Passions Wild And Free

by Janelle Taylor

  “Nope, and I couldn’t risk asking about him, not the way Sheriff Wade was having me watched and dogged. Let’s check out those new raid sites before we head for Fort Worth.”

  They rode for hours toward the center of the target area, with Marsh on constant alert for any sign of danger around them. When they camped that night, they ate cold food, which Marsh had purchased that morning in town. He didn’t want a campfire, which could draw the attention of anyone nearby.

  “This business is getting hard and dirty, woman. Now that you’ve had a foul taste of it, are you sure you want to continue with me? I can take you to Fort Worth and have my friend there guard you until it’s over.”

  “My mind’s made up, Marsh; I’m sticking with you.’ Maybe these killings will work in our favor. If those gang members think their boss is having them weeded out because their task is almost done, we might gain an advantage over them if they get nervous and mistrustful.”

  “I thought about that angle too. But it might only make them more cautious. If they get to watching their backsides, it’ll be hard to sneak up on them. But if we’re lucky, we can get more of them out of the way while they’re separated, before they learn about their friends’ fates.”

  Marsh didn’t shave that night and he didn’t allow them to make love or sleep together so he could remain on full alert. Every time Randee awoke and glanced his way, he was awake, on guard.

  On Sunday morning and late Sunday afternoon, they checked out the two attack sites. One was totally abandoned and destroyed, but squatters nearby answered some questions for them. A Marshal Foley Timms had been in the area before and after the raid, asking questions and looking for witnesses. As with all other times, nobody saw or heard a thing, or so they claimed.

  At the second site, fresh mounds of dirt loomed before their vision, and the smell of burned wood still lingered around the wanton destruction. Marsh examined the area for tracks and clues, and cursed to himself when he found neither. They rode to the next ranch, to find the owners packing to leave. When questioned, the couple fearfully told Marsh and Randee that they were pulling out to start fresh in a safer place. Considering the farmer had several children and a pregnant wife, it was a wise, but difficult decision.

  This time, however, Marsh was given a clue. The shaky man said, “I was hunting early that morning and saw that gang leaving the area. They were heading northwesterly. Must have been twenty-five or thirty of them. They had bushes tied to the tails of Joe’s cattle and they were moving real slow. I couldn’t see too good, but I’d swear there was something covering their horses’ hooves, like cloth sacks. I got to get my family out of here before they hit us. There ain’t hardly a ranch or farm around which ain’t been attacked once or twice. I ain’t waiting around until they find my place and kill us all in our sleep.”

  “Do you recall a U.S. marshal coming by to see you lately?”

  “Sure do,” the man answered Marsh’s query. “His name was Foley Timms, a real big man. Said he’d been on their trail for nearly a year. I didn’t tell him nothing ‘cause I didn’t want to get involved. I was afraid he’d make us hang around and answer more questions.”

  Marsh smiled genially. “Don’t you worry. I won’t tell him anything you’ve told me. Which way did he light out?”

  “Toward Granbury,” he said.

  Marsh knew the man didn’t have time to sell his land and was probably near broke this time of year. He pulled out the two hundred dollars reward money and pressed it into the farmer’s hand. “I appreciate your help, sir. You take good care of your family.”

  The man stared at the money, then looked up at Marsh, his eyes misty. “This is real kind of you, son We can sure use it.”

  “With luck, maybe I can use the information you gave me to stop those … that gang. Before you sell out here, check back in a few months to see if they’ve been stopped. You got a real nice place and I would hate to see you lose it. Why don’t you try working and camping just the other side of Fort Worth for a while? They’re not doing any raiding over that way. If we can help the law defeat that gang, you can return home before harvest time.”

  The man smiled and shook Marsh’s hand gratefully, accepting the wise advice. They talked a few more minutes before the man told them, “You two be careful, ‘cause that gang is bad, real bad.”

  “We will. Good luck to you.”

