Second Chance Ranch

She was a woman in need of protection. But trust is the one thing feisty Grace “Red” Henderson is sure she’ll never give to any man again—not even the cowboy who rescued her. Still, Ward Walker longs to protect the wary beauty and her little sister—in all the ways he couldn’t safeguard his own family.

Red desperately wants to put her tarnished past behind her. Little by little, Ward is persuading her to take a chance on Eden Valley, and on him. Yet turning his practical proposal into a real marriage means a leap of faith for both…toward a future filled with the promise of love.

“Seems to me friends help each other.”

Neither of them broke from staring at the other. Neither of them relented from their position.

“You got an objection to being friends with me?” Ward asked.

Red sniffed. “Seems to me friends don’t push at each other, making impossible demands.”

“Push? Impossible demands? Red, I have no idea what you are talking about. All I’ve done is rescue you and Belle from Thorton, bring you to a safe place and make sure you’re taken care of. How is that pushing and making demands?”

She sniffed again and gave him a look dripping with disdain. “I guess it meant nothing to you, but I recall a kiss or two.”

He gave her a look rife with disbelief. “Didn’t see you resisting.”

“Maybe,” she said with annoyance in every syllable, “I was just being polite.”

This was not going at all the way Ward had planned. Red was supposed to welcome his offer of friendship, admit that a kiss or two was appropriate, see that his desire to help was genuinely generous. Maybe even confess to liking, to even a small degree, that she liked having him around.…

LINDA FORD

lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada. Growing up on the prairie and learning to notice the small details it hides gave her an appreciation for watching God at work in His creation. Her upbringing also included being taught to trust God in everything and through everything—a theme that resonates in her stories. Threads of another part of her life are found in her stories—her concern for children and their future. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids and assorted friends and relatives.

The Cowboy’s

Convenient Proposal

Linda Ford

www.millsandboon.co.uk

In him we have redemption through his blood,

the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the

riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us

with all wisdom and understanding.

—Ephesians 1:7

Don’t we all need God’s grace in our lives?

This book is dedicated to those I love

who are in need of a special awareness

of God’s grace and love and forgiveness.

I won’t name names, but you know who you are.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

Eden Valley, Alberta

July 1882

Ward Walker wanted nothing more than to get back to the ranch. He’d spent the better part of three days locating a man and delivering a message from his boss about purchasing a prize stallion.

With no interest in the men crowding the saloon nor what they were so concerned about, he sat back waiting to get something hot to eat before he headed back.

“I perceive you are all anxious to see Red.” The man to his right lifted a bowler hat from his pomaded hair and held it out. “You willing to pay?”

Each hand dropped in a coin.

He waved the hat toward Ward.

“Ain’t interested,” Ward said, not bothering to keep a growl out of his voice.

The man roared with harsh laughter. “You’ll change your mind soon enough.”

“Doubt it. I’m just waiting for a dish of stew.” In his twenty-three years he had learned to stay away from trouble as best he could.

As if summoned by Ward’s words, the barkeep swung from the back room with a bowlful of steaming food. Ward turned his attention to his meal.

The man shook the coins from his hat into his palm and pocketed them. Grinning widely, he bellowed, “Red.”

The silent expectation in the room held Ward’s interest despite his vow that he cared only about eating.

“Aw, Thorton, she ain’t coming,” one disgruntled cowboy murmured. “I want my money back.”

“She’ll come. She knows what to expect if she don’t.” The way the man smacked his fist into his palm sent tension crawling up Ward’s spine, the words bringing with them memories of another time, another man who said similar things and followed through with fists or boots, or anything he could lay his hands on.

“Red. Get out here. Now.” The harsh voice practically stole Ward’s appetite. But he had to eat to survive so he took a scoop of the succulent stew.

The gray blanket hanging crookedly in the doorway on one side of the room full of crowded tables fluttered. The men cheered and from behind the curtain stepped a woman with flaming-red hair in a mane of curls down her back. Her blue-green eyes flashed rebellion, as did the set of her mouth. She pulled a man’s shirt closed across her front.

“Girl, shed that shirt.”

The girl scowled fiercely.

“Need I remind you...?” The man’s chair squawked back.

The girl shuddered.

Ward’s fists curled as she shrugged out of the shirt to expose a red dress with a bodice that was far too revealing. Her skin flared bright pink.

“That’s better. Now give us a little dance. And smile.”

Red speared the man with a look so full of heat that when Ward jerked toward him, he thought he’d see scorch marks on his face. Instead, all he saw was a leer. Ward couldn’t decide the man’s age. Somewhere between his own and already worn out. The man had a clean-shaven face and wore a black coat that looked as if it might have belonged to a preacher, but the narrow set of his eyes and the humorless smile convinced Ward that the man was no preacher.

Red turned, revealing pale shoulders. Her dress didn’t quite cover a red streak the width of a belt in the center of her back.

He didn’t need such evidence to know that man named Thorton beat the woman, but seeing the bruise filled Ward with rage. He jerked to his feet, sending his chair skidding away. He’d walked away from this kind of abuse once before. He’d regretted it every day since. He would not walk away again. Not even from people he didn’t know and who were none of his business.

Thorton jerked about at the noise of Ward’s sudden rise. “Something bothering you, boy?”

“You beat this woman.”

Thorton laughed. “Only way I can get her to do what I say. She’s a bit headstrong, you might say. Ain’t that right, fellas?”

The raucous laughter of the men fueled Ward’s anger until it burned like an out-of-control forest fire. He was long past being reasonable and keeping his nose out of trouble. “I don’t aim to stand back and allow some poor woman to be used as a punching bag.”

“Is that a fact?” Thorton grinned. “Now ain’t he a feisty little rooster?”

Ward caught Red’s startled look, then she shook her head hard. As if telling him to leave it alone.

But he could not. Would not. “I’m telling you to let her go.”

Thorton grabbed Red’s arm. She cringed, then straightened and faced him squarely, defiance blaring from her eyes. But Ward knew it was only a defensive gesture. One he had grown familiar with. You can beat me all you want but you can’t control my mind.

“She’s mine,” Thorton said. “I do with her as I please. Besides, I have a duty to control her. The good book says—” The man puffed up his chest as if expounding words of utmost importance “‘—A man should rule his own household.’ I aim to do exactly that.”

Ward stepped closer. He had no plan. He didn’t know if Red was the man’s lawful wife or not. He only knew he would not allow the abuse to continue.

From somewhere a gun appeared in the hand of a man to Ward’s left, leveled at Ward. “We paid to see her dance.”

Ward hesitated, his gaze slowly shifting from the gun back to Red.

“This the way you want it, boy?” Thorton shoved Red away. She stumbled. Ward reached to stop her fall but she spun about as smooth as a fox and pushed the tipped chair of the nearest man, sending him crashing to the floor. Several men tumbled like dominos. The gun went off. Bedlam erupted.

Ward glanced down at himself. Saw no blood. He looked for Red. She was sprawled flat-out, a bright pink stain on her skirt.

“That’ll bring the Mountie,” a man near the door bellowed.

Men scattered, bursting through the door. Ward figured they must have about bowled over anyone approaching the saloon. Horses pounded away. Thorton had slipped into the back room. Only Ward and the saloonkeeper remained. And Red.

“Best get her out of here,” the saloonkeeper said.

Ward didn’t pause to ask questions or wonder. He scooped Red off the floor and beat it out the door. He scrambled to the back of his horse, Miss Red in his arms. No one asked him what he was doing or challenged his actions. Without a backward look he headed for home.

The bloodstain on Red’s dress spread but his sense of decency forbade him checking it. Unless her life seemed threatened, and it didn’t. He explored her scalp with his fingers, found a knot the size of an egg and discovered her tangled curls felt all springy and satiny under his fingers.

“I’ll take you home and turn you over to Linette,” he said. Linette was his boss’s wife and she took in strays and injured people, fixed them up and made sure they had a safe place to continue their lives. “What with Eddie—that’s the boss—and the other cowboys, I don’t expect you’ll be bothered by Thorton again. Sure hope you’re not married to that man or we’ll have to deal with the law.”

He urged the horse to a trot. He longed for a cool breeze, but the heat of midsummer beat down on them.

If he rode steady he could reach the ranch by the evening. At least with the long summer days there would still be some light. Not that he feared getting lost. ’Sides, if he did, the horse knew his way home.

Red moaned and clutched her head. She’d be confused when she came to, so he tightened his arms around her waist to prevent her from falling.

He knew the precise moment her senses returned. She stiffened like a rod. If he hadn’t expected some sort of reaction, she’d have shimmied right out of his arms and likely landed on her head again, or under the horse’s hooves.

“Relax. You’re safe. Got a little gunshot wound, but I think it’ll wait till we reach the ranch.” He realized she hadn’t heard his earlier words about Linette and Eddie, and repeated them, then gave his name.

She squirmed about to direct those green eyes at him. None of her defiance had faded. “Put me down right this minute.”

“Ma’am...miss...you don’t have to worry anymore. ’Less you’re married to that—” Best not call him a beast just in case “—that man.” He realized women married scoundrels. Usually because the man in question tricked them with words of love. Love? He snorted softly, hoping she wouldn’t notice. Love made a person do foolish things. Made them regret decisions. Sort of messed up a man’s or woman’s thinking. He’d long ago decided it wasn’t for him. Nope. He’d accept responsibility, work and do anything for people he cared about. But he would not allow his heart to rule his head.

She made an unladylike noise. “We are most certainly not married.”

“Then you’re safe. I’ll take you to the ranch.”

“I do not want to go to your ranch.”

“It’s not mine—”

“Put me down this instant. Or better yet, take me back.”

“You’re safe with me.”

She exploded into a ball of flailing legs and arms. Managed to scratch his cheek before he could corral her arms. She kicked the horse, sending him into a panicked bolt.

“Whoa. Whoa.” Ward had to turn his attention to getting the horse under control before they both ended up on the ground miles from home. It should have been easy, but Red made sure it wasn’t. He couldn’t hold both her and the horse with only one set of hands, and she slipped under his arm and jolted to the ground.

“Ooh.”

No doubt she’d felt the pain of her wound, but he didn’t have time to give her more than a passing thought as he fought to calm the horse. “Settle down. You’re okay.” Free of Red’s vicious kicks, his mount settled.

Ward turned to see how Red fared. Her skin had turned pale as a sheet. Yet she flashed him continued defiance. He was beginning to understand the peculiar frustration of dealing with Red. He rode to her side and offered a hand. “Come on, get on and I’ll take you—”

She slapped him away. “I’m going back.” She slapped the horse on his withers.

Ward held the horse under control. “Look, lady. You’ll be safe from Thorton where I’m taking you.”

She took a step, wavered. He kind of figured she was a little dizzy and probably her leg hurt some.

