see you again.” Luke slid to the ground, followed by Bull and Sam.

  “It is good to see you, Luke Pelletier.” His gaze shifted to Bull, a slight smile curling his lips. “And you, Bull Mason.” Then his eyes caught Sam’s. “Is this boy of your family?”

  “Yes. Samuel is one of us and a friend to the Blackfoot.”

  Running Bear knew there was more, but the introduction satisfied him…for now. “Come. We will talk.”

  As was his custom, Running Bear didn’t return to his tipi. Instead, he took the path toward the river, knowing the three would follow. Sam let Bull and Luke go first. Looking behind him, he was surprised to see no one trailing them.

  The chief stopped at the water’s edge, watching for several minutes, not speaking. Turning slowly, he waved his hand in the direction of the river.

  “This is a good home to my people. We have food, shelter. We have made friend
s.” Running Bear let his gaze linger on each man, letting them know he referred to them. “We have found many moons of peace. I think this will change. You have come here to ask for my help.”

  Bull’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”

  “We do not sit silent in our tipis. To keep our enemies away, we watch. We know of your woman, Bull Mason.”

  “You know of Lydia and White Buffalo?” Bull asked, still not quite believing the chief knew of his anguish.

  “We know he took this one.” He nodded at Sam, then looked back at Bull. “We know your woman rode into the Crow camp. This one rode out with another. Now you are here.”

  The air around them stilled as each absorbed Running Bear’s words. Bull’s throat worked, trying to dislodge the ball of hatred choking him. Whatever he’d done in the past to calm his anger vanished, replaced with a desire for revenge so strong, it frightened him. Choking on pride as thick as his fear, Bull stepped forward.

  “I would ask for your help rescuing my woman.”

  Running Bear studied his face for long moments, his own face a mask. “Perhaps this woman does not want to return.”

  Bull’s eyes widened an instant before his gaze narrowed at the chief. “She gave up her freedom for her brother. She does not want to stay with White Buffalo.”

  “She is now his woman.” Running Bear’s face remained impassive, as if what he said didn’t cut Bull like a sword piercing his heart.

  Planting his feet shoulder width apart, he glared at the chief. “She will never be his woman. Lydia is mine. She’ll always be mine.” He spat the words out, then turned to pace several feet away.

  “Then you are willing to die for this woman?”

  Whipping around, Bull took a few steps forward, then stopped. “Yes.”

  Running Bear stared into Bull’s eyes, studying his resolve, then nodded. “Then it will be so.” Without another word, he took the path back to the camp, nodded to a group of older men, and entered his tipi. In seconds, several of his people followed, closing the flaps behind them.