by Bobbi Smith
“Blade, can I try one more time after Angel’s done?” Lucky spoke up. “Will you help me like you did her? I bet I can shoot better if I use two hands.”
“Sure.”
Angel tried the two-handed grip on her own; and, while she came closer than she had on her first try, the target suffered no further damage.
“We sure need a lot more practice, don’t we, Angel?” Lucky asked as he took the gun from her and got ready for his second attempt.
“I think I need a shotgun,” she laughed a little nervously, still feeling unsettled about what had passed between her and Blade.
“All right, Lucky, show me if you learned anything watching your sister.” Lucky tried Angel’s way. Still far from accurate, he was closer than before. “Good.”
“How can you say that was good, when I didn’t even come close? I want to hit the target right in the middle like you. I want to be able to draw fast.”
Blade pinned him with a silencing look. “A gun is important, not because you use it but because you know how to use it. I’m willing to teach you how to shoot so you can defend yourself, not so you can go looking for fights. Do you understand that?”
“Yes.”
“Good. It’s going to take a lot of patience on your part to learn. If you’re serious, you’re going to have to keep at it and not get frustrated and give up.”
“I won’t.”
Blade nodded his approval. “We’ll try again tomorrow night.”
“Are you going to keep practicing, too, Angel?” Lucky asked.
“As long as Blade has no objection.” She looked to him for an answer and found his eyes upon her, his expression inscrutable. The intriguing emotion she’d seen mirrored there earlier, was masked now.
“That’ll be fine.” Blade took the gun from Lucky, checked it, then slid it into his holster.
They ate their evening meal and got ready to bed down. The ground seemed particularly hard to Angel tonight. She had trouble getting comfortable, let alone falling asleep. As she tossed and turned, Blade kept intruding on her thoughts. She remembered the feel of his arms and the sound of his deep voice in her ear as he’d curved himself around her to help her with her aim. She reminded herself again that he was a mercenary. There had been nothing tender or devoted in his actions. Everything he did was calculated, with his eye fixed on the money she would pay him once they reached California. The memory of his kiss in the moonlight would not be dismissed, though. Nor the feelings his kiss had aroused.
In her search for comfort, Angel rolled over again and this time noticed that Blade was not in his bedroll. He often went to check on the horses and take a look around the campsite before going to sleep, so she wasn’t unduly concerned until she heard the sound of riders approaching the camp.
“Blade?” She called his name in a strangled, nervous voice as she sat up.
“Angel, what is it?” Lucky was the only one who replied to her call.
“There are horses coming. Do you know where Blade went?”
“No. I didn’t even see him go. Who do you think is coming?”
“I don’t know.” Angel felt a surge of panic as the sound of the horses’ hooves grew ever louder.
She and Lucky were alone. Blade might be nearby, but that wouldn’t be good enough if the mystery riders were Michael’s men and they were coming into camp armed.
“Why are you so scared?” Lucky could see how pale she’d become. He wasn’t especially worried himself because he was certain Blade was somewhere close by.
“We don’t know who it is.”
Her gaze darted back to Blade’s bedroll, and she was relieved to see his gun and holster there. Without hesitation, she scrambled to snatch up Blade’s revolver. Her desperation transferred itself to the boy, and he jumped up and ran to her side just as the two strangers appeared within the circle of the fire’s light. Angel put an arm around him in a sheltering gesture as she faced their unwanted company.
“Hello.” The heavy-set, dirty man riding the lead horse reined in as soon as he caught sight of Angel. His eyes feasted upon her from her hair to her bosom—and lower.
“Who are you and what do you want?” Angel demanded in a firm voice as she lifted the gun and aimed it at them. She had to fight to keep both her voice and the gun steady. She didn’t want to reveal the deep, bone-chilling fear that held her in its icy grip. She studied their faces in the flickering firelight, trying to see if she recognized either man as the one she’d seen in New Orleans.
