Dust And Dreams (The Rivers Brothers Book 1)

by Lynn Landes

  Aiden’s head is swimming, she knew the train was going to be attacked? That’s not possible. “Where is Cassie?” he asks, grabbing the man by his upper arms and lifting him partly out of bed.

  A loud moan of agony escapes and Aiden shakes him again, “Where are they?” The doctor backs up into the wall and waits.

  “They knew! They all got off the train before….” His head falls back, and his weeping grows louder. “The screaming won't stop!” he wails. Aiden drops the half dead man back on his cot and turns to the doctor.

  “What happened here?” he demands.

  The doctor stutters, “The Indians tore up the track and derailed the train. They took the women and children and scalped all the men. They put him on a horse and sent him back to town to tell the story. I'm sorry about your family. He isn't making much sense.”

  He ignores the doctor and returns to the train station and looks for the old man. “You! Tell me who was on the next train out of Promontory. I need a passenger list!”

  “Your train is the next train.” He replies.

  “What about a stagecoach?”

  The man shakes his head quickly. “Look around, we are all that's left. The only way to leave is on a train or by a horse.”

  That can mean only one thing. They are on horseback. Aiden is directed to the stables where he finds out a man fitting Dalton’s description bought three horses and supplies. He smiles as he returns to the train.

  Cassie has been careless, and he can track them easily. They are heading to the River's family ranch. It will take them about six days with no complications. If they survive long enough to make it to the ranch, then he will have a surprise waiting for them.

  “Run, Cassie for a wave of vengeance is coming your way,” he growls as the landscape passes by.

  He boards the train, and soon they come upon the carcass of the derailed train, and they slow down. They pass the crews of china men working hard to repair it. The damaged track has been replaced with new track, and they are now working to salvage whatever they can from the cars and locomotive. Aiden can't help but smile at the efficiency of the rail workers.

  “Someone needs to do something about the savages,” someone murmurs.

  “Dynamite would have been more effective,” Aiden sneers looking out the window.

  “True, but not if you plan to scalp and rob those who survive,” comes the answering reply.

  Murmurs and rumors spread across the train and Aiden leaned back with a smile thinking of all the ways Cassandra will pay for betraying him.

  Dalton cooks fresh trout over a small fire near the hot spring. He knows any smoke will disappear amongst the steam from the spring. Cassie hands him their tin of coffee and inhales.

  “Mmm, that smells amazing. I'm starved.” He glances over and stares at her. With her long hair rippling over her shoulders in waves, he is stunned by her pure beauty. Relaxed like this she looks young and carefree, but he knows that what they have to speak of will strip her of her joy.

  He reaches over and buries a hand in her hair and pulls her gently toward him. She is smiling when his mouth takes hers. He tastes like coffee and home. It feels good to be free. When he releases her, she sits back and looks at him.

  “What was that for?” she wonders.

  “I can’t seem to help myself around you. You’re so beautiful.” He eats his trout and sips coffee, enjoying the blush that stains her cheeks.

  “You are blind, I look a fright. I just woke up!” she laughs.

  “I may be crazy, but I am not blind. I know what I see, and I see you, Cassie. I see the gentle, giving soul and the fierce, amazing fighter. I see the brains behind the beauty, and I am awed by you.”

  Her eyes fill with tears, and she leans into him. “I love you, Dalton Rivers.” She presses a kiss to his lips, and he answers back.

  “I love you, more.” They lean into each other and watch the sun slip behind the mountains. Dalton sighs.

  “We need to talk.” He picks up a stick and turns to an area that has dirt. He wipes it clean with his hand, and she follows him to watch.

  “We are here, at the Crystal Spring.” Using a stick, he draws an x in the dirt. Soon he sketches out a graph with bumps and flat areas. “Tonight, we need to cross this small valley and head up into this tall mountain. It's called Warrior Peak. The mountain will offer plenty of coverage, but the valley is where we have to move carefully.”

