The Cattle Drive [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  “So you’re from Illinois?” she asked nicely.

  “Yeah, it’s a nice place and all, but Dad and I just wanted something different and quiet. Dad was this big-time engineer. He traveled all the time, but after his last business trip he came home looking like he had a visit from death. He just didn’t care anymore. He tried to get back into work, but he had a hard time. He had always talked about getting a place out in the country—farming, cows, you know, the whole picture—so he bought this place. I think he is trying to forget something, but I don’t know what.”

  “So what about your mother?” she asked, trying to focus her thoughts.

  “She and Dad went to high school together. When Dad found out she died in childbirth, he dropped out of college to raise me, so basically it’s just been me and Dad,” Henry said quietly, looking away from her.

  Rachael just stood there with the lettuce in her hands, when her heart began to race and her hands started to shake. Her breathing began to increase as she began to have one of her flashbacks. Soon she was watching the whole terrible scene begin to unfold.

  She gripped the steering wheel as she slammed on the brakes, as the tanker exploded, rocking the truck. Snapping her out of the horror, she quickly turned the wheel of the truck hard, trying to avoid crashing into the ball of fire. When her back tires lost traction and began to skid, she turned hard in the opposite direction, causing her truck to flip several times. She threw her arms up to protect her face…

  * * * *

  Henry was jabbering away when he took the potatoes out of the oven and set them on top of the stove. He heard a knock at the back door and kept talking to Rachael as he went to answer it.

  “Hello, I’m Sheriff Mason. I saw Rachael’s horse here. Is she around? I need to talk to her?” Chris asked the tall kid.

  “Yeah, she’s here, Sheriff. Come on in. We are having dinner. You are more than welcome to stay. We have plenty,” he said as he opened the door.

  “Thank you, son, but I just need to ask Rachael something. I won’t stay long.”

  “She is in the kitchen making the salad,” Henry said, walking behind the sheriff.

  Chris stopped and turned around to face the boy. “She’s cooking?” he asked with shock in his voice.

  “Well, I am making the steaks, but she is getting the salad ready.” Henry smiled.

  Chris walked into the kitchen and saw her standing there, frozen. He quickly walked up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He felt her go stiff. He slowly turned her around and saw the fear in her eyes.

  He could tell from her panicked look that she was somewhere else. He watched as her eyes glazed over, as if she was caught in some horrible nightmare. Her pulse was racing. Sweat was dripping from her forehead. Chris knew he had to get her out of there quick. He quickly put his arm around Rachael and ushered her toward the door, leaving Henry looking confused.

  “Henry, I have to take Rachael home. She isn’t feeling well. Maybe you can have her over some other night. I hope you understand.”

  “Well, yeah. Is Rachael all right?” he asked, concerned.

  “She’ll be fine. Do you know how to ride?” Chris asked the kid.

  “Ride what?”

  “Horses?”

  “No, but my dad and uncle do.”

  “Can you have one of them ride Mystic over to her house when they get in?” Chris asked, trying to get Rachael’s feet to move. She wasn’t budging. She stood there like a statue, frozen in her moment of terror.

  Michael made his way downstairs, hearing more voices as he entered the kitchen. Michael saw her with that same look upon her face as he did that day in the courtroom.

  Fear.

  Smiling, he walked toward her.

  Rachael’s eyes diverted to the stranger who just walked in. There was something about him, something familiar. As he walked closer, her stomach knotted as that feeling of déjà vu flooded her senses. He was tall, standing about six foot three, his midnight-black hair contrasting against his tanned skin. His high cheekbones and firm jaw set his face out from all the others in the room. His broad chest looked hard and muscular. His torso was lean, with strong legs and when he smiled at her, his deep blue eyes glimmered, conveying to her that everything was going to be all right.

  She blinked, trying to focus. “I know you. You were there. You stayed with me, holding my hand. It was you,” she whispered.

