One thing she’d definitely do while she was here, and that was create a relationship with Reba’s daughter. She’d felt an immediate connection with the girl and thought they might have a certain comfort to offer each other. And perhaps Carly could tell her more about Reba, her one-time best friend, and what she’d been like in her later years.
Everything seemed to bring back the past—being here in town, seeing Russ at the run-down motel, meeting Carly, who was the very image of Reba. Above all, seeing Cord again in this still familiar and yet very changed house. Talking to him. She hoped she was coming across as natural and sure of herself. Maybe she could replace that embarrassing memory of declaring her love in the face of his complete lack of interest.
She was afraid to hope for a second chance with Cord, much as she wanted it. But she told herself a second chance was unlikely, since there hadn’t been a first chance. At least they could resume a casual friendship... And, most important, she’d learn what she was in Montana to learn—about Christine Fletcher, about horse training, and, yes, about Cord. Because, maybe, just this once, things had changed. Or could change...
It had begun to occur to her that she should hire a private investigator to find Christine or find out what had happened to her. Eli, as a professional in law enforcement, might be able to suggest someone.
Shallie checked her cell phone. A text from her closest friend, Emma, who’d encouraged this trip. Another from her ex, Rob, who—she still believed—had her best interests at heart. She sent quick responses. It was now 1:40, and she should probably change her clothes and her state of mind—away from the past and into the present. She pulled on a pair of new jeans and a T-shirt featuring the logo of Emma’s company, Horses Help, an adorable pony and equally adorable little girl. A quick brush of her hair and she was ready for whatever the afternoon would bring.
Cord was waiting for her in the kitchen, yet another cup of coffee in hand. He grinned as he told her, “No comments, okay?”
Shallie grinned back. “Okay. At least not about the crappy coffee.”
“All right. Ready to go?” He poured the remainder of the foul-looking brew in the sink. “We’ll start with the introductions. Oh,” he said, “nice T-shirt.”
She followed him out to the barn, and he had her speak to each horse for ten minutes or so, stroking their noses and foreheads. For today, he focused on his two recent rescues. Chief, a chestnut Thoroughbred, was skittish, but Shallie fell instantly for Annie, the shaggy little black-and-white mare. And it was obvious that Cord felt the same way. He explained their histories, or what he knew of them; Annie had been neglected and abandoned, while Chief had been mistreated by an impatient employee at a racing stable. Cord had now adopted both of them.
Shallie was appalled by what these horses had endured, but so grateful that they’d found a better life. Cord emphasized the need to bond with them, to convey a sense of calm and of love. A sense that the horses could trust her, that they could afford to feel secure. He guided Annie outside, into the paddock, talking to her all the while, and then Shallie took over as he watched.
She crooned to the little mare in a soothing voice, clasped her halter, led her through the field, stopping now and then to move back and forth in rhythm with her. Cord stood against the fence, smiling.
“I just adore her,” Shallie said as they brought Annie back to her stall.
“And she adores you. I think we’ve made a good start for today. Now, what would you like to do while I meet with my foreman, Mitch?” He pointed at a gray-haired man obviously waiting for him. As they approached, Cord said, “Shallie Fletcher, this is Mitch Robbins, Tina’s husband.”
They shook hands and Shallie told him how much she’d enjoyed meeting Tina. “I look forward to spending more time with both of you,” she said truthfully.
“You will be, and you’ll meet our family, too. Maybe at the music night on Sunday. Our son-in-law, one of them, is with The GateCrashers, a popular band around here, and they’ll be performing.”
“Sounds good!”
She went into the house, thinking maybe she could help Tina begin preparing their supper, but found Carly in the kitchen alone, arranging a platter of raw vegetables. “This is for us. You and me,” she explained. “There’s ranch dip in the fridge.”
“Of course. What other kind would there be?” she said, and was gratified by Carly’s laughter. “Where’s Tina? And the dogs?”
