Second Chance Cowboy (5 page)

“I’ll help you find Matt, Sabrina. Let’s go home.” Patrick replied, his voice steely.

Another death.

T
he day had dawned
cloudy and humid with the smell of rain in the air. Sabrina stood alone, expecting raindrops to fall on her face any moment and mingle with her tears. She wished to God, it would rain. Rain away everything, the pain she felt, her anger at whoever had killed her father; the anguish filling her heart.

The preacher’s voice droned on, but Sabrina barely heard him. This had to be a bad dream. Awakening, she would go down to breakfast with her father. They would talk about the progress of the cattle drive. They would laugh and banter as always.

A drop of rain fell on her cheek. This was no dream. Her father was about to be laid to rest beside her mother. No longer would they sit and talk. Unknown to either of them, they had said their last goodbye Sunday morning.

He was gone. The sound of “Amazing Grace” drifted to her ears. She tried to sing her father’s favorite hymn, but the words stuck in her throat.

Searching the crowd, she looked for Matt, hoping to see that familiar face. He should be here beside her, but instead she stood alone with only Maria at her side. Patrick had spent the previous day searching for Matt to no avail. How could the brother she loved and defended not be here?

Thunder rumbled in the distance. The storm was moving closer. Maria nudged Sabrina with her arm. They were waiting on her—waiting for her to throw the first handful of dirt on the casket, waiting for her to say goodbye one last time. This was it. No more hugs, no more long talks, no more reassuring pats.

Her legs felt wobbly, weak, but somehow they got her to the edge of the grave. Six feet was a long way down. Glancing inside the grave, she saw the wooden casket. A shiver ran down her spine. It seemed so cold, so dark. Shaking, she scooped up a handful of dirt and slowly released the earth. It fell on top of the casket with a dull thud. Closing her eyes, Sabrina whispered softly, “Good-bye.”

S
abrina closed
the door to her father’s room. She couldn’t bear to look in and see his clothes lying strewn around the room. The house was filled with people, yet she felt alone.

Maria and Patrick had not left her side the last few days. No one had been able to get through to the ache that filled her heart. Where was Matt? Didn’t he realize she needed him?

Standing in the hall outside her father’s room, she knew she should get back to her guests, but she needed time alone. Time to think about what she was going to do, time to think about Matt, about her dad.

The soft sound of footsteps intruded upon her thoughts. Patrick placed his hand on her arm and turned her toward him.

His golden-brown eyes searched her face. Quietly he asked, “Are you okay?”

Sabrina closed her eyes, her heart aching. She had to be strong. The world now rested on her shoulders, with the responsibility of the Big C and the cowhands. “I’m fine. A little tired, but okay.”

Sighing, she looked up into Patrick’s eyes, seeing a reflection of her grief.

“I can’t believe he’s gone.” Feeling the tears begin to pool in her eyes, she squeezed them shut. “Every time the door opens, I think its Dad coming home.” One lone tear made its way down her cheek, and Patrick reached out with his thumb and softly brushed it away. She opened her eyes as his arms slid around her in a comforting gesture.

She clung to him and was amazed at the feeling of safety and security that came over her. The words started to pour from her mouth, releasing pain from her aching heart

“I don’t know what to do. Everyone is turning to me, asking me to make the decisions.” She choked back a sob. “All I can think about is Matt didn’t come to our father’s funeral. I can’t help but wonder why?”

Patrick stroked the back of her head with his hand, trying to comfort her. “Go ahead and cry. You’ve been strong these last few days.”

She didn’t want to cry in his arms. The anger between them had made him a stranger, but his soothing word released her carefully constructed dam. Unable to stop herself, she surrendered to the compulsive sobs and her body began to shake.

He simply held her and comforted her as she cried away some of the pain. The pain of losing her father, the pain of Matt’s disappearance, the pain of feeling alone. Finally empty of emotion, she sniffed, “I don’t have a hankie.”

Patrick reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief. “Here.”

Sabrina smiled through her tears and took it from him. Glancing down, she noticed his shirt was wet with her tears. She reached out with her hand. “Oh, Patrick I’m sorry. Your shirt is all wet.”

“It’s okay.” He stood not more than three inches from her, comforting her, consoling her. How could this man hate her, but be so gentle toward her? He had been there for her more than anyone in the last few days.

