Sourdough Creek Page 6

  A chorus of deep rattling erupted from crevasses and cracks. Split Ear snorted and tossed his head nervously. Slowly, Sam and his horse backed away.

  “Like I said, too close to the rocks.” He mounted back up and took the lead rope from her shaking hands. “Rattlers,” he said and continued up the road.

  Rattlesnakes! Lord above. If she and Josephine had been alone she would have stopped there, most assuredly. Or one and all of the prior places he had found unacceptable.

  Thank heavens for Sam. It was becoming more and more evident how much his wisdom counted.

  ***

  A man’s voice rumbled her name, and someone shook Cassie’s leg. She opened her eyes, pulling herself from the remnants of a dream. Raising her chin, she blinked. She was…she was on a horse, Meadowlark…and the man… Oh! It was Sam. She must have dozed off.

  “Here,” he whispered. “Dismount.”

  He took her hand and she was too tired to fight him. She would show him tomorrow how capable she was. Groggily, she swung her leg over Meadowlark’s back but her boot heel caught the back of the saddle. She fumbled. A small cry of alarm escaped her lips. If not for Sam, she’d have landed in a heap on the ground.

  As it was, her arms looped around his neck and she slid down the length of his body. When her boots touched the ground, she gripped his shoulders, not enough space between them for a piece of paper. She gazed up into his face and a burst of tingles lit up her senses. The stars, glittering in the sky, were like a halo around his head.

  “You okay?” His breath was warm on her cheek as he leaned in close.

  Her voice deserted her. She’d been dreaming about a prince from some faraway land, who’d come to marry her and take her away. Now, she realized with a resounding shock, that prince had been Sam! Sam’s eyes. Sam’s hair. Sam’s lips!

  “Cassie?” He took her arms from about him and gave her a little shake. “Are you sleepwalking or what? Wake up.”

  She stepped back and nodded. “Yes. I’m awake now.”

  Sam went over to Pepper, untied Josephine’s bedroll and then lifted her from her saddle. He carried her over to a level spot. When Cassie followed he handed her the blanket. “Spread this out.” When she did, he laid the littlest Angel down without waking her. “You two bed down and I’ll take care of your horses and start a small fire.”

  When she started to protest he put a finger to her lips and her dream returned in a flash. She was glad he wouldn’t see the warmth in her face.

  “Just for tonight. Tomorrow I’ll welcome all the work you want to do. Go grab your blanket. Josephine is cold.”

  Without another word she did as he’d asked. She sank down by her sister’s side, welcoming the warmth. She listened as Sam went back and forth unsaddling the animals and putting them out into the meadow. When he returned he made a campfire and laid down too.

  The ground was hard. Although time had passed, Cassie now found herself wide-awake. She reached under her blanket, feeling around for the pebble that was digging into her hip. She tossed it away.

  Sam sat up.

  “Sorry, that was just me.”

  He lay back down and she gazed up at the stars glittering in the black sky, remembering how Sam had looked when he’d caught her, and held her close. She glanced at the fire. An owl hooted somewhere off in the distance.

  “Sam?” Cassie whispered.

  It took a moment for him to answer.

  “Hmmm?”

  “Thank you for everything.”

  She heard him roll to his back.

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Yes, you did.” The sounds of the night were the only response.

  “Sam…”

  “Cassie.” His voice held a note that she couldn’t discern.

  “You saved me from Klem. You kept Josephine from falling to her death. You’re helping us get to California alive.”

  “If it will make you stop talking and go to sleep—you’re welcome.”

  “I’m really glad you’re with us. I…” A moment passed. “We do make a good team, Sam…”

  “Cassie, please”

  “Well, good night, then.”

  “Good night.”

  ***

  Cassie opened her eyes a narrow slit, her head just inches out of the blanket. What time was it? It was still very dark. The dead of night. There was no sound, not even the crackling of the fire. Something had awakened her. She had the unnerving feeling of being watched from behind. She glanced across her sister’s head to the dim bed of coals that had been the fire a few hours ago, and let her eyes adjust to the thick, intimidating darkness.

