Claiming the Cowboy's Heart (7 page)

He turned toward Jayne.

Her brown eyes flashed a teasing challenge. “They might wonder why you let a woman outshoot you,” she said.

He practically choked. “Outshoot? I don’t think I’d explain it like that. What I’ll say if anyone asks is that I got hit by a stray bullet.”

Eddie cleared his throat. “There’ll be no more stray bullets. Jayne, I forbid you to continue this foolish endeavor.”

She bristled like a cat stroked the wrong way. She ducked her head and stared at her plate but her lips pressed together in protest.

Eddie was right about it being foolish but hearing it from the other man’s lips made Seth want to protest. Why didn’t he teach his sister what she needed to know? It would surely make it safer for everyone on the ranch. He guessed from Jayne’s expression that she had no intention of abandoning her plan, despite her brother’s direct order.

“Would you ask the blessing, dear?” Linette said, ending the tension between brother and sister.

Eddie prayed and then food was passed around. Fried pork and eggs, fried potatoes, fresh biscuits and syrup and plenty of milk.

Seth helped himself. “I heard you were a good cook, Mrs. Gardiner. This certainly proves it.”

“Thank you. The girls are learning to cook, too. If you were around longer, you would get a chance to evaluate their progress.”

He pretended a great deal of shock. “I hope their cooking lessons aren’t as deadly as their shooting lessons.”

Beside him Jayne choked. He had the pleasure of patting her on the back. At first, he got a bit of satisfaction out of her discomfort but after the second pat, he had an urge to pull her into his arms, rub her back and assure her she would be safe because he would personally see to it. Instead, he dropped his hands to his lap. He didn’t need one more person in his life to be responsible for.

After she stopped coughing and wiped her eyes, she turned and gave him a look fit to cure leather. “I could have choked to death.”

He felt suddenly remorseful. “I’m sorry. It was a careless remark.”

She nodded. “Then consider us even. I didn’t mean to hurt you even as you didn’t mean to hurt me.”

He wondered if she referred to the choking incident or the words he’d spoken the previous day. But it didn’t matter which. He was leaving today and would prefer to go with no ill feelings left behind. He nodded. “Agreed.”

Conversation around the table turned to more general things—plans for the day, who was going where, what needed to be done.

His nerves tensed when Eddie asked Jayne what her plans were.

“I wanted to explore a bit more.”

Seth relaxed. It sounded like a safe activity. He’d be in no mortal danger as he rode away. And may God have mercy on any strangers riding nearby if Jayne meant to continue with her plans.

Again he wondered why Eddie didn’t simply give her a few lessons. Surely that would soon satisfy her.

When the meal ended, Eddie pushed from the table. Seth pushed back, too.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll be on my way now.”

Linette favored him with a sweet smile. “We understand but you’re always welcome at Eden Valley Ranch.”

That’s when he recognized the name Gardiner. Eddie Gardiner and his wife were well spoken of in the western ranches. “I’ve heard of this place.”

“You have?” Linette asked. “I hope it’s been good things.”

Eddie wrapped his arm about his wife’s shoulders. “What else would he hear?”

“It’s been good,” Seth assured them. “You’re known to offer hospitality to all, regardless of race or social status. People say Mrs. Gardiner nurses the sick, helps the poor and Eddie here is considered a man of honor and integrity.”

“That’s lovely,” Sybil said.

“We’re honored,” Eddie added.

Seth leaned back on his heels and grinned. “I heard a tale about feeding a starving Indian family and outrunning wolves. Is it true?”

Linette and Eddie grinned at each other.

Jayne answered his question. “It’s true. My brother refused to hang an Indian who tried to steal a cow to feed his starving family. Instead, he took him meat. On the way back, wolves attacked them and Linette helped beat them off.” She jammed her fists on her hips. “I intend to become just as brave and proficient.”

Linette reached out and squeezed Jayne’s hand. “And you shall.”

Eddie opened his mouth but Linette jabbed her elbow into his ribs and he closed it without speaking. Had he been about to reissue his orders to Jayne?

Instead, he said to Seth, “I’ll take you to the barn. Your horse is there.”