  Marsh and Randee mounted, waved, and rode northwestward. They halted at the spot where the farmer had told Marsh he’d been concealed. Marsh looked over the area closely.

  Randee asked, “Wouldn’t dragging brush cover any trail made by slow movement?”

  “Most of it, and the weather would finish the task. That Indian riding with them is real smart; he knows all about concealing tracks. Obviously he’s tailing them and removing all signs of their passing. No trampled grass, no broken limbs, no rocks turned over …”

  “What now?” she asked, hunkering down beside him.

  “If they kept going this way, they’d be heading into territory which we’ve already searched pretty good. Somehow, I doubt they’re hiding around Fort Richard-son. It’s my guess they were only skirting other ranches to keep out of sight. You can bet they know where every spread is located.”

  “What about Marshal Timms? You think he’s their scout? Or boss? You think he’s heading to Granbury to see what happened to those other men?”

  “Whoa, woman, not so fast,” he teased. “I have my suspicions about this Timms, but we’ll know more about him after we reach Fort Worth. Who knows? Maybe he’s a real lawman and he has contacts sending him news of strangers in towns. Coming around after a raid doesn’t intrigue me, but doing it before so many certainly does.”

  On Monday, they followed a similar pattern, and camped a half-day’s ride from Fort Worth.

  On Tuesday, they rode a few hours eastward before making camp. While Randee prepared a quick meal, Marsh scouted the area. After eating, he shaved quickly and doused the small fire. Again they slept separately and Marsh remained on tense alert during the night.

  They entered the large town of Fort Worth and dismounted before a hotel. Again, Marsh rented two rooms and registered them as cousins. He left Randee to eat, bathe, and rest while he went to see his friend and to gather any available news.

  Randee turned their dirty garments over to the laundress who came for them. After eating, she took a long bath and washed her hair. While she awaited Marsh’s return, she did their mending, the task reminding her of home and her mother.

  She halted and stared ahead blankly. How was her mother? What was Payton doing? Was he still searching for her, or had he given her up as lost property? Would her mother and the child be all right until she and Marsh could rescue them? Which problem was the most important to her: defeating this murderous gang or helping her mother? She couldn’t defeat Payton alone, and Marsh wouldn’t head for Kansas until this grim task was over, so the choice wasn’t hers.

  If she tried to go home and thwart that evil beast, she would only manage to place herself and her mother in new peril. She had to forget about Payton Slade until … The door opened and Marsh entered.

  She was sitting cross-legged on the bed, with their sewing. He came forward and sat down on its edge. Her homey task seemed to make him nervous, so she set it aside and asked, “Any news?”

  “You don’t have to do that, Randee. The laundress can take care of it for me,” he replied, ignoring her question.

  “I hope you don’t mind, Marsh, but I needed something to occupy my mind and hands. This is one thing mother taught me to do well. If you object, I can leave it for …”

  He interrupted to drop the subject. “If it uses up some of that abundant energy, fine. I just didn’t want you doing more than your share of the chores, partner. Is that what you were thinking about when I came in, your mother?”

  “I can’t help but worry, about her. She was so foolish to marry that deceitful devil. He’s lied to her and used her, and she’s blin
d to his flaws and the truth. She’s living with a man she doesn’t even know. You won’t forget your promise to help us after this job is over, will you?”

  “You have my word on it, woman. Would it make you feel better if you wrote her a letter to let her know you’re safe and well?”

  “It’s too risky, Marsh. I don’t want to remind Payton I’m alive somewhere. We don’t need his intrusion when we’re facing such peril. I have to believe she’ll be fine until we can rescue her.” Randee sighed heavily. “What if she doesn’t take my word against his? What if she hates me for having him killed? Even if he’s worthless, she loves him.”

  Marsh realized she needed this small and comforting talk, so he didn’t halt it. “Whatever happens in Kansas, you’ll have to accept it. The most important thing is saving her life, not pleasing her.”

