Jessie’s words and intense emotions had the desired effect on Jed Lane. He hung his head in shame and dismay. “You’re right, Jess. I’m not thinking clearly. I’ve never been a coward, until now. I just can’t stand to lose any more of my family. We have to keep guards posted around here from now on. You go on into the house. Me and the boys will take care of this mess.”
Jessie embraced her father. “You’ve never been a quitter, Papa. I knew you were only upset. I didn’t mean to speak so rudely, but I had to clear your head. It will be hard to fight Fletcher, but we’ll win; I know we will,” she said with heartfelt confidence. “Don’t get discouraged. Good night, Papa, boys, Matt, Navarro. I’ll see you all in the morning. We can make decisions tomorrow when we’re all rested.” Jessie left.
As the men worked, Navarro contemplated what he had learned tonight. Jed was not as hard or cold as he had believed. Navarro knew the agony of being broken, and he had had only himself to consider and defend. He now knew how love could control a man’s actions. Jessie had made him believe in himself, in the future, and in love. She had become his world, his soul, his golden dream. But she had entered his life when it was too late to save him. If only he could share everything with her. She was the proof love existed, that life was worth living.
Dare he, the fugitive wondered, stay and put a claim on her, then see if Jed would accept their decision? No, the law would never forget about his crimes. He had been sentenced to twenty years for a gold robbery and he had killed a man to escape what they called “justice,” then robbed others to survive. What did it matter if he were innocent of the original charge? He was guilty of many others. If Fletcher discovered the truth about him, he could be used as a weapon against these good people. He had to take that risk for a while longer, as he couldn’t leave them defenseless. He was ensnared in a bottomless trap and there was no way out for him, ever. And no matter what it took, he couldn’t pull Jessie in with him to perish.
“Gran told me what happened,” Mary Louise said. “I’m sure Wilbur wouldn’t do such a horrible thing.”
Jessie was exhausted and tense. “What did you do, complain to Wilbur about your chores so he lessened them by destroying our milk cows? Instead of siding with him, why don’t you use your charms and talents to get him to stop attacking us?”
“Jessica Lane, that’s mean and untrue!”
“Maybe so. I’m tired and upset. I’m going to bed. Don’t jump on me tonight, little sister, because I’m not in the mood to be nice.”
On Wednesday, Navarro suggested that he and Jessie sneak over to Fletcher’s ranch to inflict damage there. “Fletcher thinks we’ll be on alert and scared to strike at him again. But if I have him figured right, he’ll have his men on patrol just in case he’s mistaken. That means his settlement will be vulnerable. We can strike at his critters without harming them.” He revealed his daring plan.
Jessie grinned. “You’re so clever. We can’t sit around waiting for him to hit us again. We won’t tell Papa or the others so they won’t try to stop us or worry. We’ll sneak out after dark and slip over there.”
She explained how.
Jessie and Navarro rode to the boundary between Lane and Fletcher land. He cut the top strand of barbwire so their horses could jump over without risking injury. Afterward, he tied a strip of rawhide to the sharp end and secured the gap so it wouldn’t be noticed by anyone riding fence tonight. They made their way to the area where Fletcher had built his many structures. It was fortunate for them that their enemy had spaced their targets away from his home and bunkhouse. Too, there were trees to aid their secrecy.
The redhead and the desperado left their mounts a safe distance from the bunkhouse. With care, they sneaked to the first object of their mission. The pigs were rousted from sleep and urged toward the open gate, but their grunts weren’t loud enough to endanger the couple. As if enjoying their freedom, the rotund creatures trotted off in several directions. By morning they would be scattered far and wide. The chickens weren’t as cooperative; many clucked in panic at the intrusion. Navarro hurried them along by tossing a lantern into the roosting shed. The dry wood caught fire.
“Let’s make tracks, woman,” he ordered.
The couple rushed to the cover of the first tree, then slipped to the next and next until they were back to their horses. Commotion filled the area left behind. They mounted and walked their horses to prevent noisy galloping that would give away their location. Soon they picked up their pace and rode for home.
They didn’t even make it to the cut fence before they heard riders coming. They halted and concealed themselves behind a group of trees. The men rushed past them, responding to the alarm bell that was ringing near Fletcher’s home. When the men were out of sight, Jessie and Navarro returned to Lane land. With the barbwire he had dropped nearby, he rapidly repaired the damaged section, having learned how from Matt weeks ago.
They rode for thirty minutes before deciding it was safe to stop and talk.
“That was fun,” Jessie remarked amidst laughter. “I can see his men trying to capture those hens and pigs. He’ll be steaming like hot coffee.”
“If we’re lucky he’ll pull men in to guard his house and barns tomorrow night. We’ll cut a few fences and scatter his herd. I’m glad his ranch isn’t as big as yours or there’d be too much land for us to cover. Fletcher should figure that we’ll strike near his settlement again. He should think we’ll believe that he expects us to hit a new target—his land—but we’ll go after the same one again.”
