Read The Cowboys Heart 1 Online

Authors: Helen Evans

The Cowboys Heart 1 (6 page)

BOOK: The Cowboys Heart 1
11.07Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads
Chapter Eight

A
nother two months had passed. Things on the ranch
were becoming smoother, the repairs were made, and I wasn’t pouring endless
amounts of money into it. Although, it wasn’t making a profit yet, either, and
finances were tight. My savings were completely wiped out, and if something
didn’t give soon, I’d have no choice but to get a job, which would be a
nightmare while still trying to run the ranch.

On the bright side, Hudson and I continued to see each other
every night. He made me so happy; I couldn’t imagine my life without him now. I
only wished Jamie would be nicer to Hudson, but Jamie made his feelings clear –
He hated it here. Hated my relationship with Hudson, hated that his father and
I were divorced. He had high hopes of moving back to the city and reconciling
with his father. It had broken my heart to have to tell him – again – that his
father and I were never getting back together. The same devastated, ‘my life is
over’ look had clouded his eyes right before he ran up to his room and slammed
the door. He didn’t speak to me the rest of that night and most of the next. I
sighed. My son hated everything lately, and I was at the top of that list.

I hoped, with time, he’d come around to the idea of me and
Hudson, because I had no intentions of ending things with him. I loved him, and
he loved me. We made it each other better, and Lord knows I wouldn’t have
survived around her without him. He’d been a true Godsend, a miracle.

I brushed the stray strands of hair from my face and blew
out a breath. Now that the ranch was running better, I finally had time to
devote to the cleaning and repairs inside the house, starting with Grandma’s
office, which had turned into a junk room. There were so many boxes stuffed
full of papers and files. I don’t know how she lived like this. The clutter
drove me nuts.

Closing yet another box of items to throw away, I lifted it
and set it outside the door for pick-up. Richard said when I was finished he’d
gather the boxes and dispose of them. As I turned to go back in the office, a
crumpled envelope caught my eye. I bent to pick it up. There was a bright green
sheet of paper inside, and it was from the local gas company. “That’s weird”, I
thought. I pulled the paper out and read. My heart raced and my eyes widened.
My hands even began to shake a little.

“We have reason to believe there is a large amount of oil
beneath your property, and we’re interested in the prospect of exploring this.
Please contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter,” I read.

Holy crap! I put my hand over my chest and fought to catch
my breath. My knees were shaky, and I was having trouble wrapping my mind
around this letter. There was oil under the property? If that were true… “Wow.”
I shook my head. There’s a lot of money in oil. If I could strike a deal with
the gas company, it would solve all my problems.

Clearly Grandma had opened the letter, but had she ever
called about it? Did she think about it? I know she never did it, but why?
Well, there was only one way to find out. I grabbed my cell phone and called
the number on the letter.

***

I was waiting in the driveway when
the bus pulled up and Jamie got off. I was so damn excited, I couldn’t stand
still. “Mom?” he asked, giving me a confused and concerned look. “What’s
wrong?”

“Nothing!” I threw my arms around him and hugged him. He
pushed me away in that way teens do when their moms hug them or show them any
affection in public. I laughed. “In fact, everything is fantastic.” I looped my
arm through his and turned him toward the house. “I have a lot to tell you.”

He stopped and turned to face me. “Are we moving back to the
city?” Excitement flashed in his eyes, and my mood turned sour.

I frowned. “No, we’re not going back to the city. I told you
already, I’ve got too much invested in this ranch to just walk away.”

“Not if you sell it,” he grumbled.

Refusing to let him get me down, I straightened my back and
took his arm again. “There’s oil on the property, Jamie.”

“Oil?” he asked with disbelief and contempt. “So what? Who
cares?”

“Jamie, don’t you realize what this means?” I rolled my
eyes. “Oil means money, and money means…”

“We get to go back to the city?” he asked hopefully.

I sighed with frustration. “No,” I snapped. “We’re not going
back to the city, now stop asking me that.” When he pulled away from me, a pang
of guilt stabbed at me. I truly did feel bad about snapping at him, but I was
so tired of him asking me the same question over and over again. His life here
would be so much easier if he just accepted this was home now.

