Randee reached town before three that afternoon. After leaving her horse at the livery stable, she registered at the hotel. Reclaiming her trunks from the storage room, she donned one of her prettiest dresses and bonnets for her impending visit with Brody.
At his office, she was told by Deputy Matthew Johnson that Sheriff Wade was not in town and wouldn’t return until late tomorrow afternoon or Saturday morning. She asked Matthew to give Brody the message that she was back home and was staying at the hotel, adding that she wanted to see him the minute he arrived.
Matthew asked her if she knew the charges against her had been dropped, and she replied with feigned cheerfulness, “Yes, that’s why I returned today. I’ll explain everything to my fiancé when I see him. After that scare, I decided my task was too dangerous for a woman. I’m letting that Special Agent finish his mission alone.” She smiled innocently and fluttered her lashes dreamily. “I’ve ‘ missed Brody and I’m ready to settle down and get our ranch to working again. Any news on that gang, Matthew? I don’t want them returning to raid us again, just as Brody and I are rebuilding the place.”
“They were raiding the other side of Fort Worth. But for the past week, they’ve mostly worked northwest and southwest of here. If the newspaper was right about that agent having evidence on them, maybe it won’t be long before they’re caught. I hope so. Lots of good people have been killed or run off. I sure am glad they don’t raid towns.”
Randee noticed the man’s fear of that malicious gang, and she concluded that Matthew Johnson wasn’t working for Brody in that evil area. That was good, in case she needed his help in an emergency. They talked a while longer, then she smiled and left the sheriffs office.
In her hotel room, Randee paced and planned. She wondered if Marsh Logan would come here after he awakened soon, and she hoped not. She wanted him to carry out his decision to head for Fort Worth. Whatever he had done to her personally, she still wished him luck and speed with this perilous assignment. She had believed she was getting to him, and maybe she had. But Marsh was so used to being on his own, so used to secrecy and self-reliance, so used to controlling and hiding his emotions, so used to keeping his heart stony to avoid more anguish. If only he weren’t so caught up in his blinding desire for revenge and justice, he would recognize the strong bond between them! When the strain of his current task ended, perhaps he would. She loved him, so she wouldn’t give up hope.
Suddenly a daring idea came to mind, and Randee prepared herself to carry it out ….
Marsh moaned and opened his eyes. As his mind cleared, he briefly fumed at what Randee had done. He sat up and rubbed his head. His mouth was cottony dry and tasted foul. He grabbed a cold biscuit from the table and devoured it to clean away the bitterness on his tongue. He didn’t have to search the area to know Randee was gone, or try to speculate on her destination and scheme.
He got to his feet and opened the door, checking the sky for the time of day: between four and five o’clock. She had loaded him up good, as he had been out for hours. He looked down at his bare feet. Turning, he saw his boots and guns near the bunk, and noticed he had been lying on a bedroll. His papers and badge had been placed by his holsters, as had the silver necklace which he had given to her.
Marsh scowled and exhaled loudly in annoyance. If she had given him more time, none of this would have been necessary! On second thought, he couldn’t blame her for feeling and acting as she had; all he could blame were himself and his damned secrecy!
A mischievous smile claimed his mouth as he noted the clues which told him she still cared about him, even if she denied it to herself and to him. Soon, he would make her listen to his explanation. If things were as good between them as he believed, she would forgive him and relent. Surely by now he knew Randee Hollis well enough to be certain she loved him and would marry him.
If he pursued her to Wadesville, that would interfere with her plans there. She needed to carry out this part of their mission, for herself and everyone else. His intrusion could prevent her success and might endanger her. Reflecting on what she had in mind, he realized it was a clever idea and might work. He had to give her the chance to succeed. He would visit Willard Mason and the authorities in Fort Worth, to file his report and to obtain more help on this case. Then, he would go to Wadesville to make sure she was all right. As smart and brave and cunning as his love was, she would be safe on her own for a few days.
Marsh gathered his belongings and stuffed the necklace into his pocket, vowing it would be around her neck again soon, along with a wedding band on her finger. When his love had time to calm herself and think clearly, she should realize that she had won his heart and know that he would return for her soon. If he rode fast and hard, he could reach Fort Worth late Saturday night. With luck, he could be on his way back to Randee sometime Sunday … .
Randee walked to Brody’s small house near the north end of town. She hoped the door key was still hidden where she had seen him retrieve it one day when he had stopped there on their way to a picnic. She lifted the rock by the back steps and smiled victoriously. She let herself inside and began to examine the house, being careful to put everything back into its proper place.
