Daylight was almost gone by the time they reached the line-shack. Quickly, Randee checked the sturdy structure and surrounding area, relieved to see that it appeared as safe and secluded as she remembered. She coaxed Midnight to lie down so she could cut the ropes which held Marsh to the animal and saddle. She let him remain there a while, knowing he must be in agonizing pain from their swift journey—if he had enough awareness to even feel pain. The few times that he had roused, it had not been fully, and she could imagine the haze of torment which must be dulling his mind.
She prepared a rope corral near a stream and led the horses there to graze and rest. She talked soothingly to them, thanking them for their assistance and hoping they could understand they had saved two lives with their demanding pace and loyalties. As gently as possible, she dragged the unconscious man inside and labored until she had him on a cot. She removed his boots and clothes and checked his injuries. His body was bruised and bleeding in several places. She tended him gently.
Not once did Marsh stir, and she was worried. She paid close attention to his head injury and blackish-blue rib area. What if she had pushed him too hard and done worse damage to her love? No, she scolded herself, it was worse to hang for crimes he hadn’t committed.
Randee knew they needed food. Marsh especially would need hot soup to revitalize his ailing body and to get past his tumescent lips. Hopefully Brody would assume she couldn’t make it this far and this fast with a badly injured man so he wouldn’t check the Carson Ranch today. She mounted Rojo bareback and headed for the house. If she was lucky, there would be vegetables still growing wild in the garden, and the telegraph lines would still be down, preventing a message to Brody.
The young woman approached the area cautiously. Everything was still and quiet. No doubt Brody would arrive tomorrow and place a guard on the house. Hurriedly she went inside and gathered supplies, then raced to the garden to pick vegetables. She carried as much as she could manage to where Rojo was waiting patiently. After covering their tracks, she headed back to where she had left Marsh.
Randee locked the door and approached Marsh. He hadn’t moved. Again, she tended his wounds—this time with the medicine which she had taken from the house— but he did not stir. She prepared a fire, concluding it was safe to allow escaping smoke at night, and cooked a large pot of soup. She mashed the vegetables into a soft mush and added liquid, then tried to force some down Marsh’s throat. She succeeded in getting only a little inside him, but that was better than none at all. Time and sleep were what he needed most.
The sun would be rising soon, so Randee doused the fire. The covered soup would stay warm a long time, and she would try to feed him again in a few hours. Randee hadn’t slept since Saturday morning, and it was nearly dawn Monday. She was exhausted; her body ached and pleaded for mercy. She examined Marsh once more, and believed he was breathing easier this time. She tossed a thin cover over his naked frame. After unrolling her sleeping bag, she collapsed on it and closed her eyes. If trouble came, there was little she could do, and nothing if she was too dazed by fatigue to think or react.
“Help us and protect us,” she prayed, then yielded to slumber.
Shortly after noon, Randee was yanked from dreamland by Marsh’s moans and thrashings upon the wooden cot. She was at his side instantly. “It’s all right, Marsh. We’re safe now. Lie still and quiet.”
His tumid blue eyes moved and opened very slowly. He tried to clear his wits, but the pain from head to foot attacked him maliciously. He groaned and winced and breathed erratically.
She caught his hand before he could rub his sore eyes and held it. “Don’t move or try to talk, partner, or you’ll do worse damage than I did with that bone-jarring ride. We’re miles from that town, Marsh, so you’re safe,” she told him soothingly. “I was afraid to look for a doctor, but I’ve tended you as best I could. Can you eat some soup? It’ll make you stronger.”
“Where … are … we?” he asked, struggling with each word. “How— “ He was too weak to finish, but she understood.
Randee explained the jailbreak and their location. “Is there anything I can do to lessen the pain? Did I miss an injury?”
Marsh looked at her pale face, so full of love and concern, and he tried to smile. He grimaced instead because his jaw and mouth hurt; even his teeth protested. “I said … some … terrible— “
Randee touched his swollen mouth lightly and hushed him. “I know you didn’t mean them. You were only trying to save my hide.”
“Don’t make me laugh,” he entreated almost pitifully. “I’m one big ache.”
“Sorry, partner. It’s just that I’m so damn glad you’re alive and awake. You had me worried. You’ve been out since Saturday night.”
He glanced at the window. Randee had shielded it, so he couldn’t determine what kind of light was filtering inside. More so, he had a hard time focusing his puffy eyes. “What day is it?”
“Monday,” she replied, just before he went back to sleep.
