Sweet Texas Revenge

Chapter 4

Cade and Samantha arrived at her ranch together. She was immediately met by Lillian Miller and her husband Harvey. They engulfed her and comforted her as she introduced them all to Cade.

"We know each other," Cade informed Samantha.

Her brows raised inquiringly as she turned to Lillian

"Cade went to school back East with our son Lawrence," Lillian informed Samantha as they all walked towards the house.

When they entered, Carmen threw herself into Samantha's arms and whispered in Samantha's ear. "Your brother's out back."

The heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks flew up, brown eyes widen in surprise. "Which one?" she whispered daring to turn her head to make sure Cade was occupied. He was deep in conversation with Harvey Miller.

"Luke."

"Who else knows?"

"Only us. He went to the Lucky Lady looking for Lucy. She sent him here since the law's sniffin' around lookin' for anyone with the Laws gang. If they spot Luke, they'll think themselves lucky for grabbin' someone from the MacDonald gang." Samantha nodded her head in agreement. "He's pretty bruised up."

What more can happen today? Samantha thought to herself as she rubbed her temples.

Cade had noticed Samantha's stiff spine and walked over to her, placing his hand on the small of her back. He felt her stiffen. "Are you alright?"

Samantha was conscious of where his warm flesh touched her. Her heart fluttered wildly in her breast, the heat from his hand branding her back. When she turned, she found concern in his deep blue eyes. A delicious shudder heated her body warming her face and making her look away. What was wrong with her? How can a stranger affect her so? She forced a smile. "I'm fine."

Cade knew she was lying. She was nervously chewing her lower lip and was refusing to make eye contact. "If you say so. I'm going back to Robert's." His voice cracked before he could continue. "To collect his things."

Samantha sent him a smile of understanding. "He was staying at Mrs. O'Leary's boarding house."

Cade nodded. He knew where it was since he was the one who told Robert to stay there when Robert moved out here a few years ago. The pain seared his heart knowing he would be burying his little brother tomorrow.

"If you don't mind, I was hoping to have Robert buried here at the ranch."

His blue eyes held hers for a moment. "I think he'd like that." He looked at her as if he were photographing her with his eyes. Her large brown eyes stared at him. Her lips begged to be kissed. He felt an attraction to her that he couldn't explain. She was too short for his taste, too pretty and too naïve. He usually was attracted to experienced women like Barbra. With a groan, he forced his ex fiancée out of his mind. He realized that he was just standing there as Samantha was waiting for something, he just couldn't tell what. With a forced smile, Cade turned on his heel and left her house.

For some reason, Samantha felt alone, as she watched him leave. His tight pants hugging his muscular thighs. He swung onto his horse effortlessly and galloped away.

With a sigh, Samantha talked briefly to Lillian and Harvey. They gave her their condolences. She asked about their newly widowed daughter Sally, who was eight months pregnant with her first child. Sally lost her husband a few months ago in a freak accident. A stampede killed him when he was trying to rustle up some stray cattle from his farm. Lillian and Harvey came from back East to be with her in this time of need.