Charlene Sands (16 page)

Stunned, Jenna’s gaze locked onto the glass. “You…you milked her?”

Cash laughed. “Don’t be so surprised.”

Jenna chuckled, too. “But I am. How’d you do it?”

Cash shrugged. “The usual way.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

Cash sat down on the edge of the bed. “Larabeth and I have come to some sort of understanding. I guess she trusts me now.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, she got to know me and I got to know her. Maybe that’s all it takes.”

“Trust is important,” Jenna said, her gaze drifting off. “I want to thank you for staying the night and taking care of me.”

Cash didn’t want her thanks. Hell, he would
never have left her last night. She needed him. “I wasn’t about to take any chances with you. You were pretty sick.”

“And you did the Christian thing?”

Cash pushed his hair off his forehead, raking his hands through. “Hell, Jenna. It’s more than that.”

“It is?”

Cash stood and walked over to the window. He glanced down at the view below. The kittens were playing with Scrappy in the yard. How easily his dog had taken to the farm. And the fields, for all the eye could see, were ready to nourish new growth. Hogs and sheep filled the pens.

Cash recalled when he’d first gotten here, how the only thing he could see from his position on the bed were those two oak trees, their branches swaying in the breeze meeting each other by a touching of leaves. Twin Oaks.

“You know it is.” Cash leaned heavily against the window frame, his back to her. “Wouldn’t do much good to say the words, sugar.”

After a long silent moment, Jenna spoke up, “Because you’re leaving?”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding as he continued to stare out the window. “Because I’m leaving.”

And because he wasn’t the man for Jenna.

He was no farmer.

“I
feel fine, Rosalinda. It’s been weeks since I was sick.” Jenna gestured to her friend. “You and Ben have a seat. Supper will be ready soon.”

“It is not necessary for you to work so hard. Let me help.”

“Nonsense, I’ve been meaning to have you both to supper. I’m just glad Ben is feeling better.”

Ben raised his cane and smiled. “Got me one heck of a cane here. Couldn’t manage without it. Yeah, won’t be long before I get back out to the fields.”

“No! You are not ready. You must not,” Rosalinda warned. “Jenna, Antonio and Cash have worked hard and the fields are almost planted. You must rest up some more.”

Ben grumbled, looking at Jenna. “See how my woman babies me? She won’t let me lift a finger at home.”

“I agree with her, Ben. You’re not ready to work again. You need to rest some more.”

“Ah shoot, I know you’re right, but I hate being confined.”

Jenna chuckled and added. “That’s why I asked you over tonight.”

She set plates out on the table. She’d made a fancy meal, spending most of the day in the kitchen. Today, she had so much to be thankful for. She’d wanted to share the evening with her good friends…and Cash. He’d taken care of her, pampering her while she’d been ill. He’d cooked for her, watched over her and hadn’t allowed her to do much on the farm until her strength had returned. She knew that any time now, with Ben getting better each day, Cash might decide to leave. “We’ll pray for our crop and celebrate our friendship tonight. Where’s Antonio?”

Both Ben and Rosalinda smiled, their eyes meeting each other with secret understanding. “With Marcie Bender,” Ben offered. “He’s been spending most of his evenings with her.”

“Oh,” Jenna said with a sigh. “I’m happy to hear that. What about Mr. Bender? Has he come around?”

“Well,” Ben said, scratching his head. “I don’t reckon the man liked losing that bet to Cash, not one bit. But from what Antonio tells me, he’s not been putting up much of a fuss. The Benders have had my boy over to supper twice already.”

The back door opened and Cash entered. All heads turned in that direction. He held a full bouquet of wild roses in his hand. “Evening.”

Jenna faced him, her heart pounding hard. That had been happening lately—one look at Cash had her insides rumbling. No matter what he was doing, it was always the same. She’d see him chopping wood, or tossing a stick to Scrappy in the yard, or grooming his horse and her breath would catch.

Heavens, when would it ever stop? Certainly not right this minute, with him standing there, wearing a fresh white shirt, smelling lye-soap clean and holding out a batch of wild roses to her.

“These are the last of them. Make a real nice table decoration.”

Jenna took the flowers offered and as his strong fingers brushed hers, her stomach tied up in knots. “Thank you.” She glanced at the flowers, a lump forming in her throat. “T-These are lovely.”

“Will you put them on the table?” When she looked up, Jenna was treated to the gleam of indigo-blue as his gaze rested solely on her. It was as though they were alone in the room, the others forgotten. Jenna stared into Cash’s eyes, locked by the heat and longing she witnessed there.

Ben cleared his throat.

Jenna turned around abruptly in time to catch Rosalinda jab him in the arm.

“You two through mooning over each other?”

Jenna’s face flushed with heat. Heavens, what had she been thinking? Flustered, Jenna made herself busy, setting the roses in a vase. Darn Cash anyway. The amused man had laughed at Ben’s comment, when all Jenna wanted to do was sink right down through the floorboards.

