Sacred Ground (21 page)

She approached Arrowhead with caution and considered hiding the bike, but why
lie
? She'd tell Wyatt she had to borrowed it when she couldn't get her own rig started, that much was true.

Parking the bike next to the barn,
Willow
nudged Brett. "We made it," she said before realizing how obvious and ridiculous it sounded. He didn't seem to notice. It worried her. He never ignored a perfect opportunity to get in a few slams of humor.

"I think my leg's broken," he said in a still tone.

She moved his arm around her shoulder. "I'd like to take you into the house and call a doctor, but we can't chance it with Gordon back. I'll get you settled in the barn."

"Leave the boys with my mother. They'll be safe there, don't you think?"

She wanted to argue they were safe nowhere as long as Gordon walked the earth, but she didn't want him to worry. "They're leaving in the morning for the Res, remember?" she asked, concerned he'd forgotten. "Come." She led him inside the structure that housed the buffalo family.

His
weight made her falter
, nearly sending her to the ground, but she gritted her teeth and offered him her strength. He moved slowly and his soft moans spoke of his agony with each step.

"I've made a place to hide. I know this sounds ridiculous, but you'll be safe. I promise," she blurted, uncomfortable revealing this part of herself and her past life with Gordon.

"Sit," she stated, lowering him to a bale. She didn't look at him, afraid of what she'd see. Instead, she concentrated on removing several stacked bales of straw. Within seconds she'd revealed a tunnel.

"What's this?" Brett asked.

She felt a stain of heat rush into her cheeks. "You're going to have to crawl in there," she stated, ignoring his question. "If you sit and enter backwards you can drag your leg as you go," she informed him. It surprised her how quickly he did as she suggested. His quietness bothered her.

"Not bad," he whispered.

She looked around the small, yet roomy square space. She'd protected the area with several rows of baled straw on all sides, insulating her from the cold in the winter. During the warmer months, she'd created gaps in the bales, allowing fresh air to enter the space.

"Lance and I are the only two who know about this place. I haven't been here since Gordon . . . since I thought he died," she added.

"Why? I mean, were things this bad?"

She nodded, accepting the warmth of Brett's hand over hers. Tears threatened, and she forced them back. Lifting Brett's head,
Willow
slid a pillow beneath it. "I'm going to ask Doc Potter to come look at the
Buffalo
. Once he's here, I'll ask him to treat you."

"I know this sounds paranoid, but I can't help thinking he's involved in this somehow. Now that I'm convinced your buffalo didn't infect my cows, I have to consider who could have.” He rubbed his face with his palms. “I'd hate to think Doc Potter would do something like that. Call Doctor Alfara. He's been our family doctor for years."

"I'd like to, but I can't explain his coming out here. Doc Potter, on the other hand, wouldn't be suspicious. I don't think he's involved." She pulled a blanket over Brett.

"What if you're wrong?

Willow
knew he had a point. "Maybe you're right. Either doctor will be taking a chance."

"How do you figure it?”

"If I call Doctor Alfara, how do I explain his coming here? Doc Potter might be one of them, and he might be tempted to finish the job Gordon started. We don't have much of a choice, do we?" She moved the backside of her fingers across Brett's forehead. "We have to trust someone."

"Go with Doctor Alfara." Brett closed his eyes.

"Okay," she agreed soothingly. "You rest and I'll take care of everything."

"I'm glad the boys and my mother leave in the morning," he said, relief obvious in his voice. "You'd better tell her what's going on. If you can let her know I'm fine, you'd better. She won't . . . no, maybe you'd better not tell her anything. I'm not so sure she could lie convincingly."

"It seems cruel to deceive her. The pain it'll cause, I can't imagine. But, I see what you mean. If she knows, her reaction won't be the same. We can't take any chances. Get some rest and I'll go get Doctor Alfara."

“
Willow
. . . thanks for coming after me. I should have been there for you."

She looked at him and didn't answer. He'd fallen into an exhausted sleep. She placed a soft kiss across his lips and wondered if it would be their last. She had to get him some medical attention, or Gordon would win.
Willow
drew in a deep breath and straightened her back. She'd be damned if that man would destroy the happiness she had finally found.

* * *

Brett wanted to say more to
Willow
, he just couldn't find the strength. Things were out of control. Nothing made sense, not even
Willow
and him. Her husband was back from the dead.

It graveled Brett to know that Gordon had been
Lorraine
’s lover. Even worse, Sean could be Gordon’s son. If true, Brett would move heaven and earth before he’d let Sean get wind of it. Damn, Brett muttered under his breath. He knew better than to fall in love. He knew better than to put hopes on a woman. Of course, this time it wasn't
Willow
's fault.

A piercing pain shot up his leg. How the hell had he managed to get himself in this position? He felt grateful he wasn't a crumbled heap at the bottom of Rattlesnake Cliff. Another sharp pain crawled from his toes to his hip. He hoped Doctor Alfara would hurry.

Burning
sweetgrass
washed over him. Brett peeked through his lashes and found what he expected. The Indian had returned. Before Brett could resist, the chanting man pressed a pasty, bitter substance into Brett's mouth.

