Kiss Of The Night Wind

by Taylor, Janelle

  “Traits like those make a man look weak, and weak men get themselves killed out here. I’m not as nice as you think,” he remarked, praying she would halt her innocent attack on his warring senses. If she didn’t in a few minutes, he would lose his head and be all over her!

  Carrie Sue shook her head. “You’ll never convince me of that. You’re too hard on yourself, T.J.”

  He looked away and teased, “Then I’ll let you remain stubbornly mistaken, woman. The food was good. Thank Mrs. Thayer for me,” he said, changing the subject.

  She accepted his clue to back off for now before she scared him too much. “Maria helped her, so I’ll thank both of them.”

  “Maria?” he echoed, his gaze narrowing and chilling. The name reminded him of the deaths of Arabella and Marie. He swore once again to track down and kill the gang who attacked their stage and murdered them, just as soon as he killed a man who was to arrive here soon.

  “You know Maria Corbeza at the boarding house?”

  “No.”

  “She’s the Mexican girl who helps Mrs. Thayer with the cooking and cleaning. She’s very nice, but shy and quiet.” She had noticed his reaction to the female’s name. He was now moody and silent, and rapidly packing up the remains of their picnic so they could leave. She tried to draw him out by asking, “Which mine are you going to try?”

  “None soon. I have business to finish here first.”

  “What about my shooting lessons?”

  “Another day.”

  “Is something wr—” Gunfire cut off her question.

  T.J. tossed aside the items in his hands. He grabbed her head and shoved her face down on the blanket, shouting, “Keep down and still!” His gaze followed the line of fire to a large pile of rocks near the curve of the deep gulch. He concluded that the men—just out of pistol range—were either bad shots with rifles and were only trying to scare them, or pin them down beneath the blazing sun which was overhead by this time of day.

  “Can you see anyone?” she asked, her voice muffled by her position.

  “Looks like three men in the rocks over there. Stay put while I get my rifle,” he ordered. But when he tried to move in the direction of the horses, more bullets splattered the dry earth around them like a heavy rainfall. “We can’t stay here in the open; they have a clear shot at this ravine. I’m going to push you up the bank on three. Get behind those bushes and lie flat on the ground.”

  Carrie Sue readied herself to scramble up the steep incline. When he reached “three,” she struggled with the sandy bank and finally conquered its rim with T.J. pushing on her rear and feet. She stretched out her hand toward him and shouted, “Hurry!”

  He threw her one of his revolvers as he commanded, “Get down, woman! Don’t worry about me!” He raced for the horses and yanked his rifle from its saddle holster before vanishing around a bend in the gully. He wanted to use the hill nearby to get a closer view and better advantage. By the way the men opened up rapid fire on him after Carolyn was out of danger, he knew the men were after him and she would be safe for a while.

  Carrie Sue realized what T.J. was trying to do, get behind their attackers. But their foes would make the same conclusion and be prepared to thwart him. She aimed T.J.’s pistol and fired toward the men to check its range. Gunfire wasn’t returned. The bullet struck short of their foe’s hiding place. It was rifle range, and she didn’t have one to help her partner. She studied the landscape between her and their peril. Several smaller piles of large rocks were between them. Since the men seemed to have their full attention on T.J., she decided she could move closer and get into pistol range.

  The redhead peered around the bushes to plan her path to the rocks, which included dodging cactus, scrubs, and spiny yuccas. She brushed the dirt and grit from her bloody hands and gripped the butt firmly, noticing the “T.J.,R.” carved into it. She was wearing a split-tail riding skirt which reached the tops of her boots, so she needed to be careful of the bushes and cacti snagging it and delaying her progress. She took a few deep breaths, then raced for the rocks. Three warning shots were sent her way, but no man was that bad of a shot, she reasoned.

  Carrie Sue remained low for a short time, then peeked around the edge of the largest rock. Her gaze scanned for T.J. and she saw him sliding forward on his belly just behind a rise of the hard ground. To give him time and cover, she fired two shots at their foes, nicking one in the arm. Suddenly she heard a sound which made her freeze. Without moving, her gaze searched the rocks for the rattler she had disturbed.

