Passions Wild And Free

by Janelle Taylor

  “I have a wicked reputation, Miss Hollis. If I lose my earnings for any reason, I’ll have to take payment out of your pretty hide.”

  Randee laughed. “What recourse do I have if you do a lousy job?”

  Marsh didn’t realize his eyes were glowing as he replied, “Same as mine; take it out on me any way you please.”

  Randee caught his provocative meaning and saw the look of desire in those enticing blue eyes. His pattern of breathing told her that he was aroused by her and his own suggestive statement. The tension between them stimulated her, and she wondered if her eyes were as telltale as his were. His large strong hands were lying more than halfway across the table. She wondered if they could be as gentle as they were strong, if they could drive a woman mindless with pleasure. She wanted to slip her hands into his and savor his touch.

  Marsh was taken with Randee too. He pondered how it would feel to have her in his arms, that sunny head lying against his chest or those green eyes fusing with his, his fingers drifting up and down her arms or back, their passions steadily heightening … . He could imagine lying in the grass with her, near a pond or river, gazing up into a peaceful blue sky or a starfilled night, listening to the sounds of nature and inhaling its scents, laughing, talking, making love . …

  He shook his head and smiled guiltily, knowing she read the signs of his mounting desire. She didn’t smile or frown as she tried not to give herself away. “Back to business,” he teased. “Your offer’s fine except for one point; I’ll need extra money up front to buy you a horse and saddle. Since the Epson Gang always steals the stock and burns the barns, I presume you don’t have either one. I’ll get them for you in another town to preserve that secrecy I mentioned. After you make your withdrawal, we’ll walk past each other on the sidewalk and you can slip the money into my hand. I’ll leave today, then you head out by stage on Thursday. Make sure you get enough money to cover a ticket to Dodge City. I’ll be waiting for you at one of the relay stations along the way. If we run into trouble passing along the money, I’ll come to your room at midnight.”

  Randee inquired, “Why the sneaky behavior and separate schedules? Why Dodge City?”

  “Because the stage only runs north on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even if it wasn’t too late today, it’d look suspicious for both of us to leave on the same day. It’s probably common knowledge that you’re a witness and you’ve been trying to hire a man, or men, to ride down the Epson Gang. If we’re put together as a threat, it’ll endanger both of us and our mission. It has to appear as if you’ve given up and left town for a while. People have to think you’re on your way by stage “ to Dodge City to catch the train to visit kin somewhere. We also need everyone to believe I think you’re crazy, and I left. Just so Sheriff Wade doesn’t get worried or suspicious, tell him you’ll come back to him in about a month. Convince him of this tale, Randee, or he’ll trail us and intrude.” He added, “It might help our cause if we have a few nasty words in public after you pass the money to me. Another thing, store all your clothes except for what you need and can use on the trail. I’ll get out of Wadesville by dusk. Tomorrow, I’ll find you a good horse and saddle Then. Thursday I’ll pick you up somewhere.”

  When Randee didn’t reply, Marsh finally asked, “Are you afraid I’m trying to weasel you out of four hundred dollars? Afraid I won’t meet you along the road? Or have you changed your mind about going?”

  “That wasn’t what I was thinking about. I was deciding what story to make up to keep Brody off our trail. I’m seeing him for supper, so I’ll get it over with tonight. I’ll take care of. everything else tomorrow. But I’ll give you five hundred dollars because I want a good horse and a comfortable saddle.. If you’ve spent as much time on your horse as I’ve spent on mine, you know what I mean, Mr. Logan.”

  Marsh chuckled and nodded. “I’ll go out the back way so we won’t be seen together. After you leave the bank, I’ll bump into you, so have the money folded tightly in your hand. From now on, any conversation between us needs to be hostile, understand?”

  “Perfectly, Mr. Logan. As for you, stay out of gunfights and any trouble with the law. I’ll see you at one of the depots. Thanks for joining me, Marsh; I’m glad you let me change your mind.”

  “Did you ever truly doubt you wouldn’t win me over?” he jested.

  “Honestly?” she queried. He nodded. She grinned and admitted, “Yes, very big doubts. See you around, Durango.” She stood, smiled, and left. To give her partner time to get into position, Randee slowly crossed the dirt street and headed toward the bank along the plankway.

