Savage Spring (29 page)

When he rounded a bend in the road, he grabbed onto a low-hanging branch, swinging himself skillfully up into the tree. His Indian pony, Navaron, had been trained well, and when Tag left the animal’s back, the horse didn’t even break his stride but kept racing down the road.

In no time at all, a lone rider rounded the bend, and when the man passed beneath the tree, Tag leaped down upon him, knocking him off his horse. The two men rolled over and over down a steep embankment and ended up with Tag on top. With very little trouble, Tag subdued the man. Even in the pale moonlight, Tag could tell he had never seen the man before. Doubling up his fists, he struck him across the jaw and felt the man go limp beneath him.

Tag quickly gained his feet and raced back up the embankment. He gave a loud whistle and was soon rewarded by the sound of Navaron’s thundering hooves coming toward him. He swung into the saddle and galloped away, heading for the shipyards.

Claudia watched Melvin’s face as he blew out the lamp in the shack where the shipbuilding tools were kept. She was angry with him because he had just taken over without consulting her. She would much rather have lured Tag into a different kind of trap. Her pride still stung from the way he had trapped her into loving him, and she knew she wouldn’t be satisfied until she made him crawl.

Melvin led Claudia out of the shed and steered her toward the ship where Alexandria was being held. “We’ll stand on the deck and wait for your man to come,” he said, helping her up the gangplank.

She turned to him when they reached the deck of the ship. “Are the men in place?”

“Yes, they are standing by at the gates. Don’t worry, Claudia, Taggart James will be surrounded the moment he comes into the shipyard.”

“I wish there was a full moon tonight—I can’t see anything,” Claudia said, straining her eyes in the near darkness.

Melvin laughed. “Before the night is over, you will have seen all that’s important to see. If things go as I planned, by this time tomorrow night you will be a very wealthy woman, and Tag and his lady will be carried out to sea where their bodies will become bait for the fish.”

Claudia shivered. She had never liked the sea, and as a child had often had nightmares about drowning. “I’ll be glad when it’s all over,” she said, more to herself than to Melvin.

Melvin’s arm went about her waist. “We are going to be wealthy, Claudia. We can get married, and you can have all the things you ever wanted. How will you like that?”

She felt his thick lips on her neck and had the urge to push him away. How dare he think he could run her life! For the time being, though, she needed his help. After this was all over she would rid herself of him for good!

“Claudia, what if Taggart James doesn’t come?”

Her eyes pierced the darkness. “He’ll come…oh, yes, he’ll come. Nothing can keep him away. I just hope we haven’t underestimated him.”

Tag had seen the dozen or so men who were hiding near the front entrance of the shipping yard. He smiled to himself
as he dismounted and slipped over the back fence to fade into the shadows. He knew the shipyards very well, since his father had often brought him here as a child. He had overheard the men talking and had gathered from their conversation that Alexandria was being held on board one of the two new ships that were at anchor in the water.

Keeping well into the shadows, he made his way silently down to the water’s edge.

Alexandria huddled against the wall of the ship, shivering. The lantern had gone out some time ago, and she was now in total darkness. She suppressed a sob and closed her eyes. She had never been in such total darkness before, and she felt as if she were in a tomb in the bottom of the ship. Having no way of knowing how much time had passed since she had been locked in, she didn’t know if it was day or night.

Alexandria wished someone would come. Anyone! She longed to hear another human’s voice.

She tried to think about the times she had ridden across the pastures at Meadowlake with the sun beaming down on her face. What she wouldn’t give to see the sun right now!

Alexandria’s throat felt parched and dry, and she wished she knew where to find the water container to quench the burning in her throat. She didn’t dare move from the wall of the ship because it was too dark and she had the feeling she would wander around for eternity in this living hell.

She tried to force herself to think of something pleasant, but her mind seemed always to center on Tag and the danger he might be in at this very moment. She knew he would come, because he was fearless and never seemed to stop and measure the danger of a situation. She remembered the night in the tavern when he had come to her rescue against the huge, burly sailor and knew he wouldn’t hesitate to come to the shipyard to face Claudia. Surely Tag would realize that Claudia and Melvin Garner had set a trap for him.

Alexandria felt the cold dampness seep into her bones
and knew the feeling of utter hopelessness. As frightened as she was, she knew she would rather die here alone in the darkness than have Tag share her fate.

