by Linda Broday
After a moment’s quiet, she said, “Luke, I had a flash of memory when I stood over Reno. I saw a sick woman, I think my mother, in a bed. She told me to be careful and not to trust the captain.” She twisted to look at Luke. “Noah said I went to visit his farm with the man his pa called Captain.”
Luke covered her hand. “I may have figured that out. But I’m not certain, and I don’t want to say. I could be wrong.”
“Reno mentioned a name. Who is McCall?”
“An old outlaw I used to ride with, used to be a friend.” Brenner had shown his dark side before, but if what Reno said bore truth, Luke couldn’t afford to trust him. And Brenner had just shot at them back there. That said it all.
Why would Brenner McCall and Walt Preston plan to kill him? As far as he knew, he hadn’t done anything to either.
“Could Reno Kidd have been delusional?” Josie asked.
“Anything’s possible.” Luke patted her hand. “I wouldn’t worry. Maybe he made up the whole thing.”
Except dying men staring into the flames of hell tended to speak the truth. Something about getting ready to stand in the face of judgment brought out honesty.
“I felt sorry for him in the end,” Josie said softly. “I think he must’ve had a horrible childhood. I wanted to cry when he talked about his father.”
Luke nodded. No telling what had happened to make Reno the way he was. Must’ve been bad, just like the things Luke had gone through that had turned him into a callous outlaw. Only one difference—he was willing to change. He only needed a chance. He glanced at Sam and Houston coming alongside. And Stoker riding hell-bent toward them.
His family had his back.
They were giving him his chance.
Twenty-nine
Silence enveloped the gathering on the porch, which appeared to be the official place for most discussions. Luke and Josie had just given the others a rundown on their visit to Granger’s place. Luke glanced at Noah, sitting nearby playing with Rowdy, then scanned the faces of his brothers and father. These family powwows made Luke feel a part of them and his opinions welcome. It was what he’d dreamed of years ago when he’d sneak up close and watch them, wishing they were his.
At least Stoker hadn’t exploded. That was a plus.
The big man steepled his fingers beneath his chin. His face was pensive as he digested the information. At last he spoke. “That’s damn good thinking, Miss Josie. I think you hit upon an excellent idea. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.”
“Because you were too busy fighting with Newt,” Sam said. “You wanted to win at any cost, to prove you’re the best.”
“That’s right, Pa.” Houston leaned forward. “I have to agree with Sam. You taught me a long time ago that compromise gets the best results. We have the money now to build him a town. It’s a small price to pay for peace with the man. All we have to do is try a little harder to convince him. Even though he turned Josie down, I think this will work if we stroke his ego some. Assure him that he’s important.”
“Whatever we have to do.” Luke studied Stoker, who was deep in thought. “Otherwise, we’ll have to go all the way down to Medicine Springs every time. It’ll take days.”
Noah glanced up. “I think you should do it, Papa Stoker. Fighting all the time just makes you grouchy and tired.”
Houston barked a laugh. “Kid, you hit the nail on the head.”
“How did you get to be so smart?” Luke ruffled the boy’s hair.
Noah shrugged. “I just figured it out myself.”
“I think you must have too much time on your hands,” Stoker growled. “But I said from the first, kid, you’ll be running this place one day.”
Josie idly stroked the kitten in her lap. She’d been silent until now. “Newt Granger is a sad, lonely man. He just wants to be important and a town would give him a purpose for once in his life. And running Grangerville will take so much time he won’t fight with you.”
“I’ll give him ‘important’ if he ever touches you that way again.” Luke fixed her with a stare. “The way he looked at you with those bug eyes, he’d have undressed you if I hadn’t been there.”
And then there’d have been hell to pay.
“I knew I was safe because you were there,” she said softly.
Luke’s gaze lazily wandered over the luscious curves that he’d already memorized, his eyes caressing her. She looked so soft and feminine in the pretty blue dress, in that fancy hat that made her appear like a woman of the world. Only he knew differently. Josie Morgan had shown how vulnerable and scared she was inside. But she was also God-almighty tough. A hell-raiser when she had to be.
