Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1) (12 page)

“
I think you’re right about
the Army, though.” Seth turned to Ty as he spoke. “As far as I can
tell, Major Chance’s men have followed their orders to a tee.
They’ve done nothing more than round up the Comanche and escort
them to the reservation.” Seth got to his feet and
stretched.

Nodding in agreement, Ty watched his
brother search the depths of the darkness. “The chore of keeping
them there has been more than they bargained for. Still, I don’t
think they’d have taken to murdering innocent women and children.
At any rate, the townspeople would’ve heard talk about any
suspicious activity.” Ty topped off his coffee.

“
That means what then?” Seth
looked back at his brother, his investigative instincts kicking
in.

“
Well, since Fort Worth is
over a hundred miles away, I think it’s safe to say it wasn’t
another company.” Ty shook his head in consideration and poked at
the nearby fire. “No, the Army being responsible for this doesn’t
feel right. Lone Eagle’s people were murdered as they slept. Some
were even scalped. That’s not the Army’s way.” He peered up
sideways at his brother with a grimace he couldn’t hide.

“
What about another tribe?
Maybe Apache?” Seth asked.

“
I guess it could be
possible.” Ty poured another cup of coffee as he considered. “What
Apaches do you know of who ride Army issued horses with U.S. issued
shoes?”

“
Stolen?” Seth pulled on his
boots.

“
Maybe,” Ty considered as he
stood back up. “But the slaughter of the horses doesn’t seem like
Apaches.”

“
What about the Texas
Rangers?” Seth’s jaw went rigid with the question he’d rather have
not considered.

Ty spit into the fire. A hiss rose into
the waning night air. “Damn the governor of our great state.” Ty’s
oath followed his sneer. “Whoever heard of releasing prisoners and
giving them a badge along with the power to dictate right from
wrong anyway? You know the directives as well as I do, especially
the one which went something like – ‘Inflict the most severe
punishment on those Indians who are considered hostile or suspected
hostile’.”

His quote punctuated with his search of
the sky above told Seth what Ty thought of the directive, seeking
help from the gods when no help existed below.

“
I know. It’s all the
townspeople can talk about. ‘Hostile’ could be explained away
simple enough with no witnesses.” Seth ground the stick he’d
produced to stoke the fire into the dirt with more effort than was
necessary. “Damn vigilantes.”

“
Yeah…no witnesses,” Ty
repeated as he stretched forward to pick up the pot of coffee.
Pouring himself another steaming cup, he considered the situation.
“They say the one in charge is called Brannon – ‘Backbone Brannon’.
The townspeople quote him as saying the reservations are
overcrowded. They say he likes killing. He feeds off it.” Ty’s
expression was grim. “Settlers don’t care much how he goes about
it. They just want the Indians gone.”

A hush fell over them both. Finally, Ty
spoke up again. “You know we’re on our own with this
one?”

“
That’s just the way I like
it.” Giving the coffee cup a hard fling, Seth watched the flames
hiss and spew as the dregs from his cup hit their mark.

***

Three weary shadows on horseback slowed
to a halt at the top of the western ridge overlooking the Loflins’
ranch. Shooter Creek spread before them in its natural
splendor.

As Seth leaned over the saddle horn, he
glanced in Celia’s direction. Inclining his head, he asked simply,
“What do you think? Has it changed much?”

Celia straightened in her saddle as she
rode up beside Seth. A breeze tugged at her hair. She pulled it to
the side of her neck and peered out toward the shallow valley
below. The ranch had always seemed like an endless beautiful place.
She felt a twinge in her chest as she looked at what Seth had once
told her was one of the biggest cattle operations in
Texas.

She recalled the first time she’d seen
Shooter Creek. The lush, green grass had been so thick it seemed to
swallow the cattle grazing in its pastures. The smell of warm
sunshine and sage had filled Celia with a sense of peace as she’d
watched in awe while a herd of horses galloped by. Cowhands, with
lariats raised high over their heads, moved the herd with ease.
Celia searched and found the tall oaks still lining a meandering
path which led to a marvelous structure Celia remembered as the
ranch house.

