Cowboy Sanctuary (The Dixon Ranch) Read online

  Dana was afraid. It was a kick to my ego that she didn’t think I could keep her safe.

  “Honey, I can handle one city boy coming onto my land,” I said, trying to humor her because I didn’t want to let on she’d kicked me in the balls mentally, I hugged her tighter. Jeremy wasn’t having that and began fussing. “Let’s get this little man fed.” Walking back into the kitchen, I turned the grill back on, and they joined me.

  She sat Jeremy in his high chair and fed him mashed potatoes mixed with peas, which really looked disgusting. He gobbled them up and loved the mashed banana for dessert. While I ate a burger, he sipped on his juice. Dana said she wasn’t hungry, and I knew this thing with Derrick was the reason. What kind of male could call himself a man when he terrified a woman that way? Not much of one, for sure!

  “I’ll keep you safe.” I didn’t know what else to say, and her nod wasn’t very convincing of her faith in me. After dinner we bathed Jeremy together, and that seemed to take her mind off things for a while. We played with him until seven when his little eyes were getting droopy, and I walked with them back upstairs. She read to him while I sat on the bed, and I thought how easy it would be to get used to this.

  I watched her slide him into his crib with ease after he fell asleep, then wrapped my arms around her waist and gazed down at the purest form of perfection on God’s green earth. I was a blessed man. I sent a prayer to the man upstairs, thanking him for bringing this little angel into my life.

  Dana turned in my arms and held me like she was afraid to let go. She was worrying over nothing, but I was here to be her rock, her sanctuary. If my arms could make her feel safe, then I’d always have them open for her. We stood there for a long time holding each other that way, and I wasn’t letting go until she did.

  “If something happened to either one of you, I’m not sure what I’d do,” she whispered softly. Her words made me feel whole. Like everything I hadn’t known was missing had just fallen in place.

  “I feel the same way, darlin’. We’ll get through this together. There’s no way we were brought together this way and it won’t work out.” I was talking about forever, and it was a little overwhelming to realize this was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I was man enough to accept it was OK to have a little worry.

  “Do you believe in fate?” she asked, releasing her hold on me somewhat and looking up into my eyes. The emotion in those sky-blue depths was better than breaking the most dangerous horse.

  “I believe that good things happen to people who do the right thing,” I answered, then lowered my lips to her forehead and kissed her gently.

  “Will you do something for me?” As if she even needed to ask.

  “Of course I will, sweetheart,” I said. “What do you need?” I’d give everything I had to see her smile again. She didn’t need to feel anything but happiness. Lord knows she deserved it.

  “Call your brother and workers tonight and explain that Derrick might try something.”

  I didn’t know the man, but he’d have to be stupid to come to a ranch full of armed men and try anything at all. This was Texas. We protected what we cherished!

  “If it will make you feel better, I’ll do it.” I didn’t feel the need to tell her that my men had enough guns to keep a small army off our land if need be.

  Her soft sigh of relief told me that it reassured her, and if that’s what it took to make her feel safe, it was the least I could do. “Let’s go downstairs, and I’ll make some calls.”

  She seemed reluctant to leave Jeremy, and I knew it was just over protectiveness. Taking her hand in mine, I guided Dana out of the room, leaving the door open so we could hear Jeremy if he woke up later.

  A few phone calls later, and with a promise that my foreman would let all the ranch hands know, I’d fulfilled my word. I’d have to introduce her to all these men soon. We normally had four annual barbecues for employees, and there was one next week. That would be soon enough. I wasn’t ready to share her yet.

  We cuddled up on the couch and watched some television until Dana looked like she could use some sleep herself. Once we were upstairs again, she shocked me by asking me to share her bed. I wasn’t going to turn down the offer, but I knew she didn’t expect anything to happen between us with Jeremy in the same room. I almost asked if she wanted to share my room instead, but the way she was yawning I figured it would be rude.

