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

“Casey, I think the day after would be better. I don't even know if Coop's got the old cabin site cleaned up. We will need to figure logistics, like getting tables. Then there's the stress of finding the right placemats, matching napkins, and placecards.”

  “Whoa! For a barbecue?” Casey replied.

  “Oh, my dear countess, two can tease.”

  “You rat.”

  “Thank you, I've had a good teacher. But we will need a day or so to get ready. Cooking might be problem. Let me check with Coop. He said he always had a company cookout with a big portable barbecue. Maybe he has some ideas.”

  “Watermelon.”

  “You want watermelon?”

  “There's some for sale at a roadside stand near here. Shall I bring some back?”

  “That would be nice.”

  “How many?”

  “Several. We can always sell the excess at Mrs. Tagley's.”

  “How is she?”

  “Feeling a little down, I think. Listen, tell Jackson she'd like him to bunk at her place until she comes home.”

  “Really? That's cool.”

  “Alone.”

  “Rats.”

  “No, I don't think so. Maybe a spider or two, but I haven't seen any other varmints.”

  “No, I meant…”

  “I know exactly what you meant.”

  “Well, have a nice evening with your Lily and her guy. After we get the melons, me and Delaney and the fellas will stop off at the Dew Drop Inn for a few beers and be home before midnight if one of us is sober enough to drive.”

  “Casey, I'm not that gullible.”

  “I know,” Casey laughed. “I just said that so you'd feel better.”

  “Always thinking of me. How kind.”

  “Hey, that's what good friends are for.”

  “You know what I was thinking? Having you, Lily, and Delaney here means my three best friends in the whole world are with me.”

  “Wow, we ought to do something memorable.”

  “Let's make it a good memory.”

  “Oh, here's the Dew Drop Inn. And look, it's full of bikers. They must be on their way home from Rally Days in Sturgis.”

  Develyn laughed. “Well, don't hurt them, honey.”

  Develyn checked her watch when she turned off the blacktop and bounced down the gravel road to Argenta.

  One a.m. I haven't stayed out this late all summer. But it was so fun to visit with Lil. I think I missed her more than I realized. I might have missed her more than she missed me.

  I like Stewart, Lord. He seems good for her. He's a little stuffy but so tenderhearted to her. That's what she needs. He's so much taller than she is, but then Coop's quite a bit taller than …

  Why did I think of that?

  Lord, maybe I envy Lil a little. In a good way. I'm so thrilled for her. It's just, coming out here, well, it's sort of an impossible dream. Oh, pooh. I don't even want to think about it.

  I think Casey's right about the barbecue. It will be a fun way to end the summer. It's like the last day at summer camp. When I think about it, I want to cry.

  When she turned up the drive to the cabin, she noticed a light on in Cooper's travel trailer.

  She parked the Cherokee and was greeted by familiar big brown eyes when she stepped out.

  “Hi, honey,” she whispered. “You need to get some sleep.” She rubbed his ear, then slapped him on the rump. Uncle Henry trotted off to the shadows.

  She paused in the yard. The wind drifted clouds past the half-full moon, like a slow strobe light. The air smelled of sage. It was just a little chilly; she held her arms.

  She peered at the trailer. No noise. No movement. Just lights.

  Go to bed, Ms. Worrell. One a.m. is not a good time to visit any man.

  Of course, Coop is not just any man. Why did Mrs. Tagley insinuate that he was the one for me? One of the privileges of being ninety is blurting out anything you want.

  Her arms still folded, she meandered toward the travel trailer.

  Coop could be the man. I mean, if the circumstances were different. If we lived in the same area. If we lived in the same world.

  I wish I'd have known him years ago…tears ago.

  I wonder what he was like in his prime?

  I don't even know what I was like in my prime.

  Did I have a prime?

  Maybe it's now.

  The metal door of the trailer felt cold to the soft knock of her knuckles.

