The Half-Breed's Woman Page 22

  In a moment, Wolf Blocker was beside them, pulling his companion upright. “Bobby?” he asked anxiously.

  “She done kilt me, Wolf. That bitch done shot me!” Lane’s voice was more indignant than fearful.

  Shorty Reeves had dropped his shovel and came running over to stand beside Blocker and Lane. He stood slack-jawed, disbelieving, as he watched Bobby Lane’s life ebb away in a red tide, soaking his shirt and puddling on the ground beside him.

  Callie still had another bullet left. She could use it now. She could kill Wolf Blocker where he sat, cradling his dying friend. But, did she dare? He was such a big man, the last time she’d tried to use the gun on him, it had only succeeded in angering him. She rolled over and struggled to her knees.

  “She kilt him, Wolf,” Shorty said. “How’d she do that, anyway?” He scratched his head, looking bewildered.

  “Damn you!” Blocker exhaled. He turned to Callie furiously, as he pushed Lane’s lifeless body onto the ground. Callie came to her feet, just as Blocker did. She pointed the derringer at him as he advanced toward her menacingly, his snarling lip curled up, brown teeth clenched as he spoke. “I should’ve killed you back in Fort Smith, you little baggage.”

  “It wasn’t because you didn’t try,” she reminded him in a surprisingly calm voice. She took a step back.

  Blocker nodded. “My mistake. I decided I wanted to bed you before I killed you. Don’t have time for that now.” He shook his head regretfully.

  “Why not?” she asked, biting her bottom lip nervously. She had to buy them some time.

  Blocker pulled a long glinting Bowie knife from its sheath, grinning as Callie’s eyes widened. “Because somebody might have heard that shot you fired.” He held his hand out. “Now, you gimme that gun and I’ll kill you real quick. Otherwise, it’s gonna hurt a lot. I’ll kill all three of you real slow an’—”

  Callie screamed and pulled the trigger once more just as he made a lunge for the gun. Two more shots rang out from the trees to her right, and Callie stumbled back as Blocker turned, momentarily distracted. Like a steel manacle, Blocker’s big hand snaked around her wrist, pulling her to him. He wrapped his arm tightly around her neck and squeezed, cutting off her breath.

  She struggled for a moment, then forced herself to go limp. Blocker relaxed his grip, looking dazedly beyond her to the campsite. Shorty Reeves lay beside the fire, his hands clutching his lower abdomen where he was bleeding a bright river of red. Reeves moaned and curled up.

  Callie didn’t trust her eyes. Jax stood before the campfire nonchalantly holding his rifle.

  Behind Jax, another man moved out of the shadows, cutting Jeremy’s bonds. The two men hurried to Carlos and cut him down, pulling the boy into the trees out of harm’s way.

  “Turn her loose,” Jax ordered in a low tone.

  “Or what, Marshal? You’ll kill me?” Blocker taunted.

  But Callie could hear the muted strain in his voice. I must have hit him, she thought, surprised.

  “Take me, Blocker,” Jax murmured. Deliberately, he tossed the Winchester to the ground and held his hands out. “You don’t want her—not really. What you want is to finish what you started thirteen years ago. I wonder…” He took a step forward, his silhouette illuminated by the fire behind him in the growing darkness.

  Blocker licked his lips nervously. “Wonder what, McCall?”

  “Are you man enough to take me? We never finished what we started back in Fort Smith. But you can have it either way, Blocker. A fight, or…not. I’ll—go with you. Just let her go.”

  “I don’t think so,” Blocker replied smugly.

  “Why not?”

  “Because you want it too much, McCall.” Blocker put the tip of the knife under Callie’s chin. “You agree to give yourself up to me, knowing what I’ll do to you?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Girl must mean an awful lot to you. I wonder why.”

  “She’s worth money to me,” Jax said quietly. His heart lurched at the hollow, dead look in Blocker’s eyes.

  “You’re both worth money to me,” Blocker responded.

  Callie could feel the big man’s grip on her easing somewhat. He didn’t realize it, she knew.

  “C’mon, Blocker,” Jax murmured. “Let’s fight it out. Just you and me.”

  Blocker’s grip slipped a little more, and Callie felt an oozing warmth at her back.

  His blood.

