T.J. released his blanket and it dropped to the floor. He joined her on the bed and gathered her into his arms. “Lordy, this feels good.”
“The comfortable bed or me?” she teased.
“Both, but you best of all,” he murmured, closing his mouth over hers. His hands wandered over her body, caressing here and fondling there. He was glad he had asked Hank to give them some time alone tonight, and that his friend had understood their need for privacy. Yet, Hank Peterson was worried about the relationship between them and how it might affect T.J.’s judgment and mission. T.J. was too, but it couldn’t be helped. He loved this woman and needed her. He thought she had come to trust him almost fully, but evidently he was wrong. Her following him tonight proved she pos sessed lingering doubts, and it had been her in Hank’s poncho and sombrero.
T.J. couldn’t blame her for being cautious, even suspicious of him. After all she was a famous outlaw with a large price on her head and she was guiding him to one of the most notorious bands in the West, which was led by her brother. Yet, she needed him for protection and aid, so she wouldn’t pull any tricks any time soon. Perhaps tonight was one last test to make certain of his loyalty, and he had passed.
Carrie Sue’s fingers drifted over her lover’s back and shoulders. She liked the smooth texture of his flesh and the hardness of the muscles beneath the bronzed covering. She was stimulated by the contact of their bodies and their mouths. She was painfully aware this could be the last time she ever made love to T.J. Rogue, as El Paso was their next stop. She clung to him and kissed him urgently, feverishly.
T.J. trailed his lips over her face, returning time and time again to her insistent mouth. He tried not to nuzzle her face and throat too roughly as he hadn’t shaven in his rush to fuse their bodies into one wild and blissful union. His mouth roamed down her chest and his hand traveled down her sleek side. Gently he teethed the rosy brown buds on her breasts, and deftly his fingers tantalized her to squirming desire.
Carrie Sue closed her eyes as she absorbed these rapturous memories which might have to last a lifetime. Her fingertips traced little patterns on his shoulders as she mentally marked the splendid territory as her own private possession. She felt as if she were drifting on a cloud and being pleasured to the fullest degree by the only man she had ever and would ever love.
T.J. adored this woman, this gentle creature who filled his life with joy, this wild vixen who challenged him to risk all to have her, this prized lover who made his body ache with hunger and his heart sing with happiness. Carrie Sue Stover was one helluva woman! She was his woman, and he would do whatever necessary to keep her safe and with him.
As they rested in the golden afterglow of lovemaking, Carrie Sue suspected that her lover knew about her mischief, so she slyly murmured, “I didn’t tell you the truth earlier. I followed you to the saloon. I wanted to see who you were meeting. I’m sorry.”
T.J. hugged her tightly as he revealed, “I know what you did, and I understand. You can’t be too careful, love, even with me. Luz, that’s Hank’s woman, told us she saw someone outside wearing Hank’s poncho and sombrero. You see, my sneaky redhead, that poncho is a special design, a one-of-a-kind, which Luz had made for him.”
Carrie Sue giggled when T.J.’s fingers played over her ribcage. “I never thought of that angle. Snared by a lover’s gift.”
“That was a stupid thing to do, woman,” he chided softly. “You could have been seen and captured.”
“I’ll be more careful in the future, and more trusting.”
“Good. Now, we need to get cleaned up and turn in. Hank insists you use his bedroom. He and I will bunk down in the other room.”
Carrie Sue protested that hospitality, but T.J. held firm. They rinsed off, emptied the tub water, cleared away their things, and she went to bed in the back room with the door closed.
Hank and T.J. stood near the corral the next morning and talked. The graying blond asked, “How are you planning to handle this case once you locate them? You can’t take on seven men alone, and you know she’s going to kick up a ruckus when she realizes she’s been duped.”
T.J. glanced at the ex-Ranger with whom he had worked many times, a good friend whom he trusted fully, a man who still served as a contact for Rangers on the trail. “I just want to discover their hideout. Then, I’ll alert the Rangers and let them take care of the problem. I’m going to try my damnedest to keep from being the one to take out her brother. She’d never forgive me if I killed Darby.”