Brett gagged, and then swallowed. If he kept dreaming about this Indian, why did
real
things happen, too? Whatever the mixture was, he had no doubt it accounted for the immediate lack of pain. He felt calm and content.

Although he'd closed his eyes to rest, he heard the renewed chanting of the warriors, drummers, and flute players. They'd joined him in his small hideout in the straw. Brett didn't need to watch them, he envisioned them in his mind's eye, and it gave him a feeling of peace. For a man who had once so venomously hated Indians, he'd suddenly found great comfort in having them around.

* * *

Willow
dialed the phone. "Hello," she said the moment someone picked up on the other side.

"Hello, dear," Elsie Turner said in a motherly tone.

"This is
Willow
, I'm sure you've guessed that. Don't let the boys know you're talking to me.”

"Certainly, I understand. We're all just fine here. That Wyatt showed up awfully early this morning looking for you. He didn't look like he was feeling all that good. Said you weren't home, and he needed to talk to you. Of course I had no idea where you and Brett had gone, but I sort of lied. I told him I thought you'd gone to the reservation to see how your parents were doing."

Willow
released a sigh of relief. "Did you mention Brett and I were together?”

"No, dear, I didn't. He seemed awfully nervous and edgy. I didn't think your business was any concern of his. I don't particularly like the man. I know it's not very Christian of me, but that's the way I see it."

Willow
smiled. She liked Elsie Turner. "Mrs. Turner, we, I don't have time to explain everything, but be careful. Keep the boys away from my place and don't let either go anywhere with Wyatt. Tell the boys that, would you?"

"Boys, walk down to the mailbox and get Grandma's mail, would you please? Don't go anywhere but down the lane and back or there'll be no cookies and milk.”

Willow
heard their, "All right, cool!" in the background, and a soft laugh from Grandma.

"Now, dear, call me Mom, if you're comfortable with it. If not, Elsie will do. Now, I'm not dumb, so I'll assume there's trouble brewing. I knew something was wrong when you asked me to watch the boys last night and suggested we go visit your folks in Browning. You care to explain now?"

"Gordon is back,"
Willow
blurted out.

"What? Are you sure? I mean, dear Lord, he isn't dead? Then whose body was strewn all over the land? Where has Gordon been all this time, making people believe he's been dead? Why?" Elsie’s tone one of skepticism.

"It's a long story, one I don't have time to tell right now, but he
is
back. That's why you need to keep a close eye on the boys. Gordon and Wyatt are after your land, Mom," she said the word for the first time; it seemed strange, but nice. "I wouldn't put it past them to use the boys to get to you."
Willow
paused, considering her words. "Brett and I think you should leave for the Res now. Don't wait for breakfast or anything else, just go.”

"Where's Brett?"

Willow
realized Elsie's words were cold and still. "You're going to hear he's a crumbled heap at the bottom of Rattlesnake Cliff."

"Oh, my God!
No! What will I do? It can't be true."

"It's not true!"
Willow
blurted out. "I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but I can't make you suffer. You're going to have to act shocked and devastated, just as you did right now, when you're told―"

"He isn't at the bottom of Rattlesnake Cliff?" she asked, her tone just short of shrill hysteria.

"No. I won't lie to you. But bear in mind, you have to make others think you believe he's dead. His life depends on it."

"Where is he?"

Willow
understood a mother's concern. "He's at my ranch. I've hidden him in a place only Lance and I know about. If something happens to me, well, he can tell you where to find Brett. Right now it's best you don't know. It's safer for you and him."
Willow
chose not to tell Elsie about Brett's leg, she had enough worries to deal with.

"I'll take care of the boys, don't you worry. I knew something was wrong, I could feel it. All these―"

"Grandma, Grandma, Wyatt Anderson is coming," Sean shouted.

"Oh, dear, hold on the line just a moment," Elsie said in a quivering voice.

Listening,
Willow
heard Elsie's footsteps as she walked to the door.

"Mr. Anderson, twice in one day is more than I usually see you in a year. Since you already know
Willow
isn't around, I'll assume you're looking for Brett, I'm sorry he isn't here either."

"You know where he is?" Wyatt asked.

"No. He went out last night, and to be honest, he hasn't come back. It's not often he does that, unless he . . . well, he has a lady friend. Believe she lives in Lewistown or nearby."

"Yeah.
You hear from Willow Jenkins yet? I have business with her, too.
Ain't seen neither of them."

Willow
held her breath, wondering how Elsie would hold up to Wyatt's questions.

"Now that's strange you should mention it. Lance spent the night with Sean and she said she'd pick him up around eight. But she hasn't come by to get him yet. Don't be giving me that look. There isn't a body in these parts that don't know Brett and
Willow
are like a cat and dog. There's no possible way they're together. It's mere coincidence."

"I happen to agree with you there. But where are they?"

"Like I told you earlier this morning, I haven't seen her. I wouldn't worry, though. She'll show up. Besides, I've heard that pretty
Willow
gal has been looking in your direction. Is that true, Wyatt?
You and Miss Willow sweet on each other?"