“What do you think you’re doing?” the outlaw demanded.
“This is no longer between a lawman and a gunman.” Quent’s tone was laced with cold, deadly fury. Unlike anything Ruby had heard before. The sound of it sent a chill along her spine.
“When you touched my woman, you made it personal, Barlow. So now I’m going to kill you. Not as Marshal Quent Regan. As a plain, ordinary man, who’s had enough of scum like you.”
It took Ruby the space of several moments to realize the impact of Quent’s words.
“You can’t mean this, Quent.” But she knew, by the murderous look in his eyes, that he did. “Stop and think about all the people in this town who depend on you.”
“And what good did that do you?” he demanded. “I wasn’t here when you needed me. Couldn’t stop this madman from touching you.” He saw the blood, still seeping from the cut on her head. His voice nearly broke. “From hurting you.”
“But I’m fine now. Safe now. Because of you.”
“Not because of me.” His tone was filled with self-loathing. “You saved yourself. And none of this would have happened to you except for me. It’s me he’s wanted all along. To make a name for himself as the man who killed Marshal Quent Regan. Well, from now on there is no Marshal Regan. What good was he? All he could do was come here, alone and unarmed, as this piece of trash demanded. And all because of that damned badge.”
“But if you hadn’t done what he’d ordered, if you’d come here armed, with half the town behind you, he would have killed me, Quent.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” He allowed himself to touch her. One touch. Just to assure himself that she was really all right. Then he swung back to the outlaw. “And that’s why I’m going to kill you, Barlow. To make sure you never have the chance to hurt an innocent again.”
He leveled the gun, his finger gripping the trigger.
The outlaw couldn’t take his eyes off the gun. His gun. A gun that had so easily snuffed out the lives of people who’d gotten in his way.
He was sweating now, the sweat mingling with the blood, running in little rivers down his face, down the front of his shirt.
“You killed that young rancher and his wife, didn’t you, Barlow?”
The gunman nodded.
“You used my badge to gain their trust.”
Again he nodded, watching as Quent’s finger tightened.
“But you weren’t content to just kill them and help yourself to their meager belongings. You had to brutalize the young woman before you ended her life, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” Boyd whispered, his body beginning to shake.
Quent leaned closer, until the tip of his gun was pressed to the outlaw’s temple. “Animals like you don’t deserve to live, Barlow. You need to be put out of your misery.”
Boyd Barlow began to sob uncontrollably. “Don’t shoot me. I don’t want to die, Marshal.”
“I told you. The marshal is dead. I’m just Quent Regan now. And I don’t care about anything except putting an end to your miserable life.”
Ruby touched a hand to Quent’s arm. She could feel the tension humming through him, could feel the quivering of his muscles. Thinking quickly, she said, “I know how you feel,
chéri.
Truly I do. For I, too, wanted this man dead. But I’m begging you. If you would honor your father. If you would be worthy of the trust my father once placed in you, you must find the courage to turn away from this thing you wish to do. Please, Quent. Don’t sink to his level. If you do, he will have won. And Papa said...” Her voice caught in her throat. “Papa said that bullies must never be allowed to win.”
She saw the look on Quent’s face. Saw that her words had touched him. “Oh, my darling,” she said, and now the tears came, catching her by surprise. She pressed her cheek to his shoulder, muffling her words. “After all you’ve been through, you can’t let him win. You’re so much better than this. Please, Quent. Don’t let him win. He isn’t worth it. You’re a man of such tremendous courage. Find the courage now to do the right thing.”
For long moments Quent studied the outlaw and struggled for the need to satisfy his blood lust.
Finally, keeping his gun trained on Boyd, he dragged Ruby hard against his chest.
“Just let me hold you,” he muttered. “Just for a few minutes. Until I’m sure you’re really safe. Really here in my arms.”
“I am,
chéri.
I’m fine now. And so are you. Oh,” she said, sobbing uncontrollably now, “so are you.”