“Leave me alone.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He kept pace at her side as she took another step and another, continuing to sway like a tree before a brisk north wind. Only difference being a tree had roots that anchored it to the ground. Red had no roots, no anchor. Nothing to keep her from toppling.

He figured he’d be there when she went down.

She paused, sucked in air, pressed a palm to her eyes and slowly folded to the ground.

Ward jumped down and scooped her up. “Here we go again.”

She moaned. Her eyes fluttered and she sank against his chest. She’d be a whole lot less trouble this way, but for all he knew she was bleeding to death under that crimson-stained dress.

He kicked the horse into a gallop. “Let’s get home as fast as we can.”

Red struggled briefly and ineffectively twice more before he topped the last hill. Thankfully the little town of Cross Bar wasn’t any farther away. But at least it was far enough to discourage frequent visits. Maybe far enough to keep Thorton from riding after him.

He sauntered past the empty winter pens, thudded over the bridge and passed the new house where the foreman, Roper, lived with his new wife and the four children they’d rescued and adopted. Through the kitchen window, Roper saw him pass, lifted a hand in greeting, then saw Ward had his arms full and leaned closer.

The bunkhouse lay in darkness. The men would be out with the cows or sleeping.

He glimpsed the empty table in the cookhouse as he passed. His stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten more than a mouthful of that stew back at the saloon. Maybe Cookie would rustle up something for him.

He continued up the hill toward the big house. As he drew closer, he saw Linette and Eddie through the window. Eddie glanced up as he’d heard the sound of Ward’s approach, and went to the window. Ward waved and motioned toward the woman in his arms.

Eddie turned away and strode from the room, Linette in his wake. By the time Ward reached the door, they had flung it open.

“What do you have there?” Eddie called.

“Woman named Red. She’s been shot.”

Linette sprang forward. “How bad?”

“Haven’t had a look. It’s her leg.”

“She’s unconscious?”

“Off and on.”

Linette reached for Red, but Ward didn’t release her until Eddie took her and strode into the house. Ward leaped from his mount and followed.

“I ought to warn you. She’s a little feisty.”

Eddie chuckled. “Seems pretty standard behavior around here.”

Linette’s look held both denial and affection. “Let’s get her into a bed so I can see how badly hurt she is.”

Ward followed as far as the hallway leading to several bedrooms. He plucked his hat from his head and watched Eddie duck into the doorway Linette indicated. “She’s in good hands now. I’m going to see if Cookie has anything for me to eat.”

Linette turned. “Wait. Who is she? Where did you find her?”

He twisted his hat. He knew nothing about her except her name and he wasn’t even sure “Red” was her real name. He’d simply rescued her from a man who ruled with his fists or a belt...likely both and other things as well. “All I know is her name’s Red and she was in a bad situation.”

Linette studied him a moment, then nodded. “She’ll get the attention she needs here.”

Ward slapped his hat to his head and headed out the door. He cared for his horse, then went to the cookhouse to seek something to fill the hollows of his hungry stomach.

Only as he ate the generous plate of mashed potatoes and gravy and thick slices of beef, raised right on the ranch, the food failed to satisfy the emptiness around his heart that he seldom acknowledged...that he’d carried since he’d walked away from his brothers and left them to deal with a situation that mirrored the one he’d found Red in. Sure he’d done it for the right reason, figuring the beatings would stop if he left.

But how could he be certain they did? Would he ever see his brothers again? Or his mother? Love had made her blind to the faults of the man she’d married a few years ago as a widow. The man who became Ward’s cruel stepfather. Again he reminded himself, love made a person unable to see the facts.

He pushed the plate away and bolted from the table.

* * *

Red sat upright so fast her head spun and pain shot clear through her brain. “Oww.” She pressed her palms to her head. “That hurts.”

“Take it easy.” Cool hands touched hers. “You’re safe here.”

Safe? Was it possible? “Where am I?” She glanced around the unfamiliar room. She lay on a bed with a small table across her knees. This certainly wasn’t a room she’d been in before. Dark green drapes hung at the sides of a window. Brilliant sunlight spilled into the room. The bed was covered in a bright quilt full of swirls of color. She stole a glance at the woman before her. “Who are you?” The woman had plain brown hair. Oh, how Red wished her hair was brown and straight and would stay in a tidy bun. The woman smiling at her had the gentlest eyes she’d seen anywhere since Mother died. Red’s throat clamped at a rush of regrets sweeping over her.

“I’m Linette Gardiner. You are safe in my home. I’m guessing you have your memory back. Perhaps you can tell me a bit about yourself now.” She removed the bed tray on which rested a half-full cup of tea. Red had no recollection of having drunk the top half but it seemed she must have.

“My memory back? How long have I been here?”

“Two days.”

Two days. Her blood burned through her veins with desperate urgency. She tried to swing her feet to the floor and fell back as pain ripped through her head and leg.

Linette caught her hand. “Sit back and relax. You’re injured.”

“Am I alone?” She moved her head gingerly, ignoring the pain, as she checked out every corner of the room.

“You are alone and safe. I know your first name is Red, though I suspect it is a nickname. Can you tell me your full name?”

“It’s—” She paused.

“Don’t push it if you can’t remember. I’m sure your memory will return in good time.”

Her memories were intact. She was Grace Eileen Henderson, eighteen years of age. But her name no longer fit. “Red Henderson.” She had a little sister, Belle, who was eight years old. Her lungs spasmed. She couldn’t get her breath.

“No need to be afraid.” Linette rubbed her shoulder and soothed her with a sweet voice. But the panic would not ease.

“I have to get back.” Without Red’s protection, what would be happening to Belle?

Linette sat back and studied her. “But why? Ward told us how that man treated you.”

She couldn’t tell the real reason. They wouldn’t understand. No one would. Her situation would only make good people like Linette view her with even more alarm than she did now. “Where’s my dress?”

“You’re welcome to keep the one you’re wearing.”

Red rubbed the soft cotton of the muted brown dress. No doubt the color would also mute her coloring, stealing some of the red from her hair, turning her complexion muddy. More than enough reason to wish for many more dresses the same. But she could just imagine how Thorton Winch would react to her wearing an outfit that covered her from neck to wrists to ankles. A great lump of longing swelled within her. If only she could own a dozen such dresses. “I would like my own gown back, if you please.”

Linette hesitated a moment, then nodded. “Very well. I shall get it.” She slipped from the room.

As soon as she was gone, Red pushed carefully to her feet and waited for the dizziness to pass. Ignoring the pain in her leg, she made her way to the window. The scene spun crazily. But she squinted to focus. She was in the second story of a house that sat on a hill overlooking a large collection of other buildings. This must be the ranch that cowboy had talked about. She eyed the barn and the horses corralled outside it. A cowboy with a rolling gait moved among the horses. She studied him. Was it the man who had kidnapped her? She’d tried to escape his clutches on the way here. Would he likewise try to prevent her from leaving?

She could not allow it.

“Here it is.” Linette stepped into the room. “Oh, you’re up. You shouldn’t be.”

Red cautiously turned to face her. The red satin dress hung over her arm. “I’m fine.”

“I regret I couldn’t get all the stain out.” She showed the dress with a faded brown stain on one side.

“Thank you.” She clutched the dress to her as if it were something treasured. But it wasn’t that she cared about the dress. Only about not provoking Thorton. Bile rose in her throat. Oh, how she regretted her gullibility. She’d trusted the man when he said he was a preacher and could take her and Belle to his sister. They’d be safe, he promised.

He’d lied. She’d never again trust a man.

She shuddered. Two days. What had happened to Belle? She must leave.

“I heard she was feeling better.”

A man’s voice pulled her attention to the doorway and her cowboy rescuer. He’d given his name as Ward Walker. He was solid-looking with a thick thatch of black hair.

“You.” She managed not to spit the word out.

He grinned. “Yup. Me. Glad to see you have your memory back.”

For two heartbeats she wished she didn’t, but the alternative was unthinkable. “Don’t expect me to thank you.”

He chuckled. “Yup. I see you’re back to normal. You were mellow when you didn’t remember your name.” He shot a triumphant look toward Linette. “I told you she was feisty.”

Feisty? He had no idea how quickly she’d learned to keep her opinions and objections to herself. She had to return to Thorton. There was no alternative. She would demand transportation back this moment, but the room suddenly tipped to the right and black folded inward from the corners.

Ward rushed forward and caught her before she hit the floor. “You’re too weak to be up.” He carried her to the bed and eased her down on the pillows.

For some reason her fingers refused to release him. She clutched his shoulders, finding strength and steadiness there. That was all it was, she reassured herself. Holding on to him kept the world from spinning.

“You’re safe here. No one will hurt you.” His intensely blue eyes drilled straight through her, invading her mind, probing her heart. If only she could accept his words, allow herself to settle back and feel safe.

But she had Belle to consider. Besides, no decent man would ever look at her without judgment or lust in his eyes. She’d performed dances that made her grateful her mother couldn’t see. And men touched her, their hands soiling her soul every bit as much as Thorton’s belt damaged her body.

“I can’t stay,” she murmured, unable to break from his promising gaze. “Please take me back.”

He straightened. “Never.” His eyes blazed. “I saw how that man treated you.”

She lowered her gaze. “I can take it.”

He perched on the edge of the bed. “I understand how you fear him, but there is no need. He can no longer harm you. No one here will let him.”

Linette murmured agreement.

“So you rest and get better. Things will sort themselves out. You’ll see.” He patted her hand.

She nodded. Obviously she was going to get no help from him or likely anyone here. They all saw themselves as noble rescuers. But she would find her way back. She must.

Ward watched her closely. “Your coloring is coming back. That’s good.”

Self-consciously she brushed her hands over her hair. For half a wooden nickel she would shave off that offensive red hair. Wouldn’t Thorton find that idea just lovely? “I’d like to get up now.”

Ward shook his head. “Think you better give your head a chance to get back to normal.”

“For all you know, this is normal.” He knew nothing about her or her circumstances and she was happy to leave it that way.

Ward’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “You forget I saw how nimble you are on your feet.”

He was too close, too big, practically blocking everything else from view. “I still am. Let me show you.” She shoved him aside and swung her feet to the floor, feeling the blood drain from her face. Her skin grew clammy. No way could she stand up without clutching support. For sure she couldn’t do anything nimble. But he didn’t need to know it. She pulled in a breath, sucked strength from it and forced her legs to hold her upright. “See? I’m fine.”

But by the way Ward hovered at her side and the anxious look on Linette’s face, she knew she had not convinced them.

“I’ll just sit a moment on that chair.” She indicated the hardback chair a few feet away.

Ward jerked it closer. She didn’t know if she should be annoyed that he didn’t think she could walk that far or grateful that she didn’t have to prove she could. Her knees waited until she reached the chair before they buckled. Still she sat straight, trying hard to convince everyone in the room she was okay. It was hard to say if either of the others thought she was fine. She knew she wasn’t.

