Chapter One
"Marshal Kane?"
Sam looked up from the sheaf of documents he'd been going through straight into the eye of the stranger. It had taken him a lot of willpower to finally start sorting through his paperwork, and he wanted to get it done before sunset.
"What's the problem?" he grunted with customary bluntness.
His practised eye went over the formally dressed stranger and immediately his guard went up. The man had trouble written all over him. The city kind. In Sam's experience, that was one of the worst kinds. Give him a gang of outlaws to outwit or outshoot anytime.
Of course, it was entirely possible the city gent was simply lost or had lost something, but Sam's instinct warned him otherwise. The man had known him by name, had actually searched him out. Why?
Sam shot a quick glimpse out the window. His visitor had arrived on an elegant black carriage - and was not alone, he surmised as he caught a movement of the curtain.
The stranger handed him a card. Leroy Thomas, attorney-at-law, Bluegrass County.
Bluegrass. Sam felt a leaden weight settle on his chest. Bluegrass had been home - once. Now it was just a memory, a painful one.
"My father." the words left him flatly. He knew.
Leroy Thomas shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, Marshal." he offered.
"How did he die?"
Thomas looked away, "His liver gave out on him. He'd been drinking heavily for years." he explained quietly. "You would have been informed earlier, but - well, we had some difficulty tracing your whereabouts."
Sam ignored that. "His wife?"
"They separated eight years ago."
Sam absorbed that silently. So she'd dumped him after all. His eyes, hard and dry, narrowed on the man. "Why are you here, Mr. Thomas?" he rapped out, "You could have told me all this in a letter and saved yourself a lot of time and trouble."
Thomas met his eyes squarely, "It wouldn't have been right."
Ah, at last. Backbone.
"And?"
Thomas indicated the briefcase he carried. "Your father left you some property and a sizeable amount of money in the bank."
Sam heard the tiniest trace of censure in the man's tone despite his astonishment. His father, Travis Kane, had left him property and money?
"My father was dirt-poor." he said shortly, "You've made a mistake."
Travis Kane was illiterate and a spendthrift - a barely adequate farmer with a taste for cards and women.
For the first time a brief smile touched the lawyer's mouth. "On the contrary, Marshal, your father died a fairly wealthy man." he began rattling off figures.
Sam's head was reeling by the time Thomas was through.
Thomas laid a thick folder on the desk. "All the pertinent information is inside, you should take a look as soon as you can. Your - father- was a valued client of our firm, please get in touch if you have any question, or if there's anything at all we can do for you."
He straightened, "My condolences on your loss, Marshal," he said with more formality than warmth, then added as an afterthought, "and perhaps I should congratulate you as well."
"Wait."
Thomas cocked his head, "Anything else I can do for you, Marshal?"
"Who instructed you to find me?"
Thomas's eyes darted towards the carriage.
Sam followed his eyes. "There's something you're not telling me, isn't there, Mr. Thomas?" he leaned forward, "Who's waiting in the carriage?"
Thomas hesitated, then nodded. "Very well, Marshal." he conceded with a deep breath. "You're right. Had it not been for her insistence we might have given up on you a long time ago. Mr. Kane's wealth also came about through her efforts."
"Who?"
"Your sister - Nina."
Sam felt as though he'd been punched in the stomach. A sister?
Thomas was watching him intently. "You didn't know?"
Sam shook his head faintly.
Thomas nodded. "I don't know how she managed," he went on, picking his words carefully, "but when she came to us - using your father's name - she'd already amassed a small fortune." his tone warmed, "Miss Kane is really quite a clever girl. The money she invested has since quadrupled."
"How old is she?" Sam was having difficulty taking it all in. His father's death, his sudden inheritance, and now a sister.
"Nineteen."
Sam shook his head. "You mean to tell me that everything I've inherited is from her efforts?"
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"And she doesn't get anything?" Sam asked incredulously.
Thomas's brows knitted. "No." he admitted, not quite managing to hide his indignation on the girl's behalf. "Miss Kane's investments were all made under your father's name. Moreover, she's a minor and will be made ward of the state." his gaze sharpened, "Unless her next of kin takes over the guardianship and provides for her."
Silence.
Sam wondered at the irony of it all. And the injustice. What kind of person would give away all that she'd worked for, and to a brother she'd never seen in her life?
He stood. It was time he saw for himself.
"Miss Kane?"
Thank God. Nina couldn't have taken much more of the heat in the carriage.
The door swun open.
"Good Lord, Leroy -" whatever else she'd been about to say flew out of her head when instead of Leroy Thomas, another man entered the carriage.
Sam.
Their eyes met.
Sam hadn't known what to expect, or how to feel, or even what to say.
Nina had always wondered how her half-brother looked like.
God, she was the image of her mother.
Good Lord, he looked just like her father did - before the whiskey and bitterness had changed him.
Finally, Nina broke the silence. "Hello Sam."
Chapter Two
"I don't want your money."
The words hung in the air.
Sam hadn't meant for it to sound so - bitter. It was a simple refusal. He didn't need it, didn't want it.
They were back in his office. Leroy Thomas had politely excused himself after a reassuring smile from the girl, but the glance he had given Sam held warning. He obviously considered Nina a helpless young woman and Sam the brute.
However, there was no fear in her eyes, Sam noted as she stared back at him, digesting his words. Finally, she shrugged, "It doesn't matter." she said lightly, "If you won't take it, then the government will." a pause, "Dad would've wanted you to have it, though."
Sam leaned back and contemplated his half-sister. Raven-black hair curled riotuously about her face. Eyes black as midnight. A straight nose. Firm mouth. Stubborn chin. Oh yes, she looked every inch like her mother. The only difference was in the eyes. Nina's stare lacked the perpetual malice and cunning that had repelled Sam. However, that didn't mean she wasn't every bit as tricky. "I would be very surprised if he had the slightest idea that he had money."
Nina bit her lip. He was right, of course. Her father - their father, rather - had had not a clue. "Alright, I want you to have it." she admitted.
"I don't want it."
