After ringing up the purchases of her patrons, Rebekah waved and bid them a cheery good-bye. When she turned to him, her nostrils flared as sparks nearly leapt from her eyes. He hoped she wasn’t upset with him. He was in no condition to fend her off, though she was so cute in this state, he wouldn’t mind trying.
“I was scared earlier, but now I’m downright angry.” She began to pace. “I want to get these people, mainly so they won’t have the chance to hurt anyone else. But most of all, I want to see them get what’s coming to them.” She spun, planted her hands on the countertop, and blurted, “Why are you smiling?”
Doing his best to wipe off his grin, Nate shrugged. “I’ve just never seen you quite like this.” In an instant, his mistake in stating his thoughts became clear. He raised both hands in surrender, though he wanted to laugh. “I’m sorry. I’m really not trying to make light of this. I know it’s a serious matter.”
She squinted as if considering his apology. “Good. Then you’ll help me tomorrow?”
He was immediately on the alert. “Help with what?”
“Finding this man.” Her tone was incredulous, and she waved her hand through the air. “What else have we been talking about?” She lowered her voice. “Oh, yes,” she murmured. “Mama’s working the store tomorrow. That gives me part of the morning and all afternoon to do some scouting.”
Every hair and nerve stood on end with her announcement. “Now wait a minute, Rebekah. You can’t go off exploring possible suspects by yourself. It’s much too dangerous.”
Hands clasped in front of her, she rocked from her heels onto her toes. “Which is why you need to go with me.”
Why, the devious little imp. She knew full well he wouldn’t let her go off by herself. He pointed an accusing finger in her face. “You spent that entire time helping those ladies, plotting how you’d get me to go investigating with you tomorrow, didn’t you?”
Brows high, she batted her eyes in a failed attempt to appear innocent. “Of course not. It only took me half that amount of time.”
Never before had he wanted to kiss a woman like he did Rebekah at that moment. She was a delight in so many ways. And yes, he’d look for any opportunity to spend time with her, but he’d never let her know. He couldn’t let her realize the power she held over him.
“And if your father needs my help in the livery?”
“I’m almost certain I can convince him you need an extra day to recover.”
She didn’t even hesitate with her answer, which meant she’d already thought of that. He wouldn’t argue the point. Having tomorrow off would give him the chance to do the job he’d been sent here to do, and he’d get to investigate while in the company of an amazing woman. Not only that, but he’d be able to keep an eye on her, hopefully protect her from any further harm by staying close. He’d do whatever was necessary to keep her from ever getting hurt again.
Chapter Twenty
Rebekah struggled to keep up with Nate’s long strides as they followed the same path they took what seemed a lifetime ago while looking for Thomas. Nate acted even more determined to find the blackmailer today than he was yesterday. And he seemed adamant about staying ahead of her.
He’d already mentioned the chance of getting shot at again, probably the very reason he’d positioned himself in front. If he’d had his way she’d be home, baking another cake, instead of trailing him around. She’d already fixed one cake and a loaf of bread with the intent of giving them to the Loomis family, hoping to gain a new friendship. It was the right thing to do, and it might get the woman to talk about the man who’d shot at them. Pearl might not be the cleanest woman, but she knew a great deal of what went on around her.
After tripping for the third time, Rebekah reached forward and grabbed the back of Nate’s shirt, giving a jerk to make him stop. “You walk any faster and we’ll be running.”
“Sorry.” He glanced around, looking more skittish than a rabbit under attack. He gripped the handle of the basket containing the cake and bread as if someone planned on stealing their food.
“What’s got your knuckles in a knot?”
His brows nearly touched. “What?”
She waved a hand at him. “Well, look at yourself. You’re so tense, I half expect you to explode into tiny pieces.”
He shook his head. “I’m such a fool. I should never have allowed you to come out here again. How can I protect you out in the middle of nowhere?” He spread his arms. “Any one of these trees could be hiding the same man who shot at us the last time. Or any criminal for that matter.” Shifting the basket from in between them, he peered into her eyes. “I don’t suppose I can talk you into returning to town—maybe get a horse and buggy for the trip out here.”
