I remember meeting him once a while back. A man by the name of Jack Kinsella. He wasn’t a friend of Pa’s. More of an acquaintance I’d say.”
“What did he want?” Reno got up to add a log to the fire, glancing over to check on Emory and Tess.
Saul shook his head. “He asked some questions about Pa’s prospecting. Wanted to know if he’d ever struck gold.”
Reno snorted his disdain. “I hoped you told him there was no gold.” They’d discussed Saul’s father’s fruitless search for riches in the nearby caves.
“Yep. I don’t think he believed me.” Saul waved his hand around. “He thinks I’ve been using some of it to buy all these new things you’ve given us.”
“Damn.” Reading the young man’s expression, Reno pressed for more. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.” Saul knelt to place a sack of flour on the bottom shelf of the cabinet. “He just made me nervous, that’s all. Huck said he had shifty eyes.” The youngster chuckled. “I told Kinsella to look in the caves himself if he didn’t believe me.”
“Well, maybe he will.” Reno didn’t like to think about strangers hanging around near the boys. Their property wasn’t fenced, and the web of caves honeycombed all through the area. “Just so long as he leaves you all alone.” Damn, he wished he didn’t have to leave. “Think about Fancy’s offer while I’m gone. Okay?”
Saul nodded just about the same moment as Huck’s yell of distress sounded from outside. In the next heartbeat, he and Reno were out the door. “Stay inside, Emory! Watch Tess!” Saul yelled at his youngest brother as their footsteps pounded their way to the barn.
Reno cocked his rifle as he ran. He didn’t know what to expect. Mountain lion? Wolf? Snake? Or worse…
“Huck!” Saul called as he slammed though the barn door. “Where are you?”
The first few seconds of silence chilled Reno’s blood. Until a small voice answered from the corner. “I’m here.”
“Thank God.” Saul reached his brother, pulling him from behind Traveler. “What happened?”
Reno joined them, but he could see little. Without windows, the barn was completely in shadow. “Are you all right, Huck?”
The little boy was panting. “There’s something in here with us,” he whispered.
Within that split second, all hell broke loose. There was a crash near the door causing Traveler and Saul’s plow horses to kick against the walls of their stall.
“What the hell?” Reno took off to see what was making its escape. Once outside, he saw a figure making tracks in the distance. “Damn.” A feeling of trepidation hit him right between the eyes. There was no way he could leave these children to fend for themselves.
“Was it an Indian?” Huck called from the door.
Reno couldn’t be completely sure – but from the way the individual was dressed – he was sure enough. “I think so. Yes.”
“What should we do?” Saul asked as Reno returned to them.
“Go in and pack what you need. I’m taking you to the ranch. You’ll stay there until I get back.”
“You can’t delay your trip. We’ll be fine,” Saul muttered as he held Huck’s hand. Both boy’s breaths were coming in shallow pants.
“Do as I ask.” Reno didn’t mean for his tone to sound so harsh. “Please,” he added to soften the blow. “I can’t leave with any peace of mind if I think you’re in danger.”
“But…”
“No argument, Saul. I mean it.” His hand sliced through the air emphatically as he moved around the barn’s interior. “Anything seem to be missing?”
The boys helped him look. “No. I don’t think so,” Saul finally concluded. “There’s stuff tossed about – like he was looking for something.”
“All right. Here’s what we’re going to do. You two go inside and check on your little brother and sister. Then start packing.” He directed them out the door and walked along behind them.
“Do you think he’ll come back?” Huck asked, holding out his right hand for Reno to grasp.
“I hope not.”
“What are you going to do?” Saul asked, his eyes wide with apprehension.
“I’m going to look around a bit. Once I do, I’ll come back and stand guard until morning.” This extra leg of backtracking would delay his trip. He’d probably miss tomorrow’s stagecoach – but it couldn’t be helped. He would catch the next one.
“Can you stand guard from inside and just watch out the window?” Huck asked in a choked whisper.
“I’ll go back and forth. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.”
“Be careful,” Saul cautioned Reno as they opened the door to