The Heart of a Cowboy

by Charlene Sands

  "G-good night, C-Case."

  Familiar. Domestic. Possessive. Those powerful words made blood rush to Sarah's head. She watched Case walk away, the sexy saunter of a man comfortable in his own skin and so very sure of himself.

  She made her way up the steps, certain of one thing only.

  She was more uncertain than ever.

  Sarah threw her arms into a pale peach, nursing night­gown. The garment was designed with a low swooping neckline to make feeding the baby easier. She'd received the thoughtful gift at her baby shower and was making great use of it. Just as she lowered the sheets down to climb into bed, she heard Case calling out. Low, muted, and filled with dire urgency, his voice jolted straight through her. Sarah donned her silk robe, opened the door, and gasped in horror. Case stood in her doorway, bat­tered, bruised and nearly incoherent.

  "Case!"

  He leaned against the doorway and dread seized her instantly when she realized the door frame was all that held him up. "Sarah, you okay? The baby?"

  "Yes, yes, we're fine." He leaned forward and his weight fell onto her. She braced herself as his six-foot frame nearly toppled her. "Hold on to me, Case. Let's get you to the bed."

  Slowly they moved to her bed, his weight nearly crush­ing her. But the bed wasn't far and once he'd gotten close, he let her go and allowed his limp body to fall onto the bed. He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes.

  ' 'What happened?'' Sarah attempted to keep panic out of her voice, but fear rose up instantly seeing Case so badly beaten. Her heart ached just looking at his bloody face and shredded shirt. Was there a lump on his head?

  "Don't know exactly. Went into the barn to feed the animals. I was blindsided. Didn't see him coming, I guess. Put up a decent fight, but then I think I got a shovel to my head."

  Tears stung Sarah's eyes. "Someone attacked you. Oh, Case. We've got to get a doctor out here."

  Case opened his eyes and took great effort to shake his head. "No. I'll be fine, darlin'."

  "You could have a concussion."

  "I know I do. But I've had 'em before and I know what to do. I just need some patching up. What we have to do is call the sheriff. Would you do that, darlin'? Get the sheriff out here."

  "Are you sure about the doctor, Case?" Sarah worried her lip, fearful Case needed more medical attention than he claimed he did.

  "I'm sure. Just call the sheriff."

  The next hour flew by as Sarah administered to Case's wounds, gave Sheriff Pickley her statement after Case had given his, then offered the lawman a cup of coffee.

  He sat in her kitchen, sipping slowly, and Sarah cursed her own hospitality. All she wanted to do was get back upstairs to check on Case again.

  "Thanks for the coffee, Mrs. Jarrett. I'll get in touch with you if we find out anything." Sheriff Pickley jammed his hat back on his head. "At least this time, we have a vague description. Mr. Jarrett caught a glimpse of the man before he was knocked out."

  "I hope you find out who's terrifying the neighbors, Sheriff. The sooner, the better," Sarah added, letting the man out. She dashed up the stairs, peeked in on her sleep­ing daughter then entered her room.

  Case opened his eyes. "Sheriff gone?"

  "Yes," she said on a shaky sigh. She nudged her body down next to Case on the bed and dipped a wash towel into a bowl of water. "I'm going to try to keep the swell­ing down." With caution, she dabbed his face, chin and neck gently.

  "Can you help get my shirt off?" he asked softly, "I think one or two ribs are bruised."

  The chambray shirt was ripped in several places, but Sarah still took the time to unbutton his shirt and care­fully pull the material away from his shoulders. A gri­mace stole over his face as he sat up slightly to help her remove the garment.

  Once done, Sarah bore witness to the three nasty bruise marks on his chest, the color reminding her of overripe plums. "Oh, that looks like it hurts. Are you sure your ribs aren't broken?"

  "I wouldn't be breathing easy if they were," he said, granting her a quick smile. What he had to smile about, she didn't know. His body had taken a terrible beating. But Case was strong, and he'd had his share of bruises as a rodeo rider. She banked on his knowledge of injuries. If he were sure then she wouldn't doubt his judgment.

  "Tell me if this hurts," she said, "I'm going to clean the wounds. There's some blood on your chest."

  With utmost care, Sarah wiped at the blood, fearful of causing Case any more pain.

