by Linda Broday
He heard his father’s voice in his ear. “You’re worthless, an evil seed. Better to cast you out than try to save your sorry ass.”
Yeah. He thought of other things he’d been called—scum, killer, bastard, and worse. His eyes filled with tears. This was a fitting way for him to die. Maybe he could do better in the next life.
His vision blurred, but not enough to block out the sight of Kern approaching, a thick piece of wood in his hands. Dread crawled from Tait’s stomach, and he gritted his teeth.
“Before I’m finished with you, Trinity, you’ll wish I’d just killed you.” Kern knelt down and grabbed a handful of hair, yanking Tait’s head up. “And look who else is here—your friend Markham.”
Markham bent down, careful not to wrinkle his expensive suit. “How’s it going, Trinity?”
“I’d like to chat, but I’m kinda tied up at the moment, you sonofabitch.”
The thin mustache above Markham’s top lip didn’t move when he gave Tait an arrogant smile. “I intend to let Kern take every cent of the money you stole from me out of your miserable hide.”
“That won’t put it back in your hands, now will it, Markey?”
“Maybe not, but I’ll get immense satisfaction from the process.” Markham smoothed back his hair even though every greased strand was glued in place.
Tait’s skin turned clammy. The only reason Markham was there was to see him die. He had one last barb to throw. “I noticed business has fallen off. Could it be folks are afraid to ride the Missouri River Railroad? Not that I blame them. They probably don’t trust you.”
The man’s face flushed as he straightened. He nodded to Kern and stepped away.
Tait looked up at the sky, thinking it had never been prettier. The blue was giving way to darker colors and gave the appearance of a swirling kaleidoscope. He tightened his jaw as the first blow struck mid-back, sending him spinning away from the tree. Burning, piercing pain shot through him.
A second blow came and a third before blessed darkness closed around him and the world went quiet and still.
Melanie’s face floated in front of him. She reached for his hand and led him to a beautiful garden filled with every kind of flower. He lay down on the carpet of grass and put his head in her lap.
No one could touch him here.
She lowered her head and placed her lips on his. God, how he loved this woman. Why hadn’t he told her when he’d had the chance? Now she’d never know what was in his heart.
Thirty-four
Melanie sat in a chair in the mercantile holding Becky. Partially hidden by a pile of leather goods, she stared out the window, waiting for Jack, praying he hadn’t gone back on his word.
Virginia finished waiting on a customer and came over to check on them. Melanie knew she had to break the news to Becky, and this seemed as good a time as any.
“Honey, I’m going to have to leave you here with Miss Virginia for a bit. I don’t want you to be scared. All right?”
Becky glanced up, her blue eyes bright amid the bruises that marred her skin. “Go get wuncle.”
“Yes, honey, I will. You won’t be afraid, will you?”
“Me scared.”
“But not of me, are you?” Virginia asked gently.
Becky shook her head. “Like you.”
Virginia patted the girl’s leg. “I’ll keep you safe, and we’ll have a good time. You can help me take care of your aunt Ava.”
One short nod sent Becky’s blond curls dancing, and she stared at her hands.
Melanie hugged her close. “Do you know how much I love you?”
Again, a nod. It seemed the girl didn’t want to voice the things that frightened her. Melanie didn’t blame her. The more danger she herself was in, the quieter she became.
Becky raised her head, tears bubbling in her blue eyes. “Wuncle hurt.”
“I don’t know, honey. But I have to go help him.”
“Me stay with other Mellie.” Becky pointed toward the room where Ava was sleeping and made her announcement as though it settled everything. And truly it did. Becky felt close to Ava because she looked like Melanie. Now Melanie could go without feeling guilty for leaving.
Her gaze landed on a knife case. Who knew what she’d run into out there? She should prepare for any situation. She carried Becky over to look at them. A small knife would be easy to hide in the straps securing the guns.
