Ana Leigh

by The Mackenzies

  “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t,” she murmured as she passed by.

  It hissed again.

  Leaning out the window, she called, “Okay, what now, MacKenzie? How do I get down?”

  “Just drop down. I’ll catch you.”

  Rose had climbed out plenty of windows in her youth to evade paying rent, but she had her doubts about Zach catching her. However, she heard voices and the sound of laughter and knew someone was approaching.

  Quickly climbing out, she lowered her legs and clung by her fingertips for several seconds. Then, closing her eyes, she let go. A strong pair of arms closed around her before she hit the ground.

  “Did you get it?” Zach asked.

  She opened her eyes. “Got it!”

  He hugged her and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. “I knew you could do it, Rosie.”

  No doubt about it: she was beginning to enjoy this contest.

  Chapter 12

  “Miss Dubois and Mr. MacKenzie, you are the first couple to figure out the correct answer,” the Reverend Downing said when they returned with the picture. “Isn’t that right, Grace?”

  Beaming, his wife nodded. “Reverend Downing thought the clue was too easy, but I knew it would be a challenge.”

  Rose couldn’t believe Zach could look them in the eye when he said innocently, “We were fortunate enough to have access to a Life magazine.”

  “Good luck on this one,” the Reverend Downing said, and handed Zach the white slip of paper.

  They walked over to a bench and sat down to read it.

  An exceptional value, worth one’s salt.

  Even the parrot shouts it out.

  “Oh, this is simple!” Rose exclaimed. “Polly wants a cracker.”

  “What?”

  “Polly wants a cracker,” she repeated. “That’s what the parrot is saying on the box of Premium Saltines.”

  “I’ll take your word for it. Does this mean we’ll have to break into the general store?”

  “Not this time.” She dug into her pocket and held up a key. “This is the key to the solution of the second clue. The key to my boardinghouse, where in turn I have a key to the restaurant, where I know we can find a box of Premium Saltines.”

  “Then what are we waiting for, Rosie?”

  “For you to tell me what a smart partner you picked for this contest.”

  He stood up and pulled her to her feet, then tucked her arm through his. “Miss Dubois, did I mention how smart I am for picking such a smart partner for this contest?”

  Laughing like children, they hurried to her boardinghouse.

  Ten minutes later, a box of Premium Saltines in hand, they hurried back to the booth. “I can’t believe how easy this one was,” Rose said. “I do hope Reverend Downing will return the crackers, though, or Andre and Colette will be very surprised to find them gone when they go to serve the soup tomorrow—not to mention what Mr. Billings will say.”

  “Can’t you explain it to them?”

  “Andre and Colette don’t speak a word of English, and I can’t speak French.”

  “Yet you were raised in New Orleans.”

  “Not everyone there speaks French, MacKenzie. Especially in the section that I was raised in.”

  “Too bad they aren’t Mexican. I speak that real well.”

  “In addition to your ability to speak Horse, and some Snake, no doubt, since you could talk one out of its skin. But that doesn’t help my situation, does it?”

  “Maybe not, but it might come in handy if you want a pair of fancy snakeskin boots,” he teased.

  “I’ll keep it in mind.”

  The Downings were surprised to see them back so soon.

  “I told you, Matthew, that clue was too easy,” Grace Downing said.

  “I’m afraid you were right, my dear. I thought it was so clever, too,” the Reverend said desolately.

  Rose spoke up quickly. “Actually, it was very clever, Reverend Downing. I had the advantage of working in a restaurant that serves that brand of crackers.”

  “That’s right, sir. I never heard of them before, so I never would have guessed the clue.”

  The minister’s spirits clearly lifted immediately, and he said, “I am sure you young people won’t find this final clue so easily solved. Once again, good luck.”

  “And win or lose, Mr. MacKenzie, I shall give you a jar of my spiced apples,” Grace Downing said.

  “That’s mighty generous of you, ma’am. I was tempted to lose just to get a jar. From the time I rode into Brimstone, I’ve heard about the preacher’s wife’s sweet-tasting spiced apples.”

