Heather's Choice

by Shirleen Davies

  Lorna nodded. “I’m surprised Sam hasn’t sent anyone out to check on Brodie and Maggie.”

  “Aye, but with Brodie here, he’s a busy man. So, we’re agreed?” Kyla asked, seeing the other three nod their approval before returning to speak with Vic.

  “We’d like you to ride to the old Evanston ranch, Vic, then to the Pearce place, and finally to town to see Sam Covington. They need to know what happened. Let them know we’re doing fine here and not to worry about us.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get going right away.” Nodding at the women, he hurried outside, mounted, and took off to the Evanston property.

  Heather paced a few feet away, then turned to face the others. “I’m not liking this. No one knows how many men took the cattle. We’ve seven men going east and six north. It’s not sounding like good odds.”

  Audrey walked to her, placing a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Give the men some credit, lass. They’ve been taking care of the ranch, and us, a long time. We must trust them.”

  “Aunt Audrey. There’s a rider coming.” Coral headed out the front door, stopping at the edge of the porch as a heavyset man with a red beard, dressed all in black, reined his horse to a stop. Looking behind her, she saw most everyone had joined her outside.

  Taking off his hat, he looked around, not bothering to dismount. “Ladies, I’m Giles Delacroix. I’ve heard you’ve had some problems out at the Estrada property and thought I’d see if it’s been straightened out.”

  Kyla studied the man, unease rolling through her. Taking a few steps down the porch, she looked at him. “I’m Kyla MacLaren, Mr. Delacroix. I believe we met months ago at the community dance.”

  “I well remember, Mrs. MacLaren. As I recall, your sons, Colin, Blaine, and Camden, were also at the dance, as were many of the women I see this morning.”

  She glanced over her shoulder at her family, then back at Giles. “You’ve a good memory, Mr. Delacroix. I do believe all the women were there.”

  “And the men…have they returned?”

  Kyla felt another prickle of unease flash through her. She wondered how he’d heard of their misfortune so quickly. “They’re rounding up the strays now. We expect them to return soon.”

  “Is that so?” He looked around again, not hiding his skepticism. “I heard a man might have been killed.”

  Crossing her arms, Kyla cocked her head to the side. “Aye, there’s a man missing. I’m thinking he’s looking for the cattle, the same as the others. We’ve no reason to believe he’s dead, Mr. Delacroix. Unless, of course, you have reason to think he is.”

  “Why no, Mrs. MacLaren. Just recounting what I heard in town.”

  Heather stepped forward, settling her hands on her hips. “Where’d you hear the news, Mr. Delacroix?”

  “From August Fielder early this morning. He said he’d brought Miss Harris back late last night after seeing the remains of the Estrada hacienda.” He shook his head. “Such a shame to lose such a wonderful old home.”

  Heather glanced at Emma and Geneen, who stood on either side of her. They all knew the decision to abandon the hacienda would’ve been made last night, even if the fire hadn’t started.

  Emma stepped forward. “As you can see, Mr. Delacroix, we’re all doing fine here. I’ll let Ewan and Ian know you came by to check on us.”

  “As I recall, you’re Quinn’s wife. Your parents are Big Jim and Gertie Pearce, correct? So good to see you again.”

  Something in his manner caused a shiver to run through her. “Yes, they’re my parents. You do seem to have an extraordinary memory for only meeting us once.”

  His chuckle seemed forced. “It’s a flaw, I’m afraid, Mrs. MacLaren. Well, as you said, everyone seems well. If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask for my help. I’m staying at the Gold Dust.” Settling his hat on his head, he smiled. “Ladies. Please have Ewan and Ian contact me when they return.”

  “We’ll do that, Mr. Delacroix.” Emma waited until he’d ridden far enough away not to hear. She turned to the others. “I don’t like that man.”

  For the first time in two days, several of them laughed.

  “I’m believing we’re in agreement with you, lass,” Audrey said. Turning to Kyla, her face grew serious. “Something’s not right. I can feel it.” She touched her chest, the same as she’d done the day her husband, Gillis, and Kyla’s husband, Angus, had been murdered. Since that day, Kyla had learned to take Audrey’s premonitions seriously.

