Demanding Satisfaction [Bride Train 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (40 page)

The other men had jumped to their feet, or pounded their fists on the table, demanding action. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a daughter, and discover someone wanted to buy her, just to destroy her innocence in such a despicable manner. He shoved his chair back and stood.

“You are correct,” he said over the furious shouts. “The law has no business in this. There are better ways. More permanent ones,” he added as the shouts turned to mutters.

“There is a time and place to take matters into one’s own hands,” said Baird. “And this is it.”

He lifted his hands, gesturing to hush their deep roars of approval. He motioned again, and they finally took their seats.

Max was sure if one of the men listed in that book had been in the room, and they knew it, he would have been torn to pieces with bare hands. He wasn’t sure if he could have held back from helping do the deed.

“We all know that evidence gets lost, witnesses suspiciously die, and justice is not served when men of wealth and influence are accused of heinous crimes.” Baird swept past the glares. “As the law will not hold these men accountable, we will. Justice will be served, gentlemen. Frontier justice.”

“How?” asked Trace.

“There are some interesting poisons that are tasteless and odorless,” said Baird. “And unfortunate accidents are all too common.” He leaned back and smiled. It was the smile of a cunning wolf. “Be prepared for a rash of unexpected deaths. Mr. Potts is eager to help anyway he can. He knows of many men and women who will do what’s needed without asking questions and then disappear for the right amount of gold.”

“And Smythe?” asked Max.

“If he went to trial, he would speak of things the railroad does not want mentioned,” said Baird. “Ben agrees it would be difficult to prosecute him successfully. He is being escorted to California. It was strongly suggested that the warm air would be far more conducive to his continued good health.”

“You let him get away?” Sin’s icy words did not intimidate the railroad man.

“Not quite.” Baird returned the seemingly bland look. “He signed over ownership of his businesses. His employees will be given the choice of staying, or moving on. The young woman you asked about is now working for a Mrs. Potter, who runs a respectable boardinghouse. No one younger was found on the premises.”

“What happens to his businesses?” asked Max.

“For now I am administrating them. The profits will be used to fund our special project. When all the men who are named in that book are deceased, along with any others that are brought to light, the businesses will be sold. I suggest opening a safe boardinghouse strictly for women. The young woman Smythe forced to work for him is not the only one brought here on false pretenses. There are also widows who can see no other way to keep their children alive but to sell their bodies. A safe place to live will give them time to find husbands or other employment.”

“Smythe loses everything but his life?” demanded Ranger. Baird nodded. “I can live with that if I have to.” The others nodded. “How long before those deaths start?”

“They already have.”

“Who?”

“It’s better you don’t know,” said Baird quietly. “These are powerful men. I’ve given notice to my employer that I will be retiring by spring.” He looked around the room. “You are young men with wives and children who could be harmed. I am alone. This is an old man’s war, gentlemen. Let me wage it.”

Trace leaned forward. “You’re not alone, Mr. Baird,” he said with deep respect. “You’re one of us now.”

Sophie and Josh had snuck away from Bannack City while Max and Sam were off with Willy. As soon as they headed down the street, Josh had hauled her out of bed. A quick breakfast and they’d headed to the livery stable. She was shocked when Josh purchased a wagon and horses to pull it. He insisted he was not going to haul her all that way on the back of his horse, and they’d need a wagon for ranching anyway.

Mrs. Potter had sent a lunch basket which they’d emptied hours ago. Other than quick stops for nature to take its course while the horses were watered, they’d been in the wagon all day. They’d made good time as there’d been no rain for days. The cold ground made travelling far easier, but it had been a long, hard, journey.

Whenever she got chilled, Josh’s kisses warmed her up. The horses knew to follow the road so needed little guidance. Once or twice she almost asked him to pull over so she could really get warmed up, but decided she’d rather use a soft, warm bed.

