Robin (23 page)

TWENTY-FOUR

              A bell clanged across the grounds of the Morgan ranch to signify the start of the day’s events. From his perch on the wagon seat, William guided the horses through the swarm of people scrambling toward the big house.

              “Can’t you make them go faster?” Robin leaned forward on the seat beside him. “I want away from here.”

              His mind whirled. What had upset this girl so? “I don’t want to draw attention to our leaving. As soon as we’re over the hill and out of sight I’ll get you home as fast as I can.”

              As they neared the top, a lone man on horseback slipped over the crest and a dog ran in front of the rider, yelping.

              From the seat between William and Robin, Jacob cocked his head. “Tripper! It’s Tripper.” The boy scrambled over Robin and hung one leg off the side of the wagon. “This time I’m gonna catch him.”

              William lunged for him, but missed. The boy jumped from the wagon and rolled as he hit the ground. Robin screamed and William jerked the reins. But Jacob leapt to his feet and raced after the dog.

              “Jacob, get back here.” Robin gasped and yanked on William’s shirtsleeve as the tall grasses and rolling terrain swallowed the boy.

              “William, do something! That man is just sitting there. What if he’s after Jacob?” She stood at the same time William snapped the reins. The sudden lurch sent her backward over the side of the wagon. He clutched for her, but came up empty.

              Robin hit the ground and lay motionless, and his heart plunged. He vaulted from the wagon before it quit rolling and bolted to where Robin lay. He flinched at the sight of blood pooling beneath her head. He couldn’t leave her, but could he dare trust this stranger with Jacob? It seemed his only choice.

              Robin moaned, and he stood and cupped his hands around his mouth. “She needs help, Mister! Please.”

              As though he’d only been waiting for permission, the man spurred his horse and galloped past them toward the throng of neighbors.

###

Ty tugged the bell’s rope once more, and his heart wrenched at the same time. One year ago, amidst the pain of Anna leaving, he’d made her a promise. Today, amidst the confusion of her return, he would honor that vow.

              “You seem deep in thought.” Anna slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “I hope it concerns me.” A small crease flitted across her brow. “Why do I get the feeling you would rather be anywhere but here today? Are you having second thoughts?”

              He folded her hands in his and gazed into her eyes. If he looked deep enough, maybe he would catch a glimpse of the Anna he thought he knew so well. “Ar
e
yo
u
? Are you sure this is what you want, Anna? No running away this time.”

              She met his gaze. “You do love me, don’t you? The proposal, the ring, the promise—I didn’t imagine all that, did I?”

              He sighed. “I love the Anna I knew all my life. The little girl who cried when she found a broken robin’s egg on the ground. The young lady who insisted we couldn’t have a party without inviting everyone we knew because she didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. The woman who stood beside my mother’s bed, bathing her face with a cool cloth and singing hymns. That’s the Anna I love. I don’t know the Anna I’m looking at now.”

              “Help! Anyone!”

              Ty turned on his heel to see a lone rider pummeling through the crowd.

              “There’s been an accident,” the stranger yelled.

              Ty turned and rushed to meet him. The man reined to a halt and leaned from his saddle. “Mr. Morgan, you best get a doctor. A young woman is hurt badly. You’ve no time to waste.” With that, the stranger turned his horse, and the crowd parted like the Red Sea as he galloped away.

Ty scanned the area and shouted for his hands. “Sam. Rusty.” Where were they? He’d told them to watch for any stranger that might make an appearance. Who was this man, and how did the man know him by name? He sprinted to the barn for his horse.

              John raced toward him, his face ashen. “I think it might be Robin. She and William left with Jacob a few minutes ago. I can’t see well enough from here, but I’m thinkin’ it’s my wagon sittin’ out there.”

              “Robin left? Why?” Ty mounted Tag. “Find Doc Mercer. I know he’s here somewhere.”

              When Ty got closer, he recognized John’s wagon, and made out the form of a man kneeling a short distance from it. His heart constricted. William Benson, stripped to the waist, cradled Robin in his arms. Blood soaked the shirt wrapped around her head.

              He spurred Tag harder.

              Benson’s stricken face met him as he dismounted. “She’s hurt bad, Morgan. Real bad.”

              Ty swallowed past a dry throat. Dark circles under Robin’s eyes gave color to her otherwise lifeless face. He dismounted and knelt beside William. “We’ve got to get her back to the house. But the wagon’s too rough. Can you lift her up to me on my horse?”

              William shook his head. “I’ll carry her.”