“What about her, Thad? You know you can’t get a pardon for her. I gave you the answer to that question last night. The President understands your feelings, but she’s an outlaw, has been for seven years. Even if she helped you capture her brother’s gang, that wouldn’t make up for all she’s done. The law says she has to pay.”
T.J. began to fidget; that wasn’t the answer he had wanted and prayed for from his superiors. “I’ll think of something, Hank. I can’t let her go to prison or die. Lordy, man, I love her.”
Hank Peterson’s faded blue eyes settled on Thad Jamison’s pained expression. “I never thought I’d hear such words from those lips. You’ve really settled down over the past two years and I’m proud of you. I just hate it that she’s on the most wanted list, and that she’s as guilty of breaking the law as a rustler caught with a hot branding iron in his hand. If you don’t cool your head and heart, my friend, you’re in for one tough time when you have to arrest her.”
“I can’t do that, Hank,” T.J. revealed sadly, stubbornly.
“You’ll have to, Thad; this is your case, by your choice and insistence. You can’t back away now; it’s too late. You’re too close to her and she’s the only one who can end this madness by that gang. Like I told you last night, their last few crimes have been vicious.”
“From the reports I’ve been getting along the trail, it doesn’t sound like the same man she describes as Darby Stover. I wonder…”
Hank reasoned with a clear head and keen wit, “What do you expect from her? She’s his devoted sister. Rest assured, it is the real Stover Gang on the rampage again. They’re smart and fast and real mean, Thad. The only way we’re going to stop them any time soon is through her. You have to do this, for justice and yourself.”
T.J. caught the implied hint. “I haven’t forgotten what they did to Arabella and Marie, nor to our friend on that stage. I’ll stop them, but I won’t let her get harmed.”
“There’s no way you can prevent that from happening, Thad.”
“There has to be a way, some legal crack she can wiggle through.”
Hank shook his head. “I’ve asked a lawyer friend of mine to look for it, but he doesn’t think one exists either, not for the Texas Flame. I’ll let you know what he uncovers. Keep me alerted by telegraph.”
“Don’t forget to send those coded messages this morning after we leave. I’ll pick up the answers in El Paso. That’ll probably be my last contact for a while. I don’t want her getting suspicious of me again. I just earned her trust, though Lord knows I don’t deserve it.”
“Don’t be hard on yourself, Thad; you didn’t expect to fall in love with her. By the time you were on to her, it was too late. It took some doing and lots of telegrams to get those posters on her recalled. You can bet your boots there are still some around or people who haven’t gotten the news, so be careful.” Hank passed along other facts, “Quade Harding and his father were furious about it. We’ve tried to quiet them down, but they suspected something is up. We told Quade that poster he released wasn’t the Texas Flame and he could get an innocent woman killed. He was ordered to stop interfering in our affairs. Harding claimed he put out that recent sketch to protect Carrie Sue Stover, to get her taken alive and delivered to him so he can help clear her of the mixup. He says he knows she isn’t the Flame, but others believe she is so she’s in great peril. Of course, we don’t buy that story; he’s up to mischief. We told him his poster on Carrie Sue was illegal, so he agreed to pull it
and cancel his reward on her. That’ll help maintain our secrecy. The newspapers were forced to print retractions. I doubt you’ve seen the stories about her; the papers gobbled up news on that sketch and big reward. They’re using that old picture again, which doesn’t pose a threat to her or you. Dave’s still working on the Harding case.”
T.J.’s smokey gray eyes darkened with anger. “You know Harding’s the one who forced her into a life of crime. Dave better get him.”
Hank Peterson conceded, “What she and her brother did against the Hardings was justified, but their crimes since then aren’t. Don’t deny that truth to yourself.”
“I don’t, but it riles me how she got entrapped.”
“I know, but they’ve become hardened criminals over the years.”
“Not Carrie Sue. You’ll see when you meet her.”
“A person can’t live that kind of life without being affected by it.”
“She was affected, but not in a bad way. That’s why she kept trying to escape that existence, but Harding wouldn’t let her.”
“We’ll get Harding: don’t worry.”
“If you don’t, I will, one way or another,” he vowed coldly. “You did send that messenger to Mitch last night?”
