Follow The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  “You’ll stand a better chance if Fletcher doesn’t know you’re coming and lays low.” Jessie knew it was best not to mention the coyote incident.

  “What if Mr. Fletcher isn’t behind it, Miss Lane? None of his hands have been seen. Nothing suspicious points to him.”

  “Because he hires strangers like these two and uses unmarked horses.”

  “We’ll see what we can learn. The Army doesn’t like anyone messing with their deliveries. That troop couldn’t pull out until they got fresh mounts. Start tampering with the Army’s schedule and they get riled. With both of us on the lookout, maybe we’ll get somewhere. I know you got a long list of charges against somebody, but to be honest, I ain’t convinced it’s Mr. Fletcher. Why don’t you rest up today and travel with us tomorrow?”

  “That sounds good. We’re tired and hungry. We left straight from the range after a long day. We didn’t want their gang to have time to report and cut us off on the trail. What time in the morning?”

  “About seven.”

  “What about them?” she asked, motioning to the prisoners.

  “My deputy will guard them. The others go to the undertaker.”

  After a hot meal and baths, Navarro joined Jessie in her room. She was wearing a half-buttoned shirt and a light blanket was wrapped around her hips and legs. “Did we miss Matt on purpose?” he asked.

  Jessie glanced at him and replied, “Yes, so we could be alone on our way back. Now that we’re staying here today, we don’t have to worry about the sheriff and soldiers being with us on the way home.”

  “You think they’ll find anything? If Fletcher makes a mistake with them around, this trouble can be over in a few days. Then I can be on my way.”

  “I was afraid you’d feel that way. You don’t mind remaining here with me until tomorrow, do you? Is that being too forward?”

  Navarro went to her. “No, Jessie, I’m glad we’ll have today alone. You think anyone will come to visit you?”

  “No. Sheriff Cooper knows we rode all night and plan to nap. Can we…be together?” she asked boldly.

  Navarro’s hands cupped her uplifted face. He gazed into her eyes. She could be lost to him sooner than he had imagined now that the authorities were getting involved. He prayed there wasn’t a wanted poster out on him and, if there was, that Cooper didn’t have one in his office. The lawman hadn’t seemed overly interested in him. “Yes, Jessie. I want you,” he said at last.

  Their lips fused in a soulful kiss that revealed their longing. Jessie’s arms encircled his body as Navarro trailed kisses over her cheeks, nose, eyes, and mouth. It was as if he wanted to taste every inch of her face. He nestled her head against his chest and untied her hair ribbon to loosen her braid. With leisurely gentleness, his fingers worked to separate the wavy strands and spread her tresses around her shoulders.

  He looked down at her. The red mane enhanced her complexion and made her eyes glow. “I want you so much, Jessie.”

  Her hand lifted to caress his cheek, then trailed several fingers over his full mouth. “I want you, too,” she murmured. She fluffed the midnight hair over his left forehead, then traced the prominent bone structure under his brows, on his cheeks, along his jawline, and over his chin. Her fingers wandered across the hollows of his cheeks. “You’re so handsome, Navarro. I can’t think clearly when I’m so close to you. I want to kiss you a million times and that wouldn’t be enough. I want our bodies touching with nothing between us. I want to feel the same way I did that night in the line shack.” Jessie unbuttoned his shirt, parted the material, and looked at his smooth and muscular chest. She spread kisses over the heated skin, then caressed the firm flesh with her cheek. As they kissed with rising urgency, she removed her own shirt and pressed her naked chest to his, causing both to groan in fierce desire.

  Navarro’s hands trembled as they stroked Jessie’s enticing frame. She was so soft, yet so firm. He pulled away only long enough for her to peel off his shirt.

  “I’ll wait for you in bed,” she murmured against his mouth. Then she flung aside the covers and lay down, her gaze beckoning him to hurry.

  Navarro quickly removed his pants and boots and joined her, pulling her into his arms. “Jessie…Jessie…Jessie …” He whispered her name over and over as his lips and hands explored her tingling flesh.

