The Outlaw Bride Read online

  If he could only remember.

  19

  Rachel protested all the way to the fort. “I can’t do this, Ben. I can’t hand you over to be arrested. You’re no thief.”

  “I never thought so, but obviously we’re both wrong, Rachel.” He hadn’t told her that he remembered carrying a money pouch, that he’d been chased by men he didn’t recognize.

  “I won’t do it.”

  “Then I’ll turn myself in.”

  She caught his arm and forced him to look at her. “No matter what you say, you’ll always be my husband, and I want a future with you. If it means giving up that land, so be it. I won’t miss what I never had. We’ll keep heading west until we find a place where nobody will ever find us.”

  “There is no such place,” he said softly, wishing he could take away the turmoil in her eyes. Life had worn her out, but she still had bright dreams. He’d miss that optimism, but the truth was more important.

  “Of course there is,” she argued softly.

  “Even if there was, I couldn’t make a life with you without knowing the truth, not now.”

  “Then I’ll just wait at the fort until we know.”

  He took her hand and held it. “No, that might be months. You need to get to your land so that you can get ready for winter. I meant to go with you, but now … I can’t. I don’t know what will happen, but when it’s settled, if I can, I’ll come and find you.”

  “And how long do I wait?” she asked, with a rare touch of bitterness in her voice. “A month? A year? Five years?”

  She was right. He could go to jail. He was being selfish by asking her to wait. “I’m sorry,” he said. “You have to get on with your life. If you find someone—forget about me. That’s the best idea.”

  Rachel didn’t argue any further. And for the first time, she didn’t sing.

  That afternoon they reached the fort. He stopped the wagon at the gate and gave her one last look. He wanted to tell her that he’d fallen in love with her, but he didn’t. Their life together was over. He’d ask the commanding officer to recommend someone who could escort her to her land, perhaps stay on through the winter. The reward money would pay for that.

  “Rachel,” he said softly. “Thank you. Whatever happens, I will never forget that you gave a future to a man who had no past. I’m almost sorry that I have it back.” He thought about Brother Joshua and repeated his words: “Perhaps it’s God’s will.”

  Rachel pulled her hat from her head and rubbed her arm against her forehead. She looked tired. “You forget, Jacob—I’m a heathen.”

  ————

  Back in his stable prison cell, Callahan pressed his eye to the crack in the wall, straining to see a coach drawn by two gray horses rattle down the street and stop in front of the hotel.

  It was picking up two women. Ellie wore a soft blue dress trimmed in lace and ribbons and—he almost didn’t recognize Josie, who was wearing a scandalously low-cut dress with a pale pink satin bodice. A velvet flower of the same color was placed at the waist, a similar flower curling up and over the shoulder. The skirt had a kind of apron in a darker shade of pink and fit her like a glove. He smiled as he watched her adjusting her steps to the tightness of the garment. He realized that he’d never seen her as the lady she was tonight, and he’d never seen her so uncomfortable. It made him smile.

  The carriage driver assisted Ellie inside. He turned back to Josie, who struggled for a moment, then hiked up her dress and climbed in without any help. She hadn’t looked across the street, but Callahan knew she was watching now. Why hadn’t she come to talk to him about her plans? Why hadn’t she broken him out?

  Dr. Annie, Dan Miller, and a young girl who had to be Josie’s little sister had left at noon. He didn’t know where the grandfathers were, but they weren’t acting as Ellie and Josie’s escorts, and neither was Will. Callahan bristled. Surely these two women weren’t going alone. He’d warned Will and the Millers that Josie might be in danger. Why wasn’t she being protected?

  Fear feeding his anger, Callahan slammed the iron cot against the wall over and over until he ripped off one leg. He’d use that to work on the chink in the wall. Nobody else understood the danger Josie was in, but he did, and he refused to let anything happen to the woman he loved.

  “Be still, Josie. This road is bad enough, and you know that dress is held together with pins and prayers. I’ve decided that we ought to go into the dressmaking business instead of opening a restaurant.”

