However, she did want a short break for Katie. The girl's skin was pink and clammy, and Minda feared a state of shock coming on.
Did Brixton have a riverside cure for that?
“Minda Haynes,” she said, surprised at the firmness of her voice. She'd grown nearly hoarse calling for Ned.
He tipped his hat. “My deputy's sending wires downriver so those towns keep watch for Ned.”
“Thank you, sir.” The arrival of searchers from town was a good thing, but at the sheriff's words, hopelessness all but crushed her bones. Ned was too little to hike miles and miles to other towns. Of course, the sheriff meant it was his
body
they'd keep watch for.
Or maybe they'd be keeping an eye for Brixton's, too? She choked on a tear.
“Call me Bob. We brought equipment in case we need to drag the river. But don't you worry, Miz Haynes. We got no reason to suspect he's not just wandering the river bed. Kids like to explore. Turtles, frogs. Maybe made a fishing pole out of a branch.”
Minda considered the possibility. Ned might still have the cords she'd used to make his toy dog. But no. He would have stayed close by. And he'd have wanted the Satterburg boys and his sister along.
He would have heard folks calling out his name.
Besides, he would never have left her. Of that she was sure.
“Maybe he had a tiff with his sister and ran away in a bit of temper?” Bob said.
“We did no such thing, Sheriff,” Katie said, indignant, breaking into fresh tears.
Minda kept her voice as light as she could, without censure. Without losing control.
“Sheriff, thank you for coming so quickly. Hopefully we'll have some good news soon.” Minda hated the reality that the news might be bad. She had a great deal to lose right now.
But Minda wasn't the only one suffering. Katie's stricken face and shaking hands were hard to endure. How much more suffering would the little girl have to bear?
The peaceful picnic area had come to life with an awful tension. Men had crossed the bridge a half-mile away and both sides of the river teemed with searchers bound for the missing little boy who had captured her heart.
She held Katie close. “Firefly, I think you need to rest. But I'd like to look a little more. Let's settle you in the back of the wagon for a while.”
“I want to still look, too.”
“You've done your best.” Minda kissed her cheek as the little girl sagged against her.
Suddenly, Minda heard Jake's voice resonating through the trees and calling out news as good as a gospel. “He's all right. He's all right.”
The sheriff let out a whoop.
“Thank you, God.” Minda's heart pumped with new vigor along with her prayer, and Katie came to new life. “Now you wait for me in the wagon, all right?”
Minda ran toward the reverend as he rounded a copse of trees.
“Jake? He's all right? You're sure?”
The reverend gave her a friendly embrace, eyes twinkling, and caught his breath. “Which one are you asking about?”
“Both, of course.” Minda hugged her arms around herself, longing for Brixton there. Not just the little boy, but the man had stolen her heart, too.
“Brix found Neddie, and he's fine.” Jake breathed. “Really fine. They both are. I came ahead to let you know, but they can't be far behind me. Brix might have needed a space of time to sort things out with Ned, but he can walk through fire, you know.”
“Then I'm off to meet him. Tend Katie, please.” She had to see them with her own eyes.
Hold them in her own arms.
It wouldn't matter if her husband slept outside tonight. She needed this moment with him now.
Some of the searchers followed behind her through the trees, and with joy, she first saw Neddie's head bobbing over a rolling knoll ahead, then Brixton's under it. The boy was perched on his shoulders. Brixton had grabbed the little legs that hung down his chest and ran quickly as he could.
The crowd cheered.
“Oh Neddie, sweetheart. Brixton, I've been so worried. So scared.” She let the prairie wind carry her words to his ears. Her arms were spread wide.
They met at the smooth bottom of the knoll. After Brix stopped and balanced himself and Ned, she held her arms wider yet.
“Been worried myself, Miz Haynes,” Brixton mumbled, thrusting Neddie into her waiting embrace.
She grabbed Neddie so hard he groaned. When the boy finally struggled for the ground, she reached for Brixton and held him just as hard against her, and he let her, his chest hot against her cheeks.
“I am so glad to see you both.” She placed one hand on either side of Brixton's face and rose on her toes to kiss him.
He clasped her hard against him, his mouth closing over hers. She parted her lips, taking inside his tongue like she had his manhood. The memories throbbed in her heart and lower, deep down, reminding her she was a woman.
