Read 0764214101 for Free Online Page B

eyes.
    “Did you hear me?” The man’s breath smelled rotten. “Not one word. Or I’ll kill them all. It will be all your fault. Just like it’s your fault that your mama’s dead.”
    Mama was dead? No. He shook his head and tears slid down his cheeks.
    “All your fault. If you hadn’t come in here when you did.” He pushed Jimmy into the closet.
    More calls came from outside. Someone was looking for their brother.
    The man’s head jerked to the door and then back to Jimmy. “Not one word. Ever.” Then he slammed the door shut and Jimmy’s world went dark.
    Jimmy sat up in bed with a gasp. The bad dreams wouldn’t stop. Always the same, remembering the day that Mama died. The bad man’s face was burned into his memory, but he couldn’t say anything. Not even if he wanted to.
    He sneaked down the stairs to check on the baby bunny he’d found in the olive grove. It was so tiny. Just like Jimmy. And without its mama. Just like him.
    The big old hawk had been attacking the baby bunny’s mama when Jimmy tried his best to scare off the big bird. But it took off with the mama and left the baby injured and all alone.
    As Jimmy brushed his fingers over the soft little head, Jimmy wanted to cry. His new little friend had watched his mama get hurt, too.
    The nightmare lingered in his mind. The memories were so bad. He wanted to tell Papa everything, but he couldn’t.
    If he talked, everyone would die.

C HAPTER F OUR
    W arm June air hit Lillian in the face as she exited the stagecoach. The train ride had been arduous, but the stagecoach had been almost inhumane. Six people had been stuffed inside a space where four would have been more than plenty. She’d even had to give the care of her overnight bag to the driver as there wasn’t room to hold it on her lap.
    Lillian marveled that they’d managed to get all of the luggage stowed on the stage, since overhead another four men had taken up residence due to a lack of space inside. All of the travelers had been men with the exception of one other woman, wife to one of the men. Thankfully, Lillian had been able to sit against the wall of the coach with this woman on her left. The men used decent manners, much to her relief, but never had she known such an uncomfortable ride. She sighed and did her best to put it all behind her. Their arrival in Angels Camp signaled that the worst was behind her.
    It was the first day of a new month and the first day of the rest of her life. She dusted the skirt of her deep green travelingsuit with her gloved hands and clouds of dirt surrounded her. What a wonderful way to meet her new employer. Exhausted and filthy. She glanced down at her once-white gloves that were now a dingy brown and rechecked her reticule. The drawstring bag was just as dirty. Could she be more of a mess?
    “Excuse me, miss.” The stage driver climbed back up the stage to unload the bags and trunks.
    Lillian turned. Two other passengers still waited inside the stage, hats in hand. At least they were gentlemen, but oh, goodness, she hadn’t realized she’d stood in everyone’s way as she’d worried over her appearance. What a horrible impression she must have made. She felt the flush rise up her neck. “My apologies.” She moved away, hoping the red in her cheeks would subside before she had to meet Mr. Colton.
    Glancing around, Lillian couldn’t spot anyone waiting for her. The others who’d shared the stage with her had already left. As people bustled along the street, she realized that she waited alone.
    “Need anything else, miss?” The driver stood in front of her, holding out the smallest of her bags.
    “Oh, um . . . no. Thank you.” Lillian took the bag and tightened her grip. “Wait, sir?”
    He turned back around. “Yes?”
    “Are we early?”
    “No, miss. Quite late in fact. I best be going.”
    Lillian watched the stage pull away and then glanced at her pile of trunks and bag sitting in the dirt in front of the general store. Maybe