A Daring Proposal (19 page)

“I don’t think he wants to hurt her. I honestly don’t know what he wants,” Jed replied as he helped her to a chair at the table. He bent and finished cleaning up the mess. Anything was better than sitting idle waiting. “But I will find out and I will get her back.”

When he finished the floor, he pulled the note the sheriff had given him from his pocket. A quick scan told him the sheriff had sensed Jed’s tension and would be available at a moment’s notice. He’d given his cell phone number and a location close by. Jed shoved the note back in his pocket then filled a glass with water for Martha.

“Here, drink this. Waiting is all we can do now.”

“I don’t recall waiting being one of your best qualities.”

Jed had to grin. Martha knew him well. “No. It still isn’t. I think I’ll go in the office and see if I can find any clues to make some sense of this mess.”

“Change out of those wet clothes,” Martha said.

“My clothes are all at my uncle’s.”

“Not all of them. I washed some and put them in your and Chaney’s room,” Martha told him. “So go change.”

Jed knew an order when he heard one. He started up the steps.

He stepped into the room he had shared with Chaney. After closing the door, he walked to the dresser. Instead of opening a drawer to pull out clothes, he started fingering Chaney’s belongings scattered across the top.

When he had left the house that afternoon he never expected to be back in this room again. He certainly didn’t expect such overwhelming pain. She didn’t believe in him. Didn’t trust him. She definitely didn’t love him. So, what did Smitty want from him in exchange for Chaney?

He tossed down Chaney’s hairbrush and pulled open the drawer she had given him to use so hard it came all the way out. When he put it back in and tried to close it, it wouldn’t fully close. Jed reached in and pulled out a couple pair of panties that had fallen out the back of Chaney’s drawer above.

When he opened her drawer to replace them he chuckled. No wonder the panties had fallen out, the drawer was so stuffed it was overflowing; stuffed being the operative word. No neat piles of panties and socks for Chaney, no, shove it in and get on to something important was her opinion on putting clothes away.

Jed couldn’t resist straightening the drawer a bit. When he lifted out a pile of socks, he f
ound something that amazed him.

In the back corner of the drawer, he found the cowgirl he had carved for her. Chaney had kept it even after she believed he deserted her. Jed dropped the socks and g
ingerly picked up the figurine.

He stepped back and sat on the edge of the bed. He stared at the figurine as if it were Chaney herself and a knot grew in his chest.

“Why couldn’t you tell me? Why couldn’t I tell you?”

He wanted to throw the figurine against the wall. It symbolized all the wasted time and words that had passed between them. “Empty words. Not important ones like, I love you, or I want to try again.”

He wanted to put it on a pedestal because it also symbolized the love they had both carried, unspoken, all these years.

“If I hadn’t been so damned proud, you would be here now, Chaney girl
.”

Guilt threatened to swamp him. Fending it off Jed stood and placed the figurine on the dresser. He would use it as inspiration until he had Chaney back home where she belonged.

Even if she still doesn
’
t want you here with her?

Yeah, he knew doubt still resided deep inside him. When he told his uncle he wasn’t sure he would believe her if she did say she loved him, he meant it. Right now, that didn’t matter. Whether she loved him or not, he wanted her to have one last chance to make that choice.

He had wasted enough time. Jed quickly stripped the wet jeans and shirt off. He pulled on dry jeans from the drawer, but couldn’t find a dry T-shirt. After checking the other drawers, he glanced around the room.

His shirt was hooked on the bedpost near Chaney’s pillow. Jed lifted it to his face and inhaled deeply. Her wild rose body lotion had seeped into it and sent his senses reeling. Yep, she’d been using his shirt to sleep in, more proof that she had wanted more from this marriage than the ranch.

“Damn it!” he thundered clutching the shirt in his hands.

After a few deep breaths, Jed pulled the floral scented shirt over his head, tucked it in, snagged his wet clothes in one hand, and walked purposefully from the room.

When he walked in the kitchen and headed for the laundry room Martha took the clothes from him and told him to go on to the office.

“I’ll put on a pot of coffee,” she called as he walked down the hallway.

He agreed that would be a good idea. Not that he needed coffee. There was enough anger-induced adrenaline running through him to keep him up for a week, but Martha needed something to keep her busy.

Jed was a step from the office when the phone rang. He bolted into the room and grabbed up the receiver. “Sampson.”

