The Ranger's Wife (Hero Hearts; Lawmen's Brides Book 1)

by Natalie Dean

  “You planned that attack?” she yelled, her eyes bulging from the sockets.

  “Yes, both of them.” Charles smiled. It made Piper’s skin crawl to see how proud that smile was. “The ride out to see about a town and a doctor? Yes, that was a ruse so I could meet with my gang, who had followed stealthily, I might add. Good job boys, really.” Charles clapped lightly as a few men gave elaborate mock bows. “Benjamin and Jack were not enough. I was quite pleased to know that only two Marshalls would be in attendance. I was a little worried about your fiancée, though.” Charles waggled a finger, arching one eyebrow. “Black Hands Walker is known from Texas to Boston, and his reputation precedes him. He’s one of the toughest lawmen to ever walk the earth.”

  Piper swallowed against the constriction on her throat. Her eyes stung. Jack. How could she have been so blinded?

  Because you turned your eyes away from God and coveted what he hadn’t portioned for you.

  A tear slipped from each corner of her eyes. Charles wiped at them with a thumb, his face sympathetic.

  “Now don’t cry, Piper. You will see in time that this was for the best. I can afford to give you a life you deserve. A life that Jack Walker could only dream of giving you.” He moved her by the shoulders and helped her onto a log that had been placed near the fire. “Now, I’m going to untie you, but don’t make me regret it.”

  Piper breathed out audibly as she was finally allowed to bring her aching arms to the front. Her shoulder joints felt like they had been pulled and twisted out of socket.

  “What did you boys find for use to eat?”

  “Three rabbits, and we took all of the food supplies from that front wagon.”

  Piper felt a pang of anger. She knew they were speaking of the Baxter wagon. What had Mrs. Baxter given Mr. Baxter to eat? He was just getting some strength back. She wanted to refuse food from the criminals, but as she watched the rabbits get skinned and soon smelled the heady aroma of fresh meat cooking, her stomach responded with a loud grumble and cramp of protest for how empty it was. She could practically feel her saliva glands engaging.

  Once dinner was finished cooking, Charles fixed her a plate and brought it to her. There was a meager amount of rabbit and rough bread.

  “I will wine and dine you like a Queen once we reach Albany.”

  Piper ate the sinewy greasy, yet delicious meat, running her bread over the tin plate to gather the leftover grease onto the bread. She sighed dejectedly that there wasn’t more.

  “I don’t want to be wined and dined, Mr. Dewitt.”

  “Aw, now don’t go back to calling me that! We’re on a first name basis!”

  “Not anymore we aren’t,” Piper replied hotly. “I was a fool for falling for your smooth talk and gentleman’s ways. You were a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

  “You’ll see the great benefits you will reap once this is behind us. Just think of the things we can have. The home we can build together!”

  Piper shook her head. “I want nothing with you or from you, Charles.”

  His face fell slowly, and she watched a dangerous look enter his green eyes. It reflected in the firelight, and the brilliant color was like something tainted with black poison.

  “You’ll change your mind, or perhaps you will be of no more use to me. Perhaps you would be of better use to some of the men of this camp.”

  Piper swallowed as his words sunk in. She dared a glance around the campfire and saw greedy grins from all sides. One man rose and tilted her head up roughly by the chin. He smelled horrible, and the skin of his hand was like bark. She jerked her head away, her eyes filling with tears. She heard a faint click as the men went silent. Charles had a pistol pointed at the back of the man’s head.

  “I didn’t say she was available now. Until I say, she’s off limits. Understand?”

  “Sure, Dewitt,” the man said and raised his hands slowly. “I’ll just go back to my supper now.”

  “Yes, you do that.” Charles sat back down beside Piper but kept his gun beside him.

  Oh Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my pride. My pride has put me in this predicament. Your word says you are my strength and shield. Please, honor that and send help! Please send the man I should have honored to begin with. Please send Jack!

