Rena's Cowboy

by Agnes Alexander

  Finally a reluctant Corny was riding toward the herd to find the man he thought would kill him. Rachel took her horse and buggy to the barn where Billy was to rub down her horse and hide the buggy. They told the visiting women to go to the bunkhouse and to stay there no matter what happened. Leona refused. She insisted on staying at the house.

  Rena told Adela and Leona to load all the rifles just in case. She then went to the bedroom to check on Jake.

  Looking down at her sleeping husband, she smiled to herself. I’m such a lucky woman. If Jasper Wigham kills me today, I will have had more happiness in this short marriage than many women have in a lifetime. She wanted to kiss Jake, but she was afraid she’d awaken him if she touched him. She didn’t want him anywhere near if bullets started flying. In his weakened condition he couldn’t stand another shot to his body.

  As silently as she could, she opened the wardrobe and unzipped her backpack. She loaded her 9MM Sig Sauer with one of the two clips she had. She then slipped it into her pocket along with the extra clip. She was deadly with this weapon, and she’d use it if she had to.

  She looked toward the bed and smiled at her sleeping man. It turned her on to look at him. Though they hadn’t made love since their night in town, she remembered every detail. His touch. His smell. His gentleness. He was everything any woman could ever want no matter which century she was from. She said a silent prayer. “Please, God, I want more time with this husband of mine. I love him more than I ever thought it was possible to love a man, but I can accept it if my time with him is over. Thank you for letting me fall into his life.”

  She wiped a tear from her eye, blew him a kiss, eased out the door and locked it from the outside. She took a seat in the parlor with the other women and laid the key on the table.

  * * * *

  “What the hell is taking you so long? I’m tired of sitting here on this horse, Jasper.”

  “Shut up and relax, Dusty.”

  “I want to get this over with and get back to the Silver Slipper before things break loose. You know it’s Molly’s birthday, and every man in town is going to be there to celebrate.”

  “I want to know my men are stationed at strategic points. I can trust Rena, but if I run into Haywood or his hands, they might not take too kindly to me for coming on their ranch. I wouldn’t think of doing it without backup.”

  “You have me.”

  “Everyone knows you’re not worth a damn.”

  “What do you mean? I wear the badge, don’t I?”

  “Yeah, but only because nobody else wants the job. One of these days the town is going to take a notion to get a real sheriff and you’ll be out on your ass.”

  “Then the likes of you and your cohorts won’t have it so easy, will you?”

  Jasper jerked his horse to a stop. “I ought to blow your brains out for that.”

  “That’d be kind of hard to explain since everyone in town saw us ride out together.”

  “There’s always stray bullets from hunters. Maybe a young boy trying to kill his first deer.”

  “If the lady says you were nowhere near when her husband was shot, then it’s a closed case as far as I’m concerned. I don’t give a damn whether or not you really shot him. I don’t like the Haywoods much better than you do.”

  “Hell, that’s because Molly has a thing for Jake Haywood and she told you that you’d never measure up to him in her bed.”

  “Maybe she did, but I bet she’s told you the same thing.”

  “Never. When Jasper Wigham takes a woman, she remembers it as a good thing.”

  “You planning on taking Jake Haywood’s wife to bed?”

  “You damn right, I do. But I’ll take her legally. I’m going to marry that woman.”

  Dusty shook his head. “You sure have guts, Jasper.”

  “Takes guts to go after what you want in this life, Sheriff Allison.” He didn’t use the term with respect.

  “So you’re going to take his wife instead of his ranch.”

  “Hell no. I intend to have them both. And in the near future, too.” He loosened the reins. “Let’s speed up. I just got the signal. Everyone’s in place.”

  “I didn’t see any signal.”

  “You weren’t supposed to.”

  Chapter 34

  “What the hell are you doing here? You should be half way to Oregon by now.” Silas stared at the shaking boy in front of him.

  “Here.” Corny held the paper Adela had written toward Silas.

  “So, now you’re passing me notes?”

