“The captain says you’re to, well…do what women have to do.” He shoved her toward a group of bushes.
She thought of a haughty response. Instead, she decided to focus her energy on formulating a plan of escape rather than angering the man guarding her.
Stopping, she turned to face him. “You’ll have to untie my hands.”
“The captain said nothing about removing the rope.”
“I’ll not be doing my business with my hands tied. Untie them or take me back.” Jinny saw the man rub his chin, then look behind him before leaning down to untie her hands.
“You better not try anything. Captain Eplett don’t want you hurt before he hears from the sheriff.”
The knowledge Eplett had sent word to Brodie should’ve given her a sense of relief. Instead, a shot of fear claimed her, reminding Jinny that Eplett and his men couldn’t be trusted.
Stepping behind the bushes, she scanned the area, trying to see any landmarks identifying where they held her. She knew they were still on Circle M land. They would’ve had to ride a great deal farther west to get off MacLaren property. Then something familiar caught her attention. A specific rock formation she hadn’t noticed when they rode in. The Boulders. She and a few of the MacLaren women had named the place during one of their rides. If only she had a way to get them a message, they’d know exactly where to find her.
“Hurry up.”
“Didn’t your mother teach you it isn’t polite to rush a lady?” She hurried with her business, wanting more time to check the area before deciding what to do next.
“I didn’t have a mother and don’t recall knowing any ladies. Just finish up and get back over here.”
Odd, but she didn’t feel a shred of remorse for the man growing up without a mother. Any other time, the story would’ve cut to her heart, begging her to reach out and say something soothing. Right now, all she wanted was to find a path to freedom. If she could just get a horse…
The sound of bushes rustling had her fiddling with her dress, giving the impression she’d just finished. “I’m not ready yet.”
“It don’t matter. The captain wants you back where you were.” The man pushed through the bushes, grabbed her arm, and pulled her back into the clearing. “Hold out your hands.”
To her relief, he secured her hands in front of her. If she could get to a horse, it would be a simple matter to mount and ride away. Jinny had watched them ride, knowing she had a good chance of getting away if she had a couple minute head start.
“Sit back down where you were.” He turned to leave.
“What about water, or some food?”
“You don’t ask for much, do you…lady?” The taunt didn’t bother Jinny.
Her gaze focused on his gun, reminding her she needed a weapon. Glancing at the horses, she saw three rifles still in scabbards, guessing the ammunition would be in the saddlebags. If not, they’d be fools not to keep them loaded, ready for any threat.
Even if Eplett posted a guard tonight, she reasoned the rest would fall asleep at some point. They were only human. Their bodies required sleep. It would be the perfect time to grab a horse and get away. She refused to think of the consequences if they caught her. All her focus had to be on escape.
Rolling to his side, Deke grimaced at the pounding in his head, trying to remember what happened. Sitting up, he lifted his hands, still bound together in front of him, and felt the sticky substance on his forehead. Someone had hit him with the butt of a rifle as they rode away, Jinny on the back of the leader’s horse.
Shouting a curse, Deke forced himself to stand and look around. He remembered one of the men scattering their horses. His gaze lit on what was left of the food Lorna had prepared. The knife. She’d put a knife in one of the bundles. Rushing to the blanket, he knelt down, pushing aside one bundle after another before he found it.
After one false start, then another, he found a way to stabilize the knife, using it to cut through the binding. Ripping it from his wrists, he stood, lifted his fingers to his mouth, and blew. The whistle echoed through the air. Moving away from the trees, he whistled again, getting no response. Whistling once more, pounding hooves had him shifting, his gaze landing on a group of riders moving toward him.
“Thank you, God,” he mumbled, watching as several MacLaren men reined their horses to a stop.
“Where’s Jinny?” Quinn jumped down, taking a quick look around at the blanket and scattered wrappings his Aunt Lorna used to pack food.
“I don’t know.”
