Read Online Claiming the Cowboy's Heart by Linda Ford - Free Book Online

touched the brim of his hat.
    She stepped back and gasped. “Seth, look at your leg.”
    He did. His pant leg was blood-soaked.
    Eddie had reached them and saw the same thing. “You can’t leave like that. It would be foolish.”
    Seth stared at his leg then shifted his gaze to Jayne’s eyes, saw her look go from shock to compassion. “Seth, you have to rest it.”
    He nodded. He knew he had no choice. “The money…”
    “Tell Eddie about it.”
    Knowing the reputation of the Gardiners, he knew he could entrust his money to Eddie. “It’s in the heel of my boot. Can you see it goes to Murdo Collins in Corncrib, Montana? I need it to get there as soon as possible.”
    He swung from the saddle and began to pry his boot off.
    Eddie clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go to the house and take care of that. Linette can tend your wound. Looks like you’ll be here a few more days.” He called to a cowboy barely old enough to call himself a man. “Buster, take care of this man’s horse.”
    “Yes, boss.” Buster’s chin had likely never met a razor yet. His hair was shaggy as if it had not seen a pair of scissors in a long time. And his too-short trousers were held in place with a braid of rope.
    “Kid looks like he’s lost,” Seth said as they climbed back up the hill.
    “He showed up a couple of weeks back asking for a job. Seems he’s all alone in the world. But he doesn’t take kindly to help. Linette offered to give him a pair of trousers from her supply closet but he refused. Said when he earned them, he’d buy them.”
    “Guess you can’t fault him for that.”
    “You have to allow a man, however young, to have a certain amount of pride. He’s proving to be a good man. He took care of your saddle and groomed your horse.”
    He was struck by an errant thought. Maybe Jayne also needed to keep her pride intact by being able to use a gun.
    Eddie went through to the kitchen with Seth and Jayne behind him. Seth sank to a chair and removed his boot and pried off the heel. He handed the wad of money to Eddie. “Can I write a note to accompany it?”
    Jayne disappeared down the hall and ducked into the room with the desk and books. She returned with paper and pencil, handing it to him with a sad smile.
    He wrote a note to Pa saying he had been delayed but would be home as soon as possible. To Crawford he wrote, “There is more here than what I owe you. Please keep it in return for staying with Pa until I get home.” He folded both pieces of paper and handed them to Eddie.
    “I’ll see this gets to Edendale right away. We should be able to catch the stage. Petey, the driver, can be trusted to make sure it gets to your pa.” He left the house to tend to the task.
    Seth tried to relax. The money would make its way to Corncrib as fast as he could take it himself. But what about Pa? Would Crawford stay? Or would his pa be alone, unable to care for himself?
    Linette retrieved her little leather pouch of herbs. “I think it’s best if you return upstairs.” She went down the hall.
    Seth rose, preparing to follow.
    Jayne reached out and squeezed his arm. “I’m sorry.”
    He made up his mind. “The money is on its way. That should keep Crawford there for a few more days.” No point in worrying about things he couldn’t change, especially when this gave him a chance to change one important thing. “My leg will heal fine if I rest it. While I am here you will get shooting lessons from me. That way I can leave with a clear conscience knowing you won’t kill someone accidentally and end up in jail.” He went down the hall and up the stairs to have Linette pack the wound with the herbs.
    “They’ll do their work if you give them a chance,” Linette said. “I suggest you don’t move around much for a day or two.”
    “I’d sure like to sit in the sun.”
    She nodded. “That should be okay so long as you don’t put any weight on that leg. I’ll put a chair by the door.” He hopped down the