Hold 'Em: A Gambling Hearts Romance Read online

  “I have EMS training, I can help,” he said, and the confidence emanating from his voice and form was enough to open a path to the elderly woman.

  Everyone held their breath as he gently turned Mrs. Shaughnessy onto her back and used his rolled up jacket as a pillow under her head. He carefully felt down either side of her head, and nodded to something Matt said. Then he lifted her hand—which was showing signs of movement, thank God—and held her wrist while he took her pulse. When he was done, Jeff set her hand on her stomach and gave it a light pat before rising to his feet.

  His gaze encompassed everyone before landing on Cassandra. “She’s stable. Her pulse is strong and there doesn’t seem to be any noticeable bumps on her head that I can find. It’s best if she goes in and has a full checkup though, just to be sure.”

  There was a collective sigh of relief and Matt rose to shake his hand. “Thanks, man, appreciated. She’s a tough old girl.” His smile came out a little lop-sided. He stared hard at Cass and she smiled shakily, letting him know she was fine, though really, she was anything but.

  He nodded and returned his attention to his grandmother, keeping her still when she tried to sit up. Sophia sank to the floor and burst into tears. Tony awkwardly patted her back, then gave up and tugged her into his arms.

  Aaron tumbled into the room, all arms and legs and excited expression until he saw his grandmother, laying like a broken bird covered in a Navajo blanket.

  “Emergency service helicopter coming in fast,” he reported, his tone hushed.

  “Good,” Matt smiled, reassuringly. “Show them where we are, will you?”

  “Is she…?” Aaron’s voice shook, his mouth flat-lining.

  “We’ll know more after she’s admitted. Don’t borrow trouble.” Matt leaned down and kissed the graying head. “Go get the EMTs, will ya?”

  Cassandra stood amongst the chaos, part of the group and yet cold and alone. She’d failed. When Matt needed her the most, she’d froze. It wouldn’t be long and everyone would know her as the fraud she was.

  It was time to go home.

  30

  It took three days for all the tests to come back before Matt’s grandmother was released from the hospital and allowed to return to the ranch under close supervision. She’d allowed herself to become dehydrated—dangerous for anyone, but especially those who were chronically ill—and it was thought to have caused her collapse.

  Frustrated there wasn’t room on board Matt had been forced to drive to the hospital, following behind the helicopter. He’d made the two-hour trip to Austin in an hour and a half, grateful traffic was light. Sophia had gone along for the ride, a silent white-knuckled partner, while Aaron stayed back to manage the ranch with a plea for updates as soon as they knew anything.

  There was no time to talk to Cassandra, and it drove Matt crazy the entire time he was gone. He’d asked to speak with her when he’d called the ranch, but Consuela was disgustingly vague, saying only that she was out with Señor Jeff and she’d pass the message along.

  What did that mean? Out with Señor Jeff?

  They’d connected, he knew they had. He’d never been in love like this before. It was like popping the cork on a bottle of champagne; giddy, exciting, and a little—okay, a lot—scary. And he was almost positive she felt the same way. He just needed to hear the words.

  He pulled into the courtyard and hit the horn to announce their arrival. Sophia had called earlier to prepare the family, and now they hurried from the house, their beaming smiles brighter than the Texas sun.

  He turned the key off and searched his grandma’s beloved face. She had shrunk since developing cancer, going from a strong, vibrant woman who commanded a ranch with over sixty employees and their families, to a tired old lady who was ready to meet her maker. Time wasn’t on their side anymore and Matt mourned the loss. She’d always been the glue that held their family together, he worried what would become of them when she was gone.

  She turned from watching the fast-approaching group and met his gaze. Knowledge lived in that look, but so did an indomitable spirit. She wouldn’t give up without a fight.

  “Well, you going to let me out of this contraption, or are we just planning to sit here?” she said, her attitude spry even though her body was not.

  Matt grinned and threw her a salute. “Yes, ma’am. Now you can boss the others around instead of those poor nurses.”

