Knight on the Texas Plains

by Linda Broday

  The woman sent him a suspicious stare. “Why do you keep askin’ about this woman? What do you want with her?”

  Luke pulled a badge from his shirt pocket. The silver etchings caught the dim saloon light.

  “Texas Ranger, ma’am. Just doing my job’s all.” Rotten job it’d turn out to be if he had to arrest his sister-in-law. Duel would never forgive him, not in a thousand years. Hell, he might not even forgive himself. Jessie McClain had cast a spell over them all.

  *

  Satin ribbons hung from the bonnet in Jessie’s hands, the same bonnet she’d admired in Dexter’s store. Stricken with a loss for words, she met Duel’s expectant stare.

  “Well, aren’t you gonna put it on?” He shifted Marley Rose from one arm to the other. The girl kicked her feet excitedly and reached for the hat.

  “I wish you hadn’t spent hard-earned money this way. Tell me it didn’t have anything to do with Hampton Pierson.”

  If he bought the hat to prove something, the giving of it would lose meaning. Duel didn’t have to give her a new bonnet to prove he was the better man. She already knew that. But if he gave it because he wanted her to be the prettiest woman in Tranquility, she’d cherish it for the rest of her days.

  “Jess.” The low timbre as he murmured her name made tingles two-step up her spine. “I’d never spend a cent in trying to outdo Pierson, ’cause the man knows more than I’ll ever know about courting a woman.”

  “You’re courting me?” The wonder of it filled her heart. His free hand touched her cheek softly. Damn that hot moistness that formed behind her eyes.

  “No law against it that I know of. I bought this bonnet because it was made for you. I fancied you wearing it to church on Sunday and being the envy of all the womenfolk there.”

  The work-roughened skin on his finger chafed as he wiped the tear that slipped from the corner of her eye, but to her it felt like velvet.

  A blush rose. He’d picked her posies and taken her breath away with a lacy blue bonnet.

  Her husband was courting her.

  “Now that you know all the whys an’ why-nots, put the darn thing on, Jess.”

  She could barely contain the joy as she slipped it on her head and tied the ribbons. The beveled mirror reflected a rosy-cheeked, passable-looking woman. But that wasn’t her main focus. The man standing behind stole her attention.

  Someday she’d tell him how much she loved him. Maybe. If she could find a tiny space in his heart to squeeze into. That was all she asked. It wasn’t much.

  Marley clapped her hands. “Ma ma ma!”

  Golden glints turned Duel’s hazel eyes to amber. Unflinchingly, he met her stare in the glass.

  “Yes, darlin’, your mama is indeed pretty.”

  Rattled by his declaration, Jessie quickly untied and removed the hat before she made a fool of herself. “Better see to supper. Time enough wasted.”

  Dusk had transformed the sky into a pinkish-purple. Jessie admired the muted colors through the kitchen window, comparing them to how she felt inside—all soft and warm and peaceful.

  “Two Bit, how about you and me going to feed the animals while your ma sets the table?” Duel, with Marley in tow, followed her into the kitchen.

  The girl pointed through the window. “Pa pa pa.”

  “Now, darlin’, you know I want you to call me Duel.” He kissed her forehead. “See the doggie out there? Can you say doggie?”

  “Boo bie.”

  A smile lifted the corners of Jessie’s mouth as she watched the two keepers of her heart.

  Yes, pinkish-purple. That described her to a T.

  *

  Marley kept them entertained long after supper with her mixture of simple words and childish blather. The girl evidently was filling Jessie in on her exciting adventures with her papa. Only Jessie had no idea what the child babbled. Amid the strange harangue, Marley threw in “boobie” and “cheeba.”

  “What is she saying, Duel?” she asked when her fits of laughter eased. “Sounds like ‘cheeba.’”

  “Beats me. Could be what she named the goat, I reckon. Seems I recollect I first heard it right after that nanny butted me in the rear.”

  “Why ‘Cheeba’?” Suspicion underscored her next question. “You didn’t use any foul language, did you?”

  From everything she’d heard, children latched on to swear words faster than anything else.

  “I did call the critter a she-demon.” He thought a moment before adding, “Yep, had to bite my tongue, but I’m positive that’s all I said.”

