As Jessie and Navarro dismounted, Mary Louise met them at the barn. Jessie looked at her younger sister, who was wearing a new and very pretty dress. Her blond hair flowed down her back like a river of soft sunlight. Her sapphire eyes were examining Navarro from head to foot, and Jessica felt a surge of irritation.
“I assume this is Navarro Jones, our new hand?” Mary Louise asked coyly.
“That’s right,” Jessie responded. “Navarro, this is my baby sister, Mary Louise. Did you learn anything in town, little sister?”
“Enough to know I was right in not becoming a schoolmarm. They work dreadfully hard and long hours and hardly earn enough to survive. No, teaching is not for me. What did you two do last night?”
“The same as everyone—slept after a hard day of work. Are your chores done? From that fancy dress, I assume you’ve been lazing around as usual. Is Papa back yet?”
“No,” Mary Louise answered, her gaze still on Navarro.
“Then I would get my chores done before he returns. You left at a terrible time. Everyone’s been doubling up to cover for you.”
“Don’t be so bossy, Jessica. I had a long and tiring ride.”
“So did we, but the work isn’t done yet.”
“Don’t mind my older sister, Navarro; she’s a slave driver. Don’t let her work you too hard for what little she’s paying you. Gran and Tom told me all about you. How long will you be with us?”
“Long enough to settle the trouble. Then I’ll be on my way.” Navarro sensed the tension between the sisters. “Jessie, I’ll take the horses and tend them. We’ll see what your father has to say when he returns.”
Jessie was delighted that Navarro didn’t seem enchanted by her exquisite sister. “I’ll find you when I finish in the house,” she told him, then smiled.
Navarro smiled back, then nodded at Mary Louise and left.
Mary Louise’s gaze followed him. “If I had known we had a man like that working here, I would have returned home sooner.”
“And let Papa discover you lied to stay in town to enjoy yourself while we worked our hands raw?” Jessie scoffed.
Mary Louise’s dark-blue gaze settled on her sister’s light one. “Don’t be a prude in men’s britches, Jessica Lane. You know I had to lie to get away. If I could have, I would have stayed longer. I can’t believe Father let you stay out all night with a stallion like that.”
“We weren’t alone; Big John was with us. We were working hard.”
“On the windmill or on each other?”
“Mary Louise Lane! Whatever did they teach you at that boarding school?”
“I learned what real men are for. Have you, big sister?”
“You are a lazy, conceited, spoiled, naughty girl.”
“I’m a woman, Jessica. Are you?”
“You surely came home in a foul mood. What ails you now?”
“Being back, of course. I did enjoy myself in town. It was pleasant to get away from this smelly place and this silly war you and Father have started.”
“It isn’t silly. Didn’t Gran and Tom tell you what happened while you were gone?”
“Oh, yes, your ridiculous charges about Mr. Fletcher. You’re wrong about him, Jessica. He couldn’t have done those awful things. He was in town. I saw him there several times. He’s quite charming and handsome, as well as rich.”
“Fletcher was in town this week?”
“That’s correct. I first glimpsed him on Thursday. He was still there when I left this morning. I wonder how he managed to be in two places at the same time.”
“He doesn’t have to be at his ranch for his hirelings to carry out his bloody orders.”
“Do hired hands normally make plans and carry them out without obtaining their boss’s permission? After you dumped those dead beasts on his land, who made the decision to attack our windmill? Mr. Fletcher was in town that night. If he’s as intelligent as you and Father think, why would he give someone else that authority? I believe you’re mistaken.”
“I believe you’re loco. He’s to blame; mark my words, sister.”
“I believe you and Father are going to get into serious trouble over this error. What is the law going to do when Mr. Fletcher makes charges against you two?”
“For what?”
“After what you did, Jessica, there must be a hundred things, starting with trespassing!”
“He’ll have to prove it first. He can’t. Surely you wouldn’t betray us just so we’ll be jailed and you can escape your miserable existence here?” Jessie said sarcastically. “You are desperate to flee, aren’t you?”
“That’s a cold and cruel thing to say.”
