Warpath (The Landon Saga Book 8)

by Tell Cotten

  “That I would think about it.”

  “And have you?”

  “Yes,” April said. She paused, and added, “I know he has a past. But, he seems to be trying hard. He’s been good and decent to me, and he’s also kind to June.”

  “But you don’t love him,” Rachel pointed out.

  “I don’t,” April agreed. “But, there’s more to consider than just my feelings.”

  “Such as?”

  “June,” April replied. “She’s had it rough these last few years. She lost her father and sister. She deserves to be happy.”

  “And marrying Jeremiah would do that?” Rachel frowned, not convinced.

  “We’d be a family again.”

  “What about Lee?” Rachel reminded.

  “Lee’s just a dream. But Jeremiah is real.”

  “Dreams come true, sometimes,” Rachel replied. “Before we were married, Rondo left on a cattle drive, and he told me he wasn’t coming back. But, I said I would wait for him, and I did. He finally came back, and so will Lee.”

  “You really think so?” April looked wistful.

  “Yes,” Rachel declared. “I do.”

  Chapter five

  Craig Tomlin had white hair, and his face was weathered and wrinkled. But his eyes were clear and sharp, and he never seemed to miss a thing.

  He was in his late fifties, and he had lived a full life. He had been on numerous cattle drives, fought rustlers and Indians, and had suffered through several West Texas droughts. Nothing much surprised the old cattleman anymore.

  He felt uneasy as he and Buster went down to the barn to do the morning chores. He didn’t know what it was, but he sensed that something was wrong.

  He studied the landscape with care, and he narrowed his eyes.

  It was still, and very quiet.

  Too quiet, he thought.

  There were no birds chirping, no nothing. There was only an eerie silence, and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck start to stand.

  Buster came out of the barn, carrying a pail of milk. He was walking toward the main house, but he stopped when he noticed Mr. Tomlin.

  “Something wrong?” He asked.

  “Where’s Rachel and April?” Mr. Tomlin asked.

  “They rode out.”

  Concern filled Mr. Tomlin’s face.

  “How long ago?”

  “’Bout an hour,” Buster replied, and asked, “What is it, Mr. Tomlin?”

  “Not sure yet,” Mr. Tomlin replied. A few seconds passed, and he added, “Stop at the bunkhouse and grab your rifle before going up to the main house.”

  Buster looked thoughtful.

  “Yes, sir,” he said, and took off.

  Mr. Tomlin studied the landscape once more, and then he trailed after Buster.

  He found Rory and June in front of the bunkhouse. They were on their hands and knees, playing a game of marbles.

  Mr. Tomlin smiled faintly as he watched June. Her face was flushed and excited as she waited for her turn.

  He cleared his throat, and they looked up at him.

  “Who’s winning?” He asked.

  “I am,” June declared.

  He smiled again and nodded.

  “Let’s move the game up to the main house,” he suggested.

  He kept his voice casual, but Rory noticed the concerned look on his face.

  “Is something wrong?” Rory asked.

  “Could be. Not sure yet.”

  Rory was curious, but he didn’t ask anymore questions. While Mr. Tomlin stood there keeping watch, they gathered up the marbles.

  “Best bring your rifle along,” Mr. Tomlin told Rory.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Mr. Tomlin waited while he hurried inside the bunkhouse. Moments later he returned with his rifle, and they all went up to the main house.

  A chirping sound was heard in the distance as Mr. Tomlin shut and bolted the front door.

  Chapter six

  “So, how’s the paperwork coming?” Lucy Nash asked Bob. “Is my name Jenny yet?”

  “Not yet.”

  “What’s the holdup?” Lucy frowned impatiently.

  “No holdup. It just takes time,” Bob replied, and added, “Don’t worry. You’ll be Jenny before you know it.”

  “I hope so,” Lucy said wistfully, and it fell silent as they sat there thinking their own thoughts.

