Samantha and the Cowboy (14 page)

“Do you have any idea what kind of danger you put this outfit in when you brought her on?” Jake asked.

Matt had hoped that Jake would wait until he was fully recovered to give him a tongue-lashing. Instead he'd only waited until Matt was strong enough to walk on his own.

“I can't see that I put anyone in danger at all,” Matt said evenly.

“She's a girl!”

“Who pulls her weight.”

“She's leaving the drive at the next town,” Jake said, punctuating each word with a jab of his finger in the air.

“We're not that far from Sedalia. Let her stay.”

Jake began pacing. “The hardest part is ahead. Getting these cattle by angry Kansas ranchers.” He came to an abrupt halt. “How are you going to feel if she takes a bullet?”

As though the lead had torn into his own heart. Matt plowed his hands through his hair. These cattle were his family's legacy, a chance to rebuild after the war. He had to put them first. But he couldn't stand the thought of disappointing Sam. “Go ahead and pay her the full salary at the next town.”

“If I do that, then every man in this outfit will expect the same treatment and they'll head out. Why face the dangers if the trail boss is willing to hand out money early?
Then
who will drive the cattle to market?” Jake asked.

“There has to be a way—”

“She never should have joined up! And as long as I'm the trail boss, as long as I run the outfit, women can sit at home and wait for us to return to them. At the next town, Matt, she's parting company with us, one way or another. She goes or I do.”

Matt didn't have the experience to run the outfit. If only the hardest part were behind them, he thought he could manage it. But Jake was right: they'd come so far, but they still had a ways to go, and they needed a man leading them who knew not only the terrain, but cattle and men.

He slowly nodded his acceptance of the wisdom of Jake's words.

Now Jake poked his finger against Matt's chest. “And you not only get to break the news to her, but make arrangements for her to go home. And that little expense can come out of your pocket.”

Matt watched him storm away. He should have known it would be impossible to reason with Jake. The stampede had cost them close to two hundred head, and Matt's injury had put them further behind schedule.

With a heavy heart, he limped gingerly across the camp to where Sam stood beside her horse.

“He said I have to go,” she blurted out.

“Yeah. At the next town.”

She nodded jerkily. He could see her chin quivering.

“He's just repeating what you've been saying ever since you found out I was a girl,” she said.

“It's for the best, Sam.”

“Is it, Matt?” she asked. Her gaze dipped to his leg. “Maybe it is, at that.”

She mounted her horse. “Now that everyone knows I'm a girl, I don't see that you have to shadow my moves anymore. I'll be fine until we get to Baxter Springs.”

He watched her horse canter toward the herd, taking a piece of his heart with her.

 

They were making camp for the night about twenty miles from Baxter Springs. Matt stood at the edge of the camp, near the supply wagon. The mood among the men was somber.

They all knew what he'd be doing tomorrow. Taking Sam to town and making arrangements for her to get back to Texas with some sort of escort.

It came as no surprise to him that his chore didn't sit well with most of the men. It didn't sit well with him, either.

During the war, he'd followed orders even when he
didn't agree with them. He'd marched into battle when he knew the odds were against them winning.

He'd had no say in how they fought or when they fought or where they fought. He'd lost everyone who'd ever mattered to him. Lost everyone of importance, until he'd stopped letting anyone matter.

He'd built a wall of ice around his heart, a cold shell behind which he could retreat. It was easier to dig graves for those he barely knew, easier to listen to the cries of men whose names he didn't recognize.

He'd become hard and callous because it was the only way he thought he could survive. No one mattered.

Until Sam. Sam mattered.

Sam mattered so much that it hurt to see her moping around the camp. It was agony to watch her putting on a show of indifference as she went about whatever meaningless tasks Jake gave her.

But no matter where she was or what she was doing, she haunted Matt.

He was letting her down. Just like he'd disappointed the boys under his command—before he'd become uncaring.

She'd forged ahead and looked for him when it would have been safer to stay behind. She was accepting Jake's sentence of a trip to Baxter Springs because she was one girl against a passel of cowboys.

