by Bobbi Smith
"I work out of the Denver office. Send a wire to them and they'll verify what I'm telling you."
"How dare you continue to lie!" She was furious.
"How dare you and your precious sheriff not listen to the truth?" he snarled back at her. "All I asked Emerson to do was send that wire, and he refused!"
"He didn't believe you, because he knows what kind of man you are!"
Alyssa gave a disbelieving shake of her head as she stared at Slade. Everything Rob had told her about him was true. She was glad now that they'd had the time to talk about Braxton earlier. If she'd been a weaker woman, she might have been swayed by his story. He certainly seemed earnest enough, but that was what Rob had warned her about. Rob had told her how killers like Braxton were vicious, conniving bastards. Braxton had just proven it.
"You're damned right I'm a liar! I have to be to work undercover! How else could I convince someone like the Dakota Kid that I should be riding with his gang?"
She was shocked by his words, but she still refused to believe he was a Pinkerton. "You just admitted you are a liar!"
"Damn it, woman!" Slade swore, furious over all that was happening. No one would listen to him; he had no way to prove his true identity. "I've been working on bringing in the Dakota Kid's gang for months. I was this close to making the arrests, and now the whole thing has fallen apart-thanks to your wonderful sheriff!"
"Well, he got you!" she retorted.
"But he didn't get the Kid!"
She fell silent, ignoring his outrage. She was certain it was all part of the act Rob had warned her about.
When she didn't say any more, he went on, "Look, Alyssa, all I'm asking you to do is to send one telegram when we reach Green River. My supervisor's name is Ken Richards."
She gave him an icy smile. "You know, you're almost convincing in your righteous anger. It's a good thing Sheriff Emerson warned me about you and told me what kind of men you murdering gunslingers really are."
His frustration was growing. "You have to understand that it took the agency months to create my background and my dangerous reputation. We did it all just so I could infiltrate the gang. We'd been retained by the railroad to find out the name of the Kid's informer at the express office and to bring in the Kid's gang. I was just getting close when Emerson trapped us in the canyon."
"Sheriff Emerson's a fine lawman. He wasn't about to let my father's killers get away."
"If he's such a damned fine lawman, why didn't he recognize the truth when he heard it?"
"The truth is what we know happened, not some farfetched fairy tale you'd like us to believe."
"What will it take to convince you that I'm telling you the truth?" His rage would have intimidated her had she not been armed.
"A witness saw you shoot my father!"
"Your witness is wrong!" Slade turned on her, ignoring the gun. "Don't you realize I could have taken that gun from you any time I wanted to since we climbed out of the river, but I haven't even tried? Do you think for one minute that if Nash or Johnson had been washed down river with you, they would have gone along with any of this, like I have? Listen to me! I'm an undercover Pinkerton agent who wants the Kid brought in just as badly as you and Emerson do."
Her hand tightened on the gun as she met his chal lenging gaze. For a moment, she froze, startled by the burning intensity of the emotion she saw mirrored there. "Back off."
"Are you so cold-so full of hate for me that you won't even consider that I might be telling you the truth?" He shifted position, leaning toward her, his eyes boring into hers.
"I don't trust you," she told him tightly, not daring to look away.
"When we get to Green River, send that telegram to Denver, please." He lowered his tone as he spoke. "All I'm asking is for you to take a chance on me."
Conflicting emotions filled Alyssa as Slade leaned ever closer to her. She thought about firing at him. What she'd been told about his involvement in her father's shooting warred with what she'd experienced with Slade herself.... He'd released her when he could have held her hostage, and he'd warned her to be careful when he'd let her go. He'd been the first to try to rescue her when she'd been stranded in the river and had almost lost his own life in the process. And now he told her that he could easily disarm her any time he wanted and yet he hadn't even tried.... She hesitated, gazing up at him, all her doubts and fears revealed in her eyes.
