“Up north and back East they’re paying damn near close to thirty-eight dollars a head.”
“Shit.” Moses grunted. “We only got five dollars a head for the last herd we drove to Dallas.”
The man who’d come in with Sebastian said, “Why the hell did you sell? We coulda drove ’em to the railhead in Abilene.”
“We ain’t here to talk about the past,” Wade cut in. “We knew we could get a better deal, but we didn’t have the time or manpower. But don’t you fret none, boys.” He smiled. “We got another thousand head grazing northeast of town.”
“By next week we expect to add another—” Moses caught Wade’s threatening look and shut up.
Sebastian straightened. “You holding out on us, Captain?”
Wade gave a small shake of his head and threw a look toward Kitty. She pretended not to notice, and started refilling the shot glasses.
“The railroad men are gonna be here in a few days,” Wade said. “When they ain’t fighting with Houston over moving the capitol, those government fellas in Austin have been courting the Kansas Pacific. I wager we get some rails not too far from here.”
Kitty could feel Sebastian’s stare weighing heavy on her back. In spite of herself, she chanced a peek at him.
He smiled, his dingy tobacco-stained teeth making her queasy. “I know you. I never forget a redhead.”
She shuddered, her pleading gaze finding Wade’s watchful eyes.
“Better get out there, Kitty,” he said. “We got more customers tonight than Lloyd and the other girls can handle.”
She nodded gratefully, and left before Sebastian could say another word to her. But she’d barely made it to the hall when she heard him ask, “Who’s the young yellow-haired whore that was in here earlier? I think I might have a hankerin’ for some fresh meat.”
Kitty froze and listened, hoping like hell that Wade had the good sense to squash that notion. Jake wouldn’t stand for any man putting his hands on Rebecca, or blood would be shed. Then she saw her, Rebecca scrambling toward the saloon. Had she been standing outside the entire time? How much had she heard? Christ Almighty, the girl had too much spunk. She was gonna get herself killed before Jake could get her out of here.
Without waiting to hear a response, Kitty hurried toward the bar. Rebecca had just picked up a tray of beer, her face pale, frightened and angry.
“You promised, no knives,” Kitty whispered fiercely. “Jake should be back soon.”
Rebecca said nothing, only glared at something snide Lloyd murmured, and snatched up the tray.
While Kitty watched her walk purposefully to a table, she thought for a moment, and then ran upstairs to her room. Something bad was going to happen soon, she knew. Too many folks running scared and willing to ignore their principles. She’d already figured the Rangers had something to do with the rustling because for the past two months every one of them had had too much silver in their pockets. But now it sickened her to consider they were responsible for the hangings, too.
She’d tried to separate Wade from the rest of them, tried to convince herself that he’d been unaware of any wrongdoing. What a fool she’d been. The men wouldn’t think of crossing their captain. Out of respect, out of fear, it didn’t matter, they simply wouldn’t do anything without his consent.
How could Wade have sunk so low? He’d been a good lawman once. He’d been her hero.
With a heavy heart, she opened the dresser drawer and rifled through her underthings until she felt the smooth leather case that sheathed her dagger. Ironically, Wade had given her the small pearl-handled knife for protection eight years ago. She never dreamed she’d need it. Not with him around.
Lifting her skirt, she slipped the dagger under the top of her stockings. It felt heavy against her leg, and she prayed she wouldn’t lose it. She smoothed down her dress, checked her bodice and then peered into the mirror that she had propped up on the dresser. Her reflection startled her. When had she gotten so damn old? Lines fanned out from her eyes and she found a tiny new wrinkle at the right corner of her red tinted mouth.
She knew the other girls thought she was lying about her age, and it hurt to see them whisper, to see the lofty smiles curve their youthful lips. Sadly, she hadn’t lied. She’d just turned thirty in the fall, which meant she’d spent exactly half her life as a whore. It was too late for her. But not for Rebecca, and Kitty had made her a promise she meant to keep.
