Kiss Of The Night Wind

by Taylor, Janelle

  “That’s part of your trouble, Carolyn, you don’t know him or his type. Every time he comes to town there’s trouble. His business here is finished, so he should move on. He won’t as long as you’re keeping him company, and the good folks of Tucson don’t want his kind around.”

  Carrie Sue laughed. “Mr. Rogue isn’t hanging around because of me. He’s his own boss. He comes and goes as he chooses. I’m not enticing or encouraging him to remain here. He’s smart, so he knows a prim schoolmarm and a gunslinging drifter can’t mix. As far as I know, he’s planning to get a job at a mine nearby or further north.”

  “Rogue ain’t no miner,” he refuted peevishly.

  “A job as a guard or freight-wagon driver. You own a silver mine. Perhaps he’ll check with you about a job.”

  “He’d be wasting his time! I don’t want any hired guns around here.”

  The redhead decided to do a little detective work. “Somebody does because we were attacked by three gunmen while we were out riding Saturday. I was nearly killed.”

  “Who would shoot at you?” he asked skeptically.

  “I don’t know but it was a cleverly planned ambush, not a robbery attempt. They made certain not to get too close.”

  “Maybe they were after Rogue. He attracts trouble.”

  “Then why were they shooting at me after we got separated?” She noticed the surprise and vexation which flared in his dark eyes, telling her she hadn’t been the intended target. “To make it worse, I was nearly bitten by a rattler while hiding in the rocks for Mr. Rogue to flank them. I couldn’t move because they were firing at me. So you see, sir, he’s saved my life more than once. If Mr. Rogue does have enemies here, they’re fools to attack him. He’s the best shot and smartest man I’ve met.”

  “If someone is after him, that’s another good reason to keep your distance. You could get hurt or killed in the crossfire.”

  Carrie Sue pretended to consider his last words. “You could be right. No matter, I have too much work to do to spend time with him or any man. I’m sure he’ll be moving along very soon.”

  At the same time, the lovely desperado and the man beside her saw T.J. leaving the telegraph office down the street. Without turning her head, she glanced at Martin Ferris who was scowling, his brown eyes cold and his jawline clenched. T.J. saw them and halted on the plankway. He walked toward them.

  Carrie Sue didn’t want to confront him while standing with Martin Ferris. “If you’ll excuse me, I must tend my chores.” She turned and headed for the saddlery shop, making it obvious to both men that she was leaving because of Rogue’s approach.

  Martin Ferris stopped T.J. from walking past him in pursuit of the rapidly departing redhead. “Leave her be, Rogue. She ain’t your type.”

  “How would you know, Ferris?” the ebon-haired man taunted.

  “She’s too nice to tell you to keep away from her, so I’ll do it for her. You’re making trouble here again, and I don’t like it. The town council wants her to stay clear of the likes of you. If you don’t want to cause her problems here, then get out of Tucson today.”

  T.J. chuckled, vexing his foe. “The town council wants me to keep my distance, or you do?”

  “Both,” Martin replied coldly. “You could never get a woman like her, so give up before you harm her image.”

  T.J. scoffed casually, “You people can’t boss her around.”

  “We hired her as a respectable schoolmarm, so we can fire her for unladylike conduct. We both know what people will say and think about her if she keeps seeing you. She needs this job, so don’t make her lose it over gratitude to you for saving her life.”

  “You asking or telling?”

  “Both,” Martin replied again, his brown eyes narrowed.

  “Sometimes I don’t hear so well, Ferris,” he teased pointedly.

  “This time, you better clean out your ears because you won’t irritate me again. I’m going to make certain that young lady gets a good start here, even if that means challenging you again.”

  “Like your hirelings did Saturday?” he hinted.

  “Is that what you told Carolyn? It’s my bet they were friends of yours trying to fool her into thinking you saved her life again.”

  “Is that what you just told her?”

  “I didn’t have to. She’s beginning to doubt you. Didn’t you see how she ran from you just now? She’s tried to be nice to you, but she realizes you’re taking advantage of her kindness to lost pups.”