She recalled her first impression of
the ranch house, a sprawling whitewashed affair. The house boasted
long porches meant to catch the lazy breezes. The house,
constructed with comfort in mind, sat with open arms. Warm and
inviting, the structure’s demeanor said all would be welcome.
Adjacent to the house had been a large rustic barn and corral. Both
seemed to have stood the test of time. It was as beautiful today as
it had been when she first laid eyes on it. It was home, Seth’s
home.

“
It’s just like I remember,”
she breathed. “Nothing’s changed.”

Still leaning on his saddle horn, Seth
watched her. She watched his eyes narrow as he rose to sit tall in
the saddle. Slapping Sarge’s flank with his rein, Seth lead the way
down the steep embankment.

Had she been able to take back the
words, she would have. She hadn’t intended to bring the strange
expression to his face, but there it was nonetheless. The small
voice inside her head said to let it go. But she couldn’t forget
the look in his eyes as her words had registered.

They neared the corral and one of the
cowhands haled Ty.

Brought out of her musings when Ty
jerked his head in the cowhands’ direction and then looked back at
her, Celia followed his lead. “Now, Celia, when you get all settled
in, come on out to the corral and I’ll show you what I do around
here,” he invited.

Seth rolled his eyes and groaned which
garnered Celia’s attention. “Don’t get him started on those horses,
for God’s sake. It’s a well-known fact he would bunk with those
animals he trains if Maggie didn’t put her foot down.”

A wrinkle creased Celia’s brow.
“Maggie’s still here?”

“
She’s still here,” Ty said
with a grinning confirmation.

His soft chuckle had Celia yearning to
see the woman who’d been like a mother to her. Maggie McVey had
brought Celia into the Loflin home and fused over her like she was
her own. It was in her kitchen Celia had learned so much about the
white man’s ways and customs. It was under Maggie’s tutelage she’d
learned to speak English for the first time. So when the danger had
become too great for her to remain, she had Maggie to thank for at
least being able to communicate with those she came in contact with
on her journey to South Carolina.

Seth’s chuckle brought her back. “She’s
still keeping us in line too,” he added dryly. “It’s a hard job.
Harder for some than others.” Cocking a brow in Ty’s direction,
Seth sent Celia a conspirator’s wink.

“
Awe, big brother, you know
she just dotes on me.” Ty gave a wicked grin. “Now you know if the
truth be told, I think you’re jealous.” Ty cocked a brow and peered
curiously at his brother. Mimicking his brother’s expression for
Celia, he added, “I can’t help it if I’m her favorite.” Ty finished
his statement by sending her a mischievously brilliant grin coupled
with his own conspirator’s wink.

Seth snorted. “In your dreams maybe.”
He let the jab drop for the time being and searched ahead for the
lookout. It hadn’t escaped his attention Celia tried to hide her
amusement with their good natured banter by dropping her head. Her
dimples had appeared and Seth caught himself releasing a slow,
steady breath. To see her smile meant she’d turned a corner in
recovering.

Dust swirled and danced along the road
under the approaching horses’ hooves. The call went up from the
tower, “Riders’ comin’.”

Seth tipped his hat to the watchtower
as they passed the guards and headed for home.

***

Maggie was waiting on them. Her joy
carried the faint lithe of Ireland as her voice danced on the fine
April breeze.

Celia watched as the housekeeper
launched herself off the front porch and broke into a trot when
they neared the ranch yard. It didn’t take long for Celia to slide
from the horse and end up in Maggie’s ample embrace.

“
Oh, girl, it does this old
heart good to see you again. Just look at you, pretty as a picture.
Hold still so I can look at you.” Her face beamed with approval and
love. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

“
Maggie, oh, Maggie, that’s
not true, but you haven’t. I’m so glad to see you.” Celia’s tried
to control the tremble in her voice and hugged the older woman with
a great vigor. The warmth and devotion which was Maggie McVey
wrapped around Celia like sunshine on a summer day.

