Safe in His Arms

  He nodded toward a lone cottonwood. “Think you could climb that tree, Charlie?”

  “Sure.” His brother took off at a trot.

  “I’ll have to do it,” Margaret said. “I know the area, and neither one of you does.” She followed Charlie and Daniel to the tree. She hadn’t climbed trees in years, but surely it wasn’t something a person forgot. She’d practically lived in the oak outside her bedroom window when she was growing up.

  From that oak tree she had dreamed her girlish dreams of her hero riding over the hills to sweep her away to some enchanted existence far from the red dirt of northern Texas. She would dress in stylish clothes that minimized her size, and when she came back to visit, the other girls would stare with envy. They would all want to be her friends instead of giggling behind her back.

  Instead, she had learned to love the land as the husband she thought she would never have. And the men of the area had given her their respect. The reminder of how many other ranchers were depending on her strengthened her resolve as she stared up through the branches. She had to get to town in time to save the money everyone had worked for all year.

  “Give me a leg up,” she told Daniel.

  He laced his fingers together and offered them to her. She put her foot in his big hands, and he lifted her as she reached up to grasp the lowest branch. The rough bark bit into her hands, but she gripped it firmly anyway. It was a good thing she was wearing britches. She swung her leg over the branch and scooted firmly onto it, then stood and climbed higher. Through the leafy canopy she could see for miles in all directions. Staring at the landscape, she searched for a familiar landmark. There. That formation of three rocks. In an instant Margaret knew where she was. On the other side of that formation was a track that would lead to the Stanton homestead.

  “Got it!” she crowed. “I’d know this land anywhere.” She scrambled down the tree limbs. Pausing at the last branch, she gauged the distance to the ground, then jumped. Instead of landing smoothly on the grass, her ankle twisted and she fell. Pain seized her ankle and refused to let go.

  Daniel whipped around at her muffled groan. Concern shone from his dark brown eyes, and he knelt beside her. “You should have let me help you.”

  Burning pain encased her ankle and left her gasping for breath. She groaned softly. This was no simple injury but something that would take time to heal. “You’ll have to go on without me. Just beyond the rock formation is a track that will take you to Nate and Lucy’s. You’ll be there in half an hour or less.”

  “I’m not leaving you here.” Daniel’s warm fingers probed the tender flesh and she winced.

  “You have to. I’ll be fine.” Bracing herself against the pain, she shook her head. “I’m sorry.”

  “You’ve been amazing.” Daniel’s voice vibrated with emotion.

  Margaret searched his gaze through a haze of agony. Her ankle felt like it was being squeezed flat. “Hurry,” she panted.

  Daniel folded her into his arms. “I’ll pray,” she whispered. “Go now.”

  His heart beat steadily under her ear, a comforting sound of constancy and steadfastness. Daniel was someone she could trust—she felt that in her bones. But there was always that niggling doubt in the back of her mind. She couldn’t bear for him to regret wanting her. She sucked in a breath. She was done with worrying about it. It was time to trust God with that too.

  Daniel’s gentle fingers brushed the curls back from her face. “I’m not leaving you.” He kissed her forehead. “We’ll go on together or not at all. I’ll help you.”

  “I could go for help,” Charlie said.

  Daniel pressed his lips together. “I’d rather we stayed together.”

  “Don’t you trust me?” Charlie’s voice was hurt.

  Margaret drew back a bit from Daniel’s grasp. “Let him go. I’m not going to be able to walk that far, even with help.”

  “I’ll carry you.”

  “You’re not carrying me two miles!” The thought made Margaret pull even farther away.

  “You can trust me,” Charlie broke in. “I won’t run off or go back to the gang. I’m through with that.”

  “I trust you,” Daniel said. “I’m just worried about the gang catching up to you.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  “I reckon we don’t have a choice,” Daniel said. “But be alert. Munster and Golda won’t give up easily. Get back here as quick as you can.”

  “Don’t fuss like Ma. I’ll be fine.” Charlie tightened the gun holster around his hips, then strode off in the direction of the Stanton ranch.

