The Heart of a Cowboy

by Charlene Sands

  She opened her door to find Case standing there, dressed in clean clothes and wearing his going-out Stet­son. His dark-eyed perusal made her jittery and uninvited flutters invaded her insides. "Sorry, Sarah. Didn't think you'd get to bed so early. I should've guessed. You had a long day."

  "It's all right. Christiana's sleeping, so I thought I'd lay down for a spell."

  "Good idea. You should rest, darlin'. I peeked in on little Christie just a minute ago." Case smiled, a quick flash of white teeth and Jarrett charm. "She sure is cute."

  Sarah smiled, too, the mention of her baby bringing giddy motherly pride. "She sure is."

  "Well, just wanted to see if you needed anything. I'm heading to town tonight. Can I pick anything up for you?"

  Surprised, Sarah asked, ' 'Are you going shopping?''

  Case took a moment to answer, then shook his head. "Nope, but I'll stop at the store if you need anything."

  "Oh, um, no. I think I have everything I need. Thanks for the offer, though."

  "No problem. I won't be late. Should only be gone a few hours. You sure you're okay with me leaving?"

  "Of course, Case. I told you, the baby and I aren't your responsibility. You go on. Have a fun time."

  A puzzled look crossed his face. Case's brows arched. "Fun?"

  Sarah amended her comment. She didn't want to pry. It was none of her business where Case was going this evening looking as handsome as the devil. Freshly groomed, wearing a crisp white shirt under a black suede vest, Case sure looked as though he was out for a night on the town. "Wherever you're going, have a nice time."

  Case tipped his hat. "Good night, Sarah. See you in the morning."

  "Good night," she said, closing her door.

  And Sarah wondered if Case Jarrett would even come home this evening. Funny thing, an odd sensation stole over her when he said he was going out. She figured it was surprise more than anything else. It wasn't as though she'd expected any better from him, but it was her first night home with the baby.

  "He couldn't even stick around one night," she whis­pered behind the door.

  She'd always be beholden to him for delivering her baby, but she sure as anything knew, charm or no charm, Case Jarrett wasn't a man she could count on.

  She hoped she'd never forget that.

  Five

  ''What do you think, Christiana? Think your mama can fit back into her jeans?" Sarah smiled at her baby propped up in the infant seat on the floor in her bedroom. The baby paid her no mind. She was far too interested in her own reflection, as she peered into the mirrored closet door.

  Sarah tugged on her blue jeans, and although they fit more snugly than she liked, they were far better than her maternity clothes. Nine months, or rather eight in Sarah's case, was too long to subject a woman to the unfashion­able garments made for pregnancy. "There," she said, gazing at her daughter in the mirror, "two weeks and three days, is all it took."

  Sarah slipped on a tank top, the late September heat too stifling for anything else. They'd had a wave of hot weather lately, not too unusual for Arizona in early fall and Sarah usually didn't mind, but lately she'd been...overheated. She blamed it on mixed-up hormones, something having to do with the birth of Christiana and the next time she spoke with Dr. Michaels, she'd ask her about it. "Or it could be these tight jeans," she said with a self-conscious laugh. ‘‘Maybe I should have waited an­other week," she confided to the baby. Oblivious, Chris­tiana closed her eyes.

  Sarah kissed her softly on the forehead. She couldn't imagine putting on any more maternity clothes, so she grabbed her daughter's infant seat and headed down the stairs, tight jeans, heated body and all.

  When she reached the kitchen, Case was already sitting at the table, with head down, poring over a batch of ac­counts. He didn't notice her and she wouldn't disturb his concentration. She set the infant seat down in the center of the table, making sure the baby was safe then turned to start breakfast.

  "I made coffee," he said, his gaze still focused on the billing statements.

  "Thanks." Sarah poured herself a cup of decaf, grate­ful that Case had been thoughtful enough to remember that while breast-feeding, she had to stay away from caf­feine.

  She heated up a skillet, took out cereal bowls and grabbed eggs out of the refrigerator. When she heard Case's soft voice, she turned, wondering what he'd said. She realized he hadn't been speaking to her but playing with Christiana. With a small noisy rattle, Case tried to get her attention. Sarah watched Case make silly faces, his expression soft, his dark, normally brooding eyes, even softer.

