Finding Promise (15 page)

“Jake, I'll ride out there with you to see those folks, if you don't mind,” John offered.

“I don't mind. It might make it easier since they know you. I want them to know their families had a decent burial,” Jake said. “We found some personal items that belonged to those folks, which I'll bring back with me.” Jake told him how the women had sewn money in their dresses. “Of course, I don't know what family owned what, so their children will have to sort that out.”

“That won't be a problem. Those families share everything,” Nettie said tearfully.

 

 

After visiting the families, John and Jake were on the way back to the ranch, and John took that opportunity to ask Jake more questions. “Jake, from what you've said, Promise could still be in danger. If you have no objections I would like to take some of my men and go with you to get her.”

Without Mrs. Hollister around, Jake was more comfortable speaking freely. He didn't want her to worry about Promise's safety. “You're right, I think she is still in danger, and I have no problem with you coming along. Actually, I was going to bring some of my men along when we return to your ranch. If you have men to spare to ride with us, my men can keep the cattle moving.”

“I expect those men still want the money,” John said.

“Yes, you can count on it, and they know one person lived and can identify them. I also have reason to believe the killers have been in Denver recently.” Jake told him about the conversation with Clarke Parsons.

“Did you know Promise's father was the governor of South Carolina? I'm certain that was the reason Matthew was upset if someone revealed their identity to those men. Matthew was naturally wary of strangers, with good reason. They are a very wealthy family.”

Jake had heard of Governor Sinclair, but he hadn't linked the name when Promise said her parents were killed. “She didn't mention it, and I didn't make the connection.”

“Sinclair was a very wealthy man before he became governor. They have a sizable estate in South Carolina, as well as an estate in New Orleans.”

Jake was stunned. Even though Promise was traveling with a good sum of money, she didn't act like a woman of means.

“You're surprised?” Hollister asked, seeing the look on Jake's face.

“I never expected she came from that kind of background.”

“Promise has always surprised everyone in that way. She's an adventurous young woman, never conforming like most well-bred young women. Her father taught her how to ride and shoot, and she was much better than her brother at both. God rest his soul. Being the only male, Matthew was groomed to manage the estates, and Promise was sent to boarding school.” Hollister paused and smiled as though a pleasant memory had just skipped across his mind. He gave a little shake of his head, trying to keep control of his emotions. “That little gal spent more of her time trying to find a way to get back home than she did learning. Her father decided to allow her to try things her way with painting, but her mother wanted her to find a husband and settle down. Promise would have none of that. She started painting portraits for their friends, and in no time she was receiving a sizable sum for her work. Her father was so proud of her, proud of both of them. Promise and Matthew were as different as night and day, but like Nettie told you, they were very close, and she has to be devastated.”

Jake gleaned much about Promise's character listening to her uncle. She was even more amazing than he'd realized. “She told me she would have to take her brother home for burial.”

“I'm sure she'll want him buried at Sinclair Hall with her mother and father,” Hollister said.

It wasn't that Jake didn't understand their desire to have the family buried together, but it would be a dangerous undertaking. Then he thought about his own brothers, and he knew he would do the same thing. “That'll be a long, hard trip. I didn't want to say anything in front of Mrs. Hollister, but we encountered Comanche on the way.”

“I was worried about the wagon train running into Indians on their way to Denver, but I certainly never expected anything like what happened,” Hollister admitted.

“One of the Comanche braves wanted Promise, and to be honest, I'm surprised they haven't been back.”

Hollister was beginning to see how much Jake had done for his niece. He thanked God a man like Jake McBride had found her. “How did you deal with them?”

“I gave them three steers, but I have to admit I expected them to come back with a war party.”

“We'll take plenty of men with us in the morning and a wagon. If you prefer to stay with your drive, I'm sure we will be fine,” Hollister said.

Jake shook his head. “I saw what those killers did to the folks on that wagon train. I'll be riding back with you to get Promise and on our way back, I'll ride to Denver. I'm planning on staying there a day or two to see if those men show up again. If they aren't around, I'll head to Wyoming, and once the cattle are delivered to the ranch, I plan to come back to find them.”

Hollister heard the conviction in his voice. He liked Jake. Too bad his niece didn't want to marry. If she ever changed her mind, she'd be lucky to find a man with half the character of Jake McBride. “Tell me about your ranch and your family.”

They discussed the ranch and his brothers for the remainder of the ride back to Hollister's ranch.

