Annabelle Weston (24 page)

Carly welcomed a surge of affection for the man who always was ready to defend the ladies of the Lonesome.

“
Blanche, find some rope and tie these customers to their seats.”

The girl scurried away to the back room.

Gladys crossed her arms. “What are we supposed to do now?”

“
Wait for the sheriff,” Carly replied.

“
How long will that take?”

“
Not long, since these are the no-accounts he’s looking for.”

Blanche returned with a length of twine and a kitchen knife. All weapons turned on the gang members as Blanche wrapped the twine around them, securing them to their chairs.

“
Maybe we could check their pockets,” Blanche said. “If they robbed the stage, they’re bound to have silver on them.”

“
Whatever coin they have belongs to the depositors of the Wells Fargo Bank.” Carly couldn’t believe she’d actually said that. They could use the extra coin but she wouldn’t abide breaking the law like these
hombres
had done. Jed and his ways were rubbing off on her.

Carly flopped down in a chair. It’d been a long night, with death visiting Tucson. Soon the gang would be behind bars and the lawlessness they’d brought to their town would be behind them.

She couldn’t help but smile thinking about what Jed would say when he returned. Six desperadoes this time. They’d a great deal to celebrate.

* * * * *

Jed and Travis hunkered down as the wind kicked up and stinging sand blinded them. They’d found no sign of the gang.

“
I’m going back,” Jed said as he pulled down his bandana. “The gang must be in Mexico by now.”

“
Think I’ll keep after them.” Travis shifted in his saddle. “Look for the strongbox.”

“
I reckon we’ll see you back in Tucson.”

Travis saluted and turned his horse’s head south. Jed covered his nose and mouth with his bandana and pointed Shooter home. The gang always seemed to be one step ahead of him. They were a wily bunch but he’d every confidence their days living outside the law were about over.

The way back was miserable—fighting all nature could throw at him and his horse. Shooter was part mustang and surefooted as a billy goat and they made good time. When the sun crested the mountains, the wind died down.

The temperature warmed as he made his way down Main Street. He removed his bandana and, wadding it into a ball, wiped his forehead and neck. Some vittles and a hot bath and shave were high on his list. He passed the carpenter’s shop. He was pounding on white oak planks, putting together a coffin. Jed tipped his hat.

He saw with relief the Lonesome was quiet. Carly for once took his advice. Last night’s shooting had put the town on edge. He dismounted and walked. He hadn’t gotten far when Jack Finney came bounding out of the sheriff’s office. He must’ve been waiting and watching for Jed. Surprisingly, he was all smiles.

“
Sheriff, there’s been a ruckus over at the Lonesome. Got a message from one of the gals. Seems we’re needed.”

“
Anybody hurt?” Jed dreaded the answer.

“
No, but you’ll not believe what those ladies managed to do.”

A sly-looking Gladys slipped from the sheriff’s office and trailed her hand down Jack’s arm. Seems like the boy had gotten a little fun in… He’d have to talk to him about mixing business with pleasure.

Jed handed off his horse to Jack. “Shooter needs some oats.”

The boy gazed longingly at Gladys then nodded in Jed’s direction. “Yes sir.”

Jed headed toward the Lonesome. What in tarnation had Carly got up to now? He’d half a mind to turn her over on his knee and give her a good spanking. The thought made his blood rush to his cock. But he couldn’t be thinking like that. Something was amiss.

His pace increased. There were no two ways about it. Next time he left town, he’d put a deputy in charge right outside the batwing doors. Trouble found her like a cocklebur.

The doors were boarded shut. He gave them a kick a mule would be proud of and the wood splintered. He pushed his way inside.

The saloon girls sat around tables, sleepy-eyed and yawning. Each one held a revolver. The barkeep swung a shotgun around to warn off the intruder.

“
Put that thing down, Alvin.” Jed’s gaze swept the room for a red dress.

The girls scrambled from their seats and parted to show him what had caused them to stay up all night. Four men, tied up and gagged, struggled to speak.

Carly sashayed up to him, her eyes red from lack of sleep. “I’m sure happy you’re back.”