  “No sir. It’s from…”

  “Well, look a here.” Owen walked up the knoll where Silas was standing with Corny. “I thought you’d be a long way from Arizona territory by now.”

  “I was going, but some of the men saw me in town and made me go to the saloon…they gave me beer and…I lost most of my money…I was going to buy a few supplies, but…Mrs. McGregor made me come with her…”

  “Is this boy making any sense, Owen?”

  “Not one bit.”

  “Please, sir, read the note. It’s from your wife.”

  “My wife? Did you go see my wife?” He grabbed the young man by his shirt. “Why did you go see my wife?”

  “Mrs. McGregor made me…” Corny was about to cry.

  “That don’t make a damn bit of sense. Mrs. McGregor wouldn’t make you…”

  “Please read the note, sir.”

  “Maybe you better read the note, Silas,” Owen added.

  Silas shoved Corny backward and opened the note. His face sobered.

  Silas, Wigham is on his way. Can you come home? Jake is too weak to help and I’m afraid Rena can’t hold them off by herself.

  “I’ve got to go back to the ranch, Owen. Wigham is coming to the house. I’ll take Curly and Whitt with me.”

  “Why not take me? I’ll be glad to help.”

  “I know, but I want you here.” When Owen started to protest, Silas went on. “If something happens to me, I’m counting on you to get these cows to market.” He turned to Corny. “I know you can’t shoot worth a damn, but you might be able to stay in the saddle and follow the cows. Owen’s in charge. He’ll show you what to do.”

  “You mean you’re just going to let me go?”

  “I don’t have time to kill you. We’ll discuss your fate later.” Silas climbed into the saddle and looked at Owen. “Hopefully, I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

  “Good luck.” Owen’s voice was lost in the wind as Silas rode away.

  He turned to Corny. “Okay, fellow. Let’s go see if we can make a cowboy out of you.”

  “Does he really want me to stay here?”

  “He said he did, didn’t he?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “Never question the boss. You can get hurt that way.”

  “Do you think he’ll hurt me?”

  “I don’t know. You can never tell about those Haywoods. It’s the Indian blood in them, I guess.”

  “He doesn’t believe in scalping, does he?”

  “Who knows?” Owen got on his horse. “Saddle up and let’s see if we can find a job you can handle.”

  Between the tears in his eyes and his shaking limbs, Corny had a hard time getting on his horse.

  * * * *

  As the two riders approached the house, Rena started to step out the front door. “Are you sure you should be outside, Rena?”

  “I can’t let him come in here, Rachel. He might try to kill everyone when I tell the sheriff he shot Jake.”

  “At least leave the door open so you can jump back inside if he goes berserk,” Adela said.

  Rena eased out the door and watched the riders approach.

  Jasper and the sheriff reined up close to the edge of the porch. “Afternoon, ma’am,” the sheriff said.

  “Hello.” She glanced at Jasper. “Mr. Wigham, I must say it’s a surprise to see you.”

  He tipped his hat at her and smiled. “Lady Rena.”

  “Wha
t can I do for you…gentlemen?”

  “Sheriff Allison has a question to ask you, my lady.”

  “I don’t think I’ve met Mr. Allison.” She turned back to the sheriff. “So, what do you want to ask me?”

  “Your brother-in-law accused Mr. Wigham of shooting your husband, ma’am.”

  “And?” She tried to be intimidating.

  It must have worked, because the sheriff took off his hat and rubbed his shirt sleeve across his forehead. “And Mr. Wigham says you can clear the matter up.”

  “What matter?”

  “The shooting, Mrs. Haywood. We know you were with your husband when it happened and you saw the person who shot Jake.”

  She shrugged. “Don’t you think it takes a coward to shoot a man in the back, sheriff?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I do, but as for the shooting. Can you tell me what happened when the man shot Jake?”

  “Of course I can.”

  “Please, tell him, Rena.” Jasper smiled at her.

  “My husband and I were on the way home from a visit in town. We decided to stop at a patch of cottonwoods to rest. When Mr. Haywood came around the wagon to help me out, a man stepped from behind the trees and shot him in the back.”