“What if he reasons like you, Navarro, and guards his fences and herds?”
“From what you’ve told me about him, he’s too vain to think we’re as clever as him. He doesn’t realize how smart we are yet, but he’ll figure it out soon. Right now, by trying to outwit us, he’ll outwit himself.”
“You’re clever, Navarro. If you weren’t here, I’d do exactly what he’d reason we’d do: hit the house again, expecting him to be on the range.”
“That’s why you hired me, so I’m only doing my job, Miss Lane.” His tone altered as he remarked, “You were real upset last night. Are you all right now?”
“What he did to those cows threw me like a wild mustang. Killing is one thing, but mutilating is an atrocity beyond words. I needed you to hold me so badly.”
“Matt did a good job of comforting you,” he said before thinking.
“Jealous?” she teased, then reached over to caress his cheek.
“Yep,” he admitted to her surprise, “but I have no right to be.”
“You’re right. You have no reason to be. Matt is like an older brother to me. He half raised me. We’ve been good friends for years. He’s one of the nicest, most honest, and sincere people I know. He would do anything for a friend.”
“I don’t think he sees you as a little sister or only a close friend. I’ve watched him watching you, Jessie. Don’t you realize he’s in love with you?”
Jessie’s eyes widened with surprise. “Mary Louise hinted at it several times, but I didn’t believe her. I hope he’s not, Navarro. I wouldn’t want him hurt. He’s never tried to romance me.”
“A man doesn’t go after what he doesn’t think he can win, Jessie.”
“Does that mean you knew I was leaning in your direction, cowpoke?”
“We both felt the pull between us. It was too strong to fight. If I hadn’t gotten your signals, I wouldn’t have made a move toward you.”
“That’s why I sent them, so you would have the courage to come after me.”
“But I shouldn’t have. A person shouldn’t offer what he can’t give.”
“You’ve given everything you offered. You made certain I understood your position before I surrendered. You haven’t misled me, Navarro. You’ve been clear and honest from the beginning. I appreciate and respect that.”
Clear, but not totally honest, my love, his mind refuted, and guilt plagued him. “Only because a woman like you deserves to know where I stand.”
“A woman like me only finds a man like you once in her life, Navarro. I wasn’t about to lose what little time I could have with you.”
“I wish it could be more, Jessie, honestly I do.”
His tone and gaze touched her deep inside. “I know.”
He pulled his eyes from her lovely face and said abruptly, “We have to get back. Fletcher’s men might be on the move. We don’t want to be discovered out here alone by either side. If we can’t sneak back, what will you tell Jed?”
“The truth, that we outfoxed our enemy tonight. Since you’ll be leaving when this is over, I don’t think it’s wise to tell Papa—or anyone—about us.”
“I hate to make you be deceitful for me.”
“People do what they have to do, Navarro. Right now you’re more important to me than being fully honest with my father and family. It’s strange, but I don’t feel very guilty about it. Does that change your high opinion of me?”
“Nothing could ever change my high opinion of you, Jessica Lane. You don’t know what you’ve given me and brought into my life.”
“I know what you’ve done for me. Do I get a kiss before we leave?”
Navarro lifted her from her horse and placed her across his legs. He caressed her face, then hugged her with longing. His mouth covered hers.
For several minutes they kissed, caressed, and embraced. Bittersweet feelings surged through them. Their bond was powerful; their future was impossible. He knew it, and she suspected it. Yet they couldn’t resist each other for as long as fate allowed them to remain together.
Navarro replaced her on her horse, then smiled sadly at the woman who had stolen his heart, who offered a beautiful dream that he could never capture. “Let’s go before we get into more trouble.”
At the ranch, the fugitive felt Mathew Cordell’s gaze on him from the foreman’s private room at the end of the bunkhouse. None of the other men along the two rows of bunks moved or spoke, and the desperado knew he hadn’t disturbed any of them with his comings and goings. He was glad Matt didn’t come out and question his behavior, but he would tell him of this night’s work tomorrow to prevent trouble and suspicion, just as Jessie would tell her father. No doubt, Jed would be upset.
At first, Jed was angry, then he calmed himself. He was proud of his daughter’s courage and wits. Yet he didn’t like the time she was spending alone with the gunslinging drifter. He recalled what Roy had said about a spy, but he reasoned it couldn’t be Navarro Jones. Surely no hireling of Fletcher’s would destroy his boss’s property, even if the villain could easily replace it. Still, that was a good way to win their trust …
When Jed mentioned that fear to Jessie, she gaped at him in disbelief and disappointment. “Surely you don’t think such a terrible thing, Papa. Look how he’s helped us. Besides, I found him and hired him in San Angelo. We met by accident, and he didn’t know who I was.”
