Give Me A Texas Ranger (17 page)

The biggest man Hayden believed he’d ever seen—and he’d seen his share of gigantic men—had to duck to get through the entrance to Chip and Hell’s. His barrel chest extended around his hips, making his gut hang heavy over his gun belt. His badge clung vicariously to his vest. Physically it would have been impossible for him to draw a weapon.

His voice was as commanding as his stature. He sternly repeated, “Miss Stevenson, you’re under arrest.” He marched toward the three ladies, seized Ella by the arm and pulled her to her feet.

Hayden set his glass down with purpose and squared his shoulders. Ella had done nothing threatening to the three-hundred-pound ogre. No man should lay his hands on a woman…lawman or not.

Hayden was ready and willing to enter the fracas.

Time had run out.

Muley appeared at his side. “Leave it be, Ranger,” he said. He took two steps, then turned back and added, “Redhead is Audrey Jo and the other one is Dixie. They’re used to this sort of malarkey and will take care of her.” He strolled out of the bar.

As if they’d heard Muley, the two women bound to their feet and surrounded Ella like mother hens protecting an injured chick. “Arrested, for what?” they asked simultaneously.

From a far corner, several of the cowhands who had just come in edged forward, creating a half circle around the women and the sheriff.

The table of poker players folded their cards. One crushed his cigar in a dish, and the other three slid their chairs back, prepared for a swift exit or to make sure their six-shooters could clear leather.

A dance-hall girl slipped off the lap of a patron and headed for the stairs. Chip continued to wipe down the bar, without taking his eyes off the ruckus brewing.

“Turn me loose.” Ella tried hard to pull free.

“Can’t ya hear, Sheriff?” Audrey Jo grabbed her friend’s other arm. The lawman made a big show of tightening his grip, pulling Ella toward him.

“I can hear fine, girl,” he bellowed. “Seems you’re the one who doesn’t know to speak only when you’re spoken to.”

The exchange ignited Ella, who began thrashing about, kicking the hem of her skirt and then at a chair leg, obviously trying to redirect her anger toward anything that wouldn’t kick back.

Dixie began chanting, “Lordy, lordy, lordy.”

Time stopped. Tension hung heavy in the air, sucking the breath out of sensibility.

“Please don’t.” Hayden’s temperature rose, and he murmured softly, “Mother of mothers, don’t do it.”

He’d seen this scenario play out many times. Any lawman worth his salt oughta know better than to try to restrain a prisoner in such a way, even a 110-pound woman. He knew exactly what was fixin’ to happen. Somebody was gonna get walloped, and hard—generally it’d be the person doing the holdin’.

Bad, very bad idea, Lady. Hayden shuddered.

Sure enough, Ella jerked her right arm out of Audrey Jo’s grip. Spinning, she landed a blow with her fist against the sheriff’s chin, which set the flab on his neck jiggling like a wattle on a stew-ready rooster.

The sheriff raised his left hand to defend himself in what McGraw realized was a natural instinct, but to some it would appear he was about to return the blow.

Hayden had never seen a man deliberately strike a woman in public, and couldn’t stomach even the thought. Such men were scum, the lowest of humanity, nothing but a Burrowing Owl preying on a prairie dog in its hole.

A mortified expression curtained Ella’s face. She stiffened her body and shrunk back in a defensive stance, as though protecting herself from a likely retaliatory blow. She covered her face with her free arm. This wasn’t the first time she’d defended herself from physical cruelty…an animal cowering for protection.

Hayden’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. His fist tightened, and he had to take a deep breath in order to curtail his own temper.

“That just added another charge—assaulting an officer of the law,” Sheriff Oldham bellowed, fumbling for his handcuffs.

“I have a right to say what I want.” Her voice trembled as she pulled herself up straight. “First Amendment to the Constitution…freedom of speech.”

Hayden took a deep breath, expecting her to recite the Constitution word for word, probably including the punctuation.

“You’ve gotta learn to hobble your lips, Woman.” Apparently giving up on finding his handcuffs, the sheriff proceeded to steer her toward the door. “It isn’t your freedom of speech; it’s your whole damn attitude that’s gotcha in trouble.”

