After rising and dressing quietly, Lynx stood by the bed gazing down at his serene wife. He had never experienced such love and contentment. Calinda Braxton Cardone belonged to him of her own will.
Monday passed tranquilly for both. Lynx went riding with his father to make plans for tonight’s snare. Calinda rested for most of the day. When Rankin and Lynx returned by mid-afternoon, they chatted and snacked together. Later, Rankin pored over the ranchbooks in his office while Calinda nestled in Lynx’s arms as he read aloud the local paper. When he tossed it aside and pulled her closer to him, he related the events of a large round-up and cattle drive to market.
Salina entered the enormous room and asked if they needed anything before she prepared dinner. Lynx and Calinda gazed longingly into each other’s eyes and told her “nothing.” Salina raged inwardly as Lynx stroked Calinda’s cheek and murmured unknowingly, “I have everything I need right here.”
Calinda’s eyes softened and glowed. “Me, too,” she replied.
Neither noticed Salina’s hasty retreat from the infuriating sight, nor her glare of hatred and jealousy. She went into the kitchen, warning herself not to slam pots around in her irate condition. “When he sates his lust for you, bruja, your day is coming,” she whispered balefully.
At dinner, Lynx brought a soft-bottomed chair to the table so Calinda could join them for the evening meal. The two men exposed their new plans to Calinda as they dined. Afterward, Lynx assisted Calinda to their room and into bed. “Think you can sleep better tonight?”
She grinned and nodded. “I have some dreams to create.”
He bent to kiss her before leaving, to spend another useless night lying in wait for rustlers who had been warned of their concealed presence in three logical locations. It would be lunchtime on Tuesday before Rankin and Lynx learned where they’d struck.
In spite of Calinda’s annoying torment, she slept fitfully all night. She hardly stirred when Lynx came to bed near dawn.
When she went downstairs past lunch the following day, Lynx and Rankin had left to check on Steve’s report of a cut fence on the northern border of the ranch. Beside the number of steers taken, many had escaped through the opening and compelled the hired hands to search for them. The two owners realized it was time to do serious thinking about who was tipping off the rustlers. They rode to a private spot to discuss this unsettling mystery, wondering who couldn’t be trusted.
Before they could dismount, someone opened gunfire on them. Lynx was off Star’s back with one agile leap, concealing himself behind a slender live-oak. Rankin’s startled horse reared and threw him. For three minutes, they were pinned down by the ominous gunshots. When Lynx heard the assailant’s horse galloping off, he couldn’t pursue him; Rankin was injured and bleeding.
He went to his father’s side. Rankin sat up, cradling his left arm. “Broken?” Lynx hinted.
“Don’t know,” his father answered, grimacing.
“Let’s get you to the house. I’ll send Charlie for Doc.”
“What about that bushwacker?” Rankin inquired angrily.
“He’s long gone. Here, let me help you to mount.”
When they reached the stable, Lynx told Charlie to fetch the doctor. Charlie took control of their animals before saddling another horse. Lynx assisted Rankin to the house. He asked the fretting Salina to tell Calinda they were home and his father was hurt. To his amazement, Salina told him Calinda had gone riding.
Rankin sank into a chair, then hastily told Lynx to go find Calinda. He could see how distressed his son was over Calinda’s absence. What if she confronted that dangerous villain? Rankin had never seen his son so panicky.
Lynx remarked tensely, “I’ll be right back, Father. Don’t move. I’ve got to locate her before…”
When he didn’t complete his anxious thought, Rankin encouraged, “I’ll be fine. Go get her.”
Lynx went to question Charlie as he was just leaving. Charlie told him he had saddled a horse for her an hour ago. She had headed up the lengthy road toward the gate, walking unsteadily beside the animal. Lynx thanked him and accepted a double-back ride in that direction, if that was the one she had truly taken…
When they met her returning to the ranch, she was strolling cautiously, the horse trailing behind. Lynx slid off Charlie’s horse, then waved him on to town. Charlie took off at a swift pace, kicking up dust behind him. Calinda turned and watched the rider, then focused her curious attention on Lynx as he inexplicably and verbally assailed her.
