Nate's Destiny

by Shirleen Davies

  He didn’t speak for several minutes as he saddled his horse. Walking to a chest, he opened the lid, taking out several boxes of ammunition. He stuffed them into his saddlebags, then grabbed a heavy coat, shoving his arms into the sleeves before turning toward his mother.

  “I’m sorry, Ma, but I can’t stay.” He nodded toward the house. “I’ll not be doing what Ewan and Ian want. Not this time.”

  “Don’t go, lad. Not like this.” She swiped at the moisture on her face.

  Blaine pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Ma, but this is no longer where I belong.” Kissing her cheek, he dropped his arms, picking up Galath’s reins. Mounting, he looked down at his mother. “I’ve some money, but…”

  Putting a hand to her breaking heart, Kyla shook her head. “You’ll be letting me know where you are. I’ll be getting money to you.” She reached out, gripping his leg. “You’ll not forget to be letting me know where you are?”

  Blaine shook his head. “Nae, Ma. I’ll not be forgetting. I wish…” His voice trailed off, his eyes showing the misery he felt.

  “Wish what?”

  Scrubbing a hand down his face, he looked out the large front doors to see his family gathering outside the barn. “It’s not important. I’ll be grabbing some clothes at Ian’s, then I’m gone. Don’t let anyone follow me.”

  Touching his heels to Galath’s sides, Blaine reined the gelding out of the barn, ignoring the pleas for him to stop. Several minutes later, he stopped in front of Ian’s home, gathering what he could fit into a satchel his father had given him. He couldn’t help wondering how the decision might have been different if his father, the oldest of the brothers, had lived.

  Ignoring the tightening in his chest, he dashed outside, securing the satchel behind the saddle. Seeing Camden, Fletcher, and Bram running toward him, he swung atop Galath, ignoring their shouts as he lifted a hand. Reining around, he moved his horse into a gallop, leaving everything he’d ever known behind.

  “We need to go after him, lads.” Fletcher stared after Blaine.

  “Leave the lad be, Fletch. He’ll not be coming back with us, no matter what we say.” Camden, his chest squeezing, watched as his brother disappeared into the darkness.

  Taking off his hat, Fletcher flung it to the ground. “I love my da, but he handled this all wrong with Blaine. The lad didn’t know they’d made the decision before being told of it. It wasn’t right.”

  Removing his hat, Bram raked a hand through his hair, mumbling a string of curses. “It’s not often I’d be disagreeing with the uncles, but tonight is one. I agree with Fletch. The way they announced the decision wasn’t right. If I were the lad, I’d be doing the same.”

  Camden looked at Bram. “Leaving?”

  “Aye. At least long enough to clear my head.”

  “I’m not thinking that’s what Blaine has planned.” Picking up his hat, Fletcher slammed it back onto his head. “I’ll not be letting him go alone.” He didn’t wait to hear Bram’s or Camden’s objections as he ran to a nearby pasture to get his horse.

  Catching up to him, Camden grabbed his arm. “You can’t be leaving, too.”

  “He’ll be going to Buckie’s, probably bunk down at the Gold Dust tonight. That’s where I’m going. You can come with me or leave me be, but I’m going.”

  Bram shared a look with Camden, then stepped next to Fletcher. “I can see we’ll not be changing your mind. I’m going with you.”

  Blowing out a frustrated breath, Camden cursed his brother for leaving and his uncles for being the reason. “You’re eejits, both of you.”

  Bram smiled. “So you’ll be riding with us?”

  Shaking his head, he whistled for his horse. “Aye. There’ll be hell to pay tomorrow.”

  Fletcher clasped his shoulder. “Then we’ll deal with it tomorrow, lad.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Geneen stayed on the porch with Sarah and Colin, doing her best not to show the anger seething inside. She loved Blaine as a brother, the same as Colin and Camden. It didn’t excuse what had happened tonight.

  They could hear the aunts and uncles yelling at each other. When Blaine rode off, Kyla and the other aunts had followed Ewan home, their displeasure at the decision obvious. His wife, Lorna, sided with the others, asking him what he and Ian had been thinking, making such an announcement without speaking with Blaine first. So far, it seemed no one agreed with the choice the two men made, including Colin.

