The Firecracker Gets Her Man

by Joannie Kay

  “I’m glad we got here when we did,” Lance said with a gentle smile. He had no intention of telling her what would have happened to her if Blister had gotten his hands on her after she threw boiling stew at his face. “Let’s go. Rachel, are you ready?”

  “I am,” she agreed. It was painful to see how angry he was with her, and she was pretty sure she’d crossed a line with the handsome man. “I’m not sorry, you know!” she suddenly blurted as he headed for the door. He whirled so quickly that she stepped back to keep from bouncing off his back.

  He put his hands on her shoulders and gave her a single shake. “You might not be sorry now, but I guarantee you will be. You think about that while we take Mary to her husband, little girl. I’m not like most men; I know exactly how to handle a sassy, disobedient redhead like you.” He gave her another deliberate shake, and then said, “Are you ready to leave now, or would you like to ride back to town on a sore butt?”

  “I’m ready to leave, and I’ll thank you not to threaten me, Lance Underwood!”

  Mary’s blue eyes were wide as she looked from one person to the other. “Perhaps you would ride with me, Rachel? I am still shaking like a leaf in the wind!”

  “Of course, Mary.” Rachel wanted to escape Lance’s disapproving looks. His dark eyes were full of outrage and anger, and she didn’t know what to do. Her father had already warned her that he wasn’t going to defend her if Lance decided to take her to task, but she hoped he would change his mind when he witnessed for himself how angry Lance was.

  Lance tied Rachel’s stallion to the back of Mary’s wagon, and then he led the way back to town, holding the lead that the three stolen horses followed, carrying the Anderson brothers’ bodies.

  “Oh my goodness, Rachel, but that man is mad at you! I thought it best to give him some time to cool off.”

  “He wouldn’t dare actually put a hand to me!” Rachel said angrily. “He just wouldn’t dare!”

  “I’ve been married to Clay for six years now, and I believe you are in some big trouble, Rachel. Telling him you weren’t sorry was a huge mistake; you should have said you were sorry, even if you weren’t. That goes a long way when trying to calm a furious husband.”

  “He isn’t my husband.”

  “No? He sure acts like one.” Mary giggled. “I thought he was going to spank you back there in the kitchen. He had that warning light in his eyes like Clay gets when I’ve managed to upset him.”

  “He spanks you?” Rachel’s voice squeaked.

  “Well, in a word, yes. He’s not arbitrary about it; I mean, he doesn’t spank me as long as I behave as I should. Clay hates temper tantrums and cursing; he won’t put up with me throwing things. He also doesn’t tolerate flat out disobedience. Oh, I can see what you are thinking, but it isn’t like that, Rachel. We discuss everything. It isn’t like he just says, ‘No buying anything,’ and I buy coffee beans, and he wallops me for it. It’s more like, ‘Mary, we need to tighten our spending for a while.’ I then agree with him to only buy necessary items, like the coffee beans we both love. However, if I see something that is expensive and not necessary, and I buy it knowing we cannot afford it, well, Clay would make me return it, and he would paddle me to remind me that we don’t break a rule on a whim. Do you see? Temper tantrums and disobedience… Those will earn me a sore behind faster than fast. On the other hand, Clay is so loving, and he would give his life to protect me from harm. Those men sneaked up on us, and Clay’s gun was on the other side of camp, and they snatched it before he could reach it. He told them to leave when it was obvious they wanted me, and they shot him. I screamed and tried to fight them, but they threw me in the wagon and just left him lying there.”

  “It isn’t your fault he was shot, Mary. They would have shot him no matter what happened. They were a bad bunch.”

  “You knew them?”

  “I knew of them: Blister, Wart, and Toad Anderson. Papa treated one of their victims. You are very fortunate you escaped them.”

  “The one called Blister seemed off in his head. The other two just did what he told them to do, and I knew I had to come up with a plan or they would abuse me and I wasn’t going to let that happen without trying to fight. I don’t cower in fear; it’s not my nature.”

