Authors: Jennifer Jakes
Chapter Twelve
Parsons poured four snifters of brandy and grinned like a shit-
eatin’ possum. “By God, that felt good. Seeing that bastard chained to an Army tent makes me happier than I’ve been in weeks.”
Sinclair nodded.
“But you do realize the trouble isn’t over. There are other thieves, other enemies. The Joy Line will still be trying to stop your progress. That part isn’t over. You still have dozens of miles of track to lay before a winner is declared.”
Parsons waved his hand.
“Bah, I know, but this is about more than railroad competition. This is about besting an old enemy. This is about revenge against Moreton.” He held up his glass. “Cheers.”
Sinclair
clicked
glasses with the men, ready for the celebratory drink to be over. He wanted to find Alexander. When they’d gone to the railcar with the arrest orders, the bastard had stomped off to send an urgent telegram to Moreton’s lawyers. But he should have been done with that by now, should have been at the door complaining by now. So where was he?
“
Major!” Private Collins busted into Parsons’ railcar. “Come quick! Devil’s Gate is on fire!”
“
What?” Sin dropped his brandy, pushed Parsons out of the way, ran out the door, then jumped down the iron stairway.
“
Where’s Eden?” His heart pounded in tempo with his feet on the dirt streets, Private Collins hot on his heels.
“
Don’t know, sir. The building next to the saloon caught fire. When I went inside to tell Miss Eden, she was gone.”
Gone?
His stomach twisted.
“
And, sir? Corporal Ballard was lying outside on the back porch. Stabbed.”
Sin’s legs went weak, cold fear skittered down his back. Hell. Eden wouldn’t leave. Not unless she was forced. And Ballard…
Damn it.
Ballard was the best man serving under him.
“
Is Ballard alive?”
“
Yes, sir. He’s at the doc’s now.” Collins sounded winded as they entered Main Street.
The sight that met Sinclair stole his breath. Devil’s Gate was fully engulfed, a line of people and soldiers passing bucket after bucket of water to dump on the flames.
Shit! It was chaos. So damned smoky he couldn’t see ten feet in front of him. Orange shadows danced over soot covered faces and people yelled and called for more water from every direction.
He searched the crowd, looking for Eden, hoping against hope he would see her in the water brigade. Walking down the line, he asked everyone if they’d seen her.
No one knew where she was.
“
Major!”
He whirled. He knew that voice.
Alice ran toward him, her wrinkled face black from smoke.
“
Where’s Eden?”
She caught him by the arm, her entire body shaking.
“I-I don’t know. Mmm-Hmm, I know it’s something bad though. I can feel it.”
“
Are you sure she’s not still inside?” He could barely say the words. If she was inside, she was dead.
“
No. Me and Hank both came downstairs to help her carry her things. We looked all over the kitchen and downstairs rooms. She was gone.” Alice started crying, tears trailing tracks down her cheeks. “It’s Alexander. I know it is. He’s got her.”
Hearing the words aloud sent hate spiraling through him. If Alexander hurt one hair on Eden’s head, he would beg long and hard before Sinclair put him out of his misery.
“I’ll find her. Don’t worry.” He patted Alice’s hand.
He turned but stopped mid-stride. Where the hell would Alexander take her?
“I can hardly be expected to sleep in squalor much less entertain. We’ll take the railcar for our quarters.”
Alexander’s patronizing words played through Sinclair’s head.
Steven’s railcar.
Damn it! Eden had been right beside Parsons’ car all the time.
He broke into a hard run toward the edge of town, every muscle in his body straining to move faster. As he reached the rail tracks, lanterns burned in car windows. The closer he got, shadows could be seen moving inside.
He drew his pistol and ran over to Parsons’ car. Edging along the far side, he flattened his back against the rough wood until he reached the coupler.
He tried to quiet his breathing. Everything seemed eerily quiet. The sounds of the fire and the people faded until Sinclair could pick out sounds around him.
The breeze. A cricket. His damned pounding heart…
voices.
A man.
“…think I’d forget…”
A woman.
“Go to Hell.”
Eden!
Sinclair crouched down and scuttled between the cars, slipping to the stairs.
Crack!
The sound of flesh hitting flesh split the air. “Shut-up, bitch.”
Hatred flamed inside Sin, as hot and violent as the fire in town. And just as that fire was destroying the saloon, he was going to destroy Alexander.
Slowly he crept up the stairs. Taking a deep breath, he said a quick prayer.
Then kicked the door open.
“Sin, no!” Eden’s eyes were huge, her face red from being slapped, her hair in a tangled mess hanging down over her shoulders.
“
Well, hello, Major.” Alexander forced Eden in front him, one hand over her mouth, the other pressing his pistol to her head. “I wondered how long it would take you to figure out where we were. Not the smartest man in the army, are you?” He smiled. “But you’re finally here, and someone has been waiting for you.”
Eden’s eyes widened, tears falling from the green pools. Her brows raised in alarm, her gaze darting to—
Sin whirled just as Len stepped from behind the door.
“
Told you you’d be sorry, Major.” He raised his pistol.
“
Nmmmmmmmmnnnnn!” Eden yelled from behind Alexander’s hand.
“
Aw, it seems the fair Eden has feelings for you, Major.” Alexander laughed. “Kill him, Len.”
“
Yes, sir. Outside?”
“
Yes, you stupid son-of-a-bitch. I don’t want blood all over—”
Blam
!
Sinclair put a bullet through Len’s forehead, erasing the intent line of concentration forming as the big man listened to Alexander.
Dropping to the floor, Sinclair rolled behind a large, leather chair and took aim for a spot between Alexander’s cold eyes.
