Big John went to his bedroll and lay down. “See ya in the mawnin’.”
“Good night, Big John.”
“’Night, John.”
“’Night, Miss Jessie, Navarro.”
Jessie and Navarro strolled for a time, the moon lighting their path. Mesquites, small oaks, and yuccas grew in the area. They didn’t go far in case trouble arose for their slumbering companion in camp.
Navarro noticed how-the moonlight played on Jessie’s red hair and brought out its fiery soul. He saw the shadows it created on her features. He was tense. He knew he wanted this woman, but he wasn’t sure what to say or do. He craved her closeness, but feared an overture would mislead her. It wasn’t right to keep pulling her toward him when he must eventually leave. To make love with her implied she was important to him, which she was—but important enough to compel him to remain here, which was impossible.
“You’re a good worker, Navarro,” she commented to start a conversation. “You’ve done about everything but use your guns for hire.”
“That’ll come in due time, Jessie. Fletcher is riding a steady course. He’s getting bolder and meaner all the time, just like you said. Trouble is, we still don’t have proof he’s behind all this. We have to catch him with dirty hands. I have a plan,” he said, then went on to explain it…
“That’s very clever, Navarro. We’ll try it Monday night.”
“I hope you’ll stay at the house. There’ll be shooting.”
She halted and looked at him as he did the same. “Afraid I’ll get hurt?”
“Don’t want you to take that chance.”
“I must. This is my home and family in danger. One day when you and Papa are gone, I might have to defend them again. Now’s the time to learn self-defense from the best. Unless you’ve decided you love it here and want to stay.”
Navarro put a little distance between them and turned away from her. He stood with his boots planted apart and his hands on his hips, staring into the shadows as he considered his answer. He heard Jessie approach him, felt her closeness. “It’s a good place, Jessie, but not for a man like me.”
“You still have to leave, Navarro?” she asked in a soft voice. “Why?”
“Because of me. I got my reasons. Don’t ask me to explain.”
“Can’t I give you any good reasons to stay?”
“I wish you could, but my answer’s the same. I can’t.”
“You understand what I’m offering, don’t you?”
“I don’t think you understand it’s not possible.”
“You can have me, a home here, whatever you want.”
It was the hardest thing he had ever had to say, “Even if your father said yes, and he wouldn’t, I can’t.”
Anguish knifed her heart. She had spoken too soon, been too bold. “I’m sorry I was so brazen. I didn’t mean to corner you. I was just hoping you had come to feel the same way about me that I feel about you. I won’t embarrass you again. Your friendship means a lot to me. Please don’t get upset and leave. I’ll behave myself, I promise.”
Navarro turned to look at her. “This is hard for me, Jessie. I do want you and need you. I just can’t give you what you need. You’re the settling-down kind, and I’m not. If I let you think I can be persuaded to stay, that would be wrong. You’d get hurt when I left. You need a man raised like you, a rancher, somebody who can share a home and family with you. I won’t lie just to have you for a while. I like you too much for that. I can’t stay any more than you can jump on Ben and leave with me tonight. You can’t become a drifter and I can’t become a rancher. We’re too different.”
“If I would become a drifter, would you ask me to leave with you?”
Navarro’s heart was pounding. “I shouldn’t answer that, Jessie. It could hurt both of us.”
“Hurt me because you wouldn’t ask or wouldn’t take me along?” she pressed.
“Wouldn’t ask,” he replied, then saw tears glimmer in her eyes. “Wouldn’t ask because you might say yes, and that would be a big mistake for you.”
“What about for you, Navarro?” She had to know.
“What kind of man would I be if I let you sacrifice everything for a wild life with me? If you rode off with the likes of me, your father would never let you return. I know what this ranch and your family mean to you. You’re willing to die for them! I’m not a match for them, Jessie. Don’t be blinded by desire for me.”
“If I didn’t have a home and family, would you take me with you?”
“Yes, Jessie. I would ask you to go, and I would try to make you agree.”
