Seth wakened as someone stepped into the room. He sat up and stifled a moan at the pain that reminded him why he was in a strange bed in a strange room with a strange man standing at his side. Then his mind cleared and he recognized Eddie.
“Good morning,” Eddie said.
“Morning.” The word croaked from his dry throat and he reached for the cup of water Jayne had left on the table beside him.
“I brought you your things. I was here last night but you were already asleep. Linette wants to check your leg one last time.”
“Thanks.”
Linette joined her husband and changed the dressing. “It’s not bleeding but I believe a couple more days rest would be in your best interest.”
“Thanks. But I have to get going.”
“We’ll leave you to get dressed, then.” Eddie handed him his saddlebags. “I believe your other things are waiting for you downstairs.”
“Please join us for breakfast,” Linette added. “Turn right at the bottom of the stairs and the kitchen is at the end of the hall.”
“Thanks.” He waited until they left the room before he threw back the covers and sat on the edge of the bed. A stark-white dressing covered his wound and would keep it clean until he reached Corncrib. He pulled on his dark gray trousers, and his black-and-white-striped shirt. Putting weight on his leg caused his wound to protest but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t ignore. He tugged on his boots, pulled a comb from his supplies and ran it through his hair then stood tall. There. He felt like a man again. He slung his saddlebags over his shoulder and left the room.
The stairs were wide and led down to a big door that stood open, allowing a cool breeze to blow through the screen. This was the door he had stumbled through with Eddie’s help yesterday. So much had happened since then that it seemed more like a week ago.
He paused at the bottom of the stairs to stare at the view. The house overlooked the neat ranch buildings he’d noticed yesterday. Several cowboys crossed toward the nearest two-story house. He gave it all a quick study then lifted his gaze. The view of the mountains caught at his breath. They were gleaming with the morning sun. So big and majestic. So powerful. The words of one of Ma’s oft-repeated verses entered his mind. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Ma had been devastated by Frank’s death but in spite of it, Seth suddenly realized, she’d remained serene. He hadn’t been able to understand. Was it because of her faith?
A faith he shared but to a lesser degree. He wasn’t sure God would lend a hand if Seth needed it. He’d called God’s name several times when trying to rescue Frank. Where was God then? Or was he blaming God for an individual’s own choice? Was not the individual responsible for the outcome? These were oft-repeated questions to which he could never find a satisfactory answer.
He turned to his right and strode down the hall. As he passed a room, he glanced inside at the bookshelves filled with books, a large mahogany desk and an oversize black armchair, plus some very nice paintings. One seemed to be a perfect replica of the mountain scene he’d admired seconds ago.
To his left, he glimpsed a formal-looking dining room that had an empty, unused look. Then he reached the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Jayne said, smiling cheerfully as he entered. She was probably eager to see him gone. After all, he was a constant reminder that her shooting had been a failure.
She should be happy he was only slightly injured because of her foolish activity. She might have left a body on the trail. His body. Then who would take care of Pa? Maybe God had been protecting all of them—Jayne, Seth and Pa. He’d study the thought more closely when he had the time.
The room was large, dominated by a big table. To one side were cupboards and a stove, and on the east side, the rising sun shone through the generous windows.
The others greeted him. Linette held a small boy before her. “This is Grady. Grady, say hello to Mr. Collins.” The boy held a half-grown gray kitten.
Seth squatted down to the boy’s level, ignoring the pain in his leg. “Pleased to meet you, Grady. And what’s this fine fellow’s name?” He scratched behind the cat’s ears earning him a loud purr.
“This is Smokey. He’s a good cat. He never fights with the other cats. Not like Snowball. Snowball is always fighting. He’s got a torn ear ’cause he fights too much.”
“Why, it sounds like Smokey is a very smart cat.” The animal pushed against Seth’s hand, begging for more attention.
“He is. He can climb a tree faster than anybody and he eats slow, like a gentleman.”
“A fine cat, indeed. I expect he’s good company for you.” He straightened to ease the pain in his leg.
“Yup. But my best friend is Billy. He lives down the hill with Daisy and Pansy and Neil and his new ma and pa, Cassie and Roper. Mr. and Mrs. Jones,” he corrected as Linette opened her mouth. No doubt she meant to tell him he shouldn’t call adults by their first names.
Seth’s eyebrows peaked. “Wow. That sounds like a real good story.”
Linette gave her son a gentle shove toward the door. “Put Smokey outside and wash up for breakfast. Seth, have a chair.” She indicated one next to Jayne.
