The Cowgirl's Secret (The Diamondback Ranch Series #)

by Novark, Anne Marie

  She grabbed the stack of dinner plates and rinsed them off before loading them into the dishwasher. Sam stepped up beside her and set the rest of the dirty dishes in the sink. He placed his hand on her hip and gave her a hug. "You've certainly made a hit with my mom." He kissed her hair. "You've made a hit with me, too. But you already know that."

  Before Tori could answer, Mary scraped back her chair. "I'm sorry, but I must say goodnight and go to bed. I tire so easily these days. Tori, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. If I don't see you again before you leave town for the holidays, my warm wishes and prayers go with you."

  Tori quickly dried her hands and walked over to where Sam's mother stood by the table. She hugged the frail woman, careful not to squeeze too hard. "I'm so glad to have met you, Mary. And thank you for being so understanding about the dog. When I leave here, I'll take him to the shelter. He'll make someone a very nice Christmas present."

  They both glanced at the small dog sleeping on a blanket in the corner of the kitchen. Mary frowned and shook her head. "I've been thinking about that, and I have a better idea."

  Sam came over and draped his arm over his mother's shoulder. "What idea is that, Mama?"

  Mary looked up at her tall son and smiled. "I've decided to keep him."

  "Keep the dog?" Tori said, her eyes flying to Sam's.

  "Yes? Why not?" Mary asked. "He needs a home and I have one to share. We will be good for one another. You'll see. Come, perrito." She snapped her fingers and the dog hopped up, wagging his tail, his ears alert and tongue hanging out. "You see how intelligent he is? This will be good. I bid you both adieu. Adieu, adieu, adieu. I've been watching The Sound of Music, can you tell?"

  "I love that movie," Tori said. "My mother and I watch it every year during the holidays." She kissed Mary and hugged her again. "Good night. I hope you won't regret keeping the dog."

  Mary smiled at the little mutt. "I won't. Good night, Tori. Good night, mijo. Come, perrito."

  Turning back to the dishes, Tori shook her head. "Your mother is such a dear. Do you think keeping the dog is really a good idea?"

  Sam shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. But if she wants the damn dog, who am I to deny her? I'll just go see that she gets settled in, then I'll be back to help with the clean-up. When we finish, I have a surprise for you." He bent to kiss her, before heading down the hall to his mom's bedroom.

  Tori didn't know how he could act so cheerful with his mother so sick. Although, he couldn't show his worry and angst all the time when he was around her; that wouldn't be good for Mary. Tori scrubbed the enchilada pan and sighed. Oh yes . . . the more she saw of Sam, the deeper in love she fell. She stared out the window over the sink and wondered what kind of surprise he had planned for her.

  Sam returned to help with the dishes. "She's getting ready for bed. She's exhausted, but very happy. Your visit has cheered her up, plus the dog seems to have lifted her spirits, too. When we're done here, we'll have our own private Christmas celebration. Well, as private as we can be with my mom sleeping down the hall."

  "Here? Now? But I didn't bring your gift--" She broke off abruptly when Mary padded back into the kitchen. She was wearing a fuzzy bathrobe and slippers and carrying a colorful afghan in her arms. The dog trotted in front of her as if leading a parade. Tori had to admit; he was pretty adorable, even if he was scruffy around the edges.

  "I have something I want to give to you, Tori." Mary plopped down onto one of the dining chairs, fatigue etched in her pale face. She set the afghan on the table and rubbed her hand lovingly over the crocheted coverlet. "You brought me perrito here, and so I have a gift for you. I made this a long time ago and would like for you to have it."

  "Oh, Mary. It's beautiful." Tori picked it up and unfolded the afghan, holding it close to her chest and burying her nose in it. "It's so soft, so lovely. How can you bear to give it away?"

  "Very easily, dear." Mary stooped to pick up the dog to hold on her lap. She stroked the brown fur slowly, thoughtfully. "I don't have much time left here on this good earth. It will make me happy to know I've given this to someone who will appreciate it and maybe think of me with kindness after I'm gone."

  Tori's throat closed painfully and her chest hurt. Tears burned in her eyes. "I'll treasure it always." She bent to hug Mary again, then swallowing a small sob, she knelt down beside her chair, tears starting to fall. "I . . . I don't know what to say."

