Ride The Wind (Vincente 3)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "But what can I do? Even if I don't marry Matthew, Reese still doesn't love me."

  "We will put our heads together and see what comes of it."

  Saber felt better for unburdening herself. "Even if I must marry Matthew, I can bear it. After all, Matthew is a wonderful man. The one thing I could never do is hurt him. I owe him so much for helping me in Georgia."

  "You don't owe him the rest of your life, Saber."

  The fire burned low, and soon Saber and Rachel went to bed.

  "The first thing I'm going to do tomorrow is take a tub bath and put on one of my gowns."

  "Yes, I believe that would be a good idea." Rachel's mind was reeling. She wasn't going to let Saber sacrifice herself in marriage. She suspected that Reese Starrett was in love with Saber. It didn't matter how honorable he was if a woman with Saber's beauty offered herself to a man, he'd be hard-pressed to refuse her. No. Reese Starrett loved Saber and refused to take advantage of her while she was under his protection---that was what it was!

  "Rachel?"

  Rachel yawned. "Yes?"

  "What are we supposed to do now?"

  "Noble would like us to be at Casa del Sol, where you will be better protected, but he fears the journey would be dangerous. So he wants us to remain here until he comes for us."

  "I have tried to think why I was kidnapped."

  "Everyone would like to know that. The most likely reason is that you were kidnapped for money."

  "Rachel, there is something I haven't told you."

  Her sister-in-law stiffened, dreading what was to come. She had feared that Saber had been raped by her abductors and she prayed it wasn't so.

  "I was unconscious for two days after I was abducted. I don't know what they did to me in that time."

  "Were there any signs that they.. .raped you?

  "I wouldn't know what to look for."

  "There might have been blood, Saber."

  "No. There was nothing like that." She raised herself up on her elbow. "Does that mean they didn't touch me?"

  "No. Not really," Rachel said, knowing she had to be honest with Saber.

  "How will I ever know?"

  "Have you had your monthly?"

  "Yes."

  Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. "Then it's best not to think about it just now. When you are married, your husband will know."

  "But I should tell Matthew. I couldn't let him marry me without letting him know that it could have happened."

  Rachel pondered Saber's words. She didn't know what kind of a man her future brother-inlaw was. "Let me think about it. We will decide what to do later."

  Saber turned onto her side and closed her eyes. "This nightmare never seems to end."

  The next day Rachel kept Saber busy so she wouldn't have time to dwell on her situation. When Saber had bathed and her hair had been washed and brushed until it hung to her waist in soft curls, she felt more like herself. She put on a yellow cotton gown and matching slippers. It felt wonderful to know that she looked her best. She wished Reese could see her now.

  Jake and Gabe had ridden out early, and most of the Casa del Sol riders had gone with them. But Gabe had informed them that two men would stay behind to watch out for them.

  Saber was rearranging her clothes in her trunk when she heard a rider approaching. Thinking it might be Reese, she ran to the window. The barn door was open, so one of the men must have returned.

  She had an uneasy prickling sensation at the back of her neck.

  "Rachel."

  There was no answer.

  Saber ran to the bedroom and lifted Reese's pistol out of the holster. It was unloaded! She had seen some boxes of shells under the bed when she'd been cleaning. Maybe there were bullets to fit this gun in one of the boxes. She took a steadying breath when she found that one of them did indeed hold the right bullets. She was going to feel foolish when the rider turned out to be Jake or Gabe. But she had learned not to take chances.

  She heard Rachel's voice as she opened the door to greet whomever it was. She wanted to call out a warning, but it was too late. She shoved bullets into the chamber and prayed the gun wasn't too rusty to fire.

  "What can I do for you?" Rachel asked.

  "I'm looking for work. Would you be the woman of the house?"

  Saber cringed when she heard the voice that had haunted her nightmares. It was Eugene Miller!

  "No, I'm sorry. You'll need to come back another time. The man who owns the ranch is away at the moment."

  Saber heard the door open wider, and Rachel gasped.

  "Who are you? What are you doing?"