“Let go of me.” Ella’s voice dropped so low that it could barely be heard above the mumbling crowd. “I’ll go freely.”

“Can’t take that chance.” His face flushed blood red, and he heaved his chest heavily. “I’m tempted to just hang you right here and now, Little Woman.”

“For what?” Her voice was as unyielding as limestone. “I didn’t deliberately hit you, and you know it.”

Baldy rushed in, waving his pistol in the air and shouting, “For thievery! She stole a horse. A real ugly one.”

One man yelled, “Hangin’ offense, ugly or not—”

Another behind him broke in. “Don’t need to wait for the circuit judge. I seen her do it.”

One of the cowhands punched another. “Yep, we witnessed it. Dern sure did. Bold as can be.”

A woman from the far corner yelped, “At least take a vote.” She waved her handbag. “I vote to rid the town of one problem. Those in favor say yea.”

A thunderous yea ensued. Noticeably the not-so-feminine scalawag didn’t ask for a nay vote.

“Take it outside!” Chip rounded the counter, and began shooing the patrons out like he’d do a flock of mourning doves. “Free beer’s over.”

A man bellowed, “We’ll get the rope.”

Baldy yelled, “I have a horse.”

Another directed, “The old cottonwood by Boot Hill.”

“No, at the courthouse,” the sheriff roared. “I want it lawful.” He stepped between the crowd and Ella, who seemed dazed. “And damn quick too.”

The vigilante lynchin’ committee rushed out into the daylight.

Ella shot the sheriff a barbed look, then softened it as she caught Hayden’s gaze. Heartfelt desperation and a plea for help flanked her face. Her eyes, as dark as sapphires, caught him off guard, sending a quake throughout his body.

It didn’t take a book on laws to tell Hayden he had to step up and take control, keeping the gathering from becoming a full-fledged riot. He could no longer consider himself a visitor in town; he was now the ranking lawman. It was obvious the sheriff was in over his head in vigilante justice, and his self-importance had surpassed common sense.

Enough was enough.

Hayden preferred to work with the sheriff, not toss around his authority. But he’d come across too many cocky lawmen like Sheriff Oldham, who got their jollies out of flaunting their power much like a mockingbird pestering a cat.

Sheriff Oldham firmly guided Ella toward the door, with Audrey Jo and Dixie right on her heels. The saloon quickly emptied into the street. The vigilantes obviously thrilled at the thought of breaking the summer heat with a hangin’.

Hayden broke through the crowd, just as Baldy tossed a rope over an ancient cottonwood.

“Stop!” Hayden yelled, as he drew up even with the sheriff. “If you can’t control the mob, I will.”

Sheriff Oldham handed the woman over to Baldy. Grinning like a possum eatin’ a yellow jacket, he pulled Ella alongside him.

The sheriff turned to face Hayden, eye to eye. “I don’t know who in the hell you think you are, but I’m the law in this neck of the woods. And I’ll arrest you for interfering with me doing my job.” He slipped a noose around Ella’s neck.

“Hayden McGraw, Texas Ranger First Lieutenant.” He glared at Baldy. “Put another sleazy hand on the lady, and you’ll have me to contend with.”

“Shows how new you are round these parts, Ranger. She ain’t no lady.” The sheriff spat tobacco juice in the dirt.

“Apparently you are no gentleman.”

“And, you’re
apparently
in cahoots with her.”

Obviously the lines had been drawn between the Ranger and the sheriff. Nothing new to either one. There seemed to be no gray area where law enforcement tangled. Either they got along to take care of the matter at hand or they detested one another. Generally the local sheriff set the tone for their relationship. Sheriff Oldham was definitely not extending his hand in welcome.

The crowd quieted considerably. Respectfully, most stepped back several feet. Some seemed interested in seeing what the lawmen would do, while others decided it was time to go about their day. The excitement of witnessing a hangin’ had fizzled out. Nobody cared about a disagreement between two lawmen. One would win out, one wouldn’t, but there’d be no hangin’ today.

