Wild Western Women Ride Again: Western Historical Romance Boxed Set

by Kirsten Osbourne

  The one called Maggie leaned forward so she could meet Tabitha’s gaze. “Are you visiting someone we might know?”

  “I’m thinking of moving there.” She had no intention of announcing her true purpose in case her would-be groom failed to show up—or worse, turned her down after he met her.

  Lizzie clapped her hands together. “Lovely, dear. We’ve only lived there…” she turned toward the other woman. “What is it now, sister?”

  Maggie tapped her finger against her chin. “Let’s see, we moved there in summer of ‘72, just after Zach and Alice married.” She gazed at Tabitha. “Our three nephews live in or near Radford Crossing, and we moved to be near them.”

  “And how is your cousin?” Tabitha wished she’d bought something to eat on the rest of the journey.

  Lizzie shook her head, and her brown corkscrew curls bobbed again. “Poor Rutherford passed away two weeks ago. We stayed to bury him and clear out his house.”

  “I’m so sorry. My condolences, ladies.” She adjusted her attire, and brushed at remaining at smudges. “Were you and your cousin close?”

  “Not in later years, but he had no one else.” Lizzie dusted at a spot on Tabitha’s skirt. “We went to his aid so he wouldn’t be alone. Such a sad time.”

  Maggie leaned forward again to speak. “It was a blessing he went when he did. He ran out of money and gumption at the same time. Now he’s with his wife and I’m sure they’re both happier.”

  Tabitha paused from her tidying movements. “That’s the way I feel about Papa. He passed away three months ago, which is why I’m in black. He was so sad after Mama died. By the time he fell ill, I don’t think he enjoyed anything.”

  Lizzie patted her arm. “I’m sure he enjoyed having a darling daughter like you.”

  If only that were true. “I hope he knew I tried to please him.” What else could she say?

  “And what brings you west?” Lizzie clapped a hand to her throat. “Oh, my, I hope you don’t mind me asking.”

  “Not at all. When Papa died, my brother inherited the family business and family home. I-I’d read a lot about this area and decided to start over here.” They didn’t need to know about David’s attitude or Bertha or about that lecherous William.

  “Radford Crossing is a nice place to settle down.” Once again Maggie leaned forward to make eye contact. “We love living there. I’ve missed our sweet little home while we were at Cousin Rutherford’s.” Poor lady much be tiring of her efforts to make eye contact when they conversed.

  “I’ve wondered what my new home will be like. My furniture is being shipped and I don’t know how long it will take to arrive.” Tabitha could hardly wait to see her things in her own home. Would it be with Tobias, or would she be on her own?

  The big man frowned. “You’re bringing your own furniture?”

  She wondered why he appeared concerned when it was none of his business. “I am, at least some things.”

  “How many pieces?”

  What an annoying question. She set her face to let him know her thoughts. Why did he care, anyway? “I have a complete list of the crates and their contents, but it’s in my trunk atop the stage. They’re things my mother left me from her family.”

  She turned toward Lizzie. “How long do you suppose it will be before crates from Boston arrive? I paid extra to ship them quickly.”

  Lizzie shook her head. “Oh, dear. I couldn’t say. Britt Johnson, who used to handle the freighting for this part of North Central Texas, was killed a few years ago by Kiowas.” She leaned forward. “No one’s really taken his place, have they, Bear?”

  Bear shook his head. “A few men freight short distances. You ship big pieces?”

  “Some are—a piano, grandfather clock, bedroom furniture, a china cabinet, sofa, a couple of upholstered chairs, grandmother’s rocking chair, and several smaller pieces. Then there are crates of dishes, linens, and such.”

  Bear’s solemn expression conveyed disapproval. “Can’t imagine how a shipment that big will be handled. Might come a few at a time. Like as not you wasted your money if you paid extra for speed. Freighters can only go so fast and that’s that.”

  She met his gaze defiantly. “But a freighter can choose which items go onto the next load if there are too many crates to fit. As my grandfather used to say, ‘Who pays the piper calls the tune.’ Don’t you agree?”

  “Yes, I suppose you have a point.” He rubbed at his jaw. “Mr. Sturdivant at the mercantile can tell you how long it takes him to get his orders.”

