“No.” Texanna shook her head. “I knew she was sick. Sam begged me to let him take her to the doctor at Fort McKavett. It was in the dead of winter. I told him Jenny would recover if we just kept her out of the cold. My baby is dead and I’m to blame.” Her voice became brittle. “I deserve everything I get.”
Stoney scooted back his chair and walked around the table. He lifted her into his arms. “Hush now. Don’t ever say that. You don’t deserve to live under this strain.”
He smoothed back her hair. He had one other ace up his sleeve.
And tomorrow he’d use it.
Chapter 7
Early the next morning, Stoney marched out of the livery and into the telegraph office. “I need to wire Austin immediately.”
The skinny clerk looked like he’d swallowed a peach pit, the way his Adam’s apple bulged out in a round knot. The man shoved a tablet and pencil at him. “Write down your message and I’ll send it right away.”
Stoney scribbled a plea to Judge Alexander Goodnight. If anyone could help Texanna out of her mess, it’d be him. He’d known the judge for years and considered him a good friend and one of the sharpest minds in the business.
Surely there had to be a law against taking a widow’s means of support. If not, then maybe at least Judge Goodnight could stall LaRoach’s takeover and give Texanna more time to look for Sam’s legal Last Will and Testament.
Stoney hated to think of other alternatives in the event Judge Goodnight couldn’t offer any help.
In fact, the choices were pretty limited since Texanna refused to leave Devils Creek. Not that he didn’t understand. He did now, and he knew she’d never leave her baby daughter, who lay asleep in Jesus, next to Sam.
Seemed the only other solution was to marry Texanna.
But damn! Could he go that far to save her?
He swallowed the lump that seemed stuck in his craw.
Marriage?
She’d ask him to give up rangering and chasing outlaws. That wasn’t even negotiable. He’d cut off his arm before he gave up the job that had made him the man he was.
Paying the telegraph clerk, Stoney stepped onto the sidewalk and glanced up and down the street that was just coming alive.
The bathhouse where he’d cleaned up last evening sat silent and still. He’d paid them to launder his clothes, but it didn’t appear they’d opened up yet.
Delicious smells came from Mattie’s Cook Shack. Dusty had told him the food there was passable. Instead of heading that direction, he found his feet taking him to the living quarters above Wilder’s Undertaking Emporium.
Texanna answered his knock. A blue spark twinkled in her eyes. “Come in. I have breakfast ready.”
She seemed a little breathless. Maybe because she hurried too fast to the door. That had to be it. He took off his hat before he crossed the threshold.
“Hope I’m not being a bother.”
“Good heavens, no. I was expecting you. You’d hurt my feelings if you ate anywhere else.” She lightly touched his arm and an odd sense of contentment passed through him.
Her nearness kindled sleeping embers. Texanna was a beautiful, vibrant woman. His gaze lazily roamed over her curves when she turned toward the kitchen.
She’d make someone a wonderful wife. She really would.
Too bad he wasn’t looking for one. It would never work.
Josh came running in and skidded to a stop in front of Stoney. “Hi, Ranger Burke.”
Stoney ruffled the boy’s sun-streaked blond hair. “I think it’s about time you called me Stoney. Friends use their first names with each other.”
Josh’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “Sure, Stoney.”
“Come and sit down, you two,” Texanna called. “Cold eggs aren’t very tasty.”
Again she asked Stoney to say grace. While prayer made him wriggle uncomfortably, he thought of the woman they were burying in a few hours and her husband, who now lived alone. And of the man who was making Texanna’s life pure hell.
Stoney bowed his head. “Bless this food and watch over us. Comfort, protect, and keep us from harm. Amen.”
If the food tasted as good as it smelled, he’d be in trouble. The plate of hot biscuits, fresh eggs, and ham was all a man could ask for. He took a biscuit and slathered it with butter. It melted in his mouth. Yep, he was in trouble. He reached for another.