“Fine. So tell me what’s so great about living on top of
oil.” He stormed toward the house and I rushed to catch up.

“I’ve agreed to lease a small parcel of this land to the gas
company so they can drill for oil. They’re paying a large sum of money plus
royalties on whatever they collect and sell. This means no more struggle.” I
clutched his hands and searched his face, hoping he showed an ounce of the
enthusiasm I felt. “I can do what needs to be done around here; I can afford to
send you to whatever college you want to go to… See, Jamie? This is good for
us. It’s an answer to my prayers.”

“Yeah, what about my prayers, mom? Huh? What about what I
want?” he shouted at me then ran inside, slamming the door behind him.

I covered my face with my hands and fought back tears,
wondering if he would ever forgive me. He blamed me for everything – the
divorce, his father’s absence, moving here. Nothing I did would make it better,
except agreeing to move back to the city, but that just wasn’t a possibility. I
had a life here, and he did too. Granted, it wasn’t the same as the city, but
he still had friends here. He only had to give it a chance.

I entered the house and found Jaime standing in the kitchen.
His arms were crossed over his chest, but he didn’t look as angry as he had a
moment ago. “The oil…it’s a good thing, and I’m happy you found it.”

“But?”

“Is it safe?”

I nodded and then shrugged. “For the most part. There are
some risks, but they’re minimal. It’ll be fine.” I studied him, realizing just
how worried he was about this. Maybe that’s all this was – worry. Maybe he
didn’t hate the idea or being here. “A representative from the gas company is
coming out here tomorrow to talk to me, to explain the process and the risks.
You’re welcome to stay home from school so you can be here if you want.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” I smiled, hoping he’d take me up on the offer. It
would do both of us good to have a mother son day. If he stayed home, I could
cook him his favorite breakfast like I used to, take him to lunch, maybe let
him buy a new video game before we had to meet with the gentleman about the
oil. “We can make a day of it if you want.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know.” He gave me a half smile then went
up to his room.

Well, it wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d hoped for, but it
was better than yelling at me and demanding to go back to the city. The more I
thought about it, the more I realized it was probably just his nerves making
him act the way he was. Once I got the information, I could share it with him,
and he’d see there was nothing to worry about.

I set about making dinner, humming softly to myself, feeling
pretty good about the future when I heard the side door open. “Richard? Is that
you?”

“No, it’s me,” Hudson said, entering the kitchen. He walked
up behind me, slid his arms around my stomach and kissed my cheek. “But if
you’d prefer to have your ranch hand in here with you, I’m sure I can go find
him.”

Turning in his arms, I gave him a proper kiss. “Hmm, no,
you’ll do.”

He laughed, the sound filling me with so much joy. “I’ll
do?”

Giggling, I nodded, kissing him again. “Yeah, you’ll
definitely do.”

“Good, because I’m not going anywhere.” He pulled me closer,
the evidence of his arousal pressing against me. If only we were alone right
now… “So,” he stepped back, clearing his throat, “how was your day?”

“Oh my god! You’ll never believe what happened!” I led him
to the table and made him sit, then I divulged the details of my day – finding
the letter, calling the gas company, their offer. He sat silently until long
after I finished. When the moments ticked by and he still didn’t answer, I
said, “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

He sighed. “I’m glad you’re excited, but do you really think
it’s a good idea?”

I stared at him, stunned and hurt that he didn’t share in my
excitement. “Of course it’s a good idea. Why wouldn’t it be?”

Hudson shrugged and avoided my gaze. “Just seems dangerous
is all.”

I stood. “Well, it’s not.” What was with everyone being so
negative about this? Couldn’t anyone see how great this was? Sure, there were
risks, but there were risks with everything in life. I went to the counter and
finished putting seasoning on the steaks. Behind me, Hudson remained at the
table, not saying anything, the silence between us awkward and tense.

“Do you even know what this entails? It’s not just you this
affects you know.”

Spinning around, I glared at him. “And what does that mean?”

“Our properties touch, Heather. And while the gas company
will stay on your property the noise and equipment and land disruption will
affect my animals, the operations of my ranch.” He stood and came over to me.
“And the Jennings… They’re on the other side of you. How do you think they’ll
react to this?”

