Blazing Hot Cowboy

by Kim Redford

  Lauren opened the door to Adelia’s, heard the sound of chimes announcing her entrance, and shut the door behind her. She felt as if she’d been transported back in time when she read “Established 1883” on a sign attached to a wall near the entrance. She admired the mellow oak floor to the high ceiling of intricately designed pressed tin and the tall glass containers of old-fashioned hard candy on the counter next to the ancient black-and-gold cash register.

  She’d always loved this store. Knickknacks in all shapes, sizes, colors, and prices filled deep shelves and glass cabinets. Western-themed gifts for bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchens dominated one wall. Another section contained pickles, jams, and other edible items in canning jars with an Adelia’s Delights label. All of the items were a definite temptation. She only wished the shelves were stocked as fully as in the past.

  She gave Rosie a gentle stroke across the top of her head and was rewarded with a soft, welcoming meow. “I’ll see you later, pretty kitty.”

  Lauren walked farther into the store and glanced over at the tearoom area where small, round ice cream tables with matching chairs were tucked into a corner near the front window. She quickly decided that was the perfect spot for a quiet conversation with Hedy.

  “Lauren, is that you?” Hedy called from one side of the store.

  “Yes!”

  “I’m over here with MG.”

  Lauren walked toward the open archway that connected Adelia’s with Morning’s Glory. She smiled in delight to see her aunt and her friend standing under the arch. Hedy appeared a little slumped in her wheelchair, but she gave Lauren a big grin. Morning Glory gave a little wave. She was still a tall, slim woman with a riot of long, curly ginger hair. She wore a bright-aqua blouse with a long, swirling skirt in many colors and turquoise cowgirl boots. At least half a dozen necklaces hung down to her small waist.

  “Now do you believe me?” Morning Glory glanced down at Hedy. “I told you I had a premonition that Lauren was coming back to Wildcat Bluff, and here she is in living color.”

  “You’ve said that for years.” Hedy tossed her head, a bit like a horse, as she teased her friend.

  “Vibes!” Morning Glory raised two fingers in the peace sign. “I’ve had good, strong vibes about it for a week now.”

  Hedy rolled her eyes at Lauren, chuckling to show she was in a teasing frame of mind. “Good thing you’re back or I’d have to hear all about MG’s vibes for another umpteen years.”

  “Come here and give me a hug,” Morning Glory commanded. “I’ve needed one from you for years.”

  Lauren was happy to comply, feeling the strength and agility in Morning Glory’s body, but she was also almost overwhelmed by a familiar scent. “Are you wearing patchouli again?”

  “Glad you remember your scents.” Morning Glory set Lauren back, looked her up and down, and nodded in approval.

  “You taught me well.” She’d never say it out loud, but patchouli was her least favorite scent, and she avoided it whenever possible. She just hoped she wouldn’t sneeze from the cloying odor and have one of Morning Glory’s herbal remedies thrust upon her.

  “Good.” Morning Glory cocked her head to one side. “I believe you’re in need of a little extra power right about now.”

  “Lauren’s obviously fine,” Hedy said. “She’s hardly back in town and you’re already messing with her aura or whatever.”

  Morning Glory glanced to the side of Lauren, squinted her eyes as if trying to bring something into focus, and then nodded in approval again. “Her aura’s fine and dandy, thank you very much. Appears to me she’s just starting out on a grand adventure and needs a little extra fire power and protection to get her where she wants to go.”

  Lauren smiled, feeling warm all over with Morning Glory’s concern. She never knew half of what her friend was talking about, but she was usually right or her concern just made a person feel better.

  Morning Glory fumbled with the jewelry around her neck, selected a necklace, pulled it over her head, and held it out to Lauren. “This one must be for you. I just made it yesterday.”

  “Are you sure? It’s gorgeous.”

  “Of course I’m sure.” Morning Glory thrust it at Lauren. “That’s a macramé cord I knotted myself. I got a hankering to make them long about last Christmas. I guess it was because I found a cache of brass horse harness hardware that I’d lost track of back in the seventies. They make fine necklaces.”

