Second Chance Cowboy (15 page)

Matt squirmed. “The jury acquitted us. I can’t help it if I seem to have a lot of bad luck.”

“But the evidence seemed overwhelming. Did the jury really acquit you—or did Carson buy them off as Patrick suspected?”

Suddenly the door opened and Patrick stepped into the room, unsuspecting. Matt lunged at him, knocking him to the hard floor. Curses flew from Matt’s mouth as he fell on top of Patrick, trying to pin his arms down. “You lay with my sister, you bastard.”

“Matt, stop it. Both of you, stop now!” Sabrina screamed. Neither man listened. Arms were flying as each man was throwing punches, trying to get the advantage. They rolled, stopping when they hit the wall, with Patrick on top.

“Stop it! Now!” Sabrina tried to pull Patrick off of Matt but he ignored her. She pounded on his back until Matt rolled Patrick over, hitting Sabrina and throwing her off balance.

She landed on her backside with a slam. The air left her body in a swish. More enraged than she could remember, Sabrina picked herself up and marched from the line shack.

Patrick flipped Matt over and straddled the young man, holding his hands. In a cold, deadly voice, he said, “What Sabrina and I do is none of your business.” His breathing came in short gasps. “If you mention one word of this to anyone, I’ll gladly beat the hell out of you.” Patrick stood quickly, before the young man could throw another punch. It was quiet, too quiet. He glanced around for Sabrina, anxious to see how furious she was, but she was nowhere in sight.

The sound of horse’s hooves pounding outside sent Patrick running to the door. He stepped out and watched Sabrina ride away. Cursing, he stalked back inside and hauled Matt to his feet. He poured the last of the coffee over the fire, extinguishing its flame.

Still breathing hard, he put his hat on his head. “Come on. She’s ridden off without us.”

“We’ve got to catch up with her. Trey is out there somewhere, watching ...”

Patrick glared at the young man. “Are you still working for Carson, riding with their brand?”

“No. I left in the middle of the night after I learned Carson is planning on keeping you from reaching Dodge City. That man wants you dead.”

Patrick frowned. He wasn’t surprised. Carson had hated him since the day he’d arrested Matt and Trey, but could he believe this kid? “Come on. Let’s go.” There was only one horse left and Patrick climbed on. He reached a hand down and pulled Matt up behind him. Damn the little witch! She’d forced him to ride with Matt. She’d taken Matt’s horse, leaving them to share.

They galloped across the prairie, trying to catch Sabrina. Patrick turned his head and shouted at Matt “Did you tell her about working for Carson?”

Matt stuttered. “No. I—”

Patrick cursed. “You lied to her, didn’t you?”

“I can’t tell her the truth. She won’t understand.”

“She’s going to find out. Its better she hears it from you than someone else.” Patrick wondered why he was trying to help Matt. The kid didn’t care about Sabrina, only his own skin.

“When the time is right, I’ll tell her.”

“It had better be soon or someone besides me is likely to fill her in.” Patrick scanned the horizon, looking for a sign of Sabrina’s horse.

“Find her, Patrick.” Matt brushed his hair out of his face.

Patrick frowned over his shoulder at Matt. “Sounds like you actually care for her.”

“I don’t want her to get hurt,” Matt fretted.

“If you truly care for your sister, you’ll be honest with her, Matt,” Patrick said in a quiet voice.

Matt’s body tensed in response. “Shut up and find her.”

Patrick spurred his horse to retrace their route from yesterday, searching the prairie for signs of a rider. At last he saw Sabrina sitting, waiting on her horse, beside the swollen creek they’d been unable to cross the day before.

Water rushed along the banks at a fast clip, but the level had lowered enough so it was safe to cross. Patrick reined in beside Sabrina; her blue eyes flashed angry sparks.

“Did you two
boys
decide to quit fighting?” Sabrina asked sarcastically. “I thought maybe riding together would force you to become better friends.”

The funny thing was that though he and Matt were not friends, they had found a common goal in protecting Sabrina.

He smiled in spite of himself. “You proved your point. Don’t go riding off without us again!”

“Depends,” Sabrina replied. “On whether or not you two can get along. I’m not riding with two men who are constantly bickering like two old nags.”

Matt, who had sat quietly behind Patrick, spoke up. “We’re not old nags. I call a truce until we catch up to the drive.”

