The Mail Order Bride's Secret Read online

  Tait and Clay had their pick of targets and let loose. When Jack took cover behind a tree, Tait rose and raced his way, firing as he went. He reached Jack’s tree without a scratch.

  A lull followed. Had the enemy snuck off? Then someone yelled from across the river, “That you, Trinity?”

  “Who are you?”

  “The ones that killed sweet Claire. Lord, she was a fighter. I wish we could’a spared the time to get acquainted.”

  The voice sounded fairly young. Maybe one of Berringer’s sons.

  “Show your face, coward.” The sound of riders came up behind him. Tait didn’t turn, didn’t take his eyes off the vegetation where the speaker was hiding. Logic said the riders were Hondo Rains and his men, or Jack and Clay would already be shooting.

  A second later, Hondo spoke low at Tait’s elbow. “How many are there?”

  “Three at least, I’m guessing,” Jack answered for him.

  “They’re probably holding us up to give Kern time to get away. Damn, I want them bad.” Hondo dropped to his belly and crawled forward.

  Another time swept into Tait’s memory—a time when old man Berringer had forced him to crawl while he and his boys used Tait for target practice. He clenched his jaw so hard he thought he broke it. He was done with crawling. He removed his hat and dove from cover into the water.

  Bullets landed around him. Holding his gun above the rippling current, he ducked beneath the surface and kept pushing toward the other bank, coming up to gasp for air several times before going back under. The men behind him would keep the shooters pinned down. But evidently not well enough.

  A sudden, stinging pain along his ribs told him he’d been grazed, but he didn’t stop. All he had to do was reach the shore. At last he met with the muddy riverbed and slipped into the thickness of nearby brush. A glance at his wound assured him it wasn’t serious. Fine. He’d deal with it later. He made his breathing shallow and listened.

  “Trinity’s over here on this side,” came a whisper. “I just know it.”

  “This is too hot for me,” said a much younger man. “I’m getting out of here.”

  “Pa said to hold ’em off.”

  “I don’t give a rat’s ass. I’ve already got one bullet in me. Hurts bad.”

  Tait grinned and moved up a little higher on the bank to get a better angle.

  The speaker gave a disgusted snort. “You ain’t nothing but a whiny peckerwood, Earl.”

  Earl was ready to bolt, and when he did, Tait would get him. Rustling and whispers came from just ahead. A man rose and took off scrambling over dead trees and brush.

  Tait gave chase, took aim, and fired, glad the water hadn’t affected his weapon.

  The bullet entered high on the man’s shoulder, and Tait’s target sprawled on the ground. Three other shooters raced toward some horses, leaped into the saddles, and galloped off. Tait kicked away the wounded man’s gun and took off after them, firing until his Smith & Wesson ran out of bullets.

  By the time he returned to the fallen man, the rest of Tait’s group had crossed the Washita.

  Hondo yanked the wounded man to his feet. “Well, well. Earl Berringer. What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “I’m hurt. I need a doctor.”

  “You’re a long way from one of those.” Jack handed Tait his hat. “Nice shooting.”

  “Thanks.” Tait adjusted his Stetson on his head, feeling better. Earl stared at him with sullen eyes. He didn’t resemble hairless Kern in the least. On the contrary, Earl had an overabundance of hair that hung down to his shoulders and protruded from every exposed crevice of his body, giving him the appearance of some kind of mountain man.

  Tait didn’t recall ever seeing him before. He stood in front of Earl with fists clenched. “Who yelled that stuff about my sister?”

  “Wasn’t me. I think it was my brother Richard. Or it could’a been cousin Leo. Yeah, come to think of it, cousin Leo must’a been the one.”

  Tait grabbed Earl’s shirt and yanked him forward until they stood nose to nose. “I’m only going to ask once. Were you there when my sister was tortured? Did you take part?”

  Earl’s Adam’s apple bobbed painfully. “No, I swear.”

  “Why should I believe you?”

  “They left me at the turn in the road as a lookout. Said I didn’t have the stomach for killing. I wasn’t there.”

  “But you know who and why. Talk.”

  “A doctor first.”

