A Woman Called Sage (25 page)

P
arker made sure all three of them took turns keeping a careful vigil on the rocky path that led to their new campsite. Allowing no surprises from the McCaws bettered the chance that the three would stay alive. Their plan was simple: wait until nightfall, overpower the guards, grab their weapons, and hobble the gangs horses. But things were never as easy as they sounded, especially when desperate outlaws were willing to take a gamble. For that matter, though, Parker believed he and Sage were just as desperate to bring the gang to justice.

My turn to keep an eye on the trail, Wirt said with one hand wrapped around his rifle barrel. Who knows? There may be one less McCaw after my watch.

Make sure its not one less US Marshal, Sage said as Wirt headed to the top of the hill that overlooked a deep gulley and a narrow trail leading up to them.

Id have it coming for trying to bring in outlaws with no experience.

No man wanting to uphold the law has a bullet coming to him, Parker said.

Wirt swung back around, his face pale and his features drawn. I wanted to do this myselfbe the brave US Marshal. I looked forward to handing over the bounty money to Sage and escorting Aidens rear to Denver. His gaze lifted to the higher elevations, then settled on them again. When this is over, Ill find some way to make it up to you.

Parker nodded in the heavy silence and read fear and regret
in Wirts face. What was he not saying? Or had reality settled on the man? Wirt headed to his post with slumped shoulders. They all had their demons who poked fun at their semblance of courage and called them cowards. Parker hoped they all lived to talk about the tense hours leading up to capturing the McCaws.

Parker leaned back against a rock as tall and wide as a man and studied Sage across from him. With her hat pulled down over her eyes to shield them from the sun, he couldnt read her well. He caught her attention where she sat cross-legged on the ground. You scared me when I found out you were gone. I mean, I know you can take care of yourself, but

Oh, Parker, I bet you were madder than a wet hen.

He grinned. I was that too.

She stretched her legs and scuffed her heel into the dirt. This part of my life will soon be finished. Not sure what Ill do then. She sighed. Ive done this for enough years. Its time I put roots down again. She tossed him a smile. Wear dresses more often than britches.

Did that mean there was hope for the two of them? What about family?

My folks still live in southern Colorado. I need to apologize to my father for the way I acted when he voiced his misgivings about Charles. Then I need to figure out what I want to do with my ranch. She picked up a rock and bounced it in her hand, as though nervous. Living where Charles and I began has too many memories.

You could settle down in Rocky Falls. He chuckled. I could deputize you, and together wed keep the no-accounts out of town.

She didnt respond. At least she hadnt turned down the idea. With his heart hammering like a hummingbirds wings, he dared to venture a little closer to this woman who had come to mean so much to him in so short a time. He sat beside her on the hard ground.

I never heard the name Sage before. Most beautiful name I could ever imagine.

Sages gaze snapped to him, wide-eyed. Almost fearful.

What did I say?

She blinked and glanced away. Parker Timmons, too many times I wonder about you.

In a good way?

You frighten me.

How could he frighten her? He was a man in love with a beautiful, courageous woman. He willed his skittish nerves to calm a bit. He stared at her, but her gaze flitted everywhere but at him. Tell me how your mama and papa came up with your pretty name.

A smile crept over her full lips. Papa wanted his daughter to seek out truth and wisdom above all other things.

I see that in you.

Youre kind. She toyed with the rock in her hand. I continue to tell you more than I shouldabout my life.

I want you to trust me. And I apologize for not telling you about Charles being involved in a train robbery. Weve been through a lot in such a short time. Makes peoplea man and a woman close. If he could take her into his arms, he would.

She slowly turned to face him, and her eyes were moist. Could it be hed chiseled a hole in the wall of her heart? Parker, Leah and those boys need you.

My invitation to Leah was to give her and her boys a safe place to live. Nothing else. I fretted about her not being strong enough to be a mama and a papa to those boys. He still could not read her emotions and so ventured on. Id rather have a family of my own, eight children with black hair and brown eyes the color of rich earth. Id like them all to be girls who were independent and determined to reach out and take a fistful of life.

