Tucker glanced up and grinned as the bell above the door announced Luke’s entrance into the dusty mercantile.
“Howdy, there, Luke. How’s that pa of yers doin’?”
Luke’s spine stiffened. It was one thing to give family news to other family members like Tarah, another entirely to give the townsfolk more to gossip about. Nevertheless, he attempted a cheery response. “He’s gaining strength every day.”
“Glad to hear it,” Tucker said, nodding. “I hated to hear about such a fine man losing a leg, but I guess the good Lord knows whut He’s a-doin’.”
“He always does,” Luke replied, handing Tucker his list. “Ma sent me in for these.”
“I’ll git right on it.” He scanned the list, then turned and pulled a large sack of flour from the shelf behind him. “I hear the reverend and Tarah got another blessin’ t’other night.”
“Yep. Another boy to keep Tarah on her toes.”
“Not much of a looker, from what yer granny says. ‘Course, I ain’t likely one to judge, bein’ as I ain’t never had one of my own.”
Luke grinned. “Tarah says they all look like that in the beginning, but she’s convinced he’ll handsome right up with time.”
“I’m sure that’ll be a relief.”
Tucker continued to fill the order for Cassidy, then he paused and squinted at Luke. “You seen Laney, by any chance?”
Why did everyone seem to think he should be keeping up with Laney? Irritation taunted Luke, daring him to spout off to the old man, but he bit back a retort, determined not to offend. “I haven’t seen her in a few days.”
Tucker shook his head, his brow furrowed. “That’s right peculiar.”
“What is?”
A shrug lifted his shoulders. “She came in for supplies yesterday, but she didn’t bring the gowns she owes me. Nearly bit off my head fer asking about ‘em. Then I seen her duck into the saloon.”
“The saloon? Laney hates the sight of that place.”
“That’s whut I thought, too. That’s why it struck me as peculiar to see her go in there.” The storekeeper leaned across the counter and lowered his voice. “You don’t think she’s been working so hard it finally got to her, do you?”
A frown creased Luke’s brow. “What are you saying?”
“Think Laney coulda took to the drink like her pa?”
“Laney?” Luke laughed at the thought.
“Been known to happen.” He shoved his finger toward Luke. “It’s a sorry enough sight to see a man all liquored up, but a drunken woman is downright shameful.”
Still grinning, Luke paid Tucker and grabbed the crate. “You don’t have to worry about Laney turning to the drink. For one thing, she hates it because of her pa; for another, she’s a Christian. She wouldn’t do it because she believes it’s wrong.”
“Then what was she doin’ sneakin’ into the saloon?”
That was a puzzle. “I’m not sure, but let’s give her the benefit of the doubt, okay? And I’d sure appreciate if you didn’t mention it to anyone else.”
Tucker’s face darkened. “What do you take me fer, some gossipin’ woman?”
Luke hid his amusement and turned. His eye caught the WANTED poster on the wall, and his mouth went dry. What if…?
“I have to be going now, Mr. Tucker. Remember, don’t mention Laney to anyone else.”
Mr. Tucker’s indignant response was lost on Luke’s ears as he hurried from the mercantile, set the crate in the back of the wagon, and quickly climbed into the seat.
One thing was for certain. If her pa was back, Laney was in trouble. Luke’s jaw clenched. But not as much trouble as the old man would be in if he laid one hand on her. Remembering that there were two men on the WANTED poster with Jenkins, Luke decided to stop off at the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Boggs, a middle-aged bachelor with graying temples, greeted Luke cordially. “What can I do for you, Luke?”
“I think Jenkins and his gang might be holding Laney out at her place.” No point wasting time with small talk when Laney might be in trouble.
The sheriff’s gaze narrowed, and he leaned forward with interest. “You saw them?”
“No, but Tucker noticed Laney headed into the saloon yesterday.”
“Well, if she was in town, they aren’t likely holding her.” Sheriff Boggs scowled and tipped his chair back to rest on two legs.
“Unless they sent her to town for supplies—including liquor.”
