Dreams of Gold Read Free Page B

description. “The passenger, Miss Morrissey, gave a similar account of the event.”
    “Spunky thing.” His grin drooped sideways. “Just jumped in seat and whipped up team. Not much experience driving, though.” He squinted and blinked hard. “A whole lot of bouncing and then nothing. Guess I passed out.”
    So Pete recognized her individuality, too. “Were their horses or saddles familiar? Maybe you heard a name.”
    “Nope.” Pete shifted his weight and winced, cradling his arm. “Weren’t there only to rob the stage.”
    Quinn tensed at the insinuation in the driver’s words. Just like he’d thought. “What do you mean?”
    “Didn’t go for strongbox. Takin’ billfolds and jewelry…all for show.” His gaze sharpened. “Pulled out ol’ Judge Stanton…and took off at a gallop.”
    “Aw, hell.”
    All afternoon Quinn had sensed trouble was brewing.
    Now the truth was revealed. “They grabbed my circuit judge?”

Chapter Two
    Quinn shoved away from the wall of the doctor’s examining room and paced the tiny space between the patients’ cots. “I’ve been waiting almost a month for Judge Stanton’s arrival. O’Malley’s trial was supposed to be tomorrow. Now I’ve got to gather a posse and search for the judge.”
    Pete cleared his throat. “Might not be needed.”
    Quinn pierced him with an angry stare. “What do you mean?”
    Pete gulped and shifted uneasily on the cot. “They was real intent on the judge. Biggest man told judge… this was his judgment day.”
    Blasted vigilantism. Once that wild behavior surfaced, it was hard to control. He had to get out there and check the area for clues. “How far out of town did this happen?”
    “Reached top of that long pull south of Misty Falls.” Pete guided his good hand upward. “Hid in the clump of brush there.”
    Hand scraping his jaw, he nodded. “I know the place. Smart choice. They were hidden from both directions.” A bold venture in broad daylight. He thought of the strangers he’d seen in town recently, but couldn’t remember any who’d caught his attention.
    The doctor stepped up. “Pete needs to rest. Can your questions wait?”
    Preoccupied with what he’d heard, Quinn nodded. “I’ll check back later. Doc, how’s Miss Morrissey?”
    “She’ll be fine, just shaken. I convinced her to stretch out on a couple of chairs and rest with a cloth on her forehead.”
    The image of the green-eyed beauty stretched across his bed flashed in his mind. For a second, he enjoyed the idea of loosening layers of fine woman’s clothing and discovering the lean figure hidden beneath. He shook his head and cursed himself for not concentrating on the business at hand. “When she’s ready to leave, can you direct her to the boarding house? Tell her the bags are there, and I’ve talked with Belle about securing her a room.”
    Doc inclined his head toward the other patient. “What about Miss Fairchild?”
    Quinn jerked his head around, his gaze settling on the still unconscious woman. “Of course, I’ll arrange a room for both ladies.” Damn, the green-eyed Miss Morrissey was making him forget his sworn duties.
    “Will do. You take care, Quinn.” The doctor stepped close and lowered his voice. “From what I’ve overheard, those men knew what they were doing.”
    Quinn pushed aside the curtain and stepped into the waiting room. He glanced at the shapely figure lying across three chairs, but cautioned himself not to linger. He needed to concentrate on finding the culprits. Not fill his head with concerns about a petite female who, from the moment she looked into his eyes, had bewitched him.
    ****
    Ciara likened the murmur of the deep male voices from the other room to the sound of far-off thunder rumbling around a small valley. If only she could make out what the men were saying.
    Breathing a sigh of relief, she let her thoughts wander. Her long journey from Boston had ended. In this town, she would honor her mother’s dying wish