Whirlwind Groom

by Debra Cowan

  His brother was right, Davis Lee finally admitted. He loved Josie. He’d hurt her, and right now it didn’t seem to matter that she’d hurt him, too. After he brought McDougal back to Whirlwind, he would talk to her and try to make amends.

  Having settled that in his mind, he swept his gaze across the prairie. The setting sun turned the grass gold, tipped the scattered trees in red. A faint path of trampled grass was still visible. Davis Lee reined up and dismounted, running his hands over the broken grass. He gave a curt nod, sure that the tracks had been made by the same horse he’d been following.

  He walked forward several feet; the tracks veered off to the right, then the left. Had more riders come this way? Or was McDougal trying to throw him off? These tracks wouldn’t lead him much farther, and since it was nearly dark, he’d need to stop for the night.

  Davis Lee started to swing back into the saddle when he saw something in the distance behind him. A speck of black against the horizon on top of a hill he’d crested some time ago. He couldn’t tell for sure, but his instincts hammered that it was another rider.

  McDougal? It was possible the outlaw had backtracked, either to change direction or to come up on Davis Lee from the rear. Needing to make sure who that rider was, he climbed back in the saddle.

  She’d lost him. In more ways than one, Josie thought sadly as she reined up the gelding she’d rented from the livery and squinted through the settling darkness. Night spread over the gently sloping hills, making it look even more endless. They were headed north; she knew that and not much else.

  She’d managed to leave town within minutes of Davis Lee and keep him in sight without alerting him to her presence. But a while back, the crest of one hill had given way to level ground on the other side. For as far as she could see, there was only grass and scrub brush, randomly scattered lines of mesquite, pine and oak trees. No doubt Davis Lee would’ve run his horse flat-out on this stretch of ground. She might never catch sight of him.

  She would have to stop for the night. She had passed a creek about fifteen minutes ago. Though she didn’t want to backtrack, she had to think of her horse. Frustration swirled inside her. Losing sight of Davis Lee could destroy any chance of her finding McDougal. But she couldn’t see in the dark, and it would be foolish to risk injuring either herself or her mount.

  Holding desperately to the hope that in the morning she would be able to recognize a sign that would lead her to the sheriff or McDougal, Josie turned the gelding around. When they reached the small stand of trees close to the creek she’d seen, she dismounted.

  While the gelding drank his fill, she gathered up twigs and broke off what slender pine branches she could to use for a fire. She had filled her canteens earlier and could do so again in the morning.

  The wind sweeping across the prairie had turned chilly once the sun set. Slipping into her traveling coat, she briefly considered going back to Whirlwind, but she kept picturing that night two years ago. The bloody images of her parents and William. Blinking back tears, she knew she wasn’t going back, not when she finally had a chance to kill McDougal.

  Having never spent the night outside, Josie looked around uneasily. Pulling out her pocket revolver, she quickly loaded it. The light was fading fast so she turned her energy to building a fire. Stacking the kindling inside the circle, she lit it with one of the matches she’d brought.

  By the low-burning flames of her small fire, she unsaddled her horse, dumping the saddle onto the ground behind her and rubbing the gelding down with a handful of grass. The faraway howl of a coyote had her edging closer to her horse. Undoubtedly all manner of animals came out at night. That was one thing Josie hadn’t given any thought. Sitting on the ground, much less sleeping there, seemed an invitation for anything to crawl over her. She’d heard cowboys slept on their saddled horses; she would try that.

  With the gun a comforting weight in her coat pocket, she went in search of more kindling. The firelight cast a weak circle so she didn’t wander far. As she started back with an armful of wood, her horse blew out a heavy breath. He stomped one foot, then blew again. She carefully put down the wood, then edged her way behind the nearest tree and pulled the revolver out of her pocket.

  She peeked out to see what had disturbed the gelding. The wind strummed across the darkened prairie, teasing her skirt. In the shadows, Josie made out her horse, his head down as he grazed.

