Chapter One

 

Australia - North Eastern Victoria 1870’s.

Alistair was in trouble. With the powerful bond she shared with her twin, fear coursed through Beth’s body. She drew in a shuddering breath and tried to still her trembling hands by twisting an escaped tendril of hair from her plait. How many warnings did her brother need before he stopped consorting with outlaws?

Standing in the doorway of their split log cabin, she squinted into the distance. A lone horseman flashed into her line of vision. With a hammering heart, she waited. Was it friend or foe? Should she dash inside and grab grandfather’s gun?

The rider drew near. It was Alistair. Running to the track snaking along the side paddock, she struggled to lower the slip rails so the horse could pass through.

“Quick, Beth!” He leapt from the saddle. “Get the mare out of sight.”

“What happened?” Dread clawed at her throat with cruel fingers. Her stomach knotted up. What had her brother been up to now?

Without a word, he dashed off.

Her hand trembled as she picked up the trailing rein and led the sweating, foam-flecked mare into the barn. Something terrible must have happened. One of their best horses ridden to the point of exhaustion. She unsaddled the mare and turned her loose before sprinting back to their cabin.

Rushing to the kitchen, she found Alistair stuffing a sack with bags of flour, salt and sugar.

Frantically, she grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong?”

Pale and agitated, he stared out the window. “I have to get out of here. The mounted police are after me.”

“The police? You’re in trouble with the law?”  

 After he filled the sack, he dropped it on the floor and paced up and down, banging a fist against his open hand.

“Martin Mulvaney caught me with Dan Kelly and one of the gang. We found a palomino colt. I had just put my spare halter on him when Mulvaney and one of his men rode up. I stayed so the others could get away.”

“You fool. Grandfather warned you about the Kelly gang.” She picked up the corner of her apron and twisted it into a knot. “The Judge swore out a warrant for them after they wounded Constable Fitzpatrick.”

“They were framed.”

“What did Mulvaney say?”

“He looked like the devil mounted on a huge black stallion. When I told him my name, he threatened to report me to the police for horse stealing. He’ll be out to get me now.”

“You found the colt, didn’t you?” She gnawed her lower lip. “It’s his word against yours.”

“One of his workmen saw what happened. It is two against one. I don’t stand a chance. I’ll head for the hill country and join up with the Kelly gang.”

“Stay away from them. They are wanted men. I’ll ride over to Mulvaney’s place and tell him you found the horse,” she volunteered with a spurt of bravado. “I’ll try to reason with him.”

“You think he’d listen? Better for me to leave.”

“No.” Her hands shook so much she hid them behind her back. Facing up to Martin Mulvaney would be her worst nightmare. “Go to the mountain cabin and wait. If you don’t hear from me by tomorrow lunch time, you’d better hide out for a while.”