  “Thank you, young man,” Grace Downing said, flustered with pleasure. “I shall make certain you get a jar.”

  “My cup runneth over, ma’am,” Zach replied, tipping a finger to his hat.

  Rose yanked him away. “Zach MacKenzie, you should be ashamed of yourself,” she hissed. “You truly are a snake charmer. You ought to join this circus.”

  “I do like spiced apples, Rose. Only trouble is, no one makes them as good as my ma.”

  “Of course. An unbiased opinion, Mackenzie. Let’s read the clue.”

  He unfolded the blue slip.

  It has shimmering gems and shorter hems.

  Golden watches and velvet sacks.

  “Satisfaction or Your Money Back.”

  Rose regarded it reflectively. “This is much harder. Hmmm, shortened hems, velvet sacks.”

  “What in hell is a velvet sack?” he asked.

  “I believe it’s a man’s jacket?”

  “A velvet jacket!” He shoved his Stetson to the top of his forehead. “Not in Texas, honey.”

  “I’m sure that shortened hems refers to women’s gowns and that velvet sacks refers to men’s jackets.”

  “Sounds like something to do with a tailor, then?”

  “A fancy dressmaker might put gems or beads on a gown, but what about the golden watch?”

  “That last line is in quotation marks. That would mean it’s a direct quote,” Zach said.

  “ ‘Satisfaction or Your Money Back.’ I know I’ve read that before. Now, where was it?” Rose repeated the line over and over again, searching for one of the many trivial facts that one tucks away in memory, never expecting to draw upon it again. Suddenly it came to her. “A catalog! I read it last year in an old catalog that Em had.”

  “Which one?”

  “Let me think—she had several. It was a . . . Sears catalog. That’s it, Zach,” she cried out excitedly. “That’s the Sears motto.”

  “Do you still have the catalog?”

  “Heavens, no. It was a couple years old. And you know where old catalogs usually end up.”

  “In outhouses. So let’s go.”

  Rose looked at him with revulsion. “You don’t mean—”

  “That’s right, honey. Looks like we’re going to have to make the rounds of the latrines in town.”

  “I’ll come with you, but you can check them out yourself. You’re the one who wants the circus tickets.”

  He grasped her by the shoulders and looked down at her. “It’s gone beyond circus tickets, Rose. It’s all about winning now.” He looked so serious, she could hardly keep from laughing. He released her and grabbed her hand. “Let’s find us a Sears catalog.”

  In a short time, they’d searched every outhouse in Brimstone. Zach found one catalog from Montgomery Ward, a half dozen grain and seed ones, and even an early catalog from a Harrods in London, England. But no Sears catalog.

  Emerging from the latest outhouse, Zach shook his head. “No luck.”

  “This is ridiculous, Zach. Let’s forget about it.”

  “No, I remember seeing another outhouse on the south end of town that looked abandoned. We’ll give that one a try.”

  “If we don’t have any luck there, I’m giving up. We’re missing the celebration by doing this, and it must almost be time for the fireworks. If you want to keep on, that’s your business, but aft
er the next one I’m through.”

  “Okay, Rosie. One more, then we’ll go back and enjoy the celebration.”

  The outhouse was set on the top of a hill near an abandoned, broken-down shack. Exposed to wind, rain, and sandstorms, its boards were rotting, and several slats were missing. The door of the latrine clung as precariously to its hinges as the structure did to the hillside.

  “I wouldn’t go into that dirty old thing,” Rose warned. “Who knows what might have crawled into there since it was abandoned?”

  “The door’s hooked shut,” Zach said. “Nothing could get in.”

  “A hook on a door isn’t going to keep out spiders and bugs, and Lord only knows what else might have crawled through those missing slats. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she said, stepping away as Zach proceeded to unhook the clasp and enter.

  He emerged seconds later waving a catalog.

  “Is it a Sears?” she asked hopefully.

  “It was too dark in there to see.”

  Just then they heard men’s voices raised in argument. Zach recognized them at once. “Sounds like Tait and Bull.”

