Chapter Twenty-Two
They left the sheepherder’s wagon and began the trip home with glad hearts, the day half gone. Rachel held Eden in a warm cocoon of blankets. “Heath, I feel so sad for Becca. I wish I could do something to help. Running around the countryside like she does is dangerous.”
“I agree. But I don’t know what we can do.” He maneuvered his horse around a large clump of cactus.
The bulk of the rain held off until they rode into the yard of her house. Then a deluge came down fast and furious with plenty of lightning and thunder. Rachel was drenched in a matter of minutes and so was poor Jax.
“Make a run for the house,” Heath yelled to be heard. “I’ll put the horses in a stall and join you.”
Rachel made sure Eden was covered by the quilt and sprinted for the door.
The first order of business was stoking a fire and getting some heat into the house. Then she fed Eden and put coffee on.
Twenty minutes later, Heath came into the house. He looked a sight with his clothes plastered to him and water dripping off the brim of his hat like a small waterfall.
She realized she was staring and hurried forward with some towels with Eden anchored in the crook of her elbow. “I’d offer you a change of clothes except I don’t have any.”
Even as soaked as he was, Rachel’s heart did a somersault and her mouth went dry like it did each time she was near him.
Whether he was calling her little mama, holding Eden with his big hands, or leading her across the prairie with a storm coming, he was the reason for the wild Texas storm inside her. She’d never known anyone like him before.
He removed his hat and toweled his hair and face. “I’ll be fine. You just take care of Princess, little mama.”
There he went again. Warm tingles danced up her spine like cavorting children.
Heath helped himself to a cup of coffee as she tucked Eden in her crib. He’d even poured one for her. She added some milk to hers and slid into a chair at the table opposite him.
“We got her back. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t been here.”
“You’d have managed. You’re strong.” Heath reached for her hand and held it just as thunder shook the small house and rattled the windows.
For a moment she thought a bolt of jagged lightning had come through the window. She wondered if it felt that way to him too. Sometimes his touch was more like melted butter flowing over her and at other times like now it aroused every nerve ending.
She pulled her hand back and lifted her cup to her mouth. “I’m getting more confident.”
“I know and I’m proud of you. But back to Eden. She’s like my own flesh and blood.” He chuckled. “At times I forget she’s not.” He became serious and his voice lowered. “If anything happened to that little girl, I don’t know that I’d want to keep living. It’d be hard. I don’t know how you did it after losing Alice.”
“Finding Eden helped a lot. I had a lot to do, and it kept my mind occupied.”
He squeezed her fingers. “You’ve managed very well.”
She let her gaze wander over this strong man’s features that spoke of pain and loss and happiness. It appeared Heath had a chink in his armor after all. He usually wore his faith around him like a shield, never wavering or allowing any hint of doubts. But this was a new side of him. Maybe that meant it was all right to be unsure at times.
“I learned something important today,” she admitted.
Worry had left his gray eyes. “Yeah, what’s that?”
“Becca is not Eden’s mother. I’ve been so afraid.”
“I’m glad you don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
“I’m not entirely worry-free. Eden’s mother is out there somewhere. Who knows when she’ll show up wanting her back.”
“Just be thankful for what the good Lord gives and stop borrowing trouble.”
Rachel rose and refilled their cups. “I did something that I haven’t done in quite a while.”
“I’d love to hear. If you want to tell me, that is.”
She sat back down and idly played with her spoon. She wasn’t exactly sure how to begin. Straight and to the point, she supposed. She took a deep breath. “I prayed today.”
“I’m glad to hear it. If ever prayers are needed it’s in times of trouble.”
“I made a promise to God that I would put aside my anger if he’d just let me—let us—get Eden back.”
“And He answered our prayers.” Thick emotion put a quiver in his deep voice. “Are you at peace, Rachel?”
“Not totally, but more than I was.” She met his questioning stare, grateful for the rain that kept him here longer. “How are your clothes? Still sopping wet?”
“They’re fine. As soon as this storm passes, I’ll head home.”
