The Circle Eight: Caleb (10 page)

Awareness prickled the back of his neck. He was no longer alone in the kitchen. His hand crept to the butt of his gun and he slowly got to his feet, as though he had all the time in the world and no worries. He latched the cabinet and turned to pick up the glass of milk.

He whirled and squatted, gun pointed at the sneaky person who had crept up on him. The boy with brown hair he’d seen from the back earlier squeaked and threw his hands over his face. Caleb was a fool but at least his senses were working properly. The child couldn’t have been more than ten, gangly, at the stage before puberty hit and started to fill in the skinny parts.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. You shouldn’t creep up on folks like that.” He holstered his gun and picked up the glass. His heart still pounded but he breathed in deep, willing himself to come out of battle mode. The boy meant no harm, probably just curious who was in the kitchen. “What’s your name?”

The boy slowly lowered his arms, peering at Caleb over a pointy elbow.

“I’m a Texas Ranger, name’s Caleb Graham.” He watched the boy’s eyes widen and awareness slid over him. There was a familiarity about the color of his eyes. Caleb’s heart thumped harder, pushing blood past his ears. The world tilted beneath him and recognition made time stand still.

It couldn’t be.
It fucking couldn’t be.

“Benjy?”

The boy’s arms fell down to his sides and his face turned paler than the milk. There was no mistaking it now. Caleb had found his lost brother, Benjamin Graham.

The trained Texas Ranger, who had killed men, showed no fear in the face of imminent danger, dropped to his knees with a sob and pulled the boy into his arms. He hugged him hard however the boy was stiffer than a board, unmoving. Caleb pulled back and stared into eyes so much like his mother’s it spooked him.

“Benjy, do you remember me?”

The boy’s eyes couldn’t get any wider or they would pop out of his head. He nodded his head slightly.

Caleb smiled, his eyes stinging. “We’ve been looking for you for almost five years, Benjy. We never gave up though.” Although he pushed it out of his mind, Caleb had nearly given up. Finding his youngest brother was a shock of biblical proportions. He would never give up again.

He took a look at Benjy, noting the hair neatly trimmed, the high quality clothes and leather shoes. Someone was taking good care of him and Caleb suspected it was Pablo Garza. Perhaps the
patron
was the rich landowner who had purchased Benjy in Mexico from the caudillo he and his brothers had killed.

“Do you live here?”

Another nod.

“Can you speak?”

This time a shake of his head.

There were a thousand questions Caleb wanted to ask him but if the boy couldn’t answer them, now wasn’t the time to ask. He had to plan how they would leave the Garza hacienda with no one noticing a boy by his side. Then there was Rory. He couldn’t leave her there alone and unprotected in a house full of danger and deceit. Now that Caleb knew exactly what kind of man Pablo Garza was—one who would buy a child from a whorehouse.

“We need to get out of here. Come with me—”

“Marcello? Are you in here?” A tiny redheaded woman walked into the kitchen. She wore a voluminous nightdress so he couldn’t tell much about her shape. Her kinky curls were poking out of a nightcap. Her eyes widened when she saw Caleb, still shirtless of course. She looked at Benjy. “What are you doing in here, Marcello? You know Papa doesn’t like you to wander alone.”

Marcello? The bastard had made Benjy change his name too? Caleb swallowed back the angry words that crowded his throat. He would not be so polite the next time he met up with Garza.

“I needed some help, ma’am, and the boy offered to assist. I’m Ranger Caleb Graham.” He gestured to the glass of milk. “I was getting something for Rory Foster. She was injured and the doc patched her up. Are you Bernadette?”

The woman’s expression lost its panic. “Yes, I’m Bernadette. Rory’s here? I didn’t hear about that. The poor dear. Let me make you up a tray for her.” Her gaze flickered to the shirt still hanging on the sink.

“I had to use my shirt for the blood. Much obliged you had a sink for me to rinse it in.” Caleb tried to keep a polite face but inside he was shouting with fury. He grabbed his shirt and looked as unthreatening as he could.

