Shotgun Bride (22 page)

With those four words, Mike’s world crumpled about his feet. How was he supposed to find Kathleen now? “Do you have any idea where she may have gone?”

“Nope. I hoped she’d write and tell me if there were any jobs out there. But I haven’t heard from her.”

“She’s been busy.”

“So, are there any jobs? I’d love to get out of this dump.”

“Can you cook?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll hire you. But you have to help me track down Kathleen. Deal?”

Suzie grinned and batted her lashes. “Deal.” She paused, sizing him up. “You need a wife?”

“I have one.”

“Oh.”

“But I have two lonely hombres working for me.”

“Two?”

“Two.”

“What are we waiting for, Mr. Baca?”

Mike smiled. “Do you know where the Pinkerton office is? I’d like to stop by in the morning. Then we can leave.”

“Got an address?”

Mike handed her the telegram and listened as she told him how to get there. “I’ll pick you up around nine in the morning.”

“Don’t forget.”

The next morning, reading the Pinkerton report on Kathleen, Mike went through every emotion known to man. Joy as he read about her living deep in southern Arizona on a ranch with her father, mother, and two older brothers. No wonder she’d covered her tail so well. She’d probably learned how from her cradle.

Grief and compassion at the tragic loss of her family at the hands of Gray Claw.

Anger at Judge Thompson for stealing her inheritance and his unscrupulous theft of her money.

Pride at her trek across the Southwest, knowing just how perilous a journey across the country could be. Especially for a young girl of only twelve.

Pity at her dire straits working at the mill and being forced to live in that shabby apartment for six years.

And despair. Overwhelming despair. She had no one to turn to. No one to seek shelter with, and he had no way to find her.

Snapping the folder shut, he shoved the chair back and left. Defeat coiled like a noose around his neck. How did you search for someone who had no ties to anyone anywhere?

He punched a fist into his palm and stalked off to collect Suzie and return to what? A newly built house that no longer felt like home? A ranch that held no interest for him? A life filled with regret?

Mike cracked one eye open and snapped it right back shut. A great ball of white light burned through his eyelids. He rolled over and buried his face. Where the hell was he? Mike forced his eyes open again and stared at the brown wool blanket.

He rose up onto his elbows and glanced around.
Home.
Somehow he had managed to get home. He didn’t remember how, but here he was. Last thing he remembered was guzzling whiskey at the saloon after he’d dropped Suzie off at the hotel. The same hotel he had taken Kathleen right after the wedding. Where he’d threatened her. Stolen from her and lost her for the first time. Now look where he was. Alone in a partially constructed house and not one damn idea where or how to find his wife. He really didn’t hold out much hope of Suzie finding a clue as to where Kathleen might be.

Mike crawled off the bed and wobbled. He put a hand on the wall and shuffled to the door. More light assaulted his already sensitive eyes. Damn it. Why had he indulged in a private self-pity party? He hadn’t drunk himself senseless in years. And what was that smell? He sniffed. Slammed his palm over his mouth and stumbled outside where he promptly emptied his stomach. Doubled over with his hands braced on his thighs, he swayed.

Then he tottered to the water trough and tumbled in. He came up sputtering, but feeling a tad better. Coffee, he needed about two gallons of coffee.

“Say, boss, sure hope you don’t plan on getting stinkin’ drunk again. Yore heavy.”

Mike wiped the dripping hair out of his eyes and squinted at Hank. “I reckon not. Any coffee made?”

“Plenty. Knew you’d need it. You look like hell. Want to tell me why I found you facedown in a pile of horse shit?”

Mike tugged his shirt off and propped his soaked boots on the rim. “She’s gone, and I don’t know where.”

“Well you did chase her off.”

“To keep her alive, you fool.”

“I know. But drinking yourself blind won’t find her.”

“Go away, Hank.”

“Nope. You wanna yell, cuss, or even go a few rounds, I’m yore man. Just get it outta your system so we can move ahead.” Hank crossed his arms and grinned. “I do believe I’d have a fightin’ chance this morning.”

Mike glared at him. “Why the hell are you so happy?”

“Well, while you floated away in the whiskey river, I met a cute little girl that talks faster than a galloping horse. I married her.”

“What?” Mike lunged out of the trough.
Hank married Suzie?
“You don’t even know the girl.”