“That’s an awful lot of supposin’. If I jumped to conclusions every time someone went into the saloon…”
“This is Laney. She’d never take a drink.”
“I can’t go rushing off to her place just because you don’t like that she went into the saloon.”
Luke wanted to grab the apathetic sheriff by the collar and send him across the room; instead, he reined in his anger and tried to reason with the poor excuse for a lawman. “Tucker said she snapped at him yesterday, and Tarah says she hasn’t even been by to see the new baby yet.”
Emitting a short laugh, the sheriff stood. “Listen, Luke. Laney Jenkins is as snarly as a bear most of the time, and if she hasn’t been by to see your sister’s new young’un, it’s probably because she’s busy sewing for Tucker.”
Luke searched for something else to convince the sheriff. The man had a point on all accounts. Those things didn’t necessarily mean Laney was in trouble, but Luke knew she was. He could feel it. And he hated to walk into a situation outgunned.
“Look, Sheriff, I’d be obliged if you’d just trust me and ride out there with me. Maybe I’m wrong, and if I am, Laney’ll give me an earful; but if I’m right, we’ll have saved her, and you’ll have captured three outlaws.”
The sheriff seemed to consider the idea for a moment and appeared as though he might give in when the door flew open.
“Sheriff, come quick. There’s trouble down at the saloon. Some fella’s been caught cheatin’ at cards, and it looks like they’re about to shoot him.”
Sheriff Boggs grabbed his rifle from the wall and shrugged at Luke as he walked past him to join the messenger. “Sorry. I’ll ride out there with you later, but I have to go put a stop to this before someone ends up dead.”
Expelling a frustrated breath, Luke watched him go. Laney could just as easily be in trouble. He drove past Sam’s office and stopped just as a man hurried inside carrying a small boy. The child appeared to have broken his arm. Sam would be busy for quite some time.
Determined not to waste another second, Luke said a hasty prayer and turned the horses toward Laney’s soddy.
Laney jumped and glanced up from her sewing as a plate sailed across the room and hit the wall, flinging its contents all over the floor.
“This ain’t fit to eat. How come you ain’t never learnt to cook?”
Laney glowered at the unkempt cowboy called Abe. “Who taught you manners? At least I tried to cook a decent meal!”
“There ain’t nothin’ decent about that mess you tried to pass off as venison stew. That was just a waste of meat and vegetables.”
“No one said you had to eat it!” Laney retorted.
“You best watch your sass, little girl, or I’ll make you wish you’d been nicer. Now get yourself up and cook something we can eat.”
“Cook it yourself,” she shot back, returning her attention to her sewing.
Abe sprang from his chair and towered over her, his breath fouling the few inches of space between them. He grabbed her arm in a flash of movement, his fingers biting cruelly into her soft flesh.
Determined not to show the fear creeping into her belly, Laney met his gaze evenly. Sneaking vinegar into the stew had made her feel better, but maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea after all. Of course, she’d dipped a little out for Jane and herself first, but Abe didn’t have to know that.
“Leave her alone,” Pa growled from a pallet next to the fire. “Can’t you see she’s busy?”
Obviously as surprised as Laney, Abe
released her arm and turned to Jenkins. “Have you tried to eat the mess she’s passin’ off as grub? My dog wouldn’t eat that slop.”
“Then fix yer own grub and leave the girl be.”
Her pa erupted in a deep cough, and for several minutes no one spoke while he hacked. Laney frowned. He had been coughing like this since he arrived. She tried not to care, but she couldn’t help herself. He spent the majority of his time stretched out on a thin pallet in front of the stove. When he rose, he trembled with weakness.
“I’m goin’ out to try to find a rabbit to roast.” Abe glared at Laney and yanked open the door, letting in a blast of cold air. “And don’t think yer gettin’ a bite of it!”
“I wouldn’t take food from you anyway.”
“What’s wrong with you, Pa?” Laney asked after Abe slammed the door.
“Worried about your old pa, are ya, girlie? Must be gettin’ soft. The girl I left would’ve been countin’ the days till I keeled over.”