Randee stroked his ebony hair and kissed his forehead. “Don’t worry, my love, I won’t let anyone harm you. I love you, Marsh Logan, and I can’t lose you now, not ever. Please get well.”
Marsh roused again about nine that night. Randee was at his side quickly to force him to lie still. When he asked about the date, she told him it was still Monday, the day he was to have been hanged.
He struggled to clear his wits, but it was difficult. He gazed at the woman kneeling beside the cot and was amazed by her actions. “You making a practice of saving my life, woman?” he asked.
“You would have done the same for me, partner. If not for you, Marsh Logan, neither of us would be alive tonight. You’ve taught me so much and done so much for me. You inspired this courage and determination which saved you back there. I couldn’t have done this without your training. I was able to rescue you and avoid recapture only because of what we’ve done together. If you weren’t so damn special, I wouldn’t have broken you out of jail and become an outlaw.”
“Don’t give me the credit, woman,” he argued softly.
“I have to, Mr. Logan. You taught me stealth, persistence, patience, and prowess. You’ve shown me what it is to put someone else’s life before your own. You allowed us to be friends and partners, even if I am only a woman. I depend on you, I trust you, I learn from you.” When she saw his look of skepticism, she coaxed, “There’s no reason to be embarrassed about your capture and condition; it happens to the best of us. I know it must be hard to feel vulnerable and helpless. But if you were right and perfect all the time, Marsh, you wouldn’t be human. Can you get some soup down?”
Marsh was touched by her words and mood. He felt the same way. He tried to smile as he nodded. He knew he must look a mess, and he felt awful. He hated being unable to take care of her, and hated always endangering her. Never had he met a woman, or man, so compassionate and so unselfish. This time, she had risked all to save his life, and he would repay her generously.’ He watched her prepare his meal and return to his bed. She gently placed her sleeping roll beneath his head to raise it. Then, she fed him the nourishing soup as if he were a sick child. Even if he had been able to help himself, he would have allowed her to do this task which made her happy. It was strange: Half the time, he was angry and humiliated at being helpless; the other half, he didn’t seem to mind at all. His pride was as bruised as his body was, but she made it easier to endure his weakness.
“Where did this come from?” he inquired between spoonfuls.
She told him what she had done upon their arrival and saw him about to protest her perilous conduct. “Don’t scold me, Mr. Logan. We have to eat, and I was careful. I used all those skills you taught me. You finish this soup and get more rest. That’s an order, partner.”
Marsh was too weak and fuzzy-headed to disobey. He thanked her after he finished, and soon fell asleep. Randee did the same.
By Tuesday at midday, Willard Mason had sent word to every sheriffs office within three days’ travel of Fort Worth, telling them the posters were fakes and to destroy them. He had the governor’s office issue a statement saying Marsh Logan was a special agent for the Texas authorities and was not an outlaw, which Willard published in his newspaper and sent to all others in the area to do the same.
Willard knew he was destroying most of Marsh’s cover, but it was the only way he could end this perilous situation involving Storm Hayden, and keep his friends alive. He cleared up the episode about the jailbreak, explaining it had been necessary to prevent an illegal and erroneous hanging. Since there was no evidence against Foley Timms yet, all the man received was a reprimand and a personal warning from his superior. Willard reported in the newspaper how the gang was responsible for the false posters because Marsh Logan was hot on their trail and about to unmask them. He wrote of how Marsh had been framed and nearly killed. He warned everyone to destroy those fake posters and to leave the special agent alone to complete his mission, which would benefit all Texans. Afterwards, all Willard Mason could do was hope Randee and Marsh got the news and realized it was safe to come out of hiding, if they were alive and well.
In the shack, Marsh was awake again. He felt a little stronger, but his body ached all over and his mind wouldn’t seem to unfog completely for any length of time. Randee hovered over him, forcing soup and water into him and tending his injuries. Most were healing, but his cracked ribs gave him terrible pain when he breathed and moved. He knew he had no choice but to remain abed until he was stronger. What use was he to anybody, especially to them, in this sorry state?
His head cleared for a while today and he stayed awake longer each time he roused, but it was difficult. He realized he must be terribly weak because he couldn’t stay awake for more than twenty minutes. He figured it would be a week or two before he could ride. He wondered what was happening away from this secluded cabin. And he wondered what he should say to this woman he loved.
Randee returned from her bath at the stream and smiled at .Marsh. “Would you like me to wash you off a little?” she offered. “I’m sure it would refresh you greatly. However, my bearded lover, a shave is unwise with those facial injuries. We don’t want any wayward whiskers getting into these healing cuts.”
