Wayward Lady

by Nan Ryan

  “I’m not surprised. Keep your ear to the ground, Tom. See how many men they’ve got. We’ll settle it one of these nights.”

  “Austin, are you dressed yet?” Suzette came into his bedroom wearing a soft white wrapper. Her golden hair was already dressed for the party. It had been brushed to a high gleam and wound into huge golden swirls atop her head. Strands of pearls had been worked into the mass of shiny hair. Pearl earrings dangled from her small lobes. At her throat, the gold chain with the heart and small sapphire completed her jewelry. Austin, true to his word, had never given Suzette a necklace. The locket was around her neck day and night.

  “Not quite,” Austin called through the open door of his dressing room. “In here, darlin’.”

  Suzette crossed his room and leaned against the doorframe. Austin, a huge white towel wrapped around his middle, stood shaving. Smiling at her in the mirror, he said, “What time is it? Am I running late?”

  “No, but I’m afraid some of the guests might arrive early. You know how it is each time we have a party.”

  “Well, don’t fret, I’ll be dressed and downstairs in fifteen minutes at the latest.” He washed the lather from his face and wiped it dry with a hot towel. Tossing the towel back over the rack, he turned and came to his wife. “You look mighty pretty. I like that fancy hairdo.”

  “Do you?” She patted the upswept hair and went into the bedroom with him. “I’m so nervous, Austin. I do hope I haven’t forgotten anything. Let’s see…the orchestra from Fort Worth will be here by eight. The champagne is cooling, the cake is on the—”

  “Sweetheart, everything has been done. You and Anna have done an outstanding job, and I’m sure all will go smoothly.”

  Suzette sighed loudly. “I can’t believe that Anna and Perry are really moving. I love parties, but I’m not happy that this party is to be their farewell. I shall miss them dreadfully.”

  “I know you will, honey. We’ll go to Fort Worth to visit them. We can’t blame Anna for wanting to move closer to her family. Then, too, with two children, she and Perry have to consider schooling and such.”

  “I know, but I’m selfish. I want them here close to us.”

  “Suzette, they’ll be here for another week, so let’s enjoy the time left. Now scoot out of here and let me dress. And you’d best be wiggling into something yourself. Kiss me quickly and I’ll see you downstairs.”

  Suzette smiled and stood on tiptoes. She kissed her husband tightly on the mouth and said, “Austin, do you think I’m terribly spoiled?”

  Austin laughed. “God, I hope so. I’ve spent the last two years doing my damnedest to spoil you.”

  She tilted her head. “Has it really been that long?”

  “Uh-huh. You’re no longer my little bride. Why, I’ve had you too long; it’s time I got rid of you and found someone new to spoil.”

  Suzette tightened her arms around his neck. “You wouldn’t dare. Besides, where would an old man of forty-four hope to find a sweet young thing?”

  Austin’s gray eyes clouded and he released her. “I have to get dressed, Suzette.”

  “Austin, I was teasing you.” She put her hand on his arm and turned him to face her again. “Darling, surely you know I was joking.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “But I am getting old and there must be times when I seem ancient to you.”

  “Austin Brand, what nonsense! You will never be old. And I’m not so young anymore myself. Why, I’ll be twenty-five come spring.”

  He gave her a wry smile. “I must get dressed, Suzette. Please excuse me.”

  Anna carried a tray of glasses through the kitchen door and returned. “Suzette, it was a wonderful party. Perry and I don’t know how to thank you.”

  Suzette, her long gown rustling behind her, put an arm around Anna’s waist. They climbed the stairs together. “I’m going to miss you and Perry and the children,” Suzette said sadly.

  “I’ll miss you, too, Suz.” Anna smiled bravely. “We’ll see you often. Austin does a lot of business in Fort Worth, so you’ll come with him and stay with us.”

  “It’s not the same, Anna. I’m sorry.” Suzette tried to smile. “Of course I’ll see you often.” They were at the door of the guest room, where Perry and the children were asleep.

  Anna took both Suzette’s hands in hers. “You’re my best friend ever, Suzette. You always will be. Thanks for letting us stay here with you for the next week. I hope Josh and Sunny won’t be too much bother.”

