Develyn slammed her heels into Molly’s flanks and shouted, “Heeeyah! Giddyup!”
The black horse bolted across the brown grass and sage pasture. The leather of Renny’s saddle slapped Develyn’s rear. She shifted her weight to her feet.
I think she has a smoother gait than My Maria, but not as fast.
The wind slapped her face. Develyn screwed her hat tight, but kept the horse at a gallop. This is what I like, Lord. The power … the thrill … the danger of racing a horse. This is what I remembered from thirty-five years ago. This is why I came out here. One more time … I had to find out if it was still the same.
I love it … I love it … I love it.
And I’ll love it more if Molly will slow down and not throw me over that fence.
Without yanking the reins back, Develyn eased them until they were taut. “Whoa . . girl … whoa …”
Molly dropped down to a lope.
“Whoa.”
When Dev tugged a couple of quick jerks on the reins, Molly stopped, then started to back up.
“Good girl!” Develyn leaned forward and stroked the horse’s neck. “I suppose that felt like a back up command. Let’s go to the barn before one of us does something really dumb.”
When they trotted up to the old barn, Renny was still under the truck. The man was handing tools to him.
Develyn swung down out of the saddle and handed the reins to the lady. “Would you like to ride her?”
“Oh, no, honey. They have to be more than eight hours broke for me to ride them. You young gals have more courage than me.”
“Thanks for calling me young. I’m Develyn.”
“Nice to meet you, Develyn. I’m Frannie. You sit well in the saddle. Wyoming girls usually do. We didn’t know Renny was bringing a gal with him today. I would have had you two to the house at noon for dinner. When we drove up, I told the old man, Renny has a girl with him … and I can bet she is a purdy thing. I was right.”
“Frannie, you are full of compliments.”
“Renny has a way of finding the purdy ones. Did you ever meet Lucinda Monroe? She was runner-up at Frontier Days a few years back. She was beautiful enough to be a model.”
Develyn chewed on her lower lip. “That’s nice.”
“And then there was the movie star. Renny met her up in Alberta when he was running a string of horses for that Kevin Costner movie. That girl had the smallest waist and the biggest … eh, … ego of any girl I ever saw. I don’t know her stage name, but Renny just called her Lolly.”
“I didn’t know Renny worked with Kevin Costner.”
“Oh, I don’t think they ever met. Renny just took care of the horses.” The lady rubbed her full lips. “I forgot about that vet from Rawlins. Now she was one tough lady. She had a rugged beauty, sort of like the Big Horns.”
Develyn glanced up at the mountains to the east.
“To tell you the truth,” the lady lowered her voice, “the last time we talked to Renny he said he was chasin’ some schoolteacher from back east. Can you imagine someone like Renny Slater with an eastern schoolteacher? Wouldn’t that be a pair? I can see he came to his senses. Where do you live, honey?”
“Right now, I’m staying down at Argenta.”
“Do you know Edith Tagley?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Isn’t she something? My mother and her were friends in grade school. How is she doing?”
“Really well. I don’t think she’s changed in thirty-five years.”
“You’ve know her that long?”
“I met her one summer when I was ten.”
“Are you telling me you are forty-five?” the lady gasped.
Develyn laughed. “I’m afraid it’s true.”
The lady leaned forward. “I just figured the Wyoming wind put them crows feet around your eyes. I’m fifty-four myself.”
I need my makeup bad! “It’s probably the dyed hair that fooled you.”
“Nope, I think it is that little upturned nose seldom seen in girls over twelve. I’m greatly relieved about Renny. We worry that he’s not married or had a family. I told the old man the other day, Renny can do a whole lot better than some pinch-lipped schoolteacher from Indiana.”
Renny dusted off his Wranglers as the two men strolled over.
“Frannie, Renny fixed my dadgum pickup.” The man tipped his hat at Develyn. “Howdy, ma’am. Don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Oh … Frannie and Frank … this is Develyn Worrell.”
Frannie nodded. “We’ve met. I don’t know where you find these girls, Renny, but Develyn can ride like the wind.”
“Did she take Molly at a gallop?” he asked.
“Clear across the pasture and back.”
“Well, how about that.” Renny’s grin revealed his two deep dimples. “Not bad for a schoolteacher.”
“A schoolteacher?” Frannie gasped.
“I told you about my friend, the Indiana schoolteacher, didn’t I?”
* * *
The sun had set and only dim twilight remained when Renny pulled up the driveway to Develyn’s cabin in Argenta. Uncle Henry met them at the road and followed them all the way up the drive to the dirt yard.
“Looks like your boy missed you.”
She rolled down her window. “Baby, you go over there and wait by the porch. I don’t want you chewing on Renny’s side-view mirrors again. Go on!”
The burro meandered to the front.
“I believe Uncle Henry must have been an orphan growing up on his own. He craves attention, sort of like a grade school kid whose parents have divorced and neither side really wants him.”
“I think he was given to you by the Lord,” Renny said.
“Why?”
“To keep you from missing school too much.”
“I always enjoy my summers.”
“What do you usually do in the summer? You don’t move off to Wyoming every year.”
