Liberty Belle (11 page)

“That so? The lady’s right. You’ll move on, leaving her for me.” Harley eased away from the porch, stood straight, and tapped his gun.

No one was going to be killed over her. Libby walked between the men. “I’m hungry. I suggest you two get your meals while they have them. Samuels is in there, and I’ve seen him eat.” With a toss of her head, she strode into the cabin.

Quick, timid steps signaled Flora’s entry. “Oh, Libby. What are we going to do?”

“We’re going to Denver and then to Auraria and make new lives for ourselves. I’m not going to let anyone order me around. I came out here to be free, and I’m not trading one controlling mother for those two men.”

Tears threatened to undo her bravado. She detested Harley. But that Wade. She’d thought him different. Even dreamed that he might be the one. He did set off sparks in her heart. Why did he douse them by telling her how to live her life?

Flora fanned herself. “Oh my. Maybe you should buy a gun, too. We could learn how to use them.”

Libby sat heavily. She couldn’t shoot a gun, much less at someone. She was raised to be a lady. To sit and sew, wear the latest fashions, and find a husband.
What am I doing in this wild land?

“Hi, I’m Mark.”

A young boy sat down across from her.

Her mood lightened. She was going to be a teacher. “Hello, Mark. I’m Miss Liberty Longstreet and this is Miss Flora. Do you live here?”

“No. I’m going to the gold fields. I have a claim. Me and my partner.”

She gazed around the room. “Who is your partner?”

The boy looked around, and his shoulders slumped. “I guess he’s still outside.” Worry etched his young face.

A shot rang out.

Libby’s heart jumped to her throat. Had she caused the death of one of those men? She’d never forgive herself. At first frozen by the thought, she thawed in a flash and jumped from her chair and knocked it over. Afraid of who she’d see lying in a pool of blood, she ran for the door.

She stumbled outside and scanned the ground for a body. Hoping it wasn’t Harley, praying it wasn’t Wade.

“Problem, Miss Libby?”

Startled, she whirled.
Harley.
She tried to control her disappointment. “I heard a shot.”

“Oh, and you thought—” His gaze traveled from her head to her toes. “—and you were worried that I’d been shot?” He mocked her, putting his hands to his chest.

“Hardly.” Twisting her handkerchief, she moved off the porch.

Mark hobbled to her. “Who fired the shot?”

She hadn’t noticed the boy had a limp. She hugged an arm over his shoulders. “I don’t know.”

“Banjo’s gone. He left me.” Mark stiffened.

His words sent a shock through her. She didn’t know who Banjo might be, but Wade’s horse was gone. Some gentleman. How could she have spent time daydreaming about him? But her mind betrayed her and brought remembrances of his touch, his voice, and those blue eyes.

The boy sniffled.

Compassion for him welled inside her. Wade said something about looking after a child. He must have meant Mark. And he’d just left the boy alone with strangers. If she ever saw Wade again, he’d lament the day they’d met.

“Come on, let’s go back inside and finish our supper.” She squeezed the child to her and moved him to go inside the cabin.

Harley blocked the doorway. “Seems your
brother
left.”

With her free hand, she shoved the gambler’s shoulder. “Get out of my way, or I’ll tell Dusty and he’ll see you’re kicked off the stage.”

Annoyance flickered over Harley’s face, but he stepped aside.

Standing by the table, Flora fumbled with her reticule and finally pulled out her gun. “Oh, Libby. Is everyone all right?”

Grogan grabbed the pistol from her aunt. “You’re liable to shoot someone.” He unloaded the gun and handed back. “Put that old thing away.”

Samuels chugged one of his bottles of elixir.

After some time, Dusty entered the cabin and clapped his hands. “Got a surprise for you folks. We’ll be having antelope tonight.”

Libby shot a glance to Harley.

He tipped his hat and gave her a derisive smile.

The door creaked open and Wade entered looking rather pleased with himself. “The antelope’s not big but should make a good meal for us all.”

Relief showered her, bringing tears to her eyes. He was safe. So where had he gone? She glared at him.
How dare he leave his son without a word.

Mark limped to him. “I was afraid you’d left.”

Roughing on the boy’s hair, Wade stared at her. “I wouldn’t leave my partner.”

