Finding Promise (9 page)

“You've ridden a lot,” he commented.

“I feel very comfortable on horseback.” It felt as natural as walking, and she felt it must be something she'd done her whole life. “Your horse is a beautiful animal.”

“This is Preacher. He's been my partner for several years.”

She pointed to her mount. “What is his name?”

Jake laughed. “I call him Stubborn, since that's what he is most of the time.” He'd intentionally picked out that horse for her to see how the horse behaved under a woman's hand. The horse was tame, so he wasn't worried about her being thrown, but the animal just liked to do things in his own time. But he was on his best behavior for her, just like the two-legged animals on the drive. “He seems to work well for you,” he told her.

“He's wonderful,” Promise replied. “But we must give him another name. Stubborn will not do.”

Jake smiled at her. “You think of a name.”

“I will, but I will have to think about it.” Since she was so comfortable on a horse, she might be useful helping with the cattle. She wanted to be more than a hindrance to him. “I've been watching how you and the men work with the cattle, and I feel I can be of some assistance. If you could teach me the basics, I might be more than a burden to you.”

Now, he figured, they were getting to the core of the problem. She kept making comments about causing him problems. And he'd noticed how she was always looking behind them as if she expected the killers to sneak up on them. He admired her all the more for her willingness to help, but he wanted her to know it wasn't necessary. On the other hand, it might be a good idea to keep her busy, and working cattle certainly kept one's mind occupied. She wouldn't have time to fret about the killers. He was already worried enough for the both of them.

“First of all, you're not a burden.” There was a part of him that wanted to keep his distance from her, but that had more to do with his basic instincts as a man. Since he couldn't avoid being with her and keep her safe at the same time, he was determined to keep her at arm's length, at least emotionally. He would do everything in his power to get her to where she was going in one piece. If he had to think of her as his sister, then that is exactly what he would do. He just had to keep his eyes off her backside. “I don't see why I can't teach you the basics of handling cattle, since you're an excellent rider.”

Rodriguez rode up beside them on his stunning black-and-white, spirited horse. “Señorita, you are a very fine rider!” He had been watching how she handled her horse and was impressed with her skills.

“Thank you. Mr. McBride has been kind enough to allow me to ride one of his horses, and it's a wonderful reprieve from the wagon,” she said.

Rodriguez thought her smile was beautiful. “You are welcome to any of my horses in the remuda.”

Jake could see her confusion about his comment, so he explained. “Rodriguez is the only man who brought his own horses with him on the cattle drive. He has six in our remuda.”

“
Sí
, I train my horses the way I like them to be trained. It is good to know what to expect from your animal at all times, no?” He looked out over the horizon and spread his arms wide. “A man's horse is the most important thing in this country.”

She liked his easy manner, and his respect for his animals. “I can see that is true.”

“I was going to explain the basics of working the cattle to her,” Jake told him.

Rodriguez leaned over in his saddle so his face was closer to hers, and gave her a serious look. “Did you know, señorita, that the cowboy learned everything from the vaquero?” He didn't wait for a response. “Tonight after dinner I will begin your instruction on the use of the lariat to further your education on becoming a cattlewoman. You should learn from the best.” He winked at her and rode away.

Jake chuckled. Leave it to Rodriguez to mention the superiority of the vaquero.

“He seems very confident.” Promise watched Rodriguez expertly twirl his lariat.

“He's a very good vaquero, and next to my brother, he's has the best-trained horses I've ever seen.”

“Your brother trains horses?”

“Colt has a unique bond with animals. Running the ranch takes up most of his time, but he trains horses for the ranch hands. I hope he'll have more time when I'm there to help out.”

She could hear the love and respect in his voice when he spoke of his brother. “Not many people have such a special talent with animals.”

“Rodriguez is right; a man's horse is his most important property out here, and we depend on them more than they do us. Rodriguez doesn't let anyone else care for his animals, and to my knowledge he has never allowed another person to ride them.”

“That was kind of him to offer.”

Jake didn't think kindness had anything to do with it, but he kept silent. Instead, he began explaining the reasons for the positions of the men on the drive, and their specific responsibilities. He taught her some of the language cowboys used, at least the words that were proper for a lady's ears. He'd never seen a more eager pupil. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy learning all about cattle, and asked him dozens of questions.

 

 

That evening after dinner, Rodriguez approached Promise with lariat in hand. “Are you up to the challenge to learn the lariat?”

Even though she was tired, she was determined to be as helpful to Jake as possible for the remainder of the drive. “Yes, if you have time.”

Rodriguez was forfeiting his own rest just to spend some time with a beautiful woman. He offered his hand to her. “Then let us begin.”

They walked to an area not too far from the fire so they could see what they were doing. After he showed her the essentials of throwing the rope, it didn't take her too many attempts until she had lassoed the small tree trunk he'd designated as a target.

“Señorita, you are a very excellent student.” He was pleased that she was so adept. “Did you learn to ride so quickly?”

