"Let me think about it, Taylor. Perhaps the best way to handle my situation is to sell the B&G to the highest bidder. I need to get top dollar for the spread. Enough to support Andy and me until I can find work. The next time I go to town, I'll speak with the land agent."
Cramer's eyes lit with greedy pleasure. "That won't be necessary. I'll buy the B&G. If you're sure that's what you want," he added in an ingratiating tone.
Lacey thought his answer came quickly, too quickly, confirming her belief that Taylor did indeed want the ranch. But why? It was a mystery she was determined to solve before she signed away her inheritance from Uncle Hob.
"I don't know, Taylor," she hedged. "Perhaps I'm being a little too hasty. I'm sure you and Andy will come to terms with one another in time. Maybe I'm being too protective. Go ahead with the annulment. As for selling, I just can't bring myself to part with Uncle Hob's dream. Perhaps marriage is the best solution, if you still want me."
Lacey thought she heard his teeth grinding.
"Of course I still want you, my dear. Leave everything to me."
Cramer left shortly afterward. Lacey suffered through his good-bye kiss with stoic acceptance. Rather than alert him to her suspicions, she didn't object when he'd pulled her into his arms and kissed her with the possessiveness of a man who had just won a victory.
Lacey's emotions were mixed regarding Taylor Cramer. Since Sam had reentered her life, Taylor Cramer and his motives for wanting her had become suspect. Apparently Sam had seen through him before she had.
Sam. Was he really dead? Her heart told her he was alive, that one day he would return for his son, even if he cared nothing for her.
Lacey left the house after Cramer's departure to talk to Rusty about bringing the cattle in closer to the house in preparation for colder weather. It snowed often in northern Texas, and blizzards and ice storms weren't unheard of. It was always best to plan for adverse weather in advance.
Lacey found Rusty near the corral.
"Something on your mind, Miz Lacey?" he asked when Lacey hailed him.
"I just wanted to make sure plans are in place to move the cattle closer to the house when cold weather arrives."
"Everything's taken care of," Rusty assured her. "Was that Mr. Cramer I just saw leaving?"
Lacey knew that Rusty didn't approve of Taylor and realized she'd have to tread carefully, for she intended to lead Taylor on until she had the truth from him.
"Yes, that was Taylor."
"Did he say anything about Sam?"
"They think he's dead. Taylor said Sheriff Hale was positive that he'd taken at least one bullet."
"You don't believe that, do you?"
Lacey's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know what to believe." Her hand splayed over her heart. "I think I'd know here, in my heart, if Sam were dead, but I feel nothing except a strange ache."
"I don't believe anything Cramer says," Rusty groused. "And you shouldn't either. I hope he'll stop coming around now that he knows you're married."
"My marriage to Sam was never a real marriage," Lacey said with a hint of sadness. "Sam doesn't want me. Taylor offered to obtain an annulment and I'm...I'm convinced that marrying him will be best for me and Andy."
Lacey almost choked on the words. She no longer believed marrying Taylor was the solution to her problems, but that information had to remain private for the time being.
Rusty wagged his head. "I sure hope you know what you're doing, Miz Lacey."
"I do, Rusty, trust me."
Lacey wished she was as confident as she made herself sound. She had to find out what made her land valuable to Taylor before her marriage to Sam was dissolved. Sam, where are you? she silently entreated. Are you dead? Wounded? Will you ever return? Something deep inside her refused to believe that Sam was dead. One day he would find a way to clear his name and return, and when he did, she wanted to be his wife, not the wife of another man.
Another week passed. Two since Sam had dropped from the face of the earth. Taylor told Lacey that the sheriff was still looking for Sam or his body, but had found either. It was as if Sam had disappeared into thin air. The news that no body was found gave Lacey hope that Sam was alive and holed up somewhere.
Unfortunately Lacey had gained little insight into Taylor's reason for wanting the ranch. She'd gone to the land office but learned nothing of value. Taylor was very good at maintaining secrecy, and her subtle questions about his business affairs had gotten her nowhere. To keep Taylor from suspecting anything was amiss, Lacey had signed the annulment document his lawyer had prepared.
