Kate's Outlaw (Steam! Romance and Rails)

by E. E. Burke

  Kate hid her hands in front of her as she wrung them. "Why do you want to press charges against Mr. Colson? We need him on our side. He's represents the Cherokee Tribal Council.”

  "And I'm President of the United States." Henry's voice came closer. He cupped his hands on her shoulders. "Come now, Kate. We both know that Indian's an outlaw."

  She escaped the unwelcome touch as she spun around. "He's the nephew of a council member. It'd be foolish to pursue a case against him."

  Henry gripped the lapels of his morning coat, frowning back at her. "He could be the head of their blasted council and I'd still press charges. If we don't punish these heathens for breaking the law, they'll steal us blind before we make the Texas border."

  "They're not heathens. I’d wager Jake is more educated than you are."

  "Jake?” Henry's eyes narrowed. “Since when are you on a first name basis with that Indian?"

  Kate's patience, worn threadbare over the past few days, snapped. "He's not that Indian. He has a name."

  "I'm sure he does. I'm just surprised you're so familiar with it."

  Her cheeks heated. Her familiarity with Jake went beyond his name, but she wasn't going to say that. Even if she were inclined to confide in someone about the wreck her heart had become, it wouldn't be Henry.

  "Do you want to save this railroad? Then work with me," she pleaded. "Help me convince Father not to press charges against Mr. Colson. We'll never get to Texas if we throw everyone in jail we think might have stolen from us. We need to make peace with these people. Show them we understand their concerns."

  "Their concerns? What about ours?"

  "If we give them assurances we won't take their land, they'll address our concerns. We’ll find a way through.”

  "Without right-of-way? How do you propose we get to Texas? Fly?"

  She ignored his sarcasm. "We’ll negotiate for the use of their land."

  Henry gave a disbelieving snort. "That's want I've been trying to do."

  "No, you've tried to bribe them and trick them, and Father is fighting them in court. Not once have either of you reached out in good faith, which is what I'm proposing."

  In the stretch of silence, she could hear the tapping of the telegraph from the small office in the front of Henry’s railcar. What would her father think when he got her message? Everything hinged on what he decided to do.

  Her hands began to shake. Not once in the whole time she'd been out here had she been able to bring her father around to her way of thinking. Why would he listen to her this time? He wouldn't if Henry opposed her.

  "Henry, please." She would get down on her knees and beg if she had to.

  He stared down at her. Then he walked to the door between his office and the telegraph room, shut it and turned around. His expression reflected puzzlement. "What's come over you, Kate?"

  Even if she told him, he’d never understand. "I'm trying to ensure we make it to Texas without going bankrupt. The longer we fight—"

  "That's not what I mean, and you know it. Why is this Indian important to you?" Henry crossed to the desk. He propped his hip on the edge and draped one leg over the corner, adopting a relaxed pose. Was that to put her at ease so she’d open up?

  Henry had seen her reactions when they'd been talking to the major, had known she'd gone to the jail. He was many things, but not a fool. Still, she couldn’t admit her interest was personal. His pride wouldn’t let him come to Jake’s aid.

  "We have nothing to gain by putting him in jail."

  "Nothing to gain?” Henry arched a sable brow. “How about stopping the payroll thefts?"

  She shook her head. How could she assure him without tipping her hand? "Mr. Colson isn't a threat to anyone."

  "He's a threat to me." Henry crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not making any deals until I know what's going on. And don't tell me that ridiculous story you told the major about secret negotiations. He didn't buy it. Neither do I."

  Perspiration beaded on her forehead. The urge to seek the open window was strong, but it wouldn’t be any cooler over there. And avoiding Henry’s question would only fire his suspicions. She brushed back a damp curl. "I was given an opportunity to get to know Mr. Colson and his family, and I can tell you, things aren't as they seem. The Cherokee have suffered the cruelest treatment. They've been betrayed repeatedly. They're sick and tired of the lies and the greed."

  She gestured toward the window. "This is their land. If we want to pass through it, we have to do things their way."

  Henry didn't move from where he sat perched on the desk. His face could've been carved in stone. “Is that all you have to say?”

  “What did you expect me to say?”

  He sighed audibly. "I know you have a bleeding heart for every lost cause. But this one…” He shook his head. “Your Father will never approve.”

  Distress tightened her throat. “He doesn’t approve of a great many things about me. You, on the other hand...”

  Henry’s expression shifted. Was that sympathy, or just a trick of the light? “You could change his opinion.”

  Could she? If she managed to save her father’s railroad, he might grow to respect her. He might even accept her if she married Henry and gave him children—boys, of course. But neither her father nor Henry would love her the way she wanted to be loved. The way she needed to be loved.

  Being with Jake had opened her eyes. He respected her, valued her for who she was, not who he wanted her to be. He cared about her enough to put his safety aside and accompany her into enemy territory. Now she realized why he’d done it, for her sake even more than his. Even if she could never have him, he was the man she wanted. None other would be first in her heart.

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t think I can change how Father views me, because I’m not willing to be the one who changes.”

