Lassoing The Last Dance (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight Book 4)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

“We’ll both share!” Roxanne chimed on the way in.

  “We gotta get this horse back later. But first…” He halted her. “I promised you a ride on this horse. Follow us, Zach.” Randy took the reins.

  Roxanne got on the horse. “We can do this tomorrow night. Let’s eat and talk with your friend.”

  “You’re up there now. Slip your feet out of the stirrups.” Randy got on the horse behind her. “We’ll make it short. Hang on. Zach, we’ll be right back. I promised the gal a ride and she’s getting one. Go grab a beer. Get the food out of my truck. Save us some! Yahh.” Off they went down Randy’s road. He slipped his arm around her waist and leaned forward. “How do you like this gallop? Ain’t it cool? I love it!”

  “It’s great! Smooth. Shouldn’t we get back?”

  “Yeah. Awesome, huh?” Randy pulled the horse to a stop at Rocky Road and they waited in silence except for the familiar sounds of the evening. The only unnatural sound was a car going down the 60 in the distance. He held her tight. The horse beneath them wasn’t going to let this moment last, for he was too antsy to just stand here while two lovers basked in the dusky night. “Guess we better get back. I’m double starved now. There better be some left.” He turned around and they trotted back.

  At the front of the house, he tied the horse to the porch rail out front and helped Roxanne down against her wishes. “Let’s get Zach then take this horse back. Do you mind riding in the truck with Zach?”

  “No, not at all. He’s nice.” She snickered and leaned in. “You didn’t tell me he was such a doll.”

  “What’s this doll stuff?” Inside the house, she stuck the food into the refrigerator. Randy grabbed them a beer, and they went outside. “We’re driving straight that way. Or, I’m riding straight that way. Great timing on your part.” He shoved Zach’s arm. “You arrived in time to help me fix up my barn.”

  “Wonders never cease!” Zach held the door for Roxanne and took the keys from Randy. He grinned the whole time. “The food aromas in there got my stomach to growling. How long we gonna be gone?”

  “A few minutes. We’ll come back faster than we’re going.” He couldn’t look at his friend without seeing a ton of memories behind his eyes. Some good, but a whole lot of bad mingled in and around. He nudged Zach. “You’re staying here tonight, right?”

  “Well, nah, I saw a new Extended Stay Hotel in town. I reckon I’ll get a place there for tonight.”

  “Wait, no, not a hotel.” Roxanne butted in, “Stay here or at my house. It’s sitting there empty and newly remodeled. Nicely decorated, I might add. My sheets are even clean!”

  Randy laughed. The sheets were clean because she slept here. “Her place is easy to get to. You’re welcome to my couch, though. How about staying here? I make a mean breakfast.”

  Zach rubbed at the stubble on his chin while clenching the steering wheel. “I don’t know.”

  “Ah, hell, come on. Sack out on my couch.” Randy understood the need to be alone. He’d recovered better than Zach had, but still, Zach could hold his own now as far as he knew. PTSD had hit him hard, but Zach learned to cope the best he could…most of the time. “Let’s get this beast back to the barn, and we’ll talk about it on the way back home.”

  “Why the hell did you build a barn so freaking far away?”

  “It’s not mine. That’s why I need your help to pound some nails here.” He nodded to Zach before mounting the horse. “Don’t run me over in my own damn truck.”

  “I don’t know, bud. If I run you over, I’d get the girl.” He peered at Roxanne and winked, but Randy’s gaze met him with an evil eye.

  ***

  Later that evening and after they ate, the three of them sat on the porch in the dark talking, laughing, and drinking beer. The guys reminisced, but stayed away from the one horrible thing they had in common. Regardless, the ache of that fateful night lay beneath the surface, and probably did with Zach too. Roxanne left for bed. As soon as she got out of earshot, Zach motioned toward the door. “What’s up with the chick?”

  He asked a question Randy might have to get used to answering. “Come on, let’s walk. Roxanne isn’t just any chick. She’s important to me.” They ambled away from the porch where they could talk without being overheard. “It’s a long story, but the sonofabitching ex-husband hired two men to do his dirty work. She lost her foot and a lot more. I told you about her before. The one who lived in Oklahoma?”

