Colorado Heart (9781101612026) (11 page)

“You've seen a lot of the bad side of people, haven't you?” Jake asked.

“I have found that people's true colors usually show during a crisis. That you can quickly find out who your real friends are when something bad happens.”

“Did something bad happen to you in West Texas?” His eyes searched her face once more. Cassie was suddenly cold. She'd forgotten her coat,which led to the realization that she'd gone out without her gun also. She never went anywhere without her gun. Not ever. What was she thinking? Or maybe it was that she wasn't thinking. Not clearly. Not where Jake Reece was concerned. Cassie wrapped her arms around herself at the sudden chill that shook her body.

Jake stopped the buggy. “You forgot your coat,” he said. He took his off and put it over her shoulders. Cassie pulled it together in the front and lowered her chin into the folds. The smell of man, horses and almonds surrounded her. It wasn't such a bad thing, but his question still had her reeling. How did he know? Was it so obvious? Did she wear it like a sign around her neck that said
I was raped by the son of a rich man who bought his way out of his trial
?

“It's none of my business,” Jake said when he had the buggy rolling again.

“Something bad did happen,” Cassie said without knowing she was going to until the words came out. So much for taking Jake's advice about thinking before speaking. “It's something I'd rather not talk about,” she continued. “And it made it impossible for us to stay there.”

“
Us
being you, your mother and your man?”

“Manuel and Rosa. And he's not my man, he's my friend.”

“A very good friend,” Jake agreed. “Maybe you will find some friends here in Angel's End,” he continued.

“That would be nice,” Cassie agreed. “Maybe I'll find a whole bunch of them tonight,” she said with a nervous smile.

“Well I reckon we won't know until we find out.”

Cassie burst out laughing. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means worrying won't change a thing.” They came to a rise in the road and the horse slowed as she pulled the buggy. “Things are what they are,” Jake continued. “I used to worry about things all the time. But it doesn't change anything. So why waste your time?” He motioned to the beauty around them. “It's a beautiful afternoon. Why not enjoy it?”

They crested the hill and Cassie observed the beauty around them. The mountains rising up in the distance, the lovely aspens with their new leaves and the darker evergreens higher up behind them. The sound of the stream bubbling alongside the road. The bright blue sky behind the gathering clouds. It truly was a beautiful place. If only she could be sure that the atmosphere was as welcoming as the scenery.

The buggy picked up speed once more as they moved down the rise. A breeze kicked up and Cassie pulled Jake's coat closer around her.

“We might get a storm this evening,” Jake observed. What was she thinking, going off without a coat and, more importantly, her gun? But it wasn't as if she could draw down on a meeting full of cattlemen. It was foolish to think that way. They weren't going to attack her, at least not because she was a woman. Still, it would be nice to have that security, and to know that they would have to think twice about attempting anything.

Suddenly the buggy lurched and Cassie was tossed into Jake. His arm went around her instinctively, to keep her from flying off the seat, and he used the other hand to expertly guide the buggy to a stop.

“We must have hit a rock,” he said. He kept a hold on her as he looked at the road.

“More like a boulder,” Cassie replied. She tried to sit up and couldn't because Jake's hold was so tight. He realized it and let go.

“Are you hurt?”

“I'm fine,” she said as she rearranged her skirts and ran a nervous hand through her hair.

“I best check on Darby,” he said.

“Darby?”

“The mare pulling the buggy,” he replied. He quickly climbed down and walked around the buggy. “Yes, it was a rock,” he said. “I guess I wasn't paying attention.” Jake picked up a stone bigger than his fist and chucked it into the grass alongside the road. Then he went to the mare and ran expert hands over her flanks and down her legs.

Cassie watched him as he reassured the mare. She had taken a risk coming here, she knew that. She'd taken several more since she'd been here, without realizing it. She'd let people in. She'd relaxed her guard. There was nothing wrong with being cautious, but there was plenty wrong with letting caution rule your life. Maybe it was time she tried trust for a change.

Maybe she would trust Jake. She wasn't foolish enough to think that the meeting tonight wasn't going to be difficult. But just maybe, she'd found a man she could trust.

“How is she?” Cassie asked as Jake once more climbed into the buggy.

“Fine and dandy,” he said, and once more set the buggy in motion.

THIRTEEN

“Y
ou can't complain about the food,” Cade said. He took a last bite of cake and sat his plate down on an end table.

“Nope,” Ward agreed as he sipped his coffee. “The Castles always do things right.”

“They're hoping that if everyone is full, then everyone will be happy, and Watkins won't cause a ruckus over the sheep,” Jake said.

“Their plan would have worked out a lot better if Watkins had shown up for dinner,” Ward observed. The three men stood by a window in the parlor of the Castles' sprawling stone and timber house, juggling plates and cups, as the house was full of people. Jake kept an eye on Cassie, who was deep in conversation with Eden Castle. He couldn't help but compare the two.