  “Fine. If that’s what you want.”

  “It is. I sew better than I cook. But if you don’t stop fidgeting, you’re going to tear your gown apart before we get to the ball,” Ellie snapped. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “I’m worried, Ellie. I should have sent you on with Dr. Annie and Dan.”

  “Why?”

  “Last evening someone was … outside the saloon when I left, and all day I’ve felt like I was being watched. Now you’ve got me in a dress that’s so tight I can’t move. I feel like I’m caught between two hard rocks. Couldn’t you find a corset that was made for a woman instead of a child?”

  “Not if you wanted to get into Darla Mae’s dress. She’s at least a size smaller than you, and I couldn’t make any more room in the bodice than I did, at least not in time for—” Ellie stopped short. “What do you mean outside the saloon?”

  Telling Ellie would scare her to death, but not telling her could put her in danger. “A man stopped me,” she finally explained, “and warned me not to replace the money.”

  “Did you tell Will?”

  “No. I should have, but I didn’t see who he was. But don’t worry, the driver won’t let anything happen to us, and the only thing that could possibly do me harm is this corset. What in the world is it made out of?”

  “Whalebone and steel. The girls like them because they make their waists small and their … their bosoms bigger. Stop trying to switch the subject, Josie. You can’t fool me,” Ellie said knowingly. “Exactly what is it you’re planning for tonight?”

  “Planning? I’m not planning anything, Ellie. I’m just going to have a look around. That stolen jewelry has to be somewhere. If can find it, I can prove to Judge McSparren that Callahan didn’t steal the money.”

  Josie glanced out the carriage window at the moon, almost half full now. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It would have helped if there had been clouds. Or if her dress had been darker. Moving in and out of the shadows would have been easier that way.

  Ellie was right. She was up to something, and the guilt she felt was beginning to overwhelm her. Most of the illegal things she’d done in her early life had revolved around herself—her survival. But this time, she was breaking the law not for herself, but for an outlaw.

  She wanted to curse, but she didn’t have enough breath to get the words out. Maybe she’d feel better if she’d been able to talk it over with Callahan, if he’d come with her. But she couldn’t take a chance on bringing him along; he’d have found a way to stop her.

  She had to find that jewelry.

  Find the money.

  Get Callahan out of jail so that … so that what? All her life she’d sworn she’d never lie with a man, never care about one, never marry.

  Well, her plan to remain unmarried didn’t look as if it was going to change. No matter what Callahan felt—and she was sure he cared about her—he’d made his position clear. No wedding. She stretched and her dress dipped lower. The stitching at the top of the neckline grated on her nipple, and a shiver of pleasure ran through her.

  Callahan.

  The carriage came to a stop. “Well, we’re here, Josie, safe and sound.”

  Josie tugged at her bodice and opened the door before the driver could get to it. “Let’s go.”

  Hiking up her dress once more, she put her feet on the ground, then rearranged her skirt. Thank goodness Darla Mae was tall. They’d still had to stitch two lengths of wide ribbon around the bottom of the skirt to hide her riding bo
ots. She had to make certain she didn’t dance.

  Perryman himself greeted her and Ellie at the door. “Good evening, ladies. I was about to give up on you.”

  “So were we,” Dr. Annie said, giving Josie’s ball dress a jaundiced eye.

  “Mama, look at Josie’s dress,” Laura whispered. “She’s falling out of it.”

  Annie nodded. “That is an interesting gown. I wouldn’t have thought the general store would cany something so … so …”

  “Lovely? They didn’t, Mother,” Josie said, studying the large room filled with people. The walls were lined with chairs and benches, leaving the center open for the dancers. “It’s borrowed. Ellie was able to alter it. Good evening, Mr. Perryman. Your party has turned into quite an event.”

  “Yes, indeed. And I’d like to say, Miss Miller, that I’m willing to forget about what happened in the bank. I know you were forced to take part.”

  “I was—”

  “Where are your grandfathers?” Dr. Annie interrupted, cutting off Josie before she could deny Mr. Perryman’s statement.

