Daredevil's Mistress - Chapter #4 - Free To Read

As they made their way down the one-street town the next day, Samantha observed ranchers going about their daily chores and several riders lift their hats in greeting when they noticed Deborah.

“Trinity is a small town, so everyone knows everyone.”

“While my country is known for its friendly people, I think folks in my hood could do with some of this neighborliness.” Samantha sighed. “They’re so stuck up, it hurts.”

“I’m sure it’s not so bad?”

Samantha shook her head. “The only time they greet you is if they meet you at dinner or some special occasion.”

“I suppose every town has its pros and cons,” Deborah said. “Trinity is much quieter than it used to be. Lots of the younger people wanna spread their wings. They’re almost desperate to graduate and leave here. Some never return. If and when they do return, they usually complain there’s no Starbucks or McDonalds.” Her friend shook her head and let out a sarcastic grunt. “I mean could you really compare the culture and atmosphere here to big city life? Our local coffee and food is as good. In fact, it’s homier. Total idiots if you ask me.” Deborah cursed aloud, evidently proud of her small town.

Samantha laughed. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Don’t you wanna get away and explore?”

“You know me, Sam. I’m an outdoor type of gal. Technology and I don’t jell well, and city lives are jam packed with technology. Those idiots couldn’t function a day without their cellphones, laptops, and fancy cars. Facebook…Twitter…whatever next? I mean why tell the whole world your comings and goings. Follow this and like this…bah.”

Deborah held the solid opinion at college, that technological advancement was sending mankind closer to doomsday. Samantha heaved with laughter. “Okay…okay, I get the picture. You love your small town.”

“Yeah, I do.”

“It’s so cute,” Samantha said as Deborah swung into a parking bay outside a row of small shops.

“Cute?” Her friend shot her a quizzical grimace. “Don’t you be calling my hometown cute now, girl?”

Samantha opened the door and slid off the bench seat. “What else should I say?” She shrugged helplessly. “It is cute…okay, quaint then?”

“Cowboys and cute don’t go together,” Deborah said walking toward a restaurant. “Say rustic or badass or rugged. I’ve a few choice words which may make your ears burn.”

“Seriously?”

“You’re the one with these fancy notions about a cowboy’s life,” Deborah teased then as if she sensed Samantha’s discomfort, giggled. “Relax, Sam, I’m messing with you.”

As Samantha followed her into the restaurant, people turned in their direction with piqued curiosity. The attention flagrant, especially from a group of handsome young men seated four booths away. They giggled when one brave soul moseyed up to their table. Hat in hand, he knelt at the edge, his lips wide in a friendly grin.

“Howdy, ladies, fancy joinin’ us kin’ gentlemen over there?” he asked and tilted his head in the direction of his table, observed enthusiastically by his companions.

“Thank you, but I think we’re good.” Samantha blushed.

“Say, that’s a mighty fine accent. May I know which part of the world you’re from?”

“South Africa.”

“Nice. And the name that goes with those beautiful eyes?” he asked. His sexy drawl elicited an appreciative chuckle from Samantha and Deborah.

“I’m Samantha Harman, and this here is Deborah Bentley…” She trailed off at the sudden flare in his eyes.

“Sorry to disturb you, ma’am.” His words were directed at Deborah.

Confused, Samantha stared as he sauntered off. “Now, what the hell was that?”

“Cody’s mighty leash, my dear sweet Sam, is powerful.” Her friend smiled ruefully and picked up the menu.

“I don’t understand.” Samantha blinked twice in confusion as the waitress appeared.

After the waitress took their order, Deborah cast Samantha a melancholy gaze filled with perceptible longing. “To put it mildly, every boy…no, every man in this town knows better than to mess with Cody Bentley’s sister. That sorry soul must be new in town. Probably knows the name but not my face.” She jerked her chin at the cowboy. In his booth now, he still stared over his shoulder at them.

“The guy was just being friendly, not proposing marriage.”

“As I said, Cody is overprotective, and it suffocates me at times.”

