Twenty-five

Glory plowed up the dead garden while waiting on Horace. Working the soil kept her mind occupied. Patience offered a tad too much helpful advice, but baby sis meant well. Together they planted cabbage, onions, and squash.

She’d always found a reverence in the miracle sprouting from the tiny seeds, and today that awe created a throb in her heart.

Of late, she’d been so overwhelmed with the big picture that she’d almost lost sight of the small things. Yet, it was those tiny details that added meaning to a life…

The beauty of a single drop of dew on a flower petal.

Dawn’s pink tint that gave promise to a morning.

And…the twinkle in Luke’s eyes when he dared her to spurn his attentions.

She sucked air into her hungry lungs. Some things a person couldn’t forget, no matter how hard she tried.

A cooling breeze swept her brow. The day had turned cloudy with the fresh smell of rain drifting in the air. Another shower would give the newly planted seeds an excellent start.

New beginnings all around seemed the order of the day. A sense of pride radiated through her.

Though still in the figuring-out stage, she found she had a ways to go before she turned in the plow for a rocking chair. Doing something other than whining changed her perspective.

“Glory, someone’s coming. You think it might be Mr. Luke?”

A flush rose at the mere idea. “I don’t know, dear.”

“Oh shoot, it’s only Horace.”

“You don’t have to sound so happy about it. Horace happens to be one of my favorite people.”

“I know. Horace is nice, but he’s not Mr. Luke.”

For a fact. Still, tingles camped out along the curve of her spine. With a little luck, she might soon know whether the next hours would offer success or failure. Her sole desire was simply a say in the matter. And to be able to tell McClain she loved him.

* * *

Glory tried to get the two worrywarts she’d left behind off her mind. Hope and Squirt had pitched a real fit. They didn’t understand. Truth to tell, she didn’t either. The logic of traipsing off after a dream defied logic. Yet, how could she not?

“Horace, where are we headed?”

“You know that place where the soldiers used to stay?”

“Camp Colorado?”

“I guess.”

“You saw Mr. Luke there?”

“I think so.”

Goodness gracious! What kind of star had she hitched her wagon to? Time to find out. She pulled up.

“Tell me one way or the other. Did you see Luke at the old fort? Think hard.”

Animal snorts and the creak of saddle leather broke the moment of silence. At last the muddle in Horace’s brain cleared. “Yep, I sure did.”

The reassurance bolstered her. Caesar moved forward.

“Miss Glory, did you ever know my ma? I keep trying to see her face, but I cain’t.”

The wistful plea settled in the center of her breast. The boy had no one except a mean father. Even with Ruth’s problems, Glory counted herself fortunate.

“I can’t tell you, because I was only a little girl myself when she died. I’m sorry.”

“Me too. Grandma said she was awful pretty.”

“Only a beautiful mama could bring a special fellow like you into the world.”

His sigh left room for doubt. “I suppose.”

A peal of thunder startled Caesar. She leaned to pat the animal’s withers, crooning encouragement. A soaking appeared in store. Hope and Patience would have more cause to worry.

They arrived at the juncture of Horde’s Creek and Jim Ned before a drop or two fell. Camp Colorado’s crumbling walls stood just ahead according to Glory’s recollection.

Horace touched her arm. “We hafta get off here and walk.”

“Why?”

“’Cause that’s what Mr. Luke did.”

Excuse her for asking dumb questions. She swung her leg over and slid to the ground.

“Wait here, Miss Glory. Might not be safe.”

She hadn’t set out to stay behind. “No, I’ll come with you.”

“Hold my hand then. Don’t make noise.”

The roar of wind, the kind that forever brought problems, drowned out her argument. She could only follow where his clammy hand pulled her. Though the request for quiet appeared a bit ridiculous with the sky falling down around their ears.

“Duck down. This is it.”

The hurried squat made her scrape her knees against a rough brick wall. “What do you see?”

“A couple of lizards and a baby rabbit. It’s real cute. Now it’s hopping away.”

She curbed her frustration. Under ordinary circumstances, she had no trouble allowing for the child’s mind in a grown-up body.

“I meant any sign of Luke.”

“Nope.”

“You’re positive this is the right place?”

“Think so.”

Biting wind gave her disappointment free rein. They came on a fool’s journey. She sagged against the mud brick. She should’ve known better than to pin her hopes on the impossible.

“I see him! The ground spit Mr. Luke out. It swallowed him, and then it spit him up.”

“You’re speaking in riddles again. The ground can’t gobble anyone.”

