In a Cowboy's Arms (Hitting Rocks Cowboys)

by Rebecca Winters

She looped her arms around his neck and clung to him. “I’ve been thinking about that and would rather we went back to my house. Yours is full of family and they don’t know about us yet. It might be a shock when Connor and Avery see us walk out of your bedroom in the morning.”

  “A happy shock because I’ve been impossible to live with. They’ll get down on their knees to you for coming back to me.” He bit gently on her earlobe. “Zane could be a different story.”

  “You’re wrong. We have no secrets. Follow me home. Our being together won’t shock him since he knows how long I’ve been ready to walk through fire for you. His one reaction will be relief that we’ve been able to find each other again after our painful history.”

  “Then let’s not waste another second.” He got out of the cab and went around to help her down. Knowing she was all his to love had made him euphoric. Their mouths fused before he swung her around and carried her over to her truck. After putting her inside he shut the door. “I’ll be right behind you.”

  A shadow crossed over her face. “Promise me.” She couldn’t prevent the tremor in her voice. “If anything happened to you now...” He knew she was thinking of Ned.

  “I’ll sit on your bumper.”

  Her expression brightened before she started the engine. He retraced the steps to his truck and they formed a caravan to the Corkin property. Connor knew Jarod was with Sadie. He’d phone if there was an emergency with their grandfather.

  Jarod checked his watch. It was ten to one. For the first time in their lives they had nothing to worry about except to love and be loved. As he followed behind her, he anticipated their true wedding night. She’d always been fascinated with the bygone traditions of his mother’s people. The vision of disappearing into their own tepee after the ceremony wouldn’t leave him alone.

  After Sadie had parked in front of her place, she jumped down from the truck and held out her hand to him. When he reached her, she ran toward the porch, pulling him as if she were in the race of her life. They both were.

  But she had to get the house key from her purse. When he saw how she was trembling, he reached for it. “Let me.” Within seconds he’d found it. After unlocking the door, he opened it and followed her into the living room.

  “Sadie?” A light went on and they discovered Zane standing near the the window.

  She came to a halt. “Zane. Is something wrong with Ryan?”

  That was Jarod’s first thought, as well.

  “No, but I’m glad you’re both here because we need to talk. Mr. Bree emailed me to let me know he has a client coming by tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. to look at the house and property.” His gaze flicked to Jarod. “A little while after that your cousin Ned came by. When he found out Sadie wasn’t home he left, but I was afraid he’d wait for her outside so I’ve been keeping watch. I didn’t phone because I knew the two of you were together.”

  She frowned. “What did he want?”

  His mouth thinned into a tight line. “He’s the client planning to buy the ranch and do a walk-through with the Realtor in the morning.”

  “But he’s a Bannock!”

  “That part of your father’s will won’t hold up in court.”

  “So that criminal who came close to murdering Jarod is planning to buy this ranch out from under us?” Her outrage was as real as Jarod’s. “Over my dead body! How dare he come by here this late to trample over our lives!”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Zane muttered. “He claimed he was hoping to talk to you at the party, but he saw you leave with Ryan so he thought he’d still find you up.”

  Sadie’s proud chin lifted. Jarod knew that look. “What did you tell him?”

  “That I was buying the ranch and had already put down earnest money. He gave me a superior smile and said that unless I was paying more than $700,000, I didn’t have enough money to close the deal.”

  “Neither does he. I’m not sure he has a dime to his name.”

  Zane’s brows lifted. “That may be true, but I thought I’d better tell you that tonight because June third is only four days away. I think we’d better start looking for another ranch around here within our price range.”

  The woman at Jarod’s side had gone quiet. Much as he didn’t want either Sadie or Zane to know what was going on behind the scenes, he needed to say enough to take the shattered looks off their faces. He put an arm around Sadie, pulling her close.

