Thirty-four

Daylight came and everyone joined the search for Gus, but two hours later they had little to show for their efforts except drag marks toward a stamped-down place where four horses had waited.

Luke approached Houston. “Time to talk.”

“Yep.” Houston sighed and called Sam to join them. They moved a short distance away where they’d have some privacy. He’d hoped Clay would join them but maybe his drover got tied up. “What’s on your mind, Luke?”

“A plan. The men are restless, and the longer we stay here doing nothing, the more jittery they get.” Luke pushed back his hat. His dark hair glistened in the sunlight. “We need to get this herd to Dodge as fast as we can, while we can protect the men and your family.”

“Luke and I respect their loyalty to Gus,” Sam added quickly. “We’d feel the same if he was our friend.”

“I’m not going off and leaving him behind, and if that’s what you think, you don’t know me very well.” Frustration and anger wound through Houston. “I’m not going to give up and leave him to Yuma. Gus could still be alive. As long as there’s a slim chance, I’m going to keep looking.”

“I swear, you’re all hide and horns this morning.” Luke snorted. “Hear Sam and me out. Will you?”

“Speak fast then. I have things to do.”

Sam laid a hand on Houston’s shoulder. “This has got to be wearing on you, but we may have a plan you’ll be happy with.”

“I’m listening.” At least with one ear. Houston half expected to hear a shout from the drovers that they’d found Gus. Damn, they needed some good news about now.

Luke squatted on his heels and picked up a sharp rock, beginning to draw lines in the dirt. “You and your men push the herd forward as fast as you can. Keep the chuck wagon protected at all times. Sam and I will stay behind and keep searching for your missing drover. When we find him—and we will—we’ll join up with you.”

“That’s a crazy plan,” Houston huffed. “Two men alone will be asking for Yuma to take them too. What’s to stop him from killing you both?”

“He’ll try,” Sam growled low. “Doesn’t mean he can.”

The Texas Ranger in his brother had just come out. Houston allowed a tight smile. It didn’t matter that Sam no longer worked for them. The job and what it had taught him was embedded deep in Sam’s soul. Houston’s gaze drifted to the ugly scar left around Sam’s neck. The rope burn marked the time rustlers had hanged him a year ago. Houston still shivered when he glimpsed it. He couldn’t imagine the horror that must’ve been. His little brother was as tough as they came. If Luke hadn’t been there and cut him down in time, Sam would’ve died. Houston didn’t want to think about what it would be like now, or ever, if Sam wasn’t beside him.

“Two men stand a better chance than a whole group,” Luke said, interrupting his thoughts. “We can hide and hit them when they least expect it.”

Houston’s gaze swept the barren land that was broken only by a few mesas and occasional piles of large boulders. He snorted. “Hide? Are you a lizard, Luke?”

“You’d be surprised at the places I’ve taken refuge in,” Luke answered tightly. “There’s a reason why no one’s ever caught me. Sam came the closest.” The outlaw’s strange green eyes flicked to their younger brother.

“I would’ve, though…eventually,” Sam replied. “But by then I’d found out you were kin and it just didn’t feel right somehow hauling my own brother to jail.”

The admiration in each of his brothers’ eyes brought a tightness to Houston’s chest. They were all Legends deep down, past their differences, even though Luke still refused to take their name. He wasn’t their half brother; Luke belonged to them in every way.

Brothers…Legends…together. That’s how it was.

“You’ve convinced me,” Houston growled. “I’ll take the herd and my family while you stay behind and look for Gus. If you don’t join up with us in three days, mind, I’ll come looking for you. If you haven’t found him by then, you’re not going to. Blackstone isn’t going to hide Gus. He wants us to find him, wants us to know what he’s done. Most of all, he wants to instill terror.”

“I agree,” Sam said quietly. “I’ve seen plenty of men like him and they’re all full of themselves.”

“That only trips up the damn fools every time.” Luke rose, glancing at a rider coming toward them.

Clay reined up. “Heard you needed something, boss.” The head drover had his hat pulled low and his head turned away from Sam and Luke.

“Wanted to get your thoughts on something. Climb down for a minute.” Houston had the feeling Clay was trying to avoid his brothers, but didn’t know why.

The saddle leather creaked as the drover swung from the horse. He stood next to Houston. Luke stared long and hard.

“We’ve decided on some things,” Houston said and filled him in. “You and the men go on. Lara and I will break down the camp and catch up.”

“The drovers ain’t gonna like it one dadgum bit,” Clay warned. “But I think it’s a wise move. We gotta think about Miss Lara and sweet pea.”

“At least we agree. Also, Lara and I are going to send Henry home if the Ledbetters will take him,” Houston said.

“Good idea. The boy’s scared out of his mind,” Clay said quietly.

“I want to send Lara and Gracie too. I tried to talk to her, but she won’t hear of it.” Houston pushed back his hat and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Things are about to get real bad. But I hate like hell to just up and tell her she has no choice. She deserves a say.”

