Outlaws Of Phantom Canyon (Savage Series)

by Lisa Rae

  They liked the fact that this ‘Alex’ was a sharp shooter and was on the run from the law, looking for a gang to ride with. Clayton trusted B.J., so he was not concerned with meeting Alex ahead of time, before B.J. brought Alex to the Phantom gang’s hideout. When Clayton and the rest of the gang saw that Alex was a female, and that Alex was short for Alexandra; B.J. thought the gang was going to murder him right then, until he convinced them of the advantages of having her in their gang.

  While the outlaw gang rested their tired horses for a couple hours, Gabriel tried to make Julianna as comfortable as possible under a wide cedar tree, where it was the driest. He untied her delicate wrists. She was cooperating, so at this point he saw no reason to tie them again.

  He brought Julianna some jerked meat and a bottle of whiskey. She hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast and was starving. Julianna devoured the jerked meat right away not caring how it tasted or how tough it was. When Gabriel offered her the bottle of whiskey, she refused.

  “You need to drink some whiskey,” Gabriel told her. “It’s going to be a very long, freezing cold, wet ride tonight. I had to help you off your horse, so I know how bad you are already hurting. It will help you to keep warm and ease the pain while you ride tonight.”

  Julianna didn’t want Gabriel to think she was weak, but her body was extremely sore all over, and she hurt in places she didn’t even know she had. She had never tasted whiskey as it was the Devil’s drink. But right now she figured if God didn’t want her to drink it, then he shouldn’t have let her get kidnapped. Julianna took the bottle of whiskey from Gabriel and tipped it up, as she had seen the outlaws do, and took a big swallow before Gabriel could stop her. She gasped and coughed, then her eyes started watering as she looked at Gabriel, who started laughing at her. He couldn’t help himself, and the more he laughed, the madder she got!

  Before she could throw the whiskey bottle at him, Gabriel took it away from her and said, “It’s time to go.” Gabriel helped her up and helped her into her saddle, before climbing onto his own horse. He felt sorry for her. She was exhausted and hurting, and now was being forced to continue the rest of the night in the freezing cold rain.

  The stormy weather had not let up, as lightning struck all around them. The rain was pouring down as they rode in single file; with Victor, Julianna, and Gabriel bringing up the rear. While they had been stopped, Gabriel found Sam’s duster tied under a blanket on the gray gelding Julianna was riding, and put it on his soaking wet body to try and keep warm throughout the night.

  Levi Pratt was in the front of the pack leading the outlaw gang. He had only been with the gang for a year. The Phantom gang had lost three members a year ago in a bank robbery gone bad. Levi was picked for the job because he was an excellent tracker. Not only could he track an ant over a rock, but he knew how to avoid a posse, hide their trail, and leave false trails.

  Riding at night was dangerous to begin with. Often you cannot see holes and drop offs that could cause the horse to fall, breaking a leg and possibly hurting or killing the rider. Riding in the pouring rain at night, was close to suicide.

  Gabriel didn’t like risking Julianna’s life riding like this in the dark pouring rain, but he had no choice. If he stopped just for her, then the outlaw gang would think he had gone soft on Julianna, and consider him a threat to the gang. They would have no qualms with killing him, and her. These were ruthless men he rode with, and he could not let his guard down for even just one moment. Again Gabriel silently cursed himself for having gotten Julianna involved.

  *

  As the sun started to rise, the rain ceased, and the stormy gray clouds disappeared. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful warm sunny day, but Julianna didn’t see any of it. She was more asleep than awake in her wet saddle. Gabriel felt so sorry for her, but he also felt proud of her. Julianna had hung in there like a real trooper. Not once has she yet to complain. Gabriel chuckled to himself as he remembered how she took that big swig of whiskey. He saw the tears in her eyes as she coughed, and knew it had to of hurt her throat, but she did not say a word. She most definitely had grit!

