Heart of Trust (Hearts of the West, #1)

Chapter 1

Vanished River, Texas

1870

The town of Vanished River was as dry as its name implied.

Georgia Aymes slipped from her saddle, and a cloud of dust swirled up around her skirt. “We made it. We really made it.” She tossed a smile to Jake.

Her husband wore the dust of the trip on his clothes and lines of weariness on his face, yet he grinned back at her and combed his gloved fingers through hair the same dark brown as his eyes.

After securing their horses to the hitching rail and resettling his hat on his head, he swept her into his arms and spun her in a wide circle despite the dusty men watching them.

When he set her down, he chuckled. “Did you doubt that we would?”

Lightning storms, river crossings, day after day in the saddle, elusive game, and scarce water could make a body question.

Yet they’d made it. That was what mattered.

She again smiled up at him. “We made it.”

Thank You, Lord. Please help us honor You with our new lives out here.

He took her arm. “We’ll find some land. Someone’s bound to be selling some around here. Then we’ll get settled.”

Oh, he was optimistic.

It could take days for them to find land for sale. Or they might have to travel farther. And every day that passed further depleted their funds—funds they needed to save in order to be able to afford property.

A man stepped toward them, his clothes smudged and torn. “Heard you sayin’ you were lookin’ for land. That true?”

Jake nodded in the fellow’s direction. Though Jake was average in height and build, he dwarfed the man. “You heard right, sir.”

The man raked a hand across his grizzled chin. “I’m selling out. Takin’ my wife and daughters back to Virginia. Only came into town to find a buyer for the place. It’s about five miles south of here. Good water. Good grazing. Couldn’t ask for better land out here.”

“Sounds like what we’re looking for. Can we ride out and look around?”

Something close to relief crossed the man’s face. “Sure. Let me get my horse.”

Could purchasing a ranch be so easy?

She brushed a hand down her shirtwaist, dislodging some of the dirt that had settled there. A dip in a cool creek would feel wonderful, yet such a thing wasn’t an option. Besides, land was more important right now.

After the man returned, she mounted with Jake’s help and settled too many sore muscles into the saddle.

The five miles passed in a swirl of dust, wind, and weariness.

“Land starts here. Near that gully.” The man swung his arm toward where he’d indicated.

Scraggly grass stretched off into the distance. So different from home. But this would become home.

The man motioned for them to ride on. “House is in that direction.” He pointed. “Creek’s in that direction. John Dalton’s ranch is that way. Jensen’s is that way. They’re both big-time ranchers around here. Might even call them cattle barons.”

“How about cattle?” Jake pushed back his hat.

“Got a few head. Maybe twenty or so. They go with the land if you’re wondering.”

The fellow pulled his horse to a halt by a weathered plank house. “You still want it?”

Jake dismounted and helped her down. “How much are you asking?”

The landowner shrugged then listed a price. “You won’t find a better deal. Come on inside and think it over.”

They followed him into the house and sat at a rickety table. Two rooms branched off from the main room, likely leading to bedrooms. Only a stove, a table, and four chairs occupied the main room.

“What furniture is in it stays. We’ve already packed up everything we’re taking.”

Jake met her eyes. “What do you think?”

How had they been able to find land so quickly? Thank You for keeping us safe. For getting us here safely. For our land. “I think it’s perfect.”

Jake nodded to the landowner. “You got yourself a deal.”

The easy smile on Georgia’s face was proof enough that moving here had been the right decision. Yes, they’d both left family, friends, and all they knew behind in Tennessee, but Texas had been their dream all those years they’d spent working that worn-out farm.

She dropped the rag into the bucket, pushed to her feet, and wiped her hands on her skirt, leaving wet marks behind. “How was your trip to town?”

“Uneventful.” Jake closed the front door behind him and pressed a kiss to her sweat-dampened forehead. “The mercantile had all the supplies on your list.”

Supplies he needed to bring inside.

After brushing a kiss to her lips, he stepped onto the porch.

The land—their land—stretched out before him in the late afternoon sun. The trees along the creek waved in a slight breeze, and a couple of cattle grazed off in the distance.

