by Linda Broday
Their hugging awoke Marley Rose. She stared at them with big, round eyes.
“Vicky, will you—”
“You don’t even have to ask,” the woman interrupted in true Vicky fashion. “I’ll watch over this precious little girl till you get back. An’ don’t think for a moment I’m gonna let her forget her mama.”
Till she got back. That bit of optimism broke the tiny thread holding her emotions together. Despite her resolve to be strong, Jessie broke under the strain. She sobbed against Vicky’s shoulder.
“If things happen that prevent my returning, I’ll always remember you. You’re a saint, Vicky. Thank you.”
The noise of a team of horses pulling a wagon suddenly shattered the quiet afternoon. Jessie dried her eyes and watched as the horses trotted past them straight to the field. The driver seemed familiar, yet the quick glimpse didn’t allow for recognition. A huge contraption sat in the bed of the wagon.
“It’s Hampton Pierson,” Vicky said.
“Oh dear.” Jessie’s stomach swirled in alarm. She transferred Marley to Vicky’s arms, then hurried to stop Duel from doing something regrettable.
Within earshot, she winced. Steel punctuated Duel’s clipped warning. “Pierson, I warned you to keep off my property. You’re not wanted—”
“Hear me out, McClain.” Hampton climbed down, unbothered by Duel’s drawn fists.
Breathing hard from her sprint, Jessie reached his side and held his arm tightly.
“Two seconds. And you better talk fast.”
“You have good reason to hate my guts, McClain. I’ve been a fool, and I wouldn’t blame you if you knocked me into the next county.” Sincerity rang in Hampton’s statement. Although he clearly didn’t relish this meeting, he stood his ground. Jessie admired the dapper man for that.
“Then why the devil are you here?” The question rumbled in Duel’s throat like muffled thunder.
“Want a chance to do what’s right’s all. I realized I’ve acted a complete idiot. I apologize, ma’am, for my disrespect.” He lifted his hat toward Jessie.
“Thank you, Mr. Pierson.” Her grip on Duel’s arm loosened. “I accept your apology.”
“Brought my McCormick Reaper. Don’t know what your hurry is in cuttin’ your sorghum. I do know this—you wouldn’t harvest this early without good reason. Wanna do the right thing by you, neighbor to neighbor.”
Still Duel hesitated. Of all the McClains, Duel forgave least easily. She called it fierce mule-headedness.
“Come on, son,” Walt urged. “You can shave off two weeks usin’ the reaper. Ain’t that more important than your danged pride?”
Within the hour, the men had the reaper unloaded. From her vantage point through the kitchen window, Jessie watched the horses pull the innovative marvel through the stalks of sorghum.
*
A festive spirit of sorts pervaded that night over supper. Egged on by her grandpa’s teasing, Marley Rose jabbered nonstop from her seat at the table. Duel seemed lighter of heart than she’d seen him since Luke’s sudden reappearance.
That is, until his brother made an announcement. “Marley Rose has recovered. We’ll leave tomorrow, Jessie.”
Jessie’s fork clattered noisily onto her plate. A cold quiet slammed into her chest. Duel almost choked on a mouthful of food.
“Damn! Can’t you give us a few more days?”
“Sorry, Duel. Wish I could. Way I figure it, now that you have the reaper, you’ll have time to sell the sorghum and get that lawyer by the time we make it to El Paso.” Luke looked as miserable as she felt. The war inside him still raged. No reason to make it harder on him.
“Duel, it’s time.” She placed her hand atop her beloved’s on the table where it had fallen. “We knew we didn’t have forever. I’m ready to get it over with and accept the consequences.”
“That’s the spirit, girl.” Walt wiped his mouth with his handkerchief. The action took longer than needed. Jessie suspected he hid the tremble of his lip she’d glimpsed. The man had certainly won her admiration and respect.
“Don’t expect me to like it,” Duel grumbled at his brother. “Ever since we were kids you’ve always busted a gut to try to best me.”
A red flush spread over Luke’s face. “It’s not about who’s toughest, or oldest…or best.”
