Roping A Runaway Bride Read online

  Zeke scowled and stopped rocking. “Where'd ya hear that? Has Rose been a gossiping?"

  Sarah grinned at the ornery way he said Rose's name. “I've got my sources, and they're private.” She had no desire to tell him of Lisa's confidences.

  Zeke harrumphed and leaned back in his rocker. He looked off into the distance. “You figurin’ on leaving him again if it's true?"

  Sarah was saddened by the tense set of his body. “No, you're not going to get rid of me that quickly.” She watched his shoulders relax. “So give, is it true?"

  Zeke looked at her. “Why do ya want to know? You plannin’ to help him out? A rich gal like you probably has more money than she knows how to spend."

  Sarah leaned back and started rocking again. “I'm not the rich woman you think I am. I walked away from my grandfather's money years ago and I never looked back."

  "Just like you ran out on Rafe,” Zeke said sourly. “You kind of got the habit of running out when the times get tough, don't ya?"

  Sarah sighed. She'd have to confide in Zeke if she wanted his cooperation. “The reasons are totally different. I left my grandfather, the man who raised me, because there were too many strings attached to his affections. I left Rafe because I thought he married me because of my family connections. Being part of a hotel tycoon's family wouldn't hurt a man who wanted to open a dude ranch."

  "Of all the damned fool notions, where'd you ever get an idea like that?"

  "I found a note on the bed after our wedding explaining it. When I went to ask Rafe if it was true I overheard him talking to you about the dude ranch, jumped to conclusions, and ran out just like you said. If it makes any difference to you, I now know that the note was a lie."

  "Well it's about time. So what're you plannin’ to do about it?"

  "Aside from the fact that Rafe couldn't blow me out of here with dynamite, I'm going to rescue his ranch. I've got some money saved up and I'm going to use it to start up the dude ranch. All I need to know from you is how much capital he needs to start the operation."

  Zeke shook his head. “He'd never take it from you."

  Sarah nodded. “I know how stubborn he is, but I could do it on the sly. He'd never know until it was too late to stop me."

  Zeke pushed to his feet. “I don't think he'd cotton to the idea. So you ain't gonna get nothing out of me. I don't want to talk no more."

  Sarah stood up, narrowing her eyes. He wasn't going to wiggle out of helping her that easily. She was prepared to fight dirty to rescue the man she loved. “You tell me what you know, or I'll tell everyone I saw you smooching Rose after dinner tonight."

  Zeke scowled and spat on the ground. “You been spying on me?"

  Sarah grinned, unrepentant. “I was in the right place at the right time."

  He looked down at the ground. “The boss told me that he needs fifty grand to make improvements before he opens. He ain't got the money and the bank turned him down. So now he's fixin’ to sell off some acreage to Jim."

  Sarah thought about the nest egg she'd been building to start her own production company. It would be just enough.

  Sarah dialed Pipi's private number. She glanced around warily to make sure she wouldn't be overheard. The kitchen was deserted.

  "Hello."

  Sarah sighed with relief. “Pipi, it's Sarah. Listen, cuz, I need a big favor from you."

  Pipi said sharply, “You never ask for favors so it must be something important."

  "Yes, it's vital."

  "Name it, and it's yours."

  Sarah gave another glance over her shoulder. “I need you to take the funds out of my private account and wire them to the Shelbyville Bank for me."

  "Okay, how much?"

  "All of it. There should be sixty thousand dollars all told."

  "All of it! What for?"

  "I'm going to help Rafe out of some financial problems."

  "Are you crazy? What are you trying to do pay him off to soothe his pride?"

  "No, I'm not crazy. I'm in love,” Sarah said firmly. She'd known Pipi would kick up a fuss but she wasn't about to knuckle under. “Rafe has no idea of what I'm up to. If he knew I was planning to finance his dude ranch he'd be furious."

  "Why don't you just ask Grandfather to put his ranch under the Maxwell Hotel Banner, they'd give him the seed money."

  Sarah tensed at the thought. “You know better than that, cuz. I don't want to be linked to that man in any way. I'm going to help Rafe myself."

