Heart Of Texas (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  That stopped Latter in his tracks and made him reconsider. There was a hard look in the Indian's dark eyes, and that was a mean-looking Winchester pointed at him.

  Meanwhile, Gabe and Teague were wrestling on the floor. Gabe's fist crashed into the foreman's jaw.

  "That one was for Miss Hamilton." Gabe rolled to his feet and brought the man up with him. He drove his fists so hard into Teague's stomach that the man cried out.

  Another punch to the stomach brought Teague to his knees. He looked stunned when Gabe hit him in the jaw again. He seemed to crumple and then fell backward-out cold.

  Gabe turned to the other two. "Do either of you want to take me on?"

  Bates was studying the toes of his boots, and Latter was sullenly silent.

  "In that case, give Teague a message for me. I hadn't figured he'd pass out this fast, or I would have told him myself. Tell him if he ever sets foot on the Spanish Spur, or approaches Miss Hamilton in any manner, he will curse the day he was born."

  Latter gave Gabe a disgruntled look. "I'm not your messenger. Do it yourself."

  Flint bent over Teague and looked up at Gabe. "He will live, but he's going to be sore for a long time."

  Gabe glanced back at the other two men. "Then give this message to Cyrus-tell him not to stir up trouble he can't finish. Remind him that I meant what I told him the other day, and that he shouldn't send Teague or any of you to the Spanish Spur because we'll be waiting for you."

  "I'll be glad to tell him that," Bates spoke up. "You're already a walking dead man."

  "If there's any more trouble, and I find either of you is part of it, you'll curse the day your mother gave birth to you." Gabe spoke quietly, but the threat was there all the same.

  He picked his hat up off the floor, and he and Flint backed to the door, watching the two men. "Think twice before you ride against the Spanish Spur."

  Someone tapped Gabe on the shoulder, and he spun around, ready to fight.

  The tall, lanky cowboy smiled at him. "Settle down, Gabe. I ain't here to fight you. Fact is, I made money on you tonight. Some of the men bet their month's pay that Teague would be the one left standing, but I knew better."

  Gabe had always liked Will Fletcher, who had taught him most of what he knew about ranching. He hadn't seen the cowpoke in seven years, and the man hadn't been young then. Now his hair was mostly gray, but there was still a bounce in his step.

  "I have a warning for you, Fletcher, and any of the others who might think they can ride onto the Spanish Spur and stir up trouble. I won't allow anything to happen to the Hamiltons. Anyone meaning them harm will have to go through me to get to them."

  Fletcher chuckled. "I have been thinking 'bout moving on myself. You got any use for a broken- down of cowhand?"

  Gabe thought for a moment. He had wanted someone always at the house to watch over Casey. Could he trust Fletcher? "I do need someone I can depend on when I turn my back."

  "Then I'm your man. I always was partial to you when you was a boy-and I had a soft spot in my heart for the boss's daughter, too. Some of us took it real hard the way she died. I know several others who would come work for you and stand by you in a fight against Slaughter."

  "Just tell them not to get in my way. I trust you, but not the others. I can't be sure they won't go running back to Cyrus."

  Fletcher nodded. "I'll just pack my gear and head on over your way tonight. I don't want to be here when Teague comes 'round. He's going to be awfully mean."

  "We are tightening the perimeters around the house; make yourself known when you ride in or someone might shoot first and ask questions later."

  Gabe and Flint melted into the darkness without a sound; it was as if they had never been there.

  Fletcher shook his head in amazement. He'd never known how some men, mostly Indians, could move so quietly and swiftly, taking a body by complete surprise.

  He'd, felt sorry for Gabe when he'd been a young boy. Being Cyrus's son had been hard at Casa Mesa.

  The thing was, the boss had seen his son getting batted around, and he'd even laughed when Gabe had tried unsuccessfully to fight back against the larger men. Teague had encouraged the men's hatred toward the boy, and he had always hit the boy the hardest and the most often. It seemed like Gabe had grown into a fine man, regardless of the way he'd been treated as a boy.

