of putting down roots. No. He knew better than that. Sooner or later, Pa and Cyrus would show up.
But a few hours. A few days. What could it hurt? He wouldn’t do anything rash, like attempt to court Sybil, simply enjoy a moment of her company here and there. Shoot, he’d be content to watch her from a distance. Then he’d leave, with his heart full of memories to last him a lifetime.
Memories. Nothing but memories. The word screamed through his brain, tearing a wide, aching, oozing path.
“Isn’t like I have any reason to stay,” he muttered to Dawg, who replied with a yawn. “Don’t see anyone throwing out the welcome mat.”
Brand rubbed his aching leg. At least this pain would abate and he’d soon forget it. Unlike the emotional pain.
Dawg bolted to his feet, hackles up, growling.
“I hear it.” Hoofbeats thudded. Someone approaching the camp. Brand’s skin prickled as it always did when he knew someone watched him. His hand crept toward his gun belt and rested on the grip of his pistol. Had his identity been discovered? Did someone seek the five-hundred-dollar reward for the capture, dead or alive, of any of the Duggan gang?
Friend or foe. He’d give his last nickel to never again have to wonder which it was every time a stranger approached. At least he didn’t have to worry about whether or not he could trust a friend. He hadn’t allowed himself one in a very long time.
Eddie rode into sight and air eased from Brand’s lungs.
He pushed to his feet. His leg protested the change in position, but he straightened it and waited as the rancher swung from his horse.
He’d get his wages and be on his way. And if his insides twisted at the thought, he wouldn’t acknowledge it. Nope. He’d move on. Forget those he left.
This time would prove more challenging than simply waving goodbye to a bunch of cowboys who spoke no more words than necessary, and would forget him as quickly as he forgot them. This time he would turn his back on a pretty young lady who had momentarily—and not of her choosing—rested in his arms.
Eddie stood before him, a grin on his face. “Got some good news for you.”
Brand nodded. Only good news he could think of was the Duggan gang had disappeared into Mexico. As if it would really make a difference.
“I ran into Sam Stone today.”
“Uh-huh.” Whoever Sam Stone was.
“He runs the OK Ranch to the north of us.”
“Oh, yeah.” Still didn’t make any difference to Brand. “I finished breaking the horses. Some will need a bit more handling, but they’re all fit to ride. So I’ll be moving on.”
“Wait until you hear what I have to offer.”
He waited. As if he had any choice. Eddie seemed set to drag his news out as long as possible.
“Sam sold me a herd of wild horses. Said he didn’t have time or a man to deal with them.” The rancher rolled back on his heels, as pleased with his announcement as any man Brand had seen. “I want you to stay on and break them for me.”
Brand’s shoulders jerked up. His spine pressed against his skin. Stay? Wasn’t it exactly what he’d wanted? A few more days of watching Sybil. Of storing up memories. His muscles tensed at the risks it involved.
How long had it been since he’d last seen Pa and Cyrus? Longer than usual. Come to think of it, he hadn’t heard mention of the Duggan gang since he’d crossed the border into Canada.
A grin crept around his heart and eased toward his mouth. Could it be that the Duggan gang didn’t care to meet up with the Mounties? No doubt they’d heard the tales of how tenacious the mounted police were. How they always got their man. The grin grabbed his mouth and Brand allowed his lips to curl just a little. Maybe he could be free of them if he stayed in Canada. Even as he allowed the hope, he knew he couldn’t trust it. At least not for long.
“I could stay around a few more days, I guess.” His casual words disguised his eagerness.
“You’re welcome to bunk with the others and eat at the cookhouse. Cookie makes a fine meal.”
“I don’t doubt it.” He’d breathed in the rich aromas every day from the cookhouse’s open windows. “But Dawg here ain’t very friendly.”
Right on cue, Dawg snarled at Eddie.
“He sure isn’t. I wouldn’t tolerate him biting anyone at the ranch.”
“Never known him to bite. Mostly he threatens.” Brand must make sure Eddie didn’t encourage anyone to challenge Dawg. “Figure he’d only bite if he thought someone meant to harm me.”
The rancher nodded. “Good enough. I’ll expect you in the morning then. You want your wages for what you’ve already done?”
“I’ll pick them up when I’m finished.” No need to get them now. When he was done he’d go to town and buy some supplies and a warm winter coat. He’d plumb wore out his last one and given it to Dawg to use for a bed. Dawg had chewed it to pieces and they’d left the remnants behind a few months ago.
Eddie mounted up and rode away. And Brand allowed the waiting smile to claim his mouth. “Well, don’t that beat all?”
Dawg whined, studied him with head tilted to one side.
“It’s only for a short time. Then we’ll be gone.” A few more days wouldn’t compromise their safety or Sybil’s, but no point in explaining that to Dawg.
Brand settled back on the ground and smiled up at the sky. Ma’s words seeped into his soul. God had led him to a safe place. Though he understood it was only temporary.
His leg twitched and he rubbed it.
How long would this place be safe?
Not long enough.
Chapter Four
Sybil’s heart bucked and twisted like one of those wild horses. As if Brand meant to tame her heart, too. She shook her head. How silly. She lived a careful life that didn’t need any taming. Brand filled the qualifications of a larger-than-life cowboy for her story. That was all. But she failed to still the furious pounding of her heart at having just seen him ride a rank horse, stand up to the challenge of the cowboys, and walk away as if he felt no pain. She knew otherwise and it concerned her. Would his pride and isolation cause him to neglect an injury?
She crossed to Jayne’s house and knocked on the door.
“Did you see that?” she asked when Jayne called for her to enter.
“I’ve been busy making a shirt for Seth.” Her friend held up the brown fabric. “It’s proving a bit of a challenge.” She let the cloth fall to her lap, and turned her attention to Sybil. “What’s going on?”
“Brand rode a horse Eddie had forbidden any of them to ride.” She filled in the details.
Jayne’s eyes widened in horror. “Was he injured?”
“He was limping.”
“Don’t you think someone should check on him and make sure he’s okay?” She narrowed her eyes at Sybil.
“Me?” She wanted to know he was okay, but surely someone else could take care of that. Her boundaries already felt threatened. She pulled the gates to her heart closed so she would be safe.
“Seems to me you’re the one who should. Mercy says he likes you.”
Why would Jayne say such a thing? Had Mercy been dreaming up stuff again? Brand had certainly never given any indication that he even noticed her. Oh, he might have let his gaze linger a bit long on her while he’d considered riding that awful horse. Simply because she was the only one to offer any sympathy at the challenge