The Cattle Drive [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek] (Siren Publishing Classic) (18 page)

“Damn! She’s gorgeous,” Mitchell said.

“And boy does she smell good…” Matthew quietly said to himself, but just loud enough to get his brothers’ attention.

* * * *

Rachael was sitting on her bed when Michael walked in. He sat next to her and waited.

“What is going on, Michael? First Matthew, and now my house has the rest of your family. I don’t think this house can take all of you. You and Matthew destroyed my living room. One of you is going to pay for that curio cabinet.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

“Well, I’ve known for a while that something is up. Out with it. Why is your whole family here?” she asked, looking at him. Michael took a deep breath and tried to think of how he could explain this to her without it sounding horrible. Nothing came to his mind.

“Okay. Please understand that none of this has anything to do with you,” he began. “Last October, my mother got word that our father was looking to acquire a cattle ranch down here in Texas. Well, none of us thought anything of it. The man buys ranches like women buy shoes. It wasn’t until November, when our mother was in his office, and she found documents concerning Henry. She also found scouting reports and land documents concerning your ranch.”

“Michael, this ranch is mine. I own it. He has no claim to it,” she interrupted.

“Rachael, you mortgaged the ranch. The bank owns it.”

“How did you know about that?”

“I know a lot more than I should.”

“Like what?”

“It’s not important. The important thing is that we are all here to make sure you get those cattle to their destinations on time, and I am here to see that you don’t lose your ranch.”

“I have till January 1
^st
to pay off the loan.”

“I know that, but according to the bank, if you fail to meet the deadline of the drive, the bank will foreclose on the ranch and take the remaining cattle as collateral until a buyer can be found.”

“If I make the deadline, there’s no problem.”

“But our father is going to do everything he can to make sure you miss that deadline, Rachael. He has already started. The corrals being left open, the herd mixing together, the pond, the fire at the stable. It was all him.”

“I have done nothing to this man. Why is he doing this?” she said, standing up and walking over to her window.

“Like I said, this has nothing to do with you. You just happen to be the means to an end. This is his way of getting something he wants more than life itself. He really doesn’t want your ranch. He is trying make my brothers and I pay for something we did over seventeen years ago. He handpicked you, Rachael, knowing I would be compelled to help you. He knows I was there when your family died that night. He knows I stayed with you to make sure you were safe. He knows I would feel responsible if anything happened to you, so he chose you. It took my mother a couple of weeks to figure out why he chose you, but when she did, she called me right away. And here I am.”

“Trying to save me once again,” she whispered.

Michael walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, and together they looked out at the vast ranch. She turned in his arms to look at him. “You said your mother also found documents about Henry. What does he have to do with all of this?” she asked.

Michael dropped his arms and walked back over to the bed and sat down, putting his head in his hands. “Henry isn’t my son,” he answered her. Rachael stood there staring at the man on her bed. The pain he was feeling was evident. It radiated off of him in waves.

She knew at that moment this whole thing was about that sweet boy downstairs.

She was caught in the middle of a deep-seated family feud, and it all stemmed around a sweet seventeen-year-old boy. She had seen some crazy things in her life but never had seen or heard of such vengeance that could destroy her and her way of life, just to acquire a boy. Rachael knew she was many things, but damn this was even beyond her.

Looking at Michael and seeing how he felt responsible, something in her snapped. She may not be the boy’s mother, but she damn sure had fallen in love with that sweet boy. He was the breath of fresh air that she had been missing for so long, and thanks to Michael she had found her heart once again. She was not about to lose any of it, just because of some old crusty bastard who couldn’t control his temper.

She took a deep breath and walked over to Michael and grabbed his hand, dragging him downstairs. She entered the kitchen to find all of them still sitting and waiting for her to return. She looked at all of them. Finding Henry standing near the fridge, she spoke, “Henry. You have a job to do. I suggest you get to it…now!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

They all watched Henry grab his hat and head out the back door in a flash.

Hearing Daisy’s hooves hitting the ground, she turned her attention the men sitting before her. She pointed to an empty chair and gave Michael a look, ordering him to sit. She leaned her hands on the table and looked at all of them.

“It has come to my attention that you boys have one sick son of a bitch as a father, and he wants my ranch. I also understand that all of you are here to make sure that doesn’t happen. I also know that if I don’t make that deadline at Silver Lake by January 1
^st
the bank is going to foreclose on my ranch and hand over the deed to the highest bidder. I also know this all stems around Henry. I don’t want to know who his father is, because as far as I am concerned, Michael is his father. Has been and will always be. Let me be perfectly clear, boys. If that bastard gets my ranch, I will personally hunt all of you down and brand your balls with a hot poker! And I do not want anyone upsetting that boy. He is not to know why all of you are here, is that clear?” she ordered.

All five of them just sat there looking at her like they were getting scolded for walking across their mother’s clean kitchen floor. Afraid to say anything, they just sat there.

“Is that clear!” she yelled as all five of them jumped.

Together they all answered, “Yes, ma’am.” With that she grabbed her hat and headed outside to start her day.

Sitting there in silence, afraid to move, Michael took a deep breath, Matthew ran his hand through his hair, Mark sat forward, Mitchell put his hands behind his head, and Marcus sighed.

“Well that was interesting,” Mitchell said.

“What a woman!” replied Marcus.

“I want her to have my babies,” Mark said.

“Too bad. She’s mine, and none of you better try anything, you hear me?” Michael said, getting up from the table, grabbing his hat, and heading out after her.

