Do Not Forsake Me(88)

Jake grinned. “And I’m glad of it.”

Lloyd came inside, wearing just as many weapons as his father. “Can I go see Mom?”

“Go ahead,” Jake told him. “She’s a little groggy from pain medication.”

Lloyd touched Jake’s arm. “Say something decent to Peter Brown, will you? He’s doing us a big favor, Pa, even though you don’t think so.”

“I know what he’s doing. I just don’t care for the reason he’s doing it.”

“It isn’t just her, Pa. I honestly think it’s partly for you. The man respects that you’re her husband. I’m not happy about his feelings either, but he’ll take damn good care of Mom.”

Jake sighed. “I’m sure he will.” He turned back to Evie. “You know the rules, baby girl, and they are more important than ever this time around. All of you stay in town, and stay together as much as you can. Keep a tight rein on the boys and don’t go shopping alone. If I could get out of this damn trip, I would, but I can’t, and Lloyd won’t let me go alone, so you and Katie and the kids and the Donavans stay together. Pat Donavan knows how to use a gun, and Lloyd said Katie isn’t bad with a rifle. Her brothers taught her because of rustlers and such out at their ranch, but she hasn’t used one in a long time, and a person needs to stay in practice with a—”

“Daddy!” Evie interrupted. “You are rattling on like a mother hen. I’m a Harkner, remember? I know the rules.”

He reached out and tugged at her hair. “And I’m damn sorry I have to make those rules. Once I’m done with all of this, life will be a lot easier.”

“And in the meantime, God will take care of all of us like he’s always done. Mother is going to be fine, and that means you’ll be joining us in church when you get back.”

Jake grinned. “I can see neither you nor Randy is going to let me off that hook.”

“Certainly not. Now go do what you have to do and get back here so we can all have the extreme pleasure of watching you take off those guns and walk through the church doors. It will be an epic moment.”

Jake couldn’t help a light laugh. “And lightning will probably strike the steeple, and it will topple right to the ground.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “And anything that makes you happy makes me happy.” He gave her a wink. “We’ll see about the church thing. Let’s concentrate right now on your mother getting well and me getting rid of Marty Bryant so he’s no longer a worry.”

“Well, the way you look right now, I’d be shaking in my shoes if I was Marty.”

He patted her cheek and headed for the door, noticing both grandsons were waiting outside with Brian and Katie to see their grandfather before leaving. Little Jake was running around babbling about “Gampa’s guns.” Jake just shook his head. He headed out the door, finding Peter leaning against a porch post, watching Brian help Stephen get his foot in a stirrup so he could climb up on Lloyd’s horse.

“The older one likes to cheat at cards and the little one is totally wild and unruly, which means the poor things both belong to me,” Jake told Peter.

Peter turned, looking Jake over. “You have to be the most intimidating man in this entire territory. Far be it from me to set you off, so don’t be worrying about my intentions while you’re gone. No man wants to answer to you when you look like that.”

“Well then, I’ve given you proper cause to respect my marriage.”

Peter folded his arms. “Jake—”

“Don’t say it.” Jake pulled a cigarette and a match from inside his duster. “Sometimes she needs holding, Peter, and you damn well know it.” He struck the match and lit the cigarette. “And I’m telling you to do the holding if she needs it. She’ll be scared of the surgery. And if…” He took a deep drag on the cigarette, hating the fact that he couldn’t hide the tears that again stung his eyes. He wasn’t used to this. “If they find out the worst, I guess all you can do is tell her and bring her back home to me. I can at least hold her while she’s…” He stopped and cleared his throat, then took a drag on the cigarette.

Peter removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair. “Jake, I’ve lost a wife. I know how it feels. And I know my feelings are partly from just being lonely. I have no bad intentions. I just want to know I did something for her—did my part in helping her. Can you understand that?”

Jake kept the cigarette at the corner of his lips. “I’m trying. She trusts me, and that takes a lot, because I have a very good woman friend out there who runs a brothel—so I guess it’s my turn to trust her.”