Quinn's Honor Page 9

  Quinn emptied his glass, set it down, then stood. “If you’ve nothing else…”

  Ewan leveled a gaze at him. “Sit back down, lad. We need to talk about Emma.”

  Rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands, he groaned, lowering himself into the chair. “What about the lass?”

  Ewan cast a look at Ian, then back at Quinn. “Bram and Fletcher said they’d let her work around them and the horses.”

  “Good. She was born to work with horses.”

  “That isn’t all, Quinn. We need extra help with the herd. She’s experienced and is happy to help.”

  “I’m certain she will do whatever you ask.”

  Ewan crossed his arms, his face devoid of expression. “She’ll be working with Blaine.”

  Quinn jumped up from his seat, his jaw tight. “The hell you say.”

  Colin moved up next to him, placing a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “Calm down. You know we can’t just let her loose. Someone needs to ride with her.”

  “Not Blaine,” Quinn countered, his voice rough.

  “You aren’t here and neither is Brodie.” Colin dropped his hand, stepping in front of Quinn. “I have to keep watch on the expanded herd on the old Estrada land or I’d take her with me.”

  “I’ll be back in a few days.”

  “She starts with Blaine tomorrow.” Ewan took a step forward, halting when Colin held up his hand.

  “I’ll take over when I get back.” Quinn crossed his arms, his face turning to stone.

  Colin lowered his voice. “Quinn, the lass doesn’t want to work with you. You’ll be working with me when you get back.”

  Quinn glared at Colin, then shifted his attention to Ewan and Ian. They knew, the same as he did, that Blaine had an interest in Emma, talked about courting her. Quinn had turned her away and had no claim on her. It didn’t mean he wanted to watch his cousin with her.

  “I have to get back.” Quinn stormed toward the door.

  “Wait, Quinn.”

  “I heard what you said, Uncle Ewan. I don’t need to hear any more.” Slamming the door behind him, he didn’t even notice Emma and Jinny sitting in the living room.

  “Quinn?” Emma stood, taking a hesitant step in his direction. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes blazing.

  “I’ve no time for you now, lass. Ask Blaine your questions. I’m certain the lad will be more than willing to answer them.” Grabbing his hat and gunbelt, he turned his back on her as he opened the door and walked into the night.

  Emma’s jaw dropped as she looked at Jinny. “What did I say?”

  “I’m afraid it isn’t what you said to Quinn. It’s what you told Colin.”

  Emma’s stomach lurched. She’d been angry with her parents, still hurting from Quinn’s rejection when Colin asked her who she’d like to ride with. Anyone but Quinn.

  “You’ve got to learn to be careful about what you say around here, Emma. The men will take you at your word.” Standing, she came up next to her, placing an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “Don’t worry about Quinn. His reaction tonight says much more than what he said to you at the ranch.”

  Emma’s face colored, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Shhh, Jinny. No one else knows about that night.”

  “And no one will hear anything from me. But I knew Da and Uncle Ian were going to tell him you’d be riding with Blaine. I didn’t expect him to be happy with the news.” Jinny smiled, dropping her arm. “Storming away from you says a lot.”

  “You’re right. It says he hates me.”

  Jinny laughed. “I don’t think so, Emma. Just wait until he returns to the ranch.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “This is going to be real exciting to watch.”

  Chapter Eight

  Conviction

  “You’ve not touched your whiskey. Something wrong?” News traveled fast. Brodie had already heard about Quinn’s reaction to Blaine being the one to ride with Emma.

  “I’ve a lot on my mind,” Quinn murmured, cradling the glass.

  Brodie rested his arms on the table. “Sorry, lad. Anything you want to talk about?”

  Quinn shook his head. “Nae.” He lifted the glass, taking a slow sip. His gaze clouded before his eyes cleared and he looked at Brodie.

  “Did you meet the new foreman?”

  “Aye. He rode in today before I left. Boyd Doggett. Ever heard of him?”

  Brodie thought a moment. “Nae, but I can check wanted posters if it will make you feel better.”