Jessie was elated, but confused. “You want me enough to take me with you, but still you can’t stay to have me?”
“It’s not that I don’t want you enough, woman.”
“Then what is it?”
“It wouldn’t work for me to stay or for you to go. You’ve always lived here and had loved ones. Your life has been happy, safe, settled. Mine hasn’t. You’re asking me to fit into your life. I have to be free and on the move to be happy, Jessie. If I was crazy enough to accept, it would destroy both of us one day.”
“But won’t losing each other do the same thing?”
“It will hurt us but not kill us. When I leave, forget me.”
“Why don’t you tell me to stop breathing, too? That’s as easy.”
Navarro turned and walked away again. “Damn,” he swore softly. He couldn’t tell everything. If she didn’t despise him afterward, she would try to help him by endangering herself, and him. There was no road open for them. It was rash and cruel to think he could clear one.
Jessie stepped before him. It was obvious that something was eating at him. He wanted her, but something had him convinced it wouldn’t work. She must persuade him it could. “All right, we have no future, but we do have a present. Can’t we share it as long as possible?”
“It’s too little to offer a woman like you, Jessie.”
“It’s more than I have, Navarro. Isn’t it more than you have, too?”
“To have you for only one day is worth any risk I’m taking.”
That confession, his choice of words, intrigued and touched her. Somehow she had to discover what or who stood between them. Until then…Jessie leaned against his hard body and put her arms around his neck. She drew his head downward as she raised on her tiptoes to taste his kiss.
Navarro groaned as his arms banded her pliant body. His lips savored her sweet ones as his fingers slipped into her silky hair. He felt as hot as one of those branding irons in the smoldering coals.
Jessie tried to cling to him when he released her. “Don’t pull away, Navarro. I’m yours by choice.”
He had to struggle to retain his strength and will. That inner battle made his voice husky with emotion. “Then do as I say, Jessie. Not here. Not now. John could awaken. Fletcher’s men could attack. Your father could arrive.”
Those reasons to halt this passionate moment were real. “When? Where? How?” she probed, yearning for him. “My time with you is so short.”
“If your father guessed the truth about us, he would hate me, but he’d try to force me to marry you to save your honor. When I refused, and I would have to, Jessie, he’d kill me. You know what that violence would do to you and your family. Don’t tempt me to hurt you or them. Help me be strong for now. We have to be careful. Soon, I promise. We’ll have plenty of time together. Alone,” he added.
“You’re the boss,” she conceded. Yet she wished she could have him one more time before her beautiful sister returned home tomorrow. She dreaded to think what would happen when Mary Louise discovered this handsome man within her greedy reach.
Chapter Nine
As Jessie and Navarro dismounted, Mary Louise met them at the barn. Jessie looked at her younger sister, who was wearing a new and very pretty dress. Her blond hair flowed down her back like a river of soft sunlight. Her sapphire eyes were examining Navarro from head to foot, and Jessica felt a surge of irritatio
n.
“I assume this is Navarro Jones, our new hand?” Mary Louise asked coyly.
“That’s right,” Jessie responded. “Navarro, this is my baby sister, Mary Louise. Did you learn anything in town, little sister?”
“Enough to know I was right in not becoming a schoolmarm. They work dreadfully hard and long hours and hardly earn enough to survive. No, teaching is not for me. What did you two do last night?”
“The same as everyone—slept after a hard day of work. Are your chores done? From that fancy dress, I assume you’ve been lazing around as usual. Is Papa back yet?”
“No,” Mary Louise answered, her gaze still on Navarro.
“Then I would get my chores done before he returns. You left at a terrible time. Everyone’s been doubling up to cover for you.”
“Don’t be so bossy, Jessica. I had a long and tiring ride.”
“So did we, but the work isn’t done yet.”
“Don’t mind my older sister, Navarro; she’s a slave driver. Don’t let her work you too hard for what little she’s paying you. Gran and Tom told me all about you. How long will you be with us?”
