Colin's Quest (18 page)

“Colin…” Even hoarse, Quinn’s voice was still the best sound any of them had ever heard.

“I’m here, as is Brodie, Sarah, Geneen, and the doctor.”

“We almost lost you, young man.” The doctor looked him over, checking his heart rate and breathing.

Clearing his throat, Quinn tried to speak. “Water?” he rasped out before being overcome by a wheezing cough.

Waiting for the convulsions to pass, Sarah handed the doctor a glass of water. Supporting Quinn’s head, he lifted it, holding the glass to his lips.

“A small amount,” Doc warned, pulling it away when he tried to take too much.

“How…” He swallowed. “How long have I been here?”

“Almost a full day. Do you remember getting shot last night?” Colin asked.

“Shot?” Quinn closed his eyes, trying to think. “At the saloon…”

Colin nodded. “Aye. A man accused you of cheating. Called you out.”

Quinn pursed his lips, his eyes glazing before they closed. The others thought he’d lost consciousness until he let out a slow hiss. “I remember…” His eyes drifted shut.

The doctor glanced around the room. “He needs his rest. I’ll send word when he wakes again.”

“I’m not leaving, Doc.” Colin pulled up a chair and began to sit when Brodie spoke up.

“Why don’t you walk Sarah and Geneen home? I’ll stay with him.” Turning the chair around, Brodie straddled it, resting his arms on the back. “Go on with you. Come back when you’re ready.”

“Send word if he wakes or there’s a change.”

Brodie nodded, never taking his gaze off Quinn.

“We’ve been to the hotel and Sarah’s place. If he isn’t at the clinic, I say we head back, try to find him again another day.” Walt crushed the cheroot he’d been smoking under the heel of his boot.

“If he’s not at the clinic, we’ll go back to the saloon, then start over. I’m not riding back until I’ve spoken with him.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Look who’s walking our way with two of the MacGregor women. Appears you’ll get your chance after all.”

Paying little attention to their surroundings, Sarah carried on a conversation with Colin and Geneen, oblivious to the men coming toward them. Seeing the two men, Colin turned to Sarah.

“Do you know them?”

Sarah had no time to respond before Wes and Walt were upon them.

“Good evening.” Wes tipped his hat at Sarah and Geneen, paying particular attention to the man with them. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Wes Bell.” Holding out his hand, he noted the holster with what appeared to be a .45 slung low on Colin’s hip.

“Colin MacLaren.”

“Ah, the mysterious fiancé Sarah mentioned to me. I see you are real after all.”

“Very.”

“I wonder, Mr. MacLaren, if you and I might have a word.”

“As you can see, I’m escorting the women home.”

“I have no issue waiting. I’ll be at the saloon when you’re finished.” Not waiting for Colin to answer, he looked at Sarah. “Good evening, ladies.”

Leaning into Colin, Sarah let out the breath she’d been holding.

“What do you think he wants?” Colin draped one arm over her shoulders, offering his other arm to Geneen.

“Honestly, I don’t know, unless it’s what you and I discussed before.”

“I wouldn’t trust anything Wes says. He’s been after Sarah far too long to give up because you’ve come for her.” Geneen glanced over her shoulder, seeing the men retreat toward the saloon. “He’s a devil, that one.” The disgust in her voice emphasized her deep dislike for the man.

“You should take Brodie when you talk with Wes. Geneen’s right about not trusting him. I don’t believe he’d kill anyone, but he’s not above using other methods to get what he wants.” Sarah shivered, even though the night held no chill.

“I don’t want to leave Quinn alone. I’ll meet with Bell alone, hear him out so I know what the man’s about. It may be about you. It may not. We won’t know until I talk with him.” He tightened his hold on Sarah, placing a kiss on her temple. “He won’t do anything to me at the saloon. There would be too many witnesses.”

“That didn’t stop the men from shooting Quinn.” Sarah paused outside her house, crossing her arms, worry etched on her face.

“No one knew those men. I’m certain most everyone in town knows Bell.”

“I can sit with Quinn if you want to take Brodie,” Geneen offered.

“And I can go with her.”

Exasperated with both women, Colin walked up the steps and opened the front door. “Wait inside while I speak with Bell.”

“You’ll come back when you’re done, let me know what he said?” Sarah realized there’d be no changing his mind.

Circling her waist, he took her in his arms, lowering his mouth to hers. They could’ve stayed like that for hours, tasting each other, letting the passion build, but now was not the time. Loosening his hold, he touched his forehead to hers.

“I’ll come back. Now, in with you. Let me find out what the man wants.”

Chapter Twelve

Enjoying the cool night air, Colin took long strides toward the saloon. He felt no danger at meeting Wes alone. Stepping inside, he spotted both men at a table near the end of the bar. Nodding a greeting to the bartender, he pulled out a chair, sitting so he had a good view of the other patrons.

“Glad you could join us, MacLaren. Whiskey?”

Colin nodded. Taking the glass from Wes, he held it up. “To Sarah’s happiness.” The toast had Wes’s eyes narrowing into slits, although he recovered within seconds, holding up his glass.

Taking a long swallow, he set the glass down with a thump. “Her happiness is why I want to speak with you.” He glanced at Walt. “Why don’t you find a card game while MacLaren and I talk?” Filling his and Colin’s glasses as Walt walked away, Wes leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “Has she mentioned my interest in her?”

“You don’t mince words, do you, Bell?”

“I’ve never seen any reason to and certainly not when it comes to Sarah. My interest in her is no secret, extending to offering marriage.”

