Jodi Thomas

by When a Texan Gambles

  “You shouldn’t go out,” Sarah tried to explain to the barmaid whose dress was torn and bloody. “But no one knows me. I could go for a walk and see if I hear anything. If there has been trouble near your street, people will be talking about it.”

  Norma pulled her cape around her. “You’re not going without me. I know the way and I know who to ask.”

  Without another word, the women nodded at each other, silently agreeing to their pact. Ten minutes later they turned a comer a few blocks from the hotel and entered another world. Odors floated around Sarah, bombarding her senses. Too many cook fires. Too many bodies.

  Sarah picked up her pace, trying to keep up with Norma’s long strides. Sam had been right, this was not the place for her. A drunk tumbled out of the doorway from one of the saloons. He bumped into Norma, who slammed into Sarah. Both women struggled to keep their footing as Norma yelled at the drunk. A beggar followed them for half a block, claiming one need for coin after the other. Children brushed Sarah’s skirts as they played a game of dodging wagons in the road. Work wagons filled with supplies and coal labored along the uneven streets, stirring up a cloud of dust almost as high as Sarah was tall.

  They should have stayed in the hotel. At least there, trouble would have to come through the door. Here, in the alleyway, it might come from any direction. Sarah wished she had thought to bring her knife. At least then she’d have some protection. Or maybe she should carry one of Sam’s Colts. After all, he had two. Surely he wouldn’t feel a need to shoot more than six outlaws at one time.

  “This is where I live,” Norma mumbled at Sarah’s side. “You stay here, miss. I’ll go see if anyone is upstairs.”

  Sarah nodded, thankful she didn’t have to go inside the building. The street held all kinds of danger, but the dark hallway looked even more frightening. A baby’s cry blended with an argument and a mother yelling at her kids, making the very house moan with life.

  Norma disappeared.

  Sarah waited.

  She could hear her own heart pounding. Except for the few times she’d been at the meetings on the wagon train, Sarah had never been around more than a few dozen people at one time. Now she felt as if she stood in the center of a hive. She could hear them talking, coughing, walking. Their smells surrounded her. They seemed to be moving closer. As she waited their very breath warmed the air about her.

  Sarah stepped back, wanting to lean against the brick of the building so that at least one side would not be bombarded by running children and drunks staggering on the street.

  “Watch it, lady!” A young man, barely more than a boy, hauling coal pushed against her.

  Sarah twirled and jumped away from him. He reminded her of a human mole, for days of dust from his job layered his skin and clothes.

  Another’s hands stopped her movements as she backed away from the boy.

  She twisted and stared into the dirty face of an older man. He held a shovel in one hand and touched the sleeve of her dress with the other. If possible he was even filthier than the first. Most of the man’s teeth were missing, and the only spot on his body not black with dirt was a place above his upper lip where his nose had been running.

  The smell of coal dust filled her lungs as she drew in air to scream. The man leaned on his shovel and smiled with an almost toothless grin.

  “Pardon me.” He didn’t look the least bit sorry. “I didn’t mean to get dirt on your fine dress.” He brushed his hands over her arms, causing more damage than cleaning. “I’m sure glad you bumped into me, though. Ain’t she something, Charlie?”

  The boy with the bucket spit slightly as he giggled.

  Sarah backed up until her shoulders struck the building. Trash piled half her height blocked her left and the shadowy alley lay to her right. She tried to look past the men to where Norma had disappeared, but she couldn’t see beyond the bulk of dirty clothes before her.

  They were harmless, she tried to convince herself. After all, it was the middle of the morning and they were standing on a public street.

  “You out here by yourself?” the leader asked. “Don’t seem like you’re in the right neighborhood. You lost?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “Don’t see many around here that look so untouched. You got the prettiest hair I ever seen.”

  Sarah cringed as both men stared at her as though they’d found a treasure amid the trash.

  The man raised his blackened fingers to stroke her head, but an inch from touching her, he froze.

  Sarah looked up and saw that a fist held the toothless man’s arm in place. Then she heard a familiar voice, low and deadly, say, “If I were you, I’d think twice about touching her.”

