by Devon McKay
She peered into the darkness, searching for a clue of who else it could be. Who would be out on a night like this? An even worse thought entered her mind—who would be out on a stormy night like this staring into her window?
William?
Not unless he was checking the fence line because of the storm. And he would’ve knocked on her door to let her know his concerns...not stare in her window.
The figure moved, a blur of yellow cloth in the night...heading to the barn.
Hit with a terrifying thought, Jessie sucked in a worried breath. She jumped to the side of the window, out of sight. Whoever was killing her steers was back! And he was headed for Lilly.
Adrenaline scoured through her veins. I’m going to catch the bastard this time!
Slipping into a pair of jeans, she threw a flannel shirt over the tank top she wore and was down the stairs and out the door in less than a minute, stopping only long enough to grab her rifle and load it.
The bitter rain stung her face, the wind whipping at her hair, blinding her for a moment. Brushing the wet strands out of her eyes, she tried to focus in the darkness, thankful for the occasional strike of lightning illuminating her way.
With every step to the barn, she cursed herself for not waking William up. What had she been thinking? She hadn’t been thinking at all, and couldn’t even blame this on Nate.
Jessie cursed and slipped her way into the barn, careful not to make any sudden moves or noise. She could hear Lilly snorting and prancing in her stall. A sure-fire sign she wasn’t alone in the barn, despite the horse having similar, yet less panicked, reactions to heavy rain. At least she was unharmed.
Easing her way to the horse, she attempted to calm the frightened animal. Knowing the obstacles in the barn by heart gave her an advantage, but she was still grateful her eyes had adjusted to the lack of light.
Her senses heightened as if every hair on her body stood on edge. Ignoring the rapid race of her heartbeat, she peered into the corners; there were plenty of places to hide in the large building.
A loud ruckus shook the silence. Had she been certain they weren’t alone, she would have blamed the storm outside or perhaps even a raccoon or other wild animal. But she knew different. A sudden boost of energy raced through her body, pumping blood through her veins.
She sucked in a deep breath. The sound had been the metal feed bucket she stored in the opposite corner. More than once, she’d tripped over the damn thing herself. And that had been during the day.
Steady, she brought her rifle up, locking it in the grove of her shoulder. It was fight or flight. A thin layer of perspiration covered her body. She was too ramped up to be scared, and too stubborn for flight.
As if on cue, lightning struck, and a shock of light brightened the inside of the barn. In a burst of yellow, the man exploded out of the corner and ran from the barn into the storm. Jessie reacted, firing a shot before he disappeared into the night.
His sudden appearance had thrown off her aim and she’d missed. And an attempt to follow him had failed. Outside, her attention was drawn to the house lit up like a Christmas tree. The entire family was up now.
She met William at the bottom of the stairs. “I saw something...someone,” Jessie stated in defense of her actions.
Somehow, she was able to calm the children down enough to get them back into bed. However, no such luck with the rest of her family. Jessie entered the kitchen where the rest of the clan waited.
“You should’ve woken me up, Jessie. What if there really was someone out there?” William berated her.
“I couldn’t wake any of you up. I would’ve lost him,” she explained, accepting a cup of coffee from Rosita. Swirling her spoon, she stirred sugar into the hot brown liquid. Her hand shook, the metal spoon clanging against the mug.
“You could’ve been hurt.” Rosita put in her two cents before pulling the spoon out of her grip and laying it on the table.
Jessie ignored the worry etched on the housekeepers face. “I wasn’t hurt,” she snapped. “And what do you mean if there really was someone out there?” She directed her frustration at William. “I saw a man.”
“It was dark, Jessie. You could’ve seen anything,” he said, continuing to make excuses.
She spared a glance in her father’s direction, finally understanding William’s persistence. Her dad remained silent, the expression on his face stoic and unreadable. She should have known better. Any undue stress could put her father back into the hospital. They would have to finish this discussion when they were alone.
