by Indiana Wake
“Well, hello there, Connie,” Janet said brightly when Connie walked in. “Table by the window, so you can peer out and watch the world go by?”
“Very funny.” Connie chuckled in her customary way. “But I’m not staying. I just wondered if you’d wrap me up a big piece of whatever pie you’re selling today. I’ve got new boarders and I want to make a good impression. A good first meal is the only way I know of to keep them.”
“That and your wonderful company.” Janet grinned and set about uncovering the pies as Connie leaned on the counter. “We’ve got peach or pecan.”
“Peach please,” Connie said, inspecting the crust before making her big decision.
“So, you’ve got a full house again?”
“I’m back to five boarders. I reckon I’d forgotten what hard work that is when I’ve had just two rattling around in there for so long.”
“Who are they? Anyone exciting?” Janet began to wrap the pie in paper.
“Three cowboys from out of town.” Connie winced. “And they sure do fill that house of mine. They are all so big.”
“Any handsome ones?” Janet asked with a cheeky laugh.
“They’re all handsome, which is why you should stay as far away from them as possible.” Connie laughed too. “Oh, but they will take some getting used to. I’m just glad my other guests are getting on and a little deaf. These boys laugh and grunt and clatter across my floorboards like a herd of wild buffalo.”
“I reckon you’ll have them tamed in no time, Connie. They’ll soon learn not to argue with Connie Langdon.”
“The sooner the better.” Connie pulled some coins from the bottom of a large, well-worn bag. “Here you go.” She dropped the coins into Janet’s hand.
“Thank you.” Janet put the coins into the register before gently placing the wrapped pie into Connie’s bag.
“Well, I’d better get on. Tell your ma I’ll be over to see her in a couple of days when I’ve got my routine back.” Connie turned to leave. “And here they come now. Looks like you’re going to get to meet my cowboys sooner than I’d thought.”
“Oh,” Janet said, unable to hide her excitement as she peered out through the window and across the street to where three large men were sauntering along.
“You be careful now, d’ya hear?” Connie said with a mixture of seriousness and amusement.
“Of course.” Janet gave a firm nod, trying to appear sensible when she wanted to be anything but.
“Hello, there,” Janet said when Connie disappeared, and the three cowboys made their way into the diner. “Would you like a seat by the window?”
“No, ma’am.” The tallest and most handsome of the three was smiling at her broadly. “Too far away. I’d rather be nearer to the counter, so I can get a good look at you.”
“Oh,” Janet said and could have kicked herself for her blushing cheeks. “Well, how about this table?”
“I reckon that would do just fine.” He smiled at her and held her gaze for longer than Janet could cope with.
He was a good-looking man for sure, with fair, sun-lightened hair peeking out from beneath a broad-brimmed hat, tanned skin, and a strong jaw. His eyes were green, just like her own, and his smile was a work of art as far as she was concerned.
He was older too; maybe twenty-six or seven, which made him instantly exciting in Janet’s world.
“So, what can I get for you?” Janet said as she seated them at the table and battled her shyness.
“What’s the pie?” One of the other men spoke.
He was a little younger than the handsome cowboy, pleasant looking in his own way but no match for his fair-haired counterpart.
“We have a little peach left. Maybe enough for one slice. And we have a whole pecan pie, which is real nice.” Janet felt a little more in control, pleased to have the pie to speak about if nothing else.
“Sounds good.” The second cowboy nodded. “Pecan for me.”
“And me.” The third cowboy smiled up at her.
“And pecan for you?” She turned her attention on the handsome man once again, relieved to feel her flush had cooled.
“Well, I reckon I’ll take the last slice of peach. Wouldn’t want it to go wasting now, would we?” He winked at her and Janet smiled and hurried away before her cheeks flushed again.
As she cut the pie and poured them all coffee, Janet was all fingers and thumbs. The three men chattered between themselves as she worked and so she took the opportunity to study the man who had caused her to blush.
He really was tall and broad, but maybe not quite as tall and broad as Jimmy. Still, Janet reckoned he was just tall enough and broad enough to be impressive. He wore a faded red plaid shirt and heavy blue work trousers with a thick belt. And the broad-brimmed hat, of course, which had been removed finally and placed down on the table, revealing yet more of his very pleasing sun-bright hair.
All in all, Janet thought that if she didn’t already know he was a cowboy, she’d know he was a cowboy. He certainly looked the part, even without his chaps on.
She had seen cowboys before, of course, but she had been younger and less interested in the idea of handsome strangers and the sort of excitement that would relieve the monotony of small-town life.
Every year, in fact, cowboys drifted into the area to work the open plains, tending to the free-roaming cattle. She had often heard her daddy proclaim it to be a hard life, traveling from place to place like that, never calling anywhere home, and for less pay than regular ranch hands might get.
But as she set the pie out onto plates and thought about a life spent roaming from place to place, Janet could hardly imagine a better existence.
She could dare bet that the Cowboys never got bored, always ready to move on once the surroundings became too familiar. For a moment, she was almost envious.
