Texas Wild: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs Book 2

by Jean Brashear

  “I know it is.” Her smile was back to fake.

  Still, she was at least a little tempted, and he was determined. Maybe she wasn’t convinced now, but everyone said he could charm the birds out of the trees. Now that he’d let himself imagine them together, he knew he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. “You don’t believe me, but I’ll prove it to you.”

  “For now you have a long drive ahead. You’ll stop and rest, though? Don’t drive if you’re sleepy?”

  “I won’t. Ris…” He stepped closer. “Let me kiss you goodbye.”

  Anguish skated over her features, quickly masked. “I don’t seem to keep my mind real well when you kiss me, Mackey.”

  “Good. I don’t want you to. I want you to hear only me. See only me.” He reached for her then, and she came slowly but sighed as he closed her in his embrace.

  The kiss nearly brought him to his knees with the power of his longing for her. “A week,” he said as they came up for air. “You can be ready in a week.”

  “Shut up and kiss me.”

  And they lost themselves again. He was an inch from taking her to the ground and imprinting himself on her, branding her with his possession, making sure she knew she was his.

  But they were in sight of the cafe. The town square. Damn it.

  At last Rissa took the decision from his hands by pulling back. Stepping away. “Goodbye, Mackey.” She placed her fingers over those lips he so loved to kiss.

  “Rissa, I…” Love you. Did he? If this was love, it hurt.

  “Just…go. Please, Mackey, just go.”

  “I’ll call you every day.”

  He could see her wet eyes shimmer in the moonlight.

  I hate this. If there were anyone else who could finish that job for him… He cast his mind frantically around for any option.

  “We’re not done,” he said. He forced himself to turn away and go back inside the cafe to say his goodbyes.

  It was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

  Somehow Mackey made it through the explanations to the kids. Samantha tearfully secured a promise from him that he’d return the first chance he had, and knowing how liberally he was interpreting that wording made him feel like dirt.

  But not as bad as Eric’s eyes, which said that he never expected to see Mackey again.

  Ian had shown him the mercy to say he’d explain Mackey’s abrupt departure to the townspeople and save him a public announcement. Ruby had looked at him with disappointment but also with the fondness he’d experienced from her all his life.

  Scarlett wouldn’t have spit on him if he’d been on fire.

  Good for you, he thought. Having her solidly in Rissa’s corner was something Rissa desperately needed, buried alive on that ranch with her cold, unfeeling father.

  As he got in his truck to return to the ranch to gather his things, he glanced back at Ruby’s house. Flirted with the temptation to try again with Rissa, to convince her that his idea would work. Her gift with horses could, as he’d observed before, make her a rich woman. He knew people with money to burn.

  He’d had his eye on a place in the Valley, enough acreage to set up his own stables.

  Their own stables, he thought. He’d get Rissa to be his partner. He’d front the money for the kind of operation she deserved, not some broken-down ranch in back-of-beyond Texas, but the first class operation she ought to have.

  The idea grew on him as he turned in at the ranch, and the dread he’d felt began to ease. As soon as he had things under control on the set, he’d start planning in earnest. He’d get details ironed out so he could present Rissa with a fully-fleshed plan, timetables and everything.

  For a second he toyed with the notion of just putting it all together before he said anything to her.

  Then he smiled at himself. Yeah, that would go over well with a woman who was used to calling the shots.

  She knew better than he would what she would require and how best to set it all up.

  All her life, he realized, she’d made do with what was handed to her. A poor lot it was, too, but she’d made more out of it than anyone would have imagined.

  She would love being in control of this from the ground up, and he’d give that to her. He’d just write the checks. She could set it up any way she wanted.

  He parked his truck in front of the cottage and got out, feeling hope creep in when all had seemed lost.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rissa sat on Ruby’s back porch until she saw Mackey leave the cafe. She would not risk returning to the ranch while he might still be there, but she sure wasn’t ready to be inside Ruby’s with the crowd. Their number was dwindling, but it was still more people than she could face and keep her composure.

  Celia would take Eric home. They’d already discussed him having a sleepover, and both kids were ecstatic. Eric could have Jackson’s old room, or the kids could hold a slumber party in the family room.

  But for herself…she didn’t know what she wanted, except that sleep wasn’t on the menu, however much it should be. Her days began early, and she wasn’t one for staying up late. By the time she got done with her chores and the paperwork, usually she just read for a few minutes before sleep pulled her under, and the next day everything would start all over again. There were no weekends or vacations for a rancher. Sundays were marginally slower, but animals don’t recognize holidays.

  I could give you so much. You need to come see. How little he understood of her situation that he could even suggest such a thing. Too easy for him to say—he had no ties. No chains of heritage. Of responsibility.

  But she did long to see even a slice of his world, to be able to picture how he spent his days and where he put his head at night.

  A week. You can be ready in a week. Oh, how she wished…

  Restless, she left Ruby’s and began to walk. She’d catch a ride with someone later or borrow Scarlett’s car, but for now, the cheerful sound of voices in the diner only made her feel more lonely.

  Ian will help you. I’ll hire you help.

