The Heart's Frontier by Lori Copeland Read Free Book Online

that? Another herd?”
    “Nah, better than that.” Jesse popped half the biscuit in his mouth and spoke as he chewed. “I found those Aim -ish people’s wagon. Looks like the thieves tried to take it across the river, got it stuck on the far bank, and then just left it there.”
    “Are you kidding? Was there anything left in it?”
    “Oh, yeah. A monster piece of furniture, and what looks like a trunk in the wagon bed. Some empty crates and such lying around the ground. I didn’t cross over to get a closer look.”
    The faces of the Switzers flashed in Luke’s mind. Jonas with his trusting gaze, assuring him that the Amish paid their debts. And Emma, her eyes framed by those long, curling lashes, looking at him and saying in her low voice, “If the Lord places it in your heart to help us, you will have our gratitude.”
    They might never know that their wagon and at least some of their belongings were only a few miles away. Not unless someone told them.
    “Aw, no.” Jesse took a step forward and made a show of peering closely into his eyes. “I see the thoughts churning up a dust storm in that brain of yours.”
    Luke straightened and replied with an innocent arch of his eyebrows. “What are you talking about?”
    “You’re thinking about going back there and fetching those Aim -ish people out here to their wagon, and I’m standing here telling you it’s a bad idea.”
    “You’re accusing me of bad judgment? And it’s Ah -mish, not Aim -ish. What’s so bad about the idea?”
    Jesse jerked his head toward the herd that had spread out and started wandering as they grazed. Kirk was already on his horse and standing guard over a couple of the leads to make sure they didn’t take off in the wrong direction. “You’re the trail boss. Your responsibility is here.”
    A flash of irritation itched the hair on the back of Luke’s scalp. He hated it when Jesse was right. Still, he wasn’t about to just stand there and endure a lecture by a rowdy cowhand.
    “You’re a fine one to talk to me about responsibility.” He scooped up his Stetson and set it low on his head. “How long could it take to ride back and let them know where their wagon is? You and the men can handle the crossing. I’ll wager a steak dinner that Bo and I will be back before the herd’s hooves are dry on the other side.”
    Jesse peered closely at him. “What’s behind this, Luke? You don’t owe those people anything.”
    As an answer, Luke set his jaw. No, he didn’t owe them a thing. Still, something had grabbed hold in his mind, and it had bothered him all night. He couldn’t shake the thought. The Switzers believed the Lord had sent him to help. What if they were right?
    “I won’t be gone long.”
    Jesse put up his hands in surrender. “You’re the boss, even if you are as stubborn as an old mule. But mark my words, Luke. This good deed of yours is going to end up costing us. You wait and see.”
    He shoved the last half of his biscuit in his mouth and tossed what was left of his coffee on the fire. The embers hissed and fragrant steam arose as Jesse strode toward his mount.
    It won’t take me any time at all to ride back to Gorham and let the Switzers know where their wagon is . Still, a small part of him worried over Jesse’s words. He was the boss, and this was his official first cattle drive. True, they were on schedule to arrive a couple of days before the cattle train left Hays and an hour or so delay wouldn’t affect the timing at all.
    On the other hand, his pa used to say, “Better early than late. Those what miss a date shouldn’t have started at all.”
    We won’t be late. Bo and I’ll run back there, tell Jonas Switzer where to find his wagon, and be back here in two shakes of a steer’s tail .
    “Men,” he called as he strode toward the remuda where Bo had been corralled for the night. “I’m heading back to Gorham on a quick errand. Jesse’s got the reins while you get the herd across this river.