Dream Warrior: His Savage Kiss

by Bobbi Smith

  Cari looked distraught. "Oh, Ben, I wish I could relive that night! If I could, I'd do everything differently, and then none of this would have happened . . ."

  "What might have been doesn't really matter," he said gently. "What matters is proving the charges against him false. Now I'd better go. You get some rest, and I'll see you tomorrow."

  "Thanks for everything, Ben."

  Ben kissed her cheek. "Daniel's my friend, Cari. I love him, too."

  When Ben had gone, she undressed, donned her nightgown and lay down. As tired as she was, she expected to fall asleep right away, but her worries about Silver Wolf kept her awake. All she could think of was him, lying alone in the jail cell.

  Though Cari fought against them, mental images of what might happen if they went to trial assailed her as she stared into the darkness. The possibility that Silver Wolf might be convicted of a crime he hadn't committed and sentenced to death was just too devastating to her. Unable to still her troubled thoughts, she knew she couldn't just lie there and do nothing about Silver Wolf's situation. His very life was at stake!

  Cari threw herself from the bed and began to pace the room. Tears threatened, but she held them at bay. This was no time to give in to her fears. She would be strong, and the only tears she would allow herself to cry would be tears of happiness when Silver Wolf was freed.

  Cari went to stand at the window and gaze out across the dark town. In the distance, bathed in moonlight, she saw the steeple of a church, and though the hour was very late, Cari knew churches never locked their doors. Throwing on her clothes again, she left the hotel and made her way to the blessed haven. It seemed they'd exhausted just about every clue they'd had, and she knew a few prayers wouldn't hurt.

  The church was small, but clean. Candles cast the place of worship in a golden glow. Save for one gray-haired lady sitting by herself up near the front, no one else was there.

  Cari quietly settled in a pew and dropped to her knees. She bowed her head and folded her hands.

  "God, please, if you've never listened to me before, listen to me now. I need your help. Silver Wolf needs your help . . ." she pleaded in a choked whisper. "Please, show me the way to help him. You can't let him die! You just can't! Show me how to save him. Show me what I must do. I'll do anything, God . . . anything . . ."

  So fervent were her prayers, so fierce her concentration, that she didn't even realize she was crying. She remained in supplication, begging for God's help. After a while, she fell silent, waiting, hoping, listening. But all she heard in answer to her prayers was silence—a cold, unbroken silence that terrified her. She lifted her gaze to the altar, wondering why God wasn't answering her. A strangled sob escaped her, and she buried her face in her hands as she gave vent to the fear that threatened to overwhelm her.

  "My child. . . . Let me help you."

  Through her misery, Cari heard the soft, kindly voice. At first, she'd thought she'd imagined it, but then the woman spoke to her again.

  "Please, let me help . . ."

  She raised tear-filled eyes to find the elderly lady who'd been praying in the front of the church standing in the aisle beside her, holding out a clean, lacy handkerchief to her. The woman was petite, certainly no more than five feet tall, and her gray hair was done up in a prim and proper bun. She was dressed as well as any lady of quality from back East, and there was something in her manner, a quiet dignity, that inspired trust and put Cari at ease.

  "Thank you," Cari managed, grateful for her thoughtfulness as she took the handkerchief.

  "May I sit with you a while? You seem a little lost and lonely, and maybe I can help."

  "Are you sure you want to?" Cari gave her a decidedly watery smile.

  "Of course," she said with warm conviction, settling in beside her. She reached out and patted Cari's hand. "A good cry helps all of us at one time or another. I know I've had my share."

  "I wish it were that simple . . ." She sighed as she dried her tears.

  "Would you like to talk about it?"

  "Talking about it won't help anything . . ."

  "Troubles always seem a little easier to bear once you've shared them with a friend. I'm Lillian Perkins, by the way."

  "I'm Cari McCord." Cari drew a deep breath. This gentle woman's smile was genuine, and her eyes sparkled with a special inner warmth and joy of living.

  "It's nice to meet you, Cari," Lillian told her.