She searched behind, beneath, and inside furniture and rugs. Nothing. She looked in the fireplaces and inside supplies. Nothing. She checked the floors and walls and closets for a hidden compartment. Nothing. She went through his clothes. Nothing.
Feeling discouraged by her futile investigation, she sat in a chair and tried to imagine where a man— a criminal—would conceal something of such importance as clues to his wicked actions. There had to be evidence somewhere, as no man could contain everything inside his head, certainly not legal deeds or numerous instructions!
Cautious in the daylight, Randee sneaked to a small shed which was attached to the back of the house and searched it. After rolling two empty barrels aside, she took a shovel and dug beneath them to check out her intuition. She was shocked to find that the hard objects which she had struck were gold bars! She worked harder and faster. She unearthed payroll sacks which had been stolen from various banks, companies, and the Army! There was a fortune here! Was that Brody’s role, to be the banker for that gang and land company? Hastily, she recovered the treasure, smoothed the dirt, and replaced the barrels.
Randee went inside again and took another look around. She needed more proof than she had discovered; she needed something in writing, something with names and dates and places. She needed undeniable black words, not golden speculations. She found no new or suspicious stitches on the furniture or mattress and, when she squeezed them, she heard nothing crackle to indicate that something was hidden inside one of them. Her eyes settled on a framed map of Texas on the far wall. Pictures! her mind shouted to her. She had not checked behind pictures. She jumped up and hurried to the wall, taking down the map.
Excitement flooded her when she noticed the slit on the back of it. Gingerly she withdrew papers and another map, which she unfolded. She studied the map and realized what she was holding: the motive for the raids. But that wasn’t all. She read the papers concealed there, and was horrified to comprehend that Sheriff Brody Wade was not a gang member; he was their boss! She shuddered at that revelation.
Oddly, her first thought was about her mother. She understood how Payton Slade had duped Dee Hollis. Just as she had been irresistibly drawn to the devious Marsh Logan and had been deluded by Brody Wade, her mother had made similar mistakes with her stepfather. Randee realized how clever and guileful and convincing some men could be. If she could be so easily and completely fooled, so could Dee Hollis. Randee’s heart softened toward her mother’s error in judgment. Yet, she could not vanquish the resentment she still felt about how Dee had kowtowed to Payton and how her mother had changed so drastically. Perhaps losing Randall Hollis had weakened her mother. If Marsh were slain, how would she behave? No, she decided, it would not destroy her. It would tear her apart, but she was a survivor.
Randee refocused her attention and concentration on the map and papers. Brody owned the Mid-Texas Land Company, and the other, diversified companies which Willard Mason had uncovered during his investigation. The map revealed the existing railroad lines in the West and the lands already purchased or designated for future railroads. She noted how Brody had inked in his own wishful lines to connect the Southern Pacific Railways from Louisiana to El Paso, and from Fort Worth to the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in Kansas: All speculative routes traversed the targeted area which she and Marsh had marked on their map, an area which had been terrorized by the Epson Gang for over a year, an area almost entirely in Brody’s control now.
It was a brilliant, but insidious plot: Obtain the land, sell rights-of-way to the railroad companies, and make a fortune. Then, with the land he owned on either side of the future rail lines, he would earn even more money with depots, stockyards and such. And with that much money and land came enormous power and prestige. The sheriffs motives and desires were only, too clear to the trembling blonde.
She also grasped why the Carson Ranch house had been spared. Its location, beauty, and size made it the perfect home for such an important man. Too, Brody must have suspected she would be hiding there and he hadn’t wanted her slain. Otherwise, he would have ordered his men to make certain everyone there was murdered, or he would have gotten rid of her by now. No, she refuted, because he needed her alive to sell the ranch to his land company! Having discovered she actually owned the beautiful ranch, she was relieved she hadn’t closed a deal with George Light that day in Fort Worth. Panic began to build within her as she wondered if Brody did really love her after all. Maybe the ranch was the only thing he craved from her. If so, she was in real danger. Yet, despite the fact he had fooled her so deeply, she believed he truly loved her and wanted her as his wife. The fact that Foley Timms or other gang members hadn’t tracked her and Marsh down and forced her to relinquish the ranch made her doubt Brody would slay her. A soon-to-be-rich and powerful man needed a wife, and obviously he had chosen her.
