The Coming Storm (36 page)

“I can’t imagine her married. She was just a girl when I saw her last. But I guess that has been—” he mentally did the math— “seven years.” He shook his head. Dianne would be a woman full grown by now. He almost laughed out loud. In his thoughts of her she was still that sweet young girl who was always giving her opinion.

“How can I find her now?” he asked the man.

“The ranch is about twenty-five miles east and north. Maybe a little more. You can follow the main freight road, then there’s a turnoff that will take you down toward the Madison. Diamond V is a big spread. Can’t rightly say how big it is, although I heard tell they added on to their acreage just last year.”

“And there’s no wagons or horses to rent?” Trenton asked again, hoping the man would relent now that the man knew who he was.

“No, not a thing. Fact be told, your sister came in here a few weeks back and bought up most of the extra stock I had. At least the decent stock. I don’t like to keep many horses around—the cost ain’t worth it. Most folks know I’m not here for such things and don’t come looking to me for it. I mostly board other folks’ animals and keep the freight horses.”

Trenton nodded. “Would there be someone I could maybe hire to take a message to the ranch? Perhaps my sister could come with transportation.”

“Now, there’s a right good idea. I’m sure one of the boys around here would be mighty happy to do that. You’d have to pay ’em, of course, maybe even lend them your mount, but you could prob’ly have word back in a couple days.”

Trenton didn’t like the idea of lending his horse to anyone, but he was sure that if he lost the animal, Ned would buy him a new one.

“Well, point me in the direction of a reliable young man— not some no-account,” Trenton said.

The man grinned. “I know just the one.”

“I suppose if all we can do is wait,” Ned began rather slowly, “then that is what we must do.”

“It shouldn’t be more than a day or two. Nothing like the weeks we’ve already endured,” Trenton said with a sarcastic glance at Portia.

“A day or two is certainly fine,” Portia said, her tone lacking emotion.

Trenton never failed to be amazed at the young woman and her many faces. Sometimes she was the pouting, simpering belle of the ball, and other times, like now, she played the part of fragile, stoic widow.

“Of course you’re right, Portia,” Ned said, reaching over to pat her hand. “I suppose I’m just overly anxious to speak with your father.”

She smiled at this and then looked at Trenton with an expression that suggested triumph.
So he’s proposed. Why else would he talk freely of wanting to speak to her father?
The thought of Ned marrying the conniving widow sickened Trenton.
He’s a grown man . . . let him make his own way. If she’s in it for his money, he’ll soon know that
.

Trenton could tell by the way she studied him that Portia was hoping he’d reveal understanding of Ned’s statement, but instead he played dumb. Why give her any satisfaction?

Trenton toyed with his coffee cup, then motioned the woman who’d served them to come fill it up again. Ned, however, got to his feet. “I’m going to step outside and smoke a cigar. I shouldn’t be long.”

Trenton figured Portia would offer to join him, suggesting they take a long stroll or some other such nonsense. Apparently Ned thought she might too, because he waited for a moment looking directly at her.

Instead of paying him much attention, Portia pointed to her coffee cup. “I’d like another serving. Also, please bring me some cream.”

The woman poured the coffee while nodding. “I’ll be right back with it.”

“Well, then, I’m off,” Ned said, again sounding as though he expected Portia or Trenton to stop him—or join him.

The woman returned as Ned walked to the door. Trenton was irritated that Portia had chosen to remain behind. He supposed he’d be forced to answer some stupid question about his sister or the ranch. Questions he really had no answers for.

“I suppose you wonder why I stayed here,” Portia said, her voice smooth, charming.

“No, not really. I can’t say as I care,” Trenton replied before taking a drink.

“You probably should,” she said, leaning closer. “I intend to marry Ned.” Her tone changed, as did the countenance of her once emotionless face. Now pinched, almost severe in her anger, Portia’s expression reminded Trenton of his mother when she would lecture him about sneaking out in the middle of the night.

