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DAWN FOUND THEM all in front of the smoldering stable.
Kate walked through the half-burned building, making a mental note of the damage she couldn’t afford to repair. In her pocket was the one piece of evidence she finally needed to accuse. Even if the man tied up in the tack room didn’t say a word, she had enough to shove in Evan Kransky’s face and demand restitution.
Mike waited for her outside the tack room, Charles with him. They both looked as exhausted as she felt.
“Let’s get this done,” she said, and opened the door.
The man tried to stand, but Mike had done a fine job of tying him to a chair they hauled over from the bunkhouse. His struggles stopped when Mike and Charles stepped in behind her. Mike touched her shoulder, then moved to him, removing the gag.
“You’re going to talk to Miss Maguire, and if you don’t answer her questions fast enough, I’m going to take over—in the cattle pen.”
The man swallowed. “I got nothing to say.”
“Okay—let’s go.”
“Mike.” Kate stepped forward, cradling her throbbing arm. Most of the man’s punches had been glancing, panicked blows, but a couple of them had hit the mark. She’d be feeling it for a few days. “I know you work for Evan Kransky.” She held up the bandana. “This pattern is made special, for his hands. I just need to know if he put you up to it.”
The man glared at her. “I don’t talk to women who think they’re in charge.” He made it sound like a slur, and she felt Charles tense behind her. Without looking at him, she shook her head, and waited. The man fidgeted under her gaze. “Why didn’t you just let go?”
“Because you tried to kill my horses.”
He flinched at her quiet voice, like she’d hit him. “It was supposed to be a distraction, while I—ˮ He cut himself off, and Kate moved in, forcing him to lift his chin to see her.
“While you what?”
“Miss Kate—ˮ Sally skidded to a halt in the doorway. “One of the men told me you’d been hurt. Are you...” Her voice faded, and she turned white so fast Kate thought she was going to faint. “No—how—ˮ
“I come to take you home, Sal.”
Mike caught her around the waist when she started to sway. Pieces began to fall into place for Kate; she stepped to Sally and cradled her cheek, her voice gentle.
“He’s your husband, isn’t he? The reason you were running.”
Sally nodded, tears glittering in her eyes. “Ex-husband. The judge granted me a divorce, after Dwayne beat me unconscious.” She didn’t look embarrassed, or scared anymore. Just resigned. That hurt Kate more than the fear. “I’m so sorry, Miss Kate. This is all my fault—ˮ
“Don’t you dare take his actions on your shoulders.” Kate glanced over at Mike. He looked furious, but he held Sally like she was made of glass. They would be good for each other, and Kate would make sure they had a chance to find out. She turned to Dwayne. “Tell me if Evan is behind this, and I’ll only charge you for destroying my stable, and not the attempted murder of my father.”
His eyes widened. “I didn’t have nothing to do with that! I just wanted my Sal back.” He sniffed, and looked pathetic.
But Kate knew his type, and his act didn’t fool her. It probably kept Sally with him longer than she should have stayed. She had such a kind heart, and always believed the best of people. Dwayne was all about Dwayne, and no one else mattered, unless they made his life easier.
“Answer me, Dwayne.”
He clenched his jaw, glaring at her. When she didn’t back down, he huffed. “Fine. Kransky’s too much of a girl to come up with ways to make you hurt. I been causing trouble around your ranch, to help him get in with you. Yeah, he knew—he just looked the other way. But I had nothing to do with your pa. I weren’t even here yet.”
Kate believed him. He was a braggart, and a coward; she had a terrible feeling she knew why Pa had been targeted, and that Evan had taken care of that personally.
“Mike—have a couple of the men take him to Sheriff Langley, make sure he repeats everything he said here. I have something to do.”
She turned to Sally, wanting to reassure her before she got ideas in her head—like leaving.
Sally beat her to it. “I’ll pack my things right away, Miss Kate. Thank you for—ˮ
“You’re not going anywhere.” She took Sally’s badly shaking hands. “Pa would pin my ears back if I let you leave.” She lowered her voice, and squeezed Sally’s hands. “You won’t ever have to see him again.”
