Wayward Lady

by Nan Ryan

  “He’s like a cat,” she murmured aloud. “He has nine lives. They’ll never kill Kaytano.” Slowly she lowered her head. Those compelling eyes were on her. Suzette shuddered and impulsively hurled the paper into the fire. It caught immediately, curling and blackening in a second. The last part of the paper to burn was the chilling countenance of the elusive Kaytano. Waiting until only soft gray ash remained of what had been the morning paper, Suzette rose and climbed the stairs to her husband’s room.

  When she entered, Austin was sitting up. His color was good, his face was fleshing out, and today he was in high spirits. “Come here and give me a kiss, sweetheart.”

  Suzette flew across the room, almost throwing herself into his outstretched arms. She clung to him and kissed his throat, closing her eyes, inhaling deeply of the warm, clean smell of him, loving the feel of his big powerful arms pressing her safely to him, the sound of his deep, soothing voice whispering endearments to her.

  “Honey,” he said against her ear, “you’re trembling. Are you cold? Suzette, you’re freezing.”

  “No, I’m not,” she murmured. “I just want you to hold me a minute longer, Austin.”

  “Of course, darlin’,” Austin assured her. He gently stroked her back through her woolen dress. His hand went up to cradle her head. “I’ll hold my little baby forever,” he whispered, his breath warm against her cheek.

  When finally she was calm, she pulled back a little and smiled at Austin.

  “Austin, is there anything I can get you? Would you like something to eat?” Her fingers traced his strong jawline.

  “I thought you were going to read the paper to me. Isn’t that what you went downstairs for?”

  “Austin, I’m sorry, Denis brought the paper and, clumsy me, I dropped it in the snow. It was wet so I had to toss it in the fire.” Suzette wondered, even as she heard the words, why she wasn’t telling him the truth. She could think of only one reason. Austin seemed unduly upset any time Kaytano’s name was mentioned in the papers. The Indian’s escape from jail was bound to annoy him. She didn’t want her husband worrying about things that had nothing to do with them. If he didn’t read about it, Austin would never know the man was out of jail.

  “Doesn’t matter.” Austin yawned. “I’m getting a little drowsy anyhow.”

  Austin improved daily and by the first of February he was out of bed and dressed, though Suzette warned him not to overdo. She thought that since Austin was up, he wouldn’t object to her going into Jacksboro. She wanted to buy some things for their trip, and though she never said as much, she felt she would scream if she didn’t get away from the ranch for an hour or two.

  Austin did object. He didn’t bother to explain to her that since the shooting he was more concerned than ever for her safety. He didn’t tell her that it was he who shot the young Taylor brother and that he suspected Norman Taylor would not rest until he’d avenged his brother’s death. Hopefully Taylor would be after only Austin, but Austin was taking no chances. He refused to let her go into town, even with an escort, and Suzette, misunderstanding his motives, was furious.

  “Are you saying you forbid me to go into Jacksboro?” she cried, her heart pounding.

  Her temper ignited his and he shouted at her. “Yes! I forbid you to leave this house! If there’s something you need, you know damned well one of my men will be happy to get it for you. There’s no reason for you to go out.”

  “No reason! I’ll tell you a very good reason! I’m about to go insane! How’s that for a reason, Austin ‘God Almighty’ Brand? I’ve been in this house for weeks. I’ve done nothing but nurse you and I think I shall scream if I don’t—”

  He rose and grabbed her wrist. “You didn’t have to take care of me! Hell, I’ve enough money so you don’t ever have to lift a finger. I thought you wanted to take care of me. If you’re going to complain about it, I sure as hell wish you’d stayed away from me!”

  “Oh, you do, do you?” She clawed at the strong fingers encircling her wrist. “You loved every minute of it! I know you, you wouldn’t have let Kate or one of the girls do all the things I did for you! My Lord! Is your memory so short that you don’t remember the things I did? Have you forgotten the morning I had to—”

  “That’s enough!” he bellowed. “If you ever tell anybody…”

  Suddenly Suzette felt like giggling. She tried to suppress the laughter bubbling up in her because she knew Austin was livid, and if she broke up he would grow even more angry. She couldn’t help it; she kept visualizing the particular incident he was so sensitive about. While he glared down at her with a face red with rage, Suzette fell against his chest and started laughing.

