Forever in Texas

by Jodi Thomas

  He kissed her hard on the lips, then let go abruptly. “We’ll talk later. Right now I’ve got to find Gavrila. If we’re lucky we’ll have two hours of daylight before we’ll be searching in the dark.” Lightly, he touched her cheek with the knuckle of his first finger. “Don’t worry, darlin’, everything is going to work out between us. I learned something last night. I learned something matters more than what folks think. You matter more to me than all the folks in town.”

  “But Ford—”

  “Forget what they think, forget the agreement we made. I don’t care what you’ve done. You belong with me, and any man who plans to take you will have to kill me first.” He grabbed his hat and was gone before she could speak.

  Hannah gathered up the supplies and walked toward the bedroom door. “But you didn’t learn to trust me, Ford,” she whispered as tears bubbled from her eyelids. She’d learned to love last night, but she couldn’t live with him as long as he believed her a thief. For the first time she understood why he’d acted so angry at her. He’d thought she took Allison’s money and the kit from White’s store. He thought, as he always had, that she was a thief.

  For all their safety and her own sanity, Hannah knew she had to leave, and soon. With Ford not believing in her, there was no reason to stay and fight Harwell’s men, even if the odds were with the townspeople—Ford’s mistrust had turned the odds against her.

  Chapter 21

  HANNAH MOVED THROUGH the activity in the living area. A few men warmed themselves by the fire while others prepared weapons for a fight. Most days these men seemed like farmers and rangers, but today she was reminded that they’d settled this land and had fought before. Alamo Rogers was leaning over the great table studying Ford’s maps.

  “If they’re headed north,” Alamo’s voice was almost a whine of panic, “I see only one way to catch them in time. We’ll have to go through the canyon.”

  Roy shook his head. “Ford’s the only man who knows that crack in the earth well enough to take a horse across it, and I doubt even he could do that in this rain.”

  “We’ve got some daylight left; we can cross by then and come back the long way after we find Gavrila. Ford’s saddling the bay now and my guess is we best be ready to ride down into the canyon within minutes.” Alamo tried to stand tall. “Because if he goes that way, I’m right behind him.”

  Several men agreed.

  Hannah smiled at Alamo’s bravery and opened the door to the bedroom, where they’d taken Uncle Zachery. She knew without asking that what they were attempting was dangerous, but Ford had to at least try to find Gavrila, even in this storm. If Harwell’s men had her, they’d likely murder her at any moment. The fact that they hadn’t shot her on the spot at the schoolhouse surprised Hannah.

  As she entered Zachery’s room, several men stepped back from the bed. “We did the best we could,” one mumbled by way of apology.

  Hannah set her pan down by the bed and looked at the old man. The other men had wiped the blood off his face, but several places where the skin had been rubbed raw were still seeping, and an inch-long cut just over his left eye looked like it would need a few stitches to heal. She could see knuckle marks where a fist had bruised his cheek.

  “You look terrible!” she scolded Zachery, as if he could have helped his appearance.

  “Thanks,” he mumbled between swollen lips. “I doubt even Jinx will be able to stand the sight of me for a while.”

  He laid his hand over hers as she doctored the cuts. “I didn’t tell, Hannah. I told you I’d keep your secret and I did. They kept telling me that someone mentioned I was missing after the killings, so Harwell figured I was with you. They didn’t even remember your name, but when the sheriff got a letter from Saints Roost asking about me and you, Harwell’s men had the missing pieces. They could have beat me to death and I wouldn’t have given you away.”

  “I’m proud to have you as an uncle,” she answered. “I’ll get you patched up in no time.”

  “I’m not hurt as bad as these townsfolk let on. I’ve been banged up worse than this and left in the alley to heal.”

  Hannah suspected his words were true. She’d seen drunks fall and bloody themselves without even spilling the bottle they carried. But the “no time” to fix him up tonight took her over an hour. She stitched up two cuts, one on his face and the other on his arm. Then she wrapped what she guessed to be a few broken ribs. Luckily he wasn’t spitting up blood, so they’d heal in time. Though other injuries looked bad, the wounds would scab and heal in a few days.