Damn it. The bastard was using Eden’s body as protection.
A sick fear tightened Sin’s gut. He couldn’t risk hitting her, couldn’t risk losing her.
“
Let her go, Moreton, or the next bullet goes in your head.” Sin tried to catch her gaze, tried to convey strength, courage…How much he loved her. All with one look.
Alexander chuckled.
“I don’t think you’re willing to risk a bullet going into her pretty head.” He pressed the barrel into Eden’s temple until she whimpered, her hands flailing at her side, clawing through her skirt. “No, there’s a better way to solve this problem—”
A muffled
crack
stole Alexander’s words. He inhaled sharply, his hands falling free from Eden’s throat as he staggered backward.
“
Problem solved.” Eden backed away from him, a small derringer in her hand. “Isn’t that what you’d like to say?”
Christ! She’d shot the son-of-a-bitch.
Sin jumped forward, pulling Eden farther away from the crazed man.
“
You…
shot…
” Alexander rasped as his eyes rolled back in his head. He fell back onto the desk, blood seeping through his shirt as he rattled his last breath.
Eden dropped her gun, her eyes wide, her face drained of color.
“Oh, God, God, God, God…” she whispered.
Sinclair holstered his pistol and strode to her side, wrapping her in his embrace. She felt good. Better than good. Damn it, she felt like heaven. Relief flooded through him, his legs feeling a little like jelly. All the battles he’d seen and none had scared him as badly as the last five minutes.
He hugged her a little closer. “It’s fine, everything’s fine now.” The words fanned her tangled hair.
“
No, no it’s not.” Wiggling, she tried to pull away. “I’ve got to leave town. I need a horse. They’ll put me in jail!”
Like hell. Just like that, the feeling of relief was gone. Whether he thought so or not, she was considered a prostitute. And she’d just shot a senator’s son.
Sin locked her in his arms. “Shhh, you’re not going to jail. I will ride through hell and high-water to protect you.”
“
There’s nothing you can do.”
He gave her a shake.
“You’ve got to learn to trust me! I won’t let—”
Footsteps scrambled up the stairs. Sin dropped his hands and grabbed the derringer, pocketing it in his coat.
“Major Bradford?”
“
Sinclair?”
“
What the hell?” Parsons, Stevens, and Father froze in the doorway, all gape-mouthed. “What has happened here? And who is this?” Parsons eyed Len’s body.
“
He’s—” Eden began.
Sin stepped in front of her.
“His name is Len. He was working for Moreton. Spying.”
Parsons nodded.
“Good job, Major. By God, you’ll have the whole gang subdued before the week is up!”
“
What about the blood all over my new wool rug?” Stevens scowled.
“Now, Henry, I think ending the trouble for the Katy is more important than blood stained floors.” Parsons turned his back to the younger man. “Was Moreton’s son in on the sabotage too?”
You bet your ass
. “Yes, sir, you’re exactly correct. And apparently he took a liking to Miz Gabrielli this afternoon. He and Len set her saloon on fire and kidnapped her.”
Just keep talking. It sounded believable so far.
“I saw them dragging her down the street when I went to see to the fire. When I arrived, Alexander ordered Len to kill me. Fortunately I’m a faster gun than either of them supposed.”
“
But I—” Eden started to protest.
Sin gave her hand a hard squeeze.
“Miz Gabrielli is nearly sick with shock. I’m going to get her to the doctor. I’ll send my men to clean up here and gather the bodies for Mr. Stevens.”
Parsons looked around, shaking his head.
“See that you do. Stevens will nag like a wife if his car isn’t restored.”
Stevens frowned.
Sinclair bit back a grin. “Yes, sir. I’ll see that it’s cleaned.”
Father narrowed his eyes.
“Let me walk you and the young lady into town, Sinclair.” His voice offered no chance of argument.
Shit, Father knew something wasn’t quite right. He’d always been able to spot a lie. Made him a damn good judge—and a damn impossible father.
Father followed them outside, then down the stairs, moving to Eden’s side as they walked down the street.
“Son, you always were a horrible liar.” He kept his gaze straight ahead. “So I will assume we are not going to see the doctor.”
Sinclair’s mind whirled for a believable answer. None came.
“No, sir.”
Eden looked from one man to the other, fear tightening her expression. Sinclair entwined their fingers, then gave her a wink. Her beautiful mouth trembled a bit as she tried to smile.
“I’m also going to assume that story you told in there isn’t the whole truth.” Father’s voice sounded intrigued instead of angry.
“
Not exactly, sir.”
“
It’s my fault, Judge Bradford!” Eden dragged her heels until they were forced to stop walking.
“
Eden…” Sinclair turned her in his arms. He was not letting her give up now.
“
Son,” Father touched his sleeve, “let’s go into your tent to discuss this. I have a feeling this is a private,
family
matter…” He offered his arm to Eden. “Young lady, I believe you’re to be my daughter-in-law. I can see from the way Sinclair looks at you that he’s smitten.” He smiled. “Of course it takes a special woman to come West and start a business.”
“
I—yes, thank you.” Eden glanced toward the saloon. “Not much left of it now, I’m afraid.”
Alic
e ran down the street, her graying hair falling down her back like a crazed woman. “Girl, are you all right?” She patted down Eden’s arms as if checking for broken bones.
Eden caught her hands.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry. Are you and the others safe?”
“
Mmm-Hmm. We all got out. Couldn’t save your clothes though.”
“
I’ll buy her some new clothes in the morning.” Sinclair wrapped an arm around Eden’s shoulders.