“What if he was trailing you and watching you all along, Jess? What if that’s why he stepped in and rescued you. To win your confidence.”
“You’re wrong, Papa. Navarro is a good man—different, but good and kind. Please don’t mention your doubts to him or the boys. If they started treating him strangely, he could leave before he helps us finish this job. We need him, Papa.”
“Promise me you’ll be very careful around him. He worries me, and Matt, too.”
Jessie knew why both men were concerned about her friendship with the handsome stranger. She cautioned herself to keep their relationship a secret. It wouldn’t do for either Matt or Jed to guess the truth. Her respectable father would insist they wed, and a bitter confrontation would ruin everything. Another woman might force the issue with hopes it would be resolved in her favor. But Jessie had been around men long enough to learn you never backed one into a corner. If Navarro stayed or returned, it had to be his decision. “I know what I’m doing, Papa. Don’t worry. I’ll be on guard.”
* * *
That night, to dispel Jed and Matt’s suspicions, Navarro took Carlos and Miguel along with Jessie and him. The four cut fences along Fletcher’s southern boundary and stampeded cattle from the man’s property. Navarro had guessed right: Fletcher had his settlement guarded heavily, and no one was on the range to halt their actions.
On Friday, Jessie, Tom, and two hands went to the town of Fort Davis to purchase more barbwire and search for another milk cow. One wasn’t enough to supply the Box L with milk and butter.
The group was almost home on Saturday when they were attacked by two men. They were going slow up a steep grade when shots rang out from behind rocks. Jessie saw Smokey fall off the seat to the ground and lie still. Pete fell back into the wagon where she and Tom were sitting, a bullet wound to his shoulder. The laboring horses stopped when the reins went slack, as did the cow tied behind the wagon.
Jessie grabbed her rifle, but no more shots were heard. She knew the general area from which the others had come, and she watched it closely for signs of movement. Navarro and Matt prodded their horses past them and toward the gunmen’s location. While they waited, Jessie checked on Pete and kept Tom down. The cunning Navarro had been prepared for this, as he and Matt had been trailing them the entire time. But the assault had come too quickly to prevent Smokey from being killed and Pete from being wounded.
Matt joined them and said, “I’ll get you home. Navarro’s gone after them.”
“Alone?” Jessie asked, looking frightened. “I’ll take your horse and—”
“No, Jessie. He can handle two men. You work on Pete in the wagon while I drive home. If more men are lying in wait ahead, I’ll need your guns.”
“You’re right, Matt.” While the foreman recovered Smokey’s body and tied it to his horse, Jessie tore Pete’s shirt and bound his wound as best she could to staunch the bleeding. But her mind was riding with her love on the vengeance trail.
At the ranch, Hank removed the bullet and bandaged Pete’s shoulder. Smokey was buried in a short ceremony. That left them with twelve hands, and one of those wouldn’t be able to work for weeks.
When Navarro returned later, he reported that he had slain the two men who had attacked them. “I cut Fletcher’s north fence, sent the horses galloping home with their bodies tied to their saddles, and rode here. I figured, since the horses were unbranded, it wasn’t much good to save them for the sheriff. He couldn’t prove they were Fletcher’s men, but your enemy will get our message.”
“Fletcher and his boys would only say they didn’t know them,” Jessie said.
“No way to tie them to Fletcher, sir. I figured it would be better to let him know that if he attacks us, we’ll attack them. If some of his boys start getting killed, maybe it’ll worry the others. So far, they’ve been safe from harm. It’s time they learn it’s dangerous to work for Fletcher.”
“I hate killing, Navarro, but you did right. Leastwise, we know they were guilty and deserved to die. We got Smokey buried, and Pete will be healed in a few weeks. I’m glad you and Matt trailed my daughter and son. If not for that, they could be dead now, too.”
“I don’t think Fletcher will hurt your family, sir. He’s trying to scare off your hands. He expects that to change your mind.”
“Jessie’s convinced me we have to keep fighting and holding on. Actions like these only tell me she’s right. I’m sure that snake would double cross me if I said I’d take his last offer. He can’t be trusted.”
“At least Fletcher’s out four men, sir—the two we killed in that trap and these two today. We’re lucky we’ve only lost one to death and one to fear. I’ll try to make sure you don’t lose any more, Mr. Lane.”
“Thanks, Navarro. Roy said he’d send a letter when he reached San Antonio. I can’t blame him for leaving; his hand might never heal right. It ain’t his land to fight and die over. Maybe when he’s safe, he’ll send evidence back to the sheriff about what really happened that night.”
“Don’t count on it, Papa; he was scared.” Jessie sighed. “Smokey has a sister in Brownwood; we should write to her about his death and send her his belongings.”
“Will you do it for me, Jess?” Jed asked wearily.
“Sure, Papa, tonight,” she replied gently. As everyone was parting, she sent Navarro a smile that said, I’m glad you’re back safe.