  I told her I’d be back after a shower, and when I came in she was sound asleep. Sliding in beside her, pulling that beautiful body into my arms, seemed like the most natural thing on earth. Her sigh of contentment had me rock hard, but somehow I managed to fall asleep. Several times in the night I felt her hand reach over to rest on my leg, and I’d wake up longing, only to fight myself into going to sleep again.

  When morning came I’d probably gotten only a few good hours of sleep, but it was worth it seeing how comfortable Dana was in the bed. I got Jeremy out of his crib and snuck him downstairs so she could rest longer, and we had a great father–son conversation that consisted of me doing all the talking and him looking at me like I’d lost my mind. It was a perfect start to the day. Then it all went to hell.

  Frank burst through my front door, telling me all the horses were out of the barn and roaming the fields. There was no way they’d got out on their own. I had no choice but to wake up Dana and get her to watch the little man so I could help.

  “Call your brother again,” she demanded. Her fear told me she worried it was Derrick, and I knew there had to be some other rational explanation for it. He couldn’t get onto the land without someone knowing about it. Even this early in the morning.

  “I’ll call him, but that makes no sense, sweetheart.” I made the call to put her mind at ease, and Frank said he’d call our mom to come sit with them until we fixed this mess. Leaving Dana was the last thing I wanted to do, but I knew she was safe.

  It took hours before we got all the horses back in the barn. Frank and I looked over the stalls to see how they could have all gotten free. We had only twelve that remained in the barn full-time, because they were either breeding or not trained enough to pull in easily. There was no rational explanation that every stall was unlatched, and I began to fear that Dana was right. Then I told myself it could be some high school kids playing pranks. That had happened once before.

  When I got back to the house, it was only thirty minutes before Derrick was scheduled to arrive. My mom and Dana both looked relieved when I walked through the door, and I hoped Mom wasn’t playing into Dana’s fears. It wasn’t good for either of them to be worried about this. There were men here who would keep them safe!

  I was covered in dust and grime, so I begged off for a quick shower. Dealing with this man legally poaching on my territory had to be where my mind was at for the next few hours. Maybe once I showed Dana I could keep Derrick in his place, she’d relax. I was bone weary after the workout today. It had been a long time since I’d had to wrangle up that many horses at once. Frank was having new latches installed today that were more secure. I don’t think the old ones had been changed out in the eight years I’d been training horses.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Feud

  Dana

  I didn’t know if all men were inherently stubborn, or if Brock had the trademark on it. He wasn’t taking me seriously. Logically if something didn’t make sense, then you deciphered the reason why. It wasn’t hard to piece together that Derrick flying into town and the horses all getting out were connected.

  His mother told me that only one incident like that had ever happened, and it was years ago. The teenagers involved were given community service on the farm and ranch and worked until they were exhausted. She didn’t believe this was another prank. We’d had hours to talk about some of the exploits that had gotten Derrick into trouble with the law. While none of them had to do with setting horses free, he’d been charged with theft and assault many times in the past, and this just followed character. He wasn’t a
stupid man, just a piece of crap, so he would know exactly how to make things hard on Brock.

  I didn’t feel safe and wasn’t sure how I would again. Derrick wasn’t the type of person to let things go. If he wanted Jeremy, and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why he did now, then he’d stop at nothing to make it happen. Brock walked downstairs looking devastatingly handsome in his jeans and T-shirt, but even that vision didn’t take away the dread of knowing Derrick would soon be in this house.

  Mary had called the lawyer an hour earlier, at his home no less, and demanded he get things moving along quickly. I guess even the lawyer knew better than to mess with Mary because she said he’d promised to do everything in his power to make it happen. She was a feisty old woman. I respected her more every minute I was around her.

  “Mom, you don’t have to stay unless you want to.” Brock poured a cup of coffee that I’d brewed a few minutes before he walked in.

  “I’ll stick around,” Mary said. “I want to see what kind of man we’re dealing with.” The look on her face said she wasn’t being told what to do, and I grinned at how easily she handled Brock. Maybe I should ask for lessons.

