Yellowstone Deception (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 5)

by Peggy L Henderson

  Dan scoffed. “If I hadn’t been so selfish, none of this would have happened in the first place.”

  The corners of Daniel’s lips curved upward, and he actually grinned at him. “Sometimes it takes a good woman to help us let go of the demons we carry inside us. It is something I had to realize myself.”

  Dan blinked, his forehead wrinkling. Jana’s face flashed before his eyes. When he was with her, he could forget his troubles. But until this current situation was resolved, the guilt would remain with him.

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right again,” he said. “Then I can think about Jana.”

  Daniel resumed his walk along the riverbank. “Jana Evans is like a sister to me,” he said. “She and my wife regard each other as such. Because of their bond, I must also keep her safe. What are your intentions toward her?”

  “I love Jana, and hope she’ll consent to marry me. Eventually.”

  “My brother Elk Runner has already proclaimed the two of you wed. You are aware of the Tukudeka custom?”

  Dan smiled, despite himself. “Yeah. I’m aware of the custom. I studied a lot about the Sheepeaters because one of my ancestors . . . “ He stopped. He was putting his foot in his mouth again. “I have a special interest in them, so I learned the Shoshone language and some of the customs.”

  “I do not wish to learn about the future, but I am glad to see that Aimee and I have left something of us for future generations.”

  “You can be proud of what the two of you left,” Dan said. “I am the end of the line, though. My father was an only son, and so am I.”

  “I see many sons for you and Jana in the future,” Daniel said, and grinned. His head turned abruptly toward the cabin. The woman he spoke of came running from the house, frantically waving her hands in the air.

  “It’s time.” Dan heard her call repeatedly, and knew exactly what that meant.

  Chapter 29

  Jana emerged from Daniel and Aimee’s bedroom, closing the door softly behind her. Dan glanced up from staring into the fireplace for so long, he had to blink to adjust his vision. Their eyes met from across the room. She swiped her hand across her forehead, reminding him that he was covered in perspiration as well. She looked worn out, her eyelids heavy from lack of sleep, but a bright smile lit up her face.

  “The proud parents are finally resting,” she said quietly, and walked into Dan’s open arms without hesitation. He inhaled deeply of her subtle flowery scent, pulling her close to him.

  The two Indian women, Morning Sun and Little Bird, had retired to the little cabin shortly after the birth, commenting that Aimee was in good hands with her knowledgeable white sister. While Aimee labored, Dan had quietly tried to put Daniel’s mind at ease that everything would be all right. Daniel had paced the main room of the cabin like a caged lion, until Jana had finally come from the bedroom, calling him into the room. Aimee wanted him to be with her during the birth. Dan had almost laughed at the look of sheer panic on Daniel’s face just before he followed Jana into the room. Dan had slapped him on the back with a wide grin, which earned him a murderous glare.

  “It’s okay, Daniel. Modern men are frequently present when their wives give birth. You can do this. Just hold her hand, support her back, and let her tell you how much she hates you for putting her through such agony.”

  Jana’s eyebrows had shot up at his words, and she glared at him. Dan had shrugged. “It’s what they say in the movies.”

  “I can’t believe we got here on the day Aimee has her babies,” Jana said, bringing Dan’s mind back to the present.

  “Fate wanted you to be here,” Dan whispered, kissing the top of her head.

  “Or the sky people,” Jana said quietly.

  A sudden loud banging on the front door made Jana jump. She pushed away from Dan, a fearful look in her eyes. Dan knew exactly what she was thinking. Hastings! The bedroom door opened seconds later, and Daniel emerged, a rifle in each hand. He shot a quick look at Dan and Jana, and motioned with his hand for them to move to the right of the room toward the bedroom he’d just come from. He tossed one of the rifles to Dan, who caught it with a reflex he didn’t know he possessed.

  “You know how to fire this rifle?”

  Dan stared at the Hawken rifle. He’d only fired a flintlock once or twice before, and wasn’t at all sure if he could do it if called for quickly. He nodded slowly. A baby began to cry loudly.