“I know exactly what you mean.” Samantha sighed and leaned back into her seat. “Your letter arrived like a God sent invitation. With Papa’s ‘no dating policy’ I’d have men queuing at my door for a piece of virginal pie. I haven’t even experienced a kiss yet, let alone dating, dancing with guys my own age?”

Deborah nodded. “Yep, totally get it. Difference is I’ve kissed a guy.” She laughed. “As much as I love this town, there are times I wanna run away.”

“You mentioned it before, remember.”

“Yeah, well I got cold feet.” Deborah uttered a nervous laugh.

“What’s up, girl, you’re not your usual cheery self?” Samantha asked. Her gaze landed on Deborah’s face and suddenly noticed how drawn she appeared. Despite her beautiful features with shining auburn locks and large blue eyes, her friend seemed older than her twenty-four years. Fine lines around her mouth and forehead masked her beautiful face and added to her depressive countenance.

“Remember when we finished college, we promised to keep in touch.” Samantha nodded for her to go on. “I’m pretty sure you wondered what happened.”

“I decided you found a rich, handsome man and left home.”

Deborah rolled her eyes. “Couple of weeks after I returned, I met one of our ranch hands, Steven. We hit it off like a house on fire. Smitten couldn’t even begin to describe how I felt.” She stopped while the waitress settled two large milkshakes in front of them then strolled away. “You know the heart beat slow and fast at the same time sort? We dated for a few weeks, secretly.”

“Why?”

“Cody doesn’t like us to mix business with pleasure…” Deborah gazed off in reminiscence.

“I don’t get it.”

“We’re not allowed to get involved with the hired help. Well, I’m not since we don’t exactly have any women working on the ranch.” Deborah smirked. “Anyway, Reece covered for me. Our luck, however, ran out sooner than expected. Cody found out. Four months in, he visited the same restaurant Steven and I met for lunch one afternoon.”

“What happened?”

“Cody hid his anger and acted the perfect gentleman. When I got home later, hell couldn’t compare with his fury. He ranted about breaking the rules and doing it under his very nose. The situation worsened when I told him I love and wanted to marry Steven. Cody blew a fuse. Mentioned something about why I want to marry someone beneath my status. Like I’m some freakin’ princess and then finished off with how he worked hard to prevent such a thing.” Deborah’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Oh, girl, I’m so sorry.” Samantha slid down the seat and cloaked her in a gentle hug. The man’s a brute. Steadily, her annoyance piqued with someone she didn’t even meet as yet. Just like Papa, always wants everything his way or else. “What about Steven?”

Deborah wiped her eyes and shrugged. “Cody fired him, of course. Steven gave him an earful before he left the ranch though.”

“Geez, Debs, your brother is so cruel.” Samantha shook her head in irritation.

“No, Sam. Cody is the best brother a sister could ask for.”

“Huh?” Samantha’s eyes rounded in shock. Did I hear right? Deborah’s kidding herself?

“He only wants what’s best for me.”

“Wait. The man rips your heart to shreds and you…you’re okay with it?” The man’s a control freak.

“Since my folk’s death, Cody’s role is more of a father figure. He’s sacrificed so much. His happiness, his love, even his studies to make sure we got an education. He’s given us our identities, and I couldn’t hurt my brother.”

“That being said, doesn’t give Cody the right to dictate who you fall in love with, sacrifice or not. I’m not sure I’d be so forgiving.” Samantha took a sip of her milkshake. “Giving you an identity is one thing, but what about your happiness and your right to live and love, unconditionally.”

“I guess sometimes parents have to make tough decisions for the right reasons.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your father’s a tough cookie, but you’re used to a certain way of life, right? I think he’ll make decisions you may not like. Maybe he’ll do it so you may have the future you want. Take me for instance, as much as I despise Cody’s rules, there’s warmth to my close knit family, and I’d miss it too much. I love my brothers.” Samantha threw her hands up in exasperation and sat back in her seat. “I give up, and God forbid, if I’m ever in such a situation, I don’t give in like you did.”

“With a father like yours, you’ll probably end up in the same situation.”

“Well fortunately for me, I am not in love with anyone right now.”

“Not yet, Sam…not yet,” Deborah whispered and earned a pensive stare from Samantha.