Bobbi Smith (20 page)

“No, but I need to talk to him. Tell him to come see me at the Silver Dollar as soon as he gets back.”

“I will.”

The deputy watched Sindy go, admiring the view.

Randi lay huddled and unmoving under the blanket Fred had thrown her way when they’d made camp. She’d wanted to try to escape from him tonight, but he’d tied her hands behind her and bound her ankles again before he’d bedded down for the night. She’d been struggling to free her hands for hours now, but with little success. She had no intention of giving up, though. Sooner or later she would find a way to break loose, and when she did, she would claim her revenge.

Fred was going to pay for killing her father and Hawk.

She’d see to it.

Randi closed her eyes as the pain of losing the two men she loved most tore at her heart. She had loved her father her whole life. He had always taken care of her and he had always been there for her. She would miss him for the rest of her life.

Her thoughts turned to Hawk, and a deep, abiding pain filled her. She’d waited all her life to fall in love, and she finally had—with Hawk, only to have him torn from her so violently. Tears filled her eyes.

Memories of the time they’d spent by the watering hole swept over her. No other man had ever touched her heart the way he had. She remembered the ecstasy of his embrace and kiss. Being held in his arms had been wonderful. He had been strong, and yet incredibly gentle with her. Hawk had been everything she’d ever wanted in a man, and now he was lost to her forever.

She began to cry again in silent mourning.

Hawk didn’t stop tracking Randi until darkness had completely claimed the land. He’d hoped to sight a campfire in the night, but found nothing. Frustration swamped him as he bedded down for the night. He had nothing with him to eat, and he didn’t care. He just wanted the long hours of the night to pass quickly, so he could be on their trail again.

Hawk lay, staring up at the night sky, reliving the events of that morning. Over and over in his mind, he saw the glint of the sun off the rifle barrel as the first shots were fired, and he saw Jack being hit.

Hawk was furious with himself. He’d sensed something wasn’t right, but he’d never suspected someone would be waiting to ambush them. He would never make that mistake again.

Who was it who had ambushed them?

Who would have known they were riding for the canyon that morning and had time to set it up?

Hawk remembered that Wade had gone to see the widow the night before—or so he’d said. But Wade hadn’t known that they’d discovered the secret passage out of the canyon.

Frustrated, Hawk closed his eyes and tried to sleep. He needed to get what rest he could, for he planned to be back on Randi’s trail at first light.

It wasn’t often Hawk prayed. After Jessie’s death, he hadn’t had much to say to God. As he lay there this night, though, he silently offered up a prayer, asking for help in finding Randi.

Dawn found him saddling up Bruiser and on the trail again.

The terrain grew more rugged with each passing hour, and Hawk knew he’d be lucky if he didn’t lose the trail. He pushed Bruiser to his limits. They were riding at a good pace near midday when the horse suddenly stumbled and came up lame.

Hawk was immediately worried, for Bruiser was usually surefooted. He couldn’t afford to have anything happen to Bruiser, not when they were out there in the middle of nowhere.

Hawk dismounted and quickly went to check his hoof to see what was wrong. What he discovered left him filled with useless rage. Bruiser had thrown a shoe, and when it had come off the shoe had torn a damaging chunk out of his hoof.

Frustration filled Hawk as he stood up and stared off in the direction Randi and her kidnapper had ridden. He had been gaining on them. He’d hoped to catch up with them the next day at the latest, but now in the condition he was in, Bruiser would be lucky if he could even make it back to the ranch. There was no way for them to continue their pursuit.

Hawk realized Jack would have sent men from the ranch after him to help with the search, but he couldn’t just sit there and wait for them to show up. They were too far behind him. It would be long hours before they caught up with him, and by then there was no telling where Randi might have been taken.

Hawk didn’t like the idea of turning Bruiser loose on his own, but he had no choice. Trying to lead the horse as he continued tracking would slow him down even more.

Hawk spotted what looked like a secluded grassy area ahead of them. There had to be a spring nearby, so he knew he could leave Bruiser there, and the horse would at least have food and water.

