what she’d do when Case decided to claim his half of the ranch. She certainly hadn’t expected him to come home now. She knew he was riding high on the rodeo circuit, having won several bronc-riding championships. He’d been sending money, and that amount had doubled lately from his recent successes, to help with ranch expenses and Reid’s hospital bills. The ranch was heavily mortgaged to pay those debts and Sarah honestly didn’t know how she’d manage to pay off the loans. But one thing was certain, she wasn’t going to give up on the Triple R.
With Case it was different. He’d seemed to lose interest with the ranch and as soon as he was old enough, he’d taken off. His sudden unexpected reappearance had really rattled her.
By law and by rights, her share of the ranch would belong to her child one day. Moving off this land had never been an option. She loved the ranch too much to think of leaving. The Triple R was home. But she never thought she’d live here without Reid. She’d never fathomed a freakish accident would claim her husband’s life.
The raging dust storm that had spooked the animals and caused the barn collapse had nearly taken Reid, as well. A wooden beam from the rickety barn loft had struck him down as he tried saving the animals. He’d lingered for days, fighting off the crushing pain to his chest and Sarah had been by his side, holding on, listening as Reid uttered words of assurance. There had been silent understanding in his words, and Sarah’s heart bled each time Reid would make plans for her future without him. In the quiet moments right before Reid’s death, he’d said point-blank, the Triple R would be her home forever. Sarah had prayed for the best, but feared the worst. And then the worst did happen…his heart gave way. Reid died five days after the accident.
And now Sarah would be living with Case.
She heard footsteps descending on the stairway and stood up abruptly to pour the coffee she’d brewed. But the fast move made her light-headed and she swayed, grabbing for the kitchen chair.
“Sarah?” Case was beside her instantly, steadying her shoulders with strong hands.
The room spun, and Sarah took a deep breath. A moment later, her head cleared. She looked into a set of deep brown, concerned eyes. And her skin burned from the heat of Case’s solid hold on her, his fingers gently digging in, reminding her what it felt like to be in a man’s arms. Reminding her, what it had been like being in his arms. But Sarah didn’t want to dwell on the past. She had enough to deal with, right now, in the present. “I’m okay. The doctor says not to get up too fast. My blood pressure’s a bit low and quick moves tend to make me dizzy.”
Case helped ease her down into a chair. “Sit down and take it easy.”
“You don’t know what you’re in for, living with a pregnant woman.” She couldn’t believe what she’d be in for, living with Case, either. They both had some adjusting to do.
Case’s eyes never left her face. He sat down across from her. “I’ve got a feeling I’m going to learn about it right quick. So, you don’t mind me coming back?”
“What about the rodeo?” she asked abruptly. Of course, she minded, but she had no right tossing him out. He owned an equal share of the ranch.
He studied her face for a moment. “I’m entered in a handful more events so I’ll go back from time to time, but this is my last year. I’m through. What do you say, Sarah? Can you abide me coming back to the ranch?”
She shrugged. What could she say? She couldn’t very well kick him out. He’d left the ranch at a bad time. Money had been tight, beef prices down and they couldn’t afford to hire on any more help. Reid had done the work of two men to make ends meet back then, but now, it was Case’s turn to work the land, she supposed. “It’s your home, Case. Reid would want it this way.”
“But…not you?”
Sarah wouldn’t lie. She had her doubts about these living arrangements. He was Reid’s brother, but he was also a man Sarah couldn’t trust. He’d let Reid down too many times. “Case, we hardly know each other anymore. At best, it’ll be awkward.”
“Sarah, listen. I need to be here right now, but you have my word, I’ll stay out of your way. I know about the threats you’ve received.” His tone sobered considerably and his expression grew fierce. His deep dark eyes penetrated hers with raw determination. “Nobody threatens a Jarrett.”
“Case, they weren’t threats really. Mr. Merriman from the Beckman Corporation got a little too…enthusiastic in his bid to get me to sell the ranch. His company is planning this big housing community called Beckman Bridle Homes and the Triple R seems to be right smack in the middle of where they intend to build.”
“I heard the McPhersons refused the offer, too. Not too long after their barn burned down suspiciously.”
“Yes, that’s true. It happened last week, but they can’t prove anything. Luckily no one was hurt. Seth McPherson spotted the fire and they put it out before any livestock got caught in the flames.”
“You should have told me about this. I had a right to know.” Anger burned low and intense in Case’s dark eyes.
“I didn’t think you’d…”
“Care?”
“Well, it’s not as though you’ve taken an interest in the ranch, Case.”
“The ranch is my business now, Sarah. And you, living all alone out here.”
Sarah was alone now. And she felt it every day. She’d been lost when Reid died, and had to fight off her melancholy for the baby’s sake. She’d never known this kind of loneliness before. “There’s more than half a dozen hands on the ranch. I’m not entirely alone. Besides, I handled Mr. Merriman in my own way. He probably won’t be back.”
“How can you be sure?”
“You didn’t see the look in his eyes when I pulled out Reid’s Winchester and aimed it straight at his heart.”
Case’s lips lifted in a small crooked smile and uncannily, Sarah felt that smile all the way to her toes. “You chased him off the property?”
She nodded, remembering that day all too well. The man had been more threatening than she’d let on to Case. And he’d forced himself inside the house, using verbal pressure when she’d refused his offer of sale. What was worse, the man knew of the ranch’s outstanding debts and that they were headed for financial trouble. He played on that until Sarah couldn’t take another minute of it. She’d asked him to leave twice, before reaching for that rifle. “You could say that.”
Case shook his head. “You won’t have to worry about him again.”
Probably not, she thought wryly, but now she’d have another worry. She didn’t relish living with a man like Case. They’d had a history together that she didn’t enjoy recalling. Growing up in a small country town, their paths had crossed more times than not. Case hadn’t made her life easy. Two years her senior, he’d been a bully at times, a tease, and later when they’d been in their late teens, he’d played a trick on her. One she still smarted from.
One she had trouble forgetting. And forgiving.
Case Jarrett may have shared similar looks with her late husband Reid, but the differences between the two were clearly notable to her now. Oh, not physically, but Sarah couldn’t help but look at Case and
