Chapter Twenty-Nine
Morgan was exhausted, and it was difficult to stay alert in the saddle. He’d only slept one hour before he got back on the trail. His mind drifted back to the last night he’d spent with Rose, and he was lost in the memory of that perfect evening. He rounded a bend and was moving fast when out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of something shiny. Pistol? It was too late. He barely had time to lean forward when a shot rang out as he passed by, and a bullet grazed his head. Dazed, he wasn’t quick enough to keep the second bullet from slamming into his back.
* * *
Frank was smiling as he shoved his rifle into the boot and jumped in the saddle. He’d finally done what he set out to do. He’d killed Morgan LeMasters. It took less time than he expected, and it wasn’t even a challenge. Kicking his horse into a gallop, he rode south. He would catch up with Corbin and Rose before midnight. He could hardly wait to tell Rose she was now a widow.
* * *
Jack and Joseph heard the gunshots. They rode into the trees to avoid being seen, keeping the trail in sight. Joseph reached over and touched Jack’s arm, and they stopped and listened. They heard a horse snort.
“Morgan’s horse,” Joseph whispered, slipping out of his saddle.
Jack followed Joseph’s lead and dismounted. They tied their horses to a bush and crept quietly through the trees. Spotting Morgan’s horse on the side of the trail, Jack pulled his revolver as they ran toward him. When they got closer, they saw Morgan slumped over the horse’s neck.
Jack reached Morgan first, and placed his finger on his neck. He nodded at Joseph that Morgan was still alive. Together they lifted him from the horse and placed him on the ground. “A bullet grazed his head, but it’s not serious.” Jack ripped Morgan’s blood-soaked shirt down the back to see the wound. Thankfully, the bullet had missed his spine. “Let’s get him off the trail.”
Joseph quickly set up camp and rolled out Morgan’s bedroll. After they carried Morgan to the blanket, Joseph started a small fire to heat some water from his canteen.
Jack wiped the blood away from Morgan’s back and examined the wound. Once he stopped the bleeding, he said, “We need to get the bullet out.”
Joseph placed his knife over the fire, and as he waited for it to sterilize he unsaddled the horses.
Jack pulled a bottle of whiskey from his saddlebag, along with the medicine pouch Joseph had placed on his wound when he was shot. He remembered Granny said Joseph told her he should keep it because he would need it again. Jack held it up for Joseph to see. “How did you know I would need this again?”
Joseph shrugged. “It is good to keep.”
Morgan woke when Jack was digging out the bullet in his back. “Are you ever going to find the darn thing?”
“How were you so stupid to let yourself get shot?” Jack asked.
“Good question.” Morgan groaned when Jack pushed against the bullet. “I thought you were trying to get it out.”
“It’s not smart to criticize the man with the knife.” Jack wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. “The darned thing is being stubborn. You need some whiskey?”
“Not yet.” Morgan wanted to stay alert. When he was bandaged, he was going after Rose.
“Don’t move, I think I’ve finally got it,” Jack said. He expelled a loud sigh when he pulled the bullet out.
“Get me bandaged so we can get out of here. They are not that far ahead of us,” Morgan said.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Jack said. “I’ve got to sew this up, and you need to stay put for at least a day.”
“I don’t have a day. Every minute Rose is with him is more dangerous for her.”
Joseph walked over and looked at the hole in Morgan’s back. “He is right. I’ll go.” He picked up the spirit pouch and mumbled some words. After he handed the pouch to Jack, he walked away to get his horse.
Before Joseph rode away, Jack said, “At least take a pistol with you.”
“No need. I have help.” Just then, two Sioux braves rode through the brush. They were carrying rifles, along with their bows and arrows.
Jack nearly drew his pistol, but Morgan said, “Don’t.” Morgan knew Joseph stayed in contact with the members of his tribe who refused to go on reservations. He figured they were aware he was Joseph’s friend.
“You mean those two braves were behind us the whole time?” Jack asked Joseph.
“Yes.” Joseph looked at Morgan. “We bring Rose here.”
Morgan tried to get up, but Jack held him down. “Morgan, you’ve lost a lot of blood, you’d only slow them down.”
Deep down, Morgan realized he was in no condition to ride, but he had to get to Rose. “I have to go.”
Joseph slid off his horse and kneeled before Morgan. He placed his hand on Morgan’s shoulder. “We bring Rose back. Stay.”
