Charlene Sands (8 page)

But why? Then the reason flashed in his head as if the image had been there in the back of his mind for weeks now, ready to slap him hard with the truth.

It was the look of disgust and scorn on Jenna’s sweet face when she’d found out who he was. In her eyes, nothing was more despicable than a gambler. From that moment on, she’d despised him. Cash had fought too long, struggling all of his life to attain a degree of dignity and with one look, Jenna had managed to wipe his pride away.

“You care for this girl, Cash.” Louella’s accurate assessment had him lifting his head to meet her light brown eyes.

He inhaled sharply. “I don’t want to.”

“But you do,” she offered firmly, nodding her
head so that one tight red curl piled atop her head came down to bounce on her shoulder.

Cash stared at that curl for a time. Hell, he couldn’t deny he had protective feelings for Jenna. He wouldn’t allow himself anything more. “Yeah.”

“Then you go see to her safety. You do the right thing. You know you’re going back there. There ain’t a bone in your body willing to desert that girl when she might need help. And from what you two shared in the past, who knows? Something good might come of it.”

Cash grinned, concealing his trepidation. At least he could talk to Louella. She was the friend he’d needed right now. “Who knew you had a romantic soul, Louella? I’m going back to Twin Oaks, but don’t be surprised if I’m back real quick. She might take one look at me and toss me off her property.”

“You see to it that she doesn’t. You owe that girl your life. You go back there, Cash, and make sure she’s safe.”

Cash knew he’d have to think long and hard to figure a way for Jenna to accept him back on the farm. Hell, he had to protect her, even if it meant sleeping in the wheat fields, watching out for the Wendells. One way or another, Cash was going to see to Jenna’s safety, and he knew for damn sure, she wasn’t going to like it. Not one dang bit.

Three days later, Cash turned in his saddle, not surprised to see the dog he’d fed in Blackwater still riding his coat tails. “Ain’t you tired of following me yet, Scrappy?”

The mangy dog, thin as a string bean, had been beholden to Cash since he’d offered him table scraps from the diner. Cash hadn’t the heart to turn the dog out, seeing him hungry and alone. He pretty much knew he’d gain a friend for life if he fed the darn animal, but that wasn’t enough to thwart his intentions. He couldn’t let the dog starve. The desperate longing in that mutt’s eyes reminded him of a place Cash never wanted to be again. So now, he had a companion. Hell, he’d make a good watchdog, if nothing else. “We’re just about there, Scrappy. Won’t be long now.”

A short time later, Cash rose up from his saddle and peered down the hill, witnessing workers busy plowing the field at Twin Oaks. He’d rode his mare hard, once the idea had settled in his head, hoping to get to Jenna before any danger might occur.

Relief swamped him when things appeared normal. Ben’s son Antonio was tilling the soil on the east end of the property. There, they would plant oats. The crop rotation was meant to keep the soil fertile and where the soil was too tired, the field would remain fallow; nothing would be planted until next year. As he scanned over the land, it appeared to Cash that they’d accomplished some,
but had much more to do since he’d left. Soon the wheat seeds would have to be planted.

He pushed his mare forward and after a time, he caught sight of Ben, working on a faulty axle by the barn. Cash’s luck was holding out. He’d wanted to speak to Ben first, before he approached Jenna.

Cash sat high in the saddle and was ready to dismount when he was met with Ben’s wary stare. “You want something, stranger?”

“It’s me, Ben. Cash Callahan.”

Ben squinted, blocking sunlight and stepping away from the axle. “Didn’t recognize you in them fancy duds. And that mare of yours looks like a mighty fine piece of horseflesh.”

Cash had forgotten that the folks at Twin Oaks hadn’t seen him in anything but work clothes. He realized all too late that his suit coat, new Stetson hat and shiny boots would only remind Jenna of the way Cash made his living. He appeared every bit the gambler in his duds. And his horse was the best money could buy. Cash knew a good horse when he saw one, and apparently, so did Ben. “I suppose you got a problem with me?”

“Nah, I got nothing against you personally. But I do got a problem with you coming back here. Miss Jenna ain’t gonna like it.”

Cash dismounted. He preferred speaking to a man on level ground. Cash could never be accused of talking down to a man. Scrappy, ever loyal,
stood right by his side. “I know. But listen, Ben, I came back here for a good reason. Hear me out first before judging me.”

“I suppose I could do that.”

They took a seat on the back end of the wagon Ben had been working on. After a few minutes, Cash appealed to the older man’s sense of fairness after explaining all about the Wendells and the trouble they could cause Jenna. “Well? Will you help me?”

