The Firecracker Gets Her Man

by Joannie Kay

  Rachel didn’t protest when he lifted her and turned her over and sat her on his lap to hold her and offer comfort. She was in pain; her poor bottom burned like she’d backed into a hot stove, and she was truly miserable. What she didn’t understand was why she wanted the one who had caused the pain to hug her and hold her and tell her she would be all right. She needed Lance’s arms around her, comforting her, and making her feel cherished and loved. They sat like that for the next hour and then Lance put her on her feet and said, “I need to go, honey. You get on upstairs and get some sleep. Do your best to trust me,” he said, then kissed her and left.

  Rachel looked around, saw the dirty dishes and decided to wash them up, filling the dishpan with the cups and saucers from the table. She hated to wake up and find so many dirty dishes to wash when nothing had been served yet! She filled the pan with hot water from the stove, adding soap, then she picked up her dishcloth and put it in the pan to get it wet again. Just as she started to wash one of the china cups, a large hand containing a chloroform-soaked handkerchief covered her nose and mouth and his other arm held her tightly against his body. Rachel struggled, but that only caused her to breathe in more of the sickly sweet chloroform, and she fell limp in the man’s arms.

  * * *

  Caleb knocked on Lance’s hotel room door. “Lance! Lance! Wake up!” he called out, not a bit concerned with waking people. He held the record in this town for being woke from a sound sleep at all hours of the night and early morning. The door opened almost instantly, and he could see the ranger was completely alert. “My little girl has been kidnapped! She is nowhere to be found, and I discovered a pan of dirty dishes in the sink with a broken cup on the floor. I also found this!” He held up a handkerchief and warned, “Don’t breathe too deeply. Do you recognize the odor? It is chloroform! She was drugged.”

  “Who would have access to chloroform, sir?” Lance asked, trying to think logically and not let fear for his lady overtake him. It wasn’t easy because he was scared to the very bone.

  “It can be purchased – or stolen,” Caleb answered. “You told me that Cane killed that other doctor. He probably stole anything he thought he might find useful.”

  “Where do you think he could be hiding that is close to town, but not on the regular road? Do you think he could be holed up at the same place the Anderson brothers held Mary?”

  “I would think that is the obvious choice. Of course, there is a mine on the opposite side of town, but they were coming from the northeast. They wouldn’t tack another fifty miles, sixty until they circled around town, to go to the mine.”

  “I’ll check the ranch where they took Mary. It could be that someone is hoping to get me out of town today, but it won’t take long to go and check it out.” He turned back to the doctor and said, “Please pray, sir. Rachel needs prayer, and so do I, if I am to save her.”

  “I would like to come.”

  “You would slow me down, sir. You can help by telling Arnie what is happening and that he needs to watch the stage come in. He’ll know what to do.”

  “I will do that. Be safe, Lance. Save my Rachel.”

  “She is my Rachel too,” Lance said so seriously and with so much pain in his voice that Caleb knew the man loved Rachel deeply, as crazy as it was. He hoped his daughter knew how special this kind of love was, how rare!

  * * *

  “Damn it!”

  “Will you shut up, Parker? I’m tryin’ to sleep!”

  “She bit me again.”

  “Slap her then, but stop yelling. I want to sleep.”

  “Oh, go to hell, Risky. Wait until you try guardin’ ‘er.”

  “You must be the stupid ones in the Cane Gang,” Rachel mused aloud.

  “We ain’t stupid, girl,” Parker growled.

  “You must be; you two were left to guard me while Cane and Misty Flowers are in town to rob the bank. They don’t intend to share that money; they’re planning to take off to Mexico where they can live very well with the proceeds, but not if they have to share.”

  “We’re guarding you because he intends to kill you!” Parker argued.

  “He’s gonna do you too, bitch!”

  Rachel forced herself to laugh. “While his pregnant girlfriend watches? I don’t think so; she would shoot him in the back while his britches were down around his knees.”

  “Misty sure wouldn’t like it,” Parker agreed, and then asked, “What you think, Risky?”

  “I sure ain’t stupid,” but the doubt in his voice was working in Rachel’s favor.

