The Heart of a Cowboy

by Charlene Sands

  Her sister wiggled her eyebrows. "You're not saying anything."

  "Nope."

  "Which means you're not disagreeing."

  Sarah drew a breath then let the air out slowly. Dela­ney knew her too well so arguing the point would get her nowhere. "Case hasn't changed in that regard. He's always held...appeal."

  "Hmm." A disapproving frown pulled her lips down as she studied Sarah.

  "Stop looking at me that way."

  "If he hurts you, that man won't have to worry about breaking bones while busting broncos. I'll do it for him."

  Sarah giggled at the absurdity. Her five foot three pe­tite older sis wouldn't know the first thing about breaking bones, but Sarah had to admire her gumption. She was just trying to protect her. "He won't hurt me, Del. There's nothing between us."

  But the conversation immediately ended when Case entered the room. "Afternoon ladies." He walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed a pitcher of iced tea. He busied himself with pouring a tall glass.

  Delaney bent her head and came as close to Sarah as possible. She whispered, an almost inaudible mouthing of words, "Does he always dress that way?"

  Sarah closed her eyes, shaking her head. Gracious, De­laney was supposed to distract her from Case, not make her even more aware of him. It was obvious Case had just showered; his dark hair had been slicked back and the scent of fresh lime soap entered the room when he'd walked in. Barefoot, wearing faded blue jeans that hugged his form to perfection, an equally tight ribbed sleeveless white T-shirt and sporting a day-old beard, Case was a man a woman couldn't quite ignore. Bulging bronzed muscles wouldn't allow it.

  Sexy as hell.

  "Howdy, Case," Delaney said in a mock western drawl. "Will you be joining us for dinner or do you have a hot date tonight?"

  With her back to Case, Sarah shot her sister a stern look.

  Case's chuckle sounded more like a snort. "No hot dates for me anymore. I gave those up on the rodeo cir­cuit. We've got a mare ready to foal, so I guess I'm in tonight. I want to make sure Pretty Girl has an easy time of it."

  Sarah removed the baby from her breast and buttoned up. When Case walked over, she mustered her courage and looked into his eyes. She'd been avoiding him ever since they shared that powerful kiss, but she knew she couldn't evade him forever. Having Delaney here as a buffer really helped. "You think it'll happen tonight?"

  "Could be. It's her first, so I want to be here if it happens tonight."

  Delaney offered with a smile, "Seems you're pretty darn good at birthing, Case. From what Sarah tells me."

  Sarah and Case looked at each other, their eyes locking with certain understanding and his voice, a soft caress to her ears. "We did all right, didn't we, Sarah?"

  Sarah nodded, glancing down at the baby. "Sure did."

  Case came closer and bent down. He placed his index finger on Christiana's cheek. "Hello, little beauty." The baby responded to his voice, her eyes focusing on her uncle.

  "She needs to be burped," Sarah declared, trying to ignore Case's close proximity, the scent of lime on his skin, the way his dark eyes lit up looking at her baby.

  "I'll do it," Case said, reaching for her.

  Sarah stifled a giggle when Delaney's mouth dropped open. But then Case's hand brushed Sarah's breast as he took the baby from her arms and her amusement changed to instant sizzle. Her sensitive nipples peaked from the slight touch and heat ran rampant through her body. Case cast her a quick apologetic smile before lifting Christiana up.

  "Here, you'll need this." Sarah handed him a pink and yellow receiving blanket to protect his clothing. With care, he placed the baby over his shoulder, rocked her back and forth and patted her back.

  The contrast of strong virile man and little helpless baby struck a deep chord within Sarah. Case held Christiana as if she was a fragile flower, protectively, posses­sively, and the baby loved it.

  Watching them together put an ache in Sarah's heart. She had never in her life witnessed a more heart-warming scene. Nibbling on her lip, she turned away to stare straight into the knowing eyes of her sister.

  "He loves that baby," Delaney said, after Case burped the baby quite successfully then left to check on the mare. "And he can't seem to take his eyes off one certain fe­male."

  "I know. Christiana feels the same way. She's already formed an attachment to her uncle."

  "I was talking about you, little sis. Case wants you. And it appears our sweet little Christiana isn't the only female on this ranch who's fond of him. So what are you going to do about it?"

