Saved by the horn, Savannah thought, drawing a deep breath as she folded her shaking arms in front of her.
A car door slammed, then Emma’s laughter rang through the clear Texas air. “You-ou-ou can’t catch me,” she sang. “You can’t catch me.”
Emma burst through the front door, followed closely by Jessica, who scooped up the child and swung her. Emma wiggled out of Jessica’s hold and took off again, through the kitchen and out the back door. Jessica ran past Savannah and Jake. “Hi, guys. See you later.”
Jake stared after his two sisters, listening to the sound of their play. His mouth set tight, he finally turned back to Savannah. “Tomorrow is Saturday and I have to go to town for supplies. I’ll take you and Emma out to the land on Sunday after I get the animals fed.”
He grabbed his hat off the peg by the front door and jammed it on his head. The front door slammed behind him.
Savannah stared at the closed door for a long minute, wondering what in the hell she’d gotten herself into.
Five
Emma and Savannah rode in to town with Jake on Saturday, with Emma chattering the entire way about Betsy, the calf she’d been bottle-feeding. Excitement danced in the child’s eyes as she told them that Jessica was going to help her enter the animal in the Cactus Flat Roundup. Savannah was thankful for her niece’s incessant conversation. It not only filled the silence, it eased the tension.
She and Jake had not discussed Emma’s property since Myrna’s visit three days earlier. In fact, they’d barely seen each other for more than a few minutes. Jake was gone before the sun even rose and wasn’t home till well after dark. He’d eat whatever Savannah left for him, then tuck Emma in and read her a story. Last night he’d even fallen asleep in the chair beside Emma’s bed. Savannah had walked in and found him like that, the book hanging loosely in his hands and his head forward. Emma was sound asleep, as well, and the picture of the two of them brought a tightness to her chest.
She glanced at Jake now, watching him as he tilted his head toward Emma, patiently listening as the child described in animated detail her encounter with a mouse in the barn. He seemed truly interested, but was it all part of a plan? Had Emma’s visit been a carefully orchestrated strategy on Jake’s part to gain control of her land, or had he sincerely wanted to become acquainted with his newly found sister? Though he’d never said so, she knew he was having financial problems. He’d admitted he would do whatever he had to in order to keep his land and family together. Did that include manipulating a nine-year-old child?
“Aunt Savannah.” Emma tugged on her sleeve. “Can we buy a bell for Betsy after we go to the grocery store?”
Savannah saw the corner of Jake’s mouth twitch. “Maybe Jake can tell us where we can find one.”
“I need to stop at the feed store when we get into town.” Jake grinned down at Emma. “How ‘bout you come with me and you can pick one out?”
Emma’s face lit up and Savannah had to rein in the rush of emotion that swept over her. She didn’t want to believe that Jake would use Emma to keep Stone Creek intact, but when it came to a man like Jake, denial was a dangerous thing. She couldn’t afford to let herself be caught off guard.
Cactus Flat was a town straight out of an Old West travel catalog—right down to the wooden sidewalks and general store. The Cactus Flat Motel boasted twenty rooms with cable TV and the adjacent Bronco Diner boasted the biggest steak in west Texas. In front of the bank, two weathered-looking cowboys waved to Jake as he drove by, and in front of the beauty parlor an attractive redhead smiled, her gaze following them down Main Street. Much to Savannah’s annoyance, she found herself wondering who the redhead was.
Jake parked in front of a small café called the Hungry Bear, and the scent of grilled hamburgers had Savannah’s stomach growling as they stepped out of the truck. Jake suggested they eat before they picked up supplies, and Savannah quickly agreed.
The counter stools were nearly full and cowboy hats turned in unison as Jake entered the café. The pretty waitress pouring coffee from behind the counter looked up, her large brown eyes widening as she stared at Jake. “Hey!” a cowboy yelled, startling the waitress, who realized she had overfilled the man’s coffee cup. Apologizing, she grabbed a towel and cleaned up the mess, her gaze darting toward the corner table where Jake had pulled out chairs for Savannah and Emma.
Ignoring another cowboy’s request for a refill, the waitress hurried over to the corner table with a coffeepot in her hand. “Hi, Jake. Haven’t seen you for a while.”
