She jerked it away. What was she doing?
Beau reached over, pulled her hand back, and smiled into her eyes.
Once more, she pulled away, then sat up straighter. Was she coming on to him? Is that what he thought? Had she done the same to Carl Perkins all those years ago and not realized it?
“She’s wrong,” Beau said forcefully, startling Nellie out of her thoughts.
“I’m sorry. What are you talking about?”
“She’s wrong. About Rey.”
“Then she’ll see it for herself. Telling her won’t make a bit of difference.” Thank goodness, her uncomfortable moment was gone.
“If you say so,” he said, taking the last bite of cod.
“No point in getting angry,” Emma said. “Girl’s got a way of getting under your skin. Let her be.”
“I’m outnumbered.” He laughed.
But Nellie could tell the conversation had hurt.
He refilled their wine glasses and turned the conversation once more to dinner.
“Have either of you ever had such wonderful food?” Beau asked.
“Not even in a fine restaurant,” Nellie responded, letting her gaze wander around the room. What a difference. The room was clear of all the bric-a-brac. Only a few decorator pieces were scattered on the antique buffet against the far wall. The matching table was polished to a high shine. Keeping the antiques in mind, Dani had chosen lace placemats and a centerpiece of flowers in one of Emma’s beautiful crystal bowls. The effect was stunning.
Dani had missed her calling. With her abilities, she could easily work in one of the higher end restaurants as a cook or as a decorator.
“I didn’t realize what a talent she has,” Beau said, turning to Nellie.
“I think your daughter’s talents have been hidden for a very long time.”
Dani came in to remove their plates. Nellie stood to help her. “I’ll get it,” Dani said. “Dessert is light, but then so was dinner. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Do you hear any complaints, young lady?” Emma scowled. “Now get that dessert.”
In less than a minute, Dani brought in a tray filled with four dessert plates.
“Looks great. What is it?” Beau asked.
Nellie nudged him. “Take a bite, then ask.”
“Never seen anything like this before,” Emma said. “But it sure looks good.”
“I hope you like it,” Dani said, taking her seat.
Nellie took the first bite. “Fruit filled crepes, strawberries and blackberries, with sour cream and something else.”
Dani laughed. “You’re very good.”
Not good enough to stop these crazy feelings whenever your dad looks my way. Not good enough to stop myself from dreaming of another kiss. Not good enough to keep my eyes off his mouth.
“So is this,” Beau said. “I don’t remember Lela ever making anything like this either.”
“She did, but it was a long time ago.”
“Did you make extra?” Emma asked.
“Knowing your sweet tooth, what do you think?” Dani grumbled.
“Then I’ll take another.”
Everyone laughed.
They were so taken with the meal that Dani told them stories of her disasters and near disasters.
“If I had only known.”
“You would have been angry. Remember the time you had a few senators over for what you called a working dinner? You specifically ordered chocolate cake because the man you wanted to woo to your side liked chocolate?”
“I do remember.”
“You didn’t get your chocolate cake, did you?”
“Not exactly. But I remember that what we did have was delicious.”
“I talked Lela into letting me bake the cake.”
“You were what? Ten or twelve?”
“I know. But I liked to cook. Anyway, the cake caved in the middle and looked terrible. Lela was frantic. I took down four of your best crystal wine glasses. You know, the ones with the large tulip shaped bowls that flare at the top? They were perfect for what I had in mind.”
“What did you do?” Nellie asked, amazed at Dani’s resourcefulness at that early age.
“I put a few small pieces of cake on the bottom of each glass, squirted chocolate syrup on top of that, added some whipped cream and chopped pecans, then started over. When the glass was full, I plopped a strawberry on top.”
“I remember the guys lapping it up. I thought Lela had performed some kind of magic, but it was you.”
“Yeah, it was.” She got up, gathered the dessert plates, put them on the tray, and went to the kitchen.
