Second Chance Cowboy (6 page)

“If you refuse to let me go, then I’ll do this by myself! I’ve never led a cattle drive, but I’ll try. I swear I will.” Sabrina stared unblinkingly at Patrick. She had no choice.

He shoved his hat on his head and walked to the door.

“Where are you going?” Sabrina cried.

“I’m going into town, to find Matt.” Patrick glared at Sabrina. “Damn, woman, you have a way of irritating the hell out of me, but Matt’s going, not you!”

A
s if in
deference to Sabrina’s feelings, Friday morning dawned a beautiful spring day. Only four days after they buried her father, the clouds burned away. The sun blazed across a brilliant indigo Texas sky, but Sabrina didn’t notice the change in the weather.

With a sense of urgency, she got up early to help Buckets load the chuck wagon. The men were packed and ready to leave the next day. They would spend several days out on the range before moving down the trail. If Matt didn’t show up, she planned to catch up with the men before they left.

Matt. Her heart ached with sadness for the brother she’d loved. The little boy she’d raised from a child into a young man. The adolescent that was full of mischief. Had she been foolish to protect him, believe in him all these years?

Maria hurried into the kitchen where Sabrina was loading a box of supplies for Buckets. Puzzled, she asked, “Were you expecting Trey to visit today?”

“Oh no! I forgot. We were going on a picnic, but then everything happened. Is he here?” Sabrina looked down at herself. She had on Matt’s old clothes. Not exactly what a lady wore to receive guests, but she had planned on riding out to the pasture later to check on the men’s progress.

“Si!
He is waiting outside on the porch for you. He has a picnic basket with him.” Maria looked at her questionably.

“Maria, tell him I’ll be out to see him in less than five minutes.” Sabrina wished she had never agreed to this picnic with Trey, but now the need for information on Matt was stronger than ever. This was her opportunity to talk Trey into revealing what he knew regarding her brother.

As she opened the door she saw Trey sitting quietly, waiting on the veranda, gazing at the countryside.

“Hello, Trey.”

He turned in his chair, an eager expression of hello on his face. Sabrina watched his demeanor change from delight to dismay as he stared at her attire.

“You’re wearing men’s clothes. . .” he stammered.

“I’d forgotten our picnic. I plan on riding out to check on the men today.” Sabrina watched his eyes travel from her head to her toes and back up again with a mixture of disbelief and something else. Something close to desire. She squirmed under his close scrutiny.

“I could wait while you change and then we could go,” Trey suggested.

“Not today. But we could sit on the porch and talk if you’d like.” She didn’t feel like going on a picnic. With the death of her father less than a week ago, she didn’t want to spend any more time than necessary with Trey.

“What if I get the basket and we have our picnic here?”

“I’m not very hungry.”

“I have all this food. I’d hate for it to go to waste,” Trey insisted.

“All right.” While Trey retrieved the basket of food,

Sabrina pulled up a small table and two chairs. Tall cottonwood trees shaded the veranda, making it a pleasant picnic area.

Sabrina watched Trey hurry up the steps carrying the picnic basket. They had attended the same schools, church, and played together as children, but she’d never felt as if she knew him. Growing up, he’d never fit in with the other children.

Trey opened the picnic basket, unloading it onto the table. Sabrina observed him as he emptied the basket. His auburn hair shone with a natural brilliance, accentuating his light coloring.

“Would you like to eat now or do you want to wait?” Trey questioned, arching one eyebrow.

“Let’s eat now.” Anything to get this over with.

Trey unfolded a cloth napkin and spread it across her lap. A smile curved his lips as he filled a plate of food and handed it to Sabrina.

“You don’t have to wait on me,” Sabrina informed him. His actions made her uncomfortable. Strange. She had never thought of being alone with Trey; she had never wanted to.

Green eyes locked and held hers. He laid his hand on top of hers and squeezed it gently. “It’s my pleasure.”

Sabrina glanced down at her food. His eagerness to please was overwhelming and left her with a sense of unease.

Trey filled his plate and hungrily attacked the food. Neither of them spoke as they ate their meal. Sabrina picked at her food until Trey had finished his. Then he produced two slices of strawberry pie from the basket.

Sabrina eyed the pie with pleasure. “My favorite!”

“I know,” came Trey’s smug reply.

Surprised, she asked, “How did you know?”

“Matt told me.” Trey smiled.

