A Treasure Concealed Read Free Page A

taller.
    â€œName’s Kirk Davies.”
    The man looked down momentarily at Emily. She quickly lowered her head. There was something about him she didn’t trust—something that suggested trouble. Davies was certainly no more scruffy and dirty than the other men who lived in the area, but he had an air about him that almost frightened her.
    â€œI’m Henry Carver. What can I do for you?”
    â€œWell, the fact is, I’m here to do something for you. I understand you own the claim just up the hill and back of these trees.”
    Emily glanced back up to find that Davies’ attention was completely fixed on her father. The scowl on Pa’s face told her he didn’t like the intrusion and arrogance of this man any more than she did.
    â€œI reckon I do, but I hardly see how that’s any of your business.”
    Davies’ jaw clenched and Emily could see his eyes narrow. He had beady eyes that reminded her of a rattlesnake. “I’m here to offer to buy you out. I’m employed by a man who wants to buy up as many of these claims as possible.”
    â€œWell, you’re wastin’ your time with me. I ain’t lookin’ to sell.”
    â€œNow, just a minute,” Davies countered. “You haven’t even heard what I’m set to offer.”
    â€œDon’t much care what you’re offerin’. I don’t have any intention of sellin’.”
    â€œWell, if you ain’t an ingrate.” Davies reached out faster than Emily or her father could react. He took hold of Henry’s upper arms, making it impossible for him to raise the rifle in defense.
    Emily forgot about hiding her face and jumped to her feet to confront Davies. “Leave him alone.”
    Davies looked at her a moment. Then his face seemed to light up in amusement. “Now, ain’t you a sight. You got eyes darkerthan stout ale. In fact, you’re kind of pretty. Be even better in the right clothes. Or out of them.”
    Emily stiffened, but it was her father who made the next move. He punched Davies square in the belly, loosing the big man’s grip.
    Davies fell back a few steps, and his eyes narrowed. “You ought not to have done that, mister. I can’t abide a man who hits me.”
    â€œAnd I can’t abide a man who lays hands on me and treats my daughter like a common strumpet,” Carver replied, once again bringing up the rifle. “Now, get outta here before I forget I’m a good Christian.”
    Davies’ scowl deepened. “You’re gonna need more than God to protect you. I’ll go for now, but I’ll be back in a week for your answer.”
    â€œYou already have my answer,” Emily’s father declared. “I said no. I’m not lookin’ to sell.”
    Davies’ expression changed to a cold, calculated smile. “You will be—only then my offer ain’t gonna be half as generous.”
    He turned and headed back the way he’d come, leaving Emily and her father to watch. Despite the heat, Emily shivered. She could only hope he would forget about them, but unfortunately, she knew that wasn’t likely.

2
    C aeden Thibault stepped from the stage in Utica and glanced around. He saw a hotel, several saloons, a post office and bank, stables, and a mercantile, just like any other small frontier town. A person could blink and miss it if they weren’t headed here as their final destination.
    Over one building the sign read Silver Dollar Saloon . It looked like a popular place with plenty of men standing in the shade of the structure. Another sign caught his attention, however. Feed Stable . He hoped he could rent himself a reliable horse there. He’d already received permission to leave his things at the blacksmith’s, which doubled as the stage office. The man there assured him his things would be safe there.
    Caeden studied the main street again. He was tired and thirsty. Mostly thirsty.