Finding Promise (22 page)

The man didn't even question who Jake was talking about. “He's on his way back to Denver,” the man responded quickly.

His injured friend heard the man talking and yelled, “Shut your trap, Ritter.”

Jake narrowed his eyes at the man. “Thought he was headed to Mexico.”

“No, I swear, he's going back to Denver. Please, don't kill me. I didn't even want to do this. I wasn't there that day when they killed those people on that wagon train. I told them we should leave it alone and go on to Mexico.”

“Ritter, shut the hell up! This will get back to Schott!” the other man warned.

Jake saw Lucas standing near the man doing the yelling. “Luke, if that back-shooter says one more word, give him an invite to a dance.”

“Hell, he's shot in the leg, so he can't dance. I'd rather plug him than shoot at his toes,” Luke countered.

It was Colt who turned the full force of his intimidating glare toward Ritter. “Why are you still dogging us?”

“The woman. He wants her. And he wants her dead 'cause she saw him, and she shot his brother dead,” he said, his voice ragged from pain.

“What's Schott got to do with this?” Colt questioned.

Ritter hesitated. Jake poked the muzzle deeper into his skin as encouragement. “It won't take much for me to make you two into cottonwood blossoms.”

“You can't hang us!” Ritter shouted.

Colt arched a brow at him. “No?”

Ritter decided the massive man glaring at him was more dangerous than Schott and Big Ugly combined. “Okay, okay. He hired us to keep them folks from coming to the Hollister ranch. He was trying to run those people off that land.”

“Why?” Jake couldn't figure out why Schott would have a problem with the people who are farming on Hollister's land.

“Schott offered to buy that piece of land from that rancher, and he got turned down flat. That don't set well with Schott. Nobody turns him down,” Ritter answered. “He wasn't about to let anyone else settle on that land.”

“What's Big Ugly's given name?” Jake asked.

“Hart Newcombe.”

“That's almost funny. He was probably born without a heart.” A man like Big Ugly had to have a reputation; he didn't just turn up working for Schott one day, so Jake asked, “Where else is he wanted?”

“Kansas, for murder.”

Jake and Colt walked a few feet away from the campfire to discuss their options while Luke and Strait tied up the men. “I say we give them a horse and tell them to ride on out and give Big Ugly a message where we'll be,” Jake said.

“Our minds are on the same track,” Colt said. “We'll be home in another two days, and they won't reach Denver for several days, if they make it at all. Who knows, they might have a disagreement and kill each other before then. Hell, they might even bleed to death. We can wire Hollister from the next town and tell him what's going on.”

“If they don't come to the ranch, then I'll head back to Denver when I'm able,” Jake added. He was confident he'd be able to make the trip after he had a week to recuperate.

Strait and Luke joined in the conversation after they bound the men. “We sure as hell don't want to haul their sorry butts home with us, but, Colt, are you sure you want that trouble at the ranch?” Strait asked.

“It's always better to face trouble on your own land, on your own terms,” Colt answered.

“Well, if they don't come to the ranch, I'll go to Denver with you when you're ready, Jake,” Luke told him.

“You won't need to go to Denver,” Colt said with conviction. “They've dogged you this far, and they won't give up now.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Taking the steps four at a time, Colt raced to the bedroom to see his wife.

“Colt!” Victoria's smile was wide when her husband bounded into the room.

Lifting her off the bed, Colt sat in the chair with her in his lap and kissed her like he'd been away for years. Forcing his lips from hers, he said, “I've missed you and those kisses.”

Victoria hugged his neck. “I'm so glad you are back. How's Jake? Were you surprised to see Lucas?”

She was asking so many questions, she reminded him of the boys. “On the road to recovery. You will see everyone shortly. I told them I would carry you down for dinner. And yes, I was surprised to see Lucas.” He kissed her again. “How are you, honey?”

“I'm fine. I told the doctor that he was being too cautious.” She yanked a lock of hair at the back of his neck. “I think he's so afraid of you that he's being overprotective.”

Colt grinned. “The man shows good judgment.”

“You're impossible,” she teased, but secretly she was thankful her husband wasn't embarrassed to show his love for her. Actually, he was exactly the opposite. It didn't bother him to show affection, or to tell anyone how much he loved her.

“By the way, we brought you some help.” Colt was explaining what had happened on Jake's cattle drive when the boys ran into the room.

“Pa!” Cade and Cody exclaimed, bounding into the room with Bandit on their heels.

Colt positioned Victoria on one thigh as the boys jumped on his other thigh, and Bandit wedged himself between his legs.

Colt found himself near tears at the greeting. He feared his new family was going to turn him into a blubbering fool.

