by Rita Hestand
“Look, let's get something straight. We aren't getting married,” she snapped, angry more at herself than him.
“We're not?” he said, trying to sound surprised and just a tad hurt.
“Nope, we're not,” she said as though that were the end of it.
She didn't know if he was relieved, or sore. She couldn't tell. She simply didn't know him well enough to gauge his reactions.
“Don't care for my company?” he asked with an impish grin.
“That's right.” She gave him a quick once-over.
“Well, I'll say one thing for you. You are honest.”
He sat his horse as though they were one and the same and she envied him. Some men were just naturals in the saddle. He was one of them. Dad-blame-it, she hadn't found one thing not to like about him, and she knew she didn't like him.
“Because I'm just a no-good coward in your books, right?” he suggested, a little rasp to his voice.
She eyed him a moment thoughtfully. “You said it.” She shot him a frown and took off again.
He adjusted his sweat-faded hat and took off after her. When he caught up, he kept up with her and watched her for a long moment. She could feel his eyes on her. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, but she didn't like being looked at. Not the way he looked at her. He had a way of kind of seeing through her, and she definitely didn't like that. She'd have rather enjoyed the new green of the countryside than listen to him.
“So,” he said as though it were his business to know, “are you Hershel Walker's girl? I mean, has he spoken for you, or something?” He was purposely agitating her.
Her brows knit together in one fine line. “I'm no one's girl.”
And she rode away again.
He chuckled and began to sing a song. She glanced back over her shoulder. She would have hushed him, but his music seemed to settle well with the cattle. He had a lovely baritone voice so she left him alone and prayed he wouldn't bring up the subject of marriage again.
Never had she heard such a voice.
It was noon or after before they stopped. She had Brady and Dutch on the flank, and they herded the cattle into one neat bunch while the others made camp.
Used to being the chuck wagon master, she took out the pots and pans and began heating bacon and beans she'd prepared before leaving that morning. She clanged her wooden spoon against her old black pot when it was ready so everyone began gathering about her.
As she dished out the food to each of them, she introduced Hunter. No one smiled. No one welcomed him. She bit her lip. She hadn't expected them to like or accept Hunter, yet, she felt awkward trying to find a way to ease the tension in camp. This would be a long ride and tension just didn't go with cattle.
Joshua, one of the younger boys, ambled up to her side and sat on a rock next to her. He was a clean cut cowboy of barely her own age. His sandy blonde hair and his wide set brown eyes made him look even younger than his eighteen years. He was sporting a beard, but it was very thin, and far from full blown. “What's he doin' here?” he asked tersely.
The dislike in his voice made Jodi eye him steadily.
Abandoning pretense, she responded sharply, “Clem's back is broke. I hired him to help us get the cattle through.”
“Hired him? But he's a...” Josh began only to be cut off by her quick gasp.
“I know. Keep your voice down, Josh.” She elbowed him. “I know what he is. But Clem insisted he was the only one to help us get the herd through. Don't ask me why. Because of the fact that Clem is bedridden, I couldn't help but take his advice.”
Hunter dipped his own second helping of beans then strode toward her. She started to get up, but he shook his head.
“We better talk now.” Impatient blue eyes swept over Joshua, and he moved away.
“I don't have much to say.” She started again to get up, but was stayed by his uplifted hand.
He motioned for her to sit tight. He stood up and looked around the camp at the men. He cleared his throat and studied them all, one by one. She could tell just by his expression that he had taken all of them into consideration. Could a man size others up that quickly?
“Listen up, men.” Hunter turned away from her to speak to the men. Jodi started to protest him making any announcements just yet, but he was already into his little speech and she couldn't stop him.
The drovers gathered about her and Hunter slowly, all with well decided frowns on their faces. Obviously, they all had the same opinion of him as she did from the looks on their faces. She knew instinctively they weren't going to like Hunter, but they gathered nonetheless, perhaps out of respect for her.
