Colorado Heart (9781101612026) (10 page)

“Did you know about this?” Watkins asked Jake when he finally stopped laughing.

“Just found out yesterday,” Jake answered truthfully.

“And you didn't do anything about it?” Watkins asked.

“What was I supposed to do?” Jake said. “It's her land, free and clear. She's even paid the back taxes on it,” he added because he knew how Watkins's mind worked. “She can do whatever she wants on it or with it.”

“Not when her sheep will foul up my water,” Watkins said.

“You've got plenty of water,” Jake replied. “And you'd have to prove it.”

“You wouldn't be talking that way if you lived downstream from her.”

Cassie got the rope off the sheep. She coiled it up in jerking motions and flung it at the cowboy it belonged to. Jake saw the man's eyes flare, and his hand instinctively went to the gun on his hip. “Don't,” he said as he held up his left hand while he kept his right one poised over the handle of his gun.

“Why, Jacob Reece,” Watkins said. “Have you turned into a sheep lover?” His eyes flicked to Cassie. “Kind of a strange position for the head of the Cattlemen's Association, don't you think?”

“Maybe he's got a thing for little boys,” Baxter said. “Or maybe he can't tell the difference.”

“You need to watch your mouth,” Jake said. “There's a lady present. Obviously you can't tell the difference.”

Baxter jerked at the insult, and Watkins held out his hand to stop him from pulling his gun. “Leave it for now, Baxter,” Watkins told his man. “We'll just ride on into town and have a word with the sheriff,” he continued.

“Go ahead,” Jake said. “But he already knows.”

“Knowing something and doing something about it are two different things,” Watkins said. “We'll see what kind of sheriff he is real quick.” Without another word, Watkins kicked his horse into a gallop and, with his men following, took off to town.

“I got a feeling you're not going to like the kind of sheriff Cade Gentry is,” Jake said quietly to their retreating backs. He turned to Cassie. She was on her knees next to the dead sheep. The animal looked ghastly after its horrible death. Its neck was nearly twisted off its body and its eyes bulged and its tongue hung from its open mouth.

“They choked her to death when they dragged her.” She was fighting to hold back the tears as she touched the woolly fleece that was filthy with dirt and tangled with twigs and leaves. “How could anyone do something so cruel?”

Jake had no answer for that, as he didn't understand it himself. He already knew what Watkins was like. If the man had indeed found the sheep on his property, then he had every right to kill it. The manner in which he chose to do it was something Jake could never comprehend.

“Some people are just that way,” he finally said. “That doesn't justify it. It's just the way it is.” Her anger and grief were justified, yet he couldn't blame Watkins for being angry. The way he chose to show his anger was another matter altogether. There was no excuse for cruelty. None at all.

Cassie stood up. She wiped her hands down her pants and then used the back of her hand to swipe at the tears gathered on her cheek. “Well I'm sick of it,” she said. “No matter where I go, it's the same thing. I was hoping things would be different here. I guess I should have known better.”

She whistled for Puck, who came to her side. Then she dug her hands into the woolly fleece of the sheep.

“What are you doing?”

“I'm going to take her home.” She straightened and pulled, but the dead weight of the sheep was too much for her small frame.

“Let me,” Jake said. He bent to pick up the sheep, but she jerked the body away.

“I don't want your help.” Her chin had a tilt to it that he quickly recognized.

“For a little thing you sure are stubborn.”

“What's my size got to do with it?”

They were on opposite sides of the body, both crouching down with their hands in the wool. He wasn't going to argue with her. Cassie would just have to accept his help because he surely wasn't going to stand by and watch her try to wrestle the sheep's body onto the back of her horse.

“It has everything to do with it at the moment,” Jake said. “You are too small to pick up this sheep. Being stubborn won't make you grow taller or stronger, but it will keep you frustrated. So you can accept my help or get angry about it. I'm going to pick up the sheep while you're deciding.” Jake stared into her tear-filled eyes. Her eyes flared and he thought she was going to argue with him, but she didn't. She nodded and released her hold. “We can do it together if you'd like,” he offered.