After Patrick had seen them home Sunday afternoon, he had stayed and helped her tell the ranch hands. Then he had taken some of the men and ridden back to the ravine. They had followed the tracks left by the killer until darkness had overtaken them. During the night, rain had washed away any remaining tracks, leaving them without any clues.

She wiped her eyes and nose with his handkerchief. “Can I keep it and return it later?”

He grinned at her. “Sure. Just don’t make it smell like roses or lavender.”

She laughed for the first time that day. “Thank you, Patrick. I’d better get back.” She started down the hall, then turned back. “You were a good friend these last few days. I don’t know what I would have done without you. Thanks.” Quickly, she walked away before he could respond.

Sabrina hurried back into the parlor. The house was overflowing with people. After the graveside service, most of the townsfolk had stayed for the meal that followed. Lengthy shadows filled the house as the afternoon slowly waned. Evening was fast approaching and people were beginning to gather their things, preparing to leave. Sabrina walked through the house, saying goodbye and thanking people for coming.

“Sabrina, I need to speak with you.” Sam Bradley stood before her, nervously licking his lips.

He dropped his head, unable to look her in the eye. “I know this is a bad time, but we need to talk.”

Puzzled, Sabrina looked at the odd little man who ran the only bank in town. “Can’t it wait until next week, Sam? I’m exhausted.”

He ducked his head and shuffled his feet, “I’m sorry, but you need to know now.”

Alarmed at the urgency in his voice, she replied, “Let me say goodbye to the rest of my guests; then we’ll talk.”

Sabrina found Patrick talking to Maria. “Sam wants to talk with me. He says it’s urgent and can’t wait. Would you mind staying while Sam talks to me? Maria doesn’t understand English very well, and with Matt not here. . . .” Unable to finish, Sabrina blinked hard, trying to hold back the tears. She had no one. No one but Patrick to turn to. She reached up and swiped a tear away with the back of her hand.

“I’ll stay, Sabrina.”

After everyone had left, the men followed Sabrina into the parlor. The nervous little man took a seat on the sofa.

What could Sam have to tell her that was so important, he wouldn’t wait until next week? Could the rumor mentioned in the telegram be true?

Sam cleared his throat nervously. He glanced at Patrick. “Ah, it’s rather personal.”

“It’s okay, Sam. I asked Patrick to stay.”

Sam frowned and shifted his eyes to Sabrina. “Two years ago your father bought five thousand acres of land the state had for sale. He bought it because Dove Creek ran across that section of land and he’d wanted it for years.”

Sabrina sighed and clenched her hands in her lap “He told me about the land. He needed the water.” The banker continued stammering. “When it went up for sale, he was short on capital and the bank arranged a loan for him.” Sam took out his handkerchief and wiped the perspiration from his brow. “He put the ranch up as collateral. The loan came due after last year’s roundup.”

“I know. Cattle prices were down last year and Dad didn’t make as much on the drive.”

Sam looked at Sabrina sadly. “That’s true. Your father paid a portion of the loan, but the balance is now due.”

“What are you saying?”

“The loan is due in full on September first.”

Sabrina gasped. “That barely gives us enough time to get the cattle to market!”

“I know. That’s why I thought you needed to know as soon as possible.”

Patrick, who had been leaning against the fireplace, asked, “Can’t the bank extend the loan a few more weeks?”

Sam glanced at Patrick and then at Sabrina. “I can’t. The terms of the loan will not allow any more extensions.”

Would the bank really take her home away? “Sam, I need more time. My family has always paid their debts to you. You know we’ll pay that loan. Give me until October first.”

“I’m sorry, I wish I could.”

Sabrina stared at the red-faced man in shock. What was she going to do? They couldn’t lose the ranch.

Sam cleared his throat and shifted his eyes away from Sabrina. “Someone is interested in buying the Big C. If you’d like, I’ll contact him.”

“Sell the ranch? Absolutely not. This is my home.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just doing my job,” he defended.

Patrick, who had remained quiet asked, “Who is this buyer?”

The banker’s eyes dropped. “I’m not permitted to reveal that information to you.”

