Forget Me Not

by Madden, J. M.

  "Good job," she told her girl.

  Mercy grinned, looking up at Jackson. Uh oh, looked like a bit of hero worship there.

  "Jackson, can I get you a glass of tea?"

  "No, thank you, Lora. I need to get home and clean up. I've got enough dirt on me for my own garden." He turned and started away. "Mercy, come see me tomorrow sometime."

  "Okay!"

  Lora loved seeing the relaxed look on her daughter's face. If she looked in a mirror, she had a feeling her own expression had eased, especially after their loving upstairs. She glanced at Chad. He had his head tipped back against the chair’s headrest, eyes closed, and seemed to be on the verge of falling asleep. The glass of tea hung precariously in his hand. It was obvious he'd had a fulfilling day as well.

  "I think we need to head to bed," she told Mercy. "And you need a shower before you even think about climbing between the sheets."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  Lora looked at her, wondering if a Texas twang could be picked up within just a few days. "Head on in. Tomorrow is going to be a huge day." She leaned down for a hug. "I love you, baby."

  "I love you too, Mom."

  Lora watched her daughter head into the house and kick off her new boots, marveling that she still had the energy to run up the stairs. Turning back to Chad, she reached out and took the glass of tea slipping from his hand, but he woke up, clutching at the glass. "Oh, sorry, babe."

  Lora giggled. "I think we need to go to bed, cowboy."

  Chad reached up to tip his non-existent hat. "Yes, ma'am."

  Damn. Two ma'am's in less than thirty seconds. Tugging him up by the hand she led him into the house.

  * * *

  Chad slept like the dead, barely moving, and woke up stiff and aching. Jackson and Brock had tried to kill him. No, Jackson and Brock had gotten a job done that needed done. The cattle and all the people working them would be arriving soon, and there was a very good chance that his father would get to come home today as well. Just thinking about everything going on within the next few hours made him tired.

  Rolling his head on the pillow, he looked for Lora. She was gone. And there was a hint of coffee and bacon in the air. He stretched, bones popping and muscles stretching. His hand landed on his hard dick. Maybe if he worked diligently today and came home and showered Lora would model for him again tonight. That was a long ways away, though, and he needed to get his ass moving. The sun was almost up already.

  Chad retrieved the prosthetic sleeve from the bathroom and got dressed, then headed downstairs. Lora was in the kitchen sipping a cup of coffee. She smiled when she saw him and crossed the kitchen for a kiss. Chad was loving the new routine they were settling into.

  "I put a plate in the microwave to keep warm for you."

  "Is Mercy up yet?"

  Lora shook her head, grinning. She wore another pair of those hip-hugging jeans today and he leaned back enough to look at her shirt. It was another short-sleeved button down, this one white with little pink and green flowers all over it. He raised an eyebrow at her, nodding approvingly, then pulled out the V of the shirt enough that he could look down at her bra. All he saw were the mounds of her flesh. "Do you even have a bra on?"

  Giggling, she nodded, undoing a couple of the buttons. Glancing around to make sure they were alone, she pulled the sides apart long enough to give him a glimpse. Today she wore a tan bra, almost skin colored, but the cups were only half the size they normally were. The thing pushed her boobs up and out, till they almost popped out. He thought he saw the edge of a nipple. "Is that comfortable?"

  She nodded. "Surprisingly, it is."

  "I have to say babe, your tits look awesome."

  Laughing outright, she leaned up for a kiss, rubbing those tempting mounds against his chest. Finally, he had to step back. "If I don't get my ass moving right now I won't be able to. You're too tempting. Can we postpone this till tonight? I promise to have enough energy for you."

  With a seductive smile, she nodded. "You'd better."

  Chad ate his breakfast, then gave her a last kiss. "I'm not sure what I'll be doing today, but the holding pens are just to the North if you need anything."

  She nodded. "Okay. I found a bunch of chicken breasts in the freezer out in the garage. I'll marinate and grill them up and come up about noon. What else should I bring?"

  Chad looked around the kitchen. "Mom had big cooler jugs somewhere she brings tea up in, or Lemonade. And maybe a cooler of just water."