“If you help me, I can make it to the stream.”
“You would pass out before you reached the door and injure yourself again. That would be bad for me. Let me tell you, partner, you’re heavy when you’re out cold.”
“It’s my bullheadedness that weighs so much.”
“I see we’re feeling better today, joking a little bit. Good. That still doesn’t mean you can get up and dance around. After that jarring ride I gave you, it’s a wonder you survived. Stay in bed a few more days. Your body’s trying to heal and it needs your cooperation.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, yawning as his eyelids grew heavy.
Randee did not tell Marsh she was lacing his soup with laudanum which she had taken from the ranch house. Now that he was getting stronger, she felt she needed it to keep him abed to heal properly. He was so stubborn— yes, bullheaded— and would be up too soon to get back to their task. She knew he was worried about their safety, and about what she had done to rescue him. Until the matter was cleared up, they were both fugitives.
Hours later, Randee pan-bathed him and helped him eat more soup, rabbit this time, which she had snared. She assisted him with sitting up for a while, until the drug sent him back into dreamland.
Wednesday, Randee allowed Marsh to get up twice and walk to the door and back a few times to get his circulation moving. She almost felt guilty when he commented on how weak and shaky he was. She vanquished it by telling herself she was only doing what was best for her love, letting him heal and keeping him out of danger. If she let him get back on the trail now, he would be placing his life in jeopardy.
Thursday morning, she let him walk outside for a while and get fresh air and a little more exercise. That night, she helped him to the stream to wash off, which enlivened him until he devoured the last of the soup with its medication.
As Randee watched him sleep, her eyes lovingly traced every line on his handsome face. The bruises had. changed colors, indicating they were getting better. The swelling around his eyes and mouth had lessened. The small breaks on his face were closing up nicely and shouldn’t scar. She teased her fingers over his chest, enjoying the silky feel of the moist black hair which curled around them. Her heart fluttered wildly and her body warmed with desire. She loved this man and wanted to spend her life with him. Would she be given the chance?
Friday morning, Randee did not tell Marsh he was devouring the last of the biscuits and gravy and coffee. She watched him enjoy the meal as she planned her trip to the ranch for more supplies. She should have gone last night while she had the cover of darkness, but hadn’t thought of it! When he asked why she wasn’t joining him, she smiled and said she had eaten before he awakened— which wasn’t true, and she hoped he didn’t notice her growling belly as she sipped coffee. She waited for him to succumb to the laudanum before she left the cabin.
Surely no one was searching for them in this area, so Marsh would be safe for a few hours. She had to fetch supplies, and she could not let him stop her. She left the chestnut mare hidden in the woods near the house and covered the rest of the distance on foot.
She quickly gathered what she needed and was about to leave when she heard horses approaching. She looked out the window and nearly fainted; it was Brody Wade, her stepfather, and several men! She hid the bundle and concealed herself behind a sofa near a side wall, as there was no way she could sneak out of the house and risk capture.
Brody and Payton Slade entered the house, talking. Randee listened closely to their revealing words, shocked by her discoveries.
Brody was saying, “As I told you, Mr. Slade, the lawyer from Austin told me Randee inherited everything. Lee Carson changed his will two months ago, from your wife to his niece.”
Payton responded, “Randee and me are very close, Sheriff, so that ain’t a problem. I just want to look around. Any news on her?”
“That business about arrests and jailbreaks has been cleared up. Seems it was a stupid mistake over fake posters. The governor sent out word he was innocent, claimed the man is an agent working for him. It was in all the newspapers this week. Those false posters have been called back, and Hayden—I mean Marsh Logan—has been exonerated.”
“No charges against my stepdaughter for bustin’ him outta jail?”
“None. She had no choice. Marsh Logan is a free man. As soon as he hears the news, he’ll turn up some place. So will Randee.”
“What’s goin’ on between those two?” Payton inquired, his tone and expression lewdly suggestive.
Brody caught signs which he didn’t like. “I wouldn’t know.”
“I thought you said you two was to marry soon. Ain’t you a mite curious about what they been doin’ out there alone? Randee’s a beautiful woman, a mighty temptin’ one.”
“I explained how Randee hired him to help her track down the killers of Lee and Sarah Elizabeth Carson. I don’t have anything to worry about where’s he’s concerned. She loves me.”