  If T.J.’s gun had been fully loaded when he gave it to her, she had three bullets left. She dared not lift the pistol to check her ammunition, as movement would antagonize the already annoyed viper. Since he was shading himself during the heat of the day, he didn’t want to move, and he was making it loudly known that he wanted her to do so.

  The redhead knew she could not shift her legs to rise without being in the rattler’s striking range. She hurriedly gave the manner serious thought. If she used her bullets on the snake, if the gun contained more, she would be defenseless against the villains nearby. So far, the men seemed interested only in T.J., but she couldn’t be certain.

  The ebon-haired man began firing at their attackers from his new position. Carrie Sue had faith in his prowess, so she fired twice at the rattler who was coming her way to make his threatening point. The wounded viper thrashed on the ground, fighting death to the last moment.

  Her shots confused T.J. and he shouted, “Carolyn, what’s up?”

  “A rattler, but I got him! I’m fine!” she yelled back to him.

  The three villains rushed to their horses and galloped away, a hill protecting their escape. T.J. ran to where she was sitting, as he knew the men would be out of range before he could pursue them. He glanced at the snake, then at her. “You’re a damn good shot, woman.”

  “We had snakes in…Charleston, too. Sorry I wasn’t any help.”

  “That was a stupid thing to do. You challenge danger like you have nine lives. They got away, but two of them are wounded. Not badly enough to suit me. Let’s get moving before they come back.”

  The flaming haired fugitive knew the attackers wouldn’t return, and knew T.J. didn’t think so. “What about my lessons?”

  His smokey gray eyes looked her over, then he replied, “From what I’ve seen, you don’t need any shooting or riding lessons. You hurt?” he asked, noticing bloody spots on her skirt.

  “Just scuffed hands. I’ll tend them when I get home. What do you think they wanted?”

  T.J. stared in the direction of the villains’ flight. He was intrigued by the skill and ease with which this schoolmarm handled a gun. But he had other matters to consider at this time. He suspected that Martin Ferris was behind this reckless attack. Obviously the cattle baron hadn’t forgotten their run-in years ago and didn’t like the relationship with the woman he’d staked out for himself. Ferris probably wanted to show Carolyn that she needed the protection of a wealthy and powerful man once her rescuer was gone. But if Ferris wanted to make him look weak in front of Carolyn, it hadn’t worked, as his hirelings would report soon. Or maybe Ferris wanted him dead.

  “Well?” she hinted. “What do you think?”

  “Probably was Ferris trying to scare me off his woman.”

  “I’m not his woman,” she protested.

  “We know that, but he doesn’t. I’ll check on those men after we reach town.”

  “Did you get a good look at them?”

  “Nope, but two wounded men can’t hide easily. Let’s go, Red.”

  “Don’t call me that!” she stated harshly.

  “Sorry, Miss Starns, no insult intended.”

  Carrie Sue lied to cover her slip, “When I was a child, that’s how I was teased. I hated it, but I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I understand.”

  They gathered the remains from their picnic and mounted their horses. In silence they rode for town
.

  Carrie Sue reflected on the despicable detective who had tracked her down twice for Quade Harding. He had loved calling her “Red.” If given half a chance, he would have discarded Quade’s reward and orders to take her for himself! She hated both of those evil men!

  T.J. furtively watched the woman nearby. Something was eating at her, something she tried to keep under control. She was such a compelling mystery. The more she related and exposed about herself, the more confused and ensnared he became. She had been so relaxed with him, but her guard was up again and he wondered why.

  At the boarding house corral, Carrie Sue asked T.J. if he would tell the man at the stable she was buying Charlie on Monday when the bank opened. “Do you think he’ll mind if I keep her until I pay him?”

  “I’ll pay him today, then you can repay me on Monday when I bring you the sale papers. A rough livery stable is no place for a lady.”

  Carrie Sue wondered what a gunslinging drifter was doing with so much money and why he was willing to handle the transaction. She smiled and thanked him for his many kindnesses. He didn’t mention the gun he had taken along today for her to try out, so she didn’t either. She watched him leave, then went inside to see Mrs. Thayer.

