Wind Rider

Someplace in Missouri near Richmond

Her name was Angel, Angel Defiance. She was a lone rider, for the Texas Rangers. No one bothered her at all except for the outlaws that she hunted. Once in a great while she'd run into another Ranger. The only companion she had was a highly expensive Friesian stallion, she called Shadowed Fury. He was a gift from her late father. The stallion's mother was killed not long after he was born and ever since she's been taking care of him. She was always alone that's why many called her the defiant wind rider. One minute she'd be there and the next she'd be gone. Most times there wasn't a single trace of the rider around. There was even legends made about her but that's another story all together. This particular story starts with a mission that went wrong. It began in February 2nd, 1867. Angel paced Shadowed Fury through the snow with ease. Despite the fact he was a draft horse he moved with grace his size belied. What stopped her was a group of three men on various colored mounts. They were dressed nicely and the silver stars on their jackets gave away who they were, Pinkertons, and the local sheriff. They were a renowned agency, the Pinkertons.

"What do you want?" she growled.

Fury danced under her a small bit then settled.

"Agent Defiance we wish to speak with you about your new mission."

"What new mission?"

"Come we'll show you."

She reluctantly followed the sheriff and the two Pinkertons. The men weren't pulling rank even though she was higher than the sheriff and the two Pinkertons since the detectives didn't go by rank. The two other men rode on each side of her and the sheriff in the lead.

"What's this about?"

All three of them remained silent. They stopped at the local saloon. Angel was hesitant to leave Fury there since he was so valuable, but then the knowledge that he didn't let many ride him kept her calm about this. The four of them went to a room and locked the door behind them.

"So what is so important that you have to interrupt my search for my quarry?"

"You've got new quarries as you put them, five to be exact."

"Five of them?"

"Yes," he said as he handed her the files on her quarry.

She had heard about this gang once or twice. One file made her start and her breath catch. It took great effort for her to hide it. The gang was the James Younger Gang; they were wanted for the robberies they just pulled off. There was a picture for every file on each grouping of families. The first file was the James brothers. Frank and Jessie James, even though Jessie was the younger of the two he still ran the show. The next file was the Younger brothers. Looking through the files she saw Jim, being the youngest then Bob and finally Cole. Her fingers brushed over his face in the picture. The other officers were watching her in assuming she was memorizing the gang member’s faces.

Angel let her mind wander.

Flashback

Angel walked slowly down the street. There wasn't much to do in this war ridden town. There were soldiers camped out all over the place. Moving faster she tried to make it home before they got a notion in their head to do something about it. Her steps weren't fast enough. A man that towered over her slammed her into the nearest building wall. Alcohol was thick on his breath.

"Get off of me."

"Come on sweetheart I'll show you a little fun."

"Get off of me," she growled darkly.

Since she had older brothers rough housing wasn't uncommon. Her older brother Jake was the one that taught her to fight. She pulled back her fist and slammed it into the man’s face. Wet popping was heard as she hit the man knowing she had done some damage to her hand. It only served to enrage the man further. When the man raised his fist to hit her, a clenched hand over his wrist stopped the guy.

"Now it’s not very gentlemanly to hit a woman."

"She had it coming."

"I suggest you do what I say and leave her alone now."

The man growled and backed away and turned to swing at the other man but with ease he was able to knock him down. The man that saved her drags her away from the groaning man.

"Are you all right Miss?" the man asked.

From his dress she assumed he was a Confederate soldier.

"Why did you help me?"

"Is that how you talk to everyone that saves you?"

"Mr. I thank you for saving me, but why did you do it?"

"I guess you assume I have a hidden agenda?"

She gave him this look that told him she figured as much. "What's your name girl?"

"Angela."

"Does that first name come with a last?"

"Defiance, Angela Defiance."

"The last name suits you, Angela."

She rolled her eyes at that name. Her real first name she hated with a passion so her brothers and family took to calling her Angel.

"And you are?"

"Cole Younger, Miss Angela."

He turned away from her to walk away. "You better get home Angela before other soldiers decides they want a piece of you."

"I owe you Cole Younger so what do you want?" she asked as she followed him.

He stopped to look at her.

"I don't want anything. Save that 'I owe you' for another day Angela."

With a grace she would have never thought he possessed he swung his body up into the saddle and joined his buddies as they rode out of town.

End Flashback

Shaking herself from the memory she looked into the eyes of the Pinkertons.

"Why take a Texas Ranger that has enough problems without adding to them?"

"You're good at what you do," the older Pinkerton said.

She snorted darkly.

"Besides, a woman would be easier to get under the skin of the gang."

"A woman would be more conspicuous."

"Are you denying the mission?"

"Yes, sir I am. I was almost close to capturing my target."

