Heart of a Lady (Book One of the Red River Valley Brides)

by Hestand, Rita

  Harry knew Cole was part of the gang that murdered Dillon's Pa, although he had doubts Cole himself did the killing. No, in fact he rather thought Morey might be the one that did it. Morey was mean, and killing came easy for him. It would have been like Morey to kill Dillon's Pa. Especially if they were stealing his cattle.

  What Harry needed was some kind of proof. Something he could tie into the actual murder.

  So far, Cole and his gang had been hard to nail down. They hadn't pulled anything recently, and Harry hoped they'd moved on. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

  Obviously they had planned this hold up carefully. The only thing that didn't figure was the kid who held the horses for them. Harry hadn't recognized him at first. It wasn't like Cole to depend on kids, but they wouldn't be noticed or suspected, and was a clever move on Cole's part.

  They had staged the kid outside away from the robbery itself, another clever move. Cole had somehow gotten out before Morey.

  Morey was a bad one too, he was the one who always made sure there were no witnesses. He was probably faster with a gun than Cole, which was saying something.

  Men like Cole couldn't be predicted. The sooner he caught up to them, the better.

  Harry thought about the robbery for a moment. Jonathan the bank teller, a little man with big glasses on his nose and a bald head, would naturally have opened the safe as he was easily scared. Harry wondered why Saul had hired him to work in his bank. But on second thought, the man was good with figures. And although Jonathan was a known coward, it probably kept the bank from becoming a blood bath.

  Harry closed his eyes, nearing sleep despite his anxiety when he heard a twig snap and a rider coming up. Instinctively, he reached for his shotgun.

  But as the man sauntered into the camp, Harry recognized him. Only Dillon was that sure of himself.

  "Dillon, what are you doin' here?" Harry appraised him, noting the gun at his hip and the rifle in his hand.

  "Same as you, I reckon. Out to catch Cole with the money."

  Harry nodded. "Any other reason?"

  "Maybe."

  "I thought so," Harry muttered. "There's no coffee to offer you. Just cold biscuits and jelly."

  "Fine I'll take it."

  Harry wanted to like Dillon, but it took effort, because they were so different. Dillon could charm any woman, but men saw him differently. Most men avoided him, because he was known for one thing…a bad temper. A bad temper with a gun. In Harry's books, that added up to dangerous. But the rift between them ran deeper. His father wasn't like that, and how he raised a son to be so reckless Harry didn't know.

  Harry envied Dillon in some ways. Dillon could put on a real show for the ladies, and most of them fell for it too. He didn't measure up aside this dude of a cowboy.

  "Thanks." Dillon squatted, picked up one of the biscuits in the tin pan, and sat down near a rock. He glanced around the campsite before he looked at Harry. "So, how far ahead are they?"

  "If they stopped to rest at all, about a half day's ride. If they pushed on, they might be out of the territory by now. You better get some rest if you're goin' with me in the morning."

  "I hadn't planned on joinin' you, Harry, until someone said they got Jo Ella," Dillon admitted. "Naturally I can't let you be the hero, can I?"

  "Is that what you think this is about, being a hero?" Harry scoffed. Sometimes Dillon said some damn stupid things, this was one of those times, Harry decided. He slammed his saddle down on the ground and laid his head on it as he stretched out.

  "No, not in your case at least, but it crossed my mind. Saving her would sure make the right impression. Are you sure they have her?"

  "They have her, all right. They flaunted her in front of my nose. Daring me to shoot at them," Harry muttered. "And I wouldn't worry about being a hero. We aren't out here to impress her or anyone else, so if that is what you want, you can stay behind. This isn't some kind of contest, Dillon. I got the town's money to worry about, the cattlemen's deposit for one, and her safety. I can't keep you from losing your head either."

  "Is that why you are after them?" Dillon asked. "Are you trying to impress the town?"

  Without thinking, Harry got up, jerked Dillon to his feet and hit him. It made no sense.

  Harry was fed up with Dillon's accusations, but he hung his head, nonetheless, in exasperation. Dillon recovered quickly and stared at him with a frown. "Are you trying to start a fight with me?"

