by Linda Broday
The return to the farm had been a far cry from the previous time. You’d have thought Brett was an honored guest. The couple invited them in, and the wife cooked a real feast. The farmer said it was the least they could do.
After the meal, he and Brett walked down to the horses. “You know, I’ve never owned anything but a few mules, and they died,” the farmer said with tears in his eyes. “These horses will change our lives. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sir.”
At least Adam had seen there were good people in the world, and that was worth all the days and nights away from Rayna.
They’d left the following morning at sunrise and pushed harder on the return.
Pausing now at the edge of town, Brett glanced at Adam. He’d left a kid and come back a man. His surly attitude was gone for the most part. Every once in a while Brett caught a glimpse of it, but he loved the way Adam had grown inside.
He turned to Adam. “You make your mama proud. Let her fuss over you for a bit so she can see that you still have your arms, legs, ten toes and fingers, then we’ll head to the Wild Horse.”
Adam gave his customary nod when he didn’t have much to say, which was still more frequent than not. The boy wasn’t a talker.
Since Brett wasn’t either, they got along fine.
As he moved slowly down the street toward the Lexington Hotel, his thoughts turned to Rayna. He wondered if she was still at the hospital. He needed to see her, just to make sure she was doing all right and hadn’t left town, he told himself.
She was a friend, and friends looked out for each other. That’s all he was doing.
Not a thing anyone else wouldn’t do. Almost.
“I’ll be back to get you in about an hour,” he told Adam when they stopped in front of the hotel. “Tell your mama hello and that she doesn’t have to worry about you. You both have me now.”
Again, Adam nodded and tied his horse to the hitching rail.
A few minutes later, Brett dismounted at the hospital and went inside. His gaze swept the room, landing on her right away, sitting beside a patient, holding her hand. He stood for a minute, drinking in the sight. Light from the lamps danced in her auburn hair. Glancing up, she saw him, and a happy smile lit her face. She rose and came to meet him.
“You’re back! I’m so glad.” She tilted those glistening blue-green eyes up to stare at him. “How did it go?”
The overwhelming need to touch her, to settle his weary spirit, became too great. With so many eyes on them, he settled for taking her hand and squeezing her palm. He remembered how scared he was of touching her in the beginning and was surprised how easily it came now.
“No problems. The farmer was glad to get the horses.”
“And Adam?”
“I think I might’ve turned a corner with him. We’ll see. Who is that woman you were sitting with?”
“Doc calls her Granny Ketchum. Said she won’t last the night. She has no family. I can’t let her die alone.”
Deep sadness settled over him. “I didn’t know Granny was sick.”
“It’s her heart. Is she a friend?”
Brett nodded. “She was one of the first people to welcome us when Cooper, Rand, and me came to town almost eight years ago. I thought she’d always be here. The town won’t be the same without her. I wonder if Cooper’s wife, Delta, knows. They are very close.”
“That’s where Doc is now. Rode out to tell her.”
“Good. Those two have a special bond.” He reached for Rayna’s other hand, needing something to ground him. Aching sadness tightened, making it hard to breathe. “Do you think I could see her for a minute?”
“The old dear would probably like that. She hasn’t opened her eyes since Mr. Abercrombie at the mercantile brought her here.”
Still keeping one hand in Rayna’s, he moved to the bedside and sat down in the chair. He released Rayna’s hand and took Granny’s wrinkled one. “Granny, it’s Brett,” he said softly. “Came to thank you for the gift of your friendship. You’re finally going to be with Elmer again. He’s waiting for you.”
Granny Ketchum’s eyes opened. Staring at the ceiling, she smiled.
“I think she heard you,” Rayna whispered.
Just then Delta Thorne strode hurriedly into the hospital. Tears streamed down her beautiful face. “Please tell me I’m not too late.”
“She’s still alive.” Brett gave Delta his chair and walked toward the sitting area in the corner. Rayna followed and sat next to him and rested her hand on his arm. He needed her warmth to banish the chill surrounding his heart.
