Buddie Fox: The Tribe of Little Eagle

By Bev Magee

Desperate for her help, Horace Jackson has Shawna Kanes children kidnapped. Unfortunately for him, he didnt know the kind of fury he unleashed in her. In her anger, Shawna reveals one secret she had kept for ten years. A daughter, with the blood of Tomahawk running through her veins. But that was the least of Shawnas problems. The train her daughters were on was transporting gold.

Tomahawk has nothing to lose. As leader of a gang of outlaws, he boldly robbed stagecoaches and trains. Taking any gold or money transfers they were carrying. His men didnt question why he gave equal shares of the loot. To be honest, they didnt care. Tomahawk did care, but not about the money or the men. Learning of his illness, he realized he cared about his children. And there was only one person he wanted to raise them.

As instructed, alone or in groups, the children sired by Tomahawk began to make their way to the Shooters Ranch. Furious at his boldness, Shawna tracks down Tom to save her oldest two. In her search for his hideout, an unexpected arrival brings out another secret. Her anger at Tomahawk dissolves when she finally catches him. A final promise to make his family complete, sends her on several adventures.

The growing family didnt deter Horace Jackson from forcing work on Shawna. Only the endangerment of one of her household could make her don the badge again. A slick con man was stealing lady gamblers for a high stakes poker game. And it became Shawnas job to stop him. But not without the help of her tribe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 11, 2008
• ISBN: 9781467846578

Bev Magee

This is the fifth and final book in the Pink Angel series. This one highlights the growing relationship that emerges between Nitika and her mother. It shows how no conflict can break the bond between mother and daughter.

Book preview

Chapter 2

Billy reached out to steady his sister. It was the closest he had ever seen her come to fainting. Shawn blocked Jackson’s escape when the family advanced toward him. Visibly shaken, Jackson braced for what he thought was coming. Elias gripped his shoulders and spun the man to face him.

You better tell us everything you know about these robberies before we get angry.

I can’t, he stammered, looking from one face to another. It’s classified.

Now over the shock, Shawna walked over to Jackson and drew her gun. Dig a hole. We’ll just see how classified it is.

Jackson watched as two braves dug a hole near a fire ant hill. He knew without asking that they would place him in it. Shawna’s face was void of all emotion as she watched her men dig. Trying to steady his nerves, Horace tried to talk her out of it.

Don’t be a fool Shawna. Washington will have your head if you go through this.

"And what will they say when I tell them that you had the children of a former female marshal kidnapped in order to save your brother?"

You have no proof that you worked for me.

I have plenty of proof. I can and will ruin you Jackson if you push me any further.

Shawna had him buried up to his neck before he caved in and told them everything he knew about the gang robbing the trains. She wanted to keep him buried for a while, but her uncles wouldn’t let her. A few of the ants had gotten angry and stung him.

He’ll be hurting for a few days with those bites, Shawn said. Who’s going with you?

Just Billy and Hank.

I’m going too, Joshua said while he examined the bites on Jackson’s face.

We’ll be riding hard and fast for days. Are you sure you can keep up?

She’s my daughter too. If I fall behind, I’ll catch up when I can. You’re not leaving me at home to worry this time.

They’ve already got a six-hour lead on us. We’ll go as far as we can today, she said swinging up on her horse.

Shawn rode back to Joshua. You didn’t seem surprised about another daughter.

Shawna doesn’t know what all she told me after the fire. And it’s best if Hank and Billy don’t find out either. You know everything too, don’t you.

I was there she was born. Shawna doesn’t keep secrets from me.

At the house, Tannen sat on the front porch waiting for any news. Turning the badge over in his hand, he wondered who sent it. He became worried when he only saw Trey riding with Joshua. Caroline came out as they dismounted at the porch railing. Seeing the look on Shawna’s face, she went in and began packing food for the trip.

You’re in charge until we get back, Tannen. If a Horace Jackson shows up, shoot him.

Ma’am, he asked dropping the badge on the table beside him.

Don’t mind her Tan, Joshua said throwing Shawna a sideward glance. If he does show up keep him here, alive.

Within minutes, fresh horses were saddled and the pack horse loaded down with supplies. Her badge tucked in her saddlebag, Shawna went back to the river and picked up the trail. They followed it easily for the first few miles before the kidnappers decided to hide their trail. But they were no match for Shawna’s skill.

