The Lone Texan

CHAPTER 26

THEY RODE FOR FOUR MORE DAYS, STOPPING AN HOUR before dark each night so that they could cook the game they'd killed along the way. Sage slept in Drum's arms at night. He was awake when she fell asleep and awake when she woke. He didn't want to sleep. He hated missing one hour, one minute, of their time together.

Though he could think of little to talk about, she trusted him more each day, and the silence between them never seemed awkward. They made a good team, both skilled at surviving.

He enjoyed the way she teased him, claiming he was the worst cook she'd ever encountered. She seemed to be growing younger, shedding a little of the responsibility she'd worn for months. Or maybe he was growing older, Drum thought, from worrying about getting her back safely.

They fought over chores, took turns complaining about how dirty they were, and shared everything.

Though the nights were not cold, they slept side by side. He accused her of fluffing him like a pillow every night until she had him turned just the way she wanted him, and she swore he petted her in his sleep, running his hand along her leg or arm several times a night.

Drum was smart enough to deny it, but he didn't stop. His favorite pastime after she slept was to move his hand along her spine until she bowed against him, and he felt her soft intake of breath against his throat. There were other places he wanted to touch her, but he wanted her awake.

To his surprise, he slept more hours beside her than he usually slept. When he did wake in the darkness, he'd listen to make sure all was quiet around him, then he'd relax, enjoying the feel of her close. She liked to put her hand over his heart when she slept. He liked to turn her in her sleep while he whispered against her ear.

"Roll over, honey," he'd say. "Your back is getting cold” She'd moan in protest, but she'd turn on her side and cuddle into his arms.

He also loved when she woke. She'd stretch against him, then pull away as if embarrassed at her boldness. He'd keep his eyes closed long enough to let her think she had to wake him.

When they reached Galveston in mid-afternoon, Drum had to fight the urge to pull the horses and turn around. He didn't want their time to end. He couldn't stand the thought of her not being in his arms when the sun went down.

Every time he groaned, she laughed, promising him everything would be grand as soon as they had a bath and food.

Sage insisted on going to the Ranger station before they took time to clean up. She was worried about Bonnie and the boys. When Drum lifted her down in front of the station, he noticed a tear running down her dirty cheek.

"They're all right," he whispered, reading her unspoken worry.

She pressed her forehead against his shoulder. "Promise me if they're missing…"

"We'll go after them. I promise."

She smiled up at him and squared her shoulders. Even trail dirty and exhausted, she was still the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and someday he'd be brave enough to tell her.

Captain Harmon met them at the door and welcomed them with coffee and questions. He wanted every detail and, as soon as he convinced her Bonnie and the boys were safe, Sage talked.

Drum had to admire her intelligence. Most women would have been scared senseless after being kidnapped, but Sage remembered details. She told about the way the men talked, pegging what part of the country they came from, and made a guess at each one's age and height. She knew their eye and hair color and that one had a scar on his arm, another rode a horse with a brand she'd never seen. She related every detail she'd seen and heard, down to what direction the houses in town faced.

Drum made notes on which men had to die. The one she called Frog would be killed right after the wiry one who wanted to use a knife, and the leader, Charlie, who she said had big hands and red hair. He took a deep breath. Sometimes he thought he was part animal, hungry for a kill, even though he knew the captain would talk him into bringing them in to stand trial. Maybe he was part animal despite all his struggle to look civilized, but if someone threatened his mate, they needed to pay.

"There are people in the camp who were kidnapped and brought there," she finally said. "You can't go in tiring without killing some of them. Knowing Hanover, I wouldn't put it past him to use them as shields.”

Harmon nodded. "We'll find a way. It'll take some planning." He looked at Drum. "Can you be ready to ride tomorrow? I'd like to get a look at the lay of the land so we can know what we're getting into. It'll take me all night to round up enough Rangers. This ride may just be scouting, but I want to be well-manned and well-armed, just in case we run into some of them."

Drum nodded, knowing what he'd be asked to do. "I'd planned to take Sage back to Whispering Mountain first.”

Harmon smiled. "No need to worry about that, her brother is here. He'll see her home."

