13

“Can’t you make them stop?” Sarah hollered her question to Reinhardt in order to be heard over the vaqueros.

“Aw, they’re just excited. A little hootin’ and hollerin’ ain’t gonna hurt no one.”

Sarah scowled and pointed to the cattle, restless and bawling. “They’re upsetting the herd.”

“All right, all right.” Reinhardt chuckled, sauntering off on bowed legs.

Mama motioned for Sarah to approach. “Sarah, honey, I need to talk to you before you leave.”

Sarah was eager to get the herd moving.

Mama stepped away from the rest of the family who had gathered to see the riders off. “Now if any of those men are mean to you, or if you get scared one little bit, you tell Pedro and Inez. They will protect you.”

“I’m not scared, Mama. And I don’t need anyone to protect me. I’ve got Rex, and I’ve got Daddy’s rifle, loaded and strapped to my saddle.” She put her hand down and scratched Rex’s head. “Besides, they better not mess with me if they want to get paid at the end of the drive.”

The family gathered in a circle, and Guy Claiborne led them in a prayer for safety. They said their goodbyes and waved while Sarah climbed onto Ginger’s saddle. The horse whinnied with eagerness.

Sarah raised her hand, anxious to give the call to head out.

“Let’s ride!” Reinhardt bellowed loudly dampening Sarah’s small voice.

Rex barked wildly.

The vaqueros yipped and yelped, calling out to the herd.

The cattle bawled as they slowly lumbered toward the road.

Sarah’s anger rose. Reinhardt had spoiled her plan to take charge.

Reinhardt glanced over at her. “What’cha waitin’ for little girl? Yer mommy ain’t coming with us.”

She glared and snapped Ginger’s reigns. “Ya!” The horse bucked and took off like a shot. Sarah was happy she’d left Reinhardt behind, but it infuriated her when she heard him laughing.

~*~

Ginger settled into a steady trot with Rex walking close to Ginger.

Sarah stayed nearby the vaquero who rode flank. It was the best place to keep an eye on everything without Reinhardt watching her every move.

She’d had men treat her much the same way when she was a girl, learning at her father’s side. But that was different; Daddy was the boss then. She was the boss now. But for some reason she couldn’t shake the feeling she’d fallen into some horrible trap devised by Reinhardt and his men. And she would never forgive herself if Pedro and Inez fell victim too.

The longhorn cattle took little time falling into a sturdy forward pace. More than four hundred years of breeding produced a gentle natured animal with a strong resolve, capable of surviving the harshest of conditions.

Pedro and Inez bumped along the rough terrain in the makeshift chuck wagon they’d pulled together for the trip. Their stubborn donkey kept up with the herd. Inez cuddled close to Pedro’s side. How could they be so old and still act like young lovers? That was the kind of relationship she desired…one based on love and trust.

A familiar face invaded Sarah’s thoughts. She closed her eyes, attempting to ward it off…to no avail. He wouldn’t leave. And in all honesty, she didn’t want him to. Why did I have to go and make a fool of myself, batting my eyes at Frederick? Sarah tightened her jaw against the tears that threatened. I was going to teach him to be a rancher. But no, he already has a sophisticated girlfriend. He probably thinks I’m some kind of bumpkin, trying to snag a rich man. Well, the joke’s on you, Frederick Chessher. I don’t need you or any other man. I can take care of myself just fine!

“Alto!”

Sarah jolted at Reinhardt’s command to stop coming from behind her.

He guffawed.

“You’re not as funny as you think you are,” Sarah yelled.

“I don’t know. My men sure got a kick out of it.”

The vaqueros were indeed laughing.

The man’s silly antics helped quell Sarah’s uneasiness that he had bad intentions in mind. Why else would he go to the trouble of teasing her?

“Why are we stopping anyway? We couldn’t have gone more than ten miles.”

Reinhardt pulled back on his horse’s reins. “I’m stopping for you. Looks like you could use your beauty sleep.”

“I think what you’re trying to say is that you’re too old, and it’s past your bedtime. We can push the cattle at least five more miles.”

Reinhardt frowned. “We’ve gone far enough for the day. Because of your family we got a late start. All their huggin’ and prayin’.” He snorted and shook his head.

“You should try praying sometime. It just might help you.”

“It sure ain’t helped me this far.”

Sarah rode toward Pedro and Inez to tell them what was happening. She would never admit it, but she was exhausted and happy to stop for the day. I wonder what Reinhardt meant when he said prayer hadn’t helped him?