An Uncommon Protector

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  Of course, if he was being completely truthful, he didn’t deserve all the blame. The problem was partly Miss Laurel’s doing. The Lord had been generous with his gifts to her. Actually, she had a whole plethora of attributes that most of the male population would find difficult to ignore.

  She was well shaped and soft looking. Beautiful, with golden hair and light-brown eyes that seemed to reveal every emotion.

  She was also very sweet. And good. She was . . . Laurel.

  All of it was pretty much impossible for a man like him not to notice.

  And he would have been ashamed to call himself a man if he hadn’t done anything to come to her defense. Why, the moment Thomas saw her flush in embarrassment, he knew he had to put her stepbrother in his place. Well, actually, he’d been tempted to slam Jerome against the door and keep his hand on the man’s throat until he promised he would apologize to her.

  So he’d been right to help her out. It was just that, well . . . he probably should not have done it quite so heatedly. He’d just made an awkward situation even worse.

  As the silence pulled taut between the four of them, he heard Laurel’s faint breathing. Glancing at her, he noticed her cheeks were rosy pink. He’d caused that. He’d embarrassed her something awful.

  Thomas was about to apologize, to say whatever he could to convince his new boss he was not completely uncivilized when Jerome lifted his chin. “That little speech confirms my worries, Laurel. Obviously this man is not fit for decent company.”

  “I’m fit for anyone’s company,” Thomas bit out. Except, perhaps, the company of a good woman like Laurel.

  Jerome’s eyes flared again. “Laurel, if . . . if this prisoner stays, I’ll have no choice but to take Bess out of harm’s way. She’s far too delicate to be near a man of his reputation.”

  Laurel gasped. “Surely you are overreacting.”

  “Not in the slightest.” Folding his arms across his chest, Jerome continued, “If he stays, we’re going.”

  Thomas forced himself to prepare to be shuttled back into that buggy. It was no less than he deserved. He’d been too bold and brash, and now he was going to be forced to deal with the consequences. No doubt Laurel was seconds away from sending him back to his corner cell in the town jail. Either she’d send her stepsiblings for Sheriff Jackson or she’d take him back there herself.

  And he knew he would do whatever she wanted without a fight.

  He deserved it. He’d soon have untold hours to contemplate the benefits of holding his tongue.

  As the tension in the air heated like the noonday sun, Laurel sighed. “Sergeant Baker can’t leave. I made my promise.”

  “Promises don’t count when they’re given to someone like him,” Bess said. “He doesn’t matter.”

  Thomas stiffened but kept his mouth shut. Bess wasn’t completely wrong.

  “Of course he matters,” Laurel said, her voice full of righteousness. “He is a prisoner no more. He’s my employee now. What’s done is done.”

  “You are going to refuse me?” Jerome said.

  “There is nothing to refuse. We need the help and Sergeant Baker is a good worker. I already signed a paper that said I’d pay him for the next year.”

  Bess sputtered, “You’re going to spend our money on his wages?”

  “Well, of course. He’s not a slave.”

  As her relatives looked at her as though she’d slapped them hard in the face, a transformation came over his boss.

  Stepping forward, she reached out to both of them. “Jerome, Bess,” she began softly, “I know my bringing Sergeant Baker here isn’t what you expected. But please don’t do anything so hasty. I feel certain that once you get used to the idea, you’ll be glad of the help. We’re family, and we’ve already lost so much. I don’t want to lose you too.”

  “Your parents never should have left you this ranch, and our father should have known better than to go along with it,” Bess said. “You are in over your head. You need to sell it. That’s plain to see.”

  “I agree. I am in over my head. Nothing in my life prepared me for this responsibility. But I’ll get through it.” She looked Thomas’s way, and her voice turned hard. “I am not going to change my mind. And I’m not going to leave. And since this is technically my land, I still have that option. If you truly don’t think you can abide by my choices, then I wish you both the best with your future travels.”

