Wildfire Creek Read online

  “I’m clear to work. What’s Dax have you doing?”

  “We’re moving the herd to the south pasture, the one closest to the house. We’ve been changing locations every few days with five men watching the herd at night. Dax doesn’t want to take any chance of the renegades coming for the herd. Some of the men are going into town tonight. You ought to join us. Been a long time since you got off the ranch.”

  “I’ve been thinking the same all the way out here. Count me in.” He put the canteen away as Bull turned toward the herd. An evening at the Wild Rose might be just what he needed.

  Chapter Two

  “Over here, Luke.” Bull waved toward the table where several of the ranch hands played cards.

  He took a seat, scanning the saloon.

  “If you’re looking for Ginny, she took a break. Her sister’s sick so she needed to check on her.” Ellis scanned his cards and threw down a couple. He’d been with Pat Hanes before Dax and Luke took over the ranch and, along with Rude and Bull, was one of their most trusted men.

  “Anyone with a whiskey will do,” Luke lied. He had been looking for Ginny, hoping to see the pretty barmaid who’d captured his attention when she’d first come into town. Everyone had been warned by Amos Henderson, owner of the Wild Rose, that Ginny’s job included serving drinks and nothing more. She wasn’t part of the “upstairs social club”, as he liked to refer to the women who offered more than whiskey.

  It didn’t matter. Luke had no interest in anything other than conversation. Her sweet disposition, free of the jaded attitude of the women who worked upstairs, made her a favorite of all the men. Besides, he was too much of a free spirit to ever settle down and have a family. Ginny was the type of woman you’d marry.

  “What’s wrong with her sister?” Luke asked.

  “Stomach pains from what Amos said.” Bull tossed a card down and waited.

  “Deal me in the next hand.” Luke walked to the bar, ordering a drink from the bartender while continuing to check the door.

  “She ain’t here, Luke.” Al wiped down the bar as he spoke, keeping watch on the patrons.

  “Bull said her sister’s sick.”

  “That’s what I heard. Fever, stomach pains. Ginny took her over to see the doc.” Al moved further down the bar.

  Luke downed his whiskey in one swallow and walked toward the entrance, ignoring the amused gazes of the boys at his table.

  He crossed the street, pushed open the clinic door, and walked to the back where the doctor saw patients.

  Charles barely looked up from examining Mary, a worried Ginny standing next to the table, holding her sister’s hand. Luke knew she had little money and would fret about paying Doc Worthington.

  “Luke. What brings you in here?” Charles asked.

  “I heard Mary was sick and thought I’d come over to check on her—and Ginny.”

  “It’s a stomach infection. Not much different from what you had when you first came to town.” Doc straightened and looked toward Ginny. “Best to leave her here tonight. I’ll keep watch over her, make sure the fever’s going down.”

  “I’ll stay,” Ginny said, her hand tightening on Mary’s.

  “Well, then, you’d better let Amos know you won’t be back to work.” Doc used a damp cloth to wipe Mary’s forehead and neck.

  Ginny glanced at Luke, then back at Mary. He knew she felt conflicted. Even one night without working would be a major issue for them. She worked a couple days a week for Suzanne Briar at the boardinghouse where they lived. Luke had heard that, plus the money she earned at the Wild Rose kept them in a room and put food on the table, but not much more.

  “I’ll let him know, Ginny. Amos will understand.” Luke took off across the dirt street, already deciding what he’d say to the saloon owner. “Where’s Amos?”

  Al looked over from pouring a round of drinks and nodded his head. “In the back.”

  Luke spent a few minutes with Amos, then stopped at the table where the boys still played cards, noting a slight smirk on Rude’s face.

  “How’s your girl?” Rude asked.

  Luke glared at one of their most experienced ranch hands, surprised he’d been the one to ask what he knew the others were thinking. “She’s not my girl. Just a woman trying to make it without selling her soul.” The bite in his words wasn’t lost on the others.

  “How’s her sister?” Bull asked, tossing back his drink.

  “Like you’d expect. Ginny refuses to leave her, so you boys are on your own if you want another drink.” He turned toward the doors, pushing them open as Gabe Evans, the town sheriff, came up the steps.

