by Cox, Carol
The T Bar. She had to risk it. It was the only place she could approach in safety. Surely by now Pete and her father would be back at the house, waiting for the others. She guided Gypsy north, keeping a line of low hills between herself and the open valley.
The distance seemed interminably long, but at last she clattered into the yard, barely able to stay in her saddle. “Help!” she cried. “Is anyone home?”
The commotion brought Amy rushing outside. She leaped down the steps, her face etched with worry. “Hallie! What on earth—”
Hallie cut her off. “Jacob. Is he here?”
“What’s wrong, Hallie? Let me help you down. We’ve got to get you inside.”
She reached up, but Hallie pulled away. “There’s no time. Amy, tell me quickly, do you know where Jacob is? I must find him.”
“I heard him talking to Dan earlier. He said something about scouting out an area about an hour east of here.”
“You’re sure?” Hallie pulled her weary body upright and braced herself for the next leg of her search.
Amy caught at the reins. “You’re in no condition to ride. Let me send one of the men out after him, if it’s that important.”
“There’s no time. I’ll explain it to you later.” Hallie urged Gypsy into as fast a pace as she dared, praying all the way. An hour would be too late.
Thirty minutes later, she spotted a rider outlined against a low hill. She pulled up, wondering whether she should head for cover. Something about him, though. . .
He turned his head, and she caught a clear view of his profile. “Oh, thank You, Jesus!” She spurred Gypsy on and raced toward him.
When she had closed half the distance, Jacob caught sight of her. He gave an exuberant wave and rode toward her at a gallop.
Twenty-one
At first Jacob thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. Growing up in Tucson, he’d seen mirages himself and heard plenty of stories of prospectors stranded in the desert heat, crawling toward shimmering pools of water that existed only in their imaginations. Had his own mind created an image of the woman he loved, an illusory vision that would disappear the moment he drew near?
The echo of galloping hoofbeats decided him. A mirage wouldn’t affect his ears as well as his eyes. Joy welled up in him until he thought he would burst. This was no illusion. It was Hallie!
Cap didn’t hesitate when Jacob dug his heels in. The steel-dust launched himself straight down the slope, closing the gap between them with amazing speed.
Jacob leaned over the gelding’s neck, yearning for a closer view of that beloved face. How did she come to be out here? Had she persuaded her father to lift his ban on their being together?
It didn’t matter. They could sort the details out later. All he cared about now was seeing Hallie, gazing into her sweet face, and taking her in his arms.
The gap narrowed to fifty yards. Twenty. Jacob felt a ripple of concern at the way Hallie slumped in the saddle. What happened to her usual easy grace?
At ten yards, worry built a knot in his throat. As he drew abreast of her, he took in her sharpened features, the way her clothes hung loose. How much weight has she lost? Has she been sick, Lord, and I didn’t know it?
Hallie pulled Gypsy to a halt and braced her arms against the saddle horn as if it were the only way she could hold herself erect. Tear streaks stained her cheeks and strands of hair straggled along the sides of her face.
The knot in Jacob’s throat threatened to choke him. Hallie, sweetheart, what has he done to you?
He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off before he could say a word. “You’ve got to stop them before they kill someone.”
Whatever he had expected, it wasn’t this. “Take a breath and slow down, Hallie. I don’t understand.”
“My father and some of the other ranchers. They’re forming a vigilante group. They’re riding out today, going after the nesters.” Her mouth twisted and a sob erupted from her throat. “Jacob, they’re going to hang them!”
His mouth went dry. “When? Where?”
“They’re supposed to meet at our place, sometime between four and five o’clock.” They glanced up toward the sun at the same moment, then Hallie turned toward him, her face set in a tragic expression. “It’s almost four now. I don’t know if we can get there in time.”
“We can try.” He looked at her doubtfully. “Are you up to it?”
Hallie gathered the reins in her trembling hands. “I’ll make it. And if I don’t, keep on going. You’ve got to stop them.”