Nina grimaced slightly. Not only did they look alike, her father and Sam, they even shared the same pig-headed stubborness. "I know it's not a great deal of money," she began patienly, "but it should be enough to get you out of this" she gazed around at the dust-covered room, "er- office. Maybe start a business in the city. Settle down, get married even."
"I like it here." Sam countered evenly.
Fire sparked in her eyes. "This is not a life."
Sam leaned forward, "It's mine."
"It shouldn't be." Nina raised a hand. "Sam, I know you didn't have an easy time getting to where you are now, and I'm sorry for whatever part my mother played in driving you away from home. But why can't you see that the future doesn't have to be like this?" she asked urgently, "You can start over!"
"I don't want to start over!" Sam's voice rose. He flung himself away from the table. "Why can't you see that?" he forced himself to lower his voice, "I appreciate the offer, but I can't take it." he took a deep breath, "You're the one who should be using that money. After all, you earned it." His eyes narrowed, "Although how you went about that is something I would like to know."
Nina pursed her lips. She knew there was nothing more she could do to convince him. His mind was made up. She stood.
"That's my business." she told him shortly. "I guess there isn't anything left to say then, Marshal. Goodbye." She turned to leave.
"Wait."
Sam stared at her stiff back, unwilling to just watch her walk away. "What's going to happen to you?"
"Don't worry about me, Marshal." was the cool response, "I'll survive."
"Why can't you stay with your mother?"
It was the wrong question, Sam realized when her back became even stiffer.
"I don't have a mother." The door closed behind her with a resounding slam.
The coffee was getting cold.
However, Emma didn't think Sam noticed as he stared at the distance, his fingers curled loosely around the coffe cup. Emma didn't mind, though. She was used to his silences and knew he would talk when he was ready. She was just glad that he'd come to her with whatever it was that was bothering him. And she was glad the riders had taken the cue and busied themselves elsewhere.
"I really hated her, you know." Emma almost started, so abruptly did Sam speak up. "The day she stepped into the house I knew she was trouble." he snorted disgustedly, "I tried to warn him - not that he would listen - the poor fool was too besotted to wise up."
Emma could make neither head nor tail out of his words, "Who wouldn't listen?"
"My father." Sam spit the phrase out like they were a bad taste in his mouth, "Well, she left him anyway. Now he's dead and she's nowhere to be found. Didn't even have the decency to take her daughter with her when she left." His voice dripped with contempt. "What kind of a life did she expect my father to give that girl?"
"You have a sister?"
Sam threw her a look, "Didn't I tell you?"
"I think you missed that part of the story." Emma said dryly.
"Well, I was just as surprised as you were." Sam told her, "Appeared out of thin air to tell me he's dead and that suddenly I'm a wealthy man." He shook his head, "For a moment there I thought she was pulling my leg." he paused, "Would've preferred that anyway." he muttered.
"Sam, when did all this happen?" Emma queried, well and truly confused.
"Just a while ago." Sam answered morosely.
Emma sighed. "Sam, why don't we take this from the top?"
Chapter Three
Dawn found Emma and Sam seated on the front porch, quietly contemplating the new day. They'd spent the night talking, or rather, Sam did, while Emma listened. Neither could remember exactly at what part of the story did Emma's hand find its way into Sam's, nor did they care.
Sam took a deep breath. He felt lighter somehow - inside - as though a heavy load had been lifted from within.
Emma stirred. "Sam, you have to go."
Sam threw her a questioning glance. She smiled slightly and nodded towards town. "You have to do what's right - for both of you."
"I can't change what I am, Emma."
Emma cocked her head. "Seems to me, Sheriff, that someone else needs to hear that line...and it sure ain't me."
Sam gazed at the encouragement in her eyes, then turned his eyes on the rising sun. "Y'know Miz Emma, I reckon you're right about that."
He squeezed her hand. She squeezed back.
Nina watched wordlessly as Leroy supervised the loading of her trunks onto the carriage.
"We're just about ready to leave, Miss Kane." Leroy assured her as he caught her eyeing the sun.
Nina gave him a small smile. "That's fine, Leroy." Actually, she didn't want to leave. She wanted to stay with the brother she'd never known. But he didn't want her. Her eyes darkened. It was ironic, a small voice whispered in her mind, that she'd made a fortune on taking chances, but now she'd lost the biggest gamble of all. She'd staked her future on the strength of bloodties, gambling on the pull of kinship, only to find that the pull of the past was much stronger.
"Mr. Thomas!" a familiar figure was walking towards them.
Then again, Nina told herself hopefully, she could be wrong.
Sam halted before the couple. "I'd like to have a word with my sister." His voice was loud enough that it carried quite clearly. Passers-by froze in mid-stride.
Nina and Leroy exchanged stares. A sudden volte-face? Nina's heart started pounding as she let Sam lead her to the side.
Sam cleared his throat. "I'm not moving to the city." he told her bluntly.
Nina nodded agreeably, "Always thought it was too crowded myself."
Sam blinked, taken aback by her quick response. Getting a hold on himself, he continued gruffly, " - And I won't tolerate any foolishness during your stay here."
Nina placed two fingers over her chest, "Cross my heart." She was grinning now.
Sam felt his mouth twitching in response. He frowned instead, "Understand, I'm only doing this until you're old enough to handle your own money."
Nina whooped with glee and Sam suddenly found himself being smothered in a neck-breaking embrace.
"You won't be sorry Sam," she whispered in his ear fervently, "You'll see."
Sam nodded. Glancing around, he found half the town gathered a few feet away, wide-eyed and bewildered. He sighed. Better get it over with...he still had that drawerful of paper to deal with.
"Folks," he began, pulling Nina to his side. "there's someone I want y'all to meet."
Chapter Four
Sam took Nina to the station later that day. Emma had made him promise to do so and he was more than glad to oblige. Fact was, he was at a loss on how to deal with a sister several years his junior. Sam was a smart man, and he knew when he was in over his head.
"So," Nina queried curiously, "is she your lover?"
Sam almost fell off his horse at the bland query. He wasn't sure such bluntness was altogether appropriate for a young lady. "Miss Shannon is a friend."