It was all very puzzling. Lacey's grief over Uncle Hob's death had blinded her to all but the way Taylor had stepped in to help her. She couldn't have managed without him. He had ingratiated himself to her to the point that she had come to depend on him. When he had asked her to marry him she'd been flattered. And when she'd learned the pitiful state of her finances, she'd accepted his proposal as a way out of a deep hole. Then Sam had arrived and made her realize that Taylor had a hidden motive, one that might involve her land.
Another week passed. The weather turned cool. Taylor had arrived with the news that the sheriff had finally given up the search for Sam. Lacey began to worry in earnest that Sam really was dead, but still she clung to hope like a shipwrecked sailor clinging to a raft in the middle of the ocean.
One cool evening Lacey and Cramer were sitting across from one another in the parlor. The cheery fire in the hearth gave off a welcome warmth but did little to remove the chill from Lacey's heart as she contemplated Sam's well-being.
"I have a piece of good news for you," Cramer beamed. "My lawyer informed me that a judge will take your annulment under consideration within the next few weeks. As soon as it's granted, we'll plan our wedding. I've even looked into boarding schools willing to take boys Andy's age."
Lacey bit her tongue to keep from lashing out at Taylor. It would be a cold day in hell before she'd let anyone take Andy from her.
Lacey's thoughts were echoed by a small, angry voice that came from the doorway. "You can't send me away! I won't go. If Papa were here he wouldn't let you send me away."
Lacey groaned inwardly. She'd tried to keep Andy occupied elsewhere during Taylor's visits. "Andy, I thought you were playing in the barn with the kittens."
Andy ran to Lacey, glaring up at her. "I saw mean old Cramer ride up and wondered what he was doing here."
Cramer lunged for Andy but he hid behind Lacey. "You're going to have to learn some manners after your mother and I are married, boy. Sending you away will make a man of you."
Andy's chin rose stubbornly. "But I'm not a man. I'm a little boy." He regarded his mother through big blue eyes brimming with tears. His mouth trembled. "What about Papa? You're still married to him, aren't you?"
Lacey felt the staggering weight of Andy's disapproval. "We'll talk about this later, honey."
"Tell him now, Lacey," Cramer urged. "Tell the boy you're having your marriage to Gentry annulled just in case he's still alive."
Andy blinked away his tears. "What does that mean, Mama?"
While Lacey mulled over her answer, Cramer jumped into the void. "It means that your mother's marriage to Gentry, if he's still alive, will soon be over. She's going to marry me. Isn't that right, my dear?"
"I hate you!" Andy screamed. "I hate you both!"
"Andy," Lacey cried as Andy dashed from the room. She started to follow.
"Let him go," Cramer said, grasping her arm. "You baby him. He has to learn you can't cater to his every whim."
Lacey would have gone after Andy despite Taylor's words, but decided that the boy was too distraught to make sense of her explanation. She'd tell him she had no intention of marrying Taylor once he'd cooled off enough to listen to reason.
Sam's strength returned slowly. Yellow Bird was a talented healer and he was grateful for her fine care. His wound had gone unattended too long and infection resulted. And with it came fever. He recalled the passage
of time in bits and pieces. He remembered Yellow Bird spooning liquid into his mouth, cleaning his wound, taking care of his needs, and he knew he'd never be able to repay her. Life was precious, he was lucky he still had his.
During his illness, Sam's fevered thoughts turned often to his son. And Andy's mother, the woman who had betrayed him not once but twice. Apparently she had gone to the sheriff right after he'd left the ranch. Hatred welled up inside him. How could he have been taken in so easily by her pleas of innocence? This last betrayal had reinforced his belief that he'd been right about her six years ago. Leopards didn't change their spots.
The more Sam thought about it the more he became convinced that Lacey wasn't the kind of mother he wanted to bring up his son. He could do a better job himself. That thought led to another. Why not? Why not take Andy with him? He'd head West, to California, where no one gave a hoot whether or not Sam Gentry was an outlaw. He and Andy could start over in a new place. The boy might miss his mother at first, but Sam swore to do his best to make a happy life for his son.
