To Have and to Hold (Cactus Creek Cowboys) (4 page)

Colby forced his way into the tangle of shouting men.

“Stop!” His shout carried over the collective voices. “If the Indians were to attack right now, you’d all be dead in five minutes.”

Naomi hadn’t believed anything would quell the furor, but that did.

“There are ways to settle your differences,” Colby said when he could be heard without shouting, “but this isn’t one of them.”

“There’s nothing that will bring Toby back.” Frank Oliver didn’t attempt to hit Norman again, but his eyes blazed with pain and rage.

“No more than anything can bring Abe Greene back,” Colby pointed out. “You need to mourn for your loss, but right now you have to decide what to do. You have only two options, stay here and hope to hook up with the next train that comes along, or go back to the Arkansas River crossing and hook up with one of the caravans taking the route to Bent’s Fort.”

Both suggestions had stumbling blocks, but the only point on which there was general agreement was the group’s desire to avoid contact with outsiders.

“We can follow the river on our own,” Haskel Sumner suggested. “Mr. Greene said it wasn’t more than fifty miles from the Arkansas to the Cimarron.”

“If you confuse the Cimarron with Sand Creek, you’ll be headed south instead of west,” Colby said.

“Why would we do that?”

“If you strike it below the normal route, it will be dry like Sand Creek.”

“Why should we strike it below the normal route?”

“The trails that were there before the war have been washed out and overgrown. If you make a wrong turn, you won’t reach the Cimarron before your water runs out. Your livestock are so thirsty now, they’ll stampede at the first smell of water.”

Naomi’s father looked up from where he’d been tending to Norman’s lacerated face. “I think we should go back to the Arkansas. It will only take a few days. With all the caravans passing that way, we’re bound to find one we can follow.”

Virgil Johnson objected. “We might as well announce who we are and where we’re from.”

“What do you suggest?” Dr. Kessling asked.

Virgil directed an angry glance toward Norman. “I
suggested
we not leave Kentucky, but that was overruled.”

“We’re a thousand miles from Kentucky, so there’s no point in bringing it up again,” Dr. Kessling said.

Though he had been excluded from the inner circle, Ethan spoke up. “I think we ought to ask Mr. Blaine to be our guide.”

“No!” The unexpected force of her objection caused everyone to turn astonished gazes on Naomi.

A sense of guilt washed over Naomi, but she refused to let it take hold. She had nothing against Colby, but she wanted him to leave as soon as possible.

Norman Spencer was annoyed she had dared voice an opinion. “What’s your objection? It must be important for you to have practically shouted it at us.”

Naomi felt her face flush with heat. “I didn’t mean to shout. I just think we ought to choose someone else, a professional.”

“I know this trail as well or better than anyone you’ll find,” Colby said. “I’ve traveled it most years since I was fifteen.”

“That makes him a perfect guide,” Ethan said.

“I’m not looking for a job.” He glanced from Ethan toward Naomi. “And I don’t want to upset anybody. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

“You can’t leave,” Ethan said. “You’re the best shot we have. What if the Indians attack us again?”

“Your wound still needs looking after,” Naomi’s father said.

“How much would you charge?” Norman asked.

“Why would I charge anything when I’m already going in that direction?”

It was Tom Hale who spoke up. “Because you’d be responsible for finding water—food in case we need it—deciding when and where to camp, for making sure every wagon gets across every stream and river, and for protecting us in case of another attack.”

Colby glanced at Naomi, then back to Tom. “Can’t say I want that much responsibility.”

“Is your conscience willing to take the chance that we might perish if you don’t help us?”

“It not fair to put a man in a corner like that,” Colby said.

“Look at us,” Tom said. “We’re townspeople. We don’t know anything about this country. We need you.”

“You could wait here or go back. There’s bound to be a caravan you could join.”

Tom paused before answering. “There are reasons why that’s not possible.”

“He’s wearing a Union Army uniform,” Naomi reminded everyone.

“We can see that,” Norman said, “but he says he’s not in the army anymore.”

“How do you know? You said somebody might come after us.”

A strained silence followed Naomi’s outburst. Ethan elbowed her, but she stood her ground. If they refused to tell her what had happened—what
she
had done—to force them to leave Kentucky, they had to expect her to be afraid of anyone wearing an army uniform.

“I’m wearing this because I don’t have anything else,” Colby explained. He paused. “I don’t like the sound of
somebody
might
come
after
us.
Especially if that somebody is wearing a Union Army uniform. What kind of trouble have you people gotten yourselves into?”

“It’s nothing like that,” Tom assured Colby. “Our community was on the line between Kentucky and Tennessee. Neither side trusted us. With all the hard feelings after the war, we decided it was best to leave.”

That’s what Naomi had been told whenever she asked. It sounded logical, but something didn’t quite ring true. Everybody had been different since her nightmares had started. The men met in secret; people who had been friendly suddenly stopped speaking; people whispered and looked over their shoulders. Rather than welcome visitors, they were nervous until they left.

