Hold 'Em: A Gambling Hearts Romance Read online

  Cass searched wide-eyed, praying the killer animal had run off into the wide blue yonder, but no, he stood guard at the bottom of the stairs while Sophia rubbed his satiny neck and fed him the apple.

  “See? He’s gentle as a lamb.”

  Some lamb. The sheep in her dreams didn’t blow smoke out their nostrils.

  Matt brushed the hair from her sticky forehead, his touch gentle. “I wouldn’t let him hurt you. He was just reacting to your banshee scream.” He laughed and jumped back when she raised a hand to swat him.

  From a safe distance away, Cass did feel silly for her outburst. Now that the animal had his treat he even seemed docile, one hoof tilted and tail swishing lazily as he accepted Sophia’s ministrations.

  She smiled uncertainly. “I guess I did overreact. We don’t have many horses in Toronto.” She stood and straightened her spine. “I want to try again.”

  Matt looked surprised. No more than she was. If she let this… irrational fear get to her, it won. And that was something she couldn’t allow.

  “We can try another day. You don’t have to do this,” Matt said, his brows lowering over chocolate brown eyes.

  His words just made her more determined. He had judged her weak, unable to handle a stressful situation. It was the same mistake her father had made. And she was going to prove it.

  She blew out a silent prayer for strength and strode determinedly down the stairs and across the short distance to Matt’s horse, her heart in her throat.

  Sophia tightened her grip on the reins and smiled encouragement. “I’ve got him, don’t worry. Besides, he’s a gentleman.”

  The horse’s brown eyes, the same shade as his owner’s, stared at her inquisitively, his nostrils flaring to take in her scent. He had eyelashes any woman would die for, long and lustrous, with a perfect curl. He really was quite beautiful.

  “What’s his name?” she asked, tentatively reaching out to run her fingers down his neck. His skin quivered as though he enjoyed her touch. Emboldened, she flattened her hand and rubbed under his gorgeous mane the color of a moonbeam.

  “It’s Goliath,” Matt said from behind her, his hands a warm anchor resting on her hips. She appreciated his support more than she cared to admit. “He likes you.” He stretched over her shoulder, his chest brushing her back, and rubbed his horse’s long, elegant nose. Goliath nickered and closed his eyes in enjoyment.

  Cass wanted to do the same.

  The feel of his chest rubbing her back induced all sorts of reactions she didn’t know how to deal with. It didn’t help to tell herself it was natural; he was a specimen in his prime, like the animal in front of her. He was handsome, intelligent, and maybe most of all, he cared deeply for his family. Everything she looked for in a man. But he was also annoying, aggravating, and… her enemy.

  She’d better not forget that.

  Cassandra shifted, suddenly anxious for some breathing room, but she was caught between a horse and a hard place—literally.

  “Want to give it a shot?” he whispered, his breath fanning across her neck and causing little earthquakes to shake her composure.

  She twisted and shot a startled glance over her shoulder. Did he mean…?

  He looked at her quizzically. “Well? Ready to take her for a ride?” He nodded to the Palomino standing quietly beside the big black.

  Oh. He meant the horses.

  Cass stomped on the seed of disappointment and gave a determined nod. “Sure. Let’s do this. I’ve always wanted to ride a horse.”

  Both Shaughnessys gave her the yeah, right eyebrow tilt, but kept their thoughts to themselves. Matt moved over and checked buckles and straps, all the while giving a running commentary on how to steer the animal, and then it was her turn.

  Time to pony up, as they say.

  She wiped nervous hands down the front of her borrowed blue jeans, then shuffled toward the horse who seemed to be eyeing her like she was lunch. Oh man, oh, man, please don’t let me die today.

  Matt cupped his hands down by his knees and tipped his head to indicate… what, exactly?

  “Put your foot in there and he’ll give you a boost into the saddle,” Sophia said helpfully.

  Sure, she knew that.

