Reach for Heaven

by Marie Higgins

  “Oh, it’s just you,” he said breathlessly.

  “Who else did you think it would be?” she snapped.

  “Considering your cousins have been closing the barn down for the night, I had no idea.”

  “I came to see for myself if Nate and Charles had fed and watered the horses.” She tore her gaze from him and scanned the barn. “I must admit, I’m impressed that they have kept it looking so organized. I didn’t think my cousins were like that.”

  “When they first started helping after your uncle’s accident, it was the biggest mess I’d ever seen, but they got the hang of it. They’re hard workers. You should be proud of them.”

  “I am.”

  Gage’s attention ran over her small figure. His eyebrow arched. “So, I see you can’t keep away from wearing boys’ clothes.”

  Angrily, she planted her hands on her hips. “What did you expect me to wear? I couldn’t very well wear a fancy dress while I’m walking around in the hay and unmentionable deposits.”

  “I thought an educated schoolteacher like yourself would stick to the rules of being a lady.”

  “Well, there are some places where the rules don’t apply, and this happens to be one of them.”

  Gage stepped closer. His gaze swept over her body again, and his expression softened. Curse him for making her heart speed and her body quiver!

  He grinned. “Well, if you can’t get a better fit than that, I suggest you give up those clothes altogether. Shoot, li’l lady, those trousers look like they have been painted on, and if you keep standing that way—” he flipped his finger against one of the opened spaces between her buttons, “—those buttons on your shirt will break loose at any moment. If you’re not careful, you might show me more of that mature body than I’m ready to see.”

  She smacked his hand away and crossed her arms over her chest. Mortification burned through her and heated her face. “I haven’t worn boy’s clothes for a long time. What did you expect?”

  His gaze latched to her frown. “You’re angry with me again.”

  She shrugged. “Shouldn’t I be?”

  Her worry escalated, and she hoped he wouldn’t mention this morning at the fishing hole. She definitely didn’t want to talk about what had almost happened.

  PINK COLORED ADELLA’S cheeks before she turned away and faced the shadowed stalls. Gage bit back a grin. He knew why she acted this way. Good to see she’d been thinking about this morning, also.

  He heaved a sigh. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m angry with myself for what happened at the fishing hole.”

  When she picked up an apple from the box by the stall and fed it to the horse, her hand shook. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “We have to.” He wanted to reach out and pull her into his arms and experience the same softness he’d touched this morning. Knowing he shouldn’t feel this way about her, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “What happened was—”

  “No.” She turned and tossed him a heated glare. “I said I don’t want to discuss this. What happened between us is over and done with. We were both curious, and that was all. Period. End of subject.”

  “It’s not the end.”

  “Gage, for goodness sake, you are my cousin’s fiancé. Forget about this morning. I’m erasing it from my memory, and I suggest you do the same.”

  Gage smiled. She was falling back into her hellcat ways. He almost liked it. “What I would like to know is why you’re not questioning my actions, Adella. I sure am.”

  “It’s as I said before, we were both curious, so let’s leave it alone.”

  She tried to move past him, but he jerked his hands from his pockets to grasp her shoulders tightly. Knowing full well how she would react, he challenged nonetheless. “Adella, we’re not ending it that way. We’re going to discuss this like adults.”

  “I most certainly am not.”

  Gage lifted a brow. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid?”

  Her eyes widened and she pushed his hands away. “Me?” She poked herself in the chest, releasing a button in the process. More of her neck was exposed, and for the life of him, he could hardly look away.

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” she continued. “I’m not afraid of you. Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?”

  This was fun. This was the Adella he remembered from Lewiston...his duchess. He snickered just to get her goat. “No, I haven’t forgotten. I can see you’ve got a hot temper.” He turned as if to leave, starting to head for the door. “I offered adult conversation, but if you’re too immature...”

  “Me? Immature?” She moved in front of him. “All right, you want an adult conversation? I’ll give you one.”

