Chase The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  The conversation was getting too close for comfort, too excruciating for him. He cut it off fast. “Let’s drop the sad talk before we reach town so people won’t wonder what’s wrong between us.”

  “Sorry, partner. I haven’t had anyone I could speak openly with in a long time. In our line of work, we have to stay on guard and keep our thoughts and feelings to ourselves. Letters back and forth with my sister just aren’t the same as talking with somebody special who’ll honor my confidence and not endanger my cover. Besides, I don’t like to worry and burden my family, and there are things about my job I can’t tell them or anyone. But I know how you men hate discussing feelings and such, so I won’t mention personal things again.” Struck a raw nerve, didn’t I? I am sorry, because you’ve been hurt enough, too.

  Her words touched Navarro, but he tried to quell his own strange yearning to confide in her. He couldn’t purge himself at her expense. The only woman he’d gotten that intimate with had stolen his heart and soul, and hadn’t returned them. He mustn’t allow his emotions to run wild and free again and get himself trampled a second time. “I don’t mind listening, Beth, but talk doesn’t help. I don’t want you keeping those wounds open by dwelling on them.”

  She struggled to sound calm when she said, “You’re right, boss.” Butyou aren’t the one to give adviceyou haven’t taken. You’ve been hurt badly and perhaps it evoked mistrust and dislike for all females, and that’s really why you don’t want me in tow. You exude such bitterness, resentment, and anguish at times that I can feel them.

  During the rest of their silent journey, she fretted that he was just pretending to like and accept her so she’d do a superior job as his partner. Navarro Breed, she decided, was a true lone wolf and preferred his existence that way, no doubt with good reason. She mustn’t allow him to work his many charms on her then vanish. A false lover was worse than a robber who took one’s horse and water in the desert, because he stole heart, spirit, and soul: things as vital to one’s survival as life itself. She scolded herself for indulging in such reverie, as she and the man beside her were professionals working together for a short time, nothing more.

  The buggy halted before a local preacher’s home, and the next step of their subterfuge was put into motion.

  The Sunday service ended at the church Beth had chosen to attend after her arrival in Tucson. Attendance was not part of her ruse, but something she was accustomed to and needed in her life. She was wearing a cornflower-blue dress that was pretty but not the usual attire for a bride.

  The pastor told the couple, “I’m sorry this ceremony has to be rushed but, as I told you yesterday, I have to hurry home to eat before I leave to say words over our departed brother’s grave. We’re burying him at two, so time is short.”

  “Just so we’re hitched proper and legal before this fine lady leaves town with me. I can’t sully her good name, even if I am replacing it.”

  As the two men spoke, Beth glanced at the people who had stayed behind to attend the ceremony: the Carters, the Harrisons—among other friends—employees at the land office, and Daniel Withers. She knew Dan’s presence would seem quite natural as the banker and longtime resident of Tucson was acquainted with and liked by almost everyone in and around the city.

  The pastor positioned them before him and opened his Bible. “We’re here to bear witness of our friend Beth’s marriage to Navarro. This is a happy and proud moment for us to share. If you two will join right hands while I read from the Lord’s Holy Scriptures.”

  Navarro grasped Beth’s and noticed it was almost cold and stiff. Nerves, he decided. At first, he listened as the pastor began to read passages about marriage, husbands, wives, and love. But his thoughts drifted as he wondered what Jessie had thought and felt as she stood before a minister to marry her foreman and friend. Yet, it hadn’t been just Jessie and Matt standing there: his unborn son had been there, too. Had Jessie been bitter and angry with him for deserting her in need? Had she been worried about what he—gunslinger and desperado—would do when he returned and found her out of his reach? Did her heart break as she severed their entwined destinies? Leave that heartache behind and pay attention!

  Beth’s thoughts wandered for a brief time, too. Her wedding with Steven had been so different, so joyful, so lovely. The only thing missing had been her mother’s presence. It was almost depressing that even a fake marriage didn’t have at least a few special touches.

  “Do you, Navarro Breed, take…this woman as your true and lawful wife? Will you love, honor, and protect her in sickness and health and in all manner of life’s demands? Will you forsake all others for her?”