  "Done. I'll have Mercy help me. Any idea when your parents will be here?"

  He shook his head. "I figure Cheyenne will send us a message when she leaves Amarillo. I'll forward you anything I receive."

  He leaned down for another kiss. "I love you babe. Thank you for helping out like this."

  "Of course. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else."

  Chapter 13

  Lora almost ate those words five hours later. She'd told Chad she would be there by noon, but it wasn't going to happen. Everything was behind. She thought she'd left enough time to grill all of the chicken breasts, and gather the condiments, buns, and make the drinks. Feeling generous she made a double batch of brownies, as well. And made fresh peach tea. She had no idea how many people she would be feeding today, but hopefully she had enough food and drink.

  Malone Corporation work had fallen by the wayside. She'd responded to a couple of emails marked urgent, but that was it. None of her classwork had been completed.

  She tried to tell herself that feeding the crew was the more immediate need, and her mind allowed her to shirk the other responsibilities. Mercy had helped where she could, but there was a lot Lora had to do herself.

  While she was waiting for the brownies to finish baking she went through the house, looking for laundry that she might need to get started. She felt a little bad letting herself into Francine and Garrett's bedroom, but she didn't want Francine to have to deal with anything other than Garrett when they got home. Plus, Cheyenne had piqued her curiosity with her description the other day.

  Their bedroom was a wonderland. Soft gray carpet cushioned her feet as she walked into the room. Romantic, gauzy fabric surrounded a large, four-poster bed with a lavender mattress skirt and a gray coverlet. The bed was perfectly made. As she looked around, Lora realized Garrett really had done his best to make the room feel like Paris. The walls were a soft gray but the far wall was pink and white striped. The white, distressed furniture was contemporary, but had been made to look aged. He had built her a small book nook with a built-in lounge, with a gray cushion and a small lamp table beside it. Old and new books lined the shelves and there were little tchotchkes here and there. Then, on the wall opposite the bed was a huge Eiffel Tower decal. It dominated the room, but didn't overwhelm it.

  She peered into the bathroom and gasped. A modern freestanding tub took up one wall and there was a shower alcove for Garrett. Or maybe he liked baths too, Lora thought with a grin. It was definitely big enough for two. The room was painted a darker shade of gray than the bedroom, but matched perfectly. It still had that old romance feel from the bedroom. Beneath her feet were dark gray wood looking tiles.

  Lora was impressed. She gathered up the few items of clothing she found in the hamper. As she closed the door and padded down the stairs she snorted. Who would have thought Garrett would have such a romantic streak for his wife?

  The timer on the oven went off just as she finished loading the washer. When she returned from the camp she could transfer everything to the dryer.

  Mercy came pounding down the stairs.

  "Just in time," Lora grinned. "Let's get this stuff loaded. Can you help me?"

  They piled everything in the back of Chad's truck. Just as they were getting ready to leave, Cheyenne pulled down the drive in her Jeep. Garrett sat in the front with her, scowling. Lora could see Francine and Emily in the back.

  As the truck slowed to a stop, Lora stepped forward to open Garrett's door. "Hello," she said cheerfully. "You broke out o
f jail, huh?"

  His right arm was braced on cushions and bandaged to his body. It looked supremely uncomfortable. Bracing his one good hand on the dashboard, he was able to swing his legs around, then step out. Francine edged around her to balance him.

  Garrett looked out around the ranch. "Doesn't look like anything burned down while I was gone."

  Lora laughed. "You know your sons wouldn't let that happen, Garrett."

  He sighed and looked a little sad for a moment. "I know," he admitted.

  Lora thought he probably wished there had been some visible sign that he'd been missed. If everything ran like clockwork when the manager was away, then how important was the manager?

  "We were just taking lunch up to the holding pens, wherever they are."

  His bright blue eyes brightened. "I could show you the way."

  Lora turned to Francine, who jumped in immediately. "There's no way you're bouncing your happy ass up to that windmill, in any way, shape or form. You just got out of the hospital and have been ordered to sit and rest. It was bad enough we had to ride home with this fool daughter of ours."

