At the hitching rail she worked the reins loose and led Zach’s horse around to the back, tying it with the other two. Stooping, she picked up a few small rocks, then went to the high opening above the cells and tossed one. Nothing. Another, then another, before someone tossed one back.
Had to be Zach. If he couldn’t figure she was waiting out back, he was dumber than he looked. Somehow she had to get inside and get that key that hung above the door. He and Josh would be ready. Double-checking the horses to see they were easily accessed, she crept around front, turned the doorknob slowly, and slipped inside. Her heart beat so fast she feared the sound would awake the sleeping deputy and half the town. Standing on tiptoe, she worked the key off its hook.
In the corner, almost invisible in the shadows, hung two belts with holsters and guns. Had to belong to Zach and Josh. Talk about dumb. These guys didn’t have the sense to pour piss out of a boot. She snagged both belts, held them over the crook of one arm, glanced back at the sleeping deputy in the chair.
He snorted and rubbed his nose. She froze. If he awoke, she’d be visible in the bars of moonlight shining through the window. He snorted again, then quieted. She let out a breath and padded to the cell. The key snicked into the lock.
Chapter Eight
Zach waited until the two deputies locked Josh back in his cell, then pushed his way between them and peered through the bars at his brother.
“I’ll go talk to the sheriff. If I have to beat it into him, I’ll convince him to stop this hanging.”
The brother who looked up at him was the boy of his memories. The one he’d fished with, played tag with, and protected when the older boys beat him up. Deep inside, something cracked, and his tears flowed. Hell, crying wasn’t something he had done since he knelt in the blood-soaked earth next to the body of his best friend on the killing fields at Shiloh. Never in his life had he felt so helpless. Like that dark day, he felt as if his hands were tied behind his back. Dammit, there had to be something he could do to stop this misuse of justice. To watch Josh climb those steps, hood over his head and hands behind his back… To see a noose drop around his neck… It was all more than he could bear. There must be a way to save him.
Tyra at least had tried to do something, until that dandy James Lee stopped her. Staring at his baby brother, Zach vowed to get him out of this mess or die trying.
“Don’t worry, Josh. I’m gonna get you out of here. You’ll see.”
“Ah, it’s no use. They’ll string me up in the morning, no matter what you do. It’s okay. Maybe it’s time I paid for the things I have done.”
Zach slammed a flat palm against the bars, whirled, and stormed out onto the boardwalk, where the sheriff and a couple of his men were clustered, deep in conversation. Like always, anger dimmed his judgment so he got right up in the sheriff’s ugly face. So close the man’s foul breath nearly knocked him over.
“Watch it, boy.” Landerly backed off a few steps. “I done tol’ you, you keep this up you’ll be in there with your brother.”
“It’ll take more’n the three of you to put me there, you son of a bitch.” Flat-handed he slammed the sheriff in the chest, much as he’d hit the bars imprisoning his brother.
The man let out a whoof, staggered backward, and almost fell off the boardwalk Before he came to a full stop his gun was in his fist. One of the others, a rangy guy with shaggy hair and a thick mustache, grabbed Zach by one arm and took a smash to the mouth for his efforts. Blood gushed. A gun barrel drilled into Zach’s back.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Landerly said. “You’re getting just what you wanted. Maybe you and your brother can have a proper leave-taking before I put both of you’uns on that scaffolding. March, now.”
Seeing red, Zach whirled, elbowed the gun away, it went off, and someone howled. That was all he remembered until he came to a while later locked up in the cell with Josh, who was shaking him, calling his name.
Josh hovered over him. “Zach? You okay?”
He fingered the bloody lump on his head and winced. Pain thumped at his temples and fogged his vision till all he could see were the bars around him. Shit, what had he done now? One of these days he’d learn to keep that temper in check. He sure couldn’t help Josh if he couldn’t see straight. He should’ve stopped while he was ahead.
“You okay?” The voice roared in his ears.
“Don’t shout. I’m alive. What did he hit me with?”
“Didn’t see, but you were plumb out when they carried you in. How you gonna do anything now?”
