Daughter of the Dragon

San Francisco, CA -- 1867

Captain Noah Stewart took a deep breath, closed his eyes and stretched -- a long, slow stretch -- reaching -- to rid himself of the constant tension required to sail a tall ship in the South China Sea and across the Pacific. His hand automatically sought the nape of his neck, to work out the knot still there. "Good to be back."

His gaze drifted around his spacious apartment living room. Everything looked exactly as he'd left it. A temple bell from Siam rested quietly next to a graceful statue from Africa. A Golden Dragon beneath his feet curled contentedly, woven into the deep green rug. Treasures from around the world, marking the stops along the trade route, the mileposts of his life the last ten years. A small pile of mail, on the ivory inlaid chest in front of the window, caught his eye. "Probably too old to read. Mrs. Chan keeps everything."

He shook his head. His housekeeper was absolutely trustworthy. She wouldn't throw away as much as a newspaper in his absence. He slowly walked to the chest, brushed back the beaded curtain, and stared at his ship, lying at anchor in the harbor below. He nodded unconsciously. The Malabar was a fine-looking ship, even with her sails furled.

It had been a good trip. The hold was full of goods from China. The deals had gone well. The money was in the bank and the cargo would be transferred starting tomorrow. His attention wandered back to the mail. "Might as well see what I've missed."

He fingered the yellow envelope on top. "A telegram?"

His brows knitted in concentration as he ripped it open. "What...?" The words jumped from the page:

Sarah in Florence Idaho Territory with Henry: STOP

Father left to find her: STOP

Stop him: STOP

Mother: END

"Mother? What the devil...?" His hand flew to the pile, scattering the mail, searching for another letter -- anything from his mother -- that would make sense of the cryptic message.

"Aha!" He pulled an envelope from the bottom of the pile. A yellowed postmark showed its age. He tore it open, searching for a hint. "Hmm..."

His mother's words rang in his ears: "Your sister Sarah has gone away as well. She left with a very nice young man by the name of Henry Johnson. They didn't tell me where they were going, so I wouldn't have to lie to your father. You know how he is. I do hope they're happy, as I hope you are, Noah. I miss you, son.

Your loving mother,

Hannah Baxter Stewart"

Noah rubbed a tired hand across his forehead, staring at his mother's letter. This was old news. He scrummaged for the telegram envelope. How long had it been here? "Here it is."

He studied the postmark. It had taken his father more than two years to find Sarah, but he evidently had. He'd be furious with her for leaving with a man -- especially if they weren't married. And he'd drag her home to put a stop to such sinful behavior, if he didn't beat her to death, first. "To save her immortal soul." Noah sneered at the thought.

"I have to find her. We've run from him long enough -- both of us."

He did a quick mental calculation. It would take his father several months to cross the United States from Nova Scotia overland. His gaze rested on one of the old newspapers lying on the table. A picture of the latest steam engine, with an accompanying story filled the front columns.

He flipped the paper open. The route of the proposed transcontinental railroad stretched out before him, across California and the open territory to the east, with its eventual meeting point in the Utah territory and the Idaho territory to the north, marked out. The railroad was coming west out of Omaha at the same time. Horseback riding distances were getting shorter and shorter across the country.

With the new railroad out of San Francisco cutting further west every day, the Idaho territory was only weeks away.

"I can get there. I can beat the old man." Noah crumpled the telegram in his fist. Resting would have to wait. His first mate could unload the cargo and get the Malabar ready for their next trip. He had to go to Florence, in the Idaho Territory -- as soon as he figured out where the devil it was.

Chapter 1

Florence, Idaho Territory -- August, 1867

Leonid Chaikov rubbed a clammy hand across his mouth and tugged on his great, gray beard. His cards wouldn't change, no matter how long he stared. He crushed them together and glanced around the tiny mountain shack. The bare studs of the interior offered no encouragement. The raw planks and barren cabin looked as bleak as his poker hand. He thumbed them open. No luck. Still the same stinkin' cards. "Two pair. Two lousy pair."

"Come on, Chaikov. I ain't got all day. You gonna see my hand or not?" The voice from across the table grated in his ears. Turning to face the voice, he stared into merciless, beady eyes, glinting across the table. How had he ever allowed himself to get into a card game with Hargrave and Armitage? Sun Lee would have his hide if he lost their mine to this card shark and his 'go-fer'. "Shut up, Hargrave. It's my mine I'm putting on the table."

The hint of a smile snaked across Hargrave's angular face. He leaned back, tipping his chair onto its back legs. "That it is, Chaikov, that it is. You take all the time you want, 'cause when we get done, it's all gonna be my mine."

Hargrave's face set into its ever-present sneer. He jerked upright. The chair hit the floor with a resounding thud. Chaikov jumped at the sound, then settled into his own rickety seat. An unintelligible grunt escaped his lips. The cards, made thick by too many sweaty fingers from too many poker games, refused to budge. He held them toward the flickering lamplight and shook his head. No matter what he did, all he could see was two pair, with a Jack kicker. A shudder shook the big man's frame -- a shudder out of place on this stifling August night. Oh well, he couldn't cover his marker in the pot now. It was all or nothing at this point.

He smoothed the precious paper lying on the table. Picking up the pencil stub beside him, he scrawled his name on the front, endorsing the deed. Caressing it gently between his fingers, he finally stretched out his hand and deposited the document atop the pile of coins in the table's center. He brushed the other document lying by the coins.

"I'll call. I'm puttin' the deed to the mine down. And I'll see your hand." Chaikov glared across the table, keeping his hand firmly on the two papers.

Hargrave's smile widened. "I'll be glad to show it to you. Read 'em and weep, Chaikov."

Hargrave stood up, spreading his cards on the worn tabletop. "Three pretty Queens lined up beside a pair of Jacks. A full house, Chaikov."

He leaned forward, pressing his palms on the table. Eye-to-eye, he hissed, "Show me better, if you got it."

Chaikov's shoulders sagged. He pulled his hand back and turned his cards face up. "You got me beat. My two pair won't take that."

His heart sank. He'd lost it -- lost the Golden Dragon Mine. Sun Lee would never forgive him -- and she was such a good daughter. Since her mother's death, she'd loaded dirt and worked with him like a trouper. What could he say to her? He buried his face in his hands.

A strangled sound, coming from the third player in this unholy card game, caught his attention. He glanced at Armitage, who'd been in at the beginning. Seeing Armitage's face, he looked back at the cards. "What's wrong with you, Rat Face? You look like you just seen a ghost."

"Oh, nothing, nothing at all!"

Hargrave threw Armitage a withering glance. "Nothing's wrong, Chaikov. You just lost a mine that's all. I'll be takin' my winnings."

Chaikov's huge arm stopped Hargrave's sweep of the table. "Just a minute." His hand shot out, scooping up Armitage's cards. "I want to see these."

Hargrave tried in vain to stop him. "You can't do that."

Chaikov held the third hand in his huge fist and shook it slowly in Hargrave's face. "I just did."

He spread the cards on the table between the other two hands. A pair of jacks peaked out of Armitage's hand. An icy chill settled over the three men. Chaikov stood, towering over the others. He glared at the winner. "It's your deck, Hargrave. Since when does a poker deck have five Jacks in it?"

"Ah, I..." Hargrave searched for words, his eyes murderous thunderclouds, threatening to drown Armitage for his mistake.

"Never mind." Chaikov reached for the pieces of paper. "I'll be takin' the deeds."

Hargrave swung toward him. "No!"

Chaikov's hand dropped to his gun. "Yes, I will."

He was too slow. As his hand touched holster leather, he felt the searing pain in his chest, an instant before he heard the crack of a derringer. It was the last sound he ever heard. He clutched at his chest, trying to stop the pain exploding inside, trying to cover the hole exposing his lung. He couldn't breathe. Darkness eroded his vision, leaving him only a glimpse of the deeds on the table. With a dying gasp, he lunged toward the shadow.

The two men watched the miner slump over the table, then slide to the floor, dragging the papers with him. The table tipped with his weight, hitting the floor with a resounding crash. Chairs and coins scattered over the cabin floor. Hargrave turned his full wrath on the hapless Armitage. "Stupid bastard. It's your fault I had to kill him."

"I'm sorry, boss. I didn't mean to give it away."

Hargrave picked the spent percussion cap from the derringer he always carried up his sleeve. Taking careful aim, he gave the tiny piece of brass a deliberate flick, bouncing it off Armitage's forehead. "Well, you can just get rid of the body, since you made such a mess of this. Now we'll have to make it look like he ran off, 'cause he lost the mine."

Hargrave pulled the deed from the miner's death grip. Smiling, his gaze dropped down the page, then stopped "What the...? Damnation!"

His fist closed on the paper, crunching it. Armitage looked up from his coin retrieving. "What's wrong now?"

Hargrave furiously smoothed the wrinkles out of the deed and laid the precious piece of paper on the pine board braced on the wall, serving as a counter top. He retrieved the pencil and filled in his own name as the receiver of the deed. "His daughter's name is on this deed, too. It's not a clear title."

Armitage chuckled. "Maybe you'll have to marry her. Then the mine would be yours."

Hargrave glared. "The last thing I need is a slanty-eyed wife, who runs around in buckskins and is sassier than an old mule."

Armitage moved out of arm's reach. "It wouldn't be for long. Just long enough to get her signature, to get the rest. She sure ain't gonna work that claim with you. You know that."

Hargrave considered the remark. "Well she'll either marry me or turn it over, or she'll be dead, just like her old man. That nugget he had assayed in Riggins last week was the richest one to ever come out of this field, and we're gonna have the rest."

Hargrave slammed his fist on the counter top. Armitage jumped. "What ever you say."

Hargrave shot him a disgusted glance. "Just get rid of that body. Bury it deep, away from the cabin. Don't want anybody to find it when Sun Lee decides to search for her old man. She's not gonna take our word he's gone. We'll let her look for him 'til she decides he's run out on her, just like that fella she used to run with."

Armitage nodded. "We can keep an eye on her. If she works the claim, we'll know it. She may lead us to where he found the nugget."

Hargrave folded the deed carefully and tucked it into his frock coat pocket. He retrieved the second paper and tucked it away as well. "And if she doesn't come around soon enough, she may just have an 'accident', like some other people have up here."

At that, both men laughed, remembering other miners who had mysteriously disappeared in this rugged community, where law and order made only an occasional appearance.

"Go on. Get him buried. I got to get back to town. I can ride by moonlight. I'll wait 'til tomorrow to find Sun Lee to tell her about her old man takin' off after our card game."

Hargrave glanced over his shoulder. "And give me back my money, when you get it all picked up!"

The rat-faced man froze, mid-coin snatch. "Sure thing, boss, sure thing." He set the handful of money on the counter beside the rest of the coins he'd retrieved from their hiding places in the floor's cracks.

Hargrave scooped up the money, looked at Armitage, and put a few of the coins back on the counter. "You see that body's buried before morning."

Armitage nodded and watched Hargrave stomp out of the cabin into the darkness, to where the horses were tethered. The sound of the horse picking its way up the mountainside echoed in the stillness of the night. Armitage remained motionless, listening until the sound was entirely gone. Satisfied they were at last alone, he snatched up the money and turned to the lifeless miner lying on the floor.

His voice echoed in the bare cabin. "Well, Chaikov, it's just you and me now."

He nudged the body with the toe of his raggedy boot. "I got to bury you, you big ugly cuss. You're twice my size. You owe me, Chaikov."

Armitage looked the body over. Stuffing his fists into his pockets he continued to address the corpse. "Digging your grave ought to be worth them boots you got on. No sense lettin' 'em rot in the ground. You ain't gonna need 'em."

Armitage struggled, finally pulling the boots from the dead man's feet. Kicking off his own worn ones, he slipped his feet into the miner's decoratively studded boots. "Well, they're a mite big, but they'll shrink, if I wade in the stream going back. I'm obliged, Chaikov. I'll dig you a nice grave."

Armitage stared at the still form. He snapped his fingers. "A real nice grave, Chaikov." He knelt beside the body, patting its chest, carefully avoiding the bloody, gaping hole. A nervous laugh escaped his lips. His fingers wound around the watch chain. "Here we go. Yep, Chaikov, this here pocket watch of yours will be worth a real nice grave."

The silver timepiece fit nicely in his shirt pocket. "I never had a pocket watch, Chaikov. I'll take real good care of yours -- and your boots, too."

He glanced toward the cabin door. "Well, might as well get on with this. Come on, Chaikov, you're gonna have to go into the ground."

He slipped his arms underneath the inert form. Grunting and groaning, he pulled and tugged until the body started to slide. The miner's bare feet bumped and dragged against the rough-hewn planks, pulling splinters from the ragged surface. Ignoring the bloody trail, Armitage dragged the lifeless form across the room and out into the moonlit night, into the thick timber surrounding the cabin. The sorrowful wail of a lonesome timber wolf kept them company.

***

Sun Lee brushed a stray wisp out of her eyes. Shifting, setting her feet square, she grabbed the wheelbarrow handles and lifted with all her strength, tipping the load of dirt and rock into the shaker box. A huge dust cloud swirled around her.

"A-A-choo!"

She dropped the cart. Rubbing her nose against the back of her sleeve, she surveyed the results of her effort. A pile of earth, ready for washing, sat in the shaker, just below the first sluice gate.

"Mmmmm..." She gingerly stretched her back, rubbing the tender spot. Moving dirt all day was a chore when there were two of them. Doing it by herself was almost impossible. She shaded her eyes against the sun's noon glare and squinted, staring toward the trail. Where had he gone? He'd promised he would be back today. He'd promised he wouldn't go into Riggins for his Friday night drink. Sun Lee dropped her head. Her father's promises were just so many empty words. She'd probably have to go down, to get him out of jail again. He liked booze entirely too much to be a good miner any more.

She stiffened and tossed her head, swinging her thick, black hair back out of her way. But she could be a good miner, whether he was here or not. She could lift the dirt, shake the shakers and run the sluices as well as any man, better than most. Jaw set, she opened the gate, allowing the water to flow down the long series of sorting screens.

Satisfied at the gurgling flow, she shoved the lever in the rhythmic motion required to make the box spill its precious contents through the screened bottom into the rushing water. She watched the last of the dirt fall. It took so much longer to shovel and haul the dirt than it did to run it down the sluice box. She carefully turned over each rock left on the big screen. One more big nugget, just one -- like her father had found -- would prove she'd found the right spot. Tossing them out, one by one, she shook her head. No big ones. Oh well, maybe in the next one. She trudged downhill to the next, smaller screened box. A glint caught her eye. Sucking in a breath, she snatched up a clod, breaking it apart. Her eyes widened, then narrowed as she took a second look at the tantalizing find. "Fool's gold."

Her words echoed in the stillness. She tossed the sparkling bit of rock to the ground. She'd been here long enough to recognize iron pyrite when she saw it. She was no tenderfoot. The clatter of another rock, skittering along the trail, demanded her attention. Glancing up, she regarded the rider headed her way. That wasn't Dan, her father's mule. A tiny gasp escaped her lips.

"Hargrave." The name slipped between her clenched teeth. A chill slithered down her spine. She moved quickly to the end of the sluice box, to where her horse grazed, ground tethered. She yanked her shotgun from its saddle scabbard, pulled the hammers back and cradled it in the crook of her arm. The last thing she needed was to have to deal with this snake. Trouble and death followed him everywhere. What could he want? He never worked hard enough to be interested in mining. Putting her horse at her back, she waited. Hargrave pulled his mount to a stop and touched his hat in greeting.

"Howdy, Sun Lee. Been a while since I seen you." She nodded. He started to dismount, then stopped as the muzzle of Sun Lee's shotgun swung his way. "Easy, easy. This here's a social call."

"Oh? I never knew you to be the sociable kind, Hargrave."

"Well, I can be. We need to talk." He stared at the blue-eyed beauty behind the double barrels, pointed generally at him. If she weren't so cantankerous, a man could get used to her. 'Course he'd have to beat the spunk out of her. She was entirely too good with that gun for his taste. Her old man had let her get out of hand. Women had no business being that independent.

But still, with that dark hair hanging down her back in one long braid, a lithe, shapely body, at least from what he'd seen outlined by the buckskins she wore, and those big, blue eyes -- even though they were almond-shaped -- she was pretty. No -- beautiful -- for around here. Women, pretty or ugly, were few and far between in Florence. In the local saloon, Sadie was 'way' past her prime. The ride to Riggins for a night's pleasure was getting longer and longer. He might have to think again about claiming Sun Lee -- along with the mine.

Sun Lee squirmed, uncomfortable with his stare. "What do we need to talk about, Hargrave?"

"Why, we're partners, now, that's what."

Her grip on the gun tightened. What had her father done? "What are you talking about?"

"I won your father's share of this here mine in a card game last night."

Sun Lee recoiled from the words, bumping against the stallion behind her. "I don't believe you. My father would never turn loose of the Golden Dragon -- not willingly."

"Well, he did. He signed it over to me, legal-like. See?" He pulled the paper out of his coat. "You can see where he signed on the deed."

Sun Lee strained to see the signature, recognizing her father's oversized scrawl, even at this distance. "I guess that is his mark."

Hargrave nodded. "I know that doesn't count for your share of the mine, Sun Lee. That's why I said, we're going to be partners."

An icy fear coiled in the pit of her stomach. Could this be true? Could her father really have given up his share of the Golden Dragon to this worthless scum? Everyone in Florence was afraid of him. People who disagreed with him either turned up dead or just disappeared. The thought sunk deep, filling her with a nameless dread. "Where is my father?"

"Well now, I don't rightly know."

Sun Lee raised the gun muzzle to point directly at Hargrave's midsection.

"I don't know, I tell you." Hargrave shifted nervously in his saddle. "He felt real bad last night. After he lost, I mean. He had a few more drinks with me and Armitage, then headed out to his mule. Said he couldn't face you after losing his share of the Golden Dragon. He knew you'd be mad."

Sun Lee nodded. Mad didn't even come close to what she felt. "So what are your plans?"

He laughed a cold, expectant laugh and tucked the deed safely in his pocket. "Me? Why I'm going down to Riggins, to register my new claim, of course. I just wanted you to know about your new partner."

She could stand it no longer. "You can just forget it, Hargrave. You'll never get one ounce of dust out of this claim. I still don't believe you. I want to hear it from my father's lips."

The laughter stopped. Hargrave's smile disappeared and a grim, evil glare took its place. "Well you'd better believe me, missy. Your old man's gone. You and your granny and your chink friends ain't gonna run this place without him, no sir. When I get back, this mine is going to belong to me. And you will too, if I take a notion."

Sun Lee shuddered. "Over my dead body!"

Hargrave stared down. A chill filled the hot August day. "That could be arranged. Don't push me, Sun Lee. I'm going to have the claim, with or without you."

Sun Lee shivered. All the warmth had just disappeared from the sun's rays. She bit her lip, then clenched her teeth to stop any errant quiver of fear. Taking a deep breath, she shouldered the shotgun, centering Hargrave squarely in her sights. "What makes you think I'll let you ride out of here? I may just shoot you when you leave, like some vermin on the road."

The quiet hung between them. Her hands, rock steady, hid the fear snaking up her spine, coiling around her heart. Seconds as long as weeks dragged by. Hargrave finally shook his head. "No, you won't. You're not that kind, Sun Lee. You may be ornery, but you got scruples. You wouldn't shoot a man in the back."

He wheeled his horse and headed down the trail, shouting over his shoulder. "But remember, Sun Lee, scruples never kept anybody alive and a lead ball ain't the only way to die."

Through the gun sight, she watched him go, until the trail turned down and around the steep mountainside. The click, click, click of steel horseshoes against granite faded into the distance. Satisfied he'd really left, she carefully uncocked the hammers and slipped the heavy weapon back into its scabbard.

A huge sigh escaped her lips. She leaned forward burying her face against the big horse's withers. "Oh, Samson. What's he done to us, now?"

Samson nuzzled her shoulder. She reached up, scratching his chin. "You'll be here, won't you big guy? You're the only male critter around here I can depend on."

Leaning against him again, she fought the hot tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. Crying never solved anything. She had to find out the truth, whatever that was. And the truth was wherever her father had spent last night. It certainly wasn't here.

"Come on, boy." Wrapping her hand around the reins, she led him to the sluice box. Hopping on its edge, she pulled him into position and easily jumped into the saddle, her buckskin split-skirt allowing her to ride astride.

"Let's go big boy. Let's go home. Maybe Grandmother has heard something."

She let the sure-footed animal pick his own way up the trail toward Florence. Hargrave's words haunted her. What if he really did expect her to marry him? Or just turn over her share of the mine -- for nothing? He certainly wouldn't offer to buy it; that was obvious. The thought of calling him "husband" or sharing a house, or worse, a bed with him, made her skin crawl.

Who knew how many people he'd already killed or had ordered killed? Florence had no law, no marshal. "Might made right" in Florence and that was usually Hargrave.

She had to find her father...or...what was left of him. Otherwise, she could never argue with Hargrave. But she would fight him, with her dying breath if need be. "He won't take it away from me. I won't let him!"

***

The desk clerk spun the hotel guest book around, squinting at the tight signature. "How long will you be staying in Florence, Mr.--ah--Captain Stewart?"

"Till I'm ready to leave."

The clerk nodded, clearing his throat, stretching his neck to relieve the sudden tension. "Well, yes, sir, I mean...I -- ah -- didn't mean to pry."

Noah Stewart stared at the forlorn little man. "Then don't. That gold piece should cover things for a spell."

"No, sir. I mean -- yes, sir, for at least a week." The shaken clerk fumbled in the desk drawer, finally pulling out a room key. "Your room's the first one down the hall, to your right."

Noah took the key and nodded again, then shouldered his sea bag with one effortless swing, picked up his rifle and headed down the hall.

The clerk stared after him. "What's a sailor doing in Florence?" No answer came to him. Gold strikes pulled people from everywhere, but this sailor looked out of his element. No pan, no mining equipment, nothing. Didn't look like he needed money either, not from the gold piece he'd flipped on the counter to pay for the room. He shook his head and reread the entry.

Captain Noah Stewart, San Francisco, California.

He was a long way from home, if any of what he wrote was true. You never knew around here. The sharp slam of the door and the click of the lock told him Captain Stewart had found his room.

***

Noah caught a glimpse of himself in the shiny tin mirror above the washstand. He almost smiled at the ferocious-looking creature staring out at him. "You are a fright. Even if you find Sarah, she'll never recognize you. Her brother never looked like this."

His thick black beard covered nearly half his face and his equally thick hair was slicked back at the nape of his neck into the protective quirt all sailors wore, to protect themselves against sword strikes. One gold earring, his "burying" ring peaked out through the mane of hair.

He ran his hand around the back of his neck, massaging the taut tendons and scratching the itch under the heavily oiled knot. "Got to get this cut."

He massaged the bristles of his heavy beard. "Too hot for all this fur. It'll grow back before we sail again."

Tossing his bag into the corner, he stepped to the window. Even from this side of the building, he could see most of the main street of the tiny mining town. A saloon, a barbershop and public bathhouse lined one side of the road. A mercantile, two mining company offices, an assayer's office and the hotel -- such as it was -- sat on the other side of the dusty, boardwalk-lined street.

The largest building by far was the combination barn and livery stable at the far end of town. It was an imposing, two-story structure, with a sturdy corral to one side. The folks here took good care of their livestock. He shrugged. His own horse, bought at the rail line's end from a miner down on his luck, was safely boarded there for the time being. Not much else in this town. A far cry from the ports of call he was used to. New York, London, Canton. What a god-forsaken place -- this Florence. Six hundred miles from San Francisco and more than 2,500 miles from home.

Home. Nova Scotia -- that tiny peninsula in the North Atlantic. The one he'd left so long ago. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the window frame, his mother's words from the telegram echoing in his ears.

"Stop him."

He silently cursed his preacher-father and the strict Puritan heritage that allowed the old man to drive his only daughter from their home, then chase her across 2,500 miles of wilderness to bring her back.

Noah raised his head, nestling his chin on his fist, staring into the nearly empty side-street. Sarah had always been willful, as spunky as any girl could be. A smile forced its way through Noah's heavy beard. "Sarah."

She had adored her older brother and he lovingly excused her every transgression. But their father couldn't. His strict bible teachings couldn't contain Sarah either.

"I should have been there." Noah slammed a fist against the wood. "I could have stopped him." Facing down his father would have been a task, but he was at last big enough; he could have. He could have kept Sarah at home, safe with her young man, if that's where she wanted to be.

Instead, she'd run off with the man she loved, on a wagon train to this unheard-of place. He fished a small journal out of his sea bag and eased himself onto the bed, making sure the fragile-looking brass frame would hold his weight. He flipped the book open to the entry he'd copied from the freight company's log. Thank heavens freight companies kept track of travelers going both directions. Sarah and Henry had traveled with a wagon train bound for San Francisco.

"Mr. Mrs. Henry Johnson. Departure: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Destination: Florence, Idaho Territory." Well, at least they were passing for married. Maybe they were. That would please his mother and perhaps mollify his father. Maybe, if he got lucky they would still be here. He lay back, staring at the ceiling. Were they still here? Had he made it in time? Had his father arrived yet? Could they face the old man down, together?

He ran his hand across his eyes and let the sounds of the street lull him to rest. He'd deal with that later. He had to find her first.

Chapter 2

The chirping of the crickets and night frogs worked its way into Noah's consciousness. He blinked, glancing toward the window. "Dark!"

He'd slept the entire afternoon. Pangs of hunger assailed him. When had he eaten last? From the gnawing ache in his gut, too long ago. He moved gingerly, stretching the kinks out of his back. This spindly bed was nowhere near as comfortable as his sleeping hammock on the Malabar, his Malabar. The image of the tall ship, waiting for him, brought a momentary peace to his soul. He belonged on the ocean, not cooped up in this tiny room, with no water in sight. Rising, he grabbed his oiled wool sweater and pea coat from his sea bag. Mountain nights could get cold, he knew that much. Hesitating, he reached in again and pulled out a small derringer. Carefully loading it, he slipped it in his coat pocket. On the third reach, he retrieved his money pouch and hung it around his neck, after dropping a few more coins in his pocket. He considered and then buckled on his side holster and pistol. "Might come in handy."

Looking into the bag, he shook his head. The saber would be too much out of place here. He felt vaguely unbalanced without its ever-present weight hanging at his side. He pulled the bag shut and shoved it back into the corner. He shifted his leg; his boot knife was in place. Satisfied, he strode from the room, locking the door carefully. The clerk was still behind the desk.

"Clerk, is there a place a man could get a meal around here?"

The clerk's head bobbed up and down, as if on a spring. "Oh, yes. The woman at the bathhouse cooks. If you'd like something, just go over there, and tell her you'd like a bath and a meal. She'll fix you, right up. Oh, and the name's Miller, sir."

"Much obliged...Miller." Noah headed out the door into the night air. The sultry August day had turned into a chilly mountain evening. Darkness settled in on him. First things first. The barkeep at the saloon would know everyone in a town this small. He'd find out if the Johnsons were still here. Then he'd get a bath and a good meal. He'd see them after he'd cleaned up. He scratched his chin. "Beard has got to go."

The walk to the saloon took seconds. He gave the swinging door a push. All eyes turned to inspect the newest entry into the bar. Noah's gaze swept the room, seeing everything, acknowledging nothing. A few miners, a couple of broken down card sharks, a piano player, a scraggly whore, and the barkeep. Not much happening in Florence.

His footfalls echoed in the emptiness. As if on cue, the piano player turned and began to tap out "Beautiful Dreamer". The others turned back to their cards and drinks.

The barkeep nodded and tipped up an empty glass. "What'll you have, sailor?"

A smile slipped across Noah's face. Good thing he wasn't trying to hide. He obviously didn't look like a miner. "Rum."

The barkeep nodded. "I should've known. Light or dark?"

"Dark".

Wrapping his hand around the neck of the bottle, the barkeep poured a double shot glass full. "You sailors like your rum stout, surely you do."

Noah nodded and tossed down the drink. "Fill it again."

He tossed a coin onto the bar. Pocketing the shiny piece, the barkeep complied. "What brings you out here? You're a long way from the ocean."

"I'm looking for someone. How long have you been here, barkeep?"

The barkeep studied the cracks in the bar top, avoiding Noah's riveting gaze. "I've been here since we built the saloon, a few years ago. People been coming and going all that time."

Noah nodded. "Ever hear of a woman named Johnson -- Sarah Johnson?"

The barkeep looked up, his face taking on an ashen pale. "Well now, seems to me I did."

Another voice echoed over Noah's shoulder. "You don't want to find her, honey. She ain't gonna do you no good."

Noah turned to find the whore at his side. She gave him her most seductive smile. "My name's Sadie. I'll do you a lot more good than she will. Why don't you buy me a drink? I know everything about everybody in this town."

Sadie slid her hand along Noah's arm. Her fingers started the trip down the side of his leg. He grabbed her hand, not even trying to disguise his disgust at her approach. "No thanks, Sadie. I have business with Sarah."

"I doubt it," she snapped, turning away, returning to her position at the end of the bar.

"What's she mean?" Noah's gaze drilled into the barkeep. "Isn't my sister still here?"

The barkeep's hollow laugh filled the room "Your sister? Oh yeah, she's still here. Her and her husband, both."

Noah sucked in a breath. "Where can I find them?"

The barkeep hesitated. "Just go back out that door and take a right to the end of town. Then keep going 'til you see the tombstones. That'll be the cemetery. They're there all right. They're both dead."

An ice-cold knot coiled in Noah's gut. "No! Not like this." He was supposed to find her, not her grave. Anger suffused him, nearly choking him. His hand shot out, encircling the barkeep's throat. "Are you sure? I don't take jokes lightly."

The barkeep struggled to answer, trying mightily to breathe. Noah regained his composure and consciously relaxed his grip. It wasn't this man's fault.

The barkeep gasped. "Yes, I'm sure. If you're interested, you might talk to Sun Lee Chaikov. The way I heard it, Sun Lee was with your sister when she died."

"And where might I find her?"

"At the other end of town, on China Road. She lives down there with her old man and grandmother." The barkeep coughed, clearing his throat to relieve the pain from Noah's iron grip.

Noah dropped another gold piece on the counter. "Much obliged. If I need any more information, I'll be back."

He turned, retracing his steps into the cool night air. He gulped down huge breaths to clear his head, to help control the emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Sarah couldn't be dead; not Sarah.

The news sent his head reeling. He'd never considered the possibility he wouldn't find her alive. He had to know. Long strides carried him down to the livery stable. He pounded on the tack room door. The stable boy, roused from sleep, stared at him.

"Come on. Get my saddle."

"But, it's after dark."

"The moon is bright tonight. Can I get to the cemetery from here?

The boy rubbed his eyes. "Well yes, sir. It's just outside of town, back in the trees. But -- It'll be there in the morning, sir."

Noah's patience snapped. "Get my things. I have to go now."

The lad stumbled to obey. Noah swung up into the saddle as the boy buckled the bridle strap. Yanking his horse around, he thundered down the road in the silvery moonlight, heedless of the dangers that might lie in the darkness. Supper could wait. He had to see for himself.

Just as the barkeep had said, the headstones, or more rightly headboards, were clearly visible in the moonlight, a neat line leading into a grove on the outskirts of town. Noah slowed, and then stopped. He dismounted, staring at the precise line of matching boards. The wrenching feeling in his gut swelled, squeezing his lungs. He could barely draw a breath. Sarah was here, somewhere. He dropped the reins to the ground, rooting his horse to the spot.

Carefully he worked his way through the boards, squinting at each one in the moonlight, struggling to read the inscriptions carved in the wood, some blackened with soot, some not.

At last his fingers traced an "S" then an A". He stepped back. The name popped out, just visible in the moonlight. "Sarah Johnson."

Shaking, but not from the cold, he looked to the left. There on the next board was "Henry Johnson". Her husband. Noah closed his eyes. Sara had loved Henry enough to leave her comfortable home in Halifax for this. To die in this wilderness, just to be with him. Noah shook his head. He'd never loved anyone enough to be willing to do that. His only love had been the sea, the only mistress in his life for the last ten years.

Slowly he walked back to his horse. He leaned against the well-worn saddle leather. Images of the past assailed his mind. Images of his father, a riding crop in one hand, a bible in the other. His hand found the flask in the saddlebag. He pulled the cork and took a long swig. Sarah's grave beckoned. Like a zombie he turned, stumbling back to the pine board with her name inscribed.

Dropping to his knees, he bowed his head. "Sarah, forgive me," he whispered. "I know I promised to come back. I should have come sooner." Old, old scars on his back tingled anew. He could see his father's arm descend. He could feel the sting, the bite of the crop, for disobeying his father and trying to cover for Sarah, as though it were yesterday.

"Honor thy father, boy." Whack! "That's what the good book says!" Whack!

He hadn't been big enough, then. His father had been too strong -- a giant of a man -- a strict disciplinarian-turned-preacher, with all the hellfire and conviction of the newly saved and converted running in his veins. He couldn't win against the old man. They never agreed on anything.

And so he'd run -- away to the sea -- to grow to challenge the old man. Sarah had helped him run. Her last words echoed in his ears. "Go, Noah. Come back when you're grown. We'll be all right."

"And I promised to come back," he whispered to the night wind. "But I took too long. You couldn't wait." Had his father taken a whip to her too? He would never know.

Another horrible thought edged into his consciousness. Was he too late -- again? Was this his father's doing? He clapped his hand over his mouth. Beads of cold sweat popped out on his aching forehead. "Dear God, No!"

Surely a man couldn't murder his own daughter and son-in-law, not even his zealot father. His gut churned. Where was the old man? He tipped the bottle to his lips. Another drink, then another. The rum slid down, deceptive and smooth. He leaned against the marker, careful not to smear the soot-lined letters.

"I'm sorry, Sarah. Sorry I wasn't here when you needed me." His words echoed into the mountain emptiness. It was too late. He was always too late. He couldn't stop the old man from beating him and he couldn't stop him from driving Sarah to this. "What kind of man am I?"

He drained another gulp from the flask. "A sorry excuse for a brother, that's what kind. One who isn't around when he's needed." All his exploits and all the money from the ship weren't worth Sarah's life.

A board to the right, a tiny one, just visible in the moonlight, caught his eye. It had only one name -- "Baby".

Seeing that name on the rough-hewn board did what all the battles and gory scenes at sea and all the beatings at home could not. His stomach threatened to empty. His chest muscles seized, clamping down around his lungs and heart. He couldn't even cry out in pain, the pain of remorse and guilt. "Surely not."

Surely the old man couldn't have killed a child as well. What could he tell his mother? How could he go home without them? Mother would want the details. How had Sarah died?

"Talk to Sun Lee Chaikov. She was with Sarah when she died." The words slid out unbidden. "I'll find the Chaikov woman. I have to know what happened."

Clutching the half-empty bottle, he stared out into the darkness, mumbling the strange-sounding name.

***

Noah ground a knuckle into his temple. Each jarring step of the horse's careful plodding ricocheted straight to that most tender spot. Drinking himself cockeyed and spending the night propped up on Sarah's tombstone was not the brightest thing he'd ever done. The short distance back to the livery stable seemed miles long. Thank heaven the horse seemed to know where to find breakfast.

The big bay stopped by the hitching rack. Gingerly, Noah swung down from the saddle, trying to maintain a still, level position of his head. No sense making things worse.

A shriek pierced the morning air and drilled into his ragged consciousness. Turning, he tried to focus, tried to find the source of the offending sound. The sight before him snapped him fully alert. A tiny boy happily toddled into the main street, directly into the path of a wagon, whose driver was frantically trying to slow the oncoming horses.

Noah gritted his teeth. "Gotta get there." Two long strides and a rolling dive took him into the street. His long arms snagged the child as the momentum of the lunge took them both up and out of harms way, to the other side of the dirt road. He strained to steady himself as the wagon thundered past. His stomach churned and his head throbbed from the effort. He kept his eyes tight shut, to keep out the dizziness threatening to drop him to his knees. The child in his arms was not amused.

"DOWN!" The boy screamed and wriggled, his tiny shoes beating an incessant rhythm on Noah's now aching rib cage. "Way to go, mate. Kid doesn't even know you saved his hide."

A soft, velvety voice slid its way into Noah's aching head.

"Thank you! I don't know how you did that."

He opened one eye just a crack. Beautiful, sky-blue almond shaped eyes looked up at him, out of a stunning oval face, surrounded by thick mahogany- colored hair. The other eye popped open and the pain in his ribcage faded. A woman? A pretty woman? Out here? She held up her arms expectantly.

"He got away from Grandmother." The toddler finally smiled. "Mama!"

The wriggling began anew. Noah lowered the bouncing bundle into her waiting arms. She planted a kiss on the child's cheek. "Shh! Don't be naughty. The nice man just saved your life. Say 'Thank You'."

The little one turned, shaking his tousled head, frowning. He finally wrinkled his nose and waved a hand. "Ta-a- Tu-u-!"

Noah laughed in spite of his aching head. "Tattoo?"

A silvery laugh followed the path the silky voice had carved into his brain. "That's as close as he gets to 'thank you'. He's not quite two. I have to thank you again, Mr...?"

"Stewart. Captain Noah Stewart, ma'am." He tried to nod, but it hurt too much.

The blue eyes caught his flinch. "Are you all right, Captain?"

"Yes, ma'am. I just don't do roll outs much anymore." He pressed his lips together in a tight line. No sense telling the world he had a hangover. "I didn't catch your name, ma'am."

She caught the tiny fingers patting her cheek and pulled them to her lips, planting a delicate kiss on their tips. The little boy giggled in delight.

A sharp stab of remorse shot through Noah. Had Sarah played with her baby like that? He'd never expected babies in this wilderness, especially babies with mothers as pretty as this woman. She finally glanced his way again. He couldn't help but be drawn into the depths of those startling blue eyes.

"Chaikov. Sunshine Lenova Chaikov. Most people call me Sun Lee. Except for Grandmother, here. She calls me 'Sunshine'."

She nodded toward the tiny gray-haired woman at her side, who was chattering in Chinese a mile a minute, trying to collect the small boy.

"Grandmother, meet Captain Noah Stewart. Captain Stewart, my grandmother, Mrs. Ma Bei Ling." The old woman nodded slightly. "He saved Daniel's life."

Bei Ling took in the tall sailor in a single glance then lowered her eyes, deferentially. "We are in your debt, Captain. Little one is much quicker than I."

Noah shook his head carefully. "No, Grandmother, no debt. I'm glad I could help."

She would not be put off. "You will at least honor us with your presence at dinner? You're a visitor. A GOOD meal would please you -- yes?"

Noah forced himself to smile. A sudden pang reminded him he'd missed last night's food. "I'd love a home-cooked meal. When?"

"Tonight. You come." She waved a hand toward one of the town crossroads. "Fourth cabin, down that road. At dusk."

He allowed the barest of nods. "I'll be there. If you'll excuse me, I have to see to my horse." He headed back to the stable. He had to get rid of the pounding in his head.

Sun Lee stared after him, watching his easy, rolling gait. It gave him away. Of course the pea coat and watch cap were equally distinctive. He walked like the sailors she remembered on the docks of San Francisco. Even riding a horse in these mountains hadn't taken the sea out of the sailor. Gratitude welled inside her. No one else had made a move to save Daniel. She shivered, not allowing the image of Daniel, under the wagon wheels, to form in her mind. This tall, rangy stranger had kept that from happening.

The warm tingling in her cheeks hinted at a spark more than gratitude. Surprised, she shook her head, to clear the unexpected feeling of attraction to this interesting-looking man. She concentrated instead on the pair beside her.

"Now you've done it, Grandmother. We really didn't need to invite a total stranger to supper."

The old woman's eyes sparkled. "Daniel's worth a dinner. Besides, he's a nice man."

Sun Lee's shoulders sagged. "How can you tell that? We just met him."

"He risked his life for a baby he did not know. He minds his manners when speaking to old women. And you like him."

"Grandmother! What are you talking about?"

"You're staring at him. And your cheeks are all pink."

Sun Lee's hand flew to her face. "They are not. I'm just flushed because of the excitement!"

