"Got one left," Jim said. He dug out a peppermint and slipped it to the horse. Afterwards he went to his saddlebags and dug out a tin of salve and a clean rag.
"I've gotta clean up that bullet wound. You hold still now," he ordered the paint. Sizzle's hide twitched at the sting of the medication, but he stood unmoving while Jim treated the wound. "There. You're all set." Jim patted the gelding's shoulder.
"And you're gonna sit down and rest now or we'll hogtie you, Jim," Smoky threatened.
"All right, I can't fight all of you." Jim conceded. He stretched out against the cabin wall.
The bodies of Justin Cox and his men were loaded onto their horses, tied belly-down over the saddles. Smoky dragged the man he'd knocked unconscious from the brush. Along with the other surviving members of Cox's outfit, once he was mounted his ankles were tied to his stirrups and wrists to the saddle horn.
"We're ready to go, Jim," Smoky said. "It's finally over.
"Not quite. The hardest part's yet to come," Jim answered.
"What do you mean?" Smoky asked, puzzled.
"Facin' Cap'n Trumbull," Jim replied.
Chapter 21
Several days later, Jim reined Sizzle to a momentary stop on the rise overlooking his ranch. Smoke curled lazily from the house's chimney. To his surprise, the pastures were filled with his rustled horses. Even from this height he could make out the buckskin and white markings of Charlie's pet gelding Ted.
"Sure looks peaceful down there, Siz," he said to his horse. "Before we head on in, I just want to say you did a good job, fella. Looks like we'll be ridin' pards for a long time. But now it's time you rest a spell." He patted the big gelding's shoulder. Sizzle nickered a soft response. "Let's get down there. I reckon Julia and Charlie are as anxious to see me as I am them." He lifted the reins and heeled his paint into a jogtrot.
Charlie emerged from the barn carrying a bucket of water just as Jim came through the gate. A collie puppy tagged along at the boy's heels. He spotted the strange rider and commenced a furious barking.
"Dad! Mom! Dad's home!" the boy screamed. He dropped the bucket and ran up to his father. Jim climbed from the saddle. Charlie grabbed him. Jim wrapped his arms around his son in a bear hug while the puppy cavorted around them. Tears of joy and relief streaked their cheeks.
"Dad, you're home," Charlie repeated. "I sure missed you."
"I missed you too, Charlie. Where's your mom?"
"Inside the house. She's tired and was gonna take a nap. But I'll bet she's wide awake now."
Sam had spotted Jim, and was now pacing frantically in his corral, whinnying insistently to his friend.
"In a few minutes, Sam. I promise," Jim called. "Charlie, how'd our horses get here? And who's your new friend?"
Jim leaned down to scratch the collie pup's ears.
"Joe Walier brought 'em back. He said the circuit judge came into town, started a trial, but the hombres who had them confessed before it was over. Our horses weren't needed for evidence, so Joe brought them home. And this is Pal. Mr. Hines brought him over to me after mom and I got back home."
"Okay. Take care of Sizzle for me, will you, Charlie? Rub him down good, then feed and water him."
Jim passed the paint's reins to his son.
"Sure, Dad."
Jim headed for the house, his pace quickening with each step. Just when he reached the stairs the door opened and Julia stepped onto the porch. He took the steps two at a time, then swept her into his arms. Husband and wife stood for several moments locked in their embrace, swaying gently. Jim finally kissed her, pushed back, and gazed at her face. Only a faint scar under her lip betrayed the ordeal Julia had undergone.
"Julia," he whispered.
"Shh." Julia touched a finger to his lips. "Let me just look at you, Jim. That day everything happened, I believed you were dead. I never thought I would see you again."
"I thought I'd lost you too," Jim answered. "And I was never so scared in my life."
"I want you to hold me, Jim." Julia pleaded. "Please, just hold me."
They took a seat on the porch swing. Jim draped his arm around Julia's shoulder, while she lay her head on his chest. They sat in silence for some minutes, reassured by each other's presence.
Finally, Jim spoke.
"Julia, I want you to know I thought of you every moment I was away from you. I wanted to be here with you so much. But I had to catch the men who hurt you so badly... and Charlie. I just couldn't stand being here doing nothing while they were on the loose."