  Tabitha wondered what part of the world she’d come to. “My family owned the American Atlantic Shipping Company in Boston, but we shipped to and from England and Europe. I’m not familiar with freight tables in the West.” Who in the United States couldn’t get regular shipments now that the War had ended?

  Lizzie patted her arm again. “Don’t worry, dear. I’m sure you can work out something once you’re settled.”

  “I hope so. The furniture means a great deal to me. I don’t suppose it’s all that valuable as far as money goes, but those things are part of my family heritage.”

  “How wise of you to treasure your past.” This time Maggie hadn’t leaned forward. Instead, she took a book and a fan from her carryall. “My, the weather’s sultry for this time of year.” With a flick of her wrist, she opened the fan.

  Tabitha glanced at Bear. “I thought the Kiowa and Comanche problems were over.”

  “Yes, ma’am, they are. The renegades who killed Brit Johnson are dead.” He shook his head. “Doesn’t help Brit.”

  Lizzie looked at Bear. “We saw the driver load a strongbox on top beside him. Surely there’s not a payroll on board.”

  Lawson smirked. “No need to worry. The stage line hires a guard to ride shotgun when that’s the case.”

  Maggie fanned herself. “That’s a relief. We heard there’ve been several robberies on this route. Makes a body uneasy.”

  Bear shook his head. “Mrs. Gamble, you can ride easy.”

  A wave of panic swept through Tabitha. What had she come to? “Are there many holdups out here?”

  Lawson grinned as if making fun of her discomfort. “The shipments to the Radford Crossing bank have been targeted several times. I believe there have been other holdups throughout the area.”

  Lizzie dabbed at her neck with a handkerchief. “Thank heavens, then, that we don’t have that guard up there to signal we’re carrying a load of gold. I don’t want to be robbed.”

  Tabitha stared out the window at the passing landscape. The stage slowed to climb a long hill, then crested, turned, and picked up speed. When she looked the way they’d come, she saw a view of the valley they’d just left.

  “How lovely, and quite a climb.”

  Bear smiled at her. “We came up Millsap Mountain. Being from New England, you might think these are only hills, but they’re the Palo Pinto Mountains. We have larger ones to climb before we get to Radford Crossing.”

  She returned his smile then continued to stare out the window. She had a book with her, but her dry, tired eyes bothered her far too much to read in this bouncing coach. She wondered how Maggie concentrated. Lizzie appeared asleep.

  The large man named Bear pretended to doze, but she sensed he remained alert. Why? Did he plan something? Was he a robber intent on holding up the stage?

  The man called Lawson peered around and kept leering at her. Even without looking at him, she sensed his intense stare. His attention created prickles on her skin.

  Bear acted nice enough. At least he had been polite. But what kind of man is named Bear? Did he act like a grizzly when angered?

  She wondered if the rawhide vest he wore was from something he’d killed and tanned himself. On second thought, she didn’t want to know. At least his boots were polished and his shirt pressed, so he must be civilized.

  Lawson’s deliberate stare was too impertinent, almost a leer. Inside, she shivered, remembering William Forsythe’s similar glances. She b
elieved this man and William were of similar nature. She hoped Lawson wasn’t a resident of Radford Crossing.

  The afternoon wore on. About two, they stopped at Palo Pinto Town for a meal and a new team.

  When they’d climbed from the stage, Lizzie touched her arm. “Come with us, dear. We’ll show you to the privy.”

  After refreshing themselves, they headed into the small eatery and were seated.

  Maggie leaned near. “Take the stew and cornbread. At least the stew has been cooked a while and will be tender. If you order beef, you’ll regret it later.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your suggestions.”

  Lizzie took out some coins. “I’ll get us an extra order of cornbread each and a jar of something to drink for later.”

  Tabitha passed some coins to the friendly woman. “I wished earlier I’d had something. Let me share the cost.” She stood. “My cramping legs and back are telling me if I don’t move about a bit, I’ll never be able to sit the rest of the journey. Please excuse me.”

  Walking in the open relieved her knotted muscles. Soon, the other two ladies joined her. They paced back and forth and chatted the short time until the driver called them to board.

