"What are we going to do?" Hope asked.
Prudence had already made up her mind. All she needed to do was convince her friends. "We're going to Largo's place, right now. That's what we're going to do. We're going to show Largo what it really means to care for your neighbor."
Prudence saw Grace's mouth drop open. She saw Hope's brows rise in a straight line. And she saw Tyler shaking his head.
"There's no time to argue." She looked at Tyler and Luke. "Get the men together. We're riding over to the Largo ranch. And we're going to help him whether he likes it or not."
CHAPTER THIRTY
The scene was like something from an artist's impression of hell, Prudence told herself as she rode up to the Largo place, entering the yard through the open gate.
The main house was on fire. Smoke billowed up high into the night sky. Men had formed a chain and were busy handing buckets of water to each other. At the side of the house which was aflame, men were throwing buckets of water onto the burning building. The light from the flames cast a ghastly glow across the scene.
Shadows danced against the walls of the yard as men raced around trying to get the fire under control. Horses were screeching in panic as they were being led away from the stables near the house. The air was thick with smoke. Prudence could hardly breath, but she forced her mount closer to the burning building.
Prudence drew her horse to a standstill. Hope and Grace halted alongside her. Behind them, there were eight of her ranch hands and Tyler. The men dismounted and Tyler barked orders, pointing to where he wanted men to go and help. Prudence, Hope and Grace got down from their horses. The heat from the flames was intense.
"It's too late," Grace observed. "Half of the house has already gone, The rest won't take long."
"We have to help any way we can," Prudence insisted. She wondered where Largo was. Scanning the area, she couldn't see any sign of him.
"I wonder how the fire started," Hope said.
"Let's go help,"Grace said. Prudence followed Grace over to where Tyler was issuing instructions to the Circle T ranch hands.
It wasn't until they started handing water buckets to the men of Largo's ranch that their presence was noticed. Some of Largo's men looked shocked to see familiar faces from the Circle T. But all the earlier animosity was swept away in an instant when there came a deep rumbling sound from the house.
Then one of the side walls cracked and started to fall away from the main body of the house. Men scattered in all directions, leaping away from the falling masonry. Prudence grabbed Hope and Grace and dragged them away from the building. Looking back, she saw that some of Largo's men had been caught by falling bricks. There were cries of agony as men tumbled to the ground.
"No!" Hope cried and raised her hands to her face in horror.
The collapse of the wall seemed to unleash a fresh wave of flames. Every one of the men seemed to have been spurred on by that incident. Injured men were dragged away. Hope raced across and started attending to some of the men.
For the next hour Prudence and Grace helped fill the buckets from the well, handing them to the first man in the chain. It was back-breaking work, but Prudence knew she had to do it. All through that hour she kept looking up, searching for Largo. At one point she asked the man in front of her if he had seen his boss. The man had simply pointed to the burning house and said in Spanish that Largo was inside.
Prudence was filled with pity at the thought that Largo might have perished in the burning building. No matter what he had done, no-one deserved such a fate.
Finally, the flames started to die down. Exhausted, Prudence made her way to the middle of the yard and surveyed the scene. On that first day, when they had visited Largo's home, Prudence had thought his house almost palatial. It had been a luxury home fit for a wealthy man. Now, it was in ruins. By the dying embers of the flames, she could see the devastation which had been wrought.
Prudence saw a figure emerging from a small building off to one side of the yard. The structure had been untouched by the flames. She recognized the figure as Largo. Mixed with her relief that he had not perished was annoyance that he had not been anywhere around to help with the efforts to save his home.
Seeing her, Hope, Prudence and her ranch hands gathered together, Largo's eyes widened in astonishment. He came across to them. She couldn't help noticing that he was as elegantly dressed as usual. There was no dirt on his immaculately-tailored jacket and pants.
"Señor Largo. I thought you had perished in the fire," Prudence said.
Largo frowned at her and her companions. "What are you doing here?"
"We came to help," Prudence explained.
"Help?" Largo scoffed. His expression was one of genuine disbelief. "Help? You?" Then he laughed. His raucous laughter echoed across the yard. Some of Largo's men turned at the sound.