“I don’t like the feeling I’m getting about this,” Colby said, “but I couldn’t square it with my conscience to abandon anybody on this trail.”

“Will you take us to Santa Fe?”

“I’ll get you to La Junta. That’s where this trail hooks up with the one from Bent’s Fort.”

“Let’s talk about money,” Tom said.

“Where’s he going to stay?” Ethan asked. “He doesn’t have a wagon.”

“He can travel with us,” Dr. Kessling said. “After what he’s done, that’s the least I can do.”

Naomi turned and rushed from the gathering. They couldn’t have hired Colby to guide them, but they had. They couldn’t expect her to trust anyone in a Union uniform, but they did. Worst of all, her father had invited him to travel with them. Ethan was delighted. Ben probably would be, too. How could she explain that she was frightened because she found herself attracted to the man she was certain had come after them to take her back to Kentucky to face punishment for some unnamed crime?

Ethan caught up with her. “What is wrong with you?” he demanded angrily. “You act like Colby is our enemy.”

“He could be. We don’t know anything about him.”

“That’s nonsense. We don’t have any enemies.”

“Then why did we leave Kentucky?”

“You know why we left.”

“I know what everybody says, but there’s something else, something about me they aren’t telling.”

“You’ve let those dreams spook you,” Ethan said.

“You’d feel the same way if you dreamed you were standing over two bodies covered in blood.”

“It’s probably the war. It’s hard to ignore when it’s all around you.”

Hearing Colby’s voice behind her was a shock. She spun around to face him and was victim once more to the attraction that was as powerful as it was unexpected and unwanted.

“I know you’re not happy your father invited me to travel with his wagon.”

“I’m glad he did,” Ethan said. “Maybe you can teach me to shoot like you can.”

“I’ll be happy to,” Colby replied, “but I want to assure your sister I’ll do my best to stay out of her way.”

“She’s just upset about the attack and Abe and Toby being killed. She’ll be okay by tomorrow.”

Colby directed a wry smile at Ethan. “It’s been my experience that a woman’s sensibilities are more delicate than a man’s. If you don’t want to spend the rest of your life as a bachelor, you’d best remember that.”

“Naomi’s not like Cassie,” Ethan assured Colby. “She’s as tough as any man.”

“Maybe so, but I expect she would enjoy a little pampering now and then.”

Ethan turned to Naomi, puzzled. “Would you?”

Naomi itched to smack him. “Both of you are talking nonsense.” She directed her attention to Colby. “I’m too old to want or need pampering, and you don’t have to stay out of my way. You have a job to do that is more important than my feelings.”

“There’s no reason I can’t do my job and still consider your feelings.” His gaze narrowed. “I wish I knew why you disliked me.”

“I don’t dislike you. I don’t even know you.”

“Then why do you distrust me?”

“For the same reason.”

“Did you know Mr. Greene before he was hired?”

Naomi wasn’t about to be backed into a corner. “I expect you’ll want us to start moving soon. Will we travel into the night?”

Colby’s smile said he’d accepted her decision, but this wouldn’t be the end of it. “We need to cover as much ground as possible. We often get violent storms in June. We don’t need water-starved livestock dragging us into a swollen stream.”

“My father’s wagon will be ready to leave when you give the command.”

Naomi turned away, but Colby’s voice caused her to halt.

“I have my own grub.”

Naomi turned. “As long as you’re my father’s guest, you’ll eat with us.”

Unwilling to strain her self-control any further, she hurried off. Somehow between now and tomorrow she had to learn how to stop being attracted to Colby Blaine. Now that he’d shown an unexpected depth of understanding, that was going to be harder than she expected.

***

Colby didn’t like the look of the sky. He wanted to make at least five more miles before they stopped for the night.

“Gosh. The breeze is picking up real fast.”

Ben Kessling had begged to ride alongside Colby. He had always wished he could have found his brothers, but now he was reconsidering. The youth had pummeled him with questions from the moment the caravan started moving.

“It’s doing more than picking up fast,” Colby said. “It’s building up to a storm. Ride back and tell everybody to make sure everything is tied down. Inside and out,” he called back to the boy who had taken off at a gallop, delighted to have something important to do.

Colby had experienced many storms over the years, but never one that built up this fast. Ben wasn’t out of sight before he saw a wall of water coming at them with the speed of a train. This was the kind of storm that could spawn a tornado. He wheeled his horse and galloped back to the following wagons.

“Circle up!” he shouted as he rode from one wagon to another. “Unhitch the stock and herd them in the middle.”

They took too long and didn’t do it the right way, but this was no time to try to teach proper circling. The most important thing now was keeping everybody safe. Seeing one team of mules on the verge of breaking from the circle, Colby grabbed the bridle of the outside mule. Using his Appaloosa’s body, he forced the mules back into the circle.