  “I do; I will.”

  “Do you, Beth, take Navarro as your true and lawful husband, to love, honor, and obey in all manner of life’s demands and problems, forsaking all others for him?”

  “I do,” she replied to the clipped, unromantic, hasty vows.

  “You have a ring, son?”

  Navarro placed a gold circle in the minister’s open hand. It was blessed in a quick prayer and given back to him to slide on her finger. He repeated after the reverend, “With this ring, I wed you.”

  Beth was relieved to have the borrowed treasure back where it belonged, and a little dismayed at having to make it a part of the duplicity. The preacher didn’t ask her to say anything about accepting it, and his rush was slightly and inexplicably annoying.

  “If there’s anybody or any reason to object, speak up now or hold your peace forever.” Without hesitating, he continued, “I pronounce you man and wife until death parts you. What the Good Lord has joined together for His own purpose, let nary a man nor deed cast asunder. You can kiss your bride, son. You’re married now.”

  Beth hadn’t considered that part of a ceremony. Oh, no…

  Navarro decided to test his suspicion about Beth’s attraction to him by giving her a real and thorough kiss. He also wanted to take his troubled thoughts from the preacher’s words: “Until death parts you.” At Jessie’s enforced marriage, those words had sealed his fate and hers, bonded her to Matt; they had sentenced him to a different kind of prison than he was in on that terrible day. At least, those words were true and binding until Matt’s death.

  Navarro cupped Beth’s face between his strong hands, glued his gaze to hers as he lowered his head, and touched his lips to hers. For an instant, he closed his eyes and pretended she was Jessie. That illusion faded rapidly as Beth’s taste, smell, and response were totally unlike Jessie’s. This kiss was more than pleasant and stimulating; it reached to the core of him and sparked to life yearnings long buried and denied. He told himself it was only a physical reaction to Beth; his body wanted and needed carnal release with a special woman. If it weren’t so reckless, he could share that part—that much—of himself with his “wife,” but his heart would forevermore belong to Jessie and Lane. Wouldn’t it?

  Before Navarro had captured her lips with his, Beth had steeled herself against showing her true feelings. It was difficult—almost impossible—to feign love and a response for the witnesses while keeping the truth of her dilemma from her partner. She knew the heady kiss lasted longer than was proper or necessary. She was relieved when the pastor cleared his throat to bring them back to reality. She lowered her head as if she were embarrassed.

  With effort, Navarro managed to grin and say, “Sorry, sir, but it’s taken a long time to find the right woman to become my wife.”

  “That’s all right, son, I understand. You two will have a lifetime to enjoy the happiness you’ve found together. May the Good Lord bless you and keep you safe from all harm and temptations. May your love grow stronger and never end. Congratulations, Beth, you deserve this new start. I’m sorry to lose you in my congregation and sorry I must rush off. Goodbye, and never let anything or anybody come between you two.”

  Those words worried Navarro but he dismissed them from his mind as he responded, “Thank you, sir, for everything.” He took the marriage certificate the preacher hande
d to him, one the man had filled out earlier. As friends surrounded them, he cuddled Beth close as was expected of him. He saw Dan walk the pastor to the door and speak for a moment; then, both glanced back at the bride and groom. Navarro focused on Kate.

  “We won’t keep you two long; I’m sure you’ve got plenty of talking to do and plans to make. Henry and me want you to have these to remember us by. I chose something that wouldn’t be heavy or hard to carry. Just tie them to your saddles and they shouldn’t be any trouble. You can use them on the road and in your home. God go with you, Beth; I’m going to miss you. Don’t worry about your trunks; they’ll be safe with us.”

  The two women embraced as Beth said, “Thank you, Mrs. Carter, you’ve been wonderful to me. I’ll miss you, too. Goodbye, Mr. Carter, and take care of my dear friend.”

  “If the old girl will let me,” Henry joked. “If you two pass this way again, our door’s always open.”

  “That’s kind of you, sir. I want to thank you two again for befriending Beth when she was alone and for being so nice to me during my visit.”

  “It was as easy as smiling, son. I hope you two will be as happy as me and Kate and have yourselves a passel of children. You got a fine woman.”