  A wave of intense heat shot through her. Sarah blinked back her surprise at the sensations she experienced when­ever Case was around. Once again she wondered about her mixed-up hormones. Boy, she'd better speak with Dr. Michaels real quick, she thought, as she turned to crack the eggs into the sizzling skillet.

  "How many eggs would you like?" she asked, after she'd recovered from the bout of heat.

  "Three," he answered, fully absorbed in his games with the baby.

  Sarah didn't mind being ignored. She sort of liked the space Case had given her. He'd left her pretty much to her own devices. He'd been diligent working the ranch, doing chores and conferring with their foreman Pete on matters that Sarah didn't have time for now. In her mind, they were merely two people, sharing an interest in the ranch, who happened to be living under the same roof. This situation might just work out after all.

  Sarah poured two cups of coffee and walked over to the table, setting one down in front of Case. "Here you go-"

  "Thanks, darlin'," Case said, finally lifting his head to glance at her, then all softness left his face and his mouth dropped open briefly. He took a hard swallow and his gaze took a quick detour from her face to the other pertinent parts of her anatomy. That doggone heat again, rose up her neck and burned her cheeks. Darn it! She knew she should have waited another week before stuff­ing herself into these jeans.

  Case blew out a breath and stood, pinning her with a look so hot it rivaled the sizzling griddle she'd just turned on. "C-Case?" Her insides trembled. She prayed for nonchalance as she tilted her head and met his gaze head-on.

  He cleared his throat, his eyes wide, raking her over, taking her in. "Damn, Sarah," he managed, then settled his gaze on her chest. Awareness Sarah hadn't experienced in months, coursed throughout her body in a way only definite male appreciation could promptly elicit. Suddenly she realized just how very revealing her tank top was, her breasts stretching the knit top to its limit. She hadn't thought much of it when she'd put it on. She'd only wanted to stay cool. Since breast-feeding Christiana, Sarah enjoyed a healthier cup size, but that Case had noticed her body taking shape again brought myriad sen­sations along with it.

  He brought his body close enough for her to take in the scent of lime aftershave and fresh soap. Hot steam filled the air and she wasn't entirely sure it was created solely from the mugs of coffee.

  Rooted to the spot, she couldn't pretend she didn't know what Case was thinking when he stared at her lips. Those deep dark penetrating eyes gave him away. Fool­ishly the wholly female, feminine part of her rejoiced. It was as dangerous as it was insane when Sarah stared back, noting the hard line of his jaw, the contours of his mouth.

  He's Reid's brother, she warned herself.

  She shouldn't be having these thoughts.

  She shouldn't be feeling these feelings.

  Yet, impending heat swamped her, creating awkward, uninvited quivers. It had been ages since she felt anything remotely like this. Ages, since she'd felt desirable. Case made her feel that way. He made her feel like she was the only woman on the planet right now. Sarah didn't have a response for Case. She couldn't come up with a word. He had started this and he was going to finish it.

  He bent his head and Sarah told herself to run, to step away from this dangerous game, but instead she stood her ground, her heart racing like crazy. His lips burned hers with gentle heat when they touched. Wild, glorious s
ensations whirled within, causing havoc to her resolve. She remembered his kiss from one other night, long ago and the familiar, yet forbidden impact shattered her de­fenses. She made a tiny sound, one that had him pulling her against him. Their bodies meshed with heat, his, gran­ite hard, hers, soft and pliant. He held her now, kissing her deeply and she returned his passion, unmindful of the consequences. Case had always been able to do that to her, make her forget things she'd be better off not for­getting.

  But all too suddenly, her mind did clear and she re­alized what had just happened—she'd kissed Reid's brother. Guilt assailed her instantly and she broke off the kiss, stepping back and heaving a deep breath of air. Sarah admonished herself for allowing that kiss to hap­pen.

  Case's gaze rested on her with no apology. "I thought you beautiful when you were pregnant, but now..." Case stated with sincerity then let that thought linger as he turned away, flipping his account book closed. She heard him mumble almost beneath his breath, "It's gonna be murder living here with you."

  He was out the door before she could respond. Not that she had a response. Her lips still burned from his kiss and her mind had pretty much turned to gooey oat­meal.

