Rafe's Redemption Read online

  “Shane Pierson was my godson.” The sharp cut of liquor stung her nose. “A nd that bastard McBride walked away unpunished.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she cried.

  “Bullshit.” He slapped her again, then encircled her throat, cutting off air. “But I’m gonna get revenge for Shane and his brother. A nd I’m gonna enjoy it.” His free hand groped beneath her coat, ripped at the buttons on her trousers.

  “No,” she squeaked, unable to draw a full breath.

  Tears burned her eyes, and Rafe’s name burned in her throat. This couldn’t happen.

  Fight him!

  She pounded his head and shoulders, boxed his ears and stomped his toes. Nothing stopped his mauling. She needed a weapon. There had to be tools here. Something sharp, something heavy…dear God, anything.

  Reaching back, she flattened her palm along the splintered post and searched.

  A coil of rope, a small brush, an empty grain bag…

  Darkness swam around her. Don’t faint! She had to get away—and Rafe needed her.

  Curling her fingers, she gouged at Douglas’ eyes. His vile curse echoed through the barn, but his grip loosened, and she wheezed a shallow breath.

  “You bitch.” He drew back a fist.

  Maggie ducked and dropped to the floor. The thin edge of a shovel bit into her knee. Her tearful thanks covered her pain-filled curse as she grabbed the broken handle and sprang to her feet, swinging like a deranged woman. The dull thud of metal against bone shook her like the rumble of cannon fire.

  The major staggered, shock in his eyes, blood peppering his temple. He swiped at the slow trickle, smearing it across his forehead, then bared his teeth like an animal. “You’re gonna die for that.”

  “Get the hell away from her!” Rafe plowed through the door and tackled Douglas to the ground.

  Papers fluttered from Rafe’s hand, large square snowflakes drifting to the floor, serenity surrounding violence. The fractured sound of flesh hitting flesh filled the air, mixing with grunts, curses, and dust.

  Rafe wrenched the major up by the collar, then punched him once, twice, blow after blow, until the man’s head lolled on his neck and his eyes rolled back in his head.

  “Stop. You’ll kill him,” Maggie screamed across the room. Though the deviant deserved it, Rafe would be jailed or hanged.

  He froze mid-swing, then whirled, as if just remembering she watched from the corner. The major crumpled to a heap onto the floor, and Rafe bolted toward her. Her shovel clattered to the ground as he slid to a stop and pulled her into his arms, pressed her against his thundering chest.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.” The words breezed over her, his battered knuckles brushed back her hair, trailed her jaw. “I should have stayed with you, protected you.”

  She shook her head, unable to put words together.

  Hot tears streamed down her stinging face, and delayed panic roared through her head like a locomotive. She was lost. Drowning. Paralyzed. The major would have—He wanted to—

  A buzz replaced the roar. The room started to spin, her teeth chattered, and her knees buckled.

  “Maggie, please. Say something. Look at me!” Panic filled his eyes, and he held her tighter, wrapping her in his heat. The room stilled. Everything slowed until his words, his touch settled over her like a thick, warm quilt.

  “Rafe.” Her hands slid over his shoulders. Safe, finally safe.

  “Sweetheart, I—” He swallowed hard, his throat convulsing. “I’m so sorry I let you get hurt.” She cupped his whiskered face with both palms. His eyes glittered with unshed tears. He cried for her? But didn’t that mean…oh, Lord. Did Rafe care about her?

  “I won’t let anyone hurt you again. I swear.” He closed his eyes and laid his cheek aside hers, whispering kisses and apologies along her hairline. His arms tightened, and his lips brushed her ear. “Maggie, I—”

  “What the hell?” A hoarse voice sliced through the silence.

  Rafe reeled toward the door, tucking Maggie behind him. She tried to peek around his body, but he sidestepped protectively. In one flick of his wrist, he pointed his pistol at the intruder.

  “Step inside real slow,” Rafe ordered. “Or you’re dead.”

  Chapter Six

  “By God, you ain’t gonna shoot me in my own barn.” Myrna stomped inside, double-barrel shotgun aimed and steady. She looked even wilder in the morning light, her greasy hair sticking out from her hat in several directions, a cud of tobacco filling her cheek. The horses stomped and shuffled, stirring up dust around the stalls.

