Caleb's Rain Lily Bride (Texas Frontier Brides Book 1) Page 13

  They tied their horses and moved closer to the edge. Major Jenkins and the other men dismounted, but remained by their horses.

  “It’s dark enough that by now, he should have lit a lamp,” Wally commented.

  “Unless he guessed we were coming,” Caleb replied, going back to his horse and removing a set of binoculars from his saddlebag. The failing light was going to make it hard to see anything.

  “I think we should just storm the place, take him by surprise,” Major Jenkins suggested.

  Caleb grinned at the old soldier. “There is a time for such a move, Major. I’m just not sure this is it.”

  The older man nodded. “I guess I’m just ready to get this over with. Too much like the war.”

  “Nobody wants to go back to that,” Caleb agreed, turning back to the men and returning the field glasses. “I figure who we really need to be looking for is what’s left of Doone’s Riders. I was kind of hoping they might be out here, but I guess they’re playing it safe somewhere else.”

  The Major nodded. “I figure they won’t leave until they’ve killed the last Sayer. Those kind take double-crossing seriously. They don’t let a chance for revenge go undone.”

  A gunshot sounded far in the distance. Then another, followed by two more.

  Grabbing the reins, Caleb put his boot in the stirrup. “I think we better go check that out.”

  Chapter 25

  Closing her eyes, Maggie listened to the sounds outside the cabin. Somewhere, in the distance, was the sound of horses running on the road. If they took the side road, they would be coming to the cabin. And Allen Sayer was waiting with his rifle to shoot them.

  “Somebody’s comin’” Allen spoke aloud.

  Maggie gripped the rope tighter in her hands. Taking a deep breath, she tried to relax. Tension would only make it harder to act if she got the chance.

  The sound of hooves had stopped. Whoever it was, they hadn’t passed by on the main road, and they weren’t riding to the cabin. They would come on foot, through the briers and brush. They were coming for revenge.

  Allen rushed to shut up two of the windows, snapping in the braces that held them closed. That left only the glass paned windows. Two of them. Ian had gone to San Antonio for the glass. She had been so proud to have them.

  Taking his rifle butt, he broke the pane nearest the door. Glass shattered and spilled out the opening, a few pieces dropping inside. His booted foot sent them flying across the room. She stared at the shiny pieces. They were sharp, but she wouldn’t need them with the knife she had in her possession.

  If it’s Caleb, please keep him safe. Give him the wisdom to know that Allen is waiting for him.

  Moments seemed to drag, until a deep southern voice shouted from outside. “Sayer! Are you in there?”

  Maggie felt her heart drop. Definitely not Caleb. It had to be the men from Doone’s Riders. Why couldn’t they have just left after shooting up the town and killing Job? Allen had been so young during the war. How much harm could he have done to the group?

  Allen pressed his back against the log wall and stared into the interior of the cabin. His chest heaved with short, fast breaths. The panic was raw on his sweating face, and his eyes glowed with the fear of a trapped animal.

  Maggie stared. So now he knew what it was to be terrorized, to be hunted. He had to know he didn’t have much time. She kept still, hoping he wouldn’t notice her, remember he had her there with him.

  “Sayer! Speak up!”

  Allen swung around and pointed the barrel of the rifle through the broken pane. He shot and quickly pulled back inside as the men answered with shots of their own. Allen began firing again, and Maggie jumped up from the chair and took a few short steps to the cast iron cook stove. On her knees, she crawled back behind it. With bullets flying everywhere, it seemed the safest place.

  Huddled against the wall, she pulled her knees to her chest, closed her eyes, and began to pray. A bullet ricocheted off the stove and she pulled her knees tighter. Through barely spoken prayers, she could hear the men outside shouting again.

  For the first time, Allen answered. “I’m not comin’ out, you lousy bunch of cowards. You did nothing but cheat me and my brothers, using us for all the dirty work. You got what you deserved. If you want me, you’ll have to come in and get me!” With that, he let off three more shots, then dropped the Winchester, letting it slide across the floor, and scrambled to grab another of his rifles.

