Cowboy Candy Read online

  She looked up at the two men towering over her in the kitchen.

  “Well, what are we waiting for?. . . tick tock boys, get out there and saddle up Diablo, time’s a wastin’.”

  CHAPTER 38 Maddy was aching everywhere. Her wet clothing had chilled her to the bone and thankfully, the sun was starting to rise in the East. She let out a low groan. Her head was pounding, her scalp was sore from all of that hair pulling, and she was scratched everywhere. She gingerly felt her face, and felt a sickening welt on her cheekbone.

  “Thank God my nose didn’t break,” she said with and ironic grin. She had been in the same crouched position for hours and her body refused to relax. The muscles were tense and in knots. She knew that Jack was still passed out like a light. She’d seen him on many a bender and he certainly outdid himself last night. On nights like the last one, he had been known to sleep for days afterwards.

  She sighed.

  “I am thirsty as hell. . .”

  She was too tired to move, and knew that she should start walking.

  Eventually someone had to drive towards Grand Valley. She hoped. Last night seemed a blur.

  “Dammit!”

  She realized she’d lost her one and only mode of foot protection

  somehwere in the desert last night. She had kicked it off in a haste. Now, she had nothing but barefeet to rely on and at the moment, both felt like she’d run a mile across crushed glass.

  “Ouch!”

  She dared not move or make a sound for fear of being found. “This is really great . . .dinner, a movie, some incredible world-class

  cowboy lovin’, and now this. Why now? Jack, why the hell couldn’t you just let me be?”

  She closed her eyes and leaned back against a rock.

  Maddy instinctively knew from the position of the sun that Dusty had discovered her missing hours ago. She imagined that he was out looking for her right now.

  Smiling, she knew that all of Grand Valley was on a manhunt.

  “Jack, you really fucked up royally this time.”

  CHAPTER 39 They saddled up and were heading for El Dorado. The way Walt figured it, that yellow son of a bitch would have figured that a search party would be looking in the opposite direction . . back towards the freeway. Obviously, he had underestimated the Cash family.

  There wasn’t a place that bastard could hide that they couldn’t find him. Walt began barking out orders.

  “Let’s follow the trail beyond the Diamond, if that’s where you found

  the slipper, Maddy was sure to put it there.” The trio rode up to the cabin and led the horses across the river to the trail on the opposite bank. They’d brought along Tuffy, their blue heeler. He was the best damn cattle dog on the ranch and his keen sense of smell would definitely come in handy.

  Walt led the way, with Grace in the middle and Dusty following in the rear. Tuffy was in the lead and began following Maddy’s scent. They began traversing through the dense maze of trees and crouched under low-lying limbs as the horses wove their way through the thicket.

  Grace noticed the broken branches along the way and it made her blood boil. She didn’t know who Jack Carter was, but she knew he was going to be one sorry son of a bitch when they found him.

  They had been on the trail for a good hour and Dusty was becoming angrier by the minute. From the looks of things, that yellow son of a bitch had dragged Maddy quite a distance. What if they didn’t find her? What if she was seriously hurt or worse? He wouldn’t be able to take it.

  “I finally find the love of my life and she’s snatched away. . .” He felt that a part of his heart had been ripped from his chest. Dammit, he wanted her and needed her in his life. No fool was gonna’ take her away now that he’d just found her.

  They were approaching the old utility road and Tuffy went on the alert. He took off at a gallop with the Cash family on his tail. He led them to a pile of branches that obviously had been chopped, used, and discarded near the edge of the clearing.

  They dismounted and Walt put his hands on his hips.

  “Well what d’ya know? That sorry son of a bitch has been parked on our land and creeping around at night.”

  “It sure looks that way, Dad. You’re right . . .looks like he used the branches as camouflage. I’d say to hide a vehicle. Maddy’s tracks stop here, and I see tire treads. No tellin’ how far they could be by now. Shit!”

  Grace silently watched as her son and husband fumed, spit on the ground, and scratched their heads.

  “Ahem. . .excuse me, pardon me gentlemen, please.”

  She reached into her saddlebag and pulled out Maddy’s muddy pink slipper.

