Angel Gone Bad

by Sabine Starr

  Eagle Road was a Choctaw and a seasoned tracker. De Luca was an Italian and tough as nails. They were good and they wouldn’t give up till they’d caught him, no matter how long it took.

  Rune had a few choices, none of them good. He could shoot them out of their saddles, but he wouldn’t do it and he didn’t have the ability to do it without his rifle. He could surrender, explain his position, and beg for their help, but that wasn’t an option either. He could shadow them, get in position to take them out if need be, and let Angel talk her way out of the situation.

  Angel was his choice. So far she’d proved herself good in a tight spot. He melted back into the tree line and silently made his way back to her, covering his tracks. He found a likely spot behind several thorny bushes, crouched down, pulled out his six-gun, and braced his arm and hand. In the unlikely event that the men were aggressive with Angel, he’d make them regret it.

  He stilled his body and took shallow breaths to reduce his presence as the two men rode up. Angel appeared to be daydreaming as she sat on her blanket watching the river slide by.

  “Pardon, ma’am,” De Luca said, tipping his cowboy hat.

  “Oh!” Angel jumped to her feet, hand over her heart. “You startled me. Where did you come from? What are you doing here?” She looked wildly back and forth, and then north along the riverbank. “Please leave!”

  “Sorry to disturb you,” Eagle Road said. “We’re Anti–Horse Thief Association members. We’re looking for a man. Thought you could help us.”

  “I’m here with my fiancé. He went to pick me blackberries. I don’t know any other men.”

  “Might be you saw this man around?”

  “How dare you suggest such a thing!” Angel clasped both hands together over her heart. “I don’t know any other men except my fianc é.”

  “No suggestion at all, ma’am,” De Luca said. “Man we want is real tall. Blond hair. Blue eyes.”

  “That’s about half the population of Texas.” Angel looked north again. “And a good part of Indian Territory.”

  “Got a wanted poster here,” Eagle Road said. “Appreciate it if you’d take a look.”

  Angel stepped back. “Don’t you dare take a step closer. If my fianc é finds you here handing me something, he’s liable to kill us all. He’s hot headed, trigger happy, and jealous to boot.”

  “That’d make him an outlaw, wouldn’t it?” De Luca said.

  “That’d make him none of your business,” Angel snapped, hands on her hips. “Now leave!”

  “Ma’am, if you’d just look at—” De Luca said.

  Angel threw up her hands, as if in defense. “I have a notion to report you two to the AHTA for harassing a lady and trying to get her killed.”

  “You see anybody that didn’t belong around here lately?” Eagle Road asked.

  “I’m having a picnic beside the Washita River. Who do you think I’d see?” She covered her face with her hands and started to cry. “My fiancé will be back any moment and I’m dead, dead, dead.”

  “Ma’am, if you’re with this man against your will, we can help you,” De Luca said.

  “I love him. He loves me. He’s jealous because he cares so much. Please, just leave us alone.” She raised a tear-stricken face. “I don’t know any other men. I wouldn’t dare even notice one.”

  “Luke, let’s go.” Eagle Road turned his horse south. “She doesn’t know anything.”

  “Sorry if we troubled you.” De Luca tipped his hat, turned his mount, and followed Eagle Road out of the clearing.

  Angel sank to the blanket and sobbed into her hands.

  Rune didn’t move, watching Angel in amazement. If Burt and Bob needed an actress on stage, she was the one. If he hadn’t known better, he’d have believed her. But Eagle Road and De Luca wouldn’t take her word for it. They’d go south and wait by the main road. If they didn’t see the lady and her fiancé return from their picnic, they’d come back.

  Angel stood up, wiped away her tears, and walked along the riverbank. “Clyde, darling, did you find me those blackberries yet?”

  Rune almost laughed out loud at the name she’ d picked for him, but their situation was no laughing matter. They couldn’t hide their trail, not from those two trackers. Instead, they’d have to get a head start and cover ground as quickly as possible. They’d be safer with outlaws. If they could make it to New Boggy Saloon, they’d connect up with the Verdigris Gang, mix their tracks in with outlaw horses, and then make a run for it.

