Her Guardian’s Deadly Quest (Preview)

Prologue

Daniel Cain shifted his weight as he lay in the long, golden grass. His body was covered by a brown cloth that would hopefully conceal him from anyone who looked his way. The grass swayed around him in the breeze, caressing his face and hands.

He squinted over the top of his rifle. The Winchester model 1873 was as familiar to him as his arm, and its long barrel gleamed from where he’d spent the previous night polishing it. This was the gun that had “won the West,” and today it would help him take out his targets.

Daniel took a deep breath, calming his beating heart as he spotted five outlaws milling around their camp. Patience. In a matter of minutes, the calm would be shattered and there’d be no going back.

All around him, the Montana wilds teemed with life and color. The sun dipped low over the horizon, casting an amber glow over the rolling plains and turning the sky into a canvas smeared with purples, pinks, and deepening blues that signaled the oncoming night. Streaks of bright orange cut through the sky, the last vestiges of the sun clinging to the day.

Mountains rose up in the distance, the first hint of snow dusting their tops. Golden plains lay all around them. The earth was flat ahead of them with the occasional dip, which was what the marshals had used to hide their horses. The nights had been colder as summer melted away, leaving them unprotected against winter’s relentless march.

The frigid evening breeze chilled the sweat that collected on Daniel’s brow. He’d been doing this work since his face was smooth as a baby’s and his heart had been bursting with optimism. Now, his face bore the lines of a hard life, and his heart was something he’d hidden away a long time ago.

Despite the years of experience weighing on his back, he didn’t relish what was to come. It still made him as nervous as the day he’d been given a rifle and told to defend his territory.

A familiar nausea overtook him as his mind drifted back to that first mission. He’d been fresh out of training, wet behind the ears with his badge on his vest, declaring to the world that not only was he a marshal, but a sharpshooter, too.

That first mission was still a blur, something he didn’t allow himself to remember. Things had gone according to plan and he’d distinguished himself, but it had been his introduction to a world of bloodshed and violence. He’d thought he could handle it back then, but after that mission, he had to push the memories deep down inside of him. They resurfaced every so often, but he wouldn’t let them get the better of him.

Daniel shook his head and repositioned his finger. Five outlaws. Two polishing their tack at the edge of the clearing, one by the horses, and another two at the fire. Their leader, Malcolm Gallagher, sat by the fire, chewing on tobacco.

“We got you now, Mac,” Daniel murmured, turning the rifle toward the gang leader.

Every so often, Mac would turn his head and spit a black glob into the ground. His teeth were stained from the tobacco, and he wiped his fingers along his stained pants.

Disgust roiled in Daniel’s stomach.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the hooting of an owl reached his ears. Daniel squared his shoulders. He aimed the gun at Max, intending to hit the man’s upper arm. Anything to keep the outlaw from drawing his gun.

Daniel’s finger went to the trigger. He took another deep breath. It was an easy shot. As he made the shot, someone shouted out and Mac jumped to his feet.

No!

Mac screamed in pain and dropped to the ground, clutching at his knee, but Daniel didn’t have time to check that the man was all right. He had a job to do. He shot at the other men, dropping them one by one.

Their cries of confusion and pain cut through the once-peaceful atmosphere. Once they were all incapacitated, Daniel’s colleagues rose from the grass like specters. Daniel jumped to his feet, running across the site.

He only had eyes for one man.

Mac rolled onto his side. Daniel sped up, racing pell-mell toward the fallen outlaw. He’d missed Mac’s arm.

“Good shooting, Dan,” one of the lawmen called out, turning one of the fallen outlaws to his side.

Mac grabbed the pistol at his side. Daniel was too slow. A gunshot pierced the air, and one of his friends, John, fell to the ground with a thud. His face contorted in a grimace as he landed in the dirt.

“No!” Daniel cried.

Mac pulled himself closer to the horses, grimacing as he attempted to prop himself up.

Daniel threw his gun to the side and tackled Mac to the ground. The outlaw shouted in pain, pushing Daniel away from him. His gun fell to the side, and Mac reached out for it, but Daniel managed to knock it farther away.

“You ain’t winning this one, Cain!” Mac growled, his face contorted by pain and fury.

