Ride The Wind (Vincente 3)

by Constance O'Banyon

  The hour grew late, and still Reese had not returned. She opened the door and stared out into the silent darkness. Loneliness pressed in on her, and she shivered from the cold.

  Where was Reese?

  She went to the kitchen, where it was warmer and laid her head down on the table; before she realized it, she'd fallen asleep.

  Reese opened the door and was immediately hit by delicious smells. He removed his coat and hat, put them on the coatrack, and went to the kitchen.

  Saber heard his heavy bootsteps and roused herself. When Reese appeared in the doorway, she smiled. "You must be starved."

  "What smells so good?"

  Saber went about setting the table. "You might want to invite the others. I made plenty."

  He had been thinking about her all day and wondering what she was doing with her time. He saw the apple pie on the back of the stove, and a steaming pot of stew bubbling in the large iron pot.

  He moved to the back door and gave her a wide smile. "I'm sure Rosita has food waiting for Miguel, but I'll get Jake and Gabe."

  Moments later, Reese reappeared with the other two men in tow. Saber dished up a generous serving of stew for each of them and placed a pan of fresh, hot bread before them.

  "Hello, Jake," she said to the young boy who beamed at her. "I don't know how it'll taste. It's been warming for quite a while." Her eyes moved to the older man, who reminded her a lot of Zeb. He was gray-headed and bowlegged; his leathery face attested to the long hours he spent in the saddle. "You must be Mr. Cooper. Please sit and eat before everything gets cold."

  "Yes, ma'am," Gabe Cooper said, straddling a chair and reaching for a knife to slice the bread. A warning glance from Reese reminded Gabe of his manners. "Excuse me, ma'am," the old cow hand said remorsefully. "It's been a long time since I feasted on food fixed by a female."

  "You gentlemen go ahead and enjoy the meal. I'll just leave you to eat in peace."

  "Aren't you going to join us?" Reese asked, holding a chair for her.

  "I ate earlier." She smiled and moved to the door. "Good night, gentlemen."

  It was quiet in the kitchen after she'd gone. The three men looked at each other and then hastily began filling their plates.

  It smelled good, but Reese couldn't form a picture of Saber cooking on the old woodstove. Hesitantly he took a small bite of meat on his fork and tasted it, noticing that Jake and Gabe were already eating with gusto.

  "Delicious!" Gabe pronounced with his mouth full.

  "Yes, it is," Reese agreed, taking another bite and then another.

  "Miss Vincente's a good cook," Jake said, reaching for his second slice of bread while eyeing the apple pie-his favorite.

  Reese smiled to himself. He owed the lady an apology. Hell, he owed her many apologies. He'd been treating her like the spoiled sister of a Spanish grandee, when in truth she had acted with intelligence, kindness, and patience, and had never complained when she was cold and hungry.

  After he'd eaten, he gave Jake and Gabe their orders for the next day. When they left he went into the parlor. He half feared Saber had gone to bed and he wouldn't get the chance to apologize to her for his rudeness the night before. He found her curled up in a chair, reading a book under the dim light of an oil lamp.

  Saber glanced at Reese and laid the book aside. "Did you lose many head?"

  He pulled a chair up beside her and nodded grimly. "Yeah. Close to fifty so far."

  She moved forward and in a feminine gesture laid her hand on his. "I'm so sorry, Reese."

  His hand closed around hers, and a knifelike sweetness swept through her. She wanted to comfort him, but would this self-assured man accept comfort from a woman? She somehow sensed that he needed it. "You will build your herd up again. I'm sure Noble will give you a sizable reward for-"

  He jerked his hand free of hers and surged to his feet, standing over her with anger etched on his rugged face. "I don't need your brother's money."

  "No, of course not. I just thought-"

  Again he interrupted her. "My problems aren't yours, Miss Vincente." He moved to the corner, where she had neatly folded his pallet and carried the quilts to the fireplace.

  "Now," he said, turning to her, "unless you want to watch me undress, I suggest you go to bed. It's been a long day, and tomorrow will prove to be an even longer one."

