Passions Wild And Free

by Janelle Taylor

  She reasoned, “What about the State Police and Army? Didn’t you say they were on the case now? And there could be others around like us, or Marshal Timms, if he isn’t one of them.”

  “I’ll believe we have help when I see it, not before. Hear me well, woman; if I say get moving, you ride like the devil’s pursuing you and don’t look back. I mean it, Randee. If I go down with a wound, don’t you dare stop and try to help me.”

  “If you think I’ll leave you lying there to …”

  He grasped her face between his hands and kissed her roughly. His eyes bored into hers as he warned, “I’ll finish myself off before I give you reason to come back for me. If I’m wounded, I’ll hold them back while you get away.” Randee was shaking her head and trying to protest, but Marsh was holding his hand over her mouth to prevent it. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve gotten out of worse predicaments, with more than one wound to slow me down. Dammit, woman, they’ll rape you over and over, all of them, then slice you into little pieces. It’s time you realize you can’t buy them off, or reason with them, or defeat them alone. Swear you’ll leave, or you’re going no further.”

  Randee wanted to fling herself into his arms and reveal her love before they rode toward this evil lair of human wolves. She couldn’t, because she didn’t want him distracted by personal matters. When she relaxed, Marsh released his grip on her mouth and arm. His demand was a difficult one to honor. She knew he wouldn’t leave her behind if she were wounded. And he had to be exaggerating his past escapes, because he had told her once before that he’d never been seriously wounded in the past. Yet, she didn’t want him worried about her, and she knew he would recognize any deceit in her. She inhaled deeply and vowed, “I’ll follow your orders, partner, all of them.”

  Marsh eyed her closely and knew she was telling the truth. He smiled and revealed, “I’m not a fool, woman. I’m not seeking death or glory today, so I won’t take any crazy risks with our lives. This is the clearest my head’s been since I started this task over a year ago. We check out this camp, then decide what to do about it. Agreed?”

  Randee could not resist hugging him and thanking him. She twirled her hair into a ball and stuffed it under her hat. She checked her weapons and signaled she was ready to go.

  Marsh leaned forward and kissed the scar near her right ear. He teased to lessen her anxiety, “Make sure you don’t add another war stripe today, ‘cause I like this pretty face as is. I’m letting you continue with me because I trust your word and skills,” he said, without adding, because there are only three sets of tracks and between us we can take on that many villains.

  When they neared the area where smoke was visible above a distant clearing, Marsh and Randee left their horses and prepared themselves to attack. After making certain they were wearing nothing that would make a noise, they covered the remaining half-mile on foot. They stealthily crept to within fifty yards of the enemy camp and studied it.

  Marsh frowned as he noticed there were many obstacles to their easy success. First, there were five, not three, outlaws in the clearing. Second, their horses were tethered to a rope that was stretched between two trees, cleverly within reach for a quick escape. Third, the way the camp was situated, they couldn’t sneak any closer in daylight without taking a big risk of being sighted in an area that had very few trees for cover. Fourth, from where he and Randee were hiding, there were tree trunks in just the right places to hinder accurate firing, especially since three of the men were lying down, making bad targets. The other two were playing cards and drinking whiskey.

  The worst problem were the three civilians present. One, who looked to be a local farmer or rancher, was bound securely to the tree which was nearest to the campfire. He was, perhaps, a hostage or an unfortunate passerby. The other two visitors were females, probably saloon girls from Jacksboro, Marsh concluded, noticing the face paint and attire of the one who was still clothed. She was draped wantonly over one of the card players and obviously was trying to distract him from the game. The other female was lying naked between two men on a blanket, laughing and sharing herself with both. The last man was reclining on his side, watching the lusty sport and urging them to get finished with the girl so he could use her.

  The woman sat up and lewdly teased, “Hold yore stallion in yore britches a while longer and I’ll give ‘im a ride he won’t n’er forget. There’s plenty of me to go around. You boys got all night and half of tomorrow to get yore fill of me and Skizzy there.” She returned to her task as the other female got up to pleasure the complaining man.

