Passions Wild And Free

by Janelle Taylor

  “If the Texas Rangers hadn’t been disbanded after the war, those villains wouldn’t be murdering and plundering today. That was a stupid mistake on the law’s part. I’d be willing to bet a stack of money they’ll be reinstated as soon as everyone gets tired of criminals eluding justice. And the Army certainly isn’t doing anything. We have forts north, east, and south of here, and not a one of them is trying to capture that gang. They act like it’s a civilian problem and they’re not in Texas to protect us. I realize these outlaws are terrible; but if people don’t band together against them, they’ll own and control this entire area. As to detectives, we read where several had taken the case, only to give it up after a few weeks or.months. Those villains manage to cow nearly everybody.” When the man simply stared at her, she reminded him, “You showed me those stories, remember?”

  Brody had shown Randee those stories to terrify and discourage her. Instead, they had only made her more determined to fight this battle. “The Epson Gang is large, too big and mean for even a posse to tangle with, much less two people and one of those being a halfgrown woman. You’ve seen and heard what those bandits do. If they catch you two tailing them, they’ll take you apart with great pleasure, after they keep you around for a while to entertain them. This isn’t a game, Dee; it’s a serious and deadly business,” he warned.

  Randee almost corrected Sheriff Brody Wade for the seemingly hundredth time for calling her by his chosen nickname, especially when he said it with such passionate emotion as he was using again today. Just under six feet tall, Brody was’ a nice-looking man with brown eyes and hair. For several years he had been the sheriff of Wadesville, a town named after his father. Rumor claimed that “Old Man Wade” had lost his wits during the war between the North and the South while Brody was off fighting for the Confederacy. By the time Brody made it home, his parents were dead and his inheritance was gone.

  Brody had offered to buy the Carson ranch or help her find men to run it for her if she chose to keep it, which would be hard because she was such a young woman. Randee had not told Sheriff Wade she couldn’t sell Lee Carson’s ranch because her mother was undoubtedly the legal heir, and Randee didn’t want anyone here learning about Kansas and Dee Carson Hollis Slade. Besides, there was no livestock left to handle. If she hired men to watch over the place and to keep it from falling into disrepair, she could be placing their lives in jeopardy when the bandits returned for another surprise assault. She also hadn’t told Brody that she suspected that robbery was not the only reason behind the gang’s malevolent actions, if theft was a reason at all. Since everyone and every place was being threatened and destroyed by this hit-and-hide gang, it looked more like an insidious land-grab to her. It seemed that someone wanted all of central West Texas and was using the Epson Gang to clear the land. But who and why? she wondered. Since it was so much land to claim and control, perhaps a group of men were involved. She could not voice her opinion aloud, or she might unsuspectingly alert a clever boss to her knowledge. Then she would be in worse peril than being a sole survivor. If she could uncover the real motive and leader, the paid attacks would cease. A cunning, fearless, talented gunslinger was exactly who she needed for an assistant. She needed a man who knew this territory and …

  Brody’s words cut into her rambling thoughts, “It’s too dangerous. You can’t go, Dee,” he told her matterof-factly. “If necessary to keep you from such impulsiveness—and protect this town against trouble—I’ll lock you up until you clear your wits and forget this nonsense.”

  Randee’s shocked expression was quickly mastered. She grinned and replied, “You can’t stop me, Brody; besides, I have an appointment with the dressmaker and I’m late. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Without allowing him time to respond, she hurriedly departed, forget ting her drawstring bag on his desk.

  As she was rushing past the saloon, she gathered up her skirts and gingerly picked a path across the uneven sidewalk boards and around patches of tobacco spittle. Suddenly, the double doors swung open and a playfully scuffling couple bumped into her, causing her to topple off the boardwalk into the dirt street. Instantly the man scooped her up, dusted her off, and rapidly apologized for the accident. At that moment, Randee was flustered, distracted, and annoyed.

  Randee slapped at his swiftly moving hands and told him, “Stop it! I can brush myself off. Just look at my dress! It’s filthy, and I’m already late for an appointment. If you aren’t more careful in the future, you’ll injure someone badly” As she straightened her attire, she muttered, “Any decent man would be home working at this time of day, not playing around in …” Randee lifted her head, allowing them to view each other for the first time, and halted her scolding.