Eden was as beautiful as her mother, slim with waves of golden blond hair that fell to her waist and the bright blue eyes that all the Castles had. She had several inches on Cassie and stood with her head tilted so she could catch every word. What were they talking about? They seemed to have become instant friends, as they had merged together as soon as Cassie walked into the house. And as beautiful as Eden was, Jake couldn't take his eyes off Cassie. There was something about her that continually made him seek her out.

“What's the story with the daughter?” Cade asked. “And the granddaughter for that matter? If I'm not mistaken she's got Indian blood in her.”

“Jared's first wife was Indian,” Ward said. “I'm not sure what tribe.”

“Sioux,” Jake said.

“Sioux,” Ward continued. “Jared had a son by her. The little girl is his.”

“Where is the son?” Cade asked.

“Leavenworth,” Jake said. Cade arched an eyebrow.

“Jared won't talk about it much,” Jake said. “Apparently the little girl's mother was murdered and the son got caught up in some trouble going after the killer.”

“Believe me, I would be the last one to judge,” Cade said.

“Laurie is Jared's second wife. Eden is their firstborn. She was born with the limp. They have another son who's in school back East.” Ward finished the story of the Castles for Cade.

“The man sure knows how to build a house,” Cade said.

Jake had to agree. He'd often admired Jared's sprawling house. “We caught you up on the Castles, now why don't you catch us up on what happened with Watkins when he showed up the other day,” Jake asked.

“He said it was against the law to bring sheep into cattle country,” Cade began. “I asked him to show me the law on the books, because I'd never heard of it. He said he didn't need a book to know what was right and what was wrong. He figured bringing sheep into cattle country was right up there with being a horse thief, and both should be treated accordingly.”

“Wait a minute,” Jake asked incredulously, “are you saying he threatened to hang Cassie?”

“Not outright,” Cade said. “He just spouted a lot of rhetoric about the way of the West and building something out of nothing. Which I pointed out to him was the same thing Cassie was trying to do.”

“He was testing the waters,” Ward said. “Trying to figure out if he could buy a sheriff and how much it was going to cost him.”

“There isn't enough money in the world,” Cade said. “I've lived that life and thank God every day I was able to leave it behind.”

“How far do you think he'll go?” Jake asked.

“As far as we let him,” Cade replied. “Which is why I'm here.”

“And speak of the devil,” Ward said as Raymond Watkins walked into Jared Castle's house as if he owned the place. Jake was happy to see that he was alone, but just to make sure, he checked out the window to see if any of Watkins's men were outside. There was no one loitering about except Jared's men, who were taking care of the horses and buggies of all those present at the meeting.

Laurie, always a gracious hostess, even to men like Watkins, came and greeted him. “Would you like something to eat before we get started?” she asked Watkins as she handed his hat and coat to a maid.

“No,” Watkins said. “Where is Jared?”

“He's in the dining room,” Laurie said.

“We need to get this meeting underway,” Watkins said as he stared directly at Jake.

“I believe they were just waiting on you, Raymond,” Laurie said, as easy and as smooth as could be, in the face of Watkins's bad manners. Watkins walked into the dining room without another word to Laurie.

Jake grinned at Ward, who raised his coffee cup in a toast to Laurie Castle. “A woman after my own heart,” he said. “If only she wasn't married.”

“As if she'd look twice at you,” Jake said.

Ward put a hand over his heart. “I'm wounded.”

“Go cry in your beer,” Jake said.

“Nah,” Ward said. “This is much more interesting.”

“Worrying about it isn't going to make it go away,” Jake said. “We might as well get on with it.” His eyes found Cassie once more. She was trying to hide it, but he could tell she was scared. Her eyes held the look of someone going to their execution, even though she continued to chat with Eden. Somehow she'd managed to move both of them into a corner when Watkins came in, as if hiding from him would change his opinion. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” Jake said to Ward and Cade. He put his dishes down on a table and went to join Cassie and Eden.

“I need to start the meeting,” Jake said quietly to Cassie. “Do you want to step outside first?”

Cassie put a hand to her stomach and looked at the door as if she wanted to bolt through it. “No, I'm fine,” she lied.

“Come with me,” Jake said. “Eden, will you excuse us?”

“Certainly,” Eden said with a quick smile at Cassie.

“You shouldn't do this, Jake,” Cassie said.

“Do what?”

“Be seen with me,” she hissed. “You're the head of the association. What will everyone think?”

“That I've got great taste in women?” Jake took Cassie's hand and put it through his arm. It felt like ice. “There's nothing to be afraid of,” he murmured as he escorted her to the door.

“I know,” Cassie said. “It's just nerves, that's all.” Jake opened the door and they stepped outside and walked to the end of the porch. Several rocking chairs were strewn about and a swing hung at the end. It was cozy, with little pots of plants sitting around and a deep roof that was good at keeping out the weather. Everywhere he looked, Jake saw Laurie's touches that made the difference between the place being a house and a home.

“Everyone has been so nice,” Cassie added. “And no one has mentioned the sheep at all.”

Jake leaned against the porch railing while Cassie looked out over the lake that lay in the Castles' valley. Jake glanced out at the view before turning to Cassie once more. The sun had started its descent and sent its last warming rays dancing across the water. The breeze picked up the ends of Cassie's hair and she ran a hand over the flyaway ends to put them back in place. “That's probably because not everyone knows yet,” Jake said.

