To Tame a Renegade (26 page)

“Sarah and I met a few weeks ago,” Chad answered for Sarah.

“I’m sure there’s a story here somewhere,” Ryan commented.

Sarah’s gaze shifted to the youngest Delaney brother. Ryan was slightly taller than Chad and Pierce. His piercing green eyes were keenly intelligent, but alight with skepticism. Sarah had a feeling that of the three, Ryan was the most stubborn. The bold slash of his eyebrows above the hard planes of his handsome face must draw women like flies, she reflected. Though not quite as black as Pierce’s hair, Ryan’s dark brown locks enhanced his tanned features and lent him a dangerous appeal. Instinct told her that he was a rogue and a womanizer.

“Why don’t we all go into the kitchen?” Zoey suggested. “Hot coffee would taste good right now. I can’t wait to hear what Chad has to tell us. He’s been gone a long time.”

Everyone must have thought it a good idea for they all trailed into the kitchen. Cookie was working over the sink. When he saw the Delaneys troop in, he sensed their need to be alone. “I’ll keep the young’uns occupied while the grownups talk. Help yourself to coffee and cookies.” He took each boy by the hand and led them off.

Once the adults were seated around the table, Zoey poured mugs of coffee for everyone and passed around a plate of cookies. Then she took a seat beside Pierce.

“We’re all anxious to hear why you stayed away so long, Chad,” Pierce prompted once Zoey had settled into place. “We haven’t heard a word from you in over two years.”

Sarah thought he sounded like a father scolding one of his children.

“Where in the hell have you been?” Ryan asked.

“Around,” Chad said, refusing to elaborate.

“Why haven’t you withdrawn funds from the bank account?” Pierce wanted to know.

“I didn’t need it,” Chad replied. “I earned enough money as a bounty hunter to meet my needs.”

“Bounty hunter!” Pierce and Ryan exclaimed in unison.

Chad’s expression turned stony. “It’s an honest living.”

“So is ranching,” Pierce contended. “I can’t believe you preferred chasing outlaws to working the land you’ve always loved.”

“Dammit, Pierce, you know why!”

“Leave Chad alone, Pierce,” Zoey said, coming to Chad’s defense. “Have you forgotten that Chad rescued me from Samson Willoughby? Let him explain in his own way. I’m sure we’ll understand once we know the facts. He
has
returned, let it go at that.”

Chad sent Zoey a grateful smile. “Much obliged, Zoey. At least someone in this family has good sense. You all should know, though, that I won’t be staying long.”

“What!” The word exploded from Ryan in an angry expulsion of breath. “Why in the hell did you return if you don’t intend to stay? What about Sarah? We thought… Hell, we
hoped
you’d found someone and returned home to settle down.”

Sarah flushed. Nothing could be further from the truth. All Chad wanted to do was dump her and leave.

“I know I’ve got some explaining to do,” Chad began, “and I’ll try to answer all your questions. As for settling down in Dry Gulch, you all know my feelings about that. Nothing has changed in that respect”

“Then why
did
you return?” Ryan repeated.

“I came to ask if one of you would take Sarah and Abner in. You both have large houses, and they desperately need a place to stay.”

Pierce’s eyes narrowed, sensing things Chad wasn’t telling them. “You’d better explain.”

Sarah felt the color drain from her face. She prayed Chad wouldn’t tell his brothers more than they needed to know, but she could think of no way he could explain without mentioning that Abner was illegitimate. She’d experienced people’s scorn and disapproval before, but it was important to her that Chad’s relatives think highly of her.

“Sarah and Abner are in danger. An outlaw named Freddie Jackson may be stalking them,” Chad began. “He’s a bank robber and a rapist. Jackson is Abner’s father, but he’s not Sarah’s husband. He’s already taken the boy from his mother once.”