  He could have laughed when her blue eyes blazed wildly, prettier than he’d ever seen. An unexpected grin tugged his mouth upward. “Sure you can handle it?”

  She stomped her foot. “Gage Grayson, stop toying with me.”

  Gage leaned back against the stall, crossed his ankles and folded his arms over his chest, giving himself time to formulate his words. “You were right. I’ll admit, since you came here to stay with the Lancasters, I’ve been curious. I don’t know why. Pretty much the whole time I’ve known you, you’ve been a pain in my backside. This morning when I saw you upset, I felt the need to comfort you. I shouldn’t have been so bold cradling you in my arms and touching you that way, but I couldn’t help it. I really didn’t mean to sweep you off your feet the way I did.”

  Adella’s eyes widened. “Sweep me off my feet?” she shrieked as her face flamed bright red. “Why, you no good, swollen-headed, sidewinder. You haven’t changed one bit from when I knew you in Lewiston. You’re just as all-fired full of yourself as ever.”

  She tried to brush past him on her way out of the barn, but Gage snagged her arm again. “All right, Miss Smarty-pants. Tell me why you snuggled up against me then.”

  “It sure wasn’t because you swept me off my feet.” She tried to pull her arm loose, but Gage wouldn’t let go.

  “Then why?” he demanded.

  Her chest rose and fell from her quick breaths. “Because...it felt...good,” she admitted in a soft voice.

  A smile touched his lips. “It what?” he probed, wanting to needle her a bit more.

  She propped her fists on her hips. “I said it felt good,” she nearly shouted.

  Gage’s grin faded as an uncomfortable thought crossed his mind. “Tell me, Adella. How many other men have had the chance to hold you like I did?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “Did Albert Owens ever hold you like that?”

  She scowled but didn’t say anything.

  “I’m willing to bet I was the first.” At least he hoped he was.

  “You were certainly not the first.”

  He studied her eyes carefully, searching for the truth in her answer. At times innocence stared back at him, yet now...he couldn’t decide. The redness flaming in her cheeks gave him the answer. “You’re a liar.”

  “And you’re nothing but a conceited rogue.” She pointed her finger at him. “Next time I’m in need of comfort, you keep your distance, Gage Grayson.”

  She turned and ran out of the barn. His gaze didn’t waver as he watched Adella run down the street. Blast it all, he really liked the way those trousers stretched across her hips. Whether she was hot-tempered or soft and cuddly, she was certainly a handful. Either way, her company was quite enjoyable lately, and he actually looked forward to interacting with her again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Adella bent over the horse’s off fore cannon as she forced it onto her lap. The quarter crack on the hoof needed to be wielded, but Junior just wouldn’t stand still. The horse neighed and belly-bumped into her, making her lose her balance.

  “Tarnation, Buck.” She growled angrily as she smacked the animal on the shoulder. “If you don’t let me fix this, you’ll never go out riding again.” She resumed the position, but the ornery horse just would
n’t listen. “Buck, this is your last warning.”

  From behind her came her uncle’s gentle laugh. She swung around as her aunt wheeled him in just inside the door. His contagious grin made her smile.

  “You ought to tie him off with two clip ropes instead of just one,” he told her. “You’ll have better control over him that way.”

  “Uncle Marvin, what are you doing here?”

  “I just come to see what was going on.” His gaze combed over her worn britches and faded shirt, and he frowned. “I’m sorry I made you return to your tomboy ways.”

  She dropped her tools on the nearby workbench and ran to him, the leather apron slapping her calves. She knelt in front of him and gave him a fierce hug. “Oh, Uncle Marvin.” She kissed his cheek. “You didn’t make me do anything. If you remember correctly, I chose to help in the livery any way I could.”

  “Only because I’m in a wheelchair.”

  Pity laced his voice and tugged at her heart. She didn’t want her uncle to see how it affected her. When she pulled away, she tried to give him her best smile. “If you came to scold me, then you might as well turn back around and head home. I’m not in the mood to take both yours and Buck’s ornery temperament.”

