The Texan's Reward (33 page)

the point.

“Right.” Kelly straightened in his chair. “I want to offer you a little more time to recover. I’ll take the bandit you brought in back with me to Fort Worth, and you can join us when you are feeling better.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll handle my own prisoner.”

Kelly leaned forward. “If money for the recovering is a problem, the railroad would be happy to make a cash

offer to help. After all, we’re much in your debt.”

Not quite a bribe, Jacob thought. The man was smooth. Jacob stood. “I didn’t do it for the railroad. I did it for

those people who lost their lives during the robbery. If you want to help someone recover, help the families of

those folks.”

Kelly rose to his feet. “I ask that you reconsider, Ranger. For your own safety.”

“I don’t have to,” Jacob smiled. “I never considered it in the first place.” He tipped his hat at the head of the

posse and walked out of the café.

Walter Farrow was waiting for him on the walk out front. “Mind if I walk with you?” Farrow asked as he circled

Jacob.

“You don’t know which direction I’m going.” Jacob headed away from the café door, and Farrow seemed to relax

a little.

Farrow fell into step. “It doesn’t matter. I just came out to warn you about something.”

Jacob didn’t slow. “All right. Warn me.”

“I think the posse is planning to take the boy with them in the morning, no matter what you agree to.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

“I can’t say more.” Farrow leaned close, his hand on Jacob’s arm stopping their progress. “I just want to tel you

to be careful. Remember that I warned you.”

“I’ll remember.” Jacob started moving again, but slowed, wondering what the fat man knew. “Tell me, Mr.

Farrow, how good a friend are you to Anthony Kelly?”

“We’re men of like mind in that we both strive to accomplish our goals, no matter what the odds.”

Jacob guessed Farrow would be of no help, and he didn’t have time for his double-talk. “Good night, Mr.

Farrow.”

“Good-bye, Ranger.” Farrow stopped walking and within seconds had disappeared into the blackness.

Jacob rested his hand on the butt of his Colt. At this end of town most of the bars were rough, and the smel of

whiskey and urine hung in the damp air. He listened for the sound of other steps on the walk, but there were

none.

He passed an opening into one of the saloons, and glanced in. The bartender and a girl dressed in red were

playing cards at the bar. The barmaid waved at him, and he waved back, remembering her from a few years ago

when she’d asked the sheriff for protection against a cowhand and Jacob had talked to the man.

The only other person he saw was a drunk passed out at one of the tables, looking as if he planned to sleep

there the rest of the night. It was early yet; business might pick up when men kicked out of the better bars

stumbled down the street looking for a few more drinks.

Jacob stepped off the walk into two inches of mud. He picked his steps careful y in the shadows between

buildings. The last thing he wanted, he decided, was to slide in the mud and take a tumble. He cradled his

shoulder now that no one was looking. He’d been acting like it didn’t hurt al day. Just like he’d been acting like

the argument with Nell didn’t matter. Hell, at this rate he’d be on the stage in no time.

A moment later, he reconsidered his choice for the last thing he wanted to happen.

Men in black circled him, and he felt the crack of a bottle against the side of his head. The next thing he saw

were stars in the cloudy sky as he tumbled.

NELL WATCHED THE ROAD TO TOWN UNTIL SHE FELT her eyes would cross. When the clock chimed ten, she

knew something was wrong. They’d been gone three hours.

She rolled to the hallway and called for Mrs. O’Daniel. The nurse must have been up reading, for though already

in her gown, she didn’t look like she’d been asleep.

“Something’s wrong.” Nel tried to keep her voice calm. “Something’s happened to Jacob. He said he’d be back

in an hour. It’s been three.”

The nurse opened her mouth to deny the claim, but Gypsy started up the stairs. “I feel it, too,” she snapped. “I

can taste trouble on the back of my tongue and, once I taste it, I ain’t never wrong. Mr. Harrison and the ranger

would have been back if they hadn’t run into something.”

“Maybe it’s just the damp air.” Mrs. O’Daniel looked down at Gypsy. “Maybe the taste on the back of your

tongue is something you ate or drank.”