  Pipi sighed then said grudgingly, “Well, if you've made up your mind I don't suppose my arguments are going to dissuade you. You always were stubborn. I think that's why you and Grandfather were always at loggerheads."

  "Yes, I have made up my mind.” Sarah chose to ignore the comparison even though she knew it was true.

  "In love, huh,” Pipi grumped. “I thought you were going there to set things right not fall under his spell again."

  "You make him sound like a hypnotist. He's my Western Romeo and helping him out is my way of paying him back."

  "For what?"

  Sarah gritted her teeth. She should have kept her mouth shut. “He saved my life,” she said reluctantly.

  "What?” Pipi screeched.

  Sarah brushed the hair back behind her ear. “Keep calm, Pipi, I'm okay."

  "I'm coming out there to get you,” Pipi shouted.

  Sarah frowned. “Well, I'm not leaving. Don't worry about me. It was just some nut taking pot shots. Rafe has been taking good care of me."

  Pipi sighed. “He is, huh?"

  Sarah frowned at Pipi's doubting tone. “Yes, he is. So now it's my turn to take care of him."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Eight

  Rafe savored the last sip of his breakfast coffee. It was Monday morning and all of the men were already at work, while he was lingering at the table, putting off the inevitable meeting with Wilson. How would Sarah react if he was actually charged with shooting the wolves? She said she believed him, but did she really? He would know soon enough because he was due in Wilson's office in an hour. No doubt if he didn't show, they'd send the sheriff out to arrest him.

  He stood up and walked into the kitchen where Sarah was helping Rose with the dishes. She glanced up sharply at his approach. He could see the anxiety in her eyes, and it made him tense. What was she thinking? Then he focused on the white bandage on her arm, and his gut twisted. She'd been shot while trying to prove his innocence. That told him she trusted him.

  How could he have guessed this summer would bring such a roller coaster of emotions. He walked up to Sarah and pulled her into his arms. “Don't worry, sweetheart, it will be okay."

  "If only I could have gathered some evidence,” she whispered, while caressing his back.

  Rafe luxuriated in her touch for a moment. This was right and real. “We were rudely interrupted, remember? There wasn't time to get any evidence. Besides, Wilson and the sheriff went up there. If there was anything to find, I'm sure they discovered it."

  Sarah nestled in his arms. “I'm sure they're going to realize that it's all a mistake."

  "I don't want you to worry, sweetheart.” Rafe hugged her tighter. Her belief in him meant everything.

  Sarah nodded. “I know it's all going to blow over.” She stepped out of his embrace noting sadly that he looked like a man going off to face a firing squad. “It'll just take me a minute to get ready."

  "For what?"

  "I'm going with you.” Sarah grabbed her purse and walked toward the door.

  Rafe frowned. “I don't think that's a very good idea, Sarah. They didn't ask you to come in."

  Sarah stood tall in the face of his repressive attitude. He didn't want her involved but there was no way she would let him face this alone. “Tough. I want to be with you. Don't worry. I won't get in the way. Besides, I have some business to do in town later."

  "What business do you have to do?” Rafe asked.

  "There are a few items I forgot to buy
at Daley's Camera Shop last time.” Her money should be in the local bank by now. She'd open a joint account for the two of them and by the time renovations began it would be too late for Rafe to say no. They were a team now whether he realized it or not.

  "I could pick up any photography supplies you need,” he offered.

  Sarah frowned as she fumbled for an excuse. “No thanks, you wouldn't know what to get. Besides you owe me. You did confiscate my keys, leaving me stranded."

  "Okay, I guess you can come,” he said grudgingly.

  SARAH SAT IN an uncomfortable tweed chair in a corner of the room, while Rafe sat in a chair in front of Bob Wilson's desk. Rafe put on a front of confidence but she knew he was as tense as a canary in a room full of cats. Rafe cast a frustrated glance her way.

  "How do you like that?” Rafe grumbled. “Here I am on time for my appointment and he keeps me waiting for half an hour."