“I teach summer school, then spend a week with some friends in Michigan. The rest of the summer I, eh …”
“Get ready for the next year of teaching?”
“Renny, it’s what I do.”
“I know. Well, I’m glad you came out here this summer. You perked up my life from the first time I saw you sitting on that wagon seat bench in front of Mrs. Tagley’s. I was shocked when you got in my truck and drove off with me.”
“It was only a quarter mile.”
“Well, it changed my life.”
“I didn’t know it was all that dramatic.”
“Any time a friendship begins that will last a lifetime, that is pure drama. You and me will be pals forever, right?”
“Yes, we will. Even if I am a lousy kisser.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You said I needed lessons.”
“Ever’ one needs to keep in practice, I reckon.”
“Kind of like team roping?” she giggled. “You need to throw a few loops every now and then just to keep on top of your game.”
“Hey, I like that, Dev Worrell.”
“Life is like a rodeo. I learned that from a good-lookin’ cowboy friend of mine.”
Renny dropped his chin and stared down at the steering wheel. “Dev, look, I was out of line for kissing you. I shouldn’t be complicatin’ your life. You’re trying to sort things out with Quint, and I’m actin’ irresponsible.”
“Do you regret it, Renny?”
He looked at her and shook his head. “No, ma’am. Do you mind sittin’ there a spell while I mumble?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been asked to ‘sit a spell.’ I’d like to try it. What do you want to mumble about?”
“Don’t take this wrong, but you are a classy lady, and I’ve not been around classy ladies much.”
“Renny, you’ve seen me filthy, without makeup, angry … and scare
d to death. How can you say I’m classy?”
“’Cause I’ve seen you slicked up, lookin’ like ever’ man’s dream too. I’ve seen you walk into a crowd and ever’ head turns … men, boys, women … I’ve seen you change their schedule with a glance … and by smiling at them, prod men to demonstrate their best behavior.”
“Wow, that’s quite a mouthful. I don’t think I can live up to that.”
“You are that way, Devy-girl. Ask Casey or Quint or Cuban or Cooper Tallon.”
“Thank you very much. But why the accolades?”
“Ever since I met you, I’ve wondered what it would be like to kiss a classy lady like that.”
“Now, I’m getting really embarrassed. You’ve put me on a pedestal that I can’t maintain.”
“Anyway, today, I was thinkin’ … if I don’t kiss her now, I may never get another chance. So I kissed you.”
“And all your wonderful images of me went up in smoke, right?”
“Oh, no. It was wonderful … but …”
“I’m a lousy kisser?”
“Hardly. You see, I found out what it’s like to get to kiss a classy lady, but I haven’t found out what it’s like to have a classy lady want to kiss me.”
“Are you saying I was less than enthusiastic?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I just realized that a stolen kiss is just that, stolen. I should have waited, and I’m sorry for that.”
“You are the sorriest cowboy I’ve ever met. I think you need some lessons yourself.”
“What kind of lessons?”
“This kind …” Develyn scooted over, threw her arms around Renny’s neck and smashed her lips against his. His arms engulfed her and held her tight against his chest.
“Alright, what’s going on out here?”
Develyn looked up to see Casey standing by the open window. She pulled back from Renny’s grasp. “I … I … I didn’t know you were home.”
“That’s obvious. You didn’t answer my question. What is going on out here?”
“We were doin’ a little comparison experiment,” Renny laughed. “Sort of a survey, you might say.”
“Yeah, right. You were lip-locked and down for the count. It’s a good thing I came out. If it weren’t for Uncle Henry’s brays, I might have missed this.”
“I’ll be right in,” Develyn laughed.
“Right now, young lady. No daughter of mine is going to sit in the driveway and neck with some driftin’, washed-up rodeo cowboy. What will the neighbors think?”
“I don’t think Cooper will notice.”
“Hah. You are grounded for a week. Now get in the house.”
“What’s got into Cree-Ryder?” Renny asked.
“Oh, once she has tasted being the countess … it’s hard to get it out of her blood.”
“We could just go on neckin’ and maybe she’d be self-conscious and leave.”
“Casey, self-conscious?”
“No, I don’t suppose so.” Renny leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Good night, Dev. It’s been one of the most fun days of my life.”
She squeezed his hand. “For me, too, Renny. I learned so much.”
“There hasn’t been this much mush since Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” Casey sighed.
Develyn glared. “And your point is?”
“It so happens I have some really important things to talk to you about.”
“About a certain bronze cowboy with an awesome smile?”
“Isn’t he dreamy?”
“Yes, if I were twenty years younger.”
Develyn opened the pickup door. “Renny, will you phone me tomorrow?”
“Yes, ma’am, I believe I will.”
“Are you going to Douglass tonight?”
“Yep, I promised some high school boys I’d give ’em a bronc ridin’ clinic.”
“Take care of yourself, cowboy. There’s a lot more you need to teach me.”
“You do show progress,” he laughed.
She tipped her hat. “Thank you, sir.”
* * *
Casey hauled Develyn past a protesting Uncle Henry and straight into the cabin, then slammed the door behind them.
“What is this all about?”
“Here’s the deal,” Casey said. “How do I know when I’ve met the one that I should marry?”
