by Linda Broday
But damn, he hated leaving!
“Anything is worth a try.” Clay handed Becky to him. “See to her welfare. I’ll stay here and keep watch.”
“I know it’s not in you to sit still. Just watch out for booby traps.” Jack rose, took his guns from Clay, and saddled up with Becky. Her eerie silence was downright spooky. Maybe she’d lost her voice from all that crying.
“Good luck. I hope you find a nice woman to keep her. After what Becky’s been through, she needs the kind of comfort that only a woman can offer.” His face grim, Clay started to turn away and stopped, his voice hard. “Buy more ammunition. Lots of it. The moment you get back, we’re going in for Tait.”
Thirty-three
Pain sliced through Tait, stinging, blinding. His test of endurance had begun. He faced the man with the whip and grabbed the thin leather as it cracked the air again. It sliced into his palm, but he held fast. He would not go down without a fight.
With one mighty jerk, he ripped the whip from the bastard’s hand. The men standing in the circle around him lunged, piling on top, forcing him to the ground.
Tait kicked, hit, and pushed, but he couldn’t escape their fists. A gun blast ceased the fight.
“Stop!” Kern yelled. “I get him first, and I’ve got something special planned for Trinity. You can have what’s left when I finish.”
The men rose, and Tait got to his feet, wiping his bloody mouth. “It seems to me you’ve done more than get even already. You killed my wife, sister, and brother-in-law.”
“I haven’t begun to settle the score, Trinity,” Kern cursed, rubbing his crippled leg. “You put me in agony for the rest of my life.”
“Couldn’t let you hurt that young widow. She never did anything to you.” Tait had helped her onto a stagecoach that carried her back east, far away from Kern. He’d been young back then—hell, Kern had too. He hadn’t yet seen the depths of Kern’s hatred or known that revenge would take Lucy and Claire from him. Still, given the chance, he’d probably do the same thing again. Only he’d protect his loved ones better.
“Wasn’t your business.”
Tait spat blood on the ground and stepped closer to Kern. “Let’s you and me settle this. Right here. Right now. Your choice of weapon.”
“Now why would I do that?” Kern laughed, and the rest of his band joined in. “I got you right where I want you, and you won’t escape me this time. Boys, hang him from that large cottonwood over there—by his ankles.”
Doom clawed its way from Tait’s belly. He lunged to the right, evading one man’s grasp only to find another waiting to drive a fist into his jaw. Stars twinkled in his vision.
He was done for. His torments would end here, on this desolate spot in Texas. He didn’t even mind going to hell. Because one day Kern would join him, and they’d have a level playing field.
* * *
Melanie hurried into the store and spoke to Virginia, telling her what the doc had said.
“Let’s get her inside. Thank you for trusting me.”
“I had no choice, ma’am.”
They emerged into the alley where Mac was holding Ava up. Melanie smoothed back Ava’s jagged hair and felt her forehead. Still hot.
“Sorry.” Ava gave her a sad smile. “Tried to be brave.” She wet her lips. “Like you. Not as strong. Did you get…outlaw’s money?”
“Don’t apologize. You did just fine. I only gave McIlroy a little of the money. I told him he wouldn’t get any more until I had you back.”
“Didn’t strike a very good bargain. I’m half-dead.” Ava leaned her head against the wall. “If I die, bury me…pretty stream.”
The weak words struck Melanie like a hammer. She knelt and squeezed Ava’s hands. “I’m not going to let you die, so don’t even think that. You’re going to get well and come live in Hope’s Crossing with Tait and me and three of the best kids God ever set on this earth. You’ll love it there.”
She thought of Becky and Tait and prayed she wasn’t being overly optimistic. She and Mac lifted Ava up and half-dragged her into the establishment while Virginia held the door and directed them.
Virginia was a slight woman, and her high cheekbones, olive skin, and black hair indicated some Comanche or Apache blood. “I have a small bed set up in the storeroom. She’ll be safer there should anyone start snooping around.”
A lamp lit the dark space, revealing a small bed hidden amid the stored merchandise.