  “I understand. We need to make it across the valley quickly in order to get to cover before sunrise? Why is it so dangerous, Dalton?” she asks.

  “Indians. Plain and simple. They are warring with each other and killing as many whites as possible in a last desperate attempt to hang on to their way of life. No questions will be asked, Cassie. Do you understand?” His gray eyes are stormy with worry for her.

  “I understand the desperation they must feel. It doesn't seem right. Why do they have to be forced off the land they were born on?”

  “I agree. My brothers and I felt it was important to work together to build a way of life that is not at war with local tribes. We sharecrop the land on our ranch with a tribe of Shoshone Indians. They live on the land and work with us to protect the cattle. In return, they earn a portion of the profits made and horses with cattle to eat. It also is a protection against other hostile tribes. It is one our proudest achievements.” His pride is evident, and she can't help but feel proud of the man she loves.

  “Now who is amazing?” she asks nudging him with her knee.

  “This first valley is small, we can make it across quickly.” He gestures to a larger bump beyond the valley. “Here is where it will get tricky. There is a pass on the lower side of Warriors Peak, which leads straight to the second valley. It is larger. It will take us several hours to cross. Once we make it to the mountain on the other side, we have a few options. We can cross using a lower pass or go straight up and over. After we reach the other side of Cathedral Peak, we will be almost home. Our family lands includes five thousand acres starting with the valley just past the peak.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” her fear filled eyes snap to his and she grows angry when he looks at her.

  “Cassie, if something happens and we are separated you are to ride hard. You must get to my family land.” He jumps up and begins stomping the fire out. “Once you reach our land, you will be safe.”

  “I am NOT leaving you behind, Dalton,” she snaps, jumping up to face him.

  He turns and advances on her. “You will do as you are told, Cassandra!” he orders. “If they get to us, I will buy you as much time as I can.” When she starts to shake her head and turn away from him, he jerks her back around to face him.

  “Did it ever occur to you that you might already be carrying our child? Would you throw their life away as easily as you do your own?” he asks softening his tone.

  Her hand goes to her flat stomach, and she looked at him thrilled and horrified at the same time. “No, Dalton. I can't be, it's... It's too soon,” she stammers out.

  “No, it isn’t Cassie. You will protect yourself and my future five children and do as I ask.” She can’t help but laugh at his audacity. “Cassie, I love that you are a fighter, but I would not ask you to die for me. Promise me!”

  Openly crying now, she sobs out, “I promise Dalton, to get to your family land if we are separated.” He pulls her close praying that doesn’t happen.

  After cleaning up any traces of their visit, they mount up and head through the narrow canyons to the other side of a small pass which leads to the first small valley. It is just past sunset and scattered clouds fill the sky ahead making travel slow. The light they had the night before is diminished by the clouds. Luckily the horses know to follow the trail as it seems to be well worn. They travel an hour past sunset before making it to the small valley. Dalton decides to scout ahead and has Cassie follow slowly behind him.

  He skirts around Bear Lake adding time when he finds fresh horse tracks. This is what he
was afraid of. He waits for Cassie to catch up and keeps her close for the remaining journey.

  Cassie is amazed at the open meadows they are traveling along. He wasn't kidding when he said there was no cover. It's almost midnight now, and they are moving as quickly as possible without stopping. The broken moonlight reveals Warriors Peak clearly and Cassie gasps.

  Dalton pushes on, once they begin the ascent, he will feel better.

  The tension from him floats to her, and she is worried. Maybe she could use her gift to see ahead of them? It would make things less stressful. When they stop for a break to water the horses, she will suggest it. Giving a gentle kick of her boot she urges her horse forward, and that's when she sees it. A quick flash of silver out of the corner of her eye. An answering flash repeats on the other side of the meadow and Dalton swears, lightening.

  He doubles back to Cassie and tells her, “We need to push hard to make the pass before the storm is on us. Let’s stop and water the horses and take care of our business before we move on,” he whispers to her.

