Lawfully Saved: Inspirational Christian Historical

by Carroll, Patricia PacJac

  She heard the horse’s footsteps and turned. The look on Rand’s face was hard to judge. He no doubt was a good card player. She stood and faced him. “I hope you don’t mind me being in the garden.”

  Not moving, he sat on the tall, black horse and stared at her. “I don’t.”

  She walked to him and put a hand on the horse’s sleek neck. “Did you find out anything?”

  He stared at her. His eyes shiny and hard. “Not really.”

  He was lying. She could feel it in her heart. “I want to go to Ben’s cabin. Look around some more.”

  Rand didn’t move but stared at her as if trying to figure out how to answer.

  Scared he wouldn’t help her, she eased to her knees, sliding her hand down the horse until she touched Rand’s boot. Looking up at him, she pleaded. “Please help me find Ben. I feel that he’s in danger.”

  His cold, hard expression didn’t change, but his eyes flickered with a brief tenderness.

  “Please, I’m begging you. … I’ll do anything.”

  That brought action. He nudged the horse away from her, rode him to the barn, and dismounted. He took his time looping the reins over the hitching post as if he were gathering his words.

  She remained kneeling. Her hands on the ground, head down. “Please, God, let Ben be alive.”

  Suddenly, the bounty hunter was in front of her. She stared at his boots; black, scuffed, and worn.

  He took her arms and pulled her up. “We’ll go to the cabin. Then I’m taking you to town. I’ll put you up in the hotel. It’s not much, but it’s not here. People won’t talk.”

  She stared into his eyes. “I don’t care about anything other than finding Ben.” He still had hold of her arms, and she felt his strength. “I’ll get my things.” She wanted to run, to get away from this man as he looked at her with longing and pain. She escaped his grip and ran to the barn. What had she gotten herself into? Rand was as needy as she felt. But she’d walked away from that kind of life. She’d not let him get to her. She couldn’t. Yet, to save Ben—

  “I don’t want anything from you. You don’t need to run.” His footsteps signaled he was nearing her.

  She turned, fear stabbing her.

  He stopped. “We’ll ride into town and get you a horse.”

  She darted a look to the buckskin in the corral.

  He pointed. “Buttermilk, she was Susanna’s.”

  Rose nodded. “I understand.” It was clear he’d not said his final goodbyes to his wife. Everything Susanna had touched remained as if they were shrines to her existence. Even Rand.

  “Ready?” He’d moved to the door. Impatience marking his face and manner.

  She entered the barn and grabbed her satchel, stuffed in her bed clothes, and pushed past him to the horse. “I’m ready.”

  He untied Black Jack, helped her into the saddle, and led the horse to the road.

  She hung onto the saddle horn. “Aren’t you going to get on?”

  He shook his head. “I rode Jack hard this morning. I’ll give him a break. Town’s not far.”

  “I don’t bite.” She should be glad. She didn’t want to be near him. So why did she feel the need to badger him?

  He shook his head.

  “I’m in a hurry to find Ben.”

  He turned. “Won’t help if we wear my horse out, will it?”

  She stared at him. “Guess not. I don’t have money to rent a horse.”

  “I know that.”

  “I don’t have money to pay you. Ben might. When we find him.”

  “I’m not worried about the money.”

  Well, she was worried. About the paying anyway. “I won’t pay you in any other way.”

  He stopped and faced her. “Look, lady, I have no interest in you other than to get you off my land and help you look for Ben. That’s it. But you’re not staying in my cabin. I don’t want anything from you. And I’m not promising you anything. I’ll help you look for him. That’s all.”

  She relaxed some. “That’s all I ask and thank you.”

  He grunted, turned around, and didn’t say anymore.

  Rose remained quiet, lost in the scenery and her thoughts. Spring. Everything was coming alive with more shades of green than she could count. Birds flitted through the branches, singing to one another.

  Bluebonnets and some kind of red flower dotted the meadows. And there was glorious bright sunshine. Oh, Ben had warned her in his letters that Texas was hot in the summer, but after the gloom of Philadelphia’s abundance of gray wintry days, she was enjoying the yellow warmth of the sun.