Each side of her intrigued him. She drew him like a magnet and twisted his insides into tight knots that he couldn’t untie.
Yet, he couldn’t have her, couldn’t allow himself the luxury.
She definitely wasn’t a toy for him to fill his time with. His feelings for her ran deep. Somehow, he had to get her out of his mind, his heart. Because he couldn’t let her shoulder his burden too.
All of a sudden, Rafael leaped from her lap. The hair on Rowdy’s neck stood and a growl rumbled in the dog’s throat. Rafael arched his back and hissed, then streaked off the porch with Rowdy giving pursuit. The last Luke saw was a flash as the two animals raced down through the little ranch town.
“Rowdy, come back!” Noah hollered. “Here, boy.”
“Go after Rafael, Luke, before Rowdy eats him,” Josie begged. “Please?”
Luke got to his feet. The damn cat was going to disappear one day when no one was looking.
But he’d kiss its ugly butt if Josie asked him to. He’d do whatever she asked…except tell her he loved her.
* * *
Josie’s gaze followed the tall figure of the man she loved. Tears lurked behind her lids. She’d made up her mind; she would leave come morning. Tally Shannon would take her in until she decided where to go.
And if Josie didn’t find a place, she’d live out her days with the women of Deliverance Canyon.
Luke might come to visit once in a while, and she could remember the one night when they’d shut out the world and he’d made love to her. She could savor the huskiness in his voice when he’d called her princesa, and made her the happiest woman in the world.
She remembered Reno’s words, telling her she was someone’s something. It didn’t matter anymore. Nothing did. She didn’t care if she never learned the meaning of the cryptic statement.
The only thing she wanted to be, she never would.
Stoker and his boys stood to watch a long column of riders coming down the road. She glanced at the horsemen. They seemed to ride with a purpose, stiff in the saddle. As they approached, she noticed the silver stars on their chests.
Lawmen!
Her heart stopped. Trouble rode toward them. She had to disappear. Oh God, they’d come for her! Or Luke. She prayed he stayed where he was.
She stood on trembling legs and slipped inside the house. Upstairs in her bedroom, Josie grabbed her gun. Whatever came, she’d be ready. Anyone who came to take her to jail would have a fight on their hands. She hadn’t killed Preston at Doan’s Crossing. And if they’d come for Luke, she’d be ready to help him escape.
With the pistol in her grip to bolster her courage, she went down to the parlor to watch from the window. Hopefully, she could listen to the conversation. She peeked through the curtains. The group had halted in front of the porch with their weapons drawn.
“How may I help you, gentlemen?” Stoker asked without inviting them inside.
Sam and Houston flanked their father with their legs apart—a solid, impenetrable wall of strength.
Josie breathed a prayer that Luke would stay out of sight. She trembled, knowing she wouldn’t be able to bear the sight of lawmen binding him, taking him to hang. She might not kn
ow her past, but she knew the fate of men who were accused of murder. At least he wouldn’t suffer the kind of imprisonment that nearly destroyed him before. For that, she was grateful. Although a grown man would fare much better than a fourteen-year-old.
“Howdy, Mr. Legend.”
Stoker nodded. “U.S. Marshal Orin Haskill. Nice weather.”
“You told me to bring an army when I came back.” Haskill waved an arm at the others. There had to be around fifteen. Most appeared to be ordinary citizens that the marshal had pressed into service. “If this isn’t enough, I can get more.”
All those to arrest one man?
Over half of the posse appeared to recognize Sam. They murmured among themselves and fidgeted in their saddles, seeming to rethink the wisdom of the job they’d signed on for.
When Sam and Houston started down the steps, Stoker put a hand out. “No, boys, this is my fight.”
The little Josie could see of Stoker through the curtain showed the fierce determination in the set of his jaw. She imagined those green eyes had flames flashing in them as well.