Patrick turned and looked at the young man. “That truce had better extend until we reach Dodge City. I won’t have you starting trouble with the other men, Matt.”

“What are you going to do, hang me? Then I’d be out of the way, wouldn’t I? You could have your way with my sister again any time you wanted,” Matt taunted.

Patrick almost knocked the man and his mouth off the back of his horse. Only the thought of Sabrina riding off without him kept his hand at his side. “One more crude remark like that and you’re walking.”

“Okay, okay! Truce! We’re not friends, but we won’t try to kill each other,” Matt replied sarcastically.

Sabrina turned her horse and started across the water. “If you two are through arguing, let’s go. I’m anxious to see what kind of damage that storm did to my cattle.”

S
abrina had never seen a more
welcome sight. Longhorns quietly grazed as the three of them rode amongst them. Occasionally a cow would raise its head and stare, and shouts and waves greeted them as they rode into camp. Buckets came from around the chuck wagon with a grin big enough to ride a horse through.

“Gawd Dern, if you ain’t a welcome sight to these old eyes. I thought that cloud picked you up and carried you all the way to Dodge City.”

Sabrina smiled and dismounted. “It tried, Buckets. I’ve never been so scared in all my life.”

Patrick reached back and helped Matt to dismount. All talking ceased, and a stunned silence permeated the campground. Buckets’ smile suddenly fell, leaving his mouth hanging open.

“Hi, Buckets! I can tell you’re surprised to see me.” Matt announced gleefully.

Tension dropped like a heavy curtain over the camp. Sabrina watched as Buckets closed his mouth, trying to recover. “I’m surprised, all right.” His greeting lacked the warmth he had shown Sabrina and Patrick.

The others held back, astonishing Sabrina with their cool reception of Matt. Why were the men acting so distant toward Matt? He would have been their leader if Patrick had not led the drive. A trail leader had to have the respect of the men he delegated duties and responsibilities to.

“Did you blow in with that twister, boy, or did they find you somewhere along the trail?” Buckets questioned.

The cowhands were as quiet as church mice, waiting and listening. “No, I found them last night,” Matt said. Glancing at Patrick, he smiled. “They were
waiting
out the storm.”

Sabrina noticed Patrick clenching his fists. “We had to outrun that twister and ended up crossing a small creek. After the storm, we couldn’t get back across because of high water.” Patrick sent Matt a warning glance. “Then Matt showed up and stayed the night.”

They were playing games and Sabrina wanted to bang their heads together like two naughty children. Now that Matt was back, what would she do with the two of them?

“How many cattle did we lose, Buckets?” Sabrina questioned.

“We’re missing near a hundred head from what we can tell. I’ve got most of the men out looking for them and you.” Buckets spit a stream of tobacco juice. “You missed a fine time yesterday. That twister hit the ground behind us, and them cattle were off and running. It took us all afternoon just to turn their pretty heads. The boys were up most of the night trying to settle ’em back down.”

Sabrina breathed a sigh of relief. “I was so worried about you, the men, and the cattle. I wondered if we would ever see you again.”

“Hell, with them longhorns stampedin’ I was more afraid of them than I was of that cloud.” Buckets wrapped an arm around Sabrina, giving her a quick hug. “We didn’t know where you two had disappeared to. After it was over and done with, it was too dark to go out looking for you.”

Sabrina felt a twinge of guilt She met Patrick’s gaze. No words were needed as they stared at one another, each remembering the night before. Longing filled Sabrina, leaving her full of despair. She broke off the eye contact with Patrick and glanced at Matt. She’d let him interfere once more.

“Buckets, I’m starving,” Matt said.

“Come on, boy; follow me.” Buckets led Matt away. The rest of the men, seeing that the excitement was over, went back to work, leaving Patrick and Sabrina alone.

They stared at one another, neither speaking. The silence stretched on. Sabrina knew they needed to talk, but the words refused to come.

“Did Matt tell you where he’s been?”

They stood close together, their horses behind them Sabrina could smell Patrick’s musky scent. It was his smell and she was suddenly very aware of her body’s reaction to him.

“He said he was in Fort Griffin,” Sabrina replied, her voice a low whisper.

“Do you believe him?” Patrick asked.

Sabrina strolled away, unable to look at Patrick. She folded her arms, hugging herself. Whatever answer she gave would not be the correct one. Either way she stood to lose a man she loved. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. His story sounds false, yet he’s my flesh and blood.”

