Chase The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  “You’ve made a mistake; I don’t work here. Even if I did, your words and behavior are rude and offensive.” Beth saw how he looked at the colorful peasant garb she had donned for the short walk.

  “Guests don’t look like you, so don’t play no game with me, señorita.”

  “I’m married; my husband is waiting for me. Out of my way, cur.”

  “Whew, look at them little fires jumpin’ outta them green eyes and flamin’ on them cheeks. Good, ‘cause I likes my women hot.”

  “This won’t be hot or ever work again if you don’t back off,” Beth warned as she pressed a sharp dagger against his aroused groin.

  The cowpoke glanced downward, grinned, and refuted, “You ain’t gonna use that little pick on my big one. Behave or I might git real mad.”

  “Is there a problem, love?”

  She glanced past the cocky stranger to see Navarro approaching the scene. Her chilled and narrowed gaze returned to the troublemaker. “Is there?” she asked him in visible contempt.

  “Me and this pretty señorita wuz about to take a ride in my room.” “Only in your dreams, you foul beast.”

  “You chose the wrong woman to ask; she’s my wife.”

  The stranger looked Beth over, fooled by her Mexican garments. He knew that maids at the hotel gave extra services when requested, and now some man was trying to steal his choice. “Don’t say?”

  “I do say,” Navarro replied, anger kindling within him. “Beth, go back to our room. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  The stranger half-turned to study his rival, still blocking any escape path for the girl he wanted. “What if I don’t take yore word on it, mister? What if you jest want ‘er for yoreself?”

  As he talked, Navarro studied the intruder. The ex-gunslinger knew what the man’s dilemma was: backing down could make him look and feel like a coward. The only way to prevent a lethal showdown was to let the snake save face. “Nobody’s witnessed our disagreement, so your reputation won’t suffer if you leave and let it pass. Now. Look at her left hand,” he suggested, and Beth lifted and held it before the stranger’s wide gaze. “See, she’s married. To me. No harm’s been done yet, so let it go, stranger. If that doesn’t suit you, let’s find privacy away from my wife to discuss it any way you choose.”

  Beth and the stranger noticed Navarro’s stance was that of a skilled gunman. Neither missed the icy tone of his voice nor the words he stressed, nor doubted he would defend her to the death.

  In a mellower tone, the Special Agent said, “I’m sure a fine-looking gent like you can find a woman who doesn’t already have a man. Why don’t you try Peggy’s Parlor down the street? She has some lovely gals who’ll be happy to spend time with you, but this one belongs to me.”

  “Sure, mister. See you around.”

  “We’ll be gone tomorrow. This incident didn’t happen, remember?”

  “Sure.”

  Beth watched her accoster leave as fast as possible without breaking into a run. “He didn’t take my warning seriously,” she muttered as she concealed her blade and followed the well-armed Navarro to their room. She saw him lock the door and prop a chair under the knob.

  “He was too captured by your beauty to see the deadly gleam in your eye.”

  “Thanks for the compliment and rescue, but I’m still angry. I’m sorry you thought it was necessary to come to my aid. I just wish men like that wouldn’t force a woman to get riled or to harm them before they’ll back off. He didn’t have a problem taking your threat to heart. He ran like a scared rabbit with a hawk circling overhead.”

  “I’m bigger and meaner looking, and he wasn’t really in the mood to challenge me when there are available women down the street.”

  Beth laid her possessions on the bed to fold and put away. “I pity them having to oblige customers like that. I don’t know why so many men refuse to take no for an answer. Too many think they can cajole or frighten a female into changing her mind. If a woman is polite, nice, or helpful, too many men misunderstand. I can tell when a male isn’t interested in me, when he’s only being kind and friendly and courteous. Why is that so difficult for a man to do?”

  “Can’t answer, ‘cause I don’t know. ‘Course, reading some people is about as impossible as trying to read a foreign tongue you haven’t learned.”

  Her questions had been more like statements, but he had answered. Intrigued, she asked, “Do you have trouble picking up on a woman’s clues?”

