Texas Homecoming (9 page)

Of course, that would depend on whether the others stayed around. They might not.

Then there was the matter of casualties. The squatters would fight hard to keep what they had. Cade didn’t know how many had settled on the diViere ranch, but he was certain it was more than five. He and his friends would be outnumbered. While Cade was certain his five were equal to any ten squatters, the men were tired of war. Tired of being injured. Tired of seeing their friends die. Their desire for revenge was the only thing that held them together.

There wasn’t a single logical reason why he should attempt to retake the diViere ranch.

And that might have been the precise reason that he made up his mind to do just that.

“I want to start the roundup tomorrow,” he said, breaking in on a conversation about how living in Texas differed from Virginia, Tennessee, and Vermont.

He grinned at the groans from around the table. He was always full of energy when he was preparing for battle, and anyone who’d ever been on a roundup knew that trying to round up and brand longhorns that had run free for four years would be a battle of enormous proportions.

Pilar didn’t know how they did it. From sunup to sundown they rode in the saddle with no letup except to drink gallons of coffee and gulp down the food she brought to them. They had to be exhausted, but they didn’t slow down. They joked with each other, making light of everything from bruises to cuts to narrow escapes from the horns and hooves of animals determined to kill them.

The men had been gone for a week. At supper Pilar sat down to the table with her grandmother. They talked about how nice it was to be by themselves, what it would be like when Laveau returned, but never once did Pilar forget that the men were miles from the ranch, pitting their strength against cattle who knew the brush, canyons, and low hills far better than the men who hunted them.

“I wish I could have gone with them,” Pilar said for the hundredth time.

“There is no need for you to concern yourself with anything those men do.”

“Laveau’s never rounded up cows before. If I knew what to do, I could help him.”

“Laveau
will not
round up cows.” Her grandmother looked as shocked as if Pilar had uttered a blasphemy. “He will hire men to do the work for him. A diViere does not soil his hands with labor.”

“How can he hire men without money?”

“Laveau will know what to do.”

It was futile to try to explain being broke to her grandmother. She had never had money, had probably never held a coin in her own hands, might not have any idea what one looked like. For her, and for generations of women before her, wanting something had been enough.

Her grandmother believed that Laveau’s absence was the only reason money wasn’t as plentiful as ever. Once he returned—being a man and capable of solving any problem and handling any difficulty—everything would return to normal. But the more Pilar learned, the more certain she became that Laveau wouldn’t live up to her grandmother’s expectations.

Pilar was relieved when the men staggered in late one night with an urgent request that a full meal be on the table within an hour. They had more than two thousand cattle held a short distance from the house. They were going to fill the bathtub and clean up for the first time in a week. It would be midnight before the water got hot.

They were in such good spirits she enjoyed having them back. She hadn’t realized how much she had come to relish their company. She even felt some of their enthusiasm when Cade announced they were going to start branding first thing in the morning.

But after she saw what they did, her whole attitude toward cows and branding did a complete turnabout.

Pilar had never really looked at a longhorn. She’d seen them from a distance, but she’d never been curious enough to want to see one up close. Until now, they had just been something her family used to support the way of life she took for granted.

Brought face to face with hundreds and hundreds of
bawling cows, Pilar realized that longhorns were extremely unattractive animals that didn’t smell good. Some were spotted, as if they wore old fur coats with enormous bald patches. Some had black streaks going down their legs or backs. Others had black around their eyes that gave them a particularly evil look. They held their heads low, swung them from side to side, always looking for a chance to escape. But nothing about them looked as evil and threatening as the horns that extended several feet on either side of their heads and curved forward in lethal hooks.

Pilar knew that brands were necessary to identify an owner’s cattle. It wasn’t so difficult with the calves. The mamas bellowed and tried to break away while their little ones were being branded, but the calves were too small to have any great strength. Nor did they have horns. The men could wrestle them to the ground, brand, and castrate them if necessary—she closed her eyes and turned her head away when they did that—without danger.