  Margaret sighed. “I feel so helpless. There should be something I can do.”

  Daniel sat beside her and slipped his arm around her shoulders. “We can sit here while you tell me what a wonderful husband I’m going to be. We can decide how many kids we want and make some plans for our future.”

  Kids was such a lovely word. She nearly groaned at the thought of what Pa would say about it all if he were here. The Bible said to honor your parents. Pa would roll over in his grave if she married a Ranger. But he wasn’t here, so did it matter?

  “What’s wrong?” Daniel tried to draw her back against his chest, but she resisted. “What did I say?”

  She leaned away from him and wrapped her arms around herself. “Just thinking about Pa. I think he’s okay with you being a Ranger. Heaven would have wiped away his resentment.”

  Daniel leaned forward and tipped her chin up. She refused to meet his gaze and tried to turn away her head, but his hard fingers refused to allow it. “I thought that’s what it was when you went all prickly again. Sometimes talking to you is like walking through a field of cowpats. I’m afraid of putting a foot in the wrong place.”

  Her lips twitched at his words, and she laughed. “The things you say. You see me in ways I don’t think anyone else does.”

  He wound a long curl around his finger. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be. You’re still fussing about your pa?”

  She shook her head. “It was just a fleeting thought. Everyone at the ranch is probably worried sick, and Munster and his gang are likely riding to Larson right now. What if we’re too late?”

  “I have faith in God’s provision in this situation. Think of all the ways he’s been faithful in these past weeks, Margaret. He’ll be faithful in this too. You are safe in his arms.” He buried his face in her hair. “He brought us together.”

  “He did, didn’t he? I was quite terrible.”

  “Not terrible, just challenging. And worth every misstep. We belong together. Can’t you feel that in your bones?”

  She knew he was right. God had performed miracle after miracle for them. She still hadn’t said the words I love you, and she was still afraid to admit to the extent of her feelings. “It’s hard to know God’s will about things. What if it’s my will I’m sensing and not his?”

  “You know. In your heart you know.” He pulled away and folded his arms across his chest. “I’m sure it’s his will that we be together, that we be married. Aren’t you?”

  “You haven’t really asked me,” she said teasingly.

  He embraced her. “So I haven’t asked you, eh? I can remedy that.” A sound reached their ears.

  “Someone’s coming,” he whispered.

  Her heart hammering, she held her breath as he stood and peered through the brush that hid them. “It’s Charlie and Nate.”

  She closed her eyes at the relief in his voice. Trying to get to her feet, she winced at the pain in her ankle.

  He must have heard her soft inhalation, for he turned and came toward her. “Let me help you.” He swept her up into his arms.

  Margaret gasped and clasped her arms around his neck. “Put me down! I’m too heavy for you to be toting around like a feed sack.”

  “You don’t weigh anything,” he scoffed. Striding to meet Nate and Charlie, he carried her as he would a child.

  She felt light and free in his arms. Staring into his f
ace, she watched to see signs of overexertion, but he carried her easily. His muscles bulged beneath his shirt, and she couldn’t help the thrill of admiration at his strength and compassion. He was the kind of man who would make a woman feel safe and protected. She was glad she was that woman.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  Daniel wanted to keep walking with Margaret in his arms. Just walk into the sunset all the way home to Austin where he could show her off to his father, who would immediately love her too. He would teach her that she was beloved by both him and God. Her hands clasped him at the back of his neck, and she felt warm and pliable against his chest. They belonged together, and he would do all in his power to be worthy of her.

  Nate waved. “The cavalry is here.” The horse behind him jerked his head and snorted at Daniel’s appearance.

  Daniel grinned and stopped in front of him. “I don’t see any blue coat.”

  “My blue shirt will have to do.” Nate stared at Margaret and his smile faded. “What have you gotten yourself into now, missy? You’ve got Lucy in a tizzy, and the baby is screaming her head off. It was all I could do to keep Lucy from coming with me. I had to remind her that her first priority was Carrie.”

