part0014

Mark didn’t trust Sam. His high-sounding words had his sister convinced, but not Mark. He’d heard plenty of outlaws confess that they were changed men and should be let go. Most proved their unworthiness of a second chance if given the opportunity.

He recalled bringing in Adam Swenson. The kid cried and pleaded, telling him that he was the victim of mistaken identity. That there was no way, he robbed his employer. The kid was good at smooth-talking, not to mention he’d managed to woo the rancher’s daughter into believing his innocence.

Mark had just about started to believe him when he turned his back on the kid and wham. A knock on the head. Hands still cuffed the kid stole his gun and rushed for his horse. Mark came to and saw the angry face of the rancher and the distraught face of his daughter.

It seems Adam had not only knocked him out but stolen more money from the rancher and his finest horse.

After a moment to let his head stop ringing, Mark took off after the kid. A hard-fought gunbattle ended with the kid shot up, and Mark sorry he’d ever started to believe in Adam.

That lesson had taught him not to give second chances. The courts and judges could dish them out, but he would not. Never again.

He stared at Evangeline. She was so delighted at her brother’s change. Mark hoped there was truth in it, but he didn’t trust Sam. The man had shot at him once already, and Mark wasn’t about to give him another chance.

The sun shone bright, warming the morning air. “Let’s start looking for that money box.”

Mark shot him a stare and nodded. “By noon, we’ll head back to Cheyenne.”

Evangeline stretched. “Maybe I can find something for breakfast.”

Sam hugged her. “There was some bacon unless the tornado took it, should be near the stove.”

Mark brought the horses around. “Let’s go, Sam.” He said it curtly. He wasn’t this man’s friend. Not at all. And the sooner Sam understood it, the better.

Sam mounted the horse and held up his cuffed hands. “Any chance you might take these off while we look?”

“None. And don’t get any idea about running off. I won’t hesitate to shoot.”

Sam grinned. “All right. I see you don’t believe me yet. Evangeline does and—”

“Don’t put her in the middle. I don’t want to see her hurt.” Mark drilled a glare at the man.

“You could have shot her when you shot at me that day on the hills. Then you ran her off. I don’t call that brotherly love.” Mark mounted his horse and looked south. He pointed. “Tornado went that way. Let’s go.”

Sam rode past him and stopped. “That wind was swirling like a devil. That money could be anywhere.”

“Best for you if we find it. Judge likes it when restitution is made.”

Sam nodded. “Guess so. We won’t find it standing here.” He rode off to the west.

Mark watched him, but Sam seemed to be looking for the money. A gust of wind blew a cloud of dust and with it a few dollars. “Over here.”

He rode to a pile of brush and sand and dismounted. There nestled against a stub of a tree was the box. It was broken open but still had some gold and paper money. Mark shut the lid and picked it up.

Sam dismounted and picked up a satchel. “Here’s what we took the other day. I think most of the money is still here.” He walked over and tossed the bag at Mark.

Mark slapped the bag down and drew his pistol with his other hand. “I warned you, Sam.”

“I just threw you the bag of money. There’s some paper money scattered about. Want me to pick it up?”

Shaking his head, Sam brought him the horse. “You really don’t trust me. I helped find the money.”

“You seemed to forget about the satchel. All you told us about was the box.”

Sam shrugged. “Forgot about it. I tossed it to you.” He walked away and picked up some bills. “Think this will count as restitution?”

Mark followed him and picked up more bills. “Maybe. There is still the murder charge.”

“Silas killed the rancher. Not me. I’ve never killed anyone.” Sam stopped and handed him a handful of money.

“You were charged and found guilty. I hate to see Evangeline get her hopes up. Likely as not, you’ll hang when I turn you in.”

Sam nodded. “I know what my chances are. I’m ready to face what I have coming to me. I want to know one thing.”

Sam faced him. “I’m not asking that. I want to know that you’ll watch over Evangeline for me. I was supposed to and abandoned her. I see the way you look at her. The way you care for her. Is it real? Do you love her?”

“I do.” Mark handed the reins back to Sam. “We need to get back.”

“She doesn’t want me. She only used me and the Pinkerton’s to rescue you. I won’t force her to stay with me.”

Sam stopped him. “You haven’t answered me. Will you take care of my sister?”

Mark stared at him. He saw the same eyes and features that Evangeline had only masculine. The question stabbed at him. Would he watch over her, knowing she’d walk away from him?

Mark mounted his horse. “I’ll watch over her as long as she’ll have me around. Once she tells me to go, I’ll leave. A man has to have some pride.”

Sam handed the box up to Mark. “I’ll carry the satchel.” He shook his head. “I hope Evangeline will stay with you. I’d feel better if she did.”

“I won’t force her. I love her more than I can even say or understand, but I want her to love me back. I don’t want anything less.” Mark urged his horse on to the camp. He hoped Evangeline was ready. The sooner they got this over with, the better.

Evangeline had found the bacon and some flour. By the time she saw them riding back, she had biscuits and bacon ready. She hadn’t been able to find the eggs and figured the tornado had scrambled them.

She was excited for Sam and the hope that he could get a second chance. Thinking of Mark, sent her into a tornado of thoughts. He still loved her, but she didn’t love him. At least, she didn’t think she did.

Not the way that he looked at her and told her that his heart was full of joy and love for her. She’d spent so much time thinking of her own problems and trying to save Sam, that she really didn’t know what she felt about others.