  With as much dignity as she could gather, she stood, placed the book back on the shelf, and moved out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  Reese stared up at the ceiling until he could gather his thoughts. Hell, what was the matter with him? He had seen the wounded expression in her eyes. He had meant to be nice to her, and all he'd managed to do was hurt her.

  Without removing his clothing, he settled on the pallet and turned to stare at the flames burning low in the fireplace. He was a fool. Why couldn't he have just politely declined the offer of her brother's money and thanked her for the fine supper? Because, he told himself, he didn't want her to feel that she owed him. He would do anything for her and would stand between her and danger anytime. It wasn't for money it never had been. His gun belt was gouging him, so he removed it and placed it near at hand.

  Tomorrow he'd apologize to Saber for hurting her tonight.

  The bedroom door opened, and he saw Sa tier's silhouette dimly reflected by the lamplight behind her. "I am going out with you tomorrow."

  He raised himself up on his elbow. "No, you're not. It's too cold, and we'll be out all day rounding up any strays that may have survived the norther."

  "You have no say in the matter. I don't care how cold it is. I am accustomed to riding every day, and I will ride tomorrow. Good night."

  He could hear the determination in her voice. "Very well. But don't say I didn't warn you."

  She stepped back into the bedroom and closed the door.

  "Damn that woman!" he muttered. "She's as stubborn as a mule." Well, he'd just let her have her way and see how she liked it. She'd be begging to return to the house before the morning was over.

  Noble answered the knock at the door. Thinking it would be the Halloway family, his heart stopped when a beautiful woman with red-gold hair flew into his arms.

  She nestled against him, fitting just right, as if she belonged there. Noble's arms tightened around her, and his heart filled with warmth. She had known he needed her and had come to him. Had any man ever had such a wife? "Rachel, what are you doing coming here at this time? If I know anything about you, you came alone."

  "No, I didn't, because I knew you wouldn't approve. Teak and George came with me. I just had a feeling you might need me, so here I am." She turned her head up to his, and he raised her on tiptoe to receive his kiss. At last she broke away from him and went into the room. "I just couldn't stay at home worrying about Saber. Have you found her yet?"

  He moved into the room and closed the door. He hadn't known how much he'd missed her until that moment. "I sent a man to the ranch with a message telling you all about it."

  "We must have crossed paths. Have you found her?"

  There was leashed anger in his eyes when he thought of what his sister had been through. "Yes. She's been found."

  She went into his outstretched arms. "Thank God! I have been out of my mind with worry." She felt the tension in him. "She is all right, isn't she?"

  "She's alive, but I don't know what she suffered at the hands of those bastards."

  "Where is she? I want to see her."

  Noble released his hold on Rachel and frantically paced the length of the room and back. "It seems she was rescued by a man by the name of Reese Starrett. Do you know him?"

  Rachel frowned. "I've heard that name before. Wasn't he the man who stopped the Comanche from fighting with the army not too long ago? I believe he was hailed as something of a hero."

  Noble stopped before her. "Did he? I hadn't heard that. Zeb told me that Reese has already killed one of the Miller brothers."

  "Where is Saber now?"

  "She's
at Starrett's ranch. Zeb and Alejandro saw her and have assured me she is in good health."

  Rachel shook her head. "I don't understand. Why is she at the Starrett ranch?"

  He put his arms around her and drew her close. "Let me hold you, and I'll tell you what I know." He laid his face against hers and felt the familiar stirring of his body. "I have missed you, Green Eyes. I'm glad you are here."

  She knew him so well, and she also knew he might go after the Millers and get himself killed. He was not a man to stand by idly while others hunted for the kidnappers. "What are your plans?"

  "I'm leaving early in the morning. Some buffalo hunters claim to have run into the Millers just across the Mexican border."

  She knew better than to try to talk him out of going, so she asked, "Who is going with you?"

  "Five men from Casa del Sol."

  "I want to come, too."

  He eased her out of his arms. "You can't do that, Rachel. But it would ease my mind consid erably if you would go to the Starrett ranch and find out about Saber."

