The Outlaws: Sam

by Ten Talents Press

  Color leached from Lacey's face and the breath left her lungs in a whoosh. Speech was impossible, though she had countless questions to ask.

  "Andy is missing, isn't he?" Cramer asked smugly.

  Her voice restored, Lacey whispered shakily, "What do you know about Andy?"

  "He's safe," Cramer said.

  Relief shuddered through Lacey, but another worry took it's place. "Where is he?"

  "Where he won't interfere in our plans."

  "Plans? Damn you, Taylor Cramer! What have you done with my son?"

  "Let's go into the parlor, my dear. We have our future to discuss."

  Cramer strode into the parlor. Lacey followed as if in a trance.

  "We have no future together, Taylor."

  He sat down on the sofa and patted the place beside him. "Sit here, Lacey."

  "Not until you tell me what you've done with my son."

  "I told you, he's safe. A lot safer than he'd be wandering the countryside in the dark. What did you do to him to make him run away?"

  "He told you he was running away?"

  "He said he was going to California. That bastard Gentry doesn't deserve that kind of devotion."

  "If you have any compassion at all, you'll bring Andy home. Now. I'll bring the law into this if I have to."

  "No, you won't, my dear. You can't prove I took Andy. The boy ran away. He could be anywhere. He could have met up with a coyote, a bear, or even a wolf. All manner of wild animals prowl at night."

  "And you're the worst of the lot," Lacey spat. "What do you want from me, Taylor? What will it take to get Andy back?"

  "Ah, now we come to the heart of the matter."

  "You win, Taylor. I'll sell you the ranch. All I require is enough money to tide me and Andy over until I can find work."

  "Why should I pay you anything when I hold all the cards?" Cramer said nastily. "The taxes, which aren't inconsiderable, I might add, will be paid from my own pocket. No, Lacey, I'm not going to buy the ranch."

  "You expect me to gift it to you?" Lacey gasped.

  "In a way. Once we marry, it will be mine."

  "The thought of marriage to you revolts me."

  "At one time you were damn eager to marry me.'

  "That was before..."

  "Before Gentry?"

  "Before you showed your true colors. You never liked my son. You wanted to send him away."

  "Andy was an inconvenience. But you have no choice now, Lacey. We will marry, and quickly. Before..." His sentence ended abruptly.

  Lacey was instantly alert. "Before what? Does your haste to wed have anything to do with my land?"

  "You ask too many questions. You do love your son, don't you?"

  "You know I do."

  "Good. We'll marry on Saturday. That's three days from now. Leave the arrangements to me. I'll come for you in my buggy Saturday morning."

  Lacey's chin quivered but her voice was firm. "I'm not going to marry you, Taylor, so you might as well bring Andy home."

  Taylor sent her a superior smile. "You'll marry me. Otherwise you'll never see your son again. Expect me on Saturday, my dear, around ten o'clock. You know," he mused as he rose to leave, "I'm quite looking forward to bedding you." His eyes settled on her breasts. "I spoke the truth when I said I wanted you as much as I want your land. Taming you should prove interesting."

  Lacey bristled. "You've never told the truth. Forget about marriage. I'll deed the ranch to you. Just bring Andy home."

  His eyes glittered with dark desire. "I want more than that. I need the land but you're the bonus. Three days, Lacey. Resign yourself to it. I want a flesh and blood woman in my bed, not a marble statue. Don't bother to see me to the door, I'll let myself out."

  "Bastard!"

  His laughter lingered long after he was gone.

  Lacey waited until Cramer rode away before leaping into action. She wasn't afraid of Taylor Cramer. She was going to go to the sheriff despite Taylor's threats.

  Lacey saddled her horse and rode to town. She didn't tell anyone where she was going. Rusty and the hands were still sleeping and Rita would only worry. When she reached town she rode directly to the sheriff's office. She found Sheriff Hale sitting behind his desk, browsing through wanted posters. He lifted his head and greeted her with a smile.

  "What can I do for you, Miz Gentry? Has Sam Gentry returned yet?"

  "Unfortunately, no. Andy is missing, Sheriff," she blurted out. "He's been gone all night."

  Hale's brow furrowed. "Missing, you say?"

  "Kidnapped. He went out last night and failed to return."

