Where the Deer and the Antelope Play (Code of the West) (18 page)

“I still don’t know what you two are doin’ out here,” Tap f
inally commented.

“Rena didn’t tell you?”

Her raven hair tucked in a fur hood, Rena wore her wool blanket like a veil around her face. “No, I didn’t tell him anything. The way he was mumblin’, I figured he’d forget everything and just ask us later. Andrews, you’re a walkin’ disaster. Did anyone ever tell you that you seem to attract trouble?”

“Yeah. There’s this yellow-haired lady out on the North Platte that keeps remindin’ me of it. Not to mention a banker’s wife down in Globe City, Arizona. Anyway what’s a half-breed lawyer and the queen of Denver doin’ out here?”

Wade’s deep voice boomed above the creak and rattle of the wagon. “I got your telegram.”

“And what’s Rena doin’ here? I thought you went back east.”

“I changed my mind,” Rena said.

“Why?”

“With Victor dead, I had nothin’ to run from. Besides, I took a fancy to the barrister.”

“You and Wade? You’ve got to be kiddin’.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, paleface?” Eagleman jibed.

“I just didn’t know, that's what.”

“Come on, Andrews.” She poked his ribs with her elbow. “Get yourself out of this one.”

“I, eh, think you’ll make a perfect couple. You two might even want to think about getting married some day,” Tap blurted out.

“Too late for that. Do you see this?” She showed him her hand.

“I can’t see anything.”

“If you could, you'd notice a very nice wedding ring.”

“You two got married? When?”

“Three days ago.”

“I can’t believe it. This is great .
 . . I think.”

“We needed to settle some matters, so we took the south pass and swung around here hoping to make your wedding on our way to Arizona.”

“Oh, man, I’ve got to get to McCurleys’. I’ve still got a few days ’til the wedding, right?”

“What are you talkin’ about, Andrews?”

“I’ve been dreamin’ about bein’ late for the weddin’, and sometimes you and Rena were the ones who made me late. This is like it’s prophetic. I’ve got to get to McCurleys’ tonight.”

“Relax, Tapadera. Just a little nervous before the big day, are you?”

“Did you say you’re goin’ to Arizona?”

“Wade’s goin’ to take me down to Globe City and I'll tell the judge my side of the story. He thinks he can get it cleared up.”

Tap poked his head out from under the blanket. “And get that sentence of mine dropped?”

“At least the murder charge. I’m not sure how they’ll ha
ndle the escape from A.T.P.,” Wade replied.

“There’s another reason we came.” Rena paused. “I just had to see if that blonde wildcat could really sink her claws into you. I do hope I’m invited.”

“Of course you’re invited. Pepper will be pleased. Pleased that you’re married.”

Only the dim reflection off the snow from a very dark night gave hint of where the road was, but the wagon rolled along quickly on the frozen road. Its rattles and creaks were the only sound for miles.

“Do you know of a cabin between here and McCurleys’ in case this storm hits?” Wade asked.

“Nope.” Tap pulled back the blanket from his neck. It stuck to the dried blood and peach preserves splattered on his jacket. “The quicker I get cleaned up, the better.”

It got too cold to talk. All three seemed content to hunker down and brace themselves against the weather. Tap drifted in and out of sleep, thankful that the wind was blowing at their back.

Lord, if I had my life to live over, I’d just be a lawman. At least I’d get some pay for the gunfights and ambushes. I’m sure not doin’ a very good job at running away from trouble.

Tap sat up and poked Eagleman who dozed with Rena’s head on his shoulder. “What about that bank note on the ranch? What can I do about that?”

Eagleman transferred the reins from his left to his right hand and brushed his long, black hair off his turned-up coat collar. “If you can find a way to satisfy that bank note, that means they admit your ownership is legitimate. ’Course, they can just call in the note and repossess the ranch at any time if you don’t pay. About the best I could do was come up with a debt repayment plan for you. You’d pay this note off at a higher rate of interest over a three-year period.”

“You think they’ll go for that?”

“I don’t think banks want to own property out in the wi
lderness. They’ll make a good return on their investment, but they have to wait a little longer than usual.”

“Can you go tell the bankers that?” Tap asked.

“Not me. I’m on my way to Arizona, remember? But I did draw up some papers for you. I suggest you and Pepper take a honeymoon trip and stop by that bank in Ft. Collins.”

“Thanks, Wade.”

“I didn’t say it would work. Just worth tryin’.”

“How much farther to McCurleys’?” Rena asked in a quiet, sleepy voice.

“Two long hours at a minimum,” Tap projected.

Closer to three hours, almost daylight, the wagon with  three frost-covered, teeth-chattering pa
ssengers finally rolled to a grating, rattling stop in the yard of McCurley Hotel.

9

A
fter sleeping on the floor at the ranch house, Pepper savored the big feather tick in her room at McCurleys’. Little Bob Gundersen was at the hotel, so she expected that Tap would be along quickly. She was disappointed that he had not arrived yet, and she had gazed out her window at the cloudy, cold sky to the north most of the afternoon. She daydreamed about a quiet ranch house with no one around for miles except her and Tap. After the sun set, she decided that he must surely be waiting until morning.

It was still dark outside when she awoke, but she lay in bed on her back with the flannel sheets tucked snugly around her neck.

I figured on moving all my things out to the ranch on Thursday . . . then come back to the hotel. But with a house full of people, there’s no reason I couldn’t spend those few days at the ranch. Mr. and Mrs. McCurley will bring the reverend on Friday.

Maybe Tap went back to the ranch last night. Did I tell Danni Mae to keep Selena away from him? Two more days, Mr. Tap Andrews. Surely you can wait two more days.

