Read Online Melinda Heads West by Robyn Corum - Free Book Online Page A

log and sat down, weaving slightly.
    “What money?” Lucas asked with a guarded look.
    “Oh, this cunning thief here has had the money all along!” Mindy said.
    “What? You’re the reason everyone’s getting killed?”
    Boone cursed. “No, of course not. Those men planned to rob the stage. We would have all been killed.”
    Mindy stood with her hands on her hips. “Well, what am I supposed to do now? I’ve got two cripples on my hands!”
    “I’m not a cripple!” both men said together.
    “Wait just a cotton-picking minute, little lady,” Boone said. “Have I asked anything of you? No, I haven’t, and I don’t plan to!”
    “I didn’t mean it like that. Of course, I’ll take care of you … both, but at this rate, we’ll all be dead before we arrive in Tipton!”
    “You take care of Lucas! I’ll see to myself,” Boone growled. He staggered to his feet and lurched to the edge of the stream. He dug his hands into the water and splashed the cooling liquid against his face and head.
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Mindy said, walking over to him. “Here, let me see it.”
    “Get away from me! Go tend to Lucas!”
    “What’s wrong with you? I’m only trying to see how bad the wound is!”
    “It’s fine. Just a graze.” He pulled a bandana out of his back pocket, drenched it in the creek, and then tied it around his head. “See? All better. Go back to your other patient.”
    Mindy whirled away and stomped back to the fire site. “Patience … and faith,” she mumbled. “Lord, please give me patience and faith! Men!”
    Back at the waterside, Boone was holding his wounded head. “Women!”
    • • •
    Mindy went to check on the horses and came back looking dejected. “Well, we’re on foot again.”
    “They took the horses?” Boone guessed.
    “Yes. How are we ever going to make it?” Mindy slumped to the ground. “I’ve had it. I’ve had it with this trip, with you men, and with dodging bullets every other minute. Please, someone tell me this has all been a bad dream.” She gazed over at the men’s solemn faces. “I’m sorry.” Mindy lowered her head into her hands.
    Boone walked over to her and stood awkwardly. He didn’t know whether to sit down or continue standing. She looked up at him. “It’ll be okay,” he said. “We’re still alive. It’s not that much farther to town.” He wanted to be tender and kind, but knew by now that Mindy would respond better to a challenge. “You don’t need to start your caterwauling now!”
    “I’m not caterwauling! I’m fine,” Mindy said. She raised her head and looked deep into Boone’s eyes. “Why didn’t you just give them the money before?”
    Boone didn’t answer. He cursed and walked away.
    • • •
    The next morning, they set out as soon as the sun peeked over the horizon. Lucas struggled but remained upright, moving slowly. They had traveled approximately a mile when they heard a shout: “Hello! Is anybody out there?”
    The trio exchanged glances. The immediate desire was to call out in response, but prudence stopped them.
    “Hello?” The call came again, closer this time, and from above. “If you can hear me, holler out! It’s okay! I’m with the stage line! Hello!”
    Mindy’s shoulders dropped in relief. Boone and Lucas smiled. “Here! We’re down here!” Lucas called back. “Down by the water!”
    “Hold on,” said the voice. “I’m coming down!”
    In a moment, a horse and rider came through an expanse of trees. He stopped short upon seeing the three. “What the heck happened? Where are the rest of the passengers? Where’s Gibb?”
    “Dead. They’re all dead.”
    “Dead!” The man was a wiry thing. He looked ancient, with gray hair and kind eyes. “Was it thieves?”
    “Yep. They got the money,” Boone said. “I’m Marshal Gary Boone. I was along for the ride and supposed to be guarding it. You could say we ran into more than we bargained for.”
    Mindy’s eyes had widened with the