by Clay, Verna
At the corral he rested his boot on the lowest crossbar and leaned against the railing. As expected, Newt's skill impressed the greenhorns. The old cowboy twirled the rope in a circle above his head and then lassoed the fence post next to Sage. Sage read his expression. Where the hell have you been? He responded with an innocent grin.
While Newt continued with another rope trick, the twins flanked him on either side. Now he was the center of their sandwich. Their shoulders rested against his. He glanced across the corral at the teenage kid and recognized the boy's look—envy. Sage sighed. Mindy and Mandy had no effect on him. He must be getting old.
Stepping away from the girls, he hopped over the fence and into the corral. While he walked toward Newt, the old curmudgeon whipped the rope in the air and perfectly captured him. All the dudes laughed, even sour-faced Mr. Hackstetter.
Sage stepped out of the rope. "How about we let our guests try their hands at lassoing? Jacob, would you like to be first?" The kid didn't think twice and vaulted over the railing. He shot his father a look that conveyed their love-hate relationship. Obviously, the kid was starving for his father's attention. "Mr. Hackstetter, why don't you join us?"
After a slight hesitation and a little nudge from his wife, he shrugged and clumsily climbed over the railing, even though Sage had walked to the gate and opened it. Father and son faced each other like an Old West shoot-out. Newt tossed the rope to Sage, who did some fancy twirling and then proceeded to instruct Jacob in lassoing an object—the object being Mr. Hackstetter. Surprisingly, after a few tries, the kid actually roped his dad. Everyone clapped, even Mr. Hackstetter. Jacob's chest visibly puffed out.
"Hey, Jacob, I think you're a natural," Newt called from the sidelines.
"I think you're right," agreed Sage. "Jacob, you can keep that rope and practice with it."
"Really? That's great!"
Mr. Hackstetter wasn't much of a roper and had no luck lassoing his son. However, he was a good sport about it, and ruffled his son's hair when they walked out the gate. Seeing the comradery between father and son made Sage happy, but also sad when he thought about his own son.
Next it was the twins turn and they shrieked with delight when Sage lassoed both of them together. Pink-T said with a giggle and wiggle, "Now that you've got us, Sage, what are you gonna do with us?" He smiled and tossed the rope to Newt, "I'm handing you over to Newt."
Undaunted, the girls turned their attention to the old cowpoke. Purple-T winked, and said, "We're all yours, Newt." Newt almost swallowed his false teeth.
Sage bid goodbye to the dudes and mounted Jackel. He had a ranch to run and needed to check the pastures and meet up with his other hands.
* * *
Julie bid a hasty goodbye to Tooty and her mom and rushed into the house. All day she'd wanted to blurt the fact that Mims Murphy was staying with them, but she'd given her word to keep it a secret. She knew Tooty would be mad when she found out she hadn't told her, but she just couldn't break her promise. Her dad had drilled into her the importance of keeping one's word.
Mims…er…Sarah, was sitting on the couch with her laptop in front of her. She was so absorbed she didn't even look up when Julie walked in. Julie cleared her throat, which got Sarah's attention.
"Hi, Julie. How was school?"
"Okay. Are you working on your new book?"
"Yes, I felt inspired. When that happens, I just go with the flow." She closed the laptop. "I think I'm winding down now, though."
Julie saw a strained look cross her face.
"Are you hurting?"
"Just a little. Writing takes my mind off of it." She leaned back against the couch cushions.
"Hey, you just rest. I have to go take care of my horse and then do some trick riding for the dudes, then I'll come back and help you with anything you need. Do you have to go to the bathroom or anything now?"
Sarah smiled. "Thanks, Julie. I'm fine. Your dad says you're a great rider with lots of ribbons."
Julie blushed. "I probably wouldn't have ribbons with any other horse."
Sarah chuckled, "I love the name of your horse, Precious Pudding."
"Really? You can use the name in one of your books if you want."
"Thanks. That's sweet of you. If I do, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Oh, don't worry about that. I'd know because I read all your books."
"Speaking of books, you're still carrying your backpack."
