"She's right," Dusty said. "Loretta may be running the political side of this scheme, but if it involves Rafe's pocketbook, which I'm sure it does, he won't sit around patiently much longer."
From the driver's seat Jake said, "Whatever happens hinges on what they do or don't find in the cave. I'm giving Josh a long leash. He thinks I don't notice that he disappears during the day. That's where the whole absent-minded professor thing is to our advantage, but he is definitely searching for something."
Jake couldn't have been more mistaken. Josh wasn't searching for Simpson Browning, he was talking to him. Sitting alone in the chamber that was Simpson's tomb, Josh conversationally explored his life options with a man who had none.
A week after the street dance, Josh leaned back against the cave wall, his long legs stretched out in front of him, and looked at Simpson. "What are you grinning at?" he demanded.
Predictably, Simpson said nothing, which was one of the things Josh liked about him.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Josh said. "You are kinda stuck with that expression. My bad."
Idly flicking dust off the knee of his jeans, Josh continued. "So, Retta and Rafe are majorly pissed because I'm not telling them about you. Well, let me rephrase that, they're pissed because they don't think I've found you at all."
Josh looked over as if Simpson were listening. "Dude, seriously. It's not personal. I like you and everything, but as soon as I give you up, this thing is out of my hands. Actually, it's pretty much all out of my hands anyway, except you're my ace in the hole. The question is, how much do I bet before I turn you over?"
Silence descended around them and Josh mentally ran down his list of potential choices. He could give Simpson's remains to Retta and Rafe and just let things play out. After all, he didn't owe anything to the Lockwoods. That mercenary option would be fine, except Josh was still in love with Jenny, a fact that caused him annoyance, inconvenience, and deep pain.
Elizabeth Jones wanted Josh to tell all, but if he did that, he was fairly certain he'd wind up in a jail cell for some length of time and Jenny would never speak to him again. While Josh doubted there was a shred of hope that they'd ever be together again, he held on to the slim comfort that at least she didn't hate him.
But there was a third notion beginning to grow in his mind. Josh promised Elizabeth he'd disappear. What if he could ensure that the Baxter land was no longer up for grabs and make it possible for the Lockwoods themselves to be the ones to release the truth about Simpson Browning's death?
What Josh had in mind would also allow him to partially atone for his work with Robert Marino — even though Jenny would never know it. But wasn't some redemption better than none at all? Josh had to talk to Elizabeth about the fate of the draw, but considering how the old gal pulled a loaded pistol on him, Josh had no doubt she would have a solution for that loose end.
"You should have seen your great niece, Simpson," Josh said. "She's just a little old slip of a woman, but there's ice water in those veins when she needs it. I guess she's had to be that way with the situation life handed her. For what it's worth, I know she's right. I should confess everything I've done, but I'm just not that strong."
To put his idea in motion, Josh had to make a phone call. Once it was placed, there would be no going back. That was the part that had him sitting on the floor of a cave talking to the only person he knew at the moment who wouldn't judge him. Men make mistakes with thoughtless ease. Unmaking them, however, requires bravery and faith. At the moment, Josh felt under qualified in both areas.
"What were you, Simpson?" Josh asked. "Were you brave or stupid to show Daniel Baxter what you found in here? Were you operating on faith that he'd be a good man and do the right thing? If you were, I have to say, that was one Baxter who didn't deserve your trust. I'm kinda hoping this Baxter can do better by you."
With the street dance off her agenda, and all the funds in place to pay for the town's new Christmas decorations, Mandy turned her attention to preparing to host the family Thanksgiving celebration. As she tallied up the guest list with Joe Bob one morning after the girls were on the school bus, she said, "My God, we're up to 12 including you and me. I don't think one turkey is going to be enough."
To her surprise, Joe Bob looked utterly delighted. "Fantastic!" he said. "Jake and I will rig a second deep fryer and do two birds."
"Dear God," Mandy said. "Again? Is it absolutely necessary that you submerge large dead birds in boiling oil to celebrate Thanksgiving?"
"It is," Joe Bob said earnestly. "We'll have to get somebody else to do the welding now that Josh isn't around, but doing two birds at once is gonna be awesome. We just have to modify our equipment a little bit."