  Rafe lowered his weapon, but his heart thumped until he thought it would explode. What if it had been one of the soldiers? Damn it, he and Maggie had to get out of town!

  “Ma’am, I can explain.” He’d better do some fast talking before she started screaming.

  “Just hold up on your explaining, handsome.” She flipped the gun over her thin shoulder, then walked to the major and nudged him with the toe of her boot. Her dark eyes narrowed, and she peered around Rafe to stare at Maggie. “Who beat you?”

  “Him.” Maggie pointed to Douglas’ prone form.

  “Rotten bastard.” Myrna drew back and kicked the major’s ribs. His low groan filled the room. “Too bad he ain’t dead. I can’t tolerate a man who hurts women. My second husband hit me once. But just once.” Her grim words hung in the air like smoke.

  Rafe nodded. He’d found an ally. God must like him today. “We need to get out of here before the soldiers start searching for the major.”

  “We’ll hide him.” Myrna propped her gun against the wall and grabbed the man under the armpits. “Let’s put him in with Satan. We can say the major got drunk and passed out. With any luck, the horse will stomp all over him.” She cackled with laughter, then spit a wad of tobacco onto the ground. “Well, come on, grab his ankles.”

  Rafe bent and hefted the major over his shoulder.

  “I’ll move him. Can you get Moses and bring my tack?”

  “A ll right. The major’s horse is the black by himself.” She nodded on her way toward Moses.

  Rafe dumped the unconscious man inside the stall and turned to Maggie. Her eyes looked glassy, absent, like a young soldier after seeing his first battle. He wished he could take her into his arms and carry her someplace safe and warm, someplace with a big copper bathtub and a soft four-poster bed.

  A ll he could offer was twelve hours in the snow on horseback.

  “Sweetheart, we’re going to leave soon, all right?” Rafe squeezed her hand until she looked at him. “I just have to saddle Moses.”

  Maggie nodded, but didn’t speak. He felt her slipping away, back to the place she’d been a few moments ago when her eyes had been wild and vacant.

  “What are these papers on the ground?” Myrna led the horse from the stall.

  “They’re mine.” Rafe glanced to where Maggie stared at nothing. “They’re for…my wife.” He plucked the sheets from the floor and blew free the dust and hay, watching for her reaction.

  “For me?” Maggie’s gaze snapped from the wall to Rafe.

  He nodded, relieved she was talking. “So you can draw once we get home. A surprise.” A stupid, miscalculated surprise. One that almost cost Maggie her life.

  She wobbled toward him, an unreadable expression haunted her eyes. Sadness? Confusion? Hate? She had every right.

  “Where did you get them?” She reached for the stack.

  “I paid the hotel clerk to find paper and some pencils.”

  “That’s why you…”

  He knew she wouldn’t finish the sentence—she was too kind—but the accusation hung between them all the same. That’s why you left me.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Her hand skimmed his, brushing his raw knuckles, but he pulled away. He didn’t deserve her thanks.

  “Let’s go.” He turned, threw the saddle onto Moses and tightened the cinch.

  Myrna buckled the
bridle, then pointed a finger at Rafe. “I never saw you, hear? The major was snoring in the stall when I opened the barn.”

  “Thank you.” Rafe slipped an extra dollar into her hand.

  “You make sure and keep your wife close.”

  “I will.” Nothing else was going to happen. He’d die before he let another man hurt her.

  He swung into the saddle, then settled Maggie in front. Myrna cracked the door open and poked her head outside. A fter looking both ways, she waved Rafe forward.

  He wrapped both arms around Maggie and pressed his heels to Moses’ belly. They darted behind the buildings and climbed out of town, disappearing into the trees.

  She snuggled against him, and his arms tightened—

  along with his heart. He didn’t want to think about what that feeling meant or where the feeling would lead.

  The devil was behind him, and he had to ride like hell.

