Bighearted Cowboy (Tarnation, Texas Book 5) Read online

  “I can help. I don’t mind.”

  “No. That would be an inconvenience,” Charlotte blurted. “I’m an adult and can find my own way to work.”

  “I owe you. That couch was much better than the back seat of my truck.” He shifted his feet.

  “I’ll feel much better knowing we can count on you, Brennan.” Betty Sue smiled, looking much like the cat who ate the mouse.

  Charlotte stared down her cousin then said, “If it’s not a hassle.”

  His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pushed off the counter. “Not at all. The coffee was great, but if you ladies will excuse me that was Baxter telling me he’s outside to pick me up. I have morning chores over at the ranch. See you at two-thirty.” He winked at Charlotte, causing all blood to drain into her inner thighs.

  She and Betty Sue had a tense stare off until they heard the door open and close. “I can’t believe you did that.” Charlotte set her full cup down on the counter and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Did what?” Betty Sue appeared innocent.

  “Corner Brennan into taking me to work.”

  “Look, honey, I’m not the one who offered my couch last night. Was that kiss just an accident? Anyway, you should be thanking me, not wanting to throttle me.”

  “Thanking you? You shouldn’t be playing cupid.”

  “Charlotte, if you don’t lick and call “mine” on that hunk in hat and boots I’ll never believe that we can actually be related. He likes you. You like him.”

  “I don’t like him.” Feeling Betty Sue’s accusatory glare, Charlotte sighed. “Fine. I do. Especially now that I’m getting to know him, but you don’t know if he likes me. We shared a kiss. Big deal. I’m not putting more into this than there is.” She poured out her coffee and busied herself by scrubbing the cup.

  “Are you really this daft? A man like him doesn’t come along but once in a blue moon.” Betty Sue’s lips thinned.

  Charlotte dried her hands on a towel and hung it back on the hook. “Why are you pushing this?”

  “Call me a romantic. Whatever, but you deserve happiness.”

  “If you think Brennan is such an amazing catch, why haven’t you jumped at the chance?”

  “Easy. I’m in love.”

  “In love? With who?”

  “Benny.” She smiled, her eyes sparkled as brightly as the diamonds in her ears.

  “I thought you said he was a disappointment last night.” Charlotte was confused.

  “He was. He didn’t make one move. In fact, the hottest thing was when he kissed me on my forehead and told me good night.”

  “So you’re actually saying that you feel he’s a challenge.”

  Betty Sue shrugged then grabbed a bagel from the bag and dropped it into the toaster. “No, I’m saying, I’ve never had a man who turned down my every try. I find that…well, nice.”

  Charlotte laughed. “Are you listening to yourself?”

  “Of course.” Her bagel popped up and she grabbed it. “Ouch. Holy smokes. That’s hot.” She dropped it onto a paper plate.

  “I’m not a relationship expert, but maybe you should take things slow with this guy. If you feel he could be the one, then you have all the time in the world.”

  “Great advice. Now take mine. I’m not suggesting you jump at something with Brennan, but if the offer comes about give it some thought.”

  “I’ll take it to heart.”

  “I have to go. See you later.” Betty Sue kissed her on the cheek then took off.

  Later, as Charlotte was folding the throw Brennan used to cover up with, she caught a slight scent of his leather and spice. As much as she wanted to play their kiss off as a “no biggie” she knew in her heart that he was dangerous.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Biting off some of the deer jerky he’d bought at the game store, Brennan stepped into the circle of his brothers. All eyes turned on him.

  “Where the hell were you this morning?” Arc asked.

  Giving a shrug of his shoulder, he popped the rest of the dried meat into his mouth and chewed. “What are we having? A reunion?” he asked around his stuffed mouth.

  Ash sniffed and scrubbed his jaw. “Yeah, did you bring a covered dish? I’m getting hungry.”

  Pulling out the remaining bag of jerky, he handed it over. “Seriously. What’s up?”

  “I let about eighty cattle out to graze this morning in the north pasture. They all looked healthy and fine,” Ash said. “When I came back a few hours later ten of them were dead.”

