Follow The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  “We wouldn’t be safe if those soldiers and Rangers hadn’t whipped those renegades. They sure we won’t have no more trouble?”

  “We’re fine, Gran. It’s been two years since Victorio went on the warpath. We were lucky the Apaches liked to cross into Mexico between Fort Davis and El Paso, instead of over here like the Comanches did. I was nervous when Fort Davis was made the headquarters for West Texas. But Captain Baylor and his Rangers did more than the Army to stop the outbreak.”

  “I remember. They licked the Apaches good at Quitman Canyon in July of last year. Then they got ’em good again at Rattlesnake Spring in August.”

  Jessie smiled at the woman who sometimes thought clearly and other times was muddled. “That’s right, Gran. Then Victorio was beaten in October by the Mexicans. The survivors took a last stand in January at Quitman Canyon, but Baylor and his men defeated them. The papers say Indian wars are over for Texas.”

  “What about those two chiefs who escaped?”

  “Nana and Geronimo are living and raiding farther west, Gran. They won’t be any trouble to us. Besides, we still have those Apache symbols painted on our fence posts. If any renegades came our way, they honored them.”

  “I still think we should keep on extra men to be sure.”

  “We did, Gran. Matt doesn’t want to take any risks until the other chiefs and renegades are stopped or back on the reservations. You can’t blame the Indians for wanting to roam free like their ancestors did. I read that some of those reservations are terrible. I think the Apaches prefer the Warm Springs location to San Carlos. It’s a shame we can’t all live in peace. A lot of people have died from these wars.”

  “I bet Navarro could lick a whole band by himself.”

  Jessie stiffened, and her hands stopped spreading icing on her son’s cake. It had been five years ago today that she had met the desperado, and four since she’d borne their child. Gran had mentioned his name several times to her lately. She hoped the aging woman didn’t do the same with Matt or Lane. She didn’t know why Navarro Breed was on her grandmother’s mind so much these days, unless it was because Lane was favoring his real father more and more. Jessie always ignored the mentions with hopes they would pass out of the woman’s head as fast as so many other things did.

  Not today. “He sure beat that Fletcher good,” Gran added.

  “Yes, he did. Are the biscuits finished?” Jessie asked to distract her.

  “Does Matt know he’s Lane’s father?”

  Jessie halted her task and took her grandmother’s gnarled hands in hers. “Yes, Gran, but we don’t talk about that secret. Someone might overhear.” The redhead worried over slips the aging woman might make in front of others. Jessie fretted over the clouding of the woman’s memory, and her occasional bouts of stubbornness, which the doctor had said couldn’t be helped. This was one of those irrational moments. Gran looked at her and scowled.

  “A boy should know who his father is, Jessie.”

  “Matt is Lane’s father, Gran. Matt is rearing him. You must keep this secret.” Jessie explained the past and their need to protect Lane Cordell.

  The cloud lifted for now. “You’re right, Jessie. I’m sorry.”

  “Let’s get finished before Lane’s cake is a mess.”

  By Monday, Navarro and Gran were still on Jessie’s troubled mind. In her condition, Jessie knew she didn’t need this tension plaguing her. It was making her miserable and edgy. Perhaps the only way to get it behind her was to do what she had thought about years ago: send letters to the authorities to help clear Navarro. She had succeeded with those against the Fletcher brothers, whom they hadn’t heard from since she had taken that action. Perhaps, if Navarro was still alive and free, she could end his torment.

  If she wrote the President, the Arizona governor, the U.S. marshal, and the Arizona law, perhaps things could be changed for the fugitive. It could initiate an investigation into the false charges against him and the brutalities at the prison. If she could get Navarro pardoned, then if she ever heard from him again, she could tell him he was free. That would pay any debt she owed the man for his being denied a life with her and their son and for all his years of suffering.