  For a moment, as their gazes locked, both were silent and still. Realizing the victim was the woman that Sheriff Wade was interested in, the nervous saloon girl returned to work to avoid getting into trouble with the smitten lawman. But neither Randee nor the man noticed her hasty retreat.

  It was almost one o’clock, and very few people were on the street. Those who were around went on about their business and paid little heed to them. Randee Hollis and the black-clad stranger continued to size up. each other as he politely assisted her back to the covered boardwalk and out of the brilliant sun.

  He was the first to speak. “I’m sorry, miss. You’re right, I was being mighty careless. I just got into town and I’ve been riding hard and long for days. I guess I’m too tired to think clearly. Are you hurt?”

  “I’m fine, thank you,” Randee replied, hoping her voice wasn’t trembling like her body was. Had she ever seen any man so appealing? she asked herself, then answered negatively. His ebony hair was sleek and shiny, and his attentive eyes were light blue, like a crystal clear stream. He was darkly tanned and splendidly built. His black shirt was unbuttoned to his heart, and she had trouble pulling her gaze from that tanned hair-covered area. She had the wildest urge to snatch off his dark bandanna and wave it beneath her nose, as she was certain it carried the same delightful manly scent which her tingling nose detected on that virile six-foot-two frame. Obviously he had been in town long enough to have a bath and to change clothes, and his pattern of priorities pleased her. His features— brows, nose, lips—were all full and noticeable, but not too large. As if he hadn’t shaved today, his face was stubbled with dark hair. It gave him a mysterious and sensual look, which she found most provocative. “I suppose one shouldn’t get angry and rude over an accident, but it does present a problem for me. Either I go to my appointment like this, or I make myself late by returning home to change clothes,” she mused aloud as she removed her lopsided bonnet to correct its angle and tuck in her long hair.

  “You’re a little rumpled and dusty, but you still look mighty pretty to me.” No, he mentally corrected himself, she was beautiful, despite the visible scar on her cheek and the mussed hair which tumbled over her shoulders. “You can’t go around with a dirty face, so the least I can do is clean it off a mite.” He removed his bandanna and wiped at the nonexistent smudges, enjoying his little ruse. Judging by her coloring, she spent a great deal of time outdoors, and that conclusion caught his interest. Her skin was as soft as a baby’s and she smelled wonderful. He liked the way her green eyes seemed to glow with various emotions and thoughts, a glow which created a gnawing hunger in his loins. Her natural smile and laughter combined with her alluring gaze to increase his warmth and intrigue. As she stood there like an obedient and trusting child, he wondered, was she a lady or a vixen, or a little of both?

  When he was finished wiping her face, Randee finger-combed her hair and tried to slow her racing pulse. This man had a very stimulating and disturbing touch, but she shouldn’t be allowing a stranger such contact with her body. As she was tying the ribbons to her bonnet, Randee’s gaze explored this compelling man further. She observed how he wore his gunbelt secured snugly below his waist and his holsters strapped to wellmuscled thighs. She recalled how quickly, fluidly, and purposefully he had moved. He
looked as if he were totally relaxed, but she detected constant alertness in his gaze and stance. Every noise or movement briefly captured his probing gaze, yet, he appeared to be only casually glancing at his surroundings. Despite his easygoing façade, his constant guard also had been noticeable in his taut muscles when she had accepted his arm earlier. He was a gunslinger, she decided, but a most unexpected one. Of course, she reasoned, his geniality and warmth and manners could be faked traits which masked a cold and brutal nature. She had seen pictures of handsome gunmen and outlaws, and heard of ones who were pleasant and friendly until provoked. She could not help but wonder how this man would react to a threat or a challenge. What turned a man like this into a hard and tough loner, into a dangerous guntoting peril?

