The Shepherd's Heart Series: A Boxed Set Book Bundle Collection Volumes 1-4

by Lynnette Bonner

  Her heart clenched in pity. Brandon McBride was hungrily chomping down scraps from the garbage for breakfast. “Cade?”

  “I see him.”

  “He’s one of my students.” The boy had told her he lived several miles from town and that his Ma and Pa worked real hard and it wouldn’t be likely she would ever get to meet them. She’d taken him at his word and felt no offense when all the other families in the area had her over to dinner, except the McBrides. The boy brought a lunch pail to school every day, always carefully draped with a cloth. Now she wondered what was under that cloth each day, and why had she never paid attention before?

  Cade squeezed her elbow. “Wait here.” Bending down he pulled the knife in his boot from its sheath.

  “Cade? He’s just a boy!” She reached out to stop him, but he waved her off and gestured again for her to wait.

  Halfway down the alley he dropped the knife into the dirt and continued on. A few more paces and Cade started mumbling to himself and searching the ground like he was looking for something. Sharyah frowned. What in the world was he up to?

  Brandon heard him and spun toward him, a half eaten roll in one hand and a piece of something unrecognizable in the other. Brandon’s eyes widened as he saw that Cade was nearly to him and he turned and darted down the alley.

  “Wait!” Cade called to him, still searching the ground around his feet.

  The boy paused and glanced over his shoulder, waiting for Cade to go on.

  “I seem to have dropped my knife. You haven’t seen it have you? I know it’s in this alley somewhere. It means a lot to me. Pearl handle, blade sharp enough to split a hair three ways. My father gave it to me.” Cade glanced up at the boy. “Could you help me look for it? There would be a reward in it for you if you help me find it.”

  Brandon’s brows lowered in suspicion. “What kind of reward?”

  Cade shrugged and rested his hands on his hips. “Oh… I don’t know. How about I buy you breakfast for the next week?”

  Brandon’s eyes widened. “For a whole week?”

  Tears pricked the backs of Sharyah’s eyes.

  Cade nodded.

  “You ain’t funnin’ me?”

  Cade shook his head.

  “Mister, you got yourself a deal, but if I help you look and you’re the one to find the blade, you still have to buy the meals, ’kay?”

  Cade stretched out his hand and they shook on the agreement. “I really appreciate your help. This knife means a lot to me, like I said.” He glanced down the alley to where she waited behind the lattice and tossed her a wink.

  Brandon was already busy searching the ground at his feet.

  Sharyah stepped over to the display window of the millinery shop, and blinked the moisture from her eyes. Cade Bennett was a wonderful man. She had no doubt who would be the one to find the blade in the alley. If it took all day, Cade would let the boy be the one to discover it.

  It was only moments however, before Brandon bounded from the alley followed by Cade, who swiped the dust from his knife onto his denims.

  He glanced up. “Sharyah, thanks for waiting. This lad here helped me find my knife. Would it be alright with you if he joined us for breakfast?”

  Brandon turned to see who Cade was talking to and his eyes widened. “Miss Jordan!” He grinned, the familiar sparkle leaping to life in his brown eyes.

  “Well, hello, Brandon.” To Cade she said, “Certainly he can join us.” She laid a hand on Brandon’s shoulder. “Mr. McBride is one of my students.”

  “Is he now?” Cade sheathed his knife. “He and I haven’t yet had the pleasure of a proper introduction.”

  “Well then, this is Brandon McBride. And Brandon, this is Mr. Bennett. Mr. Bennett is… I’ve known Mr. Bennett… Ah, Mr. Bennett is… a new deputy in town.”

  Brandon didn’t seem to notice her discomfort on how to introduce Cade. He stretched out his hand and shook Cade’s with a firm little nod. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir.”

  Cade grinned, apparently amused by the boy’s impeccable manners. “Likewise, young man. Well,” Cade stretched a hand toward the diner, “shall we?”

  Brandon eagerly headed for the door and Cade winked at her once more, offering her his elbow. “Cute little guy,” he murmured.

