Thirty-four

Marley picked up her washing and strode to the clothesline. The cold nipped at her fingers as she hung the wet diapers. A strange quiet filled the breeze. She glanced at Hardy Gage standing nearby with a rifle, taking comfort in his and the other ranch hands’ presence.

“I feel it too,” Hardy growled. “Don’t worry, I’m not letting anyone harm one hair on your head. No one here will.”

“Thanks, Hardy.”

Matt handed her a clothespin. “I’m scared, Mama Rose. When will Mr. Penny and Papa Duel come back?”

“Soon, honey. Try not to worry.” Even as Marley said the words, she knew how useless they were. But though Matt was frightened, he wouldn’t leave her side.

“The bad man burned our house and shot bullets. Why did he want to kill us?” Matt gripped her dress, bunching the fabric in his hand.

“Why don’t we make up a story while we work? That’ll make us feel better.” Or at least it would put the boy’s mind, and hers, on something else. “Let’s pretend that we’re far away from here. Where would you like to be?”

Matt screwed up his face. “That place you told me about last night—Promise Island. You know why?”

She had an idea, but she wanted to hear his answer. “Nope.”

“’Cause no bad people live there and it’s way far over the water. The bad people can’t swim, and horses can’t even go there. We’ll be safe and won’t have to die.”

The last part shocked her. She dropped the diaper she was hanging into the basket and knelt. “I don’t know where you got the notion that we’re going to die. We’re not, so put that right out of your head. No one is going to hurt us. All these men here in the compound with guns will shoot anyone who tries to come. All right?”

“But they came before.”

Hardy stepped closer. “Matt, that’s because you didn’t have so many men protecting you before. I’m here and so is Judd, and all the others. You don’t have to worry.”

“Okay, Mr. Gage.” Matt dredged up a little smile.

“Now let’s get back to our story.” Marley kissed him and stood. “We’re on Promise Island where only good things happen. What are we doing?”

“Playing a game of hide and seek. I’m a good hider and you can’t find me.”

“Why can’t I?”

Matt giggled. “’Cause you’re too busy kissing Mr. Penny.”

Marley laughed. “Oh, I am, am I?”

“Yep. An’ you’re so happy. Everyone is happy and safe.”

Marley reached down and tickled him. His fit of laughter made her feel that everything was all right. Roan and her papa would find Ruby Creek and Gentry. She and Roan would be married, and they’d live happily ever after on Promise Island.

Where bad men couldn’t get to them.

If only childish tales could come true.

* * *

A noise in another part of the house alerted Roan. He swung to Ruby. “Who else is in here?”

Ruby glared. “If you want to know, why don’t you go find out?”

“Look, I’ve about had it.” Roan’s voice hardened as he moved to stand in front of her. “I don’t want to be here any more than you want me around. Now answer my question.”

“It was probably my cat, all right? The fool thing likes to curl up in the kitchen on a windowsill that faces the sun. Must’ve knocked something off.” Ruby smiled like the old Virginia he’d met, and he was struck again by her beauty. “You’re very distrustful, Penny.”

He wondered why the smile. She hadn’t exactly welcomed him with open arms, and neither had the boys. All he knew was that she kept shooting the parlor door furtive glances, which told him someone else was in the house. He wished one of the lawmen had found cover inside with him. He couldn’t watch the window, Ruby and the boys, and the doorway leading into the other rooms all at the same time.

“It’d be nice if I could believe you. You’re up to your eyeballs in lies, deceit, and murder. But your reign of terror has come to an end, lady. It’s over.”

“Maybe your friends came in through the kitchen door.” She huffed and crossed her arms. “Ever think of that?”

“Nope.” If they had, they’d have called out. He just wanted to end this so he could get back to Marley. He needed to protect her—not that he thought Hardy, Judd, and the others couldn’t. A wild animal was stalking the woman who filled his dreams.

“Whoever is in here had better come out!” Roan yelled.

The silence was broken by the ticking of the large grandfather clock in the corner. Keeping his eyes on Ruby and the boys, he moved to the doorway that led farther into the house. Although he listened, he heard no other sounds. Seeing Ruby shift in her seat, he stepped back into the parlor.