Chapter Sixteen

 

Victoria moved up behind her husband and slipped her arms around his waist. He'd been on the porch, leaning against a column for the longest time, puffing on his cigar. It wasn't like Colt to be idle for long, so she knew he was troubled. Ever since the telegram from Jake arrived, he'd been unusually quiet. Jake said he'd run into some problems in Denver, but he hadn't explained what kind of trouble, a clear indication he figured he could handle the situation. That didn't prevent his older brother from worrying about him.

“Honey, why don't you go to Denver and see about Jake?”

Colt threw his cigar to the ground and turned around to take his wife in his arms. “I don't want to leave you, especially now.” If his beautiful new wife weren't pregnant with their first child, he would already be halfway to Denver.

“Stop being an overprotective husband. I won't have this baby for months, and I'm in good health, so there's nothing to worry about. Besides, you know Mrs. Wellington and Bartholomew would be happy to stay with me while you are gone.” Mrs. Wellington was like a mother to Victoria, and Bartholomew worked an adjacent farm that Victoria had inherited.

Colt hugged her close to his chest. He couldn't help but worry about her. She was the most precious thing in his life. “The doc told you to take it easy because he said you can expect a large babe since I was the largest baby he ever delivered.”

“I'll be fine. You don't have to worry,” she assured him.

He kissed the top of her head. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”

“I don't think you have,” she said, smiling. “And don't change the subject.”

“If Jake needs me, he will let me know.” He wished he felt as confident as he tried to sound, but uncertainty was nagging at him. “Cole is with him, so I'm sure they can handle any problems.” Jake and Cole had shared many dangerous situations—at least that is what he kept telling himself.

“I hate to see you worry.”

“I think another piece of your cherry pie would take my mind off my problems.”

She didn't think she was going to change his mind. “Let me call the boys and all three of you can have some pie.” Before she pulled away, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

“Maybe I'll forget about the pie.” He leaned over and picked her up and carried her inside. “Are you sure you're eating enough? You don't feel any heavier.” He worried about her carrying this baby because she was such a small woman.

She ran her fingers through the black curls on his neck. “Honey, I'm only three to four months along, so give me time. Before long you'll be teasing about not being able to lift me. The boys told me they want a sister. What do you want?” Thanks to Jake's pull with the judge, they had officially adopted the twins, Cade and Cody, immediately after they were married. Victoria had taken the twins from a burning saloon when they were young, and while she'd never adopted them, they had been a family ever since. When Colt met Victoria, he not only fell in love with her, he'd lost his heart to those boys. They were his boys, and he saw no difference from the love he felt for them and the babe his wife now carried.

His dark eyes bore into hers. “I want a healthy baby and wife. That's why I think you should let me hire someone to help you out around here. You do all the cooking and cleaning, not to mention taking care of the boys. Then you make those bag things for the ladies.”

She yanked on a lock of his hair and laughed. “They are called reticules. And I'll have you know I just received some orders from Paris, France.”

“That makes my point. Helen can't be of much help to you now.” Helen was the woman who had been with him since he was a boy, and she was getting too old to handle the work in such a large house.

“We are doing fine. I have Mrs. Wagner to help with the sewing,” she replied. She would never complain, because she enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the boys and her new husband. She'd never dreamed that her life would be so fulfilling and happy. She considered herself very blessed.

“When the baby comes, we'll need the help anyway, so we might as well find someone now,” he went on, just as if he hadn't heard her objections.

“Maybe Jake will bring home a wife,” she teased.

He gave her a horrified look. “On a cattle drive? I think not. Most men think women are the kiss of death on a cattle drive.” At the mention of the cattle drive, he started worrying about his brother again.

He wasn't quick enough to hide his concern from Victoria. She took his face between her hands and looked into his eyes. “Honey, go to Denver. You can come back with the drive. It won't take that long, and I will be fine. If you don't go you are going to worry until you see Jake.”

He didn't want to miss one day of Victoria's pregnancy, but she was right, he would worry until he saw Jake rein in at the ranch. Still he hesitated. “I don't want to be away from you. This is our first baby—”

“You'll have many more months left to watch me waddle around when you get back.” She didn't want him to leave; she hated the thought of him being away for any length of time. But if something happened to his brother because she tried to keep him with her, she would never forgive herself. “Now why don't you get everything ready so you can leave in the morning?”

 

 

Victoria awoke in the middle of the night to find Colt standing at the window. “What is it?” she whispered.

He turned and walked back to bed. “I'm sorry I woke you.” He crawled under the covers and pulled her to him. “Go back to sleep.”

“Colt, tell me what's wrong,” she urged.

“I can't explain it. I just have a feeling that Jake . . . that something is wrong with him.”

