The Texan's Christmas

by Linda Warren

“Who are ya?” he growled. A foul odor emanated from him.

  “Nobody,” Kid spoke up. “We’re getting off soon.”

  “No, ya ain’t. You’re after my stash, ain’t ya?”

  “I have no interest in your stash, whatever that is.”

  “Ya lying. Ya been following me for a year.”

  “I’m just riding the rails like you, man, and I don’t want any problems.”

  “Ya not gettin’ my stash. I got a gun.”

  For a brief moment a passing light reflected off the pistol pointed at them. Kid pushed her behind him. “Whoa, mister. You can keep your stash. Just put the gun away.”

  Lucky reached for the gun tucked into her waistband just as the guy charged them, knocking her against the wall. Her head spun as she watched Kid wrestle with the hobo, trying to gain control of the gun.

  The odor became pungent as they tumbled around the car. Marijuana. That was his stash. Her head was fuzzy and she forced herself to focus on the two men. The hobo was trying to swing the barrel toward Kid. No, don’t. She tried to stand, but couldn’t.

  Abruptly a gunshot ripped through the night and Kid and the hobo fell backward out of the car.

  “Kid!” she screamed, crawling on her hands and knees to the opening. “Kid!” She was about to fling herself out when she realized the train was picking up speed, moving again. It would be suicidal to jump now.

  Pushing up against the wall, she took several deep breaths and the dizziness eased. Was Kid shot? Was he dead? She had to get help. Pulling out her cell, she tried Kid’s number, glad she remembered it from the card he’d left at her house. If he answered, he was okay. It rang and rang and then went to voice mail. An errant tear slipped from her eye. She swallowed hard and poked in Chance’s number.

  He answered before the ring even stopped. “Lucky.” Then there was nothing but static.

  She waited and tried again. This time she got a stronger connection. “Some…something bad has happened.”

  There was a slight pause. “What? Wait. Let me put it on speakerphone so everyone can hear.”

  “I’d rather my dad didn’t.”

  “He’s in the kitchen. Nettie fixed him something to eat.”

  “Okay, then.”

  “What happened?”

  “A hobo jumped into our boxcar and he was nutty, rambling on about us not stealing his stash. Kid tried to reason with him, but he pulled out a gun and charged us. I hit my head and was a little dazed. Kid wrestled with him and then there was a gunshot and they fell out of the car. I’m so afraid Kid was hit and he’s lying out there bleeding to death.”

  Static intervened and then there was complete silence on the other end.

  She poked the number in again, afraid she was going to use all her power. Cadde’s strong voice came through. “What does the terrain look like?”

  “I can’t see much. It’s dark, but I’ve noticed flat land with mesquites and we just went through some sort of crossing or small town.”

  “We could follow the track with the chopper, but we don’t know exactly where Kid is and it’s dangerous at night. Kid’s very resilient, but if he doesn’t check in in the next fifteen minutes we’ll have to do something.”

  Chance joined the conversation. “Travis and the sheriff are working with the railroad, but it’s difficult getting information at this time of the night. Hang in there and get off that train as soon as you can.”

  “Is my dad okay?”

  “Nettie’s keeping him entertained.” The connection went dead again. Damn!

  She settled back, her head aching. Nettie was keeping her dad entertained. That was odd. Nettie was a very colorful, eccentric lady and her father was as down-to-earth as he could be. But she was glad he had someone to talk to.

  She tried Kid again. Still no answer. Kid, please answer. Please. As the train moved through the night, she prayed he was all right.

  KID HIT THE GROUND WITH A THUD that jarred every bone in his body. He rolled to his feet like a stuntman and sprinted for the train.

  “Bastard,” the hobo screeched, firing after Kid with wide shots.

  Kid didn’t have time to think about the crazy man. The caboose came into sight and he had to run in cowboy boots to catch it. For a moment he thought his overworked lungs would explode. He made a dive for the tail end and leaped aboard. Then he half lay and half sat sucking in precious air.