  He really didn’t get how close to the bone they operated. Hiring help wasn’t feasible, and she would never take his money to do so. If Ian were asked to help, he’d just add her duties to his own load, which was already crushing.

  It’s a dream, Mackey, she thought as she rounded the courthouse and neared the spring behind it. A really nice one, but… There was no point in torturing herself. Any time they had together would be only temporary.

  They always go, said a voice so soft she must have imagined it. She glanced around her, but she was alone.

  Love strong enough to stay, the murmur said, as a faint glimmer of white appeared out of the corner of her eye.

  Very slowly she revolved her head. Surely not…but Ruby swore she’d seen The Lady. Scarlett said she had, too. Rissa had dismissed it as pure hokum.

  I am not, the voice said. Slowly a form emerged from beneath the sheltering trees here at the river’s bend.

  Rissa stifled a gasp. Blinked and wondered if anything would be there when she opened her eyes.

  He left. He said he would return.

  “Yeah, he did,” Rissa said softly. “But he won’t.”

  I speak of my man, not yours. He has been gone so long.

  “He’s not my man.”

  In your hearts you belong. If he stays, there must only be one more…

  Rissa frowned. “What do you mean?”

  One has come and stayed. One more might. If a third…

  Rissa cocked her head. “Then what would happen?”

  The figure smiled sadly. I have waited so long.

  “For what?” Rissa asked.

  Love strong enough to stay… The figure receded, the trees behind her reappearing where her filmy dress had been.

  “Wait.” Rissa followed her deeper into the trees. “What are you saying?” She lifted a hand as if to grasp The Lady and keep her here. “Don’t go.”

  But the form went to mis
t.

  Then disappeared altogether.

  “Oh, I ain’t goin’ nowhere, bitch.”

  Rissa gasped and whirled.

  Jimbo Chambers strolled into the dense stand of trees. Behind him was the only way out except the river behind her. “What do you want?” Rissa swallowed and damned herself for dressing for Mackey tonight. She couldn’t run worth a flip in these sandals, and they were no defense the way her customary boots were.

  His expression made it clear that he hadn’t followed her just to chit-chat.

  “I want you out of my face. Taught Gina a lesson. Gonna teach you one too.” His hands clenched into fists as he strode toward her.

  This is Sweetgrass, Mackey. Nothing exciting ever happens.

  “Nobody sends me away—no one. Not you, not that stupid bitch. Gina wasn’t no good for much outside the bedroom, but I say when I’m done, not you.” He closed in on her.

  Rissa made herself stand her ground, however much she wanted to turn and run. Bullies like Jimbo salivated over a chase. Running only brought out their aggression.

  “I leave when I want. I take what I want. Been watching you out back over yonder with your fancy man.”

  His hands were hams, clenched into fists now.

  Fear rippled down her spine. Clenched in her belly. “Jimbo, we can talk about this.” She stalled for time, thinking madly, scanning the area.

  Just behind him, Rissa spotted a fallen branch that looked like something she could pick up and swing.

  If only she could get to it.

  “Nothin’ to talk about. Talkin’ to women never did any man good. Bigmouthed women like you don’t listen anyhow.” He leered. “Maybe first I’ll see what Mr. Hollywood finds so interesting about you. Show you how a real man—”

  Rissa feinted to the left, and when he lunged for her, she shifted to her right and shot past him, but her sandals slipped, and she fell.

  With a roar, he came after her. She jumped up, racing as fast as she could toward the branch.

  At last she laid a hand on it.

  He grabbed for her and missed. She stumbled but gripped the limb and swung around as hard as she’d ever done anything in her life.

  But she connected with his shoulder, not his head.

  “I will kill you!” he roared.

  She backed away, waving the branch like an unwieldy baseball bat. “You don’t want to do this, Jimbo. You haven’t been out of jail that long. They will lock you up and throw away the key—”

  “Shut up!” He barreled toward her.

  She swung again, aiming for his head once more.

  He grabbed the branch and jerked it from her, then tossed it aside.

  With a bellow, he was on her, punching her in the belly.

  A tearing pain shot through her. She bent double.

  He cuffed her head with his fist so hard she couldn’t see for a second.

  She fell to the ground, then rolled to protect herself.

  He flipped her to her back. Grabbed her skirt and shoved it up.

  She was so dizzy. Felt like throwing up.

  Fight. You have to fight. Don’t pass out. Don’t give up.

  There were people across the square at Ruby’s. If she could get a breath to scream—

  She kicked at him.

  He grabbed her by the throat.

  She drummed her feet on the ground, panic flaring.

  “Be still, damn it!”

  She couldn’t breathe—

  Sparks shot around the edges of her vision.

  If only she could get a knee to his groin. She squirmed beneath him and slapped at him.

  Finally his fingers unclenched from her throat.

  Went for her hands to restrain them.

  She sucked in a breath that burned all the way down.

  She kicked at him, but he simply crushed his body on hers.

  Desperately she curled her fingers into claws and went for his eyes. Felt the sickening give of soft tissue.

  He reared back with a yelp.

  She scrambled from under him. Tried to stand straight but couldn’t.

  He writhed on the ground, and she tried to kick him, holding onto her belly as pain like she’d never felt seared through her.