"Oh." Nina pondered that for all of a second, "A very good friend?"
"Yes." Sam urged his horse faster. He'd never realized the station was so far away.
Nina matched his pace easily. She was an excellent rider, Sam noted. "Who taught you how to ride?" he asked, taking the offensive. Their father had no affinity for horses and preferred the wagon whenever he went to town. It was a wiser choice since Travis Kane would have far too easily broken his neck if he'd tried to ride while he was drunk.
"A friend taught me." Nina responded vaguely. "I'm a quick learner."
"A boyfriend?" Sam guessed.
"A good friend." Nina corrected with a mischievous grin. "About as good a friend to me as Miss Shannon is to you, I suppose."
She was quick, alright.
Emma must have been waiting for them, because she came out as soon as they dismounted. She stood at the porch, a warm smile curving her lips. Sam smiled back, already feeling more relaxed as he led Nina up the steps.
"Emma, may I present my sister - Nina Kane." The words were tinged with just a shade of uncertainty.
"Hello Nina." Emma was a bit surprised by the younger girl's direct gaze. Nina looked young, but she carried herself with more confidence than most girls her age. Then she grinned, and Emma saw the mischief lurking in her eyes. Oh Lord, she thought wryly, Cody in a dress.
"Hello. May I call you Emma?" Nina asked with a sidelong glance at her brother, "Seeing that you're Sam's good friend and all."
Emma's eyebrows rose fractionally as Sam returned her stare with an abashed shrug. "Please do." she answered calmly, "I'm sure that Sam, being my good friend and all, would want it no other way."
Nina met her eyes, and then they were both laughing. Sam was too relieved that the two ladies were getting along to mind being the object of their laughter.
"Please come in. Dinner's almost ready." Emma told them.
"Is everyone back already?" Sam asked as they entered the house.
"Everyone except Buck. Seems there's a bit of a mix-up at Rose Creek and they're still sorting it out. He'll be back tomorrow morning." Buck was one of the station's riders.
Emma introduced Nina to Teaspoon Hunter, the station master, and to the rest of the riders as they drifted in for dinner. Nina stayed beside Sam, a little overwhelmed by the crowd, but charmed by their ready acceptance.
Dinner was a lively affair, as the riders asked Nina a barrage of questions that Nina fielded with a combination of candor and wit. It wasn't long before Nina was bantering and teasing, too. Sam watched proudly by the sidelines, looking every inch the doting brother.
Teaspoon resided over the meal with his customary silence, and seeing everyone take that in stride, Nina concluded that it was his natural behavior and nothing she did.
However, Teaspoon was a far shrewder than she'd given him credit for. He listened to the bantering around the table and drew his own conclusions.
"Smart lass you got there." Teaspoon told Sam later in a low voice, "She's got evasion down to a fine art."
It was true, Sam realized with a start. Nina answered questions alright, but upon reflection Sam realized she actually gave little away about herself. She just went about it with such subtlety that hardly anyone noticed, with the exception of Teaspoon. That worried Sam. Why the mystery? More importantly, where and from whom did his sister learn this skill?
"I like your friends..." Nina commented later as she walked Sam to his horse. Emma had insisted on Nina staying the night, or until Sam could fix up a place for her.
Sam nodded. "They're good people." They stopped in front of his horse and he turned to look down at her smiling face. "Nina, is there anything else you haven't told me yet?" he asked. "Anything I should know?"
Nina hadn't expected that question, he knew that immediately - saw the wariness entering her eyes, sensed her withdrawal. But her smile never changed. His misgivings grew.
"I'm fine." she insisted, gaze sliding away.
Sam nodded. He knew when to back off. However, he made a mental note to have a talk with his sister's solicitor-friend. Sam hated mysteries.
Nina watched him ride away, a slight frown marring her forehead. She would have to be very careful, she told herself sternly. This was one hand she had no intention of losing.
Chapter Five
"Tell me everything."
"Everything?" Thomas stared at him, nonplussed. "I'm not sure I understand."
"Yes you do." Sam fixed him a stare that had unnerved hardier men. "Where did Nina's money come from? What or who is she afraid of? What is she trying so damn hard to keep from me?"
Thomas swallowed. "I think you're asking the wrong person, Marshal. Wouldn't Nina herself be able to answer you better?"
"I'm asking you." It came out a slow, meaningful drawl.
Thomas' gaze skittered away nervously. He'd heard stories about Kane, and none of them encouraged denying the man what he wanted. "Look Marshal-"
"Is my sister involved in something illegal?" Sam asked sharply.
Thomas' eyes rounded, "No!" he spluttered, "No-of course not! Good Lord, whatever would have made you think that?"
Sam breathed easier, though nothing showed on his face. He ignored the other man's question, asking another one of his own instead. "How did Nina come up with all this money?"
"I told you - she got lucky in her investments." Thomas replied, frowning. "What is this about, Marshal?" He thought he was beginning to understand from where Sam was coming from. "Surely you don't doubt your own sister's honesty?"
Sam leveled the man with an even stare. "Just how well do you know Nina, Mr. Thomas?"
Thomas bristled. "Enough to know she would never be involved in anything criminal!" He was flushed with indignation that Sam would even suggest that Nina's character was suspect.
The man was infatuated with his sister. Sam sighed inwardly. No use asking him then - he decided - as far as Thomas was concerned Nina was only slightly less virtuous than the Blessed Mother.
"Mr. Thomas, all I'm interested in is the truth." he said flatly, "I don't believe that Nina's wealth is in anyway questionable - however I believe there's more to this than meets the eye, and I intend to find out what." he paused, "I would rather hear it from you because I trust we both want only what's best for my sister?" A shot in the dark.
Leroy Thomas was no fool. He knew Sam was fishing. However, the man was right on all points - he had a right to know. Torn between a promise made and doing what's right, he chose a middle road. "Marshal - there are some things that only Nina has the right to reveal - in her own time - but this much I can tell you." he took a deep breath, "Our firm would not have accepted her as a client had she not been vouched for by Lieutenant Marshal Brooke Sheridan of Fort Worth. It is our understanding that Ms. Kane - Nina - is somehow connected to the government." he stopped, "I hope that puts your doubts at rest."
