“You’re so sure of this you’d be willing to lose her?”
Sam stopped pacing, glaring at his friend. “Can you deny her feelings for the man?”
“The lass has said nothing to me about Deke, other than they are friends. Unlike the many times you’ve been to Sunday supper, he’s been once. It may be that I’m wrong, but are you willing to take the chance?”
Letting out a breath, Sam forced his racing heart to calm, lowering himself into a chair. “I don’t know what to do.” He glanced at Brodie, his features lined with the stress he’d been under. “Does she know about Robbie?”
“No one at the ranch knows. It’s your story to tell, and Jinny deserves to hear it from you.”
“She’s young, with big dreams. She may not want to take on another man’s child.”
“Ach. Do you think so little of her?”
Sam’s brows lifted. “You know that isn’t true.”
“Then you need to give the lass a chance. Join us for supper on Sunday. Bring your father and Robbie. Jinny has waited for months to hear from you. She deserves the whole story.”
Sam rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. He’d wrestled with thoughts of Jinny for months, knowing he loved her, not knowing how to proceed. So caught up in the changes in his own life, he’d put off contacting her. After such a long time without hearing from him, she’d met someone else and forged a friendship. Maybe more, if appearances were accurate.
“If you think it’s wise, then yes, I’ll be there Sunday.”
“With your family?” Brodie studied Sam’s face. After going through what he had with his wife, Maggie, he knew how hard it was to love a woman and believe you’ve lost her forever.
Sam forced a wry grin. “Yes, Sheriff. I’ll bring my family.”
Brodie chuckled. “All right then. It’s time you got to work, Deputy.”
Standing, Sam grabbed his hat from the hook. “What would you have me do first?”
“Send telegrams to Sacramento and San Francisco, maybe even to Pinkerton. We need at least two more deputies. Afterward, you’ll be patrolling Chinatown and keeping watch for Nate.”
Sam’s hand stilled on the doorknob. “Nate? Is something going on I should know about?”
Rubbing his chin, Brodie’s features tensed. “Aye. Something is going on. I want you to discover what.”
Circle M Ranch
Jinny sat in the old rocking chair on the porch, tucking the quilt tight around her shoulders. Since returning to the ranch, she’d claimed this spot, spending hours watching blue skies or star-filled nights. The weather had been glorious. Her mood had not.
She couldn’t get the look of Sam’s face out of her head. He’d helped rescue her, yet hadn’t stayed around to talk, explain about his return. Brodie had given her few details, other than he’d arrived the day before she and Deke went missing, not hesitating to join the search.
“Would you like some company?”
Jinny glanced into the yard to see Emma and Sarah approach. They’d stopped by each day asking vague questions, hoping to learn if she’d heard from Sam. She thought the whole thing daft. If Sam came to visit, they would know. Nothing stayed secret around the MacLaren ranch for long.
“Aye. Company would be grand.”
Pulling two chairs close, Sarah and Emma sat down, following Jinny’s gaze. No one spoke for several moments, content to enjoy the evening air. After a while, Emma shifted in her chair, looking at Jinny.
“Sarah and I are going to town tomorrow. Would you like to come along?”
Not lowering her gaze from the brilliant sky, Jinny shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to see Sam before she was ready. “Nae. I have to be in town on Friday for the trial.”
Sarah sat up straighter. “How could I forget about the trial? Then we’ll wait until Friday and go with you. In fact, I’m certain most of the family will be there.”
“Brodie will be there. I don’t think having the whole family at the trial will make it any easier for me.”
Emma and Sarah exchanged glances. Vibrant, funny, and often outspoken, they’d seen Jinny this sullen just one other time—when Sam had left Conviction. Now he’d returned, and so had Jinny’s brooding mood. They understood her reasons for drawing within herself, keeping her emotions close. This time, though, there seemed to be hope, yet Jinny refused to see it.
“Maybe so, but I’m going anyway,” Emma said.
Sarah nodded, resting her head against the back of the chair. “Me, too. I suppose you’ll have to live with us being there, Jinny.”
She knew they meant well, and if they were going through the same ordeal, she’d be there for them. It’s what the MacLarens did.