Cassie nodded. She was too overcome to talk. Jake slid his hands under the carcass and picked up the sheep as gently as he could. When he got to Puck, Cassie helped him guide the animal over Puck's back so they could tie the sheep behind her seat. The creak of wheels alerted Jake to the coming of the Castle wagon. He walked back to meet them to give Cassie time to compose herself.

“What's going on?” Jared asked. “Raymond Watkins just went by us on the trail without a word.”

“Is Cassie all right?” Eden asked. She sat behind her parents with Hannah, who held a kitten on her lap. She looked beyond Jake to where Cassie stood with her face buried in Puck's neck.

“Is that a sheep?” Jared asked incredulously.

“It is,” Jake admitted. “And there's a couple hundred more on her property.”

“And that's why Watkins is having a bad day,” Jared concluded.

“He found one of Cassie's sheep and killed it by dragging it,” Jake said. “He was bringing it to town as evidence.”

“That's horrible,” Laurie exclaimed. Meanwhile, Eden got up from her seat. Jake knew, with her bad leg, that she would need help, so he placed his hands around her waist and put her on the ground.

“Thank you,” Eden said shyly before she went, in her halting step, to where Cassie stood. Laurie followed her.

“Is Cassie's sheep dead?” Hannah, with her bright blue eyes, stared at Cassie.

“It is,” Jared replied. “Stay in the wagon, sweetheart.”

Jared and Jake walked behind the wagon, which was loaded down with supplies. Jake kept his eyes on Cassie, who seemed to be in good hands with Laurie and Eden.

“This is not good, Jake,” Jared said. “Does she realize that this is going to cause trouble?”

“Cassie seems to think she can keep her sheep on her property,” Jake said.

“Well if today is any indication . . .” Jared walked a few steps away, clearly agitated, and then he came back. “Did Watkins say where he found the sheep?”

“He just said by a stream,” Jake replied. “He claimed the animal would foul up his water.”

“Because his water comes across Cassie's land.”

“Not all of it,” Jake began.

“But enough of it that he does have a valid grievance.”

“Only if he can prove it,” Jake said.

“He won't have to prove anything,” Jared said. “You know good and well that any mention of sheep in cattle country is enough to start a war.”

“Maybe someone should have mentioned that to Cassie before she showed up here last fall,” Jake said. He took a deep breath. He'd known this moment was coming as soon as he found out about her sheep. Maybe it was better that it was out in the open. At least now they could face it head-on.
They . . .
Since when had this become his fight? He looked over to where Cassie stood, with Laurie and Eden. Both women seemed to be commiserating with her. How quickly they had taken to her. Dang it, he'd taken to her pretty quick also. What was he getting into?

Dang it!

“She's been here that long?” Jared asked.

“That's what she said. And I'm pretty sure she knew she wouldn't be welcome. Why else would she have lain low for as long as she did?”

“Why do you think she brought them here of all places?”

Jake looked once more at where Cassie stood. She had her secrets, Jake was certain of it. Something had happened to her to drive her here with her odd little family. “To tell the truth, Jared, I don't think she had any place else to go.”

“I know she's from Texas,” Jared said. “She didn't say much more than that at lunch.”

“Well at least I got it narrowed down to West Texas,” Jake replied.

“I've got a good friend who does business in that part of Texas. I'll write him a letter and ask if he's ever heard of our Miss Parker,” Jared said.

“Which means you'll find out if she had the same kind of problems down there that she's going to have up here?”

“That's one way of saying it.” Jared looked at the ladies. “You know our new sheriff much better than I do. Which side do you think he'll land on?”

“He's already said that she has the right to do whatever she wants on her property.”

“What if the sheep get off her property?”

“Then I'm thinking things are going to get ugly.”

“Will he side with Watkins?”

“No,” Jake said. “But that doesn't mean that he'll side with Cassie. I think he'll do what's best for everyone involved, while trying to keep to the law.”

