For a Sister's Love

by Paty Jager

A scream snared in her throat. An Indian knelt beside her, staring at her. Memories of the night her parents were slaughtered sprang in vivid color to her pounding head.

  Maggie tried to push him away but found her arms bound tightly in a blanket. She squirmed and only mustered up a strangled squeak. She would die at the hands of Indians just like her parents. Lora Beth. Her sister would never know what happened to her.

  “Maggie, kitten.” Ty’s face came into view. She shook her head. Had the Indian been a dream? The gibberish continued. She twisted her head to the sound. Three! Three Indians.

  She struggled harder.

  “Whoa, settle down, you’re safe.” Ty placed his hands on her shoulders, holding her to the ground.

  “Indians.” She barely contained her hysteria.

  “I know. They pulled us from the river. I was losing strength when Deer Runner spotted us. He and Three Fingers saved us.”

  Maggie stared dumbfounded at Ty. He acted like the Indians wouldn’t harm them. Indians only brought death. She’d witnessed it all those years ago. “No. Kill us.” She couldn’t hide the fear chilling her skin.

  Ty shook his head. “No. They’re peaceful. They’re of the Nez Perce tribe and are headed to some gathering north of here.”

  “Weippe. We are meeting others to race horses and gather food.” One of the Indians squatted on the other side of her.

  Maggie cringed and rolled toward Ty. Her breathing accelerated. The screeching, gunfire, war cries, screaming, and desolation filled her mind, remembering the night Indians attacked the wagon train. Killed her parents.

  Why didn’t Ty do something? The Indians would kill them, and he hadn’t even pulled his boot knife.

  “Maggie,” Ty pulled her onto his lap, “these Indians aren’t going to hurt us. They aren’t the ones who killed your parents.” He tucked her head under his chin. She burrowed against him, fearing for them both.

  His hands rubbed her back, heating her numb body. He tilted her chin up, making her gaze into his eyes. “They offered us a horse.”

  The sincerity in his eyes stalled her heart. He believed their captors wouldn’t hurt them. She shook her head. How could he sound so confident and fearless? Her chest ached physically from her ordeal. Her heart ached at his gullibility.

  She worked her hands out of the blanket. Her bare arms stunned her. She stared at her pale skin and shuddered. Had the Indians undressed her? Mortification heated her scalp and sickened her stomach.

  Did Ty know she was naked in this blanket? That they put their hands on her? She shook.

  “Maggie, what’s wrong, you’re turning white.” Ty clutched her to him. His bare chest pressed against her skin. He was naked, too.

  She shoved at his chest and leaned back, staring at his bare torso and animal skin leggings covering his lower half.

  “Why are you dressed like that? Like them?” Revulsion spun her stomach.

  “We were both soaking wet and freezing. I took off what was left of your clothes and wrapped you up. I took off my wet clothes, they’re drying over there,” he nodded to his left, “in the sun, and Deer Runner offered me these breeches.”

  Relieve rushed through her. He’d been the one to undress her. The matter still remained, she didn’t trust Indians.

  “Blackbird made broth.” Running Deer handed a tin cup to Ty.

  Ty held it to her lips. She refused to drink. They wouldn’t force her to eat anything. After a few minutes, Ty drank the broth and handed the cup back to the Indian.

  “One of us needs strength to get to Silver City. I’m looking forward to meeting my new sister.” Ty leaned against a rock and nestled her to his side.

  From this position, she could see several men and women sitting around another fire. They didn’t gawk or glare, but sent hesitant smiles their way. A handful of children played beyond the adults. The scene had a tranquil mood. No one held a weapon.

  Ty’s last statement sank in. “You called Lora Beth your sister.”

  “Yes, I’m married to you, so that makes her my sister. I’ve always wanted brothers and sisters.”

  He cupped her cheek, drawing her gaze from the peaceful scene in front of them.

  “I had a sister and wished every day since being parted from her I’d been a better sister.” She thought of the times she’d been a poor example.