  They sat in companionable silence in the flickering candlelight, experiencing the peace that surrounded them.

  "I don't know what to do, Mrs. Perkins," Cari finally spoke.

  "You've come to the right place. When you've tried your best and failed, this is where you need to be. God's always ready to listen."

  "God may always be listening, but he doesn't necessarily always answer."

  "What happened?" Lillian asked, her expression concerned.

  "My father was murdered," Cari began, and she went on to explain all that had happened.

  "I'm so sorry."

  "Silver Wolf didn't do it, but there's no way we can prove it. I don't know what to do or where to turn. There are only two things that can save him now—finding the bull and the men who stole him, or finding out what happened to Silver Wolf's medicine bag the night my father was shot. Ben's gone to the Sundown Saloon now to try to find the girl named Jenny again, but I don't know if he ever will. When he tried to before, the bartender said she was gone and he didn't know if she was ever coming back."

  Cari didn't notice the quick look Lillian gave her.

  "I don't know if this Jenny can help us," Cari went on, "but if she knows anything about the medicine bag, anything at all, it would be more than what we know now."

  "Perhaps he will find Jenny."

  "I hope so, Mrs. Perkins. Silver Wolf's life depends on it."

  Lillian didn't say anything more, but just sat with Cari. When at last Lillian stood, she took the young woman's hand and gave it a squeeze.

  "I'll pray for justice for your young man and for your father, Cari."

  "Thank you," she responded in a whisper. She turned her attention back to the altar. When she looked around again, the woman was gone. She was alone.

  Cari stayed in the church a little while longer, then returned to her hotel room. She changed into her nightgown, but before lying down, she went to the window to gaze out toward the steeple one last time. She said another prayer for Silver Wolf's safety, then went to bed, but she didn't drift off until just before dawn. Her slumber then was not peaceful. It was restless, fractured by the fears that would not be forgotten, not even while asleep.

  Lillian Perkins hurried back to her house, thoughts of her conversation with Cari McCord haunting her. As she started up the few steps to her front porch, she was almost positive that the Jenny Cari McCord was looking for was the same girl who was staying with her now. Sarah Jane had sent Jenny to her, Sarah Jane who worked at the Sundown Saloon.

  Lillian liked Jenny very much, but she had found the girl very quiet. She'd been with her for quite a few days now, and during all the time they'd talked, Lillian had learned nothing about her past. She knew only that Jenny did not want to leave the house. Obviously, she was afraid of someone, but Lillian had no idea who, or why. Only the fading bruises on her face gave testimony to whatever terror she'd suffered and now refused to discuss.

  Having learned of the man being held in jail and going to trial for a crime he didn't commit, Lillian knew it was time to ask Jenny about her past. Usually, she believed someone's past was their own, but this situation was different. A man's life was at stake, and it seemed Jenny was the one who could save him. Determined to find out, Lillian entered her home and sought out the young girl who was reading in the parlor.

  "Jenny? There's something important I must ask you," Lillian said as she came to sit in the parlor with her.

  "Surely, Mrs. Perkins. What is it?" Jenny put the book she'd been reading aside and gave her her full attention. She was more than grateful
that the old lady had taken her in, and she would help her if she could.

  "While I was at church tonight, I met a young lady not much older than yourself. Her name was Cari McCord." Lillian watched her carefully for a reaction.

  "McCord?"

  "That's right. Do you know her?"

  "No."

  "She's very nice, but that's not why I mentioned her. Jenny . . ." Lillian's tone turned more serious. "Cari's father was shot and killed, and she believes an innocent man has been framed for his murder. Supposedly, there was a girl named Jenny at the Sundown Saloon who was with the man on the night he lost his medicine bag. His name is Daniel Marshall, although he is also known as Silver Wolf. He's a half-breed. Anyway, it seems his medicine bag was found right where the murder took place, and it's the main piece of evidence that will be used against him unless they can find out what happened to his pouch that night."

  "So?" Jenny tried to sound disinterested.

