by Linda Broday
Sam sprinted after him. Justice demanded that Bardo pay with his blood for the evil things he’d done. He had to be put down like the animal he was.
As Sam passed each stall, he carefully glanced inside. Then he came to the last one. His quarry had to be in there. Not knowing if the man still had a gun, Sam pressed against the side of the wooden slats.
“Come out, Felix Bardo. You’re under arrest.”
“You want me, come an’ get me,” snarled the scarred outlaw.
“Men like you are all alike. Nothing but cowards. When the law catches up with you, never do any of you stand and fight like men.” Sam peered around the corner. “You hide like rats.”
A bullet splintered the wood next to his ear.
Sam didn’t waste a second. He flung open the wooden gate, ducked low, and rolled into the stall, returning fire. The horse inside reared, its forelegs kicking the air. Sam quickly got out of the way before the animal trampled him.
Pressed against the side, Sam spied Bardo crouched in a corner, breathing heavily. Sam’s gaze swept to the pistol lying in the blood-soaked straw. So Luke did manage to wound him.
“Out of bullets, I reckon. You’re trapped and bleeding like a stuck pig. I’ve got you this time. You have nowhere to go.”
“Too bad your woman is dead.” Bardo gave him a twisted smile. “I gave orders to kill her before we brought you to this barn. Even now she lies in a pool of blood.”
Rage filled Sam. If Sierra was dead, they may as well kill him too. She filled every inch of his heart and his mind. Even if she somehow lived, what had she suffered at these brutal outlaws’ hands?
What would he find?
Sam moved closer. Bardo suddenly stood and lunged with a pitchfork, barely missing him but catching Sam’s gun. It flew to the floor as the terrified horse raced from the stall.
Sam sidestepped and spun around, his hands held wide. Bardo’s beady eyes darted this way and that in the dim light, just waiting for him to make a mistake. Sam, too, looked for an opening, one chance to grab the pitchfork. Barring that, getting to his Colt lying three feet away.
If he could just reach it. But he knew the second he tried, Bardo would plunge that pitchfork into his back.
From the noise, the fight outside still raged, though Sam was confident his father and brothers would either shoot or round up the rest of the outlaws. When all this was over, he and Luke had some settling to do.
Bardo’s eyes glittered, reminding Sam of a rabid dog he’d encountered a few years ago. That old dog went stark raving mad, didn’t know what he was doing. Bardo appeared the same.
Wariness crawled up Sam’s spine. A cornered man would do most anything.
“You think you got me, don’t you?” Bardo snarled.
“You’re not getting out alive. We’re ending this here and now.”
“It ain’t over till I say.” Bardo jabbed at him with the pitchfork, this time catching Sam’s arm, drawing blood. The outlaw’s thin lips curled into a smile.
Pain swept up his arm as Sam stood back, waiting for the outlaw’s next move. “I’m curious. What were you doing in the Hill Country? That’s a long way to drive those beeves.”
“Didn’t drive ’em. I sold ’em right off. Quick money that way, and I don’t have to keep the ornery beasts long.” Bardo laughed. “It’s why no law has caught me.”
Sam took note. This bore the earmarks of a racket that had gone on for years. Captain O’Reilly would be interested.
Grunting, Bardo lunged at him again. Sam grabbed one of the sharp prongs, but he couldn’t hold on. He drew back bloody fingers.
Streaks of sunlight came through the cracks in the barn walls. Thank goodness. The darkness had lasted an eternity. Looking around, Sam saw a whip hanging on a hook. He hated to think whose backs they must’ve used that on. In a sudden move, he reached for it.
Now, he’d evened the odds.
He flicked his wrist, and the whip snapped, licking Bardo’s boots. The man leaped backward.
“Scared you, didn’t it? Your lawless haven is gone. Everything is gone. You got nowhere to run.” Sam cracked the whip just above Bardo’s head. “Put down the pitchfork or face this lash. I can stand back over here and whip you until I peel every inch of flesh off your rotten carcass and each scar from your ugly face.”
“My men will come any minute and string you up.”