Harley pointed at her. “Seems the little lady thought we fought over her.”

Libby put a hand to her cheek as if she could stop the heat and the reddening that she was sure colored her face.

###

Wade couldn’t help but notice the pink rising to Libby’s cheeks. Why did the woman care anyway? Not like they even knew each other. One chance meeting in Crimson. She had no hold on him. True, he’d thought once or twice about her since, but that meant nothing.

He nodded at the woman. “Saw a few antelope and shot one for us. We should have some good meat. Something to go with those beans.”

Her eyes, misty only minutes before, glittered with anger. He couldn’t figure out what he’d done to make her so angry.
Women.
Always heard they were trouble. And this one with those green daggers and inviting lips was living proof.

Dusty slapped him on the back. “So, the boy says you’re interested in riding with us to Denver. That true? Being Miss Longstreet’s brother and all.” A sly grin parted his lips.

After one look at the hope on Mark’s face, Wade felt his freedom slipping away. He didn’t want to ride the stage and certainly didn’t think of Miss Longstreet as his sister.

He could still go back to Missouri and be the sheriff of his small hometown. Then again, all that mattered to him there was gone. Besides, he’d already walked away from the law.

With a weak smile at Mark, Wade could only hope the stage was full. “You have room?”

The driver scrunched his lips. “We got plenty of space. Word of marauding Indians scared away most the folks scheduled to ride. Besides, I could use someone on top with me, and the boy won’t take up much of the seat inside the coach.”

“I’ll think on it tonight. Let you know in the morning.” Wade glanced at Libby.

Did a flicker of interest just cross her face? Of course, she’d want him to come just to keep the gambler in line.

Harley strode to Dusty. “We all paid the full fare. I won’t—”

“Mr. Mason, as the driver of this here stage, I decide who does what. Full fare or not, you can always walk if ya don’t like it.” Dusty shook his head and grabbed a tin plate.

Wade let the matter drop for the moment. He didn’t have to check his pocket to know he didn’t have money for one fare much less two. Maybe Miss Longstreet could watch the boy until he made his way to Denver.

Tempting thoughts roved through his mind. The women could take Mark off his hands. Anything could happen on the ride to the mountains. He wasn’t legally obligated. He could tell them to drop the kid off at the nearest orphanage.

Wade watched the others. The man called Grogan kept his distance and slipped outside as soon as he finished eating. With the furtive glances and haunted looks, Wade figured Grogan was a man on the run. With a disgusted groan, Wade reminded himself that he wasn’t sheriff anymore.

Darkness overtook the land. Wade was thankful to have shelter for Mark. He’d not made a word of complaint when Wade sent him to bed.

After sitting on an upturned barrel, Wade gazed at the woman.
So, her name is Liberty Longstreet. Libby.
She sat beside the thin lady, talking and laughing. But a few times in a lull in their talk, she looked his way.

Did her heart melt when she stared into his eyes? She’d already turned his to mush. He shook his head at the ironic reality. Now the others thought he was her brother; the last thing he wanted to be.

“Why don’t you go talk to your
sister
?” The gambler leaned against the wall shuffling his ever-present deck of cards. The leer in his voice matched his face.

Wade glared at him. Like Grogan, Harley Mason had all the makings of a man skirting the edge of the law. If he wasn’t wanted yet, he would be soon enough. But then again, they were headed for a lawless land.

Instead of giving the gambler an answer, Wade walked to the cot where Mark slept. Nightmares had plagued the boy the last couple of nights. Tonight, the boy slept with peace draped over his face. Feeling a chill in the air, Wade shook out a blanket and placed it over the kid.

Libby came over and tucked the covers around Mark. “He must have been exhausted.”

Seeing her display such tenderness, Wade couldn’t get his tongue to work and could barely keep from touching the stray curl resting on her cheek.

“What happened to your son’s leg?” She sat on the edge of the bed, her head cocked as she brushed Mark’s hair from his face.

Her caring expression magnified her beauty. Staring at her sweet countenance, he forgot her question.

“Mr. Wade?”

“What? Oh, it’s, Wade, Wade Calder.” He took off his hat and moved a chair to sit close to her.

