Kisses With KC (Cowboys and Angels Book 11)(28)

“Well, that’s going to stir some things up, don’t you think, Eliza?” Ellis asked. It didn’t seem like he was expecting an answer. “If we weren’t on a bullseye before, I’m certain we are now.”

Eliza wished—not for the first time in her life—that she were less impulsive. Maybe it would have been better to wait for her uncle and father to return.

As their wagon passed the first homestead, Eliza saw a small black donkey sitting on her haunches beside the road. Immediately, MayBelle jumped up, her muzzle pointed toward the Alpins’ house, and her tail stuck straight out like a hunting dog. “Is that your donkey, KC?” she asked, pointing toward her.

“Yeah. I’ll go get her and walk her home.” As soon KC got out of the back of the wagon, MayBelle ran to the other side of the road, straight for the house.

“I can get her,” Eliza said as she got out.

“Good luck,” Ellis called over his shoulder as he drove away.

Eliza reached for the reins. MayBelle ran again, zigzagging, her voice screeching and barking. One moment, she would kick up her hind legs and the next, she would rear and beat her front legs in the air. She trotted just out of reach from one side of the road to the other as KC and Eliza tried to get hold of her. Crazy donkey.

MayBelle was teasing them and loving it, standing still until they nearly caught her, then racing away again. She stopped behind the house. This time when KC approached, she brayed loudly, and KC was able to get his hand on one of the reins. MayBelle ran, and KC turned circles to keep from being tied up. Eliza came up on the other side but stepped into the path and ended up bound to KC.

“We might be tied, but you’re caught too, pretty girl.” Eliza laughed.

KC reached for Eliza to keep himself from toppling over. “I didn’t plan this, but that’s one smart donkey.” He turned toward MayBelle. “Thank you, little gal.”

Eliza liked his smile and the small laugh lines at the corner of his eyes. He was especially handsome with the twinkle that lit his gray eyes.

A man charged out the back door and lifted a rifle at them.

“Whoa,” KC said, lifting his hands in front of him. “My donkey got away, and I’m just fetching her back. If she damaged anything, I’d be glad to pay you for it.”

MayBelle snorted and pranced in place between KC and the end of the gun.

“Settle down. That’s a girl. You’ve been quite enough trouble today.” Eliza stroked MayBelle’s forelock. “I’m sorry, Mr. Alpin. I’m your neighbor. We moved in after you’d already left. Glad to meet you.”

“Humph,” the man grumbled.

MayBelle kicked up her hind legs.

“We best get her home?” KC’s voice sounded like a question. No one moved as Mr. Alpin’s rifle stayed trained on them.

“Eliza!” Mr. Fillan yelled, his wagon pulled over at the side of the road. “Can I give you a ride home?”

KC answered, “We’d appreciate your help. Our donkey’s being a little stubborn.”

Mr. Alpin dropped the end of his rifle toward the ground. “Keep your animal away from here. I don’t like company.”

“Sorry to bother you. It won’t happen again.” KC untangled the reins, and they led the animal to the Fillans’ wagon, tying her to the back.

On the ride home, KC and Eliza leaned together. “The man back there at the house—”

“You mean Mr. Alpin?”

“I’m certain he isn’t Mr. Alpin.”

“It must be. He’s owned that house for at least ten years, and that’s one that hasn’t been sold off.”

KC looked expectantly at Eliza.

Very slowly, she said, “That man isn’t old enough to have homesteaded ten years ago. He would have had to be twenty-one back then, and he looks barely over that now.”

“Yeah.” KC’s voice lowered. “That’s the man who shot at me when we went to see the new properties.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I saw him in the spyglass. I’m pretty sure he was thinking about shooting me again when Mr. Fillan drove up. I’m hoping he doesn’t think I recognized him.”

“You didn’t seem to. You’re a very good actor.”

“This puts your family at risk. If he’s messed up in the homesteading troubles, which I’m certain he is, he might want to rid himself of any possible witnesses.” KC hung his head. “You need to stay out of this now. Let me handle it.” His voice sounded pleading. He turned and looked at her then with sadness in his gaze. “This is why Pinkerton agents don’t have attachments—it’s so no one else gets hurt.”

Eliza’s heart shriveled—no attachments. She thought she was more than that. Did he regret the roots he was putting down? Did he regret her?

“I’m so sorry, Eliza.”

She swallowed deeply but couldn’t think of the words to say or the questions to ask. She just looked away from him to watch the side of the road. Even if the expectations she’d begun to build were over, this battle wasn’t. They’re my family, and I’ll do what needs doing.

When they got to the house, they both jumped out of the wagon bed. Eliza turned her back on him but spoke over her shoulder. “You don’t need to worry about attachments, Mr. Murray.”