Lost and Found

Chapter Twenty

Lillian, Sawyer, Paul, and Kitty gathered at the bottom of the porch, saying their goodbyes with dawn just barely peeking over the mountain range, casting the surroundings in a crisp bluish light.

The air was cold and brought rosiness to their cheeks and noses as they stood watching the twelve men riding into their assigned positions as they maneuvered the herd to depart the ranch.

The cattle's mooing carried to their ears as the outriders and wranglers guided them through the East pasture amidst whistles and calls that echoed over to the house. Lillian and the children had gasped in surprise, never having seen three thousand head of cattle together at the same time until now. It was truly staggering.

"Mind your mama and be good, all right, honey bear?" Sawyer said as he hugged Kitty close and kissed her cheek.

Kitty had been his little shadow the past few days as the start of the cattle drive loomed ever closer, and this morning had seen her unable to hold back her tears.

"All right, Papa," she cried against his neck.

He set her back down after another tight squeeze and then turned to Paul. "You're gonna be the man of the house while I'm gone. It's up to you to make sure our girls are safe and happy until I return."

Paul's chest puffed out with pride and importance even as he fought to hide his tears, "Yes, sir. I won't let you down, Pa."

"I know you won't," Sawyer squatted down in front of him, "now give me a good hug."

Paul happily threw his arms around Sawyer's neck in a tight embrace.

Swallowing past the lump of emotion settling in his throat, Sawyer patted Paul's back and stood. Turning to Lillian, where she wiped tears from her eyes, his vision blurred, and his heart thumped painfully against his ribs.

More than anything, he wanted to turn to Riley, mounted and waiting for Sawyer to finish his goodbyes, and tell him he wasn't going. He'd stay and sit this one out. But, he couldn't because there was too much riding on this drive for him not to go.

Lillian smoothed the collar of his coat with trembling fingers. "Be safe," she whispered.

He still didn't know about Walker. They'd gotten so caught up in preparations for the upcoming trip she'd pushed it aside, saying to herself she'd tell him 'tomorrow.' Suddenly, there were no more 'tomorrow's' and Sawyer was leaving. She'd put it off for so long that she worried telling him now cost to the ranch its success.

With any luck, since Walker hadn't tried anything after she'd run into him last week, it meant he'd left town and abandoned his desire for revenge against her.

"Please be safe," she repeated, her throat thick with unspent tears. She should tell him right now. She'd promised to not keep secrets from him, and here she was doing precisely that.

'Walker's in town. Don't leave us.' The words were there; all she had to do was say them.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Sawyer spoke first.

"I will. The same goes for you... I left the revolver and a box of bullets if you need it, but I don't want you picking any fights while I'm gone," Sawyer teased.

She'd been practicing nearly every day. They'd even made a bit of a contest of it a few evenings ago, having her test her skill against several ranch hands and found she was just as skilled as some who'd boasted of their unrivaled expertise.

The men even had a good laugh when she proved to be more accurate when paired against Sawyer twenty yards from the target. He then silenced them with a show of his speed when he shot all six cans lined up in less than three seconds.