Lorraine Heath (14 page)

“Hard to say. Frank said they were masked and he didn’t recognize any of their voices.” He sighed. “Ethan’s grievances are against Jake. I don’t think he’d take them out on someone else.”

Rebecca sat down. “I just don’t understand what they were doing with one of our branding irons.”

“I locked them all up when I was done,” Zach said. “The one we found today wasn’t one of ours.”

She sighed. “I guess there’s not really a lot we can do. Do you want to join us for supper?”

“What are you fixing?” Zach asked.

Jake laughed. “She doesn’t cook. She goes and picks up
a couple of plates from the cook.”

She patted his shoulder. “Not tonight. Tonight it’s your turn to go pick up the plates.”

Jake scooted his chair back. “Three plates?”

Zach nodded and Jake stood up.

“Why don’t you see if Frank wants to join us?” Rebecca asked.

Jake nodded as he went out the door. Rebecca got up to fetch some utensils and Zach moved in quietly behind her.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked.

She turned, not a whisper’s breath separating them, knowing she needed to give him a task to get him to move back.

“You can take these to the table,” she said, extending a hand holding forks and knives.

Zach’s hand closed over hers. “You and Jake were friends before you got married, weren’t you?”

“Yes. Very good friends.”

“It shows. I can tell the two of you like each other. I’m not sure my parents ever really liked each other. If they did, it was way before Ethan and I were born. Did you and Jake meet at the Lazy A?”

“Yes, we did.”

“What did you do there?” he asked, wanting to know everything about her, about Jake, about how they had met.

Rebecca smiled. “Same thing I do here.”

“No, here you’re the owner’s wife. What were you there?”

“The owner’s daughter.”

Zach’s face went flat. “You’re John Anderson’s daughter?”

“Do you know my father?”

“By reputation only,” Zach said as he took the utensils from her and began laying them on the table. When he was finished, he turned around facing her.

“Don’t take this wrong. I like Jake. Even before when I hated him, I liked him, if that makes any sense. But you’re an incredibly beautiful woman, Rebecca, and your father is one of the wealthiest ranch owners in Kentucky. You could
have married anyone. Why Jake?”

Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back and released a deep sigh. “I have been asked that question so many times in the past few months and generally I ignore it.” She brought her gaze back to Zach. “But I like you, Zach, so I’ll tell you why I married Jake.”

He leaned his hips back against the table, folding his arms over his chest, a seductive smile playing at his lips.

“I’m listening.”

“Last night when you came to tell us about finding Frank’s horse … Do you remember the conversation that filled this house?”

“Sure.”

“What did Jake say to me?”

His dark brows drew together. Was this a trick question? “He didn’t say anything.”

“And when I went outside, dressed to ride, where was my horse?”

Zach’s head dropped down. “Saddled and waiting.”

“That’s why I married Jake. Most men see me as a porcelain doll. Something to be put up on the mantel, shown off, taken down and dusted once in a while. The closest Jake has come to treating me like a porcelain doll was the night I met Ethan. And I would have gladly played the role for him if it had been what he had wanted.”

Zach brought his eyes back to hers. The truth was so evident. Why couldn’t Jake see it? The envy had returned and Zach was surprised to find he was glad of it. He wanted Jake to have something in his life that a man like Zach would envy. His voice was sincere as a warm smile spread across his face. “I’m glad Jake has you.”

The door opened and Jake walked in holding two plates, followed by Frank holding two more.

Rebecca moved forward. “How’s your backside, Frank?”

“Just fine,” he said as he moved to the side of the table away from her. “Let me see it.”

“Goddamn! Jake already looked at it. Hell, people have
been looking at it all day! It’s fine!”

Rebecca’s eyes went to Jake and he nodded. The men set the plates on the table, and they all sat down to eat. Jake looked at Frank and Frank gave him a curt nod.

“Reb,” Jake began. “About those conversations at the watering hole …”

Rebecca laughed. “I didn’t believe a one of them. Not a one.”

