"I know. I've been to Texas, but I needed to hear you say it."

"Don't blame ya none." Jeb pa.s.sed the plug of tobacco to his brother.

"Do you have good horseflesh?"

"Yup."

"Then get your belongin's and let's ride. The folks started out behind the train for Denver and we'll catch up. I figured if Ta.s.s was ready to make his move he'd have done it last night. I'll meet you out front."

"Much obliged." Jeb nodded at the storekeeper.

"Me, too." Clay, the younger one, followed his brother out the door.

"They don't talk much," Kain said.

"Shee . . . it! I thought ya wanted men what'd shoot, not talk ya to death."

Kain ignored the sarcasm and tossed a ten dollar gold piece on the counter. "We'll need extra grub. Give me some coffee, raisins, soda crackers, and a few sticks of candy. Put in some beans, rice, tobacco and a few plugs of whatever the Hookers are chewing. Whatever is left, keep it for your trouble."

He dipped into the cracker barrel and took out a handful of crackers, then went to the front door and looked out into the street. He had discovered the pains didn't bother him so much after he had eaten. He nibbled on the crackers and waited for the Hooker brothers to appear.

They rounded the corner mounted on strong, long-legged horses that stood at least seventeen hands high. They had bedrolls tied behind their saddles and rifles in the scabbards. When they stopped one of them was looking down the street one way, and the other swung around facing the opposite direction. Trail wise men, Kain thought. They've seen a lot of country and trouble to go with it.

Kain gathered up the cloth bag of supplies and offered his hand to the storekeeper. "I'm obliged to you, mister."

"Good luck to ya. I stuck in a bit more a that laudanum. The poor b.a.s.t.a.r.d what's got a cancer'll need it afore he gets to the Pearly Gates."

"Thanks." Kain set the sack back down on the counter, took out the bottle and put it in his pocket. "Thanks," he said again before he left.

When he reached the porch he nodded to the Hooker brothers and mounted Big Red. He kept the big horse at a leisurely pace until they reached the Santa Fe Trail. Up ahead he could see the dust cloud from the wagon trail. Vanessa would be right behind it. He kicked his mount into a fast canter, anixous to be near her. The Hooker brothers kept pace with him.

"Go on, missy. Go on 'n puller 'er out."

"Where's Kain?" Vanessa climbed up on the wagon seat and took the reins from John's hand.

"Rode out. He said fer us to go on; he'd catch up." John was mounted on Vanessa's horse and Henry was driving his wagon, Mary Ben sitting on the seat beside him.

"I knew that he'd ridden out." There was a deep note of irritation in Vanessa's voice. With a flip of her wrist she snaked the whip over the backs of the team, harnesses creaked, the mules strained, and the wagon rolled up onto the trail.

"He went to the mercantile," Ellie said when they had pulled in behind the twenty-five wagon train headed for Denver.

"Why did he go back? He was there yesterday."

"He asked me if I was sure we didn't need anything more from the store. My, my, Vanessa. Do you know he wouldn't take a cent for what he got yesterday? He said for us to keep our money stashed away and not be flashing ita"as if I'd do a thing like that."

"This fancy rig makes folks think we're rich. He's thinking of robbers."

"Oh, dear! I thought we were through with such as that. It seems more civilized now that we're in Colorado with the army and all." The dust billowed up from the trail, stirred by a hundred wheels and an even greater number of livestock. It hung like a cloud over the train. Ellie took a small vial of olive oil from her pocket and smeared a few drops on her face with the tips of her fingers. "I hate this dust!"

"So do I. Kain said he knew a shortcut that would bypa.s.s Denver. I hope we'll be turning off soon and get away from the other wagons."

"Flitter! I never heard him say that."

"He said it last night, after you went to bed."

"I wondered where you were. Did you walk out with Kain? That's nice, dear," she added before Vanessa had a chance to deny it. "Here, let me put some oil on your cheeks." Ellie coated Vanessa's cheeks with the oil, then dropped the bottle in her ap.r.o.n pocket. "I wonder why John asked Henry to drive his wagon? Mary Ben can drive every bit as well as you or Henry."

