Mitch hurried around the truck and climbed in on the passenger side. Lexie cranked the engine. The truck's wheels spun in the mud before the vehicle lurched once and they headed across the pasture toward the river.
Fear still gnawed at Mitch's nerve endings. He ripped the dripping hat from his head and slapped it against his right thigh scattering raindrops. "Jesus, Lexie," he growled. "You could have been killed."
"I did what I had to do," she stated in a curt tone without looking at him.
Frustration formed a tangled knot in his stomach. The rain washed in sheets across the windscreen while the wipers beat in a frantic, thumping rhythm. "You put your life at risk and in that moment you allowed yourself to forget about Dani," he said not bothering to temper the cold, harsh tone of his voice.
Lexie jerked her head and glared at him before yanking her attention back to the front of the truck. "I never for one moment forgot about my daughter.” Her voice grated with anger. "It's because of her I went into that burning barn.”
He slammed his fist against the passenger door. "It's because of your insatiable need to save this place that you ran in there. Not because of Dani!"
Suddenly, the rushing river glowed ahead of them in the truck's high beams. Mitch watched a cow struggling in the middle of the river while another small calf barely moved with the water rushing around them. Lexie brought the Ford to an abrupt halt and they both climbed out of the truck.
# # #
The wind stole her breath while rain pelted her body. The cows' movements slowed. Lexie's heart nearly stopped beating. If she didn’t pull them out soon they would die.
She scrambled into the flat bed of the truck and bent over a large, steel box mounted behind the front cab. She threw open the lid, grasped two coils of heavy rope and pulled them out. Without closing the lid on the box, she jumped down from the truck and raced toward the river. Before she reached the river's banks, Mitch’s arms clamped around her waist stopping her.
"Are you crazy?" he yelled. "You could be killed."
She struggled against his hold then jerked her head around to stare into his eyes. "I have to do this," she cried. Desperation and fear fueled her determination to save what was left. "If I don't rescue those cows it's all over!"
But wasn't that what he wanted, she thought before understanding dawned. He needed the ranch and all of its assets in tact to obtain top dollar for the foundation. That was the only reason he was here helping her. So why had she begun to care for him? "Let me go! Please," she cried.
"Damn it," he shouted and dropped his arms from her waist. Before she could run to the river, he grabbed one of the ropes she had in her hands and tossed her the opposite end. "Tie this onto the hitch on the front of the truck," he yelled over the wind and rain. "I’ll wade out and tie the other end around one of the cows. When I signal you, get in the truck, put it in reverse and step on the gas."
Before he could head for the river, Lexie grabbed his arm. "Wait. Let me tie a lead rope onto you."
After the lead rope was tied, Lexie watched Mitch wade into the icy water. In a moment, he was waist deep. A chill racked her body just watching him. The water must be frigid.
He stumbled and slipped under the water. Lexie watched in horror as the waves swept over his head.
She planted her feet and tugged as hard as she could on the lead rope. Mitch's weight combined with the river's swift current threatened to pull her arms from their sockets. Just as her strength began to fail and her fingers loosened on the rope, Skinny ran up in front of her. He gripped the rope and pulled. Mitch's head broke through the water's surface.
Thank God.
Lexie dropped the rope and ran to the banks of the river. "Are you okay," she shouted across the water at Mitch. He gave her a wave and plowed through the water toward the cows.
By the time he reached the cow and one calf, they barely moved. The cow's body hung limp where she was wedged between two large boulders and the calf lay still in the water with his back against a rock. Lexie watched for what seemed an eternity while Mitch worked to secure the rope around the cow's body.
He turned and signaled to Lexie. She ran to the truck, slammed the gear into reverse and pressed on the gas pedal.
Immediately, the rope grew taut. Mitch shifted behind the cow and pushed against her hind quarters. Lexie listened to the roar of the truck’s engine as she pressed harder on the gas pedal.