  “I’m more curious than worried. Big Jim said he got Doggett from a ranch in Colorado. People he’d known for years. They didn’t fire him. He wanted to see California, so they sent Big Jim a telegram, asking if he knew of anyone looking for a foreman.”

  “Seems it all worked out.”

  Quinn shrugged, knowing time would tell if Boyd stayed around. “What did you want to talk about?”

  “Circle M.”

  Quinn sat up straighter, leaning forward. “What about it?”

  “Fielder thinks it’s time I quit my job and return to the ranch.”

  Nothing Brodie said could’ve surprised Quinn more. “Why? You’re the best sheriff this town has ever had.”

  “Fielder told me the same. He isn’t forcing me out. It’s a suggestion.”

  Quinn snorted. “The man who hired you is making a suggestion? What’s his reason?”

  Brodie glanced around the room, noting the tables filled with ranch hands enjoying their one night away, gamblers stuffing their pockets with hard-earned money, and working women draping themselves over the men. It may seem odd to most, especially his family, but he loved being a lawman. Each morning, he woke up looking forward to whatever happened, good or bad. It hadn’t been long enough to burn a hole in his heart or turn him into a cynic.

  “It’s simple. I’m needed on the ranch. The herd more than doubled with the purchase of Estrada’s cattle.”

  Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “I hadn’t heard about buying the herd.”

  “Estrada spoke with Da, Uncle Ian, and Fielder not long after you left to help the Pearces. They came to an agreement before Fielder spoke with me. Most of Estrada’s vaqueros found work elsewhere. A few asked to stay and have been offered jobs. Colin and Blaine can’t keep up, and Fletch, Bram, Sean, and Cam aren’t ready to lead ranch hands.” He sipped his whiskey, his gaze focusing on the liquid left in his glass.

  “Caleb is ready.”

  “Aye, but he’s not a MacLaren. Da and Uncle Ian aren’t ready to pass along the responsibility to anyone who isn’t family. I have to consider what Fielder said.”

  “Surely you’ll not quit being sheriff. It’s what you’ve dreamed of doing since you were a young lad.” Quinn scrubbed a hand down his face. “Ach. Of course you’ll quit. You’ll do whatever is needed for the family.”

  “As would you.”

  “Aye. The difference is I love working on the ranch. It is my dream, as being a lawman is yours.” He sat back on a deep sigh. Reaching for the bottle in the center of the table, he filled their glasses. “Don’t make your decision yet. My work for Big Jim is over, so I’ll be back at Circle M tomorrow. I’ll work with Colin, which will allow Blaine to work the original herd.” Swallowing the whiskey, his chest squeezing, he thought of Blaine riding alongside Emma. “Give it a month, lad. Make sure of your decision. We can all still fulfill our dreams.”

  Brodie tipped his glass toward Quinn and smiled. “I’ll give it a month if you’ll do something for me during the same time.”

  Quinn cocked his head, his gaze narrowing. “You know I’ll do anything.”

  Brodie tossed back the whiskey, then leaned forward. “If you want to run a ranch, build your own dream, you’ll need a woman who will share it with you.”

  Quinn rubbed the back of his head. “If this is about Emma, I’ve already told the lass I’ve nothing to offer.”

  Brodie nodded, still not able to understand Quinn’s thinking. Pushing back his chair, he stood, squaring his
shoulders, sending a hard look at his cousin. “Blaine has every intention of courting her. All I’m asking is for you to be sure, lad. There will come a time when you can’t turn back.”

  Circle M

  “Glad you’re back.” Blaine clasped Quinn’s shoulder. They sat next to each other at Sunday supper, directly across from Jinny and Emma, Blaine unaware of the glances passing between Quinn and Emma.

  “No more than I am to be here.” Taking the bowl of potatoes, he took a large helping, handing it to Blaine. “I’ll be working with Colin.”

  Blaine turned his gaze to Quinn. No one had to tell him something wasn’t right between him and Emma. He could tell by the way the two avoided each other.

  “I can stay with Colin if you’d rather work with Emma.”

  “Nae. The uncles have made their decision.” Quinn raised his voice enough for Emma to hear, keeping his gaze on Blaine. “Besides, it seems Emma prefers working with you.” A small amount of pleasure passed through him when he heard her suck in a breath.

