Cowboy Crazy (The Dalton Boys Book 1) (12 page)

Hank shook off his brother’s question and growled, “Just get the damn board loose so we can fix it.” One of the barn floorboards had rotted, and a horse had stepped through it. The animal hadn’t been injured, but they were having a hell of a time prying the old board out without damaging the others.

“If it were me,” Cash went on, unaffected by Hank’s menacing speech, “I’d call her. Tell her how you feel.”

“I did that the night I finished her tranny. She cared a ton—can’t you tell by the way she left?”

“You’re bitter.”

“Damn right I am! I told her I loved her and she left me. It’s hard to see past that.”

Cash hit the crow bar a few more times. “Maybe she was shocked to hear you loved her. She had some kind of hang-up, didn’t she?”

“How do you know about that?” If she’d confided in Cash, Hank would blow a fuse bigger than the one he had after learning about Stephen.

He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Just a guess. Sometimes she got quiet, and we all figured she had a secret past.”

“A boyfriend who hurt her.”

“So she’d be leery of men, right? Maybe she wasn’t in a place in her life where she was ready to hear your vows of love, brother.”

He had a point, but she’d still left. Calling her wasn’t a good idea, especially when he couldn’t trust himself not to channel all of his pain and anger into his voice. The tender moments they’d had together would be buried under an avalanche of shit.

He grunted in response to Cash, and thankfully, the board broke free. Their discussion ended as they united in fixing the floor.

When he came in to wash his hands before supper, Momma had a strange look on her face.

“What is it? Is Aunt Diane coming for a stay?” Hank asked.

“You naughty boy! My sister has never been anything but amazing to you boys.”

“I know. Especially when she brings her jalapeno pickles.” He shuddered at the memory he had of biting into one and not knowing his mouth would be singed for a week.

“It’s not Aunt Diane. It’s Charlotte.”

He froze, the towel in his hands forgotten.

“She called.”

His heart took off, racing like a wild stallion crossing miles of open fields. “Yeah?”

“Don’t pretend you aren’t gutted that she left, Hank.”

God, hearing that from his momma made his throat tight. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Well, you are. She asked for you.”

He threw the towel down on the counter and stomped to the fridge for his thermos that was chilling with ice water. Forget lunch—he wasn’t hungry anymore. He’d head into the field and work till dusk. And if that didn’t stop his mother’s tongue, he’d work until dark.

He blew a breath out through his nose. “What did she say?”

“She’s settled in Alto Bonito, has herself a waitressing job and an apartment.”

Damn, so far away. He couldn’t easily drive that in a day. Even staying for a weekend would be a difficulty because he couldn’t leave his brothers right now. They were baling hay for winter. Every hand was needed.

Not that Charlotte had asked him to come for a visit, anyway. Had she?

Alto Bonito was a city of young people too. It wouldn’t be long before some male would snatch her up, and Hank would be a distant memory.

“That’s good. I’m glad for her.”

“I know when you’re lying, son. Of course you aren’t glad for her.”

His mother’s sweet tone wheedled him into being a little boy again. He bit his lip and fought emotion. “You’re right. I’m lyin’ through my teeth.”

“You wanted her for your own.”

“Yes, but it had nothing to do with owning that piece of land up there.” He pointed in the direction, and his mother nodded.

“If it’s meant to be, it will happen.”

“How can it with Charlotte hundreds of miles away?”

“You have a truck. Drive out there and find her, Hank.” As if it was the easiest thing in the world. He’d just walk into every restaurant and diner until he found her.

His heart flipped over. Maybe he could.

“Your brothers have it covered. They’ve promised to take up the slack when you’re gone.”

“You’ve talked about this with my brothers?”

“We left you out of a family meeting.” She sounded positively cheerful about it.

“You know, Momma. Maybe you aren’t so different from Aunt Diane.”

“Oh you.” She swatted him in the arm. “Get your bag packed and I’ll wrap up some cookies and sandwiches.”

Elation swept him like floodwaters in the spring. Could he really do this? Did he want to?

Yes, his heart had already left Paradise Valley. He was going to find it again.