After taking the time to remove Bruiser’s other shoes so it would be easier for him to walk, Hawk led the horse toward the grassy area at a slow, hobbling pace. There was a small spring, so after unsaddling Bruiser and taking off his bridle, he turned him loose. Bruiser limped down to the water’s edge to get a drink.

Hawk filled his canteen. Carrying only his saddlebags and the basics he needed to survive, he started back on Randi’s trail once more.

It was hot. The sun was beating down mercilessly, and Hawk noticed it much more now that he was on foot. He missed his Stetson, but knew he wouldn’t have been able to wear it anyway. The pain from his head wound was still fierce, and his hat would only have aggravated it more. Grimly determined never to give up his search for Randi, he followed her trail, walking as quickly as he could.

Hawk looked back only once to see Bruiser standing near the spring, watching him go. He was glad Bruiser wasn’t trying to follow him. The horse would be safer there.

The going was rough for Hawk. The heat and the pain took their toll, but he never let up. He covered several miles before stopping for the first time to rest.

Doubts were beginning to torment him, and clouds forming to the west worried him. If any heavy rains came, they would wash out the trail. Knowing he had no time to waste, that he had to get on the move again, Hawk took a deep drink and started out once more.

Hawk had been on the trail for another hour when he discovered the tracks led into a small canyon. After what had happened at Black Canyon, Hawk approached the entrance warily. He moved forward cautiously, keeping a careful watch for any sign of trouble.

And it was then that he heard it: farther up the canyon, the sound of a horse neighing.

Hawk drew his gun as a torrent of emotions raced through him. He had lost so much time with Bruiser’s injury, he couldn’t be sure it was Randi and her captor up ahead. Hope swelled within him, but he knew better than to get too excited.

Hawk moved forward, expecting trouble. He was ready for a showdown.

What he found astounded him.

There in the center of the canyon just ahead of him stood Phantom.

Hawk stopped to stare at the elusive stallion. Of all the things Hawk had imagined finding there, Phantom had been the last he’d expected. He was disappointed that there was no sign of Randi, but the hope that had filled him earlier returned. If ever a horse was fast enough to help him reach Randi in time to save her, it would be the phantom stallion. All he had to do was figure out how to capture him.

Only the finest of warriors could ride Phantom. . . .

The elusive stallion’s legend played in Hawk’s thoughts as he slowly holstered his gun and dropped the gear he’d been carrying with him. Hawk knew he was about to find out just how good a warrior he really was.

Phantom stood unmoving, watching Hawk as he walked slowly toward him.

Hawk made no sudden moves, and he began talking to Phantom in the Comanche tongue.

The stallion cocked his head at the sound of his voice and tensed a bit as he drew closer.

Hawk saw his reaction, so he deliberately stopped and turned away. He knew stallions were as curious as they were brave, and if he were to have any hope of catching Phantom, he had to lure him in. Hawk stood there waiting.

Phantom eyed the man suspiciously, then took several steps in his direction. When the man remained still during his approach, the stallion ventured even nearer.

Hawk knew Phantom was coming closer. He turned slowly to look at him, then once again turned his back to him.

The stallion was made even more curious by his actions. The horse boldly stepped forward and nudged the man in the back.

It was then that Hawk made his move. In one smooth motion he turned and grabbed a handful of Phantom’s mane, then vaulted onto his back. He felt the stallion tense beneath him.

“Easy, Phantom,” he soothed in his native language.

The big, powerful horse trembled, but didn’t buck. Hawk knew that if he held on tightly, it would only make the stallion more nervous. Instead, wanting to calm him, Hawk sat him easily and continued to talk as he stroked his neck and withers.

It took a few minutes, but Hawk finally felt some of the tension ease from the horse. Gently, he urged him to move. Phantom responded. They rode around the area, slowly getting used to each other.

Hawk was worried that Phantom might run off when he stopped to pick up his gear. Even so, it was a chance he had to take. Bringing the stallion to a stop, he dismounted. He kept stroking his neck and talking to him in even, unthreatening tones while he bent down and picked up his rope.

The stallion eyed the rope a bit nervously, but Hawk reassured him. He quickly fashioned a makeshift halter and put it on the horse. Phantom did not balk, and Hawk was greatly relieved. Hawk gathered up the rest of his things, then swung back up onto the stallion’s back.