  Maggie stared at the firearm on the floor. It was only about five feet from the front of the stove. But it would do her no good to crawl out and retrieve it. She had no ammunition.

  Allen was now sitting on the floor. She could see his boots and trousers as he sat almost across from her. He leaned down and looked under the stove. Their eyes met.

  “I see you got loose. Well, don’t get any ideas. You move from behind that thing and I’ll blow you in half. You hear?”

  Maggie pushed herself harder against the wall. He needn’t worry about her trying to leave. A bullet smashed through the second glass pane. Something else followed it, hitting the floor. Ignoring Allen, Maggie put her face on the floor so she could see better.

  Fire! Something was burning. From the shape, it appeared to be a dried pine branch. They were going to burn him out. And her.

  Allen swore loudly and got back on his feet, racing towards the flaming branch. He began stomping it with his boots. It was almost out when another branch came through the window and landed in the flames. It was followed by two shots.

  Maggie rolled on her back. If they were trying to set the inside on fire, it would be the same outside the cabin. And probably more successful. She pulled the Bowie knife from the scabbard. The time was getting closer that she might need to use it. Even if they shot Allen, she would still be alive when they came in to check. Turning back onto her stomach, she watched, more aware than ever. If they shot Allen, it would be her chance to get one of the rifles, or the six-shooter in his holster. Either would do to take care of the Doone men.

  She pulled the neck of her shirt over her mouth and nose. Not only was it darker, it was getting smokier, making it hard to see what Allen was doing. But all the noise made it clear that he was still alive. And flames were beginning to grow in the far corner of the cabin.

  Her eyes stung from the hazy air and her throat and mouth were dry. She began to cough. If only she could have a drink. There might still be water in the kettle on the stove. But should she risk it? No. She could last a little longer. It was best to stay safe. Surely by now Caleb and the posse had realized that Allen was not on the ranch.

  If only they would hear the shots. She struggled to breathe, but it was as if her lungs were clogged with the heavy smoke. And it was hard to open her eyes. She choked and began coughing again. It was time to try and make it to the back door. It would take moving the bed to get out, but she’d just have to try.

  Clutching tight to the knife handle, she crawled from behind the stove, keeping low to the floor.

  ***

  Caleb urged his horse faster and faster, the others following. The gunshots weren’t coming from town. They were much closer. Possibly near Maggie’s ranch.

  Her sweet face flashed through his mind. Please keep her safe, Lord, wherever she is right now.

  The men all pulled up, slowing as the shots became louder.

  “They’re coming from the Price place,” Wally Stoner said, glancing at the others. “And there’s smoke, too,” he pointed up. “Maybe Sayer thought it would be a safer place to hole up.”

  They approached with care, dismounting and tying the horses to a cluster of bushes, just beyond the wooded area in front of the cabin. A gray haze of smoke filled the air as they made their way closer.

  “You go around to the side, Stoner. Jenkins and I will go in front,” Caleb whispered, motioning directions to the others. “There should only be two of them,” he reminded the men. No need for them to think they were facing an army. If they did this right
, they would soon have the men captured or dead.

  With all the noise, they should be able to find the men, even with the low light. The western sky was bright red, still casting a soft glow on the landscape. Lowering himself to the ground, Caleb pushed his way through a mass of leaves and bushy stems. Branches slapped his face and he closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get his bearings. Listen, listen, Hatcher.

  A single shot sounded to their left. Caleb allowed his eyes to adjust to the light. He could see a large man, busy reloading a rifle.

  He glanced at Jenkins and the older man nodded. Caleb rushed forward and stuck the barrel of his rifle into the man’s neck. “You can put that down, now, mister.”

  Chapter 26

  Maggie put the knife back in the scabbard and grabbed the corner of the bedstead. She began to pull it away from the wall. A sudden silence made her stop and listen. A shot fired into the cabin and she ducked low, not knowing where it landed.

  She tried to see Allen, but he was obscured by the foggy haze of smoke and the red blaze that had started in the far corner. When he returned fire, she pulled harder on the bed frame.