  She nodded and replied in a low tone, “When he’s not putting spiders in my lunch pail.”

  Cade threw back his head on a laugh. “Now that is a look I would have loved to see on your face.”

  She arched her brows in mock offense. “Oh there was no look, Mr. Bennett. I was as calm as a summer breeze.”

  He grinned and held the door open for her. Brandon had already disappeared inside. “That wouldn’t be a tornado you’re referring to, would it?”

  She chuckled and held two fingers a spare half inch apart. “Well, maybe just a little one.”

  He laughed again, but they’d caught up to Brandon now and both paused to watch him. The little boy stood with his dusty cap in his hands, jaw hanging open, as he gaped at the contents of the pastry shelf, and then up at the menu, and around the room at several patrons with plates full of food.

  Sharyah swallowed and pressed one hand to her throat. Father, forgive me for not noticing his hunger earlier.

  Cade touched a hand to the middle of her back and guided Brandon by one shoulder. “Let’s sit at that table in the corner over there.”

  Brandon plopped into a chair across the table as Cade held one out for her and then sat beside her.

  Sharyah felt true contentment as she watched the little boy wolf down the food Mrs. Shane placed before them a moment later. She was hungry herself since she hadn’t eaten all day the day before, but she purposely left half a roll and a good portion of hash on her plate and offered her leftovers to Brandon when he’d finished his.

  “Don’t mind if I do.” He grinned and swapped the plates setting into the second portion as though it might be his last meal.

  What was Brandon doing in town all alone? Where were his parents? She had to find out. A boy as young as he shouldn’t be running about town all alone. Could it be he’d been living on his own all this time? She cleared her throat. “Ah, Brandon? Where are your Ma and Pa?”

  His fork stopped half way to his mouth and he met her gaze. She could see the cogs whirring in his little head.

  She put on the sternest face she could muster. “Be honest.”

  His shoulders sagged and he dropped the fork onto the plate. “Truth is…” He looked across the room at the diner’s door. “I don’t got none.” He spoke so quietly she barely heard his words.

  Her worst fears registered like a mule-kick to her stomach. “Oh Brandon.” She tilted her head and studied him. “How long have you been on your own?”

  He hesitated for a long moment, then finally met her scrutiny with a shrug. “Awhile now.”

  “Where have you been staying?”

  Another heft of his shoulders. “Around.”

  She met Cade’s glance. What was she to do with a homeless child? He certainly couldn’t go on living as he was.

  Cade’s hand settled at the back of her neck with a gentle squeeze. “Tell you what, son. I have a room at the hotel that has a nice bear-skin rug on the floor and an extra pillow on the bed. Why don’t you bunk with me for the next couple nights?”

  Warmth coursed through her and she had to clench her hands in her lap to keep from reaching out in thankfulness to touch Cade’s arm. At least she now had a few days to figure out what she needed to do about the poor child.

  Brandon’s eyes lit with excitement. “You mean it, mister?”

  A smile softened Cade’s face. “You bet I do.”

  “Sure as shootin’! I’ll be there!” The boy leaned over his plate and shoveled in two more mouthfuls of potatoes, before he threw back his shoulders, his face turning serious. Two chomps and he tried to swallow, then had to work to get the unchewed food to go all the way down. But finally he was able to add, “I’m mu
ch obliged.” He stretched his hand across the table to shake like a little gentleman.

  “Sure.” Cade gave his hand a firm shake. “We men have to stick together.”

  As Brandon set to finishing his breakfast, Sharyah sighed softly.

  This wonderful man by her side, and a child across the table. Yes, this was something she could get used to. The impact of that thought hit her square in the stomach and she turned to look at Cade.

  He was already studying her, a contemplative look on his face.

  The corners of his blue eyes crinkled in a warm smile. “You sure you don’t want to tell me what’s bothering you?”

  She blinked, knowing he wasn’t referring to the fact that she’d just discovered one of her students had no parents. She opened her mouth, wanting to confide in him, but instead all she whispered was, “I can’t.” If she told him, he would try to investigate the issue and there was no telling what might happen to him if whoever wrote that note learned that she hadn’t listened to them.

