Texas Rain

CHAPTER 26

At the river, the Rangers split up. Dillon took two men and moved downstream. Travis, leading an extra horse, rode with Roy Dumont heading upstream. The kidnappers were obviously trying to hide their tracks, but they'd leave a trail coming out of the stream long before a Ranger would give up looking.

"I'll fire a round if we see where they exit," Dillon said. "You do the same."

Travis knew there was a good chance they'd be too far apart to hear one another's shots, but he also knew outlaws were often not the brightest men around. Last year he'd worked a stage robbery where the bandit shot his own horse in a display of gunfire meant to frighten the passengers. Riding in the stream might be a good way to hide their trail, but it was also more dangerous and slower.

Roy Dumont didn't say a word as he took the left bank of the stream and began to look for sign. With the man in black dead, only two men stood between them and Rainey.

Travis would worry about who else might have been in on the plot to get even with him later.

He planned as he rode. Now was not the time to hope; he had to use all his skill and look at the facts. He had to get to her fast. Once the men discovered she wasn't Sage, they might kill her-or worse. Surely they knew the Rangers would be after them. The Rangers would have been even if someone kin to a Ranger hadn't been the target. How dare the outlaws think they could commit such a crime within blocks of the Ranger headquarters? The Normans were either stupid or very sure of themselves.

Seth and Eldon would probably ride until their horses gave out, which would be long before any Ranger's horse stopped.

If their horses made it until dark, there would be lots of places they could hide in this country. With only a sliver of a moon to see by, tracking could be difficult. If the Normans had any sense, they wouldn't light a fire. In the dark they might not know they had the wrong woman until morning. If they did set up camp, even in the firelight they'd see that Rainey wasn't Sage.

Travis pushed harder. He had to reach Rainey before dark. Her abductors might have decided they had gotten away with the crime if no one caught up with them by sunset. They'd build a fire and have their first good look at Rainey. With her blond hair she couldn't fool them into believing she was Sage for a moment.

He closed his eyes, thinking how frightened she must be. And she had a right to be. Seth and Eldon planned to make Travis suffer. They probably saw it as only fair to kill his sister since Travis had killed their brother in a gunfight.

Travis forced his mind away from thinking about how they'd kill her.

"Here!" Roy yelled as his horse climbed up the left bank. "Two sets of fresh tracks."

Roy slipped from his mount and knelt. He read the sign easily. "One is riding heavy-that's the horse with the girl and the stout man you said the widow described. It has to be Seth. The other mount stumbled coming out of the water. He won't last long if they keep riding him so hard."

Slipping back on his horse, Roy raised his rifle and fired once.

"You think Dillon heard?" Travis asked. They'd only split up thirty minutes ago, but Dillon and his party would be moving faster traveling downstream.

Roy shook his head. "Looks like we're going this one alone."

To Travis's surprise, Roy winked and added with a smile, "More fun that way." He must have seen the worry in Travis's eyes because he added, "Don't worry, we'll get her back."

They rode on for an hour across rolling countryside before Roy stopped again to study the ground. Travis wanted to look, but he knew if he got off, he might not be able to climb back in the saddle. His leg had finally stopped throbbing and was numb. He'd be no help to Rainey on foot.

While Roy read the trail, Travis cut one of the leather straps off the back of Mike's saddle and laced it around the top of his leg, tying himself to the saddle.

He took a drink from his canteen, realizing he hadn't eaten since yesterday. He wasn't sure he could eat anything until he found Rainey. He thought of how frightened of the dark she'd been. She wouldn't go into the alley alone, and now she was miles from anything she knew. She must be mad with panic. She had no way of even knowing he was looking for her.

"I'll find you," he mumbled to himself. "No matter how far they take you, I swear, I'll find you."

"The horse that stumbled coming out of the water is near finished." Roy removed his hat and wiped his brow. "The man riding single, probably Eldon, turned off here. If he doesn't stop, he'll have to put the horse down."

Travis saw a stand of thick oak maybe half a mile away. "He's planning to hold up in there. My guess is he's already found him a safe place to hide where he can see if anyone's coming."

Roy nodded. "He won't see me. I'll go get him." He covered his eyes and looked up at Travis. "Can you handle the other outlaw alone? I could ride with you and let this rabbit go."

Travis shook his head. "No. I want them all caught, but if you finish, leave him tied up somewhere if he's alive and ride to join me."

Roy smiled. "I'll do that. Maybe once I save this young lady, I'll have me three wives." His eyebrows danced up and down. "Women can't resist a hero."