One girl…with whom he'd fallen in love.

 

Sitting beside the fire, Sam knew that come daylight, her time as a trail hand would end. She didn't want to think about all she had sacrificed, all she was going to give up.

She didn't want to contemplate how disappointed her family would be when she returned empty-handed. Or how disappointed she would be to return with nothing to show for all her hard work.

She hadn't spoken a word to Matt since the morning when he'd told her about Jake's decision. She knew she shouldn't blame him…but if he'd only kept his dang mouth shut, hadn't tried to protect her, she might have had a chance to pull off this deception.

As it was, she had nothing.

Matt continued to ride drag, but Jake had moved her up to point. Not as a reward, but as a punishment. To have her closer, so he could keep an eye on her.

Matt no longer set up his pallet near hers. They no longer shared the night watch. He always found someone to trade with him.

She was grateful; she truly was. But she was also disappointed. Sometimes, she didn't know how she felt about Matt. She longed to talk with him, but it hurt to think of him betraying her.

She glanced up as Jake brought his horse to a halt near the supply wagon. He looked extremely unhappy as he dismounted and strode into the middle of camp.

“Listen up!” he yelled, and all the men moved in closer.

Sam expected that he was going to announce that they had to draw names to determine who was to escort her to town. But she quickly realized his expression was too grave for such an insignificant matter as her trip to town.

“The Kansas farmers are in an uproar over this tick fever that some longhorn cattle carry. Rumors are that they're going to get their rifles and try to stop any cattle crossing into Kansas or Missouri,” Jake said.

Sam glanced around at the men. They were furrowing their brows and tightening their lips into straight lines. Her gaze clashed with Matt's, and she wondered what he was thinking. Was he remembering their kisses, the closeness they'd felt by the river?

“What exactly does that mean, Boss?” Slim asked.

“We've got to move and move fast if we want to get our cattle to Sedalia before these farmers are completely organized and cut off the routes,” he said.

“Sounds like you're gonna need every man to work harder than he has been,” Matt said.

“That's right,” Jake agreed. “We'll leave an hour earlier in the morning, ride two hours later into the evening.”

“You're gonna need every trail hand you have,” Matt said quietly.

A hush fell over the men, and Sam's heart kicked up. She thought she could have heard a leaf landing on the ground as Matt and Jake stared at each other.

Jake finally nodded. “You're right once again. I will. You'll need to hightail it back here as fast as you can once you take Sam to Baxter Springs tomorrow.”

Matt shifted his gaze to her. His eyes held a sadness that she didn't know how to interpret. He turned his attention back to Jake.

“I'm not taking Sam to Baxter Springs.”

“You're the one who hired her. You're the one who gets to escort her out of here.”

“I hired her and I'm damned glad that I did. She's a first-rate trail hand, Jake, and you know it,” Matt said. “She's never shirked her responsibilities to us, even when we've shrugged off ours to her. She's crossed rivers when she was terrified, fought prairie fires when she knew it was safer to stay behind—when she was
ordered
to stay behind. She's tended our wounds, and continued to help out even when she knows she won't be paid.”

Sam's chest tightened with his announcement, and more, with the realization that he was acknowledging the work she'd done for the outfit.

Jake shook his head. “I'm aware of everything she's done. But the dangers of armed farmers and moving the cattle fast is too much of a risk for her and for us. I'm not willing to risk having a girl in the outfit.”

“Then I reckon you won't have me either,” Matt said quietly.

Sam was on the verge of protesting when someone said, “Or me.”

“Or me,” Slim said.

“Or me,” Squirrel announced.

“Or me,” Jeb and Jed said at the same time.

One by one, the other cowboys voiced their support of her, each stepping back until Jake stood alone in the center of the camp.

Jake swept his hat from his head. “Look, fellas, I appreciate how you all feel about Sam, but if you leave now, you won't get paid.”