  “Let’s get out of here,” she said. “I don’t want any scene with them.”

  He grabbed her hand and they ran over to conceal themselves in some nearby bushes.

  The two men stopped in front of the outhouse. Tait’s speech was slurred in drunkenness. “Do ya hear me?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I hear ya,” Bull grumbled. “We’ll get it done before Rayburn gets back.”

  “Then get goin’. Where’s MacKenzie?”

  Rose glanced up at Zach. He put his finger to his lips, cautioning her to remain silent.

  “Ain’t seen him,” Bull said.

  “Find him and take him with you.”

  “Okay.” Bull started to leave.

  “Wait up. I gotta piss,” Tait said.

  “Ya don’t need my help for that,” Bull said, and walked on.

  Grumbling, Tait staggered into the outhouse.

  Zach grinned down at her, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “This is too good to pass up,” he whispered.

  Guessing his intent, Rose nodded.

  He handed her the catalog. “Wait here.”

  Zach sped over to the outhouse, slammed the door, and hooked it shut.

  “Hey, what in hell’s goin’ on?” Tait bellowed as Zach raced back to her. “Bull, is that you? Open this damn door.” The whole structure began to shake as Tait kicked at the door to get out. Rose clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle the sound of her laughter.

  Just as the door broke loose from the hinges, the latrine broke loose from the hilltop. Amidst the sound of splintering wood and vile curses, Tait and the outhouse tumbled down the hill and ended in a heap several yards below. Snorting like a maddened bull, vowing vengeance on whoever had done it, Tait emerged from the pile of rubble, pulled up his pants, and stomped up over the hill.

  Zach grabbed Rose’s hand and they raced away, laughing so hard they could barely run. Finally, safely out of sight and earshot, they stumbled to a stop, sank down on the ground, and lay side by side, gasping for breath.

  “I haven’t laughed so hard in my life,” Rose finally managed to say.

  “I wish we could have seen his face,” Zach said.

  “I saw enough of him as it was.” Rose started to laugh again. “You think he saw us?”

  Zach shook his head. “He couldn’t have. The bushes concealed us.”

  “What a glorious moment.” Several giggles escaped her, then unable to hold it back, she burst into laughter again.

  Zach rolled over and smiled down at her, and as their gazes met, the laughter in his eyes slowly gave way to the stirring of arousal.

  “You smell wonderful, Rosie. Like a flower garden.”

  She swallowed hard, as aware of his masculinity as he was of her femininity. “I suspect you’ve been sniffing too many outhouses lately, MacKenzie.”

  He drew a deep breath and buried his head in the thickness of her hair. “No, honey. You’re wearing my favorite fragrance.” He raised his head and smiled tenderly at her. “It’s called Rosie.”

  The next move was inevitable. He lowered his head; she parted her lips. As always, his kiss sent sweet shocks of passion racing through her.

  “You know this is a mistake, Zach,” she murmured when breathlessness forced them apart.

  “Sure it is—but what’s a few kisses between friends?”

  His next kiss was more demanding.

  Both of them were succumbing to the danger that always threatened when they were together, but he was right. It did feel so good. It always felt so good. Rose wanted to let him go on kissing her forever, but one of them had to look beyond the moment.

  She broke off the kiss. “The catalog, Zach. I thought you wanted to win those circus tickets,” she said breathlessly.

  “To hell with the tickets,” he said, and slid a trail of moist, warm kisses along her neck before settling his lips into the hollow of her throat. Instinctively, her body arched against him.

  Rose knew if she didn’t stop him right now, there’d be no stopping him from taking her right there in the grass. She wanted it so badly, but she’d regret it the rest of her life. He’d broken off such a dangerous moment between them once before; it was up to her this time.

  Rallying all her will, she put her hands on his chest and shoved him off her. Sitting up, she said, “Let’s see that catalog.”

  Groaning, Zach lay back. “You’re a heartless woman, Rosie. A beautiful, redheaded, heartless woman.”

