by Linda Broday
“No. Men like that never stop until they satisfy their bloodlust.” Roan anchored her face between his large hands and lowered his mouth. The kiss, though brief, held a promise of much more to come.
Roan nuzzled behind her ear and smelled the rosewater she’d dabbed on. “I can’t wait to make you my wife. I’m going to strip off your clothes, kiss every inch of that luscious body, and love you like you’ve never been loved.”
A smile teased Marley’s mouth. “I’ll hold you to that, cowboy. I only wish it were today.”
“I just realized I never asked you proper.” He got down on one knee. “Marley McClain, will you marry me, teach me to count each day a blessing, and be my wife forever and always?”
“I will. You’re not getting much of a bargain though. I have a lot of faults.”
He stood and put a finger under her chin, studying her. “Pretty lady, all I see is strength and extraordinary courage. When I get back, we’ll tell your mother and father and discuss where Matt is going to sleep.” They needed something bigger than her small house. “Meanwhile, don’t let your guard down and don’t leave the ranch. Stay close to the house.”
“Okay.” She threaded her fingers through his. “There’s no shortage of work to keep me busy. And I have a wedding to plan. I’m really going to be married to you. I can’t believe it.” Marley stared deep into his gunmetal-gray eyes. “Roan, I’ve written a letter to that publisher about my stories. As soon as the roads are safe, I’ll mail it.”
“Glad to hear it.” He glanced at Duel and Jessie saying their goodbyes. Though he couldn’t hear their soft words, by now he knew them by heart. Roan slipped an arm around Marley’s trim waist once more and drew her close. “Leave a light in the window, my Texas Star.”
“Always, Roan.” Her trembling voice spoke of fear for his safety.
If only he could ease her worry. But this was still an untamed land in many ways and a man didn’t often know when he left if he’d ever make it home again. Thoughts of the curse put on at his birth and how fate had a way of snatching away everything he wanted flooded his mind. Hopefully, Ruby Creek still had some measure of kindness in her somewhere and didn’t gun him down on sight. But anyone who’d kill an innocent old man like Mose or recruit a bunch of boys to do her dirty work had to possess a mean streak a mile wide.
Duel stuck his foot in the stirrup. Roan gave Marley another kiss and climbed into the saddle. As they rode out, Roan scanned the ranch that had become home. Tears stung the back of his throat. Now that he’d ended his search, found his place, would he even have the chance to settle down in peace with the woman he loved more than life itself?
Thirty-three
Three more sheriffs and their deputies met them in front of the recently vacated office in San Saba. Altogether, they created a force of ten. The street was quiet, the day somber, the skies gray. Mud puddles dotted the main thoroughfare. Roan was anxious to finish and head home, Marley always on his mind. Even with all the ranch hands keeping a close eye on her, it was a dangerous situation. They’d only had a glimpse of what Gentry could be capable of.
The saddle leather creaked when Duel shifted his weight. “Thank you all for meeting us. We appreciate it. Do you know the location of Ruby Creek’s ranch, gentlemen, or do we need to ask?”
“I know where it is,” said a hard-eyed, white-haired lawman who had probably seen his share of fights. “A little hard to find.” He spat out a big wad of chewing tobacco. “What makes you think she’s rustled your cattle?”
“You’re Sheriff Kent, right?” At the man’s nod, Duel continued. “Several people, including one who rode with the gang, swear she’s stocked her ranch with my cattle. I just want to see and talk to her.”
“There’s no need to go in with rifles blazing unless we have cause,” Roan said. “I believe she’s been behind a lot of the violence going on around here. There’s a man—Will Gentry—who’s working with her.”
“Working how?” a man bearing a birthmark on his cheek asked.
Roan rested his arm on the pommel. “Not exactly sure yet. Maybe seeing that her orders are carried out. Gentry killed a friend of mine and almost killed me, then two nights ago attacked the Aces ’n’ Eights and tried to slaughter us all.”
“Was Ruby with him?” the man persisted.