  Too, if Lane ever discovered the truth about his birth, it would be better if his real father wasn’t a wanted criminal. If Lane learned his heritage was Breed, it would be better if that name was cleared of its blackness and shame.

  Navarro had given her a new life, and she owed him one. He had refused to carry her away and to sweep her into his perilous existence. He had refused to intrude by letter or visit. It was time to pay him back for his generosity.

  Matt was confident enough now in their love to endure any questions the authorities might ask. She was carrying his second child, and he trusted her. She had to take this risk for Navarro and their son.

  But, she fretted, what if Navarro was pardoned and returned? How would she feel when she saw him again? She honestly didn’t know. How would seeing her married with children affect him? She didn’t know that, either. But if he was the man she believed him to be, he would thank them and leave to make a fresh start elsewhere. She had been compelled to start over, and it had worked for her. She had found a rich, fulfilling love and a happy life; that would show him that he could, too. A pardon would give Navarro a new beginning.

  Yet all he would need was one look at Lane for him to guess the truth. Was it fair for her to protect herself and family at Navarro’s expense? Was it just for him to keep suffering while she was free and happy? Especially when she might could change all that for him with a few letters? She could tell the authorities his side and what kind of man he truly was. At least she might get his sentence reduced so he’d only have to serve a few more years.

  The more Lane favored his father, the more her secret was in jeopardy. If her son learned the truth, how would he feel about her not helping his father? Faith, hope, love, and charity: she believed in those things, and tried to practice them. Yes, she decided, it was worth the risk to help Navarro, even if the fugitive never discovered she had done so. And, what better day than the momentous March thirteenth to begin her task?

  Chapter Twenty-four

  On an early June day in 1881 Mathew Cordell rode to the old Lane settlement and dismounted. He and Jessie had discussed building a few small houses on this location for the hands who married so they wouldn’t have to leave their employ, as several had reached that age and inclination. Last night they had sketched out their plans and figured the construction cost. Reasonable rent would give them enough to pay the bank note each month, and the chosen amount wouldn’t be a hardship on the families. Both had decided it would be nice to have neighbors and other families nearby. Workers’ children would give the Cordell family playmates. Matt had ridden over to check the location.

  As Matt worked and made notes, he knew it was an excellent spot. The site had plenty of water and fertile gardening space. They would start with three houses, and perhaps later increase it to five. If spaced and arranged creatively around the existing structures as Jessie had suggested, each family would have its own yard and privacy. The couple knew the men’s wives and children would be safe in this area, as some of the wranglers and a cook still occupied the Lane bunkhouse. Since there was so much work in this area and beyond, it made their schedules easier. Presently those hands were off riding herd and fence. Their cook was at the river fishing, to give the men a change in their diet while he enjoyed himself.

  It was a quiet and peaceful setting with no one around an hour past the noon meal. The sky was clear and blue in all directions. A gentle breeze wafted over him and the sundrenched landscape, stirring grass and bushes as it passed. With sufficient rain so far this year, everything was green and growing. The ranch structures still in use were kept in excellent condition. Flowers that Jessie and Gran had planted long ago and a variety of wild ones bloomed here and there to add color and beauty. Chickens scratched and a milk cow grazed contentedly at a distance, occasio
nally sending forth a few clucks and moos. Only the stone foundation and chimneys of the original Lane home were standing; the charred debris had been cleared long ago to prevent an eyesore. They could use the stones for future construction, but not build over them, as the old Lane home was larger than the cozy houses they were planning.

  Jessie had wanted to come with him; but in the sixth month of her pregnancy, both knew horseback riding was unwise and a leisurely carriage trip would have taken six hours over and back. Matt hurried his task, eager to get back to her.

  As he completed it, galloping hooves caught his attention. Matt looked in that direction and saw a man heading toward him. As the rider neared the location, dread filled the rancher. Matt realized his only nightmare was coming true: Navarro Breed was back. He had feared his past rival’s return ever since he gave Jessie permission to write the authorities three months ago on Navarro’s behalf.