Prudence felt her face flame with the heat of indignation. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. She glanced at Grace and Hope. They also looked annoyed.
Tyler stepped forward. "These women put themselves at risk to help save your property, Largo." Tyler's eyes flashed with fury. "And all you can do is laugh in their faces?" Prudence saw Tyler's fists tighten into balls. There was a chance of trouble if she didn't intervene, she told herself.
Grace placed herself between Tyler and Largo. "It isn't worth it, Tyler." Grace glowered at Largo. "Seems like he just doesn't appreciate it when his neighbors are trying to be helpful."
"I did not ask for your help," Largo stated.
"Sometimes you don't need to ask," Prudence said. "Folks just like to help those in need. But it seems that you didn't want us being good neighbors."
Largo peered at Tyler. "Aren't you supposed to be in the jailhouse guarding that rustler, Logan?"
Now it was Prudence's turn to show her anger. "Cal Logan isn't a rustler. He's only there because you've got the sheriff in your pocket. But, don't you worry. All that is about to change."
Tyler's eyes widened as he looked at Prudence. He shook his head and Prudence tightened her lips. She'd already said too much.
Largo's brows furrowed and he glanced at each one of the people standing in front of him. For the first time since she'd met Largo, Prudence saw anxiety on the man's face.
Tyler tugged on Prudence's sleeve. "We better be getting back to the Circle T."
"Just a minute," Largo barked. "What did you mean that everything is going to change?"
Tyler glanced over Largo's shoulder at the smoking ruin of his house. "I would have thought that was obvious," Tyler said and smiled in Largo's face.
They all started to head back to their horses. As they did so, they heard Largo's defiant voice from behind them. "I'll rebuild this place in no time."
Tyler waved a hand over his shoulder. "I'm sure you've got the money," Tyler called out dismissively.
"You can bet on that," Largo called out. His voice echoed out across the yard.
The ranch hands gathered around them, they mounted up and rode away from the Largo ranch. Arriving back at the Circle T ranch, Prudence and the rest of them made their way into the house. Tyler came to the kitchen. The ranch hands made their way to the bunkhouse. It had been a long night.
Seated at the kitchen table along with Prudence, Tyler sipped his coffee. Hope and Grace had gone upstairs. "If ever you needed confirmation of what a varmint Largo is, you got it tonight," Tyler stated bitterly.
Prudence sighed. "We had to try. It was our duty to help."
"Our help wasn't welcome," Tyler said.
"I guess you're right."
"You think he'd lift a finger if this place was going up in flames?" Tyler asked.
Prudence felt a shiver. She was getting tired. "Maybe once he's had a chance to think about what we did, he might soften his attitude toward us."
Tyler shook his head. "I don't think so. Largo's the type of man who thinks he needs no-one."
"We all need the love of others," Prudence said.
"Speaking
of that," Tyler said looking across at Prudence. "Are you planning on going to see Cal tomorrow?"
Prudence's face flushed with heat. "Is it that obvious?" she asked.
Tyler smiled. "The way Cal was talking about you down at the jailhouse, I reckon he'll bust out of that place once he hears about what happened tonight." Tyler's gaze softened. "I think he's real sweet on you, ma'am."
"That's kind of you to say so, Tyler," Prudence admitted. "But things are complicated."
"How complicated can it get when two people love each other?" he asked.
Prudence smiled. "I suppose you're right. We just need to get Cal out of that jailhouse. Then we'll see what happens."
"The judge is arriving on the stagecoach tomorrow?"
Prudence nodded. "He is. Then we'll be able to fix things. Once and for all."
"Are you going to the jailhouse to see Cal?" Tyler asked her.
"I am."
"What if Sheriff Brady says no visitors?"
Prudence lifted a brow and peered at Tyler. "I'd like to see him try."
And, when she saw Tyler's face turn slightly pale, she knew he believed nothing would stop her from seeing Cal Logan.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
"Here comes the stagecoach," Grace declared with a triumphant tone in her voice. Prudence heard the rumble of the stagecoach as the two drivers guided it down Main Street. She glanced at Grace and saw how excited her friend was.
