Sam awakened in pain. His head hurt like the very devil and his whole body felt like he'd been beaten. He opened his eyes slowly. Once everything came into focus he realized he wasn't in his bunk in the bunkhouse. The room was cheerful, the bed beneath him soft and the sheets sweet smelling.
The pain in Sam's head was unrelenting. He groaned and explored his head with his hand. His fingers encountered a thick bandage.
"You're awake."
The voice was softly feminine and soothing, putting him immediately at ease despite the grinding pain. Then Lacey came into his view.
"Lacey." His voice sounded rusty, his throat felt raw. "Water."
Lacey reacted quickly. She poured water from a pitcher into a cup, gently lifted his head and held the cup to his lips. Sam drank greedily then lay back against the pillow.
"Where am I?"
"In my spare bedroom."
Sam tried to grin but could only manage a weak grimace. "I'd prefer to be in your room, in your bed."
Lacey ignored him. "Can you tell me what happened?"
"Rustlers. Amos rode in to get reinforcements but the boys hadn't returned from town yet. I rode out to help. Were any of the others hurt?"
"No, just you. The raid doesn't make sense. Rusty reported that the rustlers didn't even take the cattle they had made off with. The hands found them grazing not far away from the main herd. Rusty doesn't know what to make of it."
Sam shot her a speculative look. "The man who shot me knew exactly who he was aiming at. If what you say is true, I believe I was targeted as the victim. The rustlers didn't want the cattle, they wanted me...dead," he added.
Lacey's eyes widened. "Why?"
"You tell me," Sam bit out.
"Me? What makes you think I know anything about this?"
"I distinctly heard you tell your lover you wanted me out of your life. And Cramer promised to see the deed done. Killing is permanent and quite effective, I might add."
Lacey recoiled as if she'd been struck. "I may want you out of my life but not in the way you think. I would never... How could you even think such a thing?"
"Easy," Sam said. "Your lover was simply carrying out your wishes."
"You're delusional," Lacey insisted. "Try to rest. Rita will bring some broth up to you soon." She turned to leave.
"Wait! Who bandaged me?"
"I did."
"How did I get up to the house?"
"Rusty and a couple of the boys carried you. Anything else?"
Sam closed his eyes. He had much to think about, but his head hurt too badly to concentrate. "No."
Lacey closed the door behind her and leaned against it until the anger left her. How could Sam think she had anything to do with the shooting? His unfounded accusation gave her a clear picture of exactly what he thought of her. He might want her sexually but she meant nothing to him as a person. The world was populated with men like Sam. She was more determined than ever to keep her heart out of Sam's reach.
Lacey left the house and strode with grim purpose to the corral. Sam had made a serious accusation and she felt compelled to learn the truth for herself.
"Going somewhere, Miz Lacey?"
Lacey was startled to find Rusty beside her. "I'm going on an errand, Rusty. Would you have one of the hands saddle Ladybird for me?"
"I wouldn't ride out alone if I were you," Rusty advised. "Those rustlers could still be around. How is Sam?"
"He's conscious and in no danger of dying. He was lucky, the bullet only grazed him. You can visit him later. Now, about my horse..."
"Sure thing, Miz Lacey. I'll go with you."
"You're needed here, Rusty. I'm not going far. Just over to the Cramer spread."
Rusty frowned. "You gonna visit Mr. Cramer?"
"Yes, it's business."
A few minutes later Lacey rode off. She knew Rusty hadn't liked her going alone but that couldn't be helped. She had something to do and only she could do it. She didn't want to believe that Taylor had tried to kill Sam, and wouldn't believe it until she heard Taylor admit to the crime.
Chapter Five
Lacey rode up to Taylor Cramer's spacious ranch house and dismounted. She had visited the ranch before but never alone. Usually Andy was with her, but this time she'd left him home and the thought of being alone with Taylor in his home made her uncomfortable. She knew she was being foolish, Taylor would never hurt her. He loved her. He'd told her so many times. That was one of the reasons she had agreed to marry him. Even if she couldn't love him like he deserved, she intended to be a good wife to him.