But al three knew it wasn’t. Harrison had said they wouldn’t be gone long, an hour, no more. Jacob didn’t like

the idea of leaving Brother Aaron alone with the women. He would have taken care of business in town and

come back.

Unless something happened. Nel made up her mind. “I’m going to town.”

“Now? At this time of night? I don’t feel that is wise.” Mrs. O’Daniel shook her head but was wise enough not to

step in Nel ’s way.

“I’m going, with or without you, but your help would be greatly appreciated.”

Marla had crossed the big room in silence. “I’ll go with you,” she said, looking up from the bottom of the stairs

with eyes full of tears. “I can’t stand to wait any longer.”

The nurse tried to be the voice of reason. “It’s misting out there. The road wil be dangerous. Someone has to

stay with Wednesday and the baby. We can’t just leave them.”

Their voices woke the preacher sleeping by the fire downstairs. He stretched and realized what was happening.

He was a man in a houseful of women. He didn’t say a word; he just began putting on his coat.

“You aren’t strong enough to stand for long, even with my help. What kind of help could you be to the ranger?”

“Then I’l go in my chair.” The wheelchair would only fit in the open wagon. “Brother Aaron, will you get the

wagon ready?” She turned to the nurse. “And I’l go armed.”

“This is madness,” Mrs. O’Daniel said. “Doesn’t anyone see that but me?”

“We all do,” Marla whispered as she passed the nurse, “but we al also know something is wrong. If we stay

here, safe and dry, while the ranger is in trouble, we’ll never forgive ourselves.”

“But if the wagon rolls or breaks a wheel in the mud, Nell will be trapped. None of you can carry her back

home.”

“I’ll be all right.” Nell lifted her chin. “At worst, I’ll be soaked in the rain, but with luck I might be able to help Jacob. The way I see it, I only have to worry about getting to town. Jacob wil be with me on the way home.”

Wednesday opened her door. “I heard you all talking. I’d go if I could.”

Nel smiled. “We know, but little DH needs you more right now.” She turned to her troops. Brother Aaron had

already disappeared to get the wagon ready. “Gypsy, I’m leaving you on guard. Sit at the bottom of the stairs

with a rifle.”

“I can’t shoot nothing. Never had no aim.” She doubled up her tiny fist. “Maybe I should go with you and fight.”

“No. I need you here.” Nel almost added that between the two of them, Gypsy and she couldn’t probably fight a

rabbit, but being wil ing to try counted for something. “If trouble walks through that door, just point and fire

until all the rounds are gone.”

The tiny old housekeeper frowned. “Then what do I do?”

“Reload.”

Gypsy nodded.

Nell turned to Mrs. O’Daniel. “Get all you’ll need from the kitchen. You and Wednesday stay upstairs while I’m

gone.” It was probably more precaution than necessary, but Nel didn’t want to have to worry about those who

stayed behind.

While Marla helped her dress, Nel planned where they’d go. The town was so smal they should have no

problem finding a Texas Ranger the size of Dalton. With luck he would be drinking coffee with the sheriff at the

jail, and all this worry would be for nothing. Maybe he was just waiting out the rain.

Marla wrapped a velvet cape of deep blue around Nel and covered her hair with the hood, then circled her

black cape around her.

The preacher backed the wagon up to the steps, leaving deep ruts with his wheels, but no one seemed to care.

With only a two-inch bump to contend with, Nel pushed her chair off the porch and into the back of the wagon

with ease. Mrs. O’Daniel oversaw the tying of the wheels so that it wouldn’t roll and insisted Nell put a tarp over

her shoulders and the chair. She might not be going on this wild run into town, but she planned to take care of

her patient as long as possible.

Mrs. O’Daniel, Marla, and Gypsy helped push the wagon through the mud to the road where the ground was

packed. When Marla climbed in beside the preacher, her skirts were muddy to her knees.

Gypsy stood on the porch watching and waving until they turned the bend and were out of sight.

They moved through the night in silence, no one mentioning what they might find when they got to town. The

wind made the rain colder, and there was no protection in the open wagon except the tarp.

