Hearts Stolen (Texas Romance Series Book 2)

by Caryl McAdoo

  Being around the young woman, she couldn’t help but like her. Smiling at the puzzled expression on her hostess, she shook her head. “My nickname.”

  The woman nodded understanding. Rose followed Laura down the hall and at the door, gave her the key. Didn’t say a word until she laid the boy down then pointed to the far side of the bed. “Will that side be alright for you?”

  “Yessum.” The girl walked around the bed, pushed on it once, then eyed Rose hard. “I ain’t set my bonnet on the Captain, if that’s what you and that Sammie lady was frettin’ over.”

  She smiled. “It’s obvious you’ve got eyes for Sergeant Rusk, Laura, but slipping into his room in the middle of the night is not how you go about winning a man’s heart.”

  Laura rubbed her belly. “I ain’t got a lot of time.”

  Rose didn’t want to think about the future. “Pull up that chair over there, and let’s you and me have a little talk.”

  Wallace hated to see Rose take the boy and girl to bed. He loved having an audience that hung on his every word, made his yarn spinning twice the fun. He toed Levi’s boot. “What say we hang around here a few days and bust them broncos?”

  “We could do that. I heard Code talking to that feller by the bar about them, bragging like they’d been trained to do everything but plow.”

  “How much extra should we charge?”

  “We can ask ten, but he’s not going to pay more than five.”

  “Twenty a head, plus even five for breakin’ ‘em would be three hundred total. Think he’ll go for that?”

  Levi shrugged. “Nice number, but two fifty’s probably more realistic.”

  “Well, I’d say that’s the bottom. We can take ‘em north with us if he don’t get right and make it enough for our trouble.”

  Levi stood. “Let’s hit the sack. If I’m busting broncs tomorrow, I need my beauty rest.”

  Once settled, Wallace put his hands under his head. “Tell me again how pretty that Rebecca of yours is.”

  “She’s twice or three times as good looking as Laura, and she’s not pregnant.”

  “Prettier than Sassy?”

  “My Bitty Beck is so beautiful, aren’t words enough to describe her. Now go to sleep.”

  How he wished he could. He hated that about Levi. The man could close his eyes and be gone in five winks. Not him; he couldn’t remember the last time he just dozed off.

  Well, that time when they’d been chasing Buffalo Hump to the coast, and he hadn’t sleep for a week. Once that little shindig was over, he fell asleep sitting at the supper table.

  Most times, though, getting unconscious was hard work.

  Why’d that Laura girl have to go making eyes at him? Then right out asking Sammie Jo where he would be sleeping, like she wanted to come calling later. The little gal was cute in her own way, but sure enough carrying Bear Fang’s papoose. Instant family wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Wasn’t like the buck would ever show up wanting his baby—or the girl.

  And it hadn’t been him that blew the old boy’s brains out. Little booger wouldn’t even have to know it was his Uncle Levi that made him an orphan.

  Chapter

  Thirteen

  Next morning before the sun, Rose found Levi and Mister Brown in front of the fireplace sipping coffee. “Where are the cups?”

  Brown pointed to the bar. “Yonder, under the counter.”

  Rose retrieved one, filled it, then sat next to Levi closer to the fire. “You ever sleep?”

  “I tried it once, but this Comanche snuck up on me. Like to have got my hair lifted.”

  She banged him with her knee. “You been hanging around Wallace Rusk too long.”

  Her host laughed. “Isn’t that the truth?”

  “Well, I don’t know about that, but what I do know is breaking those mustangs has got to be worth more than three dollars a head.” He looked to her. “What do you think, Rose?”

  “Me? Why, I wouldn’t do it for any less than ten.”

  “See, even the pretty lady knows you’re trying to skin us.” He winked at her.

  Shaking his head, Brown looked skyward. “Y’all are ganging up on me. Fine then, three and two bits.”

  Levi kept at his game intermittently through two more cups of coffee, then stood and extended his hand. “Two hundred seventy-three, and four bits in coin, plus three days’ room and board.”

  Brown grinned. “Two seventy even, coin and script, and I’ll throw in the three days’ room and board while you break ‘em.”