  After uttering a small cry, Bess turned around with a sniff and hurried inside. Jerome, on the other hand, continued to glare at his stepsister with something that looked dangerously close to malevolence. “Where am I supposed to live now?”

  “I don’t believe that’s any concern of mine. You’ve made your choice.”

  Jerome’s eyes narrowed. “Your weak-willed mother may have convinced my father to keep this place, but he did not intend for me to live here.”

  “Maybe not, but where he did intend for you and Bess to live is gone, and we need to help each other now. We need to try to find a way to live together as a family. You also need to start helping me more.”

  “I am not going to help you save a ranch that you shouldn’t have in the first place.”

  “Again, it seems you’ve made your choice then, Jerome. I wish you well.”

  “You’re going to regret this, Laurel. I’m going to make sure of it.”

  Just as Jerome reached out to grab her shoulder, Thomas stepped in front of him. “Don’t,” he warned. “Don’t talk to her that way, and don’t ever attempt to touch her again.”

  “Or what?” Jerome scoffed.

  “Or you’ll regret it.”

  “How so? You being here is already ruining her reputation.”

  “It very well might be,” Thomas returned. “But she will also be safe.”

  Looking as if Laurel’s well-being only bored him, Jerome stepped to one side, visibly ignoring Thomas, and said, “Since you are casting us out, I’m going to need some money.”

  While Laurel closed her eyes in an obvious effort to gain patience, Thomas gaped at him.

  Didn’t that beat all? Her kin were living off of her. Thomas barely refrained from grunting in disdain. He wished he could send her inside and tell this fool what he could do with his proffered hand.

  But of course, that wasn’t his place. Instead, he stood silently next to her, hoping his very presence would remind her she wasn’t alone. Not anymore.

  She opened her eyes and, looking as dumbfounded as he assumed he did, stared at Jerome with those big brown eyes. Thomas would swear that a hundred retorts lay on her tongue, every one of them sharper than the next.

  After almost a full minute, she spoke quietly. “I don’t have any money to give you.”

  Jerome glared Thomas’s way. “Because you spent it all on releasing him from a jail cell.”

  “No. It’s because of everything.” Turning to Thomas, she said, “Would you please go take care of Velvet and the buggy? You’ll find everything you need in the barn.”

  This woman had more gumption than most soldiers he’d witnessed on the field. Tipping his hat gallantly, he drawled, “Yes, miss.”

  Jerome cleared his throat. “No! Wait. I’m going to need the horse and buggy.”

  Thomas turned around, giving Jerome enough of a glare to make sure the man didn’t consider reaching for her.

  But Laurel was holding her own. “Of course you can’t take Velvet or the buggy.” Her voice full of hurt, she said, “Do you really think I would give them to you?”

  “How am I supposed to leave?”

  Thomas had had enough of the man’s whining and verbal manipulations. “It’s only eight miles to town. God gave you two feet. You’ll do all right, I reckon.”

  “You’d cast out Bess and force her to walk?”

  Laurel visibly steeled her spine. Then, after another fortifying breath, she said, “If that is the way you see it, then yes. I am casting you out and forcing you to walk to town.”

  Jerome narrowed
his eyes.

  Seeing the man’s anger looming, Thomas stepped forward. He was prepared to do whatever it took to get the pair out of Laurel’s hair, even if it meant using a little bit of force. Actually, he realized he wouldn’t mind using his fists for a good reason. He’d even look forward to it.

  Though Jerome stiffened, he pointedly ignored Thomas. Instead, he looked directly at Laurel and sent her a look that could only be described as deadly. “You have underestimated me, sister. I promise you will rue this moment.”

  Though her face remained carefully blank, Laurel’s hands trembled before she fisted them.

  And though he didn’t know beans about being a gentleman, he knew a whole lot about defending someone who was in need.

  He couldn’t help himself. Stepping forward, he positioned his body so he stood slightly in front of her. “Miss Laurel, why don’t you go on inside and rest a spell?” he said in a quiet tone. “I’ll take care of your horse in a moment. But first, I think Jerome here and I need to have a talk.”