  Sophia snorted from the backseat, well aware Madeline prided herself on being a model patient.

  “It’s a good thing you’re too tall or she’d box your ears, brother dear.”

  “I still might,” Maddie muttered.

  The siblings exchanged amused glances, before Matt slid out of the pickup and lifted a hand to greet the family. He looked, but couldn’t see an auburn head of hair in the crowd. Cassandra must have decided to stay back and allow the group to welcome them home. He’d get Grandma settled and then go find her.

  He opened the passenger door and gently lifted the frail body into his arms over her feeble protests.

  Consuela stepped forward pushing the empty wheelchair. Her coal-dark eyes betrayed her worry even as a warm smile curved her lips. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d found a new beau in those handsome doctors, Señora Maddie.”

  Aaron hurried forward to grab the suitcase from the back. Even in their rush to leave, Sophia had remembered to bring a few basics to make the stay easier for all of them. She’d packed his grandmother’s favorite cotton nightgown and a bathrobe to keep her warm, a change of clothes for each of them—and the bible. The well-worn black leather-bound volume had sat on their grandmother’s bedside table for as long as Matt could remember. When they were kids she’d often read passages to them, her fingers brushing each gold-tipped page with love and devotion. He was grateful his sister had thought to bring the tattered book along, it had given his grandmother a peace she needed while recovering from this latest scare.

  He set her into the chair and leaned over to kiss Consuela’s worn cheek. “Glad to be home,” he murmured.

  She teared up and patted his cheek in return, then cleared her throat. “You must be hungry after your trip. Come inside, I’ve been baking fresh bread and there’s a big pot of chili on the stove.”

  “Yeah, she wouldn’t let us touch it until you got home,” Aaron groused, a teasing light in his eye.

  Matt grinned and rubbed his stomach. “That’s because I’m her favorite. I’ve been telling you that for years, buddy.” He ducked as Consuela took a swipe at his head.

  “You boys. I love all of you the same.” She chuckled and rubbed Maddie’s shoulders with gnarled knuckles. “You raised some headstrong kids, Miss Maddie. They’re a handful, but we wouldn’t want them any other way, would we?”

  Madeline smiled, her eyes alight with love. “No, we certainly wouldn’t.”

  Tony went to help Sophia down from the truck and Matt was reminded he needed to have the big brother talk with her—and soon if that dreamy look was anything to go by.

  They entered the hacienda through the rear door this time, straight into the large farmhouse-style kitchen complete with a butcher-block island, two ovens, and a solid oak table large enough to fit a small army. It was the heart of the home and the atmosphere was festive. Consuela had eight large loaves of still cooling bread sitting on the counter. Between that and the simmering pot of chili, Matt’s taste buds were doing the happy dance.

  But before that, he had someone he needed to see. He made his way through the crowd gathered around his grandmother, and started down the hall to Cassandra’s room, his heart pounding in his ears. He was going to profess his love and let the cards fall where they may. He’d never played for higher stakes.

  “She’s not there,” Aaron said from behind him.

  Matt swung around, confusion combatting with a growing dread. “Where is she then?” The sympathy shining from his brother’s eyes warned him he wasn’t going to like the answer.

  “She’s gone
, bro. That guy, Jeff, he insisted they had to leave. Something about a reception they needed to finalize the plans for? What’s going on, Matt?”

  She’d left him.

  All the time he was gone he’d been planning on giving her his heart, while she’d been planning her wedding to another man.

  31

  Cassandra paid the cab driver the exorbitant fee and waited as he lifted her overnight bag from the trunk.

  “Nice place,” he said conversationally, slamming the lid.

  She smiled nervously and glanced around, half expecting to get thrown off the property before she had a chance to explain.

  “Yes,” she murmured. “It is.”

  Especially now, with the sun low on the horizon casting an orange-red haze that stretched out across the hills and bathed the hacienda in a warm, welcoming glow.

