To Tempt a Rogue

by Connie Mason

  At a loss for words, Ryan stumbled forward, wondering how in the hell he was going to get out of this one. For the first time in his life he wished his brothers were here to help him out of this mess.

  * * *

  Kitty was just leaving the general store when she heard gunshots. She froze, forgetting for a moment that she was no longer an outlaw and had no reason to fear gunplay. Feeling more confident, she packed her purchases in her saddlebags and mounted up, intending to ride north like she originally planned.

  Her curiosity was piqued when she saw people running down the street to investigate the ruckus. She heard someone shout, “Bank robbery,” and thought nothing of it until she heard someone else call out the name of the bank robbers. The Bartons! That alone should have convinced Kitty to hightail it out of town, but something held her back. A sense of foreboding made her dismount and follow the crowd to the bank. Fearing to get too close to where the law had the Bartons pinned down, Kitty hung back, peering over heads in order to see what was taking place.

  Her cry of dismay was lost amid a jumble of voices when she saw Ryan being led off by the marshal. Her head spun dizzily, and she leaned against a hitching post until the world stopped whirling. What was Ryan doing in Tucson? More importantly, what was he doing with the Bartons? Ryan was no bank robber, yet the proof of his intent was indisputable. According to rumors flying around her, Ryan had been caught approaching the bank with the Bartons.

  Nothing made sense. She wanted to rush to Ryan’s defense but feared she might be identified as a member of the gang dressed as she was as a boy. There had to be a way to save Ryan from the hangman, and it was up to her to find it. The crowd was starting to disburse, and Kitty got her first look at the two bodies sprawled in the dirt. She gagged and looked away. At least she’d never have to worry about Billy and Clank again. She was grateful that Ryan’s life had been spared and immediately began making plans to save him.

  Leaving Tucson was out of the question now. Ryan needed her. She had to keep a level head if Ryan was to survive. But first things first. Getting permission to see Ryan might pose a problem, but Kitty had determination in abundance.

  Kitty waited until the crowd began to drift away before heading over to the jailhouse. She paused briefly to shove stray bits of russet hair beneath her hat before pushing the door open and stepping inside. Marshal Pringle was sitting behind his desk. He looked up and frowned at Kitty.

  “What do you want, kid? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

  Kitty looked down at her boots, pretending shyness. “Sorry, Marshal. I don’t mean to bother you but I need permission to see the prisoner.”

  Pringle cocked back his hat and stared at Kitty. “Which prisoner is that, sonny?”

  “Ryan Delaney. He’s accused of attempted robbery but Ryan would never rob a bank, or ride with the Bartons.”

  “What makes you such an expert?”

  “Ryan is my … cousin,” she lied. “We were riding through town minding our own business when the law opened fire.”

  “Is that so?” Pringle asked, apparently unconvinced. “I checked out Delaney’s story with Durango and he said Delaney rode with them a while back and joined up with them again today to help rob the bank. Durango said Delaney was alone. That’s all the proof I need, sonny. But don’t worry, if Delaney is really your cousin, which I seriously doubt, he’s going to get a fair trial before we hang him.”

  Kitty grasped the edge of the desk to keep herself upright. The marshal’s words offered scant hope of saving Ryan. There must be something she could do. Swallowing past the lump growing in her throat, she turned her potent blue gaze on the marshal. “Can I just speak to my cousin, Marshal? It would mean a great deal to me.”

  The marshal peered at Kitty through narrowed lids. “Who are you? I’ve never seen you in town before.”

  “I’m Kit. Ryan Delaney is my cousin. We’re from Montana.”

  “And I’m Jesse James. Listen, kid, if it’s hero worship, Delaney is an outlaw, not a man to look up to.”

  “Ryan really is my cousin,” Kitty persisted.

  “Very well, you look harmless enough. I reckon it can’t hurt. You got any weapons on you?”

  “No,” Kitty said truthfully as she held her coat open for inspection. She’d deliberately left her gun in her saddlebags, knowing she’d be unable to sneak it in to Ryan.

  “Okay, kid, I’m in a generous mood today. I’ll give you a few minutes alone with your ‘cousin.’”