It was late on a Monday morning. The arrival of the judge would change everything, Prudence told herself. It would put an end to the sheriff's corrupt rule and get Cal out of the jailhouse. With regard to Largo, they'd have to wait and see how far the judge was willing to go.
Prudence stepped back on the boardwalk as the stagecoach thundered to a halt in front of the hotel amongst a cloud of dust. Prudence and Grace waved the dust away from their faces and watched the two drivers leap down from the high seat.
The door to the stagecoach opened and two men stepped out. One was a white-haired man in a dark suit. The other was a tall figure, elegantly dressed in a gray suit and waistcoat. At the the tall man's waist hung a holstered pistol. The man peered up and down Main Street and frowned. He didn't look impressed, Prudence told herself.
Grace stepped forward quickly and thrust out her hand. "Judge Morland. My name is Grace Murray." She pointed to Prudence and continued to speak at a rapid pace. "And this is Miss Prudence Taylor. We each own part of the Circle T Ranch. But I'm sure you are already quite familiar with our circumstances."
The judge, who Prudence guessed was in his late fifties, lifted his brows and forced a smile at Grace. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance ma'am. I heard all about you from your associate up in Kansas City." The judge frowned. "Our mutual friend asked me to take a look at what's been going on here. I have to say, his report concerns me a great deal."
"We're glad you could come, Judge Morland. You're going to be shocked when you find out what's happening," Prudence said.
The judge smiled. "That's why I'm here, Miss Taylor. To make sure the law is followed." He gestured toward the tall man at his side. "This is U.S. Marshal Sawyer Manning," he announced. "I thought I'd bring him along. Just in case there are any misunderstandings."
Prudence glanced at the marshal's pistol and figured she knew how he would deal with any arguments from Sheriff Brady and Largo. She was secretly pleased by the presence of the marshal. It showed Judge Morland was serious.
One of the drivers handed each of the men a small bag. The judge smiled at Prudence as he took it from the driver. "We're not planning on being here too long." He glanced at the marshal. "Are we, Manning?"
The marshal shook his head and said nothing.
As the judge and the marshal started to make their way into the hotel, the door to the jailhouse opened. Sheriff Brady stuck his head out of the open door. His brows narrowed when he saw who had arrived on the stagecoach.
"Looks like we might be able to introduce you to the sheriff sooner than we thought, Judge," Grace said.
The judge turned and peered across at the jailhouse.
Prudence saw Brady turn his head and say something. She knew that Tyler was in there. And Cal, too. Her heart ached when she thought about Cal locked up in the cell.
Then Brady stepped out onto the boardwalk and closed the jailhouse door behind him.
The sheriff crossed the dusty street and stepped up onto the boardwalk. "Who are you?" the sheriff barked loudly.
The judge strode up to Sheriff Brady and ran his gaze down the height of the man's portly figure. "I'm the law. And I've come to clean this town up," the judge declared.
Brady's brows shot up in a line. "What?" The sheriff glanced at Marshal Manning. "And who is this galoot?"
Manning stepped forward. His boots sounded heavy on the boardwalk. He drew himself up to his full, imposing height and peered down at the sheriff. "I'm U.S. Marshal Manning." He pointed at the judge. "And this here is Judge William Morland."
Prudence saw Sheriff Brady's face turn instantly white. The man swallowed and glanced back and forth from Morland to Manning. "Judge?"
Manning nodded. "That's right."
The judge walked up to Sheriff Brady and scowled at him. "I can see you don't respect the law nearly as much as you should, Sheriff Brady."
"I didn't know you were coming to town, judge," Brady complained.
The judge nodded. "And if you had known I was coming, what would you have done? Laid out a ticker tape parade?"
Sheriff Brady tried to laugh, but the sound caught in his throat and he coughed instead. "You should have told us about this."
"Why?" The judges voice was steady and even. "So you can carry on corrupting the law in this town?"
"What are you talking about, judge?" Brady gasped.
