Ranger's Trail by Darlene Franklin

Author:Darlene Franklin [FRANKLIN, DARLENE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8024-7907-5
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 2012-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

Andy was waiting by the corral when they walked out of the barn. “What’s that?” He pointed at Buck.

Buck hadn’t had an opportunity to put the noose away yet. “Nothing to concern you.”

Andy frowned, hardening the face of a youth into an angry man. “I’m not stupid. Leta’s been more crackly than leaves in fall all morning. And I thought I heard something last night.” His hand lashed out, and he grabbed the noose. “Where was this?”

Leta came between them before Buck could raise voice or fist. “I don’t want you involved.”

“Somebody’s threatening you, and I’m not involved?” Andy’s voice rose.

“Quiet down before you scare the folks inside.” Buck told him about the decision he had made for the Rangers to keep watch over the ranch. “We’re going after the men who killed your brother-in-law. We won’t stop watching out for you until they’re where they can’t do any more harm.”

“Let me come with you.” Andy stuck out his chin, every inch of his backbone stiff with determination.

Buck didn’t have to look at Leta to know her reaction. He fought for words that wouldn’t offend the young man’s pride. During the War Between the States, he made the same arguments to his parents. He understood better than most the need of a boy to prove himself a man, but for the first time he caught a glimpse of his parents’ agony over his constant pleas. Andy had a lifetime to prove his courage. Not at the killing ground that was Mason County.

The silence lengthened, and Buck realized he had waited too long to answer.

“If you don’t want my help, I’ll go find someone who does.” Andy turned on his heels and climbed on his horse.

“Andy, wait.” Leta darted forward. But he spurred the horse to a gallop, and the horse’s hooves hit the ground like bricks.

“What have I done?” Worry colored Leta’s brown eyes.

“Give him time. He’ll come home soon.” Buck spoke with a confidence he didn’t feel. “Now let’s go see if Stella is ready to go.” He stopped by Blaze and dropped the noose into his saddlebag. The thing deserved a hot fire, but he didn’t dare get rid of the evidence.

Leta opened the door to the cabin, and laughter drifted out, a world away from their worry about the noose. Buck paused, shaking off the sour mood from Leta’s revelations.

Steve was talking, his arms sweeping in wide gestures. “—and that’s how we caught the bank robbers.”

Ricky clapped, and Stella smiled.

“Don’t believe a word he says.” Buck crossed the cabin. “It’s nothing more than a tall tale for a campfire on a cold night.”

Of Stella’s trunk, Buck saw no sign. He’d bet she hadn’t done a thing to get ready. “Stella.”

She looked at him, the same defiance in her face as he had seen only minutes ago on Andy. “I told you, I want to stay—unless Leta says no.”

Buck touched Leta’s shoulder to lend her support. “I’m sorry, Stella,” Leta said. “You need to be with your family. You’ll be safer there.

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