by Debra Webb
“Is this thing ready to start now? I have to go.”
Before she recognized his intent, Court jerked the door open, reached over the steering column and snatched the keys from the ignition. Shoving the keys into his pocket, he quickly drew back from the blast of outrage that lit her eyes.
“What the hell are you doing? Give me those keys!” she demanded furiously.
“No way.” He backed off a step when she bounced out. “You’re not running away from me again. We’re going to talk, Brin, whether you like it or not.”
“Court Brody, you give me those damned keys.” She got right in his face, nose-to-nose. Her tall, lithe body vibrated with the anger he could see in those dark eyes. “Don’t you dare accuse me of running away. You’re the damned master at it.”
He ignored that cutting remark. “As soon as we talk I’ll give you the keys,” he explained calmly.
“Fine. I’ll walk.” She flung the words at him like stones intended to shoo a pesky critter away, then started up the road in long, purposeful strides.
He settled into step next to her. “Fine. I’ll walk with you. I don’t have anything else to do this afternoon.”
Sabrina admitted defeat, pivoted on her heel and strode back to her truck. When Court set his mind to something there was no changing it. She would just have to tolerate him until she could start her truck again. But he couldn’t make her talk. Though she appreciated his help, she had nothing to say to him. Deciding to ignore his presence altogether, she leaned against the door and folded her arms over her chest. Let him talk until he was blue in the face, it wouldn’t change anything.
She’d seen him take that man, Benson, away. Jed had called Benson a traitor. Court’s actions could only mean that he had fallen completely under Neely’s spell. Whatever happened to change Court, he wasn’t the man she once knew. Nothing at all like the man she had…loved for most of her life.
He propped one hip against the truck right next to her. “Tell me what’s going on with the ranch,” he urged quietly, his tone so sincere she could almost believe he actually cared.
Sabrina closed her eyes. No, she reminded that foolish part of her that clung to any shred of hope, he doesn’t really. He’s just playing the hero right now. Aiding a damsel in distress. Pumping up his own ego. Nothing more.
Sabrina opened her eyes to his seemingly genuine gaze and tamped down the reaction that instantly gripped her by the heart. “My ranch is no longer your concern. I am no longer your concern.” Not that she ever really was his concern. “Charlie and I are doing just fine on our own.”
“So your mother isn’t involved with the ranch anymore?” he persisted, undeterred by her declaration.
Sabrina released her impatience in a long, exasperated breath. “Mother lives in Florida with Norman, her new husband. Charlie and I share the running of the ranch.”
Doubt flickered in that intent gray gaze. She knew he was recalling the sad state of the house and the barn. But she was doing the best she could. And he was right, there were fence repairs that needed to be made, as well. He didn’t understand how difficult it was for her alone. Charlie was almost no help. But she had no intention of telling Court. Tears burned the backs of her eyes and Sabrina resisted the urge to cry. She would not humiliate herself further by crying on Court’s shoulder, as tempting as that thought was.
“So you’ve sold off the horses to survive?”
His assessment hit the mark. Sabrina winced inwardly. There had been horses on the Double K for three generations. Now there were only two mares about to foal and a thousand things that needed to be done that she either didn’t have the know-how to do herself or the money to pay someone else. Not to mention time. She glanced at the sun and realized how late it was. There was never enough time.
“I have to go, I have chores to do.”
“Wait.” He placed his hand over hers on the truck’s door handle. He moved in closer, using the full body contact as leverage against her. “Brin, talk to me,” he murmured softly.
He pulled her hand free and turned her palm up. Her pulse leapt at the feel of his thumb as it glided over her palm. But it wasn’t a sexual caress, he was tracing the callused signs of the hard work she did every day to survive. She couldn’t fully discern the ravaged expression on his face when his gaze met hers again. She only knew that there was no way to fake that kind of emotion.
“I swear I’ll do whatever I can to help you, if you’ll only let me.”
A couple of tears escaped her tightly clenched lids. “Just leave me alone, Court.”
His strong body moved closer still, pressing along the length of her. “Don’t push me away, Brin.”
Who was this man that he could say the very words she had longed to hear for half a lifetime, and yet she had seen with her own eyes the evil he was capable of?
“I have to…” She paused to steady her voice. “You’re one of them.”
The whisper of his sigh was warm on her cheek. Her heart quickened, making her want to lean into the shelter of his big, strong body. She needed someone so badly. Someone to help her keep being strong for Ryan and for Charlie. She wanted Court. But it couldn’t be Court.
“Things aren’t always what they seem, Brin. You have to trust me. I’m not like them. Not deep down.”
Anger rushed through her, pushing away all those softer emotions. Sabrina did lean into him then, glaring up at him in accusation. “I saw you take that man, Benson, away.”
“He was a traitor,” Court said cautiously, his gaze now guarded. “He had to be dealt with. It was for the best.”
“Yeah, right.” She flattened her hands against his chest to push him away. “For whose best? I’d bet my last nickel it wasn’t for his.”
Court easily resisted her efforts to put some space between them. He placed his hands against the truck on either side of her to ensure she didn’t try to escape that way, either. “You’ll have to trust me on that one, too.”