              “It’s a long ways, man. It would take too long.”

              “She can’t be jostled. She’s bleeding something awful. Can’t you see?” William wiped his eyes with the back of his wrist.

              See? Or course he could see. Ty stood and jammed his hands into his pockets to keep from pushing Benson aside and pulling the stricken Robin to himself. He rubbed the back of his neck. What was he thinking? What kind of man was he? A few short minutes ago he was standing beside Anna, waiting for their engagement to be announced. Now his empty arms ached to hold another woman, and he was willing to fight for the chance. Only the arrival of Emma with Doc and John crammed into her buggy kept him from making a fool of himself.

              John’s feet hit the ground before the buggy stopped, and he was at Robin’s side in three long strides. He cupped his hand around Ty’s shoulder. “Is she still with us?”

              “Barely, I think.” He turned to Abe Mercer. “Can’t you do something to make her stop bleeding? I can’t bear to think of her dying here on this dirty piece of ground.”

              Doc nodded. “Give me time, son—I’m doing what I can.” He cradled Robin’s head in his hands while Emma unwound Benson’s makeshift bandage. “It’s not unusual for a head wound to bleed like this. What concerns me most is what might be happening on the inside, where we can’t see.”

He inspected the wound, then stood and wiped his hands on his handkerchief. “One of you young fellas needs to hold her so we can keep her head from bumping around while we get her back to the house. John, you’re gonna have to hoof it back on your own, if you don’t mind. Emma you best ride along with us. I’ll be needin’ your help to get her settled.”

              “I’ll hold her.” Ty stepped toward the buggy. “But you’ll have to lift her up to me, Benson.”

              William shook his head. “No, Morgan. She’s with me.” He rose with Robin in his arms.

              John turned on the two men with a vengeance. “Look, you fellas better be prayin’ you get another chance to argue over which one of ya gets to do what with this little lady. But now ain’t that time."

“I’ll ride ahead then, and have a room ready by the time you get there.” Ty reached to touch Robin’s face then quickly drew back. The sight of her lying against Benson’s bare chest sickened him. “You’ll need a shirt. I’ll see what I can do.”

TWENTY-FIVE

            
 
“You have guests, Morgan. I’ll let you know if anything changes with Robin.” William finished tucking the shirt Ty had loaned him into his britches and brushed past him.

              “The guests can wait. Robin is more important at this point.” Ty stopped outside Robin’s door and braced his shoulder on the wall to face Benson.

              The last time he’d stood outside the closed door to this room, his pa had lain in the big mahogany bed. It was the only time he could remember being denied access to his parents’ room, and the first time he experienced how deep the pain of love could be.

              “Where were you taking her in such a hurry?”

              The muscle in Benson’s jaw tightened. “She asked to be taken home.”

              “Did she say why? Was she ill?”

              William shrugged. “I’ve told you what I know. I saw her and Emma stroll to the back of the house. She returned a short time later, quite upset, and demanded I take her home.”

              Ty arched one eyebrow. “Demanded, Benson? I’ve never known Robin Wenghold to demand anything.”

              William gave a wry smile. “And you’ve not known Robin as long as I have.”

The familiar scent of lilacs announced Anna’s presence, and Ty moved from the wall.

“Well, you boys look like you’re going to race to see which one can get through the door first when it opens.” Anna placed her hand on Ty’s arm. “Do you suppose you could tear yourself away long enough for Mother to finish the announcement this little accident interrupted?” She smiled at William. “I do believe Mr. Morgan will take nearly any opportunity to stall our engagement, Mr. Benson. Do you suppose you’ll have such groom-to-be jitters?”

              The muscle in William’s jaw twitched. “I would hardly call it a little accident, Miss Blair.”

              She turned her gaze to Ty. “How serious are her injuries? I’m not as uncaring as you seem to think. I was only suggesting that while people are still gathered we might at least make our announcement. You aren’t helping anyone by standing here in the hallway.”

              Ty closed his eyes. “Not now, Anna. There will be no announcement tonight. Your mother and I already discussed it.”

              Anna slammed her hands on her hips “You went to Mother instead of consulting me? Why, might I ask?”

              Ty took Anna’s arm and gave her no choice but to follow him back to the stairway. “Robin Wenghold is lying in that room near death. Your mother understands the gravity of her injury and knows how very rude it would appear for us to continue the celebration as though nothing happened. Anna, please. Think of her.”

              “I’m thinking o
f
us
,
Ty Morgan. And I’m frightened. You have no intention of going through with this marriage, do you?” Her voice shook, but her eyes remained dry.

