Just Shoot Me (Cowboy Way, #1)

by Becky McGraw

  Tina sucked in a deep breath, but before she could scream a hand clamped down over her mouth. She kicked out, and her high heel connected with something solid. She heard a grunt, but then she was swept off of her feet and carried. She squirmed and fought as much as she could, but stopped when a firm hand smacked her ass.

  Hard enough to bring tears to her eyes.

  Her breath came in short gasps, and her fear threatened to stop her heart. It was also damned hot inside the sack. Suddenly, she was tossed onto a seat of some kind. She felt around, and tried to push up, but a seat belt was looped around her, and she heard it click. Tina couldn’t move now at all.

  Good god, they were out in the country. Not in the city. What the hell was going on here? Surely some mountain man or hillbilly wasn’t taking her up to his cabin to keep her as his forced bride. Did that happen in Texas? She’d heard about it in Kentucky or West Virginia. She supposed the same thing could happen here, and became even more afraid.

  A powerful engine cranked, and she was jostled as the truck moved forward. Tina got her senses back and screamed as loud as she could. If this was a kidnapping, someone was going to know she was being kidnapped. Maybe Dean would hear her. God, please let him hear me, she prayed as she continued to scream until she was hoarse. A rush of wind blew in from the window beside her, and took her breath away. Tina sat there breathing, praying and hoping she would have a chance to get away from this madman.

  Bide her time. That’s what she needed to do. Wait for an opportunity, she thought, as she stayed still and quiet, while they drove over very bumpy ground for what seemed like forever. Suddenly the bumping stopped, and the truck engine was cut. A door opened and Tina’s heart raced, wondering what her captor was going to do to her.

  Who the hell was going to take care of Laney now, she thought and tears rushed to her eyes. What about her baby? More tears came, and rushed down her cheeks to slide down the V neck of her suit, before trickling between her breasts. The back door opened, and she couldn’t be quiet any longer, “Please don’t hurt me,” she begged then sucked a gulping breath. “I’m pregnant and have a daughter and son who need me.”

  Someone leaned over her to unclick the seatbelt, then leaned close to her ear. “I need you too,” a raspy, sexy voice said, before she was gently picked up off of the seat and heard the door shut. Tina sniffed again and caught a faint woodsy scent. It wasn’t the natural woods. That was Dean’s cologne, and Dean’s voice! Dean had kidnapped her!

  Tina struggled trying to break free, and his arms clamped around her tighter. “Be still,” he said gruffly. Tina wasn’t going to be still. Her own husband was kidnapping her!

  “Dean put me down!” she said, fighting against his hold. His hand landed on her ass and she squealed, then a thrill raced up through her body.

  What the hell was that about?

  Dean walked a little further with her, then set her down on her feet. Tina was about to try to plant her heel in his shin again, but he stepped on her toe with his boot. “Kick me and I’ll spank you good,” he threatened.

  A tremble worked through her, and moisture pooled between her legs. Dammit! This was scary, not exciting. Suddenly she felt herself flying again, then she was across his shoulder.

  “Don’t you dare move,” he warned and she was jostled as he held her across his shoulder with one hand. Where the hell was he taking her?

  Suddenly, she was set down on something soft. Tina scooted away, but Dean’s hands followed her. She felt him yank the sack, and he pulled it over her head. He didn’t untie her arms though. “Untie me!” Tina demanded shooting daggers at him with her eyes.

  She had no idea if he could see her or not, because it was pitch black wherever they were.

  “Dean, have you lost your mind?” she asked breathlessly. Sane men didn’t do what this man was doing. Desperate men did though. A little fear snaked down her spine, but then she reminded herself that Dean had never hurt her. Not even close. But he might have snapped. She might have snapped him this morning. “We can get you some help, honey,” she said smoothly, trying damned hard not to let him know she was afraid.

  “The only help I need is right here in this deer stand with me. And yeah, I’m crazy…about you. But you won’t listen to me.”

