Sweet Savage Heart

by Janelle Taylor

  Rana sensed that the man was deceiving her, for he was too caught up in his thoughts to realize that his gaze, voice, and behavior were giving him away. She noticed how he kept licking his lips and swallowing, and how his breathing indicated a racing heart. She had watched him dry his palms on his pants’ legs several times. She saw the glow in his eyes and on his cheeks, and she observed how he kept shifting nervously from foot to foot. She noticed all of these things without Harrison’s awareness. Rana knew she had this man duped and fascinated, and she found it impossible to avoid wondering if he had also been this taken with her mother.

  She realized she was in no danger from him, at least for today. There was much she wanted to learn from him and about him, and the only way to do so was to accept his questionable invitation. “I will go with you, but I must return home soon. I must not worry those Grandfather left to protect me. Tell me about your daughter,” she coaxed as they mounted.

  Clarissa paced the cabin as she talked with Wes Monroe. “You’re certain you left enough of a trail for them to follow without it looking odd?”

  “Just like we planned, woman, so stop acting loco. By now, half the hands on the Rocking C should be chasing down that trail. When I see your papa later, I’ll tell him we need to strike closer to the house tonight while those men are gone. Don’t fret; I’ll make sure that girl gets in the way of a stray bullet. I know my work; it’ll look like an accident. Once it’s done, ain’t nothing he can do about it. You know this is going to cost you extra,” he announced suddenly.

  Clarissa halted to look at him and scoffed crudely, “Don’t try that on me, you bastard. We both know how much you and Jack love killing people, including pretty women. All you have to do now is convince Papa to let you raid Crandall’s stable.”

  “You worry too much, woman. He won’t suspect a thing, not tonight or when I get ready to plug him for you. You want me to take him out quick and easy, or real slow and painful?”

  “I haven’t decided yet,” she replied petulantly. “Right now, I just want to get rid of that little Michaels bitch before Papa gets any more silly ideas like he did with Mary Beth Sims,” she explained, knowing it was Travis she wanted to protect from Rana’s allure and not her father, for she had another way to halt anything that might start between Harrison and Rana.

  Moving his tongue slowly over his dry lips, Wes commanded, “Forget all that for now and come here, woman.”

  Rana entered the house and looked around wide-eyed, as if she were astonished by its size and was appreciatively admiring it. She smiled and remarked, “Your home is very big and pretty. It is strange to live in a place with many rooms and belongings. It is much different in a tepee,” she told him casually, knowing he was aware of the story of her past and concluding that her easy manner would disarm him completely. As if enthralled by the spaciousness and beauty of his home, she began to wander around, carefully studying the layout of the rooms and the objects in them.

  Ushering her into the parlor, Harrison said, “I’m sorry about what happened to you, Rana. It must have been terrible for you, all those years with the Indians.”

  She halted her roaming to glance at him and answer, “It was not bad with the Oglalas. They stole me from the Kiowas when I was but eight winters. The Kiowas were very bad, but I was small and remember little about them. When I was taken captive by the Oglalas, Chief Soaring Hawk made me his daughter. I was very happy and free with them. But I am glad to be home again. Still, there is much to learn. The white teacher comes each day to help me, and I work hard to learn quickly. I do not wish to shame my grandfather, for many think and say I am… uncivilized, you whites call it. Yes?”

  Harrison grinned. “Anybody who would call you a savage is blind and mean, Rana. But it isn’t ‘you whites,’ because you’re one of us.”

  She laughed merrily. “I forget. I was raised Indian, and change is hard and long. You are kind not to laugh at me. Grandfather knows that many people will; that is why he keeps me home until I learn much. I am brave and strong. It will hurt if they do not like me or they treat me badly, but words cannot slay a person. I wish to make Grandfather proud of me. He has been sad many years since Mother was killed. I wish to make him happy again. Where is your daughter? I wish her to tell me about my mother. I remember little about her.”

