Charlene Sands (13 page)

“I lived on that ranch as long as I could take it. I worked hard, but it was never enough. Beau Raley, the man who took me in, was the meanest
son-of-a-bitch you’d ever want to know. He beat me on a regular basis.”

Jenna flinched, the cruelty too hard to bear. “He whipped you? But you were just a boy.”

“He didn’t care. If you messed up on his ranch, and sometimes, even if you didn’t, you paid the price.”

“Oh, Cash.”

“I ran away and got real mean after that. I gambled my way from town to town. It’s not been an easy road at times, but it’s the path I had to take. Hell, I’ve had to kill men, Jenna.”

Jenna slammed her eyes shut. “I don’t believe that.”

“Believe it. It’s the hard truth.”

“You must have had a reason?”

“I always did, but killing is killing. Two men are dead because of me.”

“H-how?” Jenna asked, fearing what she might hear, but having to know just the same.

“Always the same way, Jenna, someone cheating at cards and pulling a gun on me when I called them on it. I’m a good shot, Jenna. It’s what’s kept me alive. Otherwise, I might have been killed years ago.”

“You were defending yourself. They gave you no choice.”

“I suppose, but sometimes I lay in bed at night, and wonder if that’s really true.”

Cash was giving her every reason to hate gambling
and gamblers, to confirm what she’d professed for years, yet Jenna couldn’t completely condemn Cash. And that notion not only befuddled her mind, but frightened her as well.

“You almost died by Turner’s Pond, Cash. You didn’t go looking for trouble.”

All too suddenly Jenna was reminded of Blue Montgomery, of how he died and all that she’d lost because of Cash Callahan. She should hate him, she
had
hated him when she first found out who he was, yet now she realized she didn’t have hate in her heart for him. And she was just beginning to understand why.

“I shot a man named Wendell, and his kin came after me.”

“But he drew his gun first, right?”

“It’s the truth, Jenna. He was aiming to kill me. I swear it.”

Jenna swallowed hard. It was almost too much to take. Yet it was Cash’s life…the life of a gambler.

“I believe you.” Surprisingly, she did believe him. He’d survived a terrible childhood, one that might have downed a less resourceful child.

His gaze locked onto hers then, a brief meeting filled with unspoken sorrow and tenderness. Gripping pain seized her and she wanted to reach out to him, to grant him the solace he needed, but she couldn’t do it. She simply wasn’t ready to forgive him. She didn’t know if she ever would be.

Cash cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “I’ve got business in Goose Creek tomorrow. I’ll be gone all day. Is there anything you need?”

Jenna’s lips curved up. There were a hundred things she needed for the farm, but she’d always made do. She’d never ask Cash to spend his own money for the farm. He had no real claim here. And she wondered about the business he had in Goose Creek and if he were fixing to leave soon, but she didn’t have any right asking. “I’ve got new ribbons for my hair, what more could I possibly need?”

Cash stared into her eyes, then nodded. “I’m leaving before sunup. You’ll have to milk Larabeth for me.” He winked. Then before she knew what was happening, he pulled her close, wrapped a hand around her neck, and kissed her full and quick on the mouth. Jenna barely had time to acknowledge the kiss, powerful as it was, before Cash climbed down her steps and headed to the barn, his loyal dog at his heels. “Happy birthday, sweet Jenna.”

Stunned, Jenna watched him until the barn door closed, the wonderful sting of his kiss on her lips. She knew she wouldn’t sleep much tonight. Her mind would rehash all that Cash had confided and her heart would go out to the young boy who had struggled to survive in a lonely world.

Jenna touched a finger to her lips, her body still tingling from Cash’s potent kiss, creating vivid
sensations that swelled her breasts and unsettled her stomach. She gazed at her cat, sitting like a statue on the railing. “Well, how do you like that, Button?”

The feline granted her a lazy one-eyed wink.

C
ash reined in Queen a few miles outside of Goose Creek. He dismounted and lowered Scrappy to the ground. His dog had insisted on coming on this trip. The dog had been favoring his paw again, and Cash had to make several stops along the way while Scrappy licked the dickens out of his limb. After a time, Cash gave up and had set him atop the saddle, giving the mutt a ride for a time.

