Quinn: Cowboy Risk: The Kavanagh Brothers Book Two

by Ball, Kathleen

  The silence from outside nearly undid her. Heaven risked a careful glance out the window.

  Marsh, Dick, and Rupert were all whispering to each other. Another man she didn’t recognize was on his way to the barn.

  “Well…” Marsh took the branding iron out of the fire and studied the end. “If you see the wench, tell her I’m going to kill her.”

  Not if she killed him first! Heaven lunged for the door, but Quinn tackled her and slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’ll be sure to tell her!”

  * * *

  She struggled against his hold, but he tightened his grasp and gave her a little shake.

  “Are you trying to get us killed?” he hissed.

  More calls came from outside, and then the horses thundered away from the house.

  Slowly Quinn eased away as it struck him that he had just thrown a pregnant woman to the hard floor. He sat next to her and stared. She blinked at him. Blinking was good wasn’t it?

  Reaching out he touched her stomach. “Did I hurt you or the baby?” His throat felt dry. What if he had harmed the baby?

  She tried to sit up, and he assisted her. “Do you need a cup of water? Do you think you can stand?”

  “I’m fine, really. You were trying to keep me safe. It’s been a long time since anyone did that.” She stood and brushed off her dress. “Just be gentler next time,” she said unruffled.

  Quinn helped her into a chair, peered out the window to be sure the men were gone, and then poured Heaven a cup of water.

  “Thank you.” She took a sip. “Let Tim and Daisy know they can come out. If Daisy is sleeping leave her be.”

  He opened the bedroom door and Tim flew at him and wrapped his little arms around Quinn’s waist. Quinn picked him up and brought him to Heaven. He went back into the bedroom and there was Daisy lying on a quilt on the floor with her thumb in her mouth. How precious she looked with wisps of blond curls around her head. He bent down to lift her onto the bed when her eyes flew open. A shriek that could have wakened all of Texas came out of the little girl’s mouth. He startled.

  “I’m not going to hurt you, I was just going to put you on the bed.”

  Daisy gave him a glare that would have made a wolf back away.

  Heaven was in the room in an instant, and she hurriedly scooped up Daisy. She gave Quinn a saucy grin while humor danced in her eyes. “I told you to leave her.” She chuckled as she left the room.

  Laughter? That tiny girl’s shriek had near terrified him, and it was funny? He walked back out and Heaven held Daisy on her lap while she had an arm around Tim. Somehow, he’d need to get them away from here.

  “I saw a wagon out back. I think we should pack up. It’s not safe for you here.”

  “The children know to come here to be safe. I can’t abandon them.”

  “I respect you for what you’ve been doing, but my motto has always been live to fight another day. You know as well as I they’ll be back. You need to protect the ones you have.” He stared into her eyes. They were full of doubt. “I don’t have a solution for the boys wandering out there looking for this house. But it does no good if they…” He gazed at the children. “I really think packing up to leave will be best.”

  Her eyes filled, and she gave him a forlorn smile. “You’re right.”

  “I’ll help you pack. I saw a few crates in the barn. Those horses you have, do they know how to pull a wagon?”

  “It’s been a while, but they do. You’ll find everything you need in the barn.”

  He nodded. “I’d like to leave in a few hours.”

  Her teary eyes widened and then she nodded hesitantly as she stood and set Daisy on the chair.

  He felt awful, but it was imperative she got away from those men before they brought a whole posse.

  “I’ll get the crates.” He left the house and entered the barn. Just as he expected, the wounded man was gone.

  Chapter Three

  Quinn walked ahead, leading the horses in the moonlight. Heaven had packed quickly and never once complained. She had taken the children to their father’s grave, and there were tears in her eyes when they returned to the wagon. But she’d wiped them away and then made it seem like a great adventure for the children. She had many qualities to admire. Maybe most important, she didn’t ask too many questions.