  Tait closed his fists around Earl’s throat and tightened his hold. Earl’s eyes bulged, and his face took on a blue tint. He struggled but couldn’t get free.

  “Turn loose of him, Tait!” Jack tried to pull him off.

  A second before Earl passed out, Tait released him. Earl gasped for air and fell to the ground.

  Jack knelt down. “Tell him what he wants to know, or I’ll stand by and let him kill you.”

  “I’ll talk. I’ll talk.” Earl rubbed his neck. “John Abraham used to ride with us for a while. He was the best safecracker in the business. Pa went there to try to get him to come with us on a big job, but John turned him down flat, said he was a family man now. We left and the next day went back. John came out, and Pa shot him dead.”

  “Why did you kill Claire?” Tait snarled. “Why?”

  “She ran out of the house with a rifle and shot Uncle Max. Pa took the gun away from her, and they decided to have a little fun. Some of the men carried her back into the house, but she wouldn’t stop screaming and fighting them.”

  Tait could see Claire doing that. Even as a girl, she was like a wildcat and never gave up, even when the odds were against her. “What else did they do, Earl?”

  “She pulled a knife from her pocket and stabbed my cousin in the arm.” Earl blinked hard. “Everyone went kinda crazy trying to make her pay.” He glanced up. “It wasn’t our fault. If she’d been meeker, she’d be alive. She brought it on herself.”

  Jack grabbed Tait when he lunged at Earl again. “That’s enough.”

  Tait breathed hard. “You sorry piece of shit, tell me why someone pinned the railroad badge on Claire’s dress and left Lucy’s wedding ring.”

  “Because you killed my brothers and left Pa crippled.” Earl sniffled and wiped his nose on his shirt. “He said it would be a reminder of what you took from him.”

  “I found their camp over here!” Clay yelled. “Coffee’s still on. Want a cup?”

  So they’d surprised them. Kern was getting sloppy. That put a smile on Tait’s face. He flung Earl at Hondo. Next time he’d get Kern. Anticipation of seeing that hairless bastard beg for his life hummed inside him. He still burned to get proper justice for Lucy and Claire.

  That day couldn’t come soon enough.

  * * *

  The morning sun shone through the hotel windows, splashing bright rays inside. Thank goodness Becky had wanted to play with Willow Bowdre. It gave Melanie time to think.

  She paced the floor of the bedroom, trying to calm herself. She was furious at Tait for not telling her he was riding out and sending Ridge to deliver the news instead. Like she was some mere acquaintance, unworthy of his time.

  She didn’t begrudge Tait the chance to catch his sister and brother-in-law’s killer.

  No, she wanted the murderers punished for what they’d done.

  What made her angry was his treatment of her. He’d ignored her for days and now this. Were they married or not? It sure didn’t seem like it. His promise to not ride off and leave her with the kids hadn’t meant anything. She felt more like a nanny than a wife.

  Melanie stopped pacing. Why was she so all-fired mad? This marriage was only temporary. She shouldn’t get so worked up over something that wouldn’t last.

  But, damn it, she wanted—what exactly?

  Tears burned the backs of her eyes. She
yearned for a real marriage. Real belonging. A real husband. She wanted to lay claim to the fake life she’d stepped into.

  And now their last face-to-face talk had made her say things she hadn’t intended. She dreaded his return. Dear God! He’d force her hand. She’d have to reveal that she’d snooped in his belongings. Then he’d ask why she’d done it, and that would lead to the big secret.

  Air. She needed air.

  Melanie smoothed her hair in the mirror, grabbed a shawl, and went out for a stroll. She made it halfway down the boardwalk to the mercantile when a well-dressed man with a gun strapped to his hip blocked her path. He was the kind that, even though wearing silk and fine wool, appeared dirty, cheap.

  “I hear congratulations are in order, Mrs. Trinity.” He gave her a cold smile and grabbed her upper arm. “We have things to discuss that require privacy. Unless you want these fine people to know why you’re posing as a bride, you’d best talk to me right now.”

  Her heart raced. She tried to jerk away, but he held her fast. “Who are you?”

  He took a step closer and placed his mouth to her ear. “Call me Spade. Judge McIlroy sent me.”

