Free The Cattle Drive [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Rebecca Joyce

“Damn it, Rachael, get a hold of yourself!”
    Taking a couple of minutes to compose herself, she tried to get up again. Standing on her own two feet, she tried to walk. Her legs were shaky at best, but they moved. What in the world was going on?
    Walking over to the cupboard, she reached for a bowl. Searching the cabinets, she soon grabbed the flour, sugar, three eggs, and some other ingredients. Before she realized what she was doing, she had everything in the bowl and stood facing the window looking out over her ranch, mixing the batter.
    She was lost in thought when Chris walked in.
    “Anyone home?” she heard him shout, breaking her daydreaming.
    “Yeah, in here.”
    Chris walked into the kitchen and smiled. He knew something was up when he saw Rachael with a bowl in her hand.
    “What are you doing?” he asked.
    “Nothing, why?” she replied, not turning to look at him.
    “You’re baking. You only bake when…” His voice trailed off.
    Chris had known Rachael his whole life. There were no secrets between them. Chris, Rachael, and his brother, Robert, did everything together, from little league to causing trouble around town. It wasn’t until they were all in their teens when Chris and Robert started vying for Rachael. When Robert had won her heart, he backed away.
    The two brothers shared everything, and Chris knew, thanks to Robert. Even after the two of them married, Chris could always tell. The signs were always there, and the cakes, cookies, and pies were plentiful.
    “Chris, what are you talking about?” Rachael said, grabbing two cake pans, and she began to pour the batter into them.
    “You know, Rachael, you always did bake a lot when Robert was still alive.” Chris chuckled. “And that’s why I damn near gained thirty pounds, ’cause you damn near baked every day.”
    “Would you please get to the point?” she said, turning around to face him. Chris just stood there and stared at her. He looked at her flushed face, her swollen lips, and her tussled hair. He walked closer, and she backed away, returning to her cake.
    “So are you going to tell me, or do I have to be blunt?” Chris said, pulling a chair from the table.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Rachael, I am going to tell you something that I promised Robert I would never say. My brother, your husband, let me in on a secret between you two. You want to know what it was?” he asked with a smile.
    “Why do I have a feeling you are going to tell me either way?”
    “Well, I began to wonder why you baked all the time, and Robert just laughed when I asked him. He told me that after you two… would…you know…play cat and mouse…well, you always had the urge to bake. So I will ask you again, why are you baking, or should I ask, who are you baking that for?” Chris said with a smile.
    Rachael froze there at the counter, with the bowl in one hand and the wooden spoon in the other. “I just felt like baking a cake. That’s all.”
    “Okay,” Chris said with a chuckle.
     
    * * * *
     
    It was almost four in the afternoon the next day when Rachael saw Henry riding toward her with Kenny. She smiled at the young man, who was looking very uncomfortable in the saddle. “Well, I see you have met Daisy.” Rachael smiled.
    “Who?” Henry said as he managed to stop the young filly close to her.
    “Daisy, the young Appaloosa you are riding. She is gentle, and she will be good for you. Nice choice, Kenny,” she said, turning her attention to the ranch hand.
    “I thought so, too, boss lady. The poor boy damn near turned white when I went to go get Jasper. So I thought Daisy would be better, since this is his first time on a horse.”
    “Okay, Henry. Are you ready to learn cattle ranching?”
    “I think so,” he said, looking very uncomfortable upon the horse. Realizing the expression, Rachael just smiled. “All right, Henry, today you will get used to sitting in the saddle. I want you to get comfortable riding