  He leaned toward her, his eyes flickering blue flame. “Can’t? Or won’t?”

  “It-it’s for your own good.” She pressed her lips together and studied the grain on the table.

  Cade reached out and tilted up her chin. “What’s for my own good is that the woman I care about confides in me.”

  She cleared her throat and looked down, smoothing at the material of her skirt. Brotherly affection. All he feels for you is brotherly affection. And don’t you forget it. “When you find her, I’m sure she will.”

  His mouth dropped open to reply, but before he could voice an objection, she leapt up from the table. “Brandon? Are you ready? We should get going.”

  Brandon, glanced back and forth between them, then gave a little shrug and nodded his head.

  Spinning on her heel, she led the way out the door.

  8

  Sharyah glanced down at Brandon as they emerged from the diner. “Since there’s no school today, what do you plan to do with yourself, Brandon?” She needed to keep the conversation in safe waters.

  His eyes sparkled. “I’m gonna go watch the trials. I might be a lawyer when I grow up.”

  Sharyah glanced at Cade. The last place the boy needed to be was in watching the trials. There would be some very unpleasant things discussed, she felt sure.

  Cade didn’t look happy with her, but he apparently decided to drop the matter for a few moments because he sat on the bench just outside the diner and propped his arms along the back of it. “Too bad you’re so set on being at the trials. I have a chore I was hoping I could pay you to do for me.”

  “You do?” The sparkle expanded into radiant beams. “Well, you know, a man’s gotta work when he can find it. I suppose I could do a chore for you.”

  Sharyah caught a slight twitch at the corner of Cade’s mouth.

  “You sure? I’d really appreciate it and would make it worth your time, but I don’t want to take you away from watching the trials if that’s what you’d rather do.”

  “I don’t mind. I could do the work. I’ve watched other trials and I’m sure there will be more another time.”

  “Alright then.” Cade slapped his hands down on his knees and stood to his feet. “Let’s escort Miss Jordan to the court house and then I’ll take you on to the livery and show you what I have in mind.” He tossed Sharyah a smile over the boy’s head, and she knew whatever chore he asked Brandon to do would be good and long to ensure he kept busy for the bulk of the day.

  Sharyah followed Cade across the street. “Brandon. You be sure to get to school tomorrow, alright?”

  Cade frowned, but she didn’t meet his gaze. Just because they wouldn’t let her teach didn’t mean someone wouldn’t be there teaching, and she didn’t want the boy to miss out. She just hoped whoever took her place would be kind to him.

  “Miss Jordan,” the boy hooked his thumbs into his belt loops in imitation of Cade’s stance, “I don’t know about school. I might be working for Mr. Bennett here tomorrow too. He might need me. Us men have to help each other out.”

  She bent to ensure she had Brandon’s full attention. “I’m sure Mr. Bennett knows the importance of school for a young man. He went to school too, you know, and loved every minute of it. He studied very hard and he never, ever, played tricks on his teacher.”

  Cade coughed as they reached the court house entrance and she didn’t dare meet his gaze. She remembered the time he and her brother Rocky had somehow managed to hoist Miss Vandermeer’s desk three feet off the floor.

  Brandon apparently caught her sarcasm. He tilted his head to squint up at Cade. “You played tricks on your teachers?”

  Cade settled a hand at the base of the boy’s neck. “Sure did. Come on, I’ll tell you all about it.” They sauntered off down the boardwalk as he continued, “Sure were some pretty girls in my school. What about yours?” As the boy replied, Cade turned and walked backwards a couple steps grinning at her.

  A hot wash of color shot up past her collar and she spun away.

  Sam and Katrina were just coming down the walk.

  “Sharyah,” Sam greeted. “We were just heading inside. Would you care to join us?”

  She glanced back toward Cade, but his attention had returned to the boy.

  “Thank you, Sam. I would.” She took his arm, refusing the desire to look and see if Cade had even noticed she was on another man’s arm.

