He’d been twelve the first time Ethan had told everyone within hearing distance the crude things his mother had done with men for money. He’d delivered a blow to Ethan’s chest; Ethan had responded by plowing his hardened fists into Jake’s face. The raised ridge on the bridge of his nose and some scars on his backside from the lashes he’d received from Truscott’s belt served as a reminder of that day. Ethan had received no lashes. The lesson to be learned was to turn the other cheek. This had made Jake laugh since he hadn’t been able to sit down on either cheek for a week.
Other fights had followed, Ethan always claiming victory. Until the day they’d put Thomas Truscott in the ground. Jake had pummeled his fists into Ethan until the man couldn’t move, until there could be no doubt who’d won. But standing over Ethan with bloodied fists, he’d realized he hadn’t won anything at all. He’d found no victory, no pride, only emptiness.
“What ever happened with Lisa Sue?” Jake asked quietly, turning his gaze towards Zach. His head snapped around so fast Jake heard his neck pop.
“Lisa Sue?”
“Thought you two were sweet on each other.”
Zach lifted up the dust and threw it into the wind, watching it sail away until it was nothing. He shrugged. “She wasn’t too keen on marrying a man who had nothing to offer. Told her I’d come for her once we got settled here, once I knew we could make a go of it. Three months later, she married Joe Raskins.” “Joe Raskins?”
The look of horror on Jake’s face made Zach laugh. It was the first time he’d thought of Lisa Sue without hurting.
“Good Lord. If she wasn’t going to marry you, at least she didn’t have to lower herself to Joe Raskins. ‘Less he’s changed considerable since I knew him.”
Zach shook his head, his eyes twinkling. “Same as he was when we went to school with him. Obnoxious as hell. Only comfort I got from knowing she’d married him was knowing it wouldn’t take her long to regret it. But then … after a while, that thought held no comfort either. I loved her. Hate thinking she’ll spend the rest of her life unhappy.”
“Because I got the land and you got the debts?” Zach’s expression hardened. “I don’t resent you getting the land. I figure every stroke of his strap bought you an acre of land. No, what I resent is his burying us in debt up to our necks and not leaving a spade for us to dig ourselves out with.”
“I’m sorry about Lisa Sue.”
Zach forced a small smile. “It’s probably just as well. Got to admit, though, I envy the hell out of you. Married to Rebecca.”
“I don’t think you’d envy me if you knew the cost.”
“I’d pay any price for a woman like Rebecca.”
Jake studied the sleek nose, the hollow cheeks, the firm chin, the deep brown eyes of the man before him. He looked back at the iron that was growing heavy in his hand. “You probably wouldn’t have to pay the same price.” He fought for a while against saying the words but last night had made him remember how true they were. “She doesn’t love me.”
“You’re crazy. The woman adores you.”
Jake said nothing. He wouldn’t argue what he knew in his heart to be true.
Zach shook his head. Lee had told him that Rebecca was pregnant when Jake married her. But then, based on the story Lee had related with relish about the contortionist, Zach wasn’t certain Lee could be trusted to tell the exact truth. “Rebecca doesn’t strike me as the type of woman who would lie with a man she didn’t love.”
Jake dropped the iron and brought himself to his feet. “She didn’t.”
Zach wanted a further explanation of what that remark meant—had she loved him and stopped? Was she carrying another man’s baby?—but Jake pulled himself up onto his horse. “I’m going to go check the west side. Why don’t you head east and we’ll meet back here?”
Zach could do no more than nod, and envy was the last thing he felt at the moment.
It was late in the evening before a weary Jake and an exhausted Zach walked into the house. Rebecca poured two cups of black coffee and set them down before the men as they dropped into chairs. Rebecca moved around behind Jake and began kneading the muscles in his shoulders.
“No luck?” she asked.
“There’s not even an unbranded stray calf on our land today,” Jake said.
“Think it was Ethan?” she asked Zach.
