Taking advantage of his preoccupation with his own roasting quail, she boldly assessed the man who sent a wave of heat careening through her belly each time he touched her.
His broad shoulders bore the weight of the world with such ease, the holster around his lean hips lent undeniable strength, and the iridescent blue of his gaze could pierce right into her soul and see all her shortcomings.
Her attention was drawn to his dark hair that brushed the top of his collar. No matter how many times he kept pushing back the stubborn lock that fell onto his forehead, it insisted on doing what it would. There didn’t appear to be any taming it. Larissa wondered what his hair would feel like on her fingers.
“Like anything you see, ma’am?” he growled.
She jumped as a hot blush crept into her cheeks. “I was just . . . I didn’t mean . . . I truly have better manners,” she finally got out. “I apologize.”
Lord, he must think her terribly rude!
“And that’s another thing . . . can we please dispense with the ma’ams?” she added in a rush. “Makes me feel so . . . old.”
“If that’s what you want, Larissa.” He pulled the quail off his skewer, dropped it on a tin plate, and blew on his fingers. “I think these are done. Hand me yours and I’ll take it off for you.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, passing over her skewer. “Diamond, how do you suppose the kidnappers will know if my father doesn’t pay the ransom?”
“They left one man behind for that purpose. I’m sure it’s arranged for him to send a telegram to his compadres. Your father is going to keep a watch on that line shack and nab the man when he shows up to collect the ransom money.”
“So he’ll never get a chance to send the telegram.” Larissa chewed her lip. “When the men who have Beth don’t get word, they’ll . . .” Kill her, she added silently.
He laid a tanned hand on hers and spoke as though he’d read her mind. Maybe he had. “They won’t get a chance. I’ll already have Beth far away by then.”
All of a sudden the enormity of the task hit her.
It all depended on a man who hated himself for caring about what happened to people. He seemed to consider that part of him a weakness.
He didn’t know it made him stronger.
Chapter 6
The town of Del Rio came into view in the afternoon of the following day.
Their five days had dwindled to two.
Johnny Diamond knew it would take a miracle to find Beth before the deadline, but he didn’t share that with Larissa. She was a bundle of nerves without adding more worries. He wouldn’t smash her hopes for a positive outcome.
He scanned both sides of Main Street as they slowly rode from one end to the other. The border town was typical of others up and down the Rio Grande. It was dirty and drab and many buildings leaned precariously.
Except for tinny piano music blaring from one of several saloons, the town appeared quiet and docile. But he knew that was misleading. Once darkness descended it would become a wild and wooly place. He’d have to do his best to keep Larissa out of sight.
That would be a chore, given her stubborn streak.
Drawing up in front of The Texas Spur, the only hotel in town, he threw his leg over Blue’s neck and slid from the saddle. “I’ll get you a room before I scout around. You can bathe and put on some fresh clothing.”
He put his hands around her waist and lifted her to the ground. His hands lingered on her a tad longer than needed, but if she noticed, she kept quiet.
“I’m not the only one in need of a bath.” Though she was weary to the bone, sparks flashed in her eyes. “If you can put it off so can I. Will you stay here at the hotel?”
“Figure I’ll bed down at the livery, where I can get a good look at the horses without raising a lot of questions. If it works out where I get a chance to visit the bathhouse, I will. If not, it’ll have to wait. It’s not my first priority right now.”
“Diamond, don’t think you’re going to get rid of me this easy. I came to find Beth and that’s what I aim to do,” she said stiffly.
Johnny pushed back his hat with a forefinger. “Would you stop with that? I’m not trying to get rid of you. I’m going to have to hang out for a bit in the saloon to see what information I can ferret out. It’s not exactly the place for a lady of your caliber.” He gave her a wry grin. “Now, are we going to haggle out here in the street the rest of the day or are you going to go into the hotel like I suggested?”
“Like you ordered, you mean. You’re giving me no choice.”
