The Christmas Cowboy Hero

by Donna Grant

  “I’ll always come back to you,” he said. “Always.”

  She was so shocked at his words that she couldn’t form a reply. Then he stepped back and pivoted, walking out of the house to the others. Her gaze was riveted on him as he swung up onto the bay gelding. He, Brice, Shane, one of the deputies, and ten ranch hands rode out. And she didn’t miss the rifle strapped to Clayton’s saddle.

  Caleb came back into the house, looking longingly at the group. “Mr. Ben and I will be guarding the ranch,” Caleb stated.

  “Where are Danny and the other deputy?” she asked.

  “They’re going a different route in their cars.”

  Abby returned her gaze to Clayton. She stared at him and Brice until they were no longer visible. Everything should go smoothly. Then again, Clayton was going after the men who had shot her.

  “Don’t worry,” Caleb said. “Clayton will take care of everything.”

  But at what cost? “Yeah.”

  “He was a SEAL,” Caleb stated.

  “I know.”

  He rolled his eyes. “A SEAL, Abby. Do you know what kind of shit they can do?”

  “Watch your language. And, yes. Well, sort of.”

  His eyes went wide. “They are badasses. Like true badasses. I wish I could see him in action.”

  “I don’t. It’s bad enough that Brice is in the thick of it.”

  Caleb glanced out the window. “Clayton won’t let anything happen to him. He promised me and Brice that he’d always look out for us.”

  “When did he say that?”

  “Yesterday after he brought you home from the hospital. I believe him, Abby. Like I said, he’s not the leaving kind.”

  No, she was beginning to think that Clayton was the forever kind.

  Chapter 31

  It all had to go according to plan. Clayton knew if one thing got messed up, then Baxter could get away with cattle rustling. Clayton wanted to catch him instead of putting Brice in the position of testifying—though it would likely come down to having the teen’s cooperation anyway.

  The fourteen of them reached the edge of East land. There were still miles of property to cover, however. Luckily, they could do that atop the horses.

  Thanks to the deputy with him, who was there in case any homeowners got ornery, they were able to eat up the miles. Clayton kept them hidden as much as possible, but sometimes, they didn’t have that option.

  The closer he got to Baxter’s ranch, the more focused Clayton became. It had always been that way during a mission. Though the men with him weren’t SEALs, he trusted each of them to do their parts.

  Most of the men from the East Ranch were there simply to keep the cattle from being driven off by Baxter’s men, but that didn’t mean the East men wouldn’t step in if needed.

  “Danny and Pete are in place,” Roger, the sheriff deputy with them, said as he put away his cell phone.

  Clayton nodded. His group was just a few miles from 4B land. He grew antsy. He was ready for this showdown with Ronnie. The only thing Clayton was concerned about was whether Baxter would be there.

  * * *

  “What the fuck, Gus!”

  Gus ignored Terry as he stared at Berny. “You should get to a doctor.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Berny stated, his skin a sickly green shade.

  “You look like shit. You’re drunk, and your arm is broken. Hell, for all we know, your ribs are, too.”

  Berny shook his head of red hair. “My ribs are only bruised. I’ve had a broken rib before so I know the pain.”

  Gus fought to keep his cool. “Whatever. The point is, you’ll be of no use to me.”

  “You mean us,” said a deep voice behind him.

  Gus turned to see Ronnie walk up. His old friend wore his favorite black Stetson hat and the large belt buckle pronouncing him as Steer Wrestling Champion from the previous year.

  “You don’t look happy to see me,” Ronnie said.

  The problem Gus always had was figuring out when Ronnie was joking. And when he wasn’t. Because thinking Ronnie was teasing when he was really angry resulted in pain for whoever was that stupid.

  “You know I am,” Gus answered neutrally, just to be safe.

  Ronnie flashed a wide smile and slapped him on the arm. “I’m just fucking with you. Damn, Gus. You’d think after knowing me for over twenty years, you’d recognize the difference.”

  “I’m on edge.”

  “I can see that.” Ronnie looked over his shoulder to Terry and Berny. “Why didn’t you take care of the dead weight?”

