The Circle Eight: Tobias (25 page)

“All of you are going to hang.” James gave each of them a flinty-eyed stare. “You rustled cattle and that’s a hanging offense.
 

Bekins paled. “I ain’t done nothing wrong. It was all them two.”
 

“You pussy.” Travers snarled. “Ain’t you got a set of balls between them legs?”
 

“I ain’t gonna hang for you, Travers.” Bekins turned to Tobias. “I didn’t want to hurt your brother. He poked his nose in and we was told to make sure he had an accident.”
 

“Fucking bastard!” Travers yanked against the ropes but the hitching ring held firm in the wood.
 

“Shut up, you idiot!” Johnston spat at Bekins. “They don’t know nothing.”
 

“We know you were rustling cattle.” James had an edge of restrained fury in his stance. “We know you tried to kill Will because he found out about it. We know you tried to kill Tobias because he heard you talking about it.”
 

“That’s enough for a hanging.” Matt leaned against the stall door. “Any lawman would agree with us. Besides, my brother was a Ranger. We’re untouchable.”
 

Sweat ran down Bekins’s face. “I ain’t a rustler. I did what I was told. They did the stealing. I made sure there wasn’t anybody around.”
 

“Idiot!” Travers resembled a rabid dog with spittle flying from his mouth. “Liar!”
 

“Who’s your boss? Travers?” James leaned in, his expression grim.
 

“I ain’t no boss. I ain’t no rustler.” Travers’s voice had started to grow hoarse from all his shouting.
 

“No, it ain’t him. It’s Donovan.” Bekins looked ready to piss his britches.
 

Tobias took a moment to absorb what he said. “Donovan is rustling his own beeves? That don’t make sense.”
 

James straightened and he turned to look at Tobias. “He ain’t wrestling his own. He’s rustling other rancher’s beeves and rebranding ’em.” He pointed one finger at Bekins’s trembling form. “Isn’t he?”
 

“Yes, I didn’t wanna do it but I gotta send money to my mama. She ain’t got nobody else.” Tears streamed down Bekins’s face. “I can’t hang or she’ll starve.”
 

Tobias felt the pinch of pity for the man, but he shoved it aside. These three were attempted murderers. They had piled crime on top of crime and they damn well deserved to be punished.
 

“We wait for Caleb to return with the Rangers. Your punishment isn’t ours to give no matter how much we want it.” Matt gestured to the door. “Everybody out for now. Ben can keep an eye on them.”
 

Tobias wanted to argue, but he knew if he stayed, or James did, one of the men might not make it until morning. Travers sneered at him and Tobias’s temper flared. Instead of jumping on the bastard like he wanted to, Tobias punched him on the chin. It hurt like hell on his already-broken knuckles, but damned if Travers didn’t fall unconscious.
 

Satisfaction crept through Tobias and his brother nodded. “Shit, I wanted to do that.”
 

Ben stepped between Tobias and Travers. “That’s enough.” His voice was as deep as his brother’s, his shoulders as wide, eyes as blue-green but he stood apart from his family. He had a darkness about him the others didn’t share.
 

“It felt damn good though.” Tobias left the stall with James on his heels. Matt was right behind them.
 

“I would’ve punched all three of them.” The eldest Graham patted Tobias on the shoulder.
 

Although he wasn’t friends with Matt, Tobias appreciated the words and the sentiment. The Circle Eight was different but the same. He didn’t feel at home but he no longer needed to keep one hand on his pistol and the other in a fist.
 

Tobias had one thing on his mind now that they’d found Will safe and sound. Rebecca. He’d told her everything in his heart, but she hadn’t responded. He hoped it was because she didn’t have time and not because she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
 

He headed for the house, determined to convince the woman he loved to give him the third chance he didn’t deserve.
 

Chapter Twelve
 

Rebecca washed and wiped her tools while she waited for the men to return from the barn. Will was busy writing letters on a slate, wiping them off, then writing again. He was fascinated by it. He was full of tortillas and milk, his eyelids drooping.
 

