Colin's Quest (32 page)

“A ranch south of MacLaren’s. I heard about it from a couple cowhands at the saloon last night. Seems a new man has taken it over. He has five or six men working with him. They stopped by his place looking for work, but he told them he wasn’t hiring anyone else for the winter.”

“South would be a longer ride to the cattle, but would take less time driving them to Smith.” Tossing the cheroot on the dirt, Deft laced his hands behind his head. “They give you the rancher’s name?”

“Nope. Didn’t ask.” Standing, Coffman walked to the edge of the wooden porch, staring up into the star-filled sky. “I’m going to send some men to verify what those cowhands said. I don’t want to ride there without knowing more about the size of the herd and the number of men he posts to watch them.”

“That’ll delay it at least a week. Right now, the weather’s clear.”

“Yep. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. We’re not riding in there blind. I’ll send the men out tomorrow, then I’m riding into Crocker. I want to send a telegram to our friend in Sacramento.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Don’t try to lie to me, Colin MacLaren. You’re going after them, aren’t you?” Sarah stood in their bedroom, fists on her hips, eyes blazing.

Colin had climbed the stairs at a slow pace, sorting out his thoughts, trying to figure out how to tell Sarah he’d be leaving in the morning. He wouldn’t lie to her, but he couldn’t be completely honest. Entering their bedroom, he knew by looking at her something was wrong.

Tossing his hat on the bed, he leveled his gaze. “Going after who, Sarah?”

“Coffman.”

“Where’d you hear something like that? Seems like a pretty foolhardy idea to me.” He hoped she’d back away, but the tightening in his stomach warned him she wouldn’t.

“Aye, it would be. And exactly something you, Quinn, and the others would try.” Dropping her arms to her sides, she walked a few steps closer to him. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

Turning away, he slipped out of his shirt and walked to the washstand, dipping his hands in the cool water, splashing it on his face. Picking up a sliver of soap, he scrubbed his hands, then rinsed them. Reaching for the towel, he saw Sarah holding it out to him, a scowl marring her normally cheerful face.

“Thanks.” He took his time drying his hands while making a decision. Tossing the towel aside, he sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out his hands to her. “Come here, lass.”

Hesitating, she swallowed the lump of fear in her throat, not sure she wanted to hear what he had to say. Stepping in front of him, she kept her hands clasped in front of her. “Just tell me, Colin.”

Prying her hands apart, he engulfed them in his much larger ones, pulling her to him, settling her on his lap. Nuzzling her neck, he let his lips drift lower, hearing her sigh just before she pushed both hands against his bare chest and stood.

“You’re not going to distract me. I want to know if you’re going after Coffman.” The way her brows furrowed, eyes narrowed, and lower lip trembled, he knew what she wanted to hear…but he couldn’t lie to her.

“Aye.”

“Why? It’s not your job. You’re a rancher, not a gunslinger or the law.” Her voice held a pleading tone he’d never heard before.

Taking a clean shirt from the wardrobe, he slipped it on, buttoning it as he turned toward her. “Because the law won’t do it. Coffman killed Da and Uncle Gillis…and Sheriff Walker. He’s the one who took our cattle. There’s every reason to believe he’ll try to rustle from us again. He knows Yost won’t do anything, and we can’t get any help from federal law enforcement.” Spreading his arms, he held his palms out. “We’re the ones who must protect the ranch and our families from Coffman and men like him.”

“It doesn’t have to be you. You can hire others. Gunmen, bounty hunters, men who do it for a living. You don’t have to risk your lives when you can hire someone to go after them.” Sarah turned away, attempting to control the moisture building in her eyes. She didn’t want him to see how afraid his decision made her, how she didn’t know what she’d do if she lost him. Whirling back around, her glassy eyes beseeched him in a way that tore at his heart. “If you decide to leave, I don’t know that I’ll be here when you return.”

Her words struck him as if she’d thrust a spear into his gut. The death of his father had been the one other calamity that had hit him this way. His jaw tightened as his mouth twisted into a thin line, eyes showing the pain her words caused.

“We will not handle troubles by walking out on each other, Sarah.” His words were calm, hard, spoken with an unyielding certainty. “I’m sorry if you don’t understand why I must do this. I hoped to have your support. If I don’t, I
will
go anyway, and I expect you to be here when I come home.” Grabbing his hat off the bed, he slammed it on his head. “If you aren’t, I
will
find you and bring you back.”

Colin hadn’t expected his last night home to be this rough or this painful. He and the others spent considerable time preparing to leave the following morning

He’d been surprised Heather hadn’t put up more of a fuss when he told her she wouldn’t be riding with them. She’d argued, throwing out every reason she should be included. In the end, her shoulders sagging, she promised not to follow them and walked away. Quinn had also tried to talk to her, but she’d shut him up quickly, telling him Colin had already told her the decision. At least they didn’t have to worry about her on the trip. Not so with Sarah.

“You know she’d never leave you, Colin.” Blaine settled a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

“You heard?”

“Our bedrooms are right next to each other and the walls are thin,” he smirked. “If it gives you peace, I doubt Ma or anyone else heard.”