He sat. Feeling Mercy and Sybil’s gazes on him, he lifted his head to give them each an inquisitive look. “Did you want something?” he asked.
Sybil shook her head.
Mercy leaned forward. “We were wondering how you would explain your—” she tipped her head toward his leg beneath the table “—gunshot wound. Jayne doesn’t think you’ll admit to your friends that a woman shot you.”
He turned toward Jayne.
Her brown eyes flashed a teasing challenge. “They might wonder why you let a woman outshoot you,” she said.
He practically choked. “Outshoot? I don’t think I’d explain it like that. What I’ll say if anyone asks is that I got hit by a stray bullet.”
Eddie cleared his throat. “There’ll be no more stray bullets. Jayne, I forbid you to continue this foolish endeavor.”
She bristled like a cat stroked the wrong way. She ducked her head and stared at her plate but her lips pressed together in protest.
Eddie was right about it being foolish but hearing it from the other man’s lips made Seth want to protest. Why didn’t he teach his sister what she needed to know? It would surely make it safer for everyone on the ranch. He guessed from Jayne’s expression that she had no intention of abandoning her plan, despite her brother’s direct order.
“Would you ask the blessing, dear?” Linette said, ending the tension between brother and sister.
Eddie prayed and then food was passed around. Fried pork and eggs, fried potatoes, fresh biscuits and syrup and plenty of milk.
Seth helped himself. “I heard you were a good cook, Mrs. Gardiner. This certainly proves it.”
“Thank you. The girls are learning to cook, too. If you were around longer, you would get a chance to evaluate their progress.”
He pretended a great deal of shock. “I hope their cooking lessons aren’t as deadly as their shooting lessons.”
Beside him Jayne choked. He had the pleasure of patting her on the back. At first, he got a bit of satisfaction out of her discomfort but after the second pat, he had an urge to pull her into his arms, rub her back and assure her she would be safe because he would personally see to it. Instead, he dropped his hands to his lap. He didn’t need one more person in his life to be responsible for.
After she stopped coughing and wiped her eyes, she turned and gave him a look fit to cure leather. “I could have choked to death.”
He felt suddenly remorseful. “I’m sorry. It was a careless remark.”
She nodded. “Then consider us even. I didn’t mean to hurt you even as you didn’t mean to hurt me.”
He wondered if she referred to the choking incident or the words he’d spoken the previous day. But it didn’t matter which. He was leaving today and would prefer to go with no ill feelings left behind. He nodded. “Agreed.”
Conversation around the table turned to more general things—plans for the day, who was going where, what needed to be done.
His nerves tensed when Eddie asked Jayne what her plans were.
“I wanted to explore a bit more.”
Seth relaxed. It sounded like a safe activity. He’d be in no mortal danger as he rode away. And may God have mercy on any strangers riding nearby if Jayne meant to continue with her plans.
Again he wondered why Eddie didn’t simply give her a few lessons. Surely that would soon satisfy her.
When the meal ended, Eddie pushed from the table. Seth pushed back, too.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll be on my way now.”
Linette favored him with a sweet smile. “We understand but you’re always welcome at Eden Valley Ranch.”
That’s when he recognized the name Gardiner. Eddie Gardiner and his wife were well spoken of in the western ranches. “I’ve heard of this place.”
“You have?” Linette asked. “I hope it’s been good things.”
Eddie wrapped his arm about his wife’s shoulders. “What else would he hear?”
“It’s been good,” Seth assured them. “You’re known to offer hospitality to all, regardless of race or social status. People say Mrs. Gardiner nurses the sick, helps the poor and Eddie here is considered a man of honor and integrity.”
“That’s lovely,” Sybil said.
“We’re honored,” Eddie added.
Seth leaned back on his heels and grinned. “I heard a tale about feeding a starving Indian family and outrunning wolves. Is it true?”
Linette and Eddie grinned at each other.
Jayne answered his question. “It’s true. My brother refused to hang an Indian who tried to steal a cow to feed his starving family. Instead, he took him meat. On the way back, wolves attacked them and Linette helped beat them off.” She jammed her fists on her hips. “I intend to become just as brave and proficient.”
Linette reached out and squeezed Jayne’s hand. “And you shall.”
Eddie opened his mouth but Linette jabbed her elbow into his ribs and he closed it without speaking. Had he been about to reissue his orders to Jayne?
Instead, he said to Seth, “I’ll take you to the barn. Your horse is there.”
