Not since that first day had Rosie appeared before the noon meal. She’d been faithful to come daily, though, and it was nice to visit for an hour or so. It was also nice Rosie seemed satisfied with the arrangement.
Tanner’s mouth curved as he turned back to his milking, but he didn’t answer. The sound of liquid swishing into the pail took over, which meant she should probably begin her morning tasks. She took a sip of the coffee, giving herself a moment to appreciate the breadth of Tanner’s shoulders and the way they tapered to a lean waist. His hands worked the cow as though he’d milked hundreds of times before.
“Your sisters said they’d be here midmorning.”
She blinked to shift her thoughts from him to his present words. “Rosemary?” Maybe Faith was also coming to tell her happy birthday. That would be thoughtful of them. Poor Juniper. Maybe Lorelei could ride back with the girls to visit with June too.
“All three of them, if Mrs. Turner is feeling up to it. And her husband allows it, I suppose. She said nothing would keep her away, but he didn’t look as certain.”
Lorelei’s heart leapt. “Really? I should prepare something special for the midday meal.” Maybe he wouldn’t mind her using flour for fresh biscuits. And ham with them. The girls would think it such a treat.
Tanner flicked a glance up at her, then returned his focus to his work. “I think they have plans for the food. Miss Faith gave me a list of what to have ready. Said they’d do all the rest.”
His tone grabbed her focus even before his words did.“Gave you a list to have ready for what?” Suddenly, he looked far too innocent. Feigned innocence. What were he and her sisters up to?
He didn’t look her way again. “You’ll have to ask them to be certain, but I think they have something planned that includes a ride into the mountains. Maybe looking for baby bunnies.” Now he slid a glance her way, the corners of his mouth twitching.
He remembered. That simple comment about the birthday when Papa spent the day with her. Had he sought out her sisters to re-create the experience with her? Or did one of the girls plan this outing? Either way, how special to be remembered so well.
fifteen
Tanner’s body tightened as his eyes sprang open in the darkness. What sound had awakened him? Even as his eyes scanned the shadows of the trade room, his mind registered that no daylight penetrated the cracks in the walls.
A flash of motion jerked his attention toward the path from the front door, and the shadowy form approaching made his insides twist even as he reached for the rifle he kept near his bed pallet. That couldn’t be Lorelei or White Horse, not coming through the front door.
Had someone from the Sioux camp sneaked in for free supplies? Or was this a stranger?
He eased the rifle into firing position as soundlessly as he could while the man approached another three steps. Now Tanner could see the outline to know where to aim. “Who’s there?” The form looked burly enough to be a shaggy-haired trapper.
The figure froze, and only the faint sound of breathing laced the air. Silence stretched. Would the intruder not answer? He must know Tanner had seen and heard him.
Just in case, he strengthened his voice. “Speak up, or I’ll send a bullet through you. I can see you well.”
A click sounded in the stillness. That had to be the rear set trigger of a rifle locking into place. Then a growl rumbled through the space between them. “Just comin’ to get what you were holdin’ back.”
Purcey.
Apparently, he’d not been satisfied with the ration of bullets and powder he’d left with. This corner of the room where Tanner slept was also the place he’d pretended to get the rifle from.
Where were the man’s compatriots? No one else appeared to be in the room, but they might be standing guard outside. This fellow must not have expected Tanner to be sleeping here.
Anger sluiced through Tanner’s chest, and he tightened his hold on his gun. “You’ve taken all you’re going to get. Leave now if you value your life.”
Tanner had shot a few men in the line of duty protecting Boston’s citizens, but that life was behind him. The last thing he wanted was to drag those miserable feelings to this place.
“Just need a few more rifles, and I’ll be on my way. I know you’ve got ’em.” The man moved forward, his steps soundless.
Tanner adjusted his aim. The room was too dark to reliably shoot a limb or some other place that would simply wound him. Putting a bullet in the man would probably end his life.
Did he dare risk letting the man come close enough to club him with the butt of the rifle? Surely the fellow wouldn’t be foolish enough to approach farther. And if Tanner lethim go with only a warning, Purcey seemed like the kind to hold a grudge—and most likely retaliate.
But if he ended his life, would his friends come back for revenge? They seemed more like paid lackeys when they came into the trade room yesterday, but he didn’t know any of them well enough to be sure.
Maybe he could find another way out of this. He had to try.
Tanner leveled his voice. “There’s nothing here worth dying over. You can turn around and walk back out that door, and as long as you don’t plant a foot in my trade room again, I’ll let you live. But if you take one more step forward, this rifle is aimed at your heart.”
The shadow stilled. A silence stretched that lacked even the sound of breathing. “I’ll leave, but you’d best watch your back. I’ll get what I want. I always do.”
