Counterfeit Cowboy

by Gail MacMillan

  The first few snowflakes of winter began to tickle her windshield. Weariness plagued her back and shoulders. She’d been crazy to take on this long drive alone simply to see Jordan’s birthplace and meet his family. She’d made her decision. She was going home to Andy, and that was it.

  Suddenly, the idea of going back to his stable, reassuring presence buoyed her up. No more crazy dreams about country music superstars. She changed the radio station to an all-news one and settled back to listen.

  ****

  It was snowing steadily, slanting into her windshield, mesmerizing, as big, splattering flakes assaulted her windshield and turned the road ahead to a solid sea of white. Her headlights cut a narrow path through the nasty night and she couldn’t make out the edge of the pavement. Don’t let me hit the gravel shoulder. Her back ached, her arms were stiff, and her vision blurring. Maybe tonight would be the night she’d let Andy sleep over. Maybe tonight would be the night she’d let him ease her tension with lovemaking. Maybe tonight would be the night he’d wash Jordan Brooks out of her heart and soul forever.

  She struggled to concentrate all her attention on her driving. Yes, tonight would definitely be the night she let Andy push that counterfeit cowboy out of her life and dreams once and for all.

  The snow had turned into an all-out storm by the time she reached the lane leading to her house. Through the driving flakes and buffeting wind she saw Andy’s SUV parked at the steps. Good old reliable Andy. He’d come to see to her stock and stayed when he saw a blizzard developing. He wouldn’t risk their getting snowed in without feed and water.

  The wind howled around the corners of the old house as she braked to a stop and stepped out into the bitter cold. It would be good to snuggle up with Andy in front of a roaring fire. She wrapped her arms about her body, ducked her head against the gale, and ran for the steps.

  ****

  “Andy, I’m back…”

  The words froze in her throat. Stripped to the waist, her fiancée held a naked Michelle Latton in his arms beside the kitchen table.

  He whirled. The bluster of the storm must have drowned out the sound of her arrival.

  “Jesus!” Andy’s face registered a shock like a lightning bolt. “Shel…”

  “Hello, Shelby.” Michelle, cool as ever, smiled and reached for Andy’s blue chambray shirt hanging over a chair back. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you to knock? We were just getting a couple of beers. We need to…” She shrugged into the garment. “Cool off.” A smirk raised the corners of her mouth.

  “Just like those tryouts for the National Equestrian Team, isn’t it, Michelle?” Shelby’s voice trembled with outrage. “You didn’t really want the spot. You never continued a career in that direction. You got your father to buy that fancy horse just so you could beat me. And now you don’t really want a dairy farmer, do you, you—”

  “Hey, what the hell! I’m standing right here!” Andy tried to step between them, but Shelby shoved him aside and confronted the woman wrapping the shirt around her nakedness.

  “So take him!” She pulled the diamond from her finger and slammed it onto the table. “You’ve actually done me one very large favor.” She yanked open the door to let in a gust of snow and cold night wind. “Take him and get out.”

  “I’ll get my things…”

  “Oh, no, you won’t!” Shelby, strong from wrestling animals, grabbed Michelle’s arm and propelled her out the door.

  “There’s snow out here!” she screamed as the door banged shut and locked behind her. “Shelby Masters, you let me in right now!” She pounded on the door.

  “Jesus, Shel!” Andy Crowell tried to get past her. “Let her in! It’s freezing out there.”

  “The only way I open it is if you’re going out…now.” She grabbed a set of keys she recognized from the table and flung them at him. “Load your whore into that fancy SUV and get the hell off my property. You obviously came here together, intent on making a mockery of me and my home.”

  “No, Shel, you’ve got to believe it wasn’t like that, not planned at all.” He caught the keys. “Michelle turned up at my place wanting a drive to town. Her sports car can’t handle snow. We started out in my SUV and I decided to take one last check on your stock. I drove down to the barn, but when I came out my vehicle was up at the house, the lights were on in the kitchen, and no sign of Michelle. When I came inside, I found her—”

  “I know, naked as the day she was born, with a couple of bottles of wine. You don’t have to continue. I get the picture. Now get out.”