  Melvin Harrison spoke up before the groom could. “I agree, Henry, but it cost me one of the best workers I’ve had. Goodbye, Beth. Our prayers and thoughts go with you. Take good care of this fine lady, Navarro.”

  Beth used a handshake with her ex-boss to break away from Navarro. “I appreciate your friendship and everything you did for me here.” She spoke with his wife and children for a few minutes before telling Melvin, “Goodbye, sir. We’ll let you know about the ranches.”

  “This is for you two, a gift from me and my family. As Kate said, it’s the perfect size and weight for easy travel. Use it to help pay for stock and any needed repairs at whichever ranch you select.”

  “Thank you, sir.” She handed the money to her “husband.”

  Navarro accepted it, then shook Melvin’s hand and thanked him. The two blankets the Carters had given to them were on a pew. He watched others congratulate them and present gifts, mostly money to help on the alleged ranch. He was touched by their warmth and generosity, and impressed by the effect Beth had on people. Daniel Withers was last to shake his hand, hug Beth, and say a few words.

  “I hope you won’t mind if I give you two a horse for Beth to ride. She’s gentle and saddlebroken and she’ll be easy to take along to that ranch. I got the idea when I overheard you telling Henry yesterday that you’d be looking for one at the livery today.”

  “That’s much too generous, Mr. Withers,” Beth gave a weak protest.

  “Considering all the business you’ve sent my way from new land buyers, it’s more of a thank-you present. You must accept her; my Billy Boy doesn’t like her, so I need to get her out of my corral. Say yes. You need a mount.”

  The others coaxed Beth to agree. “If you insist. Thank you.”

  “Her name’s Sunshine and she’s a well-mannered and intelligent lady like you, so you two will get on fine. Here’s the ownership papers for her.”

  “Let’s get moving, folks, so these young people can go home,” Kate coaxed, then took charge of ushering everyone out the door.

  Navarro and Beth stood by the buggy he had rented for the day and waved to departing friends. He placed the gifts inside and helped Beth onto the seat. He hopped aboard, lifted the reins, and off they went to her house, in silence.

  Navarro halted before the adobe dwelling, helped Beth down, and carried the armload of presents inside. He left her standing on the porch after he secured the mare’s reins to a hitching post. He returned the buggy and retrieved his black stallion, then stopped at the hotel to gather his things and check out with a grinning clerk. As he went about those tasks, he hoped he wasn’t in for a long and arduous stay in the cozy house with Beth tonight.

  Beth went inside after his hasty departure. She glanced around the small and sparsely furnished house she had occupied for months. It was so unlike the one she had grown up in Denver. The Trask home had been a cheerful, loving, nurturing, and beautiful place—one in which she’d been allowed to be herself, a haven she and Steven had enjoyed when not on assignment. She had let Caroline sell it after her father and husband’s deaths, knowing she never wanted to enter it again. Sometimes, Beth admitted in her current solitude, she missed that peaceful and cozy residence and her old life, but she’d always controlled or quelled those longings. For some strange reason, she was feeling them again today.

  Beth ordered those wild thoughts to leave her alone, and focused on the present. She hadn’t bothered to fix up the house during her stay. Now she wished she had made this place prettier because she hated for Navarro to see how she’d lived in such a dull setting.

  She looked in one corner where most of her possessions were packed in trunks, to which she added the wedding gifts. Henry Carter and a friend would collect her things tomorrow morning and take them to his storeroom. If anyone nosed through her belongings before Dan arranged a pickup, there was nothing to expose her identity. Her keepsakes were in crates in Denver in her sister’s attic. This would be the first time she had to travel so light, but she didn’t mind. She looked forward to the freedom of trail clothes and liked her traveling companion. Such a glorious adventure was before her. They would—

  Get dinner ready! Your husband will be home soon. Beth Breed …That name has a nice sound. Just don’t get too used to it because it will be gone soon. Remember, that marriage certificate isn’t even in your name.

  As she set the table and put out food Mrs. Carter and other friends had provided for the occasion, she wondered what kind of parents and home Navarro had before he lost them. Where and how had he existed afterward? What about a father? No doubt, a series of harsh experiences had helped harden and embitter him. Could a man like that be changed, softened by the love of a good woman?

