by Ciana Stone
“I’m glad to hear that and know you’re relieved. So, you still want to hit the bar tonight?”
“Sure.”
“Great. What time did you want to head out?”
“Leave there around six thirty?”
“Sounds good. I’ll meet you here.”
He waved and watched her drive off before heading to the barn. There he found Buddy Mingo, filling the horses feed buckets. “Hey Buddy, you ‘bout ready to call it a day?”
“You know it. Them two boys JD sent over got a lot done today and Carl Porter showed up looking for work. I told him I’d have you give him a call. I wrote down his number. Hold on.” He dug around in his shirt pocket and produced a folded piece of paper.
“Thanks.” Kyle accepted the paper and stuck it in his shirt pocket. “Now get. I’ll finish this up. And tell Jenny thank you for that pie. It was real good.”
“I will, it’ll make her happy. Oh, she said to ask you if you wanted any jelly. Those apples you gave us, she put half of them in the freezer and used the rest to make a big batch of jelly.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Then I’ll make sure to bring you some.”
“Thanks and remember, you’re taking the weekend off. You worked last weekend.”
“I don’t mind, Kyle, you know I don’t. Me and Jenny, we can’t thank you enough. For the job and everything I mean. It was real nice of you to offer us the foreman’s house when ours got torn down in that tornado.”
“Just makes sense, Buddy, seeing as how you’re my foreman.”
“I am?”
“You are. And I’m giving you a fifty dollar a week raise starting next week.”
“That’s much appreciated Kyle. Much appreciated.”
“You earn every dime. Oh, while I’m thinking about it, could you ask Jenny if she’s still interested in the housekeeper job? Cora Jean called today and said her sister is coming to stay with her, recuperating from some surgery so she isn’t going to be available. And I’d rather have Jenny if she is interested.”
“You know she is. Just tell her what you want.”
“Just regular stuff. Cleaning, laundry, that sort of thing. Pay is fifty a week for one day a week.”
“More than fair. Thanks, Kyle.”
“You bet. Now get on home.”
“I’m headed that way.”
Kyle smiled as he watched Buddy leave then got to work on filling feed and water buckets. Buddy and Jenny had been married over thirty years. High-school sweethearts, they married as soon as they graduated. They’d had one child, a boy, but he enlisted and was killed overseas. Buddy had worked on ranches his entire life and Jenny did whatever she could to help out.
The tornado that destroyed Billy Sweet’s bar had demolished Buddy and Jenny’s small home which was just outside of town. Due to financial setbacks, they’d let their home insurance lapse and so they had no hope of rebuilding.
Kyle couldn’t let them be homeless so he’d invited them to live in the foreman’s house on his ranch. It wasn’t big or fancy, but it was solid, comfortable and free. They were, without question two of the nicest people he’d ever known and he was happy to help them out however he could.
Finished with his task, Kyle headed for the house. It felt like pure heaven being able to get into the shower without having to wrap his cast to keep it from getting wet. Since the cast had been removed he’d found himself indulging in longer than normal showers just for the pleasure of it.
He’d no more walked back into the front room when there was a knock on the door. He pulled it open and felt his breath catch. Liz stood before him and oh man was she looking good.
“Come on in.” He stepped back for her.
She walked in and eyed him up and down. “You clean up real good, Kyle.”
“I was just thinking the same about you, Liz.” That was no lie. He’d seen her in jeans, or in those tight running pants with a pair of baggy shorts on top of them, but now she had on a short denim skirt, a tight black top with little spaghetti straps that exposed the top of her breasts, a pair of black boots and a black Stetson.
With her hair loose and spilling down her back and over her shoulders in a tumble of waves and those dark-lashed eyes, she was a cowboy’s wet dream. God help him.
“So are you ready to ride?” She asked. “I don’t know about you but I could eat the south end of a north bound mule right now.”
“Then let’s go.”
They got into his truck and headed out. “So, did you see Wes yet?” She asked.
