The Mail Order Bride's Secret

by Linda Broday

  Becky pouted. “Joe mean.”

  The kids settled down, and soon their food came. Melanie sat watching their faces, scoffing at her previous notion that they were too messy, too difficult to raise, too intimidating. She couldn’t imagine not ever having them in her life. They added layers of satisfaction, joy, and richness. To ride away and leave them would kill her.

  Tait laid down his fork. “A penny for your thoughts, Melanie.”

  “I think they’d be way overpriced.” She took a bite of mashed potatoes.

  He smiled. “I told your father he’d have to leave tomorrow. He said he has to talk to you before he goes. What are your feelings?”

  “Whatever gets him gone fastest is what I’ll do. I’ll let him have his say. He can’t hurt me anymore. It’s strange. I don’t hate him—I don’t feel anything one way or another. It’s how I’d feel about a stump. It’s there, but I have no fondness for it. I just know I can’t have him around.” Melanie took a sip of hot tea. “I’ll never forgive him for leaving Ava and me to take the fall.”

  He laid his hand on top of hers. “I can’t imagine how it is for a woman in jail. It’s bad enough for men used to such treatment. As soon as I deal with Kern, I’ll work on Ava’s release, even if I have to break her out.”

  Melanie knew he meant it. Just as she was certain he’d be hanged if caught.

  Twenty-six

  They came as dawn lit the walls of the canyon—two hundred bawling, snot-dripping cattle busting through the opening. Tait leaped out of the way from his guard post to avoid being trampled as the animals flowed inside, like floodwaters rushing over the riverbanks.

  “Watch out, Jack! Get to safety!” Tait yelled, pressing flat against the rock wall next to the entrance.

  He was out of the reach of most of the trampling hooves and had a good view of the horsemen driving the herd. Taking the lead, firing his gun into the air, and yelling obscenities was none other than the man Tait sought—Kern Berringer.

  Hell! Tait tried to get to him, but the steers between them blocked his path.

  Kern managed to ride clear of the animals and made his way to the outdoor cell where his son Earl was imprisoned. Tait darted out into the herd, dodging and weaving his way toward the two. He was almost there.

  Aiming his gun, Kern shot the lock holding Earl. Clay stepped out of the darkness, gun drawn. “Raise your hands, you hairless bastard!”

  The hated killer whirled and fired, forcing Clay to dive behind some barrels that held pitch for their roofs.

  “Hurry up, Daddy!” Earl screamed. “Let me out of here!”

  They hadn’t seen Tait yet. He was hidden by the swirling mass of cattle. He raised his gun and fired, striking Kern’s arm and spinning him around.

  Jack and Dallas Hawk appeared, blocking Kern’s path. Kern saw the futility of trying to free Earl and leaped into his saddle instead.

  “Don’t leave me, Daddy!” Earl screamed. “Come back! I need you.”

  But Kern spurred the animal forward and galloped in the direction of the hotel. Tait emptied his gun without hitting the man a second time. A crowd milled around on the boardwalk in front of the hotel, and he could make out Melanie and the children among the astonished onlookers.

  Onward Kern galloped, scattering the herd as he came. The spit dried in Tait’s mouth. Kern was going to shoot them!

  “Get back inside!” Tait screamed, running as fast as he could.

  In all the chaos and noise, Melanie couldn’t hear him.

  Kern drew closer, any opposition stopped by the gunfire of the men with him. There must’ve been about a dozen riding among the cattle, and they shot at anything that moved. Tait pressed to the side of the newspaper office and waited for a chance.

  He peeked around the corner as Kern rode his horse onto the boardwalk. His breath froze as Kern reached out and ripped Becky from Melanie’s arms.

  “No!” Tait raced out only to have a bullet pierce his side. Instant icy-hot pain zigzagged through him, rushing along his body. He fought for breath and to slow his thundering heartbeat even as he knew he had to move. He shook his head and blocked the agony.

  He had to get to them!

  Kern rode toward Tait with Becky under his arm, screaming at the top of her voice. “You took my boys. This one belongs to me now.”