  Sarah looked past the little man to see the broad shoulders of Jacob Dalton. Even in the shadowy alley the sun caught on the star he wore pinned to his chest.

  “Who do you think you ...” The toothless man turned.

  “Morning, Mrs. Gatlin,” Jacob said, still holding the other man’s arm in midair.

  “Good morning, Ranger Dalton.” Sarah tried not to laugh as the dirty hand tried to wither out of Jacob’s grip. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  The Ranger seemed to remember the man dangling from his fist. He let go of the man’s wrist and tipped his hat to Sarah. “Mind if I walk with you, ma‘am?”

  The two coal workers hurried to their wagon and moved on down the street without looking back.

  “Actually, I’m waiting for someone,” Sarah answered. “But you could wait with me.”

  Jacob glanced up and down the street. “Gatlin didn’t leave you out here by yourself. If he did, I’ll have to have a talk with him and knock some sense into that thick head of his.”

  Sarah smiled. “No, he doesn’t even know I’m out.”

  Jacob relaxed and Sarah couldn’t help but think that the Ranger must feel that dealing with a careless wife would be far easier than calling Sam Gatlin a fool.

  “If you don’t mind my saying, Mrs. Gatlin, that’s a mighty pretty dress you’re wearing.”

  Sarah blushed. “I don’t mind, but please call me Sarah.” She’d never been called anything but her first name.

  “All right, but you have to call me Jacob.” The Ranger looked years younger than he had a minute ago when he’d threatened a man with simply the tone in his voice. “And, Sarah, you really shouldn’t be in this part of town without protection.”

  The Ranger, who’d stayed alive by always being ready to fight, was unexpectedly blindsided by a huge bundle of clothes.

  Before either of them could react, Norma stormed at him in full sail. “Get away from the lady, cowboy!”

  Jacob lifted his arm to block the rain of fists flying his direction. He reached for his gun, but never cleared leather as the barmaid protected Sarah.

  “She don’t want nothing to do with nobody.” Norma continued to hit Jacob. “Didn’t your mama teach you not to bother fine ladies?”

  Sarah tried to introduce Jacob to Norma, but the young Ranger looked so laughable trying to dance out of range.

  “Sarah! Help me out here,” the young Ranger begged.

  Norma pulled her next swing and looked at Sarah.

  Sarah did her best to sober. “Jacob Dalton, I’d like you to meet my protection.”

  He shoved his hair away from his handsome face and tried his best to give a slight bow to Norma. “Pleased to meet you, ma‘am.” When he was sure Norma didn’t plan another attack, he turned his attention to Sarah. “I was wrong. Maybe I’m the one who shouldn’t travel outside Main Street without protection.”

  Norma folded her arms beneath her breasts and glared at him. “You know this cowboy, Sarah?”

  “He’s a friend of Sam’s and harmless.” Jacob looked offended at the comment, but Sarah continued talking to Norma. “Thank you for your efforts to assist me.” She leaned closer to the barmaid. “Did you find your daughter?”

  Norma shook her head. “Good news I’m thinking.”

  Sarah agreed. She had feared
they would find Ellie dead.

  Norma lifted the bundle she’d tossed at Jacob. “I talked with a man who sleeps off most of his drunks in the hallway. He said some big fellow came by early this morning and kicked the door down, but he didn’t remember hearing shots fired.”

  “Sam,” Sarah whispered.

  Norma nodded. “The bum was too far into drunk to think, but he remembers seeing my boy following the big man out the back door. I looked around where we live. The place had been trashed, but I didn’t notice any blood.”

  “Blood?” Jacob stepped closer. “What’s going on here?”

  Sarah linked her arm in his. “I’ll tell you while you see us back to the hotel.” When Norma didn’t budge, she added, “If Sam left, he’s probably not coming back here. We’ll be safer waiting at the hotel until Sam gets in touch with us.”

  Norma followed as Sarah explained everything she knew. Jacob left them at the steps of the hotel and said he’d check out any word about Reed that the local law might have.

