by Lopp, Karen
Some minutes later she blinked her tears away and glanced at her captors. The same redheaded man that kidnapped her before shot her a grin. “Knew he’d get careless one day.”
“Murderer.”
The man laughed and patted her thigh. “I’ve done worse. Now be quiet, or Sonny here will slap you around.”
Teeth chattering, Kathleen bowed her head against the wind and snow and wiggled her fingers and toes to keep frostbit from setting in. She’d bite her tongue if she tried to talk anyway. She lost her sense of time as the bitter cold seeped into her bones and uncontrolled shivers scattered snow with shake. The horse stopped in front of a cabin and since she was unable to move, the redhead lifted her out of the saddle and dragged her inside.
“Start a fire, Sonny, before she freezes to death.” The man wrapped a blanket around her and started rubbing her hands. Pain shot through her fingers and she winced. “Good, you’ve still got some feeling left. Wouldn’t want to have wasted my time fetching you.”
“Wh-what d-d-do y-you wan-want wi-with m-me?”
He chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough. Now sit.” A firm hand shoved her down.
Still too cold to move, all she could do was watch as she was tied to the chair.
The sparse room had a crude table with one other chair, a narrow cot shoved in the corner, and a rickety stove. Smoke wafted in the tiny room as flames licked at the logs in the stove. A flicker of heat touched her cheek as she was scooted closer to the fire.
“You get warm now, sweetheart.”
Kathleen blinked, not liking the suggestion in the man’s tone. She was in a lot of trouble. Much as she hated it, she would rather be at the mercy of Mike. At least he’d just shoot her. The flames grew higher and warmth sent sharp pricks coursing over her skin as the redheaded man removed her boots. He sniffed her hair, and her mouth went dry.
The door opened to admit a tall, handsome man with sky-blue eyes, sandy hair, and a sinister smile.
“Hello, Mrs. Baca.”
“Don’t call me that.”
He settled in the chair opposite her and crossed his ankle over his knee. “Why? That’s your name?”
“Not anymore. Mike found a way to end our marriage.”
The man tossed his head back and chortled. “So, he fed you a pack of lies, too. Tsk, tsk. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he didn’t.”
“You’re lying. I made Sally’s wedding dress.”
“Aw, that’s how Mike found you. But he didn’t marry Sally. I did. She was making noises to her father about going back East and finding a wealthy husband, but I changed her mind.”
Kathleen furrowed her brow. A sadistic smile curved his lips up. She shivered. “How?”
“It gets painful when you go without a dose of opium. Real painful.”
“Who are you?”
“I am the man you’re going to be best friends with. The man you’ll crawl through hell for. The man you’ll obey without question.”
Icy shivers danced down her spine. His tone of voice, so calm and casual, shouted confidence. What did he plan to do to her? She tilted her head to the side. “How can I do that if I don’t even know your name?”
“Name’s Jimmy. And since we are such good friends, I’ll call you Kathleen.” He spread papers on the table.
“I don’t know who the bigger fool is. You, for swallowing Mike’s lies, or Mike, for signing all this over to you.”
“Signing what over to me?”
“Look for yourself.” He slid the papers across the table.
Kathleen’s pulse kicked like a mule when she read that Mike had put both his and her ranches in her name only. Add Jimmy’s assertion that, in fact, Mike hadn’t gained an annulment and she was left with a heavy weight in her gut and sweaty palms. With this evidence, it appeared she had jumped to the wrong conclusion about Mike.
Jimmy chuckled. “Mike made this so much easier for me. Was the funniest thing to watch him rip all hope of getting your land from old Hawkins. Never saw a man turn that color of purple before.”
“Hawkins is dead?”
“Yes. And poor Mike really thought Hawkins was the only one after your land. I let him do all the running across the country to find you.”
“Where did he go?”
A footstep sounded on the porch.
“Enough questions.”
The ruddy-faced man who’d abducted her stepped inside and handed Jimmy a wad of cloth. Kathleen narrowed her eyes as he unwrapped a pipe and held it up.
“Ever seen someone addicted to opium?”
Kathleen’s heart skittered around in her chest like a leaf blown in the wind. “Give me a pen. I’ll sign the ranches over to you. I’d rather die quick.”
“But Willie here wants you. He’s been a loyal dog and deserves a little treat now and then. Besides, I need this to be a public sale so no one can even hint at a swindle.”
Jimmy shot her a wicked smile. “You aren’t one to be all meek and mild. I don’t trust you. You’d shoot me in the back given half a chance.”
“And you’re too much of a coward to give me that half chance.”
“Don’t waste your breath trying to make me mad. It won’t work. I didn’t achieve my goals by being careless and losing my temper. People do stupid things when they allow anger to control them.”
Kathleen glanced at Willie. He gave her a wide grin and winked. “You’ll have a good time when this hits your system.”
Kathleen closed her eyes. This time, Mike wouldn’t be bursting through the door to save her. Mad as she had been at Mike, he had always came to her rescue. But Mike was dead. She was alone with these mad men. The ropes held her immobile and helpless to resist.