  Sarah busied herself with changing the baby's diaper, refusing to answer her sister's ridiculous question. She wasn't going to do anything about anything where Case Jarrett was concerned.

  This isn't finished.

  His words echoed in her ears. She'd been taken by surprise by Case when he'd kissed her, both times, but she'd be on guard now and much more prepared. She wouldn't allow her bouts of loneliness to sway her again.

  It has to be.

  And Sarah had meant every word.

  Case was beat. He'd spent most of the night in the barn, looking after the mare and when it appeared she'd wait another day to deliver, he'd finally gotten a few hours of sleep. Tossing on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt then splashing water on his face, he went downstairs, being drawn by female laughter. But once he'd heard where the conversation was heading, he stood just outside the door, waiting.

  "No way, Delaney. I'm not going to buy that kind of lingerie."

  "You aren't. I'll buy it for you. Think of it as a gift for giving me the sweetest little niece. We're going to stop in on that new shop I saw in town yesterday, Cuddle Up. Gram would have loved that store. The name alone, says it all. You know Gram would approve."

  "But I don't. I've never worn that sort of thing."

  "All the more reason, honey. You've got a gorgeous figure. If I didn't love you so much, I'd hate you. It took me a whole year to get my shape back, and you did it in weeks. So, you might as well celebrate with a silk teddy or a satin negligee. C'mon. Let your sis treat you to something sinfully sexy."

  Images of soft satin caressing Sarah's body flashed through Case's mind. A vision of some skimpy female garment meant to torture a man poleaxed his brain. Sweat broke out on his forehead and a noisy groan escaped his throat.

  "What's that?" Delaney asked.

  Caught, Case walked into the room, the picture of composure. "Just me. My finger got stuck in the door-jamb," he fibbed, waving his hand from the imaginary pain.

  Then he glanced at Sarah. She was dressed in all white from her western hat down to her snowy leather boots. A soft lacy blouse, cut full with frill at the neckline and wrists, tapered into a long flowing skirt brought visions to mind of an angelic cowgirl. Case had never seen Sarah look more beautiful. He hadn't seen her in her going-out clothes since he'd moved home. And now that he had the sexy images from before were replaced by quick flashes of flowery bouquets, shining altars and three-tiered cakes, all pristine and puffy-cloud white.

  He shook that thought off, blinking his eyes.

  "Case, you look pale," Delaney said with concern. "You must have really hurt that finger."

  "Uh, no. I'm fine. You both look gorgeous."

  "Thank you," Delaney said. Sarah smiled and the baby cooed.

  "We're off to visit Gram, then for a day of play."

  "Where are you ladies heading?"

  Delaney's eyes brightened. "Well, there's this new shop in town that I'm dying—"

  "Uh," Sarah interrupted, "we'll be home for supper. We'll have a little lunch and then do some shopping."

  A glint of green caught his eye and he walked over to Sarah, lifting her hand to gaze at her ring. It was the only thing she wore that wasn't white. "Your gram's ring?"

  "Yes. I only wear it on certain occasions. Delaney's got the mate." Case glanced at Delaney, noticing the diamond and emerald brooch adorning her dress. "Gram wanted it that way."

  Case shot Sara
h a sincere smile and released her hand. "I'm sure your gram's looking down on you both now with a big smile."

  "Yep. She's wishing she could come do the town with us, right Sarah?"

  "That's Gram. Only she'd probably find something more exciting for us to do than lunch and a shopping spree. She had bundles of energy."

  "She was quite a lady," Case said, remembering Sarah's grandmother. Feisty and overly protective, she'd nearly skinned Case's hide when she'd figured out what had happened between him and Sarah the night of the prom. She'd waited for him outside the ranch one day, and read him a wagonload of grief. Case couldn't blame her, but just like with Sarah, he couldn't tell her the truth, either. But, somehow, Case always suspected, she knew. She'd been a wise old owl.

  "Yes," Sarah agreed, "quite a lady."

  "Well, have yourselves a real nice day. I've got to check on Pretty Girl. Maybe by the time you return we'll have a new filly or colt."