“I may have some news for you in a day or two,” he told Texanna, filling her in on his telegram to Judge Goodnight.
Hope glimmered in her eyes. “I pray he can find something in the law that’ll help me. I know that darn will is around here someplace. I just have to find it.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t think of a thing.”
“Are you right sure Sam even had a will?”
“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Then we’ll just have to find it. Did he have a special place where he put his papers?”
“Sam was horribly unorganized. His mind was always somewhere else when he put things down. I can’t tell you the number of times he misplaced his pipe, his barber scissors, or his reading spectacles.” She laughed. “Once his glasses were on top of his head. He’d forgotten he put them up there.”
“I didn’t know Sam wore glasses.” That was hard to imagine. The man who’d ridden by his side hadn’t needed them.
“His eyesight was never real good, but he didn’t want you or the other Rangers to know it. Said you’d lose faith in his ability to shoot. After we got married I convinced him it’s better to see than to be blind, so he took to wearing glasses. He cussed the blamed things though.”
Stoney grinned, remembering how frustrated Sam could get. “That was my best friend for you.” He turned his attention to Josh. “How well can you sit a horse?”
“My pa taught me to ride real good.”
“We had to sell his horse though,” Texanna explained.
“I thought I’d take my gelding out this afternoon for some exercise and if you don’t object, I’d like Josh to go with me.”
“The pair we have left are the ones I use to pull the hearse. They’re slow, and old as Methuselah.”
“I’ll rent him a mount from Dusty then.”
“Can I, Mama? Please?”
“Yes, you can go. But you still have to do your chores when you get back.”
The funeral proceeded without a hitch. Stoney drove the polished hearse with its black curtains tied back with a bow and heavy fringed tassels. Texanna perched next to him. She was quite a sight in her crisp mourning dress and becoming hat.
The sun struck her golden hair, making the lustrous strands shimmer. He swallowed hard at the sight, fighting to keep his mind on the job at hand.
Elegant and proud, Texanna Wilder stirred his blood.
She was certainly a sight. He gave himself a mental shake. Best to keep his thoughts confined to prodding the two ancient horses. He’d seen more life in a pair of holey, worn-out long johns.
Stoney had borrowed Sam’s funeral clothes. That they fit surprised him. He hadn’t recalled Sam being so tall and muscular. But the dark britches and frock coat saved him from having to buy some ready-made clothes for a onetime wearing.
He’d put his foot down though at wearing the tall, black top hat. His black Stetson looked fine enough to him. And it was broke in just right.
Tugging the felt hat down low on his forehead, he aimed the plodding animals toward the cemetery. A dozen or so mourners marched behind, paying their respects to the woman who had departed the earth.
A few hours later, Stoney and Josh finished filling in the grave with dirt and turned toward home. Texanna had already driven the hearse back, so they walked.
He looked forward to exchanging the funeral garb for his leather britches and worn gray shirt. He’d feel more like himself. Dressing like the Grim Reaper tended to sour his stomach.
When Stoney neared the Pig and Whistle, Marcu
s LaRoach stepped out, flanked by some of his cronies.
The man’s glittering eyes cut Stoney to shreds. “Texanna got you doin’ her work for her, Ranger?”
Stoney didn’t bother to reply, just kept walking like he hadn’t heard a thing. Loose chickens in the street squawked angrily, disturbed when Stoney strode with dogged determination through a cluster of them. Beside him, Josh kept his head down and his back ramrod stiff. Stoney knew the youngster shook in his shoes even though he didn’t want to show it. He laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder to let Josh know he wasn’t going to let anything happen to him.
“Hope you don’t expect me to pay you anything for your trouble,” Marcus called.
Still they kept walking.
It’d be a sad day when Stoney took money from Marcus for his trouble or otherwise.
“I see you got her snot-nosed brat with you,” LaRoach taunted. “I hope the brat steals you blind.”
