Now, you order this man to release her, I’ll uncock this Colt, and we’ll consider the matter settled. Otherwise, you’ll be taking Private Gless back to Fort Marcy over the saddle of his horse!”
“What the devil is going on here?” Greenleigh shouted, muscling his way through the knot of soldiers at the back of the wagon. The crowd parted, and the captain, Meade, and the Templetons moved into the circle. “Miss Templeton! Put that revolver down at once!”
“For God’s sake, Rayna, have you gone mad?” Raymond asked, moving to her side. “Give me that Colt.”
Rayna felt a surge of relief now that her father had arrived, but she wasn’t about to back down until she had a few assurances. “Papa, this idiot is trying to take Skylar away with the others.”
“What?” Raymond said with a gasp, and Rayna heard her mother mutter a fearful “Oh, dear God.”
“Corporal Lawton, explain this situation at once,” Greenleigh ordered.
“Yes, sir. Private Gless was attempting to place this squaw into the wagon when Miss Templeton attacked him. She claims the squaw is her sister, sir.”
Raymond rounded on Greenleigh. “She’s my daughter, Captain, and I want her released at once. Those papers in your pocket give you no right to kidnap an innocent American citizen.”
“Citizen?” Greenleigh’s arrogant brows went up in surprise as he looked Skylar over, taking in everything from her raven-black hair to her beaded 52
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moccasins. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, Templeton, but this squaw is obviously an Apache, and as such, these papers give me the right to take her into custody. Now, take that gun away from your daughter, and let us be on our way.”
“No!” Rayna shouted. “Papa, do something!”
“Private Gless! Release Miss Templeton at once,” Meade demanded, moving around Rayna and Raymond.
Beads of sweat that had nothing to do with the heat were streaming down Gless’s face. “Beggin’ your pardon, Major, but I ain’t got Miss Templeton. The little she-witch has got me.”
“I meant this Miss Templeton.” Though his voice was angry, Meade’s hand was gentle as he touched Skylar’s arm. When Gless released her, Meade ushered her away a few paces and looked down into one of the most beautiful faces he had ever seen. Wide dark eyes like those of a startled doe looked up at him with gratitude.
“Thank you, Major.”
“Are you all right, Miss Templeton?”
“I will be once this matter is settled.”
Meade nodded and turned to Rayna. Her expression was grimly determined, and she showed not the slightest sign of being afraid of the weapon in her hand. Clearly she knew how to use the revolver and wouldn’t hesitate to do so. Her hair had come unpinned in the struggle and was now a mane of molten gold flowing around her shoulders.
Despite his dislike of her, Meade couldn’t help but admire the way she’d defended her sister, even if pulling the trooper’s gun had been a damn fool thing to do. “Your sister has been released, Miss Templeton,” he said calmly, careful not to make any sudden move toward her. “You may return Private Gless’s gun to him now.”
Rayna cocked her head toward Greenleigh. “Not until I have his assurance that Skylar won’t be taken away.”
Meade looked at the officer in charge. “Captain? I believe Private Gless would be grateful if you would apologize for the misunderstanding.”
“There has been no misunderstanding, Major,” Greenleigh said haughtily, glancing toward a soldier who had quietly sneaked up behind Rayna.
Meade turned just in time to see the man lunge for the young woman, sweeping her gun hand into the air. The jolt caused the revolver to discharge harmlessly in the air, and before Rayna could recover from the shock, the soldier had wrenched the gun from her hand and pinned her arms to her sides.
“Let her go!” Raymond demanded, grabbing at the trooper who held Rayna, but another soldier restrained him while a third seized Skylar.
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“Captain, please!” Collie shrieked, horrified by what was happening. “Stop this at once!” She tried to move to her husband, but Greenleigh waved his hand and a fourth trooper stepped forward to restrain her.
“Put that squaw into the wagon!” the captain ordered.
“Greenleigh, you can’t do this!” Raymond shouted, straining against his captor. “You have no right! I have papers! She’s my adopted daughter! Listen to—ah, ah—” Suddenly unable to breathe, Raymond clutched at a fiery pain in his chest and collapsed, nearly taking the soldier down, too.
“Papa!” Clawing at her captor, Rayna finally wrenched away and flew to her father’s side. “Someone help him!” she screamed as she knelt, but Meade was already there.
“Corporal Lawton, get my medical bag!” The buttons on Raymond’s shirt gave way as Meade ripped the garment open and began a hasty examination.
“Is there a sharp pain in your chest, Mr. Templeton?”
Too racked with pain to speak, Raymond nodded.
“And down your arm?”
Raymond nodded again.
Meade looked over at Greenleigh. “Clear these men out of here, Captain.
And have that man release Mrs. Templeton.”
“You have no authority here, Major,” Greenleigh argued.
“This is a medical emergency, and that gives me absolute authority. Now, do as I say! Get me a wagon so that I can take Mr. Templeton to the house.
That’s an order!”
Reluctantly Greenleigh detailed one of his men to fetch the Templetons’
buckboard, which was tethered under one of the cottonwoods near the camp.
As soon as Collie was released, she hurried to Raymond and knelt beside Rayna opposite the doctor.
“What’s wrong with him, Major?” she asked, her voice surprisingly strong despite her fear.
“I believe he’s having a heart seizure, ma’am,” he answered just as the corporal returned with his medical kit.
“Will he be all right?” Rayna asked.
“I’ll do everything I can for him” was all Meade could say. Stethoscope in hand, he continued with his examination. Collie opened her parasol to provide some shade for her husband until the buckboard arrived. Several soldiers were enlisted to carry Raymond to the buggy, and Collie never left his side.
Sickened with fear and still trembling from her scuffle with the soldiers, Rayna hung back, knowing there wouldn’t be room for her in the buckboard.
Stricken, she watched as the major climbed aboard and took the reins.
Seconds later the carriage pulled away.
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Knowing it would be futile to ask for the loan of a horse to carry her to the house, she looked around for Skylar so that they could go back to the house together. What she discovered made her blood boil anew. Greenleigh had used the moments of chaos after Raymond’s collapse to have his men shove Skylar into the wagon with the Mescaleros. The wagon had been pulled some distance away, and a dozen soldiers now formed a close guard around it. With a hoarse cry of anger and frustration, Rayna flew toward her sister, but the soldiers blocked her way.
Tears were streaming down Skylar’s face as her sister struggled uselessly to get past the armed guards. “Rayna! Is Papa dead?” she cried.
“No! No, he’s not dead. He’s not going to die!” She shoved at one of the guards, but he used his rifle like a staff to keep her at bay.
“That’s quite enough, Miss Templeton,” Greenleigh said as he stalked toward her leading his horse. “You’ve created enough trouble for one day.”