“Not a lick ’til you showed up.” The former buffalo soldier chuckled, his grin wide as he circled his mount behind them.
A tinge of pink colored Josephine’s cheeks.
Matt scowled a reprimand at Brooks as he passed. Jonah swallowed the sound of his laughter, but his shoulders kept right on shaking, making his opinion on women in the ranks abundantly clear.
Not that Matt could argue the point. Josephine had already proven a distraction. The sooner the other Horsemen heard her out and made a decision, the better. Once she was back in Purgatory Springs, he’d regain full use of his wits and could take care of business. He’d deliver the kid to his sister, then be on his way. Free of entanglements. He might have a few new regrets to add to the sack he carried, but better to take ’em on when they were small than to let them grow to a size that could break him later.
“Ignore him,” Matt groused as he moved Phineas to block her view of Sergeant Brooks and his shaking shoulders. “The others are waiting.”
She didn’t quite meet his gaze, but she nodded and nudged her mount into a trot.
Ten minutes later, Preach was waving them over to a small stream a hundred yards or so from the road. He meandered out to meet them, squinting and craning his neck as he tried to discern the identity of their guest. “Is that . . . Dr. Jo?”
Josephine drew her mount to a halt and pushed the too-large hat higher on her head. “Mr. Davenport,” she said in acknowledgment.
Luke raised a brow. “You come all the way out here to check on Wallace?” He glanced over his shoulder to where Mark had pushed to his feet from sitting with his back against a tree. “The kid’s a little cranky, but I checked his arm when we stopped, and it seems to be holdin’ up just fine.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Josephine said, “but I’m not here as a doctor today. I’m here as a client.” Her gaze swept over each man in turn. “I want to hire the Horsemen.”
Matt tried to gauge Luke’s reaction, but the big man gave little away beyond a small start of surprise.
“Well, then. I guess we better get you down from there so we can have ourselves a powwow.” Preach strode forward and reached for her, but she waved off his assistance.
“Thank you, but I can manage.” And she did, her feet coming to rest on the ground in a smooth, controlled motion even with the stirrups shortened to accommodate her smaller stature.
Matt grinned in appreciation. Not only because she knew her way around a horse, but because Preach’s hands weren’t locked on her waist right now. He trusted the corporal with his life, but that didn’t mean he wanted his friend’s hands on his woman.
His woman?
Matt’s abdomen clenched. Where had that thought come from? Hadn’t he just resolved to conclude their business and get her firmly out of his life as soon as possible?
Good grief, Hanger. Get your head on straight.
“Dr. Burkett, what a delightful surprise!” Wallace swooped in, good arm extended to take her hand. “Here, let me see you to the stream. I’m sure you’d like a moment to refresh yourself after such a long journey.”
“I am rather thirsty.” She didn’t take his offered hand, just glanced down at herself and swiped at the edge of her jacket. “And dusty. But I fear the situation that sent me riding after you is urgent. I’d prefer to explain my proposal first, then seek refreshment while you and the others debate its merits.” She darted a glance toward Matt. He caught and held her gaze, shoving down the pleasure that tried to rise when she sought him out above the others. “I’m sure you’ll want privacy for such a discussion.”
Preach crossed his arms and neatly inserted himself between Matt and Josephine. He scowled briefly at Matt before turning to face their guest. “I reckon your proposal has at least some merit, or the captain wouldn’t have brought you here, so go ahead and spill it.”
She stepped sideways to peer around Davenport’s sizeable shoulders, her brows raised in silent question. Matt nodded, taking charge of Jonah’s horse as the last Horseman joined the group. Josephine began her explanation, and Matt distanced himself slightly from the others, not wanting to influence the way they heard the tale. He listened for any new information that might arise in the second telling as he loosened the cinches on the three horses in his care, then led the animals to the stream. By the time he returned, she’d covered the basics and even produced the letter from her father’s housekeeper and handed it to Wallace, since he stood closest to her. The kid scanned the missive as she made her plea, then passed it to Jonah.
