Page 18 of Cade’s Quest (The McIntyres #1)

Chapter Fourteen

A week passed and September made its return with some cooler temperatures. Bear filled out nicely with the food and milk, but their supplies were running low. Someone would have to make another trip to town soon. This time, he wouldn’t send Rain. No, this time, it was his turn.

On a hunt for game, Cade crossed paths with an armed man but managed to lose him in the rugged country.

Shortly after, he saw Luther Jones himself on top of a small rise.

They were close, too close. An ensuing chase almost ended with his capture.

By the grace of God, he managed to get away.

Armed men were swarming over the countryside, searching for him.

Why had this situation escalated? It wasn’t like he’d killed anyone. Had the gang been involved in something else, something bad? Did Jones think Cade had the key to some credible information?

He had to talk to Maxwell and get some answers.

But how? He sure couldn’t waltz into his office.

Jones had probably taken over the jail as well as the town.

All of this also made getting home more problematic.

They still had to eat and to do that, he had to hunt, but it was becoming more and more dangerous.

Luck was on his side when Cade killed a small antelope and had thrown the animal across the back of the roan. He happened to catch sight of Maxwell at a watering hole two miles from town.

He pulled alongside Maxwell’s horse that was drinking the fresh water. Buck joined him at the stream what was fed by underground wells.

“Sheriff, glad I caught you alone.”

Maxwell pushed back his hat. He looked like hell with bloodshot eyes and unshaven jaw. “McIntyre, you and an Indian girl have sure sent Luther Jones into quite a rage.”

“That’s what I want to talk to you about. You said to leave the man to you, and you’d handle it. What happened?” Cade asked, struggling to keep the sharp edge out of his voice.

“I couldn’t make him see reason and now he’s brought in all these armed vigilantes and took over the town.

It’s pure chaos. The citizens are upset and threatening to get their pitchforks if I don’t do something.

Everyone has a grievance. A week ago, I sent for the Texas Rangers but it’s anyone’s guess when they’ll arrive.

” Maxwell wagged his head from side to side.

“Used to be, I could talk some sense into Luther, but not this time. He’s not the man I used to know. ”

Cade sympathized with the lawman. He knew how hard it was to try to reason with crazy, and crazy with armed vigilantes was an impossible situation.

“Sending for the Texas Rangers was a good move.” He sighed, resting his arm on the pommel.

“I reckon there’s nothing for me to do but hunker down until they get here.

Only one problem. I need some things from town and to see Miz Baker about the paper she’s looking for. ”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Esther Baker died.”

Shock and deep disappointment pierced Cade’s heart. “Died?” Could this get any worse? “She promised to find the paper where she wrote down all the folks who took in my siblings.” He could hardly breathe, the crushing news taking all the air from his lungs. “That sure leaves me in a tough spot.”

Maxwell gazed into the distance. “Sorry, McIntyre. I wish she could’ve found the paper before she got so sick.”

“I just don’t know how I’m going to find the twins and Ashland now.” Were they going to stay lost forever?

“Ready for some more news of the bad sort? I got a telegram from your sister Summer in Eagle Flat,” Maxwell said. “She’s set to arrive in a matter of days.”

Now? How could he deal with that at this point?

“She can’t come into this mess! Can’t you wire her back and tell her to stay put?” He didn’t even have a place for her. To make matters worse, the town was overrun with armed gunmen.

“I tried. She’s Irish,” Maxwell said simply as if that explained everything.

“Tell me something I don’t already know.” Was this day going to get any worse? Cade stared hopelessly at the sheriff. “So what now? We wait for the Texas Rangers? Can’t you run Luther Jones and his army out of town?”

“What with? Tell me that. I don’t have the fire power.

” Maxwell rubbed his eyes. “I’ve thought of calling Luther out, but I just don’t know if I have a faster draw.

I’m not a young man anymore. And even if I kill Jones, that still leaves his men.

For now, I’m walking on eggshells, and the town is a powder keg. Anything will light the fuse.”