For a moment her fork hung suspended in midair, dangling from her hand as she gathered her wits about her. Trey had spoken with Matt She glanced down at the strawberry pie, her appetite disappearing. “When did you speak with Matt?”

“A couple of days ago.” Trey picked up his fork.

A couple of days ago. The funeral had only been a couple of days ago. Matt had known about their father’s death and had deliberately chosen not to see her. Secretly, she had hoped he would ride in, explain he had just returned and been informed, but he had
chosen
not to come to the funeral.

Anger surged through Sabrina. She needed him and he was too self-centered to help. And what about their father? Hadn’t Matt wanted to pay his last respects to the man who had given him life? The brother she knew and loved couldn’t be so cold.

She took a deep breath and glared at Trey. “Where is Matt?”

Trey’s green eyes gazed at her. “I don’t know. Eat your pie. It’s delicious.”

She resisted the urge to pick up the pie and cram it in Trey’s face. “Right now, I want to know where my brother is and why he didn’t come to our father’s funeral!”

Trey stared at Sabrina. Lowering his fork, he pushed his chair back from the table. “Sabrina, Matt is a grown man. I saw him at the Painted Lady Saloon as he was heading out of town.”

Sabrina felt as if she’d been punched. Disappointment surged through her. He had left town without bothering to say goodbye. “He’s left town?”

“Yes,” Trey replied. His voice was full of sympathy.

Tears began to slide down her cheeks. The last few days had been absolute hell. “I thought you knew where he was and wouldn’t tell me.”

“You know I’d help you if I could.” Trey stood up and came around to Sabrina’s side of the table. He squatted down beside her chair.

Sabrina watched as he picked up her hand and slowly brought it to his lips. In shock she felt his breath caressing the back of her hand, and then his lips were touching her skin. Turning her hand over, he kissed her palm, moving his lips until he was kissing her wrist. A queasy feeling filled her stomach as he lifted his green eyes to hers and Sabrina saw the raw desire burning in them.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the night of the dance. I can’t sleep at night for thinking of you. I know this has been a hard time for you.”

She stared at him in surprise. They had seen each other three times since she’d come home.

“Trey!”

“I have plans, Sabrina. I don’t want to be just a rancher. I intend to be governor of this state someday.” He stood up and placed both hands on either side of her chair, trapping her. Automatically, she leaned back from him as she watched his mouth descend toward her.

His wet lips touched hers, covering them. With expert finesse he explored her mouth. Sabrina felt awkward, stiff. No passion, no desire, nothing except queasiness. She placed her hand on his chest and pushed him away.

But Trey wasn’t finished. He knelt on bended knee, picking up Sabrina’s hand. “I know you’re still in mourning, but you need someone to take care of you. I wanted you years ago, but there was always Patrick. Now things are different.” He squeezed her hand and took a deep breath. “Let me take care of you, Sabrina. Marry me.”

Shocked, Sabrina simply stared at him. This was the third time she had seen this man in the last two years and he was asking her to marry him? Was he crazy?

“Trey, please get up.” Sabrina watched him stand up with a frown marring his features. “I can’t think straight. I just lost my father, and I have a cattle drive to worry about. I never. . . we never . . . I’m honored that you asked me, but. . . .”

“Before you refuse me—think about it. I could help you, Sabrina. I’d take care of getting the cattle sold. I’d pay off the loan at the bank. Most of all, you’d be my wife!”

“How do you know about the bank loan?”

Trey patted her hand. “My father knows just about everything that is happening in this town.”

Stunned, Sabrina stared at Trey. He was asking her to marry him and promising to pay off the bank loan. All her worries would be over. She wouldn’t have to make that long cattle drive. But could she live with this man for the rest of her life? Did she want to? “Why do you want to marry me, Trey?”

He stood up and walked around the veranda. “Someday I’m going to be elected governor of this state. I’ll need a wife by my side, helping me, presiding over state dinners and teas.” He turned back to her. “You’re cultured; you’re beautiful. You’re everything I’m looking for in a wife.”

A flood of irritation filled Sabrina. Not only was he blind, but a fool. He seemed to have forgotten the single most important element in a marriage. Love.

She’d demand that sentiment of the man she married.

“I don’t want you going on this cattle drive.” Trey sent her a stern look.

Was nothing in this town a secret? “Who told you I planned to go?”

“Matt. All I could think about was you out on the trail with Patrick.” Trey spit the last words out as if they left a bad taste in his mouth.

