Straight For The Heart

by McDonough, Vickie;

  Tom had offered to return home with his daughter, but Quinn insisted that he take her since Tom wasn’t familiar with the ranch and might get lost in the dark. Sarah was pretty sure Tom was relieved. Both he and John were enjoying themselves immensely. Camping was so far removed from their normal routine of office work and dealing with beef buyers. She understood their reluctance to leave a place with no responsibilities or pressures.

  Somehow, Sarah felt Florinda had gotten just what she wanted—a ride alone with Quinn. And in the dark, no less. She shouldn’t be jealous, but when Florinda had claimed her fear was too great to ride alone, Quinn had allowed her to sit in front of him. Sarah couldn’t stand the thought of her husband’s arms around that woman. Florinda was probably leaning back against Quinn’s chest, enjoying every minute and gloating in the dark.

  She should have gone with him. But the children had been so excited about sleeping under the stars. They’d whined and complained about it when they’d lived with Uncle Harlan, but on the Rocking M, it was a great adventure. Still, she’d sent her siblings to bed without dessert, much to their complaint. They deserved a harsher punishment for disobeying her and for scaring Miss Phillips again, but she couldn’t bring herself to spank them.

  Sarah shook her head remembering how Ryan adamantly argued that she hadn’t told them not to scare Miss Phillips but rather not to put any more critters on her.

  She picked up the bucket and lantern and made her way back to camp. Uncle John and Tom had already bedded down. Ryan wiggled around on his pallet as if he couldn’t get comfortable. Sarah peeked at Beth and found her little sister was sound asleep.

  She set the lantern on the wagon’s tailgate and put the bucket behind it. Out in the darkness a horse nickered. Sarah jumped. As always her first thoughts raced to Uncle Harlan. Had he figured out that she took the gold to Medora? Was the story still circulating of the rancher who married a jailbird? What if he had heard about it and was on his way to the Rocking M right now?

  All security fled, and she yanked a rifle from the buckboard. She stepped into the shadows and aimed toward where she’d heard the horse.

  “H’lo the camp.”

  Ryan and John sat up in unison and looked around. Tom and Beth slept on.

  “Who’s there?” Sarah called, clutching the rifle with trembling hands.

  “It’s Slim. Quinn sent me up here to help y’all with breakfast tomorrow and to get packed up and back to the house.” Bushes rattled as he passed between them and into the light, leading his horse. One of the tethered horses nickered to Slim’s horse. The cowboy tipped his hat. “Evening, ma’am.”

  Sarah exhaled a relieved breath. “C’mon in. There’s coffee left.”

  She poured him a cup while he unsaddled his horse and spread out his bedroll a few yards from the campfire. She handed him the tin cup, then crawled into the tent. Sarah rebraided her hair as she stared at the flickering flames of the campfire. Why had Quinn sent Slim instead of coming back himself?

  Probably because Miss Phillips wouldn’t release her hold on him. No doubt the persnickety woman had wrangled some other chore for Quinn to do. Now that she had him to herself, Sarah was certain Florinda would make the most of it.

  She lay down but doubted she would sleep much. Too many worries swirled in her mind. Quinn had wanted their marriage to be one only on paper. Could Florinda steal Quinn’s love?

  Sarah flipped onto her other side as she realized how ridiculous that thought was. If Quinn had affections for Miss Phillips, he never would have married another woman. Still. . .Florinda was beautiful to look at, and Sarah was just as she’d said—a tumbleweed.

  She flopped onto her back and stared up at the stars through the open end of the tent. There were millions of them sprinkling the raven sky like little diamonds she’d once seen in a store. Quinn might not love her, but he was an honorable man. He wouldn’t share his affections with a woman when he was married to another.

  God had put her and Quinn together. Sarah was certain of it. The Lord had answered her prayers in a manner she never could have imagined and provided a home for her and the children. He wouldn’t let them be cast out because of a spoiled, selfish woman.

  “Thank You, Father, for calming my fears. Forgive me for worrying overly much and not trusting You to take care of us. I ask You to forgive me for being jealous of Florinda, and help me to be nicer to her. Thank You for keeping Uncle Harlan away, and please don’t let him find us.” She shivered at the thought of what he might do if he did.

