Page 198 of Conveniently Wed
The fellow squinted into the distance, as if that would help him remember. “I usually see him with Walters an’ Ashe. Walters was just in here before you came. Gettin’ his daily bottle.”
Gideon forced himself to use slow, casual movements as he rose and pulled a coin from his pocket for the drink. “What does he look like? Do you know where he was headed?”
“Tall and skinny, brown hair. Wears a full beard to cover up a scar on his left cheek, but you can still see it. He was headed south when he left, but don’t know where he was going. Said somethin’ about the boss was waiting.”
“Much obliged for everything.” Gideon slid an extra coin on the counter and strode from the building.
As much as he wanted to sprint, he had to move slow enough to check each building he passed. He was on the right trail, he could taste it in the wind.
A couple of blocks down, a tall skinny man exited a shanty and headed in the same direction Gideon was going. He wore a floppy brown hat and suspenders that held up gray wool pants a couple inches too short for him. He had a beard, but the man was at least a hundred feet ahead so Gideon couldn’t see about the scar yet. What he could see clearly, though, was the gun belt around the man’s lean waist and the glass bottle in his hand.
Gideon lengthened his stride and crossed to the opposite side of the road. After a few minutes, he was able to gain enough ground to pull ahead of the stranger. He shot an inconspicuous glance over his shoulder and could have sworn he saw a mark on the man’s left cheek. This had to be Walters. He matched the bartender’s description exactly.
He slowed his pace again and continued to follow. The buildings had thinned and they were moving into the foothills, with heavier foliage and boulders that kept him sheltered.
About a mile outside of town, Walters turned off the road onto a short driveway. As they continued forward, it led to an open area with a large hole into the side of the mountain.
An old mine shaft.
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Gideon watched from behind a cedar as Walters disappeared into the opening. Should he follow? Most of the smaller mines only had one entrance, but did Walters know of another way out? The grass and remnants of snow in the area didn’t show enough activity for this to be an active mine with workers coming and going daily. Must be abandoned.
Then why had Walters gone in? If he was involved in something unscrupulous with Jenson, which seemed likely, could this be their headquarters?
Or maybe he was on the wrong track altogether. Maybe they had nothing to do with Leah, and Jenson really was searching for his crazy wife. Gideon had never felt so unsure of how to handle a situation. Always before, he’d been able to trust his instincts and watch the signs to make the right decision.
But nothing was clear here. This cave could be only a drunk’s hideaway.
A sound from the road pulled his attention. He moved behind a large rock just before a wagon pulled down the little trail. The man driving wore a straw hat pulled low, so Gideon could only make out an eye patch and an unkempt beard. Thedriver reined the horses to a stop in front of the mine entrance, set the brake, jumped down, and strode into the black hole.
Who was he? Possibly the other man the bartender had mentioned? Avery or Anson…or maybe Ashe? Yes, Ashe. Gideon hadn’t gotten a clear view of the back of the wagon, but he’d seen a few odds and ends—a coil of rope, a couple of bottles, and some other things he couldn’t see clearly.
Now he needed to find out what the men were up to in the abandoned mine. Was it merely free lodging? Surely the nights were too cold for that to be the case. He would wait a little while and see if anyone came or went. As long as he could see the wagon, they wouldn’t be leaving without his notice.
The wait nearly drove him mad. But about ten minutes later, his heartbeat kicked up a notch when Walters appeared at the opening carrying two wood crates, which he loaded into the back of the wagon. The other man wasn’t far behind, lugging another two boxes. The containers weren’t identical in size, but all were the kind used to package canned goods and other supplies.
Both men went back in the cave, and Gideon crept closer to get a look in the crates. He’d only moved about ten feet, when voices sounded from the opening. Walters appeared again carrying a wooden barrel. The man he assumed was Ashe came right behind with another crate. Again they placed the items in the wagon and disappeared back in the cave.
Were they packing up their hideout to leave? Or did the containers have stolen objects? He needed to get a look in them, but with all the activity around the wagon, it was going to be hard to get close without being seen.
Then Jenson emerged from the mine carrying a woman over his shoulder. Gideon’s blood ran cold. He’d recognize that elegant body anywhere, even hanging almost upside down from an oaf like Jenson.
The man tossed her into the wagon like a bag of sugar. Anger coursed through his veins.
Leah wiggled around until she sat upright. She was gagged and her arms bound. Likely her feet, too, since Jenson had been carrying her. The dirty dogs thought they had to tie up a woman like a calf at branding. Her hair was wild and had mostly fallen from its tie, and she looked worn out. What had they done to her?
Every muscle in him wanted to attack. Shoot every one of ’em and ride with Leah straight back to the ranch.
He took a breath and released it. He had to be smart about this. He carried his six-shooter on his hip, his hunting knife, and a smaller knife in his boot. Too bad he’d not thought to bring his rifle, or a horse, for that matter.
If only he weren’t alone. An ache hit his chest like he hadn’t experienced in months. If Abel were here, they could take on the men together. With his sidekick, he could handle anything.Why, God? Why did you take him away?
Jenson’s sharp command pulled Gideon’s focus back to the scene in front of him, but he was too far away to understand the words. Walter climbed in the back of the wagon next to Leah, and the other men took seats in the front.
Jenson sat with a Sharps Carbine in his lap, and was a much more imposing figure than the smaller Ashe who held the reins. The little man snapped the leather hard, though, and the horses lurched forward.
Gideon’s heart galloped through his chest. The men were leaving and he still didn’t have a plan.
