Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
A fter he awoke, Sampson lay still with his eyes closed the next morning, taking inventory of his body. The vestiges of sleep still clung to him, but the ache in his left arm, up near the shoulder, wouldn’t let him fall back to sleep.
The rest of his body didn’t ache nearly as much as it had last night. Maybe he could finally get out of bed without his head splitting. Dinah had said his only broken bones were the arm and a couple ribs.
He opened his eyes, and for the first time since this whole debacle happened, he could actually see a slit of light through the lashes of both. Thank the Lord. The swelling must be lessening. Finally.
For a long minute, he gave his body time to come alive, letting his mind wander back to when he awoke that first morning, shivering under the furs and shelter Two Stones had made for him.
He could remember so much clearer now than in those first minutes. Driving the wagon out of Missoula with Jedidiah riding ahead on his horse. Sampson had hated being gone from Grace all day. And he’d wondered why they were headed east instead of west, to where Jedidiah had him park the blasting powder.
After hours and when darkness had nearly fallen, the man led them off the main road.
The feeling that something wasn’t right pressed hard in Sampson’s chest. He’d worried about…having a place to turn the wagon around. The path they traveled wasn’t a regularly traveled trail, much less a road.
This was more than he’d been able to remember before, but he did his best not to think about that. Not to let his pulse pick up or strain for more. He just let himself rest there, driving through the shadowy woods. Jedidiah’s horse ahead of the team.
There had been lights. One glowing that became two. Or…more?
Men.
He remembered the men approaching Jedidiah. Their boss getting off his horse. Standing by the fire. He couldn’t hear what they said.
After that, he’d been talking to Jedidiah himself by a fire. Near the stewpot. Something about blasting powder. The mine. Darkness. Maybe because it had been dark at the time?
He could feel the fear in his chest. The realization that what was going to happen would be awful. He had to stop it.
Even now, his heartbeat pounded, and his breath came in shallow gasps. A fear this real… Jedidiah must have been planning to come for their ranch. Right? All those men. They must have been part of it. Joe. And Albert. He could see their faces. See the man with the coonskin cap talking to Jedidiah.
He had to warn his brothers. If Jedidiah was coming for the ranch, he could arrive any time. They had to be ready.
He pushed up to sitting, forcing away the searing in his ribs. The scent of coffee and bacon drifted from the main room, so maybe the men were still here.
After placing his stockinged feet on the floor, he wrapped his good hand around his ribs and stood. Every muscle protested, some even screaming at him. He held onto the post at the foot of the bed and let himself breathe through the dizziness and pain that threatened to send him right back down.
At last, the room steadied enough for him to let go and shift toward the door. He reached for the handle, and when he took hold, he let himself stop and gather his wits once more.
Then he pulled it open and stepped from the chamber.
His family sat around the table, and all turned to look at him. His focus blurred at a distance, and he couldn’t make out individual features.
Dinah’s voice sounded first. "Sampson, you shouldn't get out of bed." That must be her moving toward him, a blur coming from the kitchen.
He gripped the doorframe, steadying himself. "I remember." His voice came out in a rasp, but he knew from experience clearing his throat would feel like a gunshot in his skull. "I remember what happened."
Dinah reached his side, her hand grasping his elbow. "You need to rest."
Others had risen from the table and were coming toward him.
He shook his head, regretting the action as pain lanced through his head. "It’s Jedidiah.” He sucked in a breath, hating his weakness. “He's planning something. An attack on the ranch."
Jericho stopped in front of him and looked like he wanted to reach out. Before he could do, though, another figure, smaller, slipped around him.
Grace.
She didn’t hesitate to step close, and Dinah released his elbow as Grace eased herself under his good arm. She fit perfectly there. Small and warm. Just the right height to steady him. He released the door frame and settled his hand on her shoulder.
“Let’s sit by the fire.” Her voice was gentle. Soft enough to be just for him. “There’s room for everyone to listen.”
He let her lead him. Let her lower him into the armchair with the tallest back.
When his body sagged into the seat, he rested his head and released a breath. This felt much more manageable than gripping the doorway to keep from swooning.
“Now.” Jericho’s deep timbre gentled. “Tell us everything you remember."
Most of his brothers had gathered around. Only Jude was missing. He must still be at his cabin down the mountain.
Not even his brothers had scared Grace away though. She perched in the ladderback chair beside him. Close, but not touching.
He needed contact with her. He reached for her hand, and she turned her wrist so their palms met. He wrapped his fingers around hers. A lifeline.