“Whoa there, little lady,” the man protested quickly, his eyes widening a bit at the sight of the gun in her hand. It didn’t matter that her hand was shaking a little. At this distance, he didn’t think she’d miss no matter how bad her aim. “We didn’t mean no harm.”
“We heard the shots earlier and thought there might be trouble here. We headed this way, and when saw the light from your campfire we thought we’d come see if you was needin’ any help,” the second one added.
“We don’t need any help, thank you. You can be on your way now.”
“Now that ain’t so neighborly of you, ma’am. Name’s McGraw. Hank McGraw, and this here is Lou Jones.”
“Ma’am.” Lou Jones openly leered at Angel. It had been a long time since he’d had a woman. “There really ain’t no need for a gun now, ya know.”
“Your man hereabouts?” Hank asked, casting a quick look around but seeing no one.
Angel stood her ground without flinching. Though neither man was the one she’d seen in New Orleans, she realized that didn’t mean they were in any lesser danger. Blade had warned her, and she was ready. She tightened her grip on the revolver and was about to answer when Blade’s voice cut through the night.
“Evening, gentlemen. There a good reason why you stopped for a visit?” Blade’s words were cordial enough, but his tone left no doubt that he considered their presence an intrusion and a threat.
He stepped forward into the light, his rifle at ready, and the strangers immediately tensed. They’d thought the camp might be easy prey, and when they’d seen the woman they’d anticipated more. The boy they dismissed as unimportant. That perception was now shattered as they faced a mean and angry Blade. His silvered gaze was fixed upon them with lethal resolve. They sensed the savagery in him and knew this was no man to mess with. Their instincts screamed to get out, and McGraw and Jones always obeyed their gut reactions.
“We was just bein’ neighborly, is all,” McGraw whined.
“We’ll head on now. You folks take care.”
They turned their horses slowly and plodded off into the night, knowing they were lucky to get away unscathed. They didn’t stop to wipe the cold sweat from their brows until they were out of sight. When they’d disappeared into the darkness, Blade followed after them on foot to make sure they really left the area.
“Angel, you can put the gun down now,” Lucky urged as she remained standing stock-still, gun in hand, staring into the darkness in the direction they’d gone.
“No, Lucky, not yet.” Her voice was a hushed, tense whisper as she waited. Her hand was shaking, but she didn’t once let her guard down. There was still a chance that they were from Michael. She knew they might come back. She had to be ready. She waited.
Blade tracked the strangers. Once he was sure that they were not doubling back to cause more trouble, he returned to camp. The sight of Angel, gun in hand, shocked him.
“Angela, it’s all right now. You can give me the gun.” Blade took the weapon from her and handed it to Lucky to put away.
“They’re really gone?”
Angel looked up at Blade, and he saw for the first time the look of terror on her face. She was pale, her eyes wide and filled with unspeakable fear. When he realized how badly she was shaking, he swept her in his arms and held her close.
“Yes, they’re gone,” he said quietly.
“You’re sure?” she asked hoarsely, unable to stop shivering.
“Positive. You’re safe. I’ll
protect you.”
Angel went limp as he held her. That had been close—too close. The strength and emotion that had sustained her during the confrontation drained from her. Tears threatened, and she felt ashamed and cowardly. She had managed this time, but what about next time? Would she be as ready, or would they catch her unawares?
Angel bit down on her lip trying to force her runaway fears back under control, but the warmth and strength of Blade’s embrace made that harder to do. She wanted to confide in him. Her heart urged her to trust him. Logic reminded her he was a gunfighter, a gambler, and a stranger. She was on her own.
“Angel, it’s all right now.” Blade’s deep voice was a velvet caress as he held her protectively against him. “I will keep you safe,” he promised, and her breathing slowed to a more regular pace. “Go back to sleep. I’ll stand guard the rest of the night.”