Drum groaned. "Which one?" Not that it mattered. All of them would be thankful that he saved Sage, and not one of them would be happy that he'd spent more than a minute alone with her.

The captain winked as if he could read Drum's mind. "Travis, the meanest one. The ex-Ranger. He'll be wanting to talk to you both."

Sage stood, ready to leave. "Where is he?"

"Over at the hotel. He's got everything ready for your trip." He glanced at Drum. "McMurray was just waiting for you to bring her back. The good news is not for one second did he doubt you would; the bad news is he's fit to be tied at you taking so long. It was all I could do to keep him from going after you both."

Drum shrugged. "I'd have made it faster, but I got shot."

"Shot!" Harmon shouted. "When did that happen? How'd you manage to leave that part out of the report?" He looked Drum up and down, finally noticing the bulge of a bandage around his arm. "How are you, son?"

"I'm fine. I had a good doctor.” He winked at Sage. "It happened right after we got married," Drum added, looking no happier about being married than being shot.

"We're not married” Sage snapped. "He bought me. That doesn't count”

"Well, until you pay me back, the divorce isn't happening. You're my wife, like it or not”

Harmon fought down a laugh. "I'd like to hear all about this, but I'd better get you over to Travis. I wouldn't tell him too soon about this marriage that doesn't count. He's never had much of a sense of humor like me." He opened the door.

"We know the way." Drum stood and followed Sage out, yelling. "And in an outlaw camp, we're married."

They were still arguing when they reached the hotel steps.

Travis, the tallest of the big McMurray men, met them on the porch. He grabbed his little sister and swung her around in a bear hug that looked to all like he might crush her.

Drum watched, knowing that he'd lost her all over again. She wouldn't sleep in his arms tonight or any other night in the future. He was an outsider in their world; he always would be. For a while, on the trail, they'd been in a world all their own. Now she was back to being Sage McMurray, quarter owner in the most profitable horse ranch in Texas.

He turned to walk away, but Travis's voice stopped him. "Roak, thanks for bringing her back."

He didn't want thanks. In truth, he wanted to keep her, but he couldn't very well say that to her big brother. "You're welcome," he managed. He looked back and noticed Sage was now hugging the homely nurse. "I need to see to the horses” It was all he could think of to say. He wanted to get away. He'd never been a part of a family reunion, and he wasn't a part of this one.

Travis stormed down the steps and offered his hand. "The captain said that place was impossible to get into. I knew you'd manage it. Come to supper in a few hours and tell me all about it.”

Drum tried to think of an excuse. Travis had been a Ranger. He knew all about outlaws and, though he now lived the life of a powerful lawyer in Austin, he still loved to know what was going on. Drum owed Travis a great deal. If he hadn't spoken for him, the Rangers might never have trusted Drum enough to work with him.

"I'll be back at sundown," Drum offered.

"I have a room in your name waiting here at the hotel," Travis said.

"I'll make my own plans” Drum answered too quickly.

Travis nodded, taking no offense. He might have ordered Drum around when he was a boy, but now that he was a man, the McMurrays knew to give him space. "Fair enough.”

Drum walked away. He wished he was back on the trail eating squirrel for supper with Sage. Fancy places, like the hotel dining room, always made him feel uncomfortable. He took the horses to the stable and told the owner that the bay Sage had been riding for a week belonged to the Rangers. Then he brushed Satan down himself and mixed a rich blend of oats and hay seasoned with carrots cut lengthwise.

When he hung the gear by Satan's stall, he checked the secret pouch he'd had made years ago between the leather. He'd spent almost all his traveling money buying Sage. He would have to make a trip to the bank before long. Most of his pay from the Rangers went into the bank. He had accounts in Galveston, San Antonio, and Austin. Drum wasn't even sure how much he had. It didn't really matter. Money wasn't worth that much to him.

He pulled a twenty-dollar gold piece out and headed for a tailor. He'd buy clothes for the road and a hat, but he needed a proper coat for tonight. Tonight, he didn't want to look like a gunfighter. He wanted to look like he belonged with Sage.