  “It’s not mine, either. We’ll be in town soon and I will take you straight to Clay. He will rest better once he knows you are safe. Oh, one other thing, Mary, Lance is trying to work undercover, so please don’t mention anything about him being a Texas Ranger. He will tell the sheriff something to explain the situation, but neither Lance nor I are in favor with our local lawman right now, so don’t be shocked at his attitude.”

  “I won’t say a word about Lance being a ranger until you tell me it is all right.”

  “Thanks, Mary. Lance is trying to capture a man who is a lot like Blister Anderson.”

  “Did he think it was that man who had me?”

  “He thought it possible.”

  “I hope he isn’t disappointed?” she said with a frown.

  “Oh heavens, no! Lance wanted to help you, and that was his only motive.”

  “I just don’t know how to thank you both.”

  “Just go inside and tell your husband how much you love him, and his relief and happiness will be the only reward we will need.”

  “That is the sweetest thing to say. You are a comforting person, Rachel. By all rights I should be hysterical right now, and I am not.”

  They stopped in front of Rachel’s home. “I will take these bodies to the sheriff, Rachel. Take this lady inside to her husband, and I will deal with the team when I return. You and I are going to have a serious discussion then,” Lance promised.

  “We will talk, but you had better change your mind about anything else, Lance,” she said primly.

  “Don’t bet on it,” he answered, and then led the three horses down the street before she could answer him.

  “Stubborn man!” she muttered, and thought she heard Mary giggle, but when she turned to look at her, the other woman seemed composed and thoughtful.

  “Papa! I’m home!” she called out as she went inside.

  “I’m in the office, Rachel, trying to keep this patient of mine from undoing all my hard work. He is determined to get out of this bed!” Caleb answered.

  Mary ran into the room and straight over to the bed where her husband was thrashing about. “Clay, you lie still!” she ordered firmly. “I am right here, safe and sound, and you can stop fretting now.”

  “Mary! Oh my God, Mary! I am so sorry, love. Forgive me, please! I’m so sorry!”

  “Sorry you got yourself shot?” she asked, leaning down to kiss him. “You were outnumbered and they had all the guns. You did all you could, darling. I am safe now, here with you, and very much relieved to see you are going to be all right. I was so afraid you were lying somewhere all alone and dying. We owe a man named Maynard Griffin our thanks for finding you and bringing you here for attention.”

  “Did they harm you, honey?” Clay’s eyes looked at her, trying to see for himself if she was abused. “There is no shame if you were attacked; I will still love you and hate myself for allowing it to happen.”

  “Clay, I am fine. After you sleep and are stronger I will tell you exactly what happened and how I stalled for time so that I could escape. My true worry was for you, darling. You were so brave, but you didn’t have a chance against those three. They escaped prison.”

  “Will you stay here with me, please? I think I can sleep, but it will ease my mind to have you beside me.”

  “As if I would leave your side now! I need to be here and hold your hand to be sure you are all right.”

  “I love you, Mary,” he said, and then closed his eyes in deep sleep, finally able to relax and be at peace with himself.

  “Doctor, how is Clay, really?” Mary asked, her blue eyes troubled.

  “I believe he will be just fine in time. He needs a lot of rest, of course. Mary, you are welcome to stay here with
us while Clay recuperates. I do not think it is safe for you to camp in your wagon all by yourself, even in this town. We get drifters I cannot vouch for, and with the Fourth of July celebration coming, people will be feeling rowdy. Best you stay here in the house where I can offer some security and protection,” Caleb offered. “Clay is going to need to stay here for at least a week, if not longer.”

  “Thank you, Doctor. I would like to stay. I have had all the excitement I need for an entire lifetime.”

  “I am a healer, young woman. You need to be honest with me. Were you telling your husband the truth? Those men did not touch you intimately? I can treat you if they did.”

  “Thankfully, I was telling the absolute truth. But I wouldn’t be able to say that if Rachel and Lance hadn’t come to my aid when they did.”

  “Papa, she threw a pot of boiling hot stew in their faces and was making a run for it when we got there.”

