Ana Leigh Read online

  Zach joined her on the bed. Stretching out on his side, he propped up his head in his palm and smiled tenderly at her.

  “Because you’re not there to defend yourself.”

  “Maybe it’s a mistake for me to remain in hiding,” she said, sounding demoralized and uncertain.

  “Not if you want to stay alive. Have you forgotten Tait was on the verge of killing you? Show yourself now, and he’ll finish the job. That damn sheriff won’t try to stop him.”

  “Oh, Zach, how are we ever going to get out of this mess?”

  She looked so sad and vulnerable that he wanted to hold her, but he knew he’d want more once she was in his arms. Instead, he lightly brushed aside the hair clinging to her bruised cheek. “Nothing’s going to happen to you, Rosie. I promise you. As soon as I get an answer to my telegram, we’ll get the help we need.”

  “I’m afraid we’ll need a troop of cavalry to get out of here.” She rolled over on her side, tucked a hand under her cheek, and closed her eyes.

  For a long moment, he gazed at her. The trouble was, he didn’t feel as confident as he implied. It was unlikely they could remain hidden much longer. His hope rested on a speedy response to his telegram.

  He saw that Rose had fallen asleep. To avoid waking her, he stood up and went over to the window. Damn! Tait and his gang had returned to town and were at the depot checking the eastbound train that had just pulled in. Obviously in search of them, the gang boarded the train. They finally climbed off and began checking the passengers returning to board. Zach decided this would be the best chance to avoid being seen. He woke Rose.

  “Honey, Tait and his gang are back. I’m going to the telegraph office to see if the reply to my telegram has come in. Stay away from the window and don’t open the door to anyone except me or Kate.”

  “But if Tait’s in town, he might see you, Zach!”

  “They’re occupied checking the train so they must figure if we’re in town, we’ll try and leave on it. I should be able to get to the telegraph office and back before they’re through.”

  As he started to climb out Kate’s window, Rose came over to him and put a hand on his arm.

  “Be careful, Zach. He wants to kill you, too.”

  He grinned at her. “Tait’s on borrowed time, Rosie. Trust me. Now lock the door. I’ll tap three times when I get back.” Seeing her worried frown, he kissed her lightly on the nose. “Hey, Rosie, didn’t I tell you I won’t let anything happen to you?”

  Zach succeeded in reaching the telegraph office without incident, only to get the bad news that there was still no response to his wire. Leaving the office, he saw a large crowd had gathered. To his further dismay, Tait was in the center of it elaborating on his lies about Rose’s involvement in Rayburn’s death. Maybe rather than remaining hidden, he should go on the offensive, Zach thought. He drew his Colt and spun the chamber. Satisfied, he sauntered over to the crowd.

  “Tait, I understand you’ve been shooting your mouth off about me.”

  Tait’s forced smile didn’t fool Zach for a minute. He knew the man was itching to kill him. “You helped Rayburn’s killer escape, didn’t ya? Where ya got her hidden, MacKenzie?”

  “Where you can’t hurt her until she can prove her innocence. Maybe you should have checked those passengers more carefully before that train pulled out.”

  “What did I tell you, folks? He helped that killer get away.”

  “You’re a damn liar, Tait. Rose Dubois didn’t kill Rayburn—you did!”

  As Zach had anticipated, the crowd swiftly backed away. They’d witnessed enough such confrontations to know what followed such an accusation. Now only Tait and his gang remained facing Zach.

  Tait’s thick lips curled in amusement, but his dark eyes glared blatant hatred. He slipped his hand to his holster. “Did I hear you call me a liar, MacKenzie?”

  “Nothing wrong with your hearing, Tait.”

  “And I suppose she ain’t the kind to cheat on Rayburn with you either, huh, MacKenzie?”

  “That doesn’t make her a murderer.”

  Cain and Pike started to sidle behind Zach. Not shifting his fixed stare from Tait, Zach said, “Rather have you boys stay where you are. Same goes for you and Joe, Bull.”

  “You don’t see me movin’, do ya?” Bull grumbled.

  “You figure you can take us all, MacKenzie?” Tait asked.