When she didn't respond, Rodriguez looked at her and saw her brow furrowed as if she was trying to remember something. He had forgotten about her loss of memory, and he regretted his mistake. “I do apologize, señorita, for my ill manners,” he said.

Shaking her head, she said, “Oh no! No apology necessary. I just saw a man teaching me to ride.” In her mind, she saw herself as a young child on the back of a pony. The man teaching her must have been her father.

Rodriguez could see the sadness in her eyes, and he reached down and took her hand in his. His voice softened when he said, “All will be well, señorita. God is on your side.”

Chapter Ten

Having left Promise in the care of Rodriguez near the wagons, Jake rode with Cole to the front of the drive to talk to Harm. “I still feel like we're being dogged,” Jake said.

“I've had the same feeling,” Cole chimed in.

“It's been over a week and not one thing out of the ordinary has happened. It stands to reason they are waiting for the right opportunity,” Jake replied.

“I doubt they will give up without getting what they want,” Cole said.

“They'll play hell going through our men to get her,” Harm stated.

Jake smiled. Like every man on the drive, Harm had taken Promise under his wing. When the men first saw her riding on horseback with Jake, there was some grumbling about it being bad luck. They had changed their minds quick enough when they saw how she helped with the cattle. She worked as hard as the men and they respected that.

“They're waiting for us to let our guard down and leave her vulnerable again. They won't come at us head-on,” Jake said.

“Maybe the killers can't tell which one she is with that hat and slicker,” Harm said.

“That was my intention.” Jake didn't say he was trying to hide her rear end.

“It's difficult for the men riding in pairs. Just not enough of us to be everywhere we need to be at all times,” Cole said.

Directing his thoughts away from Promise's assets, Jake said, “Yeah, and they're tired, not to mention their nerves are on edge.”

“We'll be at the river tomorrow and that's always a dangerous situation. Everyone needs to be ready,” Harm reminded them.

“We'll have our hands full,” Jake admitted.

Cole knew Jake was troubled over keeping Promise safe. “Promise told me she keeps remembering some things, but she still hasn't put together where she was headed, or if the people on the wagon train were her family.”

Jake had noticed when he returned to camp after his night watch that Cole was always talking with Promise instead of resting. The two of them seemed to have a lot to talk about. “You sure seem to spend a lot of time with her every night.” He didn't add that Rodriguez also spent time with her every night. And when she slept, one of them was always by her wagon. Before long, the men were going to have to draw straws. It was like they were trying to fill up her dance card.

Cole glanced at Jake, thinking he was joking. “Why wouldn't I? She's a beautiful woman. It sure beats jawing with the men.”

Jake pulled Preacher to a halt. “We may have buried her husband.”

Cole stopped and chuckled. “I'm not asking her to marry me! And I believe it was you who insisted someone be with her at all times.”

Harm reined in and looked from Jake to Cole. While he figured Cole was teasing, one look at the set of Jake's jaw said he wasn't.

Water was flowing over the brim of Jake's hat, so he took it off and slapped it against his thigh. He'd had enough. Enough of the rain, enough of waiting on these killers, and enough of the men sniffing around Promise like she was a tasty morsel of their favorite dessert. He wanted to punch something or someone, and right now Cole was in his sights. “I don't think you should be cozying up to a woman who is in such a vulnerable state.”

Cole finally realized Jake was serious. “Maybe she needs a friend right now.”

“Is that what you are? A friend?” Skepticism laced Jake's question. He'd never seen his best friend spend so much time with a woman unless he was taking her to bed. In his book, that didn't necessarily count as friendship.

Before Cole answered, Harm rode between them. “Talk about everyone's nerves on edge. I think you both need some rest.” He'd seen plenty of friendships end over a woman, and a woman who looked like Promise could certainly come between two lifelong friends. “How about telling Shorty to stop for a while and you two get some shut-eye?”

Before they could agree to Harm's suggestion, a shot rang out behind them.

Harm was the first to speak. “That was some distance away.”

“Yeah,” Jake said, urging Preacher into a gallop. He'd told Promise to ride close by the wagon with Shorty, and he'd told Rodriguez to keep watch over her. Reaching the wagons midway, he spotted Promise beside Rodriguez. Shorty was gesturing with his arms, so Jake slowed Preacher to hear what he was saying.

“We're fine, boss. Sounded like it came from drag!” Shorty shouted, pointing behind him.

Jake nodded and headed for the rear of the herd, with Harm and Cole close behind. That morning, he'd specifically instructed Wes, one of the more experienced cowboys, to ride drag with Will, the youngest man on the crew.

When Jake reached the rear of the drive he saw Wes crouched over a body on the ground. It was Will. Jumping off his horse, he ran to the young man's side. “What happened?”

“I went after a few strays and I heard the shot,” Wes answered. “I shouldn't have left him alone.”

Jake put his palm on Will's chest. “He's alive.” He pulled off his bandanna and held it to the wound on Will's shoulder. After staunching the bleeding, Jake turned him over so he could see how badly he was injured. Relief washed over him when he saw it wasn't serious. “It went through, he'll be okay.” He glanced at Cole and Harm, and instructed, “Get him back to Shorty. Wes, you keep sharp.” He grabbed Preacher's reins and jumped on his back. “Wes, what direction?”