Travis frowned and Roy changed the subject. "You know that burned-out mission due south of here?"

"I know it," Travis answered. "I was thinking the same thing. Our last kidnapper will feel safe in there with rock at his back. It would be the place I'd head to if I planned to hold up for the night, and if he's riding double, he'll have to stop soon."

Roy saluted and kicked his horse. "I'll catch up to you."

Travis put the cap back on his canteen and headed due south toward the remains of a mission. The ground was damp, making the tracks easy to follow. His left leg had started to swell. His boot felt tight, but there was no time to stop.

He reached the remains of a mission just before the sun set. Jagged white rocks lined the perimeter of the grounds like broken teeth no longer useful. He circled, keeping the sun at his back, and rode between the walls that had once held trouble at bay. Anyone at the mission would have to be staring at the setting sun to see him.

On the east side, where the walls were almost ten feet high, he found a horse tied to the last pole standing in what once had been a corral. Travis knew he'd found them. He pulled his knife and cut the leather holding his leg still, then slid slowly from the saddle. He wasn't surprised when his left leg wouldn't hold his weight. He pulled his cane and walked across the rocky ground knowing that if he stumbled and fell, he'd never be able to get to his feet. The ride had undone weeks of healing, but it couldn't be helped. He had to find Rainey.

First, he unsaddled the outlaw's animal, consuming valuable time, but delaying the outlaw's escape if he returned to the horse. Then he walked his horse and the extra mount he'd brought several feet away and tied them out of sight. His gun belt held two weapons, but he pulled the rifle from the sheath tied to his saddle. What he lacked in mobility, he might need to make up for in firepower.

He limped his way slowly through the maze of rocks as the sky blackened. Time was running out for Rainey. He needed to find her fast.

With each step he tested his weight against his left leg. He felt like he was counting down until he took one final step and the leg would no longer take any of his weight. He held to the wall when he could and moved as silently as the rocks would allow. He knew even if he fell and had to crawl, he'd find Rainey.

She was near. He could feel it.

Every few steps he'd stop and listen, hoping to hear voices, afraid he'd hear her scream.

Half an hour passed and the night blackened. Travis felt like he was lost in a maze made of stones.

He crossed between two rock walls. His boot struck against something that wasn't rock hard… something that gave when he shoved slightly. Travis almost tumbled as he tried to move forward again. Placing his rifle on a crumbled wall, he carefully felt his way in the darkness.

Travis brushed something furry and velvet bundled at his feet. Sage's coat? He'd held it for her a dozen times. Now there was no doubt Rainey was near. Also no doubt that Seth Norman knew he had the wrong woman.

Reaching again, Travis heard the sound of his own heart pounding. Something lay beside the coat. He spread his fingers wide and moved across it.

Blood, warm and sticky, wet his hand as the smell of it filled his lungs.

He lay his hand flat, feeling flesh, but no life beneath it. With careful circles, he tried to find the wound. Beneath the jacket, the body was too hard, too thick to be a woman's. Travis took a deep breath of relief and continued searching.

In the center of a man's chest he found a small knife planted as deep as the blade would go. Judging from the small hole and the great amount of blood the man had been bleeding for some time before he died.

Travis leaned back away from the body. Come morning he'd take a good look at the body and make sure it was Seth Norman, but right now, in the blackness of the mission, he knew two things. The man was dead and Rainey had to be the one who killed him.

The only question remaining: Where was Rainey? The possibility crossed his mind that someone might have been waiting here for the outlaws. Maybe crazy Old Man Norman, or someone else who'd escaped with the brothers and had offered to help in their revenge. If someone had been waiting at the mission, Rainey may not have bought her freedom with the killing.

He struggled to stand and resume his search.

"Rainey?" he said in a low voice that carried several feet. He didn't want to frighten her even more in the dark, but if she was hiding, he might not find her until morning if she didn't make a sound. "Rainey, it's me, Travis."

He'd moved about twenty feet when he heard someone crying softly. He hurried toward the sound.

"Rainey," he whispered when he saw the outline of her tiny form balled up in a corner near the opening. "Rainey?"

He knelt beside her but didn't touch her. "Rainey?"

She stopped crying and for a long moment remained as still as the rocks around her. Then she raised her head and whispered back, "Travis, I knew you'd come find me."

He sat beside her and wrapped her in his arms. She cried on his shoulder as he moved his hands slowly along her body, making sure she wasn't hurt. He didn't tell her to stop crying, or ask any questions, he just held her.