My God, the man was demented!
“Keep telling yourself that. Surely you can hear? My father, brothers, and our ranch hands have already rounded up all your men. No one is going to save you.”
“You lie.”
Sam cracked the whip again, curling the thin leather strip around the pitchfork handle, yanking it from Bardo’s hand. He tossed the implement and whip behind him, disarming them both.
Whipping the outlaw with his fists would bring much more satisfaction.
With a mighty yell, Sam rushed forward and grabbed Felix Bardo around the neck. The outlaw delivered a stinging blow to his face. Tasting blood, Sam shook his head and slung Bardo to the dirty straw littered with big piles of horse manure. Before Sam could finish him off, the outlaw scrambled for Sam’s gun on the stall floor.
They collided when Sam lunged. Bardo reached the weapon first, but Sam’s hand tightened around the man’s wrist, forcing his arm upward.
“You’re done for, you bastard. Your reign of terror is over. Turn the gun loose.”
Suddenly, Bardo’s arm came down, bringing the gun between them. Sam felt the hard steel of the barrel against his chest. With his hand closing around the deadly end of the weapon, he flung it away.
Breathing heavily, Sam hauled the outlaw up.
He had to get to Sierra. He had to know that she was all right. Having her in his arms would right this crazy world.
As Sam marched Bardo out of the stall, the man broke free. He quickly stuck out his leg. The outlaw gave a loud grunt, landing on the packed dirt floor. Scrambling on all fours, Bardo reached for the pitchfork at the same time Sam dove for his Colt. Grabbing it, Sam whirled, pulling the trigger.
The hot metal slammed into Bardo’s chest, ripping open a gaping hole.
Felix Bardo’s sightless eyes stared up at him.
Winded, Sam slumped against the wall, wiping blood from his mouth. It was over. An awful end to a cruel man. Gasping for every bit of air he could draw in, he stumbled out. He had to find Sierra.
He had to hold her. She was his anchor.
His one and only love.
Forty-one
Sam rushed from the barn, but just as he started for the mercantile, he saw Sierra sprinting toward him.
She was alive!
Tears filled his eyes. Racing for her, he swept her into his arms. The kiss was one of thankfulness for getting another chance and searing, raw passion.
He crushed her to him and settled his lips on hers with a savage hunger. Blood pounded in his head as he poured all the love he’d denied himself into her. He felt the wild beat of her heart against him. His splayed hand on her back kept her anchored. He’d never let her go. The woman who’d borne such hurt was his for all eternity.
When he raised his head, he stared into her blue eyes so like the Texas sky. “There’s something I need to say. Sierra Hunt, I love you. I love your smile, the depth of your heart, the way you look at me. I don’t have all the answers yet, but I’m ready to settle down. With you if you’ll still have me. God knows you shouldn’t—but will you be my wife?”
“Oh, Sam.” Looking up at him, Sierra slid her arms around his neck. “Yes. My answer is yes. But not because you said you intend to settle in one place. I love you and want to marry you no matter where we live or what kind of life we have. I don’t ever want to change you. I love you as you are. For now and forever.”
Pure happiness washed over Sam. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Takes a sight more than they had.” He took in her torn clothing, the man’s shirt covering her chest, her bare feet. He winced at the dark bruise covering her cheek and wished he could breathe life back into Bardo and kill him again. “I see they hurt you. I failed in my promise.”
Sierra glanced away. Her refusal to meet his gaze told him all he needed to know. “You got here in time. You saved me.”
A throat cleared behind them. Sierra turned. “Meet my brother, Rocky. I found him.”
Sam shook his hand, liking the firm grip and the way Rocky looked him square in the eye. That was the mark of an honest man. He was about Sam’s age and a little shorter, with Sierra’s black hair and blue eyes. Rocky’s dark beard needed a trim.
“It’s good to finally meet you. I’m glad you’re all right,” Sam said.
As though sensing Sam and his sister needed some private words, Rocky moved to speak to Luke, who watched from the barn door.
