Rustler's Heart

by Amanda McIntyre

  Her brows disappeared beneath the blue striped bangs she wore this morning. “Excuse me?”

  Realizing she wasn’t familiar with his comment, he explained. “I need you to repeat what you said, I didn’t hear you.”

  “Oh.” She dropped her arms and sauntered past him, running her hand over the cabinets he’d built. “Come again. It sounds like something else, entirely.” She glanced his way and smiled. “I suppose that’s the difference between city girls and country boys.”

  He shifted, feeling embarrassed to be having this conversation with Dalton’s little sister, when he might walk in at any moment.

  “What I meant to say, is you shouldn’t have to tromp all the way up to the main house. If the other cabin is close to this one, we can set up a bathroom schedule. I’m used to sharing with roommates. Besides, I normally shower at night. But we won’t go into that.” She opened the refrigerator, spotted a longneck beer and held it up. “Do you mind?”

  Rein was still processing the whole “sharing the bathroom” idea. “Uh sure, go ahead.”

  She twisted off the cap and lifted herself to sit on the counter. Taking a drink, she glanced his way and raised a brow. “What do you think?”

  Of your thin cami top, or your jeans with enough holes to leave damn little to the imagination? Rein opened his mouth to speak, just as Dalton stepped through the patio screen door. “Hey, Liberty. See you found sanctuary. The only thing worse than a man puking his guts up, is the sound of a woman retching.”

  “You have poetic tendencies, Dalton.” She lifted her bottle in salute and took another swallow. “I told Rein that Aimee’s folks arrived, and I decided to move out to give them Rein’s room.”

  “Hey, there’s always my room.” Dalton shrugged, dropping the wood by the stove.

  “Have you looked at your room?” Rein and Liberty blurted the words together as if on cue. Liberty’s unbridled laughter caused Rein’s mouth to lift in a smile.

  She took another swallow from the bottle. “Besides, once they shovel out your room, Dalton, the wedding party is going to need the space to get ready. I figure it’s easier on everyone this way.”

  Dalton reached into the fridge and snagged himself a beer. He held it up and tapped Liberty’s bottle. “Fine by me. We can make this work. Rein and I will just head down to the next cabin.” He took a swig from the bottle and then frowned. “Except that we have no plumbing.”

  “Which is where you came in,” Rein sighed, still contemplating the options.

  “I suggested a bathroom schedule.” Liberty spoke directly to Dalton.

  A grin spread across his face. “Perfect. It’s settled. I’ll go get the truck and we‘ll load up some of the furniture that’s going into the cabin.”

  “I’ll help.” Liberty hopped off the counter and followed Dalton out the door.

  Clearly, they’d not waited to hear his thoughts on the subject. Rein squeezed the tired piece of plastic in his fist and tossed it in the trash. When had he lost control? A sobering thought occurred to him. The last time his life went topsy-turvy, was when Caroline Richardson waltzed into it.

  And look how that turned out.

  In theory, this should be the happiest week of his older brother’s life. So why did he feel like a bad moon was rising?

  Chapter Four

  Everything seemed to be coming together. Liberty had never seen such a large group work so cohesively to make something happen. She stood on the front porch, a cup of coffee in hand and watched as Rein, Dalton, and Michael followed Sally’s orders, relieved that she’d been given charge over Aimee. Wyatt took refuge inside with a couple of others from town, storing the bales of hay in the upper floor of the barn.

  “Did we remember the ladders? I’ve got to get up there to drape the rafters with the tulle.” She called after the men struggling to carry two eight-foot banquet tables at a time.

  The Church of Christ had allowed them to borrow a few for the reception. The horses had been regulated to the pens outside, the barn floor was in process of being swept and bales of hay with blankets donated by Michael and Rebecca had been placed around the barn inside and outside, for extra seating. A small stage for a local country band had been arranged at one end of the building. Seating for two hundred, Aimee had told her, meant that she’d nearly invited the entire town, in addition to an array of out of town family, clients and friends.

  Aimee, who’d slept in a little later these past couple of mornings, appeared at Liberty’s side, looking pleasantly tired.

