Hell for Leather

by Beth Williamson

“I can understand that.” Sam bowed his head and put his fists on the table.

  Cade readied himself for a fight. He stupidly reached for the gun that hadn’t sat on his hip for a damn month. When the hell was he going to stop doing that?

  “I’m sorry, Sam.” Sabrina’s earnest apology earned her a slight softening of the big lumberjack’s face.

  “I guess I always thought you’d change your mind.”

  “Not after two years. I thought it had just become a habit with us.”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “I never expected…” Sam glared at Cade.

  Cade resisted the urge to glare back. In fact, he made his expression as neutral as possible. The key to beating an opponent was to maintain control over everything, from his breathing to his sweat.

  “Neither did I,” Sabrina admitted. “But we have to go where our heart leads us, Sam.”

  Heart? Did she say heart?

  “I’m sorry about what Melissa did.” He gestured to the mark on her forehead. “I should paddle her fanny for it.”

  “Please don’t. She was hurt and angry. I’m sure she didn’t mean to actually hit me.”

  Cade disagreed with Sabrina—Melissa meant to hit both of them. Folks who get hurt want to hurt others just as much, if not more. However, he kept his tongue and didn’t interject into their conversation. Sabrina’s comment about her heart still echoed through Cade’s brain, and his heart.

  Focus.

  “I’m still sorry. Melissa needs a good whipping, and I aim to give it to her when I find her.” He shook his head. “That girl needs a mother.” His pointed look at Sabrina did not go unnoticed by Cade.

  Son of a bitch. The man was trying to push Cade so far he’d lose control. He wouldn’t give the bastard the satisfaction.

  “I’ll be on my way though.” Sam stood, towering over them as if he could change Sabrina’s mind by physical power alone. “Will I see you on Sunday?”

  She swallowed hard and looked into Cade’s face. “Probably not, Sam. I’m going to be helping Cade with a ghost.”

  “I don’t know what the hell that means, but I’m no fool. I can feel the boot prints on my ass.” Without another word, he walked away, leaving questions and disappointment over a ruined meal and mood.

  “Let’s go get my things.” Sabrina paid for their meal, under Cade’s protestations, and they left Wylie’s more somber than when they’d arrived.

  Cade escorted Sabrina back to the store with her arm tucked securely in his. The heat from his body chased away the chills left behind by Sam’s visit. She’d seen the pain and anger in his eyes and knew she was the cause. Generally speaking, Sabrina made sure she didn’t hurt anyone, but now it seemed she was going to hurt a lot of people.

  “I’ll stay out here.” Cade stood by his horse, allowing her a few minutes to gather her things. “And bring some peppermint with you too, okay?”

  Sabrina smiled and stepped into the store, certain Ellen would be as insistent as she had been earlier. Eileen Ryan was in the store with her two little girls. It was only a brief reprieve, but Sabrina was still glad to see them.

  “Good day, Mrs. Ryan. I see you brought Lucy and Mary with you.” She smiled at the girls, who hid behind their mother’s brown skirt.

  “Mrs. Edmonds.” The redhead nodded at her. “I just needed some new needles. Your sister took good care of us.”

  “You’re leaving already? How about a peppermint stick for each of the girls?” Sabrina took off her coat and walked quickly toward the counter and the glass jars of candy.

  “Oh I don’t know. I didn’t bring enough.”

  The girls peeked out from behind their mother, watching Sabrina with wide blue eyes.

  “No charge, Mrs. Ryan.” Sabrina held out a peppermint for each of the girls. They looked up at their mother for permission. After Eileen nodded, the little redheaded imps took the candy with murmured thank yous.

  After the Ryans left, Sabrina took a paper bag and filled it with peppermints, then went over to the girl’s clothing and picked out a blue, serviceable dress and a pair of shoes. Sabrina walked around the store getting soap, a comb and some canned goods.

  She was very aware of Ellen watching her, so was unsurprised when she finally broke the silence. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going to Mr. Brody’s ranch. There’s a girl living in the woods and he wants to help her. Don’t worry, I’ll tally up what I take and make sure it is paid for.” Sabrina bundled everything in brown paper, tying the string tightly.

