Liberty Belle (22 page)

Out of a cross street, a buggy swerved onto the road. One horse stumbled. Going too fast, the buggy slid and careened onto two wheels.

Lightning flashed and Wade’s breath left him. Libby was in the carriage.

She screamed.

Wade ran toward her, wishing he could pray like Mark.

Chapter 22

Libby clung to the side of the tilted buggy and stared at the muddied road threatening to pull them down.

Harley, almost standing, leaned away from her, shouting and yanking on the reins, but the carriage continued its slide, spraying muck into the air.

Libby braced herself.

The big bay that had stumbled regained his footing and leaned into the harness. With a hard jolt, the carriage righted itself and with a bounce landed on all four wheels.

“Whoa, you sons,” Harley commanded. The horses slowed to a walk.

She eased her fingers from the iron bar supporting the seat, and after a few breaths, she looked behind her. Flora had Mark snug in her arms.

Even though her aunt’s face was drained white, she managed a smile. “We’re fine. That was close.”

Harley cleared his throat. “Sorry, I hadn’t counted on the road turning to mud so quickly. Everyone all right?”

Libby studied the man. Despite his rude behavior, he did have a heart. She leaned back to escape the stinging raindrops. “We’re fine. You did an excellent job of keeping us from tipping over.”

The gambler frowned. “I should have driven slower. Felt bad you and the others were getting wet. ... To tell the truth, I don’t know why we didn’t roll over.”

“Hey!” A voice called from behind.

At the sound of sloshing steps, Libby turned just as Wade came to her side. He was soaking wet, out of breath, and a welcome sight. He put his hand next to hers. “Are you all right? I thought for sure you were going to roll over.”

Harley cleared his throat. “Mr. Calder, I suggest we take this up at the saloon. We’re soaked and freezing.” Not waiting, the gambler slapped the reins and drove toward The Yellow Slipper.

Libby huffed.
What a discourteous man.
He could have waited for Wade to answer or even step away from the buggy. She’d feared they’d driven over his feet, but after looking back, she saw Wade walked with no sign of a limp. She shivered as the rain soaked her. They’d be lucky to not take sick.

Harley stopped outside The Yellow Slipper, set the brake, and helped her down. “If I was you, I’d put away your proper manners and walk inside to your room. I have to return the buggy.”

One glance at Flora and Mark, and Libby knew that was exactly what they’d do. Head up, shoulders back, and dripping wet, she walked into the bar. Her aunt and the boy followed.

Inside the crowded saloon, the tinny piano competed with the thunder and pouring rain but came in a distant third. Men, most of them soaked, sent a cloud of odor smelling of unwashed bodies and moldy wool. A couple of particularly ragged ruffians harassed two of the girls who worked for Harley.

Libby shuddered at the smirks the men sent her way. She avoided their lustful eyes and focused on the stairs. Flora touched her shoulder, giving some assurance of protection. Libby was almost to the first step when a big man with ornery written all over his face stepped in front of her.

“Missy, what room you going to? I’d like a go round. You can name yer price.” He put his meaty paw to her cheek.

She slapped his beefy fingers. “Get out of my way. How dare you touch me!” Several men surrounded them. Not taking sides, but if they did, she had to guess, it wouldn’t be hers.

The monster sneered, making him uglier than she’d thought possible. “Little Missy, Big Joe Wallace don’t like being told no.” He thumped his chest.

Libby backed away from his hot and rank breath.

The man leaned into her, pinning her against the wall. “I been without a real woman far too long. Let’s go.” He grasped her hand and turned, dragging Libby up the stairs.

Flora whimpered.

Mark ran past her and kicked the ogre.

With the flick of one of his massive arms, he flung the boy into the railing.

Libby struggled to free her hand, but his brute strength didn’t give her a chance.

“Stop where you are! Let the lady go.”

The crowd of men went silent, a few chairs scraped across the floor, and then an ominous click sounded.

Big Joe stopped.

Libby glanced at the entrance from where the voice had challenged.

Wade.

Relief weakened her knees.

The bully crushed her against the velvet gold wallpaper. “You’ll have to wait your turn.”

Wade’s face hardened. “You’ll have an extra hole in your head if you don’t let the lady go. And I’m not counting to three.”