After that, the meal went smoothly and Jenna relaxed a bit. They’d offered up a prayer for good weather, for the health of their loved ones and for their crop.

Jenna dished up creamy corn soup, chicken and dumplings, string beans and biscuits. For dessert she had made a peach cobbler. Everyone filled their bellies, complimenting her meal.

Just as they were taking the last bites of their dessert, Antonio came bursting through the back door, his face shining bright with happiness. “I’m getting married!”

For a moment, they all sat motionless at the table, apparently stunned by the news. Then, as realization dawned, everyone began talking at once.

“Congratulations!”

“When’s the wedding?”

“How’d you pull that off, son?”

“
Dios,
Antonio. You give your mother a shock.”

“Hey! One at a time,” Antonio pleaded happily.

Antonio shook Cash’s hand. His father gave him a big manly hug and Rosalinda’s eyes misted with tears.

Jenna kissed his cheek. “I’m happy for you. Sit down and tell us all about it. Would you like a piece of cobbler?”

“No, no. I couldn’t eat. I’m too excited.” Antonio took a seat at the table. “I don’t know where to begin. I have been in love with Marcie for a long time. I think I fell in love with her when she threw a rock at me in school. I chased her all around the schoolyard that day and haven’t stopped.”

“Oh, how sweet,” Jenna said, but when she glanced at Rosalinda, the woman had tears flowing down her cheeks. Jenna took her hand. “He’s in love, Rosa.”

“
Sí, sí.
I know. Can’t a mother be happy for her boy?”

Always pragmatic, Ben took a different approach. “How’d you get old man Bender to come around? He does know about this, doesn’t he, Antonio?”

“Yes, Papa. He wasn’t too happy about allowing Marcie to see me. He’s protective of her. But Marcie had been wearing him down and then, well, thanks to Mr. Callahan and that bet he made, Bender couldn’t go back on his word.” Antonio turned to Cash. “I’ll never forget what you did. Marcie and I, we might name our first child after you.”

“
Dios!
A child? Are you to be a father so
soon?” Rosalinda asked, the news obviously too much for her.

“Mama, no! Of course not. But we would like to have a family one day.”

Jenna squeezed Rosalinda’s hand. “They are young, but they will manage. Don’t worry and when it is time, they will make you and Ben grandparents.”

Antonio laughed. “We need a place first.”

“Will you live on the Bender farm?” Ben asked and Jenna sensed him trying to keep his voice steady. Bender had all the hands he needed, whereas Antonio was an integral part of the success of Twin Oaks.

“No! My place is here. I would like to build a small house, if you will allow me.”

Obviously relieved, Ben smiled. “I’ll help you build it.”

“So will I,” Cash added. “Just tell me where and when. The three of us will have that house up real quick. When’s the wedding?”

“Marcie wants to have the wedding soon. She’s afraid her father will try to change our minds. He is going along with our wishes, but I think he would like to keep his daughter all to himself. He wouldn’t mind if she became an old maid, as long as she lived on the farm.”

Jenna’s heart sank. She was three years older than Marcie. She wondered as time went on, if
people would think of her as an unwanted old maid.

Cash caught her in his gaze and narrowed his eyes, questioning her. Jenna couldn’t bear to look at him. She couldn’t bear for him to know how distressed she felt. This should be a happy occasion and Jenna wouldn’t bring everyone’s joy down because of the sorrow she’d experienced. For Antonio’s sake, she plastered on a big smile and glanced at Cash, but he didn’t smile back.

Darn him. Maybe it was time for him to leave Twin Oaks. He was too much a reminder of all that she had lost, of the life she would never have.

And worst of all, he was too good at reading her most private thoughts.

Jenna bid farewell to her guests and as she stood in the yard waving, she sensed Cash watching her from a short distance away. She turned to go back inside the house.

“Jenna, wait.”

She paused, then turned to him with a smile. “It’s such good news about Antonio. I think he will be very happy.”

Cash strode over to her until he was so close their boots nearly touched. He gazed into her eyes. “Don’t, Jenna. Don’t pretend. Not with me.”

“I’m not pretending. I’m happy for Antonio.”

He reached out to touch her cheek. The gentle
caress left her wanting more, so much more. “Happiness is not what I see on your face.”

Cash had good instincts. She knew he couldn’t be fooled, but she had little to say to him. She let out a weary sigh. “I’m tired, Cash.”

Anger sparked in his eyes like a cold flash of metal, yet he spoke with tenderness. “Something upset you tonight. Tell me what it was.”

Tears threatened, but Jenna held them back. They never helped and she wasn’t one to give in to self-pity. “No, it’s nothing.”

“Jenna,” Cash laced his tone with impatience, “it’s
something.
”

Irritation gave way to anger, something Jenna rarely allowed. But this time, perhaps she had a right. “Yes, darn you. It’s something. Okay? Happy to know I’m upset?”