More in control, Angel drew a ragged breath and pushed slightly away from the haven of Blade’s arms. “No. I’m all right.” She lifted her chin, drawing on what little pride and strength she had left. “They surprised me. I hadn’t expected.... not this late.... and then you were gone . . .”
“Don’t you think it’s time you leveled with me?” Blade asked, his tone serious. “It’s time to tell me the truth.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied.
“I’m talking about your rush to get out of New Orleans. I’m talking about the kind of fear that just left you paralyzed. Now is the time to tell me. If you’re in trouble, I can help.”
Angel wrenched against his grasp, but his hands tightened on her arms. He held her captive within his embrace. “I’m not in trouble,” she denied.
“It’s my job to keep you and Lucky safe until we reach California. How can I do that if you don’t tell me what I’m up against? Who’s looking for you? What are they after? How many of them are there? What should I be watching for?”
“You’re wrong. Nobody’s after me. I was just scared because you weren’t here. That’s all.”
In frustration, he released her. Angel immediately moved away from his overwhelming presence.
“I guess we’d better get to bed. Morning’s going to come early tomorrow,” she said, going quickly to Lucky who’d been observing the two of them in silence. She tucked him in and gave him a kiss, then made her way to her own bed.
For Blade there would be no sleep. He didn’t believe one word of her denial. He was going to stay up and keep watch. Something elemental and primitive in him wouldn’t let him rest as long as he thought she was in danger. Taking his rifle, Blade settled just out of the circle of light. His lonely vigil would see them safely through the long night.
Chapter Sixteen
Tense and tired, Blade had awaited the first light of dawn, but instead of brightening his mood, dawn had revealed dark storm clouds to the west. His already edgy mood blackened.
“Angel, it’s sunup. We’d better get an early start today,” he told her as he built up the fire to boil water for coffee. He was in dire need of some of the hot, bracing brew.
“Why?” Angel asked wearily as she came awake. She’d been restless all night, worrying about Michael’s men catching up to her, and had only just fallen asleep.
“It’s going to storm before noon. We need to make as much time as we can while it’s clear.”
Weary but determined to keep going, she dragged herself out of her bedroll and woke Lucky. Within a short time, they were mounted and on their way.
The mist began late in the morning and turned from a light drizzle to a full-fledged downpour by afternoon. Blade had known that there would be bad weather on the trek, so he’d bought them rain gear. But with the onset of the gusts and squalls, nothing could keep them dry.
“We’d better stop early,” Blade advised as the pelting rain continued. The roads would only get worse, and the river could overflow.
“No,” Angel objected. “We haven’t gone far enough today. We have to go on.”
“Yes, ma’am. You’re the boss, ma’am.” Rigid, Blade deferred to her wishes.
Much later, Blade spotted a grove of trees on high ground that would offer protection from the elements for the night. Soaked, exhausted, and generally miserable, they sought the shelter of the trees. Blade set up makeshift tents and then sought solitary rest while Angel and Lucky huddled together.
“Angel?” Lucky said her name softly as he snuggled close beside her in their tent.
“Hmm?” she responded sleepily.
“Do you think it’ll ever stop raining?”
“No. We’re probably going to have to start swimming tomorrow.”
He knew she was teasing. “Shoulda taken a boat, huh?”
“And miss all this fun and togetherness?”
There was a long pause as Lucky thought about the cold and rainy nights he’d spent alone, wet and hungry on the streets of St. Louis. This was heaven in comparison. He answered quietly, “You’re right.”
“I am?”
“I’ve slept out in the rain a lot before, but I was always by myself then.” He spoke in a whisper so only she could hear.
Angel was deeply touched. Love for him filled her heart, and she pulled him to her and wrapped her blanket around them both for extra warmth. “Sleep now. You won’t be by yourself ever again.”
“G’night, Angel.” Lucky wanted to believe her, but he could not forget that they would separate once they reached California. For now, though, he would enjoy what happiness he had. He sighed and drifted off to sleep.
