Stephen Bly's Horse Dreams Trilogy: Memories of a Dirt Road, the Mustang Breaker, Wish I'd Known You Tears Ago

by Stephen A. Bly

  When her cell phone rang, the book dropped to the dirt.

  “Hi, sweetie.”

  “Hi, Lily.”

  “Are you out riding?”

  “No, I’m sitting in the yard. Casey went to Red Lodge with Jackson, and I was drinking ice water and …” She glanced down at the textbook in the dirt. “Napping. It’s a hot day in Wyoming today.”

  “Sunbathing?”

  “Lily-girl, I’m in the shade. I do not need to sunbath. I’m as brown as Angela Porter’s mother.”

  “She’s from Honduras. But I get the picture. So, you had a big night at the rodeo and are sleeping it off?”

  “Honey, my days are so crazy, I will need a year to sort out what I did and who I am.”

  “Are you bragging or complaining?”

  “Bragging.”

  “Is the mustang breaker the right one for you?”

  “You know what, Lil? I have stopped trying to figure that out. Renny packs more fun in a day than anyone I have ever known. And you should see him work with those boys. Can you imagine a cowboy version of Ed Massenet and Tom Benton rolled into one?”

  “Wow, too bad he doesn’t have a credential. Tom is moving to the high school.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “And you probably didn’t know that Ms. Lassiter is marrying Cory Fields next Saturday in Terre Haute.”

  “What? Why don’t I know these things?”

  “Honey, cowboy exile was your choice.”

  “Sometimes it feels like I’ve been gone a lifetime.”

  “Are you different, Dev? Has it changed you?”

  “I think so, Lil.”

  “Do you like the changes?”

  “I think so. But the real test will come on Wednesday. I tried to call Delaney today. She must be working.”

  “She’s filling in for Dana at the Beef Haus. She said she wanted a little pocket money before visiting her mother in cowboy heaven.”

  “Cowboy heaven?”

  “You are building quite a reputation around Crawfordsville. They are talking of making a new video … Teacher Gone Wild.”

  “Oh, sure.”

  “Now, tell me everything about yesterday.”

  Develyn sat in the cabin and stared at her toenails.

  OK, no makeup for a week. But I already had fingernail polish and toenail polish on. Does that mean I take it off … touch it up … or leave it ratty? That was the dumbest dare I ever took in my life. I have quite ugly toes, Lord. I’m not complaining. I have learned to accept who I am, and generally, I like your work on me … but the toes? Well, perhaps you were distracted that day with a world crisis or something. They need help.

  “Dev, are you home?”

  She padded over to the door and shoved it open. “Hi, Coop … I was just contemplating my toes.”

  He stared down at her feet. She curled her toes.

  “That was the stupidest thing I ever said. It’s not time for the barbecue, is it?”

  “No, I was just wondering if I could park Cree-Ryder’s trailer next to my porch for a wind break. I want us to eat outside, but you know how gusty it can get.”

  “Oh, sure. Do you want me to move it?”

  “No, no. I’ll take care of it.”

  “How are your feet?”

  “I hate to admit it, but that stuff works.” He pointed to his boots. “With two pair of dry socks, I can even wear my boots.” He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out the bottle. “I wanted to bring this back to you.”

  “Oh, you can keep it as long as you need it.”

  “I poured some of it in another container,” he said.

  Develyn grinned. “You don’t want something called Female Remedy in your cabin.”

  “Did you read all the stuff on that label?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “I don’t even know what some of those body parts are!”

  “Neither do I, Coop. But I’m glad your feet are better.”

  “I don’t know what time the meat will be cooked for sure. I’ll just come over and get you when it’s ready. Maybe close to six.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “Say, I have a favor to ask. Do you have a dress?”

  “I brought one. Why?”

  “Well, I never take time to dress up. I thought tonight might be a nice time. I mean, please do whatever you’d like. But I’m goin’ to scrub up a bit and thought I should warn you.”

  “How delightful. Yes, I’ll wear my dress.”

  “Thanks, Dev. It’s kind of a silly notion, but I’m trying to think about how to live my life if I’m not married to the construction business 24/7. I hope you aren’t too uncomfortable in a dress.”

  “Coop, I wear a dress to school every day of my life. I only buy dresses that are comfortable.”

  * * *

  Develyn peered into the little mirror and applied the last stroke of mascara.

  Lord, I have sinned … have mercy on me. She pursed her mouth and studied her lipstick. She turned from one side to the other to study her eyes.

  “That’s better, Ms. Worrell. It’s heavenly.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on her dressy beige sandals.

  “I have a dozen nice pair of shoes at home, Mr. Tallon, but this is the best I have in Wyoming. And this is the first time in five weeks that I’ve worn panty hose. I haven’t gone that long without wearing them since … since Delaney was born.”

  Well, Ms. Worrell … you look nice enough for … for parent-teacher night, or even a summer wedding at the church. Why did I think of wedding? Lord, I’m at peace with all of that. It’s not about me. This summer is not about …

  “Miss Dev, are you about ready?”

  There was a sharp rap at the door.