  Jeremy was playing on the floor with his toys when we heard the car pull up. I held my breath―until I realized what I was doing―as Brock went out to meet him on the front porch. Seeing that man walk into the house made me nauseous. I forced myself not to react and gave a curt nod his way. He walked straight over and sat down on the floor, and I was shocked. Jeremy didn’t seem to care that someone else was there to play and just continued doing what he’d been doing.

  “He’s grown.” Derrick’s words were gruff, and he lifted his head to give me a look. I wasn’t sure what it implied, but I definitely didn’t feel all warm and fuzzy because of it. It was almost like his eyes were warning me I’d screwed up and he was going to make me pay for it. That could have been my nerves.

  If Derrick had been a decent man, I would have felt guilty about taking Jeremy to meet his father without permission. As it was, I knew I’d done the right thing. “It’s been a few months with you in jail,” I said, unable to resist the jab. Ninety days, to be exact, and I wished it had been years. That was probably bad of me, but I didn’t have much love for him.

  “Trust me, I remember. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this.” To Derrick’s credit, he kept his voice quiet as he shot the barb my way.

  Mary spoke up. “I’m Mary Dixon, young man. Jeremy’s grandmother.” I knew she was playing intermediary, and I was instantly grateful. I didn’t want to talk to Derrick at all but could force myself to be civil. I hoped.

  “Derrick Stalling. Real nice spread you have out here. I bet the land value is through the roof,” His comment was tactless, but at least he wasn’t overly rude.

  “I suppose it is. We just call it home.” Mary cleared her throat. “So, what is it you do for work?” Her tone was friendly, but I could see that she was trying to feel him out. Sneaky old woman. I really did love this lady.

  “I’m involved with several companies,” he answered question vaguely, and then turned back to me. “You know he’s the only thing I have left of your sister, right?”

  Trying to play the sympathy card after what he’d done? Definitely not going to work.

  “Let’s be honest with each other,” I responded. “There’s no room in your life for a child, Derrick. Why are you really here?”

  His eyes hardened, but I could see him trying to reel in his temper. I knew him well enough to see the change.

  “Because he’s all I’ve got left. How would you feel if I took him away from you and said you couldn’t be in his life anymore? I’ve raised this kid as my own, Dana. Thought he was my flesh and blood. Just because he isn’t doesn’t mean I don’t still consider him mine!” Derrick’s raised voice made Jeremy whimper, and Brock quickly picked the boy up to pacify him.

  “We need to remember who’s important here,” Brock pointed out. The glare he sent Derrick’s way would have made a lesser man humble, but Derrick just smiled like he’d won some imaginary battle.

  “As you can imagine I have some pent-up anger at having my kid stolen from under my nose. I’ll try to remember it wasn’t you who did that, but her,” Derrick replied. His voice was an octave lower, but the rage was still evident. “You and I need to talk about this—privately,” he directed toward me.

  “Dana is with me now. Anything you have to say to her can be said right here.” Brock managed to get his point across while whispering the words, but I could see the fire building inside his eyes as well.

  “That’s convenient, I’d say. I don’t need to visit with my son in this hostile environment. I’m going to demand a judge order visitation rights without the two of you present. Legally I’m still his father, and I’m not giving him up without a fight,” Derrick asserted, then walked out the door. I knew I had to do something. If he got a judge to grant him those rights, I could see him taking off and never being found again.

  “Stay here.” I ran after Derrick. Brock had his hands full with Jeremy so thankfully didn’t race after us.

  “What is it you really want, Derrick?” I asked when I’d caught up with him. I knew he had an ulterior motive but would never reveal it in front of Brock.

  “I want you.” His lips lifted in a smirk. “I realized I married the wrong sister. Whatever it takes, you’ll be mine. That cowboy you’ve hooked up with doesn’t stand a chance against me. I think you know what I’m capable of. If you want a life with Jeremy, make the right choice.”

  Brock came out without the little man, looking ready to smash Derrick’s head through a tree. “I think I told you not to talk to her without me,” Brock warned. “You’re not taking my boy off this land, ever. I will try my best to accommodate you until the law says it’s over, but you stay the hell away from Dana.”