She'd never met a man like her husband. He was strong, courageous, and he never expressed fear of anything. It was troublesome to see him so worried. “You are going to Denver in the morning, no arguments. If you don't, then I'm going,” she threatened.

Colt chuckled at her threat. “I can't have you traveling to Denver in your condition.”

“Then you'll go?” she asked tentatively.

“Honey, it would take me several days to get there.”

“The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll get home.”

Colt was silent for so long that Victoria nudged him. “I'll go if you promise me that you will not go anywhere alone and Mrs. Wellington will stay here while I'm gone. I'll have T. J. fetch her and Bartholomew in the morning.”

She kissed his cheek. “Do you think Mrs. Wellington would let me go anywhere alone? Just like you, she'll watch my every move.”

He couldn't disagree. Mrs. Wellington was more protective than he was, and Bartholomew was almost as bad. “Is it so terrible to have a husband who loves you so much?”

She snuggled into his muscled chest. She felt so blessed to have this man love her. She could never thank God enough for giving her so much. “I love my husband as much. So promise me you will be careful. Why don't you take T. J. with you?”

He would do anything to keep her from worrying about him while he was away. “I need T. J. to stay here and run the ranch. But if it keeps you from worrying, I'll take Strait with me.”

“I'd worry less if you took more men.”

“There's no need for you to worry about me. Besides, Strait is a better shot that any two of the other men,” he said. “Now give your husband some kisses, since they are going to have to last me for some time.”

 

 

Once T. J. brought Mrs. Wellington and Bartholomew to the ranch the next morning, Colt was ready to leave.

He lifted Cade and Cody into his arms. “Boys, I expect you to look after your mother. Help her out and take care of Bandit.”

Hearing his name, Bandit jumped up on Colt's leg. He knew his master was leaving and he was already whining. Victoria had the urge to whine like the dog but kept a smile pasted on her face.

Colt lowered the boys to the ground and rubbed Bandit's ears. “You have to stay here and look after the family, boy.” He knew the dog would follow him, so he looked at the twins and said, “Take Bandit inside so he doesn't run after me.”

Cade and Cody hugged him again. “Good-bye, Pa,” they said in unison.

“You will come back, won't you?” Cody asked.

His question stunned Colt. He bent down on one knee and looked Cody in the eye. “Why would you ask such a thing?”

Cody gazed at the ground, avoiding Colt's eyes. His brother spoke for him. “Well, our other pa left us, but we was just babies and didn't know him.”

Colt pulled them into his arms. His voice was thick with emotion when he spoke. “I'm your pa now. Don't you two know that nothing is more important to me than you and your mother? There are times when I will have to leave, but don't you ever doubt that I will always come back. Nothing on earth could keep me from you.”

“Ain't Bandit 'portant to you?” Cade asked.

Colt smiled and ruffled his blond hair. “Of course Bandit is included.”

“What about Razor?” Cody asked.

“Razor too.” Leave it up to them to ask about his horse. He knew they were just trying to delay his departure, but he didn't mind. He wanted them to know how important they were to him. “Your new little brother or sister too,” he said before they could ask.

Knowing the boys were likely to complete the list of names of everyone on the ranch, Victoria said, “Your pa has to leave, so take Bandit inside.”

“Okay,” they said together, and hugged Colt's neck one more time.

“They are going to miss you,” Victoria said. She tried in vain to blink away her unshed tears. “I will too.”

Colt lifted her off the ground and hugged her to him. “Not as much as I will miss you.”

He kissed her passionately, and she clung to him when his lips left hers. He whispered in her ear, “And you better stop kissing me like that or I will never leave.”

“Take care, husband, and come back in one piece.”

“I plan to,” he said, chuckling. “I know how you like all of my parts.”

Strait rode up to the porch holding Razor by the reins, along with two spare horses. Colt had told him they would be riding hard to Denver. “You ready to go, boss?”

“Yep, if my wife will let go of me,” Colt teased, gazing into Victoria's watery sky-blue eyes. “I'll send a telegram when I arrive.”

She could barely speak for the huge lump in her throat. “Okay,” she finally uttered. They hadn't been apart since they had married, and she didn't want him to know how much she would worry until she heard from him.

Colt understood how she felt because he felt the same way. He leaned down to kiss her one more time. “Don't worry about me, honey. I'll be back before you miss me.”

“Impossible.”

“I won't ride back with the cattle drive. That would take too long,” he said, winking at her.

They stared at each other for a minute without saying a word, but in that moment they said everything.