She walked over to the window and looked out at the Las Vegas skyline, while he finished his call. As she stood there in his office, he assessed her and began to smile. He hung up the phone and she turned to him.
“Sawyer! You look like hell…what has that cowboy done to you?” His eyes laughed merrily as his smile broadened across his face.
“Dave…”
“I send you out to Allenville to cover a hot story and you play patty-cake with the local boys… What’s up with you? I expected more professionalism from you…”
Rebecca rolled her eyes. “…For Pete’s sake, Dave. Aren’t you the one who told me to get a life?”
“Yes,” he laughed. “…And apparently you took my advice and got swept off your feet by a good man.”
She shrugged. “Yes… Dave. It’s all thanks to you. How can I ever repay your kindness?”
He stood up quickly. “I’m glad you asked that. I’ve got several things to talk to you about, Sawyer… So listen up.”
Rebecca shook her head and sank into a chair by his desk. “Yes, boss…shoot.”
Dave began pacing around the room. “Okay, first… those two stories you filed about that rancher, Gareth Howard, and his trouble with the BLM have gone viral. The circulation department has been dancing in their offices and everyone around here is singing your praises. Of course, I took most of the credit for your success…”
“Of course…”
“You’ve seen the numbers, Rebecca?” He glanced over at her and stopped pacing.
She nodded. “They are good.”
“So first off, I need that third story. We’ve got readers internationally buying the paper and reading our blog. The response has been incredible! Whatever you’ve been doing out there in Allenville has struck a nerve with our readers…”
“I’m making notes for the new story already.”
“Since your first article was about those three ranchers living nearby and the second was stories from the guys camped around the Howard ranch, I want your third to be an interview with Gareth Howard himself and a few of the local townspeople – get their take on what’s going on.”
“I’ve already started prepping and getting names of local folks to interview. They’re expecting more violence and they want this whole thing to go away.”
“So you write that… But I also want to start out the third piece with a hot interview from the horse’s mouth – Gareth Howard. What’s his beef with the BLM…”
“…But Dave,” she protested, “he talks to anyone who will listen. What could I get that hasn’t already come out?”
“Easy… Sympathy is sliding away from him. He needs a big spread to capture hearts and minds back his way.”
“…You think?”
“Yep… Do some more research, Sawyer, and you’ll agree with me.”
She took a few notes. “Okay.” She looked up at him. “Could Ella come back with me this time and help out? She’d be a big help…” She pasted an innocent look on her face.
Dave scrunched his eyes and frowned. “Why do I have the feeling you’re trying to pull something over me?”
Rebecca widened her eyes and spread her hands out. “…No idea…”
“Okay. She can assist, but she’s not sharing the byline with you. Your name’s front and center with this series.”
“Fine.”
Dave went around his desk and sat down. He picked up a stapler… put it back down. Then he looked over at her and his eyes softened.
“…You really marrying this guy?”
“Yes, Dave… I am. Want to see the ring?”
He laughed. “No. I’ll take your word for it, but I don’t want you quitting the paper.”
“I don’t want to quit either, but how can I continue?”
“I’ve been thinking about this. There’s two ways – One you can write pieces from there. You’re not that far from Vegas and you can commute in occasionally when we need to go over some things.”
“You want to assign me individual stories to cover from Allenville? Really?”
“Yes, but they may not be as hard-charging as you’re used to.”
“Yeah?” she frowned. “…Puff pieces?”
“How about we call them Human Interest stories?”
“What?” Rebecca jumped out of her chair. “That sounds like dog show stories…”
“Rebecca, let me finish.”
“Okay…” She sat back down but continued to frown at him.
His grin expanded. “I want you to concentrate on writing your book. I see what you’ve got in your hand and I want you to write it.”
“You know about my desire to write a book about the Allenville struggle?”
“Yes, sweetie… There are no secrets in the newspaper business.”
She laughed. “Okay, tell me…”
“I want you to just file a few Human Interest stories to keep your name in the papers and concentrate on writing that book. Take a year, submit it to one of our editors for proofreading and formatting, and then our publisher will publish it.”
She blinked. “Let me see if I heard you right – The publisher of the Las Vegas Sun Times is going to publish my book?”
“Yep. What do you think?”
“I think it’s wonderful.” She happily slapped the desktop. “Thank you, Dave. You’re not as bad as everyone says…”
He grinned and waved a hand at her. “Ah, shucks, ma’am. You’re just sayin’ that…”
“No, no, I mean it.”
“So what do you say, Sawyer? Is it a deal?”
“… You know you’re going to have to call me Washburn in a month or so.”
He shook his head. “Nah. You’ll always be Sawyer to me. That cowboy can lump it.”
Rebecca laughed. “…Never a dull moment with you, Dave.”
He stuck his hand out. “Shake?”
“You bet.” And she stuck her hand out to shake his.
They smiled at each other for a minute.
“… When are you going back?”
“In four days. I’m finishing some research first.”