“I’ll go with you,” Jayne said and no one argued otherwise. Certainly not Seth who looked forward to a private goodbye. “Wait a moment.” Jayne turned aside and brought him his shirt and pants, neatly folded as if they’d come from the best Chinese laundry.

“You washed them?”

Mercy didn’t wait for Jayne to answer. “She washed them, mended them and ironed them. Your clothes could not be in better hands.” Her dark eyes challenged him as if informing him that Jayne had many admirable qualities.

He wasn’t about to argue. No doubt she did, but shooting wasn’t one of them any more than was being bullheaded about it.

“Thank you. I didn’t expect this.”

She tipped her head to one side and lifted one shoulder. “I doubt you expected to be shot by a woman, either.”

He choked on a startled laugh.

Mercy and Sybil chuckled.

“Jayne, there’s to be no more shooting.” Eddie sounded like he was used to giving orders and having them obeyed.

As the three of them traipsed down the hill, he heard Jayne whisper beside him, “You can’t order me around.” No doubt she hadn’t meant for anyone to hear her. Seth worried that things might get a little tense between her and her brother if they kept up the way they were.

Grady shouted from the doorway. “Papa, I’m coming, too.”

Eddie turned to wait for him. “You two go ahead.”

Jayne and Seth continued onward. He shoved the barn door open, and a cowboy nodded a greeting as he saddled a horse.

Seth found his horse in a nearby stall and grabbed his saddle and bridle that hung in the tack room. He noticed they’d been cleaned until they shone. He hadn’t expected that kind of service.

The animal, too, had been groomed until his coat shone. Someone certainly knew how to look after things.

As he lifted the saddle into place, his leg spasmed painfully. It was only a gunshot wound, he reminded himself. Not much more than a flesh wound. Nothing to slow him down.

He led the horse through the door, Jayne at his side.

“I hope you arrive in good time, that the man is still tending your pa and that he is much improved.”

He smiled down at her. “Thanks. I can’t say it’s been fun but it’s been unusual meeting you.”

She chuckled. “I dare say it’s the most unusual meeting either of us has had.”

He nodded, suddenly reluctant to leave. Like that made any sense. But something about Jayne pulled at his thoughts. Of course she did. The woman needed someone to keep an eye on her and make sure she didn’t get herself into more trouble.

He chomped down on his molars. It would have to be someone other than himself because he’d had more than his share of trying to take care of people who didn’t bother to take care of themselves.

“You stay out of trouble, hear?” He swung up into the saddle. “Don’t go shooting any more cowboys.”

A stubborn look crossed her face and then she smiled. “One has proven to be enough trouble. I won’t go for two.”

He laughed and touched the brim of his hat.

She stepped back and gasped. “Seth, look at your leg.”

He did. His pant leg was blood-soaked.

Eddie had reached them and saw the same thing. “You can’t leave like that. It would be foolish.”

Seth stared at his leg then shifted his gaze to Jayne’s eyes, saw her look go from shock to compassion. “Seth, you have to rest it.”

He nodded. He knew he had no choice. “The money…”

“Tell Eddie about it.”

Knowing the reputation of the Gardiners, he knew he could entrust his money to Eddie. “It’s in the heel of my boot. Can you see it goes to Murdo Collins in Corncrib, Montana? I need it to get there as soon as possible.”

He swung from the saddle and began to pry his boot off.

Eddie clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go to the house and take care of that. Linette can tend your wound. Looks like you’ll be here a few more days.” He called to a cowboy barely old enough to call himself a man. “Buster, take care of this man’s horse.”

“Yes, boss.” Buster’s chin had likely never met a razor yet. His hair was shaggy as if it had not seen a pair of scissors in a long time. And his too-short trousers were held in place with a braid of rope.

“Kid looks like he’s lost,” Seth said as they climbed back up the hill.

“He showed up a couple of weeks back asking for a job. Seems he’s all alone in the world. But he doesn’t take kindly to help. Linette offered to give him a pair of trousers from her supply closet but he refused. Said when he earned them, he’d buy them.”

“Guess you can’t fault him for that.”

“You have to allow a man, however young, to have a certain amount of pride. He’s proving to be a good man. He took care of your saddle and groomed your horse.”

He was struck by an errant thought. Maybe Jayne also needed to keep her pride intact by being able to use a gun.