The connection refilled his strength, and he drew in a breath to face his brothers. "I was driving a wagon full of supplies behind Jedidiah. He took me to a camp, deep in the woods between here and Missoula. A bunch of hired men were staying there, rough types.” He searched for what else he could remember. “They said something about blasting powder."
"Blasting powder?" Jonah asked sharply, exchanging a look with Jericho. "What would they do with that?"
His brother’s question unlocked a memory. “I delivered it.”
“What?” Jericho’s voice turned sharper.
“The day before. He had me take a wagon of blasting powder out and park it two hours west of Missoula. I thought he was planning a new mine there. But that night I heard him talking to another man. They mentioned blasting powder, and I think my delivery was to throw me off.” That sounded just like something Jedidiah would do.
He paused to catch his breath, the pain in his ribs flaring. Grace's fingers tightened around his, lending an extra dose of strength.
“You think the blasting powder is for our mine?” Gil asked.
Another memory surfaced, and he strained to pull it up fully. “I think…they said something about leaving out at first light. Then attacking after dark.” He couldn’t recall the exact words. Just that general idea.
And thinking so much made his head pound again. He pressed his eyes closed. When the pounding lessened, he opened them.
Jericho's expression had turned grim, his brows lowering. "If they were leaving at first light the next morning, they would have been here two days ago. They would have already attacked.”
Two days… Had he been here that long?
“Think the reason they’re waiting is the same as why they beat Sam to a bloody mess?” Miles sent him a wary look.
Jonah eyed Sampson. “Why did they beat you? Do you recall the details?”
He let his eyes close as he focused on the scenes in his mind. “The last thing I remember was talking to Jedidiah. Near the stewpot. I was trying to get him to focus on another mine instead of ours.” Had he convinced the man? He remembered feeling he might be succeeding in the distraction. “I don’t…know.”
No other details would come. No words Jedidiah might have said. No memory of the attack. Nothing. His memories just went dark.
He sighed and opened his eyes. “That’s the last thing I know for sure. From what I’ve seen of Jedidiah, my guess is he suspected my loyalties might be divided and chose to cut me from the group.” All those months he’d exhausted himself to gain the man’s trust…gone in a single conversation.
Jericho spoke again. “Do you think they meant first light the next morning and either chose to delay or were forced to by something? Or do you think they were planning first light of a future day?”
Sampson searched for the memory. "I…I can't be certain. It's all hazy. But I have a sense it was the next morning they planned to head out. Which means something delayed them."
"Maybe gathering more men and weapons took longer than expected." Jericho scrubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Or that snow slowed their progress."
He dropped his hand and turned to Jonah, his gaze taking in Miles and Gil too. “We don’t have much time. One of us needs to let Eric know what’s happening. And someone should ride for Two Stones, and stop at Jude’s on the way. This is probably the time we need to gather the Salish braves he said would come if we needed more manpower against McPharland.”
Miles nodded. “I can ride for Jude and Two Stones.”
Patsy’s voice sounded from behind. “I’ll go tell Eric and Naomi. They might need help bringing the children here.”
"Good.” Jericho nodded. "Best head out now.”
When the two had bundled up and slipped out the door, Jericho turned back to Sampson. “Any idea how much blasting powder?"
"At least twenty crates.”
Gil let out a low whistle. “That’d blow a decent sized hole in this mountain.”
A heavy quiet settled, broken when Jonah spoke. “A couple of us should go see where they are. It makes sense that the snow blocked the trail for a wagon, but they might be moving it a different way now.”
“We might be able to disable the powder too,” Sampson added. He had to be part of that scouting group, but he had a feeling they’d try to keep him here. Easing the idea into the conversation might help.
“Yes, we might.” Jericho gave him a pointed look, heading off what he must’ve guessed Sampson was getting at. “But you’ll be staying right here where you can heal.”
Not a chance. He had to go. This was his problem to fix. Not even Jericho with all his eldest-brother-in-charge glares could stop him.
He tightened his grip on Grace's hand and met Jericho's gaze squarely. "I'm the only one who knows where their camp is. My memories of the place could be crucial. And I know how Jedidiah works. You need me out there."
Jericho's jaw tightened. "You're in no condition to be traipsing through the mountains, little brother. You can barely ride, much less fight, if it comes to that."
"I don't have to fight. I just have to show you where to go." He held his brother's gaze, willing him to understand. "This is my responsibility. I'm the one who brought this danger to our family."
Jericho stared at him for a long moment, conflict warring in his eyes. Then he lifted his gaze to something—or someone—behind Sampson. Maybe Dinah.