  Lucy had done a lot of dishonest things in her life. Most recently, she had escaped from Huntsville prison. She was determined not to go back, and changing her name was the easiest way to put her past behind her once and for all.

  “Jenny Sprutt,” she said thoughtfully, and she smiled coyly at Bob. “Sounds pleasant, doesn’t it?”

  Bob looked startled.

  “Sprutt? That’s my last name.”

  “I know that.”

  “Are you wanting to be known as my sister, or as something else?”

  “‘Something else’ might be more fun.”

  Bob stared at her.

  “You sure are direct,” he said.

  “I know what I want,” she shrugged.

  “Meaning me?”

  “Yes,” Lucy said matter-of-factly, and added, “You seem surprised.”

  “I reckon I am.”

  “Bob,” Lucy said patiently. “When a woman is offering to marry you, don’t overthink it. Just say yes.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Bob grinned.

  “Well then, we’d best be heading back,” she suggested.

  They stood and headed toward their horses.

  “Where’s Precious?” Lucy asked suddenly.

  “I saw him over there in those bushes a while ago,” Bob pointed across the creek. “I’ll fetch him.”

  “Thank you, Bob.”

  He nodded and started across the shallow creek.

  He had just reached the far bank when he heard the dog start to bark furiously. A few seconds later, the bark turned into an agonizing howl.

  “What’s going on?” Lucy asked, concerned.

  “Something’s after your dog!” Bob hollered back. “Cat, more than likely.”

  He turned, sprinted back across the creek, and hurried over to his horse.

  “Precious!” Lucy cried, and she ran towards the high-pitched howl.

  “Lucy, wait!”

  She ignored the warning as she ran on. Bob shouted after her once more, and then he pulled his rifle from his scabbard and hurried after her.

  There was a clearing between them and the bushes, and Lucy was halfway across it when loud, terrifying yells sounded out.

  Lucy halted in her tracks. That wasn’t the sound of a cat; that was a human sound.

  Before she could react, four Indians on horses came riding out of the bushes. They held wooden clubs.

  They were shirtless, their faces were painted, and they wore ornamented breechcloths with buckskin leggings. They looked terrifying as they ran their ponies straight at her.

  There was a yell from behind, but she ignored it as she stared at the oncoming riders. She was so scared she couldn’t move.

  She heard a rifle shot, and then the first Indian reached her.

  He swung his club and struck her in the side of the head. It was a solid blow, and a stream of blood burst from her scalp.

  Lucy hit the ground face first. She groaned and passed out as the other Indians rode by her.

  Bob was still firing his rifle, but his frantic shots didn’t hit any of them.

  He dropped his rifle in fright and stumbled backwards as they reached him. He fell on his back, and he screamed in terror as they rode in a circle around him, clubbing him to death.

  Lucy was still unconscious as the Indians rode back to her and dismounted. They squatted beside her, and she was unaware as curious fingers reached out and felt her curly, blond hair.

  Chapter seven

  “Did you hear that?” Rachel stopped and cocked her head sideways.

  They were halfway across the meadow, heading back to their horses
.

  “No,” April replied. “What was it?”

  “I thought I heard rifle shots. To the south.”

  “I didn’t hear it,” April said, and added, “But, you’re younger than I am. You can probably hear better too.”

  “You aren’t that old,” Rachel chided.

  “No, but I’m not getting any younger.”

  “Neither am I,” Rachel reminded.

  They walked on, and Rachel suddenly noticed how quiet it was. She sensed that something was wrong, and she quickened her pace.

  She was several feet in front of April when they reached the horses.

  Both horses were spooked, and their ears were pointed forward as they snorted at something in the bushes.

  Rachel was about to say something when she heard April gasp, followed by a terrifying scream.

  Rachel instinctively brought her rifle up and spun around.

  The fiercest looking Indian she had ever seen stood in front of her. His face was covered with war paint, and he was swinging a wooden club.

