Chapter Six
The sun was glaring down on him as Dan and Spartan rode into town. All he wanted right now was his bed and Trixie, and not in that order. One of her brilliant smiles would go a long way towards making him feel rejuvenated. And hopefully a kiss to go with it, if they could sneak off for a few minutes. He was tempted to ride out the extra twenty minutes to Crabapple Farm. A dip in the river sounded good too, he thought.
As he approached the center of town, he frowned at the gathered crowd of men on horses. It took only a second to recognize some of the riders. Sheriff Molinson was waving his hands at the crowd, looking frustrated.
"Look, the Marshal's back!" someone shouted. The crowd turned, making way as Dan rode up. Jim nudged Jupiter forward and the brothers shook hands.
Dan took one look at Jim's set jaw and sighed. "What'd she do?"
"Went and got herself kidnapped," Jim replied grimly.
Dan cursed. "Dammit, I told her to stay out of trouble!"
"You do realize that's impossible for her?" Jim grinned at his brother, then frowned as he saw the split lip and bruise under the eye. “What the hell happened to you?”
“You take on the Thompson Brothers and come out of it without a reminder,” he growled, thinking it best not to mention the slight knife wound on his stomach and the bullet graze on his thigh.
Jim grinned again.
“When did you eat last? You’ve got that starving look of yours.”
“Last night,” Dan didn’t bother to mention he was starving for the sight of a petite young lady with round hips and sandy curls.
“Daniel! Good to see you son!" Dan turned as Winthrop Frayne rode up to him, on a black horse that matched Jupiter. With him was Matt Wheeler, and Dan had to look twice to make sure he wasn't imagining things. The two could have been brothers with their bright red hair, dark green eyes and broad shoulders. They were joined seconds later by another redheaded man, Wheeler’s groom, and the resemblance to Wheeler was eerie. There was also something hauntingly familiar about the groom, and the look in his eyes. Dan pushed the thought away. He had to focus on Trixie right now.
"Father." The two men shook hands and Dan smiled at his adopted father. Timothy Mangan would always be Da, but Win was his Father.
"Jim told me you were out of town, and I was hoping you'd get back soon. Your mother is very anxious to see you."
"Here I am and I can’t wait to see her. Do we have any leads?"
"When did you sleep last?" Win asked anxiously, not liking the young man's deep circles under his eyes. Dan looked exhausted and he was covered in dust from hard riding. His jacket was tossed over his saddle, and Win suspected his younger son had a few bruises hidden by his clothes.
Dan just waved his hand. "I'm fine. Right now we need to track and find Trixie."
“Larry, go get the Marshal something to eat. Biscuits, whatever.” Jim found some coins in his pocket and handed it to the young boy, who dashed off.
“No time to eat, Jimmy,” Dan answered. “We’ve got an errant girl to find.”
They were joined by Mart, and Peter.
“We know where she is,” Jim said. “Terry just got back. Rock quarry just past the Crabapple Farm. There’s a possibility”
“Can you draw me a map of that quarry?” Dan asked Mart, who nodded.
“I know it like my own land.”
"Get started. If we’re going after them, I need a fresh horse," Dan commented. Sheriff Molinson scowled at him.
"Take mine, boy."
Dan dismounted Spartan and patted his neck. “You earned a nice rest boy, but I’m stepping out with a fresh one all right?” Spartan snorted and tossed his head. Jed Tomlin took Spartan and promised to rub him down well.
While the sheriff’s horse was being brought around for Dan, Mart sketched the outline of the rock quarry. Jim studied his brother. No doubt Dan had been riding hard to get back, and he had no idea what might have transpired while Dan was away. Dan never discussed his cases, but the Thompson brothers were notorious outlaws. Dan wouldn’t have returned if he hadn’t captured or killed them, but Dan looked awfully worn out to Jim.
