Texas Blue

chapter 23



LEWT RODE TOWARD TOWN, FIGHTING BETWEEN worry over his friend and fury over Em thinking she had to come. He’d argued with her even while they’d saddled the horses, but she’d said over and over that she was in charge of the ranch while the men were gone and she’d been told by Teagen to do whatever she thought he would do if trouble came. Teagen would go after Duncan, and so would she.

Halfway to town, he pulled up beside her and tried again. “You can stay with us until we board the cattle train, and then I want you to go back to the ranch. We’ll be sleeping in a stock car with the horses. That’s no place for you, Em. Go back and take care of the ranch like you were hired to do and stop pretending to be someone you’re not.” He thought about adding that he was an expert at pretending. He’d been doing it all week.

“Once we get to Anderson Glen, I’m stopping to talk to Rose and Bethie while Sumner buys supplies.” Em’s voice was calm, too calm. “I’ll meet you at the station. I’m going after Duncan, even if I have to step over your body to board.”

“I thought we were friends,” he said, fighting down swear words by the dozens. “Now just because I’m thinking of you, you’re threatening to kill me.”

“We were friends, maybe we still are, but a few kisses does not give you any power over me. You’re not my father or my husband. Even if you were, I’m not sure I would listen to you on this. Duncan is in trouble and I’m as good with a gun as most and, if he’s hurt, I brought medicine.”

“Fair enough.” He gave in. “Go with us, but when we reach the border, stay on the Texas side in camp. We’ll go over, bring him back, and turn him over to you for care. How does that sound?”

She didn’t answer.

He guessed she saw no need to argue ahead of time, and he doubted she’d listen when they reached the Rio any better than she’d listened when they’d left the ranch. He decided she was the most stubborn woman alive. If she ever did get married, she’d drive her husband to drink within days.

She tried to pull ahead, but he stayed right beside her.

“Don’t do this, Em,” he said, more to himself than her. “Stay here where it’s safe.”

“End of discussion,” she snapped.

Anger boiled over in him. “You’re right, I’m not your husband. I’m through talking. It’s easy to see why no man would want to be married to you. It appears you’re more man than any husband could ever be.”

She shot off at full gallop, and he didn’t try to keep up again. As always, the minute his words were out, he was sorry. He didn’t understand. He’d spent years learning to get along with every type of person from governors to drunks, but he couldn’t seem to get along with her. She was headstrong and proud and toxic. He’d probably get himself killed trying to protect her, and she hated him more often than not.

Sumner caught up to him. He had two extra McMurray horses on a lead line. The man walked with a limp, but his old body seemed molded for a horse. He rode with the ease of one born in the saddle.

They rode in silence for a few minutes, and then Lewt said, “She shouldn’t come along. It’s too dangerous. Can’t you talk some sense into her?”

“She’s a better rider and better shot than most rangers I’ve ridden with. I’ve watched her for years, that one. She’s shy, afraid sometimes, but she’s got spirit. She’ll be fine.”

“So you’re not going to try to talk her into staying here?”

The old man shook his head. “It’s been my experience no one can talk a McMurray into anything. You just got to ride with them or stay out of their way.”

Great, Lewt thought, the old man is playing along with the lie that she’s really Emily McMurray. In two days he’d be crossing the border with two crazy people and a ranger who had a death wish. The odds weren’t good. If he had any brains left, he’d turn around and go back to the ranch himself. Maybe it wasn’t too late to talk the real Emily McMurray into marrying him. Or maybe he could give Rose one more try? She didn’t seem near as crazy about Boyd as Boyd seemed to think she was.

Lewt shook his head. He knew he wouldn’t, couldn’t turn back. For once in his life he had to play full-out against all the odds. Duncan was the best friend he’d ever had, and he wasn’t prepared to lose him without a fight. Even if he hadn’t known Duncan, he couldn’t let Em ride into trouble alone. Much as he hated to admit it, he cared about her.

Heaven knew why. She hated him right now. She was a thousand miles away from what he wanted for a wife, and even if he did want her, she’d made it plain she didn’t want him or any other man.

Lewt decided he fit right in with this group of nuts. He was as crazy as the rest of them. “What do you think our chances are of coming out of this alive?” he asked Sumner.

“Does it matter?” the old man answered.

Lewt laughed. “No.”