Ben scratched his chin, thinking hard. “You say Miss Jenna could be in real danger?”

“Yes, it’s real. The Wendells are merciless. I don’t trust them. If they find out the ties I had to Jenna, they’ll come here looking for her. I’ve thought on it and me coming back here seems the best way to keep her safe.”

“I’m here,” Ben said, a bit defensively.

“Yes, you are. And I’m sure you look after her the best you can. But you don’t sleep here. You have your own place. And that leaves Jenna all alone at night.”

Ben’s eyes grew wide and the older man’s ire sparked. “Now, wait a minute. You ain’t gonna be
sleeping
here, neither. I don’t even have to tell you, Miss Jenna won’t allow it.”

“Ben, even if Jenna would have me, I won’t go near her. You got my promise.”

“You thinking she’s not good enough?”

Cash twisted his mouth. He knew a no-win situation
when he saw it. The old guy had a stubborn streak when it came to protecting Jenna, but Cash admired Ben’s loyalty to her. “More like I’m not good enough for her.”

“I might agree with that,” Ben said, but there was no malice in his voice. Actually, it seemed Ben was teasing. Hard to know what went on in that old man’s mind.

“But I’ll be here, on the grounds. I’ll sleep outside or in the barn. I’ll be watching out. Just until the danger has passed.”

“Miss Jenna ain’t gonna like this. She won’t want your protection.”

“She won’t know I’m protecting her. I don’t want her to fret about the Wendells or the danger she might be in. She’s had a rough time lately. I don’t want to add to it.

“I’m hoping to convince her to let me stay on until the planting’s done. I owe her, Ben. With my life. And that’s the truth. You folks could use another hand on this farm. I’m hoping to convince Jenna of that.”

“It’s doubtful she’ll be agreeing,” Ben said with a shake of his head.

“That’s where you come in. I’m betting that you want to see Jenna safe. I’m here to do that. I’ll watch out for her, I swear to you. If you could help make her see that you need me here, at least until the planting is done—”

“Well, I don’t know.” Ben scratched his head,
a look of indecision on his face. “Jenna has her own mind. You’d best talk to her about it. And…” the old man said, after a moment of contemplation “…and I’ll put a bug in her ear, but I’m making no promises.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Fact is, we could use another hand around here.”

“That’s how I see it, too. How…how is Jenna?”

Cash held his breath waiting for the old man’s answer. Ben took his time, darting a glance at the house, then at the rusty axle he was fixing. “Well, now, I won’t lie. She’s been better. Like I said, this is between the two of you. You’d best see for yourself. Go on. Get over to the house. I got work to do up on that barn roof, patching some holes, and I’m losing daylight.”

“Right. I’m going.” Sudden unexpected fear climbed up Cash’s spine. He’d faced many an unholy situation in his time and had come through without a scratch, but somehow, meeting Jenna head-on scared the dickens out of him. One part of him couldn’t wait to see her and the other feared her reaction to seeing him again. He wasn’t a fool. He knew she’d not greet him with a hearty welcome.

Yet he was here to see to her safety. He owed her that. He’d have to find a way to stay on. He’d use every power of persuasion he could muster to make Jenna see that he was needed here.

After he’d left Twin Oaks, he’d felt as though he’d abandoned her as well as Ben and Rosalinda. He’d been a help to them on the farm. He’d seen how much work they’d had to do, knew his being here had made a difference.

Cash headed for the house and worries set in. What if Jenna was sick from carrying his child? What if she was in a bad way? Cash wouldn’t leave her, no matter how much she argued the point.

“Stay here,” he commanded to the mangy dog. Scrappy planted his bottom down, his tail doing a half swish, as if the animal couldn’t decide if staying put was a good thing or not. Cash didn’t take time to unsaddle his mare, Queen, but he did unload one parcel she’d graciously carried on her back from Blackwater. He lifted the package and knocked softly on the front door. When Jenna didn’t answer, Cash walked around to the back door and knocked again. “Jenna.”

No answer again.

Cash turned the knob and quietly let himself in, shoving aside thoughts of Jenna’s reaction when she found him inside her house. He had good reason to be here. “Jenna,” he called out again.

Cash made his way inside the parlor and stopped up short when he caught sight of Jenna Leah Duncan, sprawled out lazily on the sofa, fast asleep. One of Button’s kittens, the orange-and-white
lump of fur Jenna had aptly named Pumpkin, slept curled up right next to her, just under her chin.