“That’s what you’ve been lately—cold and cruel to everyone. If you hate it here so much, perhaps you would be happier somewhere else.”
Astonishment claimed Mary Louise’s expression. “You want me to leave home? Why? So you can work on that handsome drifter? Are you afraid I’ll outshine you, big sister? If I want him, rest assured I can get him.”
“The sun would cease to rise first. He’s a loner.”
“Does a loner normally hang around so many people for so long?”
“When he’s getting paid well for a job, yes.”
“What is he earning, Jessica? Since we don’t have enough money to hire help for Gran or enough for me to take a trip back East, it can’t be much. If not money, what is holding Mr. Jones here? How intriguing…”
Jessie watched her sister through narrowed eyes. She feared Mary Louise intended to practice her wiles on Navarro. Mary Louise would never become serious about a man like Navarro; he didn’t have enough money, breeding, and power to suit the girl. Yet her sister was not above playing with him, flirting with him just to have fun.
“Oh, yes, I almost forgot; Captain Graham wants those horses he contracted delivered tomorrow. He said if we couldn’t supply them, Mr. Fletcher can. You have until noon Tuesday to get them to the fort.”
“A day-and-a-half notice? That isn’t fair. How can we round them up and herd them to the fort in such a short time?”
“You always get a job done when you want to, Jessica.”
The redhead stared at her sister. “How did you get home? Papa was sending someone after you tomorrow.”
“Mr. Fletcher offered me a ride.”
Shocked, Jessie demanded, “What?”
“Come now, Jessica, your hearing hasn’t gone bad yet.”
“What if he had kidnapped you and harmed you? He’s an evil man. He’s our enemy. He’s trying to destroy us. Papa will be furious.”
“Everyone, including Sheriff Cooper, saw us leave together so I was perfectly safe. Father should be proud of my courage. I tried to charm our neighbor to learn all I could from him.”
“What did you learn? Nothing! He isn’t fool enough to expose anything to Jedidiah Lane’s daughter. He probably was amused by your silly attempts to trick him.” Jessie realized her sister had contradicted what she’d said earlier about Fletcher being in town when she left. She listened and waited for the girl to entrap herself.
“If amusement was what he felt, my foolish sister, I know nothing about men. He seems much too intelligent and well bred to do the horrible deeds of which you and Father accuse him. Besides, he’s considering a move to Dallas.”
“Don’t be a fool, Mary Louise! He’s not going anywhere. If he were, he wouldn’t be trying to buy our ranch or run us off it. Don’t you go near him again. That’s an order.”
“You aren’t my parent, Jessica.”
“If you disobey, you’ll wish I were. When Papa hears about what you did, I don’t want to be within a mile of the house.”
Mary Louise laughed. “Maybe he’ll send me back East to get me away from that dangerous wolf,” she jested.
“What in blazes is wrong with you! Don’t play with a hot iron like him. You may think you know all about lassoing men, but you know nothing about one like Fletcher. Before you know what’s happened, he’ll have you tossed on your back with his filthy brand on you just to hurt Papa. If you’re so smart, sister, you’ll see through his attempt to use you.”
“A woman can be duped and used only if she allows it to happen.”
“You aren’t that naive, Mary Louise. But I’m afraid you are that cocky. Don’t get anyone hurt trying to protect you from that beast.”
“You underestimate me, Jessica.”
“No, Mary Louise, I don’t. You get in the house, get changed, and do your chores. I have to see Matt about those horses.”
The blonde whirled gracefully and headed for the house. Jessie doubted she would obey her orders. There was something about her sister today, something that alarmed her. But Jessie didn’t have time to worry about it now.
Matt took all the men who weren’t needed on branding, including Navarro, to round up the horses to fill the army contract. They couldn’t afford to lose it or to allow their enemy to get his foot in that valuable door. Jessie remained at the ranch to help with branding and to do her other chores. Jed had suggested she stay, and she hoped she wasn’t misreading his motive for doing so. It would take the men all afternoon to gather the small herd and they would camp on the range, but she had done that many times in the past.
