Claiming the Cowboy's Heart. Linda Ford

      “Then what?” Mercy demanded.

      “He said I was foolish to want to learn to shoot. Said there were lots of people around to take care of me.” He hadn’t exactly said that but it was implied. “He seems to think I’m a threat to everyone’s safety because of my desire to know how to handle a firearm.”

      Mercy choked back a chuckle. “I suppose he might have cause to think so.”

      “I’ll be more careful in the future.”

      Sybil sighed. “I do wish you’d give up this idea but you are far too stubborn to do so.”

      “I’m not stubborn. I’m—I’m resolved.” She liked that word much better. “I am resolved to never again feel helpless in the face of danger. To never again feel useless when something needs doing. Why, I might even learn to ride astride like Mercy plans. Just think of the things I could do.” She could offer to ride to Seth’s pa with the money. Of course she would never do such a thing. Despite Seth’s very harsh opinion of her she understood some things simply weren’t safe for a woman, like riding alone across the prairie.

      Linette descended the stairs, carrying the tray. “I think that will stop the bleeding so the poor man can get on his way. Jayne, he asked that you keep him company for a few hours. I would do it myself but Grady needs to get ready for bed.” Grady was the five-year-old-boy Linette had become guardian of after his mother died on the ship to Canada. Originally she meant to leave him with his father in Montreal but the man said he couldn’t take care of a small boy. Jayne’s heart went out to Grady. Imagine having your father turn away from you. Why, it had to be every bit as bad as watching a fiancé die from a gunshot wound. At least Grady had Linette and Eddie who loved him and had adopted him.

      Jayne’s resentment at Seth’s comments vanished as she thought of how harsh life could be. Besides, she was responsible for his injury.

      “Why don’t you two come with me?” she asked her two friends. “I’m sure he’d enjoy your scintillating company.” She didn’t want to be alone with him, provide him with another opportunity to share his opinion of her.

      “Sounds like fun.” Mercy steered them down the hall without giving Sybil a chance to voice her opinion.

      * * *

      Seth stared at the blank white ceiling. Not even a crack so he could make childish pictures in his mind. There were days in his past when he’d thought how pleasant it would be to have nothing to do but lay about. He’d changed his mind in the last few hours. Every ten minutes he decided he’d had enough rest and his leg was well enough for him to move on. After all, it wasn’t like he didn’t have things to do. Important things. But he wasn’t foolish enough to risk his life or limb. Mrs. Gardiner had packed the wound with some kind of powder and said she hoped that would stop the bleeding.

      She’d given him a smile. “You could do your part, too, by staying still.”

      He meant to do his best to comply.

      He grinned at the ceiling. Jayne had taken exception to his suggestion she might be foolish in pursuing her desire to shoot a gun. He’d been careful to add without someone to teach her.

      Jayne’s voice came from the stairs and he turned to the door. Another voice answered her. And then a third. He couldn’t hear what was said.

      Perhaps she wasn’t coming to see him.

      He lifted his head, watching the door. As the footsteps neared, paused, he held his breath.

      The door opened. Jayne stepped in, her two friends behind her.

      “We’ve come to keep you company,” Mercy said.

      Jayne had said Mercy wanted adventure. The way her eyes danced as if she had a secret she couldn’t wait to divulge, he guessed she managed to find her share of excitement wherever she went.

      “It’s partly my fault Jayne shot you,” Mercy said. “You see, I was attempting to teach her to shoot the pistol but she closed her eyes. Completely missed the target.”

      Sybil shivered. “I tried to warn them it wasn’t a good idea.”

      Seth shifted his gaze to her. Jayne had said Sybil wanted to get away from sad memories. There was a darkness in her eyes that spoke of hard times. He recognized it from seeing it in the mirror if he looked hard enough.

      Then he brought his gaze to Jayne who hadn’t said anything yet. He wanted to tell her he didn’t mean to hurt her. But he didn’t know how without retracting his words, and he meant them. Foolish choices caused unbearable consequences. He didn’t want her to learn that the hard way.

      She shifted her attention to something past his shoulder.

      Mercy eased closer. “Tell us about yourself.”

      “Not much to tell. I’m just a cowboy who’s finished a cattle drive. But I expect you all have your stories.” Maybe he could get them talking about themselves.

      “Tons of them.” Mercy appeared to be the spokeswoman. Sybil looked ill at ease and Jayne looked stubborn. Must be a mule somewhere in her heritage.

      Compliant, she said? Not a hope.

      “I’m going to learn to ride,” Mercy said.

      “Like a man,” Sybil murmured, her voice conveying shock.

      “Men are allowed to do all sorts of things that women aren’t. It’s not fair.” Mercy gave another little pout. Then she brightened and gave Seth her attention. “We were talking about you, though.”

      He shrugged. “I’m sure you’re far more interesting than I am.” He’d told Jayne about his pa and even his ma. But he didn’t intend to reveal any more. There were some things best left buried in the past. “Tell me about your families. I know Eddie is Jayne’s brother but nothing more.”

      “I’m an only child,” Sybil said with a heavy tone.

      “It sounds like you regret it.”

      She nodded. “I suppose I do. With my parents dead I am all alone except for an elderly cousin.”

      Jayne and Mercy pressed close to her on either side. “You have us.”

      Sybil smiled and gave a little chuckle. “So I do. One of you set on turning the world upside down.” She nudged Mercy. “And the other bound and determined to shoot her way to forgetfulness.” She patted Jayne’s arm as if to say she meant no harm.

      Mercy laughed. “She’s got a way with words, doesn’t she?”

      Jayne shifted her gaze about the room until it came hesitantly, and likely reluctantly, to Seth. The way she squinted dared him to point out he had said something similar to Sybil’s words. “It’s not like that at all. I only want to be strong and prepared.”

      Sybil patted her arm again. “Of course. We understand.”

      Mercy continued to grin at her friend.

      Seth jerked his chin slightly hoping she’d understand he had no desire to continue their disagreement.

      The look she gave him had the power to start a fire. He tore his gaze from her scowl. “What about your family, Mercy?”

      She sobered and got a faraway look in her eyes. “I’m the only living child. I had a brother who died when he was eight.”

      “How old were you?”

      “Six.”

      A lot younger than he had been. Was it any easier at a young age? He couldn’t imagine it was.

      “He got sick,” she added, then shook herself and turned to Jayne. “Jayne here is the one with an abundance of family. Tell him.”

      “He already knows about Eddie. I also have two younger sisters.”

      He nodded