Authors: Paige Cameron
She threw her clothes into the suitcase and went around the house with
Jackson
, making sure all was locked and shut off before they left. They had just finished in the kitchen when Samantha spotted the plane in the distance. “They’re almost here.”
She ran to get her suitcase, and
Jackson
wasn’t far behind her.
Keoni and Manu had been notified and arrived in time to hurriedly drive them to the landing strip. Her heart pounded as the jet took off.
Hurry, hurry, I can’t get there too late. I have to see Gramps.
Jackson
took her hand in his. He raised it to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
“A car will be waiting in
Houston
. We’ll be able to get right to the hospital.”
Samantha hardly heard his words. She saw the last of the sunset sink into the west, and the shadows of fear sank into her. This was one time going back took forever. She slept in snatches during the flight.
Fear gripped her throat tight again after they landed. The limousine sped around traffic to get them to the hospital.
Jackson
held her arm as they walked along the hospital corridor to the cardiac ICU waiting room.
All medical centers had a familiar smell—a combination of cleaning agents, perfumed air, and people. Samantha twitched her nose. Hospitals were not her favorite places, especially not waiting rooms. They were bare and cold, usually had no windows, or if the room had one, there was no view, except another building. The particular scent smelled of anxiety and a cross between fear and hope.
As soon as she saw Samantha, Maria ran into her arms. “I’m so sorry you had to cut your trip short. Mr. Riley said not to call, but I knew you’d want to know.”
“Absolutely, you did the right thing,” Samantha reassured her.
“Sit, then tell me what happened and why he had surgery.” She directed Maria to a chair and sat beside her.
“He’s been having trouble with his heart,” Maria said. She raised her hand before Samantha could ask a question. “He swore me to secrecy. Said he didn’t want to put a damper on your wedding plans. He wanted to be there to see you wed.”
“Is that why he made those unannounced visits to Saddle Creek and then to
Houston
?” Samantha asked.
“Yes. The doctors in both places told him he needed bypass surgery, but he put it off. He planned to have it later after you came back.” Tears ran down Maria’s face. “The stubborn man. His heart didn’t wait. He had a heart attack. The doctors said it was a mild one, thankfully. They took him right to surgery.” Maria wiped her eyes and gave a weak laugh. “I’m sure he was arguing with the doctors right up to when they put him to sleep.”
“That sounds like Gramps. How long will they be keeping him in ICU?” Samantha asked.
Maria smiled. “His doctor said maybe tomorrow he’d go to the cardiac floor.”
“That’s good news,”
Jackson
said. “I’m going to find us all a cup of coffee and maybe some food.” He kissed Samantha. “I won’t be long.”
“You’re happy?” Maria asked after he left.
“Very, but I’m really concerned about Gramps. I was so frightened during the flight here.”
“The doctors are very encouraged, and now that you’ve arrived, I’m sure he’ll do even better.” Maria patted her back. “It’s all going to be good from now on.”
* * * *
Two days later, standing outside Gramps’ hospital door, Samantha remembered Maria’s prediction.
Jackson
had supposedly left early to go by his old business, so she’d decided to surprise Gramps at breakfast. But, she got the surprise. She’d started to push the door open when she heard Gramps’ voice and then
Jackson
’s. Apparently, they’d been talking for some time.
“This wasn’t our agreement,” Gramps said. “The will has been written so you get fifty-one percent of the Riley ranch when I die. You’re to name the first son Riley, and eventually it’ll all go to him. That’s a good deal. No more discussion. Don’t you have somewhere to go?”
Jackson
laughed. “You’re a cantankerous old man. I’ll agree for now.”
Shocked, Samantha hurried away from the door. She went around the opposite corner from the elevators.
Jackson
strode out of Gramps’ room, and the elevator door opened just as he approached. She waited until the door closed then sank against the wall. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks.
No wonder he’d wanted to marry soon before Gramps changed his mind. Had that been his payoff to marry her? He got the majority share of her ranch, meaning whatever she suggested he could say no to. Angrily, she wiped the tears from her face. They’d both betrayed her. The two men she’d trusted the most. Her heart ached with the pain of betrayal. Glancing around, she saw the sign for the stairwell.
She took the stairs and came out in the back of the hospital. Since she’d taken a taxi, she didn’t have to worry about her car. Where to go? She wandered along the busy streets, not noticing what direction she’d taken. When she got thirsty, she stopped at an outdoor cafe and ordered tea and toast. She didn’t think anything else would stay down. All around her, people hurried on foot and in cars. They had places to go, people to see. There wasn’t anyone for her to talk with except Janice.
Samantha took out her cell phone and punched in the number. Janice came right to the phone.
“Sam, where are you?
Jackson
called, frantic. He said Mrs. Murphy told him you’d left early for the hospital, but you never arrived.”
“I arrived just in time to overhear Gramps and
Jackson
’s conversation.” Samantha started to cry. “He married me for the ranch. In fact, Gramps bought me a husband.”
