Her Favorite Cowboy

by Mary Leo

  “What the—” he said under his breath, angry that he’d had such a visceral reaction. He shook the sensation free, and forced his now-tense body to relax as he watched his grandfather give her a tight hug. One thing was for sure—the men in his family sure took to her like bees to honey.

  He stopped walking and chided himself for the analogy. He hadn’t been in the west for more than a day and already his thoughts had gone all folksy.

  “You saved my life,” Gage overheard Grandpa Buck say when he and Cori separated. His face glowed with appreciation.

  “Hardly,” Cori told him, a slight blush on her cheeks. “All I did was help you get through a challenging time. Your grandson did much more than I did.”

  Gage walked up alongside them and immediately his pulse quickened, as if her mere presence caused a physical reaction, which he knew couldn’t be the case. They barely knew each other. He blamed his response on the tensions of the day. There could be no other reason...at least none that made any sense.

  “It was a good start,” Gramps teased, leaning in closer to Cori as if they had a secret bond. There was a time when he and his grandfather had their own secret bond, when his grandfather had a dry sense of humor that Gage always got, and most times added to the joke. Now he questioned almost everything his grandfather said. Nothing seemed funny and everything seemed like an attack.

  “Was that a compliment?” Gage asked, hoping his gramps would lighten up.

  Grandpa Buck turned to face him. “No. It was a fact.” Then he turned and walked into the theater where he met up with some of his male friends, each giving him a strong handshake and a pat on the back. Gage watched as his grandfather’s face lit up with each touch, with each recognition, and he longed for that light to be directed in his direction.

  “He’ll come around. These things take time,” Cori said in a low voice.

  It was as if Cori could read his mind. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a little spooky?”

  “How so?”

  “Do you always know what a person’s thinking, or am I one of the lucky ones?”

  “You have an expressive face.”

  “I’ll try to keep that in mind whenever you and I are conversing.” Gage purposely relaxed the muscles in his face and tried to look deadpan.

  She pointed her index finger and made little air circles around his face. He loved being this close to her and seeing her smile. He really worked at remaining expressionless, but as her smile spread, and her perfume engulfed his senses, he couldn’t keep a straight face.

  “See, right there.” She pointed to his eyes, then to his forehead. “And right there. I can tell you’re happy to see me. And you want to sit with me during dinner.”

  “Yes, I’m happy to see you, but I hadn’t thought about seating arrangements.”

  She turned to walk inside. “Well, you should have. I’m a great dinner partner.”

  He followed close behind, softly chuckling at how she could wrap him around her finger with a few words and a smile. “Let me grab my grandfather and we’ll join you at one of the more private tables along the wall. Will that work?”

  “Sure, I’ll hunt down my family and let them know. There’ll be three of us.”

  Gage left her at the door wondering what she’d meant by her family. He’d thought she had come with her grandmother and no one else, but then, they really hadn’t had time to discuss much of anything before his grandfather collapsed in the lobby. A fact that still haunted him. Grandpa Buck could have hit his head on a table or a chair or broken a leg or an arm and where was his grandson?

  In a bar...as usual.

  * * *

  THE HENRY STRATER THEATER, according to the brochure Cori had read up in her room, was one of the oldest continually running theaters in Colorado, featuring comedy nights with world-renowned comedians, improv troupes and ragtime music—from The Rocky Horror Picture Show during late October to Breakfast with Santa in December. The theater acted as both a community space and a cultural center.

  Deep red velvet drapes hung in various areas around the large room and across the stage. Elevated box seats adorned both sides of the room, and exposed redbrick walls gave off an Old West ambience. At once Cori felt as if she’d been transported into another time. A feeling of absolute delight filled her as she walked toward her grandmother and Hailey, her precocious daughter. At one point she had doubted her decision to quit her job.

  She wanted a calmer place and a better way to live. She’d thought they could move to her grandmother’s small town, until she saw just how small the town really was. There wasn’t an adequate local school for Hailey, and the nearest possible employment for Cori was over sixty miles away in Denver.

  As soon as they had arrived at her grandmother’s new home, she thought for sure she wouldn’t be able to last a week. Her gram had sold the big rambling house soon after Cori’s grandpa had died three years ago, and the new one was so small the guest bedroom barely held a double bed and a dresser. The place was great for her gram, but not so great for Cori and Hailey if their visit wasn’t going to be a short one.

  So many good memories had been centered in her gram’s town that Cori had built it up to be somewhat magical. In reality, it was still a sweet little place, but unless she was an entrepreneur or was willing to make the commute into Denver, there was no way she and Hailey could settle there. She would have to find an alternative.

  Cori knew she wanted to raise Hailey in a close-knit community—just not her gram’s community, which had turned out to be very disappointing for Cori. The thought of not being able to put down roots next to her gram had thrown Cori off course, but hanging out in Durango was proving to be something else entirely. More and more she felt sure this change was exactly what she needed, especially seeing the group of seniors who had gathered in the theater for the buffet-style barbecue dinner during the opening talks of the conference. Cori knew there had to be something more to life than merely working eight to twelve hours a day. She wanted time to spend with her daughter, time to pursue a hobby, time to learn how to cook something other than a prepackaged meal.