Morgan stared into his friend’s eyes, and he saw his determination. There wasn’t a man he trusted more than Joseph. If Joseph had asked these two braves to help, he thought they could get the job done. Unlike Joseph, the braves were men in their prime, and they had a fearsome countenance. “Don’t let them see you, Joseph, and don’t kill Frank unless it’s necessary. I don’t want the soldiers getting wind of this.” Morgan saw the braves exchange a look as though they understood what he was saying. If they didn’t, Joseph would tell them. Morgan looked at the two braves as he spoke. “Joseph, let them know their families will be fed all winter for their bravery.”
Joseph nodded his agreement, and translated Morgan’s words to the braves. Both men acknowledged Morgan’s promise with a nod.
“We’ll wait for you until morning. If you are not back we’ll head in that direction.” Before Joseph mounted his horse, Morgan added, “Joseph, make sure Rose sees you first, or these fierce-looking braves might scare her to death.”
Joseph smiled a rare smile before he turned to ride through the brush with the braves following.
“Are you saving Frank for yourself?” Jack asked.
“That wasn’t my reason. I was thinking of Granny and Joseph. Granny buried one grandson yesterday, and I don’t think she could handle another loss so soon. She knows what’s in store for Frank, but she needs some time. I’ll change my mind if he’s hurt Rose. And I don’t want Joseph to do anything that would bring attention to himself.”
Morgan didn’t mention his agreement with God. He’d made a bargain with his Maker that if He’d keep Rose from harm he’d leave it up to the justice system to deal with Frank. He didn’t care what Frank had done on the ranch as long as Rose was safe. She was too important to him. He’d live up to his end of that bargain. But like he’d told God, if Frank tried to hurt Granny or Rose, or tried to kill anyone on his ranch, all bets were off. “If I’m forced to kill Frank one day, it won’t trouble me.”
“Let’s get you stitched up.”
While Jack worked on sewing him up, Morgan said, “Thanks for coming to help me out.”
“When Joseph returns with Rose, we’ll get out of here. I’ll round up a posse and go after Frank and his gang.”
Morgan couldn’t deny he’d like to ride with the posse, but he would stay at Whispering Pines to make sure Rose was safe.
“Do you think Stevie dying in that fire was an accident?” Jack asked.
“No, I don’t think Frank has accidents. I’d say he had it planned.”
“He’s one coldhearted son-of-a-gun.”
“Joseph said it best. Frank’s an evil spirit.”
Jack finished with the last stitch, and he placed Joseph’s pouch over Morgan’s wound. He didn’t know if it would do any good, but it couldn’t hurt. “Let’s get you bandaged.”
Ignoring Jack’s objections, Morgan moved to a sitting position once he was bandaged. “I think I’ll take that coffee now.”
Jack filled Morgan’s cup and added some whiskey. He repeated the process for himself. “You think Frank thought he killed you?”
“Yeah, I guess he didn’t make sure, or I’d be dead.” Morgan didn’t know if Rose had seen Frank shoot him, but Frank would be sure to tell her he was dead. He was sorry for that. He understood all too well how she would feel, since he’d experienced those same feelings less than twenty-four hours ago. He wondered if she saw Frank set fire to the farmhouse with Stevie inside. If she was another witness to Frank’s crimes, there was no way she’d ever be safe until Frank was dead, or in prison for life. “Jack, he needs to be caught or Rose will never be safe. I don’t even think Granny is safe around him.”
“Yeah, I know. I don’t think many people are safe as long as he’s roaming the earth.”
Morgan positioned himself on his side, and saw his saddlebag by his blanket. He reached in and pulled out Rose’s Bible. He wished she had it with her because he knew it would give her strength. He closed his eyes and prayed for her to stay strong.
* * *
At dusk, Corbin decided it was time to stop for the night. He figured without Frank around, they might get a good night’s rest before moving on in the morning. After he helped Rose off of her horse, he told her she could soak her wrists in the nearby stream.
“Why don’t you let me go? I will tell the sheriff you helped me.” She knew Corbin didn’t agree with Frank’s actions, but she thought he was too afraid to help her.
“He might be right behind us. You see what he is capable of doing. He told me I’d have to look over my shoulder if I don’t get you to Las Vegas, and I believe him.” He motioned toward the creek. “Go on now and take care of your wrists. You ain’t going anywhere tonight.” He handed her the coffeepot from his saddlebag. “Fill this up when you’re done and I’ll get a fire going.”
