prologue

Soda Springs, October 1846

Roys voice rose in pitch and volume as he stood in the darkened
corner of the stall looking into a strong box that held rocks. Plain
ugly rocks. He whined again, I swear, Cal, there was ten thousand
dollars in gold in this damn box.
Well it sure the hell aint there now is it? Cal accused. Caint
you never do nothin right you little shit? Cal looked at his sniveling youngest brother and spit a huge brown wad of tobacco on
his boot, reached for his nearly empty bottle, and staggered out to
the street swearing profusely.
Sweaty and whining, Roy stumbled after him and swore, The
bitch musta took it!
Of course she took it you idjit, it was hers werent it? Cal resisted
the urge to spit on him again choosing instead to aim for the dog
that lay just inside the door asleep. He did not bother to wipe off the
spittle that oozed down his chin leaving a brown mass in his already
encrusted beard. He took a deep swallow emptying his bottle of whiskey, tossing it at his brother and narrowly missing his head. His body
swayed toward the hotel, so instead of fighting the momentum he let
the rest of his filthy body follow along. Not caring if Roy could hear
or not he slurred, Toby is hidin out from the law from what I been
hearin but Jashper an Mark sis comin shoon. Well fin that bitch an
get the gold. We might have ourshelves some fun with her when we
find er. Was yer wife pretty? Knowing about his sexual proclivity Cal
couldnt help but taunt his brother. Did she spread her legs fer ya?

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Dandelion Wishes | 11

Roy having the shorter legs struggled to keep up. Winded and
whining he replied, Hell no, Cal, she was pure. You think I didnt
check her? I remembered the whippin you gave Jasper and Mark
last time when they spoiled that pretty blond gal you took from her
ma and pa. I remember you telling me that theys worth more if
they is pure. Shed a fetched a good price down Mexico way, sames
the others.
Cal knew Roy hadnt ruined the girl. Roy had what his ma used
to call peculiar tastes. When the boys git here well make shum plans
ta fin that bitch a yours and her gold. If she be alive, us boysll all
have us a time with her. He swayed toward Roy and slurred, Hell,
we might let chew have first turn since sheez yer wife an all. That
sheems only fair dont it?
Roy didnt respond. He was thinking of the old man and the
young boy hed seen earlier in the day. He mumbled something
inarticulate in Cals direction and wandered off toward the west end
of town where the western bound wagons gathered. He had been
watching the wagons for days. He knew right where the old man
and the young boy kept their wagon. As usual they were together
talking around their small fire. Roy stood back in the bushes just
out of earshot and watched, waiting for his chance to get the young
boy alone. He wished he could hear them talking.
B
She looked up into the face of the man she had loved like a
father for most of her life. Gramps, Im telling you, there is no
reason for worry. Ive been dressed like a boy now for months and
no one is the wiser. Im not letting you go after that bastard alone.
He looked into her eyes and knew there would be no stopping
her now. He shook his head and spoke softly, Melissa, just because
you dress and act like a young boy does not mean you can swear like
one. If your grandmother could see you now shed have me bleeding
out of my eyes for allowing you to carry on like you have been. He
chuckled low and reached for another piece of wood for the fire.

Melissa watched the sparks rise into the night, shrugged her
shoulders and sighed confidently. You forget, Gramps, your wife
raised me. She was my mother for seventeen years. If she were
here she would do the same as me and probably more. She would
stop at nothing to find the man that murdered her grandchild. No,
I have no doubt that not only would you not be bleeding out of
your eyes, but you would have her total support for what we are
planning to do. You said it yourself, joining up with them might
be the best way to find Toby Anderson.
Tim swore under his breath and knew hed just been beat. Okay,
Mel, together we will offer to hook up with those Anderson brothers and help them look for Shannon Lindsay and her money. May
be we will get lucky and find the son of a bitch that took our
Alice. He threw the remains of his cup of coffee into the fire and
said, Youd best get some sleepScotty. You never know what
tomorrow will bring.
They both remained for a while watching the fire die to embers. Their thoughts ran along similar tracks. They wondered
how Shannon had gotten herself involved with the likes of the
Anderson brothers. It was beyond their imagination how the strong
confident young woman they had met two years ago could have
gotten herself into so much trouble. They both knew there was
more to the story of her marriage to Roy Anderson. Somewhere
between St. Louis and the mountains that poor girl had run into
serious trouble.