  “Were they diseased?” Brennan wrapped his brain around what he was hearing.

  “It wasn’t disease. There was a larkspur tucked inside of one of the dead cattle’s jaw.”

  “Larkspur? There are none on this property,” Brennan said.

  “That’s what we’ve been discussing. Where would they get larkspur from?” Arc added.

  “Someone came along and fed them the plant.” Adam kicked up the dirt with the toe of his boot. He looked like he could bite a nail in half.

  Baxter dragged off his hat and dropped it on the post. “We don’t have any proof. All we can do for the moment is keep a better watch on the livestock. I’ll call Sheriff Bash and give him a head’s up, see if he’s heard of any other cases in the area.”

  When the brothers dispersed, Baxter and Brennan hung back. “So you didn’t tell the others that you came and got me this morning and took me to get my truck?”

  Baxter shrugged. “Hell, Bro. You know I know better than anyone that your time frame to get married is narrowing by the second, but are you sure Betty Sue’s a potential partner?”

  Brennan blinked. “Betty Sue? Is that what you think I was doing?”

  “I did pick you up at her house. I recognized her car sitting out front.” Baxter shrugged. “Hey, who am I to judge?” He lifted his hands.

  “Betty Sue’s nice and all, but she’s not a potential partner. The road was closed last night, and I needed a place to stay. She wasn’t even there until late.”

  “Yeah?” Baxter leaned back against the rail. “Meet someone?”

  Brennan looked out into the distance of the field, seeing nothing but pretty amber eyes and wild curls bouncing around flushed cheeks. “I guess you could say that.”

  “Who is she?”

  “Charlotte, Betty Sue’s cousin. She’s only been in town a few weeks.” He scratched his temple and leaned his elbows on the top rail. “Are the men getting antsy?” Brennan searched for his brothers. They were gone now.

  Baxter chuckled. “Hell, we’ve all been antsy since we arrived here.”

  “They’re going to blame me if I drop the ball.” Brennan kicked up a clod of dirt and cursed under his breath.

  “I don’t think they’ll blame you, but they might be a smidgeon disappointed. On a brighter side, I think they’re pretty happy being hitched.”

  “No pressure,” Brennan moaned. He heard a bird squawking and looked into the sky, squinting in the bright sunlight.

  “Just being honest, Bro. We’ve all been placed under the same stipulation. None of us believed we’d meet the deadline.”

  “I respect the honesty.”

  “I can’t tell you what to do, Bren, but you know I’ll have your back no matter what you decide. Or if you don’t find a wife.” He patted his shoulder. “How’s the ankle?”

  “Better.”

  “Good.”

  “I’ll go out and check out the perimeter.” He needed some space and alone time.

  “Hang in there. Sometimes things happen when we least expect them. I’ve got to get back to the house and take care of some business. I’ll see you later.”

  Brennan stepped into the barn, gathered what he needed to saddle up his horse and went to the last stall where the mare, Dolly, lifted her head and sniffed, pawing at the dirt for attention. “Hello, sunshine.” He rubbed her nose. “You ready to ride?”

  Once he had the mare ready and he was seated in the saddle, he led her outsi
de of the fence and followed the path toward the backside of the property. Every morning since he’d been at Grinning Spurs he’d come out to check the land to look for any damage in the fencing or diseased cattle. He’d grown to care for Grinning Spurs, even if he was here involuntarily. Stopping close to the edge of the woods, he studied the distance where a group of deer grazed.

  He certainly could enjoy his surroundings a helluva lot more if he didn’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  If he didn’t get married soon, he and his brothers would lose not only this place, but also their prospective ranches. Their homes. Their legacies. Places they’ve worked since they were in diapers. He should be more than pissed at Buzz for putting them in this situation, and yet what had he wanted for his sons to gain? Truth was, if they’d been asked to come and stay together here none of them would have agreed and never gotten to know each other.

  Buzz had a plan, but no one understood but him.

