The Lawman Said I Do Page 15

  “You did a great job, pal,” Colt said, tousling the youngster’s hair. “I can’t thank you kids enough. I sure wasn’t looking forward to having to do it. So what’s the charge?”

  “There ain’t no charge,” Sam said. “We did it ’cause we wanted to do something nice for you.”

  “And stay out of trouble like you asked us to,” Bowie added.

  Colt felt like a bastard. It was time he set the record straight. “Hey, boys, would you mind leaving Sam and me alone for a moment?”

  Petey’s mouth curled in a pout. “You gonna yell at her.”

  “Nothing like that, pal. I swear.”

  “Okay, but we’ll be right outside, Sam, if you need us,” Bowie said.

  Colt walked over and sat down behind the desk. “Come over here, Sam.”

  “You gonna hit me?”

  “Of course not.”

  Suspicion gleamed in her eyes when she came over and stood beside him. He reached out and grasped her hand. Funny, how small it felt in his own.

  “Sam, you understand what teasing means, don’t you? It’s often saying just the opposite of what you’re really thinking. I’ve fallen into the habit of teasing you and the boys, just as I do with Cassie. But sometimes it sounds more serious than I meant it to be, especially when I tease the very people I like the most. Do you understand?”

  “No.”

  “What I’m trying to say is that I don’t really think you and the boys are trouble. I like you, so I tease you. The people I really dislike, I don’t even talk to. Does that make sense?”

  “Guess so.” She hung her head. “I reckon I’m a worse teaser than you, ’cause I don’t mean what I say to you, either. I don’t know what makes me talk so mean.”

  “Maybe you’re afraid to show your real feelings to people, so you act as if you don’t like them.”

  “But why would I do that?”

  “Maybe you’re afraid of getting hurt again. I understand you suffered a big tragedy when you were only six years old. Honey, losing your father, your three older sisters, and two younger brothers is a lot for one so young to have to bear.”

  Tears glistened in her eyes. “I reckon God didn’t want me.”

  The tough little hoyden began sobbing her heart out, wrenching Colt’s heart, and he reached out and hugged her. Sam buried her head against his chest.

  “Sam, where did you get an idea like that?”

  “God took them all. Poppa, Jessie, Carrie, Essie, Matt, and Harry. But not me. He didn’t want me.”

  “Sam honey, did you ever think He spared you because He knew your mother needed you to carry on?”

  She stepped back, and her tear-filled eyes looked up at him. “Why didn’t He just take Mama and me, too?”

  “I don’t know the answer to that. It’s difficult to understand the Lord’s motives sometimes, but I believe He’s a loving God and has a reason for everything He does.”

  When her sobs reduced to sniffles, Colt said, “You’ve got Cassie now. She’s like a sister to you, isn’t she? And she loves you as much as she does Cathy.”

  Sam nodded. “And Bowie and Petey are like my brothers.”

  “So maybe that’s why you were spared. He knew you could be a younger sister to Cassie and an older sister to Bowie and Petey. And maybe He knew you were the only one who could do it. Don’t ever believe He spared you because He didn’t want you, honey. He has a plan for all of us.”

  Sam managed a game smile. Looking deep into her eyes, Colt saw the little girl she tried so hard to conceal behind a gruff and sassy façade.

  “And sooner than you think, honey, you’ll grow up to be a beautiful young woman. And the man who loves you will adore every single freckle on that cute nose of yours.”

  “Not me. I’m gonna be just like Cassie.”

  “That’s just what I said—a beautiful woman.”

  Her eyes brightened. “Do you think Cassie’s beautiful?”

  He lowered his head and whispered, “Can you keep a secret?”

  Sam nodded. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”

  “I think she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  “But other men don’t think she is, ’cause she wears pants and rides a horse. And she don’t act like some of those uppity church women, or as dumb as those women at the Alhambra with their fancy dresses.”

  “Wearing pants doesn’t make her any less a woman.”

  Sam smiled. “So you really think she’s beautiful.”

  “Everything about her, Sam.”