  “She-demon. Cheeba. Kinda alike if you use a little imagination.” Jessie chuckled. Marley Rose sure came up with some colorful names for things.

  “Two Bit took a shine to that nanny. The ornery thing stood there and let Marley climb on her back. Still have trouble believing it.”

  Marley scooted out of Jessie’s lap and waddled to Duel, who lifted her up. She rubbed her eyes to stay awake.

  “Yes, sweetheart. Appears you’ve found some friends.”

  “That’s another thing.” Duel scratched his head in thought. “The way Yellow Dog has taken up with her. I can’t get within arm’s length of him before he runs like a scared rabbit, yet the animal comes right up to Two Bit and licks her hand. Did it again tonight. I was getting Preacher some feed, and next thing I knew there he was, letting her crawl all over him.”

  “Animals sense a kinship with children for some reason. Guess it’s their innocence.” Or perhaps they sense little ones haven’t developed a reason to hate yet. Hate spawns cruelty. Jessie knew from experience about that.

  Duel yawned, stretching his arms above his head. Marley poked her elbows in his stomach to look up at him.

  “Papa?”

  “Darlin’, I’m Duel,” he reminded her patiently. “Duel.”

  Marley nodded her little head, setting her black curls jiggling. A serious expression darkened her eyes. “Papa. Papa?”

  “Damn! Our child does have a stubborn streak, doesn’t she?”

  Their child. The sound of that smacked of permanence. How permanent could a life in hiding be? When the next sound could be the scratch of a stiff rope around her neck.

  Jessie wondered if he realized what he’d just said. Or the implication that he’d accepted his fate. Someday he’d break down on the Papa business. Merely a matter of time. One thing about it, Marley’s persistence didn’t show any sign of abating.

  “Isn’t it your bedtime, little girl?” He tweaked her nose. “I see Sandman jumping in those eyes.” Duel stood her on the floor. “Go let your mama get you ready for bed.”

  “Come, sweetheart, let’s find your nightgown.”

  Marley slipped her hand inside Jessie’s, then she looked back at Duel and motioned for him to come.

  “I’ll come kiss you good night in a minute.”

  All too soon, they’d bedded Marley down for the night. Jessie’s favorite time of the day, between supper and bedtime, had come to an end.

  He lifted his hat from the nail and twisted it around and around. “Suppose I’d better head for the barn.”

  For the space of several heartbeats he stared at her. It was as if he wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. She wished for courage to speak her thoughts—to tell him how she felt—that she’d changed her mind.

  “Duel, I didn’t thank you properly for the bonnet.” She drifted across the room. “I’ve never seen a more lovely hat.”

  Those weren’t the words she wanted to say. That his kiss stole her breath and melted her insides—that his courting art touched her in places no one ever had—that she loved being his wife. Those were things she couldn’t tell him.

  “I’m proud you like it, Jess.”

  He held her spellbound in his gaze. Time stood still while the smell of all that was Duel circled her head. An honest smell of a good man who was willing to work his fingers to the bone for a woman in trouble.

  Before she could back out, she stood on tiptoe
to kiss his deeply lined cheek.

  “I don’t know how I got so lucky.” Her voice came out husky and soft.

  “Shoot, we can do better than that.” He swept her up and lowered his head.

  A current surged through her when his full, sensual lips met hers. And when her mouth parted softly in surprise, his tongue dipped inside.

  “Oh, my,” she managed after he let her go. At that moment, she was more than pinkish-purple. Red-hot and sizzling fitted her better. When she came to her senses, she realized she’d shamefully flung her arms around his neck. Hastily, she dropped them.

  “I’m not apologizing for that, Jess.” An obstinate glint lodged in his stare.

  “Not asking you to.” She felt equally determined.

  “You’re a beautiful woman and…” He left the rest unsaid as he reached for the knob.

  “Please.” She touched his arm. “Don’t go to the barn.”

  Eighteen

  Don’t go to the barn. Her request had lingered like a double helping of sweet-potato pie long after he made his way out the door.

  “You can sleep in the house tonight,” she’d urged.

