Free Dorothy Garlock - [Colorado Wind 03] by Wind of Promise Page A

going to inherit from Clayhill and would pay him back. He had turned her down because he wanted to sever all ties with his sister. She cared nothing for him. He remembered the pain she had caused their mother from the day she had realized women were different from men. Long ago he had come to the conclusion that Della loved men and what they did to her. She had no scruples, and went about taking what she wanted regardless of whom she hurt in the process.
    Kain’s thoughts turned to Vanessa. She awakened something in him that no other woman had ever even stirred—something that left him restless and excited. He remembered the clear, honest way she had looked at him, the graceful movements of her soft body. He liked the proud lift of her chin, liked her blue eyes. There was quality to Vanessa, like a slim and handsome thoroughbred. She was the most feminine woman he’d ever met, yet spunky beyond all reason. Why had he not met such a woman years ago? Now it was too late.
    He wondered about Henry and what there was about him that seemed familiar. It was as if he had seen him before, but he knew that was impossible. He had never been in the Springfield area. The boy could be no more than twenty and was what people would consider simpleminded. He was not a half-wit, Kain was sure. He had at least obeyed orders this morning, which was more than his cousin had done. Mrs. Hill and Vanessa had overprotected him until he hadn’t developed to the limits of his abilities. Someone should have taught him how to use the rifle and fight his own battles. No man should suffer the indignity of being beaten to the ground without fighting back.
    Hell, he thought, it had been in the back of his mind since he talked to Mrs. Hill that morning to see them to Denver. His plans had been to turn north at the Big Sandy, bypassing Denver and going north to Greeley, then over to Junction City. It was a shorter route, dangerous for a white man because he would pass through the vicinity of Sand Creek where the infamous Colonel Chivington and his troops had slaughtered hundreds of Indians: old men, women and children. But now he would go on to Denver, see a doctor there and get a supply of laudanum to use later on when the pain became unbearable.
    Kain was surprised at the peace within him. He had never given much thought to dying, not much thought to living either. He had been in a few tight spots, killed a few men when he had to, and avoided trouble when he could. He never drew down on a man unless his own life was in danger. He was a loner, making a few friends here and there, but never settling in one place long enough to establish roots. Now he wondered at the emptiness of his life. His mother was the only person who had ever loved him, and she had lived for only a short time after she married Adam Clayhill and moved west with him.
    Fort Griffin, the young man he had picked up in Santa Fe and trailed with for a couple of years knew him better than anyone else. He supposed that if he loved anyone it was Griff, and maybe Griff loved him in his own way. They were an unlikely pair to team up. Griff was a young, penniless drifter who had come to his aid during a barroom brawl. They had backed out the door side by side and made a run for the mountains with four Mexican desperadoes trailing them. Griff was a wild, tough kid, but lonely and scared beneath his quiet and confident exterior. Then Griff had met Bonnie, a little abused waif with two arms but only one hand. They had married and were so happy it was a real pleasure to watch the two of them together. They were the only two people in the world aside from Cooper Parnell and his wife who would take on the burden of caring for him if he should ask them. But of course he wouldn’t. When the time came and he couldn’t do for himself, he’d end it with his six-shooter.
    Thinking of Bonnie and Griff brought on a feeling of regret. He had never felt a love such as they knew. Kain had known many women and