The Heart of a Cowboy. Charlene Sands
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She heard footsteps descending on the stairway and stood up abruptly to pour the coffee she’d brewed. But the fast move made her light-headed and she swayed, grabbing for the kitchen chair.
“Sarah?” Case was beside her instantly, steadying her shoulders with strong hands.
The room spun, and Sarah took a deep breath. A moment later, her head cleared. She looked into a set of deep brown, concerned eyes. And her skin burned from the heat of Case’s solid hold on her, his fingers gently digging in, reminding her what it felt like to be in a man’s arms. Reminding her, what it had been like being in his arms. But Sarah didn’t want to dwell on the past. She had enough to deal with, right now, in the present. “I’m okay. The doctor says not to get up too fast. My blood pressure’s a bit low and quick moves tend to make me dizzy.”
Case helped ease her down into a chair. “Sit down and take it easy.”
“You don’t know what you’re in for, living with a pregnant woman.” She couldn’t believe what she’d be in for, living with Case, either. They both had some adjusting to do.
Case’s eyes never left her face. He sat down across from her. “I’ve got a feeling I’m going to learn about it right quick. So, you don’t mind me coming back?”
“What about the rodeo?” she asked abruptly. Of course, she minded, but she had no right tossing him out. He owned an equal share of the ranch.
He studied her face for a moment. “I’m entered in a handful more events so I’ll go back from time to time, but this is my last year. I’m through. What do you say, Sarah? Can you abide me coming back to the ranch?”
She shrugged. What could she say? She couldn’t very well kick him out. He’d left the ranch at a bad time. Money had been tight, beef prices down and they couldn’t afford to hire on any more help. Reid had done the work of two men to make ends meet back then, but now, it was Case’s turn to work the land, she supposed. “It’s your home, Case. Reid would want it this way.”
“But…not you?”
Sarah wouldn’t lie. She had her doubts about these living arrangements. He was Reid’s brother, but he was also a man Sarah couldn’t trust. He’d let Reid down too many times. “Case, we hardly know each other anymore. At best, it’ll be awkward.”
“Sarah, listen. I need to be here right now, but you have my word, I’ll stay out of your way. I know about the threats you’ve received.” His tone sobered considerably and his expression grew fierce. His deep dark eyes penetrated hers with raw determination. “Nobody threatens a Jarrett.”
“Case, they weren’t threats really. Mr. Merriman from the Beckman Corporation got a little too…enthusiastic in his bid to get me to sell the ranch. His company is planning this big housing community called Beckman Bridle Homes and the Triple R seems to be right smack in the middle of where they intend to build.”
“I heard the McPhersons refused the offer, too. Not too long after their barn burned down suspiciously.”
“Yes, that’s true. It happened last week, but they can’t prove anything. Luckily no one was hurt. Seth McPherson spotted the fire and they put it out before any livestock got caught in the flames.”
“You should have told me about this. I had a right to know.” Anger burned low and intense in Case’s dark eyes.
“I didn’t think you’d…”
“Care?”
“Well, it’s not as though you’ve taken an interest in the ranch, Case.”
“The ranch is my business now, Sarah. And you, living all alone out here.”
Sarah was alone now. And she felt it every day. She’d been lost when Reid died, and had to fight off her melancholy for the baby’s sake. She’d never known this kind of loneliness before. “There’s more than half a dozen hands on the ranch. I’m not entirely alone. Besides, I handled Mr. Merriman in my own way. He probably won’t be back.”
“How can you be sure?”
“You didn’t see the look in his eyes when I pulled out Reid’s Winchester and aimed it straight at his heart.”
Case’s lips lifted in a small crooked smile and uncannily, Sarah felt that smile all the way to her toes. “You chased him off the property?”
She nodded, remembering that day all too well. The man had been more threatening than she’d let on to Case. And he’d forced himself inside the house, using verbal pressure when she’d refused his offer of sale. What was worse, the man knew of the ranch’s outstanding debts and that they were headed for financial trouble. He played on that until Sarah couldn’t take another minute of it. She’d asked him to leave twice, before reaching for that rifle. “You could say that.”
Case shook his head. “You won’t have to worry about him again.”
Probably not, she thought wryly, but now she’d have another worry. She didn’t relish living with a man like Case. They’d had a history together that she didn’t enjoy recalling. Growing up in a small country town, their paths had crossed more times than not. Case hadn’t made her life easy. Two years her senior, he’d been a bully at times, a tease, and later when they’d been in their late teens, he’d played a trick on her. One she still smarted from.
One she had trouble forgetting. And forgiving.
Case Jarrett may have shared similar looks with her late husband Reid, but the differences between the two were clearly notable to her now. Oh, not physically, but Sarah couldn’t help but look at Case and see the man who had abandoned Reid and the Triple R when he was needed the most. Sarah saw a man bent on danger. She saw him as the man who had tricked and cajoled her one too many times.
How Sarah had ever been fooled in the past by their identical appearance, she couldn’t understand now. And the scar slanting down Case’s cheek from his right eye only marked him as different to others…a way of singling him out from Reid. But to Sarah, Case was nothing like Reid, and she didn’t need that facial wound to remind her that Case Jarrett was certainly not his brother.
“Is that why you’re back, Case? Are you worried about the ranch?”
Case narrowed his eyes and drew in a long breath, deep in thought. “It’s my responsibility now, Sarah.”
She nodded, wondering why, after all this time Case felt the need to own up to his responsibilities. He’d never been the type to settle down. And if his coming back had anything to do with her, she needed to make one thing abundantly clear. “But I’m not.”
“You’re not what?” he asked, the picture of innocence.
“Your responsibility. I can take care of myself.”
Case had the good sense to stifle a smug smile, but Sarah sensed she knew what he’d been thinking. She’d nearly fainted dead away just now from dizziness. And he’d been the one to catch her before the fall. “Tough pregnant lady, are you?”
“I’m a rancher’s wife, aren’t I?” At least she had been, up until five months ago. The heartache was still with her each and every day, but she had the baby to think about so she looked to the future instead of aching in the past. More than anything she wanted this child to thrive. Nurturing this baby was her only source of comfort.
Case nodded and averted his eyes. He stood then and poured coffee into a mug. “I’ve got to have a talk with Old Pete and let that crotchety foreman know I’m back at the ranch. I’ll spend the day out on the range, checking over the place. I plan to do my share of the chores around the house, too, so don’t you lift a finger on my account. I didn’t come back home to add to your work. I’ll be back in time for supper. I’m cooking tonight.”
“You cook?” she asked, startled. Sarah knew Case was a capable man, but she didn’t think of him being comfortable in the kitchen.
“Don’t