Angel Gone Bad (16 page)

“D
id you start that fire?” Rune glanced over at Angel, more amazed by her actions all the time.

“I don't want to talk about it.”

“Did you?”

“I hate this disguise.” She tore off her hat, threw it over the head of Emma, and then guided the mare so that she crunched the hat under her hooves. “That's that.”

“Did the Black Widow start the fire?”

“Rune, I'm trying to be good.” She slumped in her saddle. “After what I did to you, I want to prove that I'm a woman of principle. But every time I turn around, I'm breaking the law, telling lies, or burning buildings.”

“Maybe I'm a bad influence.”

“At least you don't go around burning down people's property.”

“You saved the lives of two AHTA trackers. Good men.”

“That's why I threw those lanterns. I couldn't think of anything else to do. All I had was that little derringer.” She sat up straighter. “I don't know why you don't get me a real gun.”

“I'd be happy to, but you won all my money.”

“All my winnings are going to Baines so he won't rob the Choctaw.”

“Too late. His plans are set.”

“How are we going to stop him?”

“Don't know. But if we do, it puts us at odds with the V Gang and the Badgers.”

“Poor Tate. How do we help him and the Choctaw?”

“I'm ruminating on it.”

“At least if I live to tell it, I'll have something to write about.” She pretended to write across the sky. “Instead of
Sweet Rescue,
my new dime novel might be called
Blazing Guns
.”

“Sounds like something I'd like to read.”

“You're not my audience. A more appropriate title could be
Blazing Hearts in the Indian Territory.
”

“Now you've lost me.”

“Good.” Angel shook her head. “Rune, I did a terrible thing back there.”

He rode in close to her. “Life isn't like a novel. You don't get to play a powerful goddess like Hel or Freya who can change lives and directions with the stroke of her pen. You take the cards you're dealt and make the best of them. What was more important, saving two lives or saving a building?”

“Put like that, I guess I made the right decision.”

“Sometimes we do what we have to do, not what we want to do.”

“I wish you'd be a little less sympathetic. You're making me feel even worse about what I did to you.” She reached over and squeezed his hand. “Please think about turning yourself in after we rescue Tate. If not for me, do it for your own sake.”

At that moment, he could've given her anything and everything she wanted of him. He was coming to trust her, but he wasn't sure it was a good idea. Yet she kept proving herself over and over. One of these days, he feared he'd forget why they were together. He'd just take it for granted that they were together and that was the way it should be. Maybe that was how men fell in love.

“I'll think about it.” He couldn't believe those words had tumbled out of his mouth.

She smiled, squeezed his hand again, and then cantered forward, turning Emma in a circle, before riding back to him. “You won't regret it! I promise I'll stand by you.”

“I just said I'd think about it.”

“That's the first step in the right direction. I'm learning that life is all about redemption. Maybe at some point before we die, we stop being stupid so we no longer make mistakes.”

“You have the makings of a fine novelist.”

“Really? You haven't even read my book.”

“Not your first one. But I'm listening to the second one every mile we travel.”

“That's a wonderful compliment. Thank you. I'll try hard to make this one live up to your expectations.”

Rune stopped his horse. “We need to make decisions before we go find a place to rest.”

“You're right. I shouldn't have been thinking about my writing when Tate's in danger.”

“That's the thing about life. It stops for nothing and no one.”

“And won't let you catch your breath.”

“Are we agreed to stop Baines?”

“Yes.”

“Are we agreed to join up with the Badgers?”

“Yes.”

“Far as I can see, we don't have much choice. First, we get to the Choctaw Capitol ahead of the V Gang and warn somebody in charge. Second, we head off Baines before he gets caught.”

“And then we all ride to Horsethief Spring?”

“Yes.”

“There are a lot of ifs, ands, and buts in that plan.”

“Got a better one?”

“No.”

“We need to get to Tushka Homma without meeting up with the gang. We can take the Military Trail or the Fort Towson Trail.”

“Which one did they take?”

“I don't know.”

“We'll have to ride long and hard. Our horses will be done in by the time we get there,” Angel said.

“That's another problem.”

“If we go to Lady's ranch, we can trade horses.”

“Is it near Tushka Homma?”

“Yes.”

“We might as well flip a coin to see which road we take.”

“But if we choose the wrong one, don't we lose out on everything?”

Rune nodded.

“I have a solution, but you're probably not going to like it.”

“We each take one of the roads?”

“No.” She pulled her reticule out of her saddlebags. From it, she drew out the Spider Grandmother deck of cards.

“Now is not the time to play poker.”

“I have a gift that's been handed down through my family for generations.” She shuffled the cards on her lap, selected three, studied them a moment, and then put them back. “Let's take the Military Trail. It's safe.”

