Yellowstone Romance Series - Bundle (# 2-5) (70 page)

“What’s wrong with ‘im?” the one named Ethan asked.

“My, ah, companion was shot by some outlaws, and he’s been trying to get me to Virginia City. I’m afraid he’s taken sick. My family must be out of their mind with worry for me. We could sure use some assistance.”

Danica hoped she gambled correctly. The man’s reaction to her pregnancy was what she hoped for. Her past experience with gold prospectors had been that they mostly talked rough and rude, but most of them were God-fearing men who missed their wives or mothers, and a woman in the family way was almost revered. Although dirty, these men didn’t look to be too dangerous. Their lustful leers from a moment ago turned to looks of awe and unease.

“That thar’s an Injun,” Ethan said. “You been layin’ with an Injun, lady?”

“How dare you make such a claim,” Danica said, her eyebrows furrowed. Her hands shot to her hips. “This man was escorting me from Cooke City to get home to Virginia City, when we were waylaid by some outlaws. I buried my poor husband – rest his soul – on the trail. I’m afraid my clothing got ruined, and a kind band of Indians furnished this outfit for me. Or would it have been preferable had I walked through the dead of winter without anything to wear? What would you have done?” She glared at the men.

Ethan and his companions looked away. They were obviously mulling over what she said.

“Furthermore,” Danica raised her voice and stepped up to the men. Her eyes shot daggers at each of them. “Where did you two spend last night? Right here where I’m standing, it was pretty cold. I have a child to think about, and if you dare suggest any impropriety on my part, I will have my father come after you. He wouldn’t take kindly to someone speaking ill of me. I did what needed to be done to keep warm. Had it been you two I spent the night with,” she jabbed a finger at each of their chests,  “rest assured I would have sought out your body heat as well.”

“All right, all right,” Ethan waved his hands in front of him to ward her off. “No need to get yore dander up, lady.”

Danica circled the men, her chin raised. “Well, now that that’s settled, will you assist me and my companion to get to Virginia City?”

“He don’t look so good,” Ethan remarked. “Ya sure he ain’t dead?”

Danica ignored the comment. “Do you have horses?” she asked.

“Got a couple a mules,” Ethan pointed to some shrubs behind him. Two mules stood, laden with packs. These men were definitely prospectors, and poor ones at that. They had no horses to ride.

“Well, go fetch them. We have one horse, and I’ll need you two to help get this man on the animal’s back. When we get to Virginia City, my father will reward you for all your help.”

The two didn’t move. They glanced from her to Josh, then back to each other.

“I’m not sure how much longer this baby’s going to wait,” Danica said impatiently, and clutched her stomach. “If I don’t get to Virginia City soon, you might be delivering him right here on the trail.”

Wide-eyed, the two prospectors scrambled to do as she asked, and headed for their mules. Danica sank to her knees besides Josh.

“Are you awake?” she whispered, and touched his right shoulder, leaning over him. Josh’s eyes opened, and the corners of his mouth twitched. His hand curled around his rifle, his index finger on the trigger.

“That was pretty good. You almost had me believing your story,” he said. “‘Course now, I don’t know what I should believe about anything you’ve told me.” His face grew serious, and his dark brows drew together.

“Believe what you want,” Danica hissed. “But I can’t get you on a horse, and these men seem pretty harmless. We need to get to Virginia City. You need a doctor.”

Josh groaned, and raised himself to a sitting position. His hand rubbed at his temples. “I feel like a herd of bison ran me over, but I can manage on my own. I don’t need help from the likes of those two.”

“Stubbornness is not a virtue.” Danica shot him a heated glare. “If they’re willing to help, take the help.”

“Sounded more like they were badgered into helping,” he grumbled.

“I’ll take help however I can get it,” she shrugged. “It’ll get us to Virginia City. Put your shirt on, and conceal your rifle.”

Josh glared at her. She raised her eyebrows in response. Touching the back of her hand to his forehead, she said, “You’re hardly in any condition to argue with me. You still have a fever.” She dared a glance at his left shoulder. It looked red and angry, but the bleeding had stopped.

His glare turned into a scowl, and Danica smiled. With her hand on his good shoulder for leverage, she pushed herself off the ground and headed for Josh’s horse. Men. Why did they have to be so stubborn? But it was just this hard-headedness that would get Josh through his illness. He was too bull-headed to die, she decided. Did he know she’d slept right next to him all night? She wondered what he’d think of that.

Chapter 5

Danica observed the quiet streets of Virginia City when her little party marched down the main thoroughfare. All around her, shops and buildings were boarded up. The once busy city was slowly dying. A year ago, the city had been busier. Was she the only survivor to return from that ill-fated pleasure trip last summer? She might soon find out. After nearly a year away, this homecoming felt strange. Her heart sped up in nervous anticipation.

She glanced at Josh astride his horse. He hadn’t spoken in hours, and his upper body swayed precariously over the back of his mount. His shoulders slumped forward, and his head bobbed back and forth. He’d kept his eyes closed most of the time. Danica wasn’t sure if there was a doctor left in town. It pained her to see such a strong man in such an obvious weakened state. A few days of rest, and a proper dressing on his wound should help speed his recovery.