Randee started to take the evidence and leave town immediately to locate Marsh or Willard Mason. That was reckless. Brody could return at any time, even if Matthew had said he wasn’t expected home until tomorrow or Saturday. If he discovered these papers missing, he would telegraph his men and have them set a trap for her. Then, she would be dead for sure! Alone, she couldn’t battle a band of black-hearted villains. If only Marsh were here with her …
He wasn’t, so she had to decide what to do. Randee went to Brody’s desk and withdrew two pieces of paper. Skillfully she copied the map and made notes of the information on the papers. Afterwards, she replaced the originals and rehung the picture. The apprehensive female checked everything to make certain her presence wouldn’t be noticed. Cautiously she locked the door and put the key back under the rock.
In her hotel room, Randee hid the evidence inside a pocket of her trail coat. It was seven o’clock, and she was safe. She mustn’t do anything to call suspicion to herself. She went downstairs and ate leisurely. Following a short stroll, she returned to her room to plot her next move. Even though Marsh had betrayed her for one reason or another, this mission was vital. She had to find a way to get this information to him or the authorities. She reached for her necklace to toy with it nervously, but it had been left behind. If Marsh had been coming here after her, he would have arrived by now. She was slightly annoyed and disappointed that he hadn’t. Obviously he had continued with his assignment and was on his way to Fort Worth, probably furious with her and planning some way to repay her. She wished she was important enough for him to pursue her as his first priority… .
The next morning, Randee took a stroll after breakfast so. as to be seen before she sneaked out of town. She had decided against waiting for Brody and trying to dupe him. If she did, she might not be allowed another chance to escape with her crucial evidence. With luck, Brody wouldn’t return until tomorrow, too late to halt her imminent actions.
She saw a black-clad figure enter a mercantile store down the street. She hurried that way and entered the store. Grabbing the man’s arm, she tugged on it and began, “Marsh, I didn’t expect— “
He turned and looked down at her. Embarrassed, she blushed and stammered, “You—you aren’t M-Marsh” Logan.”
Sending her a smile which could charm the bloomers off the chastest of females, he replied in a tingly voice, “Sorry, miss, but I wish I were. Name’s Durango. What’s yours, if I might ask?” he inquired politely, disarmingly.
Randee saw the resemblance immediately. He was just as devastatingly handsome and virile as Marsh Logan! When she realized how she was staring at him, more color suffused her lovely face. “Randee Hollis,” she replied, flustered.
“This Marsh Logan, he’s the one who’s been using my name, isn’t he?” Durango questioned in a mellow tone, and smiled again.
“Yes, but I can explain everything,” she responded quickly, not wanting them to tangle in a gunfight. “It was— “ she faltered as those ice-blue eyes fused with her wide green ones.
“Why don’t we talk about it over coffee in a more private place?” he suggested, eyeing her with interest and appreciation.
In the hotel restaurant, Randee revealed the complicated situation to the famous gunslinger, who seemed amused by it, but most impressed with her. When she finished, she asked, “Are you sure you two aren’t related? You favor each other enough to be brothers, almost twins.”
“I don’t know my real name or who my parents were. I was abandoned at a mission in San Antonio when I was a baby. I was raised by a local family until I left there at seventeen. You might say I got tired of being a slave to a family who made sure I knew what I was.”
Randee heard the bitterness in his tone and saw it in his eyes. Her heart warmed to this man who was so like her love. “I’m sorry, Durango; that must have been a terrible life. But you’ve done well for yourself. From what I hear and read, you’ve a beloved legend, a good man, well-liked and widely respected.”
He grinned and said, “I learned early in life that you don’t kill another person without good reason and provocation. I don’t look for fights, but I don’t run from them. Nothing’s worse than being a coward.”
Randee looked him in the eye. “How do you feel about female partners, a woman boss?” she asked unexpectedly.
“Don’t rightly know, never had either one; What you got in mind?” He leaned forward and propped his elbows on the table, intrigued.
“I need to get to Fort Worth, pronto. Would you be willing to hire on as my guard? Say for … two hundred dollars a day?”
Durango observed her closely and intently. “Those are steep wages, Randee,” he said, calling her by her first name this time.
“It’s a dangerous job, Durango. I’ve made lots of enemies lately.”
“How could anyone want to harm a beautiful woman like you?”
“I have this way of annoying people when I’m after something important,” she teased, laughing softly. “Your life would be in constant peril if you sided with me.”
