Whispering Pines Page 14

  “Have you seen Joseph?” Morgan asked.

  “Yes. As a matter of fact, he came to look at the sheriff’s wound,” Granny replied.

  “You mean he actually rode into town?” Morgan knew Joseph liked Jack, but he didn’t normally go into town for any reason.

  “Yes. I asked the deputy to go get him, and when he arrived at your ranch, Joseph was waiting for him.”

  That didn’t surprise Morgan. Joseph had a sixth sense that no one could explain. “I guess that hard head of his suffered no permanent damage.”

  “No, he’s fine.”

  “Granny, how’s Stevie? You’ve said very little about him in your letters,” Rose asked.

  Granny wasn’t sure how to respond, but she supposed it was time for truthfulness. “Stevie told me he’s not going to stay on the farm. He says he hates farm work.”

  “What does he plan on doing?” Rose asked.

  “You’ll have to ask him.” Granny wasn’t going to bring up Frank’s name, at least not for a while.

  Morgan pulled in front of the house, and was surprised by the condition of the farm. He figured his men had had little time to come over and help her since he’d been gone. But he didn’t comment as he climbed out of the buckboard and helped the women to the ground.

  Granny opened the door and invited Morgan inside.

  Morgan grabbed Rose’s valises from the buckboard. “I’ll carry these inside, but I need to get to the ranch.”

  He set the valises inside the front door and looked at Rose. “Take care of those ribs. It’ll take a few more days for them to heal properly.”

  “Thank you for everything, Mr. LeMasters,” Rose said.

  Granny glanced from Rose to Morgan. Something was definitely going on there. “Rose, go on and sit down. I’ll see Morgan out.”

  Rose had the feeling Granny wanted to speak to Morgan alone, so she said good-bye to him.

  Morgan tipped his hat and walked out the door with Granny.

  “Why don’t you go ahead and tell me what happened?” Granny asked as soon as they reached the buckboard.

  “I’m sure Jack told you Frank got away,” Morgan said.

  Granny stared up at him. “What I want to know is how he slipped through your fingers, Morgan. You aren’t a careless man, and I think there is more to this story than anyone is telling.”

  “Your granddaughter was on the stagecoach when they happened on us as we were about to hang Frank. You have her to thank for keeping Frank alive a while longer.” Morgan wasn’t angry about his decision not to hang Frank in front of Rose. He’d made it, and he would have kept his word to take Frank to jail and let a judge deal with him. But it wouldn’t happen the next time.

  “God works in strange ways,” Granny said softly.

  Morgan looked at her. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Of all the people to place in your path to keep you from seeking your vengeance, don’t you wonder why it was Rose?”

  Morgan shook his head. “Granny, you call it vengeance, I call it justice.” He took a deep breath and softened his tone. “We’ve been over this. Why don’t we agree to disagree? It was a coincidence Rose was on that stagecoach.”

  Placing her bony fingers on Morgan’s forearm, she said, “I might understand your feelings if you’d tell me what happened between you and Frank years ago.”

  “Frank can tell you,” Morgan said. He didn’t want to talk about that day on his ranch. To this day, every time he thought of it, he wanted to kill Frank.

  “You’re a good man, Morgan. But you’ve got to let some things go, or they’ll eat you alive and keep you from true happiness. You recall the Bible says vengeance is the Lord’s and He will repay.”

  “I won’t let this go, Granny. You remember the verse, ‘an eye for an eye.’” Morgan had never given much thought as to whether he was a happy man or not. He was too busy working to worry about such things. “Maybe true happiness isn’t for everyone.”

  “You don’t believe that, Morgan. What about Rose?”

  Morgan arched his brow at her. “What about Rose?”

  “I saw how you two were looking at each other. I’m not so old that I can’t see that glimmer in your eye when you look at her. I’ve always thought you two would make a fine match.”

  Morgan wished it were as easy as Granny made it sound. “Rose is a lovely young woman, but like I said, I won’t let this go with Frank. Rose loves her brother, and she would never forgive me for what I will do when I find him.” Morgan had a question of his own. “Why is it she doesn’t seem to know anything about Frank? She seems to look at him through a child’s eyes. I’ve been wondering why you haven’t told her the truth about him.”

  Granny had often alluded to Frank’s darker side, but she’d never told her granddaughters the unvarnished truth about the evil that resided inside Frank’s heart. Maybe she’d hoped her prayers would get the Lord’s attention and He’d put Frank on the right path. She finally figured the Lord needed Frank’s cooperation, and that was one thing Frank would not relinquish. “I didn’t know how to tell her the truth. The girls were crazy about Frank, particularly Rose. She worshipped the ground he walked on. I just didn’t have it in me to break her heart.”

  Morgan heard the sadness in her words. He was in no position to pass judgment on Granny’s decision. He hadn’t told Rose about Frank threatening her life when she was unconscious. He didn’t want to hurt Rose if he could avoid it. He understood the reason Granny didn’t tell her the truth. “I’m sure she will find out soon enough.”

  “Sadly, I’m sure she will.”

  They were silent for a minute, then Granny said, “Since you’re going back to see Jack tomorrow, why don’t you stop for dinner on your way home?”