  After an hour, they made it to town. He stopped in front of the diner and gave her a coin. “Get yourself something to eat.”

  She held the gold coin. “You have to eat too. Can’t you come in with me? The idea of sitting alone and eating bothered her more than being with the gruff bounty hunter.

  He shrugged. “Order me a bowl of stew. I’ll get you a horse.”

  “Make it a gentle one. I haven’t ridden much.” Truth was, hardly any.

  Without another word, he walked away.

  She went inside and heaved a sigh of relief that the diner was nearly empty.

  Carol, the woman she’d seen the other day smiled at her. “What can I do for you?”

  “Two stews.”

  “Any word about Ben?” Carol cleaned off a table, concern on her face.

  “Not yet.” At least, that’s what Rose believed. Rand hadn’t told her if he’d found anything out or not.

  “I hope you find him. He’s such a nice young man.” She smiled. “Handsome, too.”

  Rose’s cheeks warmed. “He sent me a picture. I agree. … I’ve never met him. Only through letters.”

  “I know all about it. Ben shared that he’d found a mail-order bride. I can tell you this, he is in love with you already. After meeting you, I know he’ll be the happiest man alive.”

  Rose smiled. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

  “He’ll turn up. I know it. Let me get you those stews. I guess Rand is coming back. He’s a hard one. Used to be fun-loving although wild. Susanna tamed him. Some anyway. They were so in love.” She frowned. “It was a terrible day, the day she died.” Without another word, Carol rushed off to get the meal.

  Rose was halfway finished with her stew when the door creaked, and Rand walked in.

  Her heart went out to him.

  There was no fun in him now.

  Chapter 5

  Ben stared at the sky wondering how Rose was holding up. He knew she didn’t have enough money for the hotel. He hoped she could find his cabin and stay there until he returned. If he returned.

  A glance at Jingo made him wonder, but he’d not let his hope and love go so easily. He believed he’d be holding Rose in his arms and telling her how much he loved her. And soon. He had to believe it for himself and for Rose.

  John came up behind him and slapped his horse on the rump. “Get going. You’re holding us up. I’d think you’d want to hurry so you could meet that girl you keep telling us about.”

  Ben tapped the sides of the horse. “Her name is Rose. If you could only see her and know her, you’d turn me loose right now.”

  John grinned. A rarity for him. “You haven’t even seen her. Just keep going.”

  “You think you can hide a herd this size?”

  “Ed has a plan. You just keep that horse going and don’t get brave. Jingo is looking for an excuse to kill you. Don’t give him one.”

  “Figured that out already.”

  As if hearing his name, Jingo rode over and gave him a bloodthirsty grin. “You been talking about that girl so much, I might have to ride over and see her myself. If you’re not going to use her, I might as well.”

  Ben glared at the beast. “Touch her, and I’ll kill you.”

  Jingo let out an evil, guttural laugh. “Your day is coming. Might be talking to your Maker soon, and I’ll be arranging the meeting.”

  John rode between th
em. “Get out of here, Jingo.”

  Ben’s stomach knotted. He wasn’t worried for himself but for Rose. He had to get away somehow. The cattle slowed. The four of them had been moving them since midnight and all of them were getting tired and edgy. Ben saw a dense thicket of woods, and knew once they got deep inside, it would be impossible to spot them.

  They pushed the tired herd through the thicket and into a small meadow. Ed stopped and waved the other two to push the cattle on. “There’s a nice open spot just beyond those trees. Grass and water and we can rest a few days.”

  Ben came up beside Ed and stopped. “Why don’t you let me go. You know Jingo is going to kill me.”

  Ed took off his hat and scratched his head. “I won’t let him.”

  Ben wanted to argue, but they’d been through it over and over. It was only by Ed’s grace that they hadn’t killed him to begin with. John had found him pushing Duston’s cattle to his ranch. John had surprised him and come up behind him on the trail with his gun already drawn.

  Ben couldn’t do anything but surrender. Jingo had joined John and threatened to kill him right there. John and Ed persuaded the killer to put his gun up and use Ben to drive the cattle.