“You best worry where I’m concerned,” her stepfather disclosed. “Randee’s ma lost our baby a while back an’ ain’t doin’ too well. Me an Randee will probably marry an’ settle here if Dee don’t make it. I’ll give you a warnin’, Sheriff, me an’ Randee love each other, so don’t interfere in our private business. ‘Course, we didn’t know it till after I was strapped with her ma. If her ma don’t live, Randee will want me over you or that drifter.”
“What are you talking about?” Brody asked coldly, suspiciously.
“That’s why Randee left home, ‘cause she was pinin’ for me. When I find her, she’ll be mine. I plan to sell my place in Kansas an’ move here, even if I have to give up her ma. You the one who sent that packet of information to Dee?”
“What packet?” Brody asked deceitfully, riled by his mistake.
“I got this package with newspaper clippin’s about the ‘ raid an’ an offer to buy the ranch. ‘Course I won’t sell it for any price. Strange thing, there was a letter from Sarah Elizabeth enclosed. I wonder how a dead woman wrote a letter about Randee being in New York.” He chuckled. “That girl is a real surprise. She was just trying to lure me here an’ let me know where she is. Real clever, ain’t she?”
“Yep, she’s very clever,” Brody concurred. “What did your wife say about you coming here to chase after her daughter?”
Payton grinned at the other man. “Dee ain’t too smart; she don’t know nothing about me an’ Randee. Naturally I didn’t tell her about the packet, an’ she don’t know where I am or what I’m doin’. I want to look around a bit, see how much damage was done to the house. When I get finished here, I’ll plan a way to locate Randee an’ get her back. She’s probably scared an’ ready to come home to me.”
After they talked a while and Payton went upstairs, Brody motioned to his man near the open door. He whispered, “I want this crazy bastard ambushed and killed today. If he thinks I’ll let him walk in and take everything, he’s dead wrong. Now I know what drove Randee from Kansas; the man’s loco and mean,” he murmured.
Two days before, Brody had received a shocking and baffling reply to his query to the Nebraska authorities. The response said that Storm Hayden was not and never had been wanted there. Apparently the man was Marsh Logan, a U.S. Marshal, as he and Willard Mason had claimed. Thank goodness, Timms hadn’t killed an agent and brought suspicion down on them! But if Logan had filed a report with his superior, as he had claimed to Timms, it would have caused trouble for them by now. Obviously Logan had been bluffing. Brody wondered ’ how much Randee knew about Logan and his assignment… .
Randee remained hidden until the group left, then gathered her bundle and hurried back to the cabin. Willard Mason was still alive, and he had cleared up that Storm Hayden mess. They were free! Safe! Brody was going to have Payton killed before tonight, so her wicked stepfather would be out of hers and her mother’s lives forever! No doubt Payton had lied about her mother’s condition, and was probably planning to kill Dee the moment he returned home to sell out in Kansas. With his death, her mother would be safe until Randee could reach her. She was glad the lecherous bastard was going to pay for his sins, and she did not feel guilty about not warning him about his lethal peril.
Another thing, Brody had read her mail and sent a warning home, unaware of what he was doing until today. How very thoughtful of the insane Payton to inform the very man who would destroy him. At least Brody was about to do one good thing: rid the world of a demon like Payton Slade. Recalling what she had put in the letter to the land company and what she had told George Light, maybe she still had Brody fooled, even if he knew she had helped Marsh Logan escape.
Marsh Logan, an agent for the governor … Was that true? Or had Willard Mason convinced the man to help them with a ruse? It would play right into their hands, as she could use it to further dupe Brody to get evidence against him. How could her fiancé fault her for working with a government agent? Of course, she would claim she had known all along, but had been sworn to secrecy. That would also explain why she had aided Marsh’s escape. It was perfect. …
Randee observed her sleeping love and wondered how much to tell him. More so, when to tell him. Once he heard this information, he would be up and out of here, injured or not!
For five days, Randee held her silence while she helped Marsh regain his strength and heal. She ceased giving him the laudanum and worked hard to restore his health to normal. She was ready to get this mission going again, to get it over with and see where they stood.
It was shortly after dusk on Wednesday, the twelfth day after he was arrested and beaten. They had eaten early and were strolling around outside. She could tell he felt stronger and his ribs were better. She smiled and asked, “Are we still in pain, partner?”
Marsh looked at her and grinned, then rubbed his sore jaw and side. “Only when I laugh or move or walk or eat,” he teased.
“Then you shouldn’t do any of those things yet,” she replied.
“Does that mean no more secret drugs, partner?”
Randee blushed and inhaled sharply. “How did you know?”
“I didn’t until my head cleared; then I figured it out. That’s one way to keep a drifter where you want him, but very sneaky, woman.”
