Sunset Seduction

by Charlene Sands

  Now out in broad sunlight, away from the dark and light shadows Trib appeared friendly and amiable. She walked within a few feet of him and put out her hand. “Here you go, boy.”

  He craned his neck forward and brought his mouth to her hand, nibbling away at the sugar until it was all gone.

  “I’ve got to get you home,” she said softly. Steadily, she fit the rope halter over his head and adjusted it under his chin. Trib stood still and allowed her to fasten the five-foot lead rope to the harness.

  She gave his mane a soft pat. “Okay, we’re almost ready. You’re doing fine.”

  With great care, she led him forward toward the barn, all the while talking quietly and calmly to him.

  Midway to the barn, she caught a glimpse of a cowboy at the fence post.

  Uh-oh.

  “Audrey. What in hell are you doing?” Luke spoke quietly enough not to spook the horse. But his angry tone was unmistakable.

  Refusing to be distracted, she stared at the horse. “I’ve been working with Trib and he’s ready.”

  “Audrey, get out of there, right now,” he rasped with menace in his voice.

  “You’re paying me to do a job.” Eyes still trained on Trib, she spoke softly. “And we’re doing just fine.”

  “You’re fired. I don’t want you to—”

  And suddenly, out of nowhere, an orange blur appeared, racing at top speed toward her, Blackie, the Slades’ Border collie, chasing Jewel and barking like crazy. Luke cursed. He bounded over the corral fence just as Trib jerked his head back and yanked on the lead rope. Audrey held on tight, as long as she could. But Trib was more powerful. The rope jerked free of her hands. She stumbled forward and managed at the last second to turn her body. She landed with a thud on her butt.

  Jewel whizzed by with Blackie at her heels. It all happened so fast. Trib whinnied loudly enough for the next county to hear. He reared up, his front legs coming eight feet off the ground. Audrey froze. Seconds ticked by in slow motion as she watched the horse balance himself on his hind legs as if trying to keep from crashing down on her.

  “Watch out!” Luke shouted, running toward her.

  He fell to his knees and pressed her close, cosseting her with his body and creating a shield of protection around her. She thought for a split second everything would be okay.

  And then the force of Trib’s frustration landed on Luke with a crushing sound.

  She felt a thump.

  Luke bellowed in pain. And then slumped over her like a rag doll, lifeless and limp.

  “Luke! Luke!”

  “Don’t move him!” one of the ranch hands shouted from a distance.

  “We’re calling for help,” another one said.

  Audrey held her breath, bearing Luke’s weight and sending up prayers for his life.

  * * *

  Audrey’s tears stained her shirt as she unpacked her bags with Jewel looking on. They were home. Finally back in Reno. Finally back where she belonged.

  She hated herself, hated the pain and anguish she’d caused Luke. She couldn’t stay on at the ranch, though everyone tried like crazy to convince her not to go. How on earth could she stay? How could she face Luke after what had happened? She had a hard enough time facing herself in the mirror.

  She’d almost caused his death.

  She hadn’t listened to his warnings.

  She wanted so badly to prove to Luke he’d been wrong about Trib.

  But she was the one who’d been wrong about everything.

  More tears spilled from her eyes. It wasn’t good for the baby for her to cry like this, so she forced herself to stop. It was hard and she didn’t deserve to give herself a break. She didn’t deserve much of anything right now.

  Poor Jewel. Even her cat knew something was off. Jewel glanced around her surroundings with dismay. Her sheepskin kitty bed and three-tier cat house seemed to have lost their appeal. Jewel moped. The cat had gotten accustomed to being on Slade land. She’d grown out of her separation anxiety. Living at the ranch had been like therapy.

  Audrey steadied her breathing. She couldn’t seem to keep a dry face. She had the feeling she would have cried just as hard even if she weren’t pregnant. No, her tears couldn’t be blamed on hormones. Her tears would’ve been shed regardless.