“She turned you down and for good reason. Sarah and I promised ourselves to each other years ago. Now I’ve come to claim her and she’s willingly agreed. We’ll be leaving for my ranch as soon as my cousin heals.” Never taking his gaze off Wes, Colin rolled the glass between his fingers, wondering where the conversation would go next.

“Yes, I heard about the shooting. A real tragedy.” His voice was more mocking than sincere, his eyes showing none of the compassion the words implied.

“He’ll pull through, then we’ll be on our way. Now, what is it you want to say to me?” Colin had grown impatient. He wanted to check on Quinn, see if he’d awakened.

“I believe it’s the remains of a young girl’s infatuation that has Sarah agreeing to your suit. She’s left her family, gave up a teaching job she loves, and has agreed to move hundreds of miles away. For what? A dream that doesn’t exist. Sarah deserves better.”

“And you believe you can provide her with what she deserves?” Colin sat back, crossing his arms.

“I do. She’d want for nothing and stay near her family. Most importantly, she’d fulfill her father’s wishes that she and I marry.”

“Do you love her?”

Wes chuckled at the question. “Love? Let’s say I have a strong fondness for her, which is more than many marriages are based on. I do have considerable wealth, a strong standing in the community, and the ability to provide for her in ways I’m certain are beyond your means. Love means nothing when you cannot offer what’s important.”

Colin sipped at his whiskey, pondering Bell’s words. Some were nonsense, although others were true. The MacLarens had land, cattle, horses, and a strong family. All assets in building a lasting legacy. Their ranch encompassed close to two thousand acres. His da and uncles had plans to add more, and if successful, they’d have three thousand acres within another year. That’s where their wealth lay, not in money in the bank or precious gems. They were a simple people, valuing family and honor above all else. His doubts began on those last few thoughts.

Did Wes know Sarah better than Colin thought? Had she become used to a finer lifestyle he had no way of providing? The fact she’d walked away from her family to honor her promise to him, found a job in town, and lived a frugal life told him what mattered to Wes held no meaning for her.

“If you’ve ever had a long, serious conversation with Sarah, I believe you’d find what’s important to her isn’t wealth or position. She’s a passionate woman, expecting love and commitment from the man she marries. A good part of me believes those are unknown concepts to you, Bell.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

Colin leaned forward, one hand moving to the butt of his gun, the other gripping the glass of whiskey. “I doubt you plan to provide her with either love or fidelity.”

The air thickened between them as tension grew. Both men held the other’s gaze, neither wavering. Without warning, Wes leaned back, opened his mouth, and let out a belly churning laugh, garnering the attention of many in the packed saloon.

“You know me, yet you don’t, MacLaren. I don’t know a whit about love. And being faithful? In truth, it
would
come hard for me. What I can offer is what, over time, strengthens a marriage, regardless of archaic traditions. Money and power. Those are what will make a marriage successful.”

Colin heard his chair scrape against the rough wooden floor as he pushed away. “It’s been a fascinating discussion, Bell. Thanks for the whiskey.”

“Sit down, MacLaren. We’re not finished.”

“I believe we are.” Standing, Colin picked up his hat.

“Five minutes more. I think you’ll find it quite worth your time.” Wes’s smug expression riled Colin, although his curiosity had him reclaiming his seat.

“Five minutes. No more.”

Refilling their glasses, Wes set the bottle down.

“As I mentioned, I’m a man of considerable means. My father and Sarah’s are quite set on this union.” Reaching into his pocket, Wes pulled out a pouch, setting it in the middle of the table. “You’ll find there is perhaps more money in that than you’ve ever seen in your life. And that’s just one. There are nine more waiting for you when you ride out of town.”

Sarah told Colin how Wes thought, warned him not to be surprised if he tried to bribe him to leave. Even her caution hadn’t prepared him for the anger raging through him at the insult. Fisting his hands on his thighs, he counseled himself to stay calm, even though every instinct in him vibrated to reach across the table, grab Wes by the collar, and beat the breath right out of him.

“Think of it. You’ll return to your ranch unencumbered by marriage, with wealth beyond what you could accumulate through years of toil. Your family will welcome you for bringing back true riches and not another mouth to feed.” Placing a hand against the pouch, he pushed it forward. “Take it, MacLaren. The rest will be ready when you ride out.”

Colin’s jaw tightened and his nostrils flared, his eyes sparking in contempt. Forcing calm, he grabbed the bag and flung it back at Wes.

“I fear you have misjudged me, Bell. My love for Sarah has no monetary value. It’s based on what I hold dear and which you hold in little esteem. Take your money. Use it to buy the affections of another woman. Sarah is mine.” Tipping his chair backward in his haste to stand, Colin cast one more menacing look at Wes. “A word of caution. Do not go anywhere near Sarah, Geneen, or my family. I don’t want them breathing the same air as you.”

Pushing his hat down, he slammed the doors open, and stepped into the fresh air. Taking a deep breath, Colin began the process of ridding himself of Wes’s words and disgusting proposal. Walking toward the clinic, he sent a silent prayer for Quinn’s quick recovery. They needed to leave as soon as possible. The more distance between them and Bell, the safer Sarah would be, and the better he’d sleep.

“How is he?” Colin put a hand on Brodie’s shoulder as he peered at Quinn.

“He’s woken twice. Each time, the eejit tries to get up, then falls back. Doc says he’ll tear the stitches and get an infection if he doesn’t stay down. If he rests, Doc says we could move him to the hotel in a few days, but he’ll need at least two more weeks before he can ride. Longer, if at all possible.” Brodie noticed the grim expression on Colin’s face. “What’s going on?”