He didn’t have time to argue her out of it. He ducked his head. “All right. Let’s ride.”
❧
Hallie bent low over Gypsy’s neck, feeling the mare’s power as she raced to keep pace with Cap. The wind whipped against Hallie’s face and tore at her hair. She ducked her head lower and urged Gypsy on.
“Come on, girl, you can make it. We have to get there.” By her calculations, it must be just past four o’clock. If all the men her father called had shown up on time or even early, the vigilantes could be gone already.
The miles Gypsy had run already that day began to take their toll, as Hallie felt the horse falter and heard her labor for breath. Jacob glanced over his shoulder. A frown crossed his face when he saw them falling behind. Hallie waved at him to go on. More important than their arrival together was Jacob getting there in time to keep her father from making the worst mistake of his life.
“Don’t let it happen, Lord. Find a way to stop them, please.” She couldn’t let her father become a murderer. She wouldn’t, as long as there was still breath left in her body.
The house and barn appeared as dots on the horizon, growing larger with every stride Gypsy made. Hallie squinted her eyes against the rushing wind and strained to see the yard. “Please let them be there. Please!”
Cap put on a burst of speed and increased the distance between them. Hallie felt Gypsy’s pace slacken still more. She wanted to scream out her frustration, but bent all her concentration on staying in the saddle instead. She felt almost as exhausted as Gypsy. It wouldn’t help matters for either one of them to become injured.
Ahead, she could see the dust rise as Jacob rode into the yard at a dead run. Hallie lost him from view when he passed around the far side of the barn. Was he even now confronting the band of vigilantes or waiting to break the news to her that they had been too late?
Hold on, hold on. You’ll know in just a few moments. Uncertainty stretched her nerves to the breaking point.
It seemed like hours passed before Gypsy reached the barn. The mare stopped and stood with her head drooping between her front legs, her sides heaving in great gulps of air. Dreading what she might find, Hallie slipped from the saddle and rounded the corner on foot.
The sight she beheld stopped her in her tracks. Jacob stood facing a dozen mounted men. Every one of them stared back at him with stony contempt. Jacob’s right hand rested on the grip of his pistol, but he spoke in a low, matter-of-fact tone.
“You have no proof, nothing more than mere speculation.”
A hard-faced cowboy on a long-legged dun rode forward until his mount towered over Jacob. “We have all the proof we need. These nesters have been causing trouble all over the territory for years. It’s time we were rid of this bunch. It might make others think twice before they try the same thing.”
A rumble of assent came from the group, but Jacob didn’t flinch. “What you’re doing is wrong. Deep down in your hearts, I think you know that. You’re all angry about losing your stock, and you have every right to be. Most of you are angry at me for not catching the men responsible, and I don’t blame you for that, either.”
He paused, and Hallie studied their faces intently. Jacob’s last comment seemed to take some of the men by surprise. They watched him with guarded expressions.
“Now you’ve decided there’s someone you can blame, and the idea of venting that anger sounds mighty appealing.”
“You’re rig
ht about that,” Edgar Wilson called. “It’s high time we took action. Some of us have felt all along that the nesters were responsible.”
“Then why didn’t you do anything about it before?” Jacob challenged him. “Why wait until now? Ask yourselves why it’s easier to think about doing this as part of a group. Is it because it takes away the responsibility you’d feel if you acted alone? Because your consciences have been drowned out by the voices of a mob? That’s what you are, gentlemen, if you’ll just stop and think about it. Nothing but a mob.”
“Enough!” Hallie’s father rode forward, a look of loathing on his face. “We’ve been sitting on our backsides long enough. It’s time to put an end to this, once and for all. If it takes more than one man to get rid of these thieves, then I say that’s what is needed.” He raised the coil of rope he held in his fist and shook it at Jacob. “I call it justice.”
Jacob stood his ground. “The law calls it murder.”
An uneasy silence settled over the group.
“If you go ahead with this fool scheme, you’ll be breaking the law every bit as much as the men who have been rustling your stock. We still don’t know who they are, but I can name every one of you.”
