Ben shook his head. “You’re either working hard toward a long boring stretch in jail, or one short one around the neck. Get away while you can.”
John sneered. “This was all my idea. To get back at Duston for what he done to our Pa.” John rode past him in a rush, shoving Ben’s horse to the edge.
Ben watched him go and wondered where they were all headed. Their futures were locked together and so uncertain. And for what? While a hundred head of cattle would get you some good money, it wasn’t enough for a lifetime on the run or worth their lives.
Why had Ed given into John’s idea? Ben remembered when Ed came back from his two years in prison. He’d vowed he’d never go against the law again. So why had he? Couldn’t be just the money.
Chapter 8
Rose acted the angel for her hosts and carried on an amicable conversation with Mrs. Gray while helping with the dishes. She joked with Stacy James. He was a likable kid with high ambitions to work hard and save up for a ranch.
The sun twinkled on the horizon as if it were saying goodnight. Rose sat on the porch with her new friends. “I guess Rand saw to it that Pansy was taken care of? She’s the sweetest horse. I wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I knew she was all right.”
Stacy nodded. “Told me to see about it. She’s in a stall at the livery. I made sure she was fed and watered with plenty of hay.”
Rose put a hand on his arm. “Thank you, Stacy. That means a lot to me.”
The boy’s cheeks turned red.
She hated playing him, but she had to know where Pansy was and that she’d be ready to ride. She yawned and stretched. “I am so tired. Do you mind if I retire?”
Mrs. Gray looked at her suspiciously. “I suppose you have had a long couple of days. I do hope Mr. Ketcham brings your Ben back with him.”
Rose nodded. Mention of his name took her breath. Yes, she hoped beyond hope that Rand would bring Ben back to her.
Mrs. Gray stood. “All right, you do look tired. Stacy, watch the front while I get her settled.” She led the way into the big house and up the stairs. “I hate to do this, Miss McCabe, but Rand paid me to make sure you stayed in my boarding house. I’ll have to lock the door.”
Rose laughed as light-heartedly as she could. “I understand. That Rand, he’s a hard one.”
Mrs. Gray nodded. “What happened to Rand’s wife is well-known. Our local paper covered the tragedy. Hard for a man to work through such things.” She unlocked the door. “We women can deal with hardship better than men. Especially men who aren’t used to losing.”
“I think there’s truth in that Mrs. Gray. Men underestimate our strength.”
Mrs. Gray paused at the door and let Rose walk into the room. “In Rand’s case, he has good reason. Hard for a man to lose the woman he loves. Remember that Rose and don’t do anything foolish.”
Rose stared at the older woman. How could she know? Rose would have to wait for quite a while before trying to slip out of her room. She sat on the bed and stared innocently at Mrs. Gray. “I’m not planning on doing anything other than sleep. Good night.”
Mrs. Gray smiled and shut the door.
Rose closed her eyes when she heard the key in the lock. Then again, she was tired, and the bed did feel so good compared to the hard ground she’d slept on last night. A little sleep wouldn’t hurt.
Rose awoke with a start. How long had she been asleep? She’d not even undressed. Quietly, she got up and looked out the window. The porch was underneath her. She could use it to get down from the second-story room, but she had no idea if Mrs. Gray or Stacy James was sitting on that porch waiting for her to try and escape. Plus, she had no idea what time it was.
As if in answer, the grandfather clock in the parlor chimed twice. Two o’clock in the morning. She hoped Pansy was up for an early morning run. She’d seen the direction the sheriff and Rand had taken, and knew they were headed to the Red River.
She knelt and prayed, hoping the Lord would show her the way, believing that she’d find Ben. That surely God hadn’t brought her all this way to let her down. She had to trust Him. Trust Ben. Trust the love they had for one another.
Gently, she opened the window, eased onto the roof, and climbed down the side. No one saw. The town was ghostly quiet as she made her way to the livery. It didn’t take her long to find Pansy, saddle her, and lead her out the barn. So far so good. No one had seen or heard her.
