by Linda Broday
“Thanks. I didn’t want you to go to any trouble.” Luke appeared uncomfortable next to his father.
Stoker sighed. “It’s a sad day when a father can’t provide a little food for his son.”
The sadness etched on Stoker Legend’s face made Josie’s chest hurt. “Thank you so much, sir. It’ll come in handy down the trail.” She stood, told Noah to be good, and hugged him. Unshed tears blurred her vision. She turned away before she made a blubbering mess of herself.
The boy was the only person who’d recognized her. He’d given her back her name and told her she’d been kind to him. She wouldn’t forget that. True that he was the link between her and her past, but also the living proof that she was a good person. She needed to know that.
Luke told her to wait downstairs and disappeared into another room with a bundle under his arm. When he stepped out onto the porch where she sat with Stoker, she barely recognized him. With his long hair, dark stubble, buckskin pants, and fringed shirt, he had transformed into a rugged buffalo hunter. She took in his lean form hidden beneath the baggy clothes, and his eyes crinkled at the corners from the smile he wore. His grim, dark scowls were gone. He’d changed before her eyes and she understood why. A buffalo hunter didn’t invite second glances, wasn’t a man who had to worry about a bullet ending his life at any second.
Few would know the outlaw in this disguise.
Or her either in the serape Luke had made.
A ranch hand brought their horses and she noticed a thick bedroll tied behind the roan’s saddle, compliments of Stoker, she assumed. She stuck her foot in the stirrup and Luke placed his hands on her backside and boosted her up. The heat of his touch burned through the layers of clothing and she felt a yearning rise up so strong she trembled.
Did he feel this way too?
Or was she simply one more obligation? Maybe she’d read too much into those magical kisses under the beautiful Texas stars.
“You’ll go near Lost Point.” Stoker handed a burlap bag full of food to Luke. “A good place to stretch your legs. Sam and Sierra would love to see you. And keep dodging those bullets, son.”
“I plan on it. I’ll try to stop and see Sam if I can.” Luke tied the bag to the saddle horn. “Take care of Noah for me.”
“That kid might just be the best thing to happen to me lately. He needs me and I damn sure need him. Maybe he’ll even grow to appreciate what I can do for him, unlike some.” Stoker turned to Josie and winked. “Lots of luck to you. You’ll always be welcome here, pretty lady. Don’t forget that.”
She thanked him for his warm hospitality. “Tell Houston that next time I come, I want to meet Lara. We’ll have a cup of tea and solve all the problems of the world.”
Suddenly Houston galloped up and reined to a stop. Neither he nor Luke spoke. The look that passed between them and the simple clasp of hands said it all.
They shared an unbreakable bond.
Josie had probably never witnessed such love. Her throat tightened. Luke’s standoffish attitude with his father didn’t apply to his brother. With Houston, everything seemed easy and free.
This Legend family had what she wanted. They didn’t know what a special thing they shared. Wherever she came from, she knew it was far from this. She’d already learned her father was involved in something shady and God only knew what else waited for her when her memory returned.
A question crossed her mind. Did her father love her? If not in the way Stoker did Luke, she hoped he did a little at least. Luke didn’t know how lucky he was.
She prayed he’d come to understand Stoker before it was too late.
Before someone put a bullet in him.
Before there would be no more second chances.
* * *
Making better time than they thought they would, they did stop in Lost Point after all. To rest the horses, Luke said, although Josie suspected he needed to see Sam.
She looped the reins around the hitching post in front of the sheriff’s office. A glance at the businesses showed some newly built, and the older ones—some looking old enough to have been there since the town was founded—had fresh coats of whitewash.
Lost Point was a town full of promise.
An old woman sat on the boardwalk, pressing yellow flowers into the moist dirt of a planter. A crutch lay beside the bench. Josie’s gaze went to the missing foot beneath the hem of the woman’s dress and she had trouble swallowing. She couldn’t imagine how many difficulties the woman faced being unable to walk.
