Doc Burnett was one of the few men in Elkhorn Caleb trusted completely.But from the way the doctor spoke of his daughter, Caleb had pictured someone much younger.A girl still safely back East with civilized manners and civilized problems.
Not a woman riding alone through the Rockies at midnight.
And certainly not one with eyes that clear and steady.
“Why the devil are you riding around the mountains alone at this hour, Miss Burnett?”Caleb demanded.
Perhaps his tone came out harsher than intended because Bear gave him a brief look before trotting off toward the trees.
“That’s precisely the problem, Mr.Marlowe.My father didn’t send me.”Her composure faltered for the first time.“I arrived from Denver yesterday and discovered he’s gone missing.”
The edge in her voice softened slightly on the final words, and Caleb suddenly heard the worry beneath the stubbornness.
“I need your help finding him.”
Caleb frowned.
He’d seen Doc only two days ago, and the man was just fine.The doctor often disappeared into the mountains for days tending miners, ranchers, and whoever else needed patching together.
Still…
Doc had said nothing about his daughter arriving.
Caleb rested the rifle in the crook of his arm.“Your father can generally take care of himself, Miss Burnett.”He glanced at her again.“Are you armed?”
“Of course not.”
That answered that.
Back East, maybe a woman could afford to trust the world not to harm her.Out here, the mountains taught different lessons.
“Was Doc expecting you?”
“In our letters, I mentioned I hoped to visit him.”
“Was he expecting you?”Caleb repeated patiently.
She hesitated.“Not exactly.Once I decided to come, a letter would have arrived too late.And as you know, Elkhorn doesn’t yet have telegraph service.”
Impetuous.
Brave.
And entirely unaware how dangerous this country could be.
Caleb exhaled slowly.He still had bodies to gather before dawn.
“If you wouldn’t mind moving out into the field there a ways, I’ll follow shortly.After I finish a few chores, I’ll take you back into town.”
“But what about finding my father?”
“We’ll discuss that once I get you safely back to Elkhorn.”He hoped his tone left little room for argument.
She folded her arms.“You seem remarkably calm for a man who was just ambushed.”
That caught him off guard enough that the corner of his mouth almost moved.
“Calm ain’t the same thing as careless, ma’am.”
