Reckless Destiny (24 page)

“No.” She had a little guilty feeling but pushed it away with a reminder of how ill-mannered and judgmental he’d been in her classroom earlier. She could stand almost anything, but when he criticized her teaching and was unreasonable to boot, he’d gone too far.

“You gonna tell him you’re leavin’?”

“There’s nothing to worry about, R. J. I’ll be back tomorrow, in time for school.” She laughed when he made a face, and at the sudden sound the horse shifted beneath her. At least she could count on one thing staying the same: R. J. disliked schoolwork as much as he had the day she’d arrived at the fort.

“Kane might be worried if he doesn’t know where you are,” the boy persisted.

“I doubt it.” Cady told herself he’d probably find some excuse not to share her quarters that night, so how would he even know she’d gone? “I’m sure he won’t miss me.”

“Whatever you say. I reckon you know what you’re doin’.”

“I do.” She knew she wanted to be alone, and Kane had developed a bad habit of coming after her. This time she had to make sure that didn’t happen. “R. J., I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this under your hat.”

“Ain’t wearin’ one, ma’am.”

“It’s just an expression. If you see Kane, don’t say anything to him about where I’ve gone.”

“You want me to tell him a falsehood?” he asked, exaggerating his shock at her suggestion.

“Of course not. Just—don’t bring it up if you happen to see him.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Thank you, R. J. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. And R. J.?”

“Yes’m?”

“If you’re going to go out riding, put on a hat.”

When he grinned and nodded, she exerted gentle pressure on Prince’s flanks and the horse moved forward.

Cady rode over the rise and reined in her horse when she saw Jack’s cabin. The sight of the small structure reminded her of her brother. A rush of loneliness tightened her chest and slipped upward into her throat. She missed Jack even more than the day she’d told him good-bye. If only he were there to talk to. But it was a foolish fantasy, almost as foolish as thinking that she might have a future with the man she loved.

When Prince snorted and pranced restlessly, she patted his neck. “Easy, boy.”

Normally, the sound of her voice and a gentle touch were all she needed to calm the animal down. Today, he was uneasy. He tossed his head and whinnied.

“What is it, Prince?” She looked around, but in every direction the desert was quiet and peaceful. “I don’t see anything. What’s got you so on edge?”

He’d probably eaten something that didn’t agree with him.

“Let’s go, boy,” she said, urging him forward. “I’ve got some oats for you, and I’ll give you some water. That will make you feel better.”

When Cady stopped in front of the small cabin, Prince pawed the ground. She tied his reins securely to the rail out front. She tried the front door and found it unlocked, the same as the first time she’d come here.

Pushing the door wide, Cady stepped into the single room. Everything was just as she remembered: the wooden table and one chair stood in the center of the room, a few pots and pans were stacked on the shelf beside the window, and a trunk rested at the foot of the cot against the wall.

There was wood piled beside the fireplace, and since she’d brought a few provisions from the fort, she figured once she hauled in water from the well she’d have everything she needed.

Everything except Kane.

She pushed the thought away. She left the cabin and unsaddled Prince, turning him loose in the corral that Jack had fashioned from the trunks of cottonwood trees. After making sure there was water and feed for the animal, she filled a bucket and carried it inside.

The sun would set soon, and when it did a chill would descend over the desert. The last time she’d been here, she recalled how hot it had been. Now she needed to build a fire.

She smiled sadly as she remembered how excited she’d been to see Jack, after several years’ separation, and her own eager anticipation to start a new life. How could she have been so wrong about everything?

She lit a match, and when she had a popping, crackling blaze going, she put two logs on. They caught, and she sighed with satisfaction. At least that skill was something Kane couldn’t take away from her.

“This is a fine kettle of fish,” she scolded herself. “You came all this way to be by yourself, to get away from that pigheaded man, and all you’ve done is think about him.”

From outside, she heard Prince whinny and then the sound of his hooves as he galloped around the corral. Cady looked out the window and wondered why, after their ride out here, he wasn’t standing contentedly like he did in the stable at the fort.

The door suddenly flew open. Heart pounding, Cady turned to see an Indian there. He was tall, not as tall as Kane but an arrogant, imposing figure nonetheless. His skin was the color of copper and as smooth as leather. He wore a long-sleeved cotton shirt belted at the waist by braided leather thongs, trousers, and knee-high moccasins. His blue-black hair fell straight to his shoulders, and he had a bandanna tied around his forehead to hold back its length.

When she saw the pistol in his left hand pointing at her, Cady knew bone-chilling fear. Did Indians aim a gun at anyone they didn’t plan to shoot? She realized she hadn’t brought a weapon, not even the gun Kane had given her; she’d left it in her quarters. She was alone, with nothing to defend her but her wits.

The man was silent. Finally, Cady couldn’t stand it.