  Levi kept his hand out. “Two seventy-one and six bits coin only, four days, and you have Sammie Jo roast a shoat while we’re here.”

  “You speaking for Wallace?”

  “Don’t I always?”

  Brown stuck out his hand. “Deal then.”

  The men shook on it. Rose exhaled; she loved the idea of staying four extra days. Pulling the coffee pot back from the fire, she swirled the dark liquid, then faced Brown. “Seems to be only dregs. Where’s the makings?”

  He pointed at the empty bucket. “If you’ll fetch some water, I’ll get the coffee.”

  Levi stood. “I’ll help you. Code’s well is deep.”

  She and her ranger walked out into the first light of day. She wanted to latch hold of his hand and skip like little kids, but knew better. The well, halfway between the tavern and barn, stood waist high built out of rock then roofed. He took the bucket from her, tied it off, and then lowered the well rope.

  She turned around and leaned against its rock wall. “You really think I’m pretty, or were you just saying that?”

  “No, you are one handsome human being. I could look at you for a month of Sundays and never get tired of your face, those green eyes, or that hair of yours.”

  She studied the almost full moon as it sunk into the west. For a few minutes, she marveled at its beauty, then a horrible thought struck her. She spun around and faced him. “How long has it been?”

  He kept on cranking the rope and chuckled. “Since when?”

  “You rode into the Bold Eagle’s camp.”

  He retrieved the bucket. “Oh, let me see.” He looked off then back. “I’d say twelve days ago, give or take. Why?”

  She shook her head doing some quick mental math. Whew, she hadn’t even thought about it. Should she tell him? Heavens, no, there wasn’t even anything to tell.

  It would be a good idea to get a few things from Sammie Jo though for when her time came. She pulled her thumb over her shoulder. “The moon’s almost full.”

  At first his face went blank, then he smiled. “What has that got to do with anything?”

  “Seems someone once said it was best to break a horse under a full moon. You ever hear that?”

  “No, ma’am, can’t say that I have.”

  She studied his eyes and smiled, proud he hadn’t guessed her mind. Besides, no way could she be pregnant. Still, the first wife withholding that special tea haunted her.

  I’ll see you no more after today, she’d said. And Ne’er-be-satisfied’s hateful words rang in her ears; no one would want her or her little half-breed. She shook away the unpleasant and fearful thoughts.

  “So when are we going to start breaking them?”

  “We? There’s no we that includes you. Wallace and I will see to it.”

  “Levi Baylor! I have been busting broncos since I was nine years old. I have a gift for it, or haven’t you heard? Everybody back home knows it. Why don’t you?”

  “Well, maybe I heard something about it, but you were dealing with tame stock. Ever sit a mustang?”

  “No, but a horse is a horse.”

  He lifted the full bucket up to the wall’s edge then hefted it to the ground. “After you, my lady.”

  She put her hands on her hips and glared. What made him think she wasn’t perfectly capable of helping break those mustangs? “You are not getting away with this so easy.” He just shook his head, smiled, and started walking toward the tavern. “Grin all you want,
but we’re not done with this conversation, mister.”

  She tried to stay mad at him through the second pot of coffee and breakfast, but just couldn’t. He only wanted to keep her out of harm’s way. She liked that enough, but still, working with the mustangs would be a nice diversion. Lord knew she needed to get her mind off of what awaited her back home.

  Shortly after Wallace joined them and Levi filled him in on the deal’s details, little footfalls echoed down the hall and pulled her attention to the back of the tavern.

  Charley burst into the room and ran toward her. She held her arms out, and he jumped. “Me miss you.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  He kissed her cheek hard then wiggled down and faced Levi. “Me ride Shooter now.”

  Levi smiled. “I, partner. Call yourself I.”

  The boy nodded. “I ride my horse now.”

  “Maybe later. After you eat.”

  His shoulders slumped. “Fine. Me eat now.”

  She started to correct him, but decided to let it go. He had plenty of time to learn the King’s English. “Did you hear we’re staying here for a few days?”