  He looked up and saw a ladder going to the top. He had to get to Lucky and that was the only way. He swung to his feet, wincing, and climbed up. He’d seen this done in movies so it should be a piece of cake. Finding Lucky’s boxcar would be the toughest part. He’d heard the crack of her head against the wall and he hoped she was okay.

  The insanity of what he was doing flashed through his mind as he reached the top of the car, but that didn’t stop him. The trick now was to run across the top until he could pinpoint the right boxcar. He gingerly stood and the force of the wind almost sent him flying into outer space.

  Damn it!

  He took a deep breath. All he had to do was get his balance and it would work. The second time he was ready for the wind and ran the length of the car before he fell to his knees. Without thinking it to death, he jumped to the next car and the next trying his best not to be tossed aside like a piece of garbage. He was getting the hang of it. Hell, he could be a stuntman.

  When the scent of the cattle reached him, he knew he’d gone too far. He’d passed the car Lucky was in. He had to go back several boxcars. This time the wind gave him a push and it was at his back so he had to adjust his balance. He squatted at one car and shouted “Lucky,” but there wasn’t an answer. He jumped to the next one and tried again.

  “Kid!” she screamed, and he swung in and landed flat on his back.

  “Kid, Kid, Kid!” She stroked his face, his chest. “Are you okay?”

  “You keep doing that and I’ll be A-okay.”

  She hit his shoulder. “Stop it. I thought that hobo shot you. We’ve all been worried. I have to call Chance.”

  She grabbed her phone, poked in a number and put it on speakerphone. “Chance, Kid is okay. He made it back to the train.”

  “Yeah,” Kid piped in, “I’m thinking of joining the summer Olympics. I didn’t know I could run so fast.”

  A loud sigh echoed. “Were you shot?”

  “Would I be talking to you if I was? That old fool couldn’t hit the side of a barn. The authorities need to check into that guy—he reeks of marijuana and he’s dangerous.”

  Static intervened again. “Wait a minute,” Kid shouted through the noise.

  “Kid, when you get back here I’m going to kill you.” Cadde’s voice came on and then there was a pause. “Just stay safe and stop pulling stunts. My blood pressure can’t take it.”

  “Will do, big brother. Have they found out where this train is going?”

  “Not yet. Travis and the sheriff are working on it.”

  “It’s not like we have a lot of time here. This train will stop before it reaches its destination and those cattle and stolen goods will be gone so fast that Travis will never catch the real boss behind all this.”

  “As soon as it’s daylight we’ll take the chopper and follow the track,” Chance said, but before they could say anything else the phone went dead.

  Lucky laid her cell on the floor. “Why didn’t you answer when I called you?”

  “I lost my phone somewhere. That damn hobo is probably calling his weed dealer on it.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Hell, no. I’m bruised from head to toe. I’m tired and smell faintly of marijuana, but I’m back with you so I’m okay.”

  “How did you manage to get back?”

  “Fortunately, the fall didn’t knock me out. I rolled to my feet and dashed to the train while that crazy hobo was firing at me.”

  “Oh, no,” she gasped.

  “As I said he couldn’t hit a thing. I saw the caboose coming and I ran like hell to ca
tch it. But I was a long way from you. I climbed to the top and ran across the cars until I reached you.”

  “Are you insane?”

  “Actually, the vote is in on that. Yes.”

  “I think you’re high from smelling that guy’s weed.”

  “Could be.” Suddenly he had to touch her. After this horrendous night he just needed her. He ran a hand through her hair to the back of her head and felt the knot. “Are you all right?” he whispered.

  She wrapped her arms around him, her face in his neck. “My head’s a little sore,” she breathed against his skin. He pulled her closer and just held her, stroking her hair. Her soft yielding body and the scent of strawberries flooded him with memories of two teenagers whose hormones were out of control. They were adults now, but those feelings were there. Stronger. Powerful.

  “Sometimes…”

  “What?” He smoothed back her hair, just loving the feel of her.

  “Nothing.”

  “Come on, Lucky.”

  “Sometimes…I just want you.”

