Samantha’s Cowboy Read Online Free Page A

wanting to support her and at the same time protect her. And she loved him dearly for caring. “What about your nightmares?” he asked.
    Once in a while Sam’s nightmares were so vivid she woke screaming—a silent scream her father never heard. But Matt had sensed his sister’s night terrors and had held her until she’d fallen back to sleep. As the years passed, the nightmares occurred less frequently, holding off for months at a time until Matt arrived home from the rodeo circuit.
    “I haven’t had a nightmare in over a year,” she lied. Last night she’d awoken soaked in sweat and gaspingfor breath. “I want—” tears welled in her eyes and she brushed them away “—need this ranch.”
    Matt hugged her. “Dad’s going to blow a gasket.”
    “Daddy isn’t going to find out.” She hoped. “At least not right away.”
    “Maybe I can talk Amy into staying at the Lazy River after we’re married. We could help—”
    “No. I’m doing this on my own.”
    “Where is the money coming from?”
    “My trust fund.” She crinkled her nose. “Now that I’m thirty-two, I can withdraw money without Daddy’s permission. After the wedding he leaves for Europe. By the time he returns, I’ll have made significant progress and then I’ll break the news to him.”
    “You’re really going to do this, aren’t you?” Matt held her gaze.
    “You and Duke got your dreams—I want mine.”
    “We’ll worry about you living here all alone.”
    “I’m not alone.”
    “That’s right, your closest neighbor is a witch.” Matt yanked her ponytail. “C’mon. We’d better head home. Duke and Renée are flying in for your birthday.”
    One brother down. One to go.
     
    W HEN S AM PULLED INTO the Lazy River ranch yard, she noticed her father’s 1959 two-door black-and-chrome Chevrolet Apache pickup parked near the house. Although Dominick Cartwright could afford any car in the world, he had a soft spot for old Chevy trucks. And right now Samantha’s nephew sat behind the wheel, pretending to drive.
    Duke and Renée had adopted Timmy shortly afterthey’d married this past February. The little boy had been in the Detroit foster care system his entire life. Sam was thrilled he’d gotten his wish for a family and she loved playing the role of favorite aunt. After Matt married Amy, Samantha would add two nieces to her brood—Rose and Lily. As much as she loved hanging around the children, they were a painful reminder that this was as close to motherhood as she’d come.
    Sam parked her truck, then headed for the old Apache.
    “Happy birthday, brat,” Duke called.
    “Daddy said you weren’t arriving until the wedding next week.” She bear-hugged her stepbrother, then poked her head through the truck window and planted a big, loud smooch on Timmy’s cheek.
    “Gross, Aunt Sammy!” Timmy made a big production of wiping germs off his cheek.
    “I didn’t want to miss your birthday,” Duke said.
    Before her stepbrother had met Renée he couldn’t get far enough away from the Cartwright ranch. Sam credited Renée with softening Duke’s attitude toward children and family.
    “I’m glad you’re here.” Then she added, “Maybe Renée will convince Amy to allow Daddy to invite more guests to the wedding. Amy wants to keep the reception small enough to have at the house and Daddy wants to move things to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tulsa.”
    Duke chuckled. “Sounds like the old man.”
    “Got a minute to talk?”
    “Sure.” Duke opened the truck door. “Timmy, go see if Aunt Amy needs help with Rose or Lily.”
    “Girls are so lame.”
    “Oh, c’mon. Lily’s a cutie,” Sam said.
    “Uncle Matt told me Lily poops marbles in her pants. That’s gross.” Timmy marched off, grumbling under his breath.
    “Let’s take a walk.” Sam slipped her arm through Duke’s and they strolled toward the barn. “How’s life in Detroit?”
    “Renée’s working with a local teacher to create a homeschooling program