The month of April ended with a party to celebrate the completion of spring branding and no trouble from Fletcher for two weeks. During their respite, the hands and family had worked hard and fast catching up with chores with everyone doing more than his or her share. The cows and calves were back to grazing on the range, the garden was growing, and a big crop was anticipated. Soon fresh vegetables would replace canned and dried ones.
The part for the well had arrived, and Big John had repaired the pump to the house. Pete’s shoulder had almost healed, and he was back doing light chores. The level of anger and frustration on the Box L had subsided during this peaceful reprieve.
After quitting time each day, Navarro had worked with the hands to teach them tricks to use during fistfights, how to shoot better, and how to set ambushes. Tom had followed him around and devoured every word and action. But Jessie feared her love was preparing the men for his departure.
When the hands played a practical joke on Navarro, it revealed to her how they felt about him. From what Jessie could see, Navarro appeared happy and relaxed at the ranch. She had seen him laughing and joking with the men. He had spent six weeks on their land—seven including the time alone with her—and Jessie wondered how much longer he could be persuaded to stay.
As Jessie chatted with Navarro at the party, she said, “I’m relieved the boys’ joke didn’t upset you. It shows how much they accept you. I’m glad you’ve earned their respect and friendship. You deserve them, Navarro. You’ve worked hard for us and taken risks beyond what we’re paying you for.”
“It’s a good thing you told me beforehand about their tricks. I would have thought they were making a fool of me and trying to get rid of me.” He nodded a greeting to Miguel, then continued. “Whew, that was the hottest chili I’ve had! When they all kept eating, I didn’t want to hurt Hank’s feelings. It took a bucket of water to cool my mouth and throat. My belly burned for hours.”
Miguel had approached the two in the middle of Navarro’s accounting of the story, decked in Mexican finery again this evening. “We didn’t expect it to take so long for you to catch on to us, amigo. I was about to warn you when I saw smoke coming out your nose and ears, and your eyes were watering. You’ll get used to us. We’re good hombres.”
“Yes, you are,” Jessie agreed with a bright smile.
“Me and Carlos want to know if you will teach us to use the bow and knife as you have taught Jessie and Tom.”
“Sure, Miguel. I thought we might need silent weapons when Fletcher goes on the warpath again. One job I had in Arizona called for silence, and I used them then,” he remarked, then wished he hadn’t made that slip. “Since you two are Mexican and have had trouble in the past with Apaches, I wasn’t sure if you’d want to work with Indian weapons.”
“We have no problem with using them, amigo.”
Mary Louise had joined them, too. “Would you like to dance, Navarro?” she asked. “The men are making merry music. There’s no need to waste it.”
Navarro looked uncomfortable at the invitation and the girl’s sensual smile. “Sorry, Miss Lane, but I don’t dance, never have.”
The blonde grasped his muscled arm and tugged on it encouragingly. “I’ll be delighted to teach you. It’s very easy and lots of fun.”
“He said no, Mary Louise,” Jessie told her sister, “so don’t pull at him. Miguel loves to kick up his heels, so ask him.”
Miguel placed his hand on his hip and cocked his elbow at the blonde as he said, “I would be honored to share a dance with you, my lovely señorita.”
Jessie saw the girl’s look which said, ‘My superior manners prevent me from refusing before others.’ She watched her sister rest her fingers on the Mexican’s arm and walk away with him.
Gran took Miguel’s and Mary Louise’s place with them. “You two having fun?”
“It’s wonderful, Gran. You cooked so much delicious food. The boys are really enjoying themselves.” They were eating barbecued beef, dried peas, roasted corn canned from last year’s crop, and a mixture of tomatoes with okra. Jed was even serving a little wine and whiskey.
“The men deserve a treat, Jessie. They’ve worked so hard. Why aren’t you dancing?”
“Navarro doesn’t dance, Gran.”
“Then I’ll keep him company while you toss up your skirts. I know how much you like to dance, child. Go on,” the older woman urged.
Jessie felt she had to go dance or her grandmother would wonder why she didn’t. She excused herself from Navarro, approached the others, and asked Jimmy Joe to be her partner. The sandy-haired twenty-year-old was delighted. Afterward, friend after friend—Matt twice—claimed her hand for the next dances.
As they observed the merriment, the white-haired woman remarked to Navarro, “She’s a fine girl.”
“Yes, ma’am, she is,” he concurred as he watched her do the Texas two step.
“I don’t know what we’d do without her if she ever left.”
“Why should Jessie ever leave home, Mrs. Lane?” he asked, pretending not to understand what the older woman was hinting at.
“Jessie’s twenty-four. Women her age often take off to build their own homes. My son depends on her so much; we all do. Jessie’s our strength and pride.”
“From what I’ve seen, she doesn’t have a sweetheart, so I wouldn’t worry.”
“How much longer will you be with us, Navarro?”
