“You left the chest there?” West asked.
Father Dominic nodded. “In the deepest part of the chamber behind some loose rocks that had fallen against the wall of the cave. No one would suspect where it is.”
Julia asked, “Have you been back to look for it?”
Father Dominic shook his head. “I was attacked two days later, and I didn’t feel up to riding. I know that whoever the cowboy was, he might have had the map, but he had no idea where the actual cave is. I didn’t start the map at the copse of trees where I left the road, just from when I found the cave entrance.”
“I saw a copse of trees about a mile out of Smiley when we came in on the stage. Julia and I can head in the direction of the arroyo and look for that cave. The chest must be kept safe from Kate Mulligan. We don’t know what her intentions are, but they aren’t good,” West explained. “Now, what direction did you take when you left the road?”
“It was early afternoon, and the sun was just a bit lower than straight overhead, and I followed the sun, so I’d say that must have been west. Maybe a bit northwest,” Father Dominic said. “I could come with you, but I need to watch over Meg.”
“Yes, that’s important, and I can’t let Julia stay here to watch Meg because two women alone would be a greater attraction to some men. Besides, she’s my partner,” West told Father Dominic.
Julia smiled when she heard West’s reasons for not trying to leave her behind. Maybe he was seeing her as an equal finally. She still hadn’t won the battle over who slept on the floor, but she was determined to win that one eventually.
“Are you ready to go and retrieve the chest,” West asked.
Julia nodded and handed the bag to Father Dominic, saying, “Since Meg is asleep, West can’t measure her feet and buy her some boots. I packed everything she needs, and there is a thick pair of socks in the bag she can wear instead of boots until we return.”
Father Dominic thanked Julia, and West took her arm and led her from the church.
Once outside, West said, “I didn’t realize women packed warm socks when they traveled.”
“Some might if they don’t have slippers, but the socks were yours. I didn’t have anything thick enough to protect her feet.”
West stopped and stared at her. “You took my socks?”
“Of course, why not?”
“You didn’t ask.”
“Did I have to? We’re married, right. What’s yours is mine,” Julia winked as she walked toward the livery stable.
West wasn’t sure how to answer, and it frustrated him that she kept putting him in situations where he couldn’t find the words to answer her.
As he followed her to the livery stable, he couldn’t help but admire how well she looked in a riding skirt and blouse. How could Archie put men and women together as partners and not expect them to develop some feelings for the other? Did he have feelings for her? Certainly not, but then again, when she winked at him, he felt something he never felt before. Did she feel the same?
“West. West?” Julia’s voice drifted into his musings from somewhere when he finally realized she was speaking to him.
“What?”
“I asked if you had a preference for horses. We’ll need two that will carry us for several days if we can’t find what we’re looking for right away. I like this gelding,” Julia said excitedly. “He reminds me of a horse we had back home.”
“He’s too big for you,” West insisted. “This pretty little mare is more suitable.”
Julia laughed. “You don’t think I can ride the gelding?”
West shrugged. “I don’t know. It looks like a strong wind would blow you away. You’ve spent the last two years in a convent. You’re umm, well, gentile, not strong.”
Julia, hands fisted at her hips, glared at West. “How many nuns do you know?”
“None,” West confessed.
“If you did, you’ll know they’re strong. Do you think they just sit and pray all day?”
“They don’t pray all day?” West asked confusion crossing his face.
“Of course, they do,” Julia said. “But they do it while working. Hard work. They’re nuns, not the ladies you are used to who sit and drink tea all day.”
West mumbled his apologies, desperately trying to find the words yet again to express what he felt. What was it about this woman that tongue-tied him?
“West looked at the hostler. “We need to rent two horses for a few days. The lady prefers the brown gelding.”
The hostler cleared his throat, “I have another gelding, this black. He’s nearly as good and fast as Major there, but I think the little lady has her heart set on Major.”
“We’ll rent them both,” West said.
West saddled the black while the hostler saddled Major, and West was impressed that Julia double-checked the cinch before mounting Major. His wife surprised him more each day. He had to stop thinking of her as his wife and only as his partner. He vowed to have a word or two with Archie when they returned to Denver.
After stopping at Smiley’s place to stock up on supplies for a few days, they headed back the way they came, both hoping the map Father Dominic drew was good enough for them to find the cave and the chest.
Chapter 10
West and Julia found the copse of trees easily enough a little over a mile from town. A small stream winding through the trees added the needed moisture to grow the trees in the middle of the prairie. While their horses drank and munched on the available green grass, West and Julia scanned the area, trying to decide on the best direction to search.
Julia said, “Those hills must have caves, but they surround us to the west and north. Father Dominic said he thinks he went west or a bit northwest. Which direction do you want to try first?”
“We head west to
