West Winds of Wyoming (33 page)

“How many miles, if you had to guess?”

“Between twenty and thirty.”

“That’s doable.” Charlie studied the idea. “A lot could happen between here and there.” He was thinking of Nell, and also of Gabe and Jake. Nothing was worth losing a life over.

“The corral will be tight for this many horses, but they’ll all fit.” He felt Gabe nod. He couldn’t take his eyes off the horses. When a twig snapped, Charlie turned. Nell and Jake had found them. Nell’s beautiful face, alight with anticipation, indicated she already knew what was over the rise.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

C
harlie gestured for them to stay low. The two came forward cautiously until they were beside him and Gabe. In awed silence, they admired the sight for a good five minutes before starting back to their horses. At the scrub brush where the horses were tied, the three gathered around Charlie. Excitement zinged between them. “Who besides Gabe recognizes this area?” Charlie asked, scanning the land filled with squatty oaks, stunted pines pushed sideways by the wind, and mesquite trees.

“I do,” Jake offered. “Gabe and me were up this way a year ago with Albert and Win hunting deer. The land’s rough and at some places little more than a game trail, but I know there’s a way back toward the corral.”

Nell nodded. “If it’s the trail I’m thinking of, the horses can travel two or three across over most of it, if they choose to. It’ll be easy driving, as long as we can keep them together.”

“Fine then.”
There are still a lot of hurdles to overcome. And won’t be easy no matter what anyone thinks.
“Since it’s still early, we have time to get prepared for tomorrow.”

“You have a plan?” Nell asked.

“Yeah. We’ll drive them in relay. That way our horses can keep up with them even with the extra weight they have to carry. Rider number one, that’s me, circles behind and pushes west. They’ll be fresh, and that leg will be the most difficult to keep the horses from splitting off. That row of dense trees over there will help.”

When no one offered a different idea, he went on. “If it’s approximately twenty miles back to the corral, I’ll drive them five miles to Nell. By then, they’ll barely be winded. The key is to keep them running. By the time they reach Jake, they’ll be tired. Trying to slow down to a trot—to catch their breath. Don’t let ’em. Push ’em hard and keep ’em running. If they’re allowed to catch their wind, they’ll be able to outrun our horses. After I turn them over to Nell, I’ll cut cross-country to the box canyon where the corral is and be ready to help drive them in. After each one of you finishes, make your way to the corral.”

If anyone had an objection, it would be Nell.

Her eyes narrowed. “I think it’ll work. Where’d you learn to think like a horse, Charlie?”

Gabe and Jake laughed.

“One of us should go collect the packhorse now. Then we’ll all go look for the trail we want to use to drive them to the corral tomorrow, using what terrain we can as a guide for the horses. Gabe, you’ll be stationed closest to the corral. Come morning, you’ll take the packhorse and tie him inside the corral in plain sight as bait. The horses will go in easier if they see another of their kind inside. Then get back to your assigned spot and wait for Jake to bring you the herd.”

Nell nodded. “That’s a good idea. Besides, by then they’ll be pretty tuckered out, wanting to stop.”

Charlie nodded. “Exactly. Once we know where we’re driving them, we’ll start back this afternoon and drop each of us off until we’re stretched out along the route. That means you boys will go it alone tonight. I’ll stay with Nell, then bring them down first thing in the morning.”

Nell straightened. “No, you won’t. I’ve camped by myself before. If you have to ride up in the morning, the black won’t be as fresh as he could be.”

He wouldn’t argue with her now in front of Gabe and Jake, but he had no intention of leaving her alone. Not after her reaction to the rider on the hill. “Whatever you say, Nell.”

Suspicion burned in her eyes. “You’re giving in too easy.”

“Seems I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.”

“What about the stallion?” Gabe asked, probably wanting to change the subject before the conversation escalated.

“He’ll come along no matter what we do,” Nell said. “But once we get them caught in the corral, we’ll turn him back out with a good number of mares and any horses we can’t use.”

They all nodded.

“It’s a decent plan.” Nell met his gaze. She leaned against her horse, taking them all in.

“You sure you’re ready for this, boys?” Charlie asked Gabe and Jake. “It’s a lot different than driving cattle. The horses can get away from you pretty fast.”

“I’m as sure as I am that I’d already like to be back in Logan Meadows holding Daisy’s hand.”

Everyone laughed. A little jocularity before the big ride was good.

Charlie went over to his horse. “I’ll retrieve the packhorse and be back as soon as I can. Be ready to ride out after that.”

He couldn’t stop worry from dogging his mind. So many things could go wrong. The last thing he wanted was for someone to get hurt, or worse. He didn’t want anything to happen to himself, either. Maddie needed him. If the worst came to pass, Frank Lloyd would read the note that left his money to Maddie and also asked Brenna to adopt her. He hoped she would. “Tomorrow, I don’t want anyone trying to be a hero,” he said, looking at Nell. “I mean that. Seth wants to see us all riding into the yard.”

“I understand, Charlie. I won’t be doing anything foolish, I promise you.”

“Good. That also goes for the two of you.” He sent Gabe and Jake a serious gaze. Abruptly he felt mighty old. And mighty responsible for the good outcome of this task.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

B
renna climbed Mr. Hutton’s stairs carrying a covered tray of beef stew and cornbread. She knocked on the door. It seemed as if she’d done this a thousand times, if once. But today was different. She swallowed and pushed back the trepidation that burned inside. Instead of him calling for her to enter, like he usually did, he opened the door and greeted her warmly. He’d bathed and shaved. There wasn’t a trace of measles to be found. He was dressed as if on his way to class and there was a twinkle in his eye. Perhaps giving him the news about the books wouldn’t be so bad.