She walked Pansy behind the barn away from the town’s main street. The horse nickered and nudged her shoulder. Rose put a hand on her muzzle to quiet her and hoped the animal was ready for an adventure.
Patting the sleek black and white neck, Rose felt in her pocket for the small gun she’d brought along. Rand didn’t know about it. She’d told no one. But when Daisy, her one true friend in Pennsylvania, heard that she was going to Texas, she gave her the derringer.
Far enough away from town, Rose mounted Pansy and rode west the way she’d seen Rand go. Once she ran out of road, she’d turn north and pray she’d run into Ben.
The night was dark. As long as she was on the road, it wouldn’t be a problem, but when she reached the end, she wasn’t sure. She didn’t want to hurt Pansy. The horse could easily stumble in a hole and break a leg.
She glanced back at the town. No lights. No one following.
“Let’s go, Pansy.” She nudged the horse into a slow lope along the road. The faster she went, the sooner she’d be with Ben.
She thought of the letter that came a day before she was to leave for Texas.
Dearest Rose,
I can barely wait for you to arrive. I hope you won’t be disappointed. I know I won’t be. I’m almost ready. The table is done. The bedroom is clean. Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned that. I don’t want you to think, well, I can’t wait to see you is all.
I think you’ll like the kitchen. I stocked it with everything Carol, she runs the diner in town, said I should. I have all this food but can’t eat. Not until you come. Not a real dinner anyway.
I have a few cattle to move for Duston, and then I’m through working for him. He’s a nice enough man but a hard one. I saw him beat a man near to death over losing one cow. Anyway, I am going to make sure I don’t lose any of his precious cattle.
It amazes me how people can put things before those around them. Once we’re together, you will be, and even now are, the most important thing in my life.
Eternally in love with you,
Ben
So Duston is a hard man. She’d remember that. Not that she ever planned to meet the man. Her heart melted at thoughts of Ben. It was as if they were already married. They were only promised to one another, but she couldn’t love him more if she wanted to.
Through the dim light, she saw where the road from town ended into the one she and Rand had taken from the trail. She reined Pansy off the road and down into a small ditch.
The sky was just beginning to lighten. She stayed in the small ravine rather than ride out and risk being noticed. If there were rustlers around, she didn’t want to run into them. She’d just ridden past a jumble of rocks when she heard men talking.
Her hands sweaty and heart racing, she halted Pansy, dismounted, and listened but couldn’t make out their words.
“Well, what do we have here.”
She whirled to see a man on horseback above her on the ridge. Even in the dim light, she could see he wasn’t one to play the fool. She quickly climbed back into the saddle. “Leave me be.”
He rode down to her and laughed. “A regular little wildcat, aren’t you?”
She kicked Pansy and ran up the ridge and into another man who grabbed her reins. “I don’t think you should be riding out here all alone. Not safe out here.”
It crossed her mind that these could be the rustlers. She yelled and jabbed Pansy, desperate to get away, desperate to find Ben.
The man held onto the reins.
“Whoa, you just settle down little lady.” The big one who seemed to be in char
ge came over to her and the man holding her reins. He was a big man. Even with his dusty clothes, and disheveled hair straying from under his hat, the man exuded power. He glared at her and pointed. “Who are you? What are you doing out here?”
***
Ben couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he thought of Rose. He felt she was in trouble and needed him. He pulled on the ropes that bound him, but like all the other nights, they didn’t budge.
Still, the incessant worry drove him to keep trying. The men left him alone at night. One was out with the herd, maybe even two of them tonight. The cattle had been restless, too. The humid air of night was the kind that warned of trouble. He’d felt other nights like that.
Like before a battle. The air would became barely breathable as if all the life-giving substance had been sucked out of it. A sick quiet ruled the night. Even the coyotes held their howling. Yes, it was a troubling night.
In the dying fire, he could see the outline of one of the men on the ground. Now would be the time to get away. If he could only get free of these ropes. He pulled, and the rope around his hand gave a little.