They’d build a good life here. Raise whatever children God saw fit to give them here. Grow old here.

Once he’d stabled his gelding, he carried the burlap sack of supplies into the house and set it on the table.

Georgia turned from the stove, again smiling.

With her dark brown hair and dark eyes, she was as pretty as she’d been the day he’d married her going on four years ago.

He hung up his hat and untied the sack of supplies. “Tell me where you want all this.”

She pressed her lips together. “How about we eat first? I imagine you’re as hungry as I am.”

The growl his stomach let out proved her point.

He chuckled and moved the sack to the corner. There wasn’t anything in there that couldn’t wait to be put up.

She set two bowls of stew and a plate of bread on the table then filled their tin cups with water.

After blessing the food, he lifted a spoonful to his lips and blew on it.

“You didn’t meet anyone interesting in town?” She tucked a wisp of hair back into her bun.

“Not that I can remember. You’ll have to go with me next time. You’d like looking around the mercantile.”

She swallowed a bite of stew. “Is that your way of telling me there’s money for me to buy some fabric for a new dress?”

“Once the ranch gets going.” Though the man who’d bought their farm in Tennessee had paid a decent amount, making the trip out here and purchasing this place had taken almost everything they had.

“I know.” She offered him a soft smile. “I was only teasing. You know I don’t care all that much about fancy dresses and such.”

Likely due to the fact that she’d been her older brother’s shadow as a girl. But that didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy a bit of finery every once in a while.

She tilted her head. “You didn’t see any soldiers?”

“None.” No, they hadn’t left the Federals back in Tennessee, but surely they’d be few and far between in this part of Texas.

At least he could hope. He’d seen more than enough Yankees during the war and in the years after it.

Her shoulders eased. “I’m glad to hear it.”

He straightened in his chair, and that dull ache seized his side. The war had been over for years. There shouldn’t be any lingering aches and pains from that Yankee bullet.

Georgia frowned. She could read him all too well. He needed to be more careful not to let the discomfort show on his face. She didn’t need to worry about something that was more of a nuisance than anything else at this point.

He lifted a piece of bread. “Everything’s all right.”

And it was.

Georgia leaned the pitchfork up against the barn wall and brushed her hands against her skirt. The barn might be small, but it was more than large enough to hold their three horses with some room to spare. She swiped away the hair that clung to her face and walked to the open barn door.

The stomping and snorting of an angry horse carried from the corral just outside the barn. If only Jake hadn’t taken up one of their new neighbors on his request to train the animal.

Yes, they needed the money, but Jake didn’t always know the meaning of the word careful.

She left the shade of the barn and propped her elbows on the corral railing. The horse gave a twist in the air, and Jake hit the ground.

She clenched her hands around the rail, and splinters stung into her palms. Please don’t let him be hurt.

He jumped to his feet and swung himself over the corral fence. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m fine.”

“I’m not sure I believe you.” A tremor in her voice had to betray her.

He smacked at his dust-covered trousers and had the nerve to smile. “He got me good that time. Tricked me into thinking he was going to stay nice and calm.”

The chestnut pranced around the corral, head high and victory in his eyes.

She crossed her arms. “Please tell me now if you’re hurt. I don’t want to find out hours later when you collapse.”

He put on a good show, but the wound he’d received during the war plagued him more than he wanted her to know.

He slung an arm around her shoulders. “Just a little sore.” He laughed. “You know the truth. If I left you alone for a good hour, you’d be out here riding him.”

Never in a thousand years. Being thrown from the saddle wasn’t high on her list of pleasurable activities.

She ducked her head to hide the smile that pulled at her lips. “And I’d stay on him too.” She tugged on his arm. “I’m already hungry, and you need a break. I have some of the stew from last night heating up.”

“Not yet.” He motioned toward a plume of dust heading their way. “Somebody’s coming.” He bent over and picked up the revolver he must’ve taken off before he started working with the chestnut. “You better go inside.”

Her heart rate picked up.

No. Jake’s words were only a precaution. Most likely, whoever was coming was only a neighbor who wanted to welcome them to the area. Just like the man who’d asked Jake to train his horse.

But still...

