by Linda Broday
A small boy laughed and hollered to his friend, “Joey, come see a beer-drinking horse.”
A parade followed them, everyone wanting to see the spectacle. Luke cringed at the attention. Crowds never signified anything good, at least not in his experience. But they turned back as he and the two horses plunged into the thick undergrowth.
Blessed silence surrounded him.
Except for his hiccupping horse. The animal kept wanting to lie down and it was a struggle to keep him moving. Once Major John rested his head on the roan’s rump and Luke had to stop and wait a minute.
Josie, playing with the kitten, glanced up with relief when she saw Luke. “I see you found him. Where was he?”
“At the trading post.”
Major John gave a loud whinny, hiccupped, and nibbled at the grass. Josie walked around him, sniffing. “Luke, he smells like a brewery. Is he—”
“Sick on beer? Yep.” Of all times to indulge in that bad habit. They needed to ride.
“What are we going to do?”
“Have no choice but to let him rest a while, make sure he doesn’t get colicky.” Luke tied the roan to the low branch of a willow. “If he gets colic, we’re done for.”
“How long does it usually take?”
“He should be okay to ride in a couple of hours. I hope.” Luke gave his gelding a frustrated glare. “Guess we’ll see.”
“I confess, I thought you made that story up about him being a beer-drinking horse. I never thought it was true.”
“Yep, it’s true.” Luke shook his head. “I always fear that he’ll pull something like this when I’m in the middle of a mess and have only seconds to get away.”
“That would be bad.” A smile tugged at the corners of Josie’s mouth. “Appears we have some time to kill. Any ideas?”
Luke couldn’t miss the hope in her voice that he’d welcome her again in his arms. Honor wouldn’t let him give her hope. “I have some playing cards in my saddlebag. Ever play poker?”
Josie knitted her brows. “I don’t know.”
“Won’t hurt to find out. We can put more coffee on and make us a bite to eat first.” Luke was curious to test her skill with the cards. If her home was in a saloon, then she probably knew how to play well.
He prepared to get his rear beaten by the prettiest lady this side of eternity.
The one he couldn’t have.
Twenty-three
Josie rode next to Luke toward the Lone Star Ranch. Major John still wasn’t quite right, even after waiting three hours, but at least the horse appeared to be all right. Not wanting to spend an extra day at the Crossing, they’d left before the animal was completely up to the ride.
Something was wrong with Luke and Josie didn’t know what. He seemed out of sorts and had kept her at arm’s length all day. He’d never talked much anyway, but he hadn’t said two words since they’d left.
More than just the silence, his mood had changed and gone was the closeness they’d enjoyed the last two days. Everything between them had vanished, as though the kisses and the scorching heat of their naked bodies had been nothing more than a figment of her imagination.
Finally, she could take no more. “Dammit, Luke, something’s wrong. Did I make you mad? Just because I beat you soundly at cards four out of six times—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. But I did learn never to play with you unless I want to lose my reputation. I’ve only seen a few people with your kind of skill, and they were all men.”
With a shrug, she said, “Maybe it was dumb luck. If you’re not angry about that, what then?”
She couldn’t see his eyes, hidden as they were in the shadow of his black Stetson. He’d exchanged his buffalo hunter garb for his old clothes, his form-fitting trousers with silver conchas trailing up both sides. He looked the same as when he’d untied her on the prairie.
Except he wasn’t. Neither was she. They weren’t the same people.
“Talking about it solves nothing.”
“Aha! So it’s not my imagination,” she crowed. “Can you at least give me a hint of the problem?”
“It’s me, all right? I was wrong to let you get close, for me to say the things I did. To allow us to make love.”
Hurt pierced her heart. He didn’t want her.
“Why? Just tell me that.” Unshed tears filled her eyes.
Luke was silent for a good minute before he finally spoke. “You deserve someone better. Someone not toting around a past littered with bodies.”
