To Love a Texas Ranger

by Linda Broday

  She would live in her little house alone, and when Sam passed by, they’d make passionate love until he had to move on.

  She would take him as he was with all his scars and hurt, for to change him would alter the very things that had drawn her to him—his honor, sense of duty, and loyalty to family. She would never ask him to give up the things that made him whole.

  “Thank God you’re all right,” Sam murmured against her mouth. “If I lost you, I wouldn’t want to live.”

  Sierra became aware of the children and the fact that she was their teacher. What they were doing was not acceptable for an unmarried woman, never mind a teacher. “Sam, the children.”

  “Oh, right. Sorry.” He took a step back.

  With the taste of him on her tongue, she rushed to Hector and Houston, who bent over him. The boy smiled up at her.

  “Hola,” he murmured.

  Smoothing back his hair, she blinked away her tears. “Hola, Hector.”

  “He’ll be fine, Miss Sierra.” Houston stood like some tall mountain of a man. Becky Golden—whom Sierra hadn’t yet met—would be lucky to have him. “If we’d arrived another minute later…” His words trailed off.

  “Except you didn’t. Thank you, Houston, Luke. Thank all of you.” She sent Sam a special glance that said more than words.

  Luke stepped forward. “I’ll take this little girl on home.”

  “Appreciate it,” Sam said. “Houston and I will get the wagon out and take care of these two. Meet you back at headquarters.”

  Luke nodded, plucking Alice from the wagon. Sierra’s eyes misted as he settled the girl in the saddle in front of him. Those two had a lot in common. Loneliness dogged their shadows.

  Sam turned to Sierra. “Wait here with Hector until we get the wagon on solid ground.”

  “We’re fine. Do what you need to.” She put an arm around Hector, pulling him close.

  While she watched the two brothers work, she wondered why Hector had stood, causing the wagon to lurch to the side. She wished she could ask him. Hopefully, he would tell Sam.

  Had she done something to cause it? Perhaps the boy had sensed her terror. Or maybe he shared the same fear of water.

  One thing was very clear—she’d failed again. Had the men not ridden by, they both would’ve drowned, and maybe Alice too.

  How could she live with the knowledge that no one would be able to depend on her? That she’d always let them down?

  Laying a hand on top of Hector’s head, she thought of how precious life was, how fleeting. This child had already suffered the sting and came awful close to joining his mother.

  “I’m sorry, Hector,” she murmured.

  When he glanced up at her, she saw tears in his eyes. “Love you,” he said in halting English.

  “I love you too,” she whispered, kissing his forehead.

  Even so, she wasn’t fit to raise him. She wasn’t fit to raise any child.

  * * *

  Sam pulled the wagon to a stop in front of Sierra’s small dwelling. Setting the brake, he glanced over at her. She’d been very quiet on the drive. He’d felt the heavy pall over her.

  “Here we are.” He jumped to the ground and turned for Hector, setting him down. Then, putting his hands on Sierra’s slight waist, he swung her easily from the wagon. She didn’t weigh anything. He held her against him for a long moment, fighting the need to kiss her. Finally, he couldn’t bear the torture and set her on her feet.

  “I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better.” He tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear.

  Her hair had dried during their return, as had their clothes, and she’d put on her shoes.

  Sierra’s eyes meeting his showed her misery. “There is nothing, Sam. I failed—once again.”

  “Maybe in saving Hector, but that’s understandable. You had so many things working against you. Your long dress hampered you, for one. It was too heavy and dragged you down. You were swimming as well as you were able when we rode up, and had almost reached Hector.”

  Tears shimmered in her blue eyes. “I couldn’t save anyone. I let my sister, Whitney, drown, and my mother jumped off a cliff to her death.”

  Sam took her frigid hands in his. “You couldn’t have saved your sister. Don’t you see? If you’d jumped in, you would’ve died also. Her death is not your fault. Nor is your mother’s.” He brushed her cheek with his lips. “I’m so very proud of you.”

  “I froze. I was so scared.”