"Another agent will be put on the mission. Besides you wouldn't want your past to ruin your career as a Ranger would you?"

"Is that a threat?" she snarled.

"You did shoot a fellow Ranger, Miss Defiance."

"I didn't know he was a Ranger."

"You'll do this or you'll be striped of your Ranger title and thrown in jail."

"You son of a..."

"Ah, ah, ladies shouldn't be using such fowl language."

"I'll get you back for this."

She moved to the door. "You'll have the James Younger Gang before to long."

"No, we want you to join the group and see what their plans are."

"Yes, sir," she growled.

She stormed out of the room with the files in hand. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. With care she shoved the files into her saddlebags and hauled herself up in the saddle. The Northwestern corner Missouri was the best place to start she figured. Since their last bank robbery was in a town called; Lexington in Missouri, and their first one was in Liberty, Missouri. She turned her stallions head in a northwestern direction. Time passed and the weather kept her snowed in a little town called, Rock Springs. It was small but once the snow melted she was on her way again.

Days passed until she reached the small town of Berry. Putting Shadowed Fury in the stables she headed towards the boardinghouse/ saloon with her saddle bags over her shoulder. The sight that greeted her wasn't what she expected to see. The infamous Cole Younger was being swamped with four women. If it wasn't for the situation she would have died laughing. Thinking quickly she moved into the room with grace.

"COLE YOUNGER WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT SLEEPING AROUND ON ME?!" she yelled over the insistent whining of the other women.

Every man turned to face her then looked at Cole. He looked startled as hell seeing her standing there. The other women faced her to.

"Who are you?" one particularly ugly woman asked.

She had brown hair that wasn't well cared for. The dress she wore was too small, and the woman was on the chubby side.

"His Fiancé and you are?"

"That's none of your concern little girl he'll want a real woman tonight."

"You want to bet your face's condition on that whore?" Angel growled darkly.

The woman looked at her in a confused manner. Two of the four took the hint and walked away. The other two didn't catch the smirk that washed over her face. She stalked forward as if she was a wolf on the prowl.

"I suggest you leave him alone before I do something dangerous."

The third one shied away at the veiled threat in her eyes. Angel stopped right in front of the woman.

"He's mine for tonight little girl."

Without warning Angel dropped her bag and hauled off and punched the woman. The woman spun about and collapsed. Snorting she turned to faced Cole.

"Can I speak with you alone dearest?" she asked in a sweet southern drawl.

If he was married to her he knew he'd be in trouble. He looked towards the other guys, but they only shrugged. With slow steps he showed her into his room and shut the door behind her.

"Angela what are..."

"Angel please, Cole."

"Angel what are you doing here?"

"Cole, I..."

"Let me guess Wind Rider you've been sent to capture us."

"I've been black mailed into this Cole. I didn't want to come here."

"Then why come?"

She turned from him to stare out the window. He took the moment to see how much a few years changed the girl. Her hair was still long and dark brown tied back in a pony tail. She stood about 5 foot 3 inches. Her eyes were still the same haunting silver/blue as the first time they had met.

"I killed a fellow Ranger a year ago. He was under cover with a group, and I shot him thinking he was a gang member."

"You owe me Angel."

"I know Cole, that's why I didn't want to come here."

He could hear the pleading in her voice. To silence her pleading he moved forward and captured her lips in a sweet kiss.

"Stop apologizing, Angel, I understand."

"I thought that you'd take this badly. I owe you, and I'm here to take you and the others in."

"Who sent you?"

"Two Pinkerton fellows. I didn't get their names."

"You're coming with us."

"That's they're idea. They wanted me to follow you and the guys to warn them for an ambush or something stupid like that."

An evil idea crossed Cole’s mind but he shrugged it off knowing the wayward Ranger wouldn’t go for it. Her eyes returned to stare out the window. “Cole when we first met why didn’t you...”

“I have more respect for a lady than that,” he answered without having her finish her sentence.

“I’m sorry I ruined your fun tonight, but I couldn’t resist.”

“Don’t worry about it. So where are you sleeping tonight?”

Angel only shrugged her shoulders. “Good because you’re staying with me.”

“Cole, I...”

He could hear the fine tremble in her voice.

“Don’t worry Angel.”

With care he approached the nervous woman. She was older than she looked but had the innocence of a young lady. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a hug.

“There aren’t any rooms left is all I’m saying. I don’t want you sleeping out in the stables with your horse.”

Not a word was spoken as she moved towards the bed with Cole’s hand caught in her grip. She pushed him on the bed and motioned for him to scoot over. He got the idea and lay against the wall. She got into bed and curled up beside him, facing him. Cole wrapped his arms around her securely, bringing her against his chest. Angel pulled the covers up over them even though Cole was warm. Angel fell asleep instantly against him surround by his warmth and scent.