“I can’t wait to tell Molly and Sarah who Mr. Isaac is, and that he’s locked up,” she said as they came down the long hill from Road Agent’s Rock. “Sarah will be so happy that he got the hot end of a poker in the face.”

Josh grunted, a noncommittal sound she remembered other men giving their wives. Lily said it was a man’s way of replying when there was no question to be answered. It could also mean he heard her but wasn’t going to get caught by saying the wrong thing. She realized she’d better ask a direct question.

“Should I wait and let Luke tell Sarah? I don’t want to ruin it for him.”

He only thought for a moment. “Tell Sarah if you see her, but let Luke give her the details. The same with the other women. It would be cruel to make them wait.” He nudged her with his elbow. “You can tell Lily and Judge Thatcher everything. Including how you were compromised so have to marry me right away.”

“It wasn’t that I was compromised as much as I’m demanding satisfaction, and that includes keeping you forever,” she replied.

“Demand?” he asked.

She knew that quiet tone. It made her shiver. His hand found the back of her neck. He gathered her hair and pulled until her face looked up at him.

“I’m the one who demands. You submit. Best you remember that.”

He released her, then pulled her close beside him. Both gestures showed his caring in different ways.

“The first time with Max I demanded he do what I said.”

“Did you now? And what was that?”

“That he stay still.” She waited, sure his curiosity would eventually make him ask. She admired the scenery as she waited, enjoying the trip home far more than the one out. She’d done what she set out to do, and achieved far more than she’d thought possible. She was coming home to marry a man, with two more on the way.

“All right,” he finally said. “What did you do to him?”

She ran her fingers over his third leg. It jerked in his pants. Her own body replied with the same fire.

“He had to keep still while you touched his cock with your hands?” asked Josh.

“Not my hands,” she replied. She gave him an impish look, knowing how close they were to Tanner’s Ford. “You want me to show you?”

His growl of passion roused and forced back heated her even more.

“I swear, as soon as you’re my wife I am going to put you across my lap in the middle of town, smooth down your skirts, and spank you until you scream!”

“You think my friends would allow you to do that?”

His chuckle, low and sensuous, had her rubbing her thighs together.

“When they see that you’ve married me, along with Max and Sam, they’ll help catch you and hold you down.”

She gasped. “Joshua Gibson! No one will help you to spank me!”

“Wouldn’t take a bet on that if’n I was you, Miz McLeod.”

She whipped her head around. Sheriff Owen Barstow, riding a roan horse, tipped his hat to her. He gave Josh a good going-over, and then nodded.

“How did you know we were coming?” she demanded.

He pointed up. A pair of ravens flew in a high circle above them.

“Ross always sets a few of his friends to guard the valley when he’s gone. Knew someone was coming. Didn’t know it was you.” He turned wise eyes on Josh. “Gibson, huh? You a Pinkerton like your brothers?”

“Not for long,” replied Josh. “My work’s done. I’m going to marry this woman and settle down. Hope to find a ranch not too far away.”

“And yer brothers?” He pointed with his chin at Sophie. “They’ll be takin’ care of the lady as well?”

“Yep. They’ll be heading this way as soon as they wrap a few things up.”

“That Isaac son of a gun dead yet?”

“In jail. Sophie put a red-hot poker through his cheek.”

Barstow’s eyes opened wide. He gave Sophie a nod of respect. “Reckon that’ll slow him down a mite. Was it Smythe?”

Josh nudged her with his elbow. “You do the honors, baby. You earned it.”

She squared her shoulders. Her fun time with Josh was over for a while. She shook her head at Barstow. “Buford Hames.”

“Hames?” The sheriff’s horse sidestepped at bit when he jerked at the answer. “That a fact?”

She knew it was an expression and not a question, but nodded anyway. He grunted and looked away for a moment. She saw him shudder, as if shaking something off, before he turned back.

“Be a lotta folks wantin’ to skin his hide.” The corner of his mouth jerked up for a second. “Where’s Ross?”

