Read Second Chance Cowboy Online

Authors: Sylvia McDaniel

Second Chance Cowboy (16 page)

BOOK: Second Chance Cowboy
2.03Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

“The cattle, the trial, probably even the money in Dad’s hiding place. You lied to me.”

“You’ve been listening to Patrick again, haven’t you?”

“I haven’t spoken with Patrick in several days.”

Matt tried to inch away from Sabrina. Fear shone from his eyes like candles reflected in darkness. “Then who said . .?

“Who it was doesn’t matter. You’ve lied to me for years and I’m putting an end to it today! Tell me the truth about the trial and about Carson. Did you steal from the ranch?”

Matt’s eyes grew large; his pupils dilated with fear. “Not everything was a lie.”

Sabrina straddled the slowly crawling man and grabbed him by the shirt collar. Her body shook with rage. “What do you mean
not everything was a lie
? From what I’ve heard, your whole life has been one big lie!”

Matt’s voice was a coaxing whine. “Let’s go to camp. Then we’ll talk about this. I’m getting wet lying on the ground.”

“I don’t care if you rot. I want some honest answers from you,” Sabrina hissed. “Were you rustling cattle with Trey when Patrick arrested you?”

“That was a long time ago. Why can’t you let the past go?” Matt retorted.

“I want the truth. My engagement ended because I supported you, not Patrick.” Sabrina’s voice started to rise. Her hands had hold of each side of his shirt collar. “I want to hear the truth from you!”

Matt reached up and grabbed her arms. “Okay, we were stealing. Patrick caught us.”

“Damn you!”

“Did you want me to hang?”

“Today, I’d string you up myself if I thought it would do any good,” she retorted.

“Oh, come on, Sabrina. It’s over and done with.”

“Is it? Then answer my next question. Are you working for Carson?”

Matt swore. “Not now.”

“But did you work for him?”

“I didn’t have any choice. I owed him money.”

Anger surged through Sabrina. “Did you steal from Dad, too?”

Matt stared at her, his face grim. “It’s obvious you know it all. Yes, I stole the money from the ranch; that’s why I wasn’t living there anymore.” He hung his head. “Dad kicked me out.”

Sabrina felt the rage flowing through her blood like water. “Damn you! Did you kill our father so you could get the rest of the money and sell the ranch?”

Matt pushed Sabrina out of the way and rose to his feet. His voice was loud, hurt. “How can you suggest that I’d kill our father? I loved him, too.” Matt paused “I followed you to protect you.”

Sabrina fairly screamed. “Protect me? Someone needs to protect me from you.”

“Don’t come on to me with that Miss High and Mighty attitude. Remember, I caught Patrick and you with nothing but a blanket wrapped around you.”

Like a firestorm out of control, her hand swung and connected with his cheek, leaving her hand imprinted on his face. The sound echoed through the air.

Matt grabbed her arm. His teeth were clenched; his hand drew back to deliver a retaliatory blow.

“You lay one hand on her, and I’ll kill you.” Patrick deep voice reverberated through the still air.

“Stay out of it, Patrick. This is between Sabrina and me.”

“Not anymore. I warned you about saying anything about that night.”

Dazed, Sabrina wondered where Patrick had come from. She hadn’t heard him ride up. She stepped away from Matt, her body shaking with rage.

Matt frowned; the color of his eyes changed to a deeper shade of blue. “Get the hell out of here and leave us alone.”

“No. I’ve waited two years for this day. I’m sticking around to make sure you tell her everything,” Patrick declared.

Sabrina stood quietly listening to the two men talk. Anger flared anew at both of them. The day of reckoning had dawned, and Patrick was getting his revenge. She had been a fool who had thrown it all away for a brother who didn’t know the truth from fiction.

Guilt at what she had done to them overcame her, leaving her angry at herself. Not knowing what to do, Sabrina came at Patrick like a wolf on a rabbit “So, you’ve seen what you came to see. You were right all along and I was wrong. Does that make you happy?”

Before Patrick could reply, the words streamed from her mouth full of pain and anger. “You two have pulled me in opposite directions once too often. Your constant fighting has only hurt one person, me. I’m sick to death of it.”

Sabrina pushed her blonde hair away from her face “The both of you can go to hell for all I care.”

She strode away from the two men as fast as her legs could carry her.

O
h
, no, not this time, Patrick thought as he watched her walk away. This time they were going to finish this. This time they were going to settle this situation with Matt once and for all.

He turned on his heel, and headed after Sabrina, following her to the edge of the camp and out into the inky blackness of the prairie.

