Lord Jesus, help me, Sarah prayed, clenching one hand beneath the tablecloth as she poured a cup of tea, then pretended with all her might to read the menu. Give me strength. Let me bear this for Your sake, for I surely can’t do it for my own.
The bell over the door tinkled again. Cold air rushed in. Sarah didn’t look up, afraid if she did and saw Allis’s smirking face, she might lose the last vestiges of her control.
Allis, however, immediately jumped to her feet. “Cord! Darling!”
Sarah’s head jerked up. A smile that was as much relief as welcome lifted her lips. Cord’s attention, though, was upon Allis, who had rushed over and grabbed his arm.
“Oh, what perfect timing,” the brunette cooed, trying to coax him over to her table. “We’ve just now sat down for luncheon and would adore it if you joined us. Wouldn’t we, ladies?” she asked, looking to her two friends.
Like a pair of puppets on strings, Allis’s friends bobbed their heads. Cord, however, refused to budge.
“There was a time when I’d have gladly accepted such a wonderful invitation,” he said. “But today—and from here on out—I’m only sharing a table with the woman I’m going to marry. So, if you’ll excuse me”—he gently but firmly pulled his arm free of Allis’s clasp—“my fiancée is waiting for me over there.”
The gazes of all three women followed the direction of his hand, indicating Sarah, and the most comical mix of slack-jawed incredulity and horror filled their eyes. Allis, as always, was the first one to recover her composure.
“But I thought . . . I heard she was engaged to Nicholas, not you.”
Cord shrugged, his mouth twisting in amusement. “A slight misunderstanding that was quickly rectified. Sarah is most definitely going to be my wife, not my brother’s.” He took a step back. “Now, if you ladies will excuse me?”
Thank you, Jesus. I couldn’t have done this without You.
As she watched Cord turn and walk toward her, it was all Sarah could do to keep a straight face and smile blandly up at Cord when he came to a halt before her. “You were longer than I thought you’d be,” she said as he pulled out his chair and sat down. “Did Gabe have any news . . . about my family?”
Cord reached across the table, took her hand, and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll talk about that later, okay?” He leaned forward, lifted her hand to his lips, and gave it a kiss. “Whatever Allis and her cronies might eavesdrop of our conversation, I don’t want it to be anything they can later gossip about.”
Sarah chuckled softly as Cord released her hand and sat back. “Besides the news of our engagement? Because that’s going to be all over town in record time now.”
He smiled. “Well, now’s as good a time as any, don’t you think? I’m very proud and happy that you’ve agreed to be my wife, and I want everyone to know.”
Gladness swelled within her. Allis and her two friends’ pettiness a few minutes ago faded, overshadowed by the knowledge that all that truly mattered was sitting here before her. Cord, and his love for her. And her love for him.
“You just want all those men who danced with me at the fall dance to know,” she said, her laugh throaty and low. “You just want to eliminate all the competition in one fell swoop.”
Cord angled his head to one side and grinned. “Guilty as charged, madam. Guilty as charged.”
He picked up the slate menu and glanced at it. “Well, all of this looks very good. Shall we order?”
“Yes, let’s.” Sarah turned and motioned to Ruth Ann, who had just reentered the dining room. As the woman hurried over, pencil and pad in hand, Sarah looked back to Cord. At that instant, Allis lifted her gaze and it slammed into Sarah’s.
A malevolent hatred glowed in her eyes.
Two weeks later, angry and frustrated, Cord stormed into the sheriff’s office. When a quick scan of the room and jail cells revealed no one there but Gabe, Cord strode to where the sheriff sat at a long worktable, cleaning his revolver.
“Twice now we set a trap for the Caldwells, and twice they not only didn’t show up where we wanted them to, but they hit the herd someplace else!” He slapped the snow off his Stetson, then slammed it down on the worktable and ran a hand roughly through his hair. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think someone was tipping them off.”
The lawman looked up. “Funny, but I’ve been thinking the same thing. Who have you told about our plans?”
