High Desert Haven (The Shepherd's Heart) (39 page)

Jason grinned. “It takes more than a couple of bullets to take down a Jordan…you know that.” Rocky attempted a grin.

Cade eyed Jason seriously. “It looks like you came close.”

Jason gingerly felt his jaw as Cade stripped off his bandana and handed it to him. Jason took it and pressed it to the cut. A twinkle leapt into his eyes. “Guess God’s still got plans for this old hide of mine.”

Cade sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’m so glad you two are all right. I came running in the back door and stepped on a rake that was lying there. It sprung up and smacked me so hard I was seeing flashes of light. Next thing I know bullets are flying, and everything is over.” He glanced toward Sheriff Watts. “I’m gonna go see if the sheriff needs any help.”

Jason and Rocky stared at each other. As Cade walked away, both burst out laughing, then grimaced in pain and settled into quiet chuckling.

21

Nicki smiled as she placed the last warm tamale in its cornhusk shell into the pan with the others. Her heart felt as light as the mists that rose from the white waters of the Deschutes.

Her arm was healing, although it was still quite painful and she couldn’t lift heavy things or rotate her arm in a full circle yet. She’d been able to give up the sling several days ago, however, so that felt like progress.

She thought of William and shuddered. Sheriff Watts had taken him to the jail in Prineville to await his trial. It had been pushed to the front of the court’s docket because of the nature of his crimes, and Nicki had already been to town to testify. Between her testimony, Sheriff Watts’ testimony, and the evidence of the pair of boots found in William’s barn, there had been no chance that he’d go free. William had been found guilty and sentenced to hang—a verdict that had been carried out the next morning. Nicki hadn’t gone, but the men had, and all of them had come home with solemn faces.

The first day after the hanging Jason and the men had spent the day creating a temporary corral for the horses. Since then, they had spent a week and a half gentling the creatures so they would be easier to handle on the long drive they would face. Cade planned to drive the herd up to Canada, where he expected to get more than double his investment.

Today the men would take a break from the horses to help put a roof on Nicki’s barn. And tonight would be Rolf and Brenda’s last night at her place. Nicki had talked to Pastor Saunders and he was more than happy to agree that building a home for the Jeffries should be the next “Jesus with skin” act the congregation performed. Several men said they were available, so tomorrow would see a snug, warm soddy constructed for the Jeffries on their homestead.

Today people would not only bring food for today’s work, but also items to donate to the Jeffries for their new home. Nicki had been working at sewing the rag braids Brenda and the boys had woven together into a rug she would give to them.

A wagon clattered into the yard, and Nicki picked up the towel and headed outside, calling for Sawyer to follow. She would send someone back in for the heavy pan of tamales and come back in a moment for her pies.

Two long tables had been set up in the yard and were already laden with food. Fried chicken, ham steaks, and beef of all kinds graced the meat table. Potatoes, boiled eggs, pickles, canned vegetables, breads, and desserts filled the remainder of the tables.

Suzanne Snow stepped up beside her, and concern for the woman who had been like a mother to her since she arrived here filled Nicki’s heart. “Oh, Suze! How are you? Are you all going to make it?”

“Well, Jim and Sid were able to save the wool from most of the sheep that were slaughtered. And we had Sid ride from ranch to ranch to try and sell some of the meat. We were able to sell quite a bit of it. So I think we are going to make it.” She smoothed her skirts. “I heard that Jason helped out Jacob Ashland with a couple horses?”

Nicki smiled. “Yes. He sold him the horse he bought in Prineville when he came here. It took all their savings to buy it, but at least they had some savings to use. He also gave them a pregnant mare from the nine horses that we kept, on the condition that this foal would be given back to us once it’s weaned. I think the Ashlands are going to be fine, too.”

Suzanne grinned and studied her face with motherly affection. “You say ‘us’ like you are planning for him to stick around for a while.”

Nicki felt herself blush. Coming from anyone else that would be construed as prying. But coming from Suzanne she didn’t mind so much. “Um…well…he has said nothing to me, but already I cannot imagine life without him. I’ve never felt that way before.”