That wasn’t true when it came to bulls that had been running wild for three or four years and weighed more than a thousand pounds. Pilar didn’t need anyone to tell her that branding and castrating these animals was extremely dangerous work. Nor was she surprised to find Cade in the middle of it.

“Why doesn’t he let someone help him?” Pilar asked Owen after Cade and Rafe had branded and castrated three bulls in succession.

“Cade says they’re his cattle, so he ought to take the risks,” Owen replied. He grinned broadly at Pilar. “I think he’s showing off for you.”

“Me!” Pilar drew a deep breath to tell Owen exactly why he was wrong, then realized he was teasing her. She let the air out, feeling unaccountably let down. She didn’t want
Cade to show any interest in her, but she didn’t want the possibility to be so remote it was a laughing matter. “He always was a showoff,” she said, trying to sound casual. “He used to race across the countryside doing crazy things. Every boy his age would do practically anything he wanted.”

“They still do, but he’s got two left feet when it comes to women. Take you, for instance.”

“He probably can’t wait until I leave his house,” Pilar said. “I know his grandfather is counting the minutes.”

“A man should never let a family disagreement get in the way of his appreciation of a beautiful woman.”

“I have no difficulty appreciating beautiful women,” Cade said, coming up to them, “but I try not to let it interfere with my work.”

“No work is more important than a beautiful woman.”

“That’s as may be, but right now it’s your turn. Broc has just put his rope around a young heifer. Think you can handle that
beautiful female?
I need a few minutes to catch my breath.”

“Cade should have invited me to Texas years ago,” Owen said to Pilar. “The poor boy can’t do anything without my help.”

“Get going,” Cade said. “You’re holding everybody up.”

“Is he always like that?” Pilar asked as Owen strutted toward the heifer being dragged toward him.

“Ever since I’ve known him,” Cade replied.

She wondered if Cade would be as charming when he met a woman he could love. He was certainly handsome enough to turn a woman’s head, but he never seemed interested. He’d been too busy causing mischief when he was young; now his entire concentration was on making his ranch successful.

“Thanks for bringing fresh coffee,” Cade said. “The men really appreciate it.”

“I stopped
bringing
it hours ago. It’s easier to make it over the fire.”

Earl still complained about having to share the fire he used to heat the branding irons, but she didn’t see any sense in going back and forth to the house when she could make the coffee right here. She was debating cooking their meals here as well.

“You don’t have to do this,” Cade said.

“I agreed to take care of the men on this ranch as long as I’m here. I intend to be as good as my word.”

“You’ve never had to cook for a roundup crew, much less been present during the branding and castrating.”

She didn’t mind the branding too much, but she wished he’d stop reminding her of the other. “I don’t mind working. I refuse to accept charity.”

Cade laughed. “I can’t imagine anyone describing working for my grandfather—even living in the same house with him—as receiving charity. Just keeping your temper must have been a full-time job.”

“Your grandfather is difficult, but he’s not—”

A shout drew their attention to the knot of activity. Owen lay on the ground, a steer doing its best to open his rib cage with its hooked horn.

Chapter Nine

Cade cussed every step of the way to the house. He had no business leaving the branding site. With Owen hurt, they were shorthanded, but that didn’t make any difference. Owen had been virtually alone with Pilar for a whole day, and Cade had to know what was going on between them. According to Broc, he’d gotten hurt because he’d been more interested in attracting Pilar’s attention than in his work.

Owen’s wound wasn’t severe. The heifer hadn’t given him any problem, but the young bull he’d castrated next was in a very bad temper. When he staggered to his feet and saw the human responsible for the indignity a short distance away, he’d decided to get even. The only serious injury was to Owen’s pride, but the gash in his side had required stitches. Pilar had moved in with her grandmother so Owen could have the only other bedroom in the house. Cade meant to see that Owen moved to the bunkhouse after dinner.