  At least she hoped she would be welcomed as the cab sped out of sight. It had been five interminable days since she’d accompanied Jeff back to Las Vegas and canceled their wedding plans. Days of tough conversations, tears, and even regrets. But, as she’d explained to her surprisingly complacent father, now that she’d met Matt she realized what a mistake it would be to marry Mr. Good Enough when Mr. Perfect was right there, if she could only gather the nerve to go after him.

  Jeff’s family were hurt by what they saw as her desertion of their beloved child, but they were also surprisingly supportive of her decision. As they put it, “Better now, then later.”

  It took a bit more to convince Jeff. He’d begged her to not give up on them, to give them another chance. “After we’re married you’ll see, this was just pre-wedding jitters. It’s nothing we can’t overcome. We’re a team, Cassandra. You and me forever, remember?”

  Yeah, she did. That’s what made breaking up with him so hard. They were good together. But it wasn’t the magic she’d felt with Matt.

  It was as complicated and simple as that.

  She entered the courtyard where Matt had first brought her what seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened in such a short time, her head was still whirling. Her dad had offered to come with her as support, but she’d told him she was fine. And she would be; just as soon as Matt appeared and assured her this wasn’t a dream. That what they had was rare and real. So very real.

  Heart pumping faster, Cass strode to the broad oak door and rang the bell. The gong resounded hollowly from the other side and a few moments later the door knob turned. She sucked in a sharp breath, shaking, unprepared now the time had come.

  Consuela’s round face split into a wide smile. “Señorita, you come back. Señor Matt will be so happy. He’s been like a bear with no honey for days now.” She waved Cass into the cool entry. “Come, come. You hungry?”

  Cassandra relaxed, warmed by the maid’s welcome. “No, thank you. I ate at the airport.” She let go of her luggage to give the older woman an impulsive hug. “I’m glad to be back. How is Mrs. Shaughnessy?”

  Consuela led the way into the house, stopping near the spot where Madeline had fallen. “Much better, Miss. Would you like to see her?” She started down the right-hand hall, hesitating when Cass remained in place, her attention fixed on the opposite hall, the one she’d stayed in. The one that led to Matt’s bedroom.

  “Maybe you would like to visit Mr. Matt first, sí?”

  Cass nodded, her heart in her throat. The sooner she got this over with, the sooner she could breathe again.

  Consuela smiled, obviously picking up on her anxiety. “Don’t fret, he’s been missing you bad.” She nodded down the hall. “He’s there, don’t keep him waiting. I’ll go and add another plate for dinner.” She turned, then glanced over her shoulder. “Good luck, Miss.”

  Luck. That’s how she started this journey. What she’d thought was a bad twist of fate when her dad lost that bet, had turned out to possibly be the best thing that ever happened. She’d know for sure in the next couple of minutes.

  Time to roll the dice.

  * * *

  Matt lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling, arms crossed behind his head. He hadn’t moved much since returning to the ranch and finding Cassandra gone. She was getting married in just a few short hours. He’d picked up the phone a dozen times with the intention of calling to wish her the best, but couldn’t bring himself to go through with it.

  He’d gambled on love and lost, end of story.

  At least his grandmother was on the mend. Since her stay in the hospital, her color was much better, the cancer if not beaten, was at least on hold. Every day was a gift; they all knew that and took pains to spend as much quality time with her as she would allow. He smiled faintly, remembering her warning earlier that morning.

  “You kids need to quit molly-coddling me. I’m not going anywhere for a good long while yet. I’m sure you have things to do, so do them.” She’d hugged each of her grandchildren in turn, then waved them away. “Now scat. You’re giving me a complex.”

  That was his grandma, tough to the core.

  There was a light knock on the door and he raised his head. “Yeah? Who is it?”

  He waited a moment, but didn’t hear an answer. Concerned it was Grandma, he leaped off the bed and hurried to open the door. His stunned gaze came into contact with a shapely body in a form-fitting red dress. Nope, not grandma.

  Cassandra.

  She stared back at him with a light in those gorgeous blue-green eyes he’d seen in his dreams.

  “Hi,” she said. “Can we talk?”

