High Lonesome

by Coverstone, Stacey

  “Ah, these kids are always looking for the next best thing. The grass is always greener, as they say.” He leaned into the back of the bar stool and crossed one leg over the other knee.

  Beth noticed he didn’t seem too concerned for having just lost two out of three employees. But Carmen did.

  “Now, what are we going to do?” She twisted her vein-ridden hands up in her apron. “We’ve got a business to run.”

  “Cody can handle the guests on his own for awhile, can’t ya Cody?” Scott said.

  “Yes sir. I won’t be running out on you. I know which side my bread’s buttered.”

  “I appreciate your loyalty, son.” Scott leaned over and clamped a strong hand down on the young man’s shoulder. “I suspect you’ve been the one to do the lion’s share of the work around the ranch as it was.”

  “I just do my job.” Cody shoveled a mouthful of sausage and eggs into his mouth.

  “Humility is a good quality. You’re a man of character,” Scott praised. “I’d been thinking about upping your wages anyway. Now seems like a good time to put a raise into effect.”

  Cody’s eyes lit up. He swallowed and then said, “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome. You deserve it. The guests all like you, and I like you. You’re a good wrangler.”

  “Thank you, Scott.” The young cowboy grinned and blushed.

  “What are we going to do about a housekeeper, Mr. Scott?” Carmen asked. Her skin wrinkled in folds, and anxiety rimmed her dark, tired eyes. “I’m busy and too old to cook and do the cleaning, too. You need to put an ad in the paper today. It’s going to be hard to find an honest girl around these parts. Remember how we went through four housekeepers before we found Amber?”

  Cody nodded and grabbed an apple out of the fruit bowl and crunched down on it. “I remember. One of them stole from the guests, and another one was always sleeping on the job. The other two were just plain lousy at cleaning.”

  Scott agreed. “It’s not easy finding and keeping good help. At least our current six guests are leaving this morning. We’ll have a break for several days before the next group comes in.”

  “Si, but the bulk of the work in the cabins gets done after the guests leave,” Carmen reminded him.

  Beth cleared her throat and raised her arm, like a school kid asking permission to speak. Although it had been her plan to leave today, it was impossible for her not to offer to help. Scott and Carmen had done so much for her. She owed them. “Excuse me. I don’t know why you’re all trying to figure out what you’re going to do about a housekeeper when you have one right here. I won’t steal from the guests, I won’t sleep on the job, and I can clean a toilet and launder towels as good as the next person.”

  Three pair of eyes fixated on her.

  “Let me help, Scott. It’s the least I can do until you can find someone to hire. Consider it partial payback for my room and board for the past few days.”

  “Beth, you don’t owe me anything,” he responded.

  “That’s not the way I see it. Please. You’ll insult me if you don’t let me help.”

  “I don’t know.” He scratched a hand through his blond mop of hair.

  “Well, I do. I’m telling you, I’m your new housekeeper, as of right now. No arguments.” She crossed her arms and glared at him.

  Carmen and Cody smiled and offered their approval with bobbing heads. “I guess Miss Beth just told you,” Carmen said, chuckling.

  “I guess she did.” Scott crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. “All right. But, only until I hire a new girl.”

  Beth extended her hand to shake. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

  ****

  Beth polished the cabin showers to a sparkle, scrubbed the toilets clean, and laundered, dried and stacked the towels for the arrival of the next guests the following week. She made up the beds with fresh sheets, vacuumed the floors, and swept the porches. Finally, the mini fridges were restocked, and she cleaned the coffee pots and mugs. After several hours of labor-intensive work, the she plopped down on the front porch of the last cabin and wiped her brow with the sleeve of her shirt.

  After resting a few moments, she hauled the bucket of cleaning supplies up the gravel drive toward the main house. Despite the physical labor, she’d never felt so energized and invigorated. She stopped at the pasture and stood at the fence to watch the horses. They were grazing, munching on grass with their tails swishing. She called to Sundance, and he ambled over and nuzzled her hand. The two of them had developed a bond of friendship and trust. Beth whispered in his ear and fed him a treat; one of several she had stashed in her pocket for quiet moments like this.