  As Matt awaited his approach, he wondered if the fugitive knew about their efforts to help him. He wondered if those letters had worked in Navarro’s favor, or if the loner was unaware of them and was stealing a visit. Matt had suspected this event would take place one day, but his tender-hearted wife had convinced him with little effort that it was the right thing to do.

  At least, Matt admitted, he was being given the chance to speak with Navarro first. Hopefully he could persuade the man to do the right thing, too: keep riding without seeing and upsetting Jessie in her condition. Not that Matt distrusted his wife’s loyalty or doubted her feelings for him, but there was time later for her to learn the truth, after the baby’s birth when she was well. Lord help us both do the right thing for everyone, he prayed.

  Navarro dismounted and joined the unsmiling rancher. Neither spoke for a short time. Sweat beaded on both men’s faces and dampened their shirts. Both had dark tans, white teeth, strong features, and matching garments; but they didn’t favor each other in the least. Both were strong, proud, and skilled, but the confidence of both men was shaky at that moment. At six foot two, Navarro stood taller than Matt, but they had about the same build.

  “Hello, Matt,” Navarro finally greeted him, perceiving that the man was anything but happy to see him return. “Where’s Jessie? And what happened here?” he asked with a worried look, nodding toward the ruins of the Lane home where he had bid his beloved Jessie good-bye.

  “A fire, two months after you left,” Matt replied. He prayed again for the power and words to handle this trying situation.

  Panic filled Navarro and showed in his expression. “Was Jessie hurt?”

  “No, she’s fine. Everyone got out safely.”

  “Where is she? I have to see her.”

  “She moved to Fletcher’s place. She bought it, remember?”

  “I’ll ride over,” he said as he turned to mount.

  Matt’s hand on Navarro’s arm halted his intention. “Don’t,” he said simply.

  Navarro stared at Matt. “Why not?”

  “Jessie is married now. The past is over. Leave her be.”

  Navarro couldn’t conceal his shock and dismay. “Married? To whom?”

  “To me. For years,” Matt added, trying to feed him the truth in small bites.

  Navarro couldn’t swallow that bitter piece. “I don’t believe you.”

  “It’s true. If you love her, stay out of her life.”

  The loner knew that Matt had loved and wanted Jessica Lane years ago. Could she…“How did you manage that? Take advantage of her after this fire and my leaving?”

  “We got married before the fire,” Matt hinted.

  “Before? But you said it was two months after I left. She wouldn’t have.”

  “She did. She needed me.”

  Navarro was confused and angry. He couldn’t accept that Jessie had wed so soon after his departure. “You made her think she did! I’m going to see her, your wife or not!”

  “Don’t do this, Navarro. We have children. Don’t spoil our lives.”

  “She married you and had your children! How could she? She said she loved me. She said she’d wait for me.”

  “For how long? It’s been five years without word or a visit.”

  “But she didn’t even wait a few months! I thought she was honest and special. How could she have loved me, then turned to you so soon?”

  Matt read the man’s bitterness and resentment, and knew he would feel the same in Navarro’s place. He tried to be kind and gentle, to avoid involving Jessie. “She is honest and special. She did love you. When you deserted her and never contacted her again, she didn’t think you’d ever return.”

  “She could have waited for a while! Longer than two months! She’ll have to tell me herself why she betrayed me. I risked everything for her.”

  Knowing Navarro’s past from Jessie, Matt used the only weapon he could use on the man to defeat him. “If she had waited for you to return, seeing as how it took five years, your son would have been born a bastard like his father.”

  Navarro’s heart pounded. “Son? What are you talking about?”

