Second Chance Cowboy

by Sylvia McDaniel

  Sabrina sat stunned. She hadn’t seen Patrick since the night of the funeral. Evidently Patrick had found Matt, but he hadn’t told her Matt was not going on the drive.

  “Patrick is taking the cattle to Dodge City. I have no choice but to depend on him.”

  Green eyes stared intently into hers. “If you married me, I’d take care of you.”

  A shiver of revulsion swept through Sabrina. She put her hands up to her face. “Stop! My father just died; the ranch is in trouble, and you want me to consider marrying you!”

  Trey pressed on. “You can’t trust Patrick with the money from the sale of your cattle. Matt told me your father suspected Patrick of stealing cash from his cash box.”

  “Why should I believe Matt? And as a matter of fact, why should you believe him?” Sabrina replied tensely. How did Trey know about the cash box?

  “Matt has done a lot of bad things, but I’ve never thought of him as a liar. He told me your father suspected Patrick because of the trial. Patrick knew where your father kept his cash hidden.”

  Sabrina wondered at his words. Could they be true? Or was this just another one of Matt’s tricks? Patrick had seemed to care for her father, even after the broken engagement. Would he steal from them for revenge? If that were possible, how could she let him travel five hundred miles with her cattle?

  “Marry me, Sabrina. You’re a woman. You need someone who can run the ranch and take care of you. I want to be that man.”

  Sabrina stared at Trey. Once again, he had not mentioned love, only marriage. She loved this house and the land. It would kill her to part with them. Should she marry him to save the ranch, and give up love?

  Laughter suddenly vibrated the air around them, causing Sabrina to jump. Patrick sat on his horse, cackling with merriment. Neither Trey nor Sabrina had heard the horse ride up, but there before them was Patrick. Sabrina watched Trey’s face change from white to pink, then red. Patrick jumped off his horse and bounded up the steps.

  Obviously, Patrick had heard Trey’s proposal. A smile was on his face, but the look in his eyes was no laughing matter. “Well, Sabrina, we’re waiting. Are you going to marry this kid?”

  Embarrassment, then anger, filled Sabrina as she glared at Patrick. He had heard and expected a response. “It’s none of your business, Patrick. Stay out of this.”

  Patrick’s eyes radiated with anger. His voice asked mockingly, “Why? It’s just the three of us. After the other night at the dance, I thought we were all good friends.”

  Trey’s green eyes flashed. “Damn you, Ranger. Once again your timing is lousy.”

  “My timing is perfect.” Patrick smiled. “I didn’t hear a confession of undying love. I didn’t hear you promising your heart. Is it the woman you want or the land, Trey?”

  Clearly, Patrick was spoiling for a fight. Sabrina watched as Trey’s face emitted intense hatred and knew an explosion was imminent. “That’s enough. I want you both out of here, now!”

  “I ought to shoot you for that remark. If Sabrina weren’t present, you’d be dead.” Trey’s voice seethed with hatred.

  Patrick laughed, his voice mocking. “I’m scared to death.”

  “Trey, please leave. Mr. Shand will only be staying for a few moments.” She had to get these two separated or there was going to be bloodshed.

  “You heard her. It’s time for you to run along home to Daddy.” Patrick leaned against the railing of the porch, smiling at Trey, yet seething with barely repressed rage.

  Trey packed up the picnic basket. He looked as if a mere touch would cause him to explode into a million fragments.

  Stomping to the buggy, Trey threw the basket inside. “Think about what I said, Sabrina.” He stepped in and with one last contemptuous glare at Patrick, slapped the reins and headed toward his ranch, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

  “The order to leave included you, Mr. Shand. Get off my property!”

  “Mrs. Sabrina Jarvis.” Patrick’s laugh was bitter.

  Sabrina’s face went white. “If you recall, you also asked me to marry you once.”

  Patrick’s laughter ceased. “Well, lucky for me, you broke it off. So, are you going to marry him or not?”

  “I’m giving it some thought,” Sabrina responded matter-of-factly. Whom was she kidding? She’d never marry Trey. The thought left her nauseous.