  While she worked, Zachery talked of bits of conversation he’d heard between Jude and Hickory. The bar owner had tried to convince Jude how bad Harwell’s men were. They had money in every illegal game in the state, from cattle rustling to land fraud. But Jude wouldn’t listen. He’d not only joined them, he’d stolen from Harwell’s men.

  “I didn’t know,” Hannah whispered.

  “I guessed that.” Zachery knotted the sheet in his fist and fought to continue despite the pain. “I’d hoped he’d marry you and settle down and you’d never know. But he’d had too much to drink the night before the shooting and bragged not only of teaching his new wife who was boss, but of cheating his partners.”

  Hannah didn’t try to stop the tears that rolled over her cheeks as she continued doctoring.

  They were both exhausted by the time she turned down the light and told him to sleep a while.

  As she moved away, he grabbed her hand once more and pulled her back. “They’ll find out Gavrila isn’t you and come back. You know that, don’t you, girl? It’s only a matter of time before they come riding for you.”

  “I know that,” she answered, for she’d been thinking the same thing. “I just hope they don’t hurt Gavrila.”

  Zachery chuckled, then cried out at the pain it caused him. “Unless they kill her fast, she’ll give them far more hell than they’ll ever give her. My thinking is they’ll let her go to stop the entire town from coming after them. But it’s hard to outguess a nest of rattlers like the kind of men Harwell hires to do his dirty work.”

  “If she dies, it will be my fault.” Hannah fought down a sob.

  “No, girl. You didn’t cause this situation. You’re only trying to outrun it.” His voice lowered. “Which we have to do as soon as possible. I don’t plan on being here when they ride back through. I don’t think I’ve got another beating left in me to survive.”

  “You’ll go with me, then?” Though she knew she’d make much better time going alone, Harwell’s men might kill Zachery the next time they found him. “I’ve been thinking I’ll have to start soon and travel fast.”

  “I’ll be ready to at least sit in a buggy come morning. If we can get to the station, we should have no problem taking a train—if this storm lets up.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  Zachery didn’t let go of her hand. “What about Ford?”

  “If I stay it could mean his death.”

  “If you go you’ll break his heart. Which to some men is a kind of death. The man loves you dearly.”

  Hannah shook her head. He’d never spoken of love. He desired her, that was all. In a few months the fire he had for her would cool and he’d find another. Any woman who had any sense could tell what a great lover he was and would be happy to share his bed and his life.

  “Get some sleep.” Hannah turned down the light and backed away. The old man closed his eyes and appeared to be asleep even before she reached the door.

  She couldn’t bear to go back into the room she and Ford had made love in, so Hannah bolted the doors and curled up on the couch in front of the fire. Sneeze walked across her legs and curled into the vee of her knee.

  As she watched the flames dance off the shadowy walls of Ford’s house, she planned what she knew she must do. If she left a little after daylight, Hannah could be in town by the time folks started stirring about. She’d say that she was worried about Uncle Zachery’s health and was taking him home
to Fort Worth. Everyone would protest, but she’d insist that the old man trusted no one but their family doctor and they had to hurry to catch the train.

  Then, when she got to Wichita Falls, they’d change trains and head east. By nightfall, if she was lucky, they’d be safely out of Texas. She drifted into a fitful sleep, waking to every sound the wind made, as if it were intruders at the door. Finally, she gave up even making an effort to get a night’s rest before their escape.

  Hannah drank coffee until almost dawn, then dressed in the plainest of the dresses Ford had bought her. She pulled her carpetbag down from the shelf and reached in it for her five gold bracelets. They slid easily onto her wrist.

  She moved her arm, welcoming the sound of their jingling. Her mother was right—Gypsy blood did run in her veins. She was born to stay on the move, and folks would always point a finger toward her if something was missing. Only this time it had been Ford who accused her. And this time he accused her of something she hadn’t done.