  ****

  Moses covered the last few miles as if he knew the urgency of their trip. The afternoon clouds had opened, and now heavy snow fell like rain, with large flakes that stuck to their coats and trousers. Rafe hated to expose Maggie to another blizzard, but there was no time to stop. When the major woke, he’d be out for blood. If Rafe was caught, Little Owl’s chance for escape would vanish.

  A rching his back against the wind, he tugged down his hat and tucked Maggie closer against his body. Her dreamful whimpers tormented him. He fisted the reins until his scabbed knuckles cracked. She shivered. Damn it! How much farther? Rafe stopped and squinted through the flakes.

  “A re we there?” Maggie straightened in his arms and glanced over her shoulder.

  The purple marks on her cheek boiled his blood and locked his jaw. He should have killed the major. But the thought of one more death on his hands churned his gut.

  “Rafe? A re we almost to Cecil’s?”

  “Just about.” He pulled her closer, needing to feel her, needing to know she was safe as he legged Moses forward. They sidestepped down a small hill, sliding the last few feet. Maggie gasped, her fingers biting into Rafe’s thigh.

  “Easy, sweetheart. We’re fine. Moses won’t fail.” He’s not me. He’s never killed a man or disgraced his family.

  Finally the row of pines, bowed with snow, came into view. Rafe guided Moses beneath the limbs and stopped in front of the mine tunnel. The cabin door cracked open and a rifle barrel poked from the slit.

  “State your business.” Cecil’s gruff voice sounded miles away.

  “It’s McBride.” Rafe jumped from the saddle and lifted Maggie down.

  Little Owl’s squeal pierced the night. The door flew open, and she pushed past Cecil to hug Maggie. “I knew you would not leave.” Her dark braids swung in time with her enthusiastic words. “Come in. Hurry. Get warm. You also, McBride.” She tugged them inside. “Sit. I will make coffee.”

  Rafe hesitated, anxious to talk to Cecil, unsure of how much to say in front of Little Owl.

  “Was the pass already closed?” Cecil leaned the rifle behind the door, his brows raised in question.

  “No, we ran into some trouble—”

  “Your face!” Little Owl dropped the cup she held and dragged the lantern across the table to peer at Maggie’s jaw. “What happen? McBride not…” She glared over her shoulder.

  “No! He’s not that kind of man!” Maggie’s fierce denial surprised him.

  “There were soldiers in Lesterville,” Rafe explained.

  “A nd you and Cecil have to hide.” Maggie jumped from the table, grabbed a blanket and stuffed it into a crate. “You have to pack. They’re riding this way.” Little Owl paled. “Cecil…” Her eyes filled with tears, and she buried her face into her hands.

  “Tell me.” Cecil pulled Rafe aside as Maggie consoled Little Owl. “Is it bad?”

  Rafe pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s worse.”

  ****

  Rafe slid one last rotten post across the opening, closing off the western tunnel from the main shaft. “A ll finished. That should hold them.”

  “A re you sure this will fool the soldiers?” Doubt creased Maggie’s brow.

  “Would you go into a mine marked ‘poisonous gas’?”

  “Well, no. But…” She chewed her lip as she peered between the boards.

  “Once Cecil rakes our footprints from the entrance, the mine will appear deserted.” He brushed dirt from his hands and grasped her shoulders. “Trust me. Major Douglas will search the cabin—maybe send a few men inside the mine. But none of them will venture down this far. Those men just survived four years of war. They won’t be anxious to asphyxiate in here.”

  “I suppose.” She frowned and bit her bottom lip again until it was as red as a strawberry.

  Need rolled through him. He wanted to kiss away the marks she left, caress the worry from her face. Wanted the graze of her teeth on his cock, wanted her mouth to surround the head. He’d love to run her a hot soaking bath, wash her body until she was happy and relaxed.

  Then he’d make love to her slowly and show her how proud he was of the decision she’d made to return.

  Everything he’d assumed the day they met was wrong.

  She was the strongest, most unselfish woman he’d ever known, the kind of woman he’d be proud to call his own.

  If only things were different.

  Gravel crunched as Cecil squatted on the other side of the boards. “I’ll meet you inside once I cover our prints.”

  Rafe nodded, clasped Maggie’s elbow, then wound his way down the tunnel. Rust-covered rail tracks lay dislodged in places and made for treacherous walking.

