The Cowgirl's Secret (The Diamondback Ranch Series #) Read online

He narrowed his eyes. "Before you change your mind?"

  Tori lowered her gaze and shrugged a bare shoulder. "I'll admit it's going to take a little time for me to get used to the whole thing. It'll be strange at first, not going to A&M like I'd originally planned. Not to practice in Salt Fork--" Her voice caught on a sob, and she couldn't finish the sentence as the reality of taking such a step, a different path in her life, hit her full force.

  Sam grabbed hold of her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes. "Babe, there's no way in hell I can let you make such a sacrifice. My mom's death has made me see a few things differently, too. Made me think of all you said, and what a bastard I would be to make you change your lifelong goals and dreams for me."

  Tori's bottom lip trembled. Her heart clenched at the thought of losing him again. She didn't know how she would bear it. Did he really not want to get back together? "But I love you. I want to be with you."

  "I love you, too. Except you were right. You need to get your degree. You've worked hard to make it happen. And you need to take over that practice in Salt Fork. You were right when you said we should trust in the strength of our feelings. I want you to go to A&M. In fact, I insist."

  Tori couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But four years is a long time like you said. What will you do while I'm at school?"

  Sam placed his thumb beneath her chin and tilted her head. "Well, let's think about it a little bit. With my mom gone, there's nothing holding me here in Dallas. I could go down to College Station so I'd be near you. But that would distract you too much. What about if I go--"

  "Not New York, Sam. That's too far away."

  "No, I'm back in Texas for good."

  Tori could hardly believe Sam was actually contemplating scenarios so they could be together. She was almost afraid to breathe; afraid she'd break the spell he'd woven around them. "So if you're not going to live in Dallas or New York, and you're not going to come with me to College Station . . . where will you go?"

  He smiled that lethal smile of his and the impact hit her square on. "What would you say about Salt Fork?"

  Tori's heart almost flat-lined, and she eyed him in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding. What in the world would you do in Salt Fork?"

  "I don't know yet," he said, lifting a shoulder in a shrug. "The idea just now popped into my head. There has to be something I can do in Salt Fork."

  "Sam, I don't think you realize how small my hometown really is. There's basically one main street running through town with one stoplight. If you blink, you miss it."

  "Now wait a minute," Sam said. "Small towns have a charm of their own. Before I left New York, I was pretty burned out. I was ready for a change, a slower pace of life."

  Tori rolled her eyes and snorted. "Oh, you'll get a slower pace of life in Salt Fork. Believe me, I know."

  He smiled again. "And yet, you want to go back there to live. It obviously holds an allure for you and a special place in your heart."

  She nodded. "It's home. My family's there and so is the Diamondback Ranch. Three generations of McCades have lived there, four if you count my niece Kelsey. There's nothing there for you. Nothing to do; no one you know."

  "That's not all-together true." Sam grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. Her heart skipped a beat. "You'll be there, babe."

  Tingles of awareness skittered up her arm. "No, I won't. I'll be going to school in College Station."

  "Yes, but think about it. You want to go back to Salt Fork after you finish school. In the mean time, I'll be there when you come home for holidays and when you move back for good. Then we'll get married, settle down and have a kid or two. We'll begin our life together. Until death do us part."

  She laced her fingers with his, holding his hand; dark skin contrasted against light. They complemented each other, belonged together. "You make it all sound perfectly logical," she said. "But I don't know. Are you really willing to wait for me to finish vet school? That's four years, maybe even five. And I can only imagine how difficult a long distance relationship will be."

  "Yes, it will be difficult," he said, lifting her hand to his lips again. "There's no question about that. But with me in Salt Fork, you'll be able to focus on your studies. I want you to be happy, babe. I want to spend the rest of our lives together. If that means putting our relationship on hold, then that's what I'm willing to do. Although, I do think we'll have to meet up once in a while for pre-conjugal visits, if you know what I mean. I have to have my Tori fix, every now and again."

  She knew what he meant. She was addicted to him, too. "But what will you do, Sam? What kind of job could you possibly find in Salt Fork?"

