With This Ring (Denim & Spurs Book 1)

by Aliyah Burke

“No, it’s my name.”

  He didn’t speak until she looked at him. “Your name is Samantha Mallory Finley.”

  “Heard you two went to the expo together,” Jerome Litsign said as he walked from the hallway where the restrooms were. “Bet that was fun.” He winked at them both and kept on.

  Dustin watched her expression. One of resignation and he wasn’t quite sure he liked that. “Talk to me.”

  She tore off a piece of her bear claw, ate it, and said, “About what?”

  “What thoughts are whirling around in that head of yours? Christ, Samantha. He’s right, we did go together and spent our nights in the same bed. Why am I feelin’ like a leper over here?”

  She drew back, surprise on her face. “A leper? That’s what you think I’m treating you like?”

  He stared at her, this time a brow of his own arched.

  “Really?” She shook her head. “I’m sorry you feel that way. I’ve just got a lot of things to do before I head back East. I’m leaving in seven days.”

  Next Monday. He contained his scowl.

  “Look,” she said, leaning forward, lean fingers curved about the coffee mug. “What we had…what we shared. I don’t know what it was, but I know you’re,” she frowned, “I mean, I’m…” She scrubbed a hand over her face. “I don’t know what the hell I’m trying to say here. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I’m just really focusing on getting back to my life there. I’m sure you’ve got a lot to think about as well. I know you got a lot of contacts from the expo and, well…”

  “You’re ramblin’ there, darlin’.” He leaned forward as well. “Do I make you nervous?”

  “Yes.”

  Her candid answer surprised him, and he drew back slightly. “Why?”

  “You…you’re Dustin Kane.”

  He wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that statement. Her phone rang, and he sat there listening while she spoke to someone and absently ate at her treat. Her gaze miles away when she ended the call, he knew he’d lost his chance to talk to her.

  “Samantha,” he said.

  “Yes?”

  “Friday night. My house.”

  “I told you I was busy this week.”

  “Don’t care. You are leaving in seven days. Unless you’re giving me the entire weekend, come by Friday night. Whatever time you’re done with your plans.”

  She mulled it over but nodded. “Okay. Friday.”

  “I’ll see you then, darlin’.” The plans he had for her.

  She finished her coffee and pastry with swiftness. “Thanks for the snack. I’ll see you Friday. If I don’t see you before then, have a good week, Dustin Kane.”

  “You as well, Samantha Mallory.”

  With a hint of smile, she swept by him and vanished. After he finished staring at her through the window, he glanced to the table and spied the money she’d left under her cup. Crazy woman.

  Something was off with her though. She seemed distracted, and he wasn’t sure he liked it. Definitely didn’t like the fact she was leaving in seven days. That wasn’t nearly enough time. Time for what? He wasn’t entirely positive of the answer for that.

  * * * *

  The week had been a blur of work and packing. She had plans to sleep most of Sunday so she could light out early and drive back, hopefully making it a good distance before she had to stop for some rest. Rubbing her lower back, she slammed the tailgate on her Dodge and spun to head back inside. She'd cleaned out all the sawdust and she’d just sprayed out the remaining, lingering pieces.

  “You know they would have delivered it, Finn. You didn’t have to go after it.”

  She gave her father a tired smile. “I know, but it would have been a while. This way, you have sawdust and don’t have to wait.” She’d not even heard him come onto the porch.

  “I’ve got some food for you, come eat before you fall over.”

  She was beat. There had been fencing to fix, stalls to repair, not to mention the rest of the things she’d been lingering on since arriving, which she wanted finished by the time she left. And she still had a few horses she’d been called out to. She wasn’t doing any more jobs until she returned to Maryland.

  “You sure you’ll be okay, Daddy?”

  He held the door for her. “I’ll be fine. I have to take it easy for another two weeks but then I can go back to it. The guys will be around to help if there’s something I need. But I can still do stalls and all that now. I’ll be fine.” He tugged the back of her shirt. “You know you’re always welcome to stay though.”