Rose walked to the stream and placed her hands in the water. The cool water was soothing on her raw wrists. She tore strips off the hem of her dress so she could wrap her wrists to keep them clean. After filling up the coffeepot, she walked back to camp. Corbin threw some beans in the pot and placed it over the fire. He shared some of his dried meat with Rose. She wasn’t hungry, but she knew she had to eat something to survive.
After they ate, Rose pretended to be resting, but she was trying not to fall asleep. She thought she might try to leave after Corbin fell asleep. She saw him pull a whiskey bottle from his saddlebag and add the contents to his coffee. As she waited for him to drink himself into a stupor, she fell asleep.
* * *
The warriors knew the territory, and with the aid of the full moon, they quickly caught up with Frank. Joseph was surprised Frank was riding alone, so they kept a safe distance behind him, keeping out of sight. They followed Frank for two more hours, hoping he would lead them to Rose. They spotted a small fire off the trail, and they knew Frank saw it too, because he rode off the trail and approached the camp from a different direction.
“Wake up, Rose.”
Rose jerked awake when someone kicked her on the shin. “What are you doing?”
“I wanted to tell you that your husband is dead.” Frank laughed and took a long swig from the whiskey bottle he’d picked up beside Corbin.
Fear crept down Rose’s spine. “What did you do?”
“I made you a widow today.”
Jumping to her feet, Rose went after Frank, pummeling him with her small fists and kicking at him like a madwoman. “You are a devil!”
Frank hit her in the jaw with his fist, knocking her to the ground. “Don’t worry, we’ll find you another husband.”
Rose remained on the ground, sobbing. If Frank was telling the truth, Morgan was lying somewhere dead and no one knew where he was. Frank could be lying just to hurt her. He took pleasure inflicting pain, just as he had to Judge. Rose cried and cried, until she could cry no more, Exhausted and alone with her fears, she remembered Morgan saying he thought it was easier to talk to God under the night sky. She looked up at the thousands of stars and started praying. A calming peace that was beyond her understanding settled over her. In that moment, she knew, without a doubt, she would see Morgan again. If there was ever a man larger than life, it was her new husband. She was determined to keep her faith in him and his strength.
Frank couldn’t believe Corbin slept through Rose’s outburst. He kicked Corbin in the ribs.
Corbin rolled to his side and drew his gun.
“I could have already shot you, and you would never have known what happened,” Frank said.
Corbin looked at Frank through bleary eyes. “I had some whiskey.” He holstered his pistol and looked around for his whiskey bottle.
Frank held it in the air. “Looking for this? I’m glad you didn’t finish the whole bottle.” He pointed to Rose and asked, “How did you know she wouldn’t take off while you were sleeping? You didn’t even have her tied up.”
Corbin saw Rose curled in a ball on the ground. “What’d you do to her?”
“I told her she was a widow.” Frank laughed again.
Corbin was already regretting not letting her go. She might not have made it back to Whispering Pines, but he wasn’t sure she would survive traveling with Frank. “Leave her alone, Frank. Haven’t you done enough to her?”
Frank eyed Corbin as he took another drink. “Corbin, I think you’re getting soft.”
“I just don’t see no reason to be mean to her.”
Frank was tired and he hadn’t decided what he was going to do about Corbin, so he sat down and drank more whiskey. He’d been thinking about taking all the men back to Denver and robbing that bank again. This time, they’d rob it during business hours and anyone who got in his way would be dead. He wanted to know if that clerk was dead, and if not, he’d be the first one to get a bullet. No one double-crossed him. After they reached Las Vegas, he’d decide who rode with him to Denver.
* * *
Joseph and the braves were watching when Frank hit Rose in the face. One of the braves started to go after Frank, but Joseph placed his hand on his arm and shook his head. Morgan had said not to kill Frank if it could be avoided, but Joseph didn’t think he could avoid it if Frank hit Rose again. When Joseph saw Frank and Corbin drinking whiskey, he knew they wouldn’t have long to wait for the opportunity to act.
Sooner than Joseph expected, the men were snoring. He recognized Stevie’s horse, so he told one brave to release the other two horses. When the outlaws awoke, they would be spending time trying to find their horses. If they didn’t find them, they would have a long walk in either direction before they found a town. Joseph planned to stay off the trail just in case more men in Frank’s gang were lurking about.
While one brave was quietly moving the horses away from camp, Joseph and the other brave slipped silently toward Rose with their knives out, prepared to defend themselves.