Finally she grew quiet and he felt her body relax next to him. After a while she whispered as if someone might hear them. "Travis, I killed a man today."

"I know," he answered. "Now go to sleep, Sunshine. We'll talk about it tomorrow. You're safe now." He didn't want to add that he doubted he could get to his feet if he tried. He needed time to rest and so did she.

She pressed against him as he covered them with his coat. He pulled both his guns from their holsters and placed them on either side, then he wrapped his arms around her. He wanted to tell her how he felt… like a part of him had been ripped away when he'd learned of the kidnapping… but he wasn't sure she'd understand. She thought they were friends. Deep down, he'd realized that she was his. Whether they ever married, or admitted it, didn't matter. She was his and he was hers.

Her breathing slowed and he knew she was asleep, but he stayed awake, listening to the sounds of the night just beyond the mission. Nothing would hurt her, now that he'd found her.

She moved in the night, shifting against him. He'd whisper that she was safe and she'd return to sleep.

She didn't seem to notice as he moved her fingers through her hair, loving the way it felt.

Finally he relaxed and closed his eyes.

Just after dawn, her wiggling woke him. He opened one eye to find green eyes watching him.

"Morning," he mumbled.

"Morning," she answered, as if she'd responded that way a thousand times. "You awake?"

"I am now." He stretched his back, but didn't remove the arm that had grown numb from being around her. "How are you this morning?"

"I think I'm all right."

He held her at arm's length and studied her. "There's a bruise on your cheek."

She nodded.

"Anywhere else?"

She lifted her chin. "There's probably one on my backside, but I'm not going to show it to you. My ribs are sore, my feet are freezing, and I'm hungry."

He looked down and saw her stocking feet tucked against his calf. "Where are your shoes?"

"Upstairs in my bedroom, I think. When I left yesterday to warn the others, I didn't have time to put them on. I had no plan of leaving the house at the time."

Travis touched her cheek gently. "Why'd you put Sage's coat on? You must have known they were storming the house to kidnap her."

"It was the first thing I thought of to help. I couldn't let them take her. She's your sister. You love her." She pushed away from him and stood suddenly. "Are you arresting me for killing that disgusting man?"

"No. If you hadn't done it, I probably would have. Want to tell me what happened?"

Rainey ran her fingers through her hair and brushed the dust from her dress. "We made it to this place before dark. He pulled off a bag they'd tied over my head and arms. When the hood fell back, he knew I wasn't Sage. That fact made him furious. He hit me hard, knocking me down and swearing in two languages at me like it was all my fault. When I fell, I stayed down. He must have thought he knocked me out, but I reached for my knife tucked away in my pocket. He grabbed the coat in one hand and tried to pull me to my feet with the other. I knew I would only have one chance to fight and I had to hit his heart. If I missed, he'd kill me." She took a breath, shaking at her own words. "He was screaming about different ways he planned to kill me when he was finished with me. He said the sight of how he planned to cut up my body would give you nightmares the rest of your life."

Travis stretched his leg and slowly rose from the ground using only his right leg for support. The swelling in his left leg had gone down some.

"I took a step back and held the knife with both hands. When he came at me, I fell toward him using my whole body to propel the knife." She covered her face. "I couldn't look. He stumbled backward and fell first to his knees, then forward without saying another word. I think I must have cut open his heart."

Travis tugged her hands away from her face. "You did what you had to do. Don't ever think of it again, it's over."

"How did you find me so fast?"

"I followed your trail. The guy you killed left tracks Duck could probably keep up with. I must have got to the house within minutes after you left. Sage had bolted the doors and was watching for help to arrive. She ran out as we neared."

He couldn't stop touching Rainey. He pulled her to him as he continued. "The men who stormed the boarding-house were brothers. They've had a hatred for me that goes way back." He kissed her head, needing to reassure himself it was all over even as he recounted every fact. "The widow shot one of the brothers. She took a bullet in her arm, but she's in good hands."

"No." Rainey stopped him by brushing her fingers over his lips. "How did you get here?" she repeated.

"I rode."

"You're not well enough to ride." She looked at his leg that he had been rubbing since he stood. "Oh, no…"

He watched her pale and had to smile through his pain. She cared. "Now, don't worry. I'm all right. To tell you the truth, I was so worried about you I hardly noticed the pain."

She moved to him. "I'm sorry."

He hugged her close. "It would have hurt far more to find you dead in this graveyard of rocks."