  Her words were so quiet he could barely hear them. “But you jumped in anyway. That took a lot of guts. You were willing to risk your life for this little boy.”

  Her face brightened. “I never thought about what might happen to me. He was my only concern.”

  “That’s the mark of a hero, darlin’.” His glance swept the busy place. “I wish I could come in, but there are too many people watching. I need to talk to you though. Can you come to the house after you do whatever you need to?”

  “Is this about your mysterious ride this morning?”

  “Yes. We’re making a plan to go back.”

  She curled her hand inside his. “I can’t wait to hear about it. Before you go, Sam, will you ask Hector why he stood, tipping the wagon over? I want to know what made him do a foolish thing like that.”

  “Sure.” After speaking Spanish to the boy, Sam met her eyes. “He saw us in the distance, but he thought we were Ford and his men. He tried to warn you.”

  Sierra hugged Hector close. “You’re a sweet boy with a gentle heart. Thanks for saving us, Sam. I’ll see you in a while.”

  With a reluctant sigh, Sam climbed back into the wagon and drove to the stables. He glanced back at Sierra. Pride swelled in his chest. She’d made great headway toward overcoming her fear. He prayed that today had relieved her at last of the blame she’d carried for so long.

  Sierra Hunt could do anything she set her mind to. The tiny steps she’d taken would get bigger. With each one, she’d grow stronger and more confident.

  One thing he knew—she was a keeper.

  And she was the only one who could stoke a fire inside him.

  Thirty-five

  While Sam waited for Sierra in the shadows of the porch, Wheeler hurried toward him from the telegraph office.

  “What is it, Wheeler?” Sam asked when the man drew close.

  The man huffed and puffed up the steps. “I heard back from Captain O’Reilly.” He handed Sam a slip of paper.

  O’Reilly’s telegram said the sheriff at Bridger, Texas, was shot and killed by a group of masked riders this morning. Sounded like Felix Bardo’s work. The outlaw must’ve sensed the sheriff had seen him. O’Reilly warned Sam to be careful.

  “Wheeler, I don’t need to send a reply.” Sam stuck the telegram in his vest pocket, thanking the man. He happened to glance toward the mercantile, and his breath hitched at the sight of Sierra strolling toward the house. Fingers of dying light lingered on her hair and brushed the soft curve of her jaw.

  If he was a painter, he’d try to capture that picture just the way he filed it away in his mind. Her softly parted lips reminded him of the night she’d danced to the guitar music with her shoulders bared and slender arms raised over her head.

  Damn, he couldn’t get that image out of his mind!

  The opening door caught his attention. He turned to see his father and Houston. Earlier, his brother mentioned riding over to the Golden place—something about needing to talk to Becky’s father about one of their bulls that showed up on the Lone Star, but it appeared he’d changed his mind. That was good, because what they had to discuss couldn’t wait.

  It wouldn’t be too many more days though before Houston would be with Becky Golden, stealing kisses. Or maybe making plans for their future.

  Sam envied him. Houston knew exactly how to go after what he wante
d. While Sam knew he wanted to spend his life with Sierra, they had many, many things to work out.

  Sierra slowed when she saw them, and he watched indecision cross her face. He hurried down the steps to meet her and put her at ease. At times, Legend men seemed to intimidate her. Hell, they did him too.

  With women and children, she was so confident and sure. It was men she had trouble with. Her father had caused this.

  Sam caught her hand. “Pa wants to hear about our visit to Lost Point today, and you’ll be a big help.”

  “I don’t know what I can contribute, but I’ll try.” A smile wiped the worry from her eyes.

  Sam put his arm around her waist. “Luke might join us. But I hesitate to say.”

  His black-sheep brother was moody and unpredictable.

  Houston strode forward to kiss Sierra’s cheek, saying he was anxious for her to meet his Becky, and promised to have his lady friend come soon.

  “I’d like that. I’m sure she’s a lovely woman.”

  Her words were genuine and true, just like the woman she was. Sam gave her his attention and ushered her up the wide porch steps with a hand on her waist.