Footsteps sounded, and Mac nudged her arm. “Here, take mine. It might come in handy.”
“Thanks.” She took his pocketknife and, ducking into the storeroom where Ava lay, secured it under her riding skirt next to the gun on her right leg. Becky grinned.
When she came out, movement through the window caught her attention. She leaned forward and stared at three men striding through the mercantile door. She recognized Jack and Charles Ussary, but the other…
Could it be?
The three men entered the building, their bootheels striking the wood floor. Melanie’s breath stilled. She propped Becky on her hip and rushed over. “Sam Legend!”
The man’s wide grin showed his teeth. “In the flesh, Miss Melanie.” He kissed her cheek. “Jack filled me in on everything. I’m sorry about Tait. His situation is grave.”
“I keep thinking I hear his voice or the sound of his bootheels on the floor.” She struggled to find a smile. “I thought you were headed home to the Lone Star.” She watched Ussary go to his wife, how he pulled her against him, the tender way he held her. Tears burned her eyes as cherished memories crowded new thoughts from her mind. Melanie blinked hard and swallowed.
“I was.” Sam thumbed back his hat to expose trail-weary lines around his mouth and eyes. “On the way through Saint’s Roost, the telegraph operator flagged us down with a message from the governor. He ordered me to come take care of McIlroy, so Pa and the others went on, and here I am.”
“I shot McIlroy. He tried to stop me when I went for Ava.”
“He earned what he got, so don’t waste time on regrets.” Becky grunted and reached for Sam. He took her, and she looked at home in the big lawman’s arms. His mouth tightened at Becky’s bruises. “I’m glad this little girl is safe. Berringer better hide because we’re coming.”
“We can sure use you if you can spare the time. I take it Jack didn’t mention that I’m coming along.”
Sam’s startled gaze shot to Jack.
Jack gave him a nod. “I was against it at first, but she can out-argue my wife. Melanie will be a big help.”
“I trust your judgment, Bowdre.” Sam’s gray eyes shifted to Melanie, and he gave her a slight nod as though to say everything would be all right. “Tell me your plan.”
Sam’s quickness to jump in warmed Melanie’s heart. She grew fonder of this Legend man each time she saw him. He had the kind of spirit that never backed away from a fight.
While Jack explained, men on horseback began congregating in front of the store. Jack appeared to have found a few good citizens to ride with them after all.
When Jack finished, Melanie asked, “How many extra men signed on?”
“Five. Given more time, I probably could’ve gotten more. Still, that’s a fair amount to add to Clay, Sam, and me. If you’re ready to ride, we should get going.” Jack took Becky, kissed her, and handed her to Melanie.
Melanie struggled with her composure as she hugged Becky and told her how much she loved her.
The child blew her a kiss. “Love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.” She let Virginia take her and hurried outside before she could start blubbering. She adjusted her hat on her head and looked around for her father.
When she glanced up, Mac came toward her leading Cherokee. She gave her father a grateful smile and climbed into the saddle, vowing to be more understanding. Maybe she’d misjudged him a little. Time would tell—a
s it usually did.
“Take good care of Ava and Becky, Mac.”
“Will do.” He rested a hand on the black gelding’s neck. “Be careful. Kern’s a mean one.”
She gave him a nod, and the group left town. They galloped for about half an hour before cutting down a narrow trail for about a mile where they crossed a creek, then rode through a tangle of brush and undergrowth.
Fear gripped her heart tighter with each thundering hoof. Would Tait be alive by the time they arrived? It had been hours since he’d ridden into Berringer’s place. From what she’d heard, Kern didn’t seem a man given to patience.
“Hold on, Tait. We’re coming.” She clung to the reins, urging her horse faster, praying they’d get there in time. If they didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to go on. Tait gave her courage and made her believe in herself. Without him, she’d be lost and afraid all the rest of her days.
Full dark covered them by the time they rode into the small, cheerless camp. Clay came to meet them, and she sensed thick displeasure at her presence.
