“Let go of her, Ben. This is between you and me.” Rain dripping from the broad brim of his army hat, Rand slid to the ground and walked toward the buckboard, skirting the widening mud puddles. Jacob followed close behind.
The click as Ben drew back on the hammer of his revolver was muffled in the pattering rain. “Don’t come any closer, Campbell.”
Rand stopped. “Why’d you do it, Ben? Why lie to everyone?”
Ben’s face twisted. “Don’t talk to me about lies. You’re the biggest liar there ever was.” He scoffed. “What a fake. My pa thought the sun rose and set with you. No-account drunk that he was, always getting into scrapes when the liquor got the best of him. I bet you don’t even remember the time you stopped and helped him mend our fence and round up the escaped cattle. Like I couldn’t have done that if he’d have just asked me. But no, it was always, ‘Ben, why can’t you be like that Campbell boy?’ ”
He aimed the gun at Rand. “And then there was Sarah. She mooned over you for years, but did you pay her any notice? No. Even though she was the prettiest girl in Wabash. But just as soon as she took a notice of me, you had to have her. My girl.”
“I was never your girl!” Sarah’s gaze never left his gun.
Ben continued as if he didn’t hear her. “When I got back from the war and they all thought you were dead, I knew fate was finally smiling on me. Sarah would be mine. But you had to come back early and spoil everything, just like you always have. Well, you’re not going to ruin things for me ever again.” He brought the revolver up with sudden determination and fired.
Just as he pulled the trigger, Sarah leaned against him with all her might, and the shot went wild. “Run, Rand!”
But instead of running, Rand launched himself at Ben and dragged him off the buckboard seat. The two men thrashed in the mud and the muck. Rand threw a hard right swing that connected solidly with Ben’s cheek. Ben reeled back and hit his head on the wheel of the buckboard as he fell.
Rand pushed his hair out of his eyes and stepped away from Ben. “Is he dead?”
Sarah stared at Ben’s pale face and saw him draw a ragged breath. “No.” Shivering and soaked to the skin, she climbed awkwardly out of the buckboard on rubbery legs and almost fell as she reached toward Rand. “Thank God you’re all right!”
“What were you doing with Ben, Sarah?”
She looked at the scene: a carriage packed as if ready for a journey. She imagined how it must seem to Rand, who’d just learned he’d been deceived on what should have been a happy day of reunion. She stared at him in dismay. Surely he didn’t think she was running off with Ben willingly?
She raised her chin. “Ben saw that I’d taken off his ring and dragged me out to the carriage. He’d have kidnapped me if you and Jacob hadn’t shown up.”
“Is that so?”
She caught his arm again. “Rand, surely you don’t believe—”
His eyes hooded, he turned away.
Jacob nudged Ben with his boot. “I think one of us had better ride after Doc Seth. Ben doesn’t look too good.”
“I’ll go.” Rand shook off Sarah’s restraining hand and mounted his horse. “You keep an eye on Croftner.”
She stood looking after him. He had to listen to her eventually. He just had to.
SIX
Rand sensed Sarah’s gaze on his back as she stood beside Doc Seth, but he resisted looking at her. The rain had soaked through every scrap of his clothing, and he shivered as a buggy came sloshing around the corner. When it stopped, a slight, frail figure slowly clambered down.
“William?”
Sarah’s father turned as Rand stepped out from the shadows. Tears started to fill William’s eyes as he opened his arms and drew Rand into an embrace. “My dear boy, I heard the news in town. What a happy day this is for all of us.”
William had always been frail but vibrant in spite of it all. Rand didn’t recognize him in this stoop-shouldered man with deep lines of pain around his mouth. The older man’s fragility reminded him of a dying baby bird he’d found once, its bones thin and brittle.
“It-it’s good to see you, sir,” he stammered, trying to hide his dismay.
“You too, son. You too.” William drew back and wiped his eyes shakily with his handkerchief. “What’s going on here?”
