by Linda Broday
“Brett, let us help. You won’t be able to hold that knife to the wound long enough to seal it off.” Cooper knelt down, and Rand helped to lay Brett on the ground. “Are you sure you want to do this? We could try to get you to town to Doc.”
“No time. Just do it. Rand, will you find me something to bite down on?”
“We’ll need something to kill the infection once we’re through.” Cooper glanced toward his men. “See if any of our men have some whiskey.”
Rand left and came back a few minutes later with half a bottle of whiskey and several pieces of soft leather, which he stuck into Brett’s mouth. “Are you sure about this?”
Brett gave a furious nod.
“Okay, little brother, this is gonna hurt like hell.” After drenching the wound good with the alcohol, Cooper lifted the knife from the fire. “Rand, hold him still. Sit on him if you have to.”
The smell of searing flesh met Brett’s nose the instant Cooper pressed the bowie knife to the wound. Brett screamed from the pain that gnawed down to the core of his body like a ferocious beast.
He cursed Edgar Dowlen and all his followers before blessed darkness slammed around him again.
*
When Brett came to, Cooper and Rand were sitting beside him, and a bandage covered his wound. “How long was I out?”
“A while,” Rand admitted, handing him a cup of water. “I’m really proud of you. I don’t think I could’ve done that.”
“You could if you had to.” Brett’s gaze swung to Cooper. “I take it you didn’t find Rayna, or she’d be here.”
Cooper shook his head. “Looked everywhere. No one’s seen her, not even the children. No sign of the two missing men either. Only one thing could’ve happened. Somehow Dowlen took them. You said Rayna was beside you all night? You remember her leaving for something?”
“It was chaos, and I’d been shot. It took everything I had to stay on my feet and keep shooting. She could easily have slipped away, and I wouldn’t have noticed.” His brothers helped him to a sitting position. “Saddle some horses. We’re paying the devil a visit, and we’re taking the soldiers.”
Cooper’s voice was ragged when he spoke. “Soldiers left under orders to ride to Switchback where outlaws have taken over the town and are threatening to execute its citizens.”
Crushing disappointment pierced Brett’s chest. “But they’ll be back?”
“The captain said they’d wire Fort Worth and ask for troops to come help us. Not sure when that’ll be though.”
Brett set his jaw and got back to the subject of rescuing Rayna. “Doesn’t matter, I’m still going after Rayna and our men.”
Rand held out his hands as though to stop him. “You’re not able. Let us make sure the weasel-eyed bastard has them.”
Brett’s eyes narrowed, and his voice hardened to granite. “I’m going with or without you, but you’re not keeping me from it unless you chain me up. Best make sure you use some of the strongest iron when you do.”
“No one will ever chain you again as long as I’m alive.” Steel layered Cooper’s words. “I’d feel the same way if I wore your moccasins, but you won’t help her by riding in and demanding her release.” Cooper rested a hand on Brett’s arm. “All that will do is get you and her both killed. Plus our men if they’re there. You’re not thinking with your head.”
“I’m doing what I have to.”
“I swear, you’re a stubborn cuss.” Rand shook his head.
“Look, Brett,” Cooper reasoned. “Rest until dark. We’ll go after her then. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“All right.” Brett closed his eyes. “We’ll do this your way.”
Fury at his neighbor’s newest low burned like the hot knife that had seared his flesh. Rayna had nothing to do with any of this.
The woman whose kisses could make his body sing had nothing but goodness and love for others in her heart. He wouldn’t rest until he brought her home.
Not until he could wrap his arms around her and breathe in her sweet fragrance.
He had a great hunger for his Wish Book woman. The world would tilt at this crazy off-kilter angle until she was by his side once more.
“I love you,” he whispered. “I didn’t find you just to lose you this way.”
Thirty-four
With Rayna’s heart pounding, she curled on a thin bed of straw where Raymond Harper had thrown her.