  Even if she moved the piece of furniture, it would be hard to get out. With Ian gone, she had allowed the bushes outside to grow up against the door, hiding it from any curious trespassers. Now, it didn’t seem like such a good idea. Or maybe it was. Doone’s men hadn’t tried to come in that way.

  “You’re surrounded. You may as well surrender!” Caleb’s voice sounded from outside. A wave of relief flowed through her and she took a shallow breath of the acrid air.

  “Well, look who showed up,” Allen murmured, making his way to where Maggie stood. “Looks like the sheriff will be busy with the fellas out there. Now it’s time for us to go, little Maggie,” he coughed and laughed.

  She could see a shadow that must be his hand, groping through the air for her. Without another thought, she pulled the Bowie knife from her side and held it, waiting for him to touch her. When his hand was near enough, she slashed his palm with the blade.

  The howl he let out filled the room and she dodged away from him, careful to keep her footsteps quiet. As soon as Doone’s men surrendered, she could escape through the front door.

  She crawled on her knees toward the door. No more gunshots were sounding and Caleb was still shouting at Allen. When she reached the door, she pulled herself to a standing position. Unlatching it, she swung it open just as an arm went around her throat.

  She threw her hand backward, doing her best to stab Sayer, but his hand caught her wrist and squeezed hard until she let go of the knife and it clattered to the floor. The metal of his six-shooter touched her neck. “Let’s go outside, Maggie.”

  ***

  “Don’t shoot!” Caleb instructed the men. “We’ll wait until. . .” His gut clenched at the sight of Sayer stepping from the cabin. Maggie! How had he managed to get her?

  Major Jenkins stepped next to him. “You see that, Hatcher?”

  “I see it,” Caleb muttered, the butt of his pistol biting into his hand. Every ounce of him screamed to lift the gun and shoot. But how could he risk Maggie’s life? And what were his choices going to be?

  “Guess you’re surprised to see I’ve got a companion with me,” Allen shouted. “And the two of us will just be going on our way now. Else, I’ll have to do away with little Maggie here if anyone tries to stop me!”

  Caleb inhaled a shaky breath. “Got any ideas, Jenkins?”

  The elderly man pushed back his hat and nodded. “Blair is here. He was a sharp-shooter in his division. He could take him out.”

  “No. With Maggie right in front of him, like that. . .”

  “We can’t let him take her,” Jenkins argued.

  He was right. Caleb turned to Blair, who had walked to his side. “When is the last time you shot anything?”

  Blair shrugged. “I practice about every week, Hatcher. My eyesight’s good. I can take him out.”

  Caleb stared into the wrinkled face. The man’s eyes were bright and clear, though his head was gray. He would have to trust him, unless he could think of another plan.

  He swallowed back the bile that rose in his throat. “They won’t be quite together when they get on the horse. Maybe that could be your chance.” He turned and looked at the old confederate. “You’ll have to decide when it’s the right time.”

  “You’re doing the right thing,’ Jenkins advised. “I’ve never seen Blair miss.”

  Please, Lord, don’t let this be the first time. Caleb looked at Jenkins and offered a ghost of a smile. “I don’t see any other way.”

  Blair moved away to position himself, while Allen kept Maggie in front of him, his pistol to her throat. He said something to her and they began to move toward the barn. They walked slowly so Sayer could keep her between himself and the posse.

  Caleb caught Maggie’s eyes and she stared, her expression unreadable. I have to get her, Lord. Put Your hand on her. Keep her safe from that monster.

  “Now you all just stay out here,” Allen shouted. “My horse is saddled and ready to ride. I don’t want to see anyone moved from the position they’re in right now. You hear me, sheriff?”

  “I hear, Sayer,” Caleb shouted back. But if there’s anything we can do about it, you’ll not be leaving here today.

  Caleb glanced around to see Blair position himself behind a huge oak near the barn, ready when they emerged. If he shot Sayer while they were riding, Maggie could be seriously hurt. He had to get Sayer before that.

