Nolan felt as though the floor had collapsed beneath him. “What do you mean there’s no gold?”
“The whole thing was a trap,” the captain replied. “I thought it was you. I thought you were helping them.”
Nolan rubbed the back of his neck. “You were wrong.”
“I know that now.”
Tilly handed over the needle. “We’ll sort this out while you stitch up the wound. The captain has already lost too much blood.”
Nodding grimly, Nolan accepted the needle and thread and began stitching. “You’re fortunate the bullet went clean through your leg.”
“I don’t feel fortunate.”
“What gave you the fool idea that I was involved?” Nolan demanded. “Let me guess—the lieutenant planted the idea.”
“Lieutenant Perry encouraged my thinking, that’s true. But there were other things that made me suspicious. No one in their right mind would man this station all alone. No one lasts out here for more than a few months. You did. You also took over the post the same month Dakota Red and his brother were jailed in Yankton. When they broke out, the trail was leading directly to you.”
“The trail led to the river.” Nolan snorted. “I just happened to be on the other side. Did you really think I’d shelter a bunch of outlaws with a woman and three children staying at the relay station?”
“That’s when I started second-guessing myself. We’d already set the plan in motion, and if you weren’t involved, there would have been no harm done.” The captain gripped his leg above where Nolan was stitching. His knuckles whitened and he pursed his lips. “There was no way you’d let a woman stay here if you had something planned. I figured you’d either caught a bad break, or you were innocent.”
Tilly tore off another strip of bandages. “I can’t believe you were suspicious of Nolan.”
She gave his arm an encouraging squeeze, and his chest swelled. Her faith in him was heartening.
“He was the obvious choice,” the captain said.
“When did you figure out that you wrong?” Nolan asked. “Before or after Dakota Red shot you?”
“About the same time.”
“That’s comforting.”
“Look, I’m sorry. I was focused on you, but then we lost sight of Dakota Red. People don’t vanish around here. There were no hoofprints, no signs of an encampment, nothing. I knew they couldn’t cross the river without someone helping them. I figured I’d check on you. I figured even if you’d thrown in with the outlaws, you couldn’t shoot me in front of the woman and her nieces.”
“At least you had that much faith in me.”
Nolan motioned for Tilly to finish tying up the wound.
She wrapped more bandages around the captain’s leg, then she stepped back and planted her hands on her hips. “What now?”
“I don’t know,” Nolan replied. “We’re on our own. I don’t know where the lieutenant has gone, but he sure didn’t go for help.”
Tilly crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “I didn’t think our situation could get any worse, and yet it has. The captain is wounded and we’re waiting on a shipment of gold that’s never arriving.”
“Yep.” The captain struggled to sit upright. “I’m real sorry, ma’am. I never once suspected Lieutenant Perry would do something like this. He helped those outlaws across the river right under my nose.”
“You’re certain your men aren’t looking for you?” Nolan hooked his arm beneath the man’s shoulder and helped him to recline against the headboard. “Will your scout come back for you?”
“Eventually. With the weather, he’ll probably figure I stayed overnight. He won’t send out a search until tomorrow evening at the soonest.”
“Unless Lieutenant Perry tells him not to search,” Tilly said. “He’s been keeping the cavalry away from town this whole time. He’s not going to stop now.”
“I’m not counting on a rescue,” Nolan said. “With Perry in the area, who knows what he’s telling the rest of your unit. For all we know, he’s taken charge.”
“I hadn’t considered that.”
“We have to assume that Tilly is right. He’ll find a way to sabotage any rescue attempt. He’s still thinks there’s gold.”
“I’m no help in this condition.” The captain pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead. “What do you suggest?”
“We float out of here. They’re keeping watch on the horses. The girls will slow us down on foot, and you sure aren’t going to make it very far without a horse. Our only choice is the river.”
“You have a boat?”
“There’s a boat that needs repairs in one of the barns near the edge of town. It’s small, but it’ll hold the six of us. I need at least a day to make repairs.”