Anger crawled up Josie’s spine. He’d decided all this by himself without giving her a chance to speak her piece. Dammit, she’d speak it now!
“Don’t open the door to heaven if I can’t come in,” she snapped. “I won’t stand on the outside with my face pressed against the glass like some poor little beggar child. Don’t play with my feelings. I know I didn’t invite men into my bed before like I did you. I didn’t. I’m not that kind. Dammit, I’m…not.” Josie turned away to hide her quivering chin.
“I never said you were.” Luke moved the gelding closer to her roan and took her hand. “In a perfect world, and Lord knows that doesn’t exist, I’d brand you with my touch and spend the rest of my life waking up with you. I never thought I’d find a woman like you. For a short while you made me feel almost normal. You made me forget that I have a date with destiny.”
He paused then said gently, “I won’t make you a widow.”
A widow would be a lot better than being alone like she was now. Besides, who said he was going to die? On whose authority? Luke was going to live because she was going to make sure he did.
And he didn’t have a say in the matter.
Without warning, five gunmen rode from a thicket onto the road, blocking it. Josie’s horse reared and she would’ve slid from the saddle if she hadn’t clutched the reins tighter.
“Can’t let you pass. Turn around,” one man ordered.
“What are you talking about?” Luke demanded. “I have a right to go down this road to the Lone Star.”
“Not across Mr. Granger’s land, you don’t.” The speaker swung his rifle around, pointing it at Luke. “I suggest you find another road.”
Josie watched Luke’s face darken. She knew he was thinking about challenging these men and had no doubt he could put them all onto the ground. Five against one was easy odds for Luke. And if he wanted to fight through, she’d help.
At last, though, Luke glanced at her and turned his gelding in the direction they’d come. She glared at the despicable armed men and followed. They didn’t know how lucky they were.
Out of sight of them, Luke reined to a halt. “I don’t know what’s happening but I suspect Newt Granger just declared war on Stoker. We’ve got to get to the Lone Star, and we’ll have to go the long way.”
“How far is the long way?”
“Eighteen hours or more. If we ride through the night, we might make it in time for breakfast.”
“I’ll follow you,” Josie said. All the way to the ends of the earth.
The sun had dipped low on the horizon by the time they rode down the dusty street of Medicine Springs. The town was a lively place, with rows of businesses. She counted three saloons and all were in full swing, light, music, and laughter spilling out into the street. One—the Lucky Lady—drew her as though extending a hand. Josie stopped to stare.
She’d been here. She was almost positive.
Maybe it was the sign outside, bearing a painting of a woman’s head with bright-red lips and big, suggestive eyes. Or maybe it was the music. She simply knew she needed to go inside.
Luke pulled up beside her. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been here before,” Josie answered, drawing her brows together in an attempt to remember. Something. Anything. She held Rafael to her chest for security. “It’s familiar.”
“In what way?”
Josie closed her eyes, letting the sounds penetrate, trying to pull up an image lurking in the shadows of her mind. “I’ve definitely been here.” She grabbed his arm. “Luke, I was here.”
“Is this your home? Or just somewhere you’ve been?”
“I don’t know,” she replied miserably.
“Move out of the street. I’m going inside to ask around.” Luke grabbed her reins and led the roan to a hitching rail.
Josie dismounted, putting Rafael into a saddlebag. He’d stay put until she came back. “I’m coming with you.”
She could tell by Luke’s expression that he wanted to argue, but he kept quiet and a minute later pushed the batwing doors aside for her. She scanned the packed room. Every table was filled and men stood two deep at the bar.
Her glance swept to the stairs leading to the second floor. Oh, how she wanted to go up there. She moved in that direction when a drunk wobbled into her and pushed her sideways into another man. He emptied his mug down the front of her shirt.
Luke pushed him toward the bar. “Go get another, pardner.”
“I believe I will.” The man gave a goofy smile and staggered off, leaving Josie beer-soaked.
