Charlene Sands (18 page)

“We’ll have coffee,” Jenna finished for him.

He stared at her for a long moment. “Okay, I’ll be in, in a few minutes.”

Relieved, Jenna smiled then entered her house. She didn’t know what she expected, or why it was so important to her, but she didn’t want her evening with Cash to end.

Jenna set about brewing the real coffee Cash preferred. She stood by the cookstove, watching flames rise up, but her mind wasn’t on Arbuckle’s coffee. Tonight her mind was on Cash, the handsome stranger whose life she’d saved, the gambler, the man who had ridden back into her life, causing chaos and havoc to her heart.

She felt his presence from behind before she actually heard his footsteps. “Jenna, I can’t do this,” he whispered in her ear. His hands once again were on her hips, but she sensed he used them as a brace to anchor her, so that she wouldn’t turn around.

Jenna put her head down, her whole body aching to lean back, against his strong chest. “What can’t you do?”

“I can’t sit in this kitchen tonight, talking about wheat and cows and farm tools. I can’t pretend anymore that I don’t want you.”

“Oh,” Jenna said lamely, her mind racing for answers, her heart pounding up inside her head.

“I’m going now,” he said as he released his grip on her.

The loss was near to unbearable. Jenna turned around when she heard the door close softly. On impulse, she raced to open the door. She took a step outside and saw Cash walking toward the barn. “I can’t pretend anymore, either,” she said into the quiet night.

M
idway into the yard, Cash stopped, but didn’t turn around. He stood motionless and Jenna wondered if he’d heard her. “Guess I’ll just
pretend
I didn’t hear that,” he said, his voice grim. He began walking again toward the barn.

“Pretend all you want, Cash Callahan, but you did hear me,” Jenna said, taunting him. “I didn’t take you for a coward.”

Cash did turn then, slowly, eyeing her from just below the brim of his hat. “I’m no coward, sugar. It’s killing me, not coming over there.”

Jenna knew in her heart, this was the right thing to do. This was what she wanted. If only for one night, she wanted to know the joy of being in Cash’s arms once again. She knew the consequences. She understood that when Cash left, her heart would shatter, but at least, she’d have this one memory to call upon, when life, with all its
uncertainties, got too intolerable. “It’s killing me, too, Cash.” She put out her arms, beckoning him.

Cash was beside her instantly, picking her up, carrying her into the house, planting kisses on her mouth, her cheeks, stroking his hands through her hair. He didn’t let up, didn’t stop kissing her until he closed the door to her bedroom.

Cash held her close, nestling her in his arms. She heard him sigh, reining in his passion. With a hand, he stroked her back then rested it upon her waist. He spoke with quiet calm now, as if a settling balm had taken hold of him. “You know what I thought when I saw you wearing this dress?” he asked.

Jenna shook her head and pulled away enough to gaze up into his eyes.

“That maybe I could claim you as mine.”

“I am yours,” she said in a whisper, “tonight.”

He smiled, a flash of teeth in the moonlit shadows of the room. “You look so beautiful in your dress, it’s nearly a shame to take it off you.”

He worked a button, then another, his soft touch causing her skin to prickle in anticipation. With the bodice open, cool air descended upon her.

“’Course, it would be more of a shame
not
to take it off you,” he said, bending down to kiss her throat. His lips warmed her instantly and Jenna let out a little sound of pleasure. “I’ve missed you, Jenna. Missed being like this with you. I’ve wanted you for so long.”

Jenna reached for him, her long slow kiss the only reply she had to offer him. She’d wanted him, too, daydreamed about his kiss and fantasized about his touch. Somewhere between hate and mistrust, between anger and disappointment, between hurt and betrayal, Cash had entered her heart. He’d managed to find a small opening, a tiny crevice that Jenna hadn’t closed off and he’d inched his way in, day by day, deed by deed, until she no longer had the will nor the strength to battle her feelings for him.

Under Cash’s expert ministrations, her dress fell gracefully to the floor and she stepped out of it. It wasn’t long before Cash had removed the rest of her clothes. He carried her to the bed, setting her down with care, as if she was the most precious of gems.

Jenna swallowed hard when Cash began to undress. She watched him remove his jacket, undo the buckle on his gun belt and guide the holster to the ground. He removed the remaining clothes quickly. She marveled at his form, the perfection of his body, the solid strength he carried about him like a shield of armor. He came to her then, lowering himself down, taking her into his arms and murmuring soft exquisite words. His lips claimed hers, his hands sought her body, and as their limbs entwined, their hearts came together as one.

Sensation upon sensation stirred her blood as Cash found ways to pleasure her. She moaned and
cried out and when they joined, his body finally claiming hers, Jenna knew great and unequaled satisfaction.

