by Linda Broday
“I named it Deliverance Canyon.” Luke opened his canteen and took a drink of water.
“Who’s down there?”
“You’ll see.” Luke put the canteen away. “Let’s go.”
Sam didn’t know whether to have his Colt ready. He decided to follow Luke’s lead and keep it holstered. His brother parted some thick mesquite and rode through. Sure enough, they began a sharp descent. The steep winding trail made for difficult going. The horses loosened rock in an effort to keep their footing, sending the stones cascading down the hill.
Luke stopped and gave a loud birdcall. A second later, the same call came from somewhere below.
Sam grinned. “A strange way to knock on the door.”
“Trust me. It’s safer.”
They continued another two hundred yards to the canyon floor. Sam couldn’t believe his eyes. Probably a dozen women stood in front of crude shelters made of rough lumber and stone anchored amid the rocks. A clear stream ran along the opposite side. The women scurried for cover upon seeing him.
A flame-haired beauty somewhere in her midtwenties, carrying a rifle and wearing a gun belt, marched toward them. If looks could kill, Sam would be dead. She aimed the rifle at Sam’s chest. “Luke, I warned you about bringing people here. You broke your word.”
Sweat rose on Sam’s forehead. He prayed his brother would hurry with the explanations.
Unfazed by the hostility, Luke swung his long leg over the bedroll tied behind his saddle and dismounted. “Tally Shannon, don’t get your dander up. This is my brother, Sam Legend. Only the two of us know about you ladies.”
Keeping a wary eye on the woman, Sam slid to the ground. “Nice to meet you, Miss Shannon. Your secret is safe. I’m a Texas Ranger, at least for a few more days.” He moved closer and stuck out his hand.
“Why are you here?” Tally glared, ignoring his outstretched hand.
“Luke wanted me to see why he’s been so secretive,” Sam explained, finally dropping his hand to his side. “You can trust me.”
“We don’t trust anybody,” Tally spat.
“Except Luke,” whispered a timid voice from the shadows.
“You saw what you came for, now leave.” Tally jerked the rifle toward the trail.
Two more women stepped from a shelter, pointing rifles at Sam.
“Luke, you’d best do some fast talking,” Sam urged.
“Darcy, Savannah, there’s no call to threaten anyone.” Luke walked toward them. “Put down those rifles. I mean it. Sam isn’t here to cause trouble. One minute of your time, and we’ll ride out. I just wanted him to meet the women I owe my life to. And to tell you I have to go away for a while. Sam is going to take care of you in my stead. Now, don’t go to pouting, Savannah.”
Though reluctant, the three women lowered their weapons.
“I don’t want you to go away, Luke,” Darcy sobbed. “Before you, we never knew a moment’s safety. You keep the bad people away.”
“I’m sorry, girl. Really, I am.”
“They’ll find us,” Darcy argued.
Luke gently touched her cheek. “Sam will make sure they don’t. When it comes to protecting women, he’s the best.”
“These women saved your life, Luke?” Sam asked, trying to understand the situation.
“They did.” Luke draped an arm around Darcy and Savannah.
Tally still seemed a mite skittish and eyed Sam through cold, hard eyes the color of a winter sky. The breeze lifted tendrils of her flame-colored hair and settled the red strands across her cheek.
After a second, Luke continued, “After my mother died, I got involved in a shoot-out and wound up with a gunshot to my chest and another to my head. These women found me, carted my body down the steep cliff—though I still don’t know how—and pulled me from death’s door.”
“I don’t understand why they’re hiding down here.” Sam’s gaze moved from one to the other, and then to even more who’d stolen quietly up behind those. There must have been at least a dozen. The women were clean and well-kept, but each had what appeared to be the same small brand on their left cheek. He wasn’t near enough to make it out, but he knew someone had put it there deliberately. Claiming ownership. A muscle worked in his jaw. Whoever’d done that better hope to God he didn’t find them.
Though fear and distrust glittered in their eyes, all clearly fought to survive.