  "What makes you think the boy's been kidnapped? He's probably lost and can't find his way back home."

  "Andy run away," Lacey revealed. "He wanted to go to California to find his father."

  "There you have it," the sheriff said complacently. "The lad can't be far away. Send your hands out to look for him. If he's been out all night he's probably more than ready to return home."

  "The search began yesterday and continued all night. I just found out this morning what happened to him."

  "Then getting him back should be a simple matter," Hale said, clearly annoyed."

  "You're not listening, Sheriff. I said Andy was kidnapped. Taylor Cramer took him without my permission."

  "That's a pretty harsh accusation, Mrs. Gentry. Do you have proof?"

  "Only my word. Mr. Cramer came out to the ranch this morning and told me he had my son. I asked Taylor to bring Andy home, but he refused."

  "Why would he refuse?"

  "He's holding Andy hostage until I agree to marry him."

  Hale stared at her. "Now don't that beat all. I never heard of such a thing."

  "It's the truth. I need your help, Sheriff. Taylor will have to release Andy if you ride out there with me and demand his return."

  "I'd feel mighty foolish if you're mistaken," Hale said. "Taylor Cramer is a respected citizen of this community. I don't think we should go off half cocked."

  "Please, Sheriff, don't let me down. You were elected to uphold the law."

  Lacey's state of panic must have gotten through to him for he rose and strapped on his guns. "You win, Mrs. Gentry, I'll ride out to the Taylor spread with you, but I don't expect anything to come of it."

  Lacey's fear escalated as she and the sheriff ate up the distance to Taylor's ranch. Had Taylor hurt Andy? Was her son hungry? Andy was a growing boy, he required nourishing food and adequate sleep.

  Lacey rode into the yard ahead of the sheriff and drew rein at Cramer's front door. She leaped from the saddle and was up the porch stairs before Hale had even dismounted. With a fervor born of desperation, she pounded on the door, calling out Andy's name.

  "Lacey, Sheriff Hale, what brings you out here?"

  Lacey spun around at the sound of Cramer's voice. He stood behind them, hands on hips, his most charming smile stretching his lips.

  "I was in the barn. One of my hands informed me I had visitors. What can I do for you?"

  "You know good and well what you can do for me," Lacey said through clenched teeth. "Release Andy. I'm taking him home."

  Taylor sent Sheriff Hale a puzzled look. "What is my fiancée talking about, Sheriff?"

  Sheriff Hale removed his hat and wiped his brow on his sleeve. "Mrs. Gentry says you kidnapped her son. What do you have to say about it?"

  Lacey quelled the urge to strike Cramer when he gave a bark of laughter. "I fear my fiancée is delusional, Sheriff. What makes her think I kidnapped her son?"

  "Because you told me!" Lacey all but shouted. "You're holding him hostage."

  "What a perfectly ridiculous idea. Are you feeling well, my dear?"

  "Do something, Sheriff! Search the house. I know Andy is in there."

  Cramer sighed. "Go ahead, Sheriff. Lacey won't be happy until you search the house. After you finish, you're welcome to search the outbuildings."

  Hale gave a reluctant nod. "I hope you don't hold this against me, Mr. Cramer,
but you can see how distraught Mrs. Gentry is. I hope marriage to you will have a calming effect on her."

  Cramer's smile did not reach his eyes. "You can depend on it."

  Lacey personally searched every nook and cranny of Cramer's house. But she refused to yield when Sheriff Hale suggested that they leave. She vehemently insisted that the outbuildings be searched and the hands questioned. Hours later, she finally conceded that Andy wasn't on the premises, and that none of the hands questioned knew anything about her son. But that didn't prove Taylor hadn't hidden Andy where he couldn't be found. And that frightened her. Taylor now held the winning hand.

  He had convinced the sheriff that Lacey was delusional, but the fact remained that Andy was missing. The best Hale could do was promise that he and his deputy would look for Andy. Then he took his leave.

  "Are you satisfied, my dear?" Cramer said after the Sheriff rode away.

  "Where is he?"

  "He's being well taken care of. If you don't cause me any more problems, I may take you to see him after we're wed."

  "Bastard!"

  "Now, now, that's not the kind of talk I want to hear from my future wife. Shall I see you home?"

