“Go to her,” Clayton said grasping his son’s forearm. “Do what you have to do.”
Blake swallowed hard realizing that once again his father was letting him go. His mother reached for him, grasping him in strong arms and whispering love in his ear then letting him go, as Clay pulled her back to her seat. It was time to go. It was time to bring this to an end.
Chapter 18
“Darcy,” Blake knocked softly on the partially open door of the room the young woman had moved into. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” the word was terse.
Blake pushed the door open stopping just over threshold as Darcy stuffed things into a bag.
“Darcy, what are you doing?”
“It’s time to go.” Darcy stopped what she was doing standing upright with a soft hiss. “You said yourself we don’t have much time. If we don’t go soon, we might not find them all together.”
Blake took a step closer to the woman he had brought to the Broken J only weeks ago. She was still pale, her dark hair clinging to her damp brow, but her luminous eyes were full of determination and a hint of pain.
“All right,” he said reaching out and gently taking her shoulders in his hands. He felt Darcy shiver and considered closing the window but pressed on. “We’ll leave today, but are you sure you’re ready?”
“I’m not going to be any more ready tomorrow than I am today. We need to do this and bring it all to end then we can go our separate ways.”
Blake dropped his hands surprised at her words. Would he have to say good-bye to his plucky friend? His job left little room for a future with a wife and children, but he had hoped the he and Darcy could remain friends. “You’ll leave when this is over?”
“I have a life you know,” Darcy snapped turning back to shove more items into her bag. “Go get ready and make sure you pack that pistol of yours, we might need it.”
Blake stepped away, his heart sagging as he headed for the door.
“Turnip.”
Blake swiveled on his heel meeting her steady gaze.
“Thanks for saving my worthless life.”
Blake wanted to go to her, to assure her that she was of great worth, but he could see by the set of her jaw and the cold glint in her eye that it would do no good. Dropping his gaze, he moved toward the door heading to his own room.
Within fifteen minutes they were both packed and headed for the car only to be stopped by his mother who held a small leather bag in her hand.
“You might need this,” Meg Allen said, her aquamarine eyes soaking in the sight of her son. “Just a few supplies in case you get stranded somewhere.”
“Thanks Ma,” Blake said, taking the bag and reaching out to hug his mother. “I’ll write as soon as I can.”
“You had better,” Meg sniffed releasing Blake and turning to Darcy who she pulled into a gentle embrace. “You look after yourself,” the older woman sighed. “You are always welcome here on the Broken J and,” she paused clearing the hitch in her throat. “Thank you for looking after him for me.”
Darcy nodded, lifting her chin and brushing at her eye with the back of her hand. “I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all anyone can ask,” Meg agreed. “You’re both doing the right thing,” she continued. “There are wicked men in this world who will do anything for wealth and power. They don’t care who they hurt to get what they want as they look down on those of us who work for a living. Remember, that no matter what happens, you are stronger together.”
Blake dropped his hand to his mother’s shoulder placing a kiss on her cheek as Darcy walked around the flashy car and slipped into the passenger seat.
Stepping away from his heart and home, Blake climbed into the car and turned the engine over, the roar of the fast auto, drowning out his mother’s last words as he trundled down the drive.
“We’ll be praying.” Meg whispered, her heart turning to ash in her breast.
Chapter 19
The drive toward Laramie was long, winding, and quiet as the racy little car ate up the miles.
Darcy spent most of the time staring out the window and leaving Blake alone with his own thoughts. He was both worried and exhilarated about the prospect of finally discovering the identity of the man who had been organizing everything for this notorious gang.
“I think we need to go into Laramie first,” Darcy spoke for the first time in nearly an hour. “I’m not sure where the real hideout is, but I think I know who will.” The young woman turned looking at Blake and he quickly glanced away from the road to connect with her eyes.
“You can still back out of this,” the words popped from his mouth and he cringed at the hard look she gave him.
“It’s too late for me Turnip, I’ve been lost since the day I met Pierce. You just focus on keeping us alive and finding justice for these men.”
Blake nodded, his eyes once more glued to the road. He could see by the hard set of her jaw that Darcy wouldn’t change her mind. He was proud of her determination, but worried for her safety. She had barely escaped with her life the last time they got in the middle of what this gang was doing.
Setting his mind on the goal, Blake pushed the worry and doubt behind him and focused on the end result. They were too close to turn back now.
***
Darkness was almost upon them when Blake pulled to a stop in front of a little house on a hill near Laramie. “Who lives here?” Blake asked peering into the gray light. The small boxy house tucked into the side of the hill looked empty but for the golden glow that