“I’m sure Sally is worried about you.”
“Can’t be helped.”
Rachel hoped the storm took its time. She wasn’t ready for him to leave. She enjoyed his companionship, even if he did set a wild Texas storm raging inside her.
A pleasant three weekspassed, and they reached the end of October as Rachel busied herself with her sewing. The days and nights were colder. Using the fabric that Heath bought in the town of Estacado, she made herself a dress and some undergarments. She couldn’t wait to wear the dress for Heath. He hadn’t seen her in anything nice.
The weather was beautiful this time of year. The cottonwood trees by the lake and near the house had turned golden, taking her breath.
Rachel sighed. She loved the fall. It meant the sun-baked days of summer were over. It was a time of laying up for the long cold months. Not that she was particularly looking forward to winter. It could be pretty brutal in the canyon, sometimes keeping them homebound when ice and snow covered the steep trail.
Glancing around the small house that Heath and his fellow ranchers had built, she was filled with gratitude. Also, the stack of wood outside her door would be nice when winter struck with force. Because of Heath’s kindness she’d be safe and secure here.
She laid down her needle and happened to glance out the window to see four strange riders approaching.
The breath caught in her throat. Her mind went back to that day at Singer’s Trading Post and the men who’d accosted her. She’d hoped and prayed that they’d moved on and taken their trouble with them.
While she couldn’t be certain this far away, one horse looked awfully familiar. The man with a scarred face had ridden a black and white piebald.
A quick glance found the loaded rifle beside the fireplace. She grabbed it with hands that shook. If trouble came, she’d be ready. This was her home and she’d defend it. She knelt beside Jax who was napping on the braided rug. Thank goodness he was inside or he’d be running down to confront the interlopers.
She watched the group pull up by the lake. Maybe they wanted to water their horses. Then they got bolder and rode right up to the house. Jax bounded to his feet, snarling. She opened the door, turning the rifle on them. “Far enough. State your business.”
Jax barked fiercely and tried to get past her but she blocked him.
“Howdy, ma’am.” The speaker on the piebald was Billy, the man with the scar. “We’re looking for work. We’ll hire out to do most anything.”
One of the riders snickered.
“I don’t need any hired help. Keep riding, mister, or I’ll turn my dog loose.”
“We’d sure hate to have to shoot such a fine animal,” the third rider drawled.
She put a measure of steel in her voice. “I’d hate to have to dig another grave. I’m mighty tired of burying people but I can definitely do it. Or maybe I’ll let the buzzards eat you.”
“Now that’s not very hospitable,” Billy drawled.
Rachel stayed silent, watching their every move. When one threw a leg over his saddle to dismount, she fired a warning beneath the horse. The animal reared, sending the rider tumbling.
Blistering curses rent the air.
Her voice rang out, “Anyone else foolish enough to test me? I shoot what I aim for. Now get off my land.”
The rider on the ground ran after his horse then seeing he wouldn’t catch it, he jumped onto the back of one of his friends and they took off, slinging mud in their wake.
They had no more ridden out than Heath arrived at a gallop and dismounted. She put the rifle down and ran to him, burying her face in his chest.
“Hold me, Heath. Hold me and don’t ever let me go.” She yearned for his lips on hers, for what he alone could make her feel.
“I’ve got you, little mama. That was some nice shooting.” He tenderly lifted her face and kissed her then held her longer, his arms enfolding her in a safe cocoon. “I’m glad I was nearby hunting when I heard the shots. I want to always be close when you need me.”
So did she. Memories rose of how he slept in front of her door when she’d first moved in. And how he came almost daily now to help with her animals. Heath took care of her and made it seem normal. How long would she keep him waiting?
“Do you think Billy and his partners will be back?”
“Yeah, they’re hanging around for something. They don’t scare that easily, Miss Annie Oakley.”
“What could they possibly want?”
“The money and they won’t leave without it.”
An icy shiver raced through her. Her father brought them here and it was up to her to deal with them. She prayed she was strong enough.