Page 32 of Calder Strong (The Calder Brand #5)

B Y THE TIME S ILAS DROVE THE TRUCK THROUGH THE brOKEN GATE of the O’Rourke Ranch, the moon had journeyed across the sky to hang above the western hills. With a yawn, he parked behind the dilapidated barn, picked up the envelope of cash that he’d collected, and climbed out of the cab.

Tonight’s loaded run to Miles City had gone well. The new truck didn’t look like much, but the engine was fast and powerful. Silas had floored the gas pedal on the way home and gotten the speed up to almost seventy miles an hour.

But Silas knew better than to assume he’d be safe. He’d nearly been killed once, and the thugs who’d hunted him down were still out there. So were the feds. It was only a matter of time until he would have to run for his life again.

He could see the glow of lantern light through the trees. Culley looked up from tending the still as Silas came into the cave. He grinned, showing his missing front tooth. “How did it go? Any trouble on the road?”

“No. Everything went fine. And don’t worry, I’ve got your money.”

“Did somebody say money?” Buck came out from the back of the cave, where he’d been loading crates—a job any fool could do, Silas reflected sourly. Yet, for that, Buck was getting an equal share. It didn’t seem right.

Silas counted out the bills and gave each man his share. “I suppose you’ll be taking care of Lola’s share,” Buck said with a grin. “And she’ll be taking care of you.”

“Shut up, Buck. I’m too tired for your comments. Maybe you need to find a woman who’ll have you.”

“I can get a woman when I want one,” Buck said. “But I still don’t understand what you see in Lola. If I had a lady at home like that wife of yours—”

“I said shut up, Buck. I’m going now. I’ll be making another delivery to Lola tomorrow. Make sure the truck’s loaded and ready.”

“Be careful,” Culley said. “I hear the feds are on the prowl again. And those goons who shot you could be anywhere.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep my eyes open.” Silas went back down the hill to where he’d left his Model T when he took the truck.

As he drove toward home, he took a mental count of the cash he had hidden in the potato cellar behind the barn.

He was making good money, but it wasn’t yet enough to pull up stakes and make a new start.

He’d hoped to be ready before winter set in. But he needed more.

He was still debating whether to take Annabeth and the brats with him or leave them behind.

They’d be a drag financially and socially in the new life he’d planned.

But if he left them here, Joseph Dollarhide would probably get his hands on them.

The thought of Annabeth in the arms of the man he hated made Silas grind his teeth.

He would rather see her dead than with that bastard.

He could always take them now and leave them somewhere else. That might be the best solution. He would think on it while he saved the money for his freedom.

Francine clung to Chase as he finished. Then, he rolled off her and lay back in the bed with a murmur of satisfaction.

Any minute now, he would become restless, his body stirring, his thoughts leaping ahead to matters that had nothing to do with her.

Then he would be up, dressed, and gone. But for these fleeting moments, he was still hers. She had to make use of the time.

Pressing close, she nuzzled his ear. “I have something to tell you, Chase,” she said. “Joseph Dollarhide has asked me to marry him. I’m thinking of saying yes.”

“What?” His body tensed. “When did all this happen?”

“It’s been happening all along. You just haven’t been paying attention.”

“But why?” he demanded, turning to prop himself on one elbow. “What about us?”

“Us?” She gave a bitter laugh. “This has been fun, Chase. But I want a home. I want a family. And I want the respect that comes from marriage to a good, honorable man. Joseph has offered me all those things. You’ve never offered me more than this .

And as much as I enjoy what we do in bed, it isn’t enough.

I won’t settle for being a man’s … mistress. ”

His expression reminded Francine of a child who’s just been told there’s no Santa Claus. “But, damn it, do you love him, Francine?” he demanded.

“Love can be learned,” she said.

“But what happens to us?”

“What do you think will happen? If I agree to marry him, that will be the end of us.”

He lay back in the bed. “Have you and he … ?”

“No. Only you. But I suppose if I agree to marry him, it will happen.”

“You’re hardly a virgin. Not that it matters to me. But Joseph might question that.”

“I’ll come up with a good story. And I trust you won’t destroy my future by telling him about us. You’re a better man than that.”

Chase sat up and swung his legs off the bed. “Can’t you ask him for more time? I need to think about this.”