That was how Arlo and Patience and Doc Prentice found them a few minutes later. Still clutching each other fiercely. Boyd Barlow still cowering on the floor.
And then, suddenly, the little shop erupted into chaos as the Jewel sisters and their husbands arrived, along with Carmelita and Rosario.
“Can’t leave you two alone for a minute,” Diamond said, staring around at the debris. “You go and get yourselves into another mess. What was it this time?”
“An outlaw,” Ruby said between sniffles. “But Quent took care of him.”
“Of course Quent Regan took care of him. That’s what Quent does best,” Diamond said.
“An outlaw? You see?” Carmelita started to cry and rushed over to gather Ruby to her ample bosom. “You leave the safety of your ranch, and this is what happens to you. You belong at home, where I can cook for you, and the wranglers can take care of you.” .
Pearl and Jade gathered around Ruby, hugging her fiercely, while their husbands studied the marshal and his prisoner.
“Looks like you two had quite a fight,” Adam said as Arlo tied Boyd’s hands behind him. “Think you broke his nose, Quent.”
Quent shook his hand, which was beginning to swell. “Good,” he muttered. “That makes me feel better.”
“You’ve been thinking all along that Barlow was still in the territory, haven’t you?” Cal asked.
Quent nodded, then glanced at Ruby surrounded by her family. “But I let my guard down tonight.”
“We all did.” Dan clapped a hand on his shoulder. “But I’d say you more than made up for it.”
Doc Prentice, kneeling beside Neville, finished probing and poking while Patience held Neville’s cold hands in hers.
“Two bullets,” Doc announced. “One went clear through his side. Missed anything vital. The other’s lodged in his shoulder. It’ll take half the town to carry him to my place. Would you mind if I did the surgery here, Miss Ruby?”
“Not at all.” She managed to break free of the women fluttering like moths around her. “Use the chaise. If it hasn’t been broken, along with everything else.”
“He’s too heavy to lift. I’ll just see to him right here on the floor.” Doc opened his black bag.
“Is he...is he going to be all right?” Patience asked timidly.
“Neville’s as strong as an ox. He’ll be just fine in a week or two.”
“He was so brave. So noble. He actually risked his life for Miss Ruby.” Patience burst into a fresh fit of sobbing, and Doc found himself having to hand her over to the Jewel sisters to be consoled.
“Is that so, Ruby?” he asked. “Was Neville a hero?”
Ruby nodded. “Even after the first bullet, he kept on coming, determined to stop the gunman.”
“Well, that beats all.” Doc shook his head. “Before I start on Neville, let’s have a look at your cut, Ruby.”
She gave a little hiss of pain as he dabbed at it with disinfectant.
“You’ll be just fine,” he assured her.
“But of course. Papa always said I had a very hard head. Like him.”
Doc chuckled. “That he did. Onyx Jewel was the hardest, toughest man in Texas. And you’ve inherited a little of him, I see. In fact, all his daughters have a little of Onyx in them.” He glanced over at Quent Regan, still standing alone, his face revealing a battle with his emotions. “You seem to have survived this thing better’n the marshal.”
Ruby’s heart went out to Quent. How she wished they could find a moment alone, so that she could comfort him.
Just then Diamond gave a yelp.
“What is it?” Adam rushed to her side and she clutched his arm while her face went pale.
“Pain,” she managed, between gritted teeth.
“Is that your first?” Doc asked from his position beside Neville.
“No.” She waited until the worst of the pain was gone, then took several shallow breaths. “I’ve been having them for a while now. Just figured it was from all the excitement. But this one was worse than the others.”
“Maybe you’d better lie on the chaise, Diamond,” the doctor said.
“You think...?” Her face went chalk white. “But I can’t have this baby now.”
“And why not?” Ruby asked.
“Because I want it to be born at the ranch. Pa’s ranch. It’s only right.”