“I do not brook fools, Mr. Chadwick,” she said very slowly. “You are a fool if you think to try and stop this wedding.”

Trenton remained unmoved. He matched her stare with his own gaze of contempt. “You hardly worry me, Mrs. McGuire.”

“Then that is your mistake, Mr. Chadwick,” she spoke with emphasis on his name. “I am not a woman to be toyed with. I’m not some simpleton you may push around or force your will upon. You would do well to see me for what I am.”

“A snake in the grass?” Trenton asked with a mischievous grin. “I figured that out a long time ago.”

She sat up straighter, rigid and tight. Her face went nearly blank again as she recomposed herself. “Stay out of my way, Chadwick. I mean it. Stay out of my way, or I’ll make you sorry you didn’t.”

Trenton laughed. “And what do you propose to do if I don’t?”

Her smile was bone-chilling. “Whatever it takes, Trenton dear. Whatever it takes.”

CHAPTER 27

“I
CAN’T BELIEVE HE’S REALLY HERE,”
D
IANNE SAID AS SHE
rode beside Cole on the way to Virginia City. Trenton had been a ghostly memory relegated to the past these last few years. She would think of him from time to time, dust off the images of their childhood, and remember the closeness they’d shared. Then just as quickly as the thoughts had come, she would put them away.

“I wonder what his circumstance is,” Cole replied. “His message really didn’t give us much to go on.”

“Well, he’s with friends who are trying to get to Fort Ellis. We know that much.” She’d brought two extra horses and a wagon, not really knowing what all was needed. Trenton had only mentioned that he had his own mount, but that the woman and man traveling with him were without transportation. Dianne had no idea how much baggage they would be transporting or whether they could sit a horse, but either way they should have things under control. Cole had even seen fit to bring Gabe and Levi along to drive the wagon and handle the luggage and anything else they would need to bring to the ranch.

“Still, it seems kind of strange that he just suddenly shows up,” Cole said.

Dianne smiled as he reined back on Jack. Cole had taken to riding the black in hopes of bringing him in step. The horse did a little side stepping out of orneriness, then settled back into line.

“It is odd,” she said, “especially since he never bothered to write these last few years to tell me where he was or what he was doing. But I have to say I’m happy to be seeing him again.”

Cole met her gaze. He looked worried, Dianne thought. She wasn’t sure why he should be so uneasy, but then again, she had to admit to her own apprehension. What would it be like to see Trenton after all these years? And who were the man and woman traveling with him? Had he married? Was the woman his wife?

They topped the hill that finally allowed them to look down on Virginia City. She pushed aside her worries and smiled at her husband. “I’m sure it’ll be all right. I’ve prayed so long for this, I can’t see how it could be a bad thing.”

Virginia City had calmed considerably over the years since gold was first found in Alder’s Gulch. As territorial capital, it boasted nearly nine hundred citizens, but that was a far cry from the thousands who had flooded the city in the early 1860s.

Dianne had been surprised at how quickly a town could empty of people when she’d first gone back after its mass desertion. Still, the place held a kind of charm in spite of its worn appearance. There was a great deal of civic pride, and new fraternal orders, social clubs, and even a theater group had been formed in the years since the town first enjoyed its stampede. Of the people who chose to remain in Virginia City, nearly a third were Chinese who came to clean up in the gold fields after the whites deserted their claims. Dianne found the Chinese to be a most unusual people. Their manner of dress alone was fascinating; at times the women wore the most beautiful outfits of silk and cording. Dianne wouldn’t have minded having such a garment herself.

They made their way to the hotel Trenton had noted in his letter. Dianne wondered if she would recognize her brother after all this time. When they’d parted company so long ago, there was still enough boy in him that he wore a look of innocence and youth. Dianne was certain that would be gone.

A man stepped out from the hotel door and watched them as they approached. His face was shadowed by the black hat he wore. He watched her for a moment, then raised his head, revealing a weary expression. Dianne instantly saw that it was Trenton. He wore the look of a man who’d seen more of life than he cared to. But it was his eyes that haunted her the most. They seemed so sad.

