by DiAnn Mills
“One hundred dollars and you bring your mare over when you’re ready. This is the best deal you’ll get from anyone around here.”
“Two hundred.”
John lifted his hands and shook his head. “I’m done. You got your horse, and now you got yourself a boy to work off his debt. I’m riding home. Got too much work of my own to do. Good day, Mr. Oberlander.” He touched the brim of his hat and whirled around, taking half a dozen steps to his horse.
“Wait up. Hundred dollars cash will do and the breedin'. You take the kid.”
John whipped out a money clip and counted out five twenties. She’d never seen so much money. He stared up at her. “I hope you have some muscles beneath your scrawny hide, ‘cause you’re going to work off every penny of this.”
Mr. Oberlander laughed. “Pleasure doing business with you, John.”
This isn’t going to be easy.
John never thought of himself as having a temper. In fact he thought of himself as a patient man. Being big brother to four boys and facing responsibility for their welfare head-on meant using his head and heart, not his fists or his mouth.
But a twist of fate had made him madder than an agitated hornet’s nest. He hadn’t struck a deal with Oberlander about his land, and he’d lost one hundred dollars of his money on a no-account kid.
He looked over his shoulder at the boy riding behind him. “I want to know your name.” He spoke like a man in charge, even though defeat mocked him. “I paid your debt, and you owe me a few things.”
“I’ll work hard.”
“I guarantee it. The only thing you’ll have time for stealing is a few extra hours of sleep at night. I have four younger brothers and my mother waiting at the ranch. What do you want them to call you?”
“Bert.”
“Thank you. Now where are you from?”
“Not from around here.”
“Where are your folks?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
John wanted to give the kid a generous piece of his mind, but what good would acting like Leon do? Besides, the kid had already been beaten and needed to have his eye and mouth tended to. “I bet your mama is worried sick about you.”
“She’s dead.”
Things about Bert were becoming clearer. “Sorry to hear that.”
“Happened a long time ago.”
Once Bert decided to talk, he did all right. “What about the rest of your family?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Right now I figure you owe me at least four months’ hard work for what you cost me. What do you know about ranching?”
“Nothing.”
Make that five months. “We start before sunrise. You’ll get three meals a day, and I expect you to mind your manners. Whatever I tell you to do, put some effort into it. No argument or you’ll skip the next meal. There’ll be no cussin', and you’ll go to church on Sunday.”
“Ain’t never been to church.”
“So along with being a horse thief, you don’t follow God? Looks like you need lots of help.”
“I didn’t steal the horse.”
“Were you riding Oberlander’s horse when those ranch hands found you?”
“Didn’t know they were Mr. Oberlander’s men, but yes.”
“That’s ‘Yes, sir.’ I don’t know where you’re from, but when someone’s caught riding a horse that doesn’t belong to him, it’s stealing. And let me make it clear, you will treat those older than you with respect. So I’d better be hearing good manners. If you don’t have any, you’d better be learning some.” John had a whole lecture—more like a sermon—swelling inside him. “I hope you learned your lesson today. I saved you from a hanging, and I hope I don’t live to regret it.”
John started to add more, but he needed to spend some time thinking about the money he’d lost and how to approach Victor Oberlander about purchasing the acreage separating the two ranches. Oberlander had always been a fair man and a shrewd businessman. John had used both tactics this morning in hopes the man would remember the generosity when it came time to discuss the selling of some of his property.
But it might not happen before Evan’s birthday, and not keeping his vow worried John the most. His brothers didn’t know about John’s intent to provide a homestead for them. No matter. Looked like he’d failed today anyway.
Bert felt light behind him. A boy this young should have family somewhere, unless he’d been abused, or came from a bad home. Running off at his age either showed guts or stupidity. Sure hope he hadn’t brought home a bad seed. Evan, Aaron, and Mark wouldn’t put up with a foul mouth or sassing ways, but Davis was easily influenced.
John remembered the last time he’d brought home a stray—a mangy, flea-bitten dog. Both Bert and the dog had big brown eyes swallowing up their faces. At the time he had the same feelings about the animal as he had for this boy. Just like the dog, he’d see how the kid looked after he was cleaned up, fed, and doctored. From the looks of his clothes, Mama would be scrounging around for something for him to wear and scissors to cut the greasy hair hanging almost to his shoulders.
One more mouth to feed. One more boy to keep in line, and one more reason to stay awake at night.
CHAPTER 3
Bert clung to John Timmons’s waist while the stallion flew across the field toward his ranch. The sun shone warm and glistened so bright that she squinted to see. She’d lost her hat when Leon pulled her off the mare. If not for the gut-wrenching fear for what lay ahead tearing at her insides, she might have stopped to enjoy the day laced in sparkling beauty. She could have made up a song about nature and fairies and tiny creatures that talked to each other. Those past ways of masking reality wouldn’t work now. Most people were selfish takers, and no one had come along to prove otherwise.