Carmelita’s tears were suddenly forgotten. Now she was as efficient as the doctor. “A baby will be born whenever and wherever it pleases. Now do as Doc Prentice says and lie down.” She turned to the men. “You will all have to go. Unless you wish to help with the delivery.”
That cleared the room in minutes. The only men who remained were Doc and the unconscious Neville.
As Quent and his deputy led the prisoner away to the jail, Ruby stood at the window and watched. As if aware of. her there, Quent turned. For the space of a heartbeat their gazes met and held. Then he was gone.
And Ruby had no time to think as she was swept up in the madness and majesty and miracle of birth.
Chapter Twenty
I
t was a fresh, glorious morning. A cool breeze danced through the open door, giving a hint of the approaching autumn. The sun rose over Widow’s Peak, touching the clouds with an artist’s palette of pinks and purples.
Ruby stood in the doorway studying the crowd that had suddenly taken over her tiny back room. On one side lay Neville Oakley, resting comfortably under the ministrations of Patience Carter, who hadn’t left his side since Doc had removed the bullet from his shoulder.
On the other side of the room Diamond lay on the chaise, holding her newborn son.
Adam sat beside her, looking at the two of them with a smile so dazzling, it rivaled the sun.
During the height of the chaos Rosario had been dispatched to the ranch to fetch quilts and pillows. The family had turned the back room into a bunkhouse. Pearl and Cal, Jade and Dan, and Carmelita and Rosario all lay sleeping wherever they could find room on the crowded floor.
Looking at them, Ruby had to swallow several times before she could dislodge the lump in her throat. As a family they had banded together, to comfort her and then to welcome the newest member into their ranks. It was something she wouldn’t soon forget.
Family. Her family.
With a last look she turned, picked up her shawl and let herself out.
Most of the outlying ranchers and their families had packed up and left at dawn, in order to get back to their chores. With the social behind them, the town was returning to normal.
Except for a few lingering wagons and carts, there were few people out on the street at such an hour, since it was too early for the merchants to open their shops.
Ruby made her way to the jail in time to see Millie Potter just hurrying away. As she opened the door she could smell the coffee and biscuits.
Just thinking about sharing breakfast with Quent had her heart racing.
With a bright smile she started across the room, then stopped.
Arlo was seated in the chair, his feet propped on the desk. His mouth was so full that when he spotted Ruby, he had to hurriedly chew and swallow before he could speak.
“Morning, Miss Ruby.” Arlo took a swig of coffee, swished it around, then took another. “Did your sister have her baby?”
“Yes. A beautiful little boy.” Ruby glanced around. “I expected to see the marshal here.”
“No, ma’am. He’s already gone.”
“Gone?”
“Marshal Regan decided to take the prisoner to Abilene. Said he didn’t want to keep him here in jail waiting for the visiting judge, who won’t be through these parts for another couple of months. Said he couldn’t stand looking at him for that long. Might forget his good intentions and shoot him.”
Her heart fell. “How long did Marshal Regan expect to be gone?”
Arlo buttered another biscuit. “Didn’t say. And I didn’t ask. Could be a couple of days. Could be a week or more. But don’t you worry, Miss Ruby.” Arlo patted the gun in his holster. “I’m here to see that the town’s kept safe.”
“Oui
. Thank you.”
She turned away, feeling bitterly disappointed.
Once again, it seemed, Quent’s duties would keep them apart. Not that she had any right to complain, she supposed. He was only doing what was required of a good lawman. But she’d needed the comfort of his arms. Had spent the whole long night anticipating this.
She took a long, deep breath and returned to her shop. Where she lost herself in the backbreaking work of cleaning the debris and restoring the rooms to order.
“Good day, Ruby.”
Ruby’s mouth dropped open. She climbed down from her perch on the chair, where she’d been arranging a variety of jars and bottles on a shelf.
“Hello, Lavinia. Gladys. Effie.”