"Trust me, Alyssa," Slade said in a low, hoarse voice. He saw her confusion and took advantage. Slowly covering the last distance that separated them, he completely ignored the gun she held tightly in her hand, and leaned forward to kiss her.
Alyssa was stunned. She gasped at the intimate contact that she remembered so clearly from the night of the dance. She remained unmoving as his lips plundered hers. This was crazy-she knew it was-but for just this one fleeting moment, she didn't want his kiss to end. For an instant, she was once again the innocent he'd danced with that night in town. She was floating in the arms of her mystery man, thrilling to his embrace.
Slade had wanted to kiss her again ever since he'd left her the night of the dance. He'd been wondering if she was truly as cold and indifferent to him as she seemed. He wondered if she was feeling anything toward him but the need for revenge. His lips moved over hers in a soft yet sensual caress, and her response was his answer. She did feel something for him.
And then he felt the cold metal of the gun suddenly pressing against a very personal, very intimate part of him.
"Get away from me, Braxton, or you'll be singing soprano," Alyssa ground out. Her hand was shaking as she fought to control the urge to follow through on her threat. She was furious with him and furious with herself for giving in to her weakness for him. He had killed her father. How could she have forgotten, even if only for a few moments?
Slade slowly backed off. He studied the look on Alyssa's face, hoping to see a flicker of understanding, but he saw only anger.
"That's not the way to get me to listen to you!" She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, wanting to erase any evidence of his compelling kiss. "You're a very dangerous man. I'm taking you in for murder."
Slade stared at her and then at the gun she aimed at him with renewed deadly intent. He fell silent and sat back against the far wall.
It was going to be a very long night.
Rob passed the night in the shelter they'd found, haunted by his concern for Alyssa. His imagination gave him no rest. Terrible visions played in his mind-that she was alone, injured and suffering; that Slade had gotten her gun away from her, killed her, and was now hunting them; or that both Alyssa and Slade had drowned in the raging river and he would never find their bodies.
"You all right?" Hawkins asked his boss when he found him staring silently off into the distance.
"I hate these bastards," Rob told him heatedly, tension in every line of his body. "All of them."
"I know," the deputy agreed. "I don't think I've ever heard of a meaner, more vicious gang."
"I've been sitting here worrying about Alyssa. I hope to God she's alive, but-" He shook his head, revealing the hopelessness and the helplessness he was feeling.
"If she's alive, we'll find her." Hawkins tried to sound encouraging.
"And if she's not...How will I ever tell Loretta? To first lose John that way, and now her oldest daughter-"
"It's almost light and it looks like the skies have cleared. We can start searching again right away."
"I just hope we find Alyssa-and soon."
"Me, too."
"The longer we delay getting into Green River and locking them up, the better chance we give the Kid to find us and try to free them."
"I'll get everybody moving," Hawkins told him as he went to wake the others.
Breakfast was cold and fast. Though Nash and Johnson complained, the lawmen cared little about what they wanted.
Rob and Hawkins combed the riverbanks for some sign of Alyssa and the lost prisoner, while Brown kept watch over the
outlaws. Their search turned up nothing. They had no idea how far downstream the two might have washed. As the morning hours passed, Rob and Hawkins slowly came to fear the worstthat they might never find any trace of the missing pair.
"It's light out, Braxton. Let's start moving," Alyssa said as the sky brightened in the east. She left their haven and surveyed the surroundings as she waited for him to emerge.
Slade had managed to get some sleep. He was still sore from the battering he'd taken over the last few days, though, and his mood was black as he faced her in the morning light.
"Which way?"
"Back toward the river." She waved him on his way with her gun. "We've got to find a place to cross. With any luck, it's gone down since last night."
He nodded and started off. Alyssa followed. She was past exhaustion, but she couldn't give in to her weariness. There was too much at stake. She had to keep going.
