Safe in His Arms

  But no matter how she struggled, Frank’s grip remained tight. He dragged her closer to the nearest campfire, then shoved her to the ground. With hard hands, he bound her wrists together in front of her.

  “Now you just explain what you’re doing skulking around our camp in the middle of the night.” Frank crossed sinewy arms across his chest and glared down at her.

  She stared at Charlie again. “Could I have some water?”

  Frank jerked his head at Charlie, and he handed her a tin cup filled with water. She took it in both bound hands and drank greedily. Handing it back to him, she kept looking at him, but he looked at the ground. If she appealed to him directly, they’d both be sunk.

  “Now answer my question,” Frank said.

  “I was looking for a friend.”

  “A friend. At this hour? Do your people know you’re out here?”

  The glance she threw toward Charlie was full of desperation, but he glared at her so she knew not to ask him for anything.

  “No,” she said, when Frank shoved her with his foot.

  “At least you’re telling the truth. For now. Who is this ‘friend’ you’re looking for? And why here? You’re a far piece from home.”

  “Hey, Munster, we got company.”

  Frank swung around at the interruption. “Charlie, go see what’s going on.”

  Charlie was glad to escape her stare. He jogged toward the disturbance, but he was even less pleased to see Daniel with some of the other gang members. “Daniel.” He nodded coldly.

  Daniel made as if to hug him, but Charlie stepped back, and Daniel’s arms fell to his sides. “You’d better talk to Frank.”

  “That’s why I’m here.” Daniel strode toward the group with his head held high.

  Charlie watched his confident stride falter when he got near enough to see Margaret. A widening of his eyes was the only indication he gave that he knew her. Charlie bit his lip. There were few options available for him to help his brother. And for the first time, he realized he might have to make a choice between his friends and Daniel.

  Daniel stopped in front of Margaret. “What’s she doing here?”

  “We thought maybe you could provide the answer to that,” Munster said smoothly. “She tells us she’s been looking for a friend. Maybe you’re that friend and have led her right to our camp.”

  Daniel laughed. “We’re acquainted. What are you going to do with her?”

  “I haven’t decided. We could hold her for ransom. Her old man was one of the wealthiest cattle barons in the Red River Valley. I reckon she owns the ranch now. Her attorney would authorize a ransom, I bet. Plus, I’ve a mind to make her tell me where those bonds are.”

  “I told you—there are no bonds. I looked and they aren’t there.” Daniel still didn’t look at her. “Let me talk to her before you decide anything.”

  Munster sniffed. “I suppose. You always were the smarts of the outfit, Cutler. You’ve been gone so long, I was beginning to think you’d turned legal.” Munster picked his teeth with a piece of straw.

  Daniel laughed. “You must have been eating locoweed. I want my share of that haul you just took.”

  “Hey, you had no part in that operation. That money’s ours!”

  “And how are you going to get out of here? You’re boxed up tighter than a calf on branding day. You need me to figure out how to get you out of here alive so we can finish the big job.”

  Munster chewed on the straw. “You got a point. Okay, we’ll cut you a share if you can get us out. You got a plan?”

  Daniel smiled. “Don’t I always?” He jerked his head toward her. “Got anyplace where I can talk with her?”

  Munster grinned. “There’s an old shack through those trees there if you want some privacy. Here, take a lantern.” He handed Daniel a battered kerosene lamp.

  Daniel took it, then set it on the ground while he removed Margaret’s bonds. He picked up the lantern again and took Margaret’s arm.

  Frank winked at Daniel as he led Margaret away, and Charlie turned away. He didn’t know what his brother’s game was, but he didn’t want it to mess up his life here.

  WHY HAD SHE ever come up with this harebrained scheme? She must have been crazy. Margaret followed Daniel toward the grove of trees to a ramshackle cabin with part of the roof missing. Daniel pushed her inside and stepped in behind her. Even in the dim glow of the lamplight, she could see the stiff set of his shoulders and the icy glint in his eyes.