Hannah wiped her hands on her apron. “Why don’t you lay down for a nap, Will?” She looked at Rebecca for approval.
 

“That’s a wonderful idea, Will. You can rest up for supper.” She was grateful for her sister-in-law for stepping in.
 

“Do you have a pillow and blanket?” Will got to his feet, still clutching the chalk and slate.
 

“I do and they’re clean, waiting for a handsome young man like you to use them.” She led him out of the kitchen and down the hall to the room Nick used to sleep in. With only Catherine left in the house, Matt and Hannah had given their children most of the rooms. There was usually one free for a guest though. Ben slept in the barn in a room he’d constructed off the back righthand side of the building. Far from the rest of the family and on the other side from the smithy Aurora ran. Ben preferred his privacy.
 

Rebecca continued with her work. Her precious stethoscope was shiny from the buffing she’d given it. As she carefully placed everything back in her well-maintained medical bag, she heard boots on the front porch.
 

Her gaze met Eva’s and one dark brow went up. “
¿Tu amor?
”
 

“I hope so.” She buttoned the toggle and placed the bag on the floor near the door. Nervous and acting foolish, she scooted back to the table and sat down with a teeth clacking thump just as the door opened.
 

Nick walked in and looked at her. Her middle brother had changed so much since he’d married Winnie. The previously sad man had found joy and love in his life. He was a devoted father and husband who would do anything for his family.
 

“You sure about this one?” He waited while she got to her feet.
 

“What happened?” Her stomach twisted and she hoped Tobias hadn’t been hurt or worse.
 

“Not much. Those three are tied up and Ben’s watching them.” He took her hand. “He walks a tight line though, Bec. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
 

She squeezed his callused fingers. “Life is a risk. Where would you be if you didn’t take one with Winnie?”
 

“Damn you were always too smart for your own good.” He shook his head. “Don’t be afraid to change your mind. You know we’re always here for you. Our brand is an eight turned sideways. Pa always said it was infinity.”
 

She laughed. “Some days I am sideways.”
 

“Me too, but I wouldn’t trade a second of it.” He kissed her forehead. “Be careful, Bec.”
 

He walked over to Eva and Rebecca watched Matt walk in, followed by Tobias and James. Her heart leapt toward her throat as her love smiled at her. This smile lit up his face, a genuine expression that reached his eyes. Tobias had changed since she’d seen him in April. He was no longer the scraggly drunken shell of a man.
 

Now he was the man she hoped to marry, to make more babies with, to fall asleep beside every night and wake up with every morning for the rest of her life. She didn’t know how her love would grow with each time she saw him, but it did. It filled her heart and soul to bursting until she thought she could take no more, and then there was room. More than she could fathom.
 

Nervous energy flooded her. “Anyone else need medical attention? I need to get back to Briar Creek.”
 

She had no idea why or how those words tumbled from her mouth, but they did. Tobias’s face fell. He stayed by the door, his gaze on his boots.
 

Eva frowned at her. “You stay for supper,
hija
.”
 

Unwelcome panic lanced her. “I can’t. I left hours ago and Doctor Radicy can’t see too many patients. I-I need to get back.”
 

“I can escort you back, Doc.” His voice was flat and she’d been the cause of it. What was wrong with her? He’d told her he loved her, nearly asked her to marry him. It was what she’d wanted for five years. Why was she scared now?
 

Damn it.
 

“You need to stay and talk to the Rangers.” Matt, bless his heart, was trying to protect her. She only needed protection from her own stupidity.
 

Why was she so nervous? Tobias had been nothing but a gentleman and had pledged his heart to her. He’d bared his soul. And she did something stupid like make him feel unwanted and unloved. It wasn’t true but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
 

“I can do that. I was there too.” James saved Rebecca from losing her chance with his brother.
 

Matt’s mouth twisted. He looked at her, waiting.
 

“I’d appreciate an escort. I’ll go saddle Ocho.” She stepped toward the door, toward Tobias.
 