  “Never. Austin and I love them both. See you tomorrow.” She leaned to Anna and hugged her tightly.

  “’Night, Suz. Say good-night to Austin.”

  “I imagine Austin is slumbering peacefully by now,” Suzette whispered and stole on down the hall to her room.

  Suzette undressed in her dressing room. Her fancy hairdo, released from its pearl restraints, tumbled down over her shoulders. Too sleepy to brush it, Suzette shook her head about and padded into the blue bedroom. Austin was not in the bed. Perhaps he’d decided they’d sleep in his room. She smiled and opened the connecting door, expecting to see his blond head on the pillow. The big bed was made up. No one was in it; no one had been in it.

  “Austin?” she called softly, her eyes sweeping the room.

  “Yes, darlin’.” Austin’s deep voice came from his dressing room.

  Suzette turned down the covers of the bed and kicked off her satin slippers. She crawled into the soft bed as her husband entered the room. She sat straight up. “Austin, why are you dressed like that?”

  Austin calmly buttoned up a dark gray shirt. It fit snugly across his wide shoulders and back, and tapered around his rib cage. He had on dark trousers and black boots. “I have a minor problem to take care of, Suzette. Nothing for you to worry about.”

  Suzette slid out of bed and stood in front of him. “Austin, it’s two in the morning. Why are you behaving so strangely?”

  Avoiding her eyes, Austin went for his gunbelt. He had his back to her as he buckled the belt. She flew to him, grabbing his arm, “No, please, Austin. Whatever it is, don’t do this.”

  “Suzette, it will be all right.” He took her shoulders and looked down at her, his eyes soft. “Honey, I’ve not wanted to upset you, but wire cutters are plaguing the ranch. I’m going to protect the place I’ve worked so hard to build.” He dropped his hands from her and tied the holster down to his powerful thigh.

  Suzette threw herself against his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Please don’t do it, Austin. It’s too dangerous. Let the law handle it. I won’t let you go, I won’t.”

  Austin set her back and turned to the bureau. He took out his pistol and checked it. He holstered it and went for a hat. He chose a dark one, saying to her, “Don’t want my blond hair making an easy target.”

  Terror flooded over Suzette and all at once she was keenly aware of how much Austin meant to her. She grabbed his arm and clung to it. “Austin, darling, don’t go, please don’t.”

  Austin touched her cheek. “I have to go. Kiss me, Suzette.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him wildly, fiercely, willing him to stay with her. Austin slowly lifted his head and looked down at her. His big hand came to her face, tracing the high, molded cheekbone, the pert nose, the full lips, as though memorizing each dear feature. His forefinger went to the gold heart at her throat.

  Abruptly he released her and walked to the bedroom door. Suzette stood rooted to the floor, tears stinging her frightened eyes. Austin paused with his hand on the doorknob. Without turning back to look at her, he said softly, “You’ve made me a happy man, Suzette Brand. You cannot imagine how much I love you.” He opened the door and was gone.

  Suzette flew to the door and fed against it, sobbing. “Austin, don’t leave me. Austin!”

  When Austin got to the stables, six mounted men were waiting. His favorite horse, Captain, was saddled. Austin mounted and turned the big horse to face the men. In front of him, Tom Capps, Randy Lancaster,
Bob Coleman, Zeke Worth, Freddy Black, and Slim Hester sat silently awaiting his word to depart.

  “Men, you’re the best there are and I’m grateful to each one of you. If anyone wants to change his mind, do it now and it will never be mentioned, either by me or the other men. I needn’t remind you that I’ve little idea how many men the wire cutters have, how well armed they are, or how well they shoot. You’re risking your life if you ride tonight. It’s not too late.” He sat quietly, his arm draped across the horn, studying each man’s face.

  “You talk too much, Austin. Let’s ride,” Randy Lancaster said and turned his horse, digging the big-roweled spurs into his chestnut stallion.

  “Hell, Yes!” Bob Coleman echoed his pal and raced to catch up.

  Smiting, Austin urged Captain into a gallop and overtook the two cowboys, circling in front of them. Tom Capps, hat low over his gray hair, raced to meet Austin. Side by side they rode in silence to the west.