  Marsh glanced at Randee, whose eyes were bravely fastened to the campsite and whose cheeks were a bright pink. He nudged her, and motioned for them to retreat to their horses.

  On the return trip, Randee fretted over somebody sneaking up on her and Marsh one day during an intimate episode. She wondered how those two females could do such wicked things. She understood how a destitute female could work in a saloon, could pleasure customers one at a time in private rooms. But to carry on like that in the open with several men watching or participating simultaneously … Didn’t those women realize what monstrous devils they were giving themselves to? Didn’t they care? The thing which disturbed Randee the most was the women didn’t appear scared, coerced, or reluctant.

  Marsh told her, “It’s too chancy to get close enough to attack that camp with other people there. Even if we waited until after dark, there are too many of them to capture or control. If we go in now with guns blazing or sneak in tonight, when hell breaks loose, it could be a disaster.” Marsh went on to expose his cunning plan, “Let’s ride to Fort Richardson and see a friend of mine there. He can get his troop here before dawn and take care of this mess for us. That way, we won’t be involved when news leaks out. Our presence will be kept secret so we can avoid notice for as long as possible. The most important thing is defeating them, whether it’s by our hand or not.”

  Randee realized he was taking a different position today by allowing someone else to slay those gang members. Maybe she had him thinking about something else besides himself, besides only his problems and his goals. Maybe she had given him a reason to care, to live, to change. She smiled and concurred, “That’s very clever, partner. We certainly don’t want innocent people getting killed, and we don’t want any of those beasts escaping to warn the others about us.”

  Since it was Friday night and half the soldiers were given the evening off, while the others were given Saturday evening off, it was easy for Marsh and Randee to get near the fort unnoticed.

  As they dismounted, she laughed and said, “I know the routine by now, partner. Just hurry back.”

  Marsh grinned and headed toward the gate on foot. He was glad to find Jim alone in his quarters, reading and relaxing. He explained what he had found and how his friend could take the glory for killing or capturing five Epson Gang members at dawn.

  Jim asked, “How do you know they’re gang members?”

  Marsh had to lie slightly. “I’ve been tracking them for days, since the scene of their last attack. I couldn’t take them on alone because there are too many of them. They’ve broken up into small groups to lay low for a while. I’ve been tailing five of them. When they settled down for a long rest nearby, I figured it was the perfect time to get help. It’s them, Jim; I saw their faces.”

  The officer seemed to relax at hearing there were five men and not thirty or more. “If you’re right, all I can do is arrest them and you’ll have to testify against them. It’ll be your word against theirs, if you live till the trial. If it were left up to me, I’d gun them down myself. But I’ll have other soldiers behind me, so I have to act under orders.” Marsh hadn’t considered this intrusive angle, and he was furious with himself. He had assumed his friend would be delighted to defeat even a part of that vicious gang. By trying to save lives—his, Randee’s, that captive’s, and those two prostitutes— he had overlooked the unbending rules and orders of Army life. “Damnation, man! They’re killers
. If we put them in jail, their friends will only break them out. And if I step forward as the only witness, that’ll stop any future pursuit, because they’ll know about me.”

  “I’m sorry, Marsh, but I can’t just ride into their camp shooting.”

  An idea came to mind and Marsh asked, “Why not? They have three prisoners. There’s one old man tied to a tree, and two saloon girls being used. I couldn’t risk getting them killed during an attack; otherwise, I’d be gunning them down right now. If you can rescue them, perhaps they’ll testify for you so I can stay out of sight.”

  The officer smiled broadly. “That’s all I needed to know, old friend. I’ve seen what those sons of bitches do. I’ll be happy to get rid of a few. I’ll make sure to take my best shots and to warn them those outlaws are very dangerous. I’ll tell everybody that a local brought me the news, about their camp and hostages. I’ll get them for you.”

  “Thanks, Jim. I’ll head out after the others.” They shook hands and Marsh left Jim to roust his men for a dawn raid.