  “No!” Becky yelled. “Help! Help!”

  “You bastard! Harm one hair on that little girl and I’ll kill you.”

  The early morning rays of the sun glinted off Kern’s face, making his slick head and no eyebrows look like the face of the devil’s own scarecrow. Tait wished for just one bullet in his gun. Just one.

  Clay and Jack ran toward them, firing, until Kern lifted Becky up in the air. “Shoot me and this child dies.”

  Melanie raced down the steps. “Stop!”

  Kern’s eerie laugh tore through Tait’s soul. Sobbing, Melanie stumbled to Kern’s horse and grabbed his leg. “Release her. She’s just a baby.”

  “Mellie!” Becky cried.

  He spurred the animal, and Melanie clung fast. The horse dragged her several yards before her hold broke and she fell to the dirt. Becky’s screams ripped through Tait until horse and rider disappeared through the town’s mangled opening. Tait clutched his side, blood running through his fingers, and hobbled to Melanie.

  “I’m all right, Tait.” She sat up, sobbing, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I couldn’t save her. I couldn’t hold on. I couldn’t…”

  Tait sat down with her and pulled her to him. “We’ll get her back. Hold that thought.”

  The twins plopped down with them, crying.

  “He got her,” Joe said. “He was there when our mama died. I saw him.”

  Tait must’ve groaned in pain because Melanie pulled away and looked down at his side. “You’re shot.”

  “Just a bee sting. I’ll be fine.” He took in her torn dress, hair stringing down, and bloody arms. “You’re hurt.”

  “A few scrapes—nothing serious. I thought I could stop him.”

  “When a stone-cold killer enters your town, no one can stop him.”

  “You shot him, Tait, but will that only drive him to kill Becky?” She grabbed his arm, her fingernails digging into the flesh. “Oh God, we may have sealed her fate!”

  “Try not to worry.” But a nagging feeling whispered the same fear. “This is not over.”

  The townsfolk hurried to their aid, helped them up and moved them to Dr. Mary’s. The commanding lady directed them the whole way, refusing to listen to Tait’s insistence that he needed to ride out.

  “Listen here, Trinity.” Dr. Mary put her hands on her hips. “Let me get that bullet out and put a stitch or two in or I’ll have the men tie you down so I can do it without your say-so. You won’t do that little girl any good if you lose half your blood and fall from your horse. Do we understand each other? You’re her best hope, and I’m going to see that you’re able to go get her.”

  “Then get it done.” He could hear Clay barking orders outside, rounding up the cattle, and he could do nothing to help. Not one blessed thing. “Melanie? Where’s Melanie?”

  Her voice came from nearby. “I’m here, Tait. Please do what the doctor says.”

  “Get your injuries tended.”

  “I am. Tally’s taking care of me.”

  “Good.”

  A few minutes later, bedsprings creaked and Melanie bent over him, smoothing his hair from his eyes. “I’ll never leave you. I’ll stay right here while the doc fixes you up.”

  “I should’ve done more to stop Kern.” He worked to swallow the thickness that sat on his tongue. “If I’d just saved one bullet. He has our child, and I couldn’t do anything. It’s just like it was with Lucy.” The piercing pain in his side took his breath. “Dammit! What good am I? What good?”

  “You’ll
get her back. You said so. You’re all I’ve got, so don’t give up.” Melanie brushed her lips across his. “I love you, Tait. Yesterday, today, and all our tomorrows.”

  “I’m sorry for the things I said. It was hurt talking.” Jagged pain tore through him as the doctor probed in his side, and he released a sharp cry.

  “It’s already forgotten.”

  “Be still, Trinity, I almost have the fragment.” Dr. Mary’s bullet necklace clinked together with her movements. “Once I get it out, I’ll sew you up, and you can ride after that little girl.”

  “Melanie, can you get Jack?”

  “Sure.” She left his side for a moment and came back with his friend.

  “What is it, Tait?” Jack asked.

  “Saddle me a horse. I’m riding out the second the doc’s finished.”

  “Your roan’s already saddled. We’ll ride the moment you get through here.”

  “Good. I’ve cost us too much time as it is.”

