They both laughed as they rode away. He growled. “Tiago, tomorrow you will be in the wagon.”
Silence.
“You will be in the wagon.” Was she ignoring him? He yelled louder. “Do you hear me?”
“Yes, jefe,” she called over her shoulder.
He was starting to hate sarcasm, but he relaxed a bit at her agreement.
Until he realized all she had really said was she heard him, not that she was going to follow his orders. They would move the cattle into the pirate owned crossing station without her.
She needed to stay away for the infamous Sterling. Retired pirate or not, it was too dangerous.
They could move the cattle without her, and they would.
Chapter Thirteen
Sofia pulled the bandanna up over her nose. With the rains, they traded the dust for mud and mosquitoes. If the buggers got any bigger and meaner, they could brand them and sell them at market along with the cattle and horses.
But not even the bloodsucking critters and the red welts they left behind smothered the excitement of approaching the cattle station. They were one day away from getting the cattle to market. She had done it. A bit bruised and banged up, but she was an experienced cowboy.
A cowboy who might get to meet the notorious Sterling Duval. Stories of his escapades had fed her childish imagination.
When she had turned twelve, her mother had taken her to visit friends and family in Galveston. Standing on the edge of the sandy beach, she had been fascinated by the endless horizon of water. The tall ships with bellowing sails coming into port. Imageries of being aboard one of the ships and sailing into the unknown stirred her heart for adventure.
Her mother had quickly put all that nonsense away with stories of ships lost at sea. Hundreds of people drowning with no way to get help. Her mother was very practical that way.
Stopping the thoughts of the past, she focused on the building and pens that grew larger as they plodded along, one step at a time.
The lead drovers had already started penning the cattle. Checking behind her, she noticed a few had wandered off. She spun Domino around on his hindquarters and went after the stragglers.
As she swung her lasso over her head, most of the stray cattle jogged back into line. Their long horns clashed as they jostled for positions. The Bar DZ marked them as her father’s cattle. She glanced over the herd, all the way to the front. The steers looked good, and they had lost very few. Of course the river would be the final challenge, but still her father would have to acknowledge her ability.
Not only could she help him and be a partner in managing the ranch, but she had proved she thrived at the dirty work, too.
“It’s time for you to get in the wagon.” Jackson’s deep gravelly voice startled her, and she yelped.
With a glare, she twisted in the saddle and looked at him. “Why are you sneaking up on me?” Back stiff, she focused on keeping the cattle in formation. “Shouldn’t you be making arrangements with the station manager?”
He got closer, and she noticed he had a new hat on his pommel.
He handed it to her. “Here. I got you this so you don’t have to wear that overly large flashy thing you and Cook call a hat.” The short flat brim was sharp looking. The headband was tooled leather with silver rings.
“That’s for me?” Heat climbed up her neck. She pushed her tongue against the back of her teeth. Why did she get so awkward around him when they weren’t disagreeing? “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
In one motion she took off the old sombrero Cook gave her after the stampede and planted the new hat on her head. It was a perfect fit.
A grunt was the only acknowledgment she received before his horse pushed a few distracted cattle toward her. “I was afraid the other one would draw unwanted attention to you.”
“And I thought you were being nice. I’ll pay you back.”
Without making eye contact, he shook his head. “Don’t. It’s a gift. I’m heading to the headquarters to finish up the arrangement as soon as you are safely in the wagon.”
She might have rolled her eyes. Her mother would have had a fit at her disrespect, but she’d earned her right to ride in with the other cowboys.
“Santiago, I’m serious. There are dangerous characters around here that I have no control over. I don’t want to be worrying over you.”
She hated it when he used her brother’s name.
“No one asked you to. How many times are we going to have this conversation?” Focusing on her gelding, she patted Domino on the withers.
“As many times as it takes. I know you’ve proved yourself more than capable, but if someone recognized you as a female, it might cause real problems for all of us.”
“I look like a boy, and it shouldn’t cause problems just because I’m a woman.”
“That’s true, but that’s not the world we live in. I’m the boss. You helped get the herd in the holding pens. Now I need you to help Cook.”
“You mean hide.” She sighed. What if she told him she was a De Zavala? Would she win the argument? Probably not. He’d be even angrier. “I’m not trying to be difficult, Jackson. Don’t bury me away in the back of the wagon. I’m here to see and do all the things a real cowboy would.”
His horse came up next to hers. Their knees brushed. “As much as you want to be a cowboy, even as skilled as you are, you’re still a woman in a man’s world and you need to be careful.”
Ready to argue, she turned to him. The concern and warmth in his eyes stopped her. He wasn’t being mean, he was worried. So she just managed to mutter. “The world isn’t fair.”
His gaze moved over her face, taking in the details she had tried to hide. She could get lost in the green of his eyes.
Clearing his throat, he sat straighter and looked to the front of the herd. “I reckon there are many people that would agree with you, including me. But it doesn’t change the truth. If you’re discovered, all sorts of problems will follow. Do us all a favor and keep your head down and stay close to Cook.”
