Luke's Fate

by Kathleen Ball

  The familiar creak of leather as she got into the saddle soothed her. Turning Merry, she lit out. It was a glorious day, and as soon as she figured she was far enough away to be out of Luke’s sight, she took off her hat and unbound her hair, letting it fly free in the Texas breeze. She could be herself when she was away from everyone.

  There would be no more heart thumping. She needed to confront her problems, and right now, her problem was Luke Kelly. According to her father, Luke was staying a good long time. She’d have to see about that. There had to be a way to encourage him to leave for good. Her whole routine had been turned upside down. The worst part was he was able to come to the house for dinner.

  She’d nearly choked when he had shown up last night. Maybe it was time for Ron and Greg to eat in the bunkhouse with Luke.

  She slowed Merry to a stop, rebraided her hair and put her hat back on. She smiled. That certainly would solve part of her problem. She’d tell them tonight. Relief washed through her as she rode home. A good plan of action always calmed her.

  Her smile grew wider. Luke wasn’t anywhere to be seen as she rode into the yard.

  “Did you have a good ride?” Ron stared up at her with an odd grin on his face. He turned red when she nodded.

  “Yes, I did thanks.” She slid out of the saddle and started to lead Merry into the barn.

  “Let me do that,” Ron offered. “I just cleaned out the stalls.”

  “Thanks, Ron. I do need to talk to Dad.”

  Ron led Merry into the barn, and Meg walked to the house. The porch had been nicely swept, and she wanted to laugh, but she had matters to discuss with her father.

  She found him in his office looking over some paperwork. His eyes crinkled into a smile when he spotted her.

  “What brings you here? I hardly see my daughter anymore. I only see the foreman.”

  Meg furrowed her brow. “What does that mean?”

  “Oh, Margaret Mary, don’t get all hepped up. I just meant you look relaxed, not all business at the moment.”

  “Well, don’t get your hopes up because I do have business to discuss.” She sat in one of the wooden chairs facing his desk. She often wondered why he didn’t have comfortable chairs in his office. “I think it’s time for the men to make their own meals in the bunkhouse.”

  The returning rumble of laughter was not what she expected to hear.

  “Why not?”

  Her father laughed again. “Yep, you’re here as my daughter.”

  She jumped up and folded her arms in front of her. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It’s simple. You don’t want to be near Luke. Listen, honey, I know he broke your heart but you can’t start changing the way we do things because you don’t want to be around him. Frankly, I enjoy his company.”

  “Well, I’m certainly glad someone likes him. He’s a washed up cowboy who is only good for sweeping the place.” Hearing a gasp, she turned toward the door. Luke stared her right in the eye, straightened his back, then turned and walked away.

  For the rest of the day she couldn’t get the look on his face off her mind.

  Meg pulled the roast out of the oven and placed it on the counter. “Ouch, oh damn!” She put her burned finger in her mouth.

  “Need any help?”

  She didn’t turn, she knew his voice. “No, Luke, I don’t need anything from you.”

  “I don’t have much to give.” The sadness in his voice touched her heart.

  She slowly turned. His face matched his voice although for some reason she didn’t think he knew. “Listen, I’m sorry about what I said earlier…”

  “It’s fine. I am washed up, but I’m trying to make my way back.” He grimaced as he sat down on the ladder back chair. “I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”

  “Ain’t happening,” her father said as he walked into the kitchen. “That smells great, Margaret Mary.”

  Her mouth hung open and for the life of her, she couldn’t make it close.

  “What ain’t happening, Owen?” Luke asked.

  “Luke, I want you to stay. That land I bought from your dad belongs to you. It’s your birthright. Truthfully, I bought the land to hold on to it for you. I promised your ma I’d always look out for you.”

  Luke raised his eyebrows and a flash of fury crossed his face. The two men stared at each other until finally Luke nodded his head. “What about my mustangs?”

