The Renegades: Nick by Genell Dellin Read Free Book Online Page B

Peck said. “Do you have any information about the nearest spring or creek or river, Mr. Smith?”
    Nick felt Callie’s glance, but he didn’t return it.
    “Chikaskia Creek’s about five miles due south-southwest,” he said, gesturing. “You’ll be riding into the wind, so you’ll have to hustle to get there and back before night.”
    Peck turned to look in that direction.
    “I’m thinking there’ll be more claim-jumping trouble after dark,” Nick said. “Somebody’s liable to come along and rip up your flag and plant their own while you’re gone.”
    Unfortunately, that didn’t worry Peck one bit.
    “We have four grown sons holding theclaim,” he said. “They’re plenty capable.”
    “We’ve already had trouble with one man trying to take my claim,” Callie said. “Baxter is his name. He has a black beard and he’s riding a mule. Watch out for him.”
    Mrs. Peck gasped.
    “Oh, we will. Thank you for the warning.”
    For another long moment, no one spoke. Nick hoped they were thinking about the dangers out here on the prairie. Maybe they’d go back where they came from.
    Then Callie and Mrs. Peck resumed their chattering and Nick kept trying to overhear them. He had no idea why—if Callie said the wrong thing, the harm would already be done and there’d be no way he could undo it.
    “How low is the creek?” Jacob Peck was saying, for the second time.
    “Running less than half full, somebody said right before the Run. I haven’t been over there yet.”
    Callie gave him another look, one which plainly said that the least he could do, as a sneaking Sooner, was to save these nice people the long trek to the creek.
    Imperceptibly, he shook his head. His spring probably could supply the Pecks, him and Callie, too, but the Pecks had too many family members. Word was sure to get out to the whole countryside once they all knew. Besides,damn it, he had intended to keep it secret from everyone.
    “So would you say that we need to start digging our well soon? Even with the ground so dry?”
    “Four grown sons are a lot of help,” Nick said.
    It wasn’t his responsibility to advise these people. He’d already taken on one charity case too many.
    “I hope you don’t have any trouble finding the creek,” he said. “Just keep watching the southwest horizon for a line of trees.”
    He turned back toward the disabled wagon.
    “You’ve been so kind, I feel I should help you with that,” Mr. Peck boomed.
    “No, thanks. You need to be on your way.”
    Rude behavior he knew, but he’d pretended to be sociable for as long as he had patience.
    He softened it a little by adding, “You don’t want to be too late in getting back. There’ll be some murders tonight. And some bad beatings meant to intimidate people into leaving the choicest claims.”
    Mrs. Peck overheard that, although he couldn’t imagine how, considering the fact that she and Callie were both talking at once.
    “Let’s go, Mr. Peck,” she said, taking the cup from the child and giving it to Callie. “I hate to leave the boys for too long.”
    Finally, after what seemed another hour,they took their leave, with the women squeezing each other’s hands and exchanging promises to visit very soon.
    When Callie had waved them out of sight, she turned to him.
    “They’re nice people and they would help either one of us any way they could,” she said. “Do you think your spring would run dry if you shared it with them?”
    “No, but it would with a couple of dozen families camped around it. Six adults and one child are too many tongues to wag.”
    He went to the blasted wheel.
    “Why didn’t you let Mr. Peck help you with that?” she said, following his every step.
    “Because I didn’t want to be obligated,” he roared, turning on her. “Surely you can understand that.”
    A stabbing pain of aggravation hit him right between the eyes.
    “You are all the neighbor I can handle,” he said, managing to lower his voice—but not