“They escaped from the insane asylum down by Church Falls,” Luke said quietly.
“We’re not crazy, mister,” Tally Shannon snapped. “None of us. Our folks stuck us in there to rot. No one wants any of us. But the bastard who runs it put this brand on our faces, and we can’t even go into town for supplies. They’ve got people scouring the country for us. They’re offering a five-hundred-dollar reward—dead or alive. I’m not going back there. Never.”
“If not for Luke bringing food and medicine, we wouldn’t survive,” Darcy explained.
“You’re saying too much, Darcy, honey,” Tally warned.
All this time Sam had been chasing Luke, he’d never suspected the reason his brother needed the money. Not one cent had been for himself. That’s why Luke had never taken more than fifty dollars, and even then he waited, every time, until that ran out. Now everything made sense.
Except one thing. Sam glanced at Luke. “You could’ve worked and earned the money they needed. You didn’t have to steal.”
“Yeah, right.” Luke gave a sarcastic snort. “I tried that. But men looking to make a name for themselves for killing the notorious Luke Weston would always show up, and my employers wanted no part of me. The only way to stay alive was to keep moving. And the only way these women can stay alive is to never leave Deliverance Canyon.”
“I guess you’re right.” Sam’s heart ached for his brother and these women who yearned to be free and safe.
In the hour they spent with the runaways, Sam saw how desperately they wanted to live free as they chose. Each probably nurtured a secret dream deep in her heart. And Tally Shannon watched over them like a fierce mother hen, guarding her chicks from evil men who’d offered a reward for their capture.
This had to be some kind of horrible nightmare for them.
“I want to take you out of here and bring you to the safety of the ranch, where you’ll be protected and cared for.”
“No!” Tally shouted. “Too many people there, and it only takes one who needs the five-hundred-dollar bounty. We’re staying put. If you won’t bring us supplies once in a while, Sam Legend, we’ll manage somehow.”
“This is no fit place to live,” he argued.
“Better than what we had. No one’s complaining,” Tally shot back.
Luke touched Sam’s back. “Save your breath. You’re not going to change their minds. This really might be the safest place for them.”
With an aching heart, Sam told them he’d check on them in a few weeks.
As he and Luke said their good-byes and started up the canyon wall, Sam looked back. It took everything he had to keep riding. He wanted to bring them up from the depths, bring them to the Lone Star to rejoin the human race, bring them hope. Right now, they had none. But using force wasn’t the way. Sierra could be his secret weapon. She could speak to them as women.
Yes, that’s what he’d do. Maybe Sierra could convince them.
They rode in silence, each lost in his thoughts. Sam shot sideways glances at Luke, who shared so much in common with the runaways. All were hunted. “Sullen” best described his brother’s mood, and his pale-green eyes held deep, haunting sorrow.
At the canyon rim, Sam turned. “I wish you’d stay. We’re family.”
“None I can claim yet. Not until I earn it.” Luke laid his arm across the pommel. “I know the killer’s out there, Sam. Sometimes I feel him watching me.”
“It’s too dangerous going it a
lone, Luke.”
“Has to be this way. Thank you, Sam, for taking me in as a brother. It meant a lot.”
“Still does to me.” Sam pinned him with a stare. “Let us help you. If it’s an extra gun, I’ll be by your side before you can spit. No one can beat us Legends when we stand shoulder to shoulder.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” It was Luke’s turn to pin Sam with a stern look. “You know how I feel about dulce. Make her cry, and I’ll whip you all the way to the Rio Grande and back.”
Sam met his stare. “You don’t have to worry. The only tears will be happy ones.”
If he failed at that, Sam would pay the biggest, meanest, ugliest man he could find to lay into him with both fists and keep pounding until he was a bloody mess.
“Do you know my biggest fear, Luke? That I’ll disappoint her in some way.”
“You won’t. She thinks the sun rises and sets in you.” Luke set his big, black gelding in motion toward an uncertain destiny. Alone with men gunning for him and the law on his trail. Sam didn’t know if he’d ever see him again. Or if Luke would be alive if he did.