Daniel grappled with the squirming outlaw, doing his best to grab hold of Mac.

“Get him, Daniel!” one of the other lawmen called.

“John’s dead!” another cried.

Determination settled over Daniel. The words washed over him, dredging up an all-too-familiar guilt. If only he’d been quick enough. He should have shot sooner. If he’d taken out Mac’s shooting arm, John would still be around, laughing and joking as they secured their captives.

Shouts came from all around as the lawmen attempted to get the remaining outlaws under control.

It was supposed to be a quick attack. They had planned everything meticulously, but it was almost guaranteed that something would go wrong. Daniel had shot to wound, not to kill. Perhaps some would criticize his decision, but he’d seen enough death for one lifetime.

Besides, if a man was a good enough shot, he didn’t need to kill his enemies to incapacitate them.

Daniel grabbed hold of Mac’s shoulder, trying to flip him over, but Mac was as wily as an eel. He writhed and dodged as if he knew what Daniel’s next move would be. It was disconcerting, but Daniel was resolved to bring the matter to an end that night.

A horse whinnied nearby as they fought in the dirt, and it distracted Daniel for a second as he feared a hoof coming down over his head. That was all the time Mac needed to grab hold of his pistol. The cold metal scraped against Daniel’s skin just as another shot went off.

Blinding pain tore through Daniel’s side, and he was thrown off the outlaw as the bullet hit him. Blood bloomed in his shirt, but Daniel knew from experience that the bullet had merely grazed him.

He pressed his hand to his side, applying pressure to the wound to keep it from bleeding too much.

“Get him!” Daniel cried, but it was too late.

Max limped over to the nearby horse and pulled himself up with a grimace. He took off before any of the lawmen could grab their guns.

“You’re hurt,” said one of his colleagues, Gaston LeDuc, kneeling at Daniel’s side.

“It doesn’t matter,” Daniel panted, attempting to get up.

Pain ripped through him and spots danced in his vision. He was forced to fall back. The first star had already risen in the sky and twinkled down at him as if it was mocking him for his failure.

“You’re not going to catch anyone if you’re dead,” Gaston pointed out, lifting Daniel’s shirt.

“It’s a surface wound,” Daniel snapped, pushing his shirt down. “I’ll live!”

Unlike John.

“Let me get this done, then we can go after Mac,” Gaston said firmly. “He ain’t getting far with that leg of his. Don’t you want to be the one to take him down? He’s certainly given you enough trouble over the years.”

Gaston fiddled with the small pack on his belt that held a bandage and a small bottle of liquor. Daniel waved him away, tore a small strip from the bottom of his shirt, and tied it around his midsection. It wasn’t a permanent solution, but it would do the trick.

“This game ends tonight,” Daniel said, gritting his teeth as he got to his feet.

It took all his strength not to cry out in pain. He pushed two fingers into his mouth and let out a whistle. Within seconds, his horse, Brave, galloped over the hill, his nostrils flaring as he headed straight toward Daniel.

“At least take this for the pain,” Gaston said, holding out the liquor.

Daniel snorted as he walked over to where he’d thrown his rifle. “I need a clear mind for this. Mac is a wily devil.”

Gaston sighed and lowered the liquor. The other outlaws had been subdued, and the lawmen were gathered around John. After a moment’s hesitation, Gaston whistled for his own horse.

“Fine, but if you’re doing this, then you’re not doing it on your own.”

Daniel didn’t bother to argue. It would be foolish to go after Mac alone. The outlaw was wounded and cornered. There was nothing more dangerous than a desperate man. However, as determined as Mac was to escape, Daniel was even more resolved to catch him.

He clicked his tongue and urged Brave into a gallop. Beating hooves came from behind him, signaling Gaston’s presence. Night was falling quickly around them. The plains stretched out, allowing them to keep an eye on Mac, who’d become a distant speck.

When Daniel had gotten word that the Gallagher Gang had been spotted in Golden Plains territory, he’d seen his chance. Just beyond the plains lay rugged mountains that were near-impossible to navigate in winter. It was the perfect place for a gang to lay low for a couple of months.

The gang had just finished a campaign of terror that involved bank robberies, carriage heists, and the occasional train job. When Daniel had been assigned to the case a couple of months ago, he’d been unaware of what he was going up against.

