It had all been his father’s idea. He’d not let on that they were losing the ranch. Yancy cringed when he thought how his pa had gone from judge to outlaw.
He saddled Socrates and led the paint. Slowly, the horse walked behind him, but as they went along, he picked up the pace. Yancy set his sights on the ranch. He was due a day off.
After a couple of hours, he made it back, put the paint in a stall, and fed him. Then he turned Socrates out to pasture. The bay mare in the corral eyed him warily.
With a quick look to the house to make sure Reed wasn’t around, Yancy saddled the bay and mounted. The horse bucked, reared, and finally settled down to a series of crowhops. After a few rounds in the corral, Yancy undid the gate and headed for town.
He kicked the mare into a gallop to run the wild out of her, hoping to run the wild out of his own heart. Soon, he’d have Amelia in his arms. Anger welled up inside him that he still had six months before he would be free from Reed’s orders.
Well, Reed wasn’t with him now. He rode to the store and tied his exhausted horse to the rail. At least, he’d worn the mare out so that she should mind her manners. He ran to the store and opened the door.
“Amelia?”
Mrs. Clark came from the back, and for a moment, her hand went to her mouth. She slowed her steps. “Yancy, what are you doing here?”
“I was working a wild horse and thought I’d stop by to see Amelia.” He could see the unasked questions in her eyes. She didn’t trust him. Didn’t believe him. And for sure didn’t want him anywhere near her daughter.
“She’s busy. I’ll tell her you stopped by.” She didn’t budge but stood as if she were guarding Amelia.
“I really wanted to talk to her. I never got a chance to tell my side of the story. To you, the town, or Amelia.” While that wasn’t entirely true, it didn’t matter. He had to see her.
“No. She doesn’t want to see you anymore. Please leave. I don’t want my husband to find you here.”
Reckless anger flamed inside him. Seeing she wasn’t about to change her mind, he whirled, knocked a row of cans off the shelf and left the store. All those months of dreaming of Amelia only to have her mother lie to him.
Amelia cared for him. He knew it. Sure, she thought she liked the new sheriff, but that was six months ago and no wedding. Yancy still owned her love. He knew it. She had to love him.
He walked along the boardwalk and saw the deputy coming from across the town square. Not wanting to be seen by the law, Yancy ducked down the alley to the back of the store.
He froze.
Amelia stood with Justin, her head resting against his chest.
Yancy bolted to them, shoving Justin away from her. “Amelia, what are you doing?”
Breathless, she gaped at him.
Justin shoved back. “Reed know you’re in town?”
“I’m riding one of his broncs. Thought I’d stop by and see my gal.”
Amelia’s face turned red. “I’m not your girl. I haven’t been for some time, even before you decided to turn rustler.” The anger in her eyes hit him.
“I know you still care for me. All those years, we were best friends. Thought we’d marry and have a dozen kids. I know you haven’t forgotten that Am.” He hoped his pet name for her would jog her memory.
She stepped back. “That was years ago, as you say, when we were kids. I’ve grown up. I love Justin.”
Justin started to walk in front of her, but she held him back.
“Please, Yancy. Leave me alone. Work out your problems—”
“And what? You’ll be waiting for me?”
“No. But you can find someone that loves you like I love Justin.”
Why did everything he ever cared about have to be taken away from him? His mother, brothers, father, and the ranch, and now the cruelest loss, Amelia.
Yancy reached for his gun when a rope swirled over his head and tightened his hand to his waist. He whirled to see the stranger that had come with Nettie. Wills something.
The stranger nodded. “Guns can do nasty things to people. Pardon my intrusion, but I saw you duck into the alley as if you, well, had something to hide.”
Yancy threw off the rope and charged into the man. All the anger surfaced and laced his fists with power as he attacked. Until a big right-handed fist caught him square in the jaw knocking him back.
Quick like a cat, Wills was on his feet ready to meet him with another hard punch.
Justin put an end to the fight. “Enough. I’ve got this Wills. You can go.”
