Dodge the Bullet

by Christy Hayes

  The buzzing, she now realized, came from the crop duster flying over the nearby farms. The sound had always made her happy and reflected the difference between life in rural Colorado and life in suburban Atlanta. On clear winter mornings at home she could hear traffic from the interstate as though it were just beyond the trees of their backyard. But in Colorado, the crop duster was the only sound she could hear above the babbling of the river.

  The quiet provided a kind of tranquility that should have been lonely, but felt oddly peaceful, even after last night when her dreams had been so restless. She’d found what she’d needed and boxed up the rest, determined to call Dodge and set up a meeting to go over her future.

  But not without coffee. She trudged into the kitchen ready to start her day and nearly jumped out of her skin when the phone rang. Who would call at 6:30 in the morning? She raced for the phone in the den.

  “Well, I thought you might be up by now.” Her sister Jenny had the ability to warm and terrify her with a single phrase. Sarah had spent her entire childhood looking up to and fearing her older sister. With her sharp tongue, the classic beauty would give Sarah an honest answer about anything.

  “You know its 6:30 out here, don’t you? You scared the hell out of me.”

  “Its 8:30 here and your boys are driving me crazy. I haven’t been this frustrated with men since dealing with my ex-husband and his blood sucking divorce attorney.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes at her sister’s flair for the dramatic. “What have they done, Jenny? Is there something I should be concerned about or are you just calling to complain?”

  “I’ve been alone with your kids for almost a week and you don’t think I have anything to complain about? It’s time for you to take off those rose-colored glasses and see how they really are.”

  Sarah knew Jenny was exaggerating, but since Todd’s death, Sarah had gotten pretty soft on them and Kevin, in particular, was using it to his advantage. “So it’s general complaining you called to do?”

  Jenny sighed. “It’s no fun to complain if you’re not going to take me seriously. How’s it going out in the wild west? Met any cute cowboys yet?”

  The golden eyes and strong jaw of one cowboy in particular came to mind, but she didn’t have the energy to explain. “The week is young.”

  “Well, if you don’t have any gossip, then I may as well tell you Kevin told me he doesn’t want to move to Colorado.”

  “That’s no surprise. He’s been saying that since I first announced I was selling the house almost six months ago.”

  “He didn’t say it angry like he shouts it at you,” Jenny explained. “We had a heart-to-heart last night. He’s afraid Todd wouldn’t approve of you moving out there to live full time.” Jenny paused as if waiting for Sarah to argue. “He’s like you, Sarah. He’s afraid of change and being in this house makes him feel closer to his dad.”

  “I know it does, but I can’t stay there any longer. Todd and I talked about moving the boys out here eventually. With that new crowd Kevin’s been hanging around with I’m sure Todd would be the first to suggest we move to the ranch if he were still alive. Kevin’s thirteen, Jenny. There’s nothing I can do to please him now anyway. Staying in Atlanta feels like a big mistake. Sometimes you just have to follow your gut.”

  “I understand your reasons, but that doesn’t mean your sons do.”

  “Does that mean Lyle agrees with Kevin?”

  “You know Lyle would be happy anywhere the sun rises and his mom is in the world. That’s one hell of a mama’s boy you raised.”

  Sarah smiled at the thought of Lyle. He had Todd’s sunny disposition and ability to cope with change. She’d worried about leaving Kevin alone for the week with Jenny. He’d internalized Todd’s death much more than Lyle and he and Jenny generally rubbed each other the wrong way. Although it sounded like she’d made some headway with him that Sarah hadn’t managed to do.

  “What else did you squeeze out of Kevin?”

  “He’s got a girlfriend.”

  Sarah gasped. “What? Who is she? Where did he meet her and…what have they been doing?” The sound of Jenny’s laughter over the phone made Sarah cringe. It really pissed her off that Jenny didn’t have children for Sarah to seek revenge upon.

  “Just calm down. Her name’s Jessica and they go to school together. I don’t think they do anything except hang out during lunch and text.”