  He knew he had just overstepped his bounds by about a mile.

  She stared at him, confusion lighting her eyes, before nodding. “All right, Sergeant.”

  The moment the door was closed, Jerome folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t know who you think you are or what you’re hoping to get away with, but I’m here to say you had better think again the next time you even consider interfering in my business.”

  “Is that right?” Thomas found he was almost enjoying this popinjay’s dramatics.

  “Absolutely. I don’t know what kind of man you are, but I’m already counting the days until my sister figures out you are nothing more than a common criminal. Then she’ll realize she’s made a terrible mistake. There is no way she’s going to kick me out and expect nothing to happen.”

  His temper unleashed, Thomas stepped closer and looked down. “I’ll tell you who I am. I’m the man who grew up on the streets and learned to gain respect by the power of my fists. I’ve forced more people to bend to my will than you can ever imagine.”

  Jerome inhaled.

  “I’m the man who fought on more battlefields than you’ve even heard of.” Stepping even closer, Thomas glared. “I’m the man who held true heroes in my arms while they were dying, and made tougher decisions in a span of fifteen minutes than you’ve likely ever made in your lifetime.”

  Jerome’s eyes widened. “Hey, now—”

  “I’m the man who spent a winter in the middle of a northern lake in prison barracks and has just spent nine months languishing in a jail cell, the last two in the heat of a Texas summer.” Thomas lowered his voice but took care to punctuate each syllable so there would be no mistaking what he was saying. “I’ve hurt and I’ve maimed. I’ve killed. I’ve done just about anything one can imagine to survive, and I’m willing to do it all again for Laurel Tracey.”

  “Because you are a reprobate.”

  “No, sir. Not that. It’s because I am what I’ve always been. I’m a man without much to lose.”

  Jerome’s face was pale and his hands were in useless fists at his sides. “I could send you back to jail.”

  “The only way you could do that is by forcibly taking me there yourself. Is that what you’d like to do? If so, I look forward to you doing your best.”

  Jerome’s eyes nearly bugged out.

  At last, feeling as though he was being listened to, Thomas continued. “However, it seems the Lord has decided it’s time for a change. Somehow, some way, I did something to deserve getting hired on here. And I ain’t leaving. So if I were you, I’d watch real close to any promises or threats you want to dish out to Miss Tracey. Because I’m not going to back down or give up. I’m going to fight you any way I can.”

  “You’re nothing.”

  Thomas almost laughed. “You’re absolutely right. I’m nothing. However, this man with nothing also has a place to sleep tonight, which is more than I believe you have at the moment. I suggest you get on your way and be quick about it. My determination to be here will far outlast any efforts on your part. I promise you that.”

  He turned then and led the horse and buggy to the barn, unhitched Velvet, and started rubbing her down.

  She nudged him with her soft nose, flirting.

  He rubbed her again, finding himself relaxing little by little. When she nudged him again, he murmured, “Look at you, pretty girl.”

  Velvet nodded her head as if she were in complete agreement, pawed the ground with a hoof, then nudged him once more, whickering softly.

  Just like that, the memories came back. Of helping his father at the livery. Grooming horses while his dad fitted them with shoes.

  It had been years since he’d allowed those sweet memories to take center stage in his head. Years since he’d let himself remember how good his life had been before the raids. Before everyone was gone.

  He was so grateful that he leaned into the horse’s chest and rested his forehead there. Just like he’d done when he was a boy. Velvet seemed to sense his need to hold her. She stilled and allowed him his moment. Then blew out a breath on his cheek.

  As she’d no doubt hoped, he jerked back and wiped his face.

  She whinnied, and before he knew it, he was smiling at the fool animal. Loving her affection. Loving the feel of being around a good horse again. It reminded him of serving under Major Ethan Kelly and Captain Monroe. Those men, as strong and stalwart as they were, had also been cavalry officers at heart.