  "Hey," Cheyenne cried indignantly. "I took it slow just for you guys."

  "And still managed to hit a curb and run a red light."

  "It was ye-orange," she protested, laughing. "Believe me, Mama, it would have been worse if I'd have hit the brakes. Between you leaning between the seats the entire time fussing and Daddy fighting the seatbelt, one or both of you would have hit the dash."

  "It was on the wrong side," he grumbled.

  Francine sighed. "Yes, you're probably right, Cheyenne dear."

  Cheyenne glanced over their heads and winked audaciously at Lora. It reminded her so much of Chad doing the same thing she burst out laughing.

  Mercy stepped forward to hug her grampa and grandma. Lora was amazed at the love she could see from the older couple as they gushed over her daughter's new outfit.

  Emily appeared from the back of the car, suitcase in hand. Lora thought she looked a little green around the gills, too. Maybe she was just imagining things but Emily definitely looked ill at ease as she looked around the yard.

  Lora waited long enough to make sure they got into the house okay before making her goodbyes. "I'm already late," she admitted.

  Garrett stretched an arm out toward the left side of the house. "Head in that direction toward the trees and you'll find the pens. If the cattle are there, you can't miss it."

  Lora gave him a kiss on the cheek and herded Mercy out the door. Maybe she could take some pictures for him on her phone.

  Lora hoped Chad didn't mind her driving his nice truck out on the range. There had only been one other truck outside and it had been as nice as Chad's, but she didn't know who it belonged to. So, Chad's truck went off-road.

  They'd driven a couple miles down a barely there pitted dirt track when the haze came into the distance. Lora frowned, wondering if she was seeing right. Yes, it was definitely a dust cloud. Within a mile she crested a small rise and was able to look down upon the melee. Red coated cattle with white faces milled everywhere, not really heading in a direction but anxious. People on horseback surrounded the herd, some working to keep the cattle in line, others slouched lazily in the saddle just watching. It looked like they were slowly funneling them into a huge panel corral. Was that monstrous thing what Chad had been building yesterday?

  There were a couple of smaller pens adjoining the big one, and there were people working inside it. Lora tried to see Chad, but it was just impossible. She couldn't even see the windmill or the supposed trees.

  "Do you see him?" she asked Mercy.

  Her daughter had released the seatbelt to lean into the windshield, looking down. "Nope. Don't see him yet."

  There was a semi and a few other trucks parked off toward the right and the smaller corrals, so she headed slowly in that direction. She wasn't going to be responsible for spooking any of the cattle.

  "There he is," Mercy cried, pointing.

  Even pointing it took Lora a minute to recognize her fiancé galloping toward her up the slope on a bright coppery red horse with white feet. He had his hat tight to his head and the reins held loosely in one hand. Lora slowed the truck and just watched him.

  Chad had always been a sexy man, but something about the way he looked now sent a shiver through her. He was in his element now and he looked so natural here. Yes, he was handsome walking down a street in Denver or shoveling snow from a sidewalk, but here there was an animation to his countenance that she'd never seen before.

  She could see the bright white of his smile as he pulled to a stop beside the truck. He winced as he looked at the dusty exterior, then grinned, shrugging lightly. "Hey, Baby. Glad you made it out fine. If you follow me I'll show you where you can set up."

  With an invisible touch to the reins he wheeled the horse around and trotted down the slope. He headed in the same direction she had, just a little more to the right. Lora cursed as she drove over some of the most rutted land she'd hit yet. It was a relief to get around to the other side and find the expanse of shade trees. A windmill blew a little crazily above them, squeaking rhythmically. Several trucks had been loosely circled so that the tailgates were inside the circle.

  Chad pointed to show her where to park and she did, climbing out of the cab with a sigh. Chad was already off the horse and reaching for her.

  Lora didn't care that he was dusty and dirty and had gross things on him. She loved him and wanted her greeting. So, reaching up, she tugged him close.

  If he'd just dropped a peck on her lips, she would have been okay, but instead he pulled her close for a long, lingering kiss. Flinging her arms around his neck, she held him tight and kissed him right back, until someone cleared their throat. Chad let her go slowly, reluctantly, a grin on his face. Turning, he snatched Mercy into his arms and swung her around. "Hey, caterpillar. Did you have fun bouncing out here?"