  The small lantern threw long shadows along the crumbling dirt walls as they shuffled along, and the mournful wind howled its way through the mine.

  A quarter mile down, the shaft opened into a large cave where they had made camp. A high domed ceiling let the smoke from Little Owl’s cook fire dissipate, hiding any sign of their presence.

  Maggie pulled free of Rafe’s hold and walked to the fire. He felt her absence immediately. She knelt beside the flicking flame, the low light darkening the bruises on her pale skin, exaggerating her forlorn expression. Did she regret coming back? Or did the memory of this morning’s attack haunt her?

  He moved behind her, aching to hold her close, needing to know she was all right. Needing to know she didn’t hate him. She turned, her sad gaze skated over him, then back to fire.

  “Little Owl is already asleep.” She nodded toward a dark area in the back of the cave.

  “You need rest, too.” He tilted her chin until he could look into her eyes. “Maggie—”

  “Whew! It’s a full-blown blizzard out there.” Cecil strode from another tunnel, brushing snow and ice from his coat. “I replaced the vines and shrubs in front of the secret entrance so we’re safe for tonight.” He looked around. “Where’s Owl?”

  “She went to bed.”

  “Then that’s where I’m going.” He stopped beside the fire and stuck out his hand to Rafe. “I can’t thank you enough, my friend. A nd you, Maggie.” He reached for her. “I know what you gave up to warn us. Thank you.” Maggie smiled, accepting the awkward hug Cecil gave. The sight of her in another man’s arms, even Cecil’s, triggered a jealous burn in Rafe’s stomach. Damn, when had his feelings gotten so out of hand?

  “If you hear anything, wake me.” Cecil checked his rifle.

  “I will. Don’t worry.” Rafe would stay awake all night.

  Cecil nodded, then extinguished his lantern and tiptoed to Little Owl. Rafe squatted and fed more wood into the fire. Maggie watched, her gaze lost, as if silently asking for something. But what? Hell, he didn’t know a thing about comforting women.

  “Why don’t you sleep?” He grabbed two blankets from a crate and spread them beside the fire. “I want you to take both of these so you’ll stay warm.”

  “No.”

  He sighed. “Maggie, don’t argue tonight.” Her eyes filled with tears, but she swiped them away,
then knelt on the blankets and tugged him to his knees.

  She looked up at him, pain, fear, need in her watery gaze. His entire body ached to hold her, wrap her in safety and never let her go. But after all that happened, being mauled was probably the last thing she wanted.

  “Don’t cry, sweetheart.” Her tears ripped him apart.

  He caught one droplet on the end of his finger. “Tell me what to do.”

  She swallowed hard. “Hold me. Please. I need you.” His heart skittered to a stop. Relief that she wasn’t angry warred with the desire that her innocent words conjured. A nd the request was just that. Innocent. She couldn’t know the thought of sleeping together stiffened his cock to near bursting. A nd the kind of man she deserved would be able to control himself. Even if it killed him.

  If he said no, Maggie was going to fall apart.

  A dmitting fear humiliated her, but every shadow looked like the major, every noise sounded like footsteps marching down the tunnel. Rafe was the only one who could make all that go away.

  “Of course I’ll hold you.” He stretched out on the thick wool, then pulled her into his arms, smothering the fear, sharing his courage, filling her with his strength.

  “You’re safe, sweetheart.” His warms hands stroked her back. “A nything you need, I’m here. I’ll take care of you.”

  “I—I k-know,” she sobbed. Stupid tears rolled down her cheeks, soaking his shirt. A ll day she had pushed the major from her mind, knowing this would be the result.

  “Do you?” he whispered over her hair. “Do you know how bad I feel for letting you get hurt?” He scattered kisses across her forehead, over her cheek, kisses so softly sensual they brought more tears to her eyes.

  “B-but you saved me.”

  “Why do you insist on defending me?” His hand slipped to her neck, and his gaze fell to the ugly choke marks. “I don’t understand. You should hate me.” She frowned. “I’ll never hate you. You’re the finest man I’ve ever known.” The only man I’ve ever been able to depend on.

  Their lips were a breath apart. She blinked.