Picking Roses

by BA Tortuga

  “Well, maybe not good,” Charlene said.

  “Hey! Don’t make me hurt you, you old dyke.”

  Rose gasped and stared up, eyes wide, but Janie was laughing and so was her new friend.

  “Two coffees and I want a patty melt and then feed this poor girl something warm.”

  “I have a green chile stew or potato soup, or the special is meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”

  “Green chile stew sounds amazing. Thank you.”

  Janie headed into the tiny kitchen and Charlene gave her a long once over. “Okay, then. You’re heading into Steamboat, you said?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Do you have chains for your truck?”

  She didn’t even know what that meant, so Rosie shook her head. Presley wiggled and she put him on the seat between her and the wall.

  “They go on your tires,” Charlene said. “Give you traction.”

  “Oh. No. Can I…? Where do they do that?” Was there a Wal-Mart close?

  “Oh, I always carry a few sets.” Charlene grinned, that tooth glinting. “People slide off the road and stuff and I try to help out.”

  “Oh, for real? I can totally, like, pay for them. I just…” The tears started again and suddenly Janie was beside her and there were three coffees and a fifth of Jack.

  “The roads are closed, honey. Least until the ice lets up, but we have heat and food, even if the lights go out.” Janie put a shot in all their glasses. “Now, tell us what the hell you’re doing so far outside of the Lone Star state.”

  The coffee burned, all the way down, and by the time the patty melt had cooked, Rose had told them about Les and Timmy, about Beau and Sam and her crazy plan to come up here and surprise her cowboy.

  The green chile stew was hot and spicy and tasted like heaven, if heaven was a truck stop in Wyoming.

  * * * *

  Les slammed the door of his truck, cursing a blue streak. The roads were… Well, he couldn’t make it off the ranch. He had to round up enough hands to do extra feeding or the cattle would freeze.

  He was going out of his mind with worry.

  It had been more than a day since he’d heard from her. More than a day since anyone had and she didn’t know shit about driving on snow.

  Oh, God. Let her get here safe.

  Les whistled up Izzy, knowing he had work to do. He hated to play this game, but life went on and the ranch didn’t wait.

  There was nothing he could do that wouldn’t make shit worse.

  Harris came to him, bundled up nice and good. “You hear anything yet?”

  “No, sir.”

  “I’ve got a call out on the CB, Les. The truckers are hunting for her. So’s my cousin.”

  “Thank you. I should have gone to get her as soon as Mr. Beau called me the first time. What was I thinking?”

  “Oh, son. You’re a man in love. There ain’t been one of us that has ever thought in that situation.”

  “She was so proud of surprising me, I reckon. I wanted to work on the house and surprise her, too.”

  “Well, just think how good it’ll be when all’s said and done. My missus is excited to meet her. I’m excited that means you’ll stay.”

  “I will.” He smiled because the boss deserved it for that. “I appreciate all your help.”

  “You’re family. I’ll holler if I hear anything. You take the boys and get those calves in.”

  “Yessir.” They’d get the hot feed out and round up the rest of the calves. Mommas too if they could.

  Maybe by the time he was done, the ice would cut the hell out and he could go find his Rosie.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Rose swerved on the highway, her heart slamming in her chest.

  There was snow.

  Everywhere.

  Snow.

  And it wouldn’t stop and it wouldn’t stop and she couldn’t bear doing this one more minute, even with all the help she’d been getting.

  She’d never been so fucking scared.

  Never.

  The ice had moved out and the snow had started overnight as they’d slept at the truck stop. The white stuff was heavy and wet, big flakes that made everything slick as snot. So frightening. Her hands hurt, her shoulders hurt. Her head was killing her. The light was impossible, visibility was down to nothing, and all she could see were Charlene’s taillights on her Safeway trailer. They were crawling along, her eyes feeling like grit stuck in them. She almost missed it when Charlene’s turn signal came on.

  She slid a little because she pushed the brakes too hard, but she kept it on the road. Just barely. Rose pulled into a truck stop and slid to a stop beside Charlene’s semi. Her own personal little hero hopped out, smiled at her, gold tooth glinting. “Okay. We gotta stop, honey. They’ve closed my route and I’m going to cool my heels here for a little bit of time. You’re in Steamboat, though. You know where you’re going?”

