by Jodi Thomas
“Those who have the money are planning to bid. Those who don’t will bet on how the ranger meets his end. The favorite way is hanging or maybe firing squad, but a few are placing money on the more unusual ways.”
“Doesn’t sound like a bet I’d want in on.” Lewt motioned the bartender to bring the girl another drink. She’d earned it.
He wanted to ask more questions, but he had a feeling her lips were just as loose talking to the guards as to him. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention. “Good food,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it to be.”
The girl smiled as she took her new drink. “That it is. Toledo found two women wandering around down here about six months back. They said they were murderers on the run. We all thought they were touched in the head. Appears they’re sisters. Walking proof craziness runs in families. Toledo offered them a job in the kitchen ’cause the food was so bad the pigs wouldn’t eat it.” She raised her empty glass and continued. “The sisters were so good, she fired the worthless cook she had and kept them on. Pays them a good salary but charges them for board. They’ll probably never make enough to get out of here, and even if they did, where would they go?”
Lewt smiled as he finished off his meal. “Aren’t you afraid they’ll murder you one day? After all, women don’t usually kill, but once they pick it up, it’s something they tend to make a habit of.”
“No. Even if they thought of it, Toledo keeps a guard in the kitchen.”
“Why?”
The girl shrugged. “I don’t know. None of us have been allowed in there for a week. We take our meals at a table behind the bar. The guards are the only ones allowed to eat in the kitchen, and they take full advantage. Every last one of them is getting fat, and the rest of us feel like all we ever get is the leftovers.”
Lewt didn’t have to ask more. He knew where Duncan was. In this country, Toledo would have wanted him close. In the barn, it would be too easy for someone to steal or kill him. And if she had him here, it made sense there would be a guard near.
“I better get back to the game, honey, but when I finish, I’ll book some time with you if I have enough money left. Until then, why don’t you have a bottle on me and rest a spell?”
“Sounds good,” she said. “I might just call it a night. I’m in room three, so just come on in if you’re interested in a little fun later. If I don’t wake up, leave the money.”
“I’ll do that,” he said, thinking that after kissing Em he never wanted to sleep with a woman who didn’t ask or care what his name was. In fact, even if all he ever did was kiss Em, that would be far better than sleeping the rest of his life with someone like this.
He gave her money enough to buy a bottle and watched the girl go to the bar, pick up a full bottle, and disappear down the hallway to her room. He knew he wouldn’t see her for hours, and when he did she’d be too hung over to remember him or anything they’d talked about.
Lewt stood and returned to the game. He played through the night, losing a little more than he won. He watched everything around him.
The old lady on the walk above disappeared about ten and never returned. The guards became far less interested in their jobs once she’d vanished. A few ordered drink after drink. About two in the morning one of the guards pulled a saloon girl into his chair by the door and satisfied his lust with her. He looked like he might have a heart attack, and she looked bored. Few in the bar bothered to notice.
Lewt had watched such acts all his life and was surprised when he heard a man call it making love. Nothing about it seemed to involve even mild caring. Lewt wasn’t like some men who treated women like objects to own, or worse, like pets to keep around just to play with, but he’d never really thought of a woman as standing on equal footing. He’d heard a few men talk about their wives or mothers as angels, but he’d seen little of that in his life. More than anything, women were a mystery to him. A mystery he hadn’t had time or opportunity to study.
Or, maybe he hadn’t wanted to until now. Until he met Em. Lewt wished he had a few nights or months to think about it, but right now he had to play poker and keep his eyes sharp. Duncan was close, he could feel it. Getting his friend out of this mess might cost him his life if he didn’t play every card right. Yet as the hours passed he couldn’t ban Em from the back of his mind.
By three there were more men asleep or passed out in the bar than awake. Lewt stood, stretched, and headed out the back door to the outhouse. No one seemed to even notice he’d left.
Once outside he circled around to the well as if just wanting a drink, then walked to the nearest entrance. He didn’t go in but peeked in the window. Sure enough, he’d found the kitchen.
One guard appeared to be leaning against a bolted door. He looked sound asleep.
Lewt walked back to where he’d tied his horse and disappeared into the night without making a sound.
Less than thirty minutes later he was waking everyone up at the camp, and none seemed too happy about it.
Wyatt rolled awake with a gun in his hand. Sumner seemed to crawl from sleep one limb at a time, and Em sat up rubbing her eyes like a child.
Lewt stared hard at her, needing to erase all he’d seen tonight. Needing the purity and plainness of her with her braid and work clothes and no makeup or frills.
“We’ve got to go in tonight,” he said as the others gathered around the dying campfire. “I think I know where he is, but it’ll take two to go in and get him and another two to stand guard, one with the horses, one on a rise about a hundred yards away from the house. It’ll provide cover and an easy getaway into trees.”
Sumner nodded, knowing his job would be as one of the two lookouts. “Does it have a clear view of the entrances?”
Lewt nodded. “From the rise a shooter can see the back entrance and, more important, the open area to the barn and corral where all the horses are kept.”
