“Boss? Everything all right?” Clint shifted his gaze to the others. They all stood now.
The two men from earlier walked into the room, and they were joined by three others. No women.
Straightening her spine, Sofia took a deep breath. She was one of the men tonight and needed to act accordingly. Jackson and Rory were making it worse with their behavior.
Suppressing the urge to pinch her boss was not easy. He was making this into a bigger deal than it had to be, and if they didn’t stop being mountain men, real trouble was going to start brewing.
Putting her foot forward, she stepped around Jackson. Cook moved to stand next to her. The butler stood in the doorway. “Captain, dinner is served.”
“Good. Good. Would you escort our young guest here to the washroom? I believe he would prefer to have clean hands and face before he sits at my table.” He winked at her. “I know how to take care of my friends. We will not be eating off the ground, boy.”
“Of course.” The man looked as if he was holding his breath when he moved toward her. Not that she blamed him.
Jackson stayed with her. “I need to wash off, too.” He nodded to the others to follow their host. She realized the men, without understanding what was going on, were ready to defend her and back up Jackson. They were her family.
The captain took everyone down the hall, and she and Jackson went in the other direction. It took a bit of scrubbing to get the dirt out from under her nails. There was no helping her hair. Using the water, she pushed it off her face.
Everyone was sitting around a huge polished table. Gold-trimmed china and fancy cut glasses sat atop fine linen. There were only two empty chairs, next to each other on the right arm of their host. Jackson went to sit next to the pirate.
“No, I want to talk to the boy about his adventures. Sit boy.” He laughed. “So they call you Two Bit. You’re a little thing for such a big job.”
Red who had been looking at the elaborate decorations with awe, laughed. “Oh, Captain Duval, don’t let his size or age fool ya.” Sam and Clint nodded.
Estevan stopped staring at the chandelier and looked down the excessive table, the finery sparkling in the light. “Never seen anyone ride like our kid here.”
Servers set bowls in front of them. They were used to drinking soup straight from old tin cups and all looked a bit lost. Except for Rory, who made a big show of picking up the spoon on the outside of the lined silverware. The others followed his example.
Jackson hadn’t touched his drink or soup.
Clint dripped soup and tried to clean it with the white cloth folded next to his plate. “You want to see some fancy tricks with a lasso, watch our Two Bit. He’s top-notch. Never seen any like him.”
Jackson’s scowl went deeper as he glared at his men.
Sterling Duval laughed and leaned forward on his elbow, his warm breath too close for her comfort. “So you’re more than a cook’s assistant?”
“No, sir. That’s all I am.”
“Is this your first drive, or you more experienced than you look?”
Jackson moved closer to her. “He’s never been off the ranch. Once we get back, he’ll stay there.”
Leaning in, the pirate rested his chin on his knuckles. “Are you sure?” New dishes replaced the bowls with silent efficiency from several servants.
He looked straight at her, ignoring everyone else in the room. “In a couple of weeks I’m sailing south. Want to be my cabin boy? I’ll make it worth your time, and you’ll have my protection.”
Stories of pirates kidnapping women and sailing off rushed all other thoughts from her head. She didn’t want to be on this man’s ship.
Rory moved to stand, but Jackson put his hand on his shoulder without taking his eyes off the captain. Sterling Duval kept his gaze on her. He smiled as if she wouldn’t turn him down.
Red shook his head and laughed. “This kid don’t belong on no boat. His ma must have brought him into the world while riding a wild mustang across the Texas Hills. Never seen nothing like him.”
Sam nodded, swallowing a mouth full of steak. “Yes, sir. He could just about rope the river and bring it around to his way of thinking. Ain’t none better than this kid.”
Captain Sterling Duval sat back and raised one perfect eyebrow. He picked up a delicate long-stemmed glass and took a slow sip.
Jackson shot a glare to the others before turning to face their host. “They’re making the stories bigger than they were. You know how cowboys love to tell tales. The bigger the better. Not much truth to them. The kid is nothing special, or he wouldn’t be the cook’s helper.”
“Humph.” He pressed his thumb against his chin, and his steel-blue eyes narrowed. The pirate’s attention became more intense, and all of his men shifted to look at her. She could feel the heat climb her neck and along her arms. She wanted to defend herself. But she knew Jackson was just trying to get the focus off her and downplay the stories.
Sam didn’t seem to understand the code though. “Oh, come on, boss. Two Bit saved your life taking down a four-thousand-pound bull all by himself, then he pulled Rory here out from under the pounding hooves of a stampede.” Realizing he had the attention of the captain and his men, Sam went into full story mode.
Halfway into the story, the captain looked at her as if she were a treasure to collect. Keeping her head down, she focused on the food in front of her and tried to avoid eye contact with the man sitting next to her.
Just warming up, Sam went deeper into his story.
Jackson stood. “That’s enough Sam. We have to be up early. Getting the herd across the river will not be an easy task. Thank you for the di—”
“Sit back down.” Sterling waved his hand. “The evening has not even started yet. I have offered the extraordinary Santiago Smith a job on my ship. He doesn’t belong to any of you, correct? He can join me if he so desires.”