Colin joined them, his features stoic. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
Looking past Colin, Deke recognized Blaine, Sean, and Camden. “The ex-Confederates who terrorized the women at Maloney’s found us. They bound me and took Jinny.”
Quinn grabbed his shoulders. “Which way did they ride?”
“West.” Deke pointed toward a group of low hills as another group of riders approached. Brodie, Fletcher, Bram, and Caleb stopped beside the others. Brodie slid from his horse. Before he could ask, Colin nodded in the direction Deke had pointed.
“The ex-Confederate raiders grabbed her and rode off. They left Deke tied up, and by the looks of it, roughed him up a wee bit.”
Quinn examined Deke’s wound. “Aye. Looks like the butt of a gun landed on the lad’s head.”
“A rifle,” Deke corrected, then looked around. Spotting his gun in the dirt several yards away, he brushed it off, then holstered it. “I see you brought my horse.”
“And Jinny’s,” Quinn added.
Grabbing the reins, Deke swung up on his gelding, noting the rifle still in its scabbard. Glancing up, he saw the sun sitting above the western hills, indicating it would be dark within an hour.
“We have to get moving before we lose our light.” Kicking the horse, Deke led the way, heading in the direction where he’d last seen Jinny.
Conviction
“I’m Nate Hollis, a deputy and friend of Sam’s. Is he here?” Out of breath, his body trembling, Nate rushed past the older man, looking around.
“He took Robbie to the river, but should return soon. I’m his father, Thomas Covington. Can I help you?”
Nate sucked in a breath, his face flushed, and thrust out his hand, waiting until Thomas shook it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m sorry to intrude, but a message came for Brodie, telling him he had to get to Circle M right away. Jinny is missing.”
Thomas rubbed the back of his neck, trying to remember the significance of the name. “I’m sorry. I don’t recall the name.”
“Jinny is the sheriff’s sister. She and Sam, well…they were close before he left town.”
“Ah, that’s right. My son has mentioned Miss MacLaren several times. I believe she’s the reason he came back. You say she’s missing?” Thomas moved into the parlor, nodding for Nate to follow him and sit down.
“I’d prefer to stand…if you don’t mind.” Shoving his right hand into his pocket, doing his best to hold what was left of his left arm at his side, he worked to control his shaking.
Thomas walked to a table, took a glass, and poured a measure of whiskey. “Take this, young man. It may help.”
“Thank you.” Accepting the glass, Nate downed the whiskey in one swallow, turning at the sound of a door opening.
“Grandfather, we’re back.” Robbie raced into the room, coming to a halt when he spotted the stranger.
“Nate Hollis. It’s good to see you.” Sam strolled in, clasping Nate’s hand, his eyes narrowing as he studied his friend’s face. “Are you all right?”
“He’s come with bad news, son. Robbie, come with me while your father and Mr. Hollis talk.”
When the door closed, Sam took a step toward Nate. “What happened?”
“Brodie told me where to find you. Quinn sent word he needed to get to the ranch right away.”
Sam’s stomach clenched as he thought of Jinny. “Was someone hurt?”
“Jinny is missing. Brodie thought you’d
want to know.”
Sam’s hands fisted at his sides as he murmured an oath. Tossing his black hat aside, he shredded his fingers through his hair and paced away. “Did he have any other details?”
“Quinn sent Bram to town to fetch Brodie. He said Jinny’s and Deke Arrington’s horses came back to the barn alone. Bram also said something about the two riding to the original Estrada hacienda today, so that’s the direction they were headed.”
Sam knew the location of the Estrada ranch house. He and Jinny had ridden there a couple times before returning to the main house for Sunday supper. Today, she rode with Deke Arrington, the man Brodie had mentioned. From what Sam understood, the man courting Jinny.
“I’ll meet you outside.” Grabbing his hat, he dashed out of the room to find his father and son. Sam didn’t even consider Nate not riding with him. Slowing his pace, he turned to see him walk from the parlor toward the door, his face pale. “Are you all right, Nate?”
