First Love Wild Love

by Janelle Taylor

  He turned his head to gaze at her, his expression revealing his imminent plans. “It’s been weeks, Callie; I want you. I need you.”

  “Not tonight, Lynx. Too much has been said. I need time alone. Will you be around tomorrow before I leave?” she asked.

  “No. If I go now, we won’t see each other for a long time. Do you want me, Callie?” he asked huskily, waiting tensely for a reply.

  “That has nothing to do with it. You’ve given me a lot to consider. We’ll talk when you come home again, whenever that is.”

  Lynx felt she would relent if he ardently tempted her, but that wasn’t fair. “Don’t forget your promise, not one word to Rankin.”

  “I’ll remember everything you told me. You have my word. Lynx, what about your mother? When did she …” she cautiously probed, knowing that harmful malady couldn’t heal until excised.

  “If you don’t mind, Callie, I don’t want to discuss Laura Cardone, now or ever. Let the past die, all of it,” he said inflexibly.

  Calinda read the anguish in Lynx’s tawny eyes. She knew he had been describing his emotions and reactions as much as Rankin’s. The two people Rankin and Lynx had loved most had hurt them deeply. Since she was Brax’s child, she felt responsible for gleaning the truth or an explanation to ease their torment. Brax owed each of them that much. She knew she could not discuss this painful subject with Rankin, and she realized she could never borrow money from the Cardones to seek the man who had done such evil in their lives and home.

  Lynx couldn’t beg for her touch, so he left. Afterwards, Callie allowed his words to flood her mind, as tears flooded her eyes. It was hard to accept the truth and she resisted it. If what Lynx said was the truth, how could he and his father stand to look at her? There must be more to it. Brax’s crimes might explain his lack of contact with her; perhaps he thought that if he wrote to her, they could trace him through his letters. But why had they pursued her father, unless to punish him? Why had they taken her into their home? Why would they think Brax might return to the scene of his crime? Curious inflections, questions, and looks from the two men returned to make an impression in her mind. Somewhere there were other pieces to this unfinished puzzle…

  But there were realities Calinda couldn’t ignore. Her father had abandoned her and ceased to support her, as if she meant nothing to him, with not one letter of apology or explanation. He had taken a path of crime, at the expense of good friends and his family. How could he do such wicked things? Surely there had to be more to the man her mother had loved and married, more to the man the Cardones had trusted and loved? What had changed her father? He had sacrificed everything and everyone; why? It was senseless.

  The next day, Calinda went to the Ranger post. She asked to speak with the man in charge. Without giving facts she had promised Lynx to keep concealed, she explained her dilemma to Major Jones. He was kind, attentive, and patient. But he told her there was nothing the Rangers could do to help. He suggested she locate a picture of her father, then hire a detective to hunt for him. Lastly, he told her there was little, if any, hope of locating a man who had vanished long ago, adding that Rangers couldn’t be involved in personal matters.

  Calinda thanked him and returned to the hotel. She didn’t have either a picture of Brax or any money to hire a detective. She was still trapped at the Cardone Ranch and dependent on them. Knowing this, she felt uneasy about returning there. To discover how tight her web was, she spent all morning seeking a job. By the time Steve was ready to leave Waco, Calinda knew she had no choice but to return with him.

  Calinda didn’t know that Lynx was having her watched, for her safety. When the man reported to Lynx after her departure, he was baffled and annoyed by her visit to Major Jones and her attempts to find work in Waco. Evidently she hadn’t fully accepted his words and was still determined to locate her father. Too, she seemed resolved to leave the Cardone Ranch. Was it to elude him, or was she suspicious of them now? What if she sought work in Fort Worth, Dallas, or Wichita Falls? What if she pressed Rankin for more clues? Where was that critical ranch deed? What was Brax planning to do with it?

