by Linda Ford
“Did they threaten you?” If they had, he would ride after them.
“No. They had just arrived when you rode up. Thank goodness you did.” Her voice quavered and he understood she had been frightened.
He stroked her hair and rubbed her back. “Good thing I decided to head back a little early.” He looked about. “Where’s Joey?”
She lifted her head to look around. “He was playing by the house but when he saw the men he went inside. Smart kid.”
“Gus?”
“I don’t know. He’s been out doing chores most of the afternoon.”
Sam caught her chin and tipped her face up so he could search it. Her eyes were wide. “You must have had quite a fright.”
“I was a little scared.”
He drew a fingertip along her cheek to the corner of her mouth. “When I saw them I—” He didn’t finish. His heart was too full, his tongue too clumsy.
She smiled up at him. “I had a shovel and was prepared to defend myself.”
He chuckled. “You are one feisty gal. Are all Norwegians like you?”
“Of course.”
He laughed. “I know they aren’t. I don’t think there is anyone quite like you in the whole world.” He rubbed his finger along her chin, the tip brushing her bottom lip.
Her eyes darkened to the color of the sky just before sunset. Her hands slipped around his shoulders. “Am I to take that as a compliment?”
“You sure are. You are…” He searched for the words to say what was in his heart. “Special.”
“Thank you, kind sir.” She lifted her face toward him, her gaze on his lips.
He knew so little about women, their needs and wants, but he was almost certain she offered an invitation. So he followed his heart and lowered his head to claim her lips.
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. She tasted sweet. Her lips were warm and welcoming. Her hands pressed to his back, each a blessing. She sighed. He felt it in his heart as much as on his lips. He’d kissed Luanne a time or two, but it had felt nothing like this. This was like honey and wildflowers and all good things, touching every corner of his being, every secret place of his heart.
She sighed again and he ended the kiss, slowly, reluctantly.
He was not mistaken in believing she was as disinclined to end it as he, for her arms tightened about him and she looked up at him, her eyes dark pools of emotion that made him want to shout jubilation, and at the same time, whisper sweet words.
Except he knew none and settled for, “I’m glad you’re safe and that you didn’t have to beat them off with a shovel.”
She laughed. “They would be, too, if they only knew the danger they faced.”
He joined in her laughter though a goodly portion of him still vibrated with fear.
She took his arm and led him toward the house. “We better check on Joey and make sure he is okay.”
They went into the house. The boy wasn’t in the kitchen or living area. “That’s strange.” She called, “Joey.” No response. “Maybe he’s in the bedroom.” They went there. Didn’t see Joey.
Clinging to Sam’s hand, she rushed to the door. It stood open to let a breeze through the house. “What if he went out and they—”
He was glad she didn’t finish. “I’m sure that didn’t happen. I watched until they were at the end of the lane.”
She flung about. “Where is he?”
Sam took her hand and drew her inside. “The first thing we are going to do is look in every corner of the house.”
She nodded, but didn’t speak, and he guided her into the kitchen. They looked in the pantry, behind the stove, and in the big cupboard beneath the work station.
“He’s not here.” She bit down on her lip.
Sam looked behind the armchair. He went again to Elin’s bedroom and looked under the beds. He rose and shook his head. Not wanting to further alarm her, he did his best to hide his growing concern. “Maybe he’s in Gus’s bedroom.” They looked there to no avail. That left Sam’s bedroom. He stepped through the doorway praying he would see Joey. His heart cramped when he didn’t. He looked under the bed and his lungs remembered how to work. Joey looked back at him with huge eyes.
“Joey, come out.” The boy didn’t move. “Come on. Elin and I are both here. You’re safe.”
The boy scrambled out and threw himself into Elin’s waiting arms. She hugged him tight.
Sam wrapped his arms around them both. Elin blinked back tears.
Sam guided the pair to the armchair. He sat and pulled them to his lap, holding them both tight.
They were still there when Gus walked into the room. He jerked to a halt and stared at them. “What did I miss?”
Elin pushed to her feet. “Three riders.”
“Bad men,” Joey added. “G’ma tell me hide from bad men.”
Three adults looked at the child. Sam wondered why Joey’s grandmother would say such a thing.
“Where were you?” Sam asked Gus.
Gus got a sheepish look on his face. “I went to the bunkhouse and checked the mousetraps and kind of fell asleep on one of the bunks.”
Sam groaned. “You need to make sure Elin is safe.”
Elin jammed her fists on her hips. “Gus had no way of knowing such characters would ride up.”
They waited until Joey had wandered away to give Gus the details.
Gus’s old eyes watered up and he spoke to Elin. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
Elin patted his arm. “Nothing did.”
“I will stay at the house and stay awake from now on.”
Sam regretted making Gus feel guilty. “No one was hurt. I wonder if they’re responsible for the rustling.”
But of course no one could answer him. “I’m going to have a look around.” He strode from the house and went to the barn. Nothing seemed out of place. He went from building to building and looked for any signs the men had been there. He saw nothing, but it did not make him feel any better.