  Matt had the urge to rub his eyes, sure he’d conjured her out of his imagination. He stepped back, giving her room to enter when in reality he wanted to grab her and never let go.

  “Sure. Come in.” His glance went to her left hand, but it was tucked out of sight behind her back.

  “Um, how are you?” she asked, looking endearingly awkward in the center of his room.

  “I’ve been better.” He closed the door, trapping her in his sanctuary. “Care to explain why you left without a goodbye?”

  She’d been staring at the crumpled covers on his bed, but yanked her gaze to his face at the words. “It wasn’t like that, Matt. I had to go, surely you understand.”

  Yeah, he got it. It didn’t make him feel any better though. He paced around the room, hyper-aware of her watching his every move. “Why are you here, Cassandra? Shouldn’t you be getting into your wedding gown about now?” He made a show of glancing at his watch.

  “Well, that’s the thing,” she said, and held out her left hand.

  He froze. She was wearing his ring, the make-believe engagement ring that he’d ended up pinning his heart to. He whooped and swept her into his arms, twirling them round and round before letting her down to plant a kiss on those laughing lips.

  “You don’t know how much I wanted to come and beg you to choose me instead of that guy,” he muttered, spreading kisses from one side of her trembling mouth to the other. “He might be better for you, but he’ll never love you the way I do. You are my heart, and I’ll treasure you for the rest of our days.”

  He looked from that trembling hand to her love-filled eyes, and knew sometimes life really was all about the luck of the draw.

  Epilogue

  The old cabin looked just as Maddie remembered it from the first time Joseph had brought her here. The sagging roof had been bolstered, and the door with its leather hinges reset so it hung straight. Bluebonnets, daisies, and buttercups waved cheerfully to the crowd gathering in their little valley on this warm mid-summer’s day. She’d fallen in love with the land, the home, and the tall Texas cowboy who’d captured her heart all those years ago. She still missed him, but moments like today made her grateful to be alive.

  The chairs were filled with family and friends in a rainbow of color, from soft pastels to vibrant eye-catchers like her granddaughter was wearing. Sophia had just made her appearance, strolling down the center aisle accompanied by the wedding march played on the snowy white baby grand piano they’d had flown in for the occa
sion. More than one man’s gaze admired the deep plunge on the bridesmaid’s sapphire dress she wore with such class it was hard to imagine she was the same girl who’d cleaned horse stalls just a few hours earlier.

  She made her way to the front porch, and smiled tearfully up at her handsome brothers in their navy-blue tuxedos and bow ties. Tony beat them down the stairs, looking very debonair in his three-piece suit and slicked back hair. He crooked his arm and led Sophia to her place on the top stair, kissed her cheek, then moved to the opposite side and folded his hands in front of him.

  A hush fell over the crowd and everyone rose. Consuela helped Madeline to her feet, then offered her a lace hankie and she realized her cheeks were wet with joy. The child of her heart was starting a new phase of his life today, and as Cassandra came into view, breathtaking in a flowing white gown of Venetian lace, her lovely face glowing with love, Maddie knew he’d made a good choice.

  * * *

  Matt smiled out over the crowd with seeming calm, while inside he wondered if he was having a heart attack. His chest ached—though that could be because he couldn’t breathe past his cummerbund—his heart was lodged in his throat, his hands were clammy, and his vision was blurry. Yep, definitely a heart attack.

  Then everyone stood, turned toward the end of the aisle, and an angel floated into view. It all dropped away. The anxiety, the crowd, the music, all of it gone.

  She was beautiful.

  He’d known it before, but today, she took his breath away. Her gown glittered in the sunlight with the hundreds of Swarovski crystals she’d told him were sown onto the bodice, yet it couldn’t compare to the sparkle of her gorgeous green eyes or the emotion betrayed by trembling lips.

  As she joined him on the porch and the service commenced, he was filled with a powerful mix of satisfaction and exhilaration. Soon they would begin their life as man and wife, right here on the land his ancestors had homesteaded and protected for generations of their offspring, as he would for his children.