  As plans went, it wasn’t much. But Rune wasn’t a slouch when it came to losing a tail either. He checked to make sure they were still alone, holstered his six-shooter, and stepped out of his hiding place.

  “Henrietta, dear, I found the blackberries.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  By that evening, Angel felt tired and sore. She wasn’t used to being in the saddle for long hours. She hoped her legs wouldn’t be permanently bowed like some cowboys she’d seen in Bonham, but maybe that came after riding astride from childhood. She desperately wanted to get off the gentle chestnut mare.

  All day long Rune had pushed them to cover ground. He’d cut down streams, clattered over rocks, and obscured trails. She hoped they’d lost the AHTA trackers, but she couldn’t forget the determined looks in the steely eyes of De Luca and Eagle Road.

  “We’ll make New Boggy Saloon by dark.” Rune rode up beside her.

  “You may have to pry me off Emma.”

  “Sorry. I set a hard pace.”

  “I may never walk again.”

  He chuckled. “No worry. I’ll carry you.”

  “You’re always looking for excuses to touch me.”

  “Any objections?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I said I did.”

  “True.” He reached over and squeezed her fingers. “It’ll be a rough bunch at the saloon.”

  “I handled the Bend.”

  “That was Texas. This is Indian Territory.”

  “I handled it before, too.”

  “They don’t see a lot of ladies.”

  “Maybe they don’t want to, not after Lady Gone Bad burned down the first Boggy Saloon.”

  Rune chuckled again. “You may be right. Are you going in as the Black Widow?”

  “That hat is smashed flat, but I’ve got it with me. What do you think?”

  “Word is bound to have spread. They’ll want to play poker with a famous female cardsharp.”

  “Might be best.”

  “No point making it easy for anybody to recognize you.”

  “Do you think Lucky will be there?”

  “Is he still on your mind?”

  “Just wondering.”

  “Don’t.” He gigged his horse and rode ahead, glancing from side to side.

  Angel trusted him to spot trouble. If they were still followed, he’d be the first to notice. She relaxed a bit, trying to rest in the saddle. She needed every ounce of energy to get through the evening.

  She felt the pull of the Spider Grandmother deck in her saddlebags. After her brief talk with Diana, the cards felt more like a comfort than a danger. Perhaps she’ d run too long and too hard from her gift, as her mother had called it. Yet she still would be cautious about sharing knowledge of her ability. Diana understood because she had her own gift to protect.

  Lucky was another matter. How had he known Angel had a special connection with cards? She wanted to talk with him and yet she feared it. He could be a danger to her. She knew he would approach her again, but this time she’d be prepared for his surprises.

  She glanced around at the pristine nature of Indian Territory. Grass as high as a horse’s belly. Trees as tall as the heavens. Blue, orange, and yellow wild flowers as fragrant as perfume. She’d fallen in love with this country when Rune had rescued her. Back in Bonham, she’d missed the freedom, the beauty, the glory. Now she felt the land casting its spell over her again.

  As she studied the countryside, she watched the shadows grow l
ong, then longer as the sun slowly slid behind them and out of sight. Rune turned north and she followed along the banks of a stream.

  “This is the Boggy River,” Rune said. “We’ll follow it up to where the Clear Boggy flows into it.”

  “The New Boggy Saloon is there?”

  “Right.”

  “What about the AHTA?”

  “If they manage to track us this far, they’ll wait. They won’t take on a dozen or two outlaws.”

  “I hope I never see them again.”

  “If we’re lucky, we won’t.” He pointed toward a break in the trees that followed the line of the riverbank. “The saloon’s up ahead. You’d better put on your disguise.”

  She pulled her hat out of a saddlebag, pushed it into shape, and put it on her head. She slipped the veil over her eyes. She didn’t think the transformation would be enough. She pulled out the black shawl and tossed it around her shoulders. She adjusted the green blouse and split-skirt, dusting off some of the grime from the trip.

  “How do I look?”

  “I like the other clothes better.”

  “After that ride across the Red River, they’re a mess.”

