T.J. gently refused, “When we get to the house in Waco, I’ll wash you from head to toe, woman, but it’s too dangerous on the trail. I want you to take a nap and gather some energy before we pull out. Mind me, and I’ll prop you up in the wagon for our afternoon ride.”
She was exhausted, so she didn’t battle him with foolish words. She stretched out on the bedroll he spread for her and closed her eyes.
T.J. saw the dust cloud down the road and knew someone was coming. He glanced at the sleeping Carrie Sue and didn’t want to disturb her yet. He slipped to his horse, untied Nighthawk’s reins, and headed in that direction to ward off any visitor to the wagon.
It was William Ferguson. “What is it, Bill? You were to catch the stage Thursday.”
“How is Carrie Sue?” the newspaper man asked.
“She’s doing fine, just tired and sleeping. What’s up?” he pressed.
The excited man revealed, “Good news, Thad. Her pardons came through today. When the telegrams arrived for you, the man brought them to me because he knew you had been staying at my house and I was seeing you soon. It has to be a stroke of good fortune for them to arrive on the same morning, and before you’re out of this area.”
“From whom?” the shocked lawman asked.
“The President and Governor Hubbard. It seems our reports and pleas had a profound effect on them. What will you tell the Rangers about this death ruse?” Ferguson inquired.
T.J. shoved his hat to his shoulders and ran his fingers through his damp hair. “I don’t have any idea, Bill. I didn’t give it any thought when I believed they weren’t going to pardon her. To be honest, it didn’t bother me as much when I thought they’d never learn I’d lied to them, but now they’ll know the truth. Either I have to keep pretending she’s dead, or I have to confess what I’ve done. You know what that means. I broke the law by faking the death of a fugitive so she could escape justice, so they could bring charges against me.”
Ferguson reminded him, “But if you clear up this mess, then neither of you will have to go into hiding. Her name will be cleared. You won’t have to run away.”
“I still plan to head for Montana. We’re both too well known here to have a real chance at a fresh start. Lordy, man, why couldn’t this pardon have come through last week, or before she was shot?”
“Maybe you should read those telegrams,” Ferguson hinted. “I hope you don’t mind my opening them, but I figured if they were important, you needed to know immediately.”
T.J. smiled and said, “You did the right thing, Bill.” He read them and scowled. The wire from the Governor of Texas said reports on the evidence had been sent to him and he was requesting that the court go light on Darby Stover and his men, since all the charges against them weren’t true, especially those violent killings and raids which the Harding gang had pulled off as a frame. Too, there were mitigating circumstances for Darby and his men becoming and remaining outlaws. With King Fisher, the Stover Gang, and Harding and his men halted, people would feel more comfortable about the law going lenient on the Stovers. Both telegrams said that official papers were enroute by mail, but wires had been sent to the Ranger Headquarters in Waco. Both men were particularly impressed with Carrie Sue Stover and affected by T.J.’s love for her.
Ferguson agreed, “People will be glad to have all of those villains taken off the roads. They’ll be delighted to learn that Darby Stover wasn’t responsible for those terrible crimes. Folks have always liked him; he’s a colorful legend in this area.”
T.J. concurred, “Yeah, but that doesn’t help me with my situation.”
Ferguson suggested, “Why don’t you get the President to say the death ruse was his idea until he could decide on her pardon? Who would say anything bad against him? Or hold you to blame? He’s going out of office soon and has nothing more to lose, but you do.”
T.J. argued, “But that means I’ll have to tell him I lied. He’ll lose all respect for me. One thing he knew was that he could trust me.”
Ferguson reasoned, “Which is more important, Thad, his respect or you two going free?”
T.J. considered his words. He realized that was the only path to take. “It’s best if I ‘fess up and take any punishment coming my way.”
Ferguson said, “Carrie Sue is going to be surprised and pleased when she hears this news.”