“Where in tarnation have you been!” he thundered at her. “I told you not to go riding alone. I thought you were injured!”
“What’s chewing at you, Lynx?” she asked in bewilderment. “I went walking to loosen up my stiff backside. I’m tired of lazing around. Why are you shouting at me?”
“You shouldn’t ride in your condition,” he snarled in tension.
“I didn’t!” she snapped back. “And stop ordering me around like a child or dim-wit! I’ve got to do something to ease my nerves.”
“Then why did you take a horse?” he demanded.
“In case I couldn’t get back on my own two feet. If a problem came up, I thought I could throw myself over the saddle and let him bring me home. I don’t require your permission to leave the house. Shut up and leave me alone!” she warned frostily, her fanny aching.
“Damnit, Cal! We were attacked by a gunman on the range. Rankin is hurt. Charlie’s gone for the doctor. If you ever ride out alone again, I’ll spank you, sore tail or not!” he shouted.
When his stormy gaze shifted to the gunbelt and weapon at her waist, she trembled at the horrifying gleam in his tawny eyes. “If you’re wondering if it’s been fired, Lynx, the answer is yes. If you care to wander up the road a piece, you’ll find a very dead rattler with several bullets in him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Callie!” he stated sarcastically. “Why would you shoot at us?” he asked, revealing his line of thought.
“To gain ownership of this illustrious ranch?” she sneered, angered by his unnerving mood and harsh words.
“It’s partly yours now!” he yelled, perturbed. “Why be greedy?”
Forgetting about Rankin during their implausible quarrel, she scoffed, “If I got rid of you two, I could be a wealthy and powerful widow. I could own everything in sight,” she stressed, waving her hand.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and roughly shook her. “But you wouldn’t have me around to give you pleasure and excitement!”
The argument silly, she still continued it. “Which times have been rare since we met! When you’re like this, I’d just as soon be alone! Sometimes I wonder why I stay here to take such abuse!”
“Why do you?” he snarled coldly as she rashly provoked him.
“Because I love you, you bastard!” she shrieked in frustration. “Why, I don’t know myself!” she added, jerking free of his grip.
“Let’s get you home. Doc can check you over, too,” he stated, berating his stupid words and actions which fear had borne.
“No, thank you. I don’t care to have some strange man eyeing my naked derriere. Once was sufficient,” she purred cattily.
“I’m being an ass, Callie. I’m sorry. I was worried about you, and I’m upset over Rankin,” he suddenly apologized, leashing his temper and tongue. “I’m used to being shot at, but he isn’t. This whole rustler affair has me edgy and fatigued. I shouldn’t take my fury out on you. You just have a way of provoking me at the wrong time.”
He looped the bridle reins over the saddle horn, then slapped the horse’s rump to send him racing for the stable. He scooped her up into his arms and headed for the house.
“Put me down this instant, Lynx!” she demanded, wildly thrashing her legs to show her vexation.
“Stop that, or I’ll drop you on your sore bottom. You’ve had enough exercise for today. Enjoy the free ride.”
“Nothing’s free around you, Lynx. Afraid I’ll antagonize my injury and inconvenien
ce you?” she taunted helplessly, still piqued.
He infuriatingly ignored her barb and kept walking. When they entered the house, he carried her into the den and set her down beside his father. She ruefully asked, “How are you, Rankin?”
“I haven’t decided,” he replied with a strained laugh.
She looked at his gradually swelling wrist. “Lynx, get a wide strip of cloth. We need to bandage this tightly to halt the swelling. Rip up an old sheet,” she suggested, taking charge of the situation.
“We best wait for the doctor, Cal,” he argued softly.
“We can’t. He’ll be too long arriving. I’ve seen injuries like this. I know what to do,” she informed him. “And get Salina to bring me some salty water to clean this cut on his forehead.”
When Lynx left to follow her instructions, she muttered, “He should have taken care of you rather than stalking me down.”