Mary Louise penned up the chickens, milked the cows, and helped Gran with the preparation of their evening meal. The redhead suspected her cooperation had to do with her sister’s confession, which would most likely come during or after supper. And it did. When their father discovered Mary Louise’s presence on the ranch, the girl claimed a friend had brought her home and that she would explain everything to him later in private.
After they had eaten and the dishes were being cleared, Mary Louise asked to speak with her father in the parlor. The two left the dining area. As the dishes were washed and dried and put away, Jessie and Gran could hear the talk in the next room. They were stunned as Mary Louise revealed her shocking actions to her father, but vowed good intentions as her motive.
Jed exploded with anger. “What in tarnation! Are you crazy, girl?”
“I thought you would be pleased, Father,” she scoffed, “if I could learn something useful from our enemy. He would never suspect a girl of spying on him. When men are relaxed or distracted, they drop hints about things. I’m clever enough to pick up on those slips. It was worth a try, wasn’t it?”
Jed was so furious that his responding tone was sarcastic. “Did Fletcher make any mistakes? No, but he saw and heard my daughter acting like she has no wits under her fancy hat! How could a Lane be so foolish and shameful?”
Mary Louise frowned. “I can’t do anything right in your eyes, can I, Father? Sometimes I think the only child you love is Jessica. You keep me here like a prisoner just to punish me. That’s mean and unfair. If I had the money, I’d leave tomorrow and you’d be rid of me. I could have a wonderful life back East, meet the right man to marry, and be happy. I can’t do those things here.”
Jed worked hard to control his temper. “You’re unhappy because you’re defiant, lazy, and disrespectful.”
“Only because I’m forced to be that way to stand up for myself. If Mother were still alive, she’d make you face the truth. Let me go, Father. Please.”
“Not until you straighten yourself out, girl, if you can. I’m scared it’s too late; I’m scared you’re ruined for good. And that’s a bloody shame, Mary Louise.”
“You mean I’ll be straightened out when I start looking, acting, and working like a man as Jessica does. Even if I did that to please you, you wouldn’t let me leave any more then than you’ll let Jessica leave now and have a life of her own. She isn’t your son, Father. You’ve ruined her by treating her like one. What man would want a rough and ill-mannered tomboy for a wife?”
Before he could prevent it, Jed’s hand lifted and slapped the hateful girl. The blow sounded loudly in the quiet room, causing the startled Jessie and Gran to jump in the kitchen.. “Don’t you ever talk about your sister like that again! I wish you were only half the woman she is! If you keep up this way, girl, everybody around here will see you get a strapping every day. I’m warning you, Mary Louise, you’ve tried my patience too long. I never thought to see the day when I struck one of my children in anger. See what you’ve done to me.”
The blonde rubbed her stinging cheek and glared at her father. “One day you’ll be sorry for what you’ve done to me.” She stormed from the room and slammed the door.
Jessie and Gran exchanged worried looks.
The older woman embraced her elder granddaughter. “Pay no mind to her, child,” she soothed. “She’s just rattling on to get her way. She’s going to be trouble around here, just like that drifter is.”
“Navarro is nothing like Mary Louise, Gran. I’ll see to Papa.” Jessie found him sitting on the edge of a chair with his hands over his face. “Papa…?” she began hesitantly.
His expression exposed anguish as he lifted his head to meet her sympathetic gaze. “I hit her, Jess; I struck one of my own children in rage. Worse, it felt good. That girl will be the death of me. If I let her run off like she is, she’ll be in all kinds of trouble. I’m tempted to do it to teach her a lesson, but your ma would cry in her grave. It’s a battle of wills now, and I have to win.”
“I know, Papa, and I’m sorry.” Jessie couldn’t blame Mary Louise’s cruel words on the heat of anger, because she believed her sister meant them.
Breakfast passed in strained silence at the Lane table. As soon as his food was consumed, Jed left to begin his chores and orders. Tom returned to his job as tally keeper. Jessie helped with the branding. Mary Louise didn’t apologize to anyone this morning. Yet she must have taken her father’s whipping threat seriously, for she did all of her chores without being prodded, did them right and without complaint, but in cold silence.