  "If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm not hurting for money, sweetheart. I'll still be able to work remotely and write code for my friend's game development company. Believe it or not, writing code is relaxing in its own way."

  "Relaxing? Right, mister. That's a good one." Tori shook her head. "I can't believe you actually want to go live in Salt Fork, Texas, of all places."

  Sam wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. "I don't want to lose you. If that means letting you go for a while and do what you have to do, then so be it. You have roots in Salt Fork. You have family there. I don't have roots in Dallas anymore. I have no family. There's nothing to keep me here."

  Tori pulled back a little and searched the rugged features of his face. "What about your cousins in San Antonio?"

  He rubbed the back of his knuckles against her soft cheek. "What about them?"

  "They're family. You could move to San Antonio."

  "Why would I want to do that? I love you, Tori. I want to spend my life with you. Salt Fork's the obvious place for me."

  She frowned, and Sam traced the deep furrows on her brow. "What's wrong now, babe? You're the one who wanted to put our relationship on hold and take it up again at a later date. You should be overjoyed."

  "I am, I am." She worried her bottom lip and peeked at him through golden lashes. "You're going to think I'm nuts."

  "Nuts about me, I hope."

  "Besides that," she said. "I was thinking if you do go to Salt Fork . . . I'd rather we not tell anyone, and I mean not one single person, that there's anything going on between us."

  It was Sam's turn to frown. "You ashamed of me, Tori?"

  She cupped his jaw. "Oh, God. Of course not. It's just that my brothers would be all over the both of us. They're very protective of me. They would make your life a living hell. And besides that, you have no idea about small-town gossip. Trust me on this. It will go much smoother if we keep our relationship secret until after I graduate."

  "But won't your brothers be angry when they find out we've kept such a secret from them? And what about your mother? I know what my mom would have felt like if I'd kept that huge a secret from her."

  "We'll have to take it one step at a time, okay?" Tori hurled herself against the man she loved and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly on his mouth. "Oh my God, Sam. I can't believe you're willing to do this for me. You're making all my wishes come true. I want to build a house on my portion of the Diamondback Ranch. I want it to be two stories, made out of native stone with a tin roof and a view of the Double Mountains from a big front porch. I've had the site picked out since I was a little girl. You wouldn't mind living on the Diamondback Ranch, would you?"

  Sam hugged her close. "Not as long as it's with you, babe. Not as long as it's with you."

  ***

  PART TWO

  CHAPTER NINE

  A man only has so much patience.

  Sam's voice echoed in Tori's brain as she sat at the cluttered oak desk that had seen over forty years of service under Doc Pritchard. She'd been back in Salt Fork for just a little over a month, and she'd been swamped with taking over Doc's practice. She'd tried to set up some sort of schedule, but that was pretty much impossible, especially since the animal hospital over in Stone Creek had closed its doors last week. Now Tori was the only vet in a fifty-mile r
adius and her workload had doubled overnight. She felt like she was swimming upstream with cement boots on her feet, barely keeping her head above water, with no rescue in sight.

  She was so busy she had no time to visit her family or Sam. No wonder he was running out of patience. She was working twelve to fourteen hour days and seeing him only at night, usually at his place and only for a few hours. She always dragged herself from his bed to return to her own. She could just imagine the talk in town if she actually spent the night with Sam. As it was, the grapevine was already buzzing with conjecture.

  At least she didn't have to make the twelve-mile drive to and from the Diamondback Ranch each day. She'd never manage any sleep if she was living back home.

  To preserve her sanity, she'd set up camp in the back room of the clinic. Staying in town was more convenient, especially when she had to take emergency calls and appointments. Plus, she was closer to Sam, able to spend a little of each day with him, most days. All in all, staying at the clinic saved a lot of time and aggravation.

  She'd borrowed a folding bed from her mom and brought in food, supplies and clothing. There were no bathing facilities, so she showered at Sam's place. Usually with him. Together. That always proved to be the highlight of her day.

  Tori sighed. Sam wasn't the only one frustrated with the whole relationship situation.