  “Kate…” Henry’s voice dropped low, no longer sounding businesslike. “I don’t mind your soft heart. Actually, I respect you for it. You remind me of my—" He cut himself off before he finished, but she knew what he'd been about to say.

  His sisters. Henry’s only soft spot. He'd told her little of his background, but enough for her to know he'd been the sole provider for three younger stepsisters since he was little more than a boy. That had endeared him to Kate. Little else about the power-hungry Chief of Operations was endearing. But her father hadn’t chosen Henry for his sentimental side.

  With a sigh, Henry ran his fingers through his thick brown hair. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing tanned wrists. He’d lent a hand to the remaining crew since they’d had to let so many men go to preserve their resources. He would do whatever it took to make this railroad succeed. She wouldn’t. Not if it meant trampling on the rights of others.

  “Why are you here?” He asked the question a second time, and then proceeded to answer it. “This isn’t about some ragtag band of Indians. It isn’t even about the railroad. You’re here on account of one man.”

  Kate shivered as a chill stole over her despite the oppressive heat. She couldn't keep pretending, not to Henry, not even to herself. She had come because of Jake. And she would do whatever she had to do to save him. His life was more precious to her than anything—even her father’s good opinion.

  She held out her hands in a pleading gesture. "He isn’t what you think. He’s a good man, trying to protect his family. We have no business judging him. Not after what we’ve done.”

  “What are you talking about?” Henry blustered. “We haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “You think not?” Kate raised her chin. “We took land these settlers had poured their sweat and dreams into. You and my father looked the other way when a young girl was raped because finding her assailant would’ve been inconvenient. And now we’re asking the courts to strip a sovereign nation of its rights. How can you sit there and say we’ve done nothing wrong.”

  Above the starched white collar, a crimson stain crept up Henry’s neck. Was he embarrassed? That mig
ht be too much to hope for, considering he didn’t admit to making mistakes. “Well…that’s not the point,” he grumbled. “Why should I help you get this man out of jail? What've you done for me?"

  That sounded more like Henry. He weighed everything by what he stood to gain. In this case, he'd expected they would marry, which would improve his station and further his career. Apparently, it didn’t matter if they weren’t well matched in personality or ideals. Nor did he seem to care that there was no spark between them. For Henry, marriage to her was a means to an end.

  Kate ventured closer, never breaking his gaze.

  His expression remained stony, but what lurked in his eyes wasn't anger so much as hurt. Oh, she knew he didn't love her and probably didn’t even want her, but she'd wounded his pride.

  A smarter woman might flatter him and stroke his ego to get what she wanted. But Kate abhorred manipulation. She would rather strike a fair deal with the businessman, the one who wanted to run this railroad much more than she did.

  She stopped directly in front of him, meeting his eyes. “If you help me get what I want, then I’ll give you something that will convince Father to make you president—without having to wed me.”

  ###

  Warbling songbirds roused Jake from a deep sleep. He rolled over and winced at a poke in his side. Not a twinge from his mending ribs, it was something under the blanket.

  Full awareness came in the next moment. He wasn’t in jail. He was in the hideout that’d been his home for the past couple months. With a groan, he sat up. He ought to be more careful where he put his bedroll. There were rocks all over the floor of this cave.

  He scrubbed his fingers through his hair. It was getting longer, but he wouldn’t bother cutting it. He didn’t care and no one else was around to offer an opinion. Charley had fled to Texas. Jake wouldn't follow. He couldn’t do anymore for his cousin than he’d already done. Redbird had shown him that.

  She’d also helped him see other things. Such as how life could come from death, and how giving a little meant getting far more in return. He wished he could’ve told her what she meant to him, but he would never find words for that in English or Tsa-la-gi.

  His heart thudded painfully. Last night, he dreamt she had come to him. Wishful thinking. She wouldn’t come to this place even if she could find it again. He was lucky she’d changed her mind about seeing him locked away.

  Two months ago, she’d arranged his release. The lawyer she hired said he had to stick around until the investigation was over, and if formally charged he would face trial. But the attorney assured him there wouldn’t be enough evidence to support a conviction.

  Jake took off for the hills. He knew better than to think a white jury would need much evidence to convict an Indian, and he wasn’t so honorable he wanted to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

  He’d left Kate a note, thanking her for everything. He’d sweated over every word, but they all seemed inadequate in light of what she’d done for him. He owed her a huge debt. The only way he knew to repay it was to give her what she’d fought so hard to achieve—a negotiated settlement between the railroad and the Cherokee Nation.

  He stood and stretched. Bath first, then breakfast. Then… Well, he’d done all he could to arrange things with his uncle so the council would consider Kate’s idea for leasing land to the railroad. He’d even written the proposal, detailing his recommendation on the conditions. His uncle had promised to let him know it was received. After that, he could move on to a different place, somewhere far away from his home where he wouldn’t cause them trouble.

  Leaving his clothes in the cave, he strolled naked down to the river. The gravel crunched beneath his bare feet. He felt restless, as if he’d forgotten something or left an important task undone. He scooped up a flat stone, and with a flick of his wrist sent it hopping across the surface. Picked another rock, then paused, squinting as the sun struck silver on the water.