“I’ll go with you,” Jayne said and no one argued otherwise. Certainly not Seth who looked forward to a private goodbye. “Wait a moment.” Jayne turned aside and brought him his shirt and pants, neatly folded as if they’d come from the best Chinese laundry.
“You washed them?”
Mercy didn’t wait for Jayne to answer. “She washed them, mended them and ironed them. Your clothes could not be in better hands.” Her dark eyes challenged him as if informing him that Jayne had many admirable qualities.
He wasn’t about to argue. No doubt she did, but shooting wasn’t one of them any more than was being bullheaded about it.
“Thank you. I didn’t expect this.”
She tipped her head to one side and lifted one shoulder. “I doubt you expected to be shot by a woman, either.”
He choked on a startled laugh.
Mercy and Sybil chuckled.
“Jayne, there’s to be no more shooting.” Eddie sounded like he was used to giving orders and having them obeyed.
As the three of them traipsed down the hill, he heard Jayne whisper beside him, “You can’t order me around.” No doubt she hadn’t meant for anyone to hear her. Seth worried that things might get a little tense between her and her brother if they kept up the way they were.
Grady shouted from the doorway. “Papa, I’m coming, too.”
Eddie turned to wait for him. “You two go ahead.”
Jayne and Seth continued onward. He shoved the barn door open, and a cowboy nodded a greeting as he saddled a horse.
Seth found his horse in a nearby stall and grabbed his saddle and bridle that hung in the tack room. He noticed they’d been cleaned until they shone. He hadn’t expected that kind of service.
The animal, too, had been groomed until his coat shone. Someone certainly knew how to look after things.
As he lifted the saddle into place, his leg spasmed painfully. It was only a gunshot wound, he reminded himself. Not much more than a flesh wound. Nothing to slow him down.
He led the horse through the door, Jayne at his side.
“I hope you arrive in good time, that the man is still tending your pa and that he is much improved.”
He smiled down at her. “Thanks. I can’t say it’s been fun but it’s been unusual meeting you.”
She chuckled. “I dare say it’s the most unusual meeting either of us has had.”
He nodded, suddenly reluctant to leave. Like that made any sense. But something about Jayne pulled at his thoughts. Of course she did. The woman needed someone to keep an eye on her and make sure she didn’t get herself into more trouble.
He chomped down on his molars. It would have to be someone other than himself because he’d had more than his share of trying to take care of people who didn’t bother to take care of themselves.
“You stay out of trouble, hear?” He swung up into the saddle. “Don’t go shooting any more cowboys.”
A stubborn look crossed her face and then she smiled. “One has proven to be enough trouble. I won’t go for two.”
He laughed and touched the brim of his hat.
She stepped back and gasped. “Seth, look at your leg.”
He did. His pant leg was blood-soaked.
Eddie had reached them and saw the same thing. “You can’t leave like that. It would be foolish.”
Seth stared at his leg then shifted his gaze to Jayne’s eyes, saw her look go from shock to compassion. “Seth, you have to rest it.”
He nodded. He knew he had no choice. “The money...”
“Tell Eddie about it.”
Knowing the reputation of the Gardiners, he knew he could entrust his money to Eddie. “It’s in the heel of my boot. Can you see it goes to Murdo Collins in Corncrib, Montana? I need it to get there as soon as possible.”
He swung from the saddle and began to pry his boot off.
Eddie clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go to the house and take care of that. Linette can tend your wound. Looks like you’ll be here a few more days.” He called to a cowboy barely old enough to call himself a man. “Buster, take care of this man’s horse.”
“Yes, boss.” Buster’s chin had likely never met a razor yet. His hair was shaggy as if it had not seen a pair of scissors in a long time. And his too-short trousers were held in place with a braid of rope.
“Kid looks like he’s lost,” Seth said as they climbed back up the hill.
“He showed up a couple of weeks back asking for a job. Seems he’s all alone in the world. But he doesn’t take kindly to help. Linette offered to give him a pair of trousers from her supply closet but he refused. Said when he earned them, he’d buy them.”
“Guess you can’t fault him for that.”
“You have to allow a man, however young, to have a certain amount of pride. He’s proving to be a good man. He took care of your saddle and groomed your horse.”
He was struck by an errant thought. Maybe Jayne also needed to keep her pride intact by being able to use a gun.
Eddie went through to the kitchen with Seth and Jayne behind him. Seth sank to a chair and removed his boot and pried off the heel. He handed the wad of money to Eddie. “Can I write a note to accompany it?”