“Are you going to turn Luke over?” Haskill rested his arm on the pommel.
“Put those weapons away,” snapped Stoker. “There’s no need in trying to intimidate me. You’ll soon find scare tactics don’t work with me. This land was wild when I came. Others tried to take it by force. They discovered, as will you, that I may bend a little but I don’t break—and I don’t scare.”
Haskill straightened and glanced at his fellow lawmen. With a nod, they holstered their guns. “Now, respectfully, sir, I want Luke Weston and I want him now.”
“Then you’ll have to leave wanting!” Stoker thundered.
The marshal offered a thin smile. “If you refuse, I’ll have to take you in, Legend.”
“Whatever you have to do is fine with me,” Stoker snapped.
“How far are you willing to go for your murdering, thieving son?”
Sam apparently had enough. He clenched his fist and Josie could tell he itched to yank the young lawman into the dirt. “Haskill, there’s no need for name-calling here. You owe me—all of us—professional courtesy. We’re peaceful, law-abiding people and Luke will clear his name of all charges.”
Haskill’s face reddened at the dressing-down. Josie read the posse’s worried faces as they glanced at one another and appeared ready to turn and ride out. Their nervous expressions seemed to suggest thoughts like Oh shit, I don’t want to get in the middle of this.
“We stand as one,” Houston added. “You take one of us Legends, you’ll take us all.”
Josie watched the marshal glare at the three big men. If she were him, she’d be wondering if she’d brought enough help. And that would be a legitimate thought. The fearsome line of Legends would give anyone pause.
“Me too.” Noah rose to stand next to Sam. “Leave my Papa Stoker alone. I did whatever it is you said he done. Luke saved my life. I’d be dead if he hadn’t found me. He is not a bad man. He’s good and kind.”
That the sick kid would stand tall beside the Legends brought a lump to Josie’s throat. She suspected everyone to a person on the Lone Star felt the same loyalty to the family and to Luke.
“Thank you, Noah, but I can handle this.” Stoker rested a hand on the boy’s head and squarely faced Haskill. “You asked how far I’m willing to go for Luke. Here’s your answer. I’ll go to the ends of the earth. For him as well as these other sons of mine. I take it you don’t have any children.”
“No, sir.”
“I pity you. My sons are my life and a bright hope for the future. They’ll carry my dreams forward for generations. My blood flows through their veins, and yes, I’m willing to die for them. So, do whatever it is you must. But understand, only to me.”
“Pa,” Houston protested. “They’ll take all of us or none. Sam and I are just as guilty.”
“No.” Stoker turned to the marshal. “I need my horse.”
Marshal Haskill gave him a cold smile. “You won’t require a horse. We’re going to hold you right here on the Lone Star until Luke gives himself up.”
“That’s good,” Sam said. “That way you’ll be here when I get a telegram from the governor. He’s not going to stand for this.”
Again, the posse seemed ready to bolt. They wanted no part of the Texas governor’s wrath.
“Nice try, Sam,” the marshal replied. “You and I both know it’s a long ride to a telegraph office.”
“No ride at all. We have one just across the way. Stoker installed it a few years ago for just such an emergency. And don’t even think about trying to stop me. You won’t stand a chance.”
Josie watched the marshal’s face fall. The man glanced up at the telegraph lines overhead, then back at the hardness on Sam’s face. Haskill wasn’t so cocksure now.
“And Pa will get to sleep in his own bed.” Houston grinned. “I’m feeling better about this already.”
“I’m afraid you’re wrong.” Haskill leaned over to a young lawman beside him. “Find us a suitable jail to commandeer. One with an upper floor that Legend won’t escape from. One with a window that Luke will see his father from. I know he’s hiding somewhere on this land.”
“Sounds good.” The man smiled. “I’ll find a place.”
Houston stepped forward. “I might be able to help. My old house is empty. It’s two-story. It’s large enough so some of the men can stay there too.”
