A look north sent a shiver down Rand’s spine. Indians, Comanche more than likely, were on the other side of the Red River. “The Indians don’t have anything to lose. They could attack once the cattle get near the river. We better be ready. Could be we’ll need the rustlers and their cattle to appease the Comanche.”
Duston walked to him. “I’ll sure not work with those that stole my cattle, and I’m not letting anyone take them across the border.”
The sheriff pointed. “That sun is coming up. If we don’t hurry, we’ll lose any advantage of surprise. Let’s go.”
Rose scrambled back on Pansy and loped after the sheriff.
Soon she heard the others and Duston ride up beside her. The big rancher’s deep voice cut out across the still morning air. “I hope your young man is innocent.”
“He is.” She stared at him, concentrating on keeping a confident appearance.
Duston held up his hand. “Duston men, watch out for Ben Anderson. Don’t shoot unless he shoots at you.” He glanced at her. “And you pray he doesn’t shoot at us.”
Rand rode to her. “You need to stay back. I won’t be responsible for you getting hurt.”
Duston nodded. “He’s right, Miss. Jess, take her back to the camp and wait.”
She jabbed Pansy and rode out away toward the draw. She heard Rand swear and before she could think to change directions, he had his arm around her waist and scooped her out of the saddle and onto his horse.
He ignored her fists pummeling him and road to Jess. “Take her back and don’t let her out of your sight. She’s a tricky female.”
Jess laughed. “She’s female. They’re all tricky. Come on, Miss. I’ll take good care of you.”
Rose pounded Rand’s shoulder. “Let me go.”
He frowned and dumped her on the ground. “We’ll be back with your Ben. You might say some prayers.”
Startled he would say anything about praying, Rose stopped. “All right. I’ll pray. For Ben. For you. For all the men.”
He stared at her.
Even in the dim light, she could see a haunted look on his face.
Without another word, he galloped after the other men.
Rose knelt and prayed. Prayed harder than she ever had. She couldn’t lose Ben now, and she didn’t want to see any of the others hurt.
***
Rand rode Black Jack to the front beside Hardy and Duston. “What’s the plan. I hardly think storming down the draw is a good one.”
Duston laughed. “No, it isn’t. I have four men riding up the side of the draw to guard the north trail. We’ll just play it out.” Duston stared at him. “I heard you’re a man with grit. Get your gun ready.”
They rode to the edge where the cattle had been driven down. The sheriff stopped and gestured. “After you.”
Rand chuckled. “Not so sure that’s a good idea.”
Duston rode between them. “Follow me boys. I tamed this land by charging toward what I wanted. I’m sure not going to change now.”
Rand shrugged at Hardy and followed Duston. If the rustlers were anywhere close, they’d hear the racket they were making. Rand took out his pistol and stared at the brush below. They could be hiding anywhere.
Rand rode Black Jack past a big cottonwood that rattled its leaves in the morning wind. Just like that day two years ago. Early morning. A wind had come up, and the leaves clapped at the new day. If only he could have known what was going to happen and stopped.
Duston was to his left. “Get ready.”
His heart breaking all over again, Rand nodded. But he couldn’t see. Couldn’t think beyond the past. Hardy was to his right hidden behind a stand of shrub. Just as they were set to move out, movement at the top of the ridge caught his eye. He turned to look and froze.
A black and white horse stood on the edge of the draw right where they’d ridden down. It was Rose on Pansy.
“It’s Rose.”
Duston cussed.
Hardy growled. “Want me to get her?”
Duston shook his head. “They’re coming. Quiet.”
As if in slow motion, Rand could see the outcome. Rose would come down the trail just as the rustlers ran for it. Then he saw her fall. Blood on her blouse. But it wasn’t Rose it was Susanna. Heaven knows he’d replayed that day over and over.
Rand prayed. A real prayer. To a God he’d ignored for too many years. “Please, God. Stop her.”
But Rand didn’t wait for the Lord to work. He jabbed Black Jack to rush up the trail. Bullets exploded behind him. Bark from trees shattered, bullets pinged off rock, and still he rode, shouting for her to get back. Shouting to God to protect her.
