Katie nodded as her parents also came out of the boardinghouse. “We got a telegram from Peter Brown,” Katie told Jake. “Randy had the surgery, and she’s fine. There was no cancer. We got another telegram yesterday saying she would start home today. She knows, Jake. She knows about Evie.”
Jake pulled Katie into his arms, holding her tight just to keep from crumbling. “She’s really all right? It wasn’t cancer?”
Katie hugged him. “That’s what the telegram said.”
Again Jake struggled against a need to break down. Such wonderful, wonderful news…but his Evie was in the hands of evil men. This was what happened to people who dared to be a part of his life. This was how people suffered for bearing his blood.
“I’m glad you and Stephen are all right,” he told Katie.
“Pa, Katie shot one of them! Isn’t that the biggest goddamned surprise you ever heard? My Katie shot one and kept them away from Stevie.” He moved an arm around Katie.
Jake nodded, managing half a smile for Katie. “Brian told me. You did damn good, Katie, damn good. You’re a Harkner now. We have a man left behind that we can question, thanks to you.”
“Jake, darlin’, what happened to your face?” Clara Donavan asked him.
Jake touched his face, having forgotten all about the wound. “It’s a very long story, Clara, and there’s no time for it now.” He looked down at Katie. “You know Lloyd and I have to leave again, don’t you?”
Katie looked at Lloyd. “I know.”
“He’ll be all right, and he’ll come back to you, Katie. I’ll make sure of it. But right now there’s little time for good-byes. I need Lloyd to go with me to question the man you shot.” He looked at Lloyd. “He’s at Doc Keller’s office.”
Lloyd nodded, his own gaze showing a cold darkness seldom seen in the young man’s eyes.
He pulled Katie closer. “Baby, I have to go.”
“Lloyd…”
He pressed her close. “I love you, Katie, more than I even realized. When I thought they might have taken you too—” He kissed her hair. “I’ve been selfish with my feelings. And I’m goddamned proud of you for what you did. You might have saved Stephen’s life. I’ve never loved you more. You’re braver than I could have ever thought.”
“I’m the one who’s been selfish, Lloyd, asking you not to ride with your father. Before Evie was taken, we’d had some long talks, and she told me so many things. I understand everything so much better now. Oh, Lloyd, she’s such a good person. This is so horrible! You’ve got to go and get her away from those awful men!”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I hate to leave again, baby.” He looked at her parents. “I’m so glad you were here for her and Stevie.”
“So are we, Son,” Pat told him. “But, by God, it’s Katie who did the protectin’! I didn’t even have time to load my pistol. I just wasn’t ready for this. But it’s not over, and sure ’n’ you have to go find your sister. We’ll pray you come back safe and sound.”
“Lloyd!” Katie reached around his neck and leaned up to whisper in his ear. “You have to come back. I think I’m pregnant.”
Lloyd squeezed her closer again. “Jesus, Katie, we have so much to be thankful for, but now this thing with Evie—I’ve never felt so torn. I have to go with Pa, Katie. I have to.”
“Of course you do.”
He kissed her several times over. “I love you, Katie girl. You couldn’t have made me more proud, and now a baby.”
“I love you so, Lloyd.” She kissed his lips. “Go catch up with your father.”
He hated leaving her, especially now that he knew she was carrying his child. But he forced back his softer side then and let go of her reluctantly, hurrying after Jake, feeling as though someone were ripping out his heart. Part of him wanted to rejoice over Katie’s bravery, rejoice for the good news about his mother…but there was still Evie and Little Jake to feel sick over…and a father on a rampage.
“We need men who know how to use guns!” Jake was shouting to onlookers as he walked. “We need volunteers! We’re going after Marty Bryant and the other bastards who took my daughter! Help us form a posse!”
Several men stepped forward and more came out of doorways, some holding a rifle or a shotgun.
“Only men without family—or at least without children,” Jake yelled.
Lloyd turned to see Brian hurrying up to him. “I’m going too.”
“Brian, you’re hurt.”