He shot her a black look and jabbed a finger in Jack’s chest. “Why did you bring her? She has no business here.”
Melanie dismounted and marched to him. If he intended to send her packing, he’d have a fight on his hands. “Tait is my husband, and I have more right to be here than anyone. Regardless of how you feel, I think I can be of real help. Now would you like to hear our plan or not?”
Jack and Sam swung from their saddles, and the rest of the men gathered around.
“Calm down, Clay.” Jack handed him a box of ammunition. “Melanie is the only one of us who can get inside and close enough to Tait to give him a gun. We have to get a gun in his hand before we launch an assault, or Berringer will put a bullet in his head before we get within firing range.”
“I was thinking about trying to slip in around midnight. I’d like to spare her the risks.” Clay’s dark gaze pierced her. “You know what Kern is capable of.”
Anger sparked inside her. Melanie straightened her back and raised her chin. “Stop it. I know what Kern’s done. I heard it in gory detail and I’ve accepted what he might do to me. Does it scare me? Shoot, yeah. But I have to help Tait, and like it or not, I’m the best hope we have.”
Sam spoke in the moment of silence. “She’s right. From what I’ve heard about Berringer’s hideout, they have it locked down tight with guards. There’s no way to sneak a man inside and get to Tait. Whereas Melanie can demand to see her husband.”
Clay snorted. “Fine. We’ll do it this way. I pray to God you’re right.”
They checked their guns, gave Melanie an extra and waited while she secured it under her skirt. Clay led four of the volunteers on foot across the dark landscape toward Kern Berringer’s house. They’d attack from there while the others mounted a frontal assault.
Melanie and the rest of the men climbed into their saddles in silence.
Terror gripped her like bands of steel until she could barely hold on. Tait’s voice was in her head, describing how his wife and sister had suffered before they met their end. If this mission to save him went wrong—was she truly ready to die at Kern’s hand?
She wound through the mesquite and scrub oak, every second taking her closer to the villain who held her beloved in his grasp.
“Yes, I am,” she whispered into the night. “Tait took a chance on me, and I’ll give my life for him.”
Berringer couldn’t take away her memories of the hours spent lying in Tait’s arms, his body next to hers. The kisses. The caresses. Talk of the future. The children.
Jack reached for her gelding’s bridle and held it. “After the guard lets you pass, we’ll take care of him and the next one too so we can get closer. You still sure you want to do this? There’s no shame in backing out.”
“I’m going.” She steadied the quaking inside. “I’ll sacrifice anything for my husband.”
“Okay. Keep riding on this road and lock your eyes ahead.”
“You’re not alone. At the first shot, we’re riding in,” Sam reminded her. “Berringer won’t have time to blink.”
Yes, but it only took half a second to kill a person. She immediately put the thought from her head. This was going to work, and they’d all live long and happy lives. She had to believe.
“Thanks, Sam.” Melanie gripped the reins tighter to hide her trembles and the magnitude of what she was about to do twisted in her stomach. “I’m glad you’re here.”
A glance up at the stars and the reminder of what Tait had probably already endured settled her nerves. She nudged her gelding forward until she came to the road that led to Tait.
The guard stepped out. “Halt! What in the hell are you doing here, lady?”
“I’m Mrs. Trinity, and I demand to see my husband.”
“This ain’t no palace, ma’am, and you ain’t no queen. Turn around and go home.”
“I’m staying. I’ll sit right here with you until I’m allowed to see Tait. I’m a talker when I’m nervous, and I wonder what shape you’ll be in after listening to me all night.” When the man still wavered, she added. “I can be a real pain in the rear end, mister. You won’t get any rest.”
“Hellfire!” The man removed his hat and stared up at her, his thick mustache and beard almost completely hiding his mouth. “I’m in trouble no matter what I decide. I reckon you can go on.” His sour tone matched his expression.