“You follow orders real well, boy,” Smitty said. “Must be the military taught you your place.”

Jed was grateful that Travis McBride had insisted on keeping an old rotary phone on his desk. If it had been a cell phone, it would have crumpled his grip was so tight. He didn’t like being put in his place, especially by bullies.

“I want to talk to Chaney,” he said in the calmest voice he could muster.

“In time.”

“Now,” Jed growled into the mouthpiece.

“I told you not to give me orders,” the old man yelled. “You listen or you’ll never talk to the princess again.”

That was the second time Smitty had referred to Chaney as the princess. Jed couldn’t understand. The McBride’s had always been good to the old man. Why was he doing this?

“Fine,” Jed said through clenched teeth. “What do you want?”

“I want you to bring me the deed to the ranch.”

The deed? Smitty wants the ranch
? “What? I don’t have the deed.”

“Get it.”

The line went dead.

Jed stared at the phone.
How was he supposed to get the deed to a ranch he didn’t own? And where the hell was he supposed to take it?

“Was that him?”

Jed replaced the receiver in the cradle and turned to face Martha. “Yes.”

“Is Chaney all right?”

He wanted to lie and ease her worry, but Martha had always been able to tell when he did. “He wouldn’t let me talk to her.”

Martha’s quick intake of breath had Jed beside her in an instant. “But he knows if he harms her he won’t get what he wants. All I have to do is give him what he wants and we’ll
have her back safe and sound.”

Jed wished he could believe that. Unfortunately, there were two problems with his plan. First, he didn’t have the deed or any right to the deed as far as he knew. Second, even if he could get it, Chaney would never sign over her beloved ranch. The unwelcome image of her lying lifeless on the floor with the damned deed clutched in her hand shot a new surge of angry adrenaline through him.

If it was the last thing he did, he would convince Chaney their child and his love was worth more than a piece of land.

***

Chapter Thirteen

Chaney sat on the cot in a corner of the cabin her great grandfather had built as his first home. After he built the main house, workers used the cabin for refuge in the ever changeable Colorado weather.

“What are you starin’ at Princess?”

“A stranger,” Chaney said, as an evil grin spread on Smitty’s face. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I deserve it. I’ve worked this land for more ‘en forty years and what have I got to show for it?”

“A home forever?” Chaney replied indignantly.

“A home?” he cackled, standing and walking across to her corner. “I live in a damned bunkhouse! What kind of home is that? Your daddy was too cheap to build me a cabin, even one as plain as this old thing.”

“Did you ask him?” Chaney couldn’t imagine her father refusing Smitty anything. The man had been his right hand man.

“I shouldn’t have to ask,” he yelled at her. “He should have given it to me, but no, how does he repay me? He brings in a young stud to marry you off. That stupid foreman didn’t know cow shit from horse shit. How was he supposed to run a damned ranch?”

“I agree with you, and I had no intention of marrying Walker,” Chaney said. “I’m sure you knew that. Once my father was dead, why didn’t you say something to me? We could have worked something out. I figured you didn’t want the responsibility of being foreman. That’s the only reason I didn’t offer it to you, Smitty.”

“Don
’t lie to me, Princess. I always knew you wouldn’t give up control of the ranch. That was obvious long before your daddy finally died. So I took matters into my own hands.”

A chill of foreboding brought goose bumps to Chaney’s arms. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“Travis was crying in his beer one night about ruinin’ your life. He said you were burying yourself on the ranch instead of finding a husband and makin’ babies. Said he was afraid if he left you the ranch the way he planned, you’d bury yourself for good. It was pitiful.” He turned and spat on the floor. After wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he met her gaze again.

“I told him not to leave it to you then. Course, weak man he was, he said he had no choice. So I said, make her get married, or lose the ranch. He balked at first, but after thinking about it awhile, he agreed. Guess he figured you’d marry the foreman a
nd everything would be perfect.

“But I knew better. When he brought in that idiot Walker, I knew you wouldn’t marry him or anyone else. It was perfect. Your birthday would pass, the ranch would go up for sale, and I was going to be there to buy it.”

Chaney had listened, though shame for having misjudged her father swamped her.

“Then that bastard Sampson came back. Stupid woman you are you married him, got pregnant, and ruined everything!” He walked over to the cot and slapped her.

Chaney’s face flew back from the force of the unexpected attack. Tears welled in her eyes as pain burned on her cheek. She wrapped her hands protectively around her middle. He could hit her, but she wouldn’t let him hurt her child.

