Passions Wild And Free

by Janelle Taylor

  “Agreed,” Marsh responded, then waited for her answer to his previous question. He didn’t want to leave her behind, where trouble could find her while he wasn’t around to help protect her, but he wanted to get this matter settled so they could get on with their lives. They had committed to this task, and hopefully Light wouldn’t associate them with the rancher he’d met last night. They had no choice but to pursue this until the end, and the faster they succeeded, the better and safer for all involved, especially for him and Randee. He knew he was asking her to do a.difficult and dangerous thing, but Randee was more than capable of handling herself and this assignment. If he didn’t trust her implicitly and have full confidence in her, he would never allow her to set foot in Wadesville or to continue this mission at his side.

  “Even if I agree to go along with your clever plan, aren’t you afraid I’ll panic or go soft and mess it up?” she asked.

  Marsh looked her straight in the eye and replied, “If you give me your word of honor, that’s good enough for me, Randee. I know your skills by now, so I have every confidence in you and in them. In fact, I think I believe in you more than you believe in yourself.” He smiled and tugged on her hair. “I realize you don’t like this part of the plan, but it’s necessary, woman, or I wouldn’t ask you to do it. Do you think for one minute that I want you being mushy with Brody Wade? My teeth want to gnash just thinking about what you’ll have to say and do to fool him. Dammit, woman, about the last thing I want is Brody Wade wooing you! If there was any other way to get this thing moving toward victory, don’t you think I’d use it instead?”

  Randee smiled at that admission. “I don’t like it, but I’ll do it.”

  “Good girl,” he said, tenderly, then caressed her cheek. “As soon as we finish our task in Wadesville, we’ll ride back to Fort Worth to check in with Willard. I’ll give him Carl Bush’s name and see what he can discover about the man. If we’re lucky, either you or me will get a bite on our land offers.”

  “Is that all for now, partner?” she asked.

  Marsh smiled wryly and shook his ebony head. He had not forgotten about the name he had signed impulsively on the reward release paper for Brody Wade, so he knew he had to reveal and explain that fact, Mercy, how he hated to deceive her again, but it was necessary at this point in time and in this case. But, as soon as this mission was over, he was going to trust her with the truth about himself. His parents had died thinking he had turned out badly, and he could never forgive himself for that heartbreaking mistake, so he wasn’t about to let this special woman go on thinking the worst of him for a minute longer than need be! He would make his false explanation simple and direct, and hope for the best.

  He began slowly, hesitantly, worriedly, “There’s … something I have to tell you, partner … before we reach Wadesville, because Sheriff Wade will delight in doing so and … causing problems between us. I’m … I’m not the Durango Kid.” When she looked surprised and baffled, he hurried on, “I only used that familiar identity to win your trust in me and my skills. Since we were strangers about to head into the wilds together, I thought you would be more at ease with me if you thought you knew something about me— especially since the Kid is reputed to be such a good fellow. We do favor each other greatly, and I am mistaken for him quite a lot. That’s why I used him to win you over. My real name is Marsh Logan, but I’ve used ‘Storm Hayden’ during my travels.”

  “Storm Hayden,” she echoed, allowing time for her wits to sharpen. She was eager, yet afraid, of his com ing words.

  He sighed loudly and deeply. “I know, I lied to you, but I thought it was the best thing for both of us. I don’t want you learning this news from anybody except me, so please hear me out before you get mad and call it quits with our partnership. I did lots of drifting after I left home, and I got into big trouble in Nebraska. I was accused of killing and robbing a man there, but I didn’t do it. I was using the name Storm Hayden because I didn’t want to stain my family’s name. Of course, at the time, I thought I had changed it because I didn’t want to be Marshall Logan’s son anymore. I got into plenty of suspicious mischief, so it seemed natural for them to put the blame for that crime on my shoulders. I was a loner, wild and rebellious, smart-mouthed and arrogant. I tried to clear myself, but I couldn’t. I escaped just before they were going to lynch me without a trial. After I came back to Texas, I made friends with Willard Mason and told him all about my problem’. He keeps up with the news from everywhere, so he was trying to get information to clear me, or let me know when it was safe to go back and do it myself.”

