Ranger's Wild Woman (12 page)

“Thanks, but I can handle it.” Ranger opened the door and waved Archer out. “My brother was just leaving.”

Archer and Jellyfish nodded at each other as Archer exited. Then Jellyfish looked at Ranger.

“Your offer for my lost time was generous. Was it a bribe?” Jellyfish asked.

Straight to the point. “If you’re asking if I got lost on purpose with Hannah, yes, I did.”

Jellyfish nodded. “You realize that if she’ll ever agree to marry me, I’m going to be there for her.”

Ranger nodded.

“She’ll always be a part of my life.”

“I figured as much.” Not that he was happy about it, but there it was.

“What do you have to offer her?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’m trying to figure that out.”

“Fair enough. But she’s a sweet, smart, attractive woman. It would be best if you figured out why you deserve her. Very soon.”

Ranger was starting to get steamed. Hannah had portrayed the relationship as one that had ended. Why was he getting the third degree? “Is there a problem I’m unaware of? Am I stepping on your toes?”

Jellyfish shook his head. “Just watching out for a special friend.”

“Friend?”

“We grew up together in a commune. We understand each other. I know what her demons are, and I know what her angels are. And frankly, I don’t need your money.”

“I meant no insult by it.”

“Just be sure you’re serious about Hannah,” Jellyfish told him. “You’re welcome to come along, in fact, I invite you to do so. But no more getting lost. Hannah didn’t look too happy when I asked her about you. That makes me very cautious, Brother Ranger.”

He left the room, and Ranger sighed. “Great. This one’s worse than Helga.”

R
ANGER WANDERED
into the gaming room that evening, his mind made up. Cissy looked glamorous in her hostessing outfit. Several diners obviously appreciated the scenery, and Cissy glowed with excitement. He wasn’t worried about her safety, though; there was no doubt Jellyfish would take good care of the women on his boat.

Hannah was dealing cards, laughing with the players, mostly men, who could afford to lose chunks of change. Ranger admired her swift, small hands. He’d
never seen her dressed as she was; she looked like a cross between an elegant woman and a sexy fairy. Whatever, she had the complete attention of her audience.

And, Ranger had to admit, she looked quite at home. He leaned up against a wall and contented himself with watching.

When it was time for a break, she came right over to him. “Thought you were going to gamble. Wasn’t that why you decided to join me here?”

He nodded, playing along. “But I guess I’m not up for gambling tonight.”

The smile left her eyes. “I think we should talk.”

“Me, too.”

She moved down a hall and took him into a chamber he swiftly realized was her bedroom. There were small decorations everywhere; beads hung from lamp-shades and the bedspread, while fringe hung from delicate curtains. It was eclectic and fun, and Ranger realized this was
her
room. Jellyfish kept this room just for Hannah.

“Now that we’ve left shore, things may change,” she told him. “I’m going to be very busy. I’m afraid you’ll get bored.”

He recognized a blow-off when he heard one. She wouldn’t meet his eyes, and her posture was stiff. He’d like to blame her withdrawal on Jellyfish, but he knew it had started after Ranger had made love to her, when she’d found that he’d kept her ring. He’d
seen her panic. She looked unhappy now, and he couldn’t bear that.

“It’s all right,” he said huskily, knowing that he had learned a lot from that silvery filly of his youth. “Archer and I talked. I’ve got some family duties I need to take care of.”

She looked up at him.

“Mimi’s father is ill, and she’s out of town. She’s getting home as quick as she can, but Mason’s holding down an already-short fort. I need to get back. After that, I may meet up with Archer. He’s going to take care of some other family stuff. I haven’t totally given up on the military, but right now my services are needed back home.”

“I see.” Turning away, she kept her emotions hidden from him. “Well, I wish you the best of luck, Ranger.”

“You, too.” He put his hat on. “Well, I’ll be getting off at the next stop. I need to take Hawk’s truck back to his house, anyway. I’m going to let Archer drive mine on his jaunt.”

She nodded. “Ranger, I haven’t thanked you for bringing me here. It means a lot to me.”

“I know. No thanks necessary. You saved my life. I’m glad I could do something for you.”

“I did not save your life, Ranger. You would have gotten well on your own.”

“Maybe.” He nodded to her, hiding behind good manners. “If you ever need anything, call.”