  He seemed fine now. She started out from behind the tree and saw something move in the shadows beyond her gelding. Her breath jammed hard under her ribs. Another horse, saddled but riderless, grazed its way toward Josie’s animal.

  Where was the horse’s rider? Was it McDougal? Would he come back this way? Trying not to panic, she carefully and quietly thumbed down the hammer on her revolver. In the next breath, a hand clapped over her mouth, another locked around her gun.

  Her scream muffled, she was yanked back against an iron-hard chest. She tried to bite the rough palm on her face. Her gun was ripped out of her hand and tossed away before she could do more than land an elbow to a stomach that was as solid as stone. A grunt sounded as a powerful arm locked around her middle, squeezing her breath out.

  “Don’t scream.” The harsh voice was male. And familiar. “It’s me. All right?”

  Davis Lee! She stiffened, then nodded. As soon as he released her, she whirled, pushing at him and whispering roughly, “You scared me to death!”

  “I meant to!” He grabbed her by the shoulders, towering over her like a black shadow. “What are you doing out here?”

  “How did you find me?” Still breathing hard, she nudged a loose strand of hair out of her eyes. “You were ahead of me.”

  He released her, his expression furious in the fire’s yellow glow. “We don’t have to whisper. I circled the whole area and we’re the only people around.”

  “I lost sight of you sometime ago.”

  “I knew someone was behind me. I doubled back, hoping to come across McDougal, but instead I find you.”

  Josie didn’t care how mad he was. She was relieved at no longer being alone. He picked up her gun and handed it to her. She slid it into her coat pocket while he strode through the grass to his horse and untied his bedroll. Carrying his blanket and his saddlebags, Davis Lee stalked back toward her.

  “Are you staying?”

  “Of course. I can’t go any farther in the dark. And you can’t—”

  “I’m going to find McDougal,” she said hotly. “I got this far, Davis Lee. You can say what you want, order me around all you want, but I’m not turning back.”

  “I know better than to expect you to go back and I don’t have time to make sure you actually do it. The only choice I have is to take you with me. In case there’s any question, I’m not happy about it.”

  “That’s obvious.”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice strained with patience. “Josie, I know you want this guy. So do I. But what were you thinking to come out here?”

  “I was thinking I could keep up with you, which I did.” At his flat stare, she added, “Until a while ago.”

  He dragged a hand over his face, then pulled off his hat and dropped it onto his saddle. “Are you willing to go so far in your revenge against Ian that you’ll risk your own life?”

  “I don’t think I’m risking my life any more than you are.”

  “I can hit where I aim.”

  “Well, so can I.” Most of the time. She was glad he couldn’t see her face burning. “I have my gun and ammunition. Matches and an extra canteen of water, a bedroll, a coat. I think I’ve done just fine.”

  He glared at her.

  “It’s my life to risk.” Because of the shadows, she couldn’t be sure, but she thought he paled at her words.

  In the next instant, fury tightened his features and he clamped one hand around her upper arm, pulling her to him. “And what about my life? Has it occurred to you that what you’re doing puts me at risk? Makes me have to divide my attention betw
een you and him, makes me less likely to anticipate something he might do. Did you think about that?”

  “No,” she said, suddenly feeling selfish.

  “Your being out here alone isn’t smart, Josie. What if your horse went lame? Or you ran out of water? Or you were hurt?”

  “You don’t need to worry about me.” She tried to pull away from him. “I didn’t come here to make things harder for you. I came because I had to.”

  “What if McDougal had been the one to find you?” he roared. “Josie, I couldn’t—” He broke off, grabbed her face in his hands.

  For an instant, she thought he would kiss her.

  Moving his hands back to grip her upper arms, he stared at her, his face dark, his eyes glittering. “I don’t like you being here.”

  She was bone-tired and sick of the friction between them. “You don’t have to stay with me. I got this far. I’ll get where I need to without you.”

  “Stop.”