Then he pushed her away, like she'd touched something she shouldn't. Her cheeks burned. But before he nodded to the cheering onlookers, she caught a brief look of regret in his eyes. And she understood completely. He wasn't hers to have.
Then Neddie called out one single word that silenced the good people of Paradise.
“Outlaws.”
Chapter Eleven
“Aha. Perkins at last.” Sheriff Pelton nodded, resolute. “Now all of you skeedaddle back home. The boy's found now. Go get your stock under lock and key.”
Like the Baptizer, Bob Pelton waved his arms over those gathered at the river. Faces of folks celebrating Ned's safe return now crumpled with worry.
“Gang's likely to split up in two's or three's to save time. Hit more places. Now, get,” the sheriff yelled.
“Sure enough, Bob. Hurry up, Miz Haynes.” Brix shook away his worry and desire. After all, he had a gun and had taught Minda well. He looked down at her blushing face, and those eyes that didn't meet his. He didn't dare let folks around here think that kiss meant anything at all, that he was some kind of happily married man.
Still, he couldn't deny liking her touch when he took her hand and pulled her toward the wagon.
“Hurry yourself up.”
“I am hurrying,” she said, prim, pulling her hand away. Stubborn, he grabbed it back.
He reckoned he'd shamed her, breaking off that kiss. Hell, he'd like nothing better than to clamp himself against those bosoms. But despite those eager lips and the secrets below that only he had uncovered, he reminded himself that he couldn't have her. Just a few more days and he'd be gone.
And he had a heap of things to do in the meantime.
“Well, hurry up some more. I got wheat to thresh yet.”
“We should thank everyone for helping,” she said, pulling her hand away again. Her swishing sent that aroma of roses to ease the stench of his soggy clothes. He admitted he enjoyed it. It would be a good thing to recall on the trail when his nose was weary of manure and sweat
“They know already.” He grabbed her hand. “They're in a rush, too.”
“Why are you limping? Are you hurt?”
Brix declined to explain the thorn he'd stepped on. Right now, all he wanted was to enjoy her fingers wrapped in his so he could recall that night when they'd closed hot and firm around his cock.
At the wagon, Katie turned spunky as hell at seeing her brother, and Brix tugged her braid. Forever after, he'd think of her each time he twisted new rawhide strips into a lariat. He settled Ned and tucked the picnic blanket around him. The boy's fear had caught up, and he was shivering.
Moisture started up behind Brix's eyelids, and his heart did a funny pitter, hurt a bit. He'd downright miss the kids.
Jake came over with a big smile and troubled eyes. “We'll have special petitions come Sunday for Ned's safe return. Delmar and Geraldine Hackett are giving me a ride back to town. I think it best that we keep Silly overnight with us. No need for anyone to be out and about extra right now, with hooligans on the loose.”
Along Brix's shoulders, fear kicked him like little Ned's legs had done just moments ago. Perkins was getting closer and meaner. Brix had to do anything he could to keep the kids safe.
“All right by me, if my wife doesn't mind,” Brix said, giving Minda a cautious look. Sure as hell she'd set to complaining about such a transaction. Once upon a time, Gracey had wanted to pilfer the baby.
Instead, he caught a smile that surprised him and made a manly thing happen inside his trousers. Strange how sweet the word
wife
had sounded on his tongue.
“No, I don't mind at all, Jake,” Minda said. “As a matter of fact, I think Gracey would like it a great deal. Please tell her I'll be by to get Priscilla tomorrow when I run errands. If it's safe, of course. We can discuss our hats.”
“I will do that. Good-bye now.”
As he helped her into the wagon, Brix reckoned a lecture on the Bonnet Race was about to start, so he decided to hedge it off. And damn, if there was any righteousness in the world, Caldwell Hackett's mustang would be the first pony Ahab Perkins thieved.
“See you lost that big hat,” he said, as he climbed up.
“I did.” Just for an instant she gave off a breathy little chuckle that reminded him of that night in her arms. The manly thing happened again. “It blew off in a bramble patch somewhere. I didn't even care. I was so worried about Ned. And I'm so worried now.” Her voice and lips tightened.