Cade stepped into the kitchen in time to hear Pilar call out, “Are you feeling strong enough to come in here?”

“I hate to be such a bother, but I’m too weak to leave the bedroom,” Owen replied, his voice sounding remarkable vigorous for his weakened condition.

“How’s he doing?” Cade asked when Pilar turned toward him.

“Fine, but I think I’ll change his bandage. He says it itches.”

It would do more than itch when Cade got his hands on him. “I’ll take care of the bandages. The men could use some fresh coffee.”

“I’ve got a pot on the stove right now. It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

“They’re hungry, too. I was hoping you could slice some ham. You don’t have to heat it up. Cold will do.”

“I don’t mind cooking.”

“How’s your mother taking having Owen in the house?” Cade asked when she disappeared into the storeroom.

“She’s not happy about that, or about my being at the branding site. She doesn’t think it’s suitable for a lady.”

“It’s not.”

“I’ll survive.”

She emerged from the storeroom with strips of cloth, pins, a tin of salve, and lint. “You sure you want to do this?”

“I took care of hundreds of wounds during the war. I’m probably better at it than you are.”

“I watched Holt. I’m sure I can do it again.”

“I’m sure you could, but there’s no need.”

“It’s itching real bad,” Owen called out. “I don’t know how much longer I can stand it.”

“Then you’d better come into the kitchen,” Cade called,
smiling as he thought of the irritation Owen must be feeling at hearing Cade’s voice.

“Should he be out of bed yet?” Pilar asked.

“If we were still with the troop, he’d have been in the saddle as soon as Holt finished stitching him up.”

Pilar seemed doubtful. “I suppose that would be necessary in time of war, but he really was hurt.”

“We’ll all get hurt before we’re done.”

“That’s a callous attitude.”

“Commanding officers never show compassion,” Owen said. He hobbled into the room rather melodramatically, holding his side and glaring at Cade. “If they did, the poor common soldier might think they were human.”

“It’s malingerers like you that use up all our sympathy.” Cade pulled out a chair and pushed Owen down into it. “You take advantage of us any chance you get.”

“There were precious few.”

“If I’d known you better, there wouldn’t have been that many. Now stop trying to make Pilar think you’re about to die and let me change your bandage.”

“I want Pilar to do it.”

“She’s busy fixing something to eat. You’ll have to do with me.”

Owen groaned. “I’d rather put up with the itch.”

In other words, he didn’t itch at all. He had been trying to engage Pilar’s sympathy. “I can’t have you uncomfortable. I want you in the saddle tomorrow.”

“He can’t throw a rope yet,” Pilar said. “He’ll rip the stitches out.”

“I’ll give him Jessie’s job. All he has to do is circle the herd. Even a child could do that.”

“I’d rather take my chances on ripping out the stitches than get so bored I fall asleep.”

“It’s up to you, cousin, but I’d hate to overtax your strength.”

“I’ll let you know when I’m too weak to carry on.”

“Don’t let him bully you,” Pilar said, throwing Cade an indignant look.

“I don’t want him giving you trouble,” Cade said.

“He’s no trouble.”

“You sure you’re talking about Owen? Ask Broc how many times we had to pull his rear end out of trouble.”

“How about the times I’ve saved yours?” Owen shot back.

“He had a brilliant plan,” Cade said. “I just couldn’t convince him to direct it toward the enemy rather than the nearest female.”

“You’re jealous,” Owen said.

“I know when it’s time to put personal interests aside.”

“You think I’m sitting in here when I should be working?”

“That’s not what he means,” Pilar said.

“Ask him,” Owen said.

Cade didn’t know what drove Owen to try to impress every female he met, but he knew why he wanted to captivate Pilar, and he wasn’t going to let it happen.

“I’ll ask Holt to take a look at him,” Cade said. “Nobody can argue with a trained medical opinion.”