  The ebony-haired man observed how this female was watching him, studying him, and perhaps enticing him. He was baffled, and delighted by her receptive attention. He saw her lift her green gaze and settle it on his whisker-rough face. She looked as if she were trying to penetrate some dark, strong barrier, as if she were trying to see into his head and heart. Heart? What a curious word to come to mind! His heart had been dull ever since the first raid thirteen months ago. Besides, a man who lived by his guns shouldn’t be thinking about pretty young ladies. Even if she was tempting him, he didn’t have time to accept her offer and enjoy her. He had a job to do; he had been sent here to find a man and halt his threat.

  Randee pondered offering this man a position as her assistant, or at least discussing a partnership with him. She did not have to ask herself if he could do the job; he exuded prowess. But could he be trusted? Would he be receptive? Manageable? Dare she approach him about her scheme? Would he laugh? Think her crazy or wild? He appeared nice and kind, but first impressions— particularly skillfully controlled ones— could be deceiving and hazardous.

  “Do you need me to escort you home, miss?” he asked, seeing that she wore no wedding ring. She appeared strangely hesitant, and he wondered what was whirling around inside that lovely head. “I have some important business to handle with the sheriff.”

  She mused, a gunslinger needing to see the sheriff? Could it be that he was here about her job? She would know soon. Even so, he had to be questioned, studied, and tested. Randee eyed him up and down, then replied, “No thanks.”

  The man pulled his hat from its resting place on his back, positioned it, tipped it, and walked away. Randee turned and let her gaze follow him into Brody Wade’s office. She smiled, knowing she had an excuse to return to the jail, in case she was caught eavesdropping.

  She sneaked to the door just as the stranger was saying, “I’m looking for a man named Randee Hollis. The note in the paper said to ask for him here. I’m interested in the job he’s offering.” Randee’s heart pounded with excitement and pleasure. At last, a real man.

  Brody looked the man over and replied brusquely, “There isn’t a job, mister. It was all a mistake. I think it’s best if you …”

  Randee stepped into the small office and interrupted Brody. “The mistake is on your part, Sheriff Wade, and the job is still available.” She met the stranger’s gaze and announced calmly, “I’m Randee Hollis, and the offer is genuine, if you’re qualified to fill it.”

  The man had sensed a presence behind him, but a non-threatening one, so he had ignored it. He knew the girl on the street had just left this room because her fragrance still lingered in the air. “You’re Randee Hollis?” he asked with surprise, then saw her smile and nod. “I was expecting a man, not a pretty girl. The paper said it was to help track down the Epson Gang. I’ll be glad to do the job, Miss Hollis, but alone.”

  Randee was vexed by his gaze and tone. Moments ago he hadn’t been looking at her like she was a … little girl! She thought she had found her man, but obviously she was mistaken. “I’m afraid that isn’t possible. I know this task is very dangerous, but it’s important to me to carry it out. The job pays five thousand dollars to help me locate and destroy that vicious gang, not do it on your own. I have to be there every step of the way or it’s no deal.”

  The man glanced at the sheriff, then back at Randee. “You must be kidding, woman. This isn’t something for a female to attempt, not even with the help of a large posse.”

  Randee scoffed, “If I had wanted to hire a posse, sir, I would have done so. If you know anything about this situation, then you’re aware that no force—Army, detectives, marshals, posses, and the like—will take on the Epson Gang. Well, I will! So what difference does it make if your boss is a woman? I was reared on a ranch; I can ride, shoot, rope, and track better, than most men, maybe even better than you. Those bandits aren’t perfect; they’ll make a mistake soon and I’ll be on their tails to take advantage of it. I know I can pull off this task, but I doubt you’re man enough to assist me.”

  The man grinned at her provocative challenge. “Do you know how big and clever and mean that gang is? You take off after them and they’ll gobble you up like a tasty treat and think nothing of it. If you’re so smart, Miss Hollis, you’ll go back home before you get hurt.”

  Randee locked forceful stares with the gunslinger, a curious anger building higher and higher within her. It infuriated her to know this man would have bedded her, but was refusing to take her mission seriously. Flames of fury danced wildly in her narrowed eyes. Her jaw was clenched, and her body was taut. She vowed confidently, “I’m not afraid of the Epson Gang; I’m only afraid of what will happen if they aren’t stopped. If you’re so scared, why did you answer my summons?”