Johnny ground his teeth but kept his voice calm and low. “I didn’t mean that like it sounded. It’s just that I have a few million things on my mind. Time is short and so is my patience, it seems.”
Larissa finally withdrew her claws. “I’ll do as you ask simply because you have me over a barrel. But don’t forget about me. I want to know what you find out no matter how large or small.”
“I promise to tell you the minute I learn something. Okay?”
She gave a curt nod.
Breathing a deep sigh of relief, he got her a room and gave her some money for a new change of clothes. Then he took the horses to the livery. He briefly scanned the other horses that were boarded. He didn’t have a chance to inspect their hooves without raising suspicion, though. He’d have to do that after the livery owner went to bed.
Leaving the stables, he strolled toward the nearest saloon.
The sign on the false front proclaimed it to be The Red Eye. Johnny stepped inside the swinging doors and took note of the place. The sawdust floor said the owner was either frugal or lazy. His gaze shifted to the patrons.
Four men at the back played cards. Three customers stood at the bar swilling whiskey and talking. It was early yet for most men. The two working girls seemed bored. The one who was the most heavily made up yawned big and ambled his way with her hips swinging suggestively.
“Hi, stranger,” she said when she reached his side. “Care to buy a woman a drink?”
He gave her the once-over she probably expected and took her arm. Leading her to a nearby table, he pulled out a chair for her. “What’ll be your pleasure, ma’am?”
“I’m partial to whiskey, but not the rotgut stuff.” She patted her cloud of auburn hair. “I have my principles.”
“I can certainly see that you do, ma’am.”
“Oh, honey, I could listen to you call me that all night long,” she crooned close to his ear before she sat down.
Johnny strolled to the bar and bought a bottle of good whiskey though he doubted she’d be able to tell it since she’d clearly had more than a few already. He just hoped all his effort paid off. He took the bottle and two glasses to the table, then pulled out a chair and dropped into it.
“Do you have a name, ma’ am?”
“Sally. And what do I call you, honey?”
He saw no reason to give a false name since the kidnappers wouldn’t know him, except maybe by reputation. Besides, being an outlaw let him mix and mingle without drawing suspicion.
“Diamond. Johnny Diamond.”
Her plucked eyebrows raised. “Sounds like the name of a wanted man.”
“Would it make a difference?”
“Only to the law.” She chuckled. “Thank goodness we’re not bothered with any of that in Del Rio. Mind if I ask what you’re wanted for?”
“You’re a mite nosey for my taste, Sally.” He scooted back his chair and started to rise. “Think I’ll mosey on.”
Sally quickly grabbed his arm. “Hold on, cowboy. Don’t make a hill of beans to me who you are or what you’ve done. I’m just making a little harmless conversation.”
Johnny relaxed into the chair and poured her a drink. He poured himself one too but left it untouched on the table. “You lived here long, Sally?”
“For a while.” He wasn’t the only one being evasive. She was definitely running from something.
“I reckon you know everyone around here then.” He leaned close and
stuck two dollars into the low-cut dress she wore. “I’m looking for a group of men. Heard they might be here. Was thinking I might join up with them. Seen any strangers in town?”
“Well, a couple of newcomers blew in here yesterday like a sandstorm sweeping across the plain. Looked like they were fresh off the trail.”
Johnny caught Sally glancing off and poured his drink on the sawdust floor. “Happen to know where they’re staying?”
“One of them, he was real mean looking, remarked to his partner that they’d wet their whistles before returning to camp. Got the impression they’re staying outside of town.”
That would fit. It’d be easier to keep Beth a secret out there all by themselves.
“Have they been in here today?”
Sally downed her whiskey in one big gulp. “Nope. Ain’t seen hide nor hair of ’em.”
He pushed back his chair and stood. “Reckon I’ll see if I can find them. Appreciate the help, Sally.”
“Sure thing, cowboy. Come back anytime. I’m always around. Maybe next time I can lure you upstairs.” She winked.