  "No, Dillon, I'm trying to do my job. Whether you realize it or not, I aim to catch them, in case you didn't know. I didn't pin this damn badge on to impress you or anyone else. I did it because I believe in the law."

  "So you are sayin' you don't want to impress Jo Ella by catching these outlaws. You're just doin' your job." Dillon looked perplexed, as though he couldn't understand him or believe him..

  "No. My God, man," Harry turned to look at Dillon, face to face. "They held up the bank and shot one of my deputies. I'm not about to forget that."

  "Dead?"

  "Busted his shootin' arm." Harry walked around for a minute, frustrated that Dillon couldn't grasp the importance. "They got away with the cattlemen's deposit and that means trouble if I don't get it back and soon. You know that as well as I. If I want to keep this job, I have to see this through, one way or another."

  "I'm sorry for that. And I guess…" He stretched his long legs out toward the fire. "I didn't take you seriously as a sheriff, until now." Dillon shook his head, taking his hat off he helped himself to Harry's canteen of water. "They offered me the job a few years back, but I refused it. Not enough pay, and way too much trouble. Besides, my old man reminded me I got too quick a temper. He said a temper and the law don't mix. I guess he was probably right about that."

  Harry laid down again and covered his face with his hat. "He was.".

  "I'm gonna marry that gal, Harry," Dillon announced.

  Harry pushed his hat back and glanced at Dillon who had taken the other side of the camp as his bed. "Oh, does she know yet?" Harry raised a brow.

  "No, but this convinced me. I like her. And I think she likes me. It's as simple as that."

  "I see…" Harry murmured, he also recognized the seriousness in Dillon's voice. There was no doubt about it, Dillon was a handsome devil, and women found him exiting. Being a sheriff rarely impressed a girl, Harry realized. He was no competition for Dillon. Still, Harry wasn't going to give up on how Jo Ella might feel about it.

  Once again, Harry was faced with the problem of liking the same woman as Dillon. Usually he backed down from Dillon's amorous dealings, but it was hard to walk away from someone like Jo Ella. She was worth fighting for, he reasoned. The way he saw it, it was up to the lady to make up her mind, not him.

  When Harry grew silent, Dillon stared at him. "You like her too, don't you?"

  "Right now, I'm after an outlaw, Dillon, and her safety is more important than how I feel. Or even how you feel. I have a job to do. A duty. And I aim to do it, with or without you."

  "You always were one for bottlin' it up, weren't you, Harry?" Dillon smiled. "I'm sorry for you. You let that tin badge rule your heart, and you lose every time, Harry. But the lady wants me."

  "Are you sure about that?"

  He smiled. "As sure as a man can be. I've seen the desire in her eyes when I kiss her, the blush that creeps up her cheeks when I look at her. The way she kisses back tells me everything I need to know. I aim to have her for a wife. That's why she came here, for a husband. She's made no bones about that. And I like that. I'm willin'. I think I can tame her."

  "Getting married is a big step for you Dillon." Harry frowned. "In my opinion, it's the lady's decision, not yours or mine."

  "At least I'm willing to commit. More than I can say for you, Harry. If Cole hurts her, he's a dead man. You can count on that. Law or no law."

  Harry leaned on his arm and stared at through the darkness at Dillon.. He wanted to quit talking about Jo Ella. He had to keep his mind clear and to concentrate on
catching Cole.

  "You know, I think now is the time to talk to you about something. Something I've wanted to discuss reasonably with you for some time. I'm reasonably certain this bunch was involved with your pa's killing."

  "I think you are right about that Harry. I have to admit I'm a little surprised you came to the same conclusion. So what do you plan to do about it, Sheriff? "Dillon tensed. "You got any proof?"

  "No. Just a hunch." Maybe he shouldn't have admitted this now. Too late now.

  "If we take 'em alive, are you takin' him in on that charge?"

  "Dillon, I just told you I have no proof of it yet. I can't. No. If we take him alive, I'll arrest him for bank robbery. I can prove that. I can't prove a hunch. Besides, I'm not sure Cole did it. I think Morey is the one we are after for that. Either way, I'm taking them in… alive if I can."

  "Either way, it's the same. They are dead men." Dillon's voice grew cold and unmoving.

  "Even the kid?"