“Until this trouble is settled. If it doesn’t take too much longer, that is. I get restless when I corral my horse and body in the same place for more than a few weeks. I like to keep on the move. When I accepted Jessie’s offer, I didn’t think it would take so long to help her win.”
“You think Fletcher has given up his fight? You’ve dealt him some hard blows, and he’s been quiet for two weeks.”
“He’s just biding his time and waiting for us to relax and drop our guard, ma’am. He hasn’t backed down for good. A man like him don’t give up his dream.”
“Very few people do, Navarro, until they realize it’s futile.”
They chatted about ranching, breeding, branding, and the hands for a while, as Navarro continued to keep an eye on Jessie.
Jessie noticed Navarro was looking tense. She went to him and grasped his hand. Laughing, she said, “It’s time you learned to dance, Mr. Jones.” She practically dragged him away from her grandmother to the dance area where Mary Louise was moving around the circle with Carlos, and hands were partnered up with each other. All were laughing and talking—having fun.
Before they reached the group, Jessie whispered, “Sorry, but it’s the only way I could rescue you, and I need to touch you or scream. I’m much too bold for my own good at times, but you’re too handsome to resist.”
“I can’t dance, Jessie. I’ll look stupid and embarrass both of us.”
“Just watch what I do. Stand beside me,” she instructed, and placed him to her left. She laid her open hand on her right shoulder and said, “Take my right hand in yours,” which he did. She extended her left before his waist and said, “Grab this one, too,” which he also did. “Now we step with our right foot, then flick our left foot toward our right knee like this,” she said, and, demonstrated the movements. “Three times. Pause. Repeat. Move with the music. Now, step, step, and switch sides.” She continued the lesson, moving to his left. “Step, step, and switch back. Then, go again. That’s all there is to it. Over and over. By the time the dance ends, you’ll have it down for the next time. That’s right,” she encouraged. “You learn fast, Mr. Jones.”
Navarro was stiff and reluctant at first, but he obeyed because it felt so good to hold her hands and touch her body. Each time she passed before him, her fragrance—the same one she had dotted on his bandanna during the coyote incident—teased his senses. Her flaming tresses played against his chest and sometimes tickled his chin. Her laughter warmed his ears, and her smile enflamed his heart. Her hands were calloused from hard work like a man’s, but she was as gentle and refined as any woman could be. She could help any man become the best that was in him to be, including him if she was given the chance. He always felt so good, so special, so worthwhile around her. Soon, he was thinking about Jessie so much that he was dancing without difficulty. He was even dipping and swaying at the right times. “I felt foolish at first, but it isn’t so bad,” he finally admitted.
Jessie glanced up at him with a radiant smile. “You should try new things every so often so you won’t miss so much fun in life.”
He murmured near her ear, “New things are only fun if I do them with you, Jessie. You make me feel brave and daring. And you don’t make me feel silly.”
“That’s why you should stick around me for keeps. We’d have a wonderful life together. I know there’s plenty you can teach me. It’s more fun learning with someone you…Sorry,” she murmured when he tensed and faltered. “It slipped out. I won’t say any more.”
The music halted and Jed announced, “I’m afraid that’s all, boys. It’s late.”
Jessie was bubbling with happiness and energy with Navarro beside her. “We were just getting started, Papa. Just a few more. Please,” she coaxed.
“We begin a new week tomorrow, Jess. We all need our rest.”
“But we’ve worked so hard lately. This is our first party in ages.”
In a gentle voice, he urged, “No more arguing for tonight, and we’ll have a bigger party after we defeat Fletcher. Is that a bargain?”
Jessie decided her father was nervous about her being so close to Navarro and was halting the evening’s festivities to end their contact. “All right, Papa,” she said obediently and smiled at him.
As Mary Louise passed Navarro, she murmured, “I thought you didn’t dance.”
“Jessie’s stubborn,” Navarro answered. “She wouldn’t let me say no about learning.”
In a seductive tone, she replied, “Next time, I’ll be as persistent as my older sister.” With a swish of her full skirt, she pranced toward the house.
“Mary Louise!” Jed called. “Help Ma and Jess with the cleanup back here.”
The blonde turned and smiled. “Sorry, Father. I’m coming.”
As the girl and Jed carried things into the kitchen, Mary Louise remarked, “I’m surprised that drifter has stayed around so long, Father. He seems to forget his place at times. Men like that think they can latch on to a wealthy lady and raise their stations in life. I don’t like him being so friendly with me and Jessica. After all, he isn’t one of the regular ranch hands. I hope Jessica isn’t becoming too fond of him. He seems so rough and secretive, don’t you think?”
Jed gave her a hard look. “What do you mean, girl?”