It’s getting dark, Billy commented after they had gone ten miles.

Since when did I need light to follow a trail? We already know that they are heading for Texas.

But will they ride their horses the whole way or take the train, Hank asked.

If we come to train tracks and the trail disappears, then we’ll know.

Shawna, Joshua could use a break, Billy said seeing the set of his brother-in-law’s jaw.

He knew what he was getting into when he came along.

The horses need to stop, Buddie, Hank inadvertently said.

Shawna pulled up short at his use of the name and closed her eyes. Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.

I know you weren’t, Sugar. None of us are.

After a quick supper, the fire was doused. They rolled up in their bedrolls shortly after that. Joshua had a tight grip on Shawna to keep her in bed with him. He ignored the pain in his hip as he held her in place, but she didn’t. For most of the night, she rubbed it. It was the only that kept her mind off the missing girls.

You might just break her of that habit of hers, Hank commented the next morning as Joshua rubbed his stiff arms.

If it doesn’t kill me first. Where is she?

Scouting out ahead. We’ll catch up with her soon enough, Billy said pouring a fresh cup of coffee for Joshua.

You didn’t have to wait for me, he said gathering up his blankets.

Who said we did, Hank answered. Shawna was gone before we even got up. Didn’t you notice?

Not really. She’s always up before me at home.

Joshua winced when he swung into the saddle. Maybe Shawna was right to want to leave him at home. Even though Caroline was watching Trey, he would have felt better knowing he was okay. He doubted that anyone would think about kidnapping Trey now that the family had been alerted to the danger. Shawn, Justin, and several braves were staying at the house to protect the boy just in case.

Shawna was three miles ahead of them. After passing several ranches with no sign of them, she came to the train tracks. She saw where the men waited for the eastbound train to slow, as well as where they boarded. Small footprints showed that there was a woman riding with the three men. Probably picked her up at one of the ranches they had passed.

They followed the tracks until they came upon the first station in New Mexico. The station master eyed the dusty group with suspicion. Word had gotten around that a gang was robbing trains throughout Texas and disappearing into New Mexico. By the way the leader was armed, he thought this might be the gang. As the riders got closer, he noticed that the leader was in fact, a woman. But the twin pistols riding in low slung holsters and the Winchester tied on the side of the saddle, told him this woman was dangerous anyhow.

I need you to send a message, she told the station master.

The key doesn’t work, he said eyeing the other three men behind her, each equally armed.

Don’t give me that. The Santa Fe always keeps their keys in working order.

Think you can still handle it Sis, Billy asked when the man refused to budge.

If you keep him away, she said nodding to the clerk.

Now see here, he shouted as Shawna brushed past him into the telegraph office.

Stay where you are, Joshua said grabbing the man’s arm. This won’t take long.

Shawna rummaged through a stack of papers until she found the schedule for the Santa Fe rail line. The train that picked up the kidnappers was headed for El Paso. Turning to the contraption in front of her, Shawna used her nearly forgotten code word to wire Jackson.

They waited in silence for an hour before Jackson returned her message. Before she had it read, another came through. The gang had struck again and was headed for New Mexico. A posse was waiting for them at the border. Knowing how Tomahawk thought, Shawna sent back a message telling them that it wouldn’t do any good. Tom would slip past the posse and disappear.

What was all that about, Hank asked when the key fell silent.

Another train was robbed. They have a posse waiting at the border.

That won’t stop them, Billy added.

I told them as much. I doubt they’ll listen though.

What’d Jackson have to say, Joshua asked reaching for the slip of paper in her hand.

Gold shipment. Two days early.

If Tom comes across it. He’ll know what’s on board, Hank said.

More than he expected.

Chapter 3

The half-breed crawled to the edge of the canyon. He watched as the men from the posse rode past his hiding place. No one knew these hills like Tomahawk. His men lay hidden throughout the rocks. By morning, he planned to be far from this place and back at his cabin. And his prisoner.

How long we staying, Brand Quill asked as the dust from the horses settled.

Nightfall, Tom told his right-hand man. Posse will be bedded down by then.

Cheyenne was frightened by the men sitting around her. They watched as she slid closer to Shanesa. The older girl protectively put her arm around her. Being strangers to the girls, the men believed they didn’t speak English. Any words exchanged between the girls were in an Indian dialect.