Eddie went through to the kitchen with Seth and Jayne behind him. Seth sank to a chair and removed his boot and pried off the heel. He handed the wad of money to Eddie. “Can I write a note to accompany it?”

Jayne disappeared down the hall and ducked into the room with the desk and books. She returned with paper and pencil, handing it to him with a sad smile.

He wrote a note to Pa saying he had been delayed but would be home as soon as possible. To Crawford he wrote, “There is more here than what I owe you. Please keep it in return for staying with Pa until I get home.” He folded both pieces of paper and handed them to Eddie.

“I’ll see this gets to Edendale right away. We should be able to catch the stage. Petey, the driver, can be trusted to make sure it gets to your pa.” He left the house to tend to the task.

Seth tried to relax. The money would make its way to Corncrib as fast as he could take it himself. But what about Pa? Would Crawford stay? Or would his pa be alone, unable to care for himself?

Linette retrieved her little leather pouch of herbs. “I think it’s best if you return upstairs.” She went down the hall.

Seth rose, preparing to follow.

Jayne reached out and squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry.”

He made up his mind. “The money is on its way. That should keep Crawford there for a few more days.” No point in worrying about things he couldn’t change, especially when this gave him a chance to change one important thing. “My leg will heal fine if I rest it. While I am here you will get shooting lessons from me. That way I can leave with a clear conscience knowing you won’t kill someone accidentally and end up in jail.” He went down the hall and up the stairs to have Linette pack the wound with the herbs.

“They’ll do their work if you give them a chance,” Linette said. “I suggest you don’t move around much for a day or two.”

“I’d sure like to sit in the sun.”

She nodded. “That should be okay so long as you don’t put any weight on that leg. I’ll put a chair by the door.” He hopped down the stairs after her and sat beside the big doors. Being idle weighed heavily but at least he could watch people coming and going.

Jayne and her friends passed the barn toward the bridge. They had said they were going exploring.

He hoped the exploring didn’t involve a pistol. Surely she would wait for the lessons he’d promised… Unless she was too bullheaded to listen to reason.

* * *

Jayne pressed her lips together as she joined Mercy and Sybil. Seth was just like Eddie, barking out commands and expecting her to jump. Yes, she wanted to learn to shoot. But she would have liked it better if he’d offered rather than ordered. Like she’d kill anyone! Her eyes narrowed. Was he any different than her father, or Eddie or Oliver? Did he see her as simply a foolish young woman who needed him to protect her?

She snorted. “I don’t need him protecting me.” She spoke the words aloud without regard to her friends.

They stopped and waited for her to fall in between them.

“Who?” Mercy demanded.

“Why, Seth, of course,” Sybil said. “Jayne, accept it. There is something about you that brings out the chivalry in men.”

“I don’t want chivalry.”

Sybil made a protesting noise. “Who doesn’t want a man who is courteous and considerate, honorable and loyal?”

“Put that way, I have to agree but he thinks he can order me around. He acts like he has to take care of me or I’ll cause a disaster.” She shuddered, remembering how her lack of action had caused a terrible death. “I don’t need a man taking care of me, thank you very much.”

“What did he say?”

“He said he would give me shooting lessons.”

Mercy and Sybil ground to a halt. “Isn’t that what you want?”

“Yes. But I’d like to be asked not told.” She wondered if her words sounded as petty to her friends as they did to her.

“Either way, seems to me you’re getting a gift,” Mercy said. “The lessons you want from a man whose eyes darken when he looks at you.” She sighed dreamily.

“They do not,” Jayne protested. At least Mercy hadn’t said Jayne’s eyes got all starry when she looked at him. As if they would. Seth was proving to be rather annoying and overbearing. “I don’t need that kind of man in my life.”

“Oh?” Sybil’s voice was sweet. “What kind of man do you need?”

“Right now? None. My heart is locked up tightly. I won’t open it again. It’s like asking to be hurt.”

“You’ll change your mind about that one day,” Mercy said.

“Nope. Not me. Now let’s go follow the river and see where it goes.”

Sybil laughed. “It goes to the ocean. Are you planning to go that far?”

She laughed at Sybil’s nonsense. “So maybe I’ll see where it comes from.”

Sybil pointed toward the mountains. “From the snow up there.”