Page 13 of Cade’s Quest (The McIntyres #1)

Chapter Ten

C ade rode under the cloak of darkness then at daybreak squinted against the bright morning sun. He rubbed his eyes and pulled the brim of his hat lower. He’d find a secluded place to stop where he could eat and get a few winks, but he wouldn’t stop for long. He had to keep moving.

The sheriff would take his sudden departure as proof of his part in the bank robbery, but he already seemed to think it anyway so what was the difference.

Cade didn’t relish being a wanted man and was a little glad his parents weren’t alive to see this.

Two of their sons on wanted posters. He snorted.

Jess was probably just as innocent, truth be known. He sure itched to talk to his brother.

He scanned the walls of a high cliff and found a shallow limestone cave. Perfect. He nudged Buck inside. A little creek running to the side would provide water. It should be safe.

After seeing to Buck, Cade sorted through the items Summer had packed and decided a cold biscuit and a piece of ham would do. He made coffee over a small fire and sat cross-legged on the dirt floor of the cave to eat. He’d hunt for some game and have a hot meal another time.

When he finished, he spread his bedroll and stretched out. God, it felt good to close his eyes. It was dangerous to ride at night due to the fact he couldn’t see any holes Buck could step in and break a leg, so he offered a prayer of thanks for making it safely.

As a result of his grueling pace, every muscle and tendon was knotted and ached. Only three more days until he’d be with people who knew him—and Jess. He’d find help.

He awoke with a start sometime later. Someone had called his name. He jumped to his feet, his pulse racing.

“Who’s there? Speak up. Jess?”

But no one answered. He cautiously peered out the cave. What had just happened? Was he crazy? The wind kicked up outside. Maybe that explained it. The wind could play tricks on a man. Or it could’ve just been another dream. He blinked hard and released a weary sigh.

After several minutes, he saw nothing to cause alarm. Buck whinnied, calling for attention so Cade patted his withers and took him to the creek to drink. His pocket watch showed ten o’clock in the morning. Time to get moving. He began gathering up his things.

As he made his way toward Clarendon through the morning and afternoon, he spotted other travelers but avoided them. He didn’t need a repeat of George. He also avoided the way stations for the stagecoach. Sheriff Jones would search there.

At last, after five days, he reached Clarendon about suppertime, road-weary and starving. He needed about a month’s sleep. Buck headed straight to the sheriff’s office, seeming to know Cade needed to explain the situation to someone who would listen. A friend.

The lawman looked up when Cade entered the office. “I need a word, Sheriff.”

“What is it, McIntyre? Heard you were back. Everyone was happy to see you but then you disappeared.” Robert Maxwell wasn’t a tall man, and he had a slight frame but there wasn’t anyone around who could fight harder. He’d been a good friend of Cade’s parents. “What’s it been now?”

“Four years, sir.” Cade twirled his hat between his hands, waiting for an invitation to sit.

Finally, Maxwell spoke. “Don’t just stand there, boy. Take a seat and talk.”

Cade sat and told Maxwell everything, not leaving out a single detail. He released a long breath of relief to finally have someone listen to him. “I had nothing to do with that bank robbery, but I guess I’m a wanted man now along with Jess.”

Maxwell lit a pipe and puffed on it a minute. “I got a telegram from Jones over in Eagle Flat. But I won’t arrest you. I know you and know your story. Folks in town told me you’re driven to round up your lost siblings.”

“Yes, sir. I found my sister, Summer, in Eagle Flat. That’s why I was there.”

“That’s real good. Is she well?”

“Working for a doctor and loving it. She has a lot of things to straighten around before she can come, but she plans to as soon as she can.”

“So, what are your plans?”

“I’m going to fix the homeplace up and keep looking for the rest of my siblings. Miz Baker here in town kept a list of where everyone went but she can’t find it now.”

Maxwell laughed. “I’m not surprised. What would be really astonishing is if she located anything in all that mess of papers that are piled to the ceiling. One day, she might lose that cat underneath it all.”