              He ran a hand through his hair. “This has nothing to do with my commitment to you, nor is it the time to discuss it. A guest at my ranch was injured. That’s my concern.”

              Anna brushed her fingertips down the side of his face. “I think your concern runs much deeper than you care to admit. We’ll discuss it later. For now, what can I do to help?”

              Before her gaze hardened, Ty caught a glimpse of the Anna he once knew. “Perhaps you can help your mother dismiss these people with as much grace as possible.”

              “Boss?” Rusty called from the bottom of the steps. “Sorry to interrupt, but I think maybe you and that Mr. Benson might want to hear what I’ve got to say. We were able to catch up with young Jacob. He’s down in your study—him and that dog.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t convince him to come without the hound. But he thinks he’s in trouble. I ain’t told him nothin’ about Miss Robin. Figgered that was your job.”

              Ty gripped the stair rail. Jacob. Why hadn’t he noticed Jacob wasn’t with Robin or William? How distraught Robin would be if something happened to the tyke. He moved Anna to one side and peered down the hallway. “Benson? I think you need to come with me.”

              William paused at Robin’s door then joined Ty as they descended the stairs. “Did something happen?”

              “I’m not sure. Rusty seemed to think we needed some privacy.” They reached the bottom and Ty motioned for them to follow him. “We can talk in my office. Rusty, did you say anything to John?”

              “Yeah. He’s gonna check with Mrs. Ledbetter first to see if there’s anything she needs before he comes.”

              “Good. Emma will know what’s needed.”

              Ty stepped into his study and found Jacob crouched by the wall, clinging to the dog. The boy’s eyes were wide, and with one hand he twisted the hair on the dog’s neck around his fingers.

              Ty knelt beside Jacob. “So, this is Tripper? You finally caught him, didn’t you?”

              Jacob sniffed. “Is you mad with me?”

              Ty patted Jacob’s head. “No, little man. I’m not mad at you. Tripper looks like a mighty fine dog.”

              Jacob nodded. “I told you he wouldn’t never hurt me. Where’s Robin? I want Robin to see Tripper.”

              Images of Jacob’s dead mother and the small storm-tossed child of a few short weeks ago swirled through Ty’s mind. How could he tell this child that the woman he’d so quickly claimed at his new mama was injured? Would it bring bad memories? Would he equate being injured with never coming back? And what if Robin died? With no evidence that Jacob had a pa, and nothing legal to bind him to anyone else, what would happen to this little man?

              William sat on the floor and folded his legs to make a place for the boy, then picked him up and settled him on his lap. “Jacob, I think we should keep Tripper as a surprise for Robin when she wakes up.”

              Jacob squirmed to look up at Benson. “Why’s she sleeping in the daytime? She don’t never sleep if it’s daytime.”

              William took a deep breath. “Do you remember a little while ago when we were going back to the Feather, and you saw your dog?”

              Jacob nodded.

              “You were pretty excited, weren’t you?”

              “Yeah, I wanted to catch him, and I did.” He rubbed his face in the dog’s hairy neck. “See, he likes me.”

              “He sure does. And you know what? Robin likes you, too. She was so excited you might catch your friend here that she stood up to watch you. But then she fell out of the wagon and bumped her head. It made her real sleepy, so for a while we need to be very quiet and let her sleep.”

              “All night? Then she won’t get to see Tripper ‘til morning. That’s a long time. Will she get waked up in the morning?”

              William lifted his eyes to Ty.

              Ty swallowed, but words wouldn’t come.

              William sighed then ruffled the boy’s hair. “Well, it might even be longer than all night, Jacob. Sometimes when a person gets a bad bump on the head it makes them sleep for a long time. So we’ll have to see. Do you think you can remember to be real quiet when you’re in the house?”

              “What if she don’t wake up? My mama went to sleep after the big storm, and she didn’t ever wake up. I hollered and hollered at her, but she kept on sleeping and sleeping. Will Ty have to dig a hole for Robin like he did for Ma?”

              He scrambled from William’s lap and threw himself at Ty’s leg. “I don’t want you to dig a hole, Ty. Cuz then I’ll have to say good-bye to Robin, too. Please don’t dig a hole.” Sobs shook his small body. “Promise ya won’t dig a hole.”

              Ty’s chest tightened until he could hardly breathe. He gathered Jacob in his arms and rocked him. How he longed to say what the boy wanted to hear. But words were cheap—the price of a promise too high.

