Killer Cowboy (Cowboys of Holiday Ranch) Read online

  “Then let’s get you home.”

  Minutes later they were in his car and headed back to the ranch. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but now just didn’t seem to be the right time.

  “I found a journal in Adam’s room,” he said.

  “Really? Have you read it yet?”

  “I spent most of the night reading it.” He told her about Adam’s mother, who had obviously been a selfish woman who preferred her lovers over her little boy.

  “After he killed her and everyone believed she’d run off, Adam’s father fell apart. He started drinking and became violent, and after a year Adam ran away.”

  “And wound up on the ranch with seven other boys,” Cassie replied.

  Dillon nodded. “He killed them at various intervals for a variety of reasons, but in his mind he was protecting the only woman he thought of as a good and loving mother.”

  “My aunt Cass.”

  “After she died and you arrived here he saw you as an angel that belonged to him.”

  “That’s so creepy,” she replied as he turned into the ranch’s driveway. “He must have spied on us and when he saw me getting closer to you he branded me as the whore who had to die.”

  “You do realize nothing that happened is your fault,” he said. The last thing he wanted was for her to entertain any kind of guilt over Adam’s actions.

  He parked the car and then went around to help her out. “Somebody fixed the door,” she said in surprise.

  “I didn’t want you coming home to a reminder of what happened. Flint and Mac got a new one this morning and we hung it.”

  They entered the house and he pointed her to the sofa. “Get comfortable. I intend to wait on you for the rest of the day.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” she protested.

  “I know, but I want to. Can I get you something to eat? Something to drink?” He watched as she sank down into the sofa cushions. “How about a pillow beneath your knee?” Jeez, this whole conversation felt so inane with his love for her wanting to be shouted.

  “I’ve got it.” She took one of the throw pillows and placed it under her knee. “Why don’t you just sit down and talk to me about anything but murder and bad times.”

  Before he could open his mouth a knock sounded at the back door. Dillon answered to find Halena and Mary Redwing. Halena wore a fancy pink hat and carried a large casserole dish. “I brought dinner,” she announced as she set the dish on the kitchen table. “And I wore one of my best hats because it’s a good hat day when Cassie survives an evil attack.”

  “I’m in here,” Cassie called.

  “We just wanted to stop by and see how you’re doing,” Mary said as they entered the great room. “Honestly, Cassie, I don’t know what this town would do without you. You’ve been a safe haven for so many people.”

  “Including us,” Halena added.

  Dillon knew she was talking about the fact that Cassie had taken in Mary and Halena when a drug dealer wanted to kill them.

  Cassie shook her head. “Anybody would have done the same.”

  “That’s not true,” Halena protested. “You are a kind and caring woman, Cassie, and you don’t realize what a huge asset you are to this town.”

  Cassie’s cheeks dusted a pretty pink. “Stop,” she protested. “I’m just hoping nobody is in danger ever again around here.”

  The two women visited with her a little longer and then Dillon saw them out. “Does she know?” Halena asked him as she stepped out the back door.

  “Know what?” he asked.

  “You look at her like a man in love,” Halena replied.

  “I am in love with her,” Dillon replied.

  “When are you going to tell her? Do you want to borrow a hat to wear?”

  Dillon smiled at the old Native American woman. “Thanks, Halena, but I think I’m good.”

  Throughout the afternoon he tried to get a chance to talk to Cassie, but there was a steady stream of visitors to check up on her.

  Even Dusty and Trisha Cahill arrived with Trisha’s son, Cooper, and reminded Cassie that if it hadn’t been for the safe haven Cassie had provided for Trisha and Cooper when her deadly ex had come after them, who knew what might have happened.

  Lucas and Nicolette Taylor also stopped by to check in on Cassie. As the two female friends visited in the great room Dillon and Lucas sat at the kitchen table.

  “You have no idea how shocked I am,” Lucas said.

  “Everyone is shocked,” Dillon replied. “Did Adam ever say much about his childhood?”

  Lucas frowned. “Just that he didn’t get along with his mother and that’s why he’d run away from home.”

  “He killed her when he was fourteen,” Dillon said and then went on to tell Lucas what he’d read in Adam’s journal.

  “You know, all twelve of us men came here with horrible backgrounds, but none of the rest of us turned into killers. I can feel sorry for the boy he was, but that doesn’t justify what he did as a man,” Lucas replied.

  “I know he was from Tulsa so I’m going to try to contact his father to see if he wants to claim his son’s body.”

  “I wouldn’t count on it. As far as I know Adam never spoke to his father again after he ran away.”

  If nobody claimed Adam’s body then he would be buried without ceremony in the Bitterroot cemetery.

  Finally everyone was gone and it was just the two of them as dusk fell outside. Dillon put Halena’s casserole into the oven to warm. He returned to the great room and sank down next to her on the sofa.

  “We need to talk,” he said.

  She sat up as a tiny frown danced across her forehead. “I know. What I don’t understand is why you’re still here with me. I don’t really need any help despite you treating me like an invalid all day. The danger is over and you can finally get back to your own life.”

