Gunslinger (13 page)

“I’ve already approached Jones about selling the ranch and he turned me down flat. He’s going to be difficult to deal with. More difficult than Chloe Sommers.”

“Maybe we can change his mind,” Tate suggested.

Calvin stared over his steepled fingers. “It’s not going to be that easy. We have no leverage. Nothing to bend him to our will. We have to work fast. I just received word that negotiations are to begin soon for the purchase of the right-of-way for the spur line. When negotiations begin, I intend to own all the land along the proposed route.”

Tate grinned. “You got something up your sleeve, Pa? What is it? How can I help?”

“Leverage,” Calvin mused. “It’s all got to do with leverage. Just how fond of Chloe Sommers is Jones?”

“Too damn fond for my liking,” Tate said sourly. “I always considered Chloe mine. I figured she’d come around one day. Then that gunslinger came along and dazzled her with his reputation. I still want her, Pa. But I don’t have a chance unless Jones leaves town or gets himself killed.”

“Hmmm,” Calvin said as the wheels in his mind began to turn. “I wonder just how much Jones values Chloe’s life. How far would he go to keep her safe?”

A slow grin spread over Tate’s features. “Am I thinking what you’re thinking? Me and the boys can take Chloe someplace while you negotiate with Jones for the ranch.”

“It won’t be easy to snatch Chloe from under Desperado’s nose. But having her in our clutches might just be the kind of leverage we need to convince him to sell out.”

“Tuck Mapes told me he saw Chloe checking into the hotel today. I don’t know why she left the ranch, but it’s worth checking into. I’ll find out what room she’s in. It will make things a whole lot easier for us if she’s left the ranch for good. There are too many men protecting her out there.”

“Good. Meanwhile, I’ll try to get some information from Thadeous Baker about Jones’s plans for his newly acquired property. Jones doesn’t strike me as a man anxious to buckle down to responsibility.”

* * *

Desperado awoke before dawn the next morning with his arms full of soft, fragrant woman. He nuzzled Chloe’s neck and smiled when she purred contentedly. He wished he could linger in bed but there wasn’t time. He disentangled himself from Chloe’s warm body and climbed out of bed. He lit the lamp, found his discarded clothing and dressed quickly. He stared down at the sleeping Chloe with aching tenderness as he buckled on his gunbelt; then he jostled her awake. All he received for his effort was a grunt of protest.

“Wake up, sleepyhead.”

Chloe opened one eye, saw Desperado, and groaned. She recalled all those intimate things she’d done with Desperado last night and blushed. “Why should I wake up? It’s still dark outside.”

“I want to get you back to the ranch as soon as possible. The hands are probably getting jittery with no one out there to give orders.”

All vestiges of sleep left Chloe. “I haven’t changed my mind, Mr. Jones. I’m
not
going back to the ranch and pretend it’s still mine. Issue your own orders.”

“If all goes as I plan, you won’t have to pretend.”

“You’re a stubborn man, Desperado Jones. Not only that, you’re as dense as dirt. I don’t want the ranch as a gift.”

“What do you want?”

“If you don’t know, then I’m not going to tell you. Just promise me you won’t sell out to Talbot.”

How much plainer could she get? Chloe wondered. She’d done everything but get down on her knees and beg him to marry her, but he was an expert at circumventing the issue. He must think her a besotted fool. He’d left her with nothing but her pride, and she wasn’t going to give that up to the determined gunslinger. He could take his ranch and stuff it up his…Well, he could just go whistle if he thought she was going to live out there as his whore until he got itchy feet and left.

“I have no intention of selling the ranch to Talbot, now or ever,” Desperado declared. “Now get dressed. I’ve got an appointment with the lawyer this morning.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you, Mr. Jones,” Chloe said, tilting her chin defiantly.

His determined smile did not bode well for her and Chloe knew it. She was far from prepared when Desperado rolled her up in the blanket and flung her over his shoulder.

“Put me down or I’ll scream.”

He swatted her butt playfully. “Think what finding me in your room would do to your reputation. Now be quiet. My horse is stabled out back. The fewer people who see us, the better it will be for you.”

“Bastard!”