From the doorway Phil said, "I can weld." He added hastily when they both swiveled to look at him, "Sorry, guess I should have knocked."
"Don't be silly," Mandy said. "You don't have to knock."
"You can weld?" Joe Bob asked enthusiastically. "I know you're a vegetarian and all, but would that keep you from helping us deep fry a couple of turkeys? Because we have this design in mind for a frame with a winch on it to lower the birds evenly into the oil."
"That's a good idea," Phil said as he pulled out one of the chairs at the table. "I imagine the splatter is the biggest fire hazard."
Mandy sat back heavily and groaned. "Oh my God. You're just like them, aren't you?"
"Well, honey," Phil said, "it's not really about the turkey, you see. The point is the project. Man against machine."
"And the turkey pays the price," she said. "Fine. Boys will be boys. But the rules are the same. As far away from the house as possible and fire extinguishers all over the place. Now, Phil, what should I make for your Thanksgiving meal?"
"Oh," he said, "I'll fix a Tofurkey for myself."
Joe Bob frowned. "Tofurkey?" he asked. "What the heck is that?"
"It's basically a lump of tofu intended to masquerade as turkey," Phil explained.
"Can we deep fry that, too?" Joe Bob asked hopefully.
Phil blinked, "Well, I, uh, never thought about it," he said, "but I suppose we could try."
Mandy held up both hands. "I do not want to know," she declared. "Just have it ready on time and don't burn my house down."
"Understood," Joe Bob said. "We promise." Then, turning to Phil he asked, "Are you doing anything right now?"
"No," Phil said. "I just came down to say good morning. Why?"
"I don't have to be in the office for another hour or so. You want to watch the Mythbusters episode where they blow up the frozen turkey?"
"Cool," Phil said. "Let's do it."
Mandy watched in utter astonishment as her hippy father and her husband the mayor trailed off to the living room like a couple of teenagers and plunked themselves down in front of the television set. Shaking her head, she went back to her list making, but with a smile on her lips. They might be acting like a couple of goofy boys, but they were her goofy boys and she loved them both more than she could say.
Elizabeth Jones stared over her glasses at Josh. "And you won't tell me what this plan of yours involves?"
"I can't," Josh said, "and that is the truth, but if I can make it work, I won't be a factor in the ownership of the existing Baxter land any longer."
"Then what is your question to me?" the old woman asked.
"Will that alone be enough to thwart Rafe and Retta?"
"No."
Josh sagged against the cushion of the wingback chair he occupied on one side of the fireplace in Elizabeth's parlor. "Then do you have an alternate suggestion?"
"I do," Elizabeth said. "As much as I hate to admit it, Retta and Rafe are correct that with the questionable land dealings of the Lockwoods, the girls could be tied up in court for years defending their ownership of the Rocking L. However, I believe the key to this entire mess lies in partially severing the terms of Langston's will."
"But I thought if they broke the will, the entire ranch would revert to the state," Josh said
, frowning.
"In theory, it would," Elizabeth said. "But George Fisk did not make that will as ironclad as another lawyer might have."
"How do you know that?" Josh asked.
"My own attorney has examined a copy of the document that Mandy was kind enough to provide to me," she replied.
An alarmed expression came over his face. "What did you tell her to get her to give you a copy of her father's will?"
Elizabeth fixed him with a disapproving glare. "I did not tell her anything. I asked to see the document for reasons I could not yet disclose to her, and because she trusts me, Mandy complied with my request."
Still looking uncomfortable, Josh said, "So you think George Fisk wrote that will with the intent that the girls could break it if they wanted to?"
"I do," Elizabeth said. "No matter how forbearing George might have been, I knew him quite well. He must have had more than enough of Langston's nonsense by the time that document was drawn up. If you can indeed solve the issue of title to the existing Baxter land, and I can convince the girls to attempt to free themselves of the strictures of their inheritance, then the next step would be to deed Baxter's Draw to the state."
"Why would they do that?"
"I'm sorry, Josh," Elizabeth said, "that is not information that you need to have."
"You don't trust me," he said flatly.