“I realize that the price a single horse can fetch, even a Gringolet horse, fails to meet the standard rate for hiring your services,” she said. “It’s not fair of me to take you away from whatever better-paying job awaits you in Burnet. Nor is it fair of me to ask you to risk your lives when I can’t pay your price, but I’m asking anyway. I have no choice. My brother’s welfare hangs in the balance.” Her lower lip quivered slightly, but she fisted her hands around the hem of her blue jacket and lifted her chin. “I’ll pay as much as you need. A little each month to cover whatever debt remains. I’ll sign a contract to that effect, if it will help. Whatever you want.”
It killed him to see the proud Josephine Burkett groveling, but his men needed to see her desperation. Her love for her brother. Money had never been the Horsemen’s primary motivation. Yes, it was how they made their living, and yes, a man who risked his life for trouble that wasn’t his own deserved to be compensated handsomely, but the jobs they took were about more than that. They were about protecting the innocent and righting wrongs. Fighting the battles ordinary people couldn’t fight for themselves.
After the horrors of Wounded Knee, they’d all sworn an oath to do everything in their power to preserve life and justice. That was their penance. Their calling. The money kept them in ammunition, fed their horses, and allowed them to put a little away for the day they’d be too old to play the mercenary game, but it wasn’t what drove them. Guilt and a craving for redemption drove them.
At least, that was what drove Matt.
“We don’t work on a contract basis, ma’am,” Jonah said, his words firm but polite. “We either agree to take on the job for the price you’re offerin’ up front, or we walk away.”
“I understand.” Her posture drooped a bit, then bounced back as a new light entered her eyes. “Free medical treatment.” She nodded toward Wallace, then eyed each man in turn, renewed energy zinging through her. “You men are in a dangerous line of work. If you agree to rescue my brother, I’ll agree to come to you, any of you, anywhere in Texas, whenever you need my services. Injury. Sickness. I’ll treat you for free. For life. Should you marry, I’ll even deliver your babies. You’ll have your own personal physician on call.”
Preach scratched his jaw. “Could come in handy.”
Josephine beamed, her hope-filled eyes meeting Matt’s with an impact that sent vibrations coursing over his skin. Man, but he wanted to make this woman happy. To give her the answer she wanted to hear. But it wasn’t up to him. It was up to the Horsemen. As a group. He killed the smile twitching at the corners of his mouth before it could break free, not wanting her to think her latest offer would sway the Horsemen in her favor. It might, but it might not. Better to temper her expectations.
Her smile dimmed a bit, but her chin remained high. “I’ll let you talk things over,” she said, casting a final glance his way before she retreated to where the horses drank from the stream. She patted her palomino’s hindquarters, then unstrapped a canteen from the back of the saddle before heading upstream, where a clump of scraggly brush provided a bit of privacy.
“Well, boss,” Jonah ventured once Josephine was out of earshot, “what do you think?”
Preach scoffed. “You know what he thinks. He’s got it so bad for the lady doc, he’s ready to ride to her rescue all on his lonesome.”
“Preach . . .” Wallace’s tone asked for a level of tact the big man rarely showed.
“What?”
Preach shot a glower at Wallace. “You gonna tell me I’m wrong?”
Matt stuck his hand between them. “Whether or not I have a personal interest in the lady is not the issue under discussion.”
“Which means he definitely has a personal interest,” Preach stage-whispered to Wallace out of the side of his mouth. Wallace tried to fight off a grin but failed miserably.
“We’re discussing the job.”
“I’m not likin’ the location of the drop.” Jonah, thankfully, could be counted on to keep to the business at hand. Always serious, always focused. He’d pull no punches when it came to giving his honest opinion. “Uvalde’s a rough town. Outlaws and banditos crossin’ in and out of Mexico on a regular basis. Hard men who won’t take kindly to someone interferin’ with their business.”
“Uvalde?” Preach snatched Josephine’s letter out of Jonah’s hand. “Let me see that.”
