Thirty-three

“Who saw Gus last?” Houston glanced around the circle.

“That was probably me,” Joe said. “I was playin’ my harmonica to put the herd to sleep an’ Gus sang along. When I finished, he moved north an’ I moseyed south. Never saw him again.”

“Anyone else?” Houston asked. “Who was working the north?”

Pony stepped forward. “I heard Gus singin’, if you can call his bellerin’ that, but I never saw him. Whatever happened must’ve taken place between Joe an’ me.”

“Did anyone hear anything unusual? Maybe a strange noise?”

Quaid said, “I caught what sounded like rustlin’ noises an’ a smothered groan. I called out the password—Taters—but no one answered back, so me an’ Virgil went for a look-see.”

“We didn’t find squat.” Virgil met Houston’s gaze. “No hat in the dirt or nothing. Too dark to spot drag marks.”

“Thanks, boys.” Houston laid his hand on Quaid’s shoulder. “We’ll have to wait for morning for a better look. Not wise to wander around in the dark. Anyone else hear anything? A cough, or a heel striking rocks? Maybe a cow took off and Gus went to bring it back?”

No one spoke. They had precious little to go on. It seemed as if the earth had opened up and swallowed Gus King, and right out of the middle of the herd to boot. Houston knew he had only to look in Yuma’s direction. He told the men to stay alert, and put his foot in the stirrup.

A woman’s sudden scream, followed by a gunshot rent the air, freezing him.

His heart hammering, he scrambled into the saddle. He never felt his painful ribs, not even a twinge. He only knew he had seconds to get to Lara. Nothing else was important.

The roan flew over the rocky terrain. Houston vaguely heard others behind him, but his focus was ahead. The powerful horse ate up the short distance in nothing flat. Able to make out several figures in the light of the campfire, he slid his Colt from the holster.

Had Yuma decided one a day wasn’t enough?

Please let me get there in time to stop whatever’s happening.

Gracie screamed at the top of her lungs, terrified. He yearned to go to the babe but had to rescue Lara first.

Two men were at the camp with their backs to Houston when he drew to a stop and leapt down. One held Lara’s hands above her head while she kicked him for all she was worth. Henry had thrown himself onto the other intruder’s back and clamped both hands over the man’s eyes. Caroline Vincent was pounding both interlopers’ heads and backs with a large spoon. All were so engaged in the fight, they hadn’t heard Houston and the drovers galloping up.

“Let go of me, you brute,” Lara hollered.

“When you settle down, ma’am. You tried to kill me.”

“Pity I missed.” Lara’s scathing words told of the fight still left in her. “You’re going to be very, very sorry.”

“Already am, ma’am, for a fact,” the man growled. He was awful polite to be a cold-blooded killer. And his voice—

Houston strode into the fray with his Colt leveled on the attackers. “Get your hands off my wife or I’ll blow your rotten head off.”

The men turned and both yelled at the same time, “What kept you?”

“Luke? Sam?”

Lara, breathless, her hair streaming from a long braid, rushed to Houston. “You know them?”

“They’re my brothers.” Remembering he still held his gun, Houston slid it back into the holster and tried to slow his breathing. Clay and the drovers followed his lead, putting their revolvers away as well. Oddly, Houston noticed Clay stepping deeper into the shadows, tugging his hat low to conceal his features. A second later, he mounted his horse and rode off.

“You met Sam once at the ranch,” Houston said, bringing his attention back to his wife. “Spent time with his wife, Sierra. But I’m sure he looks pretty scary in the dark.” He put his arm around Lara and addressed his brothers. “What do you mean sneaking up on our camp? Didn’t you tell her who you were?”

“We didn’t see anyone around, so we stopped for a minute to get warm by the fire before coming to find you. Helped ourselves to the last of the coffee,” Sam said. “Next thing we know, a bullet zings over our heads and we’re in the fight of our life. No time for explaining or saying howdy or anything. They could’ve killed us.”

Henry’s rapid breathing was loud. “No one hurts my sister. You scared the baby too.”

