Finding Promise (18 page)

Colt digested that piece of information. “Did Jake know?”

“He knew my brother was beaten, but I didn't know at the time that there was a connection with the woman he'd found until I received his letter. My brother said he didn't give the men any information.”

Colt pulled some coins out of his pocket. “Send your brother a telegram. Tell him I appreciate what he did, and if he needs anything to let me know.”

 

 

The livery owner was surprised when Colt walked in with the horse. “This horse was left with me a few nights ago by a man who looked a lot like you,” he said.

“What did he have to say?” Colt asked.

“Just said he saw the horse wasn't being fed and wanted me to care for him. Same as you. Paid me before he left.”

Colt handed him some coins. “If you see him in front of that saloon again in the same condition, I'd consider it a favor if you'd bring him down here and care for him until I have a chance to talk to the deputy about how he treats this fine animal.”

The man smiled wide. He'd like to see this big man knock Potter's teeth down his throat. “I'd be happy to. I don't have any use for Deputy Potter. Never have.”

“If the deputy asks what you're doing, tell him my name is Colt McBride and I paid you to care for him. I'll be around if he wants to see me.”

“Will do.”

Chapter Twenty-One

John Hollister saw the two riders before they reached the house. When they got closer, one look at Colt told him he was Jake's brother, so he set aside the rifle he'd been holding.

After the introductions, Strait said, “I'll see to the horses. Colt, you go on in and see Jake.”

Colt handed him Razor's reins. “Thanks, Strait.”

“When you're done, come on to the house and Nettie will get you two something to eat,” Hollister told Strait.

John led Colt back to Jake's room. “As I said, he hasn't awakened yet. Because the wound is so close to his heart, we stay with him at all times to make sure he doesn't thrash about. He developed a fever earlier today, and the doc said he would be back tonight.”

As soon as he entered the room, Colt saw a beautiful young woman standing over Jake holding a cloth to his forehead. She didn't notice them.

“Honey, this is Jake's brother,” John said.

Promise glanced up and stared at the big man next to her uncle. “Oh, I didn't hear you!” she said as she walked toward him. There was no question it was Jake's older brother. He looked exactly like Jake, except a larger version. “You must be Colt,” she said, extending her hand. “I've heard so much about you. I'm Promise Sinclair.”

“Nice to meet you,” Colt replied, surprised by her Southern accent. Cole and Shorty had told him how beautiful and brave she was, but they'd failed to mention she was a Southerner.

“Your brother saved my life,” she told him. “I'm afraid all of this is my fault. He was shot because those men are after me.”

If the sadness in her voice wasn't enough to tell him how guilty she felt over Jake's condition, the look on her face certainly did. She'd lost her own brother, and she didn't need this guilt added to her heartbreak. “This is not your fault. The responsibility lies with those men who ambushed my brother.”

No matter how many people reassured her, she didn't believe it herself. “How did you know Jake was shot?”

“I didn't. The last telegram I received from him just said he was having problems. I felt something was wrong, so I came to see if he needed my help.”

“Maybe he will awaken when he hears your voice.” Promise moved out of the way so he could be next to Jake.

“I'm going to tell Nettie we have guests,” John said.

“Would you like to be alone with him?” Promise asked Colt.

“That's not necessary.” Colt leaned over his immobile brother. He felt better seeing his breathing was steady. He was going to make it, of that he had no doubt.
Thank you, God.

Promise moved to the chair on the opposite side of the bed. She couldn't take her eyes off Colt. It was uncanny how similar in appearance they were, their features almost identical. Jake was an unusually large man, but his brother was taller and even more muscular.

Before Colt took a seat, he saw a tablet on the chair. When he picked it up he noticed the drawing that was a perfect likeness of Jake.

“Oh, I'm sorry,” Promise said, jumping up to take the tablet.

“Did you draw this?” Colt asked.

“Yes. It's difficult to capture Jake, since he doesn't sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. Until now.”

Colt handed her the tablet. “It's a true likeness.”

“Thank you.”

Colt reached over and gently put his hand on Jake's shoulder, careful not to shake him. “Jake, can you hear me?”

