The Cattle Drive [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek] (Siren Publishing Classic) (25 page)

“Catherine, it’s Michael. Is the judge around?”

“Michael, is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. Is the judge around? I need to talk with him.”

“He is still in court, Michael.”

“Catherine,” Michael said firmly.

“Hold on, Michael. I will get him,” she said before dropping the phone. Michael waited patiently, and soon the judge was on the phone.

“Armstrong. She better be alive,” the judge barked into the phone. Michael sighed and took a deep breath.

“She is alive. She was bitten by a rattlesnake on her right shoulder. Matthew and Jake did their job well,” Michael explained

“Thank God.”

“Judge, I need a favor.” Michael explained quickly, and soon he was off the phone and handing it back to Matthew “I have my walkie-talkie. Call if you need anything,” Michael said before he rode off to catch up with the herd.

The stars were shining brightly, and the air was crisp when Rachael woke up to find Michael sleeping next to her. She stretched her arms and legs and realized that she was way too comfortable. As she let her eyes adjust, she realized that she was sleeping in a bed with soft pillows and cotton sheets. Looking around her, she saw a small kitchen and tiny living room with maps sprawled across the table. It took her a couple more minutes to realize that she was in a camper.

She turned to look at Michael, who was sleeping next to her peacefully. Deciding to get up and stretch her legs, she put her feet on the floor of the camper and tried to stand, but her legs gave out and she fell back on the bed, waking Michael.

“Rachael?” he said sheepishly.

“Why am I in a camper?”

“You were bit by a rattlesnake a week ago.”

“A week!” she said, shocked.

“Yes, a week ago, please get back in bed,” he said, yawning.

“Where are we?”

“We passed Big Spring yesterday. We will reach Lubbock in a week.”

“How did this camper get here?”

“I called your father. He and one of the ranch hands brought it up.”

“And I have been asleep for a week.”

“Yes. Now please shut up and get back into bed. I am tired, and I have to get up soon,” he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her back close to him. He soon closed his eyes and was almost asleep when she said, “Michael.”

“Hum.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome, honey.”

“Michael?”

“Hum.”

“Did you save the snake?” She smiled. Michael opened his eyes and looked at her like she had lost her mind. She started to laugh.

Michael just shook his head and pulled her into him, “Woman, what am I going to do with you?” he said, giving her a soft kiss.

“I don’t know about you, but I have an idea,” she said, pulling herself on top of him and bending down to kiss his neck. When he moaned, she knew he would give her what she wanted.

His arms softly moved across her back, caressing every inch of her as he softly kissed her warm mouth. She slowly moved herself closer to him, sliding her leg between his. Her hands moved up his chest and around his neck as she slid her tongue into his mouth. She smiled when he softly sighed. As they kissed, she raised her neck as Michael trailed soft, wet kisses down her toward her shoulders.

His hands soon moved around her waist, down her hips, and to her thighs. He took a hold of her and gently rolled her over onto her back. He looked into her emerald eyes and finally said what he had been holding back for so long. “I love you, Rachael.”

“I know, Michael,” she whispered, lowering his lips to hers.

That night in that small camper, under the Texas stars, they let everything go, showing each other the passion that only belonged to the gods. Michael was gentle as Rachael pleased him. Enchantment filled the air around them as their bodies were entwined. His mouth never left hers as he caressed her. Her hands trailed his body with the soft touch of doves. That night, they made sweet love.

* * * *

A week later they had made it to Lubbock, Texas. Michael refused to allow Rachael out of the camper until he felt she was healed. Even though Jake and Matthew had given her the okay two days ago, Michael had insisted she stay put until she could stand for an hour without getting winded, though it was a lot easier said than done, especially where Rachael was concerned.

By the end of the week she had managed not to only drive Jake and Matthew absolutely crazy, but she then turned her frustration out on everyone in her path. Everyone knew the boss lady was irritated, but when Henry walked into her line of sight, Michael knew he could not keep her corralled any longer. Conceding defeat, Michael agreed with her, and the next day, Rachael was back in the saddle once again.

As the herd moved through Lubbock, they settled on the north side of town, where Michael gave everyone a two-day reprieve. Setting up the schedule, the boys took their turns heading into town for a little rest and relaxation.

“Henry. I don’t want any trouble. Understand?” Michael said, looking at his son.

“Sure, Dad. No trouble,” he said, quickly running to catch up with three other young boys on the drive.

“Don’t worry, boss. I will look after the lads,” Brutus said, slapping Michael on the back. Michael just smiled and headed back to the camper. When he walked in, he saw her standing there.

There, in a soft cotton lavender dress that formed to her tiny figure, hanging down to her knees, Rachael stood waiting. Her hair was wisped up on top of her head, exposing her neck, and her heels did the most amazing thing to her butt when she turned around. The sight of her had Michael breathing heavily, and without realizing it, his mouth gaped open.

“So I take it you like the dress?” she said, smiling at him.

“Oh dear God, yes,” Michael said, quickly gathering his wits about him.

“I’m glad. Are you ready?” she asked, reaching for a soft yellow shawl.

“What?” Michael said, still staring at her. Rachael laughed and walked over to him, snapping her fingers a couple times and trying to get him to focus. “Michael,” she said.

“Yeah”

“Dinner.”

“Sure. Okay,” he muttered.

“Come on, Michael,” Rachael said, rolling her eyes and grabbing his hand, dragging him out of the camper.

Walking through the campsite, Rachael received several whistles and catcalls.

“Lucky bastard.” Mark smiled.

“Damn!” Matthew spoke. “And I have to stay here with these guys. Something is terribly wrong in the world tonight.”

“Looking good, boss lady,” Kenny offered.