Hayden pulled his badge from his pocket. Sunrays danced off the silver.

“Anybody can have a blacksmith make one of them from a Mexican silver coin. Jest ’cause you have a badge doesn’t make you a Ranger,” Sheriff Oldham said.

Infuriated, Hayden’s heart fumed at the insult. He remembered the exact moment the badge was pinned on him by his Ranger father, who had received it from Hayden’s grandfather, a feared
los diablos Tejanos
—a “Texas Devil.” An outfit of Rangers who rode courageously, straight into the arms of death, and were scared of nobody or nothing. He bristled at the sheriff’s bad taste.

“That’s a slap in the face to every Texas Ranger who ever lived,” Hayden spat out.

“Then show me your Warrant of Authority.”

Hayden McGraw had problems…big problems.

A beautiful woman with a noose around her neck, no proof he was a Texas Ranger, and a pompous ass of a sheriff with hangin’ on his mind.

It took every bit of self-control to keep Hayden from pistol whippin’ the local lawman. The Ranger needed air. His father had taught him that in order to be the best, he had to be unhurried and courageous enough to take a fraction of a second longer to make sure he was accurate, as well as fast with a gun. This advice served to remind him that he must take the extra time necessary to let cool judgment, rather than hasty emotions, prevail. He set his jaw and took a deep breath. The hot, dusty air burned his lungs.

He glanced back at Ella, who was watching him intently. Strength and understanding, yet uncertainty, veiled her face. Genuine tenderness reflected in her eyes. He tried to give her a reassuring smile to let her know she’d be safe with him; but for some reason, he didn’t think she’d see it that way.

Determined to do the job he’d signed up for—stand tall between society and its enemies—Hayden must make his position clear. “Sheriff, I am taking possession of the prisoner, and carrying her back to Mobeetie for trial.”

“You’re not going anywhere with
my
prisoner,” the sheriff growled. “Get me a warrant or get out of town, unless you wanna end up in the hoosegow with her.”

“I’ve got one waiting. All I need is twenty minutes to pick it up.” Hayden prayed Molly Lou’s wasn’t any farther than half a mile away.

“Not good enough. Show it
now
or no prisoner.”

Hayden McGraw had been tested many times, but this jackass had gone too far.

In long-legged strides, Ranger McGraw took the courthouse steps and pulled up near Ella. Turning to the crowd, he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m a Texas Ranger, and I’m taking control of this situation.” He pinned his silver badge on his jacket then pulled back his coat and rested his hand on his Peacemaker. “Go on home. Excitement’s over. There’ll be no hangin’ today.”

Sheriff Oldham puffed out his chest. His face flushed, turning blood red. “Go on, folks.”

Hayden wasn’t sure if the lawman was tuckered out from having to work for a change or relieved he could get his humongous heinie out of the sweltering sun.

A few citizens wandered off, shaking their heads. A fistful of nosey-butts lagged behind.

Obviously realizing he was up to his tin star in cow patties, Sheriff Oldham tossed out his final demand. “The only way I’d put her in your custody is if you’re family.”

“I am!” Hayden almost choked on the words.

The sheriff guffawed. “I still wanna see that warrant in no more than twenty minutes.”

“It’ll be here.”

“Do tell.” Sheriff Oldham smirked in a
gotcha
way. “And I reckon you don’t even know her name.”

He plastered on a possum-eatin’ grin on his snout, apparently figuring he’d played his best card, not knowing Hayden had an ace in the hole.

A knack for remembering details to a flaw.

“Patience Eleanor Stevenson.” He pushed his Stetson back with his thumb. “But I call her Puddin’ Cake.” He turned to Ella, and said, “Don’t I,
wife?
”

If looks could kill, Ella’s face would be on every wanted poster between the Canadian River and the Rio Grande. She set her chin in a stubborn line and glared at him, either in suspicion or surprise. Now why in the hell didn’t she look all that pleased with his efforts? After all, he’d saved her from a neck stretchin’.