  He quickly shook the realization from his mind and looked at her. Her beautiful porcelain face was one of an angel. Her full, luscious lips looked like rose petals against her pale skin. Their eyes met, and he felt like he had just been punched in the gut. As if being thrown back into time, he was there once again, looking into those emerald-green eyes filled with so much sorrow and pain. He wanted nothing more than to engulf her in his arms and make her pain go away. It was then he knew.

  It was her.

  He did know her. He stopped in his tracks as he took in all of her, from her smooth curvy figure to her long, beautiful hair. She was just as he remembered from that fateful night. Though no longer writhing in pain and gasping for breath, she was once again whole and was more beautiful than anything he’d ever seen.

  Rachael stood there unable to move as her vision of terror started to fade.

  “Yes.”

  Chris stiffened.

  Looking from Michael to Rachael, he knew something wasn’t right. How did they know each other? What the hell did I miss? Confused about what was happening and what she meant, he walked over to Michael and introduced himself. “Hi, I am Sheriff Chris Mason. Sorry I interrupted your dinner, but I just wanted to check on Rachael to make sure she was okay.”

  “No problem, it’s nice to meet you. Will you be joining us for dinner?” Michael asked, never taking his eyes off of her.

  Walking over to the stove, Henry said, “I asked the sheriff to stay, Dad.” Turning, he smiled and said, “Well now he has to. I just put his steak on the grill.”

  “Well, I guess I can’t let a good T-bone go to waste, now can I?” Chris said, taking off his jacket.

  Michael looked down at Rachael. Taking her hand in his, he said, “It’s nice to meet you again, now that it’s on better circumstances.”

  For the longest time after the accident, Rachael lived her life day to day, moment by moment, second by second. Just trying to get out of bed in the morning was hard enough, let alone allowing herself to feel the fierce emotions she tried to keep at bay. Closing herself off from everyone, including herself, she managed to live in a world with no emotions, no feelings, and no regrets. Just the simple, mundane act of breathing in and out was what she focused on.

  So being here in this house and in front of him, she should not have been feeling anything, but looking at her hands now, she was amazed. Watching as he closed his hands over hers, she smiled. Slowly raising her head, looking into those captivating blue eyes which held her entranced once again, her heart sped up as she finally felt the warmth of another’s touch, leaving her feeling safe. Because for the first time in years, she knew she was not alone. The friction of his touch sent shivers of excitement throughout her body, and her pussy clinched as a soft blush covered her face.

  “So now that everyone is staying, can I get some help? This dinner isn’t going to cook itself,” Henry said, breaking the moment.

  They all pitched in to finish cooking dinner. Together they all ate and enjoyed each other’s company, and to Chris’s amazement, he was happy to see Rachael opening up and enjoying herself. She laughed and smiled often throughout dinner, and when she talked there was life in her voice.

  Around nine, Henry excused himself, stating that he had school tomorrow, and quietly went upstairs. With the three of them alone, Chris couldn’t hold in his curiosity any longer. “So, not being nosy…but do you mind telling me how it is exactly, that you two know each other?”

  Rachael looked at Michael and grinned.

  Chris saw the exchange of knowledge between them, and at that
moment a shiver, a fear raced up his spine. He knew that what Rachael was about to tell him he was not going to like. Helpless to stop the impending knowledge before him, he sat up. He put his elbows on the table and waited.

  He watched Rachael get up from the table, taking her plate with her, and placing it in the sink. She turned, leaning against the counter. “Michael was there the night of the accident. He was the one who held my hand until the paramedics arrived. That’s how we know each other.”

  Chris, showing no emotions, just stared at her. He knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say, and damned if he didn’t. Out of all the places in the fucking world, he had to show up here. This is just fucking great! “Well, talk about a small world,” Chris said, leaning back in his chair and trying to keep his composure. “And he just happened to buy the farm next to you?”

  “Sheriff, I had no idea she lived in Texas. The accident was in Montana. This is all purely coincidental. I assure you,” Michael lied, getting up from the table.