“No, I’m not happy about it. I just want to help.”

Her fury building, spurred by a situation out of her control, Jenna planted her hands on her hips. Wry amusement elevated her voice. “You, of all people,
can’t
help me.”

“Why not?” he asked, nearly shouting.

“Because…because I want what Marcie and Antonio have, that’s why not! I want someone to share my life with, my farm. I want a family. I’ve prayed and prayed for a family of my own. Don’t you see? I’ll be that old maid Antonio spoke about, an unwanted and unloved woman, who’ll never
have a child, never know the joy of being a mother.”

Well, that sure dumbfounded him. Cash opened his mouth to speak, blinked his eyes then clamped his mouth closed. He looked away, off in the distance, a tick working at his jaw. When he turned back to respond, Jenna stormed off, heading for the house. She didn’t want to hear anything Cash Callahan had to say.

It was too hard, feeling as she did. One minute she was hoping for his kisses, the next hoping he would leave the farm. She reminded herself over and over that he wasn’t for her. She knew as soon as he could, he’d go back to gambling. That’s who Cash Callahan was, after all. A gambler.

Jenna wouldn’t forget that again.

Three days later, Cash lay in his makeshift bed up in the loft staring at the ceiling. He tossed and turned in a futile attempt to fall asleep. When that didn’t work, he let out an oath, picked up his boot and tossed it. It landed near two sleepy kittens, barely missing them. With bewildered expressions, they jumped high in the air, the hair on their backs raised. “Ah, hell,” he muttered, reaching over to console the frightened kittens. They went willingly into his arms. “Sorry about that.”

The kittens purred and rubbed their small bodies into him. They’d grown some, Cash noted, marking the time that he had been here.

He’d overstayed his welcome. Yet he couldn’t leave the farm until Ben felt better. Cash knew Ben wouldn’t be of much help building Antonio a small house, but understandably the man wanted to help his son. Cash’s offer to help had been sincere. He’d been happy for Antonio and wanted to help the boy and Ben with the building.

Besides, the danger might still be present. If the Wendells were still in the area searching for him, he had no choice but to stay on at Twin Oaks. He’d weighed his options again, knowing full well it would be better for Jenna if he left. She might have a chance at that future she’d talked about, without him here, stirring up emotions, leaving them both frustrated and confused.

She might find someone to love.

Hell, Cash thought, one thing he knew for sure, he didn’t want to be around to watch that happen. Seeing Jenna smitten with another man would tear his gut in two.

Cash set the kittens aside. He reached for his boots and threw his arms into his shirt. He wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight. Climbing down the loft, he headed for Queen’s stall. “Want to go for a fast ride?” he asked, grabbing for Queen’s tack.

She hadn’t been exercised today and Cash was too darn restless to sleep. The ride would do them both good. After saddling her up, he led her out of the barn.

He mounted quietly and lifted his head toward Jenna’s bedroom. The lights were out. She’d never know he was gone. “We’ll make it a short ride,” he said to his mare. Although all indications were that Jenna was safe, he didn’t like chancing leaving her alone at night.

He rode his horse hard, out the gates, past the fields, circling around Turner’s Pond and back. Wind wiped at him, nearly blowing his hat from his head. He bent low, was one with the animal, gliding, racing, pushing Queen faster and faster. The excitement, the exhilaration helped clear his head.

He’d been right. It had been what both needed, a good hard ride.

Jenna had only been asleep a short time when noises from the yard had her snapping her eyes open. She listened carefully. Sounds of commotion, of animals shuffling and anguished cries, seemed to be coming from outside, somewhere.

Jenna rose quickly and dressed, shoving her boots on. She reached under her mattress, pulling out a gun. As she palmed it in her hand, the weapon felt strange. She hadn’t given that gun much thought lately, since Cash had arrived. But for weeks after that awful man had come to claim ownership of Twin Oaks, Jenna had slept with it under her mattress each night.

She raced down the stairs, but was more wary
once she stepped out her front door. She listened again and followed the sounds. They seemed to be coming from the sheep pen. Her hands trembling with fear, Jenna tightened her grip on the gun. She moved with cautious deliberation, listening, wincing at the terrible sounds she heard.

She rounded the corner of the barn and froze. A pair of shocking eyes met her gaze. A wolf. Jenna barely contained a scream upon witnessing the wolf’s heinous actions. One sheep was down already and before she’d caught the wolf’s attention, he’d been stalking another. The animals moaned in their way, pressing their innocent bodies as far from their predator as possible.

“Go! Get away!” Jenna pointed the gun, ready to shoot.

The animal turned to face her, his eyes menacing. Slowly, he came toward her, preying upon her as he would any other animal. Everything inside of her went black with fear. Her heart thumped hard, her breathing sped up. She pulled her finger back on the trigger and took her shot.