"I know, Jim. And I understand. That isn't to say I wasn't angry at you for leaving me, and hurt. But I also realized you had to do what you did. There's too much Texas Ranger in you. You couldn't have kept from going after those men any more than you could stop breathing. And if you're honest with yourself, you know that while you were thinking of me, you were also being a lawman. But now that you're back home, none of that matters."
"Julia, you're more than I ever deserved," Jim said. "You know me better'n I know myself. No wonder I love you so much." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"Is what Tom Justus tells me true? You caught up with those men?" Julia asked. "They won't ever do to another woman what they did to me?"
"I caught them. The man who hurt you worst, Reese Macklin, is in jail over in Cameron, along with two of his men. They'll hang for their crimes. And the man responsible, who paid Macklin to kill me, is dead. So you won't have to worry about them anymore."
Sam was still screaming from his corral. He stood at the gate, pawing the ground.
"Jim, you'd better go see that horse of yours before he tears down the fence," Julia said.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm certain. Just don't take too long."
"I won't," Jim promised. "But I'd better get some peppermints first."
He went into the kitchen to grab some candies, then headed for the corral. Sam shoved his muzzle into Jim's belly, hard, as soon as he entered the enclosure. Jim grunted from the impact. Sam nuzzled Jim's hip pocket for his treat.
"All right, you big beggar, here's your candies."
Sam crunched down on the sweets.
"You're lookin' good, fella," Jim told the paint. "Especially considerin' I almost put you down, thinking to end your sufferin'."
As if in answer, Sam galloped around the corral, only a slight limp evident in his stride. He slid to a stop in front of the Ranger, snorting and blowing.
"All right, you're doin' just fine. But I've got to get back to Julia. I'll be back to see you in a bit." He patted Sam's nose and stroked his face.
"You behave," he said, then turned to the gate. Sam clamped his teeth onto Jim's shoulder, pulling him back. "Doggone it horse, let go. We'll have plenty of time later."
Sam released his grip. Jim made two steps toward the gate when Sam grabbed him by the back of his belt, again clamping his teeth down tightly. He pulled hard, dumping Jim on his rear in the dust.
Despite himself, Jim sat there laughing, unable to vent his anger at the gelding. Sam nuzzled the Stetson off Jim's head.
"You're askin' for it, bud," Jim warned. He pushed himself to his feet. Sam clamped his teeth onto Jim's right ear, just enough to hurt.
"Ow! Leggo! That ear's attached, Sam! It don't come off!" Jim shouted. "You hear me? Let go!"
With a snort, Sam released his grip, then again raced around the corral, bucking and kicking. He ran back up to Jim, reared high and pawed the air, then dropped to all fours.
Jim gazed thoughtfully at his horse. "I think I know what you're tryin' to tell me, ol' pard," he said. "You want to take to the trails again. Well, you sure can't carry me anymore, not with that leg. But if you'll learn to carry a pack saddle, then you'll be able to come along with me and Siz. Seems like you'll be able to keep up. We'll work on that. But for now I've got to return to Julia. I'll come back to say goodnight before we turn in."
Jim returned to where Julia awaited on the porch. He again sat beside her.
"Is Sam settled down?" she asked.
"As much as he'll ever settle down," Jim replied.
"You're two of a kind, you and him. Never content to stay in one place."
"Maybe I finally can."
"You might try and fool yourself, but in a few weeks you'll be itching to go again. And I wouldn't have it any other way. But we're together now. Please hold me like you'll never let go."
Jim and Julia spent the rest of the afternoon in that swing, taking comfort in each other's company. When evening came, they had supper, then again sat on the porch watching the stars come out. At bedtime, Jim stayed with Charlie for quite some time, father and son talking until the boy fell asleep. Except for the bullet scar his chest now bore, Charlie seemed to have recovered completely, both physically and mentally, from his ordeal.
Once he was sure Charlie wouldn't reawaken, Jim headed back to his own bedroom. Julia was already lying there, waiting.
Jim said his prayers, undressed, and slipped into bed alongside his wife. He leaned over to kiss her. When he did, he could feel her cringe, her body tense. She gave a slight shudder.
"Jim, I..."
"I know, Julia," Jim whispered. "I know. I'm not trying to rush you into anything. I just want you next to me."