Wills nodded, wiped a hand over his bloodied lip, and walked back up the alley.
Anger darkened Justin’s face. “Yancy, does Reed know you’re in town?”
“No. Like I said I was riding one of our broncs.” Yancy dusted the dirt from his pants.
“And the horse just happened to come into town. Let’s go. You can wait for Reed in jail. A good reminder of where you’d be if he hadn’t stepped in to take you on.”
Amelia caught Justin’s hand. “Please, he won’t cause any more trouble, will you, Yance? Let him ride back to the ranch? Please.”
Justin stared at her until he let out a breath and nodded. “Get, before I change my mind. I better not hear you skipped—”
“I gave my word. I still have that.” Yancy speared a gaze toward Amelia and was shocked to see that she was looking at him.
She walked to him, pulled out a hanky, and dabbed at his bloody lip. “Go, learn from Reed how to be a good man. Please.”
He grabbed her hand.
Her eyes widened. She still cared for him. He could see it in the depths of her blue eyes.
Justin shoved him. “Go on.”
The connection broken, he withdrew his hand, gave her that wry grin she always liked, and backed away. “You remember me, Am. Remember us. After six months, I’m free. You remember that.”
He saw two things before he turned to go. The hate in Justin’s eyes, and the love in Amelia’s. He could live a thousand years with the hope she ignited in him. He just had to bide his time and learn how to be a good man from Reed. Well, that’s what he’d do.
She was worth it.
Chapter 6
Justin pulled Amelia back. “What was that all about? That Yance stuff. Go and learn how to be a good man?”
She turned to stare at him. “We spent our childhood together. We were best friends. Then he changed. I think the war and his brothers dying hurt Yancy.”
“Everyone went through pain because of that war. Not everyone went outlaw.”
She stiffened. “Remember Justin, you’re from the North. You didn’t suffer the losses the South did and still is.”
“Yeah, I keep being reminded of that. Just didn’t expect it from you.”
Tears slid down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I love you, Justin. I’m just so confused right now. My parents don’t want me seeing you or Yancy. Hold me, Justin.”
He wiped her tears with his thumb and then held her close. “I’m sorry. Guess I was jealous. I want to marry you, Amelia. Soon as you can get permission.”
She sighed and leaned against him. “That won’t be until I’m twenty-one according to my parents. They’re afraid to have me marry a sheriff.”
He cradled her head against his chest. “We’ll work it out. You’ll see.” He wanted to say more but hesitated.
She pulled away. “I better go before I am in trouble with my mother again.” She blew him a kiss, turned, and ran down the alley.
Justin waited. His heart pounding, his mind muddled. They’d kissed the other day. Today, after she saw Yancy, she merely blew him a kiss. Had she changed her feelings?
After a few more minutes, he walked down the alley into the street. Spence waved him over to the jail.
What now? He didn’t feel like being a sheriff right now. He had his own problems. “What is it, Spence?”
“Everything all right? Saw that new guy, Wills come out of the alley with a bloody lip and then Yancy. Is Ya
ncy supposed to be in town without Reed?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Spence tugged his hat up and down. “He tore out of here, headed in the direction of Misfit Ranch.”
“Anything else?” Last thing Justin wanted to do was discuss his love life with Spence.
Spencer grinned. “Yeah, thought I saw your horse at the saloon.”
“Which one?”
“The one that got stole.”
Ready to pound a fist into his deputy, Justin concentrated on pounding down his anger instead. “Which saloon?”
Spence grinned. “Cattlemen’s.”
“Let’s go.”
Justin hoped his horse was still there. He’d like nothing better than throwing a horse thief in jail. They neared the big two-story saloon at the end of the street. Tied to the hitching rail was his big bay. Justin knew it was his horse because of the white snip on his left heel.
“That’s him, Spence. You have good eyes, deputy. Let’s go see who owns up to having my horse. You undo the cinch, and then come in the saloon.”
“Right, boss.”
Justin opened the doors, waited for his eyes to see clearly, and then entered the smoke hazed room. No one paid him particular mind. Most he didn’t recognize. Seemed to be a good crowd for middle of the week.