“How can you be so certain she won’t run when I don’t even know it myself?” Colin closed his saddlebags, placing them over the saddle on a nearby stand.

“The woman’s daft for you,” Blaine chuckled. “Besides, she’s not a fool. Once she thinks through our reasons for going, she’ll understand why this must be done.”

Colin hoped Blaine was right, but his chest still tightened at the thought she might not be waiting when he returned.

When he slipped into their bedroom close to midnight, he spotted the small bump under the covers. He sat on the edge of the bed, stroking her hair, watching her breathe. He loved her so much, yet he couldn’t do what she wanted. He knew if she stayed, there’d be many times they’d disagree. She’d have to learn you don’t solve differences by running.

Taking off his clothes, he slid into bed, wrapping his arms around her, and pulling her back into his chest. No other woman would ever feel this right. He prayed when she woke and found him gone, she’d think of all the reasons they were together—and be here when he came home.

Sarah woke with the sun streaming across the bed. Stretching, she reached behind her, sitting up when she felt the cold sheets. Her mind raced as she jumped out of bed, dressed, and hurried downstairs. She came to a halt in the kitchen door at the sight of Kyla, Aunt Audrey, Geneen, and Heather sitting at the table, holding hot cups of coffee.

“Have they left?” she gasped, hoping she hadn’t missed him.

“Aye, lass. About an hour ago. Colin said you looked so peaceful, he didn’t want to wake you. He said he’d see you when they got back.” Kyla filled a cup with coffee for Sarah, then indicated the chair next to her. “We were talking of the boys growing up and how little has changed. They are still stubborn and willful. It’s the way of a MacLaren, I’m afraid.”

Taking a seat, Sarah wrapped both hands around the cup, gripping it tight. Staring at the hot liquid, she glanced up, her gaze on Kyla. “I don’t know if I can do this. The waiting, not knowing if he’ll return.”

“Ach, of course you can, lass,” Kyla scolded. “You’re much stronger than you know. Colin’s always believed it. That’s why he waited all those years for you.” Her uncompromising gaze focused on Sarah. “You cannot be paying him back by being afraid or taking off like some weak female.”

Sarah winced at the subtle rebuke, not knowing how to respond. She wasn’t as certain about her strength as either Colin or her mother-in-law. Although her da had been stern with his daughters, he’d also protected them from many hard aspects of life.

“She’s right, Sarah. If you’re thinking of going, you need to push it from your mind. You’ve accepted this life, this family, and you’ll not be leaving us.” Audrey gave her a warm smile, resting her hand on the top of Sarah’s. “Besides, I don’t care to imagine what Colin will be like if you aren’t here when he returns.”

“You all talk as if you’re certain they’ll all come home safe.” Sarah wished she had the same faith.

“We are. What good would it do to think otherwise?” Kyla walked to the sink, rinsing her empty cup. “Now, we all have chores.”

“Geneen, if you’re up to help, we could use an extra rider to keep watch on the herd.”

Heather’s comment surprised everyone, no one more so than Geneen. She jumped up, excitement on her face.

“Of course I’ll help. Let me get my gloves and—”

“First, come with me. I have some pants and a shirt in my saddlebag that should fit you. They’ll be better than your dress.”

Geneen followed Heather, almost giddy with anticipation of being out with the herd.

“Well, I’ll be…” Audrey’s voice drifted as she hurried to the front window, watching the two young women talk, Heather gesturing toward the far pasture.

“You know what I think?” Kyla asked. “It’s a sign all will be well.”

“Crocker is a short distance ahead. We’ll camp here.” Colin had to raise his voice to carry over the pounding rain, which had started a mile back. They’d been prepared for it, already wearing their dusters.

“We should move off the trail. Down there.” Quinn pointed toward a clearing hidden behind a thick stand of trees and brush.

The rain stopped as swift as it had started. As much as they wanted a fire, they didn’t think it wise to draw attention to themselves this close to town. Besides, Coffman’s place might be real close to where they stood.

“You still want Blaine and I to ride into town tomorrow, find out where Coffman lives?” Brodie crouched down next to the others, tearing off a piece of jerky and chewing.

“I don’t see any reason to change,” Colin answered. “No one’s seen either of you. The rest of us were in the saloon a couple months ago, spoke with the bartender and the owner of the general store. I think you’ll have a better chance of getting information for us.”

“I’d start with the owner of the general store, maybe the blacksmith. Try to avoid talking to the bartender. He’s real suspicious of newcomers. Don’t mention you’re from Conviction. Just say you’re riding through on your way to Oregon. We don’t want them connecting you to Da and Uncle Angus.” Quinn took a bite of hardtack, wishing he had coffee to wash it down with instead of tepid water.

“Do you think Coffman got a look at you two when he rode into our camp a couple weeks ago?” Colin wondered why it hadn’t occurred to him before.

“Heather and I were crouched down behind some bushes, and Brodie was with the men scattered behind the boulders. Even if he noticed the number of horses, it’s doubtful he would’ve spotted us.” Blaine stood, stretching his arms above his head. “I’m going to get some shuteye.”