“But it didn’t.”
He shook his head. “He was running with a bad crowd, and when I found out they were planning to rob the bank in town, I tried to stop him.”
“But you were involved, too?”
The memory rushed back as if it had happened the day before. “No, I wasn’t. I’d tried to make him see sense, but he wasn’t listening. So I followed him, still hoping I could change his mind. By the time I got there, it was too late. They were just coming out of the bank. Right then, the sheriff and his deputy showed up. Two of the men were killed, and Tobias and me were arrested.”
“But if you weren’t involved—”
“Tobias and his cohorts tried to tell them I was innocent. A few of the townsfolk told the sheriff I wasn’t there so he did his best to convince the judge, but he didn’t believe any of them.”
“So you went to prison.”
“That’s right.”
“Then why hasn’t the town hasn’t accepted you back?” she asked.
“A few have, but some people still think I was guilty. Emmett for one.”
“That’s why he acted the way he did the night I was attacked.”
He nodded. “Seems like I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life and there’s no going back to fix them. Sometimes you have to just accept the way it is and make the best of it.”
Olivia rested a hand on his arm, her warmth surging through him. The biggest mistake of his life was standing right beside him.
***
“He’d fly through the air with the greatest of ease, That daring young man on the flying trapeze …”
Olivia smiled at the children’s off-key voices as they sang – loudly – during the ride along the trail toward town.
It had been a wonderful afternoon. She suspected she had enjoyed it even more than the children had. And that was because of Landry.
He was so easy to talk to, while at the same time, he evoked emotions and sensations that made her feel more alive than she ever had.
Her heart ached for the injustice done to him by the law and some of the town’s residents. Surely they couldn’t still believe he’d taken part in the robbery when witnesses testified they’d seen him arrive after it was over.
But there would always be those who wanted to think the worst of people – Emmett and Mrs. Lundstrom, for instance. She doubted they had a good word to say about anyone. Yet they seemed to be able to influence others to their way of thinking.
“A penny for your thoughts,” Landry said quietly.
She chuckled. “I was thinking about what a lovely day it’s been. I can’t thank you enough for everything.”
“No need to thank me,” he said. “I had a good time.”
Had he really enjoyed it, or was he merely being polite?
His dark glance bored into hers, stealing her breath. The way he looked at her sometimes stirred up sensations she didn’t understand. Heat, a strange sensation deep in her core, a tingle that seemed to spread through her from her head to the tips of her toes.
She tore her glance away and focused on the scenery. Brightly-colored wildflowers dotted the meadows on either side of the trail, while giant pine, spruce and fir trees stretched to the clear blue sky. In the distance, snow still clung to the mountain peaks. The sun hung low in the sky, the air growing cooler.
They’d travelled only a few miles when three riders rounded a bend in the trail. Olivia noticed Landry’s fingers tighten on the reins. She raised her eyes to his face. A muscle tightened in his jaw, and he straightened his back, his body taut with tension.
The children, sensing the change in the mood, stopped singing and sat quietly in the wagon bed.
Landry drew on the reins when the three men blocked their path.
Olivia didn’t speak, a cold chill washing over her. Something in their eyes made her uneasy.
“Afternoon, Landry,” the tallest man said, urging his horse closer to the side of the wagon.
“Afternoon.” The word came out clipped.
“You remember Uggie and Gage.”
“How could I forget?”
“No need to be like that,” Tobias said. He gave a cursory glance at the children in the wagon bed, then slid to Olivia. His glance raked over her. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lady friend?”
Landry’s lips thinned. “Olivia Harding, meet Tobias Mitchell. My brother.”
Chapter 8
The Lucky Shamrock was packed when Landry wandered in later that night. He hadn’t seen Tobias and his friends since they’d met on the trail that afternoon and if he was being honest with himself, he was glad.
It made him sad that he wasn’t happier to see his brother after their time apart. Tobias was the only family Landry had, and they’d been close growing up. It wasn’t until Tobias had found new friends that their relationship had gotten strained.
Now, after spending so much time in prison, he’d changed and was unrecognizable as the brother he’d grown up with. Even though they were related by blood, they seemed to be more like old friends who’d lost touch over the years and had nothing to say to each other now.
“Over here.”
Landry didn’t need to turn around. He recognized Tobias’s voice. He’d hoped to avoid him, but he should have known Tobias would be in the saloon. Where else would he go?
Waving an acknowledgement, he stopped at the bar and ordered beer, then made his way across the saloon to a table near the window. Tobias and his friends were already well on the way to getting drunk and Uggie had one of the saloon girls on his lap.
She smiled at Landry as he slid into the vacant chair beside his brother. Uggie’s arm was wrapped around the woman’s waist so she couldn’t leave even if she wanted to.
“This is Dolly,” Uggie said, twirling one of the woman’s ringlets in his finger and tugging until she was close enough he could plant a kiss on her neck. “Her and me are going to have us some fun tonight, aren’t we, honey?”
Dolly smiled at Uggie, but it was obvious to Landry she wasn’t looking forward to it. “Sure thing, cowboy.”