  “Okay, okay. But if either of us gets pneumonia…”

  “I doubt you will want to explain the circumstances.”

  “You’re a real piece of work, you know that, Shelby? Stiff as a board. This was just a little pre-marital fling. You’re a fine one to go bitching about something like that after you spent the summer with the rhinestone cowboy, after he showed up at our engagement party and enjoyed the night with you!”

  “So what was this supposed to be? Getting even for what you imagined I did with Jordan? I thought you said you trusted me, believed me when I told you nothing happened after our engagement party.”

  “Now, why do I get the idea you’re dancing around the facts, Shelby?” He glared at her. “Nothing after the party, but what about all summer long, what about…?”

  “Damn it, I’m freezing out here!” The pounding escalated.

  Shelby unlocked the door, yanked it open, and gave Andy a mighty push outside. Before he could turn back, she’d slammed and re-locked it.

  ****

  Two empty wine bottles and a pair of long-stemmed glasses decorated the coffee table in the living room. A fire embered to its death on the hearth.

  Shelby grimaced. Had they been making love on her couch? No. No clothing strewn about. They must have used one of the bedrooms. Incensed, she rushed upstairs, taking the steps two at a time.

  She flung open the door of her room and snapped on a lamp. Andy’s boots and socks lay beside a pair of designer jeans, while a cashmere sweater, a thong, and a bit of lacy bra too small to be worthy of the name “support garment” lay scattered over the floor. A box of condoms decorated her nightstand. The woman had come well prepared.

  She backed out and stood for a moment, gulping in deep breaths. The feelings raging through her body weren’t what they might have been, not if she’d been in love with Andy Crowell. Still, his blatant betrayal disgusted her, made her stomach churn.

  She went down the hall to the guest room, the one Jordan had used. Exhausted, she pulled off her clothes and crawled naked into the bed. Burrowing her face into the pillow, she imagined she caught his scent.

  “Jordan, I love you. I really, really do.”

  She drifted off to sleep, making a vague mental note to houseclean her room top to bottom and buy a new mattress—damn it, an entire new bed.

  ****

  Okay, she’d finally allowed herself to admit she was in love with Jordan Brooks. But being in love, in this case, wasn’t enough.

  She padded to the living room window in PJs and fuzzy slippers to watch the horses frolicking in the newfallen snow, Jordan’s gift albino among them. Their beauty brought a lump to her throat. Nothing, nothing on earth could rival their beauty. Her hands tightened around the cup of coffee in her hands. She could never leave this place.

  A fire crackled on the hearth shared between the living room and dining room. It was Saturday morning, her time to relax. She wouldn’t let images of what could never be cloud her enjoyment of the moment. If only a big chunk of something she didn’t want to admit was loneliness would go away…

  The cordless phone rang and she scooped it up. “Dr. Shelby Masters here.”

  “Hi, Shel. Whatcha doin’?” Her brother’s voice rocketed her out of the blue mood.

  “Watching the horses in the snow. It’s a winter wonderland here.”

  “Ah, damn.” Regret tinged his exuberance. “Wouldn’t I love to see them! And I will. Soo
n. Good news, Shel…” His tone picked up. “Annie’s held off gigs until New Year’s. How great is that? The band and I will be able to perform at your wedding.”

  “There’s not going to be any wedding.” She swallowed hard. Nothing like the truth. “I caught Andy with Michelle Latton, and let’s just say there could be no doubt what they’d been up to…in my room…in my bed.”

  “Shel…” The line fell silent. “Hell, I don’t what to say…except that when I get home Andy Crowell is in for the hiding of his life.”

  “Not necessary.” She drew a deep breath. “Actually, it’s all for the best. I wasn’t in love with Andy, and apparently he wasn’t with me, either. We were both saved a big mistake.”

  “Still, I’m sorry you had to catch ’em…in the act.”