  Zach shook his head and lowered his eyes to the ground. “Yeah, I remember now. A damn shame. Is it fairly recent?”

  Randy crossed his arms. Talking about what Nate had done to her made his blood sizzle. “About nine months or so. Far as I can see, she’s dealing the best she can. She’s a dancer by trade.”

  “Dancer? No shit?” Zach’s brows shot toward the top of his head.

  “Not that kind of dancer. A professional dancer, you know, in theater musicals, on stage, shows, tap dancing and things like that. The Samba—”

  “The what?”

  “Never mind. The law got one of the guys involved, but he’s tight-lipped.” Randy peered at the clear sky and lingered on stars here and there, but he told Zach the rest of the story about Nate showing up at the door. He pointed to the scar on his face.

  “I wondered. I reckoned you must’ve been in a bar brawl.”

  “I don’t do that anymore, and I have a good life here doing what I do. I’d just as soon leave bar brawls in the past.”

  “Gotcha.” Zach yawned and scrubbed his hand over his face. “Man, I gotta get some sleep.”

  “You never told me what you’re doing here.” Randy placed his hand on Zach’s back on the way to the house.

  “Hell, I’m taking you up on your offer from a while back. If that job you mentioned pans out, I’m staying. Dad’s downsized a lot, and he’s talking about selling out. My little brother’s ready to move on, too.”

  Randy stopped before they reached the porch. “What other kind of work would you be interested in if that job doesn’t work out?”

  “Same thing as you’re doing, even a ranch hand to start out if that’s what it takes. Enough to put food in my belly and buy a drink now and then. It isn’t like I’m not used to ranching.”

  “We’ll talk to a couple ranchers.” Randy waited at the door while Zach collected his bag from his rental car.

  “I’ll need something to drive, too. Can’t keep paying for a rental.”

  Randy chuckled. “I can fix ya up that way, too. I have another horse over there at Dane’s barn.”

  “Still a smartass, huh?” asked Zach.

  “When I get the chance. All kidding aside, I have a motorcycle you can ride in the meantime.” Randy got a drink of water then retrieved blankets and a pillow for his friend and dropped them on the sofa. He handed him the TV remote. “Chill out.”

  In the bedroom, Roxanne had fallen asleep. Randy peered at her body lying in peace and he hoped, comfort. Removing his shirt and pants, he smiled and picked up his notebook from the side table. He shoved the pillow up behind him, studying her. Before giving in to sleep himself, he jotted down some words while they were fresh in his mind. They had to get out. He chewed on the end of his pen while figuring out how to get the words from his head to the paper:

  Where have you been hiding? I can’t help but ask.

  After all this time… Was the best saved for last?

  Oceans of emotions wash over my soul, remembering your hand holding mine.

  A simple brush of your shoulder, rushes chills right through to my bones.

  Randy peered at her as his muse worked in his brain. God, but he was in love with her. He continued to scribble out the words calling to him:

  Visions run rampant such as I shouldn’t see. Showing me things too good to be true.

  The questions have answers, I shouldn’t allow.

  But they’re asking and TELLING, revealing, somehow…

  A reflection of light sparked off the window. Now what! He’d blow Nate’s
head off this time. He eased out of bed, gave Roxanne a glance, and removed his revolver from the drawer. At the doorway, he pulled on his jeans. He yanked his boots on in the hallway. This time he was ready when he whipped the door open.

  Chapter 12

  Phantom sensations in her leg woke her in the wee hours. She willed the tingling and itching to go away. She focused on her leg and forced herself to realize the lower part of her leg was gone. The outside security light peeked through a small opening in the curtain and left a straight streak on the wall. Where had Randy gone? All she had of him was the smell of his shampoo on the pillow. He must’ve had another sleepless night, so she wouldn’t disturb him. Roxanne fought to return to sleep. She glanced at his notebook. Dare she? She picked it up and turned on the dim bedside lamp.

  Tears formed as she read the words, and she went back to the second sentence. “Was the best saved for last?” She visualized him sitting here writing words of love. Her eyes popped open upon hearing voices outside. After ruling out Randy’s and Zach’s voices, she eased out of bed and reached for her crutches.

