Ambush Before Sunrise: Bonus Story (Cardwell Ranch Book12; Montana Legacy

wife. She’d better not be seeing anyone else. Just the thought of that cowboy who’d come out with his six-shooter strapped on his hip...
He ordered a beer even though he could tell Marty hadn’t wanted to serve him at all. But Marty also didn’t want any trouble, as if he could sense that T.D. was just spoiling for a fight. It had been a long time since he’d broken up a bar.
“One beer, T.D., and then you head on home,” the bartender told him.
“Home? And where exactly would that be, Marty?” he asked angrily as he picked up the cold beer the man had set in front of him. He took a long drink. It did little to cool down his fury. Jinx had no right to treat him this way. She’d made him the laughingstock of town. He couldn’t let her get away with it. Half that ranch was his and damned if she wasn’t going to give it to him. If she thought they were finished, then she didn’t know him very well.
He smiled to himself and took another gulp of beer. From what he’d seen out at her place, she was planning to take that herd of hers into the mountains tomorrow. It would take her a few days of good weather and good luck to get them up to the high country.
T.D. had made that trip with her last year. He knew the route she took and where she camped each night. As he finished his beer, he realized that he hadn’t believed she would get anyone to help her take her cattle up to summer range. Now that she had, she’d forced his hand. He could no longer just threaten to follow her up into the mountains. He had to do it. He had to show her. And he knew just how to do it.
WYATT FELT SHAKEN to his core as he left Patty’s apartment. His hands actually shook as he started his truck. On one hand, he couldn’t believe his good luck. On the other... He left, driving aimlessly through town, his mind whirling.
He’d had a crush on Patty since grade school. Not that she’d ever noticed him except on those few occasions when he’d stopped into the café where she waitressed. She was nice enough then, smiling and chatting him up. He wasn’t stupid. He knew she was like that with everyone because she hoped for a good tip.
Over the years, he’d watched her go through a couple of bad marriages and twice as many equally bad relationships. But nothing had cooled his ardor for her. He’d always known he was what she needed. He’d only hoped that one day she would realize it.
Now he had finally told her how he felt and to his surprise, she’d made him an offer. The offer was less than what he’d hoped for and yet more than he’d expected. He felt as if full of helium. This must be what people meant when they said they were floating on cloud nine.
Of course, there was a catch, he thought, feeling himself come back to earth with a thud.
“Word is that Jinx is driving her cattle up to summer range tomorrow,” she’d said once they were seated on the couch in her living room. She’d sat so close to him that her perfume had filled his nostrils making him feel weak. He couldn’t help but notice that she’d forgotten to button the two top buttons on her blouse, making it gap open. Sitting this close he could see the swell of her full breasts above her lacy black bra.
He’d also seen the red marks on her neck, a couple of them deep bruises, but he’d known better than to say anything. He’d figured it was why she’d invited him up so he waited for her to bring up the subject.
“Wyatt, you’re his best friend,” she’d said, leaning toward him. “You know T.D. is planning something. Once Jinx gets those cattle to the high country, T.D. will lose his leverage—or at least what he sees as leverage.”
He’d nodded, surprised that Patty knew this about T.D. and yet still wanted the man. “He’s threatened to follow her up into the mountains,” he’d admitted. “But I think it’s just talk.”
She’d scoffed at that. “He’ll get himself all worked up tonight after a few beers and then he’ll want you and Travis to go with him since he doesn’t have the guts to do it alone, and the two of you don’t have the guts to turn him down.”
He’d winced, knowing it was true and that she was right. He’d agree to go once T.D. started pressuring him. You just didn’t say no to him, and Wyatt hadn’t since they were kids growing up. T.D. had gotten him into so much trouble over the years. But like she said, the man was his best friend.
What she’d said next had floored him. “I want you to make sure that Jinx McCallahan never comes out of those mountains.”
At first he’d thought he’d misunderstood her. “I don’t know what you mean.”
And then Patty had leaned toward him, her full breasts brushing his arm as she kissed him. “Do this for me and I promise you won’t regret it.” She kissed him harder, giving him a little of her tongue. He’d about lost it right there.
But when he’d reached for her, she’d pushed him away. “Not until you do me this favor.” Then she’d taken his hand and put it on her warm breast. He’d felt her nipple harden under his palm. And just as quickly, she’d pulled it away. “Now you should go. You wouldn’t want T.D. to catch you here.”
He’d stumbled out of her apartment to his rig and started driving aimlessly. She wasn’t serious about any of it, he told himself. Not the offer. Not the favor she’d made him promise to think about as he was leaving. The woman didn’t realize what she was asking. Or what she was offering.
“If you