  “Did you know the man, Mrs. Haywood?”

  “Yes.”

  “Could you tell me who it was?”

  “It was Jasper Wigham.”

  Both the sheriff and Jasper looked shocked. It wasn’t the answer either of them expected. Finally the sheriff stammered, “Are you sure, Ma’am? Maybe it was someone who looked like Mr. Wigham.”

  “It was Jasper Wigham. He wouldn’t even let me get down and check my husband. He kidnapped me and took me to his house and held me there most of the night. Only after I told him who I really was and what I could do for him did he consent to let me come home.”

  “That’s a damn lie! You said you’d say it wasn’t me who shot Jake.”

  “I would’ve have told you anything to get home to my husband.”

  “Why, you lying little bitch.” Jasper started to climb off his horse.

  “Stay where you are, Wigham,” Jake said from behind Rena’s back. “I have this rifle aimed at your head and if you take one step toward my wife, I’ll blow your brains out.”

  Rena gasped in shock. “Jake, what are you…”

  “Step back, Rena.” Jake’s voice was firm as he stepped close enough she could feel his breath on her neck.

  Wigham started to pull his gun. “I’ll kill that bitch.”

  But Dusty Allison had his gun drawn already. “Can’t let you shoot her, Jasper.”

  “What the hell are you doing?” Jasper whirled toward him.

  “Put your gun away. I’ve got to arrest you for the attempted murder of Jake Haywood.”

  “I’ll be damned.”

  “With her saying it was you, I’ve got no choice, Jasper.”

  Wigham turned back to Rena and Jake. “So you’re going to stick with the damn stinking half-breed instead of taking advantage of what I could give you.”

  “Yes, Jasper. I’m sticking with the man I love. Even the queen is pleased that I’ve married Jake.”

  Jasper frowned. “How does the queen know?”

  “She’s aware of everything I do.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “It doesn’t matter to me whether you believe me or not. You’re only a peasant.”

  He glared at her. “And I went to the trouble to buy you a gift.” He ripped the package from his saddle bag and threw it at her. “If your stupid husband lives to smell this on you, he’ll know where it came from.”

  Jasper dug his spurs into his horse and galloped from the yard. She heard him yell, “I’ll be back and next time I’ll kill the lot of you. I don’t give a damn about your royal blood.”

  The sheriff acted as if he didn’t know what to do.

  “Maybe you better go after your prisoner,” Jake suggested. “If you don’t, I will.”

  Dusty Allison nodded and galloped after Jasper.

  Rena whirled around. “How did you get out?”

  “I’ve got to sit down.” Jake backed into the room and handed the rifle to Adela. He almost collapsed on the sofa.

  “Why did you come out of that room?” Rena sat beside him.

  He frowned at her. “Why do you think? I wasn’t going to let my wife face Jasper Wigham alone and unarmed.”

  “That’s beside the point. How did you get out? I locked the door.”

  “How well I know.” His voice was a little sharp.

  “He started beating on the door and saying he was going to ram it with his shoulder if somebody didn’t unlock it,” Rachel explained. “I knew he was crazy enough to do that, so I picked up the key and unlocked the door.”

  “But he’s too weak to…”

  “Weak, hell. Rena, do you think I could live with myself if I was in bed and Jasper Wigham did something to hurt you?”

  She put her hand on his arm. “I just wanted you to be safe, Jake.”

  “I want us both to be safe. I know you’re tough and can handle most anything, but you went out there without a gun.”

  “But…”

  “But nothing. I want to protect you as a husband should.”

  Rena started to tell him she had her gun in her pocket, but she knew she’d already hurt his pride by trying to handle this on her own. He was still a man of the west. A man who thought he had to be there to protect her. She smiled at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think you were strong enough. I guess I was wrong.” He smiled back and she added, “Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

  He slid his arm around her shoulder. “I’m glad I woke up in time.” He turned to Adela. “How about a cup of coffee?”

  “I’ll get it.” Leona was out of the room before anyone could protest.

  “Do you think it’s over now, Jake?” Adela asked.