  There was real trouble coming. Slaughter would not like what had happened tonight. It was a fight that was long in coming-the older Slaughter against the younger.

  Fletcher's money was on Gabe.

  A blaze of color had just touched the horizon when Kate moved determinedly toward the bunkhouse and shoved the door open. Her eyes blazing, her chin at an obstinate tilt, she walked right past Omous and Flint without blinking an eye.

  It didn't matter to her that Gabe had just stepped out of the tub and had only a towel draped about him.

  "Well, Gabriel, just what in the hell do you think you're doing now?"

  "Well, until a moment ago, I was taking a bath." He grinned. "I'm now standing here half-naked, dripping wet, with a woman who doesn't even notice."

  "Don't play the fool with me, Gabriel. You know very well what I'm talking about."

  He reached around her to grab his trousers off the cot. "I haven't got a notion why you came storming in here. You're pretty scary when you're mad, Kate."

  She watched him juggle the towel and his trousers, trying to get dressed.

  "I don't suppose you'd turn your head?" he asked with a touch of humor.

  She stared at him for a moment as if she'd just realized what an awkward time she had chosen to approach him. But it didn't bother her. She was too mad to care. "What are you doing taking a bath before sunup?"

  "I didn't realize there was a set time that a person could take a bath. But if you must know, I have something important to do this morning." He slid into his trousers and draped the towel around his neck. "Do you want to tell me what this is all about?"

  "I don't mind if I do. I went into the barn this morning, thinking I'd milk the cow for Casey, since she's got so much work on her hands, and who do you think I ran into?"

  "You tell me."

  "Will Fletcher, bigger than life. I asked him what he was doing here, and he said you let him come on over. Now I know you know he works for Slaughter. A man can't ride two horses at the same time."

  "I trust Fletcher, Kate. He may have worked for Cyrus, but he will be loyal to the Spanish Spur."

  "What if he runs straight to Slaughter and tells him we don't have enough men to protect this ranch? Had you even thought of that?"

  "He won't. I trust Fletcher enough to put him to guard the family. And, Kate, there's going to be trouble here. I don't know just when, but when it comes, we'll need every man we can get to come over to our side."

  She digested that bit of information and said reluctantly, "If you trust Fletcher, I guess that's good enough for me. But mind you, I'll be watching him all the same."

  She stared at him and then reached out and touched his bruised jaw. She noticed several cuts and scrapes as well. "You look like you been in a fight."

  "You might call it that. I had a run-in with Ira Teague last night."

  She nodded. "That figures. And it explains what Fletcher's doing here." She nodded toward the Indians. "I ain't never been good at figures, but even I can add a bit-with you and the Comanches and Will Fletcher, that still makes only four. Slaughter has an army of men on his side."

  "I've never been interested in numbers. I know the loyalty of the men at my back. Cyrus can't say the same."

  "You're up against trouble, but you know that. I've said my piece."

  He reached for his shirt and held it in front of him. "In that case, will you leave so I can get dressed, Kate?"

  She grinned at him and winked. "Don't think I was so taken up with what I was saying that I didn't notice some things. With a body like yours, I don't know why some woman hasn't already snapped you up."

  His
gorgeous mouth slid into a grin. "Are you proposing to me, Kate?"

  "Nope. You may end up dead, and I'm too young to be a widow. But you might want to cast your eyes on the lady in the main house."

  His irises dilated just a bit. "Then you're matchmaking?"

  "You're a handsome devil and don't need the likes of me to do your courting for you. But if you wait much longer, there'll be other bees sniffing around the honeypot I seen the looks Casey got from the menfolk when we was in town the other day. She's a real looker, in case you ain't noticed."

  He pulled his shirt on and buttoned it, then tucked it into his pants. "I noticed."

  Cyrus Slaughter shoved Teague aside and seated himself on the edge of his desk. "You let him come here, catch you unaware, and you did nothing to stop him."

  "He had the Indian with him."

  "And you had forty-three men to call on."

  "He took me by surprise."