Jed’s child.

Suddenly she realized what Smitty had said. He knew she was pregnant. She glanced at him and saw that evil grin again.

“That’s right, Princess, I know about the brat you’re carrying. I knew about the bastard child you lost, too. I’ll tell you now; this one ain’t inheriting my ranch. My guess is that brat’s the only reason Sampson’s listening to me.”

Chaney’s heart clenched in pain; pain worse than Smitty’s slap. She knew what he was going to say. The worst part of it being she feared it was true. Jed probably hated her after the dreadful things she had said to him this afternoon.

“No man wants a woman that doesn’t know her place. He’s gonna try and save you so after that baby’s born, he can take it from you.” Smitty spit on the floor again.

Chaney pulled back farther on the cot her fist to her mouth. The smell of the old man’s breath had been bad enough. The foul odor of the juices now on the floor made her gag.

“If ya don’t like it, clean it up.”

Chaney shook her head afraid she would show more than fear if she moved. Unfortunately, her kidnapper had other plans. He grabbed her by the hair and shoved an old rag at her.

“I said clean it up!” He pulled her off the cot to her knees on the floor.

With one hand covering her mouth, Chaney used the rag to wipe up the gooey mess the best she could. Bile rose in her throat but she forced it down. She would not let him see her that vulnerable.

“How does it fe
el takin’ orders for a change?”

Chaney resisted the urge to rub the spot on her head where he had pulled her hair. From this moment on, she swore he would not see one whit of weakness from her. She sat on the edge of the cot, her back straight and head held high.

“I’ve taken orders all my life. Now is no different.”

“Oh, it’s different, Princess. Now there’s no brass ring when you’re finished. No being spoiled by daddy.”

Chaney couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “My father never spoiled me. You know how hard I’ve worked to keep this ranch going. How can you say these things, Smitty?”

“I say ‘em cause they’re true. You and your fancy pants sister always prancin’ around like you’re better than everybody else. Well, tables have turned, little girl. Now you’re t
he one that’s not good enough.”

Chaney held his hate filled gaze until he turned and walked back to the table on the other side of the cabin. She couldn’t believe he had harbored such feelings of hate all these years. His present state bordered on insanity.

He’s off the deep end. Do you honestly think he’s going to let you live after you sign over the ranch
?

Fear crept up her spine and through her limbs. She couldn’t give him the ranch. If she did, they were all good as dead. Chaney knew she had to escape, how, she hadn’t a clue, but she would find a way. Jed and their baby’s life depended on it.

***

With midnight only moments away, Jed dialed the home number of McBride’s lawyer. When a groggy voice answered, he wasted no time. “Mr. Pike this is Jed Sampson.”

“Who?”

“Jed Sampson, Chaney McBride’s husband?”

“Oh, yes.”

“I need the deed to the ranch.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“The deed, to McBride’s Pride, I need it.”

“Do you know what time it is, Mr. Sampson?”

“Yes, I do. But I need the deed now.” Jed heard a yawn across the line while he waited for the man to answer.

“I suggest you ask Mrs. Sampson for it then. Goodnight.”

“Wait!” Jed shouted hoping he wouldn’t hang up that fast. “I thought y
ou were holding it for a year.”

The hairs on the back of Jed’s neck stood at attention. Had he caught Chaney in another lie?

“I gave it to your wife earlier this week when she came in and told me she was expecting. Congratulations, young man.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The will stipulated that if she got pregnant anytime during the year the ranch would be signed over to her free and clear. She brought in the proof and I gave her the deed.”

Jed remained silent for a minute, mulling over the new information. “Did Chaney know about this
stipulation
?”

Mr. Pike exhaled loudly, exasperation with the call and Jed’s questions came clearly across the phone line. “Not exactly. She knew getting pregnant was part of her father’s wishes. I tried to talk him out of these changes. Originally, he had willed the ranch to Chaney and a sizeable monetary amount for Belle. A short time before he died he called about changing the terms. He said something about being afraid his past mistakes would keep her from finding anyone. He was determined to make her get married. I told him he should talk to her instead of trying to force his will on her, he threatened to go to another lawyer.”

Jed heard a sigh across the line and knew the man had probably said more than he planned or expected. It was enlightening, yes, but not what Jed asked. He waited hoping the man would answer his question soon.