  Five feet farther would be Sam, curled in his blanket. Fifteen feet more would be the horses.

  She listened. Everything seemed fine. She closed her eyes and willed herself to relax. Again, the hair prickled on the back of her neck. With a deep breath, she tried to fall back asleep.

  One of the horses snorted.

  No use. She was going to have to turn over and look. If she didn’t, her childish fears would keep her up until it was time to get up and ride. Gathering her courage, she scooted forward, nearer to Josephine, then rolled quietly to her back. She slowly turned her head.

  Chapter Twelve

  Relief flooded Cassie. There was nothing but trees in the distance. And darkness. The stars far above. Releasing a sigh she smiled to herself for letting her fears startle up like a spooky horse. Her eyes drooped.

  “Stay awake.”

  It was as if someone had whispered into her ear. But then, that wasn’t possible. Josephine and Sam still slept soundly. Very slowly, she once again opened her eyes.

  From the outer edges of the clearing she thought she saw something. Yes! Two golden orbs pierced the blackness. Cassie squeezed her eyelids together several times, straining to focus. Her breathe caught.

  She needed to call to Sam but her voice had left her.

  The eyes blinked. Cassie released the air locked in her lungs. Ashes! Not some horrible monster waiting to pounce. That darn cat was going to be the death of her yet.

  Cassie rose to her elbow. “Here kitty, kitty, kitty,” she softly called to their pet.

  Right before her eyes the golden orbs seemed to take flight into the sky. A heart-stopping snarl shattered the stillness, causing all the horses to snort and squeal in unison.

  Cassie’s scream ripped through the darkness. In turn, Josephine shrieked hysterically and reached for her. Scooping her up, she dashed over to Sam’s side of the fire and fell down beside him on his bedroll.

  “Mountain lion,” he yelled over the roar of his gun. He shot another round into the air.

  Cassie was a shivering ball of fright. Josephine was crying and holding tight. She couldn’t stop herself and took hold of Sam’s trousers as he stood. The thick stench of gun powder burned her lungs. He tried to take a step but was stopped by her grip around his leg.

  He knelt. “It’s long gone.” The horses snorted again nervously, milling around.

  “I need to check the horses,” he said. “We’ll be sore put out if they get loose and run off. I’ll be right back.”

  “We’ll go with you.”

  “Cassie, the mountain lion is clear over the other side of the Sierra Nevada by now.”

  Her teeth wouldn’t stop chattering. Josephine was silent, but her grip on Cassie’s arm was fierce.

  He took one step and stopped. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  A swirl of thankfulness for Sam’s protection moved through her as he walked away. He was such a good man. Nothing like the men her mother had warned her about. She was safe with him, and so was Josephine.

  Returning, Sam found Cassie and Josephine’s blanket moved from the other side of the fire. Placed neatly between his bedroll and the now crackling flames, their blankets touched his, and looked like one big bed. Josephine was already curled up in it, fast asleep. Cassie added wood to the fire and now it was blazing.

  “The horses are al
l right, then?” Cassie sat atop her side of the blanket, with the fire to her back.

  “Yes. Just a bit spooked. I’m grateful for the hobbles.”

  Moments passed. Sam stood, wondering what to do.

  “This isn’t necessary, you know,” he offered, gesturing to the new sleeping arrangements.

  Cassie held her finger to her lips, looking at her little sister. “Do you mind? Josephine insisted on it. She’s frightened to tears.”

  Josephine, Sam thought, looked pretty darn relaxed.

  “Uh…I see.” He fidgeted and repositioned his saddle next to his bed. Once settled on his bedroll, he stretched out on his side, facing Cassie, with only Josephine between them. He cupped his head in the palm of his hand and smiled. “You should get back to sleep.”

  “I will.”

  “Be careful your blanket doesn’t catch.”

  “I made sure it was far enough away.” She glanced back, checking the distance. “Plenty of room. I wonder where Ashes is. I hope the mountain lion didn’t eat her.”

