Out of a Texas Night
Page 3
If I spend more time in the sheriff’s department here, I could move back to my ranch and be part of the only family I have left.
That was certainly food for thought.
It’d been a good ten minutes since Brody had gotten back in line. He stood on one foot then the other, patiently waiting his turn to kiss the lovely woman he’d seen watching him off and on throughout the day. He looked up at the sign above the booth. He was taken back that the only reference to prices read, Price Negotiable. Donations Welcome!
As he kept an eye on the crowd, time flew by, and before he realized it, he was the next man in line.
“May I help you, Mr. Blackbeard?” asked a voice soft and sexy enough to melt away a Rocky Mountain ski slope.
It’d been a long time since so few words disturbed him in the way this green-eyed vixen did. He looked her squarely in the eyes. “Evening, Miss...”
“Miss O’Hara, but you can call me Scarlett. Now, sir what can I do for you?” A sensual little smile crossed her lips She obviously was more uncomfortable playing a role of a Southern belle than he was in his garb.
Brody would have loved to have seen more of her face, but half of it was covered with a decorative mask.
He glanced over to Mesa, who was busy negotiating with a strapping young cowboy. “Twenty,” she said. The cowpoke slid the money across the counter and puckered up like he’d never kissed a woman before. It wasn’t a good time to say hello.
Brody looked back at Miss Scarlett. “How much is your beginning price?”
“A donation, but I’d give you one for thirty.” She hesitated for a second before adding, “It’s for a good charity.”
“Since it’s for charity, forty.”
“Deal.” She flashed a smile of thanks. “No tongue and no touching besides the lips.”
Although a counter not much wider than a cafeteria tray separated them, Brody leaned into her and found himself checking to see if she wore a wedding band or any evidence of one.
Nothing.
His gaze moved upward to the creamy expanse of her neck. He looked up and their gazes met once again. Something intense flared through his body as he kissed her lightly on the lips then said softly, “Do you have a special for a discounted second kiss without having to go to the back of the line?”
The smoldering flame he saw in her eyes, from behind her decorative party mask, startled him as she whispered, “Twice the money, twice the kiss.”
He gently lifted her chin with his thumb and ran his index finger across her soft lips. “Deal.” Brody pressed his lips against hers and gently covered her mouth. A kiss as electrifying as he believed he’d ever experienced followed. It was all he could do not to jump over the counter and take her into his arms, although he knew there was a time and place for everything. This was neither the time nor the place.
Raising his head, Brody silently cussed a blue streak because the kiss hadn’t gone far enough. From the expression on Scarlett’s face, he believed she’d enjoyed the kiss as much as he had, although he’d never had the desire to analyze a women’s affection until now.
Brody took out a hundred-dollar bill and slid it into her open palm. “Worth every penny, Miss Scarlett.”
One of the prettiest, most sexually attractive women Brody had met in years slowly tucked the money in the valley of the bosom of her dress, leaned into him, and softly whispered, “Thanks. But a piece of advice? If you don’t want the world to know you’re a lawman, you’d better take off the Texas Ranger badge around your neck.”
Damn, he’d been made by some Southern belle in the Texas Panhandle. Brody’s heart beat out of control. “And you know this how?”
“My grandfather was a Ranger, and he had a badge just like that. You’re no Ranger, Mr. Blackbeard, but you are a cop. Probably working undercover.”
“When you’re finished here, why not meet me at the Buckin’ Bull and we can talk about the Texas Rangers in our families? It’s a family heirloom, that’s all the necklace means. I’m anything but a cop.”
“Sure you are. And I’m Scarlett O’Hara.”
Chapter 3
Once their shift was over Dannie and Mesa walked around and visited other booths, until it was time to close up the kissing booth. When the crowd began to clear out Mesa put up the closed sign. She sorted the cash and placed the bills in a bank bag.
Dannie began cleaning up the trash around the booth that had accumulated during the day.
