“Cyrus?” Suzanne called out worry edging an unasked question.
“I’ll be back. I’m leaving Cordell and a couple of men here.” Cyrus locked her in his arms, kissing her hard and long. He didn’t give a damn who saw it. She was his wife, and it was about time they all knew it.
“Johnny and I will be waiting,” Suzanne said softly against his mouth before he let her go.
“Saddle up and ride out boys,” Cyrus yelled out slipping the rife into the scabbard then mounted his anxious gelding.
Cyrus, Beau, and three of his men turned their horses’ noses north then rode out at a gallop.
Cyrus rode side-by-side with his brother for miles before they came upon the camp. The sun was starting to make its way over the western sky. They had plenty of daylight left to get Butler and Murray off their land. He’d be back at the ranch in time for a late supper and a long talk with Johnny. It was time his son knew he and Suzanne were married.
It was time he fessed up to Suzanne about his feelings.
Beau reined in, motioning to a small grove of trees along the riverbank. “They’re in there.”
Cyrus signaled his men then edged his horse closer to the trees. Sitting around the fire was the dirtbag Regan Murray and a man Cyrus figured was Suzanne’s father—Will Butler. He pulled the rifle from the scabbard, aiming it at the men.
“I understand you paid my wife a visit today,” Cyrus called out, the men jumping to their feet. “I also understand you were told to leave the Double K land. You’re about twenty miles short of accomplishing that.”
“I came to collect my daughter!” the man with a nervous eye twitch shouted. “She ran off a while back, right before her wedding to Mr. Murray here.”
Cyrus didn’t give a fig what Will Butler had to say. He was more concerned with the way Regan Murray looked at him. Cyrus was pretty damn sure Murray knew who he was.
“I know you,” Murray finally spat, pointing a finger at Cyrus. “You’re that meddlesome captain that interfered with my interrogation of some…”
“Poor defenseless women?” Cyrus finished, keeping his rifle aimed at Murray’s head. One false move and he’d plant a bullet between those beady eyes of his. “From what I hear, you didn’t learn anything on how to properly treat women. Hear tell you’ve been mistreating every young woman who’s had the misfortune of marrying you. Some even believe the last two wives were killed by your own hand.”
“There’s no proof of that,” Murray smirked. “My wives, God rest their souls, met with tragic accidents. Just ask Butler here, he’ll tell you.”
Will swallowed hard then glanced over at Murray. “That’s right. No proof!”
“In any case. You are on Kennedy land and have been told twice to get off it.” Cyrus adjusted himself in the saddle as his men surrounded the camp. “Now for the third and final time, get off my land before I shoot you for trespassing.”
“I came for my daughter, and I’ll not leave without her!” Butler exclaimed.
“Your daughter, Mr. Butler, is married. Suzanne’s my wife and will remain so until death do us part,” Cyrus informed his father-in-law. “If you settle your differences with her, you are welcomed at our table. Until then don’t show your face around here again.”
“So be it,” Murray grumbled, taking a step back into the growing shadows. “There’s more than one way to skin a cat, and that woman was betrothed to me!”
“And she’s married to me! Now get the hell off my land!” Cyrus warned through the clicks of cocked rifles and guns.
“Let’s go, Regan.” Butler pulled at Murray’s arm.
Cyrus watched as they broke camp and then rode north.
“Think they’ll leave?” Beau asked, putting his gun back in his holster.
“Nope, not this easily. Murray won’t give up,” Cyrus said gritting his teeth. “Take Jess with you if you want. We’ll see you when you get back.”
Beau nodded then rode out, following the trespassers. There was trouble on the horizon, and Cyrus prayed they’d all make it through it.
12
“Cyrus, do you think this is wise?” Suzanne asked cuddling next to her husband. “Are you sure Johnny…”
“Johnny’s a boy and my son. Our son.” Cyrus wrapped his arms around her. It was all the security she needed or wanted in her life.
“Yes, but he doesn’t know we are married, and I don’t want him to think badly of me. That I’m trying to… He sees me as his teacher, not his mother or his father’s wife,” Suzanne said softly, burrowing deeper into Cyrus’s feather bed. Every night for the past three they’d slept next to each other until just before dawn. No more sneaking into the barn—one night had been more than enough for her.