Not long after the lights from the house disappeared, a few lights from town twinkled in the distance. The

preacher drove slow and easy, talking to the horses almost as much as he talked to the Lord. The wagon had

been built for hauling, with wide wheels that held stable even on the slippery road.

Nell was shivering by the time they reached the jail. Several young men were hanging around on the porch as if

waiting for something to happen. She could see through the window that a few more were inside, but none

were shouting or causing trouble. They al stopped talking and watched the wagon pul up as close as Brother

Aaron could to the steps.

Nell wasn’t sure who they were, but she knew they were no mob waiting to cause trouble.

“Fellow brethren,” the preacher boomed. “I’ve a sister here who wishes to visit the jail on this night. Will you

help her down so she can go about the Lord’s business?”

Nel shoved the tarp aside so that the men could see her wheelchair.

None of the men moved to help.

Brother Aaron climbed to the back and untied the wheels of the chair. “Strong young men like you should be

able to lift her chair and all onto the porch. If she could walk, I wouldn’t be asking your help, but as you can see,

she can’t.”

Nell pul ed her cape around her, not wanting them to see her embarrassment. For the first time she saw the

folly of her plan. “If you’ll get Ranger Dalton, he’ll lift me down,” she asked as kindly as she could. She wanted to

add that she didn’t need their help, but for once, she did.

One of the men stepped forward. He wore a badge on his rain slicker proclaiming himself to be one of the posse.

“A woman in your condition shouldn’t be out on a night like this, miss. It’s not safe.”

Nel fought to hold her anger. “I know, but Brother Aaron convinced me we have to pray for the kil ers, even if

we all are hoping they have a swift journey to hell.” Nell lowered her voice. “I may not be able to do much, but I

have to try. If you could ask Sheriff Parker to step out, please, I need to speak to him as well.”

The preacher picked up on her crusade. “If none of you will help the sister to the jail, perhaps you’ll join me in

prayer for the sinners. We could kneel around their cells. I’m sure many of you know how to speak in tongues,

and if you don’t, only a few hours on your knees should convert you to the cal ing.”

The man who’d admonished Nel moved closer. “I’d be happy to help you down, sister.” He glanced at the

others. “Frank, Mike, give me a hand.”

Two of the men stepped over into the wagon’s bed and lifted the chair while another two eased it onto the

porch.

“You go on about your saving sinners, sister,” one said. “We’ll help you back in the wagon if we’re still here

when you leave.”

“Bless you,” Nel whispered from the folds of her cape. As Marla pushed her forward, Nell relaxed her hold on

the gun that rested across her lap.

Once inside, the sea of men parted. By an old stove, Nell saw Mr. Harrison with the sheriff. She let out a breath

and realized how foolish she’d been to get Marla and the preacher out on a night like this.

But as she rolled closer, she saw the worry in first Parker’s face and then Harrison’s eyes. Something was wrong.

She looked around; Jacob was nowhere in sight.

Sheriff Parker waved his hands and ordered everyone out of the office as Brother Aaron found his invisible pulpit

by the window and started a prayer at full volume.

The posse grumbled but shuffled out. Parker closed the door and motioned for the preacher to continue. He

filled two cups of coffee and returned to the back where Harrison stood and offered his seat to Marla.

When she sat, he stood behind her, his hands resting on the back of her chair.

No one spoke until the women drank a few swallows of coffee.

Nell leaned forward and whispered, “Is it safe to talk?”

“No one will hear us over Brother Aaron,” Parker answered, “but we need to talk fast. What have your heard,

Nell? Where is Jacob?”

Nel looked confused. “I thought he was with you.”

The old sheriff shook his head, and Harrison related the last few words he’d had with Jacob.

Nell took another drink trying to make sense of what was happening.

“I waited here for half an hour, then thought I’d walk down to the café and see what was keeping him. The place

was stil open, but no one even remembered seeing the ranger. I checked in every open door between the café

and the saloon where he’d left me. Nothing. Most folks were huddled inside waiting out the rain, so I returned

here.”