  Sarah frowned, a look of concern on her face. ' 'Maybe I should stay home and help with her. You don't have time to baby-sit the mare."

  "I'll do fine, Sarah. You go on. Have a nice day with your sis."

  Delaney took Sarah's arm. "Come on, honey. Get the baby and let's go, before the boss man changes his mind."

  Sarah shot Case one last guilty look. "Are you sure?"

  "I'm sure. I'll come get you later, if she decides to foal."

  "Promise?"

  "I promise."

  Well, at least that was one promise Case could keep. His willpower at an all-time low, Case struggled with his emotions regarding Sarah. One minute he's thinking of making soul-searing love to her in sexy lingerie, the other, he's imagining a small chapel, a long flowered aisle way and pure and innocent wedding white.

  Both scared him and both left him wanting.

  And neither was ever going to happen.

  The next day went from bad to worse. Sarah lowered her weary body down on the front steps of the house and leaned against the post, needing the support for her body, her spirit all but broken.

  She'd said a tearful goodbye to Delaney this afternoon before Case had driven her to the airport. And while they were gone, Sarah had a visit from Mr. Leroy Coolidge, the banker who held the note on the loan to their ranch.

  The ranch debts had been mounting and they'd had to default on the mortgage payments for a few months, but they'd always made due. They'd always found a way. Mr. Coolidge didn't seem to see it that way. He couldn't grant them any more time. Plainly he wanted his money. He knew about the generous offer they'd received from the Beckman Corporation and urged Sarah to sell. The bank couldn't carry the loan without a substantial pay­ment in the next few weeks. "You need to catch up on all the payments from the last months before we can talk again," he'd said, patting Sarah's hand. "You call me in a few days and let me know what you decide."

  What decision could Sarah possibly come to? She just plain didn't have the money.

  She'd had so many hospital bills to pay for Reid and even with the money Case had sent from his winnings on the rodeo circuit and the little their insurance plan had paid out, it hadn't been near enough. Sarah had had no choice but to take out a second mortgage on the ranch. Now, their debt to the hospital was paid, but that left both the first and second mortgage to deal with.

  Leaning her head back, Sarah closed her eyes and tried to gain some sense of peace. It had been a tumultuous year, with losing Reid so unexpectedly, having his child, and now facing financial ruin on the ranch he'd loved so much.

  When Sarah opened her eyes, Case was standing right in front of her, wearing a worried expression. She hadn't even heard him drive up. "Sarah, what's wrong?"

  "Oh...did everything go okay with Delaney? Did her flight leave on time?"

  "Yeah, Delaney's just fine. She said she'll call you tonight."

  "Thank you for taking her."

  "Sarah?" Case took a seat at the other end of the steps and leaned his back against the post. "Something's wrong."

  She nodded and looked out at the Triple R, seeing it the way she'd always seen it...as her future, her baby's future. The land, so vast and untried, nurtured the ani­mals, the livestock that was their livelihood. And the peo­ple, Pete and the others who'd been loyal even when they'd had to shave down their pay or offer part-time work to some, had still stayed on. Sarah let out a deep sigh filled with anguish. She was meant to live here. She loved Red Ridge Ranch with all of her heart. She'd wanted her daughter to live here as well. But that didn't seem possible now. Her heart breaking, she turned to Case. "We have to sell the ranch."

  Case snorted outright, giving no credence to Sarah's comment. "No way, darlin'."

  Sarah spent the next ten minutes explaining to Case everything Mr. Coolidge had stated. His financial de­mands had to be met in the next few weeks or they'd have to foreclose.

  Case took the news with belligerence. "No way," he said, again. "I'm going over the books again tonight. Don't worry, Sarah. We'll find a way out of this mess."

  Case left then heading for the barn. Sarah watched him leave, his long strides heading with purpose to check on Pretty Girl. Sarah couldn't even get excited at the pros­pect of the mare going into labor. If the worst happened, the mare, her foal and all that they owned would soon be in the hands of the Beckman Corporation.

  Case had never seen Sarah so distraught. Earlier today, her face had held no hope, her usual bright eyes, held no light. He stood outside her bedroom door very late that night, debating on whether to wake her or not. He knew she needed her sleep, being a new mother and all, but he'd promised. And damn it all, at least he'd keep this promise. He knocked, hoping the news would bring Sarah out of her slump. "Sarah, darlin', the mare had her a brand-new colt."

