The Mile High Madness

by Anders, Annabelle

  “And you never met him?” Maggie seems interested as well too, now.

  “He told my mom that if she didn’t want him, he didn’t want to have anything to do with either of us.” I don’t tell everybody this story… but… These women are about to become my family. “Mom’s done well for herself. I never lacked for anything.” And then I remembered Tucker’s suggestion. “You’ll meet her at the wedding. Which reminds me… I doubt Tucker’s done much more than talk to the local pastor. Would you two mind helping me figure out the details?”

  The two women exchange a questioning glance at the same time two rambunctious little boys tear through the mud room into the kitchen.

  Of course, Cassidy isn’t far behind.

  Today she looks like she’s just stepped out of a Wrangler’s commercial. Tight jeans, tall rugged boots, a checkered top, knotted at the waist and a suede cowboy hat. Red lipstick and dark eyeliner contrast perfectly with the innocent looking pigtails hanging past her shoulders.

  “Good morning,” I venture.

  Her smile fades at my greeting.

  She strolls into the kitchen as comfortable as if she’s lived here her entire life, opens the refrigerator, and pulls out what appears to be sandwich ingredients.

  “Morning, Maggie, Katherine.” She nods in my direction. “Miss Langley.” She rummages around and then addresses my future mother-in-law again. “Mags, where’s that picnic basket? Me and the kids figure on taking some lunch out to the boys. I hear they’ve located more downed fences”

  I freeze.

  The boys?

  Maggie rises and disappears through what looks like a pantry while she answers. “Last I knew, I put it back in here. I’ve got some Fruit Roll-Ups you can take too. Might as well throw in a few of those.” Her hands are full when she appears again carrying a large picnic basket.

  “Why don’t you take Isabella along with you?” Katherine interjects. “Show her some of the ranch now that the sun’s finally shining.” And then this dear woman winks at me. “Besides that, I imagine she wouldn’t mind seeing what Tuck gets up to.”

  Yes!

  Cassidy stiffens without answering.

  I’m all over it. “I’d love that. If you give me ten minutes, I think my jeans will be dry.” I transferred a load to the dryer before coming downstairs but will happily wear wet jeans if it means spending some time getting to know Tucker’s boys. I take a long swallow of my coffee and push my chair back to stand up. The wedding planning can wait.

  “Tuck says he doesn’t want anybody out there without a good pair of boots,” Cassidy glances meaningfully at my bare feet.

  “Oh, I have some hiking boots.” Damp ones. I carry my cup to the sink and rinse it out. Cassidy does her best to stay as far from me as possible. “I’ll hurry!”

  “Throw a sandwich in there for Isabella,” Katherine orders Cassidy.

  I might just have to watch to make sure she doesn’t sprinkle poison on it.

  “I’ll be right back.” I dry my hands on a dish towel and back out of the room. As much as I hate the idea of spending the day with Cassidy, I see this as a great opportunity. If by some chance I’m wrong about her, I’ll discover that today. If I’m not, well, then I’m coming along to stake a claim on my man.

  I must admit that I’m also excited to see more of the ranch – the mountains, the sky – all of it!

  Of which I will have the pleasure of viewing in wet clothing.

  But I don’t care.

  Except… After buttoning my favorite True Religion jeans up, I wander into Tucker’s closet and pull out one of his work shirts.

  It smells like Tucker. It looks cute. And best of all, it’s dry! Back in the bathroom, I pull my hair up into a pony and check out my butt. Yep, this is a good look for me.

  An old Denver Bronco Baseball cap hangs on the wall, and I decide it’ll work to keep the sun off my face. Damp socks – because Tuckers are too big – paired with damp boots and I’m good to go.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Tucker

  Not a good day.

  Sometimes I just want to chuck everything. My birthright, my legacy.

  This ranch.

  My family.

  I don’t know what the hell I’m gonna do about Cassidy. For the past few years, she’s just kind of been there. I figured she spent so much time with the kids because she liked them and she’s good friends with Jessamine. But after Colt’s comments yesterday and Isabella’s reaction last night, I’m not so sure.

