by Bobbi Smith
“Susie—”
The tone of his voice was strange, and when he resisted her efforts to draw him to the bedside, she looked back at him, confused.
“This isn’t going to work,” he admitted.
“What?” She was shocked. He was one gorgeous man, and she wanted him all for herself. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked, fearing that she’d somehow angered him. He’d seemed so eager when they were downstairs.
“No. You’re just the wrong woman, that’s all.”
“I don’t understand,” she told him.
“Neither do I,” he mused.
“You don’t want me?”
“You’re a good-looking woman, Susie, and a man would be crazy not to want you. But there’s another woman—”
Slowly she began to understand. “You’re in love with somebody?”
The possibility jarred him. “I don’t know if I’d go that far—”
“Why else would you turn down a very willing, hot-blooded woman who was standing right before you, practically naked?”
Jack realized how ridiculous his situation was, and he gave her a lopsided grin. “I’m sorry, Susie. I have to get out of here.”
She pouted as she moved back to stand right in front of him. “Are you sure? I know how to show cowboys a good time.”
“I’m sure you do, but I’m not going to be one of them.”
“Too bad,” she said in a sultry voice.
“I have to go.”
She stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.
“Your woman’s lucky to have a man like you.”
“One of these days I’ll get around to telling her you said so.” He did not respond to her kiss, but put her from him. He dug some money out of his pocket and pressed it into her hand. “Take the rest of the night off.”
She looked down at the generous amount he’d given her and smiled even more broadly. “I will. You sure you don’t want another kiss before you go? A girl likes to earn her money.”
“No, Susie, but thanks. There’s only one woman I want to kiss right now, and she’s not here.”
She stuffed the money down her cleavage. “Well, Jack, thanks for an interesting night.”
“Good night.” With that, he was gone from the room.
Susie was surprised by what had happened, but fell back upon the bed to rest for a while. Later, when she went downstairs, she told the other girls how generous he’d been with his money and how much she’d enjoyed being with him. And it wasn’t a lie.
Jack left the saloon, greatly irritated with himself. He’d gone in there to get drunk and had decided not to drink. He’d planned on enjoying the services of one of the working girls and had talked himself out of that too. It seemed a wasted night.
Jack returned to his room at the hotel and went to bed. He lay there sleepless, trying to understand what he was feeling, and finally came to accept that there was only one woman he wanted—Amanda.
And wanting her was only going to cause him trouble, lots of trouble.
Jack found himself smiling into the darkness. Amanda was one amazing female.
Cody approached the shabby little house cautiously. It had taken her a few days of discreet questioning, but she had finally managed to find out where Chica was living now. After her violent run-in with Hank Sheldon, Chica had moved in with her widowed, elderly mother in this home on the outskirts of town.
Cody hadn’t been able to get much information out of the other girls at the saloon. As popular as Chica had been with the men, the girls had been glad to see her go. The only point they’d made when speaking of her was to emphasize how they knew she would never be back. Cody had asked one of them how she could be so sure, and the girl had just laughed and said, “If you ever see her, you will know.”
She knocked on the door and waited.
“Who is it?” a muffled voice called from inside.
“My name is Armita. I am here to speak with Chica.”
“Go away!”
“I mean no harm. I just wanted to talk with Chica about Hank Sheldon.”
There was a long silence, and then the door was pulled open just a little bit. Cody could see only a part of a woman’s face in the crack of the open door.
“I mean you no harm. I only want to talk.”
“Hasn’t Hank done enough to me?” Chica was nearly hysterical.
“I’m here because I need your help. Is there some place where we could speak in private?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m trying to save someone’s life, and you’re the only one who can help me.”
The door opened a little wider and Cody got her first look at Hank Sheldon’s handiwork. Chica’s face had been cut to shreds. Hank had obviously tortured her, and he had also made sure she could never again earn her living as a saloon girl. The wounds were still red and raw and inflamed. Cody knew she had to be in great pain.
“Did he do this to you?”
Chica nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“It would have been better if he had killed me. Now—” She shrugged.
“May I come in?”
The other woman eyed her again. Then, sensing no threat in her, Chica let Cody enter the room. It was sparsely furnished. Her mother sat in the far corner and did not speak as Cody and Chica sat down at the table together.
“What do you want with me?”
“I am going to tell you the complete truth. There is only one other person in El Terrón who knows what I am about to reveal to you. I am trusting you because unless we trust each other, there can be no justice.”
“I don’t understand.”
“My real name is Cody, not Armita. I am a bounty hunter, and I’m after the Sheldon brothers.”
“Why are you here?” Chica asked, trembling visibly. “Can’t you see what he’s already done to me?” Cody reached out and touched her hand. “I’m here because I want to make sure he never hurts anyone ever again.”
“If he finds out—”
“Who will tell him?”
Their eyes met. Cody did not smile, but met Chica’s gaze directly. She wanted Chica to have confidence in her. She did not want her to be afraid.
“Why are you doing this? For the money?”