“I don't envy him his job,” Jared said. “Because you're right. Where Watkins is concerned, things will get ugly.”

“So what are we going to do?” Jake asked.

“You've already picked your side, haven't you, Jake?”

“I can't let Watkins run over her,” Jake admitted. “She's stubborn enough to wind up killed.”

“I agree with you on that,” Jared said. “But you are the head of the Cattlemen's Association. Some might think you have a conflict of interest.”

“Maybe I should resign,” Jake said. “Dang, I don't know what to do.”

“Just wait and see what happens at the meeting Thursday night,” Jared advised. “Having to have a re-election might make things worse.” Jared looked at Cassie. “Do you think you can get her there?”

“I can try,” Jake said. “Whether or not she'll come is another thing altogether.”

“Let's get the women home,” Jared said. “That way I can have a look at these sheep myself. Cassie got a cat from the Martins while she was in town. We offered to deliver it for her.”

“I wish the cat was the only critter of hers we had to worry about,” Jake said as he and Jared went to the women.

TWELVE

S
elf-recrimination did nothing for one's peace of mind, and sitting on the porch with the new momma cat in her lap did nothing for the mouse problem in the barn. Yet here Cassie sat, petting the cat, while there was work to be done and problems to be solved and a meeting of the Cattlemen's Association to attend. That is if she could work up the courage to go. But what choice did she have? Hiding wouldn't change the fact that everyone now knew about the sheep.

What were her options? She could pack up and move again, but where would they go? And more importantly, would her mother survive it? She'd come to Angel's End to escape her past. Was that to be her life from now on? Running from one place to the next because things got too difficult?

“Running doesn't solve a thing,” Cassie said to the cat, who meowed in agreement. “At least I've made one decision today. Your name is Suzie.” She rubbed the calico's chin. “What do you think?” Suzie meowed again and followed it up with a rumbling purr. Cassie put her down and walked to the end of the porch. She leaned against a post and looked out across her valley.

“My valley,” Cassie said. It really was beautiful, with the long grass rippling in the breeze and the sheltering pines below the majestic mountains with their snow-tipped peaks. The air was crisp and fresh. It made her feel alive, after two long years of feeling dead inside.

Jake Reece had a lot to do with that too. She couldn't deny it. She couldn't stop thinking about the man, despite all the other things she should be thinking about. He'd been kind to her, but more than that, he challenged her in a way that didn't make her feel uncomfortable. As if he wanted something, something that she was certain she couldn't give. Her scars were too deep for anything more. Still, it was pleasant to talk to him, and to tease him, and to see the look on his face as he watched for her reactions, much as she watched him. It was something to look forward to. But that too would be gone after tonight. After all, Jake was a cattleman and cattlemen hated sheepherders. He was the head of the Cattlemen's Association on top of that. It was the way of the world and nothing could change it.

So should she hide here in her little valley and hope that everyone would just ignore her, or should she go and let them know that she was not going to be pushed around? Not anymore.

Max barked and Cassie looked up and was surprised to see a buggy coming up her drive. She didn't recognize the horse, but the driver looked very familiar. It was Jake. He'd said two days ago that he'd take her to the meeting, but she really hadn't expected him to do it. Not after what happened on the trail with the dead sheep.

Cassie was suddenly very conscious of how she looked. She dashed into the house. “Is something wrong?” Rosa asked her.

“I've got to change. I've got to go to the meeting. I need something to wear. I need some water to wash up with.” She was babbling and she couldn't stop it.

“Shhh,” Rosa said as she took Cassie's hands into hers. “It will be fine. I will heat you some water. You have the skirt you bought in town.”

“Rosa?” Cassie asked. “Was this the right thing to do? Coming here?”

“You cannot spend your time looking back and second-guessing,” Rosa said. “It is better spent looking forward.”

“What if there is nothing to look forward to?” The sound of the wagon could be heard now as it approached the house.

“There is always something to look forward to,” Rosa said. “Now go and get dressed for your meeting.”

