Free Second Chance Cowboy by Sylvia McDaniel

left her with a sense of unease.
    Trey filled his plate and hungrily attacked the food. Neither of them spoke as they ate their meal. Sabrina picked at her food until Trey had finished his. Then he produced two slices of strawberry pie from the basket.
    Sabrina eyed the pie with pleasure. “My favorite!”
    “I know,” came Trey’s smug reply.
    Surprised, she asked, “How did you know?”
    “Matt told me.” Trey smiled.
    For a moment her fork hung suspended in midair, dangling from her hand as she gathered her wits about her. Trey had spoken with Matt She glanced down at the strawberry pie, her appetite disappearing. “When did you speak with Matt?”
    “A couple of days ago.” Trey picked up his fork.
    A couple of days ago. The funeral had only been a couple of days ago. Matt had known about their father’s death and had deliberately chosen not to see her. Secretly, she had hoped he would ride in, explain he had just returned and been informed, but he had chosen not to come to the funeral.
    Anger surged through Sabrina. She needed him and he was too self-centered to help. And what about their father? Hadn’t Matt wanted to pay his last respects to the man who had given him life? The brother she knew and loved couldn’t be so cold.
    She took a deep breath and glared at Trey. “Where is Matt?”
    Trey’s green eyes gazed at her. “I don’t know. Eat your pie. It’s delicious.”
    She resisted the urge to pick up the pie and cram it in Trey’s face. “Right now, I want to know where my brother is and why he didn’t come to our father’s funeral!”
    Trey stared at Sabrina. Lowering his fork, he pushed his chair back from the table. “Sabrina, Matt is a grown man. I saw him at the Painted Lady Saloon as he was heading out of town.”
    Sabrina felt as if she’d been punched. Disappointment surged through her. He had left town without bothering to say goodbye. “He’s left town?”
    “Yes,” Trey replied. His voice was full of sympathy.
    Tears began to slide down her cheeks. The last few days had been absolute hell. “I thought you knew where he was and wouldn’t tell me.”
    “You know I’d help you if I could.” Trey stood up and came around to Sabrina’s side of the table. He squatted down beside her chair.
    Sabrina watched as he picked up her hand and slowly brought it to his lips. In shock she felt his breath caressing the back of her hand, and then his lips were touching her skin. Turning her hand over, he kissed her palm, moving his lips until he was kissing her wrist. A queasy feeling filled her stomach as he lifted his green eyes to hers and Sabrina saw the raw desire burning in them.
    “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the night of the dance. I can’t sleep at night for thinking of you. I know this has been a hard time for you.”
    She stared at him in surprise. They had seen each other three times since she’d come home.
    “Trey!”
    “I have plans, Sabrina. I don’t want to be just a rancher. I intend to be governor of this state someday.” He stood up and placed both hands on either side of her chair, trapping her. Automatically, she leaned back from him as she watched his mouth descend toward her.
    His wet lips touched hers, covering them. With expert finesse he explored her mouth. Sabrina felt awkward, stiff. No passion, no desire, nothing except queasiness. She placed her hand on his chest and pushed him away.
    But Trey wasn’t finished. He knelt on bended knee, picking up Sabrina’s hand. “I know you’re still in mourning, but you need someone to take care of you. I wanted you years ago, but there was always Patrick. Now things are different.” He squeezed her hand and took a deep breath. “Let me take care of you, Sabrina. Marry me.”
    Shocked, Sabrina simply stared at him. This was the third time she had seen this man in the last two years and he was asking her to marry him? Was he crazy?
    “Trey, please get up.” Sabrina watched him stand