Kiss Of The Night Wind

by Taylor, Janelle

She made a stop at a saddlery shop, concluding that no one would think to look for her in such a place. She told the man she was considering the purchase of a horse and a saddle, so he delighted in showing her the different kinds and making recommendations for a lady. She pretended to know little about western saddles and let him talk for over an hour. She promised, when she bought her horse, she would make her saddle purchase in his shop.

  Carrie Sue was hot and tired and tense. She sneaked to the boarding house only to find Martin’s carriage sitting out front as suspected. She went into the barn and climbed into the loft. She sat on loose hay which was used to feed the horses in the corral out back. She sank to her back, gazing at the beams overhead as she eased into deep thought.

  She had hidden in lofts many times, sometimes while on the run during her outlaw days, and sometimes for hide-and-seek with Darby on their Texas ranch. Her location stirred many memories of those days.

  Suddenly the beautiful fugitive bolted upright. She asked herself what she was doing hiding out like a terrified child. She didn’t owe Martin Ferris or anyone here an explanation for her choices. This was like being on the run again! She had work to do. She was fatigued. She needed a soothing bath. She needed the tranquility of her new home. All she had to do was refuse his invitation firmly. She couldn’t hide from him every day. And she hated this feeling of being watched, followed everywhere. It hadn’t left her all day or yesterday!

  “What’s the matter with you, Carrie Sue Stover? You’re too damn edgy and suspicious. No one is trailing you, or you’d have noticed him. Get your butt in the house and get busy with something!”

  Carrie Sue left the loft and entered the back door. She heard Martin Ferris’s voice in the front parlor. She scowled, then headed up the back steps. She made it to her room without meeting anyone, and locked her door. After removing her hat, she fanned herself with it a few minutes. A bath would have to wait because it would alert the others to someone’s presence upstairs. No matter, she had plenty of unpacking and sorting to do until Martin gave up and departed.

  T.J. Rogue leaned against the building nearby. He was baffled by the redhead’s behavior, yesterday and today. Something had her spooked. But what? he wondered. It couldn’t be his tail because he was too good at that job to give himself away, especially to a woman. There was something weird going on with that contradictory vixen. He wanted answers to her mystery.

  Chapter Five

  Sunday morning, Carrie Sue dressed to attend church with Mrs. Thayer. She knew such behavior would be expected of her, as she was an example for the children to follow and it would reveal her morals to the adults of this town. She had not attended church since her parent’s deaths, and because of her past sins she found it difficult to enter one. Yet, her ruse demanded it of her, and she was probably in need of God’s protection and guidance.

  She had completed her unpacking last night and had taken a late bath. When Mrs. Thayer had come to check on her after Martin’s departure, she had revealed her actions of the day, and her decision to confront the man when next he approached—no, pestered—her.

  Carrie Sue pinned her hair atop her head and put on a lovely pink and blue floral hat which she had purchased yesterday during her wanderings. It went nicely with the soft blue dress she had found in Carolyn’s trunk. She rode with Mrs. Thayer and one of the couples to the other end of town to where a large white church was located. From the number of horses and carriages and wagons, the attendance was good.

  They took seats on a pew which was halfway to the front of the church. They had arrived just in time for the service to begin. A woman started playing an old organ which needed tuning; the crowd rose to its feet with hymnals in hand; and the minister took his position behind the pulpit and led the opening song.

  Martin Ferris slipped into the row where they were standing. He took a place next to Carrie Sue and boldly shared the songbook which she and Mrs. Thayer were holding. His action caused him to lean close to the redhead, too close for her liking. She kept her gaze either on the page or the minister and sang softly.

  After several songs were completed and they were taking their seats, he whispered, “Good morning, Carolyn. I missed you yesterday.”

  She glanced his way and smiled politely, then shifted toward Mrs. Thayer as she pretended to settle herself. The preacher gave them a heated lesson on the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20: 1-17. He shouted about the “wages of sin” being death. He urged them to repentance and to obedience of “God’s Holy Word.”