  “Yeah.” Kinda.

  Except not really.

  Still, Charlene had been a life saver, had put her chains on, had babied her and her wee truck all the way here.

  “You’ve been a doll baby.” She hopped out of her truck, hugged Charlene hard. “Thank you.”

  “Honey, let me give you my spare coat? That wee jacket you have is not gonna work.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t…”

  “Bullshit. You’re heading where?”

  “The Rocking D Ranch.”

  “Good deal.” Charlene grabbed a huge quilted jacket out of her truck and shoved it at her. “Go on. It’s gonna get worse. You be careful, pretty girl.”

  “I will. I promise.” She took a deep, deep breath. Then she got back in the truck and grabbed her little map.

  Charlene tapped on the truck window.

  “Hey! Come on. One more cup of coffee.”

  “But you said…”

  “Yeah, but you’re looking tired. One cup.”

  “I. Yeah. Yeah, okay. One cup. You think Presley’ll be okay?”

  “Pop him in the little carrier this time. No one here will bitch, sweetpea.”

  “Okay.”

  Okay.

  One more cup of coffee before she did the most frightening thing in her whole life. Alone.

  * * * *

  The phone rang at three in the afternoon, and Les lunged for it, his stomach rolling. Every time the phone rang, he knew something awful had happened and someone was finally going to tell him.

  “Yeah?”

  “Les? Sallie. Man, you gotta come down to the café.”

  “Sallie, I’m a little busy.” Waiting on his southern girl in a blizzard.

  “Les. You gotta come. Now.” He’d known Sallie for years, and she never did anything without a reason.

  “What’s going on?” He’d come help if someone was in trouble, but if it was a moose at the truck stop, he needed to stay and wait for Rosie. The snow had come again overnight. All ten inches and still snowing.

  Sallie’s voice dropped. “Les, your lady’s here. Charlene stops here every week and she says your girl can’t go no further.”

  “What?” Oh, shit and shinola. She was there. In town. “I’ll be there. Keep her in that café.”

  “Good. She looks wiped, honey.”

  “I’m on my way. Just… Don’t give her the bill or something.” He could be there in maybe twenty.

  “You got it.” The phone line went dead, and Les grabbed his coat and his keys, heading out like his ass was on fire.

  The snow was coming down, just vicious, and he couldn’t help but be fiercely proud of his girl. She was so brave. So smart. Yeah. He was proud. Now it was time to go get her, though. Maybe kick her ass a little.

  His phone rang as he got into the truck, Rosie’s ringtone sounding.

  “Hello?” His heart just pounded in his chest.

  “Les? Les, are you busy? I need to talk to you.” She was crying—he could hear it.

  “No, honey. I’m right here.” Please don’t tell me you want to go
home to Texas, he thought. Please.

  “I… I wanted to surprise you, so much, but I’m cold and I’m scared and I need you to come help me. I tried to surprise you, but…” She sniffled, sobbed. “I’m here, in Colorado. In Steamboat. I missed you, so bad.”

  “Oh, honey. Where? I can be in town in fifteen minutes.” Since he was already in his truck and heading out, it would be no problem.

  “You’re not mad?”

  “God, no. I’m tickled. Snow’s bad, though, huh?” He got out on the main road, giving it as much speed as he dared with the chains for traction.

  “Uh-huh. I tried to make it the whole way, but…”

  “Oh, Rosie. You did so good. This is a freak storm.”

  “I’m at the…uh. Jack’s Truck Stop. Me and Presley.”

  “I’m on my way, honey. Which way did you come up? From Denver or Laramie?”

  “Laramie. Do… Do I need to get me a hotel room or something?”

  “No, honey. No. I’ll come in and get you, and we’ll get someone else to drive your truck in to the ranch.” Someone would do it for him.

  “You’re coming? For real?” She was just about to lose her shit—he could hear it in her voice.

  “I am. I’m ten minutes away.” Provided he didn’t slide off the road.

  “Okay. You be careful. I’ll pay my tab and stuff.” She sniffled again. “I love you, huh?”