T.J. informed him, “I can’t tell her any time soon because she hasn’t made up her mind about me yet. If she learns she’s free to come and go as she chooses, there’s no telling what that woman will do. She’s still upset with me, so I don’t want her taking off and doing something foolish or dangerous. I need for her to think she has to stay in hiding. Otherwise, she’ll be at the court every day. I don’t want her witnessing what happens to her brother, in case things don’t go well with him.”
Ferguson looked worried. “You’ve been honest with her lately, son. If I were you, I wouldn’t risk deceiving her again.”
“Lordy, man, do you know how headstrong that vixen is? I can’t imagine what she’ll do when she finds out she’s been pardoned.”
“I know, Thad. But you know what she’ll do later when she discovers you’ve tricked her again.”
Reluctantly T.J. admitted the older man was right. “Lordy, this thing called love is complicated. I guess I’m learning about it the wrong way because I keep making stupid mistakes with her. As soon as I find the best time, I’ll tell her about the pardon.”
Ferguson said he had to get back to San Angelo to complete his paper and business before packing and heading for Waco to cover the end of this fascinating story.
“You know where we’ll be. Look us up when you arrive.” T.J. gave the man a message to wire to President Grant, and T.J. prayed that the country’s leader would understand his motive and forgive him.
Ferguson mounted and departed. T.J. returned to camp. While his love finished her nap, the lawman contemplated the requirements which Grant had placed on her pardon…
When the redhead awakened, T.J. made her comfortable in the wagon and they continued their journey.
On Tuesday while they were camped, to distract her from her tension and discomfort, T.J. told Carrie Sue about Waco in the midst of the fertile and lovely Brazos River Valley. It was a town known for its cattle, cotton, corn, and culture: the four “C’s.” He explained how the town’s cold springs had been popular with the Waco Indians and how the Ranger fort had been constructed there in ‘37. He spoke of the beautiful and prosperous plantations which had lined the river before the war, estates which had fallen greatly when the plantation economy had collapsed and the population had scattered. But, he said, renewed western movement following the war and the Chisholm Trail had brought new life into Waco, referred to as “Six-shooter Junction.” He talked of Fort Fisher, Texas Ranger headquarters in this area, the place to where he reported after each mission. He mentioned the nation’s largest suspension bridge across the Brazos River, built in ’70 and rivaled by none in America.
When Carrie Sue’s eyes glowed and she said she wanted to see all those wondrous sights, T.J..told her that maybe she could when this predicament was settled. He intended to wait until reaching Waco and getting the official papers and word before telling her about the pardon, which proved a wise decision.
On Wednesday night after they camped, they talked about their pasts, separately and together. Carrie Sue realized what good and gentle care he was taking of her. He had not pressed her romantically, nor had he argued with her or tried to browbeat her into thinking his way. He appeared to be giving her the time she had requested. Often along the way, he had halted at farms, ranches, or small towns to purchase hot meals for them, while she remained hidden in the coffin until they were out of sight and camped. He made certain she had nourishing food and plenty of rest, and that the journey wasn’t too demanding on her condition. The longer she was with him, the harder it was to fault him for the necessary deceit.
She said, “You’ve been good to me, T.
J., and I’m grateful. I’m feeling better every day, and it’s because of your generous care.”
He smiled at her relaxed air tonight. Her color and mood were improved. “I owed you, woman. I love you and you saved my life.”
She placed her coffee cup aside and said, “Not really. Darby wouldn’t have killed you or let his men murder you.”
T.J. refuted in a tender tone, “Don’t stay blinded by love and loyalty to him, Carrie Sue. We both know Darby would have killed me because he thought he had to. That’s why I had to end this matter; I had to stop him from doing things he didn’t want to do but felt he had to in order to survive. I think he’s glad I stopped him.”
Carrie Sue tried not to be miffed with him because his answer was an honest one, even though it pained her deeply to admit the truth. “How was my brother when you last saw him?”