              The door opened and John entered the room, his gaze resting on each of them. Deep furrows lined his brow above sorrow-filled eyes. He ran his tongue over his lips. “Men, I think we best be talkin’ to somebody what knows a whole lot more than we do right now.”

              He bowed his head, and the rest of them followed suit. “Father in heaven . . .” John’s voice trembled. “I don’t reckon You can hardly miss a whole roomful of bawlin’ men like we are. But sure as the sun rises ever’ mornin’, we need Your help right now. There’s a little gal soft and sweet as her name a layin’ real hurt upstairs. I don’t know about the rest of these cowboys, but I can tell Ya for sure I love her more’n I ever thought I could love somebody other than my own ma. You knowed what You was doin’ for sure when You packed all that feistiness into such a small package. You done could see ahead how much she was a gonna need it as she went through life. Well, now, we’re a beggin’ You to put all that fight into one big punch and bring her through this bump on the head just like she was before it happened. We’ll surely be beholdin’ to Ya for hearin’ our puny prayers. And we be askin’ Ya this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.”

              Amens echoed through the room.

              John blew his nose then stuffed his handkerchief into his pocket. “Okay, Rusty—you wanna tell us why you called this meetin’? I’d surely like to know how it is that stranger got so close to the house without bein’ seen.” He leaned on Ty’s desk.

              Rusty widened his stance and squared his shoulders.

              Ty held his breath. His foreman was a gentle giant, but he didn’t cotton to anyone insinuating he wasn’t doing his job. John may have met his match.

              “We saw him—me and Sam. We watched him for a long time, but he wasn’t doin’ nothin’ but sittin’ there lookin’. We figured as long as he didn’t make a move to come closer, we wouldn’t bother him none.”

              “Well, he sure ‘nuff got close without any interference.”

              “And it was a good thing he did.” Ty interrupted. “His quick action got help to Robin sooner than either Sam or Rusty could have.”

              “That’s right, Mr. Morgan.” Rusty relaxed his stance. “We saw the boy run for the dog, but then everything happened so fast. We was still tryin’ to keep track of Jacob; then Benson was on the ground, and the next thing we knew the stranger came thunderin’ in.”

              “Good thing he didn’t have a gun.”

              “Let him finish, John.” Ty nodded. “Go on Rusty.”

              Rusty shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well, sir, after we caught up with the boy and his dog, Sam took off after the stranger. I waited to see if he’d come back, but he’s been gone a long time. I’m wonderin’ if I should try to find him, but I didn’t know what to do with Jacob.”

              “You think Sam might be in trouble? Or is there more?”

              “I’ve known Sam Mason since we was pups, and I never knowed him to be so upset as when we caught up with the boy and this here dog. His face turned white, and he looked me in the eyes—you know how he does—and he said, ‘Rusty, you take the boy and the dog back. I’ve got me some man-fetchin’ to do.’ Then he spurred his horse without nary a glance back. He can take care of himself, that’s for sure. I’d just feel better if I could go lookin’ for him.”

              Ty’s chest constricted. What if Sam caught up with the man and did something foolish? They might never find out who he was or what he was doing hanging around their ranches. “You want me to send one of the other men with you?”

              “No sir. I don’t think that’ll be necessary unless you don’t hear from us for a couple of days. Hard tellin’ how far he might have to chase him. But if I know Sam, he won’t quit as long as he can keep him in sight.” Rusty patted Jacob on the head. “Take care of that pooch, boy.”

              The minute Rusty left the room, John slammed his hand against the closed door. “I don’t like it, Ty. Not one bit. Sam knows somethin’ he ain’t been lettin’ us in on. No sir, I think he’s up to no good.”

              Ty shook his head. “I don’t like it either, but I don’t think Sam would do anything to cause harm. My bet is he caught the guy and is trying to decide what to do with him.”

              “Don’t know that it’s up to him to figger out. Bring him back here. If he’s the boy’s pa, then we’ll decide what to do with him.” John walked to the window and pulled the curtain aside.

              “Tripper’s ears get all pointy when you talk loud.” Jacob pulled the dog closer to his side. “Look, Mr. Benson. Are my ears all pointy?”

              William laughed. “No, Jacob. Your ears are fine.”

              Ty shot a withering glance at John. “Your ears are fine, but Mr. Wenghold has a big mouth.”

              Jacob traced his own mouth with his fingers. “Will my mouth get big when I get old and talk loud?”

              “Oh, for . . .” John’s face matched the red bandana he swiped across his mouth.

T
y
met William’s gaze and they exchanged smiles.