  “I’ll be right there, Coop.”

  She peeked in the tiny mirror, searched for food particles between her teeth, then headed for the door. On the way she plucked up her cell phone.

  No! They can wait.

  She tossed the phone back on the bed and swung open the door.

  “Oh, my …” she said.

  Cooper Tallon sported a charcoal gray, western-cut suit, crisp white shirt, black vest, and a black onyx stud at the collar where a tie might otherwise be. His black boots were polished bright, and his black felt cowboy hat was in his hand.

  “Coop, you look so handsome.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” he grinned. “I can scrub up ever’ once in a while. You have a classy look about yourself, but then you always do.”

  “Thank you, sir.” She curtsied. “This is fun. I’m glad you thought of it.”

  “To tell you the truth, Dev, I’ve never done anything like this before, but I’ve been thinkin’ I should do some things different.”

  “You didn’t go buy a new suit for tonight, did you?”

  He smiled. “No. It doesn’t have much wear … mainly weddings, funerals, and whenever I’m biddin’ a government job and need to make a good impression.”

  “If I were governor, I’d certainly hire you to build … whatever it is you build.”

  “Dev, I don’t remember which arm I’m supposed to offer you, but since my right one is nearly lame, I’ll offer you the left.”

  “That happens to be the correct one, Mr. Tallon.”

  They strolled toward Casey’s horse trailer that now separated the two cabins. Uncle Henry brayed and followed along behind.

  “No, honey, you can’t come.”

  The burro took another step.

  “I said, ‘no!’ You stay over in our yard until I come home.”

  Uncle Henry dropped to his front knees, then plopped over on his side.

  “OK, you can take a nap there, but not one step further.”

  Tallon shook his head. “I’ve seen contract acts at rodeos that aren
’t as good as you and that donkey.”

  “And I’ve had hundreds of fifth-graders that never minded as well.”

  He escorted her to his front porch.

  Develyn’s hand went to her mouth. “Oh, heavens … I can’t believe this! Oh, Coop, this is wonderful.” She cranked herself up on her tiptoes and kissed his leathery tough cheek. “Where did you get the roses? And the linen cloth?”

  “It’s just a card table and foldin’ chairs. The linen cloth was in my grandmother’s trunk.”

  She leaned over the table and smelled the flowers. “You know, to be honest, I miss the flowers of Indiana. Most all yards have such beautiful flowers. Wyoming seems too harsh for a flower garden. Now, tell me … where did you get the roses?”

  “I had a quick trip to Casper.”

  Develyn studied the table setting. “China and silver? Were these in your grandmother’s trunk too?”

  “Yes. Last night after you left, I couldn’t sleep so I sorted through that old trunk in the back of the cabin. I haven’t had time to look at it in years. There are some wonderful journals and photographs.”

  “After supper you will have to show me.”

  “They are old and dusty. Mainly family things.”

  “I want to see them.”

  He pulled out the chair, then slid it under her.

  “You are very good at that.”

  “You can thank my mama for that. She was a stickler for teaching manners.”

  Develyn sighed. “My mother still is.”

  “Before we go any further, I need to tell you two things.”

  “OK.”

  “First, I don’t have any ulterior motive with supper tonight. So you don’t need to sit around wonderin’, What does he really want?”

  “You are a jewel, Coop. You take the pressure off me and make me feel relaxed. I think that’s why I wanted to come to Wyoming this summer. You said you wanted to tell me two things?”

  “The other is, you know that sock you hung on my front door last night?”

  “Yes?”

  “It’s not mine.”

  Develyn started to giggle. “You mean I had another man’s sock in the back of the Cherokee?”

  “Apparently.”

  “Oh, dear, and I don’t have a clue who it belongs to.”

  “Well, it isn’t any of my business. I once came home from the laundromat with some ladies’ undergarments so risqué I had to bury them so the trash man wouldn’t spy them. Now, let’s eat.”

  He stepped inside the cabin and brought out a pitcher. “I’m not a drinkin’ man, so there is no champagne, but I do have some sweet tea.” He poured the glasses, then sat down. “I’ll serve our food in a minute. The corn needs a little more cooking. Being on the go all the time, I’ve eaten more meals in the truck or on the job site than I ever did at a table. But I promised the Lord, years ago, if I am sittin’ down to eat, I would ask him to bless the food.”

  Tallon dropped his head. “Lord, you’ve been good to me … a whole lot better than I deserve. You provided this food … and brought this fine lady into my life for a few weeks … and I thank you for it all. Give us the strength to do your work and the heart to do your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

  Develyn gazed at Cooper’s eyes. She couldn’t tell if they were green or gray.

  “Are you staring at me, ma’am?”

  “My grandmother used to say that you never really know a person until you hear them pray. I appreciate you showing me that side too.”

  “I’m trying to slow my life down enough to allow me to be myself.”

  “And I like it.”

  “I hope you like supper. Let me tell you the menu, then give you an explanation. I’ve got boneless barbecue ribs using my own sauce … watered down a tad for Indiana taste buds.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “And my own homemade buffalo chili, with roasted corn, garlic bread, and the freshest Caesar salad the market had to offer. For dessert, some homemade, fresh peach ice cream.”