“Can too. And I think it ate his eye.”

The mother tongue of Horace should’ve brought a smile to her. But her patience could stretch only so far.

“Quit making up stories.”

“It must’ve because he’s wearing a patch over it.”

Hell’s bells! If only she could see!

“Are you sure it’s Luke?”

“Uh-huh.”

Then why didn’t Horace call to him? She tried to get to her feet, but his grip kept her anchored.

“We hafta hide. It’ll eat us too.”

“For goodness’ sake. I’m going to Luke.” She tried to rise one more time.

“Oops, it done spit out another one.”

“One what?”

“A man.”

“What’s happening now? What are they doing?” Ice formed around her heart. Dark. Forbidding.

This cursed wind has brought this!

* * *

Luke shrugged off the hand that spun him around. He gave the half-breed they called Creede an even stare. “Afraid I’m gonna tuck tail and run?”

“Boss don’t keep anyone who won’t follow orders.”

“Fire and damnation! Anything wrong in getting a breath of fresh air? A man can only take so much of Frenchie.”

“No one said you had to kiss him.”

“A little rough around the edges for my taste.”

“Rules is rules.”

Those didn’t pertain to anything other than him clearing the stench from his lungs to his way of thinking. “Gotta go to the bushes. Got a sour stomach. I’ll check on my horse while I’m out.”

“Make it quick.”

Criminy! Luke didn’t relish the ribbing he’d take. “Won’t be long. Got an aversion to water.”

And an aversion sure enough to dying. Too early yet to shed the disguise. He walked toward the wild plum thicket where they tied the mounts. The gang had to stash them aboveground because no one had taught their four-legged compadres how to climb down the ladder.

No one would find the horses in the thick growth anyway. Hell, he had trouble locating them himself. The stuff grew where little else did.

Just as Luke reached to push his way through, he heard a noise. Someone or something. No sentry tonight because the group decided only a fool would have the guts to sniff them out with a storm brewing. Maybe he’d only imagined it.

“Pssst. Mr. Luke, over here.”

Someone used his name. He froze. “Who’s out there?”

A swift touch located the smooth handle of his Colt.

“Hurry, before it swallows you again!”

Then came the voice he’d never forget. “Luke?”

His heart lurched against his ribs. Something bad must’ve happened. He couldn’t think of any other reason she’d leave the safety of the farm to brave menacing weather.

Should they find Glory here… He couldn’t bear to entertain that thought.

Heaven help anyone who laid a finger on her.

Arms grabbed him when he stepped over what remained of the fort wall, and he found himself face-to-face with the silken-haired lady. “What are you doing here?”

“I brung her ’cause she got blind.”

A man couldn’t make out much with a one-eyed squint. Didn’t know how those pirates got by. At last Luke got things in focus. “Aren’t you the smithy’s boy?”

“Horace… Horace Simon.”

“What’s wrong? Is someone hurt…or dead?”

Glory frowned. “No. Don’t get mad. I asked Horace to bring me.”

“How on earth… No one knew…” The turn of events stole words from him. One part wanted to kiss the living daylights out of her while the other leaned more toward shaking her until her teeth rattled. Strange how both included touching her. “You know the danger you’re in?”

“We sure do, Mr. Luke. What with the earth eating folks and spitting them back out after it steals your eyes.”

“What is he talking about?”

“He saw you and the other man rise from beneath the dirt.” She explored his mouth with her fingertips and moved up to the black patch. “Horace thinks it ate your eye.”

The contact aroused all the things it shouldn’t.

“You have to go. Pronto.”

“Why are you wearing a patch?”

“That happens to be my business.”

“Tit for tat, is that it?”

Have mercy! Given the rough lot a few yards away who shot people for sport, it wasn’t time for chitchat. What he was about to do would most likely destroy anything that remained between them. Whether by fair means or foul, he had to get her away before…

“I’m busy, Glory. Besides, we have nothing to discuss.”

Glory’s lips turned white. Her chin quivered. “You’re not curious about why I came?”

“When are you going to realize everything isn’t about you?” The callous question came from his lips but he didn’t recognize the words. Still, he had to get her away from here.

God forgive him! Pain rippled across his chest. He’d just shattered the one woman who meant the world to him. He could barely see her pretty features through the mist in his eyes.

“I never thought… You’re nothing but a deceitful, despicable coward. You’re one of these murdering scum. You have joined them, haven’t you?”

Luke winced. He deserved that and more.

