The Cattle Drive [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek] (Siren Publishing Classic) (29 page)

Unlike his brothers, Mason wasn’t around much for Henry’s upbringing, but whenever he could take leave, Michael would wake to find him sleeping on his couch. Michael loved those unannounced visits, and so did Henry, but sitting there around the campfire with his brothers all around him, Michael worried about what their mother was asking of Mason. He, too, knew it wasn’t going to be good.

They all heard the footsteps behind them. Standing, they turned to find their mother behind them.

“I am so sorry, Michael,” she said, walking up to him.

“It’s not your fault.” He asked, watching his brother get into a truck and leave, “Where is Mason going?”

“I have asked him to do something for me.”

“What?” Mitchell asked, wanting to know.

“Mom, what did you ask Mase to do?” Matthew asked firmly.

Sarah looked from one son to the next and lowered her head. “It’s time this mess ends. If not for all of you, then do it for your new niece or nephew. Henry will always be like a grandson to me, but it is time he knows the truth. I won’t have this hanging over our heads anymore.”

Mark moved closer to his mother and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Mom, what did you ask Mason to do?”

“I asked him to take care of your father,” she replied.

“What do you mean, take care of him?” Michael asked, worried.

“Exactly what I said,” she said firmly.

“Shit! Someone go after him. Mom, you can’t ask him to do that. You know what he will do,” Mark cursed.

Sarah looked appalled at what her sons were thinking and sighed. “I didn’t ask him to kill him. I am not that vengeful. I just asked that he make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. You boys know your father.”

“Wait just a damn minute. You said niece or nephew earlier,” Marcus said, finally chiming in.

“Niece or nephew?” Mark and Mitchell both said in unison.

“Rachael’s pregnant,” Michael offered. His brothers all smiled. They started congratulating him and patting him on his back.

“So when’s the wedding?” Mark asked, easily changing the subject.

“What?” Michael looked puzzled.

“Look, Mikie, if you don’t want to marry that beautiful creature in there, I can guarantee you that the five of us will jump at the chance,” Mitchell replied.

“I called first dibs,” Matthew shouted first.

“Nobody is calling dibs!” Michael yelled back, getting frustrated with the turn in the conversation.

“Well someone has to marry her. I vote me,” Mark offered.

“Nobody is marrying Rachael!” Michael shouted, his temper in full-blown rage.

“Well, I guess you better step up to the plate, big brother, ’cause that’s an Armstrong in her little belly, and by god, that baby will have the Armstrong name before it’s born,” Marcus said sternly to his brother.

“I will take care of Rachael,” Michael quietly said, sitting down.

“Michael, honey, we know you will take care of Rachael. That isn’t the issue. The issue is she is going to have your baby.
Yours
, Michael,” their mother said, emphasizing the word yours.

“Well, what will you all have me do? I don’t even know if she wants to marry me,” he said, shouting at them all.

“Then why don’t you ask?” the soft voice whispered through the air around them. Everyone turned around to see Rachael standing only a couple of yards away, smiling with her hands on her hips.

* * * *

The morning sun brought forth a whole new feel among the camp. Everyone was on edge, not saying a word, just quietly going about their business and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

All were quiet eating their breakfast, and soon the morning crew started their shift. Even Michael and Rachael were quiet, each quietly taking shifts out with the herd to give some much-needed rest to the others. Henry never emerged from the herd, and after three days, Michael was worried. When he attempted to go find him, Mark and Mitchell would stop him, telling him to give him time.

Giving Michael a wide berth, everyone went on about their business, moving the herd toward their next destination.

It was midnight when they made it to Ridgeville. Setting up camp for the night, the crew made good time, getting the herd bedded for the night.

“I can’t take this, Rachael,” Michael said, pacing in their camper.

“Henry will come in when he is ready. Just give him some time. It’s not every day you learn your grandfather is a money-hungry, ranch-stealing bastard,” she softly said, lying on the mattress. Michael looked over at her, still mesmerized at her beauty. She was glowing, radiating warmth all around her. Her soft, pale skin shinned in the moonlight, her emerald eyes still pierced his heart, and with those soft lips, he still got lost in her rapture. She smiled up at him and pulled back the blankets. “Come to bed, Michael…please.”

He sat down, taking off his clothes and boots, and climbed in next to her. Laying her head on his chest, wrapping her arm around his waist, Michael held her.

“Rachael, marry me,” he asked softly.

She smiled and replied, “Ask me after the drive.”

Michael cupped her face in his hands and slowly kissed her. Her soft lips moved gently across his, welcoming him and loving him. As she slowly opened her mouth, Michael took her. He slowly rolled her over, bracing himself with his arms, as not to put all of his weight on her. He leaned down, kissing her neck as he lowered himself to her. As their bodies touched, he could feel the warmth surrounding her. Her hands trailed fire down his back, sending him into a fog of lust.

Rachael moaned, and Michael trailed kisses down her neck to her chest. No longer afraid of her body, she let go and allowed him to truly love her. As his mouth licked her breast, her hand went to her mouth to stifle the moan that escaped from her wanting lips. Her body reacted, parting her legs for him. Michael’s hand moved slowly from her ankle up to her knee, inside her tight toward the warmth that she had exposed. As his thumb found her soft, sweet nub, he tenderly stoked it, making her moan in pleasure.

“Rachael…look at me,” Michael said, kissing her neck. As she opened her eyes, Michael drove his fingers into her, escalating her to the brink. Grabbing his chest, her nails dug into him, and as his hand moved in and out of her, she arched her back as the waves engulfed her. Michael took her mouth, thrusting his tongue deep into her. His hand cupped her breast, playing with her nipple between his fingers.

