Chase The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  “All kinds, mostly the buying, selling, and transporting of goods.”

  “What types of goods?” she asked as he brushed an insect from her shoulder, then let his fingers drift down her arm before removing them.

  “Whatever somebody needs for resale, or wants for himself.”

  His chocolate gaze grew bolder by the minute. She felt as if he were mentally stripping and fondling her. The ploy she was using was working too fast and too well for comfort, but she must continue it. “You said you’re going to Mexico on business. The kind you mentioned?”

  “Yep. This time, I’m delivering arms and ammunition to Presidente Diaz’s troops. That isn’t for public knowledge, so don’t repeat it to anyone.”

  Trying to awe me with claims of friends in high places and beguile me by sharing a secret? “A mystery! I love them. Your work must be fascinating and stimulating, and sometimes dangerous.”

  “Why dangerous?”

  “Road bandits and such. Surely you’ve had freight wagons attacked by men trying to steal your goods.”

  “I keep too many guards around for my loads to tempt outlaws. How much do you know about Mexico’s history and problems?”

  She sent him a quizzical look. “Practically nothing. Why?”

  “For decades the country was plagued by revolts. Diaz fought in several of them, even ousted three presidentes. He’s a powerful and feared man. He has a firm grip on most areas and citizens, but he’s harassed by large and vicious gangs of bandidos. Sometimes, he’s annoyed by renegades or rebels, but they’re not much trouble to capture or destroy.”

  Beth knew the last sentence was untrue, especially where it concerned the Apaches, who had been thorns in Mexicans’ sides for numerous decades.

  “Gangs strike, flee, and hide before his troops can reach a location after getting a message. Roads and trails from the west coast to the interior are favorite raiding areas for outlaws and renegades. That’s why Diaz’s men are in a tight bind, getting themselves slaughtered in ambushes and shootouts; they need weapons and bullets, but their supplies can’t get through. I told him mine could, and asked a nice price for success. I’m meeting one of his units in Chihuahua. We hope to sneak in our delivery before those outlaws or Injuns return to raiding the overland routes in the eastern half.”

  Beth widened her eyes. “You see, your business is hazardous. Are you sure you can make that journey without getting injured or slain?”

  “That’s why I have so many guards. My men are far better with guns and cunning than any outlaws, renegades, or soldiers. Two of them—Blue and Evan—can smell or hear an enemy coming from a mile away. My men are fearless and loyal, and deadly to foes. If they’re lucky, those bandidos will be kicking up hooves in the western section.”

  Remember those names, Beth. “If they’re lucky? What do you mean?”

  “If they tangle with my men, they won’t have a grain of luck; good luck, that is. The few who were crazy enough to attack were left in the dust as buzzard food or they galloped away licking their wounds.”

  “At least you’ll be well protected in the face of perils. So, en route to Mexico, you got the chance to visit your brother. That’s fortunate for both of you. Matt seems thrilled to see you, like a child at Christmas.”

  “We were close as boys, but we got separated when he moved west. I surely missed him after our parents died. The war came and things were bad for…everybody.”

  Am I hearing resentment toward Matt for leaving his family? “That’s over, thank goodness. Matt’s done well with his move. He and Jessica have a lovely spread and wonderful family. You’ve never been married?”

  “No, never found the right time, place, or woman to tempt me to settle down. I envy Matt and Navarro for finding two ravishing women. Utterly charming, well-bred ladies are hard to come by.”

  “Thank you again. Will you be able to stop by on your return trip and visit longer?”

  “I’m not sure. Diaz might ask us to use another departure route to conceal our meeting with him. Don’t want bandidos trying to pick us off.”

  “Please be careful in Mexico. I would hate for Matt to lose his only brother to fierce outlaws in a foreign country.”

  “His only kin. The rest died during the war after Matt left home. It’s just me and him now.”

  Again, she thought she heard a ring of resentment toward his brother in his tone. “Then it’s good you’re back together. Families should live close to each other when possible; life can be short out here, or anywhere.”