Hell!
At last, Sam released a worried sigh and turned toward home and his beautiful bride. He wouldn’t start off his marriage in hot water by missing the wedding.
Forty-five
Sam found Houston with a long face, waiting at the corral when he rode back. He itched to tell his brother about the women in Deliverance Canyon, but he knew he couldn’t. He had to keep the secret if it killed him—for now, even from Sierra. Heaviness sat on his chest. Though he was certainly no authority on marriage, starting out with a secret between him and his bride could not be good.
“Did you show Luke that old dugout?” Houston asked.
“Yep.” Sam led Trooper to the barn.
Houston followed. “Well?”
“Well what?”
“I know you didn’t go there. When you thought we couldn’t see, you turned south. What’s going on?”
“I can’t tell you. I promised Luke, and it’s a secret I’m keeping, so hush about it.” Sam removed his saddle and threw it over the rail. “Why the coon dog face? I noticed when I rode up.”
“I figured I’d get accounts settled in case Luke ever changed his mind and wanted to come back to inherit. I didn’t tell Pa—he’s usually the one who handles this part—because I figured it’d get him down thinking about Luke being gone and all. The thing is… The books are all off. Pa’s been taking large sums of money and gambling heavily in poker games with the other ranchers.” Houston glanced away. “The ranch is in trouble—real trouble. I don’t know if I can cover his losses.”
Sam let out a low whistle. “Are you sure? Maybe it’s not as bad as you think.”
“He admitted it when I confronted him earlier. Soon we’ll have no choice but to sell off sections. I’m not even sure how long we can pay the hands.”
What good did it do to get all this land if Stoker was just going to let it slip through his fingers? Sam thought of the many sacrifices his father had made, the sweat, the fighting to keep every inch of the Lone Star. And for what? To let it go flat to hell? If he lived to be a hundred, he’d never understand the man whose blood ran through his veins.
“How can I help, Houston? Want me to talk to him?” This ranch was Houston’s livelihood. It was all his brother had, all he knew, all he’d ever wanted. Sam laid a hand on his shoulder.
Houston straightened and pasted on a smile that never reached his eyes. “I shouldn’t have brought this up on your wedding day. You know, just forget I mentioned it. And, Sam, he doesn’t want you to know—thanks to his damnable pride—so don’t say anything.”
“Don’t worry. Butting heads is the last thing I want today. I’ll help you figure something out. You don’t have to do it alone.” But what could they really do? Sam knew reining Stoker in would be next to impossible. But Sam sensed the problem was bigger than their father’s vices. “What else is wrong on the Lone Star?”
Houston walked to the door and stood with his legs braced, looking out. “The main problem is overgrazing. Our herd is too large and gets bigger each year. Not enough rain, not enough grass, not enough hope. We simply can’t feed them.”
“How about joining a cattle drive passing through? Cut several thousand from our herd and take them to the railhead in Dodge City or Abilene. I hear they’re paying top dollar.”
“Pa’s been fighting tooth and nail against the notion.” Houston turned. “Sam, I don’t think he knows the serious shape we’re in, and I can’t get through to him.”
“By God, take that mule-headed man out there and prove it to him.”
“The ranch is too large. It’d take a month to cover it. Besides, his solution is only to buy more land, which won’t solve the problem. We’re between a rock and a hard place.” Houston scrubbed the back of his neck. “Hey, we were supposed to get you ready for your wedding. Get a move on. I’ll rub Trooper down. Go.”
With his thoughts whirling, Sam headed toward headquarters. He didn’t know how to help either of his brothers, but he knew he’d do his best. He’d be there for both. No more riding off for the far reaches of Texas. He had no reason to.
Everything he wanted was here—and she was waiting for him with open arms.
* * *
Sunset that evening was one of most spectacular Sam had ever seen. The oranges, purples, and golds blazed across the sky in such bursts of blinding color that it almost hurt his eyes.
