Wild Winds

by Janelle Taylor

  As the man’s fingers inched toward his pistol, Hawk’s did the same. But Maggie was faster than either of them, withdrawing a small derringer from her pocket and leveling on her attacker, once more revealing she knew how to use it and would if challenged. Whatever she said caused the man to relent, stalk toward his horse, and gallop away. Hawk could hardly believe she had faced down a gunslinger alone and without appearing the least bit afraid. He recalled the shooting skills and courage she had displayed during the attempted coach robbery while en route to Prescott and how she had helped free Ben and the way she had carried out her ruses in Yuma and Prescott. There was much more to Miss Margaret Anne Malone than met the eye.

  He watched the mysterious woman adjust her clothes and hair, then walk in his direction. After she sighted him at the corner, she sent him a playful smile and shrug.

  “What was that about?” he asked. “Do you know him?”

  “I’ve never seen him before today. He got fresh with me and wouldn’t accept no for an answer, so I had to take him down a peg or two.”

  “I got worried when you were gone so long. I started to come and help you, but it didn’t look as if you needed any.”

  “A friend of mine from Japan taught me those moves for self-defense, I caught him off guard with them.” As she glanced toward the dust clouds the rider was leaving behind in his hasty retreat, she said, “I suppose he was too embarrassed a woman bested him to remain here. He shouldn’t have put his hands on me; he had no respect for a lady and needed to be taught a lesson.”

  As they paused at a clean-up table, Hawk said, “Well, it certainly appears you gave him one. I can see you’re well-armed beneath those lovely clothes.”

  Maggie grinned. “A woman traveling alone has to be able to protect herself since her bodyguard isn’t always around to do so. Following the incidents on the stage and then with the prospector in Prescott, I thought it would be wiser to have weapons at hand rather than out of reach in my baggage.”

  “As I said in Prescott, you’re too beautiful and tempting for your own good, boss lady. I’ll have to keep a closer eye on you from here on because the next admirer or assailant might not be dissuaded so easily.”

  After washing her hands in the water basin, she said, “Thanks. Now, let’s go eat; I’m starved, and we’ll be pulling out soon.”

  The remainder of the two day-stage journey to Phoenix and Maricopa—including an overnight stay there—passed without problems and with little conversation, as did the seven-hour train ride in the Sonoran Desert as they railed toward their next destination on Wednesday, the second of May.

  At last, the sprawling Santa Catalina Mountains northeast of town and the cacti and yucca-studded Tucson Mountains west of it loomed ahead. They traveled in the rugged and densely vegetated Santa Cruz Valley and near a tranquil river with the same name. The striking location was rimmed with multi-peaked ridges and surrounded by picturesque desert.

  Maggie recalled from her mother’s letters and her own observations while passing through weeks ago that Tucson was populated by a medley of people from many countries and walks of life. Most homes and businesses were flat roofed and built of sunbaked mud bricks which were held in place by straw-laced mortar, or were of adobe and mud with unplastered wattle work of ironwood branches lashed to cottonwood or saguaro slats and posts. Some homes and businesses were built of wood with raised shingled roofs and with wide porches to provide shade from the desert sun and protection from occasional but torrential and violent rainstorms. The ground and air were dry and dusty; and little non-native vegetation grew, just the usual variety of cacti, mesquites, and scrub brush. Dark stone from Sentinel Peak, meaning “Dark Mountain” for which Tucson was named, was used in abundance for foundations and walls. The town was considered modern and civilized, thanks to the S & P Railroad, gas streetlights, good law enforcement, varied types of businesses and professional services available, telegraph, and even a few of the “magic talking box” telephones which arrived in ‘81.

  Maggie and Hawk deboarded at the depot at three o’clock to head for a nice hotel on Congress Street. After registering there and having their possessions delivered to their rooms, they walked to a livery nearby to purchase feed for Diablo and to have him stabled there overnight. While Hawk was tending his black mustang, Maggie spoke with the owner about leaving with her mount in the morning. After their business was settled and she was told the mare had been properly fed and exercised regularly, she visited with Blaze. The chestnut roan was as delighted to see her mistress following a long separation as Maggie was to see the almost prancing animal.