  Piper laid in the wagon and cried silently. How could she withstand the course language and ogling from the men? How could she keep herself from having to go into danger at the next robbery? And another robbery was inevitable. Men like the ones she was forced to be with had insatiable appetites for what didn’t belong to them.

  The canvas at the back of the wagon pulled to the side, and Piper sat up as Charles hopped easily into the back of the wagon.

  “What do you want?”

  “I wanted to speak with you.” He sat close to her, and she could smell whiskey on his breath.

  “I’m trying to sleep.”

  “Let’s sleep together then,” he chuckled and nuzzled his face against her neck.

  Piper pushed at his shoulders angrily.

  “Stop that!”

  “Why, Kitten? I know you feel the same way about me. You’re just mad right now.”

  “Right now? Not just right now! Forever!”

  Charles laughed and pressed his lips hard against her mouth, pulling her by her upper arms so that she was laying on top of him.

  “No!” Piper yelled and managed to get her knee up and forward, striking him firmly in the groin.

  Charles’s eyes bulged in the darkness, and his mouth made a perfect O as he reached for his injured area. A hiss and strangled cry escaped his open mouth. Piper felt a satisfying moment of triumph. It didn’t matter what kind of punishment he would inflict.

  “William!” Charles finally managed to call, the single word strangled causing him to repeat it. The opening to the back of the wagon opened again, and William peeked inside. His surprised expression swiftly turned to one of amusement.

  Charles pulled himself to the back of the wagon.

  “Tie her back up!”

  “Sure, boss.”

  Charles watched Piper warily until William returned, embarrassedly holding his hand out so William could help him from the wagon. Piper smiled as she heard loud laughter and ridiculous statements being hurled at Charles as he emerged from the wagon and staggered away.

  “No trouble out of you, girl,” William said with a growl.

  “I have no intentions unless you want to try something foolish too.” She looked up at him, her blue eyes defiant.

  “No Ma’am.”

  Piper sighed as the fading satisfaction gave way to the returning worry. William finished tying her hands and ankles and laid her down on her side, before leaving without another word. Soon the camp was quiet, and the glow of the campfire died.

  “Jack,” she whispered to the darkness. “Please don’t be so angry that you won’t come for me.”

  Chapter Nine

  The wagon began moving just before the sky opened to the sunlight. Piper couldn’t see it yet, but the wagon was gathering a dim grayish light, and she knew that soon the sky would fill with pink and yellow.

  No one had come to allow her a chance to relieve herself, or to even bring her so much as a sip of water from a canteen. The day was going to be hot. Her hair was already sticking to the back of her neck.

  Piper turned her body and began raising both legs at once to kick at the side of the wagon.

  “Hello?” She kicked again. “Hello?”

  The wagon slowly rolled to a stop, and soon the angry face of Charles Dewitt was centered at the back of the wagon, the canvas flap held firmly in one hand.

  “What, Piper? What do you need?”

  “I need to relieve myself, and I would like some water.”

  His face morphed into a sneer.

  “After what you pulled last night you think I should accommodate you?”

  “I think you better do something, Charles, or I will just scream bloody murder. Maybe we will see how close t
he Marshalls really are, or perhaps it will be a test to see if the Indians are really gone from this area. I hear the Iroquois are quite hospitable.”

  Charles chewed on his lip debating whether to call her bluff. Piper opened her mouth and sucked in air, but he quickly brought his hands up and hopped into the wagon to untie her.

  “You’re a hard woman to deal with,” he grumbled as he fumbled with the rope.

  “Thank you,” Piper said and rubbed at her wrists as he began working on the rope at her ankles.

  “You thank me for that statement?”

  “I thank you for untying me.”

  “Don’t try anything stupid. I’ll be close, and I’ll have a man on you with a rifle before you can blink your pretty little eyes.”

  “I have no intention of running. It would serve no purpose.”

  “I do admire your intelligence,” he responded and helped her from the wagon.

  The morning moved on at a slow pace. Piper could feel sweat dripping from her temples and down the back of her neck as the wagon finally rolled to a stop. She listened, her head angled to the side.