  Sarah slumped into the nearest barstool and let her eyes slip closed. Her boys were growing up too fast. “How long has he had a girlfriend? Since I left?”

  “He said it’s been about two weeks and he knew you’d be surprised. He thought you were too busy with the move to care about what was going on with him.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I’m never too busy for him. My God, his first girlfriend and I find out through you.”

  “It sounds harmless enough so I wouldn’t worry.”

  “That’s great advice from someone who doesn’t have children. Do you think they’re having sex?”

  “They’re in seventh grade, for heaven’s sake. That won’t happen until at least eighth.”

  Sarah wanted to reach through the phone and strangle her sister. “You can’t possibly be that naïve. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve found him with his door locked? Puberty has hit him like a ton of bricks. You wouldn’t believe how young kids are having sex and doing drugs. I’ve got friends with older kids and I’ve read a couple of books.” Oh God, she was totally unprepared to deal with her hormonal teenaged son having a girlfriend.

  “Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun? Two weeks is a little fast and I doubt they’re doing it in the bathroom at school. Hell, Kevin may be testing the waters a little bit, but he’s too afraid of getting in trouble to do anything stupid. Especially when you’re not here to punish him.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Maybe you don’t know this because you’re not the oldest, but the whole point in doing stuff to piss your parents off is for them to be around to get pissed off. Why would he waste his time screwing up with me?”

  Sarah rubbed her temple with her free hand. “Do me a favor and try to get more information. I don’t know why he’d confide in you instead of me, but I guess I should be grateful he’s talking to someone.”

  “Like you were hot to talk about boys with mom and dad? That’s what I was for and Kevin doesn’t have an older brother to talk to. I’m doing the best I can here, Sarah, but I’m not going to pry. If he wants to talk, I certainly won’t turn him away.”

  Sarah groaned. How was she going to handle her boys without Todd? “I appreciate your help with everything, I really do. You know I have to give you a hard time so you’re sure it’s me you’re talking to, right?”

  “You’ve got good kids, Sarah. Just don’t freak out. At least the move will bring a swift end to the girlfriend.”

  “Yeah, and give Kevin another reason to be angry with me. Give them both a kiss for me, will you?”

  Sarah hung up the phone and, after a moment of brooding, returned to the kitchen to make coffee. As it brewed, she opened the deck doors and stepped out into the cool morning.

  She didn’t blame Kevin for being afraid of change. Facing the past, facing the future… she was scared to death. But she couldn’t let the fear take over because then she’d be sunk. She had to accept the truth: it was up to her to succeed in Colorado. She really hoped she didn’t screw up.

  Chapter 5

  “Senator, we’ll be arriving in five minutes,” Kimberly Weston whispered to her boss as he sat next to her in his chauffer driven Lincoln. He nodded his head without glancing her way or even pausing in his conversation with a constituent. The warm Colorado sun felt good on her arm through the darkened glass and she fought the urge to roll down the window and let the breeze rustle through her short blond hair.

  Kimberly touched her fingers to the back of her neck where her thick mane used to hang. Although Benji loved to twist her usuall
y long hair around his fingers, Senator Burwick had insisted she cut her hair into a more professional pageboy style. How the length of her hair affected her ability to keep track of his schedule and generally keep his life in order was beyond her.

  But whatever Benji wanted Benji got. Kimberly learned that being a young assistant who attracted more than her share of attention didn’t sit well with the senator’s wife and some of his supporters. So she got shuffled to the most prestigious and most expensive stylist in Washington DC for a makeover that included the shearing of her long hair and a quick death to her wardrobe of stylish clothes. Kimberly needed her job, her family needed her to have this job, too much for her to object.

  The wool in her skirt that rubbed beneath the lining itched like hell. It took every effort to recall the focusing lessons she’d learned in Miss Margaret’s School of Etiquette, another DC institution, not to rip the skirt up and itch away like a dog with fleas. The shrill tone of Benji’s voice brought Kimberly back to attention.

