Shotgun Bride (9 page)

Mike scowled at his coffee. “Don’t. I didn’t have a damn thing to do with this debacle.”

Hawkins slapped the table. Mike didn’t flinch.
Damn it.
He never could intimidate the man. “What are you saying?”

Mike glanced up and pinned a cold stare on him. “I didn’t want to marry the girl, but it’s a little hard to argue with two shotguns, the sheriff, and practically everybody else in town. Somebody did this to prevent me from marrying Sally. So tell me, who has been chasing her while I was gone?”

Hawkins settled back in his seat and studied Mike.
Well, now, this was mystery.
“So what do you plan on doing?”

“Get rid of her. Fast.”

Hawkins fought to keep a smile from his face.
Perfect.
If the girl came up dead, Mike’s words could condemn him. He held an ace. “What about Sally?”

“I don’t reckon I know how to say this ‘cept to come out and say it. I don’t want to marry Sally. I just want to go home and be left alone.”

“Now, son, don’t be rash. I know you’re sore right now. But things will work out. I promise.”

Mike shoved his dinner away. “I don’t want a business deal. Marriage should be more than that.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. The best marriages are ones where a couple has no illusions. You learn to love someone by sharing a life with them.”

“That’s wild talk.”

“I had that kind of marriage. We didn’t even know each other. I couldn’t have asked for a better wife. Don’t disregard the value of an arranged marriage.”

“Still doesn’t sound like something I want.”

“You want what you have now? A greedy little trickster?”

“Hell no.”

“Then think about it before you make up your mind. Can you really trust a woman who tries to snare you with promises of passion?”

Hawkins stood and patted his shoulder. “Listen to the voice of experience, son.”

“I’ll give it some thought.”

Hawkins grinned but refrained from rubbing his hands together as he slipped out of the restaurant. If Mike got cold feet he had the means to bribe him now.

Kathleen made it to Mike’s ranch a few hours before daylight. Her stomach growled. She settled under some shrubs, slipped her boots off, and rubbed her tired and bruised feet. Paper-thin soles did little to protect from rocks, sticks, and cactus on the long walk.

A throbbing pain circled her head. The years of sitting and sewing left her out of shape for hiking. The high altitude had forced her to stop several times during the night to rest and gulp air into her burning lungs. The moon had been out for a little while, but the hike had taken her much longer then she’d anticipated. The crisp air kept her awake and moving. Besides, she was determined to put as much distance between herself and Mike as possible.

In the pre-dawn hours she heard the distinct rattled of a wagon and hid in the trees as it went by. Two men rode to town. If Lady Luck was with her today, they were Mike’s cowboys. He had told her about the rascally pair. That would only leave the cook to avoid, an easy task.

Kathleen rolled her shoulders and massaged the tight muscles at the base of her neck. Was her land really that valuable? She knew enough about ranching to question why anyone bothered with her small track. It wasn’t some massive chunk of land and out here. Several acres were needed just to sustain one cow. Maybe it was in the middle of Mike’s holdings.

With a grimace, Kathleen tugged her boots back on, flicked a glance in every direction and slipped from tree to tree as she made her way to the corral. No smoke rose from the chimney and so far no dogs barked. The place seemed to be deserted.

Like a good Apache, she stood still and listened. Nature hushed when disturbed. Birds twittered overhead, the scamper of tiny feet rustled the pine needles, and two playful squirrels chased each other around a trunk.

Cautious where she placed her feet, Kathleen picked her way to the barn. Tack in hand, she slipped outside, scanned the area, and headed to the horses. A horse, black as coal, trotted up to her and nudged her hand, looking for a treat. “Sorry, boy, I don’t have anything.”

Once he was tethered to a sturdy tree branch, Kathleen went in search of food and a blanket. Inside the house, everything was neat, clean, and, although smaller, reminded her of the home she lost in Arizona. Wooden floors, no curtains to hide the view, a rock fireplace, and home-built furniture. A tear escaped her eye.

In the next room, a lone bed stood out from the center of the far wall, made up with blankets tucked neatly and a couple of pillows. Mike’s bed. She shuddered. Stupid of her but his harsh words about her not inspiring him cut a deep gash in her soul. Was she really that undesirable?

And why did she care what the man thought of her? He was a thief and had threatened her. The money Hawkins had loaned her was enough to pay a judge for an annulment. If she could bring herself to trust one. So, Mike’s opinion didn’t matter.

Kathleen yanked the blanket off the bed. Mike could freeze tonight. She stomped to the kitchen, snatched some food off the cupboard and left.

After she tied the supplies onto the horse, she retrieved her bag and glanced back at the house. She chuckled, lifted out the will, and went back inside. Wouldn’t Mike be livid when he learned she’d hidden the will right under his nose? She slid the document under his dresser.

