A Mail-Order Chance

by Janelle Daniels

  But when Declan rode back into camp, her heart beat a little harder, and she wondered if Ivan’s ranch was really all that mattered anymore.

  A round of cheers broke out when Declan passed out the alcohol, and even Jesse took a bottle.

  “Are you all right?” Declan whispered, leading her away from the rowdy bunch.

  “Yes.” But if he ever thought of leaving her alone with those men again, even if he had to run off to save the President of the United States, he was mistaken. Wherever he went, she went. And next time, she’d make that very clear.

  She fell asleep easier than she imagined she would, tucked against his side, and was surprised when she woke well past sunrise.

  She sat up, looking around at the still-assembled camp. “What’s going on?”

  Declan brought her a hot mug full of the same terrible coffee she’d endured yesterday morning. “Jesse went into town, but he should be back soon.”

  Jesse went into town alone? “Does he do that often?”

  Declan shrugged, but she could see the tenseness in his shoulders. “Off and on.”

  There was more going on here than he was telling her. She wanted to prod him for more information, answers he wasn’t willing to give, but she knew he wouldn’t budge. He was that kind of man—tight-lipped but loyal.

  She frowned. If he were those things, why was he running with Jesse’s gang? Things didn’t make sense here. She had to be missing something.

  But as she sat and stared at the man in question, no extra insight came to her.

  By the time she’d cleaned up, eaten, and taken care of her needs, Jesse came riding back from town. It must’ve been a good visit, if the satisfied smirk on his face were anything to go by.

  The other men must have noticed as well, because one asked, “What’s up, boss?”

  Jesse dismounted. “I have our next target.”

  Declan froze next to her, and it was then she realized what Jesse was talking about.

  Jesse pulled out a map from his saddle bag and pointed. “We’ll intercept here in two days.”

  McCoy hooted. “I don’t know where you get your information, but whoever gives it is a genius.”

  And with those words, blood drained from Ellie’s face. Because she suddenly realized one thing: they weren’t speaking confidentially. They were speaking like she didn’t matter, like she wasn’t there.

  Because she wouldn’t be. She couldn’t talk if she were dead.

  She’d known there was less than a slim chance she’d escape this alive, but ransoming her off had given her a glimmer of hope. That hope just died.

  She glanced to Declan to see if he realized the same thing, if he saw the proof she wouldn’t make it out of there alive. He went about cleaning up his personal items like the news didn’t bother him in the slightest.

  Did he not realize, or did he just not care?

  But then she noticed his right hand. Every once in awhile, it opened and closed with a ruthless deliberateness, and she realized he knew exactly what was going on.

  But when would they kill her? A witness to not only the first train robbery, but a second?

  Two days.

  That was the date of the next robbery.

  She was sure it was also the date of her execution.

  Chapter 6

  After Jesse announced his plans, the group finally broke camp. Ellie rode with Declan again, trading a canteen back and forth during the long journey. When they finally made camp later that night, sheltered in a particularly rocky area, he tossed her some jerky and a few biscuits, before stoking a fire.

  She was still alive, but that meant very little. The next train robbery was less than forty-eight hours away, and she had no plan of escape. And with the men all gathered tightly around the fire, there was little hope she’d be able to talk to Declan about a plan.

  Still, she needed to try. He had to care whether she lived or died. After what they’d been through thus far—caring for her, protecting her—it couldn’t all be in vain.

  When the horses had been cared for, Jesse’s tent had been erected, and men were dozing or playing cards, Ellie saw her chance. “Declan, I need to talk to you,” she whispered, hoping the others wouldn’t hear. “Could we go for a walk?”

  He continued to lounge against a boulder, his hat tipped over his eyes. He didn’t comment, so Ellie thought he might not have heard her. “Declan?”

  “Maybe later.” He still hadn’t moved from his position.