  The offer tempted her extensively. “I have to get back.”

  He grunted. They ate a simple lunch of sandwiches and chips accompanied by large glasses of sweet tea. She placed the dishes in the dishwasher once they’d finished and wiped off the table.

  “You know, babygirl. It’s occurred to me that we’ve not talked about long-term plans for you.”

  She paused with a frown on her face before wiping her hands off on the towel and turning to face her father. “My long-term plans?”

  His crutch leaned against the counter he rested on. “Yes. Are you planning on staying in Maryland?”

  Crossing her arms and hooking her ankles, she decried her father. The end game, she couldn’t see, but her suspicions were definitely up. “For the time yes, my career is there. Why? Do you need me to stay longer?”

  “I told you I’d be fine.”

  “So you did, but now you’re asking me what my plans are. Color me suspicious.”

  He arched an eyebrow at her. “What? You’re my only child. Why wouldn’t I be curious about your plans? You know, marriage, kids, that kind of thing.”

  It had to happen sooner or later. “We’re not discussing the fact you have no grandchildren, Daddy. I don’t have time to marry right now, not only that, I’ve not found the right guy to even contemplate such a thing.”

  “Really? And here I thought you’d known him for years.”

  She held her father’s gaze, despite wanting to bury her head. “I’ve known a lot of people for years, Daddy, and I’m not discussing this with you.” She pushed from the counter, walked by him with a pause to kiss his cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Going to top off the tank and say goodbye to a few people.”

  “Don’t forget, dinner tonight,” he called out.

  “I’ll be back in time. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Finn.”

  She shut the door behind her and jogged down to her truck, feeling a bit better since having ingested some food. Swinging up into the cab, she started the engine and buckled herself in before heading to Clyde’s.

  After paying for the diesel, she sauntered inside the darkened building. Jones lifted his head from where he sat behind the counter.

  “Finn,” he called. “How’s it going?”

  “Hey, Jones. Just needing to grab a Coke.”

  “Just a Coke? Not here to get me?”

  She laughed and rolled her eyes as she grabbed her drink from the cooler. At the counter, she placed the liter down and stared at him. “You know I would take you with me, but,” she sucked air between her teeth, “I’m really, really scared of that woman you took those vows with.”

  He grinned at her, showing the missing teeth in his smile. “Drive really fast and we’ll outrun her.”

  She put her money down and shook her head. “That woman you married is a crack shot. I’m no fool. Our love will have to remain naught but a dream.”

  He cackled and spit into the can beside him before getting her change. “Breakin’ hearts wherever you go, aren’t ya?”

  “Not hardly. Have a good one, Jones.”

  “Don’t stay away too long this time, darlin’.”

  She waved over her shoulder and took a long swig of her drink as she climbed back into her truck. A short time before dark, she drove back up toward the house, parked, and headed inside. Rich pungent smells welcomed her as she pus
hed through the door.

  “Right on time, wash up and take a seat.”

  She ran a hand through her hair and washed in the sink. In the kitchen, she smiled at the table laden with her favorite foods. Mashed potatoes, fresh veggies, and country fried steak.

  “Looks delicious.”

  Mrs. Pendle hugged her. “Some of your favorites still, right?”

  “Always,” she said affectionately.

  “Good. Your father’s on his way down. Even have a cake for dessert.”

  “Chocolate?”

  “Mississippi mud.”

  Her mouth watered merely at the name. She may not do desserts often but this…she’d definitely be indulging in.

  “Did you get everything done you needed?” her father asked as he entered the kitchen. He shot a look to Mrs. Pendle that had the housekeeper ducking her head and busying herself with drying her hands on the towel before her.

  “Yes, sir. All good. Said my farewells and am here until I leave.”

  “Still leaving Monday?”

  “That’s the plan.” Her smile bittersweet as she thought of leaving. Her father, Mrs. Pendle, and Dustin.