  “So when you argue with her—”

  “I’m only teasing, because I like to see that fire in her eyes when she’s angry.”

  “And when Jeff tells me I’m ugly—”

  “He’s only teasing because he likes to make you mad.”

  She straightened up and, with a final sniff, declared, “Okay, I gotta go to school now. It was nice talking to you, Deputy.”

  She ran out and joined the two boys, who’d been waiting anxiously for her. Under all that sass and bravado lay the strength and vulnerability that one day would develop into one hell of a woman.

  And speaking of a hell of a woman, it was time he sought out Cassie and put his plan into operation.

  As soon as school was over and the other students had left, Sam and the James brothers came up to Cassie’s desk.

  Leaning over it, Sam whispered, “Cassie, there’s something suspicious going on and you ought to know about it.”

  Cassie figured she had all the trouble she could handle at the moment between Dad and Colt Fraser. She frowned.

  “What is it, Sam?”

  Sam related Jeff and Colt’s early morning trips during the past few days.

  “So what do you think?” Sam asked when she finished. “When Colt came to town, they didn’t like each other. Now they’re thicker than flies on a cow turd.”

  “Sam, it’s not proper for a young lady to use that kind of language.”

  “My mom always says ‘thicker than molasses in January,’” Bowie said proudly.

  “Just the same, them two are up to no good.”

  Cassie was still skeptical. “I doubt that very much, Sam. Jeff is probably just familiarizing Colt with the territory.”

  “Then why do they head out in the same direction every morning?”

  “I don’t think it’s worth fussing about. Besides, as soon as my father is on his feet, Colt will be leaving Arena Roja.”

  “Just the same, I think it’s very suspicious,” Sam declared.

  “Yeah, ’speeis,” Petey agreed.

  Cassie smiled as she watched the three march off. She adored them and cherished their friendship, but sometimes they came up with some pretty wild ideas. Colt and Jeff friends! She turned away with a laugh.

  However, throughout the day, the thought kept creeping back into her already muddled thoughts about Colt. So at supper that night, rather than come right out and ask Jeff and look like a fool, she decided to be more subtle.

  “I’ve been so busy these past days with Dad, I’ve barely had time to stick my head out the door except for school. Anything important going on?” she asked.

  “Nothing that I know of,” he said.

  “Is the deputy still searching for the outlaws that shot Dad?”

  “Not to my knowledge.”

  “Is he still lamenting having to remain in Arena Roja until Dad’s back on his feet?”

  “I’d be complaining if I was in his boots, too.” Jeff shoved back his chair and stood up. “Cathy, this was about the tastiest stew you’ve ever made.”

  Cathy raised her brows. “Well, thank you, Jeff.”

  He rarely, if ever, complimented her cooking.

  Cassie picked up several plates and carried them to the sink. “They’re right,” she murmured when she heard Jeff go outside.

  “What are you talking about?” Cathy asked, following her with her hands full of dishes.

  In a low voice, Cassie replied, “Sa
m and the James brothers think Jeff and Colt are acting suspicious. They appear to be friendly toward one another and ride out together every morning.”

  Cathy shrugged. “Don’t you think that Dad getting shot might have altered their relationship?”

  “I thought of that, but it wouldn’t explain why they ride out and return together every day.”

  Grinning, Cathy shook her head. “I know just what you’re thinking. You aren’t really going to, are you?”

  Cassie chuckled and winked at her. “You bet I am, sister dear. Tomorrow morning I’m following them.”

  Buoyed, Cassie began to sing softly as she washed the dishes. Cathy joined in the song as she dried them. Then, giggling like schoolgirls, the two left the kitchen arm in arm.

  Bright and early the next morning, Cassie left the house. She waited until the men rode off, then quickly saddled Midnight and followed them, staying far enough behind to avoid being observed.

  After a mile she guessed their destination was the Lazy B. What could they be up to there?