“Sorry. I know you’re doing your best.” But where did that leave him? Looked like in a boat without a paddle. “What about contacting Miss Abigail Farnsworth’s father, the senator?”

“Already have but the legislature is in session, and he can’t come.” The saddle leather creaked as Maxwell turned to face Cade. “Have you thought about going somewhere else for a while until I can get the town back?”

Where? Besides, there was Rain and Bear now to consider. She was on the run too. Luther Jones had ruined all his plans. He couldn’t work on the homeplace or mount new searches for his siblings. He was good and stuck in a pit of quicksand.

“I’ll think of something. It’s nice to see you, Maxwell.” Cade turned his roan toward the dugout. Talking to Maxwell had only made him feel more hopeless.

Little Bear came running when he saw him. The boy had become used to him and was slowly learning a few words of English.

Cade dismounted and swung the boy up into the air. Giggles erupted bringing Rain from their earthen shelter.

“He’s growing very fond of you, Cade,” Rain said, smiling.

“And I of him.” Cade set the boy down. “He’s a fine lad.”

“It warms my heart to see how he’s taken with you.” Rain motioned to the antelope. “I see you found some meat.”

“Yes, and I also saw Sheriff Maxwell from town.” Cade removed the antelope from his horse. “We had a little chat.”

“What did he say?”

“For one thing, my sister will arrive any day. She telegraphed Maxwell, hoping he could get a message to me.” Cade threw a rope over a tree branch and hoisted the antelope up by its back legs.

“Also, he’s telegraphed the Texas Rangers.

They’re coming to end Luther Jones’ reign of terror in Clarendon so there’s light at the end of the tunnel. ”

“That’s good news, isn’t it?” Rain asked.

“The best kind.”

She moved Bear out of the way of his work. “How long will it take?”

“Depends on how soon they arrive.”

“It won’t come too soon. Cade, we need some things from town. You’re almost out of coffee and I’d like to get more vegetables.” She shaded her eyes against the sun with a hand. “I wish we could have a garden and grow our food.”

“That would sure be helpful but for now we have to rely on the mercantile.” Cade swung around to her. “When we decide we have to go, it will be me this time.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Worry lined her face. “I can wear the disguise, but you have nothing.”

“I’ll think of something. And who knows? The Texas Rangers could arrive tomorrow, and the town will be safe. Their main headquarters is in Austin, but the Frontier Battalion has companies patrolling all across the Panhandle. I think they’ll respond rather quickly.”

Rain crossed her arms, hugging herself. “I hope so.”

Lord knows, help couldn’t come soon enough. Sheriff Maxwell was at his wit’s end watching Luther Jones tear his town to shreds.

As they waited for news that the tide had turned, Cade and Rain kept a close vigil. Then to break up the monotony, he took Rain and Bear for a picnic to an oasis with a pool of blue water up in the hills, hidden on all sides by high cliffs.

“It’s so beautiful. What is this place?” Rain stared at the lush bounty, her eyes filled with wonder.

“I don’t know if it has a real name. Our family always called it the Spanish Veil. Why, I have no idea, but that’s what we called it.” Cade swung Bear down from his shoulders and the kid made tracks for the water. “It’s pretty deep so watch him, Rain.”

“I will.” Her gaze took on a distant look. “When I was a little girl, my people camped beside a place such as this. We stayed there a whole summer. It was the best time of my life. For once, we finally had enough to eat and fresh water.”

He touched her arm. “Aren’t you glad we’ll have a picnic?”

“I am.” She raised her eyes to his. “Cade, you’ve been so kind to Bear and me. The boy has grown fond of you.”

“And you, Rain? How do you feel?” he asked softly, his mouth to her ear. The scent of her made him a bit heady.

“I am grateful to you for everything that has made our lives easier. And yet, you ask nothing in return.”

“What I share is freely given.” He cast a glance toward Bear to make sure he stayed on dry ground.

“I care about you both and I want to keep you safe for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do.

” A moment of silence fell between them.

