High Lonesome

by Coverstone, Stacey

  Her pleased smile echoed Scott’s. “Thanks for getting right on this,” he told his friend.

  “Hey, when my best friend says jump, I ask how high.”

  “Buddy and I have been friends since we were in elementary school,” Scott clarified.

  “I lived down the road from the High Lonesome, and Scotty and I used to play all over those mountains. Didn’t we?”

  “Yep, we sure did.”

  The sheriff laughed and leaned back in his chair. “We’d ride our horses from sunrise to sundown, and go swimming in the lake. I bet we explored every hideout on the ranch when we were boys. Did Scotty tell you about all the caves up in the hills yet?”

  She nodded. “He mentioned something about them. Sounds like you two have a lot of shared history.”

  “Yeah, and it doesn’t stop there,” the sheriff remarked. “Now he’s dating my ex-wife. Get a load of that!”

  She threw Scott a curious glance. For some reason, the knowledge he was dating was a disappointment.

  Scott said nothing, but narrowed his eyes at his pal.

  The sheriff’s laugh was robust. “I see our mutual friend is going to remain mum on that topic.”

  Scott leaned over and plucked a donut from the box sitting on the corner of the sheriff’s desk. “I have a good idea. Why don’t we stop walking down memory lane and get back to figuring out how we can help this lady? I’ll go ask Linda to bring her camera in.” He sank his teeth into the donut and teasingly complained, “Stale” as he sauntered out of the room.

  “My ex-wife is a touchy subject,” Sheriff Griggs explained, grinning. “Not for me, but for him.”

  Linda interrupted their conversation when she stepped in. After she took several photos, the sheriff typed up a physical description.

  “I’ll get those flyers printed up and your picture on the internet as soon as possible,” he said. “I’ll let you know as soon as I get any leads or phone calls.”

  “Thank you so much,” she replied, shaking his hand.

  “You’re welcome, ma’am. I’ll do my best to help you find your way back home—wherever that may be. In the meantime, enjoy your stay at the High Lonesome. Scotty knows how to show his guests a good time.” The sheriff touched the brim of his hat with his finger and then clamped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Adios, pardner. Talk to you later.”

  Scott nodded. “Adios.”

  ****

  They sat in the clinic waiting room. Scott held a clipboard with blanks yet unfilled on the informational form. He took it up to the front desk. The young receptionist stared at the empty spaces on the paper.

  “I’m going to pay for this appointment,” he whispered. “Doctor Coleman referred us, and she knows all about this situation. It’s kind of unique and difficult to explain. The problem is the lady doesn’t know what to put in these blanks.”

  “Huh?” The girl cracked the gum in her mouth and loudly said, “You still have to put a name and address on here, even if you’re not using insurance. How are we supposed to make a file folder if we don’t have a name?”

  “Could you please lower your voice?” Scott raised a finger to his lips and made a shushing sound.

  “Don’t shush me, sir,” the girl said, firing him a rude look.

  “I’m sorry. Can’t you just put Jane Doe on the file folder? The patient”—he nodded toward the woman—”doesn’t know her real name.” He sighed. “As I mentioned before, Dr. Joanna Coleman is aware of all this.” He glanced back and saw all the people in the waiting room staring at the pretty brunette, and her looking as if she wanted to crawl under the chair.

  Just then, Joanna burst through the door. She made a beeline straight to Scott. “Hello, Mr. Landry.” Taking long strides to the front counter, she spoke to the receptionist in her usual assertive manner. “I called in and arranged for a three o’clock CT scan with Doug. Can you check to see if he’s ready for us?”

  “Yes, doctor.” The receptionist flipped through the notes on her calendar and then made a quick call. “You all can go on back.” Her tone changed from surly to polite under Joanna’s bold gaze.

  “Thank you. Follow me,” Joanna ordered both Scott and the woman. They all walked through a set of double doors and treaded down the sterile hallway toward the x-ray department. “Hello again,” Joanna said, turning to acknowledge her new patient.

  “Hello, Doctor Coleman.”