  His gaze shifted up beyond a forested bluff to a sky as blue as Redbird’s eyes. It’d been pitch black last night.

  That’s what he’d forgotten, the New Moon. He hadn't participated in the ritual celebration since Ocoee died. Hadn’t been willing to release the bad feelings trapped inside him. Redbird had helped him get to the point where he could let go of the past, but if he didn't purge his lingering guilt, it would devour him, leaving nothing but a husk.

  Jake dropped the rock and walked into the river. Chill bumps prickled his skin as he waded out to where the water reached his chest. Taking a deep breath, he submerged.

  He remained beneath the surface as the impurities gathered in his lungs and his chest began to burn. Dark spots danced in his vision. He stared into the murky water until he felt light, almost weightless.

  Now…now he could rise.

  His toes dug into the silt and he pushed up, breaking the surface, gasping for air. Water poured down his hair and over his bare skin. A thousand tiny rivers washed away the sweat clinging to his body and the sins weighing down his soul.

  Closing his eyes, he chanted the song of renewal. Nothing would change the past, but at least he was free to be a better man in the future, which was another way he might repay his debt to Redbird. He splashed out of the river, feeling cleaner than he had in years.

  “Wa-ya!”

  He spun in the direction the call had come from, his gaze flying to a rocky outcrop where a path led down to the cave. His uncle raised an arm, waving. Someone stood next him. Looked like a woman dressed in men’s trousers.

  Jake caught a glimpse of red hair beneath a straw hat, and his heart came to a dead stop.

  ###

  Kate perched on a large rock, sipping coffee from a tin cup while Jake tended to a fire he’d built near the river. He'd donned a buckskin shirt over trousers of the same material. On his feet were moccasins. Based on the look of the campsite, with spears for fishing and a quiver of arrows near the stretched hide of a deer, he'd been here for some time, living off the land.

  Her gaze caressed his strong jaw. Sparse bristles extended to his chin and around his mouth, other than that, he didn't have much hair on his face—or his body. The memory set off another burst of shivers. Gracious, what a sight he’d made coming up out of the water like some pagan river god with his black hair slicked back and his bronze skin gleaming wet. She’d been struck speechless, until she’d gained the presence of mind to turn around and give him some privacy.

  After he’d gotten over his initial surprise, he’d cooked them a breakfast of fresh fish while she shared news of negotiations between the council and the railroad. Jake’s finely crafted proposal had been well received and an agreement was imminent, one that would protect the Cherokee’s sovereignty over their lands while letting the railroad steam ahead.

  His uncle had left as soon as they’d finished eating. He told them he had to get home and would leave her in Jake’s care, as she and Jake had business they needed to discuss.

  “What sort of business brings you out here?” Jake poured more coffee into her cup.

  Their eyes met, and a thrill shot through her. He’d been hovering ever since she arrived and at times came close enough to touch her. But he hadn’t.

  Setting the coffee near the fire, he perched on a rock a few feet away.

  Kate sighed with disappointment. She hadn’t misread those looks he'd given her, but for some reason he was keeping his distance. She'd been devastated after he fled town and assumed he'd meant what he said about parting ways. However, during the last round of talks with the council she couldn't hold back from approaching his uncle to see how he was faring. What she'd learned had given her the courage to come after him.

  “You and I have a few things to settle,” she started.

  "Such as?” His expression conveyed curiosity, but it was the longing in his eyes that gave her hope. If he’d missed her half as much as she missed him, he might consider her offer.

  “You left…” Her voice sounded surprisingly calm, considering
her nervousness. Or was it excitement at seeing him again. Heavens, her hands were shaking. She set her cup aside and hugged her knees to her chest. “Why did you go without saying goodbye?”

  A look of regret flashed across his face before he schooled his features. “I didn’t want to stick around for the lynching.”

  Tenderness welled in her heart. He thought he was a wanted man, but she was the only person looking for him. “There wouldn’t have been any lynching. Our foreman couldn’t give a detailed description of the suspects, so Henry told the major the railroad was closing its books on the case. To preserve the peace.”

  The strained lines around Jake’s mouth relaxed. He rested his arms on his knees. "Is that why you're here? To tell me I'm not wanted?”

  “No, I could've sent your uncle to tell you that. I wanted to make you an offer.” Kate gathered her courage. She’d given this a great deal of thought, and though it would change the trajectory of her life entirely, where she ended up would be exactly where she was meant to be—by Jake’s side.

  “I’ve decided to go back East and lobby for the suffrage movement. Come to Washington with me. Study the law. Become an advocate for your people. I’ll sponsor you, so you don’t have to worry about where the money will come from.”

  “The law? Washington?” He shook his head, looking confused. “But…I thought you wanted to run the railroad. You said you wanted more influence, a position on the board.”

  Yes, she had said that. But she hadn’t been running after power. She’d been running after love. Her father, who’d called her every kind of fool when he found out what she planned to do, might not ever love her like she wanted. But she’d come to peace with it, mostly because Jake had shown her she was loveable and admirable and valuable, just the way she was. This was what she wanted to tell him, but now that she was here, she couldn’t find the right words. So she fell back on something else she’d realized.