She shook her head. “If we let this man scare us into doing nothing and going nowhere, we’ll never stop him.” She squinted up at him. “Besides, if we go back to town, I’m guessing you’ll try to make me stay behind, or, at the very least, you’ll sneak off without me.”
When he raised his brows and tilted his head, she shoved her finger under his nose. “I knew it. You were going to do at least one of them, weren’t you?”
He remained silent.
She propped her hands on her hips. “Well, I’m going, and you can’t stop me.”
Nate took a deep breath and let it blast from his nostrils. “That’s what I was afraid of.” Placing his hand on her back, he gently pushed her forward. “Let’s keep moving.”
Very few words were spoken as they continued on their trip. Rebekah was too out of breath to speak, and Nate seemed too preoccupied with his thoughts. He kept her and the basket to his left while his right hand hovered near his sidearm. His obvious anxiety increased her own until she found herself glancing around like a nervous cat. She nearly jumped onto Nate’s back when she saw someone moving through the trees. She grabbed his arm and pointed just as that person charged toward them.
Nate swept her behind him as he pulled his pistol and cocked it in one smooth move. Rebekah peeked around him.
Thomas stood at the edge of the tree line with his hands raised. “Whoa, there. Don’t shoot.”
When Nate didn’t lower his pistol, Rebekah shifted around front and shoved his gun hand away. “He’s not going to shoot.” She peered up at Nate’s face. “Are you?”
The muscle in Nate’s jaw worked. What was wrong with him? He knew Thomas.
She scooted toward her dear friend. “What are you doing out here, especially nearly scaring us to death?”
Grinning, he swept off his hat and opened his arms. She stepped into his hug. It had taken months to get used to the top of his head only coming to her nose. The days he hadn’t bathed, she regretted the embrace. Today was one of those days. She held him at arm’s length.
“Where have you been? I’m used to seeing you almost every day. I haven’t seen you in several.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Trying to make a living, my dear, just like usual.”
She frowned. “But you used to come home every night.”
Just as the words were out of her mouth, she wished she could yank them back inside. What if he had a woman friend and spent the nights with her? Rebekah didn’t want to know or hear anything about that kind of information. Time to change the subject.
“Back to the original question. Why are you here?”
Thomas crossed his arms. “Why is it you’re the only woman who manages to make me feel like a young lad in trouble?” He waved away her response and winked. “Just picking at you, sweetheart. Actually, I was on my way to check on the Loomis family, to see if Pearl needed help with anything before I got busy elsewhere. With her husband working so hard, I thought I’d try to lend a hand.” His brows puckered. “Why are you two out here?”
Rebekah glanced at Nate, who was just now holstering his pistol. “We’re headed there too. I made some bread and cake.” She hooked her arm through Thomas’s and started walking. “We can all go together.”
“I know Pe
arl will appreciate it. That’s quite a brood she has to feed.”
With another on the way. Rebekah didn’t say the words but figured Thomas was thinking the very same. Another peek at Nate let her know he wasn’t the least bit thrilled with the turn of events. If his eyes could hold bullets, they’d be firing nonstop right now, and all pointed at Thomas. She’d have to ask one of them about the obvious dislike between them. When did it start and why? In the meantime, no need stirring up a rattler’s nest with only her to intervene if it turned ugly.
Nate trailed behind for the first time since they’d left the store, though his hand still hovered near his gun. His tension should have diminished now that another man had joined them, but instead his eyes seemed more intense. The scowl never left his face, making the hope of light and animated conversation all but disappear. Thankfully, they arrived at the Loomis home in a short amount of time.
The humongous dog, Tiny, raced out to greet them like the first time they’d visited, lathering Thomas with a tongue almost the size of the loaf of bread Rebekah had made. Just to feed the beast, Mr. Loomis would have to shoot a deer every day—two if he wanted to feed his family.