  “The only thing, I didn’t know where I was, and they would have found me, I am sure. But I had to try. I am a fighter!”

  “Good for you, Mary.”

  “Papa, I hate to ask more of you this day, but Lance is angry with me and threatening me. Would you deal with him, please?” Rachel asked, trying to look small and helpless.

  “No. I warned you how the man would react, and I told you then that I wouldn’t protect your backside. The man fell head over heels in love with you the moment he met you, and he needs to see you as you are, and you need to see how he deals with flat out disobedience. You earned a spanking, in my opinion. Either it will make your relationship strong or you both won’t want to see the other ever again. Show Mary the downstairs bedroom when she is ready. I am going to bed and get some sleep. Mary, if Clay starts running a fever, come and get me. I am sure we would know by now, but he still needs careful attention. If that nosy sheriff comes by, you tell him I gave orders that he is not to see my patient until I agree to it. G’night.”

  Rachel showed Mary the bedroom that her father referred to. Clay wasn’t the first patient to stay with them until they were completely healed. Mary thanked her, and then returned to sit beside her husband and hold his hand. She finally allowed silent tears to run down her cheeks unheeded and Rachel handed her a clean handkerchief from the supply her father kept handy. “I don’t know why I am crying now,” Mary whispered. “Unless it is just a culmination of fear that is finally spilling out and releasing all the emotions I’ve felt since earlier today.”

  “Probably so. Just cry it out, and when the sun comes up, it will be a bright new day.” She’d heard her father say that so often and so did Doctor Merritt. Her mind wandered to Lance and she wondered how things were going with the sheriff.

  * * *

  “I don’t get this, mister. You say that guy at Doc’s has a wife, and you took it on yourself to go and find her without comin’ to the law first? How do I know you didn’t just up and shoot three innocent men?” the sheriff asked in a petulant tone of voice.

  “Those innocent men are escaped convicts by the name of Blister, Wart, and Toad Anderson.”

  “You took on the Anderson Brothers?”

  “I had to get Mary out of there. You know why those three men were in prison, Sheriff. There was no time to fetch you.”

  “Well, I guess that is true, but you should have sent Doc to tell me what you were doing.”

  “And have him leave a patient who was trying to climb out of bed to go and rescue his wife? Doc was needed right where he was.”

  “What about Rachel?” The man said her name with distaste on his face.

  “She was too busy trailing me to get help,” Lance said.

  “She did what? That girl is plumb crazy.”

  “She is too brave and sassy for words,” Lance said.

  “You’re lucky she didn’t get you both killed.” He paused, obviously thinking. “Mister, I don’t know you well, but it is best you keep it quiet about the lady being kidnapped by those three. Folks would think the worst, like they usually do, and she don’t need that.”

  “No, she doesn’t, and I was going to ask you to do the same, Sheriff. Mary is a sweet woman and she had a bad scare. She was brave and she cooked for them, taking her time and stalling the inevitable. She finally threw boiling hot stew in their faces to give herself a chance to run. That is when Rachel and I came barging in to rescue her. She’s spunky and she loves her husband. After the scare she had, the first thing she said was to ask us to help her husband. I admire her. She held her head together and kept herself safe and she doesn’t deserve a bunch of gossips making her life hell.”

  “I agree, and I do thank you for protecting her reputation.”

  “When someone is innocent, I speak up.”

  “I get it, and I thought about it. I reckon you could be right about Miss Rachel too, but I sure hope she don’t hurt Doc again. He should have taken a switch to her, but that little gal has him buffaloed.”

  “He loves her,” Lance answered simply.

  “So I’ve been told,” he admitted. “I went by again to try and see his patient, and he raked me over the coals for what I said to Rachel. He set me straight,” the man admitted.

  “He is happy to have her home safe.”

  “She was working for a doctor all this time; I’ll make sure folks hear the straight of it,” the sheriff said, and Lance found himself changing his mind about the man. “So, why are you in town? I know somethin’ is up, and I won’t like it if I’m left cold and somethin’ goes down.”

