Relentless (14 page)

Dusty couldn’t tell him the true answer to that question. She wanted to be with him tonight, sleeping in his arms as she had been the night before beside the campfire. Only when he’d been holding her so close, kissing her, had she forgotten all the ugliness that had come into her life. “I think I’m all right.”

“Don’t forget your medicine.”

His thoughtfulness touched her, and if they hadn’t been standing right there in the middle of the hall, she would have drawn him down to her for a kiss. “I won’t. Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night.” Grant avoided saying he’d see her in the morning. He stood there, watching as she started into her room.

Dusty was ready to close the door, but in that instant, she knew she couldn’t. “Grant—there
is
something I need—”

Grant was puzzled by her answer and followed her into her room. It wasn’t often he was caught off guard, but Dusty always managed to surprise him. When he stepped inside, she pushed the door shut and walked into his arms, kissing him. He was stunned, but only momentarily. His own desire took over, and he gathered her close, deepening the kiss as he crushed her to him.

“Oh, Grant—you don’t know how thankful I am that you found me—” she whispered as she clung to him.

“And
you
don’t know how thankful
I
am,” he told her, bending to her to kiss her again.

Grant hadn’t meant for this to happen. He’d tried to banish the memory of having her in his arms, but her kiss destroyed any hope he’d had of ignoring the feelings she stirred in him. He’d never felt this way about a woman before, and as she moved sensuously against him, he enjoyed the thrill of having her near. Sweeping her up into his arms, he moved to the bed with her and they stretched out
together on the welcoming softness, glorying in the ecstasy of being together.

Dusty was innocent to the ways of loving. Yet she gave herself over to him, responding fully and without reserve as his mouth moved hungrily over hers, creating a burning fire of desire deep within her. She began to move restlessly against him, unaware of what her sensuous movements were doing to Grant. She just knew that she needed him.

Grant held her close, thrilling to the passion she aroused in him. She was unlike any woman he’d ever known, and he knew deep in the heart of him that he had to make her his own. Without interrupting their kiss, he unbuttoned her shirt and parted it, pushing down the binding she wore to disguise the fullness of her breasts.

Dusty gasped at the intimacy of his caress, and when he shifted lower to press heated kisses against her bared flesh, she had never known such bliss. She arched to him, in love’s age-old offering.

Grant was caught up in the pure pleasure of being so close to her. Her wanton response to his kiss and touch was arousing him as nothing else could.

He needed her.

He wanted her desperately.

He had to make her his.

But his last shred of sanity told him this was wrong, and somehow, he found the inner fortitude to rein in the power of his desire for her.

He could not make love to her and then ride off and leave her there all alone.

There was nothing he wanted more than to love her and make her fully his, but Grant knew this wasn’t the time or the place.

Agony tore at him as he softened the hunger of his kisses and carefully drew her blouse closed over the pale beauty of her bared breasts.

Dusty had been lost in the magic of Grant’s loving, but this time when he pulled away, she understood she’d done nothing wrong. The feelings she had for him grew, for she realized how much he respected her not to take what she had so freely offered. She stayed in his arms, her eyes closed, cherishing the hard strength of his body so near to her.

Grant was struggling as he lay back with his eyes closed and his jaw locked. Logic had returned with a vengeance, and it was warring with his desire. He could not use Dusty this way. He respected her too much. He vowed then and there that he would come back for her as soon as he was finished with Jackson.

She would be his.

It was just a matter of time.

Determined to hang on to that thought, he moved away from her side and stood up.

“It’s best if I leave you now.” He gazed down at her, visually caressing her flushed cheeks and slender form.

Dusty was caught up in the power of her need for him. She wanted to launch herself into his arms and drag him back down on the bed with her, but she saw the steely look in his eyes and held herself back. She said nothing.

Grant went to let himself out, then paused to add, “Don’t forget to take your medicine.”

With that, he left her, closing the door silently behind him.

