Lone Star Lover

by Debbi Rawlins

  “Did I say anything when you found me?” Jake asked, as he swung down from his horse.

  “No.”

  Something in the older man’s voice made Jake ask, “Am I the first man you’ve found here?”

  Slow Jim closed his eyes for a long moment and when he looked back, it was with weary resignation. “No. I told you. Many spirits.”

  “Do they go back where they came from? These other spirits?”

  Slow Jim stared at the boulder for a long time, and just when Jake had given up on an answer, he said, “I haven’t seen it. But there are stories. Spirits moving back and forth. I don’t know if there’s any truth to it.”

  “But there are stories.”

  “It’s not good to be here. You should leave.”

  Jake hesitated, his gaze going once again to the spot beside the boulder. Slow Jim was right. He shouldn’t be messing with things he didn’t understand. At least not now. If he were to suddenly be sucked back into the future…Without Rebecca? What if he couldn’t take her with him?

  The mere thought had more impact than if the earth had quaked beneath his feet. Fisting the reins tighter, he glanced at Slow Jim. “Thanks for showing me how to get here. I’ll find my way back.”

  The man studied him for a few seconds, shrugged his shoulders then wheeled his horse toward town.

  Not daring to move toward the boulder, Jake stood for a good five minutes before he mounted, thinking about the others who had traveled here. Had they come from a distant past? A future he couldn’t comprehend? Was it all an accident, a wrong step, or were those who traveled meant to? It was all so crazy he had to shake himself to get his mind right again.

  The ride out had taken about half an hour. He’d paid close attention to landmarks and he was certain he could find the place later. When Rebecca was with him.

  He’d purposely been trying to keep her from his thoughts. He had to stay focused. According to Kitty, there was only one way to Austin and, in her words, he’d have to be a damn fool to get lost. She’d given him specific directions, even though he’d refused to admit that that’s where he was headed. He didn’t believe that Rebecca had confided in her friend because she understood the stakes were too high to take that chance. He guessed that Kitty had seen the proverbial writing on the wall, and she was a smart one. The good thing was, her giving him directions to Austin told him he was right to be heading there. No matter, he trusted her to keep Rebecca safe.

  Something he’d promised to do.

  Shit. He couldn’t go there. Rebecca was fine. He had to believe that. Too many lives depended on him. He’d taken an oath, one he held close to his heart.

  He dug his heels in and flicked the reins.

  TWO HOURS AFTER Jake had left town, Rebecca sat on Kitty’s bed and watched her dig through her dresser drawer.

  “You’ll need a coat.” Kitty pulled out a pair of men’s wool socks that had been rolled into a big thick ball. “I saw one at the general store last week. It’ll be big on you but it’ll do the trick.”

  Still numb, she watched her friend find the opening and then reach inside the sock. Kitty withdrew a fistful of silver coins and gold pieces, and then looked over with a satisfied smile. As soon as she met Rebecca’s eyes, her lips drooped.

  “You better stop your moping. We have things to do before I can get you out of town.” Kitty went to the window for a quick look outside. “Wade and two of the boys left a half hour ago. I don’t know where Corbin is. That’s the problem.”

  “Kitty, I can’t take your money. I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me.”

  “Damn it, Rebecca. Don’t give me a hard time. I promised Jake I’d take care of you and—”

  “Don’t.” She wanted to cover her ears, hearing his name was too painful. “If he was worried, he wouldn’t have left me.”

  “Oh, honey, he didn’t want to leave you.” Kitty dropped the money on the dresser and sat beside Rebecca. “He’s coming back, you’ll see.”

  “I don’t believe he is,” she whispered, the word dead echoing in her head.

  Kitty gasped. “Don’t say such a thing. Do you think he’d abandon you? He’s not like the rest of them, Rebecca. You have to know that by now.”

  She stared down at her hands. She’d already suffered too much loss. First, her parents and her brother, and then even Running Bear. Though he hadn’t been a husband of her choosing, he had not been unkind and kept her safe as he had vowed to do.

