To Tame a Renegade (32 page)

“Not alone, you’re not. Take some of the hands with you.”

“No. You’ll need them while you’re laid up. Besides, this isn’t their fight, it’s mine.”

“Don’t be stubborn, Sarah. You can’t go alone. What do you expect to gain?”

“My son. I’ll accompany you back to the house and pack a few supplies before I leave.”

“I’ll send for Pierce.”

“I can’t wait that long.”

“If I can’t talk you out of this, then your best bet is to ride to Fort Ellis and ask the army for help.”

“Are you sure they’ll help?” Sarah asked. “Jackson is Abner’s father.”

“He’s also an outlaw with a price on his head. I didn’t want to say anything before, but I heard Jackson killed a man in a bank robbery in Wyoming shortly before robbing the Dry Gulch bank. The army has an obligation to protect the people in the territory. They don’t recognize vigilante law. There are few regular lawmen in the territory, it’s the army’s job to protect the citizens. I’ll send someone to the fort with you.”

Sarah nodded agreement. To argue with Ryan was pointless. He didn’t need aggravation added to the pain he was suffering. Besides, it made sense to have a cowboy accompany her as far as Fort Ellis.

Two hours later, Sarah and a young hand named Brock Murray left the Delaney ranch and headed to Fort Ellis. The doctor had arrived before she left and set Ryan’s leg. Cookie had been put to bed and told to rest a day or two before resuming his duties.

Fort Ellis was a long day’s ride, but Sarah didn’t want to wait till morning to leave. Jackson already had a five- or six-hour head start. Sarah and Brock rode until darkness threatened their safety, then they made a makeshift camp and ate food Sarah had taken from the Delaney kitchen. Brock proved to be a taciturn young man, but that was fine with Sarah. She was far too worried to engage in pointless conversation.

Sleep was elusive, but Sarah managed to doze off and on during the uncomfortable night. She was up at first light, eager to reach the fort and get the help she so desperately needed. When the stockade came into view, Sarah entertained hope for the first time since Abner had been abducted. She paused before the open gate.

“You can return to the ranch now, Brock. I’ll be safe here.”

“Are you sure, ma’am?”

“Very sure. Ryan is going to need every available hand while he’s laid up. Thank you for your escort.”

“You’re welcome, ma’am. Good luck finding your boy. We’re all right fond of him.” He tipped his hat and rode off. It was the most words he’d strung together since they’d started out yesterday.

Sarah waved him off, then rode through the gate.

Chapter 16

S
arah faced Major Dalton across his littered desk and explained her problem to the best of her ability. She’d thought her need was justifiable and was shocked by Dalton’s reply.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I’d like to help, but I just can’t spare the men right now. A group of renegade Indians have left the reservation and are preying on the ranchers. Chiefs Cunning Wolf, Yellow Dog, and Snake have been running amok, stealing cattle and chickens and just about anything they can lay their hands on. It’s going to take every able-bodied man at my disposal to round them up and drive them back to their reservations.”

Sarah stared at the major in disbelief. “A little boy’s life is at stake, Major. Freddie Jackson is a dangerous outlaw. It’s your duty to bring him to justice.”

Impatience colored the major’s words. “Granted, ma’am, but my first consideration is protecting the ranchers from Indians. Once the renegades are back where they belong, I’ll give your request every consideration.”

Sarah fumed in impotent rage. How could Major Dalton deny her? She was living a nightmare. “I can’t wait that long, Major. Jackson is taking my son to Mexico. If you won’t help me, I’ll just have to help myself.”

Major Dalton had already dismissed Sarah from his mind as he turned his regard to more pressing matters. “Ask my clerk to find you a billet on the way out,” he said absently. “I’ll make your request my first priority when I return.”

Sarah’s chin stiffened. “That won’t be necessary. I’m leaving immediately. Good day, Major.”

“Miss Temple, I strongly advise …”

Sarah never learned what he advised as she stormed out of the office. The unthinkable had happened. The army had refused to help her. Before she left home, Ryan had begged her to wait for Chad, or at least wait until he could summon Pierce. But Sarah had been adamant. There had been no time to lose. She had taken a handgun, a shotgun, supplies to last several days, and left immediately. Unfortunately she was no better off now than she was before. There was the remote possibility that she would run into Chad, but it wasn’t something she could count on.

Chad spent several days searching for Jackson before he began to wish he had followed his gut instead of his common sense. Apparently Jackson had acted contrary to what everyone believed, and Chad was now inclined to believe that Jackson was still hanging around Dry Gulch. There had to be only one reason Jackson would stick around with a posse on his tail instead of hightailing it out of town. Jackson wanted Abner and was waiting for the opportunity to seize the boy.

Chad felt reasonably certain Jackson wouldn’t succeed. Not with Ryan, Cookie, and the hands protecting Abner. Still, a nagging fear formed in the pit of his stomach and grew with each passing minute. Then Chad ran into Riley Reed and learned that the vigilantes hadn’t crossed Jackson’s trail either. That was the day he decided to look closer to home for the outlaw.

Sarah knew nothing about tracking. All she could do was head south and keep going. The mild weather turned nasty after she left the fort, but she blundered on. That night she found shelter in a crevice beneath a ledge and passed a miserable night. When snow began to accumulate at an alarming rate, she bravely plowed forward. But when the wind turned the drifting snow into a blizzard, she knew she had to find a more substantial place to take refuge or risk death from exposure.

Shortly after dark Sarah stumbled upon a ranch. Her relief was sharp and vivid as she made her way through the snowdrifts to the front door. A dog barked from somewhere within the depths of the bam, but didn’t venture out into the cold to investigate. Sarah’s frantic pounding on the door was answered by an elderly man carrying a shotgun.