Dusty stared at the closed hotel room door, and then got up to take the laudanum so she’d be well rested enough to keep up with him in the morning.

Grant returned to his room. He packed up his personal belongings and then wrote a note to Dusty. He planned to slip it under her door along with the money she’d need to make the trip back home. After packing up his gear, he waited close to an hour, just to make sure she would be sound asleep when he left his room.

Grant was very careful when he finally ventured out. He moved in total silence to her door, slipped the note and money underneath it, and then left the hotel. The clerk wasn’t at the front desk, and he was glad. He didn’t want anyone to know what time he’d ridden out of town.

The less Dusty knew, the better it would be for the both of them.

A short time later, Grant rode away from Bluff Mesa and disappeared into the night.

Dusty slept soundly. She awoke feeling quite refreshed, surprised to find it was broad daylight already. She worried for a moment about Grant, wondering where he might be, then realized he’d probably deliberately let her sleep late. She appreciated his thoughtfulness, and excitement filled her at the thought of seeing him that morning. She was
eager to get dressed and go find him so she could kiss him again. The thought that they were going to be together from now on lifted her spirits. She knew this morning that she loved him, and she couldn’t wait to tell him.

Dusty quickly sat up on the side of the bed, her back to the door, and took a minute to organize her thoughts. The medicine had done a fine job. She felt rested and her head wasn’t nearly as sore as it had been. Grant had been right about going to see the doctor. She got up and started to move around the room. She made short order of washing up, then started to gather her few belongings. As she bent to pull on her pants, she spotted the folded piece of paper on the floor near the door.

She was puzzled and went to pick it up, wondering who could have left her a note. She was greatly surprised when she unfolded it and found the money inside. Then she looked at the bottom of the note and saw Grant’s signature. She suddenly grew worried and quickly began to read what he’d written.

Dusty,

I had to stay on the trail of the Jackson gang. I’ve left you enough money to pay for your ticket home. There’s a stage passing through this afternoon.

I’ll come and find you in Canyon Springs after I bring the gang in. Be careful and take care of yourself.

Grant

Dusty stared down at the note he’d left her in complete and utter disbelief. Her heart was broken.

Only moments before, she’d believed herself to be falling in love with Grant.

She’d thought he was a good man.

She’d thought he was a man of his word.

But now she knew the truth.

She’d meant nothing to him.

Once he’d gotten the information about the gang’s whereabouts from her, he had ridden off and left her behind.

Pain shattered Dusty, and tears blurred her vision. She was torn between heartbreak and anger. After one anguished sob, anger won out. Fury motivated her as she hurried to get dressed and grab her belongings. She stopped to count the amount of cash he’d left her, and smiled grimly, knowing it should be enough to take care of what she needed today.

Dusty stopped at the front desk to speak to the clerk. “Did you see Mr. Spencer leave this morning?”

“No. I haven’t seen him at all.”

“Thanks.”

She left the hotel knowing then that he’d ridden out of town during the night. He had a big head start on her, but one thing he didn’t have—he didn’t have the real information about where the gang was going.

Angry though she was about the situation she found herself in, Dusty mentally patted herself on
the back for not trusting Grant completely. Oh, he’d been nice to her, and he’d taken care of her, and he’d certainly wooed her enough to make her let her guard down, but now she knew the truth about him.

And now, he was going to learn the truth about her.

For the first time since reading his note, she managed a tight smile. She couldn’t wait to see the expression on Grant’s face when she caught up with him in Gold Canyon. She was going to enjoy that moment a lot.

Dusty went to the stable and worked out a deal with the stable owner to get the horse she needed for the trip. She had enough cash left to buy some supplies and to purchase herself a gun. At least Grant had been generous with the money he’d left her. She went to the restaurant and ate a big breakfast, knowing it would be the only decent meal she’d have for some time to come, and then she mounted up and headed for Gold Canyon.

The ride wasn’t going to be an easy one, but nothing was going to stop her from going after Les Jackson and his men.

Nothing.