  “I appreciate that, Sheriff, but I have to make sure nothing leaks out.”

  “I can keep my mouth shut if it’s necessary, in spite of what folks think and say. I know quite a few secrets and I don’t share them unless it’s important to do so, or it won’t hurt folks. I know you ain’t what you seem, and I suspect you’re a Texas Ranger. Doc wouldn’t let you get so close to Rachel if you were just a saddle tramp of some sort.”

  There was no help for it. Lance took out his badge and showed it to the man. “I am working undercover, Sheriff.”

  Chapter Four

  The sheriff examined Lance’s badge as if he’d never seen one before. “I figured as much. I’ll keep it quiet. Who are you lookin’ for, Ranger?”

  “Jared Cane. Rachel came home to warn you that Cane is planning to hit the bank here on the fourth of July while the town is celebrating. His girlfriend, Misty Feathers, will be arriving first. Rachel overheard them talking when they thought they were alone in the doctor’s office. The doc sent Rachel out for something, and Cane shot the doctor and killed him. He then searched the town over for Rachel, intending to kill her too. She hid, and came home to warn you what he was planning.”

  “And I acted like a jerk, and she wasn’t about to talk to me after I done tole her to get on out of town. I can be awful stupid at times.” He shook his head, and then added, “That little gal has a bad temper on her. She’s a real firecracker at times.”

  “She is,” Lance had to agree. “Sheriff, please don’t say anything to anyone about me being a Texas Ranger. If Cane gets wind of me being in town, we could very well lose him.”

  “I’ve got your back, Ranger. If you need anythin’, then you let me know. I guess I don’t need to tell you to keep that little redhead off the street for now. We don’t want Cane or his girlfriend spottin’ her. I can pick up the girlfriend when she gets off the stage.”

  “No. Just keep an eye on her. She is pregnant, so we have to be careful how we handle her. That little baby can’t help who its parents are.”

  “That’s good to know; I won’t manhandle her none.”

  Lance held out his hand and the sheriff quickly took it and shook. “It’s good to have someone on my side in this, Arnold.”

  “Arnie, Lance. Doc and my mother are the only ones who call me Arnold.”

  Lance smiled and nodded. “I understand, Arnie.”

  “Now, I know I keep spoutin’ off about Rachel, but I am worried for her, man. Are you goin’ to sit on
her, or do I need to try and warn her?” he asked.

  “I will deal with Rachel, Arnie. She is a challenge, but I’m up for it.”

  “Don’t be too hard on her. She acts tough, but she’s real delicate,” the man advised. “Doc didn’t do her no favors by not takin’ her over his knee when he should’ve.”

  “I agree,” Lance answered, and then grinned as he held his hand in a threatening manner. “Miss Rachel is in for a taste of discipline.”

  “That is personal and private between the two of you.” Arnie actually blushed.

  * * *

  Lance went inside the large house and found Mary with her husband, holding his hand and looking at him with love in her pretty blue eyes. “Mary, how is Clay doing?” Lance whispered.

  “He is resting peacefully now. He was really afraid for me.”

  “Of course he was. He loves you.”

  “Oh, yes! I love him too.”

  “It shows,” he said, then asked, “Where is Miss Rachel?”

  “She unhitched the horses and is putting them in the barn, feeding and watering them. I offered to do it, but I think she wanted to be alone to think about you. Are you really going to spank her? Or just give her a good scolding and give her another chance?”

  “Now, Miss Mary, don’t you fret. Rachel needs a good spanking, and it will be given with love. I know it’s awful soon to use that word since I just met her, but I swear it is true. I have never felt like this before, and I’m no kid. I am going to give her all the time she needs to learn to love me, but if she keeps risking her life, she won’t be around to love. She has earned a lesson.”

  “She’s really nice.”

  Lance chuckled. “Yes, she is really nice. You take care of Clay now, and don’t be worried about Rachel. She is safe with me; I’m only going to dent her pride and injure her dignity a bit. She will be sassy as ever by tomorrow evening.”