The Lawman's Betrayal

by Sandi Hampton

  “Well, that’s true, but you didn’t ask me to come with you,” he reminded her.

  She smiled at him. “Now that you mention it, you did sort of tag along on your own. Serving and protecting. I believe I even told you to leave.”

  Her smile churned up butterflies in his gut, conjuring up images he had no right to even think about.

  “Despite that,” she continued, “I’ll take over the watch. I can wake you if I see or hear anything. It’s as bright at day out there.”

  He hesitated.

  “Listen, Wes, be reasonable. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, so you’d best rest while you can.”

  “You’re right. Best take advantage.” He rubbed his jaw, the rough stubble prickly. He pushed himself to his feet, walked across the cave to his saddle, and grabbed his blanket. He spread it out, then sprawled on it. Leaning back against the saddle, he stretched his legs out. He tugged his hat down low on his forehead and sneaked a last glance at Naomi who was chewing on her bottom lip.

  As he drifted off to sleep, he wondered how it would feel to wrap his fingers in the honey-gold tresses and kiss her rosy lips.

  Chapter Five

  Naomi couldn’t tear her gaze from the lawman as he stretched out and pulled his hat low over his eyes. From his broad chest to his lean waist to his long muscular legs, he looked incredibly powerful and manly. What it would be like to be with him, in his arms, to taste his lips—have him make love to her? A spark ignited in her belly, infusing heat throughout her body. Why was she so attracted to this man? During her entire three years in prison, she’d never yearned to be with a man. In fact, she’d sworn she’d never trust another man. Roy Brecker had deceived her and made a fool of her. A jury of nine men had convicted her for a crime she didn’t commit.

  What was it about Wes Cooper that made her want to trust him?

  That made her want him?

  He stirred in his sleep. Naomi averted her gaze, afraid he would catch her staring at him and read her thoughts. She forced her attention back to the task at hand—standing guard. She scanned the area outside the cavern. A faint whiff of sage wafted on the night breeze and far away, a coyote wailed its mournful cry. But no movement broke the stillness of the night. No bushes rustled with unwanted visitors. Not even a bird sang its song.

  What were they waiting for?

  The hours dragged by. It took all her willpower to keep her eyes open and her attention focused. Several times she found herself nodding off, and she pinched her cheeks to drive the sleep away.

  In the darkness, memories crowded in around her. In the beginning, it’d been good with Roy. They’d had a small ranch with a couple of hundred cattle and horses, a nice house and a garden with all her favorite flowers. She’d been happy—loving Roy with a passion that had burned brightly. Even though he was gone so much, she’d told herself he was working for their future. When she found out she was pregnant, she thought her world was complete. Until Roy extinguished it with his lies and deceit.

  The marshal’s words came back to her: maybe you know something, but you don’t know you know it. Roy had never talked much about his work. Her questions had always been ignored or unanswered. Once, after their lovemaking, he had told her of a place he’d like to take her—a valley where thousands of beautiful butterflies of every color flitted in the wind. But he’d never mentioned it again and she’d not given it a second thought.

  Until now.

  Should she tell Wes? Or did it not mean anything? Probably not.

  A couple of hours before dawn, Wes awakened, stood and stretched. The grin he shot her curled her toes. “All quiet?”

  “Yeah.” A flush crept up her neck.

  He nodded at the spot he’d just vacated. “I’ll take over. Why don’t you go get another hour’s sleep?”

  “No, I’m fine. But I do need to…” her face flamed. “You know…”

  He grabbed his rifle. “Let me take a look around first.” He disappeared into the night. In a few moments, he returned. “It looks clear, but take your weapon—just in case.”

  “Okay.” She grabbed her rifle and scurried outside. She hurriedly took care of her personal needs, all the while glancing over her shoulder expecting to see armed men. When she returned to the cave, the aroma of coffee brewing and bacon frying met her. She sniffed appreciatively. “Smells heavenly, but are you sure you should have started a fire?”

  “There’s not any smoke to speak of. Besides, I’m sure they know where we are. If you’ll finish the bacon, I’ll fill the canteens and saddle the horses. If we get an early enough start, maybe we can slip out and lose them. I’d like to make Wild Horse Mesa by tonight if we can.”