She started to turn for the door, but caught a last look at her weary made-up face. Oh, what she wouldn’t do for another chance at life. Kitty sighed. If only there were a God…
IT WAS ALMOST DAWN when Jake slipped into Rebecca’s room and saw her lying in bed, curled up on her side. He was annoyed that the door was unlocked, anyone could have walked in. But he knew she’d been waiting for him to return, and she seemed fine, and that’s all that mattered.
Quietly he slid off his boots and unbuckled his belt. He was so damn tired he was amazed he’d made it back to town without falling asleep in the saddle. The only thing that kept him awake was soreness. His head no longer ached, but it wasn’t easy sitting on a horse for as many hours as he’d been doing lately. But then he figured it was good practice. Within the next couple of days, he was going to have to ride to Austin.
And hope like hell it wasn’t a mistake.
Not that he had much of a choice. He was hoping he had more time to build a case, prove that the massive herd of cattle grazing east of Otis Sanford’s land had been rustled by the Rangers. But if he didn’t find someone in authority to help stop them soon, the cattle would be shipped north and the town undertaker would be building a lot more pine boxes.
His biggest problem was who he could trust. Or for that matter, how to find out who had jurisdiction over Captain Wade and his men. The law was a mystery to him here. If he left Texas in search of a federal marshal, he could waste a whole lot of time just to discover that the man had no authority over the Rangers.
Jake decided it made sense to go to the capitol. He’d skip the big Ranger office located there, since he couldn’t assume there wasn’t collaboration between the Rangers there and Wade, and instead find a judge who could guide him. Too bad Rebecca didn’t know the ins and outs of Texas law. But she’d been little more than a kid when she’d been taken.
The reminder of her capture was like a knife being driven into his heart. It had required all of his willpower not to show how he felt about the man who’d inflicted those scars on her back. Beat with a whip because she’d tried to run away, had dared to defy him in front of his people. Jake understood it was the custom and mores of the 1800s Comanche, but it grated on him far more than he’d ever let Rebecca know. The last thing she needed was to feel guilty for marrying Running Bear and doing what she needed to do to survive.
He shrugged out of his shirt, and peeled off his jeans, smiling when Rebecca snuggled deeper under the quilt, her face at peace in sleep. Damn, he wished he knew how much he could trust Kitty. Knowing her, she probably had all the answers for him, but he couldn’t risk confiding in her. He believed she genuinely wanted Rebecca safe and out of Diablo Flats, but he knew she had this thing with Wade. When it came down to it, who would she choose?
As much as Jake hated to disturb her, he couldn’t stand the thought of trying to sleep without her cheek pressed to his chest. He gently rolled back the quilt, and she turned her head and blinked at him. A sweet smile lifted her lips.
“Hey,” he said, sliding in beside her. “I missed you.”
She threw an arm around his waist and sighed. “I hate it when you’re away.”
He briefly closed his eyes, dreading when he’d have to tell her he was leaving. He only hoped he could make her understand that for her, staying would be safer than going with him. If he were caught, he’d be shot or hanged. She’d be left defenseless, to be brutalized and killed. He ruthlessly shoved the thought aside before it clouded his judgment.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you I was going.
” He kissed her hair. “It all happened quickly.”
“Kitty told me. Where were you?”
He was surprised by the question. They never talked about the Rangers’ business. But it was the perfect opening. She had to understand the gravity of the problem the town faced. “I’m going to tell you something about the Rangers that you can’t repeat, not even to Kitty. Or it could get us both killed.”
She drew back to stare at him, the muted dawn light filtering through the window to show her face. She didn’t seem frightened, maybe a bit wary, but he already knew she was tough.
“Last night I was sent to check on a herd of cattle and round up strays. I’m pretty sure all the cattle had been rustled. They had different brands.” He paused, confused by her lack of surprise. “Do you know what that means?”
“The Rangers are the rustlers.”