A sharp rap at the door startled her. She sat straight up, then pulled a flannel sheet around her shoulders.

“Yes?”

“I need to talk to you about Tap.” It was a soft, feminine voice, yet it belonged to a woman who expected others to obey her commands. Pepper couldn’t place it, but something gnawed at her stomach.

“Just a minute, I’ll get my robe. Who are you?”

The voice now boomed with the authority of a dance-hall madam. “What difference does it make who I am or, for that matter, what you’re wearing or not wearing? You want to know about Tap, don’t you?”

Oh, no. Not her.

Pepper rushed to the door, dragging her robe in her left hand across the cold, polished wooden floor. She slung open the door. She stared at the brown, catlike eyes of a tall, slim, raven-haired woman, still dressed in cloak, hat, and gloves.

“Rena!”

“How charming you remember me.”

“What are you doing here?”

“You do want to know what your Tapadera went off and did, don’t you?”

“Is he all right?”

“Oh, you know Tap. You could run a train over him, and he’d say he’s all right. Most of the bullet holes seem to be in his hat. Spending time with that handsome, brown-eyed man is never boring.”

Pepper tried to straighten her hair with her fingers but still felt tacky. She stood helpless at the doorway, barefoot in her flannel gown. “Don’t ‘dear’ me. What are you doing with Tap? You don’t have any business with him.”

Rena tugged off her left glove and stuck the hand in front of Pepper. “See this ring?”

“So what?”

“I’m happy to announce that I just got married.”

“What?” Pepper gasped. “You and Tap?”

Rena howled. “That would be like marrying a hurricane, and you know it. I married Wade Eagleman.”

“You did? When?”

“Last week.”

The knot in her stomach unraveled.

The pain in her chest melted.

The tenseness in her neck relaxed.

“Tap’s out in the barn. He wants you to bring some bandage cloths, towels, and hot water.”

“Is he shot? Where did you find him?”

“Wade and I are going to get some breakfast from Mrs. McCurley. Tap can explain everything. I figure there are only a half-dozen really good men in the whole West. I got one of the good ones, and you got another. That leaves all the other women to wrangle over the few left. I presume our fighting days are over. What do you say?” She reached out her bare hand to Pepper.

“You’re really married to Wade?”

“I really am.”

Rena’s hand felt cold, strong, and rather bony as Pepper shook it. “Tell Tap I’ll be right out. I’ve got to get dressed.”

She pulled on a deep blue dress and quickly laced her high-top black shoes. Then she stopped at the dresser mirror and stared at her hair.

Yellow hair. Everyone envies yellow hair. I envy the woman whose hair is always orderly .
 . . like Rena’s.

She brushed her hair back but decided against setting it in combs. Then she rushed to the hotel barn carrying towels over her shoulder and a bucket of steaming water that she had ha
stily retrieved from the kitchen.

Tap teetered back by the far wall dressed in oversized duc
kings. His suspenders hung at his waist. He was bare-chested and bent over, trying to push a comb through his matted brown hair. A bloody, raw wound gaped on his shoulder. His face and hands were covered with black soot.

“Tap! What happened?” She hurried to his side.

“It ain’t much, really. I came out mighty lucky.”

“But how? Little Bob’s here at the hotel.”

“I ran into that other bunch.”

“What bunch? What are you doing?”

“Trying to comb the glass out of my hair.”

“Glass?”

“Yeah. From the jars of peach preserves. I was in the root cellar at April’s.”

“I thought it burned down.”

“That’s why I’m covered with ashes and soot.”

“What about your shoulder? Did you get shot?”

“Only cut a little furrow. Didn’t bury any bullets, if that’s what you mean.”

“Who did this?”

“That bunch that burned down April’s. They shot at the house, suckered me down the trail, and tried to ambush me at Pingree Hill.”

“What happened to them?”

“I shot ’em. All four of them. They're dead."

Pepper leaned her head over and took a deep breath. She felt dizzy and faint.

Tap stood up and grabbed her shoulders. She raised her eyes to his.

“I’m going to be a young widow. It’s okay. Me and the Lord have already discussed it. I consider any time He lets me have with you is better than none at all.”

“Don’t bury me yet, darlin’. I aim to live a long and happy life with lots of children.”

But I told you .
 . . Lord, I just can’t tell him again.

She looked him over. “Whose trousers are those?”

“Bob McCurley’s. Mrs. Mac insisted on takin’ my gear and washin’ it out. But she forgot to bring a spare shirt. Maybe you could get me one.”

“After I get you cleaned up. Sit still. I’m not even sure you really are Tap Andrews.”

“You know some other guy who comes in lookin’ like this?”

Through all the grime and blood she recognized Tap’s i
ncredible smile and the flash of his eyes. The eyes she knew had stopped the hearts of hundreds of dance-hall girls throughout the West.

“Not really.” She took the rags and washed the dried blood off his shoulder and back. Almost an hour later she poured the last of the water over his freshly washed hair.

“Now if you promise not to freeze to death, I’ll run get you a shirt. Dry your hair with these towels.”

“I won’t freeze, but I figure I’ll probably fall asleep right a
fter I grab some breakfast.”

“You can sleep in my room. I’ll go down to the kitchen and help—”

“For two more days I’ll sleep in the barn. After that . . .” He gazed at her dancing eyes. “We’re really goin’ to do it, Miss Pepper.”

“Which? Really going to wait or really going to get ma
rried?”

“Both.”

“Yeah. It feels good to do it right, doesn’t it?” she added.

“Yep. Now .
 . . how about grabbin’ me that shirt?”

“Be right back.” Pepper sprinted out of the barn and r
eturned within minutes.

“Mrs. Mac suggested I apply this ointment to your wound and then wrap it with these cotton rags.”