One by one, the children darted from the house, dashing across the yard and into Thomas’s waiting arms. Rebekah’s heart warmed at the sight. The children adored Thomas, and he obviously returned the feeling. When the door slammed, Rebekah looked up to find Pearl settled against the porch post and smiling at the sight.
Rebekah moved to join her. “The children don’t care too much for Thomas, do they?”
Pearl cackled her amusement. “They treat him like a second family pet, climbing all over him like they do Tiny.” She cocked an eyebrow at Rebekah, then examined Nate from head to toe as he strolled toward them. “What brings you two all the way out here? Didn’t figure on seeing you again, what with all the displeasure from the last time.”
“Don’t be silly. I was glad to meet you and even more delighted to see you in church Sunday.”
A grin spread across Pearl’s face. “That young man sure gave you fits, didn’t he?”
“Andrew.” Rebekah nodded. “My little brother. He can be a handful at times.”
Pearl waved at the group headed their way. “I reckon I can understand that. I might have to show up again for the next sermon just to see what Andrew does next.”
Rebekah’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, don’t even think such a thought, or it might come true.”
The two women shared a laugh as the children piled onto the porch, the youngest wrapping one arm around Pearl’s leg while the dirty thumb on the other found its way to his mouth. Rebekah tried not to let her shudder show. Andrew had done the same thing when he was little. That alone should have shown her how many times he’d make her skin crawl. No telling what all had been squished through his fingers before they hit his mouth. Her stomach quivered at the thought. Best not to think about it.
Spotting the basket, the toddler’s fingers popped from his mouth as he pointed. Rebekah reached to take the goodies from Nate. She held it out to Pearl.
“I made a cake and a loaf of bread, hoping maybe we could try once more to start a friendship.”
Pearl looked her square in the eyes as if to determine her sincerity. She finally gave a nod and motioned to the door. “Much appreciated. Bring it on inside. We can sit a spell.”
The inside was dark with only the sun coming through the dusty windows to light the room. The children raced to the chairs around the battered table, only to be scolded by their mother to let the guests use them. As Rebekah placed the basket on the table and took a seat, she noticed very few adornments on the windows or walls. A long curtain separated a room from the rest of the house, probably where the parents slept. Several blankets were rolled up and stacked near the fireplace. Rebekah guessed the children slept there. Much as her heart went out to this family, she also realized how happy they seemed, saying a great deal about the parents’ love for their children.
Seconds after Nate sat, the toddler climbed onto his lap. Rebekah stifled a laugh at his look of shock. To her surprise, he pulled a small top from his pocket and handed it to the boy. Little Micah tilted his head toward the top, then peered up at Nate. He retrieved it from the boy, set it on the table, and gave it a spin. The boy’s eyes widened as he reached to snatch the toy from the table, probably to keep his siblings from grabbing it first.
Though interested in the top, Micah’s focus shifted to the basket. Chin propped on the table, Micah stared several moments before casting a longing glance at Pearl. “Mama?” The quiet voice dripped with sweet yearning.
Pearl reached to ruffle the top of his head. Then she turned to her oldest daughter. “Get a knife, Libby. We’ll save the bread for tonight, but I can’t imagine a bit of cake right now will hurt anything.”
She caught Rebekah’s eye and mouthed a thank-you. Rebekah’s heart ached for this family. She should have done more—brought a more filling and nutritious meal. Next time she’d know better.
As the children dug into their cake with gusto, Nate and Rebekah waved away the offer to have their own piece, though Nate pretended to try to steal bites from them, sending the kids into squeals and giggles as they protected their food.
Rebekah sat back, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, far removed from the earlier tension. Even Nate seemed to enjoy himself. And she hadn’t heard Thomas laugh so hard in a long time.
An explosion brought the fun to an end. What sounded only a mile away had the children running to their mother as Nate, Thomas, and Rebekah leapt from their chairs.
