A Feisty Gracious Bride For the Rancher: A Christian Historical Romance Novel (Lawson Legacy Book 1)

by Chloe Carley

  The town was the only other option that would provide him and his men some sort of cover when the bullets started flying. He silently hoped that Ollie’s observations were correct.

  He didn’t mind killing men who were shooting back at him, but unarmed women and children … he’d killed too many of them already to ever hope of being forgiven. He didn’t want to add any more innocent souls to his list of transgressions. It was going to be hard enough to find some way of atoning for the dozens of deaths he’d already caused.

  “Boss?”

  Roy folded up his knife, rolling the small piece of wood he’d been whittling between his fingers. “That’s good. Real good. We need to plan this correctly so that no one has a chance to go for help once the shooting starts. Did you see a sheriff?”

  “I did, I don’t think he’ll be much trouble. He looked kind of put out that he was having to be present at their meeting and immediately afterward, he headed back to the jail. When I left town, he was still sitting with his feet propped up on his desk and his hat pulled down over his eyes.”

  “A lazy sheriff. My favorite kind.” Roy chuckled evilly. “So, we’re looking at maybe two dozen people. There’s six of us. If we get to high ground …”

  “That’s going to be a problem, Tseena.”

  “How so?”

  “There’s only two buildings with a second story in the town. One is a boarding house of some sort, and the other is the mercantile. They’re not next to one another nor anywhere near where the stagecoach will stop when it arrives.”

  “So, we’re going to have to take it from the street. It’s not like we haven’t done so before. A little diversion, maybe the mercantile should be the first building to go, and there won’t be many men to put up a fuss when we kill the driver and take the cargo.”

  “What about the money that’s already in the town? Aren’t we going to get it as well?” Ollie asked.

  “That depends on where it’s being kept. This is our last job, no sense in taking risks we don’t have to.”

  “That’s exactly why we need to get every last dime from that town. If this is our last job, we need to make sure we all come out of it with enough funds to live on for the rest of our days,” Ollie argued back.

  “We’ll need to figure out where the funds are being kept, and then I’ll decide,” Roy said.

  “But …”

  “This isn’t up for discussion.” Roy tossed the piece of wood he’d been whittling to the ground, stood up and stretched. “The boys found us more suitable lodging a mile west of here. Let’s get some sleep and I’ll send Slim into town tomorrow to see if he can find out how much money is already there.”

  “Why Slim? I can go back,” Ollie argued as they mounted up.

  “You’ve already been there once. What if someone saw you? If you go back tomorrow that might start to draw suspicion. Besides, Slim looks like any other ranch hand with his baby face and blonde hair. He’ll be the perfect one to talk to some of the townsfolk and get more information.”

  *****

  The next afternoon …

  “Good morning, ladies.” Slim Jones nodded politely as he walked down the boardwalk of Rio Arriba. When Tseena had returned with Ollie the night before, he’d been given a mission to return to town today and find out where the money for the bank was being kept. He’d arrived in the town just before midday and started wandering toward the saloon at the center. Ollie had stated there were two saloons, but one was located right in the middle of the main street and that was Slim’s destination today.

  The people seemed to be very friendly and Slim tried not to remind himself that most of them, if not all, would be dead in a few days. Tseena didn’t leave behind witnesses. It was how they’d become one of the most feared outlaw gangs in Texas, and after Wednesday, New Mexico Territory. No witnesses meant there wasn’t anyone to go for help right away, giving the Johnston gang plenty of time to get away.

  He entered the saloon and sauntered up to the bar. “Whiskey.” He slapped down a coin in the process.

  The barkeep handed the shot glass over, eyeing him. “You new around here?”

  “Just rode into town. I’m hoping to find a ranch that needs a good wrangler close by. You happen to know of any spreads like that?”

  The barkeep was thoughtful for a moment. “Maybe the Lazy L ranch. They’re the biggest in the region and always seem to have room for one more ranch hand.”

  “The Lazy L? They raise cattle?” Slim inquired.

  “And horses. Some of the best horseflesh this side of the Mississippi if you ask me.” The barkeep grabbed a rag and started wiping the bar top down.

  “Where do I find this ranch?”

  The barkeep pointed out which path to take out of town and advised him to get a start soon as they were ten miles out. “Most of the ranchers around here live away from town quite a ways.”

  “That don’t bother me none,” Slim assured him. “This is a real nice town, if a little on the small side.”

  “Not for long,” the barkeep said. “We’ve gots the railroad coming next year and we’re even getting our very own bank, right here in Rio Arriba.”