  Meg stepped forward, her hands on her hips. “Oh no, don’t even go there. It’s bad enough I’ll have to put up with you in my house. You are not touching my mustangs. If you’re lucky you can view them from your land.” She shot her father a look of disgust. How the hell had this all happened? Luke was supposed to get well and leave. Something was going on between those two, and she was determined to find out what.

  “I’m not very hungry. You two can serve up the meal can’t you?”

  Her father took a step toward her but she raised her hand warding him off. “Don’t, I can’t do this right now. I’ll talk to you later, Dad.”

  She shot Luke one last glare and walked out of the house into the cool air. Those mustangs belonged to her now. She had paid for them with her own money. Just who did Luke think he was? And what the hell was her dad thinking?

  They used that land for grazing. In fact, they’d expanded their herd of cattle because of that land. Damn, she worked so hard day after day building up the ranch and for what? So Luke could waltz in and take half plus her horses? Her hands clenched as she walked to her red pick-up. She climbed in, gunned the engine and drove the dirt roads that led to her mustangs.

  They were a sight to behold, these majestic, high spirited horses. She jumped out of her truck and opened the gate to the large pasture. Upon spotting her, many of the horses came toward her. They were so friendly, and she loved each one. They’d probably remember Luke, as loyal as they were. She sighed. At least the new additions didn’t already know him.

  How was she going to be able to live in the same house with the one man who’d broken her? She wouldn’t avoid her responsibilities. The hell with him. Somehow she’d just ignore him. Maybe it was a good thing. She’d begun to feel sorry for him, and now she had the right to be angry with him again.

  Luke clenched and unclenched his fists, as he watched Greg carry his belongings and place them into an empty bedroom in the main house. His helplessness drove him crazy. What type of man couldn’t carry his own stuff? His strength improved a bit every day, but his patience was wearing thin. Being busy and useful was his usual way to be.

  The only thing that sparked his spirit was Meg. The fact she didn’t want him there made it worthwhile. His lips twitched remembering her temper.

  It didn’t really matter, he planned to gain control of his mustangs. In fact, he was looking forward to wrestling them from her. How he was going to do it, he hadn’t a clue, but they would be his. It might even be fun to see the fury in her eyes again. It was strange but she’d hardened. She had a good command of the ranch but he’d expected a bit of his old Meg to still be there.

  His Meg, who was he kidding? She’d never been and never would be his.

  “All set, Luke.” Greg shook Luke’s hand.

  “Thanks, Greg, I appreciate the help.”

  “You’ll be up and around in no time. You’re getting stronger every day. I think it’s great Owen held on to your land for you. Busy making plans for it?”

  “Dreams perhaps, plans are still a ways off.”

  “I hear you on that. Have a good one.” Greg left closing the front door behind him. It was quiet in the house, but it was a calm easy quiet. A sense of peace washed over him, surprising him. There had been no peace for him since the day he’d left town.

  The door opened and Meg walked in. She gave him a slight glare, took off her Stetson and threw it onto the wall peg. She never missed. She wore another dark T-shirt, and once again he wondered where her feminine side had gone to.

  “All settled in?” She stared at hi
m, her face expressionless. “Dad feels better with you here.”

  “And you?” He held his breath waiting for an answer.

  Her guard went up and her face became hard. “Whatever Dad wants is fine with me. I figure we get you well, and you’ll be good to go.”

  “Good to go. I’ve been wanting that myself for a long time. Thanks to you, I’ve started to regain my determination. I’ve been lost for a while.”

  She hustled into the kitchen and began pulling out pots and pans. “We do need to get one thing straight. Those horses are mine. They are on what I guess is your land now, but they belong to me.”

  “So you say. Did my father give them to you?”

  Meg put her hands on her hips. “I’ll have you know I had to give your father every penny I had and then some. I borrowed money from my dad, which I have paid back, so no your father didn’t give them to me.”