He seriously doubted that although he didn’t tell her. Larissa’s luminous amber eyes framed by long, thick lashes crossed his mind. If he had a hankering for female companionship he knew where he’d go.
And he wouldn’t have to be afraid of catching something.
By the time Johnny left the saloon, dusk had settled over the town. Things were beginning to pick up in the street. He headed for the livery. He’d saddle Blue Boy and take a ride.
Sitting on Blue at the edge of town, he pondered which direction to take. He ruled out north, the direction they’d come. The gang would need to be close to the water if they were camping out. The Rio Grande divided Texas from Mexico and was the only river in the area. His gut told him to look there.
He rode about a mile east and saw nothing. Disappointed, he returned to where he started and headed west. A few minutes later he saw the light from a campfire shining through some mesquite trees. After getting off Blue, he tied the horse to a branch and stole silently toward the camp.
Suddenly a female scream fractured the air followed by several men’s coarse laughter.
The hair on his neck rose. His hand stole to the Colt on his hip. It slid with ease from the buttery softness of the holster and filled his hand. He crouched low and listened.
“You’ll do as we say or else, missy,” sneered a man.
Then came the sound of a hand connecting with a face and another warning. “If you know what’s good for you you’ll stop the blubbering and take off your clothes and be quick about it. I guarantee you won’t like the lesson we teach you.”
Dunston Patrick’s words echoed in Johnny’s head. If I had my druthers, I’d prefer you end their miserable lives and silence them once and for all.
A familiar resolve filled his chest. He didn’t know how he’d go about it, but he would set whoever the captive girl was free or die trying. And if it was Beth, he would make the kidnappers pay dearly.
Lord knew they deserved whatever they got. It was what Patrick paid him to do. And like Sally over at the saloon had said, there wasn’t any lawman in town. Johnny was Beth’s only hope.
Inch by inch Johnny drew closer.
At last he could see. Three men were passing a small female back and forth between them as they would a whiskey bottle.
True, he couldn’t clearly see the girl’s features, but he guessed she could be Beth Patrick. He’d find out soon enough.
One thing for sure, the girl was there against her will.
Images of his mother and sisters flooded back. They’d fought the Comancheros with every bit of strength they had. And yet they’d lost their lives.
His jaw clenched. He’d been young then and unarmed. That was far from the case now. He’d not see another girl or woman perish as long as he could help it. Not this time. Not ever again. This time evil wouldn’t win.
The girl screamed again in rising panic.
Johnny seized the element of surprise and leaped into their midst with his pistol cocked and ready. “Turn her loose.”
The man who twisted the girl’s arm in a punishing grip whirled. A jagged scar ran from one eye across his nose, then ended by his ear. “I don’t know who you are, mister, but this is a private party. We don’t cotton to anyone meddling in our business.”
“If you need some convincing, I can oblige.” Johnny’s threat bore velvet softness that deceived. “Let the girl go.”
The youngest of the trio licked his lips nervously. “We was only funning with her.”
“She’s not laughing. Neither am I.” He spoke to the girl. “Come over here and get behind me.”
But the brute holding her wouldn’t release her. “The only way you’re getting her is through me,” the man roared.
Johnny was through trying to reason with men like them. He’d let his Colt do the talking. He quickly aimed and pulled the trigger.
Chapter 7
The bullet struck Scar Face in the leg. He dropped like a sack of feed, releasing his captive on his way to the hard ground. The sobbing girl ran to Johnny.
“Are you okay?” he asked her.
Her reply to the affirmative was low, the girl probably scared within an inch of her life. He could feel her trembling. He quickly tucked her behind him, keeping his Colt trained on the trio in case they drew their weapons.
Up close he realized she was quite a bit older than Beth. No ten-year-old had curves like this one, who must be in her teens. Disappointment swept through him. He’d hoped this would all be over now. But it seemed he’d only begun the chore of locating the kidnappers.
“Toss your pistols over here,” he ordered Scar Face and his accomplices. Scar Face seemed to dawdle, maybe thinking to challenge Johnny. Or else catch him with his guard down.