“Oh, Father,” she murmured. “You know how Jessica is. She’s so kind-hearted. I fear she doesn’t see the danger in such men. She always wants to help everyone improve. I hope such goodness and generosity don’t get her into trouble with Navarro Jones. There’s something so very strange and frightening about him. I know you all like him, but I fear I don’t trust him. He makes me nervous the way he watches me and Jessica.”
“Should I say something to him?”
“Oh, no, Father. He would deny he meant anything bad, and perhaps he doesn’t. I don’t want to cause more trouble. I’ve been so bad of late, and I’m really trying to change. It’s just that my life here is so different from what I was accustomed to back East. I realize I’ve been petulant and selfish. I’m sorry for giving you a bad time. I’ll try to do better; you’ll see.”
Martha Lane overheard them and wondered what her youngest granddaughter was up to with her pretty lies, but she kept the curious conversation to herself.
Wilbur Fletcher visited them again Sunday afternoon. This time, he stood on the porch chatting with Mary Louise while Gran fetched Jessie and Jed. When the two arrived, both frowning, he said, “I thought you would want to know that two dead men were left on my property recently. I turned the bodies over to the sheriff so he can try to discover who they are. Do you know anything about them, Jed? They were put through a cut in my north fence.”
“We haven’t seen any strangers around here since your man butchered my milk cows and set fire to my hay shed.”
“Is that why you had your men release my chickens and hogs and fire my coop? This retaliation for things I haven’t done is old, Jed, old and tiring. If we work together, we might solve this mystery and put an end to our troubles.”
“How would we do that, Fletcher?” Jed asked in a sarcastic tone.
“Join our men into small groups and let them ride both ranges. That way, you and I will know for certain the other isn’t behind anything that happens.”
“Get my men separate and alone so you can kill them or try to scare them off like you did to Roy, Smokey, Davy, and Pete?” he scoffed.
“If you’ve lost four men, I’m sorry. It sounds as if you can use my help.”
“You haven’t lost any hands to accidents like I have?” Jed hinted for a slip.
“No, I still have all twenty-five, strong and healthy.”
“Why do you need so many hands for such a small spread?” Jessie asked, aware Navarro was standing nearby sizing up the enemy.
“So I’ll be well protected during times of trouble, Miss Jessie, and so I’ll be covered if no seasonal help comes around—like this year.”
“Yeah, that was strange, wasn’t it?” Jed said in the same accusatory tone.
“If you’d bothered to check around as I did, Jed, you’d have learned all of the ranchers in our area had the same problem. Perhaps this section is too hard to reach for them to keep heading our way each spring and fall.”
“Covering your tracks in every direction, aren’t you?”
“You’re a stubborn and foolish man, Jed. I didn’t prevent any wranglers from coming here, and I haven’t harmed any of your men or animals. When are you going to see the truth and accept it?”
“I already have, Fletcher. You won’t win. I’ll fight as long as you do.”
Wilbur shook his brown head and scowled. “But I’m not fighting you, Jed, not yet.”
“We’ve had enough of your lies,” Jessie said angrily. “You’ll make a slip soon and we’ll catch it. You’re going to pay for all the evil you’ve done to us. I swear it.”
Fletcher eyed her intently, then frowned. “I hope you aren’t the one putting these crazy ideas into your father’s head, Miss Jessie. I wouldn’t want you to be responsible for getting innocent people hurt or even killed.”
“The only crazy person around here is you, Mr. Fletcher. Papa doesn’t need me to point out the truth to him. But I would fight you even if he yielded, which he won’t. This is Lane land, and it will remain Lane land until we all die.”
“I beg you, Miss Jessie, don’t encourage his misconceptions. I’m innocent. Someday I’ll expect apologies from both of you. Good-bye.”
Jessie watched their enemy climb into his buggy. Another man was waiting for him, a well-dressed gentleman who had a pad on his knees and was writing or sketching upon it. She wondered who the stranger was. She didn’t like the way he kept glancing at Navarro as he worked.
After Fletcher left, Mary Louise remarked, “He certainly knows how to control his temper, doesn’t he? I’m certain he was furious inside. What do you think he’ll do?” she asked them.
“I can’t imagine. Nothing seems too brutal and daring for him.”
“Father, if you believe he’s truly that dangerous, why are you resisting his offer? What if he kills us all to get what you think he wants?”
“That’s a risk we have to take, girl. This is our home. We can’t give up.”
Monday morning, May first, Jed and Matt left for Fort Stockton for a few days to set up cattle and horse sales for the fall roundup. Jed left Jessie in charge of the ranch, but asked her to avoid as much trouble as possible until their return.
While they were away, Jessie couldn’t seem to get a few minutes alone with Navarro because someone always interrupted them. She began to feel as if her father had left orders to keep them apart! Then she scolded herself for being so suspicious of everyone.