He scowled. “Who are these men?”

She took him by the arm and rested her head on his shoulder. “Sheriff Poole, these are the men working for Vernon Crosby. I believe you want them for thieving and murdering.”

Jed pushed his hat back on his head. He’d never seen such a sight—ornery men bested by a bevy of gun-toting saloon dollies.

“
That leaves Vernon Crosby for me,” he said.

Carly yawned. “You don’t have to bother. He’s upstairs in my room unconscious. Ester hit him with an iron skillet.”

“
Yes, I did.” Ester sprang to her feet. Jed hadn’t noticed her.

For a moment he was speechless. “You mean all of the gang has been rounded up?”

“
Every last one.” She pulled away. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Don’t you fret. There’ll be other criminals for you to catch sooner or later.”

Big Judith adjusted the bodice on her lavender-colored gown and placed her weapon between her breasts. “Now that the sheriff is here, I’m going to bed.”

“
I’m not cut out for this kind of work,” Blanche said. With a huff, she followed Judith and climbed the stairs.

“
You girls can go up,” Carly said to Lorraine and Gladys, who’d just walked back into the saloon. “I believe the sheriff means to take over from here.”

The two women dragged themselves up the stairs, the feathers in their hair drooping.

Carly set her hand on the nearest prisoner. “You’ll need help getting this gang to the jailhouse.”

She’d done good, he reckoned, and was enjoying her victory. He couldn’t have been more proud of her. She was a strong woman. A woman with her abilities, he reckoned, was a woman fit to be a sheriff’s wife.

Jed drew his weapon. “Cut ‘em loose and let’s get started.”

Carly used a knife to saw through the twine. The first man jerked so hard he fell forward. Jed grabbed him by the collar before he fell and hauled him to his feet.

“
You’ve got a lot to account for, mister,” Jed said.

“
I didn’t do nothing,” he said, rubbing his arms.

“
You boys left a trail of death and destruction from here to Nogales.”

The man glared at him. “You can’t prove anything.”

Jed parted the man’s buckskin vest with the barrel of his gun, revealing an overloaded money belt.

“
I’ll take that.”

The prisoner unbuckled the belt and tossed it on the table. The bulging belt clinked when it landed, no doubt filled with silver coin. His upper lip curled into a snarl.

Carly finished cutting the twine on the other prisoners. Jed told them to stand. They scrambled to their feet, grumbling.

“
What about the man I bashed?” Ester asked.

“
He’ll keep,” Jed replied. He’d no way to carry an unconscious man. He motioned for the men to lead the way. “You know where the jailhouse is.”

Carly started after them.

“
Where are you going?” He didn’t have to ask.

“
You need help.” There was a great deal of satisfaction in her expression.

He wouldn’t deny her the pleasure of finishing what she’d started. Even Ester came along.

They tramped their way down the middle of the street. Folks poked their heads out of buildings, pointing at what they saw. Some huddled together, fear obvious in their expressions. Apparently, no one had slept.

When they reached the jail, Jack Finney was at the door.

“
What a sight for sore eyes,” he said.

“
Grab a couple of fellas and go back to the Lonesome,” Jed told him. “Vernon Crosby’s been knocked out and needs carrying.”

Jack put on his hat, bowed to Carly and Ester, then left.

“
Go on,” Jed said. The gang needed a little nudging with the barrel of his Colt. They dragged their sorry hides into the cell.

“
Quite a crowd,” Carly said.

Jed shut the door and locked it. He turned to confront her. “Darlin’, don’t you ever try that again.”

“
What was I supposed to do? Me and the girls weren’t in the mood to entertain these no-accounts until you returned.”

Jed shook his head. She was pretty but she was stubborn. “What you did was mighty dangerous.”

She touched his vest and fondled the buttons on his shirt. He was hard in an instant. Her touch made his skin tingle and all he could think about was the last time they’d been in the cell together.

“
I expect we won’t have to arrest criminals anymore with a sheriff at our beck and call.”

Jed was glad they’d come to an understanding.