  Feeling like she was going to pass out for the third time in so many days, Cassandra lifted her boot and carefully placed it in Matt’s palms. He gave a little grunt and she flew through the air, landing squarely on the leather seat six feet up in the air. Frantic, she grabbed for whatever was nearby, which turned out to be Matt’s head and a round ball between her thighs.

  Sophia giggled, the imp.

  Matt reached up, dislodged her claw-hold on his hair, and set her palms together on the ball before giving them a reassuring pat. “You did great, other than scalping me. That’s a pommel, hold on and you won’t fall off.”

  So he says.

  “Lift your leg.” He tapped her knee, his eyes betraying his humor. When she didn’t move, he added, “I need to fix your stirrups.”

  Embarrassed, she did as he asked and watched as he readjusted the length on the footrest. When he had it to his satisfaction he patted her leg and went around to the other side. Cass tried not to be self-conscious, but the man’s head was uncomfortably close to her thigh. If he turned just a little…

  He glanced up and stilled, his pupils ringed in rich caramel—addictive.

  “Quit making googly eyes and get going. I want you to take me to town later,” Sophia said, her smile teasing.

  Matt jerked as though stung, then dropped his head to finish buckling the strap before fitting her boot into the rest. “Squeeze your left knee and tug lightly on the left rein to go left, and same for right. Squeeze both knees and cluck to go. Pull up both reins gently to stop. Got it?”

  He waited for her uncertain nod, then strode over to Goliath and swung into the saddle like a big cat, all smooth motion.

  “Okay, we’re off.”

  The horses, excited to be finally under way, needed little persuasion. Matt clicked and turned Goliath toward the hills they could see in the distance and Cleopatra trotted along behind. Cass hung on for dear life, her teeth rattling, her butt bouncing, and her heart pounding.

  And people did this for fun.

  12

  Matt glanced back for the twentieth time since leaving the homestead an hour ago. It took a while, but Cassandra was finally getting the hang of it. He’d kept a slow pace up to this point, but if they were going to make it to the valley he wanted to show her they needed to pick up speed.

  “Ready to try a gallop?” he called, and had to stifle his laughter at her swiftly hidden look of terror.

  He slowed and waited for her to catch up. “How are you doing so far?”

  She shrugged, all false bravado. “Great. This is easier than I thought.” She rubbed her butt and scowled.

  That’s a girl, never let them know you hurt. He cocked his head and eyed her backside. “Want me to help with that?”

  She ignored him to drop back into the saddle and gaze at the surrounding hills. “I can’t believe you own all this land. It must take a lot to keep it running.” She slapped a hand over her mouth, then slowly lowered it, her expression contrite. “I’m sorry, Matt. I never meant to imply anything. I’m sure your gambling money must come in handy with expenses.”

  So she’d had him investigated. Guess he couldn’t blame her, considering the pact they’d made.

  He looked at his birthplace and felt a fierce pride. His family had managed this land for three generations. It hadn’t always been easy, but they’d persevered. Through wars, drought, plague, and anything else the good Lord could throw at them. Matt had done what was needed to pay the bills. No matter what some snooty senator’s daughter thought.

  “Maybe we should head back,” he said, abruptly. “It’s getting late.”

  She reached across the short distance and grasped the hand resting on his thigh. “I’m sorry, Matt. It’s amazing your family has kept this legacy alive. I hav
e no business casting stones. Please. We’ve come this far; I’d like to see the valley you told me about.”

  He hesitated. Her opinion mattered more than he liked. He’d be smarter to take her home and spend the rest of the week avoiding her as much as possible. What was it about a spoiled city girl that had him so tied up in knots?

  He nudged Goliath so that he shied sideways and dislodged her hand. “Don’t blame me if you can’t walk tomorrow.”

  Her back went ramrod straight, and her nose—which looked distinctly pink—tipped practically forty-five degrees full of attitude. “I’ll be as limber as you are. Lead the way.”

  Did she have to use that word? There were many ways to test her theory, and he had an itch to try them all.

  “See that oak across the field?” He pointed to the west.

  Cass lifted a hand to shade her eyes. “Yes.”