Rory galloped his horse toward them. “Don’t you need to be getting to the wagon?”
She threw her head back, a few soft puffs of white floating across a brilliant blue sky. Eyes closed she prayed. “Please God, grant me patience.”
Rory nodded. “Pain and patience would bring a snail to America.”
Crossing her eyes at him, she shook her head. “I don’t even know what that means.”
He shrugged. “My mum said it all the time. She also said asking God for patience was a dangerous thing.”
“Rory, you take over here. I’ll escort Tiago to the wagon so he can start helping Cook.”
“Sounds good, boss.”
They had almost reached the wagon when a trio of riders cut them off. Jackson put his big sorrel between her and the newcomers.
The man in the middle had to be the tallest she’d ever seen. The muscles in his arms strained the sleeves of the long black coat he wore over a crisp white shirt. There was nothing dirty or unwashed about him.
The high collar brushed against a black trimmed beard. Narrow hips went into long legs in tall black boots. He didn’t even wear a hat. His raven black hair was swept from his face in a dramatic fashion. He looked like a man who walked right off the pages of a storybook. Pushing his horse past Jackson’s, he came straight at her.
Surrounded by thick lashes, his eyes shined a brilliant blue. She might have gasped at the startling contract between the black hair and stunning blue of his eyes, but she hoped not.
He held his hand out to her. “Mademoiselle, I’m Captain Sterling Duval. It’s an honor to have the De Zavala ranch visit our ferry.”
From years of her mother’s training, Sofia reacted without thought and placed her hand in his as he bowed over her wr
ist.
As soon as she heard Jackson’s groan, she pulled her hand back, pressing it against her tightly swathed chest. From the mischievous gleam in the ex-pirate’s eyes, she was too late. Her stomach dropped.
He knew her secret, and there was no recovering. Jackson used his horse to push the big man back, blocking her view of Sterling Duval. The man was much younger than she imagined. And better looking.
A loud rumble vibrated the air around them. She had never heard such an all-consuming deep laugh. “No reason to get your guns cocked, cowboy. I assumed the girl was a De Zavala. I take it she belongs to you?”
“The boy’s name is Santiago Smith. We don’t want any trouble, just to move our cattle across the river.”
“Smith?” A snort followed that question. “If that’s what you want, then so be it.”
She shifted her horse a little to the side so she could see what was happening, but she kept her hat low and her chin down. Had he recognized her as her father’s daughter from the time she was in Galveston?
What if Jackson started questioning her about being a De Zavala. She thought back to the socials they had attended. She glanced at Jackson.
How would he react if he discovered her true name?
“He’s my cook’s assistant.” The hard edge of Jackson’s voice carried its own warning, but it didn’t seem to bother the pirate captain.
The big man held his hands up, and he winked at her. “I understand. To show my good intentions, I invite you to my table for dinner tonight.” His gaze moved back to Jackson. “Both of you of course.”
“We’ll be eating with our drovers tonight.” Jackson’s horse bumped hers, causing him to move back. It looked like an accident, but she doubted it.
“Of course, of course. I have a large enough table for all of your men.” He laughed as he emphasized the word men. He turned to the two that waited behind him. “Make sure they get the time and directions for dinner.” He tipped his hat. “I look forward to sharing a meal with you and showing you how I treat a courageous woman. A woman who deserves the finer things in life.”
He winked at her before kicking his horse into action and leaving them with his men.
The one on the left gave Jackson the information, but before they rode off the largest one, a bear of a man, grabbed her reins. “The captain would be insulted if you failed to accept his generous invitation.”
The two men kicked their horses into a gallop and followed their boss.
Jackson took off his hat and slapped it against his leg. “You wanted to meet the pirate.”
Slamming his hat back on his head, he flicked the reins over his horse’s neck and turned it back to the wagon. “This is what I didn’t want to happen. Come on. You need to get to the wagon. I’m not sure how he figured it out so fast.”
She moved her horse into a trot. Jackson’s reaction had her scared. If she didn’t have her father’s name to protect her, what could happen? “We’re free citizens. He can’t make us do something we don’t want, right?”
“At times you are so naive.” Arriving at the wagon, he dismounted. “We are in a no-man’s-land right now. A strip of land between Texas and Louisiana. There is no law other than his. If he wants something, he can take it.”
“Why would he want me? I’m dirty, beat up, wearing horrible clothes and my hair is hacked off.”
He moved to her horse and looked up at her. The green of his eyes lightened. Swinging her leg over the saddle, she jumped to the ground. She should have stayed on her horse. It was easier to look down on him than feeling so small next to him.
He took a deep breath and put his knuckle under her chin. She stopped breathing and waited. For what, she wasn’t sure.
“Some men are smart enough to see the truth, even when it’s hidden.”
They stood like that as the world disappeared around her. She licked her lips. It sounded like he took a sharp intake of his breath. “Jackson, I’m sorry I didn’t get in the wagon sooner like you wanted. I didn’t want to bring trouble to you or the boys.”