  In the living room, Zach remained asleep. She jerked the door open, expecting to see Nate again. She’d shoot him herself if she had a pistol in her hand. Randy stood a couple feet from the bottom step. A pretty blonde stood close in front of him with her hand on his shoulder. Her gut clenched. She stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind her. Kim and Randy both looked her way.

  Kim shoved Randy in the chest. “What the hell is she doing here? Who the hell is she?”

  He swatted her hand away. “I told you I was seeing someone. You chose not to believe what I said.”

  “I didn’t believe you. Not with her again, you son of—”

  Roxanne rolled her eyes. Her truck sat right there with red dancing boots in the back window. “It’s true, Kim, he’s seeing someone. Me, and I plan on staying around.”

  Randy shot her a glare. “Roxanne, please go back inside. Let me take care of this situation.”

  Kim pushed him in the chest, again, and bellowed in slurred words, “I’m not a damn switch-u-ation, Randy!”

  Roxanne’s jaw got jacked out of shape to see Kim treat him like a piece of rubbish. Randy ignored Kim. He took two stairs at a time to Roxanne, opened the door, and peered at her, directing with his eyes to get inside.

  How did she know who I was anyway? She prepared to go in to avoid saying more, but she glanced at Kim and raised her voice so her words would be heard. “At least now she knows you didn’t lie.”

  Kim stumbled toward the porch. She gripped the rail in order to make it up a step and gave him an icy glare. “Handicapped is the best you can do?”

  “This isn’t happening.” He left the doorway and turned Kim around before she got on the porch, and he led her down the steps. She tripped and fell to the ground at the bottom.

  “Ah, damn, is she okay?” Roxanne went to the top step. “She can’t drive, Randy. Bring her inside.”

  “Hell no! I’m taking her home. She’s sure as hell not staying here tonight.” He left her where she lay, but tromped over to her car, pulled keys from the ignition, and stormed up the steps.

  “What’s going on? You two having a lover’s quarrel?” Zach’s gaze went to the woman lying in the dirt. “Damn, Randy. Two of them! Are ya sharing?”

  Randy held up his middle finger. “I don’t need bullshit from you right now. Go back to sleep.”

  “It’s okay to bring her inside, honey.” Roxanne held Randy’s arm. “It is all right.”

  “Not with me it isn’t. Give me a minute to get my keys.” He glanced back at Kim and then to Roxanne. Shaking his head while his palms were raised, he left Roxanne on the porch, Zach in the doorway, and Kim in the dirt. Zach followed him inside.

  Well, she couldn’t leave Kim there in the sand. Roxanne made her way down the steps. Crutches and steps weren’t a good mix, and she always felt unsteady. All she’d need to do was fall in front of Kim to prove she was handicapped.

  Kim looked up from the ground. “I presumed he only told me he was seeing someone to keep me away. I love Randy. Why would he be with you again…someone like you?” She could barely hold her head up.

  With me again? Randy must’ve told Kim about her. “I’m sorry, Kim, but this isn’t how it’s going to be anymore. I know the story and why you left him. Do you remember why? Come on, let me help you get up.”

  Kim kicked a crutch out and Roxanne hit the ground. “I don’t need help from you! While you’re at it, and acting all prissy missy, you’ll need to step aside. I was here first.”

  Roxanne took a deep breath and clenched her hands tight before she clawed this woman’s eyes out. “True, but you left him, and now it’s too late.” Roxanne gave her an evil eye, shoved her shoulder. “Put that into your memory and stay away from here.” She slipped her hand through the top of the crutch opening and went to her hands and knees. She ignored Kim’s laughter and began crawling and dragging the crutch toward the steps where she’d have leverage to stand back up.

  Kim attempted to get off the ground, succeeded for about thirty seconds, but staggered before falling right on her ass to the ground again.

  “What the hell!” Randy rushed down the steps to pick up Roxanne. “You couldn’t stay out of it, huh? What am I going to do with you, woman?” He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom where he lowered her to a chair. “Don’t get in the middle of her chaos. Are you all right?”

