by Anna Zogg
He mounted. “Follow me.”
Taking a deep breath, Ellie nudged her gelding forward.
She didn’t know how long they rode, but it no longer mattered. Rhett was here. He would protect her. Time and again she swiped tears from her cheeks.
After he led her to a stream, they watered the horses. Ellie dismounted and drank deeply, as well. Water never tasted so good. When she rose, she saw that Rhett waited. He too had dismounted, but appeared to stand sentry over her.
“Do you need to rest?” His quiet question wrapped her in feelings of protection. “Or should we get back to your uncle’s ranch?”
“I want to go home.” Although she spoke calmly, the words choked her. She pressed her hand to her chest.
“Home it is.”
“Wait.” Her one word checked him. She fought for her voice. “Thank you, Rhett. For finding me. Rescuing me.”
A smile softened his face. As he helped her mount, he said, “Thank me later. After we reach the ranch.”
“Don’t you know the way?”
“Yes. I did some scouting out here for the military years ago.” He swung himself into his saddle. “But we should hurry.”
She glanced around, noting they had plenty of daylight hours. “How far away is it?”
“Not far. But the longer we’re out here, the bigger the problem.” Her confusion must have been evident because he added, “We’re alone. On the prairie. Your uncle may draw a wrong conclusion.”
Her cheeks burned at the insinuation. “Once I explain—”
“Preferably before my lynching.”
His words alarmed her. They both knew of Will Marshall’s temper.
“We need to get back.” She stifled her emotions. “Now.”
Rhett gave one curt nod as he pointed. “That way.”
They set off at a trot, then canter.
Anxiety for her friend caused her to push her mount to a gallop. A quick glance behind showed he kept up. But it also revealed a group of riders, riding hard to intersect them.
The person at the head of the group was none other than Guy Bartow.
Chapter Ten
As Rhett rode in the middle of the group, he assessed the men’s mood. Their faces were grim, gaze continually shifting. Ahead, the foreman led the way back to the ranch with Ellie close behind. No one spoke.
Four of the five men who flanked Rhett were ones he recognized as the foreman’s closest friends. All were armed. Even if Rhett considered an escape attempt, he wouldn’t get far. He made certain to appear relaxed, giving no one a reason to draw their six-shooter and end his life.
After they arrived at the ranch, one man ran up to grab Ellie’s bridle. “Y’uncle is expecting you, miss. In the house.”
After throwing Rhett a worried look, she dismounted and went inside.
His escort closed ranks. Apparently they were to wait.
After slipping off his horse, Bartow tossed his reins over a hitching post. He gave his men a look that spoke volumes. “Keep an eye on him.” He too headed inside.
Yawning loudly, Rhett rested his elbow on his saddle horn as he pretended boredom. He assessed how many hours remained of the day. With this much light, he had no chance of high-tailing it out of there with his skin intact. Time crawled. Rhett wasn’t too worried. Yet. Will Marshall must be interviewing his niece. Still, Rhett prayed that the ranch owner would accept the truth.
After a quarter of an hour or so, the foreman walked onto the porch. His head jerk seemed to indicate the boss was ready to see Rhett. Without waiting for the others, he dismounted and tied his horse before heading inside.
“Here he is, boss.” Bartow crimped his hat as Rhett joined the few inside.
He remained by the door, aware of the two men who positioned themselves behind him. The meaning seemed clear. Marshall wanted to ensure that Rhett not leave without permission.
His gaze settled on the ranch owner as he sat in a lone chair. Like a judge and jury?
Ellie stood beside her uncle, hands twisting together. Wholly focused on the foreman, Marshall appeared to purposefully ignore her.
She yanked off her bonnet. “I’m telling you, regardless of what Guy insinuated, we were not lost.”
Bartow drew himself up. “And I say you was the lostest looking thing I ever seen.”
She rounded on him. “We were heading in the correct direction, were we not?”
“After wandering around for hours.”
“That was when I was alone.” Ellie’s chin puckered. “Before Rhett found me.”
“Then why was you riding away from him?” He threw a thumb in Rhett’s direction. “Me and my men saw you, galloping as hard as you could.”
Cold reality hit Rhett. They thought he was chasing Ellie? To do her harm?
Ellie planted a fist at her hips. “I was in a hurry to get back.”
Silence met her pronouncement, but it was obvious from the expressions of the men—Marshall in particular—they didn’t believe her.
“Besides,” she said through gritted teeth as she turned back to her uncle, “if he accosted me, do you really think I would defend him now?”
Accosted her? Rhett’s mouth grew dry. If that’s what they thought, his comment about lynching would become a reality.
He kept his hands relaxed at his side, but his mind raced. If he acted quickly, he could catch the man on the left with an elbow to the throat. One hard shove to the man on his right would knock him into Bartow. That would give Rhett precious seconds to reach the open door, leap on his horse and take off. In short order he would reach the mountains where he could lay low until it was safe to head to the next county. Of course, someone might get a shot off that would kill him, but that would be better than getting lynched.
Bartow threw up his hands, drawing attention to himself as he spoke to Ellie. “We found you. More important, we saved you.”