Grandmother unsuccessfully suppressed a giggle. "I'm sure he noticed you, too. You're very pretty, Sunshine."

"Oh, stop it. You'd match me up with anybody that's breathing. Don't even think about it. Sailors are not dependable. They're never home."

"Your father was a sailor."

"Exactly!"

Grandmother smiled, shrugged and turned away, cooing to the toddler in her arms.

Sun Lee stole another look toward the corral across the street. He was still there, moving very slowly. Maybe he had been hurt. An unfamiliar tug pulled inside and her heart did its own little dance. He was nice looking, or at least she thought so, but who knew what he hid under that massive beard and the knot of hair at his neck. All the sailors she'd ever seen, including her father, had worn their hair that way at sea, but it certainly looked uncomfortable.

And of course, he had that earring. One big gold hoop. Just like her father, when he'd gone to sea. His burial money, he'd said, in case he died away from home. It was totally out of place in the Idaho mountains. And from the looks of his horse and saddle, this man had more than enough money to bury him.

But something about him nagged at her. Something almost foreboding. "Noah. Noah Stewart." Why did that name sound familiar? Her brow furrowed. She caught a breath. "Sarah!" Sun Lee whirled on her heel and dashed off. She had to get home.

***

Noah eased himself into the steaming hot water. Deciding his head was more important at the moment, he flopped his feet out and over the end of the tub, sliding down until his head rested on the rim. Someday somebody would make a bathtub long enough for a tall man, and he'd buy the first one, for sure. And it would be in his own house, not in his apartment, and certainly not in a local bathhouse like this, where he had to pay by the bucket for hot water.

He took a deep breath, allowing the steam to rise in his nostrils. Picking up the rough washcloth, he soaked it in the water, then draped in over his head. Maybe he should just die to feel better. Drinking to excess had never been his style, now he remembered why. Hangovers were miserable. The throbbing began to ease.

What luck. He'd wanted to find Sun Lee Chaikov. Well, that had been easy enough. A hundred questions formed and disappeared in his mind. Questions that would just have to wait until supper. Hopefully she would be able to tell him something about Sarah. Something that would make it easier to tell their mother about her death. He took a deep breath, allowing himself to relax, to sink even deeper into the comforting water.

"What's the matter, hon'? You got a headache?"

At the sound of the female voice, Noah jerked up, snatching the cloth off his head and down into the water, covering what little of himself the cloth would hide. His feet splashed back into the tub. Summoning as much dignity as he could muster, he turned, glaring in the general direction of the voice. A rotund woman with a towel over her shoulder and a pair of wicked-looking scissors in her hand stood in the doorway.

"Oh, don't you worry, sailor. You ain't got nuthin' in that tub I ain't seen a million times. And you don't interest me at all. I run a business here, and that business is bathin' and hair cuttin' -- nothin' else -- except maybe a meal or two for payin' customers."

"That so?" Noah growled, still clutching the cloth to the most private parts of his anatomy.

"That's so. You want your hair cut while you're in the tub, or out?"

"Out!" Noah nearly yelled the reply. Lying naked in the tub while having a strange woman hover over him with a pair of scissors was more than he cared to imagine. Just wasn't up to it.

She smiled easily, the smile of a woman who'd spent many years in the company of men in this compromising position. "Suit yourself. Want some more hot water?"

Noah hesitated. She laughed again. "Ain't you the shy one? Don't worry. I'll have Jesse bring you another bucket of hot water. He won't notice you, either, I promise."

She turned and disappeared as quickly as she'd come. Satisfied she was gone, Noah slid back down into the tub. It had been a long time since he'd been around a woman, any woman, especially one staring into his bathtub. He closed his eyes, resting his head on the rim again.

The pretty face of the Chaikov woman floated in front of him. Now, if it had been her at the door -- that might have been different. That voice could wrap around a man's soul, make him feel good all over.

"Stop it." He pressed a fist to his aching forehead, chiding himself at the thought. "The woman has a man somewhere. She didn't get that baby by herself."

The thought of Sun Lee making babies was enough to send another jolt through his body, coiling underneath that teeny tiny cloth in the tub. "You have been at sea too long!"

He'd have to put that pretty face and silky voice out of his mind. He'd probably meet her husband at supper. He needed information from Sun Lee Chaikov, nothing more.

***

Sun Lee shoved the drawer shut. "Are you sure Sarah's bible is in your chest?"

Grandmother's voice echoed from the other room. "I'm sure. Bottom drawer. Back left corner. Under my cheongsam."

Dropping to her knees, Sun Lee tugged open the lacquered chest's lower drawer. She ran her hands down, through the garments, gently probing underneath Grandmother's silky top. Her fingers curled around a leather-bound volume and pulled it into the open. "Here it is!"

Pushing the drawer in, she leaned against the chest, flipping the book open to its intricately decorated center pages. She scanned the heading "My Family" and caught a breath at the entry marked "Brother." Her finger traced the words. "Noah Elijah Stewart. Born -- 1839. Went to sea -- 1857."

"It can't be a coincidence. It has to be him." A cold, gnawing fear enveloped her. Pushing to her feet, she carried the well-worn bible into the cabin's front living space.

Grandmother stood in front of the big cook stove, stirring a simmering pot, watching Daniel play at her feet. "What have you found, Sunshine?"

Sun Lee plopped down on the bench, setting the open book on the long plank table. "Oh, Grandmother, I was afraid of this. That sea captain -- who saved Daniel -- he's Sarah's brother, I'm just sure of it."

Grandmother wiped her hands on the towel tied around her waist, then turned to face Sun Lee. "Afraid? If he is who you say, he is the uncle. Wang-danian will have family again."

Daniel tugged at Sun Lee's shirttail, insisting on being noticed. "Mama, up."

She scooped him into her arms, holding him tight against her chest, feeling the pounding of her heart against his slim body. "Don't you see, Grandmother? Noah's come to find Sarah, just like she said he would. He'll want to take Daniel away from us!"

The image of Sarah's face, contorted in pain, swam inside her head. Sarah's last words echoed. "Noah will come, Sun Lee. I know it. He'll take care of Daniel."

Sun Lee buried her face in the toddler's mass of curly hair. Losing him would be more than she could bear. Her own hopes for children had died when Ivan had left. His coming with them to Idaho had been a mistake. Ivan had hated the mountains and hated mining. The love he professed for her wasn't strong enough to overcome his longing for the sea and the bigotry they'd endured because of her "half-breed" status. Here, far away from San Francisco, very few people wanted to associate with a half-Russian, half-Chinese woman or her intended husband. The wedding she and her mother had so carefully planned never took place. He'd skedaddled with one of her father's best horses. Father had shrugged it off. "Don't worry, child. He wasn't worth your tears."

But it had hurt, hurt deep. She'd made up her mind to never trust another man. At least, not one with sea foam in his veins. Losing her heart to a sailor once had been enough and no one on the frontier seemed willing to look at a Chinese- Russian-American girl. Prejudice ran deep on all sides.

Daniel's patience ran out. "Down."

She laughed, shifting her hold, bouncing him gently on her knee. He giggled with delight. "Mama would have loved him, Grandmother."

Sun Lee's eyes clouded with tears at the thought of her dear mother. As if losing Ivan had not been enough, losing Mama had almost destroyed them all. Her father had been devastated, drowning his sorrow in alcohol, searching for solace at the bottom of a bottle. He'd never really recovered. The mine, their home, nothing seemed important after the flu took her that terrible winter. "It's too bad she didn't see Daniel."

The old woman nodded. "Your mother would have enjoyed the boy, yes -- as she enjoyed you, Sunshine. And only he could bring a smile to your father's unhappy face. It's too bad."

Sun Lee nodded. And now her father was gone -- to who knew where. Daniel filled the aching emptiness within her. How could she part with the loving bundle of energy who called her 'mama'? He was all they had left and she was the only mother he'd ever remember.

Grandmother's hand rested on her shoulder. "Wang-danian should be with his family. We've taken good care of him for Sarah 'til now."

Sun Lee clenched her teeth, Grandmother's words tearing a ragged hole in her heart. "No. I'm not going to tell him. He can just think Daniel is mine!"

Grandmother pulled back, staring hard at Sun Lee. "Granddaughter! You've been taught to be truthful. You will not lie to the one who saved Wang-danian's life."

Sun Lee tipped her chin defiantly. "I don't have to lie. He doesn't know about Daniel. Sarah never wrote home about him, you know that."

Grandmother shook her head. "You must tell him. Sarah would expect you to. Isn't it in her book? Isn't the uncle Wang-danian's guardian?"

"Yes, it is, Grandmother. But how can we just let Daniel go? We don't know anything about Noah. Sarah hadn't seen him in ten years. He could be as mean as her father by now. He might take Daniel back there."

Sun Lee shuddered. Sarah had shared enough stories of her childhood to convince Sun Lee that in Halifax, with Sarah's rigid, strict father, would be the worst place in the world for the rambunctious toddler in her arms. Daniel squirmed, tired of the knee ride. She put him down and watched him toddle around the table, to Grandmother's side.

Grandmother patted the curly head, then aimed a stern glance at Sun Lee. "You must tell him before he leaves here tonight."

Grandmother walked back to the stove, Daniel following close behind. The conversation was finished.

***

Sun Lee brushed back the beaded curtain and stepped out of the bedroom. "Well, is this better?"

A slow twirl gave her grandmother a complete view of her dinner outfit. Grandmother arched a critical eyebrow. "Much. Skirts look nice on you."

"Hmmm." Sun Lee picked at an errant bit of fringe on the bottom of her leather tunic. They had spent a very long time fringing and trimming this top and split-skirt. She had intended to be married in it. She clenched her teeth, refusing to let any tears form. No sense not wearing the outfit. It was one of the best ones she had, and grandmother insisted on dressing in their best for this evening.

"I don't know why you want me to look so nice for this sailor. You know how they are, Grandmother. Always running off when you need them, just like Ivan." A funny little skip in her heart hinted that this sailor might not be just like Ivan.

Grandmother shook her head and frowned. ""No, they're not. It's a puzzle. Your father is still gone. His trips aren't usually this long."

"Hmm." Sun Lee nodded. Grandmother didn't need to know about Hargrave just yet. Hopefully Father would show up before Hargrave reappeared. A knock interrupted. "I guess our company's here."

"Well, don't just stand there, Sunshine. Let him in." Grandmother disappeared behind the bedroom's beaded curtain.

Chapter 3

Sun Lee glanced down, gave her tawny skirt a quick brush and opened the door. "Good eve..."

Open-mouthed, she stared at the man in the doorway. Gone was the bushy beard and oily, slicked-back hair. In its place were gentle waves, black as coal, just touching his shirt collar, almost hiding that damned earring.

One wayward lock curled around his chiseled jaw line, pointing the way to a deep dimple in his cheek, visible even without a smile. "Just like Daniel's."

The thought popped in and out of her mind. Staring was so rude, yet she couldn't stop. That tiny heart skip earlier turned into a full-fledged tap dance in her chest. Sarah had never mentioned that her brother was so-o-o handsome.

"Hello. Sun Lee, right?" He smiled a slow, easy smile.

She swallowed hard, willing her voice to come to her rescue. "Right. Forgive me. You just look different, from this morning. Please, come in."

He stepped over the threshold. "Amazing what a bath and a haircut and a shave can do for a man."

Sun Lee could feel the heat flash in her face. "Oh, I didn't mean..."

He waved a hand. "It's all right. I know what I looked like. Couldn't stand myself. It's a wonder I didn't scare you to death."

He took in the cabin in a glance. A warm, snug home -- good sized. A strong man had built this. The big stone fireplace at the far end spoke of many backbreaking trips, hauling rock around this mountain. The chairs and table were well built of logs from this slope. Someone knew their way around a hammer and saw. Someone he hadn't met yet.

But the room was rugged and the rug in its center conflicted with all its surroundings. A magnificent rug, Chinese red, with a huge golden dragon, reclining in its center, lush and expensive, obviously brought from the Far East. One matching the green rug in his own living room. Two cultures co-existed here. The tinkle of beads caught his attention. "Ah Mrs. Ling."

Grandmother stood in front of the curtain, dressed in her best cheongsam and carefully pressed black pants. She nodded. "Captain Stewart. You honor our house with your presence."

"It is I who am honored, Ma Tai Tai. You bring back a fond memory of China. I haven't see such beauty since I left."

The merest hint of a blush crossed Bei Ling's face. "You know my language, Captain? I haven't been called 'Honored Grandmother' in Chinese in some time."

She aimed a meaningful glance in Sun Lee's direction. "My granddaughter insists on English."

Sun Lee glanced at the floor refusing to rise to Bei Ling's bait. A smile slid across Noah's face. What delightful women. "Oh yes. I know your language. Some things are more beautifully said in Chinese."

The blush on Bei Ling's face deepened. She waved a hand toward the fireplace. "Please, sit down. I will have supper on the table shortly."

Sun Lee regained her composure. "Let me help, Grandmother."

Bei Ling shook her head. "Shoo. Talk to our guest."

Sun Lee turned, following Noah to the chairs near the big stone wall. She watched him settle into her father's chair. He almost filled it. His fingers curled around its arms, measuring their girth. She curled up in her mother's chair. Feeling his gaze on her, knowing the questions he must have, she looked up.

"Yes, that's a big chair. It's my father's. This is my parent's cabin. He made all the furniture -- for us, when we came here five years ago."

Daniel toddled up to Noah. "Ride!"

Noah shot Sun Lee a bewildered glance. "Ride?"

She smiled. "He wants you to bounce him on your foot." Noah shook his head, still not understanding. She laughed. "I'll show you. Come here, Daniel."

The little one frowned, then headed toward Sun Lee's swinging leg. She expertly slipped her foot between the toddler's knees, bouncing him up off the floor. Giggles filled the room.

Noah watched, fascinated. "Kid has all the luck."

The thought of Sun Lee's delicate foot sliding between his knees sent a shiver of lust up his spine. The chair suddenly seemed too small to hold him. He shifted carefully, to ease the pressures building, trying not to draw attention to his reaction to the innocent scene. "What the devil?"

Pretty women didn't usually get to him that easily. He cleared his throat. "Five years ago?"

"Yes. My family came here, then. My father is away on business right now. We expect him back any day." How she wished that last statement were true. The last thing she wanted was for him to get the idea they were here alone, possibly defenseless.

She looked deeply into his eyes and decided that they probably didn't have anything to fear. His steady gaze conveyed strength and kindness, not hate and greed, like Hargrave.

"And your mother?" Noah's voice, smooth and steady, washed over her.

"My mother died three years ago -- during the winter. It was very hard on all of us." Sun Lee dropped her gaze. It was hard to talk about her mother, even now. She considered her next remark. Daniel had his own ideas. "DOWN!"

At once the bouncing bundle turned into a squirming monster.

Noah laughed. "He gets right to the point, doesn't he?"

Sun Lee smiled, holding Daniel's hands until he balanced on both feet. "Oh, yes. He doesn't say too many words yet, but he uses the ones he does know very well."

Daniel turned, frowning at Noah again, staring intently. Noah returned the stare, smiling in spite of himself. "Hello, little fella."

Sun Lee watched, surprised at the tenderness in Noah's tone. Daniel gave a small nod and toddled to Noah's side, still staring intently. He raised his arms. "Up."

Sun Lee sat back with a start. "My! You're quite privileged. He doesn't do that with many people."

"He really wants me to hold him?" Noah hesitated. Holding children was not one of his many talents.

Daniel's frown deepened. "UP!"

Sun Lee laughed. "I'd say so."

Noah reached down gingerly, trying to remember how Sun Lee had held the child. Scrunching Daniel onto his lap, he exchanged stares with the boy.

"Well, you're up. Now what?"

A huge grin flashed and Daniel's hand shot out, closing around Noah's earring. "Mine!"

"YE-OW!"

Noah grabbed Daniel's wrist, trying with one hand to disengage determined fingers that were threatening to rip the gold hoop out of his ear, while trying to keep the squirming child on his lap with the other.

Sun Lee leaped up. "Daniel, NO!"

Between them, they separated the determined boy from the earring. Sun Lee held him tight as she returned to her chair. Big tears rimmed his deep brown eyes. "M-I-I-N-E!"

His chubby hand motioned toward his lost prize.

Sun Lee shook her head. "I'm sorry, Captain. I had no idea what he was after."

She held the youngster securely on her lap. Tears began to slide down Daniel's cheek and his lower lip threatened to pout clear down to his chest. Noah rubbed the side of his ear, watching the tears fall. The scene wrapped around his heart. He'd always been a sucker for tears. He twisted the gold hoop between his fingers, popping open the hidden clasp, removing it from its resting place in his tender earlobe.

He caught Sun Lee's gaze. "Put him down."

Sun Lee stared and frowned, but finally complied. Noah clicked the hoop shut and held it out, twisting it for Daniel to see. "Yours, huh? You think so?"

A radiant smile danced across the tear-stained face. With a quick glance to Sun Lee, he headed back across the floor, hand outstretched. "Mine!"

Sun Lee shook her head. "You don't have to do that. He doesn't need a reward for being naughty."

Noah laughed, swooping up the delighted child, who by this time had the prized golden ring between both hands. "He's not naughty, just curious."

Daniel snuggled contentedly, suddenly chomping down on the earring.

"He's still cutting teeth -- the very back ones." Sun Lee offered. "He'll probably ruin your earring."

Noah smiled. "I have enough to bury me without it. He seems to think it makes a good teething ring." They both cringed as Daniel's teeth ground against the soft metal. "I'd think that would hurt."

Sun Lee frowned again. "That may not be such a good idea. It almost goes completely in his mouth. He might swallow it."

Noah stared intently at the youngster stuffing the earring into his mouth, trying to get the hard metal to the back, to reach his swollen gum. He shifted, holding Daniel tight, and drew out a coil of rawhide thong from his pocket. "This should do the trick."

Sun Lee watched, fascinated. Noah managed to tie one end of the thong onto the hoop. Then he tied the other end around Daniel's wrist. "There. If he swallows it, he can pull it right back out."

Sun Lee shook her head. "Do you always carry rope in your pockets?"

Noah nodded. "Actually, yes. Ships always have things coming loose that need to be secured."

A burbling sound escaped from around the earring. Blowing spit bubbles, Daniel leaned back against Noah's chest. Noah looked down on the curly head, shifting, cuddling him carefully. A most unusual peace filled him. How could it possibly feel so right to hold this stranger's child? And where was his father? Obviously Sun Lee wasn't ready to fill in that tiny detail.

Sun Lee held her breath. Her chest ached from the pressure building. Daniel seemed perfectly at ease with the captain. And Noah held him with a gentleness she would never have believed possible. He didn't seem at all like his father, the rigid disciplinarian Sarah had described. Perhaps he could be trusted with Daniel, if...

"AHEM."

Exhaling, Sun Lee glanced toward the other end of the big room. Bei Ling stood behind the table brimming with food.

"Food is hot." Grandmother clapped her hands. "Wang-da-nian. Come. Eat!" The boy squirmed away from Noah and toddled across the floor, rolling as he walked, in a miniature sailor's gait, waving his new prize for Grandmother to see. Noah laughed. "He looks like he's already spent his life on the deck of a schooner."

Sun Lee's voice crackled across the room. "He's never going to be anywhere near the ocean, if I can help it."

Noah drew back at the outburst. "You don't like sailors?"

She bit the edge of her lip. "My father was a sailor. I grew up around sailors. They were always gone when you really needed them."

The chill in her voice cooled the room. Noah shrugged back his shoulders. She didn't like sailors. One strike against him and he hadn't even started.

Grandmother's voice cut through the air. "Come. Food will get cold."

Noah followed Sun Lee to the table. Again the combination of cultures spoke to him. A large platter of fish sat beside a huge, steaming bowl of rice and each plate had both flatware and chopsticks. They could obviously "choose their weapons" to attack the food. Grandmother was already seated on one long plank, with Daniel snuggled in beside her.

Looked like he and Sun Lee would have to share the bench. Noah caught Grandmother's eye, glanced down at "his" bench, then back to her. She smiled artlessly. "Have you fed a toddler, lately?"

"Can't say that I have."

"Then you two will have to sit over there."

"Hmm." He smiled. Ma Bei Ling was a sharp one. But, sitting next to this pretty woman sounded like a really good idea. Bei Ling evidently approved, even if Sun Lee didn't like sailors.

He glanced at the platter in the center of the table. Perfectly sized fish, complete with heads, tails and silvery shiny eyes stared up at him. "Trout? Where did you get trout, Ma Tai Tai? I haven't had a good fish dinner since I left San Francisco."

Grandmother beamed. "I catch. Stream near by -- full of fish."

Noah shook his head. Of course, there had to be water somewhere. He'd seen the placer mines on the way up. Placer mines needed lots of running water, usually from streams. And streams had fish in them.

Sun Lee picked up the platter. "Well, then. Help yourself. Grandmother is a wonderful cook. Much better than I am."

Noah nodded, sliding one of the trout onto his plate. "You wouldn't have to cook to be good."

The heat rose swiftly up his neck. Too bad he'd had all that beard cut off. It would have covered the damned blush climbing above his collar. Gritting his teeth he studied his trout. "Get a grip, mate. You just met her."

Sun Lee noted the pink tinge, turning to crimson, around his throat. Whatever had she said to cause such a reaction? Who could figure men out?

Expertly wielding the chopsticks, Noah popped a morsel of the trout in his mouth. "Mmmm. Delicious, Ma Tai Tai."

Sun Lee watched her grandmother graciously accept the praise. It had been a long time since anyone had paid either of them a compliment. This man seemed to be a gentleman, something rare among the seamen she'd grown up with. And he'd spent enough time in the Far East to master chopsticks, something Ivan had never been able to do. She studied his face, wondering. What had his life been like?

"How long have you been at sea, Captain? You seem young to have your own ship, compared to my father."

"Was your father a captain?"

"He was never the captain of a ship, but he was a first mate, when he left the sea to come here to the gold fields."

"I left home very young. I signed on to a whaling ship in Halifax. The captain took me under his wing. His own son had been recently killed in a whaling accident."

Sun Lee cringed. "That's too bad."

"I sailed with him for several years. We did very well. The captain bought another ship, a trading ship. For the last few years, I've sailed the trading ship as its captain."

He nodded to Bei Ling. "I've visited your home country twice. It's a fascinating place. I picked up rugs like yours and brought them back to England and America. They're in great demand."

Grandmother nodded. "The golden dragon is a powerful sign of good fortune. We named the mine after it."

"Sailing's been good to me. I finally bought the trading ship from the old captain. It's all mine now."

Sun Lee's shoulders sagged ever so slightly. His heart belonged to the sea, sure and certain. Just like all the others. The little flame flickering in her heart sputtered and died. No sense thinking about him. He'd be out of here in no time. And he wasn't about to take care of a two-year old on that boat. No, he didn't need to know about Daniel at all.

Noah cleared his throat, unable to put off the questions in his mind any longer. "I have a confession to make. I had more than one reason for coming here tonight."

Sun Lee shivered. "Oh?"

He nodded. "Yes. I've been told you knew my sister, Sarah Johnson. When I returned to San Francisco this last time, I had a letter from my mother, asking me to find her. She'd left home with a young man and Mother was concerned about her, out here in the wilderness."

He stopped, took a deep breath and then continued. "I found her last night. I obviously can't convince her to return to Halifax. I spent the night in the graveyard. That's why I looked so bad this morning."

Sun Lee nodded, unwilling to interrupt him.

"I was told that you might be able to tell me something about her death, Sun Lee. That you were with her when she died? Perhaps there's something I can say to my mother that will comfort her?"

Sun Lee bit her lip. His face mirrored true grief. How could she not tell him about Daniel? His mother would certainly be comforted by her grandson.

Grandmother filled the void. "Sunshine's father shared part of his claim with Sarah and her husband. We had more than we could work and protect. They were good people. They mined gold just down river from us. They were doing well. There should be gold in the assayer's office safe, and at the bank in Riggins, if you can prove you're related to them."

Noah stared. "If they were doing that well, what happened? Why are they both dead?"

Sun Lee spoke up. "We really don't know. Father and I went up to the mine one morning and they were both there, shot. Henry was already dead, and Sarah was dying. I did hold her till she died. There was nothing I could do."

Sun Lee choked back the tears. Sarah had been a good friend. One of the few. She glanced at her grandmother and sighed. "But it wasn't just them, Noah. Sarah had a baby."

"I know."

Sun Lee's head snapped up. "You know?"

"Yes. I saw its grave last night, too."

Sun Lee's next words froze in her throat. He thought Sarah's baby was dead. She didn't have to tell him anything more. Sun Lee felt her grandmother's gaze burning a hole in her chest. She met that searing gaze with a determined one of her own. The clatter of hooves outside their door interrupted the moment.

"Sun Lee! Sun Lee, gal! Get yourself out here!"

Noah stared. "Who is that?"

Sun Lee stiffened. "Hargrave! You both just sit still. I'll take care of this and be right back."

She crossed the cabin floor, yanked open the door and stepped outside.

Noah looked at Bei Ling. Her intense glare, filled with hate, surprised him.

"Rotten slime." She hissed the words. "Where he rides, death follows. Very bad man."

Noah scratched his chin. "I'll just take a look."

Grandmother raised an eyebrow and nodded. Noah stood up, adjusted his pistol holster and walked quietly to the cabin door.

***

Sun Lee stood on the porch, fists clenched, glaring at the rider in front of her. "What do you want, Hargrave?"

Hargrave leaned back in the saddle, the sneer on his face curling into a lop- sided try at a smile. "Just wanted to let you know I was back. Got my deed all registered. Your father shown up yet?"

Sun Lee bit the edge of her lip, not wanting to confirm her father's absence.

Hargrave laughed that cold, nasty laugh. "I told you he was gone. You better get yourself ready. I think I'll just marry you real soon. That way the mine will be all in the family."

"I told you before, Hargrave. I'm not marrying anybody, least of all a low-down snake like you. You stay away from me and the mine!"

Hargrave's face turned cold as stone. "And what are you going to do if I don't? You got no one big enough to stop me, gal. I generally get what I want, one way or another."

Sun Lee shook in anger, wishing she had grabbed her shotgun on the way out. "You try to come near me again and I will blow a hole in you. No scruples will get in the way this time."

Hargrave shifted in his saddle. "Maybe I ought to come in and teach you a thing or two about being nice to your partner, right now, gal."

"The lady asked you to leave."

Hargrave's head snapped toward the door. Sun Lee spun around at the sound of Noah's strong, even voice. He stood easy in the doorway, leaning on Sun Lee's shotgun, his pistol loose in its holster at his side.

Hargrave stared. "Who the hell are you?"

"A friend of the family." Noah swung the shotgun up into his arm. "And you don't seem to have an in-vite for this evening."

Hargrave looked back to Sun Lee. "You sure don't waste any time, gal. But this man ain't gonna do you no good. I'm gonna have that mine and you one way or another."

Noah cleared his throat. "You were told to leave. And I'll be taking it real personal, if anything happens to anyone in this household. Understand?"

Hargrave's sneer reappeared. He glanced from Sun Lee to Noah. "Oh, I understand. So, I'm warning you. People who stand in my way don't last long around here. You ought to keep on driftin' right out of town, and stay out of things that ain't your business."

Noah took a step out. "I just made it my business."

"We'll see." Hargrave yanked the reins, wheeled his horse, and headed toward town.

Sun Lee exhaled a huge sigh. Noah reached out, touching her shoulder gently. "Come back in. He won't be back tonight."

The tenderness of his touch flowed through her like a healing river. What would she have done if he hadn't been here? She shuddered and nodded, re- entering the cabin.

Grandmother sat in the rocking chair, rhythmically patting Daniel, who was drifting off to sleep. Sun Lee dropped into her mother's chair and Noah sat again in the big chair by the fireplace.

Bei Ling turned to Sun Lee. "Will you tell me now? What has happened to your father?"

Sun Lee fought back the tears. "I really don't know, Grandmother. I'm so afraid he's not coming back."

"Why would he not come back?"

"Hargrave came to the mine three days ago. Told me he had won Father's share of the Golden Dragon in a poker game. He said he was going to Riggins to register his half of the claim and that he'd be back. Said he'd decided to marry me so he'd have all the mine."

Noah's jaw clenched. "What did you say?"

"I told him it would be over my dead body. That I wasn't having anything to do with scum like him and I didn't believe his story."

Noah relaxed his grip on the chair arm. "What then?"

"He said Father had taken off; said Father couldn't face coming home and that we'd never see him again."

Bei Ling's jaw set. "Your father wouldn't leave. He's not a coward."

"I know, Grandmother. I didn't say anything to you. I thought maybe he was in Riggins sleeping off a drunk. But, he should have come back by now. I'll have to go down to Riggins myself. He may have gotten himself locked up again."

Sun Lee pressed a weary hand to her forehead. She'd made the trip many times since her mother's death. Her father had spent far too many nights in the Riggins jail since then. But the marshal usually sent him home, unless he'd damaged something or someone during one of his "bouts".

Noah scratched his chin. "Maybe we both ought to go. That's a long ride alone."

Sun Lee looked up, meeting Noah's concerned gaze. "You don't have to. I've done it before. Alone."

"I'll bet you didn't have 'ol'-what's-his-name' to contend with then."

Sun Lee smiled in spite of herself. "You're right. I didn't." The thought of the captain accompanying her sent surprisingly warm shivers zinging through her. It would be a way to get to know him a little better. "All right. You may want to check on the registration of Sarah's claim. If you can prove who you are to the marshal, you can get a release for Sarah's gold that's in the bank."

Noah nodded. That would be reason enough to go with her. The thought of her alone on the trail with that "scum" lurking about made him shudder in disgust. "He's never going to get his hands on her if I can help it."

Bei Ling stood up. "Wang-danian sleeps. And so should you both if you're going to go tomorrow. Morning comes early."

Noah stood up. "You're right, Ma Tai Tai. I've been here long enough tonight."

A pang of regret hit Sun Lee's heart. The evening had been surprisingly pleasant. "Shall I meet you at the livery stable?"

Noah nodded, but Bei Ling's voice cut them short. "The Captain should eat here. You will need a good breakfast for the ride."

He laughed aloud. "I'll never turn down one of your meals, Ma Tai Tai. I'll be here at sun-up."

Bei Ling smiled, nodded her head and slipped into her bedroom with the sleeping Daniel. He turned to Sun Lee. "Is she always like that?"

Sun Lee nodded. "She usually has the final say about most things. You don't have to come."

His warm smile filled the room. "I was serious. I'm sure breakfast here will be much better than anywhere else."

Sun Lee took a deep breath. His engaging manner and artless charm would overwhelm her resolve to stay away from him, if she weren't careful. They walked slowly to the door. Noah opened the heavy oak door and stepped out. "Be sure to lock up tight tonight. You don't need any surprise visitors."

Sun Lee nodded. "Thank you, again. I appreciate your help. Hargrave can get nasty, I know. And he has friends everywhere. Are you sure about this, Captain?"

He smiled and slid his hand under her chin, tipping her face up to gaze into those beautiful eyes. Touching her perfect chin sent heat surging again through his veins. There was no way that good-for-nothing he'd just met was ever going to get anywhere near her. If she needed a protector, it was going to be him.

"I'm very sure. And my name's Noah, all right? 'Captain' is way too formal. Since I'm a 'friend of the family', we'd be on a first name basis."

She blinked, not wanting to break the moment. "Of course...Noah. Thank you, for caring about strangers."

They heard the latch slide as Grandmother closed the shutters on the front window. He nodded, running his knuckles down the delicate edge of her jaw. "You better go in. I'll see you in the morning."

Sun Lee nodded and stepped back inside. Noah waited until he heard the bar drop, securing the heavy door. Staring into the gathering darkness, he ran his knuckles along his now beardless, itching chin. Hadn't been such a good idea to cut that beard after all. The itching was getting worse. Fresh cut skin itched worse than a heavy beard. But the difference between his own rugged jaw and Sun Lee's delicate face jarred him. Hers had seemed smooth as china silk; his seemed raw and ragged in comparison. She seemed so out of place here, her delicate beauty in stark opposition to this wild and lawless land. He clenched his teeth as Hargrave's words echoed in his head. That cur had no business being on the same street as Sun Lee, much less married to her against her will. He shook his head, surprised at his reaction.

Saving damsels in distress really wasn't his line of work, but this one...this damsel was different. She wasn't convinced she needed saving. She was more than willing to handle things on her own. But she needed help, whether she knew it or not. He rubbed his hand across his mouth. Who was this Hargrave? He needed answers -- now. Raucous sounds from the saloon drifted on the night breeze. The slightest of smiles curled his lip. Sadie's cocksure remarks from the night before echoed in his ears. The answers would be there. Sadie would know all about Hargrave. He stepped off the porch and headed toward the laughter.

***

Sun Lee leaned back against the door, eyes closed. Her fingers traced the path his knuckles had drawn along her cheek. He might as well have used a branding iron. She gritted her teeth against the powerful feelings surging deep in her gut. "I can't. I won't let this happen. I won't care about another sailor. I won't be left again."

Grandmother's voice penetrated her fog. "He likes you Sun Lee, I told you."

Sun Lee's eyes snapped open. "He's a sailor, Grandmother. Just like Ivan. He'll be gone as soon as he collects Sarah's gold. He won't give up the sea for me; you know that as well as I do. And I'm not going to tell him about Daniel, either. He thinks Sarah's baby is dead. A trading ship is no place for a child."

Bei Ling frowned. "Others know about Daniel. He will hear."

"He won't have much of a chance to talk to anyone before tomorrow. We'll see how our trip to Riggins goes."

Bei Ling shook her head and headed into the bedroom. Sun Lee sighed and followed. Sun-up would come far too soon.

***

Noah hesitated outside the saloon's swinging doors. A smoky haze filled the room. The usual rag-tag bunch of miners bellied up to the bar, drowning their sorrows in whatever the barkeep would sell them, swapping tales of "trace -- good trace in these rocks", fondling pieces of granite and shaking their fists at one another. A few more had scraped together enough money to start a poker game. He continued his scan, then stopped. He could see Sadie, alone at the end of the bar, tossing down a shot of amber-colored liquid. "We'll just see what Sadie knows about Hargrave."

Pushing open the swinging door, he stepped inside.

The barkeep looked up at the gritchy sound of the weathered door hinges. "Well, Captain Stewart. Come in. Thought we might see you again."

Noah looked up with a start at the use of his name. The barkeep smiled. "Nobody stays a stranger for long in Florence, Captain. Miller, the hotel clerk, was in earlier -- told us all about you. Says you're from San Francisco."

Noah frowned. "Miller's got a big mouth."

"He don't mean no harm, Captain. Most strangers come in draggin' a mule and a pick and a gold-washin' pan. You're somebody different."

"Hmmm." Noah nodded, heading for the bar. The poker players exchanged glances. One finally spoke up. "Play some poker, Captain?"

"We could use some new money in this game."

"Sure. Want to join us?

He nodded to the men at the table. "Next time, boys. Got some business to take care of right now."

The barkeep set out a bottle of rum and a glass. "What can I do for you tonight, Captain? You find your sister?"

Noah's jaw tightened. "Yeah. I found her."

The barkeep hesitated, pouring Noah a shot. "Sorry about that. Life's tough up here. Bad things happen."

Noah lifted the glass. "So I found out. I've got lots of questions. I'm still lookin' for some answers."

Sadie's voiced sounded next to his elbow. "Maybe you'll want to talk to me now, Captain."

Noah consciously held back the shiver of disgust coursing through his body. He stared straight ahead. "You're right, Sadie. Maybe it is time I talked to you." Forcing his most gentlemanly smile, he turned to face her. "What are you drinking?"

Sadie smiled and cocked her head as coquettishly as she could muster. "Why, I'd just take a little glass of the rum, Captain."

He nodded. "Barkeep, another glass -- for the lady."

The barkeep snorted. "Didn't see no lady walk in here, Captain. You've had too much already."

"Shut up, Harold!" Sadie's eyes snapped as she glared at the barkeep. Squaring her shoulders, she forced a smile Noah's direction. "You just wrap your hand around that bottle, grab your glass and come with me, honey. I'll have all the answers for every little question you might have."

Sadie snatched up the drink Harold had just poured. She headed toward the back of the saloon and the dismal row of doors. The card players couldn't stand it. "Hell, Captain. You better stay with us. We'll give you a better deal than Sadie will."

"And Joe's better lookin'!"

Sadie's eyes flashed. "You all just better keep still. It'll be a might long winter otherwise!"

"Aw Sadie, don't get mad."

"We was just funnin!" Joe shivered. Noah suppressed a smile. For these men, a winter without any female company was too bleak a prospect to contemplate. He'd seen winters like that himself.

Sadie tossed her head, glaring their direction. "Humph! We'll just see."

Noah picked up his drink and the fresh bottle of rum. He threw her a glance. "You coming with me or making chit chat with them?"

Sadie nearly jumped to his side. "I'm with you, Captain. Second room from the right."

Noah nodded. They covered the final distance to the room in a few steps. Out of the corner of his eye, Noah caught the motion of another door opening as Sadie turned the key in her lock.

***

Eli stepped back into Hargrave's saloon office, pulling the door shut. "Hey boss, we got company."

Hargrave looked up from his desk. "Oh?"

"Yeah. Looks like that stranger you been fussing about -- that sailor Miller said checked into the hotel -- just walked into Sadie's room."

Hargrave snorted. "I thought he had better taste. Sun Lee's a hell of a lot prettier than Sadie. And a whole lot younger."

Eli shrugged. "Well, that's where he is right now."

Hargrave stood up, crushing out the last of his cigar. "Well, now. That works out just fine."

"You want me to roust him out, boss?"

Hargrave shook his head. "No, no. No reason to disturb a payin' customer. And we don't need to mess up the saloon. I think it's time for me to head home for the day."

A nasty sneer slithered across his lips. "After I'm gone, you get back out there. Pick out a couple of miners who owe me money. Tell em' it'll be worth their while to convince the Captain he needs to leave Florence -- now."

Eli grinned. "That won't be hard. Nearly everybody owes you money, boss."

Hargrave plopped on his hat. "Just let 'em know, the more damage they do, the more they'll get paid. Outside the saloon, of course. Don't want any witnesses."

Eli scratched his chin. "Sure thing. Good night, boss."

"Good night, Eli." Hargrave opened the private outside door to his office and stepped out into the night air.

Chapter 4

Sadie shoved open the door and Noah stepped inside. Two dilapidated parlor chairs, a tiny table holding a kerosene lamp, a clothes tree, and a rickety brass bed, rumpled from many quick visits, were crammed into the tiny room. The stench of liquor, smoke and sex nearly knocked him over. The most rotten hold of his ship didn't smell this bad. The door clicked behind him. He turned to see Sadie drop the key down the front of her revealing dress. She grinned her most seductive, snaggle-toothed grin.

"You'll have to buy the key, Captain." She took a step toward him and stumbled over the edge of the threadbare rug. Her drink sloshed onto the already- stained carpet. She struggled upright, fighting the dizzying effects of the glass of full-strength rum. Patting her tousled hair-do, she tossed Noah an attempt at a seductive smile and carefully picked her way to a chair, making sure she didn't trip over any more carpet threads.

Noah forced a smile. "I will."

He gingerly sat down in the other chair. He set the bottle on the tiny table and held out his hand for her nearly empty glass. Silently, she handed it to him. Pouring it full, he held it out. "Join me, Sadie. I found my sister dead last night. It's been a rough day."

Sadie stared, studying the man before her. She finally reached out, taking the drink. "You're serious, ain't ya? You're really sorry about her being dead."

Noah nodded, looking away. "Yes, Sadie, I am. My sister and I were very close when we were young."

Sadie gulped the drink and handed him back the empty glass.

"You need to be like me, Captain. Not attached to nobody. That way it don't hurt when you lose 'em."

Noah nodded, filling her glass again. Sadie took the offered glass, downing half of it. "Up here, nobody cares about nuthin' -- nuthin' but gold."

Noah leaned back, taking a swallow of his own brimming drink. He ran a thumb along the hobnails holding the upholstery fabric to the chair's wooden arm. It had seen better days. Just like Sadie. The chair belonged in a parlor, in a genteel home in the east, not out here in the wilderness. It was out of place here, maybe just like Sadie. He exhaled a breath and faced the woman in the other chair. "How'd you get here, Sadie? You're not a miner."