"We have this," Jim handed him a ransom note. Dan studied it hard. Luke. He wasn’t surprised. He had locked Luke up several years back, and Luke wasn’t the first to swear revenge. Now it looked like he was working on it big time.
Jim watched his brother’s face. Dan knew the bank robber turned kidnapper.
"Start at the beginning, Sheriff,” Dan ordered.
"Madeleine came flying into my office," Molinson began, "said Trixie had lit out after the bank robbers. By the time I gathered a couple of men and headed out that way there was no way to track them. I sent Madeleine to the Belden farm to inform the menfolk, and we gathered a search party but we couldn't find her, or the bank robbers. At some point, this note was pinned on the door of the jail."
"A thousand dollars," Dan murmured.
"I already said I'm putting up the money," Jim said, "despite the protests of her menfolk."
Dan grinned as the two Belden men were scowling.
"I would if I had it," he muttered. “My money is in New York still.”
Jim shook his head. "You find her, I pay them. We're even."
Dan nodded, understanding his brother.
"Di’s brother came back a little while ago. Terry and Bobby followed one of the robbers. So we know about the outcropping of rocks near the back forty of our property,” Mart stepped in.
Dan nodded, his mind racing. He glanced up in time to recognize the Belden horses and buckboard.
“Daniel, you’re back!” Helen exclaimed as she brought the buckboard to a stop. Dan waved then did a double take as he recognized the other petite women and Madeleine.
“Daniel!” Katje Frayne dashed forward. Dan lifted his mother up and enveloped her in a tight hug. When he set her down, she frowned, but knew better than to comment on his appearance in front of half the town.
“Hello, Mother. Julianna,” he hugged his cousin as well.
“Helen, I thought I asked you to stay at home,” Peter said softly.
Helen Belden made an unladylike noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort.
The twins returned with some hard tack and jerky, which Dan stuck in his saddlebag after thanking them. He took a big bite of the biscuit
Dan tried to talk but it came out more like “Weoh woun buh gowhn lohng.”
Jim laughed. “We won’t be gone long, he said.”
“I hope,” Dan swallowed, gratefully taking the canteen from his brother. “I know this guy. He’s direct. And smart. Mart, give me some idea on space with this outcropping.”
While the boys talked, Katje Frayne looked to her husband. He was worried about Dan, she could see it in his eyes. Her younger son had always pushed himself too hard, foregoing sleep to test his limits, skipping meals to test his fortitude. Dan had been determined to be in top physical shape to hunt down criminals like the ones that killed his parents. Jim had been right there alongside him, helping his skinny brother bulk up.
Dan had been inconsolable for days after his parents died. Win hadn’t hesitated to adopt the boy, rounding out their family. Katje couldn’t have more children and Jim adored Dan as a brother anyhow. They were only a few months apart in age. Win had never pressed for much background on Tim and Eileen. They were young, in love and his best driver and maid. A search for family of either had been fruitless, and Win wondered if Mangan was even their real name. It didn’t matter, really. Win had adored them and Dan.
Dan swallowed the last bite of his biscuit and chewed quickly, mind racing. He felt better already.
"All right. Here’s the plan. Jim, Win, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Belden, Mart, Tad and Nick, I’m temporarily deputizing all of you.”
“Regan too,” Matt interrupted, indicating the third redheaded man with the rifle. “He’s never missed a shot.”
“Good enough. Everyone else stay here, we can’t risk giving them cause to shoot either hostage. Let me make it clear I call the shots, and you all listen to me. No one makes a move without a signal from me. We’ll only take the horses partway, we need to move on foot and quietly.”
The men nodded and they set out, Mart riding alongside Dan to lead the way. Matt glanced at Regan, who rode next to him.
“You all right?” Matt asked. His young cousin, who was maybe seven or eight years older than Dan and Jim, nodded.
“I’ve seen the Marshal in church but never up close. He looks real familiar,” Regan said thoughtfully in a low voice.
“He’s a good boy. He never had much interest in the business like Jim, so I only had met him a couple of times. Win loves him like he’s his own though, I know that.”
