Chapter 10

R obert ground down on his molars. He'd been expecting the animals for days, but now he wasn't glad to see them. Of course, he knew from the outset his time with Ruby was to be short. If only they could enjoy a few more days.

He managed to stifle a groan. One would think he'd be so used to moving on that it wouldn't bother him.

Whoever thought that would be wrong this time.

"Best get back." His words were lacking in enthusiasm but no more so than his feelings.

"I guess that means you'll be on your way soon."

Delight curved the corners of his mouth at her tone.

She didn't seem any more eager for their goodbye than he.

"In the morning, I suppose." They made their way downhill at a pace comparable to that of a snail. But delaying didn't bring reprieve. They passed the barn. He took her hand.

"Let me get you back to the wagons."

His feet shuffled with uncharacteristic slowness and stopped altogether as they neared the camp. "Ruby, I've enjoyed spending time with you. I wish you all the best with the Banff society."

"This is goodbye, isn't it?"

"We might see each other at the fort, but yes, it's goodbye to what we shared here." Would she hear the tightness in his throat making his words jerky?

"Thank you for showing me the orchids and everything."

They faced each other. Her eyes grew dark.

"You're welcome." He touched a finger to her chin. "You have a good life, you hear?"

She brushed her palm to his cheek. "You too."

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. He, for one, was reluctant to break this tender connection. But the rumble of approaching horses reminded him of his duties.

"I must go."

"Of course." A fingertip touched his lips. Then she stepped back, leaving him frozen in the spot. It was tempting to kiss her. But he didn't have the right.

"Goodbye," he whispered past a thousand regrets. Then he raced for the corrals, threw on his saddle, donned his red tunic, and went to meet them.

Seeing him approach, the riders halted the herd. Dust swirled up from their hooves.

The man riding in the lead rode forward, took in Robert's red jacket, and said, "Howdy. Sam here. I brung your horses." He pulled the bill of sale from his saddlebag and handed it over.

Robert checked the papers to make sure they were properly signed, then moved forward to look over the animals. They wouldn't look their best after being driven north to Cypress Hills, but this bunch looked worse than they should. And were days late, which meant they should have been driven at an easy pace. But more concerning was the count. Even after three times, he didn't get a correct tally.

"I'm to take delivery of twenty head. I count only fifteen."

"Yeah. We run into trouble. Rustlers." Sam wiped dust from his brow and adjusted his hat. "The herd scattered in the fight. My brother and one other man was killed."

The news hit like lightning. "I'm sorry." Robert glanced at the other riders. They all had the appearance of having survived a tough battle. "Let's get the horses to the corrals. Then you can tell me what happened."

Sam waved to the other riders, and he and Robert rode at the head of the herd, leading them down the trail and into the corrals. As soon as the gate closed, the men, apart from Sam, took their supplies and set up camp nearby.

"What can you tell me about the rustlers?" Robert unfolded his notebook and prepared to take a statement.

"Five riders. All with bandannas over their faces. Couldn't see much of 'em."

"What about the horses they rode?"

"One rode a big black horse. Too nice for the likes of him. 'Nother had a sorrel with white socks. Others were stocky range animals—red in color. But I'd know that black horse if I saw it agin."

Robert jotted the information in his book. A distinctive black horse. One like that belonging to those rough-looking men? Didn't seem that was coincidence. "You say they got away with five horses?"

"The herd stampeded. Took us days to round 'em up. The rustlers vanished in ta thin air."

"They must have found a hidden draw somewhere." He drummed his pencil on the page. He wanted to hunt the robbers down, retrieve the missing animals, and escort the men to jail. But he needed to get the horses to the fort. He tucked the notebook back in his pocket. "We'll deliver the horses and report to the sergeant. He'll be sending out men to catch these lawbreakers."

"There ain't gonna be no we. Me and my men are going home. Gotta tell the widows what happened." Weariness drew harsh lines on Sam's face. "You'll need to hire yerself some others."

