Clasping the offered hand, Noah nodded. “That’s fine. Enjoy your ride.”
He watched a moment as they took the trail west out of town, then lifted his face to the clear sky. The air was brisk, requiring warm clothing, but the sky held none of the black clouds indicating snow. They’d had occasional dustings the last few weeks, but nothing major. Perhaps their luck would hold and the winter snows wouldn’t begin in earnest for several more days.
Caleb flicked quick glances at May, surprised at her skill. She’d never spoken of riding until he mentioned going on a picnic. From the way she sat in the saddle and held the reins, May had a good bit of experience.
“Where are we going?” Her question dragged Caleb from his musings about her skills.
“There’s a creek down the trail a little ways. I thought we could eat there.” They rode in silence another minute before he pointed toward a tall mountain in the distance. “The tallest one is Angel Peak. From what I can tell, the snow never completely melts off at the top. I plan to take Isaac on a ride up there come spring. Perhaps you’d like to come along.”
May stared at the majestic mountain, her breath catching. Until arriving in Montana, she’d never seen such magnificent ranges. “I’d love to join you.”
A few minutes later, the trail split. He took the narrow one heading north, reining to a stop in a tiny clearing. Dismounting, he withdrew the food and canteen from his saddlebag, then shifted to help May down.
“Would you mind bringing the blanket?”
May nodded, untying it from behind his saddle.
“We’ll walk from here.” He placed a hand at the small of her back, guiding her toward the sound of rushing water.
“Oh, there it is.” May smiled up at him before hurrying ahead, stopping at the edge of the creek. “How did you ever find this?”
Setting down the food, he stepped next to her. “I often take long rides after church on Sunday. One day I saw a buck and decided Suzanne might like venison for the restaurant. I lost the buck but found the creek. I’ve been coming here ever since.” He took the blanket from her hands, deciding not to tell her how often he’d thought of inviting her to join him. “Come on. I’m starving.”
Caleb ate three Cornish pasties filled with meat, potatoes, and onions before May finished her first. He offered the canteen to her. When she shook her head, he took a swallow before selecting a slice of sorghum cake.
“You aren’t eating much.” Caleb finished the slice in three bites, grabbing a second.
Offering a small smile, she finished the pasty. Reaching for the canteen, she took a couple sips before lifting a piece of cake and taking a couple bites.
“I’ve been thinking of my father. It’s odd he’d travel all the way out here to see me.” She worried her bottom lip. “We exchange letters. Not once did he mention remarrying. I can’t help believing there’s another reason for them coming to Splendor.”
He stretched out on the blanket, resting himself on one elbow. “Isn’t visiting his daughter enough of a reason?”
Scrunching her brows together, May shook her head. “My father’s never been the same since Mother died. Before I left, he spent almost all his time at the racetrack, in gambling halls, or in gentlemen’s clubs. I maybe saw him one night a week for supper, but…” She shrugged, her voice trailing off. “I spent my days riding or with friends, and my nights alone, reading or doing needlepoint.”
Caleb waited, seeing her internal struggle. Whatever May had on her mind wasn’t pleasant.
Biting her lower lip, she lifted her head. The sadness in her eyes felt like a blow to his gut. Reaching out, he covered her hand with his.
“Before Mother’s death, he made a good living breeding and training racehorses. His reputation was impeccable, and his services quite sought after. A horse trained by Dilly Bacon was considered a prized possession in anyone’s stable.” Her mouth slipped into a grim, tight line. “He lost interest after Mother died, spending more time gambling than with his horses. Then the rumors began.”
Caleb lifted a brow. “Rumors?”
“A prominent horse owner accused him of fixing races to settle his gambling debts. It wasn’t true, but the accusations continued. He was never charged with any crime, but the rumored scandal hurt what little business he still had. At the time, I had two suitors. Both from prominent families in the racing world.” She offered a cynical smile. “Each begged off because of the rumors.”
