Jason ran a finger around the rim of his cup with a worried frown.
“Time’s short. You think we can pull this off?”
Rocky tossed back the last swallow in his cup. “Why doesn’t Cade come out and look at the horses? You two can decide on the price, if that’s all right with Nicki. And then we can herd them back here while Cade rides to town and wires Smith.”
“That’s fine with me,” Nicki said.
“Sounds good to me, too.” Cade drummed his fingers on the table, apparently eager to get on with the mission.
The stiff line of Jason’s shoulders softened slightly, and Nicki hated to mention her next question, knowing it would bring back some of his tension. “The reason someone might want my land, I can see. It is good land. But what about these others who were threatened? They each only had 160 acres. So why them?”
Jason tipped back in his chair, folding his arms and Rocky and Cade toyed with their cups.
“How many people have had trouble now?” Cade asked.
“Four, including Nicki.” Jason replied. “Thing is, the other three were just small homesteads.”
Tilly spoke up from where she’d been playing with Sawyer on the rug in front of the stove. “Mom and Dad don’t know what to think of it. There is no reason someone should want our land so badly. It just doesn’t make sense.
Daddy says he’s not going anywhere without a fight.”
Jason nodded. “Jacob Ashland said the same when he stopped by earlier. I’m afraid if someone doesn’t figure this out soon, we’re going to have a bloodbath on our hands.”
Nicki’s heart pounded with dread at his words. Would there ever be an end to the trouble? Only God could help them all. If ever there was a time when people needed His comfort, it was now.
The men pushed back from the table and reached for their hats.
Quickly, Nicki stood. “Can we pray, please? There are so many people who need God’s help right now.”
Jason nodded and his face softened. “Sure, let’s do that.” Tossing his hat back on the table, he gripped the back of the chair in front of him and bowed his head. The others did the same. “God,” Jason’s voice was sincere, “we really need Your help right now. There are so many people who have been threatened and just a lot of questions, Lord. First I pray that You would bring whoever is responsible for all of this to justice. Reveal who they are, Lord. Second, we pray for Your favor for these innocent, hardworking people. We know You are a God of comfort even when we are going through a difficult time, so make Yourself ever closer to them now. We also ask, Lord, that You would allow Nicki to keep her ranch. Help us to be able to get the horses back here and the money to Portland with no further complications. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Nicki looked up, eyes misty, and met his gaze. “Thank you.”
He nodded and reached for his hat as Cade and Rocky headed for the door. “We should be back by this time tomorrow.”
She followed him, wishing he didn’t have to go. “I’ll be looking for you.”
He stepped out the door, then faced her and reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine.”
“Si.” She pressed her lips together.
His gaze flicked briefly to her mouth, and he grinned. “Si. No preocuparse.”
Her eyes widened. How had he learned to say “Don’t worry” in Spanish? He chuckled and stepped back, his hand lingering on hers so their arms stretched between them.
“How—?”
He held up his free hand, stopping her question with a wink. “A man has to have some secrets.”
“Really?”
He nodded, grinning like a cat lapping cream.
Across the yard Cade led two horses from the barn and cleared his throat loudly. “Jordan, the horses will all be dead by the time you quit staring like a schoolboy with a crush at Ms. Trent!”
Rocky grinned as he swung into the saddle.
Jason squeezed her fingers one last time. “I gotta go. We’ll be back tomorrow.”
She nodded, wishing she could throw herself into his arms. But Rocky and Cade waited.
He stepped back, breaking the contact between them, and Nicki felt bereft. She gripped the doorpost with both hands, leaning into it as she watched them ride from the yard. Jesus, bring him back to me, please.
17
Brooke rose to clear the dishes from their late lunch. Sky had just left to go back to work, and she missed him already. Her belly preceded her as she stood from the chair and she giggled at her own bulk. It seemed she couldn’t do anything these days without her tummy getting in the way.
She reached to pick up Sky’s plate and sucked in a gasp. “Ohhh.” She closed her eyes and waited. The pain eased, and she let out her breath. She would do the dishes and wait to see if she really was in labor. The dishes were in the hot water when the next contraction seized her. She waited for it to pass and calmly finished the chore.
That was how she spent her afternoon. Doing little chores here and there, making sure the house was in perfect order, and in between halting as a contraction demanded.
She was in the rocking chair, darning one of Sky’s socks, when he came in the door that evening. He took one look at her face and rushed to her side, squatting down by her chair. “Brooke honey, are you…?”
She bit her lip. “Sky, I think you should go for the doctor.”
He bolted to his feet. “The doctor!” Spinning back toward the door, he opened it so fast that it hit the toe of one of his boots, bounced back, and smashed his fingers against the jamb. Brooke winced, hearing his yelp of pain as he bolted outside, not even bothering to retrieve his hat from its peg. But he’d only been gone for a couple of seconds when he burst back through the door and took her by the elbow. “Up. I’m not leaving you sitting here in the living room.”
“Sky—,” Brooke began to protest but the iron in his gaze stopped her.
“Come on. Into bed.” He helped her climb the stairs, remove her dress, and get into her nightgown. Even brought her a cup of hastily made tea. “How long have you been—?” He rolled his hand around in the general area of her stomach but included her head and toes in the gesture.
