Frog glanced toward Big Joe, whose snores were lifting the bedroll.
“Nobody?”
“Nobody.”
Hope leaned closer. “Nobody.”
He looked at her, his eyes dark with need. “It sounds mighty simple.”
“It is simple. Living for him is harder, but the Scriptures are there to guide us. We may step away, but he doesn’t.”
He pressed the Bible to his heart, then squeezed her hand.
“We gotta git back. It’d be real hard on you if Joe was to catch us talkin’.”
“Frog?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I’ll pray for you every night.”
“Yes, ma’am—I’m much obliged.”
They crept back to camp. Hope held up her wrists, and Frog secured them with the rope. He obviously took pains, making sure the cord wasn’t too tight. His touch was gentle.
“Thank ya again, ma’am,” he whispered. “I won’t let them hurt ya.”
“Thank you, Frog. God bless you.”
The rain falls on the just and unjust, she thought as she watched him walk away. Her eyes shifted to Big Joe and Boris, where funny-sounding whistles were coming from their gaping mouths. He also takes care of fools and children.
How did a man turn to crime and violence when his mama prayed for his salvation every night? She guessed she just might ask God that when she met him. But she hoped that tonight, God might have answered Frog’s mama’s prayers.
Thank you, Father. We all fall into the category of fools and children, don’t we?
Somehow, through his grace, the terror of this long day had turned into a blessing.
“You’re right as usual, Papa,” she murmured as she huddled beneath a thin blanket to stave off the chill wind. “God is good.”
Chapter Fifteen
Darkness was closing in as Dan topped a rise, drawing the heavily lathered roan to a halt. In the distance, a tuft of campfire smoke spiraled toward the early evening sky.
Clicking his tongue, he nudged the horse down a steep incline. With the edge of the forest as cover, he rode the fringe of the pines until he picked up a set of new tracks. He urged the horse up a steep bluff, then slowed as the aroma of side pork, beans, and coffee reached him. He studied the terrain.
Up ahead, a line of cedars stretched across the rugged landscape. The thick, prickly growth provided what he needed. Minutes later, he stepped out of the saddle, letting the horse graze as he squatted behind the cover. And waited.
One hour. Two hours. One by one, the men rolled into their blankets for the night. Dan kept his eyes on Hope, who was lying at the edge of the campfire, her wrists bound tightly behind her back. When the camp settled down, Dan began to carefully plan his approach. Then a movement caught his eye. Frog! He was untying Hope’s wrists. Leading her away from the camp. If he dared touch her … Dan felt his blood begin to boil.
Frog led Hope to a spot under an oak tree. They seemed to be talking, from what Dan could make out in the moonlight. Frog was pacing. After a while, Frog led Hope back to camp, retied her wrists, and settled down on his bedroll. What had that been about? Relief flooded Dan; Frog hadn’t hurt her.
A little longer; wait until the camp is quiet again before you make your approach.
Big Joe’s snores overrode the crackling fire as Dan crept toward the sleeping encampment.
Creeping silently around the sleeping forms, he made his way to Hope. Slipping his hand over her mouth, he pulled her upright. Predictably, her eyes popped wide open. When her eyes registered recognition, he removed his hand and cut the rawhide cord binding her wrists.
He pressed his mouth close to her ear. “Move quickly.”
Every rustle of clothing, every footfall sounded like a gunshot as they crawled out of the circle of firelight and disappeared into the shadows. When they were in the clear, Hope threw herself into his arms.
“I knew you would come,” she whispered, throwing her arms around his neck. “I don’t know how you found me, but I prayed that you would.”
“You don’t think you could get away from me that easily, do you?”
Her hold on him tightened. “I didn’t want to get away from you at all.”
Dan held her close, smoothing her hair. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. They didn’t hurt me.” She stepped back, grinning. “Frog accepted the Lord—at least I think he has!”
Dan frowned. “Frog?”
“Frog—our Frog. I think that he’s accepted Jesus!”
“Our Frog?”
“It’s true, Dan. Frog is thinking about things of the Lord. It’s nothing short of a miracle. I’m so thankful God brought me here to witness to him. It’s been a real blessing.”
