To Tame a Renegade

by Connie Mason

  Chad stirred up the fire and asked if Sarah wanted a cup of Spotted Deer’s remedy. Sarah sat up, felt bile rise in her throat, and nodded. The water in the coffeepot was already boiling as Chad dropped in a pinch of herbs to steep. A few minutes later he brought Sarah a mug filled with the fragrant liquid and watched as she drank it.

  “Can you go on?” Chad asked with concern. “Dammit, Sarah, I get mad whenever I think about you taking off after Jackson by yourself. That’s my baby you’re carrying.”

  Sarah closed her eyes and let the hot liquid soothe her. When she opened them again she felt better able to cope with Chad’s anger. “Hashing over this is getting us nowhere. What’s done is done. I’m here, I’m pregnant, and I’m not going to lose this child. Besides,” she added, glaring at him, “it’s my child. I’m the one who will nurture him for nine months. I can raise him alone, just as I did Abner.”

  “By taking in laundry?” he asked sarcastically.

  She saw the rapid pulsebeat at his throat, and the quick darkening of his eyes, and she knew he was angry. Her chin lifted to a stubborn angle. “If I have to.”

  “Like hell! You’re going to marry me. We’ll raise our child together and that’s the end of it. Are you ready to go on? I want to reach home by tomorrow.”

  Sarah wondered how she could have thought she was in love with Chad. He was overbearing, domineering, and arrogant And he felt no remorse over striking her. Her jaw still bore the imprint of his fist.

  “What are you thinking, sweetheart?” Chad asked when Sarah continued to brood in silent rage.

  “You don’t want to know. Is there any rabbit left from last night?”

  “Getting our appetite back, are we?” Chad teased as he handed her a piece of stale bread and a hunk of meat he’d warmed over the fire.

  Sarah disregarded his question as she bit into the meat. She’d ignore him altogether, if she could. But without Chad she had virtually no hope of getting Abner back. For now she needed him, but that didn’t necessarily mean she’d always need him. He’d have to earn her trust once more, and the way she felt now, it wasn’t going to be easy for him.

  Snow continued to fall intermittently throughout the day. It was light and fluffy and without substance, which thankfully didn’t impede their progress. The wind remained calm until shortly before dusk, when it began to bluster. They had waded through several drifts when Chad calmly informed her that they were on Delaney land. Sarah wanted to collapse on the spot, but she continued on through sheer grit and determination.

  Sarah spied the lights from the house through the blowing snow. The welcome sight brought tears to her eyes. She knew she couldn’t have gone on much further and thanked God for bringing her this far without mishap. They rode into the barn. Sarah dismounted and leaned against a stall while Chad unsaddled their weary horses. She started out of the barn and was suddenly overcome by a terrible weakness. The space around her began to spin and her knees buckled beneath her. She started a slow spiral to the ground and knew nothing more as blackness closed around her.

  From the corner of his eye, Chad saw Sarah stagger and begin to fall He reached for her, handily catching her before she touched the ground. Charging out of the barn, he carried her through the swirling snow to the back door and kicked it with his foot until Cookie came to open it.

  “Chad! You’ve brought Sarah back. Praise the Lord. We heard that the soldiers from the fort were out chasing renegade Indians who had left the reservation to raid ranches and steal cattle. When Sarah didn’t return home, Ryan figured she must have gone on alone, knowing the army would be of no help to her until the renegades were rounded up. We were worried sick. Ryan blames himself for what happened.”

  Cookie’s mouth was going so fast it took a moment for him to realize that Sarah lay unmoving in Chad’s arms. He peered at her anxiously. “Is she all right?” Then he noticed that Abner wasn’t with them and his eyes grew misty. “I reckon you didn’t find Abner. Poor little lad.”

  “I’ll tell you all about it later. Sarah’s exhausted. I’m taking her up to bed. We both need something nourishing in our stomachs. Can you rustle up something for us?”

  “Darn tootin’, I can.”

  “Fix Sarah something light. Her stomach is too fragile for regular fare. Indian food didn’t agree with her.”

  “Indians! Well, if that don’t beat all. Get Sarah to bed, Chad. I’ll be waitin’ anxiously for that explanation.”