Neither felt the need to talk. Silently, they watched Delta Thorne crawl into bed with Granny and take her in her arms. “I’m here, Granny. I’ll hold you and help you across. I love you more than words can say. You opened your arms and your heart to me when I had no one. I’ll never forget you. I know you’re tired and it’s time to go, but my heart is breaking.”
Brett found it hard to breathe. He would really miss Granny Ketchum.
They sat in silence for some time, Delta’s soft murmurs to Granny the only sound.
Finally, Rayna spoke in a hushed voice. “Will you go the Wild Horse tonight?”
“As soon as Adam spends a few minutes with his mother. I’m ready to get back to my land and care for the horses.”
“I wish I could go with you, but I’m needed here.” Rayna leaned closer. “There’s another woman in the hospital that I’m looking after. Elizabeth Clark was passing through town. She was the woman you saw me talking to beside the bone-pickers’ wagon. She has pneumonia, but she’s getting lots better. Doc says she’ll probably get to leave in another couple of days. I’m helping the father care for their children.”
“I’m sure he’s grateful.” He yearned to touch her hair, take one of her curls between his thumb and forefinger, and feel the softness.
“Mr. Clark is lost without his wife.”
“I can tell how much you love this job.” Though she looked tired, she had a glow about her that hadn’t been there when he’d left.
“It’s the best thing that could’ve happened. I can make a difference here. For the first time in my life, I have a purpose. I’m not just existing anymore. I’m really living. You told me I could grow and thrive here, but I really didn’t believe you. I couldn’t see it. But that’s what I’m doing. I’m thriving.”
Like Adam, Rayna Harper was finding self-worth and becoming confident. All they needed was someone to believe in them.
“I’m glad.” He stood with one last glance toward Delta and Granny. “I’ve got to get going. Adam will wonder.”
Rayna got to her feet. Her softly parted lips awakened the memory of their kiss on a moonlit night. “Brett, please don’t stay away too long. I’ve missed you.”
“I’m back now. I promise to come into town often.”
He brushed a curl from her face. Tamping down the deep yearning to kiss her cheek, he strode to the door without looking back. If he’d turned for one last glimpse, he’d have hauled her against his chest and crushed his mouth to hers.
The red-haired lady had him under a spell of some kind, and he didn’t know how to break it.
Or even if he wanted to.
*
Under the pale glow of the moon that bathed everything in silvery shadows, Brett turned from the main road and took a hidden path through the trees. Before long, his tepee came into view. He dismounted in front of his abode.
“Where’s your house?” Adam asked.
“Right here. This is my house.”
“I should’ve known. You expect me to sleep in that?”
“Sleep wherever you want. Makes no difference to me.” Brett unfastened the cinch and removed his saddle. “I’m too tired to argue.”
Adam slid to the ground and stalked to the tepee.
“Not so fast. Take care of your horse first,” Brett called, wondering where the spirit of cooperation had gone.
Giving a huff, Adam turned
. “I guess you’re gonna have a bunch of rules now.”
“Only one.” Brett removed the saddle blanket. “You will take care of your animal before you see to your own needs unless you’re unable. I’ve already made this clear.”
“I thought that was just on the trail. Now we’re on your land. You can do it.”
“The same applies no matter where we are,” Brett said firmly. He hoped the fourteen-year-old wasn’t going to slip backward after making such strides.
Without a word, Adam did as he was told while Brett took his mount to the corral and then made a fire. As was his custom, he gazed over his land, soaking up the peace that came from finding a place of refuge where he didn’t have to worry about being accepted.
He thought of Granny Ketchum and said a prayer that she’d found an easy crossing.
Memories swirled. One in particular came to mind. In tears, she’d asked his help in finding her cat. He looked everywhere he could think of but saw no sign of it. Just about to give up, he noticed the flicker of a campfire down by the creek that ran behind her house. Everyone knew about Granny’s soft heart. She couldn’t turn any soul in need away from her door.