  “Thank you,” Kitty said, jubilant. “I appreciate it, Marshal. Ryan’s Ma is gonna want to know how Ryan got into this mess.”

  “You’ll find Delaney’s cell at the end of the corridor,” Pringle said as he pointed the way to the passage. “He’s in cell number four.” He watched her stride down the hall, then turned away.

  Kitty crept past Durango’s cell, taking extra care not to awaken him when she saw him sleeping on a shelf in the first cell. At last she reached Ryan’s cell. She wasn’t surprised to see him pacing back and forth, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. She clutched the bars and sobbed his name.

  Ryan was at his wit’s end. Not only was Kitty probably out of his reach by now, but he had gotten himself into one helluva mess. Somehow he needed to contact Bert. He knew Bert couldn’t possibly leave his sickbed, but perhaps he could send Teresa to vouch for him. Damn, what rotten luck to run into the Bartons outside Tucson. He was confused, angry, and still hurt over Kitty’s defection.

  Suddenly he heard a cry and whirled toward the sound. He blinked, convinced his eyes were deceiving him and the apparition would disappear. Gingerly he approached the bars, but Kitty did not disappear. She clung to the bars, her face raised to him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “Kitty … what the hell…”

  “Oh, Ryan, I’m so sorry. I heard the gunplay and followed the crowd to the bank. I saw the marshal take you away. What happened? How did you get mixed up with the Bartons again?”

  Ryan grasped her hands, afraid to let go lest she evaporate in a wisp of smoke. “I took off after you when I learned you had left the ranch. I wanted to catch up with you in town. Unfortunately I crossed paths with the Bartons outside Tucson. They said they were shorthanded and forced me to ride with them to rob the bank. Their contact at the bank ratted on them and the marshal set up an ambush. I had intended to sneak away when the Bartons entered the bank but there wasn’t time. You know the rest.”

  “Oh God, what are we going to do?” Kitty lamented on a rising note of panic. “The marshal says you’ll be brought to trial and hanged. The trial will be a farce, we both know that.”

  “Calm down, love,” Ryan said in an effort to reassure her. “First, how long do we have together before the marshal makes you leave?”

  “Not long. Tell me what I should do. I can’t let you hang, Ryan. It would kill me.”

  Ryan squeezed her hands, wishing he could kiss her sweet lips. “Do you care so much, love?”

  “How can you even ask that?” she cried, trying to pull her hands free. “Of course I care for you. Why do you think I left the ranch?”

  “You tell me why you left. Was it because Tucker was pressuring you to marry him?”

  “That’s part of it,” Kitty admitted. “We both know I didn’t fit in. Bert was kind to accept me as his daughter but I couldn’t summon the love he deserved from a daughter.”

  “Why didn’t you accept Tucker’s proposal?”

  Kitty averted her face.

  “Kitten, look at me.” She did. “I have feelings for you, too. I was devastated when you left without a word to me. You left notes for Bert and Tucker, but nothing for me.”

  “I-I couldn’t. You say you care for me but obviously not enough to marry me. You’ll never change, Ryan, I know that. Your opposition to marriage is too deeply ingrained. You’re too stubborn to admit there might be a woman you can commit to. I saw no future for us so I chose to leave. As for Bert, he still has Teresa and doesn’t need me.”<
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  I need you, Ryan thought. Unfortunately he’d waited too long to give Kitty the words she wanted to hear. In view of his precarious position, telling Kitty he loved her now would only complicate her life.

  “You’re so wrong, Kitten,” Ryan murmured. “But it’s senseless to go into what might have been when I’m so close to losing my life.” His gaze traveled the length of her and back. “Why are you dressed like that? Someone might recognize you as a member of the Bartons.”

  “I thought it safer to travel as a male.” She paused for breath. “What can I do, Ryan? There must be someone who can help you.”

  As much as he hated to call on his brothers for help, Ryan knew he had no choice. They had always pulled together in adversity, and he knew they wouldn’t let him down. But time was against him. His trial could be history and so could he by the time they arrived in Tucson.

  “Wire my brothers,” Ryan said. “Tell them I’m in Tucson and in desperate need of help. Send telegrams to Chad in Dry Gulch and to Pierce in Rolling Prairie. Then pray they’ll arrive in time to testify for me.”