F
RANK KICKED THE
unsuspecting rock, sending it sailing a good forty feet, wishing it had sailed clear to the Reading Ranch and popped Ruth Reading on top of her stubborn head. He had bumped into Ruth, literally, outside the general store, recovered enough to tip his hat and ask after her health. She had tilted up her pert little nose and told him it was none of his business. Damn females! If more women were in the area, he’d find one to make Ruth jealous. Yes, sir, the girl didn’t know a good man when she met one, that was for damn sure. He’d show her. Someday, she’d be begging him to notice her and then he’d tilt his freckled nose up at her.

Rebecca watched him as she waited for whatever Jake was scrubbing to death. “Why didn’t you let Frank go into town with the others? It’s not his turn to watch the herd.”

Jake plopped the wet shirt into her hands. “Because he’s looking for a fight. He ran into Ruth Reading in town this morning and he’s been huffing and puffing ever since.”

Rebecca looked back at the sulking Frank as he kicked at the dust, unable to find any more rocks. She sighed. “I wish Frank could meet someone to take his mind off of Ruth.”

She walked to the line and slung the shirt over it, feeling a sudden, warm sticky wetness between her legs. “Jake!”

The panic in her voice sent him flying to her. “What? What’s wrong?”

“I think I’m bleeding.”

He lifted her arms, searching her face and body. “Where?”

“The baby,” she said, trembling.

His eyes dropped down below her waist and then he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her towards the house.

“Frank!” he yelled. “Go into town and get the doctor! Quick!”

Frank’s eyes almost came out of his head. The doctor now? It wasn’t time. He moved like lightning, adding a string of oaths to his usual.

Gingerly, Jake laid her down on the bed.

“Do you hurt anywhere?” he asked.

“No, nowhere.”

“Are you cramping or uncomfortable?”

“No. But I’m scared. It’s three months too early.”

“Don’t be scared. Everything’s going to be all right.” He looked so calm, so sure that she almost believed him.

“Reb, honey, I need to see if you are bleeding and I need to see how much.”

She nodded. Now was not the time to concern herself with exposing her body to him. He left her side briefly to retrieve some cloths and towels and set them down on the bed. Then he went to wash his hands, taking deep breaths as he did so to stop his trembling. He was shaking as badly as she was and it wouldn’t do for her to know he was scared as hell.

Coming back, he gave her a small smile of reassurance.

“I’m going to be real gentle, honey, but I want you to let me know if I hurt you.”

“I will,” she said in a meek voice.

He squeezed her hand. “Reb, honey, don’t be afraid.”

Releasing her hand, he very gently lifted her skirt back before removing her undergarments. She felt a hot flush sear her face, and inwardly she chastised herself. He’d see a lot more than this when he delivered the baby. If he didn’t deliver it today. Instinctively, she jerked when he tenderly placed his hand beneath her hip to lay some towels under her. His eyes sought hers.

“I won’t hurt you, honey. I swear it. But I need to look. You just relax and close your eyes.” His voice was a soothing balm as she lay back on the pillow and closed her eyes.

“I like the way you say that,” she said with a sigh.

“Say what?” he asked, confused.

“Honey. It sounds just like warm honey dripping over hot biscuits on a cold morning.”

“I didn’t realize I was saying that.”

Her eyes opened briefly. “I know.”

He watched her for a brief moment, listening to her breathing, listening to his own heart beating. God, he didn’t want anything to happen to her.

“I’m going to touch you now, okay?”

“Okay,” she said quietly.

And she felt his touch, as light as a wind blowing through the tall prairie grasses.

“Reb, honey, are you feeling any pain at all now?” “No.”

“I’m going to touch you again now so just stay relaxed.”

She opened her eyes, watching his face as his large hands examined her with all the gentleness and loving care he could bring forth. Her mind drifted back to all the things he had done for her over the months since he’d first taken her as his wife, his patience, his understanding, his willingness to accept so little from her. And she felt something grow within her heart that she had never felt before, not even for Brett. She had married one special man, one very special man. And she was almost certain that he had not told her the main reason he had wanted to marry her. He loved her. She closed her eyes to stay the tears that accompanied her feelings of guilt. He wouldn’t want her pity or her sympathy. And she didn’t know why she couldn’t give him her love.

He slipped her skirt back down, releasing a deep breath.