  “I’m all right, but I need the crutches, dammit! Stop carrying me! I’m already in the freaking middle of her chaos. Don’t tell me what to do, Randy!”

  Zach tapped on the opened door. He rubbed his eyes before speaking. “What the hell’s going on? Seriously, can I help?”

  Randy let loose. “Another long story! Rox? Shit, never mind. I gotta get her home.” He shoved Zach’s shoulder as he pushed through the doorway.

  Zach stood there dumbfounded. “Am I having a bad dream? Who is he going to get home?”

  “His ex-girlfriend. Could you go out there to get my crutches?”

  “Yup.” He stood there a moment. “Kim? That’s Kim out there? Damn. What happened to that chick?”

  “Alcohol happened to her,” Roxanne replied to Zach’s back when he turned away. Great, he knew her, too? She switched the table light to the second setting but turned it back off and scooted to the edge of the chair while waiting for him to bring her crutches. Her eyes weren’t ready for brightness in the middle of the night.

  Randy returned with her crutches and crouched in front of the chair. “She doesn’t live far. I’ll be right back. I hope you understand, for God’s sake.”

  She placed her hand against his cheek and spoke softly. “Take a deep breath. I do understand. If you drive her car, I’ll follow in mine instead of you driving your truck. Then she doesn’t have to come back for her vehicle tomorrow.”

  “Just a minute. I have to go check on her before she kills her damn self on my property.” He gave her a hand up then strode to the front door to check on Kim. The thud as if he had pounded the doorjamb, reverberated all the way toward the hallway where Roxanne was on her way to the living room. “Well, she’s already in the car. Good idea. You follow us. She can puke all over her own rickety-ass car.”

  “Let me get dressed,” she said, glancing out the front door.

  In the living room, Randy told a still stunned Zach they’d be back shortly, and he’d clue him in tomorrow.

  On the way to the bathroom, she glanced at the clock. Two-thirty? She ripped off the pajama bottoms and went through the ritual of putting on her prosthesis, then dressed. Slinging the purse strap over her shoulder, she headed out. Randy waited at the door. “All right, I’m ready.”

  Roxanne passed Zach sitting on the couch. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. Kim might as well have been passed out because she was like a sack of potatoes when he lifted her to the backseat. Randy went to Roxanne’s window to explain directions, but told her
to remain close.

  “I will. Let’s get this over with and come back home.”

  He left her with a wink. “I like the sound of that.”

  Randy pulled into a gas station on the way. Roxanne followed him in, and he came up to the window to tell her Kim’s car was on empty.

  When he finished, he handed her the receipt. “Hang on to this for me.” Kim lived in a small apartment complex outside of Canyon Junction. At her apartment, Roxanne waited in the car while he carried her inside. In no time, he got back in the passenger side and they left. “What does she do for a living?”

  “I don’t know. Can we not talk about her? This never should’ve happened. You handled it well.” Randy pulled back into the gas station on the way home. “I forgot to get Zach’s cigarettes he asked me to pick up.”

  What choice did she have but to handle it well? Back on the highway, Roxanne remained more awake than she should’ve been at this hour. It was too early to stay awake and too late to return to sleep. “She’s a pretty girl minus being hammered, but it’ll be nice if I never see her again. Do you think she’ll even remember?”

  “Who knows? I’ll talk to her when she’s sober. Maybe she’ll listen, or I should say—maybe it’ll sink in when she’s not drunk. Enough about her tonight.” They both remained silent for the next few miles.

  Before they pulled in the driveway, Roxanne burst out laughing, and was unable to control herself, either due to lack of sleep or envisioning the whole ordeal. She should’ve been crying instead.

  Randy pounded his fist against his seat. “My ex-girlfriend showed up drunk tonight. What the hell is so goddamn funny to you?”

  Maybe it was the whole evening getting the best of her. Maybe it was the confused look on Zach’s face when she had walked past him earlier. Poor guy. The giggles wouldn’t stop. “It’s just…” She did her best to get the words out. “Your buddy thinks he had a bad dream. How much whiskey did you feed him when I went to bed?”

  “The guy has had enough bad dreams lately. Apparently, I fed him too much whiskey, and I didn’t have enough.”