Savannah detected the note of disappointment in the woman’s tone. Jake nodded at the waitress as she poured him a cup of coffee, but did not respond to her comment. “Loretta, this is Savannah Roberts and my sister Emma.”
Loretta’s eyes narrowed in confusion as she glanced at the child. Emma, fascinated by a stuffed, seven-foot brown bear in the opposite corner of the café, was oblivious to the introduction.
“Your...sister? But—”
“Jake!” A gravelly voice rang out. “Jake Fitzgerald Stone! Come here so I can whup your butt!”
Savannah stared in amazement as an older man nearly as tall as Jake rounded the counter. His hair was as silver as his mustache and he had the lean muscular body of a man who kept himself in top physical condition. Savannah held her breath as the man approached angrily, his meaty fists swinging at his sides.
Jake lifted his coffee cup lazily to his lips. “How’s it goin’, Digger?”
“Don’t you ‘how’s it goin’’ me, you mangy prairie dog. You ain’t made good on our last poker game.” The old man waved a piece of paper under Jake’s nose. “Two bucks, mister. Pay up.”
Jake pulled the money out of his pocket. “Digger, you’re as mean as that bear over there and stuffed with the same sawdust.”
Digger grabbed the bills from Jake’s hand and shoved them into his pocket. “Since your daddy couldn’t teach you no respect, looks like I’ll have to take the job. Come on out back where these here ladies won’t have to watch you embarrass yourself.”
Savannah gasped when Jake stood and stepped closer to the man. She sighed in relief when they threw their arms around each other. Men are such imbeciles, she thought.
“Digger, this is Savannah Roberts,” Jake said when the old man released him. “Savannah, this is Francis Elijah Montgomery.”
“You call me that again, boy, and I’ll kick you so far you won’t have to drive home.”
It started up again between them, the exchange of insults, until Savannah didn’t know whether to laugh or groan. Digger was in the middle of a comment comparing Jake’s face to a jackass when he stopped suddenly. He stared at Emma, who was watching the two men in wide-eyed amazement.
Jake glanced at Emma, then met the old man’s pale blue eyes. “This is Emma.”
He said the words quietly, but gave no explanation. He obviously didn’t have to. Digger stared at Emma, then a slow smile spread over his deeply lined face. He knelt down and waved the child to come over. Emma glanced at Savannah, who nodded her approval. Hesitantly Emma scooted out of her chair and moved closer. She stood in front of the gruff old man, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
“Your daddy was a good friend of mine,” Digger said softly.
“He was?” Emma smiled widely.
Digger nodded. “Maybe sometime you and me can talk about him. I know he’d be right pleased if I passed along a few things to you he wanted you to know.”
Moisture glistened in the old man’s eyes, and Savannah felt her own eyes burn as she watched Emma nod enthusiastically. The child had asked questions about her daddy since she’d been three, but Angela had always said, “When you’re older, sweetie.” Well, now she was older, and she had no mother or father.
Digger laid a gentle hand on the child’s shoulder, then stood and looked solemnly at Jake. “You take care of her, Jake. J.T. would have wanted that.”
Jake nodded. “I intend to.”
What did he me
an by that? Savannah wondered. No one was taking care of Emma but her. She’d made that crystal clear. But then, some people were thickheaded, she thought, looking at Jake.
The waitress was looking at Jake, too, Savannah noted, and the look said she’d like to serve him more than coffee. Had Jake and she dated? Had he kissed this waitress the same way he’d kissed her? She’d lain in bed for the past three nights thinking about that damn kiss and the way she’d reacted to him. And no matter how much she denied it, no matter how much it embarrassed and infuriated her, she wanted him to kiss her again.
Digger refused Jake’s money when he attempted to pay for the lunch and told him he’d win it off him the next poker game, anyway, so it didn’t much matter. After a few more exchanged digs at each other, Jake drove them all to the feed store.
Savannah and Emma deliberated the purchase of a bell for Betsy while Jake ordered supplies. Emma insisted on a careful testing of every bell, and Savannah winced as her niece rang each one several times.
“I’d take that one,” a deep voice said.