“I’ve been called worse.” He opened the door, peeked out into the dark, deserted hall and headed for the rear exit. Fortunately, he didn’t have to walk through the lobby and past the clerk, for the exit was just a few steps away from Chloe’s room at the end of the hall.

No one was about when Desperado led his horse from the lean-to behind the hotel. “I’ll come back for your clothes and check you out of the hotel later,” he said as he tossed her aboard his mustang. “Quit squirming. It’s going to be an uncomfortable ride if you insist on throwing a fit.”

“You can’t do this,” Chloe hissed. “I was going out today to find a job.”

“You’ve got a job. Running the ranch is no picnic.”

“I can’t go with you like this. I’m naked beneath the blanket.”

He grinned down at her. “I’m quite aware of that. I did give you a choice, if you recall.”

Her muffled curse was caught in the folds of the blanket as Desperado pulled it over her head, mounted behind her and rode hell for leather out of town.

Streaks of mauve and gray brightened the eastern sky as dawn broke over Texas. The cowboys were just stirring when Desperado drew rein before the ranch house, slid down from the saddle and reached for Chloe. Cory sprinted up to join them.

“You’re back!” he said. “We were beginning to wonder if anyone was going to run the ranch after Miss Chloe left. Some of the hands wanted to leave, but I talked them into staying until someone showed up.”

His gaze settled on the blanket-wrapped object in Desperado’s arms. “That isn’t…That’s not Miss Chloe, is it?”

Suddenly Chloe’s head popped up from the blanket. “Yes, it’s me, Cory. I’ve been kidnapped from my hotel room.”

Cory blanched, his disapproving gaze boring into Desperado. “Why did you go and do that?”

“The lady doesn’t belong in town. This is her home.”

“Miss Chloe said the ranch belongs to Logan Ralston. Are you Logan Ralston?” Cory asked point blank. “Rumor has it you are.”

“Of course he’s Logan Ralston,” Chloe mumbled from within the folds of the blanket. “Put me down, Mr. Jones!”

“Stop fussing,” Desperado warned.

“What should I tell the others?” Cory asked, returning his gaze to the squirming bundle in Desperado’s arms.

“Tell them I’ll come out to the bunkhouse and talk to them as soon as I get rid of the wildcat in my arms. See that my horse is taken care of, will you?”

Recognizing dismissal, Cory took up the mustang’s reins and led him away. He looked back once and shook his head when he saw Desperado carrying Chloe into the house.

“That was embarrassing,” Chloe fumed. “You can put me down now. I can find my own way to my room.”

Desperado seemed to be taking a long time to reach the stairs and Chloe realized he was refamiliarizing himself with the home he’d been forced to leave years ago.

“Nothing much has changed,” Desperado rasped. “It’s a little more run-down, needs some work on both the inside and outside, but everything is as I remember it.”

“Money was hard to come by after Ted died,” Chloe said defensively. “I let the house slide in order to build our herd and hire on hands to work the ranch. Mama never was any good with money. Though Ted left money in the bank, it seemed to slip through her fingers.”

Desperado tore his gaze away from the painfully familiar surroundings and mounted the stairs. “I assume you’ve taken Ted’s old room,” he said as he reached the landing.

“As a matter of fact, I haven’t. I kept my old room. The last one on the right.”

Desperado’s arms stiffened around her. “That was my old room.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He reached the door, found the knob with one hand and pushed it open.

“You can put me down now. I’d like to get dressed.”

Desperado carried her to the bed, grasped an end of the blanket and deftly unrolled her onto the same quilt that had covered his bed many years ago.

“Damn you,” Chloe hissed, trying to cover herself with the quilt. “Why do you insist on embarrassing me?”

“A few hours ago I explored every part of your body, just as you did mine. We were as intimate as a man and woman can be. Your body is no stranger to me, sweetheart.”

Chloe knew he spoke the truth, but his highhanded method of bringing her back to the ranch rankled. Besides, his arrogance made her mad.

“Go ahead and get dressed,” Desperado said. “I’m going out to the bunkhouse to talk to the hands. I could use some breakfast,” he hinted as he left the room. “Could you fix us something to eat?”

He shut the door seconds before an object came flying at him. He chuckled to himself when he heard it hit the closed door and crash to the floor.