  “I guess you’re right. But have to admit, this is one hell of a coincidence.”

  “Yes, I’ll give you that one,” Michael said, looking at Rachael.

  It didn’t take long for Chris to change the subject, switching it to Cedar Creek’s upcoming festival. He talked about all the festivities, the food, and how the whole town comes out to celebrate.

  Rachael stared at Michael as she walked over to the table. Like before, the moment her fingers touched his, that once-familiar feel of heat began to engulf her body.

  It surprised Rachael that a simple stranger that she’d only met once before could evoke such a reaction from her. How is this possible? Why now? What is it about him that makes me feel alive again? I don’t get it. I only met him once. Could it be that we shared that traumatic moment, or is it because he is a total stranger that honestly doesn’t know me?

  Michael knew she was trying to figure it all out, because he, too, didn’t understand. He was only here to help this woman to make sure she retained her ranch, but yet over the course of a couple of hours, it felt like he was here for a bigger purpose. Quickly shaking that thought from his mind, Michael didn’t have the time for anything more than what he was here to do. His only main concern, in life, was Henry and keeping him safe.

  With the evening over, Michael walked Chris and Rachael outside. Shaking the sheriff’s hand, Michael said, “Thanks for coming over. It was nice talking with you.”

  “No problem. Your son sure can cook a mean steak!”

  “Yeah he can.”

  “Well, I have to get going,” Chris said, turning to Rachael. “I will stop by and check on you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Chris, you don’t have to keep checking on me, I’m a big girl. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  Rachael watched Chris smile as he leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek. It was in that instance that Rachael knew she felt nothing. She was once again that frozen piece of nothingness, as if her heart had evaporated, removing all sense of feeling.

  “I know, Rach, but someone has to keep you in line, and the town has given me that job. So behave, and I will see you tomorrow.” She watched Chris shake Michael’s hand one more time, get in his squad car, and drive away.

  She stood there with Mystic’s reins in her hands when she felt Michael walked up behind her. He was close. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, and he hadn’t even touched her yet. Her emotions were going haywire. For the longest time, that was the one thing she was able to control. And now, she couldn’t even stop her own body from responding.

  “Thank you for coming, Rachael,” he said in a soft whisper. Rachael slowly turned around and realized that he was a lot closer than she thought.

  She looked up into his eyes and smiled. “It was my pleasure.”

  Michael smiled and replied, “I just realized, I don’t even know your last name,” already knowing but wanting to keep her there a little longer. Why, he didn’t know. It was just something, a feeling inside him. He wanted to know her. Quickly shaking off the feeling, he tried to pay attention.

  “It’s Mason.”

  “Like the sheriff’s?” he questioned.

  “Chris is my brother-in law,” she answered.

  “Ah…I see.”

  Rachael quickly turned to climb onto Mystic. Michael reached out for her hand, and when he caught it, she stopped and turned to face him once more.

  “I am so sorry, Rachael. I didn’t mean to bring it up again,” he said, putting both hands on her shoulders.

  Rachael looked up at him and smiled. “It’s okay. It’s been a long time,” she said, moving closer to him.

  Standing there, looking down into her abyss of emerald-green eyes, a little voice inside him said, “Don’t do it!” but the other said, “Oh hell yes!”

  It had been a very long time since he’d had a beautiful woman this close to him, even longer with the feelings he was feeling at this very moment. Her hand was light as a feather against him. He liked the feel of her touch. Before he knew what was happening, Rachael put her other hand on his chest and slowly raised herself toward him. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and bent his head down to her wanting lips.

  Not saying anything, he watched as Rachael softly ran her hands over his chest. He felt the surge of electricity shoot through his system. His breathing quickly increased, making his heart pound.

  She was soft as silk and tasted like honey. She was so sweet. The fire burning under her hands quickly ran through him like quicksilver.

  He was once again alive.