“You're a fortune-teller?” He stared at her in amazement. “You didn't need me to teach you poker. You know all about cards.”

“When I told you I preferred not to handle them, I meant it. I didn't know how to play poker.”

“Lucky gave those to you. I recognize the Indian bag. Is that why you're his huckleberry?”

“This has nothing to do with Lucky. I don't know any more about him than you do. I wouldn't have told you at all, except we must get this road right.”

“We'll take the Military Trail.” He kept his thoughts to himself, but she had now become even more desirable.

“You believe me just like that?”

“It beats tossing a coin.” He grinned. “Besides, I'd never question the word of a fortune-teller.”

R
une eased up the pace as the low, rounded mounds of the Potato Hills came into view. After they'd slept a few hours, he'd pushed hard, riding day and all night. They'd stopped at Antlers Spring to water the horses and stretch their legs. They'd made other rest stops to snatch sleep along the way as they'd ridden north up the Military Trail near the snaking Kiamichi River.

As Angel had predicted, they'd seen no sign of Baines and the V Gang. Rune was ready to get down and stretch his legs. He figured she needed the break even more. She'd never complained although he knew she had to be hurting from so many hours in the saddle. She kept on proving her worth in strength and determination.

The Kiamichi Mountains rose up around them like protective sentinels clothed in shades of green from stately pine to blackjack oak. He could see why Americans were coveting a land so rich in water, timber, game, grass, and farmland. He hoped the Choctaw, like the Cherokee and the other native nations removed to Indian Territory, could hang on to their new country.

They rode past cleared areas with log houses, split-rail fences, crops in the fields, and grazing horses and cattle. Choctaws had worked hard to hack roads and trails, build schools, bust sod for farms, construct houses, create trade, and establish businesses. They'd done it all in what had once been Indian hunting grounds.

Rune was reminded of his Swedish ancestors and their German and Norwegian neighbors who had worked just as hard to do the same in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and other states. They'd raised crops and families where once there had been a vast prairie of grass as tall as a horse's belly.

As they rode onward, he glanced over at Angel. “Can you find the road to Lady's ranch?”

“Yes. I've been there a couple of times. She's south of the Choctaw Capitol construction.”

A little later, she pointed to the left, and they turned down a road wide enough for a wagon and team of horses. Soon after that they rode through an open gateway in a fence with a sign that read
“Gone Right Ranch.”

Angel chuckled, pointing at the sign. “Lady's got some sense of humor, doesn't she?”

He joined her laughter. “I'd like to meet her.”

“If we can keep you out of jail, you will.”

They rode on past a fenced pasture with about two dozen mustangs grazing in the shade of trees. Water in a pond sparkled in the sunlight. A cool breeze brought the scent of horse, dust, and grass.

Three black-and-white dogs raced down the road, announcing their presence with loud barks.

“Hey, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis! Good doggies!” she called happily.

“What did you call them?”

She laughed. “I named them. I'd just finished reading
The Three Musketeers
when I met them as puppies. I also renamed their owner Crowdy. He's now d'Artagnan.”

“I think I've heard of that book.”

“It's the wonderful French novel by Alexandre Dumas that was first serialized exactly forty years ago. Four young men have great adventures and live by the motto,
all for one and one for all
.”

“First, the French roof. Now, dogs with French names. Is there something French in the water around here?”

Angel laughed, shaking her head.

“You're having a lot of adventures, too.”

“So true.” She held out her hand. “Shake. One for all and all for one.”

He clasped her hand, but didn't shake. Instead, he felt her warmth, her strength, her sincerity. He squeezed and let go. “One for all and all for one.” And he realized that he meant it.

“Go tell d'Artagnan we're here.” She clapped her hands and sent the dogs running ahead of them.

“I didn't know you had a way with animals.”

“They have a way with me. I love them.” She gestured toward the horses. “Aren't they beautiful? And this land is just as wonderful.”

“It's a fine mountain valley.”

A moment later, Rune heard the thunder of horse's hooves racing down the road toward them. Instinctively, he dropped his hand to his six-shooter. Most likely not trouble, but he didn't take chances.

A man with black hair wearing a blue shirt and Levi's rode into sight on a dark-red sorrel horse.

“D'Artagnan! Copper!” Angel called out.

“Mornin', Crystabelle . . .
Angel
.” He expertly turned the stallion and fell into step beside them.

“Copper looks great. How is Jipsey?”

“Good. Life floats like clouds across sky.”

“Stop that!” Angel chuckled. “Don't play that Cigar-Store Indian with me. I don't want to interpret you all day long.”