Now that Father and Mr. Murray were gone, her life seemed perfect. But their family unit wasn’t complete and wouldn’t be until they told Johnny that they were married. That he had a complete family once again. She didn’t like keeping their secret from him nor the rest of the ranch hands and their wives. Suzanne wanted to feel like their family as well as Cyrus’s.
“In case you haven’t noticed, the boy hangs on every word you say.” Cyrus slid his hand over her belly, sending hot quivering waves through her. “He loves you, Suzie, there’s no doubt in my mind.”
“I suspect that’s because I’m his teacher.” She knew how Johnny felt but what about Cyrus? Did Cyrus love her as well? Judging from the things he did to her body, she thought he did. Would he ever say it out loud?
She stifled a moan of desire when his mouth captured a beaded nipple. “Cyrus,” she mewed softly, moving her hips with the manipulation of his fingers. “Please, I need you.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, the words hot and sensual against her ear.
“Yes, more than ever,” Suzanne confessed, her heart soaring right behind her body.
Cyrus captured her body with his own. His movements strong and true, urging her to climb the mountain with him.
And she did.
Straight up to the highest peak until there was nowhere else to go but crashing into the clouds. They floated back to each other on the wings of contentment.
“FIRE!”
Cyrus sprang from the bed. An orange glow from outside lighting the bedroom window.
“Barn’s on fire. Stay here with Johnny, don’t let him go near the barn,” Cyrus said, pulling his pants up over his legs. He grabbed his shirt and sprinted down the stairs, his footfalls echoing in the hall.
Suzanne ran down the hall in her robe and into Johnny’s room. “Johnny!”
The boy was gone!
Fear ran like molten fire through Suzanne as she ran down the stairs and out onto the back porch. The barn was in flames. Horses still trapped inside were squealing. Men in their long johns raced about the yard, buckets in their hands. Suzanne grabbed a porch rail to steady herself, and she peered through the chaos and smoke. Where was Johnny?
“Form a line! Get those horses out of there!” Cyrus’s commands were heard above the roar of the fire and crackling of burning wood. She saw him run into the barn and her body sunk slightly. The charred smell of wood and hay made her nauseous, but she kept looking for Johnny. He had to be there among the men! Where could he be?
One by one, horses were led from the barn and let loose in the corral. Finally, the mare and her black colt appeared, and Suzanne felt some relief at the sight of Cyrus leading them. Cord and Beau were at each end of the water line. She still couldn’t find Johnny.
“Miss Suzanne?” Johnny’s frightened voice came from the shadows of the house.
Thank you! She prayed then turned to go into the kitchen relief settling in her. “You had me scared to death! Where have you been?”
Suzanne’s heart raced uncontrollably. Johnny stood between the kitchen and living room with Mr. Murray’s arm around him and a gun to his head.
“I told you, woman, I came for what’s mine!” Murray spat, jerking on Johnny for emphasis. “Now get yourself presentable before th
is young boy’s life ends on your account.”
“Where’s my father?” Suzanne asked, pulling one of Cyrus’s coats on over her robe. She slipped into a pair of boots sitting by the back door.
“The old coot wanted to go back to Montana. Man’s a coward not to take what is his. So, I’m doing it for him.” Murray laughed, his eyes glimmering with darkness.
“My pa’s gonna…” Johnny cried out before his body was jerked back.
“Shut up, boy, or you’ll never see your pa again!” Murray threatened, pressing the gun against Johnny’s temple. “Your pa is a no-good, meddling son of a bitch who should mind his own business.”
“No, he ain’t!” Johnny wiggled.
“Shut up, boy!” Murray hissed near his ear. “Or I’ll shoot Miss Suzanne right before your eyes.”
“I’ll go with you, just let the boy go,” Suzanne pleaded, her eyes welling with tears. “Don’t hurt him. He’s only a boy.”
“Then you better do as I say.” Murray hissed like the snake he was. “Get something to tie him up with.”
Suzanne reached for the towels hanging from the wall hooks. At least these may be a bit easier on Johnny’s skin than rope would be. She handed them over to Murray, but he waved them off.