The men returned with the herd by noon. Matt and two hands left immediately to get them to Fort Davis before their Tuesday deadline.
“Some of us better ride fence, Papa,” Jessie suggested. “Fletcher knows the hands will be spread out with chores so he’ll think it’s a good time to attack. I’ll go with Navarro if that’s all right with you. I’ve been flanking all morning so I can use a break. You want to come along?”
Jedidiah Lane was still stinging from Mary Louise’s words and feelings last night and was distracted by the problems surrounding him. “I’ll stay here and see how I can help the boys, Jess. You and Navarro be careful-like. Keep an eye on those bulls. We’d be out of luck without them. See you at supper.”
While Jessie was speaking with her father and preparing to leave, Tom told Navarro what had happened in the house last night. Navarro promised not to break his confidence with anyone, including Jessie.
As they checked out several areas and clustered herds, neither Jessie nor Navarro mentioned the spiteful incident with Mary Louise. They talked little, as both seemed caught up in their own troubled thoughts. As dusk approached, they returned to the corral. While unsaddling their mounts, Matt and the two hands rode in, with one wounded. Davy was assisted down and carried to the bunkhouse for Hank to doctor him.
Matt explained how they were attacked, the horses rustled, and Davy shot. “They were waiting to ambush us, Jed. We were penned down for two hours while the others got a head start. No need to try and track them in the dark; they’re long gone by now. Besides, we can’t spare the hands to go after them.”
“You boys are safe; that’s all that matters tonight. There’s no way we can gather more horses and get them to the fort on time. I’m sure Fletcher is on the road with replacements. That troop will be mounted and gone before we arrive.”
“Davy took one in the wing, but he’ll be fine in a few days. Bullet passed clean through and didn’t do much damage, just a lot of bleeding.”
“You sure we can’t track and overtake them?” Navarro asked.
“They headed straight for the border. With the lead they had, they’d be in Mexico before we could catch up. Those were strong horses; they can run ’em fast.”
Mary Louise joined them, and Jessie suspected it was only because she wanted to be around Navarro. The blonde spoke to the men and behaved politely for a change as she listened to the grim news. Her hair traveled down her back like shimmering gold. Her sapphire eyes matched the color of her fashionable dress and matching slippers. Jimmy Joe’s and Miguel’s gazes lingered on her.
“Did you tell Fletcher about the horses being sent to Fort Davis?” Jed asked.
“I didn’t have to, Father. There were many people around the boarding house when Captain Graham gave me that message for you. Everyone heard it.”
“It was Fletcher; I’m sure of it,” Jed murmured.
“Why don’t you send someone to the fort to see if he drove horses there?” Mary Louise suggested in a cultured voice. “If he did, that means he had to know yours would be stolen. Certainly that would be a clue to his guilt, Father. If he didn’t take advantage of the rustling, he didn’t know about it.”
“But, Papa,” Jessie injected. “He won’t try to make a sale in our place. He’s too clever to expose himself in such a simple way. That means we can use Navarro’s plan tonight. Fletcher will expect us to guess he won’t fill the contract. He’ll expect us to gather more horses in the morning to drive over and explain our delay. That troop can’t leave without new mounts. What he’ll do is rustle the horses in the west pasture to stop us. If we set a trap for his men like Navarro suggested, we’ll get them. Then we’ll have our proof for the law.”
“You’re right, Jess. He’ll think that we’ll try again tomorrow, not tonight.”
“We should get moving, Mr. Lane, before his men reach that area.”
“You boys heard Navarro; let’s grab some supplies and get riding.”
Nothing happened all night. Their anxiety made it a long one, and a lack of campfires made it chilly. The hands took shifts sleeping and watching the group of excellent horses. At dawn, they headed for the corral with the stock.
By the time they arrived, Navarro suspected why Fletcher hadn’t fallen into their trap. “He’s more cunning than I realized, Mr. Lane. He guessed we set a trap for him. He probably laughed all night thinking about us sitting out there getting tired and aggravated. I think I know what he’s up to now. He believes we’ll expect him to make another strike on the trail today so we’ll send nearly all our hands as guards. That will leave the cattle unprotected. That’s where he wants to strike. He doesn’t want a small herd of horses; he wants a large herd of steers. That loss will hurt you most. I say you send only a few men with the horses; we’ll set another trap for him with the rest. What do you think, sir?”