  The bell on the front door jingled. There were no appointments scheduled until later in the afternoon, but Tori never turned away patients if she could help it. Jumping up from the desk, she walked to the front of the office to see who needed her help.

  Caitlyn McCade stood in the middle of the waiting room with her big yellow lab by her side. Reba wagged her tail when she saw Tori and tugged on her leash, trying desperately to get free so she could greet her with big sloppy kisses.

  "Hey, Tori," Caitlyn said. "I was in town and thought I'd drop by. Reba has a sticker in her paw, yet obviously it isn't hurting her as badly as I thought, since she's wiggling with joy to see you."

  Tori bent down on one knee to pet the dog. "Let me look at your paw, girlie. Which one is it?" she asked Caitlyn.

  "The front left. She stepped in a patch of goat-heads when she was chasing a raccoon a couple of days ago. I got most of them out, but can't seem to get that deep one still lodged in the pad."

  Tori rubbed Reba's ears, and the dog panted in ecstasy. "Let's take her to one of the exam rooms, and I'll see what I can do."

  Ten minutes later, Tori had removed the thorn and applied an iodine solution to Reba's paw. "All done and good as new."

  "Thanks, Doc." Caitlyn took Reba's leash and looked around the examination room. "Looks like you're settling in nicely."

  "Oh, God. Don't I wish?" Tori said over her shoulder, as she washed her hands in the sink. "I'm so swamped, I don't know if I'm coming or going. Doc's antiquated filing system is a disaster. And trying to get his receptionist to use the computer is like pulling teeth. Mary Ann thinks if the system was good enough for Doc Pritchard, it should be good enough for me."

  Caitlyn smiled. "It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Where is Mary Ann, by the way?"

  "It's her afternoon off. I wish I could take an afternoon off. But hey, I shouldn't complain. I'm finally living my dream." Tori smiled and finished drying her hands and tossed the paper towel in the trash.

  "And doing a fine job," Caitlyn said with a smile. "Hang in there, Tori. It'll take a little time to get organized. Now, how much do I owe you?"

  Tori shook her head. "No charge. You're family."

  "That's no way to conduct business." Caitlyn frowned. "I insist on paying my fair share."

  "No, really. It's okay."

  "No, it's not." Caitlyn narrowed her eyes and waited, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot.

  Tori's newest sister-in-law was a force to be reckoned with. Tyler had met his match when he'd fallen in love with her. "Okay, okay. I'll print you out an invoice." She led the way to the front office where she'd set up a brand-new computer and printer and installed a wall of neatly organized files. "As you can see, I'm using the newest technology for my accounts. Now if only I can manage to bring Mary Ann and Doc's outdated system into the twenty-first century, I'll be in good shape."

  "You can do it, Tori. I have faith in you."

  As soon as the door closed behind Caitlyn and Reba, Tori headed to the back office again determined to clean off Doc's desk. Her desk now. It was still hard to realize she was finally finished with school and actually a practicing veterinarian.

  She was living her dream; she'd achieved her lifelong goal. Then why didn't she feel like she was on top of the world? Why wasn't she any happier? Maybe it was because she was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. When she got settled in and learned the ropes, she'd feel much better. It would just take a little time and patience.

  A man only has so much patience.

  Tori's heart fluttered when she recalled Sam's dangerously soft and seductive voice, his intense gaze and his possessive hold on her when they'd danced at Doc's retirement party last Saturday. The man had every right to be running out of patience. He'd been remarkably supportive and understanding during the years she'd been going to A&M.

  Conducting a long-distance relationship had been extremely hard for them both. There had been rocky times, harsh words, hurt feelings. Times when Sam's patience had worn thin; times when Tori had felt like quitting school. Except how could she have given up her dream? How long would it have taken before she'd become bitter and resentful?

  She hurried down the hall. No, quitting school had never really been an option. Sooner or later, she and Sam had always made up and soldiered on.

  So why was she still holding him at arms' length? She knew they couldn't put their relationship on hold forever. But taking over Doc's practice as well Stone Creek's was proving to be almost more than she could handle. If only there were more hours in the day.