Sage paled. Had he gone too far? I thinkI think a few boys would be nice.

His throat went dry. Then we need to figure out how to get out of these mountains in one piece.

Are you sure about this? Her lips quivered.

I love you, Sage, and I want us to spend the rest of our lives together.

What about your dreams of being a politician? What would your friends and opponents feel about a half-Ute woman as your wife?

That she loves and supports her husband. And if he doesnt do a good job, she has a hawk that will put him in his place.

She trembled. Im so unsure.

Do you love me?

She stared at the dirt and then upward at the cloudless sky.

Before Parker could form his next words, Wirt signaled for them. Parker and Sage hurried to his post.

Two men have found the other camp. Wirt handed Parker the binoculars. One of them is a man Ive never seen, but the second man wanted your job as marshal.

Parker grabbed the binoculars and studied both of the McCaws. Thats Quincy, and the other one must be Rex, all cleaned up, which is why we didnt recognize him in town. He must have gotten a good laugh at us. He handed the binoculars to Sage. Lets see if we threw them off our trail.

Cant believe were this close, she said.

Wish we were a little closer, Wirt said. Id like to pick them off.

No, Wirt, she said. Leah and Mrs. Felter could split the reward money and take care of their children. I want the whole gang to face trial and let justice prevail.

Wirt threw her a curious look of admiration and awe. Parker assumed he was wondering how he could win her for his own. Except it wouldnt happen now.

Ill honor your wishes, Miss Sage, unless a McCaw has a rifle
pointed at one of us. Wirt stared back at the area where theyd originally met up with Sage.

It may be quicker than you think. Sage handed Wirt his binoculars. Theyre looking hard for our trail. Im going to saddle up and be ready to ride out after them. Lead them in a circle.

I agree, Parker said. Wirt, you keep watch, and well get your horse. Tonight well have them trussed up like pigs.

And itll finally be over, she said and tossed a smile at Parker.

Parker shoved his emotions into his pocket while they readied the horses. For now, bringing in those killers took precedence over any affairs of the heart or what the gang had done to Oden, Frank, and Charles.

Parker, we all have a job to do, and we have to work together. Sages voice lifted barely above a whisper. This has nothing to do with hatred or revenge but a chance to bring in a gang of killers. Both of us might lose our heads with this, but we cant. Youve lost a brother and friends. Ive lost a husband and a child. What we feel is what others experience when selfishness and greed destroy a loved one. Im praying for the three of us to have wisdom.

Her words, the sound of her voice, the calmness clear in her eyes puzzled him. Things have changed with you, he said.

Yes. I let God bring me back to Him. She swung up onto her saddle. Once you asked me why I wouldnt let a man love me. I left that Sage behind. I do love you, and

Theyre riding off, Wirt called.

The words he longed to hear would have to wait. Later well talk, Parker said. Later well plan our future.

S
age allowed Parker to lead the way after the McCaws. He knew this part of the Rockies better than she, and she trusted him more than shed done in the past. Odd, the confidence came easily, one of the benefits of faith. Wirt rode behind her. The only sound from any of them came from the creak of their saddles and their horses clomping over the terrain. Neither a bird nor an
unseen creature in the woods uttered a cry while Hawk flew in and out of her vision.

They climbed the lower elevation of a taller peak and then steadily higher, holding back from the two McCaws but always keeping them within sight of the binoculars. She watched Parker continue ahead until she memorized the ripples of his back beneath his shirt and the way he carried himself in the saddle. Once shed done that with Charles. She hoped it wasnt a bad omen.

Why had Charles married her when hed led another life? For the past few days, shed given a lot of thought to the idea that maybe he had intended to leave the outlaw life behind and live respectably. His mother claimed she never knew where he traveled other than to his ranch farther north in Colorado.

Another matter needling her was that after his murder, neither the local law nor the state would go after his killers. Did they know about Charless dealings and didnt want to tell her or any of the family? Maybe they thought shed survived enough tragedy without learning the truth about her deceased husband.