Mac Gallagher had been a prolific criminal in the past. He’d gone from working with some of the most notorious gangs to leading his own. It seemed he’d learned a lot from his previous experience because his gang ran like a well-oiled machine.

They didn’t care who they hurt as long as they got their money. Talking to the victims’ families had left Daniel with a bitter taste in his mouth.

He could still remember a little girl clutching her teddy bear as she’d looked up at him with large, somber eyes.

“Why isn’t my daddy coming home?”

Daniel swallowed hard and clenched his eyes shut. They had to end the chase as soon as possible. If Mac got away, it was only a matter of time before they went through the same cycle again. Only, it would be much worse.

Criminals were emboldened by their escapes. It was as if evading the law or surviving a shoot-out made them think they were invincible. The bolder they were, the grander their schemes became—and the more people got hurt.

Failure wasn’t an option. If Mac got away, Daniel would be responsible for the outlaw’s future victims.

He motioned for Gaston to go wide, and he went left. Daniel took his pistol from his belt and shot in the air. Mac shouted in fright, trying to urge his horse faster. Daniel shot again, causing Mac to look back at him.

Shadows fell across the outlaw’s face, but Daniel could picture his menacing snarl. This wasn’t the first time he’d had Mac on the run. But it would be the last.

He aimed right at Mac, his arm bouncing as Brave galloped over the uneven ground. It was impossible to get a clear shot, but that wasn’t what he wanted. All he needed was for Mac to think that this was the extent of Daniel’s plan.

“Good luck, Cain!” Mac shouted.

Just as Daniel was about to shoot, Gaston caught up to Mac. He leaned over and grabbed hold of Mac’s reins. The outlaw shouted in fright and went tumbling from his saddle.

He shrieked in pain as he hit the ground, but that likely had more to do with his leg than his fall. Daniel pulled up alongside the outlaw, jumped from his saddle, and grabbed hold of Mac’s arms.

“My leg!” Mac cried, trying to hold it. “My leg!”

“We’ll get you to a doctor,” Daniel promised, but his assurances fell on deaf ears.

“Let me go! I need a doctor,” Mac hissed, eyes narrowed into slits.

Daniel helped straighten him, but the outlaw refused to get up. Eventually, they had to half-carry him back to camp where the rest of his gang was waiting.

“We need to get him to a doctor as soon as possible,” Daniel said, turning to Gaston.

His side was throbbing, and he held onto it tightly, applying more pressure as pain swept through him. Gaston nodded worriedly.

“It doesn’t look good. He probably caused more damage by trying to run away.”

Daniel ran his hand through his hair.

“Are you all right?” Gaston put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re injured too.”

He shook his head. This wasn’t the worst injury he’d survived. Getting hurt was part of the job. As long as he could stand, he was fine.

“I can’t believe things got so out of hand.” Daniel looked over at John.

The lawmen had positioned him on his back with his hands on his stomach. His eyes were closed. If Daniel didn’t know better, he’d think John was merely sleeping. It was a terrible blow to them all.

Although Daniel would miss John, he could only think of one thing. What if it had been him? He tempted fate with every mission he went on. It was only a matter of time before he ended up in the dirt, too.

Was that how he wanted to go out? Was he ready to die?

The questions swirled in his mind, making him sick as he did his best to focus on his duties. The lawmen worked together to get the culprits to town. Unfortunately, the gang had set up camp a few hours from the nearest town. By the time they got to a doctor, Mac was pale and barely conscious.

“I’ll get you for this,” Mac said, glaring at Daniel as they carried him into the doctor’s room. “Mark my words, I’ll make you pay.”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Sure thing, Gallagher, but you’ll have to wait your turn. I’ve got a long list of enemies.”

Mac shouted incomprehensibly as they closed the door on him. Once he was gone, Daniel sat on the porch steps and stared out at the night. Shadows flickered and jumped around him as Gaston lit a lantern.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?” he asked.

Daniel rubbed his eyes. “I think… it’s time for me to get out of the game.”

Gaston sighed as he sat next to Daniel. “That ain’t a bad idea. Perhaps I should follow your example. My father left me a plot of land up north. I could try my hand at farming.”