  Sarah was worried, too, but strove to hide it. She needed to be supportive, no matter what happened. Rafe flashed her the I-don't-give-a-damn smile of a man going before a firing squad. Sarah twined her fingers together to keep her hands from shaking. “Try to be patient, Rafe. Bob did say he was waiting for some lab results, and it would be worth our while to wait."

  Rafe sighed and leaned back in the chair. “At least you believe I'm innocent. Now we just have to convince the law.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Waiting stinks. I've never been good at it."

  Sarah smiled at his petulant, little boy tone. “Oh, I don't know. You waited three weeks for me."

  Rafe cast her an intense look. “That's different. You were worth waiting for."

  It was Rafe's first declaration of affection and she hugged it to her like a security blanket.

  Wilson entered the room. “I'm sorry to keep you waiting so long. Ballistics had to fax me some info on the shell casings we found on the bluff yesterday."

  "And...” Rafe prompted.

  Wilson slapped a sheet of paper on his desk. “The shots that hit your wife came from a rifle. A thirty ought six."

  "There are plenty of those around. Heck, we've got several of them around the ranch.” He looked from the paper to Wilson. “Hey, what about Blackthorn, does he own a rifle?"

  Wilson smiled grimly. “He did, but he reported it stolen a week ago."

  "It figures.” Rafe scowled. “Blackthorn's not stupid. If he was going to do the shooting, he'd claim that he didn't have the gun."

  Wilson frowned. “By the way, Rafe, we checked. Nevell Blackthorn was working on bank business when your wife was shot."

  "Has he got any witnesses to back him up?” Rafe asked sharply.

  Wilson sighed. “He doesn't need witnesses, Rafe, you do. You're the one accused of a crime."

  "What about the rock fragments?” Sarah asked. “And the bullets from the wolves? You've had plenty of time to check on them."

  Wilson turned to look at her. “They came from the same gun, ma'am."

  Sarah smiled. “Then you know Rafe is innocent. Rafe was with me when the second shots were fired."

  "That's true, but you two could have set this up as a ruse.” Wilson shrugged. “Or Rafe could have persuaded a pal to take a shot at you."

  "What a stupid thing to say.” Sarah stood up and stepped toward the men. She put a hand on Rafe's shoulder. “My husband wouldn't do such an underhanded thing. I have complete faith in him."

  Wilson nodded. “My gut feeling says he's been set up, but I have to check the weapons on the ranch to be sure."

  Sarah glanced at Rafe. The satisfied smile he gave her took her breath away. Apparently her trust meant a great deal to him.

  Rafe turned to glance at Wilson. “What do you want me to do, Bob?"

  Wilson sat down in his desk chair. “Have a seat and we'll work out the details."

  Rafe sat down across from him. “I'll do whatever I have to do to get this cleared up. I want this solved as much as you do."

  Sarah smiled. It was going to be all right. “Rafe, while you two talk this over, I'm going to go take care of the business I talked about. How about if we meet at the cafe in an hour?"

  Rafe turned and smiled at her. “All right, sweetheart. I'll see you then."

  Sarah left the courthouse and headed at a brisk pace to the bank. She didn't have much time to do what she had to do.

  Sarah opened the front door of the bank and walked up to the teller's counter. “I have a transfer of funds that's supposed to be here this morning."

  "And your name?"

  "Sarah Halliday. I have a picture ID from my old bank. Of course it's still under my maiden name of Maxwell.” Sarah slid her bank card and driver's license from her purse.

  The teller smiled and handed Sarah the cashier's check. “Would you like to start an account with us today, Mrs. Halliday?"

  "Yes, a joint account. I need to make sure my husband has access to this money.” Sarah endorsed the back of the check and slid it across to the teller.

  A large tanned hand dropped down on the check, preventing the teller from picking it up. The teller gaped up at the space behind Sarah's left ear. Sarah didn't have to look behind her to know who it was.

  "Wilson and I finished our business a little early, wife,” Rafe said dryly. “Isn't it a good thing I saw you in here on my way to the cafe?"

  Sarah sucked in her breath and turned around with friendly smile. “Rafe, I can explain."

  "There's no need to explain, Sarah. I understand perfectly."