By the time Colt carried Victoria to the dining room, he'd gotten control of his emotions. But once he saw everyone he loved in the world seated at the table, he had to fight for control again. After the many years of being alone, he thanked God for his good fortune to have his brothers back on the ranch, and to have found his wife and sons. He would never have guessed that his brothers were equally emotional just to be with him again.

After Colt introduced Victoria to Promise, the women soon started chatting like old friends. Victoria liked her very much, and she hoped Colt was right in his assumption that Jake cared for this lovely woman. In her mind, she was already thinking Promise would make a wonderful sister-in-law.

Promise fell in love with Victoria and the boys, as well as the woman Colt introduced as Victoria's surrogate mother, Mrs. Wellington. She understood why Jake thought so much of Victoria; she was a lovely woman, inside and out. Throughout dinner, she found herself watching Jake stare at Victoria. She suspected his feelings for his brother's wife ran deeper than a mere crush. As much as she wished she could find something about Colt's lovely wife to dislike, she couldn't. And she didn't think Jake would ever look at another woman the way he looked at Victoria.

“Thank you so much for coming to help us,” Victoria said to her. “I hope my husband and Jake didn't twist your arm too badly.”

“Not at all. Actually it was my idea.”

“I told her she needed to see Wyoming,” Cole said. “But it never occurred to me I would see her here this soon.”

Victoria could see that Promise wouldn't lack in suitors now that there were so many single men at the ranch, thanks to the cattle drive. “I am so happy to have you here,” she said sincerely.

“The least I can do is help, after all Jake's done for me.”

Jake slammed his fork to his plate. “I've told you before that you aren't beholden to me! And I don't need anyone looking after me!”

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to . . .” Promise couldn't finish because she was so stunned at his outburst. Her lips started to quiver, and she turned her attention to her plate so no one could see she was about to cry. Jake had never been so rude to her, and she was heartbroken.

Victoria wanted to throttle Jake for hurting Promise, but she'd leave it up to Colt to box his ears for his behavior. She tried to make amends for Jake's rude behavior. “It's a blessing that Jake doesn't need help, but
I
can certainly use your help.”

Mrs. Wellington caught the ominous look on Colt's face, so she thought it prudent to change the subject. “Jake, it was so exciting to see all of those cattle.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Jake wanted to say he was sorry to Promise, but he didn't. He turned his attention to Mrs. Wellington instead. “I bet the men were glad to get here.”

“You can say that again. After that cattle drive, I hope I don't see rain for six months,” Cole said. “And Shorty is so happy here, I think he might just stay.”

Colt didn't want to upset his wife, so he didn't light into Jake, though he was about to bite through his tongue. He'd wait until later to set him straight. “That's fine with me,” he said. “We added on to the bunkhouse just in case they all wanted to stay.”

“Jake, why don't you take the bedroom downstairs until you're feeling better? You won't be forced to negotiate that stairway,” Victoria said.

“Luke and I are staying in the bunkhouse,” Jake answered testily.

“Surely you would be more comfortable in the house,” Victoria countered.

Jake didn't respond, and Victoria looked at her husband, clearly confused by Jake's attitude.

“You are both welcome in the house,” Colt commented, knowing that was what his wife wanted.

Luke looked from Jake to Colt, trying to figure out what was going on. “Jake thought we would be in the way.”

“You most certainly will not be in the way,” Victoria said.

“We've already stored our gear,” Jake said with finality.

Colt could tell by the set of Jake's jaw that he wasn't changing his mind. If his dumb brother wanted to exchange the comforts of home, with a beautiful woman looking after him, for a bunkhouse full of smelly men, who was he to argue? He smiled at his wife. “I think that is very thoughtful of my brothers.” He wasn't sure if Jake was trying to avoid Promise or Victoria, and he didn't care, just as long as he treated them civilly. He gave Jake a look that telegraphed
you'd better not do anything to upset my wife
. He reached over and squeezed his wife's hand. “Don't worry, honey. You'll see them every night at dinner.” Another glare at Jake dared him to disagree.

Knowing her husband would take care of the matter with Jake, Victoria turned her attention on Promise. “Promise, tomorrow when you have time, I will show you the reticules. Mrs. Wagner, the lady who helps me, will be coming by so we can discuss the new designs. Mrs. Wellington will be joining us, so we can all have a nice visit and lunch together.”

Promise had collected herself, and was grateful to Victoria for redirecting the conversation. “I can't wait to see them.”

 

 

The next day Promise, Mrs. Wellington, and Mrs. Wagner sat in Victoria's bedroom looking at the new patterns Victoria had drawn for her reticules.