  When the corner of Marvin’s mouth lifted in a half-grin, relief swept over her.

  “Is there anything I can to do help?” he asked.

  She laughed. “If you can talk some sense into this old bucket of bones, then you’ve earned your pay, young man.”

  Marvin winked and gave her a full smile. “I’ll see what I can do.” He looked up over his shoulder at his wife. “Lillian? Would you push me over to Junior so I can help Adella?”

  It was almost like old times again. As Adella worked beside her uncle, they bantered back and forth and talked about the weather, the other businesses, and the lazy old good-for-nothings in town that he’d always liked to rile. She smiled in remembrance. Grandfather used to do that as well.

  There was silence for a few minutes as they finished up. For a few days now, she’d wanted to ask her aunt and uncle about the Buchanan Gang, but didn’t dare. However, the longer she waited to say anything, the longer it would take to know what was going on.

  “Uncle Marvin?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you heard anything about the stagecoach attack that I was in? I’d heard it was men from Buchanan’s gang.”

  He glanced up at her and nodded. “That is the talk of the town. Clint mentioned the other day that those men were indeed part of that gang, and would be waiting for their trial.”

  She leaned against the wooden post and sighed. “Do you think the sheriff or the marshal will capture Buchanan now?”

  Her aunt’s frown told Adella what she feared her uncle was going to say.

  “Adella, dear,” he began, “these men are devoted to Buchanan. They won’t divulge their leader’s location to Clint—or anyone for that matter.”

  “So we still have cause to fear Buchanan?” she asked as her throat grew tight with emotion.

  “I pray not.” He shook his head.

  “Adella,” Aunt Lillian asked, “we have been praying that Buchanan has forgotten what happened seven years ago with your family, and he doesn’t bother us at all. I believe we are safe enough here in Bonner County. We are a close community and others will help protect us, I’m sure.”

  “I also believe,” her uncle added, “that the gang will be captured soon enough. Have you heard the state—and even Montana, too—has offered a reward for the capture of Buchanan and his gang?”

  Adella straightened, pulling away from the post. “A reward?”

  “Yes, and a mighty good one, at that.”

  Lillian nodded. “From what I’ve heard, the price keeps going up with every bank they rob.”

  “Indeed?” Adella asked, curiosity growing inside of her by the second. “Are we talking a colossal amount, or really offensive?”

  Marvin chuckled. “It’s a grand amount, I assure you. I don’t think there’s anything the lawmen won’t do to put a stop to these robberies.”

  Adella’s legs gave way and she sank to the nearest stool as thoughts poured through her head. If she could somehow discover Buchanan’s hiding place and lead Clint and his men there, she’d not only have peace of mind that Buchanan could not harm her family ever again, but she’d get the reward money. Aunt Lillian would be able to take Uncle Marvin to the professional doctor in Idaho City who specializes in back injuries. If only she knew what Clint and his men knew about this gang, she’d hunt them down like the dogs they were and take them single-handed. If only...

  “Thank heavens we have Clint and his men to protect us.” Marvin released a wistful sigh. “I just pray no one else gets hurt.”

  Although Adella nodded in response to uncle’s comment, she kept her mind on the reward money. Soon, her aunt and uncle left the stable, and as Adella finished the chores, her mind created ways to find Buchanan’s gang without getting hurt. This, she’d have to figure out carefully.

  A few customers had come in to rent rigs, a few more paid for lodging for their horses, but during her business dealings, she couldn’t get the reward money off her mind. She needed that money desperately. More than anyone else! But did she have the courage to go after the gang? She didn’t have all the information Clint and his colleagues had, but when she was younger, her pa had taught her how to track down wild animals by studying their hoof prints in the dirt. The gang couldn’t be that much more difficult, could they?

  If only she could trick Clint or Gage into telling her a little about this gang, that would be very helpful to her plans. Of course then she’d have to speak to Gage, and that was certainly out of the question. If she asked Clint, he’d become suspicious and he’d probably say something to Gage. She couldn’t have that.