Cash turned to draw her close from behind, pressing his body to hers, his hand finding her breast and gently rubbing in a sensual caress between two lovers. Jenna sighed, blissfully happy. She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, so she didn’t dwell, but rather relished the sweet surrender of her body to the man she loved.

A short time later, Cash made love to her again with such slow and precise deliberation that Jenna wanted to scream from the torturous delights he evoked from her. He claimed her heart, her body, her soul, and when they moved together as one, reaching the pinnacle of overwhelming pleasure, both of them screamed, calling out into the night each other’s names with fury and passion and love.

They collapsed onto the bed, sated and happy. Cash took her into his arms and spoke with pained resolve. “I’m never going to leave you, Jenna. I promise.”

Jenna kissed him, wanting so much to believe him. She tried with all of her might and she wondered about her cold, wretched heart when it wouldn’t allow him her trust. What sort of woman was she? Why couldn’t she believe him? But deep down she knew, Cash
would
leave her and take with him, everything she held inside. He’d leave
her crushed and broken and she would never, ever recover.

Jenna tossed and turned in bed, her vivid dream so vile, so unsettling, that she had to clamp down on her mouth so she wouldn’t call out to Cash. She didn’t want to wake him, but instead, curled her body around his, seeking shelter and protection. Cash immediately wrapped his arms around her and Jenna closed her eyes, hoping to sleep.

But the violence she’d dreamed, the terrible noises that had upset her, didn’t stop. She snapped her eyes open. Vulgar shouts and warnings,
threats
she only knew by tone, since she couldn’t manage the words, made her skin crawl. They were real and coming from outside!

Jenna shook Cash awake. He snapped his eyes open to the shouts and immediately bounded from the bed.

He went to the window and swore violently. Jenna knew immediately, sensed by the rigid stance of his body, that they were in danger.

“Get dressed, Jenna. Quick. And get down onto the floor.”

“What is it?”

“The men who nearly killed me. The Wendells. They’re trampling the fields, setting fires. One of them just torched the barn.”

Shocked, Jenna sat up, motionless.

He picked up his gun and checked it, then threw
on his clothes. “Get dressed, Jenna and lay on the floor. And no matter what, don’t leave this room!”

“What are you doing?” she asked in a panic, jumping out of bed and putting on her clothes.

“I can’t let them destroy the farm. All we’ve worked for. I’m going downstairs.”

“No! Cash, please. You can’t!”

“I can’t let them destroy everything.” He fastened his belt and holstered his gun.

“I don’t care!” she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. “Let them! Let them do what they want.”

“They’re not going to stop there, Jenna. They won’t be satisfied until we’re both dead.”

Jenna gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. She ran to the window and peered out, unmindful of the devastation before her, the wheat fields trampled and in flames, the barn starting to catch fire and penned animals panicking. She only thought of Cash. She couldn’t lose him. “There’re four of them!”

Cash grabbed her and pulled her away from the window. “Get down! I’m going to try to even up the odds a bit.” He kissed her quickly. “Don’t cry. Stay up here. I’m sorry, Jenna. I didn’t want this for you.”

Jenna clung to him. “Please, Cash. Be careful.”

He nodded, then was out the door. Jenna couldn’t let him face them alone. She couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t try to help. She raced to
her wooden chest and opened it. After the wolf incident, Cash had made her lock her gun away. She lifted the gun out and loaded the chambers. Grabbing the box of ammunition with gun in hand, she ran down the stairs.

Cash cursed when he saw her. “Don’t argue with me, Cash,” she said in the most forceful tone she’d ever used in her life. “I’m staying.”

Cash stared for one moment, then nodded. “The doors are locked up and—”

Shouts from outside interrupted him. He peered out the parlor window.

“Cash C-Callahan, you m-murdering son-of-a-bitch, come on out h-here.”

“D-don’t take a m-man to hide behind a w-woman’s skirts.”

Others shouted obscenities, all slurring their speech.

Cash turned to her. “Sounds like they’ve been drinking. That’s a good thing.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Got to get the animals out of the barn. I’ll steal over there. It’s dark enough and with the barn on fire, they aren’t about to stick close by. I’ll mount Queen and lead them away from here.”

Jenna shook her head, pleading with him to change his mind. “Don’t, Cash. Please don’t go out there! It’s safer in here. We can both fight them off. I can shoot, Cash. I’ll—”

“Listen to me, Jenna. This is the only way. We
can’t
stay in here. How long before they figure to set the house on fire? If they do that, they’ll get us both. You stay in here. Keep the gun ready. Protect yourself. If all goes well, I’ll reach my horse and lead them off the property. When you think it’s safe, head on over to Ben’s place. You got that? I’ll meet up with you there.”

