Dorothy Garlock (28 page)

How did the world get so messed up?

The last half mile of her trek was in a dry creek bed. She had made the trip many times. Uncertain of what she would find, she was always leery when she approached the old shack. Radna stopped a dozen yards away and peered into the darkness, looking for a small flicker of light from a lantern or a candle.

Seeing nothing but blackness, she lowered the sack to the ground and took the pistol from the bib of her overalls. Pursing her lips, she whistled softly, waited and repeated the signal. Finally her signal was returned, and minutes later a dim light appeared in the darkness.

Radna returned the pistol to the bib and climbed up out of the creek bed. She walked along a narrow path, slipped into a dense growth of straggly blackjack, and there it was, a small shack made from discarded weathered boards. It blended so well with its surroundings that one might pass within ten feet and not realize it was there.

The door was pushed back against the wall of the shack and through the opening Radna could see a man sitting on an old canvas cot. His hair was long, black and tied at his nape with a thong. His clothes were ragged and dusty but otherwise clean. His skin was dark, almost mahogany. He was clutching a long-necked bottle.

“You're drunk, Ramon. Where did you get the whiskey? ”Radna spoke as soon as she stepped inside the shack and set the cloth bag on a bench.

“Bootlegger. Where else? ”

“You risked going to town to get whiskey? ”

“You wouldn't bring me any.” He glared at her, shrugged his shoulders and took a drink from his bottle.

“No, I wouldn't, ”Radna spat out angrily. “I'm trying to keep your stupid neck from being stretched. I brought you some damn food.”

“What're ya mad about? ”

“I'm mad because you're drinking and because you went to town.”

“I didn't go to Rainwater.”

“Where? ”

“Curly Bill knew a place where some fellers hid their booze.”

“I swear, Ramon. Curly Bill is nothing but trouble. I was hoping you'd get yourself straightened out enough to hop a freight and get out of Oklahoma.”

“I could do that if I had some money.”

“The town is still stirred up over that woman who was murdered.”

“It doesn't take much to stir up that town.” He shrugged and took another drink from his bottle. “They'll find a breed to pin it on. Everybody knows breeds are crazy for white puss.”

His indifference caused Radna's blood to run cold. “Two marshals came up from the city. They're staying at the hotel.”

Ramon's lips curled in a sneer. “Never heard of a city marshal yet who could find his own ass.”

“The woman was cut up.”

“You told me that.” His black eyes were almost shocking in their intensity. “You're thinkin 'that I did it? ”

“Did you? ”

“Might of. I scalp me a white woman every day or two.” He laughed and combed his straight black hair back with his fingers.

“This isn't a joking matter, Ramon.” Radna looked away before he could see the tears that came to her eyes. “They're looking for someone handy with a knife.”

“They'll not find anyone handier than me. All I got to do all day is sit here and toss this pig-sticker.” He palmed a thin-bladed knife and, quicker than the eye could follow, sank it into the center of a target he had fastened to the wall. “When you comin 'back? ”

“I don't know when I can get away again.”

“If I had some money, I'd get out of your hair.”

“If you had some money, you'd buy whiskey.”

“I got the whiskey because I'm sick of sittin 'out here, ”he said with exaggerated patience.

“You should have thought of that before you got into the fight with that man on the rig.”

“He started it. I took his slurs until I'd had a bellyful.”

“You could have used your fists instead of a knife.”

“Nobody calls me a goddamn breed whose mother fucked dogs and goats! ”His voice rose angrily as he stood.

“You should have stayed away or ignored him.” Ramon was a small man, not much taller than Radna. His shoulder-length hair was streaked with gray, and his Indian features took on a wolflike expression when he jutted his face close to hers. “I hope the bastard dies.”

“It's lucky for you that he didn't, ”Radna said softly. “I'd not cry about it either way.”

“You've got to get away from here. They're combing the country for the killer of that woman. There's a big reward. I'm surprised they haven't come on to this place.”

“I'll leave soon.”

“Ramon, I've got to ask you: Did you come to town the night the woman was killed? ”

“And if I did? ”

“Did you see anything? She was buried beside the road about a mile out of town.”

