To Tame a Wild Mustang

by J. Rose Allister

  “Love ain’t nothin’ but a pile of horse shit,” the drunk man said.

  William ignored him. “I’m sorry. I hated askin’ Caleb to help you. It would have killed me to have to let you go. But I would do it again if it meant making you safe. I can’t see you die, Kate. Not like this.”

  She took hold of the hand stroking her and pressed it more firmly against her cheek. “I’m sorry. I’m just a stubborn fool.”

  “None of that matters now.” He pulled back his hand. “I discovered somethin’ very interestin’ about Mr. Tanner.”

  She blinked at him. “That he’s a lecherous pig?”

  “Not only that.” He looked back over his shoulder to where the sheriff had just sat down at his desk. Jimmy Smith was cleaning his gun. “I think he knows more about the stolen cattle than he’s lettin’ on. A lot more.”

  Kate frowned. “What makes you think so?”

  “Why do you suppose he kept sayin’ you should have been nicer to him?”

  She shrugged. “He’s spoutin’ off because of our past dealings. Like the time I ran from him at the creek. And a few months back, he tried to get me to go behind the livery with him. Pa ran him off with a shotgun.” She shook her head. “Caleb was none too pleased by that.”

  “Yeah? How much so?”

  She thought back. “He threatened Pa for pullin’ a gun on him.”

  “So he was pretty mad.”

  She nodded. “Seemed so.”

  “Mad enough to set you up?”

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  William shifted his weight. “Your flower corsage was found at the last ranch that got raided. Tanner was at the restaurant when I gave it to you.”

  The direction he was headed widened her eyes. “And he followed us right outside when we left. Maybe he saw it fall off my dress. He could have picked it up.”

  William nodded. “I think that’s exactly the way of it.”

  Thoughts raced every which way. “So you figure he staged the raid in order to get even with me?”

  “No. I think he’s been doin’ the raids all along.”

  She gasped. “A Tanner? Why would he steal from the town his family owns half of? That doesn’t even make sense.”

  “No idea, but I’ll bet you even money his neck is the one that should be fitted with a rustler’s noose.”

  Kate shook her head. “I don’t know, William. It’s natural we want to try and clear our names, but it’s kind of a stretch to assume he’s the thief because he said I should have been nicer.”

  William folded his arms. “That wasn’t the only thing he said.”

  She tried to think back, but came up blank. “What else?”

  Something dark tinged William’s gaze. “He told me my uncle’s face must have turned as red as his shirt when he realized he’d been betrayed.”

  “I heard that. It’s just a turn of phrase.”

  “No, it ain’t.” He turned for a moment, leaned his back on the bars, and ran his hands through his hair.

  “William?”

  He paused. “The night Uncle Jed died, he was wearin’ a brand new shirt. My ma made it for him.” He looked off into space, as if seeing the vision of that night. “I tore it off him and tried to use it to stop the bleedin’, but it was too late. By the time the law and undertaker got there, he wasn’t wearin’ a shirt.” He gave Kate a pointed look. “The shirt was red.”

  She stared at him. “Maybe it was just a coincidence that Caleb said it,” she said.

  “I don’t think so. I think my uncle’s face did turn just as red as that shirt when he found out he was bein’ betrayed. I just wasn’t the one doin’ the betrayin’.”

  Kate pressed a hand to her stomach. “Oh, my God.”

  “Think about it, Kate. They keep sayin’ the raids started right after I got to Tanner’s Grove. But I wasn’t the only one who was new to town around that same time.”

  Her eyes flew wide. “That’s right. The day Pa ran him off, Caleb told me he’d come here not long before he’d chased me from the creek. The day you came to town.”

  “Right. And I’ve been thinkin’ about somethin’ else. Windstorm’s leg.”

  She frowned in confusion.

  “My horse kept takin’ lame after the raids. A horse matchin’ her description was seen at one of ’em.”

  “Right.” Kate nodded. “But like I told the sheriff, there could be any number of paints in the area. That doesn’t prove it was Windstorm.”

  “I think it was Windstorm.”