Parker held up his hand, and she and Wirt stopped. Sage glanced ahead to a roaring waterfall rushing over slippery rocks, then crashing straight down into a green swirling pool. Her gaze flew back to the middle of the stream where two black bears splashed and fished. Two cubs wrestled on the bank close to where the three rode. One of the cubs cried out, sounding very much like a human baby. Perhaps the other cub had gotten too playful and bitten, but one of the two adult bearsobviously the motherwhipped her attention to the three riders. Fury rode on her haunches as she splashed her way toward them.

Wirts horse screamed. Sage held on to her pony while glancing back to check on Wirt. He held on to his panicking horse, but the mama bear seemed to have targeted him. The horse bucked, sending Wirt flying into the bears path. Sage whirled around and placed her pony between him and the advancing bear, who looked to be around three hundred pounds. She clicked her teeth, and
blew out her fear and anger. None of Sages instinctive ways with animals could stop a bear who sensed her baby had been hurt.

Grab your horse, she said.

Wirt scrambled to his feet and grabbed his horses bridle and then the reins. Sage held her breath, praying for time as she yanked out her rifle. Her pony had pranced back and left a clear path for the bear to get to Wirt. Teeth bared, the she-bear moaned and swatted.

Sage lifted her rifle and aimed. She hated firing the shot and allowing the McCaws to know where they were. Pulling the trigger, she sent a bullet flying into the bears neck. Another shot sounded after hers. Parker had fired too, but a quick glimpse showed he had problems with the second bear. Wirt snatched his rifle from his saddle and fired into the bear that was still moving toward Parker. The bear ceased to move. Only the cubs survived.

The quiet that followed gave all three of them time to catch their breath and survey the landscape. Sage found Hawk nearbyagitated with the turmoil.

Weve got to get out of here, Parker said. Before all of the McCaws have us trapped.

Sage nodded, wondering about the cubs, who sniffed at the female. Maybe they were old enough to find food. She hoped so. The part of her that cared for animals wanted them to survivejust not at the expense of Parkers and Wirts lives.

Wirt struggled to calm his mare, but she remained skittish, not allowing him to lift his foot into the stirrup.

Sage dismounted. Take my pony.

I dont need a woman to handle my horse. He jerked on the mares bridle in an effort to gain control. The mare snorted and pranced, her eyes wild and full of terror.

I can calm her, Sage said. Let me try so we can get out of here.

Put aside your pride and let her do what she does best.
Parkers voice echoed around them. If the McCaws had any doubt as to where we are, they dont now.

Wirt stepped out of Sages way and slapped the reins into her hand. See what you can do.

Keeping her gaze soft and unfocused, she stood in front of the fallen bear and gave the horse a loose rein as far back as possible. Sage wished they were in a closed area so she could release the horse. Step back. She needs as much space as possible to calm down. Does she have a name?

No, Wirt spoke softly. He finally understood.

Sage used her body language and voice to invite the horse to approach, keeping her own posture nonthreatening. The bears dead, she whispered repeatedly. It wont hurt you. As the horse calmed, Sage inched closer. Look to the side of you. See the grass? Take a nibble.

Slowly the mare ceased to tremble and began to look around her. Even as she approached, Sage kept her position between the horse and the bear. Soon she rubbed the mares withers and gently examined her for any injuries. She straightened and patted the horses neck, then placed her cheek next to the mares nose and slowly exhaled. See how calm you are? Its all over. Im going to lead you around the dead bears, but youre going to be all right. No need to jump. No need to panic.

Sage wished she could feel as confident about the time ticking away, knowing that each moment brought the McCaws closer to them.

T
wice Parker lost the two McCaw brothers trail, and twice Sage helped him find it again. They worked well together. Hopefully that was a sign for the future.