Three weeks after Sam arrived at the Indian camp he felt as good as new and was eager to get on with his life. He told Yellow Bird he was leaving that evening while she prepared their food over the fire pit inside the tipi.
Yellow Bird was crouched down beside the fire, stirring a pot of venison stew. When Sam told her it was time for him to go, she set the wooden spoon aside and settled down beside him.
"Are you not happy here, Sam?"
"I'm grateful to you and your people," he hedged, "but I don't belong here. There is much you don't know about me."
"Tell me. Make me understand why you must leave. Who are the enemies that wish you dead?" Her voice trembled and she lowered her eyes. "I want to be your woman. Until you arrived, there was no man I wished as a mate."
Sam was stunned. He had no idea Yellow Bird felt that way about him. "I'm married, Yellow Bird. I have a wife and son."
"I know. La-cey and An-dy. You called for them in your delirium. Many of our braves have more than one wife."
"White men have only one wife. I'm sorry, Yellow Bird, you saved my life and I don't want to hurt you. I do owe you an explanation, however, and you shall have one. I was shot trying to escape a posse. I'm an outlaw, charged with a crime I didn't commit."
"You are innocent?"
"I am no outlaw. Apparently my wife didn't believe me. She ran straight to the law and I was forced to flee for my life. I took a bullet, but luck was with me. I found a hiding place and stayed there until the posse gave up and returned to town."
"Your wife, this La-cey, she is a bad person," Yellow Bird said with conviction. "Tell me about your son."
A smile spread across Sam's face. "Andy is wonderful boy. I want him, Yellow Bird, and I fully intend to take him away from his mother."
Yellow Bird placed a fluttery hand against his chest, he felt his muscles jump.
"Can you do that?" she asked.
"I can take Andy away without his mother knowing, and that's exactly what I intend to do."
"You are a strong man, Sam," Yellow Bird said, "and I am a strong woman. We will be good together. Bring your son to me. We will raise him together."
She leaned against him, her fingers roaming over his chest. She had his shirt unbuttoned before Sam realized what she was about. She was so lovely that for a moment he was tempted. It would be good to lose himself in another woman, one who actually cared for him. He knew making love to Yellow Bird would give him pleasure, but something prevented him from accepting her offer.
Gently, he removed her hands. "I'm sorry, Yellow Bird, but I can't take you like this. I admire you greatly, but it wouldn't be right to take advantage of you."
"White men are strange," Yellow Bird said. "I am offering myself to you without asking for anything in return, why do you refuse what I offer? You are the only man to whom I have offered so much."
"That's exactly why I can't accept. You are a maiden still. You deserve a man who will be a proper husband to you. I can't give you what you need."
Yellow Bird drew away and stared into the fire. "You are a foolish man, Sam. I could make you happy. Bring your son to me and I will care for him."
Sam took her face between his hands and placed a tender kiss upon her lips. "You are very special, Yellow Bird. One day you will meet someone you can give your heart to. I thank you sincerely for offering yourself to me, but I must return to the ranch and see what has transpired in my absence."
"Will that not be dangerous for you?"
"I can't return openly, but I have a friend at the B&G who will tell me what's going on. I'll decide what to do about Andy after I speak with him."
"Will you return to me?"
"Perhaps," Sam said thoughtfully. "This might be a good place to lay low for awhile if I succeed with Andy. No one would think to look for us in an Indian village."
"I will be waiting for you, Sam," Yellow Bird said. "May the Great Spirit aid you in your quest."
Sam left that evening for the B&G. He traveled by night, slept during the day and reached the ranch the following evening. The hands were in the cookhouse eating supper as he crept into the barn, turned Gallahad into a stall and sat down to wait for Rusty to make his nightly rounds.
He couldn't wait to find out what had transpired during his absence. Then he'd search his heart for what was best for Andy.
Chapter Ten
Shadows lengthened. Sam grew anxious. He wouldn't do anything until he spoke with Rusty. Rusty was the only man he trusted to tell the truth. As for Lacey, he told himself he didn't want to see her, but his body refused to listen. Just the thought of her made him grow hard. Making love with another woman would never be the same.