He returned to the house. “Everything seems okay.”
Elin let out her rushed breath. “I hope we’ve seen the last of them.”
Sam kept his opinion to himself that men like that didn’t give up, and until they found Harry they would be a constant threat.
He needed to warn Billy and the others to be extra vigilant, but he didn’t want to leave Elin alone.
That night Joey cried at bedtime. He cried when Elin and Sam left the bedroom.
“I’ll go to bed,” Elin said, after several unsuccessful attempts to settle the boy. “He’s been badly frightened by those men.”
He caught at her hand before she could leave. “I’m glad you’re safe. You, Joey, and Gus.”
She came closer, touched her fingertip to his lips. “I’m glad too.”
He cupped his hand to the back of her head and bent his head to brush his lips to hers. He lingered there a moment, in a kiss as soft as kitten fur. She lowered her head, ending the intimacy. But neither of them backed away.
“I can’t imagine what I would do if something happened to you,” he whispered.
She looked up at him, her eyes full of so many things…surprise, pleasure, hope…
He said nothing and backed away.
Joey called.
“Good night.” She hurried to the bedroom and closed the door.
He pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. He’d said too much. More than he had a right too.
Elin leaned against the bedroom door, feeling as wrung out as a piece of laundry. Her emotions had been up and down like she rode a bucking horse. Fear and courage intermingled when she felt threatened by those men. Relief and gratitude when Sam came to her rescue. Those feelings had culminated in so much raw emotion that she had welcomed his kiss. Kissed him back.
He said he didn’t know what he would do if something happened to her.
If only he had said more. Said he would marry her. That would ensure both of them that sh
e had a permanent place in his home.
And in his heart?
She sat down on the edge of her bed. Joey’s eyes drifted closed. Darkness closed in on the room. She reached out to light the lamp and then drew back. What if those men were still out there? She pulled the curtains tighter before she lit the lamp. She and Sam had agreed to read their Bibles. By silent agreement, they read the same passage and often discussed it.
She opened the pages and read the next chapter, seeking to regain the sweetness and peace she’d experienced that day, but only a portion of it returned.
It wasn’t only the fear of those men that disrupted her search for peace.
It was knowing that Sam might care, but not enough to put aside his fear of being hurt.
Please, God, help him realize that some things are worth the risk.
Like love?
She closed the Bible and climbed under the covers. Yes, like love.
Joey woke up cheerful the next morning, the events of the previous day apparently forgotten.
Elin sang as she prepared breakfast. She might not have all she dreamed of, but she had a place where she was needed and people who cared about her.
Sam came from his room, his hair all tussled. He yawned.
Elin set a cup of coffee before him at the table and watched him, liking the way he came awake slowly, by degrees.
Gus shuffled to the table and sat down, welcoming a cup of coffee.
Smiling, her heart full despite a few disappointments, Elin prepared breakfast and served it.
Gus said the grace and they ate.
Conversation was limited to please pass and thank you. Elin decided the men were lost in their own thoughts.
Sam finished and pushed his chair back, holding his second cup of coffee. “I think I better stay around here today.”
Gus nodded. “It ain’t like I sleep all the time.”
“No offense to you, Gus, but those three men left a bad taste in my mouth. No telling what they will do.”
“Guess you’re right. But what about the cows?”
“The men know what they’re doing.” Sam told of the trap he’d set. “We’ll catch them this time for sure.”
Gus hunkered over his coffee.
Elin kept her comments to herself. The truth was, she was glad to have Sam stick around, and not just for safety sake. But she had work to do. As soon as the kitchen was clean, she began the ironing.
Sam went outside and seemed to be doing repairs on the corral fences. Or was he simply trying to look busy?
Later in the morning, the ironing done, she went outside to enjoy the fresh air and Sam’s company. He looked up as she approached.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“It’s fine. But the day is too nice to spend it indoors. What are you doing?”
“Reinforcing this pen.” He indicated a spike he had driven in. “It needs to be solid when we break horses.”
“I have no idea what that means.”
He leaned back on the fence and grinned at her. “We bring in wild horses and someone rides them until the horse decides he might as well let them.”
She knew her eyes had grown wide. “That sounds like a tall tale.”
“Nope.”
“Don’t the cowboys get bucked off?”
He nodded, his grin a little crooked. “Lots of times.”
“Sounds to me like it’s the cowboys who get broken, not the horses.”
He laughed loudly, took her elbow, and pulled her close. “You’re right.” He trailed his hand up and down her arm. He sobered. His eyes grew serious. “You are right in so many ways.”
Warmth crept into her cheeks. When had anyone ever said things that made her feel so worthwhile? So valued?
Never.
Sam, we have something special here. Something worth keeping, making permanent. But she couldn’t utter those words. Not unless he gave some indication he would welcome them. Otherwise she might frighten him away.
His gaze was warm, full of promise.
The sound of a racing horse brought an end to anything more he might have said, and they looked toward the sound.
“Billy!” Sam said. “Something’s wrong.”