  “I hope it did.”

  “Sam! Josephine would be heartbroken if something happened to her. Ever since our ma died, she and that cat have been inseparable.”

  “Well, I guess I’m just teasing, or maybe not,” he murmured. “But be warned. There is a good chance the mountain lion has scared her off. We may not find her in the morning.”

  Cassie bit her bottom lip. She looked very young in the firelight, her chiseled cheekbones and angelic profile enchanting. Her nose had almost returned to what Sam thought must be its normal size. Her hair glistened.

  “I didn’t think of that.” Her brow furrowed.

  She reached down and fingered the downy hair on her sister’s sleeping head. “I want to protect her, Sam. She’s already suffered so much for someone so young.”

  For an instant he wondered what it would feel like to kiss her, hold her tight in his arms. More than a few thoughts had gone through his mind when he’d rescued her from falling. She’d smelled sweet, and her eyes were twinkling so much he hadn’t a clue to what she was thinking as she had gazed up into his face. Even with her short hair and baggy clothes she was a real beauty. She was on his mind now more often than not. He didn’t know what to make of it. “I understand,” he said quietly. “But, the world is a hard place. I hope you know that. It’s easy to get battered by it.”

  She was lying on her back now, after climbing under the covers with Josephine. Still, he rested on his elbow, looking at the two girls. The campfire, a few feet away, picked up the golden highlights in her mahogany hair.

  “I want to spare her all that pain. Give her a good life. An education.”

  “That’s a tall order, Cassie.”

  “But worthwhile. With God’s help it will happen.”

  Out of the darkness stepped the cat. Without invitation she walked onto the blanket and curled up between Josephine and Sam.

  “Well, I guess that answers that question,” Sam said. “Please, make yourself comfortable.” Ashes closed her eyes. Within moments she was purring loud enough for both to hear.

  Cassie laughed softly. “Maybe she’ll be sticking closer from now on. I can’t believe Josephine had her stuffed in that saddlebag all day. Just getting her in without a fight must have taken some doing. And we didn’t even know it. That’s pretty amazing.”

  Sam pulled his blanket around his shoulders. “No worries tonight. That mountain lion is long gone. Unless sick or hurt, they usually steer clear of humans as much as possible. Now, get some sleep. The sun will be up before you know it.”

  A coyote howled in the distance, and was answered by a few more. Within moments a whole chorus erupted, sounding like hundreds.

  “That’s pretty,” Cassie whispered. “Nothing like that cougar.”

  The coyote song over the crackling flames was the only response. “Sam, you still awake?”

  “Hmmm.”

  “I know I said this already—but—thank you for helping me and Josephine. I’m glad we’re traveling together.”

  Sam opened his eyes and looked out into the darkness. How will she feel when I ask her to hand over the deed to my claim? he thought slowly. How thankful will she be then?

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I didn’t take it, Pa. I didn’t!” Fear sliced through Sam as his father advanced and grasped him roughly by the arm.

  “Don’t you lie to me, boy! You stole the knife from my drawer. Now you don’t even have the guts to own up to your actions.” They started for the woodshed—

  Sam sat up with a jolt. Terror thickened his tongue and he thought he’d choke. Gasping, he blinked away his sleep. He’d never tell on Seth—no matter what. The whipping he got that day was one of many he’d taken shielding his little brother from their father’s anger. What galled him more than anything, and hurt deeply, was his father’s uncompromising disbelief in anything he said. Why wouldn’t he listen?

  He breathed in a lungful of crisp morning air, trying to rid himself of the nightmare and the feeling of doom they always seemed to leave behind. What about the claim? His claim. The claim that was going to buy the acreage needed to get his and Seth’s ranch going. Seth had left two summers ago to push cattle for a spread in Texas, and except for the bare minimum, was saving everything he made for their land purchase. Sam worked as a saddle tramp too, until the night he’d won the claim.

  Even now, that battered piece of paper called to him from Cassie’s saddle pack, so close at hand. What was he to do when they reached Sourdough Creek, the inlet off the American River? Cassie wasn’t going to just hand it over to him, easy as pie—that was for sure. And even more troubling, what would happen to her and Josephine if she did?