  Saber realized that the men left behind to protect them were not going to be any help. She squared her shoulders and moved out of the bedroom, the gun hidden behind her. She nodded to Rachel, and her sister-in-law moved aside.

  "This is Eugene Miller," she told Rachel. "He's here because he and I have unfinished business," Saber said as calmly as if she were introducing a friend.

  "That's right, pretty thing. Now there's two of you. Which one will I take first?" His hand went down to rest on his gun. "Don't either of you make any sudden moves. Miss Vincente, me and you will just go into the bedroom."

  She backed toward the bedroom door, trying to draw him farther away from Rachel. "I'd hoped you were dead," she said with all the hatred she felt for the man. "I'm sorry you aren't."

  "Now, I wouldn't want to leave this earth until I have me some of that sweet little body." He glanced at Rachel. "You stay put and don't call out for help, or I'll shoot Saber Vincente dead."

  "Don't hurt her," Rachel said quickly. "I won't do anything."

  Eugene glanced into the kitchen and was satisfied that there was no one there. "Is anyone else with you?" he asked, his eyes raking over Saber's soft curves.

  "Yes, there is," she said, bringing her hands from behind her back, where she'd been hiding the gun. "Meet Smith and Wesson." She leveled the gun at his chest and watched a look of horror come over his face. She fired once, then again and again.

  The dinner crowd at the hotel dining room fell silent as they watched Maj. Matthew Halloway limp toward Reese Starrett. Then people put their heads together, whispering, and the crowd's reaction was not lost on Matthew. He knew people were speculating about the kidnapping. Some of the gossip that had reached his ears was vicious, and he was not in a good mood.

  Matthew leaned heavily on a cane and grinned at Reese before easing himself onto a chair.

  After a few curious glances people went back to enjoying their meals, and Reese nodded toward the splint. "How's the leg?"

  "It doesn't hurt much now, but it itches like hell. I'll be glad to get this splint off. If the army doctor has his way, he'll keep me hobbled for the rest of my life."

  "Yeah. I remember. My Confederate doctors were probably as inadequate as your Yankee doctors."

  Matthew picked up a water glass and turned it around in his fingers. "There is no way I can thank you for what you did, Reese. I don't know what would have happened to Saber if you hadn't gone after her."

  "You don't owe me any thanks," Reese replied gruffly. "I am sure you're aware that she's at my ranch. I thought it would be the safest place for her until Eugene Miller and Felton are caught. But she would be safe enough if you took a company of your men and escorted her to Fort Griffin."

  Matthew dropped his gaze, seeming to pay particular attention to the water glass. "I don't think it would be a good idea to bring her to Fort Griffin at this time. She's better off where she is."

  Reese looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

  "I...my mother and father have heard the gossip that's been circulating around town about Saber. They ...we think it would be better to let it die down some before she comes back. After all, we don't really know what the Millers did to her. It could be somewhat difficult to explain to our friends back in Philadelphia."

  "What the hell are you talking about, Matthew?" Reese asked, jerking the glass out of Matthew's hand and slamm
ing it on the table, drawing attention to them again.

  Matthew lowered his voice. "Well, that little demonstration caught everyone's attention. We can't talk here."

  "No," Reese said, barely able to control his temper. "We wouldn't want anything we said getting back to Philadelphia."

  "Reese, don't say anymore. Let's get out of here. I sent word to her brother to meet us in my hotel room. He's probably there by now with my parents." Matthew awkwardly rose to his feet. "Suppose we finish this conversation there."

  Reese tossed money on the table and followed Matthew out of the dining room and up the stairs. When they reached Matthew's room, Noble was already there, talking to Matthew's mother and father.

  Mrs. Halloway was a prim woman with a high-necked lace gown and several strands of pearls that hung almost to her waist. Mr. Halloway was an older version of Matthew, with gray hair and boyish blue eyes.

  Mrs. Halloway was speaking when Reese en tered. "Mr. Vincente, I have heard nothing but praise about your family. I understand that your Casa del Sol is one of the largest ranches in Texas."

  "There are others bigger," Noble was saying, his eyes meeting Reese's. "But here's the man you really want to meet, Mr. and Mrs. Halloway Reese Starrett, the man who saved my sister's life."