“You don't appreciate word play?”

“You know I do, but we're here on serious business.”

“And your friend?”

“My name's Rune Wulfsson.” He'd known enough Cherokees to recognize a man of that nation by the tall, lithe body, high cheekbones, square jaw, and light bronze skin. No way to tell his age. He could be anywhere from twenty to fifty.

“Good to meet you. I'm Crowdy.”

“He's ranch foreman,” Angel said. “Plus, those mustangs over there belong to him.”

“What's the trouble?” Crowdy asked.

“It's complicated. Rune, would you explain?”

“We were at New Boggy Saloon night before last.”

“Oh, no!” Angel covered her face with her hands, and then looked over at Crowdy in embarrassment. “New Boggy Saloon burned down.”

“The saloon burned down again? What happened?” Crowdy stopped Copper and looked at her in surprise.

“She started the fire,” Rune said.

“
You
burned down New Boggy?” Crowdy threw back his head and laughed so hard he wheezed. “First, Lady burns down Boggy. Now you burn down New Boggy.”

“It's not funny,” she insisted.

“There was a shoot-out between horse thieves and the AHTA. Only way she could save De Luca and Eagle Road,” Rune explained.

Crowdy gave a final chuckle. “Know them. Good men. Glad they're alive.”

“They're wounded, but okay.”

“Wait till I tell Lady,” Crowdy said. “Bet she writes a new ballad. ‘Angel Gone Bad's Firefight at New Boggy Saloon.' You like?”

“That's not funny. I'm trying to reclaim my reputation.”

Crowdy laughed again. “Burning down a saloon is one way to do it. Glad I wasn't the owner this time.”

“I'll leave you money to repay him.”

“Okay. I'll see Milton gets it.” Crowdy looked from Angel to Rune. “Now tell me what brings you here.”

“A
nd that's what we're doing here.” Rune finished explaining the situation that had brought them to Gone Right Ranch.

“I don't know about any Choctaw gold shipments.” Crowdy appeared puzzled. “But maybe it'd be kept secret.”

“The Verdigris Gang is planning their robbery in a couple of hours,” Angel said.

“You shouldn't be running with that outfit.” Crowdy gave her a stern look. “The V Gang is bad, and the Badgers are worse. Lady is used to handling outlaws. You're not.”

Angel raised her chin, wishing Crowdy had more confidence in her. “If she can do it, I can do it.”

“Don't doubt you can, but at what price?”

“No point bickering about it,” Rune said. “Only reason we're with the V Gang is to get to the Badgers. From what we've learned, I don't think we need them much longer.”

“Then what are you doing here?” Crowdy asked.

“Didn't I make it clear? We don't want to see the Choctaw robbed,” Angel said.

Crowdy looked up and down the road. “Far as I know, H. T. Jackmon was contracted for thirty thousand dollars to build the Choctaw Capitol. He's got five sawmills at work in the Potato Hills. They're hauling clay out of the Hills. Thirty men are firing it in brick kilns on the Capitol grounds. Ox-drawn wagons are bringing dressed lumber from Stringtown. Window and door frames are coming from Paris and Fort Smith.

“It'll be two-stories high with a garret. Eighteen-foot ceilings inside. That gives you an idea as to size.”

“Okay, it's a big, impressive job,” Angel said impatiently.

“What I'm saying is that the gold shipment could be payroll money.”

“Sounds about right,” Rune agreed.

“On the other hand, gold makes little sense. Silver, maybe. Still, how'd that gang find out about it? Up here, not much news gets out. And it wouldn't be that big a haul.”

“I don't like where this is headed,” Rune said.

“Are you saying, you think they lied?” Angel felt a shiver of alarm run up her spine.

“I hadn't heard a stagecoach was coming through about this time.” Crowdy looked from one to the other. “How well do you know the V Gang?”

“Not well enough to get shot up or arrested on their say so,” Rune said.

“You think it's a setup?” Angel asked.

“I sure wouldn't go in with guns blazing,” Crowdy said.

“If we're here, where are they?” Rune asked.

“Horsethief Spring.” Angel rolled her eyes. “And they're telling who knows what kind of lies about us.”

“What are you gonna do?” Crowdy asked.

“First, get the facts straight,” Rune said. “If what we're thinking is true, then we've got to oust the fox from the hen house.”

Crowdy nodded. “How do you want me to help?”

“Is there a bluff or a good hiding place where we can watch the coach, if there is one, come through? If the gang attacks, they told the truth. If they don't show, they lied.”

“If they rob the Choctaw, we can't let them keep the money,” Angel added. “What will we do?”

