Kate's Outlaw (Steam! Romance and Rails) (9 page)

“It isn’t over,
Wa-ya
. It won’t be over until those whites tear up that track and leave.”

“They aren’t going anywhere. We have to outsmart them, not fight them.”

“Outsmart them?” His cousin huffed a dark laugh. “Is that what you call running away?”

He’d known Charley would view his action as cowardice, but he didn’t care. He’d done the right thing by protecting Redbird. “I took her away to keep you from making a big mistake.”

“I’d say
you’re
the one making the mistake.”

Oh, he’d made more than his share of mistakes, but coming to town with Redbird wasn’t one of them. Good thing she’d strong-armed him into it, what with Charley being here waiting for her. Jake shuddered to think what might’ve happened if she’d returned alone. “Leave her be. She won’t tell anyone we took her.”

His cousin made a scornful sound. “Since when did you start believing liars?”

“She's not a liar.”

“All whites are liars.”

“And
according to them, we’re all savages." Jake grappled with his temper. Fortunately, the men around them didn’t seem to notice the argument. They were more concerned with their own disagreements. “So long as we go on hating each other, we don’t have to face who we are, what we’ve become.”

“Always the philosopher.” Charley swigged his whiskey in one gulp and set the shot glass down with a
thunk
. “You disappoint me,
Wa-ya
. I hoped you might live up to your name. But you're not a wolf. You're a lamb."

J
ake stiffened at the insult. Seven years ago he’d let Charley down and his cousin would never let him forget it. As if he could. "Being brave doesn't mean being stupid."

Charley
snatched up the knife and twisted in his chair. "Are you calling me stupid?"

Jake eyed the razor-sharp blade pointed at him. "Are you going to gut me with that thing?"

His cousin’s frown became troubled. The knife disappeared into the sheath in his boot. Was his conscience bothering him?

Jake’s hopes lifted. There might be a chance to turn things around if he could reach the
old Charley, the one trapped inside this cold-hearted man. "We don’t have to steal,
Tsa-li
. We can find a way to protect our land without bringing shame on our family.”

Charley's lips thinned.  "I’m not ashamed of what I’ve don
e. And I'm not so yellow I'd run from a fight.”

“We can't fight them all.” Jake’s shoulders sagged with weariness. “I’m going to talk to the big chief tomorrow. If I can negotiate a deal, we can end this—”  

“Not interested in negotiating.” Charley picked up his hat and stood.

Jake shoved his chair asid
e and followed his cousin out the swinging doors. Elbowing past a knot of men, he strode into the street and grabbed Charley’s arm. “Listen to me. I won’t let you—”

Charley whirled around and slammed his fist into Jake's nose. 

Pain splintered through Jake's face. He staggered back, blood spewing from his nose. He blinked to clear his vision.

“You stinking coward.”
Charley sneered. “Was bedding that white woman worth it? Maybe I’ll go see what it is she’s got that makes you so eager to do her bidding.”

White-hot rage streaked through Jake. He
threw a hard punch to Charley's jaw, snapping his head back. Before his cousin could react, he hammered Charley's midsection, forcing him to retreat.

With a snarl, Charley
came back, fists pounding like rocks against Jake's ribs. Soon Jake lost count of how many punches he'd given or gotten.

"Fight!" someone shouted. Men poured out of the saloon, forming a ring around them
. Excited voices peppered the air with vulgar encouragements.

Jake grappled with his cousin
. His feet kept slipping. They fell to the ground and he shoved his cousin's shoulders down, sinking him into the thick mud. Straddling Charley's chest, he delivered punishing blows. The blood of his warrior ancestors pounded in his ears like ancient drumbeats.

"Break it up!" A barked order from behind penetrated the red haze.

Jake shook off his bloodlust. The mud made a sucking sound as he pulled his knees out of it, and staggered to his feet. He grabbed his ribs at the sharp pain.

“What’s the problem, gentlemen?” The
commanding voice belonged to a bluecoat, an officer by the look of it.

A curse escaped before Jake could bite it off. Bad enough he’d let Charley goad him into a fight. Drawing unwanted attention from the Army was the last thing they needed. He wiped
his mouth, and his fingers came away smeared with a mixture of blood and drool.

"Pers'nal matter," he mumbled around a split lip.

Charley groaned as he sat. His nose bled, the reddened flesh around his eyes was swelling, he looked like he’d been run down by a stampede. Were his ribs busted, too?

Jake offered his hand.

His cousin ignored it. He got to his knees and awkwardly crawled to his feet, wearing a sullen frown.

"
Show's over. Move on," the soldier instructed the crowd.

D
isappointed grumbles faded as spectators shuffled back toward the saloon. A few holdouts clustered behind the hitching rail. 