Matt clenched his jaw. He hadn’t known where her brother was being held, since he hadn’t yet seen the letter. Uvalde had a reputation for lawlessness. The few decent folk who lived there gave the outlaws free rein in the interest of self-preservation. Made things a mite more complicated. He’d still go, but not alone. He’d have to hire men to ride with him if the Horsemen voted him down. The prospect didn’t sit well. New men wouldn’t know how he worked. Couldn’t anticipate his moves. And couldn’t be counted on to have his back if things went south.
I need the Horsemen, Lord. Matt looked at each of his men in turn. Each of his friends. Not sure I can do this without them.
“I don’t like it, Matt.” Preach handed him the letter. “Uvalde’s a solid two-day trip. That’s if we cut across to Austin and catch the train down through San Antone. We’d have to leave the train at least one stop early so we could keep our arrival a secret. That’d only leave a few hours Friday morning to scout and plan before the ransom is due at noon. That’s a pretty tight window.”
“Won’t know how many men we’re up against until we’re there either,” Jonah added. He thumbed his hat up higher on his head. “Plenty of men with stunted morality to recruit hanging around the saloons and brothels down there. Some might even jump into the fight just for the sport of it.”
“The deck certainly isn’t stacked in our favor on this one,” Matt acknowledged, “but I’m still gonna vote yes. Josephine Burkett’s a good woman who needs help. I want to help her.”
“She did save the kid’s life,” Preach conceded. “And I ain’t gonna lie, I like the idea of having my own private doc on call if I end up on the wrong side of a bullet.”
Matt’s hope spiked. If Preach voted in favor of the job, that would give them three votes. Which would be enough.
“What about the widow in Burnet?” The question thudded to the ground at the men’s feet. From Wallace of all people. The one Horseman Matt had expected to be on Josephine’s side. “She might be in real danger if our theory about her foreman is correct. Don’t get me wrong, I owe Dr. Burkett my life, and if she was the one in danger, I would be the first to suggest we drop everything to help her. But she’s not. Her brother is. A man who, by the lady’s own admission, is in a predicament of his own making. Outrageous wagers. Irresponsible, nearly criminal behavior.” Wallace met Matt’s gaze. “We made a pact to protect the innocent, not fools who snare themselves in their own webs.”
Preach folded his arms. “Kid’s got a point.”
Matt clenched his jaw, unable to deny it. But he couldn’t let it lie either. “Look. I’ll respect whatever the group decides. You know that. If you agree that it’s better for the Horsemen to head to Burnet to help the widow, I won’t stop you. But I won’t join you either.” Disturbed murmurs and raised eyebrows had Matt bringing his hand up in reassurance. “I’d join you as soon as I could, but you wouldn’t need me for the reconnaissance portion. Preach can hire on like we talked about, learn all he can about the widow and her foreman, and by the time I get there, you’ll have gathered enough information for us to make a decision about taking the job. In the meantime, I’ll hire a few extra guns and make the trip down to Uvalde.
“I know you think I’m soft in the head over this woman, and you might be right, but my conscience won’t let me turn her down. My gut tells me she’s stubborn enough to go down there herself and try to bargain with the crew holding her brother hostage. Probably try to trade her horse for her brother or something equally wrong-headed. They’d be more likely to take what Charlie owes out of his sister’s hide than wait for a horse the old man might or might not hand over.” The more Matt thought about all the things that could happen to Josephine if she tried to save her brother on her own, the harder his blood pumped. “I can’t take that chance.”
Silence fell over the group for a long moment. Matt said no more. He’d made his plea. It was up to the others to decide what they felt called to do.
It’s in your hands now, Matt prayed. I trust you to know what’s best. But he couldn’t help hoping that God’s idea of what was best matched up with his own.
Jonah was the first to break the silence. “The Horsemen stand together.” He looked Matt square in the eye. “If your gut is tellin’ you to help the lady doc, that’s good enough for me.” He turned his gaze to the others. “I ride with the captain.”
Preach unfolded his arms. “Can’t say I care much about this Charlie fella, but I’d sure hate for something bad to happen to Dr. Jo. Count me in.”