The shipyard, with its dark shadows and eerie silence, seemed like something out of a nightmare to Claudia. She stepped closer to Melvin, trying to draw comfort from his nearness. She thought of Alexandria in the bottom of the ship and found malicious pleasure in knowing the girl was now paying for what Claudia considered crimes against her. In punishing Alexandria, it was almost as if she were striking a blow against Joanna. Even with everything that was at stake here tonight, Claudia’s main thoughts were still of Joanna. Her hatred for her had grown and festered all these years, and her one regret tonight was that Joanna wouldn’t be here to witness her brother’s death. Claudia had always been a little in awe of the love the brother and sister had shown for each other. She would make sure that Joanna heard of her brother’s death; then perhaps Joanna herself would come to Philadelphia and Claudia could have her final victory!

“Don’t turn around or cry out, either of you,” a menacing voice said from the shadows behind Claudia and Melvin.

In spite of the warning, Claudia turned to see Tag step up beside her.

“Take me to my wife,” he demanded in a voice that was cold and threatening. “If either one of you makes a wrong move, it will be your last,” he said, pointing the guns he held in his hands at Claudia and Melvin.

The sound of footsteps atop ship caught Alexandria’s attention over the shifting and groaning of the ship riding on the water. She listened carefully, hoping her ears weren’t playing tricks on her. She was sure of it now—someone was on board, and they were making their way down to her!

Standing up, she found her legs stiff and cramped, so she had to hold on to the wall of the ship to keep her balance.

Thinking it might be Claudia and Melvin Garner returning, she felt around in the darkness until she found the lantern. Flattening herself against the wall, she lifted it up over her head so she could use it as a weapon against them in hopes of making her escape.

Hearing a grating sound just outside, Alexandria waited for the door to open. When it swung wide, she had to close her eyes against the blinding light from the lantern. When she opened her eyes again, she saw it was indeed Claudia and Melvin. By now, she realized she had lost her advantage, for they were blocking the doorway.

Alexandria’s eyes still hadn’t become accustomed to the light, and she hadn’t seen the man who stood just behind Claudia and Melvin.

“Alexandria!” The voice she loved so well, called out her name with obvious concern. Tag’s voice seemed to echo around the empty hull of the ship, gladdening Alexandria’s heart. “Are you unharmed?”

“Tag!” she cried, standing as if rooted to the spot. “You came!”

Tag shoved Claudia and Melvin through the entrance and moved to Alexandria’s side while keeping the guns trained on the other two. “Are you all right?” he asked again. “Have they hurt you in any way?” He allowed his eyes to
roam fleetingly across her face, just long enough to see that she was all right.

“I am unhurt,” she said, moving closer to him. “I was frightened,” she admitted.

Tag’s eyes went to the woman who was responsible for abducting his wife, and Claudia could feel the chill of those eyes even in the half-light.

“You have a lot to answer for, Claudia,” he said in a cold voice that sent shivers down her spine.

“It wasn’t my idea to take Alexandria, Tag. Melvin was the instigator. Please believe me!” she pleaded, feeling the hand of death closing in all around her.

Tag stared at Claudia’s companion with contempt. “Melvin Garner is nothing but your pawn, Claudia. He is someone you keep around to do your dirty work. I could easily crush him like a bug.”

Melvin took a step forward, but the look Tag gave him made him reconsider.

“Tag, listen to me,” Claudia pleaded, holding her hands out to him. “I didn’t intend for your Indian wife to be killed. I only wanted to…”

“Shut up, Claudia,” Melvin broke in. “He can’t prove a thing against either one of us.”

Tag motioned for Claudia and Melvin to move away from the door, and he pushed Alexandria toward the exit. “I think the two of you will find it quite comfortable down here…at least, as comfortable as Alexandria found it.”

“No, Tag, don’t do this!” Claudia screamed. “I can’t stand to be in darkness!”

“I doubt that it was all that much fun for my wife either, Claudia. You had no thought of Alexandria when you locked her down here.”

“For God’s sake, at least leave us a lantern,” Melvin said, adding his plea to Claudia’s.

“I don’t think so. You see, it has always been my contention that one can think better in the darkness. You both have a lot to think about, do you not?”

Alexandria tugged at his sleeve, and he glanced down at her dear little face. “Tag, couldn’t we leave the lantern with them?”

His eyes shifted back to Claudia. “You see how it is? My wife has a kind heart and, unlike you, doesn’t like to see anyone suffer unduly. Because it is her wish, and for no other reason, I will leave you the lantern.”

Tag pushed Alexandria out the door and turned to keep his guns trained on Claudia and Melvin. He didn’t see the man who came up from behind him and clamped his hand around Alexandria’s mouth, muffling her cry—nor did he hear the man who brought the heavy object down upon the back of his head, rendering him unconscious.