  Morgan accepted her offer, and as Granny walked inside the house, she started formulating a plan. She might not be able to help Frank, but she would make sure he didn’t ruin Rose’s chance for happiness. She found Rose in the room she’d shared with her sisters, unpacking her clothing. “You should have waited for me to carry your valise.”

  “It’s not heavy, and I am feeling much better. You don’t need to worry about me.”

  Granny took the dress Rose was holding. “Now sit down and rest. I will put your things away.”

  Rose took hold of Granny’s hand. “I’m not tired. Sit with me a moment so we can chat.” Rose had noticed the sad state of the farm as soon as they rode in. Granny had always had a huge garden, but now it wasn’t even a quarter of its normal size. “Granny, hasn’t Stevie been helping at all on the farm?”

  Granny hated to give Rose depressing news on her first day home, but it couldn’t be helped. She didn’t know if Stevie had left again, or if he would be home later. “I guess you know what Frank has been doing since you were about to see him hang. He doesn’t come around much. And Stevie . . . well, he hasn’t been around much over the last year either. He leaves all the time, and won’t tell me where he is going. I never know when he will return. When he is here, he doesn’t do anything but sleep and eat.”

  “Granny, is it true what Mr. LeMasters says about Frankie?”

  Seeing the hope in her eyes, Granny hated to reveal the truth about her brother, but there was no way around it. “Yes. Frank and his men have been rustling cattle from Morgan for a long time. Oh, no one could prove it was Frank before, but everyone knew it was him. This last time, Frank made a big mistake. Joseph Longbow saw them and Frank shot him. Thankfully, he just grazed Joseph’s head.”

  “Are you sure it was Frankie?” Rose realized she questioned everyone’s word when it came to her brother.

  Granny squeezed her hand. “Yes, honey, it was Frank. I’m not sure all he’s done is rustle cattle. Frank’s always got money, and Lord knows he’s never worked for it.”

  Rose’s worst fears were confirmed. Deep down she knew Morgan had told her the truth about her brother. Tears streamed over her cheeks. “Granny, what are we going to do?”

  “I’ve
tried everything I know to get Frank to listen to reason, but he refuses. Now, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do.”

  Rose looked at her expectantly. “What? Morgan is determined to hang Frank. He told me as much.”

  “I know. But we can’t continue to worry about Frank, and what might happen. His fate is in the hands of the Lord. What we can do, and what we will do, is make sure he doesn’t keep you from your happiness.”

  Rose was puzzled by her response. “What do you mean?”

  “Why don’t you tell me what happened in Kansas?”

  Rose told her about everything that happened, leaving out the part where Morgan kissed her.

  “So you were unconscious when Frank left?” Granny asked.

  “Yes.”

  Granny was furious at Frank for leaving Rose without knowing if she would even survive her injuries. She thanked God for Morgan LeMasters. “So Morgan looked after you the entire time instead of going after Frank when he had the chance?”

  “Yes. He was very good to me. After what you’ve told me about Frank, it’s hard to believe Morgan treated me so well. He had every reason to leave me there. I was hoping he was wrong about Frankie.”

  Granny smiled at her. “Are you in love with Morgan because he was kind and took care of you, or do you love him because he is a good man?”

  Expelling a loud breath, tears welled in her eyes again. “Oh, Granny.” She wasn’t surprised Granny saw right to the core of the problem. “I think I love him because he is a good man. But I can’t turn my back on Frankie.”

  “Frank is not allowed to ruin your happiness. That’s where I draw the line.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Joseph Longbow was leading horses from the stable when Morgan reined in at the ranch. Morgan jumped down from the buckboard and took Faithful’s reins from him. “How are you, Joseph?”

  “I am well. You’ve been gone a long time.”

  “Yes, I’m glad to be home. I’m sure Murph told you Frank Langtry is still on the loose.”

  “He will be back,” Joseph said.

  Morgan’s expression grew grim. “Probably. I want you to be alert at all times. Don’t give him another chance to take a shot at that hard head of yours.”

  “His aim is not true,” Joseph said.

  “That may be, but don’t give him another opportunity to improve. They may be hiding out at Purgatory Canyon. Do you know the place?”

  “I have been there many times.”

  “Can you draw me a map?”

  “It is not a place for a man alone,” Joseph told him. “He will come to you if you wait.”

  “I’m not sure I can wait. Frank was willing to kill his own sister to escape.” Morgan explained the situation after the stagecoach accident, and Frank’s indifference to Rose’s condition.

  “It will not go well on his next journey,” Joseph said.

  Morgan figured Joseph was speaking of Frank’s journey in the hereafter. “He’s a danger to all of those who get in his way, especially his family. I need to find him first, and if that’s in Purgatory Canyon, then I’m going.”

  The two men discussed the drawbacks of entering the canyon. Joseph disagreed with Morgan’s plans, but having been with him a long time, he understood his determination when he set his mind to a goal. Joseph owed Morgan his life, and he’d remained his steadfast friend. Joseph had been shot by a soldier when he was out hunting, and he’d ended up in the pines, where Morgan found him. Morgan had cared for him, and he’d lived on his ranch since that day. He didn’t want his friend to ride into a trap in Purgatory Canyon. “I will ride with you.”