  So that’s where he had taken her, the deer stand where they made love. Her heart kicked in her chest and Tina had a hard time hanging on to her anger.

  “Just take me back to the bunkhouse, I’ll listen. I promise.” She had decided to do that anyway, just not this soon.

  “You’ll listen right here,” he shot back, and she heard him sit down. There was rustling, he struck a match and suddenly the deer stand was filled with light. He put the cover back on the oil lantern then sat it to the side.

  Tina’s eyes moved around the deer stand and she was shocked speechless. Dean had little hearts made out of red construction paper taped to the walls. In each heart was a name. Hope, Cord, Barb, Silas, Jeremy and Laney. There was even one with a question mark, which she figured was for the baby.

  “Where’s my heart and your heart?” Tina asked meeting his eyes.

  “Mine is right here,” he said and put his hand to the center of her chest. Her heart did a dull thud in her chest then melted and dripped down her insides. “And I hope yours is here.” Dean put his fist to his chest. “My whole family is head over heels in love with you. But none of them—nobody in the world—could ever love you more than I do.”

  “Dean—“ she said, and he put his finger over her lips.

  “Listen, buttercup, please.” Tina nodded.

  “I feel like a first class ass because of what I said to you. I deserve every moment of the misery I’ve been through for the last two weeks, every damn minute and then some. And I’ve got to tell you I’ve been one miserable son-of-a-bitch. I was wrong. No excuses. If you promise not to leave me, I’ll spend every minute I have left on earth trying to make it up to you, baby. If you’ll spend those minutes with me. Loving me, even though I’ll never deserve it.”

  Dean Dixon was not romantic. But that was just about the most romantic thing any man had ever said to her. To hear him lay himself bare like that told her he really was sorry.

  Stunned, Tina just sat there staring at him. She shook her head to make sure she was awake even. “Okay. Who are you and what the hell have you done with my husband?” she asked more than half-serious. “I’ll pay whatever you want, because I love his grumpy ass.”

  “Oh he’s around here somewhere, I promise,” Dean growled and grabbed her shoulders to pull her onto his lap. “You haven’t seen the last of him. But if he shows up, be sure to kick his ass okay?”

  “You got it. Now untie me,” she said looking into his eyes.

  “Not yet.” he replied with a secretive smile. “I have other plans I was going to use tonight to convince you. More for tomorrow if you still weren’t convinced. I made plans to stay up here as long as it took to convince you to stay. Cord and Mama are on standby to deliver food when necessary.”

  Tina wanted to hear more about these plans of his. “Hmm…sounds like you were prepared. These plans sound interesting,” she said smiling up at her handsome husband. “You could always tell them I resisted so we could stay up here longer.”

  “Baby, I love the way you think,” Dean said as he lowered his mouth to hers.

  EPILOGUE

  It was dark as Tina pulled up under the light at the side of the front porch near the bunkhouse, and shut off her car. She stopped a moment to get her happiness under control, because she had to maintain a certain mood for this, or Dean would be disappointed. Last year at this time she hadn’t been grinning from ear to ear just yet. Her opportunity for that would come in a few hours.

  Tina grabbed her purse and briefcase from the seat beside her, then opened her door to swing her legs out of the car. When she stood a tall, dark figure dashed from the darkened side of the bunkhouse and a thrill coursed through her. Barb Dixon had made banana pudding t
his afternoon, and Tina wondered if Dean would bring some of his second favorite dessert for them to have later. It was sticky, but a dip in the lake later would take care of that.

  But right now she needed to focus.

  She dropped her purse and briefcase, then pretended to run, but before she could take a step a sack was thrown over her head. Tina trembled and pinched her knees together as a rope was looped around her arms at the elbow, and she was caught. She sucked in a deep breath, but before she could scream a hand clamped down over her mouth.