Hank shrugged. “Well, I know she ain’t bashful. And she fixed a mighty fine breakfast this morning. Saved you some, too. Said that was part of the deal you two made.”

“How’d Juan take that news?”

“We flipped a coin for her. She said you told her we were lonely. Couldn’t disappoint the girl.”

Mike balanced on the edge of the trough and yanked off his waterlogged boots. “You’re loco.”

“Might be, but I promise she’ll still help find Kathleen in any way she can.”

“Where is she?”

“Rearranging my room. Said it needed a woman’s touch.”

Mike shook his head and went inside to strip off his soaked jeans. Couldn’t do it out here now that Suzie was in residence. Juan came stomping in, got himself some coffee, and sat down opposite Mike, tipping his chair back. “Yore eyes are all bloodshot.”

“Shut your mouth,” Mike snapped.

“Haw, Haw.”

“Don’t you two have work to do?” Mike glowered at them.

Juan slammed his chair down, jarring Mike’s already aching head. “Sure do, boss, an’ it’s right here.” Juan slapped his hands on the table. “You got a problem. Yore dive into liquor ain’t the answer to finding your wife.”

Mike slammed his fist on the table. “How in the hell am I supposed to find Kathleen when there’s not a damn soul in the world for her to turn to for help?”

“Everybody has someone.”

“Not her.”

“She has you.”

“She doesn’t know that.”

“Why didn’t you explain why she needed to disappear for a while? Let you be the bait?”

“She wouldn’t have gone for it.”

“So, what did she do in New York?”

“Sewed.”

“Well, then, that’s a start. She’d most likely look for a similar job. That narrows the field. Start sending letters to all the tailoring shops you can find.”

Mike stared at Juan. “You don’t understand. She thinks I’m out to kill her if she ever shows up here.”

Juan’s jaw went slack. “You told her that?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“All I could think about was killing Hawkins with my bare hands. He hurt Kathleen. Because of him, she had to kill a man. You didn’t see the look in her eyes after the deed was done. I still want to go dig the man up and beat the shit out of him. Kill him over and over.”

Juan nodded as understanding lit his eyes. Mike gulped down his cup of coffee. He shouldn’t have been so damn quick to react. He should have taken a little longer to think his actions through. Given her more than a few minutes to recover from the shock.

“I don’t think I handled Kathleen very well.”

Juan waved a hand. “What man can ever figure out a woman?”

“Still, she was my wife. I should have talked to her, not stormed off in a murderous rage.”

“Remember that when you do find her. She won’t be happy to see you.”

A tight knot formed in his stomach. “I know.”

Kathleen’s heart thumped like a hammer inside her ribcage when Sally returned for a final fitting of her dress. Just her luck that Henry had chosen this time to run some errands. “Good morning, Miss Hawkins.”

Sally nodded a greeting and darted a glance around. “I’m here for my fitting. Where is Mr. Lavore?”

She looked like she’d lost weight and hadn’t seen a ray of sunshine in months. Nervous, too. Kathleen shrugged. Maybe she was having second thoughts about marrying Mike. Served him right if Sally slipped through his fingers and he lost the ranch.

“He stepped out, but I am in charge of your final alterations. Please come on back.”

Kathleen draped the dress over Sally’s head and smoothed it over her. “When is the wedding?” Pen in hand, she started pinning the side seams.

“In three weeks.”

“Good. Just don’t starve yourself anymore, or this dress will not fit properly.”

“Why do you think I’m not eating?” Sally’s voice was shrill and full of fear.

Kathleen blinked. This was not the sultry, confident woman that had come to visit Mike that day. What had he done to her? “I’m having to take the seams up a good inch. Did your fiancé come with you?”

Gaze darting to the curtain, Sally twisted her hands together. “Yes, he told me to hurry. Will this take long?”

Hornets buzzing in her stomach, Kathleen’s fingers trembled
. Mike here?
“No. Give me half an hour and come back.” She’d do whatever it took to get the dress done and Mike out of town. He must not see her. Somehow, by pure luck he hadn’t killed her that day. But watching Sally, and the change in her demeanor, terrified Kathleen.

“Oh, good.” Sally bolted as soon as she had changed back into her clothes.

The back door creaked open and Kathleen clutched her heart as a knock echoed like thunder. “Can I come in?”