  Matt prayed that Navarro’s love was strong and pure, that his rival would make the right sacrifice for his wife and child. It was a risk worth taking, since Navarro would recognize the truth if he saw Lane. Matt tried to work on the loner’s conscience. “You deserted Jessie while she was carrying your child. You left her alone and in a mess. You never came back to help her. What did you expect her to do? Live in shame? Run off somewhere to have the child, where nobody knew she wasn’t married and where she had no friends around to protect her? If you’re the man I think and hope you are, you wouldn’t have wanted her life to be that way.”

  The stunned man asked in a strained voice, “Why didn’t she tell me? Was she afraid I’d think she was trying to trick me into staying?” Yet Navarro suspected it was all because of what he’d told her during their last meeting. His confession had silenced hers, as she realized they couldn’t wed. She had let him leave without knowing of their child, then married Matt to protect them both. Cruel life had given her no choice, but how he wished he had known about his child.

  Matt had waited a few minutes for the news to settle in. “She didn’t know she was pregnant until August. You were long gone by then, and she didn’t know where to locate you. I know why you left, Navarro; Jessie told me all about your past and troubles. I’m glad you didn’t draw her into them. I know how hard it was to give her up, but you did the right thing. She couldn’t wait any longer to see if you’d ever be back. Time was against her. Even if she had waited and you’d returned for a visit, what did a fugitive have to offer her and the child? Nothing but trouble and danger. She was frantic and sick. She had everything put on her shoulders: the ranch, her family, the baby, and losing you and Jed. She was going to move somewhere, claim she was a widow, and have the baby. She asked me to take care of the ranch until she could return. I persuaded her not to give up her home, to stay here where me and the boys could protect her and help her, to marry me to give your child a name. Jessie didn’t want to take advantage of me, so I had to talk long and hard to convince her it was the best path to take. I loved her and wanted her; I was even glad you’d shoved her into my arms. She agreed to marry me and stay home: As time passed, she came to love me. She was right not to wait; it’s been five years!”

  Navarro exploded from guilt and bitterness. “I didn’t desert her! I couldn’t put her in danger by staying or by taking her with me. I told her everything, and she understood. But she vowed to wait anyway, and I believed her. We both hoped something would happen to clear me so I could come back to her. I was captured by the law two days after leaving here. I was on my way back to tell Jessie I loved her when they trapped me and carried me back to that Arizona prison. I realized it wasn’t fair to leave her without telling her something that important. I’m sure she knew the truth, but I never said those words aloud. I wanted her to hear from me how I felt. I never wanted her to think I had selfishly taken so much from her without loving her. I said
I’d never return, but we both knew I would. It had to hurt her bad to think she was wrong about me.”

  Navarro grimaced and clenched his teeth.. “Fletcher’s sketches helped them catch me. Did she tell you about them?” When Matt nodded, he continued. “I couldn’t send word about my capture because I didn’t want the law to think she’d been hiding me and get her into trouble. I’ve been in that stinking hole for five years. They made sure I had no chance to escape again. I was released two weeks ago. The governor started an investigation into that place; he cleaned out the vermin and set me free. I came straight here. I have to see her and explain everything, Matt.”

  Matt was glad to hear the news about the prison reform, and he felt compassion for all Navarro had endured for years—no, since the man’s ill-fated birth. Yet protecting Jessie was the most important thing on his mind. “Don’t, Navarro. She’s accepted your loss. Don’t stir up new pain for her. Seeing you can’t change anything now. We have a good and happy life. Besides your son, we have a daughter two years old and another child on the way.”

  “You said you married her to give my child a name. Now you’re telling me you’re a real husband to her. How could she love me and be a wife to you?”

  “Loved you, Navarro, long ago. She loves me now. Time heals wounds and changes lives. If you love her, let her be. Think what you’ll do to her and Lane if you suddenly appear or try to lay claim to them. That’s cruel and selfish.”

  “Lane?”

  “Your son, Lane Cordell. My son. I’ve raised him as my own for four years, Navarro. He’s smart and good. He favors you, but that doesn’t trouble me. I love him. I’m a good father to him, a good husband to Jessie.”