“No. He called and said it would be this weekend before he got back home. We’ll meet with him on Monday.”
“And tell him what?”
He looked over at her. “Landing and Apache are both doing well and so are you.”
“Really?”
“Why would I lie?”
“Well, I don’t guess you would, but – I guess I thought you were just pacifying me.”
“I don’t play games, Liz.”
“Ever?”
The tone of her voice had him looking over at her. She gave him a sassy smile. “Sorry, couldn’t resist. Besides, we talk enough about work. It’s the weekend, you’ve worked my ass off all week and I’m ready to dig into some swine, have a few beers and kick back.”
“Swine?”
“Pig is swine.”
“Yeah but swine sounds nasty.”
Liz laughed. “Nasty or not, I’m eating two pounds.”
Kyle couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re not big enough to hold two pounds of barbecue.”
“Ha! Says the man who’s never seen me eat. Hey, do you know Jolene Windwalker? I met her when I had breakfast with Cody. I nearly fell over. I had no idea she lived here.”
“She hasn’t long. She showed up to do a thing on the Weathers and her and JD got together and she decided to stay.”
“Weathers?”
“Yeah, they have a nice spread.”
“Interesting. So you have a television star, a romance writer and a movie star all living here.”
“Guess so.”
“Well who would’ve thunk.”
Kyle smiled and watched as Liz rolled down her window. The breeze whipped her hair around and she grabbed it with one hand, leaned her head out of the window and closed her eyes. The smile that came on her face touched something inside him. The fact that she could take pleasure in such a simple thing as the wind in her face was significant.
They didn’t talk much the rest of the way. When they arrived the parking lot was about half full. Kyle waited for her to get out of the truck and they walked in together. The moment they entered he heard Cody’s voice. “You made it!”
Cody stood behind the bar with a big smile on her face. Kyle and Liz walked over to the bar. “Wow, this place is fantastic.” Liz said. “And god something smells so good it’s making my knees weak.”
“Well grab a table. Y’all want beer?”
“Yes please.” Liz looked at Kyle after she spoke and he nodded.
“Okay, I’ll bring ‘em right over. Menus are on the table.”
“Where to, boss?” Liz turned to Kyle.
He pointed to a small booth along the wall. They took a seat and Liz pulled a menu from the small wooden stand on the booth-top. “Oh my god, chili-cheese fries.”
Kyle didn’t comment, he just watched her peruse the menu. When Cody walked up with their beer, Liz looked up. “So, y’all know what you want?” Cody asked.
Kyle deferred to Liz. “Go ahead.”
“Okay, let’s see. I want a barbecue sandwich, chili cheese fries, Cole slaw, potato salad and baked beans.”
“I hear ya, sister.” Cody grinned as she wrote down the order and then looked at Kyle. “Your usual?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, and hey Liz, I’m glad you came.”
“Me too.”
When Cody left, Liz picked up her beer mug. “Here’s to surviving the first month on the job, boss.”
“I’m not your boss.”
“I like calling you that. Come on, toast me, Kyle.”
He lifted his mug and clinked it against hers and then watched in shock as she downed half of it. She covered her mouth, burped and grinned. “God that was good.”
Kyle smiled and sipped his beer, watching Liz as she looked around. “So, this whole place was torn down in the tornado?”
“Not entirely, but enough that it had to be demolished and rebuilt.”
“It’s nice. Classy but still has a down-home feel to it. I like it.”
“Yep.”
“Do you come here a lot?”
“Maybe once a week.”
“For the beer, barbecue or music?”
“All of it.”
“Is this where you come to pick up women?”
Kyle nearly choked on his beer. “No.”
“Oh.” She leaned back and regarded him. “I get it. You don’t chase them. They chase you.”
“No.”
“Watch it Pinocchio. I’d hate to see that fine nose grow. Besides, I’ve already gotten the scoop on you, remember? You and Wes Pursell are Cotton Creek’s biggest players.”
“I am not a player.”
“Say the man half the women here are eye-balling.”
