The Half-Breed's Woman by Cheryl Pierson

Author:Cheryl Pierson
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: native american, american indian, cherokee, indian territory, us deputy marshal, prairie rose publications, fire eyes, gabriels law, sweet danger
Publisher: Cheryl Pierson

Chapter 18

The cadre of mounted cavalrymen helped ease Jax’s worry, but only minimally. The back of his neck prickled as they rode. The Apaches were out there…somewhere. It would have been an easy thing for them to have gained the forward advantage during the night. Jax scanned the horizon constantly. The land was familiar to him. He appreciated its stark beauty as well as its unexpected dangers. He’d be a fool to dismiss the probability that his gut instincts were right about the Apache. In his mind, there was no doubt—they were out there, waiting.

By early afternoon, they stopped at the next stage station to switch their team and eat. Jim Landers, the station owner, unharnessed the team. His wife, Mary, did her best to come up with extra provisions for the grateful soldiers.

There was no chance for Jax and Callie to speak privately, but they ate together at one of the long trestle tables, surrounded by boisterous cavalrymen.

Callie didn’t have much appetite. She only picked at her food. Jax gave her a questioning look.

“I-I’m just not very hungry,” she murmured, surprised he’d noticed her lack of enthusiasm for the meal.

“It’ll be a long time until dinner, sweetheart.”

“I know,” she smiled self-consciously. “I’ll take a biscuit with me, just in case.”

“Are you sick, Cal?”

Callie shook her head. “No. Really, I’m fine, Jax.” But she could see that didn’t believe it.

“You want to ride along with me a while?”

She couldn’t hide her delight. “Really? Do you mean it?”

He laughed at her reaction. “Sure, sweetheart. I mean it.”

When they left, Mary Landers brought out a worn blanket and gave it to Callie. “Here, hon. You can throw this around you until this rascal buys you a proper coat. It’s too cold to be riding in this weather with no wrap. It ain’t fancy or pretty, but it’ll keep you warm.” The woman’s blue eyes were kind.

A sudden lump formed in Callie’s throat at the gesture. “Thank you, Mrs. Landers.”

“Call me Mary,” she said, patting Callie’s shoulder. “Jax and Bren are like family to us. Now, you are too.” She turned to Jax. “Speaking of Brendan, where is that brother of yours? We haven’t seen him since late spring.”

Jax shrugged. “It’s been five or six months since we’ve crossed paths, Mary. You know Brendan. Always volunteers for the toughest assignments, keeps to himself. I don’t worry about him anymore. It was making me old before my time.” He grinned. “If you see him, tell him to wire me in Amarillo. We’ll be there a few days.”

“All right, Jax, I will. You take care of yourself—and Mrs. McCall,” she added, nodding toward Callie.

“You ready, Marshal?” Trey asked.

Jax turned. “Don’t let us hold you up. Callie’s riding with me for a while. We’ll catch up.” Jax swung up into the saddle, pulling Callie up behind him. With one last wave, they galloped out behind the cavalry escort and the stage, soon overcoming them and riding to the forefront.

Callie’s arms tightened around Jax’s waist and she felt him tense.

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