Lacey hitched her horse to the post, suddenly aware that she was being watched. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw that several of Cramer's hands had stopped their work to stare at her. Their knowing looks did nothing to reinforce her courage. Only the thought of Sam being shot at kept her from turning around and riding home as fast as Ladybird would carry her.
Lacey started up the porch steps. Suddenly the front door swung open.
"Lacey! I do believe this is the first time you've come to my home without your br...er...son." He held the door open. "Come in, come in. I'm pleased you care enough about me to disobey Gentry's orders. I knew you would find a way to see me. Has Gentry left?"
Lacey stepped inside. She jumped when the door slammed behind her. What was wrong with her? Surely she didn't believe Sam's unfounded accusation. Taylor wasn't the kind of man to take another's life. She knew he could be ruthless in his business dealings but killing was an entirely different matter. Only a fraction of an inch had separated Sam from sudden death. Furthermore, she didn't like being accused of conspiring with Taylor to take Sam's life. She needed to know the truth and Taylor was the only one who could provide it.
Taylor showed Lacey into the parlor. "My housekeeper is away for the day but I'm sure I can rustle us up some refreshments from the kitchen."
They were alone in the house! Why did that bother her? "Don't trouble yourself, I won't be staying long."
"At least sit down." Lacey perched at the edge of the sofa. "What's wrong, my dear? You appear nervous?" He sat down beside her. Close, too close.
"Obviously you have something on your mind."
Lacey cleared her throat. "It's about Sam."
"He's been shot," Taylor said much too quickly.
Lacey regarded him narrowly. Did Taylor seem too knowledgeable? "How did you know?"
Taylor shrugged. "I heard some of your cattle were rustled, and that someone was...hurt. I just assumed..."
"You assumed correctly. Sam was shot while chasing rustlers."
"He's dead," Taylor said with startling joviality. "You mustn't grieve, my dear. He's not worth it. He abandoned you years ago and won't be missed."
"You misunderstand," Lacey said. "Sam wasn't seriously wounded and is very much alive. The bullet left quite a groove in the side of his head but he'll recover. A fraction of an inch more and he'd be dead."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Taylor muttered.
"What do you mean by that statement?"
"You didn't let me finish. I'm sorry to hear that he was wounded. I'm not a violent man, Lacey, you ought to know that by now."
"Sam thinks he was targeted for death," Lacey blurted out before she could stop herself.
"A man of his caliber must have countless enemies," Taylor said silkily.
"Sam believes you were behind the rustling, if you could call it rustling, for the stolen cows were found abandoned not far from the main herd."
"Me?" Taylor said in feigned shock. "What a ridiculous notion." He sidled closer, placing an arm around Lacey's shoulders. "You don't believe that, do you, my dear?"
Lacey stiffened. "I don't know what to believe. I don't know Sam any more. I hardly knew him when we were married. I don't know if he's lying or if he really holds you responsible for his shooting. I don't know what he's capable of."
Taylor's arm tightened. His body felt threatening against hers.
"Believe me, Lacey," he said bla
ndly, "I wouldn't lie to you."
Lacey wanted to believe him, but when she looked into his eyes she saw something she hadn't noticed before. There was no warmth in their icy blue depths. No, she must be mistaken. Taylor had treated her with nothing but kindness since the day they first met. When Uncle Hob died he'd been like a rock, helping with all the details too painful for her to handle.
"Lacey, you do you believe me, don't you?"
"I...want to."
"Gentry is a bastard!" Taylor bit out. "It's obvious he wants to hurt you and is determined to stop our marriage from taking place. You haven't told me everything, Lacey, have you?"
No, and she wasn't going to. "What happened between me and Sam a long time ago doesn't involve you. You're right in thinking he wants to hurt me, but I won't let him."
Taylor sent her a smug smile. "Good, very good. I know a perfect way to get him out of your life without resorting to violence."
Lacey's breath hitched. "I never considered violence an option and I hope you don't either."