“Anyway, I was surprised, but thrilled when I heard about the marriage. Then when she called upset because she wasn’t pregnant yet a couple of weeks ago, I explained the details to her. She didn’t seem to care much when I gave her the papers the other day.”

“Care about what? The baby?” Jed prayed he was wrong.

“No, no. When she stopped in and told my secretary and me about the child her face lit up. It was the deed, the ranch she seemed disheartened about. Strange, considering it was all she and her father ever talked about.”

“Strange,” Jed agreed. Martha’s footsteps in the hallway reminded Jed of his purpose. “One more question, sir. Do you know what Chaney did with the deed? It’s important, Mr. Pike.”

“I recommended she put it in the safety deposit box her father kept at the bank. It was signed over to her when he died.”

“Thank you. You’ve been a big help.” Jed hung up. Help? The man had made Jed’s job ten times more difficult. How was he supposed to get into a bank at midnight?

“No help?” Martha asked, setting another cup of coffee on the desk.

Jed feared if he drank another sip of coffee, he would float away and no one would be around to save Chaney. Still, he took a drink to please Martha, she was nervous enough.

“No, he said he gave Chaney the deed the other day and told her to put it in her father’s safety deposit box. I can’t get to it until the bank opens.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. It wasn’t so much exhaustion, though he knew he would probably sleep for a month when this was all over. It was more frustration wearing on him.

When he opened his eyes and looked across the desk again, Martha wasn’t there. He glanced around the room and found her looking out the window.

“Martha?”

She turned and looked straight at him then turned back to the window. “You said he told her to put it in the safety deposit box?”

“Yes.”

“When was this?”

“Earlier this week. Why?”

She turned back to face him. “Chaney doesn’t like being told what to do, as you well know. Oh, she respected Mr. Pike, though she didn’t care for that new assistant of his, Mr. Burton. She probably would have considered doing what Mr. Pike said, but she wasn’t overly fond of the bank Travis used since they refused her a loan earlier this year.”

“Then what would she do?” Jed had a suspicion Martha had information she hadn’t realized before.

“A couple of days ago Chaney came home with a new rose bush. She insisted on planting it herself.”

“What does that have to do--” Jed interrupted himself when he stood abruptly. The chair flew back against the wall. Halfway to the door he realized he didn’t know where Chaney had planted the bush. He looked at Martha.

“Outside this window,” Martha said. “Hurry.”

Jed flew through the house, out the front door and around to the office window. Martha still stood like a beacon inside.

With no thought for his hands, Jed wrapped his fingers around the base of the plant and pulled. In one smooth motion, the rose bush went sailing roots and all over his shoulder. Dropping to his knees, he began digging with his hands.

Less than a minute passed when his fingers touched something cold and metallic. He closed his fingers around a long thin cylinder and said a silent prayer as he pulled it from the hole.
Please let it be the deed
.

He unscrewed the top. Sticking one finger into the opening, he
slid a piece of paper from it.

“Yes,” Jed cried out when the light from the window allowed him to verify it. H
e held it up for Martha to see.

Once inside the house he met Martha in the hall. “I’ve got it, but Chaney’s going to kill me for pulling up her rosebush.”

Martha gave him a gentle smile. “I don’t think she’ll mind this time.”

Jed would be happy to take a tongue-lashing from Chaney right now. Anything would be better than worrying about her in the hands of some insane old man. As he clenched his hand, pain shot through his palm. Looking down he saw several thorns buried in his skin.

“Oh my goodness, you’re bleeding,” Martha exclaimed grabbing his hand in hers. She dragged him into the kitchen to the sink.

Jed stood and let Martha minister to his thorn infested hand. It wouldn’t have done any good to try to stop her. He’d known her as long as he’d known Chaney. Both were stubborn, strong-willed women. Besides, there was nothing else to do but wait for Smitty to call back and set up a trade.

Martha was winding gauze around his hand when the phone rang and both of them jumped at the sound. Jed snatched up the receiver. “Sampson.”

“You got what I want?”

“I’ve got it. Now let me talk to Chaney or it’s no deal,” Jed demanded. He heard thumps and figured Smitty was taking the phone to Chaney.

“Jed?”

Relief at hearing her voice, scared as it was, poured over him like a waterfall. “Chaney girl, are you all right?”

“Yes,” she said. He realized her voice sounded more strained than scared. “I’m sorry, but if you had met me like we planned none of this would be happening.”