“The bounty is a good one, I won’t deny that, but my reason for going after the Sheldons is purely personal. They’re out to kill a friend of mine, and I intend to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“Why should I help you?”
“I want to make you an offer, Chica. I will give you half of the bounty I earn on them, if you can tell me where I can find them right now. I don’t have time to wait here for them to return. A man’s life is at stake. It’s a lot of money. Your share would be five thousand dollars.”
“That much?” She was shocked, and her eyes narrowed as she considered the offer. “But what if I tell you where you can find him and then you don’t capture him? What if Hank finds out that I told you? What he did to me before would be child’s play compared to what he’d do to me then.”
“There’s always that possibility—but, Chica, do you want to spend the rest of your life living in terror of Hank Sheldon? If you don’t help me, he may never be caught. Then, for the rest of your life, you’ll be looking over your shoulder, fearing that he might be somewhere nearby, just waiting to hurt you again.”
Chica was silent; then she glanced over to the corner where her elderly mother sat quietly, watching and listening. She spoke to her mother in Spanish, explaining all that was transpiring, and the old woman answered quickly.
“My mother says I must tell you everything about Hank, and I know she is right. Am I wrong to trust you?”
“No. You have my word that I will give you half the bounty on the Sheldons as soon as I receive it.”
She nodded. “I will tell you.”
“Thank you. You won’t regret it.”
“The only thing I regret in my life is that I ever met Hank Sheldon in the firs
t place.”
“Where is he now? Is he traveling with his brother?”
“Yes. They are always together. There are only two other towns where they hide out—Rock Water and Del Cuero.”
Cody nodded. She’d heard of both towns and knew of their reputations as hellholes. “Thank you. Do you know which one they would most likely go to?”
“No. They have friends in both places who would help them. You say they are out to kill your friend?”
“Yes.”
“Then I wish you luck. They are evil men who will stop at nothing to get what they want.”
“Thank you for your help. I will send word to you as soon as I have them in custody.”
“I hope you are as good at your job as you seem.”
“I always do my best.”
Again their gazes met and locked.
“Vaya con Dios,” Chica said. “You will need all the help you can get.”
“I will take all the help God can give me.”
Cody left her and returned to the Silverado. She acted the part of Armita as she entered the saloon, smiling and flirting with the customers, but her thoughts were far away. She had much to do and little time. First, she had to find Luke, so she could arrange to meet him and tell him everything she’d learned.
As she made her way through the saloon, she finally caught sight of her husband sitting at one of the quieter tables in the back. She was anxious to head out of town after the Sheldons.
“It is good to see you,” Cody told Luke with a big smile as she came to stand beside him.
“Armita . . . You’re looking as gorgeous as ever today,” Luke said for the benefit of any other customers who might be listening to their conversation.
“I think I am ready to quit my job in this place.”
“You are?” Luke asked, playing along.
“Yes, this town is too quiet for Armita. I want a more exciting life. I think I will travel to Rock Water. I have heard that there is much to be learned in that town.”
“Would you like an escort, pretty lady? Traveling alone might prove dangerous for a woman like you.”
She eyed him, a bold appraisal. “You look like a man who could keep up with me. I’ll meet you at the stables in an hour.”
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
A little over an hour later they were riding for Rock Water.
Cody quickly told him everything she’d learned from Chica.
“Well, I hope Chica is reliable . . .” Luke began.
“She is,” Cody interrupted. “I believe every word she told me. She has every reason to hate Hank Sheldon now.”
“What did he do to her?”
“He cut her up. She used to be a beautiful woman, I hear, but now she won’t go out in public. It’s tragic. She lives in constant terror that he might come back.”
“How did you get her to help you?”
“I told her the truth.”
“And?” Luke prodded, knowing his wife would use any inducement necessary to get what she wanted.
“And I promised her half the bounty. She deserves it,” Cody said sadly, thinking of Chica’s wounds and the pain she must be suffering. When she gazed at Luke, the look in her eyes was one of fierce determination. “We’re going to do this—for Jack and for Chica.”
They rode hard for Rock Water.
Chapter Fourteen
Amanda was up early to check on her father. He seemed a little less feverish, and, with Eileen’s assistance, she helped him to have breakfast.
“What do you think?” Amanda asked Eileen when they’d left him to rest again.
“He is better this morning. Certainly he’s not as flushed as he was yesterday.”
“I was really worried last night.” Amanda looked at her friend. “I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to him.”
Eileen tried to reassure her. “He’s going to be all right eventually. His injuries were serious, though, so it’s going to be a slow recovery for him. It’s hard for him, because he’s a man used to doing what he wants to do when he wants to do it.”
Amanda smiled at that characterization of her father. “You know him very well already.”
“It didn’t take long to figure out how frustrated he was being incapacitated this way. We just have to keep him occupied so he doesn’t have time to realize how weak he is. He needs his rest more than anything.”
“Both Ted and Jack want to speak with him today.”
“That will be fine as long as we don’t have to wake him to do it. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the visits. How is Jack? I was so surprised when I learned that he was staying on. I’d thought for sure he’d go after the Sheldons as soon as we got here.”