With the plates and cups set out on a tray, Janet took a deep breath and made her way back to their table, hoping that she would not do or say something that would make her look young and silly.
“There you go,” she said brightly as she set their pies down in front of them along with steaming cups of coffee.
“Thank you,” He looked up at her and smiled, his green eyes so clear, bright, and appealing.
“You’re welcome.” Janet hurried away again, retreating to the safety of the counter where she could pretend to be getting on with something as she did her best to listen to their conversation and enjoy a glance or two.
In the end, Janet did not particularly discover anything more than she already knew. They talked about Connie’s boarding house, each of them seeming pleased to have found such a fine place for such a good price. Janet made a mental note to give Connie that piece of reassuring news the next time she saw her.
They also talked a little of work, something about being out on the top plains and a meeting with their new boss, Drake Darcey.
She winced a little at the sound of his name, knowing that Jimmy also worked for Drake. Of course, Jimmy was working within the confines of the ranch itself, not roaming about the larger area that was predominantly the territory of cowboys.
Still, there was something about the idea of this exciting newcomer working with her friend that was a little unsettling. They may not work side-by-side, exactly, but she was certain that their paths would cross at some time.
She knew it ought not to matter, and yet it did. Even though she had nothing more of the handsome cowboy than a smile and a wink, even though he was not a part of her world, she still did not want his world and Jimmy’s world to meet. She wanted to keep her friend in one hand and her promise of excitement firmly in the other.
The three continued to talk for nearly an hour before they collectively returned the battered hats to their heads and roused themselves from the table.
“I’ll pay this one,” the handsome cowboy said and his significant smile to his friends was not lost on Janet.
“Sure thing. We’ll see you back at Mrs. Langdon’s.” And with that, his friends nod
ded their gratitude to Janet before leaving.
“Well now, let me get my debts paid, huh.” He smiled at her and Janet knew, without a doubt, that he was paying for his friends as a way to get a few minutes in her company.
She felt flattered, excited, and terrified all at once. As he approached her and leaned languidly against the counter, Janet felt as foolish as a jester and as inexperienced as a child. He suddenly seemed so much older, a real man, and she prayed she wouldn’t blush again.
“Thank you kindly,” she said as he handed her the dollar bills. “I’ll just make change for you.”
“No, ma’am.” He winked at her again. “It sure would be an offense if I didn’t tip a pretty lady like you.”
“Thank you,” Janet croaked, thinking it was the biggest tip she’d had all week.
But she could not have cared less; this handsome man had chosen to stop and spend time with her and she couldn’t concentrate on anything else.
“I’m Ray,” he said and took his hat off again before nodding his head by way of introduction. “Ray Burnett.”
“It sure is nice to meet you, Mr. Burnett.” She could feel her throat going dry and hoped she wouldn’t seize up altogether.
“Come on now, honey, call me Ray.”
“Well then, it sure is nice to meet you, Ray.” She giggled.
“Don’t I get to know your name?” He leaned further over the counter and she found herself fixated on his smooth, clean-shaven face.
“Janet. Janet Lacey.” She smiled shyly.
“A pretty name for a pretty lady.” He straightened up. “So, what do you do for entertainment in these parts? I’m kind of new in town.”
“Well, I reckon you’re going to be disappointed. There’s not a whole lot to do here, unless you count the barn dance once every two weeks. Oh, and there’s a saloon bar, not that I’ve ever been in it,” she added hastily, and he laughed. “But apart from that, there really is nothing.”
“Well, it sure sounds fine to me. It’s a nice little town you have here, trust me. I’ve been to some real remote places.”
“Because you’re a cowboy?” she said, finally finding her conversational feet. “Aren’t you?”
“I sure am.”
“That must be real exciting,” Janet said a little awestruck.
“I don’t know that chasing moody cattle about the plains is as exciting as you might think.”
He laughed, and it was a rich, deep rumble that she could feel in her chest. Janet could hardly contain her excitement. That such a handsome man would spend time with her, that the excitement she had longed for had finally arrived, seemed suddenly so unreal.
“But I reckon you have to take excitement where it presents itself.”
“But moving from place to place must be wonderful, Ray. I wish I could travel around, get out of this place.” She looked all about her as if the diner itself signified the whole town.
“You sound like an adventurer.” He smiled. “Maybe you and I are a little alike.”
“Maybe. But you’re the one who gets to move from place to place, not me.” She shrugged.
“Ah, but you want to move around. That’s what we have in common, I reckon.”
“Yes, I see what you mean.”
“So, when’s the next barn dance?”
“Saturday coming,” Janet said, and her heart began to pound again.
Was he really going to ask her to the barn dance? Would she finally be stepping out with a man, someone who was interested in her? For a moment, Janet felt like a woman.
She knew she was a woman, of course, but the truth was that she still felt like a girl. A girl who still wandered the town with a childhood friend, just a year or two beyond climbing trees and acting the fool; a girl who had never been kissed.
“And do you reckon you’ll be going?”
“I’m not sure,” Janet said and looked down at the countertop and the remnants of the pecan pie on the big round plate.
