by Linda Broday
Two guards with rifles and six-shooters at their hip kept watch. Sam skirted them and worked his way to two brightly lit buildings. One was the saloon. A group of well-armed outlaws lounged near the swinging door.
Judging by the noise, those inside were celebrating. Probably playing cards and bragging how they’d bested the Legends. He’d find Luke there. No doubt waiting for them. The outlaw would have something special in store for Stoker, the father Luke hated. Sam clenched his back teeth so hard he thought he heard them crack.
Too bad his rotten brother would soon pay the price of betrayal. As soon as he knew Sierra was safe, he was coming for Luke. Sam moved on to the second building, where only a few low lanterns burned. It was silent. He’d bet a year’s pay she was there, but with no windows in the structure, he couldn’t make sure.
While he tried to decide whether to try to bust down the door, Sally hobbled from a small dwelling, moving slowly on her crutches. She headed toward the mercantile. Sam snuck around to the building and waited until she arrived.
“Miss Sally, don’t be afraid. It’s Sam Legend,” he called softly from the thick shadows.
She turned toward his voice. “It’s too dangerous for ya here, Ranger.”
“I only want a quick word. If you’ll speak to me, go on in and wait. Don’t light a lamp, please. I’d rather no one knows I’m here.”
“There’s bad doin’s goin’ on here. I’ll do what you ask.”
Once she disappeared through the door, Sam followed. He made out her form in a chair by the counter. “Thank you, Miss Sally.” He moved toward her. “Bardo raided our ranch tonight and took a woman, Sierra Hunt.”
“Not surprised. Heard him braggin’ he was gonna.” Sally’s voice quivered. “Wouldn’t know nothin’ ’bout no woman bein’ here though. I hunker down at dark. But I did see that man you came lookin’ for. Felix dragged him into that buildin’ over yonder, the one with a small light.”
Sierra had to be there too. Relief flooded over him.
“Thanks, Miss Sally. You’ve been a big help. One more thing before I let you go about your business. Would you know if Bardo stations men in there?”
“Naw, they come ’n’ go. I figure only captives in there. I’d offer to try to see for ya, but Felix would chop off my other leg.” Her thick fear filled her voice.
“No, ma’am. I wouldn’t ask that. I’m obliged to you.”
“I hope you hurry an’ find that woman. I’ve seen some of ’em after he gets finished. Not much left.” Sally leaned on her crutches. “Now I gotta get some bread bakin’ for Bardo an’ the others. If’n I don’t have any, my goose is cooked.”
“Men from the Lone Star are waiting to attack. When you hear shooting, get down, and don’t come out until it’s over.”
“Appreciate the warnin’, Ranger.”
Sam left with a better feeling. Vowing to check on her after it was over, he silently returned to the place where Sierra likely was. The twenty minutes Houston gave him was ticking by. Even now, they might be mounting up.
Cold fear swept over him. What he did now would determine if Sierra lived or died. One misstep, one glimpse of him, and his world would end.
But no matter the cost to him, he had to get to her.
With his mind made up, he gripped his pistol and burst through the door, splintering the wood.
Ford jumped up from a chair, but before he could pull his weapon, Sam took it. “You won’t need this.”
“You’re a dead man, Ranger. When Bardo finds out you’re here, he’ll send you to your grave.”
“Yeah? I’ve heard that threat before from tougher outlaws than you.” Sam stuck the gun in Ford’s ribs and glanced around the small room. Three straight-backed chairs. Dried blood was on the floor around one. In addition to the chairs was a small table. Nothing else. A door had to lead into another part. “Give me the key to the room where you have the woman.”
“Who said she’s here?” The outlaw whirled, knocking Sam’s gun from his grip.
Before Ford could blink, Sam grabbed his arm, twisting it hard behind him.
“The key. Now!”
Hate glittered in the man’s cruel eyes as Isaac Ford reached into his pocket. But instead of pulling out a key, he drew a small derringer. Wise to all the tricks bad men played, Sam was prepared. The second he saw the weapon, he grabbed the outlaw’s hand and forced it above his head. The derringer clattered to the floor.