  “Okay,” she slides from her mount and ignores the trembling in her legs. Her bruises are letting her know they were still there, but she will be damned if she complains.

  “I'm going to scout ahead and make sure the path is clear. Stay here until I return.” He turns riding off band Cassie sighs. After walking for a bit, she stretches and leads the horse to a small pond of water. She rubs his neck and watches him drink. Leaning down, she dips her handkerchief in the fresh cold water and washes the dust from her face. It feels wonderful. Next, she squats to dampen it again before rinsing it clean, then removes her black cowboy hat and lifts her hair from her neck she rubs her neck clean.

  Her horse snorts and dances sideways, disturbed by a scent or sound and Cassie is instantly alert. Movement from the other side of the pond catches her eye, and she stares in shock at the young woman in the moonlight. She stands, staring in shock at Cassie and clutches her baby to her chest. Her long black hair blows free, and the baby cries as if it senses fear from its mother.

  Cassie's eyes drop to the baby, and instinctively her hand goes to her stomach. The woman's eyes track the movement, and she turns and disappears swiftly into the night. She mounts quickly, stuffing her hat back on her head and kicking her horse into a run.

  Dalton is startled when he hears her coming towards him. After he hears what she says, he urges her back into a run. “We need to ride, Cassie!” She follows his lead and kicks her horse into a fast trot. The pack horse is tied to Dalton, and she follows them glancing back to see if she can see anything behind her. She is greeted with only silence.

  They make the base of Warrior Peak a few minutes later when the first call sounds out behind them. An answering call echoes and they begin the steep climb when the first raindrops fall. Cassie pulls her duster tight around her shoulders and continue on.

  The horses are working hard on the damp gravel and mud. They push on, upward and Dalton searches against the now pouring rain for the pass. He stops for a moment, and the rain cascades off the brim of his black hat, and he swears. This much rain will cause flooding, and with Indians on their trail, he is forced to decide.

  When lightening in the distance cracks across the darkened night sky, illuminating the darkness for a moment, he sighs. Swollen creeks full already from a season of rain will overflow into the surrounding land. They traveled slower than he would like due to a lack of light and now the promise of a serious storm fills the air with heavy moisture. The pouring rain will overflow the river banks, and they will be in trouble if they don't find higher ground. Dalton reigns his horse to a stop and glances at the sky. He scrutinizes the lay of the land and glances over at Cassie.

  “Follow me!” He yells out, and she nods in agreement. He pushes on past the entrance to the pass knowing it will flood very soon. Their only chance is to take the higher ground. Cassie pauses and looks into the pass. It is almost impossible to see, but for a moment the rain and lightning stops and the pass glows clear as though lit by a thousand candles. The pass will lead to a canyon on the other side which they will use to trap them on the mountain.

  Her vision is clear the Indians tracking them will send a party after them to push them up the mountain and another through the pass to cut them off. They will be trapped! Dalton stops and looks at Cassie with concern. He doubles back and waits for her to look at him.

  “Are you okay?” he yells out.

  “We can’t go that way!” she yells against the cracking of the lightning. “We have to take the pass.”

  Dalton guides his horse to a large overhang of rocks and listens to her explanation. With a glance below, he thinks about splitting up to distract them. “I know what you're thinking, Dalton, but it won't work. It's too late to split up now. They have seen us, and they know where we are.”

  “Tell me what you saw,” he demands.

  “Do you trust me, Dalton?” Sitting astride her horse with her black hat dripping water and her fierce eyes he smiles answering automatically.

  “With my life.”

  Cassie points down the pass, “If we travel to the top of the mountain we will be trapped. They will split up and take the pass around and follow us, cutting off any chance of escape.”

  “Damn!” Dalton shakes his hat off and slams it back on his head. “What do you suggest?”

  “I have a plan. Follow me!” Cassie directs her horse into the lower pass.

  Dalton follows with the pack horse and prays that her vision is true. They are halfway through the pass when she suddenly stops and slides from her horse with surprising grace, considering her injuries. The rain has slowed to a trickle now, and she shakes her hat off digging inside of her carpet bag tied to the back of her horse.