Beau went to help Emma out of her chair. Nellie took the opportunity to slip into the kitchen. Dani was busy putting food away. Nellie went to her and hugged her around the waist. “I am so proud of you. Dinner was better than any five-star restaurant. And what you’ve done with Emma and this house…honestly, I’m speechless.”
“It’s been a challenge.”
“That’s an understatement. Tell me, how did you get Emma to do her therapy? She flat out refused when she got out of the hospital, even sent two therapists away in tears.”
Dani laughed. “Wasn’t as hard as you might think.” She plucked a strawberry from a bowl, popped it in her mouth. When she could talk, she continued, “I found the book of exercises, pinned her down as to why she wasn’t doing them. She made all kinds of excuses. I figured out a way to get her moving. You know how Emma loves her sweets. I told her she wouldn’t have another cookie, no more cinnamon rolls from Molly’s, and I wouldn’t make her a single thing that had sugar in it until she did her exercises.”
Nellie burst out laughing. “It worked?”
“Like a charm. That woman loves sugar.”
“Emma always did like to eat. You’re something else, Dani.”
“I’m struggling and learning every day.”
Nellie chuckled. “That’s called living.”
Arm in arm, they went to join Emma and Beau.
Chapter Eleven
Beau was in his truck and following Nellie home. No need. He didn’t have to do this, as he was tired from working all day. But his headlights in her rearview mirror told her he was determined to escort her to her door.
A knot formed in her throat. The longer her thoughts strayed to Beau, the larger it became. Soon it would be as big as Texas.
Did he think her incapable of getting home alone? Did he think her as inept as the Fraziers had? Her next thought froze her; the idea that they would pop into her mind on a night like tonight, at a moment like this was unsettling. Thoughts of the Fraziers were also synonymous with accusations of “tramp” and “tart.”
No. Beau was a gentleman. He was just making sure she got home safely. But that didn’t keep her thoughts from racing and her gut from churning.
The night had been one surprise after another. Dani and her amazing skill in the kitchen, Emma and her complete turnaround, plus Nellie had gained some insight into Beau and his relationship with his children.
What none of them suspected was that she, Nellie, the nice next-door neighbor, harbored thoughts that ranged from wondering what it would be like to do more than kiss Beau Chandler, to wondering if she’d lost her mind.
But every time she looked at him, her gaze went straight to that enticing mouth. Wouldn’t Dani be shocked to know what her new friend was thinking about her dad?
And Donovan? He’d idolized his father, as all the kids had.
No, Nellie didn’t want to go there.
When she turned onto the ranch road, Beau was still behind her. She pulled her car close to the back door. The outside lights were on, as well as those in the kitchen. Donovan was probably waiting up. She didn’t want her son to think she was going out and about with their neighbor.
Heaving a deep sigh, she opened the car door. Beau was there, looking tall and handsome. And tired.
“You’ve had a rough day, Beau. You should have gone straight home.”
“Nonsense. I had to make sure you made it back okay.”
When she looked at him with that look, he added, “What if you had a flat? It’s dark, and there’s not much traffic out this way.”
Nellie chuckled. “I have a cell phone, Beau. But I thank you anyway. Now, I’m safe and sound at my back door. Go home and get some sleep.”
He took her hand, brought it to his mouth, and kissed it again. This time there was no audience, and this time the hand kiss sent a hot flash to her entire body.
“Good night, pretty lady. I hope you had as wonderful a time tonight as I did.”
She could barely speak. “I did, Beau. Good night.”
Her legs as shaky as Mark’s favorite bowl of Jell-O, she made her way through the quiet house and to her room. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t had enough wine to make her this wobbly.
It wasn’t the wine. It was Beau. Beau did this to her. A simple look could do it. Sitting next to him intensified it. The hand kiss had sealed it. He evoked feelings in her she didn’t want. Feelings she’d thought never to have again and didn’t want now.