  When he first saw her all prim and proper climbing out of that Barlow, Sanderson, and Company stagecoach with her self-righteous attitude, and later demanding he let her go once they were on the trail. He figured he would be ready to kill her by now. Instead, he was wanting to get to know more about her, and that terrified him.

  When they had come to a small stream, instead of crossing it, Levi led them up through the stream about a quarter mile, and then back out under a heavy stand of trees. “We’ll camp here,” he said. Then he climbed down from his exhausted horse, stretching his stiff legs. The rest of the outlaw gang followed suit. Once they had their tired horses stripped of their saddles, saddlebags, blankets, and bridles; they took them to the nearby lush green meadow and hobbled them, to graze and rest.

  They were all too tired to care about eating right now, as they spread their blankets on the ground under the trees to go to sleep. They were now far enough ahead of the posse, that they could afford to stop and sleep. The horses also needed the rest, and to graze to be able to continue on.

  After climbing down from his big bay horse, Gabriel told Julianna, “Stay, don’t try to get down. I’ll be right back.” He then took the blankets from the back of their saddles and went to make-up a bed for her, putting one blanket down for her to lay on and the other to cover her up with. Coming back he gently lifted Julianna from her saddle and carried her to the blankets. “Sleep,” was all he said to her as she closed her heavy eyes, and was gone to another world as Gabriel left to strip the horses of their gear, and took them out to the lush green meadow to graze.

  When Gabriel returned from hobbling their horses, there was no other blanket he could use for himself, so he climbed under the blanket with Julianna. She was so tired that she did not even stir at the movement. To give her as much privacy as possible, he laid on his side facing away from her. As much as he tried not to, he fell asleep thinking about her …

  *

  Julianna drowsily woke up to find herself warmly snuggled up to Gabriel, using his broad chest as a pillow. She could not remember him laying down beside her, and instantly was worried if he had done anything to her while she was sound asleep? She was stiff and sore all over from the long ride on horseback, but she was sure she would know if he had done something to her. Wouldn’t she? She shook that idea from her groggy head. Gabriel might be an outlaw, but he wasn’t heartless like the rest of the outlaw gang… Julianna couldn’t believe she was defending the man who had kidnapped her.

  Gabriel had been wide awake for a while now, but did not want to disturb Julianna’s restful sleep. He knew she needed all the rest she could get right now, so he had laid there and watched her sleep. He sensed that she had woke up, and could tell from the look in her eyes, that for a second, she was scared. He assumed it took her a moment to realize where she was. It never dawned on him that she was worried about what he might have done to her in her sleep. As she took a relaxing breath Gabriel said, “Good afternoon Jules. I hope you slept well!”

  All of Julianna’s senses came back to her, and she realized she shouldn’t be snuggled up to this outlaw. What was she thinking? Julianna quickly sat up away from him, embarrassed. Gabriel sensed her embarrassment, but didn’t know what to say to make her feel better. “I’m going to go get our horses ready. Why don’t you go over to the fire and get some fried bacon, potatoes, and onions to eat,” Gabriel suggested as he got up and headed to the lush green meadow, leaving Julianna sitting there all alone.

  Julianna looked over towards the smoldering fire, where most of the outlaw gang sat eating their afternoon meal. As her empty stomach growled, she realized how famished she was. But that didn’t make up for the fear she felt of going over near that murderous outlaw gang. She’d rather starve to death, than let them get a hold of her. She had lived a sheltered life, but she was not naive. She knew what those men would do t
o her if they got the chance, while Gabriel was gone after their horses. If only she could escape. Gabriel was trusting her now and wouldn’t expect it. It would be easy to take off on her horse. Maybe she could reach someone before Gabriel caught up to her.

  Julianna was lost in thought of how to escape, when Alex slowly walked up to her, and handed her a plateful of food saying, “I saw the scared look in your eyes when you looked over at the food. I won’t deny, there are some rough men in this bunch that even I don’t turn my back on.” Looking down into Julianna’s sad eyes she continued, “Sweetie, I’ll do what I can to help you out, as long as it won’t affect my position here in the gang. So to answer the question I see in your eyes, no, I won’t help you escape. Gabriel has took claim to you, and I’m not about to piss him off. He’s one of the better of the bunch, and will be fair and kind to you as long as you don’t cross him. But cross him, and you better find the deepest hole you can hide in. Now eat up. We will be leaving soon.”