  Luke grimaced. “I’m sorry. I should have known better. My father would never have given you or your family anything for free. I would like to see the mustangs when I’m up to it. I’ve missed them.”

  Meg tilted her head as though she was trying to puzzle him out. “I’ll drive you over tomorrow to see them. The herd has grown and I think you’ll be impressed with my progress.”

  “I’d like that.” Perhaps they would find common ground with the horses. Anything so she didn’t scowl at him constantly. How much had she paid for the herd? There was no way his dad would have given her a break on the price. His heart lightened, he finally had something to look forward to.

  Chapter Two

  The promise of seeing his horses encouraged Luke like nothing else. He showered and shaved without too much trouble then stared at himself in the mirror. His face was filling out and he didn’t appear as weak. Despair still reflected in his eyes, and he didn’t expect that to ever change. He halfheartedly chuckled. He’d said he wanted to see the mustangs when he was up to it, and Meg immediately told him she’d take him today. She was a kick even if she did give him disdaining looks.

  A part of him longed to have her in his arms and a part of him felt guilty. What kind of man felt that way when his wife had been in her grave only a few months? He ached for his loss and damned his fate. The what-ifs were getting to him. What if they had left a few minutes earlier or a few minutes later? The accident would never have happened.

  He’d loved his wife but not as much as she’d deserved. At least he’d been a good father to her girl. So many regrets, too many regrets, and they haunted his every thought. Long kept secrets revealed, changed the course of his life. He’d always thought Meg would be his future, but now it would never be. His heart and soul were too battered.

  Walking toward the kitchen, he was surprised to hear himself whistling. His mustangs were waiting. Meg stood at the stove her back to him and God; her jeans fit her like a glove. She was just as he remembered, curvy in all the right places and sexy as hell. Looking never hurt, besides she didn’t want him anyway, so it was just as well.

  Meg turned and smiled. “Great, you’re up.”

  He frowned and eyed her with suspicion. Why was she being so nice? “Anxious to see the mustangs.”

  “I bet a lot of them remember you.” She put a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast on the table. “Sit and eat first.”

  Keeping his gaze on her, he sank onto one of the hard wooden chairs. What was she up to? The nicer she became, the more he wary he felt. He stared at her, trying to figure her out. Only a few days ago she wasn’t speaking to him. Her blue eyes gave nothing away but there had to be a catch.

  “Why exactly are you taking me to see the mustangs?”

  “Because I’m nice.”

  Luke laughed. “Yeah, right. No, really?”

  “If you must know, my dad is making me, and if it shortens your recovery time, it’s an added bonus for me.”

  He pasted a smile on his face. “I knew there was a reason.” He tried to sound cheerful but his heart lodged in his throat. What the heck was wrong with him? One minute he didn’t have it in him to look at another woman and the next he pined for Meg.

  “We should get going, Luke, I have a lot to do today.”

  He stood up and brought his plate over to the sink. “I’m ready.”

  Meg smiled as she drove Luke out to his land. Her glance kept straying to his handsome face, and she wondered why he appeared more appealing today. Maybe it was just the relief of getting him out of her house that attracted her.

  His eyes widened, and he smiled when his land came into sight. “It’s been a long time. I can’t believe your father held this for me. I never thought to receive such a gift.” He frowned and his shoulders slumped. “I don’t deserve it.”

  Something wasn’t right. Why was Luke so down on himself? Her concern for him grew and seemed to push all other thoughts out of her head. She shook her head, she wanted nothing to do with him. “The mustangs should be right around the next curve. There are twenty-one in all.”

  Luke whistled. “You’ve doubled the herd? That’s amazing.”

  The horses came into sight, and Meg could feel Luke’s excitement. The air was suddenly charged, and pride of her accomplishment swept through her. Luke grabbed her hand and held it on his lap. His big hands engulfed hers, and her desire for him scared her. Her emotions were on a rollercoaster, and she couldn’t take anymore. She snatched her hand back and tightly held the steering wheel.