  “Leaving already?” Gabe asked. They’d become unlikely friends within weeks of the ex-Union colonel’s arrival in Splendor to visit his good friend, Noah Brandt. He’d volunteered to take on the role of sheriff until the town could hire someone else. So far, there’d been no takers.

  “Ginny’s sister is over at the clinic. I’m going to check on them.”

  “Is it serious?”

  “I don’t believe so, but doc wants her to stay overnight.”

  Gabe pushed open the saloon doors before turning back to Luke. “Say hello to Ginny for me.” He shot Luke a knowing grin.

  Hell, did everyone think he’d set his sights on Ginny? Luke shook his head and crossed the road. Even though Splendor seemed small, it had grown over the years and now had as many people as other large towns in Montana. They had one main street anchored by Noah Brandt’s livery and the school at one end, and the church and bank on the other.

  “Her fever breaking any?” Luke asked as his gaze landed on Ginny sitting next to the exam table where Mary slept.

  Ginny glanced up, her tired eyes red around the edges. “A little. What did Amos say?”

  “He said to tell you to take care of Mary and come back when you can.” At least that was a fair summary of the conversation Luke had with him.

  “Amos is a good man,” she muttered, then shifted her gaze back to Mary. She laid her head on their joined hands and prayed, glancing up at the feel of Luke’s warm hand on her shoulder.

  “She’ll make it. The doc won’t let anything happen to her.”

  His calm words reassured her, even though the fear she felt at loosing Mary almost choked her. She’d promised—promised—her parents she’d keep her safe. Their mother and father hadn’t survived the wagon trip west, but she and Mary had. Ginny would not lose her now.

  “Ginny?”

  The weak, raspy voice wasn’t much above a whisper, yet it pierced Luke’s consciousness. He opened his eyes, surprised he’d fallen asleep in the uncomfortable chair. Ginny lay quiet, her head propped on her folded arms next to Mary.

  “Ginny?” The voice sounded stronger this time, more determined.

  “It’s all right, Mary. Ginny’s right here.” Luke looked down at the little girl. Her color had returned and, although tired, her eyes weren’t as red as they’d been earlier. He felt her forehead. No fever.

  Ginny jolted at the sound of Luke’s voice as he leaned over Mary.

  “Mary.” Relief flooded through her. She took her sister’s hand and held it to her face. “How do you feel?”

  “Thirsty.”

  “I’ll get the doc.” Luke walked out, took the few steps to the doctor’s house in back, and pounded.

  “Coming,” Charles called, then pulled the door open.

  “Mary’s awake.”

  He moved past Luke and walked toward the clinic. When he saw Mary, he smiled. “Well, you look much better. How does your stomach feel?”

  Mary looked at Ginny, who nodded. “Good,” she said in a small voice and turned her head back toward her sister.

  “That’s wonderful.” He glanced at Ginny. “The fever is gone and her color is much improved. I see no reason why you can’t take her home.”

  A radiant smile broke out on Ginny’s hopeful face. She looked at her sister. “Are you ready to go home?”

  “Yes.” Even as tired as
she looked, Mary clearly wanted to leave.

  Ginny grabbed her reticule from a nearby chair. “How much do I owe you, doctor?”

  “Don’t concern yourself with it now. We’ll discuss it after you’ve had a chance to rest and Mary is fully recovered.”

  “All right. Thank you.” She felt her face heat up, knowing she had almost no money and nothing to trade. She reached for Mary’s blanket to see Luke already wrapping it around her sister, pulling it tight.

  “Will you let me carry you home?” Luke asked in a soft, calm voice.

  Mary’s gaze moved up to look up at the tall man and nodded, reaching her arms up to wrap around his neck.

  “I can take her.”

  “No, ma’am. All you need to do is show me where you live and we’ll get her back to bed.” Luke turned toward the doctor. “Thanks, doc. I’ll be in touch.”

  Charles nodded, opening the door for the three to pass into the early morning light.

  Ginny walked toward the boardinghouse a few doors from the clinic, Luke following with Mary. She stepped around back and through a door leading to a narrow staircase.