"I get the feeling Mary Ben can do a lot of things better than me and Henry." Vanessa looked back. There was no sign of Kain, but John was riding between them and the growth that lined the river. "John probably wanted to ride horseback today. Are you worried about Henry and Mary Ben?"

"A little. Did you see the ribbon and the toilet water he bought for her?"

"Henry loves to give presents. He's never had anyone but us to give to. I bet he was excited. I hope Mary Ben didn't disappoint him."

"The poor child was afraid I'd not let her keep them. That's downright pitiful, isn't it? She's scared to death of us, Vanessa. What in the world will I do if Henry wants to marry her?"

"Mary Ben might not want to marry him. But if she does, talk to her. She knows Henry isn't like other men."

"What would I tell her? That Henry will never be able to support a family?"

"You don't know that. Henry's a grown man. We've got to stop thinking of him as a boy. He's changed a lot since we left Springfield. If he had a shop where he could make whips and quirtsa""

"I couldn't bear to have people make fun of him!"

"I know. I couldn't, either."

"And they would. I know they would. He's good and sweet and he'll work his fingers to the bone if someone tells him what to do. I'll have to tell Mary Ben that he'll always have to have guidance. She's got to know that. If that's enough for her, I'll give them my blessing."

"I've been thinking about it, Aunt Ellie. If Mary Ben loves him and he loves her, it may be the best thing in the world for Henry. He should have a wife and a family like other men. And there will be someone besides you and me to look after him."

"But after a while she might get tired of him. She may meet someone else that's . . . brighter, and it would break his heart. We don't know anything about her background, her breeding."

"Poo-poo on breeding, Ellie dear. You didn't know anything about Henry's father when you married him."

"I loved him!"

"Maybe Mary Ben loves Henry. He is handsome and sweet too. We don't know anything about Kain, either, but we let him join us. We took him on trust, why not Mary Ben?"

"But marrying is differenta"that's forever. Vanessa! Are you thinking about marrying Kain?"

"Oh, for crying out loud! Whatever gave you that idea? He's an adventurera"you've heard his stories. He'll not settle down. He's not the marrying kind."

"I wish he was." Absently, Ellie watched the rolling wagons ahead. "You two would be perfect for each other."

Vanessa had tried to put all thoughts of the night before out of her mind. Her actions had implied that she wanted to be kissed and he had obliged. That was all there was to it, and it was best forgotten. But her mind kept straying back to it like a tongue seeking a sore tooth. She had thought about him through the night and into the morning. He had seemed so sincere and loving when he had held her. Then he'd told her to run along. At the thought of those words, waves of humiliation rolled over her.

An hour after sunup, Kain came alongside and flung the cloth sack of supplies onto the floor of the wagon.

"I bought a few extra supplies, Mrs. Hill. I ran into a couple of friends from Texas. They're riding north, so I invited them to ride with us to Junction City. I hope you won't mind cooking the extra grub."

"Of course I won't mind. Weren't you lucky to run into your friends way out here in the middle of nowhere?"

"How much longer do we have to eat this dust?" Vanessa spoke crossly to keep her voice from wobbling.

"Until the train stops for nooning. We'll pa.s.s them and go ahead. There are raisins and crackers in the sack if you get hungry and I'll bring a canteen of water. When we're well ahead of the train, we'll find a place to water the stock. I want to make thirty-five or forty miles today."

"What in the world for? Is there something wrong, Kain?" Ellie had a sixth sense where trouble was concerned, and it always amazed Vanessa that she could ferret it out.

"Well, yes, ma'am. I heard that the weather up north is turning ugly. Snow comes early to the Rocky Mountains. I sure don't want you to arrive in a snowstorm, so we're picking up the pace."

"I hadn't thought of that. Why, of course. Junction City is quite a bit north of Springfield, and higher too. Oh, my! I'm so glad you're with us, Kain. Whatever would we have done without you?"