  “Truer words never came from prettier lips. Actually, what I’m doing might be beneficial to Matt. If the Federales use my shipment to get rid of their bandits and renegades, they can’t cross the border and attack my brother’s land and family. From what I’ve heard, they used to ford the Rio Grande and raid down Laredo and Brownsville way.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re arming the Mexican soldiers against such criminals. I hate to end our pleasant conversation, Charles, but I promised to help Jessica with the ironing this afternoon. I’ll see you at supper.”

  “I hope we get a chance to chat again, Beth; you’re a charming woman.”

  “I hope so, too, Charles. I would love to hear about some of your adventures. Not many men have the courage, intelligence, and means to confront such challenges. I’ll bet you could entertain me for hours with your exciting experiences.”

  “That I could, Beth. It’s too bad you’re taken or I would be tempted to hang around longer to get better acquainted with you.”

  “As you said, one doesn’t meet many unique people.”

  “I hope that refers to me and it’s a compliment.”

  With temerity, she murmured, “Yes, it does and it is.” Beth was overjoyed when she felt an uncommon blush heat her cheeks; but it came from rising anger about the constant grazing of his fingers over her hands or arms. “I have to go now and get busy.” As she said those words, she feigned modesty and an improper slip-of-the-tongue.

  Charles caressed her fiery cheek and grinned. “Yep, I would be more than tempted to stay here a long time if you weren’t leaving.”

  What about if I weren’t married, you snake? “I’d better go now.”

  “Don’t forget: my business is a secret. I wouldn’t want you innocently mentioning it to anyone during your journey who might be tempted to head out to rob us. Criminals or not, I don’t like killing unless it’s necessary.”

  “I understand; a secret it shall remain. See you later.”

  She knew Charles was raking his lustful brown gaze over her entire body as she returned to the Cordell house. She also knew he assumed she was attracted to him and was feeling uneasy and embarrassed about it. At least, by his trying to charm her and her faking interest, he had dropped some information, though mostly false. Dare she use her wiles to try to extract real clues from him? No, she decided, that was too risky.

  Beth spent part of the afternoon ironing clothes—hers, Navarro’s, and some of the children’s. She played with the youngsters after Lane and Alice came home from school, and particularly had fun with her lover’s son. She helped Jessica with the evening meal of fried chicken, rice with gravy, canned blackeyed peas, canned fruit, cactus jelly, biscuits, and drinks.

  Following a later than usual meal “due to Monday’s chores, the children were put to bed soon after they finished eating. As Beth helped her, she noticed with delight that Alice preferred the doll she had brought over Charles’s expensive one. Since she and Jessica didn’t want to spend time around Matt’s brother tonight, both said they were tired and were going to bed. Jessica added that would allow the men to enjoy masculine talk. Beth added that she needed to rest up for their impending journey.

  The men took a walk and joined the ranch hands at the chuckhouse. The Special Agent noticed that Charles’s friends still kept to themselves in their makeshift camp, probably ordered not to put themselves in a position of being questioned. Navarro had seen his target chatting and laughing with a b
lond-haired man. It was too bad he couldn’t find an excuse to meet the tall, thin gunman with piercing steel-gray eyes so he could delve for clues.

  After Navarro reached the cabin, he found Beth asleep. Her breathing sounded as if she was exhausted, so he was careful not to disturb her when he got into bed. He wished she was awake so he could get a report about what, if anything, happened with Charles.

  When he arose, Navarro left Beth sleeping and went to tell Jessica she’d be in later. “Since we’re leaving tomorrow, I thought some extra winks might be good for her.”

  “She’s been a big help during your visit, and I’m grateful.”

  “She’s enjoyed her stay here; thanks for being so kind to her.”

  “I know you two will be very happy, Navarro.”

  “I have no doubts,” he replied, and wished that were true. “I’m heading to the corral to see if the boys need any help. You know me, I never was one to laze around.”

  “I remember; your mind and hands had to stay busy.”