At last, he released a heavy breath, and frustration narrowed his gaze. "Fine. But Dinah will tell you what you can and can’t do on the ride, and you’ll follow her orders to the smallest bandage.”
Sampson might have chuckled if it didn’t hurt so much. Even when he was giving in, Jericho just couldn’t let go of control. Dinah had a good head on her shoulders. She would be smart about what she required. “Yes, sir.”
A snort sounded from one of his brothers.
A glimmer of humor flashed in Jericho’s gaze, but then fled as he turned to Jonah and Gil, probably trying to decide who else should go.
Gil spoke in a firm voice. “I’ll stay at the ranch and keep watch.”
“I guess I’ll ride along with you.” Jonah slid a half grin toward Sampson. “In case you need an extra hand to get him back in one piece.”
Sampson let one side of his mouth tip up. His brothers could tease him all they wanted. This was his fight, and he wouldn’t be found missing when the time came to step up.
“All right then.” Jericho’s commanding voice took charge once more. “We’ll get our gear and saddle the horses. Sampson, stay here where it’s warm until we come for you.”
As his brothers headed out to prepare, the group around him slipped away. Only Grace stayed with him, settled in the chair next to him, her hand in his.
There was so much he needed to say. To explain why he had to go. Did she even know about the mine?
He dared a look at her. Those dark blue eyes were clouded with worry. And maybe uncertainty.
He cleared his throat. “I, um, don’t know if I’ve told you that we have a mine on our property. A sapphire mine. That’s what your father’s coming after. For McPharland. They came and stole a wagon full of sapphires a few months ago, and now they’re coming back for more.”
Confusion clouded her gaze, but slowly gave way to shock as her eyes widened. “He stole from you?”
He nodded, but that too-familiar pang twisted in his belly. He shifted his focus forward. “A year’s worth of work. But it was my fault. I’m the one who trusted the wrong men. I practically led them here.” He took in a breath to steady himself. “That’s why I have to go, to fix this.”
“Sampson.” That single word sounded half-reproving, half-anxious.
What was she worried about exactly? For him? Or for her father’s safety?
Or maybe she feared that if something happened to Sampson, she and Ruby would be turned out with nothing to live on. No way for a fresh start.
He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. They’d not held hands before, but now that he knew the feel of her, he couldn’t get enough.
He kept his voice low enough that the women working in the kitchen wouldn’t hear. “Are you worried?”
“Of course I am. You’re in no condition to leave this house, much less ride for hours in the cold. And what if my father sees you? What else would he do to you?”
So not worried about her father’s well-being. He gave her hand a little squeeze. “You don’t need to be concerned. If something happens and I don’t come back, my family is still your family. You’ll always have a place here, if you want it. And you’ll have my full share of the mine and ranch.” He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “You and Ruby won’t ever want for money.”
Her eyes had widened, the concern turning to something like fear. “Sampson, no.” She gripped his wrist with her other hand. “You can’t go. Not if you think you might not make it back.”
He didn’t have a free hand, not with his lame arm strapped to his side. So he squeezed Grace’s to add a bit of reassurance to his words. “That’s not what I meant. Sorry, I was just trying to ease your mind.”
Red rimmed her eyes now, and he could smack himself for such careless words. “Grace, I promise. I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry.”
She dropped her gaze to their joined hands, and a single tear trailed down her cheek. His chest ached, a much deeper pain than the cracked ribs.
“I’m sorry, Grace.” He needed her to look at him. To read the truth in his eyes. Gently, he extracted his hand from hers and lifted his palm to cradle her cheek, using his thumb to wipe away the trail of moisture.
Finally, she looked at him, and the pain in those beautiful blue orbs nearly undid him.
“I have to do this.” He kept his voice gentle, though he wanted her to understand how important this was to him. I'm the one who got our family into this mess, and I need to be part of getting us out of it. But I promise I will come back to you and Ruby. I'm not leaving you alone. You have my word.”
"You can't promise that, Sampson. No one can. If my father would do this to you…." Her voice broke, and she dropped her gaze again.
The vulnerability in her tone ripped at his heart. He traced his thumb over her cheekbone. "You won't lose me. Jericho and Jonah will watch my back. We're just going to scout things out and make a plan. I'll be safe as can be."
She gave a small nod, though she still didn’t look at him. “Just...be careful. Please."
"I will. I promise." God, am I making the wrong decision?
But he had to go. He knew Jedidiah’s ways better than any of them. He had to be the one to make this right.
After a long moment, she released a shaky breath and straightened, pulling her hand from his. “I’ll help Dinah pack what you’ll need.”
He watched her go, praying he’d be able to keep his promise to her.