  Tina heard a grunt, as she was swept off of her feet and carried. She squirmed and fought as much as she could, but stopped when a firm hand smacked her ass. Hard enough to bring tears to her eyes, and send a chill racing up her spine. She could practically feel her captor’s handprint on her ass. Her breath came in short gasps, but Tina didn’t know if it was excitement or the heat from the sack over her head making her breathless. She could hear her heart beating in her ears, and feel her captor’s pounding against her shoulder.

  Suddenly, she was tossed onto a seat of some kind. She felt around, and tried to push up, but a seat belt was looped around her, and she heard it click. Tina couldn’t move now at all.

  A powerful engine cranked, and she was jostled as the truck moved forward. Tina got her senses back and screamed as loud as she could. If this was a kidnapping, someone was going to know she was being kidnapped. Maybe Dean would hear her, she thought, suppressing a giggle. If he didn’t hear her, he must be deaf. She continued to scream until she was hoarse. A rush of wind blew in from the window beside her, and took her breath away. Tina sat there breathing, and hoping she would have a chance to get away from this madman, or maybe join him in a deer stand to celebrate their one year anniversary.

  She needed to bide her time. Wait for an opportunity, she thought. She stayed still and quiet, while they drove over very bumpy ground for what seemed like forever. Suddenly the bumping stopped, and the truck engine was cut. A door opened and Tina’s heart raced, wondering what her captor was going to do to her now.

  What about her baby? Tina thought about Deanna and wondered if Mrs. Dixon was doing okay with her tonight. Hope said she’d help check in on them, but Tina knew she was busy enough as it was taking care of her own little boy Jase. Jeremy loved his baby sister to distraction, he was more protective of her than Dean. And that was saying a lot.

  Tears came to her eyes, because this was their first night apart since Deanna was born four months ago, and she was worried the baby would miss her too. She wondered how long her captor would keep her from her sweet little girl. She knew he was probably just as worried.

  But this was their special night, and nothing was going to ruin it. Things would be fine.

  The back door opened, and Tina couldn’t be quiet any longer, “Please don’t hurt me,” she begged then sucked a gulping breath. “I have two daughters, a son and a husband who love me.” As of four months ago, Laney was her daughter too. Her sister had signed over custody, and that was the best thing for her. It was a tough decision, but she was finally proud of Lori for doing the right thing, well mostly. She was still gallivanting with cowboys, but Tina didn’t think that would ever change.

  Someone leaned over her, to unclick the seatbelt, then leaned close to her ear. “I love you too,” a raspy, sexy voice said, before she was gently picked up off of the seat, and she heard the door shut. Tina sniffed again and caught a faint woodsy scent. It wasn’t the natural woods. That was Dean’s cologne, and Dean’s voice! Dean had kidnapped her!

  Tina struggled trying to break free, and his arms clamped around her tighter. “Be still,” he said gruffly. Tina wasn’t going to be still. Her own husband was kidnapping her!

  “Dean put me down!” she said, fighting against his hold. His hand landed on her ass and she squealed, then a thrill raced up through her body, and she shivered.

  Dean walked a little further with her, then set her down on her feet. Tina was about to try to run, but he stepped on her toe with his boot. “Run and I’ll spank you good,” he threatened.

  A tremble worked through her, and moisture pooled between her legs. Dammit! This was supposed to be scary, not exciting. Suddenly she felt herself flying again, then she was across his shoulder. She landed with an oomph over her captor’s shoulder.

  “Don’t you dare move,” he warned and she was jostled as he held her across his shoulder with one hand. Where the hell was he taking her? Suddenly, he sat her down on something soft. Tina scooted away, but Dean’s hands followed her. He yanked the sack and pulled it over her head, but he didn’t untie her arms.

  “Untie me!” Tina demanded, shooting playful daggers at him with her eyes.

  She had no idea if he could see her or not, because it was pitch black inside the tree stand.

  “Dean, have you lost your mind?” she asked breathlessly.

