Bittersweet

by Jannine Gallant

  Jim nodded and disappeared.

  “He doesn’t talk much,” Buster said.

  “I thought only mountain goats could get up that wall.” Tess stared at the seemingly unbroken surface.

  “Jim climbs better than a goat,” Craven said. “Go sit in the cabin while we decide what to do with you.”

  Tess climbed the steps to the porch, looked in the door, and shuddered. Against two walls four bunks were spread with filthy bedrolls. A stove stood in one corner surrounded by stacks of wood. In the center of the room a table was piled with dirty dishes. Flies buzzed lazily in the heat. She turned.

  “I would rather stay out here.”

  Craven stared at her with cold eyes. “I don’t care what you want. Get inside.”

  Tess glared back at him, but her gaze dropped first. He reminded her of the rattler at the creek, soulless. The cabin stank. She pulled a chair over to the door and sat down just out of sight of the yard where Craven and Buster stood talking. She strained to hear the conversation, but they kept their voices lowered.

  She sighed and closed her eyes, exhaustion tugging at her. Worry about Emily shook her remaining control. She bit down on her trembling lip. Why haven’t Daniel and Nathan caught up to us?

  Tess opened her eyes. She couldn’t just sit here. She had to do something. Surely the outlaws had overlooked some kind of weapon. A couple of knives encrusted with food lay on the table. She picked up one and ran her finger across the edge. It was so dull it probably wouldn’t cut a tomato. It certainly wouldn’t injure Jack Craven’s thick hide. Dispiritedly she tossed it back onto the pile of dishes.

  Look under the bunks. She prayed for a gun or a long, sharp hunting knife as she knelt and peered under the first bed. She found a lot of dust and some mouse droppings. Under the second she discovered a rusted frying pan, and the third produced a dime novel. Her eyebrows shot up. She couldn’t imagine any of these men reading. There was nothing under the fourth bunk but more dust.

  She got to her feet, wiped her hands on her skirt, and looked once more around the cabin. There it was, the weapon she’d dreamed of finding. The handle stuck straight up out of the stack of wood. The blade gleamed, bright from constant use. With a grunt, she tugged the hatchet free. The cold, heavy metal felt like a gift. She smiled.

  Outside a horse whinnied, and Craven shouted. She ran to the door, praying Daniel had found her, but the horse coming across the glade carried a rider she didn’t recognize. He was short and stocky and returned Craven’s greeting with a raised hand.

  “Where’s our supper?” Buster called.

  “Right here.” The man held up a rabbit by the ears. “I shot him through the eye.”

  This was the fourth man, the one who had gone hunting. With a sigh she returned to her chair and placed the hatchet on its seat. When she sat, her skirt completely covered the weapon. She forced herself to relax her tense muscles. There was nothing more she could do but wait and listen.

  The newcomer dismounted and tossed the rabbit to Buster. “I killed it. You cook our supper tonight.”

  “I don’t have to, Grady. Jack brought us a little lady to do the cooking.”

  “What’s he talking about?”

  “I had to take a hostage,” Craven said.

  “Won’t someone come after her?”

  “They will, but they won’t find this place. Did you see anyone on your way back?”

  Grady shook his head. “I was hunting north of here. Did you go down to Eagle Valley for supplies?”

  Craven nodded. “I have tobacco, coffee, and beans in my saddle bags. I was leaving town when the sheriff spotted me.”

  “I told you not to go,” Grady said. “I was afraid someone would recognize you.”

  “They did. As soon as it’s safe, I’m leaving the area for good. I thought maybe we’d go south for the winter. How does New Mexico sound, or Texas?”

  “Warmer than here. When are we leaving?” Buster asked.

  “As soon as the sheriff gives up and goes home, or we kill him. I wouldn’t mind being the man to gun down Nathan Swift.”

  “He won’t come alone,” Grady said.

  “No, I don’t suppose he will. There’s no point in talking about it. Take the rabbit in to the woman, Buster. I’m hungry.”

  “Shouldn’t I skin it first?”

  “Be quick about it, and bring those supplies in when you’re finished.”