“Tarnation! You’ve got a good head, Navarro; you think like he does. That’s what the snake is up to, I’m sure of it. Matt, take two men and get these horses to Captain Graham. Tell Sheriff Cooper what happened on the trail and here last night. Tell him to expect some prisoners tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t do that, sir,” Navarro advised. “Not unless you trust this lawman completely. If he’s being paid by Fletcher not to help you, he could warn him and ruin our plan.”
The older man scratched his graying auburn head. “Toby Cooper seems an honest man, but you could be right again. We’ll surprise him and Fletcher with our success. You seem to know what to do, so I’m putting you in charge here.”
The desperado nodded. “We should get the steers gathered into one area—a place with plenty of trees and hills for good hiding places. We don’t want any saddled horses or guards in sight to give us away so I hope all or most of you can ride bareback when the time comes to chase them. If he has anyone spy on the house today, he’ll think the boys stopped branding to take those horses to the fort so that shouldn’t look suspicious. Tom, Gran, and Hank should work in the garden or keep to their chores to show some life around the house. Jessie should ride with us; she’s an expert shot. We don’t know how many rustlers he’ll send so we best use every one we can.” Navarro knew he hadn’t mentioned the blonde standing nearby, but she was Jed’s problem.
“Everybody get your supplies and weapons ready,” Navarro instructed the watchful hands. “We need to get moving and concealed before he strikes again. I don’t expect him to come at us until dusk or tonight, so it’ll be a long wait again. But that’ll give us time to get ready for ’em.”
“What do you want me to do to help, Father?”
Jed glanced at the blonde in surprise. “Your chores will be nice, Mary Louise.”
“I’ll tend Jessica’s, too, while she’s gone.”
“Thank you,” Jessie told her, wondering what the girl was trying to pull. She was up to something; of that, the redhead was certain.
The hidden men stayed on silent and motionless alert all day. At mealtimes, they munched on cold biscuits stuffed with ham and washed them down with water from canteens. Their horses grazed nearby, ready to be mounted for the pursuit. Navarro, had arranged them in a semicircle, with the herd flanked by a lengthy pointed top hill. With Matt and two hands gone, Hank at the ranch, and Davy in the bunkhouse wounded, that left Jessie, Jed, Navarro, and nine hands to face Fletcher.
It was only an hour past dusk when the action began. Masked riders galloped toward the gathered steers, passing between the Box L watchers. Fifteen men entered the attack area, making the odds fairly even. At a signal from Navarro, the Box L hands opened fire on the rustlers. The startled bandits reined up mounts, some so fast that the animals nearly tripped.
Firing back, the villains rushed for cover or escape. It was obvious to the bandits that they had ridden into a clever trap, but there were gaps between the Box L hands and many of the rustlers fled without injury. A few were wounded, but kept riding homeward. Some were trapped as the Box L hands jumped on their horses and closed the holes in their defense line. Two rustlers were killed and two were captured.
Navarro took control of the prisoners while the hands hurried off to settle down the frightened stock. He glanced at Jed and Jessie and remarked, “Their horses don’t carry a brand; that’s smart. But we know who you boys work for: Wilbur Fletcher.” As he yanked off their masks, he taunted, “Didn’t he tell you that rustling is a hanging offense? I don’t recognize any of them. Jed, Jessie, do you?”
None of the three did, which struck Navarro as odd since he had spied on Fletcher’s ranch, and the Lanes had lived near Fletcher for years. The same was true when the hands returned; no one recognized these strangers.
“This your first job for Fletcher?” Navarro questioned. “He hire more men?”
“Who’s this Fletcher?” one surly man scoffed. “We been ridin’ fur days from Mexico. We only wanted to cut out one steer to carve an’ eat. We’re starvin’. No call to shoot my friends. I’ll pay you, an’ we can ride on, mister.”