T.J. leaned against the wagon spokes. “Actually he was very calm, relieved, I must say. I think he’s resigned himself to serving his time and starting over one day with a clean slate. At least he isn’t furious with me anymore. He knows why I completed my mission before taking off with you to parts unknown. I believe your brother likes me and trusts me, even if you don’t, my fickle vixen.”
“I am not fickle,” she retorted.
“What do you call it when a woman loves you in sunny weather but not during a storm?” he jested.
“This was more than a simple storm, T.J. Rogue. I mean, Thad.”
“Exactly what was it, Carrie Sue?” he asked seriously.
She scoffed, “It was your damned deceit, Mr. Ranger!”
His gaze fused with hers. “Yep, one I was sworn to carry out long before I met a distracting spitfire who turned my life and guts inside out and seared them good. Tell me something, you feisty little wildcat, what would you think of me if I had turned my back on my duty and become an outlaw just for you?”
“I didn’t want you to become an outlaw. I didn’t want my brother to be an outlaw. I didn’t want to be an outlaw. What’s your point?”
“Then, what was an honest lawman supposed to do, woman? Let you go your merry way and get killed because you loved your brother too much to betray him? Let the Stover Gang continue their raids when I knew I could get to them and stop them? Was I suppose to look the other way to keep from hurting you? Was I suppose to forget I knew you, which was damned impossible? Should I have forgotten the law and my duty, the promises to my friends and superiors? Could I allow more innocent people to suffer or die like my brother’s family, Miss Starns, and that Ranger when I had a way to halt any future deaths? Surely you of all people can understand loyalty, desperation, and love. Look what you’ve done because of them.”
T.J. seized her hand and compelled her gaze to his while he asked, “Tell me, Carrie Sue, if you had been in my place, what would you have done differently to solve this case without damaging our relationship? I did everything within my power to protect you and to save your life and Darby’s. He’s alive today because I used you to capture him. He has one of the best lawyers in Texas defending him. I gathered evidence to go in his favor and yours. I offered the President, the Governor, and the Rangers anything in exchange for your pardon. If you had been in my position, if you had met me and fallen in love with me after you were on this same trail to justice and revenge, what would you have done to end this matter while retaining your self-respect and mine? If you can honestly say you would have done anything differently, then I’ll set you free as soon as you’re fully recovered and I’ll never trouble you again. Don’t answer me now, just think about it.”
Chapter Twenty-five
Carrie Sue had not answered T.J.’s question the night before, but she had given the matter serious consideration all morning as they traveled. She had to admit he was right. If he had done any less, she would not have respected him, nor would he have respected himself. He was a man of considerable honor and conscience, a good man, a strong and dependable one. She had spent more than a week nearly alone with him. They had talked many times on various subjects. No one could have done more for her than T.J. had.
It was evident to the redhead that Thad Jamison loved her and wanted her understanding. It was clear that he had done all in his power to help her and Darby. It was also undeniable that he could not have carried out his actions any differently for all concerned. He had taken big risks to protect her. She knew his mind must be in turmoil over betraying his friends, superiors, and his duty, all to save her. He was turning his back on all of them so she could be happy and free, and become his wife. Yes, she admitted, he had done his duty many times over to everyone, including her.
Both had been quiet all morning during their ride, and she knew why. Both were entrapped by deep thought and warring emotions. They had fallen in love, but were confronting serious problems. Both wanted a future together, a bright and happy fresh start. But if she couldn’t forgive him, he—as vowed—would release her soon. She knew that that was not what she wanted and needed; Thad Jamison was.
At William’s and along the way, they had been uneasy around each other, fearing to reach out, fearing to trust each other and themselves, but fearing not to do so. The strain had been tough on them, something they needed to end before they could make a new beginning. Each knew what a refusal of understanding and forgiveness would cost them. False pride and stubbornness had to be cast aside. They needed to relax, to reform their bond.
They reached the outskirts of Waco late that afternoon. Carrie Sue was concealed in the coffin one last time. T.J. drove the wagon to the house which Hank Peterson had rented for them. When they arrived, the ex-Ranger was waiting there and helped T.J. unload.