She had a pocketful of secrets riding with her, and one of those was why she’d ridden Oberlander’s mare across his own land. Two years ago, Bert had come across northern Colorado with her brothers. The rising peaks, some in variegated green and others in shades of gray rock, had held her in awe. Their magnificence stole her breath. She’d viewed Oberlander’s grand ranch with her brothers on that trip. And when Simon had come back from a trip six months ago and said he’d been given the mare from the owner of the Wide O, she knew he’d stolen it. And she vowed to return the horse.
All Bert knew when she left home was the owner’s name, a desire to undo Simon’s thievery, and obviously not a lick of sense to go with it. Because Oberlander’s ranch hands believed she’d stolen the mare. They’d tell others and the word would spread among decent folk, people she’d never be like until the past was buried.
Her plan had been to return the mare to the rightful owner, then continue the rest of the journey away from her family on foot. For certain her brothers were on her trail by now, which meant anyone who came in contact with her could be in danger. She needed to put distance between herself and what lay behind with Pa and her brothers.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t tell anyone that truth.
Right now, the debt she owed John settled on her like sleeping on the hard ground in the middle of winter. Unlike her brothers, she believed in honesty. But her ideals had been sadly misplaced.
John’s stallion was a handful, but his owner held a firm rein. Bert wrapped her hands around him even tighter and hoped she didn’t get thrown off. She had far too many worries about how to get out of the current patch of thorns, and being tossed from a horse hadn’t yet made the list.
“Where’s your ranch?”
“Not too far from here.”
“How large is it?”
John chuckled, a deep throaty laugh that in normal circumstances she’d have appreciated. “Oh, about twelve hundred acres, give or take a few.”
She’d never dreamed a man could own that much land. “Do you have lots of livestock?”
“A few.”
“How many? I mean, do you have hundreds of cattle and horses?”
John must hav
e found her questions amusing, for his laughter rang out around them. “Is this the boy who wouldn’t answer a single question? You can count them while you’re working off the money you owe.”
Then she remembered what she’d learned about him. “So you’re a lawman and a rancher?”
“I’m a deputy when needed.”
Simon hated lawmen. The thought of what her brother could do, if given the chance, made her ill.
“Are you ready to tell me why you ran away from home?”
“No sir.”
“How long since you’ve eaten?”
She’d picked some wild berries along a patch of woods, but couldn’t remember the day. The last of the fish was eaten a few days before. “I think yesterday.”
“Mama will have a good spread laid out for noon.” He took a look upward. “Yeah, she’ll be ringing the dinner bell soon. Right now, it being summer and all, there aren’t any extra ranch hands. When school starts up again, that will change. Not sure if you’ll bunk down with one of my four brothers or in the bunkhouse. We’ll figure out the sleeping arrangements later.”
Bert nearly blurted out the truth—part of it anyway. The man who’d paid her debt had an air of decency. He might have mercy on her if he knew she was a girl. But she dare not give away her identity. He could decide to deliver her to the sheriff for a hanging, or he could take her back to face Leon at the Wide O. Instead he’d paid good money for a boy—who wasn’t a boy—and all he asked was for her to work it off. Three meals sounded real good, even if she only stayed long enough to get her strength back and make her way to Texas.
Her whole head and face ached. Maybe she shouldn’t have hit Leon when the beating began. In the past, fighting back had been her way to defend herself and survive. Simon and the others seemed to respect her spunk. Leon thought differently.
She didn’t dispute owing John at least four months of work; then she’d have to move on quickly.
“Thank you.” Her words seemed sparse considering her past and the uncertainty of the future.
“You’re welcome. Are you feelin’ poorly?”
“A bit.” Weariness had taken hold of her and refused to let go. His muscled body left her feeling almost secure. But that would change once he realized she couldn’t do a day’s work like a half-grown boy. He’d be even madder. She could feel it in her bones.
“From the looks of you, I’d say you’ve been on the run for a long time.”
“Yes sir.”
“Did you run from trouble, or is trouble chasing you?”
Both. “I’d have to think on that.”
“I’ll tell you the same thing I tell my brothers. No matter what you’ve done, God’s ready to forgive and offer you a second chance. Sometimes it takes a third or a fourth or more. You’re young, and you have your whole life ahead of you. Work hard and make something of yourself. God will walk the journey with you if you let Him.”
Who’s God? The way her brothers used the name, she thought it was a curse word.
On the horizon she saw the outline of a house and barn. Oh my, it was almost as grand as the Oberlander ranch — only homier. The two-story cabin had a wide front porch with rocking chairs and a bench. Horses and cattle grazed in the distance. Pretty and peaceful, like a dream.
The distinct ring of a dinner bell met her ears. Dread at what she was about to face wrapped its dark paws around her and squeezed hard. At least with her brothers she knew what to expect. Even Leon hadn’t surprised her with a taste of the same fury she’d endured many times before.
But this … Bert’s mouth went dry.
“This is my home.” John’s voice took a reverent tone. “Soon you’ll meet the rest of us. And our dog, Rowdy. While you’re here, treat this land and my family as though it were your own.”
Peculiar man. Who ever heard of offering a stranger — a horse thief — such hospitality?
Land sakes, John. What have you brought home this time?”
Bert figured she looked bad, but this little woman made her feel like she’d been rootin’ with pigs.
John leaned on the saddle horn. “A ragged boy, Mama.”