The three women crowded through the doorway and swiveled their heads, trying to see everything at once.
“What...” Ruby had to swallow twice before she could find her voice. “What brings you ladies to my shop?”
“We’ve been planning to come since the day you opened.” Lavinia, clearly the leader of the gossip pack, made a slow turn around the shop as she spoke. “But you know how it is. With one thing and another, there just wasn’t time until today.”
Ruby could see through the lie. But she was so surprised, and so pleased to have three new customers, she kept her thoughts to herself.
“Arlo said you were quite the brave little hero when that nasty outlaw captured you.” Effie fingered a lacy shawl draped over a table. “He said the marshal claims he’d be dead now if it hadn’t been for you.”
“I’m sure it was a dreadful experience.” Gladys lowered her voice, touching Ruby’s arm as she spoke. “Why don’t you tell us all about it, dear?”
Dear? Ruby had to work hard to swallow her laughter. “There isn’t much to tell. I was caught unawares.”
“Yes. All alone here in your shop. And the rest of the town still at the social.” Gladys caught Ruby’s hand in both of hers, while the other two women gathered close as though sharing secrets. “How did he happen to find you?”
“I suppose he thought a woman alone was an easy target.”
“Arlo says he was following the marshal.” Lavinia’s eyes were boring into Ruby’s. “Were you and Quent Regan here? Alone? While everyone else was at the social?”
“I... Yes.” Ruby was tempted to lie. For her it would be as easy as stealing. Instead, she opted for the truth. “The marshal walked me home from the dance. When he left, the outlaw could see that I was alone.”
“Well, Arlo says he picked the wrong woman when he picked a Jewel.” Effie’s tone made it sound as though she were defending her best friend. “And he said that Neville Oakley was a hero, too. Walked right into that outlaw’s bullets to save you.”
“Oui.
He was so fine and brave. The thought of his sacrifice brings a tear to my eye,” Ruby said softly.
“The whole town’s talking about him. It’s comforting to know that we have such a big, brave man in our midst,” Gladys said.
“Did I hear that Diamond’s baby was brought on by all the excitement?” Lavinia hated to be outdone by Gladys or Effie.
“I don’t know if the excitement had anything to do with it. But Diamond did indeed have her baby just after the outlaw was taken away to jail. She has a new little son.”
“A son.”
The three hens clucked approvingly.
“What’ll she call him?” Lavinia was practically twitching with excitement. So much news. And right from the Jewel women themselves.
“I think she and Adam will name him for my father,” Ruby said.
“Why, yes. Of course. Onyx Jewel Winter. A fine name.”
“I think perhaps Onyx Adam Winter,” Ruby corrected gently.
“A fine name. Fine. They’re both well?” Lavinia pressed.
“Very well. And still recovering in my back room.
“You don’t think...?” Lavinia stared hard at the closed door. “Could we have just a peek at the new mother and child?”
“Not today,” Ruby said firmly. “But perhaps in a few days, when Diamond is feeling up to seeing folks.”
“You’ll be sure to tell her we’d like to come calling,” Effie said.
“Oui
. Of course.” Ruby could just imagine the look on Diamond’s face if she had to put up with this silly prattle.
“Oh, my,” Lavinia cried, glancing around. “Look at the hats.”
“And the gowns,” her friend Gladys said with a sigh.
“Something smells wonderful.” Effie breathed deeply. “What is so enticing?”
“Potpourri.” Ruby pointed to the small dishes filled with the sweet-smelling concoction. “Mostly dried flowers,” she explained. “And the other lovely scents are coming from these vials and jars of my mother’s skin balm. Would you care to try a sample?”
The three women gathered around as she opened a small vial and poured a bit into each outstretched hand.
“Rub it gently over any part of your body, and it will soften and soothe. It is especially good after a day in this Texas sun.”
The women rubbed and patted and sniffed.