Inside the small house, T.J. removed the lid and assisted Carrie Sue out of the wooden box. He sat her in a chair and smiled, a loving and tender smile, which warmed her from head to foot.
Hank said, “I think I have everything here you need, Thad. But if I overlooked something, I’m staying at the Merry Hotel.” The man grinned as he thought of the happy news in his possession, but he would let his friend reveal it to Carrie Sue. When he had agreed to this daring ruse, somehow he had known the pardon would come through and dismiss them of guilt. He hadn’t been able to allow this woman to go to prison or be hanged for mistakes in her past, mostly in her misguided and embittered youth. She-hadn’t wanted that vile existence and had tried to escape it many times. Carrie Sue Stover was worth saving and helping. Yet, if he had still been a Ranger, he couldn’t have aided Thad with this illegal deception. Currently, he was only a private citizen, a good friend, and a romantic at heart.
Just as those last words traveled through Hank’s mind, Carrie Sue asked, “Why are you doing this, Hank? It’s against the law, I’m sure.”
Hank sent her a genial smile. “Because I’m a darn fool, Carrie Sue, and Thad’s my best friend. He wouldn’t ask me to help him pull this off if it wasn’t vital to his survival. I know you two love each other, and I know this is the right thing for me to do. I guess you could say the law sometimes needs a helping hand to make the right decision. For certain, I couldn’t let you hang or go to prison, and I couldn’t let Thad’s life be ruined because of mistakes you were forced to commit long ago. You deserve another chance, Carrie Sue, and Thad deserves happiness. This was the only way to make both happen.”
A radiant smile crossed her face and settled in her periwinkle eyes, eyes brightened by unshed tears of joy and gratitude. Those emotions were revealed in her voice when she replied, “Thank you; this is one of the nicest things anybody’s ever done for me. I’ll make certain you’re never exposed because I wouldn’t want you getting into trouble over me. I hope you don’t mind if I consider you my friend, too.”
The man responded with ease and verity, “I’d see it as an honor, Carrie Sue. I’m glad to see you survived your accident. Thad’s telegram sounded a bit panicky when I got the news.”
Carrie Sue glanced at T.J. and smiled. To show her lover she was relaxing and relenting, the redhead jested,
“That’s because my sneaky partner went to such trouble and pains to capture me.”
T.J.’s heart fluttered wildly at her softened gaze and tone. He playfully retorted, “Only because my impulsive vixen went to such trouble and pains to thwart me. But I was determined not to give up hope. I needed a wife real bad to straighten me out and you’re the only woman who’s been able and willing to tolerate me and my craziness.”
They all laughed. Then, Carrie Sue replied mirthfully, “Only because I had no choice, my sly and domineering partner.”
“Right now, woman, I’m issuing another order. You need to hop into bed and take a nap. If you want to collect on that favor I promised you, you’ll need lots of strength.”
Carrie Sue blushed as she wondered how the word “favor” struck Hank Peterson. “If you renege on my bath, I’ll pitch a tantrum.”
Hank laughed and said, “I need to get moving so you can rest. I’ll see you tomorrow, Carrie Sue. You want me to stable that team and her horse at the livery?” he asked his friend.
“That would be a big help, Hank. I’ll keep Nighthawk here. Just let me fetch the rest of our things from the wagon.” He looked at Carrie Sue and said, “Stay in that chair, woman. I’ll be right back and help you into bed. I don’t want you falling and hurting yourself.”
Outside, Hank passed the official pardon papers to Thad Jamison. “I’ll sit with her tomorrow afternoon while you go to headquarters and straighten out this situation. I kept my mouth shut because I figured you’d want to tell her the good news. There’s a telegram in there from President Grant; you might want to read it before you decide what to do. Oh, yes, there’s food in the warming oven over the stove.”
Kiss Of The Night Wind Page 48