Chapter 13
Sam met Billy in front of the barn. Billy didn’t bother to dismount. “Sam, a whole bunch of cows is gone. They were pushed along the river and crossed over.”
“So why didn’t you go get them back?”
“’Cause when we crossed the river, we ran into gunfire. Must be a half-dozen men or more stationed to pick us off.”
“Anyone hurt?” A man’s life was worth more than a few cows.
“Andy got nicked. Just a flesh wound.” Billy chuckled. “Though the way he carried on you’d be tempted to think he’d been mortally wounded.”
“Was this the bunch I said to let wander away?”
“No, Boss, and it’s the strangest thing. That bunch was stampeded away. While we rode after them, someone slipped in and cut these out. It was still dark, mind. So it wasn’t like we saw them coming. They sure seemed to know what we was doing.” Billy shook his head.
Sam stared at the man. “Are you saying you think one of our cowboys is letting the rustlers know what’s going on?”
“Sure hate to think it, Boss. But they knew more than most would. They knew what draw to take the cows up in order to reach the river the fastest and where to post men so we couldn’t see them.”
“Maybe these men are just smarter than most rustlers. I don’t like to think one of my men is a traitor.”
“Yeah, Boss. Me neither.” He touched the brim of his hat. “Howdy, ma’am.”
Elin had moved closer. Likely overheard the whole thing.
Sam stood with his hands on his hips as he considered his options. He needed to ride out and get his cows back. But he didn’t like to leave Elin here to possibly face those men again.
She touched his elbow. “Go see to your cattle. We’re safe here. We’ll be careful.”
He hesitated two more seconds. “Billy, go get my rifle and ammo from the bunkhouse.” He went to saddle up Sorry.
Elin waited for him when he led the horse out. He stopped and faced her.
“I will pray for your safety and the return of your cows,” she said. “But mostly for the safety of you and your men.”
“Thank you.” He allowed himself to touch her cheek and then swung up. He and Billy galloped away.
They reached the cattle. He called several of the men to follow him, left the others with instructions to keep a sharp eye, then followed Billy’s directions to where the cattle had been driven away. They reached the river and stopped.
“This is as far as we could go without being shot at,” Billy said.
He signaled the men to stay back and rode slowly forward.
A shot rang out and he flinched. “Hello? Who are you? What do you want?”
“Got what we want.”
“Show yourself.”
The answer came in the form of another shot.
“You can’t stay there forever,” Sam called.
“Only have to stay here until the cows disappear.”
Billy turned to Sam. “How can cows disappear?”
“Might be someone is rebranding them.” When he and Harry had chosen the brand H-S, Sam had warned it could be altered. Like H+8. Harry had mocked the idea and insisted he liked the simplicity of the brand.
“We could go round that hill.” Sam pointed. “Come in from the back.”
“Already tried it, Boss. They got people posted there too.”
Sam slapped his lariat against his leg. “There has to be a way. I’m going to try it on my own.”
Billy blocked Sam’s horse. “That ain’t so smart, especially when you have a gal like Elin waiting for you back home.”
Billy was right, but Sam had no intention of letting some good-for-nothing scoundrels rob him of a herd he had worked so hard to build. He returned to the camp and squatted by the
fire. He sucked back the coffee Percy offered him and mulled over his options. Finally, he got up. “I’m going to have a look over there.” He indicated the direction where they had let the cattle wander in the hopes of setting a trap. He couldn’t believe it had failed so spectacularly.
He rode to where the draw veered to the left then dismounted, and carrying his rifle, he edged along the north side of the draw, hoping he was out of sight of anyone perched on the top.
He walked a mile or so, then stopped to listen. It was quiet except for the pounding of his heart, and he hoped no one could hear that but him. He took off his hat, palmed his pistol, and inch by inch, eased his head up. He wanted to see what or who was up there and hoped his movements were slow enough to not draw any attention.
One more inch and he’d be able to see over the top of the rim. He pushed upward.
And looked straight into the barrel of a rifle.
“Howdy,” the voice at the end of the gun said.
It was the last word Sam heard. The rifle was the last thing he saw.
As the afternoon passed, Elin spent more and more time looking out the window.
“No point in worrying,” Gus said. “He’ll come back when he’s got things sorted out.”
She glanced at Gus over her shoulder. “Don’t bother telling me you aren’t just as worried as I am.”
“Nope.”
Joey looked from one to the other. “Where Sam?”
Elin regretted the boy had picked up on her concern. “He’s gone to check on the cows. He’ll be back soon.” She went to the stove and lifted the lids off each pot as if to convince Joey that Sam would return for supper. She wished she could convince herself.
She glanced at the clock for the umpteenth time. It was past their usual time to eat and Joey needed to be fed. “We might as well have supper. I’ll put some aside for Sam.” She dished up a plateful for each of them. But she had no appetite. She wouldn’t be able to relax until she saw Sam standing in the doorway, grinning at her. She noticed Gus ate little.
Joey was falling asleep over his plate.
“Time for bed, little boy.”
“I wait for Sam.”
“You can sleep while you wait.”