  “She teaching Misty to macramé,” Hedy said.

  “Misty?” Lauren raised an eyebrow in query. “Isn’t that—”

  “Right. Trey’s fiancée,” Morning Glory said. “You’ll love her. She’s from Dallas, but you can’t hold that against her. She fits right in here.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting her.” Lauren slipped the smooth knotted macramé necklace over her head and centered the brass piece over her sternum. She stroked the pendant.

  “Looks good,” Morning Glory said. “Horse harness hardware works perfectly for pendants since it comes in all sorts of designs like swans, animals, and such. That phoenix rising is perfect for you. Back in the day, a shiny row of those sewed on leather looked pretty on horses pulling conveyances.”

  “Thank you.” Lauren knew the necklace probably wouldn’t be right for Houston, but it was perfect in Wildcat Bluff.

  “Now, what’s this about Kent taking off with Hannah when I wanted a chance to meet her?” Morning Glory asked.

  “She’s determined to be a cowgirl.” Lauren felt proud of her daughter for being so willing to spread her wings. “They’re looking for a pony.”

  “But where are you going to put a horse?” Morning Glory looked from Lauren to Hedy and back again. “That’s not a small item like a Bluebird of Happiness.”

  “I’ve got an idea.” Hedy looked like the cat that ate the cream. “Kent’s got an empty barn, doesn’t he?”

  Lauren couldn’t keep from chuckling at her aunt the matchmaker. “As a matter of fact, he does indeed, and he volunteered it. I think we’ll start there till we see how everything goes in Wildcat Bluff.”

  “Everything will go just fine,” Morning Glory said with finality. “But don’t you dare start using that place till you clean it first.”

  “I saw it this morning and it looks fine.”

  Morning Glory narrowed her bright eyes. “That’s not what I mean and you know it. Stay right there and I’ll get what you need to move forward with that place.” She quickly turned and disappeared into her store.

  Lauren glanced down at her aunt. “I don’t think she’s changed a bit since I left here.”

  “I agree.” Hedy smiled fondly. “She’s got more energy than a two-year-old and enough ideas to float a fleet.”

  “Here you go!” Morning Glory popped back through the open doorway and held out two items. “These are for you.”

  “Thanks. What do I owe you?” Lauren felt skeptical as she accepted what looked like a roll of dried leaves wrapped and tied with a red cord along with a long, braided section of grass.

  “Not a thing. You’ll do something for me sometime and it’ll all come out in the wash,” Morning Glory said. “Now, that’s sage and sweetgrass. You remember, don’t you? Once you light them, they’ll burn slow and steady. You want to smudge by swirling the smoke around inside the barn. That’ll remove any lingering odors or negative vibrations.”

  “Oh yes.” Now Lauren remembered the ancient Comanche and other native nation cleansing system that Morning Glory recommended for all new enterprises. It couldn’t hurt to try it. “I’m sure this will do the trick.”

  “Groovy,” Morning Glory agreed.

  Listening to her, Lauren couldn’t help but remember how Wildcat Bluff was built by strong, independent settlers who had minds of their own when it came to life and happiness. They came west so nobody could tell them how to live their lives. They
fit right in to the former Comancheria that had been created by the fiercely protective Comanche. Wildcat Bluff’s descendants were of that same strong persuasion. And Lauren was glad to be back amongst her people.

  “What about that cup of tea?” Hedy gestured toward the tearoom. “I’ve got pomegranate green tea steeping for us.”

  “Sounds delicious,” Lauren said. “Morning Glory, do you want to join us?”

  “Wish I could, but I’ve got work to do.” She waved a languid hand toward her store. “We’ll have plenty of time to chat later.”

  “Bye for now.” Lauren watched Morning Glory hurry away before she smiled down at her aunt. Fish or cut bait. She hoped this chat went well. Still, she didn’t see how Hedy couldn’t love her idea.