  Rafe smiled at the teller but his smile didn't reach his eyes. Sarah knew he was furious.

  "My wife has changed her mind,” Rafe bit out. “She'll be keeping her precious money."

  "But—"

  "Button it,” Rafe snapped. He picked up the check, turned, and strode toward the door.

  Sarah rolled her eyes and followed him. There was nothing worse than a male with a wounded ego, and Rafe's pride had just been trampled on by her money. Rafe jerked open the driver's door to his truck and she dashed to the passenger door. As she hopped inside she cast a glance his way. Rafe's jaw was set. He probably did have a right to be angry, but he didn't have to be such a jerk about it. She was doing this for them after all.

  He pulled out of the parking space and started driving toward home. “What was that all about?” Rafe bit out. “Payment for services rendered?"

  "I don't know what you mean.” She stared at his rigid profile totally confused by the statement.

  Rafe cast an annoyed glance her way. “Don't play dumb, Sarah. You know exactly what I mean. Payment for a nice roll in the hay, making love—sex. I might be good, honey, but I'm not for sale."

  She gaped at him as his words penetrated. “Is that what you think?” It had never entered her mind he would think such a thing. “But that's ridiculous."

  "Hell yes, it's ridiculous. I'm not some gigolo you can buy with your wealth. What I gave, I gave freely. So you can keep your blasted money.” He pushed the check across the cracked, blue vinyl upholstery as if it was a piece of trash. “I don't need it."

  "Don't need it, or are too proud to take it?” Sarah snapped back.

  * * * *

  * * * *

  Sarah watched Bob Wilson drive off with Rafe's rifles. He'd also taken the ones Rafe had picked up in the bunk house.

  She was in a foul mood because of Rafe's stupid macho pride. He'd turned what could have been a beautiful gesture on her part into a disaster. What did he expect her to do, stand back while he floundered financially? Why should she stand back and watch him sell off part of his birthright when she had the means to save him?

  Eventually she hoped to change his mind and open him up to sharing everything with her. It was the only way to make their marriage truly work. But she was just too steamed to approach him for the time being.

  Right now she needed to lose herself in her work. It was the one area she still felt competent in. She was going to get busy and complete her series.

  Sarah walked into the k
itchen, carrying her camera and supplies. Rafe was at the sink, getting a drink of water. She watched the play of muscles in his back as he lifted the glass, and frowned. Why did he have to be such a big, macho cowboy? Couldn't the man bend a little?

  Rafe drained the glass and put it on the counter. He turned to look at her and leaned back against the cabinet, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Where do you think you're going?"

  Sarah flipped her hair over her shoulder. “This is still a free country, cowboy. I don't have to stand here and be interrogated."

  A nerve twitched in Rafe's jaw. “Yes, this is a free country. But there's an assassin out there, remember? It's not safe to go wandering around."

  He was right and it irritated Sarah to no end. Still, she couldn't stand to be cooped up all day. “He missed, so he must not be a very good assassin."

  Rafe arched an eyebrow. “He didn't miss the wolves."

  Sarah recalled the revolting slides and shuddered.

  "So I repeat, where are you going?” Rafe asked patiently.

  "I need to get some work done. I have a deadline to meet.” At his implacable stare she added, “Besides, I can't handle just sitting around. And I promise I won't go anywhere near the bluff."

  "Let's just hope the assassin doesn't think the same thing,” Rafe said dryly.

  Sarah frowned at his sarcasm. “Quit trying to scare me."

  "I'm not trying to do anything. You're scared because there's a real possibility of danger. You can't go alone, so if you go, I go too."

  Sarah bit her lip. The last thing she wanted was for Rafe to tag along. How could she get any work done with him looking over her shoulder? “You can't spare the time from work,” she protested.

  Rafe scowled and pushed away from the counter top. “Don't tell me what I can't do, wife. I'm still boss around here. Where do you want to work?"

  Sarah sighed. It looked like she was going to have a tagalong whether she wanted him or not. “I'd like to take some pictures by the lake. I figured I could get some good shots of wildlife around there."