She’d cried out when he grabbed her during the attack, but in the confusion and noise, no one heard her scream. Shock of seeing him coming through the thick rifle smoke had paralyzed her. He was the last person she’d expected to see on the Wild Horse. He’d reeked of whiskey, shoving his face into hers. His fingers dug into her arms, instantly hurling her back to the past to all those times when she’d been at his mercy.
Once again he had control over her fate. How many times before she would finally know freedom?
Something told her it would end in death, either his…or hers. It was the only way.
Rayna welcomed death if she could be rid of him and his kind.
A moan drew her attention to the ranch hand named Charles who lay a few feet away. The former sheriff of Steele’s Hollow had beaten him, and though she didn’t know the extent of his injuries, she knew Oldham had hurt him bad.
Tied to a post, she couldn’t even check on him. In the dim shadows of the barn, she could barely make out the form of the second ranch hand. “Joe, can you see to Charles?”
“No, Miss Rayna. I’m staked to the ground like a dog. Did they hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” Though she didn’t know for how long. She knew Raymond Harper and his need to inflict pain and misery. It seemed his sole enjoyment. “Joe, when they come for me, will you say a prayer that it’ll be over with quick?”
“I don’t really know how to pray, but I’ll do my best. Maybe they’ll leave you alone.”
“Raymond Harper will come.”
A strange acceptance passed over her. Meeting her fate was better than waiting in the darkness. Ever since she could remember, she’d hated when night fell.
Bad stuff always happened in the dark.
Bugs and spiders could come out and crawl on her. Or rats. She hated rats.
But the things men did when they thought no one could see were the worst.
That’s why she’d been so relieved when Oldham had brought Brett into the cell next to her that day. She knew Deputy Dingleby would take what he wanted before long. Men like him always did. Even with the iron bars separating her from Brett, she’d felt better just having company in that dark earthen dungeon.
Here she was again, only this time without Brett’s strong arms.
Her jaw throbbed where Oldham hit her earlier as he called her a whore and squaw. At first she thought he’d broken it, but now that she could move it, she was pretty sure it wasn’t.
That had been the extent of his vile anger…for now. Yes, darkness brought out the worst in some men. Raymond Harper for sure.
Thank goodness not everyone. The light and hope Brett gave her meant more than sacksful of money. His gentle love had scrubbed away years of tarnish on her soul.
Suppressing a groan, she moved to a sitting position and brought her legs up in order to rest her chin on her knees. Her stomach growled, and she realized she hadn’t had anything to eat since yesterday about noon. Who was taking care of the children? With Sarah gone, maybe Sister Bronwen would do more than the pitiful little she had previously.
Thoughts of Flower and little Joseph and the others, who were unwanted and unloved, filled her head. They must be terrified. Her heart ached to hold them and whisper words of comfort. What would become of those orphans?
With nothing to do, Rayna turned her thoughts toward making a wonderful place for them in her head. She pictured a beautiful home surrounded by acres of grassy land for them to roam. Each child would have a bedroom of their own, and toys of all kinds would fill it.
They wouldn’t have
to worry about food, because they’d have more than enough.
When she closed her eyes, she pictured Brett and herself standing on a wide porch, watching the children playing. His arm would be around her, and she’d be smiling up at him with so much love.
In this imaginary world, they’d be married, and no one would speak ill of them.
Tears burned behind her eyes. If only this place existed.
If only they could be husband and wife.
Oh, Brett, I love you so much.
She would wait as long as it took for attitudes to change. She’d promised herself and Brett.
And if they never lived to see the day, she’d continue to love him, even to her last breath on earth.
*
The scent of the earth wrapped around Brett like the comforting arms of an old friend as he lay on his pallet in misery, trying to will away his crushing pain. He would rest and gain some strength so he could fight for the woman who protected the dream that beat inside them both.
Rand entered the tepee with a cup of water. “How are you feeling?”
“I’ll be fine as soon as I get Rayna back. How long till dark?”