“Don’t do this, Duel.” Jessie hurried to keep the peace. A rift like this could split a family down the middle. She refused to be the cause of such a calamity. “Luke has a sworn duty to uphold the law. We can’t interfere with that.”
“Boys, listen to her. Long ago, your grandpa said if a storm cloud’s a-hangin’ over your head, it’s better to let it go ahead an’ rain. Storm’ll be over with that much quicker.”
Jessie gathered her hope, which had fallen somewhere in the vicinity of her feet. “Your father’s right. The sooner I put this behind me, the sooner I can get back here and we can get on with our lives.”
At least she prayed for that outcome. She stilled the ugly whispers in the back of her mind. The ones that knew it would take a miracle.
*
Morning dawned before sleep came. Jessie lay soaking up all the sights and sounds she might not witness again. She couldn’t waste one second of her precious time to the unconscious.
Duel mumbled and rolled over to face her. Every line, every feature of his face she sketched on the canvas of her memory. Careful not to awaken him, she reached out to trace the outline of the generous mouth that fit hers so well.
“It’s not too late,” he’d whispered in the darkness. “We’ll saddle Preacher. By daylight we could be far away from here.”
She’d stared at him long and hard, desperately wanting to go with him. “I don’t know if you want that kind of life, but I can’t live looking over my shoulder, wondering when someone will find me. Surely you want better for Marley Rose.”
He’d held her tenderly. “I hate it when you’re right. Running is no kind of life. We’ll do this the proper way.”
“Not that you don’t tempt me, my dearest.” She’d cloaked her despair in soul-stirring kisses. That had led to lovemaking that made all their previous times seem like virginal courting.
Now radiance through the window cast a golden hue across his tanned face. It would tear her heart out when she left the farm and the people she loved.
“Rest well, my glorious knight.” She kissed him softly and climbed from his side. A lot remained for her to do before she rode from the man who had given her self-worth.
His rough chambray shirt lay on the floor where Duel had flung it in his haste. Lifting it, she hugged it to her face and breathed the fragrance of her love. One more item to relegate to memory.
Yet the action was her undoing. A sob rose as she slipped her arms into sleeves that swallowed her and pulled the fabric around her naked bosom.
Duel awakened and reached out for her. She fell into his embrace. “Caught you trying to steal my clothes.”
“lf that makes me a thief, I’m not sorry.” She snuggled tightly against him, thankful that destiny had led her to his campfire that night. At least she could meet her fate having known true love. “I’m trying to be strong. It’s so hard.”
“You can be strong later.” Light kisses trailed across her eyelids, her nose and mouth. “Right now, you don’t have to be anything except my wife.”
Delightful tingles leapfrogged up her spine as he burrowed past the clothing to her heaving breasts. Eagerly, he cajoled the rosy tips to attention and seduced each between his lips.
Marley Rose stirred restlessly, reminding Jessie of other obligations.
“We shouldn’t do this now.” She made a feeble effort to nudge him away but found she lacked both the heart and the will to deny him the treat he’d found. Faint, mewling noises came from her throat as waves of pleasure ebbed and flowed. Already a thin layer of moisture covered her skin.
Had she found her voice, protesting would’ve been the last thing on her mind. A few tugs
and the shirt fell to the floor.
She arched and pulled him even closer, reveling in the rich texture of his hair. She’d never known such a man or this kind of love; life didn’t play fair. And it certainly had no sense of humor. It seemed strange to give her this great gift if she couldn’t keep it.
Duel shifted and she took advantage, reaching between them. His hardness throbbed against her palm in rhythm with his heartbeat.
“You’re playing with fire, Jess. Know it?” The tortured whisper came from above as he stretched his length on hers.
She returned his steady gaze and guided him to the wet opening. Oh yes, she certainly hoped so.
“My love, my Jess.” He exhaled sharply as he slipped inside.
Jessie marveled at his control. The agonizing, slow descent must aid a man in savoring every moment. Yet she found herself impatient. She wanted—no, welcomed—the freedom of wild, unrestrained passion, to feel his fullness to the depth of her being. It seemed the only way to quiet this insatiable craving.