“Our Frog?” Dan repeated.
“Our Frog. For the first time I know, really know, what Papa meant when he said leading a person to Christ is the most exciting thing in the world.”
Dan chuckled, pulling her closer.
“What?”
“You’re amazing, you know that? You’re the only woman I know who could get herself kidnapped twice and consider it a blessing.”
She laughed. “Well, not the kidnapping, but the conversion is, and I want to experience it again. And again and again. Now what?”
Dan drew a deep breath. “I have to arrest Joe and Frog and Boris, Hope.”
Her face fell. “Do you have to arrest Frog?”
“He’s part of the gang. I was sent to do a job, and I’m bound by duty to finish it. I haven’t been able to find out where the gang gets its information, but the Davidson gang has stolen their last payroll.”
She glanced at the sleeping camp. He was right; Frog was a part of the gang, but how she prayed that tonight he had felt the touch of God’s hand. “All right … I’ll help. Tell me what to do.”
“You aren’t to do anything. It’s too dangerous. With any luck, I’ll have them arrested before they know what’s happening. Stay here and keep quiet. I can handle this. All right?”
She bit her lower lip. “I—”
Dan finished the thought for her. “Will do as I’m told, Dan. Thank you.” Bending down, he kissed her.
She looked up, eyes wide.
“All right?”
Reaching out, she hurriedly drew him back into an embrace.
“All right?” she whispered.
“More than all right.” He kissed her once more, lightly, then set her aside. He was about to walk off when she reached out again and latched on to his arm. When he saw the look in her eye, he mentally groaned.
“I really want to help.”
“No. You’ll only be in the way.”
“I won’t get in the way, I promise. It’s only fair that you let me help; I have a stake in seeing Big Joe and Boris behind bars. I wish Frog didn’t have to be, but with God’s help he’ll serve his time and come out a new man.” Her eyes plaintively beseeched him. “Please, Dan, let me help.”
She smiled, blinking violet-colored eyes at him prettily. “Please?”
“All right, but you’re to do what I say, when I say it.”
“I promise.” She wiggled closer, her eyes bright with excitement. “What’s our plan?”
Dan’s eyes scanned the sleeping outlaws. “Do you know anything about a gun?”
“Only that you point it and pull the trigger.”
“That should work.”
“I don’t want to shoot anyone. Not even Big Joe, although the thought is tempting.”
Dan quickly outlined what he wanted to do, and they crept back into the clearing.
Moving silently, they approached the sleeping men. Big Joe had his back to the fire. Frog lay facing it. Boris angled on his right side, his head burrowed under a matted blanket. Moving on hands and knees, Dan reached out and struck Boris behind his left ear, rendering him unconscious without a sound. Unbuckling the outlaw’s holster, Dan pitched the gun to Hope.
Hope remained at the edge of the firelight, gr
ipping the gun in both hands as Dan crept to Big Joe.
“Hey, Davidson.”
Big Joe woke with a start, his eyes unfocused. Spotting Dan, he sprang to his feet with a snarl.
Dan pinned the rifle on him. “Guess who. You’re under arrest.”
Big Joe’s gaze swept the campsite. Swallowing, Hope steadied the gun, her eyes locked with the outlaw’s.
Joe’s eyes switched to an unconscious Boris. On the opposite side of the fire, Frog began to stir.
“Don’t anybody move,” Dan warned, loud enough for Frog to hear. “Frog, get over here.”
Eyes on Hope, Frog got slowly to his feet and moved toward Dan.
Handing Frog a strip of rawhide he’d taken off the saddlebags, Dan motioned to Joe. “Tie his hands, Frog, and do it right.”
Frog’s eyes flew to Joe’s. Joe snarled, “Take him, Frog. I’ll back ya up!”
Dan calmly leveled the rifle at Frog. “Tie Joe’s hands. It will go easier on you.”
Emotions warred on Frog’s face. Finally, the outlaw reluctantly wound the rope around Joe’s wrists.
“Polecat,” the leader hissed. “Turncoat.”