  “Want to race?” The urge to shed his troubles with the lighthearted competition was irresistible. “I win, I get a kiss.”

  She lowered her hand and gripped the reins. “And if I win?”

  His lips quirked. “C’mon darlin’, that’s not going to hap…pen.”

  She was gone, mahogany hair streaming behind, and body bent low over the saddle as Cleopatra’s hooves sent up little tufts of dust and dirt like mini smokescreens.

  Damn, that girl had spunk.

  Goliath snorted and chomped at the bit. Matt laughed out loud, more carefree than he’d felt in a good long while. “Well, go get them then,” he told his equine friend. He barely had to squeeze his knees and the race was on. Yee-ha.

  * * *

  Cassandra grabbed the pommel and gave the horse her lead. She leaned over the silken neck and felt the sting of Cleo’s mane. “Go girl, show them what we’ve got.” The thunder of the hooves and the muscles bunching and leaping beneath her legs were sensations she would never forget. So much raw power harnessed in a beautiful animal.

  The closer to the tree they got, the faster Cleopatra ran. It was as though she had something to prove to the big black horse eating her dust. Cass looked down and saw a band of foam forming along the horse’s neck and chest. She tried to pull up on the reins, but Cleo just shook free and kept going. Worried, and a little scared she wouldn’t be able to control the animal between her legs, Cass glanced over her shoulder, hair whipping her in the face. Matt was close behind, his horse a black monster with the devil in his eyes.

  They were so close. She crouched forward over the saddle, somehow sensing it would help her horse’s herculean effort. The black’s nose inched out, neck stretched, and front quarters chewing up the dirt like a locomotive. Faster and faster they went, the surrounding hills nothing but a blur. The smell of horse, sweat, and dust overwhelming.

  And then, somehow they burst ahead, Goliath dropping behind just as they whipped past the finish line—the giant oak tree.

  Cleo slowed, easing into a cooling down trot and Cass hugged her neck. “You did it. That was amazing.” The horse’s ears flickered, and she gave a couple quick nods as though to say, “I told you so.”

  “Impressive. I’ve never seen Cleopatra run that hard.”

  Cassandra sat up and met Matt’s twinkling eyes with a cheeky grin. “Us girls have to stick together.” His warm, admiring look heated her from the inside out.

  “Well, I guess you won fair and square, though I sure hate to give up my prize.” He smiled. “Could I be lucky enough that you chose the same reward?”

  “Ha! In your dreams, lover boy.” She held her breath, then made her demand. “Luck of the draw, Matt. I won fair and square. I want my ring back.”

  13

  Matt’s easy smile fell away as quick as the clouds scurrying over the horizon. They’d have to head back soon, or risk getting caught in some of Texas’ famed women weather—cold and miserable. Served him right for thinking she was any different from all the others. Her only concern was money and he needed to keep that in mind.

  He swung Goliath around and pointed to the north. “Hidden Valley is just beyond that ridge. If we hurry I can show it to you before the storm breaks.”

  Cassandra stared at him for a moment, then slowly nodded. Her disappointment made him itch beneath the skin. What did she expect? That ring was his guarantee she would stick around long enough to fulfill her part of the bargain. And, no, maybe he wasn’t playing fair, but when it came to his abuela there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to make her happy. She spent far too much time fretting about him instead of taking care of herself. He wished like hell there was more he could do, some gamble he could make that would give her a few more years on her beloved ranch, but failing that he would give her the only other thing he could—peace of mind.

  He waited for Cassandra to start along the faint trail created by livestock and deer in their search for water during the long months of drought. She was no doubt stressed with the planning of her upcoming wedding—he swallowed the bad taste in his mouth.

  “Tell me about your fiancé,” he called to her stiff back. “The real one. If he’s anything like me, he must be quite the catch.” He didn’t want to analyze his relief when she turned in the saddle and gave him one of those you’re-crazy smiles.

  “His name is Jeff, he’s a dentist, and yes, he’s pretty special.” She reached down and patted Cleopatra’s neck.