  As they arrived at the barn, Sayer moved away from her for a second to unlatch the door. Caleb turned to see Blair take his shot. Allen and Maggie both fell to the ground.

  ***

  Maggie leaned back against Caleb’s chest and he rested his cheek on her head. She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the stinging tears that still flowed down her cheeks. Mostly from the smoke, but also from the loss of the cabin. It had been so much a part of her life, and now it was no more. Like Ian.

  “Are you awake, Maggie?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. Convincing Caleb she wasn’t hurt had taken more than a word or two. He had insisted she ride with him and she had not objected. Kit was an easy riding horse and seemed not to care about his double load.

  “Now, you’re sure you aren’t hurt?”

  Maggie laughed. “I promise you I’m not. I’ll probably be a little bit bruised from falling, but that’s all. And once I change from this shirt covered in Allen’s blood, I’ll be fine.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t want to return you injured to Reba. I’m sure she’s sick with worry over you. Maybe I should tell her before she sees you. Seeing all that blood will give her a fright.”

  Maggie blinked. He was thinking of Gram, not her. Caleb had given his heart to another. His interest in her was solely friendship. And she might as well get used to it. She’d be seeing Nancy on a daily basis, once the woman married Caleb.

  The thought hurt, but she would get through the pain. Just the fact that she’d let her heart love Caleb proved that she was ready to leave the past behind. And she had been sure that would never happen to her again. Gram said that time healed a lot of sorrow, but it was something hard to grasp when one was in the midst of all the pain.

  “Yes,” she remembered to answer. “It might be best for you to warn her.”

  Chapter 27

  Maggie sighed and put her book on her lap. It was ridiculous to stay in bed when nothing was wrong with her. But Gram had insisted. Poor woman, her face had turned pure white when she’d seen Maggie in the bloody shirt. Caleb had been quick to reassure her, but the shock was still there.

  She smiled at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Probably Gram with another pot of tea. She would be floating in the bed if she drank another drop of the stuff.

  A knock sounded at the door and she called, “Come in.”

  Caleb’s smiling face greeted her when the door swung open. “Good morning!”

  Her heart skipped
more beats than she could count. She bit her lip to keep her face from reflecting her inmost feelings. “Good morning to you.”

  He stood just inside the doorway. “All right if I come in and visit?”

  “Of course. As long as you’re not bearing any more of Gram’s tea. I’ve had enough for a month,” she smiled.

  He shook his head and walked toward her. “No tea. I did bring you these, though,” he said, a slight burst of color on his cheeks. “Reba put them in the water for me.”

  She stared at the bouquet of wildflowers, mostly Black-eyed Susans and wild sunflowers. “Thank you. That’s very sweet of you.” She reached for the glass and set them on the small table beside the bed.

  “Not much to choose from, this time of year.”

  She laughed. “No need to apologize. They’re beautiful. My favorites. I always love best whatever is in season.”

  Caleb sat in the rocking chair and put his hat on his knee. “You sound like a woman easy to please.”

  She shrugged and turned her face to the window. “I guess I am, most of the time.” When my heart isn’t breaking, that is.

  He let a moment lapse into silence before he spoke again. “I’m real sorry about your cabin, Maggie. There was just no way to save it. I know it meant a lot to you.”

  She stared at the quilt covering her legs. Another of Gram’s scrap quilts that she loved to make. Forcing her eyes to meet his, she smiled. “There was nothing anyone could have done. It’s all right, Caleb, really.” It had to be all right. The cabin was gone, burned to ashes, and there was nothing to be done about it.

  He cleared his throat and she turned back to him. “I, uh, was wondering. . .are you. . .you and Reba going to the dance next Saturday night?”

  She nodded. “We’ll be there.” It was the last thing she wanted. Caleb would be dancing every dance with Nancy in his arms, his eyes bright and happy as they sailed around the floor, only seeing one another. How would she stand it? The worst thing she could do was let jealousy eat at her insides. But the past week, it was all that she could think about.