Embracing Hope (Cowboys of Sagebrush Rose #5)

Chapter Nine

Hope slid into the water of the luxurious bathtub and leaned back, closing her eyes.

The scent of the sage candle permeated her restless energy.

With her eyes closed, her mind conjured an image of Isaac. Her body throbbed with a need she couldn’t ignore.

Her cell phone vibrated and she checked her messages. Her sister, Liberty, had texted…

“Where are you? Liberty.”

Wiping her hand off on the towel, she typed in…

“In my bathroom. Hope.”

A moment later, a soft knock sounded on the door. It opened enough for Liberty to stick her head inside and say, “Can I come in?”

“Yes.”

Liberty looked beautiful. Her hair was pulled up, showing off her flawless features, and now that her baby bump was showing, she appeared glowing. She dropped down on the closed toilet seat.

“What are you doing here so late?” Hope asked.

“I had a hankering for Dolly’s canned nutmeg peaches. I had to come and steal some jars. These midnight cravings are getting out of hand.” Liberty lovingly touched her stomach. “Where’s Daddy?”

“I assume in Catskills. If he was absent before, he’s being evasive now.”

“Wyler is being a trooper. I’m an emotional mess but he’s the glue that holds me together.” She squinted as she shifted on the toilet seat.

“Are you okay?”

“No one tells you how bad hemorrhoids are during pregnancy. I swear it feels like a walnut in my bum.”

Hope laughed. “TMI.”

“No, I’m being a good sister and warning you. I hear you’ve been playing tour guide to Isaac Marcum.” Her eyes lit with mischief.

“Another one of Daddy’s ridiculous demands.” Hope sighed.

“I met him once a few years ago. He’s quite handsome.” Liberty grabbed a towel off the shelf, folded it, and sat back down, rolling her eyes in appreciation.

“Is he really?” She acted imprudently.

“Like you haven’t noticed.” Liberty scanned the sink, reached for a body spray, and sniffed the scent. “Nice.” She gave it a squirt in the air.

“I noticed.” Hope didn’t want to elaborate.

Liberty’s brows knitted. “Is he husband material?”

“Let’s not start this.”

With a groan, Liberty replaced the spray. “Honey, I’m not one to borrow trouble, but you’re the lone single sister.”

“You’re not telling me something I don’t already know.” She stared up at the elegant chandelier.

“I’m not one to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, but it’s not so bad.”

She slitted open one eye. “What’s not so bad?”

“Marriage. And family.” She touched her stomach lightly.

“I’m happy for you. You’re glowing.”

“I feel so happy.” Liberty beamed. “I wish for you to experience the same joy.”

“What if I don’t marry?” Hope asked.

“Then you’ll lose any claim to Sagebrush Rose. There won’t be anything that we can do to change that.” Tears misted her eyes. “None of us want that to happen. I can’t imagine you not being a part of this ranch.”

“Liberty, you know the details of the ranch’s finances. Is it true that we aren’t as secure as we once were?”

Liberty smoothed her hands down her black yoga pants. Concern marred some of her glow. “A few bad decisions have put us in a bad spot. The drought a few years ago hurt us. Activist groups have put a strain on ranchers. Many feed companies are going under, which means the feed is harder to get and pricier. There are several factors at play.”

“And I suppose Daddy didn’t want anyone to know.” Hope felt a throb in her temples.

“You know how he is. He likes to keep things undercover.”

“So how much do we need this merger with Markum Livestock?”

“If we don’t merge, we could face downsizing in the next few years, possibly selling some land.” Liberty’s cell buzzed. She read the screen. “I need to get back to the house. My hubby is worried about me.”

“Don’t forget to grab your peaches,” Hope reminded her.

She couldn’t, alone with her thoughts, wrap her head around Sagebrush Rose’s failure. So Isaac was correct. This was a risky merger move for Marcum Livestock.

Her mind was active with worried thoughts. She climbed out of the water and pulled the drain. She slid into her robe and headed downstairs for a cup of tea. Once she stepped onto the first-floor landing, she heard a rustling noise coming down the hall. Curious, she craned her neck and noticed the activity was in Daddy’s office.

“Daddy, don’t tell me you’re working this late—”

She stopped in the open doorway. The room was dark and now quiet.

“Daddy?” She waited for a response that didn’t come.

She stepped into the room and switched on the lamp. The soft lighting lit every corner and Hope inspected the space. A gasp fell off her tongue when she saw the masked man dressed in black coming toward her. She didn’t have time to run or even scream…

*****

Isaac shoved through the bunkhouse door, and all eyes turned to him. The hands were gathered around the kitchen, feeding their faces with pizza and beer while playing poker.

“Strike out, did you?” Billy said around a mouthful of food.

“I wasn’t shooting for anything in particular,” Isaac said casually.

“Let’s leave the poor fellow alone. It’s torment enough that he has to come here and hang out with us hooligans,” Robbie said. “Flush.” He slapped down his hand onto the table. “Read ‘em and weep.” The men groaned while Robbie scooped up his winnings. “This is like taking candy from a baby. Want in, Marcum?”

“I’m too tired.” But he didn’t want to hang out with the men. His body teetered and thrummed with restless energy. What he wanted was to be with Hope. So then, why had he excused himself? Why did he run like a scared mouse?

