Bittersweep

by Wareeze Woodson

  Blake took a wild swing at JP and bellowed, “Why, you son of a—”

  JP blocked the movement and returned the punch with force. Blake stumbled back and sprawled on the ground. JP grabbed him by the collar and lifted him to his feet. Without loosening his hold, JP marched Blake to the back of the barn, pointing to the raw cowhide.

  “You thieving bastard. Read the brand on that hide.” When Blake failed to comply, JP shook him.

  “Rocking H.” Blake gulped.

  “Yeah, Rocking H. My steer, wearing my brand.” He twisted Blake’s collar tighter. “If one more cow, calf, steer, or any of my cattle goes missing again, I’ll know where to look.”

  Blake huffed out, “I bought it from a feller over at the settlement.”

  “Bought it, did you? That makes you worse than a rustler. You couldn’t even steal the animal for yourself.” JP glared at the man. “You knew the steer belonged to me. The hide is marked Rocking H plain as day.”

  With a disgraceful whine in his voice Blake pleaded, “I didn’t mean no harm. The steer was already dead. I bought a shoulder and the hide for my family.”

  “Get up off your sorry butt and plow the fields. There’s plenty of work around this place, and the opportunity to make a living.” JP loosened his hold on Blake and shoved him. “Be a man, not a sorry thief. If you don’t, I’ll turn you over to the sheriff. You won’t get another chance. And like I said, if one more of my herd goes missing, I’ll hold you accountable.”

  “You ain’t fair blaming me. I couldn’t rustle by my lonesome.”

  Blake’s whining punched JP in the gut and he snarled, “You’ll go to jail by your lonesome unless you name everyone involved. I want a written list.” He pushed Blake toward the door. “Let’s get back in the house.”

  Entering the dwelling behind Blake, JP paused in the threshold. The children huddled against Mrs. Blake with wide, frightened eyes. JP wanted to cuss because the children were subjected to this situation, but he didn’t. He searched for Amy and discovered her cowering in the dark shadows of the corner, staring at him with a fear-filled expression. Tension radiated from her hunched shoulders and tightly curled body. JP lowered his voice careful to speak in a soothing tone. “Amy, you and the children are safe enough.” He smiled at her then the children. “Go pack all your belongings. You’re coming with me tonight.”

  Amy hesitated for a moment, her expression guarded. Glancing around, she finally started out the back of the room.

  JP called after her, “You’ll be treated like a human instead of like a stray dog.”

  “Now, hold on,” Blake said. “You have no call to remove her. Her papa left her with me and the missus.”

  “Yes, he left her to attend school, not serve as the slave to your entire household.”

  “It ain’t like that. Chores was part of the bargain.”

  JP agreed, but a stern warning echoed in his voice. “Light chores after school. Not unreasonable servitude. Keeping her from attending school because Mrs. Blake wanted the washing done is not reasonable or acceptable.”

  Blake extended his jaw, his stance belligerent. “It needed doing.”

  “By your wife, not this child. She’s not even ten yet.”

  “She’s old enough to help.”

  JP took a threatening step toward Blake. “Every time you open your mouth, you dig the hole a little deeper. Both of you need the beating of your lives. So, say no more while I’m able to restrain myself. You’d better get paper and pen. I want those names. Now.”

  While Blake wrote his list, Amy crept back into the room with a small bundle in front of her. Beneath her lashes, she glanced at Mrs. Blake and cringed. Keeping her distance from Blake, she sidled up to JP close enough for her skirt to brush against his leg. He reached down and took her hand in a comforting clasp.

  Amy gazed up at him, her expression wary. “Should I take my books too?”

  “Yes indeed. Scoot along and collect them. My aunt will look after you. And it’ll be a sight better than this arrangement.”

  Blake squirmed in his chair, but finally handed the paper over. JP took the list. “Are you sure you have every name involved?”

  With a sulky expression, Blake nodded. JP folded the document before placing it in his pocket and stared at Blake. “Keep in mind what I said.”