Finally, the man evidently saw he had no choice because he obliged, albeit grudgingly.
Johnny instructed the girl to get on his horse, and then he collected the pistols and backed cautiously away from the campsite.
A mile down the road, he threw the firearms into a clump of bushes. He doubted the trio would ever find them, which would make his job a tad easier. He’d still have to look over his shoulder, though. He sighed. He had trouble remembering a time when he hadn’t.
Back in town, he returned the girl, who gave her name as Meg Frost, into the care of her father after explaining the circumstances.
“Thank you for looking after my daughter.” Mr. Frost stuck out his hand and shook Johnny’s. “I’ve been searching high and low for her and feared I’d never see her again.”
“This is a dangerous town. Keep her close to you.” Johnny took his leave, then left Blue Boy at the stables. The breeze suddenly died and he got a whiff of himself. Smelled like the south end of a northbound mule. A bath was definitely in order before he had supper with Larissa.
He stopped by the mercantile for some new clothes first. The owner was just flipping the sign to the “Closed” side. Johnny begged the man to let him in and was grateful when he did. He quickly picked out a shirt, trousers, and drawers.
Business was slow at the bathhouse. There were only him and two other bathers. It didn’t take him long to get undressed and sink into the clean water he’d paid extra for. He kept his Colt within easy reach. A man could never tell when he needed a weapon, especially in a wild border town that had no lawman to ride herd over it.
Relaxing in the water, Johnny overheard a conversation on the other side of the cubicle. The words “Four Spades Ranch” made the hair on his neck rise. He sat quietly, straining to hear more of the exchange.
“Tomorrow’s the deadline. We’ll know what we gotta do.”
“Think Patrick’ll pay up?”
“He will if he wants to see his daughter again.”
“Can you kill the little brat if it comes to that?”
“Never doubt my word. I’ll do exactly what I say.” The voice was hard and mean. There’d
be no yielding from that man.
“Well, I think y’all should’ve listened to me and snatched the older sister. Then we could’ve sold her in Mexico.”
“What makes you think we can’t sell this girl? I know a man in Mexico who likes ’em real young. In fact, I think we’ll keep the ransom and sell her too. That’ll serve Patrick right for swindling us out of our land.”
“Hush, you fool. Someone might overhear us. These walls look a mite on the thin side. Never know who’s listening.”
After that, all Johnny heard was the splash of water.
He hurriedly dried and pulled on his clothes. He’d wait across the street. When the two came out, he’d follow them.
Luckily, night had fallen when Johnny emerged from the bathhouse. He took up a position in the inky shadows.
Two men stepped gingerly from the bathhouse a good half hour later. The burly one more resembled a wild demon animal than he did a man, with his mass of hair that stuck out in all directions and a full beard. In contrast, his bony partner stood but a little over five feet and wore a Mexican serape. Johnny fell in a safe distance behind and kept them in his sights.
The pair stopped by The Red Eye saloon. Johnny waited outside. He was mulling over whether to go in when they came out, carrying a bottle of rotgut. They took the alley beside the saloon and went into an adobe dwelling in the back that had the windows covered with some sort of black material.
Johnny carefully circled the dwelling, hoping to get a glimpse inside. But it turned out the only windows were the two shrouded ones in front. Disappointed, he settled down behind some barrels by the saloon’s back door. He’d bet they’d come out when they’d drained the whiskey bottle and needed another.
As he pondered his choices of trying to wait them out or thinking of a possible ruse to get inside, a woman appeared.
The mystery woman walked right up to the door as bold as you please. There was something familiar in the gentle sway of her hips.
Light from the full moon struck her face. He jerked in surprise.
Larissa!
His heart stilled. What on God’s green earth was she doing there? When she raised her hand to knock, the spit dried in his mouth. He had to stop her. She could ruin everything on top of getting herself killed.
Give Me A Texas Outlaw Bundle with Give Me A Cowboy Page 12