She could not make it back to the saloon without help.

Help was not to be found from Ward or Linette.

Where would she find it?

“I’ll let you handle her.” Ward nodded toward Linette and headed for the door. He paused, turned to consider Red. “I’m glad you’re on the mend and hope you’ll soon feel safe here.”

She scowled at him with all the strength she could summon from her uncooperative body. What right did he have to come into her life and complicate matters? He knew absolutely nothing about what was at stake.

She could not continue staring at him. It made her head hurt like fury. She settled for simply nodding—let him think what he wanted from that—then lowered her gaze and studied her fingers, noting how they twisted together until there were spots of white and red. Let them think what they wanted about that, too. Put it down to tension or pain. They would never guess how worried she was.

Ward finally left, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

Determination filled her, giving her strength to remain sitting upright. “I’m fine,” she insisted.

She had to get her strength back. But with Linette hovering, she couldn’t move. “I think I’d like to rest now.”

Linette hurried to her side and held her elbow.

She let Linette ease her to the inviting bed, and snuggled down like she meant to have a long sleep. Linette spread an afghan over her, then tiptoed from the room. Red sighed. It was tempting to close her eyes and give in to the lethargy of her body.

But that would not get her back to Belle.

She remained tense, waiting for Linette’s footsteps to fade, then she pushed herself to the side of the bed and took deep breaths to stop the dizziness. Holding carefully to the frame on the foot of the bed, she again made her way to the window and rested her forehead on the glass. Men went back and forth outside. Too many for her to slip away unnoticed. Even if she had the strength.

But she must find the strength somewhere. Somehow.

Too bad she no longer believed God would help her or she would pray for His intervention.

Chapter Two

“Boys.” Eddie stepped into the cookhouse as the cowboys ate their breakfast. “Red is missing.”

Ward dropped his fork and stared. Yesterday she could barely stand. Now she was gone?

Eddie continued. “Her room was empty when we got up this morning. I’m telling you, Linette is some concerned about her. Figures she’s lost her memory again and is wandering about, lost and alone. Or worse, passed out somewhere.” He scrubbed at his neck. “Boys, we have to find her before Linette gets it into her head to go looking. We can’t have that. Especially in her condition.” Linette was in the family way, and Eddie worried constantly about her.

Ward was already on his feet. “I’ll check the barn.” He was out the door while Eddie ordered men to various corners of the yard to search for the missing woman.

Ward raced to the barn. Had she wandered out in the dark? Fallen in the river? He shuddered as he imagined her alone. Further injured. Suffering. He’d rescued her from a harmful situation. He could only pray she hadn’t fallen into a worse one. The door squawked a protest as he pushed it open and stepped into the warm, dusty interior. “Red,” he yelled, wondering if she could hear his voice. Would she respond even if she did? He headed down the alley, paused at the first stall. It was empty. The horse that should be there was gone.

Gone? Had the animal let himself out? Probably not, since it was Moon that should have been in that stall and Moon liked the comforts of the barn too much to wander.

Suspicion crept into Ward’s thoughts. Red kept saying she wanted to go back. He went to the tack room and counted the saddles. Sure enough. One missing.

His jaw clenched. Even though he knew it was useless to search the rest of the barn, he did so. More out of wishing she was here than thinking she was. Then he headed back to the cookhouse. Eddie paced the floor, waiting for someone to return with good news to ease his wife’s worry.

“’Fraid I have bad news,” Ward said. “There’s a horse missing. And a saddle.” Even though Eddie looked ready to chew nails, he might as well tell it all. “There were small footprints in the dust. Lady-sized.”

Eddie groaned. “She stole a horse? Don’t hardly call that gratitude. Do you?”

Ward didn’t say one way or the other. “I’ll ride after her and get the horse.”

“You do that.”

Ward hesitated. Did Eddie want him to turn Red over to the Mountie as a horse thief? Though Ward was beginning to think the only place Red would be safe was behind bars.

“Just get the horse back.” Eddie spun about and paced to the far side of the room. He stared out the window as Ward waited. With a gut-deep sigh, Eddie turned. “And bring her back, too, or Linette will have both our hides.”

“Boss, you expect me to tie her to the saddle?”

Eddie grinned. “Ward, charm her into coming back.”

“Yeah, right.” So far neither charm nor superior strength had convinced Red she didn’t need to go back to that man Thorton. “Why in the name of all that’s right would she want to return?”

“I don’t know. Doesn’t make sense. He must have some hold on her, though I can’t imagine what it could be.”

Ward turned and headed back to the barn. Whatever Red’s reason, he intended to stop her. No way he could stand by and see a person subjected to the abuse he knew she received. As he saddled up, he prayed for a way to convince her. And, Lord, keep her safe. In her condition she could have fallen from the horse and received further injury.

Following her tracks presented no challenge and he galloped down the trail. The sun rose higher in the east, bringing with it the promise of heat.

Was Red in that silly dress she clutched in her arms yesterday? If so, she’d soon be burnt a matching color. Though anyone riding back into her situation deserved to suffer some misery. Might make her reconsider her decision.

But worry soon replaced his annoyance. And a large dose of confusion. He knew firsthand the pain and fear of living with someone who controlled with fists to the flesh and a belt across the back...or anywhere it landed. Why would she return to such a situation? Eddie said the man must have a hold on her. But Ward couldn’t imagine what that could be.

He settled into a lope. An hour later he glimpsed her in the distance and urged his horse to a gallop.

As he closed the distance, she turned, saw him and kicked poor old Moon into a jarring trot. Ward knew from experience how rough a ride Moon was and almost felt sorry for her.

He easily overtook her, grabbed the bridle and pulled them to a standstill. “What do you think you’re doing?” At least she’d chosen to wear the brown dress rather than the revealing red one.

“I’m going back where I belong.” Her green eyes blazed with defiance.

“You know the kind of trouble you can get into for stealing a horse?”

“About the same you will be in for kidnapping me.”

“Kidnapping!” She had to be joshing. “I rescued you.”

“Don’t recall saying I needed rescuing.”

He reached out and touched her back where he’d seen the red welts and knew a fleeting sense of triumph when she flinched. “You planning to tell me you like that kind of treatment?”

“Wasn’t planning to tell you anything.”

“I know what it’s like to have a belt used on me. I know what it does to your mind.”

Her eyes darkened. She pressed her lips together. For a moment he thought she might soften. Admit the pain. Relent. But then her shoulders went back and her chin went up and he knew she wouldn’t give in.

“Nothing touches my mind.”

Ward shrugged. “You’ll never convince me, ’cause I know better. Not only does it affect your mind, it affects your heart. Teaches you to build guards around it so no one can get in.”

“Speak for yourself.” She jerked away and urged the horse forward.

He grabbed the bridle again. “You ain’t going anywhere.”

She yanked at the reins, trying to get free. When that didn’t work, she slapped his hands, tried to kick his horse.

“Stop it.”

“Let me go.”

They stared at each other, both breathing hard. He knew his eyes were as hard and unyielding as hers, which blared brittle, green shards. “Why would you want to go back to such a situation?”

He could feel her measuring him, trying to gauge him. He could see her throat work as if she struggled to swallow.

Finally she nodded. “He has my little sister. Belle’s only eight.”

The words thundered through him. A person would do anything to protect a little sister...or brother. Hank was only six when Ward left, Travers, thirteen. He did a little mental arithmetic. That was seven years ago. How had time passed so quickly, silently...sadly?

He wished he could know if leaving had made it better for Hank and Travers.

“Has he hurt her?” Each word ripped a piece of flesh from his heart.

All the starch left Red and she sank forward. “You talk about how cruel treatment touches the mind and heart. I see it in her. But so far I’ve protected her from worse.” She scrubbed at her eyes. “I have to get back to her.”

He understood that there were other kinds of torture, especially for a little girl. He nodded and together they rode onward. “We need to get her out of there. You, too.” Though technically Red was out of the situation, he now understood why she would return. Why she felt compelled to.

“He will never let us go.”

He heard the resignation in her voice. But he wasn’t about to accept defeat. This time he would fight to make sure a man like Thorton could not continue to rule by the power of his fists. “Have you ever considered going to the Mountie?”

“Thorton never lets us out together unless he’s with us. If I ever went to the Mountie on my own, I fear what would happen to Belle.”

“I figured as much.” He considered the situation for the next few miles. “Here’s the plan. I’ll go with you to the Mountie and he’ll make Thorton release your sister.”

Red didn’t answer for a moment as she studied his suggestion. Finally she nodded.

He considered her from under the brim of his hat, wondering if she only pretended to agree. He was learning she didn’t easily go along with plans others suggested. More than that, he understood why she would agree to something with her mouth while dissenting with her mind.

The sun reached its zenith as they neared town. It blared down on them without pity. One of the first buildings was the Mountie station. A horse stood patiently at the front. Hopefully it belonged to the lawman. Their whole plan rested on him being there.

Ward swung from his saddle and hustled over to help Red dismount. He guessed from the way she pursed her lips she might have protested but reconsidered and allowed it with barely a hesitation and likely only because her leg hurt. But after she gained her feet she pulled away so they marched side by side toward the door. Ward fell back to let her step in first.

The Mountie sat behind a desk, writing in some sort of ledger. He glanced up at their arrival. Ward got the feeling he saw them both in detail but his eyes lighted on Red and he slowly rose to his feet. “Thorton said you’d been kidnapped. This man the one responsible?”

Ward’s neck tingled. His plan didn’t include getting arrested and maybe hung.

“He didn’t seem particularly worried about it, I might add. Said you’d be back soon enough.” The Mountie considered Ward from head to toe, no doubt silently examining him for a weapon.

Ward could assure him he carried no hidden pistol or knife. In fact, he kind of counted on the Mountie’s authority to accomplish what they needed. “I didn’t kidnap her. She was injured. I took her to a friend to be doctored.”

“That right, miss?”

Red dismissed his question with a wave of her hand. “I’m here to tell you the truth.”

“Always interested in the truth.”

“Thorton’s got my little sister under lock and key. That’s how he knew I’d be back.”

The Mountie came to rigid attention. “That’s a serious charge. One I intend to follow up on.”

“We’re counting on it.”

He grabbed his wide-brimmed Stetson. “Let’s go talk to Thorton Winch.”

Ward and Red trotted after the Mountie. Red would have burst into the saloon ahead of him but he pressed her back. “I’ll deal with this.”

Ward could feel Red’s hot impatience as they followed the Mountie inside. Mr. Winch jolted his chair to all fours when he saw the three of them. “Told you she’d be back.”

“She tells me you have her little sister locked up here.”

Thorton chuckled loudly. “She’s addled. Don’t know why I keep her.” But Ward saw the evil glint in the man’s eyes and knew he would beat Red unmercifully if he got his hands on her.