  “Here boy . . .here Tuffy. Find her boy . . .good dog!”

  Tuffy took off towards the highway. All three quickly mounted their quarterhorses and followed at a full gallop. The dog had caught Maddy’s scent and was leading them towards a lodgepole thicket some ways off the main road.

  Grace squinted, she could see something pink in the distance. She spurred Diablo and took off at a full gallop.

  “H’yah!”

  Dusty and his father marvelled at her agility as the horse jumped over creeks, fallen logs, and mesquite. All they could see was a cloud of dust as they galloped towards her. She was off of Diablo and waving something in the air.

  “Look at this! She’s here . . .I know she is.”

  They dismounted and looked at the slipper.

  “We’d better water these horses.”

  They led the horses towards a meandering creek and let them drink. Grace reached for Tuffy and gave him a bear hug. She scratched behind his ears and pulled some treats from her pocket.

  “Good boy . . . do you know how special you are?”

  Tuffy lapped up all of the attention and appeared to be smiling and eager to be on his way. Thanks to him, the Cash family was hot on Maddy’s trail. She released his collar and watched as he ran out into the field, darting back and forth as if he couldn’t make up his mind.

  Finally, he stopped at the edge of a lodgepole thicket and circled it while sniffing the ground. He barked, and ran back to them at a full gallop. They quickly mounted their horses and raced across the field hot on his heels.

  Dusty dismounted in full gallop and ran towards the thicket.

  “Maddy, Maddy honey . . .are you in there?”

  Maddy had fallen asleep and thought she was dreaming.

  She could have sworn that she heard Dusty’s voice calling to her. She tried to call back, but couldn’t open her mouth to scream.

  Suddenly, she heard the crackling of branches and strong muscular arms were lifting her gently out of her hiding place. She was a hot mess. Her left eye was black and blue, her lip was swollen, and her body was scratched everywhere. She slowly opened her eyes and shielded them from the sun with her hand.

  “Dusty . . .I knew you’d come for me, I just knew it.”

  He held her gently against his chest and felt close to tears. She was alive. She was hurt, but she had outwit the bastard at his own game.

  “Maddy . . .honey, I thought I’d lost you.”

  She put her arms around his neck and held on tightly.

  “I’m not going anywhere, cowboy. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. . .I happen to be in love with you. . .”

  Grace watched the tender scene with her tears caught in her throat. Walt was feeling the same way. This girl, their Maddy. . .belonged with them and by their son Dusty’s side. He placed her down and she gingerly stepped in the Cashs’ direction. She may have looked like hell, but she was a fighter.

  “Maddy honey. . .you are a sight for sore eyes.”

  Maddy finally wept and the two women hugged tightly. She was home. She was beat up some, however; she was safe now. When they looked up, Dusty and Gus were following Tuffy towards the frontage road. There was no telling how long they’d be gone. The important thing was getting Maddy some medical care and seeing that she was comfortable.

  The men were off doing what rea
l men do, exacting revenge.

  CHAPTER 40 Mabel and Hugh were heading towards El Dorado.

  She had left Gus in charge of the Pit Stop until she returned. She never did like the feeling of helplessness that one feels when something spins out of control. She was never one to take anything lying down, either.

  Sick with worry, she silently prayed as they drove past the Mountain Rose. She was wringing her hands and Hugh sensed that Maddy sure must be special. Mabel was never one to wear her heart on her sleeve. . .but at the moment, it was out there for all the world to see.

  “Hugh . . .slow down some. I see a black horse out yonder. Not too far off the road. Let’s take a look see.”

  The sheriff pulled to the side of the road and Mabel waved her kerchief in the air like a flag. They half-walked, half-ran to the lodgepole thicket.

  Mabel whispered.

  “Oh dear Lord, please let everything be all right.”

  Hugh had his hand on his service revolver, just in case.

  “Mabel darlin’, I want you to stand back . . .no tellin’ what’s out there.”

  “What? Hugh Franklin, why I never. I’m not some little kid, I have protection.”

  She smiled,reached into her bra, and pulled out a small pistol.

  “Well, I’ll be. . .no mind, I know you. No point in tellin’ you to stay back. Just stay close behind me.”