Heat ripped through his arm, but still, he charged. Black Jack powered up the trail toward her. To save her. He had to. More shots rang out, this time from Hardy and Duston.
Warm blood flowed down his arm. Rand didn’t care. He had one thought. Save Rose.
***
Ben jumped off his horse and ducked under a bush. Ed and John scattered the herd, pushing them down the draw toward a spot where the banks were lower. A natural place for the cattle to get out of the stream bed.
Jingo came back, evil blackening his face. He fired over and over all around him and at nothing.
The still morning was now alive with shouts, gunfire, and cattle stampeding in every direction. Ben grabbed at his horse as it galloped past but had to duck back into the brush as Jingo looked his way.
His goal was to stay away from Jingo and live for Rose.
Jingo found his horse, looked around, and ducked as gunfire from down the riverbed came their way.
Ben flattened on the ground.
Jingo fired back and then stopped to change cylinders on his gun.
Ed and John raced back, firing in the air, scattering the stampeding cattle. The brothers rode to Jingo. Ed grabbed Jingo’s arm. “We’re trapped. Where’s Ben?”
Jingo turned. “Fools. I told you it was crazy to go down the draw. Our only chance is to get out the other side.”
Ed shook his head and pointed north. “Duston’s men are waiting for us.”
John swung around and looked up. “Let’s get out of here.”
Ed stopped him. “We need to cut Ben loose.”
Jingo grabbed Ed’s reins. “You better make sure he’s dead, or it will be our necks if we get out of here alive.”
Ben stayed quiet under the thick brush.
Jingo whirled his horse. “He’s close. His horse is here. I’ll kill him if you don’t have the stomach.” He glared at Ed. “Maybe I need to kill you and your brother. I’m not willing to hang for cattle I’m not even going to get to sell.”
John rushed between them. “Go, Duston is south and north of us. Keep following the riverbed. Let Duston have his cattle back.” He slapped Ed’s horse, and together they took off.
Jingo aimed his pistol at the fleeing brothers and fired. Shots made him turn and fire at the riders coming at them. Then Jingo took off, gun blazing up the trail.
The herd stampeded toward him. Ben ducked back into the brush and put his back against the biggest tree, praying the cattle would miss him.
Chapter 10
Rose heard a bullet whiz past her, and in a blur, saw Rand racing his big horse toward her. Up the trail he charged.
Rand lurched to the side but hung on, yelling for her to get back.
She couldn’t turn Pansy around on the steep trail and tried to make the scared mare back up. The little mare stumbled.
Rand reached her, one arm hung to his side, but with his other, he grabbed her and kept Black Jack running up the hill.
Looking over his shoulder, she saw the cattle streaming down the draw and some running up the trail. Bawling and loud they came. She scanned below looking for Ben, praying he was alive.
Finally, Rand reached the top of the draw, and they were on level ground. He kept the horse running and then stopped and let her slide to the ground. “Stay here. Understand?”
His voi
ce was hard. She nodded. She would stay put. For a time.
He turned and left her alone on the prairie. The day had broken twilights hold as sunshine spilled over the land. She watched the creek, hoping her Ben would come to her.
She could still hear the racket of the gunshots and cattle stampeding. Her heart thudded hard and rapid. Her journey had brought her here. To this point. “Please, God. Let Ben find me.”
She glanced at her hands. They were covered in blood. Rand’s blood. He owed her nothing but was risking his life to find Ben. She knelt and bowed her head. “Protect Rand and Ben. Please, Lord.”
Then it was quiet. A few bellows from the cattle was all that she could hear. No more gunshots. She waited. All alone on the Texas plains.
***
Rand jerked Black Jack around and headed him back to the draw. His arm stung, but he didn’t care. He didn’t matter. He’d saved Rose. Now for Ben.
On the way down the trail, he passed Pansy standing where they’d left her. He grabbed her reins and led her down.
“Hardy! Duston!”
