Free A Restless Wind by Siara Brandt Page B

gaze was helplessly drawn back to the man.  For a fleeting moment his glance rested on her, but she could not fathom the thoughts hidden behind those clear gray eyes.  She moistened her lips, willing her heart to slow its erratic pace while Delia re-filled Uncle Zeb’s cup.  She forced herself to focus on the conversation around the table.
         Across the table, Jesse’s gaze settled on Hetty’s mouth, on the almost sinfully passionate full lips moistened by her tongue.  He was surprised at his body’s very definite reaction to the innocent gesture.  This was hardly the place for him to be distracted by the kinds of thought he was having at the moment. 
         The truth was, however, that in Hetty Parrish’s presence, Jesse always found himself feeling very much distracted.  He hadn’t kissed her last night.  But he’d wanted to.  He had sure thought about it enough.  He was thinking about it now.  If ever a man had an opportunity to steal a kiss, rolling around on that bed with her last night had afforded all the opportunity in the world.
         He forced himself to listen to the Eastern woman at his side.  She was saying something about “unbridled lawlessness” and men who were hors la loi , whatever the hell that meant.
         “You’re right,”  Zebadiah was agreeing with her.  “They see something they want, they ride right in and take it.”
         Jesse looked over at the young cowboy they called Pierce.
         “That’s right,”  Pierce said as he settled back in his chair.  “What I don’t understand is how they know so much about us.  They seem to know all our comings and goings.  They know when to hit us.  By the time we’re aware of what they’re up to, they’re gone, disappearing into the hills like they never existed.  As much as we take precautions, they still manage to stay one step ahead of us.”
         Zeb nodded.  “I lost about forty head of cattle two nights ago. And Layne Chesmore has lost most of his stock.  That wasn’t’ enough though.  Chesmore’s herd of horses has also become a target of the thieves.  He’s been nearly cleaned out.”
         “Sounds like they’re well organized,”  Jesse commented.
         “I’ll agree with you there,”  Pierce said, leaning forward.  “It’s been my opinion all along.”
         “And mine,”  Zeb spoke up across the table.  “That’s why we need to be together on this.  I have tried to organize the other ranchers.  Brent Marsten is of the same mind.  He’s had more groups of men out combing the hills for the ruffians than that worthless cur of a sheriff.  Not that it does a bit of good.  They always come back empty handed.  It’s frustrating as hell.  And now the damned thieves seem to be acquiring a taste for blood,”  he said soberly.
         “It was a terrible thing for those children to have seen their father in that condition,”  Delia said beside him.
         “Yes, it was, Delia,”  Zebadiah agreed as he threw his napkin on the table.  “If people weren’t nervous before, this will certainly get their attention.  I won’t let any of my men ride out alone anymore.”  He looked pointedly at Hetty.  “No small groups either.  And any group that does leave the ranch has strict orders to be heavily armed.  Of course the ranch house will be guarded at all times.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
         When breakfast was over, the men went outside while Hetty helped Delia and Lieta clear the table.  The children had already eaten their breakfast and when the dishes had been washed and put away, Hetty took a tray of food to the back bedroom.
         Rachel Forbes was still sitting on a chair at the head of the bed.  Her gaze was on her husband’s face.  Hetty was glad to see that he was asleep.  Jesse’s opinion was that John Forbes had a good chance of