“The first time, just Nick, Spence, and the hands involved. The second time, we didn’t even tell the hands until it was just about time to ride out.”
“So, Sarah never knew?”
Cord shook his head. “No, not unless she overheard something. And I was extra careful the second time around to make sure she wasn’t nearby.”
“Well, somehow the word’s getting to the Caldwells.” Gabe took up a cleaning rod and shoved a small piece of cloth into its slotted opening, dipped the cloth end in some cleaning solvent, then slid the apparatus up and down his gun barrel. “And I’d hate to think Sarah was involved in that.”
“I don’t think it was her. She hasn’t been acting any differently of late, and she’s never been the sort who skulks around. She’s just too open and honest for that sort of thing.”
Gabe nodded. “That’s always been my impression of her too. Still, what wouldn’t one do to protect one’s family?”
“Sarah trusts me to do my best to bring in her father and brothers alive. And I trust her not to interfere.”
“Still, you don’t know all she’s thinking and feeling about this matter. And she’s always been, up until now anyway, a very loyal, devoted daughter and sister.”
Though he knew Gabe was just trying to get him to consider all possibilities, Cord was nonetheless irritated. It was one thing for him to have passing doubts about Sarah. He didn’t, however, appreciate having those doubts rubbed in his face.
“I’d like to think, as my future wife,” he growled, “Sarah’s now transferred that loyalty and devotion to me.”
The sheriff looked up from his assiduous cleaning of his gun. “And so would I, Cord. Believe me. I want only the best for her, and don’t wish her any ill.”
“Well, then I guess we’ve got to keep a lookout for who else might be spilling the beans, don’t we?”
“Have you considered Spencer Womack?”
“In passing. What possible motive could he have for helping the Caldwells?”
“None that I can think of.” Gabe swabbed out his gun barrel one last time with a dry piece of cloth, then began scrubbing the outside of the revolver with a brush. “Of course, he could just have motives of his own.”
Cord scratched his jaw. “Well, I can’t say as how I know Spence all that well. My father hired him about two years ago. We’ve had better ranch foremen, but he does a decent enough job.”
Gage shrugged. “From her reaction to him at the fall dance, I’d wager Sarah doesn’t think much of him.”
“Why, what was he doing?”
“I didn’t hear much, but I’m guessing Spence wasn’t talking real nice to her when they were dancing together. Sarah couldn’t get away from him fast enough when I walked up and cut in.”
“Well, I’ll keep an eye on him,” Cord said. “If at all possible, this wouldn’t be the best time to let him go, though. But later, when things settle down . . .” He shook his head. “Still, none of his behavior toward Sarah explains why Spence might be in cahoots with the Caldwells or rustling our cattle for his own purposes.”
“And he might not be. I just think we’ve got to keep our options open.”
“Best thing to do is just find out where Jacob and his sons are holing up. Be a sight easier than posting half my hands to guard the herd every night. That’s already getting old, considering the turn the weather’s taken these past few weeks.”
“I’m working on that angle too.” Gabe took an oiled rag and used it to rub the outside of his gun. “In the past few days, I’ve gotten a few leads that might just pan out.”<
br />
“Good.” Cord grabbed his Stetson and shoved it back on his head. “If and when that time comes, let’s pick the men we’ll take on the posse very carefully, shall we?”
“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” the lawman said with a dry laugh. “I’ve already got that part all worked out.”
Three days later, Sarah stood on the front porch as Cord rode up late in the morning, dismounted, and handed his horse off to one of the hands. By his grim expression and the fact he couldn’t quite meet her gaze, she knew something was decidedly different about last night’s posse. Something that didn’t bode well for her father and brothers.
Barely had Cord reached the porch when Sarah rushed up to him. “What happened? No one got hurt, did they?”
“Sarah, I’ve been up all night and I’m cold and hungry.” His glance was weary when he finally met hers. “Can’t this wait until we get inside and I at least have one cup of coffee?”