“I agree. The cat bit me the day I went there.” Cade chuckled. “Luckily it didn’t have rabies.”

“That cat is a menace. Bites everyone who dares invade his space.” Maxwell placed his pipe in its holder. “You must be tired.”

“Yes, sir. I can use a bed and a bath.”

The sheriff stood, a sign he wanted to wrap this up.

Cade hurried with a final question. “Before I go, can you tell me what you can about Jess?”

The sheriff scratched his head, coming around the desk. “I wish I knew but I just can’t figure him out. A big part of me wants to believe he’s not riding with that gang. Your parents would be worried sick. Yet, people change. Maybe Jess got in too deep and can’t get out.”

“I want to believe he has a good explanation. In fact, I have to believe that. It felt good to see him on that ridge by himself and his wave was a balm to my heart.”

“Then keep believing in anything that brings hope, son. If I find out more about Jess, I’ll let you know.” Maxwell put a hand on Cade’s shoulder. “And don’t worry about Sheriff Jones. I’ll take care of him. We’ve tangled before.”

The relief washing over Cade weakened his knees. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. It’s nice to find someone to confide in.”

“One thing about Luther Jones, he’s about as stubborn a man as they come. He won’t give up, McIntyre. He’s going to hunt you down. You need to hide out somewhere until I can talk some sense into him.”

Hunt him down? Fear snaked up Cade’s back along with a grim realization. Men with right on their side had been hung before.

He swallowed hard. “I guess I can do that. But I need to speak to Miz Baker first.”

“Son, she’s took bad sick and is in bed. You won’t be talking to her this week. Maybe not next week either according to the doc. She has pneumonia and pleurisy.”

His luck was really bad all the way around. Except for finding Summer. Everything had been worth that.

“Guess there’s no use sticking close to Clarendon then.” Cade stood and put his hat on. “No use at all.” He’d have to postpone fixing up the homeplace. In fact, he’d have to postpone his life while he was at it. “Guess I might as well eat supper.”

But he wouldn’t tarry. He could feel that rope already tightening around his neck. He stuck two fingers inside his collarless shirt and loosened it a bit.

He and the sheriff walked out together, and Cade glanced toward the Dancing Goat. “Have a nice evening, Sheriff.”

“You too, McIntyre.”

They shook hands and parted ways. Cade ate some supper then nixed an idea to get a room at the hotel.

Depending on how close Jones was behind him, he shouldn’t let the thought of a soft bed entice him.

He untied Buck and rode out toward his former home, his thoughts in a turmoil.

Never had he been on the wrong side of the law.

This upset every plan he’d made, and he had no inkling where to hide out.

Then an idea popped into his head. When they were boys, he and Jess used to ride the five miles to an old buffalo hunter’s dugout where they’d stay for several days and hunt game.

It had provided quality time with his brother that still lingered in his mind.

How they’d talked and laughed. It hadn’t mattered that Jess was two years older. He always made time for Cade.

Once again, he rode into the night. He owed Buck a real long rest after this.

A wanted man? He couldn’t banish the thought. What if Sheriff Maxwell was wrong and he couldn’t convince Jones that Cade had nothing to do with the bank robbery or the Dakota Gang? In light of all these doubts, he was glad he hadn’t told Maxwell about his hiding place.

Darkness had long set in, and a half-moon winked overhead. Cade picked his way across the landscape. At least it was rocky, so he didn’t have to worry about leaving tracks. Nothing would be left for anyone following. He skirted the shell of a home where he’d grown up and turned north.

His nerves began to settle by the time he reached the dugout half hidden by a grove of cedar and juniper. A coyote commenced howling to its mate when Cade swung off Buck. It sounded too close for comfort but as long as the animal was courting a lady love, it wouldn’t mess with him.

Cade pushed through the wild growth to the entrance to the dugout, thankful it still had a door although it needed a little work when morning came. He led Buck inside with him. However, the horse wasn’t too thrilled to be enclosed in such a tight space, but it was best.