  “I’ll ride back to the ranch and tell Bert,” Kitty suggested. “Maybe there is something he can do. He’s sure to know influential people in town.”

  “Bert is a sick man, Kitten. Don’t expect too much from him.”

  “Ryan, I’m so sorry,” Kitty said shakily. “This is all my fault. You wouldn’t have been with the Bartons in the first place if you hadn’t been searching for me. And you wouldn’t have been involved today if I hadn’t left the ranch. You shouldn’t have come after me.”

  Ryan released Kitty’s hands and cupped her face, bringing it close to the bars. Then he kissed her. He tasted salt on her lips and felt something inside him break loose. Something he’d held sacred for more years than he cared to count. He felt his own tears mingle with hers and abruptly broke off the kiss, turning away before she saw how deeply he was moved.

  “I’ll wire your brothers immediately,” Kitty promised. “And I’ll change into a dress. Not even Durango will be able to identify me as Kit when I become Kathryn Lowry.”

  “I have one more request, love,” Ryan said, feeling as if his heart were being torn out. “Don’t come back here. There’s no guarantee you won’t be recognized. It’s too dangerous. I couldn’t bear to have you identified as a member of the Barton gang.”

  “I told the marshal I was your cousin but I’m not sure he believed me,” Kitty explained. “I’ll come up with something else when I return.”

  “Don’t come back. It’s probably for the best, anyway. If you were smart, you’d marry Tucker and forget about me.”

  Kitty opened her mouth to reply but shut it quickly when she saw the marshal’s bulky form outlined in a shaft of sunlight at the end of the corridor.

  “Time’s up, kid,” Pringle said as he ambled down the passage to Ryan’s cell. “I stopped by to see Judge McFee and he’s agreed to set the trial for two weeks from Saturday. Thought you’d both like to know.”

  Ryan cursed softly beneath his breath. He seriously doubted his brothers could get here that fast.

  Kitty must have concurred, for she gave voice to her fears. “That’s too soon. Ryan has to find a lawyer and witnesses to testify in his behalf.”

  “I’ll try to find a lawyer willing to defend a guilty man,” Pringle said.

  “Don’t bother,” Ryan said dryly. “I’ll defend myself.”

  “Suit yourself, Delaney. Come on, kid, time to go.”

  “One more moment,” Kitty pleaded.

  “Sorry,” Pringle said as he grasped her arm and escorted her down the corridor. When they passed Durango’s cell, she averted her face. Durango was no longer sleeping. He stood at the bars, eyeing Kitty with suspicion as she passed. Fortunately for Kitty, he didn’t get a good look at her face.

  Kitty dashed the tears from her eyes as she stepped out into the sunlight. She had no time to waste on tears. With Ryan’s trial two weeks away she had to act fast. She quickly located the telegraph office and sent off the telegrams to Ryan’s brothers. By the time she returned for her horse, darkness covered the land and she knew it would be difficult to find her way to the ranch.

  Deciding to stay in Tucson overnight, Kitty took her horse to the livery and rented a room at a second-rate hotel. She was still disguised as a lad when she checked in with the clerk. The color of her money seemed to allay the clerk’s suspicious nature, and she was soon ensconced in a small room with a sagging bed and dingy furnishings.

  Kitty removed a nightgown from the saddlebags she’d brought to the room with her, and she quickly undressed. She was afraid to inspect the sheets for cleanliness as she crawled into bed, but at this point clean bed linen was the least of her worries. She didn’t know what she would do if Ryan’s brothers didn’t get here in time. Sleep finally came, but so did terrifying dreams in which she was forced to watch Ryan swinging from the end of a rope.

  Kitty awoke just as dawn was breaking. She rose, washed, and donned one of the dresses she had stuffed in her saddlebags. It was in desperate need of an iron, but Kitty couldn’t afford to worry over small things at a time like this. Ryan’s best chance for freedom lay with Bert, and it was imperative that she return to the ranch as soon as possible. Kitty had no idea what Bert could do for Ryan, but anything was better than nothing.