  “You two need to get away from here while you can,” she said quietly. “There is a Texas Ranger in town and he’s planning to put Misty and Jared behind bars. He knows they are there, and that they intend to rob the bank.”

  “How could he know that?” Risky’s chair landed on four legs so that he could look at her.

  “Because your esteemed leader and his girlfriend made their plans in the doctor’s office where he went for treatment for his gunshot wound. They forgot I was in the office, and the doctor sent me away and they didn’t know that when they killed him. I heard what happened and hid from him, and that is why he had you two fools kidnap me.”

  “He told us it was so’s you could nurse us if one of us got shot up!” Parker told her. “He didn’t say nothin’ about you bein’ there…” He looked at Risky. “I think she might be right. He ain’t gonna share that money with us after doin’ the job himself.”

  “He don’t want ‘er here to tend us either. He intends to kill ‘er ‘cause she done saw him and can pin murder on ‘im.”

  They scrambled to their feet and then whispered between themselves. “We ain’t gonna kill ya, girl. You saved us, but we cain’t let you go, either. We’re real sorry.” They were gone within minutes, and “goin’ home,” wherever that was.

  Rachel was relieved when they left. Now all she had to do was free herself. Her poor bottom was killing her. She’d been tied to the chair for hours, and the spanking that Lance gave her left her hurting something awful. Rachel was going to tell Lance that she did not want him spanking her at all. It simply hurt too much, and the after was even more painful than when it was happening. Of course, when he learned that she didn’t obey him and go straight to her room after he left, she would be darn lucky if he didn’t turn her over his knee again! She really didn’t mean to be disobedient, but her pride got in the way. She didn’t want Mary to find a dishpan full of dirty dishes to start the day.

  She finally managed to get her hands free, and she shrugged out of the ropes. She then reached down, untied her feet, and hurried to get away from the house. She didn’t want to take a chance that Jared Cane or Misty Feathers would get away and run here to hide. Rachel was going to need to be careful. She didn’t want one of those two gang members to double back with rape on their mind either. In short, she needed to be very vigilant. She patted her pocket again, and felt a bit comforted by the sharp knife she had taken from the table. Parker left it behind after cutting lengths of rope to tie her to the chair when she regained conscious. Fortunately for her, he laid his knife on the table, and thanks to her papa, Rachel knew how to use a knife and do some serious damage.

  She walked toward town, and had only gone a few miles when she heard a horse galloping fast toward her. She quickly hid, and it wasn’t until Lance went past her that she recognized him racing toward the abandoned ranch house. She stepped out and yelled, “Lance! Lance! Stop! I’m over here!”

  Lance reined in his stallion, and quickly turned to see if he was hearing things, or if, by some miracle, his sweet redhead was truly calling to him. She waved her arms as he hurried toward her, jumped from his saddle, and hugged her tightly. “Are you all right, Rachel, love?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am fine. I didn’t want to walk all the way to town, however. How did you know I was missing?” she asked. “I am supposed to be in my room, and I didn’t think I would be missed at all.”

  “Your father is one smart man
. The broken teacup, the dirty dishes sitting in the dishwater, and a cloth soaked in chloroform – he came for me immediately.”

  “Good. You need to know that both Jared and Misty are in town, and getting ready to rob the bank. He had Parker and Risky kidnap me, and they were told to hold me in case one of them was wounded, but I convinced them that Cane was going to simply keep the money for himself and Misty, and kill them along with me. I told them that you knew all about Cane’s plan, and would stop him, and he would be dead, or blame them. It worked; they ran for their lives. I got free and started walking toward town. I was frightened when I heard your horse, so I hid until I knew it was you, Lance!”

  “Smart girl. We need to get back to town. I want to stop Cane.”

  “Yes. Another reason he kidnapped me was to distract you.”

  He climbed on his saddle and then easily lifted her in front of him and held her close.

  “Ow!” Rachel complained. “My butt is sore, mister! You are not to spank me again, ever!”

