Chapter Twelve
There were fresh holes in places Rachel had never seen them when she and Tillie returned from the trading post. Gophers? Prairie dogs? Zeb? Jax hadn’t dug them.
Once again, the man was nowhere to be seen. This was getting mighty tiresome. She was all for giving him a chance, but her patience was wearing thin.
Jax leaped out of the back of the wagon before she even set the brake. The dog took off like a shot, snarling and barking fit to wake the dead. She got a glimpse of black fur disappearing around the corner of the barn. Now what?
She held the baby while Tillie climbed down then handed Eden to her. “I’ll be right back, Tillie. I want to see what Jax’s after.”
Her curiosity piqued, she followed after the dog.
At the back side of the barn, she saw her uncle standing some distance away. Zeb Thacker was engaged in a serious conversation with three rough looking men on horseback while trying to keep Jax from biting him.
Rachel whistled for the dog. Zeb turned and saw her and the three men on horseback quickly rode away. Jax gave chase but was soon left in the dust kicked up by the horses. The dog trotted back and she grabbed hold of him.
She didn’t know what all that was about but was determined to find out.
“Who were those men?” she asked when Zeb came closer.
“Strangers. Didn’t give their names.”
“What did they want?”
“Just asking directions.”
That was a bit odd. To her it looked as though they were having a disagreement about something. And he wouldn’t meet her gaze. A threatening growl rumbled in Jax’s throat.
A bit leery, Uncle Zeb fell into step with her. “How were things at the trading post?”
“Fine.” Her answer was curt. She wanted her displeasure known. “I saw Heath Lassiter. He wanted to know if he and his sister could come visit. They’ll be here tomorrow.”
“That man hangs around far too much if you ask me.”
“He’s a very dear friend. I don’t know what I’d have done without him and Sally. They’ve been of immense help.” Jax stood at Rachel’s side, straining against her grip.
“Your dog has something against me,” Zeb growled, rubbing his whiskers.
What gave him the first clue?
“I’ve found him to be an excellent judge of character.” She gave Jax’s head a pat.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” her uncle mumbled and shifted his weight.
What a strange thing to say. Rachel made up her mind to set things straight.
“Did you remember about my tobacco?” Zeb asked.
She faced him, her voice stern. “I did but it’s going to have to last you a while. Don’t make a habit of asking me.”
“Oh, I won’t. I’m going to get some money soon.”
Rachel moved a little closer and smelled liquor on his breath. “I’m fed up with you, Uncle Zeb. I fill your belly and give you a place to sleep but you don’t lift a finger to help around here. Mend your ways or else you can move on. Understand? The choice is yours.”
Zeb nodded. “I reckon so. I do appreciate you letting me stay and all.”
“Reflect that in some work then,” she snapped.
“I hear you.” Giving no clue as to his choice, Zeb set off around the house.
Tillie watched it all and smiled. “I didn’t know how long it would take you but I’m glad you finally laid the law down. It was time.” Tillie handed her the baby and reached for her horse’s bridle. “I’ve got to head home, Rachel. I’ll come back in a few days.”
“We’ll see if my uncle mends his ways, but I meant it.” Rachel took her child, hugging her friend. “Thank you as always for your company. Be safe.”
Eden woke up then and let out a cry.
Tillie laughed, mounting her horse. “The princess needs something.”
Waving goodbye, Rachel turned toward the house and Jax looked up at her. He was covered in dirt. “Good job, boy. But you’re a fine mess.” Rachel pointed to the lake. “Go take a bath.”
The dog gave a pitiful whine and looked longingly toward the house then turned and ran down to the water’s edge, diving in. Sometimes she swore he was part human.
Uncle Zeb hurried to hold the door for her.
“What did you do while I was gone?” Rachel asked.
“Well, you know. A little of this and a bit of that.”
“It smells like you’ve been drinking.”
“That’s crazy. Must be the stuff I put on my face after I shaved.”
Likely story. She stared at his full beard and snorted. “I don’t know what you shaved but it wasn’t your face.”
Where had he gotten the liquor? The nearest place was a tent saloon her brothers had frequented. Riled by the Quakers of Estacado after they refused to let him open up a saloon, a defiant man had pitched a tent outside the small community and brought in a load of liquor. Her brothers said the cowboys on all the nearby ranches eagerly kept the man in business. Uncle Zeb must’ve sneaked off there while she was gone.
What else was she going to discover about her only self-proclaimed kin? Were they all rotten to the core?
Heath and Sally arrivedthe following morning right after breakfast. They’d barely dismounted before they started arguing over who was going to hold Eden first. You’d think they’d never seen a little one before.
Rachel sat at the table just finishing up giving the babe a bottle and laughed at the way the brother and sister took on. What a sight.
Sipping on a cup of coffee, Uncle Zeb frowned. “You won’t catch me making a fool of myself.”