  Melanie glanced around to see if anyone was watching and noticed Ridge striding toward them, his features dangerous, his frock coat flapping against his thighs.

  “If I were you, I’d take my hands off the lady, mister.” Ridge’s steely threat was the kind not easy to ignore.

  Spade gave him an oily smirk and let her go. “We’re having a friendly conversation.”

  Ridge’s hand moved toward one of his twin Colts, resembling a coiled snake ready to strike. “I didn’t see anything friendly about it. We don’t treat our womenfolk like that around here.”

  Tension was thick in the air, and people had stopped to stare.

  Spade started to go for his gun.

  She did the only thing she knew to defuse the situation—she laughed. “Oh good heavens, Ridge. This is a cousin—several times removed. A bit uncouth but no threat. My honor doesn’t need defending.”

  Ridge relaxed his stance. “Then I apologize. I’ll be around if he steps out of line.”

  “I do believe he’s leaving on the afternoon stage, isn’t that right, Spade?”

  Anger flashed in the man’s strange, birdlike eyes, and for a moment he appeared about to dispute her word. But he quickly tamped down his temper. “Yes, I regret that I can’t stay. Such a nice town.”

  Once Ridge walked on, Melanie grated low, “You’ve got to be stupid. These outlaws will kill you and gut you like a fish in nothing flat if they get an inkling that you came to harm anyone. I’ll give you five minutes. No more.”

  “I have the full weight of the law behind me.”

  “Do you think they care a fig about that? Good Lord, man, use your damn head.”

  They entered the hotel lobby and huddled in a secluded corner where no one could hear but where she’d have help should she need it. “Why have you come?” Melanie demanded.

  “The judge is an impatient man. He wants results, and he wants them fast.”

  “For God’s sake, I haven’t been married to Tait more than a few days, not near long enough to gain his trust. I haven’t found anything significant yet.”

  “Drag your feet and you’ll regret it.”

  “If he doesn’t like the way I’m doing things, then I suggest he come and find the money himself.”

  “I don’t have to remind you that your sister is sitting in jail. She’s gotten sick and isn’t eating. Every day she asks about your progress. I fear she’ll lose hope soon. I don’t know what my report of ‘nothing significant’ will do to her sagging spirits.” His voice dropped lower. “I assume you got the mementos the judge sent you. Next time I can assure you it’ll be a finger or an ear.”

  Melanie’s heart lurched, and pain pierced her chest until she could barely breathe. Ava had never been very strong, and now her situation had grown too desperate. She had to get Ava out. Somehow. Some way. She couldn’t let the judge start cutting off body parts.

  Nausea brought bile into her mouth, and she struggled to swallow.

  If Melanie trusted Spade, she’d write a note to Ava telling her it would be over soon. But Spade would never give it to her. That much she knew. Eyes told a lot about a person, and his spoke of treachery and evil.

  Melanie glared. “I think you’re lying. This is a ploy to put more pressure on me.”

  Spade moved his chair closer, his face dark and threatening. “Do you want to bank on that? You’re a gambler, Melanie. Look at the hand you’re holding and tell me if it’s good enough to win. Tell me if I’m bluffing.”

  She raised her chin and scooted away from him. “I will get the job done, and I know what’s at stake without you reminding me. There’s no need for this ugly business. Now get the hell out of here and tell the judge he’ll get his money in good time.”

  But if she had her way, he would never get Tait.

  Fourteen

  The sky appeared the color of a deep-purple bruise when Tait rode home that evening. After the men had discussed the situation, Hondo decided to bring Earl Berringer to Hope’s Crossing since its fortress walls offered better security than Flat Rock. Blocking the entrance would stave off any attack, and once inside, no one could touch them.

  Papa Berringer would be itching to get his boy out of jail any way he could. Even risk death to do it. Tait prayed he’d try. Just once.

  “Earl, you’re a lucky man.” Jack untied his hands from the pommel.

  “Why’s that?”

  “You’ll be the first to try out our brand-new jail.”

  They finished it six months ago but never had cause to use it—until now.