It had been a long, hard trek to Gold Canyon, but Grant reached the outskirts of town late the following morning. He’d stopped only for a few hours just before dawn to get a little sleep and then had started out again, determined to find the killers.

Grant hadn’t been through Gold Canyon very
often. Mostly, it was known as a quiet town. He’d been a bit surprised when Dusty had said the outlaw gang planned to go here, but then, knowing Jackson and his men, they probably figured nobody would be looking for them in a peaceful little place like this. Grant knew he had to be ready for anything and everything.

Grant spotted the sheriff’s office up ahead and decided to stop there first and talk to the local lawman.

Sheriff Becker was sitting behind his desk and looked up as the tall stranger came through his office door. There was an air of danger about the man, the way he walked, the way he wore his gun, and then the lawman saw his Texas Ranger badge. He stood up to welcome the newcomer.

“I’m Tom Becker. The sheriff of Gold Canyon.”

Grant came forward, introducing himself. “I’m Ranger Grant Spencer.”

“Well, Ranger, what brings you to our town?” the sheriff asked as he came around the desk to shake hands.

“You been having any trouble in town lately? Any strangers doing some wild drinking?”

Sheriff Becker frowned, surprised. “No. Things have been nice and quiet lately. We’ve all been enjoying it. Why?”

“I’m on the trail of Les Jackson and his gang, and I had reliable information that they were heading here.”

The local lawman looked troubled. “I haven’t seen or heard anything, but if I do, I’ll let you know.”

“I appreciate it. I’ll be taking a look around and probably staying on for a day or two.”

“If I can help you—”

“I’ll let you know.”

The sheriff could tell the man didn’t expect to need any help. “Wasn’t it the Jackson gang that robbed the stage from Canyon Springs?”

“Yes. They killed the driver and the man riding shotgun.”

“They’re a mean bunch.”

“I know, but I’m going to put an end to their killing ways.”

“Good luck to you, Ranger Spencer.”

“Thanks.”

“Hotel’s just one block over.”

Grant nodded and left the office. He didn’t have time to make small talk. He had a job to do.

Dusty had said the gang was supposed to be in town, but he had a strange feeling that something just wasn’t right. He took a very careful look around as he rode over to the hotel and rented a room for the night. After settling in, he made his way to the saloon to see what he could learn there.

It hadn’t been easy making the ride to Gold Canyon all alone, but then Dusty knew her life was not going to be easy now. She was on her own, and she’d just proven to herself again that she could do whatever she set her mind to.

It had been hard getting to town before nightfall, but Dusty knew the worst part was yet to come. Soon, very soon, she was going to have to face down Grant. She was a little worried that he might have ridden on already, but she hoped he would still be in Gold Canyon, lying in wait for the gang to show up.

She smiled grimly.

If he was waiting for Les Jackson and his men to ride in, she was going to have a surprise for him.

She was the one who was going to be riding in—not the Jackson gang.

Her anger had sustained her across the seemingly endless miles, and she was thankful now for that anger. It gave her the strength she needed to keep going and to do what she had to do.

Gold Canyon seemed quiet as she rode down the main street. She wanted to leave her horse at the
stable and get a room at the hotel without anyone noticing her. Things went well. It didn’t take long to stable her horse and then, carrying her gear, she made her way to the only hotel in town. She was glad the man tending the stable had told her there was only the one hotel. If Grant was in town, he’d be spending the night there.

Inwardly, she smiled.

She was tempted to take a look around town, but she didn’t want to risk running into Grant on the street. She planned to check out the hotel first and see if she could discover what room he was staying in. She couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when she confronted him.

Grant thought he was so smart. Well, she’d show him. His kisses had only been meant to distract her from what he was really planning. She recalled the way he’d reminded her to take her medicine. She was certain now, he’d told her to take it so she wouldn’t hear him leave the hotel during the night.

Dusty was careful as she entered the small hotel. It was late, but there was still an older, balding man at the desk.

“Need a room, sonny?”

