by Bonnie Leon
When Jim and Rebecca approached the Taylor home, Cambria sat in a chair on the front porch with her bare feet propped on a post. She rocked forward and stood. “Jim? Rebecca? What are ya doing ’ere?”
“I was needing your company, and Jim offered to escort me,” Rebecca said. With a sideways glance at Jim, she added, “I expect he may have had ulterior motives, however.”
“Is it good for ya ta be so far from home so close ta yer confinement?”
“It’s perfectly all right.”
Cambria smiled brightly. “Well, then I’m glad for the company.” She gave Rebecca a hand down from the carriage. “What’s happened ta ya?”
“What do you mean?”
“Yer face is all scratched up.”
“Oh, a scrub.”
“What?”
“Let me get settled, and I’ll tell you.”
“I’ll put the horse up,” Jim said.
“When ya get back, I’ll have something sweet for ya and something cold ta drink too.” Cambria smiled demurely, then turned her attention to Rebecca. The two women walked to the porch. “Seems that baby’s getting bigger every day,” Cambria said.
“She is. I’ve only got about seven weeks until my confinement date.”
“Oh. Ya shouldn’t be out and about like this.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a little drive. And Jim was with me.” She grinned. “Of course, as I said, I met up with an ornery bull.”
“What happened?”
“We stopped to rest, and he came after us. It could have been bad. He nearly got me, really gave me a fright. I’m a bit slow these days. I had to climb a tree to get away from him.”
Cambria laughed. “What a sight that must have been.”
Rebecca smiled. “It sounds funny now, but at the time it wasn’t funny at all. I feared for my life and the baby’s.” Rebecca chuckled. “And I’m sure I looked quite ridiculous sitting up in that tree.” She smoothed back her hair, then looked at her hand. “I’m still shaking.”
“Ya poor thing. I’m sorry for laughing.”
“Well, then the beast went after Jim. He had to move fast to stay out of the animal’s way.”
“No. Really?” Cambria sat and nodded toward a chair beside hers. “Now, what’s on yer mind? Ya don’t generally ride all this way for nothing. I can see something’s troublin’ ya.”
Before sitting, Rebecca dipped water out of a barrel and took a drink. “Mmm. That tastes good.” She set the dipper back on its hook and sat. “When I left home, the day felt cool, but it’s heating up.”
“Right. Generally, July’s cool. But ’round ’ere ya never know.”
Silence enfolded the two women. “It’s awfully quiet,” Rebecca said. “Is your family gone?”
“Yais, it’s just me. Everyone’s off ta town. They’ll be back shortly though, I expect.” Cambria folded her hands in her lap and rested her feet on the railing. “Now, what is it ya come ta talk ’bout?”
“You know me so well.” Rebecca hesitated, then said, “Daniel’s in some kind of trouble.”
“Why do ya think that?”
“Some men came to the station a few weeks ago. I knew immediately that they were up to no good. One of the men kicked Daniel in the face.”
“So that’s what happened ta him.”
“Daniel wouldn’t say then who the men were or why they’d come. And they came back this morning—threatened Callie and me. And they torched the school.”
“Oh, my Lord! No! What did they want?”
“They just said to tell Daniel he’d better do as he was told.”
“And what’s that?”
“I think it has to do with a loan he got from Mr. Marshal. Daniel won’t tell me what’s going on, but I know he owes money, and I don’t know how he could be paying on it right now.”
Rebecca remembered how her mother-in-law had faced off with the intruders. “I was scared to death, but you should have seen Willa. She pointed a rifle right at those men and ordered the three of them off the station. She was marvelous!”
Cambria laughed. “I knew there was fire in her.”
“I was proud of her. But those men are truly wicked. I can’t imagine why Daniel’s dealing with people like them.”
“What are ya going ta do?”
Rebecca shrugged. “If there was a constabulary in Thornton Creek, I’d report all of this, but there isn’t anyone to enforce the law. And I know Daniel doesn’t want anyone to know what’s going on. So what can I do? He refuses to confide in me. He’s shut me out.”
“Try not to worry. You can trust Daniel.”
“I’ve always believed that.” Rebecca blew out a shallow breath. “But I’m sure he’s in trouble. I want to help, but he won’t let me. Men. They can be so pigheaded.”