"Oh yeah, guess I better take it to my room and change clothes." Not wanting to leave, but knowing she should go over early and meet the dudes, she said goodbye to Sarah.
From four until five, Julie and Precious Pudding demonstrated trick riding. The teenage boy, Jacob, was kinda cute. He made butterflies flutter in her stomach.
While she was leading Precious Pudding back to the barn, Jacob trailed along with her. "You're really good," he said.
"Thanks. Is this the first time you've been on a ranch?"
"Uh, yeah. But your dad said I'm a natural roper. He said he'd teach me some more stuff tomorrow. Are you gonna ride for us again? I'm here for two weeks."
"Yeah, I usually do trick riding a couple times a week. Too bad you're leaving in two weeks instead of three."
"Why?"
"You'll miss our Annual Covered Wagon Three-Day Trail Blaze. We get together with another dude ranch, the Triple T, and travel in—you guessed it—covered wagons! The route is about ten miles and we keep it as authentic as possible; act like real pioneers."
"Wow, that sounds…rustic."
"Yeah, we usually lose a couple of pioneers."
Jacob gave her a strange look.
She laughed. "I don't mean 'lose them' like leaving them behind or anything. Newt radios one of the hands to pick them up."
"Oh, you had me goin' for a minute." He hesitated, "So, what grade are you in, Julie?"
Julie's stomach flip-flopped when he said her name. "I'm in eighth, going into ninth. My dad's making me take some summer school classes. What about you?"
"I'll be a freshman when school starts again."
When Julie began unsaddling her horse, Jacob asked what he could do to help. He even helped her brush Precious Pudding. "So…Jacob…" She liked the sound of his name. "Are your mom and dad enjoying ranch life?"
He frowned. "My mom is. Dad—probably not. It was my mom's idea that we come. She sorta roped my dad into it." He grinned.
Julie grinned back.
"They don't get along too well. My dad's a workaholic—can't live without his cell phone. He was really pissed when he got here and there was no service." He snickered. "I'm surprised he's stayed this long. What about your mom? I haven't met her."
"My mom died in a car accident when I was five."
"Oh, I didn't mean to pry. I'm sorry."
"No, really, you didn't. My dad's done a great job of raising me, although I wish he'd fall in love again and get married. I'm not one of those daughters who wants her dad all to herself. I'll be gone to college before you know it and I want my dad to have someone special."
Jacob tapped his jaw. "You know, those twin sisters, Mindy and Mandy, seem to have a thing for him. Maybe one of them–"
Julie stopped brushing her horse's flank and busted out laughing. "Those are the least likely ones my dad would go for. We always get women signing up for the dude ranch just so they can meet him."
Jacob looked puzzled.
Julie leaned toward him and whispered, "He's a pretty famous model…in lots of magazines and on book covers. When the ladies track him down, he hates it. I just wish he'd find someone like Mims…" She clamped her mouth shut. "I mean someone normal."
"Wow. Your family is full of surprises."
Chapter 9: Family Photos
For three days, Sarah took advantage of her convalescence and typed nonstop. She got over twelve thousand words written and several rewrites of previous chapters. Sage continued personally delivering her meals and joining her with his. He asked questions about the writing process and g
enuinely seemed interested in what she had to say.
By the fourth day of her recovery, her ankle was feeling much better and she had mastered the art of maneuvering with crutches. Boredom led her to the living room early. She tried to write but couldn't get into the flow. Grabbing her crutches, she decided to get a little exercise by hobbling around the living and dining rooms. In the dining room, she paused before a buffet displaying several pictures.
There was a wedding photo of a young Sage and his bride. They didn't look more than eighteen or nineteen. She still didn't know anything about the mystery wife, and hadn't felt at liberty to ask Julie. There was a picture of a middle-aged couple with an even younger Sage and his wife, probably his girlfriend at the time. She glanced at another photo that gave her pause. Picking it up, she puzzled over it. It was Sage and his wife and they each held a toddler. His wife had a girl on her lap and Sage had a boy on his. The little girl looked like Julie.
"That's my twin brother, Michael." Julie said from behind her.
Sarah gasped and placed her free hand over her heart.
Julie walked beside her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay. Maybe I shouldn't be in here anyway."