  Randee told him what her mother used to be like with her father, and how she was with her stepfather. “He’s draining the life from her, Marsh, and it torments me. If only she could come to her senses and forget him, maybe she could become Dee Hollis again.”

  “Change is hard, Randee, sometimes impossible for one reason or another. You have to realize that she might not want to know the truth about Slade. Or she might know it already and is simply ignoring it because she doesn’t want to lose even a bad life. It’s hard.to start over with a new life. It’s worse for women when there’s no man … no father or husband to care for them. Saloons are filled with widows and orphans. You said your mother wasn’t the kind of woman who wanted to be on her own. What happens after Slade’s dead, if she won’t let you go home or refuses to live on the Carson Ranch with you?”

  “I don’t know, Marsh. I’ve never thought about the points you just made. One thing for certain, if she marries again, surely he can’t be as wicked as Payton Slade. I want him out of her life, at any cost.”

  Marsh replied, “I know, and I don’t blame you.”

  “Let’s talk about something else. What did you learn today?”

  “I got a map of the purchases by that land company. They’ve gotten hold of most of those spreads. But as far as my friend can learn, it’s all been very legal. He says that company is planning a big promotion back east like Jacob de Cordova pulled off. You remember, the man from Granbury who did the same thing years ago. They’re planning settlements and smaller spreads to get this area more populated. If they build towns, they’ll make a fortune with stores and such. But he still can’t get hold of any names.”

  Her eyes brightened with a bold idea. “If they make an offer on the Carson Ranch, maybe I can learn who’s behind it.”

  “Not yet, woman. I want you kept out of this as long as possible.”

  “You’re too protective of me, Marsh Logan.”

  “If you get them sniffing after you and they are involved, our mission could fail before we get close enough to stop them.”

  “What about if I try to get a job with that company or that lawyer? I might can learn something on the inside,” she ventured.

  “It’s too dangerous. From what I can learn, there’s no such lawman as Marshal Timms. He saw you in Wadesville. If he dropped by either office, he’d notice you in a second and get too curious.”

  “Doesn’t that mean he’s involved? Isn’t this that lucky break?”

  “Not if he’s new on the job or if he’s working under a false name.”

  “Then, we’re still nowhere,” she murmured dejectedly. “If this whole job is dangerous, why not take a few risks to get ahead?”

  “Not yet, woman,” he stated firmly. “I know what I’m doing. We have to stay patient and be cautious or we’ll ruin everything.”

  “Is it because of me, Marsh? Am I causing you to hold back?”

  Marsh’s gaze locked with hers and he smiled. He asserted, “You’re keeping me from acting rashly just to get vengeance. What you’re doing to me is keeping me alive and careful.”

  “The moment that isn’t true, please tell me,” she urged.

  He caressed her. cheek as he promised, “Don’t worry, I will. We might have more help, or interference, to deal with. Seems as if the State Police and Army have been ordered to get moving on this case. That could explain why there haven’t been any raids since last Friday and why those villains are separated and laying low for a while. I want us to rest here tomorrow, then head back toward Fort Richardson on Thursday. If they’re spread out in camps, maybe we can locate some and get rid of them a few at a time like we planned.”

  “That sounds good to me,” she concurred.

  “Before we leave town, I want you to meet my friend. If there’s any trouble, you come to him and he’ll protect you.”

  Randee caught the meaning between his words. She didn’t want anything to ever happen to him. From now on, she wouldn’t flinch at doing anything to get this matter over with so Marsh would be safe.

  “It’s suppertime. You hungry?” he asked, lifting her hand and playfully nipping at her fingers.

  “Not for that kind of food,” she responded meaningfully.

  He chuckled and teased, “What do you do, woman, read my mind?” He pulled her into his arms as she grinned happily ….

