Page 21 of Calder Country

“You can put that gun away, Ruby,” he said. “I was only trying to keep you safe. I would never take advantage of a woman like you.”

But how many women and girls had he taken advantage of in past years? One of them had been the mother of his son. And there’d been so many others that he’d lost track. All of them had been willing—some more than willing. But he’d only been thinking of his own pleasure. Maybe it was time someone taught him a lesson.

She released the hammer on the gun and slipped the weapon back into her pocket. “I don’t know what kind of woman you think I am,” she said. “But right now, I need help getting this plane off the ground, and you’re the only help I’ve got.”

“Tell me what to do,” he said.

“I think I’ve fixed the problem with the engine. We won’t know until we try to start it again.”

“Fine. When you’re ready, I’ll be at the propeller.”

He swung down off the wing while she closed the cowling, climbed back into the cockpit, and fastened her seat belt.

“Good luck.” Standing at the ready by the propeller, he gave her a smile and a wave. “It’s been nice doing business with you, Ruby.”

She didn’t return his smile. All her attention was focused on the controls and the instrument panel. She needed the plane to fly. Mason understood that, even if it meant he might not see her again.

At last she was ready. As the risen sun flooded the land with light, she gave him the signal and the call. Mason threw his strength against the blades, giving the propeller a powerful spin. The engine sputtered, then caught and roared to life.

Mason stepped out of the way as she taxied to a takeoff position. She’d landed the plane with a heavy cargo. She was leaving empty. But the ground was rough and dangerous. Anything could go wrong.

He prayed in silence as the biplane lumbered down the makeshift runway, rocking and bucking all the way. Only as the wheels left the ground did he begin to breathe normally. If she ever came back, he vowed, she would find the way cleared to provide safer conditions.

He watched the plane until it was nothing more than a dot in the western sky. Then he turned to moving his merchandise into the cave. He was still working out the details of the distribution, but quality Canadian liquor would be in high demand. He should have no problem selling it for a healthy profit, enough to buy a bigger shipment next time—if he could arrange a bigger delivery.

Mason paused to rest his back and gaze at the empty sky. The irony hadn’t escaped him. He and Ruby were part of a complex criminal enterprise with ties to the underworld. They had both compromised their honor for the sake of money. True, what they were doing was harming no one. But it was nothing to be proud of.

So why did thinking about her make him want to be a different kind of man, not just rich but respectable and respected—a man like Webb Calder?

Maybe, when his fortune was made, he’d find a quality woman, set her up like a queen, and give her all the things she deserved. Even marriage and a family wouldn’t be out of the question. But that woman wouldn’t be Ruby. She’d hinted that she already belonged to somebody else—probably Colucci or a man like him, who could drape her in silks and diamonds as long as she was willing to pay the price.

But that was none of his business, Mason told himself. And right now, he had work to do.

Resolving to forget the beautiful pilot, he picked up another crate of illegal whiskey and lugged it to the cave. Later today he would bring a team of horses and start leveling the runway.

* * *

As she eased the plane into its descent, Ruby could see the farm below. Its shabby barns and outbuildings housed a growing bootleg operation, but aside from the landing strip and a few vehicles in the yard, there was little that might be noticed from the air. A large sign painted on the side of the barn advertised a crop-dusting service. It was there to justify the activity around the place and the presence of planes and a runway.

Her first successful run had been a nerve-racking experience. The client had been so unsettling that she’d had to restrain herself to keep from punching him. Everything about the man seemed to challenge her control, as if he expected her to melt in his arms like a helpless doll. When she’d slipped on the edge of the wing and he’d caught her, the heat between their bodies had taken her breath away. That was when she’d drawn her pistol—as much to save her from herself as to threaten him.

A glance at the fuel gauge showed her that the tank was almost empty. The can of spare fuel she usually carried had been jettisoned to allow for more cargo. A few more miles and she’d have run out. She would mention that to her father. Surely Art would back her insistence on carrying enough to top off the tank before the return flight.

In the dark morning hours, Art had delivered one shipment, returned to the base, and left with another loaded plane. These three deliveries, counting her own, would be the last of the current batch.

Her father planned to be waiting for her at the airfield when she landed. They would turn her plane over to the ground crew, collect their pay, and be driven back to Miles City, where they’d enjoy a celebratory breakfast and a few days of rest before going back to work.

By now the sun was up, giving her a clear view of the runway. Ruby’s spirits rose as the wheels touched the ground. She had completed her mission. Her father would be proud of her.

She taxied the plane to the hangar, stopped outside, and climbed out of the cockpit. She couldn’t see her father anywhere. Instead, waiting outside the wide double doors, looming tall in his black tailored suit, was Leo Colucci.

As Ruby jumped to the ground, he dropped the cigarette he was smoking, crushed it under his boot heel, and strode toward her. She was instantly on alert. Something was wrong.

“Where’s my father?” Her heart was pounding.

He laid a proprietary hand on her shoulder. “It’s too soon to worry, Ruby, but he’s overdue. We were expecting him back an hour ago.”

She stared up at him. “My father’s a good pilot. He probably just had engine trouble.”

---