Ward didn’t intend he should get the chance.

“Have a look, Constable.” Thorton waved his arm to indicate the whole place was open to him.

“I’ll show you where she is.” Red stomped past Thorton, being sure to stay out of arm’s reach.

Ward and the Mountie followed.

Red threw open the door to a tiny room with a narrow bed against one wall. But the place was as clean and tidy as an unused manger. “She’s gone.” Before either man could think, she dashed back to the grinning Thorton and tried to claw his eyes out. “What have you done with her? Tell me.”

The Mountie peeled her off the man. “Sorry to bother you,” he murmured to Thorton.

Red broke from the Mountie’s grasp and raced outside.

Ward noted that Thorton appeared totally unconcerned. The man knew he had Red in his clutches.

Without a doubt his ace was Belle, Red’s little sister.

Where had he hidden her?

* * *

Red swallowed back a yard-wide wail as she stood in the center of the street. She stared the full length one way. Where was Belle?

She turned slowly and studied the other side of town. Slowly her thoughts settled. Thorton would not let Belle go if for no other reason than it forced Red to dance for the despicable creature who considered himself her owner. Belle was around here somewhere. Close enough that Thorton could mock Red’s frustration. She shuddered. He delighted as much in tormenting Red as in anything else.

Where would he hide Belle? Likely any number of men would help him. Men of the same quality as he. Like Mr. Shack, who ran the feed store. Or dirty Old Mike Morton, who worked at the livery barn. Mike had a little cabin behind the barn where the owner allowed him to live.

The perfect place to lock up a little girl.

Without a backward glance or a considering thought, she steamed down the street, crossed behind the store to avoid being seen approaching the livery barn. She reached the tiny cabin. Sure enough, it was locked solid and the windows were boarded up tight as a drum. She tapped the door. “Belle?”

Did she hear a rustling? “Belle?” She dare not call loudly and alert any of Thorton’s willing cohorts, but she was certain something—or likely someone—moved inside.

The padlock was solid. No way she could hope to break it.

The wood on the windows was thick and nailed to last eternity.

No willing tool stood ready for her use. She glanced toward the sky, her frustration longing to escape in a scream. But she bit back any sound.

She looked to the right and the left. Saw the woodpile behind the store. Where there was wood, there was an ax. Exactly what she needed. She clambered over the debris between the yards, found the ax with its head buried in a log, wriggled it loose and stomped back to the shack. Gritting her teeth, she swung the ax with all her might against the padlock. When it refused to give, she attacked the door. Chips flew but the door did not give way. Again and again she swung. If only she was stronger she could inflict real damage.

The racket brought Old Mike from the barn. “Whatcha’ think you’re doin’? That’s my house. Get away.”

When he tried to drive her off, she swung the ax at him.

He wisely backed off.

The storekeeper and several other men joined him in a knot.

“Someone fetch Thorton. He’ll put a stop to this.”

“Yeah. Seems he’s the only one who can make her behave herself.”

Their words lent power to her arms and she swung harder. Now she could see inside. “Belle, keep back. I’m going to free you.”

“Who’s she talking to?”

“She’s strange. Just like Thorton says.”

A whole section of the door gave way. Holding the ax ready to use as a weapon, Red poked her head through the opening. Belle sat shivering on a crude bed. “Belle, honey. It’s me. Come here.” She held out her arms.

Belle’s eyes were wide and staring.

What had these men done to her in the three days that Red had been missing? She swung about and faced them, the ax lifted like a sword. “Anyone touch either of us and I’ll leave you in pieces.”

The men kept back a safe distance.

She turned back to her sister. “Belle, come here. I’ll look after you. Just like I always do.”

Whimpering, Belle slipped from the bed.

“What’s going on here?”

Red slowly turned to face the Mountie with Thorton on one side and Ward on the other.

“She’s trashed my house.” Mike pointed. “Arrest her, I say.”

“Red, what are you doing? Give me the ax.” The Mountie gingerly reached for her weapon.

Red didn’t budge. Didn’t offer to release it. Nor would she until Belle was safe and sound. “Have a look for yourself.” She stepped aside and indicated the Mountie should look in the hole.

He watched her carefully as he edged forward. She kept her back to the shack as she watched the circle of men for any threat, but she knew the moment the Mountie saw Belle because of his indrawn breath. “Come on, child. You’re safe now.”

Red kept her eyes on Thorton. She saw his intention to escape and sprang forward, waving the ax.

Ward also saw his intention and grabbed an arm and twisted it behind Thorton’s back.

The Mountie lifted Belle through the opening. She glanced about at all the men and pressed her back to the shack.

Red dropped the ax and held her arms out. Belle hesitated a moment, then raced to her sister.

“Thorton Winch,” the Mountie said, “I’m arresting you for kidnapping and a number of other charges. Take a good look at the sky. You won’t get many more chances.”

As he was led away, Thorton turned to Red. “Don’t think this is the end. I’ll get away and I’ll find you.”

The Mountie jerked his arms. “You aren’t going anywhere.

“Mike Morton, you are under arrest, too. Ward, would you bring him along?”

Thorton gave Ward a look fit to cure leather. “I’ll find you, too, and make you regret your part in this.”

The Mountie pushed him along.

The men shrank away, muttering they didn’t know about a child. She expected most of them told the truth.

In a few minutes Red and Belle were alone.

“What are we going to do?” Belle whispered.

“We’ll be fine.”

“Who’s going to take care of us?”

“We’ll take care of ourselves.” She spoke so reassuringly she almost believed her words. But she had no money. No clothing except the dress on her back and grateful she was for the brown one Linette had given her. But they had their freedom.

“Let’s go.” She took Belle’s hand and headed out of town, a different direction than the one that had brought her back a few hours ago.

“Where we going?”

“To a new life.” One, she vowed, where she would never again depend on a man. Or trust one.

They marched bravely onward until Belle dropped to the edge of the trail.

“We’re lost. And I’m hungry.” Silent tears trailed down her pale cheeks.

Red hated those tears and that silent cry, even though she felt like sitting at Belle’s side and joining her in a good wail. Her leg hurt even though she’d looked at it closely when Linette changed the dressing last night and knew it was a minor injury. Her head pounded like a thousand horses kicking to be released. “We’ll be okay.”

Belle shook her head. Not that Red blamed her for not believing. She had no plan. No options. “Come on. We can’t sit at the side of the road feeling sorry for ourselves.”

Belle didn’t move.

Red dried her sister’s tears on the skirt of the brown cotton dress. “Something will work out. It always does, doesn’t it?” Even though she said the words, she could think of too many times when things had gone wrong to be convincing.

“Can I call you Grace now?”

Red looked past Belle to the low bushes beside the trail. “I’ll never be Grace again. Continue calling me Red.” She yanked on a lock of hair. Why had she been cursed with hair that drew unwanted attention?

Belle sprang to her feet. Her eyes widened as she stared down the road. “Someone’s coming.” She bolted for the bushes.

“Belle, wait.” But Belle didn’t slow until she was well out of sight.

Red shared her sense of panic. Had Thorton escaped? She squinted at the approaching rider. He led a second horse. That fact alone sent shivers up and down Red’s spine. Slowly she backed away, aiming for the opposite side of the trail as Belle. That way if Red was caught, Belle might hope to escape.

To what? Starvation in the wilds?

She spun about. Her head did not like the sudden movement and dizziness made her stumble and fall to her knees.

“Red. Hold up. It’s me.”

She recognized the voice. Ward. Interfering again.

But her annoyance was laced liberally with relief. Surely he’d give her a ride.

To where? She had no place to go.

* * *

Ward was too far away to do anything but kick his horse to a gallop, and watch helplessly as Red fell to the ground. The woman seemed to have a knack for getting into trouble. But right now he didn’t have time to analyze that observation. He had to take care of Red and her little sister. Where had Belle disappeared to?

He jumped from his horse and trotted over to Red who now sat on the ground, her legs drawn up, her face buried in her knees. He squatted at her side. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just turned too fast and fell.” She eyed him with squinting disfavor. “Could happen to anyone.”

He chuckled. “Yup. Happens to me all the time.”

She snorted. “Sure it does.”

“Well it does every time I have a blow to my head that leaves a lump the size of a turkey egg.”

She stared away.

He looked in the same direction. Saw nothing of interest. Some scraggly bushes along the trail, poplars with their lacy leaves dancing in the breeze, and further off, dark green spruce and pine. In the distance, the blue-gray Rockies. “Where you going?” Seemed to be nothing much out there for her to aim for.

“To freedom.”

“Yeah, sure. But where will you hang your hat?”

“No hat to hang.”

He guessed she had little of anything to hang. She’d left without pausing to collect her belongings. All she took with her was her little sister. Who—if he had to guess—hid from the sight of a man. No doubt men represented danger in her young mind. Maybe in Red’s not-so-young mind as well. “Even without a hat, you need a place. You can’t survive out in the open. Do you have any family?”

She didn’t shift her gaze. “Just Belle.”

“Uh-huh. Friends? Anyone who would give you a home?”

The look she gave him dripped disbelief. “Do you think if we did, we would have fallen into the clutches of a man like Thorton?”

“Guess it was a stupid question.”

“It sure was.”

He sank to his backside and drew his knees up in a pose that mirrored hers. Together they stared down the trail. “I got a place. Ain’t much. Just a tiny cabin. Someday it’s going to be more. Got plans for a big house.”

“What you want with a big house? You got a girl?”

“I got a mother and two brothers. It’s for them.”

“No pa?”

“He died.”

“Where are they now?”

Her question unleashed a tornado of memories, infiltrated with regrets and pain. “Back in New Brunswick. Travers is three years younger than me...” When he and Travers said goodbye, Travers swore he would come and join Ward when he thought Hank could take care of himself. The Travers he remembered never went back on his word. “Hank is ten years younger,” he continued. “He’d be thirteen by now. I ain’t seen him since he was six.”

She shifted to see his face. “How come?”

“I left.”

“Who is taking care of them?”

“My stepfather.” The man had vowed he loved Ma and the boys. Love! A word easily spoken. It meant nothing. Taking care of others was all that counted. That and kindness.

“Oh.” Her voice was small, tight. “That why you left?”

Something in her tone drew him. He met her probing gaze. “He didn’t care for me. Just me being there made him angry.”

Understanding flickered through her gaze. “He used a belt? Fists?”

He nodded, and in that moment they formed a bond—one based on the shared experience of abuse. He looked deep into her hurting soul, found a reflection of his own. He knew then what he must do. “I’ll take you to my cabin. You can stay there as long as you need.”

“What about your family? Aren’t you expecting them?”

He closed his eyes, shutting out her gaze, as a newer, fresher pain surfaced. “They aren’t answering my letters.” He’d had but three letters in the years since he left—two from Ma and one from Travers. Nothing in almost three years.