  Chapter Thirteen

  Randee sat at the oblong table in Willard Mason’s home eating, listening, and talking with the two men. Now she understood how the forty-year-old man gathered so much information for Marsh; Willard worked for the local newspaper, of which he was part owner. That also explained how Marsh had learned of her bold advertisement. The older man had expressive hazel eyes, and a nice build for a man who worked sitting down most of the time. His salt-and-pepper hair made him appear distinguished, and he smiled frequently. She liked this friend of Marsh’s and felt that he was an honorable man.

  Randee was wearing the only dress she had with her on this momentous journey, washed and ironed by the hotel laundress just in time for this unexpected occasion. Her flaxen hair was shiny and full after its thorough washing, and she smelled wonderful after her fragrant bath. She knew she looked lovely tonight, and she was glad because she wanted to make a good impression on both men.

  She and Marsh had slept late that morning; or rather, they had stayed in bed making love and resting. Later, they had strolled around for exercise and diversion. He had purchased a gift for her, a coin-shaped silver necklace with Spanish words which she couldn’t read. He had told her it said, “Friends now and forever,” but his sly grin had made her doubt him. When he said he needed to make ammunition purchases, she had pretended to look around in a dress and hat shop. The moment he left her there, she had hurried next door to ask the man what the words meant. The merchant had smiled cordially and translated them: “You are in my heart forever.” Knowing Marsh could speak Spanish, she had thrilled to his secret message. If actually he had unintentionally or guilefully sent her one …

  Randee’s attention returned to the two men seated with her. She listened to them discuss this tragedy which was attacking her beloved Texas. She noticed the easy rapport between them, and she liked this cordial side of Marsh Logan. He seemed so at ease with this man and in this homey setting, so unlike what she had imagined as the character and personality of a renowned gunman. She could not help but wonder, was Marsh—the Durango Kid—as matchless and relentless as he was reputed to be? He seemed like anything but an “often ruthless” gunslinger. Those notorious stories about him couldn’t be true; he was too gentle, too kind, too caring, too sensitive! Even when he slew evil men, he didn’t seem to enjoy it, and surely she would perceive such malevolence in him. A cold-blooded killer had to possess satanic tendencies in order to continue such a grim lifestyle. Why did she doubt that Marsh was living the life he truly loved and wanted? What was the truth behind this man she loved? Was he so accustomed to being strong and self-reliant before others that he battled showing any emotion or taking any action that might be misconstrued as a weakness? Was this intrepid male afraid to bare his soul to anyone, except to her on occasion?

  She
wanted to know so many things about Marsh, especially in matters that concerned her. She had to be patient, or risk scaring him off. He had been hurt at a crucial, impressionable time in a youth’s life. She knew some of the things which drove him onward, which haunted him, which made him as he was. But to see him like this, and like he had been yesterday and last Sunday, gave her hope and confidence about reaching and winning him.

  Willard was saying, “I honestly don’t know if that company’s involved in something evil. They could be just taking advantage of a terrible situation. Smart businessmen do that, Marsh. That gang can’t terrorize this area forever. Think what their investment will earn them one day. All they have to do is buy up the land cheap, hold it until the trouble is halted, and then sell it for a hefty profit. When I interviewed George Light several times, he said he was the one who informed that group about the valuable possibilities for future development of this area. He’s responsible for locating sellers and handling the deals. He says those men don’t want to reveal themselves until they’re ready to begin their progress, which is after this trouble is settled.”

  “You think it’s legitimate or a cover?” Marsh inquired.

  Willard shrugged his shoulders and replied, “It’s too soon to tell. I don’t have enough facts to make a conclusion one way or another.”

  Randee asked, “What about this Marshal Foley Timms? Don’t you think it’s odd that he’s always around when trouble strikes?”

  “Texas lawmen are strange animals, Miss Hollis. Some have crazy ways of working on cases.” He laughed as if he’d told a joke. “Are you forgetting that you met him while he was delivering a prisoner?”

  “That’s what he claimed,” she replied skeptically. “For all I know, it could have been a ruse to take a look around Wadesville without arousing suspicion. There was a raid nearby the next day.”

  “Did you recognize the prisoner?” Willard asked.