“I reckon I'm not getting paid, either,” Cookie said, “since I'll be leaving as well.”

In her short stint as a trail hand, Sam had learned that the one man almost as important as the trail boss—and some would argue, more important—was the cook.

Tears stung her eyes as she thought of all they were willing to give up for her. “You fellas don't have to do this for me.”

“Why not, Sam? Wouldn't you do the same for one of us?” Matt asked.

Of course she would, and he knew it.

She met and held Jake's gaze. “You told me never to lie to you again, so I'm going to tell you the honest-to-gosh truth. If I didn't think I could contribute to the outfit, you wouldn't have to escort me to Baxter Springs. I'd go on my own. But Mr. Vaughn, I honestly believe I can help you get
these cattle to Sedalia before the trouble starts.”

“I've never had a problem with your work, Sam,” Jake said. “If you were a boy—”

“It wouldn't make a difference,” she interrupted.

“Maybe you're right,” he conceded. “I do know I can't get the cattle moving if I don't have a crew. Since these cowpunchers seem to be as loyal to you as you are to them…I reckon you can stay.”

The cowboys tossed their hats in the air as their yells echoed around her. Sam blinked back her tears of joy. It wouldn't do for a trail hand to cry.

And that's what they were all acknowledging that she was at long last. A trail hand.

Faithful, Texas
Six weeks later

Samantha sank into the hot water that lapped against the sides of the wooden tub. The steam tickled her nose and the heat eased the ache in her weary body. She'd arrived home less than an hour ago and immediately doled out her presents.

A new dress for Amy. Broad-brimmed hats for Nate and Benjamin. A locket for her mother.

But the best gift of all had been the note from Mr. Thomas at the general store, saying their debt had been paid in full. With all her purchases, Samantha still had money left over to give to her mother. Money that would help get them through the coming autumn and winter.

It had taken the herd three weeks to get to Sedalia. She'd watched as they'd counted and loaded the cattle onto boxcars. She'd hardly been able to believe that her days as a trail hand had come to an end.

Returning to Faithful had gone much more quickly because their journey hadn't been hampered by the slow-moving steers.

Some of the cowboys had gone their own way after Sedalia, but her favorites had traveled back to Texas: Matt, Slim, Squirrel, Jed, and Jeb. Jake and Cookie had been with them as well, intent on returning to the Broken Heart ranch.

She was having a difficult time believing that she was home. It appeared her mother was as well. With the hem of her apron, she kept wiping the tears from her eyes.

“It shouldn't have been you who had to provide for us,” her mother rasped, clutching the pouch that held what was left from the hundred dollars.

Through half-lowered lashes, Samantha peered at her mother. “Ma, I wanted to do it.”

“You seem so much older, hardly like my little girl anymore.”

“I reckon I grew up some.” Using the scented soap she'd purchased from the general store, she began washing the weeks of grime from her body. “It was an adventure, Ma.”

“You always did want to go on an adventure,” her mother reminded her.

Samantha smiled. “And I'll tell my grandchildren about this one.”

Her mother picked up the pile of filthy clothes in the corner. “I think these should be burned.”

“I'm looking forward to putting on a dress again. Looking like a girl,” Samantha admitted.

“There's a dance in town tonight. I reckon Amy's going to want to wear her new dress,” her mother said.

“Reckon I'll wear mine as well.”

“I'll leave you to finish getting ready.” Her mother pressed a kiss to the top of Samantha's head. “It's so good to have you home again.”

After her mother left the room, Samantha leaned her head back against the tub and closed her eyes. She didn't really want to go to the dance. The only fella she wanted to dance with was headed toward his home somewhere south of hers.

Matt had stood up for her outside Baxter Springs. But once she'd been accepted as a true member of the group, he'd treated her more like she was a boy than he had in the days before. Kinda like a younger brother—if he paid any attention to her at all.

He'd never again kissed her. She could only assume the last kiss he'd bestowed upon her had been fever induced. Maybe he'd been delirious. Even after they'd delivered the cattle to Sedalia and she'd held the hundred dollars in her hand, he'd been aloof.

