Thirty-three

Three more sheriffs and their deputies met them in front of the recently vacated office in San Saba. Altogether, they created a force of ten. The street was quiet, the day somber, the skies gray. Mud puddles dotted the main thoroughfare. Roan was anxious to finish and head home, Marley always on his mind. Even with all the ranch hands keeping a close eye on her, it was a dangerous situation. They’d only had a glimpse of what Gentry could be capable of.

The saddle leather creaked when Duel shifted his weight. “Thank you all for meeting us. We appreciate it. Do you know the location of Ruby Creek’s ranch, gentlemen, or do we need to ask?”

“I know where it is,” said a hard-eyed, white-haired lawman who had probably seen his share of fights. “A little hard to find.” He spat out a big wad of chewing tobacco. “What makes you think she’s rustled your cattle?”

“You’re Sheriff Kent, right?” At the man’s nod, Duel continued. “Several people, including one of them who rode with the gang, swear she’s stocked her ranch with my cattle. I just want to see and talk to her.”

“There’s no need to go in with rifles blazing unless we have cause,” Roan said. “I believe she’s been behind a lot of the violence going on around here. There’s a man—Will Gentry—who’s working with her.”

“Working how?” a man bearing a birthmark on his cheek asked.

Roan rested his arm on the pommel. “Not exactly sure yet. Maybe seeing that her orders are carried out. Gentry killed a friend of mine and almost killed me, then two nights ago attacked the Aces ’n’ Eights and tried to slaughter us all.”

“Was Ruby with him?” the man persisted.

Roan met his gaze and didn’t blink. “Not that I could tell, but I was too busy trying to stay alive. If she wore pants and had her hair up under a hat, it would’ve been hard to spot her in the darkness.”

“So you really don’t know that the rustling and killings are connected?” The man wasn’t being belligerent, only cautious, and Roan respected him for that.

“I know the same group are involved with both. Just can’t prove it yet.” Roan glanced around, hoping to spot Gentry, but he didn’t see the old scarecrow. “For now, I think we need to question Ruby about the stolen cattle.”

“I agree,” said Duel. “If it’s true, it’ll be easy enough to prove. Sheriff Kent, why don’t you lead the way and let’s get started?”

The lawman set a fast pace, plowing through thick winter vegetation and bare-limbed trees. Every so often they had to ford a creek, and Roan stayed near the front with Duel. Roan was about to think Sheriff Kent was leading them on a wild-goose chase when they emerged into an open valley. A stone house, as well as several large barns, rose up in front of them.

Roan gave an appreciative glance around. No wonder they hadn’t found the cattle. They could’ve looked for years and not discovered this place.

As they trotted up to the house, about two dozen young boys came from the barn to stare. One took off running ahead of them, yelling, “Rube, we got company!”

A woman strolled from the house with a carbine—no doubt loaded. Roan almost fell from the saddle.

Virginia.

Only this time her easy smile had disappeared and her face was frozen in resentment and hatred. The young boy who had called her stood by her side, not looking very friendly either.

Roan tipped his hat. “Glad to see you, Miss Virginia.” Maybe there had been some kind of mistake.

“Her name is Rube,” spat the boy. “Ruby Creek.”

Surprise knocked him backward a bit. “You’re Ruby?”

The woman glared and raised her chin. “Ruby Virginia Creek.”

Hell and be damn! He mentally kicked himself and muttered a string of curses. She’d been right under his nose the whole time.

“You’re trespassing on private property,” she snapped. “Sheriff Kent, I thought I taught you better than to come sniffing around again.”

“Well, you know, Miss Ruby, lawmen don’t take too good to lessons,” Kent drawled. “This rancher here, Duel McClain, claims that you might’ve stolen his cattle. We’ll just take a look-see and settle the issue right here and now.”

Ruby raised her carbine. “Get off my land. All of you.”

“Now, ma’am, we can’t do that.” Duel straightened. “I heard from several people who say you have my stock. I’m not leaving here without finding out the truth.”

“Leave her alone!” yelled the boy, and two more around the same age jumped onto the porch to form a shield around Ruby. She certainly inspired loyalty.

Roan scanned the buildings scattered around the compound, hoping to spot Gentry. If the man was there, he was staying out of sight.

“Put down the rifle, Ruby.” Roan dismounted. “We just came to talk.”

“Like they came to talk the night those riders with their burning torches rode up here.” Ruby choked on the words. “They left my husband and three sons in a pool of blood. They took everything I had—my family, my land, my future—and not a single soul helped me.”

She inhaled a deep breath. “I’m getting it all back and what these boys lost in the bargain. No one is going to stop me.” Her voice cut like a finely honed blade as she swung the carbine to Roan. “I’ll kill you if you don’t get on your horse and ride out.”

“Who were the riders who killed your family, Ruby?” he asked quietly, standing his ground. He sure didn’t want to shoot a woman, but if she opened fire, he wouldn’t have a choice.