  “Upstairs?” Luke asked.

  “No. We’re behind the stairwell.” She kept her words quiet, yet Luke could hear the hint of awkwardness behind them.

  He glanced around the staircase and narrowed his eyes before sending her a questioning look.

  “Here.” She opened a door not more than two feet wide hidden behind the stairs, and stepped aside.

  Luke walked past her to see one narrow bed, a dresser, and wash basin. It couldn’t have been more than an eight foot square with one window at the top for ventilation. He didn’t say anything as he lay Mary down.

  Ginny pulled another blanket from under the bed and bent down to drape it across her sister, feeling her forehead once more. She watched as Mary’s eyes closed and she dropped off to sleep.

  “Will you be all right in here?” He looked around, noticing a few clothes hung on hooks, a small satchel against one wall. A brush and mirror sat on the dresser next to a small pitcher.

  Ginny stood and rested fisted hands on her hips as her face turned red. “Of course. This is our home.”

  Luke held up his hands in surrender and took a step backwards. “I didn’t mean anything by it, Ginny.” He kept his gaze on her until her anger began to fade and she let her hands drop to her sides. He needed to get out of there. Something about being this close to her, with no one else around, unsettled him more than he wanted. He had the wildest urge to reach out and pull her toward him. Yes, it was definitely time to leave.

  “I’d better go.” He walked around the stairwell to the back door.

  “Luke?” He turned to look at her. “Thank you.”

  Ginny took a deep breath, closed the door, and turned to check on Mary. Tucked under two blankets and rolled up into a ball at the head of the bed, her sister appeared so tiny and fragile. At five years of age, she was considered small. Most thought her to be closer to three—until she started to talk.

  Suzanne Briar had taken to Mary right away, encouraging her to talk and read the children’s books that had belonged to the daughter she’d lost in a snowstorm years before. Ginny could see the comfort Suzanne got when she was around Mary, and she felt fortunate the three had become friends. Suzanne provided a room and meals in return for Ginny helping in the kitchen and cleaning rooms.

  She’d told Amos that Suzanne needed her just three days a week. In truth, Ginny helped clean each morning and worked in the kitchen at dinner. Several days each week she helped Mary with school lessons until her shift at the Wild Rose started in the late afternoon. Some days all she wanted to do was drop down on the bed and sleep. When those days came, she’d pull out the wooden box from under the bed and count the twenty dollars she’d already saved since their arrival several months before. She knew it wouldn’t seem like much to most people but, to her, it felt like a fortune.

  Ginny sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her eyes. It wouldn’t be long before she’d have to grab the cleaning bucket and start upstairs. Just two rooms needed cleaning today—a light load. Then she’d start helping Suzanne in the kitchen. In between, she’d check on Mary and make sure she ate something.

  Careful not to disturb her sister, she lowered herself back on the bed, rested an arm across her eyes, and thought of Luke. She didn’t know him well. Besides tonight, the only other times she’d been around him was at his brother’s wedding, the times he came into the Wild Rose, and once or twice at the boardinghouse restaurant. He’d been friendly, never crossing any boundaries, and told her if she needed help with anything to let him know. Suzanne said he and Dax were just that way—willing to help those who needed it. She didn’t know why he’d taken such an interest in Mary’s illness, but she wouldn’t dismiss his kindness. Ginny just wished she didn’t find him so attractive. In all her life, she’d never been attracted to a man. Not until Luke.

  She’d never had a beau, had never even wanted one, and now was not the time to start. The responsibility of raising Mary sometimes seemed overwhelming. Over the months in Splendor, she’d come to the realization there’d be no man in her life, which suited her just fine. At five, it would be a long time until Mary was old enough to start her own life. By then, Ginny would be well past the marrying age. She’d be a spinster, but Mary would be all right.

  From what she’d heard about Luke, he worked hard and played harder. More than once, the girls upstairs at the Wild Rose had commented about what a shame it was that he never took them up on their many offers. Instead, every few weeks, he traveled to Big Pine for a few days. Ginny hadn’t thought much of it until Belle, one of her friends at the saloon, explained the reason for his trips. Or at least what the girls chose to believe. Why he traveled to Big Pine still held no real interest to Ginny.