Just where in the hell did she think she was going at this time of night, alone?

He caught up to her just past the remuda. He grabbed her arm and twirled her around.

When she caught sight of him, she glared at him, her eyes barely discernible in the darkness.

“Don’t touch me!” she commanded, and pulled away from him.

“Well then, stop.”

She continued to walk into the darkness, away from the camp, away from the remuda and the men on the trail.

“Damn you, Patrick. Damn you and Matt both. Are you happy that you’ve finally gotten your revenge? Well, how does it feel? You were right!”

“It doesn’t feel good. It feels pretty rotten if you want to know the truth,” he said, trailing behind her, trying to catch up. “Sabrina, that’s far enough!”

“Why should I stop?” she cried as she continued to walk into the darkness. “I may walk all the way back home, just to get away from the two of you.”

“You can’t run from it Sabrina.”

“I can try, can’t I?” she said, her voice breaking.

“Stop. We’re getting too far from camp.”

She halted, but whirled around to meet him as he walked up. He could see her tear-streaked cheeks even in the moonlight. A part of him wanted to reach out and comfort her for finally having the courage to face the awful truth regarding her brother and the pain he had caused the two of them. The other part of him was cautious.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.

“I tried.”

“Why didn’t you try harder?” she pressed, her arms crossed as she paced back and forth.

“It wouldn’t have done any good. You were not ready to hear the truth regarding Matt”

“Damn you, Patrick. You let me tear us apart.”

“If you remember, I couldn’t stop you.”

A deep cry filled the prairie. “I believed in my brother. I thought he was innocent.”

The tears began to fall in earnest down her cheeks. “All this time my own brother has been stealing from our ranch, rustling cattle. We’re about to lose the Big C all because of Matt; but worst of all, I let him come between the two of us.”

Patrick stepped up and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close to his body. She laid her head against his chest and sobbed, great gulping sounds coming from deep within her.

He held her until her tears eased up, but she didn’t move from within the circle of his arms.

“I’m sorry for hitting you the other night. I was wrong. Just as I’ve been wrong about so many things.”

He didn’t say anything, but continued to hold her in his arms.

“I guess deep down I’ve known for several years that Matt wasn’t innocent. I didn’t want to believe he was guilty, because then I would have had to recognize that I’d made the biggest mistake of my life. A mistake that has cost me everything. Will you ever be able to trust me again?”

His lips covered hers, tasting, searching, and seeking out the essence that made her unique. How he had tried to forget her, tried to erase her from his memory! She had him the moment she admitted to Matt’s guilt. He felt her breasts snug against his chest and he wanted to lay her down in the prairie grass and take her right here and now. He wanted to slip between her thighs and into her womanly sheath, and forget the cattle drive, forget about the Big C, and even Matt.

His hand cupped her breast, stroking the hardened nipple as his mouth caressed hers. He eased the buttons on her shirt open and slipped his hands inside to caress her breast through her chemise. Still, he could not get close enough; he needed to feel her naked skin beneath his hand, to touch her and feel her satiny skin.

Suddenly she broke the kiss and stepped away from Patrick. He gazed at her in the darkness, unable to see the look in her eyes, but he could hear her breathing, quick and shallow.

“I can’t . . . not now. I need some time. I need to understand everything that’s happened before I can go on.”

He ran his hand through his hair. “I understand, but we’re not finished. We’re not through, not by a long shot.”

P
atrick eased back
in the saddle and searched the prairie. They had traveled almost fifteen miles today, and Dodge City should be just over the horizon. It couldn’t come soon enough as far as he was concerned. It couldn’t get here fast enough to put some distance between him and Matt.

After all these years it felt good to know that Sabrina had finally realized the truth, but it also brought on more problems. Where did that leave the two of them? Maybe a small part of him did want revenge, but he hadn’t actually shown it. .. at least not where Matt was concerned. He wanted revenge for the killing of his family. Hell would freeze over before he gave up on finding their killers and seeking his vengeance.

Matt was a spoiled brat who was about to lose everything, and in some ways Patrick felt sorry for him. He’d lost his father; he’d lost his freedom, and he’d lost Sabrina. What else could the boy lose before he came to his senses? What would be the point of obtaining revenge from a man who had nothing to lose? No, at this point in his life, Patrick wanted only two things: his parents’ killers and Sabrina.

Patrick glanced back at the blonde-haired beauty. This morning he had watched her braid the long wisps of blonde curls into one single braid that reached halfway down her back. The sight of her blouse stretched tight against her breasts had left him aching.

