“Because I know those people. A lot of their ancestors were killed by Apache savages and they ain’t forgot about it. They hate Indians, though most of them call them Injuns.”
Xenia turned up her nose. “A lot of my ancestors were killed by Yankees during the war, but that doesn’t make me hate all people from up North.”
He shook his head. “Deer Meadow has a long memory. It wouldn’t surprise me that if the people there decide one of you or maybe both have been giving Mr. Tyler Eldridge your favors—and he gave you that baby.”
The women’s feet flew out at the same time.
“Damn it!” he yelled, and grabbed his shins.
Xenia and Mea Ann both laughed because without even looking at each other they had both kicked his shins as hard as they could and at the same time. One kicked the left and the other the right.
“How dare you kick me like that, you damn whores.”
“What did you call us?” Xenia glared at him.
“I called you whores, because that’s all you’ll be able to do when you get to Deer Meadow. A couple of beauties like you will drive the men in town wild. I’m sure the Golden Door Saloon will give you both jobs. I might even be a customer.”
“That’s it.” Xenia handed the baby to Mea Ann and leaned her head out of the stagecoach. “Help, Ty!” she screamed.
In a matter of seconds, the coach came to a stop. The door swung open and Ty leaned inside. “What’s the matter?”
“These two women are crazy. That’s what the matter is,” Lou said.
Xenia ignored him. “Ty, I refuse to travel another mile in this stagecoach with this horrible man. He talks mean about the baby and he called Mea Ann and me an atrocious name.”
Ty’s dark eyes seemed to get darker. “What’d he call you?”
“A name you’d be too much of a gentleman to call any woman, no matter what her class.”
“What’d you call them, Bullins?”
“Only a name they deserved after they kicked me in the shins.”
“And why did they kick you in the shins?”
“I have no idea. I was minding my own business and—”
“That’s not so,” Mea Ann said. “Xenia and I were discussing names for the baby and he kept saying just call it Breed. Then he accused us of doing…well, terrible things.”
“Then he said we could get jobs in the saloon.”
Ty looked at Lou and his eyes darkened. “Did you suggest such a thing, Bullins?”
“I didn’t mean anything by it. I was upset.”
“Upset, my aunt’s bunions,” Xenia said. “He’s a terrible man and I can’t stand him.”
Ty looked bewildered. “What do you want me to do with him, Xenia?”
“I don’t care what you do with him. I just know we’re not riding in this coach with him for another mile. I’ll walk to Deer Meadow first.”
“So will I,” Mea Ann added.
Ty took a deep breath. “Well, I can’t have you walking into town, so it looks like Mr. Bullins will be riding on top of the coach.”
“Oh, no I won’t.”
“Deer Meadow is about five or six hours from here by stage. Walking, you might make it in a day or two, Bullins, because the ladies are certainly not going to walk. So, take your choice. Ride on top or walk from here to Deer Meadow. Doesn’t matter to me which you do.”
“Well, I’m certainly not going to walk.”
“Then get out and climb up on the top.”
When Bullins didn’t move, Ty added, “Do you want me to drag you out of here?”
The salesman grabbed his gambling case, his hat and got out of the coach.
Ty looked at the women and grinned. “I hope you’ll be more comfortable now.”
“Oh, there’s no doubt of that.” Xenia gave him a sly smile. “Thank you, Ty.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.” He winked at her and started to close the door.
She put her hand on his arm and stopped him. “One more thing.”
“What else can I do for you?”
“Do you happen to know the man’s name who owned the way station?”
Ty looked puzzled. “Ray called him John, and the place was called Miller’s Station so I assume that was his last name. Why are you asking?”
“We’ll tell you after we make a decision.” She patted his arm. “Thank you, Ty. You’ve been very helpful. You may close the door now.”
****
A still puzzled Ty slammed the door and pushed Bullins, who was struggling to climb to the top of the stage. “Hurry up. We’ve got to get on our way,” Ty said.
