Nevada Nights (18 page)

"I’m warning you now. You leave me little choice. The next time you choose to draw on me, Cammy, I may not be able to use my hand. Don’t force me to do something we’ll both regret." He touched the gun at his waist, then stalked from the cottage.

Watching him, she seethed with impotent anger. He was not going to be allowed to hurt Quenton. She would see to that. Even if it meant killing him.

Her heart lurched as she thought of Nina’s tears in her bedroom. That lovely woman had called him the sweetest, gentlest man she had ever known. But Cameron knew better. Behind the ardent kisses and disarming seductiveness lay the cunning of a rattlesnake.

She realized suddenly that she hadn’t mentioned to him that she knew all about him and Nina and their secret meetings. As she pocketed the gun, she shrugged. It was just as well. He probably would have denied that just as smoothly as he denied everything else.

She paused. Come to think of it, he hadn’t denied her charges. He hadn’t denied being partners with her stepbrothers. He hadn’t denied scheming to destroy her uncle. He had simply ordered her to move out of the McCormick house. Her house. Her hand clenched at the unfairness of it. What right did that—gunfighter have to give orders? She had more right to be there than he.

The sky was a curtain of black velvet as she mounted her horse. The twinkling diamonds of a million stars made a deceptively serene background as she turned her mount toward home. While her mind was awhirl with tormenting thoughts, the horse picked his way carefully over the rock-strewn hillside. What a deceptive country this was. On a perfect night such as this, who would believe any evil could befall her?

For days, Cameron managed to avoid Colt and her stepbrothers, except for the inevitable evening meal. In the mornings, she stayed in her room until she was certain they had left the house. During the day, she spent long hours with Rose and Quenton, listening happily to their stories about her mother and grandfather and going through her mother’s roomful of clothes and personal articles, which had been meticulously preserved.

With Quenton by her side, Cameron rode over much of the neglected Lampton land, seeking out deserted buildings that had once housed caretakers and their families and deserted mines that had once fueled the dreams of the men who worked them.

"I love this land," Cameron breathed as they rested their horses on a ridge that gave them a view for miles.

Dust swirled in little eddies and blew across the hill. Their horses lifted their heads to the wind, shifting nervously as they caught the scent of wild mustangs moving in a long trail to the east.

"I can’t imagine why. It’s impossible to raise crops in this barren soil. There’s little grass to graze cattle. And all the recent mining ventures have proved fruitless. This land is worthless, Cameron."

"Then why are my stepbrothers so determined to have it all?"

He shook his head sadly. "I think they’re just driven to continue the feud between the families. What Big John won isn’t enough for their appetites. They want to see the Lamptons destroyed."

Cameron brushed the hair from her eyes and continued to study the sand and rock that stretched as far as she could see. "I don’t believe that, Quenton."

"You sound like—"

She turned. "Like who?"

He shrugged. "It doesn’t matter." He leaned across the saddle and gently touched her arm. "You just don’t want to believe that so much hatred, and even threats of death, can all be over something worthless. I still think this land is nothing more than an evil temptress that makes men go a little mad, and even kill, only to discover she’s an undeserving beauty, an empty shell with no soul."

She shook her head. "I simply can’t accept that."

"When you’ve lived here as long as I, you’ll be ready to believe the worst about this place." He glanced up at the sun high above them and gave her a smile. "I have to leave you now, Cameron. I—have an appointment."

Cameron stared pointedly at her uncle’s waist. "Why aren’t you carrying your gun?"

"I have no use for them, Cameron. I had my fill of killing when I was a Texas Ranger. I want no more of it."

"What will it take to make you understand that Alex’s threats are real?"

"If they’re really determined to kill me, one paltry gun won’t deter them."

She reached into the pocket of her gown and drew out the Remington. "Two guns, Quenton."

He smiled gently. "I fear even two guns won’t be enough against a determined killer."

"Two guns are better than none."

He stared at the flashing eyes, and for a moment he was that little boy again, listening to his sister Elizabeth. "Cameron, you’re the most wonderful surprise. I adore you every bit as much as I adored your mother."

He leaned far over the saddle and kissed her cheek. Then Quenton urged his horse forward. With a hopeless shake of her head, Cameron turned her horse back toward the McCormick land. She glanced back. In his haste, Quenton had already crested the hill and was gone from sight. She rode home at a slower pace.

*  *  *

"Miriam! Just look at you. You look—radiant."

Cameron paused at the front door to stare at the lovely figure in the chair.

Her half-sister gave her a brilliant smile. "Thank you."

Dressed in a pale yellow gown and matching bonnet, she resembled the buttercups that dotted the hillsides of Cameron’s beloved island. Spotting the parasol in Miriam’s hand, Cameron’s eyebrow rose. "Are you actually going out?"

Miriam’s laugh was as tinkling and clear as a bell. "Yes. Isn’t it amazing? Ti has persuaded me to take a ride in the rig."

"That’s wonderful. Where will you go?"

"Anywhere." She sighed. "As long as it isn’t into town. I don’t want the townspeople staring at me. I’m sure they’ve whispered about me through the years. I’m something of a freak, you know."

Cameron touched her arm. "You have to stop thinking like that. You’re a beautiful woman. You’ll turn all their heads with that cornsilk hair and those blue eyes. They’re bound to stare at you."

Miriam’s brows shot up. Her hand flew to her cheek. "Beautiful?" Her eyes took on a dreamy, faraway look. "That’s just what Ti told me. But I didn’t believe him."

"Well, it’s time you listened to him. He’s right, you know. You are a beautiful woman. Even I can see that." Cameron grinned. "And I’m not a man in love."

"Oh!" Miriam gasped at Cameron’s words.