“Hey, mister.” Luke grabbed a passing bartender and pulled him over. “Say, who owns this joint?”
The spindly man had to be around forty years of age. He’d parted his hair in the middle and slicked it back on both sides, the strands glistening with pomade so they couldn’t move if they wanted to. “Sable.”
“Sable who?” Josie needed a last name.
“All I know. I ain’t worked here long.” He glanced toward impatient customers pounding on the polished bar.
Josie sagged against Luke as the bartender rushed to stop a man from launching an empty beer mug at a very expensive mirror. Disappointment rushed through her.
“I take it the name isn’t familiar.” Luke tightened his hold on her.
“No.” She’d been so sure that knowing would have triggered something. But she got no flashes of anything. Nothing except the blur of movement as a chair flew in the air toward them.
Luke barely jerked her out of the way in time. The chair crashed to the floor, breaking into pieces. “Let’s get out of here.”
His hand on her waist, Luke maneuvered her through the doors and onto the boardwalk. Josie turned for a last glance at the establishment that still felt so familiar. Why would she have been there? Why?
But the answer eluded her. She retrieved Rafael from the saddlebag, smoothing his black fur to soothe herself. She climbed on her horse and rode out with Luke. Her life was a shambles. She had no memory, no home, no family, and Luke didn’t want her. Josie bit her trembling lip.
She owned nothing except a scrawny black cat.
What was she going to do now?
* * *
Dawn broke as they rode at last under the crossbar of the Lone Star. Luke breathed easier. Josie was safe.
Now to find some way to leave her. He had to find Brenner McCall. After their conversation at Doan’s Crossing, it had become more apparent that Brenner held the key to both her situation and the deal with Ned Sweeney. Only, he had this mess with Newt Granger on his hands. He had to help protect the Lone Star and land he might one day claim. Luke released a troubled sigh.
An odd thing—Stoker wasn’t there waiting, and Luke felt a momentary twinge of sad loss.
Stoker rode down to the gate every sunrise and sunset? His father had missed one. Hell, maybe he’d just said that and hadn’t actually meant it.
The ranch was milling with people, even at this early hour. Luke spurred his gelding and he and Josie trotted toward headquarters and dismounted. Houston and Stoker stormed out and down the porch steps.
“Glad you’re here, Luke. The ranch is under attack!” Stoker thundered. “Newt Granger’s about to regret he’s messed with me. The lying, no-good, cheating land grabber!”
“Calm down, Pa, before you have apoplexy. Doc warned you about getting overexcited.” Houston thrust a hat in Stoker’s hands. “Here, you forgot this.”
Stoker yanked the hat from Houston and jammed it on his head. “I’ll simmer down when Granger opens the damn road. I’ve wired Sam and he should be on the way, but he’ll either have to come by river or go plumb down to Medicine Springs and back up.” Stoker glared toward the western horizon. “Hell and be damned!”
“What exactly happened?” Luke had never seen Stoker so worked up and it was quite a sight.
“Pa got into another poker game with Newt two nights ago and won the man’s prize racehorse,” Houston explained.
“And now he’s saying I cheated and demands I give it back!” Storm clouds didn’t compare to Stoker’s face. “I’ll return that horse when I get my land back.”
Only two things would get Stoker so worked up—land, or someone threatening his boys. Luke pushed back his hat. “So that’s what this is about. Armed gunmen wouldn’t let us through and we had to circle down and come the long way.”
“Granger stole that western section from me and we’ve fought about it the last three years, but I never thought the two-bit land grabber would stoop this low.” Stoker looked like he was itching to let the cusswords fly. Luke could tell by the way he shifted his glance to Josie and swallowed before shouting, “Hell!”
“I remember your warning about crossing that land when we had outlaw trouble in Lost Point a couple of years back. But when Houston drove those cattle up to Dodge City last year, he didn’t have a problem getting through,” Luke said. “Granger never bothered us back then.”
