Love Finds You in Last Chance, California (15 page)

She brushed loose hair from her face and shrugged. “We follow their tracks.” She stood and walked to her horse, sliding her rifle back in its sheath.

Justin kept a firm grip on his rifle and strode back to the ridge. Nothing. He narrowed his eyes. No wrangler worth his keep would move a herd from good grazing to rocky terrain. He swung back toward Frank. “You sure you didn’t see anything else?”

Frank pushed to his feet and stuck his face up against Justin’s. “Don’t make no never mind if you’re new, you’d best watch yer mouth.” His eyes narrowed. “In fact, you could’a stole those horses your own self, ’fore you come to the ranch.”

Alex jerked her head at the man. “Enough, Frank. No one is accusing you of anything, but I want to know the same thing. Is there anything else you saw?”

He swung his head from side to side and glared. “No, ma’am. I didn’t see nothin’ more than I said, and I don’t know nothin’ about them missin’ horses.”

“Fine.” Alex swung into her saddle. “Let’s head out. I can’t afford to lose that contract with the cavalry.”

They covered the first half mile toward the ranch in silence with Alex leading the small band of riders and Justin trailing. He squinted against the sun and shaded his eyes toward the horizon. It looked like a rider was darting through the clumps of mesquite and heading their way. The cloud of dust kicked up by his cantering mount increased as the rider drew near. A heavily lathered bay gelding pulled to a stop a few yards in front of Alex and the rider raised his arm. “Alex. I’ve been hoping I’d run into you out here. I stopped at the ranch and Joe sent me out.”

Alex kept a firm grip on her restive horse’s reins, forcing the jigging gelding to a halt. “What’s the trouble, Carter? Looks like you’ve been running your horse pretty hard.”

“Yeah. I was coming from my ranch, cutting through over the hills on the other side of this pasture, and saw some men driving a band of your horses.”

Alex leaned forward, her back stiff and eyes intent on the stranger. “You saw them?”

He took off his hat, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his sleeve, and then replaced the hat, giving it an extra shove onto his head. “Yeah. I didn’t think anything of it, as I wasn’t close enough to see if they were your men. But it looked suspicious when they spotted me and moved the horses from a trot into a run. They headed down into a gully. I thought about following, but they had a pretty good lead. Figured I’d do more good letting you know.”

Alex pressed her palms against her forehead. “I’m so mad I could… I could…” She dropped her hands, drew a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “Thank you, Carter. Frank brought word earlier.” She nodded toward the silent wrangler sitting nearby. “You must have come along after Frank headed back to the ranch to alert us. We didn’t get there in time, either, but I intend to find out where they went and who took my herd.”

Carter picked up his reins and swung his horse’s head around. “Anything I can do to help, just name it.”

Justin followed Alex and the two men but kept well behind. He needed time and space to think about what just happened and how it all might play into Ben Travers’s telegram. Travers’s warning of trouble reared in his memory again, and Justin’s gut told him this could be just the beginning.

Alex slapped her gelding on the rump and waited as he trotted out to roll in the pasture. She swung the gate shut and turned to the silent man standing nearby. “I can’t believe we didn’t find those horses.”

“That bank of shale and the heavy brush made tracking difficult. Not much more we could do.”

She shrugged. “I’m sure your son is wondering about you. You’re welcome to walk to the house with me.”

Justin slapped his hat against his leg, making the dust fly, and then settled it back on his head. “Thank you.”

“You’re from Nevada?”

“Yeah.”

She was silent for a moment, wondering what to say next. “Your little boy must look like his mama.”

“Yes. He favored her.”

Alex sighed and headed to the house. Another man of few words. Her father was much the same, and at times it had irritated her. What was so hard about saying more than two or three words in a row?

They’d gone three strides when Davis swung around the end of the barn into sight and then abruptly pulled to a halt. Something flickered across his face, but then it stilled and grew passive. “Miss Alex.” He nodded and tossed a curious glance at Justin.

“Davis, did you happen to move the herd of geldings from their pasture to the small valley over the hill?”

“No, ma’am. I been workin’ on the far side of the ranch. Didn’t go anywhere near the geldings today. Why?” He stuffed his hands into his pockets and leaned a hip against a nearby post.

“They’re gone. We found tracks of two riders, but they disappeared in the rocks. I want you to question the rest of the wranglers and tell me what you find out.”

“Sure thing, ma’am. Happy to help.” He touched his fingers to his hat brim and moved away.

Alex had taken two steps before she realized that Justin wasn’t beside her. She looked over her shoulder. He stood staring at the open barn door where Davis had disappeared. “You coming?”

“Yeah.” He turned and moved forward. “How long has he been with you?”

“Davis? I don’t know. A year or so, I guess. He came some months after Tim arrived, and that was well over two years ago. Why?”

Justin shrugged. “I’m not sure—he looks familiar.”

“Papa!” A small figure flew off the porch and launched himself at the legs of the man striding beside her. “You comed back.”

Justin swung the youngster up and hugged him. “Yes, I came back. I told you I would, didn’t I?”

Toby nodded but pursed his small lips in a frown. “But Mama said she’d come back, too, and she goed to heaven.”

Justin pulled the boy to his chest and buried his face in Toby’s hair. “I know. But Papa will take care of you. I promise.”

Alex’s footsteps faltered. Toby’s plaintive question cut to her heart. She drew a deep breath, suddenly certain of what she needed to do.

She stepped up on the porch and drew the door open, holding it for Justin and Toby. He nodded and took one long stride across the threshold then paused inside the roomy foyer that spanned the front of the house.

Toby wriggled down from his arms and pointed toward the kitchen then tugged at Justin’s hand. “Cookies over there, Papa. Come on.”