Cash stepped back ready to leave the room, but he found himself drawn in by something he didn’t want to put a name to, by something he didn’t want to fight. He set the parcel down then lowered himself onto an old wooden rocker that had seen the last of its rocking days, and waited.

A
wisp of soft fur tickled her nose. Jenna’s lips curled up as she inhaled the sweet scent of her contented kitten. She came to slowly, relishing the peace of waking in the late afternoon. She’d been overly tired lately. She refused to think on it as melancholy, yet by day’s end, Jenna just didn’t have much fight left in her.

A flash, a subtle movement across the room, caught her attention as she squinted against the drowning sunshine. She saw a man, sitting in her rocker. Blinking, Jenna whispered, “Blue?”

He rose and came toward her, lowering himself down on his haunches. “No, Jenna. Not Blue. It’s me, Cash Callahan.”

Jenna met his gaze, peering into those incredibly deep-river blue eyes. She shot straight up on the sofa, displacing the befuddled kitten, and stared into his face, blinking yet again. “Mr. Callahan?
W-What are you doing back here?” Jenna grabbed up Pumpkin and held her tight to her chest.

Cash rose and backed away, giving her the space she needed. “I had to come back, Jenna.”

Stunned, Jenna’s mind clouded. Her heart pounded. She never thought she’d lay eyes on this man ever again. She’d all but thrown him off her property, weeks ago. What possible reason would he have to return? She didn’t want him here. She’d been desperately trying to forget him. “I don’t see any reason for that, Mr. Callahan.”

“Jenna, my name is Cash,” he offered softly.

She lifted her shoulders, shaking her head, forced to remember how he’d used that gentle tone in the past. It was the last thing she’d wanted to recall, his tenderness when they’d lain together. “You’re a stranger to me.”

“Jenna, we can’t pretend we haven’t been—”

“Don’t!” Jenna put up a hand to stop him from saying more and to stop the memories from filling her mind as well. “A true gentleman wouldn’t remind a lady of such inappropriate matters.”

“Inappropriate? Jenna, we
were
married. At least, we both thought so at the time.”

Heat spread to Jenna’s cheeks. She’d been trying to block out those images, but they were doggedly persistent in her mind. She’d been dreaming of him, of Cash, and remembering the one night they’d shared as man and wife. But in the morning she’d dredge up all the reasons to hate him, to
blame him for her misfortune, to loathe the way he made a living. Oddly, those thoughts brought her no peace, as she had hoped. They’d done more to confound and confuse her. Jenna had never been one to harbor hate.

“Please,” she pleaded, “just tell me why you’re here.”

He sat down on the opposite end of the parlor sofa and ran a hand down his face. “Jenna, you saved my life. Nobody has ever done for me, what you had. Nobody has ever cared enough.”

Jenna didn’t want to know what kind of life he’d led before coming to Twin Oaks. She didn’t want his gratitude. Yet amazingly she stayed calm while he sat there on the sofa, saying his piece. “I thought you were someone else,” she whispered.

“You would have saved me, even if you knew who I was. I know you, Jenna. You would have.”

Jenna shrugged, realizing he was probably right. She wasn’t one to leave a man bleeding, nearly dead on the side of the road, if she had a chance to save him. But that didn’t mean that she had to like him. It didn’t mean he had a right to come back here. “You’ve already thanked me. And as I recall, I asked you to leave Twin Oaks. So why are you here?”

Cash stood up, walked over to the window and glanced out, looking upon the fields for a time, before turning to her. “I owe you a debt I might never be able to repay, Jenna. But I want to try.
You had so many plans for the farm, when you thought we were, well…” He stopped talking and frowned. “Anyway, you could use another worker. I’m asking you to let me stay on, at least until the planting is done. I want to help out here. I owe you that much.”

Jenna bounded up from the sofa, her heart filled with despair. Did he think that would make up for all the heartache she’d endured? Did he think she’d just welcome him back here? Did he think she’d want to see him each day, when with every moment she’d be reminded of all that she had lost? “No.”

“Jenna, hear me out,” he said, his eyes going dark with determination. He set his hands on his hips, ready to do battle, it appeared.

Jenna knew how to be just as determined. She assumed the same stance. “No.”

“You need more help on the farm. You can’t afford to hire anyone.”

“That’s true. My answer is still no. I’ll thank you to leave, Mr. Callahan.”

Jenna made her way to the front door, opening it, her dismissal clear. But then a low anguished shout from the barn startled her, shoving instant fear down her throat. “It’s Ben,” she screamed, running out the door. She heard Cash’s footsteps right behind her.