  The woman listened to the redhead’s tale and frowned. “I bet Martin Ferris was sending you a message to keep away from Mr. Rogue or he’d kill him. You two be careful,” she urged.

  Carrie Sue also frowned, as she hadn’t taken the attack in that light. If Martin Ferris was as dangerous and determined as she believed, then he would have T.J. slain without another thought. A famous gunslinger’s death would entice a great deal of attention and gossip, but that wasn’t why she wanted to protect the ebon-haired man. She cautioned herself to rethink her situation, her desires, her perils.

  T.J. saw three men go out the back way to Ferris’s office. They were wearing different clothes. One man was rubbing the edge of his shoulder like he had a flesh wound there, and another had something thick beneath his right sleeve, the size of a bandage. He trailed them to a saloon and watched them go inside. He carefully approached their horses at the hitching post. Two saddles displayed fresh drops of dried blood. He had an answer to the question of who was involved. He just didn’t know the real motive yet. Without evidence the sheriff could use for arrests, all he could do was antagonize them into a showdown to punish them. He warned himself against calling out the men today and exposing his hand. But before he left Tucson, Ferris and his hirelings would pay their debts to him.

  Carrie Sue went to church again Sunday morning with Mrs. Thayer. They made certain they sat on a pew which didn’t allow room for Martin Ferris to squeeze into when he arrived shortly after them.

  She paid little attention to the preacher’s sermon as she was ensnared by deep concerns. She wondered if she should try to get a message to Darby to let him know she had arrived safely and had been accepted here as the schoolmarm. She didn’t want her brother distracted by worry over her. She was also distressed over Martin Ferris’s attack on T.J. Rogue. She asked herself if she should not see him again before his departure to protect him from further attempts on his life. She also needed to protect herself against suspicion and dislike once he was gone, and she never doubted he would leave town soon. Even if he was as drawn to her as she was to him, their bond wasn’t strong enough to hold him here or to bind him to her yet. When and if he realized and accepted the truth about them, hopefully he would return to her.

  After the service ended, Carrie Sue and Mrs. Thayer tried to leave quickly. Her ploy to avoid Martin Ferris didn’t work. He hurried after them, calling her name. She had no choice but to halt and speak.

  “I need to talk with you privately, Miss Starns,” he said sternly.

  “We can talk tomorrow at the boarding house if you like.”

  “This can’t wait,” he persisted, taking her arm and excusing them to walk a few feet away from the dispersing crowd and Mrs. Thayer.

  “What is it, Mr. Ferris?” she inquired innocently.

  “I don’t think it’s wise for you to be seeing that gunslinger socially. Some friends saw you two out to supper the other night and are gossiping about it. You have to be more careful with your behavior. You two were alone on the road after that attempted holdup, and people might think bad things about you if you continue seeing a common drifter. You have to be above reproach as our schoolmarm. I wouldn’t want you getting fired over a rash friendship with a gunslinger.”

  “That gunslinger saved my life, Mr. Ferris, and I like him.”

  Martin frowned. “I’ve already rewarded him for saving your life and my gold, and you’ve thanked him; that’s sufficient for a man like him. That little picnic yesterday was most foolish. What do you think people will say about you two taking off into the wilderness alone?”

  “I didn’t know there were any restrictions on my private life, Mr. Ferris. I’m unaccustomed to being told with whom I can make friends or see socially, as long as I conduct myself like a lady, which I have.”

  “It isn’t ladylike to spend time alone with a man like Rogue.”

  “Do you know him personally?” she asked.

  He shifted and glanced at the ground. “Not well, but I know his type. I know he’s handsome and exciting to you women, but he has a bad image. Men like that take advantage of good women and ruin their reputations. I’m giving you a friendly warning, Carolyn; he’ll cause you trouble here. Considering your example to our children, especially to the young boys who are duped by colorful legends, I must insist you don’t see him again. If you need a horse, I’ll gladly furnish one for you. If you’re too proud to accept one as a gift, I’ll make you a good price and let you pay me off a little each month.”