  An unwanted tear ran down the corner of her eye. “Please show me how to love Quinn, and make him learn to care for me, so we can stay here forever.”

  ❧

  The closer they rode to home, the more anxious Sarah became. It was stupid. She knew that, but her fears threatened to overpower the peacefulness she’d felt that morning as she prayed by the creek.

  “Are you cold, Sissy?”

  “No, I’m fine. Why?” Though late June and normally a one-blanket night, sleeping outside had felt much cooler than in her cozy bedroom. She wished she’d thought to bring a shawl along.

  “You’re shivering.” Beth squeezed her arms around Sarah’s waist. “I’ll keep you warm.”

  She patted her sister’s hand. The ranch yard was quiet as they rode into it. Ryan trotted his horse over to the corral and climbed down, but Sarah aimed hers for the house. The front door opened, and Quinn strode out with Florinda on his arm. Her heart dropped, and her whole body felt weak, as if she’d lived through a train wreck. Had she lost him already?

  Quinn smiled at her, and unwound Florinda’s arm so quickly that the prissy woman dressed in pale green nearly stumbled. She grabbed hold of the porch post and scowled. Quinn didn’t notice as he bounded down the steps toward Sarah. His warm smile set Sarah’s hope back on track.

  “Let me help you down, Beth.” The little girl nearly leapt from her seat behind Sarah and hugged Quinn’s neck.

  “I didn’t like it when you left.”

  “Neither did I, sweet thing. Elke has some cinnamon rolls on the warmer. Why don’t you wash up and go get one.”

  Beth grinned at him and kicked her feet. Quinn set her down, and she took off like a top. His gaze turned upward, and a shy smile tugged at one corner of his mouth.

  “I missed you.” He lifted his hands, stunning Sarah.

  He missed her? Ignoring Florinda’s glare, she fell into his arms and wrapped herself around her husband. Was he serious? Or was it all a show to get Miss Phillips to leave him alone?

  Quinn gently pushed her away from his warm chest and stared down. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, making her knees go weak. She loved his dark, expressive eyes and longed to run her hand through his hair. He leaned down, pushed her hat back on her head, and claimed her lips. Sarah was so surprised that she stood there stiff as a step for a moment until her senses returned. Then she kissed him back, showing him that she longed to be his true wife. Quinn inhaled sharply through his nose, as if her response surprised him.

  He set her back far too soon and stared into her eyes. Sarah’s heart ricocheted in her chest. She was afraid she was falling in love with a man who didn’t want her. But his kiss had felt anything but phony.

  He smiled, and it actually reached his eyes. “I’m sorry Florinda ruined our campout, and I hope you realize that there’s nothing between her and me. If I’ve given you that impression, I’m sorry. You’re my wife, Sarah, and that’s what’s important.”

  Quinn smiled openly as he tucked her under one arm and held her close. “Ryan, come and tend your sister’s horse.”

  The boy jogged toward them, casting curious glances as he grabbed the horse’s reins.

  “Be sure to brush her down and feed her.”

  “Yes, sir.” He nodded and led the mare toward the barn.

  Sarah grinned, pleased to see her brother responding so well to Quinn’s orders. When he first arrived, he hardly wanted anything to
do with the man, but now he shadowed Quinn whenever he could—almost like a father and son.

  With her arm around her husband’s narrow waist, Sarah allowed Quinn to guide her up the steps. She nodded at Florinda, whose lips looked as if they’d tasted lemonade without the sugar. She crossed her arms, stomped one foot, and sashayed back inside. Sarah wished that she and Florinda could be friends in spite of their mutual attraction to Quinn, but it was obvious that Miss Phillips didn’t share that desire.

  The cabin smelled of cinnamon and fresh baked bread. Even though they’d eaten breakfast at the camp, now that her worries had been calmed, Sarah’s stomach begged for food.

  Florinda must have gone to her bedroom, for she was nowhere in sight. In spite of the woman’s immature display, Sarah couldn’t help grinning up at Quinn. Gloating was wrong, she knew that, but her heart overflowed with so much happiness at her husband’s surprising greeting that she couldn’t hold it all in.