  Carrie Sue felt her heart flutter when the minister expounded on God’s views on theft and murder. She had not coveted the possessions of others, but she had needed some of them for survival. She had not entered her life of sin because she was evil or weak; she had done so to seek justice against the Hardings. She had not turned “the other cheek” or waited for “God to punish vile sinners.” But as the preacher shouted on and on, she had to admit she had taken the law into her own hands and sought vengeance—a sin in itself.

  Carrie Sue’s mind wandered to the innocent victims of the Stover Gang’s deeds. She had condemned herself by being a part of them, however innocent in the beginning. Guilt nibbled at her. She promised, If you let this new life work out for me, I’ll never be bad again.

  Immediately the preacher yelled that you couldn’t make deals with God: live morally or pay the consequences. Carrie Sue’s mind argued that she had been forced into a life of crime. But the minister yelled as he pounded his fist on the pulpit, “God don’t accept no excuses for being wicked! You’ll pay for your black sins in the fires of Hell, and He’ll make you suffer terribly here on Earth!”

  Carrie Sue’s mind shouted back at him, I have suffered terribly! I’ve paid for my mistakes! I’ve earned a right to freedom! What about those whom God hasn’t punished or destroyed?

  The service finally ended, and she wanted to get away from Martin Ferris. Carrie Sue was forced to chat with him though. When he questioned her whereabouts the day before, she eyed him rather oddly, sending him a look which said he was being too forward and nosey.

  Her reaction did not trouble or dissuade him. He alleged, “I was worried about you, Carolyn. You don’t know this town yet and you aren’t accustomed to our tricky weather. What did you do all day?”

  She noticed his use of her first name. She was standing in a church, so she tried to be as honest as possible. “I visited the school to decide how much time and work was involved in getting it clean. Then, I just wandered around familiarizing myself with the town and people. I also did a little shopping,” she remarked, touching her new hat.

  “It’s very pretty. How did you like the parasol?”

  “It was kind of you to send it, Mr. Ferris, but a lady shouldn’t accept gifts from strangers. I’ll return it tomorrow.”

  He chuckled and shook his head. “It’s a welcome gift from the town council, so you can’t refuse it and hurt everyone’s feelings.” In a smug tone, he informed her, “We need to get moving, Carolyn. I planned for you to join me and some friends for Sunday dinner.”

  Carrie Sue was annoyed. They were standing outside now, so she lied calmly, “Thank you for the invitation, but I always rest and study my Bible on Sundays as the Scriptures insist.”

  “Surely you don’t want to disappoint our Mayor Carlson and his wife. They’re expecting us to join them at their home within the hour. I was certain you’d want to go, so I accepted their invitation for the both of us.”

  Carrie Sue eyed him again, then exhaled loudly to reveal her vexation. “I will dine with them today, Mr. Ferris. But in the future, please ask first before you accept invitations on my behalf.”

  Carrie Sue was introduced to numerous people, many of them parents of children who would be her students very soon. The adults were delighted to learn that the school would open again on June fifth, but the children seemed none too happy about attending classes in the hot summer. Carrie Sue laughed and joked with the youngsters to relax them.

&n
bsp; Before she left the church yard, many of the children were won over by the beautiful and genial schoolmarm.

  In his carriage, Martin teased, “Don’t you think it’s unwise to get so friendly with your students? How will they obey you?”

  Carrie Sue did not smile. “It has been my experience, Mr. Ferris, that people—especially children—obey better out of friendship and respect than out of fear and dislike. A friend will go a second mile for you, but an enemy halts your journey or heads the other way.”

  “You’re very wise for such a beautiful young woman. I stand corrected, my fetching schoolmarm.”

  Carrie Sue did not respond to his overture by word or expression. “Did the other council members agree to our deal, Mr. Ferris?”

  “Please, you promised to call me Martin,” he scolded mockingly.

  “I’m afraid I find it difficult to call a man of your status by his Christian name. I am only the school teacher here, and some people might think that improper.” Her remarks did not put him in his place.

  “I don’t care what people say or think about me,” he vowed.

  “I can’t afford such a luxury, Mr. Ferris.”

  “If anyone is nasty to you, just report it to me. I’ll handle him.”