“You can’t let her stay. If you love her, get her out of danger.” Luke’s mouth settled into a grim line. “Do what you have to do, brother, or you’ll bury her here.”

Luke’s words chilled Houston down to his bones. He refused to consider the thought, even though he knew it was a definite possibility. Even with all the drovers and some of the best guns around, Yuma’s group was still picking them off one at a time. Houston and his men couldn’t protect her. That was a proven fact.

“He’s right,” Sam said, laying a hand on Houston’s back. “If you love her, send her to Texas.”

If he loved her? What he felt was sure close to it if it wasn’t. Houston knew to lose her would rip out everything inside him. First he had to focus on the immediate problem—then he could think about the notion of love.

“There’s no guarantee she’ll be any safer with the Ledbetters,” he pointed out.

Sam lifted his hat and raked his hands through his hair. “Take steps to see to it.”

“Yeah, I’ll see if the Ledbetter women can loan her some of their strange clothes. With those and one of their bonnets, I think that will disguise her. Anyone will think she’s just one of the group.” Houston felt better. He didn’t want Lara to hate him for making her go. But neither did he want to bury her. That was a definite possibility if she stayed.

“Looks like you got your work cut out for you, boss. Glad I ain’t in your shoes.” Turning, Clay strode to his horse.

As they started to go their separate directions, Luke spoke. “Hold up a minute, Clay.”

Clay frowned and mumbled, “Got work to do.”

“Only take a second.” Luke fell into step with him.

Houston watched as the two moved away. Clearly, Clay was not happy at Luke’s insistence. Houston wished he was a fly on Clay’s shirt—something told him they had a lot to talk about.

Shooting them a final glance, Houston reminded himself he had work to do. Whatever was between the two had nothing to do with him. He turned toward camp.

Lara’s glance held a question as she met his eyes. Henry sat next to her, holding the babe.

“Hi, Houston,” Henry said, grinning. “I’m teaching Gracie how to whistle.”

“Is she learning how yet?” Houston asked.

“Just about.”

“That’s good. Keep after it.” Houston turned to Lara and spoke low. “I’m going to speak to the Ledbetters.”

“Okay. I’ll get ready to roll out.”

Still plagued by a nagging worry that this was the wisest course, Houston strode to the tidy camp. If Yuma figured out that Henry and Lara were no longer with the trail drive, he’d go after the Ledbetters. And Houston wouldn’t be there to protect them. Stoker had once told him that when faced with two bad solutions, take the one that left room for doubt. Houston knew for damn sure the danger that lay ahead on this cattle drive. The choice with the Ledbetter family left room for hope. His mind was made up.

It didn’t take much convincing. Hiram said they’d make room for not only Henry, but Lara and Gracie too. All that was left was telling his wife, and Houston didn’t relish that chore. Telling Lara could possibly destroy everything they’d managed to build in their short marriage.

At least the camp was empty at the moment, so he wouldn’t have an audience to witness the end of his chances.

Within minutes, he’d relayed the news to the boy as gently as he could. Big tears filled Henry’s eyes and his lip quivered. Houston felt like he’d kicked a homeless puppy.

“No! I won’t go. I’m staying.” The boy swiped angrily at fat tears rolling down his face.

Lara put her arm around him. “I’m sorry, honey, but it’s too dangerous. I want you safe.”

“Go gather your things, Henry.” When the boy let Lara take Gracie and moved toward the chuck wagon, Houston steeled himself and pulled Lara away from listening ears, to some degree of privacy at least.

“I have something else. The Ledbetters are taking you and Gracie as well. You’re all going back to Texas.”

Green eyes blazed with fury. “That’s a dirty, low-down trick. We never spoke about this. You went behind my back. All your big talk of trust and being partners was a bunch of hot air. And what about your promise to never force me to do anything? What about that?”

She lobbed the angry words like missiles. He winced, knowing she spoke the truth. He’d messed up, but dammit, he had to protect her.

“I did it like this because I knew you wouldn’t want to go.” Houston reached out, only to have her jerk away.

“You guessed right.” Anger darkened her eyes. “And you know what else? I’m not going.”

“Lara, listen to reason. It makes me crazy with worry to have you here. I need to focus on protecting the men and taking these cows to Dodge, and getting you and Angel away from danger. Don’t you see this is best? You’re a distraction I can’t afford.”

“A distraction?” Her voice rose. “Is that all I am to you?”

“You know it isn’t. That was a poor word to use. Try to be reasonable.” He reached for her again only to have to move back.

“Here’s some reason for you, cowboy.” She took a few steps then stalked back and jabbed his chest with her finger. “You need me. Who’ll feed the men, dig bullets out…dig graves?” Her voice quavered as a tear ran down her cheek. “Keep you warm at night? Who? I’m your wife and my place is at your side in peaceful times and in danger. I belong with you. We’re partners and”—she took a deep, shuddering breath—“and damn you! I love you, Houston Legend.”