  Mabel’s heart raced as they neared the thicket.

  Hugh drew his revolver.

  “You back there! Come out where I can see ya!”

  Mabel held her breath as they heard the horse whinny and heard the unmistakable sound of a woman’s voice.

  “Hold on Hugh. . .it’s Grace Cash here. We’ve found Maddy!”

  Mabel sighed with relief and felt like she was nearly going to faint.

  They ran towards the thicket and gasped upon seeing Maddy’s physical condition.

  Too stunned to speak, Miss Mabel stood, motionless.

  Maddy smiled.

  “What . . .haven’t you ever seen anyone who’s having a bad hair day?”

  They all broke into laughter and Mabel ran to give the girl a hug.

  “Girl, I was worried half to death. That no-good, scoundrel thought he had us all fooled. Half the town is out lookin’ for ya . .”

  “Miss Mabel, I sure could use a piece of your pie and a strong cup of coffee right about now.”

  “Well, that’s all you had to say . . . c’mon, lets get you to the car.”

  CHAPTER 41 Jack groaned. The sun was beating down at him through the windshield and he reached for his whiskey. He chugged some and threw the empty bottle on the floorboard.

  Stretching, he rolled down the window and checked his appearance in the rearview mirror. He pulled out a comb and slicked his long hair back and rubbed the stubble on his chin.

  He stumbled out of the car to take a piss. They had really made some progress, but not as much as he’d have liked. No matter, those yahoos back in town were probably headed in the other direction.

  Climbing into the driver’s seat, he reached for the keys to start the engine.

  “It’s a great day to be alive. . .Awww, where’s my manners? Hey you, you in the back seat . . .time to rise and shi. . .”

  His words caught in his throat. He spun around and noticed the bitch was gone!

  “Fuck! You rotten bitch . . .”

  He thought he was hearing things. . .was that a horse neighing?

  Before he had a chance to turn his head, he heard the unmistakable click of a double barrel shotgun.

  He slowly turned his head and stared up the barrel.

  “I wouldn’t make any sudden moves, if I were you.”

  The old cowboy thought he had the situation under control, did he? This wasn’t the first time Jack had been in this position. Last guy that pulled this stunt ended up in the hospital.

  “Get the hell out of the car . . .slowly.”

  Jack smirked and reached for the door handle, stepped out of the car and brazenly confronted Walt.

  “Just what in the hell do you think you’re doing, old man?”

  Walt remained poker faced and kept pointing the rifle.

  “Shut up and walk to the front of the car.”

  “What? You sure as hell ain’t talkin to me, are ya? What if I don’t? huh? What are you gonna’ do about it you old son of a bitch?”

  Suddenly, he heard a booming voice from behind.

  “Surprise, motherfucker . . .Let’s play!”

  This time there were two clicks, as Dusty pulled two pistols from his holsters.

  The old man spoke.

  “I tried to warn ya, but no . . .”

  Dusty grinned.

  “Let me tell you what he’s gonna do. He’s gonna step back while I wipe that smirk off your ugly face, permanent.”

  Jack spun around, and before he knew it he was face to face with the muscular, G. Q. cowpoke.

  “Well, if it isn’t . . .”

  He pulled a hunting knife from his pocket and swiped it menacingly through the air in Dusty’s direction.

  In one sudden movement, Dusty kicked the knife from his hand, grabbed him by the hair, and slammed his face onto the hood of the car. Jack yelped in pain as Dusty spun him around and grabbed him by the throat, damn near lifting his feet off of the ground. The toes of his cowboy boots barely touched the dirt and he knew he was in trouble.

  “You worthless piece of shit. You like goin’ around hurtin’ women?”

  Jack gurgled and Dusty released his grip.

  He tumbled to the ground in a heap and crawled towards the car, groveling.

  “I only came to get what’s mine. . .”

  Dusty pulled him up by his hair and spun him around.

  “Wrong answer.”

  Dusty belted him across the mouth, drawing blood.

  “Let’s see how you like being dragged you dumb son of a bitch!”

  In a lightning fast motion, Dusty was up on his horse and swung his lariat . . .it tightened around Jack’s chest.