  “Remember, too, Beth’s loan offer was genuine if you need it. I have more than enough to buy our ranch and stock and get things going. Never spent much on the trail all those years, so I saved most of what I earned. Some jobs paid big wages, like guarding gold or silver shipments.”

  “Matt said he’d figured out a way to settle our bank debt and pay for all our needs.”

  “Maybe Charles is planning to loan him money; he seems a rich man.”

  “I hope not!”

  “Anything wrong, Jessie? That answer sounded like trouble.”

  “I just don’t like or trust that man, Navarro, and I don’t know why. He guessed the truth from what he said to Beth yesterday.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Let her tell you; I hear them coming. Fetch me water.”

  Navarro slipped out the back door and obeyed, as if that was his reason for returning to the kitchen. “Here you go, Jessie. Anything else I can do to help before I join the boys?”

  “That’s all. Thanks.” Jessie turned and smiled at the brothers.

  Charles asked Navarro, “Where’s that lovely wife of yours?”

  “I was letting her get some extra rest for our long and dusty ride.”

  “Traveling and camping in rough terrain can be hard on a gentle lady. Too bad there isn’t a railroad between here and there. On the other hand, it gives you newlyweds romantic privacy. You’re one lucky fellow, Navarro; she’s beautiful and charming.”

  “Yep, she is. Thanks for the compliment about her.”

  Matt added, “Beth and Navarro are a perfect match, like me and Jessie.”

  “Maybe I’ll be as lucky as you two boys one day.”

  “You can’t meet a woman like our two on the trail. You’ll have to settle down some place to scout for one. You aren’t getting any younger, Charlie; if you want a home and family before forty, best get busy looking.”

  “You sound like a real matchmaker, big brother, just like old lady Tims was. I’m sure you remember her. Paired up more couples than Cupid.”

  Navarro noticed how Matt nodded but looked uneasy.

  “If Jessica and Beth were available, I’d stick around and let you do that job for me. Any more angels around like those two?”

  “Not that I know of, little brother.”

  Navarro shrugged and shook his head. “Me, neither.”

  “Too bad, I could use me a superb wife.”

  * * *

  At two o’clock, Charles’s wagon train arrived and set up an overnight camp near the other three men. The two couples and Lance stood with him in the outer yard and observed the commotion from a distance.

  “Ten wagons, you must be making a big delivery.”

  “They aren’t full, Beth. I pack lighter than most transporters; makes a fast pace if trouble strikes and better time. Extra men and wagons don’t cost as much as lost business if you can’t reach customers quicker and with more goods than other companies. I also have to haul supplies and water for the men and feed for the stock when no grass is available. I carry extra wagon and harness parts and two repairmen to handle breakdowns. Even have my own smithy and equipment in case a horse throws a shoe.”

  “I never realized there was so much to the freight business. It takes a very intelligent owner and excellent planner to be safe and successful.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. I’ve learned those precautions from experience.”

  “Can I go look at the big wagons, Papa?” Lance asked.

  Charles said in a hurry, “That isn’t wise, boy; those horses and wagons aren’t toys. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

  With a nod Matt added, “He’s right, son, so stay away from them.”

  Navarro studied the types of carriers: two schooners with tall canvas tops and eight freighters with boxed-in beds. All were loaded and covered so nothing inside was visible. He counted twenty-six men and one dog.

  Matt, Navarro, Charles and some of his hirelings, and Rusty rode off an hour later for the rancher to show his brother the best route to the border. Other cohorts took team horses to a nearby river to treat them with fresh water, lush grass, and rubdowns. A few remained behind in camp.

  While most were gone, Beth played chase and hide-andseek with the three children. As they raced about amidst laughter and squeals, she let Lane get near one of the schooners without relating Charles and Matt’s cautions to Lance not to do so. As she pursued Lane around the last one in the group, the large dog began to bark in a loud and near wild manner. Beth came to an abrupt halt. “Stay back, Lane; he looks mean and angry. We shouldn’t be—”

  A man jerked aside a canvas curtain at the rear, stepped onto the gate, and shouted at them, “Whatcha doin’ around here?”