  “A bank? What does a town like this need a bank for?”

  “Once the railroad gets here, we’ll need it. There’s a gold rush going on in California and everyone’s hoping this will become a stop for men heading that direction to seek their fortunes. Might as well get it established now.” The barkeep leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Half the money arrived a few weeks ago and the rest is coming two days from now. The building’s done and everything, they just need to put the sign up.”

  Slim hid his excitement at being given the information he was seeking. “I don’t recall seeing any vacant buildings when I walked through town.”

  “Oh, the bank is going in right next to the jail and sheriff’s office. There’s even a connecting door between the two for added security. Sheriff Parmele has been in charge of keeping the money that’s already here locked up as the safe got delayed and won’t be here for another month.”

  “That’s a long time.” Slim nodded. “Well, I should head on out to the Lazy L and see if I can find me a job.”

  The barkeep looked up as a new voice entered the saloon and he waved the man forward. “No need to ride all that way now. This must be your lucky day.”

  “Travis, what’s up? I wasn’t coming in here, I was just waving as I passed by,” the newcomer stated as he walked forward. “I’ve got Riley with me and a list of supplies Ma wanted us to bring back.”

  “Gideon, this here is Slim and he’s looking for work as a wrangler,” the barkeep said.

  Slim watched as Gideon turned to face him and after sizing him up, offered his hand in greeting. “Welcome to Rio Arriba. Where you from?”

  “Oklahoma. I was working a big cattle operation there but the new ranch foreman and myself didn’t see eye to eye on a few things, so I left.”

  “What sorts of things?” Gideon inquired

  “How to treat animals, for one,” Slim answered. “I don’t take to abusing animals for any reason.”

  “That’s good because around these parts, that’s liable to get you shot,” Gideon told him. “We can always use another set of hands as we get ready for winter. Come out to the ranch and I’ll get you set up. I can’t promise you anything long term until we see if you’ll get along with the others, but Jace is the ranch foreman and he’s a decent and fair man.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Not sir, just Gideon.”

  “Gideon?” a female voice called from the doorway and all three men turned to look at the beautiful young woman standing just inside the swinging door. Slim tried to hide his surprise at recognizing her but wasn’t quite fast enough.

  “I see that look on your face, son and I’m warning you now, she’s not to be bothered,” Gideon said in a harsh whisper.

  “Who is she?” Slim asked in the same quiet voice.

  “That’s
none of your business, just mark my words and leave her alone.” Gideon waited for Slim to nod and then tipped his head at the barkeep. “See you Wednesday.”

  “Sure thing,” the barkeep replied.

  Slim watched Gideon join the young woman and escort her down the sidewalk.

  “If I were you, I’d take the job at the Lazy L and remember Gideon’s words about Miss Riley. He’s a mite protective of her and I don’t think it would take much for him to get irritated. He’s the best shot in the county, in case you were thinking to challenge him.”

  Slim held up his hands. “He won’t get a challenge from me.” He tossed back the rest of his drink. “I better go gather up my things and head to the Lazy L. I wouldn’t want to get lost in unfamiliar territory after dark.”

  “Never a good idea. Good luck to you.” The barkeep smiled.

  Slim left the saloon and headed for his horse, turning east instead of west as he left town. Once he was clear of being noticed, he kicked his horse into a full-out run. Tseena wasn’t going to like the news Slim had to bring him, not one bit. Slim had seen her in El Paso at the hideout and Ollie had assured everyone that Tseena had taken care of her and put her on a train back to Missouri.

  But she wasn’t in Missouri. She was here. In Rio Arriba. That was just too much of a coincidence and meant she must have been spying on them to figure out where they were going to strike next. Something had to be done about her and if Tseena didn’t have the stomach for it, Slim knew Ollie would. One silly female couldn’t be allowed to mess up their current plan. She needed to be silenced.

  He rode into their temporary shelter and jumped off his horse, tossing the reins to another of their group before striding into the building and coming face to face with Tseena and Ollie. Both men looked at him curiously and he stared back at them as he delivered his news.

  “We have a problem.”

  “No, we don’t have problems, we take care of problems,” Tseena corrected him.

  “This one is a bit bigger than most.”

  “Is the money not in the town?” Ollie guessed.

  “No, the money is in the sheriff’s possession. The safe for the bank was delayed. No, we have a bigger problem, or rather, he,” pointing to Tseena, “has a problem.”