  "You knew he'd come if you baited the woman. Why weren't you ready for him? No, don't answer that-I'll answer it for you. Gabe took you because he's smarter than you are."

  Anger flushed Teague's ruddy face. "He caught me off guard, boss, and he was stronger than I thought he'd be. I could have took him if-"

  "That's not the way I heard it told. I heard you were ready for him. I heard he just plain outfought you."

  Teague looked away from the piercing silver gaze. "If you want Gabe dead, I can do it for you."

  "If I'd wanted him dead, I wouldn't have asked you to do it. I just wanted him roughed up a bit, and it looks like you're the one who got roughed up.,,

  "I'll get him next time."

  "Looks like you got what you dished out for a change."

  "I don't know what you mean."

  "It's like this, Teague. When my son was young you made life hard for him, you taunted him, hit him. Tonight he had the satisfaction of settling an old score."

  Cyrus nodded toward the door. "I only allow a man one mistake, and you've had yours. Pack up your belongings and get out."

  There was a look of disbelief on Teague's face. He'd ridden for the Slaughter brand for over twenty-five years, and he'd been the foreman for fifteen of those years. He had done unspeakable things on Slaughter's orders. He had never hesitated, never thought about it or felt guilty later on. "You can't mean that, boss. I can still get him for you."

  "I don't usually have to say things more than once." There was coldness in his tone, and an uncompromising glare reflected in his eyes. "Draw your pay and don't let the sun go down on you while you're still on my land."

  Teague was barely able to control his anger. He'd always fancied himself a kind of son to Cyrus, like family. He had resented Gabe from the first day he'd came to live at Casa Mesa. As Cyrus's natural son, Gabe had lived with the family.

  Gabe had it all-the old man's name and a soft bed at the big house. It wasn't right that he should be thrown off Casa Mesa after being loyal for so many years.

  Without a word, he turned on his heel and walked out of the house.

  Anger guided Ira Teague's footsteps to the bunkhouse, where he threw his belongings into a saddlebag. He was halfway to town before he realized he had not drawn his pay.

  It was a cool, crisp afternoon without a cloud in the sky and only a slight breeze blowing from the south. Jenny had gone to Kate's house after waking from her afternoon nap.

  Kate liked to have jenny read to her, and it was only a week ago that Kate had admitted to Casey that she couldn't see well enough to read her own books.

  On one of Sam's last trips into town, Casey had asked him to go by Finnegan's store and order a pair of bifocals for Kate. He and Flint had ridden into town today, and Casey hoped the glasses had arrived by now, and he could bring them home.

  She smiled when she thought of Sam. He had become fast friends with Omous and Flint, and they were teaching him the skills a young Comanche boy would learn. Flint was showing him how to track, and Omous was teaching him how to survive in the wilds with just a knife. It was a great opportunity for Sam to gain knowledge of the Comanche way.

  Casey's life had settled into a comfortable routine, and so far there had been no more trouble from the Casa Mesa ranch. She hoped that Cyrus Slaughter had finally lost interest in the Spanish Spur.

  Today was the first afternoon she had nothing to do. She was very aware that Gabe had set Fletcher to watch over her, and she knew it was for her own safety, but she wanted to get away for a while to be by herself.

  Casey had no mirror, so she wasn't sure how well her old blue riding habit fit; it had been years since she had worn it. She was relieved to find it still fit around the waist, but it was just a bit too short.

  She smiled as she tied her hair back with a matching blue ribbon.

  Straightening her blouse, she gave a satisfied nod. She left the house and walked toward the corral to saddle the chestnut.

  When she approached the horse, she smiled in anticipation. From the first day Casey had set eyes on the gelding, she had been wanting to ride him. But until today there had been little opportunity; her days had been too busy. Now that the house was in order, she had time to ride.

  She lifted a saddle onto the horse's back, and it took her several tries to fasten the cinch.

  Kate had found the saddle that had belonged to Casey's mother in the tack room; it had been abandoned and suffered from neglect since her mother left Texas. Sam had polished the leather and replaced a buckle and a strap.

