Liberty Belle (10 page)

A shadow outside chased away the sunshine and the moment. While many unknowns remained, she was going on to Auraria. Whatever difficulties arose, she’d handle them. Confidence rising, Libby continued down the stairs.

Seated around a table piled high with eggs, bacon, and flapjacks, her fellow passengers seemed to be enjoying the sustenance. Samuels gestured wildly, probably telling one of his stories. The others, mouths chewing, stared at the robust salesman.

All but Grogan. He never entered into conversation with the others. Always on the alert, he bore the look of a man hunted if not haunted. She wondered what story he could tell.

“Oh, Libby, come and eat. The food is wonderful.” Flora patted the seat to her right.

“Ah, the beautiful Miss Libby. I shall start another story just for you.” Samuels smiled then took a drink of coffee. He wiped his lips, stood, and his face took on a serious expression.

“Now, on this one particular very cold day, I was walking in the forest looking for the piney woodpecker. A most beautiful little bird with a red stripe down his head and black and white feathering.

“Slowly, I walked down the quaint, dirt path. With my gaze searching the barked trunks of the lofty trees, I was rudely stopped when I ran into an obstruction.” He paused, took another sip of coffee, and sat back down in his chair.

Grogan turned and glared at Samuels. “Well?”

Samuels feigned innocence and shrugged. “Mr. Grogan? You can speak and hear.”

Grogan’s face blotched red, and he stormed outside.

“That man is not a happy soul.” Samuels shook his head as if in disapproval.

After the salesman took yet another slow drink, even Libby was getting ready to demand that he finish the story.

“Ah, yes. I ran into this huge obstruction. Not hard like a rock or log. But soft. I heard a grunt. Looked down. And it was a …”

“Bear.” Flora’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, you want to play what-was-the-furry-obstacle? No. Not a bear.” Samuels looked around, scratched his head, and stretched.

Harley threw down the cards he’d been shuffling. “Will you just tell us?”

“If you must know this very instant, I ran into this soft furry thing and looked down. I’d run into an old moose. Big ugly animal with a huge nose and wide rack of antlers. Well, he turned and looked at me. Snorted. And then lowered his head as if he was going to slam me. I eased my way backward. And then I ran into something soft and furry. I froze. Heard a roar and jumped to the right.

“This time the fur did belong to a bear. Now, I have to tell you. I was in very, very, dangerous circumstances. So I stood very still. Mr. Bear roared again, but now he didn’t know whether to charge me or the moose. And the moose couldn’t tell if he should run or slam me.

“Now, this is the truth, I pulled out one of my bottles of elixir, drank it, and passed out.”

Harley got up and shoved his chair under the table. “Passed out? That better not be the end of the story.”

“No, that wasn’t the end of the story. When I came to, I had two orders for my miracle elixir.”

Groans rounded the room.

Libby shook her head. “That was the worst story I’ve ever heard.”

“Maybe, but I’m a great salesman.” Samuels rose and laughed his way out of the house.

Flora rolled her eyes and carried her plate into the kitchen.

Abandoned, Libby dug into her eggs and biscuits. She’d not be denied the best breakfast set before her in days.

Dusty poked his head in the door. “Load up, folks. We’ve got a long day.”

Choking down the last of the food and a lukewarm cup of coffee, Libby grabbed her valise and walked toward the coach. She noticed Harley standing by the stage. He tipped his hat and gave her a sly smile.

The long days had worn on everyone’s nerves. They traded off sitting by the windows. A partial treat as they were cooled by the breeze. The only problem was that the one by the opening also received a face full of dust if they left the curtains open.

Samuels turned out to be the kindest and usually let Libby sit by the window when his turn came around.

“Come on, folks. We got to roll.” Dusty climbed to his seat and put a hand on the brake.

From inside the coach, Harley waved her over. “Saved a seat for you.”

Flora wasn’t in sight. A twinge of worry caused spidery fingers to crawl up Libby’s neck. She and Flora had made a pact that they would always enter the coach together so as not to be separated.

Libby stepped in and instantly regretted it. The card sharp had arranged to sit between her and Flora. Her aunt’s lips were tight. Samuels was already asleep, while Grogan had his arms folded over his chest and legs stretched across the bench next to Flora.

