Chase The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  Dan had asked the owner of the Tucson boardinghouse to pack Beth’s possessions so he could bring them to her, and had waited and observed while the woman did so to make sure she wasn’t too nosy. Dan had arrived, carried out his financial task, and departed in what appeared to be a mixture of astonishment and curiosity. They hadn’t been given a moment of privacy for him to ask why she had made the startling decision, but she did manage to slip him a note of explanation and thanks before he rode off with Melvin. She had related the genuine reasons, minus any mention of hopes that Navarro would join her there, preferably as her husband. She had written she would get settled in and be ready for an assignment by June seventh.

  Beth took her hot tea and entered her bedroom to unpack the trunks. As she did so, she came across the wedding gifts from her Tucson friends. She thought of the gifts hidden at the Mexican border and wondered if Navarro would ever retrieve them. Just work, don’t think and worry.

  * * *

  That week drifted into another as Beth learned her way around the property and got acquainted with her hired hands. Still, no word or visit came from the man she loved. The long time without his appearance or a message did not look promising to her.

  On Wednesday morning, Beth felt nauseous and was retching again, as she had been for several days. She realized she was too weary and sleepy for the condition to be normal. Perhaps her illness was because her menses hadn’t come since…the end of March and this was June. From past work with her brother in his medical practice, if she didn’t know any better, those symptoms implied she was …pregnant. She couldn’t be! She was infertile, even if she had worn that sacred Pollen dress and the shaman had told her she would have children. She added up the symptoms once more. Her conclusion seemed accurate, but how? Her agent’s mind investigated the contradictory matter.

  Was it possible that girl had lied to Steven about being pregnant with his child, and that was why she vanished before he could wed her? Had the problem been Steven’s and not hers?

  Beth paced and pondered the unexpected dilemma. If she told Navarro, would he think she was only trying to trap him? Would he be angry, and resistant to marriage? Or would he be happy to have another child, a child with his name, because, as far as the world was concerned, she was still Beth Breed. Would he marry her to make certain his second child wasn’t born a bastard as Matt had ensured for Lane? Would he want to become a family with her and the child? Even if he didn’t love and want her, he was an honorable man who would do what was necessary to protect his child. Beth hated to tell him the news, as she feared it would prevent her from ever knowing how he truly felt about her. Yet, she must. He could share as much of their lives as he desired, and he would make a good father for certain. But there was another matter to handle first; she would do that tomorrow.

  After tending her morning sickness, Beth wrote out a coded telegram to her superior to tell Dan she had mailed a written resignation to the Agency. She couldn’t return to duty on Monday. She would retire and rear her child on this tranquil and safe ranch. She didn’t know if it was wicked of her to do so in an unwed state but joy flooded her heart at this change in her destiny. Navarro’s baby…Their baby…As far as she was concerned, this little one was conceived in sacred love.

  After that crucial letter was penned and sealed, she summoned one of the wranglers and sent him into Flagstaff to mail the letter of resignation and wire a telegram.

  She would take care of notifying Navarro in a week or so. After her shock wore off, she’d request information on his whereabouts, write or wire him, and tell him she needed to see him as soon as possible.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  “Mr. Withers, Mr. Breed is here to discuss a loan with you, sir.”

  “Show him in, Evans,” the banker told his employee.

  “Mr. Breed, Mr. Withers will see you, sir.”

  Dan stood as Navarro entered his office and approached his desk. The two friends shook hands as the door was closed.

  “Hope you don’t mind me dropping in during daylight but I wanted to get our talking done as fast as possible. Seemed like a good excuse I used.”

  “It was. Glad to see you back and safe.”

  “Took longer than I figured. Ran into bad weather and a robbery I had to stop on the way back. Me and Night Cloud grabbed a train in El Paso so we could hurry.”

  “You spoke with the Cordells?”