“You’ll have to speak with him sometime.” Emma shot a look at her, a soft smile on her face.
Jinny didn’t consider pretending she didn’t know who Emma meant. “Why hasn’t he come to see me? It’s been almost a week without word from him.” Letting out a deep sigh, she shook her head. “I no longer hold his heart.”
“You know that isn’t true.” Emma reached over, laying a hand on Jinny’s arm. “He came looking for you, didn’t he? Quinn says he stayed until everyone knew you were safe.”
“Then rode back to town without a word,” Jinny bit out, resentment lacing her words.
“There must be a reason he hasn’t come to see you.”
“Aye, I’m sure there is, Emma. I’d just like to hear what it is. The not knowing is torture.”
Sarah sat forward, clasping her hands together. “Perhaps we should go to town tomorrow and speak with Maggie. If Sam has said anything to Brodie, he’ll have told her. You know he can’t keep secrets from his wife.”
“Nae. I’ll not be putting Maggie in such a position with my brother. When Sam wants to talk, he’ll find me.”
“Well, there is the part about Deke being there with the search party. Maybe Sam heard about all the time you’ve spent with him. And the fact you were together when you were taken.”
Emma summed up Jinny’s thoughts in a few sentences. Sam had seen Deke hold her, kiss her face, whisper in her ear. None of it meant anything to Jinny, other than the joyful reaction of a friend who’d also been brutalized by the raiders. Sam didn’t know her feelings toward Deke because he hadn’t been here. He’d been back east, doing God knew what with whom, without a thought of her waiting thousands of miles away for word of his intentions.
Her brows scrunched together. Maybe she wasn’t the one who should be stewing, wondering why he hadn’t visited. Sam’s the one who reined his horse around and took off without the briefest acknowledgment of her. The look on his face didn’t reflect a man who didn’t care. The pain and surprise indicated a man who cared very much, but hadn’t the courage to confront her. The Sam who rode away wasn’t the man she loved. Jinny wanted to find out why.
Sarah stood. Bending over, she gave Jinny an encouraging hug. “The trial is two days away. You’re sure to see Sam there.”
Jinny leaned back in the rocker. “Aye. Brodie thinks most of the town will be there. And they should be. Men like them should have to face judgment from the kind of people they threaten.”
Emma tightened her coat for more warmth, then stood. “Quinn says if they’re found guilty, the judge will send them to San Quentin for a good, long time.”
Sarah nodded. “Colin said Brodie tried to find other warrants, anything to show they’d murdered others, stolen cattle, something to get a harsher sentence. At least going to prison will get them out of Conviction. We’ll be able to rest easier knowing they’re behind bars.”
Joining Sarah by the steps, Emma faced Jinny. “You have two days to prepare yourself. For the trial and for confronting Sam.” Emma lifted a brow. “You do plan to talk to him, don’t you?”
“Aye. I’ll be talking to Mr. Covington, and hope he’ll be honest with me.” She already knew he would, and that scared her the most. Jinny had never truly contemplated a life without Sam, and it was the l
ast thing she wanted to consider now.
“Good. We’ll be with you throughout the trial. Afterward, well….you’ll have to face Sam on your own. Hope you have a good night, Jinny. Sarah and I will be by again tomorrow.”
She didn’t move from her spot on the porch, her brave front dissolving as she watched them leave. In two days, she’d face her kidnappers, and Sam. She didn’t know which disturbed her more.
Sam had kept track of Nate all day—following him on his rounds, standing across the street when he stopped for lunch, keeping a good distance away as he disappeared into one of the shops in Chinatown. Leaning his shoulder against a storefront, he waited, finally sitting down on a bench outside one of the many markets. Nate had been inside for close to an hour, raising Sam’s suspicions.
Most of those who inhabited this area of Conviction had worked in the mines. They’d brought their own customs with them, settling into quiet, unobtrusive neighborhoods in a few California towns. Markets, restaurants, herb stores, and laundries lined the boardwalk, and from what Sam knew, a man could find anything he wanted behind those doors. He had to wonder what Nate needed that kept him inside so long. Standing, he walked toward the building Nate had disappeared into, halting when his friend stumbled out the door and onto the boardwalk. If he hadn’t grabbed the railing, he’d have landed in the street.