  There was something comforting about being around energetic older folks, as if they were clearing the path with their tenacity and courage of conviction, saying, “Look at me! If I can make it to my golden years and still pursue my hobbies and dreams, so can you.”

  “Mom! Mom! Grammy’s going to let me help during the auction. I get to hand out books and stuff. Doesn’t that sound like fun?” Hailey’s face glowed with anticipation, causing her blue-gray eyes to sparkle. Her thick caramel colored hair was pulled back in a long ponytail, and it bounced with her every move. She wore jeans, a soft pink Western shirt and cowgirl boots Cori hadn’t seen before. Obviously, Gram had taken her shopping, a pastime they both enjoyed more than they should.

  Hailey could barely contain her excitement. For the most part, she loved doing things with her grammy, especially if the two of them could go shopping either before or afterward. Helping Grammy in the kitchen, however, wasn’t on Hailey’s list of fun activities, especially if it had anything to do with cleaning up.

  Helping out with the auction, on the other hand, sounded perfect.

  “Are you sure it will be okay?” Cori asked her gram, who was seated at one of the many long tables.

  Cori noticed an empty chair right next to her gram, no doubt being saved especially for Cori’s arrival.

  “Don’t be silly, Corina-May. I never would have suggested it if she couldn’t do it. Besides, there’ll be a couple other people available to help her,” Grandma May said. Grandma May always referred to Cori by her birth name, making it a point to tack on the May part, in case anyone had any doubt who Cori was named after.

  Cori looked around the crowded room and spotted Gage coming their way.

  “I made a new friend
today, and I thought we’d sit with him and his grandfather for dinner. Would you two mind?”

  “Nope,” Hailey answered, sticking out her chin and shaking her head. “Does your new friend have any kids I could play with?”

  “I don’t really know, but if he does, he didn’t bring them to the conference.”

  Cori hadn’t given any thought to whether or not Gage was a father. Not that it mattered, but he didn’t seem like the type. Dads were usually more in tune with family, and Gage seemed completely out of step with that element of his life.

  “That’s all right,” Hailey mumbled, making a frown.

  Cori knew that Hailey was lonely for her friends, especially for her best friend, Susan, who she’d spent time with almost every day since they were five. Her decision to quit her job and move halfway across the country to live with Gram for a while was proving to be more of a challenge than she had anticipated, especially for Hailey. Not being able to play with Susan was really hard on her. Once they settled somewhere, Cori felt confident that Hailey would find a new best friend in no time. Till then, the two girls would have to be content to chat on Skype every night.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie, I haven’t seen any children at this convention, but when we get back to Grammy’s house, we’ll make a point of getting out there and meeting some. Okay?”

  “We’ll go to the Community Center and sign you up for a swimming class or gymnastics and you’ll meet lots of kids your age,” Gram said, trying to assure her.

  “But I already know how to swim and I don’t like gymnastics. Don’t they have anything else?”

  “As soon as we get back to my house, we’ll walk on over there and see what they offer. You can sign up for anything you want. Okay?”

  “Okay,” Hailey mumbled, but Cori could tell she wasn’t the least bit excited about the prospects. All Hailey really wanted to do was go back home to be with Susan and her friends. It was up to Cori to change her mind...which wasn’t going to be easy.

  Cori glanced back to see Gage as he approached. Grandma May tilted her head to get a clear view of Gage Remington as he weaved through the group to get to them. A smile creased May’s pink lips and her gray eyes lit up as he approached. “Is that your new friend heading our way?”

  Cori turned and threw Gage a welcoming smile. He returned the gesture, and his entire face lit up. He was more ruggedly handsome when he smiled, if that was even possible. Cori didn’t know if her attraction to him was causing his looks to take on an Adonis flair or if he’d had those qualities from the beginning. Either way, her insides had turned to mush, watching him approach.

  “Where’d you find him?” Gram asked.

  “In the bar this afternoon.”

  “He’s a real looker. Is he your boyfriend?”

  “I just met him. How could he be my boyfriend?”

  “It took your grandpa and me about ten minutes to know we were in love. What’s taking you so long?”

  “Love is something that grows with time.” Cori was thinking about Jeremy, her deceased husband. They had known each other for three years before they’d started dating, then another two before they were married, each wanting to be sure marriage was the right move.

  “In my day, as soon as you met someone you knew in that instant whether or not you were in love. I think it has to do with smell. Either you like the way he smells or you don’t. What’s he smell like?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Sure you do, or he wouldn’t be heading our way.”

  Cori thought about it for a moment and remembered how she had caught a citrusy cinnamon scent when they were in the lobby. That couldn’t have been from Gage. Way too sweet to come from a man. Men were more musky, more driftwood and cedar, not lemons and cookies.

  “He has no particular scent.”

  “Hogwash! And why didn’t you warn me we would be sitting with your new boyfriend? I would’ve worn my red lipstick. I look younger with red lips. You don’t want him to think your grandmother’s old, do you?”

  Cori wanted to tell her the truth: you are old, Gram, but she knew better.

