Time allowed only a brief word of thanks and a slap on the shoulder to Zach as Jake dismounted. He climbed up onto the horse waiting for him and headed back towards the herd.
He and the men worked together as the heavens boomed, the lightning flashed. The bitter cold seeped down to their weary bones. Finally the cattle were heading into themselves, following a concentric path, the circle becoming smaller and smaller as the men regained control. The beasts would circumnavigate the forced path until they came to an exhausted halt. But even then, it would take little to reawaken the nightmare of another stampede.
After pulling off his boots, Jake hesitated on the porch. Then he pushed open the door, expecting to see a skillet fall down on his head. He was worn out, even before the storm hit, and he was worried, his worry triggering the harsh words he had shot at Reb earlier. Pleasure had yet to obtain another doctor. Jake knew he could deliver the baby if there were no complications, but keeping Reb from doing anything was like trying to stop the storm from advancing across the land. He had no experience in handling a woman he had just angered. Standing just inside the door, wet and shivering, with his teeth chattering didn’t do much to build his confidence.
He hung his hat and slicker on a peg before daring to glance at his wife.
“How did you get so wet?” she asked.
“Waited too long to unroll my slicker and put it on.”
“Jake Burnett, you know better than to do that.”
“And you know better than to be hauling stuff around.”
Rebecca lifted herself out of the rocking chair and headed for the chest in the back corner of the room.
“Get by the fire and take those wet clothes off,” she ordered.
He didn’t hesitate to obey. He had heard cold weather could arrive unexpectedly, he just hadn’t known it happened that drastically in Texas.
He had stripped down to his sopping underwear when she returned, dropping one blanket on the sofa, holding another up above her head, letting it unfold itself.
“Get out of everything,” she said, “and wrap that blanket around your waist.” For a married couple, they had seen little of each other’s bodies, and there were times when it was a damn nuisance.
“I’m decent,” Jake said as his teeth hit together.
She draped the blanket she had been holding over his trembling shoulders and pushed him down on the sofa. Then she climbed up on the sofa and began rubbing his body vigorously. “I was so worried when that storm blew in. I was very careful not to strain myself when I built the fire,” she said quietly.
His hand came out from under the blanket to stay hers. “Reb, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I had no right.”
“You had every right. You knew I carried another man’s baby when you married me and you accepted it as your own. I’m the one who should apologize. You’ve been nothing but kind and good to me and this unborn child. Besides”—she shrugged—“if you hadn’t scolded me, I would have saddled a horse and joined you out there.”
“I didn’t mean what I said about losing the baby.”
She placed a finger on his lips. “I know. We both spoke in anger. The words are best forgotten.”
She started rubbing him again, trying to get him warm. “Did the herd stampede?”
“As soon as the lightning filled the sky, they took off. Thought I was going to regret putting up the fence. We barely got them turned in time to prevent them running into it.”
“Are you going to keep all the men out there tonight?”
“Yes, I just wanted to make sure you were all right and get some dry clothes on. Then I’ll go back out.”
“You need to get warm first. Let me inside the blanket.”
He opened the blanket and she slipped inside, pressing her body against his. Through her cotton nightgown, the warmth of her body penetrated him. She continued to rub his arms with her hands, and his body ceased its quaking. “Better?” she asked.
Leaning his head back, he answered, “Uh-huh.”
And before she could say another word, he was asleep. She stilled her hands, and curled up beside him, feeling safe and secure within the cocoon they had created.
The rumbling seemed to begin at the earth’s core and move outward until the ground, the trees, the buildings were rumbling as well. Jake’s eyes snapped open the same instant that Rebecca’s did. He helped her move herself off of him, then he went to the back of the house for a dry set of clothes.
“They’re coming this way!” he shouted as the noise and rumbling increased in intensity. He came running back. Rebecca was standing beside the door holding up his coat to help him into it. He turned to face her, hesitating.
“I’ve never given you an order,” he said, “but I’m giving you one now. Stay in this house.”
He opened the door and she stopped him, throwing her arms around his neck. “Please be careful,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
He wrapped his arms around her. “You just stay here so I don’t have to worry about you and I’ll be fine.”
He released her and rushed out. She dropped the plank of wood across the door, knowing if a steer decided to come through, the plank would probably not change his mind.
Rebecca dimmed the flame in the lantern and peeked out the window. The thundering herd stormed through, hooves pounding the earth. They were up to six-hundred-and-fifty head of cattle now, and she was grateful they had no more. In two years, Jake would have two, maybe three thousand head of cattle. That kind of stampede could level everything that surrounded them. She had been in the midst of a stampede before and it hadn’t frightened her, probably because her mind had been bent on turning the herd. But sitting beside the window, gazing out, she decided everyone who dealt with cattle was insane. It was frightening to watch the beasts, terrified and wild, running past as a few determined cowboys tried to control them.
The storm and cattle raged until noon the following day. Periods of tranquillity settled across the herd, only to be interrupted when thunder or lightning unexpectedly cut through the stillness. When the storm moved on, it left behind a bitter cold in its wake.