"Of course." Except there was a dire shortage of available men. Robert considered his options. He could string the remaining animals and hope to manage on his own. But he couldn't stay awake day and night for the time the journey required. What other option did he have?

"Would any of your men ride with me? I guarantee they'd get a nice bonus."

"You could ask 'em, but there be times no 'mount of money is 'nuff."

Sam escorted Robert to the camp the men had set up. But every one of them refused his offer. After thanking them for the delivery of the horses and expressing his condolences for their loss, he went back to the trading post to tell Hiram the news.

"You know any men I could hire to help?"

"Not offhand." He rubbed his whiskered jaw, the rasping sound grating on Robert's nerves. "Say, why not ask if you can ride with the Miller bunch?"

Accompany the wagon train? Ride with Ruby and her family? Enjoy her company longer? It was tempting. "That would put them in the path of danger if those men are set on getting more horses." No. He'd manage on his own.

That night before he turned in, Robert wrote Hennie a letter, including the picture Ruby had drawn. He took the sealed envelope to Hiram, who promised to send it on its way as soon as possible.

The next morning, he was up before dawn to pack up his belongings. Sam helped him string the animals using tail knots to create two chains of horses. He also had to lead the pack animals.

Sam shook his head. "Yer gonna have yer hands full."

"Yeah, but I'll manage." Robert saw no other choice.

When everything was ready, he swung to the back of his mount and rode down the trail. Passing the wagons, he stopped to say goodbye.

Gabe came out to meet him. "You're leaving?"

"Have to deliver the horses." Robert looked for Ruby. From near the camp table, she watched him, her eyes narrowed, her mouth tight. He touched his finger to his hat and nodded. This was goodbye. "It's been a pleasure meeting you all."

Gabe didn't step aside. "You'll need help with the horses. Joe says we'll leave today. Wait and ride with us."

"Thanks for the offer, but I don't want to be a bother."

The others joined Gabe. Each adding a protest at his plans or a plea to wait.

Joe stood before Robert's horse. "That red coat don't give you special powers. You need to accept help."

Robert met Joe's gaze without blinking.

"We'd like to assist with the horses." Irene's excited voice rang out.

Joe edged closer. "Could be we'll need your help as much as you need ours."

Did the man know rustlers were around? Maybe watching for their chance to try again? No doubt, they were the sort of men who wouldn't contain themselves to stealing his horses. The directness of Joe's gaze seemed to suggest it.

Robert scanned those gathered around him. If the wagon train was in danger?—

His gaze paused at Ruby. The pleading in her eyes convinced him. "Very well, if you're sure you don't mind the extra trouble."

Gabe patted Robert's leg. "There's strength in numbers."

Did he suspect there'd been trouble? Had the men who brought the horses spoken to Gabe or one of the others?

Robert didn't know. He only hoped he wasn't putting any of them in harm's way. But before he could join them, he would speak to both Gabe and Joe and make sure they knew the danger that existed.

Ruby returned to the campfire where Ma and the others were preparing breakfast. Robert would be traveling with them. She hugged the thought to herself. But hadn't they said goodbye? Very sweet goodbyes when she wanted to kiss him, but knowing it was inappropriate, she settled for touching his lips. Now, she had to share him with the others. It would be impossible for them to have time alone together.

A smile threatened her mouth. Somehow, Irene, Hazel, and Louise managed to do so. Even Ma. If Ruby was interested, they could find a way, too. But wait. She wasn't wanting a courtship, so there was no need to be seeking ways to be alone.

She turned her attention back to meal preparation while Robert accompanied the men to get the oxen and help hitch them up.

He came in with the others, looked around, and moved to her side.

"Hi." His grin offered pleasure.

Or was she letting her imagination run away? "Hi." See, she hadn't let a single bit of excitement creep into her voice.

"I hope you don't mind that I've joined your group."

What did that mean? "Why would I?"

Gabe rose to ask the blessing, making it impossible for Robert to answer. Then, they were busy eating. Yes, there was conversation, but amongst all of them. As soon as the kitchen things were packed in the wagons, they were on their way.

