HisBootsUnderHerBed (18 page)

W
hile Rico went back to get his horse, Garth insisted upon carrying Rory back to the mine. There he knelt and examined her foot to make sure there was no further injury. Smiling, he looked up. “Looks good, honey.”

“It feels fine, too,” she said.

He stood up. “And I’ve got more good news. The vein’s run out, so there’s no reason why we can’t pack up and go back tomorrow.”

“Hooray!” she shouted joyously, and threw her arms around him.

He kissed her, and the sound of Rico’s return broke them apart.

“If luck is with us, Rico, by this time tomorrow we’ll be at the mission with a hot bath and meal under our belts.”

“Sí, amigo. I’m ready to leave any time you are.”

“Let’s eat early and then pack up everything we won’t need on the trip back,” Garth said.

“Good idea,” Rory agreed.

“Where’s Paddy, Rory?”

“He’s off in the woods. He should be back soon.”

Garth glanced at Rico. “We’ll toss a coin to see who showers first.”

“And I’ll get dinner under way,” Rory said joyfully.

“Oh, I can’t wait to get away from here.” She was so happy, she began to hum “Oh! Susanna” as she started to prepare dinner.

Captivated by her happiness, Garth grasped her around the waist, then lifted her up and twirled around. “For I’ve come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee,” he sang in a rich baritone. Laughing, they continued the song and dance as Rico clapped his hands in rhythm.

“What’s going on here?” Paddy asked, appearing on the scene. “And I heard some gunshots a while back.”

“A good while back, Paddy,” Garth said with a disgusted look in the old man’s direction. “I’m getting rid of some of this dust.” He headed for the waterfall.

“Pop, this is Rico,” Rory said.

With a wary eye, Paddy scrutinized the young man. “Where’d you come from?”

“I live in the village, Señor O’Grady.”

“How do we know that? Maybe you’re one of them bandits figuring on moseying up to us, then stealing our gold.”

“I can assure you, Señor O’Grady, I am not after your gold,” Rico said politely.

Embarrassed by her father’s rudeness, Rory said quickly, “Pop, Rico saved my life today, and we trust him completely.”

“Whattaya mean, saved your life?”

“Just another time you were needed and nowhere to be found, Paddy,” Garth said, drying his hair as he joined them. “Shower’s all yours, Rico,” Garth said.

Nodding, Rico moved away.

Paddy gave Garth a scathing glare. “I’m talking to me daughter, if you please, Mr. Fraser.”

“And thanks to Rico, your daughter is still alive for you to be
talking
to.”

“I met up with a grizzly bear, Pop, and Rico drove it off.”

“And where was the likes of you, Mr. Fraser, when you was needed?”

“Working at digging the gold to finance your whiskey expenses, Mr. O’Grady. And the good news is that the vein has run out. We’re clearing out of here tomorrow morning.”

“How can you be so sure?” Paddy asked.

“I’ve been working that mine, Paddy. Perhaps there could be another vein farther in, but we don’t have the tools to cut through that rock. And even if we had dynamite, if we tried to use it, we could bring the whole top of the mountain down on us.”

“I’m thinking you’re bluffing, Mr. Fraser. I’m thinking you might have it in mind to come back here after we’re gone and mine some more.”

Garth snorted. “Once I get off this damn mountain, I wouldn’t step back on it for all the gold in the treasury, unless the whole United States Cavalry was accompanying me.”

“Confederate cavalry,” Rory corrected, and she winked at him.

The brief exchange between them was enough to cool his anger. What in hell did he care what Paddy thought?

“Paddy, due to your carelessness and setting the place on fire, every bandit for a hundred miles now knows we’re here and is probably on his way to drop in. And unfortunately those shots today will let them know our location exactly. So we’ve still got the hardest job ahead of us: getting out of here alive. And since there’s no longer any reason to remain here now, I’ll hog-tie you to a mule if I have to, to get you out of here.”

“I ain’t asking you to stay, Fraser. I’ll be glad to see the last of you. I’ve found me another source for gold.”

“Really.”

Rory had known this moment was inevitable, and she dreaded how it would end. “I think it’s time you tell him, Pop.”

“’Tis none of his business,” Paddy declared.

“Pop, we’re all in this together, and Garth’s got a right to know.” Rory turned to Garth. “He’s been panning for gold.”

“Panning for gold!”

“Yes. There’s a stream not too far from here. I saw him there this morning. I was on my way back when I encountered Mama Bear and her cubs.”