“Knowing you, Marsh Logan, it was necessary, or risk losing you to a relapse. I didn’t save you to let you get yourself killed before you were back at your highest peak of prowess. Ready to tangle with them again?” she inquired, hating to leave this peaceful place.
Marsh stroked his freshly shaven face and gazed into her eyes. “Not tonight, woman. Tonight, I only want to tangle with a reckless vixen,” he murmured, pulling her into his embrace.
She cautioned seductively, “Careful or you’ll reinjure yourself. You aren’t up to physical exertion this soon.”
Brushing his lips over hers, he whispered huskily, “Oh, but I am up to this, Doc Hollis. In fact, it’s the only medicine I need to get me completely well again. You wouldn’t deny your loving patient what he needs, would you?”
Randee grinned receptively, eager to surrender to him after their lengthy abstinence. Every night she had. dreamed of this moment, causing her passion to smolder more fiercely each hour. At his touch and smile, it burst into fiery need and her body glowed from within. It was so serene here, so romantic, their natures so close to the wildness that surrounded them. She surrendered uninhibitedly to his caresses and kisses, feeling weak herself for a change.
Marsh knew she had unleashed her bridled desire and was as ready to ride love’s wild stallion as he was. His mind spun wildly, but this time it wasn’t because of medication; this woman was utterly intoxicating. His bold kisses and caresses were provocative, stimulating, pleasurable. Presently, the only ache he was conscious of was the one in his heart and loins, which would soon be sated. Marsh trailed his lips over the satiny skin of her face and throat, causing her to moan sensuously. Mercy, she was irresistible and tantalizing.
She willingly yielded to his deft hands as they undressed her, then unclothed himself. Marsh’s touch was gentle, yet strong and confident as he skillfully explored her trembling body, and Randee responded with all her being. No shame or hesitation threatened to halt their actions. She cuddled against his hard body and enticed him to continue their heady journey in this sensual haven where stars twinkled overhead and night creatures sang to them and playful breezes tried vainly to cool their torrid flesh.
Marsh’s lips traveled her shoulders before he lifted each feminine hand to spread kisses over them, hands which had tended him so gently and lovingly. The partial moon did little to lighten the tree-encircled area where they were standing on passion-wobbly legs. He watched the shadows dance over her face and body, and his fingers followed their delightful game. His troubles receded quickly and his thoughts were of Randee alone.
Without unsealing their mouths, Marsh guided them to the lush grass, where they embraced and kissed each other feverishly. As if one entwined spirit, they worked together on increasing each other’s desire and on sating the other’s needs. Marsh’s tongue teased over her chin and down her throat, as if the carefree drifter he was reputed to be. But he knew his destination, and provocatively journeyed to her breasts. His mouth roved the taut peaks which revealed the intensity of her desire. As his lips traversed her torso, his hands moved lower and lower with titillating leisure. His fingers encountered another peak that seemed to beg for attention, which he eagerly supplied.
Randee caressed the sleek muscles of his shoulders and arms and back. Her fingers playfully traced the hard ridges of his spine, all the way to his firm buttocks, which she seductively massaged. It enlivened her to stimulate and pleasure him. Her hands quivered with delight. His body was beautiful, so firm and yet so smooth. She knew he enjoyed making love to her, thrilled to her uncontrollable responses.
“I need you, Marsh, now,” she whispered hoarsely. She had made love enough times to assess her distance and pace. She could wait no longer to feel him within her, have him joined to her.
Marsh’s throbbing manhood entered her, and she arched to meet his gentle probe. He felt it quiver and threaten to explode as powerfully as the dynamite in his saddlebags. She was so all-consuming that she was his only reality, his only mission tonight. It staggered his senses to taste and feel and hear her surrender.
Locked together, they labored sensuously for the prize which awaited them at the end of this blissful race. They clung together, riding rapturously across love’s prairie, which was ablaze with a wildfire. They explored, searched, journeyed, and wandered until they located ecstasy, their destination, and raced into that wondrous paradise … .
At last, they relaxed side by side upon the crushed grass. They remained silent, embracing and allowing the beauty of this episode to wash over them serenely. The air was cooler now, as were their bodies. The melodies of crickets, frogs, and night birds still filled their ears. The moon was overhead, giving them more light in their blissful enclosure. The sky was clear of clouds, but scattered with millions of blinking stars. Contentment encased them.
“How did I ever get along before I met you, woman?” he asked tenderly. “You’ve softened a part of me that I thought was hard forever. It’s past time I explain a few things about me.”