Regan just nodded, wondering why the hell Dan Mangan looked so familiar.
***
Trixie struggled with her bonds. This was definitely scarier than the cattle rustlers, she thought. Then she had known Dan was involved, even though she had suspected him. If she had to rely on this Johnny character, it could go either way. The boy was slow, but gentle, and if he'd just do the right thing, she could get out of this alive. Dan was out of town, and her father didn't have a thousand dollars lying around. Jim would offer it, she thought suddenly, feeling guilty. Would that obligate her to end the dual courtship and marry him? Panic seized Trixie's chest. She wasn't ready to make that decision!
Hearing someone approach, she lay still, pretending to sleep while her heart pounded. Someone knelt in front of her, and she suspected Johnny. Finally he went away, after a hand lingered on her cheek.
Once she was sure she was alone again, she resumed her struggle, wincing as the rope rubbed her tender skin. At this rate, she was going to have some ugly scars, she thought, tears welling in her eyes at the pain of the bonds.
***
With the men in position, guns aimed, Dan looked at Jim. The redhead's set jaw said it all.
"Hey Luke!" Dan yelled. There was a brief silence.
"I knew you was out there, Mangan! I got your girl and her little brother here! You try anything stupid and they get a bullet!" Luke yelled back. Trixie stood silently for once, Luke's arm around her chest, his gun barrel pressed against her temple. Bobby was being held by a kneeling Billy, in a similar position.
"You just bring me the money, Mangan, and I won't kill her. Bring me that money and we ride out all nice and smooth."
"Luke, you know I can't do that!" Dan called back.
"I hope you was smart enough to come alone!" Luke called back, gripping Trixie firmly. "You know how I am with my twitchy finger!"
Trixie felt the barrel shift slightly against her head and whimpered softly.
Jim's green eyes narrowed as he looked at Dan, who closed his eyes in a brief, silent prayer.
"Take off your gun Danny boy and bring me that money!" Luke shouted. "I'll take the girl with us, you can find her a mile down the road, perfectly safe!"
Dan's brain raced a dozen scenarios through his head at lightening speed. There was no way to signal the others.
"Danny boy? You listening?"
"I'm listening!" Dan hollered back. "Gimme a minute!"
There was laughter from below.
Dan turned to Jim, his dark eyes intense.
"Listen fast," he whispered. "I have to go down there. I'll distract him long enough to free Trixie. You get her out of there. Don't stop for me, don't look back for me. Just get her out of the line of fire."
"He'll kill you!" Jim hissed back.
"But it's the only way to save Trixie and Bobby," Dan replied, unfastening his gun belt.
Jim felt his heart sink. Trading his brother for the woman he loved went beyond unfair. He wanted them both alive.
Dan gripped Jim’s arm. “I mean it. You get her out and don’t look back.”
Jim swallowed, then nodded.
"All right, Luke, I'm coming down, unarmed!" Dan yelled.
Mart Belden's eyes widened. Mangan was a fool he thought grimly, a fool in love with his hare brained sister. Peter Belden shook his head as Win Frayne's jaw set and he tightened his hold on his rifle. Matt Wheeler admired the young man willing to risk his life for the Belden girl. Nick Roberts and Tad Webster exchanged a worried glance. Regan just shook his head. The Mangan boy had nerve. And hopefully a plan.
Something clicked in Regan’s brain. Matt had implied Dan was adopted by Frayne. Nothing unusual about that, Regan himself had been in an orphanage until he ran away and located Matt, who welcomed him with open arms. Of course, Eileen was long gone, disappeared with that rascal Morgan she was intent on marrying. Regan himself had only seen Morgan once. Tall, dark hair and intense eyes . . . kind of like Marshal Mangan.
Regan’s eyes widened. Morgan. Mangan. He had been ten when Eileen ran away, promising to come back. She always spoke of her beloved in a hushed voice. Had he heard her wrong? Had he spent all that time looking for a Tim Morgan instead of Tim Mangan?