  She clenched her jaw so it wouldn’t fall open. She thought he’d realized her predicament that morning, but maybe she was wrong. “It’s a matter of urgency.”

  “I’m sure it can wait.”

  He was absolutely wrong there. “It can’t.”

  He lowered his hat and intention showed in his eyes. It was like he was trying to tell her something, but she was never any good with that sort of thing.

  “It’s too cold to venture far from the fire,” he said. “We’ll stay here tonight. If it’s private, you can tell me tomorrow. Otherwise, whatever it is, you’re welcome to talk about it now.”

  But his eyes suggested she not.

  Had she done something to upset him? Thinking back, she couldn’t recall anything. Their day had been typical—well, as typical as it had been since she’d been kidnapped. What could’ve turned him against her?

  He placed his hat over his eyes again and she frowned.

  She thought she could count on him, that he’d help her get away, but seeing him now, like this, she realized her mistake. Stupid. He looked like the other men in camp—unfeeling, uncaring, and ready to shoot a bullet through her heart at a moment’s notice.

  Maybe she couldn’t count on him to help her. After their kiss, and then the talk about her weapon, she’d began to trust him. Could she be any more a fool? He was a robber. He’d taken her hostage along with the rest of the group.

  He wasn’t her friend, and it was high time she remembered that.

  She leaned away from him. “Tomorrow’s fine. It’s no big deal.”

  He didn’t even acknowledge her words. She wasn’t even worth that to him.

  She wasn’t worth anything to these men. They took better care of their horses than they did her. It would serve them right if she pulled out her gun and shot one of them. What did it matter anyway? They were going to kill her regardless. She might as well rid the world of one of them before she went.

  Two of the horses nickered, catching her attention. Maybe she should make a run for one of them. She didn’t need a saddle to ride, but her skirts would be a problem. She wouldn’t have enough time to tie them up before mounting.

  As she eyed the horses again, they stirred, sidestepping nervously.

  The hairs on the back of her neck rose. Why were they behaving this way?

  But even as she thought it, she knew.

  One of the horses screamed, rearing in the air, sensing danger nearby.

  A man ran over to calm the horses, and the once dozing Declan shot up, guns at the ready. “Get behind me.”

  She didn’t have to be told twice and wedged herself between his body and the rock. Whatever was out there, it was terrifying the horses.

  She reached her hand into her pocket, fitting it around her gun in case she needed to defend herself. But she wasn’t ready to completely pull it out. If there really wasn’t danger out there, she would be handing her only source of defense to her captors.

  What was out there? “What do you—”

  “Quiet,” Declan ordered and she clamped her lips shut.

  The men froze—waiting, listening.

  The horses continued to wail, and Jesse stormed out of his tent. “What’s with all the noise?” His nostrils flared as he looked for someone to blame for the ruckus.

  She saw the mountain lion a split second before it sprung for Jesse. She screamed, but Declan’s guns muffled the sound.

  She blinked, expecting to see Jesse’s mangled corpse on the ground. When her eyes fin
ally cleared, she saw that Jesse wasn’t laying on the ground; the mountain lion was.

  Stone still.

  No one moved as they took in the scene. The lion had collapsed inches from Jesse.

  Their leader’s face had turned ashen, his color leeched from the near-death experience, but he seemed to steel himself, before nodding at Declan.

  Jesse glanced over at one of the other men. “Clean it up,” he commanded, before returning back to his tent.

  Declan carefully replaced his weapons while the men recounted what had just happened. The group’s drowsiness had been replaced with pure adrenaline, which Ellie guessed would intoxicate them for hours.

  Declan still hadn’t turned back to her, and she hadn’t moved from her position behind him. In truth, she was afraid her legs would fail her. Never had she come so close to such a dangerous creature. “Good shot,” she finally said.

  He shrugged. “I was lucky.”

  “Jesse was lucky.”

  He didn’t argue, and she didn’t bring it up again.