  Upon Marsh’s return and revelation, Randee remarked, “A dawn raid by the law—how clever and appropriate. What now, partner?”

  They camped in a safe place where they could see the troop returning to the fort so they would know the climax of that raid before continuing their journey. By seven, the soldiers were riding past their hiding place with five bodies and three survivors.

  Randee was glad to see that the two women were frightened now. Maybe they knew other members of the gang and would expose them to that grinning officer. Most of all, she was relieved to see that the old man was still alive and uninjured, and only one of the soldiers had a slight wound. Slowly but surely, she and Marsh were winning this war, and winning it without innocent casualties. Thirteen raiders were dead, but how many more existed? At least seventeen, plus their scouts and spies and their boss—and possibly new members to replace those slain.

  She absently fingered the silver charm around her neck as she gave thanks for this new victory, for their survival, and for her love.

  Marsh said, “Well, that’s done, and we’re still alive and safe. Let’s make a wide circle along another route back to Fort Worth. This picking off a few at a time is easy and smart. Let’s pluck some more villains, partner.”

  They rode all day, finding nothing suspicious or dangerous. It was nearly dark when they happened onto an old hunting shack, which was near to collapse. They camped nearby, where lush grass for the horses grew abundantly beside a large stream which was excellent for splashing and bathing. They cooked a light meal, ate, and cleaned up’their dishes.

  When Marsh became amorous beneath the half-moon and stars, Randee was apprehensive. She worried about someone watching them from the bushes as they had spied on those “saloon girls and outlaws. She couldn’t relax and surrender uninhibitedly. She explained her problem to Marsh, who didn’t laugh or persist or argue, or try to cajole her as if she were a silly woman or small child.

  “What about the shack?” she hinted shamelessly.

  Marsh glanced at it and shook his head. “It could come tumbling down on us, woman. Why don’t we just snuggle up and get some sleep? We’ll be in a cozy hotel bed in a couple of days.”

  Randee met his gaze and echoed, “A couple of days? I don’t know what you do to me, Marsh Logan, but I want you all the time, and days sound like forever. I’m being foolish, aren’t I?”

  Marsh smiled and nestled her closer to him. “Nope. If you can’t relax, then you can’t enjoy me, and I insist that you enjoy me every time I enjoy you. Listen to me, Randee. I don’t blame you for wanting privacy; so do I. Let’s wait until we have it. Nothing makes you hungrier for food than when you can’t eat for a while— makes it taste better when you finally can savor it.”

  Randee smiled at him and embraced him. “You’re a wonder.”

  “So are you, Miss Hollis,” he teased with a heady kiss.

  When their lips parted, she confessed hoarsely, “I’m glad you rode to Wadesville that day and became my partner.”

  Marsh pressed her honey-blond head against his chest and held her possessively. “Yep, so am I,” he admitted.

  Marsh and Randee didn’t know it yet, but the easy parts were over ….

  Chapter Fourteen

  By noon the following day, it was particularly hot and humid. It was so muggy that their perspiration refused to evaporate and it dampened their garments and flesh. Breathing seemed difficult, and a feeling of misery chewed on them. Marsh taught her how to cool off by riding beneath a vast cloud, which cut off the blazing sun.

  As they paused in the natural shade, Randee commented, “That’s a good trick, Mr. Logan. I can tell you’re used to being out in the open most of the time. You know a lot about nature.”

  “Why, thank you, Miss Hollis. I appreciate you appreciating me,” he teased merrily in an exaggerated Southern drawl.

  As the day progressed, so did the imminent threat of a violent storm within the next few hours. The massive white clouds and blue sky vanished. The firmament darkened steadily until it looked like a deep, slate-blue backdrop which was sewn tightly to the rich green landscape on the horizon. The contrast of intense blue and green was breathtaking as Randee looked across the flat land before her line of vision. It was as if, as far as she could see, the earth was a verdant blanket which suddenly became a dark-sapphire barrier that loomed overhead to all points of the compass. The wind gusted ominously, causing the grasses to wave wildly to and fro and refreshing Randee and Marsh.

