“No, no, I just–this sounds crazy–but I gave up thinking about someone to share my life with so many years ago that it doesn't even enter into my thinking. Kind of sad, isn't it?”
“It does sound rather lonely.”
He began etching odd-shaped circles in the south end of the room. “But when you said that, it dawned on me that maybe you are right.”
“Right that the Lord might have someone for you to share your life with?”
“No. Right about the indoor plumbing.”
“What?”
The wink preceded the smile. “Dev, I'm not the only one easy to tease.”
She slugged his arm.
“I like what you said about the size of the house.” He pointed at his artwork in the dirt. “This is the river-rock fireplace.”
She rubbed her hands and held them out as if warming them by the fire. “I take it I was getting a little too personal?”
“You know what I think, Develyn Worrell?”
“What, Mr. Cooper Tallon?”’
“I believe the Lord brought you to Wyoming this summer to challenge me to open up things that I put on the shelf thirty years ago.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out.”
Develyn tugged the stick out of his hand. “In the meantime–she pointed at the blue sky–you'll want a vaulted ceiling here in the living room. I just can't decide whether hardwood floors and area rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting.”
“Flooring? I have to have flooring?”
“I will ignore that crude attempt at humor. If terra-cotta tile at the doorway catches the mud, then hardwood floors and area rugs might be best. Perhaps you want to stick with a buckskin brown and forest green décor. What do you think?”
He took the stick back and drew two huge squares in front of the outline of the fireplace. “I think we need to sit down in these big leather chairs and write everything down. I won't remember any of this.”
“Do you have pictures of this location?”
“If I can retrieve my camera out of the rocks.”
Develyn balanced on a boulder and peered down between the crevices. “How did your camera wind up way down there?”
“It may have to stay there. I can't believe I got my arm stuck for hours trying to retrieve it. I tell you what, Dev. You promise never to tell another living soul about that, and I'll give you credit for one secret of yours.”
“That's a deal, Mr. Tallon. I'll just have to think about it for awhile to decide which secret to tell you.”
“You got a lot of them?”
She studied his leather-tough face.
“Coop, it seems like my life is crammed with things I could never tell another living soul. I've had Lily to talk to. And that helps. But I know I have to be guarded in what I tell her.”
He lifted a boulder the size of a basketball and splashed it into the creek bed. “Sometimes I think how good it would be to sit back in a big, old leather chair in front of a rock fireplace next to someone who held your trust and your dreams and just blurt it all out–every pain, every failure, every joy, every fear. To know that nothin’ you said would change how they felt about you. Wouldn't that be somethin’?”
Develyn tried to pluck up a boulder but found it too heavy. “It sounds wonderful. But I wonder if people could stay friends knowing that much about each other?”
Cooper laughed. “Now, that's the question, isn't it? And I don't have a clue. Maybe it's not a good thing. But when you've spent a lifetime holdin’ things in, it sounds like a good thing.”
“How are you ever going to get those big boulders moved enough to get your camera?”
He raised one about six inches, than dropped it with a crash. “I didn't reckon this arm was still so sore. There was a day when I could have plucked that up like a grapefruit.”
“Don't hurt yourself more.”
“If my arm weren't so fat, I might be able to reach down there.”
“Cooper Tallon, I punched your arm. I can tell there isn't one ounce of fat. I bruised my knuckles bouncing off your muscles.”
“Either way, I don't aim to get stuck again in front of a purdy lady.”
“Why don't I try to retrieve it?”
“No, it's not your problem.”
“Nonsense. Let me try.” Develyn lowered herself to her knees.
Tallon grabbed her shoulder. “No, Dev, I can't let you do that.”
“What in the world are you talking about? What is this chauvinistic thing where I'm not allowed to do anything for you?”
“It's just the way things are out here.”
Still on her knees, Develyn clutched her arms across her chest. “You know what, Mr. Cowboy Man? I don't believe that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I'm talking about allowing a woman to dig in the rocks to help a friend. Your great-grandparents came out here and claimed this land, right?”
“Yep.”
“Do you think your great-grandmother ever got on her knees to help Greatgrandpa clear a garden or dig out a stump? Do you think he put her up on an immaculate pedestal and made her stay there?”
“I reckon she'd do whatever needed to be done.”
“OK. There's the real western tradition. The woman worked alongside the man, willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. So when I'm down here grubbing through the rocks to help you, I'm being more like the pioneers than you are.”
“Well, if you're lookin’ to shame me, you succeeded.”
“Good.”
“But there is one difference between you and your greatgrand mother.”
“Besides clothing, hairstyle, and uncalloused hands?”
“Yeah. She was married to the man she dug in the dirt with.”
“Ha. You aren't going to let the lack of a marriage license keep me from doing this, are you?”
He threw up his hands. “It surely will keep us from doingsome things, but digging isn't one of them. You are the most …”
“Stubborn?”
“Persistent woman I've ever met.”
“That's only because you haven't met many women.”
“That's true. OK, I'll swallow my cowboy pride and let you get down there and grub for my camera.”