The silence deepened. From the rear of the group, Lee Moore challenged, “Are you trying to say you’d go against the whole lot of us like that?”
The man beside Moore snorted. “I was there at the roundup, same as you and all the rest. If he felt that strong about a misbranded calf, what do you think he’ll do about a thing like this?”
Moore drew back as if he’d been slapped. “Maybe you’re right,” he muttered. “This whole idea is starting to taste pretty sour to me. I’m going home.” He signaled his men, and they rode off without further comment.
One by one, the other men followed suit until only the Broken Box riders were left. Finally, even they dismounted and began to unsaddle their horses. Pete Edwards paused in the act of loosening his cinch. Leaving his horse ground tied, he disappeared into the barn.
Hallie’s father turned to Jacob. Fury smoldered in his eyes. “Well, you’ve driven off all my help. I guess you’re mighty proud of yourself, aren’t you?” He advanced a step and clenched his beefy fists. “Funny how you’re so convincing as far as protecting these rustlers. How am I supposed to know you aren’t in cahoots with them?”
“Pa!” Hallie spoke for the first time since her wild ride into the yard. “Stop and think what you’re saying. He’s saving you from going to prison, maybe worse.”
Her father waved his arm through the air as though shooing away a troublesome fly and kept his gaze fixed on Jacob. “You’ve ruined this necktie party. But as soon as I know for sure who’s doing it, as soon as I have that proof you keep talking about, they’re going to pay. I don’t care what you say.”
Jacob’s fingers curled into white-knuckled knots, then opened again. “You need to cool off,” he stated in a flat tone. “So do I. So do our horses, for that matter.” He walked back to where Cap and Gypsy stood, caught up their reins, and led them around toward the water trough.
With a muttered oath, Hallie’s father stomped toward the house. He slammed the door so hard behind him, Hallie felt sure the wood would splinter. Thank You, Lord. It’s over. Reaction set in, and she felt her whole body start to shake.
Pete strode out of the barn, carrying his saddlebags. The last person I want to see, Hallie thought. She gave him a wide berth as she circled around him to go join Jacob. Then something about his manner caught her attention.
She watched as Pete walked over to his horse and slung the saddlebags behind the cantle, then tightened the cinch.
All the others have put their horses up. Why would he be doing that, unless. . .
“You’re leaving?” The words sprang out before she could stop them.
Pete glanced up, his features set in a surly expression. “You needn’t sound so hopeful.” He yanked the cinch. “Yes, I’m leaving. I’ve had all I can take. This whole business of turning vigilante is more than I signed on for.”
Hallie wondered if he could sense her unbridled joy. “I’ll wish you a good journey, then.” A long journey, as far from here as you can possibly go. She turned to join Jacob around the side of the barn.
“Wait.” Pete closed the distance between them with long strides. “I know we’ve had our differences, but all I ever wanted was for you to feel the same way about me as I do about you.” He circled her upper arm with his fingers. “Why don’t you come with me?”
Twenty-two
“Let go of me.” She wrenched her arm away and stepped back.
“I mean it, Hallie. You don’t belong with Garrett. You belong to me; you always have.” He lunged forward and gripped her shoulders with both hands. “Come away with me. We can make each other happy.”
Hallie kicked out and caught him on the shin. He sucked in a quick breath and tightened his hold. “I told you this day would come. I thought I’d be around here long enough to make you see things my way. But it’s time for me to leave, and you’re coming with me.” He shifted his hands to encircle her waist and dragged her toward his horse.
“Jacob!” she screamed. She dug in her heels and fought with all her might.
She heard hurried footsteps on the other side of the barn, and Jacob rounded the corner, his face dark with worry. He stopped abruptly. “Let her go,” he ordered.
Pete swung Hallie around in front of him and clamped his arm across her throat. “Maybe she doesn’t want me to. She’s leaving with me, Garrett.”