Chapter Twelve

Desperado walked into the bunkhouse to confront the Ralston hands. A few were openly hostile, some were willing to hear him out, others were merely watchful, waiting to find out which way the wind blew before pulling out or staying.

“I suppose you’ve heard the gossip floating around town,” Desperado began. “I know you’re wondering if it’s true, and I don’t blame you.”

“You owe us the truth!” Rowdy charged. “I never did like you, and trusted you even less. Are you really Logan Ralston? Who are you? The new owner of the ranch or a no-good gunslinger?”

There was some muttering among the men and Desperado sought to calm them. “I am Logan Ralston,” he admitted, “but I haven’t used that name in more years than I care to count. I’m still Desperado Jones to all of you. A leopard doesn’t change his spots overnight.”

“Where does that leave us, Desperado?” Randy asked. “Are you gonna run the ranch now?”

“Nothing has changed,” Desperado assured them. “Miss Sommers will still be boss around here. She’ll give the orders.”

“That ain’t the way I heard it,” Rowdy argued. “Miss Chloe said she no longer owned the Ralston spread. That we could leave, or stay and take orders from you.”

“Miss Chloe was wrong,” Desperado rasped. “If any of you want to leave and find work elsewhere, you’re welcome to do so. Those of you who remain will be put to work building a new barn.”

“How long do you intend to stick around?” Cory asked.

Desperado gazed toward the house, thinking that leaving Chloe was going to be damn difficult. “I don’t know. Long enough to figure out why Talbot wants this land, I reckon.”

“I don’t understand how you can leave a woman in charge of your property and go off about your business without so much as a backward glance,” Rowdy contended. “Isn’t that a bit risky?”

“That’s none of your business, Rowdy. Either you’re staying on or you’re not. But if you stay, I’ll expect you to buckle down like the others.”

“I’m staying on,” Cory said. “Miss Chloe has been good to us. I ain’t letting her down now.”

“I’m staying, too,” Sonny and Randy said in unison. One by one the others stood solidly behind Cory, until only Rowdy had yet to decide.

“What’s it going to be, Rowdy? Decide now or pack your things.”

“I ain’t no quitter,” Rowdy muttered. “I’ll stay on for a spell, but not because of you. Like Cory says, Miss Chloe has been good to us.”

Desperado searched the face of each man in turn. They were hardly more than boys, he thought. Then he recalled how hard they had worked during the trail drive and how they had pulled together during hard times. Though they were young, he couldn’t have asked for better drovers.

“You won’t be sorry, and I know Chloe will be grateful. I’m going into town later to order wood for the new barn. Meanwhile, put the bull in with the cows we kept back for breeding. We need to build up a new herd if the ranch is to remain solvent. Now get to the chores, men, I’m going up to the house to have breakfast with the boss lady.”

Behind his back, Rowdy muttered loud enough to be heard, “I’m betting he’ll have more than breakfast with Miss Chloe.”

Desperado pretended not to hear as he strode back to the house, his back stiff, his hands clenched at his sides.

He found Chloe in the kitchen, banging pots and pans around on the wood stove. “What are we having?” he asked. “I’m hungry enough to eat a whole hog.”

“The hens are laying. I gathered eggs and whipped up some biscuits. There’s bacon and fried potatoes, too. I could open a can of beans if that’s not enough.”

Desperado could tell by her clipped words that she was still angry at him. “Keep the beans for another time.”

“I’m only cooking because I’m hungry, too,” Chloe replied tartly.

Desperado took a seat at the table while Chloe dished up the food. When she set it before him, he dug in with gusto. “This is good. You’re a tolerable cook.” He flashed his dimple. “One of the things you do well. Another is—”

“I’m a tolerable shot, too, Mr. Jones,” she injected before he could finish his sentence.

“I’m aware of that, sweetheart,” he said as he shoveled food into his mouth and washed it down with hot, black coffee. When he finished, he shoved his chair back and patted his stomach. “That will keep me until I return for the evening meal.”

“I won’t be here to cook it for you,” Chloe declared.

“You’d better be unless you want to be dragged back kicking and screaming. I told the boys you’re still the boss. They’re all going to stay on and help build the new barn.”

Chloe’s head shot up. “New barn?”

“I’m going to town to order wood and nails. As for the regular ranch work, you know better than I what needs to be done.”