  “Rebecca.” Kitty shook her arm. “Listen to your heart. You know your man will be back. For goodness’ sakes, he’s already shown you that he’s honorable—”

  “And it’s going to get him killed.” Her voice cracked, and she stared at her hands again. “Jake is only one man. He can’t go up against the captain and—” She realized what she’d said and threw Kitty an apologetic look.

  “Don’t worry.” Kitty sighed. “I’ve taken off my blinders.” Her chin quivered. “I wish you could’ve known Wade in the old days. He was a different man….”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Kitty shrugged. “Jake is too smart to go up against Wade and the others alone. My guess is that he’s getting help in Austin.”

  “And if the men there don’t listen? Jake is a stranger to them. They know the captain and—” She saw the concern in Kitty’s eyes, and understood that her friend had come to the same conclusion. Of course she didn’t know about Jake being from the future, but the men in Austin might assume he was a greenhorn from the East and not take him seriously.

  “He’ll make them understand, honey. Jake is smart, and he has a way with words.”

  Rebecca swallowed and pushed to her feet. “I can tell them what I heard the other night.”

  Kitty’s eyes darkened with fear. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m going to need that coat. A horse and knife, too.” She’d been selfish not to tell Jake what she’d overheard. She knew he would act on the information, but she’d wanted him to take her away and help her find Bird Song.

  “Rebecca, this is madness.”

  “I’m a good rider and I know the terrain better than he does.” Rebecca tied her hair back, her mind racing ahead. Jake would be furious, but she didn’t care. Her father’s ego and stubbornness had gotten her family killed. The same flaws had put Running Bear into the ground. She wouldn’t stand for a man’s stupidity, not anymore. “Will you help me?”

  Kitty nodded haltingly, her wretched expression squeezing Rebecca’s heart.

  “You could come with me. Stay in Austin and make a new start.”

  Kitty snorted. “Honey, I can’t ride a horse worth spit.” She shoved some coins into Rebecca’s hand, and then picked up her bundled cloak. She stood over the bed and lifted one corner of the garment. It unfurled and with a soft thud, Rebecca saw one of Cook’s big kitchen knives land on the quilt. “I have a horse from Otis Sanford’s ranch at the livery. It’ll take me a while to get a saddle, though.”

  Rebecca smiled. “I only know how to ride bareback.”

  “Ah, yes.” Kitty bit her lower lip, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

  It was hard to witness. Nothing ever made Kitty cry. Rebecca slid her arms around her and hugged her fiercely. “Go to Mr. Otis’s ranch. Don’t stay here.”

  “I just might do that.”

  Rebecca pulled back. “Please, Kitty. You’re so certain Jake will return. Promise you’ll wait for us there.”

  “Go get what you need from your room.” Kitty handed her the knife. “I’ll meet you in the alley next to the livery with some food and a canteen.”

  Rebecca hid the knife in the folds of her skirt until she could properly sheathe it. Nodding, she moved backward, sadly aware that her friend had not made her a promise. WITH NO CLOAK and only a wool shawl drawn tightly around her shoulders, Kitty stood shivering as she watched Rebecca ride out of town. There hadn’t been time to buy her a coat. Kitty hoped the cloak would be warm enough until Rebecca got to Austin. Oh,
God, she prayed she made it. From what Kitty could tell, she was a good rider, better than some of the men. Fast, too. She had to be fast if she wanted to catch up to Jake before dark. The idea of Rebecca spending the night alone in the desert made Kitty shiver again.

  Or maybe it was the persistent feeling that she was being watched that made her tremble. She glanced over her shoulder, and then toward the doors of the saloon, checking the boardwalk in front of the boardinghouse and the general store. No one was around. Not on this cold, miserable, overcast day.

  She dabbed at her eyes, and smoothed back her upswept hair, preparing to return to the saloon. It would be a while before Rebecca was missed. Hopefully long enough for Kitty to pull herself together.

  As soon as she turned around, she saw him.

  Corbin stepped out of the alley by the smokehouse, his mouth twisted in an evil grin. “I thought that was you riding out of town just now.”