  Chad headed for the stairs. Ryan met him at the top, leaning heavily upon crutches. “Chad! I thought I heard your voice.” His gaze settled on Sarah’s lifeless form. “Is Sarah all right? We’ve been worried sick about her. Where did you find her? Is Abner with you?”

  “Later, Ryan”

  Ryan moved aside as Chad hurried past him, then followed his brother into Sarah’s room. “What’s wrong with Sarah?”

  “I’ll explain later. I want to get her into bed. If you can negotiate the stairs, meet me in the kitchen. After I’ve settled her, I’ll tell you and Cookie everything.”

  “Is she going to be all right?” Ryan asked anxiously.

  “I certainly hope so.” Carefully he placed Sarah on the bed and removed her coat and shoes. When he began unbuttoning her dress, Ryan beat a hasty retreat.

  Chad worked swiftly. In minutes he had Sarah naked and into her flannel nightgown. She barely stirred as he pulled the covers over her and tucked her in. A moment later Cookie stuck his head in the door. “Grub is ready. Do ya want it up here?”

  “I think Sarah needs rest more than food right now. I’ll eat in the kitchen. Maybe later she’ll take some broth or something more substantial.”

  Ryan was waiting for Chad in the kitchen. He twitched impatiently as Chad tore into thick slices of roast beef left over from supper, biscuits, gravy, and several cups of hot coffee. When Chad indicated he was full, Cookie produced a huge piece of chocolate cake and he dug in with gusto.

  “I’ve never seen anyone eat so much,” Ryan said, staring at Chad’s empty plate.

  “Trail food gets pretty monotonous.”

  “Tell us about the Indians,” Cookie urged as he pulled out a chair and joined the brothers at the table. “We heard that renegades were wandering the area. Did Sarah run into savages?” He sobered suddenly, his face screwed up as if he wanted to cry. “Sarah must be devastated about the boy. Damn shame.”

  “Chad, about Abner,” Ryan began. “I don’t know what to say. I’m entirely to blame for his abduction. I should never have left the ranch.”

  “I’ll admit I was damn upset with you when I learned about Abner’s abduction. What’s done is done, Ryan. The important thing now is to return with the ransom in time to rescue Abner.”

  “Ransom?” Ryan asked, bewildered. “I don’t understand. Is Jackson asking ransom for Abner’s safe return?”

  “I’d better start at the beginning,” Chad said. “I was returning to the ranch when I ran into a patrol from the fort. Major Dalton told me that Sarah had been to see him, and that he had been unable to supply men to help find Abner because Indian trouble in the area required all his troops. He said that Sarah ignored his warning and went on alone, despite the danger and recklessness of her venture.”

  “I would expect nothing less from Sarah,” Ryan intoned dryly. “She’d do anything for her son. What happened next?”

  Chad launched into the tale of how he had found both Sarah and Abner at Cunning Wolf’s camp, and backtracked to when he’d first met the chief’s daughter.

  “Cunning Wolf plans to remain at his camp until the cows arrive, then he’s going to take his people to Canada. They’re in desperate need of food and warm blankets to last through the worst of the winter. He intended to ransom Sarah and Abner to the army for cows and blankets. I feared a confrontation and offered to pay the ransom myself.”

  “How did you manage to get them to release Sarah?” Ryan asked.

  “Sarah’s been ill. Cunning Wolf let her leave, but he demanded that A
bner remain behind until I return with the ransom.”

  “I’m surprised Sarah would leave her son behind.”

  “Leaving Abner behind wasn’t my idea. Chad knocked me out and carried me away against my will.”

  Three pairs of eyes shifted to the doorway, where Sarah, clad in nightgown and robe, leaned against the doorjamb. She looked ghastly. Chad jumped up to steady her as she lurched into the kitchen. He pulled out a chair and eased her into it.

  “What are you doing out of bed?”

  She stared deliberately at his empty plate. “I smelled food. I’m hungry.”

  Cookie leaped to his feet. “How about a bowl of chicken soup, Miz Sarah? Made it specially for you.”

  “Sounds wonderful, Cookie.”

  Sarah devoured two bowls of soup and a cup of tea before she sat back, seemingly sated.