  “The lass has good taste.” Blaine flashed a smile toward Emma, whose face colored before she turned to talk with Jinny. A chair scraping across the floor claimed everyone’s attention.

  “Welcome home, Quinn.” Ewan stood at the head of the table, Ian beside him. “It’s good to have you back.”

  Quinn nodded, glancing around the oversized table in the house they’d built for Colin’s ma and da. The room was big enough to accommodate well over twenty people. The table had been a work of love, everyone having a hand in finishing it. The chairs were occupied by family, the people he cared most about.

  Quinn hadn’t realized how hard it would be for him to be so close to Emma, still wanting her, with Blaine ready to stake a claim.

  Ewan nodded at him once more before sitting down. “Brodie told us you met Big Jim’s new foreman.”

  Emma’s head snapped up, her gaze locking on Quinn’s. He hadn’t been back long enough to tell her about the man, but had planned to do it in private.

  “Aye. Boyd Doggett. He came from a ranch in Colorado.” Quinn didn’t say the ranch hands seemed to take to him right away.

  Clearing her throat, Emma licked her lips, then looked at Quinn. “What did you think of him?”

  Quinn’s voice softened, as did his features. “Doggett’s older, late thirties, maybe forty. Gertie told me he grew up on a ranch in Texas. He’s been a foreman for a while.”

  A sadness washed across her face before she looked down at her plate. “Good. I’m glad they found someone they trust.”

  The table fell silent. No one wanted to interfere in another family’s business.

  Jinny settled a hand on Emma’s arm. “It’s good you came here. You’ll get to help Bram and Fletcher with the horses, which is what you’ve always wanted.”

  “And when you’re ready, you can take the skills you learn back to your ranch,” Ewan added, understanding the disappointment Emma felt, although he believed Big Jim and Gertie made the right decision.

  Emma looked around the table, her chin jutting out. “There’s so much to learn. I don’t plan on going back…at least not right away.”

  “Then you’ll stay as long as you like. Hardworking ranch hands are always welcome.” Colin smiled at her as he reached for Sarah’s hand, grasping it in his much larger one.

  “Aye. Colin is right. Perhaps this is where you’re supposed to be.” Blaine cast a quick look at her, then went back to finishing his meal. Quinn stilled, not missing the implication of Blaine’s comment or the stark look on Emma’s face.

  A strange sensation wrapped its way around his heart as he continued to watch Emma. Quinn didn’t want to draw attention to either of them. He did know he needed to get her alone, try to fix the tension between them. And it needed to be done tonight.

  Fletcher and Jinny walked back to their house with Kenzie, their eleven-year-old sister, and nine-year-old twin brothers, Clint and Banner. Emma walked behind them, thinking about Boyd Doggett and Quinn’s description of him. She recalled the argument with her parents where she’d stormed out, packed her belongings, and left. A week later, Emma could admit her actions were rash. Her parents had made the right decision to hire someone with more experience, although the feeling of betrayal still stung.

  “Emma, wait.”

  Glancing over her shoulder at the sound of the familiar voice, she turned. As always happened, her heart raced at the sight of Quinn. Her brain pulled her in one direction, telling her to accept his decision to let her go. Plaguing every waking moment was her hopeful heart, urging Emma not to give up.

  “What is it, Quinn?” Hands clasped together, she stood still, waiting.

  Quinn stopped a foot away, close enough for her to see the gleam in his eyes and hesitant set of his mouth. He seemed nervous, which surprised her. Always confident, he never let anything bother him, least of all a woman he had no interest in.

  Exhaling, he finally met her gaze. “Would you have time to walk with me?”

  She glanced behind her to see Fletcher and Jinny had stopped, staring at them.

  “They’ll go on. I’ll walk you back to Uncle Ewan’s when you’re ready.” Quinn raised a hand, signaling them to head home.

  “What if I’m ready now?”

  He saw the mischief in her eyes, something he hadn’t seen in weeks, and smiled. “You’re not.”