Two men were hunkered down by that fire, trying to keep warm. Though one was shivering and shaking, he’d used his one blanket to wrap Granny’s cat. It was warm and snug. Brett had had hell getting it loose from its new home.
He remembered how Granny had let the cat go back, unable to take it from the stranger who desperately needed something to care for.
Not long after, she found another cat to take its place. As long as he knew her, she’d had a mess of cats.
Maybe he’d ride into town in a few days and bring one of those cats to the Wild Horse in her memory, as a thank-you for her kindness.
Adam walked back from the corral and stood beside him. “It’s not bad here. You have a nice place. I think I’ll sleep inside the tepee.”
“You’ll like it.”
He watched the kid push the flap aside and disappear. The youth had simply needed a reminder of where the boundaries were. Just like Brett had earlier when he’d been with Rayna. He’d set boundaries on how far he was willing to go with her.
Redrawing the line would only confuse them both.
But how he’d hated it. She tempted him at every turn. He didn’t know how long he’d be able to resist. She was danger. His need to be near her, to touch her…he couldn’t trust himself when he was with her.
Neither could he stand being away from her.
This battle was ripping his heart to shreds.
Fifteen
Over the next week, Brett kept Adam busy from daylight to dark. By the end of each day, Adam was so exhausted he ate and collapsed onto his bedroll. The work had been a tremendous attitude fixer. Brett could see the pride Adam took in working with the horses. A real love for them was growing.
On Saturday, they went into town. Just so the boy could see his mother, he told himself. Yet Brett knew the real reason, and it involved a certain friend.
Battle Creek was a beehive of activity when they navigated the burial plot in the center of Main Street and proceeded to the Texas Cattleman’s. Since weekends were the busiest, Sarah would be working. They tied their horses and went inside.
She came around the registration desk and hugged Adam, even though he pulled away. “I’m really happy to see you. How is it going, Son?”
“Fine. I like working with the horses and hunting and swimming in the creek. Uncle Brett is teaching me a lot.”
Going to Brett, she hugged him and said low, “Thank you.”
“My nephew is a fast learner. How do you like your job?”
“I’ll bet you haven’t had breakfast. Come into the dining room, and I’ll tell you.”
“I could use some food,” Adam said, grinning. “Uncle Brett doesn’t feed me anything but jerky.”
“Complaining, boy?” Brett loved seeing how Adam was opening up enough where he could joke. A far cry from two weeks ago.
“Nope.” Adam followed his mother into the dining room.
Sarah indicated a table, and Brett pulled out her chair. His sister had changed as well. She didn’t have that closed expression she’d worn when she arrived. Maybe things were working out for both mother and son.
For Brett, his life was set in the only path it could go.
He just had to tell it to his heart, because it didn’t appear to be listening.
Firmly, he forced his thoughts back to the matter at hand. After giving the waitress his order, he glanced around the dining room. His gaze landed on one of his neighbors, a new one by the name of Edgar Dowlen. Dowlen had owned his land for only a few months, so Brett hadn’t had time to really get to know him. The man stared at Adam, then shifted his attention to Brett. Edgar didn’t even try to hide his cold contempt. His eyes held the same loathing that the sheriff’s of Steele’s Hollow had.
Though Brett and Dowlen had never exchanged anything other than hellos, he’d never considered that his neighbor despised him. The revulsion written on Edgar’s face brought gut-wrenching pain.
Brett met his stare with a hard one of his own, finally forcing the man to look away. Dowlen rose. Slamming his chair against the table, he stalked from the hotel.
With turmoil churning in his gut, Brett dragged his attention back to Sarah. “Now, you promised to tell us about your job…Sis.” There was that strange word again, only this time it came out a little easier. Maybe it just took some practice.
“I love working here. The people are very friendly, and my boss is free with his praise. He seems satisfied with the way I’m doing things.”