  Blocker shook his head. “Shorty shoveled out three graves over there. I ain’t gonna fill one of ’em.”

  Suddenly, Callie dug her elbows backward with all her might. She heard Blocker’s grunt of pain as he dropped the knife, and she squirmed away from him. He lunged at Jax with a snarl, and both men grappled together, then went to the ground, pummeling one another.

  Callie watched in horror, thinking of how Jax had looked just this morning when she’d left him asleep in their bed. The fever, the wound, his fitful rest and lack of food would all surely take their toll. He was in no shape to fight.

  “Callie!”

  She turned, just as a strong arm encircled her waist, pulling her to the safety of the trees and underbrush along the creek bank.

  The man urged her to the ground beside Carlos, then he was gone as quickly as he had appeared.

  As Callie lifted her head to peer through the undergrowth, she saw him step out into the ring of firelight. He dropped to one knee, his gun ready, but Jax and Blocker fought too closely together to take a chance on a shot.

  ****

  Jax’s fist smashed into Blocker’s face again and again. Blocker, though losing blood, was still holding his own.

  Jax’s fingers pressed harshly into Blocker’s throat. Blocker bared his teeth, his eyes bulging. “I’ll kill her…when I’m…done with you.”

  “You’ll never be ‘done’ with me, Blocker,” Jax promised him.

  With a mighty effort, Blocker knocked Jax’s hands away and the two men went tumbling across the ground once more. Jax landed on top again, his fist rocking across Blocker’s blunt features. Brendan pointed his Colt at Blocker’s head and began to ease back on the trigger. But before he could bring the trigger back completely, a single shot reverberated through the night air. Blocker stiffened, his bloody, surprised expression going to Jax, then to Brendan, who looked just as baffled as Blocker did.

  Blocker gave a final gasp, then went limp. As his head fell to the side, Jax and Brendan could see a fountain of blood pouring from the side of his skull, from just behind his left ear.

  They looked at each other, Jax panting heavily from the exertion, Brendan’s eyes a questioning mirror of Jax’s own expression.

  Jeremy stood a few feet away, Jax’s Winchester caught up in his hands. A look of revulsion swept his handsome features, followed by resolve. He threw the rifle to the ground as if it were something he could not bear to touch for one second longer.

  “First, do no harm,” he muttered. He shook his head with a bitter laugh, then raked his hand through his brown hair.

  Jax rose stiffly from Blocker’s body and stood breathing heavily beside Brendan as they both watched their brother.

  “I couldn’t let it happen again, Jax…Bren. Don’t you see?” Jeremy stretched his hands out to them.

  “Jeremy,” Jax said quietly as he walked toward his brother, “it’s okay.”

  Tears welled in Jeremy’s silver gaze. “I broke my oath,” he said in a harsh voice.

  “You had to,” Jax replied.

  “He would’ve killed you,” Jeremy justified, patting Jax on the back awkwardly.

  Jax held him at arm’s length for a moment, his gaze somber. “Don’t you ever doubt it, Jem. I wasn’t as strong as I thought. As I hoped. It was the only thing I could do though, to get Callie safe.”

  Jeremy looked down at Blocker’s body. “I—killed him, Jaxson,” he murmured. “Doctors…don’t kill.”

  “Men kill, Jeremy. This is a hard world we live in. You do what you have to do. You live with it afterward.”r />
  “I’ve always regretted…not doing anything…before.” He looked up quickly. “The day you ran—”

  “You still doubt yourself? You saved my life this time,” Jax murmured. “And last night. Give yourself some peace, brother. You’ve earned it.”

  Jax’s eyes bored into Jeremy’s until finally, Jeremy nodded his acceptance. Jax clapped his shoulder and looked away.

  Callie wanted to run to Jax and throw herself into his arms. But she couldn’t leave Carlos. The boy was fighting sleep once more, and though Callie didn’t know much about medicine, she had seen Jeremy’s concern each time Carlos’ eyes closed.

  “Carlos? Carlos, wake up, honey,” Callie said softly, shaking his shoulder.

  “I…am awake…Miss Callie.” His voice sounded faint and far away.

  “Carlos, you’re safe now.”

  “Is…my…papa all right?”