“Not my Jim,” Cambria said with a smile.
“He’s a man just like the rest of them.”
“Maybe so, but he’s a fine bloke.” She dropped her feet to the porch floor and rocked forward, planting the front legs of her chair on the wood planks. “I must say, I’m surprised at Daniel. I’ve never known him ta be secretive. Guess all ya can do is wait and trust him ta see ya through, eh?”
Rebecca stepped onto the veranda, which smelled of fresh paint. Joseph pushed through the front door and toddled past his mother, then clumsily galloped across the broad porch.
Rebecca moved to a chair and dropped heavily into it. She was exhausted, and the baby felt heavy in her abdomen. She rested her head against the back of the chair and stuck her legs out straight in front of her.
“My, now, don’t you look ladylike,” Willa teased, moving up the front steps.
“I’m shameless, I know, but I feel like a bloated cow and don’t care much about good manners.”
Willa sat beside Rebecca. “I recall the feeling,” she said with a smile. “But it won’t be long now. You’ve only a month more to wait, and one never knows if a baby might arrive a bit early.”
“It seems that just a few weeks ago, I felt fairly lithe. I’m certain this child has doubled its size since then.”
“The last month is always the most difficult.” Willa patted Rebecca’s leg.
The sound of a galloping horse carried from beyond the rise. With all that had happened in recent months, Rebecca couldn’t keep from immediately being on alert. She sought out Joseph, who was moving toward the steps. Instinctively, Rebecca pushed out of her chair and picked him up.
Woodman appeared a moment later. He was riding hard and didn’t slow up until he’d reached the porch steps. “I need ta talk ta Daniel.”
“I think he’s in the barn,” Willa said. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“Those men took Dusty. They dragged ’im off.”
“What men?” Willa asked.
“The ones from Brisbane that come ta talk ta Daniel.”
Holding Joseph more tightly, Rebecca walked to the balustrade. “What do you mean they took him?”
“Me and Dusty were workin’ on a hayrack, and they just rode up, lassoed ’im, and dragged ’im off.”
“Oh, my Lord,” Rebecca said. “Daniel!” she called, starting down the porch steps.
Woodman turned his horse toward the barn.
Daniel emerged from the dark interior and strode into the yard. “Rebecca, did you call me?” His eyes landed on Woodman. “Something wrong?”
“It’s Dusty. Those men took ’im.”
Rebecca was still lugging Joseph when she reached Daniel. Willa stayed close by her side.
Woodman snatched his hat from his head. In spite of the coolness of the day, sweat mixed with road dust lay in droplets on his forehead. Rivulets tracked into his heavy brows. Using the back of his hand, Woodman swiped away the grime. “One of ’em said they were gonna hang ’im.”
“Where did they take him?”
“Headed toward town.”
Daniel ran to the corral where his horse was tied and already saddled. “We’ll need more he
lp. Where’s Jim?”
“He’s workin’ the east border along with the rest of the crew.”
A frown creased Daniel’s brow. “Guess it’s just you and me, then,” he said, leading his horse out of the corral.
Rebecca walked alongside Daniel. “Please, Daniel, must you go? Those men are truly evil. I know they’ll do something awful.”
Daniel stopped and looked at Rebecca. “And what about Dusty? I can’t just leave him.”
Rebecca nodded. “Of course.” While hanging on to Joseph, she hugged Daniel with one arm. “I love you. Please be careful.”
With a quick kiss for Rebecca and Joseph and a nod to his mother, Daniel climbed onto the stallion’s back and joined Woodman.
Callie approached. “Heard what ya said. Dusty’s a fine bloke, Mr. Thornton. He’s got a family.” She looked squarely at Daniel. “Wouldn’t want ta give bad news ta Nan.”
“I know, Callie. I’ll do all I can.”
“We gotta go,” Woodman said.
“Right.” Daniel kicked his horse, and the two men rode away.
Rebecca moved closer to Willa and clasped her hand. “I’m frightened.”
Willa didn’t answer but squeezed her daughter-in-law’s hand.
Daniel’s heart hammered against his rib cage, pulsing in rhythm with the beat of his stallion’s hooves. He rode alongside Woodman. The two traveled as fast as they dared over the uneven ground.