  Jacob was two steps away when he turned and rushed back. He caught Sarah’s arm as she moved up the second step. “I almost forgot. I heard a rumor that Zeb Whitaker is in jail. I’m headed that way to make sure as soon as I can saddle up.” He smiled at Sarah. “With luck, you won’t have to worry about him anymore.”

  Sarah jumped with joy, reaching one arm out to hug the young Ranger’s neck. “Thank heaven! I can’t sleep at night thinking he’s out there somewhere looking for me.”

  Just as he set her back on the step, Sam came into view from behind Jacob. Before Sarah could tell Sam the great news, her husband stormed up the hotel steps two at a time and disappeared through the wide door.

  “Lordy, Lordy,” Norma mumbled in the stillness that followed. “That’s one angry man.”

  “Want me to go up with you and explain?” Jacob’s forehead wrinkled as he touched the handle of his Colt.

  Sarah shook her head. “Of course not. He’ll be delighted when he learns we don’t have to worry about Zeb anymore.”

  Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Sam Gatlin don’t appear to be a man who has spent much time in his life being delighted about anything. I can see him more getting angry.”

  “Or maybe getting even,” Norma added.

  TWENTY-ONE

  SARAH HELD HER HEAD HIGH AND FORCED HERSELF to climb the steps. She’d sent Norma across the street to buy thread so they could mend the barmaid’s blouse, assuring the woman that there was not anything to worry about. She had nothing to fear from her husband, Sarah reminded herself. She only wanted a moment alone with him to explain what he’d seen on the street.

  In truth, Sarah swallowed down panic as she reached the door. She had never seen Sam so angry. She’d heard people say that they knew someone who would get angry enough to spit nails, but until today she’d never thought the expression might be true.

  Opening the door as quietly as possible, Sarah half expected him to start shouting at her before she could get into the room.

  Only silence greeted her.

  She closed the door behind her and waited. Nothing. Maybe he hadn’t been as mad as she thought. Maybe he’d had time to think it over, and he realized that she wasn’t doing anything improper.

  Before she made up her mind, he stormed from the bedroom, his hands filled with shaving gear and the clothes he’d worn the day before. “Get packed,” he ordered. “We’re leaving.” He tossed his clothes into the trunk he’d left in the drawing room for days and crammed his shaving supplies into his saddlebags.

  “Sam, what is it?” Any joy she felt at knowing Zeb Whitaker was in jail vanished when she realized Reed was still out there looking for Sam. What if Reed knew they were in Dallas? Were they running? Hiding? Or going after Reed?

  She reached out and touched his sleeve as he passed. “What’s wrong?” Her imagination was quickly coming up with all that might have happened.

  He jerked away, making her stumble forward with his sudden action.

  She watched him walk away. He hadn’t even noticed she’d tripped. He simply continued his packing. She moved closer. “Sam?”

  He turned so quickly, she stepped back, feeling almost as if she’d been hit by a blow. “What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” His voice grew in volume as he closed the distance between them. “I see my wife hugging a man on the street, and you ask me what’s wrong?”

  She stood her ground. “Sam, let me—”

  “No! I know what I saw.”

  “But...”

  He wasn’t listening. “Tell me, Sarah, did you ask him to hold you, too? Did you melt against him like warm butter so he could feel—”

  Her slap hit his face with all the force she could muster. “How dare you?”

  He didn’t move as the side of his jaw turned red with the imprint of her hand. “How dare I what? How dare I pretend I’m your husband when we both know I’m not?”

  “You are my husband.”

  “In name only, Sarah.”

  “So that’s what you’re so mad about. The fact that I won’t sleep with you.”

  “No, I’m mad as hell about you standing on the street wrapped up in another man arms.”

  Sarah raised her hand.

  “You hit me again, woman, and I swear you’ll regret it.”

  “Then hit me, Sam!” she yelled. “I always knew you were a wife-beater. Hit me hard so my whole face will turn purple if it will make you feel better. I’m not changing my mind about mating with you until I’m good and ready, and I’m not apologizing for hugging a friend for bringing good news.”

  She balled her fist and lifted her chin, daring him. She’d take the blow if that’s what it took, but she was tired of backing down.