“But, Rain, that’s only half the reason. I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”

She was silent for a long moment as she rested a hand on his chest. “I like you. You’re very gentle and kind. Maybe you’re listening to your heart instead of your head.”

“I’ve thought about that, and I really don’t think that’s the case.” He brushed her soft cheek with a knuckle, his words quiet. “You’re hard to resist and being in such close quarters in the dugout makes it even harder.”

Her words came soft. “We come from different worlds, Cade.” She paused. “Others frown on mixed relations. They won’t accept…this.”

“I don’t care about what others think. I only care what you think.”

She stepped back. “I have to see to Bear.”

“Sure.” His gaze followed her as she moved the boy away from the rippling water, redirecting his interest. She seemed to have accepted his shortening of Ten Bears’ name and was now using it herself. Interesting.

They had a relaxing, carefree day there at Spanish Veil.

He went behind a bush and stripped down to his long johns, then he and Bear got in the water to cool off.

He tried to teach the boy to swim and the kid did pretty well.

At least he didn’t mind getting his face wet.

The boy’s laughter echoed off the walls around them.

Rain sat on the bank, dangling her feet in the water, watching them and calling encouragement.

Cade flicked water on her and she responded in kind. It was nice to be out from under the tension of being hunted even just for a little while. It was especially nice to see Rain smile and laughter spring from her throat.

After the swim, Cade and Bear lay on the grass in the sun, letting it dry them. Cade glanced at Rain lying on the other side of the kid. “Are you hungry?”

“I was thinking about it. Bear needs to eat.” She stood, went to the bag that held their food, and began laying it out on the blanket they’d brought and spread out on a thick section of grass.

The boy said something to her in Comanche and hurried over. They’d figured out how to make cheese from the goat’s milk from their limited resources, so she tore off a piece. The kid took the hunk of cheese, nibbling on it.

Almost dry, Cade dressed and joined them, plopping down on the blanket.

He plucked an apple from the pile and bit into the sweetness.

He’d snuck down to the homeplace under cover of night and picked apples from his mother’s tree.

Then, he’d discovered some wild persimmon trees and picked what they could eat.

“This is heaven.” Rain lifted her arms to the sky and declared, “I wish we could stay here forever.”

“Me too.” Cade watched Bear taking delight in the food. “Rain, what’ll happen to Bear if you get caught and taken back?”

“I worry about that, and I don’t know. I’m not sure who would take him in. If anyone. Maybe they’d put him in an orphanage.” Worry creased her smooth forehead. “That would kill him. He’s such a sensitive child. He couldn’t stand up to the horrors.”

“Well, I’m just going to have to make sure you stay safe.” And he’d do everything he could to make it happen, regardless of his own predicament.

Later, Bear took a nap which allowed time for Cade and Rain to talk.

“I apologize for the bold talk of my feelings, Rain. That was quite forward.” Cade stretched out, propping himself up on an elbow to look at her.

“I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. But I have come to care for you very deeply.

” He got to his feet and held out a hand to her.

“Take a walk with me.” When she hesitated, he said, “We won’t go far and will keep an eye on Bear. ”

Finally, she took his hand, and he pulled her up. He matched his stride to hers down to the water. “My family used to come here often and spend the day. All of us kids swam like fishes, so we spent countless hours in the water.” He sighed. “I really miss those times.”

“I’m sorry, Cade.” Rain placed a hand on his arm. “We both have memories that haunt us.”

Standing there so close, the sunlight shining on her hair, Cade didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone more beautiful. He inched closer. “Rain, do you object to me kissing you?”

“I do not object.”

With permission granted, he tugged her against him and placed his mouth on hers.

The kiss was deep and real and filled with promise.

Rain leaned into him, slipped her arm around his neck, and wound a strand of hair around her finger.

It was the kind of kiss that teased his senses and made him want more—lots more.

Releasing her, he continued to hold her hand. Whatever else this life had in store for each of them, Cade knew he’d found the woman who fit perfectly in his heart.