  “Damn, if that man weren’t worth millions I’d never have to listen to his drivel again.”

  Benji placed his now free hand on Kimberly’s upper thigh while she echoed a similar thought about not having to put up with the Senator’s increasing sexual advances, only in her head of course. She glued the familiar sympathetic smile on her face--another learned habit from Miss Margaret. She’d initially found all the things she’d learned at etiquette class insulting, and implementing them on a day-to-day basis exhausting. But her reactions were becoming more rote now and, as much as she hated to admit, rather helpful in a number of situations.

  ###

  When his cell phone rang, Senator Burwick watched his assistant reached to get it, undaunted by the fact that he’d placed the phone directly on his crotch. He took advantage of every opportunity to make Kimberly touch him whenever possible. Having the phone vibrate on his crotch and watching her cup it with her delicate fingers was one of the few pleasures of his day. He knew he was crossing a line with her, and he knew if her daddy were alive and saw the way he treated her he’d put a boot in his ass.

  Danny Weston hadn’t done a whole lot with his short life since graduating from Hailey high school where he and Benji had been inseparable. But he’d certainly produced one hell of a looker in his youngest daughter. Thanks to those etiquette classes, she didn’t even put up a protest or flinch anymore when his hand casually touched her breast or rubbed her behind. Benji’s daughter was just a year older than Kimberly, but he didn’t think there was anything wrong with showing the girl how things worked in the big city.

  His long time assistant Meryl was getting ready to retire when Danny’s widow had called asking to take him up on his offer. He’d initially regretted his off the cuff condolence that Mary Beth Weston had taken as a genuine offer of help. She’d asked him to hire her daughter, Kimberly, fresh from two years at Junior college with an associate’s degree in bookkeeping that seemed to be the equivalent of lip pouting and gum smacking. Fortunately for Mrs. Weston, the good Senator had a soft spot for grieving daughters with perky breasts and a nice, tight ass. With a little grooming she’d turned out to be a real asset in the last few months.

  “Senator, its Tommy Thornton from Hailey returning your call,” Kimberly said softly while cupping her hand over the mouthpiece.

  Benji’s jaw clenched as he reached for the phone. He couldn’t believe the dimwitted Thornton had hooked the widow Woodward up with A.J. Dodge. The man had been a thorn in Benji’s side for years, and now he was butting his nose into something that didn’t concern him. Dodge’s involvement could ruin his carefully laid plans. Benji had already counted on Mrs. Woodward being ready to sell.

  ###

  “Senator Burwick,” Tommy said with exaggerated enthusiasm. Speaking with the Senator made his indigestion kick into high gear. “I’m assuming you called about Mrs. Woodward?”

  “You know I am, Thornton. How’s she getting along down there?”

  “Well, Sir, it’s only been a few days, but she seems to be adjusting just fine. She’s a real nice lady and the town has kind of taken her under their wing since word of her husband’s death got around.”

  “Good. Ranching is no business for a single woman, Thornton. Her husband and I were close friends and I kind of promised him I’d look out for her. You be sure to call me first if she’s having any trouble at all.”

  Tommy wondered how Senator Burwick would have promised Mr. Woodward he’d look out for Sarah when her husband had died unexpectedly in a plane crash, but dismissed the thought when he heard an impatient cough on the other end of the line. “I’ve got someone taking real good care of her, Senator. Don’t you worry.”

  “Really? Anyone I know?”

  “A.J. Dodge. His family’s been in the business a long time. He’ll make sure she doesn’t make any mistakes.”

  “You’re not talking about the A.J. Dodge who was run out of town a few years back? Because if he’s the same man, I’d have a real problem with a hoodlum like him helping poor Mrs. Woodward, no matter how long he’s been in the business.”

  “Well, now Senator, Dodge wasn’t run out of town. He left on his own. I happen to know for sure he wasn’t responsible for what happened to that poor girl.” Tommy hadn’t had to defend Dodge in a long time and he’d forgotten how frustrating it could be convincing someone of his innocence, especially since Dodge never bothered to defend himself to anyone.