  Beth entered the living area where Navarro was going to bed down for the night. “We head out early, so I’m turning in, boss. Anything you need?”

  “Nope, but thanks. ’Night.”

  Back to your old quiet self, my handsome groom? You’ve hardly spoken a word since our wedding. “What are you doing?” she asked and came forward to stare at the numerous items scattered about. “Heavens, Navarro, you have so many weapons.”

  “Different problems call for different solutions. Lesson time. Just give me a minute to finish what I’m doing.”

  Beth took the hint and moved close to where he had been cleaning, sharpening, checking, and loading a variety of weapons. She noticed two pistols this time, both in holsters on the same leather belt: the Smith & Wesson Frontier .44 and a Colt double-action .44 with personal modifications. She also noticed that the thongs for securing the holsters to his thighs had been run through loops on their bottoms. Nearby lay a Spencer lever-action repeating rifle that had two ready-loaded tubes for quick insertion in its butt. There were fieldglasses, a rope, two knives, a hatchet, and…a whip! She realized his rifle sheath had been specially made because it featured a long and narrow holder for arrows. She didn’t miss the clue that several of his weapons were Indian.

  “The revolvers and rifle need no explanation because Dan said you’re an expert marksman. Should that be, markswoman?”

  “Doesn’t matter to me; it’s only a word. No offense taken.”

  “Good. This six-inch blade fits inside my left boot in case I’m ever disarmed by a target. This big fellow is a James Black special, like the one he made for Jim Bowie. Not many of these around. Glad I happened on to one. Knives are for silent or close work, if you catch my meaning.”

  Beth nodded. She observed and listened as he held up each weapon as he talked.

  “Never use your knife for anything except protection or attack. If you dull or nick the blade with cooking chores, it’ll fail you at the wrong time. This hatchet is also effective for quiet tasks. Good for distances, too, better than a kni
fe for throwing. The handle is heavy and thick to give the right counterbalance to the head, and it’s short to fit into a saddlebag for concealment. The whip is for disarming two-legged snakes; I’ll show you on the trail. Bow and arrows make the best silent weapon because of their speed, accuracy, and distance capability.”

  She glanced at the array on the floor. “I don’t see a bow.”

  “They have a tendency to make folks nervous and insulting, so I make one after I leave a town when it seems likely I’ll be needing one. I can cut a sapling and ready her fast. I carry two strings at all times. I’ve got tips, feathers, and ties in one of my bags. When I’m sitting around a campfire, I relax by making arrows or practicing with them. Indians taught me how. I’ll give you lessons when we have plenty of privacy.”

  “I can use one already; Steven taught me. A Cheyenne taught him.”

  He stared at her in surprise. “You can handle a bow and arrows?”

  Don’t brag, woman, just give a simple answer. “Yes, I’m adequate.”

  “Knives, too, you said?”

  “Yes.” She saw how he gazed at her as if pondering whether or not to believe her. He’d discover the truth as soon as he tested her, which he was certain to do. “No spurs to give away your presence to enemies?”

  “Night Cloud doesn’t need them; he obeys without force.”

  “That’s his name?”

  “Yep.” Named after me. Tl’ee’ K’us, half-breed Apache. I wonder how that news will strike you when you learn the truth. “You best turn in now.”

  “Good night, Navarro, see you at dawn. By the way, I checked my almanac and the weather should be fine for our journey.”

  He nodded, impressed by her attention to detail, but didn’t look up from his return to work. She was too appealing in that gown and robe. Her dark hair had been brushed and braided. With her hair pulled back, her beautiful face was all too apparent. The only way to get rid of this temptation was to ignore her. Spirits, help me, because I’m not as dead inside as I thought I was. If you know what’s good for you, Bethany Wind, you won’t come near me and get hurt. Don’t be loco, hombre, she wouldn’t want a half-breed bastard like you in her arms or bed in a hundred years. If being with her in a separate room was strenuous, Navarro didn’t want to imagine what it would be like on the trail. Yet, he’d make that discovery beginning at first light tomorrow.