Cole and Dianne stopped their mounts in front of the hotel. “Trenton?” Dianne called as she dismounted.

The man stepped forward. “Look at you. You’re all grown up.”

Dianne grinned. “So are you, big brother.” She grabbed him and hugged him tightly. “Why haven’t you written me all these years? I should have Cole take you out back for all the grief and worry I’ve suffered over you.” She felt unexpected tears come to her eyes and pulled away. “Are you all right?” she whispered.

Trenton smiled, but it didn’t quite seem genuine. “I’m as right as the day is long, little sister.”

“Well, around here you’ll find the days last a sight longer than down Missouri way,” Cole interjected. Cole handed the reins over to Levi. “Take ’em on down to the livery and get them watered and fed. We’ll head back out in an hour.” Levi took the reins and he and Gabe started down the street.

Cole turned back and Dianne made the introductions. “Trenton, this is my husband, Cole Selby. We were just married this last April.”

The two men seemed to size each other up, then Trenton smiled again and shook Cole’s extended hand. “Treat her right,” Trenton said in greeting.

Cole seemed unaffected by the command. “Wouldn’t dream of doing it any other way.”

Dianne looked around for Trenton’s friends. “Where are the others? Are they here at the hotel?”

Trenton frowned. “They’ve gone for a walk. Should be back soon.”

“I hope so,” Cole replied. “We intend to load up and head right back. With the extra light, we needn’t wait until tomorrow, and the road’s good, so the horses won’t have to strain through mud.”

Dianne agreed. “That’s why we left the ranch as soon as we could. We wanted to get you back to the ranch, where we could give you decent food and shelter.”

“I’ll be glad for that,” Trenton replied. “Been living out of saddlebags for too long.” He looked past Dianne and scowled. “Here they come.”

Dianne turned to look but couldn’t get over the tone of obvious contempt. “Who are they, Trenton?”

“That’s a friend of mine, Ned Langford. He’s the son of a wealthy silver mine owner. The woman is, as best I can tell, a gold digger who’s trying at every turn to hook her fingers into Ned’s fortune.”

“Why do you say that?” Dianne questioned as Cole stepped closer to her, as if to protect her.

Trenton shook his head. “I can’t really say for sure what it’s all about. Guess we can talk about it on the ride home. The point is, I just don’t trust her. I don’t think any of you should.”

“Why, Trenton,” the woman said in a silky voice, “do tell me this is your sister.”

“Dianne, this is Mrs. Portia McGuire and Mr. Ned Lang- ford.” He turned from her to his friends. “My sister, Dianne Chadwick . . . I mean Selby.”

Dianne sized up the woman as she drew near. Her exotic features seemed pinched in the strong June sun, yet she was very beautiful. Portia’s dark brown eyes seemed to take in everything at once. She looked at Cole and smiled rather enticingly. “And you are?”

“Cole Selby.” His reply was short and curt.

“My sister’s husband,” Trenton added.

Portia shifted her parasol and extended her gloved hand. Dianne thought a wide-brimmed cowboy hat would have served the woman better than her flimsy blue parasol but said nothing.

“Mrs. McGuire, we are pleased to meet you,” Dianne finally said, reaching out to take hold of Portia’s hand so that Cole wouldn’t have to.

Portia looked rather disappointed but only smiled. “Mrs. Selby, it’s good of you to extend hospitality to strangers.”

Dianne could see why Trenton felt uneasy about the woman. There was something about this woman that smelled phony. “Well, the real hospitality will have to wait until we’re back at the ranch, I’m afraid.”

“And we plan to head back there as soon as the horses are rested up—probably in less than an hour,” Cole stated for all to hear.

Ned Langford finally joined in the conversation. “I’m Ned Langford, Mr. Selby. Good to meet you.” He turned to Dianne and tipped his hat. “Mrs. Selby, I’m delighted to finally meet you.”