  Doc Mary dropped the bullet fragment into a bowl. “I’m ready to stitch you up.”

  Jack left, and Melanie sat on his bed. “Tait, I’m going with you.”

  “Over my dead body! It’s too dangerous. And besides, the boys need you.”

  “It’s my fault that Berringer took Becky. I should’ve hurried back inside the hotel when he started toward us, but I wanted to see what had happened to you. I have to get her back. If they hurt her, it’ll be my fault. Don’t you see?”

  The sob underlying her words struck a chord in him. He fumbled for her hand and gripped it. His voice was thick. “Given the chance, Kern will kill you just like he did Lucy. Human life means nothing to him. I can’t let him have you too.”

  “He won’t get me.” Melanie’s brow knitted. “Becky will need someone to mother her once you get her back. I want to be there.” Her voice broke. “Who knows what horrors she’ll endure.”

  “Hopefully, it’ll be short-lived. If Kern hadn’t driven the cattle inside, we could’ve stopped him.” He turned toward the wall, wishing for impossible things.

  Melanie was probably right in that Becky would want a mother once they found her, and Melanie was closer to that than anyone. Still, he couldn’t stand the thought of what Kern would do if he got his hands on Melanie.

  “You make a good argument, but I simply can’t let you come. The boys need you, and to do what I need to, I have to know you’re all safe.”

  “Fine.” Her tone was short and terse, but he couldn’t help it.

  “You done, Doc?” He gave his hair an impatient shove and tried to get up but was stopped by a firm hand.

  “You’ll lay there until I say,” Dr. Mary barked, laying down her needle and catgut. “I’ll bandage it, and you’ll be out of here. I want you to kill every one of those bastards.”

  Five minutes later Tait strode out into the early-morning light. Jack and Clay were waiting with the horses. Jack handed Tait the reins to his roan.

  Tait turned to Melanie. “I’ll be back when this is done.”

  “Be safe.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Godspeed.”

  With a nod, he climbed into the saddle, gritting his teeth against the searing pain that swelled up with every step. “Let’s ride.”

  * * *

  Still in their nightshirts, Joe and Jesse rose from benches on the boardwalk in front of the hotel and put their arms around Melanie.

  Jesse sniffled and glanced up. “Do you think Uncle Tait will find Becky?”

  “Yes.” She didn’t hesitate. She knew one thing about Tait—he would never give up. “He’s going to end this and give your parents some justice.”

  “What if they hurt her? We won’t be there to stop ’em.” Joe’s face had drained of color, leaving his freckles as dark spots on the white background. “What if they kill her, Aunt Melanie?”

  The boy echoed her thoughts. She pulled the twins tightly to her, and they walked toward the door of the hotel. “They won’t, and you know why?”

  They shook their heads.

  “Because your uncle will go berserk, and they won’t want to face wrath like that. When a man gets in those kinds of rages, he’s very scary.” Melanie kissed the tops of their heads. “Now, let’s get you dressed and something to eat so you can go to school.”

  “Aw, shoot.” Jesse reached for the doorknob.

  “Look at it this way…you have a story to tell, and everyone will clamor to hear it. You’ll be very popular.”

  Joe followed them into the hotel. “Yeah, but Becky will still be with those killers.”

  Yes, she would, and Melanie had no uplifting words to offer on that.

  The best thing to do in a situation like this was to keep busy. She changed clothes and put the boys to work straightening up the suite—making their beds and putting their things away. The only problem was Becky’s empty bed, staring at them. Melanie finally took them to the café.

  Everyone, including Martha Truman, stopped at their table to offer condolences and to help in some way.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Truman. I’ll let you know if there’s anything you can do. Right now, I’d love to have some more hot tea.”

  “Coming right up.” Martha rushed off to get it and came back with an invitation for afternoon tea at Nora’s.

  “Thank you. I have to keep occupied while Tait’s gone or I’ll go crazy.”

  Just then her father entered the café. Mac caught her eye, nodded in her direction, and took a seat at another table. Good. She’d keep the children away from him. It hit her again that Becky was gone, and for a long moment she worked to tamp down the urge to scream at the cruelty of it. Instead, she uttered a prayer that God would be merciful and let Tait find her.