Gracie’s screams grew louder and more insistent. Lara pulled away from Houston and hurried to get her.

“How can we make it up to you?” Sam asked.

“By going away.” Henry turned and stalked to the wagon. The boy had already dismissed them.

“By all rights they should’ve killed you.” Houston scowled at the two. Both brothers looked done in. Their clothes were ripped and faces bore scratches. Luke stalked to his black hat and picked it up.

“We’ve got a mess of outlaws killing us,” Houston said. “So far, we’ve had to bury one drover and another is missing. Doubt we’ll find him alive.”

Lara walked back with Gracie in her arms, the babe still snuffling.

Luke stood, head bowed, his hat in his hands. “I’m real sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to scare you. Sam and I came to help. We’ve been riding hell-bent for leather for days trying to get here. I hope you’ll accept my apology.” He moved toward her, offering a handshake.

“I’m sorry for trying to shoot you, Luke.” Lara clasped his palm. “No hard feelings, I hope. I took you for one of Yuma’s men.”

“How in hell did you know I needed you?” Houston asked.

Sam picked up his hat from the dirt and slapped it on his pant leg. “After Pa got your telegram from Chimney Rock, he got in touch, and here we are. Like Luke said, we rode hell-bent, with little sleep and food.”

“I’ll fix you something to eat to tide you over until breakfast.” Lara handed Gracie to Houston.

“No thanks, ma’am,” Luke said firmly. “We’ll wait for morning.”

With a long stride, Lara moved to stand toe-to-toe in front of him. Her chin jutted at a determined angle. Houston watched the gunfighter take a step back. The brother who could face a man at twenty paces and give him a steely eyed glare seemed unsure of his safety. Houston covered a grin with his hand. Luke was about to learn what tangling with trouble really meant.

“No more of this ma’am business. I’m Lara. We’re family, not strangers. Got it? That goes for you too, Sam.”

Sam jerked around. “What did I do?”

“Nothing yet,” Lara said. “That was a friendly warning.”

Luke winked at Houston. “I like her. You’ve got yourself a keeper.”

“Don’t I know it,” Houston agreed. Being on the trail had changed her from a shy, quiet woman to a tigress who didn’t mince her words.

“Since you won’t take food, I’ll make another pot of coffee.” Lara grabbed the pot and headed to fill it with water.

Houston’s gaze followed her. He wished he was lying in her bed, whispering sweet nothings in her ear and watching her blush. He wanted to press his lips to hers and drink in her passion. To wake in the morning with her in his arms. And God willing, to grow old together.

But now that he’d found what he wanted, was it going to be yanked from reach?

“Tell me and Luke about the vermin who’re killing the drovers.” Sam’s quiet request reeled Houston’s attention back.

“Have a seat.” For the next half hour, Houston filled in his brothers, starting with when he’d first seen the riders and followed their trail. He ended with, “I have to say I’m mighty glad to see you both.”

Luke’s face hardened. “Kill one a day, huh?”

Houston nodded. “And so far they’re making good on the threat.”

“I can see why the women and Henry launched a ferocious attack.” Sam wrapped his hands around a tin cup. “They can’t relax their guard for a second. One thing I know is Yuma Blackstone’s moments are measured. I was ready to hunt him down before for what he did to Lara, but now he’s shown plenty more reasons why we can’t let him live.”

“A man like that doesn’t deserve to draw breath.” Luke stood and emptied his coffee dregs into the fire. “To threaten an innocent babe has got to be as low as a man can go.”

“Yep,” Houston agreed. “The two of you get a few winks. We’ll start the search for Gus come daylight.”

Luke strode to his black gelding and unsaddled the mount.

Sam followed, hollering over his shoulder, “I hope you have a good remuda, Houston. Our horses need to rest for a few days. We about killed them.”

“Pick out some fresh ones from the remuda as soon as you can see,” Houston answered.