“I should go?”

“Hiding will not change a thing,” Rosa advised. “You should go and let them know that Cassie Parker is here to stay.”

“Cassie Parker is here to stay . . .” Cassie repeated. There was a knock on the door.

“Make him wait outside,” Cassie said as she dashed to her room. A few seconds later she heard Rosa's voice and the answering rumble of Jake's.

“Let him have enough sense to stay outside,” Cassie prayed as she opened the door of her wardrobe. She didn't want to answer questions about her mother's health.

Cassie jerked through her clothes. She had some decent things. Things that hadn't been totally destroyed when her stage was attacked, and she'd bought a skirt when she was in town. It was nothing fancy, and the only appropriate garment small enough to fit her, but it was something. She paired it with a shirt with a high collar and a tiny bit of lace as trim. If she wanted to be treated as a respectable landowner, then she needed to dress the part.

She had a nice pair of boots that she hadn't worn in ages. If it had been up to her, she would have gotten rid of everything from her past life before she came to Texas, but bless Rosa, she was a wise woman and so she packed everything away, knowing that someday Cassie would need it again.

Rosa came into the room with a pitcher of water. Heat rose from the basin as she poured it in. “Mr. Reece has come to take you to the meeting,” she said. “And he is waiting on the porch.”

“Thank you,” Cassie said to both Rosa and the good Lord above. Cassie quickly stripped out of her clothes and grabbed a cloth to wash up with before hastily dressing in the clothes she'd laid out on the bed. Unfortunately there wasn't much she could do about her hair, but a good brushing wouldn't hurt it. She bent over at the waist and brushed it upside down and then arranged it as best as she could with her fingers. To her surprise it fluffed out and the ends curled up without looking like it was going to fly off in every direction. Nonnie's potions obviously worked as she'd put them on her hair after washing it the night before. Cassie added a gold brooch that belonged to her grandmother to the neck of her blouse and rubbed some of Nonnie's rose-scented cream on her hands.

She was ready to go.

Cassie stopped to check on her mother before she left. She still sat in her chair, staring at nothing as always. Manuel came in through the back door. “Should I go with you?” he asked.

He was always there, ready to help, ready to support her, ever since the day he found her and her mother in the ruins of the stagecoach. Always faithful, that was Manuel; once he gave his heart, it was yours for life. It was a tragedy that he'd lost his only son. Every day Cassie thanked God that Rosa and Manuel loved her like their own daughter.

This was why she had to go to the meeting and let men like Watkins know that they would not be pushed around. Manuel and Rosa had risked everything when they took in Cassie and her mother. They had thumbed their noses at the most powerful man in West Texas until the only way they could survive was by leaving. They'd given up their home, because it was impossible for Cassie to stay there. Luckily, Cassie had a place for them. If they couldn't stay in Angel's End, they had no place else to go.

“I caused this problem Manuel. I'll take care of it.”

“You don't have to fight all the battles by yourself.”

“I don't consider this a battle,” Cassie said with a smile that she hoped Manuel knew was genuine. “I consider this more of a scouting party.”

“Good luck then,” Manuel said with a smile. “At least you are not going into the breach alone.”

“We'll see,” Cassie said. “He might have ulterior motives.”

Manuel grinned. “As you say, we shall see.”

As Cassie opened the door, she couldn't help but think that Manuel was speaking of different motives than she was. What could Jake's motives be for helping her? Was it an obligation he felt to her grandfather? Or was there more to it? Maybe it was just a case of keeping a close eye on her, so he could tell the other ranchers what she was up to.

“I'm sorry if I kept you waiting,” she said as she walked outside.

Jake leaned against the porch post looking out over her valley. He turned to her as she spoke and his eyes widened with something. Surprise?

“Er . . .” He cleared his throat. He waved his hand toward the barn. “I see you shored up your pens.”

“Yes, Manuel and I worked on that all day yesterday.” She studied him. Jake was dressed up. He wore a gray suit and a blue shirt that made his stormy eyes seem calm. Cassie was glad she'd taken time with her appearance.