  “What girl?” Ellen’s anger had dissipated while Sabrina had been gone.

  “I think it’s Bernice Wilkerson, but I’m not sure. Remember her papa died at Clara’s of consumption? Well, nobody knew what happened to his daughter so I think that’s who Mr. Brody has seen in the woods.”

  “She’s in the woods alone?”

  “Apparently so. I’m going to try to help him so we can get her to town and a new home before the winter settles in.” Stomach jumping, Sabrina made herself look at her sister. “I plan on staying up there for the weekend.”

  Ellen closed her eyes. “You know what people will say? They’ve just stopped talking about Eric and me.”

  Sabrina’s heart lurched at the sudden memory. “I don’t care what people say. Life is meant for the living, not the people who won’t take a chance.” Sabrina needed her sister to understand. “He’s special, El, really special. I can feel it in here.” She touched her hand to her heart. “On the outside might be a dark man who scares you, but inside he’s someone very different than the face he shows the world.”

  “I don’t think you should go.” Ellen took Sabrina’s hands in hers. “But I’m not going to try to stop you.”

  Sabrina could not have been more shocked. “You’re not?”

  “No, I’m not. I think you’re right, it’s your choice, not mine. I-I saw something in his eyes earlier, an ancient pain deep down that understood mine.” She shook her head and sighed. “I still don’t like him, but I’m not scared of him. And I know what it means to be in love and in pain.”

  Sabrina bit back a sob and hugged Ellen. “Thank you.”

  “You don’t need to thank me.” Ellen stepped back from the embrace. “Just promise me you’ll be careful with your body and your heart. Don’t make the same mistake I did.”

  “I promise.” No matter what she promised, Sabrina had a feeling her heart was no longer in her keeping.

  Chapter Seven

  Sabrina walked out of the store with a lighter heart and a smile for Cade. He leaned against his horse’s withers, hands tucked beneath his armpits. When he saw the traveling bag, a small grin played around his mouth.

  “Do you have a horse?”

  “Yes, it’s at Antonio’s.” She handed him her bag. “We can ride down there and get her.”

  Cade nodded but didn’t say anything, a frown creasing his brow. Sabrina remembered what he’d said about the falling out between him and Antonio. They’d have to talk to each other some time, so it might as well be sooner than later.

  They rode in silence to the saloon, which was a few short minutes away by horse. After dismounting, he secured his horse to the post and they walked around back.

  “What’s your horse’s name?” She could tell by his clenched jaw he was not happy about being there.

  “Horse.”

  Sabrina laughed. “You need to give him a name. He’s a beauty.”

  “He’s a pain in the ass.” He opened the corral gate for her.

  Sabrina smiled as she spotted her beautiful mare, a palomino who had been a gift from Eric on their wedding day. He loved to ride and always took the time to do so on Sunday afternoons with her. The memories were now sweet companions rather than painful visitors.

  The mare trotted right over to her, nudging Sabrina’s shoulder with her nose. “This is Felicidad.”

  “Pretty horse.” Cade ran his hand along the mare’s neck.

  “I don’t ride her as much as I
’d like to. I’m selfishly glad I can today.” She headed for the tack room. “My saddle is in here.”

  Antonio appeared in the doorway, a smile on his face. “Sabrina, amiga, it is good to see you.” He glanced behind her to see Cade standing in the corral, and his expression hardened.

  “You too, Antonio. I’ve come to get Felicidad. I’m, well, going to Livingston Valley.” She suddenly felt her cheeks heat beneath her friend’s scrutiny.

  “Are you sure you want to do that?” Antonio kept his brown eyes pinned on her. “You could be making a big mistake, un error grave.”

  “I appreciate your worry, but I’ll be okay.” She stepped past him and into the tack room. By the time she emerged with the blanket, Antonio and Cade were toe to toe.

  “I thought better of you, so did Mamá,” Antonio was saying. “I can’t allow you to take her.”

  “You won’t allow me?” Cade snorted. “I’m not going to take her. Sabrina made her own choice.”