Her knees gave out and she fell into the nearest chair at the sound of Henry’s voice. “Yes.”

“Everything all right?”

She nodded and picked up the needle and some blue thread. “I need to get this done fast.”

“No need to look so scared. I’ve seen how fast you work. When is Miss Hawkins coming back?”

“In thirty minutes.”

Henry waved a hand. “You can do that.” He headed back to the front room.

“Wait. When this is done, can I have a quick break? I need to take care of something.”

“Sure.”

Kathleen had never sewed so fast in her life. If Mike had turned Sally into a terrified, skeleton of what she had been, it was time to hide. What a fool she had been to harbor tender thoughts of him and hang on to a false hope that he had sent her away to protect her. One look at Sally and she realized just how fortunate she had been that day at the river. Shudders shook her. Lucky she wasn’t facedown in the water with a bullet through her brain.

As the curtain fluttered closed, Kathleen stilled. She had seen Sally’s strange behavior before. Lots of times at Mr. Sharps’ mill. Sally was addicted to opium. Shivers danced down Kathleen’s spine. And a slave to whomever supplied her needs.

In New York, she had turned down the offer of a smoke several times. One of her roommates sold her body just to get more. Came home bloody and bruised on several occasions. Not a pretty life. Nope, she had never wanted to try the stuff. The thought of it made her ill.

Sally Hawkins’ wedding brought the town out in force. Food covered the tables, set up outdoors. Clusters of people milled about on the lawn and a fiddler provided lively tunes for those who wanted to dance.

Mike hovered in the background. He was here under protest. Anyone who passed him glanced his way and shuffled off whispering.

“You should try smiling once in a while. It’d stop some of the gossip.” Juan handed him a slice of cake.

“You notice how Sally looks to Jimmy for everything?”

“So?”

“You forget I was engaged to the girl. She wasn’t needy then. More like demanding.”

Juan shrugged. “Love does strange things to folks.”

Mike shook his head. “She seems scared of Jimmy. And she’s lost weight.”

Juan gave him a searching look. “Why the sudden interest in Sally?”

“Not much else to do.”

“You could go dance.”

“I’ll pass.”

Suzie came rushing up to them. “Mike.”

“Suzie.”

She put her hands on her hips. “You always do that. Stop it.”

Mike grinned. He enjoyed teasing Suzie. She fed them well and kept Hank whistling all day long. “But it’s fun.”

Suzie dimpled up at him. “Guess what.”

“What?”

“You see that dress Sally is wearing?”

“Yeah.”

“Kathleen made it.”

Mike dropped his cake and gripped Suzie’s shoulders. “You sure?”

Suzie hopped back but the icing still brushed the hem of her skirt. “Yes, but you don’t have to throw cake at me.”

“Where. Is. She?”

“In Denver. At Lavore’s tailoring shop.”

Mike scooped Suzie in a hug and kissed her laughing lips.

“Want some company?” Juan asked as he cleaned up Mike’s mess.

“No. This is something I have to do alone.”

The dress Kathleen had made for Sally had sparked a flame in Henry. He made two copies of the dress in different colors and pressed Kathleen to hurry and construct her other designs. He had shipped one of the copies to a brother in San Francisco, the other to a brother in Chicago.

She had spent the weekend shut up in her room with the curtains drawn. Mike was now married to Sally. She hitched her shawl tighter against the chill. Snow peppered the window in icy pellets. No soft flakes in this storm. Just ice and wind and cold. Just like her soul.

Henry came dancing into the store and waved an envelope under her nose. “We did it.”

“Did what?” The exuberance on his face broke through her dark musings.

“Your dress was a hit. They want more samples of want you can do.”

Kathleen jumped up and waltzed around the shop with Henry. “This is great. We already sold my other designs but it won’t take long to make replicas.”

“You start on the green taffeta, and I’ll start on the red silk.” Henry dropped some bills onto the table.

“Here’s your commission. I need to go order more material.”

“But shouldn’t some of this go to supplies?”

“I split the money in thirds. One for you, one for me, and one for the business. I’m off to place an order.”

Kathleen counted the money and flopped into a chair. Maybe she should thank Mike for sending her away. Otherwise none of her current success would have materialized. She would just be some rancher’s wife.