  Gus didn’t need to ask what Ronnie was referring to. Though Gus might be many things, he wasn’t a killer. Nor would he turn into one. “He’s hurt, but Berny swears he can do the job.”

  “You’d better hope he can,” Ronnie threatened in a low voice. “Because you just vouched for him. If Berny slips up, it’s your ass on the line.”

  Gus looked into Ronnie’s blue orbs. “No.”

  “Excuse me?” Ronnie said, surprise flickering briefly in his eyes before they narrowed on Gus.

  “You chose these two. I told you my reservations about them, but you ignored me. If anyone’s ass is on the line, it’s yours.”

  Ronnie stared at him a long time before he gave a snort, his lips curling into a grin that didn’t show an ounce of humor. “One of the reasons we remained friends this long was because you were a spineless follower. Don’t go find courage now, Gus. You won’t like the outcome.”

  “You’re right,” Gus said. “I’ve always followed you, but I’ve saved your ass several times as well. Perhaps you need to remember that. Because right now, you need friends.”

  Ronnie looked away and drew in a deep breath. “Fuck. I always hate when you’re right.” He swiveled his gaze back to Gus. “Keep your courage then.”

  He walked to his horse and mounted, leaving Gus to draw in a shaky breath. After a few seconds, he, too, climbed atop his horse. Gus looked over at Berny, who still looked a bit green, whether it was from the hangover or the pain, Gus didn’t care, as long as Berny stayed in the saddle and did his job.

  “Let’s get the cattle moved,” Ronnie said and spurred his horse into a gallop.

  Terry quickly followed and then Berny. Gus hesitated. Apparently, he was the only one worried about Clayton. Terry had thought the SEAL would show up last night, and when he hadn’t, Terry believed they were free and clear. But Terry didn’t know Clayton. Gus did.

  Gus recalled how single-minded Clayton could be back in high school. That had more than likely been magnified ten times over after Clayton joined the military. There was no doubt in Gus’s mind that the Easts knew who had their cattle.

  If Brice hadn’t ratted them out, then that meant Clayton had put things together on his own. Which meant that they were royally fucked.

  Gus nudged his horse forward and caught up with the others. He looked back over his shoulder as the hairs on the back of his neck rose.

  * * *

  “Easy,” Clayton told the others. “They can’t see us. He’s just checking to see if anyone is following.”

  Shane adjusted his seat in the saddle. “We can’t follow them.”

  “No, but I know where they’re headed,” Clayton said as he waited for the four men, including Baxter, to disappear over the hill before he turned his horse. “Single file.”

  The others fell in behind him as they moved like ghosts over the land.

  * * *

  “Aren’t they the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen?” Ronnie asked.

  Gus looked out over the seventy head of cattle, his gaze going to the E brand. “They’re fine stock. It’s why the Easts do so well.”

  “It’s time for some competition.”

  But was it really competition if Ronnie stole the very animals he intended to go up against the Easts with? Gus kept his thoughts to himself, though. It would do no good to share them with Ronnie.

  “You’re worrying me, Gus.”

  He
turned his head to look at Ronnie. “You shouldn’t be.”

  “I’m not so sure. Before the shooting with Abby, your head was on straight. Now, your mind seems everywhere but with me.”

  “If that were true, I wouldn’t be here now.”

  Ronnie’s blue eyes narrowed. “You’re scared.”

  “You’re damn right I am. It’s not a matter of if Clayton East comes. It’s a matter of when.”

  Ronnie laughed while shaking his head. He turned his gaze back to the cattle. “Clayton is just a man. He’s nothing more, and I’ve got a bullet with his name on it to prove it.”

  “Since when do you talk so easily about taking someone’s life?”

  “Since I set my sights on becoming the biggest ranch in a hundred-mile radius.” Ronnie’s head swiveled to him. “I told you I was prepared to do whatever was needed to get what I want.”

  Gus was so taken aback that it took him a moment to find words. “Stealing cattle, yes. Helping Gilroy get out of town with the Easts’ money after he told you the easiest place to find the cattle, of course. Using Gloria and her CPA firm to help you, definitely. You never said anything about killing anyone.”