Grinning, he dropped a kiss to his mother’s cheek. “I’ll do that. And Momma, wrap up some extra cookies. Charlotte loves the peanut butter ones.”

* * *

Perspiration stood out on Charlotte’s brow. The dinner shift was the worst—especially on a Friday. Every resident of the small town came out for the burrito platter.

She looked around the grubby restaurant. This town was nothing like Paradise Valley, but after driving for two days, she’d realized she’d never find what she was looking for.

It was in her rearview mirror.

She released a sigh and gathered four plates onto her tray. Carrying them back to the table, she ignored the one customer who liked to hassle her. He’d asked her out countless times already. She had no interest, and it had nothing to do with Stephen anymore. Hank haunted her dreams.

Hurting too much to examine this thought right now, she delivered the platters and promised to bring extra hot sauce. As she spun to return to the kitchen, the bell on the door jingled.

Great, more customers. A full house, with two waitresses run ragged. At least she’d get some decent tips for her efforts. More money to move on to another town as soon as she could.

When she returned with the hot sauce, she stopped dead.

Blinking, she focused on the man seated at the counter, a few feet away.

Hot and cold washed over her. There sat Hank, all manly muscle in a plaid shirt, his hat tipped oh, so low. She tightened her hold on the bottle of sauce, fighting the desire to tip his hat back and look into his hazel eyes.

She drifted near. “What are you doing here?” Her voice was small, weak.

Hadn’t this been her wish in calling the ranch? That Hank would get word of her whereabouts and come for her?

He did that swiping motion, knuckles over jaw. The rasp raised every hair on her body. Or was that imagination? It was awfully noisy in here.

He waved a hand at her, gesturing for her to come to him. Should she? He
had
travelled all this distance for her.

She moved close enough to wrap her arms around him. The scents of soap and leather filled her with longing. More than anything, she wanted to rest her head on his chest and listen to his heart. She had no clue how it had happened, but in a few shorts weeks she’d fallen in love with him too.

He reached for her, and she went into his arms with a sob of relief.

“You don’t hate me for leaving?”

“I could never hate you, sugar.” He burrowed his face in her curls and dragged in deep breaths. His hands were unsteady on her waist, revealing how shaken he was.

She withdrew enough to stare into his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Hank. Until I left, I didn’t realize what I wanted. Actually, until I saw you just now, I didn’t admit it to myself.”

His face was calm, expectant. He’d spilled his guts to her, and it was her turn.

She set aside the hot sauce and trailed her fingers over his cheek and jaw. Searching his eyes, she tried to make him understand how much she’d missed him. “How did it happen?”

“You broke down.”

“And you helped a stranger.”

“You baked good cookies.”

She laughed, her heart lighter than it had been for too long. She threw her arms around him. Several patrons cheered, and Hank, showman as always, lowered his head and kissed her.

She curled her toes into her flat shoes and parted her lips for his tongue. Happy memories mingled with fiery need. When he lightly covered her burn with his hand, she understood what her future held.

Pulling away, she met his gaze. “Is there room on that ranch for me?”

“Sugar, my family has done nothing but harass me about bringing you back. There’s room enough in the house, and Momma could still use the help. But I don’t want you to get too comfy there, because I’m going to start work on our house as soon as possible.”

Her eyes blurred with tears. “I love you, Hank Dalton.”

“Good, sugar. Because you’re the world to me. Now what do you say you finish your shift and hand in your notice? I’m takin’ you home tonight.”

THE END

Thank you so much for reading COWBOY CRAZY. If you’ve enjoyed it, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave a review. Also read on for a taste of COWBOY BARGAIN.

Cash lost himself in work. There was a rhythm to the ranch that soothed away the restlessness of last night. The sound and smells of cows worked like a balm. He was glad for the break. He didn’t relish the burning longing and wondered if this was what Hank had felt while waiting for Charlotte to come around.

He stopped and dismounted. Manny reined up beside him and swung to his feet. “Loose fence.”

“Yeah.” Cash planted his hands on his hips and surveyed the section. The top part hung loose. “Looks like something jumped the fence and caught the wire.”

Manny nodded. “It does. Think we lost a cow?”

