To Honor and Cherish by Kari Trumbo Read Free Book Online

job.”
    “Guilty.” He looked sheepish and fidgeted back and forth in his seat, though it hurt. He looked up at her, then out the window. “The men who roughed me up at the boarding house have been after me for some time. I know things about them that they don’t want me to know. The only way to make me forget permanent-like is to kill me. That is what they wanted to do, until Gus came in. I’m lucky he owns the boarding house.”
    “So you thought it was okay to put us all in danger of these men who are willing to kill you?” Rose’s voice became as taught as a fiddle string.
    “All due respect, ma’am. I didn’t know there were almost no menfolk out here. I asked Meghan for the man of the house and I was about to ride away before she told me she was the one who ran the place. By then, it was too late to turn back.”
    “And now that you know we are out here with almost no protection? I have to say, I don’t like this. I don’t think you should be here. Where is your revolver?” He watched her look around the room. “I don’t think you should have it with you.”
    “I know how to keep a herd safe and I can keep Meghan safe. I don’t have my side arm anymore. It was stolen last night by the man who’s hunting me. I only have my rifle, it’s in my saddle. If it makes you feel safer, take it. But you are not who decides whether I stay or not. Meghan is.”
    “We will have to see about that. I will leave your rifle where it is since you can’t even get out of bed on your own.”
    “Rose.” He sighed. “I was hoping I could just disappear out here and they would move on looking for me elsewhere. But now they know I’m here and I’m sure they have someone telling them all about what I’m doing. I’m sorry, I’ll do my best to make sure no one gets hurt.”
    “I’m not worried about Pete and me. We can handle ourselves very well. It’s Meg who will need watching and I’ll do that as best I can. You brought this out here and you best watch out for her, too. She is too distracted right now to pay attention to anything.”
    Jax nodded, finished with his breakfast before he’d even started. He felt weak again, talking and eating was too much. He tried to scoot himself down into the bed. Rose helped him when he couldn’t get down far enough to lay back. She got him an extra pillow and made him as comfortable as possible. Despite her obvious dislike for him, at least she tried to make him comfortable. He fell asleep before she got all the way back to the kitchen.
    ~~~
    Meg sat at the table, looking outside at the half-tilled field. The point where Chase saw the twister and dropped what he was doing to run back to the house clearly visible. The plow still sat there and the weeds were just starting to grow on the tilled side. A tear ran down Meg’s cheek and she immediately wiped it with her hand, not wanting anyone to see weakness in her. It may have only been a month, but if she couldn’t control herself her father might take her home away.
    Rose came in from helping Jax and put her arm around Meg, giving her a squeeze. She turned her around and looked her right in the eye.
    “I think you and I both know that Jax has to go.”
    “Why? Because someone decided to beat him up? Father said last night that it wasn’t something Jax could have prevented, that he was not there by choice. I want those cattle gone and I’m not waiting to hire another man.”
    “Meg, don’t you think that’s dangerous? He himself said that”
    “No, Rose. My mind is made up.” Meg looked out at the plow, then across the table at Chase’s empty chair. She wouldn’t have to be making all of these decisions if he were here. She refused to let herself cry any more.
    “Meg, dear, don’t ever be ashamed of your pain. It makes you stronger and makes you enjoy the peace He grants more when it’s done. Don’t ever be afraid to mourn, cry, wail, shake your fist, tremble, and scream if you have to. It won’t change