“I didn’t count the money, but it looks like we did really good. I don’t remember getting a hundred-dollar bill, so it must have been you.” Mesa quirked her head toward her friend. “So what’s the story?”
“You remember that tall, dark, delicious pirate?”
“Of course. Not many women could forget him. So tell me.…Tell me.” Mesa shook Dannie’s shoulder to solicit a response. “Well, tell me, girlfriend!”
“You said to get as much money as possible, so when he asked for a second kiss—and oh man, was it the best I’ve ever had in my life....”
“So, Brody VanZant paid you a hundred dollars for a kiss?” Mesa’s excitement rang through the night.
“Yeah, he did, but it was actually two. So you knew the pirate after all. You creep.” Dannie grinned mischievously.
“Well, more or less. After I got a closer look, I realized who he was. It’s his eyes that gave him away. It’s like he looks right through you and digs deep inside to draw out your most intimate secrets. Who could forget those baby blues? Before you ask, he is in law enforcement; actually, with the Bonita County Sheriff’s Department. He’s a detective, and if my sources are right he works with a special crimes unit made up of several Texas Panhandle counties. Not sure what they do or what they are handling. I know he does undercover work a lot. I think he splits his time between living in Amarillo and his ranch. He purchased the WBarT Ranch a few years back.”
“So he owns our old family ranch.” Although Dannie felt a little surprised, she continued, “I’m betting he’s coming out from UC or he wouldn’t have shown up here dressed the way he was.”
“I think you’re right, but I don’t know it for a fact. Sheriff Cowan keeps the county horses over at VanZant’s ranch, but sometimes, if a horse needs medical attention, a deputy will bring it over to our ranch for treatment since we have a vet on staff. That’s the least I can do for the county. I’ve seen Mr. Blue Eyes there,” Mesa said.
Dannie placed the last bottle of hand sanitizer in the supply tub on the counter and looked up as a yellow cab crossed onto North Main. “I’d already pegged him for a lawman, even without seeing his baby blues, as you called them.”
“It takes one to know one.” Mesa picked up the money bag and her shoulder purse embossed with a big Texas star on the side, then continued, “I know he has a sister here. Her name is Winnie and her husband is Stanley. They have the barbecue café and bakery on the east side of the square. Pumpkin’s is on one end of the block and their place is on the other. They’re doing the catering. Evidentially they’re estranged, because when Brody does come over here, which is rarely, he never sees her to my knowledge. Some kind of a family feud with Stanley’s younger brother moving in with them. I heard from Lola Ruth that Brody wasn’t too happy about it, but that’s all I know. Anyway, let’s get over to the Buckin’ Bull before they holler last call.”
“Yep, it’s Saturday night so they have to shut down by one in the morning.” Dannie tossed her half-mask in the tub on top of the cashbox. “Some things never change, regardless of the county you work for.”
Dannie watched as the yellow cab drove off after obviously picking up its passenger. “What in the heck is that?” She pointed across the park to North Main Street.
“That’s simple. A yellow cab. Don’t they have them in Houston?” Mesa laughed. “That’s how Granny and Lola Ruth get back to the ranch after dark.”
“Her good automobiles are for special events like weddings and funerals. The truth, I think neither of them can see as well as they once could, so instead of depending on our foreman or someone to drive them around at night they get a cab.”
“I guess I should know by now not to be surprised at anything your grandmother does. If she could talk Lola Ruth into being her sidekick in the dunking tank and both wear scuba gear at today’s festival after they sold out of pies, I shouldn’t be shocked at anything those two come up with. Life really begins at eighty, doesn’t it?”
Mesa looked at Dannie with such a funny, surprised expression that both women opened up into a full belly laugh, something Dannie needed desperately.
After a short stop by Mesa’s F-150 pickup truck, marked clearly with the Jacks Bluff brand and the Ford Built Tough logo, where she secured the money bag in the glove compartment and locked it and Dannie put the tub of supplies in the back seat, they continued their leisurely walk to the honky-tonk around the square.
