by Sabine Starr
Diana squeezed her hand. “You have the sight. It’s a gift, not a curse. But others fear what they don’t understand. We must protect ourselves.”
“You can’t go on like you are,” Angel said.
“Baines says he’ll make me his woman and take me into Indian Territory. I might be safe there.”
Angel shook her head. “He’ll hurt you.”
“I’ve already been hurt.”
“Will you trust me?”
“Yes. You’re my sister.”
“Believe me. It’s too dangerous for you to go with Baines. Please stay in the Bend. The people here are a law unto themselves and they take care of their own. I must leave town soon, or I would help you more.”
“You’ve already helped me a great deal.”
“Manny’s Livery Stable is a safe place. You know where it is, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Manny will protect you. If your tracker comes to town, Manny will know and he’ll get you across into Indian Territory. Will you stay at his place?”
Diana’s lips trembled and tears glistened in her large, dark eyes. She nodded. “Thank you. But what about Baines?”
Angel quickly slid her cards back together and into her reticule. “He’s leaving town soon. I want you to get out the backdoor and run to Manny’s. Tell him I sent you and he’ll hide you.”
“I can’t just walk out.”
“No. We need a distraction.” Angel looked about, trying to think of something.
At that moment, the front doors swung open and three men stepped inside. Deputy U.S. Marshal badges glinted on their vests. The law had come to the Bend. Angel was thrilled and horrified at the same time.
“That’s big trouble for Baines, but good luck for you,” Angel said. “If you’ll distract the deputies with your charm, I’ll get the Verdigris Gang out the door behind them.”
“Will you be all right?” Diana asked.
“Yes. Go to Manny. I’ll see you in a month, if not before.”
Diana slid off the stool, and then sauntered toward the deputies, swinging her hips and calling out to them in a sultry voice.
Angel headed for the V Gang.
Chapter Twenty-four
With his back to a saloon wall and his senses on high alert, Rune saw the deputies, Angel’s play, and Diana’s reaction all about the same time. If the lawmen looked left, they’d see the V Gang. As jail breakers, their likenesses would be on wanted posters in all the law offices. And he couldn’t rule out the possibility that Marshal Phillips had recognized him in Paris, figured he’d head for the Bend, and sent deputies to check.
Rune slowly set down his cards and lowered his hat to conceal his face while still being able to look out under the brim. Angel skirted around the side while Diana confronted the deputies, plying her wiles. The V Gang had been handed a slim opportunity to get out the front doors without recognition. But Baines, Hackett, and Jumpin’ Judd were liquored up and intent on their cards. Even if they did notice the deputies, they’d most likely welcome a fight.
If Rune couldn’t save them all, he’d at least try to get Angel safely outside. But she was headed straight for his table and that meant straight into trouble. One thing about her, she didn’t lack courage. He tossed down his cards and got to his feet.
Baines glanced up, frowning. “What the hell?”
Rune leaned in close. “Deputies. Get out now. If we make it, meet you at New Boggy Saloon.”
“They’re here?” Baines asked, sluggishly looking around.
As Angel reached his table, Rune grabbed her hand and headed for the front door. Their movement caused one of the deputies to look over. His eyes widened in surprise and recognition.
“Stop!” the deputy ordered, going for his peacemaker. “You’re under arrest.”
“Lawmen!” The bartender blasted a hole in the ceiling with his shotgun. “Skedaddle!”
The saloon erupted into action. Six-shooters were drawn as men leaped from tables, scattered cards, and knocked over chairs as they made for the front and back exits. Random shots shattered the mirror behind the bar, broke whiskey bottles, and plugged holes in the ceiling. White smoke from burned gunpowder and the acrid scent of spent cordite quickly filled the room.
Rune melted into the crowd away from the deputies, Angel in tow. He noticed the V Gang jumping to their feet before he pushed through the riot and out the front doors. He was shoved from behind as outlaws raced for the horses tied to the hitching posts in front. Angel was knocked off the boardwalk and went down on her knees. He quickly lifted her to her feet and clasped her hand again. As he made for the other side of the street, several riders almost ran them down.