  “He was bluffing, Zane. I do the ranching accounts. Sadie’s right. Ned doesn’t have any savings, and his father can’t fund him any more loans. He certainly can’t depend on his grandfather. Tyson has helped all his grandchildren to the point he doesn’t have that kind of money, either. He’s using scare tactics, but it won’t work. Your bid is right in the ball park so don’t give up.”

  “We won’t!” Sadie declared. “I know it’s Mr. Bree’s job, but it infuriates me to think he has the right to come here with Ned, who would do anything to hurt me for loving Jarod.”

  After her revealing explosion, Zane eyed the two of them with interest. “Why do I get the feeling you’ve got something to tell me?”

  Sadie extended her arm. “Jarod put this bracelet back on me tonight. It’s the one from his mother’s family he gave me eight years ago. We’re going to get married right away.”

  A broad smile lit Zane’s face. “That the best news I ever heard.” He gave her a loving hug, then shook Jarod’s hand. “When’s the wedding?”

  Jarod stared down at her. “As soon as it can be arranged.”

  “Good. It needs to happen fast. I have to tell you this girl has been dying for you.”

  “Zane—” Her blush warmed Jarod’s heart. “You’re the first person to know.”

  “When we’ve picked the date, we’ll tell everyone. We plan to keep it to family only. My uncle will be marrying us out on the reservation.”

  “That sounds like heaven,” Zane said. “Little Ryan’s going to have an amazing dad who’ll open fascinating new worlds for him.”

  Jarod picked up a nuance in the other man’s tone. In truth Zane had been the only father Ryan had known since he was born. Zane loved his nephew deeply, and was one of the most genuine, likable men Jarod had ever met. But their news had just changed his world again. “I hope one day to live up to the hero uncle Sadie raves about.”

  “That’s nice to hear. Thanks, Jarod. Now that you’re both home safely and have heard the bad news, I’ll go to bed.”

  Sadie gave him another hug before he left the living room. When she turned to Jarod he planted his hands on her shoulders. “I’m going to leave.”

  “No—” She flung herself at him. It reminded him of the night before they were to be married. She’d clung to him then, too, not wanting to be parted from him. “We’re not going to let Ned ruin this night for us.”

  “He doesn’t have the power.”

  “Then is it because of Zane being here?”

  “No, Sadie.” He kissed away her tears. “But it does have to do with him.”

  She shook her blond head in confusion. “What’s changed since we came in the house?”

  “He just found out we’re getting married right away. In his mind the plans you two had to ranch together have suddenly gone up in smoke. He sees his nephew slipping away from him and fears he might not be able to buy the ranch, after all. You told me he moved here with you to start a new life after his divorce, but tonight we dropped a bomb on him.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “I had no idea he’d still be up and waiting for me to come home. When we told him our news, there was a look in his eyes that haunted me.”

  “I saw it, too. You need to go to him before he’s in bed and reassure him that whatever plans we make, he’s included in them in every way. He’s going to be a part of our family now, the same way my uncle Charlo and his family ar
e a part of us. But a talk like that could take the rest of the night. Before you know it, Ryan will be awake.”

  “You’re right, but I can’t stand to see you walk out the door.”

  “The last thing I want to do is leave, but you two need your privacy to talk. Before I go, give me your phone so we can program each other’s cell numbers.”

  Once that was accomplished he pulled her into his arms again. “Call me after Ned and the Realtor leave. Knowing Zane is with you, I’m not worried. I’ll pick you and Ryan up. We’ll drive over to tell grandfather our news.”

  Sadie clasped her hands on his face. “You’re the most wonderful, remarkable man I’ve ever known. I didn’t think I could love you any more before we came in the house. Now I can’t find the right words to tell you what you mean to me. This will have to do until tomorrow.” She pressed her mouth to his.

  Though he wanted to devour her, he couldn’t do that while Zane was in the other room. The man was in a state of hell Jarod wouldn’t wish on the retired SEAL. He’d already lived through a war both at home and in Afghanistan, and Sadie was the one person who could make things right for him.