  He didn’t know what to do with them except bring them to the Kavanagh ranch. Teagan’s ranch, he thought with a bitter taste in his mouth. But there was no other choice. He’d have to go an around-about way, erase tracks and then make false trails. He didn’t trust those men one bit and he had no intention of having his neck stretched. He stopped the wagon in a grove of trees and then untied Bandit from the back of the wagon. “I’ll be back soon. I want to make sure we aren’t being followed. You might as well eat, but no fire.” He had the urge to kiss her cheek and that unnerved him. He never wanted urges or desire again.

  When Heaven’s weathered house came into his sight, he instantly spotted a man coming out. He was about average height, but with a bandana covering the bottom half of his face, there was no way to identify him. Quinn’s hand itched to pull his gun and shoot the man, but he kept out of sight, watching until he left.

  When he was certain no one else remained on the ranch, Quinn worked quickly and covered their tracks the best he could. Hopefully, no one had noticed them heading out already. His thoughts drifted to his urge to shoot the intruder. Why would he want to kill that man? He’d never wanted to pull the trigger before. He’d seen enough killing in the war. He didn’t have the stomach for it or for any conflict. And here he was right in the middle of trouble. He clenched his teeth. At least he wouldn’t get attached to the family. His heart had gone cold years ago, and those types of emotions were dead. His heart had been sealed off the day he discovered the woman he loved had lied to him. She’d used a fake name and then disappeared and couldn’t be found.

  His brother Teagan often said he didn’t smile anymore. That was true. There was nothing to smile about. His body bore the scars of the war, and his heart was mangled by love. He’d often wished he had died on the battlefield. But he hadn’t. Instead, he died over and over again, every day when he saw his hideous scars and thought of the deceptive woman he’d loved. He willed it all to stop, the emotions, the reminders… but they were there every morning when he awoke, and he dreaded going to sleep knowing the dawning of the next day would bring unbearable grief.

  He’d thrown all his energy into making the Kavanagh ranch the best in Texas, and he’d recently been blindsided when he’d found out he didn’t own a stake in the operation. He’d had to leave. He hadn’t planned to go back, but Heaven needed a place that was safe. So they’d skirt the towns and hope they weren’t seen.

  He rubbed his hand over his weary face. The night was escaping, and he had to get back to the wagon. He didn’t want Heaven and her children afraid. He’d have to find a way for those wandering boys to get to safety.

  The leather of his saddle creaked as he dismounted. He took the reins and led Bandit into the camp. The children were asleep with their heads on Heaven’s lap. She tilted her head back until their gazes met. He wasn’t prepared for the blissful smile she gave him. It coursed through him and scared him.

  Tamping down his feelings, he led Bandit away to take care of him.

  * * *

  He differed from any man she’d ever met. She never once saw him look at her in any way but respectful. He didn’t make false promises, at least so far. It was if he thought of her and the children as some responsibility that he needed to shoulder. His eyes were troubled.

  Surely he knew how babies were made and he could count. She’d been honest about when her husband had died. Yet he hadn’t asked who the father of the baby was or appeared disgusted when he asked if the baby was hurt when he pushed her to safety. He probably didn’t welcome questions about himself, so perhaps that meant he understood there would be things she didn’t want to speak of. So far, she trusted him, and she
could only hope her instincts were correct.

  He sat and leaned against his saddle he’d placed near her. He seemed exhausted.

  Heaven immediately handed him some bread and cheese.

  “I’m grateful.” He glanced at her and then gazed out into the darkness.

  “I’m grateful too. The children went right to sleep after they ate.”

  “I’ll roll a couple of oil cloths under the wagon and carry them to bed. It has been a long day. I wasn’t sure we’d be alive yet, here we are.”

  He ate and then walked to the back of the wagon. He grabbed what she suspected were the oil cloths. After he had them under the wagon, he put the quilt from her bed on top of the cloth and then set quilts in a pile to cover them.