Sabrina sat stunned. She hadn’t seen Patrick since the night of the funeral. Evidently Patrick had found Matt, but he hadn’t told her Matt was not going on the drive.

“Patrick is taking the cattle to Dodge City. I have no choice but to depend on him.”

Green eyes stared intently into hers. “If you married me, I’d take care of you.”

A shiver of revulsion swept through Sabrina. She put her hands up to her face. “Stop! My father just died; the ranch is in trouble, and you want me to consider marrying you!”

Trey pressed on. “You can’t trust Patrick with the money from the sale of your cattle. Matt told me your father suspected Patrick of stealing cash from his cash box.”

“Why should I believe Matt? And as a matter of fact, why should you believe him?” Sabrina replied tensely. How did Trey know about the cash box?

“Matt has done a lot of bad things, but I’ve never thought of him as a liar. He told me your father suspected Patrick because of the trial. Patrick knew where your father kept his cash hidden.”

Sabrina wondered at his words. Could they be true? Or was this just another one of Matt’s tricks? Patrick had seemed to care for her father, even after the broken engagement. Would he steal from them for revenge? If that were possible, how could she let him travel five hundred miles with her cattle?

“Marry me, Sabrina. You’re a woman. You need someone who can run the ranch and take care of you. I want to be that man.”

Sabrina stared at Trey. Once again, he had not mentioned love, only marriage. She loved this house and the land. It would kill her to part with them. Should she marry him to save the ranch, and give up love?

Laughter suddenly vibrated the air around them, causing Sabrina to jump. Patrick sat on his horse, cackling with merriment. Neither Trey nor Sabrina had heard the horse ride up, but there before them was Patrick. Sabrina watched Trey’s face change from white to pink, then red. Patrick jumped off his horse and bounded up the steps.

Obviously, Patrick had heard Trey’s proposal. A smile was on his face, but the look in his eyes was no laughing matter. “Well, Sabrina, we’re waiting. Are you going to marry this kid?”

Embarrassment, then anger, filled Sabrina as she glared at Patrick. He had heard and expected a response. “It’s none of your business, Patrick. Stay out of this.”

Patrick’s eyes radiated with anger. His voice asked mockingly, “Why? It’s just the three of us. After the other night at the dance, I thought we were all good friends.”

Trey’s green eyes flashed. “Damn you, Ranger. Once again your timing is lousy.”

“My timing is perfect.” Patrick smiled. “I didn’t hear a confession of undying love. I didn’t hear you promising your heart. Is it the woman you want or the land, Trey?”

Clearly, Patrick was spoiling for a fight. Sabrina watched as Trey’s face emitted intense hatred and knew an explosion was imminent. “That’s enough. I want you both out of here, now!”

“I ought to shoot you for that remark. If Sabrina weren’t present, you’d be dead.” Trey’s voice seethed with hatred.

Patrick laughed, his voice mocking. “I’m scared to death.”

“Trey, please leave. Mr. Shand will only be staying for a few moments.” She had to get these two separated or there was going to be bloodshed.

“You heard her. It’s time for you to run along home to Daddy.” Patrick leaned against the railing of the porch, smiling at Trey, yet seething with barely repressed rage.

Trey packed up the picnic basket. He looked as if a mere touch would cause him to explode into a million fragments.

Stomping to the buggy, Trey threw the basket inside. “Think about what I said, Sabrina.” He stepped in and with one last contemptuous glare at Patrick, slapped the reins and headed toward his ranch, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

“The order to leave included you, Mr. Shand. Get off my property!”

“Mrs. Sabrina Jarvis.” Patrick’s laugh was bitter.

Sabrina’s face went white. “If you recall, you also asked me to marry you once.”

Patrick’s laughter ceased. “Well, lucky for me, you broke it off. So, are you going to marry him or not?”

“I’m giving it some thought,” Sabrina responded matter-of-factly. Whom was she kidding? She’d never marry Trey. The thought left her nauseous.

Patrick reached her side in two quick steps and grabbed her by the arms. “You’d be crazy to marry him. That man is no good, just like his father.” He held her by her arms, shaking her, watching her eyes turn a stormy blue.

They were mere inches apart and the scent of lilacs teased his nose. A shiver rippled down his spine as he looked at the blonde curls that framed her face. One hand reached out to brush them back and with a will of its own pulled her face to his. The sight of her full lips, and the thought of Trey kissing them, sent rage surging through him. He crushed his mouth to hers in a brutal, demanding kiss.