  “Morning,” she commented in lackluster fashion.

  The two stood in silence a moment watching the male energy and Sally’s teaching skills in action.

  “She’s a force to be reckoned with,” Liberty remarked. She genuinely liked Sally and it appeared she got along well with Rein.

  “She’s a teacher,” Aimee responded as she settled into one of the porches four hand-made rocking chairs. Liberty chose to stand.

  “Is there a story between those two?” She glanced back and caught Aimee’s puzzled frown.

  “What two?”

  Liberty tipped her head toward Rein and Sally. She was speaking to him and his focus didn’t waver.

  “You mean, Sally and Rein?

  “Are they an item.” She crooked two fingers of her free hand into quotes to emphasize. “He seems very tuned into to her.”

  She heard Aimee’s short laugh. “Wow, you noticed that?”

  Liberty gave her a side-look. “I know men.”

  Aimee could have used the comment to make a seedy remark, but Liberty noticed she didn’t. In the short time she’d known her, Liberty realized that Aimee held few judgments about people—unlike others around here.

  Her gaze shot back to Rein. Head down, he trudged from the barn, his hat shading his face from view. A man with a mission—determined—a no-nonsense kind of guy. His boots roused the dirt as he stomped toward the truck. He paused a moment to remove his hat and wipe his brow with his forearm. She noted the ripple of solid muscle beneath his gray cotton tee shirt. His snap up, long-sleeve shirt lay in a wad beneath a tree where he’d tossed it.

  “Any particular reason that you’re interested?”

  Aimee’s gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. She faced her new friend and leaned against the railing, purposely turning her back on Rein. “Just curious. He seems to get along with her.”

  Aimee nodded with a quiet smile. “And he hasn’t been very kind to you, has he?”

  Liberty shrugged. “I’m a big girl, Aimee. I’ve seen plenty in my twenty-one years. I’ve never had anyone treat me like I’m twelve before. Especially a man.”

  Aimee studied her a moment before she spoke, “I heard that they dated a while back. Long before I moved here. I also heard it didn’t work out. Rein’s not at all Sally’s type. And truth be told, I think Sally would have killed him eventually.”

  Why that should give her a spark of satisfaction, she didn’t understand, but didn’t plan to go there, just yet. Besides, he hadn’t shown any interest in even getting to know her as a friend. “Maybe he thinks I’m a threat to his brothers?”

  “Why would he think that?”

  “Aimee,” she smiled. “In my line of work, you don’t need to know someone well…hell, at all, before jumping to all kinds of ridiculous conclusions.”

  “Give him time. He’ll come around.”

  She wouldn’t hold her breath. A woman’s laugh caught her attention and she looked back to see Rein and Sally in an animated conversation. Envy nibbled at her, and she shouldn’t give a red hot damn. No doubt she found him physically attractive, but they had little else in common, other than their love of interior design. And even in that, he didn’t seem interested in her opinions.

  “Have you thought about what you’re going to wear to the wedding?”

  Liberty eyed the pert blonde woman, her hair askew, looking groggy in her bathrobe and white flip-flops—and still beautiful. Liberty sighed.

 
“Not until this moment. I didn’t bring a lot with me in the way of dress clothes.”

  Aimee’s brow furrowed. “You left your things back in Vegas? Were you thinking that you might be going back?”

  “Uh, no. I was sort of in a hurry.”

  Aimee stood and stuffed her hands in the pockets of the blue plaid robe. The way it hung on her, Liberty figured it had to be Wyatt’s. “Liberty. Are you in trouble?”

  She searched the petite woman’s eyes filled with concern. Aimee had enough on her plate this week. “No, of course not.” It wasn’t a complete lie. As long as Angelo was appeased by the letter that she’d quit and broken her contract with him. “You know that if you need anything, need someone to talk you, you can come to me.”

  Liberty smiled and drained the cup of now cold coffee. “Sure. I just need a little time to figure out what’s next for me. Maybe I could find work in something I really want to do.”

  “Which is?”

  “Design. Interiors. Color, fabric, textures. I love working with that stuff.”