The idea of working the land every day appealed to Daniel. Could he leave the violence and mayhem behind and start anew? It would be a drastic change, but something had to give. Otherwise he’d end up on the wrong side of a bullet.

Daniel fidgeted as another thought occurred to him. The only thing worse than dying was realizing that no one would mourn him. He was all alone in the world.

Chapter One

Sadie Densmore held tightly to her partner’s hand as he spun her around in time to the music. Her skirt swished around her legs as she followed his quick footsteps. They danced a traditional reel. Sadie knew the steps as well as the beat of her heart; she’d been dancing it since she could walk.

“You’re still light on your feet, Sadie,” Jack said, his eyes twinkling as he looked down on her.

Banjos, fiddles, and harmonicas worked together to create a toe-tapping rhythm that had everyone in the barn, young and old, on the dance floor.

The barn was hot as sin with everyone in town crowded into the space on a summer’s night. Cicadas sang outside, their song audible every time there was a break in the music and laughter, so there was never a moment of true silence to be heard.

Bales of hay, which normally occupied every inch of the space, were stacked along the side, trapping the noise and providing seats for those who wanted a break from dancing. A long table stood to the side, laden with every kind of dish imaginable from roast beef to apple pie. The smell alone was enough to get a person’s mouth watering.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” Sadie said. “You’ve certainly improved since our schooldays.”

“Was that the last time we danced?” Jack’s eyebrows skyrocketed. “My oh my, how could I have let so much time pass between us? I certainly won’t let you go now that I have you.”

A shudder passed through Sadie. It wasn’t that Jack was creepy, it was just that she’d never think of him in that way. That, and up until yesterday, they hadn’t seen each other in a while. What was his rush?

“Careful now,” Sadie teased, “someone might think you’re pining after me.”

Jack threw his head back as he laughed. He spun her in a circle and caught her when she got close enough. “And so, what if I am?”

Sadie gave him a brief smile. When the music ended, she was quick to step away. People clapped enthusiastically as they broke away from their partners.

“Play another!” someone shouted.

“Thank you for the lovely dance,” she said, inclining her head toward him.

“Won’t you do me the honor of dancing with me again?” Jack tilted his head at her. He looked almost like a wounded puppy.

“That’s mighty kind of you, Jack Harrow,” Sadie said, picking up her skirts, “but I wouldn’t want to give you the wrong idea.”

Jack jutted out his bottom lip. “You’re a tease, is what you are. Am I not good enough for you?”

Sadie let out a tinkling laugh. “On the contrary, you’re far too good for me. Don’t pout like that. You’ll break all the girls’ hearts.”

She gave him one last smile before turning on her heel and walking away. Bodies crowded around her, pushing against her and shoving her out the way. Everyone who was planning on dancing again had grabbed their partners, and they didn’t bother to stop on account of her.

As soon as she was off the dance floor, she gulped in the refreshing night air. Sadie breathed deeply, pushing a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.

“Did you break poor old Jack’s heart?” Abby asked, walking up to her with a cup of cider.

Sadie accepted it gratefully. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

She gestured vaguely at the crowd where Jack was dancing with the baker’s daughter. Not only was the girl younger than Sadie, but she also looked up at Jack with sparkling eyes. It was a far better match.

“If you’re not careful, you might not get married at all,” Abby warned, raising her eyebrows.

Sadie scoffed. “We’ve known Jack Harrow since we were babies. Don’t you remember how he cried on the first day of school? He used to pull our pigtails and copy off our homework.”

“So?” Abby shrugged. “He’s sweet on you now. That’s all that matters.”

“Nothing’s changed between now and then. The only reason he’s sweet on me is because he wants a wife.” Sadie put her hand on her hip. “Things didn’t work out between him and Rachel Moore and now he’s thrown his hat at me as a consolation prize.”

Abby grimaced. “Perhaps he realized that you’d make a fine partner. There’s nothing wrong with showing an interest in a person. Who cares if he’s only noticed you now? Give him a chance. Perhaps you grow to love him.”

Saide didn’t say anything as she watched Jack laugh with the baker’s daughter. She shook her head and looked away from him. A couple walked past them, arm-in-arm as they laughed at something.