  “I am still here, you know.” She walked to the horse, more than irked by the men talking about her as if she wasn’t even there. After settling the blanket on Felicidad, she went back for the saddle while the two men faced off like bantam roosters.

  Neither one of them even offered to help her. They just kept sniping at each other as she saddled the mare and secured the bit in her mouth. By the time she’d strapped her bag and the paper-wrapped package to the saddle, they were still at it.

  “For Pete’s sake, you two. Stop it, I order you.” Sabrina yanked on their arms, pulling them apart. “I make my own decisions, and I do what I want to do. Antonio, Cade asked for my help with the girl in the woods. It was my idea to stay with him for the weekend.”

  Antonio’s mouth fell open. “You what?”

  “You heard me, now go take care of your saloon. Friday night is your busiest. Don’t worry about me.” She pushed at his shoulder. “I am a mujer not a niña.”

  “I don’t like it.” Antonio scowled at Cade.

  “I think she’s already told you to mind your business.”

  “I’m leaving.” Sabrina led Felicidad out of the corral, knocking both men aside. She was annoyed with the whole situation, as if Antonio had any right to judge her.

  Cade fell in step beside her until they reached the street. He didn’t apologize and she honestly didn’t expect him to. He’d only been reacting to Antonio’s hostility, or perhaps it was vice versa. It didn’t matter. Sabrina had made the choice to go to Livingston Valley with Cade and that was that.

  “Sabrina, wait.” Antonio ran out from behind the saloon and grabbed hold of the mare’s reins. “I’m sorry, amiga. Lo siento.”

  “It’s okay, I understand. Cade told me what happened at the cabin.” She patted his hand. “Your heart is just too big for your body.”

  Antonio smiled then turned his gaze to Cade. “Take care of her. She’s muy especial.”

  “Sí, amigo, yo comprendo.” Cade stuck out his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Antonio shook it.

  “There, now that you’ve kissed and made up, we can go.” She smiled at the frown on the men’s faces, then a laugh bubbled up her throat.

  It felt marvelous to ride away with Cade, his warm, strong presence comfortable by her side.

  Cade didn’t know how to feel after Sabrina had knocked him sideways again. He hadn’t expected her to say yes to helping him, much less agree to come back to the cabin with him. Yet there she was riding beside him on her horse, ridiculously named “Happiness” in Spanish.

  His body still thrummed with the sensual tension built up during dinner. Although Sam and Antonio had done their best to disrupt the energy between Sabrina and Cade, it was still there. He’d been fantasizing about being intimate with Sabrina again and it was about to happen.

  When they rode into the valley, tiny flakes of snow began to fall, clinging to the horses’ manes. A see-through blanket of white coated the roof of the small log house.

  Sabrina gasped. “It’s beautiful, Cade.”

  He had to agree with her. It looked so peaceful and welcoming, he felt like he was coming home. The feeling surprised him immensely.

  “Yeah, it is, isn’t it?” He led her to the corral and took care of the horses while she went in the cabin.

  Inside, he found she’d started a fire in the fireplace and the potbelly stove. A half dozen turnips sat on the table as she stood next to the flames.

  “Were they on the front step?” He gestured to the table.

  “Yes, I figured they were from Bernice or whoever she is.” Sabrina rubbed her hands on her skirt. He didn’t know whether she was nervous or cold.

  “Thanks for lighting the fire.” He sounded like a complete idiot.

  “And thank you for taking care of Felicidad.” She pointed to the window. “Is it still snowing?”

  “Yep, it is.” Cade slipped off his coat and hung it up on a hook beside the door, startled to see her blue coat hanging there already. He swallowed hard, nervous with a woman for the first time in his life.

  What made this so special? What made Sabrina so special? He didn’t have answers to the questions running around his brain. He turned back to face her, realizing she looked as awkward as he felt.

  “I’ve never spent the night with a woman,” he blurted.

  Even as he inwardly cursed his runaway tongue, her eyes widened. “Are you saying you’re, um, inexperienced?”