Sadie snorted, draining the glass. "Now listen, Captain. I don't normally make idle chit-chat with my customers. My life story ain't worth much."

Noah reached into his pocket, drew out a double eagle gold piece and laid it beside the bottle. Sadie gasped. He nodded toward the coin. "I know your time is valuable, Sadie. I need answers. I'm willing to buy your time. I'll bet you know everything that goes on. Tell me how you got here. Tell me about Florence."

Sadie stared out through an alcoholic haze. "Hey, Captain. Chit-chat you pay for, chit-chat you get."

Settling back, she stared deep into her glass, as if the past were repeating itself in the depths of the liquid, not looking at Noah at all. Her voice finally echoed in the room.

"I was young once. And pretty. Got sweet-talked into comin' up here to open this saloon. I was gonna be a star..." Her voice trailed off. "...a real somebody."

Noah took a tiny sip of his own drink. "Long way to come. Not many stagecoaches up here."

Sadie nodded. "I didn't know that. Hargrave described it to me. Said it was going to be a boomtown, with streets paved in gold. They are all right -- fool's gold. Damned iron pyrite. Looks like a million dollars -- ain't worth bendin' down to pick up. Didn't know the difference back then."

She slugged back another gulp and glanced toward Noah. He took another sip and nodded for her to continue. She shrugged, stretching a thin leg to inspect the top of her worn slipper. Her voice came out hollow sounding and distant. "Besides, I had nuthin'. Georgia was no place to be during the war, Captain. My family was gone, the home place had been burned. When Canaan Hargrave and Harold White said they were leavin' to start over in a new town, I came along. Singin' in a new saloon in a booming gold mining town sounded like a good idea at the time."

She motioned to the table. "That table and these chairs are the only things I have left from my old life. Not much, is it?"

Noah shrugged, not wanting to disturb her train of thought. He took another sip of his drink. "You sang?"

Sadie nodded vigorously and polished off another drink. "I was going to be the headline singer in this place. I used to sing -- just like Jenny Lind. Hargrave lied to me from the beginning. There was no town here -- just a gold field full of drunken miners and a line of shabby tents. Some boomtown. We had to build everything that's here. From the ground up."

She stared off into the corner of the room, remembering another time. "In the beginning, I had people clap for me. I was pretty good. A real somebody."

She blinked, frowning into the blackness of the corner. "I'm somebody alright. Hargrave's main whore -- that's who."

She held out her again empty glass. "I should'a shot the bastard years ago."

Noah blinked in surprise. "Hargrave?"

"Yep." Sadie took another big gulp of the smooth, warm rum. "Nastiest son-of- a-bitch in these parts. Owns this saloon, the hotel, the livery stable and anything else he wants..."

Sadie leaned back in her chair, siding down into the worn cushion. "Thought he wanted me once." A mask of stone slipped over her face. "I was wrong."

She tipped her glass to Noah. "That's how stupid I was. He don't care about nobody but himself."

Noah took another small sip of his rum, while filling Sadie's glass again. The alcohol was having its effect, loosening her tongue, allowing her guard to slip, just a little. He glanced into her dull, lifeless eyes. "Sounds like this Hargrave's a real big shot."

Sadie nodded, accepting the drink. "The biggest. And mean if he don't get his way. He's put more than one mark on me."

Noah regarded the sullen woman. "Why don't you leave?"

Sadie frowned and downed the drink. "Oh, sure. And just how do you think I'd do that? I don't own nuthin' but the clothes on my back. No horse, no nuthin'. He's made sure of that. I wouldn't make it five miles, and he'd have one of his hooligans drag me back here, at the end of a rope most likely. I don't dare try."

She shook her head and the tiniest trace of a tear glistened in the corner of her eye. "Besides, where would I go? It's a long way back to Georgia."

Silence claimed her and wrapped her in its melancholy. Seconds ticked by like the years of her life. She finally tossed back her head and squinted across the top of her glass. "And I'm probably telling you way too much. What do you care about us?"

Noah took another tiny sip. "I'm just trying to get my bearings, Sadie. Don't want to step on the wrong toes, you know. Just helps a little to know the town."

Sadie nodded. "Hmm. Never hurts, I guess."

Noah slid another coin onto the table. "I just like to be prepared, Sadie. Know who to watch out for, when I start digging. I want to know why Sarah died."

She stared at the coins. Gingerly she stretched out her hand and pulled the coins to her, caressing them gently, reassuring herself she'd seen the denominations correctly. She finally dropped the coins down the front of her dress to keep the key company. "I don't blame you, Captain. Never hurts to know who to steer clear of."

Noah nodded. "So this Hargrave; he's not a man to cross?"

"Hah!" Sadie's glass hit the table. "You cross him and you're a dead man. That's how it is around here. Stay away from him, Captain. That's a friendly warning."

Noah smiled -- the barest hint of a smile. "Can't do that. I've already riled him."

Sadie's face turned ashen. "What? You're in trouble with Hargrave. And I let you in here?"

Sadie twisted the fringe on her skirt, her eyes wide, frozen like a panic-stricken animal. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Noah spoke softly, as if to a frightened child. "You're just taking care of a good customer, Sadie. You're being well paid. You didn't know."

Sadie's expression eased slightly. Noah could see her mouthing his words. "Taking care of a good customer. Yeah...I didn't know..."

She finally managed a sickly smile. "Had me goin' there, Captain. I don't want no trouble."

"Of course not." Noah's voice, smooth as silk, flowed around her, while he poured her yet another glass of amber-colored liquid. "So Hargrave owns the saloon and the hotel. Better not stay in either place much longer."

Noah's words finally registered in Sadie's increasingly muddled mind. "What didn't I know, Captain?"

"You didn't know about me meeting Hargrave...at the Chaikov woman's house."

Sadie's eyes stretched even wider. "What happened?"

"He thought he ought to join us for dinner. I changed his mind."

Sadie jumped to her feet, fumbling in the front of her dress, fishing for the precious room key. Finding it, she snatched the key from her bosom. "OUT! Right now! If you two got into a fight over the Chaikov woman, I don't want nothin' to do with you. He'll take his spite out on me if he thinks I've been foolin' with you! OUT!"

She threw him the key. Noah suppressed a smile. He'd never been thrown out of a whore's bedroom before. He stood, pulling another gold piece from his pocket, setting it next to the rum bottle. "Thanks for the conversation, Sadie."

She shook her head. "You gotta understand, Captain. I can't afford no trouble. I'd be out in the street -- or worse -- if he thought..."

Noah held up his hand, to stop the torrent of words. "It's all right, Sadie. Finish your drink."

He'd known women like Sadie -- down on their luck and out on their own. No sense making her life any worse. The still-warm key turned easily and he headed out into the bar, pulling Sadie's door shut solidly behind him.

Sadie watched, clutching the back of the chair. Satisfied he was gone, she dropped into the chair, grabbing the rum bottle. "Lawsy, Sadie, you don't need that trouble. Good lookin' son of a gun, but who-ee, he's a dead man -- for sure!"

Lifting the bottle, she took a long swig. Wiping her mouth on the back of her hand, she glanced back at the door through which he'd gone. "He does drink good rum."

Raising the bottle in a salute, she spoke very softly. "Good luck, Captain. You're gonna need it."

***

Noah stared at the table full of leering looks greeting his closing of the door. He stood, waiting for the reaction.

"Well, Captain. Sadie get you taken care of?"

"That was quick."

"Now Jake, Captain there just wanted to talk."

"Yeah, sure."

"With Sadie, I don't blame him."

The men at the card table dissolved into raucous laughs. Noah didn't even flinch. Laughter came hard to places like this. A little at his expense wouldn't hurt. A slow smile crept across his face. He addressed the ringleader of the group.

"Better be careful, Jake. I think Sadie likes me. One word from me and she'll cut you off all winter."

Jake's jaw dropped. "Now, Captain, you wouldn't' do that to a man!"

Jake got a quick elbow in the ribs. "Yeah, Jake -- you better be nice." The laughter continued as Noah moved to the bar.

"Another shot of rum...Harold."

The barkeep smiled. "You went through that whole bottle, Captain?"

Noah shrugged. "Sadie's still working on it."

Harold slid Noah a new, full glass. "Did you find the Chaikov woman?"

Noah nodded. "Had supper at her place. Seems nice enough." What an understatement. Her eyes still haunted him. Her silky voice still drifted through his mind. The picture of her and Hargrave together still set his teeth on edge. And Hargrave was dangerous...and powerful. Sadie'd just confirmed that.

"So...what'd you think of your nephew?"

Noah nearly dropped his glass. With all his powers of concentration, he willed his next words to come out easily. "You mean little Daniel?"

Harold nodded, wiping another glass and setting it up on the shelf behind him. "Sure -- unless Sun Lee picked up another orphan I don't know about."

"Nope. He was the only one there."

Harold scratched his nose. "She's had him since your Sarah died. Done real well for never havin' any of her own." Harold smiled and gently tapped the glass, lining it up precisely with the others on the shelf behind the bar.

"Mmm". Noah brought the glass to his lips, trying not to betray the chaos in his mind. Daniel was Sarah's son -- not Sun Lee's. Daniel was his nephew -- his mother's only grandson -- alive.

A nasal voice pierced his internal din. "Yeah. They make a real good pair. A half-breed and an orphan -- nobody wanted either of 'em."

A gale of laughter ensued, abruptly stilled by the sound of Noah's glass hitting the bar with a solid thud. He turned to face the laughter, eyes cold as blade steel.

"Are you saying there's something wrong with Miss Chaikov, mister?" Noah advanced a step. "From what I've seen, she's done a particularly good job taking care of my nephew."

The men at the card table scattered. The one with the big mouth stuttered, searching for the right words to stop Noah's menacing approach.

"No! No -- you got it all wrong. We all agree with you. Sun Lee's doing a great job."

Noah took a breath. "Then, did you mean none of you would have helped him? You would have let him die?"

The man gasped, trying to breathe normally as Noah inspected an imagined piece of lint on his shirtfront. "No! -- I mean sure -- I mean -- none of us would be any good with a baby, we're all good-for nothing old coots -- worthless miners, Captain. You can see that."

Noah eased up just a titch and glanced into the trembling man's eyes, waiting.

The thoroughly frightened miner's words came out just above a whisper. "Sun Lee's been a good mama, and that little one needed a good mama, with your sister gone and all. He's growin' up just fine."

Noah nodded, brushed the imagined speck away and straightened up. "I thought that's what you meant."

The man fell back into his chair and pulled out his filthy bandana, to mop the beads of cold sweat from his brow. He glanced around for support from the others who had fled the table. One by one, they drifted back to their seats, watching Noah's every move.

Noah turned and flipped a coin toward the bar. "Thanks for the drink, Harold."

Harold nodded. "I told you, Captain -- anytime." Noah headed through the swinging doors into the darkness, his mind racing.

Sun Lee was considered a half-breed, one nobody wanted. So much for a husband. He couldn't imagine that. Her haunting, not quite oriental features lit a fire deep in his gut. But Daniel wasn't hers. Daniel belonged to Sarah, to his family. No wonder it felt so right to hold him. It should feel right to hold Sarah's baby -- his nephew.

"Mother would love him," he whispered to the night winds. He massaged the back of his neck as he walked. But why hadn't Sun Lee told him? He replayed the scene in his mind.

"Sarah had a baby...I know...I saw the grave."

"I cut her off," he mused. Images of Sun Lee, bouncing Daniel on her foot, surfaced. He dropped his hand. It was plain she loved Daniel. Why should she trust him -- she didn't know him at all. How could he think of separating them?

"Captain?"

The hoarse whisper caught him off-guard. He squinted in the direction of the voice, coming from between the saloon and the assayer's office. "Who's there?"

"You're looking for information...on the Johnsons?"

Noah took a step toward the shadowy figure. "What do you know?...Damn!"

He sensed the presence behind him and felt the crashing blow across his shoulder at the same time. "STUPID! Even choir girls don't get sucked in that easy."

A blow to his jaw dazed him. He dropped to one knee, seeing two sets of boots. He took a sharp kick in the ribs. Another hoarse whisper. "You listening, Captain? You got no business here."

He barely felt the blows landing on his back. He'd learned early he could handle his father's punishment from this position. His shoulder throbbed. If he could just...Stretching, he reached his boot knife. Hunching his shoulders, protecting his neck against another agonized blow, he set the dirk blade between his teeth. He'd need both hands any second. Blows continued to rain down. Forcing himself up, he got his hand on his revolver. He ran his hand over the hammer, pulling it to cocked position. He had to stop this before a blow knocked him senseless.

"Hell, let's just finish him off. We'll get paid extra."

A second ticked by with eternal clarity. He had to act. He wrapped his hand around the dirk handle. With a sudden lunge, he shoved to his feet, knife blade flashing, ripping into the nearest attacker.

"AAARGGH!"

The man staggered back, mortally wounded, falling into the empty street. Grabbing for his pistol, Noah spun to face the second man. In one step, he had his back pressed to the wall, his gaze searching for more attackers.

The assailant tugged at his gun. His pistol cleared leather, but not quite soon enough. Noah was faster. A shot echoed in the darkness. Another scream echoed, followed by a heavy thud.

Noah glanced around, staring, glaring, waiting for any signs of life. Seeing none, he relaxed and slid his pistol back into its holster. He walked back to the first man. Kneeling, he pulled his dirk from its resting place in the first attacker's chest. He wiped the efficient blade clean on the dead man's shirt front and carefully tucked it back into his boot.

The screams had carried. The miners from the saloon spilled out into the street. Harold surveyed the scene. "You needed a little more action, Captain?"

Noah nodded toward the space between the buildings. "There's another one over there. Took exception to me being here. I'm not ready to leave yet."

Sadie's voice carried through the crowd. "Lawsy, you'd better be, Captain. You just killed two of Hargrave's friends."

Harold shook his head. "Two against one -- that's close enough to a fair fight, Sadie."

She shook her head. "Hargrave never cared about fair, Harold. Captain, if you riled him before, you're a goner now."

Noah smiled. "That's the second time tonight you've told me that, Sadie. I'm about to get worried."

He pulled another coin from his pocket. "Bury 'em for me Harold. Don't want to leave a mess."

Harold nodded, pocketing the coin. Noah headed toward the hotel, then turned back. "And Harold..."

"Yeah?"

"Not next to Sarah. I don't think she'd like 'em either.

***

Noah stood in his room, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The filtered moonlight gave his battered face a deathly pall. He frowned. "You haven't walked into a setup like that since you were a kid."

Ghostly images played in the mirror -- Sun Lee, Daniel, Sarah, himself and deep, deep in the background, the towering shadow of his father, stern and still, just beyond vision.

"Daniel couldn't be in a better place than with Sun Lee," he murmured, remembering the happy giggles and squeals. The images swirled as the night breeze whispered in through his half-open window. All that was left was Daniel and the looming, dark presence. "The old man would NEVER let her keep him. Not ever."

Sun Lee would not be a suitable person, of that Noah was sure, not in his father's eyes. The oriental part of her heritage would be bad enough, but the mixture of races would not be tolerated. The fact that the boy had thrived and was happy would be of no consequence.

The Reverend Elijah Daniel Stewart would insist that the boy belonged with family, and would get the law in Riggins to help. He could claim the boy was even named after him. Noah massaged the back of his neck. "You didn't do the boy any favors, Sarah. Father will use that if he has to."

Sun Lee wouldn't have a chance. He shook his head and the last of the apparitions disappeared. "If I don't take him, the old man will."

He stared at the battered image in the mirror. "Well, you've got your work cut out for you. Find the old man and stop him from taking Daniel. Find out what happened to Sarah and Henry and if the old man had anything to do with it. And find Sun Lee's father."

He scowled again into the mirror. "And convince her that sailors aren't all bad. At least not this one."

The thought surprised him. Why did he care what she thought about sailors? They'd just met. The face in the mirror stared back. "Face it; she grabbed you good. From the moment you saw her."

Noah ran a weary hand across his forehead. How could he possibly care so much about someone he'd known such a short time? But it was there, clawing at his gut, even if she wasn't sure about him. And she was in danger, that much was certain.

He frowned at his bunged-up image. "Get yourself together; this could get serious."

He looked around the room, muttering to himself. "And this is the wrong place to be, if ol' Hargrave owns this hotel."

Moving quickly around the tiny room, he gathered his belongings and stuffed them into his sea bag. Considering, he reached into the bag and pulled out his journal and his leather document pouch.

"Better keep these close," he murmured, stuffing them into his saddlebags. "Never know when they might come in handy."

He shrugged into his pea coat and yanked his watch cap down to nearly over his eyes. Raising the window further, he peered into the night's blackness. Satisfied, he set the bags on the ground outside. Setting himself on the sill, he slipped through the window and dropped silently to the ground.

"Good enough," he mumbled to no one in particular. He slung the sea bag over his good shoulder, draped the saddlebags over his arm and blended into the darkness behind the building.

***

Sun Lee stared at the beams above her bed. Sleep would not come. Over and over, the scene between Hargrave and Noah played itself out in her mind. Noah had defended her and placed himself in danger, just to protect her.

Her grandmother's quiet breathing echoed in the room, punctuated by Daniel's occasional snuffle in his sleep. They were so peaceful. She couldn't get Noah out of her mind.

He deserved to know the truth. He had protected them without knowing who Daniel was. The boy really wasn't hers to hold. Sarah had expected Noah all along. She'd named Noah as Daniel's guardian, from the day he was born. Sun Lee ran her hand over her eyes, wiping away the tears threatening to tumble down her cheek. Her life would be empty without Daniel -- empty again.

Daniel didn't care if her eyes were almond instead of round. He didn't care if her hair was straight and black. He just called her "mama". "I just can't give him up," she whispered, "I just can't."

A tap on the shutters brought her bolt upright in bed. She froze -- not making a sound. A second tap brought Bei Ling fully awake. Sun Lee reached for the pistol she kept on the nightstand. A whisper filtered in. "Sun Lee -- Sun Lee?"

Noah's strong, yet quiet voice registered instantly. She jumped up, flinging open the shutters, staring down into his battered face. "What...?"

Bei Ling appeared beside her. "Hush, Sunshine. Come to the back door, Captain."

He nodded and slipped away from the window. Bei Ling whispered, "Something is very wrong," grabbed her robe and disappeared. Sun Lee slipped into her wrapper on the way through the washroom, to the back door. Bei Ling had it open and Noah inside, by the time Sun Lee got the lamp lit. She touched his cheek. "Nasty scrape."

Noah winced. "I've had worse. Had a difference of opinion with a couple of fellas."

"More than one?" Sun Lee took the sea bag and set it in the corner, draping his saddlebags over top.

"Yeah. Hargrave decided I'd made a nuisance of myself. Sent a couple of miners to get rid of me. Didn't work."

He winced again, trying to move his shoulder. Bei Ling spoke up. "Sunshine, pour some water to rinse his face. What's wrong with your shoulder?"

Noah tried to shrug, but stopped. "Took a pretty good whack. It's a little sore."

Bei Ling frowned. "Take off your shirt. Sunshine -- wash away the blood. I'll get my salve."

Sun Lee nodded. "Yes, Grandmother."

Bei Ling softly padded away. Noah watched her go. "I shouldn't have come."

Sun Lee shook her head. "It's the only place you could have come. It's the only place you'd be safe. You heard Grandmother -- take off your shirt."

He tried to unbutton it, but his arm wouldn't obey his mind's commands. She finally gave a little laugh. "Here, let me. You'll never get it off that way."

She stepped closer to him, gently coaxing the buttons out of their holes. The nearness of his presence surrounded her. Fire coiled deep within her, simply from touching his shirt. She didn't dare look into his eyes. His whisper drifted down. "You do that well."

She felt a shiver run through his body, muscles rippling underneath her fingers. Taking a deep breath, she tried for a light response. "It's like taking care of Daniel. He can't unbutton his buttons either."

She pulled the shirt open, exposing a rock hard set of chest muscles; lean and tough from grueling work at sea. She fought the urge to plant a tiny kiss in the center of his chest; curled her fingers around the fabric to keep from sliding her hands across that beckoning surface.

"Not a good idea!" Not if she was going to resist the charm of this most handsome man. She gently tugged at his shirt-tail, pulling it loose.

Noah ran his good hand under her chin, tipping her head up, forcing her to look at him. "I'll bet Daniel doesn't enjoy being undressed by you half as much as I do."

Sun Lee froze, lost in his gaze, shirt forgotten. Her heart pounded within, signaling her loss of the battle to resist him, without so much as a verbal volley.

"Don't you have that shirt off yet?" Bei Ling's voice brought them abruptly into the moment.

"Good ol' grandma," Noah muttered, dropping his hand.

Sun Lee felt the heat rising in her neck. "He can't move his arm, Grandmother. I'm being careful."

Setting down the salve, Bei Ling allowed the merest of smiles. "Let's see that shoulder."

She deftly pulled the shirt sleeve down and off the injured arm. "Hmm." Fingers probing carefully, Bei Ling stared intently at the swelling on Noah's shoulder blade and collarbone. Noah grimaced and winced as Bei Ling rotated his shoulder in its socket. Satisfied, Bei Ling stepped back. "Nothing's broken."

Noah nodded. "Good. Gonna' need that arm soon."

Bei Ling glanced down and frowned, brushing the shirt back to stare at the darkening spot on his side. "What's this?"

"Ah-h-h." Noah flinched at her finger jab into his already sore rib cage. "One of 'em got a boot on me."

"I see. Stand still."

Teeth clenched, Noah complied while Bei Ling pressed and prodded the length of the already-deepening bruise. Slowly, she stepped back and glanced up. "No ribs broken. It's just a bruise. It too will heal."

Noah gingerly rubbed the aching spot. "Good -- Doctor Ling."

Bei Ling smiled broadly. "See, you can't be hurt too bad -- you make jokes. Sunshine, get him cleaned up. Rub salve into that shoulder. You'll be better in the morning, Captain. When you're done, come in by the fire. We need to talk."

Sun Lee nodded, tugging his shirt completely off, as Bei Ling left the room. Pulling a stool into the center of the room, Sun Lee waved a hand. "Sit down please, Noah."

Very carefully, she sponged his face, cleansing the scrapes, trying to remain very impersonal about touching him and failing miserably. Heart still pounding, she pressed a hand to his cheek. "They tried to kill you."

Noah forced a smile. "Takes a lot to kill me, Sunshine. It's the others who didn't make it."

He pulled her hand away from his cheek and planted a gentle kiss in her palm. "I don't need to die -- I've just found heaven right here."

Sun lee's blush was clear, even in the lamplight. She pulled her hand away. "You just met me. I need to take care of your shoulder or Grandmother will be back."

Noah grinned. "I'd much rather have you rub my back."

"Shh!" She smacked his good shoulder gently. Facing his back she gasped, stopping mid-move. "Noah -- these marks...these aren't new."

She dipped into the salve, rubbing the worst of the welts with the healing concoction.

Noah cringed. His voice grew flat. "I grew up quick and hard. I survived."

Sun Lee shuddered, feeling the taught, corded scar tissue under her fingertips. She gently rubbed the ointment into his swollen shoulder. She could only imagine what horrors he may have seen at home or at sea. Her father had talked of ships where sailors were beaten and even killed for disobeying rules.

And according to Sarah, he'd been young when he left home, because of their father's rigid beliefs and harsh discipline. "Who knows what he did, or didn't do to get these horrible marks?"

Her heart went out to this man who'd been so abused, so long ago. Her head shouted a warning. "You're going to be sorry. He'll break your heart!"

The incessant pounding of her heart told her it was nearly too late to worry. She continued to massage the swelling. Noah captured her hand again. "You know, that does feel really good."

This time she didn't pull back. "I'm glad. You need someone to take care of you."

Noah rose, pulling her close, into a one-armed embrace, staring into those luminous turquoise pools. His mind raced. "What a woman. She got the scum of the earth after her and she's going to take care of me. I have to take care of her."

His grip tightened. Sun Lee slid her arms carefully around his midsection, barely breathing, not knowing where this moment would take them. She only knew he needed someone in his life, needed someone to love as much as she did.

He inclined his head and captured her mouth with the most delicate of kisses. So gentle a kiss, yet it set her afire. Unknowingly, she tightened her embrace, not wanting to let him go.

Bei Ling's voice echoed. "Come -- we have no time to loose."

Noah raised his head, glanced toward the living room, gave a big sigh and released her. "Mai Tai Tai's timing is perfect."

Noah followed Sun Lee out of the washroom, into the living area, tugging his shirt back on, willing his arm to move, to bend, to rebutton the stubborn buttons. "Can't afford a stiff shoulder."

His gaze traveled the length of the room. Bei Ling stood, fully dressed in shapeless black pants and top, in front of the smoldering fire. He hesitated, staring at the green and gold pendent now suspended around her neck. She fingered it unconsciously, caressing the stone while her eyes darted, taking in their every move. Sun Lee's saddlebags, stuffed full, lay at her feet. Hearing Daniel whimper, Sun Lee slipped away, into their bedroom.

Noah stretched his neck, rotating his shoulder. Bei Ling nodded. "Keep working it. You must regain use quickly."

Noah rubbed his hand over his tender collarbone. "That salve seems to work; faster than most snake oil."

Bei Ling smiled. "Old Chinese remedy."

Her jaw took on a grim set. "We cannot stay here. We must leave."

Noah frowned. What had she seen in her life? She had understood immediately the danger in which he'd placed them. "I'll be here, Ma Tai Tai. I won't let Hargrave harm any of you."

Bei Ling shook her head. "No. He will not come alone. This is not the time. One cannot stand against many. We will all die. I will take Wang-danian to safety. You take Sunshine and find her father. We must know for certain what has happened to Leonid."

Sun Lee returned, fully dressed, Daniel in her arms. "Where is Noah taking me? What are you planning, Grandmother?"

"Your grandmother feels the same way I do, Sun Lee. I've placed you in terrible danger by coming. We can't stay here."

Sun Lee shook her head. "I was in danger before I met you. Hargrave had already threatened me when you got here. This isn't your fault or your fight."

She shifted the sleepy-headed bundle in her arms. "But you may be right. With Father gone, we may not be safe here."

Bei Ling handed Sun Lee the saddlebags and took Daniel. Sun Lee frowned, reluctant to let him out of her sight, even with beloved Mai Tai Tai. "But where will you go, Grandmother?"

Bei Ling glanced down, smiling at Daniel's tug on the pendant. "You know we have friends here, Sunshine. Master Fong and the Friends will protect us at my request."

"Mine," whispered Daniel, tracing a chubby finger around the coiled golden dragon reposing on the green circlet.

"Yes, Wang-danian, yours." Bei Ling laughed.

"The Friends of the Golden Dragon have a long reach, Mai Tai Tai," said Noah, reaching into his pocket, pulling out a smaller, matching stone circlet.

Bei Ling, blinked, then stared. "How do you come by such a piece?"

"I told you. I've spent time in your homeland. I had occasion to be of service to the Friends of the Golden Dragon in Canton. They appreciated my help. I am known to the Friends in San Francisco."

Bei Ling nodded. Noah dropped the piece back into his pocket. Nothing more need be said. Bei Ling reached for her coat. "We waste time. We must go. Take the horses. They may not be here otherwise."

Sun Lee gasped. "Grandmother! How can you just go and leave everything? We've worked so hard for all this!"

Bei Ling gave Sun Lee a gentle smile over Daniel's head. "All this is of no value if one of us is killed. We must go. We are not organized to fight. Not yet." She looked up at Noah. "Go quickly. You don't have much time."

Noah nodded. "Grab your coat, Sunshine. It's cold."

Sun Lee snatched her drover's coat and hat from the peg, threw her saddlebags over her shoulder and headed to the back door, trailing Bei Ling and Daniel. He had snuggled down onto Bei Ling's soothing shoulder and was again almost asleep.

Shrugging on his pea coat and grabbing his saddlebags, Noah glanced around the warm, snug cabin and shook his head, wishing he didn't have such a sickening feeling in his gut.

They blew out the lamp, sending the room into moonlight- splattered darkness. Noah carefully slid open the heavy back door, waiting until his eyes adjusted fully to the change. Watching, listening for any movement or sound, he finally motioned Sun Lee out.

Bei Ling silently followed. Sun Lee pulled the heavy door shut and turned a questioning glance toward Grandmother. Bei Ling laid a finger against her lips and motioned them away. She watched until they made their way to the barn. Satisfied, she turned and slipped silently into the darkness of China Road.

Chapter 5

The horses shuffled and snorted quietly at their approach. Samson stretched his neck, waiting for a pat and a jowl scratch.

Sun Lee stood beside him, caressing the big stallion's jaw. "I don't want to run."

She could hear Noah yanking the saddle, pulling the cinch tight on Ruble, Father's big gray gelding. Grandmother's mare, Lotus Blossom, whinnied softly. Noah patted her nose to calm her.

Sun Lee could stand it no longer. "I don't like this," she hissed, anger snapping her words. "We're giving Hargrave exactly what he wants. If we leave, he just walks in and takes everything; the house, the mine, everything!"

Noah raked his fingers through his hair. He walked softly to her side, putting his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. "I know it looks that way, Sun Lee. But there's a time to fight and a time to run. This is a time to run."

Sun Lee's jaw set. "Like Sarah said you did?"

Even in the dim moonlight, she could see the anguished look that shot across his face. She almost wished she could retract the words. Almost -- but not quite. This was her home they were leaving, not his. He held his gaze steady, answering her accusatory stare. "Yes. Like I did. You run when you can't win; so you can come back to fight again. Ma Tai Tai understands."

Sun Lee refused to be swayed by the hurt evident in his face and the logic in his words. "Well, I don't. Once he settles in, we'll never get him out."

"Yes, we will. We'll find out what happened to your father. And then we'll come back with enough help on our side to stop Hargrave for good. I promise you that."

Sun Lee looked up, furiously blinking back tears she refused to shed. "The same way you promised Sarah?"

He took a step back, as if physically struck by her stinging words. He lowered his head, then looked back at her, a grim expression replacing the patient, gentle one that had been there. "Sunshine, we have to leave. Hargrave and his men will most likely be here within the hour. We can't pull together enough men to stop them, right now. If we aren't out of range, I'll be dead before dawn and you'll wish you were."

Sun Lee gasped at the harsh pronouncement. He pressed the point. "Sun Lee, I just killed two of his friends. He can't let that slide. If we're in the cabin when he gets here, they'll just set fire to the place and shoot us as we try to get out. We have to go for now."

Numbly Sun Lee nodded, acquiescing to the cold logic of his words. Silently she saddled Samson and tied on her saddlebags while Noah bridled Lotus Blossom. She swung up into the saddle and waited until Noah sat astride Ruble. "If we're in as much danger as you say, we can't leave by the road to Riggins. We'll go down to the old line camp. It's out of the way. Maybe they won't look for us there right away."

Noah's voice echoed softly. "Sounds good to me."

Without a backward glance, Sun Lee reined Samson around and out into the night wind. Noah followed, leading Lotus Blossom. The chilling mountain wind drove the gathering clouds across the face of the moon, giving them much needed cover, until they reached the edge of the forest.

Sun Lee faced into the wind, feeling its raw edge. Ramming her hat down low over her eyes, she turned in the saddle. "It's going to rain. We need to get to the shack before the storm breaks."

Pulling her drover's coat in tight, she urged Samson forward, letting him pick the trail in the darkness.

Noah allowed Ruble to fall in behind, with Lotus Blossom trailing him, loaded with his saddlebags and the few supplies he'd had time to grab from the barn. Sun Lee was obviously comfortable in these mountains, much more so than he. Her biting words still stung. "She's right. How can I expect her to think I'll keep my promise. I didn't keep the one I made to Sarah."

He clenched his teeth. Well, he'd keep this one -- or die trying. At least Daniel was safe with Bei Ling, for the time being. Even if the old man showed up while they were gone, he'd never find the boy. They'd work things out about Daniel later. Right now they had bigger problems.

An icy mist began to work its way through the treetops, sending a shiver along Noah's spine. He glanced ahead at Sun Lee, wrapped tightly in her long coat, which covered her to nearly her boot tops. Too bad he hadn't taken the time to pull his rain slicker from his sea bag. Even though they were dark enough to hide him earlier, this blasted pea coat and knitted watch cap weren't really waterproof and the wind already clawed at his spine. "This could get really nasty."

***

The tiny flame of a small candle flickered softly in the middle of the table, illuminating only the center of the room. Daniel's sleep snuffles carried from his pallet in front of the fireplace, its evening fire now reduced to banked embers. Bei Ling took one more look, to make sure he slept. Satisfied, she glanced toward the gentleman across the table. "I am in your debt, Master Fong -- for taking us in at such an hour."

He waved a hand. "Mrs. Ling -- you know you are welcome in my home, no matter what the hour."

A tiny smile flickered its way across Bei Ling's face and disappeared as quickly as it had come. "A shadow crosses the house of Chaikov, Master Fong. My daughter's husband has been gone for many days. And the man, Hargrave, claims to now own Leonid's half of the mine."

Master Fong straightened in his chair. "That is not good news, Mrs. Ling."

"No. And worse, he has claimed my granddaughter. He swears to make her his bride, to own the mine completely."

"And what does Sun Lee say?"

Bei Ling smiled. "Sunshine spits fire, as a true Daughter of the Dragon, at the very thought of Hargrave near her. But she is in great danger. We know he will stop at nothing to get what he wants."

"But what brings you out tonight...at this hour? We could have discussed this tomorrow."

Bei Ling pressed a hand to her forehead. "There is a complication. The brother of Sarah Johnson, a Captain Noah Stewart, has come, seeking her. He saved little Wang-danian's life today. He came to our house for supper."

She glanced at the sleeping toddler, then continued. "Hargrave stopped while he was there. They had words. Hargrave's men attacked him when he walked back to the hotel. He killed two of them."

Fong ran a gnarled hand across his mouth. "Very bad, very bad news."

Bei Ling nodded. "The Captain was also hurt. He came back to our cabin. He is sure Hargrave will be after him and that Sun Lee is not safe in our home any longer. And I agree. He and Sunshine have gone -- to find Leonid. I brought Wang-danian with me."

The steady tone of Bei Ling's voice belied the anguish and concern flickering in her eyes. Master Fong reached across the table and gently patted her hand. "You will be safe here. You know that. The Friends will not allow anything to happen to the family of Wan Ling."

Bei Ling smiled. "We thank you again, Master Fong. My husband would have returned your kindness..."

"We remember your husband fondly, as do all the Friends. We all owe him much more than this simple request. But what of the Captain? Does he know...?" Fong's gaze drifted to the sleeping Daniel.

"Sunshine had not told him when Hargrave interrupted, but she had started. I think he will know about Wang-danian by the time they get back."

Fong nodded.

"However, the Captain is a puzzle. He sails a trading ship out of San Francisco. He also carries the sign of the Golden Dragon."

A startled gasp escaped Fong's lips. "You're sure? You saw the piece?"

Bei Ling fingered the circlet resting on her chest. "He recognized my pendant and pulled a matching piece from his pocket. He says that he got it for service in Canton and that he is known to the Friends in San Francisco."

Master Fong leaned back in his chair. Bei Ling sat quietly, giving him time to collect his thoughts. He finally returned his gaze to her. "We can easily verify the Captain's claim. A rider can reach the telegraph line quickly. In the meantime, we shall assume he is an honorable man."

Bei Ling shifted in her chair. "He has acted as one up to now."

"Good. We will depend upon him to protect Sun Lee, as we would depend upon any of the Friends to help another. Please, make yourself comfortable. You may take my bed. We will call a council at daybreak. We would not want the Golden Dragon to fall into the wrong hands and we certainly do not want anything to happen to any of you."

Bei Ling took a deep breath, relaxing for the first time since they'd left the cabin. "Thank you, Master Fong. I will make a pallet here, beside Wang-danian. I don't want him to be frightened, if he wakes during the rest of the night."

Fong nodded. "As you wish. Sleep well, Mrs. Ling."

***

Muffled footfalls disturbed the middle-of-the-night quiet of the deserted street. Hargrave, along with a cluster of his henchmen, moved through a gathering storm. Hargrave shivered, the icy mists soaking his coat, chilling him. "It'll get hot quick enough."

His lip curled into its normal, unconscious sneer. He chomped on his smoldering cigar. China Road lay deserted in the sleet. Hargrave glanced down the street, contemplating the row of snug cabins. There weren't many places for the Captain to hide. His room at the hotel had been empty.

"Damn quick!" Hargrave mumbled. "But I'll bet he didn't go far. Just about here."

He motioned several men around the back of Sun Lee's cabin. Then waved another few to the front. "This is gonna be easy."

He turned to one of the men. "Open it up, easy like, Eli. We don't want to wake anybody else, do we?"

Eli tested the door, then shoved a shoulder into it and shook his head. "It's solid, boss. Ain't goin' in this way."

Hargrave nodded. "All right. We'll just..."

The creak of a window shutter caught his attention. He hesitated, staring at the cabin door. Heavy footfalls came toward them from behind the massive slab of wood. The door swung open, from the inside. Hargrave blinked in surprise. "What the hell...?"

Another of Hargrave's men stepped out of the cabin. "Back window was open. They ain't here, boss. None of 'em."

Hargrave took a deep breath, bringing life to the cigar. "Let me see."

He walked into the now deserted cabin. The rest of his men followed. Beds unmade, belongings strewn, told of the hurried departure. "Damnation."

His fist slammed against the tabletop. "Damnation!"

He turned his fury toward his men. "Where, Eli? Where have they gone?"

Eli shrugged. "Riggins most likely. The horses are gone out back."

"Hmm." Hargrave chewed the cigar furiously.

Eli glanced around. "Or..."

"Or?"

"Or, somewhere here, on China Road."

Hargrave nodded. "Yeah, just what I need. A damned yellow war."

"There ain't enough of us, boss. Not to fight all them if they get together."

Hargrave shot Eli a contemptuous glance. "I know that. But they usually stay out of things."

Eli shrugged. "Yeah well, Sun Lee is one of them, sort of, and her gramma is, for sure."

"I know that, too. Tell me something I don't know."

Eli shrugged again. Hargrave stomped around the room, knocking over chairs, shoving things around, finding nothing to calm his wrath at not finding Sun Lee and the Captain. He stood in the center of the darkened room, lit by the embers of the fireplace and of his cigar. He pulled a few more puffs through it, making the ash glow bright red.

He looked around. "Join me, boys. I think this place needs to be a little warmer."

The others followed suit and within moments they all had lit cigars and hand rolled cigarettes in hand.

Sneering, Hargrave dropped his ashes into the middle of a dishtowel on the floor. He stood, gaze riveted, until the cloth caught fire. He glanced up. "Let's give them a real warm send-off, fellas."

He started toward the door, then turned and glanced around the group. "Burn it. To the ground!"

***

Sun Lee pulled her coat closer, trying to shield her face from the worst of the sleet, now pelting her with an icy fury. Her fingers refused to straighten, numb from gripping the reins. She balanced on Samson's broad back while he picked his way down the darkened, slippery slope. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the ice collecting on the long braid hanging down her back.

She could hear the click of the horses' hooves behind her. "He must be more miserable than I am. He's not dressed for this."

The trees thinned and the dark outline of the line camp shack came into view, with its barn and corral still intact. "Thank goodness. The horses will be covered. Don't want to bring them into the cabin."

Samson broke into a trot at the sight of the barn, stopping only when his massive chest shoved against the corral gate. She slid down, pulled off her saddlebags and glanced up at Noah. "I'll get a fire started, if you'll take care of the horses."

He nodded and jumped to the ground. Taking Samson's reins, he led the three horses into the corral, toward the hopefully drier barn.

Sun Lee dashed inside, away from the worsening sleet storm. Blackness surrounded her. She yanked off her ice-covered hat and tossed it in the general direction of the countertop she knew to be there. She stripped off her stiffened leather gloves, blowing on her cold, cold hands to warm them.