  Marsh quickly departed by the back door, slipped past several buildings, and entered the rear of a saddlery shop. He casually looked around as he watched the bank through the windows. Randee walked slower than he did, so she came into sight shortly. Minutes after she entered the building across the street, three men rode up and dismounted. It was almost five o’clock, closing time for the bank. Marsh watched the way those men checked out their surroundings, and he knew what was about to take place, with Randee inside … .

  Chapter Three

  While the teller was placing her sealed note of instructions in the safe with her ten-thousand-dollar deposit, Randee folded the five hundred dollars for Marsh and stuffed it into her bodice, deciding she could retrieve it and pass it along more quickly that way. The hundred dollars for her stage ticket and expenses until she joined her partner was placed inside her drawstring purse. She was about to leave when two men entered and warned, “This is a holdup. Be quiet and nobody gits hurt.” She was pushed roughly into a corner by one of the men while the other one gave orders to the stocky teller.

  As the teller followed instructions, the bandit near Randee seized her arm and jerked her toward him. “You stand real close in case somebody comes in and tries to stop us. We got us a pretty hostage, Billy Joe. Maybe we oughta take her with us for a spell.”

  Randee looked at the man who was holding her. Tobacco juice trickled down the deep crevice beside his mouth. His brows were bushy, and his face was splotched by the sun and bad health. His hair was dirty and uncombed, his breath was foul. She knew his clothes hadn’t been washed in weeks; neither had his body. He was a sorry, repulsive sight. Randee glared at him and yanked her arm.free of his loose grip.

  “I don’t think she likes me, Billy Joe,” he joked.

  “Don’t fool with her, Luther. We’ll git us plenty of gals later. We ain’t got no time to waste. Hurry up, mister, or I’ll plug you good.”

  “What you got in this little purse, girlie?” Luther asked and grabbed it off her wrist. Randee struggled with him for its possession. The annoyed outlaw knocked her sideways to the floor and shouted, “Lay still, girlie, or you won’t like what I give you.” He fumbled with the drawstring, loosened it, and dumped her things on the floor.

  Randee unthinkingly reached for the money, but the man kicked her arm away. She squealed in pain and cradled her arm, rubbing the minor injury. She scolded herself for being so foolish. If rashly provoked, these unstable men could kill her and the teller. It was wiser for her to shut up and be still.

  Luther snatched up the bills and grinned, “You’re worth more’n I thought, girlie. Looka here, Billy Joe, another hundred dollars.”

  Merchants were preparing to close for the day, and most customers had left the stores. Families in or around town were busy with evening meals and chores. The street was nearly deserted, an excellent time for a holdup.

  Eyeing the man standing guard at the bank door, Marsh was deciding on a course of action when the saddler stammered nervously, “I’m s-s-sorry, sir, b-but it’s cl-closing time. Can you come back to-morrow?”

  Marsh glanced at the slender man, whose eyes held the same look of timidity as the hotel clerk’s. He smiled and ordered, “Go out the back door and be very quiet. Warn the sheriff there’s a robbery going on. See that man at the bank door? There are two more inside. I’ll try to slow them down while you get Sheriff Wade. First, I n
eed your rifle from beneath the counter” he said, knowing all merchants concealed weapons for protection, even those who were too scared to pull and use a gun.

  The man peered across the street, then looked at the black-clad gunman beside him. He appeared too frightened to move.

  Marsh teased, “If your money’s in that bank, mister, you best fetch the law pronto, or it’ll be riding off with those outlaws. I need help, man. Be quick and fetch the sheriff.”

  Logan’s smile and pleasant manner dispelled the man’s fears and hesitation. Nodding, he hurried off to do as Marsh ordered.

  Marsh quickly checked his guns and the rifle. There would be no time for reloading or cocking hammers. He had to make each of the three shots count. The moment those other two men showed themselves, he had to fire the rifle, toss it aside, and draw and fire his two pistols. He had simultaneously taken on this many men before, but it was different this time for two reasons: First, they could bring Randee out with them to use for cover. If so, he needed to be swifter and more accurate than ever. Second, he was wearing singleaction Colts—like the real Durango Kid wore—which had to be hand-cocked after each shot. If only he had on his new Smith & Wesson .44’s with rapid-firing trigger control!