  Seeing movement at the barn down by Ian’s house, Geneen stood. “Where are they going?”

  “Who?” Colin joined Geneen at the porch railing, watching as Camden, Bram, and Fletcher saddled their horses. “Those dunderheads. They’re going after him.”

  Geneen turned to look at him. “Maybe you should go with them. Unless you’re fine with him leaving.”

  “Geneen!” Sarah jumped up, moving between her sister and Colin. “Of course he doesn’t want Blaine to leave. Do you?” She looked up at her husband, disappointed when he didn’t respond. “Colin?”

  Settling an arm over his wife’s shoulders, he shook his head. “Nae, I don’t want him to be leaving, and I don’t agree with what the uncles did. But the lad may need time to think through their decision.”

  Geneen wrapped her arms around her waist. “I don’t understand. Why can’t he refuse to go?”

  Colin glanced down at her. “It’s not the way things are done here, lass.”

  “I’ve never heard of them making a decision without talking it over with those involved. They met with Sean many times about veterinary school. Did they ever talk to Blaine about what they were considering?”

  Colin’s mouth twisted, his gaze fixed on the three MacLarens riding out to find Blaine. “Nae, they didn’t.”

  “They decided to send him away because of the problems between you. Right?”

  His arm still around Sarah, he looked down at Geneen. “I don’t know, lass. They didn’t speak to me about it. Ewan and Ian didn’t talk it over with anybody in the family. What I do know is I’ve never spoken to them about our disagreements. I thought Blaine and I’d be working it out on our own.”

  Sarah touched Colin’s chest. “Where will he go?”

  Dropping his arm, he didn’t reply as he walked down the steps to stand in front of the house. Glancing back at Sarah, he shook his head. “I wish I knew, lass.”

  Conviction

  “Another.” Blaine set the empty glass on the bar, lost in his own thoughts. Anger and a sense of betrayal fought for space in his mind. He never thought Colin would turn on him as he did, going to the uncles, persuading them to send him away. They should’ve worked out their differences alone, as brothers. Now they might never have the chance.

  “Three whiskeys.”

  Blaine stared down at his drink, not turning his head to acknowledge his younger brother’s voice, nor the men who now flanked him. Glancing up, he looked at the mirror behind the bar, seeing Camden on his left, Fletcher and Bram on his right.

  “I’ll not be going back, Cam.”

  Sipping his whiskey, Camden shook his head. “We don’t expect you to.”

  He glanced at his younger brother. “Then why follow me?”

  Camden rolled the glass between his fingers. “What they did wasn’t right.”

  Snorting, Blaine tossed back his second whiskey, signaling for another. “They did what Colin wanted.”

  “Nae. He’d never go so far as to be asking the uncles to send you away. It’s not his way.”

  Fletcher nudged Blaine’s shoulder. “Cam’s right. They did this on their own without talking to the rest of the clan. I’m thinking Da and Ian don’t know of the problems between you and Colin.”

  Blaine shook his head. “Why else would they send me away? Nae, Colin spoke with them.”

  Leaning across Fletcher, Bram caught Blaine’s attention. “I agree with Fletch and Cam. It isn’t Colin’s way to be talking to the uncles about what’s been happening between the two of you. The lad w
ould’ve spoken with you.”

  Fletcher nodded. “The lad doesn’t believe in settling personal disputes by bringing them to the uncles.”

  Drawing in a breath, Blaine cradled his glass in his hands, staring into it. “Then why?”

  Fletcher waited until the bartender refilled his glass, then looked at Blaine. “They’ve a reason. Da and Ian don’t make decisions without talking it through.”

  “With all the lads involved,” Blaine added, underscoring the fact Ewan and Ian had never spoken with him.

  The four fell silent, sipping whiskey. Blaine glanced into the mirror, spotting a new barmaid, a woman he’d never seen before. Watching as she talked to some cowhands, laughing easily, he decided she couldn’t be more than seventeen or eighteen.

  Blaine rarely availed himself of the saloon women. He preferred to play cards, talk with family and friends, then ride home. Something about her drew his attention in a way he’d never experienced.

