The Reluctant Rancher~Badlands (Contemporary Western Romantic Suspense) (15 page)

She hadn’t noticed her coming in, but Doctor Cami was there, rubbing her back and offering a damp paper towel. She washed Sara Beth’s face and arms. The cold water felt like a slap in t
he face. Cold and wet and real.

“Come on, honey. Let’s get you home now. We can close up early today.” Doctor Cami drew her to h
er feet and back into the shop.

Mr. Breck was holding Cami Lynn and jiggling her a little. “How do we do this? We need to close the store. Is there any money to be secured?”

Sara Beth nodded. “I…I had two sales this morning. There’s a check and some cash in the till.”

Mr. Breck rounded the counter and tucked the cash box under his other arm. “Let’s get this place locked up.”

“I’ll do it.” Doctor Cami went to the back door that opened out onto the alley. She twisted the old-fashioned skeleton key in the lock and lifted the iron bar into place. “That should be secure.” She turned back to face them. “What else?”

Sara Beth felt her lips tremble.
“Just…just the front door.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Doctor Cami said. “Breck, you get them settled in the truck and I’ll make sure everything is locked up tight.” She picked up Sara Beth’s purse a
nd keys and strode to the door.

Breck motione
d for Sara Beth to precede him.

She pressed her lips tight together and took one unsteady step, followed by another. She managed to
walk out onto the sidewalk she had so recently vacated, noticing the streaky window.
I’ll have to remember to get some more dry rags.

Mr. Breck opened the passenger side door for her. “You sit here up front and Cami can hold the baby in the back seat.” He slipped the cash box on the floorboard and held her elbow while she scrambled up into the high cab. H
e closed the door with a thunk.

Sara Beth watched Doctor Cami lock and try the big front door to her shop. Even with the streaky front window it looked inviting. She was glad there were two things in her life she could be proud of.
Her store and her daughter.

~*~

E.J. stepped out of the shower and Jenna handed him a towel. He grinned at her. “You look like a little girl in my big robe.” The sleeves extended far beyond her fingertips and the hem that struck him just below the knee reached halfway to her ankles.

She pushed the sleeves up to her elbows. “Is that an improvement?”

He had to laugh. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear someone just made love to you.” He took in her heightened coloring and the wide smile she wore.

She giggled, tightening the belt of his robe. “Som
eone did a fine job of it too.”

He felt an unreasonable flush of pleasure. He dried off quickly and tucked the towel around his hips. H
e ran a brush through his hair.

“You mean you don’t blow your hair dry?” she asked.

“Only in the winter,” he said.

“That means you
must have a hair dryer tucked away somewhere.”

“I do,” he said and pulled it out of a drawer. “And I might let you use it for a kiss.” He waggled the hair dr
yer in front of her enticingly.

“That seems fair.” She leaned her fingertips against his ba
re chest and offered her mouth.

He set the hair dryer on the counter and kissed her. Wrapping both arms around her, he let the towel fall to the floor. The kiss deepened and her arms slipped around his neck. He lifted her against him and felt a fresh rush of lust as her bare legs made contact with his skin. He cupped her bottom through the voluminous robe, adm
iring the firm flesh he held.

Her silky smooth legs wrapped around him and he let out a groan. “I hope you didn’t have a
ny appointments this morning.”

“Not a one.”

“Good planning.” He carried her back to the bedroom and stopped with one knee resting on the mattress. “You know, if we keep this up we just might get to be good at it.”

“E.J., if you were a horse, I would put you out to stud.”

“Wait a minute now. First, I was a jackass and now I’m a stud horse?” He climbed on the bed with Jenna in his arms. “Have I been upgraded?”

She spread her arms and fell backwards onto the mattress. “I am so sorry I ever called you a jackass.”

He reached for the belt and unfastened it, opening the robe to display Jenna’s perfect body. He traced his fingers lightly over her flesh, watching in fascination as her nipples tightened.
Beautiful.
He leaned down to capture one in his mouth, flicking it back and forth with his tongue. She arched toward him, her eyes closed and her lips parted.

He kissed the side of her neck, her pulse pounding against his lips. Her excitement slammed into him like a truck. He wanted his passion to drive her to new heights. He trailed his mouth down her torso, stopping to investigate her navel with his tongue, heard her giggle and dipped lower. Her perfect little mound, crowned with soft auburn hair. He stroked her firm thighs, spread them apart and heard her sharp intake of breath as he nuzzled her mound with his lips and tongue. Spreading her legs, he settled between them to tease and torment her. Jenna’s little gasps of pleasure stoked the flames of his desire. He felt her shiver and intensified his efforts. When she cried out and went rigid, gripping him with her thighs.
Yeah, baby. That’s the way. I’ll be your stud horse.

“Oh, E.J.!
That was fantastic.” Her breath came in little gasps.

Too cute
. “That was the appetizer. Your entrée, M’lady.” He entered slowly, teasing her. Or so he thought. Her strong legs wrapped around him and drew him inside. “Ah, she wants it now.”

“Yes,” she gasped.
“Now!”

~*~

Watching Sara Beth grieve tore at Cami’s heart. She knew Breck was feeling the same way. He had stood protectively by when the sheriff questioned her. She was sure that Breck’s formidable frown kept the questions from battering Sara Beth any more than necessary. It became apparent that the young wife knew nothing of the cause of her husband’s demise.

“I think that’s enough now, Sheriff
.” Breck had interjected when it appeared the man would have gone on and on. “Any fool can see that Mrs. Jessup has no additional knowledge that would be useful to you in your investigation. If you have further questions for my client, you can contact me.”