  “That’s my girl,” Maggie cooed as she stroked the roan’s neck and head. “I missed you something fierce, Blaze. I hope you were given good care. Soon we’ll be riding together again, but this time we’ll have company, you’ll like them.”

  After speaking with the owner, Hawk approached and smiled as he witnessed the strong bond between woman and horse. “She’s a beautiful mare, Maggie; and I can tell you two are close friends, like me and Diablo.”

  “She’s the best horse I’ve ever owned, aren’t you, girl? She’s smart, sure-footed, and totally loyal.”

  Hawk watched Blaze nuzzle her nose in Maggie’s upturned palm as she collected the treat her mistress gave to her. He saw Maggie kneel, lift the right foreleg, and examine it and the new shoe. She released it and rubbed the creature’s leg, lightly fingering the entire area.

  “She seems fine now, no tenderness or swelling; and the blacksmith did a fine shoeing job.”

  “He’s changing Diablo’s this afternoon. I don’t want to head out across that desert with him in old ones. I’m having him stabled inside tonight; it’ll be quieter and more restful in here than on that dusty and noisy street.”

  “My father taught me that if a man takes good care of his horse, his horse will take good care of him; I’ve always found that to be true. If we’re lucky, Diablo and Blaze will become good friends, like we have.”

  “Since she’s not in season, they’ll do fine, because Diablo hasn’t had a sweetheart in ages; I keep him moving around too much for romance.”

  Maggie laughed with him. “It sounds as if mount and master have the same dilemma,” she jested.

  “Yep,” he agreed with a smile. “So, what are your plans for the rest of today?”

  “As soon as I freshen up, I’m going to the Paradise Club to see if Mr. Carver will speak with me about his son. I was told he owns that establishment, and it isn’t far down the street. If you don’t mind, I think I should go alone. I think he would be more amenable to a lady by herself. He could tense up if I have a tall and tough-looking hombre beside me,” she asserted with a playful grin and tone to make her excuse sound plausible.

  “That’s fine with me, boss lady, and it sounds sensible, as usual.”

  “Thanks for understanding. Afterward, I’m going to soak in a tub and wash my hair. It normally takes hours for this thick mane to dry, but as hot as it is here, if I sit near the window, it shouldn’t remain wet for very long. If I’m wrong about that, I’ll just eat in my room. If not, I’ll meet you downstairs at seven for supper. Is that schedule all right?”

  “Suits me fine. I’ll probably stay here with Diablo for a while, then maybe wander around town.”

  “Just stay out of trouble so I won’t have to bust you out of jail. You must leave with me tomorrow. I need you in Tombstone, partner.”

  Hawk saw her cheeks pinken slightly and she averted her blue eyes from his to her horse. She had chosen the wrong thing to joke about, though she was unaware of his knowledge about it. “After the skills and courage I’ve seen you use, woman,” he jested, “I have no doubt you’d succeed. Then some other bounty hunter would be tracking us for rewards; so I promise to behave myself, hard as that might be. You do the same.”

  “As always, kind sir, I’ll be on my best ladylike behavior. Good-bye.”

  “See you later, Maggie Malone, and be careful.”

&nbs
p; “I always am. You, too.”

  Instead of heading for her rented room to freshen up, Maggie walked to the Paradise Club. She entered the open double doors and paused to allow her eyes to adjust from the bright sunlight to the dimmer setting and to give herself time to study the place. She was surprised by how respectable and elegant the business was, despite the fact her mother had told her it was one of the best on the frontier. It was busy inside, but quieter, she presumed, than it would be at night. She saw a variety of men talking and drinking and some gambling. Many were accompanied by pretty females who were attired in just-below-the-knee, décolleté red satin dresses trimmed with black lace and ribbons, and displaying “painted faces.” She saw other filles de joie either heading upstairs or returning from those carnal duties, and a few standing on the upper landing and conversing. The piano bench was vacant, so no music was being played at that early hour. The same was true for the rear stage for entertainment later, singers and dancers according to her mother. The numerous tables and chairs for customers were stained in mahogany and were shiny from recent waxing, as were the floor and artistically carved railings, posts, and trimwork. The place was lighted at night by lovely suspended fixtures. There were several types of gaming tables such as faro and roulette. Red velvet swags were hung at the windows, held in place by gold cords with tassels. The bar was long and clean, also polished to a high sheen; behind it were bottles of wine and assorted whiskeys and various-size glasses and barrels of beer. It definitely was as nice as the place she had worked in Sante Fe recently.