She took a step backward. “I’m sorry. I just . . . just need to know if you caught my father and brothers. And that no one got hurt.”
He sighed. “No one got seriously hurt, only a little banged up. And yes, we did catch your father and one of your brothers. Your other brother got away.”
She swallowed hard, her mouth gone dry. “Which one got away? Caleb or Noah?”
“Caleb.” He indicated the front door. “Now, can the rest wait until I get some coffee?”
“Yes, I’m sorry.” Fighting back tears, Sarah walked over and opened the door. “I’m sorry. This is just . . . just so hard.”
“I know.” Cord took hold of the door and motioned her inside. “Let’s just take it one day at a time, and we’ll get through this. Okay?”
“Okay.” Her tears spilled over, and she swiped them away. “I love you very much, you know.”
He smiled. “And I love you.”
Nick was in the kitchen with Manuela. The woman took one look at Sarah and Cord, pulled two mugs down from the cabinet, filled them with coffee, and put them on the table. Next, after retrieving a covered platter of cinnamon rolls from the top of the warm cookstove, she added them to the table along with three plates and then hurried from the kitchen.
“Leave it to Manuela to always know when to make a strategic exit,” Nick said from his spot at one end of the table. “You, little brother, look like something the cat dragged in. And Angel, you’ve been crying, haven’t you? So, I’m guessing something big happened last night.”
Cord pulled out a chair for Sarah. She sat down, and he took a seat beside her.
“Yeah, we finally caught Jacob and one of his sons.” Cord grabbed his mug and added a spoonful of sugar, stirred his coffee, then looked to his brother. “The other son got away.”
“So, what’s the plan now?” Nick shot Sarah a concerned look.
“What else? Wait for the circuit judge to show up, and try them in court.” He sipped his steaming coffee carefully. “In the meantime, I’m betting the other Caldwell boy won’t be rustling any cattle by himself.”
“The hands will be glad to hear that. They’d far prefer spending their nights in a warm bunkhouse from here on out, rather than riding the herd . . .”
Gradually, Sarah became aware that the conversation had died. She looked up from the mug of coffee she clasped between her hands and saw two pairs of eyes riveted on her.
“I’m sorry. Did someone ask me a question?”
Nick reached over and laid a hand on her arm. “No, Angel. We were just making conversation to cover the awkwardness, and finally ran out of things to say.”
She glanced from Nick to Cord. “I don’t mean to put a damper on your happiness. It’s just . . . hard.”
“We’re not so much happy as relieved that it’s over, Sarah,” Cord said. “Well, almost over, anyway.”
“They’ll need a lawyer.” She met his gaze, dreading his response but all the same having to ask. “Could . . . could you find someone to defend them?”
“Defend them?” Cord stared back at her, aghast. “What’s there to defend? The facts speak for themselves. First, Jacob and his boys robbed us of over two thousand dollars. Then they stole our cattle, most likely several times, and one of those times it resulted in my father’s death.”
“But there are extenuating circumstances.” Her heart pounded in her chest, and every word was wrenched from her, but Sarah had to speak them. “Father’s not in his right mind or he’d never have done what he did. And my brothers . . . It’s gotten so they no longer know right from wrong. If you at least spoke up for them at the trial, maybe the judge would show a little mercy.”
“Mercy?” Cord pushed back his chair and stood, turning to glare down at her. “I think the time’s long past for mercy, Sarah. What’s needed now is some old-fashioned justice!”
“Easy, Cord,” his brother cautioned. “This isn’t Sarah’s fault.”
Cord dragged in a long, slow breath. “No, it’s not Sarah’s fault.”
He looked to her, and she saw something harden in him. Her heart sank.
“This probably isn’t the best time to be talking about this,” he said. “I’m tired, both mentally and physically, of what your family’s put me through these past few months. My father’s dead because of them. And we still have yet to recover any of the money your father stole from us, much less our cattle, which seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth. I’m sorry, but I’m just not finding a whole lot of mercy in me right about now. So, no, Sarah. I won’t be helping in any way in their defense. Not now or ever!”
