“Jenna, my name is Cash,” he offered softly.
She lifted her shoulders, shaking her head, forced to remember how he’d used that gentle tone in the past. It was the last thing she’d wanted to recall, his tenderness when they’d lain together. “You’re a stranger to me.”
“Jenna, we can’t pretend we haven’t been—”
“Don’t!” Jenna put up a hand to stop him from saying more and to stop the memories from filling her mind as well. “A true gentleman wouldn’t remind a lady of such inappropriate matters.”
“Inappropriate? Jenna, we were married. At least, we both thought so at the time.”
Heat spread to Jenna’s cheeks. She’d been trying to block out those images, but they were doggedly persistent in her mind. She’d been dreaming of him, of Cash, and remembering the one night they’d shared as man and wife. But in the morning she’d dredge up all the reasons to hate him, to blame him for her misfortune, to loathe the way he made a living. Oddly, those thoughts brought her no peace, as she had hoped. They’d done more to confound and confuse her. Jenna had never been one to harbor hate.
“Please,” she pleaded, “just tell me why you’re here.”
He sat down on the opposite end of the parlor sofa and ran a hand down his face. “Jenna, you saved my life. Nobody has ever done for me, what you had. Nobody has ever cared enough.”
Jenna didn’t want to know what kind of life he’d led before coming to Twin Oaks. She didn’t want his gratitude. Yet amazingly she stayed calm while he sat there on the sofa, saying his piece. “I thought you were someone else,” she whispered.
“You would have saved me, even if you knew who I was. I know you, Jenna. You would have.”
Jenna shrugged, realizing he was probably right. She wasn’t one to leave a man bleeding, nearly dead on the side of the road, if she had a chance to save him. But that didn’t mean that she had to like him. It didn’t mean he had a right to come back here. “You’ve already thanked me. And as I recall, I asked you to leave Twin Oaks. So why are you here?”
Cash stood up, walked over to the window and glanced out, looking upon the fields for a time, before turning to her. “I owe you a debt I might never be able to repay, Jenna. But I want to try. You had so many plans for the farm, when you thought we were, well…” He stopped talking and frowned. “Anyway, you could use another worker. I’m asking you to let me stay on, at least until the planting is done. I want to help out here. I owe you that much.”
Jenna bounded up from the sofa, her heart filled with despair. Did he think that would make up for all the heartache she’d endured? Did he think she’d just welcome him back here? Did he think she’d want to see him each day, when with every moment she’d be reminded of all that she had lost? “No.”
“Jenna, hear me out,” he said, his eyes going dark with determination. He set his hands on his hips, ready to do battle, it appeared.
Jenna knew how to be just as determined. She assumed the same stance. “No.”
“You need more help on the farm. You can’t afford to hire anyone.”
“That’s true. My answer is still no. I’ll thank you to leave, Mr. Callahan.”
Jenna made her way to the front door, opening it, her dismissal clear. But then a low anguished shout from the barn startled her, shoving instant fear down her throat. “It’s Ben,” she screamed, running out the door. She heard Cash’s footsteps right behind her.
“Ben!” She came upon him, lying across a rusty axle, his body in an awful twist. A ripped pant leg oozed deep red blood and a gash about the size of a short hemp rope, one inch thick and nearly a foot long, almost reached his knee. “Oh, no!” Jenna gasped as overwhelming fear plagued her when she witnessed Ben’s ashen face.
“He must have fallen from the roof. Looks as though he fell right onto this axle,” Cash said, pointing to the bloody piece of metal, then moving Jenna aside to bend over him. “He’s out cold.”
“You mean he’s not…”
Cash shook his head. “No, he’s not dead, Jenna. He’s banged up bad, knocked out from the fall, but he’s breathing. Quick, get me some cloths and rip them up. And a bucket of fresh water. We’ll clean him up and stop the bleeding, then I’ll bring him into the house.”
Jenna dashed into the house gathering up the necessary supplies, praying Cash was right about Ben’s accident. He had to survive. Jenna couldn’t imagine losing another loved one on this farm. She couldn’t fathom Rosalinda without Ben by her side.