Or to make the memory so vivid it would carry her into eternity. She wrapped her legs around his bare backside. Every sensual thought and desire exploded when he filled her in a rush.
Don’t think, don’t move, don’t breathe. Simply float. This must be what it feels like to die. Incredibly happy and free. No pain, only joy. Wave after wave crashed until she lay limp, trying to slow the mad heaving of her chest.
A light, feathery touch brushed her lips. She opened her eyes. His sorrow-filled gaze burned into her soul.
“Duel?”
“We’ve but barely begun this love of ours.” He put his cheek to hers. “How can I let Luke take you from me?”
“The choice isn’t yours to make.”
“Damn! Not sure I can. It hurts to breathe.”
“We both knew I couldn’t stay from the start.” She pulled from his grasp. “We have to get dressed now. It’s time.”
And if she didn’t, she might accept his foolish notion that running would solve all their problems, because each breath caused excruciating pain beyond any she’d ever known.
He sighed. “Ahh, darlin’, I reckon that’s the way of things. But I hate like hell to let you go.”
*
Luke sat astride his horse, holding the reins of a mare he’d borrowed from Roy for Jessie’s use. The day had turned cloudy and cool, a fitting accompaniment for Duel’s mood. No sunshine or rainbows this day.
Standing beside him with tears sparkling in her eyes, Vicky held Marley Rose. Horrible pain clogged his airway; his chest hurt with wanting as Jessie kissed the child who called her Mama.
“Be good, little one. Mind your aunt Vicky. I’ll be back before you know it.”
He knew the great cost of her composure. Jessie wouldn’t break down until she was out of range.
“Mama? Mine Mama!” With a sixth sense that children sometimes had, Marley seemed to know impending tragedy. The child grabbed Jessie’s neck in a furious grip.
“Take her in the house, Vicky. Don’t let her see me leave.” Finally, she pried the little fingers loose. Spinning, she buried her face in Duel’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, darlin’.” He smoothed the silky auburn locks that she’d simply tied back with a ribbon. The hairstyle made her appear more an innocent young maid rather than a wanted criminal. “We’ll take good care of Two Bit, and I’ll see you as soon as I finish here and get you a lawyer. It won’t be more’n two weeks. I promise.”
Though she refused to let herself cry, her body trembled like a slender reed in a stiff gale. He held her close for one last time while he shot his brother a stabbing glare.
“I’ll hold you responsible if anything happens to her, little brother.” The promise came stiffly, his voice thick.
Luke met his threatening gaze calmly. “It won’t,” he answered shortly, then, “For what it’s worth, I hate—”
“Spare me your apology.” With watery vision, he looked down at Jess, found her lips, and drank deeply.
“Duel, thank you for showing me what real love is,” she breathed after he released her. “I never would’ve known.”
“I’ll be with you, darlin’.” His hand shook as he laid it over her heart. “In here. When you’re scared and alone, just close your eyes and listen. I’ll be there.”
The horse must’ve moved, because her foot missed the stirrup and she stumbled. Or the blame could’ve lain with the moisture glimmering in her eyes. Either way, Duel lifted her up, his hands lingering on her soft curves, loath to turn her loose. Afraid if he did, he might never see her again. The thought of that made his blood run cold.
“It’s gonna work out, Jess.” Just how, he didn’t know. If Tom Parker refused to hear him out, their chances were slim to none. It would take the skills of such a man to clear his lady’s name. Still, he couldn’t let Jessie sense his doubts. “I know in my heart.”
“I love you, Duel.”
Her quivering bottom lip shattered his stoic determination. Only Luke’s nudge in his mount’s ribs saved Duel from pulling her down and daring his lawman brother to stop him.
Before the horses made two steps, the sudden flash of her wrapped in his shirt that morning prodded his memory. Both of their scents, the naked flesh of each had married within the folds of his clothing.
“Wait! I forgot something.”
Twenty-seven
Luke reined to a stop. “What now?”
Duel ignored his brother’s impatience and jerked the shirt off his back, almost ripping the buttons in his haste.