“No, wife! You’ll be the one to do it. Get a chair and tie him to it.” Murray shoved Johnny to the floor, the gun still pointed at his head.
Suzanne set a chair next to him then helped him into it. “I’m sorry, Johnny.”
“Miss Suzanne, don’t go with him. Pa will be back and take care of him,” Johnny said, keeping up his brave front.
“I have to. Your father will know what to do.” Suzanne finished tying the towels around his wrists then one over his mouth. “I love you, Johnny, never forget that,” she whispered, kissing the top of his head.
Suzanne winced when Murray grabbed her arm and yanked her out through the front door and across the porch.
“Saddle up,” he ordered, pushing her into one of the skittish horses. Murray helped her mount then tied her hands to the saddle horn before mounting his own horse.
Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, stinging her eyes. The orange glow of the fire lit the path as they rode away into the night.
Cyrus splashed water over his face. The barn lay in hunks of burned wood, smoke rising from the smoldering ashes. All the horses were safe and finally quiet even if still a bit nervous.
“Who do you think did this, Cy?” Beau asked, his face covered with soot.
“I have an idea; I hope I’m wrong.” Cyrus dragged his exhausted body toward the still dark house. He wondered for a brief moment why Suzanne wasn’t up and preparing coffee and breakfast. “Oh, my gawd!”
Cyrus ran across the yard, yelling at the top of his lungs. “Johnny! Suzanne!” He stormed in through the kitchen door, Beau and Cordell hot on his heels, then skidded to a halt. Cocking his head, he listened for any sign of life. Anything that would set his fears aside.
Mumbling and knocking came from the front room. He grabbed a knife and crept slowly into the shadows, his eyes adjusting to the images around him. His heart ceased beating.
Tied to a chair in the middle of the room was his son. But no sign of Suzanne.
Untying Johnny, he took the boy in his arms, holding him close. He rubbed Johnny’s back, letting the boy sob into his smoke-filled shirt.
“He took her, Pa,” Johnny finally blurted, his eyes moist and fearful.
“Who took her?” Cyrus asked, hoping in his heart he was wrong. Only one man thought he had reason to take his wife. Regan Murray!
“The man who was here a few days ago,” Johnny answered, wiping the tears from his eyes.
“Miss Suzanne’s father?” Cyrus held his breath. He’d been sure that Mr. Butler wouldn’t do anything to harm his daughter, no matter how angry he was with her.
“No, the other man,” Johnny spat, looking as if he was about to cry again. “I’m sorry, Pa, I couldn’t stop him.”
“You did fine, son.” Cyrus didn’t relinquish his hold on his boy, keeping him tight against his chest. “How long ago?”
“I don’t know, not long,” Johnny said, looking from Beau to Cordell, then back to Cyrus. “You need to go get Miss Suzanne, Pa. She needs us!”
“We’ll go saddle the horses,” Beau offered, punching Cordell in the arm, signaling him to follow out the door.
“Make sure my rifle is loaded and in my scabbard.” Cyrus nodded his gaze never leaving Johnny. “We’ll go get her, son. Miss Suzanne will be back home before nightfall.”
Cyrus helped Johnny to his feet then looked him square in the eye. “There’s something we haven’t told you yet, Miss Suzanne and me.”
Johnny smiled a crooked smile then patted his father on the arm. “That you and Miss Suzanne are married?”
Cyrus’s mouth fell open then he laughed. “Can’t pull the wool over your eyes. How did you know?”
“I heard Uncle Beau and Uncle Cordell talking about it in the barn when I was with the black. I’m glad for it, Pa.” Johnny smiled sheepishly.
“So am I.” Cyrus captured his son in a bear hug, squeezing just hard enough to let him know he wouldn’t ever let him go. “Now your job is to watch over the house and help the boys out. Your uncles and I are going to bring your stepmother home.”
“Ma, she’s my ma,” Johnny corrected him then ran up the stairs to get dressed.
Cyrus strapped on his gun belt, checked his revolver for ammunition then stomped onto the porch. Beau and Cordell sat waiting for him, their horses prancing in anticipation.
“Let’s go bring my wife home!” Cyrus yelled, as he mounted then turned his horse’s nose north.