Sarah paled beneath the keen perusal of Chad’s family. Chad’s rather terse explanation had all but named Freddie her rapist She wanted to disappear into the woodwork.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Zoey said, understanding perfectly what Chad had only hinted at. “We’re glad Chad brought you and Abner to us, aren’t we Pierce?”

Pierce nodded absently as he searched Chad’s face for a hint of his brother’s feelings for Sarah.

“I don’t want to impose on your generosity,” Sarah insisted. “I didn’t want to come here, but Chad was determined. You know how persuasive Chad can be when his mind is set on something.”

They did indeed. The Delaneys had tenacity in common.

“Chad wants us to believe that his relationship with Sarah is a platonic one,” Ryan said knowingly. “He brought Sarah to us because he is concerned for her safety.” He sent Chad a wicked grin. “I don’t buy it.”

Chapter 13

“W
hat kind of damn fool statement is that?” Chad bit out. “Sarah and I are friends, no other explanation is necessary. You’re embarrassing Sarah.”

Chad knew precisely what his family was thinking. They knew it wasn’t like him to bring strangers into their home unless they were people he cared about. Nor was it his style to dump someone on them and take off. But he’d changed during the two years he’d been away. Chad was surprised his brothers didn’t recognize the differences in him. He’d always been stubborn and hardheaded; now he was bitter and disillusioned.

“All I ask is that you protect Sarah and Abner from Freddie Jackson,” Chad continued. “I’m going after him as soon as I leave here, but it might take a while to catch him.”

“You can count on us, Chad,” Pierce said. “it’s time we returned to the Circle F. Sarah and Abner can accompany us.”

“Accepting charity is new to me,” Sarah said with quiet dignity. “I’ve provided for myself and Abner since the day he was born. My son’s wellbeing is all that matters to me and I’d do anything to keep him safe. I’ve worked hard all my life, I don’t want to become a burden to anyone. I intend to work for our keep. I can cook and sew and clean and do laundry. Taking in laundry is how I made my living in Carbon.”

“We wouldn’t dream of making you work for your board,” Zoey said, aghast. “You’ll be our guest. The pleasure of your company is all we’ll ask of you. It gets pretty lonesome on the Circle F. Our nearest neighbors live miles away.”

“Your generosity overwhelms me,” Sarah said with feeling. “Unfortunately I can’t accept on those terms. I wouldn’t be comfortable with accepting charity and giving nothing in return.”

“I have another solution,” Ryan injected before Zoey could reply.

Zoey frowned at her brother-in-law. “What other solution can there be? Sarah and Abner will be our guests for as long as they wish to stay.”

“Suppose we let Sarah decide,” Ryan suggested. “I need a housekeeper. Mrs. Lester left some weeks ago, and I haven’t gotten around to replacing her. The hands and I can protect Sarah and Abner just as well as Pierce. if Sarah wants to work for her keep, then I say we should let her.”

Sarah was grateful for Ryan’s understanding. He must have known she was uncomfortable with Zoey’s offer and countered with one more acceptable to her.

Chad glowered at his brother. “Sarah isn’t a servant, Ryan. She’d be better off accepting Pierce’s hospitality. Hard labor nearly ruined Sarah’s health. She was recently scalded and only newly recovered. I don’t want her to work that hard again.”

A bubble of anger rose up inside Sarah. Chad should know by now that she wouldn’t be content to live on charity. She had no money of her own, and accepting Pierce’s hospitality wouldn’t add a cent to her financial security. Accepting gainful employment would salve her pride and provide much needed funds to set aside for the future.

“It’s my decision, Chad,” she reminded him. “Pierce and Zoey don’t really need me, but Ryan does. I want to be useful.” She turned a brilliant smile on Ryan. “if the job is still open, I’d be happy to accept the position of housekeeper.”

Ryan’s answering grin was potent enough to set most women’s hearts to pounding. Sarah pitied the poor smitten women who had lost their hearts to a rascal like Ryan. “The job is yours, Sarah. And don’t worry about Jackson. if he’s stupid enough to show up on Delaney land, he won’t get past the hands. We’ll set guards, if we have to.”