She hurried inside and positioned herself by the window.

The dust cleared to reveal a single rider—a tall, broad-shouldered fellow with a weathered face. Surely if the man were bent on causing trouble, he’d have come with reinforcements.

The man slowed his horse as he drew near. Within moments, he dismounted and strode toward Jake. He extended his hand to Jake. “Name’s John Dalton. Heard you bought this place.”

Tension that shouldn’t have gathered in her shoulders drained away. She’d let worry invade her mind for nothing. The man’s words and tone were nothing but friendly.

Jake grasped his hand. “Jake Aymes.”

“I’ll get right to why I’ve come. I own the big spread just to the north of here. I figure he didn’t tell you this, but that fella you bought this place from had agreed to sell to me.”

Yes, he’d left out that key bit of information. Hopefully this man would accept that the sale had already been finalized and not make a problem out of it. Still, from what Dalton had said, this wasn’t merely a neighborly visit.

But neighborly visit or no neighborly visit, this land was theirs—and it was no longer for sale.

Dalton ran a hand through his gray-streaked brown hair. “Anyway, I’m willin’ to offer you five hundred more than whatever you paid.”

A good price—if they were interested.

Jake squared his shoulders. “Thanks for the offer, sir, but I don’t have any plans to sell.”

“I’m offering you a fair price for this land.” Dalton’s face hardened. “But I mean to have it. One way or another.”

Her pulse picked up.

How could he resort to intimidation so quickly? He needed to accept that the land had been sold and move on. Surely there were other pieces of land he could purchase if he were interested in expanding his holdings.

“I don’t mean any disrespect, but threats aren’t going to change my answer.” Though Jake’s voice remained even, a stern edge invaded it.

An easy smile replaced the former hardness of Dalton’s face. “This land’s harsh, unforgiving. The fella before you probably said something to that effect. Give it a couple of days. You might change your mind.”

Jake shook his head. “Thanks again, Mr. Dalton, but we’re staying.”

Dalton shrugged and swung back into his saddle. “Fine horse you got there.” He motioned to the corral.

“He’s not mine. I’m training him.”

The man nodded then spurred his mount into a gallop.

She hurried outside, legs none too steady. “I don’t like it, Jake. I don’t like it at all.”

He leaned against the corral fence. “Like I told him, we’re not selling. He must think I’d be easy to talk into selling because I’m from back East. He’ll find out different sooner or later.”

Yet Dalton, whoever he was, didn’t seem to be a man used to being denied what he wanted. “Why wouldn’t the man we bought this place from have mentioned that he planned to sell it to someone else? He seemed rather desperate to find a buyer that day in town. Why would he be that desperate if he already knew someone wanted it? And this Dalton was offering a much better price than what we paid for it.”

Jake gave a slow nod. “I know. There could be a lot of possible explanations. But the ranch is ours. That’s what matters. It’s on that fellow if he didn’t keep his word to Dalton.”

Which Dalton hadn’t been pleased by. “He threatened you.” As if she needed to state the obvious.

“Nothing but words. Like I said, he probably thinks I’ll be easy to intimidate. I met a few fellows like him during the war. Once they know you won’t give in to them, they back down.” He tipped his hat back on his head. “Don’t worry about him. We’re not selling. We’ve come too far, spent too much money, and planned for this too long to back out now.”

“Yes, but...” But her heart hadn’t stopped pounding.

Lantern light flickered across the walls as he ran a cloth along the barrel of his rifle. Georgia sat beside the lantern, one of his shirts held close to her face as she pulled a needle through the torn fabric. Apparently, the chestnut hadn’t been satisfied with slamming him into the dust. The animal had taken a chunk out of his shirt as he led him to his stall.

But that was a small price to pay for the amount his neighbor had offered him to train the horse.

He hung the rifle over the door then returned to his chair. He’d already lost his country to the Yankees. He wasn’t about to surrender his land to some greedy rancher who thought he could intimidate him into selling.

He stood, and pain cut through his side.

Georgia glanced up, concern written in the lines that etched across her forehead.

No use worrying her needlessly. “Horse threw me harder than I thought. I can’t wait for tomorrow.” He laughed to prove that last sentence held nothing but sarcasm.