“Sheriff, how can I help you?” Harold neared him with the same wolfish grin he always wore.
“You have a lot of business today.”
“Yes, I do. Is that what you came to see?”
Justin shot a glare at him. “I came in to see who owns the big bay outside.”
One of the men at the bar turned. “I own a big bay. He’s got a white snip above his left rear hoof.”
“That’s him. I’d like to talk you, outside.”
With a shrug, the man said something to the cowboy next to him and then walked toward him. “After you, sheriff.”
Justin left the saloon. Outside, he turned. “Want to tell me why you have my horse?”
“Must be some mistake. I bought him two days ago in Fort Worth.” He pulled a paper from his pocket and handed it over.
Justin examined the bill of sale. He should have figured someone had sold the horse. He handed the paper back to the man. “What’s your name?”
“Charles Hunt, friends call me, Charlie.”
He hated to admit it, but Justin took an instant liking to the man. “Where you from?”
“San Antone. Got a job on a big ranch. The Box X. Ever hear of it?”
“Yeah, you met the new owner yet?”
“No. Foreman, man by the name of Phil Smith, come down there and hired a bunch of us. Gave us advance money and set us up in the hotel until the herd arrives. Supposed to be coming up from Mexico.”
Justin shook his hand. “Well, looks like I’ve been on the wrong end of a bad joke. Sure miss that horse.”
“Hey, I don’t want to be riding a stolen horse. Not good for one’s neck in Texas. I can get another. You take him back. No hard feelings.”
“I could pay you—”
“No. I didn’t pay anything. Foreman paid for everyone’s mount. I expect he’ll buy me another one when I tell him he was dealing in stolen goods.” He grinned good-naturedly.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know when the new owner shows up. I’d like to meet him.”
“Will do, Sheriff. Nice little town you have here. Thought of settling down someday. This looks like it’d be a good spot. Just need to find me a sweet little filly needing a husband.”
Justin felt his mood sour. “Well, thanks for giving the horse back.”
“Sure. Like I said, I’ll get another. Foreman had plenty of money to flash around. Good thing he’s big and ugly enough to keep any reasonable man from getting the idea of taking it from him. I’ll let you know, Sheriff. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back with my friends. Put my rigging by the door out of the weather, and I’ll get a horse to go under it tomorrow.”
“Sure.” Justin nodded and went to Spence. “Guess I have my horse back. Strange that Phil’s the one gave him my horse.”
After unsaddling the bay, Spence untied him and brought him over. “Sounds odd to me. Phil was supposed to be helping Judge Wallace and now he’s working for the very man that bought the ranch. I don’t like the way that makes my mouth feel.”
“Yeah, know what you mean.” Justin dropped his horse at the livery. “You hungry, Spence?”
His deputy laughed. “Ever known me to say no to that question?”
“No, guess not. Let’s get us a bite at the hotel.”
Justin dusted off his clothes, motioned for Spence to do the same, and entered the hotel. In the dining room, he saw Wills at a table.
“Let’s join our newest citizen of Bluebonnet.” Justin went to Wills’ table. “Care for some company?”
Wills looked up and grinned. “Sure. Take a seat.”
Justin sat and studied the man. He was young, maybe the same age as himself, dark brown hair and eyes. “You find any business here in Bluebonnet?”
He nodded. “First one was the Burketts. Bought their buildings. They’re crating their things up and getting ready to move back to San Antonio.”
Spence cocked his head. “Odd, I was at the Shady Lady and thought for sure I heard Burkett say he was going to California. Said he had a grub stake.”
The muscles in Will’s face went taut. “Sheriff, in Texas, women can own property, that right?”
“I’m not sure. Can’t in Minnesota. That was one reason my aunt answered an ad for a mail order bride.”
Wills rose. “I think I’ve lost my appetite. I’d like it if you’d accompany me. I have some business to do with Mr. Burkett.” He stared at him. “I’d hate to do something I’d regret. With you there, I’d be less inclined to do bodily harm to that man.”