“I think since lunch time.” She sipped the tepid tea calmly.
“Lunch!” He bolted to his feet again and, as he rushed out the door, she heard him mumble, “Lord, don’t let this child be as headstrong as she is!”
She smiled tiredly, knowing she was in the best of hands.
Sheriff Watts ran a tired hand down his face. He was trying to wrap his mind around the cases. He stood and moved to the woodstove, picking up the coffee pot and pouring the thick black liquid into his still half-full cup. It was an act of habit; his mind was not on the drink.
Jason Jordan had been out of jail only a couple days and already several more families had been threatened to move off their land. Could he have misjudged the man? He’d been in this business a long time. Long enough to know that sometimes even the most likable of men weren’t what they appeared to be.
His mind went back to Slim. He had come in and said that Jordan couldn’t have set the fire out at the Jeffries’ place. Could they be in this together?
No. He shook his head, staring out the window as he took a mincing sip of the hot coffee. Slim had been in this area for years. He didn’t think they were together on this, so that left only two options. One, Slim was lying for some reason and Jordan did set that fire. Or two, Slim had been telling the truth and Jordan was innocent. So why had the threats started again as soon as he was freed?
Clomping back to his desk, Watts pulled out the chair and sat down heavily. There was a third option, he suddenly realized. Someone could want to make it look like Jordan was doing this. But who would that be?
He twisted the end of his mustache. Perhaps he should have another talk with Slim. Maybe he could shed some light on this. Shuffling through the papers on his desk, he located the county plot map. He
added two more squares to the page, one around the Snow place and one around the Ashlands. Two squares already encompassed the plots indicating the Jeffries and Trent places.
He stared at the page, thoughtfully. What did these pieces of property have in common? Absentmindedly, he slurped his coffee.
A thought occurred to him. Jordan couldn’t have been the one shooting up Mrs. Trent’s spread; he’d been there, Nicki had told him so when he questioned her. Could the incidents be separate?
“Blazin’ saddles and cactuses! I got me more questions than rattlers in the Deschutes canyon!” Slapping his hand on the papers he stood, reaching for his hat. He needed some answers, and he wasn’t getting any sitting in the office.
Sky paced the living room. Ma was here, up in the room with the doctor. Marquis and Jeff had also come over, and the scent of coffee now wafted from the kitchen, where Jeff had disappeared on arrival. With a huff Sky sank down into a chair. He rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands behind his head. He sat there motionless for just a moment, then scrubbed his hands through his hair and looked up.
Marquis, seated on the couch, head cocked slightly to one side, wore a gentle smile as she listened to his movements. “Sky? She is going to be just fine. Doctor Martin is really good.”
He grimaced, praying she was right as he looked toward the stairs. “I’m sure you’re right. Just wish it wasn’t taking so blasted long!”
Marquis covered her mouth, but her mirth was plainly evident.
For a moment irritation flooded his veins; then he grinned. “Been pacing like a caged bear, haven’t I?”
She nodded.
“I’ve never been so excited and so worried all at the same time.”
A rustle on the stairs drew his gaze, and he jumped to his feet in anticipation.
Ma, skirts lifted, hurried down the last couple steps and across the room toward him. Tears streamed down her face and, without a word, she pulled him into a tight hug.
His excitement guttered and died. His arms went around her slowly, and he rested his chin on the top of her head. Something had gone wrong. His eyes slid shut. “Ma?” The word was barely audible.
She stepped back, brushing away the tears on her cheeks with both hands and straightening the front of his shirt.
He stood waiting, hands hanging limply at his sides. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to bear whatever she was trying to tell him.
She looked up, meeting his gaze, and a slow smile parted her lips even as more tears coursed down her cheeks. “You’re a daddy,” she whispered.
Relief flashed but was quickly followed by another plunge into dread.
He glanced at Marquis. Her face was taut, mouth slightly open, one hand pressed to her chest.
Dear God, not Brooke! He took a step back. “Brooke? Is she…?”
Ma brushed away more tears and blinked in surprise. “She’s fine, dear. Go on up and see for yourself.”
The strength left his knees and he plopped back down into his chair, his own eyes filling with moisture. He ran his fingers back through his hair. “You just took ten years off my life, Ma. I thought something was wrong.” He looked up at her.
She covered her mouth, eyes widening. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m a grandma and you’re a daddy and….it’s all too much. God is so good.”
He grinned, surged to his feet, and headed for the stairs with long strides. “Yes, He is.”
Quietly he pushed open the door to their room. Brooke was sitting up in bed, her back to the headboard, hair in wild disarray, cheeks flushed, and tired bags under her eyes. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Her concentration was on the swaddled baby resting in the crook of one arm as she talked to it softly. But when he entered she looked up and smiled, resting her head against the headboard. “Hi,” she whispered.
He blinked back tears as he padded to the edge of the bed and sat down, looking into the face of his child for the first time. “Hi.” He never took his eyes off the baby.
“Do you want to hold her?”
“Her?” His voice was gravely, and he cleared his throat. He had a daughter!