  The tenseness of waiting gone, Austin relaxed as he and his men thundered across the gently rising plains in the cold night air. A Colt .45 swung from a gunbelt worn low around his hips. A Winchester rifle was strapped to his saddle. The powerful beast beneath him was his third weapon. Eleven hundred pounds of sleek muscle and bone, the big gray horse was as fast as a racehorse and as sensitive to the commands of his master. Sixteen hands high, Captain was one of the tallest mustangs at the Brand ranch or any other ranch. A magnificent creature, intelligent and loyal, he was prized by Austin above all the other horses in the remuda.

  Captain, his head held high, his big eyes alert, moved easily across the rolling prairie, his heavy mane and tail blowing in the cold wind. Man and horse felt the exhilaration that came from traveling fast across the dark plains—two tightly coiled bodies unwinding, muscles relaxing, powerful chests expanding with deep, cold breaths, hearts accelerating from exertion and excitement. Austin didn’t realize he was smiling, but he was. Next to nights in Suzette’s arms, it was in the moments spent on a good horse’s back, riding fast across his vast empire, that Austin felt most alive.

  Austin turned to look at Tom Capps. Tom, ramrod-straight in the saddle atop his fine-looking bay, was smiting, too. He felt Austin’s eyes on him and turned his head. Shouting to be heard over the wind, he said, “You damned fool, what are you grinning about?”

  Austin threw back his head and laughed. “My friend, the same thing you’re smiting about.”

  Tom nodded in understanding. “Ain’t nothing like riding over the range in Texas to make a man glad to be alive.”

  “I know. Texas gets in a man’s blood. I’d never be happy anywhere else. Tell you something, Tom: if I live to be a tired old man, or if tonight I draw my last breath, I’m gonna spend the rest of my life right here in Jack County.”

  Tom hollered, “I think the good Lord’s gonna watch out for a man that loves Texas as much as you. And if he won’t, I will.” He patted the revolver on his thigh.

  Austin smiled again. “Thanks for coming, Tom. I feel better with you along.”

  Tom cast a quick glance at Austin, then turned to look ahead. “Son, I’d ride with you into hell.”

  The riders came in sight of the gleaming new barbed-wire fences of the western pastures. Austin slowed Captain to a walk and headed for a stand of cottonwoods seventy-five yards from the fence. Dipping his head under a low branch, he rode into the trees and the six men followed. Under the cloak of darkness and the protection of the trees, the horses and riders were well hidden.

  The wait began.

  No one could guess when the wire-cutting rustlers would appear. Or even if they would appear. Austin was almost certain that they would show up. They had brazenly cut wire all over his land. Only this southwest portion had remained untouched. Austin had told no one outside the ranch of the incidents and he’d cautioned his men to keep it to themselves. He wanted the intruders to think he intended no retaliation.

  For over three weeks he’d been moving almost all his cattle into the southwest pasture and he had let it be known he was doing so. He talked it up at the Longhorn Saloon, explaining he was letting all his grass rest while his herd grazed the southwestern section. He’d made certain that he told men who could be counted on to tell every man they saw about his plans. Certain the cutters now knew of his actions, Austin felt sure they would soon strike the southwest pasture.

  He longed for a smoke now but didn’t dare light up. He wanted to give the criminals no edge whatever. If they did show up tonight, he wanted to be the one with the advantage of surprise.

  All the men sat silently atop their mounts. The night winds picked up and howled around their cold ears. Their hands grew stiff and each man robbed and flexed his fingers, refusing to don gloves. They had to be ready.

  At a little after four in the morning, the first rider appeared on the dim horizon. Austin counted seven more. Waiting until the riders drew alongside the fence, Austin, his eyes narrowed, watched as the men galloped directly to the wire. Three men jumped from their horses and within seconds the heavy wire was cut and rolled back. While the three remounted, Austin gave the signal. He, Tom, and the rest of the Brand men rode out to meet the trespassers.

  The Brand outfit formed a wedge with Austin and Tom at its point. This formation swooped down on the startled thieves. Guns drawn, they reached the shocked intruders within seconds. When the first shot rang out, no one knew for sure which side it came from, and no one cared.