  She smiled appreciatively when he lifted Tim and carefully laid him on the quilt and then put another quilt over him. He certainly was a gentle man. When he came back for Daisy, she fussed but he held her to him, and she put her head on his shoulder and went back to sleep.

  Tears spilled down her face. She missed David still. He used to carry Daisy in much the same fashion. Hastily she wiped away her tears and stood. Tomorrow promised to be a long tiring day.

  “Going to bed?” he asked softly.

  “Yes. Thank you for everything.” She wished she had a smile to give.

  “I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll go for a while then stop to make coffee if no one is following us. I hate thinking people in this great state are still practicing what amounts to slavery. People refuse to let go of the past. Let’s get you and the children to a safe place and then we’ll see about dealing with these kidnappers.”

  She dipped her head before she scooted under the wagon. Would this be happening if David was still alive? There had been a few threats before his death but nothing like what had been taking place of late. She pulled a quilt over her and put her hand on her rounded stomach. It didn’t matter to her who the father was, but others would not be accepting. She’d have to tell Quinn; he deserved to know who he was defending and the problems that came along with them.

  It had been tormenting the night the men had come. Only prayer got her through it and eventually healed her. If she had been a man, they would have just shot her. What did Quinn think? He’d must have done the math by now and realized this wasn’t her husband’s child. Starting over would be welcome. If she could find a place where she could hold her head up high, she’d be thrilled. Even if she found such a place, it wouldn’t last very long. Sorrow filled her as she turned on her side and fell asleep.

  Chapter Four

  Quinn was grateful Heaven could drive the wagon; it gave him time to watch their back. He was fairly certain they were being followed. He needed a plan and he needed it fast. He urged Heaven to drive the horses harder. He spotted a cave, or maybe not. It had been difficult to see from the distance. Now he rode Bandit through trees and brush, and there it was. He hopped down and cautiously explored it. No signs of animals or other people.

  Quinn mounted up. “Come on, Bandit. Let’s get the others.”

  It didn’t take long to catch up. “Grab what you can and go straight back that way. Take Bandit. There’s a cave. I checked it. I’m going to drive the wagon and send it over the side and hopefully it’ll break up on its way down the hill.”

  She opened her mouth, but no words came out, and she quickly closed it and went into action instead. He watched as she filled a quilt with many supplies. She gathered the corners and dragged the bundle as she carried Daisy. Carrying a quilt, Tim followed his mother.

  Quinn drove the wagon close to the edge of the drop off, let the horses go and with enormous effort shoved the wagon off the cliff. It turned over three times before it completely broke apart. With his rifle in one hand, he used heavily leafed branches in his other hand to wipe away his boot prints. Soon he was in the trees. A dust cloud was growing in the distance. The men had found their trail.

  Hightailing it, he ran for the cave. Heaven was in there, all ready to shoot. She lay on her stomach with her rifle in her hands. The children were behind her lying on the ground. She knew enough to stay low. He threw his rifle into the cave and dragged big branches dense with foliage to hide the entrance. Then he joined her.

  “I sure hope it worked. We’re you hurt?” Her voice echoed her worry.

  “No, I let the horses go and pushed the wagon over. It flipped a few times. What about Bandit?”

  “I grabbed your saddle bags and let him go. He’s so well trained, I know he’s not too far.”

  “That’s my brother Brogan’s handiwork. He’s incredible with horses. A few of my other brothers think they’re good but they’re not as good as Brogan.”

  She grabbed his biceps, and the jolt that went through him annoyed him. “There they are. Oh my how many are there?”

  “About six I believe. There seems to be one who knows what he’s doing, and the rest just follow.” He shrugged. “Just an observation. They stop then one horse goes and then the others are slow to ride their horses behind him.”

  She nodded. “They have an Indian guide; they use him to do their dirty work.” Pain filled her eyes and she turned her head away.

  “Why don’t you lay on your side. You can’t be comfortable like that. How long do you figure until the baby comes?” He held his breath. What had he been thinking? He shouldn’t have asked such a personal question.