  “What the—” Austin snatched her back. “Look at me, Suzette!”

  Fearing he might lose control when he saw her laughter, she had no choice but to raise her eyes to his. The vein in his forehead throbbed as his big hands gripped her shoulders. “Why, you little…my God, doesn’t anything scare you!”

  His anger evaporated as he looked down at his headstrong wife, tears of laughter shining in her eyes.

  “Austin, I’m sorry,” she said, gasping between giggles. “It’s just…I…”

  Austin’s full lips started twitching and he was torn between shaking his stubborn wife until her head rocked on her shoulders and pulling her into an embrace. He did the latter.

  “What am I going to do with you?” He laughed and buried his face in her hair.

  Suzette slid her arms up around his neck and said, “I can’t help it, I keep seeing you lying there with your—”

  Austin silenced her with his mouth. His lips burned into hers. Suzette responded in kind, and when he dragged his mouth from hers he said raggedly, “Woman, is nothing sacred to you?” He was smiling, his gray eyes warm with love and affection.

  “Yes, some things are. I’m sorry, sweetheart. If you’ll come upstairs, I’ll show you.” Wordlessly he took her hand and led her through the corridor and up the stairs. On the way up, she clung to his arm and begged, “Austin, afterward, can’t I please go into Jackboro?”

  At the door of his bedroom, he handed her inside and closed it behind them. “No, Suzette, you can’t.”

  Her hands went to his shirtfront and she plucked at the buttons, murmuring, “Austin, I would just stay for an hour and Tom or one—”

  Austin put a big hand into her hair and pulled her head back. Bending, he kissed her, forcing her lips open. His hot tongue slowly descended into the dark, sweet recesses of her mouth. When he raised his head, his lips hovered just above hers. “The subject is closed.”

  She sighed and pulled his mouth back down to hers.

  Anna and Perry were delighted to see the Brands. Young Josh and Sunny were as thrilled with all the gifts Austin and Suzette brought them as they were to have visitors. For two pleasant days, the four grown-ups visited, talked, went out to dinner, and shared nightcaps in front of the fireplace. The weekend flew by and early Monday morning Austin said good-bye and boarded the train to Chicago. Suzette and Perry saw him off at the station, Suzette waving until the train was out of sight.

  “Shall we return home, Suzette? It’s dreadfully cold and Anna will be waiting with breakfast for us.” Dr. Woods took her elbow.

  “Perry, will you give me five minutes?” She turned to the slender chestnut-haired man. “I want to make arrangements to go to Dallas on Wednesday. Austin keeps our railroad car here. While he’s away I’m going to see a cousin from Louisiana who recently moved to Dallas.”

  Perry obligingly waited while Suzette spoke to a railroad employee.

  “Mrs. Brand,” the elderly man told her, “any time you or your husband want to use the Alpha, let me know. Mr. Brand gave me the names of your staff, so I can get in touch with them.”

  “How very efficient.” Suzette nodded happily. “Very well, I wish to depart for Dallas on Wednesday afternoon.”

  “That’s possible. Let’s see.” The railroad employee studied a schedule. “You can leave at s
traight up three o’clock. You’ll arrive in Dallas before five P.M.”

  “That’s perfect. If you’ll be so kind as to notify the staff, tell them we’ll only stay in Dallas for a couple of days. Will you do that Mr.…ah, Mr.…”

  “Dunlap, ma’am, and I’ll be happy to see to it.”

  Suzette didn’t mention her plans to Anna until that night after Perry and the children were in bed. The two women had sat up talking, and when, after midnight, Anna yawned and said she could no longer hold her eyes open, Suzette nodded her agreement. “One last thing, Anna.” Suzette took her friend’s hand. “Wednesday I’m going to Dallas on our railroad car.” Anna looked skeptical. “I’ll tell Austin when he returns. He’s smothering me, Anna. I can’t be his little girl forever. I don’t want to be. I’m a grown woman, and if I wish to go thirty miles to see a cousin, I see nothing wrong with it.”

  “Nor I,” Anna conceded. “But why didn’t you tell Austin? You didn’t, did you?”