“We have to get in and out before the cooks get up to start breakfast.” Lewt fought the adrenaline already rumbling through his veins. He’d never thought of himself as brave, and now, somehow, he had to lead the charge. “So I’m guessing we have until a little before dawn to get Duncan out. This doesn’t look like the kind of place where anyone gets up early.”
Showing little sign that he’d been asleep, Wyatt stood and picked up his rifle. “From now until the first hint of sunrise it’ll be darkest. I’m not sure they’ll be able to follow us if we get a quarter-mile start, and Sumner and I scouted out a few routes besides the main trail that will get us home.”
Lewt nodded, and they all stepped into action.
Sumner and Em scrambled, collecting their things. Wyatt had left his horse saddled, but he helped Lewt load the packs. He saddled one of the extra horses they’d brought and walked the pack horse into the trees, saying they’d come back for the animal later.
“Any word how hurt he is?” Wyatt’s voice was low as he stood beside Lewt. “Do you think he’ll be able to ride? If we have to take him out by wagon, we’ll have to fight all the way to the border.”
“No, but the old woman is planning to have the auction tomorrow. I figure he’s as good as he’s ever going to get, and tomorrow night will be too late.”
Wyatt agreed. “Sumner won’t admit it, but his hand shakes a bit. How about I go in with you while Sumner and the girl cover us? The old man will do best with the horses. She can cover us from the rise. That will keep her out of the fight as much as possible, and with luck she won’t have to fire a shot.”
“Sounds good. You tell Em.”
“Not on your life. You’re the one who can cuddle up to her. She gives me looks like she’d shoot me if I burped.”
Lewt knew it was a waste of time to argue. He moved over to Em and put his hands around her waist to help her up, but he didn’t lift. “Em,” he whispered just behind her ear. “I want you to stay close to Sumner.” He could feel her stiffen, preparing to argue with him, so he hurried on. “If it comes to a shoot-out, I need to know you�
�re close to him and can take care of you both. I’ll get Duncan. If he’s hurt I may have to carry him, and I don’t think you could do that. Wyatt’s a fighter. He’ll blast away and be fine if we’re attacked. I won’t worry about Sumner if I know you’re keeping an eye on him.”
He could feel her debating and knew she’d as soon fire up at him as go along. She’d come to save Duncan, not hold the horses or provide cover if something went wrong.
He kissed the spot just below her ear, hoping a change of subject might settle her. “When this is over, I’m coming for that kiss. It may be the only one you give me, so I plan to make it last.”
Moving his hand around her, he brushed the side of her breast, hoping to distract her. She felt so soft beneath her shirt that he almost forgot his own name, and he realized his plan was backfiring.
“I’ll watch Sumner,” she whispered as she shot into the saddle without his help. “I’ll also be close enough to cover your lying, no-good hide. Now, Mr. Gambler, I’ll thank you to keep your hands off me.”
Her words were so cold they shocked him. He fought down an oath and climbed on his horse. As they rode through the night he tried to figure out how a woman could run so hot one minute and so cold the next. She could cut him to the bone with her words and make him feel on fire with her kiss. He didn’t know if she was crazy, or if she’d driven him over the edge.
By the time they were within sight of Three Forks, Lewt decided he should marry her and keep some other poor soul from going mad. Any man who married her would need armor to survive a year.
CHAPTER 28
DUNCAN DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS, BUT THE candle had burned low, telling him Ramon would unlock the door soon. The guard would send Anna out to the kitchen to start the fires and stare at Duncan for a while.
They no longer talked. Duncan couldn’t pretend not to hate the huge man with his ugly face and worthless arm that swung at his side when he constantly shifted, like some huge animal looking for footing.
Standing slowly, Duncan tried not to make a sound. He dressed, watching Anna sleep in the candle’s glow. He had to get her out of here. It meant more to him than his own life. He’d watched her carefully. Though she never spoke, there was an intelligence about her that surprised him. Everyone treated her like a slow-minded child, but he noticed method to her actions.
He stepped away from her, faced the door, and began practicing pulling his Colt from leather. He wanted to shoot Ramon the moment he opened the door, but that would draw too much attention. If he could somehow get the big man down, dead or unconscious, maybe he’d have a few minutes of time to slip out before anyone noticed. He also had to keep Anna near, for there would be no time to look for her.
When he moved the chair behind the door, he glanced at the bed and saw her staring at him. Fear danced in her dark eyes along with the firelight.
“It’s time,” he whispered.
She nodded once, understanding.
He motioned toward her clothes, but she didn’t move. Crossing the room, he held out his hand and waited.
Slowly, she laid her hand in his and let him tug her toward her stack of clothes.
He bent down and whispered, “We’re leaving today, Anna. You have to be dressed by the time the door is unlocked. Get ready. Take what is important to you. You will not be coming back here.”
She began to pack the few things she owned. A change of clothes. A hairbrush. A small bag that looked large enough to hold a few coins. Then, with him standing close watching her, she slipped out of her nightgown, rewrapped her breasts and put on her clothes.
She might be less than five feet tall and have the angel face of a child, but she was definitely a woman. Duncan guessed it might have been proper manners to turn his gaze elsewhere, but he couldn’t have looked away if a gun had been at his head. One way or the other, their time in this room was over and he wanted to see the only lovely thing he’d seen since he’d been hurt and brought here.