  “Things change,” Ronnie said with a shrug. “If you’re going to ride with me, you have to be ready for anything. And that means taking someone’s life if I order it.”

  During his years as Ronnie’s friend, Gus had done a lot of illegal things. He’d become a master thief, as well. They’d partied hard, gone up against drug dealers, and evaded police on numerous occasions. Gus had been prepared to go to jail for any of it.

  But he drew the line at murder. Even if it was Ronnie telling him to do it.

  “You’re with me, right, Gus?” Ronnie asked in a low, deadly tone.

  Gus gave a single nod. “Always.”

  After several tense minutes where Ronnie stared at him, Gus was already planning on how he would sneak away when the time was right. He wasn’t stupid enough to go to the cops, but he would get as far from Texas—and Ronnie—as he could.

  “I knew I could count on you,” Ronnie said finally.

  Gus looked behind him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. Was it his fear of Clayton East that manifested this false sensation?

  Or was the SEAL out there even now?

  * * *

  “They’re about to move them,” Shane whispered.

  Clayton nodded, his lips flattening. “It’s time to end this.”

  Shane turned and signaled a group of three of their men who quickly did the same to the other standing with the horses. Clayton counted out the two minutes until he was sure everyone in their group was ready to move. He assumed everyone was in position. If they weren’t, then everything could go to Hell in a handbasket pretty damn quickly.

  “We’ll be ready,” Shane said.

  Clayton gave a nod and stood before walking from the brush he’d been hiding behind to stand on a small hill. Just as he expected, Baxter’s gaze found him seconds later.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” Ronnie said with a cocky smile. “If it isn’t Clayton East in the flesh. I’d heard rumors you were back in town. Real sad about your dad, by the way.”

  Clayton didn’t respond. He’d dealt with men like Baxter numerous times, and he knew Ronnie wanted a discussion. He wanted to show Clayton that he wasn’t scared—that he was smarter.

  But Clayton wasn’t going to engage the bastard. Instead, he planned to piss Ronnie off. And if he were really lucky, Baxter might feel a fraction of the rage that was boiling within Clayton.

  Gus hastily looked around before he told Ronnie, “I think he’s alone.”

  “Of course he’s alone,” Ronnie stated with a laugh. “What’s brought you out here, East?”

  Clayton focused on his breathing. It was either that or attack Ronnie.

  “Clayton?” Gus called.

  He glanced at Gus before returning his attention to Ronnie. Already, Clayton could see how his silence was getting underneath Ronnie’s skin.

  It helped to calm some of the primal need for revenge that churned through Clayton. But it was a temporary fix. Baxter hadn’t just stolen part of the ranch’s livelihood, he’d knowingly colluded with a minor, putting Brice in danger. And he’d ordered Abby shot.

  Ronnie leaned forward in his saddle and propped his left forearm on the saddle horn. “You better run along home, Clayton. You’re out of your depth here. And SEAL or not, you’re outgunned.”

  As soon as Baxter said the words, two other men pulled guns on Clayton. He kept his gaze on Ronnie, though he noticed that Gus didn’t reach for his weapon—and neither did Ronnie.

  “I’m not going anywhere without my cattle,” Clayton stated.

  As one, Brice, Shane, the ten ranch hands, Danny, and the two other sheriff’s deputies all stepped from their hiding places, guns trained on the four rustlers.

  Chapter 32

  It should’ve ended there. Clayton had hoped it would end there. Then he saw that wild look in Ronnie’s eyes, and he had known bloodshed was coming.

  The first bullet ricocheted off the tree to his left. Bark splintered and slammed into him. Clayton dove to the ground, rolling to the right as Gus turned his horse around and attempted to flee.

  He didn’t get far because Ronnie shot him in the back.

  Clayton held out his hand for Shane to toss him his rifle. Shane stayed close to Brice to ensure the teen wouldn’t get hurt. Knowing Brice was safe, Clayton turned his attention to Ronnie. It would be so easy to shoot the bastard and end it all, but Clayton was tired of the killing. It was one of the reasons he’d left the Navy. And he wasn’t going to bring that home with him now.