  As she was concealing Midnight, she heard a gunshot. She rushed to a nearby copse of elm and halted in her tracks when she saw that both men were on their feet and neither appeared concerned. Then she saw Jeff take careful aim at a nearby tree. Colt walked over to him and spoke a few words, then Jeff took aim again. Much to her surprise, he blew off the end of a leafless limb.

  Jeff was all smiles when Colt gave him a manly slap on the shoulder.

  For several more minutes she continued to watch. Colt would pick a random target and Jeff would shoot at it. More times than not, he hit the mark.

  So that was the big mystery. And the way they were joking and laughing with each other, it was clear there was no animosity between them any longer.

  Cassie withdrew before they discovered her. For whatever reason, Jeff chose to keep this a secret, so she would respect his desires—although she’d have to tell Cathy.

  Why was Colt taking the time to teach Jeff? Soon he’d be gone, so what did it matter to him?

  The man and his mixture of good intentions and aggravation were driving her crazy.

  Chapter 16

  A thunderstorm arrived in the middle of the night. Jagged lightning speared the sky, accompanied by booming crashes of thunder that seemed to rock the buildings. A voracious wind bombarded the windows with a pelting rain and wrenched shutters from their fastenings.

  Frightened children awakened by the fury of the storm ran crying into the security of their parents’ beds; the Reverend and Mrs. MacKenzie knelt at their bedside in the parsonage and prayed that God would see any poor souls out in the storm safely through the night; Father James went into the chapel of the Catholic mission, lit a candle and prayed that Judgment Day hadn’t arrived; and the more pragmatic Doc Williams got out of bed and dressed, for surely as God made green apples, he would be called out in the storm.

  Cassie Braden stared out the window and worried about their cattle herd. The storm was sure to scatter them. As soon as it stopped raining, she would ride out to the Lazy B.

  Colt Fraser, awakened by the storm, hoped the creaking hotel wouldn’t collapse under the force of the gale winds and decided that he couldn’t prevent it if it did. He rolled over and went back to sleep.

  Water cascaded like waterfalls off the roofs and down the sides of the buildings, gouging deep ruts and potholes into the earth below.

  Though the lightning and thunder finally passed over, the torrential rain continued to fall. It continued throughout the following day, and by day’s end, many of the shallow streams had overflowed their banks.

  When another day dawned and still the rain continued, Cassie was beside herself with worry. Donning a poncho, she went to the livery and saddled two horses. Jeff came in as she was on the verge of departing.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m riding out to the ranch.”

  “What for?”

  “To drive the cattle to higher ground. If the Santa Fe overflows, the cattle will be right in its path.”

  “Cattle can swim, Cassie.”

  “Not if they’re mired down in mud.”

  “Did you tell Dad what you’re doing?”

  “No, he was asleep. You can tell him when he wakes up.” She mounted, goaded Midnight to a gallop, and rode off with the other horse tied to the saddle horn.

  One more day of rain, and Colt would be ready to start walking to Santa Fe—rain or not. The streets were practically impassable. If you didn’t stay on the boardwalk, you’d end up ankle deep in water or with your foot sunk into a muddy pothole. Why hadn’t they put some kind of pavement on the roads by now?

  When Cathy opened the Bradens’ door in answer to his knock, her worried look made him ask what was wrong.

  “Jeff just told us that Cassie’s gone out to the ranch to drive the herd to higher ground.”

  “Why’d you let her go, Jeff?” he said.

  Jeff snorted. “You know by now that there’s no changing Cassie’s mind once she’s got it set. She already had Midnight saddled up, and she took Bullet along, too. She said Bullet’s a better cutting horse when you’re driving cattle.”

  “How long ago did she leave?” Colt asked.

  “About three hours.”

  “And where’s the herd?”

  “At the north end of the ranch near the river,” Jeff replied.

  Colt headed for the door. “I’m going to need a horse.”

  “You figure on following her?”

  “Dammit,” Jethro grumbled, “that gal ain’t got a mite of sense when it comes to mothering that herd.”

  “Shall I go with Colt?” Jeff asked.

  “No,” Colt said, “I’d appreciate it if you kept an eye on things in town until I get back.”