  Lynx couldn’t help but wonder if his mother was still alive somewhere. Had she ever regretted her traitorous actions? Had she ever been tempted to return home? After what his own mother had done to him, could he blindly trust another woman, rashly offer his heart and soul? Even to his beautiful and gentle Callie? Why was he reluctant to reach out and take something he wanted so desperately? Because he feared his dream would dissipate as wind-assailed smoke.

  Lynx couldn’t allow his love to desert the ranch or place herself in danger. But if she pressed his father for answers, Rankin would make her leave rather than tell her the whole truth. He headed to see Major Jones about a two-day leave, needing to settle this matter with Calinda before it was too late for all concerned. He cursed his careless revelations to her; he berated this weakness, this overwhelming and aching desire for her. How could he stop her departure and also distract her from the past? The problem was, he was on a tough assignment; it could be weeks before Jones gave him permission to go home. Time might be a new enemy…

  Chapter Seven

  Calinda had been home for less than two days when a harrowing episode began on Thursday morning. She had kept her word to Lynx; she had not mentioned their unexpected meeting in Waco and she hadn’t asked Rankin any questions or dropped any clues. Calinda had returned late Tuesday evening; Rankin had departed early the next morning for Graham to meet with the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He would be gone for over a week. Calinda was relieved by his absence—she needed time to adjust to the stunning information Lynx had supplied. Caught up in the excitement of her return and preparations for his departure yesterday, Rankin hadn’t noticed a change in Calinda. But she was more observant and subdued, with a slight gleam of remorse and sadness in her eyes.

  Shortly after Rankin left, Calinda had confronted Salina with her daring theft of Lynx’s note. Naturally Salina denied the charge, a charge which told Salina the infuriating Calinda had been with Lynx in Waco. The jealous Salina threatened to reveal their “wanton affair” to Rankin, shrieking that Rankin would never allow such goings on in his home with his son. Their volatile quarrel had nearly erupted into a fight, but Calinda had wisely prevented it by suggesting they halt their private war before Lynx and Rankin got involved and were forced to choose between them.

  Salina had smiled deceptively. If her revenge was to succeed, she couldn’t openly expose herself as a bitter enemy of Calinda’s. Once Calinda was removed from their home, she must look innocent. Something strange had taken place between Calinda and Lynx in Waco, for the hated girl alluded to being afraid of the Cardones’ rejecting her.

  Calinda unknowingly stepped into Salina’s longplanned scheme to be rid of her when she had stated unflinchingly, “I’m not leaving, Salina. I like living here on the ranch with Lynx and Rankin. Besides, I don’t have a home or family anywhere. So you’re stuck with me.”

  “What about your papa? You do not care if you find him or not. It was a trick to steal into this home,” she hotly accused.

  “That isn’t true! While I was in Waco, I went to see Major Jones of the Rangers to gain their help and advice,” Calinda shouted back at her, continuing angrily with the whole meeting. “And I’m not accepting charity from the Cardones! I’ve been working hard for my keep. I checked around in Waco; there weren’t any decent jobs. I have no choice but to stay here, so stop trying to run me away.”

  “If you say so,” Salina skeptically responded, her mind racing wildly with excitement. This was the event and time she had anticipated. She finally had an opportunity to send Calinda a misleading note about her father, a note to lure her into danger and to inspire trouble between her and the Cardones. It was perfect.

  That next morning, Salina supposedly left early to go into town for supplies. After Calinda straightened her room, she went to the water-shed to do her laundry. When it was hanging on the l
ine, she went to the kitchen to prepare a lunch of scrambled eggs and coffee, as she had skipped breakfast. Afterwards, she went to her room to rest.

  There was an unpost-marked letter on her pillow. Calinda glanced around; her room was empty. Who had placed the envelope there? She hadn’t seen anyone come near the house all morning. She lifted it and read it.