"
Are you the man who accompanied Miss Parsons into the hotel?"

The
question startled Jake. He hadn’t seen any soldiers when he and Kate arrived. He picked up his hat, trying to act unconcerned. "Who wants to know?"

"Major Bradford.” The officer
held Jake's gaze. “My wife and I own the hotel."

Jake's shoulder's tensed.
Mrs. Bradford. Eden.
Why would she send her husband after him? Or—his heart tripped—had Redbird flown to the authorities, thinking he’d broken his promise when he left without telling her?

“I was ther
e," he conceded. No point digging a deeper hole by lying. "Just stepped out to get a drink.”

The major glanced at Charley. “Looks like you found trouble.”

"Just a disagreement." Jake shrugged. "My friend’s leaving. I’ll head back to the hotel.”

A bearded man stepped from behind the major, blocking Jake’s path.
Henry Stevens
. Had to be. That bowler hat and starchy suit were unmistakable, as was the arrogant expression. "You aren’t going anywhere. Not until you answer some questions."

First Charley, and now this cocky rooster. Jake fisted his hands. By Thunder, he’d had enough. "Get out of my way."

The major stepped in. “Mr. Stevens, let me handle this.”

"Aren’t you going to question them?”
Henry Stevens glare wasn’t the typical kind a white man gave an Indian. His hatred and anger seemed more personal.

“Fool,” Charley muttered in
Tsa-la-gi
. He wasn’t talking about Stevens.

Jake rubbed the sweat from the back of his neck. Kate must’ve talked to him.
Had she changed her mind about keeping mum? He struggled to keep his expression neutral. “Look, I just got into town. I’m not looking for trouble.”

“Where did
you
come from?” The major directed the question at Charley, who grew still as a cougar ready to spring

Jake tensed. Surely his cousin wasn’t foolish enough to attack
.

Charley broke and ran for his horse.

Voices rose in confusion as he shoved through the remaining spectators loitering near the hitching rail. The men scattered. He leapt into the saddle and wheeled the horse around, waving his gun and yelling for Jake to come with him.

The major clamped a hand around Jake’s arm. “Tell him to dismount and put his gun down
before somebody gets hurt.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Jake saw
Stevens pull a pistol from inside his coat. He jerked free of the major’s hold and struck the other man's arm.

A loud crack sounded as the gun went off
, and smoke burned in Jake’s nose.

Charley crouched low over his horse’s neck, thundering down the street into the darkness.

Jake wrestled with the railroad chief to prevent him from firing again. With a curse, Stevens plowed an elbow into Jake's injured ribs. He fell back, grunting in pain, and cradled his side.

Stevens waved the pistol in his face. "Do that again, and I'll shoot you."

“Put away that damn peashooter," the major roared. "We won't get answers from a dead man."

“
What do you want?” Jake gasped. He couldn't straighten for the pain in his side. He slid an angry glance at the major. “What’d we do?”

Major Bradford rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“That’s what I’d like to know.”

Chapter
7

Kate twisted her hair into a loose knot, letting several strands hang loose around her face. She no longer felt the need to scrape them into submission. She’d hurried through a cold bath, would’ve preferred to have it heated, but didn’t want to take the time. Not when she needed to talk to Jake, find out what was bothering him and tell him about the uncomfortable conversation she had with Major Bradford.

As s
oon as she finished arranging their supper with Eden, the major had appeared and started asking questions. She’d given him the same story she’d told his wife. Jake was a tribal council representative in town to negotiate with her father.

Major Bradford’s brown eyes had remained
warm, but she sensed he didn’t believe her. Eden had once remarked her husband could detect falsehoods like a hound sniffing out a rabbit. He’d certainly put his nose to the ground, asking what Jake looked like, where Kate had met him, where he'd come from. She’d stuck to her story and at last the major lost the scent. At least, he’d stopped asking questions.

Kate selected a navy skirt and cream shirt. After making do with quick clean-ups in creeks, it was a blessed relief to return to civilization. Another reason
things would never work out between her and Jake. He couldn’t afford more than the basic necessities.

Still, did it really matter he was poor? She wasn’t. But m
oney wasn't the issue. If she chose to wed an Indian, her father would never let her near his beloved railroad, and her hopes for running it would vanish faster than a wisp of smoke.

Kate stared at her unhappy expression in the mirror. The idea of taking the reins on her father’s business didn’t excite her as much as it had when she’d first arrived. The thought of being with Jake, on the other hand, was growing more appealing by the day.

She bit her lip at a stab of grief. If Jake had wanted her to stay with him, he would’ve said so. As it was, he’d insisted they go their separate ways after the meeting with her father. And he was right. They were from two different worlds and weren’t meant for each other. So, why did it feel like a part of her would be ripped away when he said goodbye?