  "You have a gentle touch, Sarah. Don't be afraid."

  "I can't stand to see you hurt," she blurted out.

  Case's dark eyes softened. "I'll be fine, darlin'. Don't worry."

  "What about your head? There's a lump the size of Phoenix erupting on your scalp."

  "It's not as bad as it looks."

  "But, if it is a concussion, doesn't that mean that you shouldn't sleep tonight? I mean...well, someone should watch over you, right?''

  "Usually, if there's someone willing." Was he hint­ing? She wondered if Case wanted her to sleep next to him tonight to look after him. And what of it? He'd been badly beaten protecting her, the baby and the Triple R. She owed him her help and she doubted she'd get any sleep anyway tonight worrying about him. She admon­ished herself for her crazy notions. The handsome cow­boy was simply too banged up to have thoughts of lust, when it was plain to see he could barely keep his eyes open.

  "I'm willing...to help you. Of course, I'll watch over you tonight."

  "Thank you, Sarah. You must be tired. Why don't you lie down? Keep me company."

  Sarah hesitated then thought she'd gone completely loco. Case could barely move a muscle. He needed her friendship tonight, nothing more. The man had a concus­sion, after all.

  "Okay." She set the bowl and towels aside then slid down next to him on the bed. She whispered, ' 'What do I do, if you start to fall asleep?"

  A chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Sarah, honey, there are a dozen and a half things you can do to keep me awake."

  Sarah wanted to swat him, but she didn't dare for fear of causing him more injury. The man had an ego the size of Phoenix, matching the lump on his head. "Honestly, Case. Is that all that's ever on your mind?"

  "You want honesty, Sarah? Only since I've been liv­ing with you."

  Only since I've been living with you.

  Sarah's heart tripped over itself. He sounded so sin­cere, so earnest and she wondered if he really meant it. Case had been attracted to her, but was it more than that? Did he have genuine feelings for her?

  Sarah still had trouble believing in him, so she changed the subject and they talked for a while. Well, she did most of the talking and Case, most of the listening. He seemed alert, as she spouted off about the rising cost of grain, Bobbi Sue's pregnancy, how fast Christiana seemed to be growing. She spoke of anything and every­thing, and Case nodded occasionally, added his opinions a few times and laughed with her when she'd relay one of her baby daughter's newest antics.

  It seemed as natural as breathing when Case's hand entwined with hers, lacing their fingers. He held fast and firm, needing to feel the connection, she presumed, but the contact made her feel things, too. She lay in bed with him, worrying over his injuries, trying to entertain him, and hoping that he wouldn't have a bad night.

  An hour later, Sarah realized she'd dozed off. When she opened her eyes, Case, too, seemed to be sleeping.

  She debated whether to let him rest, or wake him. How had was his concussion? Sarah lifted up a bit to peer at him. He was sleeping soundly, perhaps too soundly. Fear engulfed her and she moved closer to take a better look. "Case?"

  A soft glow of moonlight streaming into the room cast his face in shadows, but there was just enough light to see when his eyes opened. "Mmm, Sarah, am I dream­ing?" He rolled to his side and faced her, placing a hand on her hip.

  "You fell asleep," she whispered, fully aware of Case now. He was in sexy sleep-hazy mode, wearing nothing but his jeans and a dynamite smile.

  "I'd get
beat up every day, if it meant waking up next to you every night."

  A nervous chuckle erupted. "You don't mean that."

  "I do," he said in a husky voice. "How are you plan­ning on keeping me awake, darlin'?"

  Case ran his hand from her hip, down her thigh and back. Even through the material of her robe, she felt his heat, the strength in his hands. Goose bumps broke out on her legs, all the way down and her mind flashed an image of the last time they lay together, when Sarah prac­tically begged him to make love to her. "Oh, urn," she tried, but words failed her.

  "Kiss me, Sarah," he whispered quietly, but his words echoed loudly in her head.

  "Case," she breathed out and conjured up the first lucid thought in her brain, "your lips are bruised."

  "That's why I need you." His soft gaze locked on to hers and beckoned with honest appeal. Heavens, if she was really truthful with herself she'd admit his entire body called to hers, his need, powerful. An electric spark sizzled between them. Sarah had precious little resistance to such potency.

  She brought her lips to his, brushing a soft kiss to his mouth.