Stoney’s hands clenched. He itched to lay into the little pissant. But that would be playing his game. Stoney had no intention of falling into that kind of trap.
Marcus didn’t have sense enough to end it there. The man loudly remarked to his followers, “Appears the Ranger ain’t only stupid, he’s deaf as a post too. Don’t know what Texanna sees in him. Guess he makes a good babysitter though.”
The piercing glare Stoney shot them silenced their laughter and had them backing up against the batwing doors of the saloon.
He’d run into men like these before. They were awful brave until confronted, then they tended to scatter like dandelion seeds in a stiff breeze.
Stoney couldn’t afford to let down his guard though. The men who seemed the least threatening were often the most dangerous.
Once they were past the whiskey-swilling establishment, Josh eased the tense set of his small body.
“You ready to go for that ride, son?” Stoney asked.
“Yep. I’m worried about Mama though.” Josh looked up at him with his forehead wrinkling in thought. “Do you think we oughta leave her? What if something happened?”
From under the brim of his hat, Stoney glanced at Wilder’s Undertaking Emporium just ahead. “I’ve been thinking that maybe we should ask her to go with us. How about that?”
“I think we should.” Josh’s grin was big.
Twenty minutes later all three strolled to the livery. Stoney carried a picnic basket that was filled to the brim with thick slices of ham, potato salad, pickled okra, and fresh bread. Judging by the weight of it, they wouldn’t go hungry.
Dusty Haws saddled a gentle mare for Texanna and a paint gelding for Josh.
Hondo pranced and high-stepped, obviously happy to be exercised. Outside the edge of town, Stoney urged the gelding into a gallop. Texanna and Josh were excellent riders and kept up with the pace he set.
A good hour later, they dismounted on the lush banks of the San Saba River and let the horses drink.
Then, under the branches of a huge live oak tree, they spread their lunch.
Texanna’s blue eyes rivaled the wide expanse of the Texas sky when she gazed into his face. Whatever he was about to say vanished from his thoughts and his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.
Before he could lasso wayward thoughts, his attention focused on her rosy lips. They lured a man with promises of stolen kisses.
Dear Lord, help him remember all the reasons why he had to resist her!
Chapter 8
Stoney returned to Devils Creek with Texanna and Josh in the shank of the afternoon. He didn’t know when he’d had a more satisfying day.
He’d spent a great deal of time watching Texanna and Josh. Neither must’ve indulged in anything remotely similar to fun in a very long while. He was glad he’d been the one to brighten their lives and remind Texanna that too much work would make her grow old before her time.
Realizing what he’d just concluded, he squirmed inside.
He’d done nothing but work ever since joining the Rangers.
He’d most likely look back one day and wish he’d taken time to sow more wild oats…and dream of a family.
They were standing inside the doorway of Texanna’s home. Josh had run off to find his friend, anxious to relate every detail of his horse ride. The boy bubbled with excitement.
The clock ticked loudly in the quiet room.
Texanna rose on tiptoe and kissed Stoney’s cheek. “Thank you. This has been an incredible afternoon. It’s been ages since I’ve enjoyed myself like this. I had almost forgotten what it felt like not to be looking over my shoulder.”
Fresh air and sunshine clung to her like a thistle claw to a horse’s tail. He sucked in a quick breath. “It was my pleasure.”
Her nearness had the pull of a magnet. Those lush pink lips, the gentle curve of her cheek, lowered his defenses.
He tugged her into his arms and swept his mouth across her slightly parted lips.
The heady taste of wild strawberries they’d found along the trail lingered on her tongue. He deepened the kiss, aching for more of her. And she returned his kiss with warm passion.
Heat spread from his belly to his lower region. He hadn’t felt this kind of wanting before—for any woman.
When Stoney finally lifted his head, she stayed in the protective circle of his arms, laying her head on his chest.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” Stoney’s murmur teased the silky hair at her temple.