She gazed around the room, bent near him, and cupped her palm to the side of her mouth. “I am sorry. Flora wanted to protect me from that gambler. I see that he’s managed to entice the other men into a game.”

Her whispered words sent his insides tingling.

She pointed to the gambler.

Wade followed her finger’s aim. Harley knew how to play on the weaknesses of others. Wade felt a weakness of his own and returned his gaze to her enticing green eyes. Seems Harley wasn’t the only one playing on the weakness of others.

“Mr. Calder, you haven’t told me what happened to Mark’s leg.”

Her sultry voice slammed his mind shut. “Well, the truth is—”

Hurried footsteps swept the thin lady to Libby’s side. “I am exhausted. Oh my. I am sorry, I didn’t realize you were talking to Mr. Wade.”

With a light laugh, Libby extended her hand toward the woman. “Flora, may I introduce you to my
brother
, Wade Calder.”

“Shh. We can’t have the others overhear. Please forgive me for taking such liberties with the truth. I had to do something to get that disgraceful man away from Libby.”

The spell broken, Wade wondered what the two ladies were up to. His senses returned, and he frowned. “You’re traveling into rough territory. You should have thought of that before. Don’t you have family?”

Libby’s eyes snapped. “That is precisely why I am going west. And that is none of your business. I am tired. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Good night, Mr. Calder.” She gathered her skirt and leapt to her feet.

Wade rose and pointed close to Mark where a blanket had been strung around a bunk bed. “Not much privacy but better than the floor.”

“Thank you, Mr. Calder. I think we can manage from here. Why don’t you just join the other men and play cards.” She tossed her head, sending her dark curls in a whirl and left him.

She had a hair-trigger. So much for her tender, loving side. After a final check on Mark, Wade made his way to the door. The air had suddenly grown stuffy.

Chapter 13

After stomping away, Libby pondered her actions and lack of manners. Wade appeared to be a decent man. He had asked a sensible question, and she’d gotten angry. Heaviness invaded her spirit. She wasn’t irritated at Wade but herself. By acting so impulsively and running off, she’d not only put herself in danger but Flora, too. And now Wade and even his son, Mark.

She sighed. What else could she have done? She couldn’t bear the idea of being married to Thomas, or another man arranged for her by Mother, or to wake another morning in her yellow room. No, she wouldn’t go back. She’d not settle for ease at the price of mediocrity.

If hardship came with independence, she’d still choose the exciting life. Freedom to make her own mistakes and fortune. Freedom to go after a man who set off sparks in her heart.
Like
Wade.

Just the thought of him set fires in her middle. She’d never known a man to have that effect on her. Thomas was comfortable, familiar, and safe. Wade was the unknown. The one who made her heart beat fast. The one she’d thought about since that first day. But she knew nothing about the man.

After swatting at a fly, she groaned at the dust rising from her clothes. What she wouldn’t give for a bath right now. Instead, she’d sleep in her clothes like a vagabond but at least a warm one.

Evidenced by the soft snores under the blanket on the top bunk, Flora slept soundly. Libby snuggled under her covers and eagerly awaited the bliss of slumber.

A coyote howled not far from the cabin.

Her eyes flew open while her stampeding heart chased away any desire to rest. She needed to keep watch. Keep everyone safe.

Another coyote answered, followed by several. Outside, a horse snorted. The animal probably had the same problem sleeping as she.

The men didn’t seem to mind and continued to play cards. Their muffled words, some that caused her to blush, gave some semblance of protection. At least she and Flora weren’t alone. Her breath halted. Wade had gone outside. Surely the beasts wouldn’t hurt him.

Another howl, closer this time, sent Libby under the blanket only to have the moldy smell force her to throw the scratchy thing off. Only a few more days and they’d be in Denver and then to Auraria. A town with a hotel and clean beds. A bath. Good food. She couldn’t wait.

How long she kept her vigil in case the mangy varmints attacked, she didn’t know. Finally, her eyelids grew heavy.

Whispers and shadows on the other side of the makeshift wall again chased off sleep. If only Flora’s gun were handy, she could protect them. She almost laughed when she realized the voices were Wade’s and Dusty’s talking about the trail.

“I see you’re protectin’ your sister. Can’t tell ya how glad I am you came when ya did. That Harley is a wolf lookin’ for dinner.”