  “Can’t say— but you won’t live to find out. I’m not as easy to kill as Rayburn and that old couple you murdered.”

  “That’s damn fool talk even from you, MacKenzie. Ya ready to back it up?”

  “Anytime you feel lucky, Tait.”

  Pandemonium broke loose when Tait started to draw. Shouting men and screaming women scampered in all directions to get out of the line of fire. Tait’s shot went astray, but Zach’s bullet found its mark, and the outlaw was dead before he even hit the ground.

  In a hail of bullets, Zach dived behind a horse trough as the gang scattered and ducked for cover. Water squirted like a fountain through the dozen bullet holes in the trough. A bullet ripped into his shoulder, and he looked around for better cover. The closest place was a run-down barn. He had to risk it, so he fired several rounds at the gang to make them keep their heads down, then crouched and dashed for the safety of the barn a few feet away. A bullet ripped into his leg just as he dived through the doors and closed them. Bullets splintered the wood as he shoved the bar in place to prevent anyone from entering, then he crawled away from the door.

  Zach pulled off his bandanna and tied it around his thigh, then took a look around him. A loft, no window, and empty stalls. At least there’d be no way anyone could get in. The bad part was that he’d have to wait until dark to slip out of there, and time was running out: the sheriff and his posse might return before nightfall.

  Several shots slammed into the door again, as if to remind him just how desperate his situation was. When he peered out through a crack he couldn’t see anybody, but he knew there were at least four men out there hoping to gun him down. He was safe for the time being, though: none of the four were the kind to risk their hides by rushing him.

  His shoulder was stinging and his leg hurt like hell. He reached behind and touched the back of his shoulder, then wiped his bloody hand on his pants leg. At least the bullet had gone right through him. The rip in his jeans at front and back showed the same was true of the wound in his thigh. Good.

  Once again, bullets riddled the door. How long would those idiots continue to waste ammunition? At least he’d taken down Tait; the bastard couldn’t hurt Rose now.

  Grimacing with pain, he sat down, reloaded his pistol, then leaned back against a post and began to work out his strategy. He figured the loft door offered a better escape route than trying to pull out some rotted slats.

  He knew damn well he’d get no help from the town. “You gotta admit, MacKenzie, this sure isn’t the smartest move you’ve ever made,” he said with self-deprecation. What would you do in this spot, Dad? Uncle Luke? Uncle Cleve? He wracked his brain, trying to remember their countless stories of narrow escapes.

  Rose bolted to her feet the moment she heard the gunfire. Certain Zach was in the center of the shooting, her heart began pounding so hard it felt like her chest would burst. Ignoring his warning, she went to the window, but all she could see was the train depot. The shots were coming from the other end of town.

  Frustrated, she began to pace the floor. Was Zach still alive? Was he wounded? Maybe it was just a drunken cowboy shooting up the town. When the gunfire stopped suddenly she froze, unconsciously holding her breath. Her anxiety built to an overwhelming panic. She couldn’t remain hidden in the room; Zach might be out there fighting for his life! Or lying dead in the middle of the street! She rushed to the door, then paused when the gunfire resumed. Relieved sobs burst from her throat. As long as the firing continued, it meant he was still alive. She had to go to him.

  Just as she reached to turn the key in the lock, there was
a rap on the door. Startled, she jumped back.

  “Rose, it’s Kate.”

  Her hand was trembling so much she could barely turn the key in the lock. Kate came in and at the sight of her grim expression, Rose’s previous fear returned. Tears blinded her eyes and the knot in her throat burst into a wail of despair. “Zach’s dead, isn’t he?”

  “No, Rose! No.” Kate’s eyes glistened with tears of compassion as she clasped Rose’s hand. “He killed Jess Tait, and the rest of the gang’s got him trapped in a barn.”

  Joy surged through Rose in a floodtide. “Then he’s still alive, or they wouldn’t be shooting. I’ve got to help him.”

  Kate pulled her back into the room and closed the door. “Rose, what help can you be to Zach if you rush out there half-cocked and possibly get yourself killed?”

  Hot, salty tears stung her eyes and choked her words into sobs. “Don’t you understand? I love him, Kate. It’s my fault he’s even in this fix. I can’t stand by and not try to help him.”