  Admiring the red hills towering behind the cabins, she felt so at peace and thankful that Scott had found her on the deserted road and took her in. Still, the truth about her life and how she ended up in the desert was never far from her mind.

  “Hey, Beth! How’s the cleaning business going?” Cody walked a dripping wet horse from the barn to the pasture. Both he and the horse gnawed on spikes of grass.

  “Great. Are all the horses getting baths today?”

  “Yep. And it’s not even Saturday night,” he joked. “Scott and Willow are in the arena, if you wanna stop by. Willow’s on Midnight practicing her pole bendin’.”

  “Thanks. I think I’ll do that. I love watching her. Have a nice afternoon, Cody.” Beth wandered over to the arena. A slight breeze blew through her hair and cooled her neck and face. She set the cleaning bucket down, pulled her hair into a ponytail, and climbed on top of the fence, hooking the toes of her boots under the wooden board.

  Scott stood at the end of the arena with a stopwatch in hand. When their eyes met, he waved. She waved back and set her attention on Willow and Midnight. Scott lifted his arm and shouted, “Go!”

  Willow spurred her horse into a gallop. The big bay’s muscles pulsated and his nostrils flared as they flew down the line of poles. Making a slight turn, the gelding zigzagged between the poles. Willow’s pigtails flew like flags from under her pink hat. She smacked the horse’s rump with a small whip, urging him to run full out down the final stretch. As they crossed the finish line, Beth clapped.

  Scott’s finger pressed down on the stopwatch. “Twenty-two point five!”

  Willow beamed. “Did you hear that?” she yelled to Beth as she trotted the horse to the fence.

  “I sure did. You and Midnight are a winning team.” Beth gave Willow a high five. Scott strayed over and joined their conversation.

  “I think she has a pretty good chance of winning the Little Wranglers competition. You did great, honey.” He squeezed Willow’s leg.

  “My money would be on you, if I had any money,” Beth added as an afterthought. Scott and Willow chuckled with her.

  “How’s your morning been?” he asked her, leaning against the fence close to her knee.

  “Great.” She ticked off the list of chores she had accomplished.

  He shook his head. “You’ve done way too much work. You’re supposed to be my guest, not my housekeeper.”

  She wagged a finger. “No arguments, remember? You promised.”

  “I remember, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. I feel terrible about this.”

  “You shouldn’t. It makes me happy to contribute to the ranch this way. Besides, I really enjoyed the work, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job. Maybe I’m a housecleaner in my real life.”

  “I doubt that.” Scott pulled a bandana from his back pocket.

  “Ranch life suits me. I sure am going to miss it here.” Beth sighed and stared into the mountains.

  Scott wiped his damp forehead and leveled a gaze at her.

  “Why will you miss it?” Willow asked, puzzled. “Where are you going?”

  Scott glanced between the two females. “One of these days Beth will be going home, back to where she came from.”

  “But we don’t know where she came from,” Willow replied, still con
fused.

  He was slow to respond. “That’s true, but Sheriff Buddy is working on it, and we both know what a good sheriff he is.”

  “Yep.”

  “He’s sure to figure it out, sooner or later.”

  Willow frowned. “I hope it’s later and not sooner.”

  Beth felt tears welling up again. The thought of leaving the High Lonesome, not to mention Scott and Willow, was almost more than she could stand. She rubbed her eye with the back of her hand. “I think I got a piece of gravel in my eye,” she fibbed.

  “Let me help.”

  Before she could refuse, Scott had wiped his hands on the bandana and was prodding her eyelid open with a gentle finger. His face was so close to hers she could feel his warm breath. The scent of cherry lip balm drifted off his slightly sunburned lips.

  He didn’t see a speck of gravel in her eye, as she knew he wouldn’t, and he backed away. But not before letting his finger trail down her cheek. The gesture was so intimate and unexpected it caused Beth to quiver. Even after her brush-off last night, the man apparently would not be deterred.

  “I think I got it out,” he said. A knowing smile tugged at his mouth.