“I've been changing the cloths every few minutes, trying to lower his temperature,” Promise said.

Removing the cloth from his brother's forehead, Colt dipped it into the bowl of water on the table and wiped Jake's face. “Jake, are you awake? I've left my beautiful wife to see what is going on with you. If you don't wake up she's going to want to come after both of us, and she'll chew your butt out for getting shot.”

“Did his lips move?” Promise asked hopefully.

“I think so.” Colt lightly touched Jake's shoulder again. “I have some good news for you, but I want you to be awake when I tell you.”

Promise took hold of Jake's hand. When she saw that Colt was watching her, she said, “Your brother talked to me when I was unconscious and I remembered his voice. Your voice sounds so much like his.”

It was evident she thought highly of Jake. “He's tough, and he's going to be okay.”

Promise smiled at him as tears filled her eyes. “I know. I've never met anyone like him. He hardly had any rest from the moment he found me, and I keep praying that he'll awaken when he's had enough rest.”

Colt thought she needed to get her mind off of Jake for a moment. “Cole told me that you helped with the cattle.”

“Oh, you saw the men?”

“Yes, they told me everything that happened on the drive. They also told me you're a pretty good shot.”

“My father taught me how to shoot.”

“Have you regained all of your memory?”

“For the most part. I recently remembered shooting two men.”

Colt hated to cause her pain by talking about the murders, but he needed to know who was trying to kill his brother. “You shot two of them?”

“I hit one of them in the shoulder, but I don't think I killed him. I'm not sure about the other one.”

“Can you describe them?”

“He was a big man, maybe as tall as you, but not as wide in the shoulders, and he had long, dark blond hair. I think he was the leader of the group. The other man looked a bit like him, but not as tall.”

Colt wondered if it could be the man he saw in the saloon. “Did you see his face?”

As much as she didn't want to, she knew she would never forget that face. The big man had pulled her to him, holding her in front of him as he started shooting. She'd struggled to get away, and when she bit down hard on his hand, he released her. Once she was free she ran for the fur muff they'd thrown on the ground. She grabbed it, pulled her pistol out, and pointed it at the big man. He laughed at her. As he advanced on her, she pulled the trigger and shot him. A second man came after her with his gun pulled and she pulled the trigger again and again. She kept shooting until her gun was empty, and she felt something hit her. Then everything went black. She saw the big man's face in her mind. “His face looked like evil.”

“Could you draw him?”

Her eyes widened when she looked at him. She hadn't even thought of that. “Yes!” Releasing Jake's hand, she pulled a piece of charcoal from her pocket.

As Promise worked on the drawing, Colt changed the cloths on Jake's forehead and continued to talk to him. At times, some of Colt's words filtered through her concentration, and his calm manner reminded her so much of Jake. Both men were not what they appeared on the surface. They made intimidating foes, but they also possessed an unexpected gentler side. She heard that softness in Colt's voice when he mentioned his wife and boys.

They were interrupted when the doctor walked in and introduced himself to Colt before he checked his patient. After he examined Jake, he turned to Colt. “You look like you can hold him if he starts to move about.”

“He won't be moving.” Colt moved to the other side of the bed while the doc removed the bandage.

“Your brother is a tough one. That bullet would have killed most men. I wouldn't have said he was going to make it the first night I saw him.”

Once the bandage was removed, he examined the wound. “This is looking good,” he said, more to himself than aloud. He cleaned the wound and grabbed the clean bandages. “I'm not saying he's out of danger, but I give him a much better chance now. I don't think his fever is high enough to worry about right now. Just keep a close watch.”

The doc glanced at Promise. “You've done a real good job taking care of him.”

“He's been so still that it isn't difficult. I feel better now that his brother is here,” Promise admitted.

“Just make sure when he comes around that he stays put, no moving about.” The doc eyed Colt again. “I'm sure you can handle that task.”

After the doc left, Nettie came into the room carrying a tray and placed it on a table by Colt. “Mr. McBride, I brought you some sandwiches and coffee. I didn't think you would want to leave your brother right now.”

“Thank you, but you didn't need to go to the trouble.”