“You know, sweetheart, just say the word and a real Armstrong will show you a good time,” Mason said, looking right at Michael, trying to get his goat.

“I thank you for the offer, Mason, but there’s just something about that offer makes me believe that I already have the better Armstrong,” she said, smiling as she dragged Michael through the crowd and toward the truck.

Handing Michael the keys, he opened the passenger side door for her and helped her in. He walked around the front of the truck and got in. He turned to her and said, “You look beautiful tonight,” and with that he started the engine and headed into town.

“So where are you taking me?” she asked, slowly crossing her legs. Michael watched, and the ache in his groin was soon throbbing. He imagined wrapping those legs, heels and all, around his waist, and…

“Michael!” Rachael said, grabbing the door. Michael turned his attention back to the road and quickly corrected before veering off into a ditch.

“Maybe I should drive,” she said, looking at him.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have worn that dress,” he said, mumbling to himself. Rachael just laughed.

* * * *

Michael had made reservations at the Double Nickel Steakhouse. The restaurant was one of the best steak houses in Lubbock. Upon arriving in Lubbock, Michael made the reservations without delay. All he wanted was a night away from cattle, dust, cowhands, and Jake’s trail cooking. Not that he was complaining, Jake was an excellent cook, but there was something said for a nice medium-rare steak, good atmosphere, and a beautiful woman dressed in a lavender dress.

When they arrived, they were seated quickly. The restaurant was simple and elegant. The ambiance was relaxing, and the mood was what Michael was looking for.

Since the snakebite, Michael had been doing a lot of thinking about what was going on between him and Rachael, but mostly he was thinking about his feelings toward her. He wanted to show her that he was much more than a cowhand who was good with his hands. He knew she had already known about his time in Chicago, but he wanted to show her the softer side of him. He actually had found himself looking forward to spending the night out on the town with her.

Together they sat and talked about everything from the cattle drive to where they went to school, only being interrupted twice by the waiter bringing the wine and their dinner. As Michael refilled her glass, she leaned over and touched his hand. He smiled at her, taking her hand in his and lifting it to kiss her palm.

“Are you enjoying the meal?” the waiter came over, asking, interrupting the quiet moment.

“Yes, thank you,” Michael replied, never taking his eyes off Rachael.

“If there is anything else I can get you, please let me know,” the waiter said and then disappeared.

“Michael,” Rachael softly said, looking at him.

“Yes.”

“Let’s get out of here.”

“Thought you would never ask,” he said, reaching for his wallet and laying down two crisp one hundred dollar bills. Walking around to her, he helped her with her shawl and together they walked out of the restaurant arm in arm.

The ride back to camp was a quiet one, neither of them saying a word. Rachael was content and very happy. She loved being with Michael. He was smart, funny, considerate, and caring. He worked harder than any man she had ever known, and he was a wonderful father, and he loved her.

She felt blessed.

They were almost to the camp when they saw the flashing lights of three squad cars. Michael sped up, rounding the turn, and quickly skidded to a stop. He was out of the truck in a flash, walking fast toward the commotion.

“What the hell is going on?” He yelled as he approached one of the sheriff’s.

“I am looking for Michael Armstrong. Are you him?” the overweight man said, looking at him.

“Yes, I am. Who the hell are you? What’s going on here?” Michael said, getting annoyed rather quickly with the man’s slow talk.

“Well…apparently some of your boys were out havin’ themselves a good ole time at one of our local watering holes, when a fight was started. One of
your
boys refused to let a gentleman dance with a lady. They tore up the place rather a mess, but when we showed up, they skedaddled rather quick. I tracked them down here, and I plan on puttin’ three of ’em in jail for a slew of charges,” the fat sheriff said, pointing across the campfire. “So if ya don’t mind handin’ over them three boys over yonder, I’ll get out of ya’ll’s hair.”

Michael looked in that direction and saw Matthew, Mitch, Marcus, and Brutus, standing with arms crossed in front of Hank Wilkins, Jeremy Allen, and Henry. All the boys were beaten up pretty bad, with black eyes, swollen lips, cuts, and scrapes. The way Jeremy was holding his chest, Michael knew the boy had to have broken a couple of ribs. Michael walked over to the boys to assess the damage, not saying a word to any of them.

Michael turned his attention back to the sheriff, who was now leaning against the hood of his car, twirling the handcuffs in his hand. Shaking his head, Michael looked at his son. “Henry, explain fast.”

* * * *

Rachael just smiled and walked over to the sheriff, sitting next to him.

“What’s going on, Ralph?” she quietly said.

“Well howdy, Rachael. Whatcha’ doin’ out here?” the sheriff said, giving her a quick hug.

“Oh, I am just watching you try to arrest some of my boys,” she said, leaning against him.

“Your boys? Rachael, honey, is this your cattle?”

“Yep, so how’s Katie? I heard she got married a couple of years back.”

“Yeah, to a sod! He’s no good, Rachael. She should have married that Chris.”

“Well, you know he is still single,” she said with a raised eyebrow.

“Really, is he still sheriff-in’ down at the Creek?”

“Yep, so…Ralph, what’s it gonna take to make this mess go away?” she asked, standing up.

“Awe, Rachael, honey, you know I can’t let this one slide. Those boys tore up that club pretty bad.”

“Ralph, I will bet all of my cattle that my boys didn’t start that fight, and by that awful grin on your face, I believe you know that, too. So what’s it’s gonna take? Are we going to do this nice or are you gonna be difficult?” Rachael said, taking her cell phone out of her purse.

“Rachael, honey, I ain’t bein’ difficult,” the sheriff hemmed and hawed. “But I have to take those boys in. They caused a fight.”