“Dinner’s not till about six. She’s gone to get a few groceries. Cheese and stuff for us, chicken or whatever for Cord and the guys. And the dogs are lounging on the back deck.”
Shallie nodded. She leaned against the counter, watching Carly’s careful positioning of carrots, small celery sticks, radishes and raw green beans. “So,” she finally began. “Tell me about yourself.”
“You already know the basics,” Carly said with a shrug but without meeting her eyes. “My mom, Reba, died a couple of years ago and I’ve been on my own ever since. And one of those three guys here is my dad. She told me so.” She turned to the sink, washing a tomato and paring a cucumber.
This was the first Shallie had heard of it, but recalling that final summer, the whole situation made sense—and it explained why Carly was here. She needed to know about her father, just as Shallie needed to know about her mother.
She took a deep breath for courage, then said, “Carly, at the time, and I’m talking almost twenty years ago, Reba and I were very close. So, I feel as if...we’re sort of related, you and me.”
“You were at that awful motel with my mom?”
“Yes! How did you know about that?”
“Well, she told me, of course. No details. Just about working there and her affairs with those three guys.” Pause. “I don’t even know what happened, why she left or anything. I mean, she didn’t know she was pregnant with me yet, but...” Carly squinted up at her. “Any chance we really are related? That Reba was your cousin or something?”
“No, but I feel like we were. We...lost touch after a while.” In fact, after Reba left, they weren’t in touch again, ever. Shallie had tried social media, less pervasive back then, but it had revealed nothing of any use.
“Listen,” Shallie said. “Can we talk later? Over our private dinner on the porch?”
“Okay. I don’t feel like hanging out with the guys tonight, anyway. And then later, Tina will take me back to her place.” She gave Shallie a conspiratorial grin as she added, “I love Tina, but Mr. Smart-ass Hollister can be a bit much. Even if he does turn out to be my dad...”
Shallie responded to that comment with a grin of her own. She still planned to catch up with Cord and get to know Tina—but she had to spend time with this girl, who was not only Reba’s daughter but possibly Cord’s.
* * *
WITH TINA’S HELP, Cord arranged a couple of salads, a shallow bowl of marinated chicken wings, burger patties, plus buns and all the usual condiments. Tina brought out three plates and cutlery. And oh, yes, there was beer in a cooler. Then he started the barbecue.
Minutes later, J.P. arrived with Trooper; Cord’s dogs acted like hosts and never showed an instant’s aggression toward him. Eli appeared soon after; both guys were toting beer and J.P. handed his over, apologizing for not bringing food as promised. Cord simply rolled his eyes.
“What are we having?” Eli asked.
“Burgers and chicken wings.”
“Hey, we’re burger guys!” Eli made a face. “Aren’t chicken wings kind of effete?”
“They’re not feet, they’re wings,” Cord responded. “And where did you learn such an...effete word?”
“Ha ha.”
“So Shallie and Carly are eating on the porch?” J.P. asked.
“Excellent deduction.” Eli smirked. “Since there are only three plates out here.”
Cord handed out beers. He’d previously told them about Shallie�
��s arrival—and both were intrigued. Eli asked if he and Shallie had talked about Reba.
“Yeah, some,” Cord replied.
“So, why exactly is she here?” he asked.
“She’s interested in pursuing the horse training and learning more about horse therapy. She has a friend back in Seattle she might go into business with.”
“Is that the only reason she’s here? Does Reba have anything to do with it?” J.P. questioned.
“Not as far as I know, but maybe she will now that Shallie’s met Carly.”
“I’d like to see Shallie,” J.P. said. “Some real memories there.”
Cord nodded but didn’t refer to the night she’d tried to kiss him. He’d never told his friends about that... Out of embarrassment? Or sympathy?
“A sweet girl,” Eli agreed. “Although she kind of disappeared from view—and I mean before she took off from the motel. And who could blame her for leaving that dump?” He took a sip of his beer. “I’d like to see her, too. But we don’t want to barge in on their privacy, hers and Carly’s. Shallie and Reba were best friends, so she and Carly need a chance to connect.”