Outside once again, she tossed a glance in every direction. She would love to see her ranch if she had any idea where it was. But that could spell disaster. Mike would probably look for her there. Not a chance she intended to take. She faced north and frowned. It was going to be difficult to find a way through these mountains.

At the crack of dawn, Mike sat at Aunt May’s again and beat a rapid tattoo with his thumbs on the coffee cup. Where the hell did Kathleen go? He hadn’t expected to find her waiting like a docile wife, in the room last night, but still . . . Where could she be? He’d ended up sleeping in the chair, because anytime he stretched out on the bed, memories of the terror in her eyes haunted him.

He wanted to get an early start to Santa Fe.

Mike glanced up as his hands, Juan and Hank, spurs jingling, stalked over to his table.

“Mornin’, boss. How’s married life?” Hank’s piercing blue eyes twinkled.

“Lousy. Can’t seem to find my wife.”

Both men tossed their heads back and hooted.

“Shut your mouth.” His terse growl only encouraged them to laugh harder. “When you’re through acting like children, I’d like to know what’s been going on here.”

“Simmer down, boss, we just never expected you to get suckered by a woman. After all, you snagged Sally up in a sweet business deal before anybody had a chance to romance her.” Juan’s black eyes twinkled.

“That’s off, too.”

“Hawkins gunning for you?”

“No, he still wants the match.”

“Now how you plan on having two wives?”

“I’m not. That’s why I want to find Kathleen. A quick trip to see a judge and I’ll have the honor of being wifeless.”

“Is she pretty?”

Mike scowled at Juan. Of course Kathleen was pretty. Sensual. Full of spunk. And a liar. “She’s not ugly.”

Juan nudged Hank. “Maybe we should tag along. If the girl’s that desperate we might have a chance with her. I wouldn’t mind a sweet, warm body in my bed.”

Hank grinned. “Dream on, pard. I’m the better-looking one.”

Mike clenched his jaw. “Enough.”

Both men glared at him.
Great. Now he’d made them mad.

“What’s stuck in your craw?” Juan snapped.

“How would you like it if somebody shoved a shotgun in your gut and made you get married?”

“We heard. But, come on, boss. You can’t ruin a girl and expect to get away with it.”

Mike snatched a handful of Juan’s shirt. “If you believe the lies, you’re fired.” He shoved Juan back and glared at Hank. “You, too.”

“Now hang on, boss. What are you sayin’?” There was steel in Hank’s voice. He never shrank from a fight.

“Somebody set me up. I want to know who.”

“Hell, boss. You know we’re with you. What’s going on?”

Mike massaged his temples, leaned back, and told them all the events leading up to his marriage. They listened with elbows resting on the table and unwavering attention. Juan and Hank gaped at him when he finished the tale. He’d soon find out if they were loyal to him or not. Hank’s eyes burned like a sunset and Juan’s darkened blacker than a cloudy night.

“What you want us to do?” Juan asked.

“Tell me who’s been sniffing around Sally.”

“I ain’t seen or heard of anyone.” Juan glanced at Hank. “You?”

“Nope. But we sure can do some snooping for you. Ain’t nobody better at sneaking than Juan.”

Mike chuckled. That was true. He’d hired the inseparable pair in part because of their tracking abilities. Between the three of them, no rustler ever got far with Mike’s cattle.

“Think it could be Willie?”

“How? He went on the trail drive with you. Besides, what woman in her right mind would like Willie? Sally ain’t desperate and can have her pick of men. She’d never look his way,” Hank said.

“Then what part does he play in all this? Who’s he working for?”

“Good question. Could it be somebody that went on the drive with you?”

Mike mentally went down the list of men and shook his head. “If any of them had money to pay for all the attacks, they hid it well. Most all of them blew every last penny in Dodge soon as I paid them. Willie and Miguel were the only ones that hung around longer than necessary. And Miguel’s dead. I can’t ask him who paid him to hold up the stagecoach.”

“What do you want us to do, boss?” Juan asked.

“Follow Willie, try to find out what he’s up to. I’m going to track down my wife and go to Santa Fe. I’ll hurry.”

“After we load the supplies you ordered, we’ll see what we can find out.” Hank slapped Mike on the back and motioned for Juan to follow him outside.

Mike gulped down the tepid coffee, tossed a coin onto the table, and went in search of Kathleen.

After poking his head into every conceivable place she could be, Mike stomped off to the saloon. Hank and Juan lounged at the bar.

“Hey, boss, thought you was headed out.” Juan’s soft voice didn’t sooth Mike’s frustration.

“I can’t find Kathleen.”

“You think she’s hiding from you?”

“That, or she skipped town with those two outlaws. Heard anything?”