“It’s true, Garth,” Rico said. “I’ve seen him there a couple times now. I followed Rory when I saw her follow him. That’s why I was able to help her in time.”

Garth shoved his hat to his forehead. “And all this was happening while I was back in that damn mine, scraping up the last grain of gold dust? I ought to kick your ass down that mountain, Paddy. Your greed almost got your daughter killed again!”

Paddy dug into a pocket, pulled out a tiny pouch, and poured out over a dozen small nuggets. “These are mine. I found them, so don’t you be expecting any part of them because they’ve got nothing to do with the mine.”

“It wasn’t necessary to do it on the sly, Paddy. I wouldn’t have touched any of your precious gold nuggets.”

Rico went over and picked up one of the glittering stones.

“I’d thank you not to be touchin’ me gold,” Paddy said.

“I’m afraid this isn’t gold, Paddy.”

Paddy snatched it from his hand. “You’re lying, hoping to keep it for yourself.”

“Look at this closely. It’s a common mineral, and this mountain is full of it.”

“Are you talking about pyrite?” Garth asked. Rico nodded and Garth began to laugh. “He’s been panning fool’s gold—how appropriate!”

“What’s pyrite?” Rory asked.

“It’s often mistaken for gold by the untrained eye, but it’s a combination of iron and disulfide,” Garth said.

“You’re lying. You’re all lying just to cheat me out of me gold.”

“You and your damn gold,” Garth said. “For weeks now, I’ve watched you stumble around in a drunken stupor, making accusations, issuing orders or complaints, all of which are as worthless as you’ve been. In plain words, you’re a pain in the ass.” He turned to Rory. “I know he’s your father and you love him, but we’re wasting time with this argument. So let’s eat and pack up.”

No one had much to say throughout their meal.

After they finished dinner, Rico said, “You are right to get out of here in the morning. Do not let yourself be delayed from leaving. There’s no way out if they get you trapped up here.” He stood up. “I think I will go take a look around. We don’t want to ride into an ambush tomorrow.”

As Paddy sullenly headed into the mine, Garth looked at Rory. “If I were you, I’d get some sleep. We’ve got a rough trip ahead of us tomorrow.”

He pulled her into his arms for a long, drugging kiss that left them both breathless.

As he gazed down into her mesmerizing eyes, he realized that all this time, he had been denying the truth. He loved her more than life itself.

He tenderly brushed her cheek. “Good night, honey.”

Then he walked over and began to fill the canteens.

G
arth’s gaze followed Rory as she moved around the camp.

She had often joked about him being her knight, the one thing she wanted more than any gold. And with the love he felt for her, he
wanted
to be that knight.

But was his desire to roam greater than his love for her? Could he possibly live up to being that knight? He wanted to believe he could, because he loved her so much. He wanted to marry her and give her everything her heart yearned for.

When they got off this mountain, he’d ask her to marry him.
Somehow
he would live up to that knight in armor.

Garth had just finished filling the last canteen when Rico came hurrying back. He feared the worst when he saw the troubled look on the young man’s face, and they stepped out of earshot of the others.

“There’s a large party of banditos bedded down about a half mile below us. I heard that they’re planning to attack at dawn.

“That means we’ll move out tonight.”

“But since there’s only one way out, we can’t get past them,” Rico said. “They’re camped right at that spot where the trail narrows to a footpath. We’d have to go single file with no cover. The way they’re strung out, they’d spot us for sure.”

“Then I guess that changes our strategy. If we can’t slip past them in the dark, we’ll need a diversion to draw them up here.”

“A campfire won’t do it, because they already know where we are.”

Garth thought for a moment. “Do they have scouts out?”

“Yeah, there’s one in those fir trees watching us right now. I figure we can get rid of him any time we’re ready.”

“How many are we up against?”

“I counted fifteen horses, and fourteen men below. The man up here makes it fifteen.”

“Well, he might be the diversion we need. I figure once he sees us bed down for the night, he’ll relax. That’s when you get Rory and Paddy out. I’ll give you enough time to get down there, then I’ll take out that scout. That will draw the rest of them up here and give you a chance to get past them.”

“And what about you?” Rico asked.

“I’ll hold their attention as long as I’m able. Once you clear that narrow trail, don’t stop. They’ll be after you as soon as they discover you’re gone.”

“One man alone can’t hold them for too long; you know that.”

“I’ve got good cover here, and my rifle and Paddy’s.”

“But eventually they’ll rush you.”

“Not before you get a good head start.”