"Not at all, my dear, not at all. I thought about offering him money but I'm convinced he won't accept it. What I'm going to suggest might shock you, but it's the only way to send Gentry packing. If we make a child together, I suspect he'll be more than eager to let you divorce him."
The shock of Taylor's indecent suggestion rendered her speechless. Taylor took advantage of her momentary lapse by turning her against him and capturing her lips in a brutally demanding kiss. Disgusted and repelled at the same time, Lacey broke free and shoved him away.
"I'm not going to do it, Taylor. I'm not going to sleep with you until after the wedding. Sam isn't going to back down on this either."
"We'll see about that," Taylor said. "Where there's a will there's a way."
Lacey stood abruptly. "I should leave. I left Andy with Rita and there's no telling what mischief he'll get into without proper supervision."
"You won't have to worry about Andy once we're married," Taylor promised. "We'll send him off to the best school in the country."
"That's out of the question," Lacey retorted. "He's much too young to be sent away."
"Whatever you say, my dear," Taylor said obsequiously. "But in time you'll come to see the wisdom of my words. You and I will have children together one day; you won't even miss Andy."
Not miss Andy? Lacey's eyes glared defiance. "You're wrong, Taylor. No matter how many children we have, Andy will always be a part of me. I really must go."
"Very well. I hope I eased your mind about Gentry. He's trying to poison you against me, that's why he accused me of wrongdoing."
At this point Lacey wasn't sure about anything; Taylor sounded so sincere. Should she believe a man who professed to love her and had helped her after Uncle Hob's death or the man who hated and mistrusted her her? Suddenly her placid life was mired in conflict. Nothing was the same since Sam Gentry showed up on her doorstep.
"I have a lot to contend with right now, Taylor. Forgive me for accusing you unjustly."
Taylor gave her a smile that belied the anger seething inside him. "I'll come out to the ranch tomorrow."
"No. Please don't. Not until things are resolved between me and Sam. There is too much animosity between the two of you."
Cramer had assumed his men had taken care of that saddle tramp for good. He'd been stunned to learn that Gentry had only been wounded. He paid his men top wages and expected results. Now he'd have to approach this in a different way. Another attempt on Gentry's life would throw more suspicion on him and that was something he couldn't afford if he was to win Lacey and her land.
"Very well, my dear, but I'm not going to let Gentry get away with this. He doesn't frighten me. I won't let him keep us from being together."
Taylor watched Lacey ride away in silent fury. His last words had produced nothing but a nod from her. She was becoming too involved with her husband and it didn't bode well for him and his plans.
Lacey marched directly to Sam's room the moment she returned home. She found him sitting up in bed, eating the lunch Rita had prepared for him.
"Where were you?" Sam asked sourly. "You were gone a long time."
"I went to call on Taylor Cramer."
"You what! After I told you to keep away from him?" His eyes narrowed. "Did you consult with him on the ways to bring about my demise? The last attempt didn't work, what have you two devised next for me?"
"I had nothing to do with your shooting and neither did Taylor," Lacey defended.
"Likely story," Sam muttered.
Lacey blanched. "You must hate me a great deal. Do you truly think I'm capable of murder?"
"My murder," he said beneath his breath.
Lacey's cheeks flamed. She wasn't really surprised at Sam's refusal to trust her. He'd refused to believe she hadn't betrayed him, so why should be believe her now? "Put your mind at ease, Sam. I don't want you dead. I just want you to leave me and Andy alone."
"So you can marry Cramer and live happily ever after," Sam shot back.
His outburst must have caused him pain for he grasped his head and moaned. Lacey was immediately contrite. "You're in pain."
"I've had a headache since that blasted bullet plowed a groove in my head."
"Let me take a look," Lacey offered. "That bandage should be changed."
"Leave it," Sam growled when she reached over to loosen the bandage.
"Nonsense," Lacey said crisply. "Don't be such a baby. I'm not going to hurt you."
Deftly she removed the blood-soaked bandage and inspected the wound. "The bleeding has stopped. I'll spread more salve on it and replace the soiled bandage with another. I'll be right back with salve and clean cloths."