“You’re right,” she admitted, trying to sound convincing. “I guess my eyes could’ve been playing tricks on me. Sorry I woke you all up. I’ve just been on edge lately.”
Rosita stood, excusing herself. “Come on, Thomas, I’m headed to bed, and you look tired,” the housekeeper remarked, helping Jessie’s father to his feet. “We need our beauty sleep.” She smiled, escorting him out of the kitchen and toward his bedroom.
“I did see someone,” Jessie blurted out as soon as Rosita and her dad left the room. “I almost nailed him, William. If only...” She shook her head in defeat. “If I hadn’t been in such a hurry. I should’ve taken my time. I had him in my sights.” Disregarding his troubled gaze, she stared into her cup again.
“You can’t go around shooting people, Jessie. It’s against the law,” he remarked, reprimanding her in a stern voice. “And who knows for sure? It was dark. You could’ve seen a coon or a coyote.”
“Wearing a yellow slicker? I know what I saw. It was a man, not a damn coyote! Besides, I wasn’t aiming to kill him, just wound him. And why can’t I? It’s my property,” she defended.
William shook his head in exasperation. It was obvious he wasn’t going to argue. Frustrated, Jessie picked up her spoon again, fidgeting with the utensil.
“I’ll call the sheriff tomorrow, make another report. I’ll also check the barn.” The foreman reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on hers. “You should get some beauty sleep, too. I doubt he’ll be coming back tonight,” he stated, squeezing her hand. “If I didn’t admire your spunk so much, Jessie, I’d be mad at you.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I guess it was pretty stupid, huh? Next time I’ll wake you up. I promise.”
He stood, the smile fading from his face. “Let’s hope there won’t be a next time.”
Chapter 16
“Look, Daddy, I’m a cowgirl! I’m riding a horse all by myself! Giddy up,” Jade squealed, displaying a grin from ear to ear.
Her smile was contagious; so catching in fact, Nate almost didn’t notice her spurring J.W. to a faster pace.
“Whoa, now...slow down, sweetheart. This isn’t a race.” He pulled back on the reins, thankful for the barrier of the round corral. J.W. liked to run, and he didn’t need much encouragement.
He’d started teaching the kids to ride today, and while both children were doing equally well, he had to favor his daughter’s approach. Much like him, she showed no fear, and now the precocious child wasn’t satisfied with a slow easy pace. Her brother was the complete opposite, preferring a more conservative, nice and steady cantor.
Nate patted J.W.’s neck. He hadn’t been sure the horse would be accommodating, considering he wasn’t used to children, but so far, the gelding had proven to be quite patient. He would have to slip him an extra sugar cube or two for his good work.
This morning, when he picked up the children, Jessie had been standoffish. Her stance told him any conversation would be non-negotiable, which pleased him just fine. Her cold reception was quite welcome. He’d said all he needed to say the night before. Despite their differences, she’d allow him the company of the children without an argument. Although, he’d of been blind not to notice the apprehension on her face as she waved goodbye.
“Mama shot someone,” Jade stated matter-of-factly, interrupting his thoughts.
“She did what?” He grabbed the reins hard, pulling the horse to a stop.
His daughter continued to bounce, urging the horse forward, unwilling for the ride to end.
“She missed,” Gage added, joining the conversation from the fence rail. “Last night during the storm...”
“It woke me up!” Jade tugged at his hands to let go of the reins.
“I woke you up,” her brother interjected with an irritated glance at his sister. “Mom’s shotgun woke me up.”
“Sounded like thunder...but louder,” Jade told him, her eyes as large and exaggerated as her story. “And closer.”
“I’m sure she was just scaring off coyotes,” Nate reasoned, more to ease his own conscience than the children’s.
His thoughts drifted to the dead steers she’d accused him of killing. Trouble at the Calhoun ranch? The concept shook him to his core. He couldn’t think of any enemies Jessie or her father had made. Of course, it didn’t help matters he’d been M.I.A. for seven years.