  “Feel better?” Chad asked with concern. Sarah had survived an ordeal that would have defeated most women. Her pregnancy hadn’t made things easy for her.

  “Yes, thank you,” she said coldly. Deliberately she turned away from him. “Have you heard about Abner?” she asked Ryan.

  “Chad told us. Did my brother really hit you?”

  Sarah turned her face so he could see the fading bruise. She opened her mouth to speak, but Chad forestalled her.

  “I did it for her own good. I wouldn’t hurt Sarah for the world. She refused to leave without Abner, and you can see for yourself that she’s been ill. I was desperate to get her home. We’ll have Abner back with us in no time.”

  “What can we do to help?” Ryan asked. “Damn, I wish I could go with you, but my leg won’t be out of this cast for several more weeks. Take as many men as you need.”

  “I’m sending a man to town tomorrow to purchase every blanket he can get his hands on. The others can help me cut ten cows from the herd. I want everything ready the day after tomorrow. I’ll take two men with me to drive the cattle and another to drive the wagon containing the blankets, supplies, and feed for the cows. They might not be able to forage beneath the snow for grass. I have nine days in which to meet Cunning Wolf’s deadline.”

  No one asked what would happen should Chad fail, but Chad could tell from their grave expressions that they understood the situation. Cunning Wolf might not kill Abner, but he’d take the boy away and they’d never see him again.

  “I’ll be ready to leave when you are,” Sarah said, fixing Chad with a look that defied him to deny her.

  “Like hell!” Chad shouted. “You’re not stepping foot outside this house until I return with Abner.”

  Chapter 19

  “Cookie and I will leave you two to hash this out,” Ryan said as he adjusted his crutches and rose clumsily to his feet.

  Cookie leaped up to help him and they left the kitchen together. Neither Sarah nor Chad seemed to notice as they continued to glare at one another.

  “You’re staying here, Sarah, that’s my final word,” Chad bellowed. “I won’t have you chasing around the countryside in the dead of winter in your condition.”

  “Leave my condition out of this, Chad. We’re talking about my son. Abner needs me. I want to be there for him.”

  “You’re going to be here for him and that’s final.”

  Sarah’s protest ended in a squawk when Chad rose abruptly, scooped her up from the chair, and carried her out of the kitchen, through the parlor, and up the stairs.

  “Damn you! What do you think you’re doing?”

  “You belong in bed. You’ve been living under harsh conditions for two weeks and you’re exhausted. I won’t let you expose yourself to danger again. There’s no way, Sarah, no way you’re going to leave this house until I say so.”

  Chad kicked open the bedroom door, carried her inside and placed her on the bed. Then he backed away, sending her a look that begged for her understanding.

  “What are you going to do?” Sarah asked, glaring up at him.

  “Make damn sure you stay in bed where you belong.”

  On his way out, he slipped the key from the lock and put it in his pocket. He didn’t lock her in yet, but he would when the time came. She’d left him no recourse. It was the only way he could be assured that Sarah wouldn’t follow. Despite her bravado, Sarah wasn’t strong enough to undertake another journey in the dead of winter.

  “Have you and Sarah settled things between you?” Ryan asked when Chad joined his brother and Cookie in the parlor.

  “Not yet,” Chad said grimly. “She’s determined to return with me to Cunning Wolf’s camp. The little hellion is too damn stubborn for her own good. A woman in her condition should be coddled. She shouldn’t be exposing herself to danger or running around in weather fit for neither man nor beast.”

  “Exactly what ‘condition’ are you referring to, brother?”

  Dropping into a chair, Chad, so weary he could have fallen asleep then and there, closed his eyes. “You may as well know. Sarah is expecting our child.”

  “Damn!” Ryan swore. “Had I known, I would never have left the ranch that day. No wonder she’s ill. I won’t let you down this time, brother.”

  “Neither will I,” Cookie promised. “Are you sure Jackson is no longer a threat to Sarah?”

  “As sure as I can be. I told you that he and Sanchez are Cunning Wolf’s prisoners. Spotted Deer didn’t strike me as a forgiving woman. She won’t forget what he did to her. Now if you’ll both excuse me, I’m going to bed.” He heaved himself to his feet.