  Beth sent him a wide and innocent gaze and jumped as if he’d startled her. The fact was, she’d heard his boots approaching on the wooden base. As she spoke, she kept glancing at the enraged animal beneath the wagon as it continued to growl, bristle, and eye them in a menacing way.

  “Callarse, Bruto; sentarse.”

  She grasped Lane’s hand and pulled him behind her for protection if necessary, but the dog obeyed his master’s Spanish commands to be quiet and sit down. “The children and I were playing chase. I was about to catch up with Lane and tell him we shouldn’t get too close to his uncle’s wagons. We must have disturbed the dog’s nap or surprised him with our voices.”

  “Best play elsewhere; ain’t safe here for kids. They could git hurt climbin’ on wagons or spookin’ that critter. He’s trained to guard us.”

  Now that the creature’s threat was past, Beth took advantage of her and the stranger’s position to steal furtive glances between the man’s legs. “I apologize for intruding, sir; it won’t happen again. But please keep him secured like that; I wouldn’t want the children to get bitten by accident.”

  “He stays tied up around folks. Just don’t tempt ‘im to break his rope. I seed him do it afore. Ain’t no pretty sight when Bruto finishes off a man.”

  If she’d known about or even suspected Bruto’s vicious streak, she wouldn’t have allowed Lane to get near him for any reason. She would have been agonized if the boy had gotten injured while she sought clues. And Navarro and Jessica wouldn’t have forgiven her for taking such risks with their child’s safety. She was thankful nothing had gone wrong. “Thanks for the rescue and warning,” she said to the gruff and chilling man. Beth and Lane were joined by Alice and Lance before they took many steps. Still within the man’s hearing range, she passed along instructions in a gentle tone, “You heard the gentleman; no one comes over this way again. It’s dangerous, so your papa and uncle would be mad at us.”

  “I’m sorry, Miss Beth; I didn’t mean to cause trouble.” She smiled and grasped his hand. “You didn’t, Lane; don’t worry. Let’s go play on the other side of the house where it’s safe. Thanks again; goodbye,” she looked back and told the scowling villain. She chatted with the children as she guided them to the other
location to continue their games. But she had glimpsed something frightful behind the man…

  Jessica had prepared a special farewell meal for “you and Navarro, not for Charles,” she mouthed to the redhead while they set the table. As they put baked turkey and dressing on platters and other dishes in bowls in the kitchen, Jessica whispered, “I’ll be glad when he’s gone, but I’ll miss you two. I hate it that you have to leave at the same time.”

  “We have no choice. Departing tomorrow will give us only enough days to reach San Antonio to make our appointments. We’ll miss you, too, and Matt and the children. I’ll write after we make our choice and get settled.”

  “I’ll be eager to hear all the good news.”

  “I’ll be just as eager to hear from you that everything’s back to normal. I wish I could show you the wedding presents our friends in Tucson gave us. I left them in my trunks there until we get settled and I send for them. If you need to reach us, send a letter to us in care of Henry and Kate Carter at Carter’s Dry Goods there. They’ll forward it to me with my trunks.”

  “I took your advice and I’ve tried to be nice to Charles. I’m glad you told me he was offended. I wouldn’t want Matt annoyed at me.”

  “Charles seems to want everybody to make a fuss over him. I bet he tries to beguile every woman he meets, married or single. He was much too flirtatious with us. Speaking of offending people, who is that ‘old lady Tims’ Charles mentioned? That seemed to trouble Matt.”

  Jessica brushed over the story of Matt’s first love in Georgia when he was eighteen. “Sarah dropped him a week before the wedding and married another man three weeks later. Mrs. Tims was the one who convinced her she was making a mistake and got Sarah together with her nephew. It was mean of Charles to mention that episode today; Matt told me he had. You see, Charles was always possessive of Matt; he was bitter and angry when Matt left home when Charles claims the family needed him most. He’s the one who persuaded Matt to return and fight during the war. I’m lucky he didn’t get my husband killed or maimed. I think he might blame Matt for their family’s deaths and loss of property.”