He studied her face. “You already knew?”
She gave a small shrug. “They’re bad men. They leave town to look for the rustlers but they never find any.”
“Smart lady.” He smiled. “I have a feeling the rest of the town may be starting to get the hint.”
She nodded solemnly. “And the vigilantes?”
He hadn’t wanted to go there. “I don’t know. When people get nervous, they do things out of fear they often regret.”
“Did Corbin kill Mr. Otis so he wouldn’t talk?” she asked softly.
He wanted to lie, tell her that the Rangers wouldn’t go as far as murder. But he had a feeling she’d see right through him. “I think so, but we can’t prove it.”
“He had scratches on his face.”
“Which could have come from you.”
She stared silently at the ceiling.
“The Rangers are planning to drive the herd north but they’re waiting for extra men.”
She frowned. “Three strangers showed up tonight. Captain Wade knew one of them.”
“Damn. That was sooner than I expected, though they’re going to need more than three men. You hear them say anything about more coming?”
Rebecca’s lips parted, as if she were going to say something, but then shook her head. Finally, she looked at him with pleading eyes. “We need to leave here, Jake. Tonight.”
“Ah, sweetheart. I can’t do that.”
“Don’t you see? If they find out you know about them, they’ll hurt you.” She clutched his arm, her short jagged nails digging into his skin. “Oh, Jake, they’ll kill you.”
“If I don’t stop them, more people will be killed.”
She gaped at him. “How can you stop them? You can’t. They’re greedy and there’s too much money involved and—” She bit her lip, and looked away.
He didn’t like the suspicious feeling crawling up his spine. “Is there something you need to tell me?”
“No. I just don’t want you to do anything foolish.”
“I have a duty to stop them.” He’d thought long and hard tonight while trying to stay awake in the saddle about how much to admit to her at this point. Still not sure he was doing the right thing, he reached for the jeans he’d discarded, and dug into his pocket for his wallet. He knew she hadn’t seen it, nor apparently had anyone else while he was out cold because if they had, he would’ve had a lot more explaining to do before now. “I have something to show you.”
He flipped open the brown leather trifold, pausing to gauge her reaction before revealing his badge.
Rebecca blinked, and then her eyes widened to the size of silver dollars. Except for the words Department of Public Safety, there was no mistaking the star that Rangers had worn for over a hundred and seventy years. “This is—you?” she asked incredulously.
He nodded, his heart sinking at the look of horrified betrayal on her face. She shifted, subtly shrinking away, as if she no longer trusted him.
“Where I come from, the Texas Rangers aren’t like Wade and the others. They’re, we’re, decent men, trying to uphold the law. I swear to you, Rebecca. I’m not one of them. But I am a Ranger. That’s all I know. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be. I need to stop these men from killing more innocent people. It’s not just my job, can you understand that? It’s my duty.”
“Is it your duty to die? You don’t even have a gun.”
“Please, sweetheart. Don’t worry about me. I’ve got a plan. I’ve thought about it every night, every moment I was away from you. What I need is for you to trust me. Do you think you can do that?”
The way she looked at him made his stomach clench. So much hope and fear were in her eyes. But there was also strength. The kind of strength that had kept her alive through nightmares that would have crippled most people. She touched the side of his face with her soft fingers. “I will,” she said. “I do.”
17
THE NEXT MORNING, from her window, Rebecca watched Slow Jim ride into town. The Rangers were expecting the half-breed, and Captain Wade had already agreed that the scout would show Jake the place where he’d been found. Wade thought Jake wanted to search the area for his belongings. Only she knew his true mission was to find the time portal, and then head to Austin before anyone had figured out that he was gone.
She still didn’t understand the exact nature of this passage through time that he’d tried to explain. Sometimes Jake seemed as confused as she did.
There was a brief knock at the door before she heard it open. She knew it was Jake returning from the kitchen, even before she turned around to find him with a cup of steaming coffee in his hand. He smiled gently and passed her the brew.
