CHARITY'S GOLD RUSH (A Strike It Rich in Montana novel) (28 page)

“
Yep. I found the fence rails tossed to the side like firewood.
Someone has it
in
for you real bad.
How
do
you plan on finding Red Feather
?
” Hiram asked as they plodded home. “Ain’t they gone to their winter grounds?”

“I’ll check on the other side of th
e
mountain.
They usually winter on the other side of that pass.
” Gabe steered Rogue over a
bumpy
patch of ground. The girl might be dead, but it didn’t seem right to give her a rough ride. “That’s where they stayed last winter. Snows are less there.”

“Are you expecting a harsh snowfall?”

“A few feet. Maybe a blizzard or two. Why? You still thinking on coming out for Thanksgiving?” Gabe knew what Hiram was doing. Keeping his mind off the dead
girl
in his lap. He’d been worthless for a few days after Maggie’s death. This was different. The Indian girl was a stranger. Tragic, but it wasn’t like losing a loved one.

“Mabel’s got her heart set on it.
She’s been a bit lonesome since Maggie passed.
”

“We’ll plan on you coming then. Charity will be thrilled.” If Gabe could keep her safe that long.

###

             
Charity stared at her ruined garden, thankful she’d harvested and canned most of
the produce
. If they were careful, they ought to have enough put aside for the winter. It was meat they were
low
on
, and since Gabriel was trying to build his herd, he didn’t seem likely to butcher one
.

             
“Sam!” She faced her son. “Come tomorrow
,
I need you to teach me how to shoot your pa’s rifle. Can you do that?”

             
“Sure, Ma. But why don’t you ask Pa?”

             
“I’m sure he’ll be gone hunting his cattle tomorrow.” If Charity learned to shoot, she could defend the homestead in her husband’s absence and,
with any luck
, help put meat on the table.
Besides, any time she asked Gabriel’s help in matters of safety, he told her it was his job and not to worry.

             
“All you need is a steady hand and a good eye.”

             
Charity laid an arm across Sam’s shoulder and let him chatter as they headed toward the barn. Lady and Prince trotted
beside them
. Mabel and Meg chose to stay inside and prepare supper..

             
“Then, once I’m a good shot
—
”
S
he figured a couple of hours of practice ought to do it, “
y
ou can show me the best hunting grounds, and we’ll surprise your pa with a smokehouse full of meat.”

“Have you ever shot before?” Sam frowned.

“No, but I’m a fast learner.”

Sam shook his head. “It’s nice to be optimistic and all, Ma, but you’re talking about learning in a day what takes most folks
a long time
.” He grinned and slid out from under her hand. “There’s Pa, and he’s got something on his horse. Maybe it’s a deer
, and we won’t have to spend the time tomorrow
.”

Charity huffed and quickened her step. She would learn to shoot in a day if it killed her.
After all, she learned to manage a house in just a week.

That wasn’t a deer slung over Gabriel’s horse. Raven-black hair swung against the saddle and slim legs hung over the opposite side. Charity clutched her throat and sped to the horse’s side.
“Is she dead?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Who is she?” Charity started to smooth back the
girl
’s hair, and stopped, instead wiping her palm down her skirt.

“I have no idea.” Gabriel glanced over his shoulder to where Hiram approached. “Let Mabel know her man is here
.
I’m going to try to find Red Feather. Maybe he’ll know who she is.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Charity placed her hand on his knee. “It might help to have a woman. They might look at it as less threatening.”

“They might at that
, but it could be dangerous
.”

She scowled. “I will take that chance, Gabriel. If it
could
make things easier, th
e
n I’m willing to attempt it.”

After several tense, silent moments, he gave a slow nod
, clearly not sure about the idea
of her going
.

Charity lifted her skirts and dashed to the house for her shawl
before he could change his mind
. Hiram wasn’t far behind. When Mabel caught sight of her husband, she squealed loud enough to
scare birds from the trees
, then buried her face in her hands.

Charity smiled and reached for her shawl. “I’m going with Gabriel. Would you mind watching the children?”

Mabel shook her head then threw herself into Hiram’s arms. “We’ll be happy right here while we wait.”
She caressed her husband’s face. “Where are they going, Hiram?”

Without waiting to hear his answer, Charity rushed back to Gabriel and mounted Sam’s pony. She would
ha
ve liked to ride Ruby, but Gabriel seemed to be chomping at the bit as it was. While she’d been in the soddy, he had tied bedrolls behind each saddle and remounted. Charity force
d
a swallow past
her
dry throat at the thought of spending the night in the dark, chilly woods.
Maybe she should have grabbed her coat.

“Should we wait until morning?” She eyed the setting sun.

“I don’t want her family to come looking for her and find her here.
It wouldn’t be safe for Sam and Meg.
Not safe for any of us, most likely.
”
He
urged Rogue forward. “Better we find them, so as to take suspicion off ourselves.
We’ll have a hard enough time explaining her death as it is.
Thankfully, v
ery few of Red Feather’s tribe own
guns
.
”

Charity gulped. What if the Indians attacked before Gabriel had the opportunity to tell his side of the story? What if having her along meant nothing more than that Gabriel had a woman to trade for the life of this one? Indians did that, didn’t they? Oh, why hadn’t she listened more when the miners spoke of such things
?
Read more books about the west?