Patrick sighed.

“I’m not choosing his story over yours, Patrick. I need time to gather facts, to decide. Please allow me that time.”

Patrick walked up behind Sabrina and pulled her around to face him. “I don’t think that’s an unreasonable request. Two years ago I would have walked away from you.”

Sabrina nodded. “And two years ago, I chose Matt’s side over yours without thinking. I’m trying to be reasonable this time.” She paused, aware that her next sentence could possibly incite his wrath. “But I will not accept your fighting with my brother, for any reason.”

P
atrick strolled
into camp just as an orange flush permeated the western sky, where the sun had dipped below the horizon. With little or no rest last night, and the additional strain of Matt joining the drive, Patrick was dead tired. He wanted only to reach his pallet and lay his tired body down to sleep.

The crackle of wood snapped and popped as flames greedily licked the dried wood of the campfire. The fire drew him like a siren in the night, and he gazed at the cowhands huddled around the light. The twinkle of a silver coin flashed in the firelight, attracting Patrick’s attention.

He halted, staring with open mouthed disbelief as Matt dealt a hand of cards. The clink of coins falling together, and the groans of the losers left Patrick seeing red. The low-life, snake was cheating his men out of their money right beneath his very nose. Hard-earned money that none of his hands could afford to lose.

Buckets met Patrick at the edge of the small camp. “About time you came in.” He glanced at Matt and shook his head. “I knew it wouldn’t take long before that boy caused trouble.”

A flash of pure, hot rage sparked Patrick. “Yeah, and it’s going to end right now!” He stormed toward the game, intent on putting a stop to Matt’s latest form of chicanery.

The sounds of his boots crunching upon the ground alerted the men to his approach, and he watched with interest at the sudden panic registered upon their faces. They scrambled to gather their money, while unaware, Matt continued to deal.

Patrick’s fist closed around the collar of Matt’s shirt. He hauled him up, dragging him to his feet, “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Matt snarled, “Playing cards. What’s it to you?”

“No one gambles on this drive, including you.” Patrick grabbed the cards out of Matt’s hands and threw them into the fire. “It’s one of my rules.”

Matt pulled away from Patrick and straightened his collar. “I don’t have to follow your rules.”

“I make the rules for this outfit. You can either obey them or you’re welcome to saddle your horse and ride out.” Patrick met Matt’s blazing blue eyes, daring him to contradict him. “Consider your options real careful. Last time you almost starved to death on the trail. Are you sure you want to risk it again?”

“I was doing fine until I ran out of food,” he spat.

“People die from starvation,” Patrick replied calmly. “The choice is yours.”

Patrick watched as Matt frowned, glancing around at the camp and the cowpokes, who stood back watching the unfolding scene. He sighed dejectedly. “You’re not running me off.”

“Then you can take first watch tonight along with Tom.” Patrick extended his right arm. “You’ll find a horse saddled and waiting for you.”

“I’m not one of your cowhands.”

“No, you’re not one of my cowhands. I would never have hired you. But while you’re on this drive, you’ll do your share just like everyone else and you’ll abide by my rules. Now get going,” Patrick commanded.

Matt glared at Patrick, his chest heaving with indignation. “When we get to Dodge City, I’m taking Sabrina and we’re leaving,” Matt snarled. “You won’t be needed anymore.”

“Got going, Matt, before I change my mind and send you packing.”

Matt stomped off toward the waiting horse. Why did the boy show up just when Patrick was beginning to think Sabrina still loved him? When there might be a chance for the two of them after all. Why did it always come back to this kid?

He ran his hand through his hair and faced the men who stood uneasily around the dying campfire. “Any more card games and you’ll find yourself out of a job without pay. Any questions?”

The men shuffled their feet, looking at the ground. No one spoke. “I suggest we turn in and get some sleep.” Patrick spun around to find his sleeping roll and almost ran over Sabrina. How long had she stood behind him? Obviously, long enough to hear the exchange between Matt and him. Her arms were folded across her chest; her foot tapped nervously.

“Did you have to humiliate him in front of the men?” she asked venomously.

Patrick grabbed her by the arm and marched her to a secluded area of the camp, away from the men who had already witnessed one colorful episode this evening. Matt’s first full day with them had already caused more trouble than they’d experienced the entire trip. Out of earshot of everyone, Patrick faced Sabrina, his hand still wrapped around her upper arm.

