Chapter 36
In spite of his desires … and attempts … to the contrary, Heath didn't move far from his bed that day … or the next. By the third he was up and moving … if less than as quickly or fluidly as usual. He was saddling his horse when Nick caught up with him, Jarrod and Audra trailing in his wake.
"And where do you think you're going, Boy?" His hands seemed to find his hips without thought or effort, as if they knew their owner intended to have his question answered.
"Going out to check on some horses."
He took a moment to catch Jarrod's eye. "Got my protection riding along with me."
He then looked at Nick and took a moment to consider the request he was about to make, thinking about the conversation he'd had with Peters the night before.
"Heath, you got a moment?"
Heath winced as he pulled up farther in the bed, before resting back on the extra pillows he'd been given.
"Got all the time you need … don't seem like I'm going anywhere in any hurry." His now-expected lop-sided smile easing the other man's trepidations.
"Thought you might want to know, there's a herd of wild horses on that mesa up above Ten Mile Creek. Looks like they been there awhile. Most of the mares have foals."
He certainly did want to know. If he could get a good look at them, and maybe cut out some of those mares, it would fit right in with his plans.
"Appreciate it. I think I might have to change my plans for tomorrow."
He chuckled as he waved the young hand on his way.
"Nick, if you can spare a couple of men … three would be better … I'd like to take them along. Expect I could use some help if I see anything worth bringing back."
He waited for the explosion he expected, and smiled to himself when it came. "No, I can't spare a couple of men. I'm short-handed as it is. And, that's all beside the point. You are not riding off after some horses. They can just stay where they are for now."
"No they can't. Need to get them while they're there." He was hoping Nick would just grant his request without figuring out what he was planning.
Unfortunately, Audra was a little quicker than her older brother.
"Wild horses! You're going after wild horses. I bet that's the herd Nick's been trying to locate for months."
Nick stared at her, momentarily speechless.
Surely he couldn't be planning … no way … he couldn't be that stupid … or maybe he could.
"You can't be serious. You're in no shape to be chasing after wild horses."
"Nick, I'm fine. I'm not planning on riding them. Just want to see what's there and cut out any that look good. Peters said there's lots of foals. I can manage with a couple of men if that's the best you can do."
The look from Nick was not encouraging … at first. As the astute rancher gave himself a minute to consider, he admitted … at least to himself … that he had wanted a chance at that herd. It might be an opportunity that wouldn't come again, at least not soon.
However, he did not relish the idea of the blond riding that hard, or with that degree of risk, right now. And he really couldn't spare more than one man … and blast it all, he certainly couldn't spare himself … at least not today. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Heath, I really don't think it's what you ought to be doing just yet … and, in truth, I can't spare more than one man today."
"Fair enough. Give me your one man. Either way, I'm going to take a look. There's bound to be one or two mares worth the effort … can at least bring back that many. Your best roper would be appreciated."
Her blue eyes sparkling, Audra cut in again. "I can go along. I can help."
The words had hardly escaped her lips before the answer was hurled back. "No! Not a chance. You are not chasing after wild horses, Audra. Not now, not ever. Don't even think about it. If you're going into town with Jarrod, get going. Otherwise get yourself back into the house. Now."
Instantly her eyes were flashing. "You can't speak to me that way! I'm not one of your men, and you're not my boss."
She glared at him, shoulders back, head high, chin jutting. How dare he! Flashing blue met hard hazel.
"You listen to me, Missy, and you listen good. I run this ranch. I give the orders. You will do well to remember that. Rest assured that I am more than capable … and willing … to deliver that message in a more forceful, and unpleasant way, if you choose to ignore me. Now git."
He turned his back on her, summarily dismissing any further discussion.
Her lips pursed, accentuating the dimples, as the pink in her cheeks darkened and spread. Her eyes blinked, hard and fast, while she fought to restrain the tears, before turning and stomping away.
"I'll give you Manny for the day … best roper we have." So saying, he turned and left the barn.
Heath looked at Jarrod, one eyebrow raised, and a look that Jarrod discerned as disapproval. "You don't agree with him, Heath? You think he ought to have let Audra go along?"
The surprise was evident in his tone. "You wouldn't have said no to her?"
"Ain't my place to say anything to her, Jarrod. She ain't my sister. If she were, she wouldn't be out chasing wild horses." He let the lawyer think on that for a moment, before he added.
"But, I'd just hope that if she were my sister, I could find a gentler way of letting her know she was too important to me, to let her be put in that kind of danger."
Jarrod nodded. And nodded again. "No denying Nick can come across pretty hard at times. Guess I'll see if I can soothe the wounded pride and restore the peace."
He stopped after a few steps, turning back to catch the blond's attention. "You be careful out there." The message was clear.
Just before he passed through the door, the blue-eyed attorney looked over his shoulder and delivered one more message. "You'd make a good brother to any young girl … probably to anyone."
No more was said, or needed.
Heath just smiled, then mounted up and rode out with his shadows following. As Manny loped over to join them, he signaled him to come up alongside. He wanted to be sure the hand understood what was expected of him.