“Yeah, they hightailed it out of town right after the wedding. So, she didn’t go with them unless they agreed to meet up later.”

“Damn it. I wanted to be gone by now. Any ideas?”

“Wal, boss. Could be she’s scared of you.” Hank always emphasized his Texas drawl when he wasn’t sure if you’d like what he said.

The bitter taste of shame filled Mike’s mouth. He didn’t like Hank’s suggestion. Because it was probably true and the thought of any woman afraid of him caused his gut to twist. He had been too rough yesterday. “I’m not going to waste any more time looking. Let’s go home.”

A tiny niggle of fear joined the fray in Mike’s stomach. He had taken all her money. “I’ll catch up with you later. I need to make one more stop.”

“Sure, boss. The roan is at the livery.”

Mike rushed outside and ducked down the alley. He didn’t want everybody in town to see him pay a visit to the whorehouse. Deep down he felt sorry for the unfortunate women who were forced by circumstances to sell their bodies. He just really hoped Kathleen wasn’t there.

He knocked on the gaily painted door and shifted from foot to foot. This early in the day, business should be slow.

A sleepy-eyed blonde with a cigarette in her hand answered the door.

“Come in, handsome.” She blew a cloud of smoke.

“How much do you charge?”

“Depends on how long you want me.”

“Information.”

“Ten bucks.”

Mike dug out two fives. “Did a young woman, green eyes, brownish red hair, and skinny show up here any time between yesterday and now?”

The woman snatched the bills. “Nope. You’re wife ain’t here.”

“Does everybody know?”

She laughed. “Not much exciting happens around these parts. Of course it’s the current gossip of the town.”

“Great.” Mike pivoted and left. Worry gathered like a thunderstorm. Was Kathleen in some sort of trouble? He shook his head. She’d managed to hoodwink him into marriage; she could take care of herself.

He stopped at the mercantile to pay off his bill. Sheriff Barker came in with a woman on his arm. Mike cocked a brow and bit his lip. Pretty brazen of the sheriff to escort one of Madam Violet’s girls around town.

“Baca, this young lady’s been looking for you.”

Mike stilled at her cold, calculating eyes. She sauntered up to him. “Thought you could sneak off on me, did you?”

Mike blinked and glanced around. “Are you talking to me?”

“Don’t act surprised. Did you really think I’d just let you get away with ruining my good name and skipping town? Or that Pa would?”

What the hell?
Mike crossed his arms a shot a frosty glare at the woman as ice crystals formed in his veins, stabbing and slicing as his pulse galloped.

“I. Have. Never. Seen. You. Before.”

“Oh give it up. Pa ain’t far behind and he shore is out for blood. So, I suggest you make an honest woman of me pronto.” Her high-pitched whine abraded Mike’s nerves like the scream of a screech owl.

She planted her hands on her ample hips and turned to Barker. “He ruined my good name back in Dodge City, promised to marry me, and then up and ran out on me. Pa is hot on his trail, but since I beat him here, we can get this fixed up before he gets here. It’ll shore save a lot of trouble.”

The sheriff shot Mike a look of pure disgust. “Can’t be done, lady, ‘cause he’s already married. Seems he done a lot of fooling around and some other girl beat you to him. Her pa and brother done seen to it last night.”

Raw fury burned Mike’s throat. He stepped forward and stuck his finger in her face. “You’re lying.”

“You’re married?” Shock rippled through her eyes followed by an explosion of anger.

Mike smiled and offered her his arm. “Barker, I think the lady and I need to have a private discussion.” He would get to the bottom of this, one way or another. Since Barker wasn’t about to help, he’d get this woman talking.

“I have nothing left to say.”

“Oh, I think you do. I’ll make it worth your while.” Money always loosened mouths.

She tilted her head to the side, gave him the once over and grinned. “We’ll see about that.”

Mike lead the woman to Aunt May’s, escorted her to the far corner of the deserted restaurant, and held out a chair for her. Honey always attracted flies. And this woman made it clear that she could be bought by the highest bidder. He intended to be that bidder. He laid a five on the table.

“Who put you up to this?”

“If you think a measly five dollars will get me talking, you’re loco.”

Mike placed his Colt on the table. “Let’s start over.”

She jumped up.

“Sit down. A stray bullet, a misunderstanding. I’ll even have tears in my eyes.”

The woman eased back in her chair, all color leached from her face at the hard tone of his voice. “Good. Now we understand each other.” He peeled off a twenty. “Talk.”

“Trigger and Cooper, don’t know if that’s their real names or not. They were hired to pose as my father and brother. I was supposed to get on the stage with you and they were supposed to be waiting to catch you and me together in a compromising situation, of my doing.”

She shrugged. “You left Dodge a day earlier than I was told.”