“No one gambles on this drive. Not even your brother,” Patrick declared, his anger boiling just below the surface.

“How was Matt to know that? The men knew the rules, and you didn’t even reprimand them.”

“I just told them they’d be fired if they were caught again. What more did you want me to say?”

“You didn’t have to tell everyone how he couldn’t survive on the trail by himself!” Sabrina accused.

“Damn!”

“He does have some pride, you know.”

“I simply reminded him of his choices. If he doesn’t like them, he knows what he can do.” Patrick paused. “Always his protector, aren’t you, Sabrina? Maybe Matt’s always in trouble because people treat him too soft”

“What?”

“Maybe if you and your father had let him suffer from the consequences of his choices when he did something wrong, or punished him, then he wouldn’t be in the trouble he’s in now!”

“That is ridiculous! How many children have you raised?” Sabrina’s sarcasm bubbled over.

“About as many as you have.” Patrick rubbed his hand through his hair. “You’re not his mother. You’re just his overprotective sister. Quit fighting his battles! Let the boy grow up.”

Sabrina stared in abhorrence at him. Tears filled her eyes.

“I guess that would mean letting him go to jail and hang for a crime he hadn’t committed. A crime you just happened to arrest him for.”

Patrick stared at her. Why couldn’t he forget her, find another woman? The arrest of her brother would always be between them. “I was only doing my job.”

“But he was acquitted!”

“Sometimes you can get away with a crime for a while, but usually the person who committed the offense will try to do it again. But then Matt’s been an outstanding citizen upholding the law, so you don’t have to worry about that, do you?”

“You always know best, don’t you? You never take into consideration how I might feel, how I might wish that the two of you could get along, do you?”

“We’ll never get along as long as you continue to protect him, and Matt is the stealing liar that he is. Face the facts, Sabrina. Everyone knows who and what your brother is but you. Talk to Buckets. Talk to Carson, but please clear that damn fog from your eyes before it blinds you into poverty.”

A stinging blow to his cheek left Patrick stunned as Sabrina turned on her heel and fled to the chuck wagon. Every time he thought they had a chance, it seemed Matt came between them, destroying his hopes.

T
wo days
later a gentle rain fell that somehow soothed the weary travelers, but left the trail slippery and everything damp. Wearing her rain slicker, Sabrina sat astride her horse and watched her brother doze. He rode in the flank position, and his job was to keep the cattle from wandering too far out from the herd. A fairly easy job, yet one Matt obviously could care less about doing.

Since the night Patrick accused her of being overprotective, she had watched her brother, studied him. She didn’t like the things she was observing. He was arrogant, selfish, and childish. She’d watched him manipulate people to acquire what he wanted, and whine when he didn’t get his way. He was a nine-year-old boy in a twenty-year-old body.

It was as if a veil had been removed from her eyes, and for the first time in her life, she saw the real Matt. It scared her. Scared her because she was afraid the choices she had made regarding Patrick could be wrong.

There had been no more trouble between Matt and Patrick, but Patrick had avoided the two of them as if they were cursed. Maybe they were. She’d missed him terribly these last few days, yet knew they both needed time to think.

She couldn’t blame Patrick. The words he’d spoken the other night had wounded her deeply, but most of all, she knew they were the truth. That’s what upset her the most and had caused her to retaliate. The nagging suspicions she had buried deep within her were knocking on her doorstep, warning her to look closely at the brother she felt compelled to protect.

She had doted on him from the time their mother had died. Her father had been busy working the ranch, making sure that the cattle got to market, while she’d taken on the role of homemaker. With Maria’s help, everything had been fine until Matt had gotten into trouble with Trey Jarvis.

A trickle of uncertainty tripped down her spine. Repeatedly, Patrick had told her to speak with Buckets about Matt. He’d seemed so sure of himself. Did she want to know the truth about Matt, or was it better to keep believing in the person you loved?

If Patrick were correct about her brother, then she’d been wrong from the very beginning. She’d been wrong when she had broken off the engagement. Even though it had been for the best since she had not been ready to become a wife and mother, it would mean her love for Matt had blinded her to his shortcomings. Worst of all, she’d chosen Matt’s version of the tale over Patrick’s, her fiancé’s.