  Patrick reached her side in two quick steps and grabbed her by the arms. “You’d be crazy to marry him. That man is no good, just like his father.” He held her by her arms, shaking her, watching her eyes turn a stormy blue.

  They were mere inches apart and the scent of lilacs teased his nose. A shiver rippled down his spine as he looked at the blonde curls that framed her face. One hand reached out to brush them back and with a will of its own pulled her face to his. The sight of her full lips, and the thought of Trey kissing them, sent rage surging through him. He crushed his mouth to hers in a brutal, demanding kiss.

  Forcing her lips apart, he thrust his tongue into her mouth and experienced the sweet savor of strawberries. Her arms wrapped around his neck, smashing her breasts against his chest. His mind reeled from the taste of her, and his body almost exploded with his need for her. A soft whimper escaped her throat and brought reality crashing in.

  This was Sabrina, the woman who had hurt him, deceived him, and was even now considering marriage with another man. Patrick shoved her away from him. “Damn you! I don’t care who you marry!”

  Two quick strides carried him off the porch and to his horse.

  * * *

  The spring sun warmed Patrick’s back as he rode to the Big C. His horse, as if sensing his reluctance, plodded along slowly. He dreaded this meeting. After acting like a fool yesterday, he had forgotten to tell Sabrina about Matt. But all logic had fled when he heard Trey asking her to marry him. All thoughts of Matt had fled. He had wanted to hurt Sabrina, inflict some of the pain and frustration he felt.

  If she wanted to be Trey’s wife, that was her decision. One she would have to live with. Later, on his ride home, he had remembered the reason for his visit.

  Now he had no choice. The cattle were rounded up, ready to head out in two days, hopefully without Sabrina. Somehow, someway, he had to convince her to stay in Sherwood. She had to realize that she could trust him with her cattle and the money they would bring. After yesterday and with Matt unable to go, he could only hope she had regained her senses.

  Riding into the Big C, he pulled up in front of the same veranda that had sheltered the punishing kiss the day before. Yes, he had kissed her hard, and no, he wouldn’t apologize. Part of him wanted to brand her with more than just his lips.

  Sabrina stood in the doorway, her face drawn together in a frown; no greeting was forthcoming from her lips. Obviously, she was not happy to see him. A gust of wind wrenched the door from her hand, and it banged against the house like a gong announcing his arrival. Patrick watched her flinch from the noise, and still she said nothing.

  The morning sun reflected off her blonde hair, creating a halo illusion around her face. Patrick knew firsthand, this was no angel. Defiant and proud, she stood before him, her chin stubbornly protruding. He had acted brutish, and she was going to make him pay.

  “Good morning.” Patrick swung a leg over the saddle, dropping off his horse. Slowly he walked up the veranda steps, his spurs jingling as he moved. Birds chirped in the cottonwoods; a bee hummed around the roses, and Sabrina’s silence wore on. When he was within inches of her, he gazed into her cold blue eyes. There was no polite invitation to come in. “I found Matt.”

  “I know,” Sabrina retorted. “Trey told me.” Momentarily stunned, Patrick arched an inquiring eyebrow at her. “How did Romeo know?”

  Lilacs and honeysuckle. The sweet fragrance filled his senses, tantalizing him, making him yearn to bury his face in her hair.

  Her eyes never blinked as she returned his gaze. “His name is Trey. He spoke with Matt before he left town.”

  “Matt didn
’t leave town.” Tiny blonde wisps beckoned gently in the breeze around her face. His hand wanted to reach out and catch them, hold them, caress them. He had to quit thinking about her like this.

  “How do you know?” Sabrina asked, disbelieving.

  Patrick raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I spoke with him the night of the funeral. He can’t leave town.”

  A look of puzzlement crossed Sabrina’s face. “Then why didn’t he come to the funeral? Why hasn’t he come home?”

  Patrick’s voice was soft, gentle. “He couldn’t”

  Sabrina shook her head in amazement “I don’t understand.”

  How could he explain it to her, convince her of the truth regarding Matt? No matter what he said, she was not going to believe him. Patrick gently lifted her hands and pulled her over to the table. “Sit down.”