He kept pulling until blood seeped down his wrist. “Father in heaven, protect Rose. I know something is wrong. Help her. Please, God.”
Ed rode into camp, dismounted, and kicked out the fire. “Told you no fires.” He kicked the big man sleeping by the fire. “Jingo, your turn to watch. I’ll go back out with you as soon as I change horses.”
Ed came to him and checked the ropes.
“Ed, let me go. Something’s wrong with Rose. She needs me.”
“Shut up and get some sleep. We’re going to make a run for the Territory this morning. And while you’re at it, pray that we make it.”
“How is getting into the Territory going to help you?”
“There’s some things worth more than money. Just go back to sleep.”
Ben stared at the man. “I saw signs of Indians across the border.”
Ed smiled. “Yes, I bet you did.”
“What are you up to? How are you going to get the cattle past them?”
“Maybe I’m not.” Ed pushed his hat back and stared at him. “Guess it doesn’t matter what you know. I’m giving them to the Indians for safe passage.” He glanced at Jingo, who was riding to the herd.
Ben held out his hands. “I take it Jingo doesn’t know of your plans.”
Ed’s face became hard and his eyes even harder. “I don’t take revenge lightly and haven’t had cause to hold it against many. Duston ruined our lives. He stole our ranch and sent Pa to his grave.”
“I haven’t done anything to you.”
Ed looked at him. “No, you haven’t. Jingo on the other hand, he cost me two years in prison. Jingo is the one who robbed the store and framed me. If it hadn’t been for him, I’d have never gone to jail.”
Ben could bet safely that Jingo was expecting a payoff. Not an arrow for his troubles? “Let me go, Ed. You owe me a chance.”
“Maybe I do.” He started to cut him loose when shouts and running cattle broke out in the direction of the herd.
***
Rand couldn’t sleep, but by the sound of the snores coming from the sheriff, he wasn’t having a problem. The night was stifling. The air stale and not moving. Silence battered him, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
Susanna. She’d loved life but didn’t put up with any of his wild nights in town. It didn’t take her long, and she’d made a real husband out of him. He smiled when he thought of her standing at the door of their home, hands on her hips and with the cutest pout on her face. She would counter him with words from her Bible. If that didn’t work, she’d stop his words with a kiss. And soon, she’d win the argument.
He’d promised to stop hunting men for money once he brought in the Burton gang. One last hunt. The one that took Susanna from him. Why hadn’t he stopped sooner? He’d wanted to give her the world. Instead, he caused her to leave this one.
Anger beat hot inside him. At first toward the men he’d chased, but then at his father and the preacher in Duston for his sermons of forgiveness. There was no forgiveness for taking her away. Not for the Burtons, the preacher, or himself.
But tonight, it was because of Rose that he’d awakened. Even though he’d left her safe back in town, he couldn’t shake the idea something was wrong. He stood and scanned the dark horizon. Nothing. No sounds. No light.
His thoughts drifted to Susanna and his great loss. He didn’t wish that on anyone. He glanced at the stars and considered praying for Rose and Ben. Considered it, but what good would it do? He’d prayed for Susanna, and she was taken from him.
Anger beat away his noble thoughts of prayer. No, he was doing what he could do. He would find Ben. Fight to save him if necessary. Rand stared into the blackness and tried to stop the sick feeling that his search was going to end badly.
Chapter 9
Rose yanked the reins out of the man’s hand. “That’s my business. Who are you?”
The rough man glowered at her. “Trey Duston. We’re looking for rustlers.”
“I think you can see I don’t have any cows around me.” The man before her was big as his legend.
He laughed. “No, I guess you’re right. It’s just that we don’t usually find a woman alone on the plains. Are you meeting someone?”
Rand had talked about Duston. How it was his cattle that were missing, and Ben had been working for the man. “I came from Philadelphia to marry Ben Anderson. He’s missing.”
“Ah, Ben. Yes, he is missing along with some of my cattle that were in his care. I believe there might be some connection. Jess, find any evidence that anyone else is with her?”
