Twenty-five

Light streamed through the kitchen windows of the ranch house. Marley couldn’t take her eyes from Roan. Once again, he’d met death and won.

His blue-gray gaze warmed her. “I worried you—again. Sorry.”

She threaded her fingers through his. “I guess I just have to get used to it. I have a feeling you’re not one to sit on the sidelines when trouble calls.”

He grinned. “Maybe you want to back out?”

“Nope. All your adventures simply give me more things to write stories about.” She glanced at the scraps of ruined material on the floor. “I think I’d best stock up on shirts, though, at the rate you’re going through them.”

Galloping hooves interrupted them. Marley went to the window. “It’s Sheriff Bagwell and his deputy from Tranquility.”

Roan grabbed his hat and hobbled to the door, Marley following close behind.

Duel and his men had been ready to ride out. He swung around. “Sheriff, you’re in a big hurry about something.”

Bagwell leaned his arm on the pommel. “Had news that couldn’t wait about that kid your man Roan Penny shot. He lived in San Saba exactly as you thought.”

“What was the news?” Roan asked.

“You look like you’ve gone a round or two with a bear,” the sheriff remarked.

“Yeah, but I’m in one piece. Found rustled cattle, and the men tried to keep me from bringing them back.”

“Why did you come, Bagwell?” Duel asked. “Me and the boys are riding to Piebald to round up a bunch of rustlers.”

“Mind if me and my deputy come along? Sounds like you’re in need of someone to make some arrests.”

“Shoot, Truman, you don’t need to beg. You’re welcome to come.” Duel stood in the stirrups and thundered, “Now tell me why the hell you rode out here. I’m burning daylight.”

“The boy’s last name was Coburn. He’s the brother of Sheriff Coburn over in San Saba. I came to warn you that the man is itching to get even.” Bagwell turned to Roan. “He’s especially wanting your hide. But then, I’m guessing you aren’t surprised.”

Marley sucked in a troubled breath. Coburn wasn’t going to let this lie. She remembered his expression that morning at breakfast in the Latimer Hotel dining room. His dislike for Roan had been written on his face for all to see. And his sneer that Roan must’ve found her in a brothel still rang in her head. But she knew Coburn didn’t have the courage to come here and face her father. His type of cowardice was more the kind that hid in the shadows, killing from the darkness when no one could see his face.

A layer of ice encased her. Trouble refused to leave their door.

“There’s bad blood between us,” Roan admitted. “But it’s news to me that he had a brother.”

Worry lined her mother’s face. “Duel honey, what if Coburn comes while you’re gone? We have to think of the children.”

Her father dismounted and pulled Jessie against him. “I don’t think he’ll be brave enough to come here. He’ll wait and waylay us when we’re off the ranch. Have Roan pick the children up from school and keep them home until this blows over. I’m also leaving Judd Hanson and four other ranch hands. With luck, I’ll be back before sunset.”

Jessie straightened. Marley admired that about her mother. Jessie was made of stern stuff, and though she might fear things, she stiffened her spine and bravely carried on.

“We’re fine. Locate the stolen herd and come back to me.” She raised her face for a kiss.

Duel mounted up, and they galloped toward the lawless town.

Roan put an arm around Marley. “Do you think you can find me a shirt? It’s a little chilly wearing nothing but bandages.”

“Of course.”

Roan’s nearness melted a bit of the ice inside her as they followed her mother into the house. Before long, Marley had him in another shirt and he was out the door. He’d decided to get the children from school early, even though it was only noon. It was time to circle the wagons and hunker down.

She went about chores that waited for nothing—diapers to wash again, floors to sweep and mop, and soup to get on. The children would be hungry the moment they got home from school.

And they were. They gobbled up everything in sight. Marley didn’t complain though. She was glad they were safe at home where she could watch over them. She’d just settled down in her little house with a tablet and pencil to jot down a story that had come to her when she heard a mule braying outside and people shouting.

Marley ran out to see Granny Jack and her mule. The woman’s silver hair was half up and half stringing down around her shoulders. Her glasses were nowhere to be seen. “Granny Jack! What’s wrong?”

“Trouble,” the old woman answered as Roan helped her from the animal.