“Well, take Ella back when you go. Rent a car. That way when you stay, she’ll have a ride back.”
“Thanks, Dave.”
He squeezed her hand. “You did good, kid. Now get out of my office. I’m busy…”
She squeezed back. “…And quit calling me kid.”
* * *
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Rebecca worked diligently on her research in the bowels of the Sun Times in their research department and at the city public library. Tim gave her a hand and together they were getting together the rest of the information she’d need to start her book and help with the third story of the series. Wyatt called every night and she’d call him on breaks during the day. Her eyes lit up when her phone rang and she could hear the smile in his voice when she called him.
The first day he was gone, she’d called him as soon as she left Dave’s office. She caught him in the barn checking horses’ hooves.
“…So that’s what he said about your job? Becca, that’s fabulous!”
“Yes, I thought so. Doesn’t this solve the work problem?”
“…It sure does. Now I can see your smiling face every day and you can work your stories too. That was nice of Dave…”
“…And he’s rarely nice,” she laughed.
“Well, with your series about Allenville doing so well, he needed to keep you happy.” She heard his smile. “…I know how he feels.”
She blushed and was quiet for a moment.
“Honey? Are you blushing?”
She glanced quickly around. “What? Do you have a camera in the bushes or something?”
He chuckled. “…True. Maybe I’m getting to know you and how you react to some things.”
“…Yeah, maybe… I need to get busy, Wyatt.”
“Okay. Thanks for calling… I love you.”
“I love you too. Miss me tonight?”
/> “…More than I can say. I’ll call you tomorrow. Work hard…”
“Bye…”
“Bye.”
After Wyatt had hung up, he stood there in the barn just looking at his phone. Her lovely picture had disappeared from view, but had remained in his mind… He kept smiling. Tom, the farrier, noticed and spoke up.
“…Still workin’ on it, Wyatt?”
“…About got it nailed, Tom.”
“…Good for you.”
“Thanks. How’s Sue?”
“…Tired and ready -- Maybe it’ll be your turn soon.”
“I’d love it, Tom. I really would…”
* * *
The next day the furniture started arriving at the ranch and Wyatt did the best he could with the arrangement. He wanted Rebecca to tell him where things should go. Furniture arranging was never his department, so he just put the various pieces anywhere. But it got him thinking, while he was moving chairs around, and decided to head out back to the cemetery. He saddled his horse and rode off to the back part of his property, about two miles away.
It was a beautiful day and he was thoughtful, riding up to the entrance of the little cemetery. With mature trees all around and scented flowers in bloom, it was a lovely location. He often cleaned the headstones of his parents and Missy, the only graves in it. Riding up today, he saw a solitary figure crouched by her grave. It was Missy’s father, whom he hadn’t spoken to or even seen in over a year. Wyatt dismounted, tied up his horse to a fence and took off his hat, walking slowly towards the cemetery.
Her father glanced over and saw him approach.
“Wyatt…”
“Stan…”
Stan had laid a bouquet of yellow and white daisies on her grave – His face was blotchy and his eyes had red rims. Missy had been all he had left of family and her death shook him pretty badly.
He stood up to face Wyatt, hat in hand.
“I heard you’re engaged.”
“…That’s right.”
“…Huh…”
They looked at each other for a moment and then at the ground around them. Words didn’t come easily… Stan twirled the hat in his hands.
“Look, Stan…”
“No, let me say something while I can.”
“Okay…”
Stan took a deep breath and spoke softly. “I’m sorry that I’ve blamed you all this time for her death. It’s taken a while to get my head back on straight. I realize it’s all been as hard for you as for me.”
Wyatt nodded. “Thank you for that.”
“… And I want to congratulate you. I’m glad you’re able to find happiness again – You’re a young man and you need a family…”
“Thanks again, Stan, for realizing that – and for telling me.”
They stood there another minute looking at each other and then down at Missy’s grave.
“I’ve got something for you, Stan… If you’d like it.” Wyatt walked quickly back to his horse and reached into his saddlebag. Walking back to Stan, he handed it over to him.
“…the pink scarf? Her favorite? I didn’t know you still had this.”
Stan took the scarf and his eyes misted. Wyatt knew he’d finally done the right thing with it.
“I want you to have it. I probably should have given it to you sooner, but it’s only lately that I’m able to let it go.”
Stan nodded and smiled. “Your girl probably isn’t too crazy about your having it, right?”
“Ah, that would be correct. We’ve had a few discussions and I was going to leave it here at her headstone. Giving it to you seems to be the better thing to do with it.”
Wyatt and Stan stood comfortably together for a few minutes, deep in thought at the foot of Missy’s grave. Wyatt finally turned to him and extended his hand. Stan took it and they shook hands.
“I really do wish you all the best, Wyatt.”
He nodded. “Thanks and all the best to you too, Stan. Take care.”
With that said, Wyatt put on his hat and walked over to his horse. Getting ready to mount, he looked back at Stan. He was admiring the scarf and smiling. Wyatt knew Stan probably hadn’t smiled very much in the last three years either. Maybe they were both making progress in rejoining life.