“No trouble at all. I have rooms ready for you and Strait when you are ready to rest. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask,” she said.

“We don't want to be a bother. We can go to the bunkhouse.”

“Out of the question! And I'll brook no arguments.”

You shouldn't argue with her, Mr. McBride. You won't win,” Promise told him.

“Okay, no arguments. I appreciate your hospitality,” Colt said.

Nettie smiled at him and left the room. Colt had just reached for his coffee when a sound came from his brother. Colt leaned toward him, trying to hear what Jake was saying.

“He . . .” Jake murmured.

“What are you trying to say, Jake?” Colt placed his large palm over Jake's hand. “Jake, can you hear me?”

“Hero,” Jake whispered hoarsely.

Colt frowned, trying to figure out what his brother was saying.

Promise quickly moved closer to Jake. “Hero is my horse. He was with me on the wagon train. I don't know if he ran away, or if those men took him, but he wasn't with me when Jake found me.” She smoothed Jake's black, curly hair from his face. “He saw my drawing of him, so maybe he's dreaming about him.”

Colt reached for the water. “Jake, can you drink?”

Jake didn't respond, but Colt held his head up and tried to give him a drink. Jake took a small sip without opening his eyes before his head sagged over Colt's arm. “I think he's out again,” Colt said.

“That's probably a good thing. I'm sure he will be in a lot of pain,” Promise replied.

Colt placed Jake's head gently on the bed, and he looked over at Promise. “Can I see the drawing of your horse?”

Promise reached for her tablet and pulled out her drawing of Hero. “Jake said you have an unusual bond with animals.”

“I train horses when I have time.” Colt eyes were on her drawing. He instantly recognized the horse as the one he took to the stable; the very horse that the deputy was claiming as his own. He knew from the livery owner that Jake had seen the horse and must have concluded the deputy was involved with the murders. Promise's horse led directly to the killers.

Colt didn't want to say anything to Promise right now about seeing her horse. She'd been through enough heartache and he wasn't going to be the one to disappoint her, particularly if he was wrong. He handed back the drawing. “He's a beautiful animal.”

“Yes, he is. I hope I see him again.” She looked up at Colt. “Do you think it's possible for an animal to find its owner?”

Seeing the hope in her eyes, Colt understood how she felt. If he lost his horse, he would feel the same way. He gave her a reassuring smile. “It's been my experience that animals are a lot smarter than humans, so I wouldn't be surprised.”

“I will hold on to that thought. Hero is very smart.” She liked Colt; just like Jake, he was a man of strong character. She knew if Jake could hear his brother, he would rest easier knowing Colt was with him and would take care of any problems. “Your brother was excited about going home to ranch with you.” After meeting Colt, she knew she would always envision Jake riding on the ranch with his brother. She would miss Jake desperately, but knowing he would be happy would make the parting easier.

“I'm glad to have him back home.” Colt watched as she toyed with a curl on Jake's forehead. It reminded him of how Victoria would yank at a lock of his hair in a playful manner. He had a feeling she cared a great deal about his brother.

“He also spoke highly of your new wife.” She didn't say she believed Jake was in love with his brother's wife. It hadn't escaped her notice that every time Jake spoke of his new sister-in-law, his eyes lit up like a child looking at ajar of candy.

Colt chuckled. “He's like every man on the ranch. They are all half in love with her.”

Promise glanced at him, surprised that he knew what his brother was feeling. “That doesn't bother you?”

Colt shrugged. “I take it as a compliment. She's a beautiful woman, and the men all notice. Can't blame them for that. Jake's no different.” He leaned over and braced his elbows on the bed and looked directly into her eyes. “Trust me, Jake's not in love with Victoria. He's just infatuated. He wants the same thing I've found, but not with the same woman.”

“I couldn't really say what he feels.” She was embarrassed that he seemed to read her mind. “We never really talked about that.”

Colt had a feeling that she really wanted to know how Jake felt about her. He thought his brother might be a fool if he walked out of this woman's life. He shook his head, wondering what in the hell was wrong with him. Before he knew it, he would be matchmaking just like Victoria and Mrs. Wellington.