What if we don’t get there in time? Daniel thought, then forced the unimaginable from his mind. Lord, where are they? His eyes scanned the open land. Patches of grass and dry ground passed beneath his horse’s belly. Faster. Faster, his mind chanted. Leaning forward, he permitted his body to flow with the horse’s strides.
His mind moved to Dusty. He didn’t know him well. Dusty mostly kept to himself, but he seemed a good sort, a hard worker. Woodman knew a lot of people but called only a few friend. Dusty was one of those few, which told Daniel he must be first-rate.
He glanced at Woodman, whose dark eyes were hard with resolve. The aborigine leaned forward, holding the reins loosely and urging his horse to an even faster pace. They had to find Dusty—soon.
Without speaking a word, Daniel and Woodman kept moving. The huffing of horses, the beating of hooves, and the whisk of lathered thighs harmonized with Daniel’s inner voice of distress.
And then Daniel saw Dusty. His hands were tied behind his back, and a rope held him to one of the bushrangers’ horses. He knelt on the ground. Blood trickled from a gash above one eye, and his face was swollen and bruised.
Daniel and Woodman slowed but moved closer. Wind sighed, picking up bits of dirt and leaves. The sound of creaking leather and the heavy breathing of horses seemed loud. Daniel’s stallion shook his head, and his silver bridle jangled.
Luke stood beneath an acacia tree. He tugged on a rope hanging from a heavy branch. It had a noose at the end of it. When he spotted Daniel and Woodman, he sprinted for a gun leaning against the tree. Jack was still on his horse, rifle in his hands. He raised it and pointed it at Daniel. Wade grabbed his out of a holster on his saddle.
Daniel and Woodman kept moving forward.
“Stay back,” Jack called. “We’ve got business ta take care of ’ere. And we don’t need the likes of ya.”
“Let him go,” Daniel said, stopping his horse.
“Why would I do that?” Jack glanced at Dusty, then leveled a malevolent gaze on Daniel. “This is yer fault, ya know. It’s time ya saw how Mr. Marshal deals with blokes who don’t pay their debts.”
“I said I’d pay, but I need more time. I told Mr. Marshal. I know he doesn’t want this.” Daniel glanced at Dusty, who staggered to his feet.
Jack grinned, exposing perfectly straight, white teeth—they seemed too perfect. “I only do what Mr. Marshal tells me ta do.”
Daniel was taken aback. Up until this moment, he hadn’t truly believed Robert Marshal had ordered the despicable tactics employed by the three bushrangers. He knew him to be crafty, even shady, but not a murderer. He glanced at Woodman. How could they save Dusty’s life?
“I’ll pay,” he said, unsure just where he’d get the money. “But I’ve got to go into town.”
“Yer out of time.”
“Let’s be reasonable . . .”
“The reasonable thing to do was to pay your debt,” Luke shouted. “But you were so high and mighty, too grand to be bothered. So now this here blackfella will pay for your arrogance.”
Dusty looked from Daniel to Woodman; his eyes were lit with fear.
“Can’t just hang ’im,” Woodman said.
“You shut up!” shouted Wade, the quietest of the three.
Daniel’s mind frantically searched for a solution. “No one has to die. I’ll see to the debt.” Daniel prodded his horse forward, hoping Luke would give way.
Rifle in hand, Luke stepped toward Daniel. “Not another step.” He aimed the gun directly at Daniel.
“Hang him,” Jack said.
“Right,” Luke said. “You watch them two.” He moved toward Dusty.
Keeping an eye on Daniel and Woodman, Luke grabbed hold of the rope binding the black man. He pulled a hunting knife from a sheath attached to his belt and cut Dusty free of the horse but left his hands tied. Holding the young man with one hand and grabbing the horse’s bridle with the other, he dragged Dusty toward the tree, then positioned the horse beneath the limb where the rope hung.
Daniel dismounted and walked toward Jack. He knew Jack was the one he’d have to convince. “There’s another way. I could get the money and give it to you. You could keep it. Or I could give you extra. Mr. Marshal never has to know.”
The men seemed to be thinking. Wade spoke first. “I could use a bit of cash. Been a long time since I felt the touch of a woman.”