  Casey liked the thought of using something that had belonged to her mother; it made her feel closer to her somehow. Of course, it was a western saddle, and Casey had ridden only sidesaddle, so that might be a problem for her.

  Casey had half expected Fletcher to be in the barn, but the place was deserted. Hoping to get away before he returned, she tentatively slid her foot into the stirrup and awkwardly hoisted herself onto the saddle. At first it felt strange to her, but she thought she could get used to it with practice.

  The chestnut tossed his mane as if he were ready to run. Sam had ridden the horse several times and found him to be a good mount, so she didn't expect to have any trouble from him.

  She let her breath. out as she settled her gown about her legs in an attempt to cover her petticoats.

  The horse bounded forward in reaction to her command. In no time at all, she was riding across the pasture, toward the river.

  Her spirits soared!

  She had not ridden in so long, and she was glad to see she could still stay in the saddle. Her cares blew away with the gentle breeze that touched her cheeks. For this one afternoon, she was not going to think of anything unpleasant.

  The gelding had great stamina, and he ran full- out until she slowed him to a lope. She found herself laughing out loud as her spirits soared even higher. It had been a long time since she had felt so lighthearted.

  When she dismounted near the river, she stood on the bank, remembering that this was where she had first seen Gabe. Thinking of him brought her mind back to the present. If only there were a way she could get past the barrier he had erected around himself. She had often seen raw pain in his eyes, and it tore at her heart. He might not know it yet, but he needed someone to love and take care of him.

  He needed her.

  Casey turned away from the river and watched the chestnut grazing nearby. When she looked downstream and saw a boulder overhanging the river, she removed her book from the saddlebag, thinking it would be the perfect place to read for a while. When she climbed to the top of the boulder, she was amazed by her lofty vantage point. She could see for miles in every direction.

  She was beginning to love Texas and the Spanish Spur. There was a beauty here, a quiet serenity, if you didn't think about Cyrus Slaughter.

  After a moment of musing, she sat down with her book on her lap. The sun felt good on her skin, and she found her eyes drifting shut. She lay back, cushioning her head on her arm, thinking she would close her eyes for just a moment.

  She smi
led to herself, remembering other times when she had ridden with her friends back in Virginia before the war had changed everything. Virginia no longer felt like home to her. This was the land of her mother's birth, the land that had given life to Gabe.

  This land spoke to her heart.

  She tried to read a page in her book, but her eyelids were heavy, and she laid her book aside and soon drifted off to sleep.

  Gabe had just ridden in when Fletcher hobbled out of the barn toward him, shaking his head. "Did you take the chestnut gelding somewhere today?" he asked in a puzzled tone.

  Gabe swung out of the saddle. "No. Why?"

  "It's missing. I know Kate ain't took it, and Sam went to town with Omous and Flint. If you ain't got him, who does?"

  Gabe glanced toward the house, suspicion growing in his mind. "Have you seen Miss Hamilton this afternoon?"

  "No, I ain't." He scratched his head. "You don't think she'da took the horse and rode off by herself, do you?"

  "You're supposed to be watching her," Gabe said in a hard voice, and with long strides hurried toward the house. He took the porch steps two at a time and rapped on the door. "Casey, are you in there?"

  When there was no answer, he opened the door and went inside. He looked in every room and found them all empty. Panic took over his reasoning, and he ran back outside to find Fletcher still waiting for him.

  "Are you sure she isn't with Kate?"

  "She ain't. I just got back from having coffee with Kate. She's got the little one with her, but not Miss Casey."

  "Dammit, Fletcher, you should have at least heard Casey ride away."

  "I didn't think she'd go off somewhere without telling any of us."

  There wasn't a doubt in Gabe's mind that Casey had ridden out alone, even though he'd told her not to. He walked to the barn and studied the hoofprints-there were just too many to separate the gelding's from all the others. If Flint had only been there, he could have tracked her easily.

  "Fletcher, saddle up and ride toward town. I'll search down by the river. If you meet up with Omous and Flint, send them to me there. Do not alarm Sam."