She folded his mended shirt, her movements slow. “That’s the best I can do on this one, and it’s not very good.”

He reached down and pulled her to her feet. “Maybe I should let that horse try to bite me again tomorrow. It’d give you more practice.”

She wrinkled her upper lip in a strange attempt at a sneer. “I’ve had plenty of practice, thank you very much.” She tapped him lightly on the arm. “Be thankful the stitches weren’t in your skin.”

“I don’t want any more of those.” He chuckled. “We better get some sleep. It’ll be a long day tomorrow.”

She followed him into the bedroom, lantern in hand.

He sank onto the bed, and she sat beside him after setting the lantern on the night table.

The glow from the lantern did little to mask the tightness of her mouth.

It was no mystery what’d put that tightness there.

“I wouldn’t worry much about Dalton. He’s probably thinking we’re green Easterners who will sell out at the smallest sign of trouble.” Almost exactly what he’d told her earlier. But sometimes he had to tell her things like that a few times before she calmed down and actually listened.

She drew her knees to her chest. “Maybe that’s all it is. I hope that’s all it is. I don’t know. He seemed serious about what he said.”

“Don’t go borrowing trouble now. Or reading more into his visit than you should.” He pulled her hand from her knees and rubbed it between both of his own.

“You know I’m much too good at that.” She grasped her braid with her other hand and twined it between her fingers. “It’s just that...” Her gaze drifted downward. “I’m trying to trust God, but...”

He squeezed her hand.

“You...you can’t understand. You’re so brave.”

He let out a laugh that probably didn’t do much to make her feel better. Yet what she’d said was close to outrageous. “All I know is that God is strong. That He doesn’t change. That He’s not ever going to leave us.”

She swallowed hard. “I’m afraid. I’m afraid that you’ll have to fight Dalton and he’ll kill you.”

That’d come out of nowhere. Dalton had spoken only a few sentences that could be labeled as mildly threatening. Jumping to gun battles and death was a big stretch.

Yet he couldn’t promise her that nothing would ever touch them. He couldn’t promise her they’d always be safe. He couldn’t even promise her that tomorrow would go well or even be theirs.

He sat up and pulled her close. “He’s with us no matter what.”

All the reassurances in the world wouldn’t make sleep come.

She slipped from bed, leaving Jake breathing the even rhythm of rest.

Maybe it was because she was so far from Tennessee. Maybe it was because of the long journey and all the trials it’d held. Or maybe it was because she was making something out of nothing.

Maybe she should take Jake’s reassurances to heart.

Slow steps carried her into the main room, and she toed a chair away from the table. After sitting down, she pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her shins.

Moonlight cut a faint trail across the floorboards, and a breeze whispered through the open windows.

Hadn’t the war and the years after been a test enough? Why did they have to face this—this man bent on possessing their land one way or another? Why couldn’t this new life of theirs be easy?

A laugh that was no more than a breath slipped free.

Nothing was ever easy. Absolutely nothing. At least not for her.

I know You’re sovereign. I know there’s nothing outside of Your control. But I’m still scared.

Jake’s courage wasn’t her own. Still, why should she fear when the One who was all-powerful and all-knowing was with her?

A deeper shadow filled the already dark bedroom doorway, and Jake cleared his throat.

She lowered her feet to the floor. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

He crossed to the table and leaned his hip against it. “Dalton’s not out there.”

That much was certain. “I know.”

“If I thought he was out there and bent on harm, you can be sure I’d be out there prowling around with my rifle and waiting for him. You need your rest. I don’t want you running yourself ragged.”

Running herself ragged on a ranch that might not be theirs for much longer. “Why does he want it?”

“It’s real fine grazing land. Probably the best around. We got a really good deal on it.”

“It’s ours.” Dalton—no matter who he was or where he came from—couldn’t have it.

“He’s not getting it.” Jake rounded the table and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’ve had my fill of surrender.”

He should’ve stayed in bed. She wasn’t in any sort of state to talk about this right now. But telling him that would only make him worry about her and offer more of those reassurances.