  You wanna make sure I catch yours and leave you alone? Don’t want a low-bred man like me touching you? Afraid I’ll have to do it in the line of duty so you’ll just have to suffer through those times or get off this case. “I understand what no means and I honor it. If a woman speaks it and doesn’t mean it, she’s defeated herself ‘cause I accept what she says.”

  “Even if her actions and mood say yes? Or you think they do?”

  “I go by what a person says, truth or not.”

  “But—”

  “I’m not in those situations, so I’m not the one to question and study.”

  He’s tellingyou to shut up Beth. “Sorry, partner, I got carried away again. You have a way of doing that to me. I suppose it’s because you’re so fascinating and intelligent. You’ve been so many places and done so many exciting and dangerous things. I’m going to learn a lot from you, partner, and become a far better agent than before we met.”

  “Thanks for the kind words and faith in me. The same may be true of you; I just might learn some stuff I don’t know. We’ll see.”

  “I hope you profit from teaming up with me, Navarro.”

  He took a position near the front window to make certain the young stranger didn’t return to the hotel. His left side was propped against the wall, with arms folded over his chest. One booted ankle crossed the other. His head was cocked downward so he could steal quick and furtive looks outside without worrying her. He hoped the man wouldn’t return because it was possible he had friends or brothers who wouldn’t take kindly to his death, even in a fair gunfight. That was how he’d met Jessie ten years ago in that San Angelo saloon. One of the Adams brothers had attacked her when she was seeking a gunslinger to help thwart Wilbur Fletcher. He had rescued her, then had to battle vengeful kin to escape. He couldn’t afford to attract attention to himself today.

  Navarro dragged his mind from the past. “If you don’t settle down and forget that bastard, you’ll never get to sleep. I would’ve licked him for insulting and scaring you, but I figured we shouldn’t call that much attention to us, unless he gave me no choice. If you feel different, tell me and I’ll go find him and punish him like he deserves.” He’s in the saloon, maybe summoning courage from a bottle to return and challenge me.

  Beth struggled not to look—or even glance—at her companion. He was far too seductive in their seclusion. “That’s a generous and touching offer, but no thanks. It took more courage for you to walk around that trouble rather than storming headlong into it. No one should take another’s life lightly, even a suspected criminal’s; that’s for the law to do. I’m not disappointed or hurt because you handled it peacefully. Besides, you forced him to back down and suffer humiliation, gave him a sour taste of what he puts women through; that’s sufficient for me. You’re a very clever talker, my friend. Without you having to back up your words with actions, I know you could have done so with ease and speed and victory.”

  “Thanks for the praise and confidence in me.”

  “You earned them; no flattery intended. I just dislike bullies. But he wouldn’t have gotten any further with me, even if you hadn’t been around to help. I would have used that knife on him before he had time to harm me. It just riles me to let him stroll away because he’ll do it again, probably to a female who can’t protect herself or who isn’t allowed to say no to any kind of beast, like those unfortunate souls in that slavery brothel.”

  “If it’s still eating at you this much, I’ll go find him and teach him a lesson about how to treat
ladies.”

  “No, really. I’m fine, and we can’t afford any undue focus on us. We should turn in. Why don’t you take the bed? I had one last night.”

  “I’m more used to bedrolls, so one fits me better than it does you.”

  “Fine with me, boss. Would you please turn around so I can change? Pull down the shade, too, unless you need to continue your lookout.”

  Navarro chuckled and complied. But the rustling sounds she made as she undressed were disturbingly erotic. Beth Wind was the first female he’d wanted like this since Jessie, and that rankled. It wasn’t good for him to desire her this much so early in their relationship, or at all. If she—

  “Finished. I’ll slip into bed and turn the other way to give you privacy.”

  After he faced forward, he watched her fold the Mexican garments and unmentionables and put them away. She was clad in a green nightgown, without a robe. He thanked the spirits it was too thick and dark to see through, or his hunger and discomfort might heighten. She tossed aside the coverlet and top sheet, eased onto the feather mattress, and pulled the covers to her shoulders. “Ready,” he heard her say after placing her back to him. He gazed at her shapely curves. His wayward attention lingered on her black hair for a moment; he was grateful it wasn’t red. That plus her name might send him running from evil spirits who’d be playing tricks on him!