The woman looked up and caught Sadie’s eye. Sadie lifted her hand to wave, but the woman bowed her head. She quickened her pace, dragging her husband along. The man grimaced in apology and followed his wife.

“What was all that about?” Sadie asked with a frown.

“Don’t you remember how Harry followed you around for weeks last year?” Abby reminded her.

Sadie shrugged. “That was ages ago. He’s happy with Mary.”

“Yes, but Mary hasn’t forgotten that either,” Abby said, waggling her eyebrows. “She’s been telling everyone around town how she won’t let Harry get anywhere near you.”

“Why would she tell people that?” Sadie asked in alarm. “I’ve certainly never encouraged his behavior. And I gave them a lovely wedding gift.”

“You didn’t attend the ceremony,” Abby pointed out.

Sadie huffed in frustration. “I was out of town that weekend. Allan needed someone to go up to the city to pick up stock. He was Harry’s best man; he certainly couldn’t miss the wedding. Mary said she completely understood.”

“The only thing she understood was that you were heartbroken by the match and that you still have your sights set on her husband,” Abby said, shaking her head slowly.

“That’s ridiculous,” Sadie said before finishing off the last of her cider. “I should go over there and give them a piece of my mind. Who does she think she is? I never wanted her husband in any shape or form.”

“You’ll only be throwing fat on the fire,” Abby pointed out.

Sadie put her cup down and turned to follow Mary and Harry, but Abby laced her arm through Sadie’s.

“I want to settle things once and for all,” Sadie said in irritation.

“How would you feel if some woman came up to you and said that even though your husband was head-over-heels for her, she never gave him a second glance? Think about it—you’d be telling her that she settled for someone you didn’t deem good enough.”

Sadie grimaced and turned away from the newlyweds. “This is ridiculous. How come Harry’s the one who followed me like a fool, but people are gossiping about me? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Abby shrugged. “Welcome to Kitsalano. We’re a crazy bunch, but we’re lovable.”

Sadie bit her bottom lip as she settled in to watch the dancing couples. “Are people going to have something to say just because Jack and I danced together?”

“Probably.” Abby sighed. “Although they’ll just be saying the same old things. How come you’re nearly thirty but you still haven’t settled down? Aren’t our local boys good enough for you?”

Abby waved enthusiastically as her husband danced past them, whirling his mother around. He winked at her before disappearing among the dancers.

“It’s not that they’re not good enough,” Sadie said, shifting uncomfortably. “I just… I don’t love any of them.”

Abby shook her head. “Are you saying that you need to be in love with a man before you’ll consider courting him? Isn’t the purpose of courting to fall in love with someone?”

“I don’t expect to already be in love when a man approaches me. I’m not unreasonable. However, I want…” Sadie looked down at the ground.

“What is it that you want?” Abby asked. “I’m sure there are plenty of men around here who’d love to know the answer to that question.”

Sadie expelled a heavy breath. “I want a man to see me for me. He shouldn’t be interested in me simply because he’d be interested in anyone and I just happened to come along first.”

Abby tilted her head slightly. “There’s nothing wrong with starting a relationship out of convenience.”

“I never said there was,” Sadie countered “I just meant that it isn’t what I want. I want… a love story.”

“Like the ones you’re always reading about?” Abby asked.

Sadie smiled faintly. “I want to be swept off my feet. Is that too much to ask for?”

“It might be. The men in Kitsalano don’t do much sweeping.”

Sadie and Abby exchanged a look before breaking down into giggles. Sadie looked up to see a woman hurrying up to her with a furrowed brow.

She was a few inches shorter than Sadie with a heart-shaped face and strawberry-blonde hair.

“May!” Sadie said in surprise. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be celebrating Allan’s return.”

May shook her head as she wrung her hands. “He was supposed to return this week, but he hasn’t shown up.”

Abby and Sadie looked at each other in concern.

“He might’ve gotten held up,” Sadie pointed out. “We shouldn’t worry about it too much.”

“He sent a telegraph when he left the city,” May insisted, clasping her hands behind her back. “He’s made the trip a thousand times before, and he’s usually back within a few days. It’s been a week. I’m sorry to bother you at the party, but I couldn’t hold it back anymore. The wedding’s three weeks away!”