The women’s eyes traveled to where Jason worked with several men to nail the trusses together. Sawyer lolled on Jason’s back, arms wrapped firmly around his neck and Jason bent to the work for a moment as though the boy wasn’t even there. Then he stood and set Sawyer on his own two feet, ruffling his hair and squatting down to his level. He said a few words to the toddler, then watched with a tender light in his eyes as Sawyer scampered off after Jake Ashland. Jason stood and caught Nicki’s eyes on him. He smiled, his blue gaze drawing her like a compass needle to north.

Suzanne’s words were soft. “He’s a good man.”

Nicki sighed, lost in the magnetic current that kept her eyes fixed on Jason. “Yes. He is,” she whispered.

Jason’s smile stretched into a grin, and he tossed her a bold wink before bending to his task once more.

“Oh! My pies!” Nicki’s hands flew into the air, and she rushed toward the house, Suzanne’s chuckle following her across the yard.

She heard another wagon trundle into the yard as she pulled her pies from the oven. She noted with satisfaction that she’d had the coals just right this time. The crusts were a perfect golden brown.

The door opened and Jason stood there with an odd expression. “Nick, can you come outside for a minute?”

She looked at him, wondering what he needed her for. “Can it wait a moment? I have—”

“No.” He motioned her toward him. “Come on. It won’t take more than a minute. Just come outside.” He stepped back and held the door for her, a distinct twinkle glittering in his eyes.

Her curiosity was piqued. “What are you up to?” She stepped outside, shading her eyes with her hands.

Standing next to a wagon was her family. Mama, Papa, and all her younger siblings.

With a gasp she closed her eyes, one hand going to her mouth, the other to cover her heart.

Jason chuckled. “I sent the third hand Ron hired to California to find them.”

Opening her eyes, she looked at him.
“Muchas gracias.”
He nodded, and then she was running forward and wrapping her arms around Mama, Papa, Coreena, and little Manuel. Juna and Rosa were young women in their own right, now. My, how they’d all grown! Her brothers were taller than she was! Papa’s hair was a little grayer. Mama’s wrinkles a little more pronounced, but they were here!

Mama was the last one she pulled into her embrace. “Oh, Mama,
te amo!
I have so much to tell you, I don’t know where to start. I have a son, and—Sawyer!” She spun to search the crowd for him, but Jason was there, just behind her, with Sawyer sitting on one arm. He handed the toddler to her.

It felt so right to have Jason there in the midst of her family. She grabbed his hand and swiveled back to her parents. “This is your grandson, Sawyer, and this,” she pulled Jason forward, “is the man responsible for bringing you here. This is Jason.”

Without hesitation Juanita pulled Jason into a hug, kissing him on both cheeks. “Thank you. You will never know how much it means to me to be here with my Dominique once more.”

Jason nodded.

Papa reached for Sawyer, and suddenly everyone began talking at once. Jason stepped back, looking a little lost and confused standing in the center of the chaos that was her family.

Nicki wrapped her arms around Coreena again and met Jason’s eyes over the top of the little girl’s head. She wished he could see into her heart and understand the happiness he’d given her. Resting her cheek on the top of Coreena’s head, she mouthed, “Thank you.”

He nodded again and backed away, his gaze locked with hers. Rocky approached his side, taking his attention, and handed him a letter. He said something to Jason, clapped him on the shoulder, and walked away. She watched as Jason slid the letter from the envelope, read it, and then tucked it into his shirt pocket, a strange emotion etching his face. Her focus flicked to his pocket and then back. What could it be?

She started toward him, but just then Mama clutched her arm with a demand to know everything that had happened to Nicki since she’d last seen her. Nicki turned to answer the barrage of questions. She could talk to Jason later. For now, she was thankful to have her family here.

The day went quickly after that. With so many people there to help, the roof was completed before the last rays of the sun disappeared below the horizon. Then everyone moved inside the newly roofed structure for the dancing that was to follow.

Men brought forth fiddles and harmonicas and guitars and the music began.

Women lifted their skirts and sashayed to the lively tune, petticoats flashing white lace in the lamplight.

