A minute passed before Noah heard footsteps shuffling toward him.
“You alone?”
“No, my parents and a U.S. Marshal are with me.” No use lying to the man. He deserved the truth.
“Well, hell, boy, why didn’t you just bring the goddamn cavalry?” Johnny snapped.
“I did, they just don’t wear uniforms. Are you going to let me in or not?” Noah expected Johnny might help them, but if he didn’t, then he needed to know what would happen. A possible prison sentence might make the older man change his mind.
Something heavy scraped across the floor, then the door opened a crack. Johnny’s bleary eye peered out. “What do you want?”
“We’re going to catch Seeger and Dickinson and put their sorry asses in jail before they hurt anyone else.” Noah controlled the urge to confront Boyton about his role in the other men’s crimes. “There are only four of us. We could use another gun.”
He left it up to Boyton to choose which side of the law he wanted to be on. Noah hoped it hadn’t been too long since the sheriff had been in the right that he forgot what it looked like. The door opened a foot and Johnny looked behind him into the darkness. He was dressed already, which meant he had been expecting company or perhaps he sat up every night expecting the devil to come knocking.
“How do I know you’re not setting me up?”
Noah snorted. “I don’t need to. You’ve already confessed to an officer of the law. I could have my marshal friend take you in right now. Oh, that’s right, there’s no jail. Your bastard friends burned it to the fucking ground with me and Rosalyn in it.” He grabbed Boyton’s shirtfront and pulled him up until they were nose to nose. Pure rage poured through him at the very thought of how close Rosalyn had come to death. These men had no right to play with people’s lives. “You owe me and this town.”
“Put him down, son.” His father’s voice came from behind him, scaring the ever-loving Christ out of Noah. The man moved like a damn shadow, an impossible feat for someone his size. “We need him in one piece.”
Noah took a deep breath and unfurled his fist from Johnny’s shirt. His anger pulsed deep and strong, but his common sense took over. His father was right.
Tyler stepped up beside them. “Boyton, you’ve got two choices here. You either help us or we shackle your ass to the tree over yonder until we can build a new jail.” He leaned in close, his bulk adding to the threat he’d just laid out for the man. “I’ve never known you to be a coward.”
“You don’t mess with Calhouns,” Noah added. “Your friends went too far.”
Johnny looked between them, fear and panic on his face. He sighed long and deep. “I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”
“Not the way I see it.” Noah gestured to the rifle near the door, cool fury taking the place of sizzling rage. “Best get your gear. We need to be in place before the sun rises.”
Now five strong, they rode out to Finley’s ranch, arriving half an hour before sunrise. Plenty of time to get into position and wipe out any evidence they were even there. Noah had a feeling Seeger’s henchmen would be early for the meeting and he wanted to be prepared long ahead of them.
Finley rushed out from the barn, looking as if he’d swallowed a bee’s nest. “I thought you’d be here earlier, ya? I was worried they come and you’re not here.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Finley. I made you a promise we’d protect you and I never break my word.”
“It’s good. You’re a good sheriff.” He nodded at all of them. When his gaze fell on Boyton, he frowned. “Why is he here?”
“He’s here to help and maybe make up for what he’s done.” Noah dismounted, handing the reins to Mark who was in charge of hiding the horses. “We need as many men as we can get.”
Finley looked at Noah’s mother, standing in britches as she loaded her pistol with unerring accuracy and speed.
“Men? That’s not a man, Sheriff.”
“No, that’s my ma.” Noah grinned. “Ain’t she something?”
“Uh, ya, she sure is.” Finley eyed all of them with confusion.
Noah didn’t have time to explain everything to Finley, so he patted the other man on the shoulder and introduced him to everyone. Mark led the horses away while Tyler started erasing the tracks from the ground with branches. Boyton went into the barn with Nicky on his heels.
“Why don’t you go inside and wait while we get set up. Come back out to the barn at seven-thirty. You won’t see us or hear us, but we’ll be here.” Noah made sure Finley understood. Their plan depended on the other man’s cooperation. “There’s no going back after this. We are either going to do this or you take your sheep and leave while you can. I need to know, are you ready?”