Owen got to his feet with a curse. “You can’t take the opinion of a man who amputated enough arms and legs to supply a whole battalion. I’d have to be holding my guts in my lap before he’d recommend I stay in bed.”

“You can take over the branding irons. Gramps is itching to throw his leg over a horse.”

“I’ll be damned if I’ll be treated like an old man,” Owen said. “I’ll see you at the herd. I’ll be in the saddle when
you get there.” He stormed out of the kitchen.

“You can’t let him go,” Pilar said to Cade. “Those cows look like they can’t wait to kill somebody.”

“I imagine that’s pretty much how they feel.”

“Some of them are very big. And they’ve got those horns!”

“Those horns keep them from getting killed by wolves. The fact that they’re fast and mean doesn’t hurt either. Rafe told me he once saw a steer take on a grizzly bear. The steer got so roughed up they had to shoot him, but he killed the bear.”

“How can you send an injured man to face animals like that?”

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“Like you made sure before?”

“He was showing off for you.”

Cade had been angry that Owen’s thoughtless behavior had caused the other men to have to work harder to make up for his absence. And all because he wanted to show off for a woman he didn’t even care about.

Cade wasn’t certain Owen even liked women. He never mentioned his mother without going white about the mouth. Cade had decided long ago that what Owen did was none of his business, but he wasn’t going to let him play his tricks on Pilar. She was a strong, proud woman, but she was alone and vulnerable. Circumstances had been cruel to her, but she’d swallowed her pride and risen above them. Cade was determined she wouldn’t have to pay the still greater penalty of being punished for her brother’s sins.

“I can’t believe he was showing off for me,” Pilar said.

“He can’t help himself.”

“Then it’s up to you to take care of him. You’re the leader.”

“That’s what I’m doing.”

“By sending him back out there where that steer can get at him again?”

“That steer is headed back to his old grazing territory. Another steer will be after him.”

“I don’t see how you can laugh.”

“I’m trying to protect you.”

“From what?”

“Owen. He’s handsome and very charming. I’ve seen him—”

“You think that I, a Cordoba, would fall for a Wheeler!”

Cade still didn’t know Pilar really well, but he was certain she wasn’t as arrogant as she sounded. Anger had caused her to repeat her grandmother’s words.

“You’re no different from dozens of women who have fallen for him already. I’ve seen him work.”

“I don’t need your protection.”

Cade knew he had more on his mind than protection. Try as hard as he would to deny it, he was jealous of Pilar’s possible interest in Owen. He knew what it was like to feel the pull of a physical attraction so strong it woke him out of an exhausted sleep, his body tense and hard. He would have sympathized if Owen felt that, but he was certain Pilar was only another potential conquest for him.

It was different with Cade.

In the short time since he’d been back at the ranch, he’d been struck by her quality of mind, her strength of character. She had been reared to live a pampered and useless life, but when circumstances turned against her, she didn’t blame others for what had happened. She had done what she had to do to survive with class and dignity.

She was a spirited woman who didn’t cling and was optimistic. She had put up with his grandfather’s belittling
her without getting bitter, and she had accepted the arrival of five men without complaining. She was not only a beautiful woman who aroused powerful desire and lust within him, she was a woman of character he liked being around.

“Maybe you don’t need it, but I feel responsible for you as long as you’re on our ranch. I didn’t protect my men as I should have. I don’t mean to fail you.”

He hadn’t meant for that to slip out. He hoped she wouldn’t want an explanation he couldn’t give her.

“I can take care of myself,” she said, her ruffled feathers a little smoothed. “You concentrate on your work. I only want to watch.”

He could feel some of his inner tension relax. “Only if you’ll let me feel protective.”

“Like a sister?”

He thought he could see humor in the back of her eyes. “I may not be a lady’s man like Owen, but I’m not immune to a beautiful woman.” He was pleased to see her blush. Even the slightest change of color was evident in her porcelainlike skin.