  Tseena sat forward and narrowed his eyes. “Explain yourself. Now.”

  Slim swallowed and squared his shoulders. “That girl who found us in El Paso, your sister… she’s in Rio Arriba.”

  Tseena shot to his feet and slammed his hand down on the table in front of him. “The devil you say!”

  “I saw her with my own eyes and the barkeep confirmed her name is Riley.”

  “I put her on the train myself.”

  “She must have gotten off because she’s in town and living on one of the biggest ranches in the region.”

  Ollie stood up as well and murmured, “Coincidence? Maybe she got to Santa Fe and decided to stay in these parts. You said yourself that she didn’t have anything to go back to in Missouri.”

  Tseena nodded. “That’s what I said, but I find it a little funny that she’s here and just when we’re preparing to make our biggest haul ever.” He and Ollie shared a look and Slim could see they were trying to figure out what to do next.

  Slim offered a suggestion, “Do you think she was eavesdropping on us?”

  Tseena sighed. “With Riley, anything’s possible and if she’s here … yeah, I think she probably heard something. I could tell she wasn’t happy about my chosen career.”

  “Career,” Ollie cackled. “I like that. Excuse me sir, what is your occupation? Well sir, let me tell you. I’m the finest outlaw in these here parts.”

  Slim laughed along. Tseena kicked the chair he’d been sitting in, and it went skidding across the floor with a loud noise. “I’m not finding the humor in this situation.” He looked at Slim. “Do you know where she’s staying?”

  “On the Lazy L ranch, my supposed new place of employment.”

  Tseena raised a brow at that. “Perfect. You head over to the Lazy L and Wednesday morning early, you grab Riley and bring her here.”

  “What if she won’t come with me?” Slim asked.

  “I’m not suggesting you invite her for a ride and a picnic. Kidnap her and bring her here. If she did tell them what we’re planning, maybe looking for her will keep the men on the ranch occupied long enough for us to take care of things in town and head south.”

  Slim nodded, and then Tseena added a caveat. “Don’t hurt her. I’d like to thrash her for putting herself in this kind of danger, but I don’t want her hurt. Gag her and tie her up and bring her here. Once we’re finished in town, I’ll come back and deal with her myself.”

  “I thought we was all headed for the border?” Ollie questioned.

  “You can all ride south, and I’ll catch up to you after I deal with Riley. I’ll be only a day or so behind you.”

  “But—” Ollie began.

  “It’s not up for discussion, unless you’d like to go out in the yard and challenge me for the position of leader?” Tseena gave Ollie a harsh look. Tseena was a much quicker draw than Ollie and the man knew it. Ollie held up his hands and backed away.

  “No, your plan sounds fine. Slim, get outta here.”

  Slim nodded, and fifteen minutes later he was riding back to town and making his way to the Lazy L ranch. This was a complication no one, not even Tseena, had foreseen, but his quick thinking in town had provided them a perfect solution. They were still going to accomplish robbing the stagecoach, and with the knowledge he’d acquired, they would also take the money previously brought to town. He would do what Tseena had said and make sure Riley couldn’t interfere, and then he and the others would head for Mexico and live the good life for the rest of their days.

  No way was a tiresome, meddling wench going to mess up their biggest robbery yet. She might be Tseena’s sister, but to Slim she was just a nuisance that needed to be eliminated.

  Don’t hurt her.

  Slim snorted. “Yeah, I’ll do my best, but if she gives me any trouble, I won’t think twice about knocking her around some and making sure she knows the score. Riley’s going to learn that putting your nose in someone else’s business is dangerous and I aim to be her teacher.”

  Chapter 16

  Monday evening …

  “Riley, come for a walk with me,” Gideon said as he stepped into the kitchen. He’d been trying to get a few moments alone with her all day long since returning from town, but so far one chore after another had kept them apart. With Wednesday looming on the horizon, the ranch hands were working diligently to take care of as many chores as possible to free up more hands to fight off the gang when it arrived.

  It had already been decided that Jace and the women would remain at the ranch. Everyone else was heading into town before the sun came up Wednesday morning and they wouldn’t be returning until the situation with the Johnston gang was resolved.

  Gideon felt only a slight trepidation about what was to come, but not where his pa or brother were concerned. They might not be as quick on the draw as Gideon was, but their aim was straight and true.

  They hit what they aimed at and the men of the town had all decided that the entire Johnston gang was either going to meet their Maker come Wednesday morning or find themselves enjoying the hospitality of Sheriff Parmele’s jail.