It can’t be, Regan thought. It just can’t!
On the other side of the quarry, Dan was getting ready.
"If I don't come back, she's yours," Dan said to Jim, "and I'll know she's in good hands." Then he grinned. "But if I make it through, game is still on."
"You better make it then," Jim answered. "I hate to win easy."
"Just get out her out of there." Dan grinned, grabbed the moneybag and started to make his way down to the circle.
Jim watched his younger brother go, praying they'd all come out of this. Jim began to follow, so he could move into an easier position to grab Trixie. As he got lower he realized the space was so small that one misfired bullet could ricochet off the rocks. No wonder Dan hadn't wanted to just take them out from up above.
Heart pounding, Dan approached Luke, hands up and empty except for the money bag.
"Finally got you, Mangan," Luke leered. “right where I want you.”
"Looks like," Dan answered, eyes on Trixie. He had never seen her so pale, or scared. His eyes glanced to little Bobby, who had the same scared expression on his young face. Dan felt the weight of their lives on his shoulders, and his entire existence. It was his job to get them out of here alive. If he played his hand wrong, all three of them could die.
Trixie's heart raced at the sight of her beau. It had been several weeks since she had seen him and he had several days of beard growth on his face and he had obviously been in a fight. And it was evident he hadn't slept for a couple of days, yet here he was. Dan would get her out of this, she knew. Jim had to be nearby, she thought, she could feel that intense green eyed gaze on her. If the situation wasn't so dire, she would have smiled at the thought of her two beaus being here to rescue her.
She could help, she thought. If she could distract Luke so that Dan could either tackle him or something! She could help. Eagerly her eyes sought his.
Dan's eyes moved back to her from Luke, seeing the change in her expression. Her eyes suddenly glowed. Dan's heart sunk. She had a plan. Her eyes flitted downwards. Dan had to watch several times before he realized what she was thinking.
Trixie knew the half grin on his face. He understood.
"Set the money on the ground," Luke ordered, cocking the gun. Trixie did the most un-Trixie-like thing she could think of, and pretended to faint, letting her body go limp.
"Damn women," Luke muttered, having to shift his hold to support her.
Trixie pulled free and dropped to the ground as she sensed Dan moving. There was shouting, some gunfire and then someone was hauling her to her feet.
"Trixie!"
"Jim!' she threw her arms around him, then turned to see Dan, who was locked in a struggle with Luke.
Jim's heart leapt into his throat when he saw Trixie go limp, and as soon as she pulled away, Dan leaped on Luke, tackling him down and forcing his gun hand up before Luke could get off a shot. Trixie crawled away quickly and Jim dashed forward to grab her. Jim grabbed her in his arms and darted backwards, holding a struggling Trixie in his arms.
Mart and Peter Belden slipped up behind Billy, who held Bobby, and when Billy felt the barrel of Peter's shotgun to his head, he released the boy and dropped his gun without a squeak. Johnny had tried to run, and was tackled by Win Frayne and Matt Wheeler. Nick Roberts and Tad Webster stood nearby, rifles on Johnny.
Luke saw the younger man making his move too late. Dan tackled him to the ground but Luke came up swinging. His fist hit Dan's jaw, making Dan see stars and giving Luke opportunity to shove Dan off. Getting to his feet, Dan rebounded and was on his feet, throwing a right hook that Luke barely dodged, and a blade was suddenly in his hand, gleaming. Dan saw it too late and the blade slashed his left arm. Crimson appeared on his
arm through his shirt.
"I can't get a clear shot!" Regan fretted, trying to get Luke in his sites.
"Don't try," Win answered. He knew Dan could hold his own in a fistfight.
Jim held Trixie tight when she tried to break free at the sight of blood on Dan. Finally she turned her head into his chest, unable to watch anymore. He wished it was under better circumstances that he was able to hold her so protectively. She fit so perfectly into his arms.
