Lone Star Bride. Jolene Navarro

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СКАЧАТЬ Forcing herself to keep eye contact, she didn’t blink. “Old enough to make my own decisions.” There had to be a way to save her job. She refused to admit she was a woman.

      He dropped his hands as if they were burned. “Are you married? Is there an angry husband who will run us down and shoot us?”

      “No. I’m not running from anyone or anything. Returning to the ranch after the drive is the plan, so I can work there. That’s all I want, and the only reason I’m here.”

      He didn’t look convinced.

      It was time to remind him what she had already done. “Just like I did when the bull was about to gore you. All that matters is I can handle the work. I’m fast at learning, too. One lesson, and I hitched the mules.”

      “The trail is not the same as the ranch. It’s even more dangerous and unpredictable. It’s no place for a female of any age.”

      “I didn’t say I was a woman.” She talked from the back of her throat, hoping it sounded rough and manly. “I have a dream for my life, and riding out across the country is part of that. What about your dreams? That’s why you’re here, right?”

      “This isn’t about me.” Each word slipped between gritted teeth. He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “There’s plenty of work on the ranch. Why do you need to leave to do that?”

      “If I can go with the herd and come back, that’ll prove how good I am at the work that needs to be done. I have to prove I can do this. I might be small, but I’m strong. The thought of being trapped inside all day for the rest of my life, planning meals and making sure the dust is gone, is a nightmare. It makes me sick.”

      “Some men don’t come back from the trail.”

      She stood straighter. “I’ll come back.”

      Confusion and bewilderment clouded his face. “You’re a strange female.”

      She heard that already this week. Narrowing her eyes at him, she took a step back. “I’m just telling you why I want to ride with the herd.”

      A grim slant tightened his lip. He looked off to the river moving over the rocks and around the roots of the old cypress. “You’re still claiming to be a male?” He cut his gaze back to her.

      Her throat constricted. Life was so unfair. All the power to change the direction of her life was in his hands.

      Closing her eyes, she prayed. She prayed for wisdom, for fortitude and for guidance.

      Standing as tall as she could manage, she made sure to look him in the eye and hold his gaze. Show no fear. “You hired me to work with the cook. I’ll be cleaning the chicken crate, taking care of the mules and starting fires. I have the safest job on the drive. Please, you don’t have time to replace me. Let me do the job. You won’t regret it.”

      Last year, during a father and son lesson, she overheard her father talk about tending to business. He said the best way to ruin a deal was to overtalk when you were nervous. State your requirements, then stay quiet. She bit down on the inside of her cheek, forcing herself to remain silent.

      He crossed his arms, glanced at her, then went back to studying the water. Moving his hands to his pockets, he sighed and looked down.

      She held her breath.

      “Okay, Tiago.” Sarcasm coated his voice. “I think we’ll stick with that name. It’ll be easier if the rest of the crew continues to believe you’re a boy. Less disruptive. Plus, I don’t really know all of them, and I’m not sure we can trust them.”

      Her heart thumped against her chest. She was staying. “Thank you. I’ll be the best cook assistant you’ve ever had.”

      “Just keep your head down and stay out of trouble.” Jaw tight, he squinted at her. “You sure about this? There’s still time to go back to the ranch. It’s going to get rough out there, and you’re not going to get any special treatment.”

      “I don’t have anything to go back to right now.” Her heart wanted to jump out of her chest. Holding her smile at bay the best she could, she gave him a nod. “I’ve been ready for this longer than I remember.”

      He dismissed her with a wave of his hand, and she ran to the wagon. It was official. Jackson knew she was a woman, and she still had a job. One less thing to worry about. Every moment from here on out was a gift from God. She was going across the country with a herd of cattle, all the way to New Orleans.

      It was time to get her job done. Going through the crates and barrels and making a list of the supplies wasn’t as fun as roping and herding, but it was what she had for now. With a glance, she checked the location of her boss. He stood with Cook.

      Back there, he gave in so quickly. She mentioned dreams and his expression changed, but that couldn’t be all. She wondered if her seeming to be of low status had anything to do with it. Would he be willing to give her this chance if he knew she was De Zavala’s daughter?

       Chapter Six

      Jackson took a deep breath, drawing in the morning air. A light fog hugged the low ground between the hills. Sounds of soft rumblings from the cattle and calls from the cowboys assured him all was going well.

      The herd looked good, and everything was going as scheduled. The six drovers were in place, guiding the steers.

      Cook had done this trail several times and started earlier in order to stay in front. The wrangler, Estevan, had the horses following the wagon. Jackson had checked on Tiago at daybreak, and she had seemed eager to get started.

      One night on the ground hadn’t scared her off. He wondered if she would have the same smile by the end of the week. His wife had hated traveling. She had joked that if they went anywhere, he would need a wagon big enough for a bed and a tub.

      His thoughts returned to the wagon’s petite passenger. Had he made a mistake that would put the whole trip in jeopardy?

      He needed to stay focused to make sure everyone got home safely.

      A horse ran up behind him. He put his hand on the butt of his rifle and turned to face the newcomer head-on.

      It was the woman. He had a hard time thinking of her as Tiago now that he knew the truth.

      Her smile was wider than the Mississippi. “Cook said it would be easier on the mules if my saddle and I weren’t in the wagon. I saw you up here and wanted to see the herd moving out.”

      “This is not a sightseeing excursion. You can’t be running all over the place without—”

      “Cook knows where I am, and I don’t need a chaperone. I’m Tiago, remember.” She pulled her horse up next to his as if she wasn’t afraid of him one bit.

      He allowed his gaze to take in her profile. Even with the short hair and baggy clothes, she was perfectly feminine.

      “If I had any sense, I’d send you home now, before we get too far out.”

      The smile disappeared, and with one СКАЧАТЬ