“No, please don’t say you regret it. Not ever that.”
“I can’t offer you anything, Texanna,” he said gently.
“I know. But it’s enough. Just to have someone hold me again, give me affection, means far more than you know. It’s been so long since I allowed myself to feel alive.” She stepped back to stare up at him. “Let me have this moment.”
“What can come of it? I’ll be leaving in a few days.”
A flash of panic crossed her gaze. “How soon?”
Stoney brushed back a golden strand of hair. “My replacement papers should arrive in two or three days.”
Her hand trembled when she clutched his vest. “I don’t want to think about you going. It’s too soon.”
“That’s why I want you to seriously think about coming with me. I can’t leave you behind, knowing the situation. If anything happened…I’d never forgive 6 myself.” The husky voice sounded like it belonged to someone else.
“I lay awake a good portion of last night pondering my choices. I can’t ask Josh to give up his friends and head for a new place. What would that do to him?”
“What will it do to him if you stay? Think about that.”
“Believe me, I have. His welfare comes before my own.”
He ran a finger along her delicate jawline. “It’ll have to be your decision, pretty lady.”
Texanna chewed her lip. “Have you ever considered doing something else besides law work? Have you thought about having a family and settling down?”
A rigid stillness tightened around him like bands of steel. He firmly set her away from him. “I’ll never give up being a Texas Ranger. It’s my life. They’re my family.”
His jaw clenched. How could she ask such a thing, knowing his anger when Sam gave up rangering? The idea was inconceivable. He collected his thoughts, his pride, and his hat. It was time to leave before he said something he’d regret.
Texanna sagged weakly into a chair after the door closed. She’d gone and ruined a beautiful moment.
She’d wanted the kiss as much as Stoney had.
For most of the day her eyes had never strayed far from his powerful figure, which loomed so tall over her and the Texas landscape. The impressive size of him took her breath away.
The heat of his muscular body had radiated between them when he’d held her in his arms.
In the little things he did, she knew he cared for her. Like the way his large hands gripped her waist and swung her effortlessly from the saddle, and the care he took to notice how she preferred her coffee.
But more than that, Stoney had a rugged strength about him.
He was the kind of man who’d run barefoot through the fires of hell for those who touched his life, and keep on coming despite whatever odds he fought.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Texanna opened it and found Loretta Farris.
“I’m so glad to see you. I need someone to talk to.” Texanna ushered her friend into the small parlor. “How about a nice cup of tea? I was about to make myself some.”
“That’d sure hit the spot.” The stout woman smoothed her graying hair and limped to the kitchen table. Loretta had broken her leg in three places when only a child and it’d left one leg shorter than the other. Texanna wasn’t sure what kind of accident had left her crippled. She figured it wasn’t important. The woman’s friendship had been worth more than answers to prying questions.
Texanna put water on to boil and got down two cups. “How are things at the boardinghouse?”
“Never a dull moment. Mr. Applebee and Mr. Samuels had words over a game of checkers and they’re not speaking, the crotchety fools. And Miss Pennybaker, the new schoolteacher, lost a favorite cameo brooch. She thinks Mr. Applebee has it because he’s taken quite a shine to her.” Loretta giggled. “The fun is guessing who gets their nose out of whack next.”
“Sounds like a royal mess.” Texanna sighed. “Almost as big a one as my life.”
“Does your problem involve a certain Ranger?” she asked, her brown eyes twinkling.
“How did you know?”
“Can’t miss the fact that he’s been passing a lot of time with you and Josh.”
“I suppose it’s pretty obvious at that. He wants to take me and Josh with him when he leaves. Says it’s the only way to keep us safe.”
“Good for him. I think you should go.”
“I can’t just pack up and leave.”
“Why not? It’s the best thing for you. Girl, use your noggin for something more than to hang a hat on.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate things.”
“I have businesses to run.”
Give Me A Texas Ranger Page 13