  “I understand, honey,” Kate said, trying to soothe her. “But we’ve got to think this out.”

  “And while we’re doing that, Zach could be killed! No, I’m going to him.” Rose tried to leave but Kate’s grasp held firmly.

  “Listen to me, Rose. If you really want to help Zach, you’ll take time to think what would be the best way to do so. He’s safe in the barn for the time being. The sheriff and his posse haven’t returned yet, and you can be sure those four fools aren’t about to risk getting themselves killed by trying to go in after him. We’ve just got to think of a way to divert their attention so Zach can escape.”

  The wisdom of Kate’s practicality began to cut a swath through Rose’s panic. Little by little she felt warmth creep through her body, which had been cold with despair.

  “I guess you’re right—I’ve been too upset to use my head.”

  “That’s right.” Kate led Rose over to the bed. “So let’s sit down and think this out. Surely the two of us can outsmart those four idiots.”

  “Well, we certainly can’t start a fire, or we’re liable to burn down the whole town.”

  “That’s for sure,” Kate agreed. “From what I’ve seen of that Bull, though, any woman can divert his attention.”

  Rose lifted her head. “Well, we’re women, aren’t we?”

  “Sure, but you can’t show your face, because Tait’s convinced everyone in town that you murdered Stephen Rayburn. And Bull wouldn’t trust you anyway, even though he knows you didn’t kill Stephen.”

  “I realize that, but he’d have no reason to distrust the rest of you.” Rose jumped to her feet as an idea entered her head. “You girls could appear sympathetic and offer something like . . . ah—”

  “Like what?” Kate asked, feigning indignation. “Just what do you have in mind, Rose Dubois? You know as well as I do what’s always on Bull’s mind.”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of a cup of coffee and pie, or cake.”

  “That’s not a bad idea. We had a couple of apple pies left over from dinner. Maybe we can lure them into the restaurant with that offer.”

  “And when you do, I’ll get to Zach.”

  “But I doubt they’d all just walk away from the barn and not leave someone behind to guard it.”

  “Right, but that will probably be Joe, because he’s the dumbest. And Joe always does whatever Bull says. My guess is that probably makes Bull the leader now that Tait’s dead.”

  Kate smiled with satisfaction. “And we all know that Bull only has one thing on his mind. A smile and an offer of coffee and pie from a gal is sure to give him even bigger ideas. It will be easy to get him away. And where Bull goes—”

  “So go the others,” Rose said.

  “Rose, we can do it!” Kate exclaimed.

  Rose felt there still was another obstacle to consider. “What about the people in town?”

  “The decent people have returned to their homes. They want nothing to do with it. The ones I talked to said Zach goaded Tait into drawing by calling him a liar, but at the same time, he let Tait make the first move.”

  “Then why don’t they help Zach?” Rose cried, feeling the return of her frustration.

  “Honey, nobody’s going to put their lives on the line against four armed outlaws, unless it personally affects their own families. Remember, they consider Zach as bad as the rest of the gang, so what do they care who shoots who? As for the no-gooders in town, they don’t much care who ends up on Boot Hill. So let’s get this done before the sheriff gets back.”

  “Do you think the other girls will be willing to help?”

  “I’m sure they will. None of them believed for a minute that you killed Stephen Rayburn.”

  Within minutes, the other Harvey girls had joined them in Kate’s room. All three were appalled to see how Stephen had beaten Rose and were eager to help in whatever way they could.

  Kate laid out the plan, and the girls hurried to their rooms to put their uniforms back on.

  Kate paused before leaving. “I know this will work. Zach will be okay, honey.”

  “I’ll be going with him, Kate,” Rose said.

  “I know.” She smiled softly. “I’ll miss you.”

  They reached for each other, and Rose hugged her tightly. In a world that had turned chaotic, she clung to Kate for solace.

  “I’ll never forget you, or what you and the girls are doing for Zach.”

  “When this is all over, come back to us, Rose,” Kate whispered. Then she turned and left.

  Rose changed quickly into her split skirt and blouse, exchanged her shoes for a pair of boots, then stuffed a few of her items into Zach’s saddlebags.