  He yanked off his boots and garments. He wriggled into his bedroll and settled himself into a relaxing position, his weapons within easy reach. Wed two days and sleeping alone, his troubled mind taunted. Not what he’d expected marriage would be like, but this wasn’t a real marriage. Even if he’d wed the woman nearby as Bethany Wind instead of Elizabeth Lawrence, the situation would be the same. He resolved that was how it was, how it should be, and how it would stay.

  Beth received a shock the next morning while Navarro was saddling and loading their horses. She was bringing down the last of her things when the stranger who had waylaid her last night met her in the hallway. She came to instant alert, ready to drop her possessions to draw a weapon. She saw him look her over in a polite manner and, from the way she was dressed and his penitent expression, convince himself she was a lady.

  “I’m glad you ain’t gone, ma’am. I wanted to say I’m sorry for treatin’ you so bad. My girl just sent me ridin’ and I wuz hurtin’ bad. It festered in me all day till I wuz about loco. J figgered another woman and some heavy drinkin’ would make me forgit her. I wuz spoilin’ for a fight, but I ain’t like that most days. I’m mighty glad yore huzbend talked me outta one and didn’t kill me over a stupid mistake. Jest wanted you to hear I’m mighty sorry and ashamed and I won’t be doin’ nothin’ like that agin.”

  “That sounds good and I hope you mean it, because if you ever do, the man you offend might not be as nice and slow-tempered as my husband. A word of advice: If you treated your sweetheart as you did me, maybe that’s why she left you. A man has to be kind and respectful to his woman.” The way he hung his head in remorse told her he was being sincere and honest; she was glad.

  “I understand, ma’am, and I’ll be good.”

  “If you want a wife one day and want to stay alive and well, I hope so.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. I’ll be takin’ them smart words to heart.”

  Beth descended the stairs and met Navarro outside. After her things were in place and she mounted, she saw the young man on the hotel porch. He was smiling; he appeared relieved, and looked his young age of eighteen.

  “So long, ma’am, and thanks. You, too, mister.”

  As the youthful stranger headed down the planked walk and paused once to wave at her, Navarro asked, “What was that about, woman?”

  “Gratitude and contrition.” She related the episode to him and watched his quizzical expression change to one of amazement and respect.

  “I’ll be damned. Life’s loco sometimes.” He wondered if she won over everybody she met.

  “Goes to show unrequited love can make a normally level-headed man unpredictable and dangerous. Aren’t you glad you won’t ever suffer from that condition?” She rode off before he could respond.

  They journeyed northeast at a steady pace, crossed the San Pedro River, and headed toward pointed peaks called the Narrows. For a time, they would travel between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. The terrain was a mixture of open spaces, distant mountains, rolling hills, and a bushy landscape that displayed a supply of yuccas and cacti, particularly prickly pear that often spread out to cover spaces of three to five feet. Mesquites became fewer and fewer and other trees replaced them in most areas. Outcroppings of reddish boulders appeared on both sides of the road, part of the Little Dragoon Mountains. Between piles of various-size ones and huge solitary ones were mini-canyons, washes, and ravines with grass and an occasional seep. Other mountains appeared close enough to reach in a few minutes but they were over twenty miles away.

  Both agents stayed on alert while traversing the rock-enclosed location that was perfect for enemy concealment and ambushes. Soon, they heard gunfire, pounding horses’ hooves, and the rumbling of a fast-moving stage; and they knew what was taking place out of sight.

  Navarro reined in and shouted to her, “Take cover while I help!”

  “Don’t be silly; I’m a trained agent, a good shooter. Let’s go!”

  “Listen to me, woman, it’s too dan—Beth Breed, halt!”