  Harrison replied, “She’ll return soon. Why don’t you look around?” he entreated. He watched Rana as she moved gracefully from one place to another as if she were on a magical journey. She was like a child filled with the wonder of Christmas. Several times her hand reached toward an object, then she would slowly withdraw it, as if afraid to touch the piece. She would ball her hands briefly as if warning herself she could break something precious or valuable. Recalling how long she had been with the Indians, he realized how new and different all of this would be for her. She was so alive and inquisitive, and he was feeling younger by the minute just observing her.

  “You told me you weren’t afraid of anything, Rana,” he teased. “Pick it up and look at it,” he encouraged when she wavered over a floral glass box and her exquisite gaze remained locked on it.

  “I must not, Mister Caldwell. I would be sad if I broke something that belongs to another. I have never seen flowers that are not real, except painted ones. How strange and beautiful,” she murmured, playing her naïve Indian maiden role with superb talent.

  Harrison stepped forward, lifted the box, and handed it to her. “It’s yours, Rana. Now you shouldn’t be afraid to hold it.”

  Rana looked at the treasure in her hands. She widened her eyes guilefully and protested, “But I cannot take it without a reason.”

  “There are two reasons you should take it, Rana. First, because it’s your first visit to my home and I wish you to have it; and second, because it was bought as a gift for your mother years ago, but she left before Clarissa and I could give it to her.”

  Rana looked at the fragile box and pondered Harrison’s words. She believed it had been purchased for Marissa, but not as a gift from his daughter, and this strange perception alarmed her.

  “Please take it, Rana. I will be sad if you refuse.”

  “I will take it because the Indians taught me it was wrong to refuse the generosity of a friend. I only wished to know why you wanted me to have it. Thank you. I will guard it carefully.”

  “I’ll go see if any of my men know where Clarissa went and how long she’ll be. You relax and I’ll return shortly,” he told her, pretending to know nothing of his daughter’s absence.

  Rana peeked out the window and watched him walk toward his stable to speak with the man working there. She hurriedly looked around his home once more, astutely memorizing where the doors and windows were located. She found his office and noticed the large safe behind an equally large desk. Excitement surged through her. She quickly studied the room, inside and outside, then returned to the parlor and was feigning fascination with the pianoforte when he returned.

  She glanced up quizzically when she saw that he was alone. She listened and nodded her head as he told her the stableman had said Clarissa had gone riding. Smiling, Rana rose from her seat on the oblong bench. “I must ride for home, Mister Caldwell. The others will worry if they find me gone. I will visit another day. You are most kind and generous.”

  “I wish you could stay longer, but I understand. I’ll ride part of the way with you, to make sure you get home safely.”

  Rana smiled. “If it pleases you,” she agreed.

  Harrison bid her good-bye at the boundary to his ranch. He didn’t want any of the men seeing them together and telling Nathan about their meeting, for Nathan would surely want to keep them apart. Since it was more than likely that Rana was not supposed to be out alone, chances were she wouldn’t mention their meeting either, he reasoned. “Please ride over to visit us any time, Rana. I know Clarissa is anxious to meet you.”

  Rana reached the stable, then made her way to the house unseen, laughing inwardly at her cleverness. When she
was finally safe in her room, she placed the floral box on her dresser and stared at it intently. She wondered why her mother had been a friend to those who were now enemies of her family. Clearly this Harrison Caldwell had been in love with her mother, and now he desired her to take Marissa’s place. Perhaps it had not been Clarissa whom her mother had been visiting on the Circle C Ranch long ago… Was it possible that her mother and Caldwell had been in love and had wished to marry, but that something or someone had prevented it? Had her mother left home and married Raymond out of spite? There were so many unanswered questions.

  Rana picked up the doll from her bed and placed it beside the glass box, then laid the heart-shaped turquoise and silver pendant next to it. Her probing gaze moved from one item to the next. “What is your secret, Mother? Why did you choose a cruel beast like Raymond Michaels over Todd Raines or Harrison Caldwell? Are you the reason Caldwell hates Grandfather so intensely? What happened to you before I was born? I am sorry if you loved him, but I must make him pay for hurting Grandfather,” she vowed sincerely.