Justin stood. “Sure, let’s go. You can fill us in on the way.”
###
Wills pulled the cord of rope from his pocket. Apparently, Burkett hadn’t believed him. Soon he would. He strode up the porch to the Burkett’s’ building and knocked on the door.
No answer.
He knocked harder. “It’s Wills Williams. I need to take some measurements.”
The door opened. Mrs. Burkett smiled and let him in. “Oh, Sheriff, come in. I’ve been packing all day. My husband said he was going to Fort Worth to buy a horse and wagon. I’m so excited to be going home.”
Wills smiled. “Has he been gone all day?”
“Well, yes. You know it’s a couple days’ ride there and back especially with a wagon.”
He nodded. “Sorry to trouble you, the measurements can wait. Good day, ma’am.”
Outside, the sheriff stared at him. “What was that all about?”
“Sheriff, let’s go and visit the saloons. I have a feeling we’ll find Burkett there. I just hope he hasn’t blown all the money at the gambling table.”
Justin’s face hardened. “I see. He’s probably at The Cattleman’s for the gambling, but just in case, Spence, you go to the Shady Lady and work your way down. We’ll go to the Cattlemen’s”
Spencer left at a run.
The old familiar hollow feeling in his gut almost dropped Wills to his knees. He stared at Justin. “I thought I could put the fear into him. Should have known. You ever been driven by the whiskey demon?”
Justin shook his head.
“Don’t. Don’t ever give it a chance to sink its claws into you. Just don’t.” Wills walked in silence to the gambling hall. To his credit, Justin didn’t interrupt.
At the door to The Cattlemen’s Saloon, Wills nodded to the sheriff. “Be ready to back me.”
Justin’s brow furrowed, but he stayed in the shadows.
Wills didn’t give him time to ask questions and shoved opened the door. “Burkett!”
The little man stood. He was next to one of the faro dealers. “I don’t owe you anything.”
“Oh, but you do. Apparently, you
didn’t read the fine print. Half of that money was your wife’s. How much have you lost?”
Burkett shrugged. “None of your business.”
The faro dealer smirked. “His last hundred is on the table.”
Wills grabbed it. “You owe your wife fifty dollars. You got it on you?”
Again, the dealer spoke up. “He promised me he has a wagon and horses in the livery. That should settle it.”
Wills nodded at the dealer. “Thanks. You’ve been most helpful.” He pulled out a card and handed it to him. “If you ever need an attorney, look me up. I’m the only one in town.”
Burkett roared. “Give me my money.”
“Uh uh. You signed the papers. You should have read the whole thing.”
Quicker than he thought possible of the little weasel, Burkett pulled a gun and aimed it at him.
Justin slammed his fist at the back of the man’s head, dropping him like a sack of grain. “Never liked that man. After the day I’ve had, that felt good.”
Wills grinned. “Thanks, Sheriff. Now, maybe you can help me haul this miserable carcass to the water trough.”
After dunking Burkett repeatedly in the nearest horse trough, the man came up spluttering and swinging.
Wills grabbed him by the shirt and hauled him inches from his face. “Tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to hire a driver to take your wife to San Antonio. You are going to do hard labor wherever I can find it until you dry out. Not one drink. And you’re going to write your wife every week and tell her how much you love her. That understood?”
A fist swung his way, but Justin caught it. “He can work it off at Reed’s ranch. They have broncs to bust. Fences to make. Ought to dry him out real fast.”
“Good, that’s good, Sheriff.”
“You can’t do this. That money is mine.”
“No, Texas grants the wife rights to property. And I made sure to write in the papers you signed yesterday that half of that money was hers. Had a bad feeling about you, Burkett. So, you’re going to disappear for a few days until your wife is well on her way to believing you are working for extra money to take care of her.”
A Bluebonnet Misfit Christmas: Sweet Historical Christian Western Romance (Mail Order Brides of Misfit Ranch Bluebonnet, Texas Book 2) Page 5