  Reaching up, he removed his hat setting it on the table. Once again, he wanted to beat some sense into that low-life brother of hers. Matt was about to hurt her again, and once more he was involved. Why was it always the two of them? “Matt told me he had a fight with your father.”

  “I know. Dad wouldn’t tell me what it was about” Sabrina’s hostile expression had changed to one of concern.

  All Patrick could tell her was the truth, even if it was painful. “The argument was over Matt being in debt to Carson. He lost money playing cards and Carson loaned him more.”

  Sabrina gasped, but Patrick didn’t stop. “He can’t go on the cattle drive because Carson has forced him to work at the Cactus Spread until the money’s repaid.”

  At first Sabrina appeared to be in shock; then suddenly tempestuous blue eyes turned and stabbed him. Her voice was intense. “Don’t you dare lie to me! Not now when everything is at stake.” Her voice raised to almost a shout. “Matt would never work for Carson!”

  “He doesn’t have a choice!” Patrick ran his hands through his hair. “I knew you wouldn’t believe me so I asked Matt to come and talk with you, but he wouldn’t. He can’t face you yet. That’s why he didn’t show up at the funeral.”

  “I don’t believe you. After all, I’ve been through, why are you lying to me? Matt would never do this! He’s my brother! He wouldn’t hurt me this way.”

  Patrick watched the tears well up in her eyes and wanted to pulverize Matt. How could Patrick make her believe him when belief brought such pain? How could he hurt her? “Trey knows Matt’s working for his father. Go ask him.”

  “If it were true, Trey would have told me yesterday that Matt was working for his father. Why would he lie?”

  “I don’t know. He’s about to become your fiancé. You ask him. My word has never meant much to you!” Patrick sat back in the chair feeling drained. Trust never seemed to take root between them. “Believe what you want, Sabrina, but Matt’s not going on the cattle drive, and I don’t want you to go either.”

  Sabrina jumped up. “That’s what this is all about. You don’t want me or Matt to go on the cattle drive. You want to take my money, just like the money you—”

  “Damn it, woman! I didn’t steal from your father, and I won’t steal from you. I’m one of the few people you can trust. But you can’t see that.” Patrick clenched his fists, trying to gain control of his anger, his frustration, and his hurt. Jed had been his friend. He wanted more than anything to tell her Matt had stolen the money, but she would never believe him. Patrick was tired of listening to her rationalization of Matt.

  Stunned, Sabrina sat back down. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t meant to accuse him of stealing. Too much was happening too fast. She tried to cover her mistake. “You misunderstood, Patrick. I don’t think, you’d steal—”

  “The hell you don’t. Ever since that damned trial you haven’t trusted me. Why should now be any different?” Patrick rumpled his hair again.

  Sabrina hung her head. He was right; she didn’t trust him. She couldn’t. If she trusted him, that would mean she had been wrong about Matt, wrong about everything.

  Patrick shook his head. “I will not be accused of stealing.” Patrick stood up. He had to get away from Sabrina. “They’re your cattle; you’re going. This way you won’t have any grounds to accuse me of cheating you!”

  Sabrina stared mutely at Patrick. He was agreeing to what she wanted. She should be happy, but instead she felt numb.

  “I’d better not hear a single word of complaint from you or I’ll send you home on the nearest stagecoach.”

  Patrick picked up his hat and crammed it on his head. “I’ll pick you up at dawn Monday. Be ready!”

  * * *

  Matt leaned against the wooden barn door and watched Trey’s black mare kick dust up as he rode into the yard at full speed. Jumping down, Trey threw the reins at a stable hand standing near the barn, stuttering orders for him to take care of his horse. With a determined stride, he hurried toward the house. Matt, hidden in the shadows of the barn, recalled the last time he had seen that panicked expression on Trey’s face.

  When Patrick caught them rustling cattle, Trey’s face had gone completely white; his green eyes had gotten bigger than lily pads in a pond, and his voice had stammered with fright.

  Trey had left earlier to visit Sabrina today. Could something have happened at the house? Patrick had found Matt several days after his father had died and told him that Sabrina was considering going on the cattle drive, but he hadn’t believed him. The ranch had always prospered and Matt didn’t believe the rumors that the Big C was in financial trouble.