“Who are you?” he asked, squinting through the darkness at the slight figure huddled on his doorstep.

“My name is Sarah Temple. I mean you no harm. I’m cold and need a place to spend the night.”

“Is that a woman I hear, Curtis?” a voice called from inside the house. Sarah felt warmth seeping through the open door and was tantalized by it.

“It surely is, Martha. Says her name is Sarah Temple.”

“Well, land sakes, come on in, child,” Martha said, appearing in the doorway beside her husband. “You must be nearly frozen to death.”

Curtis held the door open and Sarah stepped inside. “Is there someplace I can shelter my horse?”

“I’ll take care of him,” Curtis offered, grabbing his jacket from a hook by the door.

“Come sit by the fire,” Martha invited after her husband departed. “We’re the Darrows, Martha and Curtis. What in tarnation brought you out on a night like this?” The rotund little woman’s keen blue eyes were bright with curiosity as she took Sarah’s coat and led her to a bench before the fireplace.

“It’s a long story,” Sarah said as she stretched her hands toward the warmth.

“I’ll bet you’re hungry. There’s some stew left over from supper, and hot coffee sitting on a back burner. You can talk after you eat, if you’ve a mind to. We don’t get much company out this way.”

Curtis Darrow came into the house, stomping snow from his boots. “Your horse is all taken care of, Mrs. Temple,” he said. “I see Ma fixed you up with some grub. Eat hearty, now, Ma’s a mighty fine cook.”

Martha Darrow blushed like a young girl. “Go on with you, Pa.”

Sarah smiled at the comfortable camaraderie between the Darrows, wondering how it would feel to have the same kind of closeness with Chad.

“Food’s on the table, Mrs. Temple,” Ma Darrow said as she placed a slice of fresh bread beside the bowl of stew. “Eat your fill. There’s more where that came from.”

Sarah ate until she thought she would burst. The food was delicious. Then Ma Darrow placed a slice of dried apple pie in front of her, and she thought she’d died and gone to heaven.

“I can’t recall when I’ve had a better meal,” Sarah said, patting her full stomach. “Don’t know what I’d have done if I hadn’t stumbled upon your place.”

“Froze to death, most likely,” Pa Darrow said dryly. “You must have a good reason for being out in weather like this, Mrs. Temple.”

“Please call me Sarah. And I do have a good reason. My son was kidnapped by an outlaw. I have to catch up with him before he reaches Mexico.”

“Oh my,” Ma said, her eyes round with concern. “You poor thing. How old is your son?”

“He’ll be six soon.”

“What about your husband? What must he be thinking to let you go off on your own?”

“I’m not married,” Sarah admitted. She held her breath, waiting for their disapproving frowns. When none were forthcoming, she let her breath out slowly.

“What about relatives? Is there no one who can help you?”

“The only person who can help me is presently unavailable, and I couldn’t wait for him to return.”

“You’re very brave, dear,” Martha said, patting Sarah’s shoulder in motherly concern.

“But foolish,” Curtis added pragmatically. “Indians are raiding again. They hit my ranch just three days ago and made off with some of my stock.”

“I know,” Sarah said with a sigh. “I stopped off at Fort Ellis to ask for help and was told I’d have to wait until the renegades were rounded up and sent back to their reservation.”

”Pears to me that the Indians are raiding because they’re starving. What with corrupt agents and all, the poor creatures haven’t enough to hold body and soul together.”

“Now, Martha, you don’t know that,” Curtis chided. “I’m just trying to impress upon Sarah here the danger of continuing her mission. Best you should go back home, Sarah, and wait until the army can help you.”

Sarah’s voice was taut with resolve. “I can’t. Abner is all I have in this world.”

Tears sprang to Martha’s eyes and spilled down her chubby cheeks. “I’d do just as you’re doing,” she said fiercely. “I’d and I had a son once. He died many years ago of fever. I would have done anything to save him. We have a spare room you can use. Things will look brighter after a good night’s sleep.”

“You’re very kind,” Sarah said. “Thank you. I’ll be happy to accept your hospitality.”

Though the bed was comfortable, Sarah couldn’t sleep. She worried about Abner being exposed to the raging elements. He was so little, so young and innocent. How could he survive against such odds? Was Freddie looking out for him? Was he warm enough? Did he have enough to eat?

Concern for Chad added to her misery. The same questions she entertained about Abner could just as well apply to Chad. He was braving the harsh elements for her sake. Chad was such a kind and compassionate man, she found it difficult to believe no one else thought so.

Oblivion finally came. Sarah slept dreamlessly, awaking hours later to a dirty gray dawn. The snow had tapered off sometime during the night and Sarah took it as a sign that she should continue on her mission. She left the Darrows’ house after a satisfying breakfast.

During the following two days Sarah had cause to wish she’d stayed with the Darrows. The snow had turned to slush and then to mud. She was so exhausted that when she stopped at a town to buy feed for her horse, she decided to spend the night at a hotel. She was in desperate need of a hot bath and a good meal. The questions she asked about two men traveling with a young boy were met with negative replies. No one had seen strangers in town bearing the descriptions she gave. But gossip abounded about Indian raiders who were scaring the devil out of ranchers and townspeople alike.

The following day snow and cold returned with a vengeance. Nevertheless Sarah took to the road, disheartened because she’d seen nothing to indicate that Jackson was ahead of her on the trail. Toward late afternoon a raging wind whipped the snow into a blizzard. Sarah began to look for shelter. She grew alarmed when she realized she was no longer on a marked trail, that somehow she had become disoriented and lost her way. Without the sun to guide her, she could be traveling in any direction.