“Who are you?” she asked.

He didn’t answer. She wondered if he spoke English.

Her knees shook and her heart pounded painfully against her ribs. Still she decided to ask him something else.

“Wh—” Her throat was dry and she swallowed, then tried again. “What do you want?”

He didn’t respond except to let his gaze wander over the interior of the cabin. Was he looking to see what he could steal? Kane had told her the Apaches usually
raided for guns and ammunition. If that was so, he’d be sorely disappointed here. Would he be angry enough to kill her? If he tried, could she do anything to stop him?

Kane had told her just that morning that the Indians had surrendered to the reservation. Was this man part of that band? Had he escaped or refused to give himself up? Was there a patrol out looking for him?

“Since you won’t tell me your name, I’ll tell you mine. I’m Cady Tanner—I mean Carrington. I keep forgetting. I haven’t been married long, you see. My husband is Captain Carrington of Fort McDowell.”

The Indian barely moved, but the way he looked at her frightened her terribly. His muscles were stretched as tight as a fiddle string, and a look burned in his eyes that she could only describe as loathing. What had she said to make him despise her so?

The hand holding the pistol flexed and when he gripped it again, his knuckles went white. “So you are the wife of the army officer.”

She gasped. “You do understand me.”

“Better than you know. You are the sister of Jack Tanner?”

Cady nodded. “Do you know him?” she asked eagerly. Maybe things weren’t as bad as she had thought. After all, Nathan Eagle was an army scout and John Eagle was her student. They were Indians, but more importantly they were her friends. “Are you a friend of Jack’s?”

“No.” He smiled, but instead of reassuring her, the malevolence that radiated from that baring of white teeth sent chills down her spine. “I am Cuchillo.”

Cady gasped, feeling cold and hot at the same time.

“But I thought you went back to the reservation.”

“No. The soldiers will not take me alive. Before that happens, I have something to do.”

“You’re going to kill my brother.”

He said nothing. What would he do to her? With a sinking heart, she realized no one knew where she was except R. J., and she’d made him promise not to tell. No one was likely to happen by to help her.

She met Cuchillo’s smoldering hate-filled stare and realized she was looking into the face of death.

Kane tried to concentrate
on the supply order in his hands but, instead of words, all he could see was the look of betrayal on Cady’s face in the mess hall that morning. He knew he’d hurt her terribly. He hadn’t meant to. As soon as he thought it, the lie rang hollow through his head. He ran his hand through his hair. He had been unreasonable and judgmental, and he had done it to push her away, because he was afraid he wouldn’t have the strength to let her go when the time came.

He felt lower than a scorpion’s tail. He couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t try to explain to her why he had acted that way. If he was lucky, he would find the words to make her understand and forgive him.

He grabbed his hat from the chair by the door as he walked out. On the boardwalk, he ran into Mac Thorne, covered with dust and showing two days’ worth of stubble on his face.

Kane knew there was trouble by the look on his face. “Don’t you ever bring good news when you come back from patrol?”

Mac went straight to the heart of the matter. “Cuchillo wasn’t with the Apaches who surrendered.”

“Dammit! How did you let him get away?”

“Me?” Anger blazed across Mac’s tanned face. “You were there when we caught up with them. How did he get away from
you?
”

“I brought the children back to the fort. You had orders to return the Apaches to the reservation.”

“And I did that.”

“All but Cuchillo.”

“Look, captain, neither one of us knows what he looks like. You didn’t know he wasn’t with that band of renegades anymore than I did. You’ve been riding me real hard lately, and I want to know why.” Mac’s eyes narrowed. “This is about Cady, isn’t it?”

“She’s got nothing to do with this.” But Kane couldn’t stifle the wave of jealousy that sliced through him when the other man mentioned her name.

“She’s not Annie.”

“Don’t you think I know that?”

“Hell, no, I don’t think you do. You treat Cady like your sister, not your wife, even though you’re crazy in love with her. You keep trying to push her away because you’re afraid of getting hurt. Damn right she’s paying for what Annie did.”

“Butt out, Mac. This is none of your concern,” Kane said angrily.

“Someone has to make you see reason.”

“It sure as hell isn’t you.”

Mac glared at him. “She deserves better. When you’re through with her, you let me know.”

“Thorne, you go near her and I’ll—” Kane saw red at the thought. “Hell, I’ll do it now.”

He punched the other man so hard, Mac staggered
backward, hit the wall, and slid down the side of the adobe.

Mac wiped the trickle of blood from his mouth and, amazingly, he grinned. “That’s what I thought. You’re in love with her.”

Kane stared at him, unbelieving. “You did that on purpose? You dumb son of a bitch.”

“How else could I get through that hard head of yours?”

Kane knew he was right. He also knew there was a time to stand and fight and a time to surrender. He decided to wave the white flag and stop acting like a damn fool.