Landry took a long swallow of beer, wishing he’d stayed back at the livery.
“So what’s the story with the gal you were with this afternoon?” Tobias asked.
Landry bristled. He didn’t want to talk about Olivia, especially to Tobias. And especially since he hadn’t quite figured out himself exactly how strong his feelings were for her. All he knew was that when they were together, he felt … different.
“She’s quite a looker,” Tobias put in without waiting for Landry to answer. “And got curves I wouldn’t mind—”
“Shut up, Tobias.” Landry had never stood up to his brother before, but he couldn’t stand by and listen to him talking about Olivia as if she was a saloon whore. She was decent, respectable. And he cared about her. Hell, a lot more than he should. Enough that he wouldn’t let anybody – even his brother – disrespect her.
The realization made him almost gasp aloud. He swore inwardly. He’d known better than to get involved with her. Known she was too good for him. But he’d gone ahead and done it anyway.
Tobias’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “What? Since when is a woman good for anything but pleasuring a man? She sure looks like she could show me a good time.”
“Leave her alone.”
“You got a claim on her or something?” Tobias struck a match on the table and held it to the end of the cigarillo he’d put in his mouth. Smoke curled upward into the air.
“No.”
“But you are sweet on her, aren’t you? Well, well, well.” Tobias grinned, but there was no warmth in his eyes. “But as long as she’s not spoken for, she’s fair game, don’t you think so, boys?” he said, turning to his friends for agreement.
Gage and Uggie spoke up at the same time with their own version of Tobias’s comments.
Fury like he’d never known before surged through Landry. He bounded up, the chair scraping against the wooden floor
. The noise attracted the attention of a group of men playing poker at the next table. Out of the corner of his eye, Landry noticed them scrambling to get out of the way in case shooting started.
Landry moved until he towered over Tobias. His fists were clenched at his side. “Stay away from her, Tobias. I mean it. You go near her and … I’ll kill you.”
Even as the words spilled from his mouth, he couldn’t believe he was threatening his brother. It came as an even bigger shock to him that he meant every word. If Tobias laid one finger on Olivia …
Why did he care what woman caught Tobias’s eye? Tobias was right. Landry had no claim on Olivia and whatever Tobias did with her was no business of his. So why did his stomach churn at the thought of the two of them together?
The temptation to wipe the smug expression off Tobias’s face was almost overwhelming.
Tobias held up his hands in surrender. “Sure thing, little brother. If you want to keep her for yourself, that’s fine with me. There’s plenty of other women who’d be glad to keep me company. Ain’t that right, Dolly?”
Dolly smiled, but didn’t answer.
Landry and Tobias locked eyes for a few seconds. Tobias had seemed to back down. But what if he hadn’t? A heaviness wrapped around Landry as it sank in that he was falling in love with Olivia and that he’d meant what he’d said to Tobias. If he laid one hand on Olivia, Landry would in fact kill his only brother.
“You Landry Mitchell?” a voice called out from behind him.
Turning, he saw a tall, rail-thin man shouldering his way past two cowboys loitering near the bar.
Some paused in their conversations to watch the man approaching Landry. Landry understood why. Now that the confrontation between Landry and Tobias seemed to have settled down, they were keeping an eye on the newcomer.
Landry had never seen the man before and he couldn’t help wondering how he knew who he was. “Who’s asking?”
The man stopped beside him and held out his hand. “Name’s Josiah Mooney,” he said.
Mooney, Landry thought. So this must be one of Curtis Mooney’s kin.
“My pa’s a stubborn old coot,” Mooney said. “One of these days he’s gonna get hisself killed. Can’t admit he’s not young enough to do everything for hisself. Just wanted to thank you.”
Tobias came to stand beside Landry. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Landry said.
“Just saying thanks for helping my pa fix his roof,” Mooney said to Tobias, then turned back to Landry. “But I bet you’re wondering why I didn’t help him,” Mooney went on. “I would have if I’d known he was having trouble with it.”
Landry confessed the thought had crossed his mind, but he’d assumed the old man had no family close by.
“The old fool won’t ask for help, and I usually don’t hear about what he’s been up to until he’s up and done what he set out to do. Glad you were there to stop him this time.”
“Happy to help,” Landry said.
“My spread is just a mile or so outside town. I’d be much obliged if you’d let me know if you see him doing anything else stupid.”
“Sure thing.”
“Thanks.” With a nod, he turned and walked out.
“So you’ve turned into a good Samaritan while I was gone, too?” Tobias asked as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. “Hell, boy, it’s a good thing I came back before you turn into a saint.”
Tobias and his two friends guffawed. Landry wasn’t amused. Picking up his beer, he drained the glass. “I have to go.”
Before Tobias could respond, Landry stomped out into the night.
***
The sound of a boy’s laughter drifting through the open parlor window of the orphanage drew Olivia’s attention. With the baby she’d been rocking held snugly in her arms, she crossed and looked out.
Landry and Daniel were standing at the end of the front path. Her heart swelled. Daniel was grinning, and she realized it had been his laughter she’d heard. Since the picnic, Daniel had spoken a bit more, but no one had heard him laugh. Until now.