  When the baby complained, a small squawk of bore­dom, Sarah was grateful for the distraction. She slumped down in the kitchen chair and stared into the light blue eyes of her beautiful daughter. She whispered, ' 'Murder or not, Case Jarrett, we can't ever do that again."

  Case mounted Diamond and with a wave to Pete, rode his horse deep into Jarrett grazing land. He had fences to check, a routine assessment that would take up most of the day. Hot sun burned across his face, his sunglasses and hat doing little to shield him from the grilling. But Case was damn glad he had a day's work ahead of him, away from the house.

  He'd been struck like lightning, seeing Sarah waltz into the kitchen this morning, looking hotter than nature's force glaring down on him right now.

  Damn. Sweet, wholesome, pretty-as-a-picture Sarah looked hot in those jeans, ponytail and all. How quickly her body had taken shape again. Motherhood did things to a woman's figure. Nice, sexy, appealing things that drove men wild.

  Sarah did that to him. She drove him wild. And that kiss had nearly knocked him to his knees. Damn her. There was something special about Sarah that he hadn't found in any other woman. Something he wanted, bad. He shouldn't have kissed her, but she'd taken him com­pletely by surprise this morning and Case couldn't keep his hands off.

  An entire herd of stampeding cattle couldn't have stopped him from kissing her.

  He groaned aloud, a deep guttural sound of pain. There wasn't a soul around to hear him anyway. "Ain't ever gonna happen, Jarrett."

  And Case knew that for a fact. He hadn't come back to the ranch to seduce his brother's widow. He'd come back for far more noble a purpose, although, at times, Case thought he'd love to chuck his good intentions and claim Sarah for his own. "She ain't yours for the tak­ing," he reminded himself, once again.

  Taking care of the Triple R and keeping Sarah and the baby safe was his number one priority. If he could do that, then he figured he'd be square with Reid, once and for all. There was no backing down and no turning away. Not this time. He was here for as long as it took, forever, if need be. But Sarah wasn't included in the vow he'd made with his brother. And she certainly wasn't included in the unspoken bargain he'd made with himself.

  Now all Case had to do was figure out a way he could live with Sarah underfoot and keep the ache out of his heart, his gut and his groin. Damn, the woman did things to his mind, too.

  Case made it halfway into the property before he no­ticed a fence down. He dismounted Diamond and walked over to a post. With gloved hands, he attempted to lift it up, taking care not to tangle with the barbed wire. But the dang thing wouldn't come up. And as his gaze finally roved down the rest of the line, he noticed at least twenty yards of fence down. At least. "Sonofabitch." No wonder he couldn't lift the post—each section weighed down the others in a domino effect. He'd need his entire crew to come out here to right this.

  Case knew this was no act of nature. They hadn't had a windstorm or a dust storm lately. The earth hadn't quaked fiercely, pulling down his fences. This was sab­otage, pure and simple. And he'd be damned if he didn't know who was behind this.

  Fury seeped in. Case swore violently then mounted Diamond again. No telling when this occurred, but his first thought was for Sarah and the baby. He'd check on them, then see to fixing his property.

  "Sarah, Sarah!" Case called out, twenty minutes later. He'd stormed into the kitchen, but there was no sign of her. Impatiently, he strode through the rooms downstairs, then ascended the stairs, his pulse racing. "Sarah!"

  With a shove, he pushed open the nursery door. "Sarah!"

  "Shh," she whispered, but it was too late. Startled, Christiana pulled away from her mother's breast on the rocking chair and let out a humdinger of a wail.

  Case stood rooted to the spot, satisfied that Sarah and the baby were all right, but half sick that he'd barged in and upset both mother and daughter.

  "What is it?" Sarah said, her voice verging on anger as she rapidly adjusted her tank top.

  "Sorry," he said, watching Sarah struggle now with a baby intent on having all of Barrel Springs hear her cries. "I had to make sure you were okay."

  "Why? What's happened?"

  Case couldn't hear himself think with Christiana screaming. "Here, give her to me," he said, putting out his arms, hoping Sarah wouldn't refuse.

  She didn't. She handed her up to him, then bounded from the rocking chair. Case snuggled the baby in his arms, cradling her to his chest. He spoke softly, "Don't cry, Christie. Uncle Case has you now. Shh, pretty baby, don't you cry anymore."