Kane held his hand out, and when Mac took it he pulled the other man to his feet.

“You knew how I felt about her the first time you saw her in my office, didn’t you? You tried to make me jealous then,” Kane said.

“Let’s just say I was testing the waters.”

“Did you ever have any intentions toward Cady?”

Mac shook his head. “She’s the marryin’ kind. Although she does tempt even a confirmed bachelor like myself.” Mac held his hands up in a conciliatory gesture as Kane felt his own face tighten with anger again. “Hold on, captain. I just meant that she’s got more heart and more spunk than any woman I ever saw. You’re a lucky man.”

“Sorry, Mac.” Kane held out his hand. “You’re a good friend. No hard feelings?”

“None as far as I’m concerned,” he said, gripping Kane’s palm in a hearty handshake.

“I’m on my way to look for Cady. I’ve got some explaining to do if it’s not too late.”

“It’s not,” Mac said.

“How do you know?”

“Truth is, I’d never have had a chance with the lady. She’s crazy in love with you too.”

“I hope you’re right. I’ll see you later.” Kane hurried down the steps and called back over his shoulder. “Put the word out that Cuchillo is still on the loose.”

An hour later, Kane was feeling damned uneasy. He had searched everywhere inside the fort and couldn’t find Cady. No one had seen her. His last hope was the stable; she usually came back from her afternoon ride around this time. As he walked inside, Kane was disappointed. The place looked empty.

Then he heard someone talking. Kane walked past several stalls, and as he neared the rear of the building he recognized the voice.

“R. J.? Is that you?”

“Back here, captain.”

When he came to the last stall, Kane saw the boy inside, brushing down a small pinto.

“Where’s Prince?” Kane asked.

“He’s not here?” The boy quickly looked away.

“I didn’t see him when I passed. Did Cady take him this afternoon?”

“Might’ve.”

Kane frowned, disturbed by the kid’s guilty tone. He pushed his hat back and leaned his arms on the rail. “Has she come back from her afternoon ride yet?”

“Ain’t seen her back here.” R. J. started brushing as if the pinto’s shiny coat was the most important thing in the world.

“But you saw her earlier?”

“You saw her too, remember?” He stopped currying the animal and turned around. “Today when we was actin’ out the Boston Tea Party. Remember when Bart
Grimes jumped off the table and Miz Carrington told him they threw tea in the harbor, not themselves?”

“No.”

“Sure you saw her. The two of you were squawkin’ about somethin’.”

“Yes, I saw Cady. No, I didn’t hear her tell him—never mind.” R. J. was using a flanking maneuver, which told him something was going on that concerned his wife.

“Today was the most fun I’ve ever had in school,” R. J. said.

“So you and Cady have worked out your differences?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did you see her after school?”

“Yes,” he said, lowering his gaze just before he went back to brushing.

“When did you see her?”

He scratched his head. “Don’t know exactly.”

“Was it about the same time she normally rides?”

“I reckon it mighta been.”

“And you haven’t seen her return?”

“No.”

Kane knew he was holding something back and was about ready to throttle the kid. At the same time, a small seed of worry took root in his gut and was growing by the minute. As it got bigger, the level of his patience dropped.

“Look, R. J., I need to talk to her. If you know where she is you’d better tell me.”

“What makes ya think I know anything?”

“Because you’re the first one I’ve asked who’s seen her.”

“Hmm. That a fact?”

“Look, you little—” Kane took a deep breath. The
more time that passed without a sign of Cady, the more uneasy he got. And if the kid could shed some light on where she was, he’d damn well better do it.

But since he was getting nowhere fast, Kane decided to try a different strategy. “Mac Thorne just told me that Cuchillo didn’t give himself up with the other Apaches.”

R. J. whirled around. “Ain’t he the one who swore to kill Miz Carrington’s brother?”

Kane nodded. “If she’s out there somewhere, she could be in real trouble.”

It was a long shot that the Indian was still in these parts. No doubt he’d followed Jack to the Superstitions. But if R. J. thought she was in danger, Kane might get the information he was convinced the boy had.

R. J. shuffled his feet in the hay, jammed his hands on his hips, curry brush and all, and turned away. When he circled around to face Kane again, there was an uncertain look in his eyes.

“She made me promise not to say anything.”

“So you know where she’s gone?” Kane moved forward. Thank the Lord he was finally getting somewhere.

“Yes, sir. But she made me promise not to tell you.”

Anger, frustration, and guilt boiled up inside him and spilled over. “Damn it! You tell me now, boy, or I swear I’ll tan you good.”

“She’s at her brother’s cabin,” he said, his eyes wide. “She said she’d be back in time for school in the morning.”

“I’m going to get her and bring her back now.”

“If Cuchillo is out there, you might need some help, sir. I’m comin’ with you.”