  “That’s very kind, Mr. Ferris, but unnecessary. I purchased one yesterday, a beautiful pinto from a local rancher. Mr. Rogue found her for me at the livery and I was trying her out today.”

  “I see. You will consider my warning before the town council hears about this offensive manner and summons you for a serious meeting.”

  “Of course,” she responded in a casual tone. “But I don’t like justifying innocent actions to strangers. If they feel they must interfere in my personal life, I may have to reconsider such a demanding job. Good-bye, Mr. Ferris. I’ll see you in church next Sunday.”

  “I’ll pick you up Saturday night at six-thirty for the party at Mayor Carlson’s. You haven’t forgotten about it, have you?”

  “Certainly not. I’ll be ready. Thanks for the kind escort.” Carrie Sue walked off while he was gloating over his minor victory. She would accept a ride with him to the party. Maybe that would keep him sated for a while! One thing, she knew he had lied to her, had exposed himself without realizing it: Mrs. Thayer had not told him about the picnic, she told him Carolyn was out looking at horses with T.J. Rogue. There was only one way he could have known about the picnic.

  Carrie Sue completed her bath. She had been sweaty and dusty from a windy walk with Mrs. Thayer and other boarders after supper. She had spent a quiet afternoon in her rooms, studying lessons. It was nine o’clock and most of the guests were in their rooms for the night. She left the water closet and returned to her room, bolting the door.

  She leaned against the door and sighed heavily with her eyes closed. The sitting room was dim, as only one oil lamp was burning low. She sensed a presence. Her eyes opened quickly. Her hand rushed to her right side as she shifted rapidly to check out the front corner of the room.

  Chapter Eight

  Carrie Sue didn’t know what to say to the handsome man who was lazing in the corner as if this was his room, or theirs. One elbow was resting on the chair arm, causing that shoulder to rise slightly. His other arm was laying across his flat stomach. His head was leaning against the back of the chair. His long legs were stretched before him and were crossed at the ankles. Yet, he didn’t look totally relaxed as his negligent position implied. He didn’t move or speak. Nor did she.

  The dim light cast a
rosy glow in the room and on T.J.’s face. He kept staring at her. She struggled to break the tight hold of his gaze, and finally succeeded. His gunbelt was draped over the chair at the desk, where his hat was placed. She looked back at him. His shirt was unbuttoned to his heart, exposing a hard and hairy chest. His smokey gray eyes were locked on her face.

  She felt tension in the room, within herself, exuding from T.J., but it was a strange suspense and excitement. It was almost as if they were communicating on a mental level. Each seemed to be summoning the courage to say and do something important.

  T.J. stood and walked to her. Their gazes fused. He was aware of her state of dress, a nightgown and wrapper. She was barefooted, fresh from a bath. Damp wisps of fiery hair clung to her face, the remaining blaze of glory cascading down her back. Her periwinkle eyes were entreating. She was hesitant, but unafraid of him. This time, she did not avert her gaze when he aroused her.

  His fiery gaze traveled down her face to her throat where he watched the pounding of her heart revealed at her pulse point. Lordy, sneaking here to speak with her was a stupid thing to do! If he didn’t get out of here pronto, he would complicate her life and his, and the tasks before him. Right now, he had nothing to offer her,. at least nothing she needed in her unpredictable existence in this new town. He lowered his gaze to where her chest was rising and falling erratically beneath her cotton garments. Get out fast, Rogue!

  Carrie Sue knew she wanted and needed this man. He would be leaving soon, and she couldn’t bear that, not without having him first. She had to let him know how she felt about him, about them, and hopefully that knowledge would lure him back to her one day. Her hands cupped his jawline and she lifted his head to lock their gazes. “It’s all right, T.J.,” she murmured, then kissed him.

  She was pressed to the door by his strong body and ardent response. His hands went into her hair and pulled her mouth more tightly against his. The kiss exposed their deepest longings, their fiercest desires. His mouth roamed her face, his lips tasting the sweetness of her flesh and savoring its soft texture. Each trembled.