  Inside, she bled for the big mess she’d made of things, but she couldn’t think about that at the moment. She couldn’t wallow in self-pity. Luke was the important one. He would survive. Though he’d be spending the next week in the hospital, he would make a full recovery.

  He’d been lucky, the doctor said. The horse hooves hadn’t made a direct hit. The thick-lined leather jacket Luke was wearing had lessened the impact of the force. But one hoof had knocked into the back of his head.

  Luke had gotten another concussion.

  Strike one for Audrey.

  His body took a hard pounding.

  Strike two for Audrey.

  His spine wasn’t injured, but all of his organs were badly bruised.

  Three strikes and you’re out.

  As soon as she’d gotten the news that Luke would make a full recovery, she’d left the ranch. It hadn’t been easy to leave, but guilt and remorse had a way of convincing her that she wasn’t worthy. That sticking around would just make matters worse. She’d already caused Luke a world of grief and pain. She would’ve been the last person he’d want to see when he woke up in the hospital. At some point, she would have to face him, because of the baby. He’d want to know the baby was all right. She wouldn’t deny him anything regarding their child, but she also didn’t want to burden his life with her presence. He had every right to blame her for all the trouble she’d caused him.

  Oh, he probably would never forgive her.

  She couldn’t fault him that; she’d never forgive herself.

  Fresh tears burned behind her eyes. She squeezed them shut to prevent another flood. She would be eternally thankful to Luke for protecting the new life thriving inside her belly. The baby wasn’t injured. If Luke hadn’t come along when he did, who knows what would have happened?

  A chill ran up and down her arms.

  Our baby is safe. Thank you, Luke.

  The phone rang. Audrey walked over to look at the digital number blinking on the screen.

  Casey.

  Like a mother hen, her brother had been calling her every day since he’d found out about the baby. Audrey didn’t pick up. She let the machine get it.

  “If you’re there, please pick up. I need to talk to you.”

  Please?

  Since when did her brother say please?

  Audrey plucked a tissue from the box and wiped her eyes. She took another one to blow her nose. Then before the machine clicked off, she grabbed the phone.

  “Hello.”

  “Well, you sound like death warmed over,” he said.

  “I love you, too.”

  Casey’s voice was full of concern. “How are you doing, sis?”

  “At the moment, I’m not putting anyone’s life at risk, so I suppose it’s a good day.”

  Her brother took an exasperated breath. “Audrey Faith.”

  “I’m sorry, Case. But Luke was almost killed by that horse.”

  “I’m gonna go out on a limb here and tell you it wasn’t your fault. None of it. The horse was spooked by the confusion in the corral. If he hadn’t been so darn isolated all that time, he wouldn’t have gotten jittery about seeing a dog chase a cat.”

  “So now it’s Luke’s fault for keeping the horse in the paddock after he nearly trampled him the first time?”

  “I’m saying it’s no one’s fault. It was a freakish accident.”

  “Luke warned me about him, Casey. And I didn’t listen. I just went right ahead and did what I pleased. My gosh. Do you realize what might have happened?”

  She shuddered in fear and wrapped her arm around her middle where the smallest baby bump had appeared just this week.

  She was grateful to Luke for his fathe
ring instincts. He’d rushed over to protect their child.

  “And you pay him back for saving you and the baby by running out on him?”

  “He fired me.”

  Casey sighed. “To get you outta that corral safely.”

  “I will work something out with Luke later on about the baby. He knows I won’t keep the baby from him. He knows—”

  “You won’t marry him. That’s what he knows.”

  “He doesn’t love me, Casey. What kind of marriage would it be?”

  If he had loved her, he would’ve said something to her on their last night together. He would’ve known by then, wouldn’t he? But it wasn’t in Luke to lie to get what he wanted. He was too honest. Too good a man to do that. And sadly, Audrey had to face the reality that her child wouldn’t have an ideal life. He wouldn’t live in a home where his parents loved each other and harmony abounded. More than likely, their child would be shuffled back and forth between two homes.