“Don’t worry,” Cord said. “She’s here for two weeks. We’ll arrange something.”
“I’m sure we will,” Eli said. “Still, it’s quite the coincidence that they both showed up here at the same time.”
“True.” Cord busied himself with the burger patties. “Destiny? Or maybe just chance.”
“Hey!” J.P. chortled. “Your canine corps has expectations.”
Bandit and Smoky leaped up and raced around the house to the front. “I guess they’re both there now, Carly and Shallie,” Cord said. “These guys can smell food—even vegetarian food—a mile away. And they know they’re not getting anything here.”
On the rather flimsy pretext of checking on the dogs, he went over to the porch. Shallie and Carly were indeed there, the adoring dogs at their feet. He didn’t know what they’d been talking about but there was a sudden silence when he appeared. Shallie raised her glass of wine, smiled at him and said, “It’s from Washington State.”
Cord knew that—he was the one who’d bought it, after all. He gave her a thumbs-up. “Oh, Tina told you she and Mitch ended up going to Bailey’s for Friday-night dinner?”
“Yeah,” Shallie said. “And remember, Mitch suggested we go there Sunday night?”
“Sure, we can do that. It’s Country Classics Night.”
“Yes, please!” Carly begged. “I’d love to.”
Cord wandered back to the deck and his friends, although the dogs stayed on the porch.
As soon as he returned, Eli brought up the inevitable subject of Carly. Cord had to admit he didn’t have answers to this morning’s questions yet. “I’ll ask Shallie to see if she can come up with some information,” he said. “They seem to be getting on well.”
And that led to speculation about Shallie. “Well, like I said, she’s really interested in horses, plus she’s thinking about working with a friend of hers. And...maybe she wanted to, uh, revisit the scene of her ever-so-delightful childhood.”
“And her charming cousin or whatever he is,” J.P. murmured.
“Changing the subject,” Cord said, “what about the music night at Bailey’s on Sunday? Country Classics with The GateCrashers. You must’ve seen the sign this morning. Carly and Shallie would both like to go, and I said we could do that. Either of you want to join us?”
“Hell, yeah!” Eli said. “Haven’t seen The GateCrashers in a while.”
“Also a good chance to spend some time with Carly and Shallie.”
Cord got up again to visit the front porch. And again, Carly and Shallie abruptly stopped talking. He caught a reference to Reba but couldn’t tell what that was about. He thought he’d lighten the atmosphere and tried to tell them a joke.
“Hey, did you hear the one about the dog who walks into a bar?”
“He ended up under the table?” Shallie asked.
“Yeah, just like Trooper!” He’d have to share that with J.P. “Good one. Did you make that up?”
“Sure did,” she said, and Carly applauded loudly.
Cord brought out the wine bottle and refilled Shallie’s glass, which was almost empty. Carly declined another sparkling water.
“Thank you.” Shallie raised her glass to him.
“Oh, and we’re definitely on for the music night on Sunday. Eli and J.P. are planning to join us.”
Carly grinned. “Three for the price of one?”
“So to speak.” He wondered if Shallie knew that the three of them were Carly’s possible fathers—but assumed from the confidential tone of their conversation that she did. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your meal...”
They seemed to be enjoying their veggies and cheese, if the amount they’d already consumed was any indication. He returned to the back deck, this time accompanied by the dogs hoping for burger bits. “Forget it, guys.”
As he sat down, he caught the middle of a conversation. “Yeah,” Eli was saying. “I’m starting to have some concerns about Eric—” Eric Worth, his nephew, son of his sister, Sara “—but I’m—”
“What’s going on?” Cord interrupted. “Is everything okay?” Although he knew immediately what a stupid question that was.
“Well, no. Sara’s worried about him, and I’m getting a bad feeling...”