As Alyssa watched Slade walking ahead of her, she thought of what had happened the night before, and her anger returned. In the light of day, she found it particularly irksome that he'd taunted her by telling her that he could take the gun away from her any time he wanted to. She wondered if she truly seemed so defenseless. She feared she did.
Her mood soured even more at the realization that he considered her helpless and weak. Why else would he have kissed her? He'd probably thought she was a pitiful, love-starved old maid who'd surrender everything to him after a little male attention. Well, she'd certainly shown him. She'd been more than tempted to geld him.
Looking up at Slade, she had to admit that he was attractive, in a rugged sort of way. She remembered how she'd reacted to him at the dance, but that had been before she knew him for what he really was.
Or did she?
All his rantings about being a Pinkerton had led her to believe everything that Rob had told her. Slade Braxton was a known robber and killer. And the witness at the hearing had testified that he'd seen him shoot her father. As far as she was concerned, the case against him was cut and dried-no matter what outrageous tales he might concoct.
Still, there lingered the smallest of doubts in the back of her mind, and that fact added to her fury with him. Was he such a good liar that he could convince her, a woman who prided herself on her intellect and logic, that the possibility of his innocence was real?
And his kiss... What had been the reason for his kiss, and why was she still haunted by it?
Alyssa was angry and glad of it, for that powerful emotion sustained her and kept her moving. She glared at Slade's back and kept trudging after him. They'd found no trace of Rob and the others yet, and if they didn't locate them soon, she wondered how she was going to be able to stay in control. She was going to have to get some sleep sometime, but there was no way she could safely restrain him while she rested.
Her options were limited. She could fire a warning shot, hoping to alert Rob and the others to her location. It might work-if they were close enough to hear it. But if they weren't, she'd have wasted a bullet, and once she was out of ammunition-
Alyssa realized worriedly, too, that Rob might not be the only one out there within hearing range. By signaling her position, she might also be letting the Dakota Kid know exactly where she was, and she definitely couldn't risk that. Her situation was difficult, and she could only hope that they were reunited with Rob-and soon.
"Let's take a break," she called out to Slade, needing to rest for a while.
Slade didn't bother to answer, but merely found a shaded spot and sat down, glad for the reprieve. He was certainly in no hurry to be returned to the sheriff and his deputies. The longer they were separated, the more time Ken had to hear what had happened to him and to get to Green River. He knew, too, that the longer they were out here, the more time the Kid had to try to come up with a plan to free them.
Slade wasn't particularly thrilled with the idea of being rescued by the Kid, but it was far better than going to trial and hanging. And the way things had been going lately, it seemed that was the way it was going to turn out.
He glanced over at Alyssa. He wasn't sure he wanted to broach the subject again, but he had little choice. "Have you given any more thought to what I told you last night?"
She glanced at him coldly.
"Will you send the telegram?"
"If Sheriff Emerson refused, I'm sure he had a very good reason. I'm abiding by his decision."
"I thought you were an independent, logical, intelligent woman? I thought you could think for yourself?" he challenged her.
His comments stung, but she did not lose her temper. "That's quite discerning of you, and you're right, I am. But that changes nothing. It's out of my hands. Like I said before, your fate is up to the judge and
"But they'll never get the chance to hear the truth if you don't get word to the Denver office."
Slade was so frustrated that he was tempted to tackle her and grab the gun. He ran the risk of being shot, but being wounded and free was sounding better and better to him all the time. It was certainly better than being hanged. He was seriously contemplating the move when the decision was taken away from him.
"Alyssa! Is that you?"
Rob's call came from the top of a rise about a quarter of a mile away, and Slade felt his hope of being saved from the hangman sink even lower.
"Rob! Yes! We're here!"
She jumped up and ran toward Rob. She was thrilled to hear the sound of his voice. She'd begun to believe they would never be found. She'd also had the feeling that Braxton was planning something, and she was relieved at Rob's timely arrival.