Thick dust clouded the air, blurring his vision. A few shots sounded, but they were going away from him. The cattle were stampeding the other way. And then a gust of cool air cleared the draw. In front of him, a big man on a rawboned sorrel glared at him, pulled his gun, and aimed.
Rand froze. The only time in his life he couldn’t move. Time stood still as he stared into the eyes of the evil man before him. For a moment, he wondered if that was how he looked when on the hunt for blood money. Hate ruling his mind. Hard and unfeeling, he’d faced down outlaws and those who’d lost their right to live in peace.
It was if he had all the time in eternity to contemplate the next second. Was he right with God that he would be able to see Susanna again? His heart sank. No. He wasn’t far away from Susanna, but between them was an abyss. One he couldn’t cross on his own.
“Susanna!” He yelled, hoping to see her.
The burly man aimed his gun and sneered. Mocking him. As if the devil himself were standing there and taking away his chance to be united with his love.
Rand braced himself.
Then movement to the side caught his eye.
The evil man raised his gun.
A man charged out of the brush and knocked the big man from his horse.
Rand came alive, kicked Black Jack and charged toward him, knocking the evil man down. Raising his own pistol, Rand aimed at the man. “Hands up or I shoot.”
“No one takes me in.” The man raised his gun to fire when a rifle shot rang out from the ridge, and the man fell and rolled down the ravine.
Rand looked up to see two men riding along the west wall of the draw. Out of reach. Out of his care. Movement caught his attention.
Ben Anderson stood over where the outlaw had fallen and rolled down the steep sides of the creek. “Can’t see him.”
Rand couldn’t believe he was still alive. He’d been given another chance to get right and be reunited with Susanna. He wondered if she’d been watching over him. Then he heard Ben asking him a question. He’d found Ben. The man he’d been asked to look for. Rose would be happy.
“Ben Anderson, there’s someone who has been waiting for you.”
Ben smiled and held out his hands. “Cut me loose. I want to be able to hold her in my arms.”
Rand pulled out his knife and cut the rope. “You’re a lucky man.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. I’ve prayed every day since the first letter from Rose.” He looked at Rand. “God does answer prayers.”
Rand started to disagree. But then, Ben was standing before him. Safe. When Rand wouldn’t have given a nickel for his chances this morning. “Maybe.”
Ben climbed on Pansy. “Where is she?”
Rand reined Black Jack around and to the trail up the draw. “Want to tell me what happened? Duston thinks you were part of the gang that took his cattle.”
“Nope. I had nothing to do with it other than be at the wrong place at the wrong time. You can vouch for me. You cut my ropes.”
“That’s good enough for me. I’ll tell Duston and the sheriff.” He looked at the disappearing trail of dust in the distance. “Guess they’re still chasing the cattle.”
Ben didn’t wait but rode around him and up the trial. “Rose!”
Chapter 11
Rose thought she heard her name. She leaped to her feet and prayed, staring at the trail. Hoping.
“Rose!”
She started running. Her heart beating fast, hope rising until joy overtook her. “Ben!”
A man riding Pansy topped the ridge. He had blond hair, and she knew he’d have blue eyes. She ran to him as he galloped toward her.
Almost to her, he reined the horse to a stop and flew off the saddle and ran to her. They met in a rush as he swooped her into his arms and swung her around. Then he set her down gently and kissed her. A kiss so tender and full of love that the world around her melted.
“Ben. I had to find you. Are you alright?”
He held her at arm’s length and nodded. “Fine. Never as so fine as this moment. Thinking of you and your letters kept me alive. Kept me hoping and praying for this moment.” He stepped back and looked at her. “Are you real? I feel like I’m dreaming.”
She laughed. “Yes.” She took his hands and turned them over. “Your wrists. They’re all bloody.”
“It’s nothing. I’m here now, and I’m never going to let you go.”
Rand rode to them and took Pansy’s reins. “Duston and Hardy are coming. We better go. I’m not sure where the rest of the gang is. The cattle are scattered.”