“Why?”
“You know he dropped out of school this spring. And Sara told me he’s out and about at all hours. He won’t tell her where he’s been. And she doesn’t like his loser friends.” He briefly closed his eyes. “I wouldn’t admit this to anyone else. I can’t help thinking about a few very recent and very sneaky crimes, although there’s absolutely no evidence tying any of them to Eric. You know the crimes I’m talking about? Targeting ranchers and farmers, releasing their animals. Have you heard anything?”
Cord frowned. “Yeah. A little. Perry Roberts told me his enclosure gate had been pried open. And a sheep got out, got hit in the road. Can you believe that? If there’s anything I can’t stand, it’s cruelty. Especially to the innocent, like animals.”
Eli nodded grimly. “I hate to even suggest it, and I can’t accuse Eric—or anyone—without solid evidence. But like I said, his mom’s worried, and so am I.”
“We should all keep an eye on him,” Cord said.
J.P. agreed, told them he’d do what he could. Soon after, and by now it was nearly ten and the lights inside and out were on, Tina reappeared in the Robbinses’ car to collect Carly. Cord asked Shallie if she wanted to join the guys. She shook her head. “Not tonight, thanks. I’m just too tired. Soon, though.”
“I have a question for you. I want to ask if you’ll help me out...”
“How?”
“By getting some information about Carly. She’s been hesitant to share anything, and I haven’t been very good about asking. It’s...kind of uncomfortable, you know. She says one of us is her father—you’ve heard that, right? She told you?”
When Shallie nodded, he went on. “You can see how this situation affects all of us. But we don’t know where to go from here.”
“DNA testing is the obvious way,” Shallie said.
“How do I approach that?”
“Let me think about it. Can we talk more tomorrow? Maybe you can give me your questions then?”
“Okay,” he murmured. “See you in the morning.”
Shallie finished her wine and went inside with the empty glass while Cord gazed after her. A minute later, she came back out to clear up the dishes and the remains of the meal, and to wish the dogs—and him—a good night.
Except it wasn’t going to be. Because he’d be thinking about her, wanting her. And wondering what she was thinking—and whether she wanted him, too.
CHAPTER SEVEN
SATURDAY M
ORNING, CARLY accompanied Tina to the main kitchen for breakfast, where Shallie met them. Tina announced that she was buying some additional groceries—mostly to stock up on vegetarian options.
“Thank you,” Shallie said. “I really appreciate it.”
“Least we can do,” Tina responded. “You’re our guest.”
“I’ll have some toast and coffee, then go out for my session with Cord.”
Carly gave her a goodbye hug and followed Tina out to her car.
After buying local vegetables, eggs and cheese, plus several packages of decent coffee, Tina took Carly to a Western-wear store to get her some new jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and new running shoes. Carly thanked her but didn’t know what else to say. She’d realized the very first morning, after Tina had collected her laundry, that she must have seen the cash. Carly wasn’t sure how to address that, how to explain—and wondered if she should’ve offered to pay.
Tina drove by a run-down motel south of town—the Painted Pony, of course—and asked Carly if she wanted to go inside, check it out. Carly declined. “Later, okay?” No way was she up for this, seeing the place her mother had spent all those months in. “What a dump,” she muttered. “Was it always this bad?”
“I wouldn’t say it was ever what you’d call high-end, but it was definitely better than it is now.”
“Is it still in business?”
Tina shrugged. “If at all, I’m sure he doesn’t get many customers.”
Carly wondered who “he” was, but didn’t ask. Next thing she realized, they were in the parking lot at Bailey’s, and Tina said they’d have a quick lunch there, her treat. Which made Carly feel even guiltier.
She changed the subject. “Look! The sign for Classic Country Night. Cord said we’d go.”
“Great! We’ll all sit together.”
“Oh, Brynne’s not on shift right now,” Tina said as they walked inside. “Probably just as well for the moment.”
Country Strong--A Novel Page 10