“Yes, sir,” she replied respectfully.

“You all by yourself?”

“I am.”

“Let’s see your money.” He eyed the youth skeptically, wondering if the kid had the cash to pay.

“How much you charging?”

“You wanting a bath?”

“No.”

“Then fifty cents will do it.”

Dusty handed him the money, and he pushed the registration book across the desk and went into the small back room to get the key to the room.

Dusty quickly scanned the names of the few other people staying in the hotel that night and was grimly rewarded when she saw that Grant had signed in. According to the book, he was staying in the room number six. She made up a fake name and signed herself in, then shoved the book back across the counter.

“Here you go,” the clerk said, coming out to hand over the key. “You’re in room ten. It’s up the stairs and about halfway down the hall on the right.”

“Thanks.”

The clerk went back to his duties.

Dusty was glad that he paid no more attention to her as she went up the narrow staircase to the second floor. The hallway was narrow and the only light came from a single lamp on a table at the far end of the hall. Even so, she could make out the numbers on the doors and she was glad to find that her room and Grant’s were only one room apart on the back side of the building. She didn’t see any light coming from under his doorway and figured he was down at the saloon or checking things out around town. Either way, it gave her the time she needed to plan exactly what she was going to do.

Deciding to be completely daring, since there was no one else around, Dusty stopped and very carefully tried to open the door to Grant’s room. As she’d expected, it was locked.

All the same, she was determined to be waiting for him when he showed up later that night. If she’d had a hairpin with her, she knew she would have been able to pick the lock and let herself in, but “the kid” didn’t have any need for hairpins. When she’d bought her supplies in the last town, they hadn’t been on her list of necessities. The thought left her half smiling as she went into her own room, locking the door behind her.

After lighting the lamp on the small dresser, Dusty left her things on the bed and took a quick look around. She parted the curtains to find her window had been left partially open and that it looked out over the alleyway. To her delight, she discovered that there was a small covered porch on the back of the building.

Dusty opened her window farther and leaned out to look around. She was glad to find that she could climb out the window onto the porch roof and make her way over to Grant’s room—if she was careful. She’d have to be quiet since she’d have to pass another room on the way. She just hoped whoever was staying there wouldn’t see her. She hoped, too, that Grant had left his window open. There was no light coming from his room, so she couldn’t tell just by looking. It was going to be tricky enough getting there, but if she found out the window was shut and locked, she was going to have some real trouble getting in.

The dark window told her he wasn’t there yet, though, and that was good.

She wanted the element of surprise on her side tonight.

He’d surprised her by leaving her behind.

Now it was her turn to get the upper hand.

Dusty turned back into her own room and took the time to quickly clean up. With the day’s grime washed off, she was ready. After turning down the lamp, she climbed out the window.

It was a clear night and the moon was close to full, so she could see fairly well. Ever so carefully, she made her way along, staying close to the building and taking care not to look down. It was a steep drop to the alley, and she didn’t even want to think about what might happen if she fell. Her relief was great when she made it past the first hotel room without being seen. Painstakingly, she inched the final distance to the window to Grant’s room. She was excited—and relieved—to find the window was partially open as hers had been.

Dusty pushed it all the way up so she could climb inside and then quickly looked around the room. There was enough moonlight for her to see Grant’s things on the bed, so she knew she was in the right place.

Now, it was just a matter of time.

Soon, very soon, Grant would be back, and she’d be ready for him.

She sat down in the straight-backed chair next to the washstand on the far side of the bed to await his arrival.

Grant finished off his whiskey and looked around the quiet saloon. He’d taken his badge off for the evening, wanting to keep his identity quiet for a while.

“You want some more?” Victor, the barkeep, asked, coming up to him with the whiskey bottle in hand.

“No, I’m done for the night,” Grant told him.

“So how soon you riding on?” Victor had tried to get the stranger talking, but he hadn’t had much success.

“I’ll be here another day or two,” Grant answered.