  He sat up and handed her the catalog.

  She flipped open the cover. “This is it, Zach! See, ‘Satisfaction or Your Money Back,’ ” she read aloud.

  “Great.” He flopped down on his back, his arms outstretched at his sides. “Give me strength, Lord.”

  Rose stood up and brushed herself off. “Come on, Zach. There’s a time limit, remember? And the fireworks will start soon.”

  “Seen fireworks once, seen them all,” he said.

  “What about those circus tickets? You were the one who wanted them.”

  “We know we won; that’s all that matters. Besides, seen one circus—”

  “You’ve seen them all,” she finished. “Let’s go, MacKenzie.” She reached out a hand to help him to his feet.

  “All right, you merciless minx, we’ll go and collect our prize.”

  “Congratulations, you’re the undisputed winner,” the Reverend Downing said when they gave him the Sears catalog. “Dear Miss McDermott and Mr. Billings failed to solve even the first clue.”

  I bet! Rose thought. Kate just figured out a way of not having to go on with the contest. Wait until I see her!

  “And I do hope you enjoy the circus,” the pastor said, handing Zach the tickets.

  Zach tucked them into his shirt pocket. “Thank you, sir, I’m sure we will.”

  “And the best news is that between the contest and the sale of Mrs. Downing’s spiced apples, we raised over a hundred dollars for charity from this booth alone.”

  “That’s wonderful—and we certainly enjoyed the contest,” Rose said.

  Grace Downing handed Zach a jar of the apples. “Here you are, Mr. MacKenzie. I hope you’ll enjoy them.”

  “I know I will, ma’am.”

  As they searched for a good spot to enjoy the aerial display, Zach said, “Rose, wait here. I want to put this jar in my saddlebags. I’ll be right back.”

  She watched him stop and speak to an older man, and recognized him as the man they had met on the trail. They spoke for a few minutes and then, to her surprise, they walked away together.

  After waiting several minutes, Rose spied Kate and the other girls across the fairground and decided to join them. Zach could find her easily if he tried. Seeking a shortcut, she cut through the darkened area near the circus tent where the wagons and animal cages were kept.

  A resounding boom split the air. Luminous streamers of Roman candles soar
ed heavenward and burst into a shimmering glow of incandescent brilliance against the dark sky. A chorus of oohs and ahs—and scattered wails from startled babies—rose from the throng of spectators.

  And then Rose heard a low, feral growl.

  Chapter 13

  Rose spun around, and by the luminous radiance of the fireworks she saw a tiger leap with fearsome agility from its cage to the bed of a wagon mere yards away from where she stood. Its eyes glittered with an amber glow.

  Her scream of terror was swallowed by the roar of the crowd as another burst of color illuminated the sky. Another low growl emanated from the huge cat, a sound so savage the hair on her arms stood on end.

  Rose stared transfixed at the huge cat, her heart hammering at her chest. Her instinct was to bolt, but her legs were trembling too much to move. It was a nightmare. One second she’d be in darkness, and the next the animal would appear in a misty glow swirling around its head. The odor of sulfur stung her nostrils, the explosive sound of the fireworks thundered in her ears, and flashes of the jungle beast poised to spring paralyzed her. She knew if she attempted to move, the tiger would spring.

  Suddenly Zach’s voice cut through her frozen state. “Rose, don’t move. I’m right behind you, but I’m not sure my Colt will bring down a cat that size before it could reach you. I need a perfect shot, so I have to get a better angle for it.”

  “I’m so scared, Zach,” she quavered

  “I know, honey, but you’re doing fine. Just stay calm.”

  Her head began to spin, and the cat became a blurred image. “I think I’m going to faint.”

  “You’re not going to faint. Take a couple of deep breaths and think of that cat as Jess Tait with his pants down.”

  “Stop it, Zach, or you’ll start me laughing.”

  She heard the cock of his pistol and knew he was getting ready to take his shot.

  Suddenly a man shouted, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” Rose didn’t dare turn her head to see who it was. “Back, Sinbad! Back, boy.”