"Complaints have been made about how you are running this town. Some of those complaints have reached my desk in Austin," the judge said.
"You can't believe hearsay, judge," Brady objected. "That isn't the way the law works."
"Nor does it work the way you've been doing recently, Brady," the judge said and scowled at the man. "I'm talking about taking bribes. Letting murderers off without charge. Taking money from rich ranch owners like Rafael Largo so that he can make the lives of good folks in this fair town a misery."
"Largo is nothing to me," Brady exclaimed.
"Really?" the judge said. "What about the money you've been taking from him so that you turn a blind eye to what he gets up to."
"I never took a dollar from Rafael Largo," Brady objected.
A voice came from behind them. "That isn't true." Prudence turned and saw Deputy Tyler standing there. "I saw you take money from Largo. Saw it with my own eyes."
"You're a liar, Tyler," Brady yelled. "And why aren't you back in that jailhouse guarding our prisoner?"
Tyler leaned closer to Brady. "Because he's done nothing wrong. And he won't be a prisoner for much longer."
"That isn't for you to decide," Brady snapped.
"That's the first true word you've said since I arrived," the judge said. He stepped forward. "Sheriff Brady. I am relieving you of your duties, pending an investigation of your alleged illegal activities and corruption of the law in this town."
The sheriff grunted. "No! You have no witnesses."
"The judge has me. I'll testify to what I saw," Tyler said with a firm tone of voice. "And I found the records you were keeping. They detail every payment you got. In black and white." Tyler smiled. "It is all back at my place."
The sheriff turned and went to seize Tyler by the collar of his jacket. Before he got near Tyler, the marshal stepped between Brady and the deputy and grabbed the now ex-sheriff by the arm. Twisting the man's arm up his back, the marshal smiled cruelly. "Your corrupting days are over, Brady," the marshal murmured.
Prudence glanced at Grace and saw the delight on her friend's face. Tyler came to Grace and wrapped an arm around her waist. Grace did nothing to dissuade Tyler. Instead,
she looked up into his eyes and smiled. There was a hint of pride in that gaze, Prudence told herself.
Realizing what this meant for Cal, Prudence raced across the street and threw open the door to the jailhouse. Cal was standing in his cell. His eyes widened when he saw Prudence burst into the jailhouse.
"Cal! You're free to go," Prudence called out as she raced across the room to the cell door. "The judge has arrived in town. Everything is going to be alright, now."
Cal's fingers tightened around the cell bars. Prudence wanted to tear down the bars. Impatience tugged at her. She wanted Cal to hold her in his arms.
The door opened and Tyler stepped into the jailhouse followed by Grace.
"Tyler. Open these doors," Prudence ordered, her voice cracking with emotion. She was almost embarrassed to speak so loudly to Tyler after everything he'd done to put a stop to the sheriff's activities.
"Wait a second, Prudence," Tyler said as he grabbed the keys from the desk. He turned the key in the lock and drew the cell door open wide. Without waiting, Prudence raced into the cell and threw herself into Cal's arms.
Cal embraced Prudence, hugging her tight. Now that they were reunited, they both laughed with delight. Prudence sighed contentedly as she rested her head against Cal's shoulder. Then she lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. She wasn't the only one who was feeling the emotion of this reunion, she told herself.
Cal's eyes shimmered and he smiled at her. "Hey, there. You're glad to see me?" he said mischievously and lifted a brow.
"Kiss me, Cal," Prudence said. She didn't care that Grace and Tyler were watching. All she wanted was Cal's tender kiss. Cal's head dipped and his lips claimed a kiss. Prudence gasped, feeling joy take hold of her heart. Cal's lips were soft and his kiss tender.
Cal lifted his head and gazed earnestly at her. "Are you okay? Tyler told me about what happened at Largo's place."
She gently stoked his scruff-covered chin. He hadn't shaved this morning, but she found the rough touch against her skin strangely appealing. "Everything is fine. Now that the judge is here, it won't be long before Largo is brought to justice."
The Texas Cowboy’s Courtship (Testament Creek Book 1) Page 16