“How long before the outlaws notice you’re up to something?” the captain asked. “Too risky.”
“You can help us, Captain Ronald,” Tilly said. “You can stay with the girls. You can keep watch on Dakota Red and the others. I’ll work on the repairs with Nolan.”
Nolan wiped his bloodied fingers on a towel. “I can’t involve the girls.”
“They’re already involved,” Tilly said. “What do you think will happen when the stagecoach fails to appear on Friday? We’re all dead. You said as much yourself. Help isn’t coming, and neither is the gold. We’re on our own.”
“All right,” he conceded. “You’ve made your point. We need to start as soon as possible. First, we need a plan. I need some tools from the livery, which is risky. Dakota Red keeps track of what I take. He’s not very worried about us escaping, but he’s smart enough to protect his own hide.”
Tilly paced the narrow space beside the bed. “We’ll fetch the tools and erase the chalk marks. I doubt any of the men will even notice they’re gone.”
The captain frowned. “Chalk marks?”
“Never mind.” Tilly flapped her hand. “It’s a long story. But Nolan’s organization will help us tremendously. Dakota Red keeps track of the tools by the empty chalk marks. As long as we’re careful, he’ll never be the wiser.”
“We also need a distraction,” Nolan said. “If we’re spending too much time in one building, they’ll grow suspicious.”
“They hardly pay any attention to us these days. Mostly they play cards or drink or sleep.”
“What happens when they run out of whiskey?”
“That shouldn’t happen for a while. Snyder found a stash in the saloon.” Her cheeks were flush with excitement. “We simply need to outsmart them, which shouldn’t be too difficult. With the girls’ help, we’ll track their movements. As long as we stay one step ahead of them, they’ll never figure out what we’re doing.”
“You’ve convinced me, but I still don’t like the idea,” Nolan said. “Clearly we need the help of the children for this plan to work. Call them in.”
Tilly stepped out and returned with the girls a moment later.
She kneeled before them. “We’re going to play a game.”
“Like tag?” Victoria asked.
“More like hide-and-seek,” Tilly said. “Nolan needs to fetch some tools from the livery without the men staying in town noticing.”
“Like taking a piece of cake without Mama finding out.”
“Exactly!” Tilly exclaimed. “Cake is the perfect solution. We’ll bake a cake for the outlaws. While I’m delivering the cake, Nolan can fetch his tools, and no one will be the wiser.”
“How can we help?” Victoria asked.
“You can keep watch. We’ll need to keep track of their movements.”
“That shouldn’t be hard,” she said. “If they’re not here or in their house, then they’re at the livery.”
“Which makes your job easier.”
“That’s all well and good for you people.” Captain Ronald pressed a hand against the wound on his thigh. “How can I help?”
“You can help by keeping an eye on the girls while Nolan and I are working on the boat.”
“All right,” the captain grumbled. “But I feel as though I should be doing more.”
“You should be resting. We need you strong for the escape.”
Nolan exchanged a glance with Tilly. Their plan would work. It had to, because they were fresh out of other options.
* * *
Tilly and the girls gathered their supplies and baked a lopsided cake.
Tilly licked her thumb and studied their achievement. “It’s not pretty, but it tastes good.”
She transferred half of the cake to another plate, and wiped off the counter.
With the help of the girls, in another twenty minutes, she had the kitchen gleaming. Nolan returned from assisting Captain Ronald, and his eyes widened.
“Wow. You girls were busy.”
“I know you don’t like a mess, so we cleaned up.”
He blinked. “You did this for me? Why do you care?”
“Because you care, and this is your home.” She grasped the plate and presented their lopsided cake. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re a genius.”
She flushed beneath his praise.
“We’re ready. Caroline has been keeping watch on the outlaws, and they’re all playing cards in the undertaker’s house. I’ll deliver the cake while you retrieve your tools from the livery. The girls will keep watch. If one of the outlaws leaves the house before me, signal Nolan.”
“How do we signal him?”
Victoria raised her hand. “I can start a fire.”
