Idaho Gold Fever

“Why would anyone do such a thing?” Rachel was shocked. “I’ll go tell my pa and he’ll get to the bottom of it.”

“No,” Fargo said, snagging her wrist as she went to stand. “The only one who is to know is you, and then only so you can keep your eyes peeled when I’m off hunting.”

Rachel leaned closer, her breath warm on his neck. “Peeled for what?”

“Them.” Fargo nodded at Rinson and his men. “Their comings and goings. Keep track of who goes where and when, and let me know when I get back.”

“That’s easy enough.”

“Don’t let them catch on,” Fargo warned.

“What will they do? Try to kill me? I very much doubt it. Besides, what purpose would it serve? If you ask me, whoever it was who took a shot at you was acting on their own behalf.” Rachel gnawed her lower lip. “I bet it was Slag or Perkins. Neither of them likes you.”

“Just be careful,” Fargo stressed.

Grinning impishly, Rachel squeezed his leg. “Why, kind sir, does this mean you care?”

Before Fargo could answer, Martha Winston was in front of them, and she wasn’t happy. “How many times must I tell you, daughter? Look at yourself. Sitting there with your hand on Mr. Fargo’s leg, cozying up to him for everyone to see.”

“Oh, Ma,” Rachel began.

“Don’t Ma me. Take your hand off his leg right this second. It’s bad enough you’re the talk of the camp. I won’t have you acting the hussy where everyone can see.”

“She hasn’t done anything to be ashamed of,” Fargo came to Rachel’s defense.

“Spare me your lies, Mr. Fargo,” Martha said sharply. “You seem to forget we are God-fearing folk. We live by the Bible. To some that might seem silly. But we try to do what’s right, and it’s not right for an unmarried woman to carry on with a man the way my daughter has been carrying on with you. I haven’t said anything until now because I’ve hoped and prayed that you would propose. But that’s not going to happen, is it?”

Fargo didn’t answer.

“I didn’t think so. But at least you’re not a hypocrite. You haven’t promised her the moon to get under her skirts. Why buy the cow when you can have the milk for free?”

“Ma!” Rachel exclaimed.

“Oh, please. I’m a married woman with two children. When I was your age I felt what you’re feeling. But I never gave in, not until I said ‘I do.’ That’s the difference between right and wrong. I won’t cast stones, but I wish to heaven Mr. Fargo would leave so we can get on with our lives and find you a man to call your very own.”

This was the first inkling Fargo had that Rachel’s mother felt this way. “I can’t leave just yet.”

Martha misconstrued. “Of course not. You have a good thing going here. But I ask you to reconsider. For our sakes. The sooner we are shed of you, the better. The longer you drag this out, the more harm it will do to Rachel’s reputation.”

Rachel said, “I don’t care about that.”

“But I do. Someone has to watch out for you. Or hasn’t it occurred to you that you are harming your prospects of getting a husband?”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it? Most men don’t want loose women for wives. You best hope your reputation doesn’t spread or you’re liable to end your days alone and miserable, the price of your folly.”

Tears welled in Rachel’s eyes. “How can you talk to me like this?”

“If I don’t, who will? Certainly not your father. He pretends to turn a blind eye to your shenanigans but deep down he’s hurt.”

Rachel bowed her head.

“As for you,” Martha said to Fargo. “Haven’t you done enough harm? Can’t you control your urges and leave us be?”

“Hell,” Fargo said.

“I will only say this once,” Martha said. “And keep in mind I know how to use a gun. I’ve hunted game, and shot ducks on the wing.”

Fargo had a disturbing thought.

Martha turned. “I’ve said my piece.” Wheeling, she walked off, her back as rigid as a ramrod.

“She’s right,” Rachel said softly. “I didn’t give it any thought. But God help me, she’s right.” She slowly stood. “Excuse me. I need to be alone for a while. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Go ahead,” Fargo said.

Rachel walked away, her head bowed.

A few glances were thrown Fargo’s way by those who overheard Martha’s tirade. Rather than sit there and be stared at, Fargo got up and walked about to stretch his legs, and to think. It was preposterous, his suspicion, but stranger things had happened. He was so deep in thought that he nearly collided with someone who suddenly stepped in front of him.

“We need to talk,” Rinson said.

“You, too?”

“What?” Rinson lowered his voice. “Did you see any Injun sign when you were out hunting today?”

“No.”

“One of my men did. He claims he saw a red devil spying on the farmers from the woods at the end of the valley.”

“Your man didn’t shoot him?”

“We don’t want trouble with the Nez Perce if we can avoid it. Not for our sakes. For the settlers. They’re the ones who have to live here after we’re gone. Unless we’re attacked, we’ll leave the Nez Perce be.”

“That’s damned decent of you,” Fargo said.

“I don’t much like your tone. But I wanted you to know, just in case my man wasn’t seeing things.”

“I’m obliged.”

Rinson hooked his thumbs in his gun belt. “See? We can get along if we try.”

Fargo watched the hawk-faced hardcase saunter back to his friends. First Gore, then Martha, now this. Add the Nez Perce into the mix, and he better have eyes in the back of his head or there was a good likelihood he would end up with a bullet in the brain or an arrow between his shoulder blades.

13

The second attempt to kill him came the next morning.

Fargo was up at daybreak, as usual, and ate breakfast with the Winstons, as usual. Martha was cold to him. Rachel was withdrawn. Lester talked about downing timber for their cabins, and how he couldn’t wait to break soil and plant crops. Billy chattered about an eagle he had seen and possible wolf tracks the boys found.

Fargo was tightening the Ovaro’s cinch when the scent of lilacs wreathed him.

Rachel had a shawl over her shoulders and a bonnet on her head. “I’ve been thinking over what my mother said to us.”

“And?” Fargo prompted when she didn’t go on.

“I’m sorry she’s so upset. But I’m past the age where she can tell me what to do. I can do as I please and it pleases me to be with you.”

Fargo gave the cinch a final tug.

“As for people talking behind my back, that can’t be helped. If they want to think I’m a hussy, so be it. I know I’m not.”

“You’ll have to live with them after I’m gone.”

“So? Either they accept me as I am or they can go to Hades and I’ll go live in a city somewhere. I hear a woman can make it on her own if she’s willing to work hard.”

Fargo reached for the saddle horn but Rachel put a hand on his arm.

“I just don’t want you thinking it’s over between us because of Ma. It’s not, is it?”