Jack seemed uncertain.
“I could get it now, right out of the bank,” Daniel said.
Jack studied him. “Thought ya didn’t have no money.”
“I do,” Daniel lied. “Just had other things to pay with it, but that doesn’t matter now. I’ll get it for you.”
“He’s lying,” Luke said. “He’s got no money or he would have paid us. He’d do anything for his wife and kid.”
Jack straightened. “We do what Mr. Marshal tells us.” He turned to Luke. “Hang him.”
Luke grabbed Dusty, and with a grunt, hefted the small man onto the horse’s back.
Keeping his gun and his eyes leveled on Daniel and Woodman, Jack moved his horse close to Dusty and settled the noose over the man’s head, yanking it tight about his neck.
Luke laid a hand on the horse’s rump.
“You do this, and you’ll be sorry,” Daniel said. “The law will hunt you down. And you’ll be facing the same fate as Dusty. You’ve no reason to follow Mr. Marshal’s orders. Just walk away. I won’t say anything about this.”
“No one cares ’bout a blackfella,” Jack said. “We follow Mr. Marshal’s orders. If not, he’ll know. And once yer in his sights, there’s no stepping out of ’em.”
“So Marshal runs your life? You have no say in what you do?” Daniel let a smile touch his lips. “Sounds to me like you’re as much slaves to him as any black man might be.”
Jack’s eyes turned cold, and his mouth tightened into a grim line. “I do as I like.” Without warning, he swung around and fired at Woodman, grazing his left arm. Woodman lifted his rifle in response. “Don’t move,” Jack said, keeping his gun aimed at Woodman. “It’ll be the middle of yer face next time.” He spit. “We’ll be doin’ our job now.”
Woodman lowered his gun, ignoring his wound.
Jack nodded at Luke, and Luke lifted his hand off the horse’s rump. “Maybe next time ya’ll think before ya let Mr. Marshal wait on his money.”
Daniel took a step closer.
“Told ya ta stay put,” Jack said, raising his rifle to his shoulder.
“What did this man do to deserve hanging?” Daniel asked.
“He works for ya.” Jack smiled. “I’ll be doin’ ya a favor. He’s probably been robbing ya blind.”
“He’s a good man.” Daniel looked at Dusty and offered him what he hoped was a look of encouragement. “He’s got a wife and three children.”
“Means nothin’ ta me.”
Woodman remained silent, his jaw set. Daniel could see rage boiling beneath his composed exterior.
“I never robbed Mr. Thornton,” Dusty said. “I been a good worker and do as I’m told. No reason ta ’ang me. What’ll me kids do, eh?” His eyes wide, he looked at Jack.
“That’s none of my business.”
Daniel’s fury grew along with a sense of helplessness. “If you do this, it’s plain murder—nothing less. I’ll see to it that you hang.”
Jack grinned. “Ya try. Ya’ll get nowhere.”
Daniel knew Jack spoke the truth. And he knew that the time for reasoning had ended. He and Woodman would have to kill the men. He glanced at his black friend. There was no sign of fear or pain on his face. His stance was relaxed and he had his rifle lowered, but Daniel knew that didn’t mean Woodman wasn’t ready.
“I can’t let you hang him,” Daniel said. “Cut him down.”
The three men grinned. Luke chuckled.
Daniel raised his rifle. “I’ll kill you if I have to.”
Almost immediately a shot rang out, and Daniel felt a searing pain in his thigh.
He went down but fired at Jack, who clapped a hand over his shoulder where Daniel had hit him.
Woodman fired at Jack but missed.
Wade sprinted to Daniel and pressed his rifle against Daniel’s head. “Drop your guns. Both of you.”
There was nothing to be done. Daniel loosened his grip on the rifle and let it drop.
“You too,” Wade shouted at Woodman.
Woodman’s brown eyes went from Daniel to Dusty. Finally he released his hold, and the rifle clattered to the ground. Luke snatched up both rifles.
“Now we’ll do what we came to do,” Jack said, glancing at his shoulder where blood oozed through his shirt.
“Civilized people don’t hang men for nothing,” Daniel said, gritting his teeth against the pain in his leg.
“Who said we were civilized?” Jack chuckled.