“I suppose a pretty lady like you already has someone to take her. A man of her own, not some stranger, some cowboy from out-of-town.” He raised his eyebrows and she realized he was asking a question.
“No, no I don’t,” she said with a little too much haste. “I mean, I don’t have a man. Well, you know,” she said, and fell silent, knowing that she was being all too eager.
“Well, I reckon that’s the best piece of news I’ve had in a long time.” He smiled, his teeth white and straight and perfect against his tanned skin. “So, what do you say I take you to the barn dance? Maybe you could keep this lonely old cowboy company for an hour or two?”
“Well, yes,” she said and nodded. “Yes, I’d like that.”
“Although, I should tell you I’m not much of a dancer. I’m much better on a horse than on two feet.” He grinned at her and she laughed.
Ray Burnett certainly seemed to be everything she could hope for. Handsome, mysterious, exciting, and funny. She had never been so instantly attracted to anybody in her life and she wondered how on earth she was going to get a wink of sleep between then and Saturday.
“Well, where should I pick you up from then?”
“Maybe I should meet you here and we can walk to the town barn together?” she said, a little stab of self-preservation informing her that her daddy might not be as pleased to set eyes on the cowboy as she was.
After all, he was a few years older than she was and her daddy, despite his best efforts, was still a protective sort of a man.
“That’s settled then,” he said with a smile as he put his hat back on. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“Yes, see you Saturday.” Janet grinned as he began to make his way to the door of the diner.
“Of course, you know I won’t be able to help myself. I reckon I’ll be back for another slice of pie tomorrow.” He grinned back and then walked out, leaving a stunned, excited Janet in his wake.
4
Jimmy walked up to the Lacey household on foot, as he had always done. It was a fine walk to the outer edges of the town and it was yet another warm and bright early summer evening.
Jimmy had seen nothing of Janet all week and so had decided to make his way over to her after his day’s work was done. He was tired, but the idea of an hour or two in her company revived him as it always did.
He raked his hand through his thick, red-brown hair as he went along, feeling the grit of the day and idly wishing that he had stopped in at home first. It would have felt better to change out of his work clothes, and dip his head in the bracingly cold water of the barrel which stood in the shade at the back of his father’s house.
But Janet was used to seeing him just as he was now, why should he suddenly feel overturned by an insecurity he had never allowed access to his mind before? And not only had Janet seen him at his worst, but Jimmy had most certainly seen Janet at hers. That was exactly what had made them such firm friends, real friends, with longevity and understanding.
And yet somehow Jimmy knew that it wasn’t enough for him anymore. He wanted to be more than a friend to Janet, he wanted everything about their lives to evolve.
As Jimmy dropped down the tree-lined slope which led generally in the direction of Josh Lacey’s lumberyard, he peered over at the Lacey house. There had been many changes over the years, especially since Janet’s father had married Grace Salter, and the home was certainly now a very fine one.
He could see the treetops at the back of the house and remembered suddenly and vividly the day that Janet, just twelve-years-old, had fallen clean out of one of them and landed hard on the ground. He shook his head slowly from side to side and smiled at the youthful exuberance. But even now, more than seven years later, he realized that the thing which struck him most about it was Janet’s character.
Jimmy was certain that, had his own twelve-year-old self fallen from that tree and landed so hard, his confidence might well have been knocked askew, however much he might have kept that to himself. But there was no knocking for J
anet, not for long at any rate.
Despite having been barred from climbing trees from that moment onwards, neither one of them had listened. Jimmy had been pleased, just days later, when the two of them found their way into the upper reaches of a fantastic climbing tree further north along the river. Far enough away from the Lacey household that their exploits might be made anonymously.
For a girl like Janet, one who had always been in search of something to do, one who had always had a sharp mind, even when her young self had angrily turned her back in the schoolroom, it was little wonder that she was now finding herself bored.
She was meant for something more than the diner, even more than her daddy’s lumberyard. Janet needed something of her own, something to work toward.
And Jimmy was certain that it was not necessarily the act of work itself, the complexities or otherwise of the task ahead of her, but the goal, the idea of working toward something.
Suddenly, it struck him that he need not necessarily be alone in his dream of one day owning his own ranch. Janet was an excellent horsewoman, just as might be expected of a girl who had spent so much of her youth in daring physical pursuits.
Already, Jimmy could see a future in which the two of them worked side-by-side on their own ranch. They would, of course, be happily married in Jimmy’s scenario, with Janet content with her new status as a partner in something bigger.
Jimmy smiled as he continued on his way down the slope, thinking that he had finally hit upon something that would make them both happy. As long as Janet felt the same way about him as he felt about her. That was the only thing which gave his ordinarily healthy confidence cause for concern.
They had been friends for so long that the transition into love and romance might well not be an easy one. And yet, to Jimmy, the idea that they knew each other so well was one that he thought very much gave him a head start in such a new life.
Jimmy was greeted by Katie even before he reached the kitchen door through which he ordinarily entered. She was playing in the garden, coming down from the side of the house where she had undoubtedly been tending to her burgeoning sunflowers.