The remembrance of her body against his was enough to send the blood rushing and pounding between his legs. He wanted her... had wanted her since the night of the storm. Holding her, feeling the silkiness of her naked skin beneath his hands left him aching. The memory of their lovemaking left him wanting. He needed her touch as the earth needed rain, as the bees needed pollen. Part of him wanted to take her to the nearest preacher while the other part of him wanted to run faster than the wind. Right now he was waiting . . . waiting for the confusion and pain to clear out before he took a chance on being hurt once again.

This time she had to come to him willing and ready. She needed time to sort out her feelings and decide about Matt. If she loved Patrick, then she would come to the realization that he didn’t want revenge, but had been a victim as much as she was. In the meantime, he would patiently wait.

Chapter 13

A
hot wind
blew from the south, stirring the grass on the prairie like waves across the water. The summer heat had seared the grass a golden brown, and it shimmered in the afternoon sun.

In the midst of the prairie, the city of Dodge rose up from the flatness of the earth, like a mirage before the hungry traveler. Elation fairly sang from Sabrina’s soul. After three months on the trail, they were almost there. Yet her happiness was dimmed with the constant reminder of Matt’s deception.

Dodge City had seemed an elusive goal, one she would never accomplish, but she’d made it. Selling the cattle would be the next priority, then taking the money safely back to Sherwood. Confidence exuded through her bloodstream, making her feel cocky with success and relief that she’d saved her family home.

South of the Arkansas River, herds of cattle grazed waiting to be bought. At different times of the year, up to thirty herds could be found camping along the river’s shores.

Patrick and Sabrina traveled the banks until they located Buckets and the rest of the men. Happy shouts and curious glances greeted them as they rode in. There was much speculation amongst the men regarding their situation.

Buckets scampered toward them, a big grin on his wrinkled face. “Gawd dern, are the two of you as happy to see this town as the rest of us?”

“Thrilled, Buckets.” Sabrina smiled at the cook, then dismounted from her horse and handed the reins to Tom, who had come running up. “Take care of him for me, Tom.”

“Don’t get too excited just yet. We still have to sell those cattle before we can start celebrating,” Patrick cautioned.

“Yeah, well, Matt’s already taken off to do his celebrating. He rode out almost as soon as we got here,” Buckets said, annoyance filling his voice.

Sabrina felt her happiness dim. “He’s probably in a saloon somewhere.”

Both men remained silent, their eyes full of sympathy. It was compassion Sabrina neither needed nor wanted. “Have we lost any other men, since you’ve arrived?” Sabrina questioned, trying to change the subject.

“No. Everyone is eager to receive their pay so they can go out on the town,” Buckets replied.

“I’m taking Sabrina into town to stay at one of the hotels while we’re here. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for the sale of the cattle. The men should receive their pay within the next couple of days,” Patrick said, glancing over at Sabrina in a questioning manner.

Buckets fairly danced. “Whoee! I’m so glad we’re here. It’s a long way home, but the hard part is over.”

“I didn’t know we’d be staying in a hotel,” Sabrina said.

“The sound of a hot bath, a soft bed, and a real meal doesn’t sound inviting?” Patrick queried.

Sabrina gazed into eyes the color of golden wheat fields. The light that shone from them was almost hypnotic. A hotel room? “That sounds like heaven.”

“Then grab your things and let’s go.” Patrick turned back to Buckets, but watched Sabrina walk to the chuck wagon out of the corner of his eye. The gentle sway of her hips and the thought of a hotel room sent his blood rushing into his lower body. They’d barely said two words to each other since the night Matt had confessed. Sabrina had seemed withdrawn and distant and Patrick was doing his best to let her grow accustomed to the news of her brother.

“Put extra guards around the cattle tonight. If someone didn’t want us to reach Dodge City, they’ll probably feel this is their last chance to stop us.”

“We’ve already been a-doin’ that.” Buckets scratched his rough cheek, his whiskers rasping against his skin. “This town’s almost as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah. Matt’s goin’ to get into trouble, if he hasn’t already.”

“I know, Buckets. I’ll keep an eye out for him, though it probably won’t do any good. There are enough saloons in this town for him to stay lost in for a year.”

Buckets glanced around at the chuck wagon. “Is Sabrina all right?”

“I think so.” Patrick sighed. “She needs the rest.”

“Watch over her real careful like in this wild city.”

Patrick watched Sabrina stroll back from the chuck wagon with a small traveling case in her hand. Her eye had dark circles beneath them. The trip had been hard on her, just as he’d known it would be. Her stubbornness had refused to let her sit at home and even though she had been troublesome at times, he was glad she was with him.