  “Come into the parlor, my dear,” Stoker said, taking her arm. “If I had been fortunate enough to have a daughter, I’d have wanted her to be exactly like you. You’re a beautiful young lady.”

  Sierra blushed. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Not sir. I’m Stoker,” his father insisted.

  With a scowl, Sierra said, “It seems rude and irreverent, though.”

  “I’m not a reverend, dear. I’m just a plain old rancher who knows what he wants. And I want you to call me Stoker.”

  Sam grinned. His pa could charm the horns right off a billy goat when he wanted to. Sam followed, but as he and Houston reached the screen door, it slammed shut in their faces. He frowned. Their father was ever one to keep a man humble, and he knew a hundred ways to do it.

  By the time Sam and Houston reached the parlor, Sierra was seated on the cowhide sofa with Stoker beside her.

  “I tell you, Sam was a sight after I pulled him from that big pile of manure.” Stoker roared. “He had it in his mouth, hair, and even up his nose.”

  “You really get a kick out of telling that story, don’t you, Pa?” Sam fought the urge to laugh, even though the memory of that event wasn’t one he enjoyed dredging up. Cow shit was all he’d smelled and tasted for a month. “Anything to embarrass me.”

  “You sure learned fast to leave those bulls alone, son, and limit your riding to horses.”

  Houston strode to the window and stared into the evening shadows. “Keep any stories about me to yourself, Pa.”

  “Can I join your powwow?” Luke spoke from the doorway.

  Sam glanced up. “I thought you were too busy with whatever it was you needed to do.”

  “I’m never too busy for dulce.” Luke’s eyes seemed to issue a challenge.

  Stoker waved his arm. “Come on in, son. I’d like to get your thoughts on this.”

  Luke’s face darkened, and for a moment, Sam thought he’d spin around and leave. Clearly the word son hadn’t set well. But with that lazy saunter of his, Luke entered and took a chair.

  “Now that we’re all here, did you have any trouble riding across Granger’s land?” Stoker asked.

  “Nope. Never saw a soul.” Sam watched relief show on his father’s face.

  “I’d still have that land if the cayuse hadn’t cheated me out of it. Hell and be damned!”

  “Pa, that horse is dead enough. You don’t have to keep beating it.” Houston glowered. “The land is gone. Done.”

  Sam sat down beside Sierra and stretched out his legs. “We have other things to talk about. Trouble’s afoot over at Lost Point, but where do we go from here?”

  Sierra leaned forward. “First, I’d like to hear what you found, if you don’t mind.”

  After filling in her and their father about Sally and the state of affairs in the small town, Sam said, “It’s a surefire bet that Rocky’s there. I just have to find him.”

  A scowl darkened Luke’s face. “We, you mean.”

  His brother’s insistence brought a grin to Sam’s face. “Of course. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Houston turned from the window. “If there’s no map, what the heck is that bunch after?”

  “Someone had to have led them to believe there is a map, and that Sierra has it,” Sam growled. “And when I find out who, they’ll be very sorry.”

  “Luke and I will let you go first, but we’ll be right behind, waiting for our turn to whip the daylights out of him.” Houston’s eyes hardened.

  Stoker patted Sierra’s hand. “You can bet I’ll be there too.”

  “Thank you all.” She blinked hard. “Until I met the four of you, I never had anyone stand up for me.”

  Sam cleared his throat. “You’ve got us now, and no getting rid of us.” He’d ride through hell for her if that’s what his lady needed. She didn’t even have to ask.

  This woman whose quiet strength had fixed his head meant more to him than anything on earth.

  More than his life. She was the woman he’d waited so long to find.

  “Say that a map exists—what would it lead to?” Houston stalked back and forth in front of the window.

  “Chances rank high of it being ill-gotten gain.” Luke’s quiet words echoed Sam’s thoughts. “Could be stolen army payroll, outlaw loot…hell, it could be Mexican gold from the War of Independence. Or Confederate gold, for all we know.”

  Her face drained. “I don’t see how my father could be a party to anything such as that. Or Rocky.”

