But he’d not had the nerve to pull the trigger. Mick always had too many people around, and shooting from a distance like a hired gun…well, he couldn’t quite make himself take a human life in cold blood.
So he’d signed on to work for McPharland. He’d figured he’d learn more about the operation and find a weakness. A way to bring the man down. He’d quickly realized Jedidiah’s mean streak ran even deeper than McPharland’s.
And time after time, no matter how much he tried to work himself up into righteous anger, thinking of all the people who had been robbed or hurt or killed at the hands of these blackguards, he still couldn’t bring himself to pull the trigger.
All he could do was stay close. Do everything possible to make sure they trusted him. That way, he’d know if they targeted his family’s ranch again.
He’d find out in time to stop them or warn his brothers.
He should use this time to come up with a solid plan for how exactly he would pull that off.
So far, the only idea he'd been able to think of was telling Jedidiah the Coulters’ sapphire mine had run dry, but that they'd found another bunch of gems on land beyond theirs, and they just hadn't had the chance to stake a claim yet. That last part was actually true. Or rather, Two Stones had found sapphires on land that neighbored the Coulters’. He’d brought them the stones and said they were welcome to mine it if they wished. That had been a few weeks before he left, and none of his brothers had been in a hurry to claim it. They had plenty to handle with their own still-productive mine and ranch.
Hopefully Jedidiah would go after the new claim and leave his family’s property alone.
It wouldn't be enough, though. If he convinced Jedidiah, and his men started mining the new area, it would keep Jedidiah and Mick too close. He had to come up with something better. Some way to get the men to leave the area completely.
The harsh clop of the horses' hooves against the frozen ground echoed in the night air. The biting wind nipped at his exposed skin, but he barely noticed, too consumed by the gnawing worry that twisted in his gut.
He reached the livery at nearly one in the morning. His body ached as he dismounted and handed the team off to a bleary-eyed McDonough.
Then he jogged down the dimly-lit street toward the hotel. When he slipped into the building, he tried to keep his bootsteps quiet on the stairs, but his heart hammered with urgency.
After easing open the door to their room, he peered inside. All was dark and quiet. Were Grace and Ruby here?
He stepped in, walking toe-first to be soundless—a skill Two Stones had taught all the Coulter boys as they hunted in the woods around the ranch.
The barely audible hum of breathing pricked his ears as he closed the door behind him. He crept closer to the bed and finally made out Grace’s slender form under the quilts. Moonlight from the window fell over the top of her head, revealing the creamy skin of her brow and loose tendrils of her hair fanning over the cover.
So beautiful.
The urge to reach out and stroke her cheek struck him with an almost irresistible force, but he held himself back. He’d made a promise to let her be free, and he’d not betray her trust with even the smallest of liberties.
He’d never given much thought to marriage. Women weren’t plentiful in this Montana wilderness, especially not the kind he’d choose.
And yet, by some miracle, this woman had become hiswife. The word felt foreign on his tongue, the weight of it both terrifying and exhilarating.
She was a treasure, one he’d love to cherish and protect, not merely support from afar. If he could just break free from Jedidiah's iron grip, perhaps she would allow him to stay close.
He let himself imagine it for a moment—a life with them, not as husband and wife, but simply as a family. He would never force Grace into physical closeness, not that he’d shy away if she were willing. But simply to be near her and sweet Ruby, to watch over them and ensure no harm came—he could be content with that. Surely. It would be a far sight better than stopping in with supplies once a month.
But first, he had to find a way to stop Jedidiah and Mick for good.
He stepped around the bed to peer into Ruby’s basket, but thick shadows kept him from making out the details of her small form. Her steady breathing sounded normal, so he eased back. Best he roll out his blankets and bed down on the floor.
Tomorrow, he would figure out where his wife and daughter would be safest and get things started to settle them there—far away from Jedidiah. To accomplish that feat, he’d need every bit of strategy he could muster.
CHAPTER7
The babe’s cry tugged at Grace, but her body clung desperately to sleep.
Another cry.
She had to get up. Ruby needed to eat. Grace cracked open her eyes, the lids so heavy she could hardly lift them. She’d never imagined how exhausting it would be taking care of a baby. Especially every night.
Ruby called out again, this wail more urgent.
Yes, little one. I know you're hungry.
