Finding Promise (24 page)

L. B. chuckled. “I've never seen a man more in love. That's a marriage that will last forever.”

“Yep, it sure will,” Cole said.

While they played poker, all three kept an eye on the men coming and going from the saloon. Jake asked L. B., “Have you seen many strangers in town lately?”

“Not many in here tonight, but we've had more than our share lately,” L. B. responded. “None of them could play poker worth a darn, but that's always good news for me.”

Jake's ears perked up. “You haven't happened to see a big man that's about as big as Colt, but real ugly, have you?”

“How did you know? Please don't tell me that he's a friend of yours.” L. B. didn't like the man he was asking about. He was a sore loser, not to mention he tried to cheat. Her bartender, Sam, wanted to show him the door with the business end of a shotgun, but it wasn't necessary when she'd finally cleaned him out on high card.

“No friend of mine. We were just expecting him,” Jake told her.

His tone sounded serious to her. “Good, 'cause I caught him trying to cheat.” She reached up and pulled something from the back of her hair. “He ran out of money and asked if I would take this as his bet, to try to get some of his money back.” The comb she placed on the table twinkled under the flickering flame of the chandelier. “Since they looked like real diamonds to me, I agreed. As you can see, I won the hand. I wonder where a drifter like him got such a pretty thing.”

Jake picked up the comb and saw the initials
PS
, an exact match to the other one Promise wore. He remembered her saying there had been two combs. “This is real, and I know the lady it belongs to.” Jake proceeded to tell L. B. about the wagon train, and the events that happened on the trail. Once he finished, he said, “I would like to buy this from you.”

“I'll not have that. You can have the comb. I'd get no enjoyment wearing it since I know how he came by it. Sounds like that little gal has had enough grief. If that no-account sets foot in here again, I'll take it outta his hide.”

Jake put the comb in his pocket. “I thank you. Do you happen to know if they are still in town?”

“No, they said they was headed to Denver, but the big one said they would be coming back.”

“I'd appreciate it if you would let me know when they do,” Jake said. “And leave his hide to me. I promise you he will get what he's got coming.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“They're here,” Jake told Colt the next morning at breakfast. He pulled the comb from his pocket and showed it to his brother. “This belongs to Promise.”

“Did you see them?” Colt asked.

“No, L. B. won this off Big Ugly,” Jake replied.

“Do you know how many?”

“She said there were ten riding together.”

Colt thought about the news for a minute. “Are you going to tell her?”

“What do you think?” Jake had debated that question all night, and was still no closer to a decision.

“I wouldn't right now. No sense worrying the women until there's a reason.” If they could take care of this problem without Victoria's or Promise's knowledge, so much the better. He didn't want Victoria to be worried about anything but having a healthy baby. And he sure didn't see any point in worrying Promise.

“Cole is telling the men, and we have enough hands right now so no one will be on the range alone until this is finished,” Jake said. Tucking the comb back into his pocket, he hoped it was possible to keep the women in the dark until the killers were in jail, or better yet, dead.

“Instead of waiting on them, why don't we take the lead in this dance?” Luke asked his brothers.

Jake and Colt stared at him. Finally, Colt said, “You might have something there, little brother. Since we don't even have a sheriff right now, we can't depend on the law.”

“I knew you couldn't be as dumb as you look, Luke,” Jake added.

Luke grinned at his brother. “Look who's talking. For a U.S. Marshal, you can't seem to find a solution to this problem. I wonder why that is?” Luke had already figured out that Jake's brain was all wrapped up in thoughts of Promise. He didn't wait for an answer. “The way I see it, we already know one of the most important things about them. Every move they've made is an ambush.”

“The attack on the wagon train wasn't really an ambush,” Jake countered.

“Yeah, that's true, but they were already aware they wouldn't meet with anyone willing to fight back. They knew those folks weren't armed,” Colt reminded him.

Luke glanced from one brother to the other. “We need to have a talk with L. B.”

Jake and Colt listened intently as Luke outlined his plan, and when he finished, the three were in agreement on how to proceed.

“We'll need to keep some men around the house, but let's not make it obvious to the women,” Colt suggested.

“We could keep Cole and Rodriguez around, since they follow Promise around anytime they have a free minute,” Jake said.

Luke arched a brow at Jake. “Maybe we should leave you here if you're so worried.”