“Here,” she said, handing Cash the cloths and setting down the bucket of water. She worked alongside of him as he bathed the wound on Ben’s leg. Jenna kept a cool wet cloth to his Ben’s head, gently wiping at his thick graying hair. She stayed close by him, speaking softly, calling his name, hoping for him to awaken. “Please, Ben, please. Wake up.”
Cash didn’t take his eyes off the gash, soaking up as much blood as the cloth would allow. With head bent to the task, he spoke with certainty. “He’s going to be fine, sugar. Don’t you fret. As soon as I wrap his leg real good, we’ll get him into the house. Go on in and get some blankets. We’ll put him on the sofa.”
“But—” Jenna wanted to ask how he knew Ben would be fine. She wanted assurances. Sick with worry, Jenna’s stomach clenched.
Cash cast her a quick confident look that put her somewhat at ease. “Go on, Jenna. I’ll bring Ben inside in a few minutes.”
Two hours later, Jenna wrung her hands and paced the floor. Stomping her boots wouldn’t help. Yelling at the top of her lungs wouldn’t help, either. Once again, fate seemed to step in where Cash Callahan was concerned. He was back on her farm and there wasn’t a darn thing Jenna could do about it.
Ben had come to an hour ago, waking up madder than a penned-up stallion. Upset that he’d fallen and gotten injured, Ben had cursed up a storm. But Jenna’s heart went out to him, knowing what great pain he suffered. Shortly after, Rosalinda had rushed in, crying pitifully.
Jenna had been grateful that he’d awakened and that he’d most likely make a full recovery in time. But now, as he lay resting on her sofa, his leg propped up with a pillow to keep the seeping down and Rosalinda praying silently over her prayer beads, Jenna had to face facts. Ben’s leg wouldn’t be healing up for weeks. He’d probably have to be taken to Goose Creek to have that injury checked out by the doctor there.
And just minutes ago, Cash Callahan had offered them his help on the farm, deliberately ignoring the dagger-like glances Jenna had cast his way. Ben had looked to Rosalinda and she’d nodded in agreement. Both of her dear friends had made their decision without consulting her. And now Cash Callahan was preparing the wagon to take Ben home. The gambler barged back into her life without care or thought of her feelings from a misguided sense of duty. He claimed he owed her, but all she wanted from him was for him to leave. Ben and Rosalinda didn’t see it that way.
“I don’t want him here,” Jenna said, folding her arms across her middle. How could they think that she would?
“It is for the best, querida,” Rosalinda said softly, seeking to comfort her. “You will see.” A bright light gleamed in Rosalinda’s eyes. “It is like a miracle that Mr. Callahan came to the farm when he did, is it not? I believe God sent him here. He will be of great help. Already he has taken care of Ben and now he fixes the wagon to take us back home. He offers to do Ben’s labor on the farm, Jenna. We could not refuse. He is needed here now.”
Jenna didn’t want him here. Heaven knew, she truly didn’t want him here. Her mind rebelled, as did her heart. But Jenna couldn’t argue. Ben’s decision would have to stand. She shoved aside her trepidation and tried to look at this situation rationally.
Rosalinda was right, of course. Without Ben, the planting surely wouldn’t get done in time. She had no call now to prevent Cash from working the farm. But she didn’t believe that his coming here was a miracle. No, it seemed bad things happened when he was around. Why, if he hadn’t shown up today, Ben probably wouldn’t have taken
that fall. Irrational as that seemed, Jenna truly believed it. Now, for Rosalinda’s peace of mind and for Ben’s general welfare, she had no choice but to allow him back on the farm. But he didn’t have to live here, did he? “Where will he stay?”
Both Rosalinda and Ben chorused at once. “Here.”
Ben beseeched her with a small, loving smile. “There ain’t room in our place, and Rosie’s gonna have a time of it, taking care of me while I’m laid up.”
Rosalinda smiled warmly at her husband. “I do not mind taking care of you. But I do not have room in our small house for another.”
Jenna bit down on her lip as dread set in contemplating once again living with the man, only now she saw him for whom he was, a gambler, and not the man she’d vowed to love. She saw him as the man who had taken everything from her, in the name of one sorry bet.
Cash entered then, looking toward Ben. “Wagon’s all ready. You think you can make the trip, Ben?”