Finally, the cow slipped free and moved her legs in the water. Lexie kept the rope taut until the cow scrambled up the muddy bank. Skinny ran to the cow, untied the rope and tossed the end back to Mitch.
He grabbed the rope then headed for the calf. Lexie hoped he wasn't too late.
The calf's legs moved slightly but she feared it was only from the movement of the river and not from any sign of life. Mitch tied the rope around the calf and signaled for Lexie to step on it. In a moment, he was free. Lexie leaped from the truck to help Mitch and Skinny pull the animal from the water.
She kneeled by the calf and stroked her hand over him. His eyes were open and staring. The end of his tongue protruded slightly from his mouth. "Damn it. That makes three," she said while emotion choked her.
Lexie raised her head and looked at Mitch. His eyes shone with compassion while rain washed over his face and through his hair. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and cling for dear life. She wanted him to tell her he wouldn't take the ranch but deep inside she knew he would.
He grasped Lexie gently by her upper arms and helped her to her feet. "Come on, Kitten," he said next to her ear. His arms closed around her and she leaned into his warmth. "Let me take you home."
# # #
He wanted to comfort Lexie over her loss in any way he could...if she would let him. Would she push him away, shut him out and refuse to accept his solace? He hoped not because her misery over losing the barn and the cows had ripped into his heart.
Mitch threw another log on the fire and a flurry of sparks danced up the chimney. When they'd arrived back at the house, Hattie had thrust a steaming cup of tea into Lexie's hands and Mitch had sent her straight upstairs to take a hot bath. For once in her life, she didn’t argue. He was thankful that Dani had slept through the brunt of the storm.
The night had turned colder and sleet tapped lightly against the windows. The ground would be frozen by morning. Lexie fretted on the way home about the horses. When they drove past the burned out barn, they were both relieved to see some neighbors loading the horses into trailers. At least they would have a warm, dry place for shelter until a new barn could be built.
Lexie was already making noises about doing it herself. He’d be damned if he would let her stand out in the cold tomorrow and hammer boards together after what she'd been through tonight.
He’d changed out of his wet clothes and Hattie put them in the dryer. She'd found him one of Mason Dare's old robes and some heavy socks to wear until his clothes dried.
Mitch sprawled on the sofa with his feet propped on the coffee table and waited. He heard Lexie's footsteps pad down the stairs. In a moment, she stood in the doorway of the den. She looked warm, soft and cuddly, wrapped up in her pink chenille robe. Matching bedroom slippers covered her feet. She'd twisted her hair into a loose knot and a few damp tendrils curled about her shoulders. There were shadows under her eyes and sadness etched her mouth.
"Hi," she said in a low voice. She walked to the hearth, slid onto a side chair and just stared at the crackling fire.
Mitch patted the cushion beside him. "Come sit with me. I promise I won’t bite," he said in what he hoped was a teasing voice.
She turned her head and looked at him. Her mouth moved in a tiny smile that she seemed to struggle to find.
He rested his head on the back of the sofa and gave her a long look. "Come here and talk to me."
Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. The anguish he saw in their depths seared him down to the marrow in his bones. She had always been so strong. Even after losing her mot
her when she turned six and through the struggle of always striving to prove herself to Mason Dare. Why couldn't that hateful old man have accepted her for simply who she was? A beautiful, loving and intelligent woman.
She rose from her chair as if she were moving through water, walked to the sofa and sat down beside him. The scent of her just washed skin wafted over him. He inhaled deeply and let the smell of her engulf his senses. He wanted to touch her, hold her but he needed her to make the first move.
Lexie reached for a photograph of her father and Parker sitting on one of the end tables. They had their arms slung around each other and grinned into the camera. Rock formations shaped like two very tall chimneys, from which the town derived its name, loomed in the background.
She touched the tip of her finger to the photograph as a wistful expression stole over her face. She lowered the photo to her lap and leaned her head against the back of the sofa. She swallowed and blinked back the tears Mitch saw pooling in her eyes.