He watched his brothers care for their horses, giving thanks that Stoker had sent them. The tide had turned in their favor. Sam and Luke were tough men who wouldn’t stop until they finished the job. Just don’t ask them to go up against Lara. His grin returned. His wife was made of stern stuff. No longer would anyone take from her without a heck of a fight. His gaze went to her in the shadows where she stood, comforting Gracie. He rose with a groan and went to them.

“Let me have her for a bit, darlin’. You need to get some sleep.”

Lara smiled. “Not much left of this night. I’ll have to start breakfast in another hour.”

“Just try to rest until then. All right?”

“Are you sure you want to watch after her? I could lay her down next to me.”

“Positive.” Houston gave her a kiss. “Now scat.”

Gracie reached for Houston and he took her. With a yawn, Lara moved toward her bed. Kissing his daughter’s chubby cheek, he cradled her close. She grabbed a handful of shirt and gave a shuddering breath. She’d be all right. Her fright had given way to heavy eyelids.

“Go back to sleep, little girl, your papa has you. I’m not gonna let anything happen to you,” Houston murmured.

Houston glanced up to find Sam watching him with a big smile plastered on his face. “What’s so entertaining?”

“I never thought I’d see you so taken with a babe. Just imagine, my big brother a father. I never thought I’d see the day. Nothing better in life, but it sure takes a lot of work to get it right.” Sam moved five paces and took Gracie’s hand. “You might as well know. Sierra is in the family way. I’m going to be a pa again.”

“Hallelujah! That’s great, little brother.” Houston knew how happy that made Sam. He and Sierra had adopted Hector after both his parents died. They really loved that boy, and giving him a brother or sister would thrill Hector. No kid should be raised alone, at least in his opinion. “I couldn’t be happier for you, Sam.”

“Thanks.” Sam’s gaze went to the chuck wagon. His voice was quiet. “After what happened, I’m sure it’s hard for you and Lara.”

Houston followed Sam’s gaze, thinking of what Lara had shared a short time before. “I sliced Yuma’s face tonight, just like he did Lara’s, only worse. I brought the knife back across and made a large X on his cheek. He’ll remember me every time he looks in the mirror. And you know what?”

“What?”

“It felt damn good too.” Deep satisfaction still burned in Houston’s chest.

“Too bad it wasn’t his throat,” Luke said from behind them.

Houston’s own throat, the cut hidden under his bandana, throbbed at the reminder. “No, I’m glad it worked out this way. He’ll suffer before I kill him. Yuma will know a little of Lara’s grief when she goes into a town and people stare.” Houston’s eyes narrowed to slits. Yes, this was much better than a swift death. And as the light finally began to go out in Yuma’s eyes, Houston would spit on him and deliver a harsh kick to his ribs with the toe of his boot. Justice was going to taste so sweet.

“I reckon.” Luke spread his bedroll by the fire. “You’ve got far more patience than I do.”

“Or me,” Sam said quietly. “If he’d done that to Sierra, I wouldn’t rest until I put a bullet in his head.”

“It’s not that I have patience.” Houston shook his head. “The problem is that he’s like a damn ghost. One minute he’s there and the next he vanishes into thin air.”

A dangerous edge filled Luke’s voice. “We’ll find him. And when we do, we’ll make him rue the day he started a war with the Legends. We’ll not stop until we spill his blood over every inch of this godforsaken, miserable land.”

“For sure. Go ahead and turn in,” Houston said. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”

“Yep.” Sam picked up his bedroll from beside his saddle. “And come daylight, we need to make a plan.”

A few minutes later, Houston shook his head as his brothers’ snores blended with the crackle and pop of the campfire. They hadn’t hit the ground before they were asleep.

A plan? Houston had only one—make Yuma Blackstone and his men pay.

He walked to Gracie’s crib, laid her down, and tucked a soft blanket around her. For a moment, he looked down at her. When a tiny smile curved her bow mouth, he could’ve sworn she was only pretending to sleep. The love he felt for the child shook him to the core, making him tremble. He’d move heaven and earth for her and her pretty mama.

They were his whole world, lighting the darkness. Love for them spilled from his heart. No one would take them from him.

No one.