  Martha hurried toward them, dressed in a brown and gold calico. “Welcome back, dear. I missed your company and those ornery children. Beth’s in the kitchen, having a snack. Perhaps you’d like to join her when you’re finished with my grandson?”

  She looked up at Quinn, enjoying his nearness and the feel of his solid body. He smiled. “I’m glad you’re back, but work is waiting. I’ll see you at lunch.” He cast a quick glance at his grandmother, bent down and kissed Sarah’s cheek, and then all but bolted for the barn.

  Martha tugged Sarah’s arm around her own and patted her hand. Her eyes twinkled. “Well, things are certainly looking up between you and my grandson. It’s amazing what a little competition can do.”

  ❧

  After breakfast the next morning, Sarah sat on the sofa in the parlor, helping Beth with her alphabet. She wrote an M on the slate. “What’s that letter?”

  Beth grinned up at her. “That one’s easy. It’s an M, like the Rocking M on Quinn’s sign.”

  “That’s right. How about this one?” She wiped off the letter and replaced it with a Q.

  A rustling sounded from the hall, and Sarah looked over her shoulder. Florinda strode into the room with her fancy hat affixed to her head and tied under her chin with a big bow. She set a satchel on a chair, laid her parasol beside it, and narrowed her eyes at Sarah. “I’m leaving. Have someone get a buggy and drive me into town.”

  Sarah set Beth on the floor. “Go to the barn and find Quinn, please.” The girl bounded out the door, casting an odd look back at Miss Phillips.

  Sarah set the slate and chalk on the sofa and stood. What could she say to make Florinda reconsider? Would her leaving affect her father’s decision to buy cattle from Quinn? The men had been talking numbers and prices yesterday evening, but nothing had been settled, as far as she knew.

  “Please, won’t you sit down and talk about this? There’s no need for you to leave.” Sarah locked her fingers together to keep her hands from shaking. “I was hoping we might become friends.”

  Florinda lifted her nose and tossed her head. “That’s not possible.”

  “But why? What have I done to make you dislike me so?”

  “Surely you realize that I have had my eye on Quinn for many years.”

  “How could I know?” Sarah shook her head. “Honestly. I knew nothing about you when Quinn and I married. I’ll admit that I don’t understand your interest in him, when it’s obvious that you don’t like it here.”

  Miss Phillips turned up her nose. “I can barely stand to visit this rustic place, but I had plans for Quinn in my father’s beef production company.”

  “He would never be happy in a city. He’s a rancher at heart and needs the wide open spaces, and this ranch needs him.”

  “Well. . .it’s neither here nor there now. I probably should have set my sights for Adam. At least he had the sense to leave this godforsaken place.”

  Loud footsteps sounded a moment before Quinn, John, and Tom entered the parlor. Mr. Phillips strode to his daughter’s side. “What’s this I hear about you leaving?”

  “It’s true. I can’t stay here another day.”

  Tom scratched his head. “Well. . .you can’t travel alone.” He turned to face the other men. “I’m sorry, but it looks like I’ll be leaving today. My daughter can’t travel unescorted. Go ahead with the numbers we talked about. I’ll send my man out here in mid-September, unless I hear different from you. All right?”

  Quinn nodded and held out his hand. “Thank you. I’ll make sure you get quality beef.”

  Florinda squirmed and fiddled with her net bow. John stared at his friend, looking disappointed and perplexed.

  Tom pursed his lips and stared at the floor; then he looked at John. “I’m sorry our trip was cut short, but—”

  John laid his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Think nothing more of it. Family comes first. I’ll see you when I get back to Chicago.”

  Tom nodded and walked to Martha, who’d just entered the room. “I’m sorry to be leaving so soon, but I thank you for your wonderful hospitality.” Tom hurried down the hall to his room.

  “I’ll get a buggy ready and take you to town.” Quinn tipped his hat at Florinda.

  “I’d prefer someone else drive us.”

  Sarah’s heart ached for Quinn at Florinda’s rude tone. Now that Miss Phillips had conceded her loss, she no longer wanted to be around him.