Knowing Jessie, the spit-fire did shoot someone. He pictured her armed with that damned oversized rifle she had a knack for grabbing at a second’s notice. The stubborn woman had always been rash, not ever thinking a situation through before reacting. Although, she wasn’t one to fire a weapon without reason, and the thought of someone traipsing around her property was unsettling.
Someone intending harm to her was too much to handle, despite how angry he was with her.
“Lesson’s over.”
He reached up to lower his resistant child. Crocodile-sized tears formed, and her bottom lip protruded into a trembling pout. He grimaced, folding from the display.
“How about I let you and Gage ride J.W. to your house instead?”
Jade perked up, and he seated Gage behind her, then grabbed the reins to lead the horse.
A walk was the perfect solution. It would give him time to calm down.
****
Jessie searched the barn where the food bucket was overturned. A boot print, clear as day, was etched in the dirt floor—solid proof she hadn’t been seeing things last night. She released a sigh of relief. Now, maybe everyone would believe her.
“Who were you shooting at?”
She jumped, startled by Nate’s sudden appearance. Choosing to ignore him, she glanced back down at the print.
“Last night...who were you shooting at?” he persisted.
“If I knew, I wouldn’t have been shooting at shadows in the middle of a storm, would I? I’d hunt whoever it was down at their house.” She drew a large circle in the dirt around the print. “Besides, this is my business not yours. How did you find out anyway?” she retorted smartly, not bothering to hide her surprise.
“Does it matter? And, it’s not just your business where my children are concerned,” he said, standing his ground, while providing her with an answer.
One of the kids told him. Knowing her children, both of them had spilled the beans. Annoyed, she crossed her arms over her chest. He threw the term, “his children,” around far too easily. The words simply rolled off his tongue as if he’d been there since they were born.
“At first, I thought it was you.” As childish as it sounded, she added, “it’d be just like you.”
“To what...let you shoot at me?”
She deciphered his words, picturing shooting him in the leg. A devilish smile pulled at her lips.
“That’s not funny, and neither is you chasing down...” Exasperated, he paused and drew a hand through his dark hair. “Look, I don’t like the idea of you chasing down Lord knows what in the middle of the night.”
“I don’t care what you like or don’t like. It was a man.” She pointed at the ground. “Proof, if you don’t believe me.” She circled the footprint. “I think it may have been the person responsible for killing my steers.”
Nate knelt down, examining the print in the dirt. He took off his hat for a closer view. After an intense minute, he glanced up at her. “Tell me everything.”
“Well, I couldn’t sleep,” she informed him, leaving out he was the reason why. “The storm...it was bad.”
He nodded his head, agreeing with her.
“Anyway, when I looked out my window, I saw something move and a flash of yellow, like a raincoat. I thought it was you...I thought maybe you came back...after our fight.”
He cocked a heavy brow, pulling himself to his feet. He replaced his hat on his head and cast her a sharp glance. “So, you went outside to see? Alone? What the hell, Jessie? Do you think you can take on everybody? Never mind. Don’t answer. Besides, I’ve heard enough.” He held a hand up to silence her. “You need to call the sheriff. And I’ll be keeping the kids at my house tonight.”
She started to object, but stopped herself. Regardless of her reserves, he was right. What if one of her kids had followed her? As much as it pained her, the children would be safer at his house, for now.
“Maybe you should consider staying there, too.”
His gaze locked with hers again, causing a quick jolt to her heart. He really was concerned.
The guilt was too much. Jessie stepped closer, filling the gap between them. “I’m sorry, Nate. I should have told you about Jade and Gage.” She reached for his hand, but he withdrew from her touch.
“Don’t. I’m not ready yet, Jessie. It’s still sinking in that you lied to me.” He shot a disheartened glance in her direction, the dark blue of his eyes lined with pain.