  "I can get there on my own," Lacey hissed. "If you hurt Andy, I swear I'll kill you."

  Cramer fingers dug into her shoulders as he dragged her against him. "You'll change your tune once you're in my bed. I'll conquer you, Lacey, mark my words. One day I'll have you purring."

  "Not in this life," Lacey bit out.

  Lacey gasped as his mouth came down hard on hers. His kiss was brutal, possessive, without a lick of warmth. When she realized her struggles were exciting him, she went limp in his arms. With an oath, he thrust her away.

  "I'll teach you how to respond properly once you're mine," he spat, giving her a rough shove. "Go home and prepare yourself for our wedding."

  Her chin firm, shoulders stiff, Lacey walked away before the urge to kill Taylor got her in trouble. She might be forced to marry him but she'd vowed that he'd regret it. He could have her land, it was no longer important, as long as Andy was safely returned to her.

  Lacey rode home bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders. If Sam were here he wouldn't allow this travesty, she reflected. Suddenly she was glad Sam wasn't here. He'd go after Taylor with a vengeance, even if it meant breaking the law. And she didn't want that for Sam. He'd just been declared a free man, she couldn't have stood by and let him throw that away. No, it was good that he was gone. She'd had to rely on herself before and she could do it again. Taylor might marry her, but he'd never own her.

  Rusty ran over to join her when he saw her ride into the yard. "Where have you been, Miz Lacey? Where's Andy?"

  "Andy won't be returning just yet." The words nearly choked her but Rusty deserved to know.

  "How come?"

  Lacey ignored his question. "I'm marrying Taylor Cramer on Saturday. Andy will come home after the wedding."

  Comprehension dawned slowly, but when it did, Rusty howled in outrage. "Cramer's got Andy! The son-of-a-bitch! Let me take care of him for you, Miz Lacey."

  "No, Rusty, you're to do nothing, say nothing, not even to the hands. I want this kept between you and me."

  "But..."

  "Please, Rusty, I want your promise. No one is to know."

  "No one, Miz Lacey?"

  "No one."

  "If that's what you want."

  "It's exactly what I want. I'll handle Taylor in my own way. And believe me, he's not going to like it.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Sam was cold, tired and hungry. He'd intended to bypass the B&G and ride directly to Dodge City, but Galahad kept pulling at the reins, as if aware that a warm barn and food were close at hand. When Sam had left the Indians he'd decided not to see Lacey or Andy until his name was cleared, but the closer he got to the ranch the more he realized how impossible that would be.

  Something stronger Sam's will compelled him to rein Galahad toward the ranch. If he was lucky, he'd find a meal of leftovers in the cookhouse and Galahad could spend the night in a warm barn.

  Light streamed from the cookhouse as Sam rode Galahad into the barn and dismounted. Ignoring the hunger pangs clenching his gut, he unsaddled Galahad, rubbed him down and made sure he had plenty of feed, including a measure of oats. Then he strode to the cookhouse, uncertain of his welcome. Sam needn't have worried. Only three men were inside, Luke, the cook, Rusty, and Lefty. All three were huddled over steaming cups of coffee.

  "Could a hungry man get a bite to eat?" Sam asked from the doorway. Three heads swiveled in his direction.

  Rusty was on his feet instantly. "Sam! You old dog. You're a sight for sore eyes. We all thought you'd be halfway to California by now."

  "Changed my mind," Sam grunted.

  "Sit down," Luke said, already on the way to the stove. "You're in luck. There's leftover beefsteak and a pot of beans on the stove." He reached for the coffeepot. "Drink up, it'll warm your bones."

  "Just what I need, Luke, thanks."

  Sam warmed his hands on the hot cup before raising it to his lips. The strong brew slid down his throat and hit his empty stomach with a satisfying jolt.

  "Tastes good. I intended to bypass the ranch, now I'm glad I didn't."

  Rusty's brow wrinkled. "Bypass the ranch? You mean you weren't gonna return?"

  "I'm headed north, to Dodge City. I'm determined to clear my name. I'm not an outlaw and hoped to prove it before returning to the B&G."

  "Dodge!" Lefty blurted out. "I thought you came back cause you heard that Miz Lacey was gonna marry Taylor Cramer."