“Oh, my,” Lavinia said. “If it feels this good on my hand, think what it will feel like on my face.”
“Oui
. I give you my promise. If you do not feel better, you may return the vial and I will refund your money.”
“You will?” Gladys picked up a big jar. “What do you call it?”
“I am calling it Madeline’s Balm,” Ruby said with a trace of pride.
“Well, I have to have this.” Gladys hugged it to her bosom. “I’ll have the smoothest skin in Hanging Tree.”
“Oh, no, you won’t, Gladys Witherspoon.” Lavinia Thurlong snatched a bigger jar from the shelf. “It won’t be smoother than mine.”
Not to be outdone, Effie Spitz helped herself to a jar, as well.
“I think I’ll try on a gown white I’m here,” Lavinia said.
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Gladys beat a path across the room to where the dresses were hung.
“And I need a bonnet.” Effie made her way to the front window, where Ruby had set up a complete display of bonnets, feathers and pins.
The three women were still busy trying on every gown, shawl and bonnet in the shop when the door opened and Ruby looked up to see Quent standing in the doorway.
With his clothes and boots dust covered from the trail, and his guns and holsters at each hip, he looked completely out of place in this frilly shop. He removed his wide-brimmed hat and shook it against his thigh, sending a puff of dust around him.
A light came into Ruby’s eyes that hadn’t been there moments before. And her heart started doing strange things. Missing beats, then fluttering wildly.
“Marshal.” With the three town gossips watching, she tried to appear calm and professional. But her palms were sweating. And she had to press them to the table in front of her to remain standing.
“Ruby.” He knew she had customers, but they were a blur. All he could see was Ruby, standing there looking so beautiful it made his throat ache.
“I...thought you were still in Abilene.”
“I turned over my prisoner to the sheriff in Oak Creek.” He took several steps toward her, until the gun and holster at his hip bumped a small table, sending the display of fancy buttons flying in all directions.
At once he dropped to his knees and began picking them up. Ruby hurried over to kneel beside him. When all the buttons had been retrieved, they emptied them into a dish, then got to their feet.
Before she could turn away, Quent caught her hands. “Ruby, I...need to talk to you.”
“out?
” She gave him a bright smile. “What about?”
“About...things.” He became aware that the women in the shop had stopped chattering and were watching and listening.
“Things.” Ruby, too, had noticed the change in her customers. “Can it not wait?”
“No, dammit.” He gave a hiss of frustration. “I mean, no. It can’t wait. Can we talk back there?” He nodded toward the back room.
“My family is there.”
“Still?”
“Oui
. They will probably be there for days, until Doc Prentice says Diamond can make the trip back to her ranch.”
He ran a hand through his hair in a gesture of futility. “Then we’ll have to talk here.”
“No!” Nerves had her nearly shouting as she backed away until her hips were pressed to her desk. Couldn’t he see who was in her shop? Didn’t he realize that every word would be repeated? “I... don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Ruby.” He wasn’t about to be stopped now. He gripped her by the upper arms. “I’ve just spent the whole night on the trail, with nothing to do but think. I want this thing settled between us now.”
“This...thing?”
“These feelings. I can’t keep them bottled up inside me any longer. I know there are some who would say we’re all wrong for each other. You have a wicked sense of justice. And you’re wild and irreverent. All the things I can’t be. But maybe that’s why you touch me the way you do. You fill all the empty places in my life. Last night...” His hands tightened a moment, then gentled. He moved them up her arms, across her shoulders. His voice, too, gentled. “Last night was the best night and the worst night of my whole life.”
Lavinia nearly choked.
Gladys cleared her throat.
Effie giggled.
He looked over, and for the first time realized that he was playing to a very attentive audience. His voice was a growl of anger. “Don’t you ladies have someplace to go?”
“Why, no, Marshal. We’re here to shop. But don’t mind us,” Lavinia said breezily. “You go right ahead with whatever you have to say.”