“G’night, sweetheart.” Angel could barely make out his features in the gloom of the rainy night. He looked young and innocent, a far cry from the defiant, angry little boy she’d cornered less than a month before. Her heart warmed.
As she settled in for the night herself, Angel wondered how Christopher and Sarah were faring. She prayed they were safe and well on their way to California. It would be weeks before she would see either of them again, and it worried her not to know how they were.
What, she wondered, would Christopher think of Lucky? She decided her nephew would like him. He was brash and wild but, underneath it all, a good boy.
In the darkness, listening to the unceasing rain, Angel began to plan a future that included both Christopher and Lucky. Somehow, she was going to make certain that both boys were healthy and happy and grew to manhood knowing they were loved.
Dawn the next day was equally wet and dismal. Black clouds hung low in the sky, promising another day of unrelenting rain. They’d gotten little rest, and Blade’s mood was as black as the clouds. He could see the exhaustion in Angel’s and Lucky’s faces, and he knew it would be best if they stayed put until the weather let up. Convincing her was the problem. Only one other person he knew could compare to her for sheer grit and determination once set on a goal, and that was himself.
“I think we should camp here until it clears,” he told them as he ducked low to enter their small shelter. The ground was little more than ooze, and rain continued unabated.
“We’re going to ride today,” she insisted. “We can’t wait it out. There isn’t a break in the clouds, and it might be another whole day before the weather lets up.”
“All the more reason not to travel,” he said. “The roads are nothing but mud. Footing is bad, and the creeks are running wild. It’s dangerous.”
“That’s why I hired you.” Angel stiffened, obstinate.
“What about the boy?”
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry,” Lucky put in. He hadn’t slept well and was worn out, but he had to please Angel. If she wanted to go, he would go.
“Well?” Angel turned to Blade. The memory of the terror she had felt when she’d thought Michael’s men had found her wouldn’t let her rest.
“Let’s ride.” Blade turned to the horses in surrender.
Hour after hour, they plodded through the drenching rain.
“Is it dry in Texas?” Lucky asked hopefully, breaking the silence
.
In spite of the cold rain trickling down the back of his neck, Blade smiled. “In the summer.”
Lucky groaned. “It’s still spring, isn’t it?”
“It’s still spring,” he confirmed.
“How soon will we get there? We should be leaving Louisiana soon, shouldn’t we?”
“If the rain hadn’t slowed us down, we would have made the border today. As it is, depending on the weather, we should make it some time tomorrow.”
“Good. I know when we get to Texas, the sun’s going to come out again.”
“I hope you’re right,” Angel joined in.
“If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be?” Lucky asked.
“Let’s see.” The memory of home as it had been drifted warmly in her thoughts, but she instantly remembered that the home of her childhood no longer existed. “How about on a steamboat in their best stateroom, sleeping in a big soft bed?”
“With lots of hot food and dry clothes?”
“And no horses,” she concluded with a smile.
“Yeah.”
When Angel mentioned the stateroom and the bed, Blade immediately saw her lying upon it. He imagined himself walking into the cabin to find her waiting, eager and ready for him. Quickly he checked the image.
Angel’s cozy daydream lasted no longer than Blade’s, interrupted by the specter of Christopher’s frightened face. Guiltily, she pushed the self-indulgent fantasy from her mind. Her discomfort was nothing compared to what Elizabeth had suffered.
Cold rain water trickled down Angel’s neck and along her spine, but she balked at giving in to weakness. She would not let her own misery be the reason to stop.
The road was a treacherous quagmire. Creeks had backed up, and they sloshed through the overflow.
Blade frowned at the telltale dark smudges beneath Angel’s eyes. Her features were gaunt and drawn, and her hands shook. He wished she trusted him enough to tell him the terrible secret that held her in its grip. But until she chose to confide in him, he could only wait and watch and try to keep her from harm.