My jaw dropped as realization sunk in. The Jennings, now it
all made sense. Their desperation to buy the ranch, their scare tactics and
threats. They must have known about the oil, that was why they wanted the land.
They didn’t want it for the property or the house or the ranch. They wanted
what was beneath it. Oh, those sneaky rotten… now, more than ever, I was going
to do this. Nothing or no one was going to stand in my way.

Chapter Nine

O
nce I signed the contract with the gas company,
they wasted no time getting on the property and drilling. It was noisy, but so
far there hadn’t been any issues. Jamie was more excited about it, too,
especially since we know had money to do things. I splurged and spoiled him
when we got the first check. All talk of returning to the city seemed to have
died on his tongue. Things were peaceful for once. Hudson still wasn’t thrilled
with my decision, but he didn’t have to be. It was my choice to make, and he
supported it, even if a little begrudgingly.

“Whoa, easy Biscuit.” I pulled on her reins, guiding her to
slow down a little. I think she was just as excited to be ridden as I was to
ride her. The last time had been weeks ago when Hudson and I inspected the
ranch for needed repairs. I promised myself I was going to ride more regularly,
and that started today.

We rounded the corner edge of the property when I noticed
the Jennings brothers lurking around. I slowed Biscuit to a stop. “Can I help
you gentlemen?” I kept my voice loud and firm. Inside, I was terrified. They
were four big men. If they decided to attack me, there was no way I’d be able
to defend myself.

“You shoulda sold to us,” Buck said, venom lacing his words.
“That oil and the money you took for it belongs to us.”

I snorted. “Nothing on this ranch has ever belonged to you,
and it never will. It would serve you well to remember that.”

Buck sneered a mix of a smile and a scowl. I had to stop
from physically cringing at how evil he looked. “It doesn’t belong to you,
either! Noreen was days away from selling to us, and then you swooped in and
took it. A true woman would honor her grandmother’s wishes.”

My eyes widened, and my heart raced. Anger boiled in my gut.
“How dare you! I know damn well she never had any intention of selling to the
likes of you four.”

Buck stepped closer and for a moment I was worried he’d
climb the fence and come after me. Instinctively, I backed Biscuit up, prepared
to make a fast retreat if necessary. “You have no idea what you’re talking
about, but I promise, you’ll found out soon enough.” His brothers snickered,
and I glared at them.

“Are you threatening me?”

He flung his head back and let out a loud cackle. “Nope.
Don’t need to threaten you.”

I cleared my throat and straightened my back, making myself
sit a little taller. “Then I suggest you leave. You’re all close to
trespassing, and one thing my grandmother taught me was how to shoot a rifle.”
It was a total bluff, but they didn’t know that. I hoped. And even if it were
true, there was no way I could ever actually aim a gun at anyone let alone pull
the trigger.

“Little miss thing is all tough now. Guess fucking your
neighbor gives you a renewed confidence, huh?” Buck spit on the ground,
grinning. “Maybe I should give you a go, see what it does for me.”

“Uh,” I huffed, making a disgusted face. “You’re so vile.” I
shuddered at the thought of that man getting anywhere near me.

“If you only knew…” one of his brothers muttered.

“Yeah,” Buck said, spitting again, “you might wanna rethink
who you’re calling vile. Your precious Hudson isn’t as wonderful as you think.”

My heart stopped, and my ears burned hot. “What does that
mean?” I had no idea why I asked, or why I was still here listening to them.
They weren’t worth my time, yet that nagging voice in the back of my mind
wouldn’t let me leave.

Buck shrugged lazily. “Just hope you’re enjoying Hudson
because we sent him to you, Heather. He’s one of us, and his sole goal has been
to convince you to sell.” He laughed, and his brother’s joined him. What do you
have to say to that, Miss haughty-taughty, Buck said with a smirk? I was too
shocked to respond. My response must have been what they were looking for
because, they all turned and walked away, laughing and giving each other high
fives.

Hudson was only with me because he wanted to convince me to
sell? No. That wasn’t true. Buck was lying. They were bitter because they
didn’t get the ranch and the oil and the money, and now they were trying to get
under my skin, make me question everything, try to drive me away.