  She nodded in agreement. "Perhaps that would be for the best. I'll leave in the morning."

  He drew her tightly against his body. "How did you know I needed you?"

  She closed her eyes, loving her husband with her whole being. "I just know you so well."

  He looked at the bed, wanting to lay her down and make love to her, but he groaned in frustration---that would have to wait until later tonight. "Matthew and his parents are supposed to be here at any time."

  "What is the law doing to find the men, Noble?"

  "You may well ask," he replied, his lip curled in distaste. "Sheriff Davis has taken a posse in the direction of the panhandle. That man couldn't find his own tail."

  She touched her lips to his, and he forgot for the moment that he was meeting anyone. He pressed his body into hers and pulled her tighter against him.

  Rachel knew that her husband needed comfort, and she knew just how to give it to him.

  There was a knock on the door. Noble groaned and set Rachel away from him. "Later," he said, smiling.

  A young soldier handed Noble a letter. "A mes sage from Major Halloway, sir. He said to tell you how sorry he is that he and his parents can't come to Fort Worth today." The young man waited a moment. "Will there be an answer, sir?"

  Noble felt irritated. "No. I have nothing to say to them."

  When Noble closed the door, Rachel pulled him toward the bed. "I'm glad they aren't coming. Now we can be together."

  It was still dark when Reese awoke and stretched his cramped muscles. He ran his hand over the bristles on his chin, thinking he should shave, but he didn't want to take the time. Every moment lost might mean more dead cattle.

  He crammed his feet into his boots and tucked in his shirt. Glancing toward the bedroom, he was surprised to see the door open. On closer inspection, he discovered the bed was already made. He followed the delicious smell coming out of the kitchen and found Saber just taking biscuits out of the oven.

  She noticed how tumbled his hair looked, and she noticed the tired lines beneath his eyes. He was working too hard, and she doubted that he'd slept very well on the floor.

  "Something smells good," he said, sniffing the air.

  A warm glow spread through her at the shared moment of intimacy. She tried to remember that she was angry with him, but it was difficult with him looking at her with such a soft glow in those silver eyes.

  "After you've washed and called the others, breakfast will be ready to eat."

  "I didn't hear you get up. I thought young ladies of your station reclined in bed and had their breakfast served to them."

  In a sudden rush of irritation, she now remembered why she'd been angry with him. Why did he always have to say such cruel things to her? "I have always been an early riser myself and for your information, I never take my breakfast in bed unless I'm ill. As for you" she shrugged "it would have taken a stampede to wake you when I first got up."

  The sight of her standing there with a smudge of flour on her cheek was so endearing that it made him smile. "I'll wash up," he said, going out the kitchen door with light steps.

  Later, when the three men were seated at the table, Saber poured each of them a steaming cup of coffee, then sat down to drink hers.

  "Why aren't you eating?" Reese said in a growl. "A good puff of wind would blow you away."

  Her head swiveled in his direction, and her blue eyes glowed dangerously. "I ate while you were still asleep. I also washed your dirty clothing, hung it on the line, and made breakfast."

  "Rosita does my laundry," Reese grumbled.

  "Good. Then I won't do it again."

  Jake and Gabe exchanged startled glances. Knowing Reese's temper and hoping to keep the boss from making a fool of himself, Gabe said quickly, "Ma'am, I guess you're just about the best cook I ever met. I ain't ate like this since I was a boy. My ma made biscuits like these."

  "Why, thank you, Mr. Cooper. I don't know when I've had a nicer compliment."

  Jake nodded, his eyes clear and honest. "I agree with him, ma'am, although I don't remember my ma's cooking."

  Reese managed to look disgruntled, but he said nothing.

  Saber took a quick sip of coffee and smiled at Jake. "I am riding out with you this morning."

  Gabe nodded. "Bundle up good. It's still right cold, but I don't think we'll have anymore snow."

  Reese scowled at the two men, resenting the fact that they made Saber smile. Hell, he resented any man who could make those sweet dimples appear in her satin cheeks! He shoved his plate away and stood. "You two ride to the high pasture. I'm going to take Miss Vincente and search in the valley so we won't be so far from the house."

