Blood Blade Sisters Series by Michelle McLean

light.
    Cilla frowned, her eyes blazing at him. “What are you doing here?”
    “I think a better question would be what are you doing here? Odd place for chores.” He walked another foot closer and Cilla raised her gun.
    “Cilla,” Lucy hissed.
    Cilla lingered a moment longer and then shoved her gun back in its holster. Leo joined them. She wiped the back of her hand across her cheek, leaving a streak of dirt on her pale skin. Leo bit his lip to keep from smiling. He almost reached up to wipe it off, but changed his mind. She was liable to shoot a hole in his gut rather than thank him for it.
    Cilla turned her back on him and took another bundle from Lucy. She finished loading her packages and then grabbed a torch, putting it out in a small puddle near the wall. Lucy followed suit with the last two torches, plunging them into near darkness. Cilla raised the remaining lamp, the soft oil light softening the features of her face.
    “After you.” Cilla jerked her head, motioning him to go in front of her.
    The smell of sweet hay, fresh dirt, and the clean scent of pine floated from her. Leo couldn’t help but gaze at her as the lantern light danced on her face, illuminating the gold specks flashing in the depths of her brown eyes. Sweet angels of mercy, she was beautiful.
    He lifted his hand and gently brushed the dirt from her cheek. She jerked back, eyes narrowed.
    He sighed and took off his hat, running his hands through his hair. “My apologies, Priscilla.”
    She didn’t speak for a moment, but apparently decided to let his momentary lapse slip.
    “Look, I know it hasn’t been exactly easy for us to trust each other. And you’ve been a huge help, both with Frank and around the ranch. I’m grateful, truly. But don’t pry into our secrets, Leo. Those are ours to keep.”
    He stared at her for one heartbeat. Two. “For now.”
    Cilla stared back at him, indecision warring in her eyes. Finally, she said, “We’ll see you back at the ranch then.”
    Leo had no intention of leaving until he knew what was going on. And what was in the back of their wagon.
    “Maybe I can help.”
    Cilla cocked an eyebrow. Leo gestured to heavily laden saddlebags leaning against the wall.
    “I think we can manage. Thanks, anyway.”
    He was being dismissed and he knew it. Fine. He’d play their game. He’d wait until they left and then just follow along behind.
    Cilla accompanied him to the entrance and followed him to his horse, waiting until he’d mounted.
    “Don’t trust me?” he asked, giving her an amused grin.
    “I don’t trust anyone.”
    His smile faded at the sad exhaustion in her voice. She was too young to have such a weary soul. He tipped his hat to her and rode off. He hated to contribute to the weight on her shoulders, but he couldn’t just let her disappear into the night with that wagon. Not until he found out what, or who, was in it.
    Leo caught up with the sisters about a quarter mile away from the mine. He’d run out of trees to hide among and had been forced out onto the open trail. He couldn’t have disguised his approach if he’d wanted to, so he didn’t make any effort to do so. Cilla showed no surprise when he cantered up beside them.
    At least not that he could see. It was hard to tell exactly what she was thinking with her bandana covering her face and her hat pulled so low he could barely see her eyes.
    Cilla rounded on him before he could get a word out. “I told you we didn’t need your help. If you are going to insist on following our every move, would you at least have the decency to do so quietly?”
    Leo was cold and tired, and the secret goings-on and midnight rendezvous were beginning to wear on him. He rarely lost his patience, but Priscilla Richardson made him want to pull out his hair.
    “What’s the matter? Trying to rob and batter a few more citizens? Don’t want your cover blown before you can attack another coach or two?”
    Cilla waved him off. “You really need to get