Page 34 of Calder Country

She sat up. “I’ll have to be, won’t I?”

“How’s your shoulder?”

“It hurts. But I can tell everything’s in place. I suppose I should thank you.”

“That’s good enough for me. There’s some water back near the cave. Maybe we can put something cold on that bruise. It’s not far. Are you all right to walk?”

“I’m just fine,” Ruby lied. If this man knew how lightheaded she felt, he might try to keep her here. She couldn’t let that happen.

Her vision swam as she let him pull her to her feet. Her first steps wobbled. He slipped a hand under her elbow to support her.

“You’re sure you’re all right?”

“I’ll be fine once I get my legs working.”

His arm tightened, pulling her in against his body. She could feel his solid strength holding her upright. “Don’t worry about getting home,” he said. “I’ve got a car. I’ll drive you. Just let me know where to go.”

“Miles City will be good enough. You can let me off on Main Street.” She knew better than to give him any hint of her living arrangements.

“The car’s at the end of the road. It’s a half-mile walk from the cave. If you can’t—”

“I can walk. I’ll be fine.”

“My sister’s a doctor. Her ranch is an hour away on the far side of Blue Moon. We could let her check that bump on your head.”

“Unless she understands the business you’re in, I’d call that a dangerous idea. You can’t trust anybody, not even family. That’s how you get caught.”

Fighting pain and lightheadedness, Ruby focused on matching her steps to his. Through the haze of morning light, she could see a jutting rock outcrop with a scattering of gear outside. That would be the cave Mason had mentioned. She couldn’t see the entrance, but this was no time for curiosity.

After giving her a drink of cool water from a canteen, Mason soaked his handkerchief and gave it to her to hold against the bruise on her head. The water was soothing but not cold enough to ease the swelling. After a few minutes, she squeezed out the handkerchief and gave it back to him. By now her head was beginning to clear. The ache was still there, throbbing like a drumbeat in the background of her brain. Waves of light passed over her vision. She probably had a mild concussion. It wouldn’t be the first time. She knew the signs. But right now, she had more urgent concerns.

Mason Dollarhide was a risk. He knew who she was. He’d met her father, and he knew men who would be in prison with him now. A word to the wrong people, even by chance, could put her and Art in danger. The longer she stayed with him, the more he was liable to learn about her. And since she was duty-bound to report his activities to her federal handlers, she was as much a danger to him as he was to her.

The sooner she could put some distance between them, the better off they’d both be. Meanwhile, she needed his help. And all she could do to protect herself was watch every word she spoke and every move she made.

* * *

By the time they reached the Model T, parked where the road ended south of the ranch, Mason could tell that Ruby’s strength was flagging. She was leaning against him, occasionally stumbling over her feet. She needed a doctor, but she’d refused to be taken anywhere except to Miles City.

He’d tried to keep her talking. But any efforts at drawing her into a conversation had been met with one-syllable replies, which was frustrating because he had questions and was hoping for answers. How soon could he get another shipment? Who could he contact to get more and bigger deliveries? And then there was the question that had chewed on him from the night of her last delivery—the question he had no right to ask. What was her relationship with Leo Colucci?

He helped her into the car and offered her the canteen. The deep drink she took seemed to revive her. Still, as he cranked the engine and climbed into the driver’s seat, he couldn’t help worrying about the risks she was taking. In a dangerous world with dangerous people, anything could happen.

But Ruby had made her choices, just as he’d made his. He had no business trying to save her. He had his own ambitions, his own problems. After their encounter this morning, only one course of action made sense. Leave the woman in Miles City, drive away, and forget her—before he was tempted to risk his future and ruin his life.

* * *

“I remember your father.” Mason made conversation as he drove. “Where is he now? Is he doing the same job you’re doing?”

“Not anymore. He’s—” Ruby caught herself. Her stomach clenched as she reminded herself of the lie she had to tell. “He’s dead. Killed in a crash.”

“I’m sorry. He struck me as an excellent pilot and a good man.”

“Yes, he taught me everything I know about flying. I miss him every day.” She swiftly changed the subject. “I’m sorry you lost your cargo. I feel responsible, since I crashed the plane.”

“It wasn’t your fault. Did you have a mechanic check the engine before you left?”

“Yes. And I double-checked it myself. But those Jennies have had a lot of use. Things can go wrong. My father would have brought the plane down safely. But with the extra weight of the cargo, I couldn’t manage it. I don’t have his experience.”

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