  “You look good like you always do.”

  “So do you.”

  She joined his laughter as they rode up to the New Boggy Saloon. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought the place was a farmhouse built of roughhewn logs still new enough to retain their color. Two large rooms were connected by an open dog trot under a single tin roof. Two square windows appeared to watch their approach. Smoke curled up from a river-rock chimney. Horses were tied to the hitching posts in front.

  “Saloon’s on the left half of the building,” Rune said. “The other half holds a dozen bunks so patrons can sleep off liquor and fistfights or hide from the law. You don’t want to go over there.”

  “I sure don’t.”

  Rune dismounted, tossed his reins over the hitching post, and walked to her. He held up his arms. “Better ease down.”

  She’d wanted this moment for the last several hours, but she didn’t want her legs to crumple under her. She held on to the saddle horn with one hand, eased her right leg back over the saddle, and leaned into Rune as she put both feet on the ground. She felt a little wobbly, but he held her around the waist till she felt stable.

  “I’m okay.” She took a few steps around, feeling better. “I’m getting stronger every mile we ride.”

  “Pretty soon you’ll outride me.”

  “Won’t come too soon.” She opened a saddlebag, lifted out her reticule, and slid the drawstrings over her wrist. The weight of the derringer and the cards felt good.

  “Ready?”

  “I am. Let’s see if this crowd is ready for the Black Widow.”

  She walked up to the open door of the saloon, smelling liquor, tobacco, and sweat. She felt Rune’s strong, warm presence behind her.

  As she stepped up into the saloon, she glanced around. Lanterns cast yellow light on rough-hewn furniture and a bar made from one long tree trunk split down the middle. Pine floors were turning dark with grime, a mix of caked dirt, spilled spittoons, and upset liquor. Men sporting face-hiding whiskers and filed-down six-shooters sat at tables playing poker and downing whiskey.

  She took a deep breath, pulling the persona of the Black Widow around her. Now was the time to get as much information as possible about Tate and the Badger Gang. Verity depended on her. She lifted her chin and stepped forward.

  Slowly the room grew quiet as the outlaws noticed her. Cards and glasses were set down. Eyes narrowed with distrust.

  And then somebody in the back shouted, “Hey, that’s the Black Widow!”

  A chant went up, “Black Widow! Black Widow! Black Widow!” “Play with me.”

  “No, play with me.”

  From a corner table, a voice cut through all the others. “The lady is here to play with me.” Lucky stood up and raised his left arm. A silver chain on his wrist glinted in the lamplight.

  Angel felt a chill run up her spine.

  Chapter Thirty

  Rune might have known that Lucky, the Loki or Coyote of Indian Territory, would turn up sooner than later. Most likely he was a man who wanted what he didn’t have or what he couldn’t have. Either way, Rune didn’t want him anywhere near Angel. But that was wishful thinking, not reality.

  He placed a hand on Angel’s back and felt the tension in her muscles. No wonder. The outlaws around them were about to go into a feeding frenzy. He wouldn’t much care to be meat on the hoof either.

  “I’m armed and dangerous,” she whispered, then threw him a wicked green-eyed look through her black veil.

  He was glad she was taking it all in stride. If she could handle it, he could handle it.

  “Gentlemen.” Angel held up a hand to stop the noise.

  The outlaws slowly settled down, growing quiet.

  “I’d like to play poker with all of you, but I have some friends I want to visit with first.”

  “Our table’s second,” an outlaw called out.

  “We’re third.”

  Angel laughed, shaking her head. “I’ll be happy to take your money. Just give me time. We’ve got all night.”

  “We’ll be right here!”

  She gave them a thumbs-up, and then headed for Lucky and the Verdigris Gang at a back table.

  Rune stayed close to her, but kept a wary eye on the outlaws. They were turning back to their games, but staying alert to Angel’s every move. She’d have to play with some of them, or they’d never let her leave.

  As they reached the V Gang’s table, he turned his focus on the next danger. Baines, Hackett, and Jumpin’ Judd. Lucky kissed the back of Angel’s hand and pulled out a chair for her. As she sat down, he pushed in her chair and took a seat beside her. Rune sat down on the other side of her.