  "I feel better already, sweetheart." His hand moved over her thigh again, stroking her gently again. They kissed again, and again, each kiss leaving Sarah wanting more. Case undid the tie on her robe and it fell open. The sheer gown she had on underneath did little to con­ceal her from Case's direct perusal. He saw through the material, perhaps even further, into her heart, which was open and ready to give to him.

  He touched her again, his hand slipping up under the soft gossamer of her gown. He teased her with kisses and tempted her with caresses that came dangerously close to making her lose all control. "I want you, Sarah," he confessed, as he parted her legs slightly to define his declaration.

  Heat curled her toes, and Sarah slammed her eyes shut. Heaven help her, but she wanted him, too. There was no power on this earth that would take her from this place right now, no thoughts that would break through her de­sire.

  Sarah sat up slightly and removed her robe, then low­ered her nightgown down, her answer clear. Case swore, an almost silent oath that told Sarah she was beautiful to him.

  Case stared at Sarah in disbelief. Something special was happening between them. For Case, it seemed, it had always been so. Years of yearning, nights of wanting, days of denying his desire for her, his brother's wife. But it wasn't enough, he thought with wry irony. They lay here, in the bed she'd shared with Reid, in the house they'd lived in, with Reid's daughter sleeping in the next room and it wasn't enough that Sarah had come to him. He had to be sure he wasn't a replacement for Reid, a trick of Sarah's imagination, lying next to a man who looked identical to her deceased husband. The last time they'd made love, it had been different. Sarah had been desperate for reassurances. She'd been distraught and scared and she'd needed Case. Now it was more, he hoped, but Case had to know for sure. "Say it, Sarah. Say you want me."

  Sarah blinked, her expression one of doubt, as if to say wasn't it enough that she was here with him, baring her­self to him. He saw the indecision on her face, for only a moment, and then the words came, soft and sweet. Words Case had waited nearly a lifetime to hear. ' 'I want you, Case."

  Case kissed her then, passion erupting as he found ways to bring Sarah to deep pleasure, with his hands, his lips, the sway of his body. He kissed her long and hard and nuzzled his face in her hair, breathing her in, taking what she offered with all the greed of a starving man. Clothes parted, sheets tangled and the bed creaked with quiet rebellion as their bodies blended beautifully.

  "Case," she called out when she was ready for him and all doubts of where Sarah's mind and heart really were, shattered, bringing him an immense sense of joy.

  He rolled onto his back, lifting Sarah with him and let her set the pace. She rose above him, the intoxicating picture she made, permanently imprinted in his mind, as he grasped her hips, guiding her down onto him.

  Sarah moved slowly, her face flushed, her eyes closed. She adjusted to him, rising up then down, setting an erotic rhythm. Case gritted his teeth, holding back, seeing to Sarah's pleasure as her muscles tightened around him.

  She drove him crazy, to the brink and back, a dozen times and Case wouldn't have it any other way. He watched her face change expression, followed her beat, the essence that was Sarah and mated with it, with her, until he knew the time had come for them both.

  He wrapped his hands around her waist and moved with her now, a synchronized pulse, as their bodies and hearts became one. Sarah called out his name, time and again, the constant assurance stroked his mind and he, too, called for her, the woman he had waited so long for. "Sarah."

  They fell away and apart, shattered by the impact. But soon Sarah found her way back to him, and he did her. He held her tight in the crook of his arm, unmindful of his injuries, of the press of her head against his bruised chest. He wanted her there. He'd never let her go.

  "You okay, sweetheart?" he asked, wondering if he'd lost too much control. Sarah was a new mother and he'd pressed himself to be patient and gentle with her.

  She chuckled, a soft tiny sound that rumbled in her chest. "I was going to ask you the same question."

  He smiled, kissing her forehead. "You can bruise me anytime, Sarah."

  She shot her head up. ' 'Did I—''

  "No, you didn't. I was just stating a fact. Anytime you want to, feel free. I sure liked the way you kept me awake."

  She laid her head back on his chest and relaxed, her soft hair tickling his chin. "Oh, Case. What now?"

  "Now?" he repeated. He knew he wanted a life with Sarah. He knew he needed for her and the baby to be his family, in the true sense, but he feared Sarah might not be ready for that. He'd spent all this time, going slow, waiting for her. He couldn't rush her now. He couldn't tell her what was in his heart. He couldn't chance her running again. "Now, you roll over so we both can get some sleep."