  Reese nodded stiffly and turned to Matthew. "Tell Saber's brother what you just said to me downstairs."

  Matthew grinned uncomfortably and offered his hand to Noble. "We meet at last, Mr. Vincente. Saber has written me so much about you, I would have recognized you had we met on the street."

  Noble looked puzzled. "What are you supposed to tell me?"

  "Go ahead," Reese prodded. "Repeat what you said to me."

  "I merely pointed out to Reese that it might be better if Saber remained at his ranch until the gossip died down."

  Noble understood why Reese appeared so angry. He had not expected this from the man his sister was going to marry. "Saber has suffered enough, Matthew. I believe my sister would be better off with the people who love her. If we keep her isolated, she will think we are ashamed of her."

  "What my son means," Mr. Halloway interjected, "is that your sister might suffer embarrassment if she heard what was being said."

  "Just what is being said?" Noble insisted on knowing.

  Mrs. Halloway lowered her eyes to avoid the probing glance of Saber's brother. "I don't know if you are aware of it, Mr. Vincente, but our son is planning to run for political office when he leaves the army. Any breath of scandal may well end his hopes in that direction."

  Noble's eyebrows met across the bridge of his nose. Had the people in the room known him better, they would have recognized that he was angry. "It seems to me that my sister is the one who has suffered. I don't give a damn about some future political career your son might aspire to."

  "Now, now, let's not be hasty," Mr. Halloway said jovially. "The wedding will take place. We just need some assurances."

  "What kind of assurances?" Reese asked in a cold voice. But he knew what was coming he just didn't believe anyone could be so insensitive as this family. He'd thought of Matthew as an honorable man, but if he let his parents hurt Saber, Reese would have no respect for him at all.

  It was Mrs. Hallo way who answered. She linked her arm through her son's as if to steady him. "I know you are a good friend to my son, Mr. Starrett. He's told me that you wouldn't even accept money for what you did. That's why I feel I can talk plainly in front of you, knowing you will be discreet about this sensitive situation." She smiled, but there was no warmth in her expression. "Mr. Vincente," she said, turning to Noble. "I hope you will understand that we would like to have a doctor examine your sister."

  Reese's hand came down hard on Noble's arm, and he stepped in front of Saber's brother. "At the moment, I don't think you can expect Mr. Vincente to respond to such a hideous notion, so I'm speaking for him. Saber will not be put through the humiliation you are suggesting."

  Noble's fists were clenched, and he took a step toward Matthew. "And my sister won't be marrying you, you bastard!"

  Matthew's face paled, and he shook his head. "I love your sister. I want her to be my wife."

  "It will not happen, because you do not treasure her as she deserves to be treasured. I would never allow her to marry into such a family."

  "You mistook our good intentions," Mr. Halloway blustered. "I have heard my son say on many occasions how respected the Vincente family is. That's why I think you will want to clear this nasty business up once and for all. I can't tell you how my wife and I have been looking forward to meeting dear Saber."

  Noble barely kept his temper in check, and Reese took his arm and steered him to the door. He was angry enough himself to tear into Matthew, but it wasn't his place. "We are all upset by what's happened. After you have had a chance to think clearly, maybe we can talk this out."

  Noble wrenched his arm free from Reese's grip and stalked to the door. "I have nothing more to say to any of you."

  Reese followed him downstairs and outside. Noble stood for a long moment, letting the cool air hit him in the face. "What did you make of that, Reese?" he asked at last.

  "About the same as you did."

  Noble gripped the hitching post and leaned over, drawing in several deep breaths. "Saber is special. It's not because she's my sister. She's kind and loving; she cares deeply about those she loves. She would never understand what was said in that room today."

  "I believe Matthew loves her."

  Noble turned to Reese. "That's not the kind of love she deserves. Money and position mean nothing to her. Hell, Saber is wealthy in her own right, and as for position, she has my father's respected name, and our mother came from a fine old Southern family. No, I will not have her put through what they suggested."

  "I agree with you on that."

