Texas Hero

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  "You may as well take this back, Thad. I'll never be able to use it."

  "Why not?"

  "I couldn't even shoot at coyotes if they attacked my chicks. How could I ever aim it at a man?"

  His eyes narrowed.

  "What brought all this on?"

  "I suppose it's been growing in my mind for some time.

  But several things happened to seal my decision. First of all, you should know that I'm trying to teach my students that we can all live together in harmony. I don't see how I can say one thing and live another. And tonight, even though I had no idea it was you coming up behind me on your horse, I never thought to use the gun." She trembled, remembering.

  "It convinced me that I'll have to find a way to survive without it.

  But I want you to know I'm grateful for all your patience in teaching me how to handle it." An unexpected anger surged inside him.

  "I can see that your life has been too sheltered. Teacher. Do you have any idea of the dangers lurking here in the real world?"

  Sheltered? Did he have any idea? At his words, Caroline was shocked into silence. It was the perfect opportunity to confide in him.

  Instead, she let the moment pass.

  Thad felt a wave of frustration. How the hell could he protect her when she wouldn't even try to protect herself?

  He didn't like the way she looked, all soft and tender. There was too much temptation here. Turning, he picked up his hat and headed toward the door.

  His tone turned suddenly gruff.

  "It's time I got back to my ranch."

  Chapter Twelve

  Caroline awoke to the shrill peeping of the baby chicks. As she bounded across the floor to check on her tiny charges, she realized that her sleep had not been disturbed once during the night. There had been no fire, no gunshots, no ominous footsteps.

  Could it be that her tormentor had left town? Maybe, a small voice inside her mind whispered, he really had been the one who had helped Pox escape jail, and the two of them had been forced to flee together.

  But why? What connection could he have with the outlaws who had attacked her stage?

  She thought back to that fateful day. The gunmen hadn't seemed surprised to find a lone woman aboard. And they had chosen not to kill her.

  Now Fox was gone. And so was her tormentor.

  She picked up a chick and danced around the room in her night shift.

  Oh, if only it could be true. Her happiness would be complete.

  She suddenly felt like working. Like celebrating with a frenzy of cleaning.

  She gazed out the window at the clear, cloudless sky. Because it was Saturday, there were no classes for the next two days. That would give her time to clean out the cellar and begin preparing space for the bounty of her garden. On a wonderful day like this, her enthusiasm was boundless.

  She hurriedly dressed. Hiking her skirts up around her ankles, she picked up a lantern and headed for the cellar. An hour later, at the sound of a horse and wagon approaching, she crawled out from the underground room, her hands and face, as well as her gown, soiled and dirty.

  Thad had already climbed down from the wagon and was busy unloading lumber.

  He looked up as she approached and endured the usual jolt at the sight of her. Her hair had pulled loose from its knot and tumbled wildly around her shoulders. A long white apron, streaked with dirt, called attention to her tiny waist. This morning she was a street urchin in a woman's body.

  He deliberately kept his tone light. '"Morning, Teacher. How'd your pets sleep?"

  "Like babies. But you were right. They woke me at dawn. And you were right about something else," she added with a shy smile.

  "My cabin is beginning to smell like a barnyard."

  "We ought to have those chicks moved into their own place before the day is over."

  He glanced up to see that her gaze was fixed on the rocking chair in the back of his wagon. When she shot him a questioning glance he said casually,

  "I

  had two of them. Thought you might have a use for one. "

  "A rocking chair?" Her face was wreathed in smiles. "Oh, Thad, thank you."

  He carried it inside the cabin and placed it in front of the fireplace.

  When he stepped back, studying it, he realized it looked right there.

  And when he saw the light in Caro- line's eyes, he realized she looked right, too. Everything about this woman and her tiny cabin were just right.

  He glanced at the dirty smudge on her cheek. Without thinking he touched a finger to the spot.

  "Looks like you started your chores already." At the first touch he felt the strong sexual pull and cursed himself for his foolishness.