  They reached the mayor’s home and were greeted by a stocky man with heavy jowls and a prominent belly. Carrie Sue became alert.

  Lester Carlson invited them inside. “We’re so happy you two could join us for Sunday dinner. The wife is finishing up in the kitchen now.”

  “It was kind of you to invite me, sir.”

  “Please, call me Lester, and my wife’s name is Mertle.”

  The man beside her jested, “If you accomplish that feat, Lester, I’ll be shocked. Carolyn insists on calling me Mr. Ferris. She’s worried about people’s opinions of her.”

  “That isn’t necessary, Carolyn. You’re amongst friends here.”

  “See there. What did I tell you?” Martin teased.

  “We only met recently, so it will require practice.” Carrie Sue felt that Martin was responsible for this invitation and treatment.

  Lester Carlson’s wife and children joined them, and they took their seats at the table with Martin beside her. The petite woman served a roast of beef, rice, gravy, dried peas, cornbread, and canned peaches. The conversation was light during the early part of the meal. As everyone started on dessert—cake and coffee or milk—the talk increased, except for the three children who were trained to hold silent.

  “Martin is one of our best citizens, Carolyn. I own the local bank and we can do a lot with loans on the gold he had shipped in on your stage. I know it caused you a great deal of trouble, but that was an unforeseen accident,” the local banker informed her.

  Probably at Martin’s request, Carrie Sue concluded. She talked with the children for a while, noting how well-mannered they were.

  The mayor boasted, “I have good children, Carolyn. They’re going to enjoy having you as their new teacher.”

  “I was told Helen Cooper was a good teacher. It’s a shame about her accident.” She watched the children’s faces and realized they had liked the woman who had preceded her. “I promise you’re going to like school and not mind spending the summer there. Learning can be fun. I’m sure I won’t teach in the same way she did, but that doesn’t matter.”

  Lester remarked uneasily, “We don’t talk about that tragedy, Carolyn; it makes the children sad. I’m sure you won’t mind. Martin tells us you’re from St. Louis. We have family there. Their children are grown, but perhaps you know them: John and Clindice Carlson.”

  Carrie Sue had not considered such a problem arising, but she held her poise and wits. She smiled and replied, “Naturally I’ve heard of them, but we’re not well-acquainted.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You can meet them when they come to visit this fall. John wrote us about how well you were liked there.”

  “That was kind of him,” she replied, hoping her voice didn’t quaver as she obviously had given the correct response. There was no way of knowing if Carolyn Starns knew the St. Louis Carlsons, as they had not been mentioned in the woman’s diary. Carrie Sue was tense. What if they came here and exposed her as a fraud?

  As the two women were doing the dishes in the kitchen while the men enjoyed cigars in the parlor, Mertle Carlson asked, “How do you like Tucson, my dear?”

  “It’s quite lovely, like your home, Mrs. Carlson. I deeply appreciate the invitation to dinner, and I’ve enjoyed the meal and company.”

  “Martin says you’re living at Mrs. Thayer’s boarding house. I hear it’s the best one.”

  Carrie Sue smiled and nodded agreement. “Mrs. Thayer is wonderful. She’s like a mother hen. I feel right at home there.”

  The woman’s next words were alarming to the redhead. “Martin is very fond of you, my dear. I haven’t seen him this interested in a woman since his wife’s death, nor this happy in a long time.”

  Carrie Sue felt as if she’d walked into a conspiracy. “He seems very nice and respectable. What grades did your children say they were in?” she asked, trying to change the subject.

  “We can talk about the children another time. I’m having a party in two weeks. You will come with Martin, won’t you? It’s the perfect occasion for you to meet everyone.”

  Carrie Sue realized she had no choice except to reply, “I’ll be delighted, Mrs. Carlson. You will let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

  “Certainly, my dear.”

  When Carrie Sue was dropped off at the boarding house, she was relieved that the man did not insist on coming inside for a short visit. She found Mrs. Thayer gone to visit friends and the other boarders were occupied. She paced her rooms, and they suddenly felt confining. She was being thrust toward Martin Ferris and she hated that disagreeable problem. Her new life was not developing as she had hoped. She had left one trap only to find herself ensnared by another! She had to face the truth: Martin Ferris was not going to let up on her and, if she made an enemy of him, things would not go well for her here.

