Colin's Quest (17 page)

“Are you ready?” Wes waited for Walt to mount his horse.

“I still don’t think this is a good idea. What if the discussion turns to threats and people overhear us? You know you’ve never had much patience.” Walt swung up on this horse, pulling up next to Wes.

“You worry too much. Trust me. We’ll talk, nothing more. I’ll make him understand leaving town is in his best interest. Besides, he now has his cousin to worry about. He sure as hell isn’t going to risk anyone else. By this time next week, the MacLarens will be out of the way and I’ll be planning my marriage.”

Wes’s assurances did nothing to calm the apprehension in Walt’s gut. If anything, his worry grew the closer they got to town.

Chapter Eleven

Paying little attention to the afternoon activity in town, Colin returned to Sarah’s house, thinking of Quinn. He’d spent the morning talking to anyone who might know of the incident in the saloon. His first stop had been to see the bartender. As Brodie learned from the deputy, the gunmen were unknown to the locals, having come to town looking for work a few days prior. The description he pieced together could fit about any man in River City.

They already knew they’d get little help from the law. Finding the men who shot Quinn, then disappeared like ghosts would take time. Right now, that’s all he and Brodie had. Between Quinn’s recovery and the town council locating a replacement for Sarah, he had more time on his hands than he cared to consider. And it would be put to good use.

“Good afternoon, Geneen. Is Sarah at home?”

“She’s still at school. It shouldn’t be too long, but you could go wait for her, maybe encourage her to send the children home early.” She sent him an encouraging smile.

“I suppose I could.” Colin didn’t move from his spot on the porch.

“Colin, are you all right?” Geneen studied his face, seeing lines of worry around his eyes.

“I will be. Right now, I just need to see Sarah.”

“All right then. Come with me.” Shutting the door, she took off at a fast pace toward the school, then dashed inside as Colin waited. Not a minute later, Sarah stepped outside, leaving Geneen to take over with the children.

“What is it, Colin?”

He held out his hand. “Walk with me, Sarah.”

The silence stretched, Colin saying nothing as they approached the stream lined on both sides with thick brush and trees, the foliage hovering between green and light yellow. Even in September, some wild berries still appeared on the bushes. Reaching out, Sarah picked a few, handing half to Colin, then popping the rest in her mouth.

Seeing the pleasure on her face, he couldn’t help the desire to take some of it for himself. Drawing her into his arms, he lowered his mouth, kissing her until they were both breathing heavily, aching with need. He required Sarah’s touch as much as he did air to breathe, the feel of her body aligned with his, offering the comfort he craved. Letting his hands splay across her back, he tightened her to him, enjoying her soft curves. Her arms encircled his neck, pulling him down. Her soft moans ignited a fire inside him, while bringing reason back into his world. Ending the kiss, he set her aside, air coming in ragged breaths.

“It’s best we stop, lass. No sense starting what we can’t finish.” He nodded toward the school not fifty yards away.

Using shaky hands to smooth her dress, Sarah inhaled deeply. “You’re right. I don’t know what came over me, behaving such as this with the children so close by.”

Colin cast her a knowing smile, then tensed, remembering why he wanted to speak with her.

“Quinn’s been shot.”

“My God. What happened?” Gripping his hand tighter, she turned to face him, listening as he told her what he knew. “No one can identify either man?”

“They joined the game as Brodie and I walked outside. We weren’t gone long before we heard the shots. They couldn’t have played more than a hand before they accused Quinn of cheating and drew their guns. He didn’t have a chance to get his own out of the holster. I should have taken a better look at the men in the saloon when Brodie mentioned his concerns. Instead, I walked out, needing air.”

“And Brodie left with you.”

“We left Quinn alone.”

Moving her hands up his arms, she tightened her hold, staring into his tortured eyes. “It’s not your fault. How could you know what those men planned? If you’d stayed, you and Brodie may have been shot as well.”

“Not likely, Sarah. Quinn doesn’t cheat. There’s no doubt in my mind or Brodie’s that the gunmen ambushed him. They wouldn’t have had the guts to confront all three of us.”

“Why? You’ve done nothing to provoke an attack such as this.”

Colin turned away, breaking Sarah’s hold. Pacing a few steps from her, he turned, hands fisted on his hips. “There is one man with a reason to do this.”

“Who?”

“Your father.”

“Nae, Colin, you’re wrong.” Her voice hardened at his accusation. Although she and her father were estranged, she understood him well enough to know he’d never stoop to such means to get her back. “He would never hire men to gun another down. I’m certain of that.”

“You’re sure, Sarah? You’ve no doubts at all?”

“None. Although there is one other person who might be angry enough at your sudden appearance. However, he would’ve been recognized by everyone.”

“Who?”

“Wes Bell.”

“The man who wanted to court you, the one who made the agreement with your father to wed you?” Colin couldn’t keep the edge from his voice at the thought of another man with Sarah, wanting her the way he did. Although she’d waited a long time for him, Colin couldn’t help but wonder how much longer she would have held out with a wealthy rancher interested in her affections.

“He meant nothing to me, and I told him so. More than once.” Rubbing a hand across her forehead, she pushed strands of hair from her face, wishing she’d never mentioned Wes. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Wes might be angry I turned him down and that you came for me, but he wouldn’t kill an innocent man.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he’d confront you straight on. Try to talk you out of it. Maybe even try to, um…negotiate with you.”

