Free Journey of the Heart by Marjorie Farrell Page A

threatening me, Señor Chavez?” Michael asked calmly.
    “Why, I am just making an observation, señor . But life is, I am sure you would agree, uncertain. I would urge you to take advantage of Señor Mackie’s offer.”
    “Tell Mr. Mackie I appreciate his generosity, but I prefer the uncertainty of life to being driven off my land by a bully and his hired gun.”
    Chavez gave Michael an empty smile and said: “I am sorry that is your decision, Mr. Burke. Hasta luego ….”
    “You are sorry, my arse,” muttered Michael as he watched Chavez ride away. “And I’m sure I will be seeing you again.”
    * * * *
    Gabe had seen Chavez ride in and had considered interrupting the lunging for a few minutes. But Chavez was alone and Michael right inside, so he decided to go on with his work and just keep his ears and eyes open for trouble.
    He ignored Chavez when the man came over to the corral. He couldn’t hear what Michael and his visitor were saying, but their faces were calm enough, so he put his attention on the two-year-old. After Chavez had ridden away, Michael stayed by the fence and watched until Gabe had finished.
    “She’s a sweet-tempered filly, isn’t she, Gabe?” he said when his employee led the horse over to the fence.
    Gabe stroked the filly’s nose. “She is, Mr. Burke.” He hesitated and then added, “I saw you had a visitor.”
    “Señor Chavez, yes.”
    “I know that this is none of my business,” Gabe said hesitantly.
    “ ‘Tis indeed yer business, boyo, if you work for me. Mr. Nelson Mackie had made me another offer. His last offer, so I’ve been told.”
    “And you refused,” Gabe said quietly.
    “I refused,” said Michael. “I will not let anyone buy me off a place I’ve built with me own sweat and hard work. ‘Tis my home and my family’s and this is one Irishman who won’t be driven off his land.”
    “Good for you, Mr. Burke.”
    “Well, now, Gabe, I don’t know that it will be good for me,” Michael responded with a wry smile. “It might be very bad for all of us.” He looked Gabe in the eye and said seriously: “Now is the time for leavin’, Gabe. I’d not think ill of you if ye did.”
    Gabe returned Michael’s gaze steadily. “Why, I haven’t finished with these horses, Mr. Burke. And there is still Night Sky to gentle for your daughter.”
    Michael nodded. “Well, don’t say I haven’t warned ye, lad. But I can’t deny I was hoping ye’d say it. ‘Twas a good day for us when Eduardo sent ye here.”
    * * * *
    It wasn’t hard for Elizabeth to guess what Chavez wanted. She didn’t have to be there to know Michael’s answer: he’d never sell their land. Or be driven off alive. And neither would she. Mackie would have to kill both of them if he wanted the Burke property.
    She picked up her bucket to go and fill it again and as it bumped her leg she was suddenly overcome by fear so strong she thought she was going to faint. She set the bucket down and sat on the edge of the porch, leaning back against one of the posts.
    “Are ye all right, a ghra?” asked Michael as he walked toward the house.
    The fear had risen and washed over her like a wave, leaving her drenched in a cold sweat. She shivered, even though it was a hot day. “I just felt a bit faint, that is all, Michael,” she said in a low voice.
    Michael sat down next to her and put his arm around her. “You are shaking, Elizabeth.”
    She was and she couldn’t seem to stop. Michael pulled her closer and his body heat and the reassuring feel of his arm around her gradually relaxed her.
    “Is it Chavez, a ghra?”
    “I don’t know, Michael. Something just…came over me when I went to fill the bucket. I am not really that frightened of him, though I suppose I should be with his reputation. I can guess what he came for.”
    “And ye know my answer?”
    “It is mine, too, Michael, you know that.”
    “Mackie is not going to be such a gentleman now, Elizabeth. No, I am wrong,” he continued,