  The heat lessened quickly as breezes grew stronger and cooler. Randee’s hair whipped about until she halted to twirl it and tuck it beneath her hat. In the distance, thunder rumbled like boulders being rolled across heaven’s floor. On the horizon, brilliant streaks of lightning flashed rapidly across the sky, warning of the violent drama which nature was about to stage in this area. The rumbling grew louder and nearer. The sky became a pearly gray, hinting at how much water was entrapped above them. It was strange, but a burst of energy and excitement filled Randee as the weather changed. She felt so alive, so much a part of nature, so close to it, so affected by its wild beauty.

  Marsh reined his horse and dismounted. He quickly withdrew the map from his saddlebag, unfolded it, and scanned it. “We have to find shelter fast, woman.. We’re in for a long and violent storm. If no one’s around, we can take shelter here,” he told her, pointing to one of the ranches that was marked as abandoned and sold on his map.

  Earsplitting thunderclaps sounded almost overhead, and Randee thought she felt their vibrations within her chest. Lightning danced wildly just beyond them, its jagged lines traveling swiftly from heaven to earth as if they were luminous skeletons attacking the land. “That’s fine with me,” she agreed, glancing at their intimidating surroundings. It looked as if the sky was nearly bursting with water. She knew the storm’s fury would be unleashed soon, and she wanted to be inside.

  They galloped toward their new destination, actually heading further away from Fort Worth. The wind was blowing forcefully, and the thunder growled like an angry bear who’d been awakened rashly from his hibernation. The horses were getting nervous as the startling thunderbolts zinged and boomed around them. Marsh and Randee knew they had to hurry to make the ranch before the tempest assailed them.

  The house and barns weren’t burned because the family had sold out, packed up, and left the perilous area. They rode to the barn, dismounted, and unsaddled their horses. After securing both gates, they quickly tossed hay to the animals. Using two well buckets, Randee drew water while Marsh carried it to the trough and filled it. With food, water, and shelter, the horses would be fine for days.

  The wind grabbed and shook tree branches as if trying to viciously rip the limbs from their trunks and, failing to achieve that destructive aim, snatched at their green leaves and sent them scurrying across the dirt yard. Flowers, which had been brought from back East somewhere, were being yanked about rudely; their petals were torn off and s
ent flying to join the severed leaves.

  Marsh and Randee carried their possessions into the house. Much of the furniture had been left behind during the family’s hasty departure. They checked the root cellar and found that plenty of food had also been left, probably because there was too much to carry away in an already overloaded wagon. Randee was surprised to discover old clothes inside the house, left behind in the family’s hurry to leave this lovely place. Recalling that she had seen a smokehouse and a garden, she asked Marsh to see if any meats had been left while she rushed to pull fresh vegetables for a stew.

  Peals of thunder roared like dynamite charges going off in rapid sequence. Lightning flickered like glowing fingers splitting the heavens so that brilliant light could burst through the cracks which they made. The intensity of the storm increased. Suddenly a torrential rain began, drenching Randee and Marsh before they could return to the house.

  They laughed as they rushed inside and dropped their burdens on the kitchen floor. He remarked humorously, “I surely hope this stew will be worth getting soaked for, woman.”

  “It will,” she vowed with a merry laugh.

  The deluge of water poured down, sounding like meat sizzling in a frying pan. Randee closed the door and turned to the dripping man. Irrepressible giggles came forth and she said, “I haven’t played in the rain in years. After the heat and humidity we’ve been enduring, it feels wonderful.” She wiped streams of water from her face.

  “We’d better get dried off before we catch cold, woman.”

  Randee chose the main bedroom for her task. After drying off, she pulled on a comfortable nightgown, then spread her wet garments on a rickety chair. She rubbed the excess moisture from her hair and braided it. When she returned to the other room, Marsh had slipped out of his wet clothes and had donned only a dry pair of pants. She watched him finger-comb his ebony hair before she headed into the kitchen to begin the stew, which would take hours to cook.