  She knelt by the fire and took the frying pan from him. “That’s a long way. Are you sure we can make it that far?”

  “Pretty sure. I’m thinking if we can reach the mesa, we’ll be close to town, so there’ll be more people around. There’s also a couple of big ranches in the area where we can hole up. Might help our chances. “

  “I’m all for that.”

  “Think you can make it? It’ll be a hard ride.”

  “Oh, I’ll make it, but if not, just toss me over the saddle and haul me in—any way you can.”

  A chuckle escaped him. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.” He walked to the horses and led them to the pool to drink.

  When the coffee was brewed, Naomi filled two cups, all the while wishing she had some sugar to sweeten the strong liquid. “Wes, coffee’s ready.”

  “Be right there.”

  In minutes, he joined her, sat opposite her, and reached for the cup. “I have to hand it to you, Mrs. Brecker.”

  “Oh? And why is that, Marshal Cooper?”

  “When I saw you ride out of the prison town, I didn’t give you a snowball’s chance in hell of making it.” He clinked his cup against hers.

  “To be honest, Marshal, neither did I. I was so afraid—afraid to go and yet I couldn’t stay.”

  “You hid your fear well. There’s more to you than meets the eye.”

  “Well, I’m sure—” she looked out at the empty ridge “—that if you weren’t with me, I wouldn’t have made it this far. They would already have made a move against me, and I’d probably be dead. Besides, we’re not there yet.”

  “If they’re going to try anything, it’ll have to be today.” He gulped down his coffee and reached for the pot, then yelped as he burned his hand.

  “Are you all right?” Naomi slipped over beside him and grabbed his hand. “Did you burn yourself? Are you all right?”

  His face hovered a mere few inches above hers. Blue eyes darkening, he leaned toward her. He was going to kiss her—and she wanted him to. Her lips seemed to part of their own volition. Even as her lips met his, warning bells rang in her head. Don’t…don’t…don’t. But the moment his mouth touched hers, she no longer heard them.

  At first, his lips were soft…tentative…gently brushing hers, as if asking permission. She looped her arms around his neck. He pulled her into his arms and deepened his kiss, his tongue probing for entry into her mouth. As she parted her lips, his tongue met hers in a frenzied mating, exploring the recesses of her mouth, sending exquisite sensations of need and desire tingling through every inch of her body. She pressed against him, entwining her hands in his dark hair. In all their years of marriage, Roy had never made her feel like this.

  Roy!

  It came back in a flash. U.S. Marshal Wes Cooper wanted to know where the stolen money was, and since his straight-on approach hadn’t worked, he now sought another way to get what he wanted.

  Well, two could play this game.

  Even though her brain told her to end this charade, her body told her different. His kiss had excited her, his touch driving her body to a fever pitch. Even now, his hands on her body, soft and caressing, sent her thoughts careening out of control in the wrong direction.

  But she needed him, needed his protection. He was using her, so why not use him? He
r conscience pricked, it wasn’t in her nature to be deceitful, but she brushed it aside. Roy had exploited that part of her makeup, and she wasn’t going to let it happen again. Knowing she had to control her emotions, she slowly pulled out of his embrace. “Wes, please…I can’t do this…not now.”

  He released her immediately, as if his hands burned. “Sorry, Naomi. I shouldn’t have done that.” Without another word, he marched out of the cave.

  A sense of loss washed over her. She hadn’t wanted to feel anything, but God help her, she’d never felt more alive than in his arms. But while it was real on her part, he was only playing a role.

  Another betrayal.

  ****

  Wes cursed low under his breath. What the hell was he thinking? He was supposed to be investigating Naomi Brecker, not falling for her. But when she’d raised her lips to his, he’d not been able to resist. Even if someone had pointed a gun at his head, he would have died on the spot rather than stop. If he wasn’t careful, he could come to care for her, come to need her. He couldn’t let that happen—for that made him vulnerable. He reminded himself that this was the main reason he was single. The girls at the bordellos and saloons took care of his physical needs, and he liked it like that.