  As Julianna ate, she watched Alex walk away. She wondered what would make a woman choose to run with a gang of outlaws and become one herself?

  Gabriel returned with their well rested horses saddled and ready to go, just as Julianna finished up her plateful of food. “Alex brought me some food,” she told him. Gabriel took the plate from her, and suggested she go further into the woods to relieve herself, before they headed out. Julianna stiffly got up and did as was suggested to her, not realizing Chet was watching her from off in the distance.

  Gabriel washed the plate and fork in the nearby stream, and returned them to Alex. “Thanks for bringing her the plate of food.”

  “Not a problem sweetie. But you better watch over her closely. Some of these men wouldn’t think twice about harming her,” Alex replied while thinking about Gabriel …

  He wasn’t like the rest of the outlaw gang. He had joined the gang after her a year ago. She knew he could fight and shoot just as good as any of them. And he wasn’t one to back into a corner. She had seen that first hand one time, and that man didn’t live to talk about it. Still, she wondered what he was doing riding the Owl Hoot with the rest of them? He did not seem to be the hard core outlaw type. But then again, neither was she, and here she was! All because she shot some prominent businessman for beating a woman, and now is wanted by the law, with a $500 reward on her head.

  Just then Gabriel and Alex heard Julianna’s blood curdling scream off in the distance. Gabriel took off running in that direction looking for her.

  Julianna had gone further into the dense woods to relieve herself, when she thought about escaping again. Gabriel was busy and wouldn’t expect her back right away. Surely there was civilization close by? She took off running through the dense woods in the direction she thought most likely, and was caught by surprise as Chet grabbed her from behind a big tree. Julianna was able to let out one blood curdling scream before he covered her mouth with his, and pinned her beautiful body against the big tree with his own.

  Thankfully for Julianna, it did not take long for Gabriel to find her. Levi was not the only good tracker in the outlaw bunch, as Gabriel followed her path where she had been running through the woods. Chet was unaware of Gabriel’s approaching presence, until the side of his head was pounded by Gabriel’s fist, sending him sprawling to the brush covered ground. Chet was quick to recover, and came charging towards Gabriel, only for Gabriel to sidestep, and throw a direct blow to Chet’s stomach that doubled him over.

  “Hey, it’s not right for you not to share ‘er.” Chet coughed from the hard blow to his stomach. “You had a roll with ‘er last night. Now let some of us take a crack at ‘er,” Chet said between gasps of air.

  Gabriel was so mad you could see the steam rising from his head. “Get back to the rest of the gang before I kill you!” It was all Gabriel could say at that moment, he was so full of emotions of anger, murder, and guilt. He should of never left Julianna alone. It was his fault Chet attacked her.

  When Gabriel punched Chet on the side of his face, sending Chet flying, Julianna sunk to the forest ground below the tree crying in hysterics. She realized then, just how bad her situation could be if she wasn’t very careful.

  After Gabriel sent Chet away with a deadly threat, he pulled Julianna up from the forest ground, and took her into his strong arms to comfort her. Holding her close, he stroked her back and whispered in her ear that it was over, and that she would be okay.

  Gabriel knew she needed to cry, so he continued to gently comfort her while she got it out of her system. He untied his neckerchief from around his neck, and had given it to her to blow her nose, and wipe her tears away.

  Finally as her crying stopped, and she took in some deep breaths, he asked, “Are you ready to go?” Julianna nodded her tear stained face, not trusting her voice to be able to speak, and looked deeply into Gabriel’s slate blue eyes. The look she gave him tore all the way to his heart! She had trusted him, and he had let her down. With much emotion in his voice he said, “I’m so sorry Jules. I promise you, I will never let anyone hurt you ever again.”