  He shut the door and seized her by the arms. “Margaret, what do you think you’re doing here? You’ve made my job even harder.”

  Margaret glared at him. “I was trying to save you. I thought if I discovered where they were holed up, the sheriff could arrest them and you’d be able to put your past behind you. I can see I was mistaken that you might want to do that.”

  “Do you ever think before you act?” He sighed.

  “It was a good plan. I know this land better than anyone.”

  “But you don’t know these men and how bad they are.”

  Margaret watched him until his gaze met hers again. “Let me go. You can say I escaped. They won’t do anything to you—you’re their leader.”

  Daniel’s lips thinned. “Is that what you think? You still have no discernment, Margaret. I care for you, but you refuse to see it. I don’t know why I bother.” He took off his hat and ran a hand through his thick brown curls. “I don’t know how I’m going to get us out of this mess.”

  She pushed away the initial joy his words of affection had brought. It was just more of his deceit. “I thought you had that all planned. Ransom and all that.”

  He snorted. “You really think Frank will follow through with that plan? More likely he’ll take the money and still kill you. Frank isn’t known for mercy.” He chewed on his lip. “You’ll have to agree to marry me, Margaret.”

  “What?” Surely she hadn’t heard him correctly.

  “It’s the only way I can keep you safe. If the men think you belong to me, they will leave you alone.”

  Margaret couldn’t breathe. She had to get out of here. She bolted for the door, but Daniel caught her by the arm.

  “I’m sorry the idea is so distasteful,” he said grimly.

  But what had appalled her the most was that the idea was far from distasteful. The thought of being married to Daniel nearly made her knees buckle from the sweetness of that hope. There seemed no way to reconcile this tender man who looked at her with pleading eyes with the rough man outside who spoke so casually of robbing banks, death, and ransom. Which one was the real Daniel Cutler? And what did he really want of her?

  “I won’t lie to them,” he said. “God wouldn’t like it. Will you agree to marry me, Margaret? I’ll tell them you’ve said yes and that they must leave you alone.”

  “What about my life on the Triple T? Do you expect me to follow you around the countryside while you rob every bank in Texas?” She shuddered.

  Daniel grew still. “Can’t you trust me just a little bit, Margaret? Things aren’t always what they seem. That’s all I can tell you.”

  “Things aren’t always what they seem?” She studied his face, unsure of what he meant. His firm jaw and dark eyes gave away nothing. It was hard to let go and believe when the evidence before her was so condemning. Maybe he really did want to find a way to get out of this way of life. If so, she must do all she could to help him accomplish that.

  What a strange thief he was. He would rob a bank, but he wouldn’t lie to his fellow bandits. He could expound on Scripture with the best of preachers, but he donned a mask and broke every commandment. In spite of her questions, she couldn’t help but want to trust him.

  He must have seen the struggle going on in her heart, for he leaned forward and brushed his fingers against her cheek. “It will be all right, Margaret. I won’t let you down. I love you, and I think you love me too, even if you won’t admit it yet.”

  She hardened her heart against his sweet words. What did a b
andit know of love? And the thought of giving him that power over her made her tremble. And she saw no way to resolve the conflict between the two sides of this man.

  He grinned. “Does the thought of marriage to me fill you with such joy you can’t speak?”

  A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, but she quickly squelched it. His charm was too easy to believe. She had to remember that. “Let’s just say we’re engaged.”

  “You want a way to back out, is that it?”

  She nodded.

  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “You’re a stubborn woman, Margaret O’Brien.” He attempted to embrace her, but when she resisted, he released her. “Our time will come. I’ll be patient for now, but you’ll see you can trust me.” He turned from her and paced across the floor. “I have to be careful how I proceed,” he muttered. “So much is riding on the next few days.”

  She didn’t understand any of this. Why had she ever gotten involved with this mess? “What about your brother?”

  His restless pacing stilled. “Charlie? What about him?” His tone was casual, too casual.