“You’re not bleeding much at all. And since you don’t have any pain, I don’t think you’re in danger of losing the baby.” He sat down on the edge of the bed. “I’ve seen this happen with mares before. I don’t know why … if maybe they just get too active or their body gets confused
… but anyway, I think all you have to do is take it easy. No more riding out with me, no more lifting, or cleaning, or working.”

“I’m just supposed to sit around for three months?”

“I know it’s not in your nature, Reb, but I think it’s going to have to be if you want this baby. Do you want me to make you some of that tea you’re fond of?”

She nodded and turned her head to gaze out the window. Three months of sitting around. She’d go insane.

He brought her the tea, then propped pillows up behind her back and helped her sit up. He removed her shoes and sat down on the end of the bed, rubbing her feet.

She looked at him through woeful eyes. “You think I need to take it easy the entire time?”

He was sympathetic but realistic. “To be safe. Unless the doctor tells you different. I just don’t know that much about women having babies.”

She sipped from the cup, the warm liquid calming her.

“I’m wondering when you’re going to decide I’m too much trouble,” she said.

“Never,” he replied.

Frank came rushing into the house after the sun set, his face flushed, his breathing heavy. Jake looked up from the sofa, Rebecca from the rocker, and he skidded to a halt.

“Did you bring the doctor?” Jake asked.

Frank shook his head. “Town ain’t got no doctor. Goddamn, but the man got killed last night playing cards. He was cheating and a man called him for it. Shot him dead center in the chest. They don’t know when another one will be coming to town but the marshal said he sent a wire out today.” He took a breath to spare his lungs exploding. “You all right now, Reb?”

“I think so. Jake took good care of me.”

His shoulders slumped forward. “I sure as hell am glad to hear that.”

The barbed-wire fence was going up at a steady pace and just as steadily it was being pulled down. Men with cattle
cut the wire to let their cattle drink from water holes they’d used in the past. Men on horseback wanted a direct path to their destination and cut the wire to achieve it. Others cut it down just to oppose its going up. Most just cut the wire and went on their way. Sometimes the posts were burned, the fires seen in the distance at night.

Moving slowly across the land, the six riders felt their actions were justified as the man they had beaten stumbled behind them. His hands were tied behind his back, the ropes cutting into his flesh. A rope around his neck chafed the skin.

Jake and Frank stepped out of the barn just as the riders drew up. The man wanted to drop to his knees but he wasn’t certain the journey was over yet. If it wasn’t, he didn’t want to be on his knees when the horse started moving because he knew he wouldn’t be able to bring himself up to his feet before the rope tightened around his neck.

Rebecca stepped out of the house. Quickly, she crossed the yard, flinching when she saw Zach’s swollen face. He stood motionless between the riders. Jake gave every rider a hard look, settling his impenetrable gaze at last upon Lee Hastings.

“We moved the cattle this morning like you told us,” Lee explained. “This afternoon, the wire was cut and the cattle chased out. Zach told his brother what we were planning on doing and that’s how he knew where to strike us so it’d hurt. He’s here spying for his brother, working to destroy us.”

Jake’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. “You got proof?”

“No, sir, but—”

Jake grabbed Lee, pulling him off his horse and throwing him to the ground. “Untie him now,” Jake said in a low hiss.

“But he was the last one with the branding irons the night Frank was attacked,” Lee argued. “Untie him,” Jake said.

Lee started to protest again but thought better of it and set about cutting the ropes holding Zach prisoner.

Jake’s gaze locked firmly on the six men before him. His
voice emanated controlled rage. “You men listen and listen good. I won’t have any man beaten for something he didn’t do. The next time something like this happens, you’re off this ranch. And numbers won’t make a difference. If all of you are involved, all of you go.” His eyes fell on Lee. “And standing by watching is the same as doing.”

Rebecca put her hand on Zach’s arm. “Come on in the house and I’ll tend to you.”

He shrugged her off. “I can take care of myself.”

“Don’t be so stubborn,” she scolded. “Come on.”

He squinted at her through his one good eye and followed her back to the house. He sat in a chair at the table while she retrieved a bowl of water and some salve and bandages. When she started cleaning the cut above his brow, he flinched.