  Matt was happy to see her much more relaxed than when they had started.

  “I’ve known him for two years. We met at a charity dinner my father had been invited to attend. He was sweet and attentive and we clicked.” She stopped and waited for Matt to catch up. “He’s not going to understand why I’m here. I should be in Vegas, with his family, preparing for the wedding.” She gave him a helpless glance. “How am I going to explain what my father has done, Matt?”

  Without thinking, he reached out and grasped her hand. “If he’s the man you say he is, he’ll understand. I know this is hard for you, but after meeting my grandmother, can you see why I had to do it?” Her opinion mattered to him. She was caught in the middle of an impossible situation and yet she’d stepped up without a quibble to clear her dad’s debt and help Matt with his family.

  There was a lot to like about this woman.

  She frowned and tugged her hand free. “I don’t feel good lying to your grandmother. She’s a sweet old lady and deserves better from you than this charade of an engagement. How is she going to feel if she finds out the truth?”

  Matt scowled. “She’s not going to hear it from me. Her dearest wish is to see me happily married with a passel of kids for her to spoil. Failing that, I plan on making damn sure she thinks I’m in love,” he spat the word out, “and about to marry the woman of my dreams. Lucky me, that turned out to be you.”

  She was the most aggravating woman on the planet.

  Cass placed fisted hands on rounded hips, and her shirt pulled taut over the undeniably perfect mounds of her breasts. He could tell by the apple-red blush staining her cheeks and the sparks shooting out of her incredible ocean green eyes, if she was on the ground she’d have stamped her foot.

  Passion flared, chasing away the anger as though it had never been. Ignoring her outraged gasp, he leaned over and yanked her out of the saddle and into his arms. Goliath shied at the sudden burden, taking a couple of quick sidesteps that brought them up hard against Cleo. In defense, she turned and bit Goliath’s neck. He reared, throwing the humans on his back to the ground, screaming his anger. Matt rolled, using his body to protect Cassandra. He took a hard hit to the shoulder and then the horses were gone, reins trailing the dirt, racing across the meadow as their ancestors had centuries earlier.

  Matt dropped his head and cursed. He was an idiot. They were stranded. And if that wasn’t good enough, a few drops of rain landed on his back, reminding him of the storm brewing to the east.

  Cass groaned and Matt hurried to roll to the side, relieving her of his weight.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, reaching out to brush a smear of dust from unde
r her shocked eyes.

  “What happened?”

  Maybe she hit her head.

  “We were thrown off…”

  “Not that,” she growled, rather adorably. “Before your big, dumb horse knocked us to the ground. Why did you grab me?”

  Matt tried not to take offense at her words about his prized stallion. And he sure wasn’t about to admit he’d been physically attracted to her in a moment of insanity.

  “Snake,” he said the first thought that came to mind. “I saw a snake.”

  She screeched worse than his horse had and practically climbed into his armpit.

  Of. The. Injured. Shoulder.

  Matt hissed, blue and white lights strobing in his vision, his nose filled with vanilla-scented silky hair, and his arms bursting with warm, willing woman. He nuzzled her ear and she went completely still.

  “What are you doing, Matthew Shaughnessy?”

  He laughed, and then groaned at the resulting pain. “If I have to tell you darlin’, I’m not doing it right.”

  She peered up at him, her expressive eyes exasperated. “We’re a little bit old for necking in the grass, Matt.” Her gaze grew wide. “How are we going to get home?”

  He couldn’t resist teasing her. “I guess we’ll just have to live on love.”

  She frowned, not amused. “Seriously, we can’t just stay here forever. Will your sister know where to look for us?”

  “I told her where we were going.” He smiled and kissed her furrowed brow. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’ll be home by nightfall.”

  He let her go, watching as she rose and wiped her pants down, keeping an eye out for the mythical snake.

  He’d told the truth; they would be found. The search would start as soon as Goliath and Cleopatra trotted into the homestead looking for their evening feed. Until then—he grimaced as he clambered to his feet, cradling the bad arm—they needed to find shelter from the rain.

  14