about the workings of women, and Travis McMurray said there are things in this world a man shouldn’t learn about and if he does, he’s the sorrier for it.
Once she was dressed, she washed out rags in the clean water, scrubbing all blood away, and then she placed the bits of cloth near the fire to dry.
Duncan closed his eyes and tried to think. Anna wasn’t a mindless child about to grow into womanhood. She was a full-grown woman pretending in order to survive and, thanks to being locked up in a room every night, she’d managed to keep her secret.
When the rags were dry, she folded them and slipped them into a tin box. She lifted a piece of paper from the lid of the box and looked at it a long time in the light, then put it back and hid the box beneath the pile of wood. She crossed to the bed and curled up beside him.
Duncan fell asleep wishing he could ask her questions, but he knew he’d frighten her if she thought he knew her secret.
CHAPTER 23
LEWT RODE TOWARD TOWN, FIGHTING BETWEEN worry over his friend and fury over Em thinking she had to come. He’d argued with her even while they’d saddled the horses, but she’d said over and over that she was in charge of the ranch while the men were gone and she’d been told by Teagen to do whatever she thought he would do if trouble came. Teagen would go after Duncan, and so would she.
Halfway to town, he pulled up beside her and tried again. “You can stay with us until we board the cattle train, and then I want you to go back to the ranch. We’ll be sleeping in a stock car with the horses. That’s no place for you, Em. Go back and take care of the ranch like you were hired to do and stop pretending to be someone you’re not.” He thought about adding that he was an expert at pretending. He’d been doing it all week.
“Once we get to Anderson Glen, I’m stopping to talk to Rose and Bethie while Sumner buys supplies.” Em’s voice was calm, too calm. “I’ll meet you at the station. I’m going after Duncan, even if I have to step over your body to board.”
“I thought we were friends,” he said, fighting down swear words by the dozens. “Now just because I’m thinking of you, you’re threatening to kill me.”
“We were friends, maybe we still are, but a few kisses does not give you any power over me. You’re not my father or my husband. Even if you were, I’m not sure I would listen to you on this. Duncan is in trouble and I’m as good with a gun as most and, if he’s hurt, I brought medicine.”
“Fair enough.” He gave in. “Go with us, but when we reach the border, stay on the Texas side in camp. We’ll go over, bring him back, and turn him over to you for care. How does that sound?”
She didn’t answer.
He guessed she saw no need to argue ahead of time, and he doubted she’d listen when they reached the Rio any better than she’d listened when they’d left the ranch. He decided she was the most stubborn woman alive. If she ever did get married, she’d drive her husband to drink within days.
She tried to pull ahead, but he stayed right beside her.
“Don’t do this, Em,” he said, more to himself than her. “Stay here where it’s safe.”
“End of discussion,” she snapped.
Anger boiled over in him. “You’re right, I’m not your husband. I’m through talking. It’s easy to see why no man would want to be married to you. It appears you’re more man than any husband could ever be.”
She shot off at full gallop, and he didn’t try to keep up again. As always, the minute his words were out, he was sorry. He didn’t understand. He’d spent years learning to get along with every type of person from governors to drunks, but he couldn’t seem to get along with her. She was headstrong and proud and toxic. He’d probably get himself killed trying to protect her, and she hated him more often than not.
Sumner caught up to him. He had two extra McMurray horses on a lead line. The man walked with a limp, but his old body seemed molded for a horse. He rode with the ease of one born in the saddle.