  “No, I forgot how to use my mouth and my brain at the same time, I guess.” He took a deep breath. “Until you, I’ve never been with a woman I haven’t paid for and spent about an hour with.”

  Sabrina’s face registered surprise. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

  “I’m sorry I said anything.” Cade stomped over to the fireplace, sure his stupidity knew no bounds. The last thing he expected was to feel her hands touching his back.

  “My marriage wasn’t a love match. Eric and I were…friends and lovers. We found pleasure in each other’s arms but it was only that, never deeper. He actually loved someone else who was promised to another.” She pressed her forehead against the back of his neck. “Ever since we were together last I’ve thought of nothing but being with you again. I’m glad I’m your first.”

  Cade closed his eyes against the unfamiliar emotions skipping through his heart. He’d never had a woman be glad to be with him, particularly a well-bred, smart one who could have her pick of the litter. It left him with a peculiar sensation in his stomach, one that echoed through him like vibrations from a big drum.

  He turned around and faced her, unsure of what he’d see in her blue eyes. “Tell me now to take you back to town or you’ll be staying the night with me.”

  “Or perhaps two nights.” A sexy grin lit her face as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Cade shook with the need to snatch her off her feet and bury himself so deep inside, they wouldn’t know where one ended and the other began. He wanted, he needed so much. If he opened the door to his heart much further, he might not be able to get it closed again. It had felt like a good idea when he asked Sabrina to come to the cabin with him. Now he wasn’t so sure.

  There was much more on the line than simple sex, although with her it was definitely not simple. His body reacted to just being within touching distance, so it was hard as steel the second she laid hands on him. This wasn’t a quick fuck in the back of the store, it was a weekend alone together.

  Her reputation would be in tatters, and folks in Eustace would give both of them the cold shoulder. Sam Fuller might knock his head into next week or maybe throw him under that three-foot saw blade in the mill.

  She must have seen something in his eyes because her expression hardened. “I never took you for being yellow, Cade Brody.”

  The door within him burst open and everything poured out as if a dam had broken. He cupped her face and kissed her hard, yanking her close to him, feeling her body heat against his. Yes, yes, yes. That was exactly what he both wanted and neede
d.

  Sabrina.

  His skin sizzled with the energy caused by the mere fact that he held her in his arms. He backed her toward the pitiful excuse for a bed, intent on proving to her that her choice was the right one. Sabrina would know pleasure from him that night, more than she could dream of. After all, he’d learned from the best.

  When they reached the bed, he scooped her up in his arms and set her gently on top of the blanket. The fire and their heat had warmed the little cabin up to sweltering, or perhaps it was just him that was overheated. Sabrina lay back on her elbows and crossed her legs at the ankle.

  “Now what?”

  “Now I show you how to give and receive.” He started with her boots, the serviceable kind most women wore during the colder months. They protected against mud, snow and whatever else they happened to step in. Cade unlaced them and slid them off, followed by her stockings. She had beautiful, long legs, reminding Cade of a colt’s in their sleekness.

  He ran his hands up her calves, kissing the skin as he exposed it. Fortunately his thumbs hooked the bottom of her dress and hiked it up as he progressed, giving him a banquet upon which to feast. He lapped behind her knee, earning a kittenish moan. His body throbbed with the need to spread those long legs and plunge in deep, and he barely controlled the urge. Something inside him insisted he absolutely had to go slow or risk more than a quick fuck.

  Her drawers were plain white cotton. A woman like Sabrina needed prettier underthings and he made a note to himself to make sure she got them. As she shimmied off her drawers, the scent of her arousal tickled his nose. He kissed and caressed his way up her glorious thighs, spreading her legs as he went. She didn’t fight him or even say a word, she just watched wide-eyed.

  Her dark curls beckoned him, daring him to take a sip of the nectar he was sure to find. However, he didn’t want to scare her off.

  “I’m going to touch you on your pussy. If you don’t like it, tell me.”

  She swallowed hard at his frankness, but nodded her assent.

  “You smell good.” Cade leaned forward and breathed in her essence. Sabrina was a passionate woman, one of the most naturally passionate women he’d ever had the privilege of knowing.