“Nothing,” Crowdy said. “I'll gather a few cowboys. I know the right bluff. You two get on one side. We'll get on the other. If the V Gang shows, we'll get them, hold them, and telegraph the U.S. Marshal's office in Fort Smith to come pick them up.”

“And we'll go on to Horsethief Spring,” Angel said.

“With nobody the wiser,” Rune added.

“If I can't talk you out of hooking up with the Badgers, this sounds like the best plan. Hope you can find your friend. Now, do you want some chow?”

“I'm starved,” Angel said. “And you don't know how bad I want to get off this horse.”

“Come on then.”

They rode forward, moving at a quick pace. When they came around the bend, Angel saw a big, red barn.

“Are you telling me that you still haven't built a house?”

“Horses come first. Besides, I want Lady to have the best dwelling around here. I'm talking with Mr. Jackmon about constructing a house and a bunkhouse while he's still got equipment and workers in place.”

“Lady must have taken to robbing banks to afford it,” Rune said. Crowdy frowned. “She's got more goin' on than you can shake a stick at. Besides which, a big outfit back East is putting her ballads on sheet music. She's got them copyrighted.”

“How exciting!” Angel said. “She's so smart to protect her wonderful music. I hadn't heard that news.”

“You've been holed up down in Texas,” Crowdy said.

“I've been teaching, and promoting my novel.”

“We're right proud of you, too. Sam Bohanon down at Bohanon Place is carrying
Sweet Rescue
in his store. I've got my copy in the barn.”

Rune chuckled. “How do the horses like it?”

“Just fine. I've been reading to them in the evenings.”

“You two! Be serious. We've got a problem on our hands.”

“Only problem I've got right now is how much food I can tuck away,” Rune said.

“You're in luck. I've got a venison stew simmering over hot coals. Blackberries and cream.”

“Let's go!” Rune urged his gelding faster.

As they rode up to the barn, Angel sighed in relief. She'd barely stopped Emma before she slid out of the saddle and planted her feet firmly on the ground. “That feels wonderful. Two feet firmly fixed on the earth instead of dangling in the air.”

“Where's the grub?” Rune hit the ground and headed toward the barn.

“Over here.”

Crowdy led them to a brush arbor. Inside, a big black pot hung over a smoldering fire. Thick logs for seating had been placed around the fire pit. Blue enamel tin bowls and cups were stacked near the pit, along with a bunch of spoons.

“Smells like heaven.” Angel sat down on a log, grabbed a big ladle, and started spooning stew into bowls.

Rune took one and sat down across from her. Crowdy accepted another, taking a seat. She tucked into a third bowl of stew.

“This is wonderful.” She moaned in delight around a chunk of venison. “Crowdy, are you the cook?”

“Yep. I got a few dishes down pat. I had to serve something when I ran the saloon.”

Rune held out his empty bowl. “I'll take seconds.”

She ladled out more, finished off her bowl, and started on another.

Crowdy ate his stew and set the bowl aside. He walked over to the nearby well, wrenched up the bucket, and brought back a jar of cream and one of blackberries. He set them down beside Angel, and then took his seat again.

Angel unscrewed the lid from the jar and took a sniff. “Wonderful. It's cold, too.”

“Got to keep milk in the well in summer or it'll go bad fast.”

She put blackberries in bowls, poured in cream, and handed the dessert around. “Dig in. I haven't eaten this well since Bonham.”

“If I get to eat like this all the time, I'm moving into your barn.” Rune smacked his lips.

“Some days are even better.” Crowdy chuckled. “Depends on what we can scare up in the fields or finagle out of a farmer.”

Angel set down her bowl and patted her stomach. “What I'd really like now is a long nap.”

“Got a comfy spot up in the hayloft.”

“I'd like that, too,” Rune said. “But we better head out soon.”

“Baines!” Angel glared. “Does he really think we're so stupid?”

“Not dumb,” Rune said. “Something made him not trust us.”

“You kept trying to take control of his gang.”

“Didn't help when you won all his cash.”

“If he hadn't been such a smart mouth, I'd have gone easy on his money.”

“If he hadn't had such a big head, I wouldn't have had to try to ram some sense into it.”

Crowdy sighed, setting down his bowl. “You two are the most unlikely outlaws I ever saw. I don't know if you can get anybody to believe you.”

Offended, Angel straightened up. “I'll have you know, we've been doing just fine.”

“Till your partners set you up?”

“That's beside the point.”

Rune stood up. “One way or another, we've got to find out what's going on here, and then set out for Horsethief Spring.”

“If that's the way you want it,” Crowdy said. “I'll get some cowboys together.”

Angel put her hands on her hips. “That's exactly the way we want it.”