  Noble glanced at Reese. "You are Matthew's friend. Why have you sided with me in this?"

  "I'm on Saber's side. Like you, I don't want to see her hurt, and she would be if you told her what was said in that room today. Matthew is being influenced by his mother and father. He's not usually like that."

  "I need a drink," Noble said, stepping into the street and heading for a saloon. "Come on."

  "Yeah. I need one, too," Reese agreed.

  They were only halfway across the street when Reese heard a rider galloping right for them. He recognized Jake, and his blood froze. His gaze went to the horse Jake led, and the body that was draped across it.

  "What's happened, Jake?" Reese asked, while Noble stopped and watched worriedly.

  Jake slid from his horse, his youthful face flushed and excited. "It's Eugene Miller, Reese!"

  Reese pulled back the canvas that covered the body, took a handful of hair, and peered at the dead face. "Yes. That's Eugene, all right." His stomach muscles tightened in fear for Saber. "What happened?"

  "He came to the house, Reese. I know you told me to keep an eye on Miss Vincente, but her sister-in-law came. I didn't think that anyone would bother them in the daytime, and we left two men behind to watch after them."

  Noble's hand fell heavily on the young boy's shoulder. "My wife, my sister, has anything happened to them?"

  "No, sir," Jake said, immediately recognizing Noble Vincente. "They ain't been harmed."

  "For God's sake, Jake, tell me what happened, now!" Reese demanded, losing patience. "Tell me or I'll choke it out of you."

  "It was Miss Saber that did it!" His youthful eyes were full of wonder. "Miller was coming for her and making threats, and she shot him deader'n dirt."

  "Saber did?"

  "She used your old gun from the bedroom, boss."

  "I'm none too happy with you, Jake. She should never have been forced to defend herself," Reese said, his voice shaking.

  "Our men heard the shots and ran to the house, but she didn't need them by then, other than to clean away the blood. She's some woman, Reese! There we was wanting to protect her, and she took care of herself!"

  Rees
e and Noble exchanged glances. "Take the body to the sheriff and tell him what happened," Reese said. "Come on, Vincente; we got some riding to do!"

  Although it had been two days since Saber had shot Eugene Miller, her hands still trembled, and her knees went weak when she thought about it.

  Gabe and Jake had been wonderful. Gabe had insisted that Saber and Rachel leave the house while he cleaned up the blood, and Jake had taken the body to Fort Worth.

  She walked into the bedroom, hoping she wouldn't cry again. Rachel had been so compassionate and understanding, but Saber didn't want to burden her any more than she had to.

  She took one of Reese's shirts and held it against her face, knowing in her heart that she wanted his arms around her at that moment, holding her terror at bay and giving her comfort.

  Rachel heard riders and glanced toward the rifle Gabe had loaded and placed near the door should they need it. But when she saw who it was, she flew out the front door, crying her husband's name. Noble was off his horse and had enveloped her in his embrace even before the animal halted.

  Reese's glance went past Rachel, anxiously searching for Saber. He had almost ridden his horse to death to get to her, knowing she must be frightened and needing him.

  Rachel untangled herself from her husband and walked up to Reese. She offered him her hand, and he grasped it firmly in his. "I don't have to ask who you are, Mr. Starrett. You are exactly the way Saber described you."

  Reese was anxious because Saber hadn't come out to meet them. "How is she?"

  Rachel frowned. "It is difficult for her, Mr. Starrett. Go on in and talk to her. You'll find her inside."

  Noble started forward, but Rachel stalled him. "Let's get the horses taken care of. It looks like you tried your best to run them into the ground."

  Noble shook his head. "I need to go to Saber."

  "No, you don't." She nodded at Reese, who was hurrying into the house. "He'll take care of her."

  Noble frowned, and his jaw went rigid, the way it always did when he was angry. "What is that supposed to mean, Rachel? Why should Reese Starrett take care of her?"

  She slid her arms around his waist and gave him a heart-shattering smile. "Because he's the one she wants right now." She tilted her head back and laughed at the confusion on his face. "You men are always the last ones to know. How simple it would be if we women just told you outright that we loved you."