"Not entirely," she said. "Can you seriously blame me for taking that position?"
Josh shook his head. "No," he said. "I can't. As soon as my arrangements are in place, I'll let you know."
Early on Thanksgiving day, Joe Bob drove into town and picked up Lura Lee and Bill Wilson. They were both thrilled to be spending the day with their granddaughters, and Lura Lee even worked up the energy to bake four buttermilk pies.
For his part, Bill went to bed for three days before the holiday to rest up, and arrived at the ranch in fine spirits. When he showed an avid interest in the turkey-frying rig, Jake retrieved the utility mule from the barn and he and Joe Bob helped the old man into the passenger seat.
Bill was so delighted with the arrangement, they took him on a little tour, driving to Phil's place and back before settling down to the serious matter of deep frying.
From her vantage point in the kitchen, Lura Lee told Mandy, "Would you just look at that old fool? Running around with those young bucks."
"He looks like he's having fun," Mandy said. "Isn't that great?"
"It's the most wonderful thing I've ever seen," Lura Lee said, her eyes shining. "I think today is the first time I've seen him smile since Jolene and Rick died. Thank you for having us, honey, and for taking in Sissy and Missy. They're so happy here with you and Joe Bob."
"We love them," Mandy said, putting her arm around the older woman. "And we love you and Bill, too. We're all family now."
From the other room Sissy and Missy let out twin squeals of "Grandma come see." When Lura Lee and Mandy walked into the living room, they found the girls with the puppies, Rap and Jazz. Both of the little dogs were wearing Disney princess dresses, with varying degrees of success. Jazz's ears were tied back with a turquoise blue headband and Rap was trailing a royal purple skirt.
Smothering a laugh, Mandy dutifully took out her phone and snapped pictures of the twins with their thoroughly embarrassed pets. Lura Lee stayed with the girls and Mandy went back to work in the kitchen. She was making fruit salad when Joe Bob came back in the house to retrieve bottles of cold beer. On his way to the refrigerator, he stopped to steal a handful of pecans from a bowl on the counter.
"Stop that," Mandy said, swatting at his hand. "You'll ruin your appetite."
"Not a chance," Joe Bob said. "I could eat a horse today. And those turkeys are going to be masterpieces." He hesitated and lowered his voice. "Honey, are you sure I can't . . . "
"Joe Bob," she hissed, "I'm absolutely sure. We have to wait and make sure everything's okay and we can't tell anyone before we tell the girls. It's not that long until Christmas. We agreed we'd tell everyone then."
"I know," he said, "but I'm so happy I'm about to bust."
"Well, don't," she ordered. Then, more softly, she said, "I'm that happy, too, but after last time, it's better to wait. Right?"
He nodded, kissing her on the cheek. "Okay, Mama Bear," he whispered in her ear.
Giggling, Mandy said, "Go. And I repeat, do not burn my house down."
Hours later, when the whole family was stuffed to the gills and the men were more or less comatose in front of the television, Sissy and Missy came into the kitchen where the women were drinking coffee at the table.
"Mandy, can we please take Cinder and Shadow for a ride?" Missy asked.
"Oh, honey, we're all pretty tired. I don't think anybody wants to get on a horse and go riding with you all," Mandy said. "Maybe tomorrow."
"Why can't we go by ourselves?" Sissy suggested hopefully.
"Alone?" Mandy asked.
"Aunt Katie, tell her what you told us," Missy said.
Mandy shot a raised eyebrow in her older sister's direction. "Yes, Aunt Katie," she said. "By all means, do share."
"I just pointed out that when we were their age, we were all allowed to take our horses out alone as long as we said when we'd be back," Kate answered unperturbed.
No one spoke for a minute. Finally Mandy, with obvious effort, managed to say, "That sounds perfectly reasonable. You kids be back by 5 o'clock. Okay?"
Sissy and Missy exchanged a quick triumphant glance, almost as if they couldn't believe what they were hearing, and said, in stereo, "Yes, ma'am!" They were out the door so fast, Mandy didn't have a chance to change her mind.
Both Kate and Jenny laid a comforting hand on Mandy's arms. "Now see," Jenny said, "that didn't hurt a bit, did it?"