  “I think she’s old enough to make her own decisions. Or did you take over her brain after getting her into bed?”

  Brock lunged forward, and I got right between them, knowing the last thing we needed was an assault charge.

  “I’ll be in touch, Dana,” Derrick told me, with an insultingly vulgar look. He turned his attention to Brock. “And you? Enjoy her while you can.”

  Brock could have easily pushed me out of the way as Derrick was getting in his car, but thankfully he didn’t. My hands, clenched in the material of his shirt, were a small barrier. “I swear I’ll rip his head off if he looks at you that way again,” Brock said through gritted teeth.

  I was shaking at the words Derrick had thrown at me. I rested my head on Brock’s comforting chest, knowing this was only the beginning. “He’ll never stop until he gets what he wants,” I said. I hated the weakness of the tears that slid down my cheeks but was powerless to stop them.

  “He’d have to kill me, sweetheart. You have to know I’d destroy him before I let him hurt you or take Jeremy.” Brock’s strong hands cupped my cheeks while his thumbs wiped away my tears.

  “He wants to own me. You have to listen when I tell you that the man is crazy,” I moaned through my sobs. I felt inferior because I didn’t know how to fix this situation. “This is how he operates. He threatens, and when that doesn’t work he destroys.” I’d seen it all from the outside with Danielle. That had ended horribly. For the first time I truly understood the fear she must have felt.

  “He’s just a man, and a little one at that.” Brock gripped my chin and held it firmly. “I could snap his neck like a twig if there were no alternative.” I knew Brock was a strong man, and if Derrick came at him head on, I was sure Brock would win the fight. He wasn’t hearing me!

  “Damn it, Brock. This isn’t high school, and you aren’t two guys fighting it out. The man killed my sister. You need to get it through your thick skull that he’s a psychopath!” I shouted, pulling my chin from his hold. I stormed back in the house, not stopping until I saw Mary holding Little Man.

  “Are you OK?” Her concern made my depression eve
n worse. I wasn’t scared for myself. Derrick would destroy everything in his path to have his way. I didn’t know how to help any of us.

  I wiped the dampness from my cheeks and shook my head. I should have lied and told her everything was fine, but it wasn’t, and I couldn’t. “Your pigheaded son won’t listen to reason. Maybe you can get through to him. None of us is safe.” I took Jeremy from her arms and rudely walked him upstairs. I was emotionally unable to handle being around anyone but my nephew. I had to think of something!

  Of course, Jeremy thought it was just alone time with me, and made all those adorable little expressions babies do. Normally they made me laugh, but today they hurt my heart. I had to leave, but could did I do that and still keep temporary custody until Brock’s paternity was proved? The thought that crossed my mind made me want to run to the bathroom and throw up, but it was the only logical decision.

  My plan would destroy the budding relationship between me and Brock. I couldn’t tell him the truth because he’d never go for it. Derrick’s ego was big enough that he’d believe the lies I’d spin, no matter how ridiculous they sounded to a logical person. I’d make him believe I wanted him but didn’t want to be tied down to a kid. I knew the man was extremely intelligent, but he also thought he was so charming, no woman could resist him. Danielle had given me enough fuel to know just what buttons to push to make this damnation of my soul complete. It was the only way to keep Jeremy, Brock, and his family safe.

  Could I sacrifice my happiness for theirs? Without a second thought. Brock appeared in the room unannounced. It didn’t make me angry, although normally I would have fumed over my privacy being invaded that way. The thought of leaving him behind was so heartbreaking I didn’t care what he did. All I wanted was a little more time to look at that beautiful face and keep it in my mind for the times when I missed him.

  “I got a real chewing out from my mom. You really think we’re in danger?”

  I knew Brock was trying to pacify me but probably believed I was overreacting. The truth was that Derrick didn’t look like much of a threat to a person who didn’t know him. He dressed in designer clothes, groomed himself perfectly, and had he not had such an ugly soul, he would be considered handsome. That’s how he’d reeled my sister in.