“That’s a lie.” Her voice rose. “The only person I needed saving from was—”
“Enough.” With difficulty, Marshall rose and limped toward his niece. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
“No, it’s not. The truth matters.” She pressed clenched fists to her side.
“Ellie...” He lowered his voice. “Just drop it.”
Her chest heaved, lips pressing together. The meaning seemed clear. She would drop the subject if matters went her way.
The ranch owner now turned to Rhett. “However this played out, I’m grateful you located Ellie.”
A relieved breath escaped him. Perhaps he didn’t need to run for the hills.
Marshall took another step toward him. “But I do seem to recall ordering you to pack up your gear and skedaddle.”
He had? A replay of the day rushed through Rhett’s mind. He remembered the boss berating him about the mare, but not issuing any actual orders. Before reaching that point, they had been interrupted by the foreman.
Regardless, it seemed his employment had come to an end.
So be it. Rhett squared his shoulders. At least he wouldn’t have to run for his life. With deliberation, he met Marshall’s gaze but avoided Ellie’s. He took a step back. “Very well.”
She thrust herself between him and her uncle. Crossing her arms, she glared at Marshall. “He leaves, I leave.”
If she had announced she descended from the moon, it would not have had a bigger effect. The ranch owner staggered back.
“You heard me.” Every word from Ellie sounded like a rifle report. “And you know I mean what I say.”
Marshall blinked, but his shoulders slumped as though he couldn’t believe it.
“I was lost, but Rhett found me. He rescued me.” Ellie stepped closer to her uncle. “He told me exactly which direction to go. I was so anxious to get back—to you—that I pushed my horse to a gallop. That’s t
he truth.”
Despite Bartow’s snort, Ellie didn’t break eye contact with her uncle.
Watching the man’s face, Rhett prepared to bolt. Just because Ellie would leave—and he had no doubts she would do as threatened—didn’t mean Will Marshall wouldn’t take his fury out on him. No telling what ran through the ranch owner’s mind.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the sneer on Bartow’s face. The same look marked the two men who flanked Rhett. They weren’t watching the ranch owner, but the foreman. Like he was the real boss.
With care, Rhett pulled back an inch, ready to run.
“Fine.” Marshall’s limp hands fell to his sides. “Let him go.”
Bartow jerked like he’d been stung by a wasp. “But, boss—”
“I said, let him go.” With a jerk of his head, Marshall dismissed the two men by Rhett. Their gaze cut to Bartow before they slunk out.
Again, their reaction struck Rhett as odd. And worrisome.
“And you—” Marshall got right up in Rhett’s face “—stay away from my mare.”
He made certain to meet this man’s gaze. Though Marshall didn’t say it, the meaning seemed clear. Stay away from my niece.
Rhett spoke with care. “Yessir.”
But even as he turned and walked out of the house, he knew staying away from Ellie would never be possible. As long as she lived, he would never be free of her. Rhett would forever carry her in his heart.
* * *
“Easy, boy.” Rhett ran his hands over Tripper.
Although the gelding’s ears flicked with nervousness, his flesh no longer quivered. With care, Rhett felt along the horse’s back leg. It felt less inflamed. More importantly, Tripper no longer held his leg as though it pained him to put weight on it.
Even so, Rhett located the tin of salve that Ellie provided and smeared some of the grassy-smelling contents over the wound. As he worked, he flexed his own hands. Between using the medicine and wearing gloves, his palms had also healed well.
He had just put the tin aside when a creak of the barn door alerted him that someone else entered the building. Enemy or friend?
In seconds, he climbed up into the rafters.
Flickering light from a lantern danced along the dark walls as the person approached the stall. Long before Rhett could see her, he knew Ellie was the visitor from the sounds of her swishing skirts.
Taking care to make no sound, he peered below. Her golden hair came into view, then her creamy gown. A dark shawl wrapped her torso.
“Hello, Tripper.” Before entering the stall, she hung the lantern on a nail.
Tripper nickered to her, his welcome far different from the one he’d given to Rhett. His first inclination was to call to Ellie and let her know he was there. But he decided to enjoy watching her interact with the gelding.
You have gifted her greatly, Lord.
The truth of it affirmed itself in Rhett’s mind.
“I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you.” Ellie rubbed her palm over Tripper’s neck. “I was gone far too long today, but I came as soon as I could. And I brought you a present.”
She drew something from her pocket that Tripper took eagerly. From the crunching sound, Rhett guessed it was sugar cubes.
“No, I don’t have any more.” She giggled as he nosed her. For several moments, she merely stroked his neck. “Mind if I look at your leg? You’re not going to kick me, are you?”
As Ellie continued to chat with the horse, she smoothed her hands over his back and sides, working her way behind him. She made some sound of satisfaction as she examined the wound before moving back to his head.
For several minutes, she stood back, merely watching Tripper.
“I know you’re in here.”
Rhett puzzled at her quiet words, apparently spoken to the horse.
Ellie swiveled around in a half circle, glancing about the stall, then looking over the half gate. “I can’t see you. Where’re you hiding?”
Understanding dawned when Rhett realized she was talking about him. He chuckled quietly.