  Her mouth fell open. “How?”

  “I think someone used her for the raids, knowin’ she’d be recognizable enough to cast suspicion on me.” He sighed. “It ain’t no secret Tyler Ranch has struggled since afore the raid that killed my uncle. It would be all too easy to make it look like I’d killed Jed Tyler to get the ranch for myself, then kept on raidin’ to build up my herd.”

  It made a sort of sense that sent a wave of nausea through her. “You really think Caleb Tanner is the one behind it?”

  “I think he’s got the resources to move cattle out of the law’s reach, and a solid name behind him to keep folks from suspectin’ him or even lookin’ too close at where all his wealth is comin’ from.”

  “If we can prove this, it will clear our name. What should we do?”

  He leaned his forearm against the bars and laid his head on it. “I don’t know. We’re in here, and it’s our word against his.”

  “We have to tell the sheriff.” She ran to the front of her bars to call to him.

  “No, Kate. Wait.”

  Grande had left his desk at some point and was halfway to the cell. “Tell the sheriff what?” he asked.

  William straightened. “Nothin’.”

  “Not nothing.” Kate grabbed the bars. “We think we know who is really responsible for the raids.”

  “Kate,” William growled.

  “Caleb Tanner,” she finished.

  Sheriff Grande stared at her. She twisted her head toward William. “Tell him, William. Tell him about the shirt and the flowers.”

  “Shirt and flowers?” the sheriff said. “What the blazes is she blatherin’ on about?”

  “It’s okay,” William said. “Don’t worry about it.”

  Grande grunted and headed past them to the water closet. Kate whirled on William. “What do you mean, ‘don’t worry about it?’ The sooner we get the law on our side, the sooner we can get out of this.”

  “Accusin’ a Tanner will get us nowhere fast,” he said. “We have to play this smart. I need a chance to think.”

  “Oh, bosh.”

  An awful noise came from the back of William’s cell. The pair looked over to see the drunk retching into the corner. Kate’s stomach twisted in disgust at the gagging sounds, and doubly so when a sour, overwhelming odor hit her nostrils moments later. She drew back as far away as she could, holding her nose and trying not to glance over at the mess. The drunk staggered and fell onto the cot.

  “Sweet Jesus,” Jimmy Smith said. He laid his gun on the desk and wrinkled his nose. “What a stench. I ain’t cleanin’ that up.”

  Kate clutched at her stomach, hoping she wouldn’t lose her own last meal. Through the hand clamped over her nose and mouth she said, “Seems to me the sheriff could help you think on an answer. He could help us.”

  “He won’t get involved.”

  “Why not? It’s his job.”

  “His job is carryin’ out the law, not helpin’ us pin a crime on someone else.”

  She scowled at him. “We’re not pinning anything on anyone. We have a right to clear our names. Maybe Jack could help us.”

  “If I know Jack, he’s already spendin’ night and day tryin’ to figure out a way to help. But it’s not like we can get word to him about this. The law won’t run messages back and forth between prisoners and ranch hands.”

  “Maybe Angus would.”

  “I don’t think so. He’s been lenient enough.”
>
  “He would want to see justice served, not watch someone hang out of convenience.”

  The water closet door popped open, and Sheriff Grande’s boot heels scuffed by. “Jumpin’ catfish,” he said. “What a stink.” He shot a glare at the drunk, who had passed out and was now snoring loudly. “Jimmy, grab a bucket. Got a stall to muck out.”

  Jimmy Smith’s tone devolved into that of a whining child. “Geez, Angus. Do I gotta?”

  “Now.” Grande pulled out his key ring. “Well Tyler, guess you gotta room with yer girl for a few minutes. I trust yeh’ll act like a gentleman.” He pulled his pistol. “You know the drill.”

  William turned around while Angus unlocked the cell. The sheriff turned to Kate. “Move all the way back,” he told her. “Turn around with yer hands against the far wall.”

  A couple minutes later, William was locked in the cell with Kate and a grumbling Jimmy Smith was scrubbing up vomit while the sheriff kept watch over the sleeping drunk from the open door.