"I wanted so much for dad to love me.” Her voice, filled with sadness sounded just above a whisper. "I did everything I could to please him. I worked hard, I made sure my grades were good in school but most of all I nurtured this ranch.” Her words faded to a soft murmur. "Not because he loved it," she said on a ragged breath, "but because Parker did.” She paused, licked her lips and swallowed. "The ranch was only a means to an end for him, a way to make money. I thought I could please him, force him to care about me through Parker and the land.” She looked down at the photograph still lying in her lap, lifted it and set it back on the end table.
Mitch's heart squeezed in his chest as her voice broke with sadness, regret and something else...fear. Her face, her body didn't show any fear but he felt it radiate from her into him.
With a shaky hand, she toyed with the chenille pattern on her robe. He wrapped his fingers around hers to settle and comfort. Her hand closed gently around his. Thankfully she let him and didn't pull away. He couldn't bear it if she refused his touch.
The warmth and softness of her skin seeped into his, but he also felt the rasp of calluses on her palm. He raised her palm to his mouth, kissed it lightly then lowered her hand back to his lap waiting for her to continue.
"Everything my father did was for Parker," she smiled wryly. I suppose a normal person might have resented their brother or even hated him but I knew it wasn't Parker's fault that dad didn't love me. It was mine," she said in such a low voice Mitch almost didn't hear her.
Mitch's heart broke at her words. He raised her hand to his mouth and grazed his lips over her knuckles. "No, don't ever think that," he said softly.
She turned and looked at him with misery swimming in her eyes. "What else could it be?” Her voice sounded thin and hollow as if the fight had drained out of her.
He smoothed a strand of hair from her face and cupped her cheek. Her skin felt like heated silk beneath his palm. "I don't know. Mason was a hard man to figure out. But whatever his reasons, Kitten, they were his alone. They came from deep inside him, not from you.” Mitch smiled and rubbed the pad of his thumb over her chin. "Judson has always been crazy about you and so has everybody else in this town... including me."
Her lips parted and her eyes shone with emotions he couldn't quite read. Surprise maybe mingled with hope? Or was that wishful thinking on his part? Now that he had gotten to know Dani and renewed his relationship with Lexie, he knew he wanted to be a part of their life. He wasn't sure how exactly only that he wanted to touch them, talk to them and laugh with them on a regular basis.
She glanced away for a moment then looked back at him. "I want to thank you for helping me tonight," she said in a quiet voice. "I know you think it was crazy of me to risk life and limb to save my animals but I had to do it."
He squeezed her hand briefly. "I won't sit here and pretend that what you did was okay because it wasn't. I'm just grateful you weren't hurt.” When she started to speak he shook his head. "There's something else worrying you besides what happened tonight. I get the feeling you're afraid of something more than just losing the ranch. What is it?"
She took her hand away from his and rubbed her palms over her face. With an exhale she dropped her hands to her lap. "The land always gives back what you give it in return...or so I thought," she said with a light tone of surprise in her voice. "I've loved this ranch all my life and now I think I've loved it too much. It's consumed my days and kept me from sleep at night for longer than I can remember.” She paused as if gathering her thoughts. "Before you came back to town I thought I was doing everything for Dani and maybe I was...but since she's gotten to know you I see love in her eyes and I hear it in her voice."
She looked at Mitch. Anxiety shimmered in the depths of her eyes and creased her brow. High color dotted her cheeks. She pressed her lips together briefly then inhaled a quick breath. "She loves you and once my little girl loves someone or something like the soft little dog you gave her, she falls toes over ears.” Tears spilled from her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away. "You want to know what scares me more than losing the ranch or even my own life?"
Her chin trembled and her breath grew even more ragged. "I'm scared to death that Dani will love you too much and you won't return her love.” Her voice rasped in a hushed stillness. "I was crazy about my father. I thought he was Superman and could do just about anything.” Her hands twisted in her lap and her shoulders slumped as if in defeat. "Except love me."
Unable to keep from holding her a moment longer, Mitch pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder. He cupped the back of her head as the first ragged sob shuddered out.