He squeezed her hand, anger building at her treatment by the men who’d professed an interest in her. Jaw clenching, he forced himself to calm down. “Is that why you decided to become a mail order bride?”
May nodded. “As you can imagine, my prospects were limited. I made quiet inquiries and contacted Pettigrew’s in Philadelphia. I’d already decided to leave when Father made a decision to turn his fortunes around. He spent his days and nights with the horses, rebuilding his reputation. I didn’t see him enough to learn if his efforts were successful. Apparently they were, as I doubt Pauline would be interested in a man without means.” She slipped her hand from Caleb’s, shifting on the blanket.
“When the invitation to travel to Philadelphia came, I didn’t hesitate. I gathered my savings and what belongings I could stuff into one satchel, wrote a letter to Father, and left. He hadn’t been home in days, so I don’t know how long it took him to learn of my leaving. I didn’t write again until I arrived in Splendor.”
Sitting up, Caleb moved next to her, settling an arm over her shoulders. He knew it was a bold move, but the pain in her voice, the way her body had begun to tremble, didn’t allow him to let her fret alone.
“I’m glad you came to Splendor, May.” He leaned over, kissing her temple.
A wistful look crossed her face. “I’ve no doubt you could do much better than me, Caleb.”
“That’s far from true, sweetheart.” Her admission stunned him. If anyone could do better, it was May, not him. He opened his mouth to explain when he caught a whiff of smoke.
“Do you smell that?” Standing, he turned in a circle.
May jumped up, lifting her face. “Smoke.”
“There’s a fire somewhere.” Grabbing the blanket and leftover food, he gripped her hand. “Come on. We need to find out where it is.”
He helped May onto Rooster, tied the blanket behind his saddle, then stuffed the last of the food into his saddlebag. Swinging into the saddle, he led them back the way they came.
“The smoke is getting thicker, Caleb.”
Feeling the wind pick up, he glanced over his shoulder, seeing May rub her eyes, heard her choke. He needed to find the location of the fire so they didn’t ride into it. Caleb prayed it wasn’t coming from town.
The smoke didn’t clear when they reached the main trail. The wind swept it one way, then another, making it hard to see from which direction it came.
“We’ll head back to town, May. Stay with me. Yell if I ride out of sight.”
The closer they came to town, the denser the smoke. Hearing May choke, he tore off his handkerchief, dousing it in water from his canteen. Reining Twister beside her, he held out the soaked piece of cloth.
“Tie this around your face.”
“What about you?”
“Don’t argue with me, May. You need this more than me.” He waited next to her until she’d done as he asked. When she nodded, he turned Twister back toward town, a ball of ice forming in his gut, afraid of what they’d find.
As they rode closer, flames rose from the far end of town.
“It’s near the St. James and the church, Caleb.”
His stomach clenched at the distress in her words. He glanced up, seeing nothing except clear sky. They could use rain or snow right now.
Racing into town, he pulled up at the livery and dismounted, noting Noah was nowhere in sight. He whirled at the sound of shouting, his gut twisting. The church and community building were engulfed in flames.
“May, stay here. I need to find out what I
can do to help.”
“But—”
Caleb stepped next to her. “Please. Stay where I know you’re safe.” He bent, taking her lips in a heated kiss before lifting his head. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
May clasped her hands together, watching him run toward the fire. She hated staying behind, doing nothing.
Grabbing the reins of both horses, she led them into the livery, removing the saddles and tack. Closing the gate behind her, she ran toward the street. She recognized several women carrying buckets, handing wet rags to the men trying to control the flames. Making a decision, she dashed into Noah’s blacksmith shop, searching for buckets or anything else capable of holding water. Her shoulders slumped, realizing he must’ve already taken them.
Shirking out of her coat, May hurried back into the livery, spotting four feeding buckets. Emptying them on the ground, she gripped the empty containers and ran toward the church.
“Over here, May.”
She looked up to see Sylvia and Suzanne waving to her. Allie Coulter and Lena Evans were at a nearby water trough, filling buckets. Rushing to them, she handed her buckets to the ladies. In less than a minute, the women had their own brigade lined up, passing buckets to the men.