  Randee knew he wasn’t finished, so she held silent and alert.

  “That’s one of the reasons why I couldn’t go home; it might have endangered my parents. After I saw my family that last time, I was heading for Nebraska to set the record straight. Before I could return home and tell them the truth, they were killed by that gang, killed believing I was a notorious gunslinger. That’s what I blame myself for more than not being there to protect them. You don’t have to worry about lawmen chasing me; that case is closed now. The trouble is, some people know me as Storm Hayden and I still have enemies I made there. Some folks can’t remember or accept when a man’s exonerated. They only recall he was accused, and they act as if he’s gotten away with a clever crime and they never fully trust him.

  “When I was in Wadesville, Brody called my bluff on being the Durango Kid. Without thinking, I signed that release paper for the reward money as Storm Hayden because I didn’t want Brody Wade knowing who I really was. If he discovered the truth, he would put the facts together and know we’ve duped him. When a man’s mad, his tongue gets loose and he tries to spite you. When you see Brody, I’m sure he’s going to tell you who he thinks I am.” He inhaled deeply and noisily. “I didn’t want to tell you about my misbegotten youth, but I don’t want it to come as a shock and cause you to doubt me.”

  She inquired astutely, “You said the case is closed now, so why are you’still apprehensive? Still on the run? Still living as Storm Hayden or the Durango Kid?”

  Marsh responded quickly with part of the truth about himself. “The law closed the case, but the people involved still believe I’m guilty. Once in a while, they send someone to harass me, hoping I’ll be killed legally in a showdown. Willard has two detectives searching for the real killer, so I’ll be off the hook when they succeed. Until then, I have to keep watching over my shoulder. So you see, partner, we both have people to outrun. There’s one other thing: my reward posters, were called in, but some may still be laying around somewhere to mislead people about me. I can’t relax my guard until every angle of this Storm Hayden mess is straightened out. It would be easier to do if some of the rotten things they said about me weren’t true, but it’s too late to change the past. I did ‘em, so I have to pay the price.”

  “Surely defeating the Epson Gang will go in your favor, Marsh. Maybe one day you’ll be able to get your past behind you. I hope so.”

  “So do I, Randee, but it’ll take time and patience, which a man like me usually doesn’t have much of. But don’t worry, ‘cause I’m not giving up,” he said, trying to sound light and merry.

  As they traveled along, Randee pondered what Marsh had confessed. She wanted to believe him, but something in his expression and voice prevented total trust. She sensed he was withholding additional facts, or skillfully coloring those revealed to suit his purpose—whatever that was. Perhaps she was allowing her love for him to blind her, but blind her to what? Even if he wasn’t guilty of what that poster claimed, was he guilty of other “rotten things”? Had he only confessed this secret because he knew she would learn about it soon from Brody, or because he knew or suspected she had learned about it last night? Marsh Logan was still a mystery to her, one she had to unravel ….

  They camped over halfway to Wadesville, but talked little that night, as both seemed caught up in their own thoughts. Randee was waiting to see if Marsh exposed anything more, and Marsh was waitin
g to see how the blonde reacted to his shocking revelation. She could tell that Marsh wasn’t ready to give more answers or to reconsider a commitment to her, and Marsh was glad she wasn’t pressing him on either score. They watched each other furtively, and slept separately.

  They were up early Friday morning to complete their intimidating journey. Just before. reaching town at three o’clock, Marsh halted them and asked for a certain garment from her saddlebag. When she passed it to him, he rubbed it in the dirt, shook out the excess dust, handed it to her, and told her to dress in it.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, staring at him strangely.

  “If you’ve been on the trail for weeks since your Indian capture and my rescue, then you can’t look so neat and pretty when we ride into Wadesville. We’ll hide your belongings here, then retrieve them on our way back’ to Fort Worth. You ready to take on this assignment?”