  Sabrina had always been a stubborn woman, and she loved the Big C. Why wouldn’t she let Patrick take the cattle to Dodge City? Hell, she’d been in love with the man two years ago.

  Matt stared at the door that slammed behind Trey. Could Sabrina be hurt? She was his only sister, the only family he had left in this world. He had to know what Trey was so upset about.

  With deliberate steps, Matt followed Trey at a discreet distance into the house. The hinges on the wooden door creaked as he slipped inside. Matt sneaked into the parlor just in time to see Trey storm into his father’s office, leaving the door hanging open.

  “She’s gone!” Trey shouted.

  “What?” Carson’s deep voice questioned.

  “Sabrina! She went on that damn cattle drive with Patrick. I thought she was bluffing, but she went!”

  Matt’s heart skipped a beat. She’d done it. Why was he surprised? She loved their ranch, more than he had, and would do whatever was necessary to save it. He had mistrusted Patrick and now Sabrina was out on the trail doing the job Matt should have been doing since he was the man of the family.

  “Sabrina went with Patrick?” Carson questioned.

  “She left early Monday, according to her housekeeper.”

  Matt heard Trey’s boot heels clicking on the wooden floor as he paced the room.

  “I’m going after her. Patrick will use this as an opportunity to worm his way back into her good graces. I have to stop him,” Trey snarled.

  “Why is this so important, son?”

  “She’s going to be my wife,” Trey insisted. “I told you after the dance that I was going to have her.”

  “That may be so, but will you still want her after she’s been on the trail for several days with Patrick?”

  “There’s still time. Nothing would have happened yet.” Trey’s voice was loud and vibrant.

  “How can you be so sure?” Carson asked.

  “I just know it, and I’m going after her.”

  “I’ll send someone else after her, son.”

  Trey shouted, “No! I’m going.”

  “You’re not going!” Carson’s voice was firm and strong, as if he were talking to a disobedient child. A ripple of fear edged its way down Matt’s spine.

  There was a lengthy pause before Trey asked, “Why?” Carson cleared his throat “That drive isn’t going to reach Dodge City. I need the Callahan land. I didn’t have Jed Callahan killed just to see his daughter save the Big C.”

  Pain clenche
d Matt’s gut and he wanted to vomit as he heard those dreadful words. His father. The man he was working for had killed his father.

  “I told you the land would be yours after I married her,” Trey advised.

  “I’m not taking any chances. When I win, she’ll have even more reason to marry you.” Carson’s voice was low and taut.

  “What have you done?” demanded Trey.

  “I sent Redd and some of his men after them.”

  “Damn!” Trey shouted.

  “I didn’t know she would be on that drive, son. Like you, I never thought she would go.”

  “Just like you thought that Patrick was dead when you killed his family,” Trey exclaimed. “You really botched that job.”

  “I may have missed the first time, but I won’t have to worry about him much longer. Patrick will not be coming back to Sherwood.”

  “I’m going after her.”

  “Trey, you’re not thinking straight. Let me send someone after her. If you get caught, you’ll never be governor.”

  “Do you think I care? That’s your dream, not mine. It never has been mine. I only went along with it to please you.”

  “It may have been my dream, but you’re going to live it!” Carson’s voice was taut with anger. “No woman is worth risking your reputation over.”

  “You may not think so, but I want her to be my wife! I don’t want Patrick to have her.” Trey’s voice was passionate.

  A long silence filled the air. The creaking of Carson’s leather chair and the shouts of the men working outside were the only sounds besides the thumping of Matt’s heart. He silently prayed he was the only one who could hear it beating.

  Finally, Carson’s stem voice replied, “Don’t ruin my plans. I’ve already gotten you out of trouble once. If you must have this girl, then get her. But be quick about it! ”

  “I’m going to marry her!” Trey’s voice was determined.

  Matt couldn’t listen anymore. Slowly, anger replaced the shock. There would be hell to pay for the death of his father, and he’d see Trey buried six feet under before he’d let him marry his sister. Quietly, he slipped out. Nightfall was only a few hours away. A few hours to prepare for his getaway.