  "What!" Sam set the coffee cup down on the table so hard it shattered. "We'll see about that." He leaped to his feet. His chair hit the floor as he stormed out the door.

  "I thought you were hungry!" Luke called after him.

  "Wait, Sam, there's something you should know first!" Rusty exclaimed, bounding after him.

  "Let him go," Lefty advised. "Let Miz Lacey tell him."

  "I hope to God she tells him everything," Rusty muttered.

  Sam paid little heed to the buzz of voices behind him. His head spun with the crushing blow he'd been dealt. How could she? How could Lacey marry Cramer when she knew the kind of man he was?

  Each step Sam took added another dimension to his anger. Had Lacey lost her mind? What kind of woman was she to disregard her son...his son's welfare? He marched up to the door, found it locked and pounded on it so hard he could feel the panel bow inward beneath his fury.

  He hadn't been pounding long when the door suddenly opened. Dressed in nightgown and robe, Lacey stepped back as Sam charged inside.

  "Sam! Oh, my God! You didn't go to California. You've come back."

  "And not a moment too soon," Sam grit out as he slammed the door shut with his bootheel.

  Lacey paled. "You've seen Rusty. What did he tell you?"

  "I almost rode on without stopping," Sam spat. "I changed my mind about California. I didn't like being an outlaw. I intneded to ride straight to Dodge and force banker Wingate to tell the truth about the bank robbery. I wanted return to you and Andy a free man."

  "Rusty didn't tell you?"

  "Tell me what?"

  "You are a free man. The charges against you and your brothers have been dropped."

  Sam staggered backward. "Who told you that?"

  "Sheriff Hale. He received a telegram from Sheriff Diller in Dodge. Sheriff Hale doesn't know all the details; the telegram said only that the Gentry brothers were no longer wanted for bank robbery. You're a free man, Sam."

  Sam felt as if the weight of the world had just been lifted from his shoulders. He was a man his son could be proud of. Elation made his forget his anger, forget why he was angry. He only knew he had reason to rejoice, and that Lacey was here to rejoice with him. Never had he wanted her more. Not even when he was a young man with the burgeoning lust of youth upon him.

  "God, Lacey, all I can think of now is how badly I want to make love t
o you."

  He held out his arms. Like a sleepwalker, she walked into them. His arms closed around her. He bent to kiss her, cradling her head in his hands as he made slow love to her mouth. His lips moved fervently against hers, circling, tasting, nudging them apart for the bold thrust of his tongue.

  Lacey couldn't deny she wanted Sam, for she did, desperately. Tomorrow, after she married Taylor, he'd hate her. She needed this, wanted this, for in all likelihood she'd never experience Sam's loving again. She clung desperately to him as he kissed her, praying that his passion was stronger than his anger, for she knew he had burst into the house because Rusty had told him she was going to marry Taylor.

  The last thing Lacey wanted Sam to learn that Andy was being held hostage, that she was marrying Taylor to save their son. The longer she kept his passions engaged the less likely he was to question her. Lacey was well aware of Sam's volatile temper. The truth would send him gunning after Taylor.

  Her thoughts were shattered when Sam scooped her into his arms and mounted the steps two at a time. The door to her room was ajar. He opened it fully, strode inside and pushed it shut with his foot.

  "I can't wait," he gasped as he sat on the bed and positioned her on his lap with her legs straddling him. She pulled her knees close around his hips. "Lift up a minute."

  She raised slightly and felt his deft fingers unfasten his trousers. Then she felt the long, hard, heat of him searching for her center while his hands opened her robe and nightgown, baring her breasts for his mouth. He suckled her greedily, pulling her gown and robe away in his eagerness to touch more of flesh. Her fingers bit into his shoulders when he found the opening he was seeking and thrust upward.

  She moan, her body bowed backwards as he filled her.

  He bucked beneath her, thrusting deeper, touching something vulnerable in the center of her being. She pushed up, then slid down again. He cupped her buttocks, helping her achieve the motion that gave them the most pleasure. She swiveled her hips; he reacted to this new sensation with a guttural groan. She cried out softly as he slammed her against his loins, driving himself deeper. She rose and sank against him again and again, until raw rapture thrummed through her veins.