  They hung rustlers in Texas. As the days went on, Ben could see the pressure on Ed mounting as John half-sided with Jingo on what to do with him.

  Ed rode beside him and lit a cigar.

  “Ed, I have to go to Rose. I won’t tell a soul what I saw. For Rose’s sake.”

  Ed puffed and blew out smoke rings. “Ben, you’re a good man.” He stared at him. “That’s why I know I can’t let you go until we’re out of the state. Maybe not until we’re rid of the cattle. Maybe not ever.”

  “You promised.”

  “Best you keep quiet. I’m having a hard time with Jingo without you making noise every day and night about that girl.” He stared hard at him. “My patience has a limit.”

  Ben went silent. He could read it in Ed’s eyes. Even if Ed hadn’t faced it yet, eventually he’d let Jingo kill him. If something didn’t happen, Ben would be a dead man and never get to meet Rose.

  He prayed silently to the Lord of heaven and earth. That if God saw him and knew what was happening, He’d send someone to rescue him. Whether it be angel or demon, he didn’t care. Just someone or something to get him off this trail of death. He needed to live to save Rose. To provide for and love her.

  ***

  Rand helped Rose into the saddle. He’d dickered with Grant Buford, the owner of the livery. The black and white paint was as gentle as they come. Rand figured Rose could keep the horse after, well, after they found Ben. Although, Rand had his doubts about the outcome. He glanced at Rose. She was on Pansy now, smiling with a look of delight on her face. Rand hoped she could stay that way.

  She patted the horse’s neck. “What did you say her name was?”

  “Pansy. Said it was their gentlest.”

  After adjusting her skirt, Rose smiled at him. “Thanks. I like her.”

  Her smile irritated him. Maybe because she’d won, and he was taking her to Ben’s cabin, but that was as far as she was going. “Let’s go. Try and keep up.” He nudged Jack into a lope. He didn’t look back. Either Rose could keep up or she couldn’t. He hadn’t wanted to take her along. She’d forced it. Forced this whole crazy scheme. If wasn’t for her, he’d be back home with his garden, his memories, and a bottle of whiskey.

  He breathed in the fresh air. He’d not really noticed spring had come. Oh, he’d seen it in the garden. He’d faced bittersweet days as the beauty of new life had mingled with the memories of Susanna’s death. Rand looked around. The trees were alive with tiny new leaves. Flowers. Dogwoods blooming white. Redbuds adding their pink to colors of spring.

  For a moment, he forgot and let the old embers of joy spark. Once, this had been his favorite time. He’d met Susanna in the spring. In a meadow of bluebonnets. His heart smiled. There’d been so many good days. Good memories.

  “How far is it to Ben’s?”

  Rose’s question jolted him from his pleasant thoughts. He tried to shut out her voice, but the memories were gone. Susanna was gone. The irritating woman behind him goading him on into a life he didn’t want but one he couldn’t escape.

  Rand buried his feelings along with his irritation. “Won’t be long. Thought you were there once before.”

  She rode up beside him. “I was. But I was so flustered I couldn’t remember where it was or how far from town. I hope he’s there.”

  Rand glanced at her. Ben wouldn’t be there. Not if he loved her like she said. He kept quiet about it, though. He could see she was on the edge of the chasm he’d fallen into. He hoped she’d not fall into the haunted life he’d lived for the last two years. Then again, whatever had happened to Ben was not her fault.

  He reined his thoughts away from the darkness and put his skills, if he could call them that, to work. They were near enough Ben’s cabin to start looking for signs. The rain they’d had wouldn’t help, but broken branches, things out of place, they could tell a story.

  He set his eyes to scan the trail. Not really looking for anything but taking it in to see if the land might tell him something. Almost to Ben’s, he stopped, turned Black Jack around and gazed at the sides of the road. Unfortunately, she was in the way.

  Rose on the black and white pinto drew his gaze to her. He didn’t want to look at her. Didn’t want to see her. She was pretty. Not the prettiest woman he’d ever seen, but one who would catch the attention of most men. He waved her to come forward.