Ben turned to her “My leg aches like the devil. You got any whiskey, Miss Jenna?”
“It’s in the small cabinet by the back door,” Cash responded instantly, a brutal reminder that he’d been familiar with all aspects of Jenna’s house. He’d been familiar with other things as well. Intimately familiar. Jenna had trouble forgetting that. “I’ll get it,” he added, before leaving the room.
Rosalinda darted a glance at Ben. He cast her a brief smile, a daring feat seeing as he’d been knocked out cold a few hours ago. “That man’s got good in him.”
“Because he’s serving you whiskey?” Jenna asked with disbelief. Had both of her friends forgotten what Cash Callahan had done?
“No, querida,” Rosalinda intervened, “it is because he came back here. He is willing to help us.”
“I have a lot to thank him for, myself,” Ben said, nodding in agreement with his wife. “He did a mighty good job of patching me up.”
“He’s a gambler. Don’t count on him staying long.” Jenna knew in her heart, Cash Callahan wouldn’t last long on the farm. He wasn’t a farmer. He didn’t have the same love of the land as they did. He’d be gone before she blinked twice. Perhaps, she shouldn’t worry about him living here since he’d probably take off first chance he got.
“A man’s word should count for something, Miss Jenna,” Ben said, his voice growing weak. He really needed to get home to rest, Jenna thought. “And I believe he’s good to his word.”
Jenna doubted that, but for Ben and Rosalinda’s sake, she’d take Cash Callahan in. After all, he had helped save Ben, knowing just what to do and how to do it. Jenna wouldn’t deny him that.
But she also wouldn’t be a darn bit surprised if she woke up one morning to find him long gone.
Cash entered Jenna’s house later that night. He’d helped get Ben situated in his bed, and made sure Rosalinda had everything she needed to tend the ailing man, before he returned.
He’d been sorry about Ben’s accident, but because of it, Cash had gotten what he’d wanted—for Jenna to allow him to work the farm. He could protect her now, just in case the Wendells came here looking for him. He’d be ready. He wouldn’t let down his guard and, most important of all, Jenna would be safe.
Cash had almost forgotten the package he brought with him today. He entered the parlor and bent by the rocker to pick it up. On impulse, Cash had made a stop in Goose Creek to pick up a present for Jenna. Whether she accepted it or not, Cash had been compelled to buy her something real nice. Hell, she deserved so much more than he could ever give her. He owed her his life. He owed her her life. Because of Bobby Joe’s trickery, many lives had been destroyed. And if the gift he’d purchased brought Jenna even the smallest measure of joy, then it would be well worth it.
Jenna appeared in the doorway, her arms tightly folded around her middle, her body slumping. Clearly the events of the day had worn on her nerves. “Did you get Ben home okay?”
Cash nodded. “He’s going to be all right, Jenna. That gash is deep though. Antonio is taking him to Goose Creek tomorrow to see the doctor. I re-wrapped his leg, hoping to keep the bleeding down. It’s about all we can do for now.”
Jenna worried her lip then spoke gently, “Thank you for taking care of Ben.”
It was the first time Jenna’s voice had softened to him. Maybe in time, she’d come around. Cash didn’t want to do her any harm. He had to make her see that. “Listen, I know you don’t want me here—”
“That much is very true,” she interrupted.
A frown pulled at his lips. She wasn’t going to make this easy. “But now that I am, I’m going to help out as much as I can. I’ll do Ben’s work, starting tomorrow. But it’s been a long day for us both. I’ll bed down in the barn and let you get some rest, if that’s all right?”
“Yes, that’s all right.” She wasn’t too happy about any of this, but Cash knew Jenna was plumb out of options. For Ben’s sake, she couldn’t refuse his working here. Perhaps giving her the parcel would go a ways to getting her to come around.
“Oh, and here,” he said, handing her the package. “This is for you.”
Jenna’s light-blond brows lifted. “For me?” She appeared stunned, as though she’d never received a gift before. She took the package from his hands, casting him wary glances. “I don’t understand.”
“Go ahead. Open it, Jenna.”
Jenna sat down on the sofa and placed the package on her lap. With tentative fingers, she undid the thin string tie and the package folds opened slightly. Spreading the folds open all the way, Jenna stared down at the contents. “Oh, my.”