“You’ve only known Jackson for twenty-four hours.”
“My heart has known him since I was six.”
“Did he propose?”
“Of course not.”
“Did he kiss you?”
“Yeah, but not like you and Renny.”
“That was just a game we were playing.”
“Whatever,” Casey shrugged. “I saw you jump on him. It was an enthusiastic game.”
Develyn sank into a big musty chair and drew her feet under her. “Casey, where is this going? Are you questioning my morals … my relationship with Renny … or what?”
“It has nothing to do with that.” Casey paced around the little lantern-lit cabin. “It’s just …”
“What is it?”
“Be patient with me.”
“Is it Jackson?”
Casey nodded her head and bit her lip. She continued to stalk the shadows of the cabin.
“What’s the matter, honey? I only visited with him for five minutes, but he seems perfect for you.”
Casey let out a sob. “That’s the problem. He is perfect.” She held her arms across her chest and rocked back and forth.
Develyn scurried over and wrapped her arms around Casey. “What is the problem, sweetie?”
For several moments Develyn held her close and listened to her sobs, retreating only for the box of Kleenex. “Talk to me, sweet Casey.”
“I’m scared, Dev.”
“Are you afraid of a relationship?”
“I’m afraid of no relationship.”
“You don’t think he likes you?”
“He likes me … now. Dev, I have never wanted anything more in my life. You know my background. I’ve never had anyone close. Never had anyone care. In just six weeks, you have become closer to me than anyone. I know I’m just another of your many, many friends. But to me, you’re the closest friend I’ve ever had.”
“It may interest you to know, my countess, that I consider you and Lily my best friends on earth.”
“Really?”
“Yes, now talk to me.”
“But you are going home in a few weeks.”
“Yes, and you are coming to stay with me between Thanksgiving and Christmas, remember? That is, provided that Jackson Hill doesn’t change your mind.”
Casey burst out in tears.
Develyn handed her another Kleenex. “Tell me what this is about?”
Casey finally quieted down enough to say, “Dev, I’m afraid I will die if I don’t get Jackson. I don’t care if the Lord ignores every prayer I have for the rest of my life. Just once I want the breaks to go my way.”
“Honey, you pray about it. The Lord will lead you to his will.”
“That’s what scares me so much. I don’t know what the Lord’s will is … and I don’t care. I don’t want his will … I want Jackson. If he rejects me, I won’t survive. There is only so much heartbreak and rejection a person can take.”
“Dear, sweet Casey.”
They hugged and swayed for several moments.
“But what if it is the Lord’s will?” Dev demured. “What if he says to you, Cree-Ryder, this is your man. What if he says to Mr. Jackson Hill, this bronze bombshell is for you.”
“Nothing good ever happens to me.”
“I’m nothing?”
“Besides you …”
“And the barbecue at the Quarter Circle Diamond?”
“Yeah.”
“And getting to be the countess at the
LaSage mansion?”
“Yeah. OK,” Casey whimpered. “Since I met you some things have gone right.”
“You see, you’re on a roll. Until the Lord shows you other wise, why not assume Jackson is the Lord’s will?”
“But … but … how do I keep him?”
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
“Are you quoting Scripture to me?”
“Yes, but I don’t remember which psalm that is.”
“Psalm 37:4,” Casey said. “But I don’t know how to do that.”
“I don’t either. Not for sure anyway. Let’s learn together.”
“I need to wash my face.”
“Come here …” Develyn led her by the hand to the sink in the little bathroom at the back of the cabin. She turned on the water and let it run. “Close your eyes.”
“What are you going to do?” Casey closed her eyes.
“I’m going to help you, countess.” Develyn scooped up a double handful of cold water and tossed it in Casey’s face.
“What! Why did you to that?” she shouted.
“Splashology, honey.” Develyn tossed another handful of water into Casey’s startled face.
“Oh no, you don’t!” Casey shouted. “It takes two to play splashology.” She shoved Develyn out into the cabin and splashed her face.
“Ahhhh!” Develyn hollered. “No, you don’t …” She pushed past Casey and grabbed a water glass next to the sink.
Casey jumped back, and the glassful of water splashed across her shirt.
She grabbed the glass from Develyn’s hand and tugged her into the front room, then dove for the sink. “Two can play that game. Maybe we’ll just have a wet T-shirt contest.”
“Time out, time out!” Develyn shrieked. “That’s no fair. You’ll always win the wet T-shirt contest.”
Casey chased her around the table with a whoop. “There are no time-outs in splashology. Come here, you flat-chested schoolteacher.”
A loud bang on the door froze both ladies.
Develyn scooted over to the door and cracked it open. “Coop?”
“Evenin’, Miss Dev. I heard some screamin’. Is ever’thin’ OK?”
“Oh, eh, we were having a little fun. We got carried away. You know how girls are. ”
“Eh, no, I probably don’t.”
Hiding behind Develyn, Casey shoved the glass of water toward Cooper Tallon. “You want a drink?”
Stephen Bly's Horse Dreams Trilogy: Memories of a Dirt Road, the Mustang Breaker, Wish I'd Known You Tears Ago Page 35