  Kitty’s heart thumped. Did he know that had been Rebecca? In spite of herself, Kitty glanced down the empty street, even though she knew her friend was long gone.

  Without saying a word, she rushed past him toward the saloon. But he caught her arm, digging his fingers in until she cried out in pain.

  “Let me go, you stupid bastard, or I’ll tell Wade.”

  Corbin pinned her with an icy glare as he gave a short derisive laugh. “All of it? Like how you helped the Indian whore escape?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She jerked away from him, her legs trembling so badly she didn’t think she’d make it up the boardwalk steps.

  “Go ahead, run back to the saloon. I’m done with you. Wade will be, too, after I tell him what you done. Shoulda taken care of you when I did old Otis.” His laughter started to fade, yet she hadn’t gotten that far away from him.

  She stopped, and turned. He was headed toward the livery.

  A surge of fear and anger coursed through her veins. Just as she thought, he was the one who killed Otis, and now he was going after Rebecca. She lifted the hem of her skirt and ran. Just before she entered the livery, she pulled her dagger from her stocking. He stumbled on his way to his saddle, still laughing to himself.

  She moved quietly and quickly, never more sure of anything she’d ever done. This bastard wasn’t going to find Rebecca. And he wasn’t going to talk to Wade. Not ever again. He tripped as he twisted around to look at her.

  She looked right into his shocked eyes as she plunged the blade into his chest.

  JAKE SPOTTED THE STREAM and knew it was time to stop. His horse needed watering and he needed a pull from the canteen himself. He squinted up at the sun, estimating that it was between twelve and one. Man, he missed his watch.

  He missed Rebecca.

  Crazy, because he’d seen her just a few hours ago. Dammit, he needed to keep his focus. He had to stop thinking about Rebecca. Any distraction would mean more time she was on her own. More time for Wade to find her. The smart thing, the only thing, he should be thinking about was completing this mission. He’d sworn to keep her safe, and he wasn’t about to break that promise.

  Impatient, he watched the chestnut drink. Jake couldn’t rush the animal. Hell, he didn’t know when they’d find the next watering hole. Shading his eyes, he squinted at the horizon. Too bad it got dark so early.

  He wondered what Rebecca was doing. Had they made it to Otis’s ranch yet? He plowed a hand through his hair, slowly, thoughtfully, something he’d seen his father do hundreds of times. Funny, Jake hadn’t realized they shared that habit. Made him wonder what else he’d picked up from his old man. Dedication to the job, certainly.

  The chestnut seemed like he was never going to stop drinking, and Jake grunted, realizing that impatience was something else he and his father had in common. Except when Jake worked undercover. As long as he was on the job, he could bide his time. The end result was all that mattered.

  His thoughts drifted to his mother, and it occurred to him that he’d been gone for over a week, and anyone looking for him would think he’d dropped off the face of the earth. Which he sort of had. But he was officially on vacation, so no one would be wondering about him. Certainly not his mother. Since he’d just seen her on Christmas morning they were good for another four months.

  Guilt took a stab at him. She’d looked terrible, and he had a feeling her drinking had reached the next level. He’d thought about bringing it up to his sister. The two of them could discuss whether they should step in…. Nah, she wouldn’t give a damn. Hell, he was one to talk. What had he done?

  Besides stay away more.

  Just like his father had done.

  The painful realization went straight for the jugular. Had he become the thing he’d despised most about his father? When had he started pushing everyone away? When had the job become his priority to the exclusion of his family? He’d even gone out on a limb to get confidential informants into rehab, but he’d done nothing to help his own mother.

  He’d always admired the job his father had done as a Ranger, but as a husband and father, the man had been a disaster. Was that the kind of man Jake wanted to be?

  Was it too late? Jesus, he’d left Rebecca. What the hell was wrong with him? He loved her, and he’d left her behind without knowing for certain that she would be safe. What kind of man did that? If anything happened to her…

  The horse was done drinking and Jake was through saving everyone on the planet but the people that mattered the most. He filled up his canteen in a wet rush, then mounted, turning back toward Diablo Flats, racing as if his life depended on it.