“Ben!” She came upon him, lying across a rusty axle, his body in an awful twist. A ripped
pant leg oozed deep red blood and a gash about the size of a short hemp rope, one inch thick and nearly a foot long, almost reached his knee. “Oh, no!” Jenna gasped as overwhelming fear plagued her when she witnessed Ben’s ashen face.

“He must have fallen from the roof. Looks as though he fell right onto this axle,” Cash said, pointing to the bloody piece of metal, then moving Jenna aside to bend over him. “He’s out cold.”

“You mean he’s not…”

Cash shook his head. “No, he’s not dead, Jenna. He’s banged up bad, knocked out from the fall, but he’s breathing. Quick, get me some cloths and rip them up. And a bucket of fresh water. We’ll clean him up and stop the bleeding, then I’ll bring him into the house.”

Jenna dashed into the house gathering up the necessary supplies, praying Cash was right about Ben’s accident. He had to survive. Jenna couldn’t imagine losing another loved one on this farm. She couldn’t fathom Rosalinda without Ben by her side.

“Here,” she said, handing Cash the cloths and setting down the bucket of water. She worked alongside of him as he bathed the wound on Ben’s leg. Jenna kept a cool wet cloth to his Ben’s head, gently wiping at his thick graying hair. She stayed close by him, speaking softly, calling his name, hoping for him to awaken. “Please, Ben, please. Wake up.”

Cash didn’t take his eyes off the gash, soaking up as much blood as the cloth would allow. With head bent to the task, he spoke with certainty. “He’s going to be fine, sugar. Don’t you fret. As soon as I wrap his leg real good, we’ll get him into the house. Go on in and get some blankets. We’ll put him on the sofa.”

“But—” Jenna wanted to ask how he knew Ben would be fine. She wanted assurances. Sick with worry, Jenna’s stomach clenched.

Cash cast her a quick confident look that put her somewhat at ease. “Go on, Jenna. I’ll bring Ben inside in a few minutes.”

Two hours later, Jenna wrung her hands and paced the floor. Stomping her boots wouldn’t help. Yelling at the top of her lungs wouldn’t help, either. Once again, fate seemed to step in where Cash Callahan was concerned. He was back on her farm and there wasn’t a darn thing Jenna could do about it.

Ben had come to an hour ago, waking up madder than a penned-up stallion. Upset that he’d fallen and gotten injured, Ben had cursed up a storm. But Jenna’s heart went out to him, knowing what great pain he suffered. Shortly after, Rosalinda had rushed in, crying pitifully.

Jenna had been grateful that he’d awakened and that he’d most likely make a full recovery in time. But now, as he lay resting on her sofa, his leg
propped up with a pillow to keep the seeping down and Rosalinda praying silently over her prayer beads, Jenna had to face facts. Ben’s leg wouldn’t be healing up for weeks. He’d probably have to be taken to Goose Creek to have that injury checked out by the doctor there.

And just minutes ago, Cash Callahan had offered them his help on the farm, deliberately ignoring the dagger-like glances Jenna had cast his way. Ben had looked to Rosalinda and she’d nodded in agreement. Both of her dear friends had made their decision without consulting her. And now Cash Callahan was preparing the wagon to take Ben home. The gambler barged back into her life without care or thought of her feelings from a misguided sense of duty. He claimed he owed her, but all she wanted from him was for him to leave. Ben and Rosalinda didn’t see it that way.

“I don’t want him here,” Jenna said, folding her arms across her middle. How could they think that she would?

“It is for the best,
querida,
” Rosalinda said softly, seeking to comfort her. “You will see.” A bright light gleamed in Rosalinda’s eyes. “It is like a miracle that Mr. Callahan came to the farm when he did, is it not? I believe God sent him here. He will be of great help. Already he has taken care of Ben and now he fixes the wagon to take us back home. He offers to do Ben’s labor on the farm,
Jenna. We could not refuse. He is needed here now.”

Jenna didn’t want him here. Heaven knew, she truly didn’t want him here. Her mind rebelled, as did her heart. But Jenna couldn’t argue. Ben’s decision would have to stand. She shoved aside her trepidation and tried to look at this situation rationally.

Rosalinda was right, of course. Without Ben, the planting surely wouldn’t get done in time. She had no call now to prevent Cash from working the farm. But she didn’t believe that his coming here was a miracle. No, it seemed bad things happened when he was around. Why, if he hadn’t shown up today, Ben probably wouldn’t have taken that fall. Irrational as that seemed, Jenna truly believed it. Now, for Rosalinda’s peace of mind and for Ben’s general welfare, she had no choice but to allow him back on the farm. But he didn’t have to live here, did he? “Where will he stay?”