  “You were a doting big sister. How could you have been better?” His arms tightened around her. He kissed the back of her neck.

  “I tend to speak my mind, which caused my family embarrassment and myself punishment.”

  Ty shook and his laugh barked in her ear. She slapped his arm noting the Indians watching them.

  “I like that you speak your mind. I know what you’re thinking and how you feel.”

  “It doesn’t embarrass you?” She thought of comments she’d made to several passengers on the stage. At the time she’d been righteous in what she’d asked them to do or not do. Now looking back, she could have handled the situations differently.

  “I love that about you. Always direct.”

  “Then this won’t surprise you. I think you’re an idiot to believe these Indians don’t plan to harm us.”

  His arms tightened around her for a moment and a rush of air heated the back of her head.

  “Your parents were killed ten years ago. The government has made strides to keep peace with the Indians. And the Indians in this area are more like you and me than most. Their leaders are willing to work to live peacefully with us.”

  Maggie found it hard to believe the Indians wouldn’t’ harm them. She liked living in the large city knowing there wasn’t a threat from Indians.

  “Is it still morning?” She peered at the sun rising to its zenith.

  “It’s about noon. Why?”

  “If you say they’re so peaceful, they won’t mind us riding out of here now.”

  “Maggie…” he growled out her name and spun her. His eyes glowed with irritation. “They saved us from drowning. Risking their own mounts and lives. We’ve been offered a place to rest and a horse. I’ll not slip out of here like a coward or a thief.” He stared into her eyes. “And this is one time I’m not giving into any tirade or tantrum you may throw.”

  Aghast, she stared at him. “W-what do you mean tirade and tantrums?”

  “You know perfectly well. If you weren’t so darn cute when your temper’s in a twist, I would’ve thrown you in jail that first night I found you in my room.”

  Cute? He thought she was cute, and that was the only reason he didn’t send her to jail and helped her? Tears burned her eyes. She’d thought by now he cared for her. He just liked watching her pitch a fit.

  Ty studied Maggie’s face. What other fears waltzed behind her beautiful tear glistening eyes? He’d thought the last comment would get a rise. Instead, her livid expression had collapsed.

  “What’s wrong?” He kissed her forehead, but really longed to kiss her bow-shaped lips and forget the families watching them.

  “You’re only helping me because I entertain you? What about the marriage. What if…”

  “That’s not what I meant. That first night I found you in my hotel room, I found you adorable and wanted to help you. The more tenacious you were the more I realized I didn’t want to live without you in my life.” He kissed the tip of her nose and hovered his lips above hers.

  “I love you, kitten. And you aren’t going to get rid of me that easily.” Ty pressed his lips to hers and melted into her sweetness and fire. When she’d slipped into the river, he vowed to save her or die trying. His arms tightened around her, pressing their bodies together, trying to meld them as one.

  Her hands gripped the back of his head, holding him in place, her tongue and lips seducing him. He ached with need.

  Tearing his lips from hers, he scanned the area for a private place. A few boulders would make a poor divider from the eyes of their guests. He’d have to wait until dark and then take her for a walk.

  Her lips trailed h
ot and wet down his neck.

  “As much as I’d like to continue this…there are too many people watching.”

  Her head snapped up, and Maggie’s face flushed. “I can’t believe I forgot…”

  A chuckle escaped his lips, and she smacked him in the chest. “Ouch!”

  “It’s not funny. You do that to me. When you kiss me, I forget where I am.”

  Her comment zinged to his heart and filled a part of him he hadn’t realized existed. She was his family. His life before never gave him the comfort and love his Maggie did.

  “Let’s see if our clothes are dry.”

  Fourteen

  Ty scanned the bustling streets and impressive buildings of Boise. Riding down Main Street bareback on an Indian pony and Maggie’s undergarments only covered by his suit jacket would have raised eyebrows had they rode into a smaller town. Maggie’s arms tightened around his waist. He patted her hands and headed straight to the stage office. If they were lucky their bags would be waiting for them. That is if one of the other passengers hadn’t claimed the bags thinking he and Maggie were dead.