He held up his hand. “I can saddle that ornery cuss. You say your goodbyes and meet me at the barn.” With that, Tobias ducked out the door.
 

Eva mumbled under her breath in Spanish, likely calling Rebecca ten times a fool. Deservedly so.
 

“Where’s Will?” James took off his hat and ran a hand through his dark hair.
 

“Napping. He’s been through so much. Hannah helped him get settled.” She pointed down the hallway. “He’s there if you’d like to sit with him.”
 

“Thanks, Doc. Your blonde sister isn’t down there, is she?” James glanced in both directions as if Catherine would pop out from behind something like a specter.
 

“No, she’s working the yearlings in the northwest corral.” Matt frowned. “She bothering you?”
 

“No, just didn’t want to intrude.” James nodded at Eva and Matt then headed down the hallway. His question and his response made no sense. He likely felt out of place at the Circle Eight.
 

Rebecca understood that. She didn’t belong at the ranch anymore. She’d made her home in town and being at the ranch made her feel out of place. Another ridiculous emotion. She didn’t used to feel any of this, but after the reconnection with Tobias in the spring, things had changed.
 

She had changed.
 

Her life plan had been set and then Tobias had upended it. She hadn’t expected to see him again and to experience the darkness she had suffered through five years earlier once again. Her secret had festered inside her and now that she had spoken of it, her initial relief had turned to something else. Rebecca didn’t know how she felt but it wasn’t good.
 

She hugged Eva and Matt, then picked up her bag.
 

“Instead of me coming to you, I think you come back for dinner on Sunday.” Eva put her hands on her round hips. “No excuses,
hija
.”
 

“I’ll try, Eva. If patients need me, I have to stay in town.” It was an excuse and both of them knew it.
 

“
Hija
, you have to let yourself be happy.” Eva cupped her cheeks.
 

Rebecca’s eyes pricked with unexpected tears. “I love you too, Eva.” She yanked open the door and left before she cried again. The emotions of the day had drained her. Perhaps what she needed was a good night’s sleep.
 

With that lie echoing in her ears, she left the house. The next hour would be difficult to ride back to Briar Creek with Tobias considering how she was acting. She’d definitely hurt his feelings and had no excuse.
 

Rebecca wanted to shout at the sky and beat on her chest until the pain inside her subsided. How could she be feeling such things now? It had been five years since she lost Abigail. Time should have given her peace. It hadn’t. And now telling Tobias and her family had ripped the scab off a never healed wound.
 

Catherine came out of the barn, dirt smeared on her cheeks, her hair matted to her head. The youngest sister was gifted with horses and she was in charge of the young ones, training them to perfection. She smiled at Rebecca.
 

“I didn’t know you were here!” She hugged Rebecca and shared her fragrance.
 

“You stink, Cat.” Rebecca pushed back. “I hope you’re planning to wash before you go inside.”
 

“It’s good to see you too.” Catherine ran her fingers through her sweaty hair and speared Rebecca with a scowl. “You haven’t been here in a month.”
 

“I’m sorry.” She hugged her sister with more enthusiasm. “It’s been a long day. Matt can tell you the story.”
 

Cat cocked her head. “Are you all right?”
 

Rebecca’s throat closed. As the youngest girls, they were the closest sisters growing up. Now she rarely saw Cat and Rebecca hadn’t realized how much she missed her. “No, but I will be.”
 

“Anybody I need to punch? Or possibly shoot?” Cat’s gaze narrowed.
 

Somehow a laugh bubbled up and out of Rebecca. She hugged her sister again. “I’ve missed you.”
 

“You are a doctor now, Bec. That’s where you need to be, not here with the horses and cattle. Your path isn’t on this ranch, but you will always be part of it.” Cat’s wise words soothed Rebecca’s anxiety.
 

“How did you get to be so smart?” Rebecca smiled.
 

Cat shrugged. “It ain’t from menfolk, that much I can tell you. I’m still annoyed at that James fella for being so rude. Glad he’s not with you so I don’t have to see him again.”