  “Come along.” Hedy zipped toward the tearoom.

  “I hope you’ve got my favorite blueberry muffins, too.” Lauren followed her aunt, feeling as if she’d truly stepped back in time.

  “Blueberry?” Hedy stopped, and then gave a big smile. “Of course, blueberry muffins. I’d almost forgotten. Those were good days, weren’t they?”

  Lauren returned Hedy’s smile, but she could tell her aunt hadn’t remembered the muffins. She felt uneasiness spread like a chill up her spine.

  Chapter 24

  Lauren sat across the small table from Hedy in the tearoom area of Adelia’s Delights. She took a sip of tea from the to-go container, remembering nostalgically when they’d enjoyed drinking tea from pretty, delicate china. Earlier she’d carefully put her sage and sweetgrass in her purse and hung her bag over the back of her chair.

  “I bet I know what you’re thinking about the cups. I never thought I’d do it, but I’ve changed with the times.” Hedy held up her tea. “I miss the old days when we drank from beautiful china, but that time is long gone for me. I even use paper plates at home. It’s just not worth the bother to wash and dry anymore.”

  “I understand,” Lauren agreed, even as she knew the old Hedy would never have resorted to paper products. “I use plenty of paper, too. And don’t even get me started on the trouble with the new dishwashers.”

  “Mine’s twenty years old and still chugging away.” Hedy chuckled. “It’ll probably last me forever since I don’t use it much anymore.”

  “That’s the legacy I want from you.” Lauren smiled, thinking of all the problems she’d heard from friends about their new, flaky appliances. “Vintage dishwasher, range, washer and dryer, freezer. Those are like gold.”

  Hedy laughed harder. “You don’t want my beautiful china and silver?”

  “If you insist, I’ll eventually take that, too—only it all gets washed by hand.”

  “Good choice. I’ve already packed those away for you since I’m not using them nowadays.”

  “But don’t you want to keep enjoying your fine things?”

  “No ‘buts’ about it. You’re the child of my heart as well as my family. I want to pass my heritage, meaning my stuff while it’s in good shape, down to you. You can keep it, use it, or pass it along to someone who’ll enjoy it.”

  “Aunt Hedy, please don’t talk like that. You’re much too young to think about the distant future.”

  “Not a bit of it. Seventy is about the right age to get your affairs in order.” Hedy glanced around the store, then back at Lauren. “I’m working on it, but it’s going to take some time.”

  “You’ve got too much going on in your life to start planning on how to limit it now.”

  “Truth of the matter”—Hedy leaned forward—“I’m not feeling as spry as I used to when I was younger.”

  “There’s not a medical reason, is there?” Lauren held her breath, not wanting to hear some devastating news.

  “No. I’m the same-ole, same-ole, but I’m feeling more like a sourpuss every day.”

  “That doesn’t sound like my Aunt Hedy.”

  “Not the old me, but the new me.”

  “Let’s back up here. You’re too important to Wildcat Bluff, what with the fire station, Adelia’s, and everything else you do to even think about—”

  “I’m going to cut back. Let the younger ones step up to the plate.”

  “They won’t know what to do.”

  “I’ll train them.” Hedy set down her cup and looked down at her motorized wheelchair. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about—”

  “I want to talk to you about—” Lauren stopped once she realized they were about to speak over each other. “Excuse me. Go ahead.”

  Hedy leaned back, picked up her tea, and cradled the cup in both hands. “No, you’re just back in town. I want to hear what’s on your mind besides a certain good-looking cowboy firefighter.”

  Lauren couldn’t help but smile. “I admit he is that.” Now was the time to take the plunge with Hedy before she got cold feet, particularly since she was more concerned than ever by the way her aunt was feeling and thinking about life. No wonder she appeared so dispirited to everyone.

  “Even Hannah adores him,” Hedy said.

  “True. I’m thrilled she’s reaching out to others here.”

  “Wildcat Bluff folks have a way about them, don’t they?”