Roan met his gaze and didn’t blink. “Not that I could tell, but I was too busy trying to stay alive. If she wore pants and had her hair up under a hat, it would’ve been hard to spot her in the darkness.”
“So you really don’t know that the rustling and killings are connected?” The man wasn’t being belligerent, only cautious, and Roan respected him for that.
“I know the same group are involved with both. Just can’t prove it yet.” Roan glanced around, hoping to spot Gentry, but he didn’t see the old scarecrow. “For now, I think we need to question Ruby about the stolen cattle.”
“I agree,” said Duel. “If it’s true, it’ll be easy enough to prove. Sheriff Kent, why don’t you lead the way and let’s get started?”
The lawman set a fast pace, plowing through thick winter vegetation and bare-limbed trees. Every so often they had to ford a creek, and Roan stayed near the front with Duel. Roan was about to think Sheriff Kent was leading them on a wild-goose chase when they emerged into an open valley. A stone house, as well as several large barns, rose up in front of them.
Roan gave an appreciative glance around. No wonder they hadn’t found the cattle. They could’ve looked for years and not discovered this place.
As they trotted up to the house, about two dozen young boys came from the barn to stare. One took off running ahead of them, yelling, “Rube, we got company!”
A woman strolled from the house with a carbine—no doubt loaded. Roan almost fell from the saddle.
Virginia.
Only this time her easy smile had disappeared and her face was frozen in resentment and hatred. The young boy who had called her stood by her side, not looking very friendly either.
Roan tipped his hat. “Glad to see you, Miss Virginia.” Maybe there had been some kind of mistake.
“Her name is Rube,” spat the boy. “Ruby Creek.”
Surprise knocked him backward a bit. “You’re Ruby?”
The woman glared and raised her chin. “Ruby Virginia Creek.”
Hell and be damn! He mentally kicked himself and muttered a string of curses. She’d been right under his nose the whole time.
“You’re trespassing on private property,” she snapped. “Sheriff Kent, I thought I taught you better than to come sniffing around again.”
“Well, you know, Miz Ruby, lawmen don’t take too good to lessons,” Kent drawled. “This rancher here, Duel McClain, claims that you might’ve stolen his cattle. We’ll just take a look-see and settle the issue right here and now.”
Ruby raised her carbine. “Get off my land. All of you.”
“Now, ma’am, we can’t do that.” Duel straightened. “I heard from several people who say you have my stock. I’m not leaving here without finding out the truth.”
“Leave her alone!” yelled the boy, and two more around the same age jumped onto the porch to form a shield around Ruby. She certainly inspired loyalty.
Roan scanned the buildings scattered around the compound, hoping to spot Gentry. If the man was there, he was staying out of sight.
“Put down the rifle, Ruby.” Roan dismounted. “We just came to talk.”
“Like they came to talk the night those riders with their burning torches rode up here.” Ruby choked on the words. “They left my husband and three sons in a pool of blood. They took everything I had—my family, my land, my future—and not a single soul helped me.”
She inhaled a deep breath. “I’m getting it all back and what these boys lost in the bargain. No one is going to stop me.” Her voice cut like a finely honed blade as
she swung the carbine to Roan. “I’ll kill you if you don’t get on your horse and ride out.”
“Who were the riders who killed your family, Ruby?” he asked quietly, standing his ground. He sure didn’t want to shoot a woman, but if she opened fire, he wouldn’t have a choice.
“The mob that ran rampant here,” she spat. “They drove me up north until six months ago. Now I’m back, and I’m taking what I want—cattle and all. Now get off my land.”
“Did you kill Mose Mozeke?” Roan asked.
“Off!”
“Miz Ruby, we have to take you in. You know that,” Sheriff Bagwell said.
One by one, the sheriffs and deputies dismounted, their guns drawn.
“It’s over, Ruby.” Roan took a step forward. “But answer one question—why did you recruit these young boys?”