When they passed the bank, Danica stopped. Rather than ride one of the mules, she’d walked the entire distance. It was easier than sitting on an animal. She stared at the building. It wasn’t boarded up, but the windows were in dire need of washing, and the paint was peeling so as to make the words
Virginia City First Bank
nearly illegible. Had her father packed up and moved on?

“Well, where’d ya say yore pa lives?” Ethan asked, halting his mule next to her. The two prospectors had been polite and friendly with her the entire day. They seemed almost fearful of her. Danica smiled inwardly. They were probably afraid she would give birth at any moment. They’d visibly relaxed once they’d reached the city.

“Just down this street,” Danica pointed to a side street past the bank. Her home would be a few buildings behind the main street, a quaint little Victorian with a white picket fence surrounding a rose garden that her mother used to tend. Her father had let it go after her death, but Martha, their housekeeper, had done her best with the flowers, as had Danica. They turned the corner. She noticed her two companions glance longingly up the street. Faint piano music drifted from the saloon, along with men’s laugher. Apparently there was at least one business establishment that was still doing well in the city.

Danica’s mouth dropped when she stood before her home. The fence was in need of repair, the gate hanging on one hinge. Although she’d expect all the plants and flowers to be dormant this time of year, the patches of snow in the garden could not conceal that weeds had taken over. She walked slowly up the stone path to the front door, her heart beating wildly, not knowing what to expect. Would her father be there? Would Martha? She glanced over her shoulder.

“Could you get Josh off his horse?” she called. “It would be best for him to come in the house to lay down.”

Ethan and Angus, the other prospector, heaved Josh from his mount. With one man on either side of him, one arm slung across their shoulders, they followed her to the front door. Josh groaned. He raised his head and looked up from beneath heavy eyelids.

“You’ll be able to rest here, Josh,” Danica said softly. She inhaled deeply, then knocked on the door. It didn’t seem right to simply walk in, even though this was her home. Several minutes passed, and no one answered. She knocked again.

The door suddenly opened a crack, and a stout woman with gray hair peered through the opening.

“Martha?” Danica said slowly. The door swung open fully.

“Miss Dani? Oh my goodness, Miss Dani.”  Wide-eyed, the woman’s hands flew to her mouth, then she clutched at her ample bosom. Her arms reached out to sweep Danica into an embrace. As quickly as she hugged her, she pulled back. Her eyes shot to Danica’s stomach. Her pupils grew wider still, and her mouth dropped open. She shot a hasty look at Danica’s face, then her eyes moved to focus on something behind her. For the briefest of moments, her eyes narrowed, and her mouth tightened in a firm line. Danica could almost hear her thoughts. Martha’s reaction was expected. The older woman’s gaze moved from the two prospectors, and settled on Josh, who was slumped between the men.

“He’s gettin’ mighty heavy, miss,” Ethan complained.

“Can we come in, Martha?” Danica asked. The woman frowned, but stepped aside. Danica motioned for Ethan and Angus to come across the threshold. She led them through the parlor into the living room, and pointed at the settee.

“You can lay him down on there,” she said. The two men quickly deposited Josh on the cushions, and looked around nervously. Danica doubted either of them had ever been in a house such as this before. She turned to the housekeeper, who shot disapproving looks at the dirty men in her clean living room, and at Josh lying on the settee.

“Where’s papa?” Danica was nearly afraid to ask. She faced Martha, whose eyes seemed to be locked on her protruding abdomen.

“He’s . . . he’s over at the saloon. It’s where he’s been spending a lot of his time since . . . since you . . . Oh, Miss Dani. You’re alive!” Martha’s hands flew to her face again, and tears poured from the woman’s eyes.

Danica reached out and hugged the housekeeper. “Did anyone else return?” she asked quietly.

“No. Everyone was presumed dead. The army came through town, asking questions. They knew a group from Virginia City had traveled through the park, and by the looks of things, were attacked by Indians. They said the bodies were mutilated beyond recognition.”

Danica’s eyes flooded with tears. She didn’t want to remember that day, or the days and weeks that followed.

“I survived,” she whispered.

Ethan and Angus made grunting noises behind her, and Danica stepped away from Martha.

“Is there food available for these men, Martha? They helped me get home. I owe them something. And is there a doctor in town?”

“No, the doctor left months ago.” Martha shot a worried look at Danica’s stomach again.

“Not for me. For him,” she gestured with her chin to Josh. “He’s been shot and needs a doctor.”

“The best I can do is fetch some clean linen for bandages, and some salve, Miss Dani,” Martha said, casting a distasteful look at Josh. “If your father finds an Indian in the house . . .” She let her words trail off.

Danica loudly expelled the air from her lungs. “Josh Osborne is not an Indian,” she said adamantly, and gave the woman an accusing look. “He’s as much a Christian as you and I.”

Martha raised her eyebrows, giving Josh another skeptical look. “He looks like an Indian,” she said.