  Inside the bank, the man behind the teller’s cage was nervously shoving money into a canvas sack. Sweat was pouring off his terrified body and saturating his white shirt and black vest. The heat from his face kept fogging his glasses, but he continued to work swiftly.

  Randee knew that the Durango Kid was watching the bank. She wondered if he realized what was happening over here. No matter, it was three against one, and she didn’t know what he could do about such odds. Her money, she fretted, would soon be walking out the door. Her expense money and Marsh’s ten-thousanddollar payment, she corrected herself. What would he say and do if it was stolen?

  Only the five hundred dollars, one month’s expenses, was still tucked safely inside her bosom. But there was another consolation, a bigger one: the rest of the Carson money and jewels was hidden on the deserted ranch . .. . She had been smart to deposit only twelve thousand dollars and to bury the rest. She had feared something like this might happen, but had known she would be asked to prove to her partner she could pay him.

  “What’cha gimme to return your money, girlie? A big kiss? A roll in the hay?” Luther Crebbs taunted the golden-skinned blonde.

  “Put it away, Luther, we gotta git out of here.” Billy Joe grabbed the sack from the teller’s shaky hand. “Let’s go.”

  Luther crammed the cash into his pants’ pocket and threatened, “I’ll shoot the first one who moves or shouts.”

  Randee remained on the floor, pressed up against the wall and huddled over as if in pain and fear. To prevent their using her as a hostage, she pretended she’d been badly injured from being kicked. After all, a hurt woman couldn’t ride or would slow them down! Gingerly, she drew her legs up as far as she could, putting the small gun inside her boot within reach.

  The instant Luther and Billy Joe joined Homer Crebbs outside, a loud commotion erupted. Shots were exchanged, shouts were heard, horses whinnied and thrashed around, and yelps of pain filled the air. The teller fell to his stomach behind the counter, covered his ears, and trembled with his eyes closed.

  Luther—the first to be wounded— stumbled back inside the bank, glanced at Randee and shouted, “Git over here, lady bitch!”

  Randee fired her pistol and watched Luther collapse, her shot masked by the gunfire outside as Homer and Billy Joe vainly tried to defend themselves. Other noises reached her ears— the sound of running boots and mingled voices of people who rushed outside to view the incident.

  Quickly, Randee concealed the gun. As she did so, she recalled when her uncle had ordered the special leather boots and taught her how to draw and use the concealed pistol. Tears filled her eyes as she thought about Lee and Sara Elizabeth Carson and all of her new friends on the ranch: all gone, savagely murdered by horrible beasts who were worse than these crude bandits.

  Suddenly, Sheriff Wade was kneeling beside her and asking if she was injured. Randee looked up at him and said, “I’m fine, Brody. The gunfire just reminded me of the attack at the ranch. Did you get them all?” she questioned, letting him help her to her feet.

  Brody knew she would hear the tale of how the Durango Kid gunned down all three men with a single shot each, so he told the truth. Their attention was drawn to Marsh when he entered the bank, slapped the bag on the counter, and said, “Here’s the money, Sheriff. I’ll be riding out now. This town’s too noise and dangerous for me.”

  The sheriff asked, “What about your rewards, Kid? Billy Joe Greene and the Crebbs brothers have money on their heads.”

  “It’ll take time to be requested and sent here, and I’m not interested in hanging around Wadesville. When it arrives, bank it for me and I’ll collect it later. But guard it a little better than you did this money.” Marsh patted the bag, grinned, and turned to leave.

  “Wait!” Randee shouted and hurried forward. “Brody told me,” she said as she half turned and smiled at the sheriff while unnoticeably pressing the five hundred dollars into Marsh’s hand, “how you halted their escape. I want to thank you for saving my money.”

  As Brody joined them, Randee lowered her “head and added, “And I should thank you for making me see how foolish and dangerous it would be to go chasing after that vicious gang.”