“That’s nothing new for me,” he remarked and chuckled.
She informed him, “I have to drop off something in Fort Worth, then I’m going to check out a clue . .. on the Epson Gang. Interested?”
Durango’s surprise wasn’t concealed. “Dangerous isn’t the right word, if that’s what you’ve got in mind. Why me?”
“Three reasons: You’re here now, I need help and protection, and you’re the best man for the job. You won’t have to work alone; I’m an excellent shot and rider, and I’ll be glad to prove both to you,”
“I read the papers, Randee, so I’m already aware of your skills. That jailbreak was a fine piece of work. Took real courage and cunning. Where’s this Marsh Logan? Why did you two split up?”
“He got tired of working with a woman and thought he could move faster and better without me.” She related her personal motives for wanting to defeat the Epson Gang. She told him about Flossie’s murder, which saddened and riled him. “You see, I’m not only involved, but I’m also in danger until they’re stopped. Besides, I think I know where they camp between raids. All we need to do is check out the location, then we’ll report it to the authorities. You needn’t worry; I don’t plan for us to tangle with them. I’m brave, but not stupid.”
“You amaze me, woman,” he murmured, looking and sounding like Marsh. He extended his hand across the table and said, “You’ve got yourself a new partner. When do we leave?”
“Immediately,” she announced, rising gracefully.
“I’m afraid that isn’t possible, Randee. My horse is being reshod at the livery stable. The blacksmith is busy today. Said it would be late this afternoon before he could get around to my job. What about leaving at first light in the morning?”
Durango noticed her worry and hesitation. He asked, “Any special reason why you need to get out of town ‘today?”
“Could be,” she responded absently and prayed Brody wouldn’t return until they had departed. After a moment, she met his astute gaze and said resignedly, “It can’t be helped. First light, partner.”
“You need a guard tonight?” he asked, his tone lacking any wanton suggestiveness.
“Not unless the local sheriff returns before we can leave. We’re supposedly betrothed, but I would never marry him. I let him believe it because I needed to spy on him. He’s … a gang member,” she half confided. Later, she would reveal more to him.
“I see,” he murmured thoughtfully. Durango realized something he doubted the beautiful blonde did: She was trusting him and treating him as if she had known him forever, as if he were his look-alike …
Randee left town the next morning at dawn with the Durango Kid. He had suggested they not be seen together again before their departure, so she had spent the evening alone in her room.
At their first rest stop, Durango told her, “You can relax, Randee; I’m not going to make a play for you this soon. Not that I ain’t tempted; I am. You’re a beautiful woman. But you’re a real lady, and I don’t want to give you a bad impression of me. This isn’t the time to be thinking of romance if I’m going to keep my concentration on protecting us. Later …” he hinted with a charming grin.
Randee returned his smile and calmed her tension, She felt she could trust him to keep his word and distance, for now. The trouble was, he was too much like Marsh in appearance and personality!
Romance—what an unusual word to come from a gunslinger’s mouth and head. As with Marsh, this man could be as gentle as he was tough. Frankly, she had a hard time keeping her eyes and thoughts off of him. But she knew why; she had comprehended the attraction last night in her room. Durango couldn’t be the twin son of Marshall and Judith Logan, but could Marsh be their adopted son? Could he be this man’s brother? If not, why were they so much alike?
As Randee prepared their meal that night in camp, she noticed one of the differences between the two men. Marsh always helped with, chores, but Durango tended the horses while she cooked supper.
Later, while resting on their bedrolls, Randee told Durango as much as she knew about Marsh Logan, except for his being a Presidential special agent. On that matter, she let him believe the recent account in the newspaper about his working for the governor.
Durango wanted to ask if there was something between her and Marsh, but he didn’t want to point out their similarities as the reason why she kept looking at him with those enchanting green eyes which exposed love and desire. He had taken an instant liking to her and he wanted her fiercely. Before their partnership ended, he must convince her why he was better for her than his mirror image . …
In Fort Worth, Marsh was talking with Willard Mason, having awakened the man upon his late arrival. Willard promptly informed him it was Randee’s urgent message—brought to him by a preacher’s son because “the telegraph lines had been cut— which had alerted him to their peril. Marsh realized how frantic and desperate she must have been. He revealed his love and intentions to his friend, who was delighted.
“We’ll meet with the U.S. Marshal and State Police in the morning. After I report all I know and suspect, they can go after Timms while I get my hands on Brody Wade. I don’t want Randee near him any longer than necessary. I’ll head there after our meeting.”