“You know, Mitch, we could take him,” Mark said, looking at his twin.

“Hell we could all take him, but who is going to answer to her?” Matthew said, looking at his brothers, knowing none of them wanted to tango with her.

“Well, boys, looks like we have a cattle drive to tend to. Grab your gear and let’s go,” Marcus said, standing up. “You know, Mattie, you were right. She does smell good.”

* * * *

The brothers spent the rest of the day following orders and giving orders. They were all experts in their own devices, and they were quickly divided into their own specialties. The twins, Mark and Mitchell, helped the herding crew. Marcus made his way over to the branding crew, while Matthew and Michael roamed the ranch looking for anything out of the ordinary. All five of them worked very well together, and soon all the ranch hands were calling all of them boss.

It was late when everyone headed in. Michael found his house overrun with his brothers and their bickering. His beer was all gone, the cabinets were empty, and their crap was everywhere. Heading to his room, he walked in to find Matthew.

“This is my room, Mattie. Get out,” he barked.

“Make me.”

“Mattie, I am exhausted. Get out!”

“Sorry, Mikie. We are bunking together. Marcus is with Henry, and the twins have taken over the living room, so that leaves you and me…” He smiled and winked at his brother. “I promise I won’t bite ya…come on over here, big boy, and give ya brother a big kiss!” Matthew said, coming toward him. Michael just closed his eyes and walked out of the room. “Oh come on, Mikie…I will let you have the floor!” Matthew shouted to Michael as he descended the stairs.

Walking into the living room, Michael tried to find a seat, but the twins were sprawled out everywhere. Giving up, he walked into the kitchen and sat at the table. Grabbing his boots, he put them on. Standing up, he grabbed his hat, and as he headed toward the door, he heard Mitchell yell, “Hey, guys, he’s leaving. Two guesses where he will be sleeping tonight!”

“Lucky bastard,” Matthew shouted back.

“Shut the hell up!” Michael shouted back as he left the house.

* * * *

He found her sitting on the front porch when he pulled into her drive. She smiled when he got out of his car, and stood to meet him at the stairs.

“Problems at Hotel Armstrong?” she asked with a grin.

“You have no idea.”

“You look tired. Have you eaten yet?”

“I am tired, and no. Those pigs cleaned me out. Can I please borrow your couch tonight?” he asked, leaning against the railing on the stairs, about to collapse. Rachael laughed, taking his hand. “I can do better than that,” she said and led him into the house.

Rachael had cooked dinner, and together they sat and quietly ate. The silence in the house was heaven to Michael. He sat there watching her as she poured him another glass of lemonade, he smiled when she gave him the rest of her food. When they were done, she got up, taking their plates and putting them in the sink. She returned with two cold beers and handed him one.

“Thank you, Rachael. Dinner was wonderful.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, sitting down next to him. “So tell me, what else should I expect from your father? “

“Anything. This man isn’t one to trifle with, when he wants something he doesn’t take no for an answer. If it comes down to it, he will take it with force.”

“I know I said I didn’t want to know and that I didn’t care, but I think I have a right to know…Who is Henry’s father?”

“I am.”

“Michael, please, I have to know why this man is hell-bent on destroying you and my ranch. This just isn’t about you and Henry anymore. That man is hell-bent on destroying everyone else involved. From what you told me about him, and with what has already happened here, he is going to kill someone. So please, no more secrets. Who is Henry’s father?” she asked, reaching for his hand.

Michael looked up at her and smiled, “Like you said earlier, I am Henry’s father. I was there when he was born. I raised him. I took care of him when he was sick. I taught him to play baseball, ride his bike, and help him with his homework. Henry is my son.”

Rachael stood up and walked behind him, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him. “Okay. I won’t ask again. Henry is your son,” she said and kissed his cheek. Michael closed his eyes and let her embrace him, needing the warmth and love she was offering. Releasing her hold on him, she walked into the living room. Michael followed and watched her take a couple of blankets and a pillow out of the closet and placed them on the couch.

“It’s late, and we have an early morning. You best get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning,” she said, leaning up to give him a hug, but when her hands touched his chest, she looked into his eyes and saw the tear that escaped from his eye. She gently wiped away the moisture. Michael grabbed her, hugging her tightly.

“You scared me to death. I thought I lost you in that pond. I thought I lost you,” he whispered into her hair as he breathed in her scent, trying to lose himself within her embrace.

She just held him.

Michael let go of everything that he had kept bottled up within him from the beginning of this farce. He knew eventually everything would come out, and though he tried his damnedest, he knew his life was unfolding before his eyes. His only concern was protecting his son and Rachael. He knew as she held him, he needed her. He needed her more than he thought possible.

She was a strong woman with an iron will. Compassion and love radiated from within her. Her determination was strong, and he loved her for that. They stood there, holding each other for a while, when Michael pulled back to look at her. She softly smiled at him as he looked into her eyes. That one look said a million verses. He knew right then and there.

He loved her.

He was hopelessly and irrevocably in love with her. He leaned down and kissed her warm lips. He wanted only to be with her, he needed her at this moment, and she was all he wanted. As his hands moved up her back, her mouth parted, and Michael moaned as the taste of willingness overwhelmed him.

Oh God, she wanted him. She wanted this man in her bed, to taste all of him, to touch every inch of him, to explore him, and to have him within her. Her body craved him like chocolate and a fine wine. She felt drunk around him.

She pressed her body closer to him, tightening her grip around him. Michael reached down and lifted her into his arms, kissing her all the way upstairs to her bedroom.