  “Got news.” Baines shuffled a deck of cards.

  “Good or bad?” Rune asked.

  “Choctaws are building their new Council House up at Tushka Homma.”

  “Everybody’s heard about it,” Rune agreed.

  “They say it’s got a mustard roof,” Hackett said.

  “A what?” Angel cocked her head.

  “Figure they like yellow.”

  “Do you mean mansard?” Angel asked. “A French-style roof?”

  “If it’s French mustard, yeah,” Hackett agreed.

  “Gonna be real fancy,” Jumpin’ Judd added.

  “Most likely it’ll be red.” Angel picked up her cards as Baines tossed them to each player.

  “Not ketchup,” Hackett said. “Mustard.”

  Angel sighed, but didn’t say more.

  Rune didn’t know a mansard roof from a shake one, but he figured a schoolteacher like Angel would know the difference. If the Choctaw wanted something, he figured they’d get it. They weren’t one of the Five Civilized Tribes for nothing. They had money. They had smarts. And they had pride. This was one building he wanted to see.

  “Red, green, or yellow,” Baines said in irritation, “don’t matter. They got to pay for all that lumber, brick, and fancy French roof.”

  Rune looked at a handful of nothing, hoping this wasn’t going where he thought it was going.

  “They got a gold shipment coming in by stage,” Baines said.

  “What about the train?” Rune asked.

  “Count us,” Baines snapped. “I gave it some thought and decided we don’t stand a spittin’ chance with so few.”

  “I’ve been giving that some thought,” Rune said.

  “Don’t strain your brain.”

  “I heard the Badger Gang was putting together a herd of horses to drive down to Texas. Horsethief Spring. Figure they need guys like us.” Rune laid it out there real casual.

  Baines spit to the side. “That’s the biggest outfit around. They can take their pick of men. Why’d they want us?”

  “Sure like to be part of the big bugs.” Jumpin’ Judd drummed his fingers on the table. “Par
don my language, ma’am, but I feel like my bare butt’s hangin’ out in the wind, way it is.”

  “Acknowledge the corn, we’re living on borrowed time,” Hackett said.

  “That’s why we’ve got to make a big haul.” Baines folded his hand. “Go way out west and disappear.”

  “Land’s fillin’ up with sodbusters.” Hackett put down a card. “Pretty soon, won’t be no place to disappear.”

  “Don’t want my neck stretched.” Jumpin’ Judd rubbed his throat.

  “Safety in numbers,” Rune said. “Besides that, not a single Badger has ever been caught.”

  “Who’s running this outfit?” Baines glared around at the group.

  “Don’t mean to step on toes.” Rune eased off, not wanting to get Baines’s back up.

  “Give me credit for not being a simpleton,” Baines said. “I’ve been thinking about the Badgers, too. Can’t walk up to them with nothing. We got to prove our worth.”

  “How can we do that?” Rune asked.

  “Choctaw gold,” Baines said. “Got the details to lift it.”

  Rune didn’t want to see the Choctaw hurt, but right now he needed to be part of the V Gang to get in with the Badgers.

  “We could pool our poker winnings,” Angel said.

  “You could after you fleece every guy in the place.” Baines frowned at her.

  “Chocs got those Lighthorsemen,” Jumpin’ Judd said. “Don’t want ’em after me.”

  “You know they can’t touch us,” Hackett said. “We’re Americans.”

  “Lucky, what do you say?” Baines asked.

  “Not for me. We’re on their land. Best not draw their attention.”

  “I agree.” Rune was glad for the easy way out. Maybe Lucky wasn’t so bad after all.

  “I’m not getting involved in a holdup.” Angel looked up from her cards. “But I wouldn’t mind meeting the Badgers.”

  “So you can bleed ’em dry, too.” Baines threw down his hand in disgust. “Any one of you got a better idea, let’s hear it.”

  “Horsethief Spring gets my vote,” Hackett said.

  “I’m ready to join up with the Badger Gang,” Baines agreed, “but we can’t go in empty handed.”