Robert followed with the horses. Walt and Irene rode with him. She'd overheard Gabe say one of them would stay with him. Something about the way he said it made Ruby look behind. Was there a reason to be concerned? Everything seemed to be under control.

As was their customary order, the wagon she and Angela rode in was in the middle. Angela sat on the seat, driving the oxen as did Hazel in the front wagon. Behind her came Ma and Gabe. His oxen were driven by him walking beside them. Ma was often at Gabe's side even as she was this morning. Bertie's cats rode in Ruby's wagon, and often, Bertie walked there. This morning, he was behind Ma and Gabe and kept glancing over his shoulder toward the horses.

"I'm going to check on Bertie," she informed Angela and slowed her steps while Ma and Gabe passed her.

Alice butted Ruby until she patted her head. Limpy followed, his tongue lolling out, and she bent to pet the dog.

Bertie edged aside his goat to be at Ruby's side. "Why Robert bring his horses?"

"Because Gabe thought it too much work to do on his own."

"He eat with us every day? Sleep with us?"

The same questions crossed Ruby's mind. "I expect he will. Do you mind?"

"He Carson's friend?"

"That's right."

"He your friend too?"

"I think so."

Bertie nodded. "He be my friend too?"

She laughed and patted her big brother's back. "Of course."

"I like him." He walked sideways to look at her. "You like him?"

"He seems like a nice man."

Bertie laughed and clapped his hands to get his pets' attention. He trotted away, Limpy and Alice at his wake.

Bemused by the conversation, Ruby slowed her steps. The whole entourage traveled at the oxen's plodding pace.

In a few moments, the horses caught up to her. Robert called, "Might get dusty."

"Wouldn't be the first time I've dealt with dust. At least it isn't smoke."

"Sounds like a story." He handed his lead rope to Walt, swung from his saddle, and, bringing his horse, walked beside her, urging her far enough away that they walked on grass rather than the dirt ground up by animals' hooves and wagon wheels. "Are you talking about campfire smoke or something else?"

"A prairie fire. We were almost burned to death."

He jerked to a halt. "What happened?"

She recounted how they were crossing the dry grassland when a fire threatened to overtake them. "We escaped when the wagons dropped into a small draw Joe didn't even know was there." At some point in telling the tale, she'd caught his hand and gripped it hard.

"God rescued you all."

Was his voice deeper than usual? The words coming out fractured? As if he cared? Well, of course, he did. He was a Mountie, after all. Perhaps it was time to change the subject.

"I thought the men who brought the horses would help you get them to the fort." Seemed the normal thing to do with that many animals.

"They were anxious to get back to their families."

That made sense in one way, but still. It didn't seem quite right.

Joe rode up the hill to the far side of the horses, pulled to a stop, and looked around full circle. It wasn't unusual for Joe. After all, he was the scout and always alert for danger. His spotting the prairie fire so early enabled them to escape it. But there was something about the way Robert watched the man and the way his breath fired out when Joe moved on.

Narrowing her eyes, she studied Robert.

He developed a sudden interest in rearranging the reins in his palm.

"What's going on?" she asked.

He met her gaze, his eyes wide, but he couldn't maintain the contact. "Why do you ask?"

"Is this another secret?"

With a dismissive shrug, he resumed walking. "I already told you my secret."

She waggled her fingers toward him, threatening to tickle him.

Giving her a scolding look, he angled away.

"Very well, if that's how you want it to be, fine. But I'll be watching you."

"I'm looking forward to it." His crooked grin brought a rush of heat to her cheeks.

For the space of twenty paces, neither of them spoke.

"Robert?"

"Yes?"

"Would you tell me if something was going on?" She glanced toward the horses and let her gaze skim past Walt and Irene.

He walked another ten steps, slowed, and faced her. "Would you trust me if I didn't?"

Trust him? He was a good man. More than that?—

"If I can't trust a Mountie, who can I trust?"