  Aimee offered a friendly smile. “Well listen, in the meantime, why don’t you come inside and let’s take a look in my closet. I think I’ve got a dress that will fit you perfectly.”

  The unexpected sense of belonging hit Liberty hard. She rubbed her hand under her nose and blinked a couple of times to clear the haze of tears threatening to spill over. “Remind me please to take my allergy meds. All this nature is playing havoc on me.”

  Aimee laughed and gestured for her to follow. With a quick look over her shoulder, she noticed Rein alone, pulling another table off the back of the truck. His gaze connected to hers and heat slammed into her.

  Damn.

  A few moments later, she watched Aimee rifle through her closet in a quest to find something she felt Liberty could wear. “Ah, here it is. This one ought to catch his eye.” She pulled out a deep purple-colored short dress, made of a shimmery satin fabric. It was sleeveless with a single strap over one shoulder. Liberty eyed the gorgeous dress as she plucked it from Aimee’s hands.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but this is a gorgeous dress.”

  A pair of sparkling blue eyes peeked around the garment. “Really? You forget I am used to having a sister. I know the signs.”

  “Signs? Please.” She ducked her gaze and laid the dress on the bed. Liberty began to pull off her clothes as Aimee sauntered to the window and pulled shut the curtains to the side porch door. She settled in an easy chair in the corner of the room and rested her chin on her hand.

  “How long have you had that blue streak in your hair?”

  Liberty released a small sigh and slid the zipper down the side of the dress. “A few months. It looks good in my dark hair, don’t you think?” She blatantly tested Aimee’s curiosity, wondering whether Aimee’s acceptance of her was sincere.

  “Yeah,” The woman’s response seemed lukewarm.

  “Yeah?”

  “And the tongue piercing?”

  “My boss’s idea. He thought it made the dancers look exotic. It hurt like hell.”

  “Why don’t you take it out?” she asked.

  Liberty let the beautiful dress slither down over her body. It fit as though designed for her. “You might not like the answer.”

  Aimee chuckled. “I’m not that backwoods, Liberty. Is it better for guys or gals?”

  She spun on her heel, surprised that a second grade teacher would be so blunt. “First, let’s be clear. I’m into men. If that’s what you’re wondering. And I guess I’ve heard that guys don’t seem to mind it.” She grinned and they both broke into laughter.

  “For the record, I like the hair. I once thought about putting a pink streak in my hair, but chickened out. Yeah, I admit it.” She tipped her head thoughtfully. “You know, you look a whole lot better in that dress than I ever did. I might have to hate you a little. As to the piercing…I say whatever works. Besides, there are a couple of good-looking cowboys around town. You never know.” She wiggled her brows.

  “Now you’re trying to set me up?”

  “Me?” Aimee smiled.

  “You hardly know me, Aimee. And if I go by Wyatt’s reaction to me the night I got here or Rein’s constant advice—my, God, I don’t think he knows how to categorize me. The sense I’m getting is that not to many of those “cowboys” in town, are going to come flocking to me.”

  “Liberty, around here, a change in Betty’s breakfast menu can cause a stir in town. Don’t worry about the opinion of others. Once they get to know you, they’ll warm up.” Aimee smiled. “I can remember when people didn’t think that Wyatt could ever change from the sullen hermit he used to be. The townsfolk called him, The Grinch.”

  “Wyatt, a Grinch? Preposterous.” She grinned and Aimee shrugged.

  “I guess part of me likes to think that maybe I had something to do with the change in his demeanor. Ultimately, Wyatt had to realize there was more to him than he allowed himself to be.”

  “He’s still a little tightly wrapped around the edges, but he seems happy. Love must agree with him.”

  “It can be a powerful thing.” She eyed Liberty. “Are you happy with the way you look?”

  Liberty walked over to the dresser mirror and gazed at her reflection. In the short time she’d been at the ranch, she felt more rested. Even her skin glowed. The color of the dress and the style suited her athletic build. She eyed it, figuring with the right heels and hairstyle, Rein MacKenzie would be convinced that she wasn’t the little girl he thought her to be.