  Should have nipped this in the bud a long time ago.

  I can’t let it fuck things up with Isa.

  Last night.

  She’s a revelation to me.

  Proposing after knowing her for just seven days was the most impulsive – some might say reckless – thing I’ve done since before I met Lenora. And I admit. I’ve had a few doubts while we were apart.

  Little ones though.

  Tiny critters.

  Now that she’s here, I know it’s the smartest decision of my life.

  She brings me back to life. Sexually, Jesus, yes, but emotionally too. I feel like I haven’t felt anything, good or bad in forever.

  Shit, since Lenora passed.

  Maybe that’s why I coasted along and allowed Cassidy to spend so much time with the boys.

  Dad-blame it, I’ve screwed things up bad. And the more I think on it, the crappier I feel.

  My day goes downhill when Colt and I come across another section of downed fence. If we’d stayed out a little later last night – not rushed to get back – we would have fixed this one up.

  But since we didn’t, five of our cattle slipped out and got caught in the culvert. Fucking five head of cattle gone because I couldn’t wait to get back to the house last night. Colt hasn’t said anything, but I know he’s thinkin’ it.

  I’m not a sentimental man, but financial loss aside, I hate like hell to see unnecessary loss of life.

  By late morning, I’m fixin’ to call it a day when a text comes in from Levi saying he’s found more downed fence. “Colt!” I holler. “We gotta head down to the south ninety. Levi says we got more sections out over there.”

  Colt throws his hammer on the ground and I feel the same way. I’m just putting my tools away when the sound of an engine signals an approaching vehicle – one of our trucks.

  I glance up and notice it’s Cassidy. Looks like she has the boys with her. They’re probably bringing rations. Instead of feeling any pleasure, the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I need to take Isa out in one of the trucks. Show her around.

  She needs to be able to get around on her own.

  This oughta be her bringing lunch with my sons.

  Cassidy and the boys climb out after she cuts the engine. Leeland runs right for me and wraps his arms around my legs. It’s one of my favorite things about being a dad.

  Leg hugs.

  I swing him up in my arms and ruffle L.T.’s hair.

  Cassidy follows them casually. I search her face, looking for signs of more than friendship on her part. She’s wearing more make-up today than usual. And her jeans might be a little tighter. She’s showing a little bare midriff…

  All her efforts do nothing for me though. She’s like a sister.

  “I heard about the loss.” She tips her head to the side. “Damn, Tucker. It’s such a shame.”

  Colt’s leaning against one of the posts we just planted, a piece of straw dangling from his shit-eatin’ grin.

  He doesn’t have to say a word. Cassidy hasn’t so much as laid eyes on him.

  Just me.

  Fu-u-u-ck!

  She’s in love with you. Isabella’s accusation stings.

  “We brought you lunch.” Now her eyes shift around looking for Colt. “Thought you might be getting pretty hungry by now.” She drops one hand on my arm in the guise of fawning over Leeland. “Didn’t we, buddy?”

  I take a step back. “You should have brought Isabella with you. Let the boys get to know
her a bit.”

  Cassidy wrinkles her nose. “I asked her if she wanted to come but she refused. She seemed busy online, you know, ordering more high heels. Looking at dresses. She kept telling me she wished she could go shopping at her favorite stores back in California.”

  My heart drops a little. I want Isabella to be happy here. She has to be happy here…

  Meanwhile, Cassidy opens up a blanket begins setting sandwiches out for all of us. She tosses me a fruit rollup. “I know these are your favorites.”

  I snag the package out of the air. Colt doesn’t say a word but opens his sandwich and takes a giant-sized bite. I set Leeland on the ground and lean against the truck.

  I’m not hungry.

  I’m disappointed.

  Did Isabella refuse to avoid being around Cassidy? Wouldn’t she have wanted to spend time with my boys?

  She’d even mentioned wanting to come with me earlier. We’d experienced magic on and off all night, and then she’d gone and brought up this Cassidy thing. I’d brushed her concerns off. I didn’t want to imagine such a problem actually existed.