“I know. I’m thinking he scouted us earlier and saw through your disguise. He knew you were female before he rode up to us. He was watching us.”
Goose bumps tightened her skin. The thought of strange eyes on her when she thought she was going about her daily chores would give her bad dreams tonight.
He dropped his hand and went to the back of the wagon. “Cook!”
Stunned by the sudden change, she stood alone for a moment. She needed to tell him the truth about her name. But the thought of his reaction burned her stomach.
Following him, she found Cook and Jackson discussing her. “She’ll need to have a weapon on her at all times.”
Jackson nodded. They both turned to her. “You aren’t going to clean up or change clothes. Hopefully that will kill his interest. Also, stay with me and Rory every moment from the front steps until we lock the door to your room.”
He turned back to Cook. “I’ll finalize our lodgings and take care of some other business. I’ll meet you back here before we head to dinner.” Taking off his hat he pointed it to her. “Don’t leave Cook’s side. While we are here, make sure you are always with someone and you’re armed. Understand?”
She nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay with Cook.” The encounter with Sterling and his man had scared her more than she wanted to admit. She had gotten so used to being a cowboy she forgot how dangerous it was being a woman.
“Do you have a weapon on you now?”
“Yes, and I have my Hawken on my saddle.”
“Good. I’ll see you soon.” She was with Cook, so why did she suddenly feel alone? The desire to follow Jackson was strong. He made her feel safe. Touching the gun tucked into her trousers, she reminded herself to be strong and independent. Her stomach hurt. Being strong and independent was not always fun.
There were jobs that needed to be done. “I’ll settle the mules.”
“It’s going to be good, mija. Señor Jackson and Rory will make sure you are safe. I’ll be there with my knives.” He grinned at her.
She nodded. What she hated was that they had to protect her. If anything happened to them because of her, she’d never forgive herself.
Please God, protect the men who are with me and get us all home safely.
As she pulled the heavy collar off the lead mule, she looked at her hands. These were not the hands of a lady. Her hair was a disgrace, and she didn’t even want to look at the condition of her clothes. This was how she would be going into a grand house to eat dinner at their host’s table.
Sorry, Momma.
Chapter Fourteen
Pressed between Rory and Jackson with Cook standing in front of her, Sofia couldn’t see much as they were led to the parlor by the butler. At the sight of her, his nose went higher in the air.
Red’s gaze darted around the hallway. His voice sounded small against the grandeur of the house. It was more like a palace. “Boss, shouldn’t you have made Two Bit at least wash off? This is some fancy place. Maybe he should have stayed back.” Red had his hat in his hands.
Sam, Clint, Eli and Estevan seemed just as unsettled.
With a short bow, the butler left them, closing the door behind them. She had been in many fine homes. This one outdid them all.
Clint looked at the velvet chair. “I’ve never seen such fancy furniture. Are you sure we were invited to dinner and not to clean out the barn?”
Estevan stood in front of the marble fireplace and went through the motions of warming his hands even though sweat dotted his brow. “I don’t understand why we’re here.” He eyed her with judgment she had never before seen from the boys. “Perhaps they have somewhere Two Bit can wash off. I was raised on a ranch, but even I know to wash the dirt off my hands and face before sitting at someone’
s table.”
Lowering her head, she felt the heat climb up her neck. When Jackson told her to remain unwashed, she thought it was a good way to dissuade Captain Duval’s interest in her. Now it was just humiliating.
Worse, she was embarrassing these hardworking cowboys.
Jackson pressed his hand on her shoulder. “Tiago was working hard, and if Duval wants the De Zavala team, then he gets all of us as we are.”
Everyone looked a bit uneasy except for Rory. He had taken a seat by the door and stretched his legs out as if he were right at home.
He nodded to her and motioned for her to stand behind him. Jackson pushed her in his direction.
At this point, she might as well be hiding behind a giant potted palm. The knot in her stomach told her she would rather be hiding in the corner tonight.
The double doors opened, and their host walked into the room, his coat and tie putting the best dressed of them to shame. His tall leather boots were so polished they reflected the light.
“Welcome gentlemen and, well, the cook’s assistant.” He turned his head, scanning the room. “Where is the young Santiago Smith?”
Her heartbeat pounded so loud in her ears it had blocked out all other noise. The world was an easier and more exciting place when she was thought to be a boy. As brave as she wanted to be, she didn’t want the big pirate to see past her disguise. Would he kidnap her and take her to his ship? She had heard those kind of stories about pirates.
Rory stood, shoulder to shoulder with Jackson. They were acting more like momma bears than cowboys. Their support lightened the knot in her stomach.
“Aw. Is that your little cook assistant hiding behind you there? The boy’s not hiding from me, is he?” He stood with his feet planted wide.
Neither of her self-appointed guardians moved. She tried to move around Jackson, but he took a step to the side, blocking her.
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