“Forget I asked.” Laney gave a short, bitter laugh. “And you didn’t leave a girl behind. You sold me to the highest bidder like I was a slave. And Ben, too. You do remember Ben, don’t you? Or have you forgotten about your son?”
“I ain’t forgettin’ him. I just figured he must be dead since you didn’t mention him.”
Laney fought to keep her temper in check. “I didn’t mention him because you didn’t ask. But I guess that’s to be expected of someone like you.”
His eyes narrowed, and his expression darkened. “Well, where is he, then? He couldn’t be farmin’ or ranchin’ around here with that bum leg of his.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but he happens to be back east, married to a pretty wife. He just finished seminary and was offered a church somewhere in Virginia.”
“You mean to tell me my son’s a preacher? A no-good, thievin’ preacher?”
A coughing fit seized him as it did when he got too excited.
When he calmed, Laney met his gaze. “Ben’s a preacher, but he’s not a thief. Besides, you calling anyone a thief is sorta like the pot calling the kettle black, wouldn’t you say?”
Jenkins shook his head in disgust. “I shoulda known better than to give you to that teacher and her preacher beau.” He raised his brow in question. “I reckon they got hitched?”
“That’s right. Tarah and Anthony took us in and raised us.” She gave him a pointed look. “And you didn’t give us away. You sold us.”
“You don’t have to keep reminding me of that, Laney-girl. I remember it like it were yesterday. So just shut up about it before I whale the daylights out of you.”
Laney blinked in surprise. Not only was this the first time he’d used her name since he’d returned to her life, he seemed bothered by the memory of what he’d done. The thought raised her ire. She didn’t want him to suddenly grow a conscience about it. If he cared, she might not be able to hate him, and he deserved her hatred—every bitter ounce that she’d harbored for as long as she could remember, and even more so since the day he’d taken ten dollars and a horse, then walked out of her life.
She wanted him gone. Out of her life again. “What do you plan to do, Pa? You know you can’t hide out here forever.”
He nodded. “Matt has plans for the bank in town. After that, we’ll leave.”
“You’re going to rob the bank? Are you crazy? You can’t do that.” A gasp escaped Laney’s lips. “My money is in that bank!” Her dreams for the future. “I’ll lose my soddy and my land without that money.”
His gaze searched hers. “I know you worked hard trying to buy this property. Don’t know why you’d want it, but I know what it’s like to lose. Wish it could be different, but Matt has his mind set on the bank. We need more money, iffen we’re to get fer enough away that the law can’t find us. After we do a number on the bank, we can split up.”
“What makes you think I won’t warn the sheriff next time you send me in for supplies and whiskey?”
He gave a short laugh. “You think I’d have told you if we was goin’ to be around long enough? Matt’s in town checkin’ the layout of the place, and we’re leavin’ out tonight. ‘Course, we’ll have to tie you up when we go so’s you don’t go running to the law or those St. Johns. But I figure you’ll get yourself loose pretty fast. From what I can tell, yer one smart girl.”
“What about Jane?” Laney asked, ignoring the compliment.
“She ain’t yer affair.”
“She is, too. She’s my sister!”
“You want her?”
“What’s your price?” Laney curled her lip.
His face grew red, though from embarrassment or anger Laney wasn’t sure. Nor did she have a chance to find out, as a coughing fit seized him.
“You shouldn’t go out in this weather. What if you have pneumonia?”
“Don’t tell me what to do, girl. Ain’t no woman yet got by with orderin’ me around, and I ain’t starting with the likes of you.”
“Fine. Catch your death, then. See if I care. What about Jane?”
“You can have her.”
Laney hesitated, waiting for him to go back on his word. When he didn’t speak, she finally broke the silence herself. “You mean it?”
He shrugged. “Like ya said, I’ll probably be dead sooner than later, and ain’t no sense takin’ the girl when she’ll most likely have to fend for herself ‘fore long.”
Laney caught his gaze, searching for a trace of deception in his dark eyes. He stared back frankly, and when he looked away, Laney had the uncomfortable feeling it was from shame. Again, anger seized her at the compassion seeping in despite her determination to hold a grudge.
