The Healer's Touch (26 page)

15

I
an's fingertips dug into the wet limestone as he scaled the bluff behind Lyric. “Are you certain there's a cave up here?”

“Positive.” Lyric grunted, pulling her body steadily up the incline. “We've played up here since we were kids. A couple of years ago Lark declared she'd never come here again because of the bats so we haven't visited in a while, but if that hail caught the girls they'd have no other choice. This would be the nearest shelter.” The couple slowly ascended the bluff. Overhead a thin moon appeared.

“I can't imagine what's gotten into Lark. I know she doesn't want to leave the Holler but we won't, not for a while.”

Ian took a firmer hitch and hoisted himself to a ledge. “She's at the age where she forms close relationships; she doesn't intend to leave Boots.”

The cave opening came into sight and Lyric paused to take a deep breath. “There it is.”

Pulling himself up beside her, Ian studied the entrance. “It's dark as a coal hole in there. Wouldn't they have carried a light?”

“One would think.”

“Then again, they might not be there.”

“It's possible, but since Boots ate supper with us and I saw her and Lark on the porch later, I assume they haven't been gone long enough to walk much further. I'll take a look.” She reached for the lantern tied around his waist and he stopped her. “I'll check. There could be a bear or a rattler in there.”

She took a step back. “All right. I don't like dark places anyway,” she confessed. “Especially caves.”

“You stand right here—I'll have to take the light. Can you handle the darkness while I'm gone?”

“Of course.” She glanced at the sky and the sliver of moon. Thick clouds still churned overhead but a watery slit of light occasionally appeared. They'd spent half the night looking through hills and hollers before Lyric remembered the cave.

“Be back shortly.” Taking the lantern, he ducked and disappeared into the cavern.

Before she could catch her breath, he returned. “They're in there.”

“They are!” Lyric started for the opening but he pulled her back.

“They're okay—both sound asleep.”

“We can't leave them there overnight.”

He glanced up, noting the moon's position. “Dawn will be here in another few hours.”

“But Mother's alone in the house.”

“She asked for her medicine and I gave her a dose. She should sleep the night through.” He led her a short distance away from the cave entrance.

“I can't walk away and leave those two girls here alone,” she protested. “Why not wake them and take them home?”

“Because I want those bats hanging from the ceiling to be the first thing they see when they open their eyes. Maybe they won't be so quick to take off next time.”

“I can't go home without them.”

“Then we sleep here tonight.”

“Here?” She looked pointedly at her feet sinking into the soaked ground.

“It's not going to be comfortable, but dawn isn't far off.”

“I suppose you're right.” She sighed, pulling her wrap tighter around herself. “The girls do need to realize how foolishly they've acted. Where could they have been going?”

“I'd say they planned to get to Hornet tonight. By morning I suspect they would have headed back.”

“Why would Lark want to run away? We're all each other has.”

“You know she doesn't want to leave Boots; those two are inseparable.”

“But leaving is in the future. I couldn't leave now.”

He shrugged. “Apparently she doesn't want to risk it.” He sat down and patted the patch of rock beside him. “Your bed, milady.”

Eyeing the limestone mattress, she cringed.

“It's going to be a long night,” he said, chuckling. “Longest two or three hours of your life.”

Stirring, Lark opened her eyes to meet Lyric's stern expression. Dawn lit the cave entrance. Bolting upright, she murmured. “Don't be mad at me. I can explain.”

“You'd better have a
good
explanation, young lady.” Lyric's hand moved to her stiff back. “Scaring me out of my wits.”

Boots sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “Don't be upset, Lyric. We were going to turn back and go home but we were too tired.”

“You were going to let me pace the floor all night, worry myself to a frenzy?”

“If the rain hadn't come you would have never missed me until this morning.”

“That's your explanation? It's the rain's fault?”

“Ladies, it's too early in the morning to argue. Let's get your things and get out of here.” Ian reached for the stuffed pillowcases and Boots jammed her feet into her mud-caked boots. All avoided eye contact.

“Those bats bother you any?” he asked.

Lark kept her head low. “I…I didn't look at them.”

“Better take a look, girls. You were mighty brave to sleep in here with all that company.”

Lark shook her head. “I…don't want to look.”

“Me either,” Boots echoed.

“Suit yourself, but they make quite a sight.” He leaned back and stared up at the ceiling. “How many would you say are up there, Lyric?”

Lyric shook her head. “I wouldn't…care to say.”

“Hmm. Guess a body couldn't say with any certainty.” He glanced at Lark. “You girls ready to go home?”

“Yes,” they answered in unison. Both heads were down and intent.

“Then let's head out.”

Once they cleared the cave's entrance Lyric dropped back to walk with Ian. With the bedraggled girls out of earshot she whispered, “There wasn't a single bat up there.”

He turned to look at her. “Did I say there was?”

“You asked me how many I thought were up there.”

“And you said you didn't care to say.”

“There weren't
any
up there that I could see.”

“Me either.” He flashed a grin. “Isn't that odd? They must have been further back in the cave.”

“That's mean,” she said crossly. “Allowing Lark and Boots to think that…” She paused when the little ploy sank in. “You are a sly one.”

“Think so?” He grinned. “I think it's unlikely they run away again.” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. Warmth spread through Lyric as he kissed it.

Ian kept a tight grip on Lyric's hand as they kept walking toward home. The warmth inside her didn't go away.

The aroma of strong coffee brewing filled the Bolton kitchen. Boots had gone home and everyone had changed into dry clothing. Lyric had checked on her mother and found her still in a laudanum-induced lethargy, so now she joined Ian in the kitchen for breakfast.

Pouring Joseph a steaming cup of coffee, she said, “Ham and eggs all right?”

“I could eat a whole hog,” he said.

Lark came down to join them, her features drawn from the night's soggy adventure.

“Did Boots go home?” Lyric asked, laying thick slices of ham in the cold skillet.

“Yes. She knew her grandpa would be worried.”

Lyric dropped the subject. There would be time enough for punishment; at least the girls were safe and had suffered no harm from their escapade. When the meal was ready, the three ate together at the table, conversing in friendly tones. Lyric wondered if married life would be like this, a man and woman sitting in a warm kitchen having breakfast…

Moving his plate aside, Ian leaned back in his chair. “Lark, if you feel restless and want to do something, I have a job for you and Boots.”

The girl glanced up. “A job?”

“Yes, a job. Are you interested?”

Lark glanced at Lyric, who lifted her shoulders with curiosity.

“What would I have to do?”

“Rob a bank, shoot a couple of deputies, push a couple of old women around, and steal a few horses.”

Lark's jaw dropped.

Grinning, Ian continued. “When the authorities come for me, all you need do is spread the word that a Younger is going to hang. Note the exact day and hour—that's important.”

Lyric half-rose, censure in her eyes. “Joseph!”

“I'm serious, Lyric. When they come to get me I want Lark and Boots to tack up posters in town, making clear the time and place of the hanging. And they're going to have to work fast. I want every citizen in the area to know about the hanging.”

“Joseph…” Lyric protested.

“We can do that,” Lark said. “But I don't want to think about them hanging you. They can't.”

“They can, honey, but we might be able to avoid it if you'll do what I say and do it right.”

“I will.” She nodded gravely. “Boots and I will do everything exactly as you say.”

“It's imperative that you do.” He turned his gaze on Lyric. “Relax. I don't plan to swing by a noose unless there's no other choice.”

Tears welled in Lyric's eyes and she quickly wiped them. His features softened. “I know this is hard on you. I'm sorry.”