  JP spied Amy running across the room back to him. “Come on, lambkin. Let’s get shed of this place.”

  “Can I kiss the little ones goodbye?”

  “Sure can.”

  Amy hugged and kissed all three children and ran back to his side. She caught his hand and he gave hers a gentle squeeze of encouragement. After peeking at him, assessing, searching his expression, she smiled up at him. His throat tightened when she decided she could trust him. He wanted to bash Blake for making her leery of every adult.

  He strode out of the house with her by his side. “Can you make it to my horse? He’s a little ways down the road.”

  She grinned at him. “Sure ’nuff. Cause I’m not by myself, I can run. Even faster than you.” She tightened her muscles, but before she could spring forward, JP stopped her. “No need to run. I’m not in that big of a hurry. Here, give me your bundle. I’ll carry it.”

  She obliged and gazed up at him. “I don’t like it in the dark by myself. ’Cept then I can cry. When my folks died, the Blakes didn’t want me to let out my tears. I had to hold back ’til I was in bed.”

  His stomach cramped at the thought of this young girl in the dark, alone, and afraid, her mourning not allowed. Rage roiled up in his chest. Amy hadn’t been allowed to grieve for her family. He wanted nothing more than to beat Blake within an inch of his life. Clenching his jaw, JP fought to control his fury.

  “Well, you’re not alone now.” He pointed to the sky. “Besides, the moon is up and bright. Lots of light to show the way. Even the stars are winking at you.”

  Giggling, she brushed up against him, her hand still clutched in his. She brushed up against his heart as well.

  “My horse is just around that bend. Now we can step it up.”

  The sorrel whinnied and pranced sideways at his approach. He tied the bundle behind the saddle and lifted Amy onto the mount. The horse shifted.

  She grabbed his mane. “I’m gonna fall.”

  JP swung up behind her and wrapped his arm around her middle. “You’re safe with me. I’ve got you.”

  She leaned back, glanced over her shoulder, and grinned. “The dark ain’t so scary with you along.”

  He chuckled. “I hope not.”

  “Will I still get to go to school?”

  He could hear the doubt, the fear, and the longing in her voice.

  “Naturally. That’s why you gathered your books.”

  She relaxed against him, her nod wrinkling the fabric of his shirt. Yawning, she said, “I like school, and the teacher. She’s mighty nice.”

  Only the thud of hooves, the squeak of saddle leather and crickets filled the silence. It didn’t take long before Amy drifted off to sleep.

  Poor little mite, she must be exhausted. He didn’t want to spring the care of a young girl on his aunt, but what could he have done differently? There was no way he could have left her to the care of that couple. He tightened his hold on her. She didn’t have anyone, but she has me now.

  Somehow, caring for Amy and all that would entail brought him closer to the little Clarke girl. He allowed his lips to curl in wicked delight. And now, he wanted to get close to that little Clarke girl in her grown-up form.

  Summing up the situation, he chuckled. He had Amy safe and protected. He was close to catching the rustlers. Now, he intended to work on encouraging a relationship with Elizabeth. At the moment, all was right with his world.

  Riding up to the house, he dismounted w
ith Amy sleeping in his arms. Nudging the door open, he headed to one of the spare bedrooms up the main staircase and laid Amy on the bed. He didn’t want her to awaken in a strange place, in the dark and all alone. Quietly he moved to the window and opened the drapes. Moonlight streaked into the room across the foot of the bed. He drew a deep breath. Now, he had to face Aunt Maude.

  He found his aunt in the parlor darning by the light of a lamp. She sat in her favorite rocker and plied her needle in short, swift strokes, her full attention on the task in hand. Always industrious, he couldn’t remember a time when she wasn’t caught up in something mostly work-related. She didn’t believe in idle hands. Claimed such laziness bred a less-than-wholesome character.

  She glanced up and set her darning aside. The lamplight glinted off the glasses she used for close-up work. “You’ve got that look in your eyes. No doubt, something unpleasant and not to my liking.”