  The wind tossed her hair. Looking side to side, she rode to him. “What’s the matter? What do you see? Is someone following us?”

  Ignoring the awakening in his heart, he shook his head. “Shh. Just let me think. I need you to get behind me and be quiet.”

  With a frown, she glared at him and rode behind, mumbling her displeasure.

  He concentrated on what was in front of him, ignoring her. He’d have to do that a lot. But he wasn’t interested in another woman. Not now, not ever. He set his eyes to find what his brain had recorded. Funny how the mind could see something and put up a warning without him really knowing what it was until he found it.

  But the warning beat in his head. Something was amiss. Something he needed to see. He was so out of practice. He closed his eyes. Willed himself to be still. And then looked. He grinned when he saw what it was. A few blades of grass were beat down. As if cattle had been brought through here. He rode to the side of the road and dismounted.

  He found a cigar butt up on the hill. It was a cheap smoke. The kind those with little money bought for the occasional indulgence. Not that it was uncommon to find one along the road, but this one was atop the side of the road along with some more trampled weeds and broken branches.

  He hollered back to Rose. “Ben have any cattle?”

  “A few.”

  Could be they’d gotten out, and he’d had to go find them. Or could be the rustlers used this road to move their cattle. The road wasn’t used much. He could see that by the tall weeds and faint trail.

  He rode back to Rose.

  “His cabin is just around the bend.”

  She stared at him. “What did you find?”

  “Nothing really. A cigar.”

  “And?”

  He looked her straight in the eye. “Signs of cattle being driven. Could be the rustlers were in the area.”

  She gasped and looked around as if expecting trouble to pounce on them. “Who?”

  “That I don’t know.”

  “Indians?”

  He shook his head. “I doubt it. The only tracks I see are shod. No, it’s white men.”

  She hung her head. “Why? Why would anyone want to hurt Ben?”

  Rand looked away. He could give her any number of reasons. Or none. Some of the men he’d brought in for bounty didn’t need a reason to hurt or kill. They were like rabid dogs who’d lost their sense of right and wrong and needed no reason to take th
eir rage out on others.

  Others, desperation drove them to do things they’d never thought they were capable of. Revenge. Hate. Greed. Name the sin, and you’d find men on the road to perdition not knowing how they got on nor how to get off.

  “Rand, let’s go. I want to see his cabin.”

  He nodded, glad to leave his thoughts.

  They rode around the bend and five minutes later down the path to Ben’s cabin. It was a modest ranch, but the man had chosen wisely. The creek wasn’t far but wouldn’t be a problem if it flooded. The cabin had a few big oaks beside it, covering it from the summer sun. Trees were a luxury on the grassy plains of Texas.

  Rose rode up to the cabin and dismounted. She was almost inside when a sudden movement caught his eye.

  “Stop! Don’t Move!”

  He jumped from Black Jack and faster than he thought he was still able, he drew his pistol and fired. A snake, a foot from her path, jerked, rolled, and fell dead.

  “Copperhead.” He walked to it and kicked it away. “Poisonous. You’d have stepped on it.”

  She ran to him and threw herself into his arms. “I’m deathly afraid of snakes. Thank you.”

  Reluctantly, he held her while she trembled in his arms. When she stopped, he distanced himself from her. “No harm done. Just be more careful around here. The cabin’s in a nice place with the trees all around, but it’s perfect for copperheads. They like the leaves and cover.”

  She nodded. “Will you go in first?”

  He didn’t answer but pushed past her and into the cabin. Nothing was out of place. There’d been no fight. Rand glanced around. Ben had never made it back to the cabin.

  ***

  Rose followed him inside, making sure to step around the dead snake. Empty. Ben hadn’t come back. Her heart felt heavy and lifeless. What was she going to do? Worse, what had happened to Ben?

  He loved her. That she knew. It didn’t matter that the girls in the saloon back home went out of their way to tell her how crazy she was to go across the country to a man she’d never met. That no man anywhere would love their kind, and even if she’d gone down in the Delaware River to be baptized, she was still like them, stained and unwanted by decent men.