Claiming the Cowboy's Heart. Linda Ford

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СКАЧАТЬ 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 СКАЧАТЬ