  “Since your chores are done, what are you going to do now, Beth?” Willow asked. The girl was still sitting atop her well-behaved mount.

  Words were difficult. Scott’s touch along her cheek had sent heat coursing through her body, distracting her. When Willow repeated the question, Beth stammered, “Uh. I’m headed up to the main house to ask Carmen what else I can do.”

  “Seems to me you’ve worked hard enough for one day,” Scott said. “It’s too pretty outside to be stuck inside any longer. I have a great idea. Let’s pack a picnic and ride the horses to the lake. I’d love to finally show it to you.”

  “That sounds tempting,” Beth admitted. “But Carmen might need me. I’m on the clock now. Remember?”

  Scott grinned. “Carmen practically runs this entire ranch by herself. Let’s throw caution to the wind. I think a little spontaneous fun would do us both good. I’m free the rest of the afternoon. And as your boss, I’m giving you the time off.”

  “What about you, Willow? Would you like to come along, honey?” Beth asked.

  Scott sucked in a deep breath. Willow narrowed her eyes at him. Fishing around in her jeans pocket, she retrieved a piece of bubble gum and tossed it in her mouth. “Nope. I don’t believe I’ll go along this time. Cody needs my help straightening up the tack room this afternoon. Right, Cody?” She winked at the cowboy who appeared like magic at her horse’s side.

  Cody grinned. “Whatever you say, Willow.”

  “Where’d you come from?” Scott asked, baffled at the sudden manifestation of the wrangler.

  “Been right here,” Cody answered with a simple nod. “I need you to sign this, boss.” He handed Scott a clipboard and pen.

  After glancing over the paperwork, Scott scribbled his signature and chuckled. “I swear you weren’t here a moment ago. You see, Beth. I do need an afternoon off.”

  “Willow, are ya coming up to the barn now?” Cody asked.

  “Be right there.”

  Scott clapped his hands together. “Okay. It’s settled then. Beth, I’ll meet you at the barn in about a half hour. Does that give you enough time to clean up?”

  She set her shoulders thinking she should argue, but sighed and shrugged instead. It was hard to tell the man no. “Yep. That’ll be plenty of time.”

  Scott flashed a big grin. “You’re looking and sounding like a cowgirl more each day. I’ll ask Carmen to pack us a picnic lunch.” He offered to assist her down from the fence, but she shook her head and climbed down on her own.

  “See you soon.” She picked up the cleaning bucket and began the short walk up the hill, humming as she went. So much for distancing herself from him.

  Scott’s gaze followed the sway of her hips.

  Willow cleared her throat. “Will you please walk me and Midnight to his stall, Daddy?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I sure will.” So happy Beth had agreed to a ride and picnic, he’d forgotten about Willow standing there. He grabbed the gelding’s halter and they made the short walk to the barn in silence. “Are you really going to help Cody with the tack room?” he asked her once they reached the stall.

  She dismounted. “Yeah. Right after I eat lunch, play with my barn set, and watch cartoons.”

  “That’s a full schedule. You may not have time to get around to the tack room,” he teased.

  “Maybe not,” Willow agreed.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to ride to the lake with us?” he asked. He hadn’t spent a lot of time with her lately and suddenly felt guilty.

  “Nope. You and Beth can go by yourselves. I don’t mind one bit.” She slapped her pudgy hand across her mouth and started to giggle, as if she was hiding a secret.

  Scott chuckled and ruffled her hair. “I swear. Sometimes you’re too smart for your own britches.”

  ****

  Beth’s first glimpse of the lake, a shimmering jewel set among juniper trees, mountains, and a sapphire sky, nearly took her breath away. She stood in her stirrups and took in the astounding setting, unable to speak for some time. A long sigh escaped her throat.

  Scott reined in beside her. “We call it Lake Tusi. In the Apache language, it’s called tusikanni doole. Translated, that means Lake of the Butterflies. I’ll show you why.” They rode to the edge of the water and Beth could see where the lake got its name. Thousands of tiny butterflies flitted through the air, landing on wildflowers, purple thistles and the reeds that jutted up around the water.