Monterey, November 1846

Sam Wills looked from the marriage certificate he held in his
hands to the tall dark man that quietly stood in the doorway of the
small parsonage attached to the Presbyterian Church and asked,
Who are you and where did you get this?
My name is Blue Wolf. I stole it.
Memories of the last time Sam had seen this certificate filled

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him with dread and guilt. He was beyond speech at this moment,
his hands shaking as if palsied.
You are Pastor Wills, arent you? the tall man asked somewhat
peeved. I need to know if that is your signature on this certificate.
Sam, who is that at the door? Mrs. Wills called from the
kitchen. Do ask them in dear.
As if her spoken words satisfied the need for words on his part
Pastor Wills turned toward the parlor. Realizing he stood quite
alone he turned back to the stranger and asked politely, Do come
in sir. I apologize for my rudeness. This, he said holding the certificate in his hand, has haunted me for months. Do come in, sit
down. Ill have Ida bring coffee.
He ducked his head around the corner and politely asked his wife
to bring coffee. They sat in uncomfortable silence until she arrived.
Here you go dear. She said as she placed the tray on the table
that separated the two chairs. Can I bring you anything else? she
looked pointedly at her husband and raised an eyebrow. Seeing
that her husband was not picking up on her hint she turned to the
stranger and asked frankly, Who are you sir?
Blue Wolf continued studying the pastor and seemed not to hear.
She turned her glance back to her husband and when she cleared
her throat for the second time Sam handed her the certificate.
Here, Ida.
She looked wide-eyed from the certificate to the stranger and
then threw her husband another questioning glance.
No, Ida, he said, This is not Mr. Roy Anderson.

Soda Springs, December 1846

Within minutes of Blue Wolfs arrival at the saloon he overheard
several people talking about a stranger that had come to town looking
for Shannon. Even though his body craved rest he stood at the bar
and watched the man closely. Across the room toward the door, the
Andersons slouched drunkenly bickering over a low stakes poker game

Dandelion Wishes | 13

all the while throwing glances toward the big man sitting alone near
the back door. It was obvious that the Andersons were not going to
let the stranger out of their sight.
Blue Wolf was the only person in town that knew the whereabouts of Shannon He had drawn for her the map that sent her
to the cabin he and his brother had built in the mountains. He
had sent her there for a very specific reason, and it didnt involve
this tall, broad shouldered, handsome man. Blue Wolf had been
fighting his conscience ever since he had heard that there was a
man looking for Shannon. It didnt ease his guilt any discovering
that the stranger was indeed a fine figure of a man. He seemed
smart, kind, and deeply in love with Shannon. It showed in his
eyes and the fact that he was desperate to find her.
Blue Wolf took the bottle of whisky with two glasses and turned
toward the tall blond man who sat hunched at the table, distraught
and alone.
With his elbows propped upon the table Jacob looked into his
coffee and mumbled, You were right Pop, I never should have
left her.
You sound like you could use something stronger than coffee.
Jacob looked up to find a large hand offering a bottle and a glass. I
hate to interrupt your one way conversation. Mind if I sit down?
Jacob leaned back and nodded toward the chair across from him
in silent invitation.
My brother told me some time ago that talking to your cup of
coffee is perfectly normal. Sitting and waiting for it to answer is
definitely not. Blue Wolf sat and poured two shots of whisky. He
handed one to Jacob and kept the other. You look like you have
lost your best friend.