  “That will last, if we are lucky, until tomorrow. You are a spanking a day girl,” he said with a chuckle. “Honey, I am so relieved you are all right. I was afraid they were abusing you,” he admitted. “Your father is going to be overjoyed to have you back in one piece. He was afraid, and he wanted to come with me. I am afraid I insulted him by telling him no. I knew he couldn’t keep up.”

  “Poor Papa. He does so love me, brat that I am.”

  “He is a good man. You are fortunate to have his love.”

  “Yes, I am. I am also lucky to have your love, Lance. I prayed that you were safe, and that Jared didn’t know you were in town and try to shoot you!” She rested her head on his chest, hoping he wouldn’t see her tears, but of course he did.

  “Don’t cry, honey. I’m fine, and I’ll catch the bastard.”

  “Risky said Cane intended to rape me before killing me. I laughed it off and said he wouldn’t dare do that in front of Misty, but I have been thinking. What if he is planning to leave her behind to take the fall? Maybe he isn’t happy about the baby?”

  “That could be, honey. Do you have someplace you can go that you will be safe? I can’t leave you at your house because Cane knows where you live. I guess you could come and sit in the jail. Or, I could put you in my room at the hotel, but I don’t trust Jeremy not to blab it all over town.”

  “Or me not to clout him!” she muttered darkly, and Lance laughed.

  “You are one sassy, spunky lady, and I do love you.” He leaned down and kissed her. “You are a little firecracker, Miss Rachel,” he insisted, making her smile.

  “I must know, am I in trouble for not going directly to my room when you left? I wasn’t deliberately being disobedient, Lance. I didn’t even think about that, only my pride, and I didn’t want Mary to come down to a dishpan full of dirty dishes this morning. Honest, honey, I wasn’t trying to disobey you, but my bottom was on fire, and the dishes seemed important.”

  “I am not an ogre, sweetheart. I knew exactly what you were doing, and why. I’m not going to spank you for that.”

  “Good. You are such a good man, and I want to stay with you at the jail,” she informed him. “The jail is the one place in town that Jared Cane won’t go near.”

  “Smart girl.”

  “You’d best drop me off here, and go to the house and get my boy’s getup and bring it to me. Cane won’t expect that.”

  “Right.” Lance helped her down and asked her to remain hidden.

  Doc was sitting on his front porch, and he slumped over in pain when he saw Lance was alone. Lance helped him inside. “I have her, sir. She is all right. I came to get her boy clothes and then I am taking her to the jail.”

  “Was she abused, son? You tell me the truth, damn it!” Caleb ordered sharply.

  “She is sassy and just fine, sir. She used her brain and made the two men who kidnapped her think Cane was going to kill them. They ran for their very lives. She then freed herself and started walking back to town, hiding when she heard someone. She is great, but I want you to act as though she is still missing, and that we don’t have a clue where to look. Her life could depend on it.”

  “I will do my best. You give her a kiss and a hug from her papa, please. And, Lance, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love that child more than life.”

  “She loves you too, sir. She knows she is very lucky to have you in her life. She told me so.”

  “Keep her safe, son.”

  “Yes, sir. I promise I will.”

  He packed her things in a saddlebag, mounted his stallion, and then hurried to the end of town, talking to people along the way, and asking if they’d seen or heard from Rachel. He got only negative responses, but it was his way of throwing off attention. He also spotted some kids playing with firecrackers, and gave them a stern warning to be careful that they don’t startle horses. They gave him a polite, “Yes, sir,” and he vowed to find them later and treat them to something special and tell them they’d helped him capture a criminal.

  He traveled the length of the street and then galloped when he was far enough away that he shouldn’t be seen. He found Rachel waiting patiently, and then he waited while she went behind some bushes to change into her boy’s clothing. “Make sure you strap on your gun belt, honey.”

  “I am all ready.” She stepped out to face him, and she did look like a boy. “This is Papa’s shirt,” she stated matter-of-factly.

  “It is. He wanted to be with you and this was the only thing he could think of. I am to give you a hug and a kiss from him, and tell you how much he loves you.” He pulled her close and gave her the hug and the kiss, and then kissed her again. “Don’t cry, honey. He is so relieved you are all right, although he did swear at me, afraid I would lie to him.”