By the time the circle had closed up, the storm was upon them. Rain came at them in horizontal sheets, slamming into the wagons and blinding anyone who didn’t turn his back. Despite the onslaught, Colby went from wagon to wagon telling everyone to put out buckets and pans to catch water for cooking and watering the livestock. Just then a bolt of lightning lit up the sky and sent several mules bucking in their traces.

Men fought the rain to get their teams unhitched before they broke the traces or got tangled up in the harnesses. The rain was coming down so hard that within minutes everyone was sloshing through water up to their ankles.

“Get inside,” Dr. Kessling called to Colby.

A bolt of lightning struck the ground practically under his feet. A woman screamed, and an ox bellowed in fear. Within moments the lightning strikes were so numerous it was practically like daylight. Raindrops struck with stinging force while the wind threatened to throw Colby off his feet.

That didn’t help when hail as big as pigeon’s eggs started plummeting to earth. Over the wind Colby could hear it bouncing off the canvas coverings of the wagons and pinging as it landed in pots and pans. It was as though the elements were furious he had invaded their domain and were determined to drive him out.

“Come inside!” Ben Kessling urged.

Colby didn’t bother answering. The wind would have ripped his words away before they could reach the boy. He needed to make one more circuit.

Once he was sure everyone was inside their wagons with both front and back flaps secured, he turned his attention to the animals milling about inside the circle of wagons. Colby didn’t like oxen. Not as strong or as temperamental as mules, they were generally placid animals easy to control—except during a storm. They didn’t mind the wind and rain, but the lightning dancing all around caused their eyes to bulge and their placid nature to turn skittish. Having someone around generally helped to calm them.

Crossing between two wagons, he was surprised to see a rain-drenched figure moving among the restless animals. He was shocked when he realized that figure was Naomi. “What are you doing out here?” he shouted when he was close enough for her to hear.

Naomi spun around, her eyes wide with shock.

“You’re drenched,” Colby shouted. “Get back in your wagon.”

Naomi pulled the rain slick lower to shield her face. “Mr. Greene said oxen can get frightened during thunderstorms, that they sometimes run off.”

“I’ll make sure they don’t stampede. Now get back to your wagon.”

“There’s no reason you should be the only one to be cold and wet.”

“I’m paid to get cold and wet.”

Yet Naomi didn’t leave. Colby didn’t know when he’d met such a stubborn woman—or one who was willing to take on a man’s job and act like there was nothing unusual about it.

“It’s my job to take care of the livestock. It’s your job to stay safely in the wagon so I can do my job.”

Naomi didn’t answer.

“If you don’t go, I’ll carry you.”

The rain and the slick made it impossible to see her expression even with the constant flashes of lightning, but anger mingled with surprise in her voice. “You have no right to force me to do anything.”

Colby admired her courage, but this was not the time or place to display it. He scooped Naomi into his arms and headed toward her father’s wagon. She wasn’t a small woman, but he was surprised how light she felt. He suspected she hadn’t been eating well for quite some time. He’d have to talk to her father about that.

“Put me down!”

He didn’t bother answering. It should have been obvious he wouldn’t have picked her up if he’d been willing to put her down the moment she objected.

“I’ll have you fired for this.”

He laughed. It would be a relief to have only himself to worry about rather than a dozen families who should have stayed on the other side of the Mississippi River.

“I thought you had a streak of decency, but you’re just as barbarous as every other man I know.”

When he reached the Kessling wagon, he shouted, “Open up. Naomi wants to get in.”

“I do not.”

He ignored her protest.

The canvas cover opened and Dr. Kessling’s head appeared. “Where have you been?” he demanded. “Ben is looking for you.”

Colby set Naomi on her feet. “Get inside. I’ll find your brother.”

“Make sure you do.” Naomi accompanied her command with a fist to his jaw.

“Naomi Annabelle Kessling,” her father exclaimed. “Apologize immediately.”

“I’m very sorry I’m not strong enough to hit you harder.” With that she turned and climbed in the wagon.

“I’m very sorry for my daughter’s behavior,” Dr. Kessling apologized. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She was never like this back home.”

Colby rubbed his sore jaw. That woman packed a powerful punch. “Just make sure she stays inside until the storm is over.”

“You can be sure I will.” Dr. Kessling drew back inside the wagon and closed the flap.

For a few moments Colby didn’t move. His jaw still stung, but he was barely aware of it. It had been a long time since he’d had a woman in his arms. After Elizabeth’s betrayal, he practically had to be hogtied to deal with them. That was pretty much how he expected to feel when he scooped up Naomi.

But it wasn’t.

Despite the raging elements, his own irritation, and the several layers of clothing between them, he’d been startlingly aware he held a woman in his arms. More worrying than that, he thought she was attractive. Most important and almost frightening, he’d liked it. Added to that was the physical response. Warmth spread through him despite the cold wind and rain. For the first time in years he felt tempted to linger.