  And send Kern Berringer to the hottest part of hell.

  * * *

  After dropping the boys at school, Melanie went to meet Mac Dunbar in the hotel lobby. She wanted to get the whole thing over with as fast as possible.

  He stood when she entered. “Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would.”

  “I didn’t know if I would either, but here I am. Say your piece.”

  “Melanie, I’m sorry I left you girls. I panicked. All right? I wanted to do the right thing, but that sheriff already had you and…” Mac glanced down. “He’d caught me once before and said the next time would mean prison. So I ran.”

  “You did that, all right.” Her dry tone was sarcastic, but she didn’t apologize for it. “We needed help, Mac.”

  “I didn’t think he’d put you and Ava in jail. I thought you’d pay a fine or something and you’d be out in no time. Did you ever think what it was like for me, knowing my only girls were in danger?”

  She stared at him, dumbfounded. “Stop. I’m not going to listen to ‘poor pitiful me.’ A little girl is out there with one of the meanest, baddest killers in Texas, and you want an audience so you can play the victim. I don’t have time to waste on you. I have to try to figure out how to get Ava out of jail, keep my husband alive, and focus on getting Becky back. I have no room for pathetic whiners.” She turned to walk away.

  “Wait. Tell me what I can do. I’ll make this right.”

  For the first time in her life, she imagined she heard sincerity in her father’s voice. But would it still be there when the chips were down?

  “Would you be willing to accompany me to Canadian?”

  He hesitated for a beat too long.

  “That’s what I figured.” She took another step and felt his hand on her arm.

  “Yes, I’ll go with you. I want to set things right between us. When?”

  “When Tait returns.” She didn’t know how far she could trust him to keep his word, but based on the past, it was about as far as she could sling a buffalo. “I have to go now. I’ll let you know more later.”

  “Absolutely. Yes,
I’ll be ready.”

  “One more thing, Mac.” She leaned closer. “Try to run your con games and schemes here, and these outlaws will string you up. I won’t lift one finger to stop them. Understand?”

  He nodded. “Got it.”

  Melanie strode from the hotel, shaking inside. The heart-to-heart with her father had taken a toll on her nerves, but she was satisfied with the outcome.

  With luck, maybe Mac could help her get the stolen money to the judge. If not?

  Then he’d have used up his last chance, and she’d cut ties and go alone. She was already used to that.

  Twenty-seven

  Tait rode slowly, scouring the dirt for the broken horseshoe print, and found satisfaction when he spied the signs on the hard-packed ground. He dismounted and followed the tracks, leading his horse. “I think Kern and his bunch might be heading north toward Mobeetie.”

  “Or Canadian.” Clay stared across the barren expanse, a muscle in his jaw twitching.

  Jack reached for his canteen and took a drink. “That little girl had best be unharmed when we find her, or I wouldn’t want to be any of these Berringers.”

  “I’ll take pleasure in stripping every inch of hide from them.” Tait mounted back up and spurred his roan, glad to have company. There was no one better than Clay and Jack in a scrape, and his gut told him he’d need every gun. “I won’t go back without Becky,” he said into the wind.

  And if he didn’t get to her in time…

  Tait recalled how desperately Melanie had clung to Kern’s stirrup, trying to stop him. She loved Becky like a daughter, had risked her life to get her back, and that much Tait knew to be true. No one could fake love like that.

  The silence of the land surrounded him, and with each mile covered, he prayed they’d catch up with Kern. They had to. If only they hadn’t lost so much time while Dr. Mary removed the bullet. He glanced down at his side at blood that had soaked his shirt. His wound must’ve broken open.

  Dammit to hell!

  Why couldn’t he catch a break?

  Tait galloped up the side of a barren hill and reined to a stop, Jack and Clay beside him. He had a good view for miles in all directions. If luck was on their side, maybe Becky had held them up. Traveling with a young child would pose difficulties. He took a pair of binoculars from his saddlebag and adjusted them on his eyes.