  Bear helped the sisters climb inside. He turned to her, but she hoisted herself into the stage.

  As she sat down, Lawson gave her an assessing stare. “Sounds like you have coins in your skirt.”

  Tabitha stilled. “I was told to weight my skirt so it wouldn’t billow in the Texas wind.” She glanced at the two women. “Was that wrong?”

  Lizzie shook a finger at him. “Francis Lawson, you know better than to ask a woman about her personal garments. You also know we have to sew lead weights into our hems or be embarrassed in a gust of wind.”

  Lizzie turned to Tabitha. “Pay no mind to him, dear. His mama taught him better but he chooses to disregard her lessons.”

  Lawson sent Lizzie a heated glare. “You didn’t know my mother, so don’t be judging what she did or didn’t teach me.”

  The older woman bristled. “I certainly did know her. When you were a little sprout and lived in Cleburne, I knew you and your family. You were a terror then, and I suspect you still are.”

  “I don’t remember you.” He pouted like a child.

  “I definitely remember you.” From the sound of her voice, the memories were none too favorable.

  Talk ceased after that. Only the clanking and creaking from the stage broke the silence. Tabitha’s backside protested continual bouncing against the hard seat. Who on earth had made a bustle fashionable?

  And why hadn’t she left off her corset and packed the torturing device when she stopped over at the hotel in Fort Worth? Her stays poked and prodded with each bounce of the stage—far worse than they had on the train. She anticipated tonight when she could breathe freely and rest.

  The blue-green mountains in the distance enchanted her, however, and she wondered at the names of some of the plants new to her. She spotted deer and several birds whose identity she couldn’t name. Huge cattle with frightening horns dotted the rangeland. Eventually the jarring ride dulled her enthusiasm for anything but reaching her destination.

  Bear took out his pocket watch. “We should arrive in Radford Crossing in an hour.”

  The landscape held a strange beauty, but repeated the same views over and over, up and down. Only crossing rivers and streams had broken the monotony. The Brazos had been frightening, but the ferry hadn’t tipped over as she’d feared.

  Since she didn’t want to gaze at the two men on the facing seat, she leaned against the wooden side and closed her eyes. Heavens, she’d almost become immune to the rattling ride. In spite of the knocking that jarred her head through her bonnet, she dozed.

  Gunfire startled her awake.

  Chapter Four

  Bear cursed to himself. Hadn’t he argued with the stage supervisor that the ruse wouldn’t fool this gang? Damned if he wanted to be proved right, though. Apparently even Tabitha recognized the sound of guns and snapped to attention. He spotted horsemen cantering toward them. Two, no three men.

  “Stop the stage.” A man with a bandana covering his lower face led the riders.

  Beside Tabitha, the two sisters grasped one another’s hands. With her eyes wide, Tabitha stared from him to Lawson. Bear shook his head slightly, hoping to reassure her, and reached inside his vest.

  “Don’t try it, Bear.” That’s when he saw Lawson held a gun. “Toss your sidearm on the floor. No tricks or I’ll shoot the ladies.”

  Bear carefully laid his revolver on the floor. “I should have known you were up to no good, Lawson. Haven’t seen you around here in a while. Thought maybe you’d changed.”

  The coach slowed to a stop.

  “I changed, all right. I’m after bigger game is all. You thought you could fool us by shipping that money without a guard on top.” He motioned with his gun. “Everyone out, you first, big man.”

  Bear climbed down. He held Tabitha’s waist as he lifted her to the ground. Damn, she weighed a ton. Obviously, she’d sewn more than a few coins to her hem. How could she even walk?

  She sent him a pleading gaze, as if asking him to keep her secret.

  “There you go, Miss Masterson. Better stand over here while I assist the other ladies. He turned to help each sister alight.

  Lawson motioned with his gun. “Step aside.”

  When Bear had moved to shield Tabitha, Lawson stepped down onto the ground.

  “I’ll take your purses, ladies, and your wallet, Bear.” He searched for their money.

  Two of the robbers had dismounted and clambered atop the stage. One man tossed the strongbox to the ground and jumped after it. The other man tossed down the driver’s rifle and Colt and ordered the driver to follow, then joined his friends on the ground. One outlaw shot the padlock off the chest and the other two loaded cash-filled sacks into their saddlebags.