  Water. We’re near water.

  She could have cried from relief. If she played her cards right, Charles might allow her to wade into whatever body of water it was and scrub at her hands and face. For not the first time since coming to America, she cursed the layers of fabric she as a woman was expected to wear. America or England, it didn’t matter, but the weight of it was exhausting.

  The canvas pulled back, and Piper blinked against the sunlight.

  “Come on, Piper. We need to cross the river. You’ll have to go on foot or horseback now.”

  “I hardly think…”

  William scowled at her, causing deep lines to form on his face.

  “We don’t rightly care what you think! Now get a move on it!”

  Piper gave him a sharp look.

  “Untie me and I shall.”

  William huffed but entered the wagon and untied her ankles, leading her out roughly by her tied hands.

  Piper looked at the river in front of her. It was wide, and she had a hard time seeing the other side. Had it been a different circumstance, she would have taken the time to admire the beauty which surrounded it. The bank edged its way slowly to the water’s edge, and there was a little area that was clear of the trees that demanded space right up to the water’s edge. She looked across and could see rock sharing space with trees on the other side. Water rushed past, and she followed the progression with her eyes. She could see the top of a wide waterfall not far off.

  “If we try to cross here the current will pull us over that fall.”

  Charles came forward and relieved William of his Piper duties. He cut her ropes with a sharp knife. His eyes dark as he looked down on her.

  “I have cut your ties. Cross me again and I’ll either hand you to the men or use this to slit your pretty throat. Do you understand?” He moved the knife back and forth in front of her face, sunlight catching the blade.

  Piper stared up at him, her face unreadable.

  “You surely know how to court a lady.”

  “You had your shot at that. Once we get to Albany, we may be able to start anew.”

  Piper rubbed at her wrists as Charles spoke quickly to the men waiting for their orders. She exhaled slowly as she heard him heed her warning. They would move further up river before attempting to cross.

  “We should cross over where the Mohawk meets,” William suggested. “We have to cross it to get to Albany anyway unless you want to go further north.”

  “No,” Charles confirmed. “I do not. Further north will almost guarantee a run in with the Iroquois. Besides, further north will leave us vulnerable. The Marshalls have no doubt regrouped with help by now.”

  Jack moved over the rock on his belly, his eyes tracking the group. When he first caught sight of Piper, he had fought the urge to just run down the rock and grab her from their clutches, but it wasn’t wise, and he knew it.

  “They’re going to cross,” Benjamin breathed at his side. He turned his head slightly to see Blaine Baxter crouched in the trees, his rifle pointed at the group below. Sheriff Poole couldn’t get any men for them, and the trio had spent the night tracking the group, not willing to wait for morning’s light with the vague promise that maybe men would join them then. The final decision to move ahead with bets on the river had been Jack’s idea. Benjamin had learned a long time before to trust Jack’s instincts completely.

  “Wait until they are in the center. They won’t risk entering until they are over there where there’s more rock. It’s more cover and better footing to try and cross.” Jack bit down on his inner cheek as he watched a man he hadn’t seen before lift Piper up to Charles Dewitt. He wrapped his arms loosely around her as he regathered his reins and sent his horse into the water.

  Benjamin steadied his gun, waiting for Jack’s command. He may have been the ranking officer, but Jack was truly the one in charge, and he didn’t despise it one bit. Jack had this work in his blood. He was meant to do it.

  “Alright,” Jack breathed. “Last horse is in the water. Let them get a little closer.” He raised his hand beside his ear, and Blaine Brackett emerged from the shadow of the trees, his legs still bent and head low. Jack watched as Charles’s horse staggered as the water grew deeper, but it kept going at a slow, steady pace. Soon the horse would be practically swimming. Jack held his breath as Charles’s horse came closer to the water’s edge on their side. His head moved, a low growl escaping his lips as two horses came forward and passed Charles and Piper. Jack aimed and shot the man on the lead horse, quickly cocking the hammer again and shooting the one directly beside him.