He slid an arm under her shoulders and gently stroked her long, dark hair. Julia snuggled against his side. She looked at the bandage covering the wound along his ribs.
"You got shot again."
"It's nothin'," Jim insisted. "That's why I didn't mention it in my telegram. Didn't want to worry you. You've already been through more'n any woman should have to endure, and I didn't help things by taking after those renegades."
"You're here now and that's all I want," Julia said. She fingered the bandage, ran her hand over his breast and laid it on his bare chest, content to be at her husband's side once again. Cradled in Jim's arms, she soon was sleeping.
Once Julia fell asleep, Jim lay gazing at the ceiling.
"I know it will be some time before you're ready to make love to me again, Julia," he whispered. "But I can wait. I can wait."
"I can wait the rest of my life if need be," he thought.
Epilogue
After arguing with his two Rangers most of the morning, Captain Hank Trumbull had been glaring over his desk at Jim Blawcyzk and Smoky McCue for a full five minutes. His frosty blue eyes seemed bleak as a snow-swept tundra, his face red with anger. He puffed furiously on his pipe, sending rings of smoke toward the ceiling.
For their parts, Smoky was anxiously puffing on his third cigarette, while Jim returned Trumbull's glare in stony silence. His clear blue eyes were just as icy as the captain's.
Trumbull took one final long pull on his pipe, then spoke again.
"I've read both of your reports. We can argue about this for a month of Sundays and get nowhere. The fact of the matter, Lieutenant Blawcyzk, is that despite my direct orders, you took it upon yourself to track down the men who attacked your ranch. And you wreaked havoc over half of Texas while doin' that. I've got a passel of politicians screamin' at me, breathin' down my neck for the hides of the Rangers who did in Justin Cox. Most of them want my hide too.
"And there's probably just as many who want to shake those Rangers' hands," Smoky muttered.
"I'll have none of your sass, Corporal McCue. You also didn't follow orders. Instead of bringing Jim in you helped him."
"He didn't leave me much choice, Cap'n, unless you'd've preferred I gut-shot him. I figure that would've stopped him, but it seemed a mite drastic at the time."
"Reckon he means you won't be Corporal McCue much longer, Smoke," Jim said. "Probably not even Private McCue."
"Cap'n," he continued, "I can't argue with you. I disobeyed orders, and that's a fact. There's no denyin' it. But what would you have done if you'd been in my boots? Don't bother to answer. I'll answer for you. You'd have done the exact same thing. At least the Hank Trumbull I've always known would have. And don't take it out on Smoky for what I did. He tried to convince me to turn back. I talked him out of it."
"I can just imagine how you 'talked' him out of it," Trumbull snapped. "The fact remains McCue also disobeyed orders. And I've still got to decide what to do about Jim Huggins and Frank Malinak. They didn't make any attempt to stop you either. Instead, they went along with you."
"If they hadn't, Justin Cox would've gotten away with his crimes," Jim said. "They did as they saw fit, Cap'n, just as Rangers in the field are supposed to do. They shouldn't be punished for that."
"Lieutenant, in addition to everything else, there's the matter of your assault on Rangers Timmons and Huggins," Trumbull answered. "I've asked them to be here today to get their statements once again, with you present."
Trumbull stepped to the door.
"Mona, would you send Jeff and Dan in here, please?" he requested.
Moments later, Jeff Timmons and Dan Huggins stepped into the room. Jeff was rolling a quirly, while Dan twisted the Stetson he held.
"Jeff, Dan, take a seat, please," Trumbull invited.
Jeff took a chair in the corner, while Dan settled on the battered couch against the back wall.
"Now, gentlemen, you've already told me what happened at Lieutenant Blawcyzk's ranch on July twenty-ninth," Trumbull said. "But would you mind repeating your stories for his benefit. Jeff, you first please."
Jeff coughed nervously and looked around the room before replying.
"Sure, Cap'n. I was guardin' Jim's place, like you ordered. Dan came by to relieve me, and we decided to practice ropin' and tyin' hombres, you know, for when we might take prisoners. Anyway, Dan had tied me up pretty good. Then he left the room for a minute. Next thing I heard was a thud."
"Hold it!" Trumbull exploded. "Now you're tellin' me it was Dan who hogtied you, not Jim Blawcyzk?"