  “Ready,” she responded unflinchingly.

  Marsh smiled encouragingly and said, “Let’s ride, partner.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  As she dismounted before the Wadesville jail, Randee Hollis felt as if her body was stretched tauter than a sheafing cord. It was normal to feel anxious, guilty, and uncertain— but annoyed and repulsed? Reviewing the matter of Brody Wade, she knew why.

  The closer she had ridden to this office alone, the more she had been assailed by enlightenment, apprehension, and anger. Yes, anger—anger at herself and at Brody Wade. She had changed her mind about the persistent lawman. Perhaps it had been time and distance that had opened her eyes to the truth. It now sounded ridiculous to think she had ever been tempted to marry him, but she understood why she had made such a mistake. She had been under a terrible strain before and after running away from home, and following the tragic deaths of her kin. At first, Brody had seemed a wonderful part of a new life, a clean and happy one. She had been flattered and touched by his attentions and hot pursuit. At times, she had been scared, alone, and vulnerable. She had needed someone to lean on, and the handsome sheriff had seemed to fill her needs. She had assumed she liked him, could even love and marry him, but she had fooled herself.

  To be honest—Brody Wade was too nice, too sweet, too much in love with her, too cloying, and too manipulative. If she gave herself to him, he would suffocate her, absorb her, want too much from her. He had made her feel vulnerable and helpless, tried to trick her into yielding to him. Brody Wade was more cunning and demanding that she had realized. Thanks to Marsh, Brody had lost his appeal: physical and emotional. Suddenly she didn’t want him around her at all.

  Randee knew she needed to pull off this duplicity, and prayed she could succeed. Yet, she was wary, tense, even a little afraid. She hadn’t told Marsh about such ridiculous feelings because she could not explain them even to herself. Maybe she was simply unsettled about having to be falsely romantic with another man since she had already given her heart and body to Marsh Logan. Maybe she was merely worried that, after she led him on, Brody Wade would intrude on her love affair and dangerous mission. Maybe she was afraid she would do everything wrong today. Or, maybe she was only panicked at the thought of Brody knowing and telling her things about “Storm Hayden,” which she didn’t want to hear… .

  Randee was glad she was seeing Brody alone, yet she also wished Marsh was at her side. She wondered what, if anything, her ebony-haired lover would discover at the Carson Ranch today while she was facing this incredibly difficult task. She hated being separated from her partner, and she looked forward to rejoining him before dawn.

  Randee stealthily approached the door to the sheriff’s office. She heard a voice which she recognized, and halted. Heavens, how she dreaded facing this man today, or any day! It wasn’t conscience or morals that troubled her about seeing and fooling Brody, it was something else. I don’t want him touching me or wooing me or anythinging me! It was strange, even dismaying, to comprehend and accept the fact that she actually did not like Sheriff Brody Wade, much as she had tried to do so and had convinced herself she did. She realized it was the Carson’s and townsfolk’s respect and affection that had influenced—no, misguided and controlled— her feelings, along with her distraught state. Now that she thought about it honestly, the rugged lawman made her wary! Maybe Brody was one of the things she had been trying to flee with this mission!

  Randee peeked around the door jamb into the sheriffs office. She eyed Brody Wade’s broad shoulders as he leaned against the cell, talking with a prisoner. She flattened her back against the outside wall and tried to steady her erratic respiration. She had fooled Brody once before; surely she could do so again.

  Marsh Logan flooded her thoughts. Since he wasn’t the Durango Kid, what little she had “known” about him wasn’t true. Who was Marsh Logan, alias Storm Hayden? If each bit of information was measured by teaspoon, she wouldn’t have enough to fill a coffee cup! He must have had plenty of experience and practice to become as skilled, as swift, as accurate, as deadly, as fearless as the real Durango Kid. Undeniably, Marsh Logan was better than most gunslingers. He did not hesitate about taking on one, three, five, or more opponents!