He'd been polite when he'd said good-bye to her that morning, but he'd left her with no promises. Only memories.

Memories of her first trail drive, her first kiss…her first love.

 

With her family in tow, Samantha walked inside the schoolhouse. She'd spotted all the desks outside as Benjamin had pulled their wagon alongside the others. They always used the one-room school for gatherings. On the teacher's raised dais, Mr. Thomas from the general store was tuning his fiddle.

Lanterns hung from walls, casting pale light into the room. She saw her best friend standing in a corner. “Ma, I'm going to go visit with Mary Margaret.”

Her mother smiled softly. “Reckon I can let you out of my sight for a little while tonight.”

Samantha hurried across the room and threw her arms around Mary Margaret. With a squeal, her friend hugged her tightly.

“You're finally home!” Mary Margaret leaned back. “For pity's sake, Samantha Jane, I can't believe you didn't tell me about this wild scheme of yours.”

“There wasn't much time for telling anyone anything.” Besides, Samantha had been afraid that somehow the word of her plan would make its way to the trail boss before she'd ever begun the journey. And her cattle days would have come to an abrupt end.

“What was it like being with all those…those
men…all those weeks?” Mary Margaret asked. She was raised up on her toes as though she expected Samantha's answer to send her into flight.

“It was hard at first,” Samantha admitted. “Trying to make sure that they didn't figure out that I wasn't a boy.”

“And once they figured it out?”

“They treated me like they had all along—like one of the fellas.”

“For pity's sake, Samantha.” With a dramatic sigh, Mary Margaret pressed her hand above her breast. “I'm on the verge of swooning at the very thought of you being in the company of men by your lonesome for so long. I want to know all the details.”

One day she'd share with Mary Margaret the details regarding Matt, but tonight was too soon. She wanted to savor the memories, hold them close to her heart, and for a while longer, keep them only to herself.

“For the most part, I just trailed along behind the cattle,” Samantha said.

“Did the men toss out any profanity?”

“Not that I recall.” Oh, they'd grumbled and grouched, but then, so had she from time to time.

“Did they imbibe any alcohol?” Mary Margaret asked eagerly.

“I doubt it. You have to stay alert. A man could get killed if anyone was careless.”

“You must have been terrified,” Mary Margaret said.

Sam shrugged. “A couple of times. Mostly I was just so grateful to feel useful. To know that I was doing my share, pulling my weight.”

“It doesn't sound like any great adventure at all,” Mary Margaret said.

Within her heart, though, it had been a wonderful adventure.

Mary Margaret squeezed Samantha's hand. “Can you believe we're having our first dance? I'm so glad you're here to share the night with me. I'm hoping some fella will sweep me right off my feet.”

“Maybe Benjamin will ask you to dance.”

Mary Margaret slapped her hand at the air. “Oh, I've given up on Benjamin.” Suddenly, she grabbed Samantha's arm and jerked her closer. “Oh, my gosh, Samantha. Ain't he a long drink of water?”

Samantha glanced over her shoulder and her heart skipped a beat. No one else but Matt was hovering in the doorway. And Gawd almighty, did he look good. He'd obviously bathed, shaved, and cut his hair. He was wearing clean clothes. No, she realized. They were more than clean—they were brand-spanking new. His boots were polished to a shine.

She thought he was gone, on his way home. What in the world was he doing here?

She knew the moment he spotted her. A slow, lazy smile spread over his face.

“He has to be the most handsome fella I've ever seen,” Mary Margaret whispered.

Oh, yes
, Samantha thought. He surely was. Her heart thundered against her ribs and her mouth grew dry. With his gaze trained intently on her, he strode confidently across the room until he reached her.

“Hello, Samantha Jane,” he said in a slow, sensual drawl.

“I thought you'd gone on.” She was surprised to discover that she sounded breathless.

His grin grew. “You know how cowboys are. We wouldn't dream of missing a dance.”