“We saw you leave with the boss’s daughter,” Wheeler said with a snicker. He couldn’t have been younger than twenty-five and had a baby face. His beard was growing in spotty and wispy, and he wore his Stetson pushed back on his forehead.

Several men chuckled, but Isaac didn’t find the remark funny. The room quickly quieted.

“I was just making sure she got home okay.” He reached into the refrigerator, took out water, uncapped it, and tossed the lid into the trashcan on his way to bed. He dropped down and stretched out, shifting around the springs popping up through the mattress. He stared up at the ceiling, listening to the muddled laughter and chatting of the crew.

What he wouldn’t give to have some peace.

He liked most of the hands, although he didn’t know most of them outside of exchanging a word or two here and there. A few were cocky and rubbed Isaac the wrong way. They were all damn good workers, though.

Isaac’s cell phone dinged and he pulled it out of his pocket. CJ left him a message…

“I need an update on our progress soon. CJ.”

Before starting a reply, Isaac erased it and set his phone down. He needed to think things over and decide what to tell CJ.

Billy and Wheeler shuffled into the room, guffawing about something that happened at Mav’s.

Isaac rolled over onto his side and pretended he was asleep. That didn’t stop them.

“We’re curious,” Wheeler slurred as he stumbled over and kicked Isaac’s mattress to get his attention. “Why are you staying here in this dump?”

With an agitated sigh, Isaac pushed up and leaned against the pine wall. “What do you mean?”

“I’m just wondering why you’re not up at the main house sleeping in one of those comfortable king-sized beds with fancy sheets,” Wheeler dropped on the bed across from Isaac’s.

“I’m fine here. Better than a five-star hotel,” he growled. He just wanted to sleep and put the day to rest.

“Appearin’ that you might have the inside scoop, is it true the sisters have to marry?” Wheeler leaned in, practically salivating at the idea.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t have the scoop or any information.” He grabbed his pillow, slammed his fists into it several times, and wedged it between his back and the uncomfortable wall.

“Come on, the secret’s safe with us,” Billy crawled into his bunk.

“Fellows, even if I knew any secrets, I’m not one to turn the rumor mill. I’d suggest you boys stop listening to everything you hear.” Isaac hoped that would cease any further conversation but it didn’t happen.

“You see, I think we’re onto something. Hope’s the only one who hasn’t married within six months. I might not be the brightest bulb in the shed, but I ain’t dumb either,” Wheeler slurred.

“Why are you so curious?” Isaac curled his hand into a fist and felt his chest tighten.

“Well, since you ask.” The younger man blew on the backs of his bent knuckles and swiped them down his stained T- shirt. “Seeing that the sisters like hands, I wouldn’t mind being of assistance. I have something that she’ll never forget.” He grabbed his crotch in a crude gesture.

Billy laughed so hard he almost fell over. “Ah, shit. You’re more of a dumbass than I first believed. Hope Rose wouldn’t give you the time of day if you were the last man on earth,” he said between smacks on his denim-clad thigh.

“What’s so funny?” Wheeler was genuinely offended.

“What’s not funny about that statement, fucker?” Billy’s laughter sobered. “What makes you think Hope would settle for a dickhead like you?”

“And you think she’d be interested in you, dipshit?” Wheeler cursed under his breath.

“Fuck no, but at least I can admit it.” Billy snorted.

“What about you, Marcum?” Wheeler jutted his chin.

“What about me?” Isaac hoped the man wasn’t stupid but hope was lost with the next question.

“What my friend here is trying to say. You’re tall, dark and handsome. Seem to have your shit in order. You interested?” Wheeler said without a sliver of a smile.

“In Hope?” He scraped his nails down his jaw. “I’m here on business.”

“Bullshit.”

The last thread of Isaac’s patience seemed to waver as he focused on Wheeler. “It’s best we place this discussion on the back burner. I need to get some shut-eye.”

“It’s a fair question, dude. If you’re sampling the sauce, we won’t judge you. Fuck, there ain’t one of these hands who wouldn’t plow that pussy like a blizzard in July.”

“Enough, Wheels.” Billy shook his head in warning.

“Hell, you know I’m right. You would, too,” Wheeler jeered. He made a thrusting gesture with his hips and his fists.

Isaac had no clue what left first—the rest of his patience or his calm nature. But he flew off the bed and punched Wheeler in the cheek, sending the scrawny man careening back onto the bed like a limp noodle.

Billy jumped up off his bed and provided a barrier in front of Isaac. “That’s enough. He’s learned his lesson.”

Isaac stared down at the man he’d punched. Blood poured from one nostril and soaked the front of his shirt. “What the fuck was that for, man?” he sputtered, sending a spray of blood into the air.

“What’s happening in here?” Robbie flew into the room as more hands poured in, glancing from Isaac to Wheeler for an explanation.

“It’s all good. Just a minor misunderstanding, right fellows?” Billy said.

Isaac's response was cut off by his phone's buzzing. He picked up it up and read the text message…

“Please come back to the house. I need your help. Hope.”

Without a word, he shoved his phone back into his pocket, swiped his jacket up from the end of the bed, and dragged it on as he rushed past the men, who were still silent and curious.

A blast of damp air hit his face the second he walked outside. The rain had started, and the temperature had dropped. He pulled up the collar of his jacket higher on his neck and followed the path up to the main house. The lights were still on in the windows, and the outside porch light glowed as he pounded on the door.

The door whipped open, and Hope, dressed in a robe and holding her shoulder, was on the other side.