Sadie grimaced and looked around. Everyone in town would be at the party. It was the best place to get help.

“Why don’t we go talk to the sheriff?” she suggested, reaching out to take May’s hand.

The young woman gulped and nodded thankfully. “I don’t know what to do. My paw says that Allan might’ve run off.”

Sadie pursed her lips. May’s father had a rather unorthodox sense of humor and had probably been fanning the flames of May’s anxiety.

“Allan’s a good man. He’d never do something so horrendous,” Sadie assured her, steering May along the edges of the crowd.

May kept her head down and took deep breaths. She winced and covered one of her ears, trying to shield herself from the onslaught of noise. May wasn’t the partying type, but she was as sweet as sugar and loyal to boot.

“I know.” She nodded quickly. “He’d never abandon me, but that means something went wrong, and, well…”

Sadie nodded and patted her hand. “Neither one of those outcomes is particularly comforting. Why don’t we take this one step at a time?”

She spotted Sheriff Lahey sitting at a table, laughing with friends. May stopped short when she saw them, but Sadie dragged her along. This was important. She’d been so busy with work and setting up for the party that she hadn’t bothered to find out if Allan had returned.

He should have been back two days ago. And May was right. He always arrived when he said he would.

“Excuse me,” Sadie said, tapping the sheriff’s shoulder. He was a bear of a man with a mop of graying black hair and a bulbous red nose.

“Why, Sadie Densmore,” he cried when he turned to look at her. “What’s got you looking so serious?”

“May I please speak to you in private?” Sadie asked, eyeing his companions with distaste.

They all chortled to themselves and were struggling to sit upright.  Hopefully Sheriff Lahey was in control of his faculties.

“Anything for you, precious,” he said, winking at her as he lumbered to his feet. “What’s all this about, then?”

“Allan hasn’t returned from his trip,” May said, squaring her shoulders. She told him everything, wringing her hands as she spoke.

“Was he fetching stock?” Sheriff Lahey rubbed his chin as she spoke.

Sadie nodded. Together, she and Allan ran the local mercantile that they had inherited from their grandfather. Since Kitsalano was the last outpost for miles, it meant they got a lot of visitors from all over. However, it also meant they had to travel long distances to resupply since no one would deliver to them.

“Are you thinking someone might’ve robbed him?” Sadie asked, reaching out to take May’s hand.

May whimpered and covered her mouth with her hand.

Sheriff Lahey shrugged. “It’s hard to say. I’d say give it a few more days to see if he turns up.”

Sadie frowned. “Hold on… we just told you that he’s a few days overdue. Shouldn’t we get a search going? He might need our help!”

“If I ran after every man who was late coming home, I’d never have a spare minute,” Sheriff Lahey said. “Besides, the man’s getting married in a few weeks. Perhaps he’s letting off some steam. Give him space, ladies.”

May fiddled with the end of her braid and turned her troubled gaze on the dancing couples. “Allan said he couldn’t wait to return. I don’t think he needed space.”

Sheriff Lahey let out a heavy sigh and rolled his eyes. “Every young bride likes to think her man doesn’t need any space from her. You’ll see in time that it’s perfectly natural. He’ll be here for the wedding. He’s a good man.”

“Sheriff Lahey,” Sadie said firmly. “Allan isn’t blowing off steam. He should have been back by now. Something is wrong. I must insist that you do something about this.”

Sheriff Lahey’s expression darkened as he chewed the inside of his cheek. “I ain’t obliged to take orders from the likes of you. If you don’t want to listen to my advice, then you’re welcome to waste your time.”

“Fine.” Sadie lifted her chin. “Is there someone we can hire to help us?”

May stifled a sob and turned her face away.

Sheriff Lahey looked between them before shaking his head and rubbing the back of his neck. “Heaven help me… There’s a new rancher in town, Daniel Cain. I’m sure he’d help you if the price was right. He’s out yonder by the Morrisey ranch.”

Sadie put her arm around May. “We’ll go over first thing tomorrow and get him to help us.”

“He’ll turn up, you’ll see,” Sheriff Lahey said before returning to his friends.

She shook her head at him and led May away. Anxiety clung to her, stealing the evening’s shine. How could she relax when Allan was out there all on his own?