  "Yes, sir, boss," Gabe said with pretend seriousness, and received a frown from Reese for his trouble.

  "I'll be in the barn," Reese said, his movements jerky.

  Three pairs of eyes watched him stomp to the parlor, where his coat hung.

  Saber sighed and stood. Taking the kettle of boiling water off the stove, she scraped the dishes and dunked them in soapy water. Reese could hurt her so easily. She paused as Gabe and Jake left, her mind made up. No man was going to treat her with such insolence. She had done nothing wrong. He was probably tired of having her around. She dried the plates and stacked them on the shelf. Yes, that must be what was wrong with him. Well, it had been his decision to bring her here, not hers.

  Jake swung into the saddle and whispered to Gabe, "What's wrong with Reese-what's put a burr under his saddle? I've never seen him act like that before. The look he gave me when I complimented Miss Vincente on her biscuits would have curdled cream."

  Gabe mounted his horse, laughing. "That little thoroughbred filly's what's wrong with him. She's got him twisted in knots. He ain't never seen her like before, and he's fighting to the end of his tether."

  "Do you mean he's acting this way because he.. .wants her?"

  Gabe laughed and spurred his horse on. "That's exactly what I mean."

  Jake rode up to the older man. "Well, I'll be damned. Never thought the boss would go all soft on a woman."

  Gabe gave him a knowing look. "Yes, sirree, he's a-bucking and a-rearing like a stallion caught in a barbed-wire fence. He'll not walk away from that little filly so easily. She's got spirit real spirit!"

  Reese noticed that his sorrel appeared to be favoring its left hind leg. On examining it, he discovered the horse had picked up a stone. He was concentrating on prying it loose, so he didn't glance up when Saber entered the barn.

  She made her way to the stall where one of the mares was kept and opened the gate, patting the animal and receiving a friendly whinny in return.

  He glanced at her and noticed she was wearing one of his old coats. It was rolled up at the sleeves and hung past her knees. She had also helped herself to a pair of his gloves, which were so big she was having trouble keeping them on her hands.

  "Are you still set on riding out today, Saber?"

/>   She gave him a lofty glance. "I need to get out of the house, and I am going."

  He ground his teeth. "If you'll wait until I am finished here, I'll saddle that mare for you."

  She led the mare forward, seething inside. "I don't need you to saddle my horse for me! I have been taking care of my own horses since I was no taller than your knee."

  He gave her a doubtful glance, then watched as she aptly slipped the bridle over the mare's head and slid the bit between its teeth. He turned to help her, only to find that she'd already retrieved the saddle blanket from the stall railing. Dropping the gloves, she fixed him with a glare that stopped him short.

  Saber slid the blanket in place and then heaved the saddle over her head. Reaching beneath the mare's belly, she fastened the cinch. After she'd adjusted the stirrups to her height, she rubbed the mare behind the ear and turned her glance to Reese, who was speechless.

  "Mr. Starrett, my father was a firm believer that if you own an animal, that animal is your responsibility." She arched an eyebrow at him and asked in a purring voice. "Now, would you like me to saddle your horse for you?"

  He turned away and began saddling his horse, hiding the smile that tugged at his lips. "I think I can manage."

  "If you have any trouble, I'll be glad to help," she stated, jabbing her foot into the stirrup and mounting. Leaning over, she took a coiled rope from a peg and hooked it on her saddle horn. "I can rope, too, if you need me to help you today."

  He swung smoothly into the saddle and looked into her eyes. "Ah, your offer of help warms my heart. Dare I hope that the lady begins to like me?"

  "Banish any such hope, Mr. Starrett. The lady does not like you in the least." She nudged her mare forward and rode out of the barn.

  Laughing, Reese rode after her, ducking his head when he came to the barn door. "Saber Vincente, you may be too much woman for Major Matthew Halloway," he said daringly.

  She halted her mount and waited for him to join her. He saw the mischief reflected in her eyes and waited for her to speak.