Wes pointed to a dense patch of trees.

“You're not going alone,” Cole stated.

“You stay at camp with Promise until I get back.”

“I'm coming with you. Harm can take care of things,” Cole said.

“This is my fault for not going after them before now. I'm going alone. Now get Will out of here, and stay with Promise.” He gave Cole a level look. “I'm trusting you to keep her safe.” He'd had enough. Promise, Shorty, and Will could have been killed because of his inaction. Well, no more. He rode off fast and reached the trees in minutes. It didn't take him long to find fresh tracks in the mud. There were four men this time. He found the area where they'd waited in the cover of the trees. Dismounting, he studied the hoofprints, committing them to memory. He figured they'd decided to pick them off one at a time as the opportunity presented itself.

Something caught his eye at the base of one of the trees. He leaned over and picked up an empty box. Adorning the cover of the package was a buxom woman in a red dress: Gypsy Queen cigarettes. He'd seen the same brand in a large box sitting on the counter at the general store in Dodge. He shoved the empty container in his pocket, and grabbed Preacher's reins.

 

 

“He's fine, nothing vital was hit,” Shorty assured the men. “Promise is looking after him while I get supper started.”

Cole poured himself some coffee. “That's good news.”

Once Shorty placed his stew over the fire, he turned and gave Cole a hard look. “Why did you let that dang fool go after those men alone? There are too many of them!”

“I told him I wanted to go with him, but he said he was going alone. You know how stubborn he can be.”

“You should have gone with him anyway. We can protect that gal. He has no business going off by himself, not knowing who he's chasing. On top of that, he's rarely had more than two hours of sleep a night since we left Texas. He's running on coffee and determination, nothing more.”

Cole felt guilty enough; he didn't need Shorty pointing it out to him. He'd thought about riding after Jake, but he wasn't sure that was the right thing to do. He understood Jake's thinking; that was one of the benefits of riding by his side for over ten years. Most of the men on the drive could shoot a rattler if necessary, but if real trouble came calling he didn't know if their skills would be enough to protect lives. Few cowboys faced gun battles, and it wasn't as if they signed up for a gunfight, though he knew none of the men on this drive objected to the possibility if it became necessary. Jake had made it clear he wanted him to protect Promise, which was confusing since he jumped all over him for just talking to her. He considered the possibility Jake was taking an interest in her and he was just acting like a jealous fool. But that didn't really make sense because Jake had admitted he was smitten with his brother's wife. Of course, Cole knew he would never act on those feelings. Jake was the most honorable man he knew.

Admittedly, Cole was attracted to Promise, like every red-blooded man on the drive. She was a beautiful woman, and any man in his right mind would be attracted to her, but he didn't intend to jump on her like a buzzard on a dead carcass. He decided Shorty was right; Jake was acting like an unreasonable grizzly because he hadn't had much sleep and he had more problems than he'd ever expected on this drive. And the incessant rain had taken its toll on everyone.

Promise sat beside Will and prayed, asking God for Will's speedy recovery and to keep the other men safe. Even though Shorty assured her the young man would have no lasting damage to his arm, she couldn't help feeling responsible he was shot. She would gladly give those killers what they wanted if they would stop hurting people. It was difficult to understand what would possess those men to kill for money.

By the time she retired to her wagon for the night, Jake still hadn't returned. Turning her lantern down, she decided she wouldn't undress in case he came back soon. She sat on her pallet and leaned against the side wall. She was frightened. Not only was she worried about him, she was always more nervous when he wasn't near. Logically, she knew Cole and the other men would protect her from those killers, but it was Jake, with his quiet confidence, who made her feel nothing could happen as long as he was around.

She regretted being the cause of his problems, and wouldn't blame him if he asked her to leave. It would be better for him if she did. That seemed to be the only way to prevent another shooting. The next time, one of the men might be killed. Jake might be killed. That thought frightened her more than anything. It was high time she stopped acting like a scared rabbit. She'd already proven she could shoot quite accurately, and she was comfortable on a horse. Shorty had mentioned Denver wasn't that far away. It might be best if she purchased a horse from Jake and took her chances alone. It seemed plausible that she could protect herself to a point, and she felt confident if she had a fast horse she could outrun most men with her lighter weight. It was frightening to consider, but it was more terrifying to think of Jake, or anyone else, getting shot. Since the killers would never expect her to leave the safe confines of the cattle drive, she might have a better than average chance of making it to Denver before they found her. Surely, there would be a sheriff there who could handle the killers.

She closed her eyes, but she couldn't stop thinking about Jake. He was out there risking his life because of the trouble she had brought to him. If he was killed, she would never be able to forgive herself for not taking action. She knew what she needed to do. Now, she just needed to muster her courage. Leaving the cattle drive played in her mind until she finally dozed off with the rain pelting the canvas top.