When Randee remained still and silent, Marsh glanced down at her. He smiled happily. She was cuddled against his side, sound asleep. He realized she must be exhausted after her long vigil over him and utterly relaxed after their passionate bout. He kissed her forehead and murmured, “I don’t know how it happened, Randee, but I love you.”
Without arousing her, he lifted her in his arms and carried her into the cozy shack. He placed her on the bunk, and he took the sleeping roll on the floor. She curled onto her side, toward him, and sighed dreamily. Another smile curved Marsh’s healing mouth upwards. He felt wonderful tonight, strong, alive, invigorated, happy.
The jet-haired man lay on his back, thinking. Tomorrow, he had to expose himself to the woman slumbering nearby. Not only did she deserve the truth, but he couldn’t conceal it any longer. In order to protect her from criminal charges and possible injury, he had to reveal his identity to the local authorities— naturally excluding Brody Wade and Marshal Foley Timms. He had to find a way to get her out of this mission so she would be safe until he could complete it quickly. If only he could find some hard evidence against that gang and their accomplices, he could settle the matter within a week or two.
Marsh ran his fingers over his sore wounds and damned his attackers. He vowed that Foley Timms and his boys would pay for their assault and for forcing his love to imperil herself trying to help him. Recalling her actions, his heart seemed to burst with pride and love, and gratitude. He tried not to feel bitter over his recent weakness and defeat. It was hard, because he had allowed them to get captured; he had allowed himself to get beaten and humiliated. But he had weakened only enough to protect Randee. He hadn’t betrayed his job and identity: the reasons for the harsh beatings. He envisioned Timms’s fury at his silence and strength, but he hadn’t let the man break him. The only way Timms could have gotten the information he so desperately and savagely wanted was to have used, threatened, his love. Since the man had feared to do so, did that mean Brody Wade had more influence and authority with the gang than the guileful marshal did?
Marsh glanced over at Randee, and felt his heart drum madly. Soon, she would be walking at his side daily and sleeping beside him every night, if she would marry him. And he would have to be a blind fool not to realize she was as much in love with him as he was with her. He looked around the cabin and reflected on their days here. Maybe this enforced solitude hadn’t been so demanding after all … .
Thursday morning, Randee stretched and yawned contentedly as memories of the night before played joyfully through her steadily clearing mind. She felt wonderful: rested, enlivened, lighthearted. Abruptly she realized she was lying on the wooden cot. She sat up quickly and looked around, but Marsh wasn’t inside the cabin. The door was open, and she heard birds chirping gaily. Noticing the sleeping roll on the floor, she knew he had taken that position last night after giving her the only bed. She remembered falling asleep in his arms outside, which meant he had carried her here. She smiled and warmed.
Tossing the light cover aside and rising, Randee saw that she was still naked. What she needed was a quick bath before dressing and beginning breakfast. Sighting Marsh’s shirt tossed over a rickety chair, she pulled it on and grabbed a blanket with which to dry herself. She headed to the stream, then halted and wondered if she should alert him to her approach. “Marsh? Where are you? Do I need to wait a while?”
He did not respond, and she panicked. She feared he had overexerted himself last night and perhaps damaged his ribs again. She ran toward the stream. He was not there, nor was Midnight. She called his name several times. Nothing. She raced to the edge of the tree line and scanned the horizon for him. Nothing. Surely he wouldn’t leave her here while he went off to …
Randee chided herself for her wild imagination. Of course he wouldn’t, she reasoned, because he did not know there were no charges against them. As far as he was concerned, they were fugitives. And he wouldn’t leave her here to face danger alone, not without telling her. Where had he gone? What was he doing?
Hurriedly she bathed, returned to the cabin, and dressed. He was going to return; he had left his belongings here! To distract herself, she made a fire on the hearth and started their morning meal.
Soon, Marsh entered the cabin and warned, “You have to put out that fire, woman. I saw a curl of smoke from a mile away.”
Startled by his silent arrival, Randee squealed and whirled in alarm. “Don’t do that! You scared the wits out of me,” she scolded him. “Where have you been? I was worried about you. How’s your side? You shouldn’t have lifted me last night in your condition.”
Marsh chuckled heartily. . “A real chatterbox this morning, are we?” he teased mirthfully. “One question at a time. Let’s see,” he murmured, trying to remember them. “I went riding to test my strength and to give Midnight some exercise. He’s been lazing around as long as I have. As to my health, Doc Hollis, I feel great today. How about you? Besides being annoyed with me for sneaking off and sneaking up.”