“This is ridiculous. I paid good money for a ticket on this stage. I certainly didn’t ask to ride on top of it.”
“If you noticed, you’re still on the stage. When it’s crowded, people ride on the top.”
“But it’s not crowded.”
“Looked crowded to me.”
“You’re a fool, Eldridge. Do you think either one of those pretty women in there is going to pay any attention to you? What would a high falutin’ woman from the city want with a half-breed in her bed?”
“Shut up and get settled.” Ty climbed back to the seat beside Ray.
Ray looked puzzled. “What in the hell happened back there?”
Ty shrugged. “Xenia said she’d walk into town before she’d ride any farther with Bullins. Her sister agreed. I didn’t see any option except to put him on top.”
Ray chuckled and shook the ribbons over the horses. “And you had to arrange it so we’d have to listen to his complaining?”
“Looks that way.”
“Never known you to be so protective over a woman.”
Ty gave him a quick frown. “What do you mean?”
“Look, Ty, I’ve been around a long time. I can tell when a man has decided to put his brand on a certain woman. And my friend, even a fool can easily tell you’ve decided that little Xenia is going to be wearing yours.”
“You’re wrong. There ain’t a woman anywhere in these parts that I’m interested in settling down with.”
Ray shook his head, but said nothing.
Ty added, “Especially a citified woman like Miss Xenia Poindexter. She’s not the kind of woman for a man like me. Not by a long shot.”
“So you say. So you say.” Ray flipped the reins again and the horses ran faster.
Ty bit the inside of his jaw and looked out across the desert. What did Ray mean by saying it was easy to see there was an attraction to Xenia? Of course he thought she was a pretty woman. Any red-blooded man would think the same. That didn’t mean he was ready to devote his life to her. Sure, he wouldn’t mind getting to know her well enough to be able to …
He stopped his thoughts in that direction. What did he really want to do with her? Did he want to get to know her better so their relationship might turn into something deep and lasting? Or did he want to make her comfortable enough around him so she would invite him into her bed? It shocked him when the thought skidded across his mind that the answer was probably a little of both.
But he was a fool. He had to quit thinking that way. Didn’t he remember the one time he offered his heart to a white woman? He remembered her words clearly.
“Do you think I’d have ever looked at you twice if I didn’t know how much money you had, Ty Eldridge? And now you tell me you’ve lost the gold mine.”
“But, Verna, we love each other and I still—”
“Love! Don’t act stupid. I never loved you. I only pretended to love you for your money. Why else would a white woman say she loved a breed? I’d rather work in a whorehouse than be with the likes of you. Any white woman would.”
Ty shook the memory away, but he’d never forget it. Never again would he be taken in by a white woman. Not even Xenia.
Ray yelled, “Oh, hell!”
Ty jerked his thoughts back to the present. “What—” He then saw two cowboys sitting on horses by the side of the road. “They don’t have guns drawn, Ray. May
be they want help.”
“Maybe so, but don’t take your gun off them until we find out what they want.”
They drew a little closer and Ty said, “Well, we’re not going to have to worry about the one in the gray Stetson.”
“Why’s that?”
“He’s my cousin, Wilt Eldridge.”
“I see that, now. How about the other guy?”
“He looks familiar, but I don’t know him. Wait a minute, yes I do. He’s one of the outlaws that ran from the way station after he shot their leader. He must have a gun on Wilt. Be careful.”
“Will do.”
“I’m not having any part of this.” Lou muttered.
“Then hide under the tarp and keep your mouth shut, Bullins,” Ray said.
Lou scrambled under one of the tarps on the roof of the stage.
Ty ignored him. “I’ve got the rifle over my lap and I’ll slide the other one beside us on the bench. My pistol’s ready, too.”
Ray began to slow the stage.
Xenia stuck her head out the window. “What’s the matter?”
“Get back in the coach and get on the floor. We’re about to face some trouble.”
“What?”
“Damn it, Xenia. If you don’t do what I say, you’ll cause your sister and the baby to be killed.”