Rico shook his head. “No, I’m staying.”

“Rico, this isn’t your fight. You’ve got to get Rory out of here. You know what they’ll do to her if they get their hands on her.”

“Then you take her back, and I’ll stall them,” Rico said.

“You know that trail better than I do. I’ve only been on it once, and that was in daylight. I’m counting on you to get her through. You’ll have to travel light and on foot.”

“You think Paddy can make it?” Rico asked. “It’s a tough trail for an old guy on foot.”

“He’s going to have to. I hope to God he doesn’t give you a hard time; you’ll have enough on your hands to get them through as it is.”

“I can handle him,” Rico said. “You’re the one I’m worried about.”

“Forget me. Let’s get moving. One canteen should be enough, and you’ll have to take two pouches of the gold. I know he won’t leave without it, and Rory won’t leave without him. You’ll have to carry one pouch, and he can carry the other. If they become too heavy and slow you down, pitch them or bury them, no matter what Paddy says. I’ll try to bury the other two in the cave if I have time, and you can come back for them when this is over. Well, I guess we’d better break the news to the others.”

He walked over to the fire. Rory had just finished washing up the dishes, and she looked up at him.

“Rory, we’ve got trouble. Paddy, come over here; you have to hear this, too.”

He told them the situation and what they would have to do. “Now I want you all to act as if you’re bedding down for the night while I put out the fire.”

Throughout his instructions he had avoided looking directly at Rory, but he could feel her eyes on him. When he finished, she walked away and packed up the coffeepot.

Paddy came over to him, looking grim. “I’m not as drunk or dumb as you think, Garth Fraser. You’ll not be following us, will you?”

“Paddy, Rory means more to me than life. When you get the chance, let her know how much I loved her.”

“You’re a fine man, Garth Fraser. I’d have been proud to have had you for a son-in-law, and ’tis shame I’m feeling for the hateful things I’ve said to you. Forgive an old man if you will, me boy. For a time, I let me greed do me thinking.”

Garth slapped him on the shoulder. “I think it was more whiskey than greed, Paddy. Just give her the love she deserves.”

“That I will, son.” They shook hands and Paddy went into the cave.

Garth went through the motions and extinguished the fire. When he turned around, he was surprised to see Rory watching him. This was the moment he dreaded the most.

“Maybe Pop was right about you. You’ve been looking for an excuse to get your hands on the gold and get rid of us; now you’ve found one,” she teased.

He knew she was just putting up a brave front, trying to make saying good-bye less painful.

He slipped his hands around her waist and drew her into his arms. “You could always figure me out, couldn’t you, Miz O’Grady?”

Rory buried her head against his chest. “Oh, Garth, please don’t make me leave. I want to stay with you.”

“Hey, I’ll be right behind you.”

“No, you won’t. You’re going to stay here and get yourself killed.”

“Now, why would I do anything that stupid just to get out of marrying you?”

“Because you’re a hero at heart—my knight in armor. I know what you’re doing. You’re staying here to stall them, so the rest of us will have time to get away.”

She clung to him and he couldn’t restrain his feeling any longer. He kissed her with all the emotional passion these parting moments wrenched from him. Then he stepped away before he weakened any further.

“No regrets, honey, remember.” He reached out and gently cupped her cheeks with his palms. “I love you, and you were right. You
are
the best thing that ever happened to me. I figured that once we got off this mountain, I’d marry you on the spot.”

His fingers caressed her cheeks as he gazed into those beautiful, beautiful blue eyes, made even lovelier by the tears that turned them into shimmering pools.

Rico came to the entrance of the cave and nodded.

“Rory, it’s time. The others are waiting,” Garth said.

“But I can’t leave you,” she sobbed.

He held her closer and leaned his cheek against her soft hair. As he breathed in the sweet scent of her, felt the warmth of her, he knew he was losing her forever.

“Surely if we all remain, we could hold them off,” she pleaded.

“We don’t have enough ammunition, honey. Now, get out of here. Every moment counts.” He kissed her again, and then she turned away and ran into the cave.

Rico came outside. “Are you sure this is what you want, amigo?”

“Yes. Get going when I go over to Boots. If they’ve been watching before, they’ll know I take him inside at night. I’ll start to make some kind of commotion with him, so sneak out when the guy’s attention is on me. Then the rest is up to you. Good luck, Rico.”

“May God be with you,” Rico said.

“Same to you. Get going, pal. Time’s awasting.” Garth turned away and went over to where Boots was tethered.