And it was all thanks to Landry.
The baby’s eyes fluttered shut, but Olivia continued to gently sway back and forth as she watched Daniel and Landry outside.
As he’d promised, Landry had shown up a few hours ago. He’d been riding the horse he’d introduced as Chester, and he’d brought a smaller horse for Daniel. He’d assured her that the mare was docile and that provided Daniel could ride, he’d have no problem controlling her.
A while later, the two of them had trotted off across the fields behind the house in the direction of Miner’s Pass, a trail that led to an abandoned silver mine.
As Olivia was settling the baby in the cradle near the front window, Daniel raced into the house, his eyes sparkling and his cheeks pink from the sun.
Olivia spun around and put a finger over her lips. “Shh. The baby’s sleeping.”
“Sorry,” Daniel said, his voice as quiet as a child’s could be without whispering. “Mr. Mitchell says he wants to talk to you.”
Olivia’s heart raced, and that now-familiar tingle whisked through her veins at the thought of speaking to him again. Did he know she’d be walking home at this time, or was it merely a coincidence that he and Daniel had happened to arrive back when they did? She knew she shouldn’t, but she dared to hope he’d arranged to see her. “Can you please tell Mrs. Potts I’ll be leaving now? She’s upstairs with the girls.”
Daniel nodded and raced off, his footsteps clomping on the wooden stairs.
Taking in a few calming breaths, Olivia retrieved her reticule and tied her bonnet on her head before stepping outside.
Landry heard the door open and smiled when he saw her coming down the steps.
“Afternoon, Olivia,” he said.
“Afternoon, Landry. Daniel said you wanted to see me.”
He nodded. “Thought I might walk you home if you’re ready.”
The dark expression in his eyes unnerved her. Was Landry concerned for her safety? Had he seen the man who’d attacked her? He didn’t seem anxious to explain his motives, and if she was being completely honest, she didn’t care. Whatever his reasons, she was happy he was there. She smiled up at him. “I’m ready.”
As they strolled down the main street, several people greeted them as they passed. She noticed that a few even spoke to Landry. A twinge of excitement bubbled up inside her. Surely he had to see that people were starting to forget, or at least forgive.
“I’m not surprised you wanted to come back here,” she said as the rounded the curve at the end of the street toward her house. “I love living here.”
“You haven’t lived here long, have you?”
She shook her head. “Almost two years.”
“Where are you from?”
“Wyoming. Laramie, to be precise.”
“You still have family there?”
“My mother lives there with her husband and his family,” she replied. “I didn’t have any brothers or sisters.”
“What made you come to Rocky Ridge?”
She stopped when they reached her house. She stood for a moment, her glance taking in the gabled roof, the shutters, the long porch. She’d fallen in love with the house the first time she’d seen it, and now, with the rosebushes along the front of the house and the flowers lining the path to the porch, it was the home she’d always dreamed of.
“My grandfather,” she said. “I didn’t even know he existed until I received a letter from Brett Morgan after he died. He left me this house and an allowance so I’d never be forced to earn a living or to marry to survive.”
“Floyd Evans was your grandfather?”
She nodded. “Did you know him?”
“He gave me a penny once not long after my ma died so I could buy candy at the mercantile,” he said. “I never forgot that. I remember wishing he was my pa.”
“From what I’ve heard, he was a kind and generous man.” She’d forever be gratef
ul to the man she’d never known for the gift he’d given her – not only a home and financial independence, but a new life with purpose and with people who cared about her.
“What about your folks? You were awful young to be going that far from home by yourself.”
“My father was killed when I was thirteen. My mother remarried the next year. I became a burden to her and her new husband. When the letter came from his lawyer, Mr. Morgan, I do believe both my mother and my stepfather were glad to see me leave.”
“I’m sure Miz Potts, for one, is happy you came and decided to stay.”
She couldn’t help asking. Looking up at him, she grinned. “Only Mrs. Potts?”
He didn’t respond for what seemed like minutes but was likely only a second or two. Her breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t realized until just that moment how important his answer was.
“I’m pretty sure other folks are happy you’re here, too. Now I’d better get back to the livery. I have work to do.”
Disappointment landed like a heavy weight. He wasn’t happy she was here. “Of course. Thank you for walking me home,” she said, keeping the tone of her voice as friendly as she could past the lump in her throat.
He turned, took a few steps, then stopped and turned back. “I’m glad you stayed, too,” he said, then hurried away, leaving her with a smile pulling at her lips and a heart that had lightened considerably in the past few seconds.
Chapter Nine
The morning sun cast a golden glow behind the mountain peaks. Tobias had his arms draped over the corral fence outside the livery and one foot resting on the bottom rail the next morning while Landry carried buckets of water into the corral. “Ran into Emmett Farris this morning,” Tobias said.
“What did he want?” Landry asked.
“Just making his lips flap. He’s always been a jackass. Told me and my boys to get out of town.”
Landry tipped one of the buckets to fill a trough with water. “What did you tell him?”
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