She swallowed the useless panic swirling inside and pinned a steady gaze on Jimmy, determined to not give him any more satisfaction the she could muster. But the thought of inhaling opium terrified her. Willie nudged the table next to her.
Jimmy whipped out a match and lit the pipe. Willie licked his lips and stared at her breasts as he tied a gag over her mouth. “Breath deep.”
“No.” Kathleen couldn’t stop the whimper as a blanket was tossed over her head and strong hands bent her closer to the smoking pipe. Lungs aching from holding her breath, she gasped and tears traced down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop the poison flowing through her body. Couldn’t stop the effects as she took another breath. How do you suffocate yourself?
“Remember, Willie, no bruises.” Jimmy’s silky tones were muffled.
“Yes, sir.” Willie didn’t disguise the joy in his voice.
“Have fun. Come on, Sonny, give Willie some privacy.”
She listened to the fading steps of Jimmy and Sonny. Suddenly released, Kathleen leaned away from the pipe but the blanket trapped the swirling smoke and she could not escape it. She heard humming and smiled. Aches disappeared, tension fled, and her eyes grew heavy. Kathleen felt the ropes loosen, felt Willie’s hands pull her up, his arm circle her waist when she stumbled. A small part of her brain protested, but her body relaxed as he eased her down onto the cot. His hands fumbled with her buttons and spurts of pleasure traced across her skin where he touched her.
A breeze wafted over her heated body and she lolled her head to the side. Tingles washed over her and she blinked at a loud crash. A heavy weight pressed down on her. She shivered when that oppressive warmth lifted.
“Are you awake, Kathleen? Honey?”
She giggled and reached for the friendly voice.
Mike blinked. Kathleen giggled? Her blouse was spread open exposing her breasts and t she giggled? What the hell did Willie do to her?
He sagged to the floor and sniffed her breath. No alcohol. But she didn’t even know he was here. He glanced around the room and frowned at the pi
pe lying on the table. Opium. If Willie weren’t already dead, he would shoot him again.
With a shaking hand, Mike yanked her shirt closed and tugged the blanket over her. He needed to get her out of there. He needed to get up. But a fog seemed to have come over him. He dropped his head onto the edge of the cot and closed his eyes.
Chapter 26
Mike opened his eyes to the sound of a cocked gun and looked up into the barrel of Jimmy’s pistol.
“Howdy, Mike. Guess Willie should have made sure you were dead.”
“Let her go.”
Jimmy’s lips curled up. “But we’re going to be good friends, aren’t we, Kathleen?”
“I’ve never felt so good in my life.”
Mike spared a glance at Kathleen. She sat there with her blouse gaping open and smiling at Jimmy like he was a dream come true. Mike wanted to vomit. It appeared Jimmy had won, but he’d not sit on the floor and be shot like vermin.
“Mind if I get up?”
“Suit yourself.”
Mike struggled to his feet and shook the dizziness from his head. The bullet wound in his shoulder burned like the fires of hell and the dried blood clung to the hairs on his chest and made his shirt stiff. He spread his feet to stay erect.
He jerked when the bang of a pistol echoed in the small room, then blinked as Jimmy dropped to the floor with a crimson circle on his forehead. Mike pivoted to Kathleen. She held Willie’s Colt with both hands. Hands that didn’t tremble.
“He made me inhale opium.” Her voice held a coldness that made him shiver. “I don’t remember much. Did Willie . . . did he . . .?”
“No.”
“Don’t lie.” She glanced down at her exposed breasts, a single tear trailing down her pale cheeks.
Mike rubbed his neck. He didn’t know if Willie had spent the night there or not. Didn’t know how long she had been drugged. Didn’t know if he’d had time to violate the woman he loved. He swallowed hard. But he’d take that knowledge to the grave. “Trust me, he didn’t.”
“Trust you?” Her voice pitched high. She glanced at Willie. “Are you sure he’s dead?”
“I don’t miss.”
She didn’t lower the pistol. “Yeah, you’ve told me that before.”
Mike winced. That was a regret he’d never live down. “Can you ride?”
“Why?”
“We need to get out of here. Someone else might be involved.” He put a hand on the wall to brace himself.
“Looks like you might have trouble riding.”
“If I start to fall off, you can tie me to the saddle.”
She didn’t smile at his levity. Didn’t look at him. He wanted to take her into his arms, tell her everything would work out, but deep down he knew it wouldn’t. She wasn’t all right. And he didn’t know if it would ever be the same. That damn land of hers wasn’t worth all this turmoil. He would give anything to turn back the hands of time. Back to a time when Kathleen smiled at him.
“Guess we’re even again. So does that mean I’m still free to go?”
His heart shattered. The wary, innocent girl he’d met in Dodge was no more. The violence, the betrayals, the heartache, had stolen a piece of Kathleen that could never be replaced. Head hanging, Mike limped to the fallen Jimmy and yanked out the folded papers in his pocket. His papers. Papers meant to mend fences with Kathleen. “These are for you.”
She ignored him and climbed off the cot, her trembling fingers hastening to button the front of her dress. Without a backward glance, she stormed out the door. Mike rubbed his throbbing temples and exhaled a long breath.