“I did, too, but my father convinced him to stay.”
“Well, I’m glad he did,” Eileen said with conviction. “I feel much better about things knowing that Jack is here, don’t you?” She slanted Amanda a sidelong glance, wanting to see her reaction.
“Frankly, I wish he was gone.” Amanda’s expression remained neutral and betrayed nothing of what she was feeling.
“But don’t you need him? I mean, since Jack was a Ranger, I’m sure he’s very good with a gun.”
“The stage line needs him, but I don’t. I have Isaac . . . and Ted . . . to help me.”
“You and I both know that Jack is twice the man Ted is. Why, I’d trust Jack with my life.”
Amanda wanted to contradict her, but didn’t. She knew that in Eileen’s opinion Jack could do no wrong. “You’re right. He is good with a gun, but starting today, I’m going to do some target shooting myself.”
“Why, when you have Jack?”
“Because there are going to be times when I’ll be on my own. Jack isn’t always going to be hovering around, and I want to be prepared. I don’t ever want to be trapped and helpless again the way I was with Micah Jennings.”
“I admire you so much,” Eileen said.
“You do?” She was surprised.
“Oh, yes. You’re smart and resourceful and brave. You are so determined to succeed. I don’t think you will ever let anything stop you, once you set your mind to accomplishing something.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, but remember, I’m not saying that just to make you feel good. I only tell the truth.”
They shared a look of understanding, then smiled at each other. They were just starting down the steps when Ted knocked at the front door.
“Ted’s here,” Amanda said. “I’ll let him in.”
She was pleased that he was there, for his presence would distract her from thoughts of Jack. She definitely didn’t want to be thinking about Jack.
Eileen watched her hurry down the steps to let Ted in and wondered why Amanda was so glad to see him.
“Good morning, Amanda. You look lovely,” Ted greeted her smoothly as she let him in.
“Why, thank you. Come on in.”
“Good morning,” he said to Eileen.
“Hello, Ted.”
He turned back to Amanda. “Is your father up to seeing me this morning?”
“He’s resting right now. But you could stay and join us for breakfast. After we eat, we can see if he’s awake and up to it. Will you breakfast with us?”
“I’d like that,” he said, his gaze warm upon Amanda. “I’ll tell Maria we need to set another place,” Eileen offered. She was smiling, but there was something about Ted that set her teeth on edge. She couldn’t quite say what it was. Maybe he was too nice, too concerned. Eileen told herself she was being too hard on the man and went off to the kitchen.
The meal was a cordial one. Ted told Amanda of how he’d been away at school until a few months before. He encouraged her to talk about her activities in Philadelphia. He was very interested in the women’s movement and complimented her on her involvement.
“You are an extraordinary woman, Amanda Taylor.”
She blushed prettily at his compliment.
“And he
re you are, back in West Texas after living all those years in the East. The change must be hard on you, and now you’ve given up your own dreams just to help your father.”
Amanda hadn’t considered her staying in San Rafael a sacrifice. Truth be told, she hadn’t thought much about the suffragist movement since learning what had happened to her father. She realized as they talked about it that she still had to write a letter to Bethany and tell her what was going on. She knew for a fact that she wouldn’t be going back to Philadelphia any time soon and vowed to post a letter to her friend later that day.
“It’s not so much that I’ve given up my dreams,” she said, “as I’ve just—postponed them.”
“Admirable. You are a woman ahead of her times. Look how well you’re doing with the stage line.”
“I don’t know if that’s true, especially after what you told me last night about another driver quitting.”
“It’s got to get better soon. The sheriff’s bound to come up with something.”
“I hope so. I just have to keep the line running until the sheriff makes some arrests.”
“I wish he’d find the culprits soon,” Ted said. “I don’t understand how they can disappear so completely.”
“Neither do I.”
“Shall I go look in on your father and see if he’s up to a visit?” Eileen offered as she finished her meal. She’d been watching Ted with Amanda. He was handsome, articulate and certainly seemed to like her, and that was good, for they would be working closely together until Dan recovered.
“Please,” Amanda answered.
Ted was thrilled when the older woman left him alone with Amanda. He’d been thinking about her all night and wondering what he should do next.
The original plan he and his mother had conceived to get rid of Asa and Dan had failed, but now he knew there were other ways to get what they wanted. Since Dan was shot, Ted had had the opportunity to get a good look at the books. He’d learned what a truly lucrative enterprise Taylor Stage and Freight was. With this knowledge, a new plan had come to him overnight, and it all centered on Amanda. If he controlled Amanda, he ultimately controlled the line. He had to woo her and win her.
True, Ted hadn’t spoken to his mother yet. But since her only motivation was to get money so she could get out of San Rafael, he knew she would be happy with whatever he did—just as long as it met her needs. And his plan would, for once he’d taken over, he would send his mother happily on her way with generous funding to keep her in the style she longed for. If he married Amanda, he would be the new owner of Taylor Stage and Freight Lines, and that would make him very successful.