  Charles’s head shot upward and scanned the rock ahead, his lips moving quickly calling out orders to the others. He slapped the reins against his horse’s neck, trying to hurry the horse along. Piper gripped him, her eyes large as the horse struggled to gain footing, her head angled downward at the bodies floating in the water, blood darkening the water around and under their heads.

  “Let’s go!” Jack yelled and scrambled to his feet. They needed to reach the bottom to get Piper before Charles could get away with her. Blaine stayed at the top and began picking off the members of the gang who were foolish enough to keep pushing forward. Jack watched with a quick flick of his eyes as another one of Charles’s men dropped from his horse.

  Jack and Benjamin took the narrow pathway from the rock area back down to the water’s edge. Their horses were hidden amongst the trees. Jack and Benjamin’s feet hit the ground as Charles and Piper burst through the underbrush on Charles’s horse. Jack yelped in pain as he lost his footing and rolled the final few feet to the bottom, a jagged piece of rock tearing through fabric and flesh. He hissed and jumped into his saddle, yanking at the tied reins to free them from their loose knot. His own pain fading as he focused on the retreating hindquarters of the horse that held Piper.

  Benjamin lowered himself to a crouch and fired his gun as one of the gang tried to follow. Another shot echoed from above them where Blaine was still positioned. Jack did some quick math. Four were down, and one was ahead of him. That left five more who would either follow or who would run in the opposite direction.

  Jack held his gun tightly in his hand, hoping for a clean shot at Charles. He could have screamed for joy when he saw the trees thinning ahead of him indicating a clearing was ahead. Charles was driving his horse hard, and Jack was sure Piper would either be thrown or would hit her head and die. Leftover leaves from the previous fall flew into the air in the wake of the horse’s hooves.

  Jack pulled back hard on the reins of his horse as Charles’s horse cleared the trees and underbrush. The animal let out a scream of pain and fear. Charles’s horse had hit a hole and his legs twisted, sending it to the ground in a sickening swift movement.

  Jack watched in horror as he dismounted. Piper was thrown, and her body rolled and tumbled several feet before coming to a face down stop. For
a moment she didn’t move a muscle. Charles landed nearby and scrambled his way to Piper, yanking her upward, and placing a strong arm over her throat. His other hand pushed the barrel of his gun to her head. Piper blinked, her body wanting to sag as she fought for consciousness. One sleeve of her dress hung loosely around her elbow, having been torn from the fall. Jack winced inwardly as he watched blood drip from her forehead.

  “Let her go, Dewitt! You have nowhere to run to!”

  “There’s always somewhere to run to!” His green eyes were completely round and frantic. His head jerked, but he kept his eyes on Jack as more gunfire sounded in the distance. Jack imagined he was doing the math too, counting who might be left in his dwindling gang.

  “Your gang is being picked apart, Charles. You don’t have help coming. Let Piper go!”

  Piper swallowed. “Do what he says, Charles. He’ll kill you,” she whispered, keeping her eyes on Jack.

  “Shut up!” Charles yelled pressing the gun tighter against her head. Piper whimpered and closed her eyes.

  “Last chance, Dewitt,” Jack said. The gun tilted as Charles pushed it against Piper’s head and he began to back away. His horse had righted himself and was hobbling towards his owner, soft neighing calling out for help. The movement of Charles’s hand gave Jack all the information he needed. Charles had forgotten to pull the hammer back on his pistol.

  Jack looked at Piper’s silently moving lips as he moved his gun a hair to one side and shot Charles in the elbow of the arm that held the gun to Piper’s precious head. Charles’s arm flew backward, sending the gun sailing away from him, as he reached to cradle his arm. He was bent at the waist and was still trying to back away.

  “Not another step or this one will take out your knee.”

  As if to protect his knee caps, Charles fell to the ground with a low wail escaping his lips. Footsteps crashed through the brush behind him, but Jack didn’t look. He kept his eyes on Charles. Benjamin darted forward and descended on Charles, a rope for his hands at the ready. Blaine was close behind him and took hold of Charles’s horse.