Courted by a Cowboy

by Mindy Neff

  Jack lost his hold. Duane twisted away and grabbed for something on the workbench. Oh, God. A gun. Sunny was on her feet, and Simba, too, both within point-blank range.

  Once again time seemed to stand still for endless moments. Jack caught Simba and heaved. Sunny sprang forward, and Jack lunged. Duane’s hand closed around the gun. Simba went sliding across the floor….

  And God almighty, Sunny was airborne. Her foot connected with Duane’s hand before he’d managed even half a revolution. The gun sailed upward toward the hayloft.

  Jack slammed his body into Duane’s, and they went down hard, limbs tangling in the struggle. He felt his knuckles scrape on the cement. An elbow caught him in the solar plexus. He smelled cinnamon, heard a string of cursing. It wasn’t coming from Duane.

  “Damn it, Jack. Get that rope by your boot.”

  It took him a moment to realize Sunny was in the heap, as well, and it was her hand pinning Duane’s arm at a taut angle that threatened to snap bones.

  A fiery haze still colored his vision. The image of Duane’s fist hitting Sunny’s cheek wouldn’t subside.

  “I’ll take it from here.” Rage made his voice deadly quiet. His chest felt like a pressure cooker ready to explode.

  “No, you won’t.” Her voice was just as soft, though not with anger. Over the din of Duane’s loud protests, the steady strength of her gaze reached clear to Jack’s soul, a whisper of magic that somehow cooled the heat of scorching temper, left him enchanted, entranced and stunned.

  He could have killed Duane Keegan with his bare hands. The delayed realization shocked him. He hadn’t felt this blindly out of control since the day of his mother’s funeral, when his father—still drunk and denying any fault for the deadly accident—had taken a horsewhip to Linc for crying in public.

  “The rope?” she prodded, straddling Duane’s back as though they were playing a game.

  Jack sat up, making sure Duane wouldn’t get a jump on her, then reached for the rope, his mind clear, his hands steady. “Well, hell, sugar bear. I was trying to be manly and rescue you.”

  She plucked the rope out of his hands and had Duane’s wrists and ankles tied quicker than any rodeo cowboy Jack had ever seen. It impressed the hell out of him.

  “A flea wouldn’t need rescuing from this coward,” she said in a voice that shook slightly. Adrenaline ebb, Jack realized. His own was still pumping. He stood and helped Sunny to her feet, felt the tremors in her hands, as well. He stroked a thumb over the red mark on her cheek, which would soon turn into a bruise. The urge to beat Duane Keegan to a pulp for touching her clawed for release, but giving in to it wouldn’t do either of them any good.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She nodded. “He’s using some kind of poison on the cattle. He claims it’s untraceable, but now that we’ve got the evidence, the lab can match it. I saw him doctoring the feed. And I think he used a human guinea pig to test it out.”

  Jack bent down and hauled Duane up by his bound wrists, sat him against the wall and ignored the foul language spitting from the man’s swollen mouth.

  “After you left, I ran across Lanette’s death certificate and called the doctor who treated her in the emergency room. He remembered the case because he’d wanted to order an autopsy but couldn’t get a signed consent. The boyfriend who brought Lanette in, who turns out to be none other than our trussed-up turkey—” he nodded toward Duane “—insisted she’d want to be cremated, and raised a stink about getting her body released. But my name was listed in her wallet as next of kin, and they notified me.”

  Duane smirked. “How’s it feel to know I had her first, Slade? And last.”

  Jack hadn’t been positive it was Duane. The hospital records noted “Duane Keeley” as the boyfriend who’d filled out the paperwork. Obviously, it hadn’t been a coincidence that “Keeley” sounded so similar to “Keegan.”

  Ignoring the taunt, he leveled his gaze on Duane. “Lanette had the classic symptoms of an overdose, but the toxicology report showed only a small amount of cocaine in her blood, not enough to cause death. What do you think tipped the scales, Duane?”

  “Ask the dead woman.”

  “Oh, I intend to. I’m having her body exhumed and autopsied. They can do that these days. I’m betting the medical examiner will find all the evidence he needs to match the stuff in that bottle over there.”