It didn't. But Sam knew he was not going to get anything more from the solicitor, and therefore nodded. Now that he had a name - Sheridan's - he knew where to look for more information - should the need arise, he reminded himself.
For one brief moment Buck thought it was Lou coming out of the stables. Same build, same height. There was just something different in the way he walked. Then the light fell on his face and Buck's hand tightened on the reins. What the hell was a woman doing in the stables?
Nina glanced up, saw his face and cursed roundly as she ran back inside.
"Hey!" Buck called out, gazing around for a familiar figure. Seeing no one, he dismounted and prepared to lead his mount into the stables.
He jumped back as a bullet struck the dirt inches from his feet.
"Don't move, Indian!" Nina stepped out of the shadows - gun in hand. "Who are you and what do you want?"
Buck eyed the familiar way she handled the gun. He was not amused. "I think you had better put that down, lady." he said evenly, "You might hurt someone."
Nina's chin lifted, "I might." she agreed , "if you don't answer my questions real fast." Her eyes darted around quickly, searching for his companions. Indians rarely rode alone. "Where are your friends?" she demanded harshly.
"Nina!" a voice rang out. Someone had heard the shot.
Thank God - Nina thought - she'd been worried that she'd had to face the Indians alone.
"I believe that's them now." Buck stated in clipped tones. It had dawned on him what she'd thought and he fought to bank the anger building up inside. The woman -girl - had seen his face and mistaken him for a thief. Because he was an Indian. He'd almost forgotten in his relief to get home. His face darkened. Almost.
Teaspoon, Emma, Cody and Lou skidded to a halt a few meters away, staring at the tableau.
"I caught him going for the horses." Nina told them steadily, the gun unwavering in her hand. "I'm afraid he might have some friends lurking around, though. Could someone please check?"
An awkward silence. Teaspoon cleared his throat.
"We are his friends, Nina." he said blandly, "His name's Buck Cross, and he's one of ours."
Nina's eyes widened fractionally. "He's Buck?" she echoed incredulously.
"Uh-huh."
Nina bit her lip, color flooding her face as she realized her mistake. Her arm lowered. "I- I didn't know." she stammered, unable to look Buck in the eye. "I'm sorry."
Emma came forward and patted her arm comfortingly. "Well," she said lightly, "it was quite understandable. I should have told you we were expecting him back today." she smiled up at Buck determinedly, "Nina is Sam's sister, Buck. She's staying with us while Sam is fixing up a place for her."
Buck read the plea in Emma's eyes. "Pleased to meet you." he couldn't quite make himself say her name, "Welcome to Sweetwater."
"Thank you." Nina responded in a small voice.
"Now that that's cleared up, why don't we go in and let Buck finish up?" Teaspoon suggested gruffly.
Along the way, he turned to Nina, "Who taught you to shoot?" he queried casually, "You looked like you knew what you were doing."
"I -er - a friend taught me." she answered stiltedly, " - in case I needed to protect myself."
"You a good shot?" Cody asked mischievously.
Nina grinned. "Probably better than you, at any rate." she quipped.
"No way!" Cody exclaimed loudly. "Prove it!"
"Anytime, cowboy." Nina returned with a confident toss of her head.
Emma listened to the ensuing banter with a shake of her head.
Teaspoon chewed his pipe and worried.
That night, Nina followed Buck as the latter slipped out of the house after dinner. She found him seated at the porch, staring at the stars. "Buck?"
Buck stiffened. What did she want now?
"I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am." Nina told his back. "Truly." she paused. "Are you still mad at me?"
Buck shook his head. "Forget it." he said shortly.
Nina bit her lip. "Would you mind if I sat beside you?"
Buck took a deep breath. Nina took his silence for permission and settled down gingerly a few inches away.
Silence.
"A few years ago I came across a family that had been murdered by a renegade Indian." Nina said softly. "They were friends of mine - simple farmers minding their own business. No one was spared. Not even the baby."
Buck was caught by the horror in her voice. The pain. Glancing at her, he thought he saw something flicker in her eyes as she gazed at the distance.
"It was my fault." Nina whispered, "I knew he was going after them. I should have warned them, should have gotten to them sooner." she closed her eyes, as though to wipe away the terrible carnage she'd found.
"You caught up with him?" Buck asked, fascinated and repelled by the story.
Nina contemplated the question. Finally, she nodded. "It took two years to hunt him down, but yes, I found him."
"He's dead, then."
A small bitter smile curved her lips. "It doesn't matter." she said abruptly, "His death couldn't bring my friends back." she met his gaze, "I want you to know - pulling a gun on you was reflex on my part. I thought -"
"You thought I was another marauding Indian out to kill your friends." Buck finished for her.
Nina's gaze didn't waver. "Yes - I did."
Buck considered that. "Would you have reacted similarly if a white stranger had ridden in?"
"Quite probably."
Buck nodded, satisfied. "That's alright, then."
"Friends?" Nina extended a hand.
"Friends." Buck took it in his own.
Chapter Six
Why the secrecy?
It was a question that gnawed at Sam repeatedly as days passed and Nina's silence continued. Leroy had gone home to Chicago - explaining that he had to report back to his superiors and preside over the transfer of Sam's inheritance. Nina had accepted Leroy's excuses graciously enough, but Sam privately believed that Leroy had left to avoid being questioned by him.
Sam wanted to believe that there was a perfectly innocent reason behind his sister's evasiveness. He wanted to believe that Nina's proficience in riding and familiarity with a gun were ordinary skills that can be casually picked up by any young woman of her age. He wanted - needed - to trust her. She was the only family he had left!
And yet - try as he might, he just couldn't make himself turn a blind eye to all the questions that glared at him.
"You have to give her time."
Sam almost started at Emma's voice. She'd read his thoughts as easily as if he'd had them written on his face. But then she knew him better than he knew himself - sometimes.