“Come inside.” Marley put an arm around her and led her inside the main house to a chair in the kitchen. Several kids peeked around the door, whispering.

Roan sat opposite Granny at the table. “Tell us what happened.”

Granny rubbed red welts on both wrists. “A man broke into my house and tied me up, that’s what. I’ve been at his mercy for several days. The bastard stomped on my glasses and put my cats out in the cold. I spat in his eye first chance I got. I finally got away this morning after he left. I wish I could kick him right in the you-know-where!”

“Can you describe him, Granny?” Fury danced up Marley’s spine. The very nerve to treat a harmless old woman like this!

“I sure can.” Granny’s eyes narrowed to mere slits. “He was as skinny as a willow sapling and tall, real tall. Had these beady little raccoon eyes. Spoke like he had a mouthful of gravel.”

Chills raced through Marley. “Will Gentry.”

“Yep.” Roan’s face hardened. “That’s why we never could find him. He holed up at Granny’s.”

“Who the heck is Gentry?” the old woman asked, taking a cup of tea that Jessie handed her. Granny saucered it before sipping.

One of the babies began to cough, the sound rattling in her small chest. Jessie patted Granny’s back. “I need to tend to Edith. If you need anything, dear, Marley will get it. Don’t you even think about going back to your cabin.”

“That sounds awful croupy to me, Jessie. Put a mustard poultice on that little darling,” Granny said as Jessie hurried to the next room to get the triplet. Then the old woman turned her attention back to Marley. “Now tell me who Gentry is.”

“Duel just told me that Will Gentry is my real father.” Marley leaned closer. “I suspect you knew about this. You hem-hawed around when I asked you that last visit.”

Granny Jack looked sheepish. “Weren’t my place to tell, my girl. I always feared the secret would come out someday though. Things like that have a way of rising to the surface. But I didn’t know his name.” She seemed to drift back in time. “Duel left here a broken man after he buried Annie and their boy. Many a cowboy never recovers from such a blow. And then a little over a year later, he came back toting you on his arm, and Jessie clucking over you like a mother hen. You were the prettiest baby I ever did see. I watched you heal his spirit. The change that came over him gladdened my poor soul. Pieces of three ruined lives fit together and became a whole family. They claimed you, Marley Rose.” Granny looked into Marley’s eyes, her gaze piercing. “Do you claim them back?”

Roan laced his fingers through Marley’s. “If you have any doubts, this should put them to rest. They’ve always cherished you.”

She met his stare. “Yes, I claim them.” And she meant every word of it.

“You were lucky to get away from Gentry, Granny.” Roan got to his feet and poured himself coffee from the pot on the stove. “He’s hell-bent on getting Marley. Says she’ll fetch more money now that she’s a grown woman.”

“The slimy toad!” Granny sloshed her tea, her hand shook so badly. “Roan Penny, it’s your job to see that doesn’t happen.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Roan sat back down. “Did he say anything else while he was with you?”

“I clean forgot. The gall-nipping bastard devil said he was gonna set fire to the ranch to make Duel pay. Said he’ll laugh while it burns. I wish my Mooney was here. He’d put a bullet in Gentry’s skull and send him to hell in a heartbeat.” Granny Jack’s heavy jowls shook with rage.

Marley patted her hand. “You’re safe now. You’ll stay with us until we put Gentry either behind bars or in prison.”

Granny’s rheumy eyes grew large. “I’ve got my cats to feed. I gotta go back.”

“No, you can’t.” If she did, Gentry would tie her up again…or decide the old lady was too much trouble and kill her. Marley glanced at Roan. “Do you suppose—”

“I’ll send one of the hands to get them,” he said. “There’s just no way I can let you leave.”

“Now, you know you don’t have room,” Granny argued, glancing at the children sitting quietly in the doorway.

Marley patted her hand. “You’ll stay with me in my little house, and I won’t hear another word.”

“Well, I reckon that’s the way of it. Would you have more tea, girl?”

Roan finished his coffee and went out to send a man for Granny’s cats. At least there were enough of the animals that the children wouldn’t have to fight over them. They’d be in hog heaven.

Marley poured Granny more tea then glanced out the window, willing her father and Sheriff Bagwell to hurry back.

A war was brewing as sure as she stood there.