Charlene Sands (20 page)

Ben and Rosalinda had been so sweet, worrying over her, asking her to supper. Jenna had to get used to being alone again, so she didn’t accept their offers. Still, Ben paid her a visit every day, frowning at her when she refused his help.

Jenna had always made do. Just like Cash, she’d always found a way to survive. Only, this time, pure loneliness ate at her, sapping her will. She had only Cash’s word to bank on that he’d return. Did she have enough faith in him? The man she loved was a gambler. He hadn’t changed and she could never hope to have him love farming the way she did.

When trouble settled on the farm, he’d turned to gambling, as he always had in the past. He
wouldn’t even consider another option. Cash knew only one way of dealing with life and that was by gambling.

She had no doubt Cash would bring the money they needed to the farm. He was a man of talent and determination. But what then? Dare she hope he would stay on? When would he tire of the farm and of her?

“Stop driving yourself crazy, Jenna,” she said, taking her plate to the washbasin. She glanced out the window, watching Scrappy bark and jump at Button. Her confident feline just stared at the dog, before lifting her head in regal fashion, then sauntering away. Scrappy flopped onto the ground, his black face in a pout, resting on his paws. But instantly, he lifted his head, tail wagging, bounding up and raced down the path.

Jenna spotted a man, making his way under the twin oaks, heading toward the house. “Cash!”

She untied her apron, flinging it and racing out the door. He was on foot, and Jenna’s mind muddled with worrisome thoughts. Had something happened to him? Was he injured? Where was Queen?

Scrappy reached him first. He bent to scratch his dog’s head, then lifted up when she approached.

“Cash,” she said breathlessly.

“Damn, Jenna. You get more beautiful every time I see you.” He walked over to her and took her hands in his. “Come here and kiss me. It’s all I’ve been thinking about for the last five miles.”

Jenna flowed into his arms. Warm lips, gentle, yet rooted in passion, took hers in a thorough kiss that nearly buckled her knees. She pulled away a bit, gazing up at him. “Cash, why are you on foot? Are you hurt?” She searched him for signs of injury. “Where’s Queen?”

Cash laughed, taking her hand and tugging her toward the house. “Come on. Let’s get home. I’ll tell you everything.”

Once inside the house, Cash emptied his pockets. Bills and silver coins hit the kitchen table. Jenna stared at the money.

“I made it to Blackwater, Jenna. I stood there, looking at my life at those gaming tables and knew that what I had here with you was worth so much more than that. I didn’t sit down at those tables, Jenna. I couldn’t. I wanted more for you. I wanted your respect…and trust.”

Jenna’s heart filled with joy, hearing Cash’s admission that he hadn’t gambled. He’d come back to her and hadn’t gambled, but she remained puzzled. “Where did the money come from?”

Cash rubbed his chin. “Bender. I sold him my horse and saddle.”

“You sold Queen?” Jenna couldn’t believe he’d done it, but Cash’s firm nod and gleaming eyes told her he’d spoken the truth.

“Got nearly three hundred dollars and the old guy made me promise I wouldn’t bet him for anything ever again.”

Jenna chuckled. “Oh, Cash.”

“This is enough to see us through the bad times, Jenna. But listen, I have an idea. When we were at Antonio’s wedding, I heard talk. There’s a new seed coming from the other side of the world. Winter wheat seed, Jenna, called Turkey Red. Bender’s going to give it a try and I figure we will, too. We’ll plant seeds this fall and harvest in the winter. Bender’s going to let us know how to get our hands on it.”

Jenna’s heart overflowed with love. Cash had found a way. He’d turned his back on gambling, for her, for them both. He’d come back to her with a plan for the farm. She dared to ask, “Does that mean you’re staying on?”

Cash took her hand and the look in his dark indigo eyes stole her heart. “Jenna, I’ve never had a real home until I met you. You…you’re my home. I’m asking you to do something for me, sweetheart. I’m asking you to gamble one time only.”

“You want me to gamble?” she asked, her mind filled so crazily with love that she couldn’t comprehend, didn’t know what he was saying.

“Yep. I want you to gamble that I’ll stay on here at Twin Oaks. I want you to gamble that I’ll be a good husband, for real this time, and a good father for our children. I love you, Jenna, with everything inside, everything I’ve got to give. I’m
asking you to take the biggest gamble of your life. I’m asking you to bet on
me.
”

Jenna thought of the boy, orphaned at a young age, having to invent ways to survive. She’d thought of the man whose life she’d saved. The man who’d never left a plate empty, but garnished it with a flower, a show of gratitude for a meal. She thought of the man, who had worked so diligently in the fields, claiming not to be a farmer, yet displaying those traits each and every day. She thought that she’d known love from words across a page with a man she hadn’t met. But now she knew love differently; by working alongside of a man, toiling until the day becomes night and learning his heart and soul, knowing all his faults and still wanting him desperately. That was the true and full measure of love.

Jenna smiled, thinking of the bright future ahead. The future she’d always wanted. She had only one word, one reply for the man who held her heart. “Yes.”

And she knew, it wasn’t a gamble at all.

But a dream come true.

T
he setting sun cast one last glow across the fields, a beam of light falling onto golden grain, rising up waist-high, as bountiful as it was beautiful. Three children played silly games of hide-and-seek within its boundaries, giggling joyously as a gentle southerly breeze bent the tall stalks ever so slightly. A man and woman stood upon the land, their hands entwined, a mangy dog and regal feline at their feet. Their gazes flowed over the fields then focused together on two oaks, steady and sure, with branches bending, connecting so fiercely that no force of nature would ever part them. And their resilient leaves kissed one another, tenderly, heartily in a caress that would go unequaled.

Always.

ISBN: 978-1-4603-0935-3

WINNING JENNA’S HEART

Copyright © 2003 by Charlene Swink

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