“The mob that ran rampant here,” she spat. “They drove me up north until six months ago. Now I’m back, and I’m taking what I want—cattle and all. Now get off my land.”

“Did you kill Mose Mozeke?” Roan asked.

“Off!”

“Miz Ruby, we have to take you in. You know that,” Sheriff Bagwell said.

One by one, the sheriffs and deputies dismounted, their guns drawn.

“It’s over, Ruby.” Roan took a step forward. “But answer one question—why did you recruit these young boys?”

A wad of spit flew from her mouth, landing near Roan’s boot. “You don’t know what it’s like to have nothing. They’re all victims too. The mob either killed their fathers, or the Texas Rangers sent them to prison. They’ve got no one—nothing but me.” She put her arm around one of them standing with her. “Their mothers either can’t afford to feed them or are dead. These boys don’t have anyone to turn to but me. I saved them.”

Not know what it’s like to have nothing? Roan could quote chapter and verse on the subject. He could sympathize with her on that. But still, making them fight was wrong.

One of the boys standing with her stepped forward. “Rube was gonna help us get back our land too. My mother is sick and can’t work. Rube gave her medicine and some food. That’s a sight more than you’ve given us, mister. She’s a good lady.”

Maybe in some twisted way she was, but Roan couldn’t forgive the killing.

“Son, she killed a friend of mine. Mose Mozeke was the finest man I’ve ever known. He didn’t deserve to be shot and left cold on the ground.” Roan moved closer. “Why didn’t you kill me that night too?”

Ruby gave a cold shrug. “You didn’t have any land, nothing I wanted. That old man was going to die anyway.”

“You took something far more precious from me than land.” Roan trembled with anger.

“We all have to lose something,” Ruby answered.

Roan bristled. Mose was not a “something.” He’d had a life, dreams, a caring heart. But nothing Roan said now would make Ruby see what she’d done. “If Will Gentry is on this property, tell him to step out. Don’t deny you know him. I’ve seen you with him and know he rides for you, doing your dirty work. He was there the night Mose died.”

“Find him yourself. I’m not Will Gentry’s keeper, and I’m not going to help you.” Ruby’s boys moved protectively around her.

“Oh, we will, ma’am,” Duel said. “Trust me, we will.”

Sheriff Kent gave her a steely look. “Put down that weapon. You’re under arrest.”

A gunshot burst from a long outbuilding, scattering the lawmen. Roan grabbed Ruby and shoved her into the house, taking her carbine. Her young guards scrambled in after them. Roan pushed her onto a sofa, and the boys sat next to her with white faces.

“Who’s shooting at us?” Roan barked.

“Why should I tell you, Roan Penny?”

“You’ve had hard times, but your soul isn’t lily white. The way I see it, you and Gentry deserve each other. I’ll eventually figure out how you’re connected.” Roan strode to a window and moved the curtains aside just a hair to peek out. The sheriffs and their deputies were returning fire and moving toward the shooter. Only a matter of time until they had him—unless there was more than one.

Just then, a bullet came through the windowpane, inches from Roan’s head. He ducked back and glanced at the boys in a stiff line on the sofa. “Better tell me who’s out there.”

They stared at each other. Finally, one spoke. “Might be George.”

“Who’s George?”

“You thought all I had were boys working for me?” Ruby said. “Not by a long shot. Lot of folks around here lost everything they had. They want it back.”

“So you formed your own army.” Roan glanced out the window again. He’d lost sight of the lawmen and Duel, but the shooting had stopped. Maybe they’d captured the gunman.

“That’s right, I did. And I started taking the land back, one farm at a time. Mose Mozeke’s was just the first. Coburn forged a deed and made it legal.”

The woman had thought of everything—almost. She’d underestimated Roan.

He turned around. “Okay, I kind of understand the land. But I still don’t understand why you stole McClain’s cattle.” She hesitated, and he continued. “You might as well tell me. We’re going to haul everyone associated with you in to jail. Someone will talk.”

Ruby stared in defiance. “Two reasons. I needed to stock my ranch, get some capital.”

“And the other?”

“Gentry wants to ruin the rancher. He hates McClain with a passion. He wanted revenge, and that was useful to me. We threw in together. He’s as intent on getting his daughter back as I am to rebuilding my life, one piece at a time. We had the perfect plan—until you came along. I should’ve killed you.”

“I reckon you should’ve. I don’t suppose Gentry told you why he wants Marley?”

“His business. I didn’t ask. He didn’t say.”

“Would it surprise you to hear that he only wants to auction her off to the highest bidder?”

Surprise rippled across Ruby’s hard gaze, but she didn’t reply.

“I’m going to turn this place upside down. I know the bastard’s here.”

“Mister, he rode off this morning,” one of the boys said. “Didn’t say where he was going.”

Somehow, Roan knew the boy spoke the truth. There was only one place he would’ve gone—the Aces ’n’ Eights. The breath froze in his chest.

Gentry was going to try to get Marley again.

And they were over thirty miles away.