Rushing up to him, Sam gripped Nate’s right arm, holding him upright. “What the…” His words drifted off as he studied his friend’s face, noting the red eyes, slow movements, and lack of coordination. Nate’s eyes closed, as if he were about to fall asleep. Sam shook him. “Nate, get ahold of yourself.”
Blinking a few times, Nate raised his head. “What’s wrong?” The two words were dragged out and slurred.
Mumbling a curse, Sam glanced around, glad they hadn’t already drawn a crowd. Nate’s horse stood a few feet away, while his was down the street. Placing two fingers in his mouth, he whistled. Pirate’s head lifted, turning when Sam whistled again. The horse reared back, easily dislodging the reins tossed loosely over the rail, then trotted toward Sam.
Helping Nate onto his own horse’s saddle, Sam mounted Pirate, holding both sets of reins, hoping his friend was lucid enough not to fall off. Riding toward the Gold Dust, he planned to settle Nate in his room, then talk to Brodie.
Sam’s chest felt heavy, his spirits sinking at the news he had to convey. It hadn’t taken long for him to understand what had troubled Brodie. Sam had seen the signs before in men and women who’d reached their limit with what a doctor could provide. Few worked themselves out of the hole Nate had fallen into, but as long as Sam had a breath, he’d do whatever it took to help his friend and keep him alive.
Brodie scrubbed his hands over his face, groaning. Lifting his chin, his gaze landed on Sam sitting across from him, his features still, his eyes distant.
“You’re sure, lad?”
Sam nodded. “I’ve seen it before—more than once. Vickery or Tilden need to see him to confirm what I suspect.” He looked away, unable to voice his fear over the possibility of losing Nate. For all Sam knew, they may have already lost him.
“If you’re right, we’ll need their help.”
Sam stood, pacing to the stove. Lifting the coffee pot, he poured a cup, then held it toward Brodie, who shook his head. His hand shook as he held the cup to his lips. Without taking a drink, he threw it against the wall, sending the hot brew everywhere.
“Damn opium.” Sam swore again, slamming his fist on top of Brodie’s desk. “We’ve got a mess hiding in Chinatown. If Nate’s using it, you can be sure there are others.”
Brodie watched the anger grow on Sam’s face. He’d never seen him so consumed by rage. Rarely seen him lose his temper. Brodie knew little about the drug, other than what he’d heard.
“Have you ever seen anyone get off it?”
“No. That doesn’t mean he can’t. Hell, Brodie, we have to make sure he gets off it.”
Standing, Brodie walked to the front window and looked out. Darkness blanketed the street, the noise from the closest saloon pouring outside.
“Find one of the doctors and get him to the Gold Dust. Then find Jack and send him back here. I’ll be taking Nate to Circle M tonight.”
Chapter Twenty
Circle M Ranch
Brodie and Sam climbed out of the wagon they’d borrowed from Stein Tharaldson, lifted a shivering Nate out of the back, and carried him up the steps.
“Colin, open the door!”
A moment later, the door swung open. “Brodie MacLaren, what—” Kyla stopped, staring at what they carried. “Is that Nate Hollis?” Pulling the door wide, she stepped aside.
“Aye. He needs to stay here for a while, Aunt Kyla. Do you have room?”
She didn’t question him. “Aye. The bedroom in the back is empty.”
Following her down the hall, they laid Nate on the bed. Grabbing his stomach, he rolled to his side, drawing both knees to his chest on a deep moan.
“I’d have taken him to my ma’s house, but I know they’ve no spare bedrooms.”
Kyla closed the bedroom door, brushing Brodie aside to get a better look at Nate. “What happened?”
He looked at Sam. Most times, he had a ready answer. This time, he had no answers at all, except one his aunt might not accept.
“He’s sick.”
Crossing her arms, she tilted her head, sending him a withering look. “Don’t be daft, lad. I can see he’s sick.”
Brodie didn’t want to lie, knowing she’d figure it out anyway. “The lad, uh—”
The door burst open, slamming against the wall as Colin walked in, Blaine following. “What happened?” Colin rushed to the bed, his eyes narrowing. “Nate?” His worried gaze returned to Brodie.