Anger filled Sabrina. She had lost her father, her brother and now possibly her home. “Go back and tell this buyer the Big C is
not
for sale. You’ll get your money, if I have to take those cattle to market myself.”

“Is there anything else?” Sabrina wanted this despicable man out of her house. He might be in control of the bank, but for the time, this house still belonged to her.

“No,” Sam answered sheepishly.

“I’ll show you to the door.”

At the door, Sam looked at Sabrina. “I’m sorry. I wish things were different.”

“Good night, Mr. Bradley.” Sabrina quietly shut the door and slumped against it, drained from the encounter. What was she going to do?

Patrick watched Sabrina wearily walk back into the room and slump into the nearest chair. Frustrated, he felt her desperation, but didn’t know how to help her. Then he recalled his conversation with Jed only weeks ago. Jed had been afraid something would happen to him and had confided in Patrick where the money was hidden.

“Sabrina! Your father’s money box. Have you checked it?”

“The money box! I forgot all about Dad’s money box.” She whirled around and ran to Jed’s room. Throwing back the rug, she lifted up the loose flooring and pulled out the small cash box.

Opening it, her face fell. “There’s so little here. What happened?” Her father had told her about the money several years ago, in case anything ever happened to him, but besides her mother’s wedding ring and some other jewelry, there was very little cash.

Patrick came to stand beside her and looked down in the box. Frowning, he asked, “How much is there?’

“Not enough to pay the loan off.” Sabrina sat down on the floor with a thud. “I don’t understand, Patrick Where did the money go?”

“I don’t know.”

Sabrina looked up at him suddenly, confusion in her voice. “How did you know about Dad’s money box?”

Patrick saw the suspicion in her eyes. “Your father confided in me several weeks ago.”

Sabrina slowly put the box back in the floor and covered it up. Her father had wanted her to marry Patrick. He'd been delighted when Patrick asked for her hand, but to tell him about where the family money was kept? Matt was his son. Why would he confide in Patrick instead of Matt? And now the box was twenty-five-hundred-dollars short!

“There’s no money to pay off the bank note, and Matt’s not here to get the cattle to Dodge City.”

“I was planning on going with your dad. I’ll combine our herds and drive them myself.”

Sabrina looked at Patrick. Could she trust this man to get her cattle to Dodge City and return with the money to pay off the bank note? Yes, he had been a Texas Ranger, but money was obviously missing out of the cash box and Patrick had known where it was. Could she sit at home for three months and wonder what was happening?

Absolutely not! Those were her cattle, and unless Matt could be found, she would go on this drive. She spoke with quiet but desperate firmness. “On one condition; I go with you.”

“Are you crazy?” Two quick strides put Patrick in front of Sabrina. His eyes blazed with indignation. His calm voice commanded. “No! You’re not going.”

Hands on hips, eyes flashing, she turned toward Patrick. “Those cattle are all I have left to save my home. I’m not going to sit at home, wondering what’s happening, while they travel five hundred miles across country.”

“I understand, Sabrina, but the trail is no place for a woman.” Patrick’s quiet firmness shook Sabrina for just a moment. Those were her cattle, and no one was taking them anywhere without her.

“I have punched cows before,” she informed him quickly. “I have been on cattle roundups before. I’ve slept out under the stars and ridden long distances. I can do this.”

“Trail life is difficult for men, let alone a woman. It’s too dangerous.” Sabrina watched as he stopped before her, his eyes flashing with anger. The truce of the last few days was obviously over.

“Seems to me it hasn’t been too safe around here.” Her tone changed to entreaty. “I have to be with those cattle. What if something happened to you and the money didn’t make it back in time? I have to go.”

Exasperated, Patrick ran his hands through his hair. “What if Matt went? Would that make you feel any better?”

“No. He couldn’t even show up for his father’s funeral. What makes you think I would depend on him to save the ranch?” Anger filled Sabrina. She’d trusted Matt, had loved him and defended him. In the end he had betrayed her.

Patrick was staring at Sabrina in amazement.

“Well, it’s true,” she defended. “Those are my cattle I’m going!” Sabrina crossed her arms across her chest defiantly.

Patrick turned dark, powerful eyes on Sabrina. I don’t want to hear any more nonsense from you about going on the drive. Forget it. I’m leading the drive. Therefore, I say who goes and
who doesn’t!”