  Cassie has a plan, but she is not sure how Dalton will feel about it. He watches her, and she turns and takes a deep breath. When his eyes drop to her hand, she has to force herself not to laugh at the shock on his face. “Well, my Daddy was a Gold Miner, Dalton. Dynamite is the fastest way to move big rock. I don't want to kill them, just buy us some time.”

  Smiling at her, he says, “Remind me never to piss you off!”

  “Funny!” Cassie looks at both sides of the pass and back at Dalton. “You need to take the horses and get to the end of the canyon.” She stands looking up at the rock walls and assessing them for the perfect spot. “A hole or ledge will work. The blast should cause a rock slide and fill in the canyon floor.” When she finds a ledge that will work, she carefully climbs up and stuffs a bundle of dynamite inside of it.

  “Is this safe?” Dalton asks from behind her and Cassie laughs out loud at his question.

  “Hell no, it’s not safe. It’s dynamite!”

  “That’s not what I meant, Cassie. I meant for us. Will we have enough time to reach open ground or will it come down on us?” he asks.

  “Well, I hope it won’t come down on us.” She returns to her bag and finds the fuse chord and asks Dalton to cut off fifteen feet. Returning to the ledge of rock she places a blasting cap carefully inside the end.

  “What’s that for?” he asks, handing her the cord.

  “This is a blasting cap, the cord goes inside the end like this.” She backs up slowly lacing the cord along the damp ground. “When I light it, it will run down the cord and into the cap igniting the explosive inside. Judging from the sheer rocks, they will slide downward and fill in the pass at this end. It would take a lot more dynamite than this, to detonate the entire mountainside.”

  In her mind, she sees the explosion at her family gold mine, and she shudders. “I swear I don't go around blowing things up for fun, Dalton.” Worry fills her heart that he will think less of her because of her past.

  “I know that Cassie, I trust you. Let’s do this. We don’t have much time.” A war cry sounds out, echoing down the narrow trail and she knows they're out of time.

  Cassie snatches the knife from his hand and slices off a foot of the fuse from her bag. “We need to mo
ve! Go! I'm right behind you!” She hears his horse and the pack horse fading into the distance, and she sighs in relief. She retrieves a second stick and shoves a blasting cap into the end leaving a one-foot fuse. That should buy her a couple of minutes. She mounts her horse and lights the dynamite, then tosses it as hard as she can down the trail. She lights the second fuse and is rewarded with the sizzling sound as the fire runs down the cord to its destination. Cassie turns her horse and rides away as fast as she can.

  When the Indians turn the corner behind her, the first explosion rocks the canyon and sends rock flying towards them. Any in the way are blown backward from the pressure of the blast. Some are thrown from their horses while others are covered in mud and debris.

  Dalton has just reached the end of the pass when the crash boom of the dynamite echoes down through the rocky walls. He leaps from his horse and runs back screaming Cassie’s name as she comes tearing through the entrance and shouting, “Go!! Go!”

  He watches her and the night behind her illuminates in a scarlet eruption of sound and flame. “What the hell!” he jumps on his horse just as she reaches his side, he leads the way. Rain starts to fall softly again, and she calls out,

  “Just insurance, Dalton. Don't worry, honey. Fuses are waterproof. They will blow even in the rain.” She rides past the stupefied look on his face, and her laughter joins his when it sounds out.

  “Brutal, but effective. How much longer do we have?”

  “I bought us time with that first stick, Dalton. How far to the cavern?” He turns the horse down the side of Warriors Peak, and she is surprised to find the whole side seems to slope towards the bottom of the valley.

  “Across this valley is Cathedral Peak, on the other side is my land. The canyon is just about two miles up. We should make it before dawn.” He kicks the horse into a run, and she follows, just as the mountain lights up behind them with fire and rock. The horses run as though the devil is at their heels and Cassie lets her horse have his head urging him faster.