  Craven headed for the cabin, followed by Grady. Tess sat still in the chair by the door, her heart pounding. The talk of killing shook her and unraveled her nerves. She glared at them.

  “I heard you talking. You can cook your own damn rabbit.”

  “You brought back a feisty one,” Grady said. He took off his hat and scratched his balding head. His eyes brightened as he stared at her. “She’s right pretty, too.”

  “Get a fire started. I’d like to have a meal before Swift shows up,” Craven said.

  Grady turned toward the stove. He shoved some paper into it and looked around. “Where’s the hatchet?”

  Craven turned and stared at Tess. His eyes were as hard as granite. “Where’s the hatchet, woman?”

  Sweat pooled between her breasts. She looked back at him and shrugged. “How would I know where your hatchet is?”

  He grabbed her arm and yanked her off the chair. She landed on the floor with bruising force. Both men stared at the hatchet. She tried to rise, and Craven kicked her, sending her sprawling.

  “I don’t like it when people lie to me. Get up, bitch.”

  Clutching her ribs, Tess slowly rose. She stood as far from Craven as she could with her back pressed against the wall. Her hand shook as she pushed her hair out of her face. Fear filled her, stealing her will.

  “Next time you cross me, I’ll do more than kick you. Get over here and clean up this mess. Then make us some supper.”

  Tess edged toward the table and stacked the dirty dishes. She sighed in relief when Craven turned and left the cabin. Grady shut the stove’s door and stood. His eyes glittered as he watched her.

  “If you’re nice to me, I’ll get Jack to go easy on you.”

  Tess stared at him. “What do you mean?”

  Grady stepped forward and ran his finger across the tops of her breasts. Tess flinched and pulled away.

  “You know what I mean.”

  She held a filthy pot up in front of her and backed up a step. “Leave me alone. I’ll take my chances with Craven.”

  “I’ve known Jack a long time. I’m much friendlier.”

  “That’s nothing to brag about. How am I supposed to wash dishes without water?”

  “Excuse me, ma’am. I brought some.” Buster set a bucket on the floor then laid the skinned rabbit on the table. “I’ve got coffee here, and beans, too. We sure would appreciate a good supper.”

  “I’ll cook it.” Tess picked up the bucket and poured water into a dishpan.

  Buster dropped the supplies on the table next to the rabbit. “Come on, Grady. Leave her be.”

  “I like the view just fine from where I’m standing.” The man smiled, revealing tobacco-stained teeth.

  “Jack won’t like you bothering her,” Buster persisted.

  “Why, has he already staked his claim?”

  “I don’t know nothing about that.”

  “Is that why you slapped my hand away, woman? Are you saving it for Jack?”

  Tess turned. Panic raced through her, and her knees nearly buckled. “I’ll kill anyone who tries to touch me. I swear I will.”

  Craven stepped into the cabin. “Enough,” he said sharply. “Jim called down. Two riders are coming fast from the south.”

  Tess closed her eyes and prayed.

  Chapter 18

  “I lost him here.” Nathan stopped his gelding at a creek and let the animal drink. “He headed toward those cliffs.”

  Daniel turned his horse to follow Nathan. “You have no idea where Craven’s hiding?”

  “None. It’s so de
solate you wouldn’t think a rabbit could find a hole, let alone a handful of outlaws.”

  They rode in silence along the base of the cliffs. Finally Daniel stopped. Thinking about Tess with the outlaws tied his stomach in knots. Frustration and worry gave his voice an edge. “This is ridiculous. They can’t have disappeared into thin air. Is there any way of getting to the top?” He tipped his hat back and looked up the cliff face.

  “Not that I could find.”

  “Quiet.” He tilted his head, straining to listen. “Do you hear that?”

  “Hear what?”

  “It sounds like water.”

  Nathan held his horse still. “My God, I think you’re right. There must be a creek nearby.”

  “I don’t see any signs of one.”

  Nathan pointed toward the cliff. “Is it my imagination, or is the water behind those rocks?”

  “I was thinking the same thing.” Daniel swung down from his saddle. “Let’s take a closer look.”