  “Go in there with Aimee,” Dan whispered, and pushed Jana toward the bedroom. She grabbed hold of his arm, her eyes wide with fear.

  “Go,” he said forcefully. She hesitated another second, then disappeared through the door.

  Whoever was outside banged on the front door again, and a man’s voice shouted. Dan couldn’t understand the words, but relief swept over him. It wasn’t Hastings. Daniel yanked the door open, and three men stumbled in. Two Indians supported a third man, his arms draped around each of their shoulders. He was unable to stand on his own, and a loud moan escaped his lips. His eyes were closed, and his buckskin shirt was soaked with blood.

  Daniel spoke to the two other Indians in quick, hushed tones, and motioned with his hands to lay the man on the ground by the hearth. Dan couldn’t understand what they were saying. They were not speaking in Shoshone. He noticed both of the other men were bleeding as well, one from his upper thigh, the other from his arm.

  “Jana, come out here,” Dan called. He rushed to the Indian, and knelt to the ground. Blood had soaked his entire buckskin shirt. It was torn in several places where bullets had entered his chest and abdomen. Dan was amazed the man was even alive. Only a modern-day rifle could have put so many bullets into this man.

  Everything seemed to happen at once. Jana dropped to her knees beside him, checking the wounded man’s pulse. Daniel stood beside Dan, telling him these were Absarokas who had encountered two white men before dark, who then shot at them with magical weapons. Three of their companions had died instantly. These three had fled, and were here to seek aid from Aimee.

  “This man isn’t going to make it,” Jana said frantically. Aimee called from the bedroom, wondering what was going on. She could hardly be heard over the loud cries of both babies.

  “I’ve got this,” Jana said, looking up at Daniel. “Aimee needs to stay in bed. I need any medical supplies she might have. Water. Bandages. Dan, sterilize a knife for me, and bring me your medical kit.”

  Dan rushed to do her bidding, thrusting a knife into the hot coals of the fire. He ripped open his backpack that he’d tossed in a corner of the cabin when they first arrived, and pulled out his medical kit. There was no hope for this man. He knew that, and Jana knew it, too. Pride swelled in him, even during these frantic moments to save a man’s life. The way she took charge of the situation, tossing out orders at him and Daniel, it was a side of her he hadn’t seen before.

  Dan handed her the medical kit, when the man on the ground gasped. His body went rigid, just before his limbs relaxed again in death.

  “No, dammit.” Jana immediately began chest compressions. Dan reached for her and tried to pry her away. She pulled away from his hold, refusing to give up her life-saving measures.

  “Jana, he’s gone.” Dan hooked his hands under her arms, and hauled her to her feet. “There’s nothing you can do for him,” he whispered, and pulled her into his arms. She trembled, and sobbed into his shirt.

  “There are two other men here who could use the attention of a good nurse,” he reminded her gently. “Why don’t you see what you can do for them.”

  Jana straightened, and he released her. She picked up the medical kit, and knelt beside the man with the gunshot wound to his leg, making gestures with her hands to get him to remove his leggings so she could examine the wound.

  Dan watched her for a moment, then turned to look at Daniel. He was conversing with the other warrior. Two men. Daniel said these Indians told him there were two men. Hastings had brought someone else with him. Dan cursed under his breath. Hastings
and his accomplice were obviously well armed.

  “This attack occurred not far from here to the east. Less than a half day’s walk,” Daniel said, moving around the table to stand next to Dan. “You only spoke of one man, but Broken Lance says there were two. Two men with weapons that can do this kind of harm,” he pointed at the dead Indian on the ground, “make this far more dangerous. What do you suggest we do?”

  Dan stood there, speechless for a moment. Daniel asked for his advice?

  “I’m wondering if Hastings didn’t attack these people to draw you out, get your attention,” he thought out loud. “I wonder if he thinks I have found you by now, or if he believes I never made it this far. If the attack occurred to the east, he didn’t come the same route Jana and I did. He may have come from the canyon.”