  Sane men didn’t do what this man was doing. Desperate men did though, and her husband was desperate. Desperately in love with her if what he said was true. But you never knew how far you could push a man before he snapped. A little fear snaked down her spine, but then she reminded herself that Dean had never hurt her. Not even close.

  But he might have snapped. She might have snapped him this morning when she went a little too far with the cherry cobbler last night. “We can get you some help, honey,” she said smoothly, trying damned hard not to let him know she was excited rather than scared.

  “The only help I need is right here in this deer stand with me. And yeah, I’m crazy, buttercup. Crazy about you. But you won’t listen to me anymore.”

  It was their one-year anniversary and Dean suggested they celebrate where they made love that first night. Mr. Cranky Pants had definitely not been around in a while. Her husband was caring, thoughtful and romantic. Tina had a hard time even remembering what Mr. Cranky Pants was like. Her heart kicked in her chest and Tina had a hard time hanging on to the pretense of being afraid.

  “Just take me back to the bunkhouse, I’ll listen. I promise.” Tina loved hearing her husband’s sexy voice. She could listen to him all day long.

  “You’ll listen right here,” he shot back, and she heard him sit down. There was rustling, he struck a match and suddenly the deer stand was filled with light. He put the cover back on the oil lantern then sat it to the side.

  Tina’s eyes moved around the deer stand and she was shocked speechless. Dean had the same little hearts made out of red construction paper taped to the walls. In each heart was a name. Hope, Cord, Barb, Silas, Jeremy and Laney. There was even for the baby. Deanna. Their precious little girl. Laney and Jeremy’s sister, and her Daddy’s heart.

  “Where’s my heart and your heart?” Tina asked meeting his eyes.

  “Mine is right here,” he said and put his hand to the center of her chest. Her heart did a dull thud in her chest then melted and dripped down her insides. “And I hope yours is here.” Dean put his fist to his chest. “My whole family is head over heels in love with you. But none of them—nobody in the world—could ever love you more than I do.”

  “Dean—“ she said with a sigh, and he put his finger over her lips.

  “Listen, buttercup, please.” Tina nodded.

  “If you promise not to never leave me, I’ll spend every minute I have left on earth trying to make you happy, baby. If you’ll spend those minutes with me, loving me even though I’ll never deserve you.”

  Dean Dixon was not romantic. But that was just about the second most romantic thing any man had ever said to her. To hear him lay himself bare like that told her he really loved her. Stunned by how much she loved him too, Tina just sat there staring at him.

  She shook her head to make sure she was awake even. “Okay. Who are you and what the hell have you done with my husband?” she asked more than half-serious. “I’ll pay whatever you want, because I love his grumpy ass. I’ll always love you, Dean,” Tina said in a wobbly voice, wishing her hands were free so she could touch him. “I’m not going an
ywhere. You’re stuck with me, mister.” There was nowhere she would rather be stuck, and nobody she would rather be stuck with. Dean Dixon was it for her. Always would be.

  “Oh, Mr. Cranky Pants is around here somewhere, I promise,” Dean replied with a laugh. He had really laughed the first time she told him her nickname for him. Her handsome husband grabbed her shoulders and pulled her onto his lap. “You haven’t seen the last of him. But if he shows up, be sure to kick his ass okay?”

  “You got it. Now untie me,” she said looking into his eyes.

  “Not yet.” he replied with a secretive smile. “I have other plans I was going to use tonight to convince you how much I want you. More for tomorrow if you still weren’t convinced. I made plans to stay up here as long as it takes to convince you. Cord and Mama are on standby to deliver food when necessary.”

  Tina wanted to hear more about these plans of his. “Hmm…sounds like you are prepared. These plans sound interesting,” she said smiling at him. “You could always tell them I resisted so we could stay up here longer.”

  “Baby, I love the way you think,” Dean said as he lowered his mouth to hers.