  As he watched her move, tendrils of shiny brown hair graced her cheeks. He had the strangest urge to brush them from her face.

  “What are your plans, lad?” Fletcher waved off the bartender when he began to pour another round.

  The question brought Blaine back to what he’d been avoiding—deciding what to do next. “I’ve not decided, other than I’ll not be going back to Circle M.”

  Camden choked on the last of his whiskey. “Ever?”

  Fletcher walked around Blaine, slapping Camden’s back. “Aunt Kyla will hunt you down if she suspects you’ll not be coming back.”

  Bram settled his back against the bar. “Aye, lad. Your ma will not be happy to learn you don’t plan to return.”

  “I’ve not said I’ll never be going back, lads.” Blaine’s gaze landed on the saloon girl once more, a slow grin tugging at his mouth. “I’ll just not be buckling under the uncles’ demands. I’m almost twenty-three, old enough to be getting a foreman’s job at almost any ranch this side of the Mississippi.” He clasped Fletcher on the back. “They’ve Colin and Quinn to lead the men, and they’ve decided I’m no longer needed at the ranch. Nae, they’ll not be missing me.”

  “What of us?” Fletcher asked, not willing to let his cousin go.

  “You’ll be doing what you always do. My decision to leave will change nothing.” Lifting his empty glass, he signaled for the bartender. “One more round, lads. Then you’re off to the ranch.”

  Circle M

  Geneen paced back and forth in front of her bedroom window, peeking out the curtains every few minutes to see if the men had returned. Blaine leaving had shaken her. They’d been close, living in the same house since she and Sarah moved from Oregon. They were the same age, and until she’d met Nate, most days she rode alongside Blaine when tending cattle.

  He and Fletcher were the ones to fetch her from Highlander Ranch. They were the same two who’d trained her horse, Gypsy, making certain she knew how to handle the young mare before surrendering the reins. She’d become close to both of them, but especially Blaine. Her heart ached at the thought of never seeing him again. The same way it burned each time she thought of Nate.

  Geneen sat on the edge of the bed, staring across the room, the same as she’d done the last several nights. Sleep had been allusive since returning to Circle M, and her instincts told her tonight would be no different. Christmas loomed a few days away. She still didn’t feel any excitement over the usually joyful event. Her life hadn’t come back together as she’d hoped after leaving Settlers Valley.

  Geneen needed to make a decision about staying or going back to Highlander Ranch. Somehow, Blaine riding off had helped clarify the choice.

  Jumping up at the sound of horses, Geneen dashed to the window, pulling back the curtains. Two men rode toward the main barn. Only two of the four who’d ridden off. She knew neither were Blaine and wondered who’d decided to stay with him, at least for tonight. Whoever it was, she knew the uncles would have severe words for him, and for Blaine, if he ever decided to come home.

  Home. The word sent a rush of uncertainty through her. Geneen left her parents’ home in Oregon to follow her sister to Circle M. The MacLarens became her new family, offering everything she could’ve imagined. They’d been happy for her when she decided to stay with Caleb and Heather, never questioning her choice or pushing for her to return.

  Settling under the covers, she pulled them under her chin, closing her eyes. She’d planned to ride out to the north range tomorrow with Blaine, Fletcher, and Bram. Quinn needed one of the smaller herds moved south and wanted it done before Christmas. It would be hard driving them without Blaine. Even the smaller drives had a designated trail boss.

  Tomorrow’s trail boss was now miles away, headed toward a destination only he knew.

  Conviction

  Blaine woke to bright sunlight streaming in through threadbare curtains, his head splitting. Closing his eyes, he groaned at the roiling in his stomach.

  Hearing the familiar sounds of people moving along the main street, he pushed himself up, his eyes opening to slits as he gripped his head. Looking around, his gaze stopped on a familiar bright green dress hanging next to the door.

  “Where the hell am I?” Blaine mumbled, trying to remember how he came to be here. Before he could wonder too long, the door opened, a woman backing into the room with a tray in her hands. His breath caught the instant she turned to face him.