  "Case, just a minute," she said and a moment later, opened her door. She stood there, wrapped in a robe, looking pale and defeated. Case wondered if she'd slept at all tonight. ' 'Pretty Girl had a colt?''

  "Yeah, come see him. He's a beauty."

  Sarah hesitated, nibbling on her lip like she always did when she couldn't decide something. "C'mon," he said, reaching for her hand. "You've got to see him."

  Sarah smiled then, a small lifting of her lips. "Okay," she agreed.

  Case kept her hand in his as they descended the stairs and went out the back door to the barn. He drew her up close when they spotted the colt, full of gusto on spindly lean legs that barely held him upright. "See what I mean? He was born less than an hour ago and he's up and pranc­ing around already."

  Sarah leaned her head on his chest, but her focus, her lull attention was on the colt. In her weary state, Case doubted she even knew that she was leaning on him. But he'd relish the feel of her soft hair brushing his throat, her slow breaths against his chest. Holding her, watching the colt take his first awkward steps in the dead of the night was the most intimate thing Case had ever done with Sarah. He didn't want this time to end. "Oh, Case. He's so perfect. We'll have to think of a good name for him."

  Case agreed. "I'll leave the naming up to you."

  "I like the white marking against his chestnut snout. And all of his socks are white, too. He's so...striking."

  "Hmm, he is."

  "Striker. That's what we'll name him."

  Case grinned. "I like that, Sarah."

  Sadness stole over Sarah's face then and Case felt her body sag. "I hope we don't lose him. I hope we—"

  "Shh, Sarah."

  "Did you find anything we overlooked in the books?'

  Case squeezed her hand and pressed her body closer. "No. But I'm not giving up hope, darlin' and neither should you. I'll find a way out of this mess." Case had an ace up his sleeve, but he couldn't get Sarah's hopes up yet. Not until he was sure he could pull it off.

  But when Case turned to her, silent tears streamed down her face. "Hey," he said softly, "don't cry, sweet­heart." Her tears tore his heart in two. Sarah was a fighter, and to see her like this, so...defeated, just didn't sit well.

  He lifted
her chin with a finger to gaze into swollen teary eyes. "It's going to work out." He bent his head and kissed her lips softly, a kiss meant to reassure. Sarah sighed raggedly and kissed him back, falling into his arms, crushing her body closer. He enfolded her into his arms and claimed her mouth, delving deeper, surprised by the intense passion with which Sarah responded. He stroked her tongue, and she whimpered, bringing heat and powerful desire with that sound.

  Case groaned. He could only take so much. He'd been dreaming of Sarah, of holding her tight and kissing her again. He'd been dreaming of lying naked with her, mak­ing heart-stopping love to her.

  Their lips met again and again, Sarah's body pliant against him, her need evident as she worked her fingers through his hair, kissed him frantically and told him in every way, what she wanted from him. He ran his hands all over her body, touching her in ways that made his pulse race out of control. She moaned and whimpered and encouraged him with her mouth and the sweet rub of her body. Case was dying. Every damn fantasy he'd ever had about Sarah was beginning to come true.

  But his mind recoiled. This was Sarah. He couldn't take advantage of her vulnerable state. She was distraught and scared, that much, he understood. He couldn't throw caution to the wind and give to her, what he'd dreamed about for years. "Whoa, darlin', slow down. I'm only human. Maybe we should stop before this goes too far." His breaths came out ragged and labored. It would be days before he got over this. Days, before he'd stop call­ing himself every kind of fool for putting an end to this.

  Sarah's heart pounded rapidly as she looked into Case's dark solemn eyes. There was a powerful need in­side her, a need to escape, a need to be set free, a need to forget all her troubles. She'd been overwrought with emotion for one entire year, her heart being torn to shreds. Yet, she'd been the responsible one, dealing with deaths and debts and ranch problems. She'd held up the best she could, but now, it was as though it was all crash­ing down upon her.

  She needed. So badly.

  "I'm only human, too, Case." She lifted her eyes to his, her heart, exposed.