Jayne disappeared down the hall and ducked into the room with the desk and books. She returned with paper and pencil, handing it to him with a sad smile.
He wrote a note to Pa saying he had been delayed but would be home as soon as possible. To Crawford he wrote, “There is more here than what I owe you. Please keep it in return for staying with Pa until I get home.” He folded both pieces of paper and handed them to Eddie.
“I’ll see this gets to Edendale right away. We should be able to catch the stage. Petey, the driver, can be trusted to make sure it gets to your pa.” He left the house to tend to the task.
Seth tried to relax. The money would make its way to Corncrib as fast as he could take it himself. But what about Pa? Would Crawford stay? Or would his pa be alone, unable to care for himself?
Linette retrieved her little leather pouch of herbs. “I think it’s best if you return upstairs.” She went down the hall.
Seth rose, preparing to follow.
Jayne reached out and squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry.”
He made up his mind. “The money is on its way. That should keep Crawford there for a few more days.” No point in worrying about things he couldn’t change, especially when this gave him a chance to change one important thing. “My leg will heal fine if I rest it. While I am here you will get shooting lessons from me. That way I can leave with a clear conscience knowing you won’t kill someone accidentally and end up in jail.” He went down the hall and up the stairs to have Linette pack the wound with the herbs.
“They’ll do their work if you give them a chance,” Linette said. “I suggest you don’t move around much for a day or two.”
“I’d sure like to sit in the sun.”
She nodded. “That should be okay so long as you don’t put any weight on that leg. I’ll put a chair by the door.” He hopped down the stairs after her and sat beside the big doors. Being idle weighed heavily but at least he could watch people coming and going.
Jayne and her friends passed the barn toward the bridge. They had said they were going exploring.
He hoped the exploring didn’t involve a pistol. Surely she would wait for the lessons he’d promised... Unless she was too bullheaded to listen to reason.
* * *
Jayne pressed her lips together as she joined Mercy and Sybil. Seth was just like Eddie, barking out commands and expecting her to jump. Yes, she wanted to learn to shoot. But she would have liked it better if he’d offered rather than ordered. Like she’d kill anyone! Her eyes narrowed. Was he any different than her father, or Eddie or Oliver? Did he see her as simply a foolish young woman who needed him to protect her?
She snorted. “I don’t need him protecting me.” She spoke the words aloud without regard to her friends.
They stopped and waited for her to fall in between them.
“Who?” Mercy demanded.
“Why, Seth, of course,” Sybil said. “Jayne, accept it. There is something about you that brings out the chivalry in men.”
“I don’t want chivalry.”
Sybil made a protesting noise. “Who doesn’t want a man who is courteous and considerate, honorable and loyal?”
“Put that way, I have to agree but he thinks he can order me around. He acts like he has to take care of me or I’ll cause a disaster.” She shuddered, remembering how her lack of action had caused a terrible death. “I don’t need a man taking care of me, thank you very much.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he would give me shooting lessons.”
Mercy and Sybil ground to a halt. “Isn’t that what you want?”
“Yes. But I’d like to be asked not told.” She wondered if her words sounded as petty to her friends as they did to her.
“Either way, seems to me you’re getting a gift,” Mercy said. “The lessons you want from a man whose eyes darken when he looks at you.” She sighed dreamily.
“They do not,” Jayne protested. At least Mercy hadn’t said Jayne’s eyes got all starry when she looked at him. As if they would. Seth was proving to be rather annoying and overbearing. “I don’t need that kind of man in my life.”
“Oh?” Sybil’s voice was sweet. “What kind of man do you need?”
“Right now? None. My heart is locked up tightly. I won’t open it again. It’s like asking to be hurt.”
“You’ll change your mind about that one day,” Mercy said.
“Nope. Not me. Now let’s go follow the river and see where it goes.”
Sybil laughed. “It goes to the ocean. Are you planning to go that far?”
She laughed at Sybil’s nonsense. “So maybe I’ll see where it comes from.”
Sybil pointed toward the mountains. “From the snow up there.”
“But it’s August. Surely the snow is all melted. So where does the water come from that keeps flowing past the ranch?”
Mercy flung her arms wide. “Who cares? It’s a lovely day. Let’s enjoy it.”
Jayne sighed her agreement. The sun glistened off the rugged mountains and dappled the deciduous trees. A gentle zephyr tickled her skin and danced along the grass. Birds rejoiced from every direction. She breathed deep. “It smells so good. Like the air is full of a thousand wild flowers.”