“Probably another four hours. Coop and I don’t think you’ll be able to go. You’ve been through hell.”
“I’m going.” Brett wished he could’ve put more steel behind the words. The pain made them come out far too weak.
Cooper pushed through the flap and stood to his imposing height. “You’ll sit this out. Rand and I aren’t as quiet as you, but at least we won’t collapse in a heap at our enemy’s feet. We can fight.”
“It’s the only choice, little brother,” Rand said. “You’re too weak. You’ve lost too much blood. Digging in your heels about this won’t change the facts.”
“Do you mind if I get a little sleep? You can chew on my butt some more when I wake up. It’s a while until dark. I’ll see how I feel once the sun goes down.” Brett raised on an elbow though it sapped his strength. “Just know that I will not leave Rayna there another day. I’m bringing her home. And that’s all I’m saying on the subject.”
Faced with his defiance, they left. Brett lay back on the pallet.
Thoughts ran through his head. It would be no problem getting onto the land and to the house if he exercised patience and didn’t get in a hurry. But then they had to find the three captives once they got there. What bothered him was the shape Rayna and the men were in and not knowing how far they’d be able to walk. With his injury, he might not be able to carry anyone. Still, if it came down to it, he’d manage somehow, no matter his own pain.
Maybe letting Coop and Rand come was the best answer.
The point that stuck in his brain was that they couldn’t walk as softly as he could. They might give everything away. But if they made it, coming out would be a whole lot easier.
He lifted a cold palm to his pounding head. He couldn’t afford to fail.
Lives depended on it.
The flap of the tepee opened, and Cooper stepped through. “You need to eat. I brought some venison from the smokehouse. And while you fill your belly, I’m going to take a look at that wound. I don’t much care how I have to do it.”
That his brother, who was six years older, ordered instead of asked him crawled up the back of Brett’s neck. Still, he knew Cooper was right. Food would strengthen him, and the wound did need tending to.
Rayna would have a fit if she came back to an infected gunshot. He didn’t want that. When she came back, he had things of a more pleasurable nature in mind.
Like making her purr.
“Well, make it snappy. A man needs his rest,” Brett grumbled, eying the venison.
By the time Cooper announced the wound looked good and applied a clean bandage, Brett had eaten all of the meat. He felt much better, though he wouldn’t be a hundred percent until he had Rayna where she belonged.
With him and in his arms. Forever and ever.
*
Rayna froze when the barn door opened and Dowlen and Oldham marched inside, holding a lantern. Raymond Harper followed behind the arguing pair.
“Joe,” she whispered, “when you get out, will you tell Brett that I love him—and that I wish I could’ve stuck around to wait longer?”
“Yes, and I’ll add that you’re the bravest woman I know,” he whispered back.
“I only wanted to scare the Indian into leaving,” Edgar Dowlen yelled. “I ain’t gonna kill anyone, especially a bunch of little kids.”
“You lily-livered pansy. I thought you had guts.” Oldham stood in Dowlen’s face, so close their noses touched. “I’m taking over. I’ll lead these men into battle. They know what’s at stake here. Liberty is gathering all his kind so they can rise up against us.”
Fear for Brett and the children pierced Rayna’s heart. Someone had to warn him.
Dowlen gave a snort. “They’re just kids.”
“Kids grow up,” Oldham snapped. “Kill ’em now before they do.”
Raymond Harper stepped forward. “I’ll be happy to follow you and do what needs doin’.”
Oldham thanked him and swung back to Dowlen. “Go on about your business. This is men’s work.”
“I’ll take care of the girl for you,” Raymond Harper said, licking his lips. “I know how to treat uppity women. ’Sides, I owe her for all those times of sassing me…among other things.”
“Fine.” Oldham waved his arm. “Glad to see a man for once.”
Panic rose up so strong it blocked the ability to breathe. Rayna shrank into the shadows as Dowlen and the former sheriff set down the lantern and left. The man she’d once believed to be her rotten father came for her, wearing a twisted smirk. But it was the crazed, glittering eyes that struck terror.