“Dunno. It’s hard to think any of these ones would be agile enough to make it over.”

“Could have been a deer.”

“Yeah. Or a yearling.” He met the ranch hand’s gaze, and they both headed for their horses.

Two hours of searching later, Manny cornered the stray yearling against a stand of trees. Cash unhooked his rope and gave it a whirl and toss.

Manny let out a whoop as the lasso landed over the cow’s neck. Cash grinned. It was the first time Manny had shown any personality. “Good goin’, Cash!”

The animal pulled, tightening the rope. Cash kneed his horse in the other direction and the cow was forced to follow. As they headed back toward the ranch house, Manny said, “At least we’ve got one of the yearlings to brand.”

Cash gave a short laugh. “Yeah, but she’s made us miss second breakfast. My stomach’s got claws and it’s trying to get out.”

Manny bowed his head. “I know the feeling.”

“Tell me about you. Got a wife, kids?”

“Used to have a wife. She passed a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“We weren’t that close. I had to leave home to look for work here in the States. We spent more time apart than together.”

“A tough life.”

“Always is for cowboys, is it not?”

Cash nodded. He’d put in years of his life for the good of this ranch, but he never thought of it as difficult. He loved it. Of course, he was working for a better future for him and his family. Manny didn’t have that.

“Got a girl, though. A little beauty across the border still.”

“She alone?”

“Yeah.” Manny’s voice broke, and Cash noted the struggle the man wore was due to much more than he’d originally thought. “I promised to bring her across, but I don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

They reached the paddock, and Manny slid off his horse. His shoulders slumped as he unsaddled his mount and released it into the small fenced area to cool down.

He reached for the rope around the yearling, and Cash unwound it from his pommel. Docile and biddable, the beast had decided it was no match for Cash. Manny led it to an empty corral and shut the gate behind it while Cash released his horse into the paddock.

Cash approached the ranch hand. The set of the older man’s shoulders spoke of his worry. “I’m sorry for your troubles. Life’s hard.”

He nodded, eyes downcast. He looked a lot older than he had an hour ago.

Cash clapped a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “If there’s anything I can do—”

Long brown fingers clasped around Cash’s wrist, and the man raised his gaze. “There is,
amigo
. You’re a good man. A man who finds the animals that are lost.”

“That’s a cowboy’s job.”

“Yes, but you do not need to bring me extra food and you do. You take care of an old man. Maybe you could take care of my daughter too.”

Confusion rushed over Cash like flood waters. He tried to take a step back, but Manny tightened his grip. His eyes glittered with unshed tears.

“You’re a good man who is handsome and free. You come with property and a respected family. You could marry my Jacey.”

Surprise socked Cash in the gut. He shook his head. “What’s come over you, man? I can’t marry anyone.”

Manny inched close so their chests nearly touched. His eyes burned with desperation. “She’s trapped in a hell. Little money, dangerous city. And she’s alone. It’s only a matter of time before something bad happens to her. You could help. Marry her and give her citizenship.”

Cash ripped his hand away from the old man’s clenched fingers. He stumbled back a step. “You’re out of your mind.”

“No, I’m not. Jacey is a good daughter, beautiful and worthy.” He fumbled in his back pocket and came out with a battered leather wallet. He flipped it open and pulled a square free—a wrinkled photo, the edges white from wear.

Cash’s throat closed off as he imagined Manny taking the photo out time and again, staring at it and wishing he could give his daughter a better life. But Cash wasn’t the man for the job.

Besides, how old was this girl? Was she even legal?

Manny thrust the photo under Cash’s nose. Sleek dark brown waves, skin a golden tan.

Cash knocked his hand aside, trying to forget the glow in the woman’s espresso-brown eyes and the fullness of her lips. He twisted away and started walking to the house.

Manny jogged beside him. “She’s beautiful, no?”

“Yeah, she is. But she’s not for me. I’m not in the market for a wife.”

Wait. He was. But not this way.

When Manny grabbed him around the torso, Cash’s body turned to steel. Every muscle in his body surged with adrenaline. He didn’t want to flatten the old man, but he would.