She tried to smile back, but couldn’t, and reckoned that it was enough that she hadn’t burst into tears. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the cup with a trembling hand.
“Ah, Rebecca—”
She turned away to set the cup on the stool, afraid to put anything in her queasy stomach, afraid to look at him and let him see the misery in her heart.
He slid his arms around her waist and drew her back to his chest. “I wish there was another way.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “You could take me with you.”
“You know I can’t. It wouldn’t be safe for you. If the Rangers caught up to us—” He sighed, and kissed the side of her neck. “I talked to Kitty. You’ll be safer with her.”
Rebecca stepped out of his arms and spun to look at him. “What did you tell her?”
He looked grim. “Nothing about Austin. Just that I had some business to take care of so that we’d be able to leave. She has a soft spot for you, sweetheart. She really wants to make sure you get out of Diablo Flats.”
Guilt washed over her. If she told him what she’d heard last night it would confirm his suspicions. Then he’d go to Austin for sure. She wasn’t convinced that she was better off staying behind. But she wouldn’t beg, either. This could be Jake’s way of letting her down easy. She believed that he wanted to stop the Rangers from hurting anyone else, but despite her promise to him, she didn’t completely trust that he’d come back to her. Austin was far away, a big city, and she was only an Indian’s whore. Or maybe he planned on going back to his other life through the time portal. Why wouldn’t he? There was nothing here worth fighting for. The idea of being without him chilled her to the bone. But she’d better get used to it.
She looked at the misgiving in his beautiful blue eyes, and swallowed hard. She loved him, she realized, but not until this second had she understood the depth of her feelings for him. Loved him enough to want him safe and far from here. “If you don’t come back it’s all right. I wanted you to know that.”
“No.” He gripped her upper arms. “I’m coming back. As long as I’ve got breath in my body, I’ll keep you safe.”
Rebecca flinched, the sudden thought of Jake lifeless, dead on the ground, more than she could bear.
“I’m sorry.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I was trying to make a point that I would never desert you. Please tell me you understand that I’m c
oming back for you.”
She nodded, too numb to do anything else.
He held her face in his hands. “Look at me,” he said, when lifting her lashes seemed too great an effort. “I’ll be gone for about five days, maybe six. Wade has business east of town. He’ll be taking a few of the Rangers with him and they’ll be away at least overnight, maybe longer. Kitty will get you out to Otis’s ranch. You hide there until I return.” He searched her eyes. “Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she replied, shaken.
“I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you,” he said, his voice thick. “Promise me you’ll stay with Kitty.”
Rebecca forced a smile. “Go. I’ll be all right.”
Someone knocked at the door. It was Kitty. It was time for Jake to go.
“MANY SPIRITS EXIST HERE.” Eyeing him apprehensively, Slow Jim reined in his gelding at the edge of the clearing. The horse stepped sideways, threw back his head and whinnied, as if in agreement. “There,” the man said, pointing to a boulder the size of a compact car. “That is where I found you.”
Jake stared at the outcropping nestled against a thicket of scrub oak. Blood spattered the smoother side of the rock. His blood, presumably, which supported Slow Jim’s claim that this was the exact spot. Jake quickly surveyed the area, but saw no other signs of blood. That didn’t mean he hadn’t crawled from somewhere else, but this was as much as he had to go on.
“Was I lying down?”
Slow Jim turned to him, his tanned face creased in a frown. “Yes.”
Once again Jake was struck by the man’s uncanny resemblance to Jake’s friend Tom Parker. Like Slow Jim, Tom was half Comanche, and except for the long black hair and about ten pounds, the men could’ve been twins. It was damn eerie. Another sign that this was Jake’s fate? At this point, he only cared that the man stayed as tightlipped when he returned to town as he had on the ride out here. Though he wasn’t too worried. Slow Jim sometimes worked for Wade, but Jake got the impression that he wasn’t exactly a fan.
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