Page 80 of If the Boot Fits

“Love . . . you . . . Sam. Proud . . . of you. Always . . . have been. Glad . . . you came . . . home.”

“Me too, Daddy.” A tremor vibrated through her chest, quivering out through her voice. The affirmation she’d craved her entire life showered over her like a gentle rain, yet it felt too much like final words to bring her any comfort. Her pulse pounding, she bent her face close to his. “I love you, Daddy. And I need you so much.” She choked back a rising sob. “Please don’t leave us.”

He reached for her face, his calloused fingers rough and infinitely precious against her cheek. “In . . . God’s . . . hands.”

As he spoke, his hand fell away, as if the physical were relinquishing its handhold so the spiritual could take its place.

He was in God’s hands. As were Clint and Asher. She prayed those hands would protect and heal and knit her family back together before everything unraveled.

36

Ida Mae drew Bruno to a halt and pointed west. “That’s it.”

Asher reined in his mount and scanned the landscape until he spotted a roofline peeking out from behind a large tree in the distance. The terrain didn’t offer much cover between here and there. Might be best to stash his horse in the brush somewhere. Wouldn’t want to tip off Kendrick that he had company.

Twisting in the saddle, he faced Ida Mae and offered her a confident smile that was about as genuine as a wooden nickel. “I’ve got it from here, Miss Forrester. You can head on back to the ranch.”

“Are you sure?” She’d obviously not been fooled by his bravado. “Maybe I should keep watch. What if you or Clint end up injured? You’ll need someone to fetch help.”

Not a chance he’d let a single mother stay anywhere close to harm’s way. Even letting her lead him out here jabbed his conscience.

“Sheriff Jeter and the rest of the men are in the area. If they hear gunshots, they’ll come running.” No guarantee they’d find them based on sound alone, but he wasn’t about to admit that to Ida Mae. “You should be with your son.”

She nibbled her bottom lip, clearly dealing with a few conscience jabs herself.

“You know what would help me the most?” Asher shifted in his saddle, the leather creaking loudly in the still air. “Send Martin out here. He’s likely on his way back to the ranch by now after fetching the doctor. You might even meet him on the road.” Chances were slim, but having reinforcements in the vicinity would sure be nice. Might require a bit of divine timing, but with God, all things were possible, right?

“Yes. Martin.” Ida Mae tugged on the reins and turned Bruno around to face the direction of the road. “I’ll send Martin. The moment I find him.”

“Good.”

If nothing else, the idea had successfully diverted Ida Mae’s attention and assured she would be a safe distance from any danger that arose. If that was all his impromptu plan accomplished, it would be enough.

Bruno must have sensed the mission for he grew restive. Ida Mae kept him reined in, though, as she glanced back at Asher. “Samantha’s never been one to have her head turned by men. She cares about you. Deeply. Getting home to her is more important than proving yourself a hero. Remember that, all right?”

“I will.”

She nodded to him, then touched her heels to Bruno’s sides and gave him his head. Asher watched her for a moment before returning his attention to his target.

I don’t need to be her hero, Lord, but if I can restore her brother to her, I don’t mind paying whatever price is required.

Spying a small stand of cedars to his left, Asher nudged his mount into a walk down the hill that led to the line shack. He’d tether his horse among the trees and approach the cabin on foot.

Any confidence he’d built up from his years of scrapping his way through life dissolved the moment he dismounted and started creeping toward the rear of the line shack.

What did he know about chasing criminals or rescuing kidnapped boys? Nothing. That’s what. Asher crouched as he darted from one scraggly bush to another, trying to keep his head low while scanning the area for any sign of his quarry.

Duke Kendrick outranked him when it came to life experience, familiarity with the surroundings, and straight-up ruthlessness. Asher was nothing more than a two-bit cowboy with passable intelligence and an inability to stand down when people he cared about were threatened. Rocks versus feathers. If he had any hope of coming out on top, the Almighty was gonna have to do some serious scale-tipping.

Asher made it to the oak tree at the rear of the cabin and pressed his back to the trunk as he closed his eyes and caught his breath.

David had had five stones and a sling when he faced Goliath. Asher had six bullets and a gun. If God joined the fight, he wouldn’t need anything more. But if God chose to let men settle their own squabbles today, things could deteriorate in a hurry.

A little help would be mighty appreciated. If you’re willing.

Asher concentrated on slowing his breathing and his heart rate as he listened for hoofbeats or voices or anything to signal that company was fixin’ to pay a call. Hearing nothing but the wind rustling the leaves above his head, he drew his revolver and slid away from the tree to plant his back against the windowless wall beside him.

Scraping his shoulder blades along the weathered siding, he stalked to the edge of the small shack and stole a quick glance around the corner. Clear. He continued along the north side of the building, keeping his body angled backward and his gun hand up and ready. When he reached the corner, he led with his revolver as he edged around to the front of the shack. Spying neither horse nor man, he lowered his weapon and peered in the single window. His gaze swept the dim interior. Bed on the back wall. Small stove in the northeast corner. Skinny table and a pair of chairs beneath the window. Some shelves on the south wall above a square cabinet. Something was piled in the corner behind the cabinet, but the shadows made it impossible to identify. Could be the supplies Eli Dearing had mentioned. If so, that would mean that Kendrick hadn’t made it here yet, and Asher had a chance to stop him before the scoundrel disappeared with Clint.