It was nice to see the way Jake's eyes lingered on her.

“Shall we go?” Jake said. He held out his arm and Cassie took it.
That wasn't so hard.
What if he offered to pick her up to put her in the buggy? Would she be able to stand it? She shied away from most men, she didn't want to feel their touch, not after what had happened and the violence that came with it, but Jake . . . she could only hope he was different, because she was feeling things she'd never felt before. Whether or not she could act on those feelings was another thing altogether. She never imagined that she would want to feel this way, ever.

Jake didn't presume too much. He merely held her arm firmly as she gathered her skirt and stepped into the buggy. The seat shifted as he settled in beside her and picked up the reins.

“I really didn't expect this,” Cassie began as he set the buggy in motion.

“I said I would take you, didn't I?” Jake said. “Two days ago when I left here.”

“Yes, but . . .” Cassie huffed out a breath. “I thought you were just being polite. I didn't really think you wanted me to go. Won't my presence be counterproductive to the purpose of the meeting? It's a Cattlemen's Association. No mention of sheep at all.”

“Oh, I'm sure there will be plenty of mention of sheep tonight,” Jake assured her.

“As in I'm a lamb for the slaughter?”

Why did talking to him have to be so fun? “I still don't think I should be going,” Cassie said.

“I didn't peg you for being a coward.”

“What do you mean a coward?”

“I invited you to dinner and you didn't show up,” Jake explained. “And the only reason you're going tonight is because I came to get you.”

Cassie studied his profile as he expertly handled the reins. His jaw was smooth and he smelled like almonds. He must have used some of Nonnie's special soap. “But you came anyway.” For some strange reason that made her very happy.

He looked at her and grinned. “Call me an optimist.”

“Does that mean you don't expect any trouble tonight?”

“I'd like to think so.” They turned south on the main road and he urged the horse into a trot. “I really don't know what's going to happen tonight.” He looked at her once more, his eyes searching her face before dipping, just for an instant, to her chest before coming back to her face. “I do know that I'm happy that you didn't turn tail and run.”

“But you do think it would be the best thing if I got rid of the sheep?” Cassie insisted. “You did make it clear how you felt about them the first time you were here.”

“You took me by surprise,” Jake confessed. “A couple of hundred sheep was the last thing I expected to see when I came over here.”

He was being nice to her, yet she couldn't stop challenging him. “You think I should leave.”

“I never said that,” Jake insisted.

“But it's what you think.”

Jake sighed in exasperation. “Let me get this straight. The things that I say, like me coming to pick you up tonight, you don't believe. The things I don't say, like you assuming that I think you should leave, you take as fact. Does that about sum it up?”

“I never said that,” Cassie snapped back.

“Funny, I think I just said the very same words,” Jake retorted. “And I know I never told you that I think you should leave.”

Cassie looked at him in earnest. He must have sensed it because he turned to look at her in return. “But you did think it,” she said. She couldn't stop pushing him. She didn't know why she couldn't stop, nor did she know what she expected him to say. Maybe she just needed someone to tell her things were going to be all right and that she had made the right decision. Maybe she just wanted him to say that he'd take care of everything. Wouldn't that be nice? To have someone take care of her instead of her having to take care of everyone.

“Hell, I think a lot of things.” He grinned as she opened her mouth to say something about his colorful language. “Sorry,” he said. “Sometimes it just slips out. Which goes along with what I was going to say. It's always best to think before you speak. That doesn't mean that I always do, but I give it a good try.”

She smiled at him. Maybe he had given her what she was looking for. It was enough for now. She really wasn't sure what it was she wanted. She just knew she liked having him by her side. “It's nice to know that I'm not going into this lion's den totally alone.”

“Not everyone is like Watkins,” Jake said. He pointed to a turnoff in the trail. A sign hung on a post. “That's my place, by the way,” he added.

“Not everyone is like you or the Castles either,” Cassie replied as she observed the rocking
J
brand on the sign.