Fear and fury filled the night as outlaws raced for the Red River and safety in Indian Territory on the north side.
Rune would be right with them except his horse wasn’t tied to a hitching post and ready to go. Instead, he ran for Manny’s, hearing Angel’s labored breathing as he tugged her with him. She wasn’t ready to ride, not with a corset and fancy clothes.
When they reached Manny’s, she pulled her hand free of his grasp. “Go on without me. I’ll slow you down. I can meet you later.”
And in that moment, Rune knew he could no more leave her than he could leave his right arm. He jerked off her ridiculous black hat and planted a possessive kiss on her lips. “Like hell I will.”
“But Rune—” She snatched back her hat.
“We’ll make it.
He glanced up to see Manny standing in the open doorway to the stable, holding up a kerosene lantern. Rune put a hand around Angel’s waist and propelled her forward.
“Lawmen in the Bend again?” Manny asked.
“And they saw us.” Rune turned Angel toward the stairs. “While you get your stuff, I’ll get the horses.”
“Got a sweet-tempered mare that’ll do for Angel. Name’s Emma.” Manny set down the lantern so soft yellow light illuminated the horse stalls.
“Thanks. I’ll get Traveler.”
“You’re in luck,” Manny said as they saddled the horses. “Mama Lou sent over a fresh batch of cornpone and apple turnovers. I’ll pack those for you. Got jerky, too.”
“I owe you.” Rune jerked up on Traveler’s cinch and looped it tight.
“Any friend of Lady’s is a—”
“Friend of mine. And I’ve got one more for you.” Angel walked into the stable carrying a rolled blanket. “I didn’t take time to change. My riding clothes are packed in here.”
Rune took the roll from her and tied it on the back of Emma’s saddle.
“Manny, another friend needs your help,” Angel said.
“Is she Lady’s friend, too?”
“No. I met Diana tonight at the Red River Saloon. She’s in trouble. She’s being hunted.”
Manny rubbed his whiskers. “All bad news.”
“I know.” Angel grasped the mare’s reins. “Diana needs a safe place. I told her to come here. I hope you’ll help her, but if you can’t—”
“Wouldn’t turn down a lady in distress, no how, no way.” Manny appeared offended at the notion. “You take care of Emma and I’ll watch over your friend.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Rune patted the mare’s saddle. “Time’s a wastin’.”
Angel put a foot in the stirrup, pulled up her skirts, and threw a leg over the saddle. “Oh, yes. Ask Diana about acting on stage.”
Manny grinned from ear to ear. “She’s an actress? Wait till Burt and Bob hear about this!”
“Better get.” Rune mounted Traveler and looked out the open doorway. Outlaws streamed out of saloons, mounting horses and racing out of town. “Word must’ve spread.”
“Don’t cross the Red with that fool lot. Take too long.” Manny pointed east. “River’s down. You can ford Cedar Mills way.”
Rune gigged his horse out of the stable and into the flow of outlaws, Angel by his side. He hoped they’d blend in with the others.
They’d already lost time and distance. Maybe they’d held onto luck. He glanced around, senses alert for trouble, but he didn’t see the lawmen.
At the edge of town, he was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he felt a tingle between his shoulder blades as if a rifle was sighted on him. He glanced to the right and saw the three deputies. They were quietly sitting on their horses in the shadows at the side of a building. They looked as patient as a panther stalking his prey.
And Rune was the prey. The deputies would be mad he’d gotten away at the saloon. They would be damn certain not to let him escape a second time. They would probably even be trigger happy. He didn’t want Angel caught in the crossfire, but he didn’t have much choice now. They were committed to Indian Territory.
He wanted to break out of the pack and race hell bent for leather to the Red River and get Angel across to safety. But he didn’t. He continued to ride at the pace of the others for cover. He was glad that at least the deputies didn’t know the color of his horse. He touched the Thor’s Hammer through his shirt for luck, and then pushed it around to his back where it hung as a symbol of defense against the deputies.