  Before she could pull the trigger, a hard blast hit her in the side of the face. There was an explosion in her head, and then she felt nothing else.

  ***

  When Rachel regained consciousness, her head throbbed. She could also smell a rank odor, and it made her nauseous.

  She didn’t want to open her eyes, but her body was swaying, and it was very uncomfortable.

  Only one eye would work. The other eye was swelling, and wouldn’t respond. She blinked her good eye several times, and her vision slowly cleared.

  The first thing she saw was the ground. She was several feet above it, and several seconds passed before she realized that she was draped over her horse.

  She tried to move, but couldn’t. Her hands were tied together harshly with rawhide leather, and already her hands were swelling. Her feet were also tied, and she could tell that her hands and feet were lashed together underneath her horse so she wouldn’t fall off.

  She wondered if April was alive.

  She couldn’t see much from her position; just the horse and the ground. Her horse was being led, and she could make out the shadow of an Indian riding the horse in front of her.

  She ached all over. Her head felt like it might explode, and she had trouble breathing.

  She tried to lift her head, but couldn’t. Next, she tried to free her hands, but the more she struggled the tighter the knots seem to get.

  She finally gave up on her feeble efforts. She just lay there, drifting in and out of consciousness, as she felt her horse’s muscles move underneath her.

  Chapter eight

  Rachel woke with a small jolt about an hour later.

  Her body rolled forward as her horse went down a steep knoll. For a moment she thought she would slide off, but the Indians had tied her to her horse very skillfully.

  She moaned in pain as they reached the bottom and leveled out. Her body rocked backwards against the seat of her saddle, and she ended up flat on her stomach.

  They rode a bit further, and then they stopped abruptly. Rachel could smell campfire smoke, and she figured they had arrived at their camp.

  She didn’t dare move. Instead, she just lay there, breathing quick and shallow, as she heard footsteps approaching.

  Unrecognizable Apache words reached her ears. And then, she felt a hard, dry hand grab her hair and twist cruelly.

  She resisted the urge to cry out. Instead, she remained limp, her good eye clamped shut.

  The Indian warrior lifted her head, and Rachel could feel his breath on her face as he looked at her.

  His horrible odor almost caused her to vomit. But, she fought down the urge, all the while keeping her eye shut.

  Suddenly, the Indian gave a loud cry of satisfaction. He released her hair, and her head dropped back down.

  Rachel heard footsteps circling her horse. Moments later, she heard something being cut. And then, without warning, she was shoved from behind. She went flying off her horse, and she hit the ground face first.

  She was stunned by the sudden fall. A groan escaped from her lips, and she welcomed the darkness as she passed out again.

  Chapter nine

  The agonizing pain in Rachel’s shoulders and hands brought her back to her senses. Her wrists ached from the tight bonds, and her fingers were numb.

  “Rachel, wake up,” she heard a soft voice say. “Wake up. Please.”

  She forced her good eye open, blinked a few times, and looked around.

  She was on her back, stretched out beside a small campfire.

  April was beside her, and Rachel forgot all about her aches and pains when she spotted her friend. April’s face was pale, and she looked ill.

  There was also another woman sprawled out beside April. She had an ugly welt on her head, and she looked dazed and confused.

  Several Indians stood around the main campfire a small distance from them. They were talking in loud voices, and they sounded angry.

  Rachel had never seen Indians this close, and she couldn’t help but be fascinated.

  They were a fierce looking bunch. Most were shirtless, and they had tan, muscular bodies. Only a few held bow and arrows; the rest were armed with rifles.

  “Are they going to kill us?” April asked, her voice small and timid.

  “I don’t think so,” Rachel whispered back, trying to comfort her friend. “We would already be dead if it was our scalps they were after.”

  “What will they do to us?”

  “They’ll probably take us back to their main camp,” Rachel figured.

  “And then?”