As they passed the only dress shop in town, Mesa pointed to a light blue spring dress.
“I really like that. I might come back and get it next week,” Dannie said.
“You are feeling better, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I feel bad hiding out at the Jacks Bluff for ten days, but I just wasn’t ready to answer all the questions that I know Mama and Daddy have for me. Thanks for taking me in like I’m one of your rescue horses.”
“No problem. You know they’ll want answers because they are concerned and love you, don’t you?”
Dannie hesitated but didn’t have to give thought to the question. “As Mama used to say—‘To the moon and back.’ She still ends most of her notes and cards with those words.”
“Guess How Much I Love You? The storybook my mama and Granny read to me every night before bedtime. That was after I had my midnight snack of one cookie and milk.” Mesa’s smile shone brighter than moonlight.
“We’re very lucky to have families who care so much for us. I truly feel bad that I couldn’t go straight home, but I needed time to think things through, and with Granny and Lola Ruth staying so busy with the festival preparations, plus you off to pick up a trailer of rescue horses, I had time to sit out in the shade of those big old cottonwoods and think. Not to mention run three or four times a day and ride horses until my butt hurt. I bet I covered two, maybe three hundred miles, but I do feel better.”
Dannie thought back over the last ten days. “You know Lola Ruth tried to feed me to death, all along telling me how dangerous a vegetarian diet could be for me. I finally gave up. Don’t believe I ever took a ‘death do us part’ oath to vegetables.”
Like two schoolgirls having fun, giggles filtered through the evening air.
“Back to Brody VanZant. Dannie, no matter how luscious the man appears, stay clear of him. You don’t need to get involved with any man right now, particularly a lawman. He has baggage and you don’t need that. You can use more time to come to grips with your own situation.”
The statement made shockwaves run through Dannie. She was hiding from herself, much like when she put on the festive mask and became Scarlett O’Hara.
“That’s been going through my mind. After losing my best friend and partner who I depended on for my life, all at my doing, the last thing I need is to get involved with any man, much less a cop.” Dannie pretended she was pulling a medieval mask over her face. “See, my protective armor is in place. But I am considering resigning and not returning to Houston or law enforcement in any type or form. I’m not sure I can shuck the memories that haunt me while trying to do a job the citizens deserve.”
“That might be a good idea,” said Mesa, as they took the two steps up to the front door of the Buckin’ Bull Saloon.
Laughter blended with ol’ time honky-tonk music settled over cigarette smoke and the smell of beer reached Dannie’s nostrils as they entered.
“This place hasn’t changed at all except probably more pictures of Bulls of the Year, bull riders, and wrecks. I’m sure each one is signed, as always. I guess Woody and Bunny have personally known every bull rider for the last fifty years.” Dannie looked at the wall but it was too dim to see much. It didn’t matter because Dannie knew every picture by heart. Photos depicted bovines and cowboys in about every position a bull could get into, not to mention a half a dozen famous wrecks between bull and rider. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, her gaze settled on a bigger-than-life framed photo of Mesa’s grandmother and grandfather. “I guess that one is the favorite of all.” She smiled with the fond memories. “I know it’s my favorite.”
“Of course, because she’s the town sweetheart and our family was rough stock, particularly bull contractors, for so many years. She might be a Johnson by name, but LeDoux blood runs through her. She’s not about to forget that her family was instrumental in founding Kasota Springs.” Mesa gave one last long look at the wall and said, “Let’s find a table, if she isn’t here yet.”
“You never told me who we are meeting.” Dannie followed Mesa trying to avoid the much beer spattered wooden floor. They stepped out of the way of two cowboys who obviously had had their share of beer. “Oh, it’s Rainey Cowan. She’s married to Deuce and came to town about two years ago. I don’t know much about her background except she went to school with Sheriff Cowan, and I’m fairly sure Mr. Blue Eyes played ball with Deuce at UT. For reasons unknown to me, Rainey chose to come here and open an antique shop at the ol’ train depot, where we got your costume.”