  Sam's mother tenderly cupped Tori's jaw and smoothed her hair back from her wet cheeks. "It is God's will, child. Be kind to my Sammy. Even if things don't work out between you, you've given him much happiness and joy during this time of trouble and sorrow. You've lightened his burden of taking care of me. And for that, I thank you."

  Sam stepped forward. "Mama, you are not a burden."

  "Oh, Sammy. You're a good son. But me, I know. And now, it is truly time for me to go to bed. Give me a kiss and help me back to my room, mijo. Then you and Tori can have your little Christmas celebration in front of the fireplace and tree. It'll be romantic, no?"

  ***

  Sam hoped Tori would think it was romantic. For him, it was bittersweet. His emotions had flip-flopped so much this past year with his mom, he didn't know how he'd have survived without Tori in his life. As he led her by the hand to the living room, he was glad he and his mother had bought and decorated a tree this year. They were trying like hell to keep their life as normal as possible, but it was damned difficult. Especially since he was fairly certain this would be their last Christmas together.

  But it was also his and Tori's first Christmas. So that was the sweet with the bitter.

  He'd tried to set the scene for romance, not seduction, not with his mom so near. Romance was good. Women liked a little romance, right?

  The bright colored Christmas lights and the fire flickering in the hearth bathed the darkened room with a golden glow. He'd placed a bottle of Merlot and two wineglasses on the coffee table earlier in the day. A quilt was spread on the floor with large fluffy pillows to lounge against. And he'd kept the door closed, so Tori wouldn't see it before he was ready to show her.

  She walked into the room and stopped short, then turned. "Oh, Sam. Who would have guessed that beneath all that macho-ness beat the heart of a romantic?"

  He took her in his arms and held her close. "You like it?"

  She draped her arms over his shoulders and flashed him a megawatt smile. "I love it! Thank you."

  Standing on tiptoe, Tori pulled him down for a kiss. When they came up for air, he guided her toward the fireplace, where he sank to the carpet and gently pulled Tori down to sit beside him. Her blue eyes glimmered with the reflection of the flames, a question hovering in their sapphire depths.

  "Before we get good and comfortable," Tori said, "are we exchanging gifts tonight? You didn't mention it. Yours is in the car. It isn't wrapped, but that's okay. I'll run out and get it. Don't move." She didn't wait for his reply, but made a dash for the front door.

  Sam shook his head and put another log on the fire, then went to wait for her in the foyer. Tori seemed to always be making mad dashes everywhere. She was a bundle of barely-suppressed energy, constantly on the go. When she came back, he locked the door behind them, and they returned to the living room where they settled down on the quilt again. Tori set a small plastic bag on the coffee table along with her keys.

  Sam opened the bottle of Merlot and poured the burgundy liquid into the glasses and handed one to Tori. After they sipped their wine, he took her glass and set it next to his on the table behind them. He stacked a couple of the pillows, leaned against them and held out his arms. "Come here, babe."

  Tori smiled and snuggled into his embrace. "This is romantic. I can't believe you went to all this trouble just for me."

  "No trouble. I'm glad you like it. I thought it would be nice to sit in front of the fire and drink a glass of wine, look at the lights on the tree, hold you in my arms." He hugged her close and kissed the top of her head, then settled her in th
e crook of his arm where they sat and stared at the flames and the twinkling lights on the tree, enjoying each other, enjoying the moment.

  Tori broke the comfortable silence. "I just want to say that I didn't mean to cry all over your mother after dinner. I'm so sorry. I don't know how I lost control like that."

  "It's okay. I've cried all over her, too. Mom and I try to be open and honest about our feelings, which is hard for me since I'm not good at expressing mine. But we've agreed that since she has so little time left, we'll speak whatever is in our hearts. Sometimes, it gets . . . messy."

  Tori took his hand in hers and held it in her warm clasp. "I can only imagine. I don't know how you handle it so well. I would be a basket case if I was having to deal with my mom being so sick."

  He squeezed her hand then let it go and reached for his wine. "Mom had it right when she said you've made it easier for me. I don't really know how I would have survived if I hadn't met you. I mean, I would have survived, but it would have been much more difficult."