“Goodie.” Develyn sprawled herself across the hard, cold granite boulder and snaked her arm through the crevices.
“Are you havin' any luck there?”
“It's deeper than it looks, isn't it?”
“I might have to wait until my arm heals up and dig the rock down a little farther.”
Her cheek up against a rock, she glanced up at him. “I've got good news and bad news. My arm fits through the crevices fine, but it's about six inches too short to reach it.”
“Thanks for trying anyway. Let me help you up.”
“Now, now, just wait. You are talking to the most stubborn woman in Indiana and Wyoming, so I'm not giving up.”
“You figure on levitating the camera, or just growin’ a longer arm?”
“What I need is for you to hold onto me and lower me over this boulder so I can reach a little farther.”
“I don't understand.”
“If you lowered me down there a little, I could reach your camera. Grab hold of me.”
“Where?”
“Are you blushing, Mr. Tallon?”
“Pretend you didn't see that. Where do you want me to grab you?”
“My legs.”
“Your legs?”
“Oh, my, looking embarrassed looks good on you. Let's see. Is it acceptable for a cowboy to grab hold of a friend's sock-covered ankles and lower her over this rock?”
“OK. But you make sure I'm doing this right.”
“The only thing you could do wrong is turn loose.”
She felt the viseli
ke grip circle both ankles. “Good. Now lower me down a little.” Develyn's fingertips brushed against the top of the camera. “Just a little more.”
“I can't unless I pick you straight up by your ankles.”
“Then do it.”
“Are you sure?”
“You have more hesitancy than a new student on opening day of class.”
He swung Develyn up and over. “Are you alright?”
“Lower me down, cowboy.” She felt around the rough granite rock, then clutched the cold, silver camera.
“Got it. Up, please.”
“What floor?”
“The penthouse!”
She giggled as she dangled when she heard the roar of a small engine.
“Hey,” a voice shouted. “I don't know what you two are playing, but it looks like fun.”
She cocked her head sideways at the lanky man in a new straw cowboy hat. “Hunter Burke?”
He sauntered toward them, then bent his head down to his waist as if looking upside down. “Mrs. Worrell? I didn't recognize you in that position.” He tipped his hat to Cooper Tallon. “Mr. Worrell, how are you? I didn't mean to be buttin' in on somethin'.”
Tallon lowered Develyn to the dirt.
Develyn struggled to her feet. “Most folks call him Coop.” She put her hand on Cooper's arm, than held up the silver camera. “We had to retrieve this. It had fallen down among the rocks.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Did you find you friend Brody?” she quizzed as they walked back up to the house site.
“Yes, he's a hunting partner of mine.” Burke studied the lines in the dirt. “Say, is this your property?”
“Yes, it is,” Cooper said.
“Is that chaparral on the east side of the ridge BLM land?”
“All the way to the highway. Why?”
“My friend…”
“Brody?” she asked.
‘Yeah, good ol’ Brody wants to scout that land so we can hunt it come fall. We hope to be out there a few days, riding four-wheelers all over. So I was thinking of chaining a can of gas to one of the trees over there, you know, for some extra fuel. But it might be a little safer if I chained it over here on your place. We will haul it off in the next few days. We won't drive over here, just keep the gas can, if it's alright.”
“That's fine,” Cooper said.
He tipped his hat and winked. “Thank you both. Now I reckon you can get back to your game.”
He sauntered back up the hillside.
“Hunter,” Develyn called out. “Wait. Say, as long as you are here, can you take a picture of me and Coop up here at the springs?”
“Surely, ma'am.”
She handed him the camera. “We'll pose over by the creek.”
Develyn grabbed Cooper's arm and tugged him toward the narrow stream.
“What's this all about?” he said through clenched teeth.
“Play along with me,” she whispered.
She snuggled close. “Now, honey, smile big for Hunter.”
“Yes, darlin',” he droned.
When the shutter clicked, Develyn retrieved the camera. “Now I need to get a picture of you, Hunter.”
“Oh, no. I never take good pictures.”
“Nonsense. We'll let Cooper take a pic of you and me.”
“No, really, I don't think…”
She shoved the camera at Cooper and grabbed Hunter's arm. “Come on, Hunt, I'll pose with you. Delaney would be livid if I visited with you and didn't bring a picture back.”
“Mrs. Worrell, really, I should be getting back. My pal…”
“Brady?”
“Yeah, Brady is waiting across…”
“Go ahead, dear. Press that big ol’ silver button.”
“I know how to operate the camera. It's mine, remember?”
She squeezed Hunter's arm. “A Father's Day present.”
Develyn and Cooper waited until the sight and sound of Hunter Burke had dissipated.
“Now are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
“Well, Mr. Worrell…”
“Doesn't that deception bother you?”
“A little. But dear Mr. Hunter Burke is deceiving as well.”
‘You mean how he allowed you to change the name of his friend?”
“There isn't any friend. That's why he can't remember his name.”
“Maybe he can't admit he doesn't have a friend. I can relate to that. I take it you wanted a picture of him, and it has nothing to do with Delaney.”