Without descending from his hiding place, he poked his head out. “How’d you know?”
She peered up at him. “Tripper. He kept looking away. Obviously seeking you.”
“Ah.” Foolish of him to forget the horse. However, Ellie had been far more captivating.
“And I could tell someone just put salve on his wound.” She pursed her lips. “I figured it was you.”
“True.” The smell alone would’ve been enough. Ellie truly did addle his head if he ignored the clues he had left.
“Do you think he’s looking better, Rhett?”
“Much better. I’m confident he’ll make a full recovery.”
“Really?” Ellie’s smile dazzled.
“Yes, really.” Rhett positioned himself to climb down when a sound from outside caught his ear. “Someone’s coming.”
She whirled.
The creak of the barn door echoed through the building.
Ellie glanced up at him as she whispered, “Stay hidden.”
Did she sense the unease that infected the ranch? Rhett feared he was the cause.
The heavy footsteps that marched toward the stall told him all he needed to know. Bartow was the visitor.
Ellie continued to pet her horse as the foreman stepped into Rhett’s view. Stopping outside the gate, Bartow peered in. He watched for a minute, then looked around, like he expected someone else to be there.
“Ev’ning, Ellie.” His deep voice contained a level of caution.
“Oh, hello.” She sounded surprised, like she didn’t know he stood at the gate.
“I, uh...” He swept his hat off and scratched his head before putting it back on. “I saw you heading in this way.”
“So did my uncle. I waved to him as he sat on his front porch.”
Clever. Rhett admired the way she warned Bartow not to try anything. The way the foreman had treated Ellie earlier made Rhett feel like he’d tried to swallow an apple, whole.
“That so?” Bartow rested an elbow on a wooden rung. Silence fell on them both as Ellie continued to pet the gelding. He cleared his throat. “Y’horse ain’t looking too bad.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Tone cool, Ellie spoke without facing him.
Bartow ran a hand over his neck, then jammed a fist into his pants pocket. “Listen, I wanted to apologize for earlier. What I said. Out in the field. I’s only flirting. Didn’t mean to offend.”
“You didn’t.” She lifted one shoulder, as though in dismissal.
“Good.” The foreman grabbed the lantern off the nail. “Found out about Matt. Like ya asked. The blacksmith’s apprentice. He’s doing fine.”
She peered into his face. “Thank you.”
“How about I walk ya back to the house?”
She let out a little sigh, filled with what sounded like frustration. Because she wasn’t finished with tending to Tripper? Or because she wanted to talk to Rhett?
He must’ve made some sound when he shifted his weight because Bartow’s head jerked around.
“Certainly.” Ellie spoke more loudly as she hastened out of the stall. “I was done here, anyway.”
The foreman lifted the lantern, but turned back to Ellie. The light fell full on her face.
When he offered his arm, she frowned. Her gaze flickered to Rhett’s hiding place before she rested light fingers on Bartow’s forearm, not tucking her arm around his as he likely expected.
Rhett couldn’t see the man’s face, but Ellie’s expression remained neutral. He got the impression she was attempting to discourage the foreman from getting ideas. As the seconds ticked by, her shoulders grew tight, spine more rigid.
What was Bartow relaying by his silence? Rhett wished he could see the man’s expression.<
br />
“Shall we?” Ellie prompted, tone frigid.
“This way.” Bartow’s head bobbed toward the entrance.
Only after they exited the building did the tension ebb from Rhett’s body. When his hand began to ache, he realized he was gripping his hunting knife. He forced his fingers to release the polished wooden handle before shimmying down from his hiding spot.
A check out the door assured him that the foreman was leading Ellie to the house. In the growing darkness, he could make out their forms, pausing in the yard while Bartow seemed to share some tidbit of information. From Rhett’s vantage point, he could see Marshall. As per his habit most evenings, he sat on a rocking chair on his own porch. He too seemed to take great interest in the couple as they lingered.
Worry for Ellie ate at Rhett.
“Bartow won’t try anything,” he reminded himself as he continued to watch. Not as long as she was under the protection of her uncle.
But despite his own words, Rhett’s reassurance rang hollow. He didn’t trust the foreman one bit.
* * *
In the morning, Ellie turned her attentions to her uncle. With Tripper well on his way to health, she felt confident about leaving him in Rhett’s care. Now she could concentrate on Uncle Will.
“How does that feel?” Ellie plumped the pillow under his calf as he sat in a cozy chair. His foot rested on another chair while a stool provided comfort and support. She smiled at her sneaky way to keep him immobile so that his sore ankle, wrapped in a poultice with her own blend of oils and herbs, would lose some swelling.
“Don’t know why you’re fussing so much over me.” Though Uncle Will growled, she detected the teasing edge in his voice.
She crossed her arms and tilted her head. “Because you like it.”
When he turned his head, she knew he hid his smile.
Their showdown about Rhett now seemed like a faded memory. Life had gotten back to normal. Whatever that was. Since her arrival at the ranch, Ellie felt like she and her uncle had been locked in a battle of wills. Today, a truce had been called. The men had eaten breakfast and departed to places unknown. That was probably the only reason her uncle remained at the house and allowed her to fuss over him.