Parker focused on every twig that snapped and bird that flew from the treetops. A crack of thunder added to his growing list of concerns. The question piercing his every thought was did the two McCaw brothers know they were being followed? Dangerous odds as far as Parker was concerned. Too dangerous for his liking. Uneasiness swept over him like a chill before a fever. This could backfire, but he refused to give in to any of it. Up ahead was a rough trail that the three of them could take and not only cut off the two brothers but also be able to see if they were riding into a trap.

He glanced back at Sage. She appeared as engrossed in the surroundings as he was. The long glove on her left hand was empty, and Parker looked at the sky over their heads. Hed begun to think of Hawk as a fourth gun. Something about the bird gave him a bit of reassurance. Right now Hawk had disappeared.

Rifle fire broke through the afternoons stillness. A second and third shot cracked to their right.

Drop those rifles, Aiden called from somewhere above them. There was no sign of the gang. Only Aidens demands. I wont ask ya a second time.

How do we know theres more than one of you? Parker focused above and around them. Nothing.

Do you want to find out for sure? That voice wasnt Aidens,
and he remembered it from the night the others broke the outlaw out of jail.

Parker slowly lifted his weapon from across his saddle and dropped it to the ground. He heard the thud of Sages and Wirts rifles hitting the rocky trail.

And those pistols. Slow and easy.

Again Parker and the two behind him obliged. Three men rode into their path. One of them was Aiden. Another man stood atop a boulder to their right. The fifth was missing. I dont see Mitch.

Aiden laughed. Hes waiting for Sage with a little surprise.

Parker refused to acknowledge Aidens remark. Instead, he studied the man before him, looking for a vulnerable point.

What kind of a surprise? Sages voice rang with control. I forgot my party dress.

Before the nights over, pretty lady, the McCaws will have their own party with you.

The vile thought sent a ripple of fury coupled with fear up Parkers throat, but he shoved it back down. This wasnt over yet, and they werent that much outnumbered.

Id rather take you on knife-to-knife, she said. But you know Id slice you to pieces.

Any other time, Parker would have cheered on her spunk. He hadnt heard her forceful tone of voice before or the shrewdness in her twist of words. Right now he had to figure out how to keep them alive.

Wheres that hawk? called the man on the boulder.

Hes above your head, waiting for the right time to attack. Sage tossed him a look harder than the stone he was kneeling on.

The man tensed and glanced all around him. Parker recognized him from past dealings as Jeb, the one whod received a head injury in the war, which had left him a bit simple. Yet hed still retained his deadly aim.

Shes lying to you. Aiden turned in the saddle and studied
the trees and sky. Any of you see that bird, kill it. Ive heard what it can do. He rode toward Wirt. Got me a US Marshal too. They aint worth He swore.

Wirt said nothing. A wise choice. Parker knew how the McCaws felt about the mans chosen profession.

Lets get em back to camp, Aiden called. Ive waited a long time for this special reunion.

S
age had a mouthful of questions to spit at Aiden, but as she started to pose the first one, caution curbed her tongue. The first person Aiden would kill was Wirt, and she refused to have the mans blood on her conscience because of her sassy mouth. Whatever the McCaws wanted from her and Parker was about to unfoldand not only that but also the mystery about Charles. Shed learn the truth before dying. Somehow it didnt make taking another McCaw bullet any easier.

She rode behind Parker just as shed done all afternoon, still viewing his shouldersbut no longer dreaming about a life with him. Thunder rumbled closer than before, but Parker didnt budge. Some dangers were worse than natures fury. She studied the position of each McCaw from the corners of her eyes, silently measuring each mans strengths and weaknesses.

She thought about the two men with her, and a renewal of determination rose inside her. She wasnt ready to see either mans blood spilled out for the sake of the McCaws greed. There was a way out of thisbut how? She desperately wanted Parker and Wirt to live. Leah and her sons didnt need to lose another family member so soon. And somewhere Wirt had those who cared for him too.

Lord, I ventured down this path not caring about what happened to me. But these two men have full lives ahead of them. I beg You to spare them.

Odd how prayer had come back to her as easily as breathing. Shed left God; He hadnt left her.