by Smith, Bobbi
Steve quickly adjusted his clothing and then leaned against the rock to watch her. When she began to button her blouse, he came to her. “We’ll have to make sure we can find time for each other.”
Carrie’s tight smile was the only sign of her feelings of unease. “I’ve got to get back. I took a big enough chance as it was.”
“We can work something out,” Steve intimated boldly and then kissed her, not noticing how stiffly she held herself in his arms.
When he released her, Carrie hurried away from him and quietly slipped back into the safe folds of her bedroll. She lay slumberless the rest of the night as she tried to understand what had happened to her. The night before she had enjoyed Steve’s lovemaking and had actually encouraged it. But tonight, her thoughts had been only of Todd, and his unseen presence had subtly altered her feelings.
It was a few hours before dawn when Carrie heard Steve return to camp, and she was careful to keep her eyes closed so he would think she was asleep.
Chapter Eight
“We should reach the rendezvous point late tonight if we ride steadily,” Luis said, giving Rick a cursory glance. “But I meant what I said about your keeping up. Malo expects us tonight and I intend to be there.”
Rick returned his regard with a cool passivity. “I’ll have no trouble keeping up with you, Luis. Where are we meeting him?”
Luis and Ray exchanged looks before he answered. “Willow Canyon.”
Though outwardly he remained stoic, inwardly he flinched. Willow Canyon—“I know where it is,” he remarked with composed precision. “So, even if we do get separated, for whatever reason, I’ll be able to find the camp.”
“Then let’s ride. I’m ready to get my hands on some of that gold!” Ray laughed loudly.
The sound of his raucous laughter roused Jennie from sleep, and she frowned as she opened her eyes. It hadn’t been a bad dream—it really had happened.
Struggling to a sitting position, she smoothed the tangle of unruly dark curls back from her face and looked over to where the three men stood in conversation.
“Me, too!” Luis was agreeing to something Ray had said. “Why, thanks to Malo, with the gold I bring out of those mountains, I’ll be able to buy anything I want! What about you, Cazador?” he asked expansively. “What are you going to do with your share?”
“I’m going to save what I bring back,” he answered easily.
“Money’s no good if you only save it,” Ray protested. “It only gives pleasure when it’s spent. And I can think of a lot of pleasure I’d like to buy right now!”
“Enough.” Luis cut him off. “Let’s get going. It’ll be dawn soon and I want to make the next water hole before noon.”
Wide-eyed, Jennie watched as Rick headed toward her. They were on their way to meet up with Malo? Terror struck. She’d heard of Miguel Malo and she knew what a bloodthirsty killer he was. Surely Cazador couldn’t be involved with him!
“Jennie—you heard?” he asked in low tones as he crouched down beside her.
“I heard,” she whispered in a strangled voice. “Are you one of Malo’s men?”
“When it suits my purposes,” he answered cryptically, shrugging. “Now, get up. We’re riding out now.”
Nodding nervously, Jennie stood and began to roll up the blanket.
“You’re very submissive early in the morning.” He was surprised by her lack of resistance to his orders.
She glared at him but restrained her sudden irritation at his mocking tone. “I did a lot of thinking last night.”
“And?”
“And I realized that there was no point in fighting you anymore.” Jennie thought briefly of the strong feelings her dream had aroused.
“Oh, really?” He wasn’t sure whether to believe her or not.
She sounded most logical as she explained: “You haven’t harmed me though you’ve had plenty of opportunity; you’ve kept me safe from Luis and Ray; and, you’ve promised to take me home as soon as possible. I’ve decided to cooperate with you,” she finished magnanimously.
Rick grunted dismissingly and took the bedroll from her. “Good. Now get ready to go.”
His blase acceptance of her willing capitulation left Jennie irrationally angry, but she bit back a heated response to his aloofness and stomped away to take care of her morning needs. Returning to the clearing moments later, she knelt beside the small pool of water to hurriedly wash as best she could.