  “How does he figure in all this?”

  “Charlie is why I’m here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing, forget it. It’s safer that way.” He picked up the lantern and took her hand. “They’ll be wondering what’s taking so long. Come with me and try to act happy.”

  It wouldn’t be a total act. Part of her thrilled at the thought that she could have a future with Daniel. That part ignored the truth all around her that spoke of Daniel’s lack of concern for the law and other people. But the rational part of her head knew that only heartache lay in wait for her. It couldn’t be otherwise. In spite of Daniel’s calm assurance that he would work things out, Margaret saw no possible way to resolve the problem. Either the robbers would kill them both or the posse would.

  Once she threw in her lot with Daniel, no one would believe she had no idea who he really was or what his plans were. She forced a smile to her lips. Her name would be worthless among the people whose opinion she valued.

  She glanced up into the night sky as he led her back to the campfire. What should I do, Lord? God couldn’t possibly be in favor of a match between her and a bank robber, in spite of Daniel’s profession of Christianity.

  Just thinking about it gave her a headache. All she wanted was to find some hole to crawl into and sleep. She’d pull a blanket over her head and forget all about this for a few blessed hours. “You’ll have to take care of this, Lord. I don’t know what to do,” she muttered under her breath.

  “Did you say something?” Daniel asked softly.

  She shook her head. “I was talking to God.”

  “Good idea. We need all the help we can get. Smile, we’re almost there,” Daniel whispered.

  Smiling was the last thing she felt like doing, but she tried.

  “Can’t you do better than that? You look like an orphaned calf. Try to look excited at the thought of being Mrs. Cutler.”

  Mrs. Cutler. The thought sent a bolt of electricity tingling along her nerves. Margaret Cutler. She tried it on for size and found she could get used to that name. If she lived long enough. She lifted her head and smiled at him.

  He blinked, and the light in his eyes brightened. “That’s more like it.” He took her arm, and they stepped into the light of the campfire. Some of the men had gone to bed, but Frank and Charlie still sat on logs near the fire. The fire was still blazing high and shooting sparks into the cool air.

  Frank got to his feet as they neared. “She don’t look like you roughed her up too bad.” He chortled. “You find out why she came out here?”

  “Looking for me.”

  The smugness in Daniel’s voice made Margaret want to kick him, but instead she smiled sweetly and said nothing.

  Frank narrowed his eyes. “I figured that much. Why is the question.”

  “She loves me,” Daniel said. “You ever heard the word before, Frank? Even a reprobate like you must realize there’re some fates a man can’t run from. I’m going to marry this gal.”

  “Marry? You?” Frank burst into guffaws. His laughter trailed away when Daniel just stood there with a pleasant smile on his face. “What about the ransom?”

  “We don’t need a ransom. We’ll make plenty on this next haul.”

  “You sure you ain’t blackmailing her into a wedding? Maybe that’s the ransom you’re wanting. That way you get control of the ranch too. Smart move.” Frank nodded approvingly.

  Margaret’s chest tightened. Maybe that’s what all his talk of love was about. His love of money and her ranch. It made perfect sense.

  TWENTY-TWO

  The next morning Daniel directed a glance in Margaret’s direction. He made sure his expression betrayed none of his worry. They were both lucky her confident air had allayed any suspicions Frank and his gang might have had. A good night’s sleep had given her more backbone and gumption.

  The men had clamored for breakfast, and she offered to fix some flapjacks. Now he watched her as she worked over the cooking fire making stew. Even under duress she had kept her cool. A glow warmed his belly as he watched her cook. He’d never met a braver woman.

  His grin faded. Or one more stubborn. She was convinced she knew what he was all about, and nothing swayed her opinion. Still, that stubbornness could be turned to good use. Once she loved a man, she would stand and fight at his side. Unlike his mother, who stayed in her room and was more a piece of the furniture than a true wife. He’d always sworn he would never want a wife without fire.