  “What are you going to do about Sarah, brother?” Ryan wanted to know. “She’s having your baby.”

  “I know, and I’m going to fix things as soon as I return. I’ve asked Sarah to be my wife.”

  “She didn’t look none too happy with you tonight.”

  “I can’t blame her,” Chad said as he headed for the stairs. “She objected to leaving Abner with the Indians. I’ve never seen her so angry. She’ll come around once Abner is back home where he belongs.”

  Chad climbed the stairs slowly. He paused before Sarah’s closed door, then opened it quickly and stepped inside. Glowing embers in the hearth provided ample light as Chad settled his gaze on Sarah’s face. He saw that her eyes were open and he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. “Are you all right?”

  “I could be better,” Sarah said sullenly. “What do you want?”

  Chad crossed to the bed and sat down beside her. “Don’t be angry, sweetheart. Not when I’ve finally buried my demons and realized how much I love you.”

  “You have an odd way of showing love, Chad Delaney. I’ll never forgive you for taking me away from Abner.”

  Chad sighed tiredly as he pulled off his boots and dropped them one by one to the floor. His stockings followed.

  Sarah stared at him, alarmed. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready for bed. We’re both tired. This bed is going to feel mighty good after sleeping on the cold ground for so long.” He stood abruptly, shed his shirt and trousers, and pulled back the blankets. “Scoot over, love.”

  Sarah opened her mouth to protest, realized it would do her no good, and moved to the opposite edge of the bed. “I don’t want to sleep with you. I don’t even like you anymore.”

  Chad paid her scant heed as he climbed into bed and pulled the covers over him. “I want to be near you. Don’t worry, all I’m going to do is hold you in my arms. I wouldn’t dream of disturbing you tonight, not after everything you’ve been through.” His voice lowered to a husky whisper. “I can’t bear the thought of sleeping apart from you. After we’re married…”

  “We’re not going to be married,” Sarah said, swallowing past the lump in her throat.

  She turned her back on him, stiffening her spine against the powerful seduction of his words. She had no willpower where Chad was concerned. When his arms closed around her, she made a weak effort to escape the comfort he offered, but he wouldn’t allow it. Sarah sighed in reluctant surrender. The knowledge that she didn’t want to escape mad
e submission all the more galling.

  “Go to sleep,” Chad whispered into her ear.

  Sleep proved elusive for Sarah. She was too worried about Abner and too angry at Chad to relax. What if Cunning Wolf had taken his people elsewhere and Chad couldn’t find him? So many things could happen to her son before Chad’s return to Cunning Wolf’s camp. Just considering the consequences should Chad fail to reach the camp within the allotted time was frightening.

  Thoughts of Abner’s plight sent tears flowing down her cheeks as she sobbed quietly into her pillow. She should be with him, comforting him as only a mother can. Chad had prevented her from protecting her son and she couldn’t forgive him for that After all the disappointments she’d suffered in life, she thought she’d finally found a man worthy of her love. But her future no longer looked promising. Trusting Chad had been a mistake. Loving him a tragedy.

  Chad was gone the next morning when Sarah awoke. When she dressed and went downstairs, Cookie told her that Chad and the hands had gone to round up the cows he had promised Cunning Wolf. She was pushing her breakfast around the plate with her fork when Ryan hobbled into the kitchen.

  “Did you and Chad patch up your differences?” he asked, lowering himself into a chair.

  “What Chad did was unforgivable”, Sarah said, laying her fork down and frowning at Ryan. “And then he’s going to make it worse when he leaves in the morning.”

  “I reckon it’s for your own good, Sarah. He’ll take good care of Abner.”

  “Abner’s a little boy. He needs his mother.”

  “Traveling in wintertime is dangerous. You’ve another child to consider now.”

  Streaks of red colored Sarah’s cheeks. “Chad told you about the baby?”

  Ryan had the grace to flush too. “There is little Chad and I don’t share. It was the same with Pierce before he married. You have to admit that having a baby is a serious undertaking for both you and Chad. That’s one reason I’ll never marry,” Ryan contended. “I don’t want the responsibility of a wife and family. Playing the field is more my style.”