"No, no. The pictures are there to enjoy."
Sarah set the photo back in its place and bit her lip. She wanted to ask about the twin brother, but wasn't sure if she should.
Julie seemed to read her mind and picked the picture up. "My mom, Marylou, and my brother died in a car accident when I was five."
"Oh, God, I'm so sorry."
"Hey, it was a long time ago. Me and Dad choose to remember the good times. That's why we've got the pictures displayed."
Sarah heard movement and turned to see Sage leaning against the curved archway opening into the living room. Mortification flooded her body and crimson color crept all the way to her face. She didn't know what to say.
Sage pushed upright and directed his gaze at Julie. "Sweetie, are you ready for school?"
Julie nodded, "Almost, I just have to gather a couple things." She looked at Sarah, "I'll see you later." Giving her dad a quick hug, she rushed from the room.
Sarah avoided looking at Sage and concentrated on her crutches. Willing her voice not to shake, she looked at his boots. "I'm really sorry. I wasn't being nosy. I just saw some pictures and…" Her voice trailed.
"You know, Mims, you're really fetching when you blush," he chuckled and walked away.
Fetching when you blush. Sarah's mortification intensified. Who talked like that, and was he making fun of her again. She didn't know whether to be flattered or angry. What she did know, however, was that the phrase would sound great in her book. Hastening back to her laptop, her fingers tapped the keys.
Tarah smoothed her skirt and fiddled with her hair. Loosing a few tendrils from its bun, she arranged them to showcase her pale complexion.
Since the day she'd responded to Gage's kiss before pulling away and rushing from him, she had avoided him. Tonight, however, there would be no further avoidance. His father had arrived and expected the entire household to dine in style, which meant dressing for the occasion. Tarah gazed in the mirror at her pink, calf length, polished-cotton skirt and embroidered peasant top. It was the nicest outfit she owned. Still, she knew it would pale in comparison to Daisy and Dolly, the Dempsy twins', elegant attire.
Sighing, she left her room and stepped down the grand staircase. Unexpectedly, Gage exited the drawing room and glanced up. She stumbled and blushed profusely at her clumsiness. He waited at the bottom of the stairs. When she reached the last step and still refused to meet his eyes, he said, "You're fetching when you blush, Miss Casey."
Sarah sighed and closed her laptop.
Chapter 10: Cowboy Up
Two days later, Sarah felt really good. She was even walking short distances without the crutches, although she didn't let Sage see her progress because of ensuing lectures.
During lunch, he told her he was treating his guests to steaks at a popular restaurant and then showing them a good time at the local hot spot. Sarah knew it was part of the package deal the dude ranch advertised.
He glanced at her wrapped foot. "So, do you feel up to going? You won't have to crutch much; just to and from the restaurant and club. Seeing the locals in action would be great research."
Sarah didn't have to think twice. "I'd love to go."
"Great. We leave at five. The teenagers will join us for supper and then Newt's taking them to a local video arcade. After supper, the adults can kick back with a few beers, do some line dancing, and enjoy the cowboy way." He winked and added, "Since Beaner and I are the designated drivers, we don't get to drink."
After Sage gathered their trays and left, Sarah opened her laptop and typed a note for revising one of her chapters—Gage Introduces Tarah to the Wild Side.
* * *
By four o'clock, Sarah had tried on several outfits. She had no idea which one to choose. Should she wear her denim skirt, her Levi jeans, a fancy shirtdress, or something else? There was a knock on her door. Maybe it was Julie and she could help her decide.
"Who is it?" she called.
"It's me, Julie. Can I come in?"
"Oh yes, please."
Julie opened the door and glanced at the mound of clothing on the bed.
Sarah motioned her forward. "Julie, I'm so glad you're here. I need help in deciding what to wear. I bought cowboy boots in Los Angeles, but what should I wear with them? "
Without hesitation, Julie picked up the denim skirt, a pretty peasant top, and a denim vest. "This would look really nice."
Sarah accepted the clothes and heaved a sigh. "Thank you, honey. I don't want to stand out like a sore thumb."
"Mims…I mean Sarah, you're gonna look like a regular cowgirl."