“Not a chance. I want those killers,” Jake stated firmly. “Let Cole and Rodriguez fight over her.”

The men left the house, and Jake made a plan with Luke to go see L. B. on their way to their respective dinners.

After an exhausting day on the range, Jake, Colt, and Luke had just reined in at the stable when they saw a buggy coming down the lane. “Jake, it looks like the doctor. Can you take Razor?” Colt asked, dismounting and handing his horse's reins off to his brother.

“Sure thing,” Jake replied.

Colt walked toward the house, keeping an eye on the visitor. When the buggy drew closer, he realized that it wasn't the doctor's horse. Turning back to his brothers, he said, “It's not Doc.”

Instead of taking the horses to the stable, Jake and Luke stayed where they were until they figured out who was visiting.

Colt was waiting on the porch when the buggy came to a halt. A tall, well-dressed gentleman stepped out.

“Sir, would Mr. McBride happen to be available?”

Colt noted the Southern accent. “I'm Colt McBride.”

The gentleman walked to the porch, removed his gloves, and stuck out his hand. “Sir, I am forever in your debt.”

Colt took the man's hand in his, but he had no idea what he was talking about. “Why would you be in my debt?”

“I'm Charles Worthington, and I've been told you are the man who saved my fiancée's life.”

Now Colt was truly puzzled. “Who is your fiancée?”

“Miss Sinclair, the woman you saved on the wagon train.”

Odd that Promise had never mentioned she had a fiancé. This was sure to be news to Jake. “Mr. Worthington, I'm afraid you are referring to my brother, Jake McBride. He was the one who found your . . . ah . . . Promise.”

“I do apologize. I have traveled a long way, and Mr. Hollister told me that Promise was at your ranch. Is she still here?”

“She is.” Just as the words left Colt's mouth, the door behind him opened and Promise walked out.

“Charles!” Promise couldn't believe her brother's best friend was standing right in front of her. She ran into his outstretched arms.

“I'm so sorry about Matthew,” Charles said, his voice breaking at the mention of his childhood friend. He hugged her tightly to his chest, and neither could say more.

As hard as she tried, Promise couldn't keep the tears from flowing when Charles mentioned Matthew. Charles and Matthew were as close as brothers, and the three of them shared everything as children. All of the memories of their carefree younger days flooded her mind, and the heartbreak seemed all the greater because Charles understood her pain. It was a comfort to have someone who knew Matthew well to share in her grief.

Colt felt helpless watching the two of them. He turned away to see if his brothers were watching this scene. They had to be as surprised as he was seeing a stranger cradling Promise. Jake and Luke had tied off the horses to the railing and were walking toward the house.

Regaining her composure, Promise pulled away from Charles and swiped at the tears on her cheeks. “Charles, what are you doing here?”

“I came for you, of course. I traveled to Denver, and your uncle told me you were here. It has taken me some time to catch up to you.” He hugged her again. “How are you, darling?”

Jake and Luke reached the porch in time to hear the endearment.

“I'm well,” she replied.

“Mr. Worthington, these are my brothers, Jake and Luke,” Colt said politely.

“So you are the man who saved my Promise,” Charles said, shaking Jake's hand first. “I'm more grateful than you know.”

Taking measure of the man, the first thing Jake noticed was Worthington wasn't heeled. Maybe he was like the folks she was traveling with on the wagon train and didn't believe in carrying a firearm. He remembered reading in Promise's journal that Charles Worthington didn't want her to leave Charleston, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember anything else. Since Worthington just called her
my Promise
, there had to be more to this relationship than he'd gleaned from her journal. And Promise certainly hadn't discussed Charles Worthington with him.

After Charles shook hands with Luke, he pulled Promise to him again and kissed her on the forehead. “I don't know what I would have done if anything happened to you.” He kept his arm planted firmly around her waist.

“Charles is an old family friend,” she said by way of explanation of his forward behavior. “We've known each other since we were children.”

“Actually, our families betrothed us when we were very young,” Charles added.

Jake's eyes were on Worthington, but when he made that comment, his eyes shifted to Promise.