“Ever think that maybe they’re looking at you?”
“Yeah, trying to figure out if I’m the one scoring tonight.” She smiled and picked up her beer. “Just picking at you, Kyle.”
Just then Cody walked over with their food. She unloaded the tray and grinned. “So, if you need anything else give a yell.”
“Thanks, this looks amazing.” Liz reached for her barbecue sandwich. “Oh baby, come to mama.”
Cody laughed and walked away. Kyle watched as Liz dug in. In twenty minutes she polished off the sandwich, half a plate of chili-cheese fries, an order of potato salad and half of the Cole slaw.
“God that was good.” She looked at her empty beer mug and then at his. “Want another?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
She headed to the bar with the empty mugs. Cody was at one end, waiting on customers. A beautiful blonde woman was close by and walked over to smile at Liz. “Refill?”
“Please.”
“So, you’re Liz, right? Cody mentioned you.”
“Yes, and you must be Hannah?”
“So she talked about me, did she?” Hannah took the empty mugs to the beer tap.
“Just a little – and all flattering. This is a wonderful place and the food is – well it’s the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten.”
“Thanks.” Hannah set the full mugs on the bar. “So, you work for Wes Pursell?”
“For the moment.”
“Cody said you were once a stunt rider.”
“Yep, for a few years.”
“Why’d you quit?”
That wasn’t a question Liz was prepared to answer, so she evaded it. “Cody said that Nate Bridges lives here.”
“You mean Riley? Yes, he does.”
“You sure have a lot of famous people for a small town. Nate and Jolene Windwalker, and Kyle says that a friend of his JD Weathers was a champion rodeo roper and is first cousins with Jesse Nash.”
“All true.”
“Very cool. So, there’s music as well?”
“You bet’cha. In fact, Riley is in the band and they’re going to be playing tomorrow night.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, you should come.”
“Well, maybe I will. Nice to meet you Hannah. I better get these beers back to the table.”
“Nice to meet you, Liz. Hope to see you again.”
“Oh you will.”
Liz returned to the booth. Kyle was just finishing his meal. She took a seat and had a drink of her beer. Just then Jolene walked up. “Hey Liz, Kyle.”
“Hey Jo.” Kyle gave her a smile. “You here alone?”
“No, JD’s getting a table. Annie and Riley are with us. Why don’t y’all join?”
“We’ve already eaten.”
“Doesn’t matter. Come on. I want Liz to meet the guys.”
Kyle looked at Liz. “Up to you.”
“Sure.”
“Well grab your beer and come on.”
As Jo turned away, Liz looked at Kyle. “Those guys are your friends, right?”
“Yep.”
“So you don’t mind sitting with them?”
“Not at all. Why? Don’t you want to?”
“Oh yeah, I do. I mean I like Jo, but I’m dying to meet Nate – sorry, Riley Morgan.”
Kyle chuckled. “Little star struck are you?”
“Duh! It’s Nate Bridges.”
“Well, come on, fan girl.” He rose and waited for her to stand, then escorted her across the bar to a large table on the other side.
“Hey Kyle.” Riley stood as they walked up, as did JD Weathers.
“Hey, Riley.” Kyle shook Riley’s hand and then gestured toward Liz. “Riley, this is Liz Redgate. Liz, Riley Morgan.”
Riley smiled and offered his hand. “Pleased to meet you Ms. Redgate.”
Liz hesitated a split second and then took his hand. “Liz, please and this feels a little unreal.”
“Pardon?”
“Sorry. I know you hear this all the time, but I’m a fan.”
“No, actually I don’t but thank you. Jo tells us you were one of the stunt riders on one of my films.”
“I was.”
“I admire you stunt people. You make us look good and take all the hits.”
“It’s actually a lot of fun.”
Riley chuckled. “If you don’t mind pain. It’s a real pleasure Liz. This here is my wife, Annie.”
“The famous romance writer.” Liz smiled. “It’s an honor.”
“Same here.” Annie returned the smile.