  Though he’d worked in a livery for a few years before enlisting, they were the ones who’d taught him to value a good mount, to trust a horse’s good sense. The captain himself had taught him to truly care for his horse. His employer at the livery had done only what he could to get by with his customers, and Thomas had also forgotten much of his father’s lessons as a way to survive. It had simply hurt too much to remember another life.

  But under Captain Monroe’s tutelage, Thomas had learned again. He’d first been struck by how individual each horse’s personality seemed to be. And how much he’d come to enjoy the calming, solitary tasks of brushing and currying, the rubdowns and oiling of hooves. Other men took shortcuts. And if time was tight, Thomas would too.

  But if possible, he would take as much time as he could. Because he’d had too little opportunity to coddle or fuss over anything or anyone. And horses . . . well, horses didn’t ask why.

  Just as he finished all the chores he could see needed to be done in the barn, the house’s front door opened and shut and Laurel’s two stepsiblings walked out. Each held a small bag of clothing. Their heads were lifted high and their steps were sure and brisk. Each looked to be wearing shoes far better suited to a cotillion than an eight-mile walk along dusty, rocky soil.

  Thomas figured they’d be a sorry, sweaty mess before they’d gone two miles. He was glad Laurel hadn’t asked him to take them into town. He’d rather see their backsides from here.

  After washing off the worst of his sweat and grime, he turned toward the house.

  Now that he could, he took a long look at it. It truly was a thing of beauty, with imposing white columns and a broad, long porch running the entire front. It was a little worn looking, a little tired. But though it had seen better days, it struck him as something special, though he couldn’t say why. Hundreds of houses just like it dotted the state. Maybe the reason it looked so sweet was because he now knew he could count it as his home of sorts for the next year.

  Counting his blessings again, he sat down on the front steps and waited for his new boss to appear. He didn’t mind waiting. In fact, he kind of hoped she’d take her time.

  After all, he had claim to the prettiest boss in the whole of the great state of Texas. If his buddies from Johnson’s Island could see him now, they’d grin and remark that, against all that was logical, he had beaten the odds again.

  Somehow, some way, Thomas Baker had landed back on his feet.

  8

  AS SHE STOOD AT A WINDOW AND WATCHED BES
S AND Jerome walk slowly down the road toward town, each holding a small carpetbag that likely held less than a third of their belongings, Laurel attempted to maintain her composure.

  Sitting down, she willed herself not to cry. They’d deserved what had happened to them. They really had. It occurred to her that she could have ordered Sergeant Baker to take them into town, but she was sure he and Jerome only would have provoked each other further.

  Jerome and Bess had been twin albatrosses around her neck. They’d moved in just when she was at her weakest, and instead of offering help or support, they took advantage of her home, her savings, and what little bit of charity she had left to give. The whole time she’d kept waiting for them to help. Waiting for them to acknowledge how much she’d done for them.

  But instead of doing any of that, they’d taken even more from her. They were part of the reason she’d grown so tired. They were part of the reason she’d been forced to hire a man to save the ranch.

  Now, even when they knew their departure meant she’d be living alone on the ranch with a prisoner, they still left. Though she should have realized that nothing they did would likely surprise her anymore, their leaving this way had shocked her.

  Even though she had so much to be upset about concerning their behavior, she had wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. A small part of her had been sure Jerome was merely testing her. She’d naïvely hoped some part of him would feel responsible for her welfare.

  But instead, he’d waged a war. Bating and badgering her. Tempting her with callous phrases, doing anything he could to get her to bend to his will.

  She was done doing that.

  If she had given in, he would take advantage and claim he was the head of the household. No doubt he would have then run the rest of the ranch into the ground—or worse, managed to somehow sell it right out from under her. Then she would be looking for a place to sleep at night.

  But still . . . it was hard.

  Of course, she wouldn’t have gone back on her word no matter what happened. Not only had both Sheriff Jackson and Judge Orbison been relieved that a man they trusted was going to be free at last, but Laurel never could have done such a thing to Sergeant Baker. For some reason she felt warm inside just thinking about him.