What was Houston doing? Josie gave a silent groan. Had he lost his mind? They didn’t need to help the posse. They were doing enough damage all by their lonesome. From the way the men were looking at one another, some of them were just as confused.
Surprise crossed Haskill’s face. “Why, that’s mighty nice. Which one are you? Your name escapes me.”
“Houston.”
“Ah yes. I recall now. Someone once said you were your father’s right-hand man, that you know as much about this land as he does.”
“I doubt that.” Houston glanced at Stoker. Josie saw the admiration on Houston’s face and she knew he wasn’t faking his regard. “You’d have to travel mighty far to find anyone as smart and tough as my father.”
“Do whatever you have to, Houston, to protect the ranch from attack. Keep that bastard Granger and his hired guns off this land.” Stoker leaned to murmur something to Sam. Though Josie strained to hear, she couldn’t make out any of the words.
Sam somberly nodded and turned to Haskill. “Excuse me. I need to get that telegram sent to the governor.”
The entire posse fidgeted in their saddles as they watched Sam saunter toward the makeshift town. Josie scanned what she could see of the compound from the window but saw no sign of Luke. She prayed he’d stay hidden. Hopefully, Sam was going to warn him. Coming to know him like she did, she could see Luke turning himself over to these lawmen.
One thing she knew—no matter his bumpy relationship with Stoker, he wouldn’t sit idle while his father was locked up.
And then her tall, honorable outlaw would swing from the gallows.
Thirty
Luke ducked behind the telegraph office, clutching the damn cat. Removing his worn black Stetson, he peeked around the corner at the column of lawmen.
He grimaced, watching them snap handcuffs on Stoker.
The worst had happened. His father was paying for his son’s crimes.
But why were the lawmen riding to Houston’s old house? That puzzled him. What were they up to?
A noise alerted him and Luke had his Colt out before he realized it was Sam who slid up next to him. “You’re lucky I didn’t shoot you.”
Sam’s face was grim. “Came to warn you.”
“What are they doing?”
“They’ve arrested Pa, but they’re going to keep him at Houston’s place. Gonna try to draw you out. They know you’re somewhere close
.” Sam eased around where he could see the goings-on.
“Well, they’re right. No way can I let Stoker take the brunt of my mess.” Luke settled his hat back on his head and pushed away from the side of the building.
Sam grabbed him. “No. Pa said he’ll handle this and for you to stay out of sight.”
“If you really think I can do that, you don’t know me at all.” Pain ripped through Luke’s heart. His family hadn’t asked for this. They shouldn’t pay for this. Luke jerked free.
“Sorry, Luke. This is going to hurt me worse than you.” Sam drew back and slammed a powerful fist into his jaw.
Luke crumpled into the welcoming darkness.
* * *
He didn’t know how long he was out. When Luke came to, he lay on a bed, staring up into Josie’s eyes. She wore her cowboy disguise, complete with a gun belt and pistol.
She pressed a cold cloth to his sore jaw. “There you are,” she murmured, like he’d been missing somewhere and she’d found him.
Someone else stirred nearby. Luke shot a glance toward the sound and saw his brothers. He pushed Josie’s hand aside and sat up, glaring at Sam. “I owe you for that.”
“Yeah, well, I owe you a lot more for almost hanging me two years ago,” Sam growled.
Houston rose from a chair. “We finally managed to get you into one of our beds. It might take us some time, but Sam and I always succeed in whatever we undertake.”
“Luke, now you know they have your best interests at heart,” Josie lectured. “We all do. Listen to them.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a stubborn cuss who doesn’t have sense to come in out of the rain sometimes.” Sam strolled to the door and eased it open enough to look out. He chuckled. “Word travels fast. The ranch women have lined up with their arms full of everything you can imagine to make Stoker comfortable. I see one with a pie and steam is still rising from the crust. The old man never had it so good.”
A glance at the sparse room with nothing in it except a bed, a washstand, and a long chest brought Luke’s question. “Where am I? This isn’t headquarters.”