“May, can you pump more water into the trough?” Lena yelled as she passed a full bucket to Suzanne.
Taking her place across from them, she pumped, her arms straining with the effort needed to fill the trough. Across the street, Abby Brandt, two other mail order brides, Tabitha Beekman and Deborah Chestro, and a couple women from the Dixie formed their own brigade using a second trough to fill buckets.
Gabe dashed up to Lena, his face and hands covered in soot. “The wind is shifting. We need to water down the St. James before it catches fire. Abby’s group across the street will keep water moving to the church, but your women need to hand it off to the men next to the hotel.”
Lena nodded. “You heard him, ladies. We’re passing the buckets to Gabe, Noah, and the men next to the hotel.”
May straightened, rolling her head from side to side before gripping the pump handle. Her arms burned at the continued effort, but no one could afford to slow down.
At first, the wind blew south, away from town. The shift turned the wind north, in the direction of the hotel and other wood buildings making up Splendor. If the hotel or Allie’s millinery across the street began to burn, the entire town could be lost.
Loud shouts from the north end of town had the volunteers halting for an instant before whoops and hollers erupted. A large group of riders from the Pelletier ranch raced through town to the church, dismounting next to Gabe.
Dax Pelletier motioned for his men to take their buckets and head to the creek behind the church and hotel. In less than a minute, two more brigades were formed.
Eyes burning from smoke, arms and shoulders aching, May continued pumping by sheer will. The feel of a hand on her shoulder had her slowing.
“Let me take over for a bit, May.” Caleb stood beside her, gently moving her aside.
Looking around, May watched as the remaining Pelletier men replaced the women at the two troughs. “Only for a couple minutes, Caleb,” she choked out. “I’m sure the men are needed elsewhere.”
Not slowing the pumping motions, he sent her a tired smile. “We have this for now, sweetheart.” He glanced around, his gaze landing on Lena. “Could you, Suzanne, and the rest of the ladies get drinks for everyone?”
Lena nodded, rounding up the ladies. It didn’t take long for them to haul lemonade, coffee, and beer outside, passing them around as the men rotated jobs.
“Here you are, Caleb.” May handed him a glass of lemonade, heart sinking at the sight of the burned out church. The flames were gone, smoldering embers taking their place. The only damage to the St. James was a few scarred boards.
“We were fortunate, May. The entire town could’ve been lost.” Caleb chugged the lemonade, handing her his empty glass. “Ah hell.”
Following his gaze, May’s eyes widened. Hex Boudreaux walked out of the charred remains of the church carrying a limp body in his arms. Taking a closer look, she saw it was a woman.
“Oh no!” She ran toward Hex, tears forming in recognition. “Is she alive?”
“Barely. I have to get her to the clinic.”
She walked beside him, heart pounding as they hurried along the boardwalk. Doctor Clay McCord ran up to them, wiping grimy hands down his pants. Taking one look at the woman, he raced ahead, shoving open the door of the clinic.
“Place her on the bed in there. I need to clean up.”
Hex laid her on the bed while May dampened a clean cloth to wipe the soot from her face, neck, and hands.
Clay stood by the bed. “We need to get the coat off.”
“Is she burned, Doc?” Hex asked as he unbuttoned the coat, then lifted her so Clay and May could slide it off.
“Doesn’t appear so. I believe she’s taken in a good deal of smoke, which can be as fatal.” Running his hands over her, he looked at May. “Do you have any idea who she is?”
Biting her lower lip, tears welled in her eyes. “Mrs. Clara Billings. She’s from Boston.” May lifted her gaze to meet Clay’s. “She traveled all the way to Splendor to find an old friend.” She shoved aside the lump of pain in her chest. “Doc Worthington.”
Chapter Seven
Clay lifted a brow, stilling for an instant in his inspection of Clare’s injuries. “Charles didn’t mention a friend coming to town before he left.” Checking her heartbeat, he looked up. “You two should wait outside. I can take care of her from here.”
