Wildfire Creek (38 page)

“Of course. Plus, they can take lessons with Mary until they get settled in new homes.”

“All right. Then it’s settled. I’m headed out to the herd.” Luke stood and moved toward the door.

“I’ll ride with you.” Dax leaned over and placed a kiss on Rachel’s cheek. “Try to rest a while.”

She nodded, knowing with three extra females in the house, there’d be little time to rest.

Big Pine, Montana

“What do you mean they moved up the date?” Dutch asked Tom, perplexed by the latest action by the citizens committee.

“They got wind the sheriff and a few of his deputies left for Moosejaw, and they want to take advantage of his absence to catch the outlaws.”

“It makes no sense they’d want
less
lawmen around when the wagon moves. Who do you think made the decision?”

“Only one man could force a change at this point, and that’s King Tolbert.” Tom had never met the man, yet had grown to distrust him and the way he worked. His clear disdain for the law put him at odds with men trying to bring order and justice to the frontier. “There’s nothing we can do. Three deputies and us remain—unless you can get approval to send for Luke.”

“Let’s go.”

They walked the short distance to the telegraph office. Tom stood by the door as Dutch wrote a message to Pinkerton headquarters. Then he penned a message to Luke, giving him notice he’d sent a request for his services in Big Pine.

Dutch pulled up his collar as they stepped outside. “How does the committee expect to get word out about the change of date? The goal is to lure the outlaws out.”

“They’ve identified an inside man, one they believe is providing details of gold shipments to the outlaws. He’s already been given access to the records showing dates. The committee has no doubt the outlaws will know of the trip and attempt to rob it.”

“When?” Dutch asked.

“From what I’ve heard, the first of next week.”

Dutch let out a low whistle. “Four days. How long will Sheriff Sterling be gone?”

“He’s not due back for another week.”

Dutch studied Tom, knowing they felt the same regarding the committee’s action. “I thought of sending a message to Sterling, but it’s not our place. We’ve been hired by the committee.
They’re
our client, not the sheriff. Although I have no hesitation requesting the help of his deputies. The committee can’t stop them from getting involved.”

Tom shoved his hands in his coat pockets, more out of frustration than the cold. “I hope we hear back from headquarters soon or Luke won’t make it in time.”

Redemption’s Edge Ranch

Luke’s temper had simmered for several days. Ginny’s not-so-subtle tactics to avoid him since they’d discovered the cave were about to end.

“Where is she?” Still shedding his coat and gloves, he strode into the study where Dax sat at the desk.

Dax continued working, not looking up. “Who?”

Luke blew out a breath, not understanding the impatience he felt or the driving force behind his feelings. “Ginny. She’s not in the kitchen or in her room.”

“Is there something wrong?”

“You bet there is.” Luke tossed his gloves on a chair, then rested his hands on his hips.

“You want to talk about it before you confront her?” Dax set his pen down and leaned back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head.

Luke glared at him, irritated he hadn’t been able to vent the frustration he felt at Ginny’s determination to put as much distance between them as she could. He knew why. He’d handled the confusion he felt at his own feelings so badly, she didn’t know what to expect from him. Now she’d decided to put a wall up, protect herself from his attempts to get closer. He raked a hand through his damp hair and wiped the moisture from his face.

“Ah, hell. I’m not sure what I want to say to her. I just know I want her to talk to me.” He slumped into a chair and stretched out his legs.

“I didn’t know she wasn’t.”

“She’s cordial. Says good morning, good evening…but nothing else. She keeps Margaret, Selina, or sometimes Lydia around her, as if they can shield her from me.”

“And do they? Protect her from you, I mean?” Dax had a hard time believing Luke hadn’t taken charge and asked the girls to leave him alone with Ginny.

Luke knew where Dax’s comments were going and jumped to his feet. “No.” He headed outside.

“I believe they’re in the barn,” Dax called after him.

Luke bounded down the porch steps and grabbed Prince’s reins. The sound of laughter pierced the night air as he entered the barn to see Ginny, Margaret, and Selina huddled around the baby cradle he’d been fixing for Rachel and Dax. He walked past them to a stall and led Prince inside, grabbing a bucket and brushes to wipe him down. He didn’t say a word, just watched Ginny watch him through the corner of her eye, swinging her face away when he shifted toward her.

“It’s time we went inside.” She began to herd Margaret and Selina from the barn, then turned at Luke’s voice.

“I’d like a word with you, Ginny.”

“I can’t—”

“Now.”

She flinched at the hard tone, wrapping her arms around her waist as she turned toward him.

“Go into the house, girls, while Ginny and I talk.” Luke tossed the brush into the bucket and closed the stall gate. His gaze locked on her before taking several purposeful strides, stopping within inches of her, crowding her space and causing her heart to beat in a wild rhythm.