"Yeah, that's right, Cap'n."
"Seems to me you've changed your story, Timmons. You said before Lieutenant Blawcyzk had pulled a gun on you and tied you up."
"Reckon I was wrong. I was lyin' there tied so long I must've finally passed out from lack of blood circulation. I guess the lack of blood to my brain played tricks with my memory. That must be why I thought the lieutenant had roped me. It was really Dan. When I finally came to he was untyin' me."
"Something's playing tricks with your memory all right," Trumbull protested. "Dan, I suppose now you're gonna tell me you weren't slugged and knocked out by Lieutenant Blawcyzk."
"That's right, Cap'n," Dan answered. "I must've slipped on that Navajo rug Miz' Blawcyzk insists on keepin' in the living room and knocked myself cold, 'cause after I went into that room the next thing I remember is wakin' up with a lump on my head and that rug tangled around my feet. Accordin' to my dad, the lieutenant's always complainin' about that rug bein' dangerous. Seems he's right."
"That's the most ridiculous, unadulterated bunch of bull I've ever heard," Trumbull shouted. "So now you're saying, Ranger Huggins, that Jim Blawcyzk didn't render you unconscious and leave you lyin' at his place while he rode off?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying, Captain."
"I can see what's goin' on here. You're all tryin' to cover up for the lieutenant.
"They'd better not be," Jim interrupted. "Dan, Jeff, I appreciate what you're tryin' to do, but I don't want you lyin' to protect me. Now tell the truth."
"We're not lyin' at all, Jim," Huggins protested. "I slipped and fell on your rug. Then, same as happened to Jeff, that knock on my head must've scrambled my brains for a spell. Things occurred just like we said."
"I won't argue that point about your brains bein' scrambled," Trumbull said frowning.
"Captain, Dan's most likely tellin' the truth about that rug," Smoky interjected. "I've slid on that blasted thing myself. It's a pretty rug but downright hazardous."
"Smoky," Jim growled.
"What?" McCue gave him a withering look.
"Never mind. You hombres have your minds made up," Jim shrugged. "But Cap'n, they're lyin' just like tha
t rug. Which no one has ever slipped on, by the way."
"I know that, and it's the first thing I can agree with you on all morning," Trumbull responded. "Look, I've heard enough of this malarkey. I've made my decision. Jim, you know how I feel about you. You've been almost like a son to me. You're also one of the best men ever to ride for the Texas Rangers. Your service to the state has been invaluable. Your sacrifices and those of your family, have been tremendous. But I can't overlook your deliberate disobedience to my orders. Your actions have created many problems for the Rangers that it will take much time and effort to repair. I have to ask for your resignation. I'm sorry."
Jim gasped as if he'd been punched in the gut. He'd expected some repercussions, but to be asked to resign from the Rangers? Stunned, he half-rose from his chair, then fell back, his expression somber. He fingered the badge on his shirt for a moment, slowly unpinned the silver star on silver circle, stared at it, then placed it on Trumbull's desk.
"What about Smoky?" he asked. "He tried to obey your orders, Cap'n, but I wouldn't let him. So he merely did what any good pard would do, went along and helped me best he could. He shouldn't be drummed out for that."
"It don't matter, Jim," Smoky snapped. "If you're not a Ranger, then neither am I." He ripped the badge from his shirt and tossed it alongside Blawcyzk's.
"That goes for me too. I just resigned, Captain," Dan Huggins added.
"Same here," Jeff Timmons put in. "I quit. Let's head over to the Silver Star and get good and drunk."
"Hold it! There's no need for this," Jim exclaimed. "I appreciate what y'all are tryin' to do, and I'm grateful, but quittin' on my account makes no sense."
"We've made up our minds, Jim," Smoky answered. "You headin' for the Silver Star with us or not?"
"Just wait a minute, all of you," Trumbull ordered. He leaned back in his chair, studying the determined men.
"Perhaps we've all been a bit hasty here," he finally said. "Smoky, Dan, Jeff, your loyalty to Lieutenant Blawcyzk speaks volumes. I'm sure if Jim Huggins and Frank Malinak were here they'd feel the same way."
Ranger's Revenge (Texas Ranger Jim Blawcyzk Book 7) Page 18