Flanked by Houston and Stoker on either side, Sam stood beneath the bronze Texas star, the flag fluttering gently in the breeze. He didn’t miss how Houston’s eyes never strayed from Becky Golden. She was beautiful, in her dress the color of sunflowers to match her hair. His older brother was smitten for sure.
It appeared all the ranch families had come. Mrs. Ross and the housekeeping ladies wore their Sunday best. Hector stood proudly beside Sam, glancing up with a grin. Sam winked broadly, fighting the lump in his throat.
His son.
Though Sam was glad Stoker was going to keep the boy occupied until tomorrow, he worried what the boy might end up learning. Still, maybe one small orphan could fix what they couldn’t.
As he waited for his bride, dark clouds blocked the dying sun. Damn! He’d wanted everything perfect for Sierra.
Ranger Tom Burdine unbuckled his gun belt, walked to the porch of the headquarters, and laid the belt on a chair. Opening his saddlebags, he took out a worn Bible that sported a bullet hole right in the center, then wearing his worn black Stetson and Texas Ranger badge, he stepped into place beneath the bronze star. That Tom had removed his gun was a miracle. In all the years he’d known the tough ranger, Sam had never once seen him without it.
How fortunate for Burdine to be a man of the cloth and to have arrived just when they needed a preacher. How quickly everything had fallen into place told Sam it must’ve been some divine plan. He felt his mother’s presence.
The door opened, and Sierra emerged, clutching a bouquet of wild daisies, sprinkled through with some purple flowers. Sam’s breath caught. No greater vision of loveliness ever walked the earth. The white satin-and-lace dress looked strangely like the one he’d seen hanging in his mother’s wardrobe so long ago.
He leaned over. “Is that Mother’s dress, Pa?”
“Yep. She wore it on her wedding day. I offered it to Sierra.”
“It’s really something.” It seemed to have been made just for her. Sam swallowed the lump in his throat and blinked hard as Sierra took Rocky’s arm and came to meet him.
Her blue eyes sparkled when she met his gaze and smiled.
One of the old rangers he’d ridden with had once said, “Life is a sum of all a person’s choices. The good and the bad. It takes both to complete a life.”
That must surely be so. And every choice Sam made had led to this
moment with this gentle, strong woman. His heart swelled with love. Hector ran to meet her, and when she took his hand, leading him forward, Sam fought to swallow. A mist blocked his vision.
His wife. His son. His family.
When she stood beside him and took his hand, the low sun’s rays burst through the dark clouds, through the cutouts in the bronze star, and bathed Sierra in a halo of soft light. It seemed as though the good Lord had blessed their union.
Sam’s throat closed, and when he spoke low, the words came out hoarse and bruised. “You, darlin’, are without question an angel if I ever saw one.”
A rosy blush colored her cheeks. “You told me that at the shack after we escaped from the train.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “And I meant every word. I just didn’t know how true it was at the time.”
Sierra met his stare. “I knew even then that you were a handsome knight in shining armor, riding a buckskin instead of a white steed. You saved the damsel in distress, and I fell deeply and utterly in love with you.”
Tom Burdine cleared his throat. “Is it all right if I conduct this ceremony? If you want to take over, Sam, I’ll sit down.”
“Don’t be funny, Burdine. If you expect to get paid, I’d watch it,” Sam growled.
“Paid?” The ranger chuckled. “You mean that’s what those frijoles were? I thought you fed everyone who called on you.”
“I’ll take care of that little piece of business, Ranger,” Stoker said with a grin. “And you can bet it’ll be more than a plateful of frijoles.”
“Thank you, Mr. Legend.” Tom bowed slightly at Sam’s pa. “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to unite this man and woman in holy matrimony.”
Sam barely heard the rest of the ceremony. He already knew he loved and cherished Sierra more than he’d ever thought possible. In fact, he worshipped the ground she walked on. His eyes never left hers as they spoke their vows.
At the end, Tom Burdine turned to him. “Do you and Sierra have a few words to say to each other, Sam?”