  What the fuck was I been thinking to turn her down? Sure, she would have seen the carcasses of the dead cattle. But she would have seen the land, the sage brush, the sky, the hills. I could have given her a glimpse into this life.

  My life.

  Her moving here had gotten off to a bad start.

  Not in the bedroom. Hell, never in the bedroom, but everywhere else. I need to have a talk with my mom about Cassidy. About the best way to deal with her. She’s Jessamine’s friend but I can’t have her undermining Isabella. Especially not after noticing the look in her eyes today. Sure enough, she watches me with an intensity I should have shut down long ago. Has it always been there?

  Fu-u-u-uck!

  I sit on the bumper of the truck and watch my boys. They hardly ever sit still. Bring ’em outside and it’s like watching wild horses. Each with a sandwich in their little hands, they’re running circles around Cassidy and Colt.

  In a perfect world, their momma never would have died. Never would have been diagnosed, fought like hell, and then succumbed to cancer.

  Those had been hellish days. We never told anyone, but right before her diagnosis Lenora and I had talked about separating. We’d somehow managed to grow apart. Started fighting about stupid, idiotic things.

  All that got put on the back burner when she came home and told me she was sick.

  Like an old friend, the guilt of not loving Lenora washes over me. I guess I loved her, but in the end, neither of us was in love anymore. People look at you, they think they know what’s in your heart. But nobody really does.

  The boys are tossing wrappers back into the basket. My sons. I don’t spend near enough time with ’em. I’ve become father to this ranch.

  “Why don’t you boys come with me this afternoon?” My sons light up at the suggestion. “Thanks for bringing ’em out, Cassidy. You about ready to go, Colt?”

  Cassidy gathers the blanket and basket up. “I’ll come too,” she says matter-of-factly. “We can make an afternoon of it.”

  But I’m shaking my head. “Thanks, Cassidy.” I need to hold firm. Shit, how long have I let this go? “I reckon we need a little man time. I’m sure Isabella would appreciate your help with wedding plans. I’d sure appreciate it if you’d help her out.”

  There. I’ve put it out there. I hope Cassidy doesn’t force my hand and make me say words I’d rather not.

  Leeland has climbed onto Colt’s back and they’re heading for the truck. Cassidy hasn’t said anything yet. I can tell she wants to argue.

  “Tucker?” She says my name on a breath. “You can’t marry her!”

  Colt’s climbing into the truck with the boys, but L.T.’s little ears are perked up. I shake my head at her. “Not now. If you and I need to have a talk later, we will. But get one thing straight.” I glance over at the truck again. Colt is as bad as L.T., straining to listen to every word. “I’m going to marry Isabella. I love her and nothing’s gonna change that.”

  I’m not willing to drive off until Cassidy’s packed up and safely on her way, so I take the picnic basket from her and walk it to her truck.

  She goes to climb in but then backs out and looks at me. “Don’t get your heart broken, Tucker. She’s already hating it here. I wasn’t gonna say anything, but she said spending time cooped up in a truck with the boys wasn’t her idea of a good time. She drank coffee but said we needed an expresso machine. Tuck, she’s just not fit to live on a ranch.”

  I hold my hand up for her to stop and just walk away. I don’t want to hear this. Isa must have been tired from last night. Tired from her trip yesterday.

  I climb in my truck and watch the mud kick up as she drives away. She’s a sweet girl, but she’s not Isa.

  Isabella is the woman I’m gonna spend the rest of my life with – the woman I want to be a mother to my boys.

  The woman I want to come home to every night –warm my heart – warm my bed.

  I need to have a long talk with my family.

  I’ll start with my mom.

  Or so I decide.

  L.T. has other ideas.

  “Dad, why didn’t you want Cassidy to come with us?” L.T.’s always seemed older than he is. Smart as a whip. I imagine he got that from his mom.

  “Thought we’d have some man time, right Colt? No girls allowed today.” I wink over my shoulder at Leeland.

  “Are you really gonna marry Miss Isabella? She’s pretty, Dad, but I don’t think she knows how to ride horses. She don’t even got no boots.”

  “I like Isa,” Leeland pipes up from the back.