  “You should go back. Luke deserves better than this,” her brother said. “You both do.”

  “You’re saying that now? You wanted to knock Luke on his ass the last I heard.”

  “He has been knocked on his ass. And you leaving when you did was like kicking him when he was down.”

  Her heart squeezed tight and she whispered, “That’s a low blow, Casey.”

  “It’s the truth, honey.”

  Audrey paused for a second. Had she made a mistake in leaving the ranch so abruptly? Casey sure thought so. She glanced at the languid cat sleeping on the bed. Jewel thought so, too. She was depressed. “The truth is, he’s glad to get rid of me. I caused him nothing but trouble.”

  Casey cursed under his breath. “You’re being stubborn.”

  “I take after you.”

  “Think about what I’m telling you. Go back to Sunset Ranch.”

  Audrey couldn’t face Luke. Her guilt was a tangible thing that dragged her down and made her ache inside. She couldn’t bear to see him hurt, bandaged up and immobile, knowing she was the cause of his agony. If that made her a coward, so be it. In her heart she knew she was saving Luke in her own way. With her gone, he could recover with no reminders of Casey’s troublemaking little sister.

  “Casey, I…can’t. I just can’t.”

  * * *

  Luke was determined to get out of bed and have dinner tonight in the dining room. Logan and Sophia were coming and Ellie had prepared his favorite meal. Not that he had much of an appetite lately, but after five days in the hospital and three days in his own bed, it was time to get a move on. Since he’d come home, he’d refused to take pain meds other than simple ibuprofen for his lingering aches and pains. Every day he saw improvement in his mobility.

  At least nothing was broken this time. His breathing was normal and his head no longer ached. As for his pride—now, that had suffered the greatest injury.

  Not only had Audrey run out on him that night in the cabin, but she’d deceived him and disobeyed his instructions about Trib. Then the woman up and ran out on him again. Emptiness stole through his body and it befuddled him why anger wasn’t the strongest emotion he felt.

  Luke sat on the bed and took his time putting his legs into his jeans, one foot then the other. He moved slowly, testing his muscles as he bent to pull up his pants.

  Okay. That wasn’t so bad.

  He zipped his jeans and then carefully slid his arms into a light-gray-and-black-plaid shirt. The snaps were easy. Then he frowned when he glanced at his boots. Pulling them on would be a chore, so he opted to go downstairs barefoot.

  He walked down the hallway to where a batch of bright sunflowers wrapped in raffia sat in a vase on the foyer table. The card read, “I’m so sorry. Love, Audrey.”

  She’d sent them to him the day after he’d been hospitalized. He thought they’d die long before this and he wouldn’t have the reminder every day of how badly things had spiraled out of control between them. But they’d survived and looked as if they had no intention of wilting anytime soon.

  Luke felt much the same way.

  “There he is,” Logan said, glancing up once Luke walked into the dining room.

  He and Sophia walked over to him. Sophia gave him a kiss on the cheek. Logan patted his back once as if he was afraid of injuring him.

  “Sorry if I’m late,” he said.

  “Right on time,” Logan said.

  “You’re looking good, Luke.” Sophia smiled.

  At least Luke didn’t feel like a pile of crap anymore, so progress was being made.

  “Ellie’s in the kitchen fixing all your favorites.”

  Luke raised his brows. “Smells delicious. Pot roast with all the fixin’s?”

  His brother nodded. “That’s right.” The two took their seats at the table while Luke leaned against the wall and glanced out a tall window that overlooked Sunset Ranch. “It feels good to be up and dressed and walking on my own power.”

  “It’s great to see you that way, bro.”

  Luke stared out the window for a few more seconds then gingerly took a seat. “You have that talk with Ward?” he asked Logan. Ward had felt guilty about Luke’s injury, thinking it was his fault for abandoning his duties and leaving early that day. Two days ago, he’d offered Luke his resignation.