  Sam lowered his voice. “I’m not going to hit you, Sarah. Get ready. We leave within the hour.” He turned back to his packing.

  Sarah knew he was still angry at her, but she didn’t know what to do. Her pride wouldn’t let her defend herself because she hadn’t done anything wrong. He didn’t look as if he would listen anyway.

  She tried to help him pack, folding clothes he’d thrown into his trunk. The silence thickened between them even though they were only inches apart. When Norma tapped on the door, they both jumped.

  “Is it all right to come in?” she whispered to Sarah.

  “Of course it’s all right. Everything is fine,” Sarah lied.

  Norma approached Sam slowly. “Mr. Sam? Did you find my girl?”

  Only Sarah noticed Sam was fighting to keep his voice calm. “I found her. She’s scared pretty bad, but not hurt. I’ve got her and the boy at a safe place. It would probably be best if we wait until dark before I take you and Sarah.”

  Norma nodded. “Thank you, but I need to see her soon.” She sat down in the chair by Sam’s desk, relief washing over her. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to know they’re safe. I may not have been the best of mothers, but there ain’t nobody can say I wasn’t a caring one.”

  She didn’t seem to notice that she was the only one participating in the conversation. “This has been quite a day. I don’t know if I can live through many more like this. My heart can’t take it.” She wiped her brow on her blouse sleeve. “But it all turned out good in the end. My kids are safe and that man Sarah killed ain’t going to bother her anymore.” She patted her chest. “I could use a drink.”

  “There’s a bottle in the bedroom on the dresser,” Sam said. “Help yourself.”

  When Norma left the room, Sam placed his hand over Sarah’s as she spread the wrinkles out of his jacket. He wasn’t caressing, he only meant to draw her attention. “What do you know of Whitaker?”

  For a moment she didn’t want to tell him. “Jacob said he got word Zeb is in jail. That’s what Jacob came to tell us. I don’t have to worry about him.”

  She raised her gaze to Sam’s dark stare. The anger had left them both, but the wounds were still there. He hadn’t trusted her. He’d been jealous of nothing. No apology would take the hu
rt away even if he offered.

  And she’d slapped him, Sarah thought. She’d slapped hard, wanting to hurt him.

  Sam pulled his hand away as Norma came back into the room carrying two glasses. “Anyone want to join me?”

  “No,” they both answered at once.

  She shrugged. “Well then, I’ll have to do the best I can to finish this bottle all by myself.”

  “Enjoy it. Where you’re going there will be no drinking.”

  “What?”

  “You’ll be safe, but there’s no drinking or swearing and no men allowed.”

  Norma swallowed her first gulp of sin. “I’ll be in hell.”

  “You’ll be out of Reed’s reach, and that’s what you want.” Sam set a rifle by her chair and walked toward the door. “Stand guard while Sarah packs. I have to go downstairs and arrange a few things.” He turned and glared at them both. “We leave as soon as I get back, and both of you better be here when I return.”

  Norma looked frightened, but Sarah walked past him no longer afraid of him. “Then you’d better hurry,” she whispered.

  Sam’s knuckles whitened, but he didn’t follow her.

  Instead, he forced his body to turn and walk out the door. He was halfway through the lobby before he allowed his fists to relax. He thought of finding Jacob Dalton and beating him to a pulp, but Sarah would probably be mad about that, too. Not to mention how the Ranger would feel. Plus Jacob Dalton was big enough that the fight would be an even one, which would take some time. With his luck he’d return late and find his wife out in the streets hugging someone else.

  He slammed his fist on the desktop. Why did she have to look so damn beautiful? She’d taken his breath away when he’d seen her on the steps. Then she’d hugged Dalton and he’d felt as if someone had shot a cannon into his gut.

  “May I help you, Mr. Garrett?” a frightened desk clerk asked.

  Sam coughed. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “Something in my throat. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

  The clerk remained out of reach.

  “I need to have trunks delivered to this address north of here.” Sam scribbled on a piece of paper. “And would you ask someone to let the livery know I’ll be picking up my horse within the hour?” Sam tried to think. “Oh, and have a buggy waiting outside. My wife will be down in a few minutes.”