A feeling of despair poured over him till he wanted to lash out at something. Anything. But that he’d already done, with dire results. So, what next? He pinched his nose trying to make the pain go away, but it only made matters worse. Folding one arm over his face, he lay back and groaned. Numbskull.
He had dozed off when something small smacked him right in the chest, and he sat up. Checked out every corner of the small cell. Of course there was no one there but his brother, who lay slumped back onto his own cot. A small rock arced through the high window and tumbled across the floor. He came to his feet, swayed with dizziness, then dropped down beside Josh’s sleeping form. Shook his shoulder.
“Wha-?” Zach’s hand covered his mouth.
“Hsst. Someone is outside. I think it might be that crazy Tyra. She’s coming to get us out, so get on your feet. Be ready.”
Tyra came in through the front and slipped the key into the lock of their cell.
“Well, let’s be going.” She handed over their guns, stood back while the two buckled them on and filed out, headed for the door in the back.
“Quiet. Horses out back. Door creaks. Go. You and Zach. Hurry.” Words that were whispered.
Josh hesitated like he didn’t understand.
She dragged his head down, said into his ear, “Go, dammit. We’ll be there. You’re the one who needs to go. Now.”
By this time, her heart was beating so hard she could barely draw a breath. Hold it together, don’t fly apart.
A sound like “uh” came from the office. Feet hit the floor. The deputy was awake. Josh was gone. She grabbed Zach’s arm and shoved him ahead of her. He limped, staggered, let out a groan, and they were out the door, the flat of her hands on his back to propel him. It creaked shut behind them. Josh had mounted the guard’s horse.
“Don’t wait, either of you. Mount up and get the hell out of here.” Moonlight dappled through limbs blowing in a night breeze. Watching them was like squinting through lanterns flashing on and off. Zach crawled into the saddle, after staggering around from the earlier blow to his head. Sometimes he didn’t think before he acted.
She dropped the key on the ground and swung one leg into the stirrup.
“Hey, you. Stop now or I’ll shoot.” From behind them. The deputy.
For an instant she froze, one foot still on the ground, then made a decision and climbed aboard. She had no inclination to be shot in the back, but neither did she want to rot in jail. Crouched low along Morgan’s neck, she urged him forward. A shot rang out, then another. The second came from beyond the trees ahead, not behind her.
“Come on girl. Ride.” Another shot from the darkness of the trees.
Zach or Josh, she couldn’t tell which, but it didn’t matter. They had come back to save her hide. Remaining low in the saddle, she heeled Morgan into a full-out gallop following the two figures. By popping her head up and down like a child’s jack-in-the-box, she kept track of them.
Her heart pounded to the rhythm of the horses’ hooves; the night wind fingered hair loose from under her hat. No one spoke, they just rode flat out across the prairie, following the moon’s path. West Texas lay ahead, and she was now running with outlaws. Nothing new to the family. To avoid marrying Blair, Wilda had run off with Calder Raines, a notorious though reluctant train robber. He changed his ways, and they lived out in Colorado. Had a baby. Perhaps she could do the same. Well, maybe not the baby, but for sure get pardoned. Best would
be if the law never caught up with them. She might become as famous as Calamity Jane.
Most of the night the two men led the way. Not eager to strike out on her own, she continued to follow them. They stopped once in a while, usually where there was water, and rested the horses, then went on. When they stopped for the third time, Josh approached her. The moon had set, and she couldn’t see his face, but it was him. He was shorter than Zach and didn’t limp.
Poor Zach. For the hundredth time she wished she hadn’t shot him, but such wishes were like clouds on a windy day. And on top of that he’d gone and got his head bashed in. He couldn’t be feeling too good by now.
Before speaking, Josh cleared his throat. “You ought to head north. Probably get away. They’ll be after us, come daylight.”
“I know. I’m not sure where I want to go. Just wandering, really. What will you do?” The idea of leaving, going out on her own, had lost its appeal. All she wanted now was the comfort of Zach’s arms.
“Don’t know, yet. I’d like to go home, hide out for a spell till they give up looking for me. Gotta get out of Texas, though.”
