Safe in His Arms

by Colleen Coble

  “You going to tell me what this is all about?” Charlie asked.

  “Not now. We have to focus on finding Margaret.”

  “You really love her, don’t you?”

  “Sure do. I didn’t know I could feel this way about a woman.” Daniel didn’t want to talk about it. A terrible fear and foreboding gripped him that his obsession with his own plans was going to lead to Margaret’s death. He couldn’t live with that. Hardening his jaw, he vowed he would not let anything happen to her. He prayed silently as they hurried along the trail.

  “Frank is going to be on our trail like a duck on a June bug,” Charlie said after a few moments. “The rest of the gang is all ready to go rob the bank. We’re going to miss out on all the fun.”

  “Frank won’t go without us. Me and Margaret are key players in his little plan.” Only after he said the words did Daniel realize how dry and critical his words were. Charlie caught his tone, for his head came up sharply and he stared at Daniel.

  “You don’t like Frank much, do you?” Charlie asked. “You were part of his gang long before I was. Why did you leave?”

  “It’s complicated. But I need to tell you something.” Daniel inhaled and squared his shoulders. “Ma asked me to take her to the doctor the day before she died. I put her off because Golda and Frank needed me to stand lookout with the horses.”

  Charlie went white. “Y-You left her when she needed you?”

  Daniel nodded. “When she died, I realized what I’d become, Charlie. Sin leads you in little steps until you’re far from home.”

  Charlie’s eyes were wet. “You killed Ma.” He clenched his fists.

  “The doctor said he couldn’t have prevented it, but that doesn’t mean much. I was still guilty. I’ll never get over it, Charlie. Never.”

  Charlie rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. “I should shoot you where you sit.”

  Before Daniel could respond, the trail turned toward a small butte. “Wait here,” Daniel told his brother. He dismounted and handed his reins to Charlie. “I’ll check it out. Maybe they’re holed up there.”

  Crouching behind rocks and scrubby bushes, Daniel crept forward. Soon the sound of voices drifted to his ears. He paused and listened. Golda’s voice. He couldn’t make out the words, but the mockery in her tone was hard to miss. He retraced his steps to where his brother waited.

  “They’re just ahead,” he told Charlie. “Leave the horses here and take your rifle.” Daniel grabbed his own Winchester from the saddle and led the way back to where Golda held Margaret captive.

  Lying on their bellies, Charlie and Daniel peered from behind a rock at the camp. Golda had been joined by Kid Loco and two other men. A series of caves sprinkled the rocks behind the group. Daniel scanned the area for Margaret and finally spotted her lying near the mouth of one of the caves. Her eyes were closed in her white face, and for one heart-stopping moment, he feared he was too late. Then she opened her eyes and sat up. When he saw her holding her head, he realized part of the red wasn’t her hair but blood.

  A cold rage settled in his bones, and he nearly rushed into the camp with guns blazing, but an inner voice counseled caution. Charlie nudged him, and Daniel saw the lookout Golda and her gang had posted. The man was about thirty feet from their hideaway, and he hadn’t spotted them yet. Daniel motioned for Charlie to circle around the other way so they could rush the lookout from both sides.

  Charlie crept along the rocks. When his brother was in place, Daniel crawled closer. Picking up a rock, he aimed it at the man’s head. The rock zinged through the air with precision and hit the lookout in the forehead. He went down without a whimper. Daniel scrabbled to the man’s prone form and took his revolver, then Daniel tied him up and gagged him with a bandana. That should keep him quiet. One down and two more men to go.

  He and Charlie slithered down the slope toward the camp. Kid Loco and Marty Nelson, one of the Kid’s cohorts, were arguing with Golda. As Daniel got nearer, he was finally able to hear what they were saying.

  Kid Loco’s hard voice carried well on the rising wind from the approaching storm. “I say we kill her now and get it over with. We can seal her in one of these caves, and no one will be the wiser. We’re going to kill her anyway.”

  “We may need her. Until her lawyer delivers that money, she’s collateral,” Golda told him.

  “Who says you make the decisions around here?” Kid Loco sneered. “What’s to keep me from killing her right now?”