“I won’t bite, and I did save the window for you.” Harley smirked and patted the seat next to him.

“I want to sit by Flora.” Libby tried to push by the gambler but he stuck out his leg, forcing her to fall onto the bench beside him.

Flora sat up and gripped her reticule in front of her.

Harley placed his hand over Flora’s. “Now, there’s no need to worry. And that shooter in there is only going to get you hurt.”

Libby nodded. No sense having Flora start something. Dusty would see they were safe.

Harley grinned a smile like a fox might give to an unsuspecting hen. “We still have a few days. I thought since we were going to be in the same city, we should get to know one another.” His words were smooth, his eyes amused.

Libby pulled away from him, placing her reticule between them. “I know all I need to know about you. Please give me some room.” She met his stare.

“Oh dear. You better treat us right, Mr. Harley. Libby’s brother will not take kindly to any mistreatment.” Flora’s voice squeaked, sounding more like a mouse than a threat.

“Well, just where is this mystery brother? I get the impression he doesn’t exist.” He rubbed Libby’s arm.

She shuddered and looked across to Mr. Samuels for help, but he was already snoring.

The coach jerked and rolled down the road. A snap of the whip let her know she’d be dealing with the gambler on her own for several hours.

Harley faced her. “I truly mean you no harm. I just wanted to talk.”

Libby held her arms tight against her chest and glared. “So?”

Harley cocked his head. “I own the biggest saloon in Denver. With all those miners, my place will be the real mother lode. Men want to look at pretty ladies. You won’t have to do anything but sit at my table. You can have the finest dresses, food, whatever your heart would desire. How does that sound?”

She gasped, and sent him what she hoped was a scathing glare. “Like a kept woman. And I will have no part in your saloon or with you. I am going to Auraria to accept a teaching position. I would never—”

“No, you won’t be a teacher. Too beautiful. Teachers can’t marry, can’t have a life. You won’t last a month. I know those thieves got your money. You’re broke and you need me.”

His so-sure gaze threatened her courage, but before she could react, he leaned close and whispered into her ear. “I want you, and I make it a point to get what I want.” He sat back, straightened his jacket, and smiled at Flora.

Sharp pangs of fear knifed through Libby’s heart. She turned and stared out the window. If only she did have a brother to rescue her.

###

After another night on the prairie, Wade was ready to get to the stage house. Not that Mark was unlikeable. Wade just didn’t like what was going on inside himself. Drop the kid off, maybe even at the depot. That’s what he kept saying to himself. But the longer he stayed with the boy, the more he found himself enjoying the company. And that scared him. He didn’t want any responsibilities.

The sun angled westward. The soldiers said it was maybe two days and this was the second. Wade, took off his hat and wiped his sleeve across his brow.

“Is that the it?”

Looking up, Wade followed to where Mark pointed and saw a one room soddy with a sizable corral beside it. Welcoming smoke curled from the chimney. He nudged Banjo to a lope. “Bet they have some supper cooking.”

“Good. I’m starving.”

After reaching the hut, Wade heard a rumble and looked down the road. “Well, Mark. I think that dust is the stage coming. Today’s our lucky day.”

Wade watched the coach come to a stop.

He reached behind and swung the boy to the ground, dismounted, and tied Banjo to the post. He wondered if maybe God hadn’t seen fit to lighten up on the jokes. He did have the horse back.

He winked at the kid. “Let’s go see what they have for supper.”

Mark grinned and limped ahead. “Hope it’s not just beans.”

The stage rumbled into the yard.

Wade unsaddled his horse and kept an eye on the passengers coming off the stage. A rugged man that would bear watching stepped down, followed by a rather round fellow. The third was a thin woman, looking all-serious until she saw him.

A smile of sorts lit on her lips as she ran toward him. “Oh my. There’s Libby’s brother, now.” Her high-pitched voice sang out extra loud as if she wanted to alert someone.

Confused, Wade looked behind him. She must be talking about one of the wranglers, but there was no one behind or anywhere around him.

The woman ran right up to him, grabbed his arm, and tugged.

Shocked, Wade bent to her level.

“Oh my. Please, go along with me. We have been riding this stage with the most despicable man and need your protection.” Desperation weighted her words.