  Callie’s heart stopped for a moment, then raced forward, threatening to pound its way out of her chest.

  “Wh-What did you say?” She moistened her lips.

  “Is…he…safe, too?”

  “Who, Carlos?”

  “Señor Jax.”

  The moonlight filtered through the leaves across them, and as Carlos turned over and looked up at her sleepily, there was no doubt in her mind that he was Jaxson McCall’s son. The same sensuous mouth smiled up at her, the same dark eyes—swollen and puffy, looked out at her.

  “Carlos, what makes you think Señor Jax…is—is your papa?” She tried to ask the question casually, but her voice sounded thin and breathless.

  “My mama…she said he might be,” he answered dreamily. Then he added, “And…I want it to be, Miss Callie.”

  “Does—he know?” Callie asked.

  “Oh, no, Miss Callie!” Carlos struggled to sit up, but couldn’t manage it. “He—He might not…like that. I—would never…tell. You won’t either, will you?”

  Callie smiled at the boy, ruffling his hair. “Do you think you can walk, honey?” She nodded toward where the brothers stood. “Let’s see if we can’t make it over to the fire.” Callie rose, helping Carlos to his feet. He leaned heavily upon her for support as they made their way slowly into the clearing. Brendan hurried to them, scooping Carlos up just as his legs gave way.

  “Brendan McCall, ma’am. I understand you’re my new sister-in-law.”

  Callie looked into Brendan’s dark eyes and saw a spark of teasing there. He winked at her, then nodded toward Jax. “Go on, Callie. I’ll see to this one.”

  “Thank you, Brendan,” Callie whispered. She ran to Jax and flung her arms around his neck.

  ****

  Had anything ever felt so right? He crushed her to him, oblivious to the jagged thrust of pain that knifed through his shoulder, his aching head and side. She was his life, his very breath.

  “Jax! Oh, Jax,” she whispered.

  He kissed her, long and hard and searing, tasting her tears. Finally, he lifted his mouth from hers and speared his fingers through her long, tumbling hair. She looked up into his face with eyes so full of love for him that his breath caught and held for a long, full minute. “Let’s get out of here,” he muttered.

  Brendan carried Carlos over to where the others waited, and Jeremy reached for the child. “Let’s get this boy home where I can look him over.” Callie turned to walk to the horses, followed by Jeremy, still cradling Carlos in his arms.

  “What do you want to do?” Brendan asked Jax somberly, nodding at the bodies. “Do we take time to bury them in those graves?”

  “Let ’em rot,” Jax said harshly. “We’ve got other things—more important things—to think about.” He scanned the campsite. “And it’s as it should be.” He nodded thoughtfully. “You got Shorty?”

  Brendan nodded.

  “Jeremy hit Blocker, and I killed Crooked Elk earlier.”

  “And Lane?” Brendan questioned, his eyes locking with Jax’s as Jeremy helped Callie mount her horse. “Your lady’s got a lot of guts, brother.”

  “Callie only wounded him,” Jax said tightly. “I killed him…during all the fighting.” The lie sprang easily to his lips, to protect Callie, even from herself. He knew how it had tormented her to think she’d murdered Treadwell, even after all the man had done to her, all he planned to do in the future. Jax didn’t want her to give Bobby Lane’s death a second thought.

  Brendan nodded. “Understood.” He grinned. “Good job.”

  Jax glanced up and smiled at him. “C’mon, Bren. Let’s clear out of here.”

  “You go on. I’ll put the fire out and–uh—clean up the mess.”

  “No.” Jax felt apprehensive, but he couldn’t say why. “I’ll wait with you.” He swayed, unsteady for a moment. Brendan reached for him, concerned, and Jax managed a grin. “I won’t be much help, but I won’t leave you here alone.” Death was still here. Jax could feel it.

  “Jax?” Jeremy called.

  “Go on ahead, doctor. We’ll be along shortly.”

  “You need to be in bed,” Jeremy admonished, walking back toward where his brothers stood.

  “Soon enough. We won’t be long here.”

  Jeremy stopped, giving Jax a searching look. There was no use arguing. “Jax—” he broke off with a sigh of defeat, glancing down at the youngster who slept in his arms. “We’ll be at my house. It’s the second one at the far end of Main Street, the one with yellow shutters, across from the church. Remember what I told you about taking it easy. Don’t be long.”