  Navarro’s touch made Jessie writhe with desire, and she eagerly caressed his strong, lean body until he was as frenzied with passion as she was. At last they could restrain themselves no longer, and as their bodies united as one, they savored love’s delights. Afterward, sated and and sleepy, they cuddled together, and slept in each other’s embrace.

  * * *

  It was past two in the afternoon when they awakened. Navarro had shifted to his right side, and Jessie was curled against him on hers. Her left arm lay over his waist, and her hand was held in his.

  Jessie eyed the numerous scars on Navarro’s broad back. She pulled her hand free of his light grasp and felt the ridges. He had endured terrible agony. She shuddered at the thought of her love receiving such a violent lashing. She kissed the ridged skin as if to remove any lingering pain and hugged him.

  Navarro shifted to his other side to face her. She rolled to her back. Tears were in her eyes. As one escaped, his right forefinger captured it before the moisture slid into her tousled hair. He read such concern and confusion in her gaze, yet she never asked about the scars. She wanted to, but knew she shouldn’t. “The man who did it is dead, Jessie. You know what I told the boys happened?” When she nodded, he continued. “I thought they’d mention it to you. Did they tell your father?”

  “I don’t know. Miguel and Carlos told me while you and Tom were spying at Fletcher’s.”

  “But you already knew about my scars.”

  “Yes, I felt them that night in the line shack. I’ve seen Jimmy Joe’s, so I knew what they were. I’m sorry someone made you suffer like that.”

  “I didn’t want anyone to see them, but I knew I couldn’t keep them a secret at the ranch. They’re ugly, and they spark questions I don’t like to answer.”

  “If you ever want to tell me the truth, Navarro, you can trust me. If not, I understand.”

  “That’s one of the best things about you, Jessie; you know when to step back to let a man breathe easier. Thanks.”

  “It seems we’re good for each other, Navarro. We sense what the other needs most. We strengthen each other’s weak-nesses. We fill the lonely holes and brighten the dark corners of the other’s life. That’s rare.”

  “Nobody has ever been this close to me before. It’s scary, but it feels good.”

  “I’ve had plenty of people close to me, but none like you, Navarro. I hate to lose you and what you bring to me.”

  “I know, Jessie, but it has to be that way. If I could change it so I could stay, I would.”

  “I know that’s true, Navarro, but it still hurts for something so special to end. If you ever change your mind, will you come back to me?”

  “The things that hold us apart won’t ever change, Jessie. There’s no hope.”

  “Never?”

  “Never,” he mumbled, then inhaled deeply.

  Jessie squeezed her eyes closed and took a deep breath, too. When she opened them, she said, “I’ll let you go if I must, Navarro, but not until I’ve tried everything to keep you.”

  “Don’t, Jessie,” he urged. “There’s nothing you can do. False hopes bring nothing but pain; I know from experience.”

  “Then love me while you can.” She pulled his head down and kissed him.

  By six-thirty the next morning, Jessie and Navarro were ready to leave town. They had made love, eaten supper, made love again, then slept all night in Jessie’s room. At dawn, Navarro had sneaked away to take care of a chore and to rumple his unused bed. They had met downstairs for breakfast, then headed for the sheriffs office.

  Toby Cooper looked up when they entered the jailhouse. He tossed papers aside and revealed, “I hav
e bad news, Miss Lane.”

  Jessie’s eyes filled with fear. “Is it my family? Did Fletcher attack there last night to get back his men? Was anyone hurt?”

  Chapter Ten

  “Settle down, Miss Lane,” the lawman coaxed. “That isn’t it. Those rustlers you brought in are gone. And so are those bodies from the undertaker’s office.”

  “You let Fletcher have them back? Why? I have witnesses this time.”

  “I haven’t seen Mr. Fletcher or any of his men. My deputy was hit over the head when he peeked outside to check out a noise. He didn’t see who done it. I found him out on the floor this morning. He’s at doc’s getting patched up. I looked around…but nothing. I’m sorry, Miss Lane. I never expected anyone to attempt a jailbreak here. Mighty daring of them.”