Emma slipped a hand into his and squeezed lightly. She understood his concerns, even echoed them. But she also understood that it wasn't easy letting your guard down. It took time. She wasn't blind to the loopholes in Nina's story, she just chose to let it pass, for now.
"You trust her?" Sam asked after a moment.
"Yes, I do." Emma's reply held absolute conviction. She glanced at him. "Don't you?"
Sam's frown deepened. "I'm not sure." he admitted at length.
Emma tapped his cheek gently. "Take off your badge, Sam, and listen to your heart." she smiled, "Sometimes, too much thinking gets in the way of what's true."
"I want to trust her, Emma." Sam said softly, "But I also want to make sure that there isn't something in the dark that's going to reach out and destroy us." Secrets had a way of doing that, no matter how well-meant or harmless it was intended to be.
Emma acknowledged the truth in his statement. "Then ask her outright."she told him "Don't go around sniffing at her past. She's your sister, not an outlaw you're trying to flush out."
"I've already sent an inquiry to Fort Worth." The admission was almost reluctant.
Emma frowned. "Whatever for?"
Sam related briefly what Leroy had told him. "I should be receiving a response any day now." he concluded evenly.
"That doesn't leave you much time then, does it?" Emma turned to collect her hat. "You have to talk to Nina before that reply arrives." She told him in response to his puzzled frown. "Trust is a two-way street Sam. It's fine to talk about wanting to trust her, but don't let's forget that she has to know that she can trust us too." she paused, "Somehow I don't think she'll be able to do that once she discovers what you've done."
How could you?
She didn't say the words out loud. But Sam heard them anyway. They shot out from her eyes like twin daggers.
They faced each other across the porch, barely three feet apart, but Sam had the sinking feeling the his sister was miles out of his reach.
"Nina-!" he began, suddenly afraid as Nina turned and ran back inside.
Teaspoon almost got run over as the girl sped past him. He turned and stared inquiringly at Sam. "Trouble?"
"I -" Sam had barely gotten the word out of his mouth before Nina reappeared and stalked past the both of them.
She'd changed into riding clothes. In her hand she carried a gun belt and a cowboy hat.
Emma and the other riders burst out of the house, confused.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sam called out sharply as Nina headed for the stables.
"Out of here!" Nina shouted back, "You can send my other things back to Leroy." she fumed. "Better yet - burn them!"
Sam sprinted down the stairs and caught her arm in three strides. "What the hell's the matter with you?!"
Nina pushed him back. "Let go!" she fairly shrieked at him.
"Not until I get some answers!" Sam grabbed both her arms. "Ow!" as Nina's boot found his shin.
"Go to hell!!!"
"Hot damn !- never thought she had it in her." Kid whispered aloud.
Buck could have told him she did- he'd seen it in her eyes. But he said nothing. None of the others did. Emma bit her lip worriedly. Not even she had anticipated Nina's reaction. She'd expected outrage, certainly. Even tears and recrimination. What they were witnessing was hellfire and brimstone. Dear Lord, she breathed, what had Sam unleashed?
Moments later Nina came out of the stables, mounted.
"You talk about trust, Sam,"the words dripped with venom, "as though you're the only one who has the right to demand it. Well, for your information, Sheriff, I don't give a hoot what you think!"
"Nina!" Sam called out warningly, but Nina had already sent the mare galloping out of the station. "Nina - come back here!"
He swore loudly as mare and rider disappeared in a cloud of dust.
Emma came to stand beside him. "Are you hurt?" she asked solicitously, avoiding his eye..
Sam sighed, "I've made a mess of things, haven't I?"
"Want me to go after her?" Cody piped up.
"Why don't we give the girl some time to cool off?" Teaspoon suggested tacitly. "She won't go far."
"Should be back before sundown." Jimmy predicted knowingly, "Nina has more sense than ride too far out in an unknown area."
Buck stared at the settling dust. He wasn't too sure about that.
She was a fool!
Nina berated herself harshly as she stared at the fire with brooding eyes. A fool to have forgotten about Leroy and what he knew, and an even bigger fool to think that Sam would be content to let sleeping dogs lie.
It was too much to hope that Sheridan would keep his nose out of this.
She had to find him before Sheridan arrived. Nina ran her fingers over the barrel of the gun grimly. This was one hunt that would end - one way or the other. Two years was too long a time for justice to be denied.
Chapter Seven
"Why don't you go get some rest? You look like you need it."
Emma spared a grateful smile at Lou's suggestion even as her hands automatically reached for the coffeepot. She'd lost count of the number of times she'd reached for the pot already, and, she sighed inwardly, it looked like this wouldn't be the last.
A dark frown settled on Lou's brows. She lowered her voice. "I can't believe how Nina's got all of us turning the county upside down searching for her." she snorted, "Mite inconsiderate of her, don't you think?"
Emma paused at the resentment in the younger woman's tone. Not that Lou could be blamed for feeling that way. After all, they'd all spent a sleepless night looking for Nina. Dawn had come, but the search was far from over. Sam was looking more haggard as each rider came in with nothing to show for their efforts. Teaspoon smoked his pipe quietly by the porch, but even his impassive features were grim.
"Nina's not a fool, Lou." she said carefully, "She's willful and headstrong, but she's far from stupid. I know she has a reason for whatever it is she's doing. I just wish she trusted us enough to let us help."
Lou pursed her lips, some of the anger leaving her. In all honesty she could sympathize with Nina's plight. Trust was a tricky thing, and what Sam did was hardly encouraging. In the girl's place she knew she would have reacted with the same intensity.
"I'm sure she's alright." she offered, trying to be convincing. Nina had been gone for hours in hostile and unknown territory. They both knew that there was simply no guarantee to her safety, gun or no gun.
However, Emma summoned a perky nod and put on her most confident smile as she brought Sam his coffee. The sheriff stood stiffly by the window, watching the sun make its way from behind the cover of the mountains.
He'd just come back from the next county and would have continued his search had Teaspoon not pointed out that his horse needed to rest, even if he didn't.
Looking at him, Emma prayed fervently that Lou was right. Sam would never forgive himself if anything happened to Nina.
"You need to rest." she told him softly.