  Miss Calinda Braxton,

  You must forgive this manner of delivery, but there are reasons which I will explain when we meet. I have uncovered distressing news of your father. You must come to the Keystone Hotel in Lampasas with all speed. The Butterfield Stageline runs between Fort Worth and here. The trip will take two days. You must tell no one of this letter or your plans, even the Cardones. I cannot sign this note, but you asked my help and should know who has written it. Come quickly, before it’s too late.

  Calinda’s mind was in a flurry of thoughts. Major Jones? Was her father in danger or trouble, or both? Why didn’t the Ranger want the Cardones to know about his help? Of course, they would follow her and arrest her father. Did she dare go and meet him? If so, would she finally uncover the missing link in this chain of events? But how could she disappear for days, five at least? She couldn’t claim to be visiting friends or shopping for that length of time. She had enough money to carry out this journey, thanks to Rankin. But how would he and Lynx react to her seemingly traitorous actions? There was no simple answer to this crisis. Yet, this might be her last and only opportunity to confront her father and hear his side.

  Calinda paced her room, trapped by indecision and worry. Suddenly she raced out and searched the house and surrounding yards, finding no one. She hurried to the stables to speak with the two men working there; they hadn’t seen or heard anyone come or go. When they questioned her behavior, she smiled and told them she thought she had heard someone arrive while she was bathing, but found no one when she was dressed. They grinned when she cunningly hinted she thought Lynx might have come home. They shook their heads and said no. Calinda went to the house, halting by Salina’s door to knock. There was no answer. Clearly Salina hadn’t returned from town…

  Calinda went back to her room to give this grave matter more thought. Two hours later, Salina slipped out of her room and stole into the supply shed. She carried several bags to the kitchen, loudly slamming the door on her last trip. Calinda went downstairs to find Salina putting away supplies. She asked the sullen girl if she had seen anyone around the ranch or on the road earlier this morning.

  Salina turned to glance to her. “Were you expecting company? Lynx does not return home so quickly after leaving,” she sneered, making it sound as if Calinda was hoping he had changed his ways now that she was here. “It would be fun with old papa away so long.”

  “I wasn’t thinking about Lynx, Salina. Several times I thought someone was in the house, but I couldn’t find anyone when I searched. Do you ever have bandits come around?” she tried to prevent any suspicion in the Mexican girl who was watching her strangely.

  “We have rustlers on the range, but no bandido has dared to enter this casa to rob a Cardone. It must have been your imagination, or perhaps wishful dreaming,” she hinted playfully.

  “Perhaps,” Calinda flippantly agreed to end the matter. She must make a decision this afternoon. If she could come up with an acceptable excuse, she could make the two-day trip to Lampasas, speak with Jones or her father, then make the two-day trip home. A five-day journey could be carried off before Rankin’s return in six or seven days. If she could sneak off, the men wouldn’t think anything about her absence on the range since Rankin wasn’t home to escort her. The problem was Salina. That malicious witch would enlighten Rankin the moment he returned. Since Calinda couldn’t lie to Rankin, it might spoil everything. What to do?

  Calinda remembered her laundry and went to fetch it. When she returned to her room, Salina was standing near her bed with the letter clutched tightly in her hand, cunningly plotting how to help Calinda solve the problem of Salina.

  Calinda entered the room and halted instantly. She raced forward, throwing her clothes on the bed and snatching the letter from Salina. “How dare you read my mail!” she shrieked at Salina. “What are you doing in my room? I told you never to set foot in here again.”

  “I came to make a truce. You are right about our battles causing trouble. I sat down to wait for you to come back. I saw the letter on the bed. I could not help but see what it said. What does it mean?” she asked, pointing to the letter.

  “Since you so boldly read it, you know as much as I do,” Calinda snapped in irritation, viewing the girl as a kink in her plans.

  “Are you going to meet him?” Salina inquired, eyes wide.

  “How can I? Rankin and Lynx would be furious with me. I don’t even know who sent it or how it got in my room.”

  “Who do you think sent it?” Salina questioned innocently.

  “I suppose that Major Jones, the Ranger from Waco.”