In the ensuing struggle, they shattered the chair, then fell back hard into the wall. The wood gave way with a loud crack.
Growling, Ford scrambled for a jagged chair leg and slammed it across Sam’s back. Pain shooting through him took his breath. He blinked hard and jabbed his elbow into the man’s chest.
A loud grunt filled the space. As Ford brought the length of wood up, Sam grabbed it and forced him against the wall, pinning the chair leg across Ford’s throat.
The outlaw gasped for air, but before Sam could finish him, a piece of metal struck the back of his head. He saw stars as rough hands yanked him around.
“Hola, hermano. Thought you might come to save dulce.”
Sam turned and stared into the cold green eyes of Luke Weston.
“Good job, Weston.” Felix Bardo pushed through his men blocking the door. “I didn’t know if I could trust you, but I guess you showed me. You make a good partner. As long as you remember I’m boss.”
That voice—the same one that had permanently lodged in Sam’s memory. His heartbeat, his breath stilled. He forced his eyes to focus.
There it was—the black widow spider staring from Bardo’s hand.
“I’ve never been much for following, but I will for a share of the gold,” Luke replied. “Make no mistake, that’s the only reason I’m here.”
Instead of thirty pieces of silver, Luke Weston had betrayed them for thirty pieces of gold.
“You could’ve had much more than that, Weston, if you’d stuck with your family,” Sam said softly.
Luke drew back and slammed a fist into Sam’s jaw. He staggered backward but stayed on his feet. Sam shot him a deadly look as he wiped blood from his mouth.
“I never needed family.” Luke grinned, showing his white teeth. “Gold can give me everything I want. Even buy me one.”
“That’s right, amigo.” Bardo slapped Luke’s back. “You know, I think you earned the right to be second with our beautiful chica…if she’s still alive after I’m done.”
A growl came from Sam’s throat. He prayed to God he’d get one last chance at Weston. This time he wouldn’t hesitate at pulling the trigger. Nothing meant anything to his outlaw brother. Not even Sierra, who’d saved his rotten, miserable life.
Turned bad? Weston was in cahoots with the devil. Evil had eaten away all the good.
Bardo stuck his face next to Sam’s. “Now I have some unfinished business with you, Ranger. This time I’ll make sure you die. And I promise to make it very painful.”
The stench of whiskey nearly overpowered Sam.
“Ever hear the saying about not counting your chickens?” Sam ground out.
The scarred outlaw leaned close to Sam’s ear. “I had a taste of your woman. She likes it rough. Such soft skin and silky hair. I’m afraid I left some marks on her.”
“You bastard!”
“Light the lanterns in the barn,” Bardo ordered, giving him a gruesome smile, twisting the scars on his face that could only have been made by fire. The outlaw must’ve been in untold agony. “We’re gonna have some fun, boys. Weston, I have something special in store for you.”
“Then let’s not waste any time.” Luke waved his arm. “Come along, all of you. You don’t want to miss this. The more the better to watch Sam Legend get what’s comin’ to him. Too bad we don’t have his pa and real brother. But I bet we soon will.”
Just li
ke before, Sam listened for help but heard no galloping horses or gunshots.
Come on, Stoker and Houston, don’t dillydally.
Whooping and hollering, the outlaws dragged Sam into a barn. Sleepy horses poked their heads from the stalls and nickered.
Weston yanked Sam’s hands behind him and tied them. Only, his brother sure needed lessons in tying knots. The ropes were loose. But getting free was only part of Sam’s dilemma. Outlaws surrounded him. Without a weapon, he didn’t stand a chance. Still, getting shot was better than hanging.
Sam worked on the ropes, all the while willing Luke into hell’s fire.
“One of you climb up to that loft. Throw a rope over that rafter up there,” Bardo ordered. “I’m gonna hang Sam Legend good this time.”