  Marsh inconspicuously slipped the money into his back pocket as he replied, “Like I said, Miss Hollis, if you and some gunslinger go racing after them, the Epson Gang will do worse than eat you two alive. If you can hire a lawful bunch to go after them, I’ll be glad to join up for a nice sum. But ride after them alone? I’m not crazy, or looking to die that soon. Even if you stay here, you’re in big trouble. Wouldn’t surprise me any if that gang comes after you. If I were you, Miss Hollis, I’d hightail it away from these parts.”

  Marsh had seen her withdraw the money from her bodice as she came forward. The exchange had been made quickly, expertly, and furtively. In fact, his fingers were still in his back pocket, touching the warm, damp bills which had been snuggled between her breasts. He was filled with amazement and humor, and he liked her quick thinking. And her trust. He was supposed to be speaking harshly and condescendingly to her, but somehow couldn’t manage it right now.

  “That’s exactly what I plan to do for a while,” she announced casually. “That’s why I’m in the bank, getting money for a stage ticket.”

  Brody asked, “What are you talking about, Dee?”

  Randee touched the sheriffs arm and explained, “I was going to tell you at supper. I have to get away from here for a while. I’m going to Dodge City by stage to catch the train there. I plan to visit my father’s family in Ohio. Don’t worry, I’ll be back in four to six weeks. Then, you can help me do something with Uncle Lee’s ranch. It’s mine now. Don’t be angry or difficult, Brody. I need the rest and distraction, and I’m in danger here. I thought I’d pack tomorrow and leave on Thursday’s stage.”

  “So soon?” Brody inquired in dismay. “Are you sure, about this?”

  Randee was glad that Matt Johnson, Brody’s deputy, was keeping everyone outside, which allowed her to carry out her business with Marsh Logan and to be near him for a few more minutes. She wanted to stall the departure of this attractive man, but couldn’t think of anything further to say without arousing Brody’s suspicions. Knowing she wouldn’t see Marsh again for days, she was inexplicably sad and lonely.

  Marsh jumped into the conversation at this point. “If you’re finished with me, Sheriff, I’ll be on my way and let you two talk alone. I’ll be heading over to Fort Worth, but I’ll contact you about my reward money in a few weeks, Miss Hollis,” he said as a polite farewell, then tipped his hat and left.

  As if Marsh’s departure meant nothing to her, Randee turned to Brody and entreated, “Will you get my money out of the bank robber’s pocket? He stole it from my purse after he kno
cked me down.”

  The teller locked the retrieved money back in the safe as Brody recovered Randee’s money from a dead Luther Crebbs and handed it to her.’ “I hate to see you go, Dee,” he whispered.

  “I know, but it’s for the best. I wouldn’t tell anyone except you, Brody; after talking to that wicked gunslinger, I’m scared. I never really stopped to think about those bandits coming after me. I was all dreamyeyed about being the one to capture them, and crazy with grief. Heavens, Brody, what ever made me think and say such stupid things? If I leave now, the town will be safe, you’ll be safe, and I’ll be safe. Away from here, I can get over this matter. Maybe the law will destroy that gang before I get back and it’ll all be over.” She looked at the brown-haired man and murmured, “I’m scared, and I’m tired, and I’m miserable, Brody. I need to go away for a few weeks. When I return, you can help me hire some new hands, buy more stock, and move back to the ranch. I loved it there, and I miss it. As terrible as it sounds, this is the best time to visit my kin in Ohio.”

  Brody couldn’t and didn’t argue her reasons and plans. “Promise you’ll come back as soon as possible?” Randee smiled and nodded. “And you’ll still have supper with me tonight?”

  “Of course,” she replied. “And tomorrow night too, if you wish.” As they left the bank, Randee avoided looking at the bandits’ corpses and she tried not to dwell on what she had done in self-defense.

  At seven o’clock, Brody seated Randee in the new restaurant across the street from the hotel. They dined and talked for two hours.

  “You know something strange, Brody? Now that I’ve made these decisions, I feel so much better. You will watch over the ranch for me, won’t you?” she implored in a sultry voice as she smiled into his brown eyes.

  Brody didn’t care who was watching, his hands closed over Randee’s and he squeezed them lightly. “I know you’re better. I can see it in those beautiful eyes and in your smile. This trip will be good for you, Dee. With luck, it’ll all be over before your return.”