  “Shut up!” Duane shouted. “Just shut up. The only point we have to discuss is my kid. Victoria’s mine, you know. Only a fool couldn’t see that. I came home for a couple of days between rodeos, and when I left you moved right in on my woman.”

  The claim of paternity echoed in Jack’s mind, reverberating in the ghostly screech of his ex-wife’s voice.

  “Everything you’ve got should be mine,” Duane shouted. “I should be living here. Your old man even said so.”

  “When the two of you were drunk?” The times Duane breezed into town and drank himself into a stupor with Russell Slade hadn’t severed his and Jack’s friendship, but it had created distance. Sober, Duane had been cool to hang out with. Still, Jack hadn’t known Duane was dating Lanette, and Lanette had never mentioned it, either.

  “You changed the will,” Duane accused. “You stole everything from me and I’ll get it back.” His voice rose to a childish whine, making it difficult to understand his ramblings.

  “What you’re going to get,” Jack said, “is a life sentence for murder. As for Tori, your timing’s way off, pal. She’s one hundred percent mine.”

  A vehicle skidded to a stop outside, and doors slammed. Jack glanced over at Sunny. Simba’s ears stood at attention, but he didn’t budge from her side.

  “I was talking on the phone to Storm when I saw Duane come in here,” Sunny said. She snapped her fingers at Simba. “Go tell the deputy where we are, boy.”

  The dog took off like a bullet. Jack was starting to believe that animal was part human. A minute later, Storm and two deputies entered, guns drawn. Simba pranced ahead of them proudly.

  “Is everything all right?” Storm asked, assessing the scene in a matter of seconds. He holstered his gun and nodded to the deputies to do the same.

  “Thanks to your sister’s skill with a rope,” Jack said. “And her flying feet.”

  Storm grinned, but his eyes were deadly when he got a good look at Sunny’s cheek. “I talked her into taking karate lessons. What are you, Pip? Brown or black belt?”

  “Black. Now, do your duty and get this scum out of here.”

  “What am I charging him with?”

  “Suspicion of murder, to start,” Jack answered. He didn’t fully understand Duane’s reasoning, what he’d hoped to accomplish by poisoning Lanette or the cattle. He doubted anyone ever would.

  While he and Sunny brought Storm up-to-date, the deputies untied Duane, replaced the ropes with handcuffs and led him out. He was quiet now, his shoulders hunched, reminding Jack of the sad rodeo cowboy who’d shown up a few months back, mourning the loss of his career and his family.

  “Stop by the station when you can to give us a formal statement,” Storm said, snagging Jack’s attention. “And you better call Mama, Pip. If the grapevine gets to her first, I’ll never hear the end of it.” He headed out, then swore softly and changed directions, moving the heavy wooden door that folded back toward the inside wall. “It’s okay, honey. You can come out.”

  Jack’s heart leaped into his throat, a wave of dread engulfing him. Tori was supposed to be in town with Beau. Jack’s worst fear was realized when she stepped out from behind the door, tears tracking down her cheeks. My God. How much had she heard?

  He reached her in three strides, dropped to his knees and snatched her to his chest. “It’s okay, darlin’. Daddy’s right here. Everything will be just fine.” Sunny knelt at his side, her hand joining his on Tori’s narrow back.

  “You didn’t give me away,” Tori whispered, her voice trembling in surprise and fear.

  Stunned, he kissed her c
heeks and wiped at her tears, his heart shredding. “Of course not. I’d never give away my girl.”

  “But I’m not your girl.” Her brown eyes held a torment no child should harbor.

  Without taking his eyes off Tori, he was aware of Beau and Cora racing through the door, skidding to a stop, hovering. Jack’s throat ached with emotions he didn’t dare let loose. “Why would you say something like that, darlin’?”

  “Because I heard you and Mom fighting. I was supposed to be in bed, but I listened at the top of the stairs. You told Mom to be quiet, but she was mean. She said you weren’t my daddy.” Tori focused on Sunny, her eyes avoiding Jack’s, but he held on to her small hands.