  He finally turned around. “You should try to rest. We have another long day tomorrow.” His tone told her there was no room for arguments. There would be no talking that night. He’d made his position perfectly clear.

  But after what had just happened, she was grateful she hadn’t blurted out her ideas for escape. Declan hadn’t needed to save Jesse, but he had. He’d chosen to save the man’s life. If Declan had let the lion kill him, they could’ve been free to get away.

  Now, with Jesse still very much alive, she’d be hunted forever. Declan had chosen that path. He’d chosen Jesse’s life over hers.

  She couldn’t wait any longer for Declan to save her. She’d have to come up with a solid plan to save herself.

  They reached the hideout by midday the next day. And in truth, Declan had no idea how the next few hours would play out. He’d sent a wire to his superior, detailing the hideout’s location, but had never heard back from him.

  And the fact none of the other marshals were there now, left him with the impression assistance wouldn’t make it in time.

  It would’ve been so much easier had he been alone. Ellie’s presence complicated matters tremendously. If needed, he would’ve ridden off and taken his chances, but he couldn’t do that with her. He couldn’t risk her getting shot or killed.

  He hated dismissing her last night, but there was no way they could talk about anything without the others overhearing. And he wondered if Jesse already suspected something. He didn’t want to do anything further which might tip the man off. Declan settled Ellie in the cave and helped the others unload the gold they’d stolen from the train. They’d been hidden in bags carried by two extra horses, and seeing that glimmer of gold refocused his purpose.

  He was here to capture criminals who not only stole, but harmed innocents. And if he didn’t do something quickly, they were going to do it again the next day.

  With backup or not, this had to end today.

  Jesse sauntered into the cave with the first true flicker of joy Declan had seen on the man’s face. “Well, look at that.”

  The men cheered, but Declan hovered to the side, his back to the wall.

  Jesse chuckled. “There’s one more thing outside we need to take care of. Everyone head out.” He nodded at Declan. “Bring the woman.”

  Dread pooled in Declan’s stomach. This couldn’t be good. There was no reason Jesse would want her outside unless he was done with her. But they hadn’t even sent a ransom message yet, so that didn’t make sense.

  “If you want,” he replied in a bored tone, then shrugged. “But she’ll hinder anything you want done. It’ll be easier to keep her tied up in here.”

  Jesse’s smirk faded. “Bring her.”

  Declan’s jaw clenched, but he nodded.

  When he approached Ellie, her eyes widened and she backed up until she was pressed up against the wall. “Don’t take me out there. You know he’s going to kill me.”

  Declan swore. He didn’t want to take her out there, but in here, they were sitting ducks. At this point, the only possibility for survival was outside. “Just do what I tell you.”

  He wished he could calm her and reassure her everything would be all right, but he wouldn’t lie to her. Things were about to get ugly, and it was entirely possible that one or both of them would die.

  But God help him, he’d do his best to keep them both alive. “Trust me.”

  “You know they’re going to kill me, right? You’re not under some delusion that they’ll let me go? Because if you are, you’re an idiot.”

  If this were any other place or time, he might’ve smiled. She said those words so matter-of-fact. There was no whining, wailing, crying, or any other melodramatics he’d come to expect from women.

  But he had come to realize over the last few days that Ellie wasn’t just any other woman. She was different.

  Special.

  And whatever he had to do, he swore he’d keep her alive, even if he had to sacrifice himself to do so. “Let’s go.”

  He made sure she followed behind him, hoping Jesse wouldn’t shoot her as they exited. They made their way out, finding Jesse and all the other men with their guns pointed at, not just Ellie, but at him as well, and Declan knew he was in deep trouble.

  He rocked back on his heels. “What’s this? You guys aren’t double-crossing me, are you?” He looked from one stern face to another.

  Jesse laughed. “Double-cross you? Why would we?”

  McCoy snickered.

  Declan nodded back toward the cave. “That’s a lot of gold in there. But as you said, there’s more to be had. I’m willing to let go of my share in there for the promise of more.”