Finley’s gaze was riddled with apprehension, but Noah could tell he was a good man, an honest one who wanted to live in peace.
“Ya, I’m ready. Let’s get those bastards.”
Noah patted him on the shoulder. “Good. Now get inside and wait. Remember, be out in the barn before they are or the plan won’t work.”
Finley headed off to the house, talking to the dog that loped by his side. The sound of the sheep bleating in the distance, followed by a few more woofs from the other dogs, echoed in the morning stillness. Noah took a deep breath and focused on what they had to do. It would be dangerous without question, but hopefully at the end of the day, justice would be served.
Rosalyn woke suddenly, reaching out to find emptiness beside her. A bad feeling wound its way around her heart and squeezed. Something was wrong, she could feel it, and it wasn’t just because Noah was gone.
It was still early, probably close to dawn when the blackness gave way to gray light. She scrambled into one of her new dresses, ignoring the muscle twinges that peppered her body. One good thing about short hair, she didn’t need to worry about it getting in her face or even combing it. Rosalyn dashed out of her room and checked all the other bedrooms.
Empty. Every one of them was empty. Panic landed its claws in her back and scratched.
Heart in her throat, she went down the stairs like a bouncing ball, skipping a few and nearly breaking her neck. When she got to the bottom, she slammed into the kitchen and found Elsa making biscuits. She paused in mid-motion, dough and flour all over her hands.
“Where are they?” Rosalyn gasped.
“Who?”
“Elsa, I ain’t stupid so don’t treat me like I am. Where are they?” She put her hands on her hips, fear making her mouth as dry as cotton.
Elsa sighed. “He didn’t want you to worry. Your man takes care of business like he should, like the sheriff. They’ll be back a bit later.”
“That’s not good enough.” Rosalyn stepped closer until she practically bumped noses with the diminutive Elsa. “I’m gonna ask you one more time, Elsa, and I surely hope you tell me. Where are they?”
Elsa’s gaze dropped to the dough. “You’re putting me between the two of you, Rosie. That’s not fair.”
Rosalyn choked back a sob that threatened. “I can’t lose him, Elsa. Please.”
“They’re laying a trap for those fools Seeger and Dickinson out at Finley’s place. His ma and pa are with him and that big blond marshal. He’ll be fine. That Noah is a survivor. By my guess, he’s survived a lot in his life.” Elsa wiped her hands on a towel. “You have to trust him, Rosie.”
Rosalyn’s mind whirled. Would Noah be safe? Not hardly, but he was smart, fast and strong. But if Seeger brought a dozen of his thugs with him, then four people, even ones as fierce as Noah and his family, didn’t stand a chance. Her palms grew moist as she stared out the kitchen window and wrestled with what to do.
Her head told her to stay put, Noah would be back and in one piece. Her heart, however, had different ideas. Given the choice of staying put and waiting or finding a way to help him, the choice was easy.
Rosalyn headed out the back door.
By seven-thirty, Noah itched like a madman in the hayloft. The damn little bugs ke
pt crawling all over him, and he’d have to slowly shoo them away. Keeping quiet for hours was not only hard, it was driving him crazy. He wanted Seeger and Dickinson to show up so they could get the waiting over with.
Noah had always been a patient man, but his patience had run out. He couldn’t even think about the beautiful, warm woman who he’d left behind in bed, or the fact that she’d almost died because of those bastards. If he did, he’d lose his concentration completely. He couldn’t stop the man who’d tortured him, but he was determined to stop the men who terrorized Chancetown.
That was a promise to himself and to the town.
Mark was downstairs in the corner stall, his mother in the tree outside and his father was at the other end of the loft. Boyton was in the house, his rifle aimed through a knothole in the back.
Everyone was ready—more than ready, anxious. Finley paced down in the barn—Noah could hear him walking back and forth, scuffing his boots in the dirt and hay. Things would happen very soon, he could feel it.
The sound of hoofbeats had him pulling back farther into the shadows. He breathed in short, shallow breaths, not even stirring the dust around him. Finley’s life depended on their stealth. The barn door stood wide open.