  “Thornton, I don’t want someone with a questionable background anywhere near Mrs. Woodward. You be sure to tell Dodge thanks but no thanks and let me worry about helping Mrs. Woodward.”

  “But…”

  “No buts, Thornton. Just keep Dodge away from Mrs. Woodward and that ranch. Do you understand me?”

  Tommy sighed and held up his middle finger to the base of the phone sitting on his desk. A grown man shouldn’t have to put up with that kind of talk from anyone. “I understand, Senator.”

  “Good. Keep me posted.”

  ###

  When he hung up the phone, Benji looked at Kimberly. “Get me Fred Saxton on the phone.”

  Damn Dodge for messing up an already messed up situation. Saxton was getting antsy. He’d promised him the Woodward ranch months ago and had yet to deliver. When every other door had slammed in his face and he seemed to run out of possibilities for water near Cooper, he’d thought of the Woodward place. With Todd Woodward six feet under and his widow as the sole owner, he thought buying the ranch out from under her would be no big deal. But every time he’d gotten in touch with her about selling the ranch, she’d been too busy grieving or doing whatever rich widows do to give him the time of day.

  He’d been about to put on the full court press before she realized the gold mine she was sitting on when he’d learned that she intended to move to the ranch full-time. His first reaction had been to laugh, but damn if she didn’t up and do move to Hailey and now he was in a real pickle. But Benji was used to having to do things the hard way. He didn’t get to be a United States senator without a few tricks up his sleeve. He’d come up with something to get her to sell.

  Mrs. Woodward didn’t know one end of a cow from the other, as far as his background check on her could surmise. So he’d let her struggle with ranching for a few months and then be there with his checkbook open when she came to the obvious conclusion ranching wasn’t the way to move on with her life.

  But he needed her to fail soon. The last election had cost him most of his daddy’s fortune and Benji was running on empty until his development with Sarah started to pay off. But it wasn’t going to pay off until it got off the ground, which is why he had to get Dodge away from Mrs. Woodward.

  Kimberly passed him the phone. “Saxton here.”

  “Fred, how are you?”

  “Well now, Senator, I’d be doing a hell of a lot better if you called to tell me you’ve got that ranch under contract like you promised. The State’s coming down on my ass about the water. I can’t even get the per
mit to start on the clubhouse.”

  “You let me worry about the State. I’ll make a few calls to get them off your back.”

  “What’ll get them off my back is having a property with enough water to supplement the whole development. What’s the latest on the Woodward place?”

  “Unfortunately, there’s been a snag. Seems Mrs. Woodward intends to move to Hailey and ranch the land.”

  In the moment of silence that followed, Benji could feel beads of perspiration form on his brow. He wiped them away with his clammy hand. “Burwick, you told me you’d take care of this. I can’t sell the home sites without the clubhouse and equestrian center at least partially under construction. We made a deal. I never would have wasted my money on dry pasture land if you hadn’t assured me you could get your hands on plenty of water.”

  Benji noticed Saxton’s Midwestern accent grew stronger as his anger intensified. He was pretty damn angry. “I’ve got a plan, but it’s going to take some time.”

  “Time’s what we don’t have. I need results from you, Burwick, and I need them now.”

  Chapter 6

  “Thanks for coming over on such short notice,” Sarah said to Dodge as he entered the cabin that evening. He immediately took off his old Stetson and looked around before handing her a heavy package. “What’s this?”

  “Steaks from my cows.” He glanced around her home. The place wasn’t very big, but it sure was nice, with a potato rock fireplace between a set of French doors that led to the deck. The den had tan walls, a new leather couch and a couple of mismatched chairs. The adjoining kitchen’s granite countertops and new appliances made the whole place a lot nicer than any other cabin he’d ever been in.

  “That was very kind of you.”

  Dodge shrugged. “I was hungry and it seemed rude to show up empty handed.”

  “Oh.” She sounded surprised. “I guess I can light the grill.”