  * * * *

  Hopping out of her truck, Finn gazed around the Diamond J. Off to the west she could see storm clouds rolling in, lightning streaked occasionally, highlighting the rolling clouds. Nothing quite could match the beauty of a Texas storm. Not that she’d found anyway.

  “Hey, stranger.”

  She turned to the left and watched Connor stride into view. “Connor.”

  “Here to see Dustin?”

  She rocked back on her heels. “Yes. Ran into him in town last week and he asked me to stop by this evening when I had some time. You headin’ up to the house?”

  “I was. Care for some company?”

  “Always.”

  She ran her gaze over the small car, which she’d parked beside. A Mercedes. She didn’t recognize whose it was and as she walked with Connor, she didn’t give it another thought. What she did think about was the couple who were suddenly framed in the warm light, which spilled from the entryway onto the porch as they came into view.

  Dustin. And Charlotte.

  Finn’s breath hitched, and she stumbled to a stop, not wanting to make her way up there and intrude. She heard Connor’s growl of discontent beside her but couldn’t find it within her to tear her gaze away from Dustin or the svelte blonde who wore a very little dress.

  The red slinky tube dress with open sides barely covered her breasts or fell much past the juncture of her thighs. Charlotte had her hair pinned up in a sexy style, highlighting her slender neck. The red spike heel platform sandals with ankle straps emphasized long tanned legs. The woman had dressed for sex. Plain and simple.

  “This child is yours, Dustin,” she said, leaning forward and placing her hand on his chest. “I know you think I made a mistake at the wedding, but we can move on from that.”

  Charlotte’s words were a harsh stab to her heart, and Finn actually flinched. She barely recognized the feel of Connor’s fingers curving around her arm, offering his support.

  “It’s like I told you at the expo, Dustin. I’m carrying your child. This baby needs two parents.”

  Lightheadedness hit Finn like a ton of bricks and she wove, certainly would have fallen if not for Connor’s assistance. Just then, those blue eyes looked in her direction. Not Dustin’s. Charlotte’s. Charlotte grinned as Finn stumbled slightly. Dustin’s arm went around her and in that moment, it struck Finn how good of a couple they made. Both very good looking, her blonde and his dark hair, the way her curves fit against him.

  It was official, Finn wanted to puke up her dinner. All over that hussy’s shoes would be nice. There was a voice within her, which told her to confront them, and yet, she shoved it back. If these two had a child together, she had no right trying to keep the father away. None.

  Dustin turned his head and his expression, one of shock and frustration, almost made her laugh. Almost. Her belly’s contents heaved, and she knew she had to go.

  “Samantha,” he said, setting Charlotte away from him. Or rather trying to.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll be going now,” Finn said.

  “No. What are you doing with Connor?”

  Charlotte whined beside him, and Connor snapped a response back to his boss and friend. It was too much and Finn broke and returned to her truck, speeding out of there as if the devil himself were on her heels. And in a sense, he was. Tears streamed down her face as she realized that’s what they’d been discussing at the expo. Right before she went to bed with him.

  What had she done? And how would she ever figure out a way to forgive herself?

  Chapter Eleven

  Dustin firmly moved Charlotte away from him. How had this happened? He’d been looking forward to Samantha coming over—when he was going to do his best to convince her to stay for the entire weekend—but now this had gone down. First things first. Attention on the blonde who had shown up at his door wearing next to nothing.

  “I told you before, Charlotte. If you are pregnant then we’ll be having a DNA test before I agree it’s mine. I don’t believe it is anyway. You need to leave. I had been expecting your father, but you can pass along to him, I will be stopping by to have a word with him.”

  Her tan blanched below the lights above. “We need—”

  “Nope. We have nothing to say. We’ll go to Dallas and have some tests run. I’ll set it up and inform you when and where you need to be. Until then, don’t show your face here again. Get off my property.”

  She looked as though she was ready to protest, and he glared at her. With a pout she sashayed her ass down the steps to the waiting Mercedes. Connor scowled at her as she passed him.