Rob rode down the slope and was off his horse beside her in an instant. Unable to restrain himself, he snatched her up in a warm embrace.
"Thank God you're all right!" Rob said in an emotional voice as he held her close.
"Thank you for searching for me!" She relaxed in his arms, feeling safe at long last.
"I would never leave you alone out there, Alyssa. How did you survive the river? And Braxton? Where is he? Is he dead?"
"I'm right here, Emerson," Slade said as he came forward. He could have run, but saw no point in it, and he was more than glad to break up this cozy little scene. The sight of Alyssa in the lawman's arms irritated him for some reason.
Rob put Alyssa from him as he looked over at the gunfighter. He saw the cut on his forehead. "You were injured?"
"Our lady judge saved me. She pulled me out of the river. If it hadn't been for her, I would have drowned."
"We'll get you to a doctor once we get into town."
Slade gave a mirthless laugh as he stared at them. "Why? I'm not much worse off than when you got done with me a few days ago."
Rob looked irritated. "All right, then let's go. The others are waiting just over that rise."
Slade started walking. He'd come this far on footwhat was another mile or two?
"I'm so glad I found you," Rob told Alyssa, as he turned back to her. "I was so worried. I was afraid that you'd-"
He lifted one hand to touch her cheek. His gaze went over her, taking in the glory of her hair, unbound and falling about her shoulders.
"I was afraid, too," she admitted, drawing a deep, sustaining breath. "I was awake guarding Braxton all night, and I didn't know how much longer I could have kept going."
"You've been magnificent," he praised her. "I don't know another woman who could have done what you did. Look at what you accomplished-you rescued yourself and Braxton from the river, and you managed to keep him in custody while walking miles through the wilderness."
Alyssa was warmed by his praise. "I couldn't let him escape."
"Alyssa-" Rob said her name softly. His pleasure in finding her was so great that he had to let her know how he felt.
"What?" She looked up at him and saw the tender emotion in his eyes.
"I am so glad you're all right." He bent to her and gently kissed her.
It was a soft, sweet exchange that startled her. She'd always thought of Rob as a good f
riend, but she'd never thought of him in a romantic way. She accepted his kiss without protest, finding it pleasant and unthreatening-a far cry from Slade Braxton's exciting embrace.
Rob ended the kiss and, smiling, walked her over to his horse. He mounted first and then helped Alyssa climb up behind him.
"Put your arms around me," he told her. He enjoyed every minute of having her pressed tightly against him as they followed slowly after Braxton.
Their reunion with Hawkins and Brown was a happy one. Nash and Johnson merely glowered sullenly as Slade was brought back to join them.
"We were hoping you'd gotten away and had gone for help," Johnson told him.
"I never had the chance," he answered, refusing to say more.
"We're just going to have to sit tight and wait for the Kid to come for us," Nash put in.
"Yep, he'll be here soon," Johnson said. "He won't let them make it to Green River without trying something."
"I hope you're right," Slade replied. "Freedom would feel real good right now." And he meant it.
He stared down at the handcuffs that held him captive, and he wondered how he would have fared in getting the gun away from Alyssa had the sheriff not shown up when he had.
"We'll ride on another hour or two and then make camp for the night," Rob told her once they were back on the trail again. "That way we'll be assured of still making it into town tomorrow. It'll be late in the day, but we'll be there."
"I'm going to be really glad to see Green River. This three-day trip has turned into a real adventure." She was glad to be back riding Spartan again, and though she was still exhausted, at least now she could relax and let Rob run things.
"Adventure or nightmare? I'm not sure I'd care to live through it again."
"Me, either."
They shared a smile.
It was almost dark when they made camp. Alyssa ate hungrily, glad for some hot food. The memory of Slade's story kept bothering her, and she decided to broach the subject with Rob. She hoped he could give her insight to convince her that Slade was lying.
"Rob? There's something I want to ask you about," she told him when she found him standing a short distance away from the camp.