A knock rattled her door.

Her heart leapt. Was it Jake? She’d gone to her room to freshen up and assumed he’d wait on her to come to him, but maybe he’d grown impatient. That meant he wanted to see her as much as she wanted to see him.

Foolishly giddy, Kate
hurried to let him in. As she opened the door, her spirits fell.

Eden stood in the hall.
Was it dinnertime already? She wasn’t bearing a tray.

Masking her disappointment, Kate opened the door further. “Yes?”

“Can you come downstairs? The major would like a word with you.”

“I just spoke to him. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

Eden’s face grew pinched. “I’m afraid not. Your friend, Mr. Colson, he’s in jail.”

Shock stole Kate’s breath. “Jail?” She barely got the word out. “Why? What happened?”

“I’m not sure. Sin said there was a fight.”

Kate’s skin prickled with dread. When had Jake gotten into a fight? He’d been in his room, hadn’t he? She turned and grabbed her jacket. “I have to get over there and clear this up. There’s been some mistake.”

She flew past Eden and pounded down the stairs. She’d tell the major or whoever arrested Jake that he’d done nothing wrong, lie through her teeth, whatever it took to get him out of jail. She was almost out the front door when someone called her name.

Major Bradford stood near the banister. She’d sailed right past him.

“Miss Parsons—”

“Don’t you Miss Parsons me.” She lit into him, her anger fueled by fear. “Why is Jake in jail? What reason do you have for arresting him? He’s done
nothing
wrong.”

Sinclair Bradford’s breeding showed in a gracious nod of assent. “I hope you’re right, but I have a few questions I need cleared up.”

Kate glanced around the lobby. They’d drawn the attention of several guests, mostly men in railroad bibs. They might report this scene to Henry, who would go to her father…

She took a deep breath to slow her racing heart and lowered her voice. “Can you take me to see him? Please.”

“I will.” The major offered her his arm and she took it. “Right after you and I have a brief conversation.” He nodded toward the parlor. Short of bolting, she had no choice but to let him lead her inside.

Her heart pounded harder when she spied Henry sitting in a chair
by the fireplace.

H
e stood and his brow furrowed. Dark crescents hung beneath his eyes, his hair was mussed like he’d run his fingers through it multiple times. She’d never seen him so weary. Eden had told her earlier that he'd hounded the major to look into her disappearance. The thought that he might've lost sleep worrying about her made her feel positively guilty for avoiding him.

Beside her, the major stiffened. "Mr. Stevens, I told you I'd like to have word with Miss Parsons. Alone."

"I'm sure Kate doesn't mind me being here." Henry straightened to his full height.

Like Jake, he was a tall man, although he wasn't as muscular. Not that she should've noticed Jake's musculature, but how could she miss it after being locked in his embrace? Her cheeks heated at the memory.

Henry, who'd been studying her face, frowned. "Don't you worry, I'm not letting the Army interrogate you behind closed doors."

Annoyance flickered across Major Bradford's face before he smoothed his features into a polite expression. "This isn't an interrogation."

Kate darted a worried glance at Henry. If he caused a scene it would only create more problems. Besides, whatever was going on, he was clearly in the middle of it. She bent her head, acknowledging him. "Mr. Stevens is welcome to stay, as far I'm concerned."

“Very well.” The major shut a set of folding doors leading to the lobby. He gestured to a rosewood sofa. “Would you both care to sit down?”

She aimed for the middle of the sofa, spreading her skirt so there was no room for Henry to sit next to her. She didn’t want him that close. He’d sense her nervousness.

He frowned, looking confused, but found another place to sit.

The major selected a straight-back chair from a game table and pulled it over to sit in front of her. What did he suspect, and who had Jake been fighting?

Kate clasped her hands in her lap and tried to look innocent.

The major leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. His mouth kicked up in an apologetic half-smile. “I know you’re worried about your friend.”

"That Indian isn't her friend." Henry's gaze flickered past her and locked on the major. He didn't want to know if she agreed with his assessment.

Her anxiety spiraled. What should she say? She wouldn't repudiate Jake, but she couldn't let on they were close. That would complicate things immeasurably. “Mr. Colson came here in good faith to negotiate a settlement..."

Henry's expression flattened. For a moment, she feared he would call her out, demand an explanation. He didn't want her involved in railroad business any more than her father did. Didn't want a partner, despite his assurances. What he wanted was an ornament for his arm. What made him think when he first met her that she would be content to dangle from his elbow?

Surprisingly, he held silent. The only sign he was struggling with restraint were his fingers curled tightly over his knees. 

"Mr. Colson is a council representative,” she went on. “Naturally, I
’m worried about his arrest. What kind of message do you think that sends?”