  “Yep, and it was hard on all of us.” He related what he had told Matt and Jessie, then said he left the ranch the same day. “I figured I best get back here pronto, My partner’s probably chewing her nails off with worry. I doubt that telegram on Thursday settled her down much. Where is she staying? I’ll go see her and let her know I’m finished and back.”

  “The assignment’s been over, Navarro. She’s gone.”

  The agent was confused. “To visit her family in Denver?”

  “No.”

  “You already put her on another case?”

  “No.”

  Navarro became edgy and worried. “Stop dancing around that jittery horse; get on him, and tell me where she is.”

  “Beth won’t be taking any more assignments; she resigned today.”

  “What are you jawing about? Beth wouldn’t resign. She wouldn’t leave Tucson before I arrived. My telegram said I was on the way.”

  “She left the twenty-second of last month. She didn’t get your wire, unless Melvin or the boardinghouse owner told the clerk where to forward it. She purchased a ranch in Flagstaff on the twenty-fourth of May. She’s living there. She isn’t coming back to work for the Agency.”

  “Why?”

  “All I know is what this note says. She passed it to me when I took the loan papers there for her to sign. Melvin was with me, so we couldn’t talk.” Dan stayed silent while Navarro read the list of reasons she had given.

  “But this says she’ll be ready to return to duty on Monday.”

  Dan passed him the coded telegram to decipher and read. “She sent me that wire today. I don’t know why.”

  “This doesn’t make any sense. What changed her mind so fast?”

  “Maybe the ranch and her recent perils did. Maybe that dose of trail medicine was too much for her to take. I know the ranch is a beauty. She paid Melvin half of the purchase price and borrowed the rest from me.”

  “But she quit her job. How can she repay the loan?”

  “I shouldn’t discuss her personal finances with you, but I will reveal, she has no money problems. When she came here she played her role with perfection, as always. Melvin found this ranch and wanted her to inspect it. After I repeated Zack’s report to her, I thought she was heading to visit her family. Instead, she took off to Flagstaff with Melvin and never returned. He came back and told me she was buying the spread. We went up a few days later for her to sign our papers. After she passed me that note, I thought it made sense. Then, that wire came from nowhere this morning. As it said, she’s mailed a written letter to the Agency. I was planning to go up this weekend to speak with her and see what’s really going on. I even asked her if she’d work with you again if a case came up, and she agreed.”

  “Are you hinting maybe she changed her mind ‘cause she didn’t want to risk having to work with me again?”

  “Certainly not. Why would I think such a crazy thing? Far as I can tell, you two became good friends and splendid partners. Isn’t that correct?”

  “Damn right, it is! I couldn’t have had a better partner.” He related all Beth had done and learned on the trail and her actions in the renegade camp and at the trap. “She’s amazing, old friend. Has real spunk and grit. Long on courage and smarts. She’s gentle and caring. Easy talker. Trustworthy and dependable, full of concern and feeling for others. Speaks her mind on most things but doesn’t rub your nerves raw. Top caliber agent, don’t come any better. And best company I’ve had.”

  “You don’t have many good things to say about her, do you?” Dan teased. “I was certain Beth wouldn�
��t disappoint you or me or the Agency. Or herself. When she came here with John and Steven, I was impressed by her from the start. She’s never let me down. When this assignment came up, I realized she was the perfect match for you, professionally and personally. I’m delighted to hear I was right. Are those feelings why you’re upset she’s gone?”

  “Partly.”

  “What’s the rest of the picture? Or is that being too nosy?”

  “I love her and want to marry her. She said she’d wait here for me.”

  “Do these old ears deceive me? Did you say what I thought you said?”

  “You heard right. Your little trick worked on me and I was hoping it had worked on her. If that was true, she would have waited for me.”

  “Maybe she didn’t wait because I told her to visit her family while you were seeing the Cordells, then be ready for reassignment on Monday. I told her your trip would take a few weeks. I didn’t think about you hopping a train to rush back to her. Maybe you scared her with that confession of love and marriage proposal. Maybe she needed thinking time, privacy.”