  “Coop?” she whispered.

  When Develyn got out of the shower the next morning, Casey was braiding her long black hair. “You aren't going to wear it down?”

  “It's the moment of truth. Jackson needs to see it this way sooner or later. Did I hear a phone call this morning?”

  “Lily called from Casper. She said Stewart woke up with a horrible stomachache. She's going to wait a while and see if he feels better. If not, she'll drive out by herself.”

  “What about the barbecue?”

  “It's all planned for tomorrow evening. I stopped by and visited with Coop last night when I came back from Casper.”

  “What time was that?”

  “You don't want to know.”

  “Did you go to sleep at all?”

  “You don't want to know that either. We had a wonderful talk. But I might need to wear my sunglasses indoors all day. When I get tired, my eyes look like I'm 110.”

  “Coop sure slicked up the old cabin site. You can hardly see a trace of anything.”

  “Yes, that's alarming in a way, isn't it? We've spent most of the summer there, and now it doesn't exist anymore.”

  “Life is fragile, Ms. Worrell.”

  “I'm going to the store. I don't know when the delivery guy will show up. Mrs. Tagley wants me to pay him in cash.”

  “Say good morning to the cutest bronze stud in Wyoming.”

  “You don't mind if I just call him Jackson.”

  Casey grinned. “Call him anything you want, but he's mine.”

  Develyn studied Delaney still asleep on the lower bunk bed. “Tell sleeping beauty I'll be down at the store for a while this morning.”

  “Does she always sleep like that?”

  “On her stomach with her rear pouched up? Ever since she was a baby. But don't mention it to her; she will deny it.”

  “Dev, do I sleep weird?”

  “You mean, besides bouncing up in bed, waving a knife, and shouting, ‘One more step and you'll be singing soprano?’”

  “Yes, besides that? Do I snore or anything?”

  “Are you thinking about married life?”

  “I don't know how to live with someone else. I mean, besides you.”

  “Don't worry. You'll figure it out when the time comes. Sometimes I do hear you tossing and turning, but I sleep so light, I hear my cats turn over.”

  “Were you always a light sleeper?”

  “I think so. When I was young, I was afraid of night noises and insisted on leaving a light on. Then when Delaney came along, I wanted to make sure I heard her if she needed me. Then I tried to listen and find out what time Spencer came home.”

  “He was out late a lot?”

  “Yes, but I wanted to know when he came in, so I could pretend to be asleep.”

  “Oh, Dev, really?”

  “I made a lot of mistakes. That was probably one of them. I didn't have anyone to talk to. According to my mother, marriage was supposed to be perfect. I couldn't admit any problems.”

  “What would you have done different?”

  “I could have confronted Spencer fifteen years earlier and dragged him to counseling.”

  “You think that would have helped him?”

  “I don't know, but it would have helped me.” Develyn scanned the mirror. “Do I look like a store clerk?”

  “You look too cute to go to the stor
e and see my Jackson.”

  “I'll leave my sunglasses off. How's that?”

  Casey laughed. “That will work.”

  Develyn grabbed her purse and eased the door closed.

  Uncle Henry met her; then Cooper stepped out of the trailer and jammed on his black cowboy hat. “Mind if I hike along with you two to the store? I need some shaving cream. Sorry for the beard this morning.”

  She reached up to a startled Cooper Tallon and rubbed her fingers over his cheek.

  “You're right, you need a shave. Don't you try to kiss me with a beard like that.”

  “But…I won't…I didn't…”

  “Mr. Tallon, you should have spent more of your life around women.”

  “That's a fact I learned too late.”

  The Wyoming sky was a thin blue and cloudless. The sun burned yellow-white and cast dark shadows as they strolled out the dirt drive. When they reached the road, Uncle Henry brayed and scooted between Develyn and Cooper.

  Coop nodded toward the empty corrals to the west. “Looks like someone's plannin' an ambush.”