The major’s expression turned solemn. “Not a good one. But he should’ve thought of that before he got into a brawl.”

“In the middle of the street.” Henry interjected. “With another Indian. Had a scar on his face. Like the man our workers reported seeing near the worksite a day after you disappeared.”

Her stomach collapsed.
Charley.
Jake must’ve seen him and gone after him. Had they fought over her? 

“I don’t…understand.” She shook her head like she was confused. “You said they were fighting?”

“Beating on each other pretty well when we walked up,” the major explained. “The other man fled on horseback. Mr. Colson claimed he was a friend.”

Kate gazed out the window. Darkness filled the panes and made the world outside appear ominous. Why hadn’t Jake told her Charley had shown up? She worried the edge of her sleeve with her fingers. “Did he tell you why they were fighting?”

“He’s refusing to say anything until he talks to you.”

Surprise stole her breath. What did that mean? Was he relying or her discretion, or was he worried she might have betrayed him? “He doesn’t trust whites.”

Major Bradford straightened. “Apparently, he trusts you.”

The air grew uncomfortably warm, but Kate refrained from mopping her upper lip. Showing nervousness would give her away.

“How do you know that Indian? Where did you meet him? Did he have something to do with your disappearance?” Henry pounded out the questions.

Hadn’t he said he’d protect her from being interrogated? No, he only assured her he wouldn’t let the Army do it.

She licked her lips. Evading the truth, while staying honest was tricky business. “Mr. Colson helped me understand the issues his people are facing. Even then, it took a great deal of persuasion to convince him to come here and give us a chance to prove we could be fair-minded.”

Major Bradford studied her for a long moment. His face gave nothing away. It was like playing chess. She decided to go on the offensive.

“What is it you’re not telling me? Did you arrest Mr. Colson for disturbing the peace? Or is there another reason you haven’t chosen to share?”

"We believe one of the payroll thefts was committed by someone other than your competitor's hired thugs.”

“Payroll thefts?” Kate gaped, shocked. That was the last answer she’d expected.

Henry scooted to the edge of the cushion chair like he was about to leap out of it. "For Christ's sake, Kate, you're negotiating with
outlaws
."

She ignored his crude outburst and addressed the major.
“Whatever gave you the idea Mr. Colson was involved in a payroll theft? You arrested the Russell gang and one of them confessed.”

“Yes, to most of the robberies, but not the more recent theft.”

“So?” She lifted her arms in a shrug. “They lied.”

The permanent crease between the major’s brows deepened. “Perhaps. But new evidence came up while I was looking into your…disappearance.”

Kate’s confidence began to crumble. “New evidence?”

Henry cut off the major before he could reply. "McGrady told us one of the men we hired on a few months back was
asking questions about the railroad—and you. Described him as a tall Indian."

"A tall Indian? Asking questions?" Doubt niggled. She ignored it. "I don’t suppose you've noticed there's more than one Indian around here. And since when is being curious a crime?"

Henry’s features hardened. "That Indian worker disappeared right before the payroll went missing. I've sent a telegram to the worksite asking McGrady to come up here so he can identify the man we’ve got in jail. My gut tells me that Indian’s one and the same.”

The skin on her arms prickled.
No.
She wouldn’t believe Jake was some common thief who’d stolen for personal enrichment. He was poor. His aunt lived in a one-room cabin.

But he
’d slipped once, saying he’d heard about her from the workers, then denied talking to them. If he and Charley were stealing the payroll, it made more sense why they’d broken into her father’s railcar, and why Jake panicked and abducted her, and why Charley wanted to kill her. It would also explain why Jake was so adamant about not wanting to get on the workers’ train. He was afraid someone might recognize him.

Kate’s chest burned like her heart was on fire. She looked down at her hands, so her face wouldn’t give her away. Jake had
lied
to her. He’d led her to believe he was a good man down on his luck, an honorable man trying to protect his family, all the while toying with her affections. Why had she been so blind she couldn’t see what he was? She’d seen through other men easily enough, handsome faces that concealed rotten souls.

“Miss Parsons?” The major’s voice was kind. He leaned forward, bringing them to eye level. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Lord, it was tempting to blurt out the whole sordid story, but she couldn’t form the words. She drew a shuddering breath, but nothing eased the searing pain. She couldn’t betray Jake, even though he’d betrayed her. With every kiss and tender touch, he’d betrayed her. He’d awakened her to love—that’s what this was, this thing dying in her chest—then killed it with his deceit.

Her hands shook. She clasped them in her lap. Oh God, she wanted to scream, wanted to hit something, preferably Jake. Why had he let her make a fool of herself by bringing him here, parading him around like he was a respectable gentleman, when he was nothing more than a low down, dirty rotten thief.