  Nathan dismounted. Together they combed the area for a trickle of water and found nothing. It was nearly dark when Daniel picked up a dirty piece of cloth.

  “Tess left us a clue.”

  Nathan hurried over and stared down at the handkerchief. “How do you know it’s hers?”

  “There’s an RM embroidered in the corner.” Rory Moran. “I have one just like it in my pocket with a DM. Tess made them one Christmas a few years back.”

  Nathan stood with his hand on his hips. “The hideout has to be close by. She dropped the handkerchief here for a reason.”

  Daniel stared at a dead tree protruding from the cliff base. His gaze followed its gnarled line from top to bottom. “None of the roots are buried.”

  “No, by heaven, they aren’t.”

  “The tree didn’t grow out of the rock. Someone put it there.” Daniel smiled at Nathan and approached the dead tree. He gave it a strong shove and sent it toppling to the ground. “A path straight through the rock. Let’s go.”

  Nathan grabbed his arm. “Wait!”

  “Like hell!”

  “I heard something moving up above.”

  Daniel listened in silence until he heard it, the scrape of rock on rock. “Craven must have posted a guard.”

  Nathan nodded. “Go easy. We don’t know what we’re facing.” He stepped into the passageway and stopped when he reached the other side. Twilight was deepening to darkness.

  “Look at that,” he whispered. “Nice set up. There’s the spring we heard.”

  “Tess must be inside the cabin. How many horses are there, three or four?”

  “Four I think. There’s the lookout going in to report.” Nathan pointed toward the far cliff wall. For a moment the man was silhouetted against the dark rock in the last rays of the setting sun. He dropped to the ground and disappeared into the cabin.

  “How the hell did he get up there?” Daniel asked.

  “I don’t know, but Craven will be expecting us. We’ll have to wait for James and the others before we make a move. We don’t stand a chance, two against four.”

  “You go back for the posse,” Daniel said. “I’ll wait here.”

  “I will if you promise not to do anything stupid.”

  Daniel’s lips tightened. “I’m no hero. I’ll be here when you return.”

  Nathan disappeared, and Daniel settled down in the shelter of the passage to wait. He stared at the light shining from the cabin. Tess waited inside, held captive by Craven and his men. Knowing he was helpless to protect her was a festering wound on his soul. Please God, keep her safe.

  * * * *

  Tess washed dishes while the conversation behind her took a turn that made her scalp prickle. Her hand shook, and she dropped the plate in the water with a soft splash. God help me.

  “We may as well have a little fun with her,” Grady said. “I can’t remember the last time I had a woman as pretty as she is beneath me.”

  “Get your mind out of your pants,” Craven said. “We need to have a plan ready if they find the passageway.”

  “I say we pick ’em off one at a time as they ride across the glade. We’re good shots except for Buster.”

  Buster pushed back his chair. “What if they hang back and starve us out?”

  Craven shook his head. “They won’t do that, not while we have the woman. They want her back.”

  “All the more reason to have a piece of her now.”

  “Leave her be, Grady,” Buster said. “She don’t want no part of you.”

  “Your blood may be too old to be warmed by a woman, but the rest of us have needs. I say we let Jim have a go at her first. I bet the boy has never been with a woman.”

  Tess whirled around and shrieked, “Stop it! Just stop it! Stop talking about me as if I don’t have feelings.” Her voice cracked, and tears threatened.

  Craven’s voice raked like broken glass across her nerves. “We’re not concerned with your feelings, woman.”

  “My name is Tess.” She clenched her fists at her sides. “Please let me go. Please!”

  “We can’t do that. Your friends ignored my warning and followed us.”

  “You knew they’d come after me. Daniel would die before he left me here with you.”

  Craven shrugged. “I’ll probably have to kill him anyway.”

  “Leave him alone!” Tess flew at him, pummeling him with her fists. Craven slapped her, sending her to the floor. She lay still. Her cheek burned.

  Buster reached down and pulled her to her feet. “You sit on the bunk for a minute until you get your breath back.”

  “Let me have a go at her, Jack, please,” Grady begged. “She ain’t nothing but trouble.”

  “Do what you want.” Craven walked to the door and looked out at the falling darkness.

