Nine

Jake walked into Pepper’s Barn, as the newest barn on the J&L was called. It was named after one of the top hands, who’d died trying to rescue some of the horses when the old barn burned down. It was something the family seldom talked about…and something that haunted Jake. His wife was dragged off by outlaws that night while he and the men fought the fire. He’d damn well found her, and those men had suffered the worst of Jake Harkner’s rage. He’d made sure no one would ever know what happened to them.

It had taken these nearly two years since for Randy to be strong and vibrant again…and for them to get back on solid ground in their own relationship.

Jake walked up to Tommy Tyler, who was cleaning out stalls. He told himself to keep his temper in check because he’d vowed to help Tommy, not kill him, which he sorely wanted to do at the moment.

Tommy paused and turned to see Jake standing there. He backed away a little.

“You don’t look too good,” Jake told him, studying the young man’s battered face. One eye was black and swollen. He had a deep cut on his left cheek and a split lip.

“I don’t feel too good,” Tommy answered. He swept some manure and hay aside. Jake noticed he did so gingerly.

“Bruised ribs?” he asked.

Tommy remained turned away and sighed. “Yeah.”

“Good.”

Tommy paused, then turned to face Jake. “Look, I spoke out of turn, all right? You here to finish me off?”

“I’d love to do just that, but I promised myself I’d give you a chance, so I’m trying real hard not to light into you with a shovel. Cole tells me you were mouthing off about the women—that you said what you’d like to do with my son’s wife. He didn’t tell Lloyd, because I can guarantee we’d be burying you out there in the foothills right now if he knew. He didn’t want me to bring you to the J&L in the first place, so don’t make me regret it. Katie Harkner is one of the finest women and best mothers I know—and yes, she’s beautiful. Don’t think Lloyd doesn’t know some of those men’s thoughts about her, and about my daughter and even my wife. But there’s one big difference between those men’s thoughts and yours.”

Tommy raised his chin defiantly. “How can there be any difference?”

“Because every man on this ranch has a deep respect for all three women, and even for Cole’s wife. Gretta went through things when she was young that she doesn’t like to talk about. When you understand what some people have been through, you start seeing them in a different light. That’s why I brought you out here, Tommy. When I wrestled you down in that alley, you said something that made me want to help you—but not when you insult married women who are nothing short of angels.”

Tommy looked away. “A man can’t help taking a second look and enjoying his thoughts. And don’t tell me you don’t think the same thing when you see a pretty woman.”

Jake leaned against a support post. “Thinking something and saying it out loud or acting on it are two different things. And for reasons it would take me all day to explain, I have a deep respect for pretty much all women, including Gretta. So if I ever hear you’ve been around her and tried to force yourself on her because of what she used to be, I’ll make you wish you were never born, and you’ll go right back to jail after that. You likely know what happened to my daughter back in Oklahoma, because it’s in that book about me. And my wife has been through hellish things you’ll never know about. Lloyd’s wife, Katie, is the sweetest person who ever walked, and it hasn’t been easy for her being married to a Harkner man, especially when Lloyd rode with me as a marshal. And you’d best remember that my daughter, Evie, is the closest thing to an angel you’ll ever meet. It’s her Christian faith that got her through something worse than death, and it’s that faith and her prayers that have got this family through some really rough times. So don’t ever let me hear about you insulting any woman on this ranch. Understand?”

Tommy stared at the dirt floor.

“Look at me, Tommy Tyler.”

Tommy sighed again and raised his gaze to meet Jake’s eyes, eyes that told him he’d better take note…or else.

“I asked if you understand what I’m telling you.”

Tommy nodded. “I understand.”

“Those men over at the bunkhouse gave you just a hint of what I’ll do to you if you step out of line again. And that goes for teasing or scaring my granddaughters too, or trying to pick a fight with any of my grandsons or Ben. I told you all of this when I brought you here. I won’t repeat any of it a second time, and you don’t want to know what will happen if you force me to. Overall you have it pretty good out here.”

Tommy rubbed at his sore jaw. “Except for shoveling shit.”

Jake grinned a little. “Just part of the chores, Tommy. You make trouble and you’ll be eating that shit instead of shoveling it. And don’t think I won’t shove some into your mouth if you insult a woman. Got that?”

Tommy just stared at him a quiet moment. “Yeah. I got it.”

Jake took a cigarette from an inside pocket on his fleece-lined jacket. He struck a match and lit it, taking a deep drag. “You’re a smart, good-looking young man who can have a damn good life if you want it. You can’t begin to know how much I’d like to do things different if I could go back in time, but we only get one chance at this life. I’m giving you your chance to make the best of it.” He kept the cigarette between his lips as he turned to go.

“Jake,” Tommy spoke up.

Jake turned.

Tommy looked at the floor again and shuffled his feet a little. “I don’t know why in hell you care, but nobody has ever cared about me before. It makes me mad, because I’m afraid to believe it’s true. So I do things and say things…” He shrugged.

“You do and say things to hurt those around you because you want to make sure you don’t get hurt. Do you think I don’t understand that? My wife could tell you a hundred stories. It took me years to truly realize she really did care and wasn’t going to leave me the minute I did something stupid.” Jake took a drag on his cigarette. “And I care about you, Tommy, but I don’t tolerate bad behavior from my sons and grandsons, and I sure as hell won’t tolerate it from you.”

Tommy nodded. “I’ll watch it after this.”

“Is that your form of an apology?”

Tommy shrugged, smiling a little. “I guess so.” He finally met Jake’s gaze again. “Will you tell the men I apologized? I kind of like most of them. It’s no fun having all of them give me the cold shoulder. I was starting to enjoy their company.”

Jake nodded. “I’ll tell them.” He started to leave again.

“One more thing,” Tommy asked.

Again Jake paused and turned. “What is it?”

“I, uh, my ma ran out on me when I was little, and you know what my father was like. There was never any Christmas for me growing up. We never had a tree or anything like that. I was just wondering if…” He sighed and looked away again. “I’d kind of like to go along when you cut down a Christmas tree. I know it’s probably a family thing, but I’d just like to see what it’s like…hunting for just the right tree and dragging it back home.”

Jake studied him a moment. There he was…the little boy, Jake Harkner, who wanted nothing more than a real family. “Fine with me, but I’ll have to walk it by my grandsons and Ben and Lloyd.”

“Sure. If they don’t want me to go, I’ll understand.”

Jake nodded. “Finish what you’re doing here. The men will be eating out at the bunkhouse soon. You’ll want to be there while the food is good and hot.”

“Sure.” Tommy picked up a shovel and walked back into one of the stalls. “You’ll tell those men before that, won’t you? About me being sorry?”

Jake grinned. “I’ll tell them.” He left, trudging out into a recent heavy snowfall. He’d never admit it to anyone else, but it felt kind of good to put out a helping hand to someone like Tommy, instead of a mean fist.