Nathan went first, putting his left foot in the stirrup and swinging his right over the saddle, as Jake instructed.
“Now, don’t hold the reins too tight,” he cautioned as the mare danced backward from the pressure on her bit. “That’s it. Just let her get used to you. Good. Now lift the reins and lean forward just a little.”
With no more coaxing than that, Duchess stepped out and completed a circle around the yard. While Jake offered encouragement, Nathan directed the little horse right, then left, took her to a trot, then slowed to a walk, finally stopping beside Jake.
He slid from the saddle, his face alight with pleasure. “Did you see that, Sis? Did you see me ride?”
“I certainly did. I think you are a natural in the saddle.”
“My turn, Mr. Jake. It’s my turn, now.” Calvin climbed into the saddle and repeated the moves Nathan had done. Rachel smiled and praised him, too. When he pulled a little too hard on the reins, causing Duchess to take three steps backward, his eyes grew as round as a saucer. She couldn’t help but laugh at the shock and delight on his face.
“Now you, Miss Rachel.” Calvin slid to the ground.
“What?” She swung around to stare at Calvin. “Oh, no. I don’t know how.”
“Well, of course you don’t. That’s what we’re doing here, learning how to ride,” Calvin reasoned.
“Come on, Sis,” Nathan urged. You can do it.”
She eased away from the waiting horse. “I don’t think so. I don’t have time. I should go and practice my shooting. I really don’t need to learn to ride right now.”
Before they could launch another verbal attack, Jake interrupted. “Maybe she just doesn’t want an audience. Why don’t you two go inside and dig out your skinning knives? We need to get them sharpened before Calvin’s father gets back.”
“Okay.” They departed reluctantly, glancing back several times to see if she was going to try and ride Duchess. Finally, they disappeared into the house.
“Come on, pretty girl. They aren’t watching now. Climb on up here.”
“No, Jake, really. I don’t think I need to...”
Instead of trying to convince her, he slipped an arm behind her back and urged her closer. “Put your left foot here.” He guided it into place in the stirrup. “Now swing your right leg over.” In a flurry of skirt and petticoats, she found herself astride Duchess. Panic fluttered in her stomach. The horse picked up on her tension and sidestepped, her ears flattened against her skull.
“Easy, girl,” Jake soothed the animal. “Whoa, Duchess.”
“Jake?” Her voice shook. She hated to let him know how frightened she was, but her pride was a small thing to sacrifice at the moment. “I don’t want to do this.”
“Relax, Rachel. You’re making Duchess nervous. Let me adjust the stirrups so you can balance better.”
He wrapped one warm hand around her left ankle and slipped her boot from the stirrup. Lengthening the strap one notch, he helped her find her footing again. When he released her, his fingers caressed her ankle beneath the cover of her skirt.
Her breath shortened. She tried to protest, but found she couldn’t breathe at all as he smoothed his hand the length of her right leg, from thigh to foot, before adjusting the strap on that side of the saddle. He grinned up into her stunned face.
“Ready to give this a try?”
Without waiting for her to reply, he took up the reins and clicked his tongue. Duchess took two steps before Rachel slipped in the saddle. She squealed, startling the docile horse. The animal reared, ripping the reins out of Jake’s hand. The horse bolted and Rachel grabbed for the saddle horn to keep from being dumped out of the saddle. Over the hills, away from town, the spooked animal raced. Rachel leaned forward to try and grab the reins, but that only made the horse run faster.
“Whoa, girl. Please stop. Duchess. Stop. Stop!”
Rachel breathed a sigh of relief when the horse slowed a little and turned to circle back toward the cabin, but her joy was short-lived. As Duchess came around a rock and dodged right, Rachel parted company with the saddle.
•♥•
“Rachel? Honey, talk to me.”
The darkness receded and she opened her eyes. “What happened?” She lay on the ground, staring up at Jake’s anxious face. “I was on a horse. How did I get down here?”