She returned to Tom’s daily lessons, but it seemed difficult for him to concentrate. He wanted to finish quickly so he could join Navarro and the hands, as he was allowed to ride with them on many occasions. The clever moccasin that Navarro had made for Tom gave him confidence and a more level walk, and Navarro had fixed the boy’s left stirrup so his bad foot wouldn’t slip through it. Tom also tied his glasses in place every day as Navarro had shown him weeks ago. The youth had come to think of Jessie and Navarro as his best friends, and that pleased her. Yet she worried about how Tom would react when Navarro had to go.
On Wednesday, Jessie had a quarrel with her sister. Mary Louise accused her and Navarro of creating more trouble and danger than they prevented.
“If you two hadn’t done all those terrible things to Mr. Fletcher, he wouldn’t be so mad at us. You have no proof he’s to blame, Jessica. Have you ever considered you and Father might be wrong? What if he is innocent?”
“He isn’t.”
“How do you know?” the blonde persisted.
“I know.”
“How? Wanting to buy our ranch just isn’t convincing enough.”
“It is for us.”
“Why?”
Jessie glared at her sister. “Darn it, Mary Louise! It’s just a feeling. By now we’ve all learned to trust our instincts.”
Mary Louise moved before her again when she turned away. “Feelings and instincts can be wrong. What if you’re battling the wrong enemy?”
Jessie tossed aside the laundry she was folding. “We aren’t.”
“Prove it to me. Show me any shred of evidence, any clue,” she challenged.
The redhead picked up a shirt again. “I can’t. He’s too clever.”
“Or he’s innocent.”
Thursday, her father and the foreman returned with shocking news. Jessie was furious when she heard what had happened.
“Not one contract, Papa? He blocked all sales? How can he do that?”
“He undercut every price I made, Jess. Read the telegrams for yourself. I can’t sell for the same or less than the deal he’s offering them. That would be giving away my steers. We’ll have to wait until fall, herd them to market and hope for the best.”
“But he doesn’t have that many mature steers, Papa. How can he fill those contracts?” she asked in confusion and dismay.
“It’s my guess he’s buying out some of the other ranchers. He’s paying top dollar and keeping them from having to make the cattle drive. He can afford to do that, Jess, but we can’t. What’s worse is if he stops us from getting to market on time or floods it before we get there. I don’t know what to do,” he admitted.
“Go to the Cattleman’s Association, Papa.”
“I wired them, Jess. He’s already taken that precaution. He’s made charges against us that have to be investigated and cleared before I can join and get their help. They won’t meet again until after fall roundup; that’s too late to do us any good. We’ll need money by fall, Jess, and I’m doubtful I can raise it.”
“The bank will see us through, Papa. We have good collateral.”
“I’m afraid not, Jess. I already tried them. Fletcher has big deposits in both banks. He’s threatened to withdraw and get his friends to do the same if they loan us money. That snake has thought of everything!”
“He can’t do that, Papa! Surely it can’t be legal.”
“He has done it, Jess. He has blocked every path.”
“Then we’ll find a new one.”
“I hope so. We have plenty of everything but cash and credit. We can’t make it without one or the other. Fletcher was in town, watching and gloating.”
“He was there?”
“Yep, like he knew I would be. Maybe we do have a traitor here.”
That remark surprised her. “I doubt it, but I’ll ask Navarro if any of the men acted strange or vanished for a while.”
“Don’t ask him, Jessie; ask Miguel.”
“Navarro can be trusted, Papa; I’d stake my life on it.”
“We have, Jess, many times.”
“And we haven’t been wrong.”
“He’s been getting us to attack Fletcher, not just defend ourselves. What if Fletcher’s trick to win is using our retaliation to get us into trouble with the law? Navarro could make sure we’re trapped and exposed one night. When he was over here, Fletcher said we’d defeat ourselves. Maybe that was a slip.”
“He could hurt us only if he works for Fletcher, Papa, and he doesn’t!”
“You’ve become mighty defensive of him, Jess. You spend more time with him than with your old friends here. Are you letting that drifter charm you?”
“Papa! I’m not a foolish young girl.”
“No, you’re quite a beautiful woman, Jessica.”
He so rarely called her by her full name, Jessie almost shot back, So, you’ve finally noticed I’m not a son! She calmed herself and said, “If you’re worried about my friendship with Navarro, don’t be. He’s leaving when this is over.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, sounding hopeful.
“Positive, Papa. He’s been very clear about it from the start. He only agreed to work for us for a while. It’s taking longer than he planned, but I convinced him to stay on until the conflict is resolved. The only reason he’s remained is because everyone’s been so nice to him. If you and Matt start throwing around doubts about him, I’m sure he’ll pull out. You know how much help he’s been. We need him. With the branding over, we can concentrate more on Fletcher.”
From the corner of her eye, Jessie saw Mary Louise standing in the doorway to their bedroom. A curious chill passed over her. She shrugged and dismissed it, then returned to her talk with her father.