"You'd have managed, and I'd have missed out on the best pie in Kansas and Colorado."

Vanessa glanced at him. His smile was charming and wholly for Ellie. She sailed the whip out over the backs of the mules with unnecessary force and gritted her teeth. d.a.m.n Kain! her mind screamed. She loved him so d.a.m.n much it hurt, and he didn't even look at her.

"Are you doing all right, Vanessa?" His voice knifed into her thoughts.

"Uh-huh."

"If you get tired, sing out. Henry can move up here and spell you for awhile. Mary Ben can drive John's wagon."

"Henry wouldn't like that. Mary Ben wouldn't, either." She kept her eyes on the swishing tails of the mules.

"I suspect not. They're chattering away like a couple of magpies." He reined in his horse to turn around.

"Kain, I want to thank you for taking an interest in Henry," Ellie said before he could ride away. "I wish we could have known you or someone like you before. I see such a big change in him."

"Don't give me all the credit, Mrs. Hill. I don't believe Henry had as much incentive before. Don't be offended, but you and Vanessa have done too much for him. You've weakened him by protecting him. He needed to learn to take the hard knocks like the rest of us."

"I'm not offended." There was a sadness in Ellie's tone. "I didn't realize we were doing that until just a few weeks ago. We did it because we didn't want to see him hurt."

"Hurting is part of life. You have nothing to compare being happy with if you don't hurt a little."

"But sometimes there's a lot of hurting and only a little happiness."

"That's true. We have to play the game according to the cards we're dealt."

"Mr. DeBolt? Kain? Has Henry said anything to you about . . . Mary Ben?"

"He likes her, Mrs. Hill," Kain said bluntly. "He may be in love with her. I cautioned him about forcing himself on a woman, if that's what's worrying you. I'm sure he'll not do that."

"Of course he won't!" Vanessa glared at Kain, her blue eyes sparkling with indignation. "Whatever gave you the idea he'd do a thing like that?"

"Vanessa?" Ellie looked at her in surprise.

Kain laughed. "Don't get in a snit, my fiery redhead. Henry asked me about what took place between a man and a woman, and I told him. I gave him a few suggestions about how to handle women."

"Of course! You'd know all about that!" Vanessa felt the flush that covered her cheeks. What in the world was the matter with her? She was making a fool of herself.

"Thank you, Kain." Ellie looked as if she wanted to apologize for Vanessa's outburst. "I wanted to ask you to explain . . . a few things to Henry, but I couldn't get up the courage."

"You should have had Vanessa ask me." He saw Vanessa grip her lower lip between her teeth.

"That would hardly have been proper." There was a coolness in Ellie's voice.

Kain realized he had said the wrong thing, but it was the first thing that had come to his mind. d.a.m.n her, when he was near Vanessa he was as rattled as a sixteen-year-old meeting a girl for the first time.

"You're right, Mrs. Hill, and I apologize. Vanessa isn't in a very good mood today. I'd better leave before she takes the whip to me." He tipped his hat to Ellie and wheeled his horse.

Vanessa looked back to see him stop and talk to a man on a big roan. The stranger and John moved to the other side of the wagons. They were flanked now by four riders. Kain was doing everything he could to protect her from Primer Ta.s.s, but what about him? Oh, Lordy! Ta.s.s wanted to kill him! How could Kain protect himself from a shot from behind a clump of trees or a boulder? Her stomach did a slow turnover. Fear for him was tearing her apart, making her unreasonable.

The next few days found them traveling along the fringe of the rolling foothills, and at times they pa.s.sed over naked rock or plains barren of any growth. The wind, cool and constant, blew up dust particles that reddened Vanessa's eyes and chafed her cheeks. In the light of day it seemed as if she had never been alone with Kain, that he had never kissed her or called her darling. Reality was her fear that Ta.s.s would follow up on his threats to kill him. Her eyes constantly sought the distant trail, searching for a place where Ta.s.s could be waiting.