  “Why does he want you to come in secret like a thief? Why would your papa not come here to see you?” Salina pressed.

  “I don’t know, unless my father is in some danger or trouble.”

  “But you said the Cardones would be angry with you; why?”

  Calinda wondered how much, if anything, Salina knew about the past. “How long have you lived here?” she asked. “Did you work for Laura Cardone?”

  “No. My sister worked here until she married. I took her place. You did not say, why will they be mad if you seek your papa? If you came to look for him, why do you not rush to answer this message?”

  Calinda chose her words carefully as she said, “My father used to work here. He was Rankin’s best friend. For some strange reason, he vanished five or six years ago. Rankin and Lynx were upset because he left suddenly without a word to any of us. He treated us badly, so they would be angry with me if I rushed to him now that’s he’s decided to come forward after all this time.” Calinda observed Salina closely. If Salina had learned anything since coming here or her sister had revealed any facts to her, it didn’t show on her face or in her voice.

  “Men are silly creatures, so proud. How can you refuse over a quarrel so long ago? If your papa is in trouble, why would a Ranger send for you? He would arrest him. Perhaps your papa is a secret agent. That could explain why he moved so quickly, why he could not get in touch with you, and why they are helping both of you. Si?”

  “Your sister never mentioned Elliott Braxton? He was called Brax. I would think sisters shared all secrets and gossip.”

  “She was my step-sister. We never liked each other. She always thought she was better than me. She hated her mother for marrying my father. She left home as soon as possible. She did not even tell me about the Cardone job; my father did.”

  “Do you think she would tell you anything she remembered if you wrote to her? I would like to know what happened to him.”

  “Then why do you not go to see him? Perhaps he will only confide in you. If he leaves on a mission again, you might never see him.”

  “My father couldn’t be an agent, Salina. He was a rancher. Something happened to either drive him away or to scare him off.”

  “Then why do you not find the reasons which keep him from you?”

  “I told you why,” Calinda panted in exasperation.

  “Which is more important, senorita? Your own papa or the Cardones and your life here on the ranch?” Salina artfully challenged.

  “I see what you’re trying to do. You want me to leave. You hope they’ll be furious and will refuse to let me come back.”

  “I care nothing for your truth or papa. Si, I wish you to leave and never return. If you find your papa, perhaps it will be so. My tongue does not run wild. If there is a slim chance your papa will take you away from here, I will keep silent for you to chase it. Even if I told them about your trip, they would probably forgive you and I would look bad in their eyes. They take your side against me. There is time for you to seek your answers before Senor Rankin
comes home. If you are here to stay, I also wish to know.”

  “Why would you cover for me? You despise me.”

  “I told you. If you cannot find your papa, you will remain. If that is to be, I wish to know now. Then I must decide if I am to go or stay. If your trip and success can bring home answers for both of us, then I beg you to go. If you resist because you do not want the Cardones to know of your search, then I will keep silent. But I swear to you, Calinda, I will deny I knew of your departure and its reasons. You must promise to never tell anyone I knew of your plans. If they discover your actions and question me, I will tell them it was none of my business. They said you were free to come and go. Who am I to stop you?” Salina shrugged her shoulders and sighed.

  “What if I don’t find him and return? You would seek trouble and spite by telling them or by threatening to tell them. I don’t trust you.” Calinda and Salina stared at each other. Calinda was so confused and intrigued that she couldn’t observe this situation wisely. She was so desperate to hear the truth and to see her father just once that she unconsciously allowed herself to be charmed and convinced.

  “If you return, then I must leave or we must make peace. If there is trouble, they will send me away before casting you out. You can clean the house and cook, and they like you more. You are the one not to be trusted, Calinda. You have come here and tried to take my place and my family,” Salina accused grimly.

  “That isn’t true, Salina. The only reason they’ve been upset with you is because of the mean way you’ve treated me. I don’t want to take your place. There’s no reason we can’t be friends. Why must you hate me so much?”