  He attempted to mask his amusement by lowering his gaze for a moment. “Aunt Maude, how can you say that? I’m a pillar of respectability. I don’t usually pull pranks. You have enough of that with the twins.”

  She frowned up at him. “Ain’t a bit of good, you trying to soft-soap me. Out with it.”

  “I hate to burden you with my trouble, but I must. I need your help.” Serious now, he glanced down at her, searching, reading her expression. “I brought Amy Brumbelow home with me.”

  “Are you saying you removed her from the care of the Blakes?”

  He clenched his jaw for a moment. “Exactly.”

  Her voice rose and tightened with tension. “Land sakes, JP, what were you thinking? Folks will gossip about you and claim you’re her father.”

  “Can’t be helped. The Blakes were mistreating her.”

  Maude raised her brows. “You know for a fact she was being mistreated?”

  He nodded, his voice grim. “I saw for myself how they treated her. I couldn’t leave her in the hands of those two any longer. There’s no more to be said on the subject. And that’s that.”

  “Where is she?”

  He ducked his head. “She’s in the first spare room upstairs.”

  Maude heaved out of the chair and headed for the door.

  “I’m sorry to add to your cares,” he called after her, “but what else could I do?”

  On the way out the door, she grumbled, “Knowing you, more than likely you never bothered to remove even her shoes. I’d better see to her.”

  JP watched her hustle toward the stairs and grinned. Trust his aunt to raise a fuss, but rise to the occasion, too. Always the same, gruff—but offering a pat or hug with the harsh words.

  The next day, he strolled into the kitchen. “Aunt Maude, where’s Amy?”

  With her hands on her hips, she said, “I sent her out to gather some bitterweed to doctor her toe-itch. I declare, that no-account Blake woman didn’t take a mite of care of the girl.”

  He circled her shoulders with his arm and gave her a hug before planting a kiss on the top of her head. “Thanks, Aunt Maude. I knew I could count on you.”

  She sent him a warm smile. “I was always partial to boys myself. But I know you and your tender heart. Too tender, more than is good for you. If you’d marry Valeria, she could cope with Amy. Give her a mother and such like.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t push.”

  She threw up her hands. “Don’t I know it. Makes you stubborn as a mule.”

  With a saucy grin, he said, “Matrimony might be in the works. I’m not saying who.” He headed out the door. “I’ll let you know.”

  “JP, you come back here this minute.”

  Her voice trailed him out of the house, but he laughed and continued on his way.

  Chapter 9

  Elizabeth counted each pupil filing into the classroom. Children always seemed to smell like wet dogs after running and playing on the way to school. These students were no exception.

  She checked the role having each student stand when called. Amy wasn’t in the classroom. Elizabeth glanced out the window searching to the edge of the tree line, her nervous fingers drumming quietly on her desk.

  “Did any of you see Amy on the trail this morning?”

  Some shook their heads while others said, “No, Miss Campbell.”

  Elizabeth heaved a sigh. “Very well. Let’s rise and salute the flag. May God bless and keep us.”

  She didn’t have much time to dwell on the situation. The students demanded her full attention. Occasionally, thoughts of Amy drifted across her mind and the bright day dimmed. Elizabeth had hoped JP would immediately take a hand, but perhaps the circumstances weren’t what they seemed. Still, Amy was missing another day of school.

  The fast clip of pounding hooves drew everyone’s attention. The rider halted outside the school, and everyone stared at the doorway. A tall man with a handlebar mustache strolled into the classroom. “Miss Campbell, I’m Hudson Honeycutt. The boss—my brother—sent me to let you know, Amy Brumbelow won’t be attending school today. I should have been here earlier. I got tied up.”

  “Is something wrong with her?”

  Hud’s lips curved upward beneath his mustache. “He’ll be here to explain after school.”

  She wasn’t certain whether to breathe a sigh of relief or not. Amy may have exaggerated, but it made no difference. She shouldn’t be left there. Knowing JP, a man of honor and integrity, would never allow the child to remain in a household where she was mistreated, left Elizabeth in a better frame of mind. Still, she stewed the remainder of the day, guessing and second-guessing his solution to Amy’s problem.