“I gather that Ben was trying to force Sarah to go off with him.” Rand explained Ben’s deception.
“This is all so much to take in. When the war ended, it seemed the horrors would at last come to an end. Now it seems they’re piling up even in times of peace.” William shook his head.
Doc Seth straightened and stepped over to Rand and William. “He’ll live, but he’s sure going to wake up with a sore head. Labe can take him home and put him to bed, and I’ll look in on him tomorrow.” He thrust out a hand to Rand. “Good to have you home, young Campbell. Amelia told me the news.”
Rand shook his hand. “Tell her I’ll stop by and see her soon.” He broke off, and they all turned as another horse and buggy cantered into the yard.
Wade slid down from his buggy, his face florid. “What’s going on here?” He didn’t bother to help his wife down but stomped over to where his father stood.
Joel slid down from the buggy and bounded into Rand’s arms. “Rand! Oh, Rand!”
Rand laughed and hugged him tightly. He loved Sarah’s little brother as much as his own. “How you doing, half-pint?”
“Great! I’ve missed you so much. When can we go fishing?”
Rand grinned at the familiar question. He’d always felt sorry for the lad. William’s health prevented much of the usual father-son relationship, and Wade wasn’t much of a fisherman. He’d started taking Joel fishing when he was two. “Soon.”
He pulled a hand free and thrust it out for Sarah’s older brother. “Good to see you, Wade.” It wasn’t really, but he could at least make an attempt at civility.
Wade ignored the outstretched hand. “You beat up my sister’s fiancé and think you can just sit on our porch like an old friend? Why aren’t you in jail?”
Rand lowered his hand and put it back in his pocket. What was there to say in the face of such animosity? Wade always saw things his own way.
“That’s enough!” William’s voice boomed out in a sudden surge of strength. “Your treatment of a guest in our home is unacceptable, Wade. You have no idea of the wrong that’s been done to him over the past few months.”
Wade glared at his father, his massive hands clenched. “So he was a prisoner of war. Lots of men were. He can’t just show up here as if we’re all going to bow and scrape and give up all we’ve worked for to accommodate him. Sarah, get inside. We have a wedding to prepare for.”
His father lifted a brow. “You know as well as I do that Sarah would never marry Ben now.”
Wade’s color deepened. “How do you know her feelings haven’t changed? Ben would make a much better husband than Campbell.”
“Why, because he’s rich? A man who could deceive her the way Ben has isn’t worthy of my daughter.” William directed a slight smile Sarah’s way. “Besides, she loves Rand. Always has, always will. Right, honey?”
Sarah nodded.
The muscles in Wade’s jaw pulsed as he clenched his teeth. “But what about the land?”
“Is that all you care about? More land, more money?” William shook his head wearily. “I’m telling you right now, if you do anything to hurt Sarah or Rand, you won’t have this land or house.”
Wade stared at his father. “You’d cut me out of your will?”
“In a minute. Now get in the house until you
can get a civil tongue in your head.”
Wade shot a glance at Sarah, then swung his blistering gaze toward Rand before stomping into the house. He let the screen door slam shut behind him. Rachel sighed and followed him.
“Good for you, Papa.” Sarah slipped her small hand into his.
“Wade’s had it coming. I should never have let him get away with his arrogance for so long.” William took his hat off and rubbed his forehead. The confrontation had drained him. “Come in out of the rain, sweetheart. You and Rand can have the parlor. I’m just going to have a bite to eat and go to bed.” He shook Rand’s hand. “Stop by tomorrow and we’ll talk. I’m just as eager as Joel to hear the full story.” He walked into the house, his shoulders stooped.
Sarah watched her father stumble up the steps and into the house. An order from Pa wouldn’t stop Wade for long. Why did he hate Rand so? She shook her head. Ever since she could remember there had been antagonism between them. And Rand had tried. But every overture he’d made had been ignored or ridiculed.