  The blue scrubs made her eyes the blue of the Oklahoma sky and he couldn’t wait another minute to speak of his love for her. “I don’t want to get back to my own life. Cassie, I’m in love with you.”

  Her frown deepened. “You said that last night before you left here and you also told me you didn’t like it.”

  “I was wrong. You’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I want to wake up with you in my bed every morning and go to sleep with you in my arms.”

  The words that had been held in for so long exploded out of him. “Cassie, I don’t want to be the man who steals any dream from you, but I just wanted to tell you that I’ve never loved anyone the way I do you.”

  No joy leaped into her eyes. He’d hoped for that, and his heart took a slow descent in his chest. Instead she looked at him in confusion. “But I’m not the kind of woman you want to love.”

  “Whoever told you that?” He moved closer to her. “I’ve always dreamed of falling in love with a strong, brave woman who occasionally smells like turpentine and burns dinner. I’ve always wanted a woman who has a passion for painting and a passion for me.”

  He held his breath and watched the play of emotions that danced across her features. Disbelief, hope and finally the joy he’d been hoping for.

  “Oh, Dillon, I’m so in love with you.” Her lips trembled and he fought the need to cover them with his own.

  “But what about New York?” he asked.

  “Where? I once had a dream about a city where I could be somebody and find my happiness and then I grew up and put that childish dream behind me. What I want more than anything now is to marry a strong, sexy chief of police who will let me paint and burn dinner and make apple pies that pucker lips. I want a man who will give me babies and stay with me right here on this ranch for the rest of our lives.”

  It was Dillon’s turn to stare at her, hoping—praying—that this wasn’t a joke. “For real?”

  “For real, and if you don’t grab me up in your arms and kiss me right now I’m going to scream,” she replied.

  He stood and pulled her up and wrapped his arms a
round her and then slanted his mouth against hers. The kiss held all of the love and the passion he had inside for her.

  And she returned it with a heat and welcome that let him know exactly how she felt about him. The kiss ended and he smiled at her.

  “I love you, Dillon, but you know you’re in for a life you never imagined. I lose track of time when I’m painting. I’ll probably never master the art of baking an apple pie and...”

  Dillon pressed a finger across her mouth. “There is nothing you can say that will make me stop loving you or wanting you forever.” He searched her features for a long moment. “Cassie, more than anything I want you to be happy.”

  “I’ve found my happiness, Dillon. I know it sounds crazy but last night as I was running away from Adam, I realized that I am somebody worthwhile and that my place is right here in this town, on this ranch. It’s icing on the cake to have you.” She grinned. “A huge hunk of gooey chocolate icing that will sustain my happiness for the rest of my life.”

  He kissed her once again and when the kiss ended she gazed at him. “If you love me, then take me upstairs and let’s celebrate our love for real,” she said, her eyes shining with a happiness that stoked his even higher.

  “What about your knee?” he suddenly asked.

  “What knee?” She hobbled toward the stairs. “Come on, Chief, don’t keep a woman waiting.”

  He laughed and hurried after her. Yes, he loved this woman with all his heart and soul...and he liked it.

  Epilogue

  “Are you sure the tables look all right?” Cassie turned and looked at Dillon, who was in the process of filling a huge punch bowl.

  “Cassie, the tables look beautiful. Your centerpieces are gorgeous and the day is going to go off without a hitch,” he replied.

  “I just hope Cookie made enough mashed potatoes. You know how people like their mashed potatoes with their turkey,” she fretted.

  It was Thanksgiving, and within a half an hour not only would her cowboys be coming into their dining room for a magnificent feast, but also dozens of people she’d invited from town.

  The long tables were covered with autumn-colored tablecloths, and Cassie had arranged fresh flowers in vases for each table. The air smelled of turkey and ham and all the trimmings.

  Dillon walked over to her and took her hands in his. “Honey, there will be enough mashed potatoes for everyone. There’s enough food back in that kitchen to feed the entire county. Cookie even has Sawyer and Flint back there helping him. Now stop worrying and give me a hug.”

  He didn’t have to ask twice. Over the past week she’d learned something new about the man she loved. He was not only passionate, but he was also extremely affectionate.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. “I have more things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving than ever before in my life.”

  “I feel the same way,” he replied and then captured her lips in a soft, tender kiss.

  “Now, that’s what I like to see,” a male voice called from the doorway.

  They broke apart and turned to see Leroy in the doorway, He was dressed in jeans and an orange sweater that sported a huge turkey on the front.

  “Don’t you look festive,” Cassie said as she walked over to greet him.

  “Loretta bought me this silly sweater years ago and I figured today was a good day to wear it,” he replied. He grinned at Dillon. “I heard you put your place up for sale. Are you two making memories here?”

  Dillon threw an arm around Cassie’s shoulders. “Absolutely,” he replied.

  “Then I’m a happy man...and I’m a hungry man,” Leroy said.

  Cassie laughed. “Find a seat and the food should be coming out soon.”

  “And maybe I could take just a little turkey home for Boomer?”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll hook you up some goodies to take home,” Cassie assured him.

  Within minutes the room began to fill up with friends and laughter, and Cookie and his cowboy helpers began to put food on the banquet table.