“My father was here also,” she murmured, stroking Sam’s face. “He finally did the right thing and came to buy our freedom. Only Isaac Ford shot and killed him before my eyes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I forgave him as he died. He did some unforgiveable things, true, but in the end we made peace.”
Sam smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead. He couldn’t wait to get this amazing, beautiful woman alone, and he’d shoot the first person who disturbed them. They had a future to discuss.
“Reckon you’re lookin’ for these, Miss Sierra,” Sally said, hobbling to them. She held out Sierra’s shoes.
“Oh, there they are. Thank you, Sally. I’d wondered where to start looking.” Sierra kissed the woman’s cheek. If kindness was measured by the width of a person’s smile, then Sally showed how much the gesture meant to her.
She leaned heavily on the crutches. “Thank you for givin’ us back our town, Ranger. We’s right grateful.”
“You’ll be safe now, Miss Sally.” Until they let someone else take over. They weren’t strong enough to stand up to men like Bardo. “Hire a good sheriff. You’ll need law here for the town to thrive. The citizens have a lot of work ahead.”
“Yep, we do. Jus’ wanted to say thanks.”
“Yes, ma’am. Can I help you someplace?”
“Nope, I can manage but appreciate the offer.” She hobbled off toward the mercantile.
Sam swept Sierra up and sat her on a bale of hay next to the barn. Then he took each slender foot and slipped on her shoes. Rocky had found his also and sat down next to her to put them on.
“Excuse me just a minute.” Sam eyed Luke, who stood with Stoker and Houston, loading the remaining outlaws into a wagon. It was settling time. Sam strode over. Without a word, he drew back and drove a fist into Luke’s jaw, knocking him back against the barn wall.
“What the hell, Sam?” His father glared.
“Ask him.” He turned and walked toward Sierra. She’d likely never speak of what had happened here, but he knew enough to guess it had been torture. “Damn you, Bardo!” he muttered. He felt like slamming his fist into a wall. “Damn you! I hope you rot in hell.”
Before he reached her and Rocky, Luke caught him. “You throw a hell of a punch, Sam.” Luke rubbed his jaw. “But I reckon I see why you’d be a little upset.”
“Little upset?” Sam growled. “You could’ve let me in on your plan. Given me some sort of sign. Wiggled your ears or scratched your rear or something. I understand that you wanted Bardo to think you’d joined them, and your reason for making sure as many of them as possible were here in the barn, but did you have to go so far as to put that noose around my damn neck?”
Houston listened to the exchange in silence, his eyes widening.
“I was buying us a bit more time. I knew reinforcements were close by somewhere, and I know how a hanging holds fascination for a good many. I didn’t want Bardo’s men wandering off. What better than one brother hanging the other?”
“Next time, we’ll switch places,” Sam snapped. “I’ll put the noose around your neck, and you’ll know how it feels.”
Finally, Houston broke his silence. “I think you owe him an apology, Luke.”
“You’re right,” Luke said. “I really am sorry, Sam. If I could’ve thought of another way, I’d have done it.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Why did you join the attack on the ranch?”
“Bardo was testing my loyalty. He didn’t trust anyone. He said if I went to raid the Lone Star, he’d make me privy to his plans. When he handed me the torch with orders to throw it, I aimed at the house where I lived, knowing no one would be inside.” Luke shook his head. “I didn’t know they planned to take Sierra. They never let me close enough to help her.”
Sam pushed back his hat. “Sounds like Bardo didn’t trust anyone.”
“None except Ford, who was his cousin,” Luke said.
“I see you have the prisoners in the wagons. Can you both take it from here? And give Rocky a ride, if you don’t mind. I need to get Sierra home.” Sam’s gaze went to her. She was about to fall off the bale of hay. “She’s dead on her feet.”
“Yep, you go ahead,” Houston said. “We’ll be along. Need to bury the dead first. About Miss Sierra’s father—should I bring his body back to the ranch?”
Sam glanced at her. “No. Bury him here. That’s all that needs doing.”
“I understand,” Houston said with a nod.