“Thank you so much,” she said sweetly as he fired his gun in the air to alert those farther up the trail.
About a half mile onward, another guard jumped down from a tree branch into the road in front of her, a gun pointed at her heart. “Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?”
Melanie lifted her chin a trifle. “I’m Mrs. Trinity, and I’ve come to see my husband.”
“Turn around and go back the way you came. I can’t let you pass.”
She released a sob that didn’t have to be the pretend kind. “I’ve come so far and ridden for days. I can’t go home until I at least see him one last time.” Tears rolled down Melanie’s face. “I have to say goodbye if he’s going to die. It’s barbaric to keep me from doing so. Every condemned man gets one last request.”
A man on a horse materialized from the thick gloom. “It’s fine, Dan.” He took the reins of her horse and began to move toward a house rising from the landscape. The guard didn’t protest.
Melanie tried to see his face, but it was too dark, and his hat created even darker shadows. Kern Berringer? Quite possibly. He definitely held some kind of authority. She didn’t speak, determined to wait him out. She didn’t have a long wait.
A house emerged from the darkness, and they reined to a stop. Melanie glanced around, hoping to see Tait, and was disappointed that she didn’t.
“Off your horse,” the rider barked.
A group of well-armed men gathered around them as she obeyed, her knees trembling. The rider jerked a lantern from one of his followers and held it up. The terrifying sight of him drove her back. The hair lifted on the back of her neck and along her arms as she stared into the face of evil.
She couldn’t tell the color of his eyes, but the glittering, feverish glow from them struck fear into her very soul. She gasped and stepped back. Chills rose on her arms. His stark features, totally devoid of hair, appeared like something from hell.
The man took a slow turn around her. He pinched her bottom, a breast, a shoulder. It was as though he tested her will. She didn’t cry out or flinch, just glared.
Inwardly, though, her knees shook and mouth went dry. She’d entered the lair of a certified born killer.
Had he already snuffed out Tait’s life? If so, her chances had sunk to zero.
“What’re we gonna do with her, Pa?” one man asked.
Kern didn’t answer him right away. “You’re the spitting image of your
sister. You oughtn’t have come, Miz Trinity.”
“I want to see my husband.” She cleared her voice and put some starch in her request. “To say goodbye. Surely you won’t prevent me from doing so.”
“What makes you believe he’s here?”
So he was still alive at least. Hope filled her.
“I saw Jack Bowdre, and he told me. Thank you for releasing little Becky.” A little praise didn’t hurt anything.
“Can’t stand bawling kids. The brat bit me too.” Kern spoke to the young man on his right. “Check her for weapons, son.”
The nice-looking underling moved forward, a little hesitant at first then with more surety as he must’ve realized his father was testing him. “Hold out your arms, ma’am.”
She sucked in a breath and obeyed, a rivulet of sweat trickling down her back. “I have no weapon, but you’re welcome to see for yourself.”
The man had lost the last traces of boyhood and appeared about nineteen or twenty. He placed his hands on each of her sides under her arms and proceeded to pat his way down her body. His palms lingered a moment too long on the sides of her breasts, then he felt around her waist. “Nothin’ here, Pa.”
Kern nodded to another, an older man who bore facial features to Earl back in the cell in Hope’s Crossing. He appeared older than her by five years at least. “Frank, take her into the house, check her again. Women like to hide things. Then tie her real good. You know what to do.”
Panic swept over her. “I demand to see Tait. Just let me talk to him one more time. Please.”
“Miz Trinity, you should know your chances of leaving here alive are pretty slim.” Kern stuck his face into hers, his rank breath gagging her. “I want to make Trinity lose his mind, and I can think of nothing that’ll do the trick faster than having to watch another wife die a horrible death. Maybe I’ll use fire this time.” His twisted grin triggered waves of fear that strangled her and stole her voice. “Yes, that’ll drive Trinity over the edge.”