“No!” Tilly placed a hand over her chest. “No fire. That will, um, that will take too long and it’s far too dangerous. Instead, one of you can yell, ‘Olly, olly, oxen free.’ The men will think you’re playing a game.”
Victoria’s shoulders drooped. “All right.”
“Good. Let the games begin.”
Elizabeth crossed her chubby arms and pouted. “I go with No-wan.”
“Not today,” Tilly said firmly. “You can stay with Captain Ronald, or you can go with your sisters.”
A frown puckered her brow. “I stay.”
Captain Ronald sighed. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Be good for the captain,” Tilly ordered. “Or no cake after supper.”
Elizabeth’s gaze flicked between the counter and the captain. “I be good.”
“I thought so.”
Tilly gathered herself. “Let’s go.”
With a firm grip on the plate, Tilly led the girls across the street toward the undertaker’s house. She climbed shallow stairs to the front door and gave a firm knock.
A moment later, Charlie answered.
“Whaddya want?” he demanded.
Tilly wrinkled her nose at the acrid scents of pipe tobacco, whiskey and unwashed male. “We’ve brought you some cake.”
“Huh?” He scratched behind his ear. “You trying to poison us or something?”
Tilly glared at him. “No. I am not trying to poison you.”
“You take a bite.”
“Who is it?” a voice called from the recesses of the house.
“They brung us cake,” Charlie shouted back.
Tilly broke off a large chunk and stuffed the piece in her mouth. “There,” she said, her voice muffled over the bite. “Are you happy? We aren’t poisoning you.”
Dakota Red appeared behind his brother. “Let her in, Charlie. I’m hungry.”
Tilly carefully stepped over the heap of garbage blocking the corridor. The stench of smoke grew stronger and she stifled a cough. The dining room table was littered with empty bottles, discarded drinking glasses, playing cards and plates full of ashes.
Loath to touch anything, she tucked her elbows against her sides. “I’ve brought cake.”
“Set it on the table,” Dakota ordered, the chewed stub of a cigar protruding from his mouth. “Only half? Where’s the other half?”
“The girls are eating the other half.”
“Next time, bring the whole cake. I don’t like sharing.”
Tilly plastered a grin on her face. “Certainly.” She hoped they spent a good long time in jail when this was all over. “I’ll see you men at supper.”
She slid the plate over the clearest spot on the table—a pile of discarded playing cards.
Carefully picking up her steps over the rubble, she made her way toward the door. Her heart pounded so loudly against her ribs, she feared they’d hear the racket. She sincerely hoped that Nolan had had enough time to acquire the tools he needed, because she couldn’t stomach the stench in the house any longer.
They’d have to burn the building to the ground at this rate. There was no other way of cleaning out the filth. A mouse scuttled along the wall, and she shrieked and scooted away. If they had to distract the men with dessert in the future, she was leaving the cake on the porch stoop.
Once outside, she paused at the bottom of the steps. Gripping the railing, she bent at the waist, then took a few heaving breaths of fresh air.
She straightened and turned, but a hand caught her around the wrist.
Charlie loomed over her. He bent forward and she strained away, her back dug into the railing.
The outlaw leered. “Ain’t you got something else for good ol’ Charlie?”
* * *
Nolan dropped the tools and wiped the sweat from his brow. He’d loaded up his supplies and scrubbed away the chalk marks. Since the barn was on the opposite end of town, he’d sprinted the distance.
The girls jumped rope in the center of the street between the livery and the stagecoach relay station.
Halfway back to the station, he heard the call. “Olly, olly, oxen free!”
After hollering their warning, as agreed upon in advance, they dutifully dashed toward the safety of the relay station.
Nolan broke into a sprint again.
Charlie had Tilly bent over the railing.
Nolan added a burst of speed and launched himself at the outlaw. Caught by surprise, Charlie lost his balance. The two of them tumbled onto the street. Charlie came up swinging. Nolan ducked the first blow. He let the second blow catch him in the jaw. Charlie paused to savor his hit, and Nolan used the distraction to his advantage.
