***
Rachel climbed up alongside Lefty and settled her skirts on the wagon seat. “I’m ready.”
Shifting a wad of tobacco from one cheek to the other, Lefty snapped the reins and the horses moved forward.
How dare that man accuse her of being in a hotel room with another man for nefarious purposes! She brushed the tear away from the dirt that must have gotten into her eye. Well, what did she expect, getting involved with a man? She knew from the start it wasn’t a good idea, and now it had come home to roost.
Drat the dirt flying around. Her eyes were leaking like mad. She fumbled in her pocket for a handkerchief.
“Are you all right, Miss Rachel?”
She attempted a smile at the older man. “Yes, I’m fine.”
Or I will be fine, once I rid myself of the baggage that’s been following me around for weeks.
She blew her nose and lifted her chin. She didn’t need Rusty McIntyre. She didn’t need any man. She and her son were doing quite well without anyone else, thank you very much.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to Lefty. “Did you take care of your business?”
“Sure did, ma’am.” He spit a stream of juice.
She nodded and fished around for something else to say. Certainly there was something of interest to share with her seat mate. Something to keep her mind off the snake—whose horse had just ridden up . . .
Rusty tipped his hat. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Stevens, Lefty.”
“Howdy, boss.” Lefty nodded.
Rachel turned her back on Rusty to enjoy the captivating scenery before her. Dried grass, animal droppings, and rutted muddy roads took her full attention.
If Lefty thought anything odd was occurring between Rachel and Rusty, he gave no indication of it. He continued to chomp on his wad of tobacco and stared straight ahead, lost in thought.
Finally the awkward position she’d put herself into forced her to face forward. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rusty holding back his horse to keep pace with their wagon. The horse shook his head in disgust.
Rachel turned once more to Lefty. “So, you managed to get your business taken care of?”
He looked at her with raised brows. “Yes, ma’am, just like I said a few minutes ago.”
“Oh.” She turned to glare at Rusty when he chuckled.
Never mind, he could be invisible as far as she was concerned. Any man who would accuse her of such behavior after what they’d shared was not worth her time or trouble. He was merely the foreman of the ranch where she worked as a cook.
Rusty slowed down and once the wagon passed, rode up on Lefty’s side. “Hey, Lefty. Suppose you let me drive the wagon, and you take my horse?”
“No.” Rachel grabbed Lefty’s arm and hung on. She leaned over Lefty and scowled at Rusty. “Mr. McIntyre, please leave us alone.” She waved at the road. “Just ride your horse home.”
“Is something wrong, ma’am?” Lefty spit once more, barely missing Rusty’s shoe.
“Not at all. Just continue to drive on. We’ll pretend Mr. McIntyre is not there.”
Lefty shrugged and moved his tobacco from one cheek to the other. “Whatever you say, ma’am.”
The group rode along in silence, broken only by the sound of horse’s hooves and the squeak of the wagon wheel turning. Rachel wavered between bouts of anger and more road dust in her eyes. To think she imagined a future with that man. She must have been out of her mind.
Never would she want to tie herself up with someone who accused her of such horrible things.
***
“But why can’t I ride with Mr. McIntyre today, Ma?” Will crossed his arms over his chest, his stance so much like Rusty’s that Rachel knew her decision to keep her son and that man apart was for the best.