Ginny lifted her face to his, trying to calm the knot forming in her stomach. She knew her actions the last few days were discourteous, but she could find no other way to protect herself from his confusing signals. One day, he’d act as though she meant something to him. The next, he’d barely acknowledge her. She’d had enough of not knowing what to expect. No matter what her heart felt, her head had to be the voice of reason and the path she took.

“Is there something you want to say?”

Hell yes, there’s something I want to say
, he thought. Instead, he let his gaze rake over her in a slow perusal, seeing the discomfort his close scrutiny caused. He slowly walked around her, as if checking an animal available for purchase, not stopping when she whipped her head around to glare at him.

“What
are
you doing?”

“Well, you look like the Ginny I’ve known for almost a year. Same face, clothes, voice, and hair. The problem is, you don’t act anything like her. You see me and turn away, leave the room, or speak to someone else. Have I become invisible to you, or are you truly not the same Ginny I met months ago?” He finished circling around her to stand a mere foot away, his arms crossed in front of his chest, feet spread shoulder width apart.

She would’ve laughed if being so close to him didn’t make her feel so defenseless. Her feelings for him had grown to an unrealistic degree, frightening her in a way she never expected. Ginny knew her lack of experience left her ill-prepared to defend herself from a man like Luke—charming, smart, handsome, and without a shred of desire to settle down with one woman. In her mind, she had no choice.

She dug deep inside to calm her voice and gripped her shaking hands in front of her. “I’m the same Ginny, except I’ve figured out what I want and what’s best for Mary. A man like you doesn’t fit our future, as I’m sure I don’t fit yours.” She saw his eyes narrow as his jaw tightened, and she knew she had to get out what needed to be said, and fast. “I have plans and you aren’t a part of them.”

Luke’s heart thundered in his chest. He didn’t believe a word of what she said. He needed to stay focused, keep his wits about him, and find a way to break through the wall she’d built between them. Knowing she’d never been able to resist his touch, he lifted a hand, intending to stroke his knuckles down her face, hoping she’d lean into him as she’d done in the past. Instead, she took a step away.

“Stop, please. I can’t do this anymore, Luke.”

“Can’t do what?” The furrowed brow and stunned expression conveyed the confusion he felt.

“Let you muddle my mind by trifling with me.” She crossed her arms under her chest and took a deep breath. “You’re a handsome, charming rogue, Luke, and I realize flirting with me means nothing to you. You’ll choose Pinkerton assignments and travel over a permanent life on the ranch.” Her eyes darted around the barn as she searched for the right words.

“Oh, you’ll fulfil your commitment to Dax. You aren’t a man who’d ever shirk his duties. Yet you aren’t the kind of man to ever settle down, fall in love with one woman, and feel as if your life is complete. The next telegram from Pinkerton will drag you away, forcing you to make a choice between the ranch and family, or an assignment. I’m a convenience for you, nothing more.”

Her words stunned him into silence. He had no idea how to respond since most of what she said was true, or had been until he’d come to terms with his feelings for Ginny. He let his arms drop to his sides, then turned to pace a few steps away, hanging his head and trying to clear his mind. If he’d been able to sort through his feelings sooner, they may never have come to this place, where she felt pushing him from her life was her only choice. He turned around to face her, seeing the same pain he felt reflected in her face.

“You’re wrong about me, Ginny. I’ve changed. So much about me is no longer the same. My feelings for you are much more than you believe.” His soft, rough voice pierced her heart, even as she knew her decision had to be final.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, ready to end this when the sound of a horse and rider reining up outside drew their attention. They heard someone dismount and dash up the porch steps, then pound on the door.

“Is Luke around?”

Luke recognized Bernie Griggs’ voice. He owned the Western Union and postal service in Splendor, and never rode out at night unless he held an urgent message.

“He’s in the barn.” Dax headed in that direction with Bernie.

Luke sent an apologetic look at Ginny. “I’d better go see what Bernie wants.” He took a couple steps, then stopped. “We aren’t done with this conversation. In fact, we’re a long way from being done.”

“Evening, Luke. Sorry to bother you so late, but I got an urgent message from Big Pine.” Bernie handed the telegram over.

Luke held it in his hand, afraid he knew what it contained, and knowing it would add more confirmation to Ginny’s concerns about him. He tore it open and read it twice, then looked up at Dax.

“I have to go to Big Pine. Dutch got approval for me to help with what they believe will be a raid on a gold wagon in a couple days.” He saw reluctant acceptance on Dax’s face and felt guilt rip through him. “If I hadn’t already committed to helping them, believe me, I wouldn’t leave.” Luke shot a look at Ginny, wanting her to understand why he had to go. Instead, her face held no emotion at all. “Bernie, would you send a reply that I’m on my way?”

“Sure will, Luke.”

He glanced back at Dax. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Big Pine, Montana

Rick startled at the sound of robust pounding on his door, tempted to ignore it. He’d just returned from Felicity’s house, having spent the entire day with her. By next Christmas, if all went well, they’d be married and he’d be well out of the life he’d led the last few years.