  His hand stilled. “Lucky…”

  She kissed his neck, his cheek and he eagerly met her lips, renewing a fever they knew well. The kiss deepened and she moaned as they discovered all those little things they remembered about each other.

  Leaning back, she unbuttoned his shirt, her hands splaying across his chest. Any sane thoughts he had were slowly leaving. “Lucky,” he groaned.

  “Shh.” She slipped the shirt from his shoulders and kissed him all the way down to his jeans. He caught his breath and they quickly helped each other remove cumbersome clothes. He pulled her into his arms and turned until they lay in the cotton on the floor of the car, the heat from the rails warming his back.

  “A comfy bed left just for us.” Tucking her into his side, he caressed and kissed her soft breasts. “They’re fuller,” he murmured.

  “Since the pregnancy.”

  He buried his face between them. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” Unexpectedly a tear slipped from his eye.

  She kissed it away. “I know.”

  Gathering her nude body against him, he found solace in the softness of her pressing into his hard planes. Their lips and hands renewed a vow of long ago; they would always love each other. He kissed her deeply, their tongues mingling and tasting as they discovered new delights—stronger than ever before. His hands touched every inch of her and her hands were equally at work on him.

  Butterfly touches and bold strokes drove him wild. He caressed the triangle between her legs and she sighed blissfully. When she rubbed against his hardness, he could stand it no longer and thrust into her, gently, securely, and the rolling of the train enhanced the rhythm of their bodies. She cried his name as she reached that pinnacle of unabashed pleasure, her nails digging into his back.

  When his release came, he felt as if he were sailing off the train into clear blue skies, buffeted only by Lucky’s arms. It took a long time for him to come down. It was as perfect as he remembered. He cradled her in his arms and wondered again why he had left behind everything he’d ever cared about.

  Maybe he was crazy.

  WHEN LUCKY WOKE UP, SHE was lying on top of Kid, feeling rejuvenated in a way she hadn’t in years. His body had matured with hardened muscles and strength, but he was still a gentle, explosive lover. She wasn’t going to analyze what had happened. It would be futile to feel outraged. She’d wanted it as much as Kid. Maybe more. Now she had to decide what she could live with or live without.

  She smoothed the hair away from his forehead. The brothers had the same dark hair and eyes, but Kid was strikingly different in looks. As his mother used to say, “Too handsome for his own good,” and he was. With sculpted features, brown hair that curled into his collar, a smile that could move the weakest of hearts, he was a charmer, the life of a party.

  She, on the other hand, was quiet and reserved, yet somehow they’d formed a connection. That was the past, though. She now had to concentrate on the future and what the night had meant. She’d never had a man risk his life for her as Kid had last night. But then no one had hurt her as bad as he had, either. How did she balance it with true emotions, true feelings?

  But in her heart she knew it all came down to one thing—would she ever be able to trust him again?

  Looking outside, she saw the night fading away to an early morning glow. They had to get dressed. She shook Kid. “Wake up.”

  “Oh, crap.”

  Lucky found her panties and bra and slipped into them.

  Kid sat up, his dark eyes on her. “You know, I’m just going to get hard watching you do that.”

  The train started to slow.

  “Oh, hell, so much for being aroused.” He stood, wincing.

  She zipped her jeans. “Are you hurt?”

  “My body is a little bruised from my stuntman work.” A teasing glint brightened his eyes. “But you can kiss it better.”

  “I already have,” she said, slipping on her sneakers.

  “And it was much appreciated.” He hopped around trying to get his boots on.

  She picked up her cell and gun and went to peep around the opening. From the dim morning light she could see clearly. “There’s nothing but mesquite and dry barren land.”

  “Could we talk?” His breath fanned the top of her hair and she felt a weakness in her lower abdomen.

  “Not now. Something is fixing to happen.”

  “About last night,” he said as if she hadn’t spoken.

  She turned to face him. “It happened. I’m okay. I’m not angry anymore.”

  “You’re very nonchalant about it.”

  “I’m more focused on what’s going to happen now and…”

  Suddenly voices erupted outside. “Where’s your gun?”

  She held it up in her right hand and he took it from her. “Hey.”

