Quicksilver Passion (147 page)

Cherokee saw only the blur, and listened a longtime to the sounds of the Appaloosa stallion’s hooves. He was more scared than he was willing to admit, afraid that he would be a burden to Willie and Bill. And suppose Silver saw him on the street before he could find Doc and ride out of town?

He took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, and rode slowly into Buckskin Joe. The buildings were only a blur to him and there were few people on the quiet street. What had happened to the noisy boomtown? Cherokee had to pass the Nugget and he was dreading it. When he rode past, he realized suddenly there was nothing there but a pile of blackened rubble. He reined in, worried and confused.

Cherokee?” A familiar male voice.
Cherokee Evans, is that you?”

He turned his head at the sound of a heavy man climbing down from a creaking buggy.
Doc? Doc Johnson?”

Why, if you aren’t a sight for sore eyes! We thought you might be dead in the War!”

Cherokee dismounted carefully, turned toward the voice, and held out his hand. The other took it warmly.
Doc, what’s happened? Where’s everyone? Where’s Silver?”

Doc peered into the man’s face.
What was wrong here?
Cherokee’s eyes looked blank, as if he weren’t really seeing him.
Cherokee, is there something wrong?”

I—I’ve got a problem, Doc.” He looked as if he was reluctant to talk. ”Let’s get off the street; I wouldn’t want Silver to see me.”

How
much
should
he
tell the big man?
Sure, we’ll go up to the house and Emma will—”

No, let’s go to your office. I need your help. And on the way, I want to know what’s happened to the Nugget and this town.”

It dawned on Doc suddenly as Cherokee stood there that the man was at least partially blind.
Here, I’ll tie up the horses, then you take my arm and we’ll go to my office. Silver’s not here anymore, Cherokee. She left town.”

What happened?” There was both anguish and relief in his voice.

How much should Doc tell?
The man was evidently almost blind from the war wound, why break his heart, too?
There was an epidemic, Cherokee; your Silver was quite a heroine. In fact, the boys named a mountain for her, Mt. Silver Heels.”

Cherokee smiled and repeated the words softly.
Has a nice ring to it.”