  “Yes, he hates treating women who have been abused. It makes him so sad. He was afraid for me, I know.”

  “Yes. Now, let’s go. I am going to get a bit rough with you when we get to town. You are going to set off a firecracker, and I am going to take you in.”

  “Fun!” she said, giggling.

  They finally made it to the jail, and Arnie was sitting at his desk. “You found her, thank God! Are you all right, Rachel?” he asked, concern in his eyes.

  “I’m fine, Arnie.” She told the story again, and then glanced out the window while Arnie shared his opinion that Cane would wait until the fireworks went off so he could blow up the safe with dynamite.

  “No! It’s happening right now, Lance! See that man in the gray suit? That is Mr. Payne; he owns the bank. The woman is Misty Feathers, and the man wearing the blue suit is Jared Cane. They are getting Mr. Payne to unlock the door and once inside, they will insist he open the safe. He will take everything from the safe, and probably kill Mr. Payne. We have to stop him, Lance!” In the next second, Rachel was out the door and on her way to the bank.

  Chapter Ten

  “Come back here, Rachel!” Lance called, but she couldn’t hear him over the crowd. He had no choice but give chase, and Arnie followed too.

  Rachel was determined to save the bank president’s life, and she went straight through the bank door, gun in hand. Mr. Payne looked at her in shock, and Jared Cane went for his weapon, but he was so shocked to see her, that he fumbled his gun and accidentally shot Misty! She screamed and fell to the floor.

  “You! This is all your fault!” Cane screamed at her.

  “You shot and killed Doctor Merritt! I am going to see you hang for murder!”

  “I am going to kill you for what you did to Misty!” he blustered, but his hand was shaking so badly that his shot went wild.

  Arnie came in through the back door as Lance came in the front. They both fired, and Jared Cane fell to the floor, dead.

  “Are you all right, Mr. Payne?” Arnie asked the man. He was shaking like a leaf.

  “They seemed like such nice people. They came to my home and told me that they had a problem, and needed to cash a check so they could take the s
tage out of town. They were trying to get home for a funeral for her mother!”

  “They were lying to you, sir,” Lance told the man. “He was a thief and a killer by the name of Jared Cane. The woman is his pregnant girlfriend. Rachel Waterford overheard them planning to rob the bank here in town, and she came home to prevent it from happening.”

  “Thank you, Rachel! What a brave thing you did!”

  “It was foolish, and I am going to make sure she knows just how foolish in a little bit!”

  Rachel was kneeling beside Misty, and she looked up at Lance and said, “This one needs Papa; she is losing the baby.” Lance could see the woman was lying in a puddle of blood.

  “Are you sure Doc will tend her after what they tried to do to you, Miss Rachel?” Arnie asked quietly. “I sure wouldn’t.”

  “Papa will tend her. She is a human being and needs his help. I will make damn sure she doesn’t get a chance to shoot him too.”

  Arnie picked the woman up and they walked briskly through the town, people moving out of the way and whispering about what could have happened. Mr. Payne stood outside the bank and told his story, proclaiming that Rachel Waterford was a true hero. People listened, and even Mr. Lowe, the elderly man from the stage who thought Rachel needed a switching was forced to give her credit and admit he’d judged her too harshly.

  Caleb came running when he heard the front door open, Mary on his heels. “Papa, this is Misty Feathers. That moron Jared Cane shot her when we caught them robbing the bank. She is losing the baby, I think.”

  “Bring her in, and hurry and change, daughter.”

  “Yes, Papa.” Rachel ran to obey her father, and then went in to help him do what needed to be done. They worked for over an hour, trying to save Misty, but in spite of their efforts, she lost her child.

  Misty sobbed, heartbroken over her loss, and when she learned that Jared was also dead, she shook her head in disbelief. “How did this happen? We were going to South America to live.”

  “On money that belonged to the people in this town. Didn’t you care that stealing their money would bankrupt some of them? What about the elderly people who worked so hard to have money to live on during their old age? Some people were saving to buy a house, or to own a business.”