After the Ashes(102)

In need of fresh air, Braddock abandoned the dank enclosure. Several men crowded around Douglas and Mulcahy. Braddock shouldered his way past.

Douglas slapped Mulcahy on the cheek. “Where’s the gold?”

Miraculously, Mulcahy’s features tightened in response.

Douglas laid his ear against Mulcahy’s chest. “Somebody get me some water.”

Corey squeezed through the circle of men. “Is he dead?”

At the sound of Corey’s voice, Mulcahy’s eyes struggled open. “Sullivan, you little son of a…”

Mulcahy’s voice was weak, but the hatred forcing him to speak was strong. Corey backed away.

Douglas motioned Corey forward. “Get over here, Sullivan. Talk to him.”

One of the men pulled Corey forward by the collar. Corey jerked away, but had no choice but to stand awkwardly over Mulcahy.

Braddock laid a firm grip on Corey’s shoulder. If Mulcahy accused Corey of having the gold, Braddock’s plans would be ruined. Why didn’t that bastard Mulcahy die?

Mulcahy obviously struggled to keep his weighted eyelids from closing. “Somebody’s after you, you little traitor.”

Douglas turned Mulcahy’s head toward him. “Where’s the gold?”

Mulcahy spit in Douglas’s face, forcing him to jump to his feet cursing. Braddock quickly took the opening at Mulcahy’s side and knelt to block the others’ view. Mulcahy was going to die even if he had to wring his neck. But first he needed to know something that was a hell of a lot more important than the location of the gold.

“Where’s Ricochet?”

Mulcahy had lost the strength to turn his head, but he strained to gaze in Braddock’s direction. He grinned a lopsided sneer. “Captain Braddock. I ’member you now. You like the presents I left you in that field?”

“You like the idea of being propped up outside the Santa Fe court house? That’s what we’re going to do with you. All the folks will want to make sure they get a picture with you and all your bullet wounds.”

Douglas grabbed a handful of Braddock’s shirt and tried to yank him away. “Not if you tell us about the gold. You tell us about the gold, and we’ll give you a proper burial. A Christian one.”

Mulcahy’s eyes drifted closed, but a smile still curled his pale lips. “We know all about you, Braddock, and…the sister.”

Braddock bolted to his feet and sprinted to his horse before Douglas could call him back. He suddenly knew what the tickling at the back of his neck meant. Someone was going to die, and, as usual, it wasn’t going to be him.




CHAPTER NINETEEN





Lorelei stepped into the wash of late morning sunshine, only slightly surprised by the return of the heat. Last night the cold had crept through the walls, forcing her to sleep with an extra quilt, but the days remained hotter than ever. She doubted she’d ever get used to the extremes of the West. Never had she been so happy or so afraid. Jay had tried to reassure her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she might never see Christopher again.

She strode to the well, swinging a wooden pail and convincing herself she was being silly. She didn’t have time to waste worrying about things that might never happen. The breakfast dishes needed to be cleared, and if she didn’t start supper soon, she wouldn’t have the bread baked by the time Jay and the kids returned from the field. Beth’s nap with little Rachel would be her last, and the woman would be working until her baby dropped if Lorelei couldn’t prove she could at least handle the meals on her own.

Lorelei hung the bucket under the spout and primed the pump. After the fifth hard crank, she had to stop and wipe away the perspiration that threatened to drip into her eyes.

How did Beth do it on her own? Lorelei would be lucky to have supper on the table, and that was without a baby tugging on her apron strings or a pile of mending to finish.

Lorelei attacked the pump again with a smile. She couldn’t think of anything that would make her happier than caring for her own family. After several more pumps, a stream of water splashed into the bucket.

The clean and pure gurgle spat sunlight as it cascaded forth. Lorelei laughed at the sheer pleasure of the sound. She stuck her fingers in the stream and patted her face with the icy wetness. Everything would be fine. How could it not be?

She heard her name on the wind, but she was so lost in the moment, she didn’t react until she heard the call a second time. When she turned, she found Archie standing at the edge of the barn. A prayer had been instantly answered. Everything was going to be all right. She picked up her skirts and ran toward Archie, but at her sudden burst of motion, he disappeared around the barn’s side.