“I like a man who can take care of his own laundry.” Bernadette stepped further into the kitchen and Caleb saw she was probably in her forties and had a lot of living on her face. Perhaps Garza had a hold of her life too. She busied herself around the kitchen, gathering a tray, a plate, then slicing ham and bread. The tortillas were added and some kind of pepper with a can of beans.

Although wound up tight, Caleb’s stomach picked that moment to yowl loudly. Bernadette frowned at him and added more ham and bread to the plate. She put the glass of milk on it along with the tortillas, wrapped up with the beans and peppers, and two cups of coffee. It was enough food for three people. He intended to wrap all the food and take it when they left. Sure as the sun would rise, Caleb was leaving the Garza ranch with Benjy and Rory. He would not leave anyone behind.

“Let’s bring this to Rory. Where is she?” Bernadette tried to lift the tray but Caleb stopped her with one of his best smiles. She didn’t have to know it wasn’t genuine. It had the desired effect and she tittered as she stepped away. “A gentleman, I see.”

They started to walk out of the kitchen when she turned to Benjy who hadn’t moved the entire time. “Go back to bed, Marcello. You dare not let Papa catch you.”

Caleb wanted to scream at the woman but she wasn’t to blame. The idea that Garza was pretending to be Benjy’s father made his blood boil.

“Rory wanted to see him to say hello,” Caleb lied through his teeth. “I’m sure it won’t hurt to give her a few minutes to visit. It might help her heal faster.”

Bernadette looked at Benjy dubiously. “I suppose that’s true. A visit always helps along folks who are laid low. All right, I’ll let you come along but don’t tell your Papa. He would be unhappy with me.”

The unlikely trio made their way back through the house, down the hallways and through the dining room until they reached the small room Rory lay in. Caleb gestured to the door and Bernadette couldn’t disguise the surprise on her face. Wherever Garza stuck them, it wasn’t normal. That put Caleb’s instincts into screaming mode. Was he hiding them or keeping them in a location where no one could find them?

Caleb waited for Bernadette to open the door, his fear for Rory as real as the tray in his hands. He’d been away for fifteen minutes. Anything could have happened to her. Although she might not agree with it, he was responsible for Rory.

He was able to take a breath as soon as he spotted her in the bed, watching them. She smiled when she saw Bernadette, which widened when she saw Benjy.

“Marcello and Bernadette! It’s nice to see friendly faces.”

It didn’t miss Caleb’s attention that she knew his brother as Marcello. The boy had obviously been there at the Garza ranch for some time. Possibly five years. Caleb carried the tray to the bed before he did something stupid like throw it. Anger warred with the urge to run like hell with Rory under one arm and Benjy under the other.

Rory reached for the glass of milk then winced and her arm dropped. Caleb picked up the glass and held her neck while she sipped, then gulped the creamy liquid. Her throat worked as she swallowed and he had the stupidity to notice that her neck was graceful. He then compounded it by wiping her chin with his fingers when he pulled the glass away.

Her gaze dropped to his chest then back to his face. He saw a flash of heat in the depths of her amber eyes, and then it was gone. Something was brewing between them and he was helpless to stop it.

“You should eat something, Rory.” Bernadette gestured to the heaping tray of food. “Today was tortilla day.”

“I know.” Rory smiled wanly. “I wish I had the appetite to eat them.”

“You should rest and let yourself heal.” Bernadette patted her hand. “You’ll be hungry when you wake. Now it’s time for Marcello to go to bed before he gets in trouble.”

Caleb’s gut clenched at the possibility of losing sight of Benjy. “I could use his help for a few minutes.”

Bernadette turned to him in surprise. “What could he help with?”

“I need to wash up and I thought he could keep Rory company for a few minutes.” He hoped he looked honest as lies tumbled from his mouth.

“Of course he can. Can I help?” Bernadette looked at Rory.

“No, you’ve already done enough. I know it’s late for you and you have to be up before the sun.” Rory yawned. “Marcello will probably just watch me sleep for ten minutes.” She managed a chuckle.

Caleb wanted to kiss her.

“You are right. I went into the kitchen when I heard your ranger in there.” Bernadette frowned at her charge. “Ten minutes and no more.”

