Page 28 of At Love’s Command

“Thank you, but I can manage.” And she did, her feet coming to rest on the ground in a smooth, controlled motion even with the stirrups shortened to accommodate her smaller stature.

Matt grinned in appreciation. Not only because she knew her way around a horse, but because Preach’s hands weren’t locked on her waist right now. He trusted the corporal with his life, but that didn’t mean he wanted his friend’s hands on his woman.

His woman?

Matt’s abdomen clenched. Where had that thought come from? Hadn’t he just resolved to conclude their business and get her firmly out of his life as soon as possible?

Good grief, Hanger. Get your head on straight.

“Dr. Burkett, what a delightful surprise!” Wallace swooped in, good arm extended to take her hand. “Here, let me see you to the stream. I’m sure you’d like a moment to refresh yourself after such a long journey.”

“I am rather thirsty.” She didn’t take his offered hand, just glanced down at herself and swiped at the edge of her jacket. “And dusty. But I fear the situation that sent me riding after you is urgent. I’d prefer to explain my proposal first, then seek refreshment while you and the others debate its merits.” She darted a glance toward Matt. He caught and held her gaze, shoving down the pleasure that tried to rise when she sought him out above the others. “I’m sure you’ll want privacy for such a discussion.”

Preach crossed his arms and neatly inserted himself between Matt and Josephine. He scowled briefly at Matt before turning to face their guest. “I reckon your proposal has at least some merit, or the captain wouldn’t have brought you here, so go ahead and spill it.”

She stepped sideways to peer around Davenport’s sizeable shoulders, her brows raised in silent question. Matt nodded, taking charge of Jonah’s horse as the last Horseman joined the group. Josephine began her explanation, and Matt distanced himself slightly from the others, not wanting to influence the way they heard the tale. He listened for any new information that might arise in the second telling as he loosened the cinches on the three horses in his care, then led the animals to the stream. By the time he returned, she’d covered the basics and even produced the letter from her father’s housekeeper and handed it to Wallace, since he stood closest to her. The kid scanned the missive as she made her plea, then passed it to Jonah.

“I realize that the price a single horse can fetch, even a Gringolet horse, fails to meet the standard rate for hiring your services,” she said. “It’s not fair of me to take you away from whatever better-paying job awaits you in Burnet. Nor is it fair of me to ask you to risk your lives when I can’t pay your price, but I’m asking anyway. I have no choice. My brother’s welfare hangs in the balance.” Her lower lip quivered slightly, but she fisted her hands around the hem of her blue jacket and lifted her chin. “I’ll pay as much as you need. A little each month to cover whatever debt remains. I’ll sign a contract to that effect, if it will help. Whatever you want.”

It killed him to see the proud Josephine Burkett groveling, but his men needed to see her desperation. Her love for her brother. Money had never been the Horsemen’s primary motivation. Yes, it was how they made their living, and yes, a man who risked his life for trouble that wasn’t his own deserved to be compensated handsomely, but the jobs they took were about more than that. They were about protecting the innocent and righting wrongs. Fighting the battles ordinary people couldn’t fight for themselves.

After the horrors of Wounded Knee, they’d all sworn an oath to do everything in their power to preserve life and justice. That was their penance. Their calling. The money kept them in ammunition, fed their horses, and allowed them to put a little away for the day they’d be too old to play the mercenary game, but it wasn’t what drove them. Guilt and a craving for redemption drove them.

At least, that was what drove Matt.

“We don’t work on a contract basis, ma’am,” Jonah said, his words firm but polite. “We either agree to take on the job for the price you’re offerin’ up front, or we walk away.”

“I understand.” Her posture drooped a bit, then bounced back as a new light entered her eyes. “Free medical treatment.” She nodded toward Wallace, then eyed each man in turn, renewed energy zinging through her. “You men are in a dangerous line of work. If you agree to rescue my brother, I’ll agree to come to you, any of you, anywhere in Texas, whenever you need my services. Injury. Sickness. I’ll treat you for free. For life. Should you marry, I’ll even deliver your babies. You’ll have your own personal physician on call.”

Preach scratched his jaw. “Could come in handy.”

Josephine beamed, her hope-filled eyes meeting Matt’s with an impact that sent vibrations coursing over his skin. Man, but he wanted to make this woman happy. To give her the answer she wanted to hear. But it wasn’t up to him. It was up to the Horsemen. As a group. He killed the smile twitching at the corners of his mouth before it could break free, not wanting her to think her latest offer would sway the Horsemen in her favor. It might, but it might not. Better to temper her expectations.

Her smile dimmed a bit, but her chin remained high. “I’ll let you talk things over,” she said, casting a final glance his way before she retreated to where the horses drank from the stream. She patted her palomino’s hindquarters, then unstrapped a canteen from the back of the saddle before heading upstream, where a clump of scraggly brush provided a bit of privacy.

“Well, boss,” Jonah ventured once Josephine was out of earshot, “what do you think?”

Preach scoffed. “You know what he thinks. He’s got it so bad for the lady doc, he’s ready to ride to her rescue all on his lonesome.”

“Preach . . .” Wallace’s tone asked for a level of tact the big man rarely showed.

“What?” Preach shot a glower at Wallace. “You gonna tell me I’m wrong?”

Matt stuck his hand between them. “Whether or not I have a personal interest in the lady is not the issue under discussion.”

“Which means he definitely has a personal interest,” Preach stage-whispered to Wallace out of the side of his mouth. Wallace tried to fight off a grin but failed miserably.

“We’re discussing the job.”

“I’m not likin’ the location of the drop.” Jonah, thankfully, could be counted on to keep to the business at hand. Always serious, always focused. He’d pull no punches when it came to giving his honest opinion. “Uvalde’s a rough town. Outlaws and banditos crossin’ in and out of Mexico on a regular basis. Hard men who won’t take kindly to someone interferin’ with their business.”

“Uvalde?” Preach snatched Josephine’s letter out of Jonah’s hand. “Let me see that.”

Matt clenched his jaw. He hadn’t known where her brother was being held, since he hadn’t yet seen the letter. Uvalde had a reputation for lawlessness. The few decent folk who lived there gave the outlaws free rein in the interest of self-preservation. Made things a mite more complicated. He’d still go, but not alone. He’d have to hire men to ride with him if the Horsemen voted him down. The prospect didn’t sit well. New men wouldn’t know how he worked. Couldn’t anticipate his moves. And couldn’t be counted on to have his back if things went south.

I need the Horsemen, Lord. Matt looked at each of his men in turn. Each of his friends. Not sure I can do this without them.

“I don’t like it, Matt.” Preach handed him the letter. “Uvalde’s a solid two-day trip. That’s if we cut across to Austin and catch the train down through San Antone. We’d have to leave the train at least one stop early so we could keep our arrival a secret. That’d only leave a few hours Friday morning to scout and plan before the ransom is due at noon. That’s a pretty tight window.”