  She had no idea she held the hearts of three men in her hands. As she’d told him earlier tonight, Ryan came with her.

  “See you in the morning.” He kissed her once more, knowing she was in safe hands with Zane until Jarod could take care of her himself.

  On the drive home, he decided that tomorrow morning he’d leave early for Billings to do some business at the bank and talk to Harlow Brigg. Jarod wanted the attorney to make his offer to Mr. Bree before the end of the day and get the transaction finalized. Zane and Sadie deserved good news and they were going to get it.

  When he got back to the ranch, he set his alarm for six. He wouldn’t get the sleep he needed, but it didn’t matter. Until this business was over, he didn’t have a prayer of relaxing.

  The next morning after he’d showered and dressed, he knocked on Connor’s door. Their bedrooms were upstairs across the hall from each other. Avery’s was at the other end.

  “Come on in.” To Jarod’s relief his brother was up and seated on the side of the bed, putting on his cowboy boots. Connor looked up at him with concern. “Is grandfather all right?”

  “As far as I know. This is about something else. I need to talk to my best friend. That’s you.”

  Connor looked taken aback. “You’re mine, too.”

  “I realize I haven’t shared some of my personal thoughts with anyone over the years, not even you. It’s the way I’m made. But like grandfather and Avery, I’ve always known you were there for me. You’ve never pried or overstepped. I could always count on you.”

  “Ditto. I wouldn’t have made it through my divorce without you.”

  Jarod nodded. “We’ve been lucky to have each other. That’s why I want to confide in you now.”

  Connor sat forward. “You sound so serious. What’s bothering you, bro? After last night I figure this must have to do with Sadie.” Connor eyed him with compassion. “Are the rumors true about her and Zane Lawson?”

  Jarod caught a leg of the chair with his boot, pulled it forward and sat. “No. Last night I asked her to marry me for the second time and she said yes.”

  Connor jumped off the bed in shock. “Second time—”

  “The first time was eight years ago. We’d planned for Uncle Charlo to marry us on the reservation. The ceremony was all arranged in secret so Daniel wouldn’t get wind of it. Grandfather and I wanted to protect you and Avery. I was on my way to pick Sadie up with the horse trailer the night the accident happened.”

  For the next twenty minutes he filled his brother in on everything, including the tragic misunderstanding that had sent Sadie to her mom’s in California.

  “All these years Sadie thought her father was behind it, but that wasn’t the case.”

  His brother shook his head in disbelief.

  “The person who rammed me in the side of my truck had every intention of putting me out of commission. I didn’t know until recently it was a deliberate act and I have what I call partial proof.”

  “What?”

  Jarod reached into his pocket and then handed Connor the sheet of paper from the body shop in Bozeman. “Notice the date. The accident happened the night Sadie turned eighteen.”

  “Owen Pearson? But he’s—”

  “Ned’s friend?” Jarod supplied.

  Connor’s expression turned dark. He walked around the room for a minute, rubbing the back of his neck. Then he turned to Jarod.

  “I always thought there was something wrong about that day. When the hospital called, the whole family went en masse to visit you. Avery and I were terrified you might die. Both grandfather and your uncle Charlo must have aged ten years. But the only one who didn’t show up was Ned.

  “I remember Uncle Grant being particularly upset because Ned wasn’t anywhere around. He tried to call him all day but Ned didn’t answer his mobile phone. None of the hands knew his whereabouts and none of his friends had seen him, not even Owen. He didn’t show up at the ranch until late the next night.”

  By now Jarod was on his feet. “Did the police question him?”

  “I don’t know, but I heard Uncle Grant say later that he’d had a date with one of the girls who worked at her mom’s beauty salon in White Lodge. Rose, or Rosie? I can’t remember. That’s why he hadn’t heard about the accident.”

  Jarod frowned. “I saw his Jeep in town that evening. It might be worth checking her out to see if she knows anything about that night.”