  "Are you that Jenny? Do you know anything about the missing medicine bag? If you do, you can help to save this man's life." She watched Jenny's face, hoping for some sign, some flicker, of acknowledgment in her eyes that she knew what she was talking about, but there was none. Disappointment filled Lillian as Jenny gave her a totally blank look.

  "I'm sorry, Mrs. Perkins. It wasn't me. I don't know anything about it," Jenny denied, amazed at how coolly she could lie to the old lady. The memory of Mark Larson's threat as he'd taken the medicine bag from her room was very real, and the thought of him coming after her again was enough to cower her. She cared about Daniel and didn't want to see anything happen to him, but she knew Larson would come after her if she said anything, anything at all. So far, she'd been lucky, staying here with Mrs. Perkins, but she didn't know how long her luck would hold.

  "You don't remember hearing anything about this while you were at the Sundown?"

  "No. Nothing."

  Lillian's spirits sank. She'd hoped Jenny would be forthcoming with her, but it looked as though it was not to be. "Well, I appreciate your listening to me. If you remember anything, anything at all. Please tell me. It's the right thing to do, you know."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "I'm going on up to bed now. You have a good night."

  "Good night."

  When the old woman was gone, Jenny reached in her pocket and drew out the small stone heart she'd carried with her since the night Mark had beaten her. She stared down at the heart, thinking of Daniel in trouble, and, for a moment, she almost considered going to the sheriff with her story. But then she remembered how viciously Larson had beaten her and she knew she couldn't do it. It had been one thing to help Daniel anonymously that night at the jail when the lynch mob was coming, it was another to openly accuse Mark Larson of murder. What if no one believed her? She had no real proof, and she was just one girl, alone and unprotected. Fearing for her life, Jenny pushed away any thought of helping Daniel again. Even as she did, though, her hand closed tightly around the small heart.

  At the sound of his voice behind her, a chill skittered down Sarah Jane's spine. Mark Larson. . . . He was back. . . . She picked up her glass of whiskey and took a drink, trying to ignore him, but when he moved to stand next to her at the bar and slipped a possessive arm about her waist, she knew there would be no easy escape.

  "Evening, Sarah Jane," Mark said as he leered at her breasts where they swelled above the neckline of her gown.

  "Hello, Mark," Sarah Jane said coolly. She'd worked at the Sundown for a long time and until now had always managed to avoid him whenever he came in. Knowing how he'd treated Jenny, she wanted to get away from him as quickly as she could.

  "What do you say we go upstairs?" he suggested, his hand at her waist slipping lower to fondle her hip.

  "I'm sorry, mister, but one of my regulars will be in any minute. He's expecting me to be waiting for him," she said easily. "I'm sure one of the other girls will be glad to take you up on your offer."

  His hand tightened on her, and she flinched. "It's you I'm wanting."

  "Tell it to Ed. He likes me to keep my customers satisfied, don't ya, Ed?" She deliberately brought the bartender into the conversation.

  "You're the best at it, Sarah Jane," Ed agreed.

  Mark was growing angry. He wasn't used to being told no, especially by any damned whore. "Well, since all I really wanted to do was talk to you, what d'ya say we step back in the back room for a minute?"

  Sarah Jane swallowed nervously, but knew it was better than going upstairs. At least if they were in the back room, Ed would be able to hear her scream if Mark decided to get mean. "Sure. Ed, I'll be in back with Mark. Let me know if John comes in."

  "I'll call you," he answered easily, busily tending to his other customers.

  Mark took her arm and led her toward the back room, where he knew he could talk to her without anyone else hearing. He closed the door without releasing his hold on her.

  "What do you want?" Sarah Jane asked.

  "I want to know about Jenny." His voice was hard, and his grip on her arm hurt. He had to find out where the girl had gone. He didn't want her showing up during the trial and telling what she knew about the medicine bag.

  "What's there to know? She's gone. She hasn't been back to the saloon since the night she left."

  "Where'd she go?"

  "I don't know where she is."

  "Why don't I believe that?" he asked, an edge of menace in his tone. "You two were friends. If anyone knows where she is, you do."