“No. Stay here. Tell Lieutenant Thorne where I’ve gone.”

“But, sir—”

“That’s an order, R. J.”

“Dang it.” He kicked at the floor of the stall and hay flew into the air.

Kane walked over to him and ruffled his hair. “Telling me was the right thing. I owe you.”

“How about we play some checkers Sunday night? Miz Carrington could play the winner.”

Kane nodded. “I’d like that. And I’m sure Cady would too.”

If he could convince her that he loved her. If not, he figured he’d have a lifetime to learn the finer points of checkers.

Cady sat on the chair by the table where Cuchillo had ordered her and nervously clutched her gold wedding ring. It seemed she had been held prisoner for a lifetime, but in reality it hadn’t been very long. Funny, she thought, how fear distorted one’s concept of time.

She had watched the Apache go through every square inch of Jack’s cabin, looking for God knows what. Kane had told her repeatedly that she should have returned to the East where she belonged. If she had listened, she wouldn’t be in this fix now. But then she would never have known the joy of being in Kane’s arms and loving him. Her only regret was that she would probably never see him again. And, dear Lord, if she had a last wish, it would be to see him one more time.

A sob rose in her throat but she swallowed it. If she could help it, she would never betray to Cuchillo by look or sound how very afraid she was of him.

Now the Apache was going through the trunk at the foot of the bed. When he finished, he dumped out the saddlebag she’d brought. She pulled herself together, trying to think of a way out of this.

Since she couldn’t overpower him physically, her only chance was to run. She couldn’t ride Prince bareback and there wouldn’t be time to saddle him, so she’d have to make it to the gully behind the cabin and find a place to hide. It was pretty thin as far as plans went, but it was all she had. And there was no time like the present while Cuchillo was occupied with his scavenging.

Glancing out the window in front of her, she mentally marked her escape route. When she had it set in her mind, she surged out of the chair and headed for the door. Her limbs were stiff from sitting and she reached it the exact moment Cuchillo did. Before she could even yank it open, his palm slapped against the wood.

He was behind her, his body pressing against hers. The smell of smoke and sweat mingled together and surrounded her along with the heat of his body. She went cold all over. For the first time she realized that death wasn’t the only thing he could do to harm her. And she remembered Kane’s warning not to let the Apaches take her alive.

Fear sliced through her as Cuchillo pushed her heavy hair aside and lowered his head so that his mouth was close to her ear. She felt his hot breath on her cheek. “That was a foolish thing to do, Mrs. Carrington. What did you hope to gain?”

“My freedom,” she said, in a voice that she hoped was even and calm, if not quite as defiant as she wished.

He took her upper arms and turned her around. “You see how far you got.”

“In my position would you have done any less?” she asked.

A glint flashed in his eyes, and for a moment she thought it might be admiration. Then it disappeared
and his expression was blank again. That was more unnerving than the hatred. At least she could understand that.

He dragged her back to the chair and thrust her into it, hard. “Do that again, and I will slit your throat.”

His eyes smoldered with hatred again and Cady knew he’d do what he said. She didn’t trust her voice to stay steady, so she nodded once to show him she understood.

With his back to the window, Cuchillo stood about a foot away from her and crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you doing here? Are you meeting your brother?”

“No, I haven’t heard from Jack since—” She had started to say
since he left the fort
. This was no time to be impulsive.
Think, Cady
, she said to herself.
Don’t tell him more than you have to
.

“Since when, Mrs. Carrington? Where is your brother now?”

“I don’t know.”

“You expect me to believe that he just left without telling you where he was going?”

“It’s the truth.”

He stared at her for a long time and Cady held her breath. He could slit her throat at any moment just because she was the enemy. But common sense told her that he wanted Jack, and if he believed there was any chance she could help him, he would keep her alive. But what would he do to her while she was his prisoner?

“Why should I believe that Jack Tanner’s flesh and blood would tell me the truth?”

“If you expected me to lie, why did you ask me in the first place?” she demanded.

To her surprise, he threw back his head and laughed. When he stopped and looked at her, she saw that flash of respect again. “You have spirit. I like that.”

“I don’t care what you like,” she said defiantly.

He made no response.

Cady thought she heard something outside and she glanced beyond Cuchillo’s shoulder out the window. Then she chided herself for being a fool.

A moment later, she saw a rider in an army uniform. Kane. She knew it was him. Even with just a glance, she could tell by the straight, proud way he sat a horse. Had the Apache heard his approach too? Her heart raced, thumping hard against her ribs. When he pulled the pistol from the band of material at his waist and pointed it at her heart, she knew he had heard Kane. And she knew that somehow she had to warn her husband.

He glanced out the window and then back to her. “If you make a sound, you will be dead and so will the captain.”

“What makes you think that’s my husband?” she asked, trying to distract him.