“
Well now, you’ll be telling
me exactly how Seth drug you away from your father and so soon
after you’d just returned.” She hastily wiped tears away as she
stepped back and garnered Seth’s hand, giving it a good pat. Tears
trickled down her plump cheeks as she beamed for them
both.

Celia eased back as well. The pain of
her ordeal came rushing back. She saw the woman’s expression shift
into concern.

Maggie’s eyes darted from her to Seth,
who laid a gentle arm around Maggie’s shoulder.

“
Broken Horse and I were
going to see my father, but…” She looked at Seth. With a silent
plea for help, Celia dropped her head.

“
Maggie…” Seth gathered the
older woman’s hands in his and carefully watched her face. With a
voice gone firm and somber, he explained, “Celia’s gonna stay with
us. Her people were attacked.”

The frown grew in the center of
Maggie’s forehead. Glancing from Seth to Celia and back, fear
reared in Maggie’s eyes. “Are they…?”

Seth nodded.

“
Oh, Celia…” The old
housekeeper’s expression of sorrow and concern was heartfelt as she
wrapped the younger woman in a warm embrace.

Celia knew her old friend saw all she
couldn’t hide, from the fatigue and dark smudges beneath her eyes.
Maggie saw it all.

Gathering Celia close, she hugged her,
murmuring softly as she held her. Finally, taking Celia’s face in
both her work worn hands, Maggie shifted into action with her next
words. “Well now, you’ll come with me.” Maggie’s voice took on an
authoritative tone. Celia could only smile. Recalling her first
time in the Loflin household, she understood the woman’s change of
subject. Time for morning was over. Life went on.

“
Celia, don’t you worry
about a thing. Ol’ Maggie will take care of her girl.”

Seth watched them go. He let the breath
he’d been holding escape.

“
You know she’s in good
hands, don’t cha?” Ty queried from his saddle as he tossed Seth
Sarge’s reins.

“
Yeah, I know. And, yes,
that’s a relief, little brother. I should be grateful.” He rubbed
at his chest absently. “Still, there’s something brewing and it
don’t feel right.” He sent Ty a frown as he mounted up. Leather
creaked and hooves kicked up dust as the brothers headed for the
barn and a talk with the men.

Considering Celia’s safety was
different from considering her well-being in the Loflin household.
With Maggie’s care, she would be fine. A sense of relief swept over
him as he thought about his mother. She’d died when he was ten and
it had been Maggie McVey who’d stood between him and the world
after that. Maggie had been the one, who’d protected him when his
father wanted to dish out his own form of discipline. Those
beatings would’ve been part of his daily life if it hadn’t been for
Maggie. She had a fair hand and a kind heart and Seth knew without
a doubt Celia would be safe. Seth headed for the barn and the
discussion he had planned with his men.

***

When it was just the two of them moving
down the hall of the great house, Maggie spoke reassuringly to
Celia. “We’ll get you settled with a bath and some food first
thing.”

Celia glanced around at the splendor of
the elegant hallway. The rich colored wood of the hall’s walls held
portrait after portrait of Loflins. Here was the white man’s
tribute to family and several generations of determination and
fortitude. Here was Seth’s foundation. Celia gazed at the faces on
the wall and wondered about her own foundation. Her world had been
altered forever. Did she have the strength to pick up the pieces
and start over?

“
There’s no need for you to
worry about a thing, child. First, we’ll get you a hot bath and
then something to eat. Then you’re going to sleep – nothing like it
for what ails you.” Patting Celia’s hand, Maggie continued to
chatter as she led her down the long hallway, which divided the
center of the house.

They passed several doors along the
way, which brought back memories and reminded Celia again of just
how big the house was. Each dark Spanish door led to an inviting
interior of lavishly appointed rooms. There was the library with
its walls of old books and comfortable sofas. In a corner of the
large room, a fire roared during the cold, winter months for a
person to linger and enjoy. She had dreamed of one day being able
to do more than scan the pages of the books on those shelves.
Perhaps now, she’d have a chance.