“His father is a well-respected member of this community, Martha. I would have never guessed you to be prejudiced.” Danica’s voice rose in anger. The housekeeper shot her an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry, Miss Dani. It’s just that after everything that’s happened, people are nervous. Indian raids have become more frequent in the area.”

Danica chose to ignore her. She was tired, hungry, and Josh needed care. This was not the time to argue with the woman. “Can someone fetch Papa? How is he?”

Martha’s forehead wrinkled, and her mouth drew taut. “He’s been worse since . . . you disappeared. First Jacob was killed by Indians, and then his daughter. He’s not been himself. He keeps to the bottle now.”

Danica was surprised at those words. Her father was distraught because she’d disappeared? He never seemed to care much for her. It gave her hope.

“Okay. If you could offer these men something to eat, and if there’s money in the house, give them something for their kind help. I’d appreciate it. And I’ll need those bandages, too.”

Danica didn’t wait to see if there was a reaction from the housekeeper. She settled herself on the settee by Josh. She had to push and prod his long limbs aside to make a little room before she could sit. Gently, she touched his forehead, and swept his hair from his face. Josh groaned. He was still hot.

His eyes opened, glazed over and unfocused. “Kate?” he asked, his words merely a dull rasp.

Danica smiled. “No, it’s me, Dani.” She assumed he was referring to Kate Russell, his cousin’s wife. Danica knew she and Kate looked similar. They both had long blonde hair.

Josh grimaced. “
Kumaa ekon nawipin
,” he whispered, and Danica recognized the name the Shoshone had given her. “
Tammayain nawipin
might suit you better,” he added.

“What the hell does that mean?” she asked in exasperation. Josh hadn’t told her what the name meant when she’d asked before. A weak smile spread across his face, but he didn’t answer.

“Urgh. You are an insufferable man, Josh Osborne.” Danica balled her hands in a fist. The urge to hit him and wipe that smile off his face came over her. She heaved herself off the settee instead.

Martha and the prospectors were gone. She heard the housekeeper’s loud voice in the kitchen. “Wash that filth off your hands before you touch anything,” she scolded. “I’ll lay out the sandwiches, and when you’ve gone to fetch Lars Jensen from the saloon, I shall pay you.” Danica smiled when all she heard was grumbling from the men.

*****

While the two prospectors headed for the saloon to find her father, Danica busied herself cleaning Josh’s wounds with warm water and soap. She applied salve, and wrapped freshly cut bandages around his torso, and his shoulder. Martha had produced some soup, and Danica sat on a chair next to the settee, and slowly spooned the food into his mouth. She could tell he hated feeling like an invalid. The dark looks he shot her, and his perpetual scowl would intimidate a hardened criminal.

“Would you like me to have someone send for your father?” she asked, when he seemed a bit more alert.

“No. He and my aunt and uncle left months ago. They’ve moved to Helena.” His voice was raspy and faint.

“Oh.” Danica was speechless. She assumed Josh might have decided to bring her here so he could visit with his family. That he had escorted her for no other apparent reason than to help her sent warm ripples throughout her body. The man had a kind and thoughtful side to him, after all.

Josh laid his head back against the cushions, and closed his eyes. A slow smile spread across Danica’s face. He was weak, and still in obvious pain, but he looked peaceful, and her insides warmed, just watching him. The front door slammed opened and shut with a loud bang, and she turned her head. Seconds later, her father stormed into the living room. He stood rooted to the spot when he caught sight of her, his eyes narrowing as they darted from her to the man lying on the settee.

“Hello, Papa,” Danica said, and rose awkwardly from her chair. Her father’s bloodshot eyes widened, and she could see the skin reddening under the whiskers of his unshaven face. His mouth set in a firm line. Her father’s appearance was disturbing. He’d been drinking heavily for years, but the gaunt, sallow look to his face, the sunken eyes, shocked her. Worse, the sudden anger in his eyes disturbed her more than anything.

“So it’s true,” he sneered. “You’ve returned, with one of them heathens, no less, and carrying that heathen’s spawn.” To emphasize his words, he pointed a finger at her protruding stomach.

Danica’s mouth fell open, and she gasped. This wasn’t exactly the homecoming she had envisioned. She knew she would have some explaining to do, but her father’s cruel accusations before she even had a chance to speak caught her off guard. Josh groaned, and shifted behind her. She straightened her back, and raised her chin, even as her father looked disdainfully at her from head to toe.

“Yes, I’ve returned, Papa. I would think you’d be happy to see me.”

He gave a short, bark-like laugh. “We were told everyone was killed in that party. I buried you last summer.”

“Well, I don’t know who you buried, but it wasn’t me. I’ve been alive, trying to find my way home.” Her voice rose in sudden anger.

“You’ve lain with one of them,” he nearly shouted, wagging his finger at her stomach. “No decent, God-fearing woman lays with a savage.” Spittle shot from his mouth as his voice rose even louder.

“I did not, as you put it, lay with a savage,” Danica yelled back. How could her father be so cruel? She hadn’t been given a choice to what fate had in store for her. Her father made it sound as if she willingly gave herself to the man responsible for her condition. Was she filthy now for what she had endured?