As fast as Hawk knew Phantom could be, he was certain they would make up the time he had lost traveling on foot. They charged down the canyon, riding as one.

Only the finest of warriors could ride Phantom—again Hawk remembered the legend.

It had been years since Hawk had felt as if he belonged in the Comanche world, but at this moment, leaning low over Phantom’s neck, he was a true warrior on the hunt.

It was almost noon when Wilda saw Sheriff Johnson riding up to the house. She hurried upstairs and knocked on Jack’s bedroom door, then opened it to tell him the news.

“Jack—Sheriff Johnson’s riding in!”

“Is he alone?” Jack asked hopefully.

“Yes, he’s by himself.”

His hopes were dashed.

“Bring him on up when he gets here,” he ordered.

Wilda went down to greet the lawman.

“This is a surprise—you coming back out here so soon,” Wilda said as he entered the house.

“I’ve got some news for Jack.”

He sounded so solemn that Wilda grew worried.

“He’s upstairs. You can go on up.” She watched him go, fear for Randi’s safety filling her.

“Jack?” Sheriff Johnson called out just outside his bedroom door.

“Come on in,” Jack responded. Then he quickly asked, “Have you found my girl?”

“No, Jack, I’m afraid not, but I do have some news I thought you might find interesting.”

“What is it?” He was eager to hear anything that would help find Randi.

“Sindy, one of the girls who works over at the Silver Dollar, paid me a visit. She heard what happened, and she thinks she knows who did it.”

“Who?”

“Fred Carter,” he answered. “Sindy heard him talking about how much he wanted to get even with you for firing him.”

Jack scowled. “It makes sense. I know Fred was furious, but there’s no way Fred could have known on his own that we were riding out to Black Canyon. Someone had to have told him ahead of time.” Again he thought of Wade, and his mood grew even darker.

“You think Wade was the one?” the sheriff asked, remembering their earlier conversation.

“I can’t be sure. We didn’t tell anyone here at the ranch where we were going. I don’t know how Wade could have found out. I need more proof before I can go outright accusing him of anything,” Jack said solemnly. He looked up at the lawman. “Hawk will be back. He’s going to find Randi and bring her home to me, and when he does, we’ll know the truth.”

“Well, you let me know if you need me.” Sheriff Johnson started from the bedroom.

“I will. And Sheriff . . .”

The lawman looked back at Jack.

“Thanks for riding out.”

When a violent thunderstorm broke overhead, Wade, Rob, and the other men sought cover near a rocky overhang. Lightning flashed and thunder roared around them. Heavy rains pummeled the land.

Wade acted upset, but he was really delighted with this turn of events. He had no doubt, as the fierce rain poured down, that there would be no trace of Hawk’s trail left when the storm finally passed over. They would be forced to return to the ranch empty-handed. Things couldn’t have worked out better for him.

Huddling close to the rocks, the men from the Lazy S held on to their horses and waited for the storm to pass. They all knew what the heavy downpour meant, and they were angry at being so thwarted. They cared about Randi and were worried about her. They wanted her safely returned to the ranch. When at last the rain started to let up, they ventured out, more than a little damp, but still ready to ride. Wade’s first comment stopped them cold.

“There’s no point in going on, boys.” Wade sounded disgusted as he looked out over the rain scoured land.

“We can’t give up, Wade,” Rob insisted. “We’ve got to keep looking for them.”

“What are you going to follow? There’s no trail left.”

“We can ride on a ways and see if we can pick up their tracks farther out.”

“Yeah,” Lew agreed. “It might not have rained a few miles on. We might get lucky.”

Wade was already feeling lucky. He was more than ready to cut and run, but since the others were putting pressure on him to continue the search, he couldn’t quit looking just yet.

“We can try,” Wade finally agreed.

The men from the Lazy S mounted up and rode off in the general direction they’d been heading before the storm had hit. It was several hours later when, after serious and intensive searching, the rest of the men were ready to give up, too. There was no trace of Hawk’s trail to be found anywhere.

“All right,” Rob said, looking over at Wade in defeat, “let’s head back.”