Page 29 of At Love’s Command

“Won’t know how many men we’re up against until we’re there either,” Jonah added. He thumbed his hat up higher on his head. “Plenty of men with stunted morality to recruit hanging around the saloons and brothels down there. Some might even jump into the fight just for the sport of it.”

“The deck certainly isn’t stacked in our favor on this one,” Matt acknowledged, “but I’m still gonna vote yes. Josephine Burkett’s a good woman who needs help. I want to help her.”

“She did save the kid’s life,” Preach conceded. “And I ain’t gonna lie, I like the idea of having my own private doc on call if I end up on the wrong side of a bullet.”

Matt’s hope spiked. If Preach voted in favor of the job, that would give them three votes. Which would be enough.

“What about the widow in Burnet?” The question thudded to the ground at the men’s feet. From Wallace of all people. The one Horseman Matt had expected to be on Josephine’s side. “She might be in real danger if our theory about her foreman is correct. Don’t get me wrong, I owe Dr. Burkett my life, and if she was the one in danger, I would be the first to suggest we drop everything to help her. But she’s not. Her brother is. A man who, by the lady’s own admission, is in a predicament of his own making. Outrageous wagers. Irresponsible, nearly criminal behavior.” Wallace met Matt’s gaze. “We made a pact to protect the innocent, not fools who snare themselves in their own webs.”

Preach folded his arms. “Kid’s got a point.”

Matt clenched his jaw, unable to deny it. But he couldn’t let it lie either. “Look. I’ll respect whatever the group decides. You know that. If you agree that it’s better for the Horsemen to head to Burnet to help the widow, I won’t stop you. But I won’t join you either.” Disturbed murmurs and raised eyebrows had Matt bringing his hand up in reassurance. “I’d join you as soon as I could, but you wouldn’t need me for the reconnaissance portion. Preach can hire on like we talked about, learn all he can about the widow and her foreman, and by the time I get there, you’ll have gathered enough information for us to make a decision about taking the job. In the meantime, I’ll hire a few extra guns and make the trip down to Uvalde.

“I know you think I’m soft in the head over this woman, and you might be right, but my conscience won’t let me turn her down. My gut tells me she’s stubborn enough to go down there herself and try to bargain with the crew holding her brother hostage. Probably try to trade her horse for her brother or something equally wrong-headed. They’d be more likely to take what Charlie owes out of his sister’s hide than wait for a horse the old man might or might not hand over.” The more Matt thought about all the things that could happen to Josephine if she tried to save her brother on her own, the harder his blood pumped. “I can’t take that chance.”

Silence fell over the group for a long moment. Matt said no more. He’d made his plea. It was up to the others to decide what they felt called to do.

It’s in your hands now, Matt prayed. I trust you to know what’s best. But he couldn’t help hoping that God’s idea of what was best matched up with his own.

Jonah was the first to break the silence. “The Horsemen stand together.” He looked Matt square in the eye. “If your gut is tellin’ you to help the lady doc, that’s good enough for me.” He turned his gaze to the others. “I ride with the captain.”

Preach unfolded his arms. “Can’t say I care much about this Charlie fella, but I’d sure hate for something bad to happen to Dr. Jo. Count me in.”

Matt turned to Wallace. The kid had saved his life by taking that bullet. The last thing he wanted was for a woman to come between them.

Wallace sighed. “I suppose the widow in Burnet can wait a few days.”

Matt nodded solemnly, even though he wanted to grin like a maniac. “Thanks. I promise we’ll head up there the minute this job with Josie is finished.”

In his relief, the nickname slipped out before he could catch himself. Wallace’s gaze sharpened knowingly, and Matt had to fight the urge to justify himself.

“I get that you care for Miss Josephine, Matt, and I respect that,” the kid said. “But I can’t shake the feeling that something is off about this job.”

Matt laid a hand on Wallace’s good shoulder, a tickle of foreboding itching against his nape. “Then I’m glad you’ll be there to watch my back.”

CHAPTER

TWELVE

Josephine ran her dampened handkerchief over the back of her neck for what must have been the tenth time. The cool cloth felt good against her heated skin after the long ride, but the action had nothing to do with cleaning away perspiration. Her mind simply couldn’t handle a more complicated task. Not when all of her energy was focused on the men standing less than fifteen yards away, their discussion varying enough in volume that she managed to catch a word every once in a while. A happenstance that only added to her mental strain as dozens of conversational scenarios zipped through her head, torturing her with phantom wisps of what they might be saying.

So when footsteps finally crunched the dirt and leaves along the creek bed, Josephine stuffed her handkerchief in her jacket pocket and nearly pounced on the man who’d come to fetch her.

“What did they say?” She searched Matthew’s face for the answer she sought. He smiled slightly, and her heart pounded.

“Preach really likes the idea of having a personal physician at his beck and call. You might end up regretting that offer.”

“Not if I have my brother returned to me alive and well.” Her stomach danced in giddy little circles as she peered into Matthew’s hazel eyes, seeking the confirmation she so desperately needed. “Does that mean the Horsemen are taking the job?”

“Yep.”

“Oh, Matthew.” Joy and relief swept over her in such a wave that it picked her straight off her feet and splashed her into his arms. She hugged his neck. “Thank you!”

There was not a doubt in her mind that he was the reason they’d agreed to help her. If he hadn’t given her his support, they never would have taken the job. Not for the pitiful fee she offered and the trouble they would incur.

It wasn’t until she felt the warm pressure of his hand against the small of her back that she realized she’d thrown herself at him.

“Sorry. I . . .” She ducked her head and stepped back. “I got a little carried away.”