“Well, Miz Haynes, you can shoot as good as any female around here. Let's see now how fast this churn-head can get us home.” He urged the draft horse along, and a cuss slipped out.
“Churn-head? What's wrong?” Minda asked, face pink as dawn.
“Churn-head means he's stubborn. This horse works strong, but he's slow. And I'd like to get home quick.”
“Well, I think we all want that.”
“Worse than that. Anybody with ears in any saloon in Platte County knows Norman Dale's horses are the best in these parts. He spent more cash than he should have on that pair. Even Dobby is a valuable piece of horseflesh.”
“Dobby?”
“This churn-head.” A grin slipped out even with his bones weary from the river and outlaws skulking up ahead and that unfulfilled kiss. “None of my doing, I'll have you know. My brother allowed his kids to name everything from pullets to, hell, barn mice.”
She frowned. Without that hat, sunshine turned her hair to spun silver and gold, tied here and there with copper wire.
“Must you speak so? Around the children? And I
am
a lady.”
He sighed deep. Another reason to leave. The trail was a place where a man could cuss in peace, smoke long-nine cigars at will, and engage in blackstrap whiskey without beseeching permission.
A man on the trail had no chance to get nagged by a wife, no matter how pretty she was.
No matter how much he liked the hot, sweet mysteries of her body.
“Sorry,” he muttered in such a way she'd know for sure he didn't mean it at all, and looked straight ahead. The miles of corn and prairie grass around him contented men who liked muddying their fingers, but his only peace came from riding from place to place. That was a fact, and everybody in Paradise knew it, including his wife.
And it couldn't happen soon enough.
“What's yours?” she asked, and confusion filled his head at her words.
“My what?” He looked sideways at her.
Even with the worry tweaking the edges of her eyes, she smiled a little, and he couldn't help but enjoy the glimpse of her lips. He recalled their taste, regretted that he'd halted that kiss. Turning a little more, he watched her mouth full on and thought of the few kisses they'd shared.
He almost wanted to die in her arms.
“The name of the horse that waits for you in Kansas,” she said, bringing him to his senses.
It sounded a harmless enough question.
“Fara. Farajido.” He wondered for a flash how his pinto was doing. It wouldn't be too long before the two of them were on their way back to Butter Creek.
“Hmm. I must guess that's Spanish?” A bump in the road made the word tumble on her tongue.
“Yep.” Her inkling surprised him. What did a Pennsylvania girl know about south of the border?
“So, what is the translation?”
“Outlaw.” He couldn't help a grin.
She didn't giggle or make any other sort of humorous sound. The word must have reminded her of their true quest, now that Ned was found.
“Oh, mercy, Mr. Haynes, we truly must hurry,” she said, her voice fluttering a little.
“Been saying that very thing. Dob's doing his best.” Brix scowled, suddenly spent of grins. He hadn't even had time to improve his mood over nearly losing Ned. Now he had to consider outlaws practically lined up at the homestead, waiting to strike.
She whispered close to his ear, his hands all but trembling on the reins just at her hair flowing so close to his nose. “Do you have your gun along?”
He nodded and tightened his lips together, thinking he had best speak his mind. Soon, she'd be the only one looking after the kids.
“You ought to have kept your eye on Ned.” He forced the words out, wondering if he should. She'd been a splendid ma up to now.
Those flower petal eyes turned dark with anger. “Why, Mr. Haynes, don't you dare cast any such blame on me. You have a pair of eyes, too. Besides, you yourself told me not to be concerned.”
He ignored her. “Well, it worked out good. Found him right as rain.”
“Well, I tried, too.”
“That you did,” he said, with some surprise. She truly hadn't carried on in any fainthearted way. “Truth is, it could have been you, except you went the other direction.”
The bouncing of the wheels had lulled Ned fast asleep in Katie's arms. Tilting the brim of his hat, Brix checked out the sun overhead. That meant only one thing. He could get in four more hours threshing that damn wheat. It didn't matter about his burning foot.
In July, night came late to Nebraska.
“It sure was a fine thing, all those people coming to help find Ned,” Minda said, interrupting his unhappy thoughts. “I actually felt a bit like I belong in Paradise now.”
What did that mean? She was staying on after her payback? That might answer some prayers. But he couldn't help grumbling about the wasted day and his aching foot.