I turned Biscuit back toward the house, my mind racing with
the possibility that Buck might be right about Hudson. I didn’t want to believe
Hudson would do that. He wasn’t that kind of man. He was sweet and caring and
loving. The way he looked at me and touched me – a man with an ulterior motive
couldn’t do that. No. No man could fake the emotion Hudson showed her. It just
wasn’t possible.

But… Things, memories, slowly drifted into my mind. Like,
how he asked me out of the blue about selling the ranch. His severe lack of
enthusiasm when I told him about the oil. His stern warning to stay away from
the Jennings. Originally, I’d thought he told me that to keep me safe, but now
I wondered if he told me because he was afraid I’d find out the truth about
him. The closer I got to the house, the angrier I became.

What was I supposed to do now? Should I just ignore what
Buck said, chalk it up to the ramblings and accusations of a bitter man? Or
should I confront Hudson? Part of me believed if I asked Hudson about this,
he’d laugh it off and tell me Buck was crazy. But what if he didn’t?

When I first suspected Phillip of cheating, I ignored it. I
discounted my friend when she’d told me she saw Phillip and another woman
together. I’d trusted my husband, believed he wouldn’t do that to me. I ignored
my instincts, and when I finally did open my eyes and see the truth, it was too
late. I vowed to never blindly trust a man so much. I knew what I had to do. I
had to confront Hudson and make him answer for Buck’s accusations.

***

“Hey, baby.” Hudson came up behind
me and kissed my neck. “I’ve missed you today.”

I stood still, unresponsive to his affection. I’d spent all
day stewing over the things Buck had said to me. One minute I was angry at Buck
for saying such awful things about Hudson while another minute I was livid with
Hudson for lying to me, using me, making me fall in love with him and then
breaking my heart. I was emotionally exhausted and didn’t know if I was strong
enough to face him, to say all the things I knew I had to say.

“What’s wrong?” He turned me to face him, concern etched on
his handsome face.

I took a shaky breath and moved away from him. There was no
way I could have a serious talk with him when he was touching me, tempting me
to forget everything and fall into his arms. “I had a run in with Buck Jennings
today.”

Hudson raised a brow and crossed his arms over his chest.
His face went blank, his eyes dull. “Did he hurt you?”

“Not physically.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

I sighed and went into the living room. He followed.
“Heather, talk to me. What did Buck do to you?”

“He didn’t do anything to me. But he had a lot to say.” I
watched him closely, looking for any signs of deception or guilt in his eyes. I
didn’t see anything right off, but that didn’t mean he was lying. He could just
be a really skilled liar.

“And what exactly did he have to say that’s making you act
so cold toward me?”

I let out a harsh laugh. Oh, he had a lot of nerve. “He told
me you’ve been working with them, that the only reason you’re with me is
because you want to convince me to sell the ranch to them, that you knew about
the oil here.”

Shock registered on his face, and then he took a small step
back, away from me. To most, it wouldn’t mean much of anything, but to me, it
said volumes. I crossed my arms over my chest. “Is it true?” I asked. “Is that
the only reason you got involved with me?”

“What? No.” He shook his head adamantly. “I love you,
Heather. You have to know that.”

I sighed. Deep down, I did know that. I didn’t doubt his
love for me, but I did doubt the sincerity of it. “Is it true, Hudson? Has this
whole thing between us been nothing but a ruse, a way for you and your cohorts
to get your hands on my grandmother’s ranch, the oil? The money?” I bit out. To
think he’d been sleeping with me in the hopes of getting money made me sick to
my stomach made me feel like a glorified whore.

Hudson dragged a hand through his hair and stepped toward
me. I stepped back, refusing to let him get too close. “Damn it.” He rubbed at
the back of his neck and shook his head. “It’s not what you think.”

Those words destroyed me, and I whimpered, cupping my hand
over my mouth. “You used me.”

“No.” He took my hands into his and continued to shake his
head. “When Buck first came here to talk to you, when he asked you to sell and
you refused, he came to me. He told me he knew there was oil on this land, and
if I helped convince you to sell, he’d split the profits with me. So, yes, the
very first time I came here, I had done so with the intent of getting you to
sell.”