  Charley looked up. “Why?”

  The ranger clapped once then rubbed his hands together. “Mister Brown bought the mustangs, and Sarge and I are going to break them.”

  The boy threw his shoulders back. “Me, too?”

  Levi laughed. “Maybe some, after we knock the rough off.”

  Charley looked to his mother. “Me and my partners are breaking them mustangs.”

  “Yes, I just heard.” She glared at Levi. “So he can help, and I can’t?”

  He held both hands up in surrender. “Fine, you can help, too.”

  Laura paused at the hall’s end, reminded herself not to slump or waddle, pinched her cheeks red, then strolled into the tavern’s grand room wishin’ she fit into their little group better.

  Wallace sat with the other three chatting over coffee. She hated the nasty stuff. Easing into the chair next to Rose, she waited for a break in their conversation.

  “Y’all planning on leaving this morning?”

  Levi shook his head. “No, we’re going to hang around a few days and break the mustangs. Made a deal with Code on them.”

  She looked from him to Wallace then back. “Well then, think it’d be alright if I begged a needle and some thread? This ol’ dress seems to be gettin’ snugger by the minute.” She laughed, half wishing she hadn’t drawn attention to her growing belly.

  “You sew?” Miss Sassy seemed surprised.

  “Don’t everyone?” She looked at the rangers again. “Well, women folk anyways. Guess I throw a middling stitch. Pap let me skip hoein’ if I were sewing.” She looked her new friend in the eyes and smiled. “I’m good at a few things.”

  Sassy stood then hugged Laura’s shoulders. “Of course you are, I didn’t mean –”

  “No, I were only saying.”

  “Well, I’ve got thread and needles out in the wagon. Levi bought ‘em for me ‘fore we left Austin. Meet me in the barn after breakfast, and I’ll get you whatever you need.”

  “That’s mighty kind of you, Miss Sassy.”

  Not too long later, Levi sat on the corral’s top rail with the boy on one side and his mother on the other. Out in the middle, Wallace kept his head down as he slipped toward a bay colt on the edge of the band. “Easy now, boy.”

  “Why he’s going after that one? I’d catch that filly there first.” Rose pointed toward a nice sorrel.

  “We like to start hard then work our way down.”

  “That’s smart. Other than the lead mare, that guy does looks the rankest.”

  “That’s what we thought. Glad you approve.”

  Wallace neared and threw his loop over the colt’s head pulling it tight on his neck. The mustang jumped and tried to run. The ranger wrapped the rope around his waist and leaned back.

  The colt made two turns around the corral. Wallace worked him to the center post. In no time, he tied him short. Levi slipped down, grabbed his tack, then joined his friend.

  He handed his bridle to Wallace first then threw the saddle over the colt’s back. “Seems to me he wants to go left.”

  “Could be, but you can’t sit this one.”

  Levi tugged on the cinch strap. “Two bits says I can.”

  “Why not? I like easy money.”

  Levi waited for the colt to blow, then tugged the girth tighter. “That should do it. Blind him.”

  Wallace wrapped his bandanna over the horse’s eyes, took off the rope, then doubled it back over his neck. Levi swung aboard. “Let him go.”

  Wallace pulled the rope and bandanna off in one motion. The mustang stood there for a heartbeat then jumped left, exactly like Levi thought. He crow-hopped twice then twisted left.

  He ducked his head and kicked. Levi spurred him, and he bolted. He plow-horsed him away from the rail. For sure, he didn’t want him trying to jump it.

  For several trips around the corral, the colt raced then stopped and went to bucking. He’d run then buck, run then buck. But each time around, the young horse wasn’t going as high or bucking as often.

  Levi spurred him again, but this time he only loped. He pulled the colt to a walk then eased toward where Wallace sat between Rose and Charley. “What was it you were saying a minute ago?”

  “Nothing. Let me have him, and you go catch me that mare.”

  Rose eased from the fence onto the colt’s back. Wallace looked back at her. “What are you doing?”

  “Oh, I just thought I’d work him some while Levi’s catching the mare.”

  Charley waved. “Me get to ride her?”