  “No. Wigham is not going to let Allison arrest him. He may even kill the man for trying.”

  “So you think he’ll be back?” Rachel looked at him.

  “I’m sure of it, but next time he won’t be alone. He’ll have his crew.” He glanced at Rena. “There may be more than the nine we had to fight off before. Are you up to it?”

  “I’ll help you all I can.” She knew there was nothing she could say that would keep Jake from being there when the fight started. “Promise me one thing.” He looked at her and she went on, saying, “Please stay out of the line of fire. I don’t think I can stand to see you get shot again.”

  He pulled her closer. “We’re going to both stay out of the line of fire. I want us to start having babies and raise them and grow old together and enjoy our grandchildren.”

  “That’s exactly what I want, Jake.” She looked into his eyes.

  Jake leaned down and kissed her as Rachel McGregor cleared her throat. They ignored her.

  Chapter 35

  When Jasper reached the area where his men waited out of sight, he reined in his horse and signaled them to join him. For the first time he regretted killing Newt. If that mean bastard was still around I’d hand Rena Haywood over to him as soon as I got my hands on her. Newt would have been a fitting punishment for what she’s done to me.

  He straightened in his saddle and his thoughts went on. Now I’ll have to do it myself. Of course it probably won’t be so bad. It might even be fun. She’s still a beautiful woman. I’ll get the pleasure of that little body of hers. I just won’t have to be gentle as I would if she was coming to me freely. Damn fool. I could’ve given her a wonderful life and she would have been treated the way someone with royal blood should be. I guess even royalty can make foolish decisions.

  He smiled a cynical smile. After I’m through with her I’ll turn her over to the men in the bunkhouse. If she lives through that, I’ll see to it that she is sent to some mining camp or Indian outpost in the wilds of Dakota Territory. She’d forget all about her royal blood then.

  Jasper had thought her s
pecial. Someone he’d be proud to share his wealth with, but not anymore. She was nothing but a lying slut and whenever her uncle got in contact, he would tell him that he’d done everything in his power to prevent the Haywoods from killing her. He’d say he killed them, but not before they’d done away with her. He was sure the royal family would still be grateful to him for trying.

  He heard a horse coming behind him at a fast pace. He turned. “Damn, sheriff. Guess I’ll have to kill him here. We’ll take his body back to town and swear the Haywoods killed him,” he planned aloud as he pulled his gun.

  “Yep, everything is going to work out for the good of Jasper Wigham. Just like it always does.” He laughed again. “I’ll get the ranch, the use of her pretty little body for a while. Then I’ll probably still get a large reward from Lady Rena’s family.”

  Dusty Allison pulled up beside Jasper. “Why you got that gun out? I have no intention of tying you up.”

  “I got the gun out to kill you, you bastard. How dare you threaten to arrest me in front of those lowdown Haywoods.”

  “I had to, Jasper. I only did it so Jake wouldn’t shoot you. He had that gun trained right at you. I would’ve let you go as soon as we were out of sight of the house. You know that.”

  “How the hell do you think I’d know that?”

  “You know me, Jasper. I wouldn’t do anything to risk you being in jail. You’re the backbone of Yellow Creek. Why the town would fold if it wasn’t for you.”

  “That’s true.”

  The men galloped up. “How’d it go, boss?” Ralph asked him.

  “The bitch told Allison I shot Jake.”

  “Does that mean we’re going to get to raid the place?”

  “You damn right it does.”

  “Boss, there’s someone headed this way and he’s coming fast.”

  Jasper whirled his horse around. “Who the hell can that be?”

  “Looks like a buggy,” Ralph said.

  A slender cowboy on a pinto said, “Looks like the banker’s buggy. It’s the only one with fringe in town.”

  Another cowboy sniggered. “They say his big fat wife made him get one with fringe.”

  “Knock it off,” Jasper demanded. At the same time he was wondering why Wadell Jefferson would risk coming this far from town. He was always worried about Indians or outlaws. “I’ll meet him and see what he wants. You men wait here. You, too, Allison.”