  Brennan knew the power of forgiveness. His mother had taught him and Baxter tolerance, compassion, and understanding but Buzz had left his sons when they were still needing a father figure. Someone to guide them. Toss a football around with. Baxter had been all those things for Brennan, but it could be a burden for a brother to have to fill a father’s role. Basically unfair. He wasn’t sure he’d ever have a close relationship with Arc, Ash and Adam, but they had each other’s back. Brennan wanted to believe that when this mess was all over, they’d still want to associate.

  The sun beat down and he removed his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. He continued riding along the woods, enjoying the shade it provided, until he saw something along the brush. Sliding out of the saddle he stepped through the undergrowth and knelt next to a fallen tree. He picked up the item. A woman’s leather bracelet. Considering it looked in good condition, the jewelry couldn’t have been there very long. He assumed someone had been on the property.

  He stood and from his position under the cover of an ancient oak, he scanned the property as far as the eye could see, which was the entire north side of the ranch to the hill where the cows were found dead.

  Someone had been there definitely.

  Stepping over a log, and walking through the thick underbrush, he climbed over the fence and carefully inspected the surroundings as he continued toward the main road. Then he saw it along the ditch, airy stalks of bright blue flowers. An entire wild garden of the deadly plant. He looked closer and his chest tightened. Several of the stalks have been torn in half, leaving two-inch spikes. Someone had pulled some of the flowers and then made their way toward the property.

  Who did this? And why?

  Who’d want to kill a few head of cattle? Were they sending a message?

  Retracing the path with the bracelet tucked in his pocket, he climbed back into the saddle, then headed back to the barn ready to discuss with his brothers what he found. He’d made it to the stables when he heard…

  “Hey, Brennan. Roe Robins came by to speak to you. He said he’d wait up at the house ,” Gilbert, one of the hands, said.

  What the hell does he want?

  “Will you take Dolly for me?”

  “Sure.”

  Handing off Dolly, Brennan followed the worn path up to the house and found Roe sitting in one of the white rockers on the porch. He started to get up, but Brennan motioned for him to stay seated.

  “Roe, I heard you wanted to see me.”

  The balding man with the rosy cheeks nodded and pulled off his glasses to rub his bushy brow. “I know you’re a busy man, so I won’t take up too much of your time.”

  Squashing the urge to tell the lawyer to come back later—like never—Brennan took one of the rockers and pulled it a few feet away and sat down. “I’m all ears.”

  He tugged at his tie in what seemed like restless energy. “How are things coming along? Everything okay out here at Grinning Spurs?”

  He wasn’t the man Brennan wanted to speak to about the larkspur. “They’re wonderful but I don’t think you came out here to talk the ins and outs of the ranch.” Brennan stretched his legs and hooked his ankles. They might as well get down to the point which he was certain had to do with his lack of a bride.

  “Listen, I’m only here to help.” Roe took a handkerchief from his pocket and rubbed his forehead.

  That was subjective. “Yeah?”

  “How the hell do you stand it out here in this heat?” He was sweating profusely.

  “It’s the cowboy hat.”

  Roe blinked. “I’m sure you’re counting down the days until the six months is over.”

  “I’m fully aware of how much time we have left.”

  “Good. So then what’s the plan?” He smashed a mosquito against his neck.

  Swiping off his hat, Brennan tossed it onto the table. “I have a plan.”

  “Great. What is it?”

  “That I’m going to drink a beer. Want one?”

  Several seconds passed and then he said, “Sounds like the best damn plan I’ve heard all day.”

  Brennan led the way into the kitchen, opened two bottles of Bud Light and handed Roe one. “Have a seat.” They pulled out the chairs to the table, sat, and Brennan downed half the beer. “Now I can take the lecture.”

  “I’m not going to lecture you.” Roe loosened his tie but left it hanging at his collar. “I only want what’s best.”

  “Got any suggestions?” Brennan picked at the label on the bottle.

  “Hell, if a man with your looks can’t figure out how to snare a wife then an old man like me can’t help.”

  “Buzz must have been laughing his ass off as he sat down and made these stipulations. Imagine, a man who couldn’t even figure out his own damn marriages decided to force his sons into marriage.” He blew out a long breath. “That’s pretty freaking ironic.”