  Hell and heck, when did my personal life become everybody’s business? Except, these are my boys. They do actually get to have an opinion.

  “I’m fixin’ to get her a pair of boots, L.T.” I drop the truck into second gear as we cross over a rise. “I figure we can teach her how to ride.”

  “Whose horse will she ride, Dad?” This kid loves horses. Reminds me so much of myself when I was his age. “Maybe she can ride Tinker, and I then I can ride Trek. Do you think, Dad? Since I’m a better rider now?”

  Trek is bigger. Faster. But… “We might just have to do that, L.T. ’Cause she needs a gentle horse, and you’re getting bigger now. Why don’t you ask her about that? Ask her what she thinks?”

  L.T. falls silent.

  “What, buddy?” I meet his eyes in the rearview mirror.

  “What if she doesn’t like me?”

  I should have had this talk with him as soon as I got back from St. Thomas. “Why would you think she wouldn’t like you?”

  “Jessamine says she’s from the city. And that she probably looks down on ranch kids.”

  I glance over at Colt, who shrugs. “What the hell?” I ask him. He spends more time with Jess than I do. They hang around gabbing while I’m holed up in the office at night.

  Which reminds me, I need to place some orders tonight. Check some prices. But I need to nip the notion of Isa not liking ranch kids in the bud right now.

  “Why don’t you try giving her a chance? I’m pretty sure Isabella doesn’t feel that way. Do you think I’d marry somebody who looks down on ranch kids? I’m the biggest ranch kid there ever was.”

  I pull up close along an older section of fencing, and Colt’s and my eyes automatically follow the lines. Looks good.

  “Maybe you just like her ’cause she’s pretty. Maybe you made a mistake.”

  “Maybe you need to stop listening to hogwash,” I interject.

  L.T. doesn’t answer me.

  “Ya hear me?” I watch him in the mirror until he nods. “You talk to her about Tinker, all right?”

  L.T. nods again but then clears his throat. “Yes, sir.”

  “She can ride Frosty.” Leeland offers up his mount.

  “Frosty might be too little for her, Lee.” My youngest never fails to make me smile. I swear, if everyone could see the world through his
eyes…

  Colt and I make fast work of the problem areas and then head back early. The boys are tired. I try to keep them busy with small tasks, but they get bored pretty quick. Our work today involves doing the same thing over and over again. Damn fences go on for miles.

  My mom once told me keeping fences up was like doing laundry. Something you never finish.

  I park the truck and fish Leeland out of his car seat. He’s fast asleep, so I carry him to the door while L.T. rushes ahead and takes off for his room. I imagine he’s missing some of his toys by now. My mom meets us at the door alone. The house feels quiet.

  “Where’s Isabella?” She would have heard us coming. I hope she hasn’t been holed up in my room all day.

  “She wanted to meet up with you but Cassidy left without her.” My mom’s lips are pinched. Hmm. Had Cassidy been lying to me? My mom doesn’t explain though. “Levi drove her into town.”

  “Into town?” What the hell? Panic leaps into my throat. “Denver?”

  “Buena Vista.” Her eyes watch me warily. “They should be back any time now.”

  I glance around. Damn Cassidy. Hearing she pulled a stunt like this doesn’t surprise me though.

  Things are gonna have to change around here.

  “You have a few minutes?”

  She’s my mom. She always has time for me. She nods and takes a few steps toward the fridge. “You want a beer?”

  God, a beer sounds perfect right now. “Yeah.” I settle Leeland on the couch and cover him with a throw. He stirs and his thumb makes its way into his little mouth, but he doesn’t wake up.

  Back in the kitchen, my mom pops the top off a Bud Lite and hands it to me. “I take it you have a problem.” My mom and I have always been able to talk. We have the unlikely connection of both having lost our spouses within a year of each other. Only she’d been married to my dad for about forty years, and my marriage had been on the rocks.

  Even though I never told her, I’m sure she figured it out.

  I need her to understand the depth of my feelings for Isabella. If Mom comes on board, then everybody else will follow. I should have had this talk weeks ago.