  The moment Charlotte backed up, Dustin whirled on his foreman and friend. “What the hell are you doing with Samantha? Much less touching her?” Christ, anger coursed through him like it was being pumped from a machine. Unending, unrelenting, and powerful.

  Connor lifted a brow. “Really? That’s what you want to come at me with? I escorted her from her truck, and find out you have a child with that damn harpy? You think I’d do something with Finn then bring her here to you? You think she’d do something like that? Not everyone does things like that. You feel I’m a person who would, perhaps I have no reason to be here anymore.”

  Escorted. Cold water splashed over him, and he realized how out of line his jealousy was. “She’s probably not even pregnant and if she is, I doubt it’s mine. After all, I only know about the four she was with at the wedding, who knows how many others she screwed while we were together.”

  Connor glared at him, obviously not pleased with his explanation. “I can’t believe you. Didn’t you know Finn was coming over?”

  “Yes, but I didn’t know Charlotte was.” He shoved a hand through his hair, knocking off his hat, which he slammed back on his head.

  “I’m sure,” Connor drawled. “However, I’m also sure what it looked like to have that woman hanging on you dressed—or not—as she was.” He shook his head. “I…I don’t know what to tell you.” There wasn’t another word from him as Connor spun around and stalked off, anger evident in every line of his body.

  “Great job, shithead,” Dustin muttered as he stepped back in the house and slammed the door behind him. He wanted to go after her but perhaps letting her cool off and himself as well would be the most pragmatic.

  He barely slept that night, waffling back and forth between staying there or getting up and chasing after her. When he rolled out of bed at five, he leaned more toward the thought he’d made a serious mistake. The sun hadn’t even crested the horizon by the time he’d showered and pointed his truck toward Samantha’s house.

  Her truck wasn’t there, and he swallowed back his displeasure. Parking, he climbed out, walked up the steps, and knocked. A few moments later and a thin woman with a somber expression opened the door.

  “Mr. Kane,” she sai
d, stepping back and gesturing for him to enter.

  “Morning, Mrs. Pendle. I need to talk to Samantha.”

  “She’s not here.”

  “I figured that when I saw her truck gone. If you could tell me where she is, I’ll go talk to her.”

  She tilted her head to the side and shook it slightly. “I’m sorry, but when I say she’s not here, I mean she went back home.”

  His heart plummeted into his feet. “Home?” he croaked. “I thought she was leaving Monday?”

  “So did we,” she said gently. “She came back last night and said it was best she leave now. So she did.”

  Gone. She was gone. In a daze, he made his way back to his truck and leaned against it. Dustin hadn’t any clue how long he was there but when a shadow passed near, he lifted his head and spied her father, Evan, standing there.

  “Haven’t you done enough?” the man demanded.

  “Sir?”

  “My daughter. Haven’t you done enough or does it make you happy to be here and see she’s left early?”

  What had he done? “It doesn’t make me happy,” he admitted. “I came here to talk to her.”

  “Didn’t do enough last night?” Brown eyes narrowed. “I know she went to see you last night and came back in tears before leaving.” Evan straightened up. “We may not have as big a spread as you and I may just be a lowly farrier in your eyes, much like I was to your daddy, but strip all that away and we have you, a man who made a daughter cry, and me. The father to that daughter. Which gives me all the incentive I need to kick your ass.”

  “I don’t think that,” he began.

  “Don’t rightly care. You made my baby girl cry and you made her subject for gossip by taking her with you to the expo.”

  “With all due respect, sir, your daughter is old enough to make her own decisions.”

  “My daughter has been in love with you since the fourth grade at least. She doesn’t exactly think straight when it comes to you, Dustin Kane. Even forgave your daddy for callin’ her some words no child should ever have to hear.”

  His head reeled. When had she met Old Man Kane?

  “I love your daughter, Mr. Finley.”

  “Sure you do, that’s why your ex-fiancée is pregnant and saying the two of you will be married.”