  Sarah Jane saw the cold, merciless look in his eyes. She knew if she displayed any weakness at all, he'd never give up. She looked him straight in the eye. "I don't know anything about Jenny, and I don't want to know. If you're so eager to find her, go look for her yourself!" She jerked free of him and rushed from the room.

  Mark followed her and tried to grab her arm again and spin her around to face him, but she managed to elude him. She headed for the bar where she saw the lawyer, Ben Douglas, standing there.

  "Good evening, Ben." Sarah Jane smiled up at him.

  "Sarah Jane, I was asking for you. I'm glad you're here. I need to talk to you for a few minutes. If you've got the time."

  "I always have time for you. I'm glad you asked for me."

  "What I wanted to know is about the night of the dance, when Daniel Marshall was here with Jenny."

  "What about it?" She didn't know why everyone was suddenly so interested in Jenny, and having seen Jenny's terror, she wondered what was going on.

  "Well, I'm trying to find Jenny, and I was wondering if you could help me. The other girls seemed to think you knew her best, so I was hoping you could tell me where she is, so I could ask her a few questions about that night, too."

  Sarah Jane's gaze slid to where Mark had come to stand at the bar near them. She could feel his presence like a living, breathing, evil thing. She didn't know what Jenny had done that night, and right now she was glad she didn't. "I don't know where she is. I haven't seen her," she denied quickly.

  "It's important that I find her, Sarah Jane. She might have some information that will help prove Daniel Marshall didn't kill James McCord."

  "Jenny?" This news surprised Sarah Jane.

  "Yes, so if you see her, tell her I'm looking for her and need to talk to her right away."

  "I really don't think I'll see her, but if I do, I'll tell her."

  Ben saw something in her gaze that almost looked like a flicker of fear, but it faded too quickly for him to be sure. He couldn't imagine what she had to be afraid of. He thanked her and left.

  Mark left the Sundown, too, but not before he gave Sarah Jane a dangerous look. Sarah Jane stayed at the bar until her regular customer came in and then went with him upstairs. As she thought about what Ben had said and about Mark's rough questioning, she realized that Jenny was involved in something very serious. Sarah Jane began to understand why the young girl felt the need to stay out of sight. She was glad she'd kept her mouth shut, and she vowed never to tell anyone
what she knew about Jenny.

  Silver Wolf lay on the cot in his cell, staring out the barred window. Through it, he could only see a tiny patch of black sky and a few sparkling stars, and he ached to be outside, sleeping in the open, a free man. He thought of Little Snow and of how much he loved her. He wondered if he'd ever get the chance to hold her again. He did not sleep that night.

  Twenty-three

  The courthouse was packed as the trial entered the third and final day. Today, the case would go to the jury.

  Silver Wolf sat beside Ben at the table for the defense, his expression stony, revealing none of the dread he was feeling. He looked like a white man, dressed as he was in the tailored dark suit, but he knew most of those watching the trial thought of him only as an Indian. Most of those testifying so far had proven that. He knew Ben was doing his best, but he'd had little to work with. They'd found no trace of Jenny or the bull. Silver Wolf's fate would be decided today when the case went to the jury, and his mood grew darker with each passing hour.

  Ben's mood was equally somber. He'd been worried when the trial had started, and now on the last day, his worries were turning to fears. The only bright spot in his whole defense was Elizabeth. She'd agreed to testify in Daniel's behalf. He hoped when the jury heard her explain her change of heart toward Daniel that she would, at the very least, create a reasonable doubt in their minds. Until now, though, the hard, condemning look in the jurors' eyes chilled him. He feared his efforts weren't going to be enough. He feared his friend was going to hang.

  Ben glanced back to see how Cari was holding up. The strain of the trial was showing in her pale, tense features. Sitting directly behind Daniel, she had her gaze focused solely on him as if willing him all of her strength. Ben managed to get her attention, and he gave her a small smile, hoping to bolster her spirits. She returned his smile, but he could tell by the haunted look in her eyes that she realized just how badly things were going.