  As soon as she parked, Luke was out of the truck and walking toward the horses. It didn’t take much to catch up to him, and when she did, she steeled her heart against his tousled, brown hair blowing in the wind and his glowing blue eyes. There were plenty of sexy men in the world and she didn’t need or want Luke. She’d already proven that she didn’t need a man in her life.

  Luke whistled loudly and half the herd came running to him. It was a glorious sight, all the beautiful big creatures crowding around him, saying hello. He greeted each one then stared at her. The sense of peace that emanated from him astounded her.

  “I knew they’d remember you.”

  His boyish smile reached his eyes. “I was hoping. It’s incredible considering I’ve been gone so long.”

  Swallowing hard against the pain, she nodded. “It has been a long time.”

  Luke opened his mouth, but she didn’t want to hear whatever he planned to say. She could see the apology in his eyes, but she didn’t want to hear any lame excuses for why he’d left.

  “I’ll introduce you to the rest of the mustangs.” She patted a sturdy bay on his neck. “This is Achilles and this one here is Hestia.” She gestured to the spirited dun mare.

  Luke put his hand on her arm and turned her toward him. “You gave them Greek mythology names? I can’t believe you continued what I started.”

  She shrugged. “It seemed natural.”

  Luke searched her eyes and nodded.

  She held her breath. Hopefully there was nothing to see. She tried hard to hide her feelings at all times and had always felt confident that she succeeded. Until now. Luke had a way of getting under her skin.

  “You’ve changed,” he said, his voice soft and low.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He hesitated. “You used to be easy to read. You wore your emotions on your sleeve. Now I don’t know what you think except you want me gone. I can understand why. I mean I left you just as we were starting something good, something I had hoped would be permanent.”

  “Permanent?”

  “You must have known how I felt about you. I was just waiting for you to grow up so I could start dating you.”

  Tears filled her eyes. All this time she had thought he didn’t find her appealing. “You left without a word.”

  “I know, and I’ll be forever sorry for hurting you.”

  Tears trailed down her face, and she closed her eyes willing them to stop. “Why?” Her voice squeaked.

  Luke shook his head. “I wish I could tell you but I can’t.

  Meg wi
ped away her tears. “Can’t or won’t?” She waved her hand at him. “You know, don’t, just don’t. The whole town thinks I drove you away. I’ve lived the last five years with people whispering behind my back. I don’t even bother going into town unless I have to. Now I’m foreman of this ranch, I’m perfectly content with my life. I do what I love, and people stay out of my way.”

  Luke’s stare was intense. “Is that what you want? You want people to stay out of your way? Hell, Margaret Mary, I thought you’d gone on with your life. I expected to find you with a husband and babies. Even I got married.” His face shuttered as he turned away.

  Married? No one had told her. Her mouth opened but there were no words. She folded her arms in front of her trying to keep from flying apart and her stomach threatened to rebel. What a fool she’d been, thinking all this time that something tragic had happened to him, thinking he’d be back for her if he could, and the whole time he’d been married.

  Of course, he would have dated while he’d been gone, but marriage… Her thoughts had never strayed that far. How stupid, of course he’d be married. If imagining it would have been too much for her, the reality was shattering. Her body began to shake, and she clasped her hands together trying to still herself. After a few large swallows it worked, but the lump in her throat stayed.

  Well, where the hell was his wife now? She should be here wiping her husband’s nose instead of leaving it to others. He had the gall to come here when he had a wife? Her stomach dropped. Was he planning to build a house on his land and live there, raising a family?

  Everyone had told her to get on with her life but she refused to listen. Damn my stubborn hide!

  “Where is Poseidon? I don’t see him with the horses?” Luke’s back was still turned to her and his voice sounded odd.

  “Your father shot him after you left. That’s why I bought the herd, not for you, but to save them.”

  Luke turned and studied her. She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from saying anything else. There was no way she was going to cry in front of him again.