Honor and Desire (Gold Sky #3) - Rebel Carter Page 0,74

account for the gun on your hip too?”

She smiled at him. “You like my gun, do you? Why didn't you just say so?”

“It’s a fine piece. Much too fine for a newlywed.” The meaning of Maurice’s words was plain. He knew they were lying but for all that the man hadn’t sounded the alarm to the locals. All around them the bar was full of activity, all except for the woman named Ruth who was still as a statue and watching them intently. Seylah was sure that at Maurice’s signal, Ruth would spring into action, what that meant she didn’t know---she also didn’t aim to find out.

“And yet you remained silent and serve me the smoothest whiskey I have ever enjoyed.” She tapped a finger against the rim of her glass.

Maurice shrugged. “I have a soft place in my heart for dark haired women. My first wife made me partial.”

“What’s your game, Maurice?”

“Tell me why you’re here, ma’am.”

A tense moment passed between them, Seylah and the barkeep locked in a stare, while the crowd continued to enjoy themselves. “Seylah…” August put a hand on her shoulder but she didn’t break eye contact with the barkeep.

She had her fathers to find. She would not lose now. Whatever she said next was paramount to them finding her parents. She knew it.

“I’m here for my fathers.”

Maurice sucked in a breath and chuckled reaching for a glass. “So the men are yours then?”

“What men?”

“Two men, outsiders came through here the day before. Law men or soldiers from the look of them.”

“Where did they go?” Her fingers tightened on the glass so tightly that she was surprised it didn’t break under the pressure. “Tell me.”

“Please goes a long way, missy.”

August growled and moved his hand from her shoulder to the bar. “Listen here--”

“Please, tell me,” Seylah interrupted him. She had no hesitation when it came to her family. She would do what she needed and one small nicety was a bargain for their safety. “Please, help me find my fathers, Maurice.”

“Curious thing, the plural on the end of that word.” He took the rag from his shoulder and cleaned the glass in his hand. “But I’ve never been one to shame how folk live. That’s why we came out here, hmm? Even shithole towns have their appeal.”

“That’s true. Family came out here to live their lives. Part of that was being law men. They were on their way to Butte to track the McCarron gang.”

Maurice’s hands froze. August hissed out a breath. “Seylah, stop talking.”

“Let your woman talk. I’m interested and if I’m interested then that means Ruthie over there doesn’t put an end to ya.”

Seylah grinned. “I knew she was important.”

“She’s everything. She’s my daughter, and I know if I was missin’ she wouldn’t hesitate to walk into a place like this lookin’ for me. Now why did your pas go looking for the McCarrons?”

“They’re sheriffs. It’s their job.”

“They’re no spring chickens to be takin’ on that job.”

Seylah hummed and sipped her whiskey. “That’s what my mama tells them. They went missing on the way to Butte City and we came upon a wagon wreck with my Daddy’s horse shot dead, but you say the pair of them came through here yesterday?”

Maurice nodded set the glass he was cleaning down. “They did. Lookin’ a little banged up, but fine. They were going north.”

August cleared his throat and looked towards where Ruth was still watching them. Save for her eyes the woman hadn’t moved from her post by the door. “What’s north?” he asked.

“The McCarron hideout, that’s what. If your pas went that way then that’s where they’ll be. It’s a homestead, few buildings aside from the main house, a barn and stables, one building for storage, all of it south facing. If you approach from the east you’ll be able to take them from a hilltop. Good vantage for shooting.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Maurice’s eyes moved to where his daughter stood and he gave her a slight nod. The small gesture relaxed the woman instantly and she turned then moving to the side and towards the poker table. Whatever possible threat associated with Seylah and August had been dismissed.

“Few summers back the younger McCarron’s took a shine to Ruthie. Caught her alone when I was in Butte. Never forgave myself for it. If you aim to make them pay, I’ll help you.”

She reached out, putting her hand on the bar in front of Maurice. "I’m sorry about your daughter.”

The man smiled bitterly and

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