Austin beamed a wide smile at her. “I want to echo what Mina said. When I was up front and nervous enough to pass out, seeing you men sitting in the congregation sure helped steady me. It wouldn’t have been the same without you four there. Now, let’s eat.”
The men took a few minutes to recover before they started joking with each other. They acted like a group of brothers bickering and teasing. Austin joined in with them while Spuds acted as the father trying to keep them civil. She couldn’t help smiling, happy that she was a part of this group.
After breakfast was over and the men sent on their way, Austin took her to the barn. “I’ll let you help me saddle your horse so you get used to handling a western saddle. There’s a real gentle gelding you’ll enjoy.”
“Let me, huh? That’s kind of you.” She stood with her hand on her hips. She intended to pretend to be angry but couldn’t keep from laughing. “What’s his name?”
He grinned at her. “Star. That white on his nose looked more like a star when he was a foal. Too late I learned I should have named him Blaze.” Austin threw a thick blanket over the horse’s back then added a saddle. He demonstrated how to secure the cinch so the saddle wouldn’t roll to the side.
He moved to a larger black horse. “This is Thunder, my favorite horse.” He quickly readied Thunder and led both horses from the barn.
“Do you need me to help you into the saddle?”
“I’d appreciate you watching and catching me if I fall.” She grabbed the saddle horn, put her foot in the stirrup, and swung onto the saddle.
“Darn, I was all set to catch you but you didn’t even wobble.”
“We’re not through with our ride yet. You may have other opportunities.”
He pointed out the pig sty, chicken pen, smokehouse, sheds, and the bunkhouse. After showing her the outbuildings, they rode across the ranch. Part was in pasture and part up the rocky hills.
He gestured to the east. “Later I’ll show you the Brazos River.”
“The stage crossed the river on the way to Palo Pinto but I’m eager to see every part of the ranch.”
He stopped and pointed up higher. “You can see the cave if you look carefully.”
He muttered under his breath. “Those idiots are setting up the monitor to get water from the creek my cattle use. And that creek runs right into the Brazos River. Wait until I tell them what they can do with that thing.” He started to ride upward.
She caught up with him and grabbed his arm. “Don’t do it, please. I heard you say one of them had a shotgun and ordered you off the site. Let Bert and the sheriff take care of it.”
His face turned red with anger. He leaned toward her. “You have no right to stop me like that with your meddling.”
Almost as angry as he appeared, she leaned toward him. “Who do you think is more entitled? I’m not ready to become a widow because my husband lost his temper and confronted two men he admitted were crazy.”
“Listen, I’m not the only one who thinks that. There are other ranchers involved in the protest. Farmers, too.”
He exhaled, calmer now. “Those two polecats had better wise up before someone shoots them.”
She looked around. “Don’t say things like that. What if someone does shoot them? If you make statements like that where people other than me can hear you, who do you think will be the first suspect—and maybe the only one?”
“I would never shoot anyone unless he shot at me first.”
“Austin, sometimes you have to avoid situations where you could be reeled into trouble. Think what would happen to your ranch if you’re sent to prison. Think how it would affect your family and the men who work for you.”
“Think what will happen if they use poison in the mine.”
“I have and I know it would be horrible. But, there’s a right and wrong way to handle this situation. Rushing off in anger to battle with them is not the right way.”
He tapped his chest. “Maybe it’s this Wright’s way.”
“Very funny. I’m ready to ride in the other direction.” She met his gaze. “Please, Austin, let’s go away from here.”
He sat staring at her a few seconds before he turned his horse ninety degrees. “All right, we’ll go toward the big meadow.”
They rode at a lope. She knew his mind focused on the two men at the cave. By the time he slowed enough they could talk, they were out of sight of the cave he’d mentioned.
His expression revealed he was still annoyed. “This is what we call the big meadow. There are smaller ones but this one is best.”
“Palo Pinto is very different from Delaware but it’s a beautiful land.”
He paused a few minutes later and rested his arms on the pommel. “I wish you’d have been here in time to see the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush blooming.” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm. “This field was filled with them as far as you could see.”
“I’ll witness them next year.”
Good humor restored, he grinned and a mischievous glint lighted his eyes. “That’s the perfect reply.”
Chapter Ten
The next day, Austin left for town after breakfast. He was going to consult with Bert and the sheriff. He still harbored a little anger at Mina for interfering yesterday.
