Arizona Ambushers Read Free

rose onto her elbows and glared. “Give me that.”
    â€œNot a chance in hell,” Fargo said. “I’m taking you to Fort Bowie whether you want to go or not.”
    â€œNot a chance in hell,” she mimicked him, and kicked at his knee.
    Fargo barely dodged. He was strongly temped to slug her again but settled for pointing her derringer at her. “That’s enough out of you.”
    â€œYou won’t shoot me,” she brazenly declared, sitting up. “Kill a woman and you’ll be hung.”
    â€œNot when the woman is as loco as you.”
    Ignoring him, she rose and swiped at dirt on her dress. “I’m going on with or without my derringer and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
    â€œI can tie you over your saddle.”
    She looked at him, and somehow Fargo had the sense that she was seeing him for the first time. Until now, she had been concerned only about whatever it was that had driven her to nearly ride her horse into the ground. “Look,” she said, “I realize you’re trying to help. I appreciate that. I truly do.”
    â€œYou have a hell of a way of showing it.”
    To his surprise, she blushed. “It’s just that . . .” She didn’t finish.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI have to go on.”
    â€œDamn, you’re stubborn.”
    â€œPlease,” she said, and there was no denying her plea was genuine. “Take me to where the paymaster and his men were attacked. Do that, and afterward I’ll gladly go with you to the fort.”
    â€œWait a minute.” Fargo glanced in the direction of the slaughter and then at the woman and then off toward Fort Bowie. “You were coming from the fort when I met you.”
    â€œI was,” she said.
    â€œYou were riding to meet the detail?”
    â€œI was,” she said again, and her voice broke slightly.
    Insight dawned, and Fargo wanted to kick himself. “You’re married to one of the men.”
    â€œI’m Major Waxler’s wife.”
    â€œThen you must be Geraldine.”
    She stiffened and suddenly stepped up and placed her hands on his chest, her eyes filling with tears. “You talked to him? He was alive when you found him?”
    â€œFor a little bit,” Fargo said, and felt a pang of regret at hitting her. “You were all he thought of at the end.”
    Geraldine Waxler bowed her head and uttered a soft sob.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Fargo said. He started to raise an arm to put it around her shoulders to comfort her, but she turned her back to him and went on sobbing. He moved off a short way to let her weep in peace.
    In the distance a hawk soared high in the sky.
    Fargo should have suspected the truth sooner. No one did what she’d done without good cause. He stared into the heat haze until he heard the rustle of her dress.
    â€œI’m sorry.” Geraldine had wiped her face with a handkerchief and reclaimed her parasol.
    â€œYou have nothing to apologize for.”
    â€œI’d still like to go see.”
    â€œIt’s not a pretty sight.”
    â€œI wouldn’t expect it to be,” Geraldine said.
    Fargo tried one last time. “They’ll bring the bodies back to the fort. You can see him then.”
    â€œPlease.”
    Fargo looked into those wonderful eyes of hers, now twin pools of sorrow, and swore.
    â€œThank you,” Geraldine said.
    â€œI didn’t say I would,” Fargo said, although he knew as well as she did that he’d given in.
    â€œI’ll be quick about it. I promise.” Geraldine’s throat bobbed. “I just have to see him.”
    â€œWe’re talking
Apaches
,” Fargo reminded her.
    â€œI’m well aware of the risk. And that it’s unfair of me to ask you to put your life in danger. Head for Fort Bowie and I’ll go on alone.”
    â€œYou want me to just ride off? What do you take me for?”
    â€œA