  “You stop! It will be better if we separate. You can’t concentrate with me around and I…can’t, either.”

  His hands tightened on her. “I’m sure as hell not leaving you alone.”

  “I don’t want you to stay.”

  “Well, I am.”

  “Why? So you can remind me over and over of how I hurt you, how I ruined things, how I betrayed you? Believe me, I know. I know it every single minute.” The words felt choked out of her. “Please, let’s don’t say any more. When this is over, I’ll go away. You won’t have to see me ever again.”

  “Go away?” He went utterly still, his eyes hot with emotion. “You mean after you kill McDougal?”

  “I owe it to my family.”

  “You owe them justice. And you can get that with Judge Satterly.”

  “We don’t know that. Look what happened the last time Ian was supposed to be tried.”

  “Do you know what you’re saying? Do you know what that means?” He released her and took a step back. “I’m the law. If you kill him in cold blood—if you even try— I’ll have to do something about it.”

  “Like what? Arrest me?”

  “Yes. I can’t turn a blind eye, Josie. I won’t. I’ll haul you back to Whirlwind and lock you in the cell next to McDougal’s.”

  She studied him, bitterness warring with understanding. “You’ve sworn an oath to do what you have to do, Davis Lee. So have I.”

  Hands clenched, he stalked to the other side of the fire and spread out his bedroll.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Getting some sleep. I suggest you do the same. We’re going to need it.”

  She hated this distance between them. Numbly, she picked up her bedroll and stepped on the saddle to mount the gelding.

  Davis Lee put his hands on his hips. “Where are you going?”

  “Nowhere. I’m sleeping up here.”

  “You’ll fall off.”

  “No, I won’t.” She probably would.

  “Dammit, bring your bedroll over here by the fire.”

  “I don’t want to sleep next to you when you’re so mad.”

  He looked up at the sky, a muscle working in his jaw. “It’s safer if we’re together.”

  “Doesn’t feel like it.”

  “Have it your way.” Muttering under his breath, he eased down to his blanket, turning his head to look at her. “If you’re really going to sleep on your horse, don’t put him under a tree. Snakes fall out of the branches sometimes.”

  Snakes? She immediately stepped off the saddle, considering the space he’d left for her between him and the fire. Irritated as all get-out, she stomped over and spread her bedroll.

  She lay down and drew her blanket over her shoulders. It was nice and warm here. And though she wouldn’t admit it to Davis Lee, she felt safer with him at her back.

  “The fire will keep away the bugs,” he mumbled sleepily. “The horses will keep anything bigger at bay.”

  Josie watched the fire slowly die. Despite Davis Lee’s even breathing, she knew he wasn’t asleep. Would he ever forgive her for using him to get information on McDougal? For sleeping with him with a huge secret between them?

  She rolled to her back, looking up at the black velvet sky. Beside her she could feel Davis Lee’s body heat. “The sky’s really clear tonight. There must be a million stars up there.”

  He didn’t speak.

  “I can’t stop seeing my parents’ bloody bodies, and William’s.” Her voice cracked. “I can’t let Ian get away again. I just can’t.”

  Again Davis Lee said nothing. Her throat grew tight. “I hope someday you’ll believe that I truly care for you. And that you’ll forgive me.”

  She turned her head and looked at him. The firelight played across the lean angles of his face, tipped his eyelashes with gold. She wanted to reach over and touch him. Instead, she rolled to her side away from him and went to sleep.

  The next morning at first light, Josie felt Davis Lee stir. She woke, tucked warmly against him. Neither of them spoke as they ate a few of the biscuits Davis Lee had brought, some of her cheese. After drinking their fill from the canteens, they refilled them from the creek. They were soon on their way.

  Josie rode slightly behind him so as not to disturb any tracks he might see on either side of the horses. Her heart aching, she let her gaze trace the strong line of his back, the broad shoulders, his big hands.