  To his relief and Sarah's astonishment, Christiana took a few gulps of air then stopped her sobbing. Case rocked her in his arms, swaying back and forth. "That's a good girl. Go on back to sleep."

  "Case?" With hands planted on her hips, Sarah heaved a deep sigh, her chest rising up then falling.

  Case blinked, his heart hammered, remembering his reaction to Sarah this morning and the powerful kiss they'd shared. Hell, he'd like to take Sarah in his arms and kiss her again and again. There was no limit to the lusty route his mind took when looking at Sarah, but he had his niece in his arms and he had to remember that as well. He focused his attention on her instead of on Sarah's bountiful cleavage. "Shh, Sarah. Give me a minute. I'll tell you soon as she goes back to sleep."

  Sarah's voice softened to nearly a whisper. "She's al­most out. I think you can put her down."

  Case looked at her and she nodded. "Go on."

  Carefully, Case laid the baby on her back and covered her waist-high with a light blanket. Christiana snuggled into her crib, her eyes peacefully closed as she slept.

  Case followed Sarah out of the nursery. She stopped and turned briskly. Case bumped into her, a place that was pure heaven and sheer hell as her chest brushed against his. How easy it would be to follow the path his mind had taken, to press Sarah against the wall and finish what they'd started this morning. But her demanding tone put a halt to those appealing thoughts.

  "Tell me what that was all about?"

  Case stepped back, removing his body from hers. "Fences were knocked down. At least twenty yards, maybe more. I'm sure it was deliberate. I know who did this, Sarah. And I got to thinking of you and the baby up here, all alone, and well..."

  Sarah's eyes softened on him. "You were worried?"

  "There is a danger, Sarah. I know you don't believe it, but it's true. I had to make sure you two weren't hurt."

  Sarah shook her head, an obstinate light coming into her eyes. "I'll thank you for that, but I really don't think anyone is out to harm me...us." .

  "Sarah." Case laced his voice with warning.

  "Okay, okay. But we're fine. I think Uncle Case shocked my daughter right down to her tiny toes, though. She'd never heard you raise your voice before."

  Case scratched
his head. "I didn't mean to upset her."

  "You handled her okay."

  Case thought about that a second, realizing he'd done a good job of soothing the little one's feathers. "I did,

  didn't I?"

  "Good thing, too. I've just added to my list of rules. Whoever wakes my child, is obliged to get her back to sleep again. Got that, Jarrett?"

  His lips lifted up in a smile but he lowered his voice to a mere whisper. "I'd like to hear the rest of your rules, Sarah."

  Sarah blushed, a deep rose coloring her skin that she couldn't disguise. But Sarah never backed down from a challenge. Case loved that about her. "Rule number one. Don't mess with Sarah Jarrett."

  "Or what?" he asked, enjoying this a bit too much and he wondered if she meant waking her baby or sur­prising her with an unexpected kiss. Didn't really matter. He wasn't planning on doing either again. "Or you'll get more than you bargained for." Case chuckled. If only she knew that he'd make a deal with the devil for her. If all it took was a bargain to claim Sarah as his, he'd give up a limb or two, but life simply wasn't that easy.

  Hell, he couldn't stand here all day gawking at her like a schoolboy with a crush. He had problems on the ranch that couldn't be ignored. He planned to call the sheriff and let him know about the downed fences and his sus­picions as to whom might have done it.

  "I think I've already gotten much more than I bar­gained for, Sarah," he said with a wink before heading out the door.

  Boisterous cries woke Sarah from a sound sleep. She fought a valiant battle to open her eyes. The penetrating complaints continued on and Sarah sat up. Usually she didn't sleep so soundly, but all those late-night feedings were finally catching up with her, she surmised. ‘‘Okay, sweet baby. Mama's coming," she muttered, rising up as quickly as her sleepy form would allow. She donned her cotton robe and didn't bother with slippers. The nights, like the days, had been overly warm lately.

  Sarah ambled to the nursery noting that Christiana's cries had become only tiny whimpers. She stopped up short by the door, catching a glimpse of Case, cradling her baby in his arms. With his back to her and from what she could see, he'd enfolded her close against his bare-chest—his incredibly fit bare chest. Faded jeans, tossed on in a hurry no doubt, hung low on his hips.