  “I should have guarded them last night,” Navarro said grimly. “I should have known their boss wouldn’t risk having them talk. When you check Fletcher’s ranch, look for unbranded horses and wounded men. We winged several more who got away.”

  “Don’t blame yourself, Navarro,” Jessie told him. “We were tired. We’ve been working hard for so long.” She told the sheriff about the windmill incident and fence cuttings, as well as the slayings of their dog and hens. “Rustlers and thieves don’t do things like that, Sheriff Cooper. Fletcher wants to buy us out or scare us off our land. We won’t leave.”

  “Mr. Fletcher was just in town,” the sheriff said. “Then, he sent word in on Monday. He filed a report saying those same things had happened at his place. He accused the Lanes of being responsible. I told him, like I told you and your pa, we need proof.”

  “That lying snake!” she scoffed. “He can’t get proof because we’re innocent. We can’t get it because he’s clever. What else did he tell you?”

  “About lots of dead coyotes being dropped on his land and around his windmills.”

  “We’d never do such a brutal thing. Besides, we don’t have time to plot against Fletcher. We’re trying to get our branding done without extra help. If Fletcher will stop attacking us, we can. But he won’t.”

  “We’ll try to get this mess cleared up soon. I don’t want no range war between you two. We need to get to the fort. Capt’n Graham will be ready to leave a little past seven. We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

  They reached home around four o’clock. After Jessie related the bad news about the jailbreak, Sheriff Cooper and Captain Graham talked with Jed about the situation between the two ranches. The lawman and soldiers intended to ride over the Lane spread for a few days, then head for Fletcher’s to do the same. Though Jed and Jessie told them it was a waste of time, that Fletcher’s gang would only lay low until they left, the troop split into four units and rode off in different directions.

  As she watched them leave, Jessie said, “Fletcher broke his men out of jail before they could betray him. Those two are long gone and those bodies are well hidden by now, Papa. The authorities wouldn’t be here if Fletcher hadn’t made those crazy charges against us. We’re under more suspicion than he is! At least the sheriff and those soldiers will keep him quiet and on his land for a while. With them on our range, we can put everyone on branding until Sunday. We’d best take advantage of this break. That snake will be crawling again next week.”

  Thursday through Sunday passed in a flurry of noisy, smelly, dusty, exhausting work. The herd of cows and calves in the holding pens were dwindling down, but not fast enough to relax Jed and Jessie. The hands labored hard and long hours from dawn to dusk. At quitting time, they splashed off, ate, and fell into their bunks. Yet Navarro found the time to teach Tom how to throw and use a knife, despite Jed’s mute disapproval when he learned of it.

  Jessie observed her brother and Navarro as their friendship grew stronger, and came to love the mysterious drifter more and more. She watched him with the hands, and she was delighted to see him fitting in better every day. Dreamy-eyed hope filled her. Although it was difficult being around him and keeping their secret, she did, and so did he.

  Nevertheless, Mary Louise was suspicious and envious and watchful of the couple who spent so much time together. Martha saw the glow and felt the change in her elder granddaughter, but said nothing to anyone. All noticed how Tom was budding like a flower in spring, and knew Navarro was responsible. But Jed worried over how Jessie and Tom would react when the drifter left them behind.

  Jed insisted everyone take Sunday off after the necessary chores were done. There was no guessing when they would be able to rest again. As usual, most of the hands met at the front porch to hear Jed read from the Bible and to sing a few hymnals, as there was no church close enough to attend.

  Navarro leaned his back against the end post and gazed toward the large barn across the clearing. He dared not look at Jessie. She looked beautiful today in a blue dress and with her unbound hair shining in the sun. Their day in town consumed his thoughts. He wished his life could be that way all the time…

  As the ranch service ended, the sheriff and soldiers stopped by to say they were leaving the Lane spread—having found nothing—to visit Fletcher’s.

  “Join us for ring toss, amigo?” Miguel asked Navarro.

  “Later. I have something to do first, a surprise for someone.”

  Tom was disappointed that he couldn’t accompany Navarro, but Navarro said he would understand why not this afternoon.