A thought struck Josie. Everyone seemed to be missing something. For her, it was her memory. For this woman, her foot. For Luke, the missing part was even greater. He didn’t have the ability to let anyone care for him—other than his brothers.
Why not her and why not Stoker? The answer eluded her.
“Howdy.” The old lady smiled. “It’s nice to see visitors.” She peered closely at Luke. “Ain’t I seen you before?”
The buffalo hunter disguise probably threw her. Josie grinned. It would throw a lot of people, she suspected.
“Yes, Miss Sally. I’m Sam’s brother, Luke.” He introduced Josie and sat down on the bench. “This town is sure thriving. I wouldn’t have given you a plugged nickel for your chances when Felix Bardo and his gang took it over. How long has it been now?”
Sally grinned. “Two years. We’ve been sprucing it up a mite. We couldn’t have gotten shed of that riffraff if not for Sheriff Sam, you, and the rest of the Legends.”
Josie gained a lot in simply listening. Whatever had taken place here, Luke and his brothers had played a huge part.
“One thing you have to know about us, Miss Sally. We can’t let lawless men hurt people. There’s justice and then there’s Legend justice.”
“That’s the onliest kind,” Sally agreed.
“How are you getting on, ma’am?”
The woman shrugged. “Ain’t complaining.”
The office door opened and Sam strode out. “Josie, I’m glad to see you. Sierra had the baby last night. A boy.” He stared at Luke for a long minute before recognizing him.
“Congratulations, hermano.” Luke slapped his back. “Just what you wanted—a boy to carry on the Legend name.”
“Yep.” Ten freshly sharpened razors couldn’t have scraped that grin off Sam’s face.
“I’m very happy for you, Sam,” Josie said. “What did you name him?”
“Sierra insisted on Sam Jr.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know if that’s so good, especially if he gets some of my wild notions. Me and Pa butted heads like two billy goats.”
“It’s a fine name, brother,” Luke said quietly. “You turned out all right, and I suspect Junior will too. He comes from fine stock. When can we meet him?”
“Is now too soon?” Sam asked. “I can’t wait to show him off. Hector wanted to stay home from school today but Sierra made him go anyway. The boy is crazy about his new brother.”
“I hope he always feels that way.” Luke’s comment sounded kinda odd to Josie, but Sam didn’t seem to notice.
Walking a short distance, Sam stopped at a pretty, whitewashed house with a white fence in front. An explosion of flowers of all kinds and colors filled the yard, creating a beautiful rainbow. Josie gasped in delight. Someone had taken a great deal of pains with the house and yard.
The rooms inside showed the same attention to detail. Sam seated them in the parlor while he went to speak to his wife.
“I hope I find a house like this waiting for me,” Josie said. “It makes my heart smile.”
Luke nodded. “My mother loved flowers. We used to walk in the cemetery each Sunday and remark at the pretty roses and whatnot. I was going to plant her some, but never got to it.”
“I’m sure she didn’t find you lacking, Luke. Mothers love their sons no matter what. Any failure is only in y
our mind.” Josie laid her hand on his. If only she knew how to brighten his mood. He’d slipped further into a black hole with their visit to the Lone Star.
Sam returned. “Sierra can’t wait to see you. Come on back.”
Josie was struck by the dark-haired beauty holding the new babe. She’d likely never seen a more serene woman. Sam introduced them and Josie shook her hand. “I’m very happy to finally meet you. I love your name.”
Sierra laughed. “My parents named me for the mountain range. Everyone else finds it odd. Hello, Luke.”
He bent to kiss her cheek. “Hi yourself, dulce. I see you’ve been busy.”
“Just a little.” Sierra quirked an eyebrow. “When did you become a buffalo hunter?”
“When I found the possibility of getting hung a tad too painful.”
Josie listened to their teasing banter, finding that she didn’t like the soft way he spoke to Sierra Legend. Whatever the two had shared was like a silent, ghostly presence in the room.