  “Is that Leon? What's he doing?”

  “Sitting in the dirt and leaning against the fence.”

  “I want to talk to him. You wait here with Uncle Henry.”

  “Yes, ma'am.”

  Her eyes bored into his rugged face. “Sorry, Coop. I can't seem to keep myself from bossing everyone.”

  “Did you ever wonder what it would be like to have two bossy people in a household?”

  She wrinkled her upturned nose. “No, I don't ' think I've thought about that.”

  Develyn heard him mutter, “I did,” as she strolled to the corrals.

  “I didn't do anything,” Leon called out.

  “I didn't accuse you of anything.”

  “What do you want?”

  Develyn plopped down on the dirt beside the twelve-year-old and leaned against the fence. “I don't want anything. You look comfortable. Do you mind if I sit here?”

  “Your pony/mule and the old man are waiting for you.”

  “Yes, they are. You look sad, Leon. Did you get into trouble?”

  “Grandma says it's about time I have to go back to the home.”

  “Summer is about over. I have to go home next week too.”

  “Do you live in a state home?”

  “No, I live in Indiana. Do you know where that is?”

  “It's between Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan. It has over six million people, and the capital is Indianapolis.”

  She hugged his shoulder. “I'm surprised. That's very good.”

  “I looked it up on a map when Grandma said you were from Indiana.”

  “Most adults I've met in Wyoming don't know that much.”

  “I like maps.”

  “So do I. Aren't they fun?”

  “I like to pretend I'm someplace else.”

  “Leon, where would you like to be?”

  “Anywhere people like me.”

  Develyn shut her eyes for a moment. That's the wish of every person on this earth, isn't it? Lord, this isn't fair. No boy should live like this.

  “When do you have to be back to the home?”

  “Monday.”

  “I tell you what, between now and Monday, you and I are friends, and I like you. So right here in Argenta somebody likes you.”

  “You mean that?”

  “Yes. Listen, I'm having a barbecue at my cabin, and you and your grandmother are invited. Would you like to come?”

  “No one ever invited me to supper before. Are you sure?”

  Dear Lord, I hope I'm sure. “Yes.”

  “All right.” He jumped to his feet. “I'll even take a bath.”

  “That will be nice. But remember, I said tomorrow, not today.”

  “What time?”

  “About six in the evening.”

  He reached out his hand. “Can I help you up?”

  “Thank you, young man.”

  He dashed past Uncle Henry and Cooper Tallon. “I'm going to a barbecue at her house.”

  They continued their trek to the store.

  “You made his day.”

  “You know what? In almost every fifth-grade class, there's at least one like Leon, a troubled boy or girl that it takes weeks and months to figure out. They break my heart. Some kids come out of a tough home environment and sparkle. Others seem stunted forever. I can never figure out why that has to be. They are the ones that make me want to continue teaching.”

  “The difficult kids?”

  “When I think about retiring someday, I know there will be many very good teachers to come along and fill my position. Each of them will do a great job teaching the good kids. I've got some great kids. I could put a stack of books and assignments on their desks, and they wouldn't need to see me until spring.”

  “But the others?”

  “Every time I get a student like Leon, I think, Do the elementary education majors coming out of the university know how to love this one? Would they spend four hours at night making a picture book of motorcycle parts, just to teach Rondell how to read? Would they sit in the dunk tank at the carnival just so Sherri could release some of her anger? Would they come an hour early for three months so that Taylor can conquer his fear of math? Maybe they could, Coop. But young teachers have young families of their own and busy lives. The ones like Leon need me. And you know what? I like being needed.”

  “Funny you should say that.”

  “About being needed?”

  “One of the attractions of retiring at my age was to say to myself, Won't it be nice to get up in the morning and there are no demands? No one needs me to bury a line, make a bid, repair a Cat, or survey a site. I got excited thinkin' about going a whole day without an emergency. How about a whole week? A month? Then I got to thinkin', What would it be like if no one needs me…ever? It's a lonely image.”