“You told me that.”

“Damn you, Ramon. Did you see anything? You've got eyes like a night owl.”

“You wantin 'me to go marchin 'in and tell the sheriff I saw someone buryin 'a white puss along the road? You crazy? They'd string me up before I could say Geronimo.”

“I've got to go.”

“Rad? Thanks for coming. I'll leave soon. Curly Bill says he'll go with me to Colorado. I could use some money. It's the last time I'll ask.”

“I'll be back day after tomorrow.”

“Rad? You're all I've got.”

“No, Ramon. You've got Curly Bill and the whiskey bottle.”

Radna went out the door and hurried along the path, tears almost blinding her. When she reached the steep sandy bank, she slid down it on her rump, jumped up and hurried down the dry creek bed until she came to a downed log. She sat down, rested her head on her drawn-up knees and released the flood of tears from beneath her burning eyelids.

She cried for Ramon with the brilliant wasted mind and for a society that made it difficult for him to live in either the white world or the Indian. She cried for Justine, the dearest friend she had in the world. She cried for herself because this was a place where there was no one to hear, no one to see, no one to know.

She had almost cried herself out when a voice came out of the darkness.

“Are you 'bout through bawlin'? ”

Radna held her breath, waiting, hoping that the voice she'd heard had been her imagination. She raised her head even as her hand was digging into the bib of her overalls for the pistol. Although she saw no more than the outline of a powerful body against the sky, she knew him.

“It isn't smart sitting out here by yourself.”

“It's no business of yours what I do.”

“Yeah, it is. I don't want that cooking chore back at the hotel. I've got my own fish to fry.”

“Then go fry them.”

“You goin 'to shoot me? ”

“I might. You followed me, ”she accused huskily, gripping the pistol.

“Wasn't hard. More like following a team of mules down a muddy road.”

Radna got to her feet. “Why? ”

“I didn't have anything else to do and felt like taking a walk.”

“You were listening? ”

“Of course. I wasn't walking all the way out here to miss out on the good stuff.”

“You low-down dirty skunk! Now that you know, what are you going to do about it? ”

“'Bout what? Your secret lover hidin 'out from the sheriff? Humm … is there a reward? ”

“If you turn him in, I'll cut your heart out! ”

“Ouch! You're always wantin 'to hurt me.”

“Get out of my way.” She pushed on the body in front of her, but he didn't move. Instead he reached for her cap and pulled it off her head.

“I don't like that thing on your head. You look like a boy.”

“You dumb Indian! That's the idea. Give it to me. I don't care if you like it or not.”

“Sure you do. You want to look pretty for me.”

“Damn you, Randolph, ”she snarled. “Give me the damn cap.”

“No. And hush your swearing.”

“Why did you follow me? ”

“ 'Cause your butt looked cute in those overalls.”

“You … horse's ass! ”she yelled. “Can't you be serious about anything? ”His little cackle of laughter caused her to lose her reason. “You … big dumb stupid Indian! ”She balled her fists, swung and hit him square on the jaw.

He didn't say a word or even grunt. He just stood there, hands at his sides. For a long moment they looked at each other.

“Feel better? ”he asked softly.

“No! I want to …hit you …and hit you …”Her voice died. She shivered and shook her head, trying to deny the sobs that were gushing up out of her misery. She swayed, holding on to herself because there was no one else, until Blue's arms wrapped around her, drawing her to him, holding her gently but securely.

She leaned her small compact body trustingly against him and cried quietly for several minutes, her tears wetting his shirtfront. Blue's hands moved soothingly up and down her back while tiny shudders rippled through her. Then he felt her take a deep, ragged breath and begin to snuffle. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a bandanna handkerchief and put it in her hands. She took it and wiped her face while still leaning against him.

“Do you love him so much? ”

“Yes. There's a strong bond between us. He'd die for me, and there's so little I can do for him.”

“You're risking a lot, coming out here alone.”

“He's going away.”

“I heard. To Colorado with Curly Bill.”

“I may never see him again.” Her voice was laced with despair.

“Is he worth all these tears? ”Blue asked softly and wiped his thumb across her wet cheeks.