  Jax nodded.

  “Jax…you—you will be careful—” Callie’s dark eyes caressed him. She sat astride a palomino a few feet from where the three men stood.

  “Don’t worry, Callie, I’ll get him home safe,” Brendan said. “He’s just gonna hold my hand while I clean up here. But I promise I won’t let him lift a finger.”

  She smiled at Bren, but her expression was worried. Jax walked across the campsite to stand beside her. “Jax—” Her hand trembled as she reached down to him.

  He took her fingers, brushing her knuckles lightly with his lips. “Put some coffee on for us, Mrs. McCall. We won’t be far behind you.”

  Chapter 27

  An hour later, Jax walked wearily up the front steps. Callie opened the door and he gave her a quick kiss. “Where’s the bed?”

  She shut the door behind him. “Did you leave Brendan behind?” It was a careful question. If he had, it would mean he was feeling much worse than he was trying to let on.

  “He’s taking care of the horses. And, I’m okay, Callie. Just tired’s all.”

  “Aren’t you hungry? I made some biscuits and steak earlier. It’s still warm.”

  “That sounds good. If I can hold my head up long enough to eat it.”

  With a smile, she took his hand and led him into the small kitchen. “Sit down, Jax. I’ll dish it up for you.” She nodded toward the little washroom adjacent to the kitchen. “You might want to—wash up.”

  When he came back to the table, Callie was just taking the warm food from the oven. He sat down, meeting her eyes as she gave him a beautiful smile. He couldn’t help but return it.

  “That was thoughtful of you, sweetheart.”

  “Gotta eat to get your strength up,” she said.

  His eyes arrowed to hers as he cut his steak. “I’m not sure I’ll be ready for what you have in mind tonight even if I eat this whole plate of food, Callie. Think you can make me forget how beat I am?” He winked at her as he took a bite.

  “Why, Jaxson McCall. What did you think I meant?”

  “I know very well what you meant,” he said with a rakish look. “That’s one reason I love you so much.”

  She leaned towards him seductively. “What are the other reasons?”

  “I’ll tell you later, Callie. After I get my strength up.”

  ****

  Before they went to bed, they stopped beside the bedroom Jeremy had readied for Carlos. The boy rested quietly now, fast asleep even as Jeremy sal
ved his wounds.

  “How is he, Jem?” Jax asked quietly. He crossed the room and laid his large bronze hand on Carlos’s dark hair.

  “They beat him pretty badly,” Jeremy answered tightly. “Tortured him. Look—” he indicated the bruising across the boy’s chest, the recurring mark of a bootheel. “Shorty Reeves’s handiwork, I’m sure.”

  “Damn it!” Jax’s mouth hardened, his eyes glittering in the dim lamplight. “I just wish…I’d gotten behind them sooner. We couldn’t get around in position in time to stop that son-of-a-bitch.” He stroked Carlos’s silky hair absently. “It was bad enough…what they did before to Bren and me. At least, we had each other. But Carlos, hell, he’s a baby! Ten years old…” His voice trailed away as he glanced down at the sleeping boy once more.

  Callie stood in the doorway, watching. Jax felt connected to this boy—his boy—somehow. Carlos deserved a family. He deserved to know his father as his father rather than a marshal who rode through this town three or four times a year. She came inside the room to stand beside Jeremy, her eyes turning to Carlos once more. Her throat grew tight, and she wondered how she would tell Jax. If she should tell him. After all, no one really knew, for sure, that Carlos was Jax’s son.

  Unless you knew both of them, she thought. Unless you looked at the expressions in their identical obsidian eyes. Unless you watched the slow grin spread across their mouths. Even the way they looked when they held a gun in their hands was similar.

  “Do you need me, Jeremy?” Callie asked. “I’ll be glad to come sit with him—”

  Jeremy shook his head slowly, a quizzical smile on his face. This time, when he turned to look at Callie, she could see, written plainly in his expression, that he had figured it out, too. “No, Callie,” he answered. “I think…you and Jax need to talk tonight. I’ll sit with Carlos.”

  Callie nodded, her smile assuring him that she understood. There was something else she needed to tell Jax tonight, too.