“No. She’s alone.”
Rose stayed atop Pansy, that way she wouldn’t have to look up to Duston. “I told you I was alone. Ben didn’t steal your cattle. I think he’s been taken captive. He was supposed to meet me.”
Duston drew in a deep breath and stared at her. “Morning is coming. Soon, we’ll see about Ben. I do hope for your sake that he wasn’t involved in the rustling.” He started to say more but shook his head and walked off instead.
Rose wasn’t sure what she should do. She wanted to find Rand, but maybe it was better she was with Duston. Perhaps she could keep the big man from blindly attacking Ben. Her heart quickened. Ben had to be near. She could feel him. Today, she’d find him. Today, she and Ben would finally be together.
She reined Pansy to go after Mr. Duston. It was important she go with the big man and keep him from harming Ben. “Mr. Duston, do you think you will catch the rustlers today?”
With annoyance, he looked at her. “Yes, that’s what my trackers say. And they’re never wrong.”
“I must go with you. I have been waiting to meet Ben—”
“No.” He shook his head with force. “I’ll not be responsible for a woman. Not like we’re going on a pic-a-nic. It’s dirty business at hand.”
“I’m going. Either with you or by myself. You can’t stop me.”
Even in the dark, she could see him glower at her. He rode his horse to her and loomed over her. “Can’t? That’s not a word I handle. Jess, stay back when we light out and keep this little woman with you. Don’t harm her, but don’t let her go.”
“Yes, sir.” Jess glared at her as if he’d been put in charge of a pest.
Rose bristled. “Mr. Duston, you do not have any right to keep me from going. It is a free country.”
“Blast it, woman. You don’t seem to understand what is about to happen.” Moving quickly for a big man, he pulled her from Pansy and set her on the ground before dismounting. He took her by the shoulders and turned her to face north. “Across the Red River is Indian territory. While they don’t raid these parts like they used to, you’ll be fair game across that river. See that little wisp of smoke. That’s Comanche. I don’t even want to tell you what they do to women they capture.” He turned her west. “That draw, is a creek. I figure as soon as it’s light, t
he cattle will be charging for the border.”
She wrestled out of his grip. “I’m Rose McCabe, and I have come from Philadelphia to meet Ben Anderson and marry him. Nothing and no one is going to get in my way.”
Jess pointed. “Riders coming.”
Duston swung around. “Now what?” He shoved Rose to Jess. “Take her and keep her quiet.”
With a growl, the big man walked toward the incoming riders. “Stop. We got you covered.”
“Sheriff Hardy here. Mr. Duston, that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me. What are you doing out here this dark night?”
The sheriff pointed to the man next to him. “Rand Ketcham, he’s with me. We’re looking for the men who rustled your cattle and one they might have taken prisoner. Ben Anderson.”
Duston glared at her and then turned to face the men. “You got any reason to think Ben wasn’t in on the rustling?”
Rand pointed at her. “That woman for one. I believe her. Doesn’t feel right a man would rustle cattle and disappear the week his intended bride was due to come in.”
With a scowl, Duston shook his head. “I’ve seen plenty of men in a hurry to run from the chains of marriage.”
Rose wanted to slap him. “Not Ben. Please, believe me. Don’t hurt him.”
Rand rode forward to stand in front of her. “I told you to stay at the boarding house. How did you get away?”
Defiantly, she glared at him. “I climbed down the roof.”
Mr. Duston roared with laughter. “Good, since you had her first, she’s your problem, Rand. Thought you were done bounty hunting.”
“I’m just helping Rose.”
Duston nodded. “Not sure I believe you, but it’s getting light, and it’s time to go in and get those cattle back.”
Sheriff Hardy pointed north. “What do you intend to do if they get across the border?”
Flexing his arms and shoulders like a bull readying for a charge, Duston glared at him. “I intend to stop them before they get to the Red. If not, it won’t be the first time I’ve fought the Comanch over my cattle.”
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