  It was nearing eight o’clock when Mace knocked on the front door. Rana smiled at him and invited him inside.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea with your grandfather gone. We don’t want people talking about us. I was just making sure you’re all right,” he explained.

  Rana looked confused. “Is it not the plan to have them do so?”

  Mace looked at her oddly, then grinned. “Yes, but not that way. It’s fine for us to be seen outside together, but it isn’t considered nice for a lady to entertain a man when she’s alone.”

  She reflected upon his words, then reasoned, “Why not? If we do nothing wrong, why would they think badly of us?”

  “Not badly, Rana, just…” He hesitated as he sought the right words. “It just isn’t done like that down here. A man and woman just don’t spend time alone in this situation.”

  “Travis and Rana spent time alone in this house,” she argued.

  “But you’re family. That’s different.”

  “No, Mace, we are not family,” she corrected him.

  Mace looked disconcerted. “I don’t know how to explain this to you, Rana. I just know it ain’t right for me to come inside tonight.”

  “You whites have many strange ways, Mace Hunter,” she teased.

  “You whites?” he echoed mischievously.

  She laughed, then asked, “Did you capture any of the rustlers?”

  “Not a da… one, Rana. I sent a few men on ahead, but I think that trail was marked to mislead us. That makes me wonder what those bas… outlaws are planning tonight.” Mace warned himself to calm down. He was so tired and annoyed that his tongue was hanging loose.

  “You think the trail was a trick?” she inquired.

  He nodded his blond head. “Yep, and I plan to put out lots of guards tonight. So if you hear anything, stay in the house and keep the doors and windows locked. And keep a gun nearby.”

  “It is too hot to close doors and windows, Mace.”

  “Then keep lights on in all the rooms so my men can see anybody sneaking around the house.”

  “I will. I am a light sleeper, and I can defend myself. Do not worry,” she entreated confidently.

  “I know you can take care of yourself. Travis told me how you and Nate fought off those deserters on the trail and how you saved his life. That’s the only reason I’m not overly worried about you. He’s a damn lucky man to have you, and I’m lucky he’s my friend.” Mace kissed her on the cheek then and left.

  Nathan arrived home late the next afternoon and told Rana that the legal work had been set in motion and that the lawyer would notify him when it was time to pick up the papers in Dallas. He explained that it was a complicated matter, but he was confident it could be handled by the lawyer he had chosen.

  Mace joined them for supper soon afterward and gave Nathan a detailed report of the recent events. “I can’t explain it, Nate, but I was sure something was up last night. Who knows? Maybe they’re watching our every move and knew we’d returned to the ranch and posted guards. Dang it! That Caldwell is a sly varmint. Doesn’t look as if there’s any outguessing him.”

  “He’ll make an error one day, Mace, and when he does, we’ll catch him, legally or otherwise. Presently I’m worried about Travis; if he made it, we should have gotten word from him by now.” He glanced at Rana and frowned, annoyed with himself for his slip.

  Rana smiled and squeezed his arm. “He’ll be fine, Grandfather,” she encouraged him tenderly, though she too felt something was terribly wrong. They had decided on a prearranged message to let Nathan and Rana know he had succeeded and was on his way home. There were less than two weeks remaining until their deadline, and the message had not arrived. Rana did not want to think about what that could mean.

  After supper, Rana and Mace stood on the front porch in view of the hands near the bunkhouse and cook house, as if they were sweethearts sharing each other’s company. As they talked, Mace slipped his arm around her shoulder and she rested her head against his chest. “Do you think he’s safe, Mace?” she asked worriedly.

  Mace comfortingly tightened his embrace for a moment, then answered, “I’m sure he is, Rana. We’ll hear from him tomorrow; you’ll see. Travis is cunning and smart; nothing can happen to him.”