“Hard to say. Frank said they were masked and he didn’t recognize any of their voices.” He sighed. “Ethan’s grievances are against Jake. I don’t think he’d take them out on someone else.”
Rebecca sat down. “I just don’t understand what they were doing with one of our branding irons.”
“I locked them all up when I was done,” Zach said. “The one we found today wasn’t one of ours.”
She sighed. “I guess there’s not really a lot we can do. Do you want to join us for supper?”
“What are you fixing?” Zach asked.
Jake laughed. “She doesn’t cook. She goes and picks up a couple of plates from the cook.”
She patted his shoulder. “Not tonight. Tonight it’s your turn to go pick up the plates.”
Jake scooted his chair back. “Three plates?”
Zach nodded and Jake stood up.
“Why don’t you see if Frank wants to join us?” Rebecca asked.
Jake nodded as he went out the door. Rebecca got up to fetch some utensils and Zach moved in quietly behind her.
“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked.
She turned, not a whisper’s breath separating them, knowing she needed to give him a task to get him to move back.
“You can take these to the table,” she said, extending a hand holding forks and knives.
Zach’s hand closed over hers. “You and Jake were friends before you got married, weren’t you?”
“Yes. Very good friends.”
“It shows. I can tell the two of you like each other. I’m not sure my parents ever really liked each other. If they did, it was way before Ethan and I were born. Did you and Jake meet at the Lazy A?”
“Yes, we did.”
“What did you do there?” he asked, wanting to know everything about her, about Jake, about how they had met.
Rebecca smiled. “Same thing I do here.”
“No, here you’re the owner’s wife. What were you there?”
“The owner’s daughter.”
Zach’s face went flat. “You’re John Anderson’s daughter?”
“Do you know my father?”
“By reputation only,” Zach said as he took the utensils from her and began laying them on the table. When he was finished, he turned around facing her.
“Don’t take this wrong. I like Jake. Even before when I hated him, I liked him, if that makes any sense. But you’re an incredibly beautiful woman, Rebecca, and your father is one of the wealthiest ranch owners in Kentucky. You could have married anyone. Why Jake?”
Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back and released a deep sigh. “I have been asked that question so many times in the past few months and generally I ignore it.” She brought her gaze back to Zach. “But I like you, Zach, so I’ll tell you why I married Jake.”
He leaned his hips back against the table, folding his arms over his chest, a seductive smile playing at his lips.
“I’m listening.”
“Last night when you came to tell us about finding Frank’s horse … Do you remember the conversation that filled this house?”
“Sure.”
“What did Jake say to me?”
His dark brows drew together. Was this a trick question? “He didn’t say anything.”
“And when I went outside, dressed to ride, where was my horse?”
Zach’s head dropped down. “Saddled and waiting.”
“That’s why I married Jake. Most men see me as a porcelain doll. Something to be put up on the mantel, shown off, taken down and dusted once in a while. The closest Jake has come to treating me like a porcelain dol
l was the night I met Ethan. And I would have gladly played the role for him if it had been what he had wanted.”
Zach brought his eyes back to hers. The truth was so evident. Why couldn’t Jake see it? The envy had returned and Zach was surprised to find he was glad of it. He wanted Jake to have something in his life that a man like Zach would envy. His voice was sincere as a warm smile spread across his face. “I’m glad Jake has you.”
The door opened and Jake walked in holding two plates, followed by Frank holding two more.
Rebecca moved forward. “How’s your backside, Frank?”
“Just fine,” he said as he moved to the side of the table away from her. “Let me see it.”
“Goddamn! Jake already looked at it. Hell, people have been looking at it all day! It’s fine!”
Rebecca’s eyes went to Jake and he nodded. The men set the plates on the table, and they all sat down to eat. Jake looked at Frank and Frank gave him a curt nod.
“Reb,” Jake began. “About those conversations at the watering hole …”
Rebecca laughed. “I didn’t believe a one of them. Not a one.”