  “I don’t know about that, little partner. We might want to save you for that young feller over there.” Wallace nodded toward a colt that looked to be coming two. “He’s maybe more your size.”

  Charley puffed his chest and threw his chin out. “Me ride anything.”

  The ranger looked from him to his mother.“About the truth. Bold Eagle had him riding before he could walk.”

  He shrugged then motioned toward the mare Levi was putting the sneak on. “Might want to see if you can help him, Sassy. Captain ropes like an old woman.”

  “And you might be surprised what some old women can do, Sarge.” She cocked her head and raised her eyebrows at him then plow-horsed the colt toward the herd. She nudged the animal’s ribs.

  At first, he didn’t move.

  Kicking him a little harder, she clucked. He crow-hopped once, and she pulled hard on his right rein. He stopped hopping and went with her. Pulling him back straight, she tickled his ribs again, and he eased forward.

  “Good boy.” She patted his neck. “Easy now.” She spoke in the low singsong voice horses seemed to respond to the best. She leaned forward on his neck, then as the colt walked into the middle of the herd, she eased him toward Wallace’s mare.

  Levi winked at her, took two steps, then threw his lasso right over the mare’s neck. About as fast as Wallace tied the colt to the center post, Levi had the mare ready.

  Riding back to the rail where Charley still sat, she stopped and dismounted. “You Mama’s good boy?”

  Never taking his eyes off the rangers, he nodded once. Sarge swung into the saddle. “Sure. Me want next turn.”

  She understood exactly, she wanted a turn, too, but also knew why Levi didn’t want to let her, and no way was she going to allow Charley to ride one of the mustangs before at least green broke. “We’ll see.”

  “No see; me ride.”

  Wallace tucked his chin. “Let her go.”

  Levi jumped back, and the ranger rode her through more bucks and turns and crow-hops than the colt provided, but she didn’t run as much. In the end, he had her under control.

  Levi leaned against the rail watching his friend then glanced at her. “Well, he managed to hang on. Two down, ten to go.”

  She smiled, resisting the urge to jump off the rail into his arms, daring him to catch he
r. “What do you want me to do with the colt?”

  He shrugged then looked to Charley. “What about my partner here? They ready for each other?”

  The boy glared a little. “Me stay ready.”

  Rose had to laugh; where had he heard that? “If he stays in the corral.”

  He held his hands out. Charley jumped into them. “Nothing fancy, deal?”

  “Deal.”

  By evening, the rangers had half the mustangs broke to ride while she and Charley worked on reining the first four. A fun day, but she couldn’t stop thinking of what the full moon had reminded her about.

  Could she remember exactly how far along she’d been when she realized Charley was on the way? Those times blurred, and she really didn’t want to dwell on them.

  The next day proved even better. Just like Levi said, start hard and end easy, so logical. The men busted the last broncos way before sunset. Once she heard Sammie Jo was getting a shoat ready to smoke, she turned the finish work over to Charley and his two partners.

  If she couldn’t have her mother to talk to, she’d take Mis’ess Brown. She found her behind the tavern at the smoke pit built from beautiful native rock and some real heavy-looking cast iron.

  “Need any help?”

  Sammie Jo looked up from her dressed shoat. “Y’all already done with those mustangs?”

  “Oh, they’re still working on finishing them, but the rough has definitely been knocked off. Charley’s helping them, too. You seen Laura?”

  “She’s been holed up all day sewing.” She slathered a brownish concoction over the pig. “Mighty kind of you to provide the cloth for her.” She smiled. “I saw your boy riding earlier; he sits a horse like he’s born to it.”

  “Yes, ma’am, he does. My father and his before him were horsemen. Guess you could say it’s in our blood.”

  “Here, take this.” She handed her brush and bowl to Rose then stuck two big forks in the shoat and turned him over. She took the brush back and slathered the other side. “How long have you known Captain Baylor?”

  Rose held the bowl out as the lady brushed on more sweet-smelling sauce. “Since I was just a girl. His little sister, or to be exact, his cousin is only a few months older, and we were best friends coming up.”