“He went wild when you weren’t here, Cal. I’ve never seen my son so panicky. He was afraid you had run into that cutthroat. He set me down and dashed out to rescue you again. I suspect my son has a bad case of love fever,” he explained Lynx’s behavior to a stunned wife.
Calinda was plagued by guilt over her conduct. Why did Lynx refuse to expose his great concern? Why was he so defensive and secretive about his emotions? He was so unacquainted with love, sharing, and fear that he didn’t know how to deal with them!
When her sullen mate returned with the torn sheet, she smiled at him and thanked him. “Hold this, love,” she told him, pointing to the cloth ends on Rankin’s lower arm. Lynx placed his fingertips where she indicated. She carefully and snugly rolled the strip around the injured area. She informed Rankin it would be tight and uncomfortable, but it would prevent more swelling. When the bandage was secured in place, she cleansed the small cut on his temple where his head had struck a jagged rock. “That should do it until the doctor arrives, unless you want a brandy to ease the pain and settle your nerves.” she hinted.
When she appeared to have trouble arising from her kneeling position, Lynx took her hands and helped her to her feet. She smiled into his wary expression. “You could use a stiff drink, too, my love.”
“Did you see any strangers while you were out?” Lynx asked.
“No, I wish I had. But I wouldn’t have known enough to shoot at him.”
“Please don’t go out alone, Callie,” he gravely entreated.
“I know I’m a bad girl at times, too willful and impulsive,” she confessed. “I’ll do my best to correct those terrible traits.”
“That sounds like excellent advice for both of us, including curbing these sharp tongues,” he whispered softly, tapping her lips and his. “You scared the pants off me, woman,” he admitted shamefully.
She didn’t care if Rankin was in the room, she hugged him tightly. “What’s this?” Lynx asked mockingly.
Her eyes said, “I love you; thanks,” as did her radiant smile.
They sat together on the couch waiting for the doctor. She heard about the alarming episode on the range and their mutual suspicions about the thefts. The doctor was on another emergency, and it was several hours before he arrived.
After examining Rankin, the elderly doctor glanced at Calinda and smiled warmly. “You didn’t need me, Rankin; she did everything possible in such a case. I would have treated you the same way. Rest easy, you’re in good hands.” He gave Calinda an approving nod and instructions for Rankin’s care. “If you ever decide to become a nurse, let me know. I could use a smart and alert helper.”
“Thank you, Doctor Weaver, but I can’t stand the sight of blood. I get nauseous and faint,” she told the amused man.
“Too bad,” he murmured.
After the doctor was gone and Rankin was resting comfortably in the den, Lynx and Calinda went to their room to freshen up for dinner and talk privately. Lynx noticed a letter on the bed the moment he entered the room. He swaggered over and retrieved it; it was addressed to his wife. He turned and asked, “What’s this, Cal?”
She glanced over at the item in his grasp, her eyes widening in puzzlement. “I don’t know. Why?”
“It’s a letter for you,” Lynx casually announced.
“From where?” she inquired, coming toward him. “I hope not another one from the Simpsons,” she fretted.
“It didn’t come by mail,” he stated, holding up the envelope with her name scrawled across the front.
Her face went pale and she trembled. “That’s the same handwriting as the first one. How did it get here?” Cal asked fearfully.
“I’ll ask Salina; you wait here.” He left the room as she sank down on the edge of the bed, oblivious to her aching hip.
When he returned, he told her Salina hadn’t seen anyone around, that she and Charlie had been cleaning the supply shed and checking the stock there. “You didn’t see anyone come around?” he pressed. “How long were you out earlier?”
“I don’t know; I didn’t notice the time. I guess about an hour. But I didn’t see anyone,” she told him. “What does it say?”
“There’s very little to block the view, Cal. How could someone ride up and away without you seeing him?” he probed.
“The same way no one else noticed a stranger! The same way one attacked you two and got away without revealing his identity! There are plenty of things to block the view: the house, stables, and sheds! Are you accusing me of lying?” she demanded breathlessly.