  “I guess you’re right. I’m sorry, Brennan. I wish I had answers for you and your brothers. It kills me to do this.”

  “Come on, Roe. You knew Buzz. He had to say something.”

  Roe set his bottle down and rubbed his forehead in distress. “I hadn’t talked to him myself for the last few weeks of his life. He made the arrangements for the will when he found out his cancer was incurable. If it helps, I did tell him how ludicrous this plan was. But in true Buzz fashion, the old stubborn goat didn’t care to listen.”

  “You said before that he was of sound mind, but what he’s asking of us isn’t too sound in my book.”

  “What I know, when he was diagnosed he changed. Hell, maybe the idea of meeting his maker made him sweat bullets, although in all the years I knew him I never saw him afraid of anything. He wasn’t a talker, nope. He always kept his emotions and thoughts close to his chest. If I had to take a stab, I’d say Buzz wanted to make amends and he thought this was the only way.”

  “Better than picking up the phone and having a conversation like people do?”

  “Think about it, Brennan. If he would have called would you have spoken to him? And now here you are, you and your brothers are working together. Can you say you’ll walk away from this situation unchanged?”

  “Changed as in hitched.” Brennan gritted his teeth. “What’s going to happen to all Buzz’s assets if I don’t follow through?”

  Roe turned pale. “Everything will be sold off, and the proceeds will benefit the charities of Buzz’s choice.” He squirmed. “I’m all for helping charities, but I’m on your side. I want you and your brothers to get all this. You’re his sons, for Christ’s sakes.”

  Brennan stayed quiet. What could he say? He was in a pickle with only one way out—or rather two if he wanted to be the sole reason why he and his brother walked away with nothing.

  “I better be heading out. I have to be in court soon.” Roe stood and started for the hallway. “You know, there was something that Buzz had said that caught my attention.”

  “What was that?”

  “He said everybody wanted a piece of his
fortune even if they had to threaten him. He might have been joking but he seemed dead serious.”

  “Any idea what he meant?”

  “Nope. Good day, my friend.”

  Brennan glanced at the clock and cursed. He needed to get cleaned up.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Charlotte had anticipated the knock on the door, pacing back and forth wearing a hole in the rug, so when it finally came, she about jumped out of her skin.

  Hand on the doorknob, she took two deep breaths for measure then opened the door to find Brennan on the porch. She felt the familiar tug in her chest and an awareness in her limbs. Her lips warmed, remembering their kiss and how pleasant it had felt. His hat was pulled into place, lowered on his forehead, but when he saw her, he pushed it up and gave her that trademark Colt smile. He hadn’t shaved so his jaw was covered in dark stubble that made him look far more dangerous, but she knew him enough to know he was gentle and kind. The white T-shirt molded to his lean torso, tucked in at the waist to show off the shiny silver buckle and slender waist. He didn’t own an ounce of fat.

  “Hi,” she said, leaning against the door like it was a lifeline.

  “Hi.” That smile…if only he knew how it tormented her. It was the key to all the doors she’d ever erected as protection. “I’m a little early.”

  “I’m ready. I just need to grab my purse and lock the door.”

  When she stepped out onto the porch she saw that he had a paper cup in each hand.

  “I stopped at the bakery. They have the best coffee. I remember from this morning that you like a lot of creamer in yours, so I got you double double. Is that okay?”

  His gesture caught her off guard. “Yes, that’s fine. Thank you. And thank you again for giving me a lift. Maybe eventually I’ll be able to get a car.” She’d sent Lucy another check and managed to put a little more back into her car fund. Taking a sip of the coffee, she savored the rich, smooth blend. “Oh my, that is good. Thank you again.”

  “My pleasure. In fact, you’re doing me a favor. These days I like to spend as much time away from Grinning Spurs as I can.”

  She took the lead on the cobblestone walkway, but he passed her when they reached the truck so he could open the passenger door for her. She didn’t think she’d ever met a man with better manners.