Sam's eyes softened somewhat as he bent down and kissed the top of her head. "I'm strong as a horse, Emma." he reassured her, "I'll bear up."
Emma hugged him briefly, "We'll find her, Sam." she whispered in his ear fiercely.
"I know." Sam believed that. No one knew these parts as well as Teaspoon's men. It was only a matter of time before one or the other found his sister. Unless someone else found her first. Sam cut that thought off. All night long he'd had visions of Nina lying somewhere, hurt; or Nina being attacked by bears, or Indians, or outlaws. In his line of work Sam had seen enough to know how fragile life was. He'd seen how cruel men could be. A girl all alone in a strange place was fair game. He closed his eyes to shake off the images he couldn't make himself face. Fear, anger, and anxiety gnawed at his insides. Dear God, please let Nina be alright.
Emma stiffened at his side, and Sam saw why. A lone rider was leading a limping horse into the station. The sun glinted off something bright and shiny on the man's vest. Sam's insides tightened.
"Sam-" Emma whispered.
The newcomer was wearing a Marshal's star.
Sam squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, then went out to meet the man. Teaspoon didn't budge from the porch, but his narrowed eyes watched the man's every move.
"Sam Kane?" the marshal queried steadily.
Sam nodded. There was no hostility in the other's voice. Yet.
"I'm Brook Sheridan."
Sheridan. Sam guessed as much. The two men shook hands, though no welcoming grin graced their lips. At this stage, they could be friends, or enemies; and both men knew that.
Teaspoon gestured for one of the boys to see to Sheridan's mount while Sam led the marshal into the house.
"You pushed that horse pretty hard." Sam remarked baldly.
Sheridan acknowledged that with a nod. "No harder than I pushed myself in order to get here as fast as I can." he said. Leaning forward in his seat, his eyes fixed on Sam, he asked, "Where's Nina?"
"Are you here to bring her in?" Sam countered tersely.
Sheridan's eyebrows rose a fraction. "Is that what she told you?"
"I want to hear it from you." Sam said.
Sheridan glanced at their tense features and guessed the truth. "She found out I was coming and made a run for it, didn't she?" He stood. "Damn her!"
Sam matched his stance. "Why is she running from you?" His control snapped and he grabbed the other man's collar. "Goddammit answer my question!!!"
"Sam!" Emma pulled at his arm. "Let the marshal go!"
"Easy son." Teaspoon said from his other side.
Sam pushed Sheridan away with an infuriated growl.
Sheridan dusted his clothes off. "I will be glad to answer all your questions once we've found your sister." he said, urgency creeping into his voice.
"We've already got the best men combing the area. She can't have gone far." Teaspoon assured him.
"You have a tracker out there?" Sheridan pressed. "Nina's very good at masking her trail."
Teaspoon nodded. Buck was as good a tracker as any full-blooded Indian. He was still out there.
"Alright." Sheridan sat down. "What do you want to know?"
"Why are you after Nina?" Sam asked, his tone clipped. He was braced for the worst.
"Because she's bull-headed, stubborn, and" Sheridan allowed himself a slight grimace, "-one of the best deputies I've ever worked with."
Sam's jaw fell open. "What?"
"I'm not here to bring Nina in," Sheridan continued grimly, "I'm here to keep her from getting herself killed." He took out a sheaf of papers from his coat and handed it to Sam.
"Two years ago Nina discovered that one of my agents had sold out to a particularly nasty gang - feeding them information about his fellow agents, setting them up, even warning the gang should any agent get too close. Nina and another one of my agents - Peter Martin figured it out and brought him and the gang in. That renegade - Running Boar was his name - ended up behind bars." Sheridan took a deep breath. "To make a long story short, Running Boar managed to escape. Three days later Peter Martin, his wife and his newborn child were massacred at Martin's farm."
"Good Lord." Emma breathed, face paling.
"Nina was out on another assignment at that time, but the moment she heard that Running Boar had escaped she knew -"Sheridan's face hardened, "but she was a step too late. Since then she'd devoted all her time in hunting that bastard." He flicked Sam a quick look. "I have reason to believe that Running Boar may have holed up somewhere around Sweetwater. And if that's the case, then Nina would be hunting him now."
Sam had difficulty drawing a breath. His sister was out there hunting an Indian. Alone.
Teaspoon's eyes narrowed. "Pardon me, Marshal, but you make this sound like a personal vendetta between Nina and the Indian. Shouldn't the government be doing something?" Or in other words, what the hell had he been doing all this time?
Sheridan accepted the implied criticism calmly, "Nina is a valued member of my team, Mr. Teaspoon. So was Peter. The search for Running Boar never ended. However, Running Boar was a deputy marshal for a long time and he knew enough to make finding him a daunting task."he paused, "I lost a lot of people on his account." he said through gritted teeth.
"So why is Nina working alone?"
Sheridan frowned. "Anger. Frustration. Vengeance." he enumerated harshly, "Nina needed to hunt him down herself. Peter was a very good friend. Had taught her most everything she knew. This had become very personal. If she finds him, she'll kill him or he'll kill her."
A sudden thought struck Sam, and a cold weight settled heavily in his stomach. If Nina had come for the renegade, then where did that put him? Was he just part of her cover? How much of what she'd told him was truth? Were they even really brother and sister? Emma caught the look in his eye and reached up to whisper in his ear. "Trust, Sam."
Sam bit his lip and nodded. Emma was right - Nina was out there alone because he had betrayed her trust. It was a bitter lesson that was made bearable only by his faith in his friends. Time enough later to sort out Nina's reasonings. He grabbed his hat off the rack.
"I'm going with you." Sheridan said, reading his intention.
Sam met the other man's eyes, saw the iron will and behind it, a genuine concern. He nodded.
Dawn.