“
How about a celebration?” She purred like a kitten.

A celebration was called for, and as soon as he had Vernon Crosby in custody and guards posted for the night, he intended to take her up on her invite.

He was about to tell her so when a violent explosion ripped through the morning’s peace.

“
What the hell?” Jed drew his weapon and went outside. Carly and Jack were at his heels. They stared in disbelief as black smoke billowed from the back of the Lonesome.

Carly’s mouth fell open. Ester clung to her.

Two boys came at a canter from that direction.

“
What’s happened?” Jed asked.

They needed a second to catch their breaths. The taller one spoke first. “Don’t know for certain but there was an explosion and the saloon’s on fire.”

Carly started running.

The smell of burning wood stung Carly’s nostrils as she ran. Black smoke clouded the once blue morning sky. Ash blew in the wind, catching in her hair. When she reached the saloon, she stopped.

The Lonesome was totally engulfed in flames. Orange and red fire licked very inch of the roof.

“
No,” she screamed. She rushed up the wooden steps, intent on grabbing her few precious items—namely O’Dell’s last letter. Where was everyone? Were they trapped inside? She called their names but no one answered.

Just as she reached the doors, Dr. Baxter slammed them open, nearly knocking her over. His hair was singed and his face was covered in soot.

“
My still…” He trailed off, looking around confused. He began coughing.

“
What the hell is he doing here?” Jed shouted from behind Carly.

There was no time for explanations. She grabbed Dr. Baxter’s arm.

“
My still exploded. The shed caught fire.” Dr. Baxter stumbled down the steps.

But it wasn’t just his still, the Lonesome was on fire and if they didn’t get the fire brigade here soon, there would be nothing left.

She led Dr. Baxter a safe distance away and heard the welcome clanging of the fire brigade. But she just couldn’t stand here and watch.

She rushed back to the steps. Hot cinders fell like rain. She pushed into the smoke-filled room, and quickly covered her mouth. Taking a breath hurt, and scorched all the way down to her lungs. She wouldn’t leave her girls to burn.

She opened her eyes, blinking away the tears that came from the smoke. She could see nothing but shadows. The roar of the fire overhead was deafening.

“
Judith,” she shouted. Her voice couldn’t be heard over the noise of the burning timbers. Repeated tries only brought on a fit of coughing.

From behind, arms snaked around her waist and picked her up. She struggled but was hauled out of the building.

“
What are you thinking?” Jed said, planting her on the ground and turning her around. He’d carried her a fair distance into the street.

“
Judith! Blanche!” she said through gasps and pointed at the burning building.

“
They are over there on the boardwalk,” he said, his voice angry. His mouth was twisted into a frightful scowl. Soot streaked both cheeks.

All four of her saloon dollies were watching her. Ester clung to Alvin.

“
You didn’t even bother to think before you rushed headlong into the burning building.” Jed was breathing heavy. “You could have died!”

“
Oh my God… What have I done?” She sank to her knees, watching the flames shoot into the sky. The entire building was now red with flames. Her life was in flames.

The lives of Alvin and the girls, people who depended on her, were ruined because of her.

Tears streamed down her cheeks and she used the sleeve of her gown to wipe them away.

“
Don’t cry, Carly.” Jed sank down beside her and pulled her into his arms. “No one’s been hurt.”

She shook her head against his warm, muscled shoulder. Jed didn’t understand, of course. She should be happy that no one was hurt—and she was, she was happy and relieved. But her life had gone up in smoke and she only had herself to blame.

The fire brigade arrived and set to work. The water they’d brought was no match for the flames.

Carly shook her head as she watched. If she hadn’t allowed Dr. Baxter to stay, to work on his elixir in the Lonesome’s shed, then this wouldn’t have happened. She should have listened to Jed but she hadn’t. Now everything she’d worked so hard for was in a shambles.

She couldn’t take comfort from Jed. She pushed him away and her legs shaky. Through her tear-filled gaze she saw the place she’d come to think of as her life, her livelihood, the place she’d been entrusted with by Big Jim, burn to the ground.