They followed the river past the pens and along a grassy slope. A few steps farther and they entered a grove of trees.
“We should have brought a gun,” Mercy said. “You could practice your shooting.”
“You don’t think there are enough injured cowboys already?” Sybil asked.
“We could go for one each.”
Jayne knew Mercy was teasing but Sybil gave them both a this-isn’t-amusing look.
Mercy pushed past some prickly bushes and led them into an opening. “Look at the little waterfall.”
It hardly qualified as such. It was only the river flowing over some big rocks and making a cheery noise.
Sybil perched on a fallen tree. “It’s so peaceful.”
Mercy and Jayne exchanged looks and silently agreed to let Sybil enjoy a quiet moment. They sat on the grass behind her and waited for Sybil to be ready to move on. Finally, with a sigh that came from deep inside, she pushed to her feet. “It’s very restful to watch the water gurgle past.”
They continued onward and spent a pleasant couple of hours wandering along the river.
Jayne glanced at the sky. “We should get back.”
As they retraced their steps, the sun shone hotter. They stopped and splashed cool water on their faces before they reached the ranch.
When they stepped into the open and headed for the bridge, Jayne looked toward the house. Seth still sat in the chair beside the door. He must be bored. The joy of the morning faded slightly. She should have offered to keep him company. Perhaps read to him again. How selfish of her.
As quickly as the thought came, she dismissed it. He surely wouldn’t want her company. After all, she was but a silly woman who needed him to guide her. Or so he thought.
She sighed. She certainly was acting foolish. She didn’t care about his opinion one way or the other and was grateful he’d offered to give her shooting lessons. Never mind how the offer came.
Mercy saw him, too. “Let’s ask Seth about where the river comes from.”
As they drew closer, Jayne saw Smokey curled into a ball on Seth’s lap. The cat opened one eye as the ladies approached then closed it again and ignored them.
At least Seth had the cat to keep him company.
“To what do I owe this honor?” He glanced about the circle of friends but directed his question to Jayne.
She answered before Mercy could. “We want to know where the water from the river comes from if the snow is all melted.”
He blinked then widened his eyes. “That’s a strange question.”
“Do you have an answer?”
His eyes dipped into a smile. “I could say the water comes from lakes.”
Mercy snapped her fingers. “Lakes! I should have thought of that.”
“That isn’t the whole answer, is it?” Jayne asked, caught by the darkness in his hazel eyes.
“There are glaciers up there and melted water comes off them throughout the summer. I’ve seen them. Even walked on some of them.” He closed his eyes as if thinking of a time when he had done so. “Imagine cold ice on a hot summer day. And it’s really cold.”
Jayne sighed. “I wish I could see it.”
“Before I leave I will take you to the mountains. Maybe not to a glacier but to one of the beautiful lakes. There isn’t anything quite like the views.” He again closed his eyes and sighed.
“I’d like that,” Sybil said.
“Me, too,” Mercy added.
Seth opened his eyes and looked directly at Jayne. He lifted one eyebrow. “How do you feel about it?”
She widened her eyes. Did he really care what she thought?
His gaze held hers. His eyes darkened, tinted now like the forest trees. She could almost hear the birds singing.
She blinked, as if to sever the spell they’d cast on her. “I enjoy seeing the country. It’s beautiful.” Her words came out in a breezy rush. She grabbed the girls and pulled them toward the door. “Let’s help Linette.”
“Bye,” Seth called.
Jayne added her goodbye to that of the others.
“I thought he was anxious to leave the ranch,” Mercy murmured as they headed down the hall. “Don’t see any evidence of it. You sure you haven’t batted your eyes at him a little too much and made him forget everything but your charming company?”
Jayne blew her breath out in a protest. “I’ve done no such thing.” She hoped Seth hadn’t overheard Mercy’s comment. A hot blush raced up her neck and she prayed the others wouldn’t notice and ask about its cause. She’d never admit that a moment ago she’d gone on a flight of imagination all because the color of his eyes reminded her of the forest.
If either of them noticed and commented on it, Jayne would pretend it hadn’t happened. He was only a cowboy she’d accidently shot and who high-handedly informed her he meant to teach her to shoot so no other cowboys would be harmed.
He might prevent another injured cowboy but she wasn’t so certain that the shooter would be unharmed. Something about the man threatened her firm resolve. No, she informed her brain. There would be no veering from her goals. No opening her heart. No inviting pain and trouble.