“Oh. I’m sorry.” A cool hand touched the back of his, and he jerked his eyes open. She pulled her hand to her knee and looked into the distance, but she’d touched him. Offered comfort. That tiny gesture slipped into his troubled heart and mind like a warm summer breeze full of sweet scents.

“So you’ll accept my offer?” He hoped she’d agree willingly. Let him help her and Belle.

She developed a keen interest in the blade of grass plucked from nearby. Her hesitation gave him plenty of time to reconsider, but rather than withdraw his offer, he silently begged her to accept it.

Slowly she turned and faced him. “What would you expect in return?”

The question sliced through him like she’d used the ax she’d threatened the circle of men with. Then the meaning of her words hit him with peculiar force. He sprang to his feet and backed away three steps. “I am not that sort of a man. I made an offer out of concern for you and Belle. I have no ulterior, despicable motives.” What had Thorton demanded of her? His cheeks burned to think of the sort of things that went on in the back rooms of a saloon. Some would see Red as soiled, ruined. But all he saw was a woman who needed help to escape a bad situation. He could offer that.

She didn’t lower her gaze, nor did her silent demand ease.

“If you accept my offer, it will be clearly understood that I—” he could think of no gentle way to say it “—I do not want repayment of any sort. My only concern is making sure you and Belle are safe from the kind of treatment you received at Thorton’s hands and that you have a place to live.”

Still she considered him, looking up from her seated position. He felt her careful examination of his words. Of him. As if she probed his thoughts, his heart. His very soul.

He met her gaze without once blinking. She would find him reliable, trustworthy, perhaps even noble so far as he was able.

Finally she spoke. “Very well. I will accept your offer until I can find something suitable that allows me my freedom and independence.”

Her answer was less than satisfactory. After all, he had no intention of infringing on her freedom, though she’d had none whatsoever until he intervened. She might remember that. And how much independence did she expect? She had neither means nor opportunity to pursue such. “I’m not asking to own you, only help you.” But at least she had agreed to use his cabin. “Then let’s get on our way. Where’s Belle?”

“Belle, come.”

Nothing.

“She’s afraid of you.”

“Now, that hurts. If you’d said she’s afraid of men, I’d understand, but you make it sound like it’s only me.”

“That’s because you’re the only man here. So at this point she’s only afraid of you.”

“Do you always have to win every argument?”

He might as well have accused her of some heinous crime the way she glowered at him. “I most certainly do not. Do you turn everything into a confrontation?”

“A what?”

“Yes. See, a simple comment about Belle being afraid of you becomes a—a—”

“Yeah. What?”

“A challenge. That’s what.”

He slapped his forehead. “I can see this is going to be a fun time.”

She slowly rose to her feet, planted her hands on her hips and stuck out her chin as she faced him. “Do you mean to say you will be residing in this cabin? Because I did not understand that part. If that is so, then I change my mind. We’ll find some other place.”

He groaned. “I will be living at the ranch. That’s where I work. But unless you have a means of getting supplies, filling the wood box, bringing in meat... Well, do you?”

She squinted without answering.

“I thought not. So I expect you’ll be happy enough to let me do that. Which—if you can bear the thought—means I will occasionally come by to perform those necessary tasks.” Suddenly the idea held a lot less appeal than it did just a few minutes ago.

“Just so long as we understand each other.”

“Oh, I think we do.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

Her gaze slid past him and her scowl vanished. “Belle?” Her voice grew soft, gentle, inviting.

Ward’s first instinct was to spin around, but remembering Red’s words that Belle was afraid of him—the way she’d said it still irritated—he stepped aside so he wasn’t blocking Belle’s view of Red and slowly, cautiously turned about.

Belle stood at the far edge of the road.

“It’s okay. He won’t hurt you.” Red’s words were as much warning to Ward as encouragement to Belle, and irritation scratched at his decision to help.

Ward let Belle assess him. Though the wariness never left her eyes, she crossed the road to take Red’s outstretched hand. She carefully kept Red between herself and Ward.

“He has a cabin we can use until we sort ourselves out.”

If not for Belle’s presence, Ward would have pointed out how she made it sound as if accepting his offer was a last resort. She gave no account of the fact it was a generous offer made from a concerned person. After all, he was preparing a place for his mother and brothers. Having Red and Belle there would be inconvenient should they arrive. But he already knew the frustration and folly of pointing out flaws in her words. Still, he couldn’t keep from murmuring, “I’m only trying to help.”

“You think that will be okay, Belle?” Red asked.

“I guess so.”

No one acknowledged his generosity, so Ward had to settle for feeling like poor-quality chicken feed. “Then let’s ride.”

He made his way back to the horses and left them to follow. Or not. Whatever they decided. He had done his best. Not much else he could do. But he knew he would not ride away and leave them at the side of the road even if the pair got it in their minds to turn all prickly.

Shoot. They were already more prickly than he cared to deal with.

He reached the horses and turned back to them, standing exactly where they were when he left. “You coming or not?”

Their hesitation was palpable. “I get it. You don’t want to come with me. But you don’t have a lot of options. And I don’t aim to leave you here. So let’s get moving.”

They sure did know how to look less than enthusiastic as they picked their way across the grass to his side. He cupped his hands to help Red mount.

Belle drew back, her fear as thick as stew.

“I have to lift you up to sit behind your sister,” he said, wanting to warn her before he touched her.

She nodded but her eyes flooded with wariness.

He grabbed her about the waist, heard her indrawn breath, felt her stiffen, but before she could reconsider he had her perched behind Red.

He swung into his own saddle and led the way.

“How far?” Belle whispered, likely meaning only for Red to hear.

“It will be almost dark before we get there.”

The sooner she learned that Ward meant her no harm nor posed a threat, the better for them all. How long before either of them felt comfortable with him?

Chapter Three

Belle’s arms clutched about Red’s waist. Feeling the fear and desperation in her little sister, she almost forgot the way her head pounded, the pain driving deeper with each thud of her mount’s hooves. She shivered, though the sun beat down with enough heat to bake biscuits on the dirt trail. Where were they going? She took some comfort in the fact it was the same direction as the ranch. She could always flee there for protection should the need arise. Of course that depended on how far Ward’s cabin was from the ranch. He rode a few feet ahead, leading the way. Why had he offered his cabin? Did he have an ulterior motive? Or was it born from knowing what it was like to receive the blows of fists?

She urged the horse forward until she rode at Ward’s side. “Where is your cabin?”

He pointed in the general direction of the ranch. Some help that was. Would it hurt the man to give exact directions?

“It’s nothing like Eden Valley Ranch. For one thing it doesn’t have the backing of a rich family back in England. Nor does it have the thousands of acres of the Eden Valley land grant. But I’ll be able to run enough cows and horses to make a good living.” He sat easy in the saddle as only a cowboy used to long hours on the back of a horse could.

Red shifted, wishing she could be half as comfortable. But her leg hurt almost as much as her head. She was tired and admittedly, a tad cranky. She didn’t need a cowboy to point it out to her.

Ward continued talking as if his cabin was the most important thing in the world. Maybe it was to him. For her, it was only a place she would go to because she had no other option. Resolve drove away a great deal of her discomfort. She would find a place as soon as possible. She allowed herself to dream a little. Wouldn’t it be nice if Belle could attend school and later, they could celebrate Christmas together in their own home? She’d trim the tree with red ribbons tied in bows of various sizes. There would be gifts. Nothing extravagant. Perhaps a new dress for each of them. Warm mittens. Woolen coats. Maybe she could splurge for one extravagance. A storybook for Belle and a book of poetry for herself.

Poetry? She mocked her dreams. How foolish. That pleasure belonged to the past. As did such dreams. She couldn’t afford half a penny candy let alone frivolous things. With every ounce of self-control she could muster, she jerked her attention back to Ward, who still talked about his place.

“I wanted to get a simple cabin built first in the hopes of persuading my family to join me. Once they’re here, I figured there would be plenty of hands to help make it larger. Next spring, I hope to buy enough cows to start my own herd.” His voice rang with hope and pride.

Red accepted that she had neither hope nor pride left. Nor was she bitter about it. Not with Belle safely behind her, Thorton locked up and a chance to make a better life for them.

“Red,” Belle whispered. “When did you eat last?”

She let the horse drop back and spoke low, hoping Belle would be the only one who heard. “Been a while. But we’ll manage. You and me, we’re survivors, remember? Nobody and nothing can defeat us. Especially not a little bit of hunger.”

“I have an awful big hunger.”

No doubt Old Mike never thought to feed a little girl. Red was glad Belle couldn’t see her face or she might guess at her anger. She could take all sorts of mistreatment, but it made her boil inside that people seemed to forget Belle was a child. Children should be protected, guarded, treated as gifts from God. They should never know anything but trust. “We’ll be okay. You’ll see.”

Ward slowed until he rode beside her. “We’ll rustle up some food soon.” He’d overheard them.

Seems the man was determined to stick his nose into everything she did. However, she was grateful for his help. Or was she? She gave a humorless smile. Not really. She didn’t want him or any man extending favors. If she never again saw another man or had to accept anything from a man’s hand, it would suit her just fine.

They continued on the worn trail. Grass whispered as the wind passed over it. Birds scolded the intruders. The gentle scent of pine trees filled the air. They climbed a hill, the Rockies rising up in the distance.

Belle leaned over to get a better view. “Are we going to live in the mountains?” Awe rounded her words.

Red thought of all the places a person could hide in that rugged expanse. She’d heard men tell tales of treacherous cliffs and impassable barriers, but they’d also spoke reverently of roomy caves, rushing water and ideal camping spots. Where a man could live forever in peace with a boundless supply of fish to eat and fresh water to drink. It sounded ideal to Red’s ears. Ward shifted in the saddle to answer Belle’s question. “We’ll be pretty close to the mountains. Some mornings it feels like you can reach out and touch them right outside the window. But the distances are deceiving. It would take a hard day’s ride to get to the foot of one of those giants.”

Despite her resistance to anything he might offer, he made the view from his cabin sound appealing. And the way his eyes flashed blue as if reflecting the sky back, Red found herself drawn into his description.

“Every time I see them out the window, I think of a portion in the Bible, one of the Psalms, ‘They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth and forever.’ Reminds me that God doesn’t change.”

Belle sighed heavily. “Red says we don’t trust God anymore, even though Mama and Papa said we always should.” The accusation in her voice brought a choking argument to Red’s throat, but she would not list all her reasons in front of Ward.

Ward pushed his hat back and gave Red an unblinking look. But rather than accusation or disapproval, she thought she saw sympathy. “Sometimes it’s hard to trust. Awfully hard.”

She couldn’t jerk from his gaze and, as it deepened, something warm and gentle seemed to brush against a dark and angry spot buried deep within.