  Austin shot to kill, mindless of the bullets hissing about his head. The horses snorted and reared in panic. Captain, though his big eyes were wide with terror, stood his ground, taking commands from Austin’s knees. Some of the gang were down, as were two of Austin’s men. Bob Coleman was hit in the face, his jawbone shattered. Still he continued to shoot until a second bullet ripped into his chest. Still firing, he fell to the ground. Randy Lancaster saw Bob fall and turned his horse to where his friend lay in the grass. He jumped from his horse and ran to help Bob. Before he could bend to him, a bullet burst into his backbone, splintering the spinal column and exiting through his heart. Randy slumped to the ground beside Bob, his eyes wide open.

  Austin, spurring his horse after the retreating thieves, aimed and fired. The man he shot fell from his horse. A tall man riding beside him pulled up on his reins and his horse turned. For a split-second he was silhouetted against the night sky, his useless left arm swinging back and forth. He shouted something and rode away. Behind him galloped a younger man. Austin recognized Red Wilson.

  Austin, Tom Capps, and Zeke Worth rode in hot pursuit. Austin leveled his gun at Red Wilson, then hesitated. It was a mistake. The gang’s leader turned and fired. The bullet slammed into the right side of Austin’s stomach. He didn’t feel it enter his body, but within seconds he was gasping for air. Captain felt the big body slacken and stopped immediately.

  Tom Capps motioned for Zeke and Freddy Black to continue the chase and turned his gelding back. By the time he reached Austin, the big man had fallen to the ground. Captain was nuzzling him gently.

  “Gawd Almighty!” Tom Capps cried as he dismounted and dropped to the grass beside Austin. Austin, conscious and alert, was having difficulty breathing and already his bronzed face was turning pale. Tom ripped Austin’s shirt collar open and said, “You’ll be all right, Austin. I’ll get you home.”

  Perspiration dotting his upper lip, Austin nodded, and with Tom’s help, he rose from the ground. Knowing Austin’s mustang would take him in, Tom draped Austin across Captain’s saddle and before he could mount his gelding, the big gray horse was trotting across the prairie. By now the others had turned back and were heading toward Tom. Shouting to them to see to Randy and Bob, Tom rode after the big gray carrying his boss and best friend.

  At the mansion, Suzette, dressed and wide awake, silently paced the floor in the drawing room, praying for her husband’s safety. She vividly recalled all the love and kindness the big, gentle man had shown her. Sadly she remembered the times he’d held her in h
is arms and told her how much he loved her. Never had she said it to him, even when his great gray eyes held a pleading, hopeful look.

  Shaken from her reveries by the sound of horses’ hooves, Suzette held her breath and ran to throw open the heavy front doors. She stumbled down the steps and was halfway through the yard when she saw them—two horses, one with a man’s large frame draped across the saddle. Without seeing the blond head, she knew. She said his name so quietly, Tom couldn’t hear her.

  Tom was lifting Austin from the saddle when Suzette turned and flew back into the house. Taking the stairs two at a time, she was shouting all the way up. “Perry, come quick! Perry!”

  Lights went on in the guest room before Suzette reached their bedroom door. In seconds, Perry was descending the stairs, his nightshirt stuffed into his trousers, his feet bare, his black case in his hand.

  Tom and Suzette were helping the wounded Austin up the front steps when Perry reached the hall. Handing Suzette his bag, he relieved her, shouting orders to her. “Boil water, get clean sheets, and spread them on the dining table.”

  Anna was coming down the stairs when Suzette called to her. “Anna! Bring clean sheets. They’re in the linen closet upstairs.”

  “Perry,” Austin managed to say, “two of my men got it. They’ll be along soon if…”

  Shaking his head, Tom motioned to the doctor that the other two didn’t make it. Kate and her girls were awake and had swung into action, boiling water in the kitchen and making coffee for everyone. Suzette spread a clean white sheet on one end of the long dining table and Tom and Perry carefully laid the bleeding Austin on his back. Suzette, gnawing her lip, leaned over him, smoothing back his thick blond hair. Unable to speak, she gently kissed his cool lips.

  “Don’t cry, darlin’,” Austin managed. “I’m okay.”

  Perry motioned for Anna to take Suzette out of the room.

  “Come, Suzette,” Anna coaxed, her hands on Suzette’s shaking shoulders, “let’s wait in the other room.”