He knew he was…
Mounting the horse, Wyatt tipped his hat as Stan looked back.
Riding away, he whispered, “Goodbye, Missy…” without the usual sad feelings that accompanied any thoughts of her.
He began to remember the good times they’d shared and got out a photo album when he arrived back at the ranch. Looking through the happy pictures and remembering their time together, he knew he’d have much to tell Rebecca, when she returned. It made him happy to think he really could get on with his life and finally put all that sadness and grief behind him.
In the next minute, he laughed out loud… Rebecca… Wyatt knew he’d have to be on his toes to keep up with her and he couldn’t wait for it all to start.
He put the photo album away…
And he wasn’t surprised to see another shooting star that night across the inky sky…
* * *
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The next day after a golden glow warmed the cool night… the sun came out.
“...So…”
“So?”
“So what’s this Clint guy like?”
Rebecca adjusted her rearview mirror and glanced over at Ella, retying the scarf on her head. “And did we have to rent a convertible? My skin’s beginning to bake.”
“…Your idea…”
“Actually, it was either the convertible or one of those mini cars… What are they called?”
“Smart cars? Mini Coopers?”
“…Smart car. Blech… How smart are they really? Don’t think I could get my luggage in one.”
“Well, you brought too big a bag anyway,” complained Rebecca. “How long are you planning on staying?”
“Hey! I need stuff… Don’t you need stuff?”
The laugh lines crinkled around her eyes. “…Not as much as I used to – that’s for sure. I just wear jeans and blouses around the ranch, sometimes tee shirts.”
“No makeup?”
“Not much. The horses don’t care and Wyatt just kisses it off me…”
Ella sighed deeply. “Damn, that sounds good.”
“Hand me that bottle of water, would you?” She took a slug of water and handed it back to Ella. “It’s wonderful, until we start talking…”
“Don’t you get along?”
She considered that. “Yes, but we can certainly have differences of opinion.”
Ella shrugged her shoulders. “…Most relationships do. Did you get that dead wife issue settled once and for all?”
“I sure hope so. Another round of that and I’ll go off the rails.”
“It’s really been that bad?”
“Yes, but let’s get back to Clint.” She sneaked a peek at her. “Want to know what he looks like?”
She sat straighter in her seat and clutched the scarf trying to fly off her head.
“…Gimme…”
“Well, he’s tall and lanky… slight mustache and shaggy dark blonde hair.”
“Eyes?”
“…Two.”
“Oh, ha… Tell me.”
“He has nice brown eyes that light up when he smiles.”
Another deep sigh from Ella. “How soon will we get there?”
Rebecca reached over to pat Ella’s hand. “There, there, dear. One must learn patience.”
Ella rolled her eyes. “… Really… And where’d you ever learn patience?”
“The hand patting is from Mary Carson – who’s wonderful, by the way – and the patience is from Wyatt. He’s been incredibly patient with me.”
“Sounds like the other way around to me.”
Rebecca scrunched her face. “…Sure, we’ve had things to work out, but I love him, Ella. And no one is going to love me more than he does.”
“That’s Allenville. You and I will head over there tomorrow, so I can get that interview with Gareth Howard. Dave already called and made the arrangements.”
“Dave called? Zeus came down from Mt. Olympus?”
“Yep. He’s stoked about this series.”
Rebecca turned the car onto a wide, dusty road.
“Where in the hell are you going? Not to Allenville?”
“This is the way to Wyatt’s ranch. I have to warn you though…”
“…What?”
“The new furniture has arrived and we’ll spend part of tonight arranging it.” She looked over at Ella. “You have no idea what a big deal this was…”
“… To buy furniture?”
“And glasses, silverware... and so on.”
“Your guy must really be worth it.”
A smile lit up Rebecca’s face. “…And I hope I never forget it.”
Ella patted her friend’s hand this time. “There, there, dear… It’ll be all right.”
Rebecca turned her car into the parking area alongside the ranch house. “Here we are…”
Ella began smoothing her lipstick in the overhead mirror.
“For Pete’s sake, Ella. Clint’s not here now. He’s coming over later for dinner.”
“Well… I want to be ready, don’t it?”
Laughing, Rebecca opened her door to see Wyatt walking down the path to her. His smile cut from ear to ear and he looked her over like he was ready to ravage her on the spot.
Ella gulped. “Should I hide in the barn for a while?”
“No, we’ll behave right now. Just wear some earplugs later…”
Now Ella’s giggle bubbled out and she grabbed her suitcase. “Gotcha, captain. I read you loud and clear.”
When Wyatt was close enough, he folded Rebecca in his arms. He hugged her tightly and then leaned back to kiss her. “Hi, sweetie. Miss me?”
“…Maybe a little…” she grinned.
He opened his stance and looked over at Ella. “How was the ride over, Ella?”
“…Hot and dusty… Got a beer?”
Stream Ran Dry Page 13