“You lived in New Mexico. Where?”
“Not far from Taos. We were raised in a little town. Santa Maria. The desert is beautiful. Not much green. Browns and ochres and reds, turning all shades with the sun. And when the cactus bloom, what a sight. The air so clean at night the stars nested right in your lap.”
“Sounds beautiful. What made you leave?”
“Wanderlust, I guess. Stupidity, too. Always thinking some other place would be better, when all the time we had heaven in both hands.”
Lord, he was a poet. How in the world did he end up facing a noose? “Will Zach go with you?”
“Maybe. Hard to tell. He’s always liked an odd life. First the war, then gambling got in his blood. Still, I hope he does go with me.”
“Hey, you two, we gotta go.” Sounds of Zach mounting up, his horse snorting and ready to run.
Josh ignored him, turned back to face her. “I want to thank you for what you did. Strange, you hardly even know me, and you risk your life—heck, the rest of your life—to set me free. I’ll never forget it. Never forget you.” He surprised her by leaning down and kissing her cheek.
“I have a feeling I’ll never regret it, Josh.”
“I sincerely hope you don’t.” Without another word, he climbed on his horse.
She mounted up too, and they took off in their relentless flight, her riding along behind them like she was tied by an invisible rope. She ought to go somewhere else, just veer off and leave without a fare-thee-well. Hard as she tried to convince herself to do that, she just kept following the two brothers like she didn’t have good sense. And she probably didn’t.
A morning sun warmed their backs, and still she stuck to the trail they broke. They walked the horses for fear of wearing them down, riding them to death. By the time the sun hung high in the sky, it was clear they had to stop. Humans and beasts were exhausted.
Tyra reined up first, halting on a slight rise, pointing toward a valley. A river ambled through the green meadows, and tucked into the decline was a ramshackle cabin surrounded on two sides by trees. You could hardly even see the place.
“Reckon anyone lives there?” She rubbed the neck of her horse, and he stomped, snorted several breaths. “We need to let these mounts rest, or we’ll be afoot.”
“Hard to tell, but it looks deserted. That’s the Brazos River. We can follow it till we hit Marcy’s Trail.”
Tyra nudged ahead of them both. “You two wait here. I’ll ride in casual-like. See if anyone’s home.” She didn’t wait for them to agree but guided Morgan two-stepping down the slight hill and into the yard. No dog barked, and she dismounted, went to the door. It hung on one leather hinge. Holes cut for windows had no curtains or glass. No furniture was visible, save an old broken rocking chair.
“Anyone home?” No reply.
A well, its curb formed with river rocks, was around back in the small cluster of trees. Probably dry, but the river wasn’t far away. Riding behind the cabin, she signaled the brothers to come on down, then went to investigate the well. A wooden bucket lay on the ground, the rope frayed. Dismounting, she took out her Barlow, cut the fray, and tied the two ends together, then dropped the bucket into the dark hole. A satisfying splash told her what she wanted to know. By the time Zach and Josh arrived, Morgan had his nose buried in the bucket of cold water.
At the sound of their horses’ hooves, she looked up and smiled. “We can tie them back in those trees, invisible from the rise there, and maybe get us some sleep inside. Texas is a big place, and they may not find us. If we’re lucky.”
Josh let out a dry laugh. “Luck hasn’t been my partner lately.”
“Mine neither,” Zach said.
“Well, maybe we’ll have to use up mine, then. You’re both out of jail. Let’s keep it that way.” She took the bucket from the slurping horse and handed it to Josh. “You two can draw your own water. I’m fixing to bed down a while.” She removed the saddle and loosely tied her mount in the shelter of the trees, then dragged her exhausted body inside.
The place was gloomy and smelled of wild critters that probably hid out in there at night. Tossing her bedroll down, she brushed away some pine cones and sticks. On both knees, she spread the blankets, then dropped to her butt. The action jabbed a splinter into her hand. She took out her Barlow, opened the blade to dig it out.
Zach stumbled in and tossed his saddlebags and bedroll down nearby. “Let me do that.”
“I can get it.”