  "What kid?" Dillon frowned.

  "I couldn't remember the kid's name at first. But I do remember seeing him with Cole a time or two in town. I think his name is Danny Tucker. He's about the only red-headed kid I know of around these parts. Although, I gotta admit I didn't expect to see him holding the horses at the bank for them. He is just a kid."

  "That's too bad. Well, if he gets in the way…"

  " Dillon, I’m not planning on a killing spree. I'm taking them in alive. The main thing is to protect Jo Ella. We have to put her safety above all else, you know that."

  "Agreed." Dillon nodded. "But once we get them in, I don't promise nothing else."

  "I've tried to like you, most of your life. I really have. But you jump too fast. You don't think before you react. You have to do things according to the law, Dillon, whether you want to or not. So you let me handle this. Understand? If you love that girl like you say you do, you'll listen to me this time. Because a dead man can't marry a woman."

  "Point noted." Dillon jumped up and paced. He reminded Harry of a caged animal. "You think one of them killed my Pa. You know they took Jo Ella. You know they robbed the bank. You even know he shot a deputy. And you still won't kill him? I don't understand that kind of thinkin'. They don't deserve a trial. They are all three guilty."

  "What if Cole didn't kill your pa? What if one of his men did? If you shoot him, you will never know for sure. You'll always wonder. A trial is for finding the truth. Don't you want the truth?"

  "I want him dead." Dillon cursed under his breath.

  "I tell you what, Dillon, You take care of Jo Ella. I'll take care of Cole?" Harry stared at him.

  Dillon's frown eased. "All right. Just make sure you do."

  "I will. Now let's get some sleep. We are gonna need it."

  Dillon seemed to consider Harry for a long moment. "You know, Harry, if I save her, she'll marry me. Are you prepared for that?"

  "It's her choice, I'd say," Harry muttered.

  "I seen you on your picnic. I seen her at the pond. She's a lot of woman to handle, Harry. This is the first woman you've taken an interest in since Dinah."

  Harry winced. "That was a long time ago."

  "I almost hate to spoil things for you." Dillon smiled crookedly. "Again!"

  Dinah had been a child, even if Dillon did win her heart. Jo Ella was a woman with a mind of her own.

  But the thought of Jo Ella in Dillon's arms wouldn't go away all night, and Harry's sleep was restless.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Back at Mae's house, Mae tried to reason with her brother one last time.

  "I cain't talk you out of this?" Mae asked, her jaw clenching and unclenching as she spoke to her brother.

  "Nope, the deed is done, Mae. We got to git." Cole said.

  "When you comin' back?" Mae visibly held back the tears, kneading her hands together as he stuffed food she'd given him into his saddle bags.

  He swallowed hard. "Don't know. Now you be sure and keep a tight hold on that gal. And head the sheriff off in another direction, you hear me? You gotta give us a start." Cole shot his sister a hooded glance.

  "I hear ya. So long." She shook her head as she put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

  Cole mounted, gave Mae a quick slight smile and tipped his hat to her.

  Mae shook her head. "He's gonna git his fool head blown off." She glanced at Jo Ella. "You ain't scared of me, are you?"

  "Should I be?"

  "No, of course not. But a lot of women would be."

  Jo Ella watched them ride off, shading her eyes in the morning sun, her tension fleeing.

  "What are you gonna do with me?" she asked as Mae turned to look at her.

  "Not a thing. You ain't got no horse now, so you cain't just up and run away. When the sheriff gets here, you can leave with him. I ain't holdin' you none." Mae chuckled lightly. "You ain't my prisoner. What will be will be with Cole. I hope he makes the best of his head start."

  "Aren't you worried about what he's done?" Jo Ella asked, not understanding their abrupt goodbye.

  "Don't do no good to worry about that. It's done. What is— is. He took it upon himself to be bad. I cain't change him. But he is my brother, and I do love him. I cain't change that either." Mae scoffed. "Let's get in the house and have some more coffee."

  Jo Ella glanced down the empty road once more before she went inside.

  "Why did he become an outlaw?" she asked as Mae poured them both some coffee. Her ease with Mae astounded her.