  Josephine slept under the blanket, completely covered. Cassie was on her side, her arm wrapped protectively over her sister. Her bobbed hair fell over her eyes and her mouth was pursed into a little smile, making him wonder what she was dreaming about.

  When his horse neighed, Cassie opened her eyes. For a moment, she looked confused, but as realization dawned, her eyes took on the smile that was still on her soft-looking lips.

  “Good morning.” She pushed the hair from her face and sat up on her elbow.

  “Did you sleep at all last night?” he asked, completely thrown off by her dazzling green eyes. What a dim-witted question. How could she be waking up if she hadn’t fallen asleep?

  “Yes. It took me a while to settle down though.” She sighed and pulled the blanket up under her chin, warding off the morning chill.

  “You?”

  “Sure. But, I never get used to sleeping on the ground.”

  She stretched her legs, a soft groan escaping her lips. “Oh, I know what you mean. It is hard. And bumpy. I think I was dreaming about a goose-feather stuffed mattress as tall as a barn.” She lifted up the blanket and peeked at her little sister. “Josephine doesn’t seem to mind.”

  He’d never met anyone like Cassie Angel before. So open and honest. Well, that is, aside from her ruse to protect her sister and herself from the Sherman brothers.

  “Sam?”

  She was gazing at him now with her heart in her eyes. “You never said why you were going to Coloma. Why you’re traveling there. Is it family?”

  Now! His mind screamed. Tell her! Now was the time to speak up. Even if it tore them apart, and she hated him for it, he should disclose the truth and have it out. He opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it.

  “Sam?”

  “No. Not family.”

  That statement gave her pause.

  “Do you have any family?”

  He rolled to his back so he didn’t have to look at her anymore. “I do. A brother. He’s working punching cattle and I’m not sure where he is exactly.”

  “What about parents?

  “My mother has passed on and I haven’t seen my father for years.”

  “Why not?”

  “You ask a lot of questions, you know that?”

  “You
don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

  “Good. Because I don’t. Give a man a chance to wake up.” He rolled out of his blanket and stood. “We best get moving. I hope we can make it all the way to the next town before nightfall. If you’ll get something out for breakfast, I’ll saddle the horses.”

  The horses walked along briskly, single file, following the deserted road. Every once in a while Sam, with Blu ponied by his side, would break into a trot, slowing only when the horses were slightly winded. Josephine had awakened cranky and Cassie had a hard time getting her up and fed. Now the younger girl rode behind on Pepper, with Ashes buckled in her saddlebag.

  When they stopped for a quick bite to eat at noontime, Josephine mainly kept to herself and her animals. They ate quickly and continued on, agreeing to give the horses a longer rest in the afternoon.

  Sam pulled up and waited for Cassie to catch up. He pointed to the ground. “Look.” He ran his hand over the growing beard on his square jaw as he glanced back at Josephine. “Get on up here. Stay up with us.”

  “What is it?”

  “Our friend from last night.”

  He dismounted and squatted, looking intently at the tracks in the dirt. He followed them a short way before returning to Cassie. “His right paw has been mangled. Could have got it caught in a trap.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “He only uses it every other stride. And when he does, he doesn’t put much weight on it.” He glanced about. “After seeing this I’m really glad you woke up last night.”

  Josephine had stopped ten paces back. She sat listlessly in the saddle. “Come on,” Cassie called to her. “That mountain lion is still around. We have to stay close together.”

  When Josephine didn’t respond, Cassie rode back. One look at her sister’s flushed face and uncharacteristically drowsy eyes and Cassie knew something was wrong. She placed the back of her hand on her moist forehead.

  “Sam!”

  In the time it took to dismounted, Sam was by her side. He reached for Josephine, laying her in the grass. Cassie unbuttoned her coat and threw it to the side. In an attempt to cool her, Cassie stripped her to her chemise, finding two red scratches on the inside of Josephine’s wrist.