  “Mom left, but she didn’t want me to go with her ’cause she said I was a brat. I was scared, but Daddy didn’t make me go away. I thought he was waiting for my mom to come back and get me when she wasn’t so mad. Then one day, Daddy left, and when he came home he said Mom went to heaven to live with the angels. I knew what that meant. She wasn’t ever coming back. And Daddy wasn’t my real daddy. He didn’t have to keep me.” Tears flowed in a steady stream.

  Simba whined and licked Tori’s fingers, but the distraught little girl didn’t react. “I tried to be extra good so he wouldn’t give me away. If I was good, he would still love me, and if the real man came to take me away, Daddy might want to tell him no.”

  Devastated, unable to listen to another heartbreaking word, Jack folded Tori in his arms again, rocking her. She’d lived with horrible fear and uncertainty all those years. He should have known. Sunny had guessed, had pointed out Tori’s reserve around strangers—especially men. His little girl had been terrified a man might someday show up and claim to be her father. And Jack would just hand her over.

  Cupping the back of Tori’s head, her cheek on his shoulder, he glanced at Sunny, saw the tears on her face and genuine love in her eyes. He didn’t know how much one man could bear without crumbling, and right now, Sunny’s gaze was his lifeline. Please help me make this right. I’m bleeding inside. I can’t lose both of you. The plea shouted in his brain but never made it past his lips. He had to do this on his own, could only fight for one love at a time.

  And by God, he was going to fight. But Tori came first. He didn’t care what it took. He’d make sure from now on that his daughter knew without a doubt she was safe. He didn’t need a DNA test to define his love, hadn’t cared if Lanette was lying or telling the truth. His feelings had never once wavered.

  He eased Tori back, held her small shoulders in his hands. “Look here, darlin’.” When he had her attention, he said, “I would never, ever let you go. And no one’s going to take you from me, either. I promise. You are Victoria Slade. I was in the hospital room when you were born, and I held you before anyone else did. You were so tiny, but you filled up my heart and I loved you from the very first instant you blinked your eyes at me. That will never change.”

  Tori stared at him with such hope and relief he could hardly get words past the aching lump in his throat. “My name is right there on your birth certificate for anyone who wants to look. It says Jackson Dwight Slade—father. I can put it in the drawer by your bed if you need me to. That way, if you ever get scared or worried, it’ll be right there where you can read it. You’re my daughter, Tori. My girl.” His voice cracked and he desperately battled back his emotions. “You’ll always be in my heart.”

  “Mine, too,” Sunny said, and wiped away the last of Tori’s tears. She felt Jack go still beside her, but kept her gaze on Tori. “Are you all better now? No more leaky eyes? It’s fine by me if you need to cry some more,” she added quickly. “I just wondered if I should find a boat and oars in case you flooded the barn.”

  Tori laughed. “You’re so funny.” She kissed Sunny on the cheek, whispered, “I know what we talked about, but I love you anyway.” Before Sunny could reciprocate, Tori hopped over to Jack and kissed him, too.

  The little girl stood back and stared at them both with utter trust and acceptance. Children gave their hearts so easily.

  Sunny saw Jack’s Adam’s apple bob several times. She was so touched by the man he had become—the man he’d always been, she saw clearly now. When he loved, he did it unconditionally—and forever.

  Simba worked his head under Tori’s hand, and she scratched his ears. “Duane’s not coming back, is he, Daddy?”

  “Never,” Jack answered. “That’s a promise, darlin’.”

  “Good.” She looped her arm over Simba’s neck, giggled when he licked her face. Beau and Cora were still standing just inside the open door, holding on to each other as though neither had the strength to stand alone.

  “Sweetie, would you do me a favor?” Sunny asked. “Simba’s trying his best to pretend he’s not upset, but I can tell he is.” Simba dutifully lowered his ears, and Tori hugged his neck, crooned to him not to be sad. “Maybe you could take him in the house with Beau and Cora.”

  Beau gave a discreet sniff. “I’ve got a big T-bone I bet he’d like.”

  “And I’ve got brownies,” Cora added, quickly mopping her face with Beau’s bandanna.