“The only place you’re riding is to jail,” Jed informed the two cutthroats. “You’ll be sorry you hired on with Fletcher to ruin me.”
“You’re talkin’ crazy, old man. We don’t work fur nobody in these parts.”
“We’ll see who’s crazy when you’re swinging from a rope.”
The villain’s eyes grew colder and narrower. “No hungry man will hang fur goin’ after a little meat when he offered to pay fur it.”
“If you aren’t cattle thieves, why the masks?”
“Keeps dust outta yore nose when yore ridin’.”
“Yep, grass stirs up a lot of that,” Navarro said wryly.
“Papa, we need to move fast. We’ll get these men and bodies on the way to the sheriff before Fletcher’s men report back to him. You’d better guard the house good tonight. He may attack to get our evidence.”
“You going, Jess?”
“One of us needs to tell our side to Sheriff Cooper. I think you’re needed here more than me to give orders. We should meet up with Matt and the boys on the trail. By now they’re camped somewhere on their way back home. If we don’t
hook up tonight, we’ll probably join them tomorrow. Don’t worry, Papa. Navarro and I can take care of ourselves on the trail. We’ve had practice.”
“I don’t like you two riding alone. Fletcher’s men might come after you.”
“He’ll expect us to take his boys back to the ranch tonight, then haul them to the sheriff tomorrow. If he attacks anywhere, it’ll be at home. You need all the hands there with you. Navarro and I can manage two bound men and two bodies.”
“I suppose you’re right. But don’t take any chances, Jess.”
“We won’t, Papa. We’ll turn them in, make a report, then come home. If we meet up with Matt, I’ll keep him with us and send the other hands home.”
“What about supplies?” Jed fretted.
“We’ll take what’s left from here. We’ll make do.”
Navarro had held silent. His heart had been pounding in anticipation of being alone with Jessie on the way back, until she mentioned they’d probably have company. “I’ll take care of her, sir. You have my word of honor.”
As Jessie prepared to leave, Jed told him, “Remember your word, son, ’cause I won’t forget it. That girl’s my life, so guard her good.”
Navarro was a little unnerved by the man’s subtle threat. “I will, sir.”
Jessie and Navarro reached the town of Fort Davis at dawn. Their journey had been slow and cautious over the hilly and mountainous terrain. They headed for Sheriff Cooper’s office and awaited his arrival.
The tall and lanky lawman didn’t join them till seven. His gaze swept over the two scowling prisoners sprawled on his porch and the two bodies tied over horses at the hitching post. “More trouble, Miss Lane?”
“Plenty, Sheriff Cooper. We caught these rustlers red-handed.” She explained their successful trap, then remarked, “Wilbur Fletcher’s men.”
“How do you know that?”
“We know.”
“I can charge them and hold them for the judge next week, but where’s your proof they work for Mr. Fletcher and he’s behind your trouble?”
“He’s to blame, Sheriff. Take my word on it.”
“I wish I could, Miss Lane, but the law says I need evidence to arrest a man.”
“You mean you still won’t investigate him?”
“I can ride over to his place and ask questions. But if he’s guilty, he won’t confess. You men got anything to say?” he asked the sullen culprits.
“We’re innocent, Sheriff. We wuz just ridin’ along an’ they attacked us. Accused us of bein’ rustlers an’ brung us here.”
“He’s lying! They were masked and trying to steal our herd! I have twelve witnesses who’ll back up my word this time.”
“That’s enough proof for me to hold them.” He checked the dead men, then rejoined Jessie and the quiet stranger at her side. “Don’t know any of them. No brands on those horses to tie them to Mr. Fletcher. Haven’t seen you around, either,” the lawman remarked to Navarro.
The deceptively calm fugitive extended his right hand and responded, “Navarro Jones, Sheriff. Hired on with the Lanes three weeks past. From Colorado.”
“We lost Big Ed in an accident, and Davy was shot Monday.” Jessie interrupted, eager to take the sheriffs attention away from Navarro. “None of the regular seasonal wranglers returned to sign on for spring roundup and branding, and no new ones came by, either. We’re short of men, and we can’t get our work done with them attacking us. We think Fletcher’s behind it. Have you seen any of his men talking with wranglers in town?”