  She felt the tug, as well, and was startled by it. For a moment she was unable to move.

  He pulled his hand away and let it drop to his side.

  She took a step back, reminding herself to be more careful in his presence.

  Swallowing, she glanced down at her smudged hands and clothing.

  "I may be dirty, but the cellar is clean." Nodding toward the wagon outside, she asked,

  "Can I give you a hand?"

  The last thing he needed was her standing near, distracting him.

  "Don't let me keep you from your chores, Teacher."

  As she followed him outside and walked toward the cellar, his gaze followed her until she disappeared beneath the cabin. Then he picked up a hammer and began work on the shed.

  Caroline stood in the bright sunshine, draping the heavy muslin sheet over the clothesline. The breeze caught and lifted her hair, sending it dipping low over one eye. Pausing to brush it aside, she turned and found Thad staring at her. Even from so great a distance she felt the intensity of his look.

  In the blink of an eye he bent to his work.

  He had removed his shirt and tossed it carelessly over the branch of a tree.

  His muscles bunched and moved as he set another board into place and began to pound nails. Sweat glistened darkly on his skin. She experienced an odd little shiver along her spine.

  Picking up an empty bucket, Caroline headed to the river. A few minutes later she returned and handed him a dipper of cool water.

  He turned to her, sweat dripping from his forehead. Without thinking, she lifted the hem of her long apron and blotted his face. The intimacy of her action caught them both by surprise.

  He gave her a quick smile before draining the dipper. Wiping the back of his hand across his mouth, he handed it back to her. They stood, quietly admiring his work.

  "That's a sturdy-looking shed."

  "It ought to keep your pets safe from coyotes."

  "That's a comfort."

  He gave her another smile and she felt her heart stop. No man had ever affected her the way this man did. She was achingly aware of him. So much so that she had to look away for fear of revealing her feelings.

  "I'd... better see about fixing you some food." She left the pail of water and crossed the yard to the cabin.

  When she disappeared inside, Thad went back to his work. But only part of his mind was on the shed he was building. The other part seemed to return again and again to the shy, complex Caroline Adams.

  When Caroline called Thad for the noonday meal, he walked down to the river and plunged his face and arms into the cool water. Splashing it over his naked chest, he hurriedly washed before pulling on his shirt and tucking it into his pants. When he entered the cabin, he was combing his fingers through his wet hair.

  "Something smells wonderful." He took a chair.

  "I made a stew of the venison that was left." She ladled steaming food into two bowls and carried them to the table.

  Setting them down, she sliced through a loaf of hot, crusty bread.

  They ate in companionable silence until their hunger was satisfied.

  When he leaned back he said,

  "That was as fine a meal as I've had in a long time. Teacher."

  She felt herself blushing. To avoid his
disturbing gaze she wrapped a towel around the handle of the blackened coffeepot and lifted it from the fire.

  "Then you must have been starving. I'm a very plain cook."

  He studied her as she paused beside him to fill his cup with coffee.

  "Believe me, ma'am, there's nothing plain about you."

  The color on her cheeks deepened. She turned away quickly and busied herself at the fireplace.

  He drained his cup and scraped back his chair.

  "I'd better get back to my work. Thanks again for the food."

  She watched as he strolled to the shed. Stripping off his shirt, he tossed it aside. Then he bent once more to his hammer and nails.

  By late afternoon the shed was completed and the chicks had been introduced to their new home. While Caroline scattered grain, Thad made a nest of straw in the corner.

  "They'll use the roosts," he said, pointing to the shelf that ran the length of the shed, "when they're a little bigger. But for now they'll just huddle together here in the corner ."

  "Will they know enough to come in each night?"

  The worried look on her face had him smiling gently. "Don't worry.

  Teacher. They'll learn. All you have to do is latch the door each night and your lucky pets will be safe from predators." If only life could always be so simple, she thought. Just latch the door and hold the world at bay.