  Morgan shook his head. “No way. I can’t even believe you rode into town. It’s not safe now for you to be away from the ranch. If soldiers see you, they may shoot first and ask questions later. After what happened at Little Bighorn, no one is going to listen to reason. All sides have dug in their heels.”

  “I was not there,” Joseph said.

  “That will make little difference to some.”

  * * *

  The next morning, Morgan drove the buckboard back to town, and stopped to visit with Jack to discuss his plans. They could speak freely without Granny and Rose present. Even though Granny knew of Frank’s outlaw ways, Jack worried that she might accidentally let something slip in front of Stevie about their plans to capture his brother.

  “Joseph hasn’t been to Purgatory Canyon in years, but he told me as much as he remembers. Tell me how you rode in.”

  Jack took a piece of paper and drew their route the day he was shot. “Morgan, you can’t go in there alone. If Frank is hiding out there, you can be assured he knows the area like the back of his hand. Even if you know where you’re going, I think it’s almost impossible not to be seen.”

  Morgan stood and started pacing the room. “I’ll get in. I’m going to find Frank. He’s not going to get away with what he’s done this time.”

  Jack watched Morgan pace the room for a few minutes. Morgan seemed edgy, and that was out of character for him. Ordinarily, he was cool and calm even in the midst of the most challenging circumstances. He had a feeling something other than finding Frank was on his mind. “Murph told me Frank threatened his sister’s life, and that was how he got away.”

  Morgan stopped moving, faced Jack and shook his head. “He actually pointed a gun to her head and said he would shoot her if I didn’t drop my gun. Can you believe that sorry . . .” He didn’t finish his thought, he just shook his head. It was still difficult for him to believe the depth of Frank’s cold-heartedness.

  “You think he would have done it, or was he bluffing?”

  “He wouldn’t have hesitated. I could see it in his eyes.” He’d seen that look in Frank’s cold eyes once before.

  Jack gave a low whistle. “That’s one callous man. What did Rose say?”

  “She was unconscious at the time. I didn’t tell her, and I told the men not to tell her. Even Deke Sullivan and Dutch Malloy didn’t agree with Frank. I’m sure Deke let our horses go so we could get her to a doctor. I’ll tell the judge what he did, so he may not hang. I was willing to bring Frank in to stand trial, but not now. Not only did he shoot Joseph, who’s done nothing more than try to help Frank through the years, but he threatened to kill his own sister after she’d just saved him from hanging. Frank’s a dead man.”

  “Don’t you think Rose has a right to know what he did?” Jack thought if a family member had threatened him, he’d want to know.

  Morgan started pacing again. “She’s crazy about Frank. I don’t think she believed one word when I told her he’d rustled my cattle.” He ran a hand over his face. “I just didn’t want to hurt her when I wasn’t even sure she was going to make it. She looked pretty bad the first few days.”

  There was something about Morgan’s expression when he talked about Rose that made Jack think he had more than a passing interest in her.

  “She sure is a beautiful woman, and sweet too.”

  Morgan nodded. That was the problem. Rose was too beautiful and too sweet. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. Maybe he wanted to go after Frank right away and get it over with so he would stop thinking about her. Rose would never speak to him again once he killed Frank. The way he saw it, there was no reason to delay the inevitable. But why did he accept Granny’s invitation to dinner tonight if he wanted to push Rose away? He could easily avoid her if that was what he really wanted. Who was he kidding?

  “You two spent a lot of time together,” Jack commented.

  Morgan heard Jack speak, but he wasn’t paying attention. “Huh?”

  When Morgan glanced at him, Jack raised a brow. “I said you two spent a lot of time together.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, how did you two get along?”

  “Fine.”

  “You couldn’t keep your eyes off her yesterday,” Jack said.

  Morgan shrugged. He sat back down in the chair across from Jack. “I seem to recall you gawking at her a time or
two.”

  “What man wouldn’t?”

  Morgan conceded that point. But that didn’t mean he liked it, or would ever get used to men staring at her if she was his wife. “Yeah, when she marries, her husband will have his hands full keeping the men away.”

  “Since you don’t seem too interested, I guess you wouldn’t mind if another man courted her.”

  Morgan glared at him. “Another man—meaning—you?” Jack wasn’t the only man who would be chasing after Rose. The wonderful pastor came to mind.

  Jack grinned. “Yeah.”

  Morgan found himself getting riled. “I didn’t say I wasn’t interested.”

  “Are you—interested?”

  “You serious about courting her?” Morgan countered.

  “I could be,” Jack said, still smiling from ear to ear. “But I’d want to know your intentions. After all, you two already spent a lot of time together.”

  Morgan gave him a look like he thought he was the dumbest son-of-a-buck alive. “I’m going to hang her brother, Jack.”

  “Yeah, there is that.” Jack couldn’t stop grinning. “I guess that’s not the perfect way to start a relationship.”

  Despite the situation, Morgan let out a chuckle.

  “Of course, you could wait for me to be able to ride, and I’ll hang him, so you could pin it on me.”