I jerked my hands from his, disgusted and heartbroken. Tears
burned my eyes, and my throat felt raw, unable to form any words. And even if I
could physically speak, I doubt my mind would come up with something
intelligible.

“But then I saw you, and things changed. I got to know you,
know Jamie… And I couldn’t go through with it. I told Buck I was out, that if
he wanted this land, he’d have to convince you himself.” Hudson licked his lips
and swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing hard in his throat. “I fell in
love with you, Heather, and I don’t ever want to do anything to hurt you. I
should’ve told you, and I’m sorry I didn’t.”

I closed my eyes, forced every ounce of courage I had to the
surface. I loved Hudson with all my heart, more than I ever loved my husband,
but what Hudson had done hurt worse than everything Phillip ever did. How could
I have been so stupid? I opened my eyes and stared at him through my tears. I
prayed this was all a nightmare, that I’d wake up and be in bed next to him,
wrapped safely in his arms.

“Heather… Please, say something. Tell me you understand,
that you forgive me.” There was so much pain and longing in his voice, I almost
caved and did what he asked.

“I can’t,” I whispered.

“Don’t do this,” he said.

“Don’t do what? Call you on your bullshit?” I shouted. He
wasn’t going to blame me, make me feel bad for his actions. “Get out.”

He raised his eyebrows, his eyes wide in shock. “What?”

“Get out,” I said more firmly, planting my feet on the floor
and pointing toward the front door. “I have no room in my life for liars and
users.”

“I’m not a liar or a user,” he ground out through gritted
teeth. His hands were clenched into fists by his sides. “You know me, Heather.
I’ve shared parts of myself with you that I’ve never shared with anyone else.
Do you think I’d do that if all I wanted was this damn ranch?”

I shrugged, refusing to meet his gaze any longer. I really
just wanted him to go so I could go upstairs and cry in peace. I wanted to
mourn this relationship, say goodbye to the man I’d thought Hudson was so I
could pick up the pieces and move on. Just like I’d done after my divorce, I’d
grieve then move on. Like my grandmother, I was a survivor.

“I don’t give a shit about this ranch or the oil or the
money,” he said, taking my face into his hands and making me look into his
eyes. “I. Love. You, Heather. I love Jamie, and all I want is to be with you,
to have a future.”

I pulled away from him, sniffling. His mention of Jamie
steeled my resolve. No matter how I felt about Hudson, I had to think of Jamie,
protect him, and not let anyone into his life who could hurt him.

“Please forgive me, Heather. Please,” he begged.

“I’m sorry, Hudson. I can’t get past the fact that you lied
to me, used me. Even though you backed out, you still lied to me. Now please,
get out.”

He stared at me for several minutes, and I expected him to
say something more, to try to change my mind, but with a sad nod, he left the
house. I blew out a pent up breath, and then the tears started. They streamed
down my face faster than I could wipe them away. I slouched down to the floor,
tucked my knees to my chest, and cried.

I thought being betrayed by Phillip was bad, but kicking
Hudson out of my life hurt worse. There was a physical ache in my chest, a
growing hole I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to fill. Why did every man I got
involved with have to be a jerk? Well, this would teach me to date again. I was
done with dating, with love, with men. I was fine being single.

Taking a deep breath, I wiped my face and stood. It would take
a while for me to get over Hudson, but I refused to let him keep me down for
too long. “Jamie!” I shouted up the stairs. “Pack a bag. We’re leaving.”

Jamie came down the stairs, took one look at me and furrowed
his brows. “Where are we going?”

“To the city.” I turned on my heel and walked away, thankful
he didn’t ask me what was wrong, and not wanting to have an argument with him.
I knew the moment I told him where we were going he was going to assume it was
a permanent trip. When we were on the road, I’d tell him the truth, but until
then, I just needed to get out of this house and away from everything for a
while.

BOOK: The Cowboys Heart 1
11.07Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

The Tooth Fairy by Joyce, Graham
The Sacrifice by Robert Whitlow
Sisters in Crime by Carolyn Keene
Fishbone's Song by Gary Paulsen
Torn (Second Sight) by Hunter, Hazel
BLACK to Reality by Russell Blake
Barbarian's Soul by Kayse, Joan
The Forever Bridge by T. Greenwood