  He tugged on a lock of her hair.

  "Where did you go to just then?"

  She looked up into his worried eyes and gave a quick smile.

  "I was thinking how lucky I am that coyotes don't know how to unlatch doors."

  A little breathlessly she held out her hand.

  "Thank you, Thad. It seems I've been saying that a lot lately. But I truly mean it. For the chair, for the shed, for all the kind things you've done for me. Will you stay for supper?"

  He looked down at their joined hands and continued holding hers a moment longer than necessary. Then, releasing it, he shook his head reluctantly.

  "I have a skittish mare back at my ranch that needs tending."

  He climbed to the wagon seat and picked up the reins. "My sister-in-law asked me to invite you to her place tomorrow for Sunday supper. Morning Light said the whole family will be there." His smile widened.

  "Think you can stand another gathering of all the noisy Con ways?"

  She lifted a hand to shade the sun from her eyes.

  "I think it sounds wonderful."

  "Then I'll stop by for you on my way."

  She nodded and watched until his wagon was out of sight.

  Sunday service was more crowded than usual. Walking up the aisle, Caroline nodded and smiled at all the familiar faces that turned to acknowledge her.

  How much easier it was, she thought, now that these people had names to go with the faces. Someday, if she was very lucky, she might even be able to call them friends.

  Knowing her position in the community, Caroline had taken great pains with her appearance. Despite the heat of the day she wore the brown dress buttoned to her throat and a shawl draped modestly around her shoulders.

  The matching brown bonnet was pinned on top of her tightly knotted hair.

  Though her feet were roasting inside heavy the church. Caroline wondered idly if Ben was all alone back on the ranch or if they had a ranch hand who stayed with the boy.

  Bel va Spears, looking thin and frail enough to blow away in a good wind, sat all alone in a pew. As the other families began filing into church, Bel va watched without expression until, suddenly, she seemed to sit up straighter, her gaze locked on a stocky figure moving toward her.

  Caroline watched as Sheriff Horn took a seat beside Bel va. His thatch of white hair had been slicked back and still bore traces of water. His clothes, though faded and worn, were clean and neatly pressed.

  Both Bel va and the sheriff stared straight ahead. Both seemed stiff and uncomfortable. But when the organist played the first notes of the opening hymn, Bel va opened the songbook and moved closer to share it with the man beside her. She and the sheriff, keeping their gazes firmly on the printed page, moved their mouths woodenly. The sheriff's neck had turned very red.

  Reverend Symes's voice was urgent, almost pleading, as he reminded the congregation about the wily devil who walks the world in the form of temptation.

  "The devil coaxes us to lie," he whispered, eyes bright with zeal, "and one lie leads to more and more until the truth is buried. Once we begin to lie and cheat, we put aside all the things we were taught at our mother's knee."

  To cover the guilt she felt at the preacher's words, Caroline concentrated on the devil. The devil, she decided, was a ruthless man with all the power that wealth can command.

  sate from predators." If only life could always be so simple, she thought. Just latch the door and hold the world at bay.

  He tugged on a lock of her hair.

  "Where did you go to just then?"

  The devil was a cruel tormentor who had vowed to follow her to the ends of the earth until she gave in to his evil demands. She prayed her own personal devil had gone for good.

  As the preacher's voice droned on, Caroline found her thoughts drifting.

  Why did Thad never come to Sunday services with his family? In fact, why did he shun Hope and its people?

  She glanced at Sheriff Horn. What was it he'd said on the day she and Thad had first ridden into town? She'd been too distracted to pay much attention; she strained to recall the words.

  "The only time we ever see you is when we need you or you need us. And you haven't needed us in all the years I've been here."

  Obviously, then, they'd needed him. She wondered what Thad had been called upon to do for the people of Hope. Even though most of the people seemed to consider him the next thing to an outlaw, they gave him a great deal of respect. Like a man much feared. And yet from all that Caroline had seen, he was a kind, considerate man who wanted nothing more than to be left alone.