Two hours later, when he looked in the mirror, he hardly recognized himself. He'd rented a room down the block from the Grand, had a shave and a haircut. He'd taken care in his bath to soak off the last of the bloody dressing on his arm and tried to rewrap it neatly so that the bandage wouldn't show beneath his shirt. The suit delivered was black, well-fitting in the shoulders, with a white shirt.

"I look like a preacher.” He swore at himself and tugged off the string tie. This wasn't him. He couldn't pretend.

After tugging off his jacket, he went down to the hotel desk and asked one of the runners to deliver a message to Sage that he wouldn't be joining them for dinner, then he ordered a bottle of whiskey for his supper. He knew he should be grateful they were back safe, but part of him needed time to mourn the loss of Sage by his side. They'd had a few peaceful days where there was no one else to see them or comment on how the fine doctor didn't fit with the gunslinger.

Drum opened the windows to the night air and lay on the hotel bed. It felt soft and uncomfortable after so many nights sleeping on the ground. He drank half the bottle and couldn't drown the ache for Sage. He didn't bother to light the lamp; he could see everything he needed to see in the darkness. The noises in the street sounded off-key after listening to nights in the open country. Hell, he thought, he even missed the coyote.

He was almost asleep when he heard a tap on the door.

"Go away” he said, not caring who it was. He'd make it up in time to meet Captain Harmon at dawn. Until then, his time was his own.

The knob turned, and he reached for his gun, realizing he hadn't thought to lock the door.

He blinked, not trusting his sight, as Sage walked into the room. She had her medical bag in one hand and a basket of what smelled like hot bread in the other. Without saying a word to him, she moved to the table by the window and lit the lamp.

When she turned, her eyes danced with anger. "I knew you wouldn't come to dinner. I knew you wouldn't take care of yourself. I knew you'd probably drink the night away.”

He shoved his hair back and sat up. "Well, if you know me so well, why haven't you figured out that I want to be alone?"

"Because you don't," she said as she turned and opened her bag. "Take off that shirt. I'm going to check your wound one more time and put some proper medicine on it."

"I'm fine.”

She faced him. "Strip off that shirt or-"

"Or you'll what? Strip it off for me?"

"Or I'll go get my brother.”

"Threats of your big brothers don't scare me anymore. They haven't for years.”

"Then why didn't you come to dinner?"

He tugged off his shirt, knowing she wouldn't leave until she'd done her duty as a doctor. "I'm not afraid of your brothers, Sage," he said as she cut the bandage he'd tried to tie. "I'm afraid of being with you”

He could see that her concentration was on her work. The wound was healing nicely, but it would leave a scar.

She spread salve over the scab. "Why would you be afraid of being with me, Drum? We've been together all week”

"Then, you needed me to keep you safe, and I did. Now, who will keep you safe from me?"

She laughed as she wrapped the bandage. "I don't need to be protected from you. We agreed, we're friends. I'm not afraid of you, Drummond, so stop trying to convince me of how tough you are.”

He tugged her onto the bed as she knotted the bandage. "Then lie beside me for a while just like you did on the road, if you're not afraid?"

"But-"

"Tomorrow I go after the outlaws, and you head west to Whispering Mountain. It may be months before our paths cross again. Stay beside me an hour. Sage.”

To his surprise, she seemed to understand.

She brushed his jaw. "Funny thing, out there on the road, I was afraid. The only time I felt safe was with you. Now that we're in town, I feel safe, and I think you might be just a little afraid."

"No.” he lied. "I just want to feel you near.”

"All right. I'll stay a few minutes, but no more.” She placed her hand on his chest and pushed him against the pillows. Then she twisted so that she fit against his side just as she had every night for a week.

He took a deep breath of her hair, clean and smelling of honeysuckle. "How'd you find me?"

"It wasn't hard. I asked the boy you sent with the message that said you weren't coming.”

He rested his arm across her waist.

"Try to sleep," she whispered. "I don't think you slept more than a few hours a night for the entire trip."

"I had to watch over you?"

She rolled to face him. "Sleep now.” she ordered and watched him close his eyes. "I'll watch over you”

He was almost asleep when he felt her kiss his cheek and whisper, "Sweet dreams, my hero."