  Kate moved over the where William stood and touched his shirtsleeve. “You have to tell him,” she whispered. “For both our sakes.”

  William shook his head.

  “Why not?”

  “We don’t have solid proof. If we point the finger now, Angus ain’t likely to listen. If I had something more, maybe.”

  She threw up her hands and tried to keep her voice to a whisper. “What more are we likely to get while we’re locked in here? If Jack or my pa won’t come visit, and the sheriff won’t let us get word to them, then we have no choice but to give him what information we’ve got.”

  William paused a moment, then sighed. “Maybe you’re right.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. He hadn’t shaved since being tossed in jail, and his beard stubble prickled her lips.

  “What did I say?” Sheriff Grande asked. “Break it up, or I’ll stick Tyler in a chair by my desk and tie him up.”

  Kate dropped her arms and offered him a guilty smile. “Sorry, Sheriff. But we really do need to talk to you.”

  “I’m watchin’ a prisoner right now.”

  “He’s plumb passed out,” she said. “He isn’t going anywhere. Please. Just hear us out.”

  He shot her a wary look. “All right. I’m listenin’.”

  Angus did listen while Kate breathlessly recounted Caleb Tanner’s comments at the jail and their unpleasant history together. William filled in with his thoughts on his borrowed horse and possible motivation for being framed. The old man’s face was impassive throughout the pair’s story. He stayed silent after they were finished, and before he could reply, an extremely put out Jimmy Smith exited the cell with the bucket, mop, and a slightly pale expression. The Sherriff locked the cell door behind him and turned as though he were heading back to his desk.

  Kate grabbed the bars. “You believe us, don’t you, Sheriff?”

  He stopped. “I’m not sure it matters what I believe. The Tanners are a powerful family, and there’s no proof whatsoever that Caleb had any involvement in the raids.”

  “He knew the color shirt my uncle was wearin’ when he got shot.”

  Angus turned around, his gaze pensive. “I’ll admit that sounds a might peculiar, but it could just be a coincidence.”

  “Mighty big one, I’d say,” William said.

  “Can’t you just look into it?” Kate said. “We’ve got until the judge gets here next week. Maybe you can find out something by then.”

  He scratched at his mustache. “This don’t give me much reason to go pokin’ around. Truth is the word of two folks waitin’ for the noose ain’t worth more than the contents of a spittoon. And just because the man doesn’t like the two of yeh don’t mean he committed these crimes.”

  “But it’d be worth knowin’ the truth, wouldn’t it?” William folded his arms. “A lawman such as yourself would no doubt have trouble sleepin’ after watchin’ an innocent woman hang because she rejected a man who thinks himself above the law.”

  Sherriff Angus chewed the inside of his lip. “I ain’t promisin’ you nothin’. But I might be able to check on a couple things this week.”

  “Oh, thank you, Sheriff,” Kate said in a breathless tone. “I knew you’d help us.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. I’d be surprised if there’s anythin’ I can turn up that would prove yer innocence.”

  “I know you’ll do your job,” William said. “We can’t ask for more.”

  The man nodded and walked off. Kate and William looked at each other.

  “We might have asked him to relay a message to Jack,” she said.

  “That ain’t allowed.”

  “What now?”

  William shrugged. “What else? All we can do is wait. And hope.”

  “I wish Pa or Jack would come visit. If we told them about this, maybe they could do something.”

  “They’d be puttin’ themselves in harm’s way trying to prove a Tanner’s the one that’s been robbin’ the town. And if your pa is already on Caleb’s bad side, him nosin’ around wouldn’t be wise.”

  She sat on her cot with a sigh. “You’re right. All we can do is hope the sheriff can find out something helpful. Now I wish that circuit judge wasn’t in such a hurry to get here.”

  “At least we have a week. Angus is a good man. He might be able to dig up somethin’ by then.”

  Kate glanced at the man, who sat at his desk with his hands hooked behind his head while he talked with Jimmy Smith. “He doesn’t look in that big a hurry to help.”