As Rick went to tie the sleeping gear to his saddle, he protectively watched her every move. Damn, but she was unpredictable! He wasn’t sure whether her sudden agreement to go along with him was good news or bad. When she was nervous and arguing with him, he could control his desire for her, but if she suddenly became compliant—His expression grew thunderous as she finished washing and came toward him.
“I’m ready.” Jennie smiled, hoping to improve his obviously black mood, but his reply was brusque.
“It’s about time. Get on.”
Jennie quickly climbed into the saddle and Rick swung up behind her. Pulling her back against him, he kneed the horse into action, and they resumed their position of yesterday as they followed the path from the campsite that the others had taken a few minutes before.
Rick was tense. At that moment, there was nothing he wanted to do more than to kiss her but, though Luis and Ray were out of sight, he restrained himself with an effort. Jennie had just agreed to cooperate with him and he wasn’t about to challenge her. She believed that he would treat her fairly and he refused to abuse that faith.
Jennie leaned back, enjoying the support of Cazador’s broad chest. She was practically sitting on his lap, and the sensation of being fitted so snugly to his masculine strength was both frightening and exciting. The emotions her dream had awakened within her stirred anew with the intimacy of her seat, and she wondered if he would ever kiss her again.
As Rick and Jennie rode out of their rocky shelter, the red-gold morning sun was just edging over the eastern horizon. In the distance, he could see the other two men riding on ahead and, putting his heels to his horse, he galloped after them.
Jennie—Jennie—Jennie! If Carrie heard her name again, she was going to scream! Since the moment everyone got up this morning, all conversation had been about her sister. Would they find her? Where were the outlaws taking her? Would they have to fight for her or would they let her go without a showdown?
Who cared! Carrie thought with a vengeance as she shifted miserably in the saddle. She was beginning to think that her plan to attract Todd had been a bad idea, for he had shown no inclination to be with her at all today. Though it was already mid-morning, he had only spoken to her once and then it had been only to reassure her about Jennie. After that, he’d ridden off to join Mac, Jake, and Steve at the head of the posse. Carrie knew better than to follow him for Mac had made it perfectly clear how he felt about having her along. So, she’d remained, riding in the rear and suffering through the wretched trek across the desert.
A sudden wave of concern washed over her at the thought of Todd’s riding with Steve. What if Steve bragged to him about their involvement? Carrie paled as she considered the possibility. She knew how men talked, but it had never mattered to her before what anyone thought. Now, she realized painfully, it did. Todd’s opinion of her was very important, and she decided then and there not to go to Steve again. She would save herself for Todd and Todd alone.
Glancing up ahead, she was relieved to see that Steve had ridden on ahead with Mac and Jake for some reason and that Todd was by himself. Spurring her horse to a quicker pace, she cantered to his side.
“How’s you’re shoulder holding up?” she asked, her concern real.
“It’s just fine this morning, thanks to you.” He smiled warmly at her.
Carrie’s heart tightened joyfully as she savored his smile and she could breathe easier now that she knew Steve hadn’t told him of their tryst.
“Good. I’m glad,” she answered brightly.
“How are you making it?” Mac had always told him that Carrie had no affinity for the ranch, but she seemed quite knowledgeable in her handling of her horse.
“I’m doing all right. I just wish this was all over with.”
“We all do, honey. We all do,” Todd answered, the endearment slipping out unnoticed.
“Where did the others go?” Carrie asked, wanting to keep him engaged in conversation.
“See those rocks up ahead?” He pointed toward a boulder-strewn rise.
“Yes.”
“Steve’s gone to scout them. Your father and brother went along to back him up.”
“Do you think the desperadoes might be hiding out there with Jennie?”
“You never know. It’s the perfect place for an ambush. It’s high and protected and they’d be able to see us coming for miles. Carrie—” He spoke with such intensity that she quickly looked over at him.
“What?” she asked as she read sudden concern on his rugged beloved features.