“I will.”

He didn’t figure she would, but he smiled and ruffled her hair as he passed her to go through the door.

Casual.

H
ANNAH WATCHED
Ranger leave, her emotions torn. She was sad, but she was also relieved. A man like him did not belong in her life; she could never make him happy. As he’d said, he was needed at home. Staying in one place would make her crazy. Shocked that she’d fallen for the handsome cowboy, she’d decided to make an early return to the riverboat where she usually worked six months of every year. Ranger bringing her to Mississippi had been a surprise bonus, but in the end, it hadn’t made matters anything but clearer.

They were not meant for each other.

Stepping out of the hall, she returned to the gaming room. With a quick eye she scanned the boat. Cissy was handling customers beautifully, almost as if there was nothing on the planet she’d rather be doing. Jellyfish was chatting with regulars. Ranger was out of sight.

She sighed. He was a home-man. He was steady. He was strong and courageous and a little bit wild. Real stubborn. Demanding. Opinionated. Focused on her, if she wanted that.

She didn’t want to be in love. She wanted casual, something that didn’t hurt. She’d known back in Lonely Hearts Station that she’d fallen for this cow
boy. It was clear then that her body had noticed him. It was clear now that her heart was hooked on him.

He would never be casual.

She missed him.

I
N THE SMALL
hallway a door opened, and a woman watched as Hannah went into the gaming room. Smiling to herself after hearing every word spoken by Ranger and Hannah, the woman closed the door again. Going to her briefcase, she pulled out a sheaf of papers and looked at them as if they were her best friends.

“Well, then. This will be easier than I thought it would be,” she murmured to herself. “As soon as Mr. Jefferson leaves, we’ll just have ourselves a
big
ol’ breach of contract party,” Marvella said. “Won’t everybody who’s invited be so surprised?”

And then she laughed as she settled down in the plush cabin to wait.

W
HEN
R
ANGER
left the boat that evening, he had the strangest sense of foreboding. Since he wasn’t normally a great one for prescient feelings, he decided he was suffering from post-Hannah syndrome.

She stood on the deck, waving goodbye to him, as did Jellyfish and Cissy. Archer got into Ranger’s truck, and Ranger got into Hawk’s truck, and they went their separate ways.

He didn’t feel good about leaving Hannah, but it was the only thing he could do.

“W
ELL
,
NOW
,” Marvella said, coming up behind the bon voyage party. “Look what we have here. A real nice group of girls. And one big strong boy.” She winked at Jellyfish. “Make that almost-man.”

Cissy gasped, and Hannah watched her friend turn white and sag against Jellyfish. “What do
you
want?” Hannah demanded.

“I want my contract conditions honored,” Marvella said smoothly.

“Who is this, Hannah?” Jellyfish asked.

“My name is Marvella. And this is my tracker who so easily helped me find you,” she said, pointing to the Native American cowboy coming down the pier.

“Hawk!” Cissy and Hannah cried out.

“How could you?” Cissy asked. “How could you pretend to be my friend and then rat me out?”

Hawk didn’t say anything. He looked at them, and then at Marvella, as if he weren’t certain what was happening.

“When did she hire you?” Hannah asked. “Before or after you so magically healed Ranger?”

“That magic was from you,” Hawk replied. “I was hired to track Cissy Kisserton. That’s why I had you drop me off.”

“So you could alert Marvella.” Hannah shook with anger. “Why did you do this?”

“I track for anyone who needs help. Kidnap victims, missing family members. Runaway debts. I do not judge who is right or wrong.”

“You didn’t have to track us,” Hannah pointed
out. “We were sitting ducks for you.” She stared at Marvella. “So you found us. Big deal. Cissy’s not going with you.”

“Oh, I think she’ll change her mind if the police have to get involved. Won’t you, Cissy, dear?” Marvella purred. “Think about those youngsters of yours going without food. Think about your poor grandmother—”

“Stop!” Cissy shouted. Jellyfish put his arms around her to comfort her as she began to cry.

Marvella laughed.

Hannah stepped forward. “She owes you nothing. People lose employees all the time. You weren’t a fit employer.”

“Ah, well, that could be debated. However, she does owe me something.” Marvella held up papers. “She owes me another year of service in exchange for her room, board and special payments to her family.”