  “Aren’t they here?” Josie asked. “Are you certain they aren’t playing poker somewhere? I’ll look around.”

  At that moment, the music started up.

  “They’re probably in my game room trying out my new billiards table. In the meantime, may I have the honor?” Perryman asked, offering Josie his arm.

  Short of making a scene, she couldn’t refuse. He led her into the center of the room and started a gentle sweep around the floor.

  So much for worrying about the shoes, Josie thought, and tossed back her head. Dipping and swaying, she studied all the women seated along the wall and dancing about her. Not a woman wore a cameo brooch that she could see.

  “I understand that you’re defending Mr. Callahan,” Perryman said. “Are you sure that’s wise? I mean, given your parents’ position in the community. Your father is heavily involved in the future of Wyoming. You wouldn’t want to cast doubts on his future. And your mother, she’s made great strides on behalf of women.”

  “Is this a threat, Mr. Perryman?”

  “Just a warning, my dear. Sometimes we have to be careful who we do business with, else their reputations rub off on us.”

  Josie didn’t like the way Perryman’s conversation was going. To divert him, she said, “An attorney is sworn to defend those who seek her services. By the way, where is Mrs. Perryman? I want to tell her how lovely her home is.”

  The music ended. Perryman gave Josie a little bow and, still holding her hand, said, “I’d like you to meet her, but she isn’t well. She’ll join us a little later for refreshments.” With his lips curved into a smile, he pulled her close, tightening his hold on her hand. “In the meantime, you little thief, be warned. Nobody gets in my way.”

  Shocked, Josie tried to pull away, but he held her with a steel grip.

  “I don’t believe for one minute that you were kidnapped by Callahan. You broke into my bank, and I don’t take kindly to that. If you don’t stay out of this, you’ll be sorry.”

  “And what are you going to do if I don’t?”

  “When I’m governor, your father and your mother will pay for your loyalties—one way or the other.”

  He gave her another bow, twisted her fingers cruelly, and turned her back toward her parents. “Dr. Annie, Dan? Will you excuse me for a moment? I need to check on my wife. She isn’t feeling well.”

  “Would you like me to examine her?” Dr. Annie inquired.

  “No, it’s just one of her headaches. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

  Dan frowned. “What was that all about, Josie? It looked like he was threatening you.”

  “It was nothing,” Josie said quickly. If she told her father what had just happened, he’d want her to leave. Another glance about the room made it abundantly clear that Perryman needed a large income to support the lifestyle he was already enjoying, and Josie intended to prove tonight how he’d acquired that income. Perryman didn’t know that a real leader set an example by honor, not wealth.

  Josie tightened her resolve. She began by speaking with every woman around the dance floor. When she finished, she’d still seen no sign of the cameo. It was time to look for the cash. Perryman wouldn’t have kept the money in his bank; his teller might have seen it. If it wasn’t there, it had to be in his office here at home—if he had one. She’d have to search for it. To do that, she needed help.

  She needed Ellie.

  Callahan had made a hole almost big enough to escape through when he heard a man yell. He looked through the peephole to get a good look.

  Someone had left the stage office and was running toward the hotel. “Sheriff Spencer! Sheriff Spencer!”

  Will Spencer strode out of the hotel, where he must have been waiting just inside the doorway. Watching me, Callahan thought, waiting for me to break out. Will had to know that’s what he was planning to do when everyone left Sharpsburg to attend Perryman’s party. That’s why he hadn’t gone with Ellie and Josie.

  The sheriff looked at the paper he’d been handed and frowned. He tapped it against the palm of his hand for a long moment, then headed across the street and into the livery stable. Moments later Callahan heard the board being lifted from its brackets, and the door opened.

  Will Spencer walked in, surveyed the damage Callahan had done, and shook his head. “You wouldn’t have gotten away. I was watching you. I have some news, Callahan.”

  “What news?”

  “Your brother’s been found.”