  “You don’t want to do that, Kid.” Golda’s voice was heavy with menace. “I don’t like people to cross me.”

  Kid Loco held up a hand. “I was just joshing you, Golda. We’re partners. I don’t double-cross partners.”

  “You’d better not.” Golda’s voice turned silky, but there was still a trace of warning in her tone.

  Daniel had heard that expression in her voice before, and Kid Loco had better beware. She was a black widow spider, and she couldn’t be trusted. If she didn’t do it herself, she would have her brother see that he paid for any slur on her.

  “Marty, you take the ransom note into town. Get directions to the ranch and get it delivered. I’ll stay here and watch over the prisoner,” Kid Loco said.

  “What if the lawyer realizes it’s a forgery? The letter, I mean,” Marty asked.

  “We’ll figure that out if it happens. Little snit should have done what she was told.” Golda glared at Margaret. “She’s going to pay for it.”

  “She don’t look like she’ll give you much trouble.” Marty picked at his teeth with a piece of straw, then took the paper Golda held out to him and sauntered to his horse. “I’ll be back in a few hours. You staying here?”

  “Yeah, the caves should give us some shelter from the storm that’s brewing,” Kid Loco said.

  Marty rode off, and Daniel let out the breath he’d been holding. Another down. The odds were much better now, but Kid Loco was still no man to fool with. His reputation with the gun had reached as far as California. The notches on his belt numbered twenty-two the last time Daniel had heard. Still, if he and Charlie could get the draw on him before the Kid knew they were here, they had a chance.

  He motioned for Charlie to follow him. They crept still closer.

  “You reckon Cutler is looking for her yet?” Kid Loco asked.

  “He’ll find me,” Margaret said, raising her head.

  Warmth spread through Daniel at the certainty in her tone. There was actually faith and trust in her voice. Maybe he was getting through to her. He crept a bit closer.

  Golda gave an unladylike snort. “Why would he bother finding you? He’s probably on his way to rob the bank right now. He has more important things on his mind than searching for you.”

  Daniel clenched his fists, and his gaze lingered on Margaret. He longed to get her to safety. She rose and brushed the dust from her britches. Stay back. He willed her to hear his silent warning and remain in the relative safety of the cave, but she walked slowly forward until she faced Golda.

  “You’re not going to get away with this, Golda. God is in control.”

  Golda burst into gales of laughter. “Oh, she’s religious, Kid.” She spat the words as if they left a bad taste in her mouth. “Even more than I realized.”

  A rush of joy at Margaret’s words rose in Daniel’s chest. Maybe she was learning to walk closer to the Lord through this experience. The next step was for her to accept his unconditional love. Maybe then she could accept Daniel’s own love for her. His heart throbbed with hope.

  “Laugh all you want,” Margaret said. “But I won’t let you hurt Daniel.” She walked toward the horses.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Home. And if you intend to stop me, you’ll have to kill me now. I won’t let you rob us.”

  “That can be arranged,” Kid Loco growled. He drew his revolver.

  “Oh, please stop showing off,” Golda said with an impatient wave of her hand. “Margaret knows she’s n
ot going anywhere. Tie her up, Kid.”

  But Margaret darted to the horse and threw herself atop its back before Kid Loco could react. He took aim at her back, and Daniel made his move. His rifle came up almost of its own volition. He fired, and the bullet slammed into the Kid’s wrist. The gunfighter dropped his gun with a yowl. The surprise on his face was worth everything Daniel had endured this day. If he’d had time, Daniel would have laughed at the snarl Kid gave when he recognized him.

  “Cover me!” Daniel told Charlie. He leaped forward into the clearing. Margaret was astride the horse and heading down the path away from him.

  “Margaret, wait!” Daniel ran forward and kicked the gun away from Kid Loco. Charlie ran to help him and stood guard over the gunfighter.

  Kid looked up at Daniel and drew back his lip in a snarl. “You’re a dead man, Cutler.”

  “Nice to see you too, Kid.” Daniel turned, then stepped back as Golda screamed and rushed at him.