  "I'm glad, Sam. I'm glad I met you, too."

  "Enough of this already." He set his glass back on the table and stood up. "Wait right here." He walked over to the tree and searched through the wrapped packages until he found the one he wanted. He sank back down beside Tori and handed her the small square gift wrapped in red tinfoil. "Here you go. I saw this and couldn't resist."

  "What in the world?" Tori took the gift and shook it near her ear. "Hmmm, sounds interesting."

  "Just open it already."

  "Hey, I'm savoring the moment. You know, stopping to smell the roses."

  "You're a smart-ass, you know that?"

  "But I'm an irresistible smart-ass, right?"

  "Yes, you are." Sam pulled her onto his lap and kissed her hard on the mouth. "Now are you going to open the damn present or not?"

  "Not until you open mine first." She reached over his shoulder and retrieved the small plastic bag. "Sorry it's not wrapped. It's not much, but it's the thought that counts, right?"

  "Absolutely." Sam opened the bag and looked inside. He tilted the contents into his open palm. He held up a golden keychain with a little Frisbee on the end. He laughed. "I love it. Thank you."

  Tori scrunched her nose. "It's kind of like a consolation prize to remind you never to play Frisbee with me as your partner."

  "Au contraire." He leaned forward and kissed her. "I'll teach you to play Frisbee yet, sweetheart. This will be my badge of honor. Now, it's your turn. Open your gift."

  "Okay, okay." She slid back to the quilt and began unwrapping it. Tossing the paper aside, Tori looked at the jeweler's box, then up at Sam.

  "Open it, babe."

  Lifting the hinged lid, her eyes widened and she gasped. "Oh, Sam! It's gorgeous! Oh my God, I've never seen anything so beautiful."

  Sam took the box from her hands and removed the diamond and sapphire pendant. "When I saw it, it reminded me of your blue eyes. I knew I had to buy it for you." He undid the silver clasp and hung it around her neck where it hung suspended between her breasts.

  Tori lifted the pendant with not-quite-steady fingers. "It's too much, Sam. I only gave you a keychain, and it's not even real gold. And you gave me this? I . . . don't know what to say."

  Sam gathered her in his arms again. "Just say 'thank you, Sam' and give me a kiss."

  ***

  The day before she left for the Diamondback Ranch to spend Christmas with her family, Tori lay in bed with Sam after spending a glorious afternoon making love. With her head on his chest and his arms around her, she sighed in contentment.

  "Oh, by the way," he said, his deep voice rumbling beneath her ear. "Mom said to tell you thanks for the Christmas present. Again."

  Tori smiled. "I still can't believe she wanted to keep Poncho. I love that name, by the way. I really didn't intend to saddle y'all with one of my rescues. I'm so sorry."

  Sam tightened his hold on her. "I'm not. Mom's perked up quite a bit since she adopted Poncho. There's a twinkle in her eye and a lilt to her voice when she talks to him. He gives her something to think about other than the cancer. Gives her something to take care of, to focus her energy on. I'm glad you brought him to the house." He kissed the top of her head.

  Tori brushed her hand back and forth across Sam's chest. "Your mom is so nice. I enjoyed our dinner together. I think the dog helped break the ice. I was nervous about meeting her. Not only because she's your mother, but also, I've never been around a person as sick as she is. I was afraid I wouldn't know what to do or what to say. Then, oh my God, I blubbered all over her. I still can't believe I broke down like that."

  "I told you not to worry about it. Your visit was an unqualified success. If the dog hadn't done the trick, there was that chocolate cake you baked. Mom hasn't had an appetite for the past several months. I can't believe she ate two big pieces of the cake."

  "I can." Tori smiled. "That was no ordinary chocolate cake. That's my mother's special Texas Hot Cocoa Cake. It's truly an orgasmic experience for chocolate lovers."

  "Orgasmic, huh? I'll show you orgasmic."

  Before Tori could reply, Sam had turned over and rolled on top of her, pushing her into the mattress, kissing her into delirious acquiescence. It didn't take many of Sam's kisses to make Tori writhing, needy, and yearning for more.