  She looked up at him, her eyes pleading for reassurance. “But he’s had time to send us word by now. Why has it not come?”

  “I don’t know, Rana, but it will.” He kissed her forehead and snuggled her against him. He would not tell her that he was plenty worried too. If Travis hadn’t reached the Indian camp, retrieved the gold, and left by now… Mace sighed heavily. He almost wished Nathan hadn’t told him Travis’s secret plans. Damn, he cursed to himself, it was a crazy, dangerous scheme, and it had little chance of success. Even if Travis got the gold from the Indians, how could he get it back here safely by himself, and in time to save the ranch? Mace knew Travis could do most anything he set his mind to, but this task might be too much, even for Travis.

  Clarissa sat staring at her father’s back. Damn you, you bastard, she silently cursed him. He had refused to let Wes and his men go near Nathan’s ranch last night. In fact, he had told them to lie low until he gave further orders. She wasn’t fooled. She knew he hadn’t wanted Rana Michaels frightened or injured. She had seen the way her father had behaved after Rana’s visit yesterday—like a dog in heat! The more she thought about his weakness for Marissa and Rana, the angrier she became, and the more her hatred and bitterness increased. “Papa, I don’t understand this hesitation. You should make every move possible while Travis is gone.”

  Harrison turned and looked at her. He scowled. “Stop trying to run my affairs, daughter. I know what I’m doing.”

  “What are you doing, Papa?” she asked sarcastically.

  “I’m keeping them off balance, girl. When they think I will strike, I don’t. When they think I won’t, I do. Mace Hunter wasn’t fooled by that false trail; he was back at the ranch before dusk. I sent Fargo over there to nose around. He said they had guards posted all over the place. If I had let Wes and the boys go there, there would have been bodies to throw suspicion on me. I sent Wes and Jack down to Abilene to make sure Nate wasn’t down there trying to borrow money. If he visited any of those banks, I’ll know by tomorrow, and that’ll keep those two busy a couple of days. You just do as I tell you, and keep your little nose out of my business.”

  “How can I help you, Papa, if I don’t know everything?”

  “You know all you need to know, girl.”

  “What are you planning to do next?” she persisted.

  “I don’t know yet, but nothing for the next few days. Let ‘em relax a little and drop their guards; then I’ll strike again.” Harrison looked at the hostile expression on Clarissa’s face. He did not want her around when he brought Marissa—no, Rana—into this house to live. He detested his daughter and wanted to punish her, and he knew that the best way to hu
rt a woman was to degrade her. “I need you to do something for me, girl.”

  “Anything, Papa,” she replied sullenly, rashly.

  “Fargo is getting restless. Why don’t you give him a reason to hang around and stay loyal to us? We need him, Clarissa.”

  “We,” “us,” her furious mind echoed antagonistically. “What kind of reason would hold him here, Papa?” she asked with what innocence she could muster.

  “You know he has a hankering for you, girl. Why don’t I go into town tonight while you invite him here? I won’t come back until midnight,” he informed her meaningfully.

  “If I invite him, Papa, he’ll get the wrong idea; then I’ll have him hanging around me and the house all the time.”

  “They why don’t I send him to the house with a message. You can offer him a drink while you read it, then let things proceed from there. You know he isn’t gonna tell me he was sneaking into my daughter’s bed while I was gone. You’ll spark his interest, and he’ll hang around waiting for another chance to get into your bloomers. Come on, girl, you’re no silly virgin. You might as well enjoy your work. Before long, you’ll be chained to a husband, so you’d best have fun now.”

  “Are you sure about this, Papa?”

  “Just do whatever needs doing to keep Fargo around.”

  Late that afternoon, Fargo rode into town with Harrison. They stopped at the mercantile store so that Harrison could purchase some items for Fargo to deliver to Clarissa, and, shortly thereafter, Fargo was knocking at Clarissa’s door, his arms full of bundles.