  “Anna, I’m going. When Austin gets back, I’ll tell him.”

  On Wednesday, a weak winter sun popped out as Suzette arrived at the Fort Worth train terminal. The weather had warmed considerably. Feeling free and excited, Suzette, in a traveling suit of luxurious pink wool, twirled her parasol and adjusted her pink velvet bonnet, tucking the net veil neatly under her chin. She was smiling as she boarded the Alpha. Inside she touched familiar pieces, remembering the happy times with Austin.

  A polite Chinese staff member entered after knocking, and bowed, inquiring if there was anything she might want.

  “Chin, if I could have a nice cup of chocolate, I’ll not bother you again for the rest of the journey.”

  “It will be done.” His eyes disappeared into slits as he smiled.

  Behind steam, the Alpha made its way east. Inside Suzette removed her hat, suit jacket, and gloves. On the marble table between the brocade couches, a cup of steaming-hot cocoa and a small plate of cookies waited on a silver tray.

  Suzette Brand, delighted to be alone, delighted to be traveling, delighted to be on her way to a new city, hummed as she dropped down onto one of the shiny couches. She took a quick sip of chocolate and was up again. Patting her upswept hair, she giggled and went to the painting where Austin had shown her the wall safe. She slid the masterpiece aside and looked at the small round safe. Recalling the combination, she twisted from left to right, and back again, pulling open the tiny door. She laughed and stripped off her jewelry. She’d worn her diamond engagement ring—a big, flawless blue-white stone that Austin had bought her in New York on their honeymoon. She shoved the diamond deep into the safe along with her solid gold bracelet and earrings. She fingered the small gold heart at her throat and shook her head, then pushed the round door shut and twirled the locking mechanism.

  Feeling like a very rich and important lady, Suzette twisted the gold chain and went back to her cocoa. She curled her legs beside her, the soft kid leather of her shoes resting on the fine brocade. With a dainty sugar cookie in one hand, the bone china cup in the other, Suzette felt all was right with her world.

  Seconds later she heard the first gunshot. Calmly she set the cup on the marble table and took the last bite of the cookie. Rising, she started to the window. She was lifting the curtain when the car lurched violently, sending her sprawling.

  “What the devil?” she said aloud. Before she could rise, the train had stopped and she heard shouting and more gunfire. The little Chinese man appeared from the galley wringing his hands, a look of terror on his sallow face.

  The door of the Alpha was jerked open and a gun-toting Mexican scrambled up the steps. Behind him a bigger man, a lighter-skinned Mexican, stood in the door. Suzette was on her feet, her eyes on the stocky Mexican waving a gun. She was being robbed. Her beautiful diamond ring would be stolen. From behind her, she heard the frightened Chinese say, “Mrs. Brand, please give them all your money.”

  Pressing herself flat against the wall, Suzette nodded. “Under the painting”—she inclined her head—“there’s a wall safe.”

  The short Mexican gave her a toothy grin. “No, you do not understand, señora.” He was coming toward her, the gun pointed to the ceiling. The taller man waited at the door, his gun trained on the Chinese. “You come with me!” the stocky Mexican exclaimed happily and grabbed Suzette’s hand.

  The horror of his intention sank in and Suzette began to struggle. “No!” she screamed. “No, I won’t! Let me go!”

  “Ah, do not make me hurt you, señora.” The greasy little man laughed and lowered his gun to point at her chest. “You will come with me.”

  “I will not!” she screamed. “I’m not leaving this car!”

  “You must,” the Mexican said and picked her up. Still she fought him, pounding on his shoulders, pleading, “I’ve jewelry in the safe. Money in my purse. Take it and leave me, please.”

  “No, you come,” he insisted and carried her to the door, the gun pressing into the small of her back.

  He handed Suzette to the tall man waiting at the door and turned to warn the Chinese servant to stay put or die. The tall Mexican held Suzette high in the air as though she were no heavier than a feather. She kicked and clawed, but she was taken from the train and lifted up across the saddle of a tall, slender rider. No sooner was she mounted than the black horse was thundering across the stark, wintry countryside.