  All three women gasped when they spotted the driver. Blood ran from his shoulder and soaked his sleeve from a wound delivered by the holdup men. He looked ready to pass out, faltered, and all eyes focused on him.

  With one continuous move, Bear slid a gun from his boot, shoved Tabitha behind him, and shot the nearest outlaw. The leader shot Bear, but not before Bear delivered a shot that sent Lawson’s gun flying. Bear slowly folded and sank onto the dirt. He fought to remain conscious, as blood seeped from shoulder and leg wounds.

  The leader yelled, “Come on, boys. We got the payroll, let’s ride.”

  Lawson picked up his Colt with bloody fingers, then jerked Tabitha’s arm. “I’m taking her with me.”

  Bear lay on the ground near the coach’s wheel. “Leave her alone.” He grasped the spokes and tried to rise, but fell back against the rim. He reached for the gun he’d dropped, but Lawson kicked it away. Dear Lord, what could he do to save Tabitha?

  Tabitha’s twenty-four years flashed before her. All her life she’d tried her best to please others. All her life Tabitha had been pushed around, unappreciated, and told what to do. All those years of repressed anger boiled to the surface.

  She jerked free of Lawson and stomped her foot. “No! I’m not going anywhere with you.” She stepped back until her bustle touched the coach.

  Lawson advanced on her. “You’re coming with me, Miss High and Mighty. You’ll be begging for mercy before nightfall.”

  “I said no.” Tabitha hauled back and delivered a punch to Lawson’s jaw the way Priscilla’s father had shown the girls when they were young teens. The move that had defended her against William had an even better effect on the outlaw. When Lawson fell, she followed with a well-placed kick to his nether regions. As he lay cursing, she grabbed the heavy handgun he’d dropped.

  She gathered her strength, hoping she sounded convincing. “Get on your horse and go or I’ll shoot you.”

  The man who appeared to be leader yelled, “Let her be, Lawson. We got what we came for. Let’s get out of here while you can still mount a horse.”
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  Lawson struggled toward his steed. “I’ll find you, Missy, no matter where you go. I’ll make you plenty sorry you messed with me.”

  Bear crawled over and retrieved his gun. When he had the revolver in hand, he called “Lawson?”

  Lawson whirled and fired, but his hasty shot missed.

  Bear shot Lawson as the man climbed into his saddle.

  Surprised, Tabitha jumped. Her action caused her to accidentally pull the trigger. Her wild shot wounded the leader, who fell from his horse.

  Outlaws fired back. Bullets billowed dust at her feet and thunked into the wooden stage.

  Bear yelled, “Under the coach.”

  Tabitha rolled under the stage. The sisters and driver quickly scrambled after her. Bear crawled around the end of the vehicle, firing as he moved.

  The wounded driver grabbed Tabitha’s gun. “Good shootin’, little lady. Let me borrow that revolver.” He shot the leader as he staggered to his feet and aimed. This time the robber toppled face down onto the dirt.

  The two remaining outlaws grabbed the loose reins of the riderless horses and tried to gallop away.

  Bear yelled, “Give up or you’re both dead.”

  The men aimed at him. Bear’s bullet struck one of the men before the robber could fire his own shot. The outlaw flew backward off his horse and hit the ground. The other ruffian raised his hands. After crawling from beneath the coach, the driver gathered the outlaws’ guns.

  Tabitha rushed to help Bear.

  “Don’t get between me and the robbers.”

  More slowly, the sisters followed her.

  Bear gestured toward the stage. “Miss Masterson, bring me the rope that’s helping lash down the luggage.”

  The wounded driver and Tabitha tied up the two outlaws who still lived. Bear and the driver shoved the two men onto the roof. Both dead men were slung across their saddles. Restored to the strong box, the payroll once again sat near the driver’s bench.

  Lizzie and Maggie attempted to staunch the driver’s wound. Maggie ripped a ruffle from her petticoat and used it as a makeshift bandage.

  The driver nudged Bear toward the open stage door. “I can take ‘er from here, Bear. You look ready to drop.”