  “I can’t bed down knowing you’re only a few feet away, Jess. Don’t trust myself.” He tried to explain all the while her wild-honey taste clung to the inside of his mouth. The kiss had drained every last shred of resistance. “You’d be a fool to trust me.”

  “I don’t understand what it would hurt, Duel.” The agony in her tone had matched the tightening in his belly.

  Didn’t she realize her mere presence sent unbearable torture through his body? Being close to her did a damn sight more than hurt.

  “When I move into the house, it’ll be into your bed, madam.” He hadn’t meant to be so blunt. Must’ve been the kiss that made him so reckless. “You and I both know you’re not ready.”

  The weeks passed in a blur and Duel couldn’t ever remember being so happy. He worked in the fields every spare minute but reserved the nights for his girls. Marley had begun to talk a lot better and chattered all the time like a magpie. Jessie’s kisses kept him hopeful that one day he could accept her offer and sleep in her bed. Now, warm, sunny rays drenched Duel as he knelt in the field and grabbed a handful of soil. Around him a sea of small, tender shoots poked their heads from the rich black dirt.

  The sorghum should make a bumper crop. That is if insects or hail didn’t get it before harvest. Then he would hightail it to Austin and get the best darn lawyer money could buy.

  Correction. He’d have to settle for second best. The finest in the whole state of Texas was Tom Parker. More than likely, time hadn’t dimmed Parker’s hatred. After all, the retired judge blamed Duel for the loss of his only daughter. He seriously doubted Parker would give him the time of day, even if he did swallow his pride and seek the man out.

  “I’ll find a good lawyer, Jess,” he muttered into the wind. “We’ll clear your name. We have to—for Marley’s sake. And mine.” He added the last quietly, as if afraid to speak too loudly.

  Duel crumbled a dirt clod between his fingers and watched it scatter in the wind. Though her trust had grown by leaps and bounds from their first meeting, Jessie still had moments when she’d drawn back as if expecting blows. He’d made progress, but it wasn’t fast enough to suit him.

  “I’ll just have to be patient.” Tell that to the burning need that wound past his groin clear down to his toenails. He wanted Jessie more than he’d ever wanted any other woman.

  “Son, that’s what I keep tellin’ folks. Patience.”

  The gravelly drawl came from directly behind. Deep in thought, Duel hadn’t heard his father’s approach.

  “Morning, Pop.” He rose to stand at eye level. “What brings you out so early?”

  Walt snorted. “This ain’t early. Already milked Roy’s two cows, gathered a basket of eggs, an’ arm-wrestled Saint Peter.”

  A chuckle erupted at the image of his father trying to harness Vicky and Roy’s Saint Peter. The white mule fought the bit harder than any animal he’d ever known. Contrary as the day was long.

  “Took a while, huh?”

  “Longer’n it’d take to tussle with the devil an’ handcuff him.” Walt put both hands inside the bib of his overalls, hooking his thumbs on the outside rim.

  “You came all this way to complain?”

  “Came to get some of Jessie’s vittles. Like her cookin’ a whole lot better’n your sister’s.”

  That wouldn’t take much, seeing as how Vicky burned everything she put on a stove. Couldn’t even boil water.

  Walt squinted against the sun. “Ain’t it about breakfast time, son? Don’t tell me I missed it.”

  Just then Jessie stuck her head through the open kitchen window. “Breakfast is ready, Duel.” She noticed Walt and smiled prettily. “Morning, Walt. Come on in. I’ve made plenty.”

  “Much obliged, Jessie.” Walt lowered his voice to a loud whisper. “How’s the courtin’ going?”

  “Prefer to call it becoming familiar. And, if you must know, it’s going better’n expected.”

  “That’s my boy.” The man slapped Duel on the back. “Chip off the old block. It’ll be worth all the effort. That woman’s the salt of the earth.”

  They washed up at the well and, minutes later, sat down before flapjacks, fried eggs, and sausage.

  “Saw a ring around the moon last night.” Walt piled a heap of flapjacks on his plate and drowned them with thick sorghum.

  “Don’t say.” Duel looked up from his task of fixing Marley Rose’s plate. “Think it means rain?”

  “Darn tootin’. Never knowed it not to.” The man chewed on a large bite and winked at Marley. “Ain’t that so, angel?”