  “There’s a rumor going around that you’ve decided to stay here for good,” Halena said to Cassie.

  “The rumor is true,” Cassie replied and tried to keep her eyes off the hat Halena wore that was bedecked with big autumn leaves and a little stuffed squirrel that looked suspiciously like a dog’s toy.

  Halena pointed across the room to where Dillon was talking to Dusty and Trisha. “Are you staying for him?”

  Cassie smiled. “No, I’m staying for me. I would have chosen to stay here without Dillon. But he is a nice bonus package.”

  “That he is, and even though you aren’t Native American, you are a strong warrior, Cassie, and Bitterroot is happy to have you.” To Cassie’s surprise the old woman pulled her into a tight hug and then released her.

  “And now I believe I’ll go torment the men in the kitchen.” She left Cassie’s side and Cassie headed for the door to greet more of her guests.

  When the last of the food was ready, Richard Ainsworth, the mayor of Bitterroot stood to deliver a quick, but nice prayer of thanks.

  People were just beginning to form a line to fill their plates when Raymond Humes appeared at the door. A rich anger rose up inside her for the vile man. She knew now what had created the bad blood between him and her aunt Cass. The details had been in her aunt’s final journal.

  “Raymond, you weren’t invited,” she said to him, conscious of Dillon coming to stand beside her.

  “I thought for sure it was some kind of an oversight. From what I hear we’re probably going to be neighbors for a long time, so I thought I’d be welcomed on this day of giving thanks,” he said.

  “You thought wrong. I don’t ever want you on my property again,” Cassie replied, not trying to hide her anger.

  “You heard the lady, Raymond,” Dillon said.

  “Wait, on second thought, there is a way I’ll let you inside to enjoy the food and company,” Cassie said.

  “What’s that?” Raymond asked curiously.

  “Drop your drawers.”

  Dillon barked a laugh and Raymond stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Excuse me?” Raymond sputtered.

  “You heard me. Drop your drawers and prove to me that you don’t wear the scar of my aunt’s bullwhip on your bare butt.”

  Raymond’s face paled and he took a step backward. “I...I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh, I think you do,” Cassie retorted.

  “You’re as crazy as Cass was,” he said as he backpedaled two more steps.

  “And I like that about her,” Dillon replied and threw an arm around her shoulder.

  Raymond stared at both of them for a long moment and then turned on his heels and stalked away. Cassie turned to Dillon and smiled. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” he asked.

  “For having my back.”

  He returned her smile. “I’m always going to have your back, Cassie. Now, let’s go get a plate and sit down with our friends.”

  As they stood in line for the food, Cassie’s thoughts remained on the journal she had read that had told the tale of a late afternoon when her aunt had gone to the stables. She’d been exhausted from taking care of her dying husband and frightened of what the future held.

  And there Raymond had confronted her and tried to rape her. Cass had fought hard and the attempt had been unsuccessful, but before it was all done she had grabbed her bullwhip and snapped it against Raymond’s bare butt.

  Cassie would be eternally grateful that she hadn’t decided to sell the ranch to that despicable man. In fact, she had a heart full of things to be thankful for, especially that she recognized her own worth and knew that just being Cassie was being somebody important.

  For the next hour everyone ate too much and laughed together. There was a wonderful sense of community that Cassie cherished.

  Cookie, Sawyer and Flint were clearing off the food table to make room for desserts when Dillon’s ph
one rang. He answered and then turned to Cassie.

  “That was Annie. I’m needed in town,” he said. “I’m sorry, Cassie, but I have to go.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s your job.” Sure, she was disappointed he had to go, but she also knew that loving the chief of police also meant there would be holidays and days off interrupted for official work.

  “Walk me out?” he asked.

  “Of course.” They both got up from the table and left the building.

  As soon as they were outside he pulled her into an embrace. “You’ve created a wonderful Thanksgiving for a lot of people,” he said. “And you do know I intend to marry you as soon as possible?”

  “Just name the date and I’ll be there,” she replied.

  “I love you, Cassie,” he said and took her lips with his in a kiss that spoke of his love for her.

  When the kiss ended she gave him a little shove in the chest. “Go, you have a job to do.”

  “I’ll get back here as soon as possible,” he replied. “Now, get back inside before you freeze.”

  Cassie nodded and walked back into the dining room. She stopped in the doorway, stunned by the fact that everyone wore a birthday hat, and balloons had magically appeared to fill every corner of the room.

  “Surprise!” everyone yelled.

  She turned around to see if Dillon was still there, but he’d disappeared from her view. It wasn’t her birthday, but she knew Dillon had arranged this. He didn’t know that her birthday was tomorrow. All he’d known was that her birthday was around Thanksgiving and she’d never had a birthday party.

  Emotions swelled so big in her chest she couldn’t move or speak. Dillon came out of the kitchen carrying a large cake filled with candles and everyone began to sing “Happy Birthday.” And then she was laughing and crying at the same time.

  Above the glow of the candles Dillon’s face was filled with love and happiness. She blew out the candles and when he set down the cake she flew into his arms amid hoots and hollers.

  “I’m going to love you like you’ve never been loved for the rest of our lives,” she whispered into his ear.