Baldy backed away when Hayden reached for Ella, pulling her to his side.

The Texas Ranger deliberately rested his hand on her hip, patting her lightly. Through the bustle, he knew she didn’t feel his touch, but he figured the sheriff would see it as intimacy.

Hayden had to admit, she sure as hell felt good at his side. “Come on, Puddin’ Cake, I rode long and hard to get here, and I’m ready for a hot meal and some husband time.”

She shot him a half smile that could have turned sunshine into snow. And he’d been the one suspended for having a piss-poor attitude?

Redemption was imminent.

“I know I’m pretty ragged lookin’, darlin’, but I didn’t take time to clean up ’cause you were always on my mind.” He grinned.

Sheriff Oldham would have wanted to know their kinship sooner or later. Hayden didn’t know the woman from Bass Outlaw, but now he’d claimed her as his wife. Had he done the right thing? Of course, there was still the possibility that in due time she’d face a hemp committee for horse thievery. But not if he could help it.

Ella looked at him in a questioning, almost fearful way.

Damn bad time for Hayden to notice her long, mahogany hair shining in the sunlight. It reminded him of a handsome bay; and just think, he’d been accused by some of not having a tender bone in his body. Maybe it was because he’d never known anything but rangering. He figured he’d been raised by the famous lawmen, because that’s about all he ever remembered. His father, grandfather, and the Texas Rangers.

He didn’t mean to, but he found himself lookin’ her up and down before settling his gaze back on her face. Even her fiery, dark sapphire eyes added to his vision…black mane and tail.

Hell, if he thought the woman was prettier than a bay mare, surely he wasn’t totally made of stone. A slow blaze ignited in his belly, just watching her.

As though reading his thoughts, her eyes flashed with fury.

The look left no question in his mind what he needed to do. Get to Molly Lou’s, pick up his warrant, and present it to the sheriff. Then after he investigated the facts, he’d figure out what to do with the woman. That should take an hour, tops, then he could get cleaned up, and feed and water Stewball.

The marriage ruse would be over, and he could be on his way to headquarters.

A simple plan. Probably too simple.

A nondescript gentleman who Hayden had noticed hanging around for a while, stepped up on the courthouse porch and halted in front of Ella, Hayden, and the few folks who’d stayed, waitin’ in the shade.

“Miss Stevenson—uh, Mrs. McGraw.” He hesitated. “Uh, I’m Wilson Scott, Newman County JP. This won’t take long. Reckon we gotta get the formalities out of the way.” He opened a black ledger. “If you’ll both sign here, then all I’ll need is the fee, and your union will be duly recorded as required by law.” He smiled meekly.

Mortification hit Ella’s face, and she peered up at Hayden. He stiffened, knowing his expression wasn’t any better.

“Can’t this wait? The missus and I are tired and hungry. And I want to clear up the matter of the warrant.”

“No, sir.” The JP stood his ground.

“Nope, Ranger. This needs tending to…now!” Sheriff Oldham interjected.

“Gotcha fee right here.” Dixie pulled a stringed bag from between her breasts and began counting out coins.

“Twenty minutes, Ranger, and the clock’s tickin’,” Sheriff Oldham reminded him.

Twenty minutes!

Reluctantly, Hayden signed his name to the ledger.

Ella folded her arms across her chest and tapped her foot, resisting the JP’s demands. As if it were Hayden’s fault, she furrowed her brow and sent him a
go to blue blazes
look, which scathed all the way to his toes and back again.

“It’s them or me.” Hayden nodded toward the sheriff and Baldy, who now held the noose.

Almost knocking the JP off the porch, she seized the ledger. In an exquisite script, Ella scrolled her name across the paper. She shared her frown with Dixie as she handed over the fee.

Dixie raised an eyebrow and shrugged her shoulders. “Should I let them hang you?”

Not waiting for a response, Dixie joined Audrey Jo and they strolled toward the bridge that crossed over the creek to Buffalo Wallow. They were nearly out of sight before Ella bound down the courthouse steps and began her march after them.