  Or did he?

  His profession made him a loner. When he was on a job, he’d go for days, even months, without contact with another human—until he caught his prey. It wouldn’t be right to subject a woman to that kind of life. Never knowing when he’d be home, or even if he’d come home. Sometimes the loneliness wrapped itself around him like a blanket and wouldn’t let go. Especially at night when no one lay at his side, and he felt all empty inside.

  Before he realized it, he’d walked about a hundred yards from the cave without any thought of what trouble might be waiting for him. He didn’t even have his rifle. He cursed again, slowed and studied the area. Nothing moved in the gray shadows. He scrubbed a hand across his jaw. This is what happens when I get too close to a woman. I’m liable to get myself killed for it.

  After taking care of his needs, he returned to the cave. He had to set things straight with Naomi—he wouldn’t mislead her. She’d already been hurt enough. As he approached, he saw her packing the cooking utensils. “Naomi, I had no right to do that. I didn’t mean…we need to talk about…this, about what happened.”

  She met his gaze. “I guess we do.”

  He took her hand in his. “I’m sorry about what happened. I never meant—”

  “I’m not sorry,” she inched her chin up a notch. “I enjoyed the kiss. I know it can’t lead anywhere, but after three years, three lonely years, I needed…to feel alive again. Just for a little while.”

  “You’re an amazing woman, Naomi Brecker. Your husband was a fool.”

  “Three years ago, Marshal, I would have taken umbrage at your words, but today I agree with you. He was a fool.” She swiped a hand across the seat of her riding skirt, then climbed into the saddle. “If we’re going to make Wild Horse Mesa by tonight, we’d best ride.”

  “Right you are.” He swung up into the saddle and led the way out of the cave. Outside, he stopped, fished his binoculars from his saddle bag, and lifted them to his eyes. As he scanned the prairie and ridge, he sighed in relief. No riders were in sight. He returned his field glasses to the saddle bag. “Looks like we might have gotten a jump on them. Don’t see nary a living creature.”

  “But I see a dead one.” She pointed at the bleached skull of a cow beside the trail. “Hope that’s not an omen.”

  He grinned. “Me too. We’ll go easy for a while.” He nudged his mount into a slow walk.

  About an hour later, dark clouds, heavy with moisture, scudded low across the prairie. Lightning sparked in the distance. The wind blustered, scattering debris in their path and spooking the horses. Raindrops pelted them as they rode. Beside him, Naomi shivered. He stopped, dismounted, and tugged his rain slicker from his bedroll. But when he offered it to her, she shook her head.

  “Oh, yes, you are,” Wes argued. “Put it on now. I don’t want to hear any argument. We’re not riding until you do.”

  “Dammit, Wes—”

  He glared at her, crossed his arms over his chest, and tapped his foot.

  Finally she caved. “Oh, all right.”

  “Good.” He vaulted into the saddle and studied the land behind them. “No sign of our pursuers.”

  “Maybe they’ve given up,” Naomi said.

  “Not very likely. Maybe they’re trying to circle around to get in front of us.” He stole a glance at Naomi. Although she was drenched from head to toe, she appeared to be okay. “I think we need to push a little harder.”

  “Why? Did you see them?”

  “No. It’s just my instincts kicking in. I don’t like it.” He wiped a hand across his jaw. “Can you do it?”

  Although she hesitated a fraction, her voice was strong. “Yes, of course I can. Just lead the way.”

  He kicked his horse into a run. A quick glance over his shoulder showed Naomi right behind him. As the ground became saturated, Wes slowed to a halt on a rocky promontory. Ahead, Wild Horse Mesa loomed eerily in the rain. The valley below boasted a small stream which meandered through it like a ribbon of gray. Further up, giant boulders, cactus, and scrub brush littered the trail up to the mesa. The deep green of the ponderosa pines blended into the gray landscape. Wild Horse Mesa looked close, but distances out here were deceiving. Once they got to the mesa, he’d be able to see for miles and know what they were up against.

  If they got there.