They got Ava under the covers, and Virginia spread a warm quilt over her. Ava gave a deep sigh, snuggled into the folds, and closed her eyes.
Melanie and Mac went out into the store to talk to Virginia. “Thank you for everything. I don’t know what we would’ve done without your help.”
“It’s my pleasure. She’ll feel much better when the drugs Doc Levi mentioned clear her system.” Virginia gave them a sorrowful smile. “We don’t hold with what McIlroy, Markham, and Sheriff Quitman are doing. But the worst is Kern Berringer and his rowdy boys. They ride into town and take whatever they want, sometimes shooting the place up. If anyone says a word, they kill them. It’s terrifying. And now Kern has taken a poor little girl.”
A jolt of excitement went through Melanie. “Did you see her?”
Virginia nodded. “He came in here yesterday. Such a sweet thing. She was screaming, then Kern got rough with her, and she bit his arm. Chomped right down on it and drew blood.”
Melanie inhaled sharply. “What did he do?”
“He slapped her, jerked her around. The judge was in the store and stopped him, or it would’ve been worse.” Virginia poked a strand of hair into the low bun she wore on the back of her head. “Charles told me three men rode in here this morning asking about Kern and the child.”
Tait, Jack, and Clay were here? Help was so close. Excitement rushed through Melanie. She described them, and Virginia confirmed their identities. The woman explained how her husband had showed them Kern’s place. Were they still there? Melanie had to find them. “Will you draw me a map?”
“Oh no, dear, you can’t go out there. It’s far too dangerous. You don’t know what those Berringers are like.”
“I’m sorry, but I do, ma’am. That child is a niece of my husband’s, and he’s hell-bent on getting her back any way he can. I have to go.”
Mac put an arm around her. “You’d just be in the way, daughter. Let them do what they came for and get little Becky. It’s best if you wait here.”
Anger flared. “I’m going, and that’s that. I’d like to speak to Mr. Ussary please.” And if he refused to show her where Kern lived, she’d find someone who would. She had to get to Tait. He loved that little girl and would do anything for her—even swap himself.
Ice coated her insides, and she could barely breathe as thoughts circled in her head.
If he fell into Kern’s clutches, his life wouldn’t be worth two cents. Kern would kill him sure as the sun shone bright outside.
“Charles isn’t here right now, but I’ll tell him you want to talk to him.”
Melanie sat with Ava until she fell asleep, then wandered into the front area of the mercantile. What was keeping Charles? She needed to find Kern’s place before dark.
A rider had stopped in front of the mercantile, and there was something about him that drew her gaze. Or maybe it was the fact that he held a child in his arms. She pressed her face to the window glass.
Jack Bowdre! And the child had to be…Becky?
She raced out the door. “You saved her!”
Jack glanced up. Becky was asleep in his arms. “Where did you come from?”
One look at his haggard face and red-rimmed eyes and she sucked in a sharp, shocked breath. “Where’s Tait?”
“Kern’s got him. He traded himself for Becky. I’ve got to get back and save him.”
“Oh no! Oh no!” Melanie let o
ut a wounded cry, wrapping her arms tightly around her middle. She rocked back and forth, moaning.
The noise woke Becky, who raised her head and looked around, eyes wide. “Mellie! Mellie.”
“Yes, darling. You’re safe now.” She took the child from Jack and gasped at her condition. She’d have to be cleaned up at once. But where? “It’s all right, honey. I’ve got you.”
“Me hurt.”
“I know, sweetheart, and I’m sorry.” Melanie smoothed the matted hair from her face.
“Wuncle.” Tears rolled down Becky’s face as she pointed to the way they’d just come.
“There, sweet girl. We’re going to get him away from that mean man.” And she meant to go help but first had to find someone to watch Becky for a while.
Jack dismounted and looped the reins over the hitching post. “Now, explain how you ended up here.”
