Kiss Me (Fool's Gold #17)(80)

“Everyone gather round,” he yelled. “Chase, bring Martin and Thad over.”

He wore a thick coat that looked as if it could repel any liquid known to man. His cowboy hat protected his face and neck and his leather gloves probably kept his hands warm.

So there was more to this Western wear than just fashion, Phoebe thought humorously. After last night, she could even understand the appeal of shirts with snaps. The easier to get undressed quickly.

Maya rode up and stopped next to her.

“This sucks,” she said sourly. “I hate being wet.”

Phoebe nodded. “It’s no fun.”

“I doubt it’s going to get any better. I have no idea where we are, which probably means we’re not that close to the ranch.”

When all the folks had moved close to Zane, he spoke.

“We’ve hit a patch of bad weather, and I doubt it’s going to let up anytime soon. We need to get to cover. The ranch is a good two-day ride from here.”

Maya didn’t look surprised at the news, but several people groaned.

Eddie shook her head. “Gladys and I are up for it, people. So you have to be, too.”

Zane held up a gloved hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to make you stay out in the rain that long. There’s another ranch about an hour from here. We’ll leave Chase and Cookie with the cattle and ride directly there. We should arrive before lunch.”

Phoebe was stunned. “Reilly’s place?”

Maya stared at her. “How do you know about Reilly?”

“He told me—about what happened before and why they don’t get along.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “Wait a minute. He told you? Chase doesn’t even know what happened. Tell me.”

Phoebe wasn’t about to betray Zane’s confidence, but before she could say that, he spoke again.

“Thad will take one of the kids, and I’ll take the other. We’ll tie their horses to the back of Cookie’s wagon.”

“Why?” C.J. asked.

“Hypothermia. They’re too small to survive in the rain and cold on their own.”

C.J.’s face paled as she stared at Lucy and Tommy. “I had no idea. Are they going to be all right? I don’t want anything to happen to them.”

Phoebe was warmed by her concern. She’d come a long way in a short time.

“They’ll be fine,” Zane promised.

Thad slid off his horse and walked toward Tommy. “Hey, big guy. You and me are going to have some fun.”

The boy was shivering too hard to do much more than nod as Thad plucked him off his mount. Zane moved his horse next to Lucy’s and simply grabbed the girl around the waist. When she settled on the saddle in front of him, he unbuttoned his coat, tucked it around her, then fastened the bottom three buttons.

“I wish he could do that with me,” Maya said with a shiver. She narrowed her gaze. “But don’t for a minute think all this means I’ve forgotten. I want to know the secret.”

“Later,” Phoebe said, knowing she was putting off the inevitable confrontation with her friend.

But she didn’t want to get into it now and have an audience while she explained that while she hadn’t actually promised to keep Zane’s secret, she felt obligated to protect him and his past. Her heart ached when she thought about all that had happened to him when he’d been Chase’s age.

Thad wrapped Tommy in his coat and put a protective arm around the boy. C.J. leaned close and smoothed his hair off his face.

“You’ll be warm soon,” she promised.

Phoebe moved next to Zane. She smiled reassuringly at Lucy, then lowered her voice. “Reilly won’t have a problem taking us in?” she asked.

He shook his head. “This is Fool’s Gold. We look out for each other.” His mouth curved in a smile. “I may be forced to bunk down in the barn, but you’ll all be treated like honored guests.”

Chase rode up. “All ready?”

“Just about. Grab the kids’ horses. I’ll be back in the morning. Stay sharp.”

Chase grinned. “Cookie and I will hunker down in his wagon. Don’t sweat it. We’ll play cards.”

“Not for money,” Zane told him.

“Are you kidding? I don’t want to get more in debt.”

Cookie poked his head out from the wagon cover. “He’ll be fine. I’ll take good care of the boy. There’s plenty of grazing for the steers, and God knows, they don’t seem to notice the rain. Just get on back here tomorrow so we can head home.”

“Will do,” Zane promised and turned back to the group. “Let’s go.”

Phoebe waved goodbye to Manny, then urged Rocky forward.

Zane kept them at a walk until they’d left the herd behind, then he kicked his mount into a trot. Phoebe winced as her backside slapped against the hard saddle.

“S-sorry, buddy,” she told Rocky. “I know this can’t be pleasant for you.”

She clung on as best she could while her insides were being pummeled into the consistency of a smoothie. When they’d cleared the trees, Zane urged his horse faster still.

She felt Rocky speed up, and suddenly his gait smoothed out. There was a back and forth rocking, but it was easy to stay in place. Plus, it felt like they were going really fast.