Shrugging, she dropped her ice-laden coat to the floor. She'd tend to it later. She felt along the wall for the shelf. The cold tin of the candle lamp met her fingertips. Working from feel alone, she opened the lamp's door. The stub of a partially burned candle still remained inside. She gently ran her fingernail into the wax, coaxing the remainder of the wick upright.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she pulled a flint and steel from her pocket and struck a spark next to the wick -- once -- twice. On the third strike, the wick sputtered, catching and finally glowing, its tiny light illuminating the space. She carefully closed the tin door and held the lamp toward the center of the room. Soft yellow light flickered through the cut tin designs.

"What in the world?" She glanced around. The room was a mess. Chairs lay tipped and sprawled on the floor; the table completely overturned on its top. Setting the lamp back on the shelf, she righted the table and straightened things as best she could. Frowning, she inspected the empty firewood box. "Not a stick -- not even tender, to start a fire. I wonder who was here last?"

She picked up her coat and draped it over the back of one of the chairs. The heavy garment had done its job. She was almost dry. Only the bottoms of her trousers, below her knees, were wet. She walked back to the counter and swung her head, draping that long black braid over her shoulder into the basin sitting there. As quickly as she could, she knocked and picked the ice from her hair. No sense having melting ice drip down her back.

She loosened the rawhide thong and shook out the braid, swinging and separating her hair until it surrounded her like an ebony blanket, thick and shiny, spilling over her shoulders.

She frowned and picked up the old towel laying on the countertop. It would have to do. She rubbed it over her hair, drying the thick strands as best she could.

Noah charged in through the door, looking for all the world like an "ice man". His watch cap sported a half-inch layer of ice all over his head. His coat glistened in the lamplight. Shivers shook his entire frame. He stopped, frozen by the image of Sun Lee standing in front of him, like a china doll, with that magnificent ebony mane surrounding and enfolding her like a blanket to keep out the cold. "She's exquisite."

Any other time he would have been instantly aroused, but the cold wouldn't allow it. His muscles screamed from the effort of feeding and bedding down the horses while he, himself, was soaked to the bone with the icy water. "You can only dream."

Another massive shiver shook his whole body.

Sun Lee pointed to the empty wood box. "I couldn't start a fire. Whoever was here last didn't fill it like they're supposed to."

Tinkling crystals hit the floor as Noah struggled out of the stiff, ice-laden coat. "Supposed to?"

"Yes. Most of the claim holders have agreed to help keep this place stocked. It's a good halfway point to Riggins -- a place to take cover if you need to -- like now -- if you come this back way. But some of us do a better job than others. Whoever was here last left it in a mess."

Noah frowned. "A mess?"

"Yes. The table was turned upside down, and the chairs were knocked everywhere. Looked like there'd been a fight or something."

Noah stomped his feet, knocking the ice-layer from his boots and soaked pant legs. "We can't stay here long, then. Not if it's that well known."

"No. But surely they won't come after us in this sleet. We can dry off and leave as soon as it quits. We'll still be ahead of them."

He nodded, rubbing his hands together, blowing on them to get the circulation started again.

She shook out one of the blankets from the bed. "You need to get out of those wet things. You'll catch your death if you don't get dry."

Noah couldn't help himself. "I'll get out of my clothes anytime you want, Sunshine."

In a heartbeat, he stood bare-chested before her. He loved to see her blush and she'd just turned scarlet.

"Will you stop that," she mumbled. "I'm serious. Here, dry off."

He took the offered blanket, rubbing himself down. "I can't reach my back -- shoulder still hurts. You'll have to help."

He held the blanket out to her, trying for a totally innocent expression and not quite succeeding. She arched an eyebrow and snatched it from his hand. "Turn around."

He complied and she gently stroked his back, being careful not to irritate the scars. "What are you...? Noah!"

Noah's pants had just hit the floor. "You said to take off my wet things. Well, they're wet too -- I'm wet all the way to my skin."

Sun Lee silently fumed, trying not to stare at his bare backside. "He's just trying to embarrass me!"

She tossed her head and stretched the blanket around his waist from behind, pulling it together on the side, trying her best to ignore the rock-solid sinew, flexing beneath her touch. "Here, take this. You can finish yourself."

He grabbed the knot of blanket and over his shoulder, watched her walk away. "Hmm -- wrong move, mate."

He watched that midnight cloud of ebony hair encircle her again. His fingers itched to separate that cloud, to find her inside. He pulled his feet out of his wet boots and stepped out of the pile of soggy clothes. "You wouldn't make Daniel dry himself off."

Sun Lee threw him a withering glance. "Daniel's a little boy. You're not. You're a very handsome man. One that has women falling all over you, I'm sure, anytime you choose to drop your drawers. I'm not Sadie, or any of the other women you associate with."

Noah flinched. Her blue eyes snapped at him in the lamplight. "Definitely a wrong move."

He really didn't want to climb back into those wet pants. He sat down on the bed, carefully covering himself with the blanket. "I was just teasing, Sunshine. You're pretty when you blush. And I haven't been around a lady in a long time. Sorry."

Sun Lee nodded, watching him carefully. He sat on the edge of the bed, still shivering. The blanket did little to warm him. She picked up his pants and hung them over the other chair. She spread his coat out over the tabletop. Poking into a corner, she found another blanket and walked to the bed. "Lie down."

He started to answer and thought better of it. Nodding, he stretched out on the straw-stuffed mattress on the rough wooden bed. It just barely gave him room. His toes bumped the foot rail and his head just barely cleared the top rail. She flipped the blanket out over him. "Now, hang on to this and let me pull the wet one away."

He did exactly as she asked. She tugged until the soggy blanket came free. "You're going to catch pneumonia."

"Y-y-o-o-u-u might say that," said Noah, teeth chattering.

She could see him shivering under the thin blanket. "It's freezing in here. Well, dammit, do something." Against her better judgment, she stepped to the side of the bed.

"Scoot over," she commanded, almost angrily.

Noah stared up at her. "But...you..."

Sun Lee waved a hand. "I know what I said, but your teeth are still chattering. You can't help me find Father if you freeze to death. A little body heat might warm you up."

Noah couldn't believe his ears. "That would probably help."

She stood, staring. "Turn your back to me, on your side." He obediently rolled over, listening to the rustling sounds, hearing her heavy boots clunk on the wooden flooring. Sun Lee slid in under the blanket and pressed her bare chest to his back.

He sucked in a sharp breath, feeling her delicate breasts, warm and full, pressing into his aching muscles. "Oh yeah, Sunshine. That'll warm me right up."

She pulled her knees up against the backs of his knees, snuggling until his entire bare backside pressed against her. She slipped her arm over his waist, spreading her fingers against his chest, laying her cheek against his shoulder. "Hush. You don't need to enjoy this. Just get warm."

Noah struggled not to laugh. "Right -- I'm not enjoying this at all."

The woman was trying to drive him crazy. He was going to go out of his mind, trying not to enjoy having her wrapped around him, performing a strictly humanitarian act of raising his body temperature. Her body curled in against his, fitting his body like a glove. Her warmth radiated, easing the ache, warming his thighs. He closed his eyes, feeling her heart beat against his back. "What a way to go."

His shivers subsided, replaced by a warm glow, smoldering deep inside, rapidly building to a much more intense fire -- a fire not at all "humanitarian" in nature. He rolled his shoulder, gingerly moving his hand to cover hers, lacing his fingers though her delicate ones, still pressed tightly against his chest.

She massaged her cheek along his back, caressing the corded scars, easing the pain always there.

"Is that better?" she whispered.

Noah could barely breathe the answer. "Much."

Sun Lee lifted her head. "Then I should get up."

He pinned her hand against his chest, catching her arm with his elbow. "No -- I mean -- that just warmed the back side."

Sun Lee nestled her head against his shoulder blade, matching her breathing to his, feeling his heart pounding beneath her fingers. "Don't do this. You're going to break your heart yourself. He isn't going to have to do anything."

Her logical, practical thoughts had no effect. Her heart pounded in time with his, her body refused to move. Her toes curled around his anklebone, giving a gentle caress all on their own. She felt the quickening of his heartbeat beneath her fingers as she ran her toe along his taut calf muscle. "I suppose we could change sides, just for a moment or two."

"Yeah, just -- just for a minute." Noah held his breath, waiting.

Sun Lee shifted and rolled to her other side. Exhaling, he followed, carefully pressing his chest to her back, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her in tight, until his legs and groin cupped her bottom perfectly. He ran a hand along the length of that gorgeous, silky hair, pulling it back until he exposed her delicate earlobe and the sensuous curve of her neck.

"Like you said," he whispered softly into her ear, "I'm not enjoying this. I'm just borrowing a little body heat."

"Um-hmm." Sun Lee murmured. His touch was heavenly. His hand traced a tiny pattern on her abdomen. She sucked in a breath, acknowledging the spasms of desire coursing through her at his gentle touch. His fingers wandered upward, finally cupping her breast, caressing her nipple with his thumb.

"You have lots of body heat, Sunshine," he mumbled, planting a row of kisses down her shoulder blade.

Her heart pounded in her ears. She barely knew this man, yet she wanted him with every fiber of her being. His touch set her skin afire. His kisses filled her with a longing she'd never felt, certainly not with Ivan. His hand wandered lower on her belly, loosening the drawstring on her trousers, finding its way inside her waistband. Lower and lower, awakening a deep raw need, a need she wanted him to fulfill. He ran a toe over the soggy pant leg hiding her ankle. His whisper came gently. "Sunshine, these are wet, too. You really need to be out of them."

"Mmm..." She turned within the circle of his arms, stretching her body to match his, feeling his arousal hard against her. She met his gaze and saw the hunger smoldering in those onyx pools -- a hunger for her -- and yet he waited. His gaze clouded and a tiny frown furrowed his brow.

"Sunshine...?"

"Shh." She put a finger to his lips. "Kiss me."

"Yes, ma'am." Brushing the rest of that magnificent hair from her face, he gently explored the corners of her mouth with his tongue, caressing each lip, savoring her special taste, finally surrounding her waiting mouth with his own.

She wrapped her arm around his neck, entwining her fingers in his hair, returning his kiss, searching for more. Her body pressed against him, insisting on his attention.

A low moan escaped his lips. His hands moved, pushing her trousers down, until they no longer separated them. With a final foot shove, the soggy slacks fell to the floor. Deepening the kiss, he pulled her hips in tight, shifting, until she lay beneath him. He settled between her welcoming thighs. Her wanton kiss drove any notion of caution from his mind. Her fingers kneaded his back and headed south along his spine, awakening every nerve he ever had. Her tongue danced in his mouth, requiring his immediate reaction.

Without conscious thought, one strong thrust took him within her exotic, wild heat. A small cry, and a momentary resistance told him he was her first. "Too late now."

He broke the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. The only look there was her own raw hunger, reflecting her need as much as his own. She pulled his head down, demanding another kiss, arching her hips, refusing to let him stop.

He gave into her insistence, concentrating on bringing her as much pleasure as she brought him. If this was her first time, it would be his best. Outside, the thunder crashed and rolled, stirring their blood to glorious heights. The rhythm of the rain drove the rhythm of their passion, taking them both on a wild ride.

Finally exhausted, he rolled to his side, taking her with him, pulling the blanket tightly around her. He nudged her chin up, capturing her mouth for a gentle, lingering kiss, savoring a satisfaction he had never known in any of his far-flung wanderings. He had never felt such peace, with anyone, ever before. Pulling her tightly to him, he drifted off into soothing, restoring sleep.

Sun Lee lay quietly in his arms, listening to his even, peaceful breathing, the shivering and chattering teeth long gone. The feelings of the moment swirled around her. "What have you done? He may want you, but he doesn't love you. He loves his ship. He's going to be gone soon, you know that. And he's going to want to take Daniel with him."

In his sleep, a tiny moan escaped Noah's lips and he pulled her to him. Luxuriating in his unconscious embrace, she leaned her forehead against his chest. "One night at a time. We have to get through tomorrow, first."

Outside, the sleet had subsided to a tiny patter on the tin roof. A timber wolf howled in the cold. Sun Lee raised her head, listening. The yip-yip of a wolf cub answered the first cry. "That's close. Thank goodness the barn is sturdy. The horses will be fine."

She snuggled in close, sharing body heat, waiting out the storm.

Chapter 6

Cold gray streaks of sunlight snaked in across the cabin floor. Noah blinked awake. The rain had stopped. He froze, realizing he still had Sun Lee securely in his arms. The memory of the previous night's passion crashed into his consciousness.

"Good, Lord. What have you started?"

He looked at the beautiful face, serene in repose beside him. The memory of the fireball he'd held the night before seared into his mind. What a woman. He'd never made love like that before. And she evidently never had either. "Now what, mate? What are you going to say when she wakes up? A ship is no place for a woman, not even one this independent."

He eased his arm from beneath her head. He would have to wake her soon. They couldn't stay here. He glanced toward the door. Telltale marks on the floor caught his eye.

"What the...?" He eased out of bed, staring, frowning as he grabbed his clothes. Dressing quietly, he followed the marks. Bending down, he scraped up a flake of the brownish trace. "Sure looks like blood to me."

Two tracks, each one a little wider than his boot, ran from the middle of the room to the door. A glint from a crack in the floor demanded his attention. Reaching down, he dislodged a coin, a fairly shiny coin. "This hasn't been here long."

Straightening up, he shook his head, looking back at the tracks. Bits of conversation linked in his mind. "Poker game -- mine deed -- fight -- table upset."

If these were what he thought they were, Sun Lee needed to sleep a while longer. Easing the door open, he slipped outside and stared at the surrounding forest. "If I were dragging a body, where would I go to hide it?"

He stepped off the rickety porch into the icy mud, focusing on the point of trees that reached out toward the cabin. Turning, he began to back toward the trees, letting the rise and fall of the ground beneath his feet guide him. The protruding pine boughs finally stopped his slow, backward walk. Facing into the forest, he stepped around the tree and into the tangled mass. The cozy scene by Sun Lee's fireplace filled his mind. "You wouldn't pull the man that filled that chair very far."

Noah scanned the area, looking for any sign of disturbance. A broken pine bough and ruffled pine needles caught his eye. "Aha!"

He headed into the tangle, following the faint trace. The dual tracks, protected from the ice and sleet by the thick pine trees, were much clearer here. Raising his gaze from the forest floor, he scanned the area once more and stopped.

A large pile of underbrush blocked his path. A hand, or what was left of it, protruded from beneath the leaves and dirt. A leg, missing its foot, stuck up out of the ground, signaling the exact location of this very shallow final resting place. "Didn't even bother to bury him. Figured the wolves would take care of it."

Noah massaged the knot now tied in the back of his neck. Well, it looked like he'd kept his first promise to Sun Lee. Unfortunately, he'd probably just found her father.

***

Sun Lee rolled and stretched, then gasped. "Good heavens, it's daylight!"

She glanced around and realized she was in an otherwise empty bed. "Where is he?"

Surely he wouldn't have left her here by herself, not after last night. "Just like a sailor."

She refused the thought. "No, he's not like that. He must be out with the horses."

Jumping up, she grabbed her clothes and slipped into them. They needed to leave immediately. Who knew how long ago the rain had stopped. She picked up their few belongings and headed out the door.

Noah stood at the corral, adjusting the ropes securing a blanket-covered object across Samson's back. Sun Lee stared. A strangled cry escaped her lips when she recognized the object as a body, a big one. "Father!"

She dashed from the door to the corral.

Noah caught her, pulling her into his arms, shielding her. "Sunshine, you don't want to see."

She squirmed, trying to free herself. "Let me go. I want to..."

"No, you don't." Noah held her fast. "The wolves got here before we did."

A small cry escaped her lips. "Oh, no."

Noah lifted her until her feet were nearly off the ground, holding her away from the grim scene. Her eyes filled with tears and her fists bounced against his chest. He spoke softly. "He wouldn't want you to see him like this. Please."

"Oh, Noah." A huge sob shook her frame. The body draped across Samson was too big to be anyone else. Father was the biggest man in the territory.

Noah spoke softly. "I had to put him on Samson. Lotus Blossom isn't big enough and Ruble wouldn't leave him alone. Kept pulling on his sleeve, trying to get his attention."

She nodded. Certainly Samson was the only one of the horses big enough to carry Father. And poor Ruble. He'd snorted and stomped when Father took Dan, their mule instead, the last time he left. Poor horse was really confused now. Who knew where Dan had ended up? She tried to compose herself. "I'll ride Lotus Blossom."

Her fingers uncurled and she flattened her palms against him. He let her down gently. She buried her face in his chest, allowing him to hold her, to comfort her. He smoothed her hair, gently caressing her shaking shoulders. This wasn't the way he'd wanted to keep his promises. She finally raised her head. He brushed back the tears. "We'll take him down to Riggins. Once the undertaker gets through you can see him. All right? There's nothing you can do for him now."

She nodded, pressing her hand to her mouth to hold back the scream fighting to get out. She drew in a ragged breath. "Noah?"

"What?"

"Did the wolves kill him?"

Noah hesitated. "No. The bullet hole in his chest did that. The wolves just found the body before we did."

Sun Lee clenched her teeth and her fingers knotted into hard fists. "Then I'm going to find out who did."

Noah pulled her close. "Correction. We're going to find out who killed him."

***

Hargrave drummed his fingers on his desktop, chomping on his unlit cigar, watching the rain falling outside his window. "Damnation. They're in Riggins by now. Damned marshal will probably come poking around."

A timid tap on the door broke his concentration. "Go away, Miller, I'm busy."

Miller's voice echoed through the door. "A new guest would like to talk to you, Mr. Hargrave."

Hargrave stared at the door, debating. He finally set the cigar down in the ashtray. "Very well. Show him in."

The door opened and Hargrave blinked at the man who swept into his office. "Damnation." Hargrave straightened his jacket. This was no miner. A man of the cloth, evidently, from the bible tucked under his arm and a huge man, at that. "He's almost as big as Chaikov."

He was dressed in a black, impeccably cut frock coat and trousers, white shirt and a flat black hat set low, with a piercing, dark-eyed stare that seemed to see to the devil and back.

Miller squeaked, trying to make introductions. "Mr. Hargrave, this is the Reverend Elijah Stewart. Reverend, the hotel owner, Mr. Canaan Hargrave."

Hargrave suppressed a gasp. "Two Stewarts -- in one week?"

He held out his hand. "Glad to meet you, Reverend. We don't get many preachers in Florence."

Reverend Stewart leveled an icy stare and barely shook the offered hand. "From the looks of things, ya' could use a few more, I'd say. I dinna' believe I saw a single church."

Hargrave stretched his neck, suddenly uncomfortable in the unforgiving stare. "Well, no. Townsfolk haven't gotten around to building one just yet."

Reverend Stewart sniffed. "That's why I'm here, sir. May I sit down?"

Hargrave waved a hand. "Of course, make yourself comfortable."

Stewart removed his hat, shook the last of the rain from its brim and handed it to Miller, who backed out of the office, pulling the door closed. Glancing around, he chose the wooden straight-backed chair. Settling on its edge, he returned that see-into-your-soul gaze to Hargrave, who sat back down. "What can I do for you, Reverend?"

"I'm here, sir, on a rescue mission. To rescue one of God's flock from this unholy place."

Hargrave stared at the preacher. "He's serious!"

He cleared his throat. "Well, sir. You'll have to tell me a little more. I don't rightly know anyone who needs rescuing, at least not to my knowledge, Reverend."

Reverend Stewart's back straightened to ramrod stiff. "I'm here, sir, to retrieve ma' daughter. She was abducted by a scoundrel name of Henry Johnson and brought here, according to the wagon train company records."

Hargrave clapped a hand over his mouth to stop the snort. "The old coot."

The lights went on in Hargrave's mind. Now it made sense. The Captain and Sun Lee, now this preacher. It was all tied together. "You mean Sarah Johnson, Reverend?"

"I dinna' know ma' daughter ever married the man." Reverend Stewart's distain filled the room.

"Well, you better hope she did, Reverend. They were sure livin' together as man and wife." Hargrave took great pleasure at the shocked look that flashed across Stewart's face. "But you're too late. You can't rescue her from nothin'. She's gone on to her reward, you might say."

"What? What do ya' mean?"

Hargrave leaned back in his chair. "I mean, Reverend, she's already met her maker. She's dead. Her and that scoundrel, as you put it. They're both over in the cemetery. Go take a look."

Rev. Stewart's shoulders sagged slightly. He bowed his head and then raised his gaze to Hargrave's stare. "I'm too late."

A twisted smile slithered across Hargrave's face. "Maybe not. 'Cause, Reverend, you got a grandson to save. A little boy named Daniel."

Stewart's gasp echoed in the room. "A grandson?"

"Yep. Kinda cute, I guess, if ya like kids."

Stewart could not contain himself. "Where is the wee lad? What's happened to him, if ma' daughter is...is..." The word would not come.

Hargrave leaned forward. "Well, that might be a problem. Your daughter had taken up with a Chinese gal here in town. They were purty good friends. She's had the boy since your daughter's passing."

Stewart's upper lip curled at Hargrave's words. "Chinese. Humph. By any chance, is the woman married -- or Christian?"

Hargrave shook his head. "Nope. Had a sailor fella for a while, but he ran off. Couldn't take it up here. None of the miners here are much interested in them yellow gals. Besides, she's a real sassy female. Independent as hell...sorry, Reverend, but you know what I mean. I don't know nuthin' about her religious leanins', sorry."

Stewart shook his head furiously. "Unsuitable -- totally unsuitable. Ma' grandson must come with me, home to his grandmother, where he'll be raised in a God-fearin' home -- far away from this...place."

Hargrave's cold, thin smile crossed the space between them. "Oh, I totally agree with you, Reverend. But you may have a little trouble convincin' Sun Lee Chaikov of that. She's pretty much adopted the little guy."

Stewart's fist hit the desktop. "I mean to have ma' grandson, Mr. Hargrave. I suppose I'll be needin' your help to find him?"

Hargrave pulled out a fresh cigar. "Well, now Reverend Stewart, I imagine you will."

He chomped off the end of the cigar, struck a sulfur match and lit it. Then he looked back at the fuming preacher. "But Reverend, things are expensive up here. Nothin' happens for free."

Stewart rose, towering over the desk, looking like Zeus ready to throw a thunderbolt. "I dinna' suppose you'd do anything out of brotherly concern for the welfare of a helpless laddie?"

Hargrave laughed. "Nope. Not a thing, Reverend."

Stewart eyed him. "I may just make inquiries m'self. I doubt that everyone in this town would refuse me."

Hargrave pulled a long draw on the stogie and let out a big puff of smoke. "You do that, Reverend. But you better be quick about it. You're not the only one looking for him."

Stewart leaned down, staring into Hargrave's sneering face. "What are ya' saying, man?"

"I'm saying you're not the only Stewart here. Your son got here a couple of days ago. He's way ahead of you."

"What?" Stewart reared back, knocking his chair backward. He caught himself. "I have no son."

Hargrave laughed. "Well then, there's more to your family than you know. A sea captain, calling himself Noah Stewart, rode into town a couple of days ago. Told the bartender -- who works for me -- that he was looking for his sister, Sarah Johnson."

Stewart paced the floor, muttering. "How did he know? Why is he here?"

Calming himself, he righted the chair and faced Hargrave. "Ma' apologies, Mr. Hargrave. I disowned ma' son when he ran away to sea ten years ago. I've not spoken his name since. His mother hears from him on occasion. The last time she heard, he was in the Far East, sailin' out of San Francisco. I'm amazed he's here, a-lookin' for his sister."

"Well, if there'd have been a sheriff in Florence, you might have found him in jail today. He killed two men last night and lit out. Got into a fight by the bar."

Stewart's face turned ashen. "I never dreamed ma' son could turn into a cold- blooded killer, Mr. Hargrave."

Hargrave shrugged. "I wasn't there, I can't say. I just know he was looking for Sarah Johnson, like you are. I expect he'll find the boy as well."

Stewart squared his shoulders. "Name your price, Hargrave. I must find Daniel first. Ma' namesake will go back to Nova Scotia with me. That decadent city, San Francisco, is no place for ma' grandson, and neither is a trading ship bound for the orient. I must find him first and be gone."

Hargrave smiled and pointed toward the door with his cigar. "You just settle yourself in your room, Reverend and let me do some checking around. My men and me may be able to rescue little Daniel from the 'oriental community' and deliver him safe and sound. We'll discuss the monetary details later."

Stewart threw him a steely glance. "See that he isn't harmed."

Hargrave nodded. "Don't you worry. We'll take real good care of him."

Stewart turned and left the office without another word. Hargrave puffed on his cigar. He leaned back, propping his feet on the edge of his desk. His eyes drifted closed and he spoke to the silence filling the room. "Sarah Johnson, you may make me some money after all. That little ol' mine deed of yours wasn't worth squat. Too much work to get your gold."

He took another puff and blew a big smoke ring. "Wonder what that boy's worth to Sun Lee? Maybe her half of the Golden Dragon? I'll bet I don't need to marry her at all -- or shoot her."

He straightened up and his boots hit the floor. "I think I got me a boy to find. And I get a mine deed from Sun Lee and a sack of gold from the good Reverend. That's a deal...with the devil!"

***

Sun Lee touched a knee to Lotus Blossom's withers. The mare turned and stopped at the hitching rack in front of the undertaking parlor. The bright red letters proclaiming Simon Jones, Undertaker and Barber seemed totally out of place with the black curtains draping the front window of the framed wooden building. She straightened her back and bit her lip. This was not the time for tears. No one in Riggins was going to see her cry. She dismounted and waited.

Noah reined in beside her and Samson stepped up to the rail, with her father's body still secure, even after the steep ride down the mountain from the line camp. She glanced at Noah. "I'll get Mr. Jones, if you'll..."

Noah swung down off his horse. "I'll take care of your father."

She turned and quickly walked inside. Mr. Jones sat behind his massive desk, intently staring at his ledgers. A pine coffin rested on display in the front of the room. Sun Lee shivered.

Mr. Jones looked up. "Sun Lee! Haven't seen you since we buried the Johnsons. What can I do for you?"

She pressed her lips tight to keep her chin from quivering. "I'm afraid I'm going to need your services again, Mr. Jones. We have my father's body outside. Someone shot him."

Jones stood up with a start. "Shot? Are you sure?"

"He has a bullet hole in his chest. We need your help outside."

"Certainly." He folded up his glasses and laid them on the desk, following her back out the door. Noah had the blanket undone. Jones stared at the rugged stranger. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Simon Jones."

Noah reached out a hand. "Stewart. Captain Noah Stewart. A friend of the family."

Jones shook the offered hand. "Looks like a bad time for a visit. But, it'll take both of us to get Chaikov inside. I sure can't carry him."

The two men struggled, balancing the body, straining, finally heading toward the office. Sun Lee held open the door, avoiding a good look. Jones led the way to the back room, to the sheet-covered table.

They got him stretched out on the tabletop. Jones glanced at the dead man and pulled the interior door shut, leaving Sun Lee in the outer office. "What's happened here, Stewart? This body's in bad shape."

"I tried to keep the worst of what you see from Sun Lee. This is what she told me." Noah related the tale of Chaikov's disappearance, Hargrave's claim, their journey to the line camp, and his discovery of the ravaged body.

Jones shook his head and lifted Chaikov's dangling arm, tucking the half-eaten hand deftly under the whole one, arranging them in a state of quiet repose that managed to hide most of the damage. "Sounds like your next stop ought to be at the marshal's office."

Noah nodded. "That's what I think."

Jones deftly unbuttoned the middle shirt button and peered under the material. "You're right. Wolves didn't do that. That's certainly a bullet hole. I've seen enough of 'em to know. But the wolves sure did a job."

He pushed gingerly at what was left of Chaikov's left ear. "Can't do much about that."

He grunted, finally getting the stiff neck turned until the damaged ear was nearly hidden on the table. With the grace and quickness that comes with much experience in such things, he moved around the table, straightening clothes, brushing off dirt and twigs, putting the body in shape for viewing by a loved one. He paused at the far end of the table. "Where are his boots? Wolves don't wear 'em and with him there, they wouldn't bother to eat 'em."

Noah shrugged. "They weren't on him. At least not on the foot that's left. Didn't see them anywhere, not in the cabin, and not where I found him."

Jones shook his head. "I can't imagine they'll fit anybody else. Doubt that anybody but him wears a size 15 and I'd guess that's what they'd be."

Noah ran a hand over his mouth and tugged on his chin, considering the last statement. "Well, I'll keep an eye out for a man whose boots don't fit."

Jones laughed. "Yeah, you do that. It'll take a mighty big man to fill 'em."

Jones grabbed the pitcher on the washstand and filled the basin. "Give me a little while. Let me clean up the worst. Then Sun Lee can come in. No since upsetting her any more than she already is."

Noah massaged the back of his neck, watching Jones work. "Sounds good. You'll probably have to build him a coffin, right?"

"Oh, yeah. I don't have anything that big. I'll get some help and get right to it. With the shape this body's in, we want to get him in the ground quick."

Noah nodded. "Much obliged. I'll take Sun Lee down to the marshal's office. Then we'll come back here. Will that be long enough to clean him up?"

"That'll be fine." Jones turned back to his scrubbing, removing the mud and debris from what was left of Chaikov's face.

Noah turned and went back out to the office. Sun Lee sat in Jones' chair, staring numbly at the sample coffin on the bier in the center of the room. "Sunshine? Why don't we walk down to the marshal's office? It's going to take Jones a while."

Sun Lee passed a hand over her eyes, then looked up. "I suppose we should. But..."

Noah took her hands. "There's nothing you can do for him now. Please. Let Mr Jones at least make him presentable. It won't take long."

Sun Lee's melancholy sigh echoed in the room. "All right."

She allowed Noah to guide her out of the chair, to the door and down the boardwalk. In the back of her mind, she appreciated his taking charge of things, of dealing with it for her, taking care of her. A tiny voice whispered. "Don't get used to it. He won't be here long."

She shrugged off the voices and stepped through the door he held open into the marshal's office.

***

Marshal Leggit leaned back in his chair and rubbed a hand across his balding head. "That's quite a story, Sun Lee. Sound's like your daddy got himself into a real mess this time."

Sun Lee's lips compressed into a thin, tight line. "Whatever my father did, he didn't deserved to get shot for it, Marshal, you know that."

The marshal cast a weary glance toward the distraught young woman. "I know, Sun Lee. He was a good man, even if he did drink too much now and again, since your mamma died."

Sun Lee squared her shoulders. "I want you to arrest Hargrave for my father's murder. I'm sure he killed him. That's the only way he would have the deed to the mine. Father would have never given it to him willingly."

Leggit frowned, his head turning bright red through the sprinkling of hair on top. "Don't know that I can do that just yet, Sun Lee. I can see where you'd think that. But thinking it and proving it are two different things. Even up here."

Sun Lee stomped her foot. "Well, Marshal, if you don't think you can take care of Hargrave, I can. He's not going to kill my father and get away with it."

Noah watched as Sun Lee's eyes flashed. She was so beautiful when she was mad. And dangerous. She'd take on the whole gang by herself and not think a thing about it. He had to prevent that. "Sun Lee, I have to find the proof the marshal needs to arrest Hargrave."

Sun Lee tossed him a coldly challenging glance. "And what do you think you can do that I can't?"

Marshal Leggit stood up. "He can act as a deputy for one thing. Stewart, I'll deputize you. Then you can poke around, legal-like. If you find anything, I'll come arrest whoever you track down."

Sun Lee fumed. "Why can't you deputize me? It's my father."

Leggit's laughter filled the office. "Sorry, Sun Lee. I'd never live it down. I'm not about to have a woman deputy. No, thanks. You know I can't take off from here to go back up to Florence. What about it, Stewart? You're a sea captain. You know about the law and such."

Noah glanced from Leggit to Sun Lee. From the angry glare in her eyes, he could tell he had no choice. "Swear me in, Marshal. I'll see what I can find."

Leggit reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a badge. "Here you go."

He tossed the badge to Sun Lee. "Pin it on him and I'll swear him in. Then you'll have your own personal deputy to investigate your father's death."

Sun Lee stepped up and carefully ran her fingers inside Noah's shirt, pinning the shiny badge to the heavy cloth, ignoring the triple-time beat of her heart as her fingertips grazed his rippling chest muscles. She quietly patted the badge and stepped back, refusing to look up at him. She kept her gaze riveted on the worn floorboards, listening to Noah recite the marshal's oath. He was agreeing to uphold the law, but much more than that, he was marking himself an easy target for any gunman who might happen along. That badge was an open invitation and he wasn't a gunslinger. She finally glanced up, tears in her eyes, when Leggit finished.

Noah's profile looked chiseled in granite, so strong, so serious. Even that precious dimple looked like a chip knocked out of stone. She was sucking him into her personal mess and he seemed willing to put himself in real danger, to protect her.

This wasn't the kind of man she was used to. He was someone different, someone she might be able to trust. She consciously shoved the memories of last night's wild encounter with him into the back of her mind. Powerful emotions swirled, threatening to overcome her control of the moment. "We need to go," she whispered.

Noah studied the tremble threatening to take over her chin. "Yes, we do."

He turned back to Leggit. "I'll see what I can come up with. I think we have friends in Florence and Riggins. I may be able to prove that Hargrave is behind this, just as Sun Lee thinks. He seems to be a pretty worthless character."

Leggit ran his hand over his balding spot one more time. "Yep. But don't underestimate him. He's not stupid and he's got a pretty big organization. Watch your back."

Noah smiled quietly. "I aim to do just that. "Sun Lee? Shall we go?"

They left the marshal's office and walked the short distance back to the undertaker's. Jones was in the side office, shaving a customer. "Just go on back. Got him cleaned up as much as I could."

Sun Lee walked through the door to the back room. She gasped and stopped stock-still at the sight on the table. Jones had tried his best, covering most of the big miner with a sheet, but the damage done by the wolves' feeding was still evident. The tears she'd successfully fought this long spilled over and she sank down onto the chair at his side. "Oh, Father."

She leaned her head against the table edge, giving into the grief and sorrow she'd fought up until now. Noah stepped into the room with her, pulling the door shut to give her at least a little privacy from the rough conversation coming from the barbershop.

She obviously loved her father, even though they'd had problems, from the sounds of the marshal's comments. Her sobs finally quieted and her shoulders stilled. He snatched a clean cloth from the worktable beside him and stepped behind her. He carefully placed his hand on her shoulder and tucked the cloth into her open hand.

"Why don't we head over to the hotel? We can't go back to Florence tonight."

Sun Lee dried her eyes on the offered cloth. "Fine."

She glanced at the body stretched out before her. "Noah?"

"Yes?"

"Would you get his watch for me? He always carried it buttoned in his shirt pocket. It's about the only thing of his I'll have left." She shuddered, not being able to reach for it herself.

"Of course." Noah moved to Chaikov's side and gingerly probed the pocket. "I'm sorry, Sun Lee. It's not here."

A deep frown creased her forehead. "He always carried it. It was a birthday present from my grandfather in Russia, when my father turned eighteen."

Noah's fingers reached the bottom of the pocket. He shook his head. "Nothing here but this piece of paper."

He pulled out the folded bit and held it out to her. She turned her head and waved him away. Noah absent-mindedly tucked the paper into his own pocket. "The watch may have gone with his boots, Sun Lee. They're gone as well."

Sun Lee's nostrils flared and her jaw took on a grim set. "Miserable excuses for men. They couldn't just shoot him. They had to rob him, too."

She curled her fingers into solid fists, anger swelling, replacing the overpowering grief. She glanced up, meeting Noah's concerned gaze. "That may help us prove who killed him. My father's boots will be easy to spot."

Noah raked his fingers through his hair. "Just because they're big won't be enough. A man could have a dozen excuses why his boots don't fit."

Sun Lee let out an exasperated sniff. "That's not what I mean. Father's boots were special. They had thick soles. He'd decorated the edges with nail studs -- brass ones -- with anchors worked in brass studs on the back of the heels. He'd done them himself while he was at sea. You could spot them a block away. Ask Mr. Jones. Anybody who knew him would recognize those boots."

"Then his killer would be stupid to wear them."

"Maybe he is stupid -- or arrogant -- or sure nobody will bother him, no matter what he's done."

Noah took in a deep breath. "Well then, we'll keep a sharp eye out. You'll recognize them before I will. Maybe those boots haven't gone too far."

He touched her shoulder. "Do you want to stay longer?"

She stood, not acknowledging his touch. "No. I'm ready to go."

Noah nodded and dropped his hand. "I'm sure we can find a place at the hotel -- and some food. We'll stay here tonight and figure out what needs to be done tomorrow."

She tossed her head and turned to him. "We can't go back to Florence at all. Not until we have a plan. I'm sure Hargrave has taken over our house, just for spite if for nothing else. We have to get in touch with Grandmother before we go back."

She stared at him, fully composed, with no hint of the emotion that had spilled out minutes earlier. She couldn't depend on him, no matter how much she wanted to. "He doesn't know the area and he doesn't know the people."

She couldn't let him get hurt looking for her father's killer. She had to depend on her own wits and not let her feelings get in the way if they were going to survive this.

In the gathering darkness, the silent walk to the hotel took only minutes. Sun Lee seemed lost in thought. Noah studied her inscrutable, lovely face. What was she thinking? His own thoughts raced. "We don't have a clue. We can't just bust in on Hargrave, even if she's right. And she probably is."

The clerk in the hotel lobby looked up at the sound of the door. "Well, Sun Lee, nice to see you. Your daddy in jail again?"

Noah could see the clench of her teeth as she flashed a glare that should have dropped the hapless clerk. "No. He's dead. We just brought in his body."

The clerk's strangled gulp echoed in the drafty lobby. "Oh. Well, excuse me, Sun Lee. I didn't mean any disrespect, you understand. I'm sorry."

Sun Lee ignored his attempt to apologize. "We're going to be here until Mr. Jones gets the coffin built. We'll need rooms for at least a couple of nights."

"Rooms?" The clerk glanced at Noah, then Sun Lee.

Her response was immediate. "Yes, rooms. One for me and one for Captain Stewart. That does make two."

The clerk spun the guest book around. "Of course, rooms. Please sign in, both of you. Will you be wanting dinner this evening?"

Sun Lee hesitated. Noah answered quickly. "Yes. Set places for us. We'll be there shortly."

The clerk handed them their keys. Noah turned to Sun Lee. "You go on back. I need to take care of the horses. I'll bring the saddlebags in when I'm finished."

She nodded and disappeared down the hall, key in hand.

***

The meal went quietly at their small table in the corner of the hotel dining room. Sun Lee picked at her pot roast, pushing the well-browned potatoes around her plate, eating very little. Noah packed away plenty, making up for what he'd missed the last few days. He leaned back in his chair, watching her play with her food. "That roast isn't going to be any better mashed in to bits."

She looked up at him, blankly, not a trace of a smile appearing at his attempt at humor. "I'm not hungry."

He wanted to kiss away that blank look, but this wasn't the time. "No, I suppose not. I wasn't hungry either, when I found Sarah."

She continued to chase the potatoes around her plate, pointedly ignoring his attempt at conversation. He tried again. "We do need to talk about what we're going to do."

Sun Lee raised her gaze to meet his. "I don't think we're going to do anything. You've done far more than you need to. You're just going to get yourself killed. You're not a lawman or a gunslinger."

Noah steeled himself to her words. "So you don't think I can take care of myself?"

She didn't back up from the challenge in his voice. "I don't think you should have to. All you need to do is show your captains' papers to the bank, collect Sarah's gold and be gone. This isn't your fight. You've done what you promised. You found my father."

Noah rocked his chair back on its back legs. "As I recall, I also said we were going to find out who killed him. I meant that. I have the badge, remember?"

A scowl darkened Sun Lee's face. "You don't need to remind me."

Her icy tone split the air between them.

"Hmm. Try again, mate." He inclined his head, trying to catch her gaze. "You know I have my own score to settle. Somebody killed Sarah and Henry. That is my fight."

Sun Lee looked away, not answering him. Noah stared, his voice softening. "Besides, I'm not in any hurry to leave. I thought we were getting along pretty well last night. "

Sun Lee's icy stare collided with his warm glance. "That's another reason why you should leave. Last night was fantastic. And you're going to break my heart if I let you. Sailors love the sea, first, last and always, Noah, I know that. I was engaged to a sailor who followed us all the way here, but couldn't stand being this far from the ocean."