“If you need me, I’ll be helping with the cleanup.” Hex nodded at May before leaving.
“I’d like to stay, if you don’t mind, Doctor.”
Looking up from his examination, he studied her a moment, then nodded. “All right. I could use your help.”
“What can I do?”
“We need to elevate her head and shoulders. There are pillows on those shelves.” He nodded behind him, then lowered his head, checking her arms and legs.
May hurried to grab them.
“I’ll lift Mrs. Billings so you can place the pillows under her. Ready?”
When she nodded, Clay placed his arms under Clare, raising her long enough for May to slide the pillows underneath.
“That’s good. Thank you. This should help her breathe a little easier. I’d have you open the front door, but that’ll allow more smoke to enter the clinic.”
“What else can we do for her?”
Clay pulled Clare’s blouse down to check for burns, then lifted her skirt to do the same. “She has some minor burns on her legs, but nowhere else. I can use salve on them. There isn’t much we can do about the smoke inhalation, other than make it easier for her to breathe. It takes time for the smoke to clear out of her system. I hope there’s no damage to her lungs.” Grabbing a chair, he set it next to the bed. “I need to stay and keep watch on her. Thank you for your help, Miss Bacon.”
May rested a hand on the bed next to Clare. “I’d be happy to stay with her.”
Clay opened his mouth to reply, closing it when Clare began coughing. Lifting her head, he turned her face to the side, patting her back lightly. He glanced at May.
“Get some water.”
By the time May returned, Clare’s coughing had eased, her eyes opening to slits.
“My throat,” she choked out, lifting a hand to her chest. “It hurts.”
“You were in the church when it caught fire, Mrs. Billings. One of the deputies brought you to the clinic. Here. Try to take a little water.”
Opening her mouth, she swallowed a little, then began another spell of coughing. This one lasted longer, her face grimacing in pain. Pressing a hand to her chest, Clare’s eyes widened, then closed, watering in pain. Slowly, the wracking coughs subsided.
Clay settled her onto the pillows, handing the glass to May. “This will go on for quite a while.”
“Then you�
�ll need someone to help watch her. You can’t stay up all night and work in the clinic all day.”
“I can’t ask you to give up your time, Miss Bacon. I know you have a job at the Eagle’s Nest.”
May pursed her lips. “I can come after we close and stay the night. The chef doesn’t need me in the kitchen until three o’clock, and I’m off on Mondays. You can show me what to do.”
Clay rubbed the back of his neck. “Can you stay with her for a bit while I check to see if there are others injured?”
“Of course.”
“We can decide on the rest later. But I do thank you for the offer, Miss Bacon.”
May’s concerned gaze held steady on Clare. Something about the woman touched her. Maybe it was the fact she’d traveled across country alone in the hopes of talking to a man she’d loved in her youth. Clare hadn’t confided the entire story, but it wasn’t hard for May and Sylvia to fill in what hadn’t been spoken.
Sitting in the chair, she took the woman’s hand, holding it in a light grip. Seeing the sallow color of her skin, May felt a wave of anger. She wondered how the fire started, if it was accidental or intentional. The last made her blood run cold.
“May?”
Her heart warmed at the familiar voice. “Caleb.” She held out her hand, threading her fingers through his. “It’s Clare Billings.”
“The woman you mentioned when we had lunch?”
She nodded. “Yes. Doc McCord said she inhaled a lot of smoke. It could be a while before he knows if she’ll be all right. I wish Doc Worthington was here.”
Caleb looked down at her. “Doc McCord is very competent.”
May blinked, understanding his meaning. “It’s nothing against Clay. He’s wonderful. I think having Doc Worthington here might help Clare heal faster.”
“Do you think he means that much to her?”
She let out a breath, nodding. “Yes, I do.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed on the woman, deciding he’d ask Clay where Charles had gone.
Squeezing his hand, she tore her gaze away from Clare to look up at him. “Were any others hurt?”
Angel Peak Page 6