  Hannah took off one gold bracelet and placed it in the drawer where Ford kept extra money. She knew the bracelet was worth far more than the few dollars she took, but it was the only thing she had to barter with, and she didn’t want him thinking she’d stolen from him again.

  Pulling on her coat, Hannah wished she could leave everything behind, but she’d come to him with nothing, not even clothes. Maybe the few weeks’ work she’d done at the school would equal the garments she took.

  Remembering their bargain, she looked around the room. She’d said that she would take one thing of value when she left and that he’d promise never to follow her or try to get it back. But how could she take the very rooms that made her feel welcome with their colors, or the warm air that smelled of home, or the way he made her feel safe and secure in his arms?

  When she stepped outside and into the predawn air, rain hung thick with promise, like a damp cloth. She ran to the barn and started getting the buggy ready. The horse didn’t cooperate like the bay had and it took Hannah several tries to pull on the rigging and buckle everything in place.

  Rain splattered around her as she ran back to the house. Zachery was up and waiting for her. His face looked worse than it had the night before, but determination set his eyes.

  “Are you sure you’re able to travel?” Hannah reconsidered their plan for the first time. He didn’t look like he’d make many miles without collapsing.

  “We have to get you out of here, girl,” he answered soberly as he pulled on his coat with one hand and picked up the rifle. “I don’t think I can drive the buggy, but I can hold on to this. There was a day I could shoot.”

  Hannah kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, Uncle.”

  He nodded and slowly made his way outside, embarrassed and pleased by her affection.

  “Come on, Sneeze.” Hannah held the carpetbag open.

  The cat backed away.

  “Sneeze. We have to leave.” The cat had always come to her when she called.

  Sneeze turned around and hurried to his blanket by the fire.

  “Please, come on,” Hannah whispered, knowing it was useless. Sneeze had found his home.

  Hannah closed the door, wishing she didn’t feel like she was losing hers.

  * * *

  Ford spent two hours crossing the canyon with his band of men. Alamo was the least skilled with a horse, but he’d also been the only one not to complain. His determination matched Ford’s, and for that he gained respect among the others.

  By midnight they’d ridden out on the other side of the ridge and headed west to a place where the land rose slightly. The rain having slowed, they’d be able to see for miles come daybreak and hopefully would find Harwell’s men. Now there was nothing to do but wait until dawn and try not to freeze without a fire.

  Ford wrapped his arms around his chest and tried to keep his hands warm while he paced several yards away from where the others huddled to complain. He’d turned what he knew over and over in his mind. These men who were chasing Hannah were far too mean to be the law, even if Zachery was right and a letter to the sheriff had brought them here. Though Hannah hadn’t said so, he knew they planned to kill her if they found her. They’d almost accomplished the job with Zachery, and he didn’t even want to guess what they’d done to Gavrila.

  His sister had been pampered and spoiled all her life, until she was now more fragile than people guessed. If he didn’t find her soon, the men might not have to kill her—she’d die of fright. Gavrila needed to be in control, so being kidnapped must have been top on her list of nightmares. Who’d ever believe that it would actually happen?

  He saddled up, deciding that riding in the dark was better than freezing to death on the damp ground. The men agreed and followed. Instinct drove him more than anything. The ground was too muddy for tracks and the air too thick to let sound carry, but still Ford moved on.

  When he spotted a flicker of a campfire, Ford was more surprised than any of the men behind him. He motioned for silence and they all swung from their saddles, pulling their rifles as they dismounted.

  Ford leaned close to Alamo. “You go around behind them, in case there’s trouble. I’ll walk in from this direction. If shooting starts, try to get close enough to Gavrila to help her. Don’t worry about me.”

  Alamo nodded and moved away.

  Ford allowed him time to get into position before heading toward the camp. He knew he was walking into the pale morning sun and wouldn’t see them until long after they’d spotted him. The men behind him kept their guns ready as they silently crossed the grass, cutting the distance to the camp with each step.