  When they came up for air, Sam looked deeply into her eyes. "I'll miss you on Christmas Day. I wish . . . no, I promised myself I wouldn't say anything. Except I--"

  "Shhh." Tori put her finger over his lips. "I know. I'll miss you, too. But I have to go home for Christmas. You know I do. And you need to spend Christmas with your mom. You need to be here for her."

  Sam grabbed one of Tori's hands and kissed the palm. "Try to get back as fast as you can. I can't do without my Tori fix for too many days in a row."

  She lifted her head and kissed his chin. "I'll be back for New Year's. We'll ring out the old and ring in the new . . . together."

  Sam nodded. "I like the sound of that. Together. You and me. Here's to the future, sweetheart."

  Tori forced a smile. The future. She didn't know what the future would bring. Her life had become very complicated since she'd met Sam Garza; her goals somewhat blurred.

  She pushed away those thoughts and snuggled deeper under the covers closer to Sam. It wouldn't do much good to worry about it. Somehow, the future would take care of itself. It always had. It always would.

  ***

  The second semester started off with a bang. A big bang.

  "What do you mean you're engaged?" Tori stared in stupefaction at her roommate. She was sitting at the dining room table in their apartment three weeks after winter break, trying to make sense of that day's chemistry notes, trying not to think about Sam.

  Raenell held up her left hand where a large diamond ring glittered on her third finger. "I'm getting married, that's what it means."

  Tori blinked at her friend over her laptop screen. "Married? You?"

  "Yes, me. Yes, married. To Joe! Aren't you going to wish me luck?"

  "Oh my God! Of course, I am!" Tori shoved back her chair and ran to hug Raenell. "Congratulations! I can't believe it. Wow! Married."

  Raenell hugged her back. "Gee, Tori. You don't have to make it sound like it's the most surprising thing in the world."

  "Well, it is surprising." Tori sat back down at the table and closed her laptop. "You're such a free spirit. You've dated so many guys, always kept your options open. You getting married? It's going to take some getting used to."

  Raenell planted her hands on her hips, a look of indignation stamped on her classically beautiful face. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, girlfriend. I thought you'd be thrilled for me."

  "I am thrilled. If that's what you really want to do."

  "It is. I'm not like you. I haven't had my whole life and career mapped out since I was a kid. Yes, I plan on finishing up this semester and graduating. You know the only reason I went to college in the first place was to one, get my
parents off my back; and two, meet guys and get an MRS. I'd say mission accomplished, right?" She smiled a smile as big as Texas.

  Tori couldn't help smiling back. "Yes, if only you're sure." How could Raenell be so confident about taking such a big step? Tori's own feelings about Sam were so conflicted, she was losing sleep at night. The nights she didn't spend with Sam, that is.

  Raenell sat down at the table. "Nothing's a sure thing in this life, you know that."

  "But how can you know Joe's the one? The right one?"

  "Now who's acting like the romantic? Believe me. I've gone through enough guys to know that Joe's special. What we have is very special."

  "Maybe. Except you've always thought the new flavor-of-the-month guy was the one. What makes Joe different? You didn't even like him much when you first met. You said the sparks weren't really there."

  Raenell raised an eyebrow. "Unlike you and Sam?"

  "We're not talking about me and Sam." There really was nothing to talk about. Not at the moment, anyway.

  "Maybe we should talk about you and Sam."

  Tori shrugged. "Maybe. One of these days. Are you going to tell me what's different about Joe?"

  Raenell sat back and folded her arms across her chest. "Well, one thing different is the fact that the sparks had to build slowly. We got to know one another first. We didn't just jump into bed."

  Tori nodded. "That definitely was different."

  "Hey now! Don't be mean."

  "I was joking, Raenell. Just joking. So the sparks built slowly. Go on."

  "Do you really want to know or are you just humoring me?" Raenell narrowed her eyes at Tori, as if gauging her sincerity.

  "I really want to know," Tori said. "Maybe hearing about you and Joe will help me sort out my feelings for Sam." Confused feelings. Conflicting feelings. The heart-battling-the-brain feelings. Such as her heart belonging to Sam here in Dallas; her brain needing to focus on getting her degree at Texas A&M in College Station. She couldn't be in two places at the same time.