  Earl glanced around, his gaze drawn to the outdoor cell made of strap iron. “I gotta have a doctor. You said I’d get one when we got here. I’m in terrible pain. You can’t expect me to survive out in the open, exposed to the rain and hail and what all.”

  “You mean bullets?” Tait asked.

  “Well, yeah. Ain’t no walls to stop ’em.”

  Hondo handcuffed Earl. “Oh, I imagine you’ll be fine, a tough man like yourself.”

  “I really have a weak constitution. I take after my poor old mama.”

  “Then we’ll toughen you up.” Jack winked at Tait. “And this way you’ll have a front-row seat when we kill your daddy. I imagine he’ll bust through the town’s entrance with guns blazing.”

  Earl shook his head. “You’re a cruel man, Jack Bowdre. Cruel. The whole lot of you.”

  Joe and Jesse raced up, both out of breath.

  “Is he one of the murderers?” Jesse asked Tait.

  Tait took in the boys’ hard faces and put an arm around each. “He admits to being there but says he took no part in the killing. Did you see him at your house?”

  The boys were silent. Joe stepped closer to Earl, eying the outlaw. “I cain’t be sure.”

  “What’cha looking at, boy?” Earl snarled. “Go find your mama.”

  “She’s dead, and you know it!” Joe launched himself at Earl, kicking and slapping.

  Tait pulled him off. Joe just wanted someone to hit, and it didn’t matter who. “Save your anger for the rightful ones.”

  “You’re John’s boys?” Earl looked confused. Maybe air wasn’t reaching his brain.

  Jack had been right when he’d said no one could accuse the whole bunch of Berringers of having an overabundance of smarts.

  “We were his kids.” Jesse joined his brother. “You ain’t fit to wipe his boots, mister.”

  Earl smirked. “You didn’t know him that well. Your daddy was one of us.”

  “You’re a liar!” Joe screamed.

  Before Tait could stop himself, he grabbed Earl’s shirt and yanked the man so close the stench of his breath and body odor gagged him. “I’d w
atch what I say to kids fresh in grief.”

  Hondo yelled, “Let him go, Tait!”

  “For now.” Tait shoved the man into the sheriff. Then he put an arm around each twin and walked away.

  The boys talked a mile a minute, asking one question after another. Tait unsaddled the horses while Jack and Hondo got their guest situated and his wound looked after. He glanced toward the hotel and thought he saw Melanie watching from the upstairs window. But maybe he was just beat down to the bone and seeing things.

  He was back, but now what?

  Had she left him? Neither Joe nor Jesse mentioned her, and he didn’t have the courage to ask. He realized he’d find a hole in his life if she had. Although they hadn’t been married but a short time, he wanted her near. The lady gambler had started to grow on him. Plus she was good with the kids and kept their rooms neat and tidy.

  But sometimes a strange sadness crossed behind her eyes and she looked ready to cry.

  One thing for sure—if she stayed, he’d come clean about Lucy. He kicked himself for holding back.

  Whatever she’d done and kept from him couldn’t be that bad.

  Hell! She didn’t deserve a bastard like him. Either he was in this marriage all the way or he’d do the decent thing and send her back to her life. It was time to let the hide go with the tallow.

  He finished with the horses and headed to the hotel. The air sparked with Earl’s cursing, but Dr. Mary was the one tending to him, and she was giving back as good as she got. One tough woman there.

  Tait and the twins entered the hotel and climbed the stairs. The door flew open before he could reach for the knob, and Becky threw herself at him.

  He chuckled. “Hey, I wasn’t gone that long.”

  “Wuncle! Hold.”

  Tait scooped her up and kissed her cheek. “I missed you, peanut! What’s been going on around here?”

  Jesse grinned. “We have a bunch to tell you.”

  “Yeah, Bandit got out of his cage and ran into Mrs. Truman’s house.” Joe laughed. “He ate her fresh-baked bread and broke stuff. She was real mad.”

  “Of that I’m sure. Refresh my memory…who exactly is Bandit?” Tait had never gotten a welcome like this, and he loved it. Mellie stood in the doorway watching it all, a smile on her face and dimples in her cheeks. This was family.