  As he walked, Ford braced himself for a bullet. He was an open target, but on this flat land it was the only way he would have a chance at saving his sister. With luck, whoever was around the fire would be watching him and not Alamo. The little man might have a chance to slip in and get Gavrila out before the shooting started.

  When he was within twenty yards of the fire, he heard his sister scream. Instinct fueled his actions as he broke into a full run into the sunlight with his guns drawn. He’d have to wait for a round fired at him to even know where to shoot.

  No shots came!

  Ford slowed his pace as the outline of Gavrila and Alamo came into view. They were standing side by side while he untied her hands. No one else was in sight.

  “Well, it’s about time you got here, Sanford!”

  To his relief, she wasn’t hurt, but angry. To his surprise, her anger was directed at him.

  “I’ve been sitting out here in the rain half the night, waiting for you to find me. If you’d taken much longer the fire would have been out and I’d have been dead for sure. What took you so long? Were you home in bed with that wife who’s fool enough to think you’re a knight?”

  Ford opened his mouth to defend himself, but she’d guessed exactly what he’d been doing when she’d been kidnapped.

  Gavrila stormed toward him. “If it hadn’t been for Alamo finding me, I’d be dinner for the coyotes tonight. Thank the Lord he saved me.”

  Alamo tried to explain that it had been Ford who’d led them here, but she wasn’t listening. She screamed and stomped and yelled as she told of being kidnapped and dragged out here to the middle of nowhere.

  “And when they pulled that smelly blanket off me, they all started swearing because I wasn’t her…whoever ‘her’ was. My hair was the wrong color, one yelled, while another had the nerve to say I was too short.” Gavrila turned toward Alamo. “You should have heard the words they were using. Every last one of them needed his mouth scrubbed with soap, and I told them so.”

  Alamo’s eyes widened. “Did they hurt you?”

  “They threatened me something terrible.” She leaned against Alamo’s shoulder. “One offered to cut out my tongue.”

  Ford added, “I’m surprised they didn’t kill you, after what they did to Zachery.”

  Gavrila’s voice lowered slightly as Alamo patted her shoulder. “I think one woul
d have…the one I kept screaming at to take me home. But the leader told him that they weren’t getting paid to kill me and he ‘didn’t do no dirty work for free.’

  “When I corrected his grammar, he reconsidered, but decided it would be better to leave me out here to die on my own. They ate supper without offering me a bite and rode out.”

  To Ford’s shock, she began to cry, and Alamo pulled her against him.

  “Did they say anything about continuing to look for someone else?”

  Gavrila stopped her sobbing long enough to mumble, “I heard one say that they’d find the little Gypsy if they had to search all of Texas, and when they did they’d make her pay before she died for all the trouble she’d caused them.”

  Ford moved to his horse. “Alamo, take my sister the safe way back to town and stay with her until she calms down.”

  Alamo nodded.

  “I’m riding back across the canyon. I can get home faster that way.”

  “But there’s no need to take such a chance,” Alamo answered. “It’s a miracle we made it before. One fall and you’ll break you neck.”

  “I have to get back to Hannah!” Ford shouted as he mounted and rode off. He didn’t have time for explanations. He knew the men would be headed right for his wife.

  He rode to the edge of the canyon and gave the bay his head as they started down. The animal had made the trip many times and knew the treacherous path as well as Ford.

  The ground was wet and gave easily beneath the tired horse and exhausted rider.

  Ford pressed on, knowing the chances he took, but also fearing what the men might do to Hannah if they found her with only the already injured Zachery to protect her at the ranch. He knew from what Gavrila had said that they were hired killers and were very determined if they’d crossed half of Texas to find one girl. He also assumed they weren’t familiar with using her name if they called her the Gypsy girl. She hadn’t been part of a gang of thieves as he’d thought, but she must have witnessed something terrible if they felt they had to kill her to keep her quiet.