“Are you trying to say Bell might try to pay me off, bribe me?” Colin stalked toward her, his face a mask. “Do you think for one minute I’d wait this long, ride hundreds of miles to claim you, then turn around and leave with my pockets full of money? Do you think so little of me?”

She took a step away, casting her gaze to the ground to still the anger at his words, then glared up at him. “That’s a ridiculous thing to say, Colin MacLaren, and you know it. I never should’ve mentioned Wes. Forget that I did.” Leaving him behind, she stormed toward the school, then stopped as a strong hand gripped her arm, turning her around.

“Come here.” Colin’s gentle tug drew her to him. Enfolding her in his arms, he rested his chin on top of her head. “Quinn’s been shot, is fighting for his life, and I have no idea as to who shot him or why. I need answers and I’ll listen to whatever you have to say.”

Wrapping her arms around his waist, she relaxed, letting her face nestle against his chest. “Well, there is one other possibility.”

“And what is that?”

“The war. We see many men coming west, trying to forget the carnage back east. Some are good and build new lives. Others have made killing a way of life. Perhaps the shooting was as the people said. Two men accusing Quinn of cheating and looking for an excuse to kill. If the sheriff were here, you’d get more help. Walker is a good man, as are most of his deputies.”

“We met him on our way here. He and his men were searching for bank robbers.” Colin thought back to the men they’d met not long before reaching River City. “Regardless, we’ll get no help from him. We’ll have to figure it out on our own.”

Looking up, she gripped the front of his shirt. “Let’s leave, Colin, and forget about finding the men who shot him. As soon as Quinn can travel, we’ll go home—to our home.”

“It sounds good, but that still leaves two men out there who kill at will. They can’t go unpunished.”

“But—”

He touched a finger to her lips. “While Quinn recovers, Brodie and I will try to learn who did this. If we have no success, we’ll make a decision. All right?” He didn’t want to leave without bringing the men to justice. At the same time, Sarah’s idea made sense. They had no idea who did it and little hope of finding out. They turned at the sound of laughter and yelling from the direction of the schoolhouse.

“Appears Geneen has let the children go home. We should start back.” Sarah reached for his hand. “We’ll figure this all out, Colin. Now, take me to see Quinn, then Geneen and I will bring supper to you and Brodie.”

“Afternoon, Wes, Walt. What can I get you?” The bartender stood with his hands braced on the bar.

“Two whiskeys. I’m also looking for information. Do you know where I can find Colin MacLaren?”

Setting the drinks in front of them, the bartender cocked his head. “What do you want with him?”

“I’d say that’s my business.” Wes sipped his whiskey, waiting.

“And I’d say it’s mine since people seem to be trying to kill the MacLarens in my saloon.”

“I heard about the shooting, but I had nothing to do with it. It’s a civil discussion I want with MacLaren, nothing more.”

“In that case, you’ll find him at the clinic or the hotel.”

Finishing their drinks, Wes and Walt set their glasses down and started for the door.

“One more spot you might look. Miss MacGregor’s place.”

Sarah sat with Quinn for over an hour while Colin and Brodie took another turn around town, hoping to uncover any lead that would help them find the men responsible for the shooting.

While they were gone, Sarah talked with Quinn, telling stories as she would a child, trying to get him to open his eyes. Gripping a pitcher to pour a glass of water, she heard a groan. When she looked back, his eyes were open to slits, staring at her.

“Quinn. We’ve been so worried about you.”

His lips moved, but nothing came out. Shutting his eyes tight, he groaned and tried to push up.

“You need to stay still. You’ve been shot.”

Ignoring her, he tried once more to sit up, then fell back with a deep moan.

“You are a stubborn man, Quinn MacLaren. This time, however, you’ll do as I say and stay down. I’m going for the doctor.”

Returning a few minutes later with the doctor in tow, they found Quinn asleep.

“Did he speak to you, Sarah?”

She shook her head. “He moaned some and tried to sit up, then fell back.”

“How about I sit with him a while and give you time to go home and fix supper?”

“Geneen’s been cooking most of the day, but she’ll need help bringing it all over here. If you’re certain, I’ll go help her.”

It took no time at all for the two women to pack plates, the stew, and biscuits into baskets. By the time they returned, Colin and Brodie sat with Quinn as the doctor watched, leaning against a nearby wall.

“We’ll take those, Sarah.” Colin stood, taking a basket, placing a kiss on her cheek.

“Has he stirred again?”

“Nae,” Colin sighed.

“He will. You weren’t here before, but he tried to sit up. He’s going to make it, Colin. I’m certain of it.”

“This all smells real good, lassies.” Brodie took a peek into the stew pot, breathing in the rich aroma.

“Now, Geneen and I don’t want to haul any of this back to the house, so I expect you to eat it all.” Sarah filled plates with chicken stew and biscuits. “Doc, there’s broth here for Quinn, if he’s up to it.”

“I don’t know how much he’ll get down, but I’ll eat whatever you have, Miss MacGregor.” The doctor took the plate Geneen held out to him.

They ate in silence, the only sound was the clicking of utensils on plates and occasional labored breathing from Quinn. Each moan or movement had them all watching, hoping he’d wake again.

“Looks like you men finished every bit.” Sarah set the lid back on the pot as Geneen collected the empty plates. Packing their belongings, her movements stilled at the sound of a groan.

“Quinn? Quinn, lad, can you hear me?” Colin stood over him, hands resting lightly on his shoulders, watching as Quinn’s eyes fluttered, then opened.