Rebecca scattered seed along the ground for the few chickens Carrie had brought their way shortly after she’d discovered her new neighbors. It was one chore she could manage without straining herself or endangering her child.
She waved at the riders guiding horses back into the corral. The men had had to set them loose. If the cattle had knocked down one side of their corral, they would have been trapped.
“Looks like you got most of them,” she said to Frank as he dismounted.
Frank beat his hands together, then blew on them. “We got about half of them.”
“I watched you from the window last night. You did really well.”
She was surprised Frank didn’t give her the smile he usually did when she praised him.
“I was scared as hell … after seeing Jake get thrown and nearly trampled to death….”
He shuddered and Rebecca knew it wasn’t from the cold. She felt her knees grow weak, and it was with the greatest of efforts that she kept her voice calm. “Jake got thrown from his horse?”
“Goddamn, yes. First stampede. We were just getting the cattle turned and damn if he didn’t get thrown right in the path. Never seen a man ride as hard as Zach did to get Jake out of the way.”
Someone hollered at Frank. “Guess I’d better help these no-accounts get the rest of the horses.” He pulled himself back up into the saddle. “Reckon they’re rethinking their opinion of Zach this morning.”
“Yes, I imagine they are.”
It wasn’t until he rode away that Rebecca walked with stiffened legs to the barn. She found Jake in the last stall brushing down Shadow for her. She wrapped her hands around a beam and rested her head against the rough wood. What would she have done if something had happened to Jake? If her last memory of him had been the argument they’d had before the storm? She couldn’t imagine her life without him in i
t.
Jake turned from his task, giving her a smile, a smile that quickly faded at the expression of fear on her face.
Her legs lost their ability to hold her up and she slid down to the ground. His heart stopped at the sight of her slumped outside the stall and he ran towards her. He skidded to a halt and dropped down to his knees.
“Reb? What’s wrong? Are you hurting? Is it the baby?”
Opening her eyes, she searched his concerned face.
“Where’s your horse?”
“My horse?”
“Your chestnut stallion.”
He dropped his head. “I lost him last night.”
“And I almost lost you.”
He slowly brought his eyes to hers. “Reb, it wasn’t—” He stopped. “It’s over now. There’s no point in dwelling on it.”
She braced his face in her hands, bringing his mouth down to hers, and gently kissed the man who had come to mean so much to her.
Jake eased her over into the next stall and laid her down, his arms encircling her as he sought to reassure her, his mouth never leaving hers. No one had cared this much about him since his mother had died. Her concern gave him hope for the future.
The sound of a throat clearing made the two jump apart as though they were children caught behind the schoolhouse. His grin spreading from one corner of his face to the other, Zach looked down at them.
Jake brought himself to his feet and helped Rebecca as she clumsily struggled to get off the hay-covered floor. Her face was flushed with warmth as she leaned up and kissed Zach on the cheek.
“Thank you,” she said.
“What for?” Zach asked.
“For taking care of Jake last night.”
He watched as she ambled out of the barn before leading his horse into the stall. He peered over the wooden slats. “Brother, you and I have a different definition of the word ‘love.’”
Zach quickly turned away, embarrassed by the familial endearment he had used without thinking. He had yet to earn the right to call Jake brother. And he knew, as Jake went back to the task of brushing Shadow, that the term had made him uncomfortable as well.
As the days passed, the cold diminished. But the milder weather didn’t stop people from getting in the Christmas spirit.
It was impossible to tell who wore the biggest smile, Frank or Zach, as they trudged into the house, startling Rebecca. She threw her hand to her mouth and her smile rivaled theirs in brilliance.
“Jake sent us to find one,” Frank said as he and Zach struggled to stand the monster pine tree in the corner. They rolled their eyes realizing that in their desire to please Rebecca they had failed to take into account the size of the house. At least a fourth of the tree was going to have to be cut off.
Glancing around the small house and then back to the tree, Rebecca said, “Let’s set it up in the barn. Then we can all enjoy it and celebrate Christmas together.”
By nightfall, the men were all gathered around the tree singing off-tune carols that sent tears of mirth rolling down Rebecca’s cheeks.
Gifts had magically appeared under the sparsely decorated branches. Frank was like a little boy, giving out the gifts, anxious to get it done so he could see what Rebecca had given him.
He handed Rebecca her present from Jake. She lovingly ran her fingers over the brown paper and clumsily tied string, knowing Jake had wrapped it himself. She tugged at the string, and the wrapping fell into what remained of her lap. She was left holding a small wooden box with a tiny carved mustang raised up on his hind legs carved in the top. She ran her finger over it, tears in her eyes when she looked up at Jake.
“You made this,” she said.
“But not what’s in it.”
Slowly, she opened the box. Nestled inside was a tiny silver drum with seemingly random bumps running over it. Thin metal teeth touched the drum.
“A music box,” she whispered.
“I was going to buy you one already made, but none of the boxes opened to show you the music, they only showed you another box. Thought you’d like to see the music being made. You wind it up back here.”
Rebecca turned the box around and twisted the tiny knob. She listened and watched in delight as the tiny creation tinkled out the notes to “The Cowboy’s Lament.”