Mandy glanced at her watch. "I'll let you know in an hour and 58 minutes."
Sissy and Missy saddled their horses and headed for the river in record time. As they rode through the big pasture, Sissy said, "How long do you think it will be before Mandy tells us she's gonna have a baby?"
"I think they want to ask us about getting adopted first," Missy said.
"Why don't we just tell them that we like the idea so they don't have to go around whispering and trying to keep stuff from us?" Sissy asked. "They're not very good at it."
When her sister didn't answer, Sissy said, "You do think it's a good idea, don't you, Missy?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah," Missy said. "Why is Uncle Josh in the cave on Thanksgiving day?" she asked.
Reining to a stop, both little girls watched as Josh came out of the cave entrance and made his way down the river bank toward his own land.
"We have to go back to the house and tell Mandy," Missy said.
"I don't want to get Uncle Josh in trouble," Sissy protested.
"Me either," Missy said. "But we said we'd tell if we saw something, and I think him being in there today is something. Don't you?"
Sissy nodded reluctantly. "Yes," she said. "I just wish it was nothing instead."
130
After Sissy and Missy put the roans away properly, they walked down the road toward Mandy's house discussing how they would deliver the news about seeing Josh at the cave. "We just say what we saw," Missy said. "All he did was walk out of there, so that's what we say."
"I think we should tell Mandy by herself first," Sissy said. "Aunt Jenny and Aunt Katie aren't very happy with Josh right now. I heard them talking to Mandy the other day about how Uncle Josh stays at the beer joint all the time."
Missy shook her head. "You better stop sneaking around listening to the grown-ups," she warned. "You're gonna get caught."
"I haven't got caught yet," Sissy said. "And if I didn't listen to the grown-ups, how would we know Mandy and Joe Bob want to adopt us or that Mandy is gonna have a baby?"
"You know what Mama always said," Missy said. "When you listen in on other people's conversations, you never hear anything good about yourself."
Still resolute in her conviction, Sis
sy said, "It's good Mandy and Joe Bob want us and it's good she's gonna have a baby."
"Okay," Missy said. "Have it your way, but one of these days you're gonna be sorry."
When the girls came in the back door, all of the adults, with the exception of Joe Bob and the Wilsons, were having coffee in the kitchen.
“Did Memaw and Grandpa go home without saying goodbye?” Sissy asked.
“Yes, honey,” Mandy said. “Grandpa was all worn out. Memaw said to tell you they were sorry and to come by one day after school this week and you all will bake cookies. Okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Missy answered. She glanced nervously at her sister. “Um, Mandy? Can you come to the bedroom with us? We need to tell you something.”
“Can’t you tell me here?” Mandy asked, with a worried expression. She'd rapidly learned that when kids want to "tell you something" the news probably isn't good.
“No, ma’am,” Sissy said stubbornly. “We can't. Please, Mandy?”
Flashing a worried look at the circle of grinning adults, Mandy followed the twins. In less than ten minutes, she called out, “Katie? Jenny? Could you all come back here?”
As Kate pushed her chair back from the table, she said to Dusty, “Let’s hope they didn’t burn the barn down.”
“Come on, Katie,” Dusty scoffed. “Those girls are way more creative than a plain old barn burning.”
“Great,” Jenny muttered, falling in behind Kate. “Just what we need around here. More excitement.”
When they neared the girls' adjoining bedrooms, Mandy called out, "In here. In Sissy's room." Kate and Jenny found her sitting on the bed with a twin on either side of her. “Missy,” Mandy said, “tell Aunt Katie and Aunt Jenny what you just told me.”
The little girl glanced uncertainly from Kate to Jenny, and then said, “We saw Uncle Josh coming out of the cave when we were down by the river.”
Kate’s mouth set in a firm line, but her voice was kind. “Was he carrying anything, honey?”
“No, ma’am,” the child said. “We just saw him come out of the cave and walk down the bank of the river like he was going to his place. So, we thought we should tell you all about it," Missy concluded, her voice trailing off on an unsure note.
The Lockwood Legacy - Books 1-6: Plus Bonus Short Stories Page 90