She’d become a bit of a loner these last few years. She didn’t know much about those around her, and if she were honest, she hadn’t really cared. Then she got Sam’s letter and knew she had to save him.

Evangeline drew in a deep breath. The storm had cleared the air, and in more ways than the weather. She finally had a clear view of Sam. Prayed that he would be allowed a second chance at life.

Plus, she saw herself. How closed in she’d become. And she needed to be honest with Mark. She hoped that Archie would keep her on as a Pinkerton. And prayed that Mark wouldn’t hold a grudge against her.

She saw them coming. Evangeline pulled out the plates she’d found and set the bacon on them. The biscuits weren’t quite finished. They both carried something. “Looks like you found something. Is it the money?”

Mark dismounted and grabbed the bridle to Sam’s horse. “We’ll eat and then go.”

Sam got down and handed the satchel to Mark. “I’d say we found most of it, but I’m sure there will be people picking money out of the sky for a week.”

“They’ll be blessed then.” Evangeline hugged her brother. “Once you turn in the money, that should help your case.”

Mark picked up a plate and devoured the food. “Good cooking, Evangeline. Thanks. Hurry and eat so we can go. You’ll ride with Sam, but I’ll need your gun.”

Mark smiled. “You, I trust, it’s your brother that I don’t trust.”

She dug in her skirt pocket and handed the small gun to Mark. “Sam won’t be a problem.”

“No, I don’t think he will.” Mark threw the plate in the cabin ruins and then went to his horse and adjusted the saddle. “Let’s go.”

Evangeline set her plate on a log and went to Sam’s horse.

Sam threw his plate and mounted the buckskin and then held a hand out for Evangeline and pulled her up behind him. “We’re ready.”

Mark finished stuffing the money in his saddlebags. “If we ride hard, we should get close to Cheyenne tonight.”

Evangeline felt a mixture of hope and dread. What if they wanted to hang Sam? She couldn’t let that happen. Pinkerton agent or not. She’d stop it somehow.

She hugged Sam and prayed for him that he would have a future. She couldn’t even think of her life without concerning herself with her brother’s.

They’d ridden for a couple of hours when a gunshot echoed through the land. Mark led them to a ridge and stopped.

Evangeline looked around nervously. “Who would be firing at us?”

Mark shook his head. “It was a warning.” He looked across the hills to the north.

Evangeline whispered to Sam. “You don’t have any more friends around, do you?”

He laughed. “You are a Pinkerton agent, aren’t you? No. I don’t know who would fire that shot.”

After a few minutes, Mark laughed. “Well, who roused you two up?”

Evangeline looked over Sam’s shoulder and saw a man and a woman ride to Mark.

Tom nodded. “We left as soon as we could. I see you have one of the outlaws.”

“The other two are dead. A tornado came through and destroyed their cabin. Sam and my partner Evangeline weren’t hurt.”

Tom frowned. “Two. I thought there were at least four or five in that gang. Plus, the boss. Did Sam say anything about who that might be?”

Mark looked back at them and rode away, gesturing for Tom to follow him. “Ferguson might be the ringleader. Sam didn’t say anything about two more men.”

“The stage driver said he’s seen as many as five men in a holdup.”

Mark shook his head and looked back at Evangeline. She’d dismounted and was walking toward them.

“Sam said he changed and wants to live a good life now. That he’s a believer and sorry for all the bad he’s done. That he didn’t kill anyone.” Mark quieted as Evangeline walked beside his horse.

“Sam has changed. I would know.” She looked up at Tom. “We’re twins. I know my brother.”

“Yes, I did. I could feel it in my heart. He has changed.”

Tom nodded and smiled at his wife and partner, Sabrina. “What’s the meeting about? Anyone going to watch the prisoner?”

Tom grinned. “My most capable partner. Why don’t you and Evangeline watch Sam for us? Mark and I have a few things to discuss.”

Sabrina took Evangeline’s hand and led her back to Sam. “Why don’t you step off the horse and give him a rest.”

Sam glared at her. “All right.” He got down and walked to Evangeline. “Do you know them?”

Evangeline stared at him. “They don’t trust you. Were there two more men in your gang?”

Sam kicked at a clod. “There were. They turned on us. One is dead, and the other ran off to California. They were the witnesses against me in the trial. Silas paid them off to lie, and then when they tried to run, he went after them. He killed Cajun and Rudy got away.”

“They’re gone. Not likely to come back.” Sam stepped away from her. “I didn’t think it was worth mentioning.”

She left him and went toward Sabrina when a rifle shot boomed over the desolate land. She looked up just as Sam grabbed her and shoved her to the ground.

Evangeline shook her head. “Nothing.” She blinked to get the dust from her eyes and saw movement by the trees in front of Mark and Tom. She pointed. “Up there. I saw a flash.”

Evangeline saw her aim her pistol at her brother. Knowing she shouldn’t, but knowing she couldn’t help it, she stumbled toward Sabrina and knocked her hand just as she fired.

Angry, Sabrina shoved Evangeline away and aimed to fire again, but Sam was riding in a zig-zagging fashion. Again, Evangeline pushed her gun hand down.

Sabrina shook her head. “You’ll be fired for this. You just better pray that Tom and Mark can catch him.” She turned and saw Sam riding south before swinging east.

“He said he’d changed.” Evangeline slumped and fell to her knees.

More rifle shots came from the trees north, and Evangeline watched as Tom and Mark split up and charged into the trees.