They slipped past the lawmen and into the cover of darkness outside of town. He caught Angel’s attention and nodded toward the east as he turned Traveler in that direction. As they separated from the pack, he glanced back.
The deputies had seen him. They were coming up fast, whipping their horses with their reins and strafing with their spurs.
Rune felt his Thor’s Hammer heavy against his back, not much protection in the face of bad odds. There was more safety in numbers, so he motioned Angel to follow. He turned Traveler toward the last of the outlaw pack.
They were in a race for the Red River.
Chapter Twenty-five
As Angel clung tight to Emma’s back, she wished she’d read the cards about Rune. Now that she was handling them again, they might have warned her of impending doom, or perhaps doom had descended because she was using them again. Either way, trouble had come.
She wasn’t the best rider in the world. She wasn’t on the fastest horse either. But somehow she was keeping pace with Rune. It could only mean that he was holding back for her.
He was the one with a prison record, not her. She could only be accused of keeping bad company. And yet, he wouldn’t leave her behind. She thrilled at the idea that he might care, at least a bit. But she felt sick at heart that he might be captured and sent back to prison for running with the Verdigris Gang.
But did lawmen arrest people and send them to jail for keeping bad company? If so, she could be in just as much trouble. But it didn’t make sense. Surely someone had to commit a crime, or at least be accused of one, to be arrested. Rune had served his sentence, so he was a free man till he committed another offense. But still the deputies came after them. She must be missing something important, but she didn’t know what and she couldn’t think about that now.
Rune wouldn’t leave her, so she must ride like she’d never ridden before. She must ride like the wind.
She gripped Emma’s sides with her knees and leaned over the mare’s neck, crooning to her, urging her faster, stroking her neck. Amazingly enough, Emma shot forward, running her heart out for Angel. Rune kept pace. They raced into the night with the deputies no longer gaining ground.
Up ahead, Angel could see outlaws riding over the edge and down the other side of the bluff that had been cut by the Red River’s currents over the years. She wished she was riding that far ahead with them.
She glanced back and caught the glint of gunmetal in the light of the moon. Would the deputies shoot them or their horses? Surely not. But when the first shot sounded across the plains, she ducked low. She had her answer, and she didn’t like it.
Rune gestured for her to ride ahead of him. She could tell he was going to divert the fire by dropping back to protect her. She didn’t want him in harm’s way. They were almost at the river. Surely he didn’t need to use his body as a shield. But he gestured again, slowing his horse.
She held back a cry as she urged Emma faster. She heard another crack of rifle fire and glanced back. Rune was slumped in his saddle, but his horse still raced toward the edge of the cliff.
She was stunned at the sight. Rune had always been a tower of strength. Surely he couldn’t be hurt, or even dead. She felt like crying, and then she felt furious. Lawmen were not supposed to shoot innocent people. Maybe it’d been a warning shot gone awry, but she couldn’t be sure. She had to go on the premise that if she didn’t stop, they’d try to shoot her, too.
Rune hadn’t fallen off his horse, so he must still be alive. He needed her help. She couldn’t lift him from his saddle, but she could try to control his horse.
She rode Emma in close. Rune was clinging to the saddle horn with one hand, but the reins dangled loose in the other. She glanced back. The deputies weren’t giving up. They must think they still had a chance of catching Rune at the river because they were gaining ground now.
She leaned over, grabbed the reins from Rune’s hand, and pulled back. She controlled both horses at once, sawing back on the bits as they came to the bluff. Both mounts stopped as one.
A bullet whizzed over her head. They weren’t safe yet. She urged Emma over the edge, guiding Rune’s horse behind her. She could hear the thunder of the deputies getting closer. She let the mare pick her way down the narrow path, sending rocks cascading ahead of them.