She shook her head, disappointment and hurt spearing her. “I don’t think so. You’re just like the rest of them, all caught up in Neely’s spell.” The reality that this was her son’s father multiplied the hurt a hundredfold. “I don’t know what happened to you, Court, but you’re not the man I used to know.”
Impatience or something on that order kindled in those silvery eyes. “You think I’m the devil himself because I’m in the militia.” She could feel the tension of his rising agitation in his taut body. “You’re a part of it, too! What makes you so damned righteous?”
He was angry now. Sabrina flattened against the truck in an effort to escape the building fury she saw in his eyes. “I’m helping the children, not Joshua Neely.”
“Oh, so that’s different, right?” He braced his hands at his waist. “You’re not really there for the cause?”
“That’s right.” She trembled then at the feel of rock-hard muscles beneath her palms. He was so much stronger than she was, part of her wanted to be afraid, but the rest of her knew Court would never harm her physically. “I could care less about the cause.”
“Doesn’t that make you disloyal?” he pressed, his gaze so intent on hers that she felt uneasy in spite of her certainty that she was safe with him.
“I suppose it does.” A little burst of courage shored up her crumbling bravado. “What are you going to do about it? Get rid of me like you did Benson?”
The awkward silence that followed was filled with tension so thick that Sabrina could hardly draw air into her lungs. She wanted to run, but the feel of his powerful body kept her glued in place rather than pushed her away. She wanted to look away, but something in his gaze, over which she had absolutely no power, held hers there.
“Don’t push your luck,” he finally said, his words measured, his tone slightly threatening. “Just because I consider your lack of dedication harmless, doesn’t mean anyone else at the compound will.”
“I don’t care what anyone there thinks,” she retorted. “Least of all you
.” A new kind of fear chiseled away at her resolve to stay strong. He was right. Every day she went to the compound she risked a great deal of danger. How could she continue to take such chances knowing that Ryan needed her at home? But how could she give up on Charlie? “I do what I have to do.”
He brushed his knuckles against her cheek and she flinched. Disappointment flickered in his eyes. “So do I,” he relented quietly. “I know why you’re there, Brin. You want to make sure Charlie’s safe.”
She blinked. He read her too easily.
His fingertips trailed along the line of her jaw, then down her throat, making her shiver. She resisted the need to cry out at his touch. She had wanted, needed him for so long. But she could not allow herself to believe in him again. It hurt too much when he left.
“I’ll keep an eye on Charlie,” he assured her, his voice soothing, his words making her wilt with relief. “I can’t promise you that I’ll know what he’s doing every minute, but I’ll do my best to keep him out of trouble.”
But she couldn’t depend on Court. He’d left her in the lurch one time too many. “I can take care of Charlie myself. I don’t need anything from you.”
“Look me in the eye and tell me that,” he ordered.
She glared at him. “You can’t tell me what to do.”
A glimmer of a smile tilted one side of his mouth. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to.”
She was losing valuable time here. She had to pick up Ryan and get home to start the chores. “I have work to do.”
“All right.” He dropped his hands to his sides, effectively releasing her from the prison his body made around her. “I’ll come along and help.”
Anxiety tightened her chest. He couldn’t go to the ranch again. It was too risky. He might see something he shouldn’t, even if Ryan wasn’t home.
She shook her head. “I can take care of the chores myself, Brody.”
He reached over her head and snagged his hat. “Maybe you can, but I’ve never seen a rancher yet who couldn’t benefit from an extra pair of hands. I’ve been known in the past to work pretty hard for my supper.”
Outright panic slammed into Sabrina then. She couldn’t leave Ryan for so long. And if Court came into the house, the chance of him seeing a toy or picture of Ryan increased far too much for comfort.
“I don’t know why you’re doing this,” she argued. “But I don’t need your help.”
He pinned her with a look that dissolved any hope she had left of him relenting. “I won’t take no for answer. We need to talk some more. I told you I intend to set things straight between us.”
Sabrina’s mind raced to cover the steps she would have to take to protect her secret. “All right,” she agreed, finally surrendering since he left her no alternative. “I have to make one stop first, though. You go on to the ranch. You can feed the mares in the barn. I’ll only be a minute.” She turned quickly before he could see the lack of truth in her eyes, but he stayed her once more when she reached for the door handle.
“Where are you going?”
She tamped down the irritation that rose instantly at his question. There was no more time to argue. She had too much to do. But first, she had to check on Ryan and Mrs. Cartwright.
“I always…” Sabrina moistened her lips and told herself that this was not a complete lie. “I always check on Mrs. Cartwright to make sure she’s doing okay. She doesn’t have any family, you know.”
Court nodded. “I remember her. I used to exercise Mr. Cartwright’s horses for him after he broke his hip.”
Sabrina nodded, glad to see her ruse working. “Remember, they didn’t have any children of their own, so there’s no one to check on her now that she’s alone.”
Court looked thoughtful a moment. “Would you like me to go with you?”
Sabrina’s heart slammed against her sternum with a new burst of fear-inspired adrenaline. “No, no. It’s late. I’ll never get the chores done now. You go on to the Double K, and I’ll be right there.”