The morning sky was waking up when they’d reach the campsite where they’d found Butler and Murray a few days earlier. Cyrus signaled for his brothers to wait then he dismounted and slipped through the trees.
Cyrus reached the site, finding Will Butler semi-conscious and the fire still warm.
“Beau!” Cyrus lifted Butler’s head, relieved when his father-in-law moaned a bit. “Mr. Butler, are you alright?”
“Suzanne?” Will mumbled, his eyes fluttering open. “The bastard took my daughter and left me here to die.”
Beau and Cordell rode into the camp, guns drawn. “Everything …”
“Put your guns away,” Cyrus said, checking his father-in-law over. “Where did they go, Mr. Butler?”
“I suspect north. The last I remember was the sun peeking over the horizon.” Will drank from the canteen Cyrus offered.
“Cord, ride and get the doc. Mr. Butler shouldn’t be moved until the doc says so. Then take him back to the ranch,” Cyrus instructed, leaving no room for argument.
“First answer me this.” Will breathed heavily. “Suzanne said she was married. Is it true?”
Cyrus looked at Beau then met Butler’s gaze. “Yes, sir. She’s my wife, and I’m proud of it.”
“Do you love her?” Will asked, trying to move into a seated position.
Cyrus helped him to a position against a tree. “Yes, sir.”
“Good, now what do you aim to do about that scoundrel Murray?” Will asked, his hard gaze boring into Cyrus, making him shiver involuntarily.
“For one, I plan on getting my wife back,” Cyrus promised. “The way I figure it, they can’t be far from here. Murray will find a place to hold up in until dark; then he’ll move on out.”
“If he’s at Big Rough, you can’t go in there alone,” Beau said.
Cyrus stood then faced his older brother. “I can, and I will. Come ahead when Cord returns with the doc.”
Cyrus mounted his horse and rode toward Big Rough.
After five miles he picked up their trail. He’d been right. Murray was headed for Big Rough. Cyrus circled around to the northwest, hoping to cut them off before they reached the mouth of the canyon. With any luck, Murray would cross right in front of him, and when he did, Cyrus intended that Regan Murray never harmed another member
of his family again.
Suzanne clung to the saddle horn, doing her best to keep balanced. Her thoughts of her father, laying on the ground, kept her distracted. What happened to him? Was he alive or had Murray killed him?
“Where are we going?” Suzanne called out, hoping the pace would slow a bit and that she might be able to make an escape. She wanted to feel the ground under her feet as she fled back toward the ranch. Maybe she’d be able to get away if she got an advantage over Murray.
“As far from here as possible before night,” Murray said, pulling her horse closer to him. “I can’t wait to make you mine as soon as we cross into Indian Territory. There’s a preacher waitin’ just on the other side of the Red River.”
“Did you kill my father?” Suzanne asked, knowing the devil next to her would lie. This was all her fault. If she’d stayed and married the man like Father had wanted, then he might still be alive. But would she?
“With any luck, but I doubt it.” Murray grinned, his grimy teeth peeking through his lips. “At the very least, I’ve slowed him down. He was getting on my last nerve with all his talk of leaving here without you. The man and I have a deal. I marry you in exchange for the five thousand prime grazing acres on the northern section of your land. I’d get the entire ranch should something happen to him. Ha! That might be sooner than he’d planned on.”
Suzanne’s stomach churned at the sound of his laugh. If her father died after Murray married her, then he got the Rocking B? What about her mother, what would happen to her? And what about herself? Would he find a way of eventually disposing of both of them?
“I wouldn’t bet on things going your way. Once my husband finds me gone, he’ll hunt you down like a dog,” Suzanne spat, certain that Cyrus had to be on his way. He’d had to have found Johnny by now.
“If I were you, I’d keep my mouth shut. We’ll be wed, and I’ll have the ranch before anyone knows where to find you.” Murray puffed out his chest, his eyes flickering with dark confidence. “You really don’t think I’ve been pining away these past few yours hoping you’d come back, do you? Hell no! I’ve been getting wife number four all lined up to take your place once I’ve buried you and your family in the ground.”
Brides Along the Chisholm Trail Boxset Page 34