“What is all this going to gain you, Desperado?” Chloe asked softly. “Only a callous, irresponsible man would ignore his father’s last wishes and walk away from responsibility.”

Desperado uncoiled himself to his full, impressive height. “I never claimed to be anything other than what I am. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I’d be no good as a rancher, and even worse as a husband. Once I get everything settled with the lawyer, I’ll be taking off for parts unknown, doing what I do best.”

“Killing people.”

“I only kill when I’m forced to. I’m not wanted by the law. I can bring people around without using excessive violence.”

Chloe glared at him. “You probably scare them to death with that raspy voice and wicked look. You do that deliberately, don’t you?”

He shrugged. “It seems to work.”

“You’re a fraud, Mr. Jones.”

His dark eyes glittered dangerously. “A man would never get away with what you just said.” He reached her in two long strides and pulled her into his arms. “But you, sweet wildcat, with your sharp tongue and even sharper claws, are much prettier than a man, and your body far more pleasing.”

She gave a squawk of protest when his mouth came down hard on hers. His kiss wasn’t gentle. It was hungry, voracious, filled with a need Desperado knew would remain with him forever. No matter where he went he would always remember the sultry heat of her mouth, soft and sweet and seductive. Fearing that he wouldn’t be able to leave if he continued kissing her, Desperado broke off the kiss and pushed her gently away. Slightly off balance, she clung to him, panting, her eyes glazed.

“Wait for me,” he rasped. “We’ll finish what we began when I return tonight.”

He was out the door before Chloe regained her breath and her anger.

Back in town, Tate Talbot glared menacingly at the frightened hotel clerk. “Are you sure Miss Sommers is in her room?”

“I haven’t seen her leave and I’ve been here since dawn,” the man answered as Tate slipped him a five-dollar gold piece.

“That’s all I wanted to know,” Tate said, smiling to himself as he went outside to inform his two cohorts of his findings.

“Chloe’s room is near the first-floor exit,” Tate told his friends. “Bring the horses around and keep them quiet while I slip into the room and get Chloe. We’ll take her out to the old deserted mine at the end of Rogue Creek Road. We can take turns guarding her until Pa negotiates the sale of the Ralston spread with Jones.”

The men led their horses around to the back of the hotel and waited while Tate slipped through the rear exit. His gold piece had earned him Chloe’s room number and he found it without difficulty. To his delight he found the door unlocked and he barged inside.

The room was empty.

Tate’s outraged bellow echoed through the deserted room and down the hallway. “Where in the hell are you, Chloe?”

“Looking for someone?”

Tate whirled, stunned to see Desperado lounging in the doorway, one brawny shoulder propped against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest. “What are you doing here, Jones? Where’s Chloe?”

“She checked out before dawn,” Desperado drawled. “I’ve come for her belongings.”

He pushed himself away from the door, found Chloe’s carpetbag under the bed and began gathering her clothing. Then he opened the bureau drawers and emptied them into the bag. Tate stood by speechless as Desperado clasped the bag shut, grasped it with his left hand and made for the door. He stopped just short of the entrance and spun around to confront Tate.

“What are you doing here, Talbot?”

“That’s my business,” Tate said, finding his tongue.

“It’s my business now. If you’ve come expecting to make trouble for Chloe, you’re too late. She’s back at the ranch where she belongs. Crawl back to your papa and tell him he’ll never get his hands on the ranch.”

Rage tinged Tate’s face red and he forgot for a moment with whom he was dealing. His hand wavered toward his gun. He realized his mistake when he saw Desperado’s face harden and his eyes turn flinty. Desperado’s six-shooter was in his hand before Tate’s weapon had even cleared his holster. Desperado’s manner remained serene; he hadn’t even dropped the bag he held in his left hand.

“Sonofabitch! How did you do that?” Tate asked, clearly in awe of Desperado’s prowess.

“Don’t ever draw on me again,” Desperado rasped. “If you come within shouting distance of Chloe, I’ll shoot to kill. Now, are you going to tell me what you’re doing here?”

“I…I just wanted to talk to Chloe. To apologize for…for the misunderstanding we had,” Tate lied. “One of my friends saw her checking into the hotel yesterday.”