  She loved him, but she had also sworn a vow to others she loved. Now, all she had left was that vow.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Though he wasn’t thrilled that Josie was tagging along, Davis Lee couldn’t find fault with her efforts. She quietly kept up with his pace, didn’t become impatient when he stopped to check the tracks.

  They’d ridden ahead for an hour and found more than one set of tracks. The ones that looked freshest were headed in the direction from where they’d come. He and Josie turned their horses around and rode back. He kept a careful eye on the ground; Josie stayed slightly behind so as not to compromise anything new he might find.

  They were past their campsite and about an hour or so from Whirlwind when he stopped and dismounted near a line of trees. He knelt, studied the ground then walked back to her. “There are some specks on the grass. I think they’re blood.”

  “Blood!”

  “Jake said McDougal was coughing up blood last night. Maybe he still is.”

  “Do you think we might be close to finding him?”

  “I don’t know. I want to walk ahead a bit and see if I come across any more.”

  She nodded.

  He motioned her down. “You need to stay with me.”

  “Afraid I’ll get to him first?” she asked coolly.

  He looked right at her. “I don’t want him getting to you.”

  “Oh.” That shut her up.

  “We need to be prepared if we find him,” he said quietly. “Since he’s sickly, he always has his gun at the ready. Aimed. Cocked. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s why I’m letting you keep your weapon. If McDougal shoots first, you have a right to defend yourself. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  They hadn’t walked more than ten feet when he paused next to a mesquite tree and held up his hand. She stopped behind him. Someone coughed repeatedly, sharp and hard. Davis Lee’s gaze swerved to hers.

  The noise came from their left, behind a screen of pines and a few half-grown juniper trees. Josie followed Davis Lee, trying to move as quietly as he did, her hand going to the revolver in her pocket.

  They heard more coughing, then a strangled “Who are you?”

  Davis Lee eased around the first tree, his gun drawn. To her left, Josie heard the crackle of dried leaves and twigs. She turned and saw someone run out of the stand of trees into a small clearing. Automatically, she took off after them.

  Davis Lee hissed her name, but she didn’t stop. If the person she’d seen was McDougal, he couldn’t get away. Not again.

  She dodged
a few trees and came out in a small clearing. About thirty feet away, Ian stood with his back to her. A few yards in front of the outlaw, a man held a gun on him. Loren Barnes!

  “Josie!” He sounded pained. “I know you followed Davis Lee to chase this piece of filth, but why?”

  “He killed my family.”

  “Then you understand.”

  She heard the thud of boots as Davis Lee rushed up behind her. Loren thumbed down the hammer on his revolver.

  Josie cried out, “Loren, don’t! Think about Cora!”

  “I am! You know how she’s suffered. All because of this murdering bastard.”

  “If something happens to you, it will be worse for her.”

  “I have to do this.” His voice was cold, clear.

  “Put the gun down, Barnes,” Davis Lee ordered, cocking his revolver.

  Loren’s face went blank, but his eyes burned with purpose. Josie cried out as he shot at McDougal, who threw himself on the ground then scrambled to a half-sitting position.

  Davis Lee fired at Cora’s brother. McDougal squeezed off two more shots. In her direction! Josie ducked. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Davis Lee do the same.

  Loren bolted, disappearing behind a pine tree. Ian now lay on the ground, his shirt stained with blood. She didn’t know if it was from his lung condition, a bullet wound or both. She stepped toward him and saw more blood at the top of his shirtsleeve.

  He grabbed his arm, squinted up at her. “Hey, I know you.”

  “Yes.” Josie stared at him. Finally, the man who’d killed her parents was in front of her. And he couldn’t escape, not this time. She brought her own gun up, snared in a vacuum of memory.

  All she could see were her mother’s sightless eyes, her father’s hand reaching for his wife. William’s hand clenched around a handkerchief she’d given him just after he’d proposed. Josie leveled her gun at the outlaw, pleased when she saw fear flare in his eyes. Maybe the same kind of fear that her parents and William had felt. She felt a strange sense of power that she could do that to him.