Sun Lee took a deep breath. Her eyes clouded as she remembered scenes from long ago. "And I remember my mother's tears when my father was gone -- sailing -- when we needed him."

She turned to meet Noah's concerned gaze. "My grandfather died defending us because my father wasn't there to help. I was terrified, when my grandmother led us away, hiding us in the hills, until my father finally came back. I don't want to depend on anyone and be left like that again. So I'm not going to let anything get started between us. We had a wild, wonderful night, but that's all we're going to have."

Noah exhaled a deep breath. So that's why she was so set against sailors. She'd been jilted by a sailor and left by her father. Two more strikes against him. He had his job cut out for him. "Don't I get any say in this? Not even a word in my own defense?"

"No. I'm not going to be ruled by my heart. I have to be ruled by my head to survive out here. And with Father gone, surviving is going to take everything I've got. Grandmother and Daniel depend on me."

He drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "If you really want me to go, I'll think about it. But you need to think about this. When I go, I'll have to take Daniel with me."

Chapter 7

Sun Lee's fork clattered onto her plate. "What's Daniel got to do with this?"

He looked at her stricken face, feeling the pain evident there. "I know about him, Sun Lee. You started to tell me. I know he's Sarah's child, not yours."

Sun Lee clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the cry lingering in her throat. She swallowed hard. "Who told you?"

"The barkeep. It's not a secret in Florence. Everybody in the saloon seemed to know it. They seemed to think you'd been taking very good care of him since Sarah died."

Sun Lee closed her eyes, massaging her now throbbing temples. Blinking her eyes open, she met Noah's concerned gaze. "He's just a little boy! He doesn't belong on a ship."

Noah shrugged and leaned back in his chair. This wasn't what he wanted to do at all. "You're right, he doesn't. And if it were up to me, I would leave him with you, I really would, but it's not."

Confusion marched across her brow. "What are you talking about?"

Noah pressed a fist to his own suddenly aching forehead. "I'm talking about the real reason I'm here, Sun Lee. My father is coming to Florence, if he hasn't been here already."

"Oh, no!"

Noah regarded Sun Lee's horrified expression. "Did Sarah say anything about our father?"

"Yes. That's the reason I hadn't told you about Daniel. I wanted to know more about you before I trusted you with him."

Noah nodded. "I can't blame you for that. When I got back to San Francisco, I had a telegram from my mother, asking me to stop my father. He had started out to Florence, to get Sarah and take her back to Halifax. He's on his way. I'm not sure whether he's arrived yet."

Noah took a deep breath and continued. "He's a big man, nearly as big as your father. And he would be carrying a bible. He's a preacher."

Sun Lee's gut churned. The thought of Sarah's father coming to Florence, after Sarah, filled her with dread. "I haven't seen anyone of that description in town. But, Sarah didn't want Daniel with him. She named you his guardian -- in her bible. I have -- had it. It's in the cabin."

Noah shrugged. "It doesn't matter. My father would never let you keep the boy, even if I said so. I know that. His prejudices run too deep to leave his grandson with someone other than family. He's not going to be happy with me, either. I'm sure he still thinks I'm beyond redemption. But having Daniel with me is the only way to stop him from taking the boy back to Halifax."

He watched her expression change to mirror the deepening pain in her heart. "So you see, I have to be here, whether you want me to be or not, if you want to keep Daniel. At least, until we find my father."

Sun Lee stood up, knees threatening to buckle. "I'm going to my room. I'll meet you here in the morning and we can talk about what we're going to do next."

Noah nodded, hating what he'd just done. "I'll walk you to your room."

"No. I'll be fine." She turned and slipped quietly out of the small dining room.

Noah watched her walk away. He dropped a coin on the table and followed. From the doorway, he could see her enter her room and heard the key click in the lock. He moved slowly down the hall, to the room next to hers. Once inside, he lit the lamp on the tiny table and sat quietly, listening to the rustlings next door, imagining her slipping out of her clothes, and between the rough sheets on the bed.

Hearing the wooden bed frame creak at her movements, he groaned. How he wished he could join her in that bed, hold her close and kiss away her fears, as he had last night.

Too bad what he'd said had been true. Taking Daniel with him would be the only way to make sure his father wouldn't try to come back and get Daniel after he'd left. The Reverend Elijah Daniel Stewart would never leave his namesake in a mining town in Idaho, not for all the tea in China.

And she wasn't going to give him a chance to prove she was wrong about sailors -- at least not tonight. He smiled to himself. "We'll have to work on that. I said I'd think about leaving. Well, I have. Not a good idea."

Instead, he shrugged out of his trail-worn clothes. A crinkling sound caught his attention. Reaching in, he pulled the folded paper from his shirt pocket. Carefully uncreasing the folds, he held the paper in the tiny puddle of lamplight on the tabletop. He studied the squiggles and lines, trying to make sense of it all. "Well, it's a map. But of what? Where?"

Nothing he'd seen so far fit into the carefully drawn out configuration. Chaikov knew how to make maps, that was evident, even tiny ones like this one. "We'll just have to see what we find."

Noah refolded the paper and tucked it into his leather document pouch. Good thing he'd kept his important papers in his saddlebags instead of his sea bag. He would have lost everything; his letters of identification, his line of credit, everything. This little piece of paper might turn out to be as important as any other document in that pouch.

Frustrated with his lack of answers, he blew out the lamp and slid into his own bed -- one that seemed empty and huge compared to the close, cozy one they'd shared the night before.

He had to break through that wall she'd built, the wall that protected her from the hurt of being rejected and left. The wall that kept her from trusting him. "Threatening to take Daniel was probably the worst thing you could have done."

But she had to know -- to know what they were up against. "And what she says is true. You can't take a toddler on board the Malabar. And you can't take her, either."

The statements echoed in the caverns of his mind. No answering comments came to mind. He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.

***

Sun Lee lay very still in her own bed, listening to the sounds coming from Noah's room. "Hotel walls are really thin."

He was obviously restless as well. Their passionate encounter last night seemed a lifetime away. If he just were something other than a sailor. "But he hasn't said anything, other than that we got along well. You should be glad for his help. You can't fight Hargrave alone and you know it."

"And you still know nothing, for sure, about your father's murder. You might know more if you'd started looking sooner."

Sun Lee's cheeks burned. Her father had been at the mercy of the wolves for days, while she made excuses and 'enjoyed herself' with Noah. "I should have started looking earlier."

She hugged her pillow close, trying to ignore the emptiness building in her gut. It would be so easy to join him next door. His door would open quickly. She had only to knock. "And then what? It'll just hurt even worse when he leaves. Especially if what he says about his father is true and he takes Daniel."

She lay back on her pillow, allowing the tears to roll. Nothing made sense, no matter how hard she tried. Maybe it would be better in the morning.

***

Sun Lee slid out of bed in the morning darkness. Creeping daylight slipped in, just lighting the floor. She dressed as quietly as she knew how and quickly packed her saddlebags. Sleep had helped clear her mind and a plan had formed.

Her fingers unconsciously braided her long hair into its familiar long column as she reviewed the plan in her mind. She and Grandmother could go to the Friends of the Golden Dragon Society. They would help find her father's killer and hide Daniel, if she asked. They would protect her from Hargrave; even find her a husband if she asked, to keep him away. There were young Chinese men in Florence. One might be persuaded to take a wife. She shuddered at the thought. Having anyone other than Noah in her bed, after their wild night, seemed impossible to imagine.

But she and Grandmother and Daniel could stay away from Noah's father and Hargrave. Noah wouldn't have to take Daniel if they were hidden from everyone, including him.

Noah didn't have to be involved at all. He could leave and not turn into a target while wearing that badge. He didn't need to be the third deputy in the Florence graveyard. Tears filled her eyes. Having him leave without her was better than having him die trying to protect her from the likes of Hargrave. If she hid long enough, he would grow tired and leave, just like Ivan. And Hargrave would take the mine and maybe leave her alone.

She moved silently across the floor and slowly twisted the knob, opening the door without a sound. Noah couldn't go with her if he didn't know where she'd gone. Tracking horses didn't seem like a skill a sailor would have. She pulled the door shut and tiptoed down the hall. The front entryway beckoned.

"You might as well have a cup of coffee before we get started."

Startled, she dropped her saddlebags and stared into the dining room. Noah held up a steaming cup, motioning to the chair beside him. Her shoulders slumped. She retrieved her bags and slipped into the chair. Deliberately ignoring his infectious grin, she contemplated the contents of the coffee cup. "How long have you been up?"

The grin widened. "Long enough to make sure you didn't get any bright ideas about leaving me."

He reached out and ran his knuckle under her chin, pressing up until she finally met his gaze. "Face it, Sun Lee. I'm not going to let you do this alone. Either we do this together or I'm going to carry you down to the marshal's office and have him put you in protective custody -- in the jail -- until I get back. Is that clear?"

Sun Lee couldn't argue. A tiny warm spot began to build in her heart. He really was concerned about her. She'd never had a man stand up to her in this way. And she could use all the help she could get. "All right."

He wasn't convinced. "Promise me. No more sneaking out. We have to work together or we'll both get hurt."

She nodded. "I promise. I won't try to run again."

Noah released her chin. "Fair enough. Breakfast is on its way. You said you had friends here. Who are they?"

"They're Grandmother's friends, really. I'm sure they'll carry a message for us, back to Florence to let Grandmother know about Father and find out what's happened while we've been gone. She'll want him buried with mother I'm sure, so we'll need to arrange to have the body taken back up the mountain."

Noah downed a forkful of the flapjacks just set before him. "That shouldn't be a problem, we can hire a freight wagon."

He glanced at her yet untouched plate. "You need to eat something. You didn't touch your supper."

Sun Lee dutifully picked up her fork. The flapjacks tasted like sawdust. She managed a few bites, then quit. "I'll be fine. Where do we start?"

Noah rubbed his neck. "Tell me again, exactly what Hargrave said about his meeting with your father. Maybe he gave us a clue."

Sun Lee cradled the back of her head in her hand and leaned back, trying to recall every word. "He said he and my father had been in a poker game. And that Father had lost the mine during the card game."

"Anything else?"

Sun Lee closed her eyes, lost in memories. Her voice came slowly, through the picture fragments in her mind. "They had a couple of drinks -- Father and Hargrave and Armitage -- then Father left."

Noah shifted in his chair, considering her words. "Who's Armitage?"

She sneered, swinging her arm free of her ebony mane and straightening in her chair. "One of Hargrave's men. He's a scared rabbit."

"Have you seen him since your father's been gone?"

Sun Lee sat quietly, recalling those past days. "Actually, no. I don't remember him being in town at all. But he might have been at the saloon. I don't go there."

Noah sat back. "He could have been. But he may know something. We need to find him. Grandmother's friends could help us do that, if they know him."

Her lip curled in disgust. "Oh, yes, they know him. Everybody knows Hargrave's bootlicker."

"Hmm, Don't like him much, huh?"

"No. I don't. He's worthless scum, too. Imagine Hargrave, without a spine."

Noah stifled a laugh. "Well, we'll just have to find him and see if he knows anything about this. See if his story matches Hargrave's."

Sun Lee tapped a foot impatiently. "Are you ready to go? We need to find the Friends before they leave for their claims this morning."

Noah swallowed his last bite of breakfast. "Let' s go."

***

Sun Lee stepped off the porch into the sunshine and glanced back at Noah. His conversation with the leader of the Friends of the Golden Dragon Society in Riggins seemed to be continuing, in Chinese. She marveled at his command of the language. He finally took his leave and turned toward her. She couldn't help the smile that slid across her face. "Well, that didn't take too long."

Noah smiled and walked off the porch to join her. "Nope. We didn't need to say much more."

"You were certainly recognized here. I didn't realize that piece of jade could be worth so much. It certainly got their attention."

"That and the seal on the letter, Sunshine. Not many people carry both."

Sun Lee arched an eyebrow his direction. "What did you do that was so important?"

He shrugged. "I delivered a passenger."

She shot him a skeptical glance. "Oh, sure. You were just sailing around, dropping people off?"

"Well, no. I delivered someone who was very important to them at the time they wanted him delivered."

Sun Lee let out an exasperated sigh. Obviously, he wasn't going to tell her the story. "Fine. Anyway, the Friends will hire a wagon to move father's body for me as soon as it's ready. We can concentrate on other things."

Noah raised his arms, stretching to relieve the built up tension from the meeting. "And having them check out Florence to see if my old man has arrived yet will help. He won't pay them any mind at all."

Sun Lee smiled. "Two of the Friends own the laundry. If there's a new guest at the hotel in Florence, they'll know it. They know everything about everyone who stays at the hotel."

Noah massaged the back of his neck and looked down the boardwalk. "Having the Friends check Riggins to see if Armitage is around is a real advantage. Maybe we can find him before he realizes we're looking for him. If he goes into hiding, we're going to have a hard time proving anything."

Sun Lee chewed on the edge of her lip, pondering his last comment. "We probably should go to the bank. You need to settle Sarah's affairs."

Noah stretched again and glanced toward the center of town. "You're right. I can't put it off any longer. We might as well see what Daniel has coming to him."

Sun Lee smiled in spite of herself. He was thinking of Daniel, rather than himself. That was another good sign. This tug of war inside would wear her out very soon. She fell into step beside him and they quickly covered the distance to the bank.

***

"That's all there is, Captain Stewart, all the Johnsons left with us."

Noah shuffled through the papers and the stack of gold coins the bank president had given him. "Thank you. I'll see that it goes to Daniel's welfare."

The banker turned to Sun Lee. "Do you need anything from your father's account?"

She shook her head. "Not today, Mr. Redden. I'll want to pay Mr. Jones when the coffin is built."

The banker nodded. "I'll take care of that. Mr. Jones banks here, too. Your father has plenty of money. Do you have his account book?"

"No. Everything he had is gone."

A frown creased Redden's forehead. "Well, I'll make sure that no one but you or your grandmother takes anything out. That account book won't do anyone else any good."

Sun Lee tried to smile. "Thank you."

He waved a hand. "It's the least I can do."

Noah spoke up, a frown darkening his face. "I don't find the deed to Sarah's claim in these papers. I thought it would be here. The property should belong to Daniel, if the Johnsons held title to it."

Sun Lee turned over one of the documents. "My father deeded a section of our land to them. It should be here."

They all shuffled through the papers on the desk. Redden leaned back, his confusion evident. "It's certainly not here. I don't remember every having the deed to the property, Sun Lee. I don't think Sarah or Henry ever gave it to me to hold. The only deed we had is the one to their cabin in Florence -- that one."

Redden bumped one of the papers with his fingertip. Sun Lee picked up the document and frowned at the small pile still on the table. She stared at it a moment and then returned it to the pile. "Well, I have no idea where it is. It wasn't in her bible, Noah. I put that away for Daniel, after the funeral."

The banker spoke up. "You could check at the Register of Deeds Office down the street. He would have a record of it and could issue a new one. He'd charge you, but he would issue a new one, since he knows the situation."

Noah stood, gathering the papers and coins. "We'll go there next. Much obliged."

Redden shook Noah's offered hand. "Any time. Sorry about your sister, Captain. Wish we could be more help, but there's not much law up here."

Noah frowned. "So I've noticed. Maybe when we find out what happened to Sun Lee's father, we'll find out more about what happened to Sarah and Henry."

Redden nodded. "I hope so. Just to give you all some peace of mind. And Sun Lee -- sorry about your father, girl. You stay in touch. You have money, understand? You don't need to beat yourself to death out there on that pile of fool's gold."

Sun Lee frowned again. Her father had never discussed finances. The banker saw the look. "I tell you what. Before you leave town, you come back. I'll make up an accounting of what your father had. Since you're the only kin he has left, it's all yours. I think you'll be surprised."

She nodded. "Thank you, again. I will. We're going to be here a few days, until the coffin is built. I do need to know what I have, now that father isn't here."

Redden laughed. "From what I remember, you have plenty. You've got enough to take you anywhere. You don't have to stay in Florence unless you want to."

They walked out of the bank into the blazing mountain sun. Sun Lee's scowl deepened. "I wonder what he's talking about, Noah. My father never said anything about large sums of money. I don't think he found that much gold. He never said anything about being 'rich'."

Noah shrugged. "We'll just have to keep looking, Sunshine. There are lots of questions and not many answers, right now."

He pointed down the street. "The deeds office is down that way, according to the sign."

Sun Lee glanced in that direction and saw the tiny shingle protruding from the building. "Well, let's go see what he has."

***

"Will you look at this!" Sun Lee smacked an angry fist in the middle of the area map. "He's got everything but my part of our claim."

Noah studied the writing closely. "Sure looks like it. Hargrave's been a busy man. How did he get Sarah's deed?"

He looked up at the deed clerk, who shrugged. "I know better than to ask a man like Hargrave any questions. He brought in the deed to the Johnsons' property and said they'd signed it over to him. I didn't realize they were dead until later. And I'm not going to argue with him about it, now."

The clerk held up his hands, backing away from the desk and the map.

Noah curled a fist and shot the clerk an icy stare. "You just accepted his word? They didn't have to be here to okay the transfer?"

The clerk returned a skeptical glance. "Captain, this ain't San Francisco. Deeds change hands every night at card games and campfires. No, I don't trace after every deed to make sure it's okay to transfer a title. And I couldn't do anything, even if it wasn't. I'm not the law. I don't intend to get killed over asking the wrong questions."

The man squirmed under Noah's intense glare. "You gotta understand, Captain. There's no law up in Florence. Leggit, here in Riggins, is the only marshal in more than 100 miles. He just barely keeps order as it is. Two deputies have already been killed in Florence just trying to keep the peace. Leggit's not going to get into land squabbles."

Noah nodded tapping a finger against the badge in his pocket. "Well, I'll see if I can fix this one."

He traced a finger around the one parcel of land not containing Hargrave's name. "This your land, Sun Lee -- right here in the middle of all this."

Sun Lee nodded. "Yes. The stream starts on our land -- and flows downhill through Sarah's -- and then on down the mountain. We've mined the streambed and the surrounding hill. The nuggets Father found last were the biggest ones. But I don't know where he found them. I wasn't with him."

She frowned, pointing to one of the claims showing Hargrave's name. "But other people still work this claim."

"Maybe they're working for Hargrave instead of themselves. He doesn't look like much of a miner."

Sun Lee straightened, glancing at the rest of the map. "Maybe they don't want to admit they've turned into more of Hargrave's lackeys."

"This explains why he wants yours. You have the best piece of property on this map." Noah glanced up. "And Hargrave probably set your father up to get it."

Sun Lee pinched her nose, massaging the muscles under her eyes to relieve the sudden tightness in her face and returned his stare. "Now all we have to do is prove it."

Noah stepped away from the desk and glanced out the window. "Yep, that's all."

He walked around the desk, observing the map from several angles. At one point he stopped, stared intently, moved and stared again.

Sun Lee watched, fascinated. "Noah? What's wrong? What do you see?"

He gave her a non-committal look. "I don't know, yet. Maybe nothing. You know this area. Can we get out to your claim and back today? I'd like to see it for myself. I'd like to walk the ground where Sarah died, if you don't mind."

Sun Lee shuddered, then squared her shoulders. "Of course not. But I think we need to wait until tomorrow. We can't get up there, have time to look at anything and get back before dark. And I don't think we want to be on the road at night. It's not a good idea."

Noah turned his head to ease the ache in his neck and stared again at the map. "You're the boss. We'll head out early in the morning. I want to see this place first hand."

Sun Lee walked to his side. "We still need to go back to the bank. I want to see what the banker is talking about."

Noah looked down and grinned. "Maybe you're a rich woman. You could buy my ship."

Sun Lee rolled her eyes. "I doubt it."

***

Hargrave squirmed in his saddle, staring out over the sparkling stream meandering through the bright meadow. "Eli, all this stuff looks just alike. How do these miners know where to start?"

Eli gave his horse's neck a pat and glanced at the sluice boxes in front of them. "Don't ask me, boss. I never ran one of those things. I saw Chaikov do it once. Too much work for me."

Eli swung down from the saddle and walked toward the sluice box. "So none of this sparkly stuff is worth anything, right?"

Hargrave chomped his cigar. "Right. I know that much. That fool's gold is all over here. But, there must be some of the real stuff, too. Chaikov was finding nuggets, we saw 'em. And he was living well. We know that, too."

Eli tossed a chunk of the bright metallic rock into the stream. "Yeah. He always seemed to have money if he needed it."

Hargrave leaned back in his saddle, a cold sneer sliding across his face. "Except at the card game! Oh well, we'll just have to get one of the neighbors here to do some mining for us. That big nugget Chaikov flashed around should get us some cheap labor. We'll get one of the other miners to work this sluice, to see if there are any more of those big nuggets around. We'll promise 'em a cut if they find anything."

Eli remounted his horse. "What about Sun Lee?"

Hargrave's cold laugh filled the air. "I'll deal with her if she shows her face back in Florence. With her house burned, she may not come back. She don't worry me none. I want you to head down into Riggins. Find out what's goin' on. That captain does worry me a mite. He could stir up trouble. And find out where Rat Face went."

Eli grinned. "Ol' Armitage really lit out didn't he?"

Hargrave ran a hand across his brow. "Probably scared himself shitless burying that body. Round him up and bring him back to Florence. Don't need him getting' drunk and shootin' his mouth off in Riggins."

"Will do, boss. See you later." Eli reined his horse toward the trail down the mountain.

Hargrave watched Eli until the trail turned around a huge boulder. He stared at the pebble-strewn ground. Climbing down he walked along the stream bank. "Chaikov was sure hauling a lot of something out of here."

He picked up a silver-white pebble and held it up for closer inspection. "Too bad this ain't worth anything. It's all over the ground." He tossed the rock in the air and caught it on the way down.

"Maybe it is. Have to have the assayer look at it one day." He stuffed the sliver of stone into his pocket and mounted his horse. With one last look over the quiet meadow, he reined the animal to the trail and headed back up to Florence.

***

Sun Lee sat quietly at the supper table. The day had gone quickly. The trip to the bank had been a real surprise. She'd come away with a full accounting and a pocket full of coins. She ran a hand over the crease in her new trousers. A trip to the mercantile to buy a few things, since she now had some hard cash, had been worthwhile. Fortunately, there were enough Chinese in the area that the merchant carried trousers and cheongsams, as well as jeans and dress material.

She'd have to get Grandmother something new, as well, before they left. And Daniel. But this newfound wealth troubled her. She glanced across the table; glad she wasn't alone to deal with these new developments.

Sitting together at "their" table in the dining room had become its own routine. Noah bit into a big slab of cornbread and loaded his fork with beans. Sun Lee stared at the bank papers beside her plate. Noah watched her finger the papers again and again. "Sunshine, you're not doing any better with your supper tonight. What's wrong with those papers?"

She looked up, meeting his concerned gaze. "I just don't understand. I could almost buy your ship with the money here. We weren't finding that much gold, Noah. I'm sure we weren't."

Noah wiped his mouth on his napkin and picked up the bank statement. "In that case, your father was involved with something else. More than gold mining."

"That's what worries me."

Noah smiled. "Well, it evidently wasn't with Hargrave, or he'd have it all by now. He wouldn't still be bothering you."

He stroked the back of her hand. "You can take care of Ma Tai Tai without having to run another load of dirt down that sluice box. That's what this means, Sunshine. Whatever your father was doing, he did his best to make sure you were taken care of. He wasn't drinking and gambling it all away."

Hot tears filled her eyes. "Evidently not like I thought. I've misjudged him."

Noah shrugged. "He wasn't helping. He should have told you what was going on."

"I guess he didn't trust me with it." A tear rolled down her cheek, unheeded.

Noah reached out and brushed it away. If only he could take all her tears away as easily. "I doubt that, Sunshine. He probably didn't want to worry you with the details. Men aren't real good at talking about the things that mean the most to them."

Sun Lee tried to meet his gaze, but couldn't. "Maybe so. I've had enough for today; I'm going to my room. I'll meet you here in the morning."

"Fine."

She rose and walked quietly out of the dining room. Noah picked up the coffee mug and took a swig. "No, we're not good at talking." But he was getting better at feeling. And the feelings he was having for Sun Lee were getting stronger and stronger. "How can anything this good happen this fast?"

Carrying the mug, he followed Sun Lee down the hall. He stood outside her door, listening. Those rustling sounds inside were driving him to distraction. Maybe he should just knock. The memories of her in his arms, of their wild night, shot through him. The throbbing in his groin reminded him of just how much he'd enjoyed that night. But, she didn't want him with her -- at least not now. She still saw him as a threat to her happiness, not a part of it. "And why not? All you did was threaten to take Daniel. You never said anything about taking her, too."

He turned and took the couple of steps to his room.

Sun Lee heard Noah's door click shut. She lay in her bed, the day's revelations running through her mind. "All the money in the world won't replace Daniel. And it won't replace Father, either." Her love for her father swelled anew. She had to admit she and Grandmother had not wanted for anything. They were considered well-off by the others in Florence. "I just never thought about it."

It struck her that Noah had gone to great lengths to make sure she understood about her father's caring. Interesting, especially since he had such a bad family relationship. "Maybe he cares about his own father more than he knows."

She smiled. Sarah had cared about their father and mother, even though she'd left home. She'd wanted Daniel to carry her father's name, even though she knew he was angry at her leaving. "It will all turn out all right, Sun Lee. You'll see."

She closed her eyes, allowing her head to sink into the pillow. Sarah had always been so full of life, so sure things would go well. How wrong Sarah had been. She understood Noah's desire to see Sarah's claim, but the idea of revisiting the site filled her with dread. The gruesome scene still haunted her dreams. Tomorrow would be a long day.

Chapter 8

Noah stood, fists shoved onto his hipbones, surveying the beautiful mountain meadow. "Right here?"

Sun Lee rubbed a hand across her forehead. "Right there. I found Sarah right where you're standing. Henry was over there, closer to the sluice box."

She looked quickly around, thankful the winter snows and spring rains had done their job of cleansing the ground. No traces remained of the huge pools of blood, of the life that had drained out of Sarah and Henry on this ground. Noah didn't need to see that. And she didn't need to be reminded of it. Maybe the visit would help her, too. This was a beautiful part of the meadow.

Noah shuddered, suddenly cold in the bright morning sun. He glanced around, looking for something, not knowing what. This was the last view his sister had seen. This was her last look. The peaceful stream course lay out in front of him. Sparkling water danced over the rocks and rills, babbling its way past the sluice box, unhampered now by mining diversion. The aspens quaked gently in the breeze, adding a silvery rustle to nature's sounds in the mountain meadow. "Was she happy, Sun Lee?"

"What?"

"I mean, was she happy with her husband? Was he good to her?"

Sun Lee smiled. "Oh, yes. They seemed to be very happy. They worked side- by-side and made great plans. They would sit at our table and talk about what they would do with the gold they were finding. They had all sorts of dreams, for themselves and Daniel."

She laughed. "They had more dreams than gold, but they were finding some. Enough to dream on."

Noah massaged the back of his neck. "So she didn't regret leaving home, either."

Sun Lee glanced up into his eyes. "No. She didn't. And she spoke highly of you."

"Humph. Lot of good I did her."

"She expected you would come one day, she really did. I don't know why -- but she always said you would find her, no matter where she was."

Noah laughed in spite of himself. "We used to play hide and seek when she was little. No matter where she hid I always found her. She never figured out it was because I was older and she didn't have that many places to hide. I told her that no matter where she went, I'd always find her."

A fond memory tugged at Noah's heart. If only she were here. He hadn't seen her in ten years and he still missed her ready smile and laughing face. Thank heaven she'd found some measure of happiness before...

He turned abruptly. "How did Daniel survive?"

Sun Lee stared into the dancing water. "He wasn't here. He was with Grandmother. He always stayed with her or me while they worked their claim. Evidently Hargrave wasn't worried about a toddler. He got what he wanted. I don't know how, but he must have had something to do with their deaths, since he ended up with their deed. Sarah and Henry weren't gamblers or drinkers so they wouldn't have lost it at the saloon. And they would have come to Father if they'd needed money."

Relief flooded through Noah at Sun Lee's comment. She was surely right. His own father couldn't have had anything to do with Sarah's death. He wouldn't have left without Daniel. And he would have kept the property as Daniel's inheritance. Noah knew his father that well. The old man would have kept control of the land. Land was important to the transplanted Scotsman who never owned anything until he'd come to Nova Scotia. Religious freedom and land ownership were the two most important things in life to the old man. His father would have never made a land deal with the likes of Hargrave.

Sun Lee continued, unaware of Noah's contemplation. "I never thought about the deed to the property. I assumed father had it. Hargrave has never worked the claim, as far as I know."

Noah idly kicked at a jagged stone. "Maybe he didn't want anyone to know he had it. We wouldn't know if we hadn't gone to the deed office. That's something else we're going to fix. That property should come back to you."

"No. The mine property belongs to Daniel, along with Sarah's cabin. They had made enough to buy another piece of property to build their small cabin. There are renters in the cabin now, but you picked up the papers to it. I rented it to another family so it wouldn't set empty, but it belongs to Daniel, too. At least he has a home of his own, if he ever wants it."

Noah frowned. "He has a home, with you."

Sun Lee allowed a smile. "Our house was Daniel's second home. He was as comfortable with us as he was with them, so when he was left alone, I just kept him. No one seemed to want to argue about it, so he's been with us ever since."

"No wonder he calls you mama."

"Children are very adaptable, when they're young. He needs to be settled in his permanent home before he gets any older. It will be harder for him, then. He'll remember changing mothers if he's much bigger."

Noah nodded, not knowing what else to say. What would it take to stop his father? His mother was certainly too old to handle an active toddler like Daniel. How could he make them see that Daniel had to stay with Sun Lee? He didn't know. But he couldn't leave here until he was sure the old man wouldn't try to take Daniel, once he was gone.

He walked to the boundary line of Sun Lee's property from memory, squinting and watching as he picked his way along the streambed. He squinted at a peculiarly-shaped outcropping in front of him. Pulling the scrunched paper out of his pocket, he unfolded it once again and stepped in front of the jut of land. He stared first at the paper, then at the scene in front of him.

Sun Lee watched, running his words over in her mind. He seemed to be saying he was willing to leave Daniel with her, if he could convince his father it was a good idea. It sounded like he really meant that. If she could only convince him he would be happy if he stayed with her as well. "How can you be so sure?"

How, indeed. They'd known one another such a short time. But she was sure. As sure as she'd ever been about anything in her life. The pounding in her chest felt so strong she thought it must be echoing across the meadow. Surely, he could hear it. But, he seemed lost in whatever was on the document in his hand. "What are you doing?"

He looked up. "Checking out that paper in your father's pocket, remember? I tried to give it to you at the undertakers."

She nodded, a hazy memory forming of her time beside the body.

Noah beckoned. "Come here and have a look."

She walked to his side and craned her neck to see over his arm. "Looks like a map of part of the claim."

"Yep. And drawn from this point. Walk down there to that boulder and let's see what's in between."

Sun Lee made her way to the granite rock, Noah watching carefully all the way. Her ebony braid swung tantalizingly as she walked, caressing her hips, accentuating the curve of her thighs. Pure lust flamed. "Good God, man. You're worse than an elk during rut. All you can think of is..."

He could feel the heat rising in his neck. Her. All he could think of was her. Making love to her. Wanting her with him, next to him every day. "Maybe you could take her with you. The Malabar is your ship. You're not superstitious. You can have a woman on board, if you want. Your woman."

That thought thundered in his brain. He'd never labeled any woman as "his woman" before. And he'd never entertained the thought of having a woman on board, to travel with him -- To be with him, whenever he wanted her. His body registered its agreement with his mind. The heat in his neck descended in a flash, creating an unexpected arousal. He ran his hand over his eyes, shaking his head. "Great God in heaven, you're worse than a young buck. Control yourself." At least she was across the meadow. He hadn't totally embarrassed himself. Not just yet.

Sun Lee reached the boulder. "Well, what now?"

Noah took a deep breath and forced his thoughts to the moment at hand. "No. You can't tell her what you're thinking, not right this minute. She's just barely speaking to you, mate. Don't mess this up."

He cleared his throat. "I don't know what now. These two points were important to your father. Or was he given to sketching?"

Sun Lee's laughter skipped across the meadow. "No. He wasn't an artist. If he drew the map, it was of something important."

"I thought so."

Sun Lee glanced around. "There's nothing here that remotely looks like gold. Lots of iron pyrite, but not gold." She tossed a shiny nugget into the stream. "Nothing worth collecting."

Noah peered at the edge of the stream, where her nugget had fallen. "Maybe there is, Sun Lee."

He looked back down at his feet and picked up a pale white rock. Walking along the path Sun Lee had followed, he moved slowly, picking up black and white pebbles and jagged pieces of rock as he went. He stopped at the streambed and picked up a quarter-sized piece of translucent material. "Did your father ever mention anything else he might have been mining?"

She shrugged. "No. I heard him tell grandmother once that there was jade on the property, but I've never seen any. Not a speck of green anywhere."

Noah smiled and opened his hand. "Well you're looking at it, now."

Sun Lee stared. "That stuff? It's all over. But jade is green and smooth, like Grandmother's necklace."

Noah shook his head and dropped most of the rocks back on the ground. "Not all of it. Jade comes in several colors, two or three shades of green, yes. But it also comes in white and black. Like this."

He held out a jagged chip for her inspection. She took it and turned the rock over and over, staring at its sharp edges intently. "I've never seen jade look like this."

"That's why you don't recognize it. This is raw American jade. It looks different than the jade in China. But it is jade."

He shoved a piece with his toe. "And you're right, this property is full of it."

He glanced back to the paper. "Your father mapped out the prime jade field here. And it's all on your property, Sun Lee. The piece you still own."

"But, is it worth anything?"

"Not here. But in China? Absolutely. It's very expensive stuff." Noah's mind raced, considering the possibilities. "The jade trade" -- another twist on this trail. He glanced at Sun Lee's puzzled countenance. "It may be nothing, Sunshine. Your father obviously knew what it was. But, if your father hasn't been back to China, it's probably just a coincidence."

She took the remaining jade chunk from Noah, turning it over in her hand. "No. Once we got here, he never went back, that I know of. He made trips to San Francisco, but not back to China."

Noah scratched his chin, another thought replacing his lustful imaginings. "Sunshine, how long was your father in China?"

Sun Lee looked up. "I don't know. Quite a while, I think. I was born there. I was nearly 15 when we left. From what Grandmother says, he and Grandfather were close. I don't remember much about my grandfather. He was always gone to some meeting or other. And he was killed before we left."

Noah squinted at the map, details from the past slowly melding in his mind. "Where did you live?"

"Canton."

Noah frowned and a tiny click registered. "What was your grandfather's name?"

"Wan Ling. Why?"

Noah smacked a palm against his forehead. "I should have recognized it long ago."

"Why? What do you know about my grandfather?"

He paced the stream bank, kicking jade in all directions. "Sun Lee, let me tell you a little about your grandfather and your father. It may not clear anything up, but it may make you feel a little differently about them and about us sailors."

"I'm listening."

"Your grandfather was one of the leaders in the Golden Rebellion in Canton six years ago. He was an elder in the Golden Dragon Society. Your grandmother was active, too, in the background. It was because of him that the son of the prelate got out of Canton, when the fighting went against them."

"Grandfather?"

"Yes. Wan Ling is a name spoken with great reverence within the Society, even today. I knew someone had sailed from Canton with the boy, saving his life. The details are still kept within the inner circle of the Society. I didn't put it together until just now. I'll bet money your father's ship was the one that took the boy to Formosa until the Friends could regroup and finally win that fight."

"But Grandfather was killed in front of our house. Grandmother led us out the back, while he stayed out front."

"And that is too bad, Sun Lee. Your grandfather gave his life by distracting the imperial guard force, giving the young prelate time to escape. Hundreds of people were killed, including the reigning prelate. You were lucky to get out at all. Your father wasn't there because he was on the ship. His ship was saving the life of the current prelate of Canton. From the story I was told, they just made it out of the harbor."

Sun Lee listened, eyes wide. "Grandmother never said a word about it. Neither did Father."

"Your family was on the run, Sun Lee. Even if you didn't know it. They were being hunted. That's why they came to America. They worked very hard to protect you from it."

"I guess."

"Evidently your grandfather had made it home when they caught up to him. They had followed him away from the ship. That's why you and your grandmother can go to the Friends with any request. If it hadn't have been for your family's sacrifice, the young prelate would have died the same day as his father and your grandfather."

Sun Lee crossed her arms across her chest. "Supposing what you've just said is true. Where do you fit in all this? What did you do for the Friends?"

Noah fingered the jade in his pocket. "I brought the boy back to Canton. I ran the blockade and brought him back, when the Friends were ready to retake the city and reinstate him."

Noah closed his eyes and the events of that day seemed as real as though it were yesterday. Sailing under cover of darkness, slipping in along the coast, close enough to meet the tiny junk that picked up the young ruler, to ferry him to the mainland.

They'd gone ashore, leaving the Malabar in his first mate's capable hands, to wait safely outside the harbor.

He'd served as the young man's personal protector during the skirmishes that followed, polishing off more than one enemy with a deadly swipe of his saber and rounds from his pistol on their way to the palace. It had been a short, but deadly, final battle. And the Friends were firmly back in control when the Malabar sailed into port in open daylight.

Sun Lee's voice interrupted his memory. "Noah?"

Noah rubbed his forehead. "Once he was in control, he was very appreciative and..." He pulled his jade circlet out into the daylight. "I've carried his seal ever since."

Sun Lee pressed a hand to her forehead. "So that's what Grandmother's pendent is all about. Grandmother has worn that jade medallion for as long as I can remember."

Noah returned the stone to his pocket. "It's an instant sign of recognition to those who know its meaning. I'm sure you'll have hers some day. Your family is very highly regarded in Canton, even though none of you are still there."

Sun Lee closed her eyes, massaging her forehead. She finally looked up, meeting his gaze. "That's almost unbelievable, Noah. Our lives have been intertwined for a long time and we didn't even know one another."

Being drawn to her again, Noah moved closer. "I know. It's a wild story, Sun Lee. But, I think it's the truth. You'll need to ask Bei Ling. She knows."

Sun Lee nodded. "I will when we get back. Surely she'll tell me now."

Noah stood beside her, fighting the urge to take her in his arms. This talk wasn't done. "Sunshine, I think you're wrong, if you believe your father didn't want to be there when you needed him. He and your grandfather were involved in something much bigger than either of their personal lives."

Unconsciously, Noah reached out and took her hand. "He did come back for you, didn't he? He did look until he found you and brought you here, where you'd be safe from the war?"

Sun Lee bit her lip, nodding slowly. This revelation forced her to think differently about the last few years of her life. Her father hadn't really chosen sailing over the family. And he had come back for them, searching the countryside until they were back together and on his ship, safely at sea.

She had only seen the side of his sailing she wanted to see. Perhaps there was another. She pulled free of Noah's hold and sat down on a boulder. "I don't know what to think, Noah. I feel like my world just turned upside down."

"I'm sure." He sat down on the ground beside her and leaned back against the boulder. "Did your mother ever complain about your father being gone?"

Memories of her mother flooded Sun Lee's mind. "No. She missed him, but she was very patient, always looking forward to his return."

"So they were happy, even though he was a sailor?"

Sun Lee lowered her head, eyes closed. Images of her parents together formed and reformed in the shadows of her mind. Her answer came slowly, as though being pulled out against her will. "Yes, they were very happy. They worked hard together."

"And they came here together?"

"Yes, they did. It took both of them to build a life here. They needed one another."

"Hmm." He curled his fingers into fists pressing them into his thighs. He couldn't hurry her. She had to think this out. Much as he wanted her, he couldn't rush her. He eased back, just resting his head against her leg. "It's been a long day."

The electricity fairly flew through her body at the innocent touch of his head against her thigh. He was right. Her mother had been at peace with her father's sailing, even though she missed him when he was gone. Her parents had been happy. She was the one who was most unhappy about her father being gone. She had enjoyed the attention he had lavished on his only daughter, bringing her trinkets from his trips.