  “Oh, Rosie. My girl. You came for me.” He was so proud he could bust.

  “I did. I couldn’t wait anymore to be home with you.”

  “I could just explode, Rosie-girl.” He chuckled. “You know I been missing Presley.”

  “He misses you. Come fetch me home, cowboy. I need to lay my burden down a while.”

  He could see the lights of the truck stop through the thick snow, now, and Les nodded. “I’m almost there, lady. Get your huggin’ arms ready.”

  He hung up the phone, parked by her tiny little truck that was loaded up with her things. Lord. She came out, Presley’s carrier in one hand, so Les hopped out of his truck and hustled over, grabbing her in a bear hug even as he took the carrier from her. “Oh, honey.”

  “Les.” Those great big eyes met his and filled with tears. “You’re here.”

  “I am. Hi, honey.” He kissed her, and her nose was so cold. So cold even after she’d been in the café.

  She shivered and snuggled in. “Hi. Hi, Les.”

  “Hey. You feel good.” Presley was going crazy, yapping like a fool.

  “Is… Is there somewhere we could go?” she asked. “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “Go? We’re going home, honey.” He blinked a snowflake off his eyelashes and realized he’d forgotten to put on his hat.

  “Okay.” She didn’t question, she just let him tuck her into the curve of his arm. “What about my truck? Is it safe?”

  “I’ll get Jud to drive it back in right now. That way you’ll have your stuff. I see his truck right there. Abe can bring him back to town.” He led her to his truck, pulling out his cell. He didn’t want to leave her for a moment.

  “Thank you.” She handed him her keys, her fingers almost blue. Lord, he needed to get her gloves, boots.

  “Come on, honey.” He got her and Presley in the truck and sat to call Jud. He cranked the heater up, pulling his coat off and wrapping it around his baby girl.

  “Oh, your truck.” She grinned at him. “I even missed your truck.”

  “Did you? It sure is bigger than yours.” Bless her heart. They’d have to get her a little bit heavier vehicle. Maybe one of them SUVs with the nice wide wheelbase.

  “Yeah. It feels less…slippy.”

  “I bet.” He took her hand when Jud answered. “Hey, buddy, do me a… Yeah. I’m still out in the lot. Abe is at the bunkhouse. Uh-huh. I’ll buy you both a beer.”

  Rose’s eyes were closed and he could see how tired she was, but there was a little smile on her lips, like she was happy and couldn’t hide it.

  “Thanks, man.” He hung up, then waited to hand Rosie’s keys over to Jud, who came up to the window. “It pulls a little to the left.”

  “Gotcha.” Jud gave him a thumbs up, and they were off like a herd of turtles.

  “Look at all that snow.” She had Presley on her lap, one hand on his thigh. “And the mountains…”

  “Mmm. It’s pretty, huh? The house, it has a fireplace.” Hopefully that would be a good thing. He’d noticed that Texans loved their fires, though God knew why. It was always hot down there.

  “Yeah? I like the smell of a wood fire. Is your boss gonna be mad that I’m here?”

  “No, honey. He’ll be tickled.” The boss wanted him to stay. A lot.

  “Good. I wanted to be home with you for Thanksgiving, cook for you.”

  “Yeah? We gonna have something yummy?” She was dealing with everything so well. He was damned proud now that he was no longer scared to death.

  “Whatever you want, plus a pecan pie.” Her hand petted his leg, slow and easy. “I brought my kitchen stuff.”

  “You brought a whole truck. You mean it when you say you’re moving in.” He patted her hand before he had to shift down. “Thank God.”

  “I am. I mean, I can get an apartment, if you need me to, but… Les, I love you. I want to be here, with you.”

  “Rosie. I want you. Trust me. With me. I been fixing up the house, getting ready for you. This is a thing. No more doubts.”

  “Thank God.” She started crying, shoulders shaking with it.

  “Oh…” Poor baby. He wanted to hug her hard, but he had to watch the road.

  “I’m okay. Just silly.” She sniffled.

  “You’re just a little overwhelmed.” The ranch road came up in no time, Les taking the turn slow and flashing his lights to let Jud know it was slippery. Rosie kept crying a little, hiccups coming from her throat.