  McCoy cocked his gun.

  Jesse held out his hand. “Unfortunately, Marshal Declan James, this is where your journey as an outlaw ends.”

  Everyone froze at his announcement.

  McCoy gathered enough of his wits to yell, “He’s a marshal?”

  Jesse didn’t answer, but simply raised a brow, waiting for Declan to answer.

  He cursed. How did Jesse find out? How long has he known?

  Declan’s gaze flicked to Ellie’s rounded eyes. “Yes. I am. I’m U.S. Marshal Declan James.”

  “Of course you are,” Jesse said, as if congratulating him. “The question is, why did a U.S. Marshal help us relieve that train of its gold?”

  Jesse walked closer, circling both Declan and Ellie, and dragging his gun so that it’s cold barrel drew a line on their bodies as he circled around them. He then jabbed the cold barrel into Declan’s side. “Answer me.”

  Declan’s chin notched up. “I was ordered to infiltrate and gather evidence that you were responsible for the five train robberies over the last year.”

  McCoy swore again, and his aim wavered between Declan and Ellie. Declan edged a little to the right, blocking McCoy’s view of her.

  Jesse tsked. “I don’t think so.”

  Declan remained still, giving nothing away. “It’s the truth,” he said, but Jesse still studied him.

  Declan had been hired to gather evidence, but his mission was about so much more than that. They already knew Jesse’s gang was responsible for the thefts, that was never in question. But the real reason he was there, was to infiltrate the group and find out who Jesse worked for. The gang had too much classified information about where gold would be and when, for just any ordinary job.

  “You’re here for something else,” Jesse said. “But it doesn’t matter now.”

  Declan knew what that meant. “How do you not know that I’m here for the money? Marshals don’t make much in the way of salary.”

  “But they do in bounties.”

  He had him there. The bounty alone on each of their heads would keep him comfortable for some time, and that wasn’t even taking into account the finder’s fee he’d receive when he returned the gold they’d stolen.

  McCoy stepped forward. “Let’s kill him. Let’s kill them
both.” His eyes raked hatred over Ellie, but she stood her ground, glaring back at him just as fiercely.

  Jesse swung his gun toward McCoy. “Shut up. I’ll do what I want, when I want.”

  McCoy quieted down at the reprimand, but he didn’t look very repentant.

  “I had decided to kill you once we reached the cave instead of doing it on the road. It’s always better to have an extra gun in case we run into trouble.”

  Declan swore. He should’ve taken Ellie away when he’d had the chance. But he hadn’t seized the opportunity. He’d chosen to stay, to put them both in danger, because he couldn’t walk away from all he’d worked for over the last year.

  And now they’d pay with their lives.

  “Take the woman and go over to that tree.” Jesse gestured to a large oak.

  Declan didn’t move. “You don’t need to kill her. You can get a ransom for her. I thought you were only interested in the money. Seems a waste to bring her all this way just to kill her.”

  Jesse shrugged. “I don’t have time to deal with her now. Besides, it’ll be so much better knowing you’ll have to watch her suffer and die over the next few days.”

  “Days?”

  McCoy glared at Jesse. “What do you mean ‘days?’”

  “The marshal here saved my life. If he hadn’t shot the mountain lion last night, I’d be dead. I owe him.”

  Well, Declan supposed it was something. Although, if he hadn’t saved his life, the others would’ve never known he was a marshal. Ellie and he would’ve been safe… even if all his work had died with Jesse, as he was the only person who received classified information. From what Declan could tell, the other men had no idea who they really worked for. “What will you do with us?”

  A faint smile tweaked Jesse’s lips, and Declan wanted to punch it away. “You’re going to let us tie you and the woman to that tree, and then we’re going to leave. If you can’t get away, then you wasted the opportunity I gave you.”

  McCoy swore and kicked a rock. “You can’t leave them alive!”