Savannah turned abruptly. A dark-haired man stood at the end of the aisle, his thumbs looped lazily in the waistband of his jeans. He grinned at Emma, then nodded to Savannah. “I had a teacher in the fifth grade that used to call us to class with a bell like that.”
“I’m going to be in the fifth grade.” Emma took hold of Savannah’s hand. “And my aunt Savannah is a teacher.”
“Really?” The man’s dark brown eyes flashed to Savannah. “And is this your aunt Savannah?”
Savannah shifted uncomfortably as the man’s gaze slid over her. He was handsome, she noticed, but his looks were more reminiscent of a corporate executive than a rancher. He moved toward them, his hand extended. “Sam McCants. I own the Circle B just west of here.”
“Savannah Roberts.” His hand was smoother than Jake’s, Savannah noted as she placed her fingers in his palm. He wasn’t as tall, either, but he was still over six feet. He held her hand a little longer than she would have liked. “And this is Emma.”
“What’s going on, Sam?” Jake asked flatly as he walked up beside them. His gaze dropped to Sam’s hand on Savannah’s, and she could have sworn she saw his jaw tighten. Sam let go, but the two men did not shake hands.
“Where you been keeping yourself, Jake?”
The way everyone was acting, Savannah was beginning to wonder if Jake had been hibernating for ten years.
“I’ve been around,” he replied matter-of-factly.
Sam looked at Savannah and Emma. “These two ladies with you?”
“That’s right.”
“You always did get the pretty ones.” Sam winked at Emma, then smiled at Savannah. Jake stiffened.
“We’re just visiting,” Savannah explained when Jake seemed reluctant to do so.
“Jake’s my brother,” Emma announced proudly.
Sam’s brow raised. “Your brother?”
“That’s right.” Jake met the other man’s curious stare, but gave no further explanation.
Why was Jake being so brusque? Savannah wondered. She didn’t have a sense that he truly disliked Sam. He just didn’t seem to want to talk to him.
“I’ve herded your steers out of my southwest section twice in the past week,” Jake said tightly to Sam.
Sam shook his head. “I’ve fixed that fence four times this last month.” He sighed with exasperation. “I’ll send a hand over to take care of it.”
“See that you do.”
Sam turned back to Savannah. “I’m having a barbecue next week. I’m sure Jake would like to bring you and Emma. You can meet a few people and there’ll be other kids there for Emma to meet.”
“Will you have games?” Emma asked hopefully.
“And dancing, too.” Sam looked at Savannah. “I insist on the first one.”
Savannah glanced at Jake and saw the muscle in his jaw twitch. “Thank you,” Savannah said, returning Sam’s smile, “but I’m afraid I’m not much of a dancer.”
“Well, then, I guess I’ll just have to teach you,” Sam offered.
Savannah felt Jake stiffen beside her when Sam took her hand again. “See you next week, then,” he said, and tipped his hat. He smiled as he added, “If not before.”
“Let’s go.” Jake grabbed Savannah’s arm and practically dragged her to the counter. His shoulders were tight and his expression hard. After the clerk wrapped the bell, Jake handed it to Emma and she ran out to the truck with it. Hoisting a bag of grain over his shoulder, Jake stalked out of the store.
Exasperated, Savannah folded her arms and followed Jake out to the back of the truck. “Do you want to tell me what that was all about?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You know damn well what I’m talking about. Something, or someone, put a bee in your bonnet. You were rude to your friend in there and you didn’t even explain Emma or me.”
“I don’t have to explain my family to anyone,” Jake replied tersely.
Savannah kept her voice down so Emma wouldn’t hear. “Are you embarrassed about Emma?”
“Oh, for—” He threw the burlap bag into the bed of the truck, then faced her, his hands on his hips. “Why in the world would I be embarrassed about Emma?”
“This is a small town, Jake. Maybe it bothers you to admit to everyone your father had an affair.”
He rolled his eyes. “Why would I bring Emma out here at all if that was true?”
That was exactly what Savannah wanted to know. Why had he brought Emma here? “You didn’t introduce her to Sam as your sister, and you made it obvious you didn’t want to take us to the barbecue.”