“Thank you for making me feel
so
much better,” Cassie said sarcastically as she turned to look at him. Jake laughed. “No seriously, I'm glad you brought me along for your entertainment.”

He stopped laughing, but he couldn't stop grinning.

“What is so funny?” Cassie demanded. He was surprised she didn't stamp her foot as she looked at him with righteous indignation. Instead, she crossed her arms and glared at him.

“Nothing,” Jake admitted. “You just make me laugh sometimes.”

She rolled her eyes. “So what do you think is going to happen?” she asked.

“Nothing that you have to worry about.”

“That's just like a man,” she said. “Trying to placate a woman. Am I not supposed to worry my pretty little head?” Her words sound bitter. “This isn't about you, Jake, it's about me and my family and my sheep. So I do have something to worry about.”

Jake instantly felt ashamed for the way he'd talked down to her. It wasn't that he meant anything by it; it was just that he felt a strange need to protect her. “You're right. I'm sorry,” Jake said. “What I meant to say is that no one is going to attack you or force you to move or give up your sheep. I won't let them, and Cade is here to make sure Watkins stays in line. You haven't broken any laws or damaged any property. As long as you assure everyone that you'll keep your sheep on your property, no one should have an issue with them or you.”

“I wonder if that goes both ways,” Cassie said.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means that I think Watkins got that sheep he killed off my property. Manuel found some tracks behind the house close to the road.”

“Watkins and his men could have easily come across the sheep while they were looking for strays,” Jake agreed. “But it will be hard to prove.”

“Because he's a powerful rancher and I'm an interloper?” Cassie asked.

Jake had to agree with her. “I think it best you not say anything about it tonight. Let me speak to Cade about it.” Cassie opened her mouth to protest. “I'm not trying to placate you, Cassie,” Jake said. “I'm just hoping to avoid any trouble if at all possible. The last thing you want to do is make Watkins look bad in front of his peers. Can you trust me to talk to Cade? Or ask him to come out to your place tomorrow and have Manuel show him the tracks?”

She studied him for a long minute. Jake realized that his question was about more than trusting him to talk to Cade. It was about trusting him in general. She'd admitted something bad had happened in Texas. It was something so bad that she had issues with everyone. Her trust would be hard won.

“I trust you,” she said finally.

Now he just had to show her he deserved it. “We best get inside,” Jake said. “No need to keep them waiting any longer.”

He offered her his arm and she took it, easily this time, without hesitation. He could only pray that he wasn't escorting her to her doom. All his lectures to her about worry came back to haunt him as they walked into the dining room where the members of the Cattlemen's Association were waiting to meet the woman who dared to bring sheep into cattle country.

*   *   *

“Now that wasn't so bad, was it?” Jake asked Cassie as they rode home. Full night was upon them and the sky threatened rain. Lanterns hung on both sides of the buggy to light the way. Cassie sat next to him, huddled up in his coat. Jake was feeling the cold himself but he'd never let on. Jake could only hope that he'd get Cassie home before the rain started. He seriously doubted if she'd invite him to stay over if they didn't. Tonight had been challenging enough without the added discomfort of wet clothes.

“Nobody got shot, if that's what you mean,” Cassie replied.

He chuckled at her dry wit. She was right. The meeting hadn't been easy, but everyone was trying to be patient. Everyone but Watkins. Cassie had promised to keep her sheep in her valley and as long as they stayed put, there was nothing anyone could do or say. As Jake expected, the Castles had been the voice of reason and most of the other ranchers agreed. Only one other had sided with Watkins, and considering his place was on the other side of Angel's End, he'd just done it out off meanness. There wasn't any way Cassie's sheep could have an impact on his livestock.

After hearing the entire discussion, Jake wasn't so sure that sheep did have an impact on cattle. Not any more than the cattle had on the elk, deer, mustangs and other creatures that lived in these mountains. It was a fact that sheep tended to overgraze to the point of eating small trees, but Cassie's little flock wasn't enough to destroy every pasture in the area. Of course, there was always the chance that more sheep farmers would come and then there would be a problem, but that could also happen with cattle. Right now there was no reason why everyone couldn't get along, just as they had for the last several years.

“I don't trust Watkins,” Cassie said. “He gave in too easy.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Jake admitted. At the meeting, Watkins had argued against Cassie's right to keep the sheep, but eventually he'd agreed to let Cassie give it a try for the time being. His ready capitulation was surprising, especially on the heels of the threats Cade said he'd made in town. Because of those threats, Cade took the time to talk to Watkins after the meeting, time that allowed Jake to get Cassie safely home. That is if it didn't rain first.

“Feels like rain,” Cassie said as she pulled his coat closer around her. She was nearly lost in it. The sleeves flopped over her hands and the hem came nearly to her knees. How could such a small package contain so much fight? What was it about her that made him want to protect her from all the evils in the world?

You are falling for her . . .
The sudden realization struck Jake like the lightning that flashed in the distant clouds to the west. A few seconds later a rumble of thunder filled the valley.