Jenna nodded, holding back her tears. She had to be brave, for Cash. “I’ll meet you at Ben’s,” she said.

“That’s my girl.” Cash crushed his lips to hers one last time, then headed for the back door.

Crouching down as low as he could, Cash waited until the horsemen were out of view, then dashed to the barn. He hoped it was dark enough, and that the movement wouldn’t arouse attention. He needed just a short amount of time to get the animals out safely, before he led the Wendells on a not-so-merry chase.

He slipped into the barn unnoticed and immediately was struck by fierce smoke rising up in layers, choking his lungs. He coughed several times before catching his breath. After that, he moved efficiently, leading Mac, then Larabeth and the others out the back of the barn. Scrappy bounded at his heels, grateful to be let out of the smoky barn.

Shouts and taunts continued on, and as he peered out, Cash noticed one man heading to the house with a torch. With haste, Cash mounted
Queen and riding low without benefit of saddle, he charged out the front of the barn, making his way into the yard.

“There he is!”

“Let’s get him!”

Immediately all four men became alert.

Cash had the benefit of surprise and managed to take a shot at one of the men as he raced by. He witnessed his target fall from his horse. The others began shooting, but Cash kept low and urged Queen on. Cash made it out the gates of Twin Oaks and rounded the bend in the road.

That’s when he noticed two men on horseback, with guns ready, heading straight for him. Cash swore, a sense of impending dread assailing him. He was completely outnumbered. Trapped, with three men at his back and two in front.

Then Cash recognized one of the riders facing him. Ben. The other man he couldn’t make out. They rode straight toward him, firing shots at his assailants. As they neared, there was no time to comprehend his surprise when he recognized the second rider. Jenna’s brother, Bobby Joe Duncan, rode fast and hard beside Ben.

With help by his side, Cash reined his mount around, facing the Wendells. Shots rang out from both sides. One of the three men went down.

The others made a swift turn and headed back toward the farm.

“They’re going after Jenna,” Cash shouted. He
pushed Queen to her limit, riding as fast as he could. Both Ben and Bobby Joe were behind him, all three taking aim and shooting at the riders heading back to the farm. Another man went down, the bullet hitting his shoulder.

By the time the third man reached the farmhouse, Jenna had him in her sights, aiming her gun from the porch. With the three of them behind him and Jenna facing him, Rex Wendell had no choice but to drop from his mount and lift his arms in surrender.

Cash rushed over with gun trained and tied him up with a rope. When he stood to face her, Jenna dropped her gun and ran straight into his arms, tears cascading down her face. “Everything’s all right,” he said to reassure her.

She clung to him. “Oh, thank God. Thank God.”

Cash brushed a kiss to her forehead. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, both arms wrapping snuggly around his neck. He held her tight for a moment then peered over at the barn.

“We’ve got to put out that fire,” Cash said, hoping it wasn’t a futile notion. Half the barn had already succumbed to the flames.

But a moan from the yard had them shifting attention. Bobby Joe had fallen from his horse, landing on the hard dirt. He gripped his bloody leg.

“He’s been hit,” Cash said. Both he and Jenna ran over to him.

Jenna bent down to meet his eyes. “Bobby Joe,” she whispered, her surprise at seeing him here as great as Cash’s had been. “It’ll be okay. We’ll get you fixed up.”

Bobby Joe took hold of her hand. “I didn’t lead them here, Jen. I didn’t,” he said, his voice barely audible.

“Shhhh. Don’t worry about that. I’ve got to get you into the house.”

“No, you have to listen first. I got wind that they found out about you and Callahan.” He paused to take a breath. “I knew they’d head over here real quick. I left word with the sheriff in Goose Creek, then came here fast as I could to warn you. I found Ben along the road. He’d seen the flames and was coming to help.”

“I’m glad you came home,” Jenna said, caressing his face. She turned to Cash. “Can you get him into the house? I’ve got to stop the bleeding.”

Ben helped with Bobby Joe, both of them lifting the injured man. Once Cash settled him onto the parlor sofa, he turned to Ben. “Jenna will tend him. Think you can help me put out that fire?”

“I’m fine, Cash. Let’s get to it.” Ben and Cash worked into the night. Others joined them, neighbors and farmhands alike. It took three hours to tamp down all the embers. Cash was grateful for one thing—the animals had survived. But as far as
the farm went, they’d know by daylight the extent of the damage.

Yet there was no doubt in Cash’s mind that the farm Jenna loved with her whole heart, was in ruins. And the blame rested entirely on his shoulders.

It was all his fault.