Janice passed by in a splash of jade, twirling in the arms of Jacob, one of Nicki’s new ranch hands. Janice’s mouth moved a mile a minute and Jacob listened so raptly that he missed a beat and stepped on her toes. Nicki grinned as they both laughed, and Janice limped off the dance floor to sink onto a barrel, Jacob right by her side.

Nicki tucked her hands behind her back and leaned against one wall, her mother and sisters flanking her. Sawyer leaned against her legs and clapped his tiny hands totally off-beat to the music. Nicki grinned, loving the sight of him enjoying the music.

She tipped her head back and closed her eyes, wondering how it was possible to have so much joy bubbling up inside her. She listened to the sounds of life flowing all around her and almost felt giddy from the sheer blessing of it.

Tanner, the ranch hand Jason had sent to California to find her family, stopped before them and asked Rosa if she would dance with him. Juna giggled as Rosa agreed, and the couple moved out onto the dance floor. To her right, Mama sighed and Nicki smiled.

Someone cleared their throat in front of her, and she opened her eyes to find Jason. Her heart skipped a beat. The bullet scratch along his jawline had healed, but there was still a scar there. She knew it would fade, but it would forever be there to remind her of all that he had done for her.

His face serious, he studied her for a moment, then turned to look out over the dancers. “Could I talk to you for a minute outside?”

Nicki’s throat constricted. After she had watched him read the letter, he had been quiet and pensive all day. She had talked to him several times. Even tried to coax a smile from him once, but always his face had remained serious, thoughtful. Why couldn’t he talk to her right here? There was something in his eyes she couldn’t quite read, and that scared her.

A thought suddenly hit her. What if he wanted to leave? After all, he’d done what she hired him for. He’d gotten the ranch back on its feet, and she could take the reins from here. He’d done more than she hired him to do. He’d brought joy back into her life, made her last weeks bearable. What if the letter was an offer for a job somewhere else?

Tilly stepped up beside them with Conner just behind her. She squatted down to Sawyer’s level. “Sawyer, do you want to come and dance with Conner and I?” She held her arms out to him, and he gladly reached up chubby arms to allow her to lift him. With a meaningful look from Nicki to the door, Tilly sauntered onto the dance floor with Conner’s hand at her back.

Nicki turned back to Jason. His eyes were once more on her face, waiting for her reply.

She couldn’t seem to form an answer. Her heart lodged in her throat making it hard to breathe.

He arched his brow. Mama elbowed her.

She wet her lips.
“Si.”

He seemed to release a breath and took her hand, leading her out into the dusky night.

She followed him up the trail past the soddy and onto the ridge above. The music from the barn grew faint and blended in with the crickets and the bull frog that croaked nearby. Could she let him go if that was what he wanted? She inhaled slowly. He’d come to mean so much to her in such a short time.

From the crest of the hill they could see the last rays of the sun caressing the sides of the Three Sisters, their snowy night-caps aglow with crimson. The sky behind them was fused with saffron, tangerine, and jade.

Jason took in the sight for a moment in total silence as he interlaced his fingers with hers. He never took his eyes off the sunset. “Nicki…”

She waited quietly, drinking in the beauty of the night.

The silence stretched long, and she turned to study him. This brooding silence was not like him. She’d never seen him this way before. Something surely was wrong. Her heart thundered in her chest.

His eyes turned back to study her face, and he stepped closer, wrapping one arm around her so that their interlaced fingers rested at the small of her back.

Her confusion grew.

“I got a letter today that made me realize I want to move on with my life, and I…”

Blood drained from her face. He really was leaving.

“Nicki.” He watched her intently, his free hand caressing the hair at her temple. His throat worked. “Will you marry me?”

She gasped and felt her knees go weak.

He grimaced and looked toward the mountains again. “I know. We haven’t known each other that long, and you’ve only been a widow for a short time. I’ve been talking myself in and out of asking you all day. I probably should have wait—”

She covered his mouth with the fingers of her free hand, and his eyes snapped back to hers. She couldn’t hold her tears at bay. “I thought you were trying to work up the courage to tell me you were leaving.”

He blinked.

“What was in the letter?”

“My cousin Sky and his wife, Brooke, just had a baby girl.” He kicked at the ground. “Are you going to answer my question?”