Texas Bluff

She wrapped her arms around her waist, feeling that pain of long ago when she’d heard Luke had sailed his Mustang into the Medina River. She’d waited at the hospital until Henry, Lucy and Hank had left, then she’d slipped into Luke’s room. Heavily drugged, he’d been completely out. Her heart had contracted at the bandages on his head, arms and legs. Sitting by his bedside, she’d wondered what she was going to say if he woke up.

But he’d never moved. That morning when he’d begun to stir, she’d quickly left. She’d met Lucy in the hall, but Becky had hurried past her, unable to handle a conversation.

I was there, Luke.

CHAPTER THREE

LUKE RODE COCHISE HARD, his thoughts driving him. How could she believe those things? Had they been in two different relationships? This was it. He was through apologizing to Becky.

When he saw the sheriff checking the four wheeler, Luke pulled up and dismounted. In his present mood, he was ready to take on the sheriff and anyone else who got in his face.

The sheriff beat at the fender with a hammer, trying to pry it away from the tire.

“Need any help?” Luke shocked himself by asking. And his anger subsided as quickly as Becky had ignited it.

The sheriff looked up; his eyebrows knotted together like a frayed rope. “Nope. Just getting the wheeler ready to load.” Two ramps were positioned on the bed of his truck.

Luke tied Cochise’s reins to a tree limb. “Would you like me to ride it onto the truck?”

From the steely glint of the sheriff’s eyes, Luke thought he was going to refuse, but he replied, “Sure. Help yourself.”

Luke straddled the wheeler and turned the key. It spit and sputtered then roared to life. He drove it around then guided it up the steep ramps onto the truck. After killing the motor, he jumped to the ground.

“Thanks. I appreciate the help.” The sheriff shoved the ramps inside the bed.

“Mr. Parker.”

“Hmm?”

“They’re installing a new fence through here in a couple of days. You might want to warn Shane.”

“Don’t worry. The boy won’t be riding on Chisum land again.”

“That’s no problem.”

The sheriff slammed shut the tailgate with a deafening boom. Then there was absolute silence. A deer shot out of the mesquite bushes and quickly disappeared. An armadillo rooted in the leaves before scurrying away. A squirrel darted up a tree. From the strong negative vibes coming from the sheriff, a sane man would follow nature and leave, too.

But Luke had something to say. “Sheriff.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry I hurt Becky.” Since Becky wouldn’t listen to him, he thought he’d tell the man whose respect he’d like to have. “Back then I really loved her.”

The sheriff removed his hat and scratched his balding head. “Chisum, you hurt my girl and if you’re looking for sympathy from me, you’re not going to get it. Besides, it happened a long time ago. It’s time for both of you to move on.”

“Yes, sir.” Luke finally believed that.

The sheriff jammed his hat onto his head. “But I’ll tell you one thing, Chisum—you hurt my girl again and this time I will kill you.”

Luke nodded, believing that, too.

The old truck rattled out of sight and Luke grabbed Cochise’s reins. He swung into the saddle, then galloped toward home. Before reaching the big house, he pulled up and breathed in the fresh evening breeze, slightly tinged with the scent of cypress, cow manure and dust.

He was home, but he’d never felt more alone.

LUKE DIDN’T SLEEP MUCH. In the military for so many years, he had never slept soundly. He was hoping that would change once he returned to civilian life. So far it hadn’t. He was down early for breakfast.

Hap sat at the table stuffing bacon and eggs into his mouth.

Clover stood at the stove. “You don’t need to be playing poker with those young boys. They’ll take all your money.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, woman. We ain’t married,” Hap replied around a mouthful of food.

Luke poured a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter. “Why haven’t you two ever gotten married?”

“Are you kiddin’?” Hap gulped a swallow of coffee.

“Why would I want to marry him?” Clover thumbed in Hap’s direction. “He has no manners, tracks dirt into the house and talks with his mouth full. He eats like a pig and has no common sense. I’d kill him within a week.”

“Like you’re a Wal-Mart bargain. You nag every moment of every hour of every day. If I were married to you, I’d be begging for someone to shoot me.”

Clover pointed a spatula at him. “I’ll remember that when you want food again.”

Without another word, Hap took his plate to the sink. When he turned around, he pinched Clover on her butt and she swatted him with the spatula.

“I’m serious, Hap. We promised Sister Mary Margaret we’d help with the fundraiser at the orphanage and you’re not losing your money playing poker.”

“Don’t worry, Clo,” Luke said. “He’s a pretty good player. He might win some money.”

Hap winked, grabbed his hat and moseyed out.

Clover placed her hands on her hips. “Now that’s just encouraging him.”

Luke took a sip of coffee. “Clo, we don’t try to break anyone. We just have fun.”

“Hap’s too old to have fun.”

Luke suppressed a smile as he sat at the table. Hank walked in with his usual scowl, followed by their parents. His dad was dressed. This was a surprise.

Henry plopped into a chair. “I want oatmeal, Lucy.”

“Yes, dear.” His mother sounded tired. Or maybe just fed up. Luke watched her. Her jeans and shirt hung on her and her blondish-gray hair was combed back. She never took time to fix it anymore.

“Is the heifer sale all set?” Henry asked.

“Yes, Pa,” Hank replied. “Everything is set for the first week in April as always.”

“You have invitations ready to send to all the buyers?”