She must have believed him, because she pulled her head in.
The stage came to a stop. Wilt lifted his hat and Ty noticed he waved it slightly toward the rise to his left. “Howdy, Ray. Ty.”
“What are you doing out here, Wilt?” Ty asked.
“The bank was worried because the stage was so late. They sent me to make sure you were safe and still had the money with you.”
“Everyone is fine and the money is as safe as it was when we first started out.”
“Glad to hear that, Ray.”
“Are you gonna ride along with us into town?”
“Well, I thought if it was alright with you, I’d take the money on into town for you. Looks like with all the dead bodies you have tied to the back you’ll have to travel a little slow. If I show up with the money, the officials at the bank won’t have to worry. You know how those men are. It’s like they’re sitting on a pile of hot rocks.”
Ty glanced at the pile of rocks beside the rise. So that was where the other man was. Probably had a gun trained on Wilt. A plan formed in his mind. He was sure Wilt would catch on. “He’s right, Ray. Let’s let my cousin have the money.”
Ray frowned. “I’m not sure we should.”
“Trust me. It’ll be fine.”
He shrugged. “If you say it’s the thing to do, I’ll go along with it.”
Ty locked eyes with Wilt and knew his cousin was ready. “I’ll climb up and get the strong box so we can be on our way.”
When he started to unfasten the box, he whirled around and tossed his pistol to Wilt’s waiting hands. He then grabbed the rifle. Wilt jerked his horse’s reins, turned and fired toward the rocks. His companion’s horse reared and the man fired into the air.
The outlaw didn’t get a chance to fire again, because Wilt shot the gun out of his hand.
Fire came from the rocks, but it was over their heads. Wilt galloped his horse in the direction of the hidden man, firing rapidly as he went.
Ty jumped from the coach, landing on the man on the horse and pulling him off. They both fell to the ground. In a matter of seconds he had the outlaw subdued and was tying his hands behind him. “Looks like you’ll accompany your companions to town. Only difference, they’ll land up in Boot Hill and you’ll be in prison until you swing from a rope to join them six feet under later.”
The man gave him a sullen look, but said nothing.
Wilt came back leading his horse. The shooter was tied in the saddle. “Got him all trussed up and ready to ride into town for you. Thought maybe you’d give me a ride since I lent the crook my horse.”
Lou climbed from under the tarp. “So, I guess you’re going to put him up here with me instead of letting him ride with the women.”
“Women?” Wilt lifted an eyebrow.
“Yeah. He wouldn’t let me ride with them and you better stay away from the one called Xenia if he lets you get in the coach. He’s got his sights trained on her.”
“Shut up and get back under your tarp, Bullins.”
The stage door opened and Xenia leaned out. “Is everything alright now?”
“Yes, Xenia,” Ty emphasized the name. “Everything’s fine. This is Wilt Eldridge. He’ll be joining us on the ride into town. Mea Ann and you don’t mind him riding inside, do you?”
Ty tipped his hat to her and gave her a broad smile.
She smiled back. “Eldridge? Are you Ty’s brother?”
“His cousin.”
“Then I don’t mind you riding with us. I’m sure Mea Ann won’t, either.” She turned to Ty. “Just keep Lou Bullins out of here.”
“I’ll do that.” His voice was a little sharp and he hadn’t meant it to be. It was because he wasn’t sure he could trust his cousin inside the coach. Not that he thought he’d be rude to the women. He just wasn’t sure he could trust him to keep his sights off Xenia.
Wilt handed a fuming Ty the reins of the horse with the captured outlaw and moved to the stage door. “Tie him to the back, cousin, and I’ll be ready to ride into town with this lovely lady.”
Ty had to hang onto the horses reins to keep from punching his cousin in the mouth.