In Wadesville, Brody was pacing the floor, drinking whiskey while he pondered this new situation with Randee. It didn’t make sense that she would leave town suddenly with the Durango Kid. Matthew had seen them meeting in the restaurant Friday, then ride off at dawn this morning. He didn’t think she was heading for Fort Worth to make up for the July fifth meeting with George Light, which she had missed because of the capture and jailbreak. He knew she and Logan were on to Timms and Bush, and were suspicious of Light. But they had no proof against any of his men, and certainly not even a tiny doubt or clue about his involvement! He had destroyed the evidence which Timms had stolen from Marsh Logan, but the persistent man would try to gather more. He had to leave Monday to meet with his men to give them their final orders, as there were only two more ranches to be conquered, plus Randee’s. He had to warn all of his men to be extra careful these days. He needed to finish his task quickly; he was too close to success to turn back or halt. Logan had nothing valid against him, and the man would die before he could obtain it … .
Marsh left town Sunday at one o’clock and headed overland for Wadesville, passing within miles of Randee and the Durango Kid.
Randee and Durango reached town too late to visit Willard Mason that night. They planned to see him the following morning before heading northward to check out the curious dot on Brody’s map. They registered at the hotel, freshened up, then met downstairs to eat.
She enjoyed her evening with Durango. He told her stories about his adventures and how his colorful legend had started and grown. She was surprised and pleased when he confided that he was weary of his exciting and dangerous lifestyle, and wanted to start fresh somewhere.
“What would you like to do, Durango?” she asked.
“Ranch. I’ve had jobs here and there on ranches, and I always hated to leave. But trouble had this way of dogging me and making the bosses nervous. If I had my own ranch, I could remain in one place.”
“What about becoming a ranch foreman until you can buy your own spread? After this task is over, I’m heading back to Wadesville. I have a large spread there which needs lots of work and a good foreman.” Randee told him ‘ about the Carson Ranch and her plans for it. “Once this gang is halted, I can rebuild. I was reared on a ranch in Kansas. My father had no sons, but I was as good as one. I know as much about ranching as most men, and that isn’t boasting.”
Durango’s blue eyes sparkled as he remarked seriously, “I have no doubts you are. In all honesty, you strike me as a woman who can do about anything. I watched you on the trail, and I know you work as good with your hands dirty as you do in a lovely dress like that one. I can’t explain it, but you seem like a lot of different women, yet only one woman—a very special, one. This isn’t flattery and it has nothing to do with my eventual pursuit of you.”
Randee’s face glowed with pleasure and she thanked him for his sincere compliments. It was wonderful to be appreciated for more than her looks and sex. She liked this man and found him most interesting. She hinted, “You didn’t answer my question. Would you like, to continue working for me, at the ranch? Or do you need time to think it over?”
“Your offer is as tempting as you are, boss lady. One question, would it be permissible for your foreman to romance you?”
“That’s one question I’ll need time to think over,” she jested.
“We’ll both think hard, then talk it over when I return you home.”
Miss Sloan “Pete” Peters, owner of the Pleasure Palace, was speaking to Willard Mason on the street. She was telling him about seeing Randee Hollis with the Durango Kid last night in a lovely restaurant, being “very cozy.” She revealed how they had sat talking and sipping wine for hours in a secluded corner, baffling her.
Before Willard could respond, he saw Randee and Durango headed toward them. He quickly told Pete he would see her later.
Randee smiled and spoke to the redhead as they passed on the sidewalk, curious about the woman’s coolness to her. When they reached Willard, Randee said, “We need to talk privately, Mr. Mason.”
Inside the man’s office at the newspaper, Randee related what she had done and discovered in Wadesville, stunning both men. She handed the map and her notes to Willard and said, “You know what to do with these. Durango and I have an errand to handle, then I’ll check with you again Wednesday before heading home. To stay this time.”
“Marsh is on his way to Wadesville now to work on Brody Wade. Why don’t you remain here while I telegraph him to return quickly?” Willard didn’t think it was his place to reveal Marsh’s personal reason for heading there in front of another person, especially a man.
“We have something to do first. I’ll be back Wednesday.” She wanted to check out that suspicious dot before telling Mason about it. Too, if she stayed, it would appear she was only waiting for Marsh.
Willard tried to reason with her, but Randee held fast to her decision. If Marsh wanted her, let him come after her! His conquest of her had been too easy for a man accustomed to difficult challenges. Let him worry and chase for a change!