“I just don’t understand how these mysterious messages keep appearing from nowhere. I don’t like the idea that someone can sneak in and out of my home at will. I think we had better keep the doors and windows locked, and maybe post a guard for a while.”
“What if I hadn’t taken that walk? I could have been in worse danger than you two. Clearly this mystery man doesn’t want to be recognized. But how does he get close enough to watch the house for an opportunity to make a stealthy visit and then carry it out?” she reasoned in alarm.
“Let’s see what our villain has to say this time. I wonder why he would leave it while I was home,” he deliberated aloud.
“Burn it,” Cal pleaded, a foreboding sensation washing over her.
“After he went to such trouble and peril to deliver it?” he teased.
“Who’s doing this to me, Lynx? Who’s trying to be rid of me? I bet it’s just another lure. It won’t work this time. I don’t care what it says; I’ll never leave this ranch again.”
Lynx opened the envelope and silently read the message:
My dearest daughter,
Forgive this manner of contacting you, but do not be afraid. The others will be distracted to give you time to find and read this message in secret. You have grown into a very beautiful young lady and I am proud of you. I saw you in Lampasas, but could not risk coming to your side. I watched you for two days. My enemy was lurking in the shadows waiting to spring on me and slay me. We must meet and talk. There is much you should know about the Cardones. You have trusted them too soon, my child, and I fear for your life and happiness. They have used you and tricked you. It is urgent you come to Dallas. Let no one see you leave. I will contact you there and explain. Please trust me, daughter. Leave the ranch today. I will take steps to protect you from them.
A tic formed along his clenched jawline and he went rigid. His eyes narrowed and hardened. “I’m riding over to Dallas to check out this invitation,” he coldly announced from his pensive study.
Cal jumped up and seized his arm. “No! You can’t! Don’t you see, Lynx? That note isn’t for me; it’s to lure you away. Please don’t leave,” she urged him frantically, eyes wide with terror.
“How do you know? You haven’t read it,” he remarked oddly.
“If it was for me, idiot, he wouldn’t have left it where you were certain to see it. Besides, why wouldn’t I give it to you? I have this awful feeling that letter means trouble.”
“You burned the first one, then took off in secret,” he said.
“That was b
efore we had an understanding. I told you I wouldn’t leave again. I’ve related the contents of all my messages.”
“Read it, Calinda,” he said firmly, holding out the paper, curiously calling her by her first name.
“No, I don’t want to,” she refused, turning her back. “If he can’t be open with me, I don’t trust him. It must be a trick.”
“Him, who?” Lynx inquired casually, as if trying to entrap her.
“How should I know? I just assumed it was a he.”
Lynx insisted, “I’ll read it to you. My dearest daughter,” Lynx began icily. He looked over at her and sneered, “From Brax.”
She slowly turned and stared at him, her body trembling and her face draining of natural color. Her lips parted as if to silence him, her tormented gaze wide and beseeching. Tears glistened in her sad eyes. She looked at him as if he had plunged a hot knife into her heart. As her chin and lips began to quiver, she looked on the verge of racking sobs. She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at him.
Lynx observed this strange reaction, holding silent until she composed herself. Her head remained lowered for a time as she was lost in deep thought. Finally she lifted it and met his searching gaze. “Shall I read the contents?” he asked when she didn’t speak.
Her eyes and voice were dulled as she murmured faintly, “I don’t care who it claims to be from, Lynx; I don’t want to hear it. Why are you being so persistent and cruel? You recently told me to forget him and the past,” she painfully reasoned. “Why must you torment me this way? My father has been lost to me for years. Don’t bring him back to life.”
“The past can’t be over, Cal, not as long as he’s trying to reach you. He was waiting for you in Lampasas. He didn’t show his miserable face because of me. He’s trying to set up another meeting.”
“I was there long enough for him to come forward before you suddenly appeared. You’re not saying you were there all along while that gunslinger Deavers was terrifying me?” she inquired in dread.
“No, Cal, I arrived that night. But your father thought I was lurking around,” he concluded. “This note isn’t a trick, Cal. From what it says, only Brax could have written it.”
First Love Wild Love Page 37