  “Haven’t told her yet. Planned to do it soon as I left you.”

  “She doesn’t know the truth?” After Navarro shook his head, Dan suggested, “Why don’t you get yourself up to Flagstaff and get your answer?”

  “Since she left without a message, maybe that isn’t a good idea.”

  “It’s an excellent idea. She’s still playing her mission role; she purchased that ranch under the name of Beth Breed. Remember?”

  “Your note said that was to protect her cover with Melvin because he was her previous assignment.”

  “I think there’s more to it. Besides, she didn’t hear from you, so what was she supposed to think except you didn’t care about her? Could be she thought I was implying she should leave because you didn’t want her here.”

  “After we finish our talk, I’ll check with the telegraph office. Let’s tie up this case so I can do some thinking.”

  “Not much to discuss. Zack reported on Cordell and Tiller’s deaths and that clever trap you pulled on them. Captain Blake sent in his report and I received a copy of it. The weapons have been turned over to the Army for their use. Miles is still in hot pursuit of Geronimo. Word is that sly fox is working his way toward Mexico; he’s probably planning to take refuge in his Sierra Madre stronghold again. It appears Miles and his troops are taking the heart out of their fighting spirit. One of the scouts said it’s because the old chief doesn’t want to battle and slay his own people, and Miles has plenty of them in his units. He’s past sixty and he’s been running for months; it has to be wearing him down. Miles has been sending those Indians on the reservation to Florida, even Crook’s Apache scouts. He doesn’t want any more of them to be tempted to escape from San Carlos and join Geronimo for one last grab at glory and freedom. Blake’s put in good words for the Chiricahuas who helped with that trap, but I don’t know how much good it’s going to do them. All of them may have to spend a few years in Florida until the Army’s assured of peace. I know that isn’t fair or right, but our hands are tied at this point. I promise to keep putting pressure on the government to correct that wrong.”

  “Thanks, Dan, I’d be much obliged.”

  “As for Ben Murphy, that’s a tragedy. Poor man was filled with so much hatred and bitterness he couldn’t think clearly, and Cordell took advantage of his madness. Ben’s daughter is being sent to an institution back East where she’ll receive excellent care. Murphy was a wealthy man, so there’s plenty of money for her support. Who knows, maybe those doctors can cure her of her own kind of madness? At least Murphy’s at peace now, or I hope he is.”

  “So do I. But there’s one point Zack didn’t tell you because he wasn’t around when I jumped Tiller. He was circling the clearing to flank him. After I got the drop on Tiller, he tried to bargain for his life and freedom by telling me where he and Charles hid those gold coins they got from Diaz. They buried them in case of trouble and planned to retrieve them later.”

  “How did they know about the trap?”

  “Tiller saw one of the soldiers change positions and knew they’d been betrayed by the Indians, so they hightailed it before the action started. They split up before Lordsburg and were to reconnect at the Texas border near Guadalupes. Back to the coins—they’re from a legal sale, so Cordell’s share should rightly go to his brother. The other half should go to the Indians for improvements on the reservations, supplies, maybe healthy cattle. After I settle my situation with Beth, I’ll take a couple of men, collect the bags, and turn them over to you because I know you’ll do what’s right with them.”

  “I agree with your suggestion, but I’ll have to get it approved by the Agency and BIA first. Was it difficult seeing Jessie and Lane again?”

  Navarro was caught by surprise at the change of topic. “Nope, but that was because of Beth; she’d already worked her magic on me. Jessie and Matt are happy; they’re good for each other. And it was good for me to learn that for myself in person. Jessie and those days we shared will always be special to me, but I love Beth and want to spend my life with her.”