“Yep. He’ll be ready to play along with your deceit. We’d better get inside and get breakfast going. She should be awake by now. I’m eager to meet this woman who stole your heart.”
Carrie Sue finished dressing in a clean blue shirt and jeans. She brushed her hair and let it hang free, knowing that style made her look innocent. She wanted to meet and impress Hank Peterson. She packed her things, made the bed, and left the room.
The two men were in the kitchen. She joined them, timidly smiling first at her lover, then at his friend. “Good morning, gentlemen. That was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in days. Thanks for the loan of your bed, Mr. Peterson. I know that we’re putting you in danger by accepting your many kindnesses; you’re a good friend to T.J.”
He looked her over and entreated, “Please, call me Hank. You ready for some coffee, bacon, eggs, and biscuits?”
“Sounds marvelous. Thank you,” she replied, licking her lips.
Hank studied the ravishing beauty whose shapely figure was displayed by her snug garments. Those large periwinkle eyes stunned him with their color and expression. She looked as pure as a newborn babe. Her hair was like a golden red halo about a glowing face which could halt a runaway train on its tracks. Her skin was downy soft and unmarred. Her voice was cultured and musically appealing. She had real breeding and good manners. She was exquisite and delightful, not what he had imagined.
Carrie Sue realized the man was impressed with her, and surprised to see she wasn’t some terrible monster. She wanted those thoughts and feelings to continue. She was extra careful with her words, looks, and behavior. She offered politely, “I can prepare breakfast while you two have your coffee and talk over old times.”
T.J. said, “We’ve already talked for an hour and had two cups of coffee while you were snoozing, woman. The biscuits and bacon’s about done. Scrambled eggs all right with you?”
“If you cook them good and done,” she replied with a bright smile.
“Good and done it is. The dishes are there,” he remarked when she looked around for them to set the table.
“Sometimes I think you read my mind, T.J. Hank, you should tell him how dangerous it is to do that with a woman,” she teased.
Hank laughed and agreed, “She’s right; it gets you into trouble.”
As they ate, Carrie Sue remarked, “T.J. told me you two have worked and traveled together many times.”
“Yep,” he responded like her lover would. “We’ve pushed cattle, ridden a dusty trail, guarded strongboxes, branded stock, got stages in on time, hauled freight, and done a passel of odd jobs together over the years. I got too old and retired here with my cantina. Ever so often,…T.J. stops by to see me. I miss those old days, but I like being settled down when winter and bad weather comes around.”
Carrie Sue caught his hesitation over her lover’s name and wondered what it meant, if anything. She smiled warmly and said, “I know what you mean. Trail life can be rough, unbearable at times. Is there anything you want to ask me while I’m here?”
“Nope. The less I know about you, the better for all of us.”
“Thank you, Hank. I just didn’t want you thinking so badly of me, or of T.J. for helping me. Sometimes people aren’t as bad as their reputations make out.”
“Now that I’ve met the beautiful woman he described last night, I believe it.” He saw her blush. He was astonished, moved. “Of course, from knowing T.J. Rogue, I realize reputations get colored.”
The redhead didn’t know why or how she had blushed, but she was glad, as it had a nice affect on Hank Peterson. “I’m lucky T.J. came along when he did. He’s saved my hide several times. He’s a very special man, Hank, not many would do what he’s doing for me.”
T.J. teased, “Don’t go telling my secrets to Hank. He thinks I’m a tough and cold son-of-a-bitch. You’ll spoil my image, woman.”
She laughed merrily and added, “You’re special too, Hank, but you’d have to be to be his friend. I know how tempting it must be to have a ten thousand dollar prize sitting across the table from you and you can’t collect on it.”
“It isn’t tempting at all, Carrie Sue. A man would have to be a fool to sell out a woman like you. I think T.J.’s right to help you; I just hope he doesn’t get into any trouble being so kind and reckless.”
“I promise to do my best to protect him,” she vowed.
They finished off the food and cleared the table.
T.J. looked at Hank. “I hate to say it, old friend, but we have to get moving. I’d like to make El Paso by nightfall.”
Hank shook Carrie Sue’s hand and said, “It was good meeting you. I hope everything works out just fine. T.J., you let me hear from you.”