Bert hoped they never learned the truth. The less they knew the better.
The small freckle-faced woman stepped down from the porch and shielded her eyes from the noon sun as she made her way to the side of John’s horse. She was pretty, with light curly hair that had a nice mix of red and gold. Not at all what Bert expected of a woman with five boys to look after.
A black and white dog followed the woman, wagging his tail as friendly as could be. At least she might have one friend here who wouldn’t ask questions.
“Oh, my goodness. He’s been hurt.”
“Yes ma’am. This is Bert. Doesn’t have a last name.” John glanced back at her with a threatening spark in his blue eyes.
“Good to meet you, ma’am.”
The woman smiled, and a warm sensation spread through Bert, or maybe it was the hunger in her belly and the pain in her head.
“What happened to you?” The woman’s eyes widened. “Never mind, let’s get you cleaned up.”
“I’ll tell you about it later,” John said.
Bert thought her heart would burst from her chest and thump into the dirt below her. This woman would not sound so caring once she learned about Oberlander’s mare.
A door slammed, and four boys made their way from the house and down the steps. They were all sizes, talking and asking questions like she were the newest addition to their livestock. The tantalizing aroma of ham caused her stomach to protest its lack of food, but dizziness overcame her before she could think more about a meal that could actually fill her stomach.
John turned back to Bert. “Can you slide off?”
Bert nodded. The prancing stallion frightened her, but she didn’t want to let on and swung her leg over the back of the saddle. Somewhere between mid-air and the ground, her head began to spin, and all the blinking in the world couldn’t clear her vision or stop the fall.
Voices blurred. The saddle squeaked. An invisible hammer pierced her skull. She had no strength to fight whatever was pulling her into a world of blackness.
CHAPTER 4
John picked up the bundle of bones at his feet and carried him up the porch steps and inside the house. Regret pelted him for picking up a stray kid who was already more trouble than a twister headed straight for the house. All eighty pounds of him.
A twinge of guilt struck him—if he hadn’t followed Ted, the kid would have been hanged. “Is he dying?” Davis said, on Mama’s heels.
“I don’t think so.” John carried Bert through the big kitchen, past the long pine table, and on into the back room where Mama slept. “He’s most likely hungry and feeling the results of a good beating.”
“Put him on my bed,” Mama called from behind him. “I’m getting hot water and ointment.”
“He’s dirty and smells.”
“I don’t care. The quilt will wash, and he’ll be easier to tend to there.”
John laid Bert on Mama’s prettiest quilt and turned his attention to his brothers standing in the doorway, except for Davis who seemed to be tied to Mama’s apron strings.
“You boys finish your dinner?”
“We’d just got started,” Evan said.
When had his brother gotten so tall and lean? When had all of them grown so tall?
“Why don’t you go back to eatin', and I’ll help Mama.”
“Are you thinking we aren’t old enough to hear the story?” Evan turned his head and lifted a brow, reminding him of their father. His tone tossed a challenge.
It’s about time you let your brothers grow up. Mama’s words rang in his ears. “I’m sorry. I keep forgetting that I ran this ranch at fourteen and took over at seventeen. All of you do a man’s work and deserve to be treated like men.”
“Praise God,” Evan said.
John grinned. He had that coming. He glanced at Davis. “Do you think you can take Racer t
o the barn for me?”
“Yes sir. Do you want me to rub him down?”
“You can start. One of us will come and get you in a few minutes. Don’t want you eating a cold dinner.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. I can do a fine job. Yes siree, I can.” Davis lifted his chin as though he’d been flipped a gold coin, causing his brothers to laugh. He disappeared but not without telling Mama where he was going and what he was about to do.
“John, don’t start talking without me,” Mama said from the kitchen. “That way you only have to tell us once. Aaron, I could use a hand here.”
Bert’s eyelids fluttered. He looked downright pitiful with his face a mass of dried blood and a swollen eye quickly turning black.
“Just hold on there,” John said to Bert. “Once you’re doctored a bit, you can eat. Aaron, bring some water for him to drink when you come.”
When Mama and Aaron stepped into the bedroom, John took a deep breath. “While I was riding to see Victor Oberlander about some business, one of his ranch hands rode my way and said a hanging was about to take place. Said Leon and a couple of other ranch hands from the Wide O had found a boy riding Oberlander’s prize mare. Remember when Leon rode over here a few months back and asked if we’d seen her? Anyway, Leon had been drinking and had the noose around the kid’s neck. I stopped the hanging and took care of Oberlander getting his mare back. The kid looks bad ‘cause Leon roughed him up a bit.”
“Where’s he from?” Evan said, taking a step closer to the bed. “I’ve never seen him around here.”
“Me either,” Aaron said. Mark echoed the same.
John had hoped his brothers knew the kid. “He said his name was Bert but wouldn’t tell me anything else.”
“Sure was stupid to steal a man’s horse and then ride across his ranch with it.” Evan stood beside Mama, watching every move she made.
Bert stirred. “I didn’t steal it. I wouldn’t take something belongin’ to someone else.”
John’s patience was about to run out. “As I said before, if you aren’t going to tell me why you were riding the mare, then don’t deny stealing it.”