  The clerk did a double take when Kitty, transformed, strode up to the desk and handed him her room key. He stared at her, then at the saddlebags slung over her arm, and his brows shot upward. She was out the door before he found his voice to ask questions of her. A half hour later she had left the town behind in her dust.

  * * *

  Kitty frowned at the horse and buggy parked close to the front door as she dismounted and strode up the steps. She grabbed the door handle, but it was jerked out of her hand when the door opened suddenly.

  “So you’ve come back,” Teresa said with a sneer. “Did Ryan come with you?”

  “I’m alone. I need to speak to Bert.” She stepped around Teresa and was brought up short when Teresa grasped her elbow in a surprisingly strong grip.

  “You can’t see Bert now. You’ve already done enough harm as it is.”

  Waves of dread washed over Kitty. “Something is wrong. What is it?”

  “It’s Papa Bert. He’s had another attack. It’s bad this time, and you’re to blame. Your leaving hit him hard. I hope you’re satisfied.”

  Kitty twisted her arm free. “I’m going in there. You can’t stop me.”

  “The doctor is with him,” Teresa said. “He’s been here all night.”

  “Oh God,” Kitty said, sagging with despair. “Bert can’t die now. Ryan needs him.”

  “Ryan? What are you talking about? Ryan took off after you yesterday like the devil was on his tail.”

  “Ryan is in jail. He was caught attempting to rob the Tucson bank with the Bartons. Only he isn’t guilty. The marshal refuses to believe Ryan’s story. There’s going to be a trial and Ryan is sure to hang if Bert doesn’t speak up for him.”

  “Ryan is in jail? That’s rich,” Teresa gloated. “Serves him right. He chased after you like a dog after a bitch in heat. He should have stayed here with me. I offered him everything but all he wanted was you.”

  “I can’t stand here bickering with you, Teresa. I’m going in to see Bert. He must know someone in town who can help Ryan.”

  “Did I hear you say you wanted to see Bert, young lady?”

  Kitty whirled toward the voice. “Are you the doctor?”

  “Doctor Sheedy. And you are?”

  “Kitty … Lowry,” Kitty said, using her father’s last name for the first time. Somehow it seemed right. “How is my…father?”

  “Ah, so you’re the long lost daughter. I’m glad Bert found you before he … well, you know what I mean. Bert is a very sick man.”

  “Can I see him?”

  “I told her Papa Bert couldn’t have visitors,” Teresa snapped.

  “Ter
esa is right, my dear. But I see no harm in you looking in on him. Keep in mind that Bert isn’t to be disturbed or excited in any way. His heart is very weak, and the slightest distress could be fatal.”

  Kitty felt as if the earth had opened up and swallowed her. Bert’s fragile condition prevented her from asking him for help. Now Ryan had no one but his brothers to depend upon, and they lived hundreds of miles away.

  “I’ll just go in for a minute,” Kitty said. “It might ease his mind to know I am here.”

  “Very well,” Doctor Sheedy said. “I was hoping Rosita could rustle up some breakfast for me before I return to town.”

  “You’re leaving?” Kitty asked.

  “There’s nothing more I can do here. It’s all in God’s hands now.” He turned to Teresa. “About that breakfast…”

  Kitty watched Teresa and the doctor walk toward the kitchen, girding herself for her visit to Bert’s room. Guilt rode her. If not for her Bert wouldn’t be in this shape.

  Kitty opened the door to Bert’s room and stepped inside. The drapes were open, filling the room with sunshine, just the way Bert liked it, she thought as she tiptoed to his bedside. His eyes were closed, and she perched on the edge of the bed, watching the shallow rise and fall of his chest. His color was ashen and his lips blue. Tears sprang to Kitty’s eyes. Until that moment she had had no idea her feelings for her father had developed into something stronger than fondness.

  Kitty groped for Bert’s hand and squeezed, trying to convey her presence to him. It must have worked, for Bert opened his eyes, turned his head toward her, and smiled. “You’ve come back,” he whispered weakly. “You won’t go away again, will you?” It was a desperate plea, one Kitty felt dutybound to honor.

  “I’ll not go away again, Bert… Father,” she said, holding back her tears. “You mustn’t die when we’ve just found one another.”