  ''But your head, Case. What about your concussion?''

  "I'll be fine, darlin', but I'm completely beat. We both need to rest."

  "Would you rest better in your own room?"

  "Not a chance." Case wasn't ready to give up this time with Sarah. He wanted to hold her through the night, to wake up next to her in the morning and maybe make love again. But it had been a long night, and he was dog-tired. "Do you want me to go?"

  Sarah gazed at him with warmth and shook her head. "No. I want you right here."

  Relief registered and Case smiled. "Okay, then roll over lady or neither of us is going to get much sleep tonight. And that's a promise."

  He noted a flash of her smile when she rolled over. Case sidled up next to her, threw his arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek. "Good night, sweet Sarah."

  He knew he'd have good dreams tonight.

  Twelve

  Morning sunshine brought forth recriminations. In the light of day, all that had transpired during the night plagued Sarah's thoughts. When she'd seen Case last night, standing in her doorway so badly beaten, a jolt of awareness shot through her at how very much she cared for him. He'd become an important part of her life even though she'd fought hard against it, but she knew now that he had the power to destroy her. Images of the old Case, teasing her, playing pranks on her, warred with the man she'd made love with last night.

  For more than twenty years, she'd held no faith in Case Jarrett and all during that time, he'd done nothing to gain her trust. But since he'd come back to the ranch, things had somehow been different. Or was she just trying to rationalize now, since she'd made love with him? How could she be sure which man he really was?

  Sarah eased herself out of bed, making sure not to disturb Case. He looked vulnerable lying there, his dark hair falling onto his forehead, with scrapes on his face and battle marks on his body. She'd let him rest.

  Sarah showered and dressed quietly then checked on Christiana. The baby cooed when she noticed her. "Hello, sweet baby. Mama's here."

  Sarah nursed her, gave her a qu
ick bath, then lifted her up and headed downstairs to the kitchen. The phone rang and Sarah picked it up before the second ring, so that the noise wouldn't disturb Case. "Hello."

  "Hello, Mrs. Jarrett. This is Sheriff Pickley. I have good news for you. Thanks to Mr. Jarrett's description last night, we've apprehended a suspect. We found a man, who'd obviously been bloodied in a fight driving like a maniac on the Interstate. One of my deputies picked him up and the man made a full confession to the crimes in the area. His name is Ralph Wooden. Do you know him?''

  Sarah didn't know him personally, but she'd seen him in town on occasion. "Wooden, yes. I've heard of him. He owns a place just outside of Barrel Springs, right?"

  "Yes, that's right. Apparently his place was last on the list of ranches Beckman Corporation needed for the de­velopment to pass. Wooden's in debt up to his eyeballs and needed that deal to go through."

  "Are you saying that he's responsible for McPherson's barn fire, and all the other crimes?''

  "Yes, he's confessed to it all. Beckman Corporation had nothing to do with it. Wooden was pretty desperate. He figured he'd use intimidation to get landowners to sell. As I said, the man's on the edge. But we've got him now. There shouldn't be any more disturbances."

  "Thank you, Sheriff. I'll be sure to pass on the news."

  Sarah hung up the phone and sat down, absorbing it all, wondering how a man could get so desperate that he'd put his neighbors at such risk. It was certain now that Beckman Corporation would cut their losses and leave Barrel Springs. All the other neighbors had held firm. They wouldn't sell out. Those land agents had to see it was a lost cause. They could plan their pricey de­velopment somewhere else.

  When the phone rang again, Sarah jumped up to catch it on the first ring. A woman with a sultry voice asked to speak with Case.

  "I'm sorry. He's not available right now. May I take a message?"

  "Yes, tell him this is Julia and that I have to cancel tonight. But I do have something better planned. I'll call him back later with the details."

  Sarah's mouth gaped open. Stunned into silence, she nodded into the phone then caught herself just in time. "All right, I'll tell him." With a shaky hand, Sarah hung up the phone. Suspicions of the worst kind crept in. She realized that today was Tuesday. The woman named Julia was canceling their Tuesday night. Sarah sat down before she fell down, her legs as wobbly as her mind at the moment.