"If mother was happy with a sailor, perhaps I could be too." She glanced down at the tousled black hair, playing out over her thigh. The fires of their night on the mountain again blazed within her. Unseen forces were pulling them together, more strongly than she'd ever imagined. How could she stay away when every muscle in her body wanted to wrap itself around him and never let him go? How could she think straight when all she wanted to do was join him on the grass? He brought her a warmth and security she'd never felt in her life. She reached out gently and barely stroked his tousled hair.

He caught her hand and pulled it down, planting a lingering kiss in her palm. She shivered, anticipation and dismay chasing one another through her body.

"Sunshine?"

"What?"

"Come here."

"Noah..."

He pulled her from the rock, to the ground beside him, catching her in his embrace. Her body aligned itself with his, as though they'd been together for years. Her arms found their way around his neck. Her fingers laced themselves in that thick black mane of hair. He nibbled her ear lobe and caressed the line of her neck with his tongue. "We need each other, too."

His whisper tore through her. How could she tell him to stop, when she totally agreed with him? "Yes," she whispered, giving in to the desires pounding in her veins. "It has been a very long day."

He enveloped her mouth with a ravenous kiss, his arms tightening around her waist, pulling her even closer. She could feel the pounding of his heart, while the grass cushioned her head. A soft purring sound escaped her throat as his hands roamed over her, awakening her fiery passions once again. She moved with him, wanting to convince him he needed her enough to stay, knowing she'd regret this if he didn't.

***

Hargrave opened the door of his office and looked out into the nearly empty saloon. "Nothing deader than a saloon in the daylight."

He watched Harold restocking the liquor shelves and polishing the glasses. Harold was meticulous in his care of the bar. "The man takes pride in his work. I like that."

Hargrave walked to the bar and hoisted a foot onto the gleaming brass railing. "Pour me a whiskey, Harold."

Harold looked up and arched an eyebrow. "Little early, ain't it boss?"

Hargrave accepted the mild criticism. They'd been together a long time. "I got things on my mind, Harold."

"Hmm." Harold said no more, pulling down a glass and filling it. Hargrave tipped it back, downing half of the shot in one gulp.

"Pour me one too, Harold."

Hargrave frowned at the sound of Sadie's voice at his elbow. Harold caught the frown and hesitated, casting a questioning glance Hargrave's direction.

Hargrave looked down at Sadie. She stood beside him, hair tousled, wrapper pulled together loosely under her bosom, its folds falling open, showing more of her once-shapely legs than anyone cared to ogle. His frown deepened. "Don't you do anything but drink?"

Sadie returned his stare. "You don't ask me to do anything else, Canaan."

A growl escaped Hargrave's throat. "Give her whatever she wants, Harold."

He grabbed the whiskey bottle and glass and headed back into his office, slamming the door behind him.

Sadie stood staring at the closed door, lips pressed tightly into a thin, quivering line. She finally turned and glared at Harold. "You heard him. Whatever I want."

"What'll it be, Sadie?"

She stared at the bottles lining the back shelf. "I'll take that bottle of rum. That oughta do me."

Harold coughed, choking at the thought of Sadie polishing off the entire bottle of expensive rum. "You got expensive tastes today, Sadie."

She tossed her head. "Let's just say I been drinking with a better class of gent lately. He's improved my taste in liquor."

Harold laughed. "Don't say that too loud. Canaan will smack you silly, if he hears you."

Sadie sneered. "He never notices anything I do anymore. He don't give a damn."

Harold pulled the bottle from its resting place. "You be careful, all the same. He can be mean, you know that."

Sadie nodded and wrapped her hand around the neck of the bottle. "I'll be in my room, if he notices I'm gone."

Hargrave heard the slam of Sadie's door. He rested his head on his hand. "Ought to bring a couple more girls up here. Sadie don't attract the men like she used to. Getting a little long in the tooth for most of 'em. Too bad. She used to be real pretty."

He poured himself another drink and frowned at the knock on his door. "Come in."

One of his men hurried in, closing the door behind him. "Thought you'd want to know right away, boss."

Hargrave set the glass down. "Know what, Luke?"

"We found the kid. We know where he's at."

Hargrave actually smiled. "Well, now. That is good news. You're sure it's him?"

Luke nodded. "We're sure."

Hargrave glanced around, spying another glass on his bookcase. "That calls for a drink, Luke."

He poured another drink and handed Luke the brimming glass. "Join me."

Luke took the offering, grinned and downed the whiskey. "I thought you'd be glad, boss."

Hargrave nodded and wiped the liquid from his lips. "I'm real glad, Luke. Real glad. Now you take whoever you need with you and snatch that kid. Right now, before you lose him."

Luke nodded. "What do I do with him, once I've snatched him?"

Hargrave frowned. "Keep him quiet, but don't hurt him. Take him over to the bunkhouse behind the livery stable. Shouldn't be anybody there except for men who work for me."

Luke grinned again. "We'll get him, boss."

Hargrave nodded. "You do that. There'll be a bonus in it for you, if you do it right."

Luke rushed out, pulling the door closed behind him. Hargrave finished his drink and sat down behind the massive desk. "Yes sir, that's the best piece of news I've had today. We'll just get this show on the road, once that little fella is 'safe' with us."

***

Bei Ling stood in the full sun, hanging up wash. Daniel certainly did more than his share of dirtying clothes. She glanced toward the sound of laughing children. Daniel sat in the middle of the group, conspicuous only in his dimpled chin and curls on his neckline. His dark eyes and hair would have allowed him to fit right in, otherwise. She snapped a towel in the breeze and turned back to the clothesline. He was doing well, all things considered. "I wish we would hear from Sunshine."

A cold shudder ran through her body. A message would come. She just had to be patient.

A scream sent her spinning around. Daniel, kicking and fighting, was being carried off by a man she didn't know. His tiny fists pounded on the man's chest, his prized teething ring, tied securely to his wrist, flailing in the breeze.

She dropped her wash and grabbed the broom, the only weapon within reach, off the back step. "Put him down!"

She ran toward the assailant, brandishing the broom like a sword. Swinging the broom handle, she ignored the man's pistol clearing its holster. The slug slammed into her arm throwing her backward, to the ground. The crack of the shot echoed in her ears, almost drowning out Daniel's screams. Fighting the darkness closing over her, a cry ripped itself from her throat. "Wang-danian!"

***

Daniel's muffled cries echoed in the bunkhouse.

Luke stared at the squirming, helpless child on the bunk. "We gotta get him quiet. Nobody's supposed to know he's here."

Carl raised up from one of the other bunks. "What are you gonna do, bop him on the head? He's already hog-tied and gagged, what else is there?"

Luke frowned. "I ain't hitting no kid."

Carl laughed. "Well, if he keeps it up, you won't have to. The whole town will know he's here. Maybe one of us should hold him."

Luke stared intently at the frightened toddler on the bunk. "Go ahead. Maybe he'll quit crying if he's not so scared of us."

Carl reached for Daniel and ended up with a sharp kick to the ribs. "Jeez. He's quick. He don't want to be held. Not by me anyways."

The toddler lay on the bed, his big brown eyes staring accusingly at the two men standing in front of him, his sobs slowing down as he watched the two.

Luke wiped his brow. "It's a good thing he ain't any bigger. He's a handful. Hope the boss knows what he's doin'."

Carl scratched his head. "Yeah. I hope he gets busy. We're gonna have a time if we have to feed him."

Carl's eyes popped open wide. "And all that other stuff you have to do for a kid. He's old enough to be house-broke -- ain't he?"

Luke stared in return. "We'll hope this don't last that long. I've never had to feed and water a kid."

Carl's gaze traveled to the squirming toddler and back to Luke. "He looks miserable. Ain't there something else we could do?"

Luke shrugged. "I dunno. Can you talk to a kid? I mean reason with 'em?"

Carl stared at the scowling child on the bed. "I doubt it. He just looks mad."

Luke laughed. "He comes by that honest. Ol' grandma was going to mow me down. Hope I didn't hurt her too bad."

"I hope he's worth all this trouble. How much we gonna get paid for baby-sittin' a kid, Luke? It's sure worse than wranglin' horses."

"I dunno, Carl. I don't ask. I just take what Hargrave hands out. He's mighty pleased, though. Gave me a drink in his office just for telling him about this here kid. He must be real special."

Carl leaned back against the wall, watching the boy squirm. "Yeah, well, he was special to gramma, too. If we're not careful, we're gonna be right in the middle."

Luke considered Carl's remark. "Gramma don't pay us, though. Hargrave does, so we better stay on his side. And just keep the kid quiet, til he comes to get him."

Carl pulled out a twist of tobacco and bit of a chew. "I know. He just looks miserable." The two men looked again at the trussed up toddler in their charge.

Daniel sniffled and mumbled behind the gag. He glanced around and spied his prized earring, dangling on the thong Grandmother had re-tied around his wrist. He frowned at the two men watching his every move. Carefully, he moved his hands until the earring rested on his chubby thigh. Gently he lowered his hands until his fingers grasped the shiny gold object.

Carl shook his head. "Will you look at that? He's a smart little kid."

Luke nodded. "Yeah, well. That just means we got to keep a really good eye on him. Who know what else he could figure out."

Frowning deeply, Daniel tried to shove the ring into his mouth, only to be stopped by the gritty cloth. His sniffles increased. He finally rolled down on his side, earring still firmly in his grasp.

Luke glanced at Carl. "Like I said, it's a good thing he's not any bigger. He's looking daggers at us."

Carl nodded. "We'd be better off if he was scared. One of us better stay awake. He'll yell bloody murder if he hears anybody."

Carl shifted, watching the toddler's face. "Maybe you should have just bopped him in the first place."

Luke shook his head. "You're such a big talker. You can hit him, then."

Carl turned toward the staring child. "You listen to me. You make one peep and we'll smack you silly, you understand?"

Daniel stared a long, piercing stare then silently nodded.

Carl glanced at Luke. "You take the first watch. He's got to go to sleep sometime."

Chapter 9

Reverend Stewart paced the floor of his tiny room, growing more agitated with each step. "I canna' just sit here!"

He grabbed his frock coat from the coat tree and stuffed an arm into the sleeve. "I'll just find the lad m'self."

He shoved his other arm into the coat, slapped on his hat and headed out into the hall.

Miller jumped at the sound of the slamming door. "Reverend Stewart. Could I help you, sir?"

Stewart glared. "Perhaps. Your Mr. Hargrave said ma' grandson, Daniel Johnson, was staying with a woman named Chai-ker? Or Chai-kev? Do you who she might be and how I might find her?"

Miller stared, then cleared his throat. It's Chaikov, sir. Sun Lee Chaikov. Yes, most of us in Florence know Sun Lee."

"Hmm."

"And yes, your grandson -- Daniel -- has been with her since his parents died. They were your...?"

"Ma' daughter and her husband." Stewart shook his head. Surprising how easy that came out. Imagining Sarah as a married woman with a child was almost too hard to do. She had always been such a willful, mischievous child. And Noah had encouraged her. They had both reveled in defying his attempts to discipline them, to show them the better way -- the way that had saved him from a life of sin and led him to their mother. Stewart's normally stern visage relaxed and a smile almost formed. Hannah was such a light in his life. But she was unhappy. Unhappy that both her children had left rather than follow in his footsteps. His almost-smile faded.

He had tried. He shook his head, pulling himself out of his reverie. "Do ya' know where I might find this Chaikov woman?"

Miller scratched his head. "I don't rightly know, Reverend. At least not now."

"Why not?"

"Well, from what I hear, her house burned the other night. Just before you got here."

"What?"

"Yes, sir. And I don't think anybody's seen her or her grandmother or the boy since."

A chill gripped Stewart's heart. "I must see for m'self. How do I get there?"

"I don't know that I'd go wandering around down there alone, Reverend. Stranger's aren't usually welcome on China Road."

Stewart drew himself up to his full height, towering over the desk clerk. "I dinna' imagine too many people will be botherin' me, Mr. Miller."

Miller stretched his neck and coughed. "No, sir, they probably won't. Sun Lee's father would be the only one around anywhere near your size, and he's not been around lately either. You'd cast the biggest shadow on the road."

Stewart nodded. "How do I get there?"

Miller waved a hand. "Two streets down that way. Then look to your right. You can see the burned out house from Main Street."

"Thank you."

Stewart whirled and stomped out the door. His long legs carried him the distance to China Road in moments. He stared down the street, the burned out shell of the cabin evident. A sickening cold settled deep in his gut. Had Daniel been in there? Where was he now? A quiet, definitely oriental-sounding voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Could we help you, sir?"

"I'm looking for a Miss Chaikov. I understand she has ma' grandson, Daniel. I believe she lived here?"

The graying, almond-eyed gentleman at his side nodded quietly. "Ah. And you are?"

"Stewart. Reverend Elijah Stewart. And you?"

The man smiled. "I am Master Ced Fong, sir, at your service. Are you staying at the hotel?"

"Yes."

Fong nodded. "I will see what I can do, sir. If Miss Chaikov can be found, I will tell her of your presence."

Stewart gritted his teeth. "Please do. I wish to retrieve ma' grandson and take him home with me to his grandmother, since ma' daughter is no longer able to care for him."

Fong nodded again. "Most unfortunate. Mrs. Johnson was a very nice young woman and her husband was most helpful. It was too bad to lose them."

Stewart raised an eyebrow. Hearing such a compliment from this man was unexpected. Sarah had evidently found friends in this community, and had been a person others approved of. That thought gave him a moment of internal peace. Perhaps his words hadn't fallen on totally deaf ears after all. He hesitated, and then cleared his throat. "Mr. Fong -- do ya' happen to know where ma' daughter is buried?"

Fong nodded. "Yes. The cemetery is on the other side of town, outside about half a mile. One could ride out there, but it is walkable."

Stewart nodded and glanced back down Main Street.

"I would be glad to show you, Reverend."

Stewart stared, taken aback by the offer.

Fong took a step, then beckoned. "Come. The two of us can walk it. We are both still young."

Stewart glanced again at the graying hair of the small man beside him. "Very well. I could use a brisk walk."

***

Rev. Stewart stood silently, hat in hand, staring at the simple headboards in front of him. Anguish filled his heart. This was not what he'd wanted. His only daughter gone, lost with a man he'd never known. A great sigh escaped his lips.

Fong glanced up. "It is hard to lose those we love, is it not?"

Stewart raised an eyebrow. "You have people here as well, Mr. Fong?"

Fong nodded. "My wife. She rests over there, in our part of the ground."

Stewart nodded, seeing the distinct set of boards lining another part of the cemetery.

Fong's smile disappeared. "Unfortunately, they cannot be together, even in the ground. Some people believe even the dead can see the outer differences. They will not see our similarities under the skin."

Stewart bit his lip. Now was not the time to betray his own personal prejudices. Fong stared at the headboard.

"Your Sarah was above such thinking. She had a kind word and ready smile for everyone. You taught her well, sir. She was a joy to know."

A pang of remorse and shame flashed through him. He hadn't taught her tolerance at all. That was her mother's doing. He cleared his throat. "She had her mother's grace. Evidently she inherited her good heart as well. Ma' Hannah always sees the best in everyone."

"You are fortunate to still have such a good wife. I know I miss mine."

Rev. Stewart nodded. "Aye. I'm blessed by her presence."

His gaze roamed along the headboards and stopped, riveted on the tiny board near Sarah's.

"That one." He pointed, hand shaking. "The one that says 'Baby'. Did I have a second grandchild as well?"

Fong shook his head. "No. That little one just happened to be the next to go. Winters are hard up here and the child was sickly when born. The couple is still here, but they lost this child to the wilderness."

Stewart nodded, suddenly thankful Sarah's baby had been a sturdy child. At least a part of her was left. He became aware of the lengthening shadows. "I suppose we should go. I canna' do anything more here."

Fong nodded. "No, sir. Not now."

Stewart bowed his head in a short, silent prayer, then turned and firmly set his hat back on his head.

"Thank you, Mr. Fong. I'm much obliged for your kindness."

Fong nodded. "I'm merely returning your daughter's kindness to me, sir. Shall we go?"

The two walked slowly away from the graveyard, back down the winding road to the beckoning sounds of Florence.

***

Sun Lee took another bite of her fish. The Riggins hotel dining room seemed too quiet. She stole a sideways glance at Noah, who seemed oblivious to the world. "You're hopeless. You have fallen for him. You might as well admit it. Whatever happens is going to happen."

Her memory of their afternoon in the meadow was a hazy blur, full of passion and wonder. He was certainly giving her excellent lessons in lovemaking. "And you're a more than willing student. Shameless hussy."

Funny, she didn't feel like a hussy. But then how did she know what a hussy felt like? Maybe they felt just like this. She giggled in spite of herself. Falling in love seemed to agree with her. She set her fork on her plate and took a mouthful of her cornbread.

Noah noticed the giggle and glanced up, a huge smile brightening his face. "Glad to see you eat. You need to keep up your strength."

He winked and she could feel the flush shoot across her face.

"Noah!"

His face went instantly innocent. "What?"

A roguish smile played around the corners of his mouth. "I was just saying..."

"You don't need to say anything. I'm beginning to think I can read your mind."

He reached out, running his thumb gently along her forearm. "I hope so. More important, I hope you agree with it."

"Hmm." She dropped her gaze, refusing to continue this double-entendre conversation. He was much better at such repartee than she.

"Captain? Captain!" Noah frowned. The last thing he wanted was an interruption at this point. Sun Lee looked so inviting, even when she was exasperated with him. He turned toward the voice at the dining room door. "Oh. I'll be right back."

Noah shoved back from the table and made his way to the doorway. Sun Lee looked toward the voice as he walked. She recognized the man standing there as one of the Friends they had talked to days earlier. She saw Noah's expression change to sober concentration at the man's words. He finally nodded and came back to the table. "I have to go. They've spotted Armitage at the saloon. He just came into town today. You stay here. I don't want you hurt."

She stood up, dropping her napkin to the table. "Not a chance. Remember, we're in this together. If you think I'm going to sit in my room while you walk into a saloon full of Hargrave's friends, all by yourself, you're very much mistaken."

Noah started to speak, but Sun Lee cut him off. "It's my turn to give orders. You said we were in this together. Well, we'll go back to my room and get my shotgun, then go to the saloon. I'll stay outside if you want, but I'm going to be there. I don't want someone to shoot you in the back. And you need to send him..." she pointed toward the man in the doorway, "...after the marshal. This is his town. He can just help us round up Armitage."

Noah sighed. "I hate to admit it, but that does make sense. Let's go get your gun."

***

Noah and Sun Lee stood in the evening dusk, just outside the saloon window. She pointed toward a man at one of the tables. "See, those boots, right there. What did I tell you? You can see the anchors on the back of the heels from here."

Noah studied the boots in question. The anchor pattern was plain, even from this distance. "You're sure there are no others?"

"Not around here, I'm sure. And Armitage never had a pair like that. Not before now."

"All right. Now, please -- you stay out here and watch. Make sure no one comes in behind me."

Sun Lee pulled back the hammers on the double-barrel. "I'll make sure."

Noah walked into the saloon. A bad piano player plinked out an unrecognizable melody. Armitage sat at one of the card tables, his back to the swinging doors. He tossed back a drink and called for another.

"Bartender! I got plenty of money tonight. Bring me a bottle."

The bartender wasn't impressed. "I don't wait tables, Armitage. If you want a bottle, come get it."

Noah watched the little man struggle to his feet and stumble to the bar, tripping over his boots, which were obviously several sizes too big. Noah stepped up beside him. "Boots a mite big, friend?"

Armitage laughed. "Hell, yes. But they were free. Their previous owner don't need 'em no more." He doubled over with laughter, as though his remark were outrageously funny.

"That so?"

"Yeah, that's so. What's it to you?"

Noah's voice echoed in the suddenly still saloon. "Maybe a lot. Why don't you tell me where you got them?"

Armitage shifted, moving to put his back against the bar. He stared sullenly at Noah. "None of your business where I got 'em, stranger. I don't have to tell you anything."

Noah reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out the badge. He turned it in front of Armitage's pale face. "Well, friend, I think maybe it is my business. I think you do have to tell me what I want to know. Right now."

Armitage shifted, his hand dropping toward his side.

Noah's revolver cleared his holster. The barrel lined up nicely with Armitage's belt buckle.

Armitage yanked his hands shoulder high, waving his empty palms frantically. "Wait! Wait. Ah...a friend gave 'em to me."

He struggled for words. "Yeah, that's it -- from a friend."

"A friend?"

"Yeah. A good friend. He didn't need 'em no more and he gave 'em to me."

"And who was this friend?"

"Oh, you wouldn't know him."

"Try me."

"His name's Chaikov. Leonid Chaikov. He's a big guy. Bigger than you. He didn't need these anymore."

"Hmm. When did you see him last?"

"Oh, it's been a week or so. We played cards together."

"Cards."

"Yeah. Him and me and Canaan Hargrave. But I ain't seen him since. I been up in the hills behind Riggins. Don't rightly know where he is now." Armitage smiled, pleased with his story.

Noah slipped the badge back into his shirt pocket. "Well, I know where he is. He's over at Jones Undertaking parlor. With no boots on. And I'm arresting you for his murder."

Armitage's eyes popped wide open. "Murder? I didn't kill nobody. We just played cards."

"And he gave you his boots. What was he going to do? Walk home barefoot?"

"Well, no. I mean, yes...I mean -- hell, I don't know. He just left. You ain't got nothin' on me, Marshal."

Noah peered intently at Armitage's chest. "Well, you've admitted to being one of the last people to see him alive. And you're wearing the dead man's boots. And tell me about this..."

Noah's hand shot out, his fingers snagging the watch chain dangling from Armitage's pocket.

Armitage grabbed, but missed. "That's mine! You can't take that."

Noah studied the ornate pocket watch now resting in his palm. "Yours, huh? Fair enough. Bartender, come around here."

The man walked quickly around to the front of the bar, stopping beside Noah. Noah's icy stare returned to the quaking man in front of him. "Now. We have a witness. You tell me about this watch. What's it got on the cover?"

Armitage passed a hand over his eyes. "It's a scene, a mountain scene. With a house in the center."

"Is there an inscription inside?"

"No. It's just an old pocket watch. My granddaddy gave it to me."

Noah flipped the watch over in his hand and looked up at the bartender. "Look like a house to you?"

The bartender shook his head. "Nope. Looks like one of them churches. Them Russian things with the onions on top, like they have in Seattle."

Noah nodded. "That's what it looks like to me, too."

He glanced at Armitage. "That's one lie. Now, let's see."

He popped open the watch cover and held it up so the bartender could seen inside the case. "Is there an inscription?"

The bartender stared. "Lordy, yes. There's all sorts of scribbling inside. But I can't read it."

Noah clicked the watch case shut. "No. But someone who reads Russian could, I'll just bet. That's two lies."

Noah glanced around the table where Armitage had been sitting. "I think we've got a killer here, boys. I'll just remove him from your company. You wouldn't want him to ruin your reputations."

Noah's even gaze drilled the closest card player. The man brushed a hand across the table and held up an empty palm. "None of my business, lawman."

The others shifted uneasily, but no one made a move. Noah nodded, casting a wary eye around the room.

"Just set easy, men, and let the deputy do his job." Noah took a small, relieved breath at the sound of Marshal Leggit's voice behind him. The door creaked. "Bring him on back, Stewart."

Noah waved his pistol. "Turn around."

Armitage complied, stumbling over the toe of his too-big boot. Noah stepped up behind him, slipped the revolver out of Armitage's holster and tucked it into his own belt. "Come on. We're going over to the jail."

Armitage glanced at the group, eyes wide with terror. "You get Hargrave. You tell him what's happened. I ain't gonna stay in no jail."

Noah glanced around and nodded to the group. "You boys might just want to stay out of this. Murder's a pretty serious charge."

No one moved. He stepped out into the night and allowed Leggit to take the prisoner. Sun Lee stood, back to the wall, watching both directions of the boardwalk. "The marshal wouldn't let me come in."

Noah exhaled another sigh of relief. At least she had stayed put. His chest tightened with the emotions running riot in his mind. She was protecting him. With everything she had, she was on his side. And she looked downright menacing with that long gun draped over her arm and that scowl on her face, daring anyone to challenge her or him.

The only other time he'd seen that kind of loyalty was from his crew on the Malabar, when they'd run the blockade with him in China.

But she was here, because she wanted to be. He let out a long breath and tried to smile. "You were right where I needed you."

Sun Lee carefully released the hammers on the shotgun, easing them into their normal position. "I suppose."

Noah smiled and slipped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to him. "Come on. Let's see what's happening at the jail."

She looked up, a slow smile sliding across her face. "Yes, let's. I want to see him behind bars."

They crossed the street, following the retreating marshal and the hapless Armitage.

***

Noah laid Armitage's pistol on the marshal's desk. Marshal Leggit turned the key in the cell door lock. "There. That ought to hold him."

Armitage shook the door. "I'm telling you, Marshal, you got the wrong man. You're gonna be sorry when Hargrave finds out."

Leggit sneered, dropping the gun in his desk drawer. "Why? Hargrave isn't gong to worry over you. I've got all the proof I need to hang you for Chaikov's murder. I have a barefoot body. You admitted to being with him just before he disappeared. You have his boots and his watch. No jury in the world is going to believe he gave you that watch. The boots maybe, but not the watch."

Sun Lee scoffed. "Not hardly. That Russian inscription is from my great- grandfather. Father would have NEVER parted with it. Not while he was alive."

Armitage's face turned from white to gray as the enormity of the situation sunk in. "But, you're wrong. I didn't kill Chaikov."

Noah's voice came just above a whisper. "Then who did?"

Armitage shook with a chill coming from fear, not cold. "He'll kill me if I tell."

Leggitt leaned close to the cell door, a grim smile set in place. "You're going to die anyway, if you don't tell. It's you I'm going to hang."

Beads of cold sweat popped out on Armitage's forehead. "All right. It wasn't me. Hargrave killed him."

Sun Lee's voice snapped, anger scorching every word. "I knew it."

"It's your word against his, Armitage." Leggit leaned against the wall, thumbs hooked in his belt loops. "And you're the one with the dead man's belongings. Your word won't hold much water in a court. Sorry."

"Wait a minute, Marshal. You gotta listen to me. I didn't kill him."

Leggit shrugged. "I'm listening."

Armitage raked his fingers through his hair, frantically trying to remember. He snapped his fingers. "I know. You said you had Chaikov's body. Well, you dig that bullet out of his chest."

Noah looked up and glanced at the marshal, who nodded ever so slightly.

"Why should we do that?"

"It'll prove I didn't shoot him. You'll find a derringer bullet in that hole. I don't own one, never have. It'll match the ones in Hargrave's fancy little wrist gun. The one he always hides up his sleeve. He shot him across the table, when Chaikov caught him cheating. Leonid lost the hand that gave Hargrave the deed to the Golden Dragon."

Leggitt smiled. "Well, thank you, Armitage. That's about the best confession I've heard in a long time."

Armitage's mouth dropped open. "What?"

Noah smiled. "We'll do just what you said, Armitage. But since we hadn't told you how he'd died, your description of the wound and the gun, pretty much puts you at the scene of the crime."

Armitage let out a string of expletives. "Should'a kept my mouth shut."

Leggit kicked away from the wall and walked to the cell. "No. Then I'd a just hung you. This way, if you keep helping us, you might get off with just a long jail sentence, once we get Hargrave rounded up. I might even let you testify for me, if I'm feeling generous."

Armitage paced frantically behind the bars. "Hell, Marshal, Hargrave's got the deed to the mine. If I'da killed Chaikov, I'da kept the deed myself instead of taking a stupid pair of boots and an old watch from a dead man."

Leggit paused. "You do have a point. I'll remember that. You're really just a thief and a grave robber."

"Aw-w-w, Marshal." Armitage stomped a too-big boot and slopped across his cell.

Leggit looked at Noah. "Stewart, did you find those friends you were talking about?"

"Yep."

"Well, you have my permission to deputize every one of them, if you want to. And you can go back to Florence and arrest Hargrave for Chaikov's murder, providing we find a derringer bullet in his chest, like Armitage says."

Armitage sagged against his cell bars. "You will."

Sun Lee pressed a hand to her forehead. "It's over."

Noah shook his head. "No, Sunshine. It's just started. We haven't even begun the hard part."

Sun Lee glanced at Armitage. "I still don't understand how you got Father into a card game over the claim. He wasn't that much of a gambler."

Armitage laughed. "Wasn't too hard, when Hargrave offered to play him for the deed to the Johnson property against yours. Double or nothing. Your daddy wanted that property back. He'd found out Hargrave had the deed to it."

Noah's teeth clenched. "He had the deed to the property with him that night?"

Armitage cringed under Noah's darkening glare. "Sure. He wasn't worried about losing it. He never did play cards straight. And he knew Chaikov wouldn't play without seeing it. Leonid was just too honest. That's all."

Noah took a deep breath. "I don't suppose you know anything about the Johnsons' deaths?"

Armitage backed up, stopping only when the backs of his knees hit the cell bunk. He plopped down, turning away from Noah's building anger. "I ain't sayin' no more about nothin'. You talk to Hargrave about them folks. I had nothin' to do with that."

Noah's voice cut like a knife through the night. "I mean to do just that."

He turned to Sun Lee. "Let's head back to the hotel. He's not going anywhere."

Leggit ran a hand across his balding head. "He'll be right here in the morning. I'll talk to Jones yet tonight and we'll check out that bullet, first thing. Then we'll know right where we stand."

Sun Lee looked up, meeting Noah's gaze. "There's not a lot more we can do, is there?"

"No."

Chapter 10

In the narrow hallway, Sun Lee closed her eyes and leaned her head back against her door. The day had carried her on such an emotional ride she could hardly stand it; from the wonderful morning in the meadow, full of life and love with Noah, to the depths of sorrow, with all the memories of her father slamming back into her mind at Armitage's arrest and his description of what had happened.

The evening had been overwhelming. But, it had been easier than she'd imagined. Armitage was more than willing to name Hargrave as her father's killer. She had no doubt the rat-faced little man was telling the truth. He was too stupid to think up a decent lie. If only arresting Hargrave would be as easy. Tears welled up, threatening to spill over.

"Sunshine?"

"Hmm."

"Sunshine, look at me."

She glanced up into Noah's eyes, astonished at the depth of feeling she saw there.

He leaned on one hand against the doorpost above her head, and ran his other thumb along her jawbone. "Don't hide behind those gorgeous lashes."

She turned her cheek into his palm. "Noah, I just feel like I'm carrying the world."

He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. "Let me help you. You don't have to carry it by yourself."

His eyes spoke of something much stronger than desire, something she was afraid to put into words, just yet. And in that instant, she realized she didn't want to spend another night alone; not if he wanted to be with her.

She slid her hands around his waist, waiting. He leaned down, ever so slowly and encircled her mouth with his own, kissing away her doubts.

That deep aching need, the one she'd felt their first time together returned, stronger and more intense than before. She wanted this man, even if only for a little while. Gently she slipped her key into his hand. A deep, low moan rumbled in his throat. He wrapped one arm around her waist. Never losing touch with her sensual, full lips, his hand found the lock and inserted the key. It yielded easily. She shifted, encircling his neck with her arms, as far as she could reach. Shoving the door open with his boot, he cupped his arm under her rear and lifted her off her feet. Her legs instinctively locked around him.

His tongue probed her lips, seeking its partner within her mouth. The wild heat of her passion surprised him, nearly searing his midsection. Pressing her tightly to him, wanting to again revel in that heat, he carried her across the threshold, never breaking their all-consuming kiss.

Once inside, she broke their kiss. Peering over his shoulder, she took aim and shoved the door shut with one dainty kick. A quick turn of the key secured their door. A sensual laugh rumbled in his throat. "Come on, dragon lady."

***

Noah lay very still, watching Sun Lee sleep, tucked in the crook of his arm. It seemed so right, to have her next to him, to match his breathing with hers. "Must be love, mate, 'cause it's not like anything else you've ever had."

And she evidently was his, for as long as he wanted because here she was, with no promises and no questions asked. But his own questions refused to go away. "Are you ready to give up the sea if she won't come with you?"

He ran a tender hand along her shoulder, glistening silvery white in the curtain- filtered moonlight. She murmured in her sleep and snuggled even closer. His heart tugged and his body responded instantly. He fought the temptation to wake her for yet another wonderful encounter. He wanted her so -- so much he could barely breathe, just thinking about her. "How can you go any where else?"

***

Sun Lee heard the latch click. She sat up, staring, searching for the cause of the sound. Noah turned from the door to face her. "It's all right."

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "I didn't hear a knock."

He tried for a grin. "I heard them next door. They were looking for me."

She giggled. "Well, they came to the right place."

He groaned inwardly. All he wanted to do was to climb back into bed with her. But not now. Sun Lee watched his expression turn grim and the dimple disappear from his smile. "Noah, what's wrong?"

"The Friends here have had a message from Florence, from Grandmother's Master Fong? We have to go back, immediately."

She was out of bed in an instant, sheets clutched to her chest. "What's happened?"

Noah took a deep breath. "Someone has taken Daniel."

"What? No!" Fear wrapped around her chest like steel bands, squeezing until she could barely breathe.

"We have to go!" She tossed the cover aside, grabbing frantically for her top. "Who would take Daniel?" Her voice muffled as she yanked the cheongsam over her head. "Why?"

"My old man is at the hotel."

Sun Lee stopped, her eyes wild with dread, Noah's warning from the night before echoing in her brain. "Would he do this?"

Noah nodded. "Yes. I'm sure he would. I told you he's here to take Sarah home. If he's found out about Daniel, like I did, yes, he's capable of taking him."

Sunshine grabbed her trousers from the floor. "We have to get there. He'll be long gone if we don't hurry. Daniel will be scared to death!"

"Master Fong and his men are already searching, Sun Lee. They won't let him get out of town with Daniel."

Sun Lee brushed her hair back, eyes blazing. "Master Fong should still have Daniel. Grandmother went to him in the first place. She'll be combing the streets looking for Daniel herself. "

His jaw tightened. "No, Ma Tai Tai isn't doing anything, Sunshine. She was shot, trying to stop whoever took the boy."

A wild, keening cry filled the room. Sun Lee rocked forward and back, arms around her waist. "No! Not Grandmother, too!"

In two strides, Noah had her in his arms. "Shh-h-h. She's hurt, but she's not dead."

He held her tight, until the shaking stopped. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, then nudged with his chin, until she raised her gaze to meet his. "She's tough, Sunshine, tougher than you could ever imagine. She'll make it. And we'll find Daniel. They're already looking. If my father has him, we'll track him down. I won't let the old man take him away."

"Promise me -- promise me we'll find him."

Noah took a deep breath. This would be a hard promise to keep. "I promise-- we'll find him."

She shivered in his arms. The wild, hunted look in her eyes subsided the tiniest bit. Nodding wordlessly, she slipped out of his arms and shoved her feet into her boots. She jammed her belongings into the saddlebags while he dressed.

He raked a hand through his hair. "We need to check with the marshal, before we go."

"No. We need to get back to Florence."

"Sunshine, there's only one way off that mountain. If the old man has Daniel and is trying to leave, he has to come this way. Fong won't miss him again. If he's one of the Friends, like your Grandmother, they'll move heaven and earth to find him."

She frowned, glaring at Noah. He could tell she wasn't convinced. "Besides, Marshal Leggit needs to know that Daniel has disappeared. We could use his help to watch this part of the road, for anyone with a child. There aren't that many little boys up here."

Noah watched her face intently. His last remark made it through her anger and fear. She nodded. "I guess you're right. The more people looking for him the better."

Noah glanced toward the window. "Sun's been up a while. They've probably dug out that bullet by now. We need to check out Armitage's story, before we go."

Her jaw took on a grim set. "I guess we have to know, before we just shoot the bastard."

Noah blinked, then smiled at her strong pronouncement. "We should make sure Armitage is telling the truth."

Sun Lee furiously blinked back a tear. "I know. Like Hargrave said, we have scruples. But he doesn't." She stopped, dread widening her eyes again. "Noah, what if it isn't your father? What if Hargrave snatched Daniel?"

Something akin to fear grabbed low in Noah's gut. The old man wouldn't harm Daniel, but Hargrave might -- to get what he wanted. He shoved that thought away and deliberately forced a calm look. "If Hargrave snatched Daniel, so much the better. He won't run. Florence is his town. He'll make us come to him. Master Fong may already know Hargrave's hiding places."

She swung her saddlebags over her shoulder and reached for her shotgun. "Let's get the rest of your things."

***

Sun Lee and Noah walked into the already open door of the undertaking parlor. Marshal Leggit and Mr. Jones stood behind the desk. A row of oddly shaped bits of lead sat in a very neat row on the wooden top.

"Good morning, you two," beamed Jones. "Glad you're here. I was just about to explain to the marshal how I can tell what kind of bullet we got here."

Leggit echoed the greeting. "Sun Lee -- Stewart. Take a look at this."

Noah stepped up to the edge of the desk, pulling Sun Lee with him, so that she, too, could see what was going on.

She jabbed a knuckle into his ribs. "He needs to know..."

Noah nodded. "We'll tell him."

Jones hooked his thumbs into the edges of his vest. "As I was saying. We definitely got us a derringer bullet here. You can tell that by looking."

Noah glanced at Leggit, who shook his head. "No, I didn't tell him what kind. I just said we wanted to see the slug."

Jones picked up the deformed piece of lead. "See, it didn't hit any bones on the way in so it's not flattened out as much as some of the others. But it's considerably smaller than most of them."

He picked up another slug and held them out, side by side. "This one's a .44 slug. See how much bigger it is?"

Noah nodded and glanced at Leggit. "I'd say that pretty well says it's not Armitage, if he really doesn't own a derringer. That pistol I took from him was a .44."

Leggit took the two slugs, bouncing them gently in his palm. "I'd say you're right, Stewart. But Armitage was certainly there. And I'm going to keep him right here in jail. For his own good. Hargrave may decide to get rid of him, once word gets to Florence."

Noah frowned. "I don't suppose there's any way we can keep this quiet."

Leggit shook his head. "Not a chance -- too many of Hargrave's people at the saloon last night. Somebody will be on his way to Florence by the end of the day, you can bet on that. And if any of them saw you and me come in here this morning, that will get back, too. I told you, Hargrave's not stupid. He'll figure out something's wrong."

Noah winced at the second knuckle jab in his still-tender rib cage. "That's not all. We got word this morning. Someone's kidnapped little Daniel and Sun Lee's grandmother was hurt trying to stop them."

Leggit blinked, eyes wide. "Now why would anyone do that?"

Sun Lee pressed a hand to her forehead. "To get at me, Marshal. I told you, Hargrave wants all of the mine. It's all tied together, I'm sure. We need to get there as fast as we can. We have to find Daniel. He must be terrified and Grandmother needs me."

Leggit closed his fist around the pieces of lead. "We're dealing with a ruthless man, Stewart. If he's taken the boy, we have to be very careful. He'd kill him in a minute if it suited him."

Sun Lee's gasp filled the room.

Leggit turned to her. "Sorry, Sun Lee. I don't want to upset you any more, but we'll have to move very carefully. I'll see if I can put together a search group here - - one that can poke around without arousing suspicion. If we get close without catching them, Daniel will be gone for good."

"Don't say that!" Tears rimmed Sun Lee's eyes. She dashed them away furiously, refusing to give in to the fear clawing at her throat.

Noah's arm was around her in an instant. "We're not going to let that happen, Sunshine. We're going to find him. We're going to find Daniel and put Hargrave away for murdering your father."

"We need to go. We have a long way to ride." Sun Lee slipped from the circle of his arms and headed for the door.

Leggit set the lead back on the desktop. "Well, Stewart. You have the full weight of the law on your side. For whatever that's worth. This is evidence that will stand up in court, together with Armitage's confessions and accusation."

A sardonic grin crossed Noah's face. "Sure. I'll just walk right in and tell Hargrave that. He'll give right up, no doubt."

Leggit let out a snort. "Just make sure you got lots of these friends with you. Or he'll gun you down like he did the other two."