  “Just like you.” Lauren set her cup on the table. “Aunt Hedy, all this talk about horses and barns has given me an idea.”

  “Really?”

  “I’m beginning to think I can make Wildcat Bluff work for me, as well as Hannah.”

  “Well, of course it’ll work for you.”

  “I mean, I’m thinking about starting a business here.”

  Hedy appeared puzzled, frowning as she stared at Lauren. “But I thought now that you’re back you could help me in the store. That’d just be for a start. Didn’t I mention that you’ll be inheriting and running Adelia’s when I’m gone?”

  Lauren’s breath caught in her throat as she realized that she and her aunt were going in different directions for her future. “Truthfully, I never thought about you being gone. And I still can’t, or won’t, go there.”

  “Darlin’, as much as I love you, I simply will not be here forever. Your mom and I are discussing plans for your future, and Hannah’s too, but not ours anymore.”

  Lauren couldn’t stand the idea. It went against everything she had in mind for her aunt. She stood up, paced toward the Bluebird of Happiness display, glared at the happy-looking bluebirds, and turned back.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.” Hedy gestured toward the table. “Please come back and talk to me.”

  Lauren sat down, feeling weighed down by the past and the future, then she sat up straight. She wasn’t going to borrow trouble. She’d deal with the present. Everything else could take care of itself. “Okay. You know I’ll always help you in the store. Hannah will love it, too. But I’m a physical therapist. I have a passion to help others be the best they can be no matter their circumstances or physical ability. I can make a difference in folks’ lives. I have made a difference, and I want to continue doing it.”

  “That’s wonderful. I had no idea you were so passionate about it. I’ve always felt the same way. It must run in the family, what with your mother being such a wonderful nurse.”

  “Thank you. But you and Mom are the ones who’ve made such a big difference in the lives of others. I’m just getting started now.”

  “I think it’s a great idea.” Hedy leaned forward with bright interest in her dark eyes. “We have a clinic here, but folks must travel to Sherman, Denison, or Bonham for physical therapy. Some even drive to Dallas or Fort Worth.”

  “I want to do more than that.” Lauren took a deep breath, hoping against hope that her aunt would support her idea. “We’re in horse and cattle country here.”

  “Right. Horse riders and rodeo folks can get pretty stove up.”

  “I’d like to take my skills in that direction.”

  “Sounds
good.”

  “You’ve heard of equine-assisted therapy, haven’t you?”

  “Yes.” Hedy looked away from Lauren and down at her legs. “I hope you’re not thinking about me.”

  “I can get you up on horseback. You’ll feel like you’re walking again. We can build up your core strength. Hippotherapy works.”

  Hedy shook her head as she glanced up at Lauren with tears filling her eyes. “And to think I was so happy you’d come home.”

  “Aunt Hedy, I didn’t mean to upset you. I only want to help you and others.”

  “Don’t you think every day of my life I’ve yearned to ride again?”

  “We can make this work.”

  “Do you really think I haven’t researched every which way but Sunday to come up with a better way of life?” Hedy backed away from the table. “But I’ve never, not even for one moment, deluded myself that I could ever get on the back of a horse once more.”

  Lauren felt her jaw drop in astonishment, and then quickly closed her mouth with a snap of her teeth.

  “You go right ahead and teach Hannah to ride, start your equine-assisted therapy. I wish you the best of luck. I’m sure you’ll help many people.”

  “But I want to help you.”

  Hedy backed farther away. “I don’t need help. I want peace and quiet in my final years. I want to leave my legacy to you, but if you don’t want it—”

  “Of course I want it.” Lauren jumped to her feet. She didn’t know how this could have gone so wrong. “Your heritage is my heritage. Hannah’s, too. But we can have more many good, long years together right here in Wildcat Bluff.”

  “I may be strong and I may be courageous, but there’s nothing on this good, green Earth that could get me back on a horse again. I’ve got what I’ve got and I’m thankful for it. I’ve lived a good, long life and I’m thankful for that, too.”