He kissed her then, long and hard. She circled her arms around his waist and held on tight. Though their embrace warmed him with need, it was not passion that demanded he hold her so tight, but caring. A caring that ran so deep he knew he'd never know peace if she were in danger.

Without a word he leaned on her, and together they walked out of the ruins. When they were in the morning sun, it didn't seem so cold. He insisted she wear his coat. She made him rest on a rock while she brought the horses around to him. After she brought them, saddled and ready, he rummaged through the saddlebags and found jerky for breakfast. They were both tired and healing so neither talked, but they touched.

He moved his big hand along her back as she sat next to him. She patted his arm in thank-you when he passed her the canteen. They didn't talk of the fear they'd both felt or the worry. They didn't need to.

By the time the sun began to warm the day, Roy rode up from the north. He was alone.

When Roy was inside the border of the mission, he swung down from his horse and ran to Rainey, grabbing her in a bear hug. "Glad you're alive!" he shouted. He whirled her around and then sat her back on her feet and apologized for being so forward.

When Rainey looked pale, he apologized again, and Travis thought he saw a hint of the charm that must have won him two wives. He asked about her bruise and said he'd gladly kill the man again for putting such a mark on a pretty girl like her. He worried over her lack of shoes as Travis had never thought to do and offered her his good socks to wear.

Travis finally told Roy to stop being a mother hen. They needed to get her back to Austin as soon as possible.

"Where's the man you went into the trees after?" Travis asked as they collected supplies.

"He gave me a grand chase, but I lost him." Roy didn't like admitting he'd failed.

"We'll get him," Travis said. "What matters is we found Rainey."

Roy nodded. "Yeah, but I got a feeling he's going to show up before long to pester us again. Seth might have been the meanest brother, but Eldon is sneaky. We both better be watching our backs until he's behind bars again."

Travis agreed.

Roy loaded Seth's bloody body on his horse. As they packed up, Roy wanted to hear the whole story of how such a little lady killed a man he could barely lift.

Rainey told him, then asked if he'd help Travis mount his horse. She said that Travis had reinjured his leg.

Travis protested, but Rainey continued to beg Roy. Travis claimed he could mount the horse alone, but if it made her happy, he'd take the help.

Roy mumbled as he helped Travis, "If you were married, you would know that sometimes it's just better to go along than to try and reason with a woman."

Once Travis was on his horse, he glanced at Rainey, silently thanking her for making such a fuss. If she hadn't begged, he wouldn't have made a show of giving in, even though, in truth, he wasn't sure he could have climbed on his horse alone.

Once they started back, Roy asked one question after another. The rough, fighting Ranger turned into a gentleman worrying about Rainey. Travis noticed she barely knew how to ride a horse, but Roy kept saying she was doing grand.

Halfway back Roy insisted they stop and let Rainey rest. He built a fire and made coffee from his pack and then said he had to go down by the river and rest for an hour before he could go any farther. "I didn't get a wink of sleep last night," Roy complained.

Rainey retrieved a blanket from the saddle and spread it by a tree, insisting that Travis sit down. When he did, she rolled his coat and placed it under his left knee, relieving a little of the pressure he felt.

"How'd you know that would help?" Travis asked as he leaned back against the tree trunk.

"I was hurt once in an ice-skating accident." She spread the extra blanket over Travis.

"I'm not an invalid," he mumbled.

"I didn't say you were. The blanket is for me."

Travis watched Roy disappear in the cottonwoods down by the creek. "He's giving us time alone. He doesn't need a nap."

"I know, he's sweet."

"Sweet," Travis grumbled. "If he were here alone with you, he'd have you with child before the hour was up."

Rainey laughed. "I doubt it. You see, I'm not the least attracted to him."

"How about me?" Travis thought he already knew the answer.

"You I can't keep my hands off of." She laughed. "But, I'll try."

"Roy is right about one thing. We do need to talk."

Rainey sat next to him on the blanket padded with the dried grass beneath a tree. "About what?"

"When we get back, there will be no time for us. The Rangers, the newspaper, everyone will ask what happened. In most places you'd have to tell the story once or twice, but in Austin everything turns into a sideshow."

She cuddled closer to him, pulling the blanket over her shoulder. "What do I say?"

"The truth of course. Tell them all about why you put on Sage's coat. How the Norman brothers kidnapped you. How you killed Seth. All they'll have to see is that bruise on your cheek to believe every word you say."

She laid her head on his shoulder and spread her fingers over his heart. "Well, if all I have to do is tell the truth, I guess our talk is over. Mind if I take a nap? I dreamed last night I was sleeping in a cave with a hibernating bear. He was delightfully warm, but noisy."