She let out a breath that needed to hint at laughter. “Couldn’t we have been here for a few more days before the problems started? Things were going so well. We purchased the ranch so easily.”

Looking back, maybe that purchase had been too easy.

Had Dalton threatened the previous owner? Had the man merely wanted a convenient escape? Had he held some sort of grudge against Dalton?

Jake rubbed her shoulder. “That fella left out a few details. Then again, it wouldn’t have been in his best interest to mention another buyer if he didn’t want to sell to Dalton for whatever reason.”

Whatever his reasons, the previous owner had left them in a bad position. A bad position they’d agreed to—and paid for.

“Don’t fret over it.” He caught her hand and tugged her to her feet. “It’s not worth losing sleep over.”

Could sleep be lost if it hadn’t been an option to begin with?

She followed him back to the bedroom and climbed beneath the light quilt.

He settled in beside her and yawned. “Dalton’s doing nothing but sleeping right now. You can worry about him in the morning. Better yet, you can quit worrying about him altogether.”

Wasn’t he at all concerned? Hadn’t he seen the arrogance on Dalton’s face? Heard it in his voice? And the man had been threatening—as far from neighborly as was possible.

He had to be downplaying the incident for her benefit.

She licked her dry lips. “I need you to be honest with me. Please.”

Silence stretched between them.

“I don’t know any more about Dalton than you do. But I think you’re making this all out to be more than it is. He’s done nothing but talk.”

Well, she had asked for honesty. Too bad the honesty painted her in a poor light.

But Jake would put himself in danger to protect her and this ranch, and stopping him would be about as likely as her staying on that horse he’d been training earlier in the day.

Jake drove a final nail into the porch and straightened.

Nobody would be falling through anytime soon.

The front door swung open, and Georgia stepped onto the porch, brushing wet hands against her apron. “Time to eat.” Despite the small smile tugging at her lips, shadows that evidenced a sleepless night hung under her eyes.

Dalton was to thank for that. Or maybe he was.

He propped the hammer up against the exterior of the house, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and headed inside. “Smells good.”

She shot another weak smile his way. “Do you want to wash up while I dish things up?”

She couldn’t think she was fooling him. He knew her too well to accept those smiles as the real thing. Yet maybe they made her feel better. In any case, mentioning them wouldn’t help matters.

After washing up, he took a seat at the table and offered a blessing for the meal. “It looks good.”

Steam rose from the bowl of stew Georgia had set before him.

“It’s just stew again.”

He lifted a bite to his mouth. “Tastes good too.”

“I’m glad.” She stared at her bowl and gave the stew a stir.

Stifled conversation wouldn’t do any good.

He cleared his throat. “There’s no need to worry about Dalton. Worrying about something happening won’t stop it from happening.” And most likely, nothing would end up coming of the matter.

She lifted her head. “I know that. But it’s rather hard to stop worrying. And having you sneak around me like I’m made of glass and about to shatter any minute doesn’t help things.” She again glanced down. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

He set his spoon down. “For what it’s worth, I know you’re not made of glass.” He followed the words with a grin. Maybe she’d see the humor in what he’d said. Or maybe he’d made things worse with a joke at a bad time.

She looked up at him, no trace of a smile—real or fake—on her lips. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

He let out a breath. “If I was bothering you, you should’ve told me sooner. No need to be frustrated all day.”

She gave the stew an absent stir. “Then you’d think I was overly sensitive on top of being a worrier.”

That wasn’t true. She should know better by now.

He picked up his spoon and took a bite. Talking about Dalton and worries and such any more wouldn’t help anything. Better to get Georgia’s mind off it all. “After you finish up that stew, we’ll go on a ride.”

Ma liked flowers and new fabric for dresses. Elizabeth and his other younger sisters preferred sweets. But nothing made Georgia happier than spending time in the saddle.

She gave a slow nod and took a bite.

No, she wasn’t ecstatic about the idea as she normally was, but surely getting out in the fresh air would help her clear her head just as it did for him.

Lines creased her forehead. “I’m still wondering why the man who sold us this property didn’t sell to Dalton.”

Whatever had happened, they weren’t finding out given that the fellow had left the area.