She glanced at the trail as two men topped the ridge, one of them Duston.”
Duston stopped his horse and nodded at Ben. “I take it you were kept prisoner?”
Ben nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, they took your cattle.”
Duston drew in a deep breath, looked ready to fire into a rage, and stopped. “So, Rose, are you disappointed?”
“No, sir. I am not. I told you he was held prisoner.”
Rand grinned at the sheriff. “They do look happy.”
The sheriff came alongside him. “What about the gang?”
Ben pointed. “The one called Jingo, I think he’s dead. You’ll find him at the bottom of the trail.”
Looking over his shoulder, Rand shrugged. “I’ll get him for you sheriff.” He paused. “For your deputy’s family. Right Sheriff?”
“That’s right.”
Duston rode in the middle of them. “What about the rest of the gang? My men are busy rounding up the herd.”
Rand glanced at Ben. “You know who they are?”
Ben frowned. “O’Hara brothers. I think you ought to know them Duston. Seems you took their ranch from them.”
Duston glared at him. “They’re still outlaws.” He looked at Rand. “There’s an easy thousand if you bring them in.”
Rand pushed past him. “I’m busy. Chase them yourself.”
Sheriff Hardy followed Rand. “Out of my jurisdiction, Duston. Go get your cows and be happy. I heard about the O’Hara’s and what happened to their father.”
Duston growled. “Well, that’s their side of it. Their pa liked the bottle before he lost his land and deed, but I can see how it was for the boys. Youngest one found his pa hanging. Kinda feel sorry for them.” He paused. “Guess I got the cattle back. As long as they don’t come around, I’ll let it go.” He reined his horse toward the dust of his cattle and men.
Rose wasn’t sure about letting outlaws roam about freely, but she had Ben. That was all that mattered to her.
Ben helped her on Pansy and then got on behind her. She smiled at him, and then together they rode toward town. The other men followed behind them. She would have to thank Rand. He had found Ben for her.
***
Ben couldn’t believe he was finally with her. That she was real and not just words on paper. He thanked the Lord for protecting her, and almost
laughed that she’d gotten Rand to help her find him.
The bounty hunter had turned hermit after his wife died. Now, seeing Rose, Ben understood why. He couldn’t go on if he’d lost Rose. He smiled, one that went deep down inside of him. She was life to him.
He watched Rand riding in front of them. He was a tough man. Ben didn’t know him well but got the impression he wasn’t one to get sideways with. How Rose convinced him to end his retirement was a tribute to his bride-to-be.
He glanced at her. The sooner they were married, the better.
He’d checked with the sheriff, and they had a preacher in Gainesville. He’d make the day as special as he could for his bride. It wasn’t exactly the setting he’d dreamed of, but under the circumstances, it would do.
They stopped on the small hill before town. “You fellas go on ahead. I have something to talk over with my bride-to-be.”
The sheriff and Rand grinned and rode on into town.
Ben stepped from the horse and took the reins from her. “Rose, we have some things to discuss.” He put his hands around her waist and helped her down. He led her to a boulder and sat her down. Then he knelt before her and took her hands in his.
He looked up at her. “Rose, since your first letter, I have waited for this day. A day that I believe God ordained from the beginning of time. I love you with all my heart and soul. Rose McCabe, will you marry me?”
With a heavenly smile, she brought his hand to her lips and kissed it. “Yes. I too love you with all my heart and soul.”
He gathered her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. “I want to marry you in Gainesville. I asked the sheriff, and they have a preacher. Would that be all right with you?”
She nodded.
After we’ve had our time together in our cabin, later, we’ll go into Duston and celebrate with the town folk. We have a small church, and the town is full of good people. But I don’t want to share you right away.”
She blushed. “I stayed in the cabin for a few days. Then after I got Rand to help me, we stayed in the cabin. But all I could think of was you. It’s beautiful. The table you made for me. I could feel you in every room. See your touch in every log and piece of furniture. I can’t wait to be there with you.”
Lawfully Saved: Inspirational Christian Historical Page 8