He put his arm around her and tugged her closer to him. How could a woman feel so right? "That's not all. There is one thing I want you to lie about."

Rainey raised her head and looked at him. "What?"

"I want you to tell people that I found you huddled in the ruins at dawn."

"But you found me last night."

"I know I did and you know I did, but no one else has to know."

"But nothing happened last night."

"I think I know that, too. I'm just thinking of your reputation."

Rainey laughed. "I don't have a reputation, good or bad." She smiled at him. "So I guess I shouldn't mention to the paper that I came to your room late the night before."

He didn't answer.

"Or that we kissed in the alley long after the boarding-house was locked up. We kissed and you opened my shirt."

His arm tightened slightly, but she didn't stop.

"Or maybe I should leave out all together about how we met and how you accused me of stealing your horse."

"You did steal my horse. Twice."

She slid her hand to his collar and touched his hair. "I have a little trouble with what to leave out of my life when you tell me to be totally honest. I figure on a good day the best you'll get is about fifty-fifty." Her fingers moved into his hair, closed into a fist, and tugged.

Travis cracked and pulled her to him. He kissed her hard on the mouth. "You're going to drive me to drink, Rainey."

She smiled and felt her body relax in his arms. "Kiss me again, but don't ask for honesty. Kiss me hard like you did before dawn. Kiss me like you'd die if you didn't get to kiss me."

He turned her until she faced him and kissed her gently. "I don't want to hurt you here." He brushed her cheek. "Or here." He slid his hand over her backside. "You're nice and rounded here."

She smiled up at him, guessing that it was his turn to tease her. "It doesn't hurt and I don't mind if you touch me. After all, I touched you plenty while we slept together."

He raised an eyebrow. "You didn't." He studied her green eyes and had no idea if she was lying or telling the truth.

"You'll never know, but I promise you, you'll wonder."

His hand moved along her waist as he kissed her again. He would have kept the kiss soft, but she would have none of it. This time she wanted passion and would settle for nothing less.

When his hand slid to her hip, he pressed gently, then slowly, moved up until his fingers covered her breast. If she said he could touch her, he planned to call her bluff.

But she didn't move away. In fact, she shifted slightly, filling his hand with her ample breast. Through the few layers of clothes, he could even feel the point of it brushing his palm. She felt like heaven hidden beneath a few layers of cotton.

Suddenly he was very glad she'd placed the blanket over them. He'd thought her small, slim, but she was very much rounded in all the right places. Breaking the kiss, he stared down at her eyes as his fingers unbuttoned a few buttons on her blouse. When he slipped his hand beneath the dress, he saw surprise in her green eyes, but she didn't move away or tell him to stop. When his touch moved over the thin camisole and once more closed around her breast, he saw fire flicker in her eyes.

Then, to his surprise, she arched her back slightly, closed her eyes, and let him enjoy exploring the softest flesh he'd ever touched. He wished he could pull the blanket down and see her, but for now it was enough to watch her smile and feel her flesh grow warm beneath his hand.

He kissed her gently and whispered against her lips, "I could get used to the feel of you."

She moaned and stretched like a cat as he continued.

He told himself that maybe she just needed to feel alive, or maybe she wanted to know what the touch of a man felt like. It didn't matter that she'd allow no promises of the future. For right now, it was enough to hold her.

He gripped one breast tightly and smothered her surprise with a kiss. While his tongue tasted her, he held her breast boldly.

When he released her mouth, he expected her to pull away. He knew he'd been too forward.

But she only whispered, "Again, please. I like the way you hold me."

He laughed, deciding he was her slave. He had no choice but to grant her request.

But when he started to kiss her, she leaned away, smiling shyly as she unbuttoned the rest of her blouse so his hand could move freely between her breasts.

He kissed her as he explored, then whispered against her ear, "I'd love to taste all of you."

Her cheek warmed against his, and he knew he'd shocked her, but she didn't pull away. He kissed her tenderly then, trying to remember that all this was new to her. He wanted nothing more then to tell her that she was his and would be all their lives, but he knew he'd only frighten her. So he kissed her gently and touched her as if she were a treasure.

By the time Roy came whistling into camp, she looked like she had a fever and she definitely knew she'd been both kissed and touched. He buttoned her blouse beneath the blanket and sat her beside him before Roy had walked close enough to notice what they'd been doing.

"We'll continue this discussion later," he whispered.

She smiled and nodded slowly as if she'd already decided to do that very thing.