  “Don’t tell her any lies about me, Ferris,” he warned.

  “She’s opening her own eyes, boy, but I’ll help her any chance I get.”

  “I just bet you will,” T.J. sneered. He had noticed the look Carolyn had given him, and it worried him. From the window in the telegraph office he had seen them standing here, talking like old friends. There was something odd about that woman which he couldn’t put his finger on. Surely she wasn’t leading him on for Ferris, hadn’t lured him on a picnic so his men could kill him. She did probe him a lot about Ferris, but was it to see how much he knew about the man? No way, he decided, could that vixen be working for this man!

  Martin gave a final warning before strolling away, “Keep your distance, Rogue, or you’ll be sorry.”

  T.J. glanced in the direction Carolyn had taken, but she wasn’t in sight. Should he go after her to see what was wrong with her today? What could he tell her to soothe her worries and fears? Maybe she had guessed the truth about the impossibility of their situation and was angry with him for tempting and seducing her, angry with herself for yielding to him last night. Maybe she was scared she would be exposed and sent packing. Maybe she did need this job, or want it. Once he told her he didn’t have marriage in mind and would be moving on soon, things would be worse between them. Maybe it was best to let her cool off, or to let her believe the worst of him to make their parting easier for both.

  Carrie Sue hurried to where T.J. was staying. She left the money and a note with the woman who had waited on them that night. In her message to T.J., she had asked him to leave her alone before she got into trouble here. She wrote that it was impossible and dangerous for them to be friends. To protect herself from gossip and an impulsive relationship with no future, they couldn’t see each other again. She entreated him to understand and comply with her request. She did not mention what she had learned from the sheriff and stableman.

  Afterwards, she returned to the boarding house and gathered her laundry. She delivered it to the woman for washing and ironing. Then, she went to the saddlery shop and purchased a saddle. The man was delighted to assist her and have her sale, and promised to have it delivered to Mrs. Thayer’s barn before the day ended.

  Carrie Sue went to a small mercantile store on a back street and purchased supplies for the trail, just in case she had to make a run for it. She returned to her home and concealed the supplies in Carolyn’s large trunk which she had placed in the corner of her bedroom.

  She hated mistrusting T.J., the man she loved and had given herself to just last night. Yet, she was afraid to trust him fully. He was so mysterious and could be so dangerous, even though he had revealed a few things about himself. Still, she realized he had related nothing which wasn’t common knowledge or couldn’t be true of any man like him. She had to be wary of everyone until her life was settled.

  The following day, Carrie Sue remained in her room studying except for taking her meals downstairs. She told Mrs. Thayer she wasn’t to be disturbed by anyone, and she explained her misgivings about a friendship with T.J. to the kind woman. Mrs. Thayer had seemed to comprehend her dilemma and agreed with her decision to avoid him.

  On Wednesday, Carrie Sue realized she needed ammunition if she were forced into a fast escape. She hadn’t seen or heard from T.J. or Martin Ferris. She prayed she wouldn’t run into either man when she went out to make her purchase at that same small store. She also prayed that her purchase wouldn’t seem strange to the owner. No matter, she had supplies, a horse
, a saddle, and weapons ready for quick use, but she needed bullets and a rope and a rifle holster.

  Something inexplicable was nagging at her. She felt overly tense today. She felt as if some threat was hanging over her head like a storm cloud. Usually she was right when she got such ominous feelings, and that worried her. Kale Rushton had trained her to trust her instincts, and she did. Yet, it was hard around that disarming Rogue. Her heart kept beating swiftly and her respiration was labored. Her skin tingled and felt flushed. She was edgy and insecure. Her instincts were telling her something, but she didn’t know what!

  Maybe it was an aching for T.J., or maybe it was the anxiety of wondering why he hadn’t tried to reach her, by note or in person. They had slept together, then she had spurned him. Didn’t he care? Didn’t he want to resolve the trouble between them? Why hadn’t he contacted her and asked for an explanation of her crazy note after their passionate night together? How could he take possession of her, then walk away as if she meant nothing to him?