  “Two months. I’ll need to start sewing diapers soon.”

  He gazed out at the riders and nodded. He wished he was the type that would throw caution to the wind and tell her she had nothing to worry about, that he’d take care of her. But he wasn’t that man. She’d be fine when they got back to the ranch. Maybe one of his eight unmarried brothers would be willing to get hitched or he could set her up with a small house in town.

  “They’re almost on us.” Her voice quavered, and her grip on his arm tightened.

  Daisy began to cry and Tim shushed her.

  It felt as though all of them in the cave were holding their breath. The men rode by, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t circle back.

  Heaven’s smile was full of hope.

  “We wait, they’ll be back this way when they don’t find us unless they believe we died in the wagon.”

  “Call me if you need me. I’m going to sit with the children for a while.”

  “Sure. Tim is a man who can be counted on.” He smiled into the darkness. Tim could see him and Quinn hoped to make him feel proud.

  The cave was damp, and his leg ached. It made him think of Alicia—or whatever her name was—whenever a part of him hurt. Where was she and what was her real name? Why hadn’t she said goodbye? He had waited two days not sleeping in his hospital bed, but she’d never returned. No one had been aware of her plan to leave. Finally, someone had been sent around to her residence only to discover that it was empty.

  He had fallen into despair and wanted to die. He’d never loved so completely, and she had promised to marry him. He never did find her. Women couldn’t be trusted to keep their word. She never meant it when she told him she loved him.

  He rubbed his leg and kept watch.

  “What’s wrong with your leg? Can I help?”

  He glanced at Heaven who laid at his side again. “No, I’m better off doing for myself.” He didn’t miss the frown on her face.

  “It looks like they’re riding north,” she commented.

  “If you notice, only four of the six are riding north and their guide isn’t with them. We need to be watchful and ready to shoot.”

  Her eyes widened as she grasped her rifle tighter.

  It was a tense hour, and the two lagging riders came close. Heaven had to cover her mouth to stifle a gasp. From the hate in her eyes, Quinn was certain that the Apache had done something to her. The riders stopped and conferred. The Apache pointed back the way they came.

  Hopefully, they thought their prey dead. The other man took one more look around and shrugged. They turned their horses and h
eaded back the way from which they had come.

  “We’ll wait awhile to be sure they aren’t coming back, then I’m going to find the horses and we are getting out of here.” He handed his canteen to her. “Make sure you and the children drink plenty of water. The trail toward the ranch is a dry dusty ride.”

  He needed to stand and stretch his leg. There was a vacant cabin not too far from them and it was well hidden. He and Teagan had found it one day long ago.

  * * *

  She wasn’t sure he’d find all three horses, but he did. Her heart felt lighter as she watched him approach the cave. She and the children were filthy from head to toe, but it was worth it; they were safe. She smiled at Quinn and got a curt nod in response. He didn’t seem much for smiling except at the children.

  “I’ll put the supplies on one of the wagon horses. You and the children can ride on one and I’ll take the other.”

  “We’re ready whenever you are.”

  He finished dragging the branches away from the cave and tied up the quilt with the belongings on one of the bay horses. Then he lifted Heaven onto the saddled horse. There was something warm in her touch, but he didn’t seem to notice. He placed Tim behind her and then Quinn smiled at Daisy as he handed her up in front.

  “Thank you.”

  “Try to keep up with me.”

  His abruptness confused her. Why was he acting that way? He was kind to Tim and all sweetness to Daisy but brusque with her. Not that it mattered terribly. He was helping them and that was all she needed from him.

  The ride took longer than she thought it would. They rode through a forest, and every once in a while, Quinn had her stop so he could backtrack. She thought he had said it would be dry and dusty, but it was cool and a bit damp at times. Maybe he hadn’t originally planned to come this way. But she wouldn’t say a word. She’d take the shade of a tree over hot and dry any day.