  “Then we must use the element of surprise. If I go now, I can find their camp by dawn.” Daniel headed for his bedroom. The babies had quieted down again, and Dan heard Aimee’s soft voice raise when Daniel spoke to her. She apparently didn’t like what he had in mind to do.

  Daniel reappeared, a bow and a full quiver of arrows in his hand.

  “I’ll go with you,” Dan said, when Daniel headed for the front door. Daniel halted in his tracks, and turned to face him.

  “I leave you to watch over my wife and sons. If all goes well, I will be back before the end of the night. I cannot allow this man to come to the valley. I must meet him out in the open, but I can’t leave my wife unprotected.” He pointed to the Hawken propped against the wall.

  “Do what you must to protect the women. I will send Morning Sun and Little Bird to help Jana care for these men,” Daniel said with finality. He didn’t wait for an answer, but turned and headed out the door. Dan could only stare after him, dumbfounded. He slowly turned his head in the direction of the bedroom. Daniel had left him in charge to protect his wife and babies. What had he done to earn such trust and respect?

  Dan clenched his jaw. He picked up the Hawken, and checked to see if it was loaded, even though he had no doubt that it was. He swore under his breath. Whatever it took, this time he would not fail his ancestors.

  ****

  Jana cradled the little infant in her arms, rocking him gently back and forth. The baby was almost asleep, content with a full belly and a clean change of a cloth diaper. She lightly touched the blond fuzz on top of his head, and stroked his rosy baby cheek with the back of her finger. She glanced over at the bed where Aimee sat, feeding her other son. She looked worn out, her eyes almost closed and her head resting against the bed’s backboard.

  Jana didn’t know which baby she held in her arms – Zach or Matthew. Daniel and Aimee had not named the infants yet. If Hastings showed up, how would he know which baby to murder? After everything she’d witnessed, the dead and injured Indians, the man would have no trouble killing both infants.

  Aimee didn’t show it, but she was worried. Jana knew her too well. Her friend always put up a good front, but the haunted look in her eyes said she was afraid for Daniel. As if she knew Jana was thinking about her, Aimee looked up, and her lips curved in a weak smile.

  “Everything’s going to be okay,” she said, her voice hoarse from lack of sleep.

  The early morning sunshine filtered just enough light through the burlap covering over the window to cast the room in a dim glow. Jana nodded in agreement, although she didn’t feel as if everything would be okay. Daniel had left in the middle of the night. How was he going to track two men in the total darkness? He only roughly knew where Hastings and his accomplice might be camped, based on what the Crow had told him.

  Morning Sun and Little Bird had taken the injured Indians to the small cabin to finish tending to their wounds after they helped Dan remove their dead companion outside.

  “You should get some sleep, Aimee,” Jana said. She placed the baby in her arms into the wooden cradle that looked newly made. Luckily, it was big enough to hold both babies for now. Daniel would have to carve out another one soon. Reaching for the infant in Aimee’s arms, she laid him next to his brother. When she turned around, Aimee was asleep. Jana rubbed at her own tired eyes, and quietly left the bedroom.

  Dan sat on a chair at the table, the rifle draped across his lap. His arms were propped on the table, his hands supporting his head. He looked just as worn-out as Jana felt. His head turned when she entered the main room. Quietly, she closed the door behind her, and offered him a smile. He sat up straight, and laid the rifle on the table, holding out his hand to her, beckoning her to him.

  Jana came to him, and he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. She rested her hands on his shoulders, and smiled softly.

  “Kiss me,” he said in a low tone. Jana bent her head without a second thought, and pressed her lips to his. Dan held the back of her head, deepening the kiss, exploring her lips with his tongue. Jana wrapped her arms fully around his neck, and leaned into him. Deep ripples of desire flowed through her, and she gave herself over to the wonderful feelings Dan’s touch and kiss evoked deep within her.

  “I love you so much,” she whispered, touching her hand to his whisker-roughened cheek.

  “You’re my whole world, Jana.” Dan ran his fingers through her hair. The smile on his face couldn’t betray the apprehension in his eyes.