He planned to bring back some horses … would just have to go about it a little differently than he'd hoped. When he saw the rawhide lariat the man carried, he smiled. Nick had surely given him someone who could rope. His plans were suddenly looking a lot more promising.
When Jarrod couldn't find his little sister in the house, he headed to the lower corral. He wasn't surprised to hear her before he could see her, nor eventually to discover her pacing back and forth along the side of the enclosure. Every clod of earth in her path crumbling with the force of a deliberately placed boot. He chuckled … quietly … to himself.
He leaned on the top rail, and as he watched her he thought on what the blond had said. He waited until he was sure she knew he was there before speaking. "He can be a little brusque at times, that brother of ours. Gets me steamed a time or two, I have to admit."
She slowed somewhat with his words, but didn't stop.
"I sometimes wonder if the two of you know how much alike you are."
That got her attention. She stopped and glared at him, eyes a-storming, hands on hips. He was hard pressed to suppress the laugh demanding release on seeing her actions reinforcing his statement. Actions quite obviously intent on doing the exact opposite.
"I'm guessing somewhere inside that pretty little head of yours you know he'd never be able to forgive himself if he allowed you to do something that got you hurt … that you are far too important to him. He just doesn't always take the time to pick his words a mite more carefully … to consider what he's really wanting to say."
He could see her fighting to hold her resolve, and slowly losing the battle. He walked over to her, reached out, and drew her close. He held her tight until he felt her soften and mould to him, before continuing.
"He loves you Sweetheart. Of that I have no doubt. Big, bad, Nick Barkley can sometimes let his worries and fears override his common sense."
He grasped her shoulders and held her at arms' length, making sure he caught her now-glistening eyes. "I don't want you out chasing wild horses either, Little Sister. I don't know what I'd do … what this family would do … if anything happened to you. I know, just as well as does Nick, that you can ride with the best of them. We also both know that chasing wild horses is dangerous … even for the best of riders. Neither of us could knowingly and willingly put you in danger."
Deciding he'd said enough on that subject, he changed tactics.
"Now, I happen to have been anticipating the pleasure of a delightful companion on my journey into town today, as well as the subsequent enjoyment of that same companion at a most luscious lunch. Are you going to disappointment me? Or, are you going to give me a hand getting a horse hitched to the buggy so we can be on our way before it gets any later?" He smiled, one eyebrow raised.
She couldn't help herself as the laughter bubbled up. "You're impossible … just not in the same way he is."
Her dimples deepened as that Miss Barkley mischievous gleam created a different shine in the pretty blue eyes. "I think I deserve a tangible apology for the egregious manner in which he addressed me. I suggest, on the journey, we discuss the options in that regard. You can then advance to me the necessary funds for the acquisition of same, and secure reimbursement from him at your earliest convenience."
She smiled … a smile that brightened the day in rival with the sun.
"Shall we be on our way?" He laughed as he took her arm and headed to the barn.
Oh, Brother Nick, I fear this rash outburst is going to cost you dearly.
They found the horses exactly where Peters had described. As he'd indicated there were many mares with foals. Heath sat his horse, overlooking the bluff above the mesa, and studied the animals below … and the terrain. There was a steep drop off to the creek below and he did not want to risk them running over that cliff.
It was a good-sized herd, but a lot of young stock. Even the stallion was young. Heath figured he had either managed to defeat the previously reigning animal, or that beast had otherwise met an untimely end and this fellow had taken over.
There were easily a dozen mares that nicely would fit into the breeding program he was contemplating, but he knew he wouldn't be taking that many. Even if he had the manpower to do so, this herd could be a valuable source of future stock if its numbers were managed well. After further thought, he settled on the four mares and offspring he wanted.
He shared his plans with Manny and the other riders. He knew the men assigned to guard him were under orders from Nick, and he did not want to compromise them. With patience and careful maneuvering he figured he could accomplish that and have their help with the horses. It would just take time. Probably the whole day.
Nick had just stabled his horse for the night, and strode out of the barn in time to see the dust rising in the distance. He quickly quelled the alarm that arose, reasoning that anyone intending harm would not be riding in that manner. He took a quick look back in the barn. The saddle he sought was missing.
Must be Heath coming in.
As the dust materialized into shapes, he could see horses with riders … horses without. He signaled McColl to open the gate on the far paddock, assuming Heath intended to corral the animals for the night. Ten minutes later they leaned on the outside of the rails watching the anxious ladies trot back and forth.
Nick looked at the horseman standing beside him. "Do I want to know how two men cut four mares out of a wild herd?"
"Heard tell, ignorance is bliss."
"Uh, huh."
He gazed at the guileless visage as first his concern and then ire increased. "Now see here Heath, I meant what I said the other—" He was cut off as the blond grabbed his shoulder and turned him.
"I gave you my word Nick. I don't go back on that. Your guards did their job … did it exactly as you intended."
Blue grabbed hazel, and refused to relinquish the hold.
It took Nick more than a few moments to satisfy himself, but he eventually got there. "Okay, Heath. Good enough."
He waited a moment longer, then added. "Nice looking horseflesh. You did good, Boy."
The full blown Nick Barkley smile was answered with a lopsided grin. But the real response was in the eyes … they glowed.