With an effort, she shifted in her saddle, keeping her attention on things close by, ignoring the mountains. But again and again her gaze was drawn to the distance. If she could escape to the mountains. Find safety.

Resignation sighed into her soul. Ward’s cabin would have to do. For now.

If they ever reached this cabin.

She’d been half slouching in the saddle, weary from too much riding, too much struggle, too much life, but now she straightened and stared ahead, though she saw neither the mountains nor the narrow trail. What if there wasn’t a cabin? What if it was all a trick? Had she, in her desperation to escape Thorton’s clutches, fallen into a worse situation? She began to shake and sucked in air. She could not let Belle know of her concern. Whatever came, wherever this man led her, her first and foremost thought was to protect Belle.

Perhaps she should get Belle to slip from the horse now and hide in the trees. Then when she knew what lay ahead she could come back for her, either to take her to a real cabin or to escape into hiding. But the idea of abandoning Belle for any reason did not rest easy in Red’s mind. Instead, she would be attentive and prepared to take evasive action if things turned sour.

The sun ducked behind the mountains, sending rays of light upward into the sky.

“Look,” Belle said. “God is sending out fiery arrows to show us the way.”

Despite the knot of disbelief in her heart, Red couldn’t help thinking that’s exactly what it looked like. For half a second she let herself think her life could be different, that God was directing her to a place where she could forget the past.

But reality could not be wished away or fancied out of existence. She was headed into an uncertain future. Moreover she was Red. A woman who would forever be known as a saloon dancer. Many would question if dancing had been the only thing she did. It had been, though few would believe it. Seems Thorton wasn’t interested in anything more than forcing her to dance for others so he could collect the money he demanded before each performance. That and controlling her, humiliating her.

He’d never allowed any other man to go beyond touching. She shuddered at the memory of those harsh fingers feeling her. Then she forced herself to sit motionless so as not to alarm Belle.

“There’s the ranch.” Ward pointed.

Red pulled back on the reins. The horse stopped moving and Red stared. “You said we were going to your place.” It was the Eden Valley Ranch. The place she’d ridden away from before daylight. Had he tricked her?

He didn’t turn toward her, which was probably for the best. He might not like the suspicion and anger tightening her face. “Have to let the boss know I got his horse and saddle back.”

“What is he going to do?”

“Horse thieves aren’t treated kindly around here.”

“I have firsthand knowledge of not being treated kindly.”

He turned to consider her. “They’re usually hung.”

She pressed her hand to her throat. “So you’re really turning me over to a hangman? This was all just a ruse to get me to come along.” Belle’s hands dug into Red’s ribs. She shouldn’t let her anger make her forget to guard her words. “It’s okay, Belle. I’m not going to hang. Now or ever.” She yanked on the reins and jabbed her heels into her mount’s ribs. The animal jerked so hard, Red almost came unseated, and then it took off in a bone-pounding trot. She kicked again. “Faster, you lazy animal.”

But faster wasn’t something this horse understood. She’d do better to try to escape into the trees, and she pulled the horse off the trail. It went reluctantly, crashing through the brush. Red ducked to avoid branches. Belle clung to her, a high-pitched sound whistling from her.

The horse jerked to a halt and stood quivering, surrounded by trees. Despite Red’s urging, it refused to take another step.

“Get down, Belle. Hurry.” She held out an arm to help Belle to the ground, then dropped down beside her, grabbed her hand and raced into the trees. They were making too much noise. Ward would have no trouble tracking them. She stopped. “We have to be quiet.” To their right was a thicket of bushes. “There. Crawl in out of sight.”

Belle clung to her. “Me?”

“I’m coming, too. Hurry up.” They fought through the tangles and crouched on the ground. She wrapped her arms about Belle and held her tight. Red panted, the sound ragged and loud. She forced herself to breathe slow, deep.

The soft thud of horse hooves approached. The leather of a saddle squeaked.

Red didn’t move, didn’t release the air in her lungs.

No sound came from the horse or the cowboy. How long could she hold her breath? Her head felt funny.

“I know you’re in there and I’m not leaving.” Ward sounded so sure of himself that she wanted to jump out screaming and scare his horse so Ward would get dumped off.

She let the air whoosh out of her lungs. Stupid man probably wouldn’t get thrown no matter what she did.

“I’m not about to get myself hanged.”

Belle twitched and turned toward Red, her blue eyes big and full of fear.

“Nobody is hanging me,” she assured her little sister.

“I doubt Eddie will want to hang you.” Ward didn’t need to sound so regretful.

“You might as well come right out and say you consider it foolish for him to show any leniency.”

“Yeah, well, he hasn’t had to fight you every mile of the ride.”

“You tricked me.”

He groaned. “I thought you might like a meal. There’s little in way of supplies at the cabin.”

“I’m awful hungry,” Belle whispered.

Red considered her options. They were pretty unappealing. Either hide in the bushes while Ward waited, determined to take her to the ranch, or admit defeat. Either way, she was destined to go to the ranch.

“Let’s get out of here,” she whispered to Belle, and they scrambled from the bushes. She drew herself up tall and straight. She’d go to the gallows, she’d face her punishment. But no one would see a shadow of fear on her face.

“We’re ready.” She marched back to the trail where the horse munched on grass. Stupid animal. If it had run like a horse was supposed to, they would be far away now.

Ward swung to the ground and came to assist her back to the saddle.

She grabbed the saddle horn and pulled herself up without assistance, but as she reached for Belle, Ward swung her up. Red didn’t wait for Ward, but headed straight for Eden Valley Ranch and whatever justice Mr. Gardiner would mete out.

She kept her attention on the trail as they edged downward, passed empty corrals, clattered over a wooden bridge and turned toward the big house. But with each step forward her enthusiasm and determination weakened.

Ward drew abreast of her. “He isn’t going to let you hang.”

“I guess not. Who would look after Belle if he did?” Did she manage to keep a defensive note in her voice?

“I expect Linette would give her a home. She’s given Grady one.”

Red had seen a little boy previously but assumed he was Linette and Eddie’s son. “Good to know someone would show my sister some Christian charity.”

Ward sighed long and loud. “Linette is a very sweet, patient woman.”

He didn’t need to say what he really meant. That Red wasn’t. But before she could point out that it was hard to be sweet and patient under her particular circumstances, the cowboys poured from the building she knew to be the cookhouse. They didn’t make a sound.

“They’re staring.” Belle sounded scared.

“Guess their mamas didn’t teach them it was rude.” She kept her attention fixed straight ahead.

The door in the house up the hill opened and Eddie stepped out, Linette on one side and a little boy on the other. They waited as Ward escorted her toward them. They stopped ten feet from the watchful trio.

Ward swung from his horse. Red would have dismounted on her own, but her skirts made it awkward at best and with Belle pressed to her back, impossible. So she allowed Ward to grasp her by the waist and assist her. It meant nothing that his hands were steady, and his shoulders where she was forced to rest her hands, solid. As soon as her feet touched the ground she sprang away, brushing her skirt clear up to her waist trying to flick away the feel of his touch.

Ward’s eyes narrowed as if realizing what she did. Then he quirked one eyebrow and lifted Belle down so quickly she didn’t have time to protest. But she skittered over and grabbed Red’s hand, burying her face in the brown cotton of Red’s borrowed dress.

“It’s okay, honey. You’re safe with me,” Red assured her.

“With me, too,” Ward said, his voice so quiet she could almost persuade herself she didn’t hear. Just like she could almost believe he wasn’t more than a bit offended that she tended to put him in the same category as a man like Thorton. Not that she really thought he was. But still, he was a man and she and Belle were at his mercy and that of his boss. She intended to be cautious around them.

“I see you found them,” Eddie said.

“You have a child.” Linette sounded every bit as sweet and patient as Ward said she was and it almost made Red want to weep.

Ward turned to his boss. “This is Belle, Red’s sister. They both need a home. You have your horse and saddle back so if you’re okay with that, I plan to take them to my cabin.”

Linette sprang forward and grabbed his arm to shake it. “You’ll do no such thing. It’s isolated up there. They’ll stay here with us.” She reached for Red’s arm, but Red backed away.

Isolated sounded about right to her. “That’s very generous of you, but we’ve already accepted Ward’s offer.” Once Linette heard where Red had spent the last few months, she’d want her as far away as possible.

“I won’t hear of it.” Her eyes flashed determination.

Ward neglected to say his sweet, patient boss’s wife was every bit as stubborn as Red. Red allowed herself a moment of admiration for the woman before she rallied her arguments.

“Belle’s been through a difficult time. I think she needs some time alone to get over it.”

Linette studied Belle, who buried her face in Red’s skirts. Each breath released on a shudder. “The poor child.” She nodded as if she’d made up her mind. “If you think she needs time alone, then you can live in the little cabin across from the cookhouse.” She pointed to the place.

In the dusky shadows, Red saw a tiny log cabin facing the roadway that ran through the midst of the ranch buildings but tucked into a cluster of trees that went on and on to the river. It was almost tempting to live where she could dream of finding friends. But once they knew the truth, no one would accept her. Better to be isolated.

Linette, guessing at Red’s resistance, spoke to Ward. “I won’t hear of her living alone in your cabin.”

Red turned to Ward as well. “We had an agreement.” She kept her voice low, but knew from the flash in his eyes that he understood she wanted to jerk every word from her mouth and spear him with them.

Linette appealed to her husband. “Eddie?”

Eddie cleared his throat and spoke to Red. “I don’t know what your circumstances are, but in the future if you are in trouble and need help, I hope you will come and ask rather than steal a horse.”

She’d forgotten the threat of hanging. “I apologize. But I had to rescue my sister.”

“In that case...” He seemed to consider his next words. “I won’t seek justice, seeing as the horse and saddle have been returned, but I think you owe it to Linette and I to accept our offer.”

Linette grinned like the decision had been made.

Red sent a silent appeal to Ward, who shrugged.

“Can’t argue with the boss’s wife,” he said.

Red seemed to have little choice in the matter. But she vowed it would be temporary. Only until she found something else. “Thank you,” she murmured, managing, she hoped, to sound grateful as no doubt they all thought she should.

“I’ll show them the way,” Ward offered. “And make sure they have food.”

Linette thanked him, then turned back to Red. “I’ll check on you in the morning and see if you need anything. In the meantime, get settled, make yourself at home and have a good night’s sleep.”

Red allowed Ward to take the reins of her horse and struggled down the hill with Belle still glued to her skirt. Evening had crept in and filled the hollows, so she felt as she and Belle were alone with Ward.

A cowboy stepped from the cookhouse and Ward handed him the horses. Ward signaled Red and Belle to follow him to the cabin, where he opened the door and indicated they should enter.

Red took a step forward. She paused at the doorway, unable to make out the interior in the darkness.