“You alone?” Seeger’s voice drifted upstairs.
Noah focused on keeping Finley in his sights. He saw Seeger’s hat, but that was all. With a silent curse, he knew he’d have to shift position to be able to get a clean shot. If he moved, Seeger would know Noah was there. He was well and truly stuck and hoped like hell somebody else had a clear shot.
“Yes, alone.” Finley rocked back and forth on his heels. “Where is Dickinson?”
“He’ll be along later.”
Shit.
If Dickinson wasn’t there, they could only trap Seeger. That left one weasel still in the henhouse, something Noah hadn’t wanted. Part of the success depended on both of them being there.
“I talk to both of you or none.” Finley started to walk out of the barn and Seeger grabbed his arm.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“You steal and kill my sheep. Both of you.” Finley’s voice shook with fury. “You owe me.”
Seeger chuckled and spread his arms wide. “What are you talking about? Your sheep have been wandering onto my land, eating my grass.”
“You lie.”
Seeger stepped in so close to Finley, their hats touched. “Don’t you dare call me a liar.”
Finley poked his finger into Seeger’s chest. “I call what I see. You can’t fool me. You and your friend steal from me.”
“What are you going to do about it? Talk to the sheriff? That didn’t work did it? He’s about dead as far as I hear.” Seeger sauntered around Finley in a circle. “You ain’t got nobody but your dogs.”
The sound of a gun cocking almost made Noah jump from his hiding place. Seeger’s two idiots Noah had met on his first day in town at the saloon walked into the barn with their pistols drawn, all of them pointing at Finley. Damn, he hadn’t had the opportunity to arrest the bastard with the bandaged hand—now was Noah’s chance to get him for multiple charges. Of course, now Finley was in an even tighter spot. This definitely wasn’t what Noah wanted to happen, and he hoped Finley was keeping calm. He knew if he faced those thugs with loaded weapons, his heart would be beating hard enough to crack a rib. Noah was glad Boyton had joined them as they definitely needed another gun hand. The situation had just gotten that much more dangerous, as expected.
“I’ve got my own dogs.” Seeger gestured to the two men.
“You give me money and I leave,” Finley blurted.
“What?” Dickinson appeared in the barn, shouting, “This stupid sheepherder is asking for money?” He closed the door behind him.
“You steal my sheep, you kill my sheep. You don’t want me around so give me money, and I leave, ya?” Finley’s face ran with sweat. His tanned complexion had turned waxy. Noah was afraid he’d be running in about thirty seconds.
Noah had a clear view of the rotund Dickinson. The man must have a collection of bowler hats because on his head sat yet another one. More than likely purchased with his share of their illegal activities. He held a small derringer in his right hand, and it too was pointed at Finley. The situation was growing grimmer by the second.
A trickle of sweat rolled down Noah’s forehead and into his eye, stinging like a bitch. He dared not wipe it, so he blinked as fast as he could to stop the pain. Noah knew Finley was counting on him and he couldn’t let the man down.
“You think you can kill me and no one knows?” Finley scoffed, his voice unfortunately shaking.
“Who would know?”
“I leave a note with someone in town that if I disappear, to tell sheriff.” Finley was improvising now and Noah’s panic started to nibble on the back of his neck. This was not part of the plan. What the hell was Finley doing?
“The sheriff will be dead soon and no one will care if you disappear.” Seeger pushed at Finley’s massive shoulder.
“I know all your secrets, what you did to those other sheepmen.”
Well, hell, he’s going to get himself killed.
Noah was about to stand up and tell them they were all under arrest, but Finley’s ploy started to work.
“You do, eh?” Seeger circled around him. “What do you think you know?”
“I know what happened to Spiegel.”
Noah grinned when Dickinson sucked in a breath. The name Spiegel had been just the thing to do—Noah knew the other sheep rancher’s name would do the trick.
“What do you think happened to him?” Seeger’s voice sounded a bit less cocksure.