Heath gave him a curious stare. “Why’s that?”
“Me and babies don’t get along.”
Heath just shrugged and took Eden from Rachel. “I might’ve figured you’d have something against little Princess here. She’s such a beautiful baby with her big blue eyes and fair hair. A regular little angel.” He pulled out a chair from the table and made himself comfortable.
Rachel didn’t miss the loving care Heath took of the child and it stirred her heart. She jumped up and began clearing the breakfast dishes, hoping she could swallow the lump in her throat before she tried to talk.
Sally stalked to the apron hanging on a nail and tied it around her. “The least I can do is help clean up these dishes.” She sent Zeb a pointed stare and released an irritated huff. “Heath, you need to see to Rachel’s chores. That is if you can lay Eden down long enough. Zeb, off your lazy butt and go help.”
Her booming voice scared the baby and made her pucker up to cry.
“I’ll get to them. Quit fretting.”
Rachel put her hands on her hips. “Now, I’ll have none of that. You came to visit, not do my chores.”
“Well, I think I’ll take a fishing pole and mosey down to the lake and catch some fish for supper,” Uncle Zeb declared, rising from the table. “That was a mighty fine breakfast, Rachel.”
Heath’s eyes met Rachel’s as the door closed behind her uncle. “Is he always like this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Shiftless. Lazy. You need someone who’ll work, and Zeb Thacker just doesn’t seem to want to do much of that.” His voice was quiet but thick with disapproval.
“We had a talk, Uncle Zeb and me, and I laid down the law. I’m fed up with him. If he doesn’t change, I’ll wash my hands of him.”
Sally relieved Heath of the baby. “I’ll just put her down for a nap. She’s half asleep.”
When his sister moved off, Heath lifted an eyebrow. “I was wondering when you would see your uncle for who he is.”
“Why does everyone say that?” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I need family but there’s a limit with how much I’ll tolerate.”
“I have faith in you.” He rose and covered the space between them and gently touched her cheek. “I’m proud of you.”
“The last straw was when Tillie and I returned from the trading post and I smelled liquor on his breath. Made me mad that he had me buy tobacco yet had money for whiskey.”
“You don’t need that. I worry about you and Eden.” He held the door for her and they went out.
The fall day was so lovely with barely a breeze off the lake as Rachel caught Heath alone when the two of them were caring for the goats. She told him about the three strangers she’d seen on her property the previous day and how Jax had reacted.
“You’ve never seen them before?”
“No. Hope I’m not being silly. Uncle Zeb said they were asking directions.”
“Something’s going on here and you need to keep your guard up.” Heath pushed back his battered Stetson. “Promise you’ll be careful.”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “I will.”
“Don’t be so quick to push your gut feelings aside. You can bet where there’s smoke there’s plenty of fire.”
A chill swept through her. She prayed he was wrong, yet something told her he wasn’t.
“I know. Believe me, I see plenty that doesn’t sit right.”
“I’m still not convinced he’s your uncle. A few names jotted in a Bible don’t make it the gospel. And are you sure your mother’s maiden name was Thacker?”
“I never heard it spoken.”
“Wanting it to be so doesn’t mean it is.”
“Maybe.” Silence ensued. Rachel mulled that over as she checked one of her pregnant female goats while Heath hauled fresh water to the herd.
Fact is, the yearning for blood kin had blinded her to Zeb’s shortcomings. It seemed he was simply too lazy to even take a deep breath. And how funny that he was digging holes all around the house and property. He could only be looking for the strongbox her father had kept.
Unless he’d ridden with her father, Zeb wouldn’t know anything about that. The truth made her stomach knot tight. Heath seemed to be right.
Heath dropped a handkerchief he was using to mop the sweat from his brow. When he bent over to pick it up, one of the male goats spied a golden opportunity. Before Rachel could call out a warning, the buck lowered his head and rammed Heath’s posterior. The impact sent him tumbling end over end like a rock rolling downhill.
Laughter erupted from Rachel’s mouth.
“I’m glad someone sees the humor in this,” he muttered.
“Are you all right?” She offered him a hand up.
Heath dusted off his clothes. “Nothing but my pride was hurt.”
“I guess you’ll live then.”
She was grateful that something happened to break the strained silence. She didn’t want to argue with him. And it seemed as though that’s all they’d done since Uncle Zeb came to live with her.
As they walked toward the barn she cast a side glance at Heath. “I hope you’re not neglecting things at your place to help out here.”
“I’m managing just fine. You worried about me?”
“A little I suppose. I can’t help it.” She met his gray eyes that seemed to see things others missed. “Is that wrong?”
The lopsided grin he flashed made her warm under the bright morning sun. “Rachel, nothing about you is wrong.” They took a few more steps. “Say, there’s supposed to be a circuit preacher coming through any day now according to George Singer. Would you go with me to hear him?” He snorted adding, “Might do your uncle some good too.”