  Straightening, Kyla spun around, her gaze locking on Heather. “I want you, Emma, Geneen, and Coral to change into your work clothes. Get your rifles, then saddle your horses.”

  “What is it, Aunt Kyla?” Heather asked, her heart pounding.

  “Audrey has a feeling…”

  The four young women glanced at Audrey, then nodded. Two seconds later, they burst into action, doing as Kyla asked.

  “What is it, Jupiter?” Caleb worked to control his horse, an animal who spooked at nothing. An instant later, Quinn’s horse danced around, snorting as it tried to turn away.

  Getting Jupiter under control, Caleb’s gaze searched the area, his eyes locking on a spot several yards away. “There…up ahead.”

  Quinn looked where he indicated, muttering a curse.

  “Holy…” Fletcher reined hard when his horse tried to bolt. “Easy, lad.” Leaning down, he stroked the gelding’s neck. “Easy.”

  As Deke, Blaine, Camden, and Ian arrived, they worked to control their own horses, the animals’ sense of smell alerting them to danger. They looked in the direction where Caleb and Quinn stared. Not twenty yards away, a body hung from a rope.

  “Our ranch hand.” Ian dismounted, handing his reins to Deke. “Stay here, lad. We need to get him down.”

  Deke and Fletcher took care of the horses while the other men took cautious steps around the trees and low bushes, stopping a few feet away from the body.

  “Do you recognize him, Quinn?” Ian asked.

  “Aye. He’s one of ours.”

  Ian nodded, then looked at Blaine and Caleb. “Cut him down, lads. Camden?”

  “Aye, Uncle Ian.”

  “Get one of the horses. We’ll be taking him back with us.”

  “What about the cattle?” Fletcher rode alongside Ian as they took the trail back to the Circle M. They’d tied the body onto Camden’s horse, the least likely of the animals to spook. He’d doubled up with Blaine for the ride back.

  “I’m hoping Brodie’s group finds them. If not, we let them go.”

  “Caleb might still be right about them going over the mountains.”

  “Aye, Fletch, he might be. We’ve not enough men to take the body back and still continue the search. We’ve done what we can for now.”

  Caleb and Quinn rode at the back of the group, talking in low voices as they made their way back to the ranch. Neither wanted to give up searching for the cattle, but Ian’s decision had been made, and they’d abide by it.

  “I’m thinking of leaving Circle M, Quinn.” Caleb didn’t know why he let the thought spill out of his lips, except maybe to get a reaction.

  Quinn chuckled, shaking his head. “Aye, lad. And I’m thinking of running for governor.”

  “And a fine governor you’d be.”

  Glancing over at Caleb, he saw the somber expression on his friend’s face, then frowned. “You’re serious.”

  Sucking in a breath, Caleb let it out in a slow rush of air. “I am.”

  Scratching the back of his neck, Quinn hesitated a moment, his face blank. “You can’t just leave, lad. You’re family.”

  Reining Jupiter to a stop, Caleb rolled his head from side to side, trying to ease the tense muscles in his shoulders. Quinn watched him, waiting.

  “I feel the same about all of you. The problem is I’m not family. If I want a future, a place of my own, I can’t stay.”

  Quinn’s nostrils flared, his jaw tightening as he studied Caleb. They’d become close over their time
together. He trusted him as much as any of his family. There was no way he’d let Caleb walk away without an argument. “This is about Heather, isn’t it?”

  Caleb let out a weary sigh. “I’ve been considering this for a while. It’s not about anyone but me, Quinn.”

  “You might be telling yourself that, but I don’t believe it.”

  He’d known this would be hard. Caleb thought telling Quinn, the MacLaren he felt closest to, would be the best way to deliver the news. Now, he wasn’t so certain.

  Scrubbing a hand down his face, Quinn shook his head. “You’ve a place here, lad. The family needs you…now more than ever.” Looking back toward the trail, he saw the others had stopped, Ian regarding them with a frown. “I’m asking you to think on this some more. We’ve enough land to carve out places for everyone, and that includes you.”