“Victoria, these are beautiful,” Promise said.

“Thank you. I'm glad I have this to keep me busy in my confinement.”

“I'm thankful for the opportunity to earn money doing something I enjoy,” Mrs. Wagner added. “I don't know how I would have fed my children if not for Victoria.”

Victoria patted Mrs. Wagner's hand. “I'm the one who is fortunate. Your work is beautiful.” She glanced at Promise. “Colt told me that you are an excellent artist. I would be honored if you would show us your work.”

“I would be delighted to show you whenever you like,” Promise replied.

“Why not right now, so we can all see?” Victoria suggested, with Mrs. Wellington and Mrs. Wagner nodding their agreement. “Colt said you did an absolutely lovely drawing of Jake.”

It was difficult to imagine that Colt would use the word
lovely
, but Promise kept that thought to herself. “I'll get them.”

When Promise left the room, Mrs. Wellington said, “If that young man knows what's what, he'll latch on to that gal.”

Victoria knew Mrs. Wellington was referring to Jake, but Mrs. Wagner said, “Which young man?”

“Jake, of course. I can't believe he's been with her all these months and hasn't noticed she is crazy about him,” Mrs. Wellington replied.

“Jake doesn't think he is ready to settle down,” Victoria offered.

“As I recall, his older brother was of the same opinion until he met you,” Mrs. Wellington reminded her.

Victoria hadn't had the chance to discuss Jake's behavior with Colt, but she certainly planned to later today. She had a feeling Jake was fighting his feelings for Promise. “I think he may need a gentle nudge. I have a feeling my husband could provide that.”

The women were smiling when Promise came into the room carrying her leather pouch filled with drawings.

 

 

Colt made a point of riding in from the range early, so he could have a talk with Jake. Fortunately, he found Jake alone in the bunkhouse. Pulling a chair up next to his bunk, Colt turned it around, straddled the seat, and got right to the point. “I thought one of the reasons we agreed Promise would come here was so she could help look after you.”

“I told you last night, I'm fine, and I sure as hell don't need anyone looking after me. She needs to take care of the chores in the house and help Victoria.”

“Can you change your own bandage?” Colt asked.

“Shorty can handle what I need,” Jake countered. “I'm sure he's changed more bandages than Promise.”

Colt shook his head. “Why are you insisting on acting like a jackass? You'd rather have Shorty fussing over you than a beautiful woman? Not to mention, Mrs. Wellington would probably make you some fine pies if you stirred enough sympathy.”

For the first time in days, Jake cracked a smile.

Colt noticed. “Damn, I thought you forgot how to do that.”

“Do what?”

“Smile.”

“Guess I haven't had much to smile about.”

“I think you should come at it from another angle. God gave you another chance at life. If not for Promise insisting her uncle look for you that day, you would have probably died on that road alone. I'd say you have one whole heck of a lot to smile about. You could be on the root side of the daisies. You keep saying Promise isn't beholding to you for saving her life, but I'm for damn sure beholding to her for saving yours. You should appreciate how she feels.”

Deep down, Jake knew his brother was right. He was acting like a dang fool, but he couldn't seem to stop. “You're right about that.”

“Is being laid up all that's troubling you?”

Jake gave his brother a serious look. “I know you mean well, Colt, but I just don't want to stay in the house right now.”

“Is it because of Promise or Victoria?”

Stunned that his brother seemed to read his mind, Jake wasn't sure how to respond.

“Jake, you're not the only cowboy infatuated with Victoria. As a matter of fact, half of them on this ranch are. It's only natural that you want what I've been lucky enough to find. If you're not attracted to Promise in that way, then there will be someone else. Just don't go thinking your feelings run deeper than they do for Victoria, and ruin something else right before your eyes that could make you happier than you can even imagine.” Jake didn't respond, and Colt said, “‘How bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes.'”

Jake wanted to roll his eyes, but he arched a brow at him instead. “Shakespeare?” He thought Colt saved that Shakespeare stuff to impress his wife.

“Yeah, Shakespeare. You should read him sometime. He was a very insightful man.”

Jake looked away, thinking about what his brother said. Finally, he asked, “What if I'm not as noble as you?”

Standing, Colt picked up his chair and returned it to the table. “Don't sell yourself short, brother, or I will have to kick your ass . . . rear end.” He had to remember to keep the language clean. He reached the door, then turned around. “Do I need to come and carry you to dinner, or are you going to make it on your own two feet?”

There was no question in Jake's mind that his brother was mean enough to carry him into that house like a baby. He might tangle with a lot of men, but Colt wasn't one of them. “I'll be there.”