  He stopped the Indian pony in front of the office and slid Maggie to the ground. She tugged on his jacket covering her chemise and drawers to mid-thigh. She willingly left the corset behind. Ty dismounted and tied the pony to the hitching post. He’d promised Running Deer he’d let the animal loose outside of town when they no longer needed him. The pony knew his way home.

  The stage office door opened, and the U.S. Marshal from the stage stepped out. A grin spread across his face, and he strode forward grasping Ty’s hand and cranking up and down.

  “I knew you two would come out okay. You appeared to be scrappers.”

  “Thanks for your confidence. But if Running Deer hadn’t pulled us out of the river…” He left the rest unsaid. He and Maggie had decided it was best not to think about it.

  The marshal eyed Maggie. She smiled and stuck out her hand.

  “Thank you for your confidence. You wouldn’t happen to know if our bags are in there?”

  “Ma’am they are. I made sure no one took them. I was just checking to see if you’d picked them up.”

  Maggie’s eyes glowed and she walked into the office.

  “Thank you for keeping an eye on our bags. Maggie was pretty anxious to find her things.” Ty didn’t like to think about what could have happened had he not caught up to Maggie in the river and rid her of her heavy garments.

  “Get her set up with a bath and all at the hotel. Then come down to the saloon and tell me what happened.” The marshal nodded toward the Overland Hotel.

  “I can’t guarantee Maggie will want to be left alone, but I appreciate the offer.” Ty had plans to join his wife in the tub.

  The marshal walked away, and Maggie waddled through the stage office door lugging the two valises. Ty reached for the bags.

  “We’ll spend the night in the Overland Hotel and rent a horse and buggy to get to Silver City tomorrow.”

  A beautiful smile and merry eyes lit Maggie’s face. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.” She slipped her arm through his.

  “Untie the horse. We’ll tie him in front of the hotel and have a boy take him to the livery. In the morning, when we’re a mile from town, we’ll let him loose. If we set him free too close to town someone one try to catch him.”

  Maggie untied the horse and led him down the street to the hotel hitching post. She re-tied the animal, and they entered the lobby.

  The clerk and doorman stared. Ty set Maggie’s valise on the floor while she wrote their names in the register.

  “We’d like a room and a bath sent up immediately,” Ty said, reaching into the side pocket of his valise and thanking the marshal for keeping an eye on their things. He pulled out his reserve money and paid for the room and bath.

  “We’ll send someone up right away,” the man read their names in the book, “Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft.”

  Ty nodded and retrieved the other valise. Maggie claimed the key the man held out and climbed the stairs ahead of Ty.

  In the room, he dropped the bags and waited for the old, bent over, Chinese man to fill the brass tub behind a partition in the corner.

  “Oh, that looks heavenly.” Maggie stared longingly at the steam rising off the water.

  The man placed two buckets on the floor, bowed, and backed into the hallway. Ty closed the door, locked it, and started shedding his clothes. Maggie beat him to the tub, sinking into the water, her eyes closing.

  “Mmmm…”

  He stood gazing down at the rapture on her face. Her dark curls spread across the top of the water, as she leaned back, dunking her head.

  Visions of her floating in the river constricted his chest. He’d almost lost her. Ty stepped into the tub, slipping behind Maggie as she sat up.

  He wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t ever leave me.” His passion-filled request squeaked past the lump of emotion in this throat.

  “Never.” She spun in his embrace, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

  ****

  The morning dawned sunny and bright. The slight hint of coolness in the air added to the goose-flesh on Ty’s arms. Today Maggie would be reunited with her sister and he’d find out what scheme his grandmother was plotting.

  He helped Maggie into the buggy as the doorman secured their bags in the back boot. He tied the Indian pony to the back, and they set off for Silver City.

  “I can’t believe I’ll see Lora Beth today.” The excitement in Maggie’s voice and sparkle in her eyes proved how much she missed her sister. “What do you think she’ll look like? You said you didn’t see her when you were in Colorado?” She chattered non-stop until he halted the buggy several miles from town and let the pony loose.