“Well, come on back in. I’ll always have whiskey for you, and my girls would be more than glad to entertain you—if you need some entertaining,” Victor said, nodding toward the two saloon girls who were moving around the room, flirting with the men at the tables.

Grant glanced over at the saloon girls in their low-cut, revealing dresses and smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He left the saloon then, knowing the only woman he wanted to “entertain” him was somewhere on a stage heading for Canyon Springs. He gave a weary shake of his head as he stopped on the sidewalk to look up the street. All was quiet and peaceful, and, again, he had the feeling that something wasn’t quite right, but he couldn’t figure out what was troubling him. He always trusted his instincts, though, so he was extra careful on his way back to the hotel.

The small lobby was deserted, and he went on
up to his room, ready to get some much-needed rest. It had been a long two days, and he needed to sleep He hadn’t slept in a real bed for quite a while now. He reached the door to his room in the dimly lighted hall and had just started to walk in when he saw it—

The window was fully open and he’d left it up only a few inches earlier that day—

His survival instincts took over.

He might not have found the Jackson gang, but it looked like the gang had found him.

Grant went for his gun as he dove into the room. He expected a blaze of gunfire to erupt as he made his move. He rolled to his knees and came up ready for trouble, only to find himself staring at Dusty, sitting on the chair in his room in the dark, watching him.

“You—!” he snarled, almost shaking with relief that he hadn’t opened fire on her. In disgust, he slammed his sidearm back in the holster as he got to his feet.

“You were expecting someone else?” she asked sarcastically. “Or, maybe, you weren’t expecting me at all—?”

“Dusty—” Grant’s tension turned to anger as he stormed over to the dresser and struck a match to light the lamp there. He turned it up all the way and then stalked back to shut the door. Only then did he turn to look at her again.

“I take it you’re surprised to see me,” she taunted.

“You’re supposed to be on a stage going home,” he declared.

“I decided that wasn’t what I wanted to do. I have some unfinished business to take care of. I have to find Les Jackson.”

“I don’t want you riding with me, woman,” Grant argued.

“You don’t have a choice, Ranger man,” Dusty said smugly, giving him an arrogant look.

“Oh, yes, I do,” he countered.

She gave a low, sarcastic laugh. “You think you do, but I know better.”

“What are you talking about?” He suddenly wondered what she was up to.

“Back when I first told you that I knew where Jackson was going, I got a little suspicious when you agreed to take me along so quickly. I decided not to tell you everything I knew. You see, you’re not about to find Jackson and his men here in Gold Canyon.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, they were never coming here—”

He swore under his breath at her revelation. “You mean, I wasted all this time riding here for nothing?”

She just smiled coolly at him as she stood up and crossed the room to face him. “No, Ranger, you didn’t waste any time. That’s why I rode out after you as soon as I got up this morning. I told you they were heading here to Gold Canyon because—”

“You lied to me—” he challenged. He stared down at her, his gaze hard.

Dusty didn’t care how angry he was. “No. I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t tell you everything.”

“So there’s more to this—Where are they?” he demanded.

She was enjoying paying him back for what he’d done to her. She answered, “We’ll need to pack up and head out real early in the morning—but, of course, riding out early is normal for you, isn’t it?”

It wasn’t often Grant found himself at a disadvantage. It annoyed him greatly that Dusty had managed to trap him this way and force him to her will. He told himself it didn’t matter. He told himself the only thing that mattered was bringing in the murderous gang, but it didn’t ease his irritation at her wiles.

Grant realized resentfully that he’d met his match in this woman.

Grant also realized his instincts had been right about Gold Canyon. The gang wasn’t in town and never had been. It truly was the peaceful, quiet place that it seemed.

It was hard for him to do, but he swallowed his pride and answered, “You’re right. I do like to get an early start. I’ll expect you to be ready.”

Dusty walked to the door to let herself out. “I’ll be waiting for you, Ranger.”

Grant stood there staring at the closed door with a rueful look on his face.