He opened his mouth to protest when the jilted bride from Crimson darted from the coach.

Chapter 12

Libby cringed at the gambler’s possessive gaze. Dusty had set him straight last night, but after the noon stop, Harley had managed to seat himself beside her again. Tired of dodging his conversation, touch, and ideas that he owned her, she bolted from the coach. To her surprise, Flora was speaking to a stranger and pointing in her direction. Heart skipping, Libby brushed the dust from her skirt and slowed her pace.

Flora waved her over. “Libby, your brother is here to meet us.”

Her brother?
Libby only hoped the rough-looking stranger was a better man than the one who’d pestered her in the coach. Heavy steps behind warned she’d not entirely escaped the gambler.

Harley grabbed her elbow and spun her to face him. “I get what I want.”

She slapped him and wriggled out of his grip. She’d thought Flora addled for coming up with an imaginary brother. Now, she thought her a genius. After ducking away from another of Harley’s attempts to grab her, she ran toward the stranger.

She stopped feet away and locked gazes with the man Flora had found. With a jolt, she recognized the sheriff who’d thrown down his badge. Was this another act of Providence?

Harley’s curses behind forced her closer to her pretended brother. She held out her hand to him. “I am most happy to see you have arrived.”

His eyes, the color of a summer sky, absorbed her. Then he fixed a glare aimed over her head. His jaw muscles tightened. He gripped her hand and pulled her close.

“You can stop bothering my sister.”

Held against the sheriff’s muscled chest, her world tilted. The deep rumble of his warning to Harley shook her insides. In the back of her mind, she considered that it wasn’t proper to be in the arms of a stranger, but with sparks lighting her heart, she shoved that thought away.

The gambler glared at her and then to the sheriff. “I see no family resemblance. I doubt she’s your relation. Doubt she’s worth dying for. The lady and I have unfinished business to discuss.” Harley’s voice lashed out.

Libby glowered at the rude beast.

“Could be she’s my half-sister. I’m not afraid of dying, but I doubt this’ll be the day. You look like a card shark. Sure you want to play the odds?”

The sheriff’s deep voice sent waves of heat through her. She relaxed in his strength until she glanced at Harley. The cold glint in his gray eyes warned of danger. The set of his hand over his pistol threatened gunfire.

After several minutes, the gambler raised his hand from his gun. “Miss Libby, I do apologize. Perhaps I misread your intentions. If you change your mind, the offer stands.” With a nod, he turned and strode toward the shack.

Flora touched her shoulder. “That man frightens me. I feared for you so.”

Her rescuer waited a moment before facing her. Brows furrowed, he started to speak.

Libby held her palm up to him, lightly touching his chest. “Wait, thank you for helping me. I am sorry you had to intervene.”

She paused and put a shaking hand to her head, not sure if from Harley’s threats or from touching her rescuer. Her still-tingling hand gave the answer. “What is your name? Ah, um, will you be going to Denver?”

“Wade Calder. Haven’t decided where I’m going. Why are you two women riding the stage unescorted? This is dangerous country, and what you’re riding into is even worse. That gambler is a lamb to the wolves you’re likely to find.”

Why did everyone think they knew what was best for her? “I know what I’m doing. I—”

“You don’t have any idea what you’re getting yourself into. I already got a kid to take care of. I don’t need to add two featherbrained women to my responsibilities. I ought to—”

“I never asked you to help. Just go on and do whatever it is you’re doing. By the looks of you that would amount to aimless drifting. Shouldn’t be hard. Just point your horse in a direction—”

“You don’t know me.”

“Didn’t think he was your brother.” Leaning against the doorframe, Harley laughed, struck a match, and lit a cigar.

More afraid of the gambler than of looking foolish, Libby sent a pleading look to Wade and then directed her fury on the gambler. “And don’t you think you can touch me again. I—I just haven’t seen my brother in some time.”

Harley puffed on the cigar and blew out a few smoke rings. “I don’t think you can stop me. But I am a gentleman. I’ll wait until you need me. … Shouldn’t be long.”

Wade moved her to the side and faced the shameless man. This time it was her rescuer’s hand hovering over the holster. “You’d be wise to leave the ladies alone.”