The woman returned to her seat beside the girls and smiled at them. Poor children, she thought. Losing their parents like that. If Mr. Reeves hadn’t come across the massacre when he did, the girls would have died. She admired a man who would take in two orphaned Indian children.

Once we get to El Paso, I’d like for you to look after the girls. You know, get them settled in.

That’s why I’m here Mr. Reeves.

Please, call me Gentry, he smiled at the woman.

Then you can call me Sarah.

The man certainly was a charmer, she thought. He had convinced her to leave the family farm in order to care for the girls. She wouldn’t have left them in the care of three men anyhow. A girl needed a woman in her life, no matter what her race. What she couldn’t figure out was how he convinced her father to let her go.

The sun was just peeking above the mountain range that bordered Tom’s hideout when the gang rode into the yard. One man stood and shifted his rifle to his other hand while he waited for them. He smiled when he saw the heavy saddle bags being lowered to the ground. One thing about Tom, he gave even shares to everyone.

He still alive, Tom asked the guard.

Barely. Can’t seemed to get anything more out of him.

Tom grunted. Let him heal two days. Then ask again.

We may not have that long to wait, the guard said as a horse raced into the yard.

Gold shipment coming through on the Santa Fe. Two days early.

They try to trick Tomahawk, he smiled. I show them.

The train slowed and came to a halt at the station in San Pedro. Gentry Reeves and his partners stepped down off the platform and waited for Sarah and the girls. People stopped and stared at the two girls in buckskin dresses. Reeves led the way to the mercantile and bought calico dresses and underthings for the girls.

At the hotel, the clerk reluctantly gave them a room. Gentry turned the girls over to Sarah. After some struggle, she managed to get both girls out of their dirty buckskins. But neither would go near the tub of hot water. Even though Chey took baths at home, Shane told her to play along.

Sarah grabbed Chey and carried her over and dropped her in the tub. Shane tried to fend the woman off, but ended in the tub as well. The woman picked up the soap and began to scrub Chey’s arm. Shanesa grabbed the rose scented bar and finished their baths. She herself had never had such a luxury in the village.

Now, Sarah said holding out a towel. It’s time to get out of the tub.

Shane ignored the woman as she played with the suds in the water. Her skin wrinkling, Chey jumped out and wrapped up in the towel. It shocked Sarah as the little girl went over and began fingering the calico. Alarmed, Shane bolted from the water and reminded Chey that she was to play along with her.

But it’s my favorite color, she whined in Navajo.

If we pretend to be savages, maybe we can find out where we are going.

How?

If they think we don’t speak their language, maybe they will say what’s going on.

I miss Mama, Chey pouted.

I know you do, I miss my mother too.

Chey reached over and picked up her grandmother’s necklace. Sarah didn’t want the girl to wear it, but had no way of telling her so. After another struggle, Sarah managed to get both girls dressed and herded downstairs for supper.

They caused another scene during the meal when they refused to use the silverware. Gentry’s face showed a patience he didn’t feel as the girls made quick work of the food set in front of them. His job was to keep the girls until he was contacted. The sooner the better, he thought.

Did you say something Gentry, Sarah asked.

No, I was just thinking. Shall we go get some sleep before the train leaves in the morning?

I know I could use some, Sarah commented as Gentry pulled out her chair.

Sitting at another table, Anthony Scarab watched the two girls show signs of defiance toward the adults. Defiance, he hadn’t thought of that town since he had to sell the ranch. People had been getting suspicious about him, especially since Shawna Fox breezed into his life. He smiled. It had been years since he thought of her as well.

He studied the girls again. It was their spunk that brought his thoughts of Shawna to mind. The younger one favored his image of her more than the older one did. Yet, they looked enough alike to be sisters. Shawna never mentioned children. Only the oldest one would have been around then. But then, he never got a chance to fully know her, he thought ruefully.

The strangers were gone by morning so Anthony didn’t give the girls another thought until the afternoon train pulled into the station and Shawna stepped down. Anthony looked at the star pinned to his chest and wondered what his outlaw friend would think of him now.

A corner of Shawna’s mouth quirked up at the sight of the sheriff. She wondered what the town would think if they knew they had hired a thief. Anthony was leaning against the wall of the station and didn’t seem