He dropped next to her, wrapped fingers around her hand that held the knife. His touch revived her weary body, sent signals flashing everywhere. Man, woman, look out.
“Doesn’t hurt to take help once in a while.” His voice, pitched low, stirred something inside her.
Too tired to say no, she let him take the Barlow and opened her hand in his. Heat from his body caressed her in waves, and something else as well. An intense joining of their spirits was the only way she could describe it. Down deep it felt like something inside her reached out to wrap around him. He bent closer, his mussed hair tickling her chin. She had the most unusual desire to kiss the lobe of his ear. Eyed the perfection of the shape, the golden texture of his skin, layered in dust from the long ride. She’d never even thought of doing such a thing before.
The digging of the sharp metal point into her hand brought her out of the odd dreamlike state. “Ouch, dammit.”
“Sorry. Got it.” He pulled the splinter out, lifted her hand to his mouth, and sucked on the wound, warm lips and tongue moistening the palm.
Good Lord, that felt good. Sent pleasure to all her feminine parts. Maybe he wouldn’t stop for a while. She relaxed, leaned her head against his shoulder. So good, the feeling of his support. His caring.
“You okay, Ty?”
“What? Hmmm?”
“Did I hurt you?”
“Not near as much as I have you.” The last thing she wanted was to leave the comfort his shoulder offered.
“What? Oh, you mean shooting me. Ah, it was nothing.”
“Zach, I am so sorry. I can’t tell you how much I regret that.”
“Then don’t try.” He lifted her chin, lowered his mouth to hers and brushed her lips lightly once, twice, until she moved closer into a kiss she wanted to go on forever. It felt so good, the way his soft, warm lips appeared eager for more. His tongue wanted into her mouth. She’d never done that before but found it pleasant when he explored the inside of her cheeks.
Twisting, she pressed her body against his, returned the favor with that tongue thing he did. His body was hard, the muscles flexing under her exploring hands, and she slipped them beneath the tail of his shirt and up his back. Lord, he was something under that tattered, blood-spattered shirt. Touching him seemed the most natural, pleasant thing she could imagine. No telling what was going on inside her, but she had no desire to fight it.
He cupped his hands under her arms and massaged her breasts with both thumbs till her nipples went all tight and shuddery.
Desire shot to her private parts like a streak of lightning through a thundery sky. He sure knew how to make a woman feel delicious, with his tongue and fingers. Wonder what he would be like everywhere else?
Josh stomped into the gloomy space. “Look what I found in the trees yonder.” He stopped short. “Hell, sorry. I didn’t know you two were…I mean, that is…”
When Zach turned her loose, she felt like her world had collapsed. If she’d had a rock she’d have flung it at Josh. She slumped, licked Zach’s taste from her mouth.
“It better be something damned good.” Zach glared at his brother.
“It is. Some sort of berries, down low to the ground, and they’re delicious. Look and taste like blackberries. I gathered my hat full. Want some?”
Hungry as she was, she wanted what he’d broke up more than the berries. But she kept the retort to herself, glanced at Zach, and by the look on his face he agreed with her. Damn, what an itch he’d stirred up, an itch she wanted him to scratch. This was mighty funny. She and James Lee had that one brief night on his bedroll, and she’d enjoyed the effort on his part to teach her about men and women. But this was so much more, a marvelous awakening, and one she would like to experience further. Right this instant. Not once had she wanted to pull away from him.
Zach gave her a lingering gaze, then joined Josh in eating berries. Finally she scooted over to where they squatted and popped a few in her mouth. Sweet juices flowed all over the places his tongue had been only minutes earlier. It was a long time since she had eaten, probably just as long for them. Zach glanced down at her and gave her a berry-colored smile. She stuck out her tongue, and he laughed, a full belly laugh that was pleasant to the ear.
“Your tongue is black.” He leaned forward, kissed the corner of her mouth. It was like they’d known each other a long while, been intimate.
How she wished things were different, ’cause this man was exactly what she’d been waiting for. First she’d shot him, and now she’d gone and made a fugitive of him. Still, he didn’t seem to be letting that stop him from liking her. Even better, desiring her.
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