“The lad, he…” Brodie sucked in a deep breath, then blew it out.
Kyla looked at Nate, then Sam, seeing his jaw clenched tight. “Opium.” Her single word came out as a whisper.
Brodie’s jaw dropped. “How did you know, Aunt Kyla?”
She didn’t answer, letting her hand smooth down Nate’s back in an attempt to calm him. Her actions stopped when Geneen walked into the room and gasped. Eyes widening, she stepped forward.
“Nate?”
Kyla didn’t let her get any further. “Geneen, I need cool water and clean rags. Also a bottle of whiskey for later.” When Geneen didn’t move, Kyla walked to her, gently edging her away from the bed and into the hall. “I need your help, lass. Please, fetch what I asked.”
Nodding, Geneen moved away in a daze. Her hands trembled as she reached for a basin on a kitchen shelf, filling it with water from a kettle on the stove. Grabbing rags, she returned to the bedroom.
She’d heard what Kyla said, knew of the drug, understood it was used for pain, the same as laudanum, only stronger. Geneen had also heard of opium dens, dangerous places where men and women lost their souls. Her legs trembled beneath her as she stopped outside the bedroom, willing herself to continue. Nudging the door open with her shoulder, she walked past the men, setting the bowl on a nearby table.
“Ah, thank you, lass.” Kyla took the rags from her. “You don’t have to stay.”
“Yes, I do.” Geneen’s voice was stilted, cloaked in concern. Edging backward, she slowly lowered herself into a chair and stared at the bed—and the man she’d come to love.
Doubled over with nausea, Nate’s red-rimmed eyes opened to slits, a tremor vibrating through him when he saw Geneen. Closing his eyes, shame wrapped around him. He had no excuses for the choices he’d made. Just as he had no future to offer the beautiful woman staring at him, compassion and pity clear in her features.
He’d never expected to become a prisoner to the drug he took for pain. Laudanum had stopped working months ago, forcing him to drink the ache away each night. When whiskey failed to lessen his agony, Nate turned to the only other remedy he knew. The fact opium was so easy to obtain in Chinatown made it both a blessing and a curse.
Ea
ch time he entered one of the three establishments offering the drug, he felt his self-respect slip further away. Regaining it became impossible as he continued to smoke the vile substance, forcing himself to think of it as a cure rather than a sickness of another kind.
Kyla turned to the four men standing at the foot of the bed. “The lad needs rest. It’s best if you leave him here. I’ve a sense of what to do.”
Colin shook his head. “Nae, Ma. One of us should stay with you and Nate.”
“I’ll stay.” They turned toward Geneen, their faces showing different reactions. “I’d like to help.”
Walking up to her, Kyla settled a hand on Geneen’s arm. “You’ve no idea what the lad is going through. Watching him over the next few days will not be pleasant, lass. It will be a memory you’ll not want haunting you the rest of your life.”
Gently removing Kyla’s hand, Geneen stood, walking to the edge of the bed. “No one wants him to live through this more than me.” Her body tensed, eyes startled when a damp hand clamped around her wrist.
“You can’t stay.” The edge to Nate’s voice made her cringe.
She didn’t try to loosen his grip as she bent down. “I want to help you.”
Closing his eyes, he shook his head. “You don’t understand. I don’t want you here.” The cold, unrelenting tone shook Geneen.
“Nate, please, let me help.”
Dropping his hold on her wrist, he lifted his gaze to Kyla. “Get her out of here.”
Colin stepped up to her. “Come with me, lass. Sarah is with Emma and Jinny at Uncle Ewan’s. I’ll walk over with you.”
Her heart sank when Nate refused to look at her. Staying wouldn’t help, and he’d made it clear he didn’t want her around.
“All right.” Taking a deep breath, she made one more attempt to reach him. “Nate, I’m here if you change your mind.” When he didn’t respond, she turned away, leaving Kyla alone to watch after him.
“I don’t know where Geneen could be. She told me she’d be walking down right after Emma and I left.” Sarah turned from the front window.
Sam's Legacy Page 18