“You’re talking crazy. Tell me where you are, and I’ll come and get you.”
“If I do, you mustn’t let anyone else know.”
“
Jackson
’s worried, Sam. Your grandfather will be, too, if you don’t get over to the hospital. Sam?”
Thoughts went round and round in her head. She didn’t want Gramps to have a relapse. “Meet me across the street from the hospital at the coffee shop. We’ll talk. You can tell them I’m all right, and I’ll be along later. Don’t say where you’re meeting me.”
“I don’t like it, but all right.” Janice rang off.
Samantha backtracked. The next few hours were going to be the hardest when she confronted
Jackson
. She’d been so sure he loved her. But, he couldn’t. Not to have agreed to being given controlling interest in the Riley ranch. He had to know how hurt she’d be. She understood Gramps. He wanted to see her safe and wed.
Janice parked at the curb just as Samantha had found a quiet table in the back of the shop. Samantha noted the worried expression on her friend’s face. Spotting her, Janice walked around the mostly empty tables and dropped into the seat across from her.
“Have you lost your mind?” Janice asked. “
Jackson
adores you. And he’s rich. He doesn’t need the ranch.”
“You’re wrong.”
“No, you are. You may be my best friend, but right now I’m really angry with you. Talk to
Jackson
, hear his side.”
“I hurt so bad. Ever since I heard them talking.”
“Did you listen to the whole conversation?”
“I arrived toward the end. It doesn’t matter. I heard enough.”
Janice groaned and shook her head. “Did you have a good time on your trip?”
“Yes.”
“And
Jackson
was attentive and loving?”
“Of course, it was a honeymoon.”
“Well, if you’re right then he didn’t have to be. He had what you say he wanted as soon as you became his wife.”
“Not really. He has to stay around until Gramps dies.”
“Listen to yourself. You’ve known
Jackson
for years. Do you really think he’s capable of such devious behavior?”
Samantha’s hot tea began to warm the cold spot inside her. She thought about what Janice said. Truly, the
Jackson
she thought she knew would never even consider being devious or deliberately hurting anyone. She remembered what Mr. Greenlee and his wife had said about him.
Janice reached out and touched her hand. “Talk to him. I’ll call and ask him to come here.”
“Thank you. I don’t know why I reacted so strongly. The news shook me. Why did Gramps do it, if not to get me a husband?”
“Think about how your Gramps sees the world. I’ve got to go back to work. Call me later.”
“I will.”
The waitress brought her a fresh pot of hot water and another tea bag. She heard each long minute as the hand of the old clock scraped across the surface. Traffic buzzed by. She’d looked down to add sugar to her tea when she sensed him there.
He stood inside the door staring at her, his eyes dark as night and his face pale. Slowly, he walked to her table and sat.
“You gave me a scare.” The words came out flat and hard. All the planes of his face were etched with worry and, underneath, anger. The anger, a pulsing entity around them.
She didn’t know what to say to him.
“I saw my attorney. You can have a divorce. If I haven’t been able to convince you of my love by now, nothing will.”
He scraped his chair back and stood. His hand reached into his suit jacket and pulled an envelope out. He laid it in front of her.
“I had this drawn up before our wedding. Your grandfather wouldn’t let me tell you about his will. I begged him not to do what he did. He’s an obstinate old man.” A half smile curved his mouth. “He swore me to secrecy. I knew this day would come, sooner or later. I’d hoped later. I believed, no, hoped, you’d come to me at the time, talk with me, give me a chance.” His shoulders slumped as he turned and slowly walked off.
What have I done?
Samantha’s hand touched the envelope. Part of her was afraid to read what lay inside. She pulled out the paper and unfolded it. At first, the dark letters blurred. She blinked, and as her vision cleared, she read the short, official contract.
He’d signed fifty-one percent of his ranch over to her a few days before their wedding. Her heart sank. She’d been stupid and overreacted. In the end, she’d allowed her fears to help her lose the best thing she’d ever had,
Jackson
’s love.
Chapter Eleven
Samantha kissed Gramps’ cheek. “I’m going for a ride. Do you need anything before I go?”
“No. Stay outside awhile. You look pale, worse than me.” He smiled and patted her hand. “You’re sure
Jackson
doesn’t mind you staying here? After all, you two are newlyweds, and I already interrupted your honeymoon.”
“He’s fine with it,” Samantha lied again. She was becoming good at telling false tales. She hadn’t seen
Jackson
since the day at the coffee shop. She’d heard he visited Gramps at the hospital, but never when she was there.
She’d made up the story of them deciding for her to stay at Gramps’ and help Maria until he was able to get out and about. Her days consisted of seeing he got his walks and that he wasn’t lonely. Once a day, she went out for a ride. Every day she had to fight the temptation to ride to
Jackson
’s. She would if he was there, and she knew what to say. As far as she knew, he had stayed in
Houston
.