“Long enough to settle the trouble. Then I’ll be on my way.” Navarro sensed the tension between the sisters. “Jessie, I’ll take the horses and tend them. We’ll see what your father has to say when he returns.”
Jessie was delighted that Navarro didn’t seem enchanted by her exquisite sister. “I’ll find you when I finish in the house,” she told him, then smiled.
Navarro smiled back, then nodded at Mary Louise and left.
Mary Louise’s gaze followed him. “If I had known we had a man like that working here, I would have returned home sooner.”
“And let Papa discover you lied to stay in town to enjoy yourself while we worked our hands raw?” Jessie scoffed.
Mary Louise’s dark-blue gaze settled on her sister’s light one. “Don’t be a prude in men’s britches, Jessica Lane. You know I had to lie to get away. If I could have, I would have stayed longer. I can’t believe Father let you stay out all night with a stallion like that.”
“We weren’t alone; Big John was with us. We were working hard.”
“On the windmill or on each other?”
“Mary Louise Lane! Whatever did they teach you at that boarding school?”
“I learned what real men are for. Have you, big sister?”
“You are a lazy, conceited, spoiled, naughty girl.”
“I’m a woman, Jessica. Are you?”
“You surely came home in a foul mood. What ails you now?”
“Being back, of course. I did enjoy myself in town. It was pleasant to get away from this smelly place and this silly war you and Father have started.”
“It isn’t silly. Didn’t Gran and Tom tell you what happened while you were gone?”
“Oh, yes, your ridiculous charges about Mr. Fletcher. You’re wrong about him, Jessica. He couldn’t have done those awful things. He was in town. I saw him there several times. He’s quite charming and handsome, as well as rich.”
“Fletcher was in town this week?”
“That’s correct. I first glimpsed him on Thursday. He was still there when I left this morning. I wonder how he managed to be in two places at the same time.”
“He doesn’t have to be at his ranch for his hirelings to carry out his bloody orders.”
“Do hired hands normally make plans and carry them out without obtaining their boss’s permission? After you dumped those dead beasts on his land, who made the decision to attack our windmill? Mr. Fletcher was in town that night. If he’s as intelligent as you and Father think, why would he give someone else that authority? I believe you’re mistaken.”
“I believe you’re loco. He’s to blame; mark my words, sister.”
“I believe you and Father are going to get into serious trouble over this error. What is the law going to do when Mr. Fletcher makes charges against you two?”
“For what?”
“After what you did, Jessica, there must be a hundred things, starting with trespassing!”
“He’ll have to prove it first. He can’t. Surely you wouldn’t betray us just so we’ll be jailed and you can escape your miserable existence here?” Jessie said sarcastically. “You are desperate to flee, aren’t you?”
“That’s a cold and cruel thing to say.”
“That’s what you’ve been lately—cold and cruel to everyone. If you hate it here so much, perhaps you would be happier somewhere else.”
Astonishment claimed Mary Louise’s expression. “You want me to leave home? Why? So you can work on that handsome drifter? Are you afraid I’ll outshine you, big sister? If I want him, rest assured I can get him.”
“The sun would cease to rise first. He’s a loner.”
“Does a loner normally hang around so many people for so long?”
“When he’s getting paid well for a job, yes.”
“What is he earning, Jessica? Since we don’t have enough money to hire help for Gran or enough for me to take a trip back East, it can’t be much. If not money, what is holding Mr. Jones here? How intriguing…”
Jessie watched her sister through narrowed eyes. She feared Mary Louise intended to practice her wiles on Navarro. Mary Louise would never become serious about a man like Navarro; he didn’t have enough money, breeding, and power to suit the girl. Yet her sister was not above playing with him, flirting with him just to have fun.
“Oh, yes, I almost forgot; Captain Graham wants those horses he contracted delivered tomorrow. He said if we couldn’t supply them, Mr. Fletcher can. You have until noon Tuesday to get them to the fort.”