Without speaking, Gabriel led the way from the homestead and toward a mountain pass. Despite the grievous circumstances, Charity couldn’t help but scan her surroundings for caves that might yield gold. Gold, that in the right amount
s
, might make life easier for her and Gabriel.

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her of the savory stew
at home
simmering on the stove. She wished she
had
grab
bed
some biscuits or
dried meat
.
Maybe the Indians would lend, or sell, them some food.

Who was the poor thing draped over Gabriel’s saddle? Definitely someone’s daughter or sister. Wife maybe? Were they even now searching for her?

             
She moved the pony to Rogue’s side. Gabriel’s lips moved in silent prayer, as his free hand rested on the deceased woman’s shoulder. Charity let the pony fall back again. If her husband prayed, he must be more worried than she had originally thought. She closed her eyes. Because of her impetuous need to go where he went, to offer her services even though he obviously didn’t need, or want them, she had put more worry on Gabriel’s shoulders. He
had to consider her
safety
as well as his own
.
Why couldn’t she curb her impulsiveness and think before acting? Why did she press matters when the answer was obviously no?

             
Because she was spoiled
, plain and simple
. Sure, she’d spent the last couple of years doing the laundry of miners, but she was spoiled all the same.
When she wanted something, she went after it in total disregard of the circumstances.
Her dear da had spent too much time and money on her. Until
death
took him away, she had not had to lift a finger if she didn’t want to. She thought she’d left that behavior behind.

             
She opened her mouth to tell
Gabriel
she was sorry, but thought better of it. Now wasn’t the time. She sighed. They had so much to talk about when things settled down.

             
When night fell, Gabriel halted in a stand of aspen. After sliding from his horse, he gently laid the dead girl under a tree. “We’ll have to camp here and head into the village in the morning. I don’t want to chance riding up on them in the dark.”

             
Charity nodded and untied her bedroll with frozen fingers. Already, the night chill set her teeth to chattering
and her bones to trembling
.

             
While Gabriel built a fire, she wrapped her bedding around her shoulders and hunkered next to the fire pit
.
Oh, hurry and light
.
She peeked at her husband from beneath lowered lashes.
What would
he
say if she asked to share his body warmth during the night?

             
Would he welcome her or push her away? She stared into the flickering flames. Having so little experience with men, she had no idea how he would respond. They were married, he looked at her with admiration at times, but possibly he still loved his former wife. How could he not? He saw her in the faces of his children every day.

             
She stared at the dark night sky. A few stars twinkled between growing clouds. Maybe Charity should have asked her ma questions when she had the opportunity. Ma must have loved Da at one time. She must have looked at him with love rather than annoyance when they first wed.

             
Charity sighed. So many questions. She studied Gabriel hunkered down across from her. She was hitched to the finest man she had the privilege of ever knowing, and they were practically strangers.

22

             
Something sharp poked Charity in the ribcage. She swatted it away
. “Stop it.” A strange voice grunted and she
opened her eyes.

             
A scowling Indian towered over her. She screamed, fought her bedroll to escape, and then scuttled backward
until
a tree
trunk impeded her
retreat
. The Indian’s menacing look deepened.
He grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet.

             
Gabriel
stood imprisoned between
two Indian.
Blood dripped from his split lip.
H
is face flushed as he gazed at Charity, sending
her a silent warning to behave.

A
nother brave
lifted the dead girl’s body and lashed it to
the back of an Indian pony.
Other than Charity’s scream, no one made a sound. Her skin prickled
. S
weat broke out on her brow as her captor pulled her toward her horse.
She wanted to pull away. Everything in her screamed to know what their plans for her and Gabriel were.

             
Her captor ordered
Charity to mount, and then
tied
her hands to the saddle horn
. T
he Indians
mounted and
led
her and Gabe
in the opposite
direction
from where
they had intended to go.

Gabriel sidled his horse closer to Charity. “These are not Red Feather’s people. I think we’ve run into a rogue band,” he whispered.

The tone of his voice told her that was very bad.
“What are we going to do?” Her blood ran cold. “Does the girl belong to them?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. We’ll have to keep our wits about us and look for an opportunity to escape. If you see one, take it. Don’t wait for me.”

“I won’t leave you.” He couldn’t ask her to.

“Please, for once, don’t argue. The children can’t be left alone. One of us has to make it back.”

“They won’t be alone. Mabel and Hiram would love to keep them.”

“I’m begging you.”

The lead Indian hissed and Charity and Gabriel pulled apart.
She wanted nothing more than to kick Sam’s pony in the side and gallop far away with Gabriel close behind her. Why hadn’t she ventured forth and asked to share his bedroll last night? What if she never had another opportunity to steal a kiss? To feel his arms wrapped tight around her? See his eyes darken with desire?
Even if he didn’t love her as a husband loves his wife, she had noticed the way he looked at her when her hair was down.