Belle whimpered and pulled on Red’s skirt, hampering any further progress. Red extricated Belle from the material and tipped her face up. Even in the growing dusk, Red could make out Belle’s eyes—so wide they practically swallowed her face.

Red’s heart burned. Why should her little sister know such insecurity, such terror? Had Thorton’s treatment of the past few months, and before that, the death of their parents and Red’s attempts to support them, robbed this child of any childhood innocence and faith? “Belle, honey, what’s wrong?”

Her hand still clutching Red’s skirts, Belle lifted one finger toward the cabin. “It’s dark. Like that other place.” Her voice shook.

Red straightened, silently cursing herself for not taking into consideration where Belle had spent the past three days. In almost total darkness in an unfamiliar cabin. Not unlike the one they now faced.

Ward must have had the same realization as he sprang forward. “Wait there while I light a lamp.” His footsteps thudded into the darkness of the cabin.

Belle shuddered. “He’s disappeared.”

Red knelt and pulled her little sister into her arms. “No, honey. He’s only inside.”

A yellow light flickered and grew stronger. It shifted, making Ward’s shadow lurch like something alive. Belle squeaked in terror. Red feared Belle would shred the brown skirt as she squeezed her little fists tighter and burrowed closer.

“It’s a lamp, honey, so we don’t have to go into a dark room.”

The light steadied, grew larger as Ward headed for the door. He stepped out, the lamp before him. The yellow light filled his nostrils and highlighted his eyebrows, giving him a wild appearance.

Red swallowed a nervous giggle. “It’s okay—” She meant to reassure Belle but Belle didn’t hear her as she tore from Red’s side with a piercing scream and ran into the dark.

“Belle!” Red called, racing after her. “Belle, come back.”

But Belle continued her headlong flight.

* * *

Ward stared past the golden lamplight, trying to see where Red and Belle had gone. But the light effectively narrowed his vision to a tiny circle. Not that he needed to see to know what happened. His ears proved more than sufficient.

Belle had run screaming into the woods, Red in her wake.

Birds exploded from the trees at the noisy disturbance.

Belle’s fear of him, and Red’s distrust, were starting to wear his patience a might thin. He only wanted to help them. Get them away from men like Thorton Winch and that creepy guy with the boarded-up shack. Two or three times he’d considered he might have taken on more than he anticipated. His already tense jaw tightened further, making his teeth hurt. He would not abandon this pair, no matter how difficult they proved to be. One thing he’d learned...walking away was not the answer, even if he’d done so with the best of intentions.

He lowered the lamp and hurried after Red. She stood at the back of the cabin, calling into the darkness.

“What happened?”

“You.”

That was it. One word, chewed up and spit out like something dirty. “What did I do this time?” He didn’t care that he sounded put out.

“You looked like a monster the way the lamp flared on your face.” She gave a brief, humorless chuckle.

“Thanks.” He’d about had his fill of insults.

“Well, it’s true. You scared her whether you meant to or not.”

“Whether?” His frustrations of the day were about to boil over. “You think I might have intended to frighten her? What kind of a man do you take me for?” He held up one hand. “Don’t tell me. I don’t think I want to hear.”

“Good, because I don’t want to say something I might regret.”

He snorted. Not something he usually did around ladies. But seeing as she wasn’t acting like a lady, he didn’t think it counted. “Do you mean to say you sometimes regret what you say?” He expected she caught the way he emphasized sometimes and the way doubt dripped from his voice, but he was beyond caring what he said to this woman.

“Not often.” She gave him a look of pure defiance. “Now are we going to look for Belle or not?” She stomped away without waiting for his reply.

Great. Now the pair of them was going to wander around in the dark. If he’d known how much aggravation they would turn out to be...

Who was he fooling? He would still have done the same thing. He would have rescued Red even if she accused him of kidnapping. He would have followed her back to the saloon, confronted Thorton and, yes, offered them his cabin. Having her in Eddie’s cabin suited him even better. He’d be able to make sure she and Belle were safe.

He’d not done well on that front so far.

He had to find Belle. Chasing after her would serve no purpose. She’d just hide. But he recalled she’d complained of hunger. “I have an idea.”

“I hope it’s better than your last one.”

He wondered which idea that was, because so far he thought his ideas had been good. “What idea do you mean?”

“Holding the lamp to your face and scaring a little girl half to death.”

“That wasn’t— I didn’t— Oh, what’s the use? You’re determined to twist every word and action of mine into some sort of attack.”

She stepped back into the circle of light to glower at him. “I most certainly do not.”

“Uh-huh, you do. Now can you keep quiet long enough to hear my plan?” He paused for good measure. “Unless you’ve thought of one?”

Her glower deepened as she was forced to acknowledge she had not. “Go ahead. Talk.”

He chuckled. “Knew you wouldn’t admit you had no plan.”

“You gonna tell me this wonderful plan or flap your jaws?”

He grinned at her. “Like I asked before, you ever lose an argument? No, wait. What I mean—” He leaned closer until they were almost nose to nose. “Do you ever admit it?” The lamplight reflected in her eyes, filling them with something he hadn’t seen before—wasn’t sure what to call it. Perhaps fear. Or loneliness? Even though it was barely a shadow, hardly a hint, he knew it was there, and knowing, all resentment left him.

He straightened. “Belle is hungry.”

“So what? We’ve been hungry before. Expect we will be again.”

He decided it wise to refrain from saying they would not go hungry while they lived in this cabin. “I’m going to build a nice fire over there.” He pointed to where Eddie had dug a fire pit, lined it with rocks and placed logs around it at a safe distance to use as benches. “And start cooking up a meal. I’m guessing she’ll soon come out of hiding when she smells the great food I cook.” He grinned, meaning it as teasing. After all, he was a cowboy and only cooked out of necessity, and even then it was the simplest of fare. But at the way her eyes widened and the loudness of her swallow, he guessed she was as hungry as Belle. Right then and there he vowed to make the best meal he’d ever made.

He led the way to the fire pit and soon had a roaring fire going. Red reached out her hands to the flames. For the first time he considered she wore only a brown dress. Belle had on a shapeless gray thing that had seen better days. That observation coming from a cowboy who spent weeks in the same clothes indicated a large degree of wear and tear. Good thing he could count on Linette to help him on that score.

“You stay here. Maybe she’ll come back when I leave.”

Red’s gaze jerked from staring at the flames to look at him. “You’re going?”

“Just to get supplies.”

He dashed across the road to the cookhouse. “Cookie, quick, lend me a bottle of that meat you put up.”

Cookie crossed her arms and looked at him like he’d suddenly sprung a second head. “What for? My cooking not good enough for you?”

He jerked to a halt and swallowed hard. He had no desire to offend Cookie. “I’ve got two hungry females over there.” He gave a wave in the general direction of the cabin.

“Didn’t the boss send you out to bring back his horse and saddle? Instead, you come back with two women?” She sniffed her disdain.

“The horse and saddle are in the barn. Red and her sister are going to stay in the cabin.”

“A horse thief! Whose idea was that?”

“Linette’s.”

Cookie’s scowl disappeared in a wreath of confusion.

“They understand why she had to do it.” As quickly as he could, Ward explained how Red had to rescue her little sister. “And now she’s out in the trees, hiding in fear.” Before he finished, Cookie started filling a basket with jars of meat, bottles of preserved vegetables, fresh produce and some biscuits.

“You tell her to come over in the morning and I’ll have freshly baked cinnamon rolls.”

“I’ll tell her.” He grabbed the supplies and hurried back to the cabin. He dumped meat and vegetables into a cast-iron pot. As he worked, he thought of how Red looked and sounded scared when he said he was going. She’d unwittingly allowed him to see that she liked having him there, though she would deny it with every breath she had. Not that he intended to mention it. He would simply accept it as a step forward. Balancing the lamp in one hand and the makings of a meal in the other, he made his way back to the fire. No one sat beside Red or anywhere around the fire. “She hasn’t come back yet?”

Red shook her head. “Belle?” she called. “Come on, honey. It’s nice and warm here.”

“She do this often?” Ward asked as he fashioned a spit over the fire and hung the pot. He dug a hole nearby and dropped in several hot stones, put a pan of potatoes still in their jackets on top and left them to bake.

“Do what often?” He doubted Red tried to keep the challenge out of her voice.

“Run away.”

“Did you see the little room in the saloon? Well, that’s where she’s spent the last four months. Apart from when Thorton thought to take us out for a walk, and he made plenty sure to hold tight to her hand. So, no, she doesn’t do this often.”

“I’m sorry. I never realized, though I suppose I should have.” He’d seen the little room, even noticed how the window was barred, allowing only slits of light to enter. “She’ll have lots of chance to roam free out here.”

“Hope she doesn’t get lost.”

Ward thought it best to not echo his worry along the same line. After a bit the stew bubbled, and he moved it down the spit to simmer while the potatoes cooked. The smell of food was enough to flood his mouth with saliva. He’d eaten a fair-sized breakfast but nothing since. He guessed Red hadn’t eaten since the day before, and who could guess when Belle had last eaten. He hoped the aromas floating from the pot should soon bring her in. “How’s your leg feeling?”

“It’s fine.”

“I suppose your head is fine, too?”

“Yup.”

“Would you admit if it hurt like fury and your leg pained clear to your eyeballs?”

She laughed, a sound that startled him, expecting, as he was, another fierce argument. “I’ll admit it hurts some, but seeing as there’s nothing for it but to endure, doesn’t seem much point in bemoaning the fact.”

He’d told himself the same thing many times so couldn’t argue. Somehow hearing her say it made him like her just a little. “You will keep an eye on your leg and make sure it doesn’t get infected? If you see any sign of it, let me know. Linette will have ways of treating it.”

“I can manage on my own.”

“I was only being helpful.” He felt her wariness and recalled her earlier words. “And I don’t expect any form of repayment in return.”

“I would pay cash for the use of the cabin if I had any. I don’t. Nor do I aim to repay favors with favors.”

He sighed loud and long. “I would not take either.” He tested the potatoes with a fork. They were cooked. He trotted back to the cabin for dishes, paused to fill a bucket of water at the well. Back at the fire, he handed her two plates, forks and cups.

“Thank you,” she said.

He chomped down on his teeth to keep from saying it was good to see she had a measure of manners. “Call out and tell Belle the food is ready.”

“Belle. There’s food. It smells mighty good. Can you smell it?”

They both waited silently for a sound of the little girl. To his right, the grass rustled.

“She’s coming,” he whispered.

“Ward made lots of stew and there’s baked potatoes. When was the last time you had a whole potato?”

The grass rustled some more, then Belle hovered at the edge of the darkness.

“Come on, honey,” Red urged.

Belle darted glances at Ward as she made her way to Red’s side, going the long way around the fire to avoid having to pass him.