The fear pumping through Sam was different from the other hanging. Back then, the unknown was what terrified him. This time he knew the pain, the strangling and choking he faced, and that struck far greater terror.
He thought of Sierra. He’d found the genuine love of a good woman too late. If only he could have one last kiss.
Too late. Agonizing seconds ticked by while he waited. He had only one regret this time—that he hadn’t taken the shot when he had the chance.
He glanced at Weston, who watched in silence. Sam could expect no help from him. A thought sprang into his head. Maybe he’d had it wrong. Maybe Luke hadn’t saved him before. Maybe he’d been with Bardo even back then.
But if not Weston, who had cut him down?
Another thought crossed Sam’s mind. The reason Luke boarded the train with him was to report to the boss.
Bardo’s words a few minutes ago returned. You make a good partner.
He wished he could warn his father and brother somehow. It would be just like Luke to return to the ranch and lie his way again into their good graces. Weston had proven to be a master at deception—everything that came out of his mouth was probably a lie, even down to who his mother was.
What a fool Sam had been. Where was the cavalry? Damn it!
With the rope securely tied to the rafter, Felix Bardo fashioned a noose.
Please hurry, Pa.
Luke pushed a chair into place and pulled Sam onto it. “Get up there, brother.”
Bardo finished with the noose and handed it to Luke. “I give the privilege to you, my friend. Legend’s chased you longer than he has any of us.”
“And he never caught me,” Luke bragged, taking the rope and stepping forward.
Sam longed to slap the cocky grin off the piece of bear scat.
Luke’s cold eyes met his as he slipped the noose over Sam’s head, adjusting the stiff hemp around his neck. “I’ve wanted to send you to hell for a long while, brother.”
“I’ll save a spot for you near the hottest fire. Only a matter of time before you join me. We’ll settle up down there.”
Still no sound of help. In seconds, he was going to die.
He never got to tell Sierra he’d give up his wandering ways and settle down—tell her he loved her.
I’m sorry, darling. In my heart, you’re already my wife.
Forty
“Kick the chair out from under him, Weston,” Felix Bardo ordered.
Sam took a deep breath, steeling himself. This was it. He couldn’t get lucky twice. He feverishly worked at the knots.
But instead of kicking the chair, Luke whirled, drawing his pistol at the same time. He put a bullet in Bardo before swinging to the rest of the onlookers, dropping three as they scattered.
One last jerking twist, and the ropes came off. Sam quickly removed the noose, staring in disbelief at the scene, confusion spinning through him. Who the hell was Luke?
“Here, Sam.” Luke pitched him a pistol.
The barn door burst open. Stoker, Houston, and the men from the ranch swarmed inside. Sam turned, searching for Felix Bardo. He’d seen Luke’s bullet hit Bardo, but the smoke from the weapons made it difficult to follow the outlaw’s shadowy movements. Sam jumped from the chair in time to spy the man he was looking for running down the row of stalls.
Go after Bardo, or get to Sierra? Which to choose? Oh God! He couldn’t do both.
Luke turned. “I’ll get Sierra. Go!”
Fear lodged in Sam’s throat as he raced after Bardo.
Please let Luke get to her before someone executes her.
* * *
The sound of gunshots penetrated the room where Sierra huddled with Rocky and their father. It must be pure chaos outside, as told by the yelling, thunder of horse’s hooves, and gunfire.
Someone had come.
Stoker and Houston? She could think of none other. And from the noise, they’d brought plenty of help. But did it mean Sam was alive or dead?
Sierra strangled a sob.
The door burst open—Isaac Ford stood there with his gun drawn. Of course. He must have orders to kill them in case of attack. She shrank tighter against the wall.
Ford saw her. “I think I’ll start with the woman.” He raised his gun.
“I don’t think so.” William Hunt sprang up, his ropes falling off as he lunged toward the outlaw. Somehow, he’d managed to free himself. Her father lowered his head and rammed Ford.
The gun went off. Smoke and the pungent smell of spent gunpowder filled the air, choking Sierra.
William Hunt slumped to the floor.