What would the children think? Reliable, steady, Mom, acting like a teen with a crush. Would they understand? Or think her wanton?
It had been over twenty years since Duncan’s death. Not once had she even looked at another man. Now she couldn’t stop thinking of Beau Chandler. She hated the part of her that wouldn’t let her forget his kiss.
Her foster parents had told her often enough she was a no-good tramp. After they’d caught her kissing Buck they’d reminded her every day of her sinful nature. Kept her so in the dark about boys and men she’d had no chance against Carl Perkins. She’d been so stupid then. After Carl raped her, before she could escape, he’d asked her what did she expect? She’d led him on.
Duncan had saved her. Loving him had saved her in every way.
All these years she’d been acting. It made her ill to think she hadn’t changed.
Pulling herself together, she put on a pair of pajamas, and went to bed. But sleep wouldn’t come. Tossing and turning, she thought of Beau—thought of Dani and what the young woman had accomplished in such a short time—thought of Beau again.
She liked him. A lot. But would he, like Carl, think she was leading him on?
Burying her head under a pillow, Nellie finally slept.
****
Beau drove back to the ranch not knowing what to do with the feelings Nell evoked, or how or even if he should act on them. He wanted to. The thought of holding her in his arms and making love sent rivers of desire into a torrent. Maybe he should get out more. He’d been so busy working since he bought the ranch that women hadn’t entered his head.
Memories of other women he’d been involved with came to mind. But he had a hard time coming up with their names. They hadn’t stuck in his head the way Nell did. Nor had they aroused this desire to be with her, talk with her, spend time looking at her. It was as if he’d been missing something important in his life.
He needed Nell. Wanted her. But Nell was her own woman; satisfied with her life. She didn’t need him.
Tired as he was, Beau found himself humming on the drive back to the ranch. How could he not? He’d shared dinner with two beautiful woman, three, counting Emma, who had been stunning tonight.
What a rare talent his daughter had, and he hadn’t had a clue.
If he’d only been more involved in their world instead of centering his life on business and politics. If he’d paid attention to their real needs, not just the material ones.
He shook his head. What was done was done.
When sleep finally came, it wasn’t his children he dreamed about. It was Nell.
The next morning didn’t start out well. For the first time since he’d bought the ranch, he overslept. When he came downstairs, he promised himself a cup of coffee and a hearty breakfast.
It didn’t happen.
He’d no sooner poured his coffee than there was a knock at the back door.
An urgent knock.
What now?
When he opened the door, Rey stood there, a distraught look on his face.
“What?”
Rey swallowed. “Gordon sent me to get you. We’ve already called the sheriff.”
Beau grabbed his Stetson and started out the door. “Why?”
“Cattle are missing.”
“Are fences down?”
“Down and back up again. You’ll have to see for yourself.”
Beau didn’t know what the hell that meant, but he intended to find out.
It didn’t take long to saddle Taro and follow Rey to the fence line at the back of the property. Gordon and Joe were nowhere to be seen. “Where are the others?”
“Checking the cattle. We’re pretty sure some are missing.”
Beau sighed. “I’m beginning to think ranching consists of putting up fence, having it torn down, cattle go missing, find cattle, put fence back up. I sure as hell don’t want to add cattle rustling to the list.” Was he too old to handle ranch life? Am I cut out for this?
Though it was cloudy, the sun filtered through, making the landscape look harsh.
“Show me,” Beau said as he slid from the saddle.
“Over here,” Rey said, pointing to a portion of the fence that had obviously been cut, bent aside, and haphazardly dog-eared back together.
“Do you know for sure cattle are missing?”
“Pretty sure. Friday we moved about fifty head here. I checked them again yesterday and they were fine. This morning, we couldn’t find half of them. Gordon and Joe are searching for the rest.”
“They couldn’t just disappear.”
“Could have been stolen,” Rey said as he stooped down to look at the fence.