  Quinn didn’t wait for her response, placing a hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward a fenced pasture. Dropping his arm, he opened the gate. They stood just inside, watching several MacLaren horses ranging in age from the colt born a few months before to a three-year-old filly. All were part of the small herd Bram and Fletcher had started to build.

  “They’re so beautiful,” Emma breathed out as she took a few cautious steps forward, Quinn right beside her. “I still can’t believe how lucky I am to be working with Bram and Fletcher.” The smile she flashed at him sucked the air from his lungs, causing his steps to falter. “I know you talked to your uncles about letting me learn from them. After all that’s happened, I’m surprised you wanted to help me.”

  His throat constricted. What he wanted to say and what he should say were completely different. Bram and Brodie were right. He couldn’t stay at the ranch and watch Blaine court her, standing aside as she fell in love with his cousin. Yet he couldn’t leave the ranch he loved, the life he’d always wanted. Quinn had never felt so conflicted.

  Staring at her, he studied a face clouded with confusion. “We’re friends, Emma. At least I hope we still are.”

  He watched her expression still for a brief moment, her voice becoming soft, wistful.

  “Yes. We’re still friends.” Her gaze returned to the horses, Quinn noticing the slight slump of her shoulders. Causing her pain had never been his intention.

  Crossing his arms, he followed her gaze, the corners of his mouth curving upward when the two youngest of the herd danced around each other, then quieted.

  “It’s obvious you were born to work with horses. Big Jim is one of the best men around with cattle. Horses? They’re a necessary part of his work, nothing more.”

  She drew in a deep breath, her gaze never leaving the horses. “My father and I have had the same conversation more than once. He’s content to spend his time on cattle and doesn’t see the potential of offering better horse stock. Jimmy believed as I do.” Emma shifted toward Quinn. “When he died, Father lost all interest in breeding horses, other than to supply the remuda.”

  “When you return, it will be your job to convince him otherwise.”

  “What makes you think I’ll ever go back?”

  “They’re your family, lass. All families have disagreements. It’s not cause to shut them from your life.” Placing a finger under her chin, he coaxed her to look at him. “About what happened in the barn…”

  Emma stepped away, not interested in hearing whatever excuse he might want to make. “Nothing significant happened, Quinn. It was just a kiss between friend
s.”

  His eyes flashed, jaw hardening. “Is that what it was to you?”

  Locking her gaze with his, she crossed her arms. “Of course. We’ve known each other a long time, always as friends and nothing more. Besides, I know about the women you see in town. I’d never delude myself into thinking I could ever offer you what they do.”

  Quinn’s jaw dropped. He never expected her to compare their friendship to the fleeting acquaintances of a few women he escorted. Their company filled a short-term need, paling in comparison to what he felt for Emma. He had to find a way to correct her impression.

  Glancing over his shoulder, irritation flared when he spotted Blaine approaching.

  “We’ll finish this discussion another time, and don’t believe we won’t. It’s time to get you back to Uncle Ewan’s.”

  Placing a hand on her back, Quinn turned Emma toward the gate, closing it behind them as Blaine stopped a few feet away. Shoving hands in his pockets, Blaine looked out at the horses, then at Emma.

  “We’ll need to get an early start tomorrow. Uncle Ewan wants us to ride the eastern property line and check for strays.”

  Quinn narrowed his eyes. “Only the two of you?”

  “Nae, Quinn. Caleb will be riding with us.” Blaine hesitated a moment. “You’re welcome to come along.”

  “Nae. I’m riding with Colin tomorrow.” He glanced at Emma, then took a few steps away, telling himself what he was about to do was for the best. “I’ve got to finish up in the barn. Can you walk Emma back to Ewan’s?” The broad smile on Blaine’s face almost had him changing his mind.

  “Aye. It would be a pleasure.”

  Emma’s eyes flickered as Blaine cupped her elbow, guiding her toward Ewan’s. Her heart twisted as she shot Quinn a quick look over her shoulder. He stood motionless, arms hanging loose at his sides, a bleak expression on his face.

  She’d been so hopeful when he asked her to walk with him. Now she felt like a fool. Pulling away from Blaine’s relaxed grasp, she clasped her hands behind her back.