  Her heart argued, Maybe he’s scared and uncertain too. Maybe you hurt him with your demand for distance. Maybe he’s staying away because you asked him to. Or maybe he’s giving you time to change your mind and come to him.

  Her keen mind shouted, Or maybe he got what he wanted from you and he’s left town! Or he doesn’t want a green girl again!

  Carrie Sue’s heart and mind ceased their argument the moment she saw Curly James walking toward her. Her lips parted and her eyes widened. A feeling of intense apprehension washed over her. The blond gunslinger had ridden with her brother’s gang, until he kept getting them into lethal trouble. Curly had always been an uncontrollable, cold-blooded bastard and Darby had told him to pack up and move on one day. Curly was boastful and arrogant, but there was no wanted poster out on him, as far as she knew. Surely there wasn’t or he wouldn’t be walking calmly down the streets of Tucson.

  What, she wondered frantically, was he doing in Tucson? What if people saw them talking, as the man was grinning broadly and heading straight for her? He knew who she was! Merciful heavens, if anyone recognized him and put the clues together, she was in deep trouble!

  Chapter Nine

  The ruggedly handsome gunslinger halted before her and looked her over from head to foot. “How kin you git more beautiful ever’ time I see you, Carrie Sue? What are you doin’ here? Darby tol’ me you’d left the gang. You think it’s safe to be out in the open?”

  “You’ve seen Darby?” she asked anxiously.

  “Yep, he’s in Texas. You remember that hideout in the mountains. He was camped there when I passed through.”

  “I thought he was heading for Oklahoma to lay low for a while,” she said to draw out information. She didn’t like this particular man knowing such perilous facts about her and Darby’s gang.

  “The trail was too hot for ‘em. They’re holed up in the Guadalupes. I plan to join ‘em when I leave here in a few days. Darby said I could.”

  Carrie Sue recalled the hideout in the mountains which were half in Texas and half in New Mexico. Her brother was now closer to her if she needed help. Yet, she doubted his claim that Darby would hire him again, but Curly didn’t appear to be lying; that worried her. “Is Darby all right?” she asked nervously, glancing about to see if anyone was watching them, but sighted no one. She had to hurry.

  “Tough as ever. Why’d you run out on him?”

  “I was getting too old to gallop all over the countryside a mile ahead of a posse. No one here knows who I am, Curly. I’ve been hired as a schoolteacher by the name of Carolyn Starns. Please don’t give me away. I’m trying to start a new life for myself.”

  He leaned against a post and rolled a cigarette. “That might be hard since Darby’s gang has wanted posters out on ‘em, exceptin’ yourn don’t have no good picture. You’re lucky, ‘cause I doubt anybody can recognize you from it. If he’d gotten out of Texas like I warned him, they’d all be safe. I tol’ him to leave that Hardin’ fellow alone. He’s one mean bastard. I did some work for him, but he’d a killed me afterwards if given the chance. I got my pay and took off.”

  “You took a job for Quade Harding?” she asked disdainfully.

  “I needed money and I couldn’t do nothin’ illegal. The law was breathing down my neck as it was and watchin’ me like a hawk over a slow rabbit. I can’t let my face git on one of them posters. I been hirin’ out as a gunslinger and bounty hunter. I got me a good paying job here. Then, I’ll be riding with Darby and the boys again.”

  “You’ve turned on your old friends?” she asked fearfully.

  “Naw, only cheap outlaws we never met. I got to eat.”

  Carrie Sue wondered if this sly outlaw would turn on her.

  Curly James grinned and shook his head, as if she’d asked the question aloud. “I’d never hurt you, Carrie Sue. You was always nice to me. I was hot-headed back in the ol’ days, but I ain’t no more. That’s why Darby’s givin’ me another chance. I sure am glad. You’ll be safe here, if Hardin’ don’t come after you.”

  “You wouldn’t tell him where to find me, would you, Curly?” she asked, her tone pleading.

  “Naw. Fact is, I may have to kill the bastard myself. Those other two who helped me with his job turned up dead. It’s my thinkin’ Hardin’ got rid of ‘em and plans to git rid of me if he can. They was to meet me in El Paso and head here. They never showed, and I heard they was killed. Made me too late for one job, but I got another. I figured I might as well earn some dollars while the boys are laying low. From what Darby said, they plan to laze around for a month or so.”