Sabrina glanced again at the dozing Matt. He was twenty years old. Old enough to be handling a man’s responsibilities. Old enough to help his family, and old enough to be held accountable.

Maybe it was time she went to see Buckets. She didn’t have to believe everything he said. Whatever he told her couldn’t be worse than the suspicions that were forming in her mind. What if Buckets told her she’d been a fool?

Sabrina stared at her sibling. It was time to face the truth so she could decide on the future. Dodge City was only fifty miles away . . . three hard days of riding before she sold her cattle and headed for home. The time to clear up any misunderstandings was now, before they made it back to Sherwood. This thing, whatever it was between herself and Patrick, had to be finalized before they returned to Sherwood.

S
abrina found
Buckets with the chuck wagon, cooking the evening meal. The smell of beans simmering over the fire made her stomach growl in anticipation. Buckets was bent over the back of his chuck wagon, digging in a box, rattling pots and pans.

“Can I help you?” Sabrina asked the gray-headed old man, whose back was to her.

Buckets jumped. “Lord, girl, you scared me. Make some noise when you come into my camp.”

“Sorry, I . . .” Sabrina folded her arms across her chest. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Buckets stopped pulling his dishes out and stared at Sabrina. “What’s the matter with you, gal?”

Sabrina sighed a wistful sound. “Buckets, you’ve known my family for years. If I ask some questions, would you be honest with me?”

Buckets frowned. “Have I ever lied to you before?”

“Not that I know of,” Sabrina replied.

“Then ask your questions.” Buckets sat down on the edge of the wagon, his pots and pans forgotten.

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about Matt and Patrick.” Sabrina ducked her head and wrung her hands. “You know, Buckets, when you love someone you want to believe they’re innocent, but … since the trial, Matt hasn’t lived the most exemplary life. I think he would want to prove he was an honest man and show people that the trial was a big mistake.”

She took a deep breath and raised her eyes until she was staring at Buckets. “But Matt hasn’t done that, has he? He’s more of a hellion now than he ever was.”

Buckets nodded his head, agreeing with her.

“I want the truth, Buckets. If anyone knows the truth about my brother, it’s you. Be honest with me. Was I wrong? Did my brother really steal those cattle?”

Buckets sighed. “I knew this was a-coming. I’ve been waiting for this day.” He paused. “Yes, Matt and Trey were stealing cattle. Your father found out right before Patrick arrested Matt.”

Sabrina sat down with a thud on the edge of the wagon. “Why, Buckets? We had all the cattle we needed. Why?”

“You ain’t a-gonna like this; but you wanted the truth, so I’m a-gonna tell it to you.” Buckets cleared his throat. “Your brother has a gambling problem. He loses more than he wins.”

“But I don’t understand . . .”

“You see, Sabrina, I sent you that blasted telegram to bring you home. Your brother’s been stealing for years. Your father was sick and someone had to protect the Big C, and it could only have been you. I was the one who thought you needed to come home.”

T
he rain fell
in a steady stream, mixing and flowing with Sabrina’s tears. Her body was in motion, but her mind was in a rage-filled numbness. She strode on. Her determined steps carried her to some unknown destination. The scenery could have been the Sahara desert and she wouldn’t have noticed. Her mind was focused on Patrick and the past.

She was a fool. Everyone had known the truth regarding Matt, but her. Blindly she had believed in a boy who existed only in her mind.

The sound of horses’ hooves penetrated her fog-filled mind as she realized the men were coming in for the day. Leading the group was the golden-haired man with ice-blue eyes she’d once called
brother.
Like a sturdy tree, Sabrina planted herself in his path, prepared to give battle. Unaware, Matt lazily rode his horse toward her in the misting rain.

When he came within a few feet, he reined in his brown mare. “Sabrina, what are you doing out here?” Two quick strides took Sabrina to Matt. “Get off that horse,” she commanded.

Matt swung his leg over the side of his saddle. “What’s gotten into you?”

Grabbing his arm, Sabrina yanked him from the saddle, throwing him off balance by her unexpected action. He landed with a plop in the mud. His horse whinnied, shying away from the man on the ground.

A shocked Matt stared up at Sabrina. “What in the hell is the matter with you?”

In a voice that trembled with suppressed rage, Sabrina said, “You lied to me.”

Matt frowned. He glanced around, aware that the other men had all stopped and were watching the drama unfold “What are you talking about?”