  “What to do?” she murmured anxiously. Quit this job and move on quickly? Try again to discourage Martin’s interest in her? Lead him on for a while until he tired of his amorous pursuit?

  “Not in a flea’s jump!” she scoffed, recalling that Quade Harding hadn’t given up on his chase in over seven years. “The Devil take you, Martin Ferris! Merciful Heavens, what am I going to do now?”

  Carrie Sue longed to see T.J. Rogue. She yearned to have soothing and protective arms around her. She wished he would come to visit her, but she doubted he would. And she certainly couldn’t go scouting for him! Besides, what could that handsome Rogue do to help her? Nothing, except perhaps to stain her new image. She was on her own now, and this new problem was hers to solve.

  At supper, the two men with back rooms were exceedingly quiet, even slightly sullen. Carrie Sue wondered if Martin Ferris had warned them to stay away from her or he would damage their business in town. She knew such a threat was not beyond the offensive man, nor was carrying it out if he was challenged. He was so like the Hardings!

  Instead of remaining downstairs in the parlor after supper, Carrie Sue returned to her room. She sat at the desk to go over Carolyn’s class plans, and was relieved the woman had made out those for the first month. By that time, she should have learned enough to do them.

  She compared the notes to the pages marked in Carolyn’s books. The brunette had been very intelligent and the lessons were easy to grasp. Between now and the opening day of school, she needed to study the books daily to refresh herself on all the facts contained there.

  When she grew weary of reading, she went to the couch. She leaned her head against its back and closed her eyes to rest them. She could not get over the feeling that she was being watched all the time. Yet, she never saw anyone spying on her. Perhaps she was just nervous and tired. Perhaps it was because of too many years on the run. Or because she was too afraid of letting do
wn her guard too soon. She was worried about Darby, and yearning for T.J. Rogue. She was irritated by Martin Ferris. She was unaccustomed to this dry heat.

  And, she was afraid of what Quade Harding had in store for her. How long would his obsession for her continue? Surely there was no way he could track her to Tucson. Was there?

  Monday morning, Carrie Sue put on one of Carolyn’s oldest dresses for her task today. When she went downstairs, she paid her rent for the remainder of May. She borrowed cleaning rags, a broom, a mop, soap, vinegar, and two pails from Mrs. Thayer. She left her key with the woman, as this was the cleaning day for her rooms. With Maria’s help, Carrie Sue carried the supplies and water to the schoolhouse.

  After the Mexican girl’s departure, Carrie Sue pushed up all the windows and left the door open. She tied a bandanna around her head to protect her hair from dust. To stay as cool as possible, she hadn’t worn a petticoat or chemise under the cotton dress which was thick enough to be modest. She removed her shoes, and hoped no one would come by and see her in such a state.

  The first thing she did was search beneath the desks, bench, and bookshelves for scorpions and spiders. She removed the webs and killed the spiders so they couldn’t rebuild and endanger the children, but she found no more scorpions. She brushed down the walls and swept the floor, twice to make certain all the loose dirt was removed. Next, she washed the desks and mopped the floor.

  While they dried, she sat on the front steps to eat a light snack which Mrs. Thayer had sent over with Maria. As Carrie Sue did so, the Mexican girl retrieved more water for her.

  The heat absorbed the water quickly, and Carrie Sue was eager to finish as much work as possible before she needed to head home for a bath and supper. Already her arms and back were aching for relief.

  She climbed upon a chair to wash the windows, using a mixture of water, soap, and vinegar to remove the grimy dirt. She had completed the door and two of the side windows when she suddenly sensed a powerful presence behind her. Instinctively her right hand dropped the wet cloth and went to her side, but naturally she wasn’t armed. She hadn’t heard anyone approach, but she knew someone was there. Her flesh tingled and her respiration increased. She half-turned to find T.J. Rogue leaning against the door jamb. Her eyes widened, then she smiled as she stepped off the chair to recover the rag. “Hello, stranger. How long have you been standing there watching me slave?”