  “You’re looking much better than you did earlier today,” Joanna noted.

  “It’s remarkable what a hot bath and some fresh air will do for a body.”

  “Better than modern medicine in some cases,” Scott added.

  Joanna arched an eyebrow at the pair. “Here we are. Hello Doug,” she said, greeting the x-ray technician with a handshake. “This is Scott Landry. He’s the owner of the High Lonesome Ranch, and this is Mr. Landry’s guest. She has a hematoma on her forehead and is experiencing some memory loss.”

  “I have your orders right here, Doctor Coleman.” The technician tapped a file. “You can come with me,” Doug told the woman. “Doctor, you and Mr. Landry can wait in my office if you’d like. I’ll let you know when we’re done.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your squeezing us in like this.”

  “Glad to help.”

  Joanna tugged at Scott’s arm as the technician led the woman down another hall. She directed him into a small office and they plopped into leather chairs.

  “I couldn’t wait to see you.” She leaned over and surprised Scott with a passionate kiss. “What have you and the little princess been up to the last couple of hours?”

  Scott frowned. If the kiss had excited him, Joanna’s disrespect dashed it like cold water on a fire. “Little princess? Don’t call her names. Why would you refer to her that way?”

  “Oh, I’m just teasing. Don’t be so sensitive.”

  “I’m not. I don’t think assault and amnesia is anything to joke about, that’s all.”

  Her eyebrow arched. “Come on, Scott. How often do we see a case of amnesia around this little podunk town? Never. It’s kind of exciting for someone in my position.”

  He scratched at the leather arm of the chair with his nail. “I doubt she would consider getting beat up and dumped in the desert exciting.”

  “And what would she call it?” Joanna glared at him.

  “Disconcerting. Frightening. Confusing. Those are a few adjectives which come to mind.”

  Joanna snorted. “You know, it’s possible she could be faking the whole thing. Has that occurred to you?”

  His shoulders grew rigid. “Don’t be ridiculous. Why would someone like her fake amnesia?”

  “Someone like her? What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. I used the wrong phrasing. It’s just that I spent some time talking to her today, and she doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would go to the trouble of faking amnesia. What would be the purpose? Anyway, she didn’t give herself that lump on the head, and she didn’t twist her own arm. Someone violently attacked her, and we both know it.”

  “I’ve seen stranger things before, honey.” Joanna crossed her legs, purposefully revealing her slender and well defined leg. “You’d be surprised at the crazy things people will do for attention, especially women.”

  “Well I don’t buy it,” Scott replied, wrenching his gaze from her leg. “I don’t understand why you’re being critical. You’re a physician. You took an oath to show compassion and care for those in need. This lady fits the bill.”

  “I’m an M.D., not a mental health counselor,” Joanna answered with a smug expression.

  “She’s not mentally ill.” Scott bolted from the chair and shoved his hands in his pockets and paced in a circle.

  Joanna uncrossed her legs, rose and sidled close to him. “Why are you acting so nervous? Stop pacing,” she demanded. Stroking his jaw with her nails, she asked, “Are you coming over tonight?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  She bac
ked up and snapped, “But Willow’s gone. You told me you’d be free to spend the night.”

  “That was before all this happened. I should stay home in case this lady needs me. She’s had two terrifying flashbacks already today. That’s normal with amnesia, right?”

  Joanna flopped into the chair again and answered with a big sigh. “Yes, it’s normal. I’m having flashbacks, too—in case you care to know. I’m flashing back to when Buddy preferred spending his time hunting, fishing or riding the range, rather than be with me.”

  “What’s Buddy got to do with this?” Scott asked.

  “You seem to be falling into that same pattern.”

  “That’s not fair, Jo. Don’t lump this unique situation in with whatever irrational thoughts you’re having about you and me.”

  She shot him a look that could kill.

  Wishing to keep the peace, he sat and patted her knee. “Come on now. Let’s not fuss. Buddy’s already sending out bulletins all over the state and beyond. I’m sure we’re going to hear from someone in no time. There’s got to be someone out there who can identify her. Then you and I can take a weekend and go somewhere together.”