  She giggled, smacking him on the shoulders to let her down. "No! It was too bouncy. Why do you have to do it way out here?"

  She looked around at the grassland.

  "Well," Chad said slowly. "This is actually pretty close to the highway. There's a little lane that the loaded semi can drive on to get to the main road."

  Nodding, squinting in the bright sun, she looked around until he pointed where the lane was. The semi was already parked on it, ready to go when it was loaded.

  Lora moved to the back of the truck and dropped the tailgate. The coolers were no worse for the wear. She pulled a sleeve of red Solo cups from a box, filled one with peach tea from one of the jugs and handed it to Chad.

  Mouth going slack, he took it and drank it down. The second cup he drank a little more slowly. "That's great, babe. You just get parched out here. I know that will go fast."

  Word apparently got out that the food had arrived, because people started wandering in. Then the riders came in. Mercy stood in the back of Chad's truck and handed out foil wrapped chicken sandwiches and bottles of water to those that needed to go back out. For a while Lora worried whether or not she would have enough, especially when most of the men took two sandwiches, but eventually the traffic slowed.

  Everyone that paused long enough to introduce themselves to her was very nice, and she was surprised how many women were on the drive.

  Chad shrugged when she mentioned it to him. "When Dad was a cowboy, women didn’t really run cattle like this, but times have changed. It's still the men doing most of the heavy lifting and stuff, but the women are invaluable."

  "I'll run cattle like this one day," Mercy said, flashing him a grin. Chad grinned right back at her. "I know you will, darlin'. Maybe we'll get you on a horse tomorrow and see what we can do."

  Mercy's eyes widened and she almost fell out of the truck when she started bouncing around. Lora laughed at her daughter's joy, even as her heart cringed in fear. This was a dangerous job up here. She'd seen more than one cowboy limping, and one had had a bleeding gash on his thumb fro
m catching it on a piece of metal. This wasn't a safe place for children.

  Cheyenne kind of blew that theory out of the water half an hour later. She and her three daughters arrived wearing jeans, hats and boots, looking ready to work. Payton rode next to her, looking natural on the back of a huge black horse that seemed to float everywhere he walked. As soon as they arrived, they were ushered into the smaller round pen.

  “Let’s get to work, people,” Brock called.

  "Well," Chad said regretfully, "the break is over. Brock knows how to crack the whip on these cowboys. I'll show you where you can hang out and watch."

  Leading them across the pasture he motioned to the tailgate of a pickup backed right up to the fence. Nobody was there so Lora and Mercy climbed up in.

  "I have to get back to work but you can watch everything from here for a while. These are the older calves getting shots. The bull calves get cut, meaning castrated. Snipped. And then they get branded as Blue Star cattle. This is bloody and messy. If it's too rough for Mercy you can take my truck back to the house and I'll see you tonight. Love you girls!"

  Leaning up he gave her a kiss and a grin, then turned to get back on his horse. He rode to the far side of the small corral and he parked himself inside, blocking the cattle milling outside a panel gate. Every once in a while he would lean down and let a group of calves in, then shut the gate behind them. Two men on horseback inside the corral then roped the animals and dragged them over toward where Cheyenne had taken over a medical area. One of the wranglers would take the calf to the ground and tie up a rear leg so that a second man, Lora assumed a veterinarian, could cut the calf's scrotum to castrate him. Cheyenne moved in and gave the calf shots, then Carolyn, Cheyenne's oldest daughter, moved in with the branding iron to press it to the calf's flanks.

  It was not a good day to be a young calf on the Blue Star.

  One woman in particular caught Lora's eye, because she kept riding up to Chad while he was operating a gate letting calves in. The flashy palomino she rode had a mane the same color as the woman's curly blonde locks. She wore a bedazzled shirt that apparently repelled dirt, because there wasn't a speck on her. Making the horse dance, she moved around like she was trying to look busy. More than once, though, Lora saw Jackson and Brock send her dirty looks.