  Curly’s expression and tone seemed odd to her, but she didn’t show it. “Stay clear of Quade; he’s an evil man.” she warned. “If it weren’t for him and his father, Darby and I wouldn’t be in this mess. I’m trying to break away from my old life. People believe I’m this schoolmarm. If this doesn’t work out, I’m either dead or in prison. Help me, Curly.”

  “Don’t worry none about me, Carrie Sue. Honest,” he vowed.

  “I believe you,” she lied with a radiant smile. She knew Curly James couldn’t be trusted. Money—especially a reward as large as hers—had a way of blinding a man. But, she mused, what could she do about Curly? He could turn her in to the law or to Quade Harding. When his money ran out, he would, and she knew it.

  She knew the word give was a mistake with a bastard like this villain, so she said, “If you need any money, Curly, I can loan you some or tell you where a large gold shipment is stashed.”

  His eyes brightened. “Where?” he asked eagerly.

  “In Martin Ferris’s safe. It won’t be hard to find his office; he’s a big man here.” She didn’t care if he robbed that vile man, and gold would make her reward less appealing. She noticed the instant glimmer of disagreement and disappointment in his gaze. “You know him?”

  “I went on his payroll today. That’s why I’m here. I did some jobs for him before, and he sent for me again. I guess he likes my work.”

  Carrie Sue felt weak and shaky. “Why? he’s as bad as Harding!”

  “To git rid of a snake named Rogue for him.”

  “Why?” she asked again, her heart drumming in alarm.

  “Two reasons.” He took a deep drag off his cigarette.

  “Like what, Curly?” she pressed in a panic. If she warned T.J., he would wonder how she got her information. If she didn’t…

  “Like I’m gittin’ paid good to do him under and it’ll be great for my reputation. Rogue’s notch on my gun will set me for life.”

  “Please don’t do this, Curly. He’s good, damn good.” She told him about the attempted stage robbery and how T.J. had saved her life. “You know I’ve seen the best guns around, Curly, and they’re nothing compared to him. He’s lightning fast and cold-blooded. Don’t challenge him for any amount of money or glory.”

  “I kin beat him or any man to the draw.”

  “Did Martin Ferris tell you he’d already sent three men against him at the
same time and they failed? I was there, Curly, and I wouldn’t lie to a friend. Please, back off this time.”

  “I can’t. I done took the money and gave my word, and Curly James don’t run from nothing or nobody.”

  Carrie Sue realized that the blond didn’t want to back down from a gunfight with T.J. Rogue, even if he wasn’t being paid highly for it. The handsome fool honestly believed he could beat T.J. to the draw.

  “You got problems with Ferris?” the man asked.

  She tried to dupe him, win him over to her side. “He took a liking to me the day I arrived and he hasn’t left me alone since then. He’s been trying to force me to become his sweetheart. When his charm didn’t work, he tried blackmailing me with my job. The town council does what he wants, Curly, so he threatened to get me fired if I wasn’t nice to him. He thinks I’m friends with Mr. Rogue because the man saved my life and he fears Rogue will protect me against his pursuit.”

  “Zat true?”

  She lied convincingly, “Mr. Rogue likes me and saved my life, but there’s nothing more between us; I swear it. The real war is an old one between them and they’re putting me in the middle of it. If you get rid of Rogue, I’ll be at Martin Ferris’s mercy. If I fight Mr. Ferris, he might learn who I am and use it against me. Please, Curly, let this one pass; I beg you. You can get Rogue another day in another town when I’m not involved. He’ll be leaving here soon.”

  She dropped the disturbing subject for a time to ease her worries on another subject. “Is Darby laying low or working?” she asked. If the gang didn’t stay on the opposite side of the neighboring territory, their presence could endanger her. Darby had promised not to come near Arizona Territory. She hoped he kept his word.

  The blond eyed her intently. “Mostly layin’ low. You want me to take him a message when I leave here?” he offered.