As much as Hayden would have preferred to ride, he couldn’t take the chance of letting the spirited woman out of his sight even for a minute, so he followed her, presuming she would lead him to Molly Lou’s sooner or later. At the moment, he’d put money on later.

Ella didn’t want to look back at the sheriff or Baldy, but the overweight lawman was probably already passed out on a cot in his office, and the bossy bald guy was likely trying to find more trouble to stir up.

Struggling to capture her composure, she attempted to sort through things. What would make a total stranger, a Texas Ranger none-the-less, come to her rescue? As they walked along, a smidge of her anger evaporated, leaving more uncertainty than anything else. Her mind swirled with doubts, a mixture of hope and fear. Something was fishy and didn’t sit well with her. But she had to make sure he knew what she thought. She’d never held her tongue in check, and didn’t plan on starting now. She didn’t need him, or any man for that matter, riding into town to rescue her.

Ella turned so quickly she almost ran into the man following her. “You’re a flannelmouthed bushwhacker, Hayden McGraw.” She stirred up dust as she kicked one pebble then another out of her way, before whirling around and heading down the middle of the street. She shot over her shoulder, “And one in need of a bath and shave too.”

“And a good meal.” He pulled up alongside her. “Puddin’ Cake, you oughta be glad you’re not hangin’ from that damn cottonwood instead of being watered off at me.” He walked faster, making her take two steps to his one. “I hope you weren’t kiddin’ about your place only being half a mile away,” he stated.

“I don’t know what you plan to find there.”

“You hold some mail for certain folks, don’t you?”

“You know we do, Ranger.” She kicked another stone. “Talk to Muley—he knows who he’s holding mail for.” Another stone flew. “And, before you ask, I don’t give a rusty rat’s ass who it belongs to.”

Storming ahead, she slowed when she neared her saloon. Piano music and laughter came from inside. She stopped in her tracks. Hell’s bells and cockleshells, she’d forgotten all about the horse she’d been tending to before she struck out for the meeting in Buffalo Springs. Someone had tethered him to a post on the side of the saloon near the water trough.

“What in the hell!” Hayden came to such a sudden stop, dust whirled around his boots. He turned to her and roared, “You
are
a horse thief!”

After she summoned up all the courage she could, she plopped her hands on her hips. “I sure as hell am not.”

“Tell me the truth!” A warning cloud settled across his brow. “What’s my horse doing all the way down here…at your place? I’m in no mood to mess with you, either.”

How dare him! She pressed her lips together, trying to corral her unruly feelings. She’d already figured one thing out about the surly man. His stubbornness made it impossible for him to consider another’s viewpoint.

Determined to outwait his anger, if that was possible, she set her jaw and knitted her brows together.

“He didn’t tether himself.” Hayden quirked a questioning brow at her.

Double-dog damn him. As a matter of principle, she’d not tell him a thing. After all, it was his horse that had wandered onto her property and eaten her carrots. She didn’t know the ugly critter belonged to the man. How would she know? The brand wasn’t familiar to her. In truth, she’d simply forgotten about the gelding. A little thing like being hanged had occupied her mind.

Nope, not one blasted explanation to him until he changed his attitude toward her.

The look on his face and the star on his chest made her rethink her stance. He didn’t appear to be a man who could be pushed and not fight back. “I found him. That is the truth! I’ve never, ever stolen so much as a pickle from the mercantile, much less an animal.”

“If that’s the best you can come up with, I’ll turn you back over to the local law, and you can fend for yourself, Little Woman.”

She bristled at the curtness. He could call her all the cute, insincere names he wanted, but not refer to her as a “little woman.”

Ella flexed her fist. They couldn’t hang her twice, could they?

Just about the time she tossed the foolish impulse aside, the devil tempted her bad—real bad. She reared back and, with a crack that could probably be heard all the way to Mobeetie, whacked the lawman across his cheek. “I’d rather be hanged than to be a ‘little woman’ to a man…particularly a Texas Ranger.”

“Ma’am, I’m fixin’ to give you your druthers.”