Mary Margaret tugged on her arm to gain her attention. She knew her friend wanted an introduction. “Matt, this is my best friend. Mary Margaret.”

“Pleasure. There's a few fellas coming through the door behind me who would be right honored to dance with you,” he told her.

Mary Margaret's face brightened. “Well, then I'll go introduce myself.”

She gave Samantha a speculative look before heading across the room where Slim, Squirrel, Jed, and Jeb were standing near the entrance. Samantha could see them making hasty introductions and she figured Mary Margaret
would be dancing all night.

As for her…“Matt, what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you. To explain why I stayed away from you after the stampede.” He rubbed the side of his nose. “Jake told me that if he caught me kissing you or even looking at you like I wanted to…he'd take you back to Baxter Springs himself and put you on a stagecoach. I swore to him that I'd leave you be until I delivered you safely home.”

Warmth swirled through her. “Why didn't you tell me? I thought you were still upset with me!”

“His orders were no talking whatsoever. I was perched precariously on his bad side. I didn't want to risk tumbling off and cause you to lose your opportunity to earn that hundred dollars. The past six weeks have been the hardest of my life, Sam, not being able to let you know how I feel.”

Her breath caught. “How is that, Matt?”

“I marched off to war when I was fourteen…and I stopped letting myself care about anyone…until you.”

The fiddle started to send a lonesome melody around the room.

“‘Nobody's Darlin','” Samantha whispered.

“You're somebody's darlin'. Dance with me, Samantha,” Matt said as he wrapped his hand around hers.

His hand felt familiar in hers as he led her onto the
dance area, and she was reminded of the night they'd gone to scout out the river.

He took her in his arms and began to waltz. He held her so closely that his thighs brushed against hers.

She held his blue-eyed gaze as they moved in rhythm with the strains of the music. What an incredible journey they'd taken together. All because of a notice tacked on the wall of the general store and her determination to earn the money it offered.

“Are you going to continue to herd cattle?” she asked, hoping he might and that he might also come this way again.

He grinned. “Reckon I will, since it was my father's herd we were driving to market.”

She widened her eyes. “That was your herd?”

“My father's. I was nothing more than a hired hand this trip. I was supposed to learn from Jake. Maybe I'll take my own herd up next year. We've got plenty of cattle left back at the ranch.”

“That's the reason you felt such a responsibility toward me. Why you tried to protect me—”

“Maybe in the beginning, but over time, as I came to know you…” His voice trailed off, and an emotion both warm and inviting touched his eyes. “Take a walk with me.”

Holding her hand, he led her out of the schoolhouse into the night. Light spilled from the windows, guiding
their way until they stood beneath the spreading boughs of an ancient tree.

Limned by moonlight, he bracketed her face between his hands. “The truth is, Samantha, I was scared.”

“Scared? Of what?”

“When I thought you were a boy, I was afraid I'd let you down like I had so many others during the war. I followed orders, Sam. Always. Even when I didn't agree with them. When the commanding officers ordered me to lead my unit into battle, I did. When I was ordered to advance, I did. Even when I thought retreat would have been better. A lot of boys died. I didn't want you to die.

“And when I found out you were a girl…when Jake ordered me to take you to Baxter Springs…I couldn't do it because I knew it was wrong—like so many of those orders I followed during the war. It felt good to disobey an order and to know I was right in doing it.”

“I'm so glad you did, Matt. You should have seen my ma's face when I gave her that money.”

“I didn't have to see her face, Sam. I saw yours…when we arrived in Sedalia and Jake handed you a hundred dollars. The look on your face made every mile worth it.”

Reaching up, she touched his beloved face. “I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you, Matt, for having to lie.”

“Don't be sorry, Sam. You not only turned out to be a good cowboy, but the girl I came to love.”

He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her tenderly. Six weeks of passion tethered and slowly released. As though they had all night. Or perhaps the rest of their lives.

And Samantha realized that more than a cattle trail, she'd followed her heart's trail.