“Something spooked Duchess. She’s never bolted like that. Damn, I’m sorry, honey. Are you all right?”
She struggled upright with Jake’s assistance, and waited for her head to stop spinning while she took stock. “I don’t believe anything is injured but my pride,” she reassured Jake.
Not satisfied, he examined her himself, checking her head for bumps, her face for bruises. He felt the length of both arms and both legs, checking for injury. He found nothing until he reached her left ankle.
“Ouch.” She flinched and tried to pull away, but he didn’t release her.
“Easy, honey. Let me take a look at it.”
He shoved her skirt to her knees, slipped the boot from her foot, but still couldn’t see what was wrong. When he reached for the top of her stocking, she slapped at his hand, but there wasn’t much heat in it. Instead of making him stop, she took his fingers in her own and guided him up her thigh. She felt him trace the edge of the garment and stop.
Glancing up, she was snagged by the fire in his gaze. Whimpering with need, she fisted her hands in his hair and pulled him down into the grass.
“Sis!”
“Miss Rachel. Mr. Jake.”
The worried calls from Nathan and Calvin registered in her fuzzy brain. Jake heard them, too, and rolled away from her, coming to his knees. Turning back, he yanked her skirt over her legs before calling out to reassure the boys.
“We’re over here. She’s fine.”
Rachel covered her face with both hands. What was the matter with her? He was only trying to help and she’d thrown herself at him like...just like the women in El Paso would have.
“Hey, why the long face?” Jake leaned over her, worry coloring his voice. “Honey, what’s wrong? Are you really hurt?”
She couldn’t look at him, see the disgust in his eyes. She was nothing more than a harlot, a common trollop, just as the people of Lucinda had branded her.
“Rachel.” Jake dragged her hands from her face and peered into her eyes. “Talk to me, or I’m sending Nathan to fetch Abby.”
“I’m just like her, aren’t I?”
Jake looked confused. “Like who? Abby?”
“No,” she sighed. “My mother. I tried so hard not to be, but I can’t resist you. When you’re close, all I can think about it getting closer.”
He stared at her for a second before a grin kicked up one corner of his full lips. “I can’t say I find anything wrong with that.”
“But, doesn’t that make me a...a...” She swallowed hard and forced herself to say it. “A fallen woman?”
Jake threw back his head and laughed. “Hardly. Do you want to toss Arnold Miller to the ground when he walks by?”
“Of course not!” How could he suggest such a thing?
“Do you offer yourself to any man who comes along, as long as he has a few coins to share?”
“How dare you!” Her fingers curled into a fist. She turned her back, afraid she might give in to her temper and knock that smile off his handsome face.
Jake leaned across her, pinning her in place with his weight when she started to rise. “You’re only a fallen woman if you count that tumble from Duchess. What we share, honey, is pure, beautiful attraction. It’s special, not wrong. And it doesn’t make you a prostitute.” Jake scooped her into his arms and started for the house. She barely had time to snag her boot.
“Jake McCain,” she hissed. “Put me down.”
“Not until I can get a good look at that ankle.”
She huffed in exasperation. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. I can walk.”
“Nope. Besides, I like the feel of you right where y
ou are.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and winked.
She wasn’t amused. “Please, Jake. The boys.”
“Shut up, woman. Just stop talking and let me handle this.”
The boys careened around a boulder and into their path, nearly colliding with Jake.
Nathan’s eyes went wide at the sight of his sister in Jake’s arms. Rachel could only wonder what he would think if he’d come upon them a few minutes earlier. The heat of a blush swarmed across her cheeks.
“You said she was fine,” he accused.
“I am.” She glanced at Nathan from her perch. “I twisted my ankle a bit when I fell, that’s all.”
They fell into step beside Jake. “You fell off Duchess?” Nathan could barely contain his grin.
“She bolted and I lost my hold and if you laugh, Nathan Joseph Hudson, I swear you’ll be washing dishes for a week!”