Sarah ignored Julie's slip up because she really didn't care at this point.
Julie continued, "Dad said you're riding with us in his truck."
"Okay. Should I wear dangling earrings, too?"
Julie grinned. "Yeah, they'll add a great touch."
In a spontaneous gesture Sarah hugged Julie. "Thank you."
Several minutes before five, Sarah sat nervously on the couch with her hands tucked under her knees. She hadn't felt this anxious in a long time. You'd think I was going on a date.
She glanced from her wrapped foot to the other one in her fancy cowboy boot, wishing she could have worn both of them. Hearing a door close at the back of the house, she waited for Sage to enter from the kitchen. When he walked into the room, she couldn't breathe. He looked like he'd just stepped off the cover of Cowboy Vogue with his longish mahogany hair brushed back and golden highlights visible even inside the house. He wore an off-white Chambray shirt tucked into faded low-riding Levis. An intricately tooled deep-chocolate leather vest complimented his tan. The inevitable leather belt and silver buckle encrusted with semiprecious stones completed the look.
Sarah realized she was staring and quickly looked down at his brown and beige ostrich boots.
"Ready to go, Sarah?" If he'd noticed her gaping, at least he was polite enough to act like he hadn't.
"Ah, yes." She reached for her crutches while he opened the front door. On the porch, she asked, "Where's Julie?"
He pointed toward the dorm where Julie was talking to a teenage boy in front of Newt's truck. The rest of the guests were loading into the van. Sage helped Sarah down the porch steps and then opened the truck's door. Julie rushed over and Sarah waited for her to enter first.
Sage said, "No, Sarah, you first. You'll be able to stretch your leg out better." To her chagrin, he took her crutches and put them in the truck bed, then bent to catch her under the knees and lift her into the cab. Julie waited for her to scoot to the center of the seat and Sage hopped in on the driver's side. Although she tried to keep from rubbing shoulders with him, there was no help for it. Every time the truck hit a bump, she was forced against him. He smelled like pine trees and fresh air.
* * *
Sage held the door open to Big Bertha's Steak House for all the dudes, Newt, and Beaner to enter. The hostess knew the routine and led them to a reserved area at the back of the restaurant. Three tables had been pushed together end-to-end and two servers descended to take drink orders as soon as everyone was seated. More servers distributed menus. Sage sat at one end of the table and Newt at the other. Jacob and Julie sat next to each other about halfway down, with Sarah beside Julie and Beaner beside Jacob. Mr. and Mrs. Tully were on either side of Newt and the Hackstetters were next to them. Mr. Hackstetter pulled out his cell phone and started texting. Obviously, he now had cell phone service. He ignored his wife's glare. Sage watched him glance at her and mouth the words, "What! What!" She blinked rapidly and look down, surreptitiously swiping at her eyes. Sage looked back at her husband. Asshole.
The M and M twins had maneuvered themselves to either side of Sage and he frequently felt the brush of a slender leg. He sighed. Newt was recounting one of his stories about the Wild West that Sage had heard at least a hundred times. He turned his attention to Sarah.
If ever there was a greenhorn trying to look country, she was it. She stood out like a sore thumb. He lifted his napkin to his mouth to hide a smile. She looked cute as hell! At the moment, he couldn't remember why he'd ever considered her plain. He had to stifle a laugh. Somehow, Sarah—alias Mims—was the only woman he knew who personified the words prudish but feisty. She glanced at him and he held her gaze. She looked away first and turned pink. She was looking cuter by the second.
He turned his attention to his guests and talked the same old bullshit he did at every dudes' dinner, except this one was more fun.
After a dinner of juicy steaks, country fries, homemade rolls, corn-on-the-cob, green salad, and peach pie for dessert, Newt took the teenagers to Archie's Video Depot so the adults could enjoy a rip-roarin' time at Boot Bustin' Barn. Sarah rode with Sage while Beaner drove everyone else in the van. At the club, he came around to open her door and laughed at her wide-eyed expression. The "Barn" did have certain flair with its gigantic bull statue in the parking lot lit by neon lights. Every few minutes, the monster made itself known.