“Thought you boys would like to know, Jodi Parker and I...are going to get married.” He smiled at the crew and seemed to wait until he got a reaction. It wasn't long in coming either.
There was a loud silence that pierced the air. No one said a word. No one moved for a full minute or two. Then, they began whispering amongst themselves.
Then, Josh looked him up and down. His distaste written on his face. “I don't believe it.”
“Well,” Hunter drawled effectively. “Believe it, and I'll be bossing this outfit. I want no trouble from any of you. So, if you got something to say, say it now.”
Josh moved towards Jodi protectively. “I got somethin' to say. We all know what you are. You're a dirty, low-down coward. You came back before the war was over. We all know what that means, and no no-account is going to boss this herd. This herd is Jodi's, and what she says goes!”
Hunter stared at the younger man for a long moment, as if considering his words. Jodi watched him carefully, realizing he wasn't a man to blurt things out. He spoke methodically. If looks could kill, though, Josh would have been dead. But instead of a hasty reply, Hunter measured his words against their attitudes. Another thing the army must have taught him, she quickly surmised.
“You've said your piece.” Hunter eyed Josh considerably. “But if you want a job, you'll take orders from me.” Hunter started to turn away.
“You agree with this, Miss Jodi?” Josh glanced at her for some sort of reprieve.
Jodi stood up, took a deep breath, and nodded.
For a full second, Jodi couldn't reply. Her glance went from every man back to Hunter. She couldn't say anything; she thought the same as Joshua about Hunter.
“He's forcin' you. I know he is. You wouldn't let some no-account herd them cattle. Well sir, I won't take orders from you!” Joshua boasted, twisting about to look as his friends.
The others mumbled among themselves but said nothing, preferring to wait and watch.
Hunter seemed to realize at that moment it was an ultimate show-down, and that he would have to take the time here and now to prove his point.
“Then get your gear together and get out,” he finally said, as though the matter were settled.
“Fine with me.” Joshua started to move away.
“No, you can't go, Josh. We've got to get this herd north. I need every man,” Jodi protested. “Part of these cattle belongs to your family.”
“I'll get you men,” Hunter replied steadily as he hooked his hands in his back pockets.
“I've got my own men. Good men,” she added tersely.
“You don't need them. I need men that can take orders. Besides, he's just a kid,” Hunter said. “We can afford to lose one….”
“They take orders from me,” Jodi snapped at him.
“Not anymore,” he replied boldly. He eyed her closely now, as though pulling the admission from her. “You hired me to do it, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Unless you want to try to do this alone?”
Josh looked at her. “Just say the word and I'll take him.”
His hand was on his gun, but Jodi objected to killing and put her hand on top of his. “No. There will be no violence, now or later.”
“Then I'll fight him. Fair and square,” Joshua offered, unbuckling his gun.
“No!” Jodi spat the word out, trying to come betwe
en them. Jodi knew Hunter was built more solidly and could probably take him, but Josh was quick on his feet, and agile.
“A man has a right to stand up for what he believes in.” Hunter took off his gun and holster, and rolling his sleeves up, gave Josh a good once-over. Jodi watched him eye Josh, as though eye contact alone could answer all his questions.
“Stop it. We don't need this.” She faced Hunter, her anger and concern flaring at the same time. “He's just a kid...”
“Now he's just a kid, huh?” Hunter half laughed.
“I'm head of my family now that my pa's dead. That makes me a man,” Josh concluded, ready for the fight. “Don't worry, I can take him.”
“Concho, stop them.” She ran to an older Mexican man, but the old fella shook his head.
“He's askin' for a fight. Let 'em have at it. Git it over with. If he wins, I'll take my orders from him.” Concho nodded.
Jodi stared at Concho in disbelief that they could accept this stranger so easily. But she saw in all their faces disbelief that the stranger could hold his own in a fair fight. Maybe they were right. Perhaps it was time to see what manner of man Hunter Johnson was. Although she abhorred violence, there was a time and place for it. And this obviously was the place for it.