“Sí,” Rico repeated softly in his native tongue. “Que Dios esté con usted, hombre.”

Garth untied Boots. “Come on, you dumb animal,” he shouted. “You’re as stupid as those mules.” He hoped that in the darkness the guy couldn’t see that he was holding the reins down; Boots had been trained not to move when he did that. “I’ll leave you out here with these damn mules if you try that trick again!” he shouted.

After a reasonable pause, he led the horse inside and the cave was empty—except for Saddle, who had been leashed until the rest were safely away.

Garth listened for any possible indication that the others had been detected. Satisfied, he lit a lantern so that the scout in the trees would see the light and not suspect anything.

Then he dug a hole just big enough to hold the two pouches of gold. After filling it in, he had Boots trample it down until the surface appeared to be simply hoof marks from the horse.

“And if you choose to drop some manure on it, pal, it’ll add an additional sweet touch—or should I say odor—to the proceedings.”

Garth took the leash off Saddle, then gathered up the rifles, ammunition, and a canteen. He sat down at the entrance and checked the weapons to make sure they were fully loaded. Satisfied, he settled back to wait.

“Well, boys,” he said to his two companions, “it looks like it’s us against the world.”

Suddenly Saddle stood up and moved outside. He stood with his ears and legs stiffened into his hunting stance as he sniffed the air. He’d either picked up the scent of the man in the fir trees, or that of some four-legged creature.

“Damn it, Saddle, get back here,” Garth hissed. It wasn’t wise for the dog to be out there chasing rabbits.

Picking up his rifle, he crouched down and stole outside.

It was time for him to go hunting, too.

Rory was shaking as the three of them huddled concealed in the trees, waiting for Garth’s rifle shot.

“I’m going back, Rico,” she said.

“I was afraid you would say that. Then we’ll go back with you.”

“No, three of us can’t make it past them without being seen. I can make it to the trees nearest the mine without being observed. That just leaves a couple of exposed yards to get to the entrance, and in the dark they might mistake me for one of them.”

Rico took off his hat. “Here, maybe this will help. Put this on and tuck your hair under it.”

Garth’s gunshot finally came; it reverberated like thunder. The sleeping bandits jumped to their feet, and one of them shouted out orders as they hurried to their horses and saddled up. Within minutes, they all rode off toward the mine.

“Now get out of here before it’s too late,” she said.

“Vaya con Dios, Rory.”

“And you, too, Rico.”

“I’ll not leave without you,” Paddy said.

“Please, Pop, this is what I want. I love Garth, and my place is with him now.”

“But you know he doesn’t have a chance, darlin’.”

“More reason for me to be there with him.”

“We must hurry,” Rico warned.

Tears streaked Paddy’s cheeks when she kissed him, and Rico led the heartbroken man away. Rory watched for a moment, then turned and raced back to the mine. She was breathless when she neared it, and stopped to catch her breath. Upon hearing the sound of horses and voices nearby, she started to run again, but tripped over a fallen timber in her path and landed hard on the ground.

Dizzy from the fall, she got to her knees, and a pair of boots appeared in her blurred vision. Rory raised her head and looked into the leering face of one of the bandits.

“So, chica, why are you in such a hurry?” Smirking, he tried to yank her to her feet.

Suddenly a hundred pounds of fur and snarling teeth sprang on him, and his rifle flew out of his hands as the bandit was knocked to the ground. As the man fought off Saddle, he reached for the machete looped to his side.

In desperation, Rory grabbed the rifle and pulled the trigger as he was about to strike. The machete dropped to the ground and the outlaw pitched forward.

“Come on, Saddle, let’s get out of here!” They raced to the entrance of the cave and she dashed in on the dog’s heels, which was what saved her from being shot by Garth.

“My God, Rory, what are you doing here?” he asked, stunned. “And where did you get that rifle?”

Rory looked astonished at the weapon in her hand. She hadn’t even realized she was carrying it. “I just shot a man, Garth.”

“Why did you come back, honey? I wanted to get you out of this mess and know you were safe and…”

The words choked in his throat as he looked at her standing before him, rifle in one hand.

He murmured helplessly, “Don’t you know that we haven’t a prayer of getting out of here alive?” He opened his arms, and she dropped the weapon and ran to him. For a long moment he held her, and then lowered his head and kissed her.

A barrage of bullets bounced off a nearby rock, jolting him back to reality. He shoved her away. “Get over against that wall and stay down.”

The attack had begun.