Brooke smiled and placed the baby in his arms. “Her.”
He felt like a peasant who’d just been handed the crown jewels. He swallowed, still blinking back tears. One man didn’t deserve so much blessing.
All he could see was the face of the swaddled little bundle. A small tuft of black hair pulsed in time with her heartbeat at the top of her head. Long black lashes rested against small round cheeks. And when he stroked her cheek with the back of one finger her tiny pink mouth automatically turned in that direction, looking for something to latch onto.
He chuckled tenderely and looked at Brooke. “She’s beautiful.” Brooke smiled, eyes sliding shut. “I want to name her Sierra Dawn.”
He looked back at his little girl. “That’s a fine name. Hello, Sierra Dawn.” Doctor Martin approached, drying his hands on a towel. “Best to let them sleep for now,” he whispered.
Sky stood, helping Brooke, who gave no protest, slide down under the covers and snuggle the baby securely in her arms.
His heart soared as he stood back, arms folded, and took in the sight of his wife and daughter. Yes, indeed. No man ever was so blessed.
The next morning, Nicki was checking the barn over one last time when she heard a rider enter the yard. Diablo began to have a conniption.
Rolf looked up from where he was huddled in one corner mending harnesses, but Nicki waved him to stillness as she moved to see who it was.
“Diablo!” Nicki stepped out of the barn. “Quiet!” The pup lay down and put his head on his huge paws with only a whimper of protest.
It was William. He swung down from the saddle with practiced ease and emerged into her vision holding a huge bouquet of wild irises.
He held them out to her with a smile. “I thought you might like these. There are hundreds of them in the little valley at the back end of my property. When I saw them, I thought of you and couldn’t resist bringing you some.”
Feeling slightly uneasy, Nicki took the flowers. “They’re beautiful, William. Thank you.” She buried her nose in the blossoms.
“You named him Diablo?” William gestured to the puppy, but his eyes took in the barn, stripped of everything but the walls. A frown formed.
Nicki rolled her eyes at the puppy, ignoring William’s obvious interest in the barn. “Trust me, he earned the name. The first night we kept him in the house and he dug himself a hole to the outside, right by the door there.” She gestured to a place at the base and to the left of the door that had obviously been patched recently. “Ron fixed it. And the next night we decided to tie him outside. He proceeded to redig the hole to the inside.” She gestured to the same spot. “He’s a little devil, but Sawyer loves him, and for that I thank you.” William smoothed one hand down the front of his cowhide vest. “I see you are cleaning out the barn. I heard in town that the church members are going to help you with a barn-raising.”
Nicki nodded, her unease growing. Jason, Rocky, and Cade could be back with the horses at any minute. It wouldn’t do for William to be here when they arrived. She grimaced inwardly. Had Jason convinced her, then, that William wasn’t all that he made himself out to be? She shuddered. Could he really have set fire to the Jeffries’ cabin? Shot at her? Maybe even killed John? She buried her face in the bouquet to hide her thoughts from him. What would be his motivation for those actions? Just to get land? Surely not. Still…better safe than sorry.
“What can I do for you, William?” She wanted to hurry him on his mission, whatever that might be, and get him out of here.
His face softened. “Come riding with me.”
Nicki looked up. What should she do? Could she keep him riding long enough for the men to get the horses back to the ranch undiscovered?
William cleared his throat.
Nicki sighed. No. Better get him on his way as soon as possible. “I can’t go riding with
you. Sawyer has had a runny nose, and I don’t want to take him out in this cold.”
His face hardened. “Tilly can watch him.”
Nicki shook her head. “No. It’s just about time for her to head for home. And something awful happened at their place two nights ago. I don’t want her riding home in the dark.”
William folded his arms. “Yes, I heard. Interesting that things started happening again as soon as Jason got out of jail.”
And just like that, Nicki knew. Like a kick in the chest from a mule, the truth hit her. It was William. He was trying to set Jason up. Jason had been with her the whole afternoon and evening when the Snows and Ashlands had been threatened. He had a rock-solid alibi. Fear clenched a fist around her heart, and she stepped back.
William nodded. “Yes, I can see the truth dawning on your face. Where has Jason been lately?”
Jesus! Help me remain calm. “I—I don’t—he hasn’t been here for several hours.”
Satisfaction washed his features. “I thought so.” He almost smiled. “I’ll let the sheriff know.”
“Yes, well. I best be getting inside so Tilly can go home.” All she wanted was to get away from him as fast as she could. She started toward the soddy.
He fell into step beside her. “How about Mrs. Jeffries? She could watch the boy.”
Nicki hated it when he referred to Sawyer as “the boy.” She turned to look him full in the face. “Mrs. Jeffries is still grieving the loss of her murdered daughter. She does not need to be babysitting Sawyer.” Did his face pale slightly at that remark?
William cleared his throat. “Fine, then have Tilly wait. Come riding with me, and I will escort her home when we get back.”
Nicki scrambled for something to say. “William, nothing more can ever come from our relationship. I thank you for being a good friend and neighbor, but that is all we can ever be—friends and neighbors.”
High Desert Haven (The Shepherd's Heart) Page 22