Sarah prayed that was so. But Freddie was a sly one, she’d put nothing past him. ‘It’s settled then. I’ll accept the same arrangements you had with Mrs. Lester. You won’t be sorry, Ryan.”

Sarah didn’t like the way Chad looked at Ryan. It was as if he thought his brother had designs on her. if that was Ryan’s intention, she’d set him straight on her own.

“Sarah is old enough to make her own decisions, even if I don’t agree with them,” Chad said with ill humor.

“I can’t say I’m not disappointed,” Zoey sighed regretfully. “Robbie would have enjoyed a playmate.”

“if that’s settled, we’ll leave for the Circle F in a day or two,” Pierce decided.

“I wish you’d stay,” Chad persisted. “Otto Zigler was here the other day. He’s giving up the lease to the Rocking D. I was hoping you’d take care of it for me.”

“I’m not covering for you this time, Chad,” Pierce told him. “I filled in for you once, but you’re here now to take care of the matter yourself. The Rocking D is your responsibility.”

“Dammit, Pierce, I told you I wasn’t going to stick around long. if you won’t handle this for me, I’ll get Ryan to do it.”

“Not me,” Ryan drawled. “I’ve got enough to do around here. Pierce is right. It’s time you faced up to your responsibilities. You’re not to blame for what happened on the Rocking D. Ghosts don’t exist, Chad. it’s time to put your guilt behind you and get on with your life.”

Ryan’s words had little impact on Chad as he rose abruptly. The chair behind him crashed to the floor. “Fine brothers you are! I know why you’re doing this and it’s not going to work.” Whirling on his heel, he strode angrily from the room.

“What do you mink he’ll do?” Ryan asked worriedly.

“Chad always was stubborn,” Pierce said. “Once he cools down, he’ll probably go to town and have our lawyer handle everything for him.”

“He’s going to leave,” Sarah said with conviction. “It never was his intention to stay. He never wanted to come to Dry Gulch. His plan was to dump me and Abner on Pierce and Zoey and take off again. Pierce wasn’t home so he was obliged to continue on to Dry Gulch.”

“We had so hoped that Chad had finally found a woman to love,” Zoey said wistfully.

“Chad doesn’t believe in love,” Ryan guffawed. “Pierce is the only one who believes in love, and even he didn’t succumb until he met Zoey. Marriage works for him, but it’s out of the question for me and Chad.”

“What a terrible thing to say!” Zoey scolded. “Chad isn’t as hard-hearted as you seem to think. He wouldn’t have brought Sarah and Abner here if he was.”

Zoey’s rebuke brought a flush to Ryan’s face. “Sorry, Sarah, I didn’t mean to imply …”

“It’s all right, Ryan. I know exactly where I stand with Chad. I’ve never asked for a commitment, nor have I expected one. Chad has been very good to me. I owe him a great deal. He’s too good a man to carry around the daunting burden of guilt. He’s told me everything, you know.”

“You must be very close if he told you everything,” Zoey said thoughtfully.

Sarah’s cheeks reddened. “We’re just friends.” Lovers would have been an apt description, but she didn’t want to share that information with Chad’s family. “Chad took care of me and Abner when an injury rendered me nearly helpless.”

“I worry about Chad,” Pierce said. “He has to help himself, none of us can do it for him.”

Pierce’s sobering remark brought a halt to the conversation. Sarah took advantage of the lull to excuse herself. if she was to function as housekeeper, she needed to consult with Cookie about supper, and make a thorough inspection of the house.

Sarah found Cookie with the boys in the bedroom. She shooed the children out so she could ask Cookie about her duties.

“Where are you going?” Zoey asked when the boys skipped into the kitchen, where they all sat around the table.

“Out to the bam,” Robbie lisped.

“Not without a wrap,” Zoey replied. “It’s cold outside. Both of you come upstairs with me, I’ll see what I can find for you to wear.”