The De Zavala crew looked a bit confused, but ignoring the pirate, they all stood, ready to follow Jackson’s orders.
The captain’s men stood.
Sam, Red and Clint frowned and turned to Jackson. Rory and Cook stood taller, watching the men on the other side of the table as if they were ready to fight.
She slowed her breath and pressed her hand to her stomach. The pirate’s friends looked as if they had killed men before breakfast. There had to be a way to stop the tension from building.
Bowing her head, she turned to the captain. “Thank you for your offer, but I have a job back at the ranch waiting for me. I’m with Mr. McCreed and De Zavala. That’s where I want to stay.”
“Shame. It’s seems such a waste to give you over to the dust and sun of ranch work. I could offer you much finer things.”
Across from her, the pirate’s man narrowed his gaze, like she had done something to offend him. She stepped back and tried to make herself as small as possible. It went against her instinct, but pride had no place on this bundle of dynamite.
Clearing the sawdust that had gathered in her throat, she tried to defuse the tension. “It’s like Jackson says, I hook up the mules and gather the wood. That’s all I do.”
“Captain, I don’t understand the fascination of this dirty river rat.” One of Sterling’s men crossed his arms and snorted. “You don’t look strong enough to rope a newborn calf let alone a full grown bull.”
All of the pirate’s men laughed. “There’s no way this runt can outride any of our riders.”
Clint and Red howled.
Sam leaned on the table with his fist. “Are you calling me a liar? That’s funny. Because I know our kid can outride and out rope your best.” He jammed his finger in her direction.
The pirate grinned and lowered his chin to stare at Jackson. “Sounds like a challenge to me.”
Noise erupted in the dining room. She closed her eyes and
prayed. God was the only way they were going to escape this mess unscathed. Why had she been excited to meet a famous pirate face-to-face?
Jackson stepped in front of a fuming Sam. “We did not issue a challenge. Sam was just telling a story. Your men are the best around these parts, and we have nothing to prove.”
“Are you mocking us? You don’t think we’re worth the effort?”
The dark-haired man with the fancy mustache lifted his chin at Jackson. “You haven’t even seen our best. Captain, I think we need to head out to the arena before the sun goes down and lay out a little challenge. The winner gets to call a favor.”
She gasped, then quickly pulled her mouth tight when she noticed Duval studying her with an intensity that burned her stomach.
Jackson gripped her upper arm, then leaned low next to her ear. “You need to leave now. Cook will take you to the cabin.”
She nodded.
Clint, Red and Sam turned to him. “Come on, boss. You know our kid. He can take any of these yahoos when it comes to horse skills.”
Jackson closed his eyes. This close she could see the details of his features. His jaw was so tight, it looked as if it were going to pop off its hinge. “We have nothing to prove to them.” Straightening his spine, he looked to the pirate. “Gentlemen, it has been an enjoyable evening. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Attempting to back out slowly so not to draw attention to her movement, she kept her gaze on Jackson. Cook was already there, waiting.
In a few steps the pirate was next to her, holding her arm. “Where are you going, little one? It would be rude to leave now. We are not finished.”
Jackson was now behind her, his warmth surrounding her, chasing out the chill caused by the pirate.
“We don’t want any trouble. Just let us leave. All of us.”
“Oh, but there’s no fun in that, and if nothing else, we like our fun. Right, men?”
His men laughed. “The day is young.”
Duval moved a short foot away. “I have no problem if you leave now and don’t accept the challenge my men have put down.” He smirked. “But I’m not sure when your cattle will be allowed to cross, and I can tell you that none of my men will be available to help if I do open the crossing. What a shame to come all this way on the Opelousas trail only to lose all your profits.”
“You can’t do that.” Red moved closer to the pirate.
A shrug was the only response the man gave. His stare stayed on her. He was making it clear who could end this standoff.
The first attempt to talk didn’t work. She cleared her throat and managed to whisper. “What’s the challenge?”
With his victory, Sterling Duval smiled. “Javier.”
The lean man joined them. “Yes, sir.” His perfect white teeth flashed with his obnoxious smile.
“Set up a course that includes running a horse and roping. Use the ring.”
Sam spoke up. “One of us should go to make sure there ain’t no cheating.”
Everyone headed for the door behind Javier. She was going to be sick and lose the little bit of dinner she had managed to eat.
Jackson’s hand pressed on her shoulder, and the warmth seeped into her muscles. She wanted to lean into him. There was no time for that kind of weakness, so she forced her feet to move. Jackson stayed with her in the back of the pack.
“You don’t have to do this. One of us can take the challenge.” His breath tickled the sensitive skin of her ear.
She shook her head. “I don’t think he would allow a switch. What did I do to get his attention?” Looking down at her dirty clothes and ruined skin, she couldn’t figure it out.
“You intrigued him. He sees what’s beneath. I’ll be right here the whole time. If something goes wrong, I’ll get you out as soon as I can.”
“I’m not worried about failing. I just don’t want to get us in trouble. There is no doubt I can do whatever they throw at me.”