Nina eyed the crude hut warily, all her senses on the alert. Running Boar had the instincts of a snake - slippery, sneaky, and very, very dangerous. He wouldn't be found so easily unless it was on his own terms. Nina bit her lip worriedly. She had been hoping for Sam's help, had been building up to asking for it. But his betrayal had cut deep, and her foul temper had done the rest. Nina swallowed back a sigh. In the light of day she had to admit that she hadn't left Sam with much of a choice with her reticence on a lot of things, but dammit - did he have to go sneaking off to Sheridan? Sheridan was pissed off enough as it was with her going AWOL. And she was genuinely worried that the arrival of a posse would scare Running Boar away. Then she would have to start over again. Her mouth tightened. No more. This ends here, one way or another. It was time to lay Peter's memory to rest.
Nina stepped carefully through the wild grass, circling the hut. She'd left her mount some distance away, hidden among the tall trees. But she knew it was only a matter of time before one or the other of Teaspoon's riders found it. Which didn't leave her much time.
Behind the hut she caught sight of a chestnut gelding and her heart almost leapt out. Running Boar had always been partial to chestnuts, and the excellent condition of the horse bore his stamp. Nina had never trusted the man, but she did admire his devotion to his mount. Only these animals received any sort of gentleness from him. She kept carefully out of the chestnut's line of vision, making sure that the wind wouldn't inadvertently bring it her scent and cause it to raise an alarm.
She frowned. The presence of the horse indicated that Running Boar was nearby. He would never leave his mount behind. Nina's skin prickled uneasily. All her instincts screamed 'TRAP!' and Nina hadn't survived this long by being foolish. But to be so close!!! She bit her lip. Hard. Her eyes narrowed. She'd found the hut much earlier. But in the dark she hadn't dared come close, recalling the many vicious traps Running Boar was famous for. Better to wait for daylight. Sure enough she'd found several animal traps laid around the hut perimeter. Twice she'd almost lost her leg to the steeljaws, only her alert senses and well-honed instincts saving her at the last minute. Now she was almost on him and she was truly loath to let the opportunity pass.
It was that moment of indecision that cost her.
A shot rang out and Nina cried out as her right thigh exploded in pain. Nevertheless, she maintained enough presence of mind to throw herself to the side and rolled, thereby evading the succeeding shots.
"Shit!" she swore. The shot had come from behind, which either meant that Running Boar had a companion, or that he'd somehow managed to slip behind her. Nina cursed beneath her breath as she scrambled for cover, hand pressing over the bullet wound protectively. She fought back a wave of pain and forced herself to focus on finding that bastard Indian. Her eyes scanned the surrroundings, but to no avail. "Shit!" she swore again. Running Boar was toying with her, she acknowledged angrily. He could've killed her outright, but had merely immobilized her. He wanted some fun before finishing her off. Unbidden, Nina recalled Peter's bullet-ridden corpse and gagged. Steeling herself, she crawled slowly towards the chestnut. Her only hope of getting out was to take the horse . Every movement brought excruciating pain lancing through her body, but Nina was too stubborn to give up. Running Boar was going to have to show up if he wanted to stop her.
"Almost there." she told herself encouragingly. Still no Indian in sight. But he was here, she knew. Could almost hear him chuckling maliciously as he watched her. The only question was, how far was he going to let her go? Nina was gambling on the man's ego. She knew that he would find it amusing to let her believe that she could get away before showing up and finishing her. Nina was counting on that, but not to escape. All she needed was one shot to avenge Peter. Just one. And she knew she would only get one chance. So she ignored the bloody mess that was her thigh and kept her finger on the trigger of her gun.
A rustle behind her, and Nina rolled around and pressed the trigger. The shot was deafeningly loud in the unnatural silence, but futile as her target easily dodged. Nina screamed as the knife buried itself in her shoulder, and she fell back, her gun falling uselessly from her numbed fingers. She shuddered, almost blacking out from the pain. Her mind screamed for her to move, but her pain-ridden body couldn't do more than turn over. She couldn't even summon the strength to pull the knife out.
Dimly, she heard him step over her. "Payback time, Deputy." he whispered in her ear. Almost gently, he reached down. Nina saw the thin fingers close over the hilt of the knife and braced herself. However, she couldn't keep back the scream that tore out of her throat as the knife turned in her flesh.
Buck heard the first shot echoing at about the same time he found Nina's horse. His face darkened even as he refused to acknowledge the sick feeling in his stomach. He took out his gun and following Nina's track, made his way to where the shots had come from.
He'd had a difficult time following the girl's tracks, only his experience and sharp eyes keeping him from totally losing her. Still, he'd wasted precious time. Now, however, Nina had abandoned stealth for speed, and Buck easily found her trail.
Then he heard that single shot and her scream and he almost broke into a run. But he clamped down on the reaction harshly. He needed to keep a clear head, needed to keep his presence a secret for it to remain an advantage. But - gods - it was hard. True, she had almost killed him a week ago, but since that same night when she'd apologized Buck had begun to admire her. Privately, of course. Cody and Ike were already half in-love with Sam's sister without him adding to the simpering lot. Still, Nina's spirit drew him. She was like no other girl or woman he'd met - strong-willed, saucy, and fiercely loyal, but with just a hint of sadness in her eyes. Sometimes when she thought no one was looking she looked downright wistful and incredibly young. Buck's jaw flexed. He prayed that the girl was alright, because he would not be able to spare her murderer's life, no matter what the cost to himself.
Nina's second scream of anguished pain pinpointed her location, even as it twisted Buck's gut. Still he crept closer, quiet as a shadow, denying himself the need to rush to her side. "Hang in there, Nina." he whispered, eyes straining, "I'm almost there."
And then he saw them.
Running Boar knelt beside Nina's prone figure, one hand twisting into her hair, pulling her head back to expose her slim, white neck while the other hand held the knife easily. He saw the blood on her clothes, saw the glint of her gun lying just a few paces away, saw her eyes close in defeat as the knife slid caressingly over her throat.
"Goodbye, Deputy." Running Boar grinned.
"Go to hell, you bastard." Nina forced out, fighting back the fear. She was going to die, but she wasn't going to let him see anything more than her contempt for him.
Running Boar's grin widened. The girl still had spirit, and he liked that. It was a pity, he thought fleetingly, that she had too much of it. She could never be broken to his will, and he regretted that. Now he had no choice but to kill her. His fingers tightened on the knife.