  She raked her nails over his face. “What’s wrong with me?” she panted. Her face was wild with insane jealousy, and she went at his eyes with her nails. “You choose that red-haired Amazon over a real woman?”

  Daniel caught her hands and stopped her from inflicting any more damage, though he could feel the blood already beginning to trickle down his face. He grabbed the rope that had been intended for Margaret and tied Golda’s hands together, then pushed her down beside Kid Loco. Then he tied the Kid as well.

  Margaret must have heard his shout, for she came cantering back toward them. “Daniel!” She waved and dismounted. He caught her as she ran into his arms. With her in his embrace, all the world seemed right again. He buried his face in her hair. Never again would he let her be put in this kind of danger. If anything had happened to her, he wouldn’t have been able to live with himself.

  She patted his face. “You came,” she murmured. “I knew you would.”

  “Sorry I was late,” he whispered against her hair. He held her close and breathed in the scent of her hair. She fit against his heart as if she were made just for him. As far as he was concerned, God had done just that.

  TWENTY-SIX

  Margaret had thought she was dreaming when she heard Daniel’s voice. Nestled against his chest, she knew how much she loved him. She was content to trust now, even though she didn’t see how the future could be clear for them. Daniel was likely to go to prison for what he’d done in the past, but if that happened, she would wait for him.

  But she wouldn’t think about that now. Now the only reality she wanted was the sense of his strong arms around her and the sound of his heart against her ear. She branded into her memory the sensation of being cradled against his chest. It might be all she had to remember when this episode in her life was over.

  “Very touching.” A harsh voice broke into their reunion.

  Margaret jerked around to find herself and Daniel staring down the barrel of a gun. Frank was at the other end of it, and behind him clustered the rest of the gang. Daniel’s arms tightened around her. Frank’s eyes promised retribution, and she shuddered. God, help us.

  “Would someone mind explaining what’s going on?” Frank growled. “Golda, I’m disappointed you let them tie you up. I thought you had more gumption than that.”

  Golda jumped to her feet. “They planned to hold me for ransom to get all of the bank money instead of just their fair share.” She walked to her brother, then turned her back to him. “Untie me.”

  “You got yourself into this mess, you get yourself out.”

  Margaret drew away from Daniel. “She’s lying.” She touched her head. “Look at me. I’m bleeding. Your sister has already sent a ransom demand to my attorney. She and her men were going to kill me.”

  Frank scowled at her. “You think I’d believe you over my own sister?”

  “Think, Frank,” Daniel said. “She’s jealous of Margaret. You warned me that she’d be upset and she was. You know your sister better than anyone. She was double-crossing you.”

  Frank frowned and stared at his sister. “That true, Golda? You trying to make money while my back was turned?” He jerked his head at one of the men. “Untie her and the Kid. It don’t matter what she was planning. All that matters is that she’s blood. We’re all together now, and we’ll do it my way.”

  The man hurried to obey, and Margaret’s stomach plummeted at the thoughtful glance Frank turned on Daniel and her. What would he do with them? They were heavily outnumbered, and Daniel’s revolver had been taken away. Charlie’s too.

  Golda rubbed her wrists. Kid Loco retrieved his gun and stalked toward Daniel with the weapon in his left hand. He kept his injured wrist against his stomach. “You’re a dead man,” he snarled.

  Frank held up his hand. “This can all wait. We’ve got a bank to rob, or the bulk of that money will be gone tomorrow. There’ll be time for revenge when we’re out of here.” He shoved Margaret toward the horse.

  “Don’t touch her!” Daniel started toward him with his fists clenched, but Kid Loco slammed the butt of his revolver in Daniel’s stomach. Daniel doubled over and gasped.

  Margaret jerked her arm out of Frank’s grasp and went to Daniel. “Don’t fight them now,” she whispered. “We’ll figure out a way to get out of this.”

  “I still need you both,” Frank said. “You’re going to get me in that bank. After that, we’ll let Kid use you for target practice. No one messes with the Munster family. You’re both going to wish you’d never been born.”