  “Yep, we talked. Between you and me, I think we got him convinced he wasn’t at fault. Can’t imagine a day when I’d accept his resignation, and I told him so. I’m still waiting on your decision about Trib. I can unload him for a song, anytime you say.”

  Luke pursed his lips and contemplated. He didn’t know if he wanted to unload the stallion right now. He was trouble, but the stallion had come a long way. And there was something about that horse that clung on and wouldn’t let go.

  “He’s a menace,” Logan said firmly.

  “I can’t argue with that. But Audrey’s work with him did pay off.” He hated to admit that, but it was true. And that day, as much as he’d wanted Audrey out of that corral and away from that horse, he’d been impressed to see the horse respond to her. To see how far Trib had come in the short time she’d been working with him. For all the trouble the horse caused him, he shouldn’t blink an eye in getting rid of him. Yet he couldn’t quite do it.

  “Are you thinking about keeping him?” Sophia asked.

  Logan gave him a dubious look. “That damn animal put you in the hospital twice.”

  Luke nodded. “I know. I know. But I’ve got more important things on my mind right now. Are you forgetting I’ve got a baby on the way?”

  Sophia’s voice was sympathetic. “Have you spoken with Audrey?”

  Luke didn’t know if he wanted to delve too far into the subject. Audrey had been on his mind a lot lately. “No, just Casey. He tells me she’s doing fine.”

  Sophia sipped from a glass of sparkling water. “You know, when we were at the hospital waiting for you to wake up from your concussion, you kept calling out her name.”

  “Did I?”

  Luke remembered waking up in a daze and how the first words out of his mouth were for Audrey. He’d asked the doctor if she was injured. He remembered the relief he felt to find out she wasn’t harmed. Funny thing, at the time and with his mind so foggy from being knocked unconscious, he hadn’t remembered about the baby. All of his concern had been for Audrey.

  Logan and Sophia peered at each other and then nodded at him. “You must’ve asked for her a dozen times,” Logan informed him.

  “Once Audrey found out you were going to make a full recovery, she excused herself and walked out of the hospital,” Sophia said quietly. “She was beside herself, Luke. I’ve never seen someone cry so hard. She feels responsible and so terrible about this. She really cares for you.”

  Luke took a sip of water and swallowed hard. He couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t angrier with her. She’d gone against his wishes deliberately and endangered herself. All he wanted now was to see her. To make sure she was all right. But she’d taken off again.


  “An injured man doesn’t have a woman’s name on his lips for no reason,” Logan said.

  His brother had a point.

  “Here you go, Luke,” Ellie said, coming in with a large platter of pot roast, carrots and potatoes. The savory scent whetted his waning appetite. “I hope this makes you feel better.” She set the dish down in the center of the table.

  “Looks delicious, Ellie. I’ll do my best at putting this away.”

  The elderly woman gave him an affectionate pat on the shoulder. “You just eat what you can. Build your strength. The biscuits and gravy are coming.”

  “I’ll get them,” Logan said. “Luke, you go on and dig in.”

  Logan got up to help Ellie, and Luke filled his plate. It pleased Ellie to see him take that much food, and she walked out of the room with a satisfied expression on her face.

  Luke forced smiles and conversed with his family during the meal, grateful to them for being here, for worrying over him. Yet he was struck with a bitter sense of loss. Now that he was beginning to recover, he realized something was terribly wrong. And he knew exactly what that was.

  That night, Luke sat up in his bed, picked up his iPhone and sent a text message to the one person who could make him feel better.

  How r u?

  Audrey’s reply came immediately.

  I’m fine. How r u?

  Doing ok. How’s the baby?

  Healthy. I have a little bump now.

  Luke choked up. He wished to heaven he could see her swell with his child.

  What r u doing?

  Getting ready for bed.

  Luke smiled and a wave of warmth roared through his body.

  What r u wearing?

  The question was audacious and he knew he was playing with fire

  Luke? Is your head right? R u feeling okay?