With her hand still in the grasp of one of his giant paws, Libby glared at the thug.

His attention focused on Wade’s gun, the man eased his grip.

She jerked from his grasp and backed a step. Heart pounding, Libby glanced at Big Joe and then to Wade. Fear for him pounced on her. Whatever happened, it was her fault. If only she’d stayed with her parents.

Wade took several steps toward them. “Throw down your gun.  And make it fast. I’m cold, wet, and left my patience at the door.” He commanded with authority.

Libby’s heart swelled with pride for Wade. Maybe he’d take up the badge he’d thrown away.

Big Joe’s fist hesitated over his pistol. Then the oaf shrugged and picked his gun out of the holster with thumb and forefinger. With a sneer, he tossed the gun over the railing on the stairs.  

With a loud thud, the weapon landed on the wooden floor and made Libby jump.

“You might a won me this time, but you watch yerself. I’m Big Joe Wallace and I don’t take kindly to others interferin’ in my business.”

Libby pressed herself against the wall and glared at the man as he walked past. Flora hugged Mark.

Wade kept his weapon trained on the brute. “Just move.”

The horrid man walked down the steps, gave Flora a growl, and strode to a table with a couple of other rough-looking characters. He grabbed a chair, and sat.

Wade waved his pistol at the door. “Uh, uh. Go on. You’re not welcome in here. And if you got any friends, they can go with you.”

“It’s rainin’. You don’t expect me to go out in that.” As if to make his point, thunder rattled the building.

With a sly grin, Wade nodded toward the door. “The only question is whether you go standing or carried.”

After slamming the chair to the floor, the tyrant shoved the man sitting next to him. “Ya coming, Mick?”

“No. I think I’ll stay here where it’s warm, dry, and the whisky wet. Not your friend anyway. There’s no reason to be roughing the ladies. Course if I was ugly as you, I might understand.” Mick’s laugh was soon joined by the crowd.

With a slurred roar, Big Joe aimed a lustful gaze her way and stomped out the door.

Libby wilted and leaned on the rail. Wade had saved her once again. She stared at him, wanting him to come to her and enfold her in his arms. She needed him to hold her before her shaking knees failed.

###

Wade kept his gun out, waiting to see if Big Joe Wallace had any friends. No one took up for him. Mick eyed him warily, but made no move.

Pale, Libby appeared as if she’d faint. Wade holstered his weapon and shoved through the throng of men. As soon as he reached her, she leaned against his chest.

“Wade, I was so scared. That beast—”

Putting a finger to her lips, he shushed her. “It’s all right. I won’t let anything happen to you. Let’s go upstairs and get you to your room.”

She eased away from him and walked up a step. “If I hadn’t been here, none of this would have happened. I—”

He slipped his arm around her. “Big Joe’s mean. His kind look for any excuse to cause trouble. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time.” Wade steeled the anger rising in his chest. An anger aimed more at himself than the ugly brute. He should have never left her.

Her small frame shuddered in his arms. Wade tilted her chin. Those green eyes took hold of him. He’d do anything to protect her.

Libby wiped her cheeks and straightened. “I will not let any man frighten me again. I came out here to prove something to myself. I will not run. Will you teach me to shoot?”

Wade took off his hat and sent a splash of rainwater to the floor. “Let’s get you, Flora, and Mark safe and dry before we talk about that. Besides, I’m here.”

She took a step, stopped, and confronted him. “What about when you’re not here? You can’t be with me all the time. I have to learn to stand on my own. Be independent.”

Not wanting a fight in view of a growing crowd of men, Wade shrugged and pointed up the stairs. “Later.”

He allowed Flora and Mark to walk ahead of him to put a buffer between him, Libby, and her grand ideas. She had backbone. That was for sure. A five-foot, powder keg. But she didn’t know how wicked men could be. How evil could grip even the best and drag them to places they’d never believed they could sink. Unfortunately, he did.

“Oh my. I don’t think I have ever been so chilly.” Flora rubbed Mark’s arms. “And you young man, you need to go straight to your room and get into some dry clothes.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The boy’s teeth chattered.

Wade grabbed Mark and tossed him over his shoulder. “You all right, partner?”

The boy nodded.

After reaching the top of the stairs, the women practically ran to their room. Flora’s hands shook as she fumbled with the string on her bag.