“Shut up, Joe.”
Dan glanced toward Hope. “Come over here. Easy now.”
Hope skirted the fire, staying clear of the two outlaws. When she reached Dan, he handed her a strip of leather.
“Tie Frog’s hands.”
Nodding, she handed Dan the gun. “I’m sorry,” she apologized to Frog a moment later. “I wish I didn’t have to do this.”
He refused to look at her. “We do what we gotta do.”
She secured the knot, then leaned closer to whisper, “You’ve got a new friend watching over you now. Put your trust in his hands.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m tryin’ real hard to do that.”
Giving his bound wrists a supportive squeeze, she stepped back to Dan and reclaimed the gun.
Dan quickly secured Boris’s hands as the outlaw groaned, regaining consciousness. He set him on his feet. Lining the outlaws in front of the fire, he glanced at Hope. “Good job.”
Sinking to the ground, she let the gun fall out of her hand. Burying her face in her hands, she asked in a shaky voice, “What now?”
“Now?” Dan came over to sit down beside her. “We wait for dawn.”
As the eastern sky brightened, Dan instructed the three outlaws at gunpoint to mount their waiting horses. He pulled Hope onto his horse behind him, and they started back to Muddy Flats.
The strange ensemble rode into town by late afternoon. A storm was brewing; dark clouds scudded overhead, and the wind whipped dust across Main Street.
When Dan marched the three prisoners into the one-room jail, he found the sheriff reared back in his chair, boots propped on the desk, sawing logs.
Leaning close, Dan rapped smartly. “You got company.”
Sheriff Ettes’s boots thumped to the floor. The portly, balding man blinked up at them sleepily. “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
Dan nodded toward the outlaws. “I need you to keep these men for me until I come back.”
The sheriff eyed the scruffy-looking bunch. “The Davidson gang?”
Big Joe smirked. “That’s right, Sheriff, the Davidson gang.” He stepped closer. “Boo!”
The old man frowned. “Well, well. Big Joe Davidson, not an ornerier polecat around. Someone finally caught up with you, huh?”
Joe’s eyes narrowed. “No one caught me, Sheriff. This here is Grunt Lawson. He’s tryin’ to pull a fast one on ya. Used to ride with us, but all of a sudden, him and his woman decided they wanted more than their fair share, so they’re tryin’ to pull a slick one on ya, Sheriff.”
The sheriff turned to look at Dan. “You don’t say?”
“I’m Dan Sullivan, and I work for the government. These men are under arrest. I need you to keep them for me until I deliver Miss Kallahan to Medford.”
“He’s lyin’. He’s Grunt Lawson; been our lookout on the last four robberies.”
Dan shot Joe a quelling look. “Davidson, pipe down.”
“He’s lyin’, Sheriff. Don’t fall for it.”
“Well, this is easy enough to settle.” The lawman turned back to Dan. “Let’s see your credentials, son.”
Dan’s hand went to his pocket. “Right here …” He looked up sheepishly. “In my saddlebags.”
Hope mentally groaned. And the saddlebags were with the Bennetts.
“Joe Davidson, you stop this lying!” She struck out, smacking Joe in the middle of his chest. The outlaw staggered, fixing her with a sullen look.
The sheriff’s gaze swung from the three bound men to Dan. Then to Hope.
“Frog,” Hope said. “Tell the sheriff the truth.”
Frog opened his mouth to speak, but Big Joe’s look silenced him.
Dan frowned. “Now look, Sheriff. I’m—”
“Just hold on,” the sheriff interrupted. He turned to assess Hope, his eyes skimming her mangy appearance. “What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?”
“He is Dan Sullivan, Sheriff. He’s a government agent sent to infiltrate the Davidson gang and learn how they’re able to know what stages to—”
“A government agent?” The sheriff frowned. “In Muddy Flats?”
“In Washington,” Dan said.
“Then what are you doin’ here?”
“I’m trying to get Miss Kallahan to her fiancé.”
The sheriff turned back to give Hope another once-over. His eyes fixed on her stringy hair and filthy dress.