Mitch felt lightheaded almost faint. Because she had told him her deepest fear he realized that he trusted her not to hurt him. Somewhere in a secret place deep within his soul a door slowly opened and allowed the feelings he had been fighting for Lexie since he returned to ease inside his heart.
Chapter Nine
The sound of hammering broke through Lexie’s sleep congested brain. Voices mingled with the sound from outside and floated into her bedroom. Quickly, she threw back the covers and shuffled on bare feet to the window.
When she threw back the curtain, sunlight streamed into her eyes still heavy with sleep making her squint. After a moment, her eyes adjusted to the bright light and the sight below made her stomach jump and fresh tears spring to her eyes.
At least fifteen men were building her a new barn next to the smoldering rubble of the old one. Trucks were parked all around the site, some with their flat beds filled with hay and sacks of feed and others stacked with lumber. Amidst all the activity, Mitch was easy to spot.
She watched him hold a six by eight in place and drive a nail into the board. His nut brown shirt stretched over his wide shoulders, the muscles bunching beneath the material. Faded jeans molded the cutest butt she’d ever seen on a man. A tingle skittered down her spine.
Dani stood beside him, handed him nails when he needed one and beamed as if he’d just descended from heaven. She was dressed for school, Lexie noticed, with her backpack in place. It must be later than she thought. She looked at the clock on the nightstand. Nearly eight thirty.
God bless Hattie. She hadn’t slept this late in well; she couldn’t remember sleeping this late since long before her father died. Lately, she arose at the same time each day, even on the weekends, because there was too much to be done.
# # #
A few minutes later, Lexie stepped outside to take a gander at the new barn. Frigid, gusty air swirled around her. She pulled the edges of her coat together and adjusted the collar up around her neck. A few wind swept clouds left from the storm made a transparent veil over a cobalt sky, as though nothing had happened. Ice lay in patches on the ground.
She strolled toward the ruins of the barn and felt sick to her stomach even as she felt relief. So much was lost. Tack, feed, the barn itself, but at least the horses were alive.
“Mommy!”
Dani tore
herself away from Mitch's side and raced toward her. She threw her small arms around Lexie's waist and gave her a tight hug. “The barn burned, Mama.” Her little chin wobbled and tears welled.
Lexie knelt down in front of Dani and cradled her face in her hands. Her young, beautiful eyes were full of worry and concerns that she shouldn’t have. “I know, honey. But everything’s going to be okay.”
Dani attempted a smile. “I know. Daddy said so.”
Lexie lifted her head and looked at Mitch over Dani’s shoulder. He kept his back to her, hammering nails and talking to some of the men who worked by his side. The sound of a car’s horn brought Lexie out of her thoughts.
Dani turned. “Anna's here.” She gave Lexie a quick kiss then ran for her father. Lexie watched Mitch pick up his daughter. He hugged her tight and rubbed his face against her neck. She giggled then he set her on her feet. “Bye daddy,” she yelled as she raced for the car.
Lexie kept her eyes on Dani until Anna's mother pulled safely onto the highway and headed for school. When she looked back at Mitch, he gave her a smile. She started toward him, when Tommy Flower's gray Cadillac rattled over the cattle guard.
He climbed out, walked over and enfolded her in his big arms. Lexie inhaled the warm, comforting scent of his aftershave and fought back tears. She wouldn’t cry again nor did she intend to give up.
He pulled her out of his arms and clasped both hands around the upper part of her arms. “How you doing, sugar?” He looked over her shoulder at the half-finished barn. "Mitch and I didn't even have to call those men. They called us wanting to know how they could help.”
The warmth of friendships that had never been lost even after her father's passing quieted the ragged edges of Lexie's battered emotions and infused her with renewed strength. She smiled. “I’m okay.” She turned her head toward the men working on the barn then back to Tommy. “I don’t know how I'll ever repay them but as soon as I get on my feet—“
The Secret Truth at Dare Ranch Page 10