  William tossed a look over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Kate. We have plenty of time for Angus to trace this ugly trail back to Caleb Tanner. Somethin’ will come right for us soon. It has to.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sleeping while propped up in a chair wasn’t the most comfortable thing William could imagine, though Deputy Smith seemed to be quite expert at it. William peered through near darkness at the man, whose feet were propped on the desk with his fingers laced across his belly. His head was tipped back, and his face was covered up with his hat while he “kept watch” over the prisoners. With the drunk still unconscious on the cot, Smith had reluctantly shoved a chair into the cell for William to get some shut eye on. He sat with it tipped against the back wall. The partial angle was better, but he couldn’t very well sleep with his chair on two legs. Maybe lying on the hard floor would have been the better choice.

  He twisted his head around to see Kate’s outline highlighted from pale moonlight spilling through the overhead, barred windows along the back wall of their cells. She was faced away from him, but from the steady rise and fall of her ribcage and rhythmic sound of her breathing, it seemed apparent that she was sleeping peacefully. Exhaustion had finally taken hold, and he was glad for it. At least one of them was getting some rest. The two nights prior had been spent with both of them tossing and turning. They shared a few whispered, late night conversations until an irritated lawman would demand silence.

  The sound of the clock’s pendulum swinging was interspersed with occasional snorts and grunts from the drunk in the cot, as though he, too, was marking specific passages of time. Snort-buzz, a quarter hour had gone by. Cough-groan, now it was half past. In the absence of other sound, this and Jimmy Smith’s snores from across the room sounded like an orchestra to William, which only further distanced him from the prospect of slumber.

  For the fiftieth time since that afternoon, William mulled over the visit from Caleb Tanner. And for the fiftieth time, he found no further information to extract from the conversation. Still, he came to the same conclusion. Tanner hadn’t really gone to the jailhouse just to drag the law into a bar brawl that necessitated only one arrest. He’d used that as an excuse to see the prisoners firsthand—prisoners he’d artfully placed behind bars. The man hadn’t been able to resist the urge to view his handiwork and gloat.

  Yeh should have been nicer to me, Kate.

  William’s stomach burned with bile
while he tried to imagine how the sheriff could come up with evidence to use against Tanner. Nothing came to mind, but Angus was a wily, sharp-minded man. If he thought over what William and Kate had told him this afternoon, he would do his damnedest to devise a way to sniff out the real thief. William just hoped a week would be enough time.

  His thoughts tore free of their endless circle as a new sound joined the chorus—from outside this time. He listened for a moment and heard it again. There were voices coming from out in front of the jail.

  With slow deliberation he sat forward, bringing his front chair legs silently back to the floor. In what dim lighting the barred windows provided, he could barely make out the time on the clock. It was past midnight. Too late for townspeople to be out for a casual stroll.

  He was debating whether to alert Jimmy Smith when the matter was decided for him. There was the sound of a rattle as someone tried the door, then when the lock foiled entry, a rough pounding knock followed. Jimmy’s hat flew off as he came up out of his chair.

  “What the blazin’ devil’s all that?” he said. To the door he shouted, “What do yeh want? State yer business.”

  A man’s voice came muffled, but insistent through the door. “We’re here for the rustlers. Hand ’em out to us so we can see justice done.”

  Now William was up out of his seat, too, and he grabbed the bars at the front of his cell. Kate and the drunk were still sleeping.

  Jimmy lit a hurricane lamp on the desk, his face grim in the flickering light. “Go home, the lot of yeh. Ain’t no justice need to be done at this hour of night.”

  “We ain’t leavin’ without gettin’ what we come fer,” another voice shouted. “They done robbed us and murdered innocent folk.”

  William gripped the bars tighter.

  “Sherriff aims to see a fair trial for ’em,” Jimmy said, moving toward the wall phone. “Anyone who bucks Angus’ orders ain’t gonna like what they git in return.”

  He picked up the phone and hit the button to connect to the switchboard. “Come on, Sally,” he muttered after several moments. “Git up out of bed and answer the danged call.” Then, “Yes, Sally, I know what time it is. Put me through to Angus’s place right now. It’s an emergency.”