  After all the students left for the day, she straightened the desks, dusted the room, and swept the floor. Anxious to discover how JP handled the situation, Elizabeth rearranged the inkpot on her desk for the third time stirring the slightly flat smell of the black liquid. She glanced out the window again. Where was he? School had been dismissed nearly an hour ago.

  Her thoughts, mirroring his image and his saucy grin, bled into aggravation with him. Annoyed at the delay, she had half a mind to leave him frustrated at not finding her waiting for him. Not quite at the point of leaving, she found herself at the window again, her hands fisted on the windowsill. After all, he’d sent word he would be here. She paced the floor while the room faded into shadows, her temper slowly rising. Falling night edged her nerves with anger. She didn’t relish the walk back to the boardinghouse in the dark. The thoughtless clod should know better than to keep a lady waiting.

  Lighting the lamp, she listened intently. Someone was coming. She could hear the swishing of wheels on the hard-packed ground outside the schoolhouse. She glanced out the window and watched JP swing out of the buckboard in one smooth motion. His late arrival did nothing to soothe her. He’d kept her waiting for what seemed hours.

  When the door pushed inward, she nodded, deliberately making her greeting casual. Lowering her lashes, she added a smile with a mere stretch of her lips. “Mr. Honeycutt, how delightful. I’m so pleased you could make it.”

  Aggravated with him and his ill-manners, she wanted him to know of her displeasure. Because she allowed her annoyance to grow, she was more aware of him than ever. A shiver ran through her. Tall and lean with an abundance of whipcord strength and energy, he filled the room with his presence. The light from the lamp glinted off the edge of his belt buckle, and the shine on his boots. The scent of the outdoors clung to him. She drew a deep, guarded breath.

  He removed his Stetson and offered a wary smile. “Hello, Elizabeth. Sorry I’m late, but one of the wranglers had an accident. I couldn’t leave until the doctor arrived.”

  “Oh dear. How serious is it?” A sensation of shrinking to a few inches high washed over her.

  “He’ll recover, but I noticed I’ve taken a backward step.”

  S
tartled by his remark, she glanced at him. “Whatever do you mean?”

  “It’s Mr. Honeycutt when you want to keep a distance between us. Something I can’t accept. I prefer JP.”

  She cleared her throat. “I presume you know why Amy didn’t attend school today.”

  “Naturally. I went to the Blake’s place unannounced. I found her sitting in a corner on the floor with food in a bowl. All the others were at the table eating. My steer. The sorry thief.”

  Startled at the picture he painted, she stared at him. “What did you do?”

  “I dealt with Blake and told Amy to pack her belongings. She didn’t hesitate.” His lips thinned. “I took her home with me. Wanting her to become familiar with the Rocking H, to visit with Aunt Maude, and get settled in her new home, I allowed her to miss today.”

  Drawn to him like a beckon on a hill, she stepped closer. “I applaud. The Blakes were no comfort to her after her papa died. I’m happy she has someone like you to help her.” She gathered his hand in hers. “I want to thank you for caring, for actions instead of words.”

  He placed his other hand over hers. “That’s sweet and caring, too. I like that about you. I like lots about you. Your eyes for instance, such a lovely larkspur blue color, beautiful, innocent, and so very deep with dark mysteries.” He lightly brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “I’d like to uncover those secrets, to understand you.”

  Alarmed by his curiosity, Elizabeth moved from under his hand and stepped away. She drew a breath between her teeth making a hissing sound. “What secrets?”

  “The ones you hold so closely to your heart. I’ll be gentle with the probing. There’s no need to fear.”

  She tilted her chin at him. “I’m not afraid of you.”

  “Perhaps not, but your pulse is throbbing in your throat. A telltale sign.”

  She stepped back even farther and braced her hands against the windowsill. “Ha, that means nothing of the sort.”