  “What’s on your mind?” she asked gently.

  “You are,” he answered.

  Jana scoffed at him. “I hope I don’t put that worried look on your face.”

  “I know Daniel can take care of himself and Aimee, but even he’s no match against a man with a twenty-first century gun or rifle. Let alone two men.”

  “Daniel knows what he’s doing. And he obviously holds you in high regard.” Jana could see what a heavy weight rested on Dan’s shoulders. He was held responsible for the safety of Daniel’s wife and children.

  Dan shifted his weight underneath her. “Have you had any sleep at all?” he asked.

  Jana took the bait that he wanted to change the subject. “No, and neither have you. At least Aimee and the babies are asleep.”

  “Why don’t you try and get some shut-eye then,” he suggested.

  “I’d rather just sit here with you.”

  Dan nodded. He hugged her to him, and Jana rested her head on his shoulders. They sat in silence for some time. The room of the cabin lightened as the sun climbed higher over the mountains to the east. The burlap covering the window opening could only filter out part of the brightness.

  “When is he going to be back?” she murmured.

  “I don’t know,” Dan answered. His chest heaved. “The element of surprise is on his side. If he found their camp in the dark, it’ll all be over real quick.”

  Jana shuddered. She could never live in this world. The harshness of the land, the violence that was required in order to stay alive, was too much for her.

  The cabin door suddenly flew open with a loud bang, and Jana screamed. Dan bolted from his seat, throwing her off his lap. She stumbled, but caught her balance.

  “Get to the bedroom,” Dan ordered in a harsh tone before she could even look up. When she did, the gasp caught in her throat. John Hastings stood just outside the door, a rifle pointed into the room. Gone was the cleanly dressed man she had seen briefly in Dan’s room all those weeks ago. This man looked like he was on safari, dressed in khaki cargos, a green shirt, and a tan hunting vest.

  A triumphant smile erupted on his heavily whiskered face, and he pointed the rifle directly at Dan as he stepped into the cabin. Dan had the old flintlock raised, and both men stood facing each other.

  “I was wondering if you’d be here, Osborne,” Hastings said, almost as if greeting a friend. “I have to tell you, your little disappearing act was quite impressive. Took me a few days to figure it all out.”

  “You’re not going to get away with this, Hastings,” Dan said, a harsh edge to his voice. Jana had never seen such intense hatred in his eyes. She darted nervous glances from him to Hastings, not
daring to move from where she stood. Dan slowly moved sideways, stepping in front of her. He positioned himself to stand between Hastings and the door that led to Aimee’s bedroom. “Why don’t we all just go home, and forget about this entire episode.”

  Hastings laughed harshly. “I’ve come this far, I’m not about to change my plans now.”

  A baby began to cry from the other room, and Jana groaned in despair. Hastings’ smile brightened even more.

  “Step aside, Osborne,” he commanded, and motioned with his rifle for Dan to move out of the way. “See, the beauty here is that I don’t have to kill you now. You could even live for a little while longer if you just cooperate.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? You’re not going to kill anyone.” Dan clenched his jaw, and raised the rifle in his hand a few inches higher. Jana wished he would just shoot. Her heart pounded fiercely in her ears, and her constricted throat burned.

  Hastings laughed. Dan was now standing directly in front of her, blocking her view of the deranged madman.

  “Do you really think that antique you’ve got in your hand can hurt me? I’ll blast you so full of bullets before you even pull the trigger. I wonder if you’ll die instantly when I kill the woman and her kids, or if you can live out your life here in the past.”

  Jana gasped. He intended to kill Aimee!

  “Your plans have changed again, I see,” Dan said. Jana realized suddenly that he was trying to keep Hastings talking to divert his attention. Maybe he was hoping Daniel would show up.

  “When I kill her, your entire family will be wiped out. My way will be free and clear.” Hastings moved a little further into the cabin.

  Dan laughed. “Do you realize what that will do to the future of the park? There may not even be a park for you to rule over when you go home. You’ve gone completely insane.”