“You’ve got to walk the rest of the way, dog.” Then he turned to face Queen. “Sorry to have to do this to you.” Cash poured water onto the ground and worked up a nice mud puddle. Then he smeared the moist dirt onto his horse. “Can’t ride into town with such a fine-looking animal. I’ve got to look the part of a sodbuster in every way. Scrappy will do fine, but you, you’re too beautiful an animal. Got to make you look worse for wear.”

Cash unrolled an Indian blanket and threw it over his saddle. The silver studs alone were worth
more than some farms in the area. He un-holstered his six-shooter and wrapped it in his bedroll. “Can’t ride into town wearing one of these neither,” he said, reluctant to give up his weapon. He’d been accustomed to having it by his side lately.

Once in town, Cash headed straight for the telegraph office. He wired Louella about the whereabouts of the Wendells. If she’d heard or seen anything, she’d let him know. “I’ll be back later in the day,” he told the telegraph operator. With luck, he’d get a reply from her before leaving town.

He spent the better part of the day entering shops, listening in on conversations and walking the streets. He ate at the town diner, and spent time in the saloon, standing at the bar, making discreet inquiries about gamblers, games of chance and listening to hear of any descriptions coming close to those of the Wendells.

His last stop was the telegraph office. His luck was holding out. A wire from Louella in Black-water had just come in.

He stood outside the office leaning up against the wall, staying in the shadows and read the wire. According to Louella, the Wendells were rumored to be in the area. She’d heard tales of them from her patrons. She believed them to still hold a grudge and warned him to be careful.

“Damn,” he muttered. He’d hoped they would have moved on by now, forgetting about taking their revenge, yet a small part of him rejoiced. As much as he knew he should leave Twin Oaks and
Jenna, as much as he had hoped she was out of danger, he still couldn’t abide leaving her. Cash didn’t like no-win situations. He knew the longer he stayed on at Twin Oaks, the harder it would be to take his leave.

With Scrappy at his heels, he tied Queen to the hitching post at the mercantile and entered the store. He walked up and down the aisle, picking up a few items for the farm, a new hand shovel and gloves for Jenna when she worked in her garden. As he approached the counter, he heard the merchant bidding farewell to Mr. Bender and his daughter Marcie. The names registered instantly. Cash sidled up next to them and paid for his purchases.

Cash swept his hat from his head, turning to the young woman. “Excuse me, Miss. Are you Marcie Bender?” The pretty brown-haired girl appeared shocked and looked to her father.

“And who might you be?” Bender asked, before allowing his daughter to respond.

“I’m a friend of Antonio Markham.”

The girl’s head shot up. Cash smiled at her. “He says hello.”

Marcie smiled shyly as her dark green eyes brightened with excitement. There was no mistaking that look. The girl was in love.

Bender frowned and ushered his daughter out the door. Cash picked up his purchases and followed behind.

“You go on to the wagon, Marcie. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

The girl nodded and strode down the street.

“Listen,” Bender said, turning to Cash and pointing his finger. “My daughter is off-limits to that Markham boy, you understand?”

Cash shrugged. “I just relayed a message, is all.”

“You work at that farm?”

“I’m at Twin Oaks, yeah.”

“Well, then you know that farm’s about to go under. They can’t keep up with the competition. I’d make them an offer if I thought the land was worth a darn, but it ain’t. The Duncan farm isn’t going to see another profitable day.”

Cash shrugged again, glancing at Scrappy. The dog lay on the sidewalk, licking his paw again. And then, instantly, Cash knew. Call it instinct, call it a good solid hunch, but Cash understood Scrappy now, and why his paw was acting up again.

Cash slanted the man a look. “The Duncan land’s fruitful, but with the rain coming again, no telling when any of us are going to get the seeding done.”

Bender’s face twisted. “What are you talking about? I think the sun’s baked your brains, son. It’s hotter than the devil’s kitchen out here. We ain’t gonna see rain again any time soon.”

Cash squinted into the burning sun and banked on his instincts. “I’d bet my horse, Queen, it’s gonna rain tomorrow.”

Bender gestured to Queen. “This is your horse?”

“Yep.”