Chapter Nine
FRANK KICKED THE unsuspecting rock, sending it sailing a good forty feet, wishing it had sailed clear to the Reading Ranch and popped Ruth Reading on top of her stubborn head. He had bumped into Ruth, literally, outside the general store, recovered enough to tip his hat and ask after her health. She had tilted up her pert little nose and told him it was none of his business. Damn females! If more women were in the area, he’d find one to make Ruth jealous. Yes, sir, the girl didn’t know a good man when she met one, that was for damn sure. He’d show her. Someday, she’d be begging him to notice her and then he’d tilt his freckled nose up at her.
Rebecca watched him as she waited for whatever Jake was scrubbing to death. “Why didn’t you let Frank go into town with the others? It’s not his turn to watch the herd.”
Jake plopped the wet shirt into her hands. “Because he’s looking for a fight. He ran into Ruth Reading in town this morning and he’s been huffing and puffing ever since.”
Rebecca looked back at the sulking Frank as he kicked at the dust, unable to find any more rocks. She sighed. “I wish Frank could meet someone to take his mind off of Ruth.”
She walked to the line and slung the shirt over it, feeling a sudden, warm sticky wetness between her legs. “Jake!”
The panic in her voice sent him flying to her. “What? What’s wrong?”
“I think I’m bleeding.”
He lifted her arms, searching her face and body. “Where?”
“The baby,” she said, trembling.
His eyes dropped down below her waist and then he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her towards the house.
“Frank!” he yelled. “Go into town and get the doctor! Quick!”
Frank’s eyes almost came out of his head. The doctor now? It wasn’t time. He moved like lightning, adding a string of oaths to his usual.
Gingerly, Jake laid her down on the bed.
“Do you hurt anywhere?” he asked.
“No, nowhere.”
“Are you cramping or uncomfortable?”
“No. But I’m scared. It’s three months too early.”
“Don’t be scared. Everything’s going to be all right.” He looked so calm, so sure that she almost believed him.
“Reb, honey, I need to see if you are bleeding and I need to see how much.”
She nodded. Now was not the time to concern herself with exposing her body to him. He left her side briefly to retrieve some cloths and towels and set them down on the bed. Then he went to wash his hands, taking deep breaths as he did so to stop his trembling. He was shaking as badly as she was and it wouldn’t do for her to know he was scared as hell.
Coming back, he gave her a small smile of reassurance.
“I’m going to be real gentle, honey, but I want you to let me know if I hurt you.”
“I will,” she said in a meek voice.
He squeezed her hand. “Reb, honey, don’t be afraid.”
Releasing her hand, he very gently lifted her skirt back before removing her undergarments. She felt a hot flush sear her face, and inwardly she chastised herself. He’d see a lot more than this when he delivered the baby. If he didn’t deliver it today. Instinctively, she jerked when he tenderly placed his hand beneath her hip to lay some towels under her. His eyes sought hers.
“I won’t hurt you, honey. I swear it. But I need to look. You just relax and close your eyes.” His voice was a soothing balm as she lay back on the pillow and closed her eyes.
“I like the way you say that,” she said with a sigh.
“Say what?” he asked, confused.
“Honey. It sounds just like warm honey dripping over hot biscuits on a cold morning.”
“I didn’t realize I was saying that.”
Her eyes opened briefly. “I know.”
He watched her for a brief moment, listening to her breathing, listening to his own heart beating. God, he didn’t want anything to happen to her.
“I’m going to touch you now, okay?”
“Okay,” she said quietly.
And she felt his touch, as light as a wind blowing through the tall prairie grasses.
“Reb, honey, are you feeling any pain at all now?” “No.”
“I’m going to touch you again now so just stay relaxed.”