Time seemed to stand still, stretching out forever, until Emma finally trotted to the red bank of the river. She breathed a sigh of relief. They’d made it down safely without Rune falling off his horse. She glanced upward and saw the deputies reach the top.
Angel drummed her heels against Emma’s sides. As the mare lunged into the water, she held onto the reins of Rune’s horse. Fortunately, the river was low, mostly soft, red dirt. They plowed through the water to the first sandbar. A bullet whizzed by her head and struck the water with a splash. She looked back. The deputies were headed down while still taking warning shots.
She wouldn’t stop and surrender, not while she had a chance to escape. She could see outlaws up ahead. Some were on the river’s bank. Two men on the far side of the river stopped, turned back, raised their rifles, and shot at the lawmen, providing cover for her. They motioned her to join them. Again, she drummed Emma’s sides with her heels. Several more shots from the deputies whizzed over her head. She ducked, making as small a target as possible.
As she rode across the river, she was caught in the crossfire, hoping against hope that she could get Rune out alive. When she reached the far side, the deputies’ fire slowed, and then stopped.
A shout of triumph rose from the outlaws as they brandished their rifles and shook their fists in the faces of the lawmen, who had no jurisdiction in Indian Territory.
Angel glanced back. The three deputies were turning their horses and heading back up the bank on the Texas side. She could hardly believe it, but she had gotten Rune to safety.
She rode up to the men waiting for her. “Thanks. They almost had us.”
“All-fired sidewinders,” the leader said. “They know better’n to get this close to Indian Territory. Lucky we didn’t aim to kill.”
“Sent ’em packin’ with their tails ’tween their legs.” His partner chuckled.
“Your man somethin’ special?” the leader asked.
Angel shrugged, not knowing what he meant.
“That was a bad warning shot or a good kill shot. You best figure out which afore you end up in Boot Hill or the calaboose.”
“I will.”
“We better spread out,” the leader said. “They’ll let Fort Smith know.”
“Days afore they can get deputies out here,” his partner said.
“You need help with your man?” the leader asked.
“Appreciate the offer, but no. Don’t want to hold you up. I’ll take care of him.” She wasn’t sure how she’d do it, but she couldn’t appear weak, not with d
angerous men like these.
“Let’s make tracks.” The leader turned his horse toward the bluff, and then looked back. “New Boggy Saloon. Help there, if need be.”
“Thanks again.”
Angel followed the outlaws up to the cliff. She waited while they rode up and disappeared from sight. Feeling safer, she guided Emma close to Rune. She gently shook his shoulder.
“Can you hear me? How badly are you hurt?”
When he didn’t say anything, she looked back toward the Bend. The town was close and she could get help there. The deputies had probably given up and were riding back to Paris. But what if they still waited above?
“Rune.” She shook his shoulder again. “We can’t stay here. You must be losing blood. I don’t know whether to go forward or go back. Neither appears to be a good choice.”
When he didn’t reply, she looked around at the landscape bathed in moonlight. She had to make a decision, and it had to be the right one.
“I’m not about to let you die. We’re going back. Even if you’re captured and put in jail, at least you’ll be alive.”
She felt his shoulder twitch under her hand, so she leaned closer. Rune slowly raised his head, took a deep breath, and looked around the area. “Can’t go back.” He spoke in a husky whisper. “Broke out of prison . . . not released.”
Angel felt her heart sink. He wasn’t just wanted. He was wanted, dead or alive. “That’s why they’re so intent on catching you.”
“And won’t stop.”
She squeezed his shoulder, wanting to comfort them both. “I don’t care if they put you right back in prison. At least you’ll be alive.”
“They’ll throw away the key.”
“I won’t let you die.”
“I’m not heart-shot or gut-shot. Can’t let a few scratches stop us.”
No matter what Rune said, he’d been hurt. She looked south, then north. She had a few skills that she’ d learned from her mother, but a doctor would suit her better.
He straightened up, put a hand to his side, and pulled his reins from her grasp. “I’m getting a second wind.”