  “He can’t have any chocolate,” Tori announced, then looked back at Sunny. “Are you and Daddy coming in pretty soon?”

  “We’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

  Tori’s gaze skittered away. “You don’t have to be that quick. Stay a long time if you want.” Then she raced out the door, with Beau and Cora trying to keep up.

  Jack chuckled. “If I know my daughter, she’s counting on getting a head start on the brownies—without me there to monitor the sugar grams.”

  Sunny had planned to reveal her feelings in stages, but her heart simply overflowed. “I’ve never loved a man more than I do you right this minute.”

  He went abruptly, absolutely still. Sunny swallowed, her heart nearly pounding out of her chest. “I know the timing’s awful,” she said, “after what we’ve all just been through, but I have to ask. Do you love me?”

  “Sunny—”

  “Just answer the question. Please.”

  “More than I could ever express.”

  A scream of frustration built like a gathering thunderhead. She didn’t know whether to laugh with joy or clobber him. “Obviously,” she snapped, “since you haven’t expressed it.”

  “I didn’t want to pressure you. Especially after you told me about feeling manipulated by people in your life.”

  “Manip—I was merely sharing a personal revelation! Telling you something I’d recognized about myself and had decided not to tolerate anymore.” She should definitely clobber him, she decided. Maybe it would knock some sense into him.

  “Honestly, Jack, if you’re going to live in a house full of women, you better get a clue that most females are a work in progress. We devour self-help books and tape talk shows so we don’t miss a subject that might apply to us. If something’s bugging us, one of those venues is going to reach out and zap us in the butt, and we’ll blaze ahead and fix the problem. I did that. It’s done. I’ve moved on. And even though it no longer applies, did it ever occur to you that you were being manipulative by developing lockjaw? Deciding what kind of pressure was good or bad for me?”

  “No—”

  “Well, from now on, damn it, say what you mean and mean what you say—”

  He hauled her against his chest, his eyes blazing with amusement, love and endearing masculine confusion.

  “I love you, Sunny Leigh Carmichael. I have no idea what all you just said, but I do know, without a doubt, that I love you.” Then he lowered his head and kissed her until she couldn’t think straight. When he relinquished her lips at last, they were both breathing like Thoroughbreds after a race.

  “Did that tell you I mean what I say?” he asked.

  “Um…yes. Very nicely, thank you.”

  He laughed at her prim response, then groaned and touched his forehead to hers. “I hope you know I can’t let you go now.”

  “I was sort of counting on
you feeling that way.”

  “I’ve always felt that way, sweetheart. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. I still need to clear it with Linc, but I’m going to put this place up for sale and buy us a ranch in California. Someone told me you can’t beat the weather there. And I’ve always had a hankering to try my hand at surfing.”

  Sunny’s heart melted. This land was his soul, but he’d give it up for her. “I don’t know why you’d want to buy a ranch in California when my business and all my family and friends are here in Hope Valley.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “That I love you, Jack Slade. I always have and I always will. I want to be Tori’s mother and have more babies with you. And since the town appears to be without a vet, I intend to take the position and go back into private practice, where my heart truly is. There are plenty of cows and horses to keep me busy, and the poodles and rabbits will provide a nice variety. I love Tori to pieces, but I’m drawing the line at tending snakes. Including Gordie.”

  Jack laughed, picked her up and swung her around. She was so special, this petite veterinarian who hog-tied bad guys, bossed around cattle ten times her size, talked to a goofy dog as though he were a person, and could be taken down by an innocent garter snake. She was a woman full of surprises.

  And the absolute love of his life.

  “Will you marry me, sweetheart?”

  Sunny wrapped her arms tight around his neck, kissed him for all the years they’d missed and all the ones to come.

  “I thought you’d never ask,” she said against his mouth. “Suppose we should go tell the rest of the family?”

  “They’d appreciate the news. Unless you want to get a jump on the honeymoon and take advantage of these hay bales.”

  “We’ve been caught with our pants down in the hay before. Perhaps we should exercise a bit more decorum in our advanced age.” She thought about it for all of two seconds. “To heck with decorum. Lock the barn doors, cowboy.”