Again Alexandria was locked in the darkness of the ship’s hull, but this time, Tag suffered her same fate. She was sitting on the floor with his head resting on her lap. As her hand moved over his face, she could feel his steady breathing and was hopeful that he was merely unconscious.

Evidently some of Claudia’s men had grown suspicious of the long delay and had come to investigate, thus catching Tag and her unawares. If only Tag would wake up, she thought, cradling his head against her breast and kissing his mouth. “Tag, I love you so much—wake up,” she pleaded. She could feel his warm breath fan her cheek and knew he was still alive.

Claudia had said she would be returning shortly, and Alexandria knew she was only giving Tag time to regain consciousness before she finished with them.

Alexandria heard Tag groan, and she touched his cheek softly. “Tag, try not to move—you may have been injured.”

“What happened?” he asked, sitting up slowly and staring into the darkness.

“Some men came up behind us, and Claudia had us locked in the ship. Are you all right, Tag?”

“I’m fine,” he said, standing up slowly. “I don’t suppose there is a way out of here.”

“No, the only way out is the way we came in, and I heard some men talking beyond the door. I suppose they are guarding it. It doesn’t seem Claudia is taking any chances that we might escape.

“I was a fool not to anticipate this happening, Alexandria. Windhawk taught me always to cover my back.”

“You shouldn’t have come at all, Tag. Didn’t you know they were only using me to get to you?”

He felt for her hand and pulled her up beside him. “They had something that belonged to me, and I had to get it back,” he said, placing his cheek against hers.

“Me, Tag?”

“What else.”

“I don’t really belong to you, Tag. You were forced to make me your wife.”

He closed his eyes. “Be that as it may, you are my wife until one of us decides differently. Until that day, it is my duty to protect you.”

Alexandria had no time to reply because at that moment the door swung open, and Claudia and Melvin entered.

Tag pushed Alexandria behind him as he watched them advance on him.

“Well, well, it seems you are awake, and we have quite a little party prepared for you, Tag,” Claudia taunted him.

“I never cared much for your little parties, Claudia. They were a bore,” Tag responded sarcastically.

Claudia’s eyes blazed with anger as she stepped in front of Tag and slapped him hard across the face. She expected anything from him but the laughter that issued from his lips.

“Thus speaks the scorned woman,” he said in an amused voice.

“You will pay, Taggart James! No one makes a fool out of me and gets by with it,” she hissed.

“I remember that Joanna always pitied you, Claudia. Myself…I never even liked you. I think you are the one who is paying,” Tag said, knowing just how to bait Claudia. For some reason, Joanna had always been the object of her
hatred, and he knew she wouldn’t want to think Joanna pitied her.

A loud cry came from Claudia’s lips. “How dare Joanna pity me! She is nothing—nothing!”

“Not so, Claudia—my sister is everything that you will never be.”

Claudia whirled away and grabbed Melvin’s arm, rambling like a madwoman. “Kill them—kill them both!”

“All in due time,” Melvin said, moving to stand beside Tag. “Before you die, I have drawn up a document I would like you to sign. It merely states that you are leaving all your worldly goods to Claudia with me as the executor.”

Tag smiled coldly. “Now why should I want to sign something like that?”

“Because you’ll have no choice.”

“You are a fool if you think there is anything you can do that will make me sign those papers. I have no fear of you or Claudia.”

“No?” Melvin said, smiling slightly. “Take him men,” Melvin ordered. “Hold him tight and don’t allow him to get away.”

Tag was immediately surrounded on all sides as six men grabbed him and held him fast.

“You will never make me relent, Garner. I would go to my death before I would leave to Claudia what belongs to me and my sister.”

“Take the girl,” Melvin called out, and before Alexandria could move, she was grabbed by two men who held her in a tight grip.

Tag struggled against the men who held him, but he knew it was useless. “If you harm my wife, I’ll kill you if it’s the last thing I ever do,” he called out. For the first time he felt fear, not for himself, but for the woman he loved.

“You are in no position to harm anyone, Tag,” Claudia said, grabbing a handful of mink-colored curls and jerking Alexandria’s head backwards. Again her hatred for Joanna seemed to focus on this girl. One of the men who held Alexandria
had a knife shoved into his belt, and Claudia grabbed it, holding the blade to Alexandria’s throat.

“Will you sign or shall I slice her throat?”

“No, Tag, don’t do it,” Alexandria cried. “They will kill us anyway! Don’t listen to them!” Alexandria didn’t know from where her courage came. She only knew that if Tag could meet death bravely, then she would draw strength from him and do the same.