“I’m getting married.” Hope smiled lamely.
“And I’m trying to deliver her to her future husband—in Medford,” Dan added.
Sheriff Ettes frowned. “Thought you said you were working for the government.”
“I am; I’m also trying to get Miss Kallahan to Medford to meet her fiancé!”
Big Joe snickered. “A likely tale. He’s makin’ a fool of you, Sheriff. We ain’t done nothin’. He’s jest sore ’cause he thinks we cheated him outta wages.”
“Wages, huh?” The lawman stroked his chin.
Boris nodded. “He’s lyin’, Sheriff. Grunt’s a sorehead.”
“You big oaf!” Hope reached out to smack Boris; Dan caught her arm.
“This is bunk! I work for the government, and these men are under arrest. I demand that you house them until I can transport them back to Washington on federal charges.”
The sheriff’s brows lifted. “You demand, huh?”
“That’s right. I demand.”
Heaving himself to his feet, the sheriff fished a ring of keys off a hook just above the desk.
Dan sent Hope a satisfied glance.
“Put your pistol on the desk,” he told Dan. “You’re all in jail until I can sort this out.”
“Jail!” Hope exclaimed. “You can’t—”
“Sheriff—,” Dan protested.
“I can, and I am, little lady,” the sheriff said emphatically, gesturing toward the cells with his gun. “Now git! All of you.”
Dan laid his rifle on the desk, motioning for Hope to do the same with her pistol. She did, scowling at Joe.
Sheriff Ettes herded the three outlaws into one cell and Dan and Hope into the another.
“Look, Sheriff, wire Frank Talsman in the Department of Justice. He’ll verify who I am,” Dan called as the cell door slammed shut and the lock turned.
“Can’t until the river goes down.”
“River goes down—what?” Dan winced as a clap of thunder shook the jail.
“It’s outta banks—with all this rain we ain’t been able to cross it for days.”
“Good grief—how long will it take to go down?” Hope said.
“Don’t know. Depends how much new rain this storm dumps on us.” Another thunderous boom rattled the windowpane. “River’s predicted to go down by mornin’, but who knows? Could be days. But soon as she lets up, I’ll wire Washington.”
Sinking
onto the cot, Hope stared glumly through the bars. “It won’t stop. It’ll rain cats and dogs, and we’ll have to build an ark to get out of here.”
“You folks just make yourself at home,” the sheriff said. “I’ll have the missus round up some grub. Every last one of you looks as if you could use a square meal.”
Dan rattled the bars. “You can’t leave Miss Kallahan in here!”
The old man swung the key back over the hook. “Now, son, I suppose that I can do pretty well what I want. The little lady chose the company she’s keepin’. Shouldn’t be too much of a strain to endure it a while longer until we can get this thing straightened out.”
The sheriff walked back to his desk and sat down. In a few moments, he was dozing again.
“Well, well. Look at the big government man and his woman now,” Big Joe taunted from the other cell. “How do you like them fixin’s?”
“Cut it out, Joe!” Frog bowed his head, staring at his boots. “Miss Kallahan don’t deserve to be in here with th’ likes of us, and you know it.”
“Shut your trap.” Big Joe started pacing his cell like a caged animal. Boris sat on the floor, his back to the iron barrier.
Frog edged closer to the bars, his eyes on Hope. “It’s not right. You don’t belong in here. Don’t you worry. The sheriff will have you out in no time a’tall.”
“Shut up, Frog,” Joe repeated.
Hope sat on the narrow bunk, looking at Dan. “Do you think the sheriff will send a wire?”
“I don’t know.” Dan sat down beside her. “Hope, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. The sheriff’s just doing his duty. When he wires your commander, everything will be fine …” Her voice trailed off. “What?”
“Nothing. I just hope Frank’s in town.”
She shot off the cot. “He might be gone?”
“No—I don’t know! He’s in and out—I can’t recall his saying anything about leaving, but that’s been months ago. This job was supposed to take two weeks—three at the most.”
“Wish the missus would get here with the grub,” Boris complained. “Hope she brings corn bread—I love corn bread.”
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