  Mae shrugged as though the question compared the past with the present. "It began when our ma and pa died. Pa was a farmer. An ordinary farmer. He was God fearin' too. When Ma took sick, he took to drink. Cole followed in his footsteps, I reckon. Cole got bitter when Pa died a year later. He kept saying they had worked themselves to the bone and had nothing to show for it. He wasn't about to be like them. And he wasn't. Nothing I said, nothing I did made a bit of difference. Ain't no shame in farmin'. Ain't no shame in bein' poor. But Cole didn't see it that way. First day he went to school, the kids laughed at him because he had no shoes. He never went back. I taught him to read and write, at least what I could. Cole was prideful, still is."

  "I'm sorry for you." With an understanding heart, Jo Ella reached to cover her hand.

  "No use bein' sorry. Does no good. I tried to steer him clear of trouble, when he was younger. But now it's too late." Mae gazed out the window at the lonely road. "They didn't hurt you none, did they?"

  "No."

  "Good. Hurtin' a woman is about as low as one can git. Cole ever got that mean I might have to disown him." Mae's glance sized her up quickly, and her deep set blue eyes twinkled. "Most women would be shakin' in their boots by now. Why ain't you?"

  Jo Ella shrugged. "Strange as it may seem to you, your brother didn't scare me that much. Oh, he talked a tough talk, and he barked orders and made threats, but somehow, when I looked into his eyes, I didn't see a murderer. I couldn't say the same when about Morey, though. He scared me a little… A lot. When I looked at him, I saw no remorse for what he'd done. That scared me a little. The kid, he was kind to me. I really felt badly that he was mixed up with them."

  Mae studied her. "You're a peculiar one. Tough. I like that. You'd have made Cole a good wife."

  Jo Ella's eyes rounded. "That's a strange thing to say."

  "Maybe it is at that." Mae sipped her coffee thoughtfully. "But I guess you pegged him right. Cole wasn't always bad. He could have had a woman a few years back. She sure turned his head. She was tough, too, in a different sort of way. But there was one thing she couldn't tolerate—his breaking the law. And it just came natural to Cole. You see, the way I see it, you break the law when you don't respect it any longer."

  "So he missed his chance at real happiness?"

  "Yeah…" Mae hung her head. "Bless his heart. It hurt him bad that she couldn't put up with him, but by then, he couldn't seem to change."

  "What happened?"

  "She got kilt. She didn't know what h
e was up to. She was goin' about her business when he held up the bank in that little town she was from. A stray bullet hit her right in the heart as she was crossin' the street. One of Cole's men… ain't sure which one. He didn't have the kid with him then. There were others. Most of them are dead now. But that Morey, he's always been there, eager to do something mean and underhanded. That was a big mistake, stayin' around Morey. Cole has had a heap of hate in his heart ever since she died. "

  "But why didn't he blame his men?"

  "It were an accident, anyone could have seen that. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He never could prove whose bullet killed her, so he took the blame on himself. And in a way, he was right. If he had at least warned her of what they were gonna do, it would never have happened."

  Jo Ella sighed. "Life sometimes is like that. Things happen and can't be taken back. But we all have choices in life, too."

  "Cole's out to get himself hanged. And I can't stop that. I knowed it, but I can't stop it." Mae shook her head, not quite hiding the tear that lodged in the corner of her eye.

  Jo Ella put her hand on top of hers. "I'm sorry."

  "Do you know how far back the sheriff is?" Mae asked after a long silence.

  "No, I wouldn't think over a day."

  Mae nodded. The slump of her shoulders said more than any words could have.

  Jo Ella glanced around. "Why don't I help you clean the place?"

  Mae nodded again. "They sure left things a mess. Better git these dishes washed up and the beds made."

  Jo Ella knew she was just going through the motions right now. She suddenly wished Harry wasn't the Sheriff.

  Together they managed to clean the cabin and do a little wash.

  Around sundown, Mae said, "You are a pretty little thing. How come you ain't taken already?"

  A blush crept up her cheeks as Jo Ella scrambled for some sort of answer. "I guess I've been in the wrong places and the wrong times."

  Mae looked bewildered then shrugged.

  Early that morning, she'd roasted a chicken and made some beans. When they sat down to eat, Jo Ella poured them some milk.