  Callahan let out a long, tight breath. Finally. “Is he … all right?”

  “The captain didn’t say.”

  “What captain? Where is he?”

  “Fort Bridger. Seems a woman turned him in. She’s asking for the reward.”

  Callahan looked surprised. “Reward?”

  “Well, I thought it was a good idea. The telegraph operator is sending authorization to the army to pay it.”

  “Well, I’m sure my new fiancée will oblige you with a loan for the reward,” Callahan snapped. “That is, if she doesn’t get killed first. Why’d you let her go to that party alone?”

  “I’m having a hard time believing that anybody is going to harm Josie Miller. The money is already in the bank for the bail-out.”

  “Perryman wants the cattle and our land. He’s gone to great lengths to get them. He’ll blame the holdup on me. Then he’ll get rid of Josie before she proves that he’s behind it all. You’ve allowed her to ride straight into danger.”

  “Perryman might be guilty of having high ambitions, but with Judge McSparren and Dan at the party and me here, he won’t take a chance on being blamed for anything.”

  “Hell, Spencer. Are you slow or just plain stupid? Are you willing to take the chance that she won’t be harmed? And if Josie’s in trouble, Ellie is, too. I’m willing to make you a deal to prove it. Take me with you to Perryman’s ranch. I won’t escape. I give you my word.”

  “That’s good enough for us.” Roylston Sinclair stood in the doorway, a rifle tucked in the crook of his arm. “Let’s go.”

  “And if you don’t want to go with us, Sheriff, well, I guess we’ll have to do this alone. Brought you a weapon, son,” Teddy Miller said, handing Callahan a pistol and gun belt.

  “You two old fools know what you’re doing?” Spencer asked.

  Roylston Sinclair was all business now. “We do, and we may be old, but we didn’t get where we are by being fools. Sometimes it just pays to look like one. Callahan, we have horses saddled behind the stable. Spencer, make up your mind. Are you with us?”

  With a quick nod of his head, Will pushed through the grandfathers and out the front. “Lets go,” he said sharply, moving toward his own horse tied to the rail in front of the hotel, while the other three men scrambled onto the horses in the back.

  With Will leading the way, they tore out of Sharpsburg in a cloud of dust.

  Long before they reached Perryman’s place they saw the
lights and heard music. A waltz, Will thought ruefully.

  “Where did so many people come from?” Sinclair asked.

  “Everywhere,” Spencer answered. “There are ranches scattered from here to Cheyenne and south into Colorado. Perryman is becoming a powerful man.”

  “What’s our plan?” Teddy asked.

  Roylston Sinclair reined in his horse and held up his hand. “Teddy and I will go in and check out the situation. You two look around. Make sure there’s no army of hoodlums hidden behind all these buggies and flowerpots. Teddy, I believe you’re looking for a poker game. You get Perryman involved in one, and I’ll come back and give Will and Callahan a report.”

  Once the two grandfathers were inside, Will gave Callahan a long, hard look. “You’re still charged with robbery. The only reason you’re here is that I’m more concerned about Ellie and Josie than I am about you. And if you make one attempt to get away, I’ll shoot you.”

  “I give you my word of honor, Spencer. Besides”—he grinned—“I expect to be released. I have the best attorney in Wyoming.”

  “Maybe. I’m thinking someday Josie is going to be just as good a judge.”

  Judge Miller. Callahan shook his head. Josie would always get what she wanted. She’d already told the world that they were to be married. He’d told her that he wouldn’t be bought, but since then he hadn’t been able to banish the fantasy of changing Josie Miller’s name to Josie Callahan. Now Callahan had to put that out of his mind and move on to his next step. She hadn’t told him her plan, but he guessed her intentions were to open Perryman’s safe. And he had to stop her from being hurt, even if it meant serving a few more years for breaking out of jail again.

  20

  Banker Perryman held up his hand, asking for silence. A tiny brown-haired woman dressed in an almond-colored gown was standing on the staircase. She smiled wanly and waited for Perryman to mount the stairs and stand beside her.