Placing her palm on Jake’s cheek, she turned his face towards hers and brushed a kiss across his lips. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
“Open yours, Jake!” Frank said. “You’re the only one left that hasn’t opened his gift.” He and the other men had already unwrapped theirs.
Jake untied the ribbon on the perfectly wrapped gift, revealing a pair of thick gloves.
“Goddamn! She got us both the same thing!” Frank said, holding up an identical pair, wondering why she hadn’t given Jake something special. It was a thought that didn’t cross Jake’s mind.
“They’re supposed to be really tough … for handling barbed wire,” Rebecca explained.
“With all the wire we’re stringing, Frank and I sure can use them. Thank you.”
“Try them on,” Rebecca prodded. “If they don’t fit, we’ll have to send them back.”
Jake slipped his hand inside one and froze, then he slowly pulled his hand out, clasping a gold pocket watch, its gold chain trailing behind.
“Open it,” Rebecca whispered.
Jake looked at her. “Open it?”
“The watch. There’s something inside for you.”
Inside, carved letters said, “To the one I cherish. Reb.”
“It’s not as special,” Rebecca said. “I didn’t actually do the carving.”
Jake ran a finger across the etched words. “It’s very special,” he said in a hoarse voice, wishing all the men would head back to the bunkhouse now. He needed time to adjust to receiving such a wondrous gift.
“Goddamn! You could at least kiss her!” Frank exclaimed. “She didn’t put nothing in my gloves!”
Laughter filled the barn and Jake was grateful the spell was broken. He turned to his wife and gave her a light kiss. “Thank you.”
“Now, it’s our turn,” Lee said as he stood up, holding a sprig of green over his head. “We had one hell of a time finding this.” He extended a hand to Rebecca. “Come on, Reb, don’t let us down.”
Laughing, Rebecca put her hand in his, allowing herself to be pulled into his arms. “You must really be desperate,” she teased.
“Yes, ma’am, we are,” Lee said as he leaned over to kiss her. “Night, Jake,” he said with a smile as he handed the mistletoe off to the next man.
Frank was the last one in line. He placed his kiss on Rebecca’s cheek, then said, “Thanks for giving me something so fine. Made me feel special.”
“You are special, Frank.”
“Merry Christmas,” he said with a duck of his head as he headed out the barn door.
One small gift remained under the tree. Jake picked it up and slipped it into the pocket of his jacket.
“I’m going to take a quick ride out to check on the herd,” he said.
She slipped her arms around his waist, turning her face up to gaze at him. “I’m sorry he didn’t come.” Jake nodded. “Maybe next year.”
The night began to turn brisk as the wind picked up. The moon illuminated the herd as the cattle stood bracing themselves against the chill. Zach brought the collar of his jacket up to protect his neck and brought his hat down lower. Jake had said he thought the cattle would be fine with no one watching them tonight and had invited everyone to join them in the barn for a small Christmas celebration. And Zach had wanted to go. He knew what Jake was giving Rebecca, and he had wanted to see her face when she opened the gift. He heard a rider approach, surprised to see Jake drawing up beside him.
“You would have been welcome,” Jake said as he pulled on the reins of his horse.
Zach shook his head. “Just couldn’t do it.”
“The men—”
“It’s got nothing to do with the men.” Zach
leaned his head back, felt the wind hit his neck and tucked his chin back into the jacket. “When I was ten, Mother put candles on the branches of our tree, something she had never done before because she was afraid of fire. We were laughing and unwrapping gifts, eating all the food she had cooked. Having one hell of a good time.” Zach turned to Jake. “Then Mother told me to go blow out all the candles. Before I did, I looked out the window and there you were, squatting down in the yard, staring at the tree, the flames from the candles throwing light across your face.”
“It was a beautiful tree,” Jake admitted, remembering the sight of the candles flickering in the window and reflecting on the snow.
“I was on the inside looking out; you were on the outside looking in. Well … now, you’re the one on the inside and you deserve to be.”
“There’s room on the inside for you, too, Zach. Reb would have liked for you to have been there with us.”
Zach smiled. “That’s reason to go, I suppose. If you both feel the same next year, I’ll join you.”
Jake reached into his pocket and extended the small gift to Zach. “It’s just a little something I picked up.”
Zach unwrapped the gift and smiled at the harmonica he found inside. He wished he had thought to get something for Jake.
“I heard you playing on a harmonica one night. I liked the way it sounded,” Jake said.
“Unfortunately, Father heard it, too.”
“Your father called it Satan’s noise.”
Zach turned the instrument over in his hand and said quietly, “He was your father, too.”
Jake shook his head. “Takes more than planting the seed to make a man a father.”
And it took more than having the same father to make two men brothers, Zach thought.
“Besides,” Jake continued. “I’m not convinced he was my father. Hell, Zach, my mother was a whore. Any drifter passing through could have sired me.”
Zach’s gaze intensified as he studied the man before him. “She wasn’t a whore before she conceived you,” he said, his voice low as though he were revealing something he had been sworn to secrecy not to tell. “She was my mother’s sister.
Lorraine Heath Page 13