  Grady turned toward Tess, his eyes gleaming. “You heard the man, Buster. Get away from her. She’s all mine.”

  Tess shook her head and backed into the far corner of the bunk. Panic overwhelmed her. Her breath came in hard gasps. “Don’t touch me! Don’t you touch me!”

  “I’ll do what I want,” Grady said. “Get out of here, Buster, unless you’ve got a hankering to watch a real man in action.”

  “Don’t let him hurt me, Buster,” Tess cried. “You seem like a decent man. Make him leave me alone.”

  “I don’t know, ma’am. Jack said it was all right.”

  Grady leaned over her, his fetid breath hot on her face. “Yes, Tess, Jack said I could.” He laughed and grabbed her arm.

  Tess screamed and pushed him away. “I’ll kill you first.”

  “Grady, if you can’t keep her quiet get away from her,” Craven said from the doorway. “They’ll be able to hear her on the other side of the cliffs if she keeps that up.”

  Grady dug in his pocket and pulled out a crumpled handkerchief. “I’ll gag her. It’s not her mouth I’m interested in.”

  Tess screamed again and squirmed off the bed. Grady threw her down and pressed his arm across her throat.

  “God damn it!” Craven exclaimed, stepping inside.

  “I’m shutting her up; I promise.”

  “Jack! Jack! They found the passage!” Jim said as he burst through the doorway.

  The men turned and stared. Grady’s arm eased up on Tess’s throat, and she pushed him away. She gasped for air. Black spots swirled before her eyes.

  “Are you sure?” Craven asked.

  “I saw one of them push over the dead tree and hurried back to tell you. Should I have stayed?”

  “You did fine, Jim. Grab your guns, and let’s get ready to fight.”

  The four men stood at the front of the cabin, looking out into the night. Tess sat quietly on the bunk. Worry for Daniel ate at her. A future without him was unimaginable.

  “Be safe, Daniel,” she whispered.

  “What are they doing out there?” Grady asked. “Why don’t they come after us?”

  “You’re sure there were just two of them?” Craven asked.


  Jim nodded.

  Buster settled into a chair. “Maybe they went for help.”

  “It would take too long to ride to Eagle Valley and back.”

  Grady shifted in the doorway. “Then why the hell don’t they show themselves?”

  Jim stepped back from the window and looked over at Craven. “I can climb up top again to see what they’re doing.”

  “Let’s be patient. They’re probably strategizing.”

  “What do you think they’ll do?” Buster asked.

  Craven shrugged. “I wish I knew.”

  Tess squeezed her eyes shut and prayed.

  * * * *

  The posse filed through the narrow rock fissure and stopped their horses in the shadows of the cliff.

  Nathan dismounted. “Anything happen while I was gone?”

  “Nothing. The boy’s still in the cabin, so they don’t know you went for reinforcements.”

  “Good.”

  James stepped up beside Nathan. “What’s our plan? Are we going to storm the cabin?”

  Nathan frowned. “If we do, they’ll pick us off as we cross the glade. We need to talk them out. What do you think, Daniel?”

  “Craven doesn’t strike me as the reasoning sort. If it doesn’t work, I’m going in.”

  “I’ll be right behind you,” Hank said, joining the others. “I promised Wesley I’d bring his girl back home.”

  “Look, I’m still sheriff here, and I’m in charge. I don’t want any of you going off half-cocked.” Nathan stared at Daniel. “No one wants Tess back safely more than I do. Everyone stay in the shadow of the cliffs and let me do the talking.”

  A three-quarter moon rose in the night sky, illuminating the glade and making it a place of surreal beauty.

  Daniel swore. “There isn’t a chance of sneaking up on them. They’ll see us coming as soon as we step out of the shadows.”

  “Is there a way to scale the cliffs and come around from behind?” Hank asked.

  Daniel stared up at the rock wall. “I will if I have to.”

  “Wish me luck.” Nathan walked out into the glade. He cupped his hands around his mouth, and his voice echoed in the still night. “Come out, Craven. Let’s talk.”

  Craven stepped onto the porch. “I’m here, Swift. What do you want to talk about?”