  That left one option open. She’d have to follow Clint. She’d have to tail him and watch whomever he studied. That was the only way.

  When her cousins came to relieve her, Adella was more than happy to turn things over to them. She had the rest of her day planned within minutes of her walk home. She’d have to find some old black trousers and a shirt of her uncle’s to hide her identity behind if she was going to catch herself some thieves...

  ADELLA LEANED OVER her plate of biscuits and gravy as she listened carefully to the conversation at the supper table. Gage had been invited, which wasn’t surprising. They hadn’t spoken since the time at the barn, and their conversation still haunted her mind. How many other men have had the chance to hold you as I have...

  Good grief, why couldn’t she forget that, and especially the comforting feeling that encased her while in his embrace?

  Focusing back on the topic being discussed at the table, she tried her hardest not to look too long at Gage. He was—incidentally—talking about how Clint had asked for Gage’s help with a few things. When he mentioned the name Buchanan, she snapped her attention to Gabe, suddenly very interested in what he had to say.

  Tonight he wore a deep green shirt, which for some reason enhanced his hazel eyes, but it was his words that had her mesmerized...at least that’s why she figured she couldn’t stop looking at his mouth.

  “Clint and I were disguised as drunks just outside the Clearwater bank. Clint figured we’d get to see Buchanan or at best, one of his right-hand men.”

  “Did you?” Nate asked, forgetting his manners and resting his elbows on the table.

  “Unfortunately, we didn’t see Buchanan, but Clint recognized two of Buchanan’s men that the sheriff had been after for a while now. One of them limped and walked with a cane. The other man was tall, thin, with dark hair. He rides a horse with orange hooves.”

  “Amazing,” Charles said with a mouthful of potatoes. “Did ya catch em?”

  “Not that particular man, but Clint did catch one of the gang members.”

  Very interesting... At least Adella knew about two of the men by their descriptions. It would make looking for these men easier.<
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  She swallowed the last bite of her meal and leaned back in her chair. Her movement captured Gage’s attention. Slowly, his gaze ran over her face and down her neck to her dress. Tonight she wore one of her nicer lavender dresses that Mother Sally had helped her make. When his focus shifted again and met her eyes, he offered a tender smile. Shivers of delight rippled up her spine. Very few times had she ever felt like a real woman around men, but she definitely did now. Strange to think Gage had been making her feel this way a lot lately.

  “Gage,” Uncle Marvin spoke. Gage looked at Marvin as her uncle continued, “The citizens in Bonner County will feel much safer when this gang are all behind bars where they belong.”

  Gage nodded. “Clint feels like they’re getting closer to Buchanan’s hideout. He’s confident they’ll have them soon.”

  “Gage?”Adella asked, glad to have his eyes on her again. “Will you be going out again with Clint tomorrow?”

  “Yes. Why? Do you need some help in the stable?”

  “Yes, actually. One of the brakes on the rigs is broken, and I’ll need your help, but I can wait until you have the time. It’s not that important.”

  “Clint and I will be checking out Shoshone in the morning, but I can return later in the day. I’ll swing by the stable and help you fix the brake then.”

  She smiled and she couldn’t stop the fluttering sensations in her chest. “Thank you.”

  Lowering her gaze, she lifted her linen napkin, trying to hide the excitement she knew must be displayed on her face. It’d been awhile, but she’d do a little tracking herself, and with any luck, she’d discover the bandits before Clint and Gage found them.

  Bright and early the next day, she left for Shoshone. She’d borrowed Uncle Marvin’s old breeches and shirt to hide her womanly figure better. Using Nate’s cap, she pushed every strand of hair on her head up underneath. As an added touch to her disguise, she smeared dirt on her face to give the appearance of a ruffian.

  She reached Shoshone early enough to find a hiding spot, which happened to be the tallest tree that overlooked Main Street. Frowning, she stood underneath the tree looking up. It’d been several years since she climbed trees. Could she accomplish the task now? Regardless, she must try.