“If any shooting starts, I want you to get out of here as fast as you can,” Todd instructed.
“But why? I know how to shoot. Father saw to that. I’ll be able to help you.”
“You might be a good shot at target practice but when it comes to killing a man, I don’t want you involved,” he said sternly. “I don’t want to have to worry about you if bullets start flying.”
A thrill surged through her at his revelation. He would worry! He did care! There was a chance for her!
“I won’t give you anything to worry about, Todd. Ever,” she told him huskily.
He nodded and then glanced up. “Look! Steve’s signaling from the top of the boulder!”
Kneeing his mount, he galloped forward with Carrie following closely behind.
By the time they’d reached the rocks, Steve, Mac, and Jake had already ridden down from the abandoned campsite.
“Did you find anything?” Todd demanded anxiously.
“This. It’s a piece of Jennie’s blouse.” Jake handed Todd the piece of soft material.
“They were there last night,” Mac told him hurriedly, anxious to be on their trail. “So that means they’ve got at least a four hour head start on us today.”
“What about water?” Todd asked. “Is there any up there?”
“There is a small collecting basin, so you men might as well go on up and water the horses while we’re here.
“Right.” And they filed away up the narrow path toward the clearing at the top of the rise.
“Did it look like it had been ripped off of her or did she deliberately leave it for us?” Todd asked.
“She left it. There was no sign of a struggle.”
“Good.” He breathed a sigh of relief.
Carrie, who had stayed back so as not to irritate her father, sneered inwardly at his obvious concern.
“We’ve got a lot of time to make up,” Steve said. “So, as soon as all the horses have been watered, we’d better ride.”
Todd noticed how discreetly Carrie was remaining in the background and he spoke to her, drawing her into their conversation. “Carrie, let’s go up and take care of our horses now.”
“Fine.” And she started up the track with Todd behind her.
Mac watched her go, his eyes narrowed in contemplation of her quiet endurance. “I never would have thought—”
“Thought what, Pa?” Jake asked.
“Nothing.” He dismissed the idea that he might have misjudged Carrie. He knew her too well to be fooled by this current docile display she was putting on. She was up to something, but he didn’t have the time or inclination to worry about it right now. Jennie was all that mattered. Only Jennie.
His mind returned to those years of happiness so long ago, when Jennie had been a baby. Things had been so different then. He’d had a fine, strong son, a beautiful daughter and wife he adored.
Eve. The memory of her seared across his thoughts, making him almost recoil with the intensity of anger and hatred that suddenly filled him. All those years he’d loved her so and then—she’d betrayed him!
He wondered briefly if his telling the children that she’d died had been a mistake, but he put the self-doubt aside without giving it serious consideration. It was better that they thought their mother dead and revered her memory as something precious than to know the truth about her: that she was a slut who’d run off from her family, deserting those who loved her most in the world.
She had left only a note behind, saying that she couldn’t take any more: that she was too young to be tied down to another screaming baby; that she was tired of being poor and that she needed to get away. Eve had gone right after Carrie had been born and from that time on he had not been able to deny the resentment he’d felt toward his youngest child. It was her fault that Eve had left.
As the years had passed, he had worked day and night to make the ranch a success in hopes that one day she would return to him. But he had never heard from her again, and as Carrie had grown to look more and more like Eve, his feelings toward her had become ever more hostile and his bitterness almost too painful to bear.
He thanked heaven for Hildago, for without her gentle, supportive help he would never have managed to raise the children and establish the M Circle C. She had always been there for him, and he regretted that he wasn’t legally free to marry her, but a divorce was impossible for it would reveal to one and all that Eve was in reality alive.
Suddenly angry that he’d allowed Eve to creep into his thoughts, Mac forced his attention back to the present, waiting nervously for the others to return from their trip to get water. Soon, he decided, this would be over and Jennie would be safely back home. He couldn’t lose her. She was too important to him. It couldn’t happen twice in his life.