  “No problem.” Quinn pressed his lips tight and glanced at Sarah. She tried to soften things with a smile. “I’ll have one of the hands drive you to town.”

  Quinn spun around and stalked out of the room in wide, long-legged strides.

  Now that Florinda was leaving, would he continue showing affection to Sarah? She was asleep when he finally went to bed last night and had only seen him at breakfast. He’d smiled at her but hadn’t touched her since greeting her in the yard.

  Sarah collected the slate and chalk and put it in a desk drawer. Florinda paced in front of the window, waiting for her father. Sarah couldn’t help feeling sorry for the man who had to cut his plans short because of his daughter’s whims. Maybe if Florinda’s mother were still alive things would be different.

  “Can I offer you some refreshment before you leave?”

  The young woman spun around. “No, you may not. And I would appreciate if you would leave my sight immediately.”

  Sarah cringed at Florinda’s command but didn’t want to upset their guest further. “As you wish. I will pray that you have a safe journey home.” She hurried into the kitchen and ran straight into Martha’s arms.

  “Now don’t fret, dear. That girl never liked coming here.” The older woman patted her back and leaned close to Sarah’s ear. “I’m tired of her childish games.”

  “I’m sorry. I never meant to cause problems for you and Quinn.”

  Martha pushed away. “You didn’t, and I won’t have you thinking that. Quinn’s been the happiest I’ve seen since Anna’s wedding. You’re good for my grandson, and you need to know that.”

  Sarah forced a smile, grateful for Martha’s encouragement. “Thank you.”

  Martha patted her cheek. “Just give Quinn more time. I can already tell that he has feelings for you. He just needs to realize it himself.”

  Fourteen

  Quinn sat at his desk, calculating how much he’d make from the sale of one hundred twenty head of cattle to Tom Phillips. The amount would more than see them through the next winter and leave plenty of stock so that he’d have a good crop of calves next spring, as long as the winter wasn’t too harsh.

  Balancing everything wasn’t always easy, but it was doable. He laid down his pen and leaned back in the chair. Thank goodness Tom had more sense than his spoiled daughter.

  Lamplight flickered across his ledger pages. In spite of having more people at the ranch to provide for, things were going well. He thought of the two pair of Percherons in training. In another few weeks he would be receiving final payment for the four large stock horses.

  Yep, thing
s were going well, but he still had a dissatisfaction that he couldn’t shake. Was it because of Sarah?

  His mouth curved up as he thought of how surprised she’d been when he’d kissed her the morning after the campout. And she had pleasantly amazed him by kissing him back quite soundly. Her mouth was as soft as a horse’s muzzle, and she felt good in his arms. He’d been a fool to want a marriage in name only, but then, he hadn’t really wanted a marriage at all. Yeah, he’d willingly married Sarah, because it had seemed the right thing to do at the time. He got a wife and got Grandma off his back and got Sarah out of jail. What would have happened to Ryan and Beth if he hadn’t married Sarah?

  Quinn ran his hand through his hair, not wanting to think of how bad things could have been for the children. Maybe Sarah would be willing to consider a true marriage. She certainly hadn’t liked how Florinda threw herself at him.

  “What are you grinning at?” Sarah’s soft voice floated out of the surrounding darkness a moment before he saw her.

  He straightened, knowing he couldn’t tell her his thoughts. Or could he?

  Sarah shrugged. “Never mind. I just wanted to ask you something.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Well. . .I’ve been having evening devotions with Ryan and Beth ever since our parents died. Pa used to lead them, and I’ve tried to keep that one thing going when everything else was going haywire.”

  Quinn stood and crossed the room to her. “That’s good that you have. I’m sure it’s helped the kids.”

  “It helped me, too. It would have been so easy to get angry at God for all that happened.” She glanced up at him, her blue eyes swimming with tears. “But then, who would I have had to help me? I would have been completely alone if not for God.”

  He placed his hands on Sarah’s upper arms. “You have us now. You’re not alone anymore.” Sarah’s smile warmed a place in his heart that had been cold for a long time.

  “I don’t want you to be alone either.” She placed her hand on his chest. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you try to keep yourself apart from everyone else. You don’t have to bear your burdens alone, Quinn. I’m here to help, and God will help.”