He held the door open and gestured for her to enter. “Mrs. Lane, so good to see you.” His eyes darted to the tray in her hands. “I thought we discussed this yesterday. You don’t need to provide meals for me any longer. But I have to say I
will
miss your cooking.”

Why had he put emphasis on the word
will
, and why was he giving her such a charming smile?
What is he up to?

“Your meals are so much better than mine. I’ll be sure to savor this last one.”

“It’s only beef stew and cornbread.”

“A feast.” He followed behind as she made her way to the kitchen.

“Well, your appetite has certainly returned.” She set the tray on the counter.

Now that he seemed well, she felt a little off-kilter. She struggled for something to say.

Mr. Hutton leaned back against the cupboard, the exact place he kept his marriage certificate stashed out of sight, and fingered his chin between his thumb and forefinger. “How was school?” He smiled pleasantly. “Any questions for me today?”

This had been the first day she hadn’t been stumped by a single question, and it felt nice. “No, actually. None today.”

She didn’t know why she felt so prickly toward him. Things just hadn’t been right since she’d found that marriage certificate. Even after all these days, the discovery still felt like a shock.

One eyebrow arched up. “That’s wonderful.” He reached over and lifted a corner of the cloth napkin covering his supper. “Looks delicious. Dr. Thorn was here today. I’m cleared to go back to school on Monday. I’m sure you’re happy to hear that.”

“I am, indeed. I won’t know what to do with all my extra time.” She took a step toward the other room. Remembering Maddie, and also the dreaded math books, she whirled back around, well aware he was only a few feet behind her. “There’s something I need to tell you,” she said quickly before she lost her nerve.

Clearly she’d surprised him, because he froze. Embarrassment registered on his face and he put his foot to the floor and waited. Darn his hazel eyes. They reminded her of butterscotch and mint, two of her favorite candies. She forced her gaze away.

“It’s about Maddie,” she said. “She’s been going to school with me this whole time without any problems at all. Penny and Jane are happy to keep her close. She’s even raised her hand a few times to answer a question—and has been correct. Will she be able to continue on come Monday?”

He went over to the sofa and gestured for her to sit in the chair opposite, but she was too keyed up. After Maddie’s bout with tears earlier, she dreaded having to tell her she was no longer welcome in school.

“Please, Mrs. Lane, sit down for a moment. I can see you’re overwrought. I think the reason may be more than the situation with Maddie. I’d like to get to the bottom of it, if I could. Maybe I can help.” His gaze turned serious. “Please.”

“All right,” she agreed, and settled in the chair. “There is something you need to know. It’s about the—”

“Math books?” he finished for her. He picked up a telegram from the side table.

A telegram?

“Dr. Thorn brought it with him today. The math books that you’ve had such a hard time obtaining will arrive on the Monday stage. I’d say that that’s perfect timing, wouldn’t you?”

The math books? He knows about the math books?
Shaken, Brenna held out her hand. “May I?”

He handed the telegram over.

It was addressed to the schoolmaster in Logan Meadows. Her eyes scanned the short note:

Back-ordered math books will arrive next week Monday barring any weather holdups STOP Sorry for the delay STOP Best regards, Leach, Shewell & Sanborn Publishing

She handed the small yellow paper back. “This is wonderful news.” He must have put two and two together after all the times he’d inquired and the half-truths she’d given him.

“Mrs. Lane,” he said gently. “You could’ve told me. I can see this issue has caused much distress over the past two weeks. I’m sorry. I should have arrived earlier and taken care of the situation myself, but you see, even if I had, the results would have been the same. You couldn’t print the books yourself.” He reached over and patted her hands, clasped in her lap. “This wasn’t your fault.”

She didn’t dare look up. If she did, he would see her shame. How she’d tried to be someone—no, something—that she wasn’t. She’d never fit in with the upper-class citizens of Logan Meadows.

“Please.” His one word was a silky plea. He scooted off the couch and went down on his knees in front of her so he could see into her face. “Please, Mrs. Lane,” he whispered again. “You’ve done a
fine
job preparing the school, and the children, for this term. I couldn’t have done any better myself.” With a gentle touch to her chin, he raised her face so he could see into her eyes. “I know how much this all means to you. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

Brenna struggled against the biscuit-size knot of emotions clogging her throat. She needed some air. Blinking, she locked her gaze on the creamy-white ceiling, wishing she were anywhere but here.

“Please say something.”

“I should have told you the moment I realized my mistake—at the picnic. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since.”

Mr. Hutton stood slowly and pulled her to her feet. He wrapped her in his arms and stroked her hair, a comforting touch she hadn’t felt since Carl died.

“Hearing that makes me even sadder,” he said. “With all the chores you have weighing on your shoulders, you didn’t need something silly like math books robbing you of your rest. I hope you don’t get sick yourself.”

“I can’t. Dr. Thorn said I’m—”

“I don’t mean the measles. I mean exhaustion. You’re working so hard. I’ve noticed dark circles under your eyes that weren’t there the day you tried to knock me down in front of the whole town.”