“I find his bones so I know what happened to him.” Finley pushed at Seeger’s shoulder. “I put all your secrets in a letter. If I disappear, letter goes to U.S. Marshal.”
Noah wondered if Finley really had discovered some bones. He had no idea if the big man was lying or continuing their little game of cat and mouse. Whatever he was doing, Noah hoped Seeger and Dickinson believed it. If they didn’t, Finley was a dead man.
Seeger took Dickinson aside and had a heated, whispered conversation near the barn door. Noah only caught snatches of it, but he smiled all the same.
Come into my trap, you bastards.
Seeger walked back to Finley. “How much do you want?”
“You stop killing and stealing my sheep and let me leave with my herd. Pay me two thousand dollars and I go away.” Finley stumbled over the amount they’d agreed upon. He’d insisted it was too much, but Noah had a feeling if he asked for less than that Seeger and Dickinson would be suspicious.
“Two thousand dollars, are you loco?” Seeger shouted.
“You get lots of money over the last ten years.” Finley looked between them. “I think two thousand is a lot less than what you took for all those sheep you stole.”
“It’s still a lot of money,” Seeger protested.
“Money you stole,” Finley pointed out.
Seeger put his hand on his pistol. “I didn’t steal any money. Don’t you be saying that.”
Finley held up both hands. “You steal the sheep, then sell the wool and meat for money.”
“It doesn’t matter. Sheep are dirty, disgusting creatures that eat too much grass and shit everywhere. Chancetown is a cattle town. What we did was some housecleaning to keep our grazing land free.” Seeger’s vehemence bordered on being fanatical. He truly believed in what he was saying—those poor sheep ranchers hadn’t stood a chance against him.
Noah had been worried Finley would falter at his role, but he almost had all the information they needed. Soon, he should give the signal to arrest them by taking off his hat. It would help if the guns were put away, but a miracle still could happen.
“We have agreement, ya? You pay me, stop killing and stealing sheep, and I leave.” Finley reached for the brim of his hat.
Seeger glanced at Dickinson, who nodded, then at Finley. “Fine, just be gone by to
morrow morning or I’ll kill the rest of them and have a good old-fashioned barbecue to celebrate.”
Just as Finley’s hand pulled his hat up, Noah started to rise and all hell broke loose. The door to the barn flung wide open and a horse and buggy came flying in. Whoever was driving was shouting and hooting, scattering the men everywhere.
Finley ran for the back of the barn, Seeger got knocked on his ass into the hay bales while Dickinson got trapped between the carriage and the door. Noah stood, ready to save Finley’s life, then he got a glimpse of the person in the buggy.
Rosalyn.
Sweet Jesus and all the saints. Noah’s heart leapt into his throat, right alongside his stomach. His body seemed to forget how to catch a breath. She was going to be killed. What the hell was she doing?
As Seeger’s thugs approached the wagon, she brandished a huge pistol, almost as long as her arm. “Step back. You’re all under arrest in the name of the law.”
Seeger laughed from his position on the floor. “Who the hell do you think you are, you little slut?”
Rosalyn pointed to a tin star on her dress. “I’m Deputy Rosalyn Benedict.” Pride laced her voice.
Noah had never loved Rosalyn more than at that moment. She’d come to his rescue like a knight in shining armor, or rather, in a horse and buggy and a purple dress. He stepped toward the loft, ready to take control of the situation. Unfortunately Finley’s barn must’ve had some wood rot, because he heard a crack, then he was falling through the floor.
He landed hard on the dirt-packed floor, knocking the wind out of him. Stunned, he found himself nose to barrel with a pistol and one of Seeger’s men grinning like an idiot.
“So I finally get to take care of the great Sheriff Calhoun, eh?”
“No I don’t think so.” His mother appeared behind the buggy, pointing both her pistols at the man standing over Noah. “Sorry, Rosie got past me before I could get out of the damn tree. That woman is fast and too damn determined.”
“Who’s that?” Seeger had gotten himself up off the ground and peered over the wagon.
“It’s my mother,” Noah said proudly. He stood, his back aching and groaning in protest.
The Legacy Page 17