She quickly told him about McIlroy’s threatening telegram and how she’d brought him the money. She smiled at the memory of the judge’s frustration at getting only a small portion. “I shot him. I think he’s dead, but I’m not certain. I have my sister back and have hidden her inside the mercantile. McIlroy kept her drugged with something, and she’s terribly weak. And Jack, he chopped off her hair and pulled a tooth. I hate that man. What are your plans now? Please tell me you’ll get Tait out.”
“Sorry your sister suffered at the judge’s hands. He deserves death. Saves us the bother.” Jack pinched the bridge of his nose, his gaze sweeping the dirty street. “I have to try to recruit some men here to go back with me. We need every gun we can rustle up. But first, I need to buy a lot more ammunition. Kern has an army with him.”
Ammunition meant lots of shooting. Men dying.
Mac came up behind her. “I don’t know if I’ll be much use, but I’ll ride along.”
Jack’s brows drew together in thought. “Thanks, but I’m not sure that’s wise. The women need someone to protect them. Would you be willing?”
“Sure. I’ll keep anything from happening to them, and I should probably stay with my daughters anyway.”
“Exactly what I was thinking.” Jack shook his hand. “Thanks, Mr. Dunbar.”
Melanie liked the respect Jack showed her father, although she wasn’t sure Mac deserved it. “Come inside. Maybe Virginia can point me toward a place where I can clean this child up.” She turned to her father and caught him staring at the Wild Jacks Saloon. “Mac, don’t even think it. If I catch you in a saloon again, I’ll shoot you. Ava needs you.”
Mac ran a hand across his coarse gray stubble. “Cain’t a man even look?”
“Not in your case.” She watched him sulk away, but Mac’s mood didn’t concern her at the moment. “Jack, I need to talk to you about something.”
The afternoon had begun to wane, and night would fall in two more hours. If they meant to rescue Tait, their best chance was after dark, and she didn’t know how far it was to Berringer’s place.
Jack angled his unshaven jaw in her direction. “I reckon I know what you want, and the answer is no.”
“Come inside before anyone sees me. I have lots to tell you.”
He held the door, and inside she introduced him to Virginia. “This lady is an angel and helped with my sister.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ussary.” Jack clutched his hat, searching for the man he needed. “Is Charles around?”
Virginia repeated that he’d be back any minute. While she got the boxes of ammunition Jack requested, Melanie rocked Becky, who continued to whimper and cry. “Poor baby. Once we get home, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
Jack met her gaze. “She’s been through hell.”
“I can tell. I despise Kern Berringer!” Melanie turned to Virginia. “I hate to keep asking for favors, but I’d be obliged if you can point me to some water where I can bathe this child.”
She nodded. “Upstairs. The poor dear. While you wash her, I’ll find some fresh clothes for her.”
“I’m truly indebted to you.” Melanie turned to head up the stairs but stopped before taking a step. “Jack, I’m going back with you. Tait is my husband, and he belongs to me—not Berringer. I have to go get him.”
Jack let out an exasperated breath. “I let you come and Tait will kill me.”
Melanie grabbed his arm. “You need me. I can go in with a gun hidden underneath my clothes, and Tait will have a way to fight from the inside. Just think…Tait with a weapon can inflict a lot of damage. You know that.”
Jack was silent, pondering her words. Finally, he nodded. “If he’s in any shape. But that would give us an edge. What about Kern though? He’s already killed too many women. What makes you think he won’t kill you too?” He walked around her and grabbed some medical supplies off the shelf.
Her heart stopped, seeing the bandages, bottles of antiseptic, and needles and thread. Oh God, how badly hurt would Tait be?
“A chance I’ll gladly take. I can carry an extra gun for myself.” She stepped in front of him and brought him to a stop. “What do you think is going to happen the moment you and a posse ride in with guns blazing?”
“Kern will shoot Tait.” He released a low oath. “All right. I see your point. I’ll get you an extra gun, and you’ll be our inside man.” He mumbled something under his breath. “I just pray I’m doing the right thing.”
That made two of them. She knew the horrors Kern liked to inflict on women, and if he made Tait watch… Ice filled her veins at the very thought.