“Nope, but it’s mighty curious none of them came around for jobs like usual. What about you?” he asked the desperado.
“I hired him in San Angelo,” Jessie replied. “We were there on business. Did Matt report what happened Monday?”
“Yes, before he left last night. He was anxious to get back to the ranch so he didn’t stay the night. Like he said, no need to spend time tracking those men and horses. You must have missed him and the boys on the trail in.”
“We took a different way in case Fletcher’s gang tried to overtake and ambush us to set these two free before they talked. Do you know if Matt reached the fort in time to save our sale?”
“Yes. Capt’n Graham and a troop are riding your way tomorrow. Matt convinced them to have a slow look around. I plan to ride along and do the same. I’d like to get this trouble settled as much as you would.”
“You’ll stand a better chance if Fletcher doesn’t know you’re coming and lays low.” Jessie knew it was best not to mention the coyote incident.
“What if Mr. Fletcher isn’t behind it, Miss Lane? None of his hands have been seen. Nothing suspicious points to him.”
“Because he hires strangers like these two and uses unmarked horses.”
“We’ll see what we can learn. The Army doesn’t like anyone messing with their deliveries. That troop couldn’t pull out until they got fresh mounts. Start tampering with the Army’s schedule and they get riled. With both of us on the lookout, maybe we’ll get somewhere. I know you got a long list of charges against somebody, but to be honest, I ain’t convinced it’s Mr. Fletcher. Why don’t you rest up today and travel with us tomorrow?”
“That sounds good. We’re tired and hungry. We left straight from the range after a long day. We didn’t want their gang to have time to report and cut us off on the trail. What time in the morning?”
“About seven.”
“What about them?” she asked, motioning to the prisoners.
“My deputy will guard them. The others go to the undertaker.”
After a hot meal and baths, Navarro joined Jessie in her room. She was wearing a half-buttoned shirt and a light blanket was wrapped around her hips and legs. “Did we miss Matt on purpose?” he asked.
Jessie glanced at him and replied, “Yes, so we could be alone on our way back. Now that we’re staying here today, we don’t have to worry about the sheriff and soldiers being with us on the way home.”
“You think they’ll find anything? If Fletcher makes a mistake with them around, this trouble can be over in a few days. Then I can be on my way.”
“I was afraid you’d feel that way. You don’t mind remaining here with me until tomorrow, do you? Is that being too forward?”
Navarro went to her. “No, Jessie, I’m glad we’ll have today alone. You think anyone will come to visit you?”
“No. Sheriff Cooper knows we rode all night and plan to nap. Can we…be together?” she asked boldly.
Navarro’s hands cupped her uplifted face. He gazed into her eyes. She could be lost to him sooner than he had imagined now that the authorities were getting involved. He prayed there wasn’t a wanted poster out on him and, if there was, that Cooper didn’t have one in his office. The lawman hadn’t seemed overly interested in him. “Yes, Jessie. I want you,” he said at last.
Their lips fused in a soulful kiss that revealed their longing. Jessie’s arms encircled his body as Navarro trailed kisses over her cheeks, nose, eyes, and mouth. It was as if he wanted to taste every inch of her face. He nestled her head against his chest and untied her hair ribbon to loosen her braid. With leisurely gentleness, his fingers worked to separate the wavy strands and spread her tresses around her shoulders.
He looked down at her. The red mane enhanced her complexion and made her eyes glow. “I want you so much, Jessie.”
Her hand lifted to caress his cheek, then trailed several fingers over his full mouth. “I want you, too,” she murmured. She fluffed the midnight hair over his left forehead, then traced the prominent bone structure under his brows, on his cheeks, along his jawline, and over his chin. Her fingers wandered across the hollows of his cheeks. “You’re so handsome, Navarro. I can’t think clearly when I’m so close to you. I want to kiss you a million times and that wouldn’t be enough. I want our bodies touching with nothing between us. I want to feel the same way I did that night in the line shack.” Jessie unbuttoned his shirt, parted the material, and looked at his smooth and muscular chest. She spread kisses over the heated skin, then caressed the firm flesh with her cheek. As they kissed with rising urgency, she removed her own shirt and pressed her naked chest to his, causing both to groan in fierce desire.