A wad of spit flew from her mouth, landing near Roan’s boot. “You don’t know what it’s like to have nothing. They’re all victims too. The mob either killed their fathers, or the Texas Rangers sent them to prison. They’ve got no one—nothing but me.” She put her arm around one of them standing with her. “Their mothers either can’t afford to feed them or are dead. These boys don’t have anyone to turn to but me. I saved them.”
Not know what it’s like to have nothing? Roan could quote chapter and verse on the subject. He could sympathize with her on that. But still, making them fight was wrong.
One of the boys standing with her stepped forward. “Rube was gonna help us get back our land too. My mother is sick and can’t work. Rube gave her medicine and some food. That’s a sight more than you’ve given us, mister. She’s a good lady.”
Maybe in some twisted way she was, but Roan couldn’t forgive the killing.
“Son, she killed a friend of mine. Mose Mozeke was the finest man I’ve ever known. He didn’t deserve to be shot and left cold on the ground.” Roan moved closer. “Why didn’t you kill me that night too?”
Ruby gave a cold shrug. “You didn’t have any land, nothing I wanted. That old man was going to die anyway.”
“You took something far more precious from me than land.” Roan trembled with anger.
“We all have to lose something,” Ruby answered.
Roan bristled. Mose was not a “something.” He’d had a life, dreams, a caring heart. But nothing Roan said now would make Ruby see what she’d done. “If Will Gentry is on this property, tell him to step out. Don’t deny you know him. I’ve seen you with him and know he rides for you, doing your dirty work. He was there the night Mose died.”
“Find him yourself. I’m not Will Gentry’s keeper, and I’m not going to help you.” Ruby’s boys moved protectively around her.
“Oh, we will, ma’am,” Duel said. “Trust me, we will.”
Sheriff Kent gave her a steely look. “Put down that weapon. You’re under arrest.”
A gunshot burst from a long outbuilding, scattering the lawmen. Roan grabbed Ruby and shoved her into the house, taking her carbine. Her young guards scrambled in after them. Roan pushed her onto a sofa, and the boys sat next to her with white faces.
“Who’s shooting at us?” Roan barked.
“Why should I tell you, Roan Penny?”
“You’ve had hard times, but your soul isn’t lily white. The way I see it, you and Gentry deserve each other. I’ll eventually figure out how you’re connected.” Roan strode to a window and moved the curtains aside just a hair to peek out. The sheriffs and their deputies were returning fire and moving toward the shooter. Only a matter of time until they had him—unless there was more than one.
Just then, a bullet came through the windowpane, inches from Roan’s head. He ducked back and glanced at the boys in a stiff line on the sofa. “Better tell me who’s out there.”
They stared at each other. Finally, one spoke. “Might be George.”
“Who’s George?”
“You thought all I had were boys working for me?” Ruby said. “Not by a long shot. Lot of folks around here lost everything they had. They want it back.”
“So you formed your own army.” Roan glanced out the window again. He’d lost sight of the lawmen and Duel, but the shooting had stopped. Maybe they’d captured the gunman.
“That’s right, I did. And I started taking the land back, one farm at a time. Mose Mozeke’s was just the first. Coburn forged a deed and made it legal.”
The woman had thought of everything—almost. She’d underestimated Roan.
He turned around. “Okay, I kind of understand the land. But I still don’t understand why you stole McClain’s cattle.” She hesitated, and he continued. “You might as well tell me. We’re going to haul everyone associated with you in to jail. Someone will talk.”
Ruby stared in defiance. “Two reasons. I needed to stock my ranch, get some capital.”
“And the other?”
“Gentry wants to ruin the rancher. He hates McClain with a passion. He wanted revenge, and that was useful to me. We threw in together. He’s as intent on getting his daughter back as I am to rebuilding my life, one piece at a time. We had the perfect plan—until you came along. I should’ve killed you.”
“I reckon you should’ve. I don’t suppose Gentry told you why he wants Marley?”
“His business. I didn’t ask. He didn’t say.”
“Would it surprise you to hear that he only wants to auction her off to the highest bidder?”