  Randee failed to notice a subtle change in the man’s mood, gaze, and stance. His softened tone reasoned, “Anyone with brains should be afraid of that bloodthirsty outfit, ‘cause it’s walking death. Why are you so keen on killing them yourself?”

  “I have my reasons, which I’ll explain only to my partner.”

  The man cleverly taunted, “The sheriff was right; this is a silly mistake. You’ve wasted my time and energy, woman. I’m not taking any pint-size crusader on a crazy manhunt.”

  Randee caught the playful gleam in those ice-blue eyes which said, “Convince me.” She calmed her voice, and collected her wits and poise. Gluing her gaze to his, she replied, “That suits me fine, sir, because I might not want to hire you. Besides, I haven’t tested you. I need a special man for this job, one who’s brave, smart, and fearless. I need a man I won’t have to worry about betraying me or disappointing me, a man who knows this territory better than the Indians, a man who uses guns better than he wears them, a man who can store his pride and take orders from a woman. I don’t need a man who makes fun of me and who doesn’t take this matter seriously.”

  “You’re not asking for much, are you?” he teased.

  “On the contrary, I’m demanding a great deal for my money. My survival and success will depend on my partner, just as his will depend on me. I have to hire the best, only the best,” she emphasized. “You aren’t the first man who’s wanted this job, and it isn’t yours for the asking. I’m not a fool, sir; I don’t plan to take off into the wilds with a man I doubt.” She retrieved her purse, smiled at Brody, and said, “I left too quickly and forgot this. Then, some careless beast stumbled out of the saloon, knocked me down, and ruined my clothes. Now I’m terribly late for my appointment.” She returned her gaze to the gunslinger and said, “If you’re interested in the job, meet me in the hotel lobby in an hour so we can discuss it. If you like, you can test me, and of course I’ll have to test you.”

  “What do you mean by ‘test’ me?”

  “I need to see how well you can use a pistol and rifle, how you ride and rope, what you know about this area; see if you understand the criminal mind, if you panic under fire. You know, how you handle yourself and if you’re qualified for the job. It’s very simple.”

  The blue-eyed man shook his head and said, “I’m afraid I don’t think this job is simple or for real. It sound more like a girlish game to me. What makes you think you can hunt down the Epson Gang?”

&nbs
p; Randee parried, “What makes you think you can hunt down the Epson Gang? If you didn’t want or need help and money, you wouldn’t be here. You would be on their trail this very moment, alone like you prefer. I know I’m capable of going on this mission, but you’ll have to prove to me that you are.” She added, “Unless you’re a member of the Epson Gang and you’re here to put me six feet under.”

  The man scowled at her bad joke. “I’m here because I thought Randee Hollis was a man, a rich man looking for adventure, one who needed a guide and protection for his undertaking. I’m not sure I can work for a female with that same idea.”

  Randee shrugged and said, “Think it over; you have one hour. I plan to leave within two days, whether I hire you or not.”

  “Dee! You can’t do this,” Brody protested, “Darn it all, you’ll get yourself killed. I swear it, Dee, I’ll lock you up before I let you ride out of town alone.”

  Randee frowned and retorted, “You have no legal grounds to arrest or to hold me, Brody Wade. You know that I have to do this, and you can’t stop me. You just told me I can unintentionally lure the Epson Gang here if they learn about my survival. I won’t risk bringing them down on you and this town. I’m leaving by Friday and that’s that! Good-bye, I’m late.” Quickly, Randee left the office once more.

  The stranger and the sheriff watched her departure. “Did she mean she’s a survivor of an’ Epson Gang raid?” the stranger asked.

  “Yep, and it’s filled her head with crazy ideas of catching them. Don’t go along with her reckless scheme; it’ll get you both killed. And if you try to dupe her or fob her or harm her, I’ll chase you down to hell and back. Understand?” Brody demanded coldly.

  The man ignored Brody’s warning, but caught his meaning. “I haven’t heard anything about a witness. Why haven’t wanted posters been printed up with their descriptions, and rewards set? And what’s she doing running around loose? Those bandits will want her badly.”