  Daniel frowned. Why did everyone make remarks that made Margaret feel even more inadequate and foolish? One look at her set face, and he knew Nate’s words had hurt her. He tightened his arms around her, then reluctantly put her down. Focus—that’s what he needed. There would be time enough to sort this out when the Munster gang was behind bars.

  Margaret’s face was pale, but she bit her lip and leaned against him for support as she smiled at Nate. “You know I hate boredom, Nate.” She limped toward the horse Nate had brought for her.

  She never let anyone know she was hurt. Holding her head high, she trod through life with determination and grit. Daniel was fortunate she revealed her inner hurt and feelings to him. With God’s help, he would make sure he never betrayed that trust.

  Daniel put his arm around her waist to help her. When she came alongside the horse, he lifted her into the saddle and she grabbed the reins. “Let’s get to town,” she said. “There’s no time to waste. We have no way of knowing whether or not Munster is hitting the bank even now. We have to stop them.”

  “I promised Lucy we’d stop by the house so she could take a look at your ankle. It was the only way I could get her to stay behind,” Nate said.

  “There’s no time!” Margaret protested.

  “We have to make time. I promised her. We’ll be going right past there, and we’ll just stop for five minutes.” Nate tossed the reins of the other horse to Daniel, then turned and started back the way they’d come.

  Daniel mounted up and fell into place behind Charlie. His brother had been quiet, and Daniel wanted to talk to him, to reassure him that they would work things out. Margaret led the way and kept them at a fast clip. Her tense shoulders gave Daniel a sense of urgency as well. The gang planned to hit the bank at five. They didn’t have Daniel to handle the dynamite, but he doubted they’d give up when they knew how much money was in there. Margaret would never forgive herself if she failed and the robbery took place.

  By the time the Stanton ranch came into view, Margaret was swaying in the saddle. When they stopped in front of the house, Daniel quickly dismounted and rushed to help her down. She practically fell into his arms.

  “I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I’m not usually such a weakling.”

  “You’ve been through a lot.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the house.

  Lucy met them at the door. “Lay her on the sofa.” Her blue eyes were dark with worry.

  Finally, someone who cared about Margaret. Holding her protectively, Daniel carried her to the sofa and gently laid her down. “You’re going to be fine.” He pressed his lips against her forehead. “I know you’re worried, but I’ll head on into town and take care of things there. You let Lucy take care of you. I’ll get back as quick as I can.”

  Her green eyes darkened and she shook her head. “I’m going with you. Don’t leave without me.”

  “You’re not going anywhere.” Lucy pushed Daniel out of the way. “Look at you—you can barely hold your head up. There’s no way you’re getting back on that horse.”

  “You’ve got the baby to worry about, and you don’t need to be fussing over me. I’m fine. I’ll check in with the doctor when this is all over.” Margaret attempted to rise, then fell back against the sofa.

  Before Daniel could insist she stay put, shots rang out. Charlie burst through the door.

  “We’ve got trouble! Frank and the gang have the house surrounded. They barely missed me.”

  He held out his hat, and Daniel saw a bullet had punched a hole clean through the crown. “You got any extra rifles?” Daniel asked Nate.

  Nate was already rushing to the gun cabinet. He handed two rifles to Daniel and two to Charlie before taking another two for himself. He grabbed a bag of bullets, then ran toward the window. Just as he reached it, the glass shattered and bullets rained through the opening.

  Nate dropped to the floor. “Stay down!”

  “Give me a rifle,” Margaret muttered. She struggled up from the sofa and limped to the gun cabinet.

  “Get down! We’ll take care of this!” Daniel rushed toward her as a bullet whizzed through the air and narrowly missed her.

  “Thank God that didn’t hit you.” He quickly led her back to the sofa.

  “We can’t let them win,” she whispered.

  “They won’t. Let Lucy look at your ankle. I’ll handle Munster and the gang.”

  “I’ll take care of her. Go!” Lucy pushed away his hands.

  He relinquished his position by Margaret’s side and crawled on his belly to a window. A quick thrust with the butt of his rifle broke the glass. He poked his rifle through the hole and fired.