I don’t want to feel sorry for him, Lord. He doesn’t deserve it. Don’t make me feel sorry for this worthless excuse for a man.
She glanced to the bed where Jane napped, one strawberry-blond braid slung across her face. Laney’s heart swelled with love. This little girl was her own flesh and blood. Laney smiled. Her sister would have roots here in Harper. She’d never feel like she didn’t belong. She would grow up with Little D and the rest of Tarah and Anthony’s children. Most of all, she would know her sister loved and wanted her.
Glancing at her pa, she couldn’t help but notice he shivered, despite his close proximity to the fire. His back was turned, and even through the thin blanket, Laney could see his bones poking through. He wasn’t long for this earth. A thought seized her. If her pa died, he wouldn’t go to heaven. Her stomach quivered.
“Pa?”
“What?” he growled.
“Don’t die without knowing Jesus.”
“Shut up, girl, before I shut you up. You know I don’t have no use for religion and such.” He coughed. “Leave me alone and let me rest.”
“Fine. I tried.”
Laney turned back to her sewing.
Please send help, Lord. It’s been four days, and no one has even come to check on me. Don’t they notice I haven’t been around? If I lose my money, I won’t have a home for Jane. I can’t bear the thought of her growing up without a sense of belonging like I did. Please, Lord. After what You did to Papa Dell, I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not asking for myself; I’m asking for Jane.
Chapter 9
Luke crept stealthily alongside the soddy until he drew near the window. Pressing his back against the outside wall, he craned his neck and peeked sideways through the window. Relief flooded him at the sight of Laney working diligently as though there wasn’t an unkempt outlaw glaring at her from across the table. She glanced up and sneered at the dirty buckskin-clad man who tore off a bite of roasted meat, then licked his fingers.
Across the room, a man lay on a pallet close to the woodstove, and a small girl sat quietly on the bed, her gaze fixed on Laney. Luke studied the rest of the room. There were only two men. He couldn’t move in until the third man showed up. Otherwise, the missing outlaw might come in at the wrong time and overpower Luke. Then he’d be no help for Laney.
Luke retreated slowly until he found a safe place away from the soddy where he could watch without being discovered. He lay flat on his stomach. Snow soaked into his shirt and the front of his trousers, adding irritation to his anxiety.
Although he hated the thought of Laney staying in the soddy much longer, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of relief that she appeared unmolested. Still, he’d feel a lot better when the other outlaw showed up. Once he did, Luke knew he could move in and get her out of there. A thought occurred to him. What if the three men split up and the third outlaw isn’t with them anymore? Luke groaned inwardly. Laney might be in there with those men for nothing. Show me what to do, Lord. I don’t want to put Laney in danger.
It seemed like an eternity of waiting without an answer from heaven. After two hours, Luke made up his mind. He was moving in. He started toward the soddy. A twig snapped behind him. Luke spun around, expecting to find the third outlaw poised to jump him. Instead, the sheriff stood before him, his six-shooter cocked and pointed.
“What are you doing here, Sheriff?” Luke whispered.
“You were right. The outlaws are holed up at Laney’s.”
“What changed your mind?”
“I arrested one of them in the saloon today.” The sheriff chuckled. “Not very smart for a wanted man to cheat at cards, if you ask me. Have you checked out the soddy?”
Luke nodded. “There are two men—although one of them appears to be sick. That one must be Jenkins. I recognized the other man from the poster. He’s the only one with a gun. Besides those two, there’s a little girl and Laney.”
“All right, then,” the sheriff said. “You go to the window and be ready to fire if necessary. I’ll bust the door open and try to gain the upper hand without getting those two females hurt.”
Soon they were in place. The second outlaw sat with his legs stretched out, his hat down over his face. His chest rose and fell evenly as though he slept. Suddenly the door burst open and the sheriff appeared, his rifle in one hand and a pistol in the other. The younger man started awake and nearly fell out of his chair as he recognized that he’d been caught. He stood and reached into the air. Laney grabbed his guns.
Brides of Kansas Page 41