Houston widened his stance as if bracing for a fight. He was as big and muscular as Stoker, except with a gentler disposition. Thank God. “Granger came over and talked Pa into another poker game, saying it was his chance to get that western section back. But then Granger changed his mind and bet his favorite racehorse instead. Pa won and now Granger is accusing him of hiding an ace up his sleeve, which are fighting words in themselves. He threatened to shoot us.”
A blood feud. Luke’s thoughts went to his conversation with Brenner about the subject. He knew how those usually ended—piles of dead bodies.
Josie yawned, clutching Rafael. “I hate to change such a serious subject, but how is Noah? I’ve been anxious to find out.”
When Stoker assured her he was better, she asked, “Would you perhaps have some coffee and an egg? We rode all night. It seems I do my best thinking when my belly is full.”
“Forgive my lack of manners, Miss Josie.” Stoker took her arm, patting her hand. “I’ll see you to the kitchen personally.” He glanced back. “Luke, Houston, we can finish this around the table. We need to discuss our next move. But get some ranch hands out there so the bastards can’t come across.”
Houston held the door. “I’ll take care of that and join you.” He strode off toward the group of ranch hands at the corral, who already had their horses saddled.
“Sounds good to me.” Luke followed his father inside. The prospect of hot coffee and food lured him too. The all-night ride had taken a toll.
At the door, Luke paused and glanced back over the hauntingly beautiful land. He’d fight to the last breath to keep anyone from taking it. He didn’t actually own a piece of it yet, not really, but he’d made a down payment in a manner of speaking. Maybe loyalty and trust were good enough reasons to die trying to protect it.
He’d eat and help his father and brother decide the best course to take. If he had time, he’d catch a little shut-eye. Then he’d ride.
First to find Brenner. Locate him, and he’d find Reno Kidd. The two names kept popping up together even though Brenner professed to hate Kidd. And Josie was in the middle. Damn it! Something told him Ned Sweeney was involved in this whole ball of string too. How else would Brenner know where Sweeney was to give him the tip about Dead Hors
e Creek? Answers to all of it teased Luke’s mind as Josie’s elusive memory did hers. If he could just find the end of the string, he could unravel all the secrets and lies. He was so close he could taste it.
In all likelihood, Reno had hired out his gun to Granger. Kidd was drawn to violence—and gold—like flies to an outhouse. The man lived for the thrill of killing, and getting paid for it would double the incentive. If Granger was hiring guns to wage war on them, Kidd would be in the thick of it. And despite Brenner’s avowal to stay clear of war, he would be too.
If Luke could just get the pieces to fit. He had to have a talk with Newt Granger.
Luke would—and could—do more than his share to protect this ranch that Stoker had established after Texas won its freedom. His gaze shifted to the flag flying high above the land that his father loved with all his heart. Stoker’s sweat and blood had soaked into every inch of this ground. Now it was Luke’s turn. He still had blood he hadn’t spilled and he would make the time. It might be for naught but he’d give his all.
For the Lone Star and Texas.
For his family.
For a chance to ride as a Legend…if only for one day.
Twenty-four
Luke went upstairs instead of following Stoker and Josie into the kitchen. He needed to check on Noah. Even though he knew the boy was better, he still had to see with his own eyes.
Rowdy barked when Luke pushed open the door. The dog trotted over and sniffed his boots. Evidently, the mutt had taken a job as sentry but remembered Luke was a friend. He licked Luke’s hand when he reached down to pet him.
The noise woke Noah. He smiled at Luke. “You came back.”
“Of course I did. You didn’t think I was fibbing, did you?” Luke helped the boy sit up and adjusted some pillows behind him, then sat on the side of the bed. He noticed a tray with remnants of Noah’s breakfast sitting on a small table. “I expected to see you up, barking orders and running this ranch by now.”
“Papa Stoker says I might someday.” Noah grinned. “Do you really think he meant it?”