Willard watched them ride out of town, northward, before hurrying to the telegraph station to have a message waiting for Marsh the minute he reached Wadesville sometime that night.
Randee and Durango made it to within twenty miles of the dot before they halted to camp. Both knew it was unwise to approach such a perilous location with exhausted horses and bodies. They ate the cold food they had brought from town and settled down to sleep.
Durango wondered why Randee hadn’t wanted to wait for Marsh Logan’s return and assistance, but he was glad she hadn’t. Perhaps something bad had happened between them, and she wanted to avoid the other man. Other man— that was what Marsh Logan was now, his competition for this unique and ravishing creature. He wished he had met Logan before so he would know how to battle his opponent. All he knew was what Randee had told him, which was plenty. Obviously this Logan was a special man, or he wouldn’t have captured Randee Hollis’ eye and heart. But the man must have problems, or Randee wouldn’t be here, with him, at this moment. If he played it smart and careful, he could be all the good things Marsh Logan was and avoid all the bad. To imagine a future with this woman warmed his heart and his loins.
Randee sensed Durango’s eyes and hunger. It was flattering to know that two handsome and masterful men wanted her. Durango was so unique, just like Marsh. But Durango was straightforward, so open and honest, so direct. If only she knew where she stood with Marsh …
Marsh reached Wadesville at dusk. He had ridden hard and fast, fatiguing both himself and Midnight. He left the loyal steed to be tended to at the livery stable, and walked to the hotel. He was shocked to learn Randee had left town Saturday morning, with the Durango Kid! The clerk had watched them mount and leave at dawn, but knew nothing more. He learned that Brody had returned, then left again this morning, but the deputy couldn’t tell him where the sheriff had gone, because the man didn’t know.
As Marsh stood outside the hotel trying to decide what to do next, the telegraph operator approached him with a paper. Marsh read it, his eyes widening, then narrowing:
“R and DK here today. Has all we need. All. Left town. Returning Wednesday. Get back quick. W. M.”
Marsh knew he couldn’t push his horse and himself again this soon. He checked into the hotel for a few hours sleep while Midnight rested. He wondered where Randee and the Kid were going, and why she had left Wadesville with a stranger. He reminded himself that he and his love had been strangers when she had taken off with him, believing him to be the man with whom she was now traveling. He knew the Kid’s good reputation, but still he was worried. Randee was a tempting woman; he should know!
What, he pondered, was the proof Randee had obtained in such a short time? Willard had stressed it was “all” they needed to wind up this case. If he left early in the morning, he could reach Fort Worth sometime Wednesday, the same day Randee and the Kid were to return.
Marsh tossed for two hours, barely managing to doze off and on. He couldn’t stop thinking about Randee being with Durango, and Brody’s sudden departure after theirs. He wished she had remained in Fort Worth until he could get back.
He sat up in bed and rubbed his tired eyes. “What are you up to, woman? Hell, I can’t hang around here! I can catch a nap or two on the trail. At least I’ll be heading your way. Just wait until I get my hands on you again,” he vowed anxiously. If he left now, even with enough stops along the way for Midnight, he could reach town early Wednesday morning, probably before dawn.
Shortly after noon, Randee and Durango sneaked up to the camp of the notorious Epson Gang. Three cabins were located in a densely wooded area which bordered a lovely clearing beside a peaceful river. Two large corrals—undoubtedly for confining stolen stock—were positioned nearby, and stacks of goods seemingly littered the huge area. Tianges— shelters made of four posts set into a square and covered either by brush or colorful material— were sighted in the sunny clearing and were being used to ward off the blazing sun. The mere size of the camp was intimidating and enlightening. Only a few men were present, but it was obvious Randee and Durango had found the right place.
“You two looking for something?” a familiar voice asked from behind them. “Move real slow and easy and lift those hands high.”
Randee, as well as Durango, noticed the number of shadows that darkened the grassy bank before them, and they made no threatening moves. Slowly they turned, raising their hands as ordered.
“Well, well,” Foley Timms said mirthfully. “If it isn’t Miss Hollis, and with the real Durango Kid this time. You’re one clever woman, but you won’t get out of this new predicament so easily.”
As she heard the thundering of numerous hooves, Foley’s eyes raked her lewdly as he remarked, “Looks like the whole gang’s back, just in time to greet our beautiful visitor and her legendary escort.”