“You really think I give a damn what anyone thinks?” He lowered his voice, but his tone was iron-hard. “Did you ever consider the fact that maybe I don’t want to share what little time I have with Emma? That maybe I’d rather get to know my sister without two hundred people around?”
She hadn’t thought of that. If it was true, it was certainly a good reason. And he had introduced Emma to the waitress. Savannah suddenly felt very foolish.
“And as far as Sam goes,” Jake went on, “I’ve known him all my life, and I know exactly why he invited you to the barbecue. It had nothing to do with Emma meeting other children and everything to do with the way you look in those tight jeans of yours.”
Of all the... Savannah felt her cheeks flame, and when she started to turn away from him he grabbed her wrist.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Jake kept his back to the cab of the pickup so Emma couldn’t see them. “You wanted to hear my reasons, and the minute you don’t like what I say you think you can walk away. You’re going to listen, whether you like it or not.”
She pressed her lips together and met his dark gaze.
“Maybe you’re too naive to see it, Savannah, but Sam just gave you every indication he was interested in a very different kind of dancing than you thought.” His hand tightened on her wrist as he pulled her closer to him. “Just remember this, for however long you’re here, Emma’s not the only person I have no intention of sharing.”
He released her and stormed back into the feed store. Savannah watched him go, her heart pounding furiously against her rib cage. Emma’s not the only person I have no intention of sharing. Good Lord, had he really said that?
What a ridiculous, overbearing, macho thing to say. She wasn’t his to share or not share with anybody, Savannah thought indignantly. Just who did he think he was?
She glanced over her shoulder toward the feed store, rubbing the tingling sensation that lingered on her wrist. It was going to be a long three weeks, she thought, dragging in a slow breath to steady her nerves.
A very long three weeks.
* * *
Emma’s land was close to the base of mountains that Savannah had only seen in the distance from Jake’s ranch. Jake pulled the pickup under a stand of cottonwood, then shut off the engine and came around to open the door for Savannah and Emma. Emma,
delighted they were having what she considered a fun Sunday picnic, ran off to a nearby stream at the base of a ravine where yellow and white wildflowers sprinkled the banks. The sun, nearly overhead, promised to scorch the sparse land, but for the moment a cool breeze kept the heat to a minimum.
“It’s beautiful,” Savannah murmured, watching her niece throw pebbles into the shallow water.
“Right here it is.” Jake pulled off his denim jacket and tossed it into the bed of the truck. “But most of this land is flat and rocky. I use it for grazing, but it’s not good for much else.”
“So you’d lose grazing land if it were sold,” Savannah said bluntly.
His face hardened. “Don’t try and read between the lines on everything, Savannah. You’re getting downright paranoid.”
Maybe she was. And maybe she had reason to be. But for the moment, she decided to put her mistrust of Jake on hold. This was a lovely spot and Emma was having a good time. Savannah didn’t want to spoil her niece’s afternoon by arguing with Jake.
“All right,” she said. “Let’s call a truce for the afternoon. I’ll get the sandwiches and iced tea and you get the blanket.”
The tension between them eased for the moment. Jake spread a thick Indian blanket under the shade of a cottonwood while Savannah unloaded the basket she’d packed. A low rumble and cloud of dust in the distance caught Savannah’s eye and she pointed to it. “What’s that?”
Jake shaded his eyes and stared at the rising cloud. “Wild horses,” he explained. “They’ve been here since my granddad ran this place. We leave them be.”
She could see them now. There were probably twenty or so, various colors, and they seemed hell-bent to get somewhere. Her heart pounded harder as they drew closer. Without warning, they turned suddenly and headed in another direction. “They’re beautiful,” she breathed.
Jake nodded, but he was watching her, Savannah realized, and she blushed. Emma came running up then, pointing excitedly at the retreating horses.
Savannah set out the sandwiches and they ate in silence for a few minutes, listening to the sound of the breeze rustle the cottonwoods. A lizard darted out from behind a rock, and when it headed for the blanket, Jake tossed a pebble at it to deter it. Emma giggled, pointing at the reptile as it slithered away. Savannah shivered.
Texas Heat Page 7