  She gasped again, and could feel Scott’s smile before she caught sight of it out of the corner of her eye. “I’ve never seen any place like this. It’s so…magical. I never want to leave,” she whispered. “I’d like to build a little cabin right there on the edge of the water and stay here forever.” She pointed to the spot across the way. “I would sit on my porch and look at this view for as long as I lived and never grow tired of it.”

  He chuckled, a low masculine sound.

  Stirring from her reverie, she realized he spoke Apache. “I’m impressed.”

  “Ah, don’t be. I’ve lived around the tribe all my life. I’ve worked with the people and employed a few of the men, as you know. I don’t know a lot of the language, but I’ve picked up enough to communicate. The elders still speak it. Most of the young people don’t.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  His faraway expression changed to sharp awareness. “Maybe you could have your wish someday.”

  Her heart beat faster. “What do you mean?”

  “The little cabin on the lake.”

  “Oh.” His shining blue gaze penetrated her, piercing the shield protecting her heart. These past few days had been spent building herself a bulwark against the black spaces of her past. But with one look from this man, the walls crumbled. She gave Sundance a nudge with her spurs and trotted him to a small clearing on the other side. Scott followed.

  “This is the perfect place for our picnic,” she called over her shoulder.

  The spot was deep in luscious grass. They climbed off their horses and let them drink from the lake. When they’d had their fill, Scott tied them to a tree and both animals slept standing up.

  Scott pulled the lunches from out of his saddlebags as Beth retrieved a soft blanket from hers. She spread it on the ground, sat, and stretched out her legs. He sat cross-legged and handed her a sandwich wrapped in brown paper and a bottle of iced tea. As they ate, they talked.

  “This has always been one of my favorite places,” he said. “When I was a boy, Buddy and I would ride our horses up here and play cowboys and Indians. I think he and I could traverse these seven thousand acres with our eyes closed. We’ve been up every mountain and down every trail and in every cave there is. It sure was a great way to grow up.”

  “You were lucky. So is Willow. Children these days don’t get enough fresh air and exerc
ise. They’re too busy playing video games or sitting at the computer, or hypnotized by television. I notice Willow doesn’t watch much TV.”

  “Not much. She prefers the outdoors, just like her ‘ol dad.”

  Beth decided to bring up the subject neither of them liked discussing, but it continued to weigh heavily on her mind. “Scott, I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen to me. I can’t keep imposing on you, but I’m not sure what my next step should be. I’ve thought I should take a motel room in town as soon as you hire a new housekeeper. That is, if I’m not gone by then.”

  He took a bite of sandwich, apparently not wanting to respond.

  “I’m beginning to wonder if anyone’s out there looking for me at all,” she continued. “I can’t figure out why Sheriff Griggs hasn’t received any legitimate calls. Maybe it’s because I’m all alone in the world. Maybe my dreams haven’t been reality at all. Perhaps they’re only hallucinations caused by brain damage.”

  That comment stirred his interest. “Don’t say that. The CT scan didn’t show brain damage. And you’re not alone at all. You’ll always have me…and Willow, and Carmen,” he added quickly. He laid down his sandwich. “I don’t like talking about the possibility of another man in your life, but I know it could be reality. I wish there was something I could do to help relieve your concerns. Buddy’s doing everything he can to find your family. I know it’s just a matter of time now before someone shows up and you’re on your way home.” His brow furrowed. “I’m probably jinxing myself by saying that, because the last thing I want is for a man who may be your husband to show up in Ghost Rock and take you away.”

  Her heart contracted like a knife had been slashed into it. “Oh, Scott. I’m so confused. I know I’ve only been here a few days, but I feel like such a part of your family, and the ranch.

  There are so many people in this world who wouldn’t have looked at me twice that morning, let alone stop and take me into their home the way you did. I feel so fortunate it was you who came along. I shudder to think what would have happened if you hadn’t helped me.”

  Scott flipped off his hat, ran his fingers through his hair, and then plopped the Stetson back on. “It was destiny, Beth. But don’t underestimate folks. I think there are a lot more good people than there are bad in the world. I was just doing what I was taught. I try to treat people the way I want to be treated.”