Wildest Dreams - By Rosanne Bittner Page 0,165

your savings would be impossible." He felt like weeping over the generous offer, and he looked around at all of them. "If I can find a way, Zack Walker will never even get his hands on any of your money," he told them, rage emanating from him.

Lettie felt an aching fear at the words. How was he going to keep from giving over the money, and would he really go out there alone? Zack Walker probably wanted Luke Fontaine dead worse than he wanted ten thousand dollars.

"However I handle this, you have my word you'll get your money back, with interest," Luke told the rest of them. "If something happens to me, Lettie will see that you get it."

"We don't want no interest," Joe Parker told him.

Luke quickly rubbed at his eyes, as though to hide tears. "I, uh, I can get my hands on a thousand or so at home. I just hope there's enough cash in the bank to make up the difference."

"If there isn't, we'll come up with it somehow," Henry assured him.

"I'll take you over to the bank right now," Richards told him. He looked around the room. "All of you willing to withdraw your savings come with me and sign for your money."

The crowd grumbled and shouted, some of the men cursing Zack Walker, as the room nearly emptied because of people heading over to the bank, ready to hand their money to Luke in total trust. The daughter of one of Montana's own was in trouble, and they would do what they could to help her.

Luke looked down at a still-sobbing Robbie, knew the boy still had nightmares about Paul dying while he was trying to help him. "I'm sorry, Robbie. Remember our talks about none of us blaming another for anything that happens from here on?"

Robbie just nodded, wiping at his eyes again.

Luke touched the top of the boy's head. "I meant that." He looked at Lettie, and she knew that at the moment he could not quite apply that opinion to himself.

"Luke, the man was determined. If not this way, he would have found some other."

"Pa, I want to go with you!" Tyler spoke up. "They've got Katie, Pa, and you know I'm a good shot. I can help you."

Alice felt alarm at the words. Ty could get hurt! How she loved the handsome Tyler Fontaine, but she was too young to speak of such things. Right now she just wanted to cry, and to hug Tyler for his bravery and his love for his sister.

"I don't know just what I'll do yet, son. I've got to talk to the men when we get back to the ranch. You heard what Walker said. He wants me to come alone."

"He'll kill you!" Tyler protested. "That's all he really wants! He's probably got a whole new gang of men."

Luke ran a hand through his hair and walked over to where he had hung his hat. "Maybe," he answered. "Get everybody else into the buggy and take them to the hotel. Lettie and I will walk over to the bank. Before we can do anything else, we've got to get the money together. Walker probably doesn't even intend to keep his promise, but if he does, he won't be giving Katie back over until he actually sees the money."

"Come on, Robbie." Tyler took hold of Robbie's and Pearl's hands. "We'll go to the hotel and start packing, Pa." He led his sister and brother outside to the family buggy and drove off. Some of the people still at the hall whispered among themselves, a couple of women crying.

"What a terrible way for such a lovely time to end," one woman grieved.

Luke turned to Lettie, who wrapped a shawl around her shoulders. He touched her, and she turned, embracing him. "Oh, Luke, we can't lose another child," she said softly.

"We aren't going to," he answered, a determined, steely edge to the words. "Not this time, Lettie. Zack Walker just made the biggest mistake of his miserable, stinking life!"

Lettie thought how only moments ago they had all been so happy. "You can't take that money to him alone, Luke."

"I have no choice."

"Then I am going with you."

He grasped her arms and pushed her away. "What in God's name makes you think I would let you go?"

She turned away and walked outside so others could not hear. Luke followed her out, grabbed hold of her arm again. "Answer me, Lettie."

"If you don't take me with you, I truly