Charlene Sands by Winning Jennas Heart

desperate longing in that mutt’s eyes reminded him of a place Cash never wanted to be again. So now, he had a companion. Hell, he’d make a good watchdog, if nothing else. “We’re just about there, Scrappy. Won’t be long now.”
    A short time later, Cash rose up from his saddle and peered down the hill, witnessing workers busy plowing the field at Twin Oaks. He’d rode his mare hard, once the idea had settled in his head, hoping to get to Jenna before any danger might occur.
    Relief swamped him when things appeared normal. Ben’s son Antonio was tilling the soil on the east end of the property. There, they would plant oats. The crop rotation was meant to keep the soil fertile and where the soil was too tired, the field would remain fallow; nothing would be planted until next year. As he scanned over the land, it appeared to Cash that they’d accomplished some,but had much more to do since he’d left. Soon the wheat seeds would have to be planted.
    He pushed his mare forward and after a time, he caught sight of Ben, working on a faulty axle by the barn. Cash’s luck was holding out. He’d wanted to speak to Ben first, before he approached Jenna.
    Cash sat high in the saddle and was ready to dismount when he was met with Ben’s wary stare. “You want something, stranger?”
    “It’s me, Ben. Cash Callahan.”
    Ben squinted, blocking sunlight and stepping away from the axle. “Didn’t recognize you in them fancy duds. And that mare of yours looks like a mighty fine piece of horseflesh.”
    Cash had forgotten that the folks at Twin Oaks hadn’t seen him in anything but work clothes. He realized all too late that his suit coat, new Stetson hat and shiny boots would only remind Jenna of the way Cash made his living. He appeared every bit the gambler in his duds. And his horse was the best money could buy. Cash knew a good horse when he saw one, and apparently, so did Ben. “I suppose you got a problem with me?”
    “Nah, I got nothing against you personally. But I do got a problem with you coming back here. Miss Jenna ain’t gonna like it.”
    Cash dismounted. He preferred speaking to a man on level ground. Cash could never be accused of talking down to a man. Scrappy, ever loyal,stood right by his side. “I know. But listen, Ben, I came back here for a good reason. Hear me out first before judging me.”
    “I suppose I could do that.”
    They took a seat on the back end of the wagon Ben had been working on. After a few minutes, Cash appealed to the older man’s sense of fairness after explaining all about the Wendells and the trouble they could cause Jenna. “Well? Will you help me?”
    Ben scratched his chin, thinking hard. “You say Miss Jenna could be in real danger?”
    “Yes, it’s real. The Wendells are merciless. I don’t trust them. If they find out the ties I had to Jenna, they’ll come here looking for her. I’ve thought on it and me coming back here seems the best way to keep her safe.”
    “I’m here,” Ben said, a bit defensively.
    “Yes, you are. And I’m sure you look after her the best you can. But you don’t sleep here. You have your own place. And that leaves Jenna all alone at night.”
    Ben’s eyes grew wide and the older man’s ire sparked. “Now, wait a minute. You ain’t gonna be sleeping here, neither. I don’t even have to tell you, Miss Jenna won’t allow it.”
    “Ben, even if Jenna would have me, I won’t go near her. You got my promise.”
    “You thinking she’s not good enough?”
    Cash twisted his mouth. He knew a no-win situationwhen he saw it. The old guy had a stubborn streak when it came to protecting Jenna, but Cash admired Ben’s loyalty to her. “More like I’m not good enough for her.”
    “I might agree with that,” Ben said, but there was no malice in his voice. Actually, it seemed Ben was teasing. Hard to know what went on in that old man’s mind.
    “But I’ll be here, on the grounds. I’ll sleep outside or in the barn. I’ll be