  “Gram, he’s just a friend.”

  Grandma May’s demeanor suddenly changed for the worse as she stared past Gage toward the group standing at the end of the buffet line. “Darn. He’s back.”

  “Who?”

  “That old coot, Buck Remington. I thought for sure with what happened earlier he’d be out for the entire conference. He’s already back, thinking up ways to aggravate me, I’m sure. Couldn’t you have insisted they keep him at the hospital for at least twenty-four hours?”

  “No, Gram. He’s fine. Nothing that a good meal can’t fix. And what do you mean by ‘old coot?’ Buck’s a sweetheart.”

  Cori knew what low blood sugar could do to a person’s personality, and Buck was certainly a prime example. Low blood sugar could change his mood, blur his vision, make it difficult for him to concentrate or make a decision, and cause him to be suddenly excessively hungry. If it ever became severe, like it already had, he would faint, or worse, he could slip into a coma.

  “Please don’t mention his name in my presence, Corina-May. The man has caused me nothing but grief since the very first moment we met. He’s a thorn in my side, and I want nothing to do with him. Ever.”

  Gage angled up beside Cori, sticking out his hand for Grandma May. “You must be Cori’s grandmother. It’s so very nice to meet you.”

  May took his hand in hers, her eyes twinkling with delight, but Cori knew this wouldn’t go well once she learned his last name, so she interrupted the name exchange. “Gage, this is my grandmother, May. Gram, this is Gage.”

  She purposely left out last names, trying her best to avoid a confrontation.

  “Nice to meet you, Gage,” her grandmother said, a warm smile as big as pie on her friendly face.

  “And this is my daughter, Hailey.”

  Hailey politely stuck out her hand, Gage took it, but Cori could tell he seemed somewhat confused.

  “Very nice to meet you,” Hailey told him giving him a firm handshake, pumping his hand twice then letting go. Hailey liked to shake hands with the people her mom and grandmother introduced her to. She thought it made her look more grown-up. Cori didn’t know if anyone thought she looked more grown-up, but they certainly remembered the little girl who shook their hand.

  “And you, as well.” He turned to Cori bringing his voice down low under the din of the voices in the room. “But I thought you were...”

  “Single? I am,” she whispered. “My husband passed away several years ago.”

  “I’m so sorry.” His face turned solemn, as if he was truly saddened by her loss. Cori appreciated his sympathy, but there were other more pressing issues to be dealt with.“Thanks. We need to talk,” Cori said under her breath.

  “Where are we moving to?” Gram asked, grabbing her purse off the extra chair.

  “Give us a minute,” Cori told her, as she caught the glare on Buck’s face as he stared over at May, then back at Cori. And in that instant, the situation must have registered and he called out to Gage.

  Gage held up a finger, asking him to wait. Buck wanted no part of waiting. He headed straight for his grandson, his scowl growing with each step. Apparently, the animosity that had poured from Grandma May was mutual.

  “I think we have a grandparent problem,” Cori told Gage as her grandmother finally caught on to the situation. She immediately plopped right back down in her chair, folded her arms across her chest and waited for Buck to approach.

  “What kind of grandparent problem?”

  “The kind that means we won’t be sharing a meal tonight or most likely any night during this conference if they have their way.”

  “Why not? Did I say something wrong?”

  “It has nothing t
o do with you. I think...”

  Buck interrupted. “Son, if you want to keep me as your grandfather and not have me disown you completely, you’ll step away from that there table.”

  He turned to Cori. “Are you related to that woman?” He nodded toward May.

  “‘That woman’ is my grandmother,” Cori said.

  “That’s most unfortunate.”

  “Gramps, Cori saved your life today. You said so yourself.”

  “And for that, I’m grateful, but as long as you’re related to that woman,” he tilted his head in May’s direction, “I don’t want anything to do with you. C’mon, son, we need to get us some seats as far away from this table as possible.”

  And he marched off with a loud harrumph.

  Gage ran a hand through his thick hair and shuffled his feet. “I don’t know what this is all about, but I’m sure going to find out. That was totally out of line and I’m sorry. Maybe he just needs some food and he’ll calm down.”

  “That old coot ain’t never going to calm down,” Grandma May warned. “He was born ornery.” She turned to Cori. “You don’t want no part of a Remington, Corina-May. They’re nothing but trouble. Hailey and me are getting in the dinner line before all the good stuff’s gone. Are you coming?”

  “I’ll be right there, Gram. You guys go on ahead.”

  She stormed off with the same loud harrumph that Buck used. Hailey glanced at her mom, gave her a weak smile, shrugged and then followed her grandmother.

  “Do you understand any of this?” Gage asked Cori.

  “No. I’ve never seen my grandmother so upset. She’s usually happy and loves everyone she meets. This is crazy.”

  “I wish I could say the same for my grandfather. Unfortunately, grumpy seems to be his only gear.”

  Cori chuckled. “It’s been a long day for everyone. Maybe we should keep our distance until we find out what this is all about.”

  She secretly wanted him to stay and tell her the heck with their grandparents, the three of them would sit at their own table. But instead he agreed. “Probably a good idea.”