“And this here is JD Weathers.” Riley made the introduction.
Liz looked up at JD. “You’re a rodeo champion, right?”
“Back in the day.”
“It’s a real pleasure.”
“Same here, Ms. Redgate.”
“Liz and the pleasure is mine.”
“So have a seat. Kyle, how you doin’? I see you got that cast off.”
“Yes, thank god. Doing good.”
“Y’all want beer?” Cody walked up behind them.
“Yep.” Riley and JD said at the same time, earning a chuckle from everyone.
“You, too?” Cody asked Kyle and Liz.
“Maybe one more.” Kyle said.
“Yep.” Liz agreed.
“Okay, beer all around. Y’all know what you want.”
A chorus of “the usual” had Kyle smiling. Folks were pretty predictable in their eating habits at the Honky Tonk Angels.
“So, how do you like Cotton Creek so far?” Jo asked Liz as Cody left.
“Well, I haven’t seen much of it, to be honest. Just the Pursell place and Kyle’s, the diner and now this place. No wait, the grocery store. But it seems like a real nice place.”
“Not too brown and dusty?” JD asked.
“No. I mean, it is a bit on the dusty side and it does have a certain barren look in places, but it still has a lot of beauty.”
“That’s what I said.” Jo agreed.
“And me.” Annie added.
“Well, obviously the women see eye-to-eye on our home.” Riley commented. “So, are you from California, Liz?”
“No, just worked there for a while.”
“Where were you before that?” Jo asked.
“All over. I was a trick rider on the rodeo circuit for a while.”
“Seriously?” JD looked at her. “My hat’s off to you. That takes some skill.”
“And a well-trained horse. Unfortunately, trainers don’t get the credit they deserve. Like Kyle. He has mad ninja skills with horses.”
“That whisperer thing,” Riley said.
“Yeah, seriously.
Wes Pursell is lucky to have him. Landing’s a handful to say the least.”
“Okay folks, here’s the beer and the food’s on the way.” Cody’s voice had conversation halting.
After that the conversation bounced from one topic to the next. Kyle noticed that Liz asked a lot of questions but answered few. She always managed to divert attention away from herself. What was she hiding?
The answers didn’t present themselves by the time everyone finished eating. After the table was cleared Cody took a break and joined them, armed with a bottle of tequila and shot glasses. Kyle refrained as did the rest of the men. The women joined right in.
By the time the music started on the juke box, all four women had a definite buzz. Cody stood and looked at the dance floor. “Well damn, that’s sad.”
She looked over her shoulder toward the bar and hollered. “Hannah!”
Her sister looked around and Cody yelled. “Honky Tonk Angels?”
“Hell yeah!” Hannah replied and started from behind the bar.
Cody looked at the other women at the table. “Well, who’s with us?”
“Me.” Annie stood and pulled Jo to her feet as well.
“Come on, girl.” Cody grabbed Liz’s hand and hauled her to her feet. “Let’s show ‘em how this shit is done.”
Kyle didn’t imagine there was a man in the place that didn’t appreciate the sight of five beautiful and hot women getting up on the dance floor and breaking into a sexy line dance. He sure didn’t. He might not have cheered or whistled the way others did, but he damn sure watched.
In watching, he learned something new about Liz. She had moves. Serious moves. It was more than being able to keep the beat and perform the steps, she moved like she was part of the music. She was limber, flexible and knew how to perform.
Who the heck was Liz Redgate? Whoever she was, she got to him in a big way.
When the song ended the whole bar cheered. The girls came back to the table. Jo and Annie coaxed JD and Riley onto the dance floor. “Okay, I gotta get back to work.” Cody said. “But Liz, I’m off on Sunday. Come over and hang out?”
“Can I bring Traveler?”
“Hell yeah. We’ll go ride.”
“I’m there.”
“All right then. Kyle, see ya buddy.”
“Yep.”
He looked at Liz and she held out her hand to him. “Dance with me boss.”
“Not if you call me boss.”
