Even as he said the words, she knew they were untrue. She lifted her head from his chest and stared deeply into his eyes. He wore that charming smile she fell in love with, but behind it, she clearly saw his worry, like he didn’t believe the words he said either. She said nothing, though her heart ached, determined to keep the illusion alive…for a little while at least…and simply held him tighter.
CHAPTER 20
Jake removed the rope from around Midnight’s neck and gave the horse an affectionate pat on his rump. The horse wasted no time racing toward the opposite side of the training ring, as far away from Jake as he could get. Teddy had been correct. Midnight had heart, but he also had an abundance of stubbornness and a reluctance to learn. He fought…everything. All he wanted to do was run.
He took off his hat, wiped the sweat from his brow, placed it firmly back on his head, and headed toward the fence where Evie, Teddy, and Antonio watched his training progress…or lack thereof, exhaustion and lack of faith in the job he was trying to do dogging his steps. It didn’t help that he could think of nothing but King since Father O’Malley’s visit. The threat of him colored everything he did. And maybe that was Midnight’s issue. The horse obviously felt the tension within him. It was almost impossible not to.
“If he hates the rope this much, imagine how much he’ll hate the reins and the saddle,” he announced as he approached them.
“Some horses take longer to train, Jake. You’re doing fine.” Teddy offered. “He’ll be magnificent when his training is done.”
“If you say so.” He flexed his hand and wiggled the fingers on both hands, trying to get rid of the cramping, then climbed through the railings of the fence. “Cinnamon was much easier.”
“That’s because she liked you.” Evie said, as she laid her hand against his cheek. “Midnight hasn’t made up his mind yet.”
“Don’t let him see how frustrated you’re becoming,” Antonio said. “That’ll make?—”
The man’s comment was cut off by the sound of thundering hooves as a horse and rider raced into the barnyard. “Who is that? And why is he riding hell-bent for leather?”
“It’s Ben.” Teddy started away from the fence at a run, followed closely by Antonio.
“What’s Ben doing here?” Evie asked aloud, as the horse and rider drew closer, close enough to see the sweat on the horse’s flesh…and the terror on Ben’s face. “Something’s wrong. Something’s happened to Lucy.” Her face lost all color as they ran forward.
Ben sawed on the reins then jumped from the saddle before the horse even came to a halt. Antonio caught the reins, easing the mare to a stop. Breathless, sweating profusely, Ben had a cut on his lip and his eye was red and swelling, almost completely closed. “Eric King has Lucy!”
Jake knew this day would come—hell, the eventuality had been hanging over him for months, like a hangman’s noose hovering over his head—he just never expected King would stoop so low as to involve an innocent like Lucy.
“What happened?” Teddy demanded, his face reddening, anger making his voice tight.
Ben shook his head, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. “King and his men…just barged into the house…as I was leaving to see a patient who couldn’t make it to town.” He wiped the blood still trickling from his mouth, gasping so hard, he could hardlyspeak. “I wasn’t expecting them. I’m embarrassed to admit it only took one punch to bring me to my knees.”
Jake stiffened, guilt for the situation he’d put Lucy in—put them all in— overwhelming him. His heart hammered in his chest as his gaze shot to Evie. She hadn’t said a word, but she didn’t have to. Fear was there on her pale face. “Did they hurt her?”
“Slapped her once or twice. She fought them like a wildcat though.” His voice was tight. “I’ve never seen her so angry. She throws a mean left hook and got one of King’s men in the jaw. Scratched him, too. It didn’t stop him from overpowering her.”
“How do you know it was King?” Jake asked, though he had no doubt in his mind. Who else would hold Lucy hostage? The Silvas had no enemies. Only he did. And he brought this on them.
“Cocky son of a bitch introduced himself as proud as you please. Said he knew who we were, knew where you were, said he was going to win his money back no matter what it took.”
Evie finally spoke though her voice quivered. “And they just let you go?”
“I was to deliver a message.” Ben nodded, then directed his statement to Jake. “He said to meet him at the Silver Spur Saloon at noon and he’ll let Lucy go.”
He didn’t have a choice and he knew it. King had made sure of that. He held all the cards.
He reached for Evie’s hand, threading her fingers between his. “I’m sorry, Evie.”
She glanced at his hand then up at his face, her eyes as dark as storm clouds on the horizon. “You’re going to meet him.”
“I have to. He won’t let Lucy go if I don’t.”
Her gaze roamed his face as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “He’ll kill you.”
He gently wiped the wetness away with his thumb.
“King isn’t going to kill anyone,” Teddy stated. “We’ll make sure of it. It’ll be just like we planned at our family meeting, only with a few changes, the most important one is that we save Lucy first.” He turned toward Antonio. “Ride out to the summer pasture for Heath and Esteban. Tell them what happened and get back here as quickly as you can. We’re heading into town.”
Evie peeked inside through the kitchen window of Lucy’s house, her heart in her throat, hoping that King’s men hadn’t moved her to another location after they sent Ben to the ranch with King’s message. Conflicted and nervous, part of her wanted to save Lucy, the other wanted to be with Jake, though she was supposed to be comforted knowing Esteban would make sure no harm would come to him. Still, all that did was make her worry about the both of them. She had lost too many people she loved to men like King and his thugs. It didn’t ease her terror.