  “Pure speculation, my dear.” Stoker shot Sam and his brothers a warning glare. “What we should discuss is a plan. We’ll gather the ranch hands and ride to Lost Point at first light. Legends united—a strong force to reckon with. We’ll ride in with guns blazing.”

  “You do that, Pa, and Bardo and his bunch will kill Sally and everyone in sight. It’ll be a bloodbath.” Sam could see the woman lying dead in the street with those damn crutches next to her.

  Houston leaned forward to weigh in. “I say we ride in from four directions at once and hit ’em hard. Confuse the heck out of ’em. They won’t know where to shoot.”

  “Hold it.” Sam glared. “These are crazy plans. We first have to find out for sure if Rocky’s even in the town and not out at that place Sally spoke about. We ride in willy-nilly with guns blazing, and they’ll kill him before we can get close.”

  Sierra spoke up. “I should go. He’s my brother. A woman can get—”

  All four men yelled at once, “You’re not going!”

  “Sam’s got the right idea,” Luke said, “and I’m the best one for that job—I can fit in amongst them. I’ll go tonight, join in some card games. Drink some whiskey. Liquor loosens men’s tongues. I’ll gain their trust. If possible, I’ll even talk with Felix Bardo. Then I can meet you at the edge of town at daybreak.”

  “Too dangerous, Luke. I won’t send you in alone,” Stoker objected.

  Sam watched Luke’s hard gaze tangle with his father’s.

  “It has to be this way,” Luke said quietly. “No one better knows the outlaw ways. Any one of you go in, and they’ll shoot you on the spot. I’ve lived my life with outlaws. I know how to act, what to say, and what not to do.”

  “Makes me madder than hell,” Stoker thundered. “A nest of outlaws wouldn’t have taken over if I still had that land.”

  “Enough, Pa!” Houston yelled. “Good grief!”

  “I’ll get ready to ride.” Luke moved to the door.

  “Luke.” Sierra hurried and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  He turned. “Anything for you, dulce. Once I couldn’t save someone very precious to me. Maybe I can save your brother.”

>   The break in Luke’s voice thickened Sam’s throat. “Be careful, brother.”

  “Always am. No other way for me.”

  If anything happened, there would be no one there to help him. And if Luke should die… Sam was unable to finish the thought.

  Though Sierra covered her mouth with a fist, a sob escaped. “Sam, I couldn’t bear it if Luke should die beside a dark road somewhere with no one beside him.”

  Sam drew her closer. “If my brother vanishes, I’ll not stop until I find him. I promise.” Though Luke hadn’t fully embraced his family yet, he belonged to them all the same. A fierce love filled him for the brother some had called the devil’s spawn.

  * * *

  At the little house she loved, Sierra brushed by Sam and went inside. Stoker’s insistence that Hector stay with him tonight seemed a bit odd. The gruff man had cleared his throat, saying he wanted to get to know the orphaned boy. Sam had chuckled, telling him he’d get on Sierra’s bad side if he even thought about teaching Hector to play cards and drink whiskey.

  Sierra smiled at the memory, grateful for precious time alone with Sam.

  She removed her shawl and turned, studying him. Bright moonlight outlined his handsome features. Power coiled inside him. He was tough and lean and could strike fear into any lawbreaker.

  Without bothering to light the lamp that might invite visitors, Sam undressed Sierra in the dark. Trembling, she felt his sure fingers release the last button, then caress her skin. The dress slid down her legs to puddle around her feet.

  “Sam, in case something happens to you tomorrow…” Her voice cracked.

  “It won’t. I’m going to be back here—with you.”

  He placed his lips on hers, smothering her reply. Flutters whipped up a froth in her stomach as she melted into his strong arms.

  Their breaths mingled in a searing kiss that went all the way to her toes. That kiss cemented their feelings for each other—the love that curled inside her heart. A love she’d never spoken aloud. Maybe it was time. His heart and soul seemed to have overridden all his fears. They still had things to sort out, but she hoped they could come to an agreement that satisfied both.