Matt turned to Wallace. The kid had saved his life by taking that bullet. The last thing he wanted was for a woman to come between them.
Wallace sighed. “I suppose the widow in Burnet can wait a few days.”
Matt nodded solemnly, even though he wanted to grin like a maniac. “Thanks. I promise we’ll head up there the minute this job with Josie is finished.”
In his relief, the nickname slipped out before he could catch himself. Wallace’s gaze sharpened knowingly, and Matt had to fight the urge to justify himself.
“I get that you care for Miss Josephine, Matt, and I respect that,” the kid said. “But I can’t shake the feeling that something is off about this job.”
Matt laid a hand on Wallace’s good shoulder, a tickle of foreboding itching against his nape. “Then I’m glad you’ll be there to watch my back.”
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Josephine ran her dampened handkerchief over the back of her neck for what must have been the tenth time. The cool cloth felt good against her heated skin after the long ride, but the action had nothing to do with cleaning away perspiration. Her mind simply couldn’t handle a more complicated task. Not when all of her energy was focused on the men standing less than fifteen yards away, their discussion varying enough in volume that she managed to catch a word every once in a while. A happenstance that only added to her mental strain as dozens of conversational scenarios zipped through her head, torturing her with phantom wisps of what they might be saying.
So when footsteps finally crunched the dirt and leaves along the creek bed, Josephine stuffed her handkerchief in her jacket pocket and nearly pounced on the man who’d come to fetch her.
“What did they say?” She searched Matthew’s face for the answer she sought. He smiled slightly, and her heart pounded.
“Preach really likes the idea of having a personal physician at his beck and call. You might end up regretting that offer.”
“Not if I have my brother returned to me alive and well.” Her stomach danced in giddy little circles as she peered into Matthew’s hazel eyes, seeking the confirmation she so desperately needed. “Does that mean the Horsemen are taking the job?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, Matthew.” Joy and relief swept over her in such a wave that it picked her straight off her feet and splashed her into his arms. She hugged his neck. “Thank you!”
There was not a doubt in her mind that he was the reason they’d agreed to help her. If he hadn’t given her his support, they never would have taken the job. Not for the pitiful fee she o
ffered and the trouble they would incur.
It wasn’t until she felt the warm pressure of his hand against the small of her back that she realized she’d thrown herself at him.
“Sorry. I . . .” She ducked her head and stepped back. “I got a little carried away.”
“I didn’t mind.”
She jerked her chin up. There was no charmer’s smile on his face. Neither was there an abundance of politeness in evidence, as would be the case if someone meant to smooth over a social gaffe. There was only Matthew. The rugged, straightforward captain, with his square jaw and horseshoe mustache, looking at her with an intensity that made her believe cardiac somersaults were anatomically possible.
“Your horse is too spent for us to travel much farther. Cypress Mill is close. We can stay there tonight. I don’t think they have a hotel, but there’s probably someone who’d take in a female boarder. The men and I can bed down at the livery.”
She nodded. Traveling with a group of men wouldn’t do her reputation any favors, but having a chaperoned place to pass the night would ease things. She appreciated his thoughtfulness in taking that into account.
“Tomorrow we can cut across to Austin and catch the train. You can ride with us as far as San Marcos, then take your mount back to Purgatory Springs. I’d prefer to escort you home, but our timetable is too tight for me to take a side trip.”
Josephine frowned. “I’m not going back to Purgatory Springs. I’m going with you.”
Matthew’s face hardened. All chivalry disappeared beneath the absolute authority of a US Cavalry commanding officer. “No. You’re not.”
Had she really just been appreciating his thoughtfulness? Ha! He was a dictator. She straightened her spine and glared at him. “You might order your men about, Captain Hanger, but I am not one of your soldiers. I choose where I go and what I do. My brother is being held hostage. I’m going.”
Matthew grabbed her arm and dragged her close, his voice deadly quiet. “Uvalde is a den of outlaws, Josie. No place for a woman. I couldn’t keep you safe.”
At Love's Command Page 10