****
Wilt climbed into the coach and took the seat across from the women. He controlled his surprise when he saw one of them was holding a baby next to her chest. He wondered if she was a widow. He felt a little guilty for hoping so, because of the two, for some reason, she caught his eye. The smaller woman was maybe a little more attractive, but the other one was beautiful in her own way. Her hair was a little darker blonde and her eyes were the same clear blue. Her figure was lovely. She looked as if she was an attentive mother, too. Besides, Ty’s attitude told him right off not to pay the little one any attention. Not only what the man on top had said, but Ty’s actions had led him to believe Ty was interested in the one called Xenia. This surprised him, given Ty’s experience with Verna McGill.
He tipped his hat. “Howdy, ladies, I’m Wilt Eldridge.”
“Yes, I met you outside. I’m Xenia Poindexter, and this is my sister, Mea Ann.”
Mea Ann smiled and his heart seemed to flip. “And this is Johnny.” She nodded toward the baby. “Ty told Xenia his father’s name was John and I thought it only right to name him after his daddy.”
Oh, hell. She’s soft in the head. Why does she have to be sick? She’s the first woman that has grabbed my interest since Juanita died. I guess I’ll just have to fight Ty for Xenia.
Mea Ann laughed. “I can see by your face that I totally confused you. Let me explain.”
“Please do.” He figured she always had an explanation. Most sick people did.
“Johnny is the son of the couple who owned the last way station we came to. It was attacked and the owners were killed before we arrived. We found Johnny hidden under the bed. I’m sure either his mother or his father put him there to save his life, and it was a good thing we came along.” She smiled down at the baby. “I decided to take it upon myself to see to his safety. I’ve always been good at looking after children, and this one is special.”
“I’m sorry that happened. Was the baby the only one alive?” He hoped she hadn’t noticed the sigh of relief he felt at learning she wasn’t touched in the head, after all.
“Yes, unfortunately he was.”
“Are you going to turn him over to someone else when you get to town?”
Her blue eyes darkened. “No. I’m going to look after him myself. I will not give him to a stranger because I can’t permit anyone to ever be mean to this baby. I’ve already learned that some people wouldn’t be good to him because his mother was an Indian.”
“You’re right about that. Most people w
ill look at him as a half-breed, and very few white citizens like children with mixed blood.”
“That’s exactly why Lou Bullins is riding on top of this stage. Xenia told Ty she’d walk to town before she rode another mile with him.”
“I meant it, too. That man was awful.”
Wilt grinned. He’d never met women like these. He decided it was a pleasant experience. “I must say, I admire the both of you for your stance.”
“Thank you, but we’re nothing special.” Xenia smiled at him. “I think any decent person would have done the same, don’t you Mea Ann?”
“Absolutely.”
“It’s obvious from your dress and your manners you’re not from this area. If you don’t mind me asking, why are you ladies here in the wilds of Arizona Territory?”
“An uncle of ours is in trouble and we came out here from Richmond, Virginia, to see if we can help him,” Mea Ann said. “He’s been accused of something he didn’t do and we want to help him prove it.”
Xenia sat back. “Now, Mr. Eldridge, you’ve heard about us. If you don’t mind, please tell us about yourself and how you happened to show up here in the desert in time to help Ty catch those outlaws.”
“I’ll be glad to tell you. I was on the way back to Deer Meadow when I was ambushed by those two outlaws. One was injured, but not bad enough to keep him from helping his partner dry gulch me.”
Xenia frowned. “I’m not sure I know what dry gulch means.”
He grinned. “It means they jumped me because I wasn’t paying enough attention to what was going on.” She nodded and he went on. “After they got the best of me, I didn’t put up much of a fight because I knew Ty was on the stage and he’d be able to help get me out of the situation.” He chuckled. “As you can see, he did—and without anybody else getting hurt. Now the two culprits are tied to the back of the stage and are on their way to Deer Meadow and jail.”
Mea Ann looked at him. “It seems you and Ty are close friends as well as cousins, Mr. Eldridge.”
“We are, but I have a request.”
“And what is that?” Xenia asked.
“It sounds as if you’re close enough friends to Ty to call him by his first name. I’d be honored if you’d call me Wilt.”
Xenia’s Renegade Page 5