While Tom saddled Sabrina, another horse, Patrick gathered his personal items. Grabbing his saddlebag he strolled over to his waiting horse. He watched as Buckets helped Sabrina up into the saddle.

“We’ll be staying at the Dodge House, if you need us.” Buckets grinned at Patrick, a knowing grin. “Be careful, boy; that noose around your neck is gettin’ tighter and tighter.”

Patrick shook his head and frowned at the old man. He knew immediately what noose Buckets were referring to. The marriage noose. Somehow, though, the idea didn’t seem as frightful as it once had.

He turned his horse without replying and headed toward town. Sabrina brought her horse beside his. “What was Buckets talking about?”

One of these days, Patrick thought, he was going to hang that old man. How was he going to explain this to Sabrina?

“That was Bucket’s way of warning me to be careful.” Sabrina’s aquamarine eyes looked at Patrick knowingly. He shifted in the saddle under the intense scrutiny of her eyes. There were things left unsaid between them, especially concerning Matt, but he wanted her. He wanted tonight to be special, just the two of them, without Matt or even the subject of Matt between them.

Patrick paid the toll to cross the Arkansas River Bridge into Dodge City. Sabrina gazed in awe at the small town that had started out as a frontier settlement during the days of the buffalo. Fort Dodge had been the original settlement, its soldiers fighting the Indians. Now the Indians were settled on the reservation, and there was talk of closing the fort.

Crossing the railroad tracks, Sabrina recalled how excited her father had been when the news reached them that the railroad had reached Dodge City, and a new trail had opened up crossing the uninhabited prairie.

They turned onto dusty Front Street. Wooden sidewalks lined the streets of the false-fronted stores and saloons. Sabrina gawked. The windows and doors were wide open, and inside Sabrina saw ladies dressed in fancy underwear; their lacy pantaloons showed beneath their skirts. The piano tinkled its tinny tune. The music floated through the windows and reached Sabrina’s ears. A man fell through the door and swayed out into the street.

Sabrina’s head swiveled in every direction, taking in the sights. Every other building was a saloon, and men sitting outside the taverns scrutinized them as they passed by. She couldn’t help but think that this town would be heaven for Matt. The saloons, the opera houses, and the dance halls would be like offering candy to a child. Worrying about Matt would get her nowhere. It was his life to lead and she had to let him go.

Patrick pulled up in front of a two-story house that had a billiard hall next door. The Dodge House was the newest hotel in town and was reputed to be the best. The white-frame, two-story building had a porch running along the upper balcony and along the front of the building. From the outside, its size was deceptive as it was long and narrow. They tied their horses to a hitching post outside the hotel.

Several men sat on the porch and watched them unload their belongings. Sabrina turned to Patrick, a question in her eyes. She wanted to ask him how many rooms he would be requesting, but resisted feeling awkward. It would be improper to share a hotel room with a man, but this wasn’t just any man. This was Patrick, the man she’d secretly loved for years.

Sabrina kept her thoughts to herself and her emotions tugged on her as they walked up the steps. The men stared at her in her tight pants and man’s shirt. Patrick took hold of her elbow possessively and guided her inside. His hand remained on her in some fashion as they walked up to the clerk’s desk.

A stout woman stood behind the counter. Her eyes were dark and beady as she watched them approach. Her plain, wrinkled face was void of emotion.

Patrick paid the woman, and she showed them to their rooms. As soon as Sabrina saw the large double bed in the center of her room, her apprehensions of spending the money, of being in a hotel, of being alone with Patrick disappeared. The sight of that large, comfortable bed sent delightful tremors down her spine.

She turned to the proprietress. “Could you have a bath sent up to my room, please?”

“It’ll cost you extra,” the old woman whined.

“Send up two of them,” Patrick interjected. “One to my room and one to hers.”

The old woman left, muttering under her breath. Sabrina bounced on the bed, sprawling out across it “This is heaven.”

Patrick whined, “That’ll cost you extra.”

Sabrina laughed, a joyous sound.

Patrick couldn’t help but think about joining her in that soft, downy bed. He knew if he lay down next to her and touched her, they wouldn’t leave this room for the rest of the night.

Quickly, before he could change his mind, he moved toward the door. “I’m going to check on the horses, try to get some rest and then we’ll go down to supper.”

“Hmm,” Sabrina murmured drowsily.

Before he closed the door, he gazed one last time at Sabrina, all curled up. Quickly he closed the door, his body trembling in anticipation.

S
everal hours later
, Sabrina sat in front of the mirrored dressing table, combing her blonde curls into place. She brushed her hair until it glistened like sunshine, and fell in waves down her back.