  Dan beamed with affection and pleasure. “Love must be contagious; as soon as Zack filed his report, he took off to Sante Fe fast as lightning to visit that little lady who caught his eye last year. He decided if he kept her waiting too much longer, some other fellow would steal her away. Who knows, maybe I’ll find me a good woman to court and snare. If I can make such a splendid match for you and Beth, surely I can do the same for myself. You, Zack, and other agents have been my family, and the bank and Agency have been my existence since I lost my dear wife years ago. The Lord didn’t see it in His way to give us children, but we had each other and that was plenty. You’re lucky Bethany Wind came along for you; love is precious. I suggest you get to Flagstaff and fight for her. With a little effort, I believe you can persuade her to stay married to you.”

  “Trouble is, that was a trick, old friend. I wish she was really my wife.”

  Dan withdrew a certificate from his drawer and passed it to the sable-haired man. “Read that; it’s legal and binding; it’s the real one. What you carried with you on the trail was a fake. This isn’t.”

  “But it says…”

  Beth stood at the kitchen window and gazed over the scene beyond the lovely house. She knew she was going to enjoy living and working on this land, but she would be happier if she could share it with—

  “It’s a beautiful ranch, like its owner.”

  The redhead jumped and whirled to find Navarro leaning against the doorjamb and smiling. “You startled me; I didn’t hear you come in.”

  Her nearness almost stole his breath and wits. “Sorry, guess it’s a habit of mine to move quietly. You looked almost too peaceful to disturb.”

  Beth tried to relax but it was difficult. “It’s good to see you safe and sound, Navarro. Dan told me you and Zack took care of Charles and Jim. How did Jessica and Matt handle the bad news?”

  “About as expected; it was hardest on Matt.”

  “I imagine so. Having a brother use and betray you must be awful. It was kind of you to go there and tell them in person rather than letting them read about it in a letter or a newspaper, account they couldn’t question.”

  “I was hoping you’d understand and agree with that decision. I didn’t tell them about Charles’s hatred and bitterness or about that diseased cattle. Wouldn’t have served any good purpose; just cause them anguish and shame. I told them Charles was selling illegal guns to renegades, and he was killed during a shoot-out with the law. He’d told Matt the weapons were for Diaz and would help halt bandidos from crossing the border and raiding, including his brother’s ranch. Like you figured, Jessie was suspicious of him and she’d already told Matt her feelings. Matt was planning to contact Charles for answers. That was one of the reasons why I had to go there. I figured Matt might try to track down his brother later and learn plenty of bad stuff the wrong way. Besides, I owed
it to them to handle it myself.”

  “What did you say about us and our ruse? Were they hurt and angry?”

  “At first, but after we talked, they understood and forgave us. I said we were married, both agents, and worked as a team. I apologized for us having to trick them, but said we did it to protect them from danger and repercussions and possible incrimination. I said we couldn’t confide in them because we didn’t know if they’d believe the black truth about Charles, and we needed them to act normal so he wouldn’t get suspicious. After I explained the case to them, they realized how important it was.”

  “How are they doing since Charles gave them that money?”

  “They’ve bought new stock and paid off their debts. They asked me to say hello and to tell you not to worry about what we did. In fact, Jessie asked for you to write her after we got settled. I’ll let you decide how to handle her request.” Navarro glanced around and said, “You look good in this homey setting.”

  Beth smiled. “To my surprise and pleasure, it feels good; in fact, wonderful. That’s why I bought it. Melvin located the property through a friend; I’ve already signed the papers. Dan took care of the transfer of my money from the Denver bank and handled the financial angle.”

  Navarro chuckled as he teased, “I thought you were a permanent trail woman and diehard agent. Thought you weren’t gonna settle down soon.”

  “I suppose that stay at the Cordell ranch spoiled me, changed me more than I realized until I saw this place.” Beth told Navarro her original plan to use it as a home base between assignments. “But after a few days, I got used to it here, decided to retire and stay. Besides, that last case provided me with enough adventure and perils to last a lifetime. I’m ready for a new kind of challenge.”

  “Like ranching and homelife?”

  “Don’t you agree that’s a big challenge for an ex-agent? For a woman?”