Randee shook her head as she noticed the roguish sparkle in his eyes. “Marsh Logan, you’re a beast. Why didn’t you leave me a note?”
Marsh’s smile faded and his blue eyes chilled. “I couldn’t, no supplies. That snake Timms stole half the stuff in my saddlebags. He took our notes and maps, and the dynamite.” Marsh was glad his Presidential papers and badge were sewn inside the area under his cantle, the raised section on the back of his saddle. When he needed them, all he had to do was slit the stitches and withdraw them.
Randee was dismayed by that news. If she had known about the theft that night, she could have searched for their belongings. “I’m sorry about our evidence, Marsh. I didn’t even look inside your saddlebags when I retrieved the horses and saddles, and I haven’t thought about them since we’ve been here. By now, Timms has probably destroyed them. I did remember to take your guns from the sheriffs office,” she remarked, even though she noticed he was wearing them.
“Thanks,” he remarked, his fingers grazing the gun butts absently.
“What now?” she asked. “Do we start from scratch again?”
“First, put out that fire, or we might attract company. Then-”
She injected, “It isn’t necessary. The law isn’t looking for us anymore.” Randee related what she had overheard at the ranch last Friday between Brody and Payton. As shè made her disclosures, she observed Marsh’s astonishment, and vexation. “Hopefully Payton Slade is dead by now, so my mother’s safe for a while. Willard’s alive, Marsh, and the ranch is really mine. We’re safe and free.”
Marsh irrationally accused, “Why did you deceive me, Randee? I trusted you and depended on you. The only reason I’ve remained here so long was because I was so weak and I thought we were in peril. I’ve stayed here to get back my strength so I could go after them and prove our innocence. While you were drugging me and holding me captive here, those bastards have been hiding their trail better than before.”
Stunned, Randee shouted at him, “That isn’t fair, Marsh Logan, and you know it! There was nothing you could do until you healed properly, even if we were free to leave at any time. If you had known, you would have taken off too soon and harmed yourself.”
Without being aware of it, Marsh responded in the same tone which she had used, “You shouldn’t have kept this from me! This mission is vital; I have work to do. If I had known we weren’t in danger I would have been chasing their butts yesterday. You knew I was able to ride and work days ago, if not for that sneaky medicine. There’s no telling what Wade, Timms, and Light have been up to while I’ve been trapped here. Maybe I could have defeated them by now.”
“Without proof? In your condition, they might have snared you again and killed you this time! Damn you, Marsh Logan. You—of all people—know how evil and cruel they are. Now they’re desperate. They know all about us and will be guarding their backs every day.”
“That should have been my decision, woman; I’m in charge.”
“You weren’t in any condition to be in charge, partner.”
Marsh paced angrily, but the anger was at himself and those villains, not at Randee, whom he seemed to be taking it out on at this time. He was flustered by this new setback and wasn’t thinking clearly or calmly, which was unlike him. “Damnation,” he swore. “Now they know who and what I am. Getting them will be harder. Willard should have waited for permission to unmask me.”
Randee’s brow wrinkled in confusion. “You mean it’s true about you being a secret agent for the governor? You’re a lawman?”
Marsh turned and met her troubled gaze. This was not how he had meant to explain matters to her this morning. “Not for the governor, Randee, for the President. I’m a United States Special Agent, chosen and appointed and authorized by President Grant. I’m accountable only to him, and few people know what I am. Most of my missions are secrets, so I’ve used lots of covers, like Storm Hayden. The original posters were made up so I could earn my way into a gang of rustlers in Nebraska. I didn’t commit any crimes and I was never an outlaw. I handle cases other law enforcement agencies can’t or won’t touch. I work in any state, but mostly Texas and her surrounding neighbors. Since there was no real Storm Hayden, I wasn’t worried about that old identity causing us trouble, until new fake posters started showing up.”
Randee felt weak and nauseous. She sat down at the small table. “What’s your real name?” she asked without looking at him.
“Marshall Logan, Jr. That was my parents’ ranch we visited, and the Epson Gang did murder them. Until I capture or kill every one of those bastards, I’ve refused to take on any other assignment.”
An old and distressing line of thought came to mind: How important was his victory? Would he use anyone, anything, to obtain it? How far would he go to complete his current “assignment”? Now she understood his references to their “mission”—no, to his mission. Randee informed him, “I knew about the poster and Storm Hayden before you lied to me about them. Flossie saw one in Pete’s desk and told me about it the night I slept with her in the saloon. She tried to convince me you were lying to me, but I figured you had a good reason. I didn’t confront you because I wanted you to trust me and … enough to confide in me. First, you’re the Durango Kid, then suddenly you aren’t; next, you’re Storm Hayden, then suddenly you’re not. I don’t know who or what you are anymore. Are you sure you’re really Marsh Logan?” she asked sarcastically.