The sapphire color of her eyes was illuminated by the blue muslin dress, which had been pressed and fell in graceful lines to the floor. White lace edged the heart shaped cut of the bodice covering the swells of the breast. It felt good to be wearing feminine clothes again, and she checked the mirror one more time, making sure she looked her best.

Tonight was going to be special. A celebration of life, possibly of love. She knew without a doubt she loved Patrick. No matter what had happened, she loved him and wanted him like her next heartbeat. She hoped he had feelings for her. Maybe not love, but something. A knock on the door broke her musings, and she hurried to unlatch the door between their rooms. When she opened the door, Patrick stood before her in clean crisp clothes. His hair was freshly cut; his scratchy beard was gone, and he smelled of soap and aftershave. She drank in the sight of his tight pants, his matching blue shirt with the string tie. Even his boots sparkled from a fresh shine. She was the luckiest woman in town. Sabrina swallowed at the hot rush of desire that exploded into her veins. “You look very handsome.”

Patrick smiled; a dimple puckered his cheek. His eyes twinkled their golden lights, sparkling with desire. “Not half as good as you.” His voice was deep, and husky. “If we don’t go downstairs, I’ll be having you for supper.”

Sabrina smiled. “I don’t think so, Mr. Shand. I’ve suddenly developed a ravenous appetite.” At his naughty smile, Sabrina added, “For food.”

Patrick laughed; his voice sent delicious little shiver through Sabrina. “Then I suggest we leave before we get into trouble.”

Patrick offered her his arm and she accepted, loving the crisp feel of his shirt, but most of all his muscular arm beneath her hand. They walked side by side down the stairs and out the door of the hotel.

Started, Sabrina asked. “Aren’t we going to eat in the hotel?”

“Nope.” Patrick paused. “We’re going down the street to Delmonico’s.”

Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. “Okay.”

The sun had set and the stars graced the night sky. The evening breeze was cool as their heels tapped along the wooden sidewalk to the restaurant. Music played up and down the street from the different saloons, and occasionally loud, robust laughter could be heard. They passed other couples walking along the sidewalk, but mostly cowboys hurried down the street to the next saloon.

When they entered the restaurant, a host showed them to a table. Patrick pulled out Sabrina’s chair, seating her, and then sat himself across the table from her. A lantern glowed softly, its wick low, casting an iridescent glow between them.

The special for the day was pot roast, and they both ordered it, their mouths watering over the thought of meat and potatoes. To Sabrina’s delight, Patrick ordered a bottle of wine.

The waiter poured their glasses and left. Sabrina whispered wickedly, “I’ve never had liquor.”

Patrick smiled, a gleam in his eyes, his dimples outlined in his cheeks. “Yes, you have.” He paused. “I recall one stormy night we shared a cup of whiskey.”

Sabrina felt her mouth drop and quickly she shut it. Her blood warmed from the memories of the night she and Patrick had first made love. The night Matt had returned. She pushed all thoughts of Matt from her mind. Tonight was hers and Patrick’s; no thoughts of Matt, or anyone else, could intrude.

She grinned. “You’re right. We did share a drink.”

“We shared many things that night,” Patrick said, his voice almost a whisper.

Sabrina blushed and looked down at her folded hands, but irresistibly her eyes were drawn back to the flame that now appeared in Patrick’s eyes. Was it the reflection of the lantern, or was it the heat from his soul?

All during the meal, their eyes kept meeting across the table. Though they didn’t touch, Sabrina couldn’t help but feel his hands on her, his eyes touching her, her body pulsing with awareness. Each time their eyes met and held, Sabrina felt as if a caterpillar was spinning its cocoon around them, closing out the rest of the world.

Strolling back to the hotel, Patrick picked up Sabrina’s hand and put it in the crook of his arm. Sabrina savored the feeling of being so close. They sauntered slowly back to the hotel, serenaded by music from the saloons. Sabrina almost hated to see the Dodge House come into view.

Entering the hotel, they climbed the stairs together, neither speaking. Disappointment tinged Sabrina as she felt the night coming to an end.

When they came to her door, Patrick stopped and turned her in his arms. Sabrina looked up and gazed into his brown eyes. A smile fluttered at the corner his lips.

BOOK: Second Chance Cowboy
2.03Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Tech Tack by Viola Grace
Music of the Soul by Katie Ashley
The Obscurati by Wynn Wagner
Lies Lovers Tell by Day, Zuri
Lost in the Barrens by Farley Mowat
Captive by A. J. Grainger
Baby-Sitters Beware by Ann M. Martin