  She approached a bartender, who was now eyeing her with curiosity, and asked to speak with the owner. She was told Newl Carver was out of town for the day, to come back tomorrow. She thanked him and left.

  As she returned to the hotel for a thorough bath and hair washing, Maggie hoped her stepfather wasn’t off somewhere meeting with his son. She penned a note to Hawk, telling him about Carver’s absence and her decision to wait until another date to interview him and slipped it under his door.

  Following supper, Hawk escorted Maggie to her room where she said she was going to bed soon to prepare for their trip tomorrow, which was partly true. She had told him Newl Carver was out of town, but omitted revealing he was due back tonight. She was eager to leave Tucson before somebody who had seen her in Yuma and perhaps Prescott saw her here and thought it was suspicious.

  After she unlocked her door, Maggie turned and spoke with him for a few minutes. She feared and dreaded exposure, or incarceration, which might separate them for years, perhaps forever if Hawk couldn’t forgive her for deceiving him. She hated being parted from him for even a few hours, but she had a crucial task to carry out tonight. Once more, her gaze melded with his, and they simply looked at each other in silence.

  Maggie was surprised and pleased when Hawk grasped her hand, guided them into her room, closed the door, and pressed her body against the wall as his mouth met hers. The kiss was long, deep, and full of yearning. His lips were gentle yet commanding. Her senses spun slightly as he exchanged their positions and pressed his back to the wall and banded her body with his arms. As his mouth roamed her face, her arms looped around his neck and she leaned against his virile frame. He fused their lips once more as his. fingers drifted up and down her back. She noticed when his breathing quickened, as did hers. She felt hot and tingly from head to feet as her passions were ignited to a fiery blaze of desire. She quivered when his mouth found her ear and whispered into it.

  “Maggie, sweet and beautiful Maggie, I’ve craved to do this since we met, and I couldn’t halt myself for a day longer. You’ve gotten to me as no other woman has.” He pressed his lips to several spots on her temples, then cradled her head against his chest as he struggled to releash his freed emotions and to douse the fire searing his loins. That was difficult considering her reaction to his overture. She had yielded willingly and eagerly, a response he needed to discover before allowing himself to become hopelessly ensnared by her. “You’re the most fascinating woman I’ve met. Mercy, you’re tempting. I can hardly breathe or think straight while holding you and kissing you.”

  Maggie heard his heart pounding, its beat strong and swift. She snuggled into his embrace as she replied to his stirring words, “So are you, Hawk, far too tempting for our own good. I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first saw you. I was so surprised and happy to see you on the train that day I left Yuma. No man has ever made me feel the way you do. Just looking at you or hearing your voice brings me pleasure and joy. I’m so eager for us to get to know each other better, and we will while working together.”

  “I agree. I don’t want to rush because these feelings are new to both of us. You’re special, Maggie Malone, real special to me. Right now, I best get out of here so we can give some serious thought to what’s happening between us, or I might lose my wits and offend you. You’re a real lady and I respect you, so I wouldn’t take advantage of an unexpected moment like this. I just wanted you to know how I feel about you, in case it changed your mind about traveling with me. And I had to know if you felt the same about me.”

  “I do, Hawk, and I want to be with you as much as possible.” She looked at him and met his gaze. “Your mother reared a fine gentleman and a good man; she would be so proud of you tonight.”

  “Yep, she would, because walking out of this room will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But you understand why I must go now?”

  “Yes; we don’t want to be impulsive, but we will be if you stay much longer.”

  His hands cupped her face as he gazed into her blue eyes and smiled. “Good night, Maggie. I’ll see you in the morning. Call out if you need me.”