Sam's thoughts terminated abruptly when he saw a flicker of light at the entrance of the barn. Rusty's face appeared in the circle of lamplight and Sam stepped out from the shelter of an empty stall.
"Hello, Rusty."
Rusty started violently. The lamp swayed in his hand. "Tarnation, Sam, you scared the daylights out of me. What in hell are you doing here? Are you all right?" he asked anxiously.
"I'm fine, Rusty."
"Miz Lacey said you'd been shot. Everyone thinks you're dead."
Sam's mouth thinned. "Does Lacey believe I'm dead?"
Rusty grinned. "She said she wouldn't believe it until she saw your body."
"I was wounded. Fortunately I was found by...friends. It took a long time for my wound to heal."
"Friends?" Rusty asked. "What friends?"
"Gallahad took me to an Indian camp. Running Buffalo took me in and his sister healed my wounds.
"What are you doing back here? Ain't you in enough trouble?"
"You're the only one I trust, Rusty. What's been going on in my absence? How is Andy?"
Rusty shrugged. "Andy is right enough, I reckon, but..."
"But what? Tell me, Rusty. Is it Andy?"
"I don't know how to say this, Sam, except to tell you right out. Miz Lacey signed annulment papers that Cramer's lawyer prepared. Nothing is final yet, but I suspect it won't be long."
"Damn! Damn! Damn!" Sam cursed. He knew a divorce required his signature but he wasn't sure about an annulment. Apparently Lacey wanted out of this marriage badly.
"What about Andy? How does he feel about this?"
Rusty's shoulders slumped. "Poor little fella. He took off and hid in the barn after Cramer left last evening, that's how upset he was. He told me Cramer and his mother intended to send him away. Miz Lacey found him asleep in the barn. Today he refused to listen to anything his mother said. He ran off every time she tried to talk to him. I reckon she decided to let him cool off a mite before explaining her plans, whatever they might be."
"So that's how it's going to be," Sam bit out. "Lacey is sacrificing her son's happiness for the tenuous security Cramer offered. Cramer wants something all right, but it's not Lacey."
"Andy knows that Cramer can't stand him underfoot, but I can't believe Miz L
acey would send her son away to please Cramer. She loves Andy. Until you came along, Andy and Hob were all she had. Andy is everything to her."
"Apparently that is no longer true," Sam said dryly.
"I know it's none of my business, Sam, but I can't help thinking that you and Miz Lacey belong together."
Sam snorted. "You're dead wrong, Rusty. I had good reason for abandoning Lacey six years ago and you know it. I never wanted to see her again after I escaped the Yankees. I might have felt differently had I known I had a son."
"Maybe you misjudged Miz Lacey. Maybe it happened just like she said."
"I was beginning to think so too. Then I made the mistake of telling her I was wanted for bank robbery. You were the only one who knew about it besides Lacey. She saw a way to get rid of me and took it."
"If that's the way you feel, why did you come back? It ain't healthy for you around here. Cramer is still sniffing around Miz Lacey. I never know when he's gonna show up."
"I'm not sticking around long, Rusty. I came back to see Andy. I can't leave until I do. Will you help me?"
"Maybe, maybe not," Rusty hedged. "Andy has been lonesome. I've been sitting with him on the back porch after supper to ease his loneliness. I reckon he'll be there tonight, same as last night. I kinda enjoy lending Andy a sympathetic ear."
"Is Andy there now?"
"I don't know. I was headed that way when I decided to have a look see around the barn first, like I do every night about this time."
Sam strode to the door and peered outside. The ranch house basked beneath a full moon. He could see the back porch clearly, and the forlorn little boy sitting on the steps.
"Andy is there now, waiting for you."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Bring him to the barn, then leave. I don't want you mixed up in this."
Rusty's eyes narrowed. "In what? What you planning to do, Sam?"
"Right now, nothing. I just want to talk to Andy. The boy needs to know I'm alive, and that I love him."
The Outlaws: Sam Page 13