  “I don’t know. Make us wives, maybe.”

  A look of horror crossed April’s face.

  “God, please no!” She prayed.

  “It’s better than dying,” Rachel pointed out.

  The woman beside them heard their conversation, and she groaned as she came to her senses.

  “Are you all right?” Rachel asked her.

  “No!” She wailed.

  “Keep your voice down!” Rachel hissed.

  “Where are we?” She asked.

  Rachel told her, and the woman’s eyes grew wide when she spotted the Indians.

  “Easy now; don’t make any sudden movements,” Rachel urged. “Don’t let them know you’re afraid.”

  She didn’t reply, but she did manage to nod.

  “I’m Rachel, and this is April. Who are you?”

  “Lucy,” she managed. “My name is Lucy.”

  “What happened to you?” Rachel asked. “How did you get here?”

  Before Lucy could reply, the tallest Apache in the bunch knelt by the fire, grabbed something, straightened up, and walked towards them.

  Lucy saw him approaching, and her eyes grew wide with terror, as did April’s.

  “Here they come!” Lucy wailed.

  Chapter ten

  Even Rachel couldn’t help but tremble as the cruel looking Apache approached them.

  He seemed to be their leader. His face was harsh, and his eyes were cold.

  He held a chunk of meat in his hand, and Rachel was relieved to see it. Meat was better than a knife or a tomahawk.

  He stopped in front of them, and it was silent as he studied them.

  Tears streamed down Lucy and April’s face, but Rachel forced herself not to cry. Instead, she stared back with defiance.

  The Apache noticed this, and he grunted his approval.

  Several tense seconds passed, and then the Apache spoke in broken English.

  “Landon,” he said, and nodded at Rachel.

  A jolt of surprise passed through her.

  “Yes,” she said. “I am Rachel Landon.”

  He grunted again and nodded.

  “Landon?” He asked, and pointed at April.

  “Yes,” Rachel said quickly. “She is also a Landon.”

  The Apache seemed pleased. He looked at Lucy and scowled.

  “You, no Landon,” he said.

&n
bsp; “Yes, I am!” Lucy insisted. “I’m a Landon too!”

  “You lie!” He narrowed his eyes.

  “Please, don’t kill me!” She wailed.

  He ignored her as he looked back at Rachel.

  “Me, No Worries,” he said, and thumped his chest.

  “I have heard of you,” Rachel said truthfully. “You are a great war chief of the Apaches.”

  She wasn’t sure if he had understood her. He stood there a moment more, looking back at Lucy, and his hand moved to his waist.

  He pulled out a tomahawk, and Lucy’s eyes grew wide as he walked toward her.

  “Please, no!” She cried out.

  He ignored her protests as he grabbed her by the hair and yanked her up to her knees. Lucy sobbed as he moved around behind her.

  Even Rachel was surprised when he slashed her bonds, and then he walked over and cut her and April loose. Next, he tossed the meat down in front of them.

  “Eat,” he said roughly, and walked away.

  All three immediately started rubbing their hands and arms. It took several minutes to get the blood flowing, and it was a painful process.

  “We’d best do as he says,” Rachel said as she picked up the meat. “There’s no telling when we might eat again.”

  April nodded solemnly, and Rachel tried to look cheerful as she divided up the meat as evenly as possible.

  “This is a good sign,” Rachel said as she bit into the meat and tore off a piece with her teeth.

  “Why’s that?” April asked.

  “They wouldn’t be giving us food if they planned on killing us.”

  April and Lucy nodded in agreement as they began chewing.

  “This tastes horrible,” April made a face. “What is it?”

  Rachel didn’t reply. Instead, she gestured at the main campfire.

  April and Lucy looked, and their eyes grew wide when they spotted the remains of a dog.

  “Precious!” Lucy cried softly.

  Chapter eleven

  It took awhile, but they finally managed to choke down their food. Afterwards, Rachel took a careful look around camp.