Sally stared at her for a long second, tears sliding down her cheeks. The anguish on her face tore at Kate. Then she surprised Kate by turning into Mike and pressing her face against his shoulder. He looked even more surprised. But he wrapped one arm around her and gently led her out of the tack room, whispering to her.
“Slut.” Dwayne’s voice was vicious, and Kate lost her fragile hold on her temper.
Charles stepped between them before she could punch the ass. “Might I suggest you hold your tongue? The little lady behind me has had a long night, and she packs a mean punch.”
Kate bit her lip, laughter threatening at the look on Dwayne’s face. By the time Charles moved away, she had control again, and gave Dwayne her icy look before she walked out of the tack room. It was all she could manage without either laughing or hitting him.
She kept walking, toward the house, and felt Charles before she saw him. How was she supposed to function, when she was so aware of him?
“You are not going alone,” he said quietly.
She stared up at him. “I’m not—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Charles crossed his arms. “You are going to confront him. Evan.”
She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. She could be just a stubborn. “I don’t need your help.”
“You have been up all night, Miss Maguire. You are exhausted, and not thinking clearly. Evan will take advantage.”
So, they were back to formalities. Maybe that was for the best. “I was doing just fine before you showed up.”
With a sigh, Charles lowered his arms. “I simply do not want you hurt again, Kate.”
The way his voice caressed her name made her shiver. She hated that she reacted to just the sound of his voice. His concern also deflated her anger.
“I’ll take Sally with me. He won’t try anything with a witness—especially one who brings Sheriff Langley his favorite oatmeal cookies.” The visit would also distract Sally, and give her some time to think about what had just happened with Mike. “I want you to rest today, Charles.” He raised an eyebrow at her use of his formal name. “I mean it. Mike and the others will be assessing the damage, so there won’t be much work going on anyway.”
“I will do as you request, on one condition.”
She sighed. “What condition?”
“If you are not back within the hour, we are coming after you.”
“Okay.” She gave him a fierce smile. “That will give me plenty of time to slap him down.” Charles’ laughter made her smile, in spite of herself. “If I lose track of time, then you can send in the cavalry.”
“Done.”
Kate watched him walk to the other men, his shoulders back, his posture stiff. But she knew he had to be in pain, and as exhausted as the rest of them. She rubbed her forehead, and walked inside the house, wanting a long bath and her bed.
Instead, she would settle for a cold wash and clean clothes. She had a man to verbally flay.
***
CHARLES WALKED THE damaged stable with Mike. The front half was just salvageable; the back half, where the fire started, was another matter. It would have to be completely rebuilt.
Mike shook his head, running one hand through his soot-stained hair. “That bastard knew just where to set the fire for maximum damage. I don’t know which would be easier—repairing what’s still up, or tearing down the whole damned thing.”
“If I may offer a suggestion?”
Mike shrugged. “Go ahead. Can’t be worse than any of my ideas.”
Charles ignored the throbbing in his right hand, and settled for cradling it against his chest. “I have a feeling this will insult Miss Maguire, but I do have funds available to me.”
At least he hoped he did. He was here several years before he became Earl, before he was dragged into Adriana’s curse. But he’d had his own possessions before that, as well as his own money. A simple draft at the local bank would be enough. He could deal with the consequences later.
Mike studied him. “So the whole ‘I’m nobility and better than you’ thing is real?”
“I am a noble, yes. As for the rest of your comment, I have learned I am no better—and perhaps a bit worse—than any man.”
“Must’ve been some revelation.”
Charles smiled, liking the rough cowboy. “You have no idea.”
“I might have a way to get around Kate. If you’re up for a little trickery.”
Charles nodded. “I owe her a great deal, for trusting me enough to take me in, and I wish to repay her. Even if it means trickery, I would like to do so.” Mike walked toward the main house, gesturing for him to follow.
“I can guarantee Kate will refuse your money.” He grinned at Charles. “But her pa won’t.”
Aware that he was hardly presentable, Charles accompanied Mike, walking into the main house. He may not enjoy going around Kate to help her, but if that was what it took, he would gladly do it. He knew his current self would never miss the small amount of money it would take to rebuild her stable.
If he could not stay, at the very least, he could leave a part of himself behind.