  Just as she thought Marsh was opening up to her and she was learning more about him, he retreated or added more mystery, or destroyed her old thoughts and impressions. Yet, she loved him. Perhaps the strain on her nerves was caused by not having him close since their passionate Sunday together, and the discovery of his deceit. For now, she had to forget about her stormy love and concentrate on duping another man. Randee swallowed hard and composed herself before she stepped into the jail and announced, “Brody, I’m back safely.”

  The brown-haired man whirled—dropping the cell keys—and stared at the nervous blonde in her dusty dress. Sheer astonishment filled his eyes and face. Then, a wide grin captured his mouth. “Dee!” he practically shouted in excitement. Forgetting about the man behind him, whom he had just released, he rushed forward and embraced her. “Heavens above, you had me scared stiff. I’ve been checking every day to see if the Army had rescued you. I’ve been crazy with fear and worry.” Glancing past her and out the door, he noticed no military escort, and was puzzled. “Lord, woman, how did you. get away from those savages?” As he spewed forth questions, his chocolate, eyes were scrutinizing her for injuries and changes. “Tell me everything; don’t leave out a single day or word,” he persisted hastily.

  As she witnessed his love and concern, Randee’s courage and confidence threatened to vanish. Misgivings chewed on her, but she cast aside such disturbing and intrusive feelings. She mentally and emotionally committed herself to carrying out Marsh’s plan. She captured his face between her hands and urged, “Relax, Brody, I’m fine now. Why don’t you finish with your … charge and we can talk privately?” she wisely suggested, nodding toward the man who was awaiting his freedom, an action which would allow her time to get over this initial moment of difficulty.

  Brody smiled cheerfully before turning to the pale man and saying sternly, “Get out of here, Buster, and don’t let me hear of you causing trouble again. Next time, I won’t be so lenient with you.”

  The freed man nodded sheepishly and hurried out the door, which Brody closed and locked behind him. The sheriff returned to Randee and pulled her into his arms. As he spread eager kisses over her face and hair, he murmured passionately, “Dee, Dee, you’ve come back like you promised. I knew you would.” He leaned his head backward to look down into her lovely face as he inquired worriedly, “Where have you been? What happened to you out there?”

  To avoid meeting his keen gaze as she deceived him, she rested her head against his hard chest and encircled his waist with her arms. She had no choice. “It’s been a long and hard journey, Brody, but I have you to thank for my rescue, not the Army.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked confusedly, tightening his possessive embrace on her. His body trembled noticeably at her bold contact and amorous behavior. Fooled, he made no move to release her.

  Randee felt her stimulating effe
ct, on him and she wanted to run from him and this distasteful chore. She couldn’t; she mustn’t. Careful not to mention any of Marsh’s names, she declared, “You hired that gunman to come looking for me, even offered him your entire savings. That was a very kind and unselfish thing to do, Brody. I can’t tell you what it means to me. The Indians who abducted me kept moving around a lot and concealing our trail, but they never harmed me. All I had to do was work for them—cooking and washing and such. That gunslinger you hired tracked me down and stole me from their camp one night. He demanded five thousand dollars to bring me home. He said that was how much it had cost him to come after me, rather than accepting a job for some rancher in southern Texas. Of course I agreed to reward him with some of the money I have in the bank from the Carsons.”

  Randee knew Brody was about to interrupt, but she rushed onward with her false tale, “He’s to return Sunday for his payment, so I’ll need to get to the bank to make a withdrawal before it closes today for the weekend. I’m so happy you hired him and he located me. At first I was terrified with those Indians; but later, I realized they only wanted slaves, not whites to torture. I was biding my time until I could find a way to escape. Then, your fearless gunman showed up one night. He’s a smart and daring man, Brody. He eluded those Indians as if it was the easiest thing to do in life.”

  Brody did jump in here. “I’m surprised he came after you, Dee. He refused my offer when he was in town, even though I begged and reasoned and bargained and threatened. I took the liberty of telling him you would sweeten my offer. I hope you don’t mind.”