He waved him off. “I’m fine.”
Sam didn’t have time to question him further. Finding Jinny, making certain she was unharmed, was all that mattered. Everything else could be dealt with once he knew she was back at Circle M.
Belford Ranch
Mrs. Belford stood on her porch, staring out at the evening sky. She needed to get busy if supper was to be ready by the time the men rode in from checking stock. Her two sons and the three cowboys she’d rescued from hanging were all she had for help. At almost fifteen and thirteen, her boys did the best they could to balance their work at the ranch and school, which she insisted they attend. And, so far, the young men who served their sentences working her ranch had more than met her expectations.
She’d taken a huge risk bringing them to the ranch after their drunken actions had caused the death of her husband. Allowing them to hang, knowing her husband’s cancer left him with little time and in a great deal of pain, wasn’t something the widow wanted on her conscience. With no intention of selling the family ranch, she needed men. The decision to take them on seemed to be working out for everyone.
A chorus of whoops and hollers caught her attention, a slight smile curving the corners of her mouth at the sight of five riders approaching the barn. At first, her sons resented having the three cowboys guilty of killing their father living on the ranch. It had taken time, and learning their father would’ve died anyway, to get them to work beside the new ranch hands. After several months, they behaved like five brothers.
“Ma!” Martin, her oldest, waved as he slid to the ground, then disappeared inside the barn. The youngest, Brandon, did the same, a broad smile covering his dirt-smudged face. The others, Theo, Walt, and Cy nodded, their expressions grim. Curious, she ignored the need to finish supper and made her way across the open space to the barn. After years working around different men, she’d learned to recognize when something wasn’t quite right.
“Theo, I’d like to speak with you.”
He glanced at the others, handing his reins to Walt. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Did anything unusual happen today?”
Settling his hands on his hips, he looked at the ground. “Not sure it’s anything to worry about.”
“You let me decide that. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
Looking over his shoulder, he paced away, knowing she’d follow. He stopped when they reached the corral at the side of the barn.
“Some men are camping at the edge of Circle M where it butts up to your place. It may be nothing, but it seems strange. They didn’t look like men who’d work for the MacLarens.”
“What do you mean?”
Shaking his head, he blew out a breath. “We didn’t stay to get a real good look, but they were shabby, not what I’d expect from Circle M ranch hands. I only know the sheriff and his cousins, Quinn and Colin, and that’s from being in jail.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he glanced up. “I’m probably wrong, but Cy and Walt felt the same. Could be they’re friends of the MacLarens.”
Crossing her arms, she studied Theo’s face. He’d always been honest with her, even about the killing of her husband. She had no reason to doubt his instincts.
“How far away are they?”
“About an hour ride northeast of here. Their camp is near the junction where your land, Circle M, and the old Pearce ranch intersect.”
“Well, it’s too late to ride out there tonight. We’ll plan to leave early in the morning and pay them a visit.”
“Ma’am, I don’t think you need to ride with us. Fact is, I’d rather you stay here, in case the men aren’t working for Circle M.”
Laying a hand on his arm, she squeezed. “I appreciate your concern, but I want to ride out with you. I’ve been cooped up around this place too long.”
Theo had learned not to argue with her once she made up her mind. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d saddle my horse for me in the morning. We’ll leave right after breakfast.” She didn’t miss his hesitant expression before he nodded.
“Yes, ma’am. What about Martin and Brandon?”
“I’ll talk to them at supper and let them know I need them to stay close to the ranch tomorrow.” She headed toward the house, Theo keeping pace beside her. “As I recall, they have some schoolwork to finish. They can ride out with you, Walt, and Cy once we return.”
Mrs. Belford refused to voice her concern about her ranch hands going alone. With their past, and the fact many still considered them killers, it would be too easy to blame them if something went wrong. With her along, the chance of that happening decreased. Even with the many chores she had around the ranch, she wasn’t willing to take the chance of having them ride out alone.