  ***

  Thank God they’d thought to install the cattle fans in the rafters. Even with both doors open at either end of the barn, the fancy jacket was too hot for Rein. Just as soon as they cut the cake and the traditional toasts were made, he wasted no time crawling out of the black tuxedo jacket, unbuttoning his collar, and rolling up the sleeves on his dress shirt.

  “I’m going to get some of Betty’s lemonade. You want anything?” He clapped Dalton on the shoulder. His brother eased back in his chair, nursing a beer as he quietly observed the celebration in front of him. The entire town had practically turned out for the reception after the family and friends ceremony.

  “No, I’m good.” He didn’t look up.

  “You okay, man?” Rein stood next to his brother’s chair. Dalton had been unusually quiet since the ceremony. His toast to the new couple had been simple, straightforward. Then again, Dalton wasn’t necessarily a sentimental guy.

  “It’s just weird to think of him being married, you know? And me, going to be an uncle.”

  Rein slapped his hand on Dalton’s shoulder. “Hey, we’re all getting older, bro.”

  “Yeah, I just hope they make it.”

  Words that came from a past so much different than Rein’s. His parents had their moments, sure, but they loved each other. They were a family. Rein had to live with what had been taken from him every day. He took a deep breath, forcing away the complicated memory on this otherwise happy day. “They will, Dal and you’ll make a damn fine uncle, you’ll see.” His brother nodded and clasped Rein’s hand briefly.

  A few moments later, Rein stood at the refreshment table with a glass of Betty’s homemade special brew in hand. He took in the sight around him, the soft white tulle and sparkling tiny white lights in the rafters, the electric pillar candles in mason jars on the tables. Sally had really come through in transforming the old barn into a wedding night to remember. His gaze caught Wyatt and Aimee nose-to-nose on the dance floor, wrapped in an intimate embrace. He’d never seen Wyatt so happy. It was about damn time.

  “Hey, cowboy, how about you take this dress out for a spin. I want to get as much use out of it as possible.” Sally tapped his shoulder and smiled up at him. He set down his empty glass, and led her to the dance floor. The music and the spiked lemonade slipped through his veins. He sighed and looked down at Sally. “You did an incredible job with all this, lady.”

  “Why thank you, sir. Anything fo
r those two, right?” She looked at the newlyweds, oblivious to anyone else in the room “Have you ever seen Wyatt smile so much?”

  “I know. I’ve never seen him like this.”

  “About damn time.” They both said at once and then laughed. It was strange at times being around Sally. They’d shared a brief, but not an intimate, past. Rein had on more than one occasion, wondered why. Tonight however, his mind wandered aimlessly, jumping from one thought to another, and more often than not, landing on Liberty.

  “Liberty certainly seems like a nice girl.”

  Rein’s gaze darted to hers. Had she read his mind? The comment came so fast and unexpected that it rattled him for a moment. “Yeah, for a kid.”

  A smile curled the corner of Sally’s lip.

  “What’s with the smirk?”

  She raised her brow. “Well, first off, she’s of age, which means she’s no kid, as you put it. And honey, you didn’t take your eyes off of her during the entire ceremony.”

  “You’re reading into things,” he stated flatly, averting his eyes. He knew she was spot on with her observation. He’d not been able to keep his brain focused on much else since she walked across the lawn in that dress. All afternoon he’d been battling his wayward thoughts about Liberty.

  Sally tapped his shoulder. “Oh, look. Angelique is talking to Dalton.”

  Grateful at least, that they’d changed the topic, he twirled Sally, so he could see Dalton’s reaction. Never mind that it might have given him the chance to search that side of the room for Liberty.

  “Would you look at that slug.” She craned her head to look over her shoulder and released a frustrated sigh. “He could have at least asked her to dance.”

  “Dalton doesn’t dance.”

  “Well, he ought to learn.”

  Rein grinned down at her. “Forever the optimist.”

  “What is it going to take for a girl to win that guy’s heart?”

  Rein blinked, drawing back in genuine surprise. “Wait a second, are you interested in Dalton?”