Cameron’s smile widened. With an impish light to her eyes, she added, "You may as well get used to it, Miriam. Ti is in love with you. And I think you’ve begun to realize you share those feelings."

Miriam blushed. Cameron watched her features soften at the sight of the tall, dark-skinned man who walked up the front steps.

He smiled down at her as he lifted her easily in his arms. "Your carriage awaits, my lady."

She shot Cameron a radiant smile. "We’ll be home by dinner time."

"Don’t rush. I’m sure everyone around her will manage without you."

The house, she noticed after they left, was unusually quiet. A search of the upstairs revealed only little Alexander playing under the watchful eyes of a servant woman. Nina was nowhere to be found.

Peering cautiously around the stable, Cameron discovered that Alex, Jarret, and Colt were gone as well. She let out a sigh of relief. For a little while she could relax.

*  *  *

The digging had begun again. Cameron was certain of it. Although the mound of fresh dirt had disappeared, Cameron could see that the mine shaft was long and deep. There were rutted marks of wagon wheels in the ground, and Cameron followed them across the hills to an old deserted mine shaft. The residue of fresh dirt on the ground near the entrance was evidence that the earth from the new mine was being dumped in here. Whoever was doing the digging would be able to dig forever, and no one would be the wiser. As long as they had found a hiding place for the dirt they were hauling from the new dig, they could continue their work in secret.

As she rode home for dinner, a plan began forming in her mind. Tonight she would have to keep her wits about her. No matter how long it took, she was going to find out who was digging on her land, and why.

As the family assembled in the dining room, Cameron studied their faces. Ti and Miriam were flushed and happy. The feelings they had discovered for each other colored all their movements. Ti, always gentle and patient with Miriam, was now even more attentive. And Miriam’s eyes danced with a light that even Alex’s biting words could not dim.

"Where were you two today?" he demanded.

Miriam and Ti sat side by side. Cameron wondered if they were holding hands under the table.

"Ti took me for a ride."

"Why?"

Miriam shot Alex a look of complete surprise. "I don’t need to explain to you, Alex."

"I don’t want you riding over this land."

"I will if I please. Need I remind you that this is my house?"

His voice lowered. "Need I remind you where Jarret and I found you the last time you decided to go exploring? You were lying at the bottom of a deserted mine shaft, and your exploring days were over."

Her face drained of all color. Instantly, Ti’s arm went around her shoulder, drawing her close.

"Take me to my room, please Ti. I’ve lost my interest in food now."

Without a word, he lifted her in his arms and carried her through the doorway. The family sat in silence, listening to the sound of his footsteps as he made his way down the hallway.

"That was uncalled for," Nina snapped.

"Was it? I rather enjoyed watching the young lovers come up for air and smell the stench of reality." Alex was just warming up. Next, with a sneer, he turned on his wife. "And where were you today, Nina? Out taking in the view of the countryside, too?"

She stared at her plate. "I went to town."

"You seem to have a great need to go to town lately. Is there someone there who interests you?"

She shook her head.

"Speak up, woman."

"Well." She seemed to be searching for something, anything to say. "There’s a"—she swallowed, then lifted her head to meet his eyes—"new seamstress."

"Ah." Sarcasm colored his tone. "A new seamstress. Is she good?"

"Yes. She’s—very good."

"What’s her name—this seamstress. Maybe I’ll drop by and compliment her on the lovely dresses she’s been making for my wife. Though I’ve seen them in your closet, you’ve never bothered to wear them for me."

Cameron glanced at Colt. He was staring at the scene with absolutely no emotion showing on his features. She marveled at his ability to remain aloof while Alex was humiliating the woman he loved.

"I—didn’t think you’d like me in bright, pretty colors."

"Then why did you have the dresses made?"

She shrugged. "I liked them. The colors made me think of my sunny island. I was feeling terribly homesick. So I bought them, even though I knew you would disapprove."

"Well, my dear wife, you were wrong." With an evil grin, he added, "After dinner, put on your prettiest gown, Nina. That might please me. If it does, I’ll show you just how much it pleases me."

Cameron saw the shudder that passed through Nina’s slender frame at his words. How much longer, she wondered, would this beautiful young woman have to submit to his brutish demands?

Alex had been just warming up until now. Turning to Cameron, he hissed, "And you. You spend entirely too much time at the Lampton house. From now on, I want you to stay close to home, where we can keep an eye on you."

Cameron carefully folded her napkin and placed it on the table. She met his look with an icy stare.

"I have no intention of doing as you say, Alex. I will continue to do exactly as I please."

"No!" He pounded the table and half rose from his chair. Nina touched his sleeve, but he shook her hand away.

Sitting back down, he pointed a finger at Cameron. "From now on, as Jarret’s betrothed, you will do exactly as you’re told."

Jarret lowered his cup and grinned foolishly at her.

Cameron warned herself to remain calm. Alex enjoyed these little scenes. She was determined to deny him the pleasure of seeing her lose her temper yet again.

"I’m terribly sorry, Jarret," she said sweetly, determined to exclude Alex from her conversation. "I can’t marry you."

"Cameron, I’ll be a good husband. Alex says you need a man to tame you. You’ll like being married. I’ll show you things—all kinds of things. I’ll be good to you."

His voice, so like a child’s, frightened her. The scene in the Delta Saloon flashed through her mind. She remembered his surprising strength. And his determination to have her. Despite her attempt at control, her temper flared.

"No. You don’t understand. I have no intention of marrying you, Jarret. No matter what Alex says."

She pushed back her chair and faced Alex across the table. "You can’t force me into a loveless marriage, Alex."

The smile he gave her chilled her. "Can’t I? What a child you are, little sister. Oh, I think you’ll be—persuaded, all right."