  She dried her eyes in time to see the big house. “Is that the main house? How pretty! I bet he gets lots of visitors.”

  “He gets a few, for sure. I keep telling him he ought to rent out rooms.” Les pulled on past the big house, then the bunkhouse, heading for his little place down the way, past the hay shed.

  He was a little worried that she’d be disappointed, but her face lit up when she saw the house. “Oh, Les… Is that our house?”

  “It is.” The lights were all on, so the place kinda glowed a little against the white everywhere. Les pulled up right next to the back door, and Jud swung around behind them.

  “It’s so pretty.”

  “It is? I mean, yeah, it is, but I’m glad you think so, too.” He’d call Abe, have him come get Jud. “Come on, honey. Let you and Presley meet Iggy.”

  “Okay.” Rosie nodded, stepped out of the truck, Presley’s carrier in hand. “Can I just let him out?”

  “Well, he might disappear. You can in the house, you know? I’ll shovel him a path in a minute.”

  “I can do it, later.” Rosie grinned at him. “After I have a bath, maybe.”

  “Honey, it will take me two minutes. He can go over here for right now, where the house hangs over.” He took Presley’s crate, let the little bit feel the snow before leaving him to pee.

  The pup sniffed the snow, put one paw in, then started barking at it. Of course, that got Iggy to come a runnin’, and next thing Les knew, Iggy had mowed Rosie down into a pile of snow, paws on her shoulders, licking her face and wagging.

  “Shit!” He grabbed the heavy collar and pulled Iggy off, then picked Rosie up. Looked like Presley had piddled when the big beast had bounded out, so they could all go in and get warm and dry.

  Rosie blinked up at him, her dark hair knocked loose, snowflakes dotting her eyelashes as she stared at him. “I think he likes me.”

  “I think he does, too. I been telling him about you.” Somehow Abe was already there to get Jud, so Jud must have called. Les shook hands with both men briefly. “Thanks, guys. I’ll get the next round when we get together.”

  “Shi
t. You just share some of that candy again, we’ll be even.”

  “I brought boxes worth, boys. There’s plenty.” Rosie dusted snow off her enormous jacket.

  “Hoo yeah.” There was a lot of back slapping and shit, then they were alone. “Come on, honey. I can start a fire.”

  “Les, I haven’t seen you in ten weeks. I don’t need a fire.”

  Oh.

  Oh!

  He grinned hugely. Right. They could warm each other up.

  He opened the door, and his girl went in, glancing around. “Oh, Les. It’s so pretty and warm and look at the windows!”

  “You like it? I didn’t change the curtains any. I figured you’d want to get them. No big roses, though.” He thought they could compromise.

  “No?” she teased. “I thought you liked roses.”

  “They’re okay. I put little ones in the guest bath, even. We’ll plant you bushes.” There. Compromise.

  Rosie chuckled. “The sofa is leather like the ones in Cheyenne—I’ll make some light sheer ones.”

  “There you go.” He moved closer to her, the weirdness of her suddenly being there falling away. He could kiss her now.

  She blinked up at him, eyes a little watery. “Home, huh?”

  “Home.” Les bent, kissing her mouth, his thumbs on her cheeks to wipe her tears.

  His Rosie opened up to him, sweet as sugar, tongue sliding in to touch his. Her arms slid up around his neck, and he cupped her butt, and they were cookin’ with oil, all of a sudden. She was soft, in all the places a lady was supposed to be soft, and his body stiffened in response.

  Les grunted, pushing Rosie all of a sudden, walking her back to the bedroom. He’d wanted to give her the whole tour, but he couldn’t wait. She went easy, like she agreed with him, fingers working his flannel open. They got to the bed and Les started stripping her down. He’d had the little space heater on until he’d left, getting it nice and cozy for them to be naked.

  “Pretty room.” Her eyes were on him, though, that expression and those hands exploring him. “Oh, God. I’ve been missing you.”

  “I missed you, too, honey. So bad.” Hell, he hadn’t even realized how bad it ached, that empty spot. Not until he’d seen her again.