  All around them the bullets flew as the gang moved closer. Daniel, Nate, and Charlie were hopelessly outnumbered. He couldn’t bear the thought of Margaret back in Golda’s clutches. He was sure Golda was out there somewhere. Kid Loco too.

  As he mindlessly fired, then reloaded and fired again, he gradually became aware that the air had taken on an even more oppressive feel. The sky was a strange greenish tint. Then a rumble rattled through the parlor. His ears popped, and debris began to fly.

  “It’s a twister!” Charlie screamed.

  Even as his brother shouted, Daniel saw the tail of the storm begin to descend almost directly over the barn. Other tails began to spin and dance away from the main one, then converged and split again. Sharp pieces of sand bit into his face as the tornado sucked the air from the house. Windows blew out, and he heard men outside shout and curse. The storm whirled around them, and the main tail began to approach the house.

  Nate leaped to his feet. “Get to the cellar! Lucy, get the baby and I’ll get Eileen. Daniel, grab little William.”

  Daniel turned and struggled through air that had suddenly turned as heavy as molasses. He fought to get to Margaret and William. If he was going to die, Daniel wanted to be looking into Margaret’s face.

  Then the storm bore down on them in all its fury.

  TWENTY-NINE

  All too often Margaret had seen the black demon drop from the sky to ravage a home, a town, a friend. Now a twisting snake full of fury with the sting of death in its tail was right on top of her. She lurched to her feet as the debris flew. Strangely, she found her terror fading as she concentrated on making sure everyone she loved was safe.

  Daniel grabbed her hand, and she barely felt the pain of her twisted ankle—though in the back of her mind she knew she would pay later—as they hurried toward the kitchen as fast as her swollen ankle would allow. Pressure built in her ears as the storm loomed closer.

  At the door to the kitchen, Daniel scooped up William without breaking his stride. “I’ve got William,” he called to Nate as they rushed on.

  Nate hollered for Jed as he escorted Eileen, Lucy, and the baby to
safety. Charlie put a hand against Margaret’s back and urged her to go faster.

  “Jed’s in the barn!” Lucy screamed. “There’s a cellar there but he may not think to get to it.”

  Margaret’s stomach churned. The tornado was directly over the barn. Boards flew across the yard as the twister ravaged the outbuildings. Daniel dropped Margaret’s hand. Time seemed to stand still, though she knew it was only seconds that he stared into her eyes.

  “I’m going for the boy. I love you, Margaret. I’ll try to get Jed into the cellar.” Daniel passed William over to her, then bent and pressed his lips to hers for one brief moment. Then he was gone.

  She blinked. He was gone so quickly she hadn’t been able to tell him she loved him. Dear God, keep him safe. Her throat was so tight she could not have spoken if she’d tried. Eileen’s face was white with terror, and Margaret smiled encouragingly as they rushed toward the cellar.

  She seemed to run in slow motion. Time had run out. The serpent had found them and was preparing to gobble them up. The roof lifted above her head. Her ears popped. Margaret screamed and dived toward the heavy wooden kitchen table, tucking William’s head against her shoulder. She heard Nate shout, then Eileen, Lucy, and the baby were huddled under the table with them. Charlie dived under the table as well.

  “Nate!” Lucy screamed.

  Lucy fought to go to her husband, but Margaret grabbed her arm. “No, Lucy, you have to keep the baby safe.”

  Lucy sobbed and buried her face against the newborn. Clutching William tightly, Margaret strained to see through the swirling dust and debris, but there was no sign of Nate. And Daniel was out in this as well. Crushing fear for the men bore down on her, and she choked as she fought to keep from wailing with Lucy. The storm would be over soon, and they would find their men. Margaret clung to that hope.

  “Please, God,” she whispered. In that moment she knew that all the things she’d thought so important didn’t matter at all. The ranch, what people thought of her. They were dross that God was using the storm to burn away. Facing eternity, she saw the things that were really important—trust in God and a love that loved her even when she was unlovable. There were two who had that love for her: God and Daniel.