“I don’t believe you, but I don’t have time to argue the point right now. I have an appointment with my lawyer. Heed my warning, Talbot, and you might yet live to a ripe old age.”

Turning abruptly, Desperado left the room, slamming the door in Tate’s face. A few minutes later he climbed the stairs to Thadeous Baker’s office.

Mr. Baker motioned Desperado into a chair and drew out a sheaf of papers from beneath the clutter on his desk. “The appropriate documents are ready for you, Mr. Ralston,” he said by way of greeting. “All that is required to make the Ralston spread legally yours is your signature on the proper line.”

“Will you be able to proceed with transferring ownership after I sign?” Desperado asked.

“I had hoped you’d changed your mind,” Baker said. “The Ralston place needs a man in charge. You’ve seen how it has deteriorated since Ted passed on.”

“I haven’t changed my mind,” Desperado said. “Show me where to sign.”

Baker dipped the pen in the inkwell, handed it to Desperado and shoved the papers across the desk. “Sign your name on the bottom line. Your legal name, that is,” he said, peering at Desperado over his rimless glasses.

Desperado signed with a flourish and set the pen down. “Now then, how soon can you draw up the papers deeding the property to Chloe Sommers?”

“Day after tomorrow, if that’s what you really want.”

“It’s precisely what I want,” Desperado rasped.

“May I make a suggestion?”

“Go ahead, but I won’t promise anything.”

“Why not simply add Chloe’s name to the deed? Then you’d own it jointly. That way she can’t be badgered into selling without your signature. I’m not unaware of Calvin Talbot’s eagerness to purchase the Ralston spread. I’ve done legal work for Talbot on some of his acquisitions and know how he works. On her own, Chloe Sommers doesn’t stand a chance against Talbot’s machinations. This way, even if you leave, she’ll be protected.”

Desperado seriously considered the idea and could find no fault with it. In fact, it would solve a lot of problems.

“I lead a precarious life, Mr. Baker,” Desperado said. “What would happen should something ‘unforeseen’ happen to me?”

“Miss Sommers will automatically inherit your share upon your death.”

Desperado decided he liked the lawyer’s suggestion. “Very well, your suggestion makes sense. I’ll return day after tomorrow to sign the necessary papers.”

“Bring Miss Sommers with you. I’ll need her signature, also.”

Neither Jones nor Baker were aware of the man pressed against the wall beside the open window, listening to the conversation. The moment he heard the final arrangements concerning Desperado’s property, Tate Talbot crept down the stairs and hightailed it to his father’s place of business.

Desperado rose and shook hands with Baker. “Much obliged, sir.”

“Sit down, son, we’re not through here,” Baker said. “There’s a little matter of the money deposited in the bank in your name.”

Desperado sat down with a thump. “What! I don’t have money here in the bank. I have a little put aside in Amarillo, but nothing here.”

“You have more than you know, and you have your father to thank for his foresight,” Baker said. “Before his death he put five thousand dollars aside in the bank in your name. That’s how convinced he was that you were alive. I made all the arrangements myself. You see,” Baker explained, “Ted knew his wife and her spendthrift ways well. He wanted to leave you money to run the ranch should you turn up one day.”

Desperado felt the breath whoosh out of him. He couldn’t believe his father had never given up on finding him alive. If only he’d known. He wouldn’t have been so stubborn about returning home. Unfortunately, he couldn’t go back and undo his mistakes.

“What if I had never returned?”

“Provisions were made for that possibility. Ted gave you ten years to show up after his death. If you failed to return at the end of ten years, the money was to go to Chloe. You made the cutoff date with time to spare. The money is all yours, son, waiting for you in the bank. Years of interest have increased the initial sum considerably.”

For once Desperado was speechless. “I…I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything. I’ll close the office and walk over to the bank with you to explain things.” He scraped back his chair, rose with some difficulty and ushered Desperado out the door.

“You know what that half-breed bastard has gone and done now, Pa?” Tate blasted as he burst into Calvin’s office.

“No, but I have a notion you’re going to tell me. Calm down, son, and tell me what’s got you so riled. Did you get that little ‘job’ done? Where did you take the Sommers girl?”

“That’s something else we gotta talk about. Chloe wasn’t at the hotel. She snuck out without the clerk’s knowledge. You can bet your ass Desperado had something to do with it.”