“Hurry. I don’t want to have to deal with Harley.” Libby smiled at Wade. “Our friendly gambler wanted to show us around Denver. Hope you don’t mind?” Her cheeks reddened.

Wade set the boy down. Why did Libby act as if she’d done something wrong? He took Flora’s bag, untied it, and took out the key. “No, I guess refusing his offer wouldn’t have been very neighborly.”

He grimaced.
Mind?
The snake had waited until he was gone to make his move on her. Was that all he’d done?

“I, I wanted to see Auraria.” Trouble flickered in her eyes.

He unlocked the door and shoved it open. “Ladies, your room.”

Running steps caught his attention.

Harley pointed at them. “I heard what happened. Libby, are you all right?”

Wade stepped closer to her and faced the gambler. “Everything’s fine.”

Harley put a hand on Libby’s arm.

She flinched.

Wade wanted to punch the man but held back. They needed these rooms. “Better get some dry clothes on.” He pushed Libby into her room, and Flora followed.

The gambler took a step toward the ladies, and for a second, Libby cowered.

Wade blocked his advance and shut the door. “We best all get dry so we don’t take sick. I’m a little worried about Mark. You have any hot soup in your kitchen?”

Harley averted his eyes but not his frown. “What? Yeah, maybe. I’ll check.” He started for the stairs, stopped, and walked over to Mark. “The kid all right? Heard Big Joe slapped him.”

Surprised at the man’s concern, Wade checked the boy and noticed a red streak on his cheek. “That man hurt you?”

Mark nodded. “A little. I wanted to save Miss Libby.”

What felt like a hundred pound weight fell on Wade’s shoulders. He glanced at Harley and recognized the same regret on the gambler’s face. They’d both failed to protect her. How was he going to keep her from harm? Maybe he would teach her to shoot.

Harley cleared his throat. “I heard how you ran off that big thug. I could use you to keep the peace in my saloon. You interested?”

Any other time, any other circumstances, Wade believed he and the gambler could have been friends. “I’ve got a job.”

Harley looked over the railing at his saloon and then back. “I’m not a man of patience. Don’t think that I can’t find another fast gun.” He half-turned and stopped. “I’ve set my eyes on Miss Libby and don’t intend to lose. I can offer her a nice home, fine things. I know you’re not her brother. You’ve got nothing to give her but a life of hardship.”

The truth of his words hit the already sore spot of failure in Wade’s chest. “I think Libby will decide for herself. And there is one thing I can offer her and freely do.”

“Yeah, and what’s that?” Harley slapped his hat against his coat, showering Wade with water.

“Protection. And you heard right, I am good with a gun.”

Harley glared at him and tightened a fist. “That was a little late in coming today.”

Wade flinched. “It won’t happen again.” Even as he spoke, he wondered just how he would take care of her.

Harley shook his head. “She needs someone who will see she’s cared for all the time. I’m in a position to meet her needs and be there for her. Not so sure a man living under a borrowed roof can make that claim.”

Wade wanted to say something, anything to argue the point. But he had no defense.

The gambler pointed at Mark. “I’ll see about the soup. Need to feed the boy something warm.” Harley turned and strode down the hall.

Wade tried to deny the hard truth as he ushered Mark inside their room. “Get your wet things off and under those covers.”

“Mr. Wade, I wish you were with us all the time. I’m afraid of Mr. Harley. He might hurt Miss Libby.” The boy slipped out of his clothes and under the covers.

“Did he hurt her?”

Shivering, Mark looked away.

“Mark, did Harley hurt her?”

“I don’t think so. They were ahead of me and Miss Flora, but ...”

Wade grabbed a towel and dried the boy’s hair. “It’s not your job to keep her safe.”

Tears formed in the kid’s eyes. “I couldn’t help her with Mr. Harley, or that big man. I couldn’t stop them from scaring her. I’m sorry.” Crying, the boy hid his face in the pillow.

“Hey, takes a lot of courage to fight a man five times your size. You didn’t fail Miss Libby. In fact, I bet she and Miss Flora think you’re a hero.”

The sobs stopped, and Mark turned to him. “But I failed.”

“No, you did all you could do. No one expected you to fight off Big Joe. That you tried says a lot.”

The boy relaxed.