Nate raced to the door and paused long enough to look first at Rebekah, then at Thomas. He pointed to Thomas. “Make sure Rebekah gets home safe.”
Then he was gone.
Chapter Twenty-one
Nate raced toward town and promised himself never to leave without his horse again. He was almost near town but spotted smoke to the south. As he veered that direction, it didn’t take long to figure out the smoke came from Mr. Zimmer’s stamp mill. His heart sank as he arrived to find men hauling Grant Zimmer out on a long piece of lumber, the ends of the wood still smoldering.
Praying the man was still alive, Nate ran to his side. Cuts and burns covered Grant’s face and body. “Is he dead?”
Grant’s one good eye opened. He grabbed Nate’s hand, tugging until Nate dropped to his knees. Up close, he couldn’t believe Grant had lived through the blast. His entire right side was shredded. The poor man had to be in incredible pain. If he were honest, Nate didn’t figure he’d survive the night.
“Put me down.”
Grant’s raspy order was obeyed. The four men hovered until Grant waved them away. They only moved as far as the building, their anxious eyes fixed on their boss. Grant motioned for Nate to move closer.
Nate leaned down, and Grant rose a few inches and grasped his forearm. “Stupid of me,” he choked out, then fell back on the board, gasping for air.
Nate’s mind scrambled. What was stupid? Why was he in the building? None of this made sense. He had to find out what Grant meant.
“What was stupid of you?”
“What?” Grant winced. “I can’t hear you, boy. You gotta speak up.”
Nate shifted toward Grant’s left ear, figuring the right one to be injured. “Why are you saying you were stupid?”
Grant closed his eyes. “I shouldn’t have been here. I was warned.”
Nate wished Grant wouldn’t speak so loud. He didn’t know who all they could trust. Not even the men Grant had hired or any of those standing nearby could be trusted. He leaned close again. “Warned by whom?”
Swallowing hard, Grant gripped his arm harder. “You’ve gotta help me.”
“I will. Just tell me what happened.”
Several men were racing up the hill toward them. Grant had to hurry, or the rest of their conversation would have to wait, if they finished it at all. The man was breathing harder all the time.
Grant yanked on his arm
again. “I was making a list—of what I needed—to fix the place.” He released Nate’s sleeve and closed his eyes. “I saw it.”
Nate waited for him to continue. How much longer would Grant be able to talk? “Saw what?”
Grant took a shaky breath. “Dynamite.” He took a gulp of air. “It flew through the door. I tried to run but tripped.” He panted as if reliving the moment. “It went off soon as I got up.” A tear rolled from Grant’s left eye. “What did I do to—?” The broken man turned away, his face masked in defeat.
The men from town arrived and all but shoved Nate away. He wandered into the building to take a look. Anger boiled in his belly before raging through his body. This was too close to what had happened to his dad and brother. He refused to let it happen again.
Fists clenched, he paced, running every man he’d met through his mind to find the one most suspicious. Thomas returned over and over. True, he was with Nate and Rebekah at the time of the explosion, but without a doubt, he could be the brains behind the scheme and have used the two young men to carry out his evil deeds.
Nate reined in his thoughts. He’d be a fool to focus on only one man, which could allow another to continue working his plots right under his nose. Who else? The few other men who raced through Nate’s mind he scratched off right away. He didn’t know enough people in town yet to draw a conclusion.
Stepping out of the building, he eyed the men milling around Grant. As they hefted him on a canvas litter, Nate followed everyone back to town, staying close enough to hear the conversations. If finding the right man meant quitting the livery job, he’d do just that in order to learn of the culprit and end the blackmailing for good. In the meantime, he’d start by following the two young men who beat him up. Sooner or later, they’d lead him to the leader of the scheme. Only this time, he’d have his gun at the ready.
The sight of a man being carried down the street brought Rebekah to a stop. Relief washed through her when she saw Nate trailing a short distance behind the group. She’d prayed for his safety from the moment he raced out of the Loomis house. But his expression made the worry return.
Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho Page 14