“You’ll be fine,” Cade said removing his bedroll, the saddlebags, and saddle. “Just make yourself comfortable.”

Buck snorted loudly in protest.

“I know. I hear you and I understand.” Cade patted Buck’s withers. “I have to say you’re a mite ungrateful. I could let the coyotes have you if you’d rather.”

The headstrong roan pawed the floor a bit more before he quieted.

Cade made a fire and hauled water from a stream a few yards from the dugout. In a short time, he had coffee boiling then he pulled out the rest of the supplies Summer had packed. He nibbled on a piece of jerky and shared an apple with Buck.

Satisfied that he was safe enough, he stretched out on the bedroll and took stock of his situation. No matter which way he turned, everything carried risk. But first, if he didn’t get some sleep, he wouldn’t be able to think straight and would play right into Jones’s hands.

The following morning, Cade made coffee and was sitting there drinking it when the dim light revealed something on a small shelf on the wall that hadn’t been there before. He rose and went over to it. His breath caught in his throat and tears filled his eyes.

He held his mother’s beautiful cameo locket, still on the black velvet ribbon that attached around her throat. With shaking fingers, he pressed the latch to open it. A picture of his parents in their wedding finery stared back at him.

But how did it get here? His mother had never visited the dugout.

His knees gave out and he sank to the floor. Who brought this here?

Had it been Jess? Somehow, he knew his brother had left it and he wanted Cade to find it.

The overwhelming longing to talk to his brother washed over him. Just to see him for a moment, to tell him how much he loved him, would make everything much better.

But he couldn’t.

For the next four days, Cade gathered food and scouted for signs of Sheriff Jones.

One afternoon, he ventured down to the homeplace, just wanting to be near the spirits of those he loved.

The money jar of his father’s crossed his mind, and he took the shovel to where his father kept it.

But after digging under the corner of the porch, Cade found it empty. Jess had evidently taken it.

He was scooping up some glass when he heard a horse’s whinny. He cautiously peered out through a broken window.

Jones was easy to recognize with his square jaw and scowl.

Cade ducked down, his heart hammering. The man just wasn’t going to give up.

It appeared Maxwell hadn’t had much luck in getting through to him.

Dismounting, the hefty sheriff strode to the door of the dwelling.

Cade hurried to a corner of the kitchen and raised a trapdoor.

It was difficult to see unless you knew it was there.

Their secret room had sheltered them during storms and from attack in the earlier years.

It still puzzled him why his parents hadn’t used it when the raiders had come.

But maybe they hadn’t viewed them as a threat.

Cade made himself small, not making a sound.

He was glad he’d hidden Buck. Jones stepped into the house then shuffled into each vacant room.

As the man moved about, Cade huddled in his secret space with gun drawn. If it came down to it, he would shoot. Finally, Jones left, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

The day drew to a close and the sun had sunk below the horizon when Cade returned to the dugout and dismounted.

Alarm swept over him at the sound of a child’s cries.

Or was it an animal? They sounded similar.

But the thin ribbon of smoke coming from the flue on top of the roof said someone had made themselves at home. With his stuff.

Had Sheriff Jones found his hiding place?

He slid his Colt from the holster and advanced slowly. The sound grew louder and came from the dugout. He threw the door wide, his finger tightening on the trigger.

A young native woman grabbed a small child, pulling it behind her.

The long, fringed skirt and beaded deerskin blouse said she was probably Comanche.

While her wide eyes reflected panic, she didn’t make a sound as she slipped a knife from her cloth belt and held it in front of her in a threatening manner.

“Put down the knife, lady,” Cade barked.

The child began to cry.

“What’s your name?” he asked. “I’m Cade.”

After a long moment, she replied, “Rain.” She lifted her chin in defiance.

He took in her long, shiny braids and slim figure. She was pretty. He judged her to be somewhere around his own age. What was he going to do with her and the kid? Life just got a whole lot more complicated.