  “My word! Cooper Tallon … I can’t believe you did all of this.”

  “Now, here’s my confession. This is just about the only thing I know how to cook. Once a year I toss a cookout for the men who work for me and their families, and this is the exact menu they’ve had every year. Other than bacon and eggs and steak, this is the full extent of my cooking ability.”

  The wind died down at dark, and the temperature dropped to a pleasant coolness. After ice cream they sat across the table from each other and sifted through the old pictures and artifacts from the trunk.

  “Coop, how wonderful that your grandmother labeled them all. I have a box of pictures from my father’s side of the family that I refuse to throw away, but I don’t have a clue who any of the people are.”

  “I enjoy all the outdoor shots of the family homestead and all.”

  “Where was this big house?”

  “Right over there where Uncle Henry is lying.”

  “Look at this one. They brought the pump organ and the sewing machine out in the yard and posed next to them.”

  “Yep, they were proud of them, no doubt.”

  “You know what you should do, Coop? When you build yourself that nice big log home, make sure you include a den. Save one wall for old pictures. Take the best of these to a photo shop and get them enlarged, matted, and framed. Use earth tone frames, in greens, browns, rust, even a dull gold next to a huge river rock fireplace. Wouldn’t that be grand?”

  Tallon stared at her.

  “I mean, if you want to, of course. I guess I got a little carried away.”

  “I never pondered it before, but as soon as you mentioned the idea, it sounded perfect. You make me realize there’s a whole lot about building this place I never considered. I can see I need a woman’s input. Can I hire you to be my consultant on the design and decoration of the house?”

  “You most certainly cannot. I’m not for hire. I only do such things for my very good friends. So you have to take my advice for free, cowboy. I’d be delighted to add anything I could.”

  “I was serious about hiring you.”

  “Yes, well, I would never do it for money. Then if it turned out horrible, you could sue me. This way you are just stuck with it.”

  “Do you have any ideas for a proper kitchen?”

  “I haven’t thought about it much, but you will need a large room, with a center island, floor-to-ceiling cupboards on all four walls, wrap-around counter space and two separate sinks, one of them deeper than the other.”

  Cooper shook his head. “I’d hate to see what you’d come up with if you pondered it a while.”

  “It’s not too late to fire me.”

  “I can’t fire you; you won’t take any pay.”

  “That’s true. Wait until I tell you what I have in mind for your walk-in closets.”

  Cooper laid his hat, crown down, on the card table. “You will let me design my own shop, won’t you?”

  “Only if you promise to have it insulated, well heated, and a sawdust removal vacuum system built into the walls.”

  “I take it money is no object?”

  “You don’t want to cut corners.” Develyn waved her hands. “Oh … oh … I just had a great idea for glass panels on both sides of your big oak double front door. The glass on the left will be etched with an elk, and the panel on the right will be an antelope.”

  “Etched glass?”

  “And above the door … yes … above the door in oval glass turned on its side will be etched … ‘C. T.’ you know, for Cooper Tallon.”

  “No C. T.,” he said.

  “OK, forget the C. T. What about the elk and the antelope?”

  * * *

  About midnight Uncle Henry wandered to the porch and brayed at the nicely dressed couple still sitting across the table in lively conversation.

&nbs
p; “Your watch-burro says it’s time to go home.”

  “Thanks for the wonderful supper.”

  “Thanks, Dev, for helping me clean up and all the great suggestions for the house. I’ve got a notebook full of ideas now.”

  She studied her watch. “I can’t believe it’s midnight. This has been the fastest night of my life.”

  He stood up. “I’ll walk you home.”

  “It’s a short walk, Mr. Tallon.”

  “That’s my loss.” He offered her his arm. “I don’t know where tonight fits in the scheme of things for me or you. You’re going to go back to teaching in a few weeks, and I might sell my business. I might move out here. And I might build myself that big log home. But one thing I know is that I had one of the most pleasant, eh, … enjoyable … eh, comfortable evenings of my life. It will hold a special place in my memory that is crammed at the moment with project cost estimates and diesel engine repairs. I thank you for that. Good night, Dev.”

  “’Night, Coop. This was one of the highlights of my summer.” She stood on the porch, and he on the dirt. They were head to head in the dim light.

  She tilted her head and closed her eyes.

  He shook her hand.

  Saturday morning broke with thunder. It showered off and on until noon. Develyn spent several hours keeping Mrs. Tagley company because she didn’t watch soap operas on the weekend. Lindsay Burdett phoned about 1:00 p.m. with an invitation to fly down and give Develyn a lift to the ranch, since the roads would be slick and muddy, but she declined.

  She stabbed her diamond stud earrings into her lobes and studied the little mirror in the cabin. Diamonds and denim. Nice, but not overdressed. Sorry, Quint, it’s back to no makeup today. I want only one failure on my record. Not that last night was a failure … it was wonderful … it just might have been the first time a man ever refused to kiss me.

  That’s OK.

  It’s not about me.

  Rats. I haven’t even seen Coop since last night.