A rush of pride bloomed in Cami’s chest. She was proud of her husband’s stern demeanor and that he was standi
ng up for someone so powerless.

When
she’d shown the sheriff out, Cami returned to the room her Aunt Silky had called ‘the parlor’. “Good job, Breck.” She planted a kiss on his grim jaw. “Let me bring some refreshments. You two just relax.”

She went to the kitchen in hopes of giving Sara Beth some privacy in case there was something she needed to confide in the man who had just dec
lared himself to be her lawyer.

Cami grabbed a pitcher of tea out of the refrigerator and filled three glasses with ice. She arranged them on a tray and ripped the top off a box of store-bought cookies. Pressing her lips together, she wished she had time to bake something…anything. She spread half the contents on a
plate and added that to the tray. Somehow, despite her best intentions, it looked less than appealing. Straightening her shoulders, she picked up the tray and returned to the parlor, but stopped short when she saw Sara Beth sobbing in Breck’s arms.

He met her
gaze and motioned her to enter.

Sara Beth’s face was
crumpled in grief.

“Don’t you worry about a
thing. Cami and I are here for you and the baby. I’ll make all the arrangements for the funeral. You just try to relax and let the sheriff sort this all out.”

“Oh, my poor, poor Nick,” Sara Beth wailed. “I…I need to see him.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.” Breck patted her shoulder ineffectively as his words sent her into another howl of anguish.

Cami set the tray down on a small table. “Here, Sara Beth
. Have something to drink. You’re going to be dehydrated at this rate.” She poured tea into one of the ice-filled glasses and offered it to the young woman.

Sara Beth straightened, her face red and eyes puffy. She focused on the tea and
reached a shaky hand toward it.

Cami held the glass for her while sh
e gulped down a few swallows.

Breck offered his handkerchief just as the doorbell chimed.

Cami rushed to the front and espied Frank through the beveled glass insert in the front door. He stood on the porch, holding his hat in hand. She swung the door open and motioned him inside.

He shook his head. “No, Miss Cami. After I heard what happened to Nick, I just...” He shifted from foot to foot. “I was just going to ask if I could quit work early this afternoon.
Me and T-Bone wanted to go over to the Jessup place and tend to their little farm. They have livestock and it would be just like someone to steal them or let them out. I feel so sorry for Nick’s widow.”

Cami nodded. “Thanks, Frank. I think it would be a good idea for you and T-Bone to do whatever you think best to secure the Jessup place. Sara Beth is going to
be staying here indefinitely.”

“Yes, Miss Cami. We’ll do what we can.” He half turned and arranged his hat on his head. “It’s mighty kind of you and Mr.
Ryan to take her in like that.”

Cami shrugged. “I wouldn’t think of leaving her out there alone with the baby. Anything could happen to her. Why don’t you bring her animals over here? At least they’ll be safe and she won’t have to worry about them.
Take all the time you need. ”

“That’s a great idea, Miss Cami. We’ll haul them over this afternoon.” He took a couple of steps toward the steps.

“Frank,” she called. “You’re a good man. I’m proud to have you working with us.”

He ducked his head and shrugged off the compliment. “Heck, Miss Cami, I’ve worked here all my life. You and Mr. Ryan are like family.” He took the stairs two at a time and loped off toward the barns.

She stood staring after him, realizing how different this ranching community was to her former home in Houston. She didn’t ever regret her decision to leave it all behind, knowing she would never have been a part of a family there.

~*~

CHAPTER TEN

E.J. felt better than he had in months.
Probably the past year, at least. He paused to consider his state of euphoria. Truthfully, he couldn’t recall ever feeling so good.

It was like his entire insides were light as a feather. The heaviness that had weighed him down since he had been ordered to join his father on the
ranch had been replaced by a floaty feeling in his chest.

“What are you grinning about?” Jenna asked.

“Me? Was I grinning?” He tried to look casual as he rinsed dishes and handed them to her to place in the dishwasher.

She bent to fit a serving bowl in the lower rack. “Bigger ‘n’ Dallas,” she affirmed.

At the mention of his former home, he felt his smile fade.
Yes, that’s where I need to be. Maybe I can figure out a way to run this place from the city.

“Whoa!” she said. “Whatever you’re thinking, it sure killed off the grin.”

“Oh, um…I was just remembering something I have to do.” He scrambled through the many things on his list of duties, none of which was particularly pleasant. “I have to terminate an employee.”

“Leon Harwell?”

He nodded. “I can’t think why dad wanted him fired, but he was adamant that I get him off the property as soon as possible.” He shrugged. “And I have no idea how to find a good replacement.”

“You can run an ad. That’s how most people find a job, even ranch hands. Or maybe word of mouth.” She gazed up at him
. Obviously, she had no inkling that he had been considering deserting her for the joys of the big city. “I can check around to see if anyone is available.”

A twinge of guilt shot through him. “That would be great.”

“Why don’t you get it over with now, so it won’t be hanging over you all day?” She tilted her head to one side, looking child-like.

“Well, that just makes too much sense.” He grinned and put in a call to his foreman, hoping it would go well. He asked Leon to come to the house.

“Now?” Leon’s belligerent tone boomed through the receiver.

“Yes, now,” E.J. said firmly.

Leon rang off abruptly, cursing under his breath.

In a short time, the doorbell rang and E.J. met him, stepping out onto the porch to deliver his message.

“Leon, I decided your services are no longer needed. I drew this check to pay you through the end of the month.”

Leon’s jaw twitched. He clenched and unclenched his fists.
“Why you little pissant! I oughtta squash you like a bug.” He was as tall as E.J. and probably weighed half again as much.