  What had possessed Margaret to follow him out here? When he saw her in the hands of these outlaws, he’d wanted to throttle her. That impulse had quickly been followed by a rush of pleasure that she cared enough about him to follow him. For all her protests, Daniel knew she felt something for him. He just had to help her discover what it was.

  She hadn’t answered him when he told her he loved her, but he’d seen the struggle in her face. Once she understood why he was with this gang, maybe she would be able to face her feelings. All he could do was hope and pray that would be the case.

  Her face glowed from the heat of the fire. The night had brought colder temperatures, and even this morning, frost still limned the grass. Charlie had brought her a blanket to pull around her shoulders. Her long red braid hung over one shoulder, and she looked a little bedraggled and distraught.

  “I want out of here.” She bent over the cook pot with her back toward him. “I want to get on my horse and get home. Surely they’ll let me go now that they think I’m going to marry you.”

  Daniel pressed his fingers against the hand she had on his arm. “You don’t understand all that’s going on here, Margaret. Please, just stay quiet and let me do what I have to do.”

  Bafflement darkened her eyes and she sighed. “I don’t have much choice.”

  He went toward the group of men sitting around the campfire. This operation was going to be tricky. Frank was no dummy. If he smelled a rat, he’d dump both their bodies in a ravine.

  Daniel hunkered down beside Charlie and picked up a stick. He poked the fire and sparks flew into the air, leaving a tang of wood smoke and burning leaves. He could almost feel Margaret’s gaze boring a hole in his back, but he forced himself to focus on the job at hand.

  “Let’s talk about the heist at the Larson bank. What do you think about using explosives, Cutler?”

  The sharp look in Frank’s eyes reminded Daniel of a ferret. Frank was wily and dangerous, like a rabid fox. The knowledge sharpened Daniel’s attention. “Might be all right if you use the right kind. We wouldn’t want to get blown up along with the vault door.”

  Frank nodded. “When you joined us a year ago, you said you were an expert with nitroglycerin. I think we might be able to get our hands on some. You game to try it?”

  “I’d rather not use orphan elixir,” Daniel said, referring to the mining synonym for nitroglycerin. “Dynamite wou
ld be better, provided it’s not old. I can use nitro if you’re set on it, but it takes longer to get the right amount set. Dynamite would be quicker and easier. But the noise will bring the whole town running. You sure you want that?”

  Frank nodded. “Guess you know what you’re talking about.”

  “What was this—a test?”

  Frank grinned. “You got it. I wanted to know if you were the expert you claimed to be. Guess you’ll do.” Picking up a stick, he drew lines in the dirt. “I figure we hit the bank next week. The last time was just a trial run to test the bank security. The back door is here.” He poked the stick in the dirt. “A big deposit is expected on Wednesday, and we’ll hit the bank on Thursday before they can ship it out again. The security will be beefed up, but they won’t be expecting us to hit it again so soon. Pretty crafty, huh?” He gave a self-satisfied smirk.

  Cutler nodded. It was pretty smart. No one ever said Frank was stupid. “How you figuring on getting past the guards?”

  Frank’s grin widened. “That’s where you and your girlfriend come in. She’s known in the community and so are you. You escort her in to make a withdrawal about closing time when the place is almost empty. You pull your gun and tie up the guards and the tellers. We’ll be waiting around back. When you open the back door for us, we get the manager to open the vault and make a little larger withdrawal than they were expecting.” He gave a hearty laugh.

  His laughter grated on Daniel’s ears. “Good plan. But what if the manager won’t cooperate?”

  “Then we blow the door with dynamite. I’ve got plenty of power to handle the yokels in town.”

  “These few men?” Daniel gave a sweeping gesture with his hand.

  “Oh no, these are just the start. Kid Loco and his gang are throwing in with us.”

  Daniel bit back his dismay. Kid Loco was a notorious gunfighter who shot first and asked questions later. He hated Daniel, and the coming encounter would not be pleasant.