On Saturday, Mary Louise caught Navarro in the barn alone. “We have to talk,” she told him. “Something terrible has happened. Father will be furious about what I’m planning to do. He talked to Jessica last night about you. I think it’s big trouble. We can’t talk here. Don’t let anyone see you, but follow me after I leave.” She took a horse and headed away from the corral.
Navarro was intrigued and worried. He couldn’t march to the house and ask to see Jessie alone, not with Jed there. He slipped away. When he caught up with Mary Louise, he dismounted and joined her. “What’s wrong with Jessie?”
“She’s standing between us” came the shocking reply.
“What?” he asked, looking and feeling baffled.
“You don’t notice me with her around. Ever since I came home and met you, my head’s been spinning. I become hot and weak all over when I’m near you. I want you, Navarro. I know it’s bold and wicked, but I do.” She fondled his chest as she entreated, “Kiss me before I die of hunger.”
Navarro grasped her hands and tried to push her away. “No, Miss Lane. I—”
“Yes, Navarro,” she persisted as she rubbed herself against him.
When she tried to pull down his head to kiss him, he scolded, “Behave, girl, or your father will whip both of us. I thought you said—”
“Not if he doesn’t know about us. I won’t tell. If he finds out and intrudes, something could happen to him.” She sent him a sultry smile. “If you get rid of Father, Jessica will have to sell out and split the money with me. It’ll give us plenty to start a new life together somewhere. If Jessica refuses, you can take care of her, too. Please, Navarro, my love, let’s run away together.”
The desperado was stunned. All he wanted to do was put distance between himself and this greedy creature. “Get mounted, girl. This isn’t a game.”
“Far from it, my handsome drifter. This is your chance to win both me and plenty of money. I’m yours for the taking. All we need is money to make our dream come true. You can blame Mr. Fletcher for Father’s death.”
The fugitive gaped at the blonde. “Either you don’t know what you’re saying, or this is a trick or a cruel joke. I don’t want to take you, Miss Lane, or hurt Jed. Forget this happened. Let’s go.”
Mary Louise grabbed his shirt and yanked on it, causing it to rip. “I’m more beautiful and desirable than my spinster sister! I’m offering you two treasures. I’m more of a woman than she’ll ever be. We’re rebels at heart, Navarro; we’re perfectly suited to each other. We can escape together.”
Navarro couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen this coming. Mary Louise must have been planning this for days. “No, we aren’t matched at all, Miss Lane. You shouldn’t behave this way.”
“We are alike,” she argued, pouting and glaring.
“No,” he stated in a firm tone to discourage her.
As Mary Louise shrieked, “Yes, we are, damn you!,” she scratched his cheek.
Navarro backed away and stared at the raging beauty with the flashing blue eyes. She was nothing like her older sister, nothing. He rubbed his stinging cheek and saw blood on his fingers. “Why did you do that?” he demanded.
Mary Louise settled down and frowned. “I lost my temper. I’m sorry,” she murmured as she lowered her head. “It’s just that I’ve been craving you so long and so much that it’s driving me crazy. Are you sure you don’t want me, Navarro?”
He tried to be kind and polite as Jessie had taught him. “I’m sorry, but no.”
Mary Louise waited a moment, then said, “A woman can’t force a man to desire her. I was certain you’d feel the same way I do. I was mistaken. Give me a minute to calm myself, then we’ll head home. I won’t trouble you again. About Father and Jessica, I was only testing your loyalty and honor. I don’t want them hurt.”
Navarro watched the girl retreat behind a row of bushes. He wiped his injured cheek, and wondered how to explain it to everyone. He couldn’t tell Jessie or Jed or the others what the girl had offered; it was too cruel, too shocking. He straightened his shirt, noticing several buttons were missing. He wondered if he should escort Mary Louise home or just leave her there. As he paced and waited, he heard a curious sound, like another rip, then a harsh slap!
Mary Louise returned with mussed hair, ripped and dirty dress, and scratches on her neck. She muttered peevishly, “I’m so clumsy today. I fell and made a mess of myself. My dress is ruined.” The blonde mounted her pinto, grabbed the sorrel’s reins, and raced from the scene with both horses.
Navarro was taken off guard and she was already too distant to halt her. He was befuddled and vexed. What in…Dread filled the wide-eyed man and stiffened his tall frame. His heart pounded. He ran after the vindictive girl who had taken his mount. He suspected she would drop its reins soon, if he was right about what she intended to do. He was; he found the animal grazing over the next hill. Winded from his run, he leapt on his sorrel and raced after Mary Louise. He couldn’t overtake her in time.
As she neared the barn, the blonde screamed for help. Men came running to her aid. She fell off the horse into Matt’s arms, sobbing and looking terrified. “Don’t let him near me!” she shrieked and clutched at Matt as Navarro approached. “He tried to attack me! Navarro ambushed me and tried to rape me,” she accused, then snuggled her face against the foreman’s protective shoulder.