Tag strained against the men once more, but with very little effect. He blamed himself, knowing he should have kept a closer watch over Alexandria. He had known what Claudia was capable of doing. Why hadn’t he given Alexandria better protection?

Melvin could see indecision in Tag’s face, and he grabbed the knife from Claudia. “I once watched a man suffer unspeakable agony as his fingers were lobbed off one joint at a time. Do you think Alexandria would scream out for mercy if she were to suffer the same fate, Tag? Why don’t we test her and find out?” Melvin grabbed Alexandria’s hand and raised the knife.

Tag could see the horror in Alexandria’s golden eyes as she looked at him. She was frightened, but no sound issued from her lips. In that moment, he felt pride in the tiny girl who had been called upon to face so many dangers since he had known her. Yes, he was proud of her, but he knew he could never allow Melvin to hurt her if he had the power to prevent it.

“You win. I’ll sign whatever you want,” he said, knowing he faced defeat.

“Now, you’re making sense,” Melvin said, tossing the knife on the floor and walking over to Tag. “Release him men, but keep a gun trained on the girl. If he makes a wrong move, shoot her!”

Claudia held the lantern up so the light fell onto the paper Melvin handed Tag. Tag didn’t bother to read the document as he took the quill and signed his name across the bottom.

At that moment, there came the sound of gunfire from above, and all the men reached for their weapons. In the confusion, Tag leaped forward and grabbed Alexandria, pushing her against the wall and shielding her with his body.

Suddenly, twenty men came swarming through the door, and in no time at all the newcomers had subdued Claudia’s men and held them at gunpoint. Claudia and Melvin were quickly tied up, and as silence fell across the room, a lone figure came through the door.

Alexandria exchanged glances with Tag as she recognized Russell James.

No one spoke as the tall redheaded man gazed across the room to make sure Tag and Alexandria were unharmed, nor was the silence broken as he moved over and picked up the piece of paper from the floor and studied it.

“This isn’t legal,” he said in a humorous voice. “It would never have stood up in court.”

“Who are you?” Claudia asked. “Those men with you work in my shipping yard. Not one of you will retain your position if you don’t help me!” she cried out.

Russell James looked at Claudia, a smile playing on his lips. “You are wrong, Mrs. Landon. These men work for me and have for years.”

He walked over to Tag and Alexandria and smiled at the lovely young girl. “So we meet again, Alexandria. You keep turning up in the strangest places.”

She smiled brightly. “And you keep coming to my rescue.”

Russell James bowed slightly and gave her a roguish grin. “Someone has to keep an eye on you and this young man.” He turned to his son and blue eyes locked with blue eyes. “As I stated before, this paper would never hold up in court.”

Tag smiled, wondering who the hell this man was and who had appointed him his guardian. Whoever he was, Tag was damned glad he had shown up when he did.

“Why do you say that?” Tag asked, a slow grin spreading over his face.

“Because neither the house, nor the shipping yard belongs to you…not yet, anyway,” Russell James stated.

“I’m not following you, unless you, like Claudia, want what belongs to me and my sister, Joanna.”

“It’s been a long time, Tag, but I had hoped you would know me anyway.”

“I have never seen you before I returned to Philadelphia,” Tag said, looking the man over carefully.

Russell James laughed again. “Will you tell this young pup who I am, Alexandria? You see, Tag, our little girl here had seen me only in a portrait, and yet she still knew who I was right away. Go ahead…I give you leave to tell him, Alexandria.”

Alexandria put her hand on Tag’s shoulder. “Tag…this is Russell James…your father!”

Tag shook his head in disbelief as he stared at the big redheaded man. “What trick do you play? You cannot be my father—my father is dead!”

“No, I’m not dead, Tag, but there were times in the past that I wished I were. I’ll tell you all about that later—right now, we have some business to finish.”

Tag looked down at Alexandria, and she nodded and smiled. He couldn’t understand what was happening, but he felt joy in his heart. He was afraid to believe that this man was really his father, and yet, some vague boyhood memory suddenly sparked to life within Tag. He was older than Tag remembered, but yes, he was his father.

“Father,” he whispered, and the two men embraced. Tag felt a tightening in his throat, and Russell James felt tears wet his cheeks. Alexandria covered her face as tears flowed from her eyes. She was so happy that Tag and his father had at last been reunited.

There was no more time to talk as several uniformed authorities swarmed onto the ship to take the prisoners away. Claudia was led away struggling and screaming, carrying on like the madwoman she was.