  Jo brightened a little. “Really?”

  “Sure.”

  “Okay. That makes me happier.” Reverting to her professional doctor mode, she inquired, “What has she remembered today? You said she’s having flashbacks.”

  “Yeah. She saw a vision of a child and a man.”

  “Maybe they’re memories of her family. I didn’t notice a wedding band on her hand.”

  “Me either, but maybe it slipped off if she had to fight off her attacker.”

  “That’s assuming she’s married. Are you figuring she is, just because she’s so attractive?” Joanna asked through clenched teeth.

  Scott rolled his eyes and rested his chin in his hand. “Don’t start again. I don’t want to argue with you.”

  “Okay. Sorry. Forget I said anything.”

  They sat not speaking for a while. Finally, Joanna broke the silence.”Scott, I do understand why you’re helping her. Part of the reason I love you is because you’re such a decent man. But the main reason I love you is because you’re so damn sexy.” She squeezed his thigh, causing him to jump. “I’m just disappointed, because I was planning a very romantic evening with you tonight. It’s been a while since you’ve been over.”

  He covered her hand with his. “I know. It’s been so hectic around the ranch, and now this. I promise we’ll go off together soon.” He tried to sound enthused, but his mind was elsewhere. A knot twisted his stomach. When he and the woman had touched, his heart had galloped like a stampeding horse. She was on his mind.

  The door opened and the technician stepped in. “All done. Your patient is out in the waiting room, Doctor Coleman. I’ll put a rush on this and call your office personally with the results.”

  Joanna and Scott rose simultaneously. Each of them shook his hand. “Thank you, Doug,” Joanna said. “Mr. Landry and I appreciate your help and cooperation.”

  The two of them found the woman sitting alone in the waiting room looking forlorn.

  “Hey, how did it go?” Scott asked, touching her shoulder.

  “Fine, I guess. Thank you, Doctor Coleman, for arranging this.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” Joanna fired a glance at Scott’s hand, which he jerked away.

  “If we’re done, then I guess we’re ready to go,” he said.

  Joanna spoke to the receptionist for a moment, and then the trio stepped outside and walked to Scott’s pickup. “Mr. Landry, I’ll call as soon as I get the results. I’ve got to head back to the office now. See you both later. Be sure and call if you have any concerns.” She waited until the woman turned her back and then winked at Scott before she slid into her Audi and drove away.

  He climbed into his truck. The woman was already inside with her head against the seat.

  “I was planning on taking you shopping,” he reminded her, “but maybe I should get you back to the ranch instead. It’s been a long day and you look exhausted.”

  “I am. Do you mind very much if I wear Maggie’s clothes for another day?”

  “Of course not. You’re welcome to anything in my home that you need, for as long as you’re with us. I’ll call Amber on my cell phone right now and ask her to get the downstairs guest room ready for you. It has its own bathroom. I think you’ll find it comfortable.”

  She nodded her approval and closed her eyes.

  Scott started the drive home wondering if the lack of a ring on her finger meant anything. As he stared at her profile, a pleasant sensation rolled through his torso. She was a stranger with no name, and yet, he felt he knew her. There was something about her that fired his blood and soothed his soul. He wanted to know her better and hoped that for once Buddy wouldn’t be good at his job and find her family too fast.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, she woke in a cold sweat. Springing up in bed, she gazed around. Where am I? It doesn’t look like my...Oh, yeah…this is his house. I’m sleeping in Scott’s guest room. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. He’d been in the dream she’d just had. Heat coursed through her veins as it replayed in her head.

  Why am I dreaming about the man? Didn’t I just learn he has a girlfriend? I might have someone of my own, she reminded herself. Stop thinking about him! I have more important concerns, like who tried to kill me and left me in the desert to die.

  Delicious smells wafted down the hallway and under the door of the bedroom. Her appetite had returned with a full vengeance, and she couldn’t wait to dig into some more of Carmen’s food. She jumped in the shower and dressed quickly, humming to drown out the growls her stomach was making.