“Time for your medicine, girlie.” Harper bent down to untie her from the post.
The second she was free, she kicked him in the privates with both feet then ran for the door. She raced out into the night, searching for a place to hide until she could get her bearings. A stand of trees cloaked in darkness called. She lifted her skirts and headed there.
Sudden arms fastened around her, lifting her off the ground before she reached the thick brush she aimed for.
“Not so fast,” a voice said in her ear.
When her feet touched the ground, she swiveled around to see one of the recruits, a man around Cooper’s age. “If you let me go, I’ll see that you’re rewarded. Just give me five minutes before you sound the alarm. That’s all I ask.”
He gave a bark of laughter. “You must be crazy, lady. That would buy me a grave.”
A desperate glance at the barn door told her she’d better talk fast. Raymond Harper would appear any minute. “No one would have to know. You’re better than these cutthroats. I can tell you want to do the right thing.”
A silent stare indicated he was thinking about it. The longer he hesitated, the more time it gave Harper to recover.
“Please.”
The noise of the barn door slamming back against the wooden planks brought a sharp cry. She was too late. Everything was too late.
“Good, I see you caught her.” Harper caught up with them and wrenched her arms behind her back. “Get some rope.”
Without a word, the recruit went to do his bidding.
Harper put his mouth next to her ear. “I promise a very slow, very painful, very miserable death.”
“You’ll never hear me beg. I never begged you for a crumb, and I won’t start now. Brett was right. You are a rotten piece of cow dung.”
If his hands hadn’t been busy holding her, she knew he’d have drawn back a fist.
Seconds later, the recruit returned with rope and bound her hands tightly, after which Harper jerked her roughly away from the buildings. She stumbled along, trying to keep her footing, knowing if she lost it, he’d drag her.
Where was he taking her? She could see nothing but inky blackness.
Suddenly a wagon appeared. She sucked in a sharp breath.
<
br /> It was piled high with sun-bleached bones.
Harper slammed her against the side, making the bones rattle. “Got a special place for you.” He ripped off the medicine bag from around her neck. “You won’t need that, squaw. This is your grave. You’ll slowly starve until your bones will blend with the buffaloes’.”
Rayna lifted her chin. “I’m not frightened of death or you.”
Fury twisted his ugly face. A sweep of his arms sent the bones on top tumbling to the ground. Next he hit her, sending her backward. Reaching down the side of the wagon, he brought out a pistol. “I’ll shoot you if you run. Not in the heart. I’ll shoot your damn knees.”
She watched in mounting horror as he removed enough bones to create a small hollow. Then, stuffing a gag into her mouth, he lifted her, struggling, into the grave and piled the heavy bones on top of her before she could break free. They jabbed into and around her, the weight making it difficult to breathe. Pinning her in place.
Trapped. She was trapped here, surrounded by a cage of bones, where she would surely die.
Bracing against the fear that chilled her through and through, Rayna closed her eyes and whispered, “We almost made it, Brett. We almost had our dream.”
*
The evening shadows had grown long by the time Brett woke. Movement at his elbow startled him. His hand stole to his knife, and he had the weapon halfway out of its sheath before he recognized Cooper.
“Good, you’re awake.” Cooper leaned over him. “Rand and I are about to leave for your neighbor’s ranch.”
“Not without me.” As Brett sat up, pain knifed his chest and shoulder, and he sucked in a breath. “I am dead serious about that, Brother.”
“Figured as much. That’s why I’m here. How do you feel?”
“Won’t lie. Feels like a wild stallion stomped on me then turned around and invited his whole family to join him.” Brett got to his feet, along with Cooper. “I can do the job though. Rayna is the most important person to me. I love her, Coop.”
“I know. I’m happy for you, little brother. We’re going to get her back. Tonight.” The shadows didn’t hide the hardness in Cooper’s eyes.