  “Do it, Jarod. Too many times I’ve wanted to strangle Ned with my bare hands for his treatment of you. If we could prove he or Owen was at the wheel of Owen’s truck that night...”

  “I plan to find out,” Jarod’s voice was harsh. “Did you know he’s trying to buy the Corkin ranch?”

  “Say that again?”

  “Daniel didn’t will it to Sadie. He put it up for sale. Ned’s already found out about it.”

  “Our cousin?” Connor exploded with an angry laugh. “That’s not only impossible, it’s absurd!”

  “He’s going over there this morning with Bree from Parker Realty to make the inspection before he puts down the money.”

  “What money?”

  “Tyson told Grandfather he’s going to take out $700,000 for him. Uncle Grant believes if he has his own place, he’ll become responsible and turn into a rancher.”

  Connor put up his hands. “Wait a minute here. You mean, Grandfather’s okay with that?”

  “No. He has his own plan working.” Once again Connor was a captive audience while Jarod explained about Harlow’s part in the private purchase. “We’re making sure Zane ends up owning it. I’m going into Billings right now to see him.”

  Lines marred Connor’s features. “Happy as I am to hear that, Ned’s not going to take this lying down, especially when he finds out you and Sadie are getting married.”

  “That’s why I’ve got to nail him for the accident. Once I know the whole truth, I’ll confront him and put the fear in him about having to do some serious jail time. Thanks to your recall about the night I was in the hospital, I’ve got a valuable piece of information that could be the proof I need to implicate him.” He hugged his brother. “I owe you.”

  * * *

  THREE HOURS LATER he’d finished his business and finalized the details of the purchase with Harlow Brigg.

  On his way back to the ranch, he phoned his uncle and broke the news. Charlo sounded elated, which didn’t happen very often. They talked about possible dates for a ceremony and would make a final decision in the next few days.

  When Jarod passed through White Lodge, he stopped at the Clip and Curl beauty salon. The sign said they welcomed walk-in traffic. He got out of his truck and en
tered the shop. The women stared at him as he approached the counter.

  His gaze darted to the license on the wall. It belonged to a Sally Paxton. Her name meant nothing to him, but Jarod was determined to get answers. If this lead didn’t reveal any new information, he planned to go to the Pearson ranch to confront Owen.

  An older beautician washing a client’s hair looked up. “Hi! I’ve never seen you in here before.”

  “I usually get my hair cut on the reservation. Does someone named Rose work here?”

  “If you mean Rosie, that’s my daughter over there.”

  A dark blond woman who looked to be Avery’s age was sweeping the floor after the last client. She looked up at him. “You want to see me?”

  “I was told you do a great job so I thought I’d come in.”

  “Who said that?”

  “I heard someone telling the new vet over at Rafferty’s.”

  “You mean Liz Henson?” He nodded. “That’s nice to hear. We were part of a group of girls who hung out in high school, but she was usually barrel racing.”

  “I learned she’s going to compete at the world championship in Las Vegas.”

  “Isn’t that great? Be with you in a second. Go ahead and sit in the chair.”

  Jarod did her bidding. “I’m getting married soon and need the ends of my hair trimmed. Just an inch.” This would be a new experience for him. Before he’d let his hair grow, he used to ask Pauline, Uncle Charlo’s wife, to cut it.

  She smiled. “Lucky woman.” After fastening the cape around his neck, she undid the thong. “Do you know how many females would kill for gleaming black hair like this?”

  “I hope not.”

  With a chuckle, Rosie washed and combed it before getting out the scissors. He noticed she wore a wedding ring. “You know I always admired Liz.”

  Glad he didn’t have to get her back on the subject, he said, “Why do you say that?”

  “She was serious about school and didn’t drink like some of the girls.”

  “You’re talking about the famous keg parties. Even though I graduated before your time, I heard they got pretty wild with Owen Pearson and Ned Bannock around.”