“Not carving him up, unfortunately,” replied Josh. “They’re all keeping in plain sight so no one can accuse them of doing what dang near every one of them should have the right to do.”

“Most of the valley’s waitin’ in your hotel,” said Barstow. “I’ll tell them you’re on the way. Keep it under your hat until then.”

He rode off, faster on his horse than they could go by wagon.

They rode into town just as the sun was setting. “That your hotel, all lit up like there’s a party?”

She straightened up. Josh had never been to Tanner’s Ford, but she’d told him Amos built their hotel to match the Hotel Meade in Bannack City. Not only were a couple of wagons parked in front, lights shone from the kitchen and dining room windows.

“Meggie and Sarah were going to keep the kitchen open.” She looked across the street to the large brick home now owned by the Chamberlains. It was lit up for the first time in months. “Walt and Emma must be back.”

Josh stopped as close as he could to the hotel and climbed down, obviously stiff. She needed his helping hand to hold her legs from collapsing. He led her to the steps where she hugged the post while he tied off the wagon. They walked together through the front door. A lamp lit the banister curving up to the second level. Lamps were lit down the hall as well.

Their footsteps echoed on the bare wood. Deep rumbled voices and higher-pitched laughter came from the dining room.

“Sounds like a party all right,” said Josh.

They stopped at the door and peeked in. As Sheriff Barstow had warned them, it looked like every one of her friends was there, along with at least one husband. No children ran around, but the babies were well entertained.

“Sophie!”

Rosa had spotted her. Sophie straightened her back, smiled, and walked in the door. Josh kept a guiding hand on her lower back. To help or to stake his claim?

Beth had noticed them as well. She handed baby Lily to Jack and stood up. “Look, everyone!” she yelled over the rumble. “Sophie’s back. And,” she added with a laugh, “she’s brought herself a man!”

Squeals of delight erupted. Sophie held up her hands to hold the eager women back.

“Whoa! I just got in. Give me a few minutes to freshen up, please!”

“Who’s the handsome stranger?” asked Beth, openly flirting.

“Beth Elliott, meet Joshua Gibson. Yes, he’s Max’s brother,” she added before anyone could ask. She looked up at Josh. “I’ll make the introductions in a moment.” Now that she was in the warmth her need for the privy had become immediate. She hurried down the hall, leaving Josh facing the lions.

“Mr. Gibson. What are your intentions toward Mrs. McLeod?”

Sophie almost turned back when she heard Judge Thatcher’s gruff demand.

“Hush, Ambrose,” replied Lily. “The boy’s just got here. At least get him a whiskey before you interrogate him!”

* * * *

Josh looked around the room. Men and women, mostly around his age, filled the room. More than a couple of the women looked pregnant or were holding a baby. The man who’d spoken so abruptly would be the judge, and the tiny lady with twinkling eyes would be his wife, Lily. She didn’t look anything like the madam of a wild sporting house, but he’d learned not to judge people by their looks. Buford Hames had surprised him, though he’d never cottoned onto the man.

These people would be his neighbors. They obviously cared about Sophie. He had to make a good impression.

“I understand most of you have met my oldest brother, Max.” He got many nods. “I should warn you that he has an identical twin, Sam. We’re hoping to buy a ranch near here come spring.”

“You won’t run the hotel with Sophie?”

He didn’t catch who’d spoken, so replied to the room.

“The hotel belongs to Mrs. McLeod. What she does with it is up to her. I’m just here to escort her home and complete some business.” That business included arresting Hugh and Eudora Jennet, but he wasn’t going to say that to anyone but the sheriff.

“Did you catch him?”

It was a petite woman with brown hair who spoke. A huge bear of a man stood calmly behind her. That would be Gabriel Downey. At her side was a wiry man with reddish-blond curls. Oscar Cutler had the pugnacious look Sam had described, as if he was ready to fight if anyone threw down their hat.