  “Hold on . . .please mister. I didn’t mean to do any harm.”

  Dusty spurred the horse and took off at a gallop.

  Jack’s body flipped up in the air like a wound up spring and he landed with a thud in the dirt. The cowboy was dragging him across the field as thorns, rocks, and twigs tore at his skin.

  Dusty spurred the horse in the other direction as Jack screamed like a pansy ass little girl. They were headed back towards the road when the Sheriff and Mabel pulled onto the scene.

  Mabel put a hand on Hugh’s arm.

  Dusty galloped back to the car, with Jack still screaming for dear life.

  He dismounted and untied him, dragged him to his feet, and shoved him towards the sheriff.

  “I believe this is what you’re lookin’ for Sheriff.”

  Hugh pulled out his handcuffs and began to read him his rights.

  “You have the right to remain silent . . .”

  He felt a grip on his shoulder and Miss Mabel stepped into the fray.

  She walked up and stared Jack straight in the eyes.

  She hauled off and belted him one in the mouth.

  “That’s for lyin’ to me . . .”

  She belted him again.

  “That’s for trashin’ my hotel room. . .”

  Finally, she hit him square in the nose. There was a sickening crack as the blood came gushing out all over the front of his shirt.

  “ . . .and that’s for hurting our Maddy,” she fumed and spit a wad of chew in the dirt at his feet.

  Dusty and Walt could barely contain their grins. Hugh himself was close to breaking out into laughter.

  Jack moaned.

  “Please, get that woman away from me.”

  Infuriated, Mabel kneed him square between the legs. He crumpled to the ground in a blubbering heap.

  “And that’s for callin’ me maam . . .”

  CHAPTER 42 All eyes turned to see a vision in white walking slowly do
wn the haystrewn pathway. She was wearing a layered ivory gown with hand beaded accents and a sweetheart bodice. Her chestnut hair cascaded down her back and framed her heart-shaped face. Her veil was simple but elegant, and her bouquet was made of red roses and white jasmine.

  Her big chocolate eyes were lined with a charcoal pencil, her cheeks were blushing, and her mouth was painted a distinctive shade of red. She was tanned, tone, and utterly female. Both women and men oohed and aahed as she slowly walked past.

  On her arm, was a handsome and distinguished cowboy. He had a white shock of hair peeking from the under a black Stetson hat. A single red rose was tucked into his lapel, and he was about as cowboy as they come. He was grinning from ear to ear and held a comforting hand on top of the trembling, yet perfectly manicured hand of the bride.

  Behind them, an adorable blue-eyed groomsman carried a basket containing two wedding rings in his mouth. People laughed and smiled as he passed by, wearing nothing but a white bandanna around his neck. He appeared to be smiling and glanced from side to side, but he didn’t falter.

  As they approached the altar, Maddy Cassidy glanced up at her groom and gave him a shy smile. Walt delicately flipped the veil from her face and kissed her cheek. The groomsman followed Maddy up to the altar and took his seat beside Dusty’s feet. Everone cheered as Maddy reached into a bowl, gave him a pat on the head, and fed him a treat. Tuffy was adorable, and appeared to be smiling.

  Dusty was dashing in a matching black tux, ostrich boots, and a single red rose in his lapel. His black hair was gleaming in the sunlight and the smile he flashed at his bride made every woman’s heart swoon. His blue eyes burned into hers and she blushed, but didn’t look away. He was the man of her dreams and the love they shared was unbreakable. She was taking his name today, Maddy Cassidy would soon be a thing of the past. From this day forward, she would be known as Maddy Cash.

  Dusty had never seen any woman look as magnificent as she did right now. He had dreamed of making love to her from the moment they had met. And now, she was taking his name. Who could have predicted that a detour in the road could lead her to him? Life worked in mysterious but wonderful ways, sometimes.

  The crowd grew silent as they exchanged vows and he placed a magnificent ring on her finger. They repeated their wedding vows while looking directly into one another’s eyes. Finally, they kissed and the entire gathering erupted with whoops and hollers. Grace and Mabel both stood there looking as proud as mother hens. They were laughing and crying at the same time and dabbed at their eyes. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as they turned and proceeded to walk together as man and wife.