She pushed the disturbing puzzle out of her mind and turned back to Rand. “Can we talk?”
“There’s nothing to say right now.” His tone was abrupt. “I still don’t know how I feel about you or anything else.” He took off his sopping hat and ran a weary hand through his wet hair.
“Campbell!” Ben’s hoarse growl interrupted them. Glowering, he raised his head from the back of the buckboard. “This isn’t over, Campbell. You’ll never have her. Never. You just remember that.” His head fell back against the floor of the buckboard as Labe slapped the reins against the horse’s flank, but Ben watched them until he was out of sight, a burning hatred in his eyes.
Sarah shivered. “I think he means it. Watch your back, Rand.”
“I can take care of myself. You’re soaked to the bone. You go on in now. Just give me some time.”
Sarah hesitated, her eyes searching his sober face. Time? How much time? But she left the questions unanswered and walked wearily up the porch steps, her wet skirt dragging in the mud. She turned to watch Rand and Jacob mount up and ride down the lane and around the curve. Didn’t he realize how much time they’d wasted already?
The next morning Rand woke disoriented. The familiar clanging of trays in the hallway and the squeak of nurses’ shoes scurrying was missing. Sunshine streamed in the window and illuminated suddenly familiar surroundings. The toy soldiers Grandpa had carved for him when he was five were lined up on a battered chest against the wall. His fingers stroked the brightly colored quilt, soft and faded with numerous washings. The rug on the unpainted wood floor was as threadbare as he remembered it.
He glanced at the space next to him. Jacob was nowhere to be seen, but there was that indentation on the pillow, a sight he’d seen hundreds of times and had thought he’d never see again.
He jumped out of bed, eager to get downstairs. He wouldn’t worry about anything today, he decided as he splashed cold water on his face. He was just going to enjoy being with his family again after three long years. No uniform either. He opened his closet, grabbed a pair of overalls and his favorite plaid shirt, and pulled them on. The pants hung around his waist, and they were too long, but they would have to do.
By the time he pulled on socks and boots, the aroma of coffee and ham filled the air and made his stomach rumble. The low murmur of voices quickened his steps as he hurried down the stairs.
His mother spun around as he stepped into the kitchen. “I was just coming to wake you. I fixed ham and eggs, grits, flapjacks, and coffee. I’ll have you fattened up in no time.” She gave him a quick, reassuring hug.
Rand grinned as he squeezed her, breathing in the faint fragrance of roses that clung to her. She wouldn’t be Ma without that scent. He remembered gathering wild roses every summer for her to make sachets for her bureau drawers. He dropped his arms as she bustled over to the cookstove, then offered him a plate piled high with food. His mouth watered as he took it from her and sat between Shane and Jacob.
Hannah came hurrying in as Rand took his first sip of strong, hot coffee. Her face brightened as she saw Rand shoveling another forkful of eggs into his mouth. “Now I am sure it’s really you.” She slipped into the chair opposite him. “The brother I remember is always eating.”
Rand, a wicked grin on his face, caught Jacob’s eye and gave a meaningful nod. “How come you’re still here, anyway, Sis? Thought you would have trapped yourself a husband by now.”
“Come on, Rand. Be realistic.” Jacob poked him with an elbow. “Who would have her? She has always been the ugliest Campbell.”
Rand stared at his sister. “Yeah, I forgot about that big nose of hers. And all that hair.”
“Not to mention her temper! Her tongue could cut a man to ribbons.” Jacob grinned at the rising color on Hannah’s face.
Rand knew they’d get a reaction when they hit on her sore spot. She was always moaning about her nose. Personally, Rand didn’t see anything wrong with it, but she seemed to think it didn’t match the pert ones described in her favorite novels.
She flushed a deep red, then burst into tears.
“Hey, I’m sorry, Sis.” Rand hadn’t expected this much of a reaction. He reached over and put an arm around her. “You know we were only teasing. I’ve always liked your nose.”