“I will, Hank,” the ebon-haired man replied, affectionately slapping his friend on the back and giving him a bearhug.
The lovely fugitive observed the scene with interest. It was clear their friendship was not a pretense, and that warmed and relaxed her.
As they mounted, Hank said, “You two be careful.”
T.J. and Carrie Sue replied simultaneously, “We will.”
Hank scratched his head as the couple waved and rode off, skirting the town. Nope, he concluded, the girl was nothing like her reputation. In fact, he couldn’t believe she was an outlaw, and he’d met plenty. Now he understood how and why Thad Jamison was in love with her.
Shortly after dusk, Carrie Sue and T.J. entered El Paso at the base of the Franklin Mountains and situated on the Rio Grande River. Here, she realized, she could escape across the Mexican border if there was trouble. They worked their way to another friend’s home: Mitchell Sterling, who owned a large mercantile store in town.
The man greeted them at the back door. T.J. grasped his hand and said, “Good to see you, Mitch. Thanks for the help. Hank said he’d send you a telegram to expect me and a guest.”
The brown-haired man of about forty replied, “I got it this morning. I sent my wife and children to visit kin in the next town so we’d have privacy. If there’s one thing I owe you, friend, it’s plenty of favors. All you have to do is ask for one. I take it this is the lady who needs protection and privacy?” When Carrie Sue stepped forward, his eyes widened in exaggerated surprise. Then, he looked at his friend oddly.
T.J. smiled at him. “Yep, she’s the one in the papers and on those wanted posters, but it’s a mistake, Mitch. She isn’t the Texas Flame. I got to know her in Tucson; we’re good friends. When those posters came out, I helped her escape. I’m getting her to Ranger Headquarters in Waco so we can straighten out this crazy error. I knew I could trust you to help us and keep quiet. We have to be real careful until we clear up this mess. Her name’s Carolyn Starns; she’s a schoolmarm. Somebody mixed her up with Carrie Sue Stover aft
er that holdup near Sherman. Probably because there aren’t many flaming redheads around these parts and some people are eager to get their hands on that big reward. We’ll talk more later. We’re starved.”
Mitchell Sterling shook hands with her and said, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Starns. You two come in. I held supper for you.”
Carrie Sue loved the big house, but wished she didn’t have to put this family man on the spot. She wondered what her lover had done for Mitchell Sterling to earn such respect and loyalty, and why her love would take unfair advantage of the man’s generosity. Over dinner of a beef roast with fresh vegetables, she received her answer.
“I don’t suppose T.J.’s told you what all he’s done for me.” When the redhead shook her head, Mitch filled her in after a genial smile. “About a year ago, I had some bullies giving me trouble at the store. The law couldn’t catch ‘em and stop ‘em, but T.J. did. Those ruffians had me and my family terrorized until he came to town and took over. They cost me plenty of money, but T.J. here refused to take payment. Said he didn’t like their kind and enjoyed sending ‘em on their way.”
After a few bites, Mitchell added, “But that wasn’t the first time he saved my life. We met during the war and served together for a year. I’ll admit I was pretty scared, but T.J. always looked out after me. He’s a man who takes care of his friends.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Mitch, since I’m a new one. I hope he can help me solve my problem as well as he solved yours,” Carrie Sue said.
“If anybody can help you, it’s T.J. Rogue,” Mitchell asserted.
T.J. chuckled and pleaded, “Come on you two, stop praising me or my head will swell and my hat won’t fit anymore.”
They chatted lightly for a while longer, then cleared the table. They retired to the parlor and sat down. Mitchell served them an after dinner wine and they all relaxed as they sipped it.
“From experience, I know you like to keep your business private, T.J., so I won’t ask anymore questions about her troubles. I’m sure you’ll find a way to solve them.” He turned to the topic to politics. “I’ve been hearing some interesting things about our commander during the war. I’m sure you remember President Grant since you saved his life once. Word is, he’s eager to run for a third term, but his Republican friends can’t get the nomination for him. The majority’s afraid of this upsurge of Democratic strength and the third term issue.”
Kiss Of The Night Wind Page 33