  “I’ll be doing the shooting,” he informed her. “Now let’s get off this ride.”

  The train came to a slow stop. Voices drew closer and they pulled back into the car. When the voices faded, Kid took another sneak peep.

  “There’s a barbed wire pen, trucks, cattle trailers and a box truck. They’re getting ready to move the stolen property.”

  “Do you see anyone?”

  “Clyde and the boys. Text Chance so they’ll know what’s going down.”

  She looked at her phone. “There’s a text from him. The train is headed for Brownsville and the chopper is on the way. They’re following the track. Hopefully they’re not far away.”

  “So we’re somewhere outside Brownsville?”

  “Yep. Do we get off now?”

  “See if there’s anyone on the other side?”

  Lucky edged her way over, her nerves tense. She took a quick look. “It’s all clear.”

  “Men are getting out of trucks. What the hell?”

  She hurried back. “What?”

  “Listen.”

  “How many head?” a man asked.

  “Thirty-two prime beef. One bull.”

  Lucky froze. “That voice. It couldn’t be.”

  “Sounds familiar,” Kid whispered in her ear.

  “It can’t be.”

  “Look but be careful. Could there be two of this person?”

  She did, but still couldn’t believe her eyes. “This is crazy.”

  “There’s a boxcar full of stolen property. Make me an offer,” the familiar voice said.

  She and Kid listened closely as the man inspected the items. Money exchanged hands. “You got a good deal,” the voice said.

  “Get your boys to unload the cattle and my guys will haul them out of here with the goods. We have to do it fast. We don’t want to draw any attention and this train needs to get moving.”

  “Hey, Clyde, you heard the man.”

  “The deal’s done?” Clyde asked.

  “You bet. We made a pretty penny. Now I can buy that house in Austin on a lake for my boy and get him away from that trashy Thelma Lou. It feels
good sticking it to the people of High Cotton. Judd Calhoun wouldn’t hire my son so the next hamburger he eats will be his own prize Brahmas.”

  “You’re a cruel bitch, Wilma.”

  “But a rich one. Lie low for a while. We’ll start up again in about six weeks. I’ll be in touch.” Wilma walked away and turned back. “I’m not happy with the Hardin grab. You did that without my permission.”

  Kid stiffened beside her.

  “Hardin messed with us so we messed with his brother to get even. Those Hardin boys are close and that was as good as hitting the Kid himself.”

  “Bastards,” Kid hissed.

  “But he was good to my boy so lay off the personal stuff.”

  “Yes, ma’am. We’re headed down to Mexico. See ya when we get back.”

  Lucky watched Wilma as she strolled away to a pickup Lucky didn’t recognize. A Mexican man walked beside her. The woman even looked different. The atrocious wig was gone and her gray hair was cropped short. She just couldn’t believe what she was seeing and hearing. Wilma was the leader of the cattle rustling ring that had been operating for months. Unbelievable. Of course, no one even suspected her. Lucky certainly hadn’t. Wilma was just a crazy old woman obsessed with her son.

  “Do you think Bubba Joe’s involved in this?” Kid asked.

  Lucky shook her head. “No, but I’m not sure about anything.”

  “Come on. It’s time for us to leave before this train starts moving.”

  He took her hand and they crept to the other side. After looking both ways, they jumped to the ground. “Let’s head for the mesquites,” Kid said, and they started to run.

  “Hey!” Melvin shouted. “We got company.”

  They ran for their lives, and as bullets whizzed past them Kid dragged her into a gully. Dust blanketed them. “Okay, we got one gun, one clip. We have to make it last until the chopper gets here.”

  “You’re a dead man, Hardin!” Melvin thundered.

  “He’s getting closer.” Lucky watched as the man charged toward them with a large gun. It looked like an AK-47.

  Kid quickly rose and fired at Melvin’s feet.

  Melvin flinched and backed up. “Son of a bitch! He’s got a gun.”

  “Lucky.” Kid sank down by her, breathing heavily. “I’m not really into cops and robbers. I’m an oil well driller. I’m comfortable in that role.”