Noticing everyone's surprised expression, Promise made an attempt to explain Charles's statement. “Charles was my brother's best friend, and my parents naturally thought we would share our future.” She didn't want the McBride brothers to think she had a fiancé she'd been hiding. She'd always thought their parents were teasing about the betrothal, but Charles took it for granted she would be his wife. She'd told him a million times that she had no intention of marrying him, but nothing she said discouraged him. Before she left Charleston, he'd presented her with a ring, but her rejection had fallen on deaf ears. She'd made it clear she didn't intend to return to Charleston for a long time, suggesting that he should move on, but he simply refused to listen. She suspected Matthew had assured Charles he would make sure she came back earlier than she intended. Matthew was forever pushing Charles on her, saying he would make the perfect husband. She simply never looked at Charles in that light; she loved him like a brother, nothing more.

She had written Mr. Smythe, the barrister overseeing the estate in her absence, and explained her current circumstances. She told him to expect her in Charleston by August of next year, but she wasn't sure he'd even received her missive, so she had no idea how Charles found out about Matthew. “Charles, how did you know?”

“I telegraphed your uncle to make sure you had arrived safely, and he telegraphed me. I came as soon as I heard.”

She hadn't telegraphed or written to Charles for fear he would do exactly what he did . . . come look for her.

“We will be having dinner soon, Mr. Worthington. Please join us,” Colt offered. He glanced at Jake, who looked as though he wanted to strangle him for his suggestion.

“Thank you. That is most kind of you, and I do apologize for appearing on your doorstep unannounced.”

“As you have probably already figured out, we are less formal out here,” Colt told him.

“Yes, it does seem so, but I find it charming.” Charles looked out over the landscape of the ranch. “This is a beautiful place, Mr. McBride.” Looking at the mountains in the background, he added, “You picked the perfect spot for your home.”

“I can't take credit for that. My father built the first house in this exact spot,” Colt replied. “Are you staying in Wyoming long, Mr. Worthington?”

“Please call me Charles. I plan to stay for a few days, just long enough to arrange for our departure.”

“Our departure?” Promise asked. “Is someone with you?”

Charles smiled at her. “No, dear, I plan to escort you back to Charleston. I'm sure you must be anxious to return now, considering your responsibilities awaiting.”

“I am not returning to Charleston right now, Charles,” Promise told him. “I've written Mr. Smythe of my plans.”

“Surely you understand the scope of your obligations. I had planned to winter in New Orleans, but when I heard about Matthew, I changed my plans so I could assist you.”

“I plan to stay here through the winter, then go back to Denver for a visit before returning to Charleston,” she told him emphatically.

“My dear, there are many things that need your attention since Matthew's—” He broke off, not wanting to upset her again.

“Charles, this is not the time for this discussion.” Promise was embarrassed that he showed no reluctance to discuss her personal decisions in front of everyone.

“Of course, you are right, my dear. I'm staying at the hotel, so we have time to discuss this. Perhaps you can come to town for dinner tomorrow night.”

Jake didn't like the sound of that, but fortunately Colt intervened before he could blurt out something he shouldn't. No way were they going to allow Promise to go into town now that they knew the killers were nearby. “You should stay with us, and that way you will have ample time to discuss your plans.”

Charles liked the opportunity to spend as much time with Promise as possible. “That is most kind of you. Are you sure it would not be an imposition on you and your wife?”

“I'm sure, and we have plenty of room.”

“I've been assisting Mrs. McBride during her confinement,” Promise explained to Charles.

“My brothers are going into town tonight, so they can pick your things up at the hotel and save you a trip,” Colt offered.

Jake wasn't pleased that he was going to town tonight while this interloper was moving in. He didn't know what to think of this man with his perfect Southern manners, completely at ease taking liberties with his endearments, just like a husband. No, he wasn't pleased at all with this turn of events, but he remembered that old adage,
keep your enemies close
. He didn't consider the fact that he'd already labeled Charles Worthington an enemy.

“You aren't having dinner with us?” Promise asked Jake.

Before Jake answered, Luke spoke up. “Some lovely ladies are cooking us dinner. Jake is going to Mavis Connelly's house, and I'm going to the Detrick ranch to have dinner with Sally.”

Jake rolled his eyes at Luke. He wasn't planning on advertising his plans.

“Oh.” Promise tried to hide her surprise. Mavis did move fast. But Jake must be attracted to her to accept the dinner invitation. She was disappointed, but she'd already come to accept Jake had no interest in her. “Have a nice time.”