He tried not to let it bother him and failed miserably. Instead, he had to be content with handing them a heaping plate of food. He handed Red a potato. She took it. But when he held out one toward Belle, she shrank back. Red reached for it but Ward withdrew. He wanted Belle to trust him enough to take it from him. After all, he had provided the food. Besides, he was getting tired of being treated like one of the bad guys.

Belle’s fear was palpable, but so was her hunger. He offered her a towel. “It’s hot. Hold it with this.”

She snatched the towel, took another moment to consider the potato carefully, then, doing her best not to touch his hand, took it.

It was a start. Satisfied, he sat down with his own food. “I’ll say grace.”

He didn’t need to look at Red to feel her resistance. But Belle met his eyes steadily a moment before she bowed her head.

He prayed, and then they ate in silence. When he saw they’d cleaned their plate, he offered them another helping, which they didn’t refuse.

The evening deepened. Despite the warmth of the fire, he felt coolness moving in. “I need to do my chores.” Though likely Slim or Roper had seen to them by now.

Red sprang to her feet. “You go. We’ll be fine.”

Ward picked up his hat from beside him and slammed it on his head. “What’s your hurry?”

“I didn’t mean...”

“Don’t bother backpeddling. But if you don’t mind, I’ll see that you’re settled in the cabin and the fire is dowsed before I leave.” He grabbed the lamp and strode back to the cabin. He set the lamp on the tiny table.

Red slipped into the room. “Guess you can’t blame me for being leery. I want to make it on my own. Owe no man anything.”

“I could carve it in the log by the table so you don’t forget.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Lady, my stepfather made no secret that my presence set his teeth on edge. So I walked away from my family because I figured if I left they’d be better off. But I’ve never known if it was so or not. Instead I wonder. And I regret leaving. My only reason for helping you is to make up for leaving my family. It’s nothing to do with you. So don’t think I plan to take advantage of you. You mention it again and I will carve ‘I want nothing in return’ in that there log.” He slapped the chosen place.

“Well, fine then. Just so long as we understand each other.”

“I’m pretty sure we do. There’s the bedroom.” He pointed toward the door. “There’s the stove. I can light it now if you think it’s too chilly in here, though likely you would then roast like trussed chickens. There’s food in the cupboard. Not much. I’ll be back with more in the morning. The place is yours.”

He headed for the door, which was all of three steps away, and Red bolted out of his way. He stopped to give her a long, steady look.

She lowered her head and mumbled something that sounded vaguely like “thank you.”

He nodded briskly and stepped outside. “Call your sister. I’m going to put out the fire.”

At her call, Belle dashed past him to join Red.

He carried the dishes to the cabin and set them in a pot without any comment, then grabbed a shovel from the corner.

Smacking out the lingering flames and covering the embers with dirt allowed him take care of most of his frustration.

He wondered if rescuing this pair would in any way ease his guilt about having left his own family, or if he had bitten off more than he cared to chew.

Chapter Four

Red and Belle stood silent and motionless as Ward called from outside, “Goodbye. Be safe.”

Red knew Belle didn’t breathe any louder than she did as they listened to him stomp away from the cabin. As the sound faded she strained, but couldn’t tell if she still heard his footsteps in the distance or if it was the pounding of her blood against her eardrums. So she waited, not daring to move until she was certain. It seemed he had truly left, and her breath whistled out.

“Is he gone?” Belle whispered.

“Yes.” Thankfully. She was grateful for his help. Truly she was. But she didn’t plan to accept more than she was forced to.

“Are you glad?” Belle asked, easing away from the dark corner as if still uncertain it was safe to do so.

“We’re finally on our own. Just you and me.” Apart from Linette and Eddie up the hill, a cookhouse and cowboys across the road and Ward, no doubt, flitting back and forth. She would have much preferred Ward’s isolated cabin, but this would do for now.

“I’m glad, too.” Belle turned to study the room. “We gonna sleep here?”

“Yup. Just the two of us. Let’s have a look around.” The room held a small stove that would serve as a kitchen range as well as a welcome source of heat on cold nights. There was a tiny table, two chairs, a shelf with a few supplies and a bookcase with a few odds and ends. There was another doorway and they went to the small bedroom.

Belle edged over to the bed and touched it. “How long we staying here?”

Red crossed to Belle’s side, perched on the bed and caught her sister’s chin. “Honey, we need some place until I can come up with a plan. But as soon as I do, we’ll leave. We’ll find a place on our own where we’ll always be safe and always together.”

Belle’s gaze clung to Red’s. She could see her little sister wanted to believe in a future that held promise and possibility. Understood her hesitation to do so. Her faith in good things had been shattered in the past few months.

Red pulled Belle to her lap and held her tight. “We got away from Thorton and Old Mike. They’re both in jail and will never hurt us again.”

“They’ll stay in jail forever?”

“I hope so. But long enough they won’t bother us again.”

“Red, he prayed. He said we could trust God.”

She heard the wistful note in her sister’s voice and understood Belle referred to Ward.

How was she to deal with this? She had no trust left. Not for God and certainly not for any man. But how could she admit she felt God had abandoned them and rob Belle of any hope? On the other hand, she didn’t want her to trust anyone but themselves for their future. She closed her eyes and tried to marshal her thoughts together. It took too much effort, made her head ache. She’d deal with the matter later.

Belle looked intently into Red’s face. “You don’t like him, do you?”

The question startled Red. There was something about Ward that got under her skin like a red, itchy rash. His insistence on helping even though it was evident he didn’t care a whole lot about her. The way he took objection to her comments. Yes, they might have been a little barbed, but she couldn’t help it. It had become part of her armor. Yet, despite his contrary ways, he exuded strength beyond the power in his arms. It came from deep inside him. Born, perhaps, out of his own pain and experience. She had to respect that. Might even find it slightly appealing.

But she could not let herself like him. To like a man, she would have to trust him, and she could not, would not, ever again trust a man.

Belle waited patiently for her answer.

“Honey, we don’t know him well enough to have much of an opinion about him.”

Taking her cues from Red, Belle sighed. “Too bad he’s a man. Otherwise I might like him.”

Laughing at her little sister’s wisdom, Red hugged her tight. “Let’s check out the bed.” She pulled Belle down beside her and they flopped backward on the furs. “I think we’ll be very comfortable.” Sharing a narrow bed with her sister was not going to be difficult. Having her so close, she could feel her breathing would comfort her.

They returned to the other room and examined the items on the shelf. Containers of flour, cornmeal and sugar. “Guess we won’t starve to death.”

“Can I help you cook things?”

“Of course you can. We will have so much fun. Just the two of us.” She glanced at the darkened window. Would they see the mountains through that window? She touched the log where he had threatened to carve words. Her chest seemed wooden as a strange wistfulness filled her. She’d once known a secure home. So had Belle, but she wasn’t sure her sister could remember happy family times.

Red didn’t know what the future held nor where they would go from here, but perhaps in this little cabin she could give Belle some enjoyable times. Teach her to be happy and trusting again, though not too trusting. Look at the predicament they’d landed in because Red trusted people too much.

Belle stood in the center of the room and spun around. “I love it here.” She jerked to a stop so quickly she almost tumbled over. “No one will bother us, will they?”

A storm of emotions raced through Red. Anger that Belle should know such uncertainty, hatred toward the man who’d stolen the innocence of them both, despair at how little she could offer her sister. Then determination, solid as a rock, pressed down all other feelings. She would do anything, everything, she could to protect her sister from any more hurt.

“If anyone bothers us, I’ll take a shovel to the side of his head.”

Belle’s eyes widened. “You’d hurt him?”

Belle meant Ward. Red meant anyone who threatened them. “If he tried to bother us, I would.”

Rocking back and forth, Belle considered Red silently. Then she came to a decision. “Maybe you shouldn’t hurt him.”

Red’s head snapped back. This from a little girl who had as much reason to hate men as anyone. “Why do you say that?”

“Well, if you hurt him he might not want to help us. It’s scary and dark out there.” She tilted her head toward the door and Red knew she referred to the half hour or so she’d hidden in the bushes. “Besides, I like this.” She went to the table, climbed up on a chair and pressed her hand to a picture mounted on the wall.

Red hadn’t paid any attention to it, but now she moved closer. A sampler done in various stitches, pretty flowers and designs around words. The words, done in black cross-stitch, “Whither shall I flee from Thy presence? The darkness and light are both alike to Thee.” The words brushed a dark spot deep within. “It’s very nice. I wonder who made it,” Red said.

“I think someone’s mother.”

Red sat down on the bed and Belle sat beside her. “Why do you think so?”

“Because Mama made one like this for me, didn’t she? Remember? She hung it over my bed and said I should never forget the words.”

The memory rushed toward Red. She tried to dam it back. She could not let her thoughts hearken back to those happy, innocent days. Everything about her past filled her with crippling regret.

“I ’member her making it.”

So did Red. The dam broke and she was back at her childhood home. She was warm, happy, secure in her parents’ love and protection. Seems the house glowed with treasures, each representing love. Mama sat in a rocking chair that had been Grandma’s and told stories of sitting on her own mother’s lap ensconced in the same chair where Red remembered sitting on Mama’s knees and later, where she and Mama took turns rocking Belle. What a sweet baby she’d been. “A gift from heaven for us all,” Mama had said time and again. “After losing so many babies, God has granted us Belle to fill our hearts with joy.” Indeed the happiness in the house had reached new heights with the safe arrival of Belle. Mama had once said she might not live to see Belle marry and asked Red to promise she’d see Belle was properly cared for. Red had readily agreed, never suspecting an accident would thrust the role upon her so unexpectedly.

“Mama hung it over my bed on my fourth birthday.”

“I’m surprised you remember.”

“I didn’t till I saw this one. Then I ’membered.”

“I remember, too.” Mama had stitched a cradle with a baby in it, a window behind the cradle with light pouring in. She’d carefully selected the scripture. “I want something that will encourage Belle her entire life. No matter what may happen,” their mother had said.

Oh, how disappointed her parents would be that Red hadn’t protected Belle as she’d promised. She would live with that regret to her dying day and the moment she stepped into heaven, she would beg their forgiveness.

Not that she was sure God would let her into heaven after the events of the past year and her vow to never forgive Thorton.

“I remember the words, too,” Belle said.

Red did, too, though she no longer believed them with childlike innocence and wondered if Belle did.

“‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ Red, do you think Mama would be angry that I did forget them for a little while?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Red, do you still pray?”

She wished she could avoid the question. She had no desire to rob Belle of whatever faith and trust she still had. But she couldn’t lie. “Not much.”

“Me, either, but when I was locked in Old Mike’s cabin I remembered a prayer Mama said and I said it out loud. That’s what I was doing when you came for me.”

Her curiosity overcame her doubt. “What prayer was that?”

“‘God, You are a very present help to me, and I am receiving Your help even now as I pray. Thank You, Father. You are my refuge and strength, and because this is true, I will not fear anything or anyone.’”

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