Lone Star Bride

Chapter Six (#u7854eef5-f5fb-52de-90da-fc69d83141bb)

Jackson took a deep breath, drawing in the morning air. A light fog hugged the low ground between the hills. Sounds of soft rumblings from the cattle and calls from the cowboys assured him all was going well.

The herd looked good, and everything was going as scheduled. The six drovers were in place, guiding the steers.

Cook had done this trail several times and started earlier in order to stay in front. The wrangler, Estevan, had the horses following the wagon. Jackson had checked on Tiago at daybreak, and she had seemed eager to get started.

One night on the ground hadn’t scared her off. He wondered if she would have the same smile by the end of the week. His wife had hated traveling. She had joked that if they went anywhere, he would need a wagon big enough for a bed and a tub.

His thoughts returned to the wagon’s petite passenger. Had he made a mistake that would put the whole trip in jeopardy?

He needed to stay focused to make sure everyone got home safely.

A horse ran up behind him. He put his hand on the butt of his rifle and turned to face the newcomer head-on.

It was the woman. He had a hard time thinking of her as Tiago now that he knew the truth.

Her smile was wider than the Mississippi. “Cook said it would be easier on the mules if my saddle and I weren’t in the wagon. I saw you up here and wanted to see the herd moving out.”

“This is not a sightseeing excursion. You can’t be running all over the place without—”

“Cook knows where I am, and I don’t need a chaperone. I’m Tiago, remember.” She pulled her horse up next to his as if she wasn’t afraid of him one bit.

He allowed his gaze to take in her profile. Even with the short hair and baggy clothes, she was perfectly feminine.

“If I had any sense, I’d send you home now, before we get too far out.”

The smile disappeared, and with one quick motion she pinned him with a hard stare. “No. We came to an agreement. You have to honor it.”

“Yeah, you also agreed to stay close to the wagon. Less than twenty-four hours out, and you’re running wild.”

The hat wobbled with the panicked shake of her head. “I’m not close to the herd.” The rawhide gloves tightened over the slacked reins. “You need me and I’m...”

Oh no, was she tearing up? He cleared his throat and turned away, not sure what to do or say.

“Look at this, Jackson. It’s breathtaking. I want to hold it close to my heart and never forget it. The sounds and the sights. An endless motion of animals moving as one over the land I love. How could I miss seeing this?”

She looked back to the never-ending line of moving longhorns. “This is what I dreamed about.” Turning to him, her smile was faint, but making its way back. “Thank you.”

He sighed and scanned the wide-open vista. Texas was a place where big dreams found a home. “No reason your dreams can’t come true just because you’re a woman.” What kind of woman would his daughter have become?

Would he have allowed her to have plans outside of the roles set for women? She had been six when she was killed, so he’d never get to know.

That morning he rode out she had asked to go with him, but he thought she’d be safer at home with her mom and baby Jack. The anger that simmered in his gut flared.

If he had taken her with him, she’d still be alive and turning eleven soon. “If you’re not with the wagon, stay close to me. I don’t want the others figuring out you’re a female.”

She nodded, happiness back on her face. “Thank you.”

“Come on.” He nudged his horse down the hill toward the sea of cattle. “What we want is an uneventful trip. That takes awareness and anticipatory action.” In order to make sure he did his job, he had to stay focused. Maybe keeping her close would be easier. Wondering where she was at any given moment was going to wear him out.

* * *

Sofia took in everything around her. Later tonight, she would write it all down. She wanted to burn every detail into her memory.

The future her mother had wanted for her was a pale watercolor compared to the real-life energy brushed across the valley they were passing through.

Jackson checked in with each of the drovers.

Will Redmond and Rory Brosnen covered the end of the herd. Rory, the one she learned was from Ireland, was the first rider they approached.

“You got a bodyguard now, boss?” He smiled at her. “So we have the honor of riding with the tiniest bullfighter in all of the country.” He clicked a couple of times to the cattle before turning back to her. “Maybe we should trade places. I’ve been known to cook up a mean meal, and my ropin’ skills don’t touch yours.” He followed that with a wink.

Sitting straight in the saddle and staring at the horizon, she didn’t respond.

Jackson frowned. “Tiago will be staying with the cook or me. There will be no trading.”

Rory laughed. “Easy, boss, I was kidding with Two Bit here. You Yanks are so serious.”

“I’m not a Yank.” Jackson grumbled something else under his breath, but she couldn’t make it out.

“Where I’m from, you’re all Yanks. Except for Two Bit here. What are you, kid?”

“I’m a Texan. Why did you leave your home and come all the way here?”

“Oh, you don’t know the rules on the trail.” He shook his head as if truly disappointed in her.

In a panic, she turned to Jackson. “Rules?”

Jackson sighed. “You don’t ask a man about his past, ever. If he wants to tell you, he will, but you never ask.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Brosnen. I didn’t mean to offend you.” There was so much about being a boy she didn’t know. Her brother would have known not to ask those questions.

“No worries. Call me Rory. I have a clean shirt, a clear conscience and enough coins in my pocket to buy a pint. Life is meant to be lived in the moment with no regrets. But I can tell you already know that.” He winked again. Maybe he had a tick.

Jackson cleared his throat and urged his horse forward, cutting between her and Rory. “We’re going to talk to the others. See you tonight, unless you run into trouble. Let me know.”

“Yes, sir.” His voice had a touch of laughter in it as he saluted them. “See you tonight, Two Bit.”

Once they got out of hearing, Jackson looked at her. “You need to stay away from the men.” He shook his head. “You don’t look anything like a boy, you’re too pretty. I’m not sure we can maintain your disguise.”

Normally, that would be a compliment. Coming from a man like Jackson, it made her want to blush, but she knew he wasn’t flattering her. To him, it was a problem.

“I’m not sure what else to do.”

“It was a mistake to let you ride with me to the herd.” He squinted at her.

“What?” She wiped at her cheeks. “What’s wrong?”