  Jeff stood up and grabbed a poncho. “I’ll saddle you a mount, at least.”

  “If you have to hogtie that gal, son, bring her back here,” Jethro said.

  “That’s probably what I’ll have to do, sir.”

  “Be careful, Colt,” Cathy cautioned when Jeff returned with a saddled horse.

  “Careful’s my middle name, Cathy. Don’t worry. And don’t let your father get excited. We don’t want him to have a relapse.”

  The sooner Jethro got back on his feet, the sooner he could climb on that stagecoach out of this godforsaken, water-soaked spot.

  Despite all the prodding Cassie was doing to keep the cattle moving, their progress was slow. Water had begun to spill over the riverbanks in some sections, and the hundreds of cattle hooves that had trampled the area had turned the ground into a guagmire. If the rain continued throughout the night, by morning the river would certainly reach flood stage.

  Even worse, the booms and flashes in the distant sky brought the added fear of another thunderstorm moving in.

  There were a couple hundred cattle in the herd, but Cassie had only been able to round up about half of them. The others either had scattered or were stuck in the mud. Until the wind and rain stopped, there wasn’t time to round up the scattered ones, but once she got the bulk of the herd to higher ground, she hoped to go back and try to free some of the helpless ones mired in the mud.

  The wind was so powerful that she sat hunched in the saddle, leaning her body into it to keep from being blown off her horse.

  Between the howling wind, falling rain, and bawling cattle, she failed to hear the approach of the rider who rode up to her.

  “Cassie, what in hell do you think you’re doing?”

  Suddenly the wind’s force didn’t seem as mighty, the rain as chilling. She should have guessed he would come. Man of conscience, Southern chivalry, masculine pride, and the dozen other endearing qualities would make it impossible for Colt Fraser to stay away knowing she was out here in the storm.

  “Yaw,” she shouted at several cattle that had stopped moving. “What does it look like I’m doing, Deputy?”

  “Can’t this wait until it stops raining?”

  “I didn�
��t spend the last couple years rounding up these cattle to let them drown in this damn rainstorm. Yaw! Yaw,” she shouted as she moved on, driving the cattle ahead of her.

  “Where are you taking them?” Colt asked.

  “About a quarter of a mile ahead, there’s an opening with a trail wide enough to get them to higher ground.”

  “Don’t you think they might find it themselves?”

  “You haven’t been around cattle very much, have you?”

  “Not at all. Yaw, yaw,” he shouted, imitating her motions to keep them moving.

  “Well, cattle are the dumbest creatures you’ll ever find. It just takes one to start a stampede. One runs and they all do, trampling the calves or anything else that gets in their path.”

  “At the rate they’re moving now, you won’t have to worry about any stampede.”

  “I still have to worry about the calves. I’ve passed several that are mired in mud. As soon as we get this herd to higher ground—”

  “What do you mean, we? I don’t know a damn thing about driving cattle; I just came out here to make sure you were okay.”

  “Just keep them moving, Deputy.” She wheeled her horse and rode back to a mewling calf struggling in the mud.

  “Talk about the blind leading the blind,” Colt grumbled. “Keep moving, you stupid cows! Yaw. Yaw,” he shouted, prodding them along. If driving cattle in a thunderstorm was typical of ranch life, a rancher had to be dumber than the cattle.

  They worked throughout the day and night. The thunder and lightning passed over as they labored to free the cattle trapped in mud or entangled in mesquite thickets. Colt was awed by Cassie’s relentless effort to save whatever she could. Time and time again she’d rope, tug, and pull free a calf from the mud, then stagger with the heavy load and lift it onto her saddle to take it to the higher ground. Then she would ride back and do it again with another one.

  By daylight, they had succeeded in getting most of the herd onto the mesa above. The wind had subsided and the rain had changed to a hazy drizzle that was thicker than fog. With such bad visibility, it finally became impossible to continue.

  “Cassie, aren’t you about ready to call it quits? You must be exhausted. You should get out of your wet clothes and climb into bed, or you won’t be any good to yourself or these cattle.”