  On her sixteenth birthday, her mother had informed her that men had needs. Before marriage, they satisfied it with willing women. Afterwards, the wife took on the responsibility. Her mother spoke as if it were just another chore, rather than something a woman would enjoy. Ginny had never put much stock in marriage after that. Being a spinster didn’t bother her a whit.

  Luke still fascinated her, though. She’d heard he sometimes worked for the Pinkerton Agency and had spied for the South during the war. Both sounded dangerous, as well as exciting. Ginny would like to get to know him better just to hear his stories. She figured there must be some wonderful tales tucked away in his head.

  “I don’t understand it. More flour and sugar are missing, as well as another chicken.” Hank tossed his hat on a nearby chair and took a seat next to Rachel in the kitchen. “The shed is locked and no one’s heard any commotion from the horses or chicken coop. How is someone able to slip in without us knowing?”

  “You’re certain we haven’t used more than you counted?” Rachel sipped her coffee and grimaced. No matter how much sugar or milk she added, the bitter taste still assaulted her.

  “I am. I’ve been keeping track ever since supplies started to go missing a couple weeks ago. Besides the foodstuff, they’ve taken three chickens, plus I don’t know how many eggs.”

  They both looked up as the back door pushed open and Luke entered. “Coffee?” He looked at the stove and, seeing the pot, grabbed a cup.

  “Nice to see you decided to come back,” Hank said, still cranky over the missing supplies.

  Luke narrowed his eyes, taking a seat next to the older man and not responding.

  “How’s Mary doing?” Rachel asked and saw Luke’s confused expression. “Bull told us about her and Ginny. He figured you were staying at Uncle Charles’, so he put Prince up at Noah’s livery.”

  “I figured it must have been Bull. Noah found me walking around this morning and flagged me over.” He tasted the coffee, then set his cup down. “Mary’s better. The fever’s broken and her color’s improved. At least it was when I carried her to their place at Suzanne’s.” Luke settled back and let his long legs stretch out
in front of him. “They live in a small room at the boardinghouse.”

  “Yes, I know. She’s come to the clinic a couple times when either she or Mary haven’t felt well. I worry about them sometimes.” Rachel rinsed her cup and set it next to the sink.

  “Why?”

  “She’s real stubborn. It’s hard for her to accept help. And God forbid anyone should offer money or take care of a debt for her.”

  Luke grimaced. Well, what Ginny doesn’t know won’t hurt her…or me, he thought as he stood to leave. “Guess I’d better find the others and get busy.”

  “There’s a few with each herd. Some of them are breaking horses behind the barn,” Hank said. “I believe I’ll check everything once more. Make sure I didn’t make a mistake.” He stepped outside and started for the shed.

  “What’s he talking about?” Luke asked.

  “Flour, sugar, and another chicken are missing. It’s got him confounded. You know how meticulous he is about keeping track of all the supplies and amounts needed for a ranch our size.”

  “He have any ideas?”

  “He didn’t say. I’m wondering if the Blackfoot, or possibly Sioux, are sneaking in at night. It might explain why they were on our land when you got injured.”

  “We’re a little too far west for the Sioux, and I’d be surprised if the Blackfoot would steal when they know we’ll trade with them. Besides, most Indians tend to steal cattle, not supplies.” Luke shook his head. “All the same, I can’t think of anyone who might be stealing. I’d best be going.”

  Rachel heard the door slam shut. Dax had ridden out to the herd earlier, leaving her a Saturday to do whatever she wanted. She never had much chance to socialize with other women. Maybe she’d ride into Splendor and check on Mary, then visit with Ginny and Suzanne. It wasn’t any of her business, of course, but Rachel had a strong urge to talk with Ginny and learn more about the young woman and her thoughts about Luke.

  Chapter Three

  “I thought I’d find you up here.” Gabe Evans, Splendor’s sheriff, slid off his horse and walked toward the unfinished cabin his friend, Noah Brandt, had been working on for weeks.