“Father!” she cried.
“Don’t worry about him.” Ford turned the gun on her. “I hate that I shot out of order, but it doesn’t matter. You’re next, girl.” He leveled the pistol at her heart. “Say your prayers.”
Another shot sounded.
The snarl froze on Ford’s face. Sierra watched him fall, saw the blood soaking his shirt.
Luke Weston stepped over him and came inside, sliding his Colt into the holster. Sierra gave a cry and tried to scramble away. He was one of them. He’d ridden in the attack against the ranch. If Sam was dead, she’d blame no one but Luke. She’d make him pay dearly.
“Get away from me!” she screamed, full of rage. “You’re no better than Ford.”
“I came to save you, dulce.” He stopped. “You know I’d never hurt you. We’re friends.”
“No,” she stormed. “You’re one of them. I don’t trust you. If Sam is dead, I’ll make sure you follow him. Even if I have to do it myself.”
“Sam’s alive.” Luke’s words were soft. “He’s here.”
“You lie. I don’t believe you. You’re a traitor.”
“I speak the truth. I’m not with Bardo. I only pretended to join them so I could learn their plans and put myself in a position to help my brother.”
“Why should I believe you?” she spat.
Luke moved closer and knelt down. She saw sadness in his eyes, and hardness, as he pulled her dress together in front. “Because I would never lie to a woman who saved my life. Turn around and let me untie you.”
His hands were gentle as he cut the ropes. The minute she was free, she ran to her father. He was still alive.
“Sierra,” her father said weakly with blood flowing from his mouth.
“Yes, I’m here.” She lifted his head. “Thank you for saving me.”
“About time I acted like a father.”
Mist filled her eyes as she said the words she’d held back. “I forgive you, Father. For all of it.”
“I don’t deserve it.” A gurgle came from deep inside.
William Hunt was right. He didn’t deserve it, but she had to live with herself. Though it would take a long while, maybe one day she could look back at her past without pain.
“Don’t talk. Save your strength.”
“No, child. I’m not going to make it.” He touched her face with his fingertips. “I did and said some terrible things. Even in my anger, I always loved you.” He gaspe
d for air.
Freed, Rocky scrambled to them. “Father, I’m here.”
“I’m proud…of you both. I’ve been…rotten father. Nothing can make up…for the pain I’ve…caused.” Her father closed his eyes and drew his final breath.
Luke took her hand. “We need to go now. I told Sam I’d get you to safety.”
Numb, cold, and barefoot, Sierra let him lead her into the early morning dawn where bedlam reigned.
Bodies lay all around, and men still battled each other. She didn’t see Sam.
Dear God, help him make it through this hell.
“Come, I’m taking you to a woman who’ll look after you until we whip these bastards.” Luke’s gaze swept the grisly scene. Sierra felt his body tense, alert for trouble.
The dirt street was rough and hurt her feet. She wished she had her shoes, not only to shield the tender flesh, but also so she could run in case she had to, but who knew where Bardo’s men had taken them. Noticing her trouble, Luke scooped her up and strode to the mercantile.
He rattled the door. “Sally, it’s Luke Weston—let me in.”
An old woman on crutches finally turned the lock and opened the door. “Almost didn’t hear ya over the racket.”
“This is the young woman I mentioned—Sierra Hunt and her brother.”
“Mr. Sam’s lady. Well, don’t jus’ stand there.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Luke pushed his way inside and set Sierra down. He turned to her. “You and Rocky stay here until someone comes for you. I’ve got to help round up this bunch.”
“Thank you, Luke. I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Nothing to apologize for. I’ve got to go.”
“Please tell Sam where I am.”
He kissed her forehead. “You can count on it.”
She watched the old woman he’d called Sally shut and lock the door behind him. Her thoughts turned immediately to Sam. “Stay safe, my love,” she whispered.
* * *
Pain swept through Sam as he followed the loud trail of groans and cuss words Felix Bardo left. The outlaw wasn’t going to escape this time.
Today was a day of reckoning.