Both Rosalinda and Ben chorused at once. “Here.”

Ben beseeched her with a small, loving smile. “There ain’t room in our place, and Rosie’s gonna have a time of it, taking care of me while I’m laid up.”

Rosalinda smiled warmly at her husband. “I do not mind taking care of you. But I do not have room in our small house for another.”

Jenna bit down on her lip as dread set in contemplating
once again living with the man, only now she saw him for whom he was, a gambler, and not the man she’d vowed to love. She saw him as the man who had taken everything from her, in the name of one sorry bet.

Cash entered then, looking toward Ben. “Wagon’s all ready. You think you can make the trip, Ben?”

Ben turned to her “My leg aches like the devil. You got any whiskey, Miss Jenna?”

“It’s in the small cabinet by the back door,” Cash responded instantly, a brutal reminder that he’d been familiar with all aspects of Jenna’s house. He’d been familiar with other things as well. Intimately familiar. Jenna had trouble forgetting that. “I’ll get it,” he added, before leaving the room.

Rosalinda darted a glance at Ben. He cast her a brief smile, a daring feat seeing as he’d been knocked out cold a few hours ago. “That man’s got good in him.”

“Because he’s serving you whiskey?” Jenna asked with disbelief. Had both of her friends forgotten what Cash Callahan had done?

“No,
querida,
” Rosalinda intervened, “it is because he came back here. He is willing to help us.”

“I have a lot to thank him for, myself,” Ben said, nodding in agreement with his wife. “He did a mighty good job of patching me up.”

“He’s a gambler. Don’t count on him staying
long.” Jenna knew in her heart, Cash Callahan wouldn’t last long on the farm. He wasn’t a farmer. He didn’t have the same love of the land as they did. He’d be gone before she blinked twice. Perhaps, she shouldn’t worry about him living here since he’d probably take off first chance he got.

“A man’s word should count for something, Miss Jenna,” Ben said, his voice growing weak. He really needed to get home to rest, Jenna thought. “And I believe he’s good to his word.”

Jenna doubted that, but for Ben and Rosalinda’s sake, she’d take Cash Callahan in. After all, he had helped save Ben, knowing just what to do and how to do it. Jenna wouldn’t deny him that.

But she also wouldn’t be a darn bit surprised if she woke up one morning to find him long gone.

Cash entered Jenna’s house later that night. He’d helped get Ben situated in his bed, and made sure Rosalinda had everything she needed to tend the ailing man, before he returned.

He’d been sorry about Ben’s accident, but because of it, Cash had gotten what he’d wanted—for Jenna to allow him to work the farm. He could protect her now, just in case the Wendells came here looking for him. He’d be ready. He wouldn’t let down his guard and, most important of all, Jenna would be safe.

Cash had almost forgotten the package he brought with him today. He entered the parlor and
bent by the rocker to pick it up. On impulse, Cash had made a stop in Goose Creek to pick up a present for Jenna. Whether she accepted it or not, Cash had been compelled to buy her something real nice. Hell, she deserved so much more than he could ever give her. He owed her his life. He owed her
her life.
Because of Bobby Joe’s trickery, many lives had been destroyed. And if the gift he’d purchased brought Jenna even the smallest measure of joy, then it would be well worth it.

Jenna appeared in the doorway, her arms tightly folded around her middle, her body slumping. Clearly the events of the day had worn on her nerves. “Did you get Ben home okay?”

Cash nodded. “He’s going to be all right, Jenna. That gash is deep though. Antonio is taking him to Goose Creek tomorrow to see the doctor. I re-wrapped his leg, hoping to keep the bleeding down. It’s about all we can do for now.”

Jenna worried her lip then spoke gently, “Thank you for taking care of Ben.”

It was the first time Jenna’s voice had softened to him. Maybe in time, she’d come around. Cash didn’t want to do her any harm. He had to make her see that. “Listen, I know you don’t want me here—”

“That much is very true,” she interrupted.

A frown pulled at his lips. She wasn’t going to make this easy. “But now that I am, I’m going to help out as much as I can. I’ll do Ben’s work,
starting tomorrow. But it’s been a long day for us both. I’ll bed down in the barn and let you get some rest, if that’s all right?”

“Yes, that’s all right.” She wasn’t too happy about any of this, but Cash knew Jenna was plumb out of options. For Ben’s sake, she couldn’t refuse his working here. Perhaps giving her the parcel would go a ways to getting her to come around.