  He made them mount their horses, and they turned toward Larson. As they rode along, Margaret glanced at Daniel. “Why does the Kid hate you so much?” she whispered.

  “It’s a long story,” Daniel said.

  “It’s a long ride.”

  He sighed. “It’s not something I’m proud of. The gang had just robbed a bank in Houston, and we were holed up in a cabin outside Fort Worth. The Kid was in town, and he was flirting with my cousin Sarah. Sarah had no idea who or what he was, but I knew. I thought I shouldn’t get involved, though, so I didn’t say anything. One of his cronies took a liking to her too, and there was a gunfight. A stray bullet killed her. She was only nineteen.”

  He fell silent, and Margaret could feel his pain.

  “That was before I began to trust God, and I went looking for Kid Loco and the other man. I killed the other man in a fair gunfight and captured Kid. I turned him in to the sheriff. The sheriff locked him up, but the Kid escaped two days later. He’s never forgiven me for turning him in. He intends to get revenge someday.”

  Daniel had killed a man. Margaret swallowed hard. The knowledge hurt even though he’d admitted as much once. What else had he done? Bank robbery, killings—yet he spoke of God. Glancing at him from the corner of her eye, she realized that God had forgiven him. It shone out of everything Daniel did and said. She was content to wait and see why he’d come back to this group, but she suspected it was something honorable.

  She didn’t understand, but she desperately wanted to. She loved him.

  DANIEL FLEXED HIS muscles against the ropes that bound him, but all he succeeded in doing was to rub even more skin from his raw wrists. This was his fault, and he had to get them out of here.

  Rivulets of perspiration trickled down his face. The heat and humidity had built through the day, and the towering clouds had not yet brought the relief of a rainstorm. So many people were counting on him, and he’d let them all down. He glanced around the shack where they were confined. About three feet away, Margaret wrestled with the ropes on her wrists as well. Her green eyes stared out of her white face, and she bit her lip as she fought against her bonds.

  Frank had confined them here while he checked out the town. He wanted to make sure there weren’t too many people around before they made their move. Guards were posted just outside the open door.

  The desperation on her face renewed Daniel’s urgency to free himself. Gritting his teeth, he ignored the pain and struggled to wrest his wrists from the ropes. Th
ere—they gave just a bit. The guards didn’t seem to be looking, so he inched closer to Margaret.

  She stopped her struggling and stared up into his face. “I’m scared, Daniel. What’s going to happen?”

  “We’re going to get free. I’m going to scoot around when the guards aren’t looking. See if you can untie me.” He wiggled around until his hands touched hers.

  Her hands moved up to his wrists. “You’re bleeding,” she gasped.

  He heard the concern in her voice, and guilt wracked him. What had he gotten her into? Before he came along, she had lived a safe and happy life with her father. Because of him, she was in deadly danger. “I’m sorry. I never meant to put you in jeopardy. I promised to protect you, and I’ve failed.”

  She turned her head, and the whisper of her breath touched his neck. “I’m not sorry.”

  An ache of love built in his chest. His thoughts blurred as he tried to sort out what she meant. “You’re not sorry?”

  “I’m not sorry I spent this time with you. I want the chance to get to know you better,” she said. “We’ll get out of here. Will Charlie help us?”

  “I think so. If I could just talk to him in private, make him understand what I’m doing here.”

  “What are you doing here?” Her fingers continued to fumble with the knots, but so far they remained as tight as before.

  “That’s what I was going to tell you.” He lowered his voice even further. If Frank found out the truth, he would string them up at the first tree he found. “I’m a Texas Ranger now, not a bank robber. Another ranger, Richard, helped me after I was shot. He led me to Christ. He convinced me that if God could forgive Paul in the Bible, he could forgive me. I turned my back on crime and joined the Rangers with Richard’s help. He was the short, gray-haired man who was part of the gang when we were first brought here.”

  “But why didn’t you go to prison?”

  “Richard again. I hadn’t actually stolen anything yet. I was outside with the horses, and he persuaded the Rangers that I could be more useful as one of them. He infiltrated the gang, and we were both sent to apprehend them. I’m not sure what’s happened to him.”