  Walking down the hall, she passed Scott’s office door, which was closed, and prayed she wouldn’t run into him first thing. The dream was fresh, and she knew she’d not be able to look him in the eye without turning pink as a salmon. Fortunately, he was not in the kitchen either when she entered.

  “Buenos dias!” Carmen greeted her with a huge smile while stabbing slabs of bacon with a fork. Pancakes and eggs were bubbling on a griddle and bread was toasting. Coffee was brewing, a pitcher of orange juice sat on the counter next to a bowl of bananas, and potatoes were sizzling in a cast iron pan. The cook resembled an octopus with her hands reaching out in several directions.

  A small person sitting on a stool at the island peered up from a magazine and grinned. She was missing a front tooth.

  “Howdy. You’re the lady who don’t remember nothin’, ain’t ya?”

  Carmen reprimanded the girl in a low growl reminiscent of a mother bear. “Willow, that’s a rude thing to say to someone you just met. And don’t say ain’t.”

  “Sorry, Carmen.”

  “And one more thing. Quit speaking improper English. Your daddy sends you to school for a reason.”

  “Sorry again, Carmen.” The girl rolled her eyes, while not bothering to hide her mischievous grin.

  Seeing the little blonde girl triggered a strange sensation. She clutched the edge of the island as the vision of another small child formed in her mind. She was a young child with dark hair who was laughing and yelling the words, Higher! Higher!

  The flash vanished within a second, but the image shook her to the core. A strong sense of familiarity rushed through her veins.

  “You are the lady, right?” The girl tapped the countertop with her finger to get her attention.

  Realizing she’d blanked out for a moment, she regained her composure and climbed onto a bar stool to study the girl. Her hair was the color of a stalk of wheat, and she wore a pink cowgirl hat with rhinestones dotting the band. “Yes. I’m the lady. You must be Willow. Your dad told me about you.”

  “Carmen told me about you.” Willow glanced at the cook with her eyebrow raised.

  “Sorry, ma’am,” Carmen apologized. “But I thought I should give Willow a heads up about you and the...”

  “
That’s okay, Carmen.”

  “Is it true you don’t know your own name?” Willow asked.

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Can I see the bump on your head?” Willow tucked her feet under her bottom and leaned forward, propping herself on her elbows.

  “Okay. But are you sure it won’t make you queasy? It’s starting to turn a weird shade of green.”

  “Oh, no. I’m tough as nails. I saw a baby colt born before. There was a lot of blood and guts all over. A little knot on your head ain’t gonna bother me none.”

  “Willow!” Carmen slapped a spatula down on the counter. “The way you talk, child. I warned you. Speak correctly, por favor.”

  “Sorry, Carmen.” Willow emphasized the sorry and winked. The little girl then pulled a small magnifying glass out of her back jeans pocket and proceeded to inspect the bump as if she were a detective.

  “Where did you get a magnifying glass?”

  “Out of a spy catalog,” Willow replied. “Mmmm. That’s a right nasty looking bump, all right. May I see your arm, por favor? You’ll notice I speak Spanish, too.”

  Carmen’s expansive bosom vibrated as she chuckled, unable to hide her amusement.

  Stretching out her arm, she showed the girl the large purple and blue bruise.

  “Did somebody try to twist it off?” Willow asked.

  “I’m not sure. I don’t remember anything about my accident.”

  There was a bag labeled Beth’s Banana Bread sitting in front of the girl. She pulled out a thick slice and took a bite. “That’s a shame for you, but lucky for me. I’ve never met anybody who had amnesia before.”

  “Scott’s daughter is seven going on seventeen, ma’am,” the cook replied, shaking her head.

  Willow offered her new friend a slice of bread. “Would you like some? Carmen orders it special because it’s my favorite. It has loads of pecans in it. It’s delish!”

  “Thanks. To tell you the truth, I’m so hungry I could eat an elephant.”

  “Me, too. Have you ever eaten an elephant before, lady?”