Sam watched Lacey leave with less than charitable thoughts. Despite her protests of innocence, he didn't know what to believe. Lacey would certainly benefit from his death. It would free her to marry Taylor Cramer. But did he actually think her capable of conspiring with Cramer to murder him? Despite his earlier words, he couldn't quite bring himself to believe Lacey would resort to murder.
A noise at the door caught Sam's attention and he turned his head carefully in that direction. Andy stood in the doorway, staring at him uncertainly.
"Mama said I shouldn't bother you."
Sam waved him forward. "It's all right, Andy. You're not bothering me. Is there something on your mind?"
Andy hesitated a moment, then sidled forward. "You're not going to die, are you? My real papa died and I don't want you to die, too."
An unexpected emotion clogged Sam's throat. He'd never been around children much and knew little about them, but this bright little lad had somehow wormed his way into his affection. He couldn't blame Andy for his mother's sins.
Sam cleared his throat. "I'm not gonna die, Andy. My wound isn't even serious. I'll be fit as a fiddle in a days or two."
"Promise?" Andy asked tremulously.
"Promise."
A grin spread across the child's face. "That's all I wanted to know."
"What did you want to know?" Lacey asked from the doorway. "I thought I told you not to bother Sam."
"Papa said it was all right," Andy said. "I didn't bother him. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't going to die."
"He's going to be just fine," Lacey said. "Run along now, I need to tend to Sam's wound."
Andy skipped off. Lacey waited until he was gone before rounding on Sam. "You shouldn't encourage him. You'll never be his father. It will be hard on him when you leave."
"Who says I'm gonna leave?"
"I do," Lacey said with conviction. "Turn your head so I can spread salve on your wound."
A grimace contorted Sam's face as he moved his head to comply. "When will this aching stop?"
"I brought laudanum for the pain. I'll give you some as soon as I'm finished with the bandaging."
"No laudanum. I prefer to keep my wits about me. Perhaps a mild headache powder, if you have it."
"Men," Lacey said with a hint of disgust
. "Must you always be in control?"
"I don't like not knowing what's going on around me."
"Very well, I'll get you a headache powder when I finish here. Tomorrow you should be recovered enough to return to the bunkhouse."
Sam folded his arms across his chest and regarded her with amusement. "I'm not going back to the bunkhouse, Lacey."
Lacey went still. "Of course you are. What will the hands think?"
"They won't think anything after I tell them we're married, that we have been husband and wife for six years."
"You can't do that! They believe I'm going to marry Taylor Cramer."
"Not any longer. I'll explain everything, if that's what's bothering you. I'll tell them we lost track of one another during the war and that you mistakenly thought I was dead."
Lacey squared her shoulders. "I'll not be a wife to you, Sam Gentry."
"We'll see about that, Mrs. Gentry," Sam replied through gritted teeth. His head hurt so badly he could barely see. He didn't want to argue with Lacey right now. But once he was recovered he fully intended to make damn sure she didn't get what she wanted. She was going to pay for betraying him.
The next day Sam felt well enough to get out of bed and stroll down to the bunkhouse. His head still ached but with less severity, and his wound was healing nicely. He hoped hair would grow over the scar in time, rendering it all but invisible.
The hands had just returned from the range. Sam opened the door and walked into the bunkhouse amid a boisterous welcome.
"Sam, you old son of a gun!" Rusty greeted. "I was just gonna go up to the house and see how you were doing. Are you ready to move back to the bunkhouse?"
Sam smiled. "As you can see, I'm fine, but I'm not returning to the bunkhouse, Rusty."
The other men heard what Sam had said and stopped what they were doing to listen.
Rusty scratched his head. "You ain't coming back? You ain't leaving, are you? Did that shooter scare you off?"
"Nothing like that. I'm glad everyone is here. There's something I want to tell you."
Once Sam had everyone's attention, he cleared his throat and said, "I haven't been exactly truthful with you boys. You see, I had no idea Lacey Gentry was the owner of the B&G when Rusty brought me here. In fact, I lost track of Lacey after the war and had no idea she was in Texas."
The Outlaws: Sam Page 6