Hannah just cried harder. “It’s not that,” she finally sputtered as Rand handed her his bandanna. She drew a deep breath. “It’s just so wonderful to have you here, to see Jacob smile again, to hear your voice—” She stopped and gulped.
The dimples deepened in Rand’s cheeks as he stared at his sister. “It sure is good to be home. To be with you all again just like before this crazy war ever happened. You don’t know how anxious I was to get home. I was so scared when no one answered my letters.”
Their parents had been watching the exchange between their children with indulgent smiles, and Ma’s eyes welled with tears at Rand’s words. She dabbed at her eyes with a lace-edged hankie.
His dad cleared his throat gruffly. “You’re just in time to help with the farming too. It’s almost more than Shane and I can handle. I’ve tried to talk your brother into staying home, but he won’t listen. Now I’ll have some help come spring.”
Rand glanced at Jacob. Hadn’t he told them of Rand’s plans? He and his brother had lain awake for hours talking last night. He’d been hoping that by now Jacob would have broken the news to their father. His brother shook his head slightly.
Pa’s gaze traveled from one son to the other. “What is it?”
Rand hated to disappoint their father. “I-I won’t be able to stay long, Pa,” he stammered. “I’m in the Third Cavalry. I can stay for about a week, but then I have to report for duty.” He winced at the stricken look in his mother’s eyes. “I’ve been garrisoned at Fort Laramie. I still have two years to go of my service.”
“Not you too!” Hannah stood twisting her hands in her apron. “The Sioux have been rampaging for months out there. Isn’t it bad enough we’re losing Jacob?”
Jacob shrugged. “That’s why so many of us are being sent out West. And I’ve found out in the past couple of years how much I enjoy the cavalry. I’ve always wanted to see the frontier, so I don’t mind the assignment. Maybe I can find my own spread while I serve my country.”
“Rand, no.” His father rose to his feet. “Why do you think I’ve worked so hard on this farm? Always expanding, always looking for ways to make more money?” He put an arm around Ma. “It’s been for you! For you and your brothers. You can’t go! Surely the army would release you after all you’ve been through.”
His mother flinched as the words echoed in the warm kitchen. He stood and faced his father. “I don’t want to be re
leased. I’m a grown man, Pa. This is what I want.”
Ma laid a gentle hand on his arm. “Your pa is just concerned, Rand. Can’t you think about staying home now and letting us all begin to heal? You can raise horses right here on land that’s been in the Campbell family for twenty-five years instead of fighting Indians to gain a small piece of land in some godforsaken wilderness. You haven’t been with us for three years.”
His mother had always been able to change his mind in the past, and he fought against the soft persuasion in her voice. “I can’t, Ma.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I need to prove something to myself, to build my own dreams with my own sweat. I have to go.”
Pa took a long look at his son’s granite face, then left the room. Ma opened her mouth to try again, but one look at the firm set to Rand’s mouth changed her mind.
Always the peacemaker, Hannah cleared her throat and laughed self-consciously. “So, the calvary, huh? You’ve always had the magic touch with horses and cattle. When Ma was carrying Jacob, she asked you if you wanted a baby brother or sister. You looked up with those brown eyes of yours all serious and said, ‘If it’s all the same to you, Ma, I’d just as soon have a horse.’ ”
Laughter defused the tension as they heard the familiar story. Jacob punched Rand in the arm. “Yeah, and you’ve been treating me like a beast of burden ever since!”
When the laughter faded, Hannah looked at Rand and said softly, “You are taking Sarah, aren’t you?”
Rand looked away from her expectant face. “No.” It was all he could do to shake his head, to stick to his decision. “Not right now. I need some time to accept all that’s happened. I’ll keep in touch, and down the road, we’ll see if we can work things out.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Anyway, that area is no place for a woman. She’d soon get sick of being confined to the fort. You know how independent she is.”
“Jacob is taking Amelia. It must not be too dangerous.”