“I didn’t lie,” she said, attempting to defend her actions. As of late, justifying her behavior had become second nature. “I just didn’t tell you. I didn’t know how to...” The excuse came out flimsy even to herself, and her words faltered.
“The offer to stay still stands.” There was an unreceptive edge to his voice. “At least I can keep my eyes on you.”
Nate shot her a wary glance, splitting her heart into pieces.
“I remember a time when you could tell me anything.” With that, he turned away, exiting the barn.
A shiver ran through her, the truth in his words leaving her cold and alone.
Chapter 17
The flash of lightning lit Nate’s bedroom, brilliantly showcasing nature’s fury. In fact, for the split second, his room was as bright as day, reminding him of the many storms he had endured as a child in this very room. Not much had changed since he was that terrified little boy. Even though he was no longer scared of storms, they still made him uneasy.
He made it to the count of three this time before the roar of thunder followed. A little too close. So far, this had been a bad season for summer storms, the second one this week.
“Daddy?” Jade’s trembling voice broke through the low rumble. “I’m scared.”
Lightning illuminated the room again, and he saw his daughter and son blocking the doorway. Nate rolled over to his nightstand and attempted to turn on the lamp. Just his luck, no electricity. The storm must have hit a power line.
Not wanting to frighten the children even more, he remained calm, holding back a few choice words as he lifted the edge of his bed cover up and patted the mattress. “Come to bed, guys. It’s just a little rain.”
Both children scampered across the room, jumping on the bed at the same time. He tucked them under the covers. “It should blow over soon.”
“But, the floor is moving,” Jade whispered.
He could sense, more than see, her eyes large with fear. The mattress vibrated in response to her statement. It took a minute for her words to register. The floor was moving!
He sucked in a deep breath. No lightning storm he’d ever endured made the floor move.
A thunderous sound followed. He jumped out of bed and ran to the window.
Lightning highlighted the pasture outside his window, and he rubbed his eyes in disbelief. The spectacle before him was one he had never seen before. A sight he never wanted to see again.
Nate blinked, willing the scene to disappear.
It didn’t.
A frenzied mass of beefy flesh and horns was headed straight for the house.
&nb
sp; “A stampede!”
Nate heard Doyle voice his thoughts from the doorway. If he didn’t reroute their course, the house and everything around it would be totaled, including what he loved most in this world. His kids.
“Listen to Doyle. Got it?” he told them, silently praying his friend could keep the children safe at all costs. He needed to move fast. Another flash allowed him to see the fear in their eyes, and he softened his approach. “Everything will be all right. I promise.” Nate spared a concerned glance at his friend. “The boys...”
“I’ll get to the boys,” Doyle retorted, solving another dilemma while gathering Jade and Gage in his sinewy grip. “Just go. They’re safer in the bunkhouse than we are in this house anyway. Once the kids are okay, I’ll help,” he stated in his matter-of-fact way, easing Nate’s mind with his candid statement.
Doyle was right. They were lucky the house didn’t fall down around them by the movement of the ground alone. Nate pulled a pair of jeans on over his boxers and slipped into his boots. He tossed on a long-sleeved shirt not sparing a moment to button the flannel. He paused only long enough to grab and load his pistol before racing out of the house.
Jumping on J.W. bareback, he urged the animal to a full gallop in less than a minute. If he could gain command, the moving herd would roll into itself. At least that was the plan.
Firing the gun, he prayed the noise would redirect the leaders of the stampede, turning the mass of steers. It was the only hope he had. If not... He shuddered, unwilling to think about if not.
In a split second, Nate placed himself in the perilous destructive path of the panicked animals. Taking the lead, he rode at a reckless speed. Rain pelted his face, blinding him, but he barely felt the sting of the needles.
Spurred on by the sheer brute force of the animals behind him, he encouraged his horse past the point of no return. The trampling of the cattle’s thunderous hooves equal only to the loud argument in the sky.