The boy nodded and stood stoically while the housekeeper ruffled his hair—the hair that matched Caleb’s. Funny how neither of the women noticed.

Bernadette said her good-byes and left the room. Caleb waited until he couldn’t hear her footsteps any longer, then waited another thirty seconds before he spoke. He kept his voice low.

“Rory, do you know this boy?”

She frowned. “Of course. It’s Marcello Garza, Pablo’s son.”

Caleb expected it but the bald statement hit him like a slap to the face. “His name is Benjamin Graham.” He bit off the words like whispered cannon balls.

“Pardon?” She glanced at Benjy then back at Caleb, then repeated it. Her eyes widened. “This is your missing brother?”

“Yes. It was providence we came here for help. I would have never found him otherwise. Garza has this place locked up like a fortress.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I about shit my drawers when I saw him.”

Benjy sat down on the opposite side of the bed, still silent and watchful.

“I can’t believe it but it’s right there. I can see the resemblance.” She shook her head. “I knew folks with money were different but stealing someone else’s child? That’s not right.”

“No, it’s not right. Even if Garza wasn’t the one who took him, he kept him from his family for almost five years.” Caleb had to tamp down his temper as his voice lowered back into a growl.

Rory turned to Benjy. “Do you remember your family?”

Benjy nodded and looked at Caleb, his expression much older than an ten-year-old’s.

“He’s never spoken as far as I know. I thought he’d been someplace to help him before he came here.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Benjamin. I could have helped.”

The boy shrugged as though it meant nothing, but it meant quite a lot. This woman, who was ready to lay down her life for a forge and a patch of land, was genuinely sorry for not seeing that a mute boy didn’t belong at a neighbor’s ranch. For all intents and purposes, she could not possibly have known, especially considering Benjy didn’t speak.

“You can help now.” Caleb waited until they both looked at him. “We’re leaving here tonight. All of us.”

Rory’s brows rose. “Tonight?”

“I can’t leave him here a minute longer and I sure as hell won’t leave you here to face Garza’s wrath when he discovers what I’ve done.”

“Have you asked your brother what he wants?” She gestured to the boy. “He’s old enough to make that choice.”

“No, I haven’t. It doesn’t matter what he wants. He’s coming home with me.” Caleb sounded foolish to his own ears. “That’s not true and I’m an ass for even saying it.” He closed his eyes for a moment before he looked at his little brother, really looked.

Benjamin’s gaze was solemn, wise as though he had lost his childhood years ago when he was kidnapped. However, behind the serious expression, Caleb saw a glimpse of something, a spark buried deep.

“Do you want to leave with us and go back to the Circle Eight? The circle isn’t whole without you there, Benjy.” Caleb’s voice wavered a little as emotion swept through him. He hoped the boy wasn’t going to refuse or the ranger would be guilty of kidnapping.

Benjy stared at him, then cocked his head before he turned to look at Rory. She took his hand, her face taut with pain and stress. Caleb was sorry she’d been injured but if she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have found his brother. Life was scraping the bottom of the barrel right now but he would be forever grateful to have meet Rory Foster.

“Benjy?” Caleb took his brother’s hand, which he didn’t pull away, thank God. “Catherine kicked my ass in a horse race last week. She’s gone wild without you there to keep her in line.”

Mention of their sister made that spark in Benjy’s eyes grow brighter.

“Will you come home with me?” Caleb’s rough whisper was full of hope and raw emotions.

Benjy nodded and Caleb had to swallow the tears that threatened. He had found the missing link in the family’s circle. Now all he had to do was find a way to get him home.

The ranger seemed to have a fire under his ass. He packed up all the food and used a sheet to wrap it up. Then he put on his wet shirt and started peering out the door and windows, mumbling to himself.

Rory wanted to sleep, but she understood the urgency of leaving the hacienda as soon as possible. To know what Garza had done made her sick to her stomach. Marcello wasn’t his son. He was another man’s son, a brother, a kidnapped child. For all the times she’d seen the quiet boy, it never occurred to her he was anything but Pablo’s family.