Documents stuffed in his waistband, he shambled after her. Damn it. He’d brought this on her. He’d been so sure Hawkins had instigated all the attacks. He’d never suspected Jimmy. Now he understood how Jimmy controlled Sally. How he had intended to control Kathleen.
Mike hauled himself into the saddle and glanced at Kathleen. He wished she’d fall to pieces or cry or even yell. Anything but this silent, icy aloofness.
“Which way?”
Mike nudged Blackie and took the lead. “Where do you want to go?”
“You need to go home.”
“It’s your home.” He thrust the papers out and offered them to her again.
She didn’t even glace at the pages as she tapped her heel on the horses ribs. Mike urged Blackie ahead. By the white knuckles on her hand as she gripped the pistol, it was clear she didn’t trust him. If she wanted to shoot him in the back, so be it. At least he’d be out of his misery.
Slowing down, he eased up next to her. “I’m sorry for all this. I figured Hawkins was the only one after your land. I should have been more careful.”
Face averted, she just nodded.
“Everything is in your name now. I know you don’t believe me but if you’d just take these documents, you can have them verified by a judge.”
“Keep it.”
“Please, Kathleen, I made a mistake. Lost my temper and said things that should never have been said. You deserved better. In my stupidity, I thought I was doing what you asked.”
“And what did I ever ask you to do?”
“You wanted me to make it all stop. I was wrong to threaten you. Wrong to leave you.” Wrong to believe I could ever gain your forgiveness. He tried to swallow. They made the rest of the ride in chilly silence.
Juan, Hank, and Suzie rushed out to meet them.
“Hank, go get Dr. Page. Juan help Mike to bed.” Kathleen issued orders like a general and Mike suppressed a smile at the way both men jumped to do her bidding.
“Suzie, how’d you get here?” Kathleen led the way inside. Mike leaned on Juan.
“Mike brought me back. He wanted help finding you. I married Hank the day I arrived. I love it here.”
“Put some water on to boil, Suzie. And, congratulations.”
Mike sank into the soft mattress and sighed. Kathleen brushed the hair from her eyes and started to unbutton his shirt. He winced as she worked the fabric free from the dried blood caking his chest hair and skin.
“Sorry, I’ll get some water.” She hustled out the door.
“What happened?” Juan asked.
“Willie bushwhacked me, took Kathleen to Jimmy. Guess he wanted her land worse than Hawkins did.”
“I’ll go pay them a visit.”
“You’ll have to go to Hell to see them.”
“Good. Maybe now we can have a little peace.”
Kathleen came back in with a bowl of water and a rag. She washed away the dried blood and Mike studied her face. Tiny lines fanned from her eyes, her lips were pinched tight, and she kept her gaze averted.
“Take his boots off Juan and go help Suzie.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mike wanted to sink further into the mattress and let the softness take him to dream land, but Kathleen worried him. He’d seen her cry, seen her yell, but never seen her so shut off, so remote. He reached up and stroked her cheek.
“Breathe, Kathleen.”
She stopped her ministrations. Her fingers trembled. “He-he—”
“Shh, honey. Put it out of your mind.”
“I can’t. I feel so . . . so dirty.” Tears trickled down her cheeks, causing a ball of guilt to knot in his chest.
He curled his fingers through her hair. “Don’t ever say that. What happened wasn’t your fault.”
“But he . . . and I don’t think I fought.”
“Damn it, Kathleen, you were drugged. You can’t blame yourself.” Mike tugged Kathleen down to his good shoulder and held her tight. Fury raged in his gut, but right now Kathleen needed calmness and understanding. At least he thought so. “Would you like Suzie to come in here?”
“No. I don’t want anyone to know.”
Mike put a finger to his lips and waved Juan out. Juan nodded as he tiptoed to the door. Anger marked his movements but Mike trusted Juan to keep his mouth closed.
“Listen, Kathleen, Willie did not do more than get your clothes off.”
“How can you be so sure when I’m not? I just can’t get the fuzzy images out of my head.”
“Because I was right on his tail. He didn’t have time.” Mike spit the lie out and didn’t feel the least bit guilty.
“And if he did?”
“I’d like to bring him back to life and kill him again, only slower and with a lot more pain. But he didn’t.”
She drew away and searched his eyes. “I don’t regret killing Jimmy.”
Mike smiled. “Good.”
Kathleen gazed down at Mike and saw bloodshot eyes filled with pain but not a trace of condemnation. He either lied very well or didn’t care that she had killed. Twice. But then it was going to take some time to reconcile herself with what she had done.
And his calm assurance that he’d stopped Willie sent ripples of relief through her mind. The clench in her chest released and she almost rolled her eyes. Here she sat, melting like dew under a hot sun at Mike’s touch and being swallowed in his eyes.
He came charging in like a hero and she played the damsel-in-distress. Again.
“You chased me away to protect me, didn’t you?” she asked.
“Yes, I paraded around like a target for a month before I went to get you. I really thought this was over. I’m sorry.”
Kathleen fiddled with her skirt. She didn’t know how she felt right now and didn’t want to get into a deep discussion over who or why. She was more than grateful for Mike’s rescue.
“How did Suzie get here and married to Hank?”