Hannah hesitated, stunned for a moment. Then she swung to face Cissy. “You didn’t sign papers, did you?”

Cissy nodded miserably. “Yes.”

Hannah looked at Jellyfish. He shrugged imperceptibly, telling her that it appeared that there was little they could do. Except, Hannah thought, push Marvella into the river. Maybe she’d melt like the wicked witch in the
Wizard of Oz.

No. Marvella would float. She was so salty with evil that she would probably bob and laugh while
Hannah went to jail for battery. “You’re a terrible person,” she told Marvella.

“And you’re sleeping with a cowboy for free.” Marvella shrugged. “I don’t do business that way, and guess what? I get to eat at night.”

Hannah took a deep breath. “Take me instead,” she told Marvella. “I’ll work off her year.”

“You?” Marvella laughed. “You, my dear, could never bring in the customers that Cissy does. Did you see the dining room back there? Men were hanging around because of her. They order extra drinks just to be around her. Tabs go up. Everything goes up, I might add. She’s my golden girl.” Her eyes roamed Hannah. “You’re cute, but you’re middle-aged. It’s sort of…not the same.”

“I’ll buy out her contract,” Jellyfish said. “Name your price.”

Hannah flashed him a grateful glance.

“I thought you might offer, and I had a figure ready. But then I realized that money isn’t everything,” Marvella said. “Well, of course it is, but it’s so much better when revenge comes with it.” She snapped her fingers. “I’ll cut her year in half if you come with her, Hannah.”

“I don’t get it,” Hannah said.

“Oh, I think it’ll be fun to watch Delilah suffer seeing you working for me.” Marvella grinned. “I hope you give a decent haircut. And that your license is up to date.”

Hannah blinked. Cissy was shivering. She looked sad and unhappy.

“I’m sorry, Hannah,” Cissy said. “I should have told you I signed papers. I just didn’t think Marvella would find me. I was hoping she couldn’t get to me on the riverboat.” She glared at Hawk, who looked embarrassed.

“Well, regret is never any fun,” Marvella said sagely. “Do you want to come with me now, or should I get the local authorities involved?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Cissy said sadly, walking towards the pier.

Marvella pinned Hawk with a deadly stare. “And Mr. Tracker, don’t you even think about getting any bright ideas about calling that cowboy on a cell phone. He’d better not hear from you that Cissy and wild woman are going to be so close to home.”

Hawk walked away without replying.

T
HIRTY MINUTES LATER
, Hawk grabbed the few things inside his cabin and headed down the hall. His job here was done—and for the first time, he didn’t feel all that good about it. He never got into the morality and finger-pointing of cases. He tracked. He found. He signed off. Marvella had told him Cissy was a runaway relative who was in for an inheritance, and he’d detached himself from Cissy when he took the case, but now he wondered why his employer had lied.

An arm snaked around his neck, dragging him into a chamber off the hallway before he could regain his feet. “Shh, Brother Hawk,” Jellyfish said in his ear. “You are in big trouble with me, dude.”

Hawk estimated his chances of besting Jellyfish in a physical fight at about ten to one. He couldn’t get off any good kicks in the small confines of the chamber, and the big man had the element of surprise. Hawk would just have to wait for an opening.

“I meant no harm,” Hawk said. “I don’t want to know anything about these people.”

“Yeah, but see, they’re not just people. Hannah is like my sister.”

“Well, I didn’t know Hannah would be involved. That I can swear to. Last time I saw Hannah, I left her with Ranger in a romantic cabin so they could work on their marriage.”

“Marriage?”

The arm around his neck loosened slightly with surprise and Hawk seized his opportunity, slamming into Jellyfish’s groin. The big man oofed, and Hawk grabbed the door, cracking it smartly into the riverboat owner’s head.

“Better put ice on it,” he told Jellyfish. “It’s gonna swell.”

And then he left the chamber, only to go sprawling on the floor. Hannah sat on his back, pulling his hair up so that she could see into his face.

“You did what you had to do,” she said. “Now
I’m going to do what I have to do. Either you get hold of Ranger and tell him I need him like I’ve never needed anyone, or I’ll send every grave robber, Native American artifact-hunter and junior newspaper reporter into your arroyo looking for the dinosaur bones and totems you’re keeping to yourself. That
is
why you own that land, isn’t it? To keep all that history to yourself?”