  “I can't imagine you around the house doing crossword puzzles or watching television.”

  “Nor can I. Maybe I'm too young to retire.”

  “Or maybe you need a different career.” Develyn turned up the walkway to Mrs. Tagley's. “How would you like to own a store?”

  “Can you envision me as a store clerk?”

  “No, I can't.” He followed her up the steps.

  “Neither can I.”

  Jackson Hill popped out of the back room when the screen door banged behind them.

  “Hi, Miss Dev, Mr. Tallon. I opened the store early just to see if I'd snag any more customers.”

  “So how's business?” Cooper asked.

  “Three cans of condensed milk, two videos returned, one box of disposable diapers, two dozen eggs, a box of Frosted Flakes, and two Little Debbies, for a total of $17.45.”

  Cooper searched the aisle. “I didn't know I'd get the whole inventory.”

  “I had some extra time. What did you find out about that wholesale shipment, Miss Dev?”

  Develyn shoved her sunglasses in her purse. “Mrs. Tagley wants to pay for the shipment in cash, so I'll get the money out of her safe.”

  Cooper sauntered up with a red can of shaving cream. “And just how much is this?”

  Jackson grinned. “It's $2.67. I read the inventory after I went to bed last night, trying to get some sleep.”

  “Tough to sleep in a new bed?” Develyn asked.

  “Usually I can sleep anywhere. But I got to thinkin' about a purdy black-haired girl, and well, I figured I needed a diversion.”

  “Well, the purdy, black-haired girl was dreaming of you.”

  “Isn't she the sweetest lady you ever met?”

  Develyn glanced at Coop, then back at Jackson. “Casey is a jewel.”

  Cooper counted out the money. “Now, that sounds like your wholesale truck.”

  Jackson stepped to the porch, than glan
ced back.

  “You help him unload and check the invoice,” Develyn called out. “Cooper and I will get the money.”

  “It takes two to pay a bill?” Cooper asked.

  She took his hand and tugged him to the back room. “You afraid of going back here with me?”

  “Maybe you are the one who should be afraid,” he grinned. “Jackson isn't the only one that had a tough time sleeping last night.”

  “That's because that neighbor lady kept you awake with her incessant talking.”

  Mrs. Tagley's bedroom smelled of antique dust and lilac perfume.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “You old bachelors get real nervous fast, don't you? Mrs. Tagley has some sort of safe back here. I want someone to sign for what money I take out. You're the witness.”

  “You brought me back here for a signature?”

  “Disappointed, huh?” Develyn swung the closet door open. “Now, all we have to do is find the safe.”

  Coop stuck his head in. “The whole closet is a safe.”

  Dev stepped around Cooper and stared. “That's the biggest safe I've ever seen in a house.”

  Cooper pointed at the faded white letters on the black safe. “Natrona County Bank, Argenta, Wyoming.”

  “How did she get this into her bedroom closet?”

  “I imagine they built the closet around the vault.”

  “Why would she need a vault this size?”

  “To keep her inventory of Little Debbies, perhaps. There's the dial. I assume you have the combination.”

  On the third try, they heard a deep click. Cooper shoved down the handle and swung open the heavy door.

  “It's too dark,” Develyn announced.

  “I bet she has a battery-operated light up here somewhere.” Cooper fumbled for a moment and then clicked a switch. The carpeted interior of the safe lit up.

  Develyn stared in. “I can almost stand up in here.”

  “She is one neat old lady. She's got antiques covered with blankets and shelf after shelf of shoe boxes. Those must be yearly invoices. Look, 1996, 1997…each is labeled.”

  “Where do you think her cash box is?” Develyn asked.

  “Look for a little metal box.”

  “You check behind the blankets. I'll sort through the shoe boxes.”

  “Well, well, Dev, darlin', look at these.” Cooper pointed to the far wall.