  Hearing that name and recalling he was in charge of their team, she stopped and waited for him. “Sorry, boss, I forgot myself again. I’m used to responding fast and without thinking twice. It sounds like enough villains for two lawmen to handle. You might need my help; they might need it.”

  “All right, let’s take cover, let ‘em go by, then attack from the rear. That’ll give us the advantage of facing forward and sun to our backs. Get ready. They’ll be coming around that bend and over that rise any minute.”

  The agents weaved their way between and behind boulders to prevent being seen. The sound of numerous gunshots rent the air. As the stage thundered past them, they saw the driver urging wild-eyed horses to a breakneck speed to outrun the gang in pursuit. A whip sang over the animals’ heads to encourage them to do their best but it never touched their hides. The coach groaned and creaked as it bounced up and down on its wheel base. If the trunks and cases had not been properly secured, they would have been flung in all directions. They heard the driver yelling to his team before the stage rounded another bend. So far, both driver and guard were still alive and unharmed. As soon as the five men galloped past their hiding place, Navarro signaled for Beth to ride.

  On a straightaway, the agents saw the gang closing in on its target. With revolvers blazing, they caught the criminals’ attention, as well as that of the stage occupants. The “shotgun” and a passenger ceased firing to avoid hitting their help with stray bullets. The outlaws dropped their original focus to respond to this new threat; they twisted sideways to return the gunfire thwarting their intention. One was struck in the shoulder and another in the back; both toppled to the hard ground, wind knocked from their lungs. As a third robber shifted in his saddle to defend his vulnerable flank, he took a bullet in the arm but managed to stay seated. A fourth man broke off his attack and tried to vanish into the boulders, but Beth grazed his head and sent him falling onto a large rock. Navarro shot the third man again in his other arm before he could get his pistol aimed, evoking a yelp of pain and thud on the road. The fifth bandit had nowhere to escape with the rifle-pointing guard in front of and the two skilled intruders behind him. He lifted his pistol to signal surrender, then halted his horse.

  The driver reined in his lathered and wheezing team and the coach stopped. The first outlaw to get hit fired two shots from his position on the road behind the rescuers; Navarro whirled in his saddle and handled the peril in a fluid motion. While the “shotgun” stood guard and Beth remained where she was, Navarro and the passenger gathered the defeated gang. Three were injured; their wounds were bound with thei
r bandanas. The unharmed bandit was tied up with his own rope. The dead man was secured to his saddle. The reins of five horses were knotted to the stage’s rear. After thanking the couple over and over, the driver flicked his whip in the air and continued toward Benson with his unexpected load.

  Navarro trotted to where Beth had been hanging back from the noisy and bloody scene. She looked calm, he observed, but the event had chilled her because she’d put on her jacket. He smiled and said, “Dan was right about your skills and courage. You haven’t complained, slowed us down, or given me any trouble. Seems I underestimated you, Bethany Wind.”

  She smiled in pleasure. “Maybe that’s because you haven’t given me anything to whine about, and a child could keep up with the gentle pace you’ve set for my benefit. It may not be wise to tell me I’m wonderful or it might go to my head,” she jested. “I figured I should get back into my ‘lady role’ and let it appear you did all the work.”

  As he reloaded his weapons to be prepared for any new trouble, he said, “Anyone with eyes could see that wasn’t true. Speaking of work, when we halt at noon to eat, it’s your turn to do the chores. I don’t want you to think I’m being too easy because you’re a woman. We’ll need to hurry because we’re covering more miles today and we’ve been delayed. The reason we’ll be a little slow is because we don’t want to reach the ranch too far ahead of Charles and have no excuse to hang around until he does. Dan’ll keep me alerted at check-in locations about that snake’s movements and schedule. I’m also traveling this pace to give us time to get better acquainted and become more at ease with each other. We need to have our story straight and familiar so we won’t make any slips.”

  Having reloaded her pistol, she said, “Thanks for enlightening me. But why was there such a rush with our romance and wedding?”

  “Having lots of time in private was Dan’s idea. Knowing what loners we both are, I guess he figured we needed it to be convincing later.”