Dan turned his body and his long leg kicked out, knocking the knife from Luke's hand and swinging with his left hand to punch Luke in the nose. Blood gushed from Luke's nose as a small derringer appeared. Dan froze. The tiny gun was pointed at his chest.
Trixie turned and looked again, moaning when she saw everyone had gone still and why. Jim had one hand on her head, one around her body, watching the standoff with a gripping sense of despair and his heart pounding. His brother was about to die.
"Nice, Mangan. But you ain't gonna stop me," he sneered. "Even if one of your friends here shoot me I'll die knowing I took you down."
Dan smiled coldly, his eyes locked on Luke's. "Then I'll meet you in Hell."
Mart Belden slipped up behind Luke and slammed the butt of his rifle against Luke's skull. The man dropped to the ground, the gun falling from his hand. Dan's jaw fell open.
"What the-"
"Sorry, Mangan," Mart smirked. "You're not going to Hell today."
"You just-"
"Hey, no one puts a gun to my siblings' heads." Mart answered with a grin.
Dan reached over the body and the friends shook hands.
"Get these guys up and bound," he called out, turning.
Jim cut Trixie's bonds with his pocketknife, wincing at the tender flesh that was bloody and raw. She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered in his ear. He hugged her tightly and murmured "You're welcome," releasing her so she could run to Dan.
Dan grabbed her and held her close. It would violate propriety to kiss her, in front of everyone, so he settled for lifting her up against him and crushing her against him. Setting her on the ground, he tiled her face up and said in an annoyed tone, "You were supposed to stay out of trouble until I got back."
"I told you I don't go looking for it!" she answered, blue eyes twinkling, then sobered. "Dan, you're bleeding!"
"What do you call riding out after a gang of bank robbers?" Dan demanded, his heart-stopping worry melting into anger and ignoring the pain in his arm.
Trixie pulled away from him and put her hands on her hips.
"I call it trying to help the law! You know Molinson never would have had the nerve to do what you did!”
"You almost got killed!" Dan shouted. "Luke doesn't play around!"
Trixie's eyes narrowed. The others were valiantly trying to gather the money and criminals and slip out but Jim stayed, watching. Regan stood watching as well, studying Dan intently.
"You were out on assignment. I wasn't going to let those crooks take our towns’ money!" she shouted back.
Dan glanced at Jim. Jim sighed.
"Trixie, I understand you were trying to help, but you really put yourself into a bad position," Jim said quietly. "I admire your courage and determination but you should have waited for one of us."
Trixie turned towards him, eyes glowing with fury.
"You too? Fine! You're both-just-men!" she finished, stomping her foot and storming off.
Jim and Dan exchanged a glance and sighed.
"Women," they said together.
Jim stepped up to his brother and hugged him tightly.
"She's exasperating," Dan said.
"Infuriating." Jim glanced at his brother with a sly smile. "You giving up?"
"Hell no," Dan grinned. "You?"
"You wish," Jim grinned back as Mart tied his bandanna around the knife wound on Dan’s arm to staunch the bleeding.
“You realize what she just did, right?” Dan asked.
“Clever little thing isn’t she?” Jim laughed. "Let's get you to Doc Ferris and stitch up that arm. I’d bet anything you’ve got other injuries you failed to mention."
Dan flashed him a grin and mounted the horse as his brother reined in next to him. Trixie rode with Peter Belden, Bobby was held securely by Mart on his horse.
Regan brought up the back of the posse, his brow furrowed in thought. He needed answers about Daniel Mangan.
 
***
Author's Notes
-Thanks for reading! Be sure to click the next button!
-A huge yee-haa to Julie, my editor!
-you didn’t really think I’d leave Dan out of the final action did you?
-The Thompson brothers were real outlaws named Billy and Ben. More info can be found on them at http://www.vlib.us/old_west/guns.html
-Word Count, 3,799
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