  Caleb snorted. “I’m not looking for charity.”

  Quinn’s face reddened. “Charity!” he barked out. “You work as hard as the rest of us, harder most days. Ewan, Ian, and everyone else knows it. They see you as a part of the family, not someone in need.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “You’ve become a brother, lad. We’ll not be letting you leave without serious conflict.”

  Caleb’s jaw slackened. “You’d fight me over this?”

  “Aye. If pounding sense into you is the only way to change your mind, I’ll be the first in line.”

  Throwing back his head, Caleb laughed. “I’m not fighting you or anyone else.”

  Quinn smiled. “It’s a good decision you’ve made.”

  Caleb’s brows furrowed in confusion. “What decision are you referring to?”

  “To stay, lad. If you won’t be fighting us, it means you’ll not be leaving.”

  “Quinn, I don’t think—” Caleb shut his mouth when Ian rode up.

  “Are you lads coming?”

  Quinn shot a quick look at Caleb, then nodded at Ian. “Aye. We just had a few things to straighten out.”

  Ian cocked his head. “You’ve finished then?”

  “Aye.”

  “No.”

  Quinn and Caleb answered at the same time, causing one of Ian’s brows to lift.

  “Well then, I’ll leave it to you lads to finish this later.” Reining his horse around, he rode away, knowing they’d follow.

  “This isn’t over, Quinn.”

  “Aye, Caleb, it is.”

  “I’m still not certain what Aunt Kyla expects of us.” Geneen rode next to Heather, her mind still reeling from the sight of the destroyed Estrada hacienda a couple hours before. They’d been keeping a steady pace since leaving the house, determined to locate the group led by Colin.

  Heather did her best to shove aside the anger she felt at whoever set the fire. She wanted to find them and make them pay. Glancing at Geneen, she cleared her throat. “Aunt Kyla and Ma want us to follow the lads who’ve ridden north in search of the cattle.”

  “I still don’t understand why when Uncle Ewan ordered us to stay away.”

  “Ma has a bad feeling about what’s going on with the cattle. When she’s got a feeling, we listen.”

  Geneen stared at her, shaking her head as Emma and Coral came up beside them.

  “I know it sounds strange, Geneen, but whenever Audrey would get agitated about something, Gillis would listen.” Emma looked at Heather, who nodded for her to continue. “He said her instincts were better than anyone he’d ever known. She had a very bad feeling for several days before he and Angus rode off together. Audrey warned them, begged Gillis not to go. It was the one time he didn’t listen. They were murdered the same day. We always pay attention when she says something doesn’t feel right.”

  Geneen bit her lip, doing her best to understand. She’d ridden to Circle M with the group from Oregon, been there the day Colin and Quinn learned their fathers had been killed while they were searching for Sarah. Still, she’d never quite understood Audrey’s premonitions.

  “How does she know it has to do with our men? What if it’s about those we left at the ranch?” Geneen asked.

  “God help whoever tries,” Coral smirked.

  “Aye, Coral.” Heather looked at Geneen. “Have you ever seen them when they’re angry?” She kicked her horse, picking up the pace.

  “Once,” Geneen answered, urging her horse on to match the others.

  “What about angry with guns in their hands?” Heather asked.

  Shaking her head, she laughed. “I know I wouldn’t want to be their target.”

  “Trust me,” Emma said. “Those four women can handle a rifle as well as any of the men. They’ll keep everyone safe. I’m certain of it.”

  Coral opened her mouth to say something when Heather reined her horse to a stop, holding up her hand.

  “Listen.” Heather leaned in the direction she’d heard the sounds. “It’s cattle.” She smiled at the others. “The lads must be up ahead.” Starting forward, she reined up at Emma’s warning.

  “Wait. Look over there.” Emma pointed toward a hill a good distance away. “What do you see?”

  Narrowing her gaze, Heather leaned forward. “Looks like a group of men. Five, maybe six. It’s hard to tell.”

  “I count six. Do you recognize any of them?” Coral asked.

  Heather shook her head. “We’re much too far away. But if they found the cattle, those lads aren’t ours. They’d be with the herd.”

