Claiming the Cowboy's Heart

Linette joined her husband and changed the dressing. “It’s not bleeding but I believe a couple more days rest would be in your best interest.”

“Thanks. But I have to get going.”

“We’ll leave you to get dressed, then.” Eddie handed him his saddlebags. “I believe your other things are waiting for you downstairs.”

“Please join us for breakfast,” Linette added. “Turn right at the bottom of the stairs and the kitchen is at the end of the hall.”

“Thanks.” He waited until they left the room before he threw back the covers and sat on the edge of the bed. A stark-white dressing covered his wound and would keep it clean until he reached Corncrib. He pulled on his dark gray trousers, and his black-and-white-striped shirt. Putting weight on his leg caused his wound to protest but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t ignore. He tugged on his boots, pulled a comb from his supplies and ran it through his hair then stood tall. There. He felt like a man again. He slung his saddlebags over his shoulder and left the room.

The stairs were wide and led down to a big door that stood open, allowing a cool breeze to blow through the screen. This was the door he had stumbled through with Eddie’s help yesterday. So much had happened since then that it seemed more like a week ago.

He paused at the bottom of the stairs to stare at the view. The house overlooked the neat ranch buildings he’d noticed yesterday. Several cowboys crossed toward the nearest two-story house. He gave it all a quick study then lifted his gaze. The view of the mountains caught at his breath. They were gleaming with the morning sun. So big and majestic. So powerful. The words of one of Ma’s oft-repeated verses entered his mind. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Ma had been devastated by Frank’s death but in spite of it, Seth suddenly realized, she’d remained serene. He hadn’t been able to understand. Was it because of her faith?

A faith he shared but to a lesser degree. He wasn’t sure God would lend a hand if Seth needed it. He’d called God’s name several times when trying to rescue Frank. Where was God then? Or was he blaming God for an individual’s own choice? Was not the individual responsible for the outcome? These were oft-repeated questions to which he could never find a satisfactory answer.

He turned to his right and strode down the hall. As he passed a room, he glanced inside at the bookshelves filled with books, a large mahogany desk and an oversize black armchair, plus some very nice paintings. One seemed to be a perfect replica of the mountain scene he’d admired seconds ago.

To his left, he glimpsed a formal-looking dining room that had an empty, unused look. Then he reached the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Jayne said, smiling cheerfully as he entered. She was probably eager to see him gone. After all, he was a constant reminder that her shooting had been a failure.

She should be happy he was only slightly injured because of her foolish activity. She might have left a body on the trail. His body. Then who would take care of Pa? Maybe God had been protecting all of them—Jayne, Seth and Pa. He’d study the thought more closely when he had the time.

The room was large, dominated by a big table. To one side were cupboards and a stove, and on the east side, the rising sun shone through the generous windows.

The others greeted him. Linette held a small boy before her. “This is Grady. Grady, say hello to Mr. Collins.” The boy held a half-grown gray kitten.

Seth squatted down to the boy’s level, ignoring the pain in his leg. “Pleased to meet you, Grady. And what’s this fine fellow’s name?” He scratched behind the cat’s ears earning him a loud purr.

“This is Smokey. He’s a good cat. He never fights with the other cats. Not like Snowball. Snowball is always fighting. He’s got a torn ear ’cause he fights too much.”

“Why, it sounds like Smokey is a very smart cat.” The animal pushed against Seth’s hand, begging for more attention.

“He is. He can climb a tree faster than anybody and he eats slow, like a gentleman.”

“A fine cat, indeed. I expect he’s good company for you.” He straightened to ease the pain in his leg.

“Yup. But my best friend is Billy. He lives down the hill with Daisy and Pansy and Neil and his new ma and pa, Cassie and Roper. Mr. and Mrs. Jones,” he corrected as Linette opened her mouth. No doubt she meant to tell him he shouldn’t call adults by their first names.

Seth’s eyebrows peaked. “Wow. That sounds like a real good story.”

Linette gave her son a gentle shove toward the door. “Put Smokey outside and wash up for breakfast. Seth, have a chair.” She indicated one next to Jayne.

He sat. Feeling Mercy and Sybil’s gazes on him, he lifted his head to give them each an inquisitive look. “Did you want something?” he asked.

Sybil shook her head.

Mercy leaned forward. “We were wondering how you would explain your—” she tipped her head toward his leg beneath the table “—gunshot wound. Jayne doesn’t think you’ll admit to your friends that a woman shot you.”

He turned toward Jayne.

Her brown eyes flashed a teasing challenge. “They might wonder why you let a woman outshoot you,” she said.

He practically choked. “Outshoot? I don’t think I’d explain it like that. What I’ll say if anyone asks is that I got hit by a stray bullet.”

Eddie cleared his throat. “There’ll be no more stray bullets. Jayne, I forbid you to continue this foolish endeavor.”

She bristled like a cat stroked the wrong way. She ducked her head and stared at her plate but her lips pressed together in protest.

Eddie was right about it being foolish but hearing it from the other man’s lips made Seth want to protest. Why didn’t he teach his sister what she needed to know? It would surely make it safer for everyone on the ranch. He guessed from Jayne’s expression that she had no intention of abandoning her plan, despite her brother’s direct order.

“Would you ask the blessing, dear?” Linette said, ending the tension between brother and sister.

Eddie prayed and then food was passed around. Fried pork and eggs, fried potatoes, fresh biscuits and syrup and plenty of milk.

Seth helped himself. “I heard you were a good cook, Mrs. Gardiner. This certainly proves it.”

“Thank you. The girls are learning to cook, too. If you were around longer, you would get a chance to evaluate their progress.”

He pretended a great deal of shock. “I hope their cooking lessons aren’t as deadly as their shooting lessons.”

Beside him Jayne choked. He had the pleasure of patting her on the back. At first, he got a bit of satisfaction out of her discomfort but after the second pat, he had an urge to pull her into his arms, rub her back and assure her she would be safe because he would personally see to it. Instead, he dropped his hands to his lap. He didn’t need one more person in his life to be responsible for.

After she stopped coughing and wiped her eyes, she turned and gave him a look fit to cure leather. “I could have choked to death.”

He felt suddenly remorseful. “I’m sorry. It was a careless remark.”

She nodded. “Then consider us even. I didn’t mean to hurt you even as you didn’t mean to hurt me.”

He wondered if she referred to the choking incident or the words he’d spoken the previous day. But it didn’t matter which. He was leaving today and would prefer to go with no ill feelings left behind. He nodded. “Agreed.”

Conversation around the table turned to more general things—plans for the day, who was going where, what needed to be done.

His nerves tensed when Eddie asked Jayne what her plans were.

“I wanted to explore a bit more.”

Seth relaxed. It sounded like a safe activity. He’d be in no mortal danger as he rode away. And may God have mercy on any strangers riding nearby if Jayne meant to continue with her plans.

Again he wondered why Eddie didn’t simply give her a few lessons. Surely that would soon satisfy her.

When the meal ended, Eddie pushed from the table. Seth pushed back, too.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll be on my way now.”

Linette favored him with a sweet smile. “We understand but you’re always welcome at Eden Valley Ranch.”

That’s when he recognized the name Gardiner. Eddie Gardiner and his wife were well spoken of in the western ranches. “I’ve heard of this place.”