  She had to get away from him. She turned and staggered out from the trees. “Help! Somebody—please!” It hurt so bad to yell, but that couldn’t matter.

  “I will kill you!” Behind her she heard movement.

  Run. You have to run.

  All she could do was stumble. Stagger.

  “Help! Somebody help—”

  From behind, he lunged and took her down.

  The pain was unimaginable, but still she fought him.

  He reared back, his huge fist aimed straight at her head.

  Rissa’s head exploded in agony.

  Then…nothing.

  Mackey was running behind, but he couldn’t leave Rissa more work to do, so he’d cleaned the cottage the best he could, then he’d gone to the barn and readied everything possible for morning.

  And all the while he kept hoping she’d show up.

  That he’d convince her to come away with him.

  Finally he’d accepted that there was nothing else left for him to do except leave. He’d grabbed his stuff and begun loading.

  “I told her she couldn’t count on you.”

  Mackey stuck his duffel in the back of his vehicle then turned toward the voice.

  “You’re leaving,” James Gallagher said with a sneer. “Just like that. Got my girl all prettied up for you, then you just leave her high and dry.”

  “I asked her to go with me.”

  The old man snorted. “Rissa won’t leave here. Place is in her blood.”

  “You ever give her a choice? You’ve had a pretty sweet deal all this time. She works her head off for you, but do you ever say one kind word to her? Ever bother to notice how damn hard she works?”

  “Not your concern what goes on at this ranch.”

  “You don’t deserve her.”

  “And you do?”

  “Not yet, but I’m prepared to earn her.”

  “How you expect to do that when you’re already running away?”

  “I’m not running away. I’m needed on a job, but I’ll be back.”

  “Sure you will.”

  Mackey had tried to restrain his temper long enough. “Do you think Mary would be proud of you if she could see you now?”

  “Get the hell off my place. My family’s not your concern.”

  “Your family is all but gone.” Mackey got right in his face. “You drove your own son away. You made this place so inhospitable that your other daughter left, too. Rissa stays here and gives you everything she has, and you don’t even appreciate her.”

  “None of your business.”

  “It is my business.”

  “How you figure that?”

  “Because I love her.” The words rolled right off his tongue. They felt surprisingly good.

  “You got some way of showing it,” James scoffed.

  “When I come back, I’m taking her with me. That is, if I don’t get her out there first. If luck is with me, she’ll be with me in a week. I’m going to do my damnedest to make it happen.”

  “Rissa won’t leave.” But the old man’s voice wavered a little.

  “What’s there to keep her here? Damn sure not love. You’re not giving her any. I wonder if you ever did.”

  “Boy, you don’t know—”

  “Señor Gallagher!” Pedro was running from the bunkhouse. “Señor Gallagher, it’s Rissa!”

  Mackey went to instant alert. “What’s happened?”

  “She has been hurt.”

  Mackey recoiled. “Hurt? Where? What happened?”

  “I do not know.”

  “Where is she?” James demanded.

  “They are taking her to the hospital in Johnson City.”

  Hospital? “How badly is she injured?” Mackey was already rounding his vehi
cle.

  “Bad. They say for her padre to come.”

  James Gallagher started toward the house.

  “Get in,” said Mackey. “I’ll drive.”

  “I ain’t riding with you.”

  He could tell the old man was shaken. “Get in. Please.”

  “You’re leaving.”

  “With Rissa hurt? You’ve got to be kidding. Come on, you’re wasting time.” Mackey was already dialing Ian’s cell. He barely gave Rissa’s father time to shut his door before he gunned the motor and charged into the night.

  “What the hell happened?” Mackey demanded of Ian without any greeting.

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m on the way to Johnson City with Rissa’s dad. Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I thought you were already gone. And screw you, anyway, for leaving her vulnerable.”

  “What do you mean vulnerable?” Horror rose. “Are you saying she was attacked?”

  Ian’s silence spoke more than words could.

  “No! Who would—” Mackey’s gut twisted. “I tried to get her to come with me. She said she was going to stay at Ruby’s until someone could give her a ride—damn it!” He smacked the steering wheel with his hand. None of that mattered.

  “Tell me what happened,” Mackey said through clenched teeth. “How did she get hurt?”

  “Jimbo Chambers caught her back by the spring. Beat the living hell out of her, then took off. She came to long enough to give his name.” It took a lot to make Ian angry, but he was furious now.

  “Who the devil is…” He groaned as he understood. “The guy she chased away from Eric’s mom.” Rissa, damn it. He should have been the one to talk to Gina. Shouldn’t have listened to Rissa, who was too blasted independent for her own good.

  “Eric? The boy with you at the cafe? Gina Bronson’s son? What’s Rissa doing getting involved with him?”

  “Eric is another one of Rissa’s strays. She lets him hang out at the ranch to dodge his mother’s crappy boyfriends. Only this asshole was knocking both of them around, so Rissa got in his face, then told Gina she’d get the authorities involved and take Eric away if she didn’t cut ties with this Chambers.”

  A sound of distress erupted from her father. Mackey glanced over with a brisk nod. Yeah, if you’d bother to talk to her instead of barking orders, you’d know.