Nathan pulled his face into a contrite mask and bit his lips, holding back the laughter for nearly five steps. Then it burst forth in a joyous cackle, a sound no one could resist. Calvin doubled over and dropped to his knees, rolling in the dirt and clutching his sides. Even Jake was losing his battle against a grin.
Rachel looked around, ready to lecture the lot of them, but she caught sight of the dust clinging to her backside. She looked ridiculous, hair askew, dress filthy, being carried to the house like a princess. She sputtered, choking off a laugh. When she caught Jake’s gaze, and the humor lurking there, she gave in. Soon all four were laughing and chattering as they made their way home.
As the cabin came into view, the smile faded from Jake’s face. “Nathan, did you leave the door open?”
“No, sir. I closed it. I’m sure I did.”
“Maybe you were too worried about your sister and forgot.”
The boy shook his head, denying it. Calvin defended him. “He closed it, Mr. Jake. I watched him.”
“Well, it’s open now.” He backtracked a few steps to set Rachel behind a rock. He handed Nathan his revolver, grip first. Nathan accepted it without a word. “Stay here,” Jake ordered. “And watch your backs.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
As Jake melted into the landscape, the boys flanked her, one facing the house, the other the empty hills behind them.
“Maybe it’s Wolf,” Rachel offered.
“No horse,” Nathan answered, never taking his eyes off the door. “And he’d have stayed where we could see him.”
Rachel searched for Jake, but couldn’t see him. “He might have left the door ajar so we would know he was in there.”
“Pa won’t be back for at least two days, maybe three.”
She wanted to argue, but she couldn’t think. Her ankle throbbed, reminding her that she’d just taken a tumble from a horse. Now, Jake was walking into danger because someone had been in her home. And two boys who shouldn’t have to worry about things like guns and protection were standing guard over her. It was almost more than she could bear.
She felt the sting of tears and blinked them back. Crying would help nothing, and it would only make Nathan uncomfortable. He hated it when she gave in to tears.
After what seemed like an eternity, Jake came out of the house and strode back to where they waited. “The house is empty. If there was anybody inside, they aren’t there now.”
“Maybe the wind blew it open.” Rachel glanced down at the grass and flowers, none of which showed the slightest sign of a breeze.
“You must have hit your head, Sis,” Nathan stared at her. “There ain’t no—isn’t any wind today.”
“It doesn’t matter. Let’s get you inside.” Jake took his revolver from Nathan, nodding approval when the boy took care to keep the muzzle pointed away from everyone. He slipped it back into the holster at his waist, then lifted Rachel in his arms and crossed the remaining distance to the house. Setting her in the rocker, he had Nathan and Calvin pull one of the benches from the table close so she could rest her foot on it. Then he sent them out for water.
“But there’s a whole bucket right there. I brought it in just before Sis took off on her ride.” Nathan snickered, but the look Jake shot him quelled the humor.
Jake raised one eyebrow. “Nathan, go outside for a minute.”
“But—”
“Go,” Jake and Rachel ordered in unison.
The moment the door closed behind them, Rachel started to her feet.
“What are you doing?” He blocked her easily and she plopped back down into the rocker.
“Going to my room to change out of this filthy dress.”
He pulled a twig from her hair and tossed it aside. “Not until I check that ankle. Now, sit still.”
“Jake,” she argued. “I’m fine. It’s just a little sore, nothing to be concerned with.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” His hands were gentle when he lifted her leg and stretched it across his own.
When he pressed too hard on a bruised spot, she tried to pull away. “Ouch, that hurt.”
Jake winced in sympathy, taking more care as he finished examining her foot. “I’m sorry I ever put you up on Duchess.”
“I tried to tell you I don’t belong on a horse. I attempted it once before, when I was younger.”
Jake lowered her foot to the bench and made sure her skirt covered her. “What happened?”