The man eyed him suspiciously. “She’s a mite dirty, but a fine piece of horseflesh. One thing I know, it’s horses. How’d you come by such an animal?”

Cash shrugged, slapping his hat against his knee. “Just got lucky one day.”

Bender removed the blanket, uncovering the saddle then let out a long low whistle.

“Why, I’d be willing to bet my horse against half a dozen of your sheep and two hogs, that rain’s coming tomorrow.”

With a hand to his forehead, Bender peered up. There wasn’t one single cloud in the sky. He eyed Queen again with unmistakable lust. “If you’re serious, I’ll take that bet.”

Cash nodded firmly. “I’m dead serious.”

Bender shook Cash’s hand. “It’s a bet then. I get your horse when it don’t rain tomorrow.”

“And I get half a dozen sheep and two of your best hogs when it does.”

Bender grinned. “I’m going to enjoy riding that horse. I’ll be by Twin Oaks, day after tomorrow,” he announced smugly then turned to leave.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Cash announced, “if it does rain, you allow Antonio Markham to court your daughter.”

Bender’s voice elevated. “My daughter? Now wait just a doggone minute here. My daughter’s got nothing to do with this.”

“Then the bet’s off. ’Course, if you’re so sure
it ain’t going to rain, then there’s not a problem, is there?”

Bender hesitated and Cash could almost read his calculating mind. He gazed up at the cloudless sky one more time as scorching heat blazed down. “Throw in the saddle and you got yourself a deal.”

“Fine with me, the saddle and the horse against your livestock. One way or another, I’ll be seeing you day after tomorrow.”

“Fine,” Bender said then walked off grinning.

Cash took a deep breath, glancing at Scrappy who had not stopped attending to his bum paw. “I’m counting on you, dog. You’d best come through.”

Cash entered the barn at Twin Oaks late that night. After unsaddling Queen and combing her down, he walked over to Larabeth. “Hey there, lady cow. How’s my friend?” He patted her head and stroked her flank, as he’d done for days now. The cow’s ears wiggled in anticipation. Cash didn’t disappoint her. He reached into his stash of sugar cubes and allowed the cow to eat a few out of his hand. “There you go, a nice treat for a nice lady.” Larabeth was coming to enjoy the nightly ritual, and, Cash had to admit, so was he.

“Making a female come around is a difficult thing,” he said, giving her one last pat on the head. “But I do believe it’ll happen. Won’t that surprise the stuffing out of Miss Jenna?”

The barn door creaked open and Cash whirled
around to find her standing in the doorway. Heaven help him, her hair was down around her shoulders, full and shiny as if she’d just brushed it to a golden luster. The lantern she held put a glorious ethereal glow on her face. She wore that white cotton robe, the one that made her look like an angel, giving him distinctly devilish thoughts.

“You’re back,” she said, her voice holding a hint of disbelief.

“Did you think I wouldn’t be?”

“No, uh, I… I—”

“You thought I’d leave without so much as a proper farewell?”

“No, it’s just that… It’s late and I wasn’t sure.”

Cash pursed his lips and nodded, looking away from Jenna, realizing just how much she still didn’t trust him. Did she think he’d abandon her while Ben was still ailing? Did she think so little of him? “I’m back,” he said firmly, “and I’m not leaving until the planting gets done, Jenna. You have my word.”

Jenna flinched, probably from his sharp tone. Damn her, why’d she have to look so appealing?

“I’m sorry for barging in.” Jenna turned to leave, but Cash was too fast for her. He grabbed her arm and gently turned her to face him.

“Ah, hell, Jenna. Don’t leave.”

“I shouldn’t have come.” She lifted uncertain eyes his way.

Lord have mercy, he wanted her. He’d be forever wanting her. “I’m glad you did.”

He took the lantern from her hand and lowered
it down, then pulled her close, wrapping his hands around her waist.

“You know if things were different, I would never leave you.”

Jenna stopped smiling. She stared into his eyes then peered at his lips. Cash’s body went tight, his need for her powerful. He bent his head and brought his mouth down, crushing her lips in a fiery kiss that rocked him to his very core. This wasn’t a sweet birthday kiss, this was a kiss he only dreamed about when his mind shut down and his fantasies took hold.