  The hair on his neck stood on end. His gut churned with a familiar hunter’s premonition. But this time, he wasn’t the hunter—he was the prey. He angled in the saddle to look back at the way they’d just ridden. A dark shadow moved. Naomi saw it at the same time. Once more, he pulled his binoculars from the saddle bag and lifted the glasses to his eyes.

  Four riders. Coming hard.

  With a curse, he handed the glasses to Naomi. In a moment he heard a noise, like a whimper.

  “There’s four of them now.”

  “Yeah.” He took the glasses from her and stowed them back in the saddle bag.

  “So they were waiting on someone. Just like you said. We’re outnumbered. What are we going to do?”

  He could tell she was trying her best not to cry. While he wanted to take her in his arms and tell her he’d guard her with his life, he forced himself to keep a tight rein on his emotions. “We don’t have much of a choice. We’ve got to make a run for it.”

  “To the mesa?”

  “No. We got a pretty good head start this morning.” He nodded at the ominous dark clouds. “With this storm, I think we should head for the Rocking R Ranch. It’s only a few hours ride from here. We’ll head there.”

  “All right.”

  Wes pointed at her mount. “Your mare won’t last much longer. She’s about winded. Keep an eye on her.”

  “Right.”

  Wes spurred his horse, and the animal surged forward. Pebbles clattered over the rocks, making the horses shy nervously. He let his gelding pick its way to the desert floor. A quick glance showed Naomi right behind him. She sat rigid in the saddle, her hands sure on the reins. His admiration for her climbed higher.

  Roy Brecker had definitely been a fool.

  But the outlaw had also had Naomi’s love, and for that, Wes was jealous, an emotion he’d never had to deal with before. He didn’t like it much.

  Once he reached the bottom, Wes steered his horse westward. The Rocking R Ranch was about two hours hard ride away. The treacherous wet terrain, filled with prairie dog holes and jagged rocks, slowed them down. Before they’d covered a mile, the weather worsened. The wind blustered, and the driving rain pelted them like sharp knives. A glance at Naomi showed her shaking like a leaf. She looked like she was ready to fall out of the saddle, and he realized they’d never make the Rocking R before their pursuers caught them. Besides, Naomi’s mare had fallen behind—the lathered ani
mal would not make it much further. He reined in at the top of a small rise and waited.

  “They’re gaining on us.” He pointed back the way they’d come. “They’re only a few minutes behind us.”

  “What do we do now?” Her voice shook as violently as her body.

  Wes chewed on his bottom lip for a few moments before he responded. “Well, it’s for sure we can’t outrun them, so we need to outsmart them. There’s a canyon near here with lots of caves and tunnels that twist and turn in a hundred directions. If we can make it there, maybe we can lose them.”

  “Okay.”

  “We’re going to have to ride double. Your mare is winded. We’re going to have to leave her.”

  “But—”

  “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.” He patted Naomi’s hand. “Plenty of grass and water around here.” He slid from the saddle. “Get down.”

  As soon as Naomi dismounted, Wes grabbed the rifle and canteen and handed them to her. He quickly unsaddled her horse, tossing the saddle and her valise to one side. “Hate to leave a good saddle, but it’s best for the mare.”

  “But my clothes? I don’t have any more.”

  “Sorry, but it can’t be helped. We’ve got to ride light.” With a smack to the animal’s rump, he sent the mare ambling off in the opposite direction. “Maybe, just maybe, we’ll get lucky and those bastards will split up. Maybe some will follow the mare. That might give us a better chance to escape.”

  He climbed back into the saddle and held his hand out to her. As she grabbed it, he pulled her up behind him. “Hold on.”

  Fifteen minutes later, he glimpsed the entrance to the canyon. As he rode between the boulders at the entrance, bullets whizzed by his head.

  Chapter Six

  As bullets buzzed past like a swarm of angry bees, Naomi fought to keep herself together. She wanted to scream, yet it would do no good—it wouldn’t stop the gunfire. With a yell, Wes steered the horse down a narrow path between the stone arches. In several places, she wasn’t sure they could get through the gaps. A jagged edge of stone caught her arm, ripping her flesh. She fought back tears.