The Hookers, Clay and Jeb, who Kain had introduced to Ellie as friends, were quiet, polite men. They ate the hearty breakfasts and evening meals Ellie and Mary Ben prepared, thanked them, and disappeared. After the clean up, the fire was doused and the women went to the wagons. Vanessa was glad for Henry's sake that he wasn't excluded from guard duty along with Mary Ben. He and the yellow dog, who now accepted him as an extention of his mistress, stood the first shift. All the horses were picketed close to the camp. Bred with a strong survival instinct, they would warn them of any approaching man or animal.

Days turned into a week with no sign of Primer Ta.s.s. The weather turned cold and wet. Wrapped in a slicker, Vanessa drove the team, her mood as dark as the weather. She didn't even have Ellie's chatter to keep her company since Ellie rode in the back of the wagon, sheltered from the driving rain. Kain was relentless in his drive to make as much time as possible each day. At times he rode up ahead where Vanessa could see him, at other times he was out of her sight for a half a day at a time. It was times like that when she thought she would lose her mind with worry.

One night Vanessa looked at Kain when he came to the cookfire and was shocked by the haggard look on his face. There were deep, dark circles beneath his eyes and his cheeks, covered with a brown stubble, were sunken. She had wondered and worried for several days if he were ill. He silently filled his plate and moved away. He didn't looked directly at her anymore. Had he come to despise her for getting him into this situation? If so, why did he stay with them? He could ride out and leave them anytime.

An idea began to glimmer in the back of her mind. Perhaps she should start thinking about eliminating Ta.s.s herself. She, and only she, would be able to approach him without fear of being killed. If she rode out to meet him, he would think she had changed her mind and decided to go with him. When she was sure she was close enough that she wouldn't miss, she would shoot him. The idea took root in her mind and she began to plan.

After two days and two nights of drizzling rain, morning brought the breaking up of the rain clouds. It was still a dark and dreary day, but a brisk wind was blowing the clouds away. They were able to travel only because the trail at this point was rocky. In the middle of the morning a heavily loaded freight wagon pulled by a span of eight mules overtook them. The driver stopped and waved his hand. John rode over and he handed him a paper, then moved on past them. John brought the paper to Vanessa.

"The man said this here was gived to him to pa.s.s on to a woman named Vanessa."

Vanessa took the paper with an unpleasant feeling in the pit of her stomach. The brief message was written by a crude hand and she could scarcely make out the words: Ain't n.o.body gonna keep me away from my woman.

She crushed the paper in her fist and shoved it down in her pocket while her mind scrambled for a plausible explanation to give her aunt.

"What's that all about? Who in the world knew you were out here, Vanessa?"

"You know how men are, Aunt Ellie. It's from one of the men on that train. I looked at him a few times and he thought I was flirting. Forget him. Oh, look!" On a small knoll two graceful does stood quietly with a buck at their side, unmindful of the wagons pa.s.sing down the steep trail. "Aren't they pretty? They're so wild and free. This is beautiful country."

"Kain says we should reach Junction City in two or three days. I can't believe it. I'm scared, Vanessa. Somehow I wish we could put it off a little longer."

"For Pete's sake! I can hardly wait. I'm sick of traveling. I want to get in one place and stay there."

"I'm tired of traveling, too. But I keep thinking that we've come on a wild goose chase, and I've decided that when we get there I don't want to try and find Adam Hill or his family."

"You don't have to decide that now."

They reached a valley and the mules walked easily on the ribbon of trail that ran through the green gra.s.s. The mountains filled the western sky and ahead of them the forest loomed thick and green. They crossed a creek that ran clear and cool. Birds sprang up from the gra.s.ses and a jackrabbit, its ears erect, took giant leaps down the trail ahead and disappeared into the red and gold sumac.

Vanessa saw none of the beauty of the place. Her mind was filled with dread. Primer Ta.s.s would do whatever he was going to do before they reached Junction City, she was sure of that. He wouldn't have followed all this way if he hadn't intended to carry out his threats.