“A day-and-a-half notice? That isn’t fair. How can we round them up and herd them to the fort in such a short time?”
“You always get a job done when you want to, Jessica.”
The redhead stared at her sister. “How did you get home? Papa was sending someone after you tomorrow.”
“Mr. Fletcher offered me a ride.”
Shocked, Jessie demanded, “What?”
“Come now, Jessica, your hearing hasn’t gone bad yet.”
“What if he had kidnapped you and harmed you? He’s an evil man. He’s our enemy. He’s trying to destroy us. Papa will be furious.”
“Everyone, including Sheriff Cooper, saw us leave together so I was perfectly safe. Father should be proud of my courage. I tried to charm our neighbor to learn all I could from him.”
“What did you learn? Nothing! He isn’t fool enough to expose anything to Jedidiah Lane’s daughter. He probably was amused by your silly attempts to trick him.” Jessie realized her sister had contradicted what she’d said earlier about Fletcher being in town when she left. She listened and waited for the girl to entrap herself.
“If amusement was what he felt, my foolish sister, I know nothing about men. He seems much too intelligent and well bred to do the horrible deeds of which you and Father accuse him. Besides, he’s considering a move to Dallas.”
“Don’t be a fool, Mary Louise! He’s not going anywhere. If he were, he wouldn’t be trying to buy our ranch or run us off it. Don’t you go near him again. That’s an order.”
“You aren’t my parent, Jessica.”
“If you disobey, you’ll wish I were. When Papa hears about what you did, I don’t want to be within a mile of the house.”
Mary Louise laughed. “Maybe he’ll send me back East to get me away from that dangerous wolf,” she jested.
“What in blazes is wrong with you! Don’t play with a hot iron like him. You may think you know all about lassoing men, but you know nothing about one like Fletcher. Before you know what’s happened, he’ll have you tossed on your back with his filthy brand on you just to hurt Papa. If you’re so smart, sister, you’ll see through his attempt to use you.”
“A woman can be duped and used only if she allows it to happen.”
“You aren’t that naive, Mary Louise. But I’m afraid you are that cocky. Don’t
get anyone hurt trying to protect you from that beast.”
“You underestimate me, Jessica.”
“No, Mary Louise, I don’t. You get in the house, get changed, and do your chores. I have to see Matt about those horses.”
The blonde whirled gracefully and headed for the house. Jessie doubted she would obey her orders. There was something about her sister today, something that alarmed her. But Jessie didn’t have time to worry about it now.
* * *
Matt took all the men who weren’t needed on branding, including Navarro, to round up the horses to fill the army contract. They couldn’t afford to lose it or to allow their enemy to get his foot in that valuable door. Jessie remained at the ranch to help with branding and to do her other chores. Jed had suggested she stay, and she hoped she wasn’t misreading his motive for doing so. It would take the men all afternoon to gather the small herd and they would camp on the range, but she had done that many times in the past.
Mary Louise penned up the chickens, milked the cows, and helped Gran with the preparation of their evening meal. The redhead suspected her cooperation had to do with her sister’s confession, which would most likely come during or after supper. And it did. When their father discovered Mary Louise’s presence on the ranch, the girl claimed a friend had brought her home and that she would explain everything to him later in private.
After they had eaten and the dishes were being cleared, Mary Louise asked to speak with her father in the parlor. The two left the dining area. As the dishes were washed and dried and put away, Jessie and Gran could hear the talk in the next room. They were stunned as Mary Louise revealed her shocking actions to her father, but vowed good intentions as her motive.
Jed exploded with anger. “What in tarnation! Are you crazy, girl?”
“I thought you would be pleased, Father,” she scoffed, “if I could learn something useful from our enemy. He would never suspect a girl of spying on him. When men are relaxed or distracted, they drop hints about things. I’m clever enough to pick up on those slips. It was worth a try, wasn’t it?”
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