He pitched her keys to her. “See you in a few minutes, then.”
She watched Court’s long, confident strides as he moved toward his truck. A shaky breath shuddered out of her. That was too close for comfort. She knew for sure there were no toys or baby things in the barn or yard. So, all would be well for the moment. But before she allowed him into her house, she had to check every room he might set foot in to be sure there was no sign of her son.
Sabrina opened her door and started to climb in, only then realizing that Court hadn’t driven away. He was waiting to make sure her truck started. She turned the ignition, and blessedly, the engine cranked. Without looking back, she headed toward Mrs. Cartwright’s. The sweet old lady wouldn’t mind keeping Ryan a few hours longer, but Sabrina sure hated to miss that time with him. She loved her little boy more than anything else in the world.
And no matter what it cost her or Court, she intended to keep Ryan safe and happy.
COURT DRIED THE LAST POT and placed it on the counter. “It’s hard to believe Charlie’s grown up enough to drive around the ranch.” He chuckled, the sound making Sabrina feel too warm inside. “I can remember sneaking a drive around one of the pastures in my father’s old truck when I was Charlie’s age.”
“Well, I just wish Charlie hadn’t parked the truck smack into the watering trough,” she said, laughing a little herself at the remembered image. Though she certainly couldn’t afford to have the repairs made, Charlie had been so excited about his first driving lesson. And his happiness had meant a great deal more to her than some dumb pipe he’d broken in the process of learning to park.
Court’s amused expression fell into lines of worry. “I can’t believe you’ve been hauling water for the horses all the way from the house.”
This was where things got sticky. She didn’t want Court to know just how bad things had been around here. Those protective, older-brother-type genes would just kick in and then she’d never be rid of him.
“Plumbers are expensive,” she said as casually as she could. She bent and placed the pot he’d dried into its proper place in the cabinet next to the stove. “I was planning on skipping the pipe repairs awhile longer and buying enough water hoses to cover the distance, but I haven’t had time to pick them up.” She shrugged. “Besides, lugging the water isn’t such a big deal. Charlie helps.”
“When he’s here,” Court countered. He didn’t want to make Sabrina angry, but she needed help. He planned to have a talk with her little brother about responsibility. A talk he obviously hadn’t been given since his father died so long ago. The Double K was falling apart around Sabrina’s slender shoulders. She couldn’t do it alone, no matter how tough she was. The thought of those hard-earned calluses on her palms twisted like a knife in his gut. No woman should have to work that hard. It wasn’t right.
She tunneled her fingers through her hair and sighed. She was tired. Court could see it in her eyes and her posture. Dammit, this whole picture just wasn’t right. How could things have changed so for the worst in such a short time? He pushed away the guilt that wanted to rise. Too many years had passed since he’d really checked on Sabrina. The last time they were together, two years ago, they’d been at a hotel in Livingston and she hadn’t done much talking. But he’d done plenty of talking and taking. He swallowed at the regret that stuck in the back of his throat.
“Charlie’s a teenager,” she defended, “and he’s having a tough time with all that raging adolescent stuff.”
Court tossed his dry towel onto the counter and focused his attention back on the here and now. “I know all about how it feels to be a teenage boy. I was one. Remember?”
Sabrina blinked, her expression startled. His body had reacted to those memories all evening. Was she suddenly remembering those shared moments, too? Her every word, every look, every touch made him recall another one just like it from back when they were young. All he had wanted to do was get away from this place, and somehow her laughter and enthusiasm
had always made life bearable in the meantime. The vivid images of their first time making love slammed into his thoughts. His body grew instantly aroused at the sweet memories, but his chest ached at the hurt he had caused by allowing it to happen. Court knew from the look in Sabrina’s eyes that she was remembering the good as well as the bad.
She squared her shoulders and banished the longing he recognized in her eyes. “Things have been tough around here and Charlie’s been more than a little frustrated,” she offered in explanation of her brother’s behavior.
Court moved in on her then, trapping her against the sink. He didn’t care what motivated Charlie. He only cared that she needed him, and Court would not turn his back on that need. He couldn’t be here for her like he knew she had once wanted, but he could do this. “I want you to let me help you, Brin. I can afford to—”
“No.” She held up her hands stop-sign fashion. “I appreciate what you did today repairing that water pipe, and helping me with the chores. But I won’t accept your charity, Court Brody, so just forget it.”
Irritation buzzed in his ears. Repairing the plastic pipe had been nothing. “But if you need money—”
“I don’t need money.”
She was lying.
“I’m not blind, Sabrina,” he said firmly, his impatience pushing past the tolerance he’d promised himself he would show her. “Don’t try to sugarcoat things for me. This is Court you’re talking to. Hell, I know this ranch as well as you do. I know when things aren’t right. And this—” he lowered his voice, the effort clearly a struggle “—isn’t right.”
“I know you mean well, but I would rather handle things on my own. I’ve been doing it for three years. Why change now?”
Regret kicked him in the gut again. “All I’m asking is that you let me help just a little,” he insisted, his gaze searching her face, then her eyes, looking for the surrender he had once wrought so easily in her.