“To me, he is.”

“Is he your husband? ”

“No! ”She shook her head, making her hair come loose from the hairpins and drift down her back. “He's my brother …my twin.”

Blue made a helpless sound. “Ah, little thorny rose.” His low and gentle voice caused sudden tears to burn her eyes. “I had a sister once. You remind me of her, frisky as a young colt and with more spunk than brains.” He spoke calm words and stroked the back of her neck. At a gentle pressure, she leaned her forehead against his chest.

“Ramon is terribly smart. He could do anything he set his mind to. But… he hates being a breed, ”she said, her mouth against his shirt. “It's killing him! ”

He didn't speak for a long moment. When he did, it was softly and close to her ear.

“Every man has to kill his own snakes, Radna.”

It was the first time she had heard him speak her name. Tension drained out of her. It had been so long since she'd had anyone to lean on, anyone to understand. She lifted her head and looked at this man she had known for such a short time, and felt as if she had known him forever.

“Careful, Randolph. I might get to liking you.”

“Christ on a horse! I can't let that happen.” He put his hands on her shoulders and moved her away from him. “I said
might.
That's a long way from
will.
You just caught me at a weak moment.”

“Little thorny rose, you're makin 'me as randy as a billy goat.” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“We'd better get back to the bright lights before I ravish you.”

“Ravish? Ha! You'd have a fight on your hands.”

“I'd expect no less. It'd be icing on the cake.”

Blue put his arm across her shoulders and they began walking back toward town.

Chapter 20

J
ILL STAYED AT THE DESK WITH ELMER
and Rose Evans until Thad came through the lobby and stopped to say that he was going uptown for a while. Jill was glad. She needed time to sort out her feelings after the wild passionate kisses they had shared on the porch. She wanted to believe the things he had whispered in her ear, but she didn't dare.

Joe had been lying on Thad's cot in the hallway when Jill went to her room for her nightdress and a house robe before going to her aunt's room to sleep.

“I wish I knew why Aunt Justine is so afraid of Madison, ”Joe said, when he gave his sister the key to Justine's door.

“She's more afraid of him now than when I first arrived. It may be that she feels more helpless now that she doesn't even try to lift her hands anymore.”

“It must be terrible to have a mind as sharp as a tack and not be able to control your own body. It would be like being in a tight cage.”

“She's a lot worse than she was a month ago. She could stand alone then, and I could help her to her chair. Now Radna and I together can hardly lift her. It's as if her life is draining out of her.”

“You're good with her, Sis. I'm proud of you.”

Later, Jill lay on the cot in her aunt's room and listened to Justine muttering in her sleep. It was stifling hot in the room. Justine hadn't wanted the windows open, although Jill had assured her the screens were firmly latched.

“He could slit the screen and be in here before you know it. I don't care much for myself… it would be a relief, in a way. But I don't want him to hurt you, Jill, and he would, ”Justine had said worriedly.

Now that her aunt was asleep, Jill crept across the room and raised the windows. She sat down and let the slight breeze cool her damp skin. Hugging herself, she remembered the whispered words and the kisses she had shared with Thad a few short hours ago. Just thinking about it set her heart to fluttering.

A feeling of disquiet settled over her.

Jill drew a deep breath against the pain of remembering that he'd not said one word about loving her, just that she was
his
girl. That didn't mean a thing. He'd been telling her that since she was ten years old. Thad had always teased, ever ready to spin a tall tale, charming one and all. It was possible he was doing that now and she was taking the attention he was paying to her too seriously.

She leaned her head on the windowsill, gazed out at the starlit sky and wondered if she should ask Joe what he thought Thad's intentions were. She knew that she wouldn't ask him because she was afraid of what he might say.

Jill longed to be back home with her family. But in the back of her mind was the thought that if they were back in Fertile, Thad would forget that he had kissed her and called her his “little love ”and once again she would be Joe's kid sister.

Oh, Lord, would she be able to stand seeing him with another girl…perhaps have to go to his wedding, then see the babies he had made with someone else? Of course, she would endure it. She would have no choice in the matter unless she chose to move to another town.