“I didn’t mean for you to learn the truth this way, Randee. I was going to tell you everything this morning. I had to keep silent; I was sworn to it by the President. I don’t even have permission to be revealing this stuff today, but it can’t be helped.”
“You’re right, Mr. Special Agent, because Willard destroyed your cover in an effort to save our lives. Is he also a Special Agent?”
“He works with me on most cases. He’s a good man. I want you to remain here while I finish this job, then— “
“Because you no longer need a partner, even one who knows their faces! You were only using me for information. The only important thing to you is your job, and your damned revenge!”
“That isn’t true, Randee. You’re very special to me.”
“And you have the gall to accuse me of deceiving you! You’ve lied to me from the start. You’re only confessing now because the news is out about your secret identity. You’re a bastard, Marsh Logan.”
“I know I am, woman, but it couldn’t be helped at the time. I’m heading for Fort Worth to speak with the law there. I have enough facts and suspicions to get some help with this matter. I’m going to find Foley Timms and force the truth out of him, then go after Brody Wade for the same reason. Once I have hard evidence, this case can be closed. Stay here where you’ll be safe. Please,” he urged.
Randee looked at him, her gaze frosty. “No, I’m going to Wadesville and work on Brody myself. Payton is dead by now, the ranch is mine, we aren’t fugitives, and you’re not an outlaw— so I’m in no danger. Brody can’t blame me for working with a lawman, and he won’t suspect how involved we were because he believes I love him and want to marry him. I didn’t start this task to stop before it was finished. I’ve put almost as much into it as you have. I’ll watch him closely and get the evidence the law needs to punish my family’s killers.”
Marsh was worried about her warring emotions. “The only way you can get close enough to spy on Brody Wade is to marry him.”
Marsh did not realize that his statement sounded suggestively hopeful, not blatantly discouraging as he had meant it to be. Randee’s heart lurched painfully to think that her traitorous love would allow her to wed such a villain to defeat that vicious gang. “You can’t stop me.”
“Listen to me, Randee,” he began, but she shook her head.
“Never again, Mr. Logan. As soon as I have my coffee and biscuits, I’m leaving. And don’t you follow me or try to halt me.”
Randee fetched a cup of coffee, added honey for nourishment and her impending ruse, and sipped it, even though the heat pained her lips. “Go ahead, do your job, Special Agent Marsh Logan.”
Marsh decided aloud, “I’m going to saddle Midnight and load up while you settle down. Then I’m returning. We aren’t through discussing this matter, Miss Hollis.”
Randee turned and glared at his retreating back. Oh, yes, we are, you treacherous snake! she mentally shouted at him. Randee poured another cup of coffee and generously laced it with laudanum. She added a little honey to conceal the taste of the drug. After dumping out the rest of the coffee so he couldn’t fetch himself a different cup, she began packing her possessions to be ready to leave quickly.
Marsh came back as promised. When Randee placed her coffee cup on the table, Marsh lifted it and drank from it. Tasting the sweetness, he thought nothing of it, as he had seen her add honey earlier. He needed to settle himself down. He had to explain why she must remain here: He loved her and wanted her safe. He feared she might not believe his claim since he had deceived her so many times in the past. Would she doubt him? Think it was a sly, but cruel ruse?
While Marsh was thinking, planning, fretting, the drug was working swiftly and potently. He was so distracted that it was too late by the time he realized what she had done. He stared at the blurring cup, then tried to turn and speak to her. His tongue wouldn’t work. His mind wouldn’t work. His body wouldn’t work. He passed out cold.
Randee caught him before letting him crash to the hard floor. Tears ran down her cheeks as she gazed into his sleeping face. “Why, Marsh? I love you, and I thought you were beginning to …”
She could not think about his deceit at this time. She had work to do. She had to get away from him. Even as she cursed him, she shoved him onto a bedroll and made him comfortable by removing his boots and guns. She read the paper and eyed the badge which he had brought inside to show her, his Presidential authority. There was no denying his real identity and status. She removed the silver necklace and placed it with his belongings. Taking one last look at him, she closed the door and headed for the stream. After kindly unburdening Midnight, she saddled Rojo, mounted, and rode away.