“Go home where you belong, Glory. Horace, take her.”

“Not until I say what’s on my mind.”

They’d been through this—that night he’d gone alone on Perkins’s trail. She was as stubborn as the day was long. His glance flicked to the trapdoor. They’d come looking soon.

“Come with me. I’ll give you one minute.”

“I’ll keep watch, Mr. Luke. I won’t let the monster get you.”

Shoving aside the plum thicket, Luke pulled her in after him, her walking stick banging his shins. They’d be safe enough in here, he reckoned. The horses snorted, pawing the ground. Startled, Glory leaned into him. His breath became labored. He struggled to adjust, cursing the fact that he’d forgotten she couldn’t see. He couldn’t get used to that.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s only the horses.” A flash of lightning split the sky, allowing him to take in the breathtaking beauty he’d thought never to feast his eyes on again. He braced against all sorts of temptations. “Say what you came to say. The clock is ticking.”

“You’re scaring me. I’ve never heard this tone.”

Her head came to below his chin. The heady scent of honeysuckle stuck in his throat with each gulp of air.

“Which one would you have me use? You’re in danger here. You shouldn’t have come.”

“I’ve made a big mistake—I thought you were worth risking something for.”

“Ah, now it’s getting through to you. You see what I’ve become.”

Glory’s gasp overrode the clap of thunder. “Which is the real Luke? The framed Ranger or hunted killer?”

He winced, her cold anger cutting him to the quick. “Reckon you’re glad you didn’t take me up on my offer of marriage. Go home and forget you ever knew me. Forget everything.”

All of a sudden, the bramble hiding them rustled. “Hey, Tex, you gonna take all night? Them cold beans didn’t hurt anyone else’s belly.”

Luke’s worst nightmare just came to life. He silenced Glory with a finger to her lips.

“Son of a dirt-eater, Frenchie! Didn’t think you liked me. I wouldn’t come any closer unless you have a clothespin—”

“You bastard, I’m just making sure you don’t run out before I get a chance to kill you.”

A rancid taste filled his mouth. “Well, you can see I ain’t going anywhere.”

“Me an’ the boys’ll give you to the count of five to get your butt back.”

“Right behind you.”

Luke waited, making sure Frenchie had left. “Time’s up.”

“Why are you doing this? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Better you hate me.” And live, he added. Lord knew she couldn’t hurt worse than he did. There would be no forgiveness for what he’d done.

“Who is Frenchie? What are you doing?”

He set her apart and turned before desire to hold her, to kiss away her fright became stronger than his resistance. If he could be sure he’d come out of this mess in one piece… He didn’t lay odds on that. Still, he had to warn her.

“One more thing, Glory. If you need help, run straight to Captain Roberts. He can protect you.”

“Your concern is touching. Get on to your business, whatever that may be. I wouldn’t want to keep you.” Sarcasm didn’t become her. If only it could be different.

“No matter your distaste for me, don’t take my warning lightly.”

“After the way I treated the man, I could sooner sprout wings and fly.”

“Never sell Roberts short. Watch your back.”

“Besides, why would I need… You’re hiding something!”

Momentary weakness made him bite his tongue, for the urge to spill the truth came in overwhelming waves.

It would serve no purpose except to endanger her life all the more.

A deep ache shuddered inside. He hoped to cross her mind occasionally, and when he did, maybe she’d remember some good. That she’d look with favor on the man called McClain would be the least he could hope for.

How could a man who’d betrayed the love in his heart just moments before tell her to embrace each day with abandon because a body never knew when the curtain would fall on the last act? He could never take back the despicable things he’d just said to her.

She’d never know the wondrous gift she’d given him.

“I wanted to tell—”

Glory never got to finish. His kiss stole the avowal of love she’d braved all her fears to deliver. Luke staggered the senses she relied on to keep her world righted. That compass was more important now in the darkness that persisted even when the midday sun peaked. She simply knew his arms were the one place she always wanted to be. He brought peace to her wounded soul.

When his mouth left hers and he was gone, she felt alone on a wind-stormed desert.

“I love you, my stranger,” she murmured into space.

Though people spoke of walking to the ends of the earth for someone, she had never understood the true meaning until now.

She’d go to the end and one step beyond for Luke McClain.

A sound alerted her, something different from the wind blowing through the branches. Bands tightened around her throat.

“Horace?” she squeaked.

“Well, if it ain’t Miss Glory Day in the flesh, as I live and breathe.”

The heinous crackle awakened every hatred tenfold over.