  Squirming within the strong arms encircling her, Suzette twisted around to look at the face of her captor. Her heart stopped its beating. The blood in her veins congealed. Her breath caught in her tightened throat. There was no doubt in her mind. She’d know those eyes anywhere, the aristocratic nose, the hard, cruel mouth, the coal-black hair, the smooth mahogany skin.

  Kaytano.

  23

  Too stunned to scream, Suzette gaped at the man whose very name spelled danger. Never had she seen such a cruel, cold face. His features appeared as if chiseled from stone, and his expression was one of cool indifference. His lean jaw was rigid, top lip thin, the bottom one full. His black eyes stared straight ahead, as though unaware of her closeness.

  Suzette clung to the strong arms around her as the big black stallion galloped across the prairie. Behind them the train continued making its way eastward. The Alpha sat alone on the tracks, unhinged from the steaming locomotive. Suzette cast a wistful look at the sleek shiny car as it grew smaller and smaller.

  “Please”—she found her tongue—“there are jewels in the railroad car. You can have them, they’re worth a fortune. Turn back, turn back and they’re yours.” Her eyes were riveted to his smooth face, hoping to see a flicker of interest, some sign of his intentions. There was none. He didn’t even look at her and he was deaf to her pleas.

  Behind them rode the short, stocky Mexican and two other men. One was the tall Mexican who had lifted her on the horse. The other, a middle-aged white man with sandy hair and a shaggy beard, looked less menacing. Perhaps she could persuade him to release her. If she could only speak to him, he would understand; he was white, he might let her go.

  They all rode fast. Suzette had no choice but to hold tightly to the dark man’s arms. The ground rushing past made her grow dizzy. Her head spinning with fear, she felt herself grow faint. The tall rider behind her never looked at her. He sensed her weakness. Wordlessly he raised a black gloved hand to her shoulders and pulled her back against the hardness of his chest. When her cheek came in contact with the soft black fabric covering his rock-hard chest, Suzette gasped but didn’t try to lift her head.

  Her eyes fluttered open. Inches from her own, his smooth brown face looked shiny-clean. His lips were slightly parted and his teeth were very white against the darkness of his skin. His black eyes, still fastened on the horizon, were lined with a double row of sweeping black lashes. He wore a black hat low over his forehead; from under its wide brim, thick black hair flowed clean and luxuriant. His long lean legs were encased in tight black trousers, and rubbing uncomfortably against her side, a black gunbelt rode
low around slim hips.

  Unlike his men, he carried no gun in his hand. With a flicker of hope, Suzette surmised that the discomfort she felt at her back was likely his pistol. If she could somehow reach around and grab it, she could jam it into the bandit’s side and demand he release her. She was in a very good position to pull it off. She was pressed against his chest; she would move her left arm around him, pretend she wanted to hold on to him to keep from falling. It would be simple.

  Suzette moaned a little and squeezed her left arm between her body and his. Looking up at his impassive face, she put her hand around his slender back and fingered the soft silk shirt. Certain that he suspected nothing, she let her hand stay there for a time, then slowly moved it down. Inching toward the leather holster on his thigh, she kept her eyes trained on his dark face. She bit her lip when she felt the round bullets in the belt. Sliding her fingers forward and down, she touched the cold butt of the big gun. Her arm ached in its socket as she slid her fingers over the gun. They were touching the smooth handle; one quick jerk and she could pull the weapon clear of the restraining leather and jam it forcefully into the outlaw’s ribs.

  A feeling close to ecstasy filled her as she closed her cold fingers around the handle and began to ease the gun up. Suddenly, Kaytano’s gloved hand rested lightly on hers. Suzette screamed. He said nothing, nor did he look at her. Instead, he very gently moved her hand back around his waist, then pulled the big Colt .44 from its resting place. Suzette trembled. Had she so infuriated the animal that he would put the deadly gun to her temple and squeeze the trigger?

  Kaytano slowly eased the revolver around in front of her face, and she blinked when he held it before her frightened eyes. The fancy white pearl handle shone in the winter sun. Suzette clung desperately to his slick silk shirt while her wide eyes were riveted to the huge gun. She watched in fascinated terror as his black gloved hand slowly turned the gun’s barrel up to the sky. His long arm shot up and Suzette’s eyes followed; when he pulled the trigger, Suzette automatically flinched.