It was late in the afternoon when Rick and Jennie neared the entrance to Willow Canyon. Since his first sighting of the all too well remembered landscape, he had been lost deep in thought. The Superstition Mountains’ looming, menacing presence had not changed in the eleven years since the massacre, and Rick felt as if he’d been thrust back through time; as if the horror of his loss was happening again, now. Struggling, he sought to contain his emotions, and in doing so he grew tense and silent.
Jennie could feel the tightness in him and wondered at the cause. “Cazador? Is something wrong?”
Interrupted from the morbid contemplation of his last desperate flight from this valley, Rick was suddenly glad for her company. Somehow her gentle presence made his past seem less alive.
“No. Nothing’s wrong.” His answer was softly spoken. Jennie was baffled by his quiet response, for she had expected a curt, gruff reply.
“Where did Luis and Ray go?”
“They’re about a half mile ahead, but I doubt we’ll be able to see them. This is rugged terrain.”
Jennie nodded but didn’t speak as she let her gaze wander over the jagged spires. She had heard of these mountains, but she had never before been witness to their cruel beauty.
“How far in do we have to go?”
“I don’t know for sure. Malo’s camped up there somewhere. If we don’t find him, I’m sure his men will spot us,” Rick said slowly as he kneed his horse in the direction of the other mens’ tracks.
Jennie wanted to ask what was going to happen once they reached the camp, but she knew that he would only grow angry at her inquiry and that it would ruin the small peace that had been established between them. Settling back as they began their uphill climb, she fell silent as Rick expertly maneuvered the horse around the prickly cacti and the scrub brush that grew with a desperate vengeance in the shallow, arid soil.
As they rounded the curve of a mountainside, the panorama of the entire canyon opened before them in an aw
esome display of stark natural beauty. But above the tops of the craggy, towering peaks the sky was black and threatening.
“I don’t like the look of those clouds,” Rick said as they headed ever deeper into the bowels of the Superstitions.
Looking ahead, Jennie, too, spotted the ominous, dark clouds that hovered over their destination, and a shiver of frightened expectation went through her. She knew how dangerous a cloudburst could be in this type of environment, and she was glad when he headed for even higher ground.
The mountains were presiding over the storm’s birth with hideous glee. The winds, swirling through the canyons, gained force and swept the rain-heavy clouds along the rock-studded cliffs with powerful surges of invisible violence.
The menacing blackness of the storm’s roiling depths enshrouded the land, kicking up dust and sand and stripping away all vestiges of tranquility. Jagged blades of lightning stabbed viciously through the seams of the darkened sky, illuminating the canyon in stark, startling relief. Thunder rumbled forth, echoing eerily and threatening, in its deep-voiced warning, all in the tempest’s path.
Anxious to be away from the steep ravine that would in moments become a deadly, gushing river of destruction, Rick directed their mount up a steeper path.
“Hold on tight,” he said as the horse clamored to gain better footing in the loose, rocky soil.
The wind was whipping at them now, punishing them with stinging blasts of sand and grit as they struggled to reach the haven that the higher ground would afford them. The rain, when it started, was forceful and cold, soaking them to the skin in seconds. Closing her eyes and ducking her head, Jennie huddled as best she could against Rick as the fury of the freshly brewed storm vented itself upon them.
Rick tried to protect her, but the rampant waters were suddenly upon them, crashing against the steed’s straining haunches in a gushing, rushing torrent. In the jolt of the impact their mount momentarily lost its footing and slipped perilously backward.
Jennie hung onto the slippery pommel for dear life as the horse rallied for another try at breaking away from the surging waters. But when the stallion’s precarious footing gave way again, Jennie found herself thrown sideways from his back; luckily landing clear of his thrashing hooves and the threat of the coursing flashflood. Stunned, she was knocked momentarily breathless and she watched helplessly as the horse lunged forth riderless, dragging itself up beside her, away from the turbulance.