She opened her eyes, watching his face as his large hands examined her with all the gentleness and loving care he could bring forth. Her mind drifted back to all the things he had done for her over the months since he’d first taken her as his wife, his patience, his understanding, his willingness to accept so little from her. And she felt something grow within her heart that she had never felt before, not even for Brett. She had married one special man, one very special man. And she was almost certain that he had not told her the main reason he had wanted to marry her. He loved her. She closed her eyes to stay the tears that accompanied her feelings of guilt. He wouldn’t want her pity or her sympathy. And she didn’t know why she couldn’t give him her love.
He slipped her skirt back down, releasing a deep breath.
“You’re not bleeding much at all. And since you don’t have any pain, I don’t think you’re in danger of losing the baby.” He sat down on the edge of the bed. “I’ve seen this happen with mares before. I don’t know why … if maybe they just get too active or their body gets confused … but anyway, I think all you have to do is take it easy. No more riding out with me, no more lifting, or cleaning, or working.”
“I’m just supposed to sit around for three months?”
“I know it’s not in your nature, Reb, but I think it’s going to have to be if you want this baby. Do you want me to make you some of that tea you’re fond of?”
She nodded and turned her head to gaze out the window. Three months of sitting around. She’d go insane.
He brought her the tea, then propped pillows up behind her back and helped her sit up. He removed her shoes and sat down on the end of the bed, rubbing her feet.
She looked at him through woeful eyes. “You think I need to take it easy the entire time?”
He was sympathetic but realistic. “To be safe. Unless the doctor tells you different. I just don’t know that much about women having babies.”
She sipped from the cup, the warm liquid calming her.
“I’m wondering when you’re going to decide I’m too much trouble,” she said.
“Never,” he replied.
Frank came rushing into the house after the sun set, his face flushed, his breathing heavy. Jake looked up from the sofa, Rebecca from the rocker, and he skidded to a halt.
“Did you bring the doctor?” Jake asked.
Frank shook his head. “Town ain’t got no doctor. Goddamn, but the man got killed last night playing cards. He was cheating and a man called him for it. Shot him dead center in the chest. They don’t know when another one will
be coming to town but the marshal said he sent a wire out today.” He took a breath to spare his lungs exploding. “You all right now, Reb?”
“I think so. Jake took good care of me.”
His shoulders slumped forward. “I sure as hell am glad to hear that.”
The barbed-wire fence was going up at a steady pace and just as steadily it was being pulled down. Men with cattle cut the wire to let their cattle drink from water holes they’d used in the past. Men on horseback wanted a direct path to their destination and cut the wire to achieve it. Others cut it down just to oppose its going up. Most just cut the wire and went on their way. Sometimes the posts were burned, the fires seen in the distance at night.
Moving slowly across the land, the six riders felt their actions were justified as the man they had beaten stumbled behind them. His hands were tied behind his back, the ropes cutting into his flesh. A rope around his neck chafed the skin.
Jake and Frank stepped out of the barn just as the riders drew up. The man wanted to drop to his knees but he wasn’t certain the journey was over yet. If it wasn’t, he didn’t want to be on his knees when the horse started moving because he knew he wouldn’t be able to bring himself up to his feet before the rope tightened around his neck.
Rebecca stepped out of the house. Quickly, she crossed the yard, flinching when she saw Zach’s swollen face. He stood motionless between the riders. Jake gave every rider a hard look, settling his impenetrable gaze at last upon Lee Hastings.
“We moved the cattle this morning like you told us,” Lee explained. “This afternoon, the wire was cut and the cattle chased out. Zach told his brother what we were planning on doing and that’s how he knew where to strike us so it’d hurt. He’s here spying for his brother, working to destroy us.”
Jake’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. “You got proof?”
“No, sir, but—”
Jake grabbed Lee, pulling him off his horse and throwing him to the ground. “Untie him now,” Jake said in a low hiss.
“But he was the last one with the branding irons the night Frank was attacked,” Lee argued. “Untie him,” Jake said.
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