  He climbed back in the buggy and glanced at Maggie. “Now what’s wrong?” He smoothed a tear across her cheek with his thumb.

  “I can’t believe how rude I was to Running Deer’s people when they were so kind to us.” She stared at the dust rising in the wake of the vanishing pony.

  “I know it stemmed from the violent way your parents’ died. Things we see and hear as children stay with us.” He smoothed a hand over his face. “Learning to push those emotions aside and see something for what it is can be hard. But I think it’s the only way to really see things.”

  Maggie leaned over and kissed his cheek. “We’re taking a trip to New Orleans aren’t we?”

  The light and knowing in her beautiful eyes curved his lips into a smile. Thinking about his family never made him smile. “You only have to come if you want to, but I have a feeling my grandmother won’t be able to bully you around.”

  “Not if she tries to keep me from you.”

  Ty laughed and urged the horse into a trot. He wanted to meet Maggie’s sister and see if she was as feisty as his wife.

  Fifteen

  The winding uphill road to Silver City offered a multitude of scenery. Maggie’s anticipation of seeing Lora Beth had her heart soaring and her mind grasping at anything to keep her busy and not think about the reunion.

  The road curved to the left, and they topped a hill. The town of Silver City sprawled along the narrow valley floor and sloping walls. Her heart raced. Somewhere in this town she’d find Lora Beth. Ty pushed on the brake handle as the buggy rolled down the hill and crossed a small stream at the bottom of the gulley. The horse pulled the buggy up a small incline of the main street and stopped in front of the Idaho Hotel.

  She scanned the empty balcony stretching the width of the building. Could Lora Beth be in one of the rooms? Her hands shook. Ty climbed out of the buggy, tied up the horse, and stepped to her side.

  “Are you ready?” He raised his arms to lift her down.

  “I-I can’t believe, after all these years I could come face to face with her.”

  Ty set her on the ground, his hands still resting on her waist. “You may not recognize one another. And after all this time, she may be a bit hesitant.”

>   Maggie nodded. She knew believing they would fall back into their roles as sisters would take some time. Too much had happened to them both in the last ten years.

  Ty retrieved their bags and nodded to the hotel door. “Let’s get settled, and then we’ll ask around.”

  She slipped her arm in his and walked up the steps to the porch of the hotel. Inside, the dark wood counter and detailing gave the lobby an austere atmosphere.

  Maggie followed Ty to the counter, peering through the windows separating the lobby from the dining room.

  “We’d like a room for”—Ty tapped her on the shoulder, catching her attention—“a week?”

  Maggie nodded.

  “A week.” Ty wrote their names in the register. “And is there a Sam McDonald or a Lora Beth Holmes staying in this hotel?”

  Maggie stared at the clerk, willing him to say yes.

  The clerk studied them then Ty’s signature in the register. “A Mr. and Mrs. Sam McDonald checked in earlier today.” He squinted and studied Maggie. “Are you the sister she’s looking for?”

  Happiness burst inside Maggie tingling her from her head to her toes. Lora Beth was here. She threw her arms around Ty’s neck and kissed his cheek. “She’s here!”

  Ty swung her around and glanced at the clerk. “Mr. and Mrs—what room are they in?”

  “I could tell ya, but you won’t find them there. They left a short time ago. I’m sure they’ll be back shortly.”

  Maggie tugged on Ty’s hand. “Come on, let’s go find her.”

  Ty held up the bags. “We should deposit these in the room.”

  She rested pleading eyes on the clerk. “Would you keep these behind the desk with you until we return?”

  The man nodded. “Watch out for their dog.”

  Ty set the bags on the counter, and Maggie dragged him back out to the hotel porch. She spun about. “Did he say Mr. and Mrs. Sam McDonald?”

  Ty nodded.

  She grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “The church.”

  “Why?”

  “A preacher knows everyone and everything that happens in their community.”