Just then Potter Gray entered the dining room, and Brett was quick to notice how Sarah’s gaze followed him. The tall, broad-shouldered hotel owner did cut quite a figure. Brett studied his blond hair, brown eyes, and closely cropped beard. He had something that the ladies…Sarah…seemed drawn to.
Brett scowled. This protectiveness of his sister was something that caught him off guard and he didn’t like it.
Potter went around the room, then stopped at their table. “Good morning, Sarah. How do you do it?”
“What, Mr. Gray?”
“You always look so pretty, whether early in the morning or after a hard day’s work. I’m fortunate to have snagged you before any of the other business owners in town. They’re all envious.”
After Sarah introduced Adam, she turned to Brett. “Do you know my brother?”
“Indeed I do. Hello, Brett. I didn’t know you two were related.”
Brett stiffened. “Does it make a difference?”
He readied for some kind of remark, to have Potter Gray say that he’d made a big mistake in hiring Sarah.
Instead, the hotel owner laughed. “Heck no. I was just surprised.”
“Would you like to join us, Mr. Gray?” Sarah asked.
Relief washed over Brett. Maybe he was being too sensitive, but the eye-opener he’d just had with Dowlen made him a little jumpy.
“I wish I could, Miss Sarah,” Potter said, “but I have matters to attend to in my office. I’ll see you later after you’ve eaten.”
Brett wanted to ask what Sarah’s feelings for the hotel owner were, but he couldn’t quite find the words. Besides, Adam launched into an excited account of life at the Wild Horse until their meal came. Then the youth shoveled food into his mouth so fast, Brett was afraid he’d choke. You’d have thought Adam hadn’t eaten in a month of Sundays.
Brett sat there silently watching his family, grateful that they’d come into his life.
And if anyone got it into his head to hurt them…
*
Rayna thought surely her eyes must be playing tricks on her when she saw Brett strolling into the hospital. Standing in the doorway with the sun beaming brightly behind him, he seemed larger than life.
Her pulse raced as she ran to meet him. But when she reached his side, everything she wanted to say left her head. Finally, she murmured, “I’
m so happy to see you.”
The minute he took her hand and gave her that slow, lazy smile that showed his white teeth, she melted inside and heat rose to her face.
“I brought Adam into town and thought I’d invite you to lunch. You do take lunch, don’t you?”
“Not normally, but I’ll make an exception today.”
“Good. I have a feeling you’ve been working too hard. You’re getting too skinny. I’ll meet you at the Three Roses.” He released her hand. “Sharing a meal with a friend is an excellent way to pass the time.”
“Thank you, Brett.” Her gaze followed him to the door, admiring the view of his nicely formed backside. And the way he walked, of course. His loose-jointed saunter made her think of a cougar.
Rayna could scarcely keep her mind on her work, and when the clock in town struck twelve, she was halfway to the Three Roses Café. The minute she pushed inside, she saw Brett at a table. He rose and pulled out her chair.
“I’m glad you could come.” He sat down and leaned back to stare at her.
The close examination made Rayna a bit uncomfortable. She fidgeted, afraid of what his probing gaze would see.
The pain lurking beneath the surface.
The despair she’d lived with for so long.
And her lack of knowledge about how to conduct herself with a gentleman. She didn’t want him to discover the things she hid. Like the fact that he still made her pulse race, and she had to fight the need to be in his arms. “Seeing you is the best part of my week. How’s Adam working out?”
“We kinda got off to a rocky start, but everything’s going well.”
While they ate, Brett told her how Adam had found a true love of horses and was coming to respect the land. In return, Rayna talked about her work and getting used to Doc Yates’s way of doing things.
“I’ve made blunders, I’m afraid.” The words were out of her mouth before she could call them back. She hadn’t intended to admit that. Oh Lord! She could feel her face heating.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“It’s just that I get carried away. Doc used a word—overzealous, I think he said. I forget that I don’t have to make all the decisions anymore about everything. But he’s very patient and forgiving. Doc reminds me a lot of my grandfather.”