  *

  The last couple days ride to the hideout had been uneventful. The Phantom outlaw gang had given Gabriel a wide berth, knowing he was still ready to commit murder, if anyone went near his Julianna again. It had been accepted that she was his woman.

  Sometimes Alex would ride beside Julianna and chat with her, while Gabriel stayed busy talking business with Clayton, or one of the other outlaw gang members. Alex told Julianna of how she hated her husband who died in the war, leaving her penniless, and how she became an outlaw.

  Gabriel kept his promise and never left Julianna alone again. At night, Gabriel would make their bed away from the rest of the outlaw gang, to offer Julianna some privacy. He did not let her sleep alone though, for fear she may try to escape again … At least that’s what he kept telling himself. Truth be told, he enjoyed her snuggling up to him at night. When she was in his arms, he knew she was safe from harm.

  After Chet had attacked Julianna, she didn’t care what anyone thought about her sleeping beside Gabriel. Feeling him next to her made her feel safe. He promised to protect her, and she knew he would keep his promise. A couple times she had woke up from having a nightmare, and his arm wrapped around her was the only thing that kept her calm, and helped her get back to sleep.

  When they were within a half days ride of the hideout, Ted, Clayton’s younger brother, said to Gabriel, “You need to blindfold Julianna before she goes any further. We can’t take any risk in case she was to escape.”

  Gabriel didn’t like the idea at all, but he could not argue the logic from the outlaw gang’s point of view, and he wasn’t in a position to tell them his point of view, yet. Gabriel had made Julianna promise that she would never tell anyone her last name, or who her father was. He told her the men would kill her if they knew, and the odds are, he wasn’t lying. That wasn’t the only reason he didn’t want the outlaw gang to know who her father was. If they knew, then they would know that her father probably had a military regiment on its way to hunt them down. So Gabriel did as he was told, and blindfolded Julianna with his neckerchief against her strong protest, and once again took the reins of her horse.

  *

  They arrived at the Phantom outlaw gang’s hideout, just as the Colorado sun was setting behind the tall canyon walls, casting gloomy shadows across the many shacks that made up the outlaw gang’s camp. Over the years, the Phantom outlaw gang had allowed other gangs and outlaws to hideout here at their secluded hidden camp, but there were a few rules that the Phantom outlaw gang didn’t take lightly. The main ones being: respect each other’s space and privacy, no looting from each other, no unnecessary firing of weapons, all outlaws will take turns on sentry duty, were not allowed to bring anyone new into the hideout without blindfolding them and the Phantom gang’s approval, and all disputes that cannot easily be settled amongst themselves would be settled by the Phantom gang. To protect the hideout, anyone told to leave the hideo
ut, was never seen again.

  Once the outlaw gang arrived in their camp, Gabriel pulled Julianna’s blindfold off while the gang separated, heading in different directions. Now having her reins back to her horse, Julianna followed Gabriel past many shacks till he stopped in front of a shack in the back corner, close to a tall sheer canyon wall. Some of the shacks she could tell had been built in the recent years, but ones like the one Gabriel led her to were obviously built many years ago.

  As Gabriel helped Julianna down from her big horse, he realized that her legs were not cooperating. He quickly picked her up before she fell all the way down to the hard dusty ground. He carefully carried her inside the shack, laying her gently on his bed.

  As he gently laid her on his small bed he said, “I have to go out and tend to the horses, and take care of some things. After that I will go get you something to eat from the cook. Whatever you do, do not leave this shack! This is my shack and no one will bother you here.”

  Julianna had learned well from her attack by Chet. She dared not risk trying to escape again. Besides, she was blindfolded on her way into the Phantom outlaw’s camp, and she had no idea which way to go to get out of this maze of canyons, back to civilization.

  Julianna was also too tired and sore to care at this point. The past two days had been pure hell, and tested every ounce of strength she had. Julianna sat forward, took off her boots, dropping them to the floor, and rubbed some feeling back into her feet.