Jacob’s eyes flicked back and forth from Pete to Hallie, then to Pete’s holster. Hallie saw his jaw tighten and his hand settle on the pistol grip. Pete must have noticed it, too. He tightened his hold, pulling her closer to him.
“Don’t!” she cried. The confusion in Jacob’s eyes tore at her heart. “I’ve spent this day trying to stop bloodshed. I don’t want to be the reason for any being spilled.” Especially if it’s yours.
Pete chuckled. “See? I told you. She wants to go with me.” He dragged her back another step. “Come on, Hallie. It’s time to mount up.”
Jacob sprang forward, putting himself beside Pete in a single leap. “I said, let her go!” He grabbed Pete by the collar and swung him around. The whiplike action broke Pete’s grip and sent Hallie flying. She landed on her hands and knees, with her palms skidding across the rough ground.
❧
Breathing heavily, Jacob turned loose of Pete’s shirt and stepped back. He had seen Hallie fall, but he didn’t dare take his gaze off Pete to make sure she was all right. He moved forward a step, forcing Pete back closer to his horse.
“You said you were leaving. You’d better go now. Get on your horse and don’t stop until you get to wherever it is you’re headed.”
Pete stood stock still for a moment, then he let out a string of curses and swung his fist.
The blow connected with Jacob’s ribs. He caught his breath in a quick gasp and widened his stance. I wasn’t ready that time. I won’t make the same mistake again.
Pete threw another punch. This time, Jacob blocked it easily with his forearm. He pushed Pete away. “All right, we’ve settled things now. Let’s call it quits.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Pete settled into a crouch. “This ain’t over, not by a long shot.” He rushed at Jacob, arms spread wide.
Jacob sidestepped and thumped Pete on the back of the head with his fist when he stumbled past. Maybe he could knock enough sense into the man to make him understand this fight was pointless.
Pete hit the ground on his knees, then staggered to his feet and turned to face Jacob. Pure hatred gleamed from his eyes. “When I get my hands on you, I’ll beat you so bad nobody will want to look at your face, not even her.” He jerked his head toward Hallie.
“There isn’t any sense to this. You’re ready to leave, so leave. Just pack up and go. But you’re going alone.”
Pete lowered his head and ran at Jacob, swinging his
fists.
Enough. Jacob blocked the punches and responded with some of his own. Sometimes there just doesn’t seem to be any other answer. They stood trading punches, then Jacob moved forward, gaining ground with every blow.
Pete stumbled backward and scrambled to regain his footing. The move brought him up next to his horse. The wide-eyed animal snorted and danced skittishly.
Pete glanced behind him, appearing to realize he was trapped. He feinted to the right, then the left, but Jacob blocked his escape. Pete turned as though to take his horse’s reins. Then he whirled around, landing a savage kick on Jacob’s right thigh, inches away from where he had been shot.
Jacob’s vision turned dark and stars shot across the blackness. He had to end this now. He wouldn’t be able to take another blow like that. Putting most of his weight on his left leg, he crouched slightly, then delivered a punch that started down at his knees.
His fist cracked against Pete’s jaw, slamming him back against his horse. The gelding shied and whinnied. Pete slumped to the ground, out cold.
His saddlebags slid off the horse and flopped to the earth a few feet away, spilling their contents on the ground.
Jacob stood over the unconscious man, chest heaving and fists clenched, ready to deal with him again if he were playing possum. He watched Pete closely, waiting for him to move.
“Jacob?”
He shot a quick look over his shoulder. Hallie stood behind him, staring at a handful of papers.
“What is it?”
“These fell out of Pete’s saddlebag. I think you’d better take a look.”
“Later. I need to make sure he doesn’t take a notion to start things up again when he comes around.”
“I really don’t think you want to wait.” She moved closer and handed him the papers.
Jacob glanced at them quickly, then blinked and took a closer look. Bills of sale for small bunches of cattle, all dated within the past few months, and all listing Pete Edwards as the owner. Jacob looked up at Hallie and their gazes locked.