  Before she reached her office, the bell on the door jingled again. With a silent groan, she made an about-face and headed back to the waiting room.

  ***

  Tori didn't know whom she'd expected, but it sure hadn't been her mother. She smoothed back her tousled curls and walked into the reception area. "Hey, Mom. How's it going?"

  Ruth McCade smiled at her only daughter. "Hey, baby. Oh, I brought you a little afternoon snack. I thought we could talk a minute. I have a bit of a problem and I need your advice." She set a small wicker basket on the counter. "I made homemade donuts, and I brought some iced tea. We'll have ourselves a little indoor picnic. If you're not too busy, that is."

  Tori smiled. "You know I can always make time for donuts. And you, of course. Here, I'll pull up a couple of chairs. I only have about forty-five minutes though. I'm due out at the Rocking C Ranch. Leo's having a problem with one of the new calves." She scooted two of the hard plastic chairs closer to the coffee table and plopped down.

  Ruth transferred the basket from the counter to the low table and began unpacking the goodies. "Goodness gracious, all the ranchers around here sure keep you busy, don't they?" She handed Tori a donut and a glass of tea.

  "Busy doesn't even begin to describe it. Business is booming, and that's a good thing, right?" Tori bit into the soft moist pastry, the sugar-glazed sweetness bursting on her taste buds. "Oh God, Mom. These are delicious. I haven't had one of your donuts since I don't know when."

  Ruth reached over and patted Tori's knee. "Well, now that you're home to stay--or at least in Salt Fork to stay--you'll get to enjoy all of your old favorites. In a week or so, I'll bake a pecan pie. I know you've always liked them. Why don't you make me a list of your favorites, and I'll make them for you?"

  "I'll do that and hope to goodness I don't gain ten pounds." Tori licked the gooey sugar from her thumb and took a sip of tea. "So, what's this problem you're having?" For the life of her, she couldn't guess what it could be.

  Ruth sat back in her chair. "Well now. It's about the twins."
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br />   "Molly and Maddie?" Tori frowned as she took another bite of donut. "Damn, I knew those girls were going to be a handful for you. I still can't figure out why Aunt Georgie named you guardian of her two teenaged daughters."

  Ruth's bottom lip quivered, and Tori shoved a napkin into her mom's hand. She'd almost forgotten how quickly her mother could get all teary-eyed. Not that she didn't have just cause in this instance. Losing a younger sister had to be devastating. Tori remembered when Tyler had been critically injured in a plane crash. If he'd died . . . Her chest ached just thinking about it.

  Ruth sniffled into the napkin. "The twins weren't teenagers when Georgie and Frank drew up their will. And of course, she never thought I'd be called upon to actually take the girls. No one ever truly thinks they're going to die and leave their children alone in this world."

  "I'm so sorry, Mom. I know you miss her. But why didn't she name Aunt Florie guardian? They were closer in age. I mean you were fifteen years older than Aunt Georgie."

  "I'm not sure why she named me instead of Florie. But what's done is done. I can't worry about that now. What I do have to worry about is helping those two precious girls get along without their parents." Ruth dabbed the tears from her eyes.

  "I sure feel bad for them." Tori chewed the last bite of donut thoughtfully. "Maybe it would help to let them live with Austin and Theresa. The girls are only a couple of years older than Kelsey, and they all seem to get along."

  "Oh no, no, no." Ruth blew her nose on the crinkled napkin and shook her head. "Those two girls have been a godsend, truly. And to be honest, it was getting mighty lonesome in that big old house all by myself. Now, I have Molly and Maddie to keep me company; not to mention, they're a living, breathing reminder of my dear sister. We're getting along fine and dandy. Don't you believe otherwise."

  "Okay, then." Tori grabbed another donut. "What seems to be the problem?"

  "It's perfectly plain, dear. Their birthday is in a couple of weeks. It's their sixteenth, you know."

  Doing some quick math in her head, Tori nodded. "Yeah, I was nearly ten when they were born and so glad to get girl cousins." She smiled at the memory.