“Please….” she moaned as Michael nibbled her ear. Her body ached for him as he lowered his head toward her chest, kissing each breast, leaving a hot trail down to her stomach, and when his tongue entered her, she grabbed the blankets. He licked her, taking her into his mouth.

Rachael’s body had seen pleasure before, but nothing compared to what she was experiencing now. The flashes of light sparkled all around her, the warmth flooded her body, and when the light got so bright it blinded her, she exploded, seeing stars out all around her. With her body falling back down to the ground, Michael took her mouth and entered her with one smooth thrust, bringing her back to the present.

He moved within her, gently in and out. As she raised her hands to his chest, his momentum sped up. He loved the feel of her beneath him, and he tried hard to control himself when she moved her hips to meet each movement.

“Please…” she moaned once more. “Please, Michael.” Michael then, with one last thrust, exploded within her, sending her back into the flash of light. Michael fell on top of her, appearing dazed in ecstasy. Her arms wrapped around him and held him tightly to her.

Rising up to look at her, he kissed her once more before rolling off to the side, letting their bodies cool. Rachael rolled over and soon found her favorite spot.

“I love you, Rachael. Marry me,” Michael whispered.

“Yes,” she said, closing her eyes.

* * * *

It was cold outside when Michael emerged from the tent. A fresh coat of snow covered the already-wet ground. Putting on his coat, Michael headed over to the chow wagon where Jake was dishing out breakfast. Grabbing a cup, he poured himself a cup of coffee.

“Hey, boss. You want breakfast?” Cookie asked.

“Not yet, Jake, thanks. Is Henry back?” Michael said, looking at the camper.

“No, boss.”

“Okay,” Michael said, putting his cup down.

“Hey, boss. Mrs. Armstrong left this morning. She wanted me to give you this,” he said, handing Michael a manila envelope. Michael took it and walked back to the camper. Sitting on the end of the mattress, Michael opened the envelope. Inside were two deeds, a last will and testament, and a handwritten letter. Michael took the letter, and read it.

My Dearest Son,

I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you are feeling right now toward your father. There is no excuse for what he has done to you and to Rachael. Please understand that everything I have done, I did because I thought it was the right thing to do. I love you more than my life. Your well-being has always been my first concern. You have done an admirable job raising Henry, and thanks to you, he is nothing like your father. Thank you for that.

Rachael is a wonderful woman, and I know she will make you happy. You take care of her, my darling son. She is so much like me. I know she doesn’t realize it yet, but she can sometimes get into trouble and cannot figure her way out. Be there and help her. She has a tough road ahead of her. Take care of that grandbaby. Love it, wholly, with your whole heart.

She needs you more than you realize. As for your father, I will take care of him. This is something I should have done a long time ago. He will not expect what he is going to get. My only hope is that he never finds out about Henry, and I plan to do everything in my power to make sure he doesn’t. I am going home, my darling son. Enclosed you will find the deed to Rachael’s ranch. I have signed it over to both you and Rachael. I have also enclosed my last will and testament. I have left you boys everything. Please son, know that what I do, I have always done for you. My darling boy, I love you.

Your mother,

Sarah Abigail Armstrong

Michael set down the letter and looked at the deeds and the will. Taking the will in hand, he read it.

This is the last will and testament of Sarah Abigail Armstrong. If I am no longer on this earth it is due to my husband, Mason Harold Armstrong. Know that I did not go willing, that I fought him till the end. With that said, I leave all my worldly possessions to…

Michael froze.

Grabbing the letter once again, he reread the last paragraph. Jumping up, he ran out of the tent, yelling for his brothers. Digging in his pocket for the keys, Michael and his brothers all jumped into the truck. Together they all left, leaving a trail of snow and dirt behind them.

* * * *

“Hey, boss lady,” Kenny said, opening the camper door.

“Kenny, stop calling me that,” she moaned, rolling over.

“Okay, boss lady. Thought I should let you know the boss man took off with his brothers about ten minutes ago, took one of the trucks, too.”

“Okay, Kenny. Did they say where they were going?” she whispered

“No, boss lady.”

“All right, give me a couple of minutes, and I will be out to help,” she said, sitting up. Rachael got dressed, and as she was putting on her boots, she noticed the papers on the floor. Picking them up, she read them. “Oh my god,” softly left her lips. Grabbing her jacket and the papers, she ran outside, and yelled, “Kenny!”

“Yeah, boss lady,” Kenny shouted from the chow wagon.

“Where’s Henry?” she said, running up to him.

“Out with the herd, why?”

“Keep him out there. Do whatever you have to. You keep him so damn busy, all he can do is sleep when he gets back here. Do you understand?” she ordered.

“Sure, boss lady, sure.”

“Jake, go find Brutus. I need you two to help me with something,” she shouted, walking toward the camper.

Sitting down and grabbing the CB radio, Rachael tried to tune in the correct frequency. As soon as she heard the tone, she pressed the talk button.

* * * *

“Chris. Come in, Chris.”

“Rachael?” the young voice said, sitting in his squad car out near Fullers Bend.

“Oh thank God! Jimmie, is that you?”

“Rachael, what has Chris told you about using that damn CB to talk? He can get into a lot of trouble. You don’t know what your father will do to us if he finds out. Besides, he has been really cranky lately…” Jimmie said, continuing on and on.

“Jimmie! Shut up!” Rachael yelled into the microphone.

“Damn girl, you don’t have to scream. This thing vibrates when you do that.”

“Jimmie, please, not now. I need your help.”

“What now? Get another speeding ticket you need me to fix,” he said, laughing to himself.

“Jimmie, where is Chris?”

“He took off for a two-week vacation, said something about white sandy beaches and hula girls with no tops on. Did you know that some girls did that? I sure didn’t. Man, my mom would flail me alive if I went somewhere like that. It isn’t very respectable for girls…”