Had they once been lovers?
She couldn’t rule that out. Whatever the bond between them, it had been formed by something deep and lasting.
“Shoot, I was about to haul you into a cell for being a vagrant until I heard your voice, big brother.” Sam motioned to some chairs. “But then I recalled you saying you sometimes disguise yourself as a buffalo hunter. It sure works.”
“I’m glad.” Luke stood until Josie sat down. “This getup has saved my life many a day.”
Sierra handed Luke the babe. “Time to get started on your uncle duties. Just don’t get any lice on Sam Jr. or you and me will have problems. And I’ll not have you teaching him to use a Colt either.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Luke spared a grin. “I do believe I’ve had the law laid down to me. I won’t start him on his lessons until you give the word.”
The babe could’ve been a basket of eggs for all the undue pains Luke took. Josie watched him settle the tiny bundle in the crook of an arm, his large hand bracing the child’s bottom. There was something about the hardened outlaw, this man who wouldn’t let anyone care for him, gently holding so fragile a life. She blinked hard and swallowed. He didn’t hide his feelings about those he protected, so why did he push away others’ feelings for him?
Did he see himself as so unworthy?
His words flooded her memory. Make no mistake—I’ve killed and I will again. I have darkness inside me that likes dispensing justice.
And yet he’d protected her, and had tucked Noah and a ragged dog with a chewed-off ear into his heart. A sigh rose inside her. Luke Weston’s moods would challenge the smartest minds in the land. She doubted someone like her would ever figure him out.
Even so, Josie knew he was something special. She couldn’t deny the fire that blazed inside her, scorching a path straight to her heart. She yearned for him, to know this tall outlaw. He carried himself with such honor, and the need for justice burned fierce inside him. No matter the danger to himself, he’d plow into any situation with his gun blazing.
What she’d found—the kisses and sweet caresses that made her heart pound—meant more than this fool’s journey she’d embarked upon. Who was she kidding? Even if she did find where she came from, it didn’t mean she belonged there now.
Suddenly, she had an overwhelming urge to abandon the search for her past. To find answers could mean she might lose Luke Weston forever…and he was not something she could ever give up.
Not now. Not in this lifetime.
Seventeen
Both Doan’s Trading Post and Jonathan Doan’s house were dark by the time Luke and Josie arrived.
The two structures were the only ones within sight, though dozens of campfires dotted the rocky area all around. Most belonged to men and women either waiting to cross the river or ones who’d arrived on this side too late in the day to go on. Sounds drifted toward Luke—quiet voices in conversation, a baby’s cry, a barking dog.
The crossing was little more than a temporary camp. Maybe someday someone would build a town, but for now, the fires of weary travelers and the trading post were all that anyone needed.
A mile farther down the road lay the ferry that carted folks and their animals across the Red River during daylight hours.
A slight detour to lose Munroe O’Keefe, who’d picked up Luke’s trail at Lost Point, had put their arrival later than anticipated. The brash, young gun must’ve had Lost Point staked out after somehow learning that Sam was Luke’s brother. How, Luke didn’t know, but it posed a problem.
They now hid in the dark shadows of a large oak, watching the scene. Suddenly, Luke spied the man weaving through the tents, leading his horse. He yanked Josie deeper into the shadows and bit back a curse.
Munroe O’Keefe.
“What now?” Josie pressed close.
“That man walking toward us. His name is Munroe O’Keefe. Take a good look. Stay away from him. He wants me dead so he can become famous. The fool. He started trailing us after we left Sam’s. Thought I lost him, though.”
“Him?” Josie snorted. “He’s nothing but an ugly, sawed-off runt. You can handle him.”
Maybe so, but he didn’t want to do it here. Luke peered around the tree trunk at a large group of Texas Rangers sitting next to a low fire. His job had just become more dangerous. He’d give anything to know what they discussed.
Behind him, Josie nudged his elbow. “Well? What do you see?”