“I'm just suspicious. He keeps showing up where I am. It feels creepy.”
“You have any ideas?”
“No, but I keep thinking about your brother and his pal rustling Quint Burdett's cattle.”
He led her down to the cedars where the horses were tied. “A lot of guys survey new hunting ground before they go out.”
“I know. Still, I feel uneasy.” She studied the sleeping Uncle Henry. “There's one that's not worried about a thing.”
Cooper tightened the cinches on the saddles. “He's having Aunt Jenny dreams, no doubt. Dev, are you sure the deal with Burke isn't just that you don't like some cowboy sniffing around your Delaney?”
“That's a rather graphic way of putting it.”
“Sorry.”
“You might be right. I just don't know what he's after with Dee. I mean, he was hitting on me when he first drove up. But one look with the sunglasses off cured him of that.” She rubbed My Maria's front right leg, and when the mare lifted her hoof, Dev glanced at the frog. “Anyway, I have his picture, just in case. And a nice picture of us.”
“I'm glad to get a picture of you and me out here. I'll frame it and put it over the mantle. ‘My first visitor.’”
“Too bad Hunter didn't snap one of me dangling by my heels from your hands.”
“Yeah, I could've labeled it, ‘Too small, I had to throw this one back, but you should have seen the one that got away.’”
She started to slug his arm but rubbed her knuckles instead.
“Too small? Watch it, cowboy. There are things I don't take teasing about too well.”
“I was talkin' about your weight, of course. You are so light, I could hold you up with one hand.”
Develyn continued checking My Maria's hooves. “Are you sure you were just talking about my weight?”
“What did you think I was talking about?”
She glanced at her arm as if she wore a watch. “My, is it that late? We'd better ride back to town.”
Cooper stepped up in the saddle. “I don't know what's on your mind, but laughing like this feels good. It's what friends ought to do.”
They chatted nonstop during the hour-long ride back to the cabin. When they rode into the yard, Develyn spotted Jackson Hill's Dodge truck parked where her Cherokee had been.
Casey and Jackson perched on the porch bench.
“Where's my Jeep?” Develyn called out.
“Delaney took it. She said she wanted to go for a ride.”
“Where?”
“She didn't say. She just wanted to think some things through.”
“But she doesn't know her way around here.”
“She headed for the highway, Mrs. Worrell,” Jackson called out. “She can't get lost if she stays on the blacktop.”
They dismounted. Cooper took her reins and led My Maria to the pasture.
Develyn marched to the porch. “Did she leave me a note or anything?”
“No, but she told us about the visit to the doctor, how she walked out and all.”
“I suppose she mentioned the two of us getting in a big shouting argument in the middle of the waiting room that left the people shocked and both of us in tears.”
Jackson glanced at Casey and then back at Develyn.
“No, ma'am. She didn't tell us that
part.”
“Oh,” Develyn murmured.
“Devy, I like Delaney,” Casey said. “She'll be OK. She just needs some time to think. Some people think best when they are driving.”
“Did you have a nice ride?” Jackson asked.
“Yes, I needed some fresh air.”
“To think?” Casey slipped her hand in Jackson's.
Develyn slapped her hands on her hips. “Yes, but I told her I was riding with Coop. I just wish Delaney had said, ‘Tell Mom I'm driving into Casper. I'll be home in three hours' or something like that.”
Jackson pointed to the clear Wyoming blue sky. “It's a nice day to do some thinking.”
“Are you changing the subject?” Develyn snapped.
“Just lookin' for common ground.”
Develyn plopped down on the edge of the uncovered porch and stretched her feet across the dirt yard.
“Yes, it was a nice ride. We were able to retrieve Coop's digital camera. He had dropped it down between some boulders. While we were there, a guy…Jackson!”
Hill sat straight up and dropped Casey's hand at the sound of her shout. “Yes, ma'am?”
“Do you know a guy named Hunter Burke?”
“No, I don't think so. Is he in rodeo?”
“I don't know, but he claims to know you. He stopped by here the other day and asked if you were around. Then Dee and I ran into him on the road up to the Burdett ranch. He showed up on a four-wheeler out near the springs today.”
“He says he knows me?”
“Says he wants to talk to you.”
“What did he look like?”
“Tall, lanky like you, but not wide in the shoulders. More weak rounded. Of course, he has pathetic white skin. He was… wait...I have picture of him on Coop's digital camera.”
“You took a picture of him? Why?” Casey asked.
“To show Jackson. I'll be right back.”
“Can we hold hands while you are gone?” Jackson asked.
“Yes, of course.”
“Can we smooch too?” Casey called out.
“No, you may not.”
Develyn stared down at the camera. “Now, which is the button I push to preview the pictures?”
“The one in the middle,” Cooper instructed.
“Nothing is happening. I'm a total klutz with technology.”
Stephen Bly's Horse Dreams Trilogy: Memories of a Dirt Road, the Mustang Breaker, Wish I'd Known You Tears Ago Page 55