“The same thing, only I got a bump on the head instead of a twisted ankle. We had two mules to pull the wagon. One of my duties was to lead them to water when we stopped for the night. I decided to try riding one of them. I thought it would be better than walking all the way to the creek and back. I stopped the smaller of the two beside a fallen tree and climbed on. I did fine until the mule decided she didn’t want a rider. She took four or five running steps, kicked out with her hind legs and sidestepped, dumping me into the grass. Mrs. Hudson wasn’t happy that I’d torn the sleeve of my dress. I lied and told her I’d tripped. It didn’t stop the beating, but at least it wasn’t as bad as it might have been, had she known the truth.”
“They beat you for falling off a mule?” He sounded appalled at the idea.
“‘Withhold not correction from a child,’” she recited. “‘Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell.’ Proverbs Twenty-three. I think that was their favorite Bible passage. I certainly heard it enough.” Rachel shifted in the rocker, hurting more from her fall than she wanted to let on. “They weren’t bad people, Jake. They were just very strict for a young girl who’d grown up as I had, doing what I wanted whenever I wanted.”
He wasn’t convinced. “They didn’t have to strike you. I was pretty wild when the McCains took me in, but they never raised a hand to me.”
Rachel changed the subject. “May I go now? I really would like to clean up a little.”
Jake looked like he would argue. She opened her mouth to beg, but he relented and helped her to her bedroom door. “I’ll bring you some hot water.” When the blanket closed over the doorway, she sank onto the bed and bit back a groan. Her ankle throbbed and her left shoulder felt scraped and raw. Wishing she had a cup of tonic, she settled for a warm sponge bath and a short nap.
When Rachel awoke an hour later, she was still sore, but she felt a little better. Gingerly putting weight on her ankle, she hobbled around the room until most of the stiffness was gone. Once she could walk without drawing attention to the fact that she hurt, she went in search of Jake and the boys.
They were nowhere to be found, but since all the horses were gone from the corral, she assumed they were practicing their riding skills. Confident Jake wouldn’t be too far away to hear a shot, Rachel headed for the lean-to, carrying the loaded rifle. There was work to be done and she may as well get to it.
After cleaning out the chicken coops and filling them with fresh hay, she gathered up the few eggs she’d found. Climbing the two steps to the porch took the last of her energy and made her ankle throb. Deciding some tonic was in order, Rachel went to the sea chest and hefted the heavy lid.
She sat on the floor, staring at the mess around her, certain she must have missed it. “Maybe Nathan took it,” she reasoned with the empty room. But he wouldn’t have dumped everything else out like that. She searched for another explanation, but only came up with one. Someone had been in the cabin.
Rachel scrambled for the rifle. Jake had promised a single rifle shot would bring him running. Her hands shook as she stuffed a bullet into the chamber and pulled back on the lever. For an instant, it refused to budge, but her terror gave her strength. Throwing open the door, she took two steps onto the porch and pulled the trigger, firing the warning shot into the air without bothering to raise the gun to her shoulder.
The blast knocked her backward and she thumped into the wall, jarring her sore shoulder. She hardly noticed. Forcing herself to calm down, she crawled inside and closed the door. When she’d caught her breath, she loaded the rifle again, dropping as many bullets on the floor as she managed to push into the chamber. “That will have to be enough.” She stumbled to the far side of the room, sank to the floor, and aimed the rifle at the door.
As Rachel waited for Jake, her fear turned to anger. Someone had violated her home, and stolen from her. The picture had no value to anyone but her and Nathan. That gave her pause. Had Nathan retrieved the picture for some reason and not told her? She dismissed the idea. He didn’t know she’d put the box into the chest. But it was possible he’d guessed. She’d ask him before jumping to the conclusion that someone had been in the cabin long enough to search for it and still get out unobserved.
“Rachel?”
She nearly sobbed with relief when she heard Jake call from outside the cabin.
Texas Gold Page 27