  The sound of gunfire erupted as Baxter and his two other men opened fire while the cattle began to shift, looking to get away from the noise. In short order, the two other rustlers were tossing aside their weapons and dismounting. Ronnie targeted a few shots at Danny before turning his gun on Clayton.

  Clayton took aim, and with one pull of the trigger, shot the gun from Ronnie’s hand. Baxter let out a yelp as the herd broke through a fence and started running away. Several of the ranch hands ran to the horses and raced to contain the cattle. Clayton knew they would get the animals back, so he kept his attention on Baxter.

  He walked to Ronnie who pulled a knife from the scabbard attached to his saddle and jumped from his horse. Clayton looked at the long blade of the weapon as he tossed Shane the rifle. Then he calmly reached down and pulled the knife from his boot.

  “I’m not scared of you,” Baxter said.

  Clayton began circling him. “Good.”

  “You think you’re something special, don’t you,” Ronnie sneered as he flung away his hat. “All that money and good looks got you a lot. Then you became a hero. All that’s going to change soon.”

  All around Clayton, he could hear Danny and the deputies handcuffing Ronnie’s two other men. “It’s going to be pretty hard for you to do that behind bars.”

  “Oh, I’m not going to jail.” Ronnie lobbed his blade back and forth between his hands.

  “Are you going to play with that thing or do something with it?” Clayton challenged.

  Ronnie’s face mottled red with rage as he attacked. Clayton backed up, evading the slicing movements. Baxter was better than he’d expected. Ronnie ducked one of Clayton’s jabs before lunging at him, knocking his hat off. Clayton jerked back, sucking in his stomach and hunching over as the knife came close to slicing him.

  Again and again, they each attacked, both coming close to drawing blood on the other numerous times.

  Baxter laughed as he kicked Clayton in the chest, shoving him backward. “You thought you’d take me down easily, but you don’t know me.”

  “And you don’t know me,” Clayton said.

  They came together in a clash of strength. Clayton blocked Baxter’s downward arc. They stood face-to-face, each trying to overpower the other. Ronnie was using brute strength, while Clayton was
trained to look for an opponent’s weakness and exploit it.

  Clayton swung his leg wide before wrapping it around Baxter’s and leaning into him. The force of his momentum knocked Ronnie onto his back where Clayton quickly divested him of the weapon and had his knife at Baxter’s throat.

  Ronnie looked up at him and scoffed. “You’ll never win.”

  “I did today, and that’s what matters.”

  “I knew that little shit would tell you.”

  Clayton pushed the blade harder against Ronnie’s throat, drawing blood. “Brice didn’t tell us anything. You thought you were a great mastermind, when in fact, you left a paper trail, Baxter. It was Abby who figured it out.”

  “Gus should’ve killed her.”

  It would be so simple to slit his throat. All Clayton had to do was pull his arm away while applying pressure. Then he could watch Ronnie bleed out right there.

  “Clayton.”

  It was Brice’s voice that got through Clayton’s red haze of fury. He leaned down close to Ronnie. “Know that I’m giving you your life today, but if you harm my family or the Harpers or I even think you sent someone to hurt them, I’ll come for you. And I will kill you.”

  Clayton rose to his feet and turned his back to Ronnie. He heard Danny reading Baxter his rights while cuffing him. Clayton looked down at Brice, who stood beside him holding his hat.

  “We did it,” Brice said.

  Clayton took his hat and set it on his head. “We certainly did.”

  Danny came to stand beside them. “Gus is dead.”

  Shane removed his hat to run his hands through his hair. “Shot in the back by a coward.”

  “I can’t believe I thought I could learn anything from these men,” Brice said.

  Danny blew out a breath and looked at the approaching herd of cattle. “Lessons, son. That’s what life is all about.”

  “Come on, Brice,” Shane said. “Let’s help the others get the cattle into pens so we can get them loaded into trailers and back onto East land.” Shane paused and looked at Clayton. “By the way, Cochise has been found as well.”

  They really had done it. Clayton watched Shane and Brice mount their horses and ride away. Somehow, it had all worked out, but he knew more than anyone just how close he’d come to killing Ronnie.