Jenna moaned softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. He pressed her closer and there was no mistaking his need, the thin material of her robe no match against Cash’s rigid body.

“Have mercy, Jenna.” He drove his tongue into her mouth and savored the warmth and breath of her. He’d never forgotten her taste, the sweetness that melted away all the bad things in his life. She was a balm for him, a delicate willow in a patch of weeds. Cash needed her. He needed to be with her.

He brought his mouth to her throat, grazing her with kisses, licking her skin with the tip of his tongue. His hands moved up, just under her breasts, then he touched her there, over the swells. A shock shot right through him and Jenna moaned again. He moved her back until the barn door supported her weight, and rubbed his body with hers. “Jenna?”

She knew what he was asking. He could see it
in her eyes, the desire, the uncertainty, the fear. He saw it all and waited. It was her decision to make. He had nothing to offer her. They both knew that one day he’d have to leave. For Jenna, the stakes were high. Hell, for him, too. He’d leave here but his heart would never heal. Only Jenna had the power to heal him. He understood that now.

She shook her head and though Cash’s body rebelled, he knew she’d made the right decision. “No, Cash. We can’t.”

He didn’t argue. He exhaled deeply and put his forehead to hers. “I know.”

“You’re going to leave one day,” she whispered.

“I know that, too.”

“I’d better go in.”

He nodded and released his hold on her to retrieve the lantern. “I’ll walk you to the house.”

They walked slowly toward the front porch. He longed to hold her again, to tell her how much she meant to him, yet it would serve no real purpose. Jenna could never be his.

When they reached the door, she turned to him. “I’ll warm up your meal and leave it on the table.”

“Don’t bother, Jenna,” he said. “I’m not hungry.”

She nodded, biting the lip he’d just ravaged.

“Lock your doors. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She went inside and Cash stood there long moments, listening and waiting. He sensed Jenna behind the door, wondered why she didn’t lock up. Then after a time, he heard her secure the latch.

“Good night, sugar,” he mumbled as he walked away, his body still humming, still aching for her.

Suppertime came and went quickly that next night. Cash had been overly quiet. Jenna wasn’t sure why that was, except that he kept glancing out the window during the meal. She wondered if he was expecting someone. She filled a tub with water and began washing the dishes. Cash helped as usual, clearing off the table, bringing plates to her and putting away the leftover food.

After the way he’d kissed her last night and nearly done other things, she didn’t mind not making light conversation. Too many thoughts occupied her head, racing through again just when she was certain she’d put them aside. Her thoughts all centered on the man pacing her kitchen, staring out the window. Fatigued from lack of sleep, Jenna couldn’t wait to slip into her bed and shut out the world. She’d never been a bad sleeper until Cash Callahan entered her life.

Cash’s loud whoop for joy startled the “tired” right out of her. “It’s raining!”

She whirled around quickly. Wide-eyed, Jenna stared at Cash. “What?”

“It’s raining, sugar. Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her with him out the back door. They stood in the yard as hard drizzle poured down. Cash laughed heartily, lifting Jenna up and twirling her around in his arms.

Jenna gasped for air when he set her down. He beamed her a big smile. “Did you see it, Jenna?
The way the sky just suddenly clouded up, out of the blue?” He lifted his face skyward, jutting his arms out to catch the droplets.

“I saw it, Cash,” she said, lifting her face to the clouds, too, and feeling the cool of the rain wash away days of heat and dust.

“Nothing like rain,” he offered as drops continued to trek down his smiling face.

Puzzled at Cash’s odd behavior, Jenna found herself smiling, too. She couldn’t help herself, she’d never seen the man so doggone happy. “Cash?”

“I haven’t gone crazy, sugar.”

Jenna nodded, only half believing him. “Can we get out of the rain now?”

Cash glanced at her body, his thorough perusal making her breath catch, and she was suddenly aware that her dress clung to her skin like the peel of summer fruit. “Sure thing, let’s get back inside.”

He grabbed her hand again and they dashed back inside, Jenna giggling all the way. She hadn’t played out in the rain since she was a child. Back then, a summer storm was as welcome as a full harvest and Jenna would steal precious moments away to frolic outside and cool off. Of course, it wasn’t summer now and the rain could very well delay the planting.