Sun Lee's lips pressed into a thin line, her boot tapped out an impatient rhythm on the planking in front of the office door. "If you know that, why haven't you already arrested him?"

Leggit sighed. "Told you before, Sun Lee. You got to have proof to put somebody in jail -- and witnesses willing to testify in court to make the charges stick. Nobody's' ever been willing to testify against him up to now."

The grim set of his jaw belied the soft, calm demeanor of his voice. "Maybe this time we can make the charges stick and put him away for good."

Noah's equally calm voice echoed in the room. "We're certainly going to try."

The office door slammed shut.

Noah glanced at Leggit. "I have to catch up with her. She'll go in guns blazing, if I don't keep her corralled."

Leggit nodded. "Good Luck, Captain. You're going to need it. Try to keep her from shooting anybody. I don't want to put her in jail instead of the crooks."

Noah yanked open the door and stepped across the threshold. "I'll try, Marshal. I'll try."

***

The ever-present wind moaned through the pines. Master Fong shivered against the sound and pulled his jacket closer. Sitting at his table, he sipped his tea and studied the inert form asleep in front of his fireplace. It was warmer there on the floor pallet, a better place for an ailing patient.

He shook his head and smiled. Bei Ling was a hard woman to keep down, even with his medicines. A double rap on his back door disturbed his concentration. He stared, waiting. The double rap came again, then a third time. Satisfied with the signal, he shoved back from the table and silently made his way to the door.

He cautiously opened it the smallest crack. Peering out, he smiled and stepped back, allowing the door to swing open. "Sun Lee. It is good you are here. Come in."

"Thank you, Master Fong. Grandmother is here? She's been hurt?"

He nodded, glancing up at the stranger stepping in behind Sun Lee. "Yes. She is by the fireplace."

Sun Lee moved quickly through the tiny, familiar cabin. A gasp escaped her lips when she saw the pallet in front of the fireplace, her grandmother carefully wrapped in an enormous comforter. "Grandmother!"

She dropped to her knees beside the pallet. Bei Ling opened a sleepy eye. A hazy smile drifted across her face. "Sunshine. I knew you'd be back. Mmm."

A shadow of pain disturbed her relaxed countenance. "Wang-danian. I tried to stop..."

"Sh-h-h, Grandmother. I know." Sun Lee pressed a finger to Bei Ling's lips. Bei Ling turned her head away and drifted back into her haze.

Fong knelt by Sun Lee. She turned to face him. "What about Daniel? Have you found him?"

Fong's face went blank. "Not yet. The Friends search even as we speak. We will find him, you have my word."

Sun Lee shot him an icy look. "Grandmother believed in you. She depended upon your protection. So did Daniel."

Fong straightened, his face an inscrutable mask. "We will not fail the house of Ling. We will return Daniel unharmed -- or we will not return."

Sun Lee took a deep breath. Grandmother's teachings of long ago echoed in her mind, stilling the biting remark coiling in her throat. This was a Chinese elder to whom she spoke. Grudgingly she inclined her head. "I'm sure you will succeed Master Fong. You have cared for my grandmother well in my absence. I will await Daniel's safe return."

Fong's face relaxed the slightest bit. He lay a gentle hand on Bei Ling's shoulder "I give her the opium drink. It keeps her still, while her arm heals."

A shudder shook Sun Lee's slight frame. "How badly is she hurt -- really?"

Fong's brow knitted in concentration. "It's a serious wound. The bullet tore through her arm, but broke no bones. I have it packed with medicines to help it heal. She should recover."

He glanced at the sleeping Ling. "It's hard to keep her quiet."

Sun Lee sighed. "Maybe she'll rest easier, now that I'm back."

Fong shook his head. "No. She will not rest until Wang-danian is found. She worries constantly about the boy."

Sun Lee could only nod. Recriminations would do no good. Fong was obviously upset that he had failed to protect the two in his care.

Noah's rich bass voice echoed in the small space. "Do you have any idea who might have taken him?"

Fong stood up. "You must be Captain Stewart -- Wang-danian's uncle. Mrs. Ling has told me about you."

Noah nodded. "Yes. And you are...?"

"Master Ced Fong, Captain. We have heard from the Friends in San Francisco. You are most welcome."

Noah inclined his head in greeting. Fong continued. "And I must make most sorrowful apology. Wang-danian was under our protection. We will not rest until he is safely returned."

Both men ignored the most unladylike snort that came from Sun Lee's direction. She was running out of patience.

Fong faced her. "Friends are searching Florence carefully and quietly. We know where the boy is not. We have eliminated all the buildings except three, all owned by the man Hargrave. We have started on those. We will know shortly if Wang-danian is being held in Florence."

Sun Lee jammed her arms across her chest and stared at the two men. "Well, if we don't find him soon, I'm going to start my own search. I'm not going to just sit here while my baby boy is out there somewhere, by himself."

Noah spoke quietly. "He's not by himself, Sunshine. That's why we have to be careful. We don't want anyone to walk into a wall of gunfire trying to get him out. We have to find him, then figure out how to rescue him, without getting him hurt, too. He's awfully small to stop a bullet like Grandmother."

Sun Lee shot him a withering glance. "We need to hurry. Hargrave is an impatient man. If he has Daniel, we don't have much time."

"I'm sure we'll find him, if we work together, Master Fong. I'm going to need your helping another way as well."

"How?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, Sun Lee's father has been murdered. I was deputized in Riggins, to arrest his killer. We have proof and a witness that the killer is Hargrave. You know him?" Noah watched Fong's nostrils flare and his eyes narrow.

"He is a worthless man. I'm not surprised at his doing such a deed."

Noah nodded. "Marshal Leggit authorized me to bring him in. I understand he has too big an operation to take him by myself. I want to deputize all the Friends here."

A smile split Fong's face. "We would be happy to rid the community of him and the scum he leads."

Noah's face clouded. "Your messenger said my father is at the hotel. You're sure he doesn't have the boy?"

Fong shook his head. "No. We would know. Wang-danian is not in the hotel, but the man described to us as your father certainly is. I have met him. He looks a lot like you."

Noah straightened, squaring his shoulders, trying to relax the sudden tightness in his jaw. "I've been told there's a family resemblance. You've met him?"

"Yes. He came to China Road, seeking Sun Lee and the boy. He knows nothing of their whereabouts. We visited your sister's grave. He seemed truly sorry she was not here to meet him."

Noah's teeth ground in an unconscious clench. He couldn't imagine his father being sorry about anything. He'd never shown any sign of "weak feelings" -- or feeling of any kind for that matter -- except for an occasional smile at his mother. But the old man had to be dealt with. "I'd like to talk to him before we go after Hargrave. If he really doesn't have Daniel, then Hargrave probably does."

Fong nodded. "I will arrange things. We have another place we can talk."

Noah looked down at Sun Lee, who sat on the floor stroking her grandmother's hand. "Will you stay here with her while I'm gone?"

Sun Lee stood. "I want to go with you. Daniel needs me."

"I know he does, Sun Lee. But we can't leave Grandmother alone. And I need Master Fong."

"I can shoot as well has he does."

"But his men will follow him, not you. Please, Sun Lee. Please stay here for now. I need to talk to the old man before this thing blows wide open. We don't know where he stands in all this. For all we know, my father and Hargrave may be working together."

Sun Lee nodded. Noah made perfect logical sense. Grandmother had always preached logic over emotion. She massaged her aching temple. "All right, for now I'll let you and the Friends tackle Hargrave."

She walked across the floor and slipped her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his rock-hard chest. "Bring Daniel back to me -- and be careful. Hargrave isn't nearly as important to me as you are."

She glanced up, not able to say any more. Noah looked down into those sky blue eyes, seeing her love shining bright, from deep within. He had no idea what he'd done to deserve such a love, but he was going to earn it; if he had to move mountains, he was going to earn it. "Don't worry. You're not getting rid of me, yet."

He squeezed her tight and kissed her soundly. "Stay here. We'll find Daniel."

She swallowed the lump in her throat and silently watched as he followed Fong out the back door. He had to come back -- he just had to. He had to find Daniel, if only to take him away. She hefted the bar across the door. A wavering moan took her back to Grandmother's side.

***

Rev. Stewart shoved open the door to Hargrave's hotel office, to see him chomping on his ever-present cigar. "What's taking so long? Why have ya' not found ma' grandson yet? Even I know who had him."

Hargrave looked up. "Now, Reverend. These things take time. If you know who had him, you also know they've disappeared -- after a most unfortunate fire. I can't just waltz in on China Road and shout, 'Anybody got an extra boy?' We'll find him. Don't you fret. It won't be much longer."

"See that ya' do. I'm beginnin' to think ma' trust is misplaced, Mr. Hargrave."

Hargrave blew a big smoke ring. "Oh, Reverend you can trust me, all right. That little guy will turn up when you least expect him."

'Well, he'd better." Rev. Stewart stomped out of the office and slammed the door, then stalked back down the hall to his room.

Hargrave listened to the sounds. He stood up, still chomping his cigar. Knocking off the ashes, he paced the floor, idly rolling the smooth white stone he'd picked up at Sun Lee's mine between his fingers. He stared at it. "Too bad this ain't worth anything. This stuff's all over the valley. Just like the damned fool's gold. Looks like a lot of worthless ground -- just like home."

A hazy memory of a poor sharecropping farm, and a father working himself into an early grave, plowing rocky ground for a southern plantation owner, tried to force its way forward. "I done better. Ran the whole place before I left."

Shaking his head, he stuffed the rock back in his vest pocket and re-lit his cigar. He stopped beside the window and brushed back the limp curtain. "When will that gal be back?"

He needed to talk to Sun Lee before he approached Reverend Stewart for Daniel's "ransom." He could get the claim deed from Sun Lee and some gold from Stewart, too, if he worked it right. And they could fight it out over the kid -- made no difference to him. But he needed to know where she was. Stewart was getting edgy. "Can't wait much longer or he'll fly the coop."

Eli should have been back by now. He peered back out the side window. Eli's horse stood at the hitching rack in front of the bathhouse. "Well now where did he go? He's not much for baths. Probably feedin' his face."

Eli's trip down to Riggins should tell him all he needed to know about Sun Lee. He heard spurs clanking on the wooden hallway floor. Hargrave sighed. "That'll be Eli."

The door swung open and Eli burst in. "Boss, we got trouble."

"Sit down, Eli. What's wrong, now?"

Eli circled the chair. "I mean it, boss. You're in trouble."

Hargrave blew a smoke ring. "Now why am I in trouble?"

Eli stopped and backed up just a step. "'Cause Marshal Leggit's got Armitage in his jail and Rat Face is claiming you shot Leonid Chaikov, that's why!"

Hargrave spit out his cigar. "What?"

Eli nodded. "I told you it was trouble. Sun Lee and that sailor brought in her daddy's body. They been holed up in Riggins all week. And somehow they connected Armitage to it. I was in the saloon with him when the sailor arrested him. That sailor's done got himself deputized."

"Damnation!" Hargrave bent to retrieve the smoldering stogie and ground it out in his ashtray. "Why did they arrest Armitage?"

"He got caught with Chaikov's boots and watch. Rat Face admitted you two played cards with him the night he disappeared. Marshal said they'd charge Armitage with murder and old Rat Face turned tail. Told 'em he was there but that you shot the Russian, not him."

"And how did you hear all this?"

Hargrave managed an almost-grin as Eli's face turned the slightest shade of pink. "Well, boss, I got this here lady friend in Riggins...well, anyway, she cooks for the prisoners in the jail. She talked to Armitage. He's spouting like a whale. Telling everybody he didn't do nuthin'. That you killed Chaikov."

Hargrave growled. "It'll be his word against mine,"

"Evidently the marshal thinks he can prove it was you. Something about the bullet in the Russian."

Hargrave pulled out another cigar. "You know, Eli, we may just have to take some steps here. What about Sun Lee?"

"She's back already. Stories travel like wildfire up and down this mountain. She knows her granny's been hurt and the boy's been snatched. I heard 'em coming out of the marshal's office. She'll be looking for you and that boy, you can count on it."

Hargrave nodded. "I am counting on it, Eli. I am." He sat down behind his desk. "Are the rest of the men at the bunk house?"

Eli nodded.

"Good. Do you know where her granny is?"

Eli nodded again.

"Excellent. We'll just get a message to Sun Lee that way. We're going to invite her to join us -- to check on the little tyke herself."

Hargrave's try at a smile twisted into a sneer. "And then maybe we can get the captain and his father to join us as well. I'm tired, Eli. Tired of having these outsiders in my way."

Hargrave watched the smoke ring spread in his office air and his mind drifted back, back to another time and place where he was in control; looking out over long rows of cotton in full bloom, with darkies dragging sacks of cotton, doing exactly what they were told, whatever he told them to do. "That plantation should have been mine. I ran it." But the plantation was gone, long gone in the fires of the Civil War.

He'd come here, with Eli and Harold and Sadie and a few others to get away from both armies, to make some money from the ignorant miners and start their own town. Florence. After his momma. And it was going to stay his town. He turned to Eli, eyes narrowing. "Nobody upsets me in my town, Eli -- nobody."

Eli just stood -- waiting for orders.

Hargrave waved his cigar. "There's room for another deputy in the cemetery. And for the rest of his family as well. And maybe Rat Face, too."

Hargrave glanced at Eli. "Let's head on down to the livery stable and roust the men out of the bunkhouse. We need to check on our little guest. We got some planning to do before our company arrives."

***

Reverend Stewart paced in his room. The click of his heels against the wooden floor echoed in his mind, reminding him of the click, click, click of the railroad track on his trip across this huge country of America. The immensity of the land had amazed him. His home country of Scotland paled in comparison. And the Nova Scotia peninsula was a spit in the ocean compared to this great continent.

"We fought so over land," he whispered to no one in particular, remembering the struggles that had driven him from Scotland's shores, seeking a new place, a place he could call his own. That new place had given him a new life, a fine wife and a new calling.

"Hannah."

The whisper of a smile slipped across his face at the thought of his ever- patient wife. She'd seen the good in him when no one else could, putting up with his drinking and his fighting, believing he could be a better person than he thought possible. She'd led him to her faith, a faith he took to with such zeal, he felt obliged to preach the gospel and witness to his own conversion. And he'd tried to instill that faith in his children.

At that thought, the smile disappeared. His footsteps continued the incessant clicking and he was drawn back into the club car of the train, west of Omaha, back to the long ride in the club car, to the end of the rail line...

...

"Excuse me, sir. I noticed the bible. May I join you at this end of the car?"

Rev. Stewart looked up from his scripture reading. A jolly looking man, with a vest straining to button around his ample waistline and a ready smile, stood before him, well-worn bible in hand. Stewart closed his own book. "Certainly. I dinna' expect company. The cards and liquor are much better companions for the men on this train."

"Absolutely right. Not many of 'em are reading the good book between hands."

"They should be."

"They should, but they won't, we know that."

Stewart glanced at the card table, surrounded by intense men staring at their cards and the pile of money on the table. "Aye. They'd rather dance with the devil any day."

The stranger's hearty laugh shook his whole body. "Reverend Hiram T. Matthews, from St. Joseph, Missouri -- at your service, sir."

Matthews stuck out a beefy hand in greeting. Stewart shook it firmly. "Stewart. Reverend Elijah Stewart, from Halifax, Nova Scotia."

Matthews settled himself in the seat next to Stewart. "Halifax? My, you're a long way from home. What brings you all the way across these United States?"

Stewart hesitated. Sharing personal stories wasn't something he normally did. "I have business in the west. What about you, Reverend Matthews?"

Matthews laughed again. "I'm a Methodist circuit rider. I travel this way regularly. Sometimes I can afford this, sometimes I have to ride horseback all the way. This train is much more comfortable than a saddle all the way across this country, believe me."

"Do ya' have family in St. Joseph?"

"No. Preaching and riding the circuit is not a job for a married man. You're gone way too much. I planned to marry once, but...God had other plans."

Stewart nodded. "Ma' wife, Hannah, wouldna' be pleased with ma' bein' gone all the time. But this trip was necessary."

Oh?"

"Yes. Our daughter has gone to the Idaho territory. Hannah is unhappy she's so far away." Stewart stopped. He'd already said more than he'd intended.

Matthews leaned back, lacing his fingers across his belly. "Children. They are a trial sometimes. Many of my flock have troubles with their children."

Stewart breathed a sigh. "Like Sarah and Noah." Perhaps this minister would understand, even though he was a stranger. Stewart pressed a finger to his temple. "Aye. You try to steer them in the right way and they insist on goin' off on their own."

Matthews flipped open his bible and ran a finger down a familiar page. "Spare the rod and spoil the child. That's what the good book says."

Stewart closed his eyes, remembering the last time he'd said those words, willow rod raised, trying to get Noah to listen, tying to insist Noah pay more attention to his soul and less attention to the worldly pleasures in Halifax.

The old scars on his own back tingled and scenes of the discipline he'd endured from his own father in Scotland forced their way into his consciousness. He'd been as stubborn and willful as Noah in his own youth. He murmured softly, "It dinna' always work."

Matthews snapped the book shut. "Still. You have to try. You can't let them just run wild."

"No." Stewart shifted in his seat. "That's why I'm here. I'm goin' to try to convince ma' daughter to come home. Her and her new husband. Her mother wants her home."

Matthews raised an eyebrow. "You do have a willful one."

Stewart straightened. "We have two. Ma' son ran away to sea ten years ago. We havena' seen him since."

Mathews scratched his chin. "You have a mighty burden to bear, Reverend. I'll remember you and your family in my prayers."

Stewart glanced at Matthews, a niggling irritation building that the good reverend would feel the need to pray for him and his family, as though his own prayers wouldn't be enough. He passed a hand over his eyes. "For shame, man," As Hannah would say. "All prayers are welcome."

Chapter 11

Stewart stopped, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The vision of the club car vanished. His own care-worn visage stared back at him, mocking his efforts. As if prayers could help. As if he hadn't said a thousand prayers over his son and daughter already. He bowed his head. Perhaps his own prayers had been too full of what he had wanted. Perhaps...His head snapped up.

"This isna' gettin' us anywhere." He yanked on his coat and left the room. He stalked down the hall and drilled the desk clerk with a glare. "I'm goin' for a walk."

Miller cowered behind his guest book as Rev. Stewart bulled his way through the front door. His long legs carried him out of the hotel and into the darkening shadows of the night, to the road leading to the cemetery. He closed his eyes to let them adjust to the evening shadows and then followed the dusty street, drawn by the force of his daughter's spirit.

The headboards beckoned. He took a deep breath and walked slowly down the row. Sarah's marker wasn't hard to find. He had the spot memorized by now. He bowed his head and tried to whisper a prayer, but the words stuck in his throat. How had he gone so wrong with his children? "I tried to teach them right from wrong," he muttered.

"They were so willful. Wanting to go their own way." He closed his eyes. "Too much like me. Too bad they weren't more like their mother. Perhaps..."

He stopped, straightened and cleared his throat. No sense agonizing over the past. "I canna' change it now."

"Reverend Stewart?" The voice came softly, just audible in the gathering darkness.

He looked around and saw no one. "Aye?"

A solitary figure appeared out of the trees. "You will come with me, please?"

The distinctly oriental singsong in the voice was evident. He frowned. "Master Fong? Why should I?"

"Your son wishes to speak with you, Reverend. You will come, please?"

Stewart looked up with a start. "Ma' son?"

"Yes."

Stewart's frown deepened. This one little man was no match for him. "And if I say no?"

The trees rustled and many smiling faces surrounded him. "You may be in danger, Reverend, and your grandson certainly is. You will come with us, yes?"

Stewart's response echoed through the night. "Ma' grandson? What do ya' know about ma' grandson?"

"We know he has been kidnapped."

Stewart gathered himself and towered over the slight man before him. "Who has him? How do ya' know? Why did ya' not give him to me before?"

"Come with us, please. Your questions will all be answered."

Stewart shook his head. "I dinna' need your answers. I will rescue ma' grandson m'self. I have help here."

Mr. Fong placed a light hand on Stewart's sleeve. "You are wrong, sir. The man Hargrave lies to you. He is the one who has your grandson. You have no help, but us."

Stewart frowned. "And just who are you, Master Fong -- you and your snivilin' bunch that hides in the trees to sneak up on a man at his daughter's grave?"

Fong's ever-present smile widened. "We are Friends of the Golden Dragon, as is your son, Reverend, and friends of yours. There is much you do not know about him. You must come, before it is too late for little Wang-danian and for you as well."

Stewart glanced down at the grave marker at his feet. He hadn't listened to Sarah before. He didn't need to make that mistake again. "Very well. We'll see what ma' son has to say for himself."

The group, along with Rev. Stewart, melted into the darkness. The back doors of the cabins along China Road all looked alike. Stewart had no idea where he was when one of the doors opened. "In here, please."

He threw a glance heavenward and stepped in. His eyes adjusted to the interior lamplight and he came face to face with himself.

"Hello, old man."

Rev. Stewart had to admit the similarity was striking. He glanced up and down the younger Stewart standing in front of him. "You've grown in ten years."

Noah's gaze met his. "I've filled out."

"I've been hearin' some bad things about ya'."

Noah's gaze never faltered. "Don't believe everything you hear. Especially from the company you're keeping."

"Did ya' kill a man here in Florence?" The charge lay between them like a gauntlet tossed at a jousting tournament of old.

Noah almost smiled. "Actually, I killed two of them -- after they jumped me in an alley and tried to kill me. Even King David was allowed to defend himself, you taught me that. I've grown big enough to defend myself."

Stewart nodded, ignoring the obvious reference to their past. "Good. I couldna' imagine you'd gone that far astray."

"No. But I'm not afraid to kill to protect someone I love. And we may have to do that."

"Oh?"

"You know about Sarah's son, Daniel?"

"Aye. Mr. Hargrave, at the hotel, has promised to find him for me. The child was staying with some oriental woman, named Checkker or something. Master Fong says he's been kidnapped."

Noah clenched his teeth and curled his fingers into tight fists to control the urge to strike out at the prejudiced man in front of him. "That's right. He was kidnapped from that oriental woman. Her name is Sun Lee Chaikov. And your friend Hargrave murdered her father and more than likely has Daniel, if you don't."

Rev. Stewart scowled. "If I had the lad, I wouldna' still be here. We'd be on our way east."

Noah nodded. "I figured as much. The only other person with a reason to kidnap Daniel is Hargrave. I've been deputized to arrest him."

Stewart crossed his arms across his massive chest and shot his son a skeptical glare. "A likely story."

Noah glared back, fighting to stay in control of his building anger. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the deputy's badge. "Here. Even you'll recognize a marshal's badge."

"How do I know where you got that."

An exasperated sigh escaped Noah's lips. "You came up through Riggins. I got it from Marshal Leggit there. You can check it out tomorrow, if you want. But right now, you're going to have to believe me. You're going to have to accept my word on something. I really do know more than you do about what's happened here."

Stewart's stance softened the slightest bit. "And what has happened here?"

"The men who tried to kill me were part of Hargrave's gang. We have a witness in the Riggins jail who will swear Hargrave killed Sun Lee's father...to get his claim."

Noah paused, allowing the facts to sink in. He could see his words were having an effect on his usually unmovable father. "I think Hargrave also had Sarah and her husband killed for their claim and I'm pretty sure he's the one who had Daniel kidnapped from Sun Lee's grandmother. The kidnapper shot Sun Lee's grandmother in the process."

Stewart stepped back, staggered by the weight of the accusation. "Dear heaven. I dinna' think he was this bad."

Noah pressed the point. "I'm telling you, he's a ruthless killer. Daniel's in great danger and so is Sun Lee. Hargrave wants her claim as well."

Noah paced the floor, his words sending chills along his own spine. "He'll stop at nothing to get it. That includes killing her and Daniel, if need be. He already has the deed to Sarah's property. It's been recorded in his name in Riggins. I saw it myself. You can check that too, if you won't believe me."

Noah stopped in front of the elder Stewart. "But, I need to know where you stand tonight. I won't let you jeopardize Sun Lee and Daniel and all Master Fong's people by letting Hargrave know we're here. You won't stop me from arresting him."

Rev. Stewart glanced around. "And if I don't join you?"

Master Fong stepped up. "You will remain here as my guest, until our work is finished this night."

Rev. Stewart nodded to the men surrounding him. "Do ya' really think this rag tag bunch can hold their own against me or the likes of Hargrave and a group of gunslingers, if they're as bad as you say?"

Master Fong smiled. "These 'rag tags', sir, stopped a war in China. They are schooled in the defensive arts of the orient. They have seen much worse assignments in our homeland. Stealth and surprise overcome might every time. Your son has led rescue missions before, in my land rather than yours. And he is here to tell the tale. We will support him well. And we will make sure you do not interfere if you do not wish to help."

Stewart looked at his son and saw him through new eyes; eyes that realized the angry, rebellious lad had grown up, possibly into a decent man after all. A man who's help he needed, if he was going to save his grandson from this lawless hellhole. These people seemed to believe in his skill and in his story. He returned his son's challenging stare. "I don't deal with the devil's disciples. What's your plan?"

Noah released a quick breath. "We need to check back with Sun Lee, so she knows what we're doing, otherwise she's liable to head out on her own."

The merest smile slipped across Fong's face. "She has her grandmother's fierceness in her blood. Fear never found a home in the House of Ling."

"You're right, Master Fong. The problem will be getting her to stay home once we decide to move."

"Perhaps she should come. She is a fine shot, as is her grandmother. Leonid taught them well."

Noah gritted his teeth and shook his head. "We'll move faster with them both locked in the house -- so I don't worry about her."

Fong shrugged. Fighting women were not unusual in his culture.

Noah turned back to his father. "We have to round up Hargrave and his whole gang. He won't hesitate to kill the boy if he thinks he's not going to get what he wants. We've got to find Daniel before it's too late".

Stewart rubbed a weary hand across his forehead. "I'll go along with that much. I dinna' want anythin' to happen to Sarah's laddie."

Noah took a deep breath. At least they could agree on one thing. "Neither do I, old man. Neither do I."

***

Sun Lee hummed a wordless tune as she sat next to Bei Ling, who stirred, smiling up at the sound. "Sing to me, Sunshine. You have such a pretty voice."

She smiled at her grandmother's request. "You spoil me Mai Tai Tai. I don't sing well."

"A grandchild's voice is always wonderful, whenever a grandmother hears it, Sunshine."

Sun Lee picked up her grandmother's hand and brought it to her lips. "I'm glad to hear your voice as well. Master Fong says you will get better, with rest."

Bei Ling pulled Sun Lee's hand to her own cheek. "Master Fong fusses too much. I should be up now."

Sun Lee shook her head. "Master Fong is good with remedies, you've always said so. You should do as he says."

Bei Ling stretched, releasing Sun Lee's hand. "I am. But what of Wang- danian? He is so small and alone."

"Noah will find him. He thinks that either his father or Hargrave has Daniel."

"Scum."

Sun Lee unconsciously reached for her Grandmother's hand. "Yes. I promised to stay with you while Noah and Master Fong meet with Noah's father. We'll know soon enough if Reverend Stewart has Daniel."

Bei Ling shifted, a small sigh escaping her lips. "It's too confusing, Sunshine." Her eyes drifted closed from the opium.

Sun Lee stroked her grandmother's cheek, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes. It would do no good to cry. Grandmother would only be more upset. "I know. Don't worry. We'll sort it out later."

She hesitated, not wanting to disturb Ma Tai Tai any more. But she should know. Sun Lee squeezed Bei Ling's hand. "You were right, Grandmother. Father wasn't a coward. We've found out who killed him."

A small tear slid down her cheek unheeded. "Hargrave will be in jail soon."

Bei Ling frowned, eyes still closed. "He'll be hiding in the darkness, like a timber rattler, waiting to strike. Be careful of him, Sunshine."

"We will be." She ran her fingers along the frown forming on Bei Ling's forehead. "When you're better, we can talk about a story Noah told me. A story about grandfather and father and a young prelate in Canton."

Bei Ling's eyes popped open. "What does the Captain know of that?"

"Quite a bit, Grandmother. He knew the same prelate, after grandfather's death. Noah evidently ran a blockade for the Friends, to return him to Canton."

Bei Ling smiled. "You have heard some of your history, my child."

"Perhaps you'll tell me the rest."

Bei Ling nodded. "Yes. When I wake up. Mmm." She moved her shoulder trying to ease the pain. "Why don't you get me just a sip of that tea. I will rest a little more."

Sun Lee moved quickly to pour another cup of the waiting opium tea. Bei Ling took a few sips and sank back onto her mat.

"Your Captain is a very brave man. We had heard the story of the prelate's return, but not the name of the rescuer. It was not necessary to know him. Amazing how our paths have crossed this far from our homeland. The dragon moves in mysterious ways. The Captain is a good match for you. I told you."

"Sh-h-h. Just rest. We can talk about it later."

Bei Ling nodded and slipped into a healing sleep. The evening chill slithered its way into the room. Sun Lee rose. Moving about the cabin, she silently closed all the shutters to keep out the night cold. Looking around, she spied another blanket. Retrieving the woolen coverlet, she tucked it in around the sleeping woman.

"That opium is strong. She'll be asleep a while."

Sun Lee glanced at her saddlebags. Master Fong had invited them to stay with him. He had room, since his children were grown and he'd lost his wife the same year she'd lost her mother.

She studied the flame flickering in the oil lamp on the table. "I may just walk down to our cabin. Master Fong says some of it is left."

The ache in her gut still grabbed. It had been there since he told her of the fire that had damaged the cabin the night they left. They'd come to Master Fong's too quickly for her to really get a look at the damage to the cabin on the way in.

"I want to see for myself." Noah's words echoed in her ears. "Stay here."

"I'm not really going anywhere else," she reasoned. "I'm just going home for a moment and I'll come right back. Maybe everything didn't burn."

She slipped away from Bei Ling's side and made her way to the back door. One of the Friends stood guard outside. "Please, stay inside."

Sun Lee frowned. "I'll be all right. I'm just going to walk down to my cabin. You can watch me. You can see me all the way there."

The young man hesitated. "Master Fong says for you to stay inside."

Sun Lee thought quickly. "You could walk with me. Then I'd be perfectly safe."

He shook his head. "No. I must guard Mrs. Ling. That I know!"

Sun Lee stepped out into the darkness. "Well then, you'll just have to watch me. I'm going down to see if any of my clothes survived. I'll be right back."

She swooped around him. The young man scratched his head, watching her walk away. Sun Lee smiled to herself. He wasn't going to grab her and stuff her back in the cabin, like Noah would have. This would take just a minute. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness. Four cabins' distance wasn't far to walk. She covered the ground easily, even in the dark.

Sun Lee stopped, staring at the hulking outline of the burned out cabin. "Oh, my!"

The roof had collapsed in the center. The main beam had dropped and the ends reached toward the night sky, like great bat wings in the dark. A searing anger welled up inside. "Father worked so hard."

The back wall still looked fairly sturdy. Fallen timbers blocked the door. The window to her room looked clear. It was open, just like she'd left it. She shoved a half-burned log underneath the windowsill and stepped up on it.

Pulling herself up, she scrambled through the window.

The room was a mess, but not all burned, just littered with fallen debris. "The rain must have put out the fire before it got to this room."

She stood quietly until her eyes adjusted to the interior blackness. "Oh!"

The beds were covered with splintered wood. Daniel's crib lay crushed in the corner. Thank heaven he hadn't been in it. The fear she had been denying grabbed and clawed its way to her throat again. "Where is he? I should be looking for him. He's so little."

A huge emptiness engulfed her, an ache so deep she feared she would suffocate from the pain. Tears welled up. She brushed them away while Grandmother's training, meant for another time and another place, forced its way into her consciousness. "Think. Follow your head, not your fear."

She shivered as she was transported in her mind's eye to another dark and frightening place, with her grandmother in the hills above Canton, hiding in the darkness. "Do not panic. If you panic, you will die."

Sun Lee sighed. She could do no good wandering around. Where would she start? Hargrave might find her and that would do Daniel no good at all. She had to be patient. "Patience has never been one of my virtues."

She glanced around the shambles of her bedroom. Grandmother's chest stood, nearly untouched. She picked her way across the room, clearing the space in front of it. Dropping to her knees, she pulled out a few things; her gown, grandmother's nightshirt and good cheongsam. Reaching in again, she pulled out Sarah's bible. "Noah should have this. To show his father."

Folding the clothes around the bible, she struggled to her feet. She needed to get back. Grandmother might awaken and need another drink of the quieting medicine.

Taking one last look, she spied her boot knife lying where she'd left it, on the top of the chest. She slipped it back into its sheath on the side of her boot. "That's better."

Father had added that knife pocket to her boot "just a little surprise" he'd told her and laughed. It was just the right size for a lady's knife.

Moving back to the window, she shoved debris from the top of the nightstand and retrieved her pistol. It didn't look any worse for its ordeal. She tucked it into her waistband and pulled her cheongsam over top, covering the weapon.

Leaning as far out of the window as she dared, she dropped the bundle gently to the ground. Climbing out, she let herself down and headed back down the row. Slowing, she stared toward Fong's cabin. A quiet chuckle echoed in her throat. The young guard still stood riveted where she'd left him, watching her every step. She waved and covered the distance between them quickly. "See. I made the trip just fine."

"Please, join Mrs. Ling inside. Please?"

Sun Lee laughed again and stepped into the cabin, pulling the door shut and dropping the bar behind her. She would open the door only to the appropriate knock, just as Master Fong had earlier. She walked to the front of the cabin, to find Bei Ling sitting up on her pallet. "Grandmother! You should still be asleep."

Bei Ling frowned. "And where were you, Sunshine? You are not safe alone."

Sun Lee gave a too-casual shrug. "I walked down to our cabin. The guard watched me all the way. I brought back some things and Sarah's bible. Do you need something more to drink?"

"No." Bei Ling tried to stand, then dropped back to the pallet. "I've had enough of Master Fong's drink. My head needs to be clear. Where are the others?"

"Noah and Master Fong have gone to talk to Noah's father to make sure he doesn't have Daniel. Fong's men have checked most of the buildings in Florence. They're pretty sure that Hargrave has him. They're trying to figure out how to get Daniel and arrest Hargrave at the same time. They left a guard with us -- at least one -- outside the back door.

"Good. This is a bad night, Sunshine. I can feel it. The dragon walks tonight. They must take care. "

Sun Lee rolled her eyes. Sometimes grandmother's superstitions...a terrible scream and a loud "whump" against the back door banished all other thoughts. "What in the..."

"The light, Sunshine. Put it out, now!"

Sun Lee jumped to do her grandmother's bidding. She dropped to the floor, beside the table, pulling her pistol from her waistband, eyes trained on the blackness that was the back door. Whoever opened it would get a nasty surprise. No further sounds came from outside. Her eyes adjusted to the cabin's illumination from the smoldering fire's embers. She glanced back at Bei Ling.

Grandmother placed her finger to her lips and stayed perfectly still. Time seemed to freeze. Nothing else happened -- no sound, no trial of the door, nothing. Sun Lee became aware of her grandmother's presence at her shoulder. Bei Ling, fully awake, in complete control, crouched beside her, staring intently at the door, waiting.

A low, agonizing moan slipped under the door and filled the room. Bei Ling crept forward, Sun Lee following close behind. A feeble double knock stopped them both. They waited. A second double knock, echoed, then the third set. Sun Lee glanced at Bei Ling, who nodded.

Sun Lee positioned herself where she had a clear line of fire at whomever might come through, then motioned for Grandmother to open the door. Bei Ling braced herself and slid the bar back. Nothing happened. She clicked the latch and opened the door the slightest crack. Another groan echoed and the hapless guard, who'd been leaning against the door, fell into the room.

Sun Lee kept the gun trained on the doorway. "Grandmother. You can use a pistol. Come take this and let me drag him in. If anyone else shows his face, shoot him."

Grandmother padded to Sun Lee's side and took the pistol. "I think whoever did this is gone. They would have been in by now."

"Mmm." Sun Lee gritted her teeth and grabbed the nearly unconscious guard, dragging him into the cabin.

Grandmother slammed the door shut and slid the heavy bar back in its place. "Let's see what we have here."

She relit the lamp and brought it down to the floor. Blood flowed freely from the nasty wound on the guard's head.

"Why would anyone hit him and then just leave, Mai Tai Tai?"

"Perhaps this will tell you, Sunshine." Grandmother pulled out a piece of paper shoved between the buttons of the guard's shirtfront.

Sun Lee unfolded the paper and held it close to the light. The scrawled words struck terror deep into her heart. "If you want to see Daniel again, bring the deed to the livery stable. Just you. NOW! C.H."

Chills raced down her spine. Obviously, Hargrave had Daniel. And he knew she was here. He would make sure she never saw the boy again if she didn't do what he wanted. She could depend on that.

Grandmother peered over Sun Lee's shoulder. "What does he want?"

"Me. And the mine deed -- if we ever want to see Daniel again."

"Snake!" Grandmother nearly hissed the words.

"He wants me to come to the livery stable. Now."

"No. You should wait for Master Fong and Noah. One is not enough, Sunshine, you know that."

Noah's words again echoed in sun Lee's head. "Stay here!" Guilt swept over her. "I can't. I can't wait. I have to go to Daniel."

She grabbed her copy of the deed from her saddlebags. Glancing around, she also grabbed her shotgun. "We'll see what we can do," she murmured. "I'm not going to just waltz in there and hand it to him."

She stopped and took a deep breath. "Slow down. Don't be totally stupid." She leaned the long gun against the wall and picked up the bundle. "Mai Tai Tai, I'm going to leave these things for Noah."

Carefully, she uncovered Sarah's bible and set it in the middle of the table. Then she laid the deed and the note next to it. "I've left him the mine deed, the note and Sarah's bible."

She glanced at Grandmother, who sat near the guard, wiping the blood from his face. "At least Noah will know where I've gone and why. If I have the deed, Hargrave could just kill us both, right then. This way, he'll still have to bargain."

Grandmother's lips tightened. "I'll send Noah to the stable."

Sun Lee sighed. Noah would be angry, but...Her fingers curled around the long gun again. "Would you rather have the shotgun?"

"No." Bei Ling nodded toward the pistol. "I can handle the pistol with one hand."

Sun Lee nodded to the handgun on the tabletop. "Fine. I'll be back, Mai Tai Tai, I promise."

"Be careful, granddaughter. Stay in the dragon's shadow."

Sun Lee blew her a kiss and slipped out the back door, waiting until she heard the bar slide again into place. Blending into the darkness, she made her way along the back alleys to the trees along the town's perimeter and then along the tree line to the grove near the livery stable. Walking in the stable's front door wasn't the brightest thing in the world to do. She crouched in the shadows, looking for any activity.

She frowned. The freight wagon, containing her father's huge coffin sat just inside the open door of the stable. The haulers had made it up the mountain. To bad they hadn't told her -- but -- they probably couldn't find her. She bit her lip. Her father's burial would have to wait. The living had to come first. She had to find Daniel.

Looking past the wagon, into the livery stable, she saw nothing -- no people -- nothing but the sounds of horses moving in their stalls. She crept around to the back, to the open window in the tack room. Easing up, she peered in and gasped. Hay bales lined the inside of the tack room. And in the middle of the hay, hands and feet tied, mouth covered by a dirty bandana, lay Daniel.

She fought the urge to call out his name. Hargrave sat in plain view, behind the workbench in the center of the room, chewing his cigar, idly twisting a piece of white jade between his fingers, watching the little one wriggle in the hay. Sun Lee watched the jade twirl slowly. "He doesn't even know what he has."

She carefully raised the shotgun to her shoulder and laid her cheek on its comb. "I'll just stop this right now."

A twig snapped behind her. Stars shot through her field of vision as a blow to her head put out the lights.

***

Sun Lee moved her head. Pain exploded in her temple. She froze, realizing her hands were bound tightly and her mouth securely covered, just like Daniel. Keeping her eyes closed, she lay very still in the hay, listening to the conversation.

"Well, boss, now what?"

"Are the men hidden out back?"

"Yeah."

"Then we'll wait, just like we did for her. That sailor will come lookin' for her, you know that. Besides he's coming to arrest me, right? We'll just let him find us. And get rid of all of them."