She backed away slowly, hoping it would be settled quickly.
Josh took the first two punches. He was wiry and fast. One to Hunter's eye, one to his jaw as blood gushed from his eyebrow. Josh got in another good swing. But Hunter followed with a right punch and knocked Josh to the ground. One punch. Josh rolled over quickly and got up. It went on and on until Jodi could hardly stand it. Both men were given out and neither seemed to be winning until Hunter hit him with a left hook.
Josh hit the dirt hard and didn't get up. Jodi ran to him, thinking him dead.
“Look what you've done!” she spat at Hunter.
Hunter staggered on his feet, and then turned away from her.
She took Josh in her arms and wiped away the blood from his mouth with the sleeve of her shirt.
Hunter fell to the ground with a thud, wiping the blood with the back of his hand. He watched Jodi and Josh.
≈≈≈
“Have we settled who the boss is?” Hunter asked, still breathing heavy from the fight that had taken more out of him than he was willing to admit.
The others nodded.
“Good, I want Concho and Jose working swing, Josh and Sam on flank, and Brady and Dutch on drag till we get some more men. Understood? Until we do, we'll keep the remuda in back for a while. They start getting restless, we'll take them up front and let them lead.”
The men nodded without resistance.
“You'll call me Hunt, or boss,” he added. They nodded. “There will be no drinking, no skirt chasing, no gun play. You got a quarrel with someone, take it away from this herd. I won't lose cattle for men's foolishness. We'll put twelve hours in the saddle on good days, eighteen of twenty-four on bad. We'll use hand signals, and everybody better learn to sing. When there is trouble from the outside, keep your guns cocked and ready. Stay alert for Indians, but don't go shooting the first one you see. We don't want trouble with them, and like as not, they'll only want a cow or two to satisfy them long enough for us to get out of their way. So if you've got a grudge with the Indians, keep it to yourself till we are through to Kansas, then it's your business.
“We won't be hitting many towns. And anyone looking to cut themselves into our beeves is asking for trouble. Not that I like a fight, but when it's needed, I will. If the rivers are too full from rain, we'll graze them if we can. If we can't, we'll swim them over unless it's a swift current or too deep. In that case, we'll wait a few days more then take them over. Sometimes cattle don't take to water. Keep your eye out for prairie dog holes, rattlesnakes, and thieves. You want to cuss and raise Cain, save it for after the trip. We'll run a decent camp, and we'll get this herd to market, understood?”
The men nodded, some with a little surprise.
Jodi watched him take over as though control was totally out of her hands now. In one regard, she seemed pleased, but she still wore a frown. It wasn't easy handing over the controls to a man like Hunter.
“You'll ride point with me, Jodi. You'll have to pull the wagon, but we aren't going at break neck speed. We'll get ten or twelve miles a day on good days, maybe eight on bad. Less if the grazing is good.”
The men nodded agreement and scattered.
Jodi tried to nurse Josh, but he was having none of it when he came to and saw that a woman was working on him.
He stood up, dusted his chaps, and walked off, giving Hunt a slight nod.
It was settled.
Jodi knew she should feel better about the men accepting her choice, but she didn't. Heck, he wasn't her choice either. He was all there was!
CHAPTER FIVE
Jodi tasted dust even though she used her bandana all the time. The sun was bright, but there was still a chill in the air. She kept her hat on to shade her eyes. Texas was heaven in the spring with the trees budding, the birds singing, and the brooks running clear. She loved how the wildflowers grew upon the prairies, and how the oak and pine blended to paint a picture.
The wagon was in good shape, as she had remembered to grease the axles. She would rather have been riding her horse than pulling the wagon. Still, someone had to do it, and the wagon needed to be up front.