Her fingers grazed over the soft material of the dress. “This is beautiful.”
“Take it out,” Cash encouraged, hoping she’d accept his gift. He’d spent some time with Miss Millie at the emporium trying to find just the right one.
Jenna lifted the dress, the golden color nearly a perfect match to her long unruly hair. “It’s store-bought,” she said in awe.
Cash stepped closer, gratified by the look of pleasure on Jenna’s face. She’d probably never owned a dress that hadn’t been sewn on this farm. “It should fit. When I saw the color, it reminded me of you.” Golden, like ripened wheat fields. “I went by my recollections of your size.”
Jenna’s head shot up and her pale complexion turned rosy red. Cash cleared his throat. What could he say? A man didn’t forget the taste and feel of a woman like Jenna Duncan. He knew her size right down to her tiny delicate ankles.
She dropped the dress down, regret filling her eyes. With a chill in her voice, she said, “I can’t accept this.”
“Why not?”
“You bought this with gambling money.”
“Jenna, you saved my life. A man has a right to say thank-you for that. It’s a proper gift for a proper lady.”
She began refolding the dress, setting it back in its wrap. “Using gambling money isn’t my idea of a proper anything.”
Cash spoke with quiet regard. “Gambling’s all I’ve ever known, Jenna. It put food on my plate and a roof over my head since I was just a boy. I can’t help it, any more than you can help being a farmer. I didn’t have much choice. But if that dress can bring you an ounce of joy, then please accept it. You deserve something nice.”
Jenna nodded, her eyes downcast. She wouldn’t fight him on this, but she also refused to understand. She had a real blind side when it came to gambling. Damn, she peered at the dress with such longing that Cash knew she truly wanted it.
“It’s really very lovely,” she said finally.
“Then keep it. You don’t have to wear it. But keep the dress up in your room. Even if just to look at.”
Jenna studied the garment, her gaze travelling over each detail, each pearl button, each golden stitch. The kitten jumped playfully on the dress, and Jenna shooed her away. “I don’t…think I should.”
Cash kept his patience. “It won’t hurt anything if you just tuck it away in your room, Jenna.”
She lifted her eyes to him, the fig
ht all but gone from her. She’d had quite a wearisome day, he assumed, by the sound of her long drawn-out sigh. “Fine, then, Mr. Callahan.”
Mr. Callahan? Cash couldn’t abide her stiff formality and he hoped to change that real soon. But at least she accepted the dress. That would have to be enough for now, he decided.
A short time later, Jenna headed to the barn carrying a thick wool blanket and a basket. Standing just inside the doorway, she peered inside. A lantern burned dim light into the loft. “Mr. Callahan?”
“I’m up here,” he called out and Jenna saw his face appear at the edge of the loft.
“I brought you a blanket and some food. It’s nothing much, since I didn’t cook today. There’s some bread and cheese and Rosalinda’s pecan pie.”
A wide grin split his face. “You got pie?”
“I’ll just leave the basket. You can return it in the morning.” Jenna set both the basket and the blanket down, anxious to leave. The less time spent with him the better.
“Wait! I’m coming down.”
Jenna paused. She didn’t want to be alone in the barn with Cash Callahan, yet to leave so abruptly would only make her seem foolish. She’d only come to offer him a plate of food. Short moments later, Jenna stood face to face with him. “Is there something else?”
Cash lifted the basket and peered inside, his eyes going wide like a young boy finding a hidden treasure. “Haven’t had a decent meal in days. Been eating hard tack and beans mostly. Me and Scrappy.”
“Scrappy?”
“My dog. Sort of followed me from town and the darn mutt won’t leave my side. Didn’t you catch a glimpse of him today?”
“Uh, no. I wasn’t paying much mind to anything but Ben.” Jenna glanced up and saw the thin, unkempt black-and-white dog wag his tail from above. “Looks like he could use a good meal, too.”
“He’ll fatten up on the farm. He ain’t particular. He’ll eat anything he catches.”
“Really? What do you suppose he’ll catch on the farm?” Jenna had visions of a rat and mouse slayer. True, Button was the farm’s foremost predator in that regard, but what on earth would a dog be able to catch?
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