Now she was making a name for herself. Getting the credit for her designs. And she had the potential to make more money than she ever dreamed possible. Finally, something was going right for her. Now, if her heart would only mend. Which made her mad. Mike didn’t deserve any thoughts from her. Much less the ache she tried over and over to ignore.

She was bent over her sewing table when the bell tinkled over the door. Kathleen grinned. Business was good. She stepped through the curtain and froze. The blood rushed from her head and pooled at her feet. She gripped the doorjamb for support.

“Hello, Kathleen.”

Mike!
She gathered her strength and straightened. “What do you want? I’ve kept my side of the bargain.”

Mike fished some papers from inside his vest as a deep frown settled on his face. “These are for you.”

The blast of a gun screamed in her ears. Mike jerked back and the force of his fall broke the window as he tumbled out. Glass rained over him and a hand slammed over her mouth as an arm encircled her waist. Mike didn’t move.

Someone grabbed the papers he offered her but she couldn’t tear her gaze from the dusty boots hanging limp on the sill.

Get up, Mike. Please get up.
But he didn’t. Shocked, she failed to fight as she was hauled out the back door and bound to a horse. The vision of Mike falling played over and over in her mind. Tears flowed as she fought back the nausea bubbling up her throat. She shouldn’t mourn Mike’s death. It meant her freedom from the threat of death. But why did these men come after her? Didn’t they know Mike owned the ranch, not her?

Some minutes later she blinked her tears away and glanced at her captors. The same redheaded man that kidnapped her before shot her a grin. “Knew he’d get careless one day.”

“Murderer.”

The man laughed and patted her thigh. “I’ve done worse. Now be quiet, or Sonny here will slap you around.”

Teeth chattering, Kathleen bowed her head against the wind and snow and wiggled her fingers and toes to keep frostbit from setting in. She’d bite her tongue if she tried to talk anyway. She lost her sense of time as the bitter cold seeped into her bones and uncontrolled shivers scattered snow with shake. The horse stopped in front of a cabin and since she was unable to move, the redhead lifted her out of the saddle and dragged her inside.

“Start a fire, Sonny, before she freezes to death.” The man wrapped a blanket around her and started rubbing her hands. Pain shot through her fingers and she winced. “Good, you’ve still got some feeling left. Wouldn’t want to have wasted my time fetching you.”

“Wh-what d-d-do y-you wan-want wi-with m-me?”

He chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough. Now sit.” A firm hand shoved her down.

Still too cold to move, all she could do was watch as she was tied to the chair.

The sparse room had a crude table with one other chair, a narrow cot shoved in the corner, and a rickety stove. Smoke wafted in the tiny room as flames licked at the logs in the stove. A flicker of heat touched her cheek as she was scooted closer to the fire.

“You get warm now, sweetheart.”

Kathleen blinked, not liking the suggestion in the man’s tone. She was in a lot of trouble. Much as she hated it, she would rather be at the mercy of Mike. At least he’d just shoot her. The flames grew higher and warmth sent sharp pricks coursing over her skin as the redheaded man removed her boots. He sniffed her hair, and her mouth went dry.

The door opened to admit a tall, handsome man with sky-blue eyes, sandy hair, and a sinister smile.

“Hello, Mrs. Baca.”

“Don’t call me that.”

He settled in the chair opposite her and crossed his ankle over his knee. “Why? That’s your name?”

“Not anymore. Mike found a way to end our marriage.”

The man tossed his head back and chortled. “So, he fed you a pack of lies, too. Tsk, tsk. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he didn’t.”

“You’re lying. I made Sally’s wedding dress.”

“Aw, that’s how Mike found you. But he didn’t marry Sally. I did. She was making noises to her father about going back East and finding a wealthy husband, but I changed her mind.”

Kathleen furrowed her brow. A sadistic smile curved his lips up. She shivered. “How?”

“It gets painful when you go without a dose of opium. Real painful.”

“Who are you?”

“I am the man you’re going to be best friends with. The man you’ll crawl through hell for. The man you’ll obey without question.”

Icy shivers danced down her spine. His tone of voice, so calm and casual, shouted confidence. What did he plan to do to her? She tilted her head to the side. “How can I do that if I don’t even know your name?”

“Name’s Jimmy. And since we are such good friends, I’ll call you Kathleen.” He spread papers on the table.