  “Oh. I didn’t know you’d woken up. I’ll just set this down and go.”

  He raked a hand through his hair, unable to form words with her so close. Her brown hair had been piled into a bun on top of her head, her blue cotton dress not close to the green outfit she wore the night before.

  The girl from the saloon stood inches away, and he sat there with a blinding headache, churning stomach, and mouth refusing to open. Blaine watched as she reached into a pocket of her dress, removing a packet.

  “Doc Tilden said you might need this.” As she set the pouch of headache medicine on the table, she noticed his shirt open to the waist, his strong muscles rippling as he swung his feet to the floor. “I, um...should leave you alone.”

  “Nae. Wait.” Blaine held up a hand for her to stop. “Where am I?”

  She glanced around, her face flushing as she did her best not to look at him. “In my room at the Gold Dust.”

  Closing his eyes, he tried again to remember what happened after the lads left for the ranch. Opening them, he saw her inch toward the door. “How did I get here?”

  “Well…you and your friend were almost falling down when you left Buckie’s. You’d been shouting, shoving each other…” She bit her lip, stifling a giggle. “Anyway, someone sent for the sheriff. You collapsed on the boardwalk. Your friend walked the other way and collapsed in the street. When Sheriff MacLaren arrived, he, um…well, he cursed a bit, then pulled your friend up and hauled him away. He didn’t see you.”

  Blaine didn’t think he could feel more miserable. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he groaned. A dim memory began to form, then crystalize. Fletcher had decided to stay behind when Camden and Bram rode home. He’d kept Blaine company at the bar, telling jokes until they were both too full of whiskey to think. Stumbling outside, he’d gone one way while Fletcher went the other, looking for their horses. Brodie must’ve been furious when he had to haul his brother out of the street.

  Rubbing his eyes, he looked at the girl. “How did I end up here?”

  Settling her hand on the door handle, she turned away when he stood, his shirt falling open, his pants unbuttoned.

  Noticing her discomfort, Blaine quickly fastened his pants and buttoned his shirt. “Sorry, lass. You can turn around now.”

  Glancing over her shoulder, she tightened her grip on the door. “Two men from the saloon came out and saw me bending over you. I think they may have known you.” She shook her head slightly. “I told them you could stay here for the night.” Slipping a strand of hair behind her ear, she cleared her throat, pointing to the tray. “Ther
e’s some food for you. I need to get back to work.”

  Blaine glanced at the food, then back at her, his gaze narrowing. “I thought you were one of the saloon girls at Buckie’s.” Seeing her face flush again, a grin split his face.

  Crossing her arms, she glared at him, raising her chin. “I only serve drinks there when one of the girls is sick, and that’s all I do at Buckie’s. I clean rooms here at the Gold Dust two days a week and serve meals in their restaurant most days. This room comes as part of my pay.”

  “Apologies, lass. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t. Now, I must get back to my work.”

  “Wait.”

  She let out a frustrated breath. “What now?”

  “What’s your name, lass? It’s hard to thank someone when I’m not knowing their name.”

  She licked her lips. “Permilia,” she whispered.

  Blinking, he leaned closer. “What?”

  “My name. It’s Permilia. Friends back home call me Lia.”

  Stepping closer, he held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Lia. I’m Blaine.”

  Reluctantly, she gripped his hand. “Hello, Blaine.” She looked at their joined hands. Before he could say any more, she let go, turning the knob before rushing out.

  He wanted to call after her to stop, thank her again for helping him. Instead, he stared down at his rumpled clothes, then moved to the mirror. Wincing at the sight, he chuckled, surprised she hadn’t run out sooner.

  Sitting on the bed, he picked up a piece of toast from the tray. Chewing, he thought of Lia, letting her name roll around in his head, liking the way it sounded when he whispered it to himself.

  Finishing the eggs and coffee, he walked to the dresser, splashing water on his face. He began to feel a little more human. A pounding on the door caused him to pause. Lia wouldn’t bother to knock, and no one else knew he was here.

  “Open up, Blaine.”

  Grimacing at Brodie’s voice, knowing there was no point stalling, he opened the door, staring at the scowl on his cousin’s face.