Surprise rippled across Ruby’s hard gaze, but she didn’t reply.
“I’m going to turn this place upside down. I know the bastard’s here.”
“Mister, he rode off this morning,” one of the boys said. “Didn’t say where he was going.”
Somehow, Roan knew the boy spoke the truth. There was only one place he would’ve gone—the Aces ’n’ Eights. The breath froze in his chest.
Gentry was going to try to get Marley again.
And they were over thirty miles away.
Thirty-four
Marley picked up her washing and strode to the clothesline. The cold nipped at her fingers as she hung the wet diapers. A strange quiet filled the breeze. She glanced at Hardy Gage standing nearby with a rifle, taking comfort in his and the other ranch hands’ presence.
“I feel it too,” Hardy growled. “Don’t worry, I’m not letting anyone harm one hair on your head. No one here will.”
“Thanks, Hardy.”
Matt handed her a clothespin. “I’m scared, Mama Rose. When will Mr. Penny and Papa Duel come back?”
“Soon, honey. Try not to worry.” Even as Marley said the words, she knew how useless they were. But though Matt was frightened, he wouldn’t leave her side.
“The bad man burned our house and shot bullets. Why did he want to kill us?” Matt gripped her dress, bunching the fabric in his hand.
“Why don’t we make up a story while we work? That’ll make us feel better.” Or at least it would put the boy’s mind, and hers, on something else. “Let’s pretend that we’re far away from here. Where would you like to be?”
Matt screwed up his face. “That place you told me about last night—Promise Island. You know why?”
She had an idea, but she wanted to hear his answer. “Nope.”
“’Cause no bad people live there and it’s way far over the water. The bad people can’t swim, and horses can’t even go there. We’ll be safe and won’t have to die.”
The last part shocked her. She dropped the diaper she was hanging into the basket and knelt. “I don’t know where you got the notion that we’re going to die. We’re not, so put that right out of your head. No one is going to hurt us. All these men here in the compound with guns will shoot anyone who tries to come. All right?”
“But they came before.”
Hardy stepped closer. “Matt, that’s because you didn’t have so many men protecting you before.
I’m here and so is Judd, and all the others. You don’t have to worry.”
“Okay, Mr. Gage.” Matt dredged up a little smile.
“Now let’s get back to our story.” Marley kissed him and stood. “We’re on Promise Island where only good things happen. What are we doing?”
“Playing a game of hide-and-seek. I’m a good hider and you can’t find me.”
“Why can’t I?”
Matt giggled. “’Cause you’re too busy kissing Mr. Penny.”
Marley laughed. “Oh, I am, am I?”
“Yep. An’ you’re so happy. Everyone is happy and safe.”
Marley reached down and tickled him. His fit of laughter made her feel that everything was all right. Roan and her papa would find Ruby Creek and Gentry. She and Roan would be married, and they’d live happily ever after on Promise Island.
Where bad men couldn’t get to them.
If only childish tales could come true.
* * *
A noise in another part of the house alerted Roan. He swung to Ruby. “Who else is in here?”
Ruby glared. “If you want to know, why don’t you go find out?”
“Look, I’ve about had it.” Roan’s voice hardened as he moved to stand in front of her. “I don’t want to be here any more than you want me around. Now answer my question.”
“It was probably my cat, all right? The fool thing likes to curl up in the kitchen on a windowsill that faces the sun. Must’ve knocked something off.” Ruby smiled like the old Virginia he’d met, and he was struck again by her beauty. “You’re very distrustful, Penny.”
He wondered why the smile. She hadn’t exactly welcomed him with open arms, and neither had the boys. All he knew was that she kept shooting the parlor door furtive glances, which told him someone else was in the house. He wished one of the lawmen had found cover inside with him. He couldn’t watch the window, Ruby and the boys, and the doorway leading into the other rooms all at the same time.
“It’d be nice if I could believe you. You’re up to your eyeballs in lies, deceit, and murder. But your reign of terror has come to an end, lady. It’s over.”