With that, Cord wheeled around and stalked from the kitchen, his cup of coffee still steaming on the table.
Fresh tears filled Sarah’s eyes. She felt as if he’d slapped her, and slapped her hard. His anger had been a terrible thing to behold, and a sudden realization that she didn’t really know him swamped her. Leastwise, not the man who’d just stood before her.
“That probably wasn’t the best time to ask for Cord’s intervention for your family,” Nick offered from his end of the table.
“Would there ever have been a good time?” Sarah heard the bitterness fill her voice. Right about now, though, she didn’t really care.
“You’re not being fair. In everything he’s done regarding your family, Cord’s tried to consider your feelings. But the past weeks since Pa’s death have worn him down. He hasn’t even fully come to terms with losing our father, and then there’s been all the long nights going out after your father and brothers, not to mention trying to keep the ranch running on a shoestring.”
“And don’t you think it’s been just as hard on me?” she cried. “I’ve been agonizing about what to do. About my commitment to Cord and my love for him, over what I still owe my own family. And just because my head tells me one thing doesn’t mean my heart isn’t trying to convince me of another.”
“I know that, Angel, and so does Cord. And don’t think he doesn’t agonize over that too. He knows you’re hurting.”
Sarah looked down, her eyes blurred by the tears that just kept coming. “I don’t know if this is going to work out between us, Nick. There just seems to be so many things that keep getting in our way.”
“Don’t think or even say that.” He leaned over and took her hand in his. “You’re both too worn out and emotional now. This isn’t the time to make any decisions about your future—together or otherwise. Let it go for a while. Put it all in the Lord’s hands. Hands far more capable than ours can ever be.”
She lifted her gaze to his. “Right about now, I’m not seeing the Lord’s hand in any of this. Cord refuses to intervene. And with my father’s prison record and now the robbery and cattle rustling, not to mention Edmund’s death, even if it was an accident, short of a miracle from above my father may well be sentenced to death.”
“Most times, the Lord expects us to be the miracle workers for each other. But you’re right. Miracles might well be in short supply for your father. A man can only keep piling on the evil deeds for
so long, and punishment finally catches up with him.”
“If he dies . . .” She choked back a sob. “How can God mean for anything good to come out of that?”
“How can any good come out of my father’s death either?” He smiled sadly. “We’re both still waiting to see about that. But that’s where faith comes in. A faith strong and certain that, even in the darkest times, God is closer than ever, holding us up, guiding us toward the light. And there will be light again. There will be answers. The Lord promised us that and, no matter what, you can count on Him to honor His word.”
“Now, make sure you keep your face covered with this muffler,” Sarah said, leaning down to tug the woolen scarf up over her brother’s nose and mouth. “And warm up slowly for fifteen minutes first thing, before you start running about like a crazed mustang. You don’t want to set off your asthma out in the cold, you know.”
Danny nodded. “Yes, I know. You only remind me every time I go out to play. You’d think I was dumb or something.”
She straightened and smiled. “You’re right. I do remind you every time, and you’re not dumb. So, scoot.” She opened the front door, and a gust of snow-laden air whirled in. “And have fun!”
Her brother dashed out the door so fast, Sarah wondered if he’d even heard her last instruction. Only when he hit the bottom of the porch steps did he slow his pace and walk sedately out to where Pedro awaited him. She closed the door with a soft chuckle.
“What’s so funny?”
Cord’s deep voice, just steps behind her, wrenched Sarah from her happy reverie. Memories of yesterday’s unpleasant episode in the kitchen returned. Her smile faded.
“I was chiding Danny not to get too rambunctious outside and set off an asthma attack,” she replied, turning to face Cord. “And he chided me in turn, saying I was being too overprotective.”
“Well, the boy’s had some hard times in the past with his asthma. Although I don’t recall any episodes, since that first day he arrived, when he’s had an attack as bad as that.”
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