Almost before Mesa could finish, Dannie asked, “Then she’s married to Deuce Cowan, All-American from the University of Texas and quarterback for the Steelers?”
“Ex-quarterback and ex-specialty coach. I figured your parents had told you about him being our sheriff. Got injured playing, as we all see over and over on replays, and decided to go into law enforcement. He already had his degree in criminal justice, so he was hired with little if any debate. I heard that Rainey didn’t know he was even the sheriff when she moved here. Kind of a heartwarming Texas story about lost but not forgotten love. They are inseparable. You’ll like her a lot. What I’ve found so far is that she’s genuine and honest, like most Texas gals. I’ve grown fond of her. She gave Sylvie Dewey a job when she really needed it.” Mesa changed the subject. “Maybe the guys will come by for a drink, after the cleanup of the grounds is finished.”
About that time a woman a little over five feet tall with short auburn hair motioned from the bar.
“There’s Rainey. Now if we can only get through the crowd.” Mesa raised her voice even more to be heard above the music.
“She’s really attractive, but we’re both at least a foot taller than she is.” Dannie waved her hand in front of her face to chase away some of the smoke. She wasn’t even sure how Mesa recognized Rainey with the dirty haze hanging in the air.
“Haven’t you heard that big things come in little packages? She’s very sharp and likeable to boot. Rainey opened a law practice here.”
Mesa had barely finished her introductions when she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. Apparently, she had felt the vibration, as she punched in her security code, put up her index finger signaling she wouldn’t be long, and walked toward the bathroom.
“Mesa tells me that you own an antique shop where I got my costume.” Dannie tried not to delve into Rainey’s personal life and figured talking business was the best way to begin getting to know her. “I’ve always loved antiques.”
“I have, too. When I was in high school, I worked at an antique shop owned by Deuce’s mother, and she taught me so much. In those days, we’d have lots of books for research, but now it’s so much easier with the inter
net. But there is still nothing like holding a piece of antique glass in your hands and looking for proof of authenticity yourself.” Rainey took a sip of her drink at the same time the bartender appeared.
“What can I get for you this evening?” He wiped the counter off and put out napkins with a huge bucking bull embossed on the front. “We’ve got Bud Light and Miller on draft, but about everything you could want in the can or the bottle.”
“How about two Cokes with light ice and a lemon, please.” Avery ordered for both Mesa and herself.
Rainey and Dannie continued to get to know one another while they waited on Mesa and their drinks. Mesa returned and took her seat just as the bartender showed up with their order.
“I see you two got acquainted.” Mesa accepted the cold drink murmuring a thank-you. “That was strange. Our foreman called to say he caught a guy in the horse barn pilfering around. The kid wasn’t messing with the horses. Teg was afraid he was trying to steal saddles, but he wasn’t even in the tack room, plus it’s locked up tighter than a chastity belt. Caught him in the veterinarian’s barn. So many of my rescue horses need medical treatment, so we keep meds, particularly stuff to sedate a horse, antibiotics and the like stored out there.” Mesa took a sip of her Coke. “Of course under lock and key, too.”
“Have you ever had it happen before?” Rainey asked.
“No. It’s just weird. Teg called the sheriff’s office and reported it. He couldn’t get a good look at the intruder because the kid ran for his life when he saw Teg. It’s just strange.”
Rainey frowned. “That’s probably the reason Deuce called right before you all got here and said he had something come up and couldn’t make it tonight but would see me at home. He’s taking who I presume to be one of his deputies with him, but I couldn’t hear who it was because of the noise. I did get that he said to please send his apologies to both of you.” Rainey smiled, as if she and she alone knew a secret. “He suggested that we have a cookout very soon.”
Dannie answered, “That sounds like fun.”