"Let her go." The words were uttered quietly.
Running Boar looked up, caught unawares, to gaze into implacable dark eyes. His mouth parted ferally. "Or what?" he asked silkily, the blade nicking the tender flesh slightly.
Buck raised his gun, aiming it pointedly at the other man's forehead. "Let her go." he said again. His tone left no doubt that he would avenge the girl's death.
Running Boar snarled. "She's just a white woman. What do you care, Brother?"
Buck's mouth twisted. "I am not your brother. You are a murderer of innocents. No tribe would accept you as a brother." He'd made the connection upon seeing the other's face. He remembered Nina's anguish over her friends' deaths and the determination in her eyes. Honor was not exclusive to Indians or to whites, to men or women. He'd learned that a long time ago.
Nina almost sobbed upon hearing his voice, the relief was so great. She closed her eyes, gathering her strength for one last gamble.
"You would kill one of your own kind for a white woman?" Running Boar challenged.
Buck refused to rise to the bait, refused to even let himself be distracted by a glance at the girl. He kept his eyes on Running Boar. "Let her go."
"And will you let me go?" Running Boar queried. He was no fool. He could always count on the girl to find him later.
Buck hesitated. However, Nina didn't.
"No!" she struck out, using her good left hand, chopping at the arm that held the knife, then rolled away towards Buck.
"Bitch!" Running Boar pulled out his gun and aimed.
"No!" The cry rang out at the same time as Buck fired. He realized the cry came from him just as Running Boar was thrown back to land flat against the ground, the bullet striking him right between the eyes. Buck's arm lowered. He hadn't wanted to kill the man, but when it came down between Nina's life and his, he'd had no choice.
A moan of pain pulled him back. He holstered his weapon with a slight grimace and went to Nina's hunched figure. He went down on one knee beside her, supporting the weakened body with his arm.
Nina raised agonized eyes to him. "I'm sorry." she whispered. Running Boar's death should have been on her conscience. She swayed.
Buck caught her as she lost consciousness. He checked her wounds, frowning as he noted how much blood she'd already lost. Carefully, he lifted her in his arms and made his way back to the horses. Nina's words sank in and he wondered absently if the two of them could ever hold a conversation without her apologizing for one thing or another.
"I'm feeling much better today." Nina said hopefully, peering at her brother's set face as he sat by her side. The doctor had ordered complete bedrest for another week, just to make sure, he'd said genially. But Nina was almost frantic with boredom. Only thing was, she didn't quite dare go against the doctor's orders, not when Sam watched her like a hawk.
Emma had told her how worried he'd been when Buck had brought her home looking like death warmed over. Sam had spent every night that she'd slipped in and out of consciousness by her bedside, resting only when Emma insisted. Nina had seen the strain and exhaustion on Emma's face , had noted Sam's gaunt features, and had been struck by guilt. She'd become so used to living and working on her own that she'd neglected their concern. She was appalled by her own selfishness. She'd apologized to everyone, of course, and her sincere apologies had been graciously accepted. But still Sam refused to talk to her. As in really talk to her. He never mentioned Running Boar, never even mentioned Sheridan.
Nina bit her lip when she recalled how furious her boss had been. Furious that she'd gone AWOL, that she'd been so careless, that she'd been hurt at all. But after he'd paced and lectured he'd forgiven her. Nina realized then the concern underlying the anger and had been touched. She'd always known that the man considered her a valuable agent, she just hadn't realized that he considered her a friend as well. Which was why she'd promised to come back to work for him soon. Only then had the Marshal said his farewells and gone back to Fort Worth.
She wrenched her thoughts back to the present. Sam was silent, and Nina tried to read the thoughts that lay behind the sharp eyes. Suddenly she was fed up with his silence. She'd waited for weeks for him to berate her, but he hadn't. She'd waited for him to ask her why, but he hadn't. All he did was answer her in monosyllables. His silence was killing her.
"Why don't you just bite my head off and be done with it?" she asked irritably. Anything would be better than the wall between them. It unnerved her. "Well?"
Sam kept a tight rein on his temper. "Rest." he said, rising.
Sam's eyes narrowed, and Nina subsided back on the pillows. She'd never seen Sam in a rage, and suddenly wasn't sure that she wanted to. But he really did need to get it off his chest. "Why are you so angry?" she asked in a small voice.
Sam looked at her. Angry? God, the girl had mixed him up so badly he didn't even know how he felt anymore. He'd been angry, yes, by her deception; but that anger had been tempered by worry over her safety. Then when Buck had brought her back half-dead he'd been so scared that he would lose her that he hadn't been able to sleep for days. And now, gazing into the small, pale face, he honestly didn't know what he felt.
Sitting down again, Sam rubbed his face tiredly. Maybe it was better to get it all out. He did know the first question he wanted to ask. "Who are you, really?"
"What?" The question threw her.
Sam's eyes never left her face. "Who are you, really?" he repeated gently, "I know your name, but are you really my sister, or was that a cover for hunting Running Boar?" He couldn't blame her, wouldn't blame her. He knew what it was like to lose people he cared for. He could understand the need for vengeance .
Nina's eyes widened, flushing with shame. What else was he supposed to think? "Sam, I would never lie about that." she told him fiercely, "Never. Leroy finding you here was a lucky coincidence, but even if not for Running Boar I would still have come." she smiled tremulously, "Blood ties, you know."
A weight lifted off Sam's chest at the words, at the smile. But he bit back the answering smile. "Why the secrecy, Nina?" he had to clear everything up before hugging the girl.
"I was going to tell you." Nina confessed, "I just didn't know how. I could hardly just walk up to you one day and ask you to help me find that murdering bastard - sorry- , but I was going to. I swear."
Sam nodded. "Is there anything else I need to know?" he asked.
Nina fell silent. Anything she said now could be used against her in the future, and she really didn't want to lie. "Sam - I -"
Sam sighed. "Alright then, will you just promise me to clue me in before whatever it is gets too messy to handle?" Trust. He understood it much better now.
Nina gazed at his smiling eyes. "Promise."