Hearing horses, Beau looked up to see Gordon and Joe coming toward them. “We’ll find out if you’re right. Hope to hell you’re not.”
But Gordon confirmed that at least twenty-five head were missing.
“How the hell did that happen?’ Beau thundered. “Cattle rustling days are over.”
“Not really,” Rey said. “I read where more cattle are being rustled now than ever before.”
“Now why would you read up on cattle rustling?” Gordon asked with a sneer in his voice.
Rey turned to Gordon. “Probably because I’ve been reading up on ranching in general,” he snapped back.
“When did you call the sheriff?” Beau asked.
“He should be here. Said he was coming right out.”
Beau shaded his eyes, looked toward the ranch. “Does he know where we are?”
“I gave him directions,” Gordon said. “There. I think I see him.”
Sure enough, the sheriff’s cruiser bounced over the pasture until Dugan pulled up beside them.
“Hope I understood you wrong,” he said by way of greeting. “Haven’t had any rustling around here in years that I can remember.”
They shook hands all around. Beau pointed to the fence. “Looks as if someone cut the wire, got what they wanted, then put it back up.”
“How many head?” Dugan asked as he inspected the fence and the surrounding area.
“At least twenty-five,” Gordon said.
Dugan whistled. “That makes it an even bigger crime.”
“What do you mean?” Rey asked.
“If ten head or under are stolen, the thief will get about two years in the pen. Over ten, they’re likely to get ten years or more.”
“If you catch them,” Beau added.
“Yeah. There’s that. One thing’s pretty certain. There’s little hope you’ll recover your cattle. They could be in Oklahoma or Kansas by now.”
“Dammit to hell!” Beau exploded, slamming his Stetson against his leg. “Who did this? And why?”
“The why is easy. Money. And the economy. It’s an easy way to get full value for what you steal. If the thief went to your home and took a TV or jewelry or whatever, he’d have to sell it for far less than
its true value. With cattle, he takes them to an auction barn and is paid what they’re worth.”
“Do they ever get caught?” Rey asked.
“More often than you think,” Dugan said. “Especially now that we have what are called Special Rangers who do nothing but track down thieves who steal livestock and equipment.”
“Are you going to call in one of these ‘Special Rangers’?” Beau asked.
“I am. But first I’m going to check the tracks on the other side of the fence.” He walked around for a while, took measurements. “From the looks of these tracks, whoever was in here either had a big diesel rig or a semi.”
“What the—?” Beau was flabbergasted. A semi on his land and no one noticed?
Dugan pulled out a digital camera and took pictures. “Looks like it might rain. I want to get all of this documented while I can,” he said.
“How long before one of these Rangers gets here?” Beau asked.
“Don’t know,” Dugan answered. “They’re spread pretty thin. There’s only about two dozen for the entire state of Texas.” He continued to measure. “I’ll need some details. What kind of cattle, break the list down to steers, heifers, and calves. I’ll need to know what breed or if they are mixed, if so what kind. Also, their coloring and size.”
“Is that all?” Beau asked, his voice mocking.
“Nope. The ranger will want to know if they were branded, had ear tags, ear markings, or anything else that can identify them.”
Beau looked at Gordon. “Can you do it?”
“I will,” Rey volunteered. “I can still see that bunch as we herded them over here. First, I’ll have to take a look at those that weren’t taken.”
“Sound mighty eager to make that list,” Gordon taunted. “Could it be because your hand is in this? Maybe you want to confuse the issue.”
Fists clenched at his sides, Rey glared at Gordon. “What does that mean?”
“What it sounds like,” Gordon said, before he turned and spit on the ground.
“You’re way off base,” Rey said, his mouth a thin line of anger.
“I’ll bet you were checking them out with that bunch of friends you were with Friday night. Bet you had that in mind the whole time. You’d know just where to go and how to get there. Besides,” he taunted. “You’re probably pissed at your old man for the reaming he gave you.”
Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) Page 9