“A Wheeler shouldn’t think I’m beautiful.”

“Wheelers have many faults, but we’ve never been blind.”

“If I didn’t know you hated me, I’d say Owen needed to protect me from you.”

“I don’t hate you. I like you.” The words came out so quickly, he was sure she couldn’t doubt that he meant them. He felt relieved to have said them without pretense.

Pilar didn’t appear to know whether to pursue the subject or run to her grandmother. “But you’ve hated me for years.”

“I never hated you, but I don’t like being swept up like so much dirt with every other Wheeler who’s ever lived. I
don’t want to be judged by the aristocratic nonsense your grandmother has fed you all your life.”

She looked bewildered, as if his liking her altered the only way she could think of him.

“You have lots of reasons to dislike and resent my grandfather, but you have none to hate me. I’ve never done anything to you.”

But he was setting her up to help him hang her brother. She’d have reason then to hate him.

“What about the time you kidnapped me?”

“You remember that?” It had been a prank, a stupid stunt. He’d almost forgotten it.

“How could I forget it? You scared me half to death.”

“You didn’t sound frightened. You spent the entire time telling me in great detail what you hoped Laveau would do to me.”

Color once again tinged Pilar’s cheeks. She didn’t seem angry. She didn’t even seem upset. She seemed … was it possible she treasured that memory? His gaze narrowed, and she actually blushed.

Well, he was damned for a double fool. She
did
like remembering it. “Confess, it was exciting.”

“If you think frightening her is a suitable way to excite a woman.”

“I can think of much more suitable ways, but I don’t think you’d have let me demonstrate them back then.”

Color flamed in her cheeks. “I hope you don’t think I would now.”

“We’re grown up now. There are grown-up games to play.”

“It’s just like you to think of life as one big game where they are no rules.”

“That’s my grandfather,” Cade said, more convinced
than ever that Pilar’s attitude toward him had undergone a change. “I used to be thoughtless and irresponsible, but the war changed all that. Life is still a game I want to win, but I know there are rules. That’s something else I learned in the war. You can win and be ashamed of yourself. You can lose and stand proud. It all depends on how you play the game.”

How had he ended up preaching a sermon? No wonder he never got anywhere with women. “Sorry to get on my high horse. I’ll take the coffee and go.”

Her quarrelsome posture relaxed at once. “Since Owen’s gone, I’ll come with you.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes, Cade carrying the coffeepot, Pilar almost trotting to keep up with his long stride.

“How long will it take you to finish branding?”

“About a week.”

“What will you do then?”

“Round up some more cows. We’ve got thousands out there without brands. If I don’t get brands on them, anybody can claim them.”

“They can do the same with our cows, can’t they?”

“Yes. You ought to urge Laveau to come home as soon as possible.”

She didn’t look up from trying to keep her skirts from getting caught on the dozens of cactus and other thorny plants that crowded in on the narrow path. She pulled her skirt to one side, then looked up. “I’m worried about him. Do you think he’s all right?”

Cade hoped so. He wanted the pleasure of watching Laveau’s face as the tightening rope squeezed the breath out of his body. “I’m sure he is. Laveau has always had the
ability to come out on top no matter what kind of trouble he runs into.”

“That’s what Grandmother says.”

“Just tell him to come home soon. If he doesn’t, I’ll brand my brand on all his mavericks after I finish with mine.”

“Would you do that?”

“Would you rather somebody else steal your family’s cows.”

“I don’t want anybody to steal them.”

“Somebody will if Laveau doesn’t get back soon.”

“But I can’t tell him that if I can’t write him.”

Her distress was genuine. He was certain now she hadn’t received another letter. “Did he say where he was in Kentucky?”

“No. He said somebody else might see the letter.”

“Did he tell you why it was so important to keep his location a secret?”

“Just that people might be angry with him about the war. You know, because he changed sides.”