“I’ll owe you.” Sam said his good-byes and took Sierra’s hand. “Let’s get you home.” Arm in arm they went in search of his horse.
A crowd marched up the street. A man dressed in overalls with only one side fastened was evidently the spokesman. He stepped forward. “Legend, can we have a moment of your time?”
“Certainly, but there’s no need to thank me.”
“Words can’t say how much we do, but that’s not what this is about.”
“What do you need?”
“A good sheriff. One who will help us stand up to lawless men like Felix Bardo. Will you take the job, sir?”
“There are a lot of excellent lawmen.”
The spokesman stood his ground. “None of your quality. You put the fear of God into rabble-rousers and lawbreakers.”
Sam met Sierra’s tired blue eyes. Maybe this was the answer they were looking for. “What do you think, darlin’? Can you be the wife of a sheriff?”
Her fingers curled inside his hand. “I can be happy anywhere you are. I don’t intend to be separated from you again. These last few days have taught me many things—my priorities have changed. Please don’t give up the Texas Rangers for me. I don’t want that.”
“My priorities have changed too.” His arm went around her. “All I want is to put a smile on your beautiful face. If I get that, then I’ll be thrilled with whatever life we choose.”
“Pardon me.” The spokesman cleared his throat. “Is that a yes?”
Sierra nodded as Sam answered, “I believe it is, Mr.…”
“Dink Quinby. Thank you, sir.” He stuck out his hand.
Sam liked the firm handshake. It said a lot about the man. “Quinby, we’ve got a lot of work to do. I have some affairs to put in order first, and need to find a nice place to live. My lady has her heart set on a white house with a picket fence around it. I won’t disappoint her. Know of one?”
Quinby grinned. “For you, Sheriff Legend, we’ll build one. Matter of fact, we’ll begin immediately.”
Gazing deep into Sierra’s eyes, Sam said, “Her happiness is everything. You help me make her happy, and you and I are going to get along just fine.”
Dink Quinby smiled. “We’ll work har
d to assure it.”
“My lady is a schoolteacher. Is there an opening?”
A sad look crossed Quinby’s eyes. “The school has sat empty for a long while. We’ll welcome her with open arms.”
“That means more than I can say, Mr. Quinby.” Sierra touched his arm.
Sam smiled at how her warm gesture besotted the man. “I’ll ride back in a few days to finalize everything.”
“Very good, Sheriff.”
“Let’s go home, darlin’.” Sam turned to see a boy leading Trooper. He fished out two bits. Ruffling his hair, Sam pressed the coins into the small hand. “Thank you, son.”
With a shy grin, the boy held the reins until Sam lifted Sierra into the saddle, then mounted behind her. The horse didn’t have to be urged. Trooper ambled toward the Lone Star.
Sam loved the feel of her backside against him. Closing his eyes, he laid his cheek against her hair and took a deep breath. She was alive. That was more than enough. He’d make a home for her and be in her bed every night for the rest of his days.
No more wandering for him.
“I can’t wait to get back to the ranch.” She swiveled to glance up at him. “I am going to make love to you like you’ve never been loved, mister. Any argument?”
A big grin covered his face. He could barely hear over the pounding of his heart. “No, ma’am.”
“Sam, are you sure this job is what you want? You won’t regret taking it?”
“Nope. I’m positive.” He pushed her hair aside and kissed her neck. “I’m sorry about the poor job of proposing back there.”
Her eyes sparkled like blue gems as she laughed. “Sam Legend, you should know by now that people waste a lot of time trying to conform to rules. Don’t count me amongst them.”
“I love that wild, rebellious streak in you. It’s sexy as hell.” He nuzzled her neck and behind her ears. “Sierra, I’ve looked for you my whole life. I promise to make you happy to the best of my abilities, meager though they are.”
“How soon do you think we can make it happen?”
“It’s a day’s ride to the nearest preacher. If we leave in the morning, we can be in Squaw Valley by late afternoon. We’d have one on the ranch, except he left a while back after his wife threatened divorce if he didn’t take her back east to her family.”