The gut feeling he always trusted whispered a warning.

A moment later, a man crashed through the front window and rolled into the room, firing a long-barreled revolver. Roan whirled and shot, smoke curling from the barrel.

The acrid scent of gunpowder stung his nose and watered his eyes.

Before he could adjust his aim, another man fired from the doorway. They’d apparently hoped to catch Roan in a crossfire, but the second man had been a split second too slow. With time only to react, not think, Roan bent his knees and squeezed the trigger. The piece of hot lead entered the man’s chest near the heart.

Every muscle taut, every nerve alert, Roan quickly scanned the room for more attackers.

Boot heels pounded on the porch, drawing his attention. He swung, his grip on the Colt tightening. Whoever came through that door would find a bullet waiting.

Beads of sweat popped out on his forehead as he waited.

Everything went silent.

“Roan?” Duel hollered. “Are you hit?”

Relief swept over Roan. “No. Come on in.”

Duel entered, followed by two of the lawmen. “Appears you don’t need our help.”

“I wouldn’t have minded.” Roan strolled to the man groaning on the floor, surrounded by glass from the window. He met Ruby Creek’s hard gaze. “Nice cat you have, lady. But apparently you can’t count. They won’t be knocking anything else off your tables.”

“Cats?” Duel grinned. “I missed something?”

“Yeah. Ruby has told me quite a bit. She and Gentry rustled your cows for two reasons. She needed to stock her ranch and he wanted to ruin you. You created quite an enemy all those years ago.”

“Gentry made me want to puke back then, and now I’ll be happy to put a bullet into his black heart. Hanging is too good for him.” Duel turned to Ruby. “You suffered an injustice, ma’am, but this wasn’t the way to right it.”

“Depends,” she answered with a sad smile. “I got rid of some enemies.”

One of the lawmen moved to the second shooter. “This one’s dead.”

“One less to haul in to the doc before we take ’em to jail,” Duel said. “We rounded up almost a dozen outside. I just don’t know what to do with the boys. Jess and I can’t take any more.”

Roan hadn’t considered that part. What would they do? They couldn’t put them in jail, and apparently the kids didn’t have anyone or anything to go back to. “Maybe the sheriffs will know where to take them. I’m sure if we put our heads together, we’ll come with up with a good solution.” Roan moved closer. “Gentry apparently lit out this morning. I think he’s gone to the ranch. At least my gut says so.”

“Hell.”

More lawmen stormed into the parlor and sized up the situation. Duel took them aside, “Gentry left, and I think he headed to my ranch. I need to get home. Can you take care of things here?”

“Sure,” Sheriff Kent said. “But what about your cattle?”

“I’ll come back for them later.”

Ruby stood. “Can I pack some things?” She flashed Roan a smile. “A lady needs some clothes and soaps to make her jail stay more pleasant.”

“I don’t know, ma’am.” Roan turned to Sheriff Bagwell.

The lawman scowled. “I reckon. But someone will have to go upstairs with her. I don’t trust that woman as far as I can throw her.”

“Me either.” It had already occurred to Roan that she’d try to escape.

“Will you go up with me?” she asked, looking up at him with her big green eyes.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I’m leaving with McClain. I’m worried about the people I love.”

“Please? I’ll only be a minute, and you can be on your way.”

Roan shot Duel a worried scowl.

Marley’s father nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll water the horses and get them ready to ride.”

Roan turned and escorted Ruby up the stairs. When she reached her bedroom, he stood in the doorway, telling her to hurry. She nodded and rushed to her closet, pulled out a valise, and began to stuff some things into it.

A picture on the wall caught his attention. He strode closer to see who the couple were. The woman was clearly Ruby, and he guessed the man to be her husband. They were happy and smiling in the photograph, making a beautiful pair. Little did they know how things would turn out. He didn’t think Ruby would do well in prison. She was getting old, and cold walls could age a person even faster.

“I have nothing left to live for.” The cocking of a pistol hammer alerted him. Ruby had a gun. “They’ll never get a rope around my neck.”

“Don’t!” His heart pounded as he made a diving grab for the weapon.