  He held her tightly as he softly kissed her lips. The craving ran deep within him, and he wanted more. Michael couldn’t stop himself. With the tip of his tongue, he slowly parted her moist lips, taking her mouth. Inhaling all of her, he moaned. He tasted her soul as she gave it all to him. Rachael felt from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, she was warm. The cold and bitterness evaporated, filling her entire body with the intensity of his touch. A need she hadn’t felt in years had wrapped itself around her in a blanket. Raising her hands up around his neck, she felt him gently pull her closer to him. She was in his arms.

  It had been so long since Rachael felt the touch of another man, let alone allowed herself to be free. But the moment her lips merged with his, all her dormant senses awakened within her.

  His lips were soft yet masculine. His touch tender but firm. He controlled the kiss, taking from her what he needed, but allowing her the time to open up freely. His soft scent of sandalwood enveloped her, sending her senses into a tailspin of wonder and enlightenment. She craved more. She wanted more. He was more that she bargained for, and now, she was desperately falling fast into the unknown.

  Dizzy from the taste of him, Rachael released him.

  “I better be gettin’ home,” she said, gasping for air.

  Michael slowly lowered her back to the ground, removing his arms from around her. He stood there watching her mount the Appaloosa. When she turned, she whispered, “Thank you, Michael. I had a nice time.” Before he could respond, she gave the horse a swift kick, and soon she was flying across the field.

  Michael stood there for the longest time. The realization of what he had just done angered him. He started shaking his head, and it didn’t take long for him to kick himself. “What in the hell are you doing?” he muttered to himself. “Couldn’t just say good night, could ya? Oh no! You had to go and kiss her. Way to go, moron.”

  Turning back to the house, he still cussed himself for what he had done.

  Never in his thirty-five years had he ever acted so foolishly. Damn it, man! You’re not a teenager. What irked him the most was how his body had responded to her. Hell yes, she was beautiful, and boy did she taste good, but that was still no excuse for what he did.

  You’re supposed to be the practical one, the responsible one, not the impulsive idiot. That was Mitchell, not you. Hell, you know better. If your brothers were here, they would never let you live it down, and thank
god they weren’t. He could just hear them now. “Not Mikie! He doesn’t even know how to handle a woman. He’ll mess it up. He’s too sensitive. She needs a real man, not some car salesman!” He just shook his head, trying to forget the whole thing, but as he licked his lips, he tasted her once more.

  Crap!

  He wasn’t going to be able to forget it, and he knew it.

  All through dinner he sat there, watching her. The way she sat, talked, and smiled intrigued him. He knew she enjoyed herself. Hell, she’d even laughed a couple of times, which, when she did, set off several bells within him. Her laughter sounded like angels singing. But what affected him most was her attentiveness to Henry. She seemed genuinely immersed with everything he said. She showed interest when he talked about school and some concern when he mentioned never riding a horse before.

  Just being near her did something to him. He had to force himself to not reach out to her, but when she moved her hair to the side, he literally had to sit on his hands to keep from touching her. The air around swirled around him with her scent, vanilla and lilacs. A clean, fresh scent that he was quickly getting drunk on.

  But damn, that kiss!

  One thing he was sure of. She was going to need his help, and for some perverse reason he really liked this woman. He didn’t know how he was going to help her, but he did know he wanted to know more about her.

  Chapter 4

  It was one hot day. The sun was beating down on her as she sat atop Mystic. Sweat dripping down her back, her hat hung low to shield her eyes from the blazing sun. She tried hard to tune out the two bickering ranch hands.

  She had enough to deal with, with the upcoming cattle drive. Miles and miles of fence to scour and mend, cattle to sort, orders to get ready, new ranch hands to train…add the fact that she had no sleep whatsoever last night, and she was in one of her wonderful foul moods.

  Closing her eyes, trying everything she could to tune out the bickering men, she tried to forget what had been on her mind the whole night.

  Him!