  “G’anpa.” The child offered a handful of flapjack to her idol. Syrup oozed from between her fingers and ran down her arm.

  “No thanks, angel. You eat it. Got me a whole plate over here.” Walt shoved another forkful in his mouth. “Mmm. Best darn flapjacks a man ever ate, Jessie.”

  “How’s Vicky? I’ve been so busy of late that I haven’t had time to visit.” Jessie passed Walt the plate of sausage.

  “That girl’s got more irons in the fire than the blacksmith in Sherman’s army.”

  Duel laughed. “Always did, Pop. That’s because she’s so blasted nosy. Wants to know everything that’s going on.”

  “Just like Luke. I swear those two took after your mama. Wonder if Luke’s found that woman yet.” Walt stuffed his mouth with sausage and chewed thoughtfully. “Son, did you notice the handbill over at Dexter’s store?”

  “I saw it.”

  “Gave me the chills, all righty. Murderin’ her husband. Wish that woman didn’t wear the same name as our Jessie.”

  The sunshine streaming through the open kitchen window suddenly lost its warmth. Jessie shivered. If wishes were gold, she’d be the richest woman in the territory. Not a day went by that someone didn’t remark about her name. She felt the noose tightening around her neck and almost choked on her food. They’d come for her sooner or later. God help her that it would be later. A sparkle on her hand released a deluge of pain. The ring Duel had placed on her finger. She twisted the keepsake nervously and prayed for one more month, a week, one more day of peace and happiness.

  Then she met her husband’s steady gaze. It told her that he’d stand beside her. No matter what came, he’d be there. Even if he couldn’t stand to sleep in the same house where he’d made love to Annie. Before she realized his intention, he reached for her hand. A reassuring squeeze renewed her flagging hope.

  “The scuttlebutt in town says you an’ Hampton had a slight disagreement. Folks say Hampton ended up on his butt.” Walt gave Marley and Jessie a guilty look and amended, “I mean his rear end.”

  Duel released her hand. A low rumble in his throat preceded his reply. “Got what he deserved. Reckon he’ll mend his ways from here on out and leave my wife alone.”

  *

  True to Walt’s prediction, the ra
ins came a few weeks later. The thunder and lightning bounced off the hilltops and shook the farmhouse in the lush valley like a giant angrily shaking its toy.

  Marley Rose wailed in terror. Her little fists kept a death grip on Jessie’s dress. Jessie hugged her close and watched Duel through the window. The storm scared her too. She wished he’d come inside. But he’d been determined the rain wouldn’t stop him from checking on things outdoors.

  “It’s all right, sweetie.” She smoothed the hair back from the girl’s tearstained face. “I won’t let anything hurt you. This big, bad storm will pass. Shhh, you’re safe and sound.”

  Even as she tried to calm Marley’s fears, a jagged streak of lightning darted to the ground. It struck a tree a few yards from where Duel stood.

  A scream burst from her throat before she could stop it. Outside, force from the lightning knocked Duel to the ground.

  “Oh, God!” Her blood turned to ice. She frantically wiped beads of moisture from the pane. If he wasn’t dead, he needed help. “Please let him be all right.”

  Heedless of Marley’s terrified wails, heedless of the pouring rain and dangerous lightning, she put the child down and ran to Duel’s side.

  By the time she reached him, he groaned and tried to rise to his feet. With all the strength she could muster, Jessie helped him stand.

  “Are you hurt?” she screamed to be heard over the rumbling and crashing.

  He appeared dazed and disoriented. “Don’t think so.”

  Jessie gripped his arm and tried to direct him to the house, with him resisting every step. Then she noticed yellow and red flames licking from the roof of the barn.

  “Lightning’s hit the barn!”

  He followed her gestures, the enormity of the crisis finally sinking into his confused brain. “Preacher!”

  Thick smoke swam up her nostrils, stinging her eyes, when Duel swung open the barn door.

  “I’ll get Preacher. You get the goat,” he said.

  She tried, but her lungs burned. Coughing overtook her, making it impossible to see her surroundings.

  Duel reappeared, shoving a wet cloth over her mouth and nose. “Hold this. It’ll help.”