Page 30 of In Honor’s Defense

All right. Yes. She knew precisely what Josephine meant, but any fondness she felt for Luke was immaterial. He would only be here long enough to recover from his injuries. Then he’d be out of her life. She wouldn’t be so foolish as to expect anything else.

“Of course,” Josephine continued, “I wasn’t the only one who vetoed the option of Preach convalescing at the Grimes ranch.”

Damaris lifted her face.

“Preach refused the offer before I could raise any concerns.” The twinkle in Josephine’s eyes brightened. “And I’m pretty sure it’s not just your nursing skills that have him wanting to remain here.”

“Thanks for buildin’ this bunk for me, Cap.” Luke sat on the edge of the wooden box Matt had nailed together in the front stall of the Baxter barn. It was taller than most bunkhouse beds, so Luke could lower his oversized frame onto the straw tick Damaris had sewn for him with minimum bending.

“Make sure you can lie down and get up again on your own,” Matt said, fussin’ over him like an old woman. “I don’t want to strand you out here with only a boy and a woman to lug your heavy carcass around if you get stuck. You’d prob’ly flatten them.”

Luke obediently went through the motions of lying back and rolling his legs onto the mattress until he was sufficiently horizontal, doing his best to hold back the grimace and groans that begged for release. “They’re stronger than they look,” he said as he lay flat, catching his breath before attempting to rise. Who knew lying down would take so much out of him? “They managed to haul my carcass off the ground, into a wagon, and then into a bed that first night. If I fall on my face, they’ll find a way to straighten me out.”

Not that he planned to give them a chance to prove their mettle. A man stood on his own two feet. His feet might be a bit wobbly these days, and his step might be slow and lopsided, but he’d manage.

Gathering himself, Luke rolled onto his left side and braced his right arm against the wooden frame. Sweat beaded his brow as he slowly levered himself into a sitting position. Gritting his teeth, he pivoted until his legs dangled over the side. He made sure to place all his weight on his left hip so his right thigh wouldn’t press against the wood. Dr. Jo would tan his hide if he popped any of her stitches. Not to mention the fact that any time he bumped the back of his right leg against something, it hurt like the dickens.

He felt absurdly proud of himself when his feet hit the barn floor and his legs once again supported his weight.

Matt looked less than impressed. Probably because Luke’s muscles were quivering like a newborn foal and he couldn’t hide the raggedness of his breathing. But he’d passed the test. Proven his mobility. Even if he did feel like he’d have to sleep the entire afternoon to recover from the effort. The captain didn’t need to know that, though. Matt would never leave one of his men behind if he wasn’t convinced that man could take care of himself.

But Matt also had a wife to consider, a woman he loved more than any other human on the planet. And a baby that could arrive at any moment. Matt had been watching Josephine like a hawk, frowning every time her face registered a twinge. He needed to get her home to Gringolet. Today. Luke intended to make sure that happened.

“I’ll be fine, Cap. The Baxters are good folks. They’ll take care of me until I’m back in fightin’ shape again.”

“Speaking of fightin’ shape . . .” Matt’s expression morphed from that of an overprotective big brother to a hardened professional in a blink. “I had a lengthy conversation with Oliver Grimes this morning. He wasn’t too pleased with you leaving his employ, but he understood that you’re in no shape to continue your investigation and wouldn’t be for some time.”

“Did he try to recruit another Horseman for the job?” Luke wrapped an arm around his aching side and leaned his rear against the edge of the bunk to take the weight off his leg.

“Yep.” Matt stroked his handlebar mustache. “I told him none were currently available. I did give him your descriptions of the rustlers, though, so he can pass those along to the local law. It placated him somewhat.”

Luke hadn’t expected Grimes to be happy about losing the Horsemen’s help, but he also didn’t want the rancher pestering Damaris and accusing Nate of being part of the gang. It rubbed against the grain, asking Matt to play messenger, but Luke couldn’t intimidate a flea in his current state. “You make it clear the kid wasn’t involved?”

Matt nodded. “I did. Grimes didn’t look convinced, though. He believes the boy’s a troublemaker with some kind of vendetta against him.”

An accurate assessment. Still . . . “Nate’s pulled a few pranks, but nothing overly serious.” Luke had given Matt an accounting of what transpired that night, including Nate’s appearance. “The kid risked his life to come back for me. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be standing here.”

The captain scowled. “If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have been injured in the first place.”

Luke just shrugged.

Matt blew out a breath. They both knew that even good intentions could have unforeseen dark consequences. Wounded Knee was supposed to be a peaceful weapon confiscation, and look how that had turned out. Luke still had nightmares about the carnage left in the wake of the Hotchkiss guns his company had fired on the Lakota. The regret ate at his soul. Were it not for God’s grace . . .

As he’d trained it to do, his mind immediately turned to the words of Paul to tame the ravenous beast of guilt when it raised its ugly head.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

He’d been shown mercy so that he might be an example of Christ’s grace to others. And right now, Nate Baxter needed the same mercy Luke had received.

Matt broke the silence. “Look, I know there are things you aren’t telling me about this situation.”

“Cap,” Luke began, but Matt waved him off.

“You don’t need to explain. I understand what you’re doing, and part of me even appreciates it.”

“Your place is with your wife now,” Luke said softly, “not with your men.”

Matt’s sharp gaze speared him. “You’re my family, Preach. You and Wallace and Brooks. That doesn’t go away just because I married Josie.”