Navarro’s hands trembled as they stroked Jessie’s enticing frame. She was so soft, yet so firm. He pulled away only long enough for her to peel off his shirt.
“I’ll wait for you in bed,” she murmured against his mouth. Then she flung aside the covers and lay down, her gaze beckoning him to hurry.
Navarro quickly removed his pants and boots and joined her, pulling her into his arms. “Jessie…Jessie…Jessie …” He whispered her name over and over as his lips and hands explored her tingling flesh.
Navarro’s touch made Jessie writhe with desire, and she eagerly caressed his strong, lean body until he was as frenzied with passion as she was. At last they could restrain themselves no longer, and as their bodies united as one, they savored love’s delights. Afterward, sated and and sleepy, they cuddled together, and slept in each other’s embrace.
It was past two in the afternoon when they awakened. Navarro had shifted to his right side, and Jessie was curled against him on hers. Her left arm lay over his waist, and her hand was held in his.
Jessie eyed the numerous scars on Navarro’s broad back. She pulled her hand free of his light grasp and felt the ridges. He had endured terrible agony. She shuddered at the thought of her love receiving such a violent lashing. She kissed the ridged skin as if to remove any lingering pain and hugged him.
Navarro shifted to his other side to face her. She rolled to her back. Tears were in her eyes. As one escaped, his right forefinger captured it before the moisture slid into her tousled hair. He read such concern and confusion in her gaze, yet she never asked about the scars. She wanted to, but knew she shouldn’t. “The man who did it is dead, Jessie. You know what I told the boys happened?” When she nodded, he continued. “I thought they’d mention it to you. Did they tell your father?”
“I don’t know. Miguel and Carlos told me while you and Tom were spying at Fletcher’s.”
“But you already knew about my scars.”
“Yes, I felt them that night in the line shack. I’ve seen Jimmy Joe’s, so I knew what they were. I’m sorry someone made you suffer like that.”
“I didn’t want anyone to see them, but I knew I couldn’t keep them a secret at the ranch. They’re ugly, and they spark questions I don’t like to answer.”
“If you ever want to tell me the truth, Navarro, you can trust me. If not, I understand.”
“That’s one of the best things about you, Jessie; you know when to step back to let a man breathe easier. Thanks.”
“It seems we’re good for each other, Navarro. We sense what the other needs most. We strengthen each other’s weak-nesses. We fill the lonely holes and brighten the dark corners of the other’s life. That’s rare.”
“Nobody has ever been this close to me before. It’s scary, but it feels good.”
“I’ve had plenty of people close to me, but none like you, Navarro. I hate to lose you and what you bring to me.”
“I know, Jessie, but it has to be that way. If I could change it so I could stay, I would.”
“I know that’s true, Navarro, but it still hurts for something so special to end. If you ever change your mind, will you come back to me?”
“The things that hold us apart won’t ever change, Jessie. There’s no hope.”
“Never?”
“Never,” he mumbled, then inhaled deeply.
Jessie squeezed her eyes closed and took a deep breath, too. When she opened them, she said, “I’ll let you go if I must, Navarro, but not until I’ve tried everything to keep you.”
“Don’t, Jessie,” he urged. “There’s nothing you can do. False hopes bring nothing but pain; I know from experience.”
“Then love me while you can.” She pulled his head down and kissed him.
By six-thirty the next morning, Jessie and Navarro were ready to leave town. They had made love, eaten supper, made love again, then slept all night in Jessie’s room. At dawn, Navarro had sneaked away to take care of a chore and to rumple his unused bed. They had met downstairs for breakfast, then headed for the sheriffs office.
Toby Cooper looked up when they entered the jailhouse. He tossed papers aside and revealed, “I have bad news, Miss Lane.”
Jessie’s eyes filled with fear. “Is it my family? Did Fletcher attack there last night to get back his men? Was anyone hurt?”