Becky frowned and patted her cheek. “Mellie scared?”
“Just thinking, honey. I’m so happy to have you back. You were a brave, brave girl.”
The child teared up and stuck out her bottom lip. “Man mean.”
“Yes, he was, but he won’t ever get you again.”
“No.” Becky sniffled, and a tear fell down her cheek. It would be a long time before her memory faded.
“Jack, how soon will you leave?”
He stood at the counter while Virginia rang up his purchases. “Half an hour at most.” He paid his bill. “Will you be ready?”
It didn’t give her much time to settle Becky, and she hated to ride out leaving her with strangers so soon, but it couldn’t be helped. She had to go to Tait, had to be there to hold him.
“Yes.” She gave him a hard stare. “Go without me and you’ll regret it.”
A man entered, one Jack called Charles. Melanie rushed up the stairs at the back of the store with Mrs. Ussary and soon had Becky sitting in a tub of warm, soapy water. Only then did the tense muscles in Becky’s thin body relax.
And then too Melanie saw the bruises beneath the dirt.
Sympathy filled Virginia’s eyes. She clucked over Becky but was unable to get a smile from the little girl, so she excused herself and came back with fresh clothes. “These belong to our granddaughter. She wears them when she visits, but she has more than enough, and these probably won’t fit any longer anyway.”
The sunny yellow dress and underclothes were well made and soft to the touch. “You’re a godsend.” Melanie finished washing Becky’s hair then lifted her out of the water and wrapped a towel around her small frame.
“Just getting rid of Kern Berringer is thanks enough. That man makes my blood boil.”
“Mine too. I’ve never known an eviler man. The things he’s done terrify me to the bone.” Melanie listened for Jack’s voice downstairs as she dried Becky and dressed her.
“Yet you’ll still put yourself in danger going out there?”
“For Tait I’ll do anything.” Even die. A moment’s silence filled the room. “Virginia, I hate to ask because you’ve already done so much but—would you know of anyone who’d keep Becky until I return? There’s my father, but she doesn’t know him.” Then there was an issue with trust. Knowing him, he might leave the girl alone to follow the smell of money
—or whiskey.
“This darling child can stay right here. I know my Charles, and he’ll ride out with the men. Your sister and Becky will be safe with me and keep me company to boot.”
A big load lifted from Melanie’s shoulders. She reached for the woman’s hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.”
After that, she went to check on Ava and found her awake. She smiled at Becky. “Who’s this?”
“My husband’s little niece.” Melanie sat on the side of the bed and told her about the kidnapping and that Tait had traded himself for the child.
“Takes a strong man to do that. She’s so sweet.” Ava took Becky’s hand and said hello.
Then Becky did an unbelievable thing. She lay down next to Ava and sighed like she was with family.
Maybe she was.
“Ava, I’m really sorry about your hair. I almost died when McIlroy sent it to me.” Melanie lightly touched the short bob, her heart breaking, recalling how long and beautiful her hair had been. “There was also a tooth in the box. Did the judge pull any?”
Her sister nodded, anguish lining her face. She opened her mouth and showed her a gap on the bottom. Thank goodness it wasn’t right in front.
“I’ll never forgive myself for what you went through. I should’ve been the one to stay behind.”
“No.” Ava weakly touched Melanie’s cheek. “My choice.”
That did little to ease her guilt. Not long after, Ava fell back asleep, and Melanie took Becky out. She felt much better about leaving her behind at the mercantile. Once she got Tait out of Kern’s clutches, things would be almost perfect.
But she knew better than to count on too much. Situations like this had a way of turning on a dime.
* * *
Tait hung by his ankles from a tall cottonwood. Blood trickled into his mouth, choking him. He tried to spit but found it impossible in his position. All he could do was hang there and wait for what would come next. Whatever it was, he knew it would be excruciating.
At least Becky was free and could grow up into a fine young woman. Nothing else mattered. He didn’t matter. He’d ruined his life long before this. Maybe doing one noble thing could change where he’d spend eternity.