  SHE LAY LOW on the horse, keeping her body pressed against the warmth, not thinking about the whipping wind that burned her flesh. Every hoofbeat was another second closer to Jake. Rebecca knew she should slow down, look for signs of his passing, make sure she was on the right path, but there was a panic inside her that wouldn’t listen to reason. What if her selfishness cost him his life? Kitty’s life? If only she’d truly trusted him. He’d shown her in so many ways that he was a good man.

  She sat up as the horse pushed faster. The wind was unbearable, but she knew the tired horse would only be tempted by water. It couldn’t be that far now, and she’d have to stop. Then she could check the parched ground, look for broken branches and, with any luck, boot prints.

  It was another jerk by the thirsty horse that made her look to her right. To see another horse racing so fast there was dust flying behind him like a cape.

  Her heart nearly beat out of her chest. Jake? He had turned back. Was he being chased? Had Wade discovered his plan? She pulled the reins sharply, leading her horse to a rocky bank. It wasn’t tall enough to hide them, but if there was someone after Jake, she’d see them before they saw her. She’d cut them off, make them follow her away from him.

  Her breath and the horse’s were loud in the late afternoon sun, but she stayed still as a stone as she watched behind Jake, looking for dust. By the time she could hear the hoofbeats echo off the rocks, she was sure that no one was after him.

  She urged her horse forward, faster, surer as Jake came nearer. She didn’t care that she could barely feel her hands or her nose. Nothing mattered but the moment he jerked up, nearly causing his mount to throw him. He’d seen her.

  It felt like forever until she could see his face, make out his smile, and then she pulled back the reins and jumped off before the horse had stopped. Then she was in strong arms, lifted from the ground.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” he said, right before he kissed her so she couldn’t speak.

  Finally, he took a breath, and she touched his face with her cold hands, pushed at him to let her down. “I heard the Rangers talking,” she said. “I should have told you. I said I trusted you, but then I didn’t tell you.”

  “It’s okay,” he said. He took a step back and took off his coat, wrapping it around her shoulders. “It’s okay. The only thing that matters is that you’re all right. I shouldn’t have left you there. I was a damn
fool.”

  “No, it was me. I should have come with you. I heard them talking and I know what they’re planning. No one in Austin will know I was with the Comanche. They’ll believe me.”

  He put his hands inside the coat, around her waist. “I was so afraid I’d lost you. I don’t care about the Rangers or the cattle. I love you, Rebecca. I love you like I’ve never loved another soul. I turned back because of you.”

  She closed her eyes, willing the tears to stay back. Hearing him say those words felt like every hope she’d never dared dream. “I love you, Jake. But your honor and your duty is who you are. We can go together. We’ll ride into Austin and make them believe us.”

  He smiled and kissed her again, long and slow, as if he was proving something. While she wouldn’t complain, he had nothing to prove to her at all.

  IT WAS BITTERLY COLD, and as soon as the horses were watered, they made camp somewhere more protected from the wind. As they sat by the fire, Jake heard about what Kitty had done for Rebecca, and they agreed that no matter what happened in Austin they’d go back for her. They kissed and hugged a lot but it bothered him that she hadn’t asked about the time portal.

  “I found the place. Slow Jim knew right where to take me,” he said, waiting for her reaction. “It’s a two-way street, that portal. That means I can go back.”

  She stiffened, and he hurried, cursing himself for being a fool. “You’ll come with me. You’ll like it there, I promise. You’ll see such amazing things you won’t believe your eyes. We’ll have a home. You can read all day, if you want.”

  When she wouldn’t relax in his arms, he leaned his head back to look at her. “I know it sounds scary, but I’ll be right there with you. Always.”

  “I can’t go,” she said sadly.

  “Rebecca,” A lump rose in his throat. “I swear to you, I will never let anything bad happen.”

  “Oh, Jake.” She turned around and touched a finger to his lips. “I know.” She looked so sad, her eyes glistening with tears, he thought his heart was literally going to split in two. “Bird Song needs me. She was sick, but still alive when they took me. I have to find her. She was like a mother to me. I can’t just walk away, not knowing if she can take care of herself.”