“I don’t know who the bigger fool is. You, for swallowing Mike’s lies, or Mike, for signing all this over to you.”

“Signing what over to me?”

“Look for yourself.” He slid the papers across the table.

Kathleen’s pulse kicked like a mule when she read that Mike had put both his and her ranches in her name only. Add Jimmy’s assertion that, in fact, Mike hadn’t gained an annulment and she was left with a heavy weight in her gut and sweaty palms. With this evidence, it appeared she
had
jumped to the wrong conclusion about Mike.

Jimmy chuckled. “Mike made this so much easier for me. Was the funniest thing to watch him rip all hope of getting your land from old Hawkins. Never saw a man turn that color of purple before.”

“Hawkins is dead?”

“Yes. And poor Mike really thought Hawkins was the only one after your land. I let him do all the running across the country to find you.”

“Where did he go?”

A footstep sounded on the porch.

“Enough questions.”

The ruddy-faced man who’d abducted her stepped inside and handed Jimmy a wad of cloth. Kathleen narrowed her eyes as he unwrapped a pipe and held it up.

“Ever seen someone addicted to opium?”

Kathleen’s heart skittered around in her chest like a leaf blown in the wind. “Give me a pen. I’ll sign the ranches over to you. I’d rather die quick.”

“But Willie here wants you. He’s been a loyal dog and deserves a little treat now and then. Besides, I need this to be a public sale so no one can even hint at a swindle.”

Jimmy shot her a wicked smile. “You aren’t one to be all meek and mild. I don’t trust you. You’d shoot me in the back given half a chance.”

“And you’re too much of a coward to give me that half chance.”

“Don’t waste your breath trying to make me mad. It won’t work. I didn’t achieve my goals by being careless and losing my temper. People do stupid things when they allow anger to control them.”

Kathleen glanced at Willie. He gave her a wide grin and winked. “You’ll have a good time when this hits your system.”

Kathleen closed her eyes. This time, Mike wouldn’t be bursting through the door to save her. Mad as she had been at Mike, he had always came to her rescue. But Mike was dead. She was alone with these mad men. The ropes held her immobile and helpless to resist.

She swallowed the useless panic swirling inside and pinned a steady gaze on Jimmy, determined to not give him any more satisfaction the she could muster. But the thought of inhaling opium terrified her. Willie nudged the table next to her.

Jimmy whipped out a match and lit the pipe. Willie licked his lips and stared at her breasts as he tied a gag over her mouth. “Breath deep.”

“No.” Kathleen couldn’t stop the whimper as a blanket was tossed over her head and strong hands bent her closer to the smoking pipe. Lungs aching from holding her breath, she gasped and tears traced down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop the poison flowing through her body. Couldn’t stop the effects as she took another breath.
How do you suffocate yourself?

“Remember, Willie, no bruises.” Jimmy’s silky tones were muffled.

“Yes, sir.” Willie didn’t disguise the joy in his voice.

“Have fun. Come on, Sonny, give Willie some privacy.”

She listened to the fading steps of Jimmy and Sonny. Suddenly released, Kathleen leaned away from the pipe but the blanket trapped the swirling smoke and she could not escape it. She heard humming and smiled. Aches disappeared, tension fled, and her eyes grew heavy. Kathleen felt the ropes loosen, felt Willie’s hands pull her up, his arm circle her waist when she stumbled. A small part of her brain protested, but her body relaxed as he eased her down onto the cot. His hands fumbled with her buttons and spurts of pleasure traced across her skin where he touched her.

A breeze wafted over her heated body and she lolled her head to the side. Tingles washed over her and she blinked at a loud crash. A heavy weight pressed down on her. She shivered when that oppressive warmth lifted.

“Are you awake, Kathleen? Honey?”

She giggled and reached for the friendly voice.

Mike blinked. Kathleen giggled? Her blouse was spread open exposing her breasts and t she giggled?
What the hell did Willie do to her?

He sagged to the floor and sniffed her breath. No alcohol. But she didn’t even know he was here. He glanced around the room and frowned at the pipe lying on the table.
Opium
. If Willie weren’t already dead, he would shoot him again.

With a shaking hand, Mike yanked her shirt closed and tugged the blanket over her. He needed to get her out of there. He needed to get up. But a fog seemed to have come over him. He dropped his head onto the edge of the cot and closed his eyes.