  Tears glistened in her eyes as she stood by the window and watched the small, white-aproned army march down the road to do battle. After they passed, she climbed out, praying it wouldn’t be too late to save the man she loved.

  Chapter 22

  Rose hurried down the back street, darkened now under the mantle of a night heavy with the smell of a coming rain. Distant flashes of lightning and the faint rumble of thunder heralded the approaching storm, and she quickened her step.

  The street was deserted, the doors and windows of the houses closed and bolted, as if sealing out the sights and sounds of the grievous injustice occurring at the barn would shut it out of the occupants’ consciences.

  She passed behind the Long Horn. Laughter rose above the discordant pounding of a piano, the only sound other than the sporadic gunfire that echoed through the night.

  An amber light glowed dimly from the telegraph office—a painful reminder to her of what had brought Zach to the spot. And as she passed the office, she caught a glimpse of the outline of the barn. Her heart leaped to her throat.

  Rose’s jagged nerves were jarred by the sudden screeching of two cats fighting in the shadows. She jumped back in alarm when one dashed across her path, followed by a larger black one.

  She wasn’t superstitious, but why did this sign of bad luck happen now—when so much was at stake? A wave of apprehension washed through her as she remembered the gypsy’s foreboding message. I zaw za face of death.

  She reached the barn and slinked along the side of it, hugging the shadows and hoping no one would spot her.

  “Hey, pretty lady, whatta you doin’ here?”

  Distressed, she recognized Bull’s voice. She’d been discovered already—and now there was little she could do to help Zach.

  “This ain’t no place for you gals. You could get yerselves shot.”

  Oh, thank God. He wasn’t talking to her. Her spirits rose as she heard Kate reply, “We felt so sorry for you fellows, Bull, that we thought perhaps you’d all like a cup of coffee and piece of apple pie.”

  Peering through the darkness, Rose located the small group clustered in a circle about a hundred feet away.

  “Uh-huh!” Joe exclaimed.” That sure would be pleasin’. My mouth’s waterin’ just thinkin’ about it.”

&nb
sp; Flashing a dimpled smile, Melanie tilted her curly head at a captivating angle. “And there’s no charge for it, Joey.”

  “How come you gals are being so nice to us?” Bull asked. “You never even wanted us in your restaurant before.”

  “We were only following orders, Bull,” Kate said. “Why, in our eyes you fellows are heroes, the only ones protecting us from that ruthless killer in that barn.”

  “I’m afraid to even lie down and close my eyes until that killer’s behind bars,” Aubrey added with a shudder.

  “And if I had my say-so, you men would never have to pay for another meal again in a Harvey restaurant.” Andrea’s remark appeared to please them, because they hooted with approval.

  “Gotta admit, hot coffee, apple pie, and the pleasure of good company is mighty temptin’. But we’ve got a desperado holed up in that barn. We all jest can’t up and leave.”

  Rose felt like screaming. Bull was taking his newly found leadership role more seriously than she’d anticipated, and they were running out of time.

  “Oh, fiddle-faddle!” Melanie exclaimed, grasping Cain’s hand. “You all don’t have to stay back to guard one li’l ole prisoner, do you?”

  Cain nodded. “Reckon, she’s right, Bull.”

  “Yeah, Bull, it’d be a shame to let that pie go to waste,” Pike added hopefully.

  Kate linked her arm through their leader’s. “Oh, come on, Bull,” she coaxed. “Don’t be such a spoilsport. Coffee’s on the stove.”

  “Hmmm, this calls for some ponderin’,” he said, stroking his chin. “Reckon it don’t make no sense for all of us to stay here—MacKenzie won’t even know we’re gone. Joe, you stay put. There’s only one way out of that there barn. If MacKenzie so much as sticks his head out that door, get off three quick shots as a signal and we’ll come arunnin’.”

  “That ain’t fair, Bull. Why do I have to stay behind? I like apple pie same as the rest of yuh.”

  “Tell you what, Joe. I’ll bring you back a piece myself. How about that?” Kate said.

  “Reckon that’ll have to do,” he said with a pout. “ ’Pears like I ain’t got no say in it.”