Sun Lee shuddered at the evil laugh. Noah was in such danger. She could only hope he understood that. The voices continued.

"Boss?"

"Yeah?"

"What about her?"

"What about her?"

"We got to kill her, too?"

"What's on your mind, Eli? You want her?"

"Maybe."

"I thought you had a lady friend."

"Riggins is a long way away, boss. And she's got other friends."

Hargrave's vulgar laugh filled the room. "They got more money too, right?"

Sun Lee clenched her teeth, keeping her eyes tight shut, dreading the turn the conversation had taken. Footsteps came closer. "Hell, she ain't half bad, boss. Lots prettier than Sadie."

More raucous laughter. "Eli, my horse is prettier than Sadie."

"A man gets edgy, boss, you know. Riggins is a lo-o-ong way sometimes."

"Eli, she'd scratch your eyes out and rip your balls off, if you tried to touch her."

"Maybe not."

"You better leave her be until we get done with the Stewarts. You can fool with her afterward, if you want. It'll give you something to look forward to. 'Course you got to get rid of that sailor, first." Hargrave's nasty laugh again filled the room.

Sun Lee bit the inside of her cheek and silently promised herself she'd die before Eli ever had a chance to "fool" with her. And if he tried, she'd take him with her.

Chapter 12

Bei Ling carefully counted the gentle knocks on the door. At the proper signal, she moved carefully and slid the bar back, releasing the heavy oaken door. Master Fong gasped, seeing her up. "Mrs. Ling! What has happened? Why are you not in bed?"

She adjusted the makeshift sling holding her arm in place. "I am fine."

Fong rushed into the room, Noah and Rev. Stewart close behind. Bei Ling tossed her head, frowning at the three. "I do not break so easily. But -- Sunshine is gone."

"Gone?" Noah exploded. "I told her to stay here. We came back to get her."

"You should have known she would go." Bei Ling pointed to the table. "Look at the note."

Noah grabbed the paper, skimming its contents. He shoved the note at his father. "Well, your friend has Daniel. Doesn't look like he planned to give him to you at all."

Rev. Stewart's face took on an ashen, grim set. "He does the devil's work. We must find them quickly."

Bei Ling nodded again. "She left you the deed. There, next to Sarah's bible."

Noah nodded. Reaching out, he picked up the deed and stuffed it in his pocket along with the note.

Stewart shook his head. "I must get Daniel out of this god-forsaken place."

Noah snorted. "Oh, no. You might as well know it right now. You're not going to take Daniel anywhere. He's going to stay here with Sun Lee. Right where he belongs."

Rev. Stewart glowered. "I'm going to take ma' grandson home to his grandmother to raise. In a proper home."

"Like ours? Not bloody likely, old man." Noah's voice dropped and rumbled as his anger grew. "You drove me out of that home and you drove Sarah out of it, too, with your pompous, pious words and willow rods. She'd be happily married and Daniel would be with them in Halifax if you hadn't driven her away. You're not taking Daniel."

Rev. Stewart stepped back, Noah's words striking deep. He squared his shoulders and glared. "And you think this lawless town, with no father at all would be better for the lad? Or with you, flung to the far ends of the earth with nothing to believe in at all? At least you had a decent start in life. You chose to turn your back on it. We gave the two of you the best we had. The lad deserves that much."

The two stood toe to toe, neither willing to give an inch. Fong stepped between the two men. " Argue later. We have no time to waste. Hargrave's men have been here. We must act now, or both will die."

Fong's words, softly spoken, cut through the anger in the air. Noah stepped back, ignoring his father's searing look. "You're right. This can wait. How do we go about surrounding the livery stable? Or finding out if they're even in the livery stable? They could have stopped her anywhere between here and the other end of town."

Grandmother spoke up. "Sunshine knows how to move in the shadows. She would not have been easy to stop."

Fong headed toward the door. "Come, both of you. We have work to do and men waiting. Now we know where to move."

Still trading glares, the Stewarts rushed through the door. Fong glanced back to Bei Ling. She nodded. "Your young guard still needs help. We will be fine."

Fong nodded. "We will find them."

Bei Ling swung the heavy door, again locking out the terrors of the night.

***

Hargrave paced back and forth behind the worktable. This was taking too long. "Damnation". He glanced toward the hay pile and sat down on the stool behind the workbench. "Eli, get her up. Bring her over here."

Eli grinned. "Sure thing, boss."

Eli crossed the space between them. He reached out to Sun Lee. She snarled something unintelligible through the gag and rolled away, kicking out at him.

"Come here." He grabbed her shoulder and yanked her up. His arm slid over and around her, fondling her breasts on the way by. She stomped down on the top of his boot and jerked away. Eli let out a howl.

She dropped to her knees, beside Daniel, trying to yank the bandana from his mouth. Eli grabbed her again, jerking her to her feet, slinging her across the tack room floor toward Hargrave. She hit the floor hard, smacking an elbow in the fall.

"Sun Lee, get over here." Hargrave's voice was cold as the grave. "Unless you want Eli to carry you. I'm sure he'd love to throw you over his shoulder."

Sun Lee froze. The last thing she wanted was Eli's hands on her, anywhere. Slowly she stood, facing Hargrave, listening to Daniel's whimpers.

Never taking his eyes off her, Hargrave snarled, "Eli, you get back to that window. We don't want any surprise company."

Sun Lee stalked to the old worktable where Hargrave had his lamp set. She held out her bound wrists. He stared at her a long minute then pulled out a pocketknife and sliced through the rope. She reached up and yanked the gag from her mouth. "Filthy swine."

He stared hard. "Keep still."

Sun Lee glared at him. "Coward. Untie that poor little boy. He can't hurt you."

"I'll decide when he gets untied. You do as you're told or I'll shut you up for good."

She tossed her head, standing tall, shoulders squared, daring him to touch her.

He looked her up and down. "Let's get this over with. Just give me the deed."

She sneered. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

"What?"

"I didn't bring it. I left it at the cabin."

Hargrave's hand lashed out, catching Sun Lee across the cheek. Her head snapped back. "Damnation, woman. You do aggravate a body."

She wiped a hand across her lip, brushing off the flecks of blood from the cut on the inside her mouth. "Why would I bring it? You'd just kill both of us right now, if I had."

Daniel's whimpers got louder. Sun Lee turned, her face shading to pale. Hargrave frowned. "If he doesn't shut up, you won't have to worry about it."

Sun Lee watched the boy squirming helplessly in the hay pile. "Let me hold him. I'll keep him quiet."

Hargrave's frown deepened. Daniel's whimper increased to a cry.

Sun Lee took a deep breath. She had to stop his cries. She faced Hargrave. "Please? I'll keep him quiet."

Hargrave, regarded her closely. Finally, he waved a hand. "Go get him."

He paused, another thought registering. "And you stay right there. I want your friends to see you through that window. But you try to get away and I'll drill both of you." He patted the revolver hanging on his hip.

"I know that. I'm not going anywhere. I can't run carrying him."

He nodded. Sun Lee hurried back to Daniel's side, pulled the gag down and gave him a kiss. "Shhh, Wang-danian. Shhh."

"Mamma." The plaintive cry echoed deep in her heart.

Keeping her arms around him to comfort him as best she could, she struggled to untie the ropes holding him. They finally fell away and he wrapped his arms around her neck, burying his head in her shoulder, sobs wracking his little body.

She held him close, rocking him, turning her back on Hargrave and Eli, again brushing away the tears that continued to betray her.

The only thing she could do was sit tight and keep her wits about her. Her shotgun stood next to the door, a room away from her. It was almost dawn. "Noah will be here soon".

She had to believe that. For the first time in her life, she had to trust a man -- trust that he would be there when she needed him. And she needed Noah -- right now. Their lives depended on him.

***

The shadows moved in the breaking dawn. The bunkhouse behind the barn stood out in stark relief to the trees. Noah moved nearer to Fong. "Do you have all his men spotted?"

Fong nodded. "We count four. The bunkhouse is empty. Three are in the trees surrounding the livery stable. One is outside the tack room door. They seek to take us by surprise."

A smile played about Fong's lips. "We shall see who is surprised."

"With Armitage in jail, Harold at the saloon and another one in the barn, that's seven."

Fong whispered, "That is all who work for Hargrave. The one inside the barn is Eli, Hargrave's right hand man."

Noah looked up at his father. "Can we handle the guard outside livery stable while Fong and his men take out the men surrounding the bunkhouse? Or would you rather not dirty your hands, in case someone is killed?"

Stewart shot his son an angry glance. "We'll do whatever it takes to save the lad. You'll not stand alone."

"Good." Noah turned toward the barn-like livery stable. "Fong, we'll take out the outside guard, so we can get to the window and see what's going on. You'll have to take out the three in the trees while we take out the outside guard. If we're seen, they may fire a shot. We can't have that."

Fong nodded. "The ones in the trees will make no noise. They will sleep the sleep of the innocent."

Noah fingered his revolver. "If we go in through the door and the window while you're taking care of the others, maybe we'll get lucky."

Fong whispered softly. "Friends make their own luck."

Noah nodded. He and his father moved toward the building, hiding in the lingering shadows, slipping from fir tree to fir tree. They crept up to the guard, who was slumped against the building, trying mightily to stay awake. It had been a long night. With one swing, Rev. Stewart brought the guard to the ground.

Noah nodded approvingly. His father still struck a mighty blow. Noah glanced back to the tree line. Nothing moved. Had Fong's men already reached Hargrave's men back there? He couldn't tell. He whispered, "You stay here by the door. I'll go to the window. Come in low when I call. You're a big target."

Rev. Stewart frowned. "No bigger than you, lad. Take care."

Noah turned in surprise. His father had never expressed concern for his welfare before. The elder Stewart motioned him away. Noah crept to the window and rose up, inching his way to the window frame to get a look in. Thankfully a scrub pine hid him from the view from the bunkhouse. Prickly pine needles gouged the back of his head as he carefully made room to see inside. Dread clutched deep in his gut.

Sun Lee sat, disheveled, in the middle of the hay pile, with Daniel in her lap, curled up against her shoulder. Eli stood between the window and Sun Lee. Hargrave sat at the worktable, to the side and behind Sun Lee and Daniel. He'd have to go by the other three to get to Hargrave. He couldn't shoot Hargrave -- no clear shots. And if he shot Eli, Hargrave could get to Sun Lee before he could get through the window.

Hargrave shifted and Noah drew back, listening intently. "Eli you keep a sharp watch. I'm going to hitch up that wagon. We may just move these folks if our company doesn't show up soon. We'll just leave Chaikov and tuck 'em inside that coffin. No one will be the wiser."

Sun Lee gasped. "You wouldn't."

Hargrave speared her with a malevolent stare. "I would. You better hope your friend decides to get here. We might just stick you in the ground instead of your daddy."

Noah could hear Hargrave walk into the front of the livery stable. He took a deep breath and raised up just the slightest bit. Eli stood, back to the window, watching Hargrave depart. Noah glanced back to Sun Lee.

Sun Lee glanced toward the window and for one split second their eyes connected.

Eli shuffled, turning toward the window and Noah dropped to the ground. He couldn't risk a shot -- not with Sun Lee and Daniel in the line of fire. If she'd just stay still, they could get in while Hargrave was in the front of the stable.

Sun Lee froze. "He's here." What could she do? He had to have a distraction. Something to give him time to get inside. Her father's words echoed. "Just a little surprise." She still had her knife. She deliberately lay the sleeping Daniel down, and scooted away from him. Eli yawned and stared out the window at the breaking dawn.

Watching Eli carefully, she pulled her knees almost to her chest. She slipped her knife out of its sheath and to her side, under her hip. Eli turned back to her, bored with the emptiness of the window. He ran his gaze over her again and scratched himself, readjusting his balls as he stared. She bit her lip. Her knife wouldn't do any good at this distance."He's too far away to reach."

Looking up at Eli, she saw the expression on his face change. She'd seen that leering look before, from drunken men as she walked by the saloon in Florence. He shuffled then took a tentative step. "He's coming to me."

Eli quietly moved to her side, never taking his eyes of the door to the stable. He lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "You ought'a be nice to me, gal. I don't want to put you in no coffin. No, sir."

Her mind raced. What answer would bring him closer? Sun Lee swung her hair back over her shoulder and saw his eyes glint in anticipation. "Why should I be nice to you? You're afraid of Hargrave, just like all the others."

Eli stretched out a hand, his fingertips just brushing that magnificent mane of ebony -- hair that had enticed him from the first time he'd seen her. "You're wrong, gal. I ain't afraid of Hargrave. I'm smarter than Rat Face. I just need a reason to go against him. Ain't had one up to now."

Sun Lee shivered, trying to keep her feelings of disgust from boiling over. She had to keep him off guard. She took a deep breath and tried for an inviting tone in her voice. "And I'm enough of a reason?"

Eli took one last look at the door. They could both hear Hargrave struggling with the horses in the other room. Satisfied, Eli dropped to one knee beside her, sliding a heavy hand under her hair, enclosing the back of her neck in his grasp.

"Oh, yeah. You're more than enough reason."

His mouth demanded hers. He shoved her backward, taking them both flat on the hay pile. Struggling under his weight, silently cursing his ancestors, her fist closed around her knife. Shifting, as though to meet his groping hand, she pulled the knife from under her hip. Fighting for breath, breaking his suffocating kiss, she swung the blade, stabbing deep into his side. She yanked forward, opening a huge gash.

Eli's scream echoed through the building. He reared back, eyes wide, clutching at the spurting blood, an anguished sound gurgling in his throat.

Noah heard the cry. "What's she done now?" He raised up, to see Eli staggering toward the door, struggling to call out. "So much for surprise."

He yanked his pistol from its holster and fired a shot. "That should bring Fong." Noah was up to the window ledge in a instant. "Father, NOW!"

A rolling dive took him through the window and into the tack room. Noah headed for Eli, knocking him away from Sun Lee. The force of his dive took the two of them head over heels into the hay. Daniel screamed as Eli fell on him. Reverend Stewart smashed through the door, dashed in and tried to grab the frightened boy. Daniel looked up at the tall stranger, screamed again and darted away, running straight to the stable door, right into Hargrave's arms.

"Gottcha!" Hargrave grabbed the child and struggled to stretch his arm to release his derringer from its sleeve holster. Stewart roared. "Unhand the lad."

"Not a chance, Reverend."

Reverend Stewart charged across the floor, heedless of the danger. "Give him to me."

The Reverend hit Hargrave full force, but not before the derringer went off. They careened across the floor, locked in a deadly embrace, knocking over the worktable. The lamp shattered as it hit. Tiny tendrils of flame danced across the hay-strewn floor. They collapsed onto the dusty floor, with Daniel rolling free of the two.

With the sounds of outside gunfire echoing in his ears, Noah struggled to his feet, grabbing for his revolver. "Got to stop Hargrave. Fong's got the others."

All he could see was his father's body, with Hargrave draped across the top, and Daniel scurrying the other direction as fast as his little legs would carry him.

A groan came from the pile and Hargrave moved, then rolled to the side. A cold chill grabbed Noah deep. His father had taken the bullet and he wasn't moving. Noah turned his fury toward Hargrave, "He won't hurt anyone else."

Hargrave straightened up, just as Noah pulled the trigger on his navy Colt. Hargrave fell back, his pistol falling at his side. Noah's gaze darted, searching, finally seeing Sun Lee grab Daniel. Glancing down, Noah shoved Stewart's still form. "Father? Father!"

He got no response.

"Noah! Fire!" Sun Lee's voice echoed. He looked toward her to see flames streaking through the hay between them, up the inside wall. She motioned to Hargrave's cigar in the hay and the fire rapidly spreading. "We've got to get out of here."

Noah lunged toward them. "I'll take him. Let's go."

The burning hay released clouds of dark smoke as well as flame. Sun Lee shook her head. "Get your father. I'll bring Daniel."

Noah's face turned grim. Shoving his pistol into its holster, he glanced at the motionless form. Old memories flooded his mind. Why should he save the old man? He looked back at Sun Lee. She pressed Daniel to her chest. "You can't leave him to die, Noah. Sarah wouldn't want you to."

Noah looked again. Something close to a moan came from his father's lips and his words echoed in Noah's mind. "We gave you the best we had." His mother's face floated in his mind's eye. "He doesn't want you to make the same mistakes he did. He loves you, Noah. He's just not good at showing it."

No, the old man wasn't good at showing love. But he certainly gave them the best he had -- perhaps his life -- to save Daniel. Noah sighed and gave up the anger he'd held onto for so many years. No, he couldn't leave the old man to die. He turned to Sun Lee. "Come on. This place is going up like a torch."

Sun Lee nodded, coughing from the increasing smoke. Noah bent down and hooked his arms under Reverend Stewart's. Dragging and swearing, he manhandled the big man toward the door. With a mighty heave, he hauled the unconscious Stewart into the open air. "Sunshine! Come on."

There was no answer. "She was right behind me."

Panic slammed into his gut. He could see nothing but smoke. Then he heard it. Sun Lee's scream. The wall of fire flashed across the open door. He couldn't get in. She couldn't get out. She was trapped.

"NO!" His voice echoed in the morning stillness. He charged the door. He had to get her. He was barely conscious of the hands grabbing him, holding him back. Fong's soothing voice barely registered.

"Captain, you will die. We must go around. We must go to the front. The others have been silenced. Come with me."

Fong's words finally penetrated the panic and fear in his mind. He couldn't lose her. Not now. They'd just barely found one another.

"Let's go!" His voice trailed him as he set off on a run around the huge structure, to the cavernous doors in the front of the livery stable.

***

Sun Lee stared, horrified, as the wall of fire flashed to separate them. She couldn't take Daniel through that. They'd never make it. There was only one way out. She turned and headed through the tack room door, to the main part of the livery stable. The door slammed behind her.

"Well. Nice of you to join me, Sun Lee. Come right along." Sun Lee looked around into the barrel of Hargrave's revolver. A red slash along the side of his head showed how close he'd come to dying.

"I thought you were dead."

"So did your sailor friend, but he was wrong, too. Now put that kid in the wagon and get up on that seat. We're going for a ride. You're gonna get me out of this. They won't shoot at me with you sitting beside me, will they?"

The horse whinnied and shifted nervously. "Come on. The fire will be through the wall any minute. "

"We have to release the other horses."

"Get up there. Or you'll die with them."

Sun Lee clambered over the wheel and set Daniel down on the wagon seat. Hargrave struggled over the wheel and hunkered down into the space between the seat and the wagon front, never letting his pistol waver from its bead on Daniel.

"Now. You just drive this wagon right straight out of this barn and out of town. We'll decide where we're going later."

Sun Lee swallowed hard. She couldn't argue. If she didn't drive the wagon out, they'd all die in this fire. The smoke slithered under the tack room door. The horses, tied in their stalls, began to whinny and paw the ground.

"Come on -- git!"

Sun Lee slapped the reins on the horse's rump and he bolted forward, through the wide-open door at the front of the livery stable.

Noah rounded the end of the building, just as the wagon pulled away. He jerked backward as the rig thundered by. The rest of the Friends were right behind him. "Fong, get the horses out. This place will go up like a tinder box."

Men scattered to rescue the frightened animals. Noah dashed in to where his own horse stood, nervously pawing the ground. Quickly he got a bridle on him, and covered the animal's eyes with his bandana.

The horse quieted down. Noah led him out into the clean air of morning and yanked the bandana off. "I'm going after them, Fong. Eli's still in the tack room. Catch up as soon as you can."

Noah swung up to the gelding's bare back, gripping with his knees, urging the horse to following the fast-disappearing wagon.

Hargrave glanced back through the wagon seat. "Damnation."

Sun Lee smiled. She could hear the hoof beats behind them. It had to be Noah. Hargrave saw her smile. "You keep going, gal. I'll shoot the kid, I swear, if you let him catch up."

"This wagon will never outrun that horse. You know that."

He sneered. "Don't need to. Just need time for a clear shot."

Sun Lee watched the road and bided her time. The edge of the road dropped away sharply as it made the turn down the mountain. That 30-foot drop would be enough to stop Hargrave for good.

She pulled gently on the reins, directing the racing wagon ever closer to the edge of the road, to the rocks lining its edge. Good thing she knew nearly every boulder along the way. Hargrave faced backward, ignoring Sun Lee. His eyes were trained on Noah, steadying himself for one last shot. Noah rode forward, gaining on them, his own pistol drawn. Another few yards and he'd be within Hargrave's range.

Sun Lee gently scooted closer to Daniel, giving the horse its head, watching Hargrave. The turn in the road loomed. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed Daniel, slapped the horse with the reins and jumped from the wagon. They flew over the wagon wheel and hit the ground with a sickening thud.

"What the...?" Hargrave, stunned, didn't notice the horse swing for the corner. With a deafening crack, the shafts splintered, the traces parted, the horse tore loose and the wagon shot out into empty space.

Noah yanked back on the reins, watching the wagon, the heavily laden coffin and a screaming Hargrave sail over the cliff at the edge of the road.

The sounds of splintering wood stopped the scream. Noah's horse skidded to a stop, dancing crazily to keep its footing at the cliff's edge. He nudged the gelding forward gently and peered over. He sucked in a breath at the sight. The coffin lay in splinters. Chaikov's body sprawled on the ground, with Hargrave's feet just showing underneath the pile. Chaikov had claimed his own brand of justice. "Well, Hargrave won't go anywhere for a minute or two."

Noah jumped from his horse and ran to Sun Lee's side. He reached out, afraid to touch her, yet afraid not to. She lay so still. "What if..." He refused to even think what if. She had to be all right, she just had to.

"Sunshine? Sunshine! Answer me."

"MMM." Sun Lee rolled her head, pain radiating through every part of her body. "I guess we made it."

Noah gently ran a hand across her brow. "I guess so. Can you move?"

Sun Lee shifted. "I think so. What about Daniel?"

Noah looked up to see Daniel toddling toward him, grinning broadly, earring firmly in his hand. "He's fine. Took it better than you did."

Noah gathered Sun Lee in his arms, kissing her forehead -- the only spot that didn't look hurt. "I thought I'd lost you," he whispered.

"Not a chance," she whispered back.

Noah brushed an ebony lock from her face. "Will you promise to do as I say from now on?"

Sun Lee managed a small laugh. "I don't make promises I can't keep."

She looked toward the cliff edge. "What happened?"

Noah's gaze followed hers. "It's not pretty. If you're up to it, we'll take a look."

He helped Sun Lee to her feet. She groaned. "Remind me not to do that again. I must have a bruise on every inch of my body."

Noah slid his arm around her waist. "I'll help you look for them later, Sunshine."

She giggled and leaned her head against his side, allowing him to steady her as they walked to the edge of the road, Daniel hanging on to her shirttail. They could hear horses approaching. Sun Lee peered over the edge. "Oh my."

She quickly looked away. Noah gently turned her away from the scene and lifted Daniel into his arms. "Come on, Sunshine. You don't need to be here."

Noah nodded to the riders encircling them. "The Friends will take care of all this. Fong, the wagon is at the bottom of the cliff. Get somebody down there to make sure Hargrave is dead this time."

Master Fong slid off his horse and shouted a few well-chosen Chinese orders. Several men left their horses and disappeared over the cliff edge. "Do not worry, Sun Lee. We will take care of everything."

Sun Lee nodded, slipping her arm around Noah's waist, blinking back the last of her tears for father.

***

Rev. Stewart opened his eyes, blinked and struggled to a sitting position. It was his turn to occupy the pallet in front of Master Fong's fireplace. He touched his side gingerly. Fong spoke up. "It's just a flesh wound. You'll be fine."

The big man nodded. "Daniel?"

Fong pointed. Daniel stood by Bei Ling's side. The toddler stared at the big man on the floor.

Stewart's voice softened. "Daniel. Come to me, laddie."

Daniel took one more sober look, then turned and ran straight into Sun Lee's arms. "Mamma!"

Noah looked down at his father. "He's staying here."

Stewart returned the look. "The lad needs a father. No matter how good a mother this young lassie may be. She's still alone."

"Well, she's not going to be. She's going to be my wife, as soon as we get finished here."

Sun Lee gave Daniel a hug, then peered over his shoulder at the two Stewarts. "Since when?"

Noah shrugged and looked at his father. "I haven't asked her yet, but I'm getting around to it."

Sun Lee blinked, joy swelling within her. Noah had made his decision about them and about his future. It included her. She couldn't resist. "Don't I have any say in this?"

Noah smiled at her sparkling eyes and mischievous grin. "No, you don't, Sunshine. It's my turn to give orders. And Daniel will have a perfectly good father. I'm going to adopt him."

Daniel patted Sunshine's face. "Mama?"

Sun Lee grinned. "Shhh, Daniel. Daddy is talking."

Reverend Stewart frowned. He was not a man to give up easily. "Your dear mother will be very disappointed if I dinna' bring the laddie home to her."

Noah smiled. "Mother will understand if you tell her Sarah named me Daniel's guardian. It's in her bible, there on the table."

Sun Lee carried the precious book across the room. Rev. Stewart flipped to the center registry pages. His face went slack as he read and reread the entry. Sarah's rounded lettering was completely recognizable and clear about her wishes.

Noah saw the stunned expression on his father's face. "I'm already his guardian. Mother shouldn't have to raise another boy. She should be enjoying a grandchild."

Daniel toddled to Noah's side and tugged on his pant leg. "Up."

Noah laughed and swung the youngster up into his arms. Daniel patted his face and mimicked, "Da da? Da da."

Reverend Stewart watched the exchange and finally sighed. "Very well. Here he'll stay."

A mighty yawn slipped out. "I've been drinkin' your tea, Fong. I need a nap."

***

Rev. Stewart sat gingerly on the couch in Fong's cabin. Daniel curled up on the pallet by the fireplace, sound asleep, no worse for his wild adventure. Bei Ling poured cups of steaming tea for the Rev. and Fong. "You both need to drink something, yes?"

Fong nodded. Stewart glanced around. "Where is Noah? I need to talk to him."

Bei Ling smiled. "He has more important things on his mind right now, sir. They are walking."

"Oh." Stewart sipped his tea. He finally turned to Master Fong. "Fong, I canna' leave here without a "thank you" to you and your people. You did well. We wouldna' have saved Daniel without you."

Stewart hesitated. "I misjudged you. Sometimes I don't have ma' daughter's good judgment of people. She got that from her mother."

"Perhaps we've all learned a little more about one another Reverend." Fong's voice smoothed the entire conversation. "You will always be welcome, sir. You have found friends here."

Reverend Stewart nodded. "We may be back. Sounds like Daniel may be livin' here."

Bei Ling smiled. "Yes it does, doesn't it?"

***

Noah and Sun Lee walked quietly along the sparkling stream running behind the cabins. He finally leaned against one of the big aspen trees and pulled Sun Lee into his arms.

"I think it's time I asked you properly, Sunshine. Will you marry me?"

"I will miss you when you sail away from us, Noah."

Noah smiled. "That may not happen. I've thought about it a lot, Sunshine. I wasn't running to the sea. I was running away from home. From a life I didn't want. I want a life with you, more than anything else."

She leaned forward, placing a delicate kiss on his lips, one that stirred her own fires as well as his. "I would like to be your wife. You're a very good lover."

He threw back his head and laughed. "Thank God. I'd hate to have you disappointed. I wouldn't want you to come at me like you did Eli."

She smiled, grinding her hips against him. "Oh, no. That's not what I had in mind."

He nuzzled her neck. "What did you have in mind?"

"Finding someplace softer than this tree, for one thing. Then maybe you can just check for all those bruises you were worried about."

He captured her mouth for a wonderful kiss. "Yes ma'am. We have to make sure you're all right."

"Uh-huh. My thought exactly." She pressed herself to him, reveling in the fires ignited by the touch of his body against hers, erasing all thoughts of pain and hurt from her wild ride.

He ran a possessive hand down the length of her spine, caressing every inch. He patted her rear and pulled her close. "I can tell, I can't go to sea without you. Keeping you happy is going to be a full time job."

Sun Lee's infectious laugh filled the morning.

***

Bei Ling took in the bright pink spots in Sun Lee's cheecks when the two sat down at the table. "You look happy, Sunshine."

"I am, Grandmother. Noah really asked me to marry him and I've agreed."

Bei Ling smiled. "I told you he was a nice man."

Sun Lee laughed. "Yes, Grandmother. You were right from the very beginning."

Noah glanced across the table. "Master Fong, I think we have some unfinished business. Business that will be to everyone's advantage."

Fong moved to the table. "Oh?"

Noah nodded. "Chaikov's death will put a stop to the jade trade from here unless you have a replacement, right?"

Sun Lee's mouth dropped open. "The jade trade? What are you talking about."

Fong smiled. "You are quite astute, Captain. How long have you known?"

"Since I saw the maps and visited Sun Lee's claim. When the bank told Sun Lee how much money her father had and she said he hadn't found all that much gold, I knew he had to be making it somewhere else."

He turned to Bei Ling. "When I finally asked Sun Lee her grandfather's name, I put him and the Friends and the jade together. Had to add up that way."

Fong smiled. "What are you suggesting, Captain?"

"That Sun Lee and Bei Ling and Daniel come to San Francisco with me. We'll leave the mine in your capable hands. I'll be the contact person for the China connection to move the jade. My credentials are as good as Chaikov's were."

Fong rubbed a hand across his face. "That is true."

Bei Ling spoke up. "But not quite right. I have no wish to go to San Francisco, Captain."

"Grandmother!"

"Hush, Sunshine. Master Fong has graciously offered to rebuild our cabin. It is my home. He and I will run the claim and take care of the family interests here. We get along well."

Bei Ling smiled and a tiny blush appeared above her collar. Sun Lee grinned. "Oh. Well, it's up to you, Grandmother. You know you're welcome."

Bei Ling patted her hand. "I know. But you need your own home. You'll love San Francisco."

Noah continued. "I don't have to stay with the trade routes. Trips to and from Canton will be enough to keep the jade flowing west. The ship can bring a load back every time we take jade. And Sunshine, Daniel would love China."

She smiled. "You're going to have us all on the water."

Reverend Stewart broke in. "Well, I for one, will be going back to Halifax -- overland. I'm sure your mother is worried."

Noah smiled at his father for the first time and thought of the dear woman who had started all this. "We'll send a rider down to the telegraph line to tell her we've met and you're on the way home. She'll be glad to hear. You can give her the bad news about Sarah when you get there."

Reverend Stewart ran a hand across his chin. "I do hate to have to tell her that. I wanted to take Sarah home to her. She misses her daughter...and her son."

Noah smiled again. "Well, you can tell her I'll be bringing her a daughter-in-law to meet. We'll sail the Malabar back to Halifax for one last trip to England before we settle in San Francisco. Mother needs to see Daniel at least once."

Sun Lee leaned over and gave Noah a gentle kiss. "I'd love to meet your mother."

Noah wrapped an arm around her waist. "She'll love you and Daniel."

Reverend Stewart nodded. "Aye, that she will. Hannah is a most accepting woman. Sarah was much like her."

Noah stared at his father. This certainly didn't sound like the man he remembered.

Reverend Stewart saw the look. "It's never too late for learnin' lad. Even for a man like your father. I'm just sorry it cost us Sarah for me to learn what she knew from the time she was a wee lass."

He glanced around. "Sarah always knew that if ya' open your eyes, there are good people everywhere."

Noah nodded. "We both had a lot to learn, Father." He tightened his arm around Sun Lee's waist. "I'm just glad I found my 'accepting woman', like you did."

Sun Lee couldn't resist. She wrapped her arms around Noah's neck. "We all had things to learn, Noah."

A crash from the bedroom put an end to the touching scene. "Daniel? What are you doing?"

Sun Lee dashed off to find the curious youngster, leaving the others to smile at his antics and sip their tea.

Epilogue

Sails billowing in the sparkling morning sun, Malabar glided into Halifax harbor. Sun Lee stood on the bridge, watching Noah spin the big wheel. He looked so at home, so solid, in touch with the ship's every move. "No wonder he loves it so."

"Mamma. Look!" Sun Lee smiled down at Daniel tugging on her hand. "Daddy -- me steer!"

Noah laughed. "Let him go, Sunshine."

She frowned. "Are you sure he won't be in the way?"

"He'll be fine. Come here, son."

Daniel laughed and swaggered across the deck. Sun Lee had to laugh. "Will you look at him? You always said he walked like a sailor."

Noah swept the boy into his arms. "All right. You steer."

Daniel put both hands on the big wheel. Noah moved the wheel with one knee, keeping the ship on course. "Furl the sails, men. We're almost in."

Sailors scrambled in all directions, up the rigging and around the ship, hauling in sail and lashing it tight. The great ship slowed as they reached the center of the harbor.

Sun Lee took in all the activity. She never tired of watching them, even though they'd done this many times during the trip around the horn from San Francisco.

Noah's voice echoed with authority. "Drop the anchor."

The huge weight slid from its resting place, with a great splash, into the blue- green water. The windlass spun and the anchor headed down, settling on the bottom. The Malabar turned into the wind when she reached the end of the anchor rope. Sun Lee walked to Noah's side. "Do you think they'll be here?"

Noah glanced toward the busy dock. "I'd say they are. There, you can see my father. He stands head and shoulders above everyone else. And that's my mother beside him."

Sun Lee smiled. "She'll be so pleased to see Daniel. He's such a good boy."

Noah smiled and patted the roundness showing under her top. "She'll be pleased about this one, too. She'll have two grandchildren before too long."

He draped an arm around Sun Lee's shoulders. "Lower the skiff, bo'sun. We're going a'shore."

His planted a quick kiss on her cheek. "Think you can still climb down the rigging? Or do we have to lower you in a net?"

Sun Lee smacked his side. "Like so much cargo? I think not. I'm quite capable of climbing down. I've done it the whole trip."

Noah's voice turned suddenly very tender. "I know. And you'll need to stop soon. I don't want anything to happen to you, or that little bundle of joy you're carrying."

She gave him a quick hug, the warmth of his love surrounding her. "We're both fine. Come on. Let's go meet your mother."

***

Hannah Stewart stood on the dock, twisting her handkerchief into tiny knots. Rev. Stewart stood beside her, ramrod stiff. She peered at the tall ship anchored in the harbor. "Oh, there they are, Elijah. See, they're just climbing over the side."

She tried hard to contain her joy. Too much excitement would be entirely unseemly for a preacher's wife.

Rev. Stewart strained to see. "Yes, there they are. Do you see the lad?"

She nodded. "He looks like quite an armload. Noah has his hands full."

It was so good to see her son again -- and to have her husband here to see him, too. Elijah had changed so much since his trip west. Sarah's death had affected him more than anything else in their lives. "I can hardly wait to see Daniel. It seems so long since you returned."

Stewart cleared his throat. "Aye. Perhaps I should have brought the lad with me, but, since Sarah had listed Noah as Daniel's guardian in her bible. I couldna' very well go against her wishes."

Hannah nodded. "Of course not. But she did name him after you, did she not?"

Stewart allowed the barest hint of a smile to cross his lips. "Aye. The laddie's name is Daniel."

Hannah smiled. What a quiet way for Sarah to force her father and her brother to meet on neutral ground. What a shame she wasn't here to be a part of it. She twisted another knot in her handkerchief and peered out into the harbor, watching the advancing skiff. "She's pretty."

Rev. Stewart looked down. "What?"

"The young woman. Noah's wife. She's very pretty."

Rev. Stewart pursed his lips. "I didna' notice. But she is good with the lad. She does require that he mind, although his religious trainin' leaves much to be desired."

Hannah glanced up. "We don't know that. Let's not jump to conclusions. Noah may have come to his faith after he left home, as you did."

The skiff came closer and closer to the dock. "Besides, he's going to be a child of the world, if he sails with Noah. He'll need to understand lots of different views, don't you think?"

"Hummph." Stewart shook his head. He watched the skiff touch the dock. "Well, Mother, your prodigal son has returned. We must meet him as the good book says. With open arms and a thankful heart."

He reached out, barely touching her shoulder. Tears sprang to Hannah's eyes. There it was again. That unspoken caring he had never before displayed. From the seldom-seen tenderness in his eyes, she could tell he, too, was looking forward to this meeting. Perhaps her prayers would be answered -- her family would be together again.

He guided her toward the small boat and its occupants. They met at skiff side; an awkward silence loomed. Noah set Daniel down on the dock. Sun Lee took Daniel's hand. Noah straightened up, taking a deep breath. "Mother. It's good to see you again."

Hannah held out her arms. "I'm so glad you're home."

Noah exhaled and encircled her with a huge hug. It felt good to be home again. "Father?"

Rev. Stewart inclined his head and stuck out a beefy hand in greeting. "I'm glad you had a safe journey. The passage around the horn can be dangerous."

Noah nodded and shook hands with his father, his apprehension evaporating with the warmth of his father's grasp. He seemed reluctant to turn loose of Noah's hand. Noah glanced back toward the ship. "We weathered it well. Malabar is a good ship."

Reverend Stewart ran an appraising eye over the clipper in the harbor. "She looks like a worthy vessel." He hesitated. "But she has a good captain."

Noah sucked in a breath. That was the closest his father would ever come to a compliment. "Thank you."

Stewart brushed it aside. "No reason to thank me for the truth, son."

Noah held his tongue. "Son. Such a simple word. But it sounds so right." He turned back to his mother. "Mother, I'd like you to meet my wife. Most people call her Sun Lee, but her grandmother and I call her Sunshine, because she lights up the world around her."

Sun Lee could feel a blush creeping up her neck. "Noah!"

Hannah smiled. "You're so welcome, Sun Lee. I'm glad to have you here."

Sun Lee reached down, pulling Daniel from his improvised hiding place behind her. "Come, Daniel, meet your other grandmother."

He peered out, studying them intently. Hannah smiled. "Hello, Daniel. How are you?"

Daniel stared solemnly, then looked up at Sun Lee. He cocked his head. "Mamaw Sturt?"

They all laughed, even Elijah. Sun Lee coaxed the suddenly-shy child. "Yes. Grandma Stewart."

Hannah beamed and held out open arms. "Come, give me a hug."

Daniel's grin split the day. He toddled forward, receiving his grandmother's hug with good grace. "Mamaw Sturt -- Mamaw Sturt."

Sun Lee looked up. "We've been working on that. But he doesn't quite have all the letters in Stewart yet."

Hannah patted the curly head. He certainly had Sarah's hair. One day he would have her gift of language, too. "Give him time. He'll be fine."

Sun Lee glanced toward Rev. Stewart. "Daniel, say hello to your grandfather, as well."

"Huh?" The reverend looked quite taken aback.

Sun Lee prodded. "Say hello to Grandpa."

Daniel straightened himself importantly and looked all the way up to his grandfather's height.

"Hello. Pan-paw."

Noah laughed in spite of himself. Rev. Stewart stared, aghast. "No, no, laddie," he intoned in his most stern voice. "It's Grandfather."

Daniel stared and nodded. "Hello. Pan-paw." He made a dash and wrapped both arms around Rev. Stewart's leg. "My pan-paw!"

Rev. Stewart pressed a fist to his forehead. Hannah spoke gently. "Suffer the little children, Elijah."

He looked at her. "We'll all suffer with this one, Hannah."

He bent down and pulled Daniel into his arms. "Vera' well, laddie. Pan-paw. Come, Mother. The carriage is waitin'."

They headed down the dock. Noah wrapped an arm around Sun Lee. "I think it's going to be all right."

Sun Lee giggled, the brightness of the day captured in the tinkle of her laugh. "Can you imagine him when the next one gets here?"

"We'll have to see. I can't believe what I'm seeing with this one. He's certainly mellowed in his old age."

Sun Lee snuggled next to Noah's side. "You've both lived and lost a lot in ten years. You've both changed -- maybe for the better?"

Noah kissed her gently. "Maybe so."

He patted the rise under her shirt. "But, we're not going out again until this one's safely born on land. I'm not turning Malabar into a hospital or a nursery. They can sail to England without me. After the baby's born, we'll go home overland and meet the ship in San Francisco."

Sun Lee caught his gaze. "Are you sure, Noah?"

Noah gazed into those beautiful sky blue eyes. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. Thompson's a good first mate. It's about time I made him captain. A sea-farin' man I'll no longer be. This sailor has come home."

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