He caught Charlie beneath the chin with a left hook, then pummeled him with his right fist. The outlaw lurched and collapsed backward on the stairs.
Snyder and Dakota Red rushed through the doorway.
From his slumped position, Charlie yanked his sidearm from his holster. “That’s it, stagecoach man. Now I’m going to kill ya.”
A strange calm descended over Nolan. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. He’d faced death more than once in his life, and he was ready. He prayed Charlie only wounded him. Nolan still had Tilly and the girls to think about. Either way, he was ready to face his fate.
As Nolan braced for a bullet to rip through his flesh, Dakota Red kicked his brother’s hand. The gunshot sounded and Nolan flinched. The slug whizzed past his ear. A second later the gun skittered across the porch, out of reach of Charlie’s seeking hand.
Enraged, Charlie clawed toward his weapon. He’d nearly wrapped his fingers around the barrel when Snyder wrestled him back.
Tilly rushed over and patted Nolan’s chest. “Are you hit?”
“No. The bullet went wide.”
The full realization of his near miss had yet to set in, leaving him in numb shock. In his mind he replayed the moment Charlie’s finger tightened on the trigger. He’d nearly lost everything.
Tilly collapsed against him, and he buried his nose in her hair.
“Let me go.” Charlie struggled against Snyder’s hold. “Or I’ll kill you both.”
“Stop it!” Dakota Red ordered. “Stop right now.”
Charlie stilled.
“You’re a fool,” Dakota Red snarled. “You’re going to ruin everything. Quit messing with that fellow’s wife, or he’s going to kill you. And I’m going to let him.”
“You’re going to let him kill me, huh?” Charlie swiped at the streak of blood on his chin. “I suppose you think he’s more important to the plan than me.”
“Yes, you idiot, he is more important to the plan than you. Near as I can tell, you’re becoming a liability. I’m done serving time because of you and your fool stunts.”
Tilly trembled against him and Nolan grasped her hand. “Come along. Let’s leave them be.”
“Not so fast,” Dakota Red called from the porch. “How’s that cavalry man doing?”
“Not good,” Nolan replied. “He’s lost a lot of blood. I’m not certain if he’ll live through the night.”
“If he dies, haul him down to the river and toss him in. I don’t want him stinking up the place.”
“Whatever you say.”
Tilly grimaced and Nolan placed a hand on the small of her back. “Don’t listen to him,” he whispered. “They’re trying to scare us.”
“They’re doing a good job.”
“Let them fight amongst themselves.”
He guided her away from the outlaws and led her toward the abandoned hotel, then shut the door behind them.
She covered her face with her hands. “Those men are awful. They’re going to kill us when they discover the truth.”
“At least we know for certain the cavalry isn’t coming.”
“How?”
“Dakota Red must know that no one is watching the ferry crossing anymore. He wouldn’t have told us to dump Captain Ronald in the river if he thought the cavalry might spot him.”
Her expression shifted. “You’re right.”
“I’m guessing Perry already called off the watch.”
“Were you able to retrieve the proper tools?”
“I’ve got everything we need. The girls did well this afternoon. They signaled as soon as you walked out of the house.”
Her shoulders sagged. “I’m glad.”
Nolan touched her hair. “I didn’t think Charlie would try anything with the other men around. We’ll have to figure out another way to distract them in the future.”
“The longer this goes on, the bolder he gets. He followed me outside. I’m worried about the next two days. They’re getting restless and desperate. The place is an absolute pigsty.”
“We stay with the plan. We let them think the captain is knocking at death’s door. That will make our escape easier.”
Tilly’s expression turned wry. “For a deserted town, this place sure is getting crowded.”
“No kidding.”
“Your plan is going to work, right? It has to.”
“It’ll work.”
A sense of foreboding descended over Nolan. While some of them were bound to escape, there was no way this ended well for all of them.
After facing Charlie’s bullet, he was more than ready to make whatever sacrifice was needed to save Tilly and the girls.
He’d always wondered why he survived the war when so many other died. Now he had an answer.