Her pulse skipped. “Chase, you’ve never once said you loved me, let alone proposed. Unless that’s about to change, I don’t have a choice. Joseph wants my decision tomorrow. It’s now or never.”

Chase gazed down at his bare feet in silence.

Francine held her breath, her heart pounding.

She had just played her cards in a desperate gamble.

If she won, she would become Mrs. Chase Calder, wife to the wealthiest rancher in the state.

If she lost, she could only hope that Joseph would still be interested.

Otherwise, she would be at her sister’s mercy.

“Do you love me, Francine? I’ve never asked.”

She took his hand, interlocking her fingers with his. “Of course I do. That’s why I’ve put up with this arrangement. But I can’t go on with things as they are.”

“I understand.” He drew a long breath. Francine could feel her hopes crashing.

“Well, then,” he said, without turning to look at her. “I guess we’d better make things legal, hadn’t we?”

Joseph got the news of Francine’s engagement when he dropped by Jake’s for coffee and apple pie and found her there with Lola.

“Look!” She showed him her diamond engagement ring, moving it this way and that to catch the sunlight that fell through the window blinds. “It belonged to Chase’s mother. He was a baby when she died, so he doesn’t remember her. But I’ve seen her picture. She was beautiful.”

“And so is the ring. My congratulations. Chase is a lucky man. You can tell him I said so.” Joseph was surprised but not displeased. His own heart belonged, however hopelessly, to Annabeth. He could be sincerely glad that Francine had found the happiness she deserved.

“So, have you set a date for the wedding?” he asked.

“Not yet,” Francine said. “But it’ll be soon. Chase needs everything done and settled before the roundup. Neither of us wants a fancy affair. Just a simple ceremony in the parlor with the judge from Miles City and a few friends.”

“Then I don’t suppose I’ll be included,” Joseph teased. “Dang, I was looking forward to kissing the bride.”

“You can kiss her at the engagement party I’m throwing for the happy couple next Saturday afternoon.” Lola set Joseph’s coffee and pie on the bar and added a fork. “It’ll be an open house, so anybody can drop by and toast the bride and groom with cider, since we aren’t allowed champagne.”

Joseph speared a forkful of delicious pie. Why did he have the sense that he was being watched? His gaze scanned the restaurant, the tables and chairs, the shadowed doorway to the kitchen. Nothing. Maybe his imagination was working overtime.

“What about your teaching job, Francine?” he asked. “How can you live on the ranch and teach at the school—especially when you won’t be needing the job?”

“That’s taken care of,” Francine said. “I’ve already informed the folks on the town council that they’ll need to hire a new teacher. Of course, I’ll have to move out of the house right away, but I can stay at the Triple C before the wedding.”

“So she’ll be all settled by the time she says ‘I do.’” Lola added. “Won’t that be nice?”

It occurred to Joseph that Lola appeared unduly involved in Francine’s wedding plans. But on second thought, it seemed fine. Neither of the women had family or close friends in town. It was natural that they’d formed a bond.

Joseph finished his pie and coffee and went outside.

He’d come into town on several errands. One of them involved buying new batteries for the flashlights at the ranch.

He’d picked up three packs at the Feed and Hardware before stopping by the restaurant.

Now, as he climbed into the car, he realized something was wrong.

He shook his head as he realized what it was.

He had left three battery packs on the passenger seat. Now there were only two.

An ironic smile tugged at Joseph’s mouth as he drove away. Damn fool kid. At least he was all right and probably getting great food. It wasn’t worth going after him for a pack of flashlight batteries. Forrest was Lola’s problem now. Joseph had more pressing matters on his mind.

With his other business done, he went to pay a call on his aunt. Kristin would be in her town office today. If she wasn’t too busy with patients, she might have a few minutes to talk. He needed advice, and she was the only one in a position to give it.

Kristin had remodeled a small house for her medical practice in town. The parlor had become her reception area and the kitchen her surgery. The two bedrooms were used for consultations and patient recovery.

Her appointment schedule was usually full, but today Joseph was in luck. He found her taking a break on the sofa in the reception room, her feet resting on the edge of the coffee table. She looked up as he walked in.

“Joseph, is everything all right?” she asked, reading his concerned expression.

“There’s no emergency. But if you have a few minutes to spare, I could use your advice.”

“You’re in luck.” She moved over to make room for him. “My next appointment just cancelled, so we’ve got a little time. Sit down.”