  “My guess is they’re the rustlers. We need to get closer.” Emma leaned forward, whispering to her horse, who started forward. “We should keep close to the trees so they don’t see us.”

  Heather agreed, reining her horse behind Emma. “And until we know who they are, be ready to shoot.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “We’ve all the missing cattle.” Colin shifted in his saddle, looking for signs of the men who’d taken the herd. “It makes no sense there’d be no one guarding them.” He and Brodie rode point, Bram and Ewan at the flank positions, and Sean and Bay riding drag. The rains several days before, as well as the fact they traveled over land covered with low-growing grass, kept the dust to a minimum.

  Brodie rested his hand on the handle of his six-shooter, feeling a sense of unease. “Aye. This doesn’t seem right. I’m going to let the lads know to be extra careful. I’ve a feeling this isn’t going to be as easy as it appears.”

  Continuing toward Circle M’s main herd, Colin kept his gaze moving over the rolling hills and boulder formations, watching for any sign of trouble. Unlike the day before, they had no trouble finding the herd that morning. There were no guards posted, no men watching for the MacLarens. Every instinct he had pointed to a trap. But where?

  What he couldn’t figure out was why someone went to the trouble of moving the herd at all. If they wanted to go after the men, there were easier ways to do it than burning down the hacienda and driving a hundred head of cattle several miles north. None of it made sense.

  “The lads are ready. They know to be on watch.”

  Colin nodded. “And what of Ewan?”

  Brodie glanced behind him at his father. “Da is going to take Bay’s place on drag.”

  Colin shook his head. “Bay doesn’t have the experience to ride flank. If Ewan wants to change, have him come up here and take my spot.”

  “According to Da, he’s ridden flank on other drives before. Another bit of information about the gunfighter we didn’t know.”

  Colin chuckled. “And how did Ewan find this out?”

  “It wasn’t anything Bay offered. August told him. Seems the lad worked on a ranch on his journey from back east to Conviction. That’s why he was eager to ride along when he heard about the fire.”

  “A gunfighter, ranch hand, and lawyer. He’s an interesting lad.”

  Brodie nodded. “That he is. I’m thinking we should take him to Buckie’s Castle”

  “Aye, I’m thinking the same.”

  Even his concern about who took the cattle didn’t stop Brodie’s mouth from tilting into a smile
. “Soon.”

  “I see three of the rustlers. Where’d the others go?” Emma slowed as they got to the edge of the stand of trees, then slid to the ground. Holding the reins, she looked at the others, who’d also dismounted, grouping themselves together.

  Heather stared at the last spot she’d seen the group of six men. Three were still on the opposite hillside, kneeling, staring in the same direction. She followed their gaze.

  “There.” Heather pointed toward a large grouping of rocks down the hill. “They’re hiding among the boulders.”

  Emma’s brows narrowed. “But why?” Then she gasped, seeing the herd moving directly toward the rustlers. “They’re setting a trap.”

  Geneen stepped up beside her. “We have to stop them.”

  Heather looked over at her. “We’ll never hit them from here. We have to get closer.”

  “On foot.” Emma led her mare back into the trees, then pulled her rifle from its scabbard. The others did the same. “We stay low, come up behind the three men still on the hill. When we shoot them, the other three will hear the shots.”

  “And race back up the hill?” Coral asked Emma.

  “With luck. But the shots will also alert our men.”

  Heather nodded. “Emma’s right. If we can get those on the hill, our lads will know there’s a trap. We’ll never get to the ones hiding in the boulders without being seen.”

  “Then we need to get moving before our men get any closer.” Geneen checked her rifle, grabbing more shells and stuffing them into the pocket of her jacket. “We’re coming up behind them. If we hurry, they won’t suspect anything until it’s too late.”

  The four looked at each other, their determined expressions hiding the fear racing through them. Without a word, they moved, making a wide arc and staying as low to the ground as possible. The late morning sun beat down on them, offsetting the chill from the early November breeze, and causing another problem.

  Emma stopped, crouching down, looking behind her. “Keep your rifles out of the sun. We don’t want them seeing a reflection.”