  The trial started right on time. Judge Thatcher was a fair man and it only took him an hour to determine that there wasn’t enough concrete evidence to convict Red of any of the things he’d been accused of. There hadn’t been enough time for any witnesses to arrive.

  “That being said, however, Mr. Hendrix will be held over and transferred to Prineville where a more thorough trial will be held two weeks hence.” His gavel banged down with an authoritative thump that made Sharyah jump. “Next case.”

  Cade stood from where he’d been sitting at the front of the room and escorted Red to the jail across the street and brought Mick Rodale back with him.

  Mick’s trial was a different story altogether. During Missy’s testimony, Sharyah could only close her eyes and pray for the woman to have strength as she described what had happened to her.

  “And where is the man who did these things to you?” The judge asked in a sympathetic tone.

  Missy held out a trembling finger pointed directly at Mick.

  “And is there any doubt in your mind that he is the man who attacked you?”

  She shook her head. “None, your honor.”

  Mick Rodale clasped his hands behind his head and tossed Missy a bold unrepentant wink.

  Sam, sitting beside Sharyah, tensed and shifted.

  “Very well, you may resume your seat.” The judge glanced to Mr. Hanson, the lawyer.

  “Your honor, at this time I would like to call Miss Jordan, to the stand.”

  Sharyah’s stomach dropped nearly to her toes, but she’d known this would happen.

  Cade met her gaze and gave her a reassuring nod as she lifted her skirt and made her way to the stand.

  As Mr. Hanson questioned her, she did her best to simply present the facts without exaggeration and to keep her eyes off of Mick. She didn’t want to see his leering grin.

  “So Mr. Rodale attacked you, but Mr. Bennett stopped him before… anything unsavory happened?” the judge asked.

  She pressed her lips together and nodded.

  When Cade was called on for his testimony, the Judge pinned him with a look. “And why was it you were party to kidnapping the school teacher, young man?”

  Cade squirmed like a little boy, for a moment. “I was working undercover, Your Honor. I had planned to help Miss Jordan escape, but then Mick came in with his gun drawn. I didn’t want her to be hurt, and I figured she’d be fairly safe as long as I didn’t let her out of my sight.”

  “Surely there was a better way to handle this, Mr. Bennett.”

  “There probably was, Your Honor, but at t
he time with lives at stake I felt like I was making the best decision for all involved.”

  The Judge arched a skeptical brow, but after confirming Sharyah’s account of Mick’s attack, dismissed Cade without further questions and turned to look at the lawyer over the top of his spectacles.

  “Your honor, I would also like to present testimony from one Samuel Perry, with regard to this kidnapping business and also about some horses found in Mr. Rodale’s presence.

  “Very well.” The judge nodded for him to proceed and Sam took the stand.

  Sam gave his version of what had happened in the schoolhouse.

  “So, Mr. Bennett did step in to rescue Miss Jordan when Mr. Rodale got rough with her?”

  Sam nodded. “Yes, Your Honor.”

  “Well, perhaps chivalry isn’t totally dead, as I had feared.” The judge gave Cade a withering look.

  And Cade shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  The judge sighed and waved a hand at Sam. “Get on with the horse story.”

  Sam twisted his bowler around by the rim. “Mr. Bennett brought back two horses with him. Horses that the Rodale gang had in their possession. Horses that bear my brand. The brand has been reworked.”

  Mick Rodale jumped to his feet. “That’s a lie! Those horses are ours. I may be a lot of things, Your Honor, but I’m not a horse thief.”

  Sharyah pressed her lips together. Horse thieving was a hanging offense. Not that attacking a woman wasn’t, but if convicted of stealing horses he would most certainly be hung.

  Judge Thatcher banged his gavel on the desk and leveled Mick with a glare. “Another outburst like that, young man, and I will have you gagged.”

  Sam cleared his throat. “Your Honor, if I may?”

  After making sure that Mick resumed his seat and his lawyer was taking him in hand, the judged nodded.

  “I always brand my horses twice. A little trick I learned when I first started ranching – once on the haunch as normal, and then another time with a smaller brand on the upper inner part of their front left leg.”