Chapter Seventeen
“It’s too dark to follow their tracks. We’ll have to wait until morning.” Colin hated being the voice of reason when fear drove them forward, everyone’s tempers running high. He’d pulled his horse next to Brodie to see the determined scowl on his cousin’s face.
“Morning might be too late.”
Quinn joined them. “Nae, Brodie. They don’t plan to kill Jinny. Not before they get what they want.”
“And what would that be?” Brodie couldn’t keep the sarcasm from his voice.
Quinn glanced at Colin, who nodded. “Your prisoner.”
Brodie’s brows drew together. “Terrence Card? They’d risk their lives, and Jinny’s, for him?”
“It’s a guess, lad, but it makes sense.” Colin slid to the ground, signaling the others to do the same. “They’ll not do anything until they hear from you.”
“You think they sent word to me at the jail?”
Colin nodded. “Aye. Since you’re not there, they’ll need to decide what to do next. Jinny will be safe for tonight.”
“Shouldn’t we ride on?” Deke walked up, his eyes blazing, his face twisted in misery. “The moon is bright. We need to keep looking.”
Quinn shook his head. “Nae, lad. It’s too dark to go farther. We’ll start again at first light.”
“You can choose to stay here and sit around, but I’m going on.” Deke turned, halting when Quinn grabbed his arm.
“You’ll not be going anywhere alone.”
Deke wrenched his arm away. “But Jinny’s out there with those men. There’s no telling what they’ll do to her.”
Brodie stood a few feet away, his jaw taut, chest squeezing at the thought of his sister being abused. Sweet Jinny. A woman who didn’t have an evil bone in her body and who everybody loved. It seemed Deke was one of those people.
The rest of the family crowded around, some siding with Deke, most understanding the need for caution. It would do no good if others were hurt by rushing on.
Fletcher stepped next to Deke. “The land we must cross is rocky, with huge boulders surrounded by thick shrubs and trees. It’s the home of mountain lions and an occasional bear. Rattlesnakes are thick in the area. We’ve lost more than a few head of cattle to the terrain on this part of the ranch.” He shook
his head. “Colin and Quinn are right. We need to camp here tonight.”
Pushing past Fletcher, Deke walked toward Brodie. “She’s your sister. What do you say?”
Brodie ignored the bile burning in his throat, doing his best to think as a lawman and hunter rather than a worried brother. By now, Sam would have learned about Jinny. No doubt he and Nate were already searching. Brodie just wished he knew where they were.
Fletcher was right. The roughest terrains on Circle M were at opposite ends of the ranch. The west and east borders formed rugged boundaries, discouraging some from entering their vast holdings, providing excellent cover for those seeking shelter—or those who wanted to disappear. People unfamiliar with the land could get lost, risking injury to themselves and others.
“There’s nothing more we can do tonight, lad. It’s best to make camp.”
Deke walked a few feet away, hands fisted at his sides. Leaving without the MacLarens would be foolish. He didn’t know the land, and even if he found her, he’d be no match against half a dozen treacherous men.
Staring up at the darkening sky, he thought of Jinny, praying she’d be safe one more night. He blamed himself for her capture. Until today, he’d thought his feelings for her were clear. Now, he wasn’t so sure.
“The sheriff and two of his deputies had left town by the time I got there, Captain. I gave your message to the deputy at the jail.”
Eplett stifled his anger at having to wait to make the exchange. “Did the deputy say when he expected the sheriff back?”
“Nope, and I didn’t ask. Delivered the message and rode out. I didn’t want to take a chance of him locking me up, too.”
One of the men listening stepped forward. “If all but one deputy is gone, maybe we should ride in and take Card. Why go through with the exchange when there’s no one to protect him?”
Eplett nodded, then looked at the man who’d ridden into town. “Is the deputy you saw the only one left?”
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