“Lawmen. The man they claim you murdered must’ve been someone awfully important to draw this much attention.” Someone rich, maybe, or of high rank. He couldn’t figure it out. The law was scarce in this part of Texas, but it seemed this crime had drawn men from across the state.
What had Josie stumbled into?
“Wish I knew who he was,” she said barely above a whisper. “Luke, what have I done? I don’t look good in prison stripes. They’re not one bit flattering. In fact, they’re really hideous. I’ll be so ugly I’ll have to sneak up on a drink of water.”
He struggled not to laugh. She clearly had never seen female inmates or she’d know they didn’t wear stripes. Even so, to worry about clothing or her looks at a time like this struck him as funny. But then this was wonderful, fearless, crazy Josie.
“Or they could hang me.” Josie grabbed him. “Do they take women to the gallows?”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” She was worried enough. He didn’t want to tell her that, though rare, sometimes they did hang women. Luke turned back to his post in time to see a rider on a beautiful palomino materialize from the shadows.
Brenner McCall, his old outlaw friend. What was he doing here? Brenner spied the Rangers and quickly shifted course, disappearing into the trees and brush that flourished thick along the banks of the river.
Luke needed to talk to him. Maybe after he found a safe place to make camp, he could leave Josie for a short while. It wouldn’t do to have those two meet. He had to keep her away from McCall.
From all outlaws, friend or foe.
Trust didn’t come easy to Luke and was even harder now. Money—or a woman—could turn a man into an entirely different person, even those men he knew well. Brenner McCall had changed from the man he used to know. He’d become shifty-eyed and dishonest.
Josie jostled his elbow again. “What are we going to do?”
He turned to face her. “I’ll find a place to make camp for the night. We’ll have to be quiet, and we can’t risk a fire.”
“I can do that. Whatever we have to do to stay alive.”
Just then O’Keefe yelled in the midst of the small campsites, “Anyone seen the outlaw, Luke Weston?”
Josie sucked in a breath and pressed against Luke.
Hell and be damned!
“Who wants to know?” a voice yelled back.
“Just the man who’s gonna become famous for killing
him.” O’Keefe stood with his legs braced apart, his twin guns shining in the flickering light.
One of the Texas Rangers got to his feet. “It’ll take someone better than you, mister. Weston is lord-almighty fast with a gun and doesn’t need to go around bragging about it.”
“Men inflicted with the bragitis are sure to find the cure—in a bullet,” said an older ranger.
“He’s a killer with a price on his head,” O’Keefe huffed.
“You’re not telling us anything we don’t know,” answered the first ranger. “Even so, he’s a sight better than you in our books.”
Josie gripped Luke’s arm. “Damn that little bastard! He’s no match for your gun.”
“Or yours either,” Luke answered.
Her anger was apparent in her reply. “Those Rangers should just lock the fool up.”
“Unfortunately, there’s no law against stupidity. Let’s find a place to sleep.” Luke put his arm around her narrow waist and gathered the reins of the horses. He had to get her away from here fast, before she took it in her head to stride out there and give Munroe O’Keefe a piece of her mind. And then proceed to kick his scrawny butt.
He led her away from the yelling match that ensued. The last he heard was the rangers warning O’Keefe to ride on or they’d find something to arrest him for, even if they had to make it up. Apparently, the man had gained no friends.
Not too far downstream, Luke ran across a shoal where huge roots of salt cedar and oak stuck out of the ground like the fingers of a fat giant. Nearby was a small squatter’s cabin. The hinges squeaked when he pushed open the door.
He took her hand. “It’s not the Lone Star but—”
“It’ll do just fine, Luke.” She smiled up at him. “And we have water near.”
“Always a selling point.” He returned her smile. “I’ll stash the horses somewhere close and scout around some, try to see what I can learn. I’m afraid supper is whatever is in the food bag Stoker sent.”
Josie planted her hands on her hips. “Stop apologizing. I’m not complaining. I can handle harsh conditions just fine.”