He snorted. “Now that sounds like the Tiago I know. Except for staying out of trouble. You seem to thrive on that.”
“That’s not—”
“Are you coming, or are you going to stay huddled in the back until it gets dark?” Captain Duval came straight at them. “Where is your horse?”
“I’ll get him for you.” Red was gone before she could say anything. They knew she had taken to riding Domino every day. He had become her horse. One of the smartest horses she had ever ridden. What if something went wrong and she lost him?
“We’ve accepted the challenge in the name of sportsmanship.” Sarcasm dropped like old molasses over his last word. “When she wins, we will have access to the river and help from your men.”
“And if my man wins?”
She stood straighter. “He won’t.”
After a long minute, he laughed and nodded. “Then I will name my prize if my man manages to beat you.”
“Here ya go, Tiago.” Red interrupted and handed Domino to her. Then Javier, the rider from the pirate’s camp, was in his saddle and smirking at her.
He was the one who had set up the course. He’d done this before.
Chapter Fifteen
Jackson followed the captain to the high platform raised above the sand-filled arena, which was surrounded by a tall fence. Behind them the sun hung low in the sky. The pirate stopped in front of a high-back chair in the center as if he were a king. He lifted his hand, and the ruffles at the end of his sleeve waved in the wind. He waited until everyone looked at him. It didn’t take long.
“Javier will run the course once. Santiago Smith will watch him, then follow. Each challenge must be done until it is complete. The rider with the faster time will win.
He looked at the two on horseback. “Do you both agree?”
They nodded. Jackson wanted to offer himself up to the contest, but he knew it would be useless and cause more problems.
The pirate continued holding court. “Good. You will walk into the arena, and once you mount your horse the time will start.”
A couple of cowboys ran to the center of the arena and lit a wooden obstacle on fire. The pirate’s men cheered.
Jackson made sure to keep his breath even. He should have forced her to stay in the wagon, but then again maybe his first mistake was allowing her on the trail drive at all. He had failed at protecting her.
He had put himself in the danger of caring for someone again. The feelings she stirred were not settling well with him. He popped each of his knuckles. He had to get her to safety, then make sure she was out of his reach in order to keep himself safe.
A cowboy at the entrance opened the gate and Javier led a large palomino mare through the deep sand. In one fast motion he swung up in the saddle, leaned forward and kicked his horse into a run. All of his fellow cowboys yelled and hollered as he rushed the first obstacle.
It was a tall pole with a couple of hooks on the side. Each held a ring. Javier reached for the higher one and took both rings. He left the lower one for Tiago to retrieve.
“Boss, he wasn’t supposed to take both rings. That leaves the bottom hook. It’s only a foot off the ground.” Red leaned in, the anger in his voice hard to miss. “Our kid’s going to have to get off his horse to get it.”
With just a nod to Red, Jackson watched as Javier pulled a pistol from his jacket. He reached across his chest to hit a large glass bottle on the post opposite from them. From there his horse flew over the burning log as the man started spinning his lasso over his head.
A small steer without horns was released from a side pen and ran across the arena. Swinging the rope over his head, he brought down the steer. Setting back, his horse pulled the rope taut. Javier jumped from the saddle and ran down the rope, flipped the steer and had it tied in quick order.
Jackson knew Tiago could rope anyt
hing, but the thought of her bringing down a steer all on her own wasn’t settling well. He leaned forward and gripped the wood railing.
As Javier released the rope from the saddle and remounted, Duval moved closer to Jackson. “What will it take for me to keep the girl here?”
Clinching his jaw, Jackson rummaged through his brain to find something to say that would not get them killed.
In a full-out run along the fence, Javier headed straight toward them. As he passed, he reached over and pulled a silk ribbon off the post directly in front of the captain. It fluttered to the ground, and Sterling called time.
Javier and his friends hooped and hollered at his success. That was going to be tough to beat. They definitely sent their best rider.
Red bumped him in the arm and pointed to the pens across the way. “Did you see the size of the steer they have for Two Bit to rope? That ain’t the one we saw. They’re cheating.”
“Tiago can handle it.” He started praying. Thinking of David and Goliath. He had to believe she could do this.
She was an amazing woman that could lasso his heart and good sense if he allowed it, but he’d made a vow to Lilly. A vow he could allow his heart to break.
Red grunted and moved back with the other men.
Jackson glanced to the grinning pirate. He leaned in close and kept his voice low. “Any of my men can take this challenge. You know the truth. Hurting or humiliating her won’t change the fact that she is going home with me. There is nothing you can do to keep her here.”
“You decided to claim her, have you?”
Jackson realized he would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
Red and the rest of his men started cheering. Tiago was walking into the arena, but they all went silent when she left her horse just inside the gate and went on without him.
Rory was behind him. “What’s the kid doing? Is he forfeiting?”
Shaking his head, Jackson watched as she stopped and bowed her head and rested her hand on her chest. It was the pose she took whenever she prayed. His stomach tight, he joined his prayers with hers. She raised her head and whistled. The Appaloosa charged at her in a full run.
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