  Did he ever need anyone? She couldn't imagine it. He was the strongest, most self-sufficient man she'd ever met.

  She was startled when the preacher called out in ringing tones,

  "There is nothing so terrible as a lie. For once told, it must be repeated again and again. Remember, my good people" -- he stretched both hands out and lifted them toward heaven "--the truth shall set you free."

  With that, the congregation got to its feet and began another hymn.

  Caroline, her cheeks burning, leafed through the pages until she located the words and joined in the Later, as they filed from the church, Caroline found herself walking beside Sara Waverly and her two children.

  "Wasn't that a beautiful sermon?" Sara whispered.

  "Why... I..." Just then Caroline's hand was caught in the firm grasp of Reverend Symes.

  "Good morning. Miss Adams."

  "Good morning. Reverend." Seeing Cora's face in the crowd, Caroline suddenly decided to play matchmaker herself.

  "You know Sara Waverly?"

  "Of course." He nodded, offering his hand.

  "Sara and I were just discussing your beautiful sermon." Caroline turned to see Sara's cheeks suffused with color.

  "Were you?" Reverend Symes turned soulful eyes on Caroline, and she had the distinct impression that he could read her mind. If he could, he knew that she hadn't heard a word of his sermon.

  "The truth shall set you free," Sara repeated.

  "That is a beautiful testament." Her cheeks reddened.

  "I especially liked the part about learning at your mother's knee," she added a little breathlessly. "Reverend Symes, these are my children, Ethan and Emma."

  As if in benediction, the reverend placed his hand on each young head, then dropped his hands lightly to their shoulders. The children, surprised by his gentle touch, shifted from one foot to the other, staring up at their mother.

  "Since the death of my husband, I've had to be both mother and father to them. James believed in the stick and the belt, and I fear t
hat I'm not nearly strict enough with my children," Sara said, lowering her eyes.

  Caroline shuddered to think that Sara might become even tougher with her children. They were already so cowed they could hardly move without her permission.

  "And each night," Sara continued, "knowing we're all alone, I pray that I've taught them the proper lessons to prepare them for life."

  "You're never really alone," Reverend Symes said softly.

  "Oh, I know. Without that knowledge, I swear I wouldn't be able to make it through a single day."

  ' "Perhaps I should prepare another sermon on the power of love."

  Caroline glanced at the young mother arid then at the preacher. Sara was hanging on his every word. The children, standing between them, seemed to visibly relax as they glanced from their mother to the preacher and then back again.

  Caroline edged away. With a backward glance, she realized they never even missed her.

  As she climbed to the seat of her rig. Morning Light called,

  "Did Thad remember to invite you for supper today, Miss Adams?"

  "Yes. I'd be pleased to come."

  "Then we will look for you this afternoon."

  Caroline nodded and flicked the reins, mentally planning which biscuits she intended to bake.

  "You're late. Uncle Thad," Lisbeth scolded.

  "I was afraid you weren't coming."

  "And miss doing this?" Thad caught the little girl and tossed her high in the air, causing her to squeal in delight.

  Caroline watched their play with a smile of pure pleasure. She'd never seen a man who was so in tune with what children liked. Amazing, considering Thad had no children of his own.

  "Where's your father, Little Bit?" He lifted his niece to his shoulders before helping Caroline from the wagon.

  "He and Uncle Clan are in the barn with the boys." The little girl wrinkled her nose slightly at the mention of boys. "They're looking over Uncle Dan's new bull."

  "Then I guess that's where I'm headed. Want to come with me?"

  "And look at that ugly old bull again? No thanks. I'd rather stay here and help with supper."

  "And how about you, ma'am?" he asked, grinning at Caroline.

  "Want to look at an ugly old bull, or would you rather help with supper?"

  "I'm going with Lisbeth," Caroline said with a laugh. "But I think the ugly old bull will suit you just fine."