She heard Hunt whistling softly as they rode. Every now and then he'd shoot her a sign that the way ahead was trouble, or that they would turn the herd this way or that. She understood his signs without asking. It seemed instinct took over. She'd worked the herds many times with Clem and was familiar with most hand gestures.
The Texas prairie was green and wet with rivers and streams. There was all manner of vegetation about. Wild game was plentiful. She even had an occasion to pick berries along the way. They'd make a swell pie one evening. The men didn't know what a treat was until they tasted her pies. She smiled. That was something even Hunter Johnson couldn't do.
By nightfall, Jodi's nerves were tensed for another awkward conversation with her new “trail boss”.
Perhaps if she knew him better, knew something about him, it might be easier to get along. Despite the fact that she didn't like him personally, he was the trail boss.
She fixed the beans and bacon and added some potatoes. She spiced it with hot chili peppers. She hadn't learned to cook as well as her ma, but she could do many things with a pot of beans.
Concho had taken her point when she left the herd to start the next meal. As they bedded the cattle down for the night, Hunt appointed Concho and Josh and Dutch to watch the herd while the others ate. Then, they'd relieve Sam, Brady, and Jose.
The other drovers rode into camp tired, dusty, and hungry. They all washed in the bowl Jodi set up for them, after which they lined up for their meal. Each cowboy ate at least two helpings of her food and Jodi felt proud that she had pleased them. They didn't talk much, but Jodi knew they were all eyeing the new boss with curiosity. It would take a few days for everyone to loosen up in camp, especially since Hunt had joined the drive.
Hunt sat alone against a Willow eating and watching the herd in the distance. His eyes seemed to scan the horizon and beyond. Although his mind seemed constantly on the cattle, he did notice nature too. A mockingbird sang his lonely song at the top of a Cottonwood along the riverbanks where they managed some shade and comfort. Frogs croaked in the distance, creating a music all their own. Hunt seemed quite content with nature itself, and yet instantly alert to anything out of kilter.
His quiet, open charm seemed to mask the private man he was. Liking him was an intriguing and unsettling thought. Thank God day dreams were always attacked by common sense. She had to remember who he was…
Jodi couldn't help but notice him, though. He was, by far, the best-looking man around, and uncommonly interesting to talk to. He instinctively knew what to do about most anything. Herding cattle was second nature to him. She hat
ed admitting that she was attracted to her new boss. Hated it because she knew what he was—a coward. If she didn't keep reminding herself, she might forget.
Yet, he'd fought Josh and won, also winning the respect of the men in one afternoon. How could that be? Her men had thought the same of him when they started. What had changed their minds? The fight alone, or was there something about this trail boss that seemed a little different? She couldn't put her finger on it. His mystery weaved a strange web.
As she helped herself to some beans, she started to join the men when Hunt called to her. Another talk, was she up to it?
“Can I talk to you?” he asked, his voice light, but commanding.
Jodi nodded and joined him, careful not to get too close to him; she studied him out of the corner of her eye.
“What do you want to talk about?” she asked as she raked the beans onto her fork and pretended indifference.
“Thought you should know we'll be getting married in Waco. But I want stop off in Salado, see if we can round up more men. Maybe some horse flesh, too.”
Jodi stood up, spilling her beans. “Now wait a minute. I don't mind stopping off at Salado, but I'm not marrying you!”
Hunt didn't move, didn't laugh, and didn't frown, but the brunt of his stare made her still. His blue-black gaze penetrated her. “I'm afraid that's the bargain you struck. Besides...it's important. Men on a drive get restless; there's always trouble with a woman along unless she's married. Once we're married there'll be no trouble for you and hopefully no one else.”
Jodi considered his words, and knew he was right, but something propelled her to reject the whole idea. How could he make getting married sound so every day?
She studied that statement a long time before she answered, “All right, I agree.”
“Glad you finally understand.” He stared at her with a slow burning smile.
Another thing she didn't like—he had a smile like a rattlesnake, and she wasn't at all sure if she could trust him.