  With Big John Williams, Navarro headed for the smithy shed, a structure that sat away from the barn in case of sparks that might cause a fire.

  Jessie worked with Tom on his neglected lessons, while Jed pored over his books and visited with the men. Gran rested, and Mary Louise wrote more letters.

  Jessie and Tom left the house when Big John summoned them to the smithy. She watched Navarro help her curious brother sit on top of a wooden barrel.

  Navarro removed Tom’s right shoe and the soiled sock on his left foot. “Close your eyes and don’t cheat,” he told the boy. Navarro worked a knee-high Apache moccasin onto the right foot, overlapped the soft material near the ankle and calf, then laced the side ties. He worked the other one on to Tom’s clubfoot, then secured it. He had made them in this style so the leather shoes would go on the boy’s twisted foot, and made them alike so they would not draw attention. Navarro helped the boy to the ground. “You can look now.” As Tom eyed the moccasins, he said, “They’re strong enough to protect against rocks, cactus, and thornbushes. You can walk or ride anywhere and not get hurt. I padded the left one to make it more level with the other for easier walking.”

  Tom moved about with less effort and discomfort. He beamed with delight. “Thanks, Navarro! How did you make ’em?”

  “I measured your feet not long ago, remember?” The boy nodded. “When we were getting those Indian blankets to wrap the coyotes in, I saw a tanned buffalo hide and leather shirt the Apaches had given your father. They gave me this idea. Jessie said I could have them, but she didn’t know why. I cut them to size. Then John helped me make the holes with a saddle tool, and we both stitched them. Buffalo hide makes a stronger sole than rawhide. Holding the stuffing in while we closed the seam was the hardest part. We’re making you a second pair for when these need washing or you get ’em wet from rain.”

  Tom walked again, grinning and laughing. “This is easier, Jessie. My calf don’t strain like with the sock. It don’t show as much, either. I got shoes on like everybody else!” The boy went to Navarro and hugged him around the waist. With misty eyes and a choked voice, he said, “People won’t stare at me now, Navarro.”

  Jessie saw that Tom’s reaction touched Navarro deeply. Yet, the gunslinger obviously didn’t know how to respond. His hazel gaze darted about nervously until, at last, he patted the boy’s back and said, “You’re welcome, Tom. But I didn’t do all the work. John helped a lot.”

  Tom smiled at the black man and said, “Thanks, Big John.”

  “You be mighty welcome, Tom.”

  “I wanna show Pa and Matt.” The excited youth hurried to
do so, his head and shoulders high with pride and joy. John tagged along to watch.

  Jessie’s eyes were filled with happiness. “You’re one special man, Navarro, but I knew that from the beginning. Thanks.”

  “It wasn’t much, Jessie—just moccasins. Soft leather can be put on easier than a hard shoe or boot. Now he won’t feel so different.”

  “Like you do, Navarro?”

  “I guess, but my flaws can’t be covered up like his can.”

  “I don’t believe you have as many as you think.”

  “But the ones I have are bad, real bad. Leave it, Jessie,” he entreated. “Let’s go before someone wonders what’s keeping us here so long.”

  Within an hour, everyone heard Tom’s good news and saw him strut around. Mary Louise and Gran came to check on the commotion.

  “They’re Apache,” Jed remarked.

  “Yes, sir. I met an old man on the trail who made and sold them at forts and reservations. I watched him for hours in camp, even helped a little. I remembered how he’d done it. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, ’course not. You made Tom real happy. I’ve had lots of dealings with Apaches. They can be sly and mean if you don’t trick ’em into a truce real fast.”

  “Deceit’s about all they know and use, sir,” Navarro replied, not wanting to give Jessie’s father any clues about his past. He saw Martha watching him closely again, and wondered why.

  Gran thanked Navarro and she enthused over the moccasins, his cunning, and his generosity.

  “He’s making me another pair, Gran,” Tom revealed, “for when you wash these or rain wets ’em. You can’t hardly tell I got a bad foot.”

  “You’re very clever and helpful, Navarro,” Mary Louise murmured. “I’m amazed by how many talents you possess. We’re fortunate Jessica found you for us.”