“Take this with you.” He stuffed the item into Jessie’s saddlebags. “Since I can’t go with you, I’m sending the next best thing—a piece of me to keep. When you’re scared…”
His sudden action poked a hole in the dam of her brave front. Tears streaming down her cheeks prevented her from replying. She touched her fingers to her lips, then leaned down to lay them on his.
Yellow Dog whined pitifully until they vanished from sight. Wave upon wave of sorrow crashed over him. His knees buckled under the weight. Feeling more helpless than he had in a long while, he stared blindly until the last particle of dust settled back to the ground. Emptiness surrounded him. No falling grains of sand to break the silence. The hourglass had run dry.
Just when he reached his lowest point, a wet tongue licked his fingers, dragging his attention from the deserted road. He looked down. Yellow Dog nuzzled the hand that hung limply by Duel’s side.
“Hey, boy.” The animal’s affection came unexpected, yet it brought strange comfort. That Yellow Dog had overcome his fear of him at that moment seemed remarkable.
He fell to his knees and stroked the soft fur. “She’ll be back, I promise.”
How he’d deliver on that, he hadn’t the foggiest notion. With nothing but bruised faith and hope in his heart, he turned to the fields.
“Gotta get busy, boy. Time’s a-wastin’.”
Yellow Dog trotted dutifully by his side as he harnessed the team of horses Hampton Pierson had left overnight for the McCormick Reaper.
*
Working night and day, Duel had finished cutting the grain in four days. He paid no attention to his aching bones or the need for sleep. Aware solely of the minutes ticking inside his head, he’d driven himself relentlessly.
Now, with barely two hundred dollars in his pocket, he shifted Marley Rose to his left arm. He’d stood outside the Travis Hotel for what seemed an eternity.
Waiting.
The man he’d come to Austin to see hadn’t passed in or out. He supposed that some, most assuredly including the man for whom he waited, would call him chicken. Facing Tom Parker would take all his backbone and then some, for the man had a sharp tongue. Fire and brimstone took on new meaning when the retired judge spoke his mind.
“Papa?” Marley Rose patted the back of his neck as if sympathizing.
Perhaps the child gave willingly of the love and comfort she herself sorely needed. It broke his heart to hear her
crying in her sleep, calling for her mama.
That’s why he didn’t correct her on the name she insisted on calling him. Sudden events had knocked her secure world awry. Sure as the sun rose, the little darlin’ grieved for the only mother she remembered.
“Don’t worry, Two Bit. I can do this for Jessie’s sake.”
“Mama?”
“Yes, little darlin’. For your mama.”
A low growl rumbled deep in the throat of the animal beside him, reminding him of Yellow Dog’s presence. Strangest thing. When he’d mounted Preacher and ridden off from the farm with Marley Rose in his lap, the dog had trotted right alongside. He’d expected that after a mile or two the animal would turn back. But he hadn’t. After a full day of it, he knew Yellow Dog meant to accompany him. The poor thing had walked beside them the entire distance.
Needless to say, it thrilled Marley to have her “Boobie” come along. The child kept up a stream of conversation to the dog in her own special language, which he seemed to understand. Mixed with an occasional growl, the dog yipped back at her.
Now, several passersby eyed them curiously, giving the animal a wide berth.
“Easy, boy.” Duel knelt and rubbed Yellow Dog’s head. “Ain’t gonna get us what we need with you threatening to latch on to someone by the neck.” He stared deep into the soulful brown eyes. “You hafta stay out here. The sign on the hotel says no dogs allowed.”
Yellow Dog whined and licked his hand. “And no biting, understand?”
Duel stood, took a deep breath, and pushed through the hotel doors.
Following the clerk’s directions, he quickly found Room 201. Duel rapped, and listened intently for sounds on the other side. He heard nothing, no footsteps approaching, merely silence. That’s why he jumped when the door abruptly opened. He faced the man who blamed him for his daughter’s death.
“You!” Tom Parker spat the word as if it had left a bitter taste on his tongue. Parker had aged, and the cane on which the man leaned heavily added a frailty that Duel had never noticed. “I have nothing to say to you, Duel McClain.”