  Maggie grinned and teased as she stroked his jawline, “I think you should clarify that last sentence because I already need you.”

  Hawk chuckled, and tried to ignore the twitching in his loins. “Call out if you’re in trouble. How’s that?”

  “Better and worse. Seven o’clock sharp, Mr. Reynolds. Good night.”

  “Good night, Maggie,” he murmured in a husky tone, kissed the tip of her nose, and left fast before he changed his mind about departing.

  She bolted the door and danced across the floor, whirling until she was dizzy, and fell on the bed. Her heart beat with elation. She was ecstatic, deliriously happy, supremely lucky. She was in love with Hawk Reynolds, and he so much as confessed he was in love with her, found her as irresistible as she found him. Surely a glorious future awaited them.

  Then she bolted upright in bed in a panic. What she had done for Ben could spoil her happiness. She should never have broken the law for any reason, but it was too late to take back that deed.

  Please, God, help me to do the right thing and fast; and please don’t let anything turn Hawk against me. I love him and need him so much.

  Dear, sweet Abby, please don’t reveal to anybody you helped me, in case I’m exposed. Just marry Matthew and be happy. I can imagine how shocked and delighted you’ll be to hear my news about Hawk. I must write you a letter tonight and mail it before I leave Tucson …

  Long after dark, Maggie sneaked from the hotel to see her mother and Newl. She felt drained by the time she neared their house behind Newl’s Paradise Club. She remained hidden for a while as she watched and listened to make certain the house wasn’t being observed by lawmen or bounty hunters looking for Ben. The home was huge, two stories with a raised roof of shingles and with a porch that spanned the front and both sides, its decorative woodwork in the Victorian style. A combination barn/shed set behind it with an oblong corral to its side, probably for stabling Newl’s horses and for storing his carriage and other gear and tools. The entire setting was fenced off with wood rails and posts, along which grew clusters of prickly cacti to perhaps discourage intruders, be they human or animal.

  Maggie surmised from light filtering through curtains in various rooms that somebody was home. After she was assured it was safe, she made her way to the back door. As soon as she responded to her mot
her’s query of who was there, Catherine opened the door. With haste, she darted inside, closed it, and bolted the lock.

  “Maggie, dear, it’s so good to see you,” Catherine said as she hugged her daughter, then examined her with misty eyes. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, Mother, I’m fine. Is Newl here?”

  “No, not yet. He went out of town this morning, but I expect him to return any time now. Come in and sit down; you look so nervous and pale.”

  “Make sure all of the drapes are drawn,” Maggie said, “I don’t want anybody peeking in and seeing us together.”

  “I’ve closed up for the night, so we have privacy. I’m glad you’re here, but why did you come? I thought you wouldn’t contact us until much later.”

  As Maggie followed her into an ornate parlor, she explained, “That was the original plan, but we need to have a serious talk.”

  Catherine sat on a floral patterned couch, her body angled toward Maggie. “About what, dear? Is anything wrong? Was Ben captured?”

  Since time was limited, Maggie didn’t comment on the lovely house or ask to see more of it. “As far as I know, Ben’s still free and should be hiding in Santé Fe as we agreed. I have to ask, Mother, are you sure he’s innocent? Are you sure he was hunting with Newl the day of the Prescott robbery?”

  She saw her mother stare at her in astonishment. “What an odd and stunning question. Why do you doubt us now?”

  “I’m sorry if it sounds that way and if I’ve hurt you, but I’ve come across so much contradictory information that I’m puzzled and have to know the truth before I proceed any further on this matter. I’ve broken the law, Mother, and could get into deep trouble, so I need to be reassured I’ve done the right thing. Please be understanding.”

  Catherine nodded before responding to her daughter’s concern. “That’s what they told me. Even if I doubted Ben, which I don’t, I believe Newl, he is a decent and honest man. On the day in question, Newl left to join Ben elsewhere and they returned home together afterward with a bag of quail. Ben was here with us when the Law came from Prescott and arrested him; he appeared totally shocked by the charges. To me, he sounded as if he were telling the truth. He seems to be a good and decent man like his father. Will it be helpful if I tell you what I know and think about him?”