Alex bit back a chuckle and smiled. “That’s where we’re headed, young man. To the kitchen.” She beckoned Justin forward and saw him glance around then carefully wipe his boots on the rug inside the door.

Justin grasped Toby’s hand and slowed the boy’s rapid pace. “You’ve had enough cookies for now. We’ll take you back to town and get a proper meal.”

Alex swung around and paused. “Martha cooks enough for a small regiment. Why don’t you plan on staying for supper so we can discuss the terms of your employment?”

His brows rose. “I didn’t tell Miss Alice I wouldn’t be back.”

“She won’t worry. Her boarders come and go and oftentimes skip meals.”

Justin nodded. “Thanks.”

Alex stepped into the large, sunny kitchen and glanced around. “Martha?” She noticed a pot bubbling on the stove, which meant Martha couldn’t be too far away. A wonderful fragrance rose from the pot, making Alex’s stomach rumble in anticipation.

“I’m in the pantry, child.” Martha appeared in the door in the back corner of the kitchen, clutching a large jar of strawberry preserves. “Found it.” She paused, glanced from Justin to Toby, and then leaned down to the little boy. “Do you like bread with preserves?”

Toby’s blue eyes lit up and a big smile covered his face. “Uh-huh! Toby loves bread ’n’ jam.” He turned to tug on Justin’s sleeve. “Papa want some?”

Martha chuckled and straightened. “Yes, Mr. Phillips, do you? Or should I say, would you care to try my homemade bread, along with roast beef, mashed new potatoes, and a slice of apple pie?”

Justin’s eyebrows rose, and Alex noticed that he didn’t hesitate to respond. “It’s Justin, and yes, ma’am. Much obliged.” He glanced around the room. “Where would you like me to wash up?”

Martha motioned toward the back door. “There’s a pitcher with soap and a towel outside that door. Help yourself and come back hungry.”

A big smile crept onto Justin’s normally serious face, and Alex realized that it was the first time she’d seen the man grin. How amazing, that a smile could transform a face like that. She’d thought him a handsome man before, but after that smile….

Alex shook her head, annoyed at herself for entertaining such thoughts about one of her cowhands. Didn’t she have enough to think about? Besides, the man was grieving his dead wife and had a small son to care for. That was not a triangle she cared to get caught in.

She slipped away to change out of her riding clothes and into a dress. Martha had begged her years ago not to come to the table in her riding gear. Usually it irked Alex to have to change for dinner, but for some reason she couldn’t quite decipher, a dress appealed to her tonight. Besides, the idea of sitting down with Justin while wearing men’s pants caused her a twinge of embarrassment. She didn’t know what he’d thought when he’d arrived and seen her wearing them, but she could only imagine.

She drew a simple, pale blue cotton dress over her head, buttoned the front, and ran a brush through her curls. After another quick glance in the mirror, she slipped back into the kitchen. “Where’s Uncle Joe?”

Martha put the lid back on the pot she’d been stirring. “I think he’s taking a nap. Would you wake him, dear? It’s almost time for supper.”

Alex could count on the fingers of one hand how many times she’d heard of Uncle Joe napping, and most of those were in the days after his fall.

She headed for his room and tapped on his door. “Uncle Joe? It’s Alex. May I come in?”

An indistinguishable reply sounded inside. The bedsprings squeaked, and she heard feet thump on the floor. “Sure. Door’s open.”

A rumpled Joe met her gaze when Alex pushed open the door. “Are you all right?”

A scowl crossed his face, but then it faded and a small smile took its place. “I’m fine, darlin’. Just a mite tired. My hip’s been botherin’ me and I haven’t been sleepin’ too well. I’m right as rain now, though, after that little rest.” He tugged on his boots. “Supper ready?”

She sank down on the cotton-ticked mattress beside him and slipped her hand through his arm. “Yes. It’s on the table, and we’ve asked Justin and Toby to join us.” After a short pause, she asked, “What do you think of him, Uncle?”

His serious eyes couldn’t quite hide the twinkle threatening to escape. “I think Toby’s a right fine little boy and this old place could use a little scamp like him runnin’ around, livening it up again.”

She shook his arm. “You know very well who I meant. I’ll tell Martha not to feed you any pie, if you keep that up.”

“Oh, you meant Phillips senior? Well, now. From what I could tell, he seems an all-right fella. You thinkin’ of hirin’ him?”

“I am. As long as you agree. But I’m still not sure about the boy….”

Uncle Joe drew himself up. “You leave the boy to me and Martha. I think that young’un could use some motherin’, and Martha’s just the one to do it. And you’d best be asking his father to stay in the house, as well.”

“Why? Our wranglers don’t stay in the house. That’s what the bunkhouse is for.”

Joe shook his head and peered at her. “Not when they have a child that age. It’s no fit place for a youngster. Some of our men are rough, and the boy’s too young to be around them. ’Sides—what about the times his pa will have to help with foaling at night or some other chore? Who’s goin’ to care for the boy if he wakes scared or needs to be tended for some reason?”

Alex tipped back her head and looked at the ceiling, hating the logic of his words but knowing they were sound. “What will the rest of the men think? Won’t they see it as favoritism? And how about the townspeople? They already think poorly of me. Not that I care.” She shrugged. “But he’s not married, and it might be unseemly having him in the house.”

Joe stood, gripped her arm, and lifted her to her feet. “You’re the boss now, Alex, and you’d best remember that.” He gently turned her to face him. “It don’t matter what others think, if you decide it’s the right thing to do. Besides, Martha and I are enough of a chaperone to suit anyone. Don’t question your decisions or allow others to, neither. Stand firm and take charge, or you’ll have more men quittin’.”

“You’re right.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. Now let’s go to dinner, before Martha decides that neither one of us deserves any pie.”

He chuckled and shooed her out the door. “Right you are, my girl. Right you are.”