When she finished dressing, she looked up and smiled. It crossed his mind that she was aware of the gift she’d just given him.
He smiled down at her. “Ready?”
She strapped the bag over her back like a pack and nodded.
He explained his plan to her and they got in place and waited. Most mornings Ramon came after dawn. Duncan could hear the women in the kitchen when he opened the door. But twice, the big guy must have not been able to sleep so he’d unlocked the door while all the house beyond seemed silent. He’d said he was checking on Duncan, but he always stayed to talk.
Duncan suspected he’d broken in early to bother Anna because after he said a few words, he’d always close the door so no one would hear and try to touch her. Once Duncan was well enough to watch, the big man slowed his game. Maybe he worried that Duncan might tell the old lady, or maybe he thought Duncan might try to help the girl.
“I’ve touched her a few times,” he’d brag when he was too out of breath to chase her any longer. “And soon, I’ll handle her good and proper. When I’m through with her she’ll be lucky if she can walk from my bed, much less run. After she’s mine, I’ll touch her whenever I feel like it.”
Duncan stared at Anna and knew Ramon’s predictions would never come true. She’d escape today, or die. Either way, she’d be free of him.
They needed to be ready early. If Ramon didn’t unlock the door before the candle that never lasted the night went out, Duncan planned to make some noise that would draw Ramon in early. He had to knock the man out and get away before anyone woke.
About the time Duncan thought Ramon wouldn’t be coming in early, he heard a shuffling sound from the other side of the door and the bolt slid sideways.
Anna stood at her post five feet in front of the door. She’d combed her wild hair and, for once, stood tall as if she knew she was the bait for the trap.
Duncan hoped Ramon would see her first. She’d be close enough to catch and he’d head toward her without looking toward the empty bed. Once the big man stepped one foot in, Duncan would slam the chair into his head and hopefully knock him out.
If he didn’t go down, Duncan planned to fight while Anna would run and close the door. He had no doubt Ramon had a powerful punch with his one good arm, but Duncan knew he could and would take the man to the floor.
It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was all he could think of.
The door swung open.
Ramon walked in, staring straight ahead at Anna. “Well, there you are waiting for me this morning like I told you to be.”
Anna took a step toward him, making sure he looked nowhere but at her. Ramon raised his good hand, reaching for her, almost touching her. “I’m going to be easy on you this morning, girl, if you don’t fight me. All I want to do is feel if you’ve grown any and maybe touch your legs a bit. We’ll—”
Duncan swung the chair hard, then pulled his Colt and delivered another blow before Ramon hit the floor, out cold.
Duncan glanced up at Anna, expecting to see her smiling, but her big black eyes were filled with terror as she stared at the open door behind him. He was confused for a moment before he heard a familiar low voice.
“Well, that was easy,” Wyatt said. “I thought I’d have to kill the bull and carry you out.”
Duncan straightened. “’Bout time you got here.” He couldn’t hold back a smile. The one ranger who never gave up hadn’t given up on him.
Wyatt grinned, then dropped to his knee and began tying Ramon’s good hand to his useless one. “Don’t look like you needed me, partner.”
“I’ll need you to get out.” He moved toward Anna. “We’re taking her with us.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Wyatt said as he gagged Ramon.
“We’re taking her,” Duncan answered, knowing there would be no more discussion. He took Anna’s hand, fearing she’d freeze with fright.
The door bumped again and Lewt stepped in almost casually. “Hello,” he said, and tipped his hat at Anna. “Mind if I join the esc
ape?”
Duncan laughed. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to help. It seems the only people they welcome here are gamblers. So I rode in first and figured out where you were. We couldn’t very well go knocking on doors in a place like this.” He watched Duncan favor his leg. “How are you feeling? Can you ride?”
“I’m weak as a kitten, but I can make it. Doesn’t look like I have much of a choice. My stay here is over. It’s ride or stay around here having them fight over who kills me.”
Lewt helped Wyatt lift Ramon onto the bed and tie his head to the bedpost. If he wiggled too much, he’d choke himself.
“Is he alive?” Duncan asked as he collected his gun and hat.
Wyatt raised an eyebrow. “Do you care?”
“Nope,” Duncan answered, remembering how the big man had let Toledo hurt Anna. “I don’t care at all as long as he doesn’t wake anyone up.”
“We need to move fast,” Wyatt said, as he pulled his gun and crossed to the door. “Lewt unbuckled any saddles still on horses, and I opened the corral to other stock. Hopefully by the time they figure out we’ve gone, we’ll be too far ahead to catch. The hard part will be making it to our horses without being noticed.”
Duncan motioned for Anna to stay close, and they stepped out into the kitchen. Halfway across the floor, they heard a rattling at the back door.
They all froze, as if making a sound would draw more attention than being seen.
Sarah J, the taller of the two cooks, came in first. She glanced across the room and saw them in the shadowy light.
Rachel Elizabeth bumped into her sister, then turned and looked at them. Her eyes widened, but to her credit, she didn’t say a word.