  “So am I. It will cost me a new mattress. Now, moving on. I’m so happy you’ll be home for Christmas. I’ll order a super-large turkey. That new hand Jordan sent along has a healthy appetite and no family besides us to spend the holidays with.” She paused and waited for a response. When none came, she prompted, “Travis, are you there?”

  “Sure, sure, just thinking. Thanks for giving me this chance, Shel.” The soft, deep sincerity in his words caught at her throat, made her choke up.

  “No thanks necessary, little brother. I’m glad I woke up to reality in time to give your talent the free rein it deserves.”

  “Nevertheless, appreciated. Shel?” Her name held a dubious question. “Jordan’s movie will be in our town next week. It’s gotten some nice reviews.” The words were hesitant, uncertain.

  “And you’re wondering if I’m going to see it? Why not? I’d like to see the results of my tutoring.” She tried to make her words sound light, careless.

  “Okay, fine. I think you’ll be pleased. But, Shel?”

  “What? Come on, Travis. Spit it out. There’s more, isn’t there?”

  “Yeah, well, Jordan told me how Michelle blackmailed him and Annie into getting her an audition with a producer.”

  “Go on.” What now? What else has that witch done?

  “Well, Annie isn’t a movie-type agent. The best she could do was get Michelle a little part in Jordan’s picture. Michelle wasn’t all that pleased but took it because she thought a producer might notice her and take an interest.”

  “And the part she plays in Jordan’s movie?” Her heart upped its beat.

  “A bit part where she plays a saloon girl who tries to seduce Jordan. Shel, she puts on a pretty hot performance.”

  “So you’ve seen it?”

  “Yeah. I was at the premiere with Jordan and the band last week. Quite an affair.”

  “And I suppose Michelle was there in all her sexy glory?”

  “Oh, yeah. Chatting up everyone she thought might have any clout in the movie industry. Don’t think she had much success, though, because she looked like a thundercloud when the party ended.”

  “Well, good for her. Finally she’s not getting all she wants.” Shelby paused before continuing, “Sorry about that, Travis. That was nasty and catty. Scratch it.”

  “Sure. Just thought I’d let you know the story before you go to see the film. Anyhow, gotta go, sis. We’re heading out. See you in a couple of weeks. Love ya. ’Bye.”

  “Travis?”

  “Yeah?”

  “How is Jordan?” She’d struggled to avoid asking—and lost.

  “Okay…I guess.”

  “What do you mean, ‘okay, I guess’? Is something wrong?” She heard her tone escalate with concern.

  “No, no, nothing terrible. Just what Joe tells me is usual. Gut bothering him a lot.” There was a pause. “Should I tell him you were asking about him?”

  “No, definitely not. Promise you won’t, Travis.”

  “Okay, okay. Have to go now, Shel.”

  “Thanks for calling, little brother. And take care.”

  “Sure.”

  ****

  Curiosity does more than kill cats. It made this normally sensible woman drive into town on a Saturday night in what could develop into a major snowstorm, just to see how a pupil looks up on the big screen. She’d been standing in the theatre queue for a half hour.

  “ ’Evenin’, Shelby.” The elderly ticket seller in the box office grinned out at her. “Figured you’d show up on the first night his picture is playing. It came as one big surprise to everyone around here when we found out Jordan Brooks had been at your place all summer practicing up for this movie. Look at this crowd! Normally on a night like this I’d be lucky to half fill the place. Tell me…” He leaned forward and hissed out the question. “I know the story is that he came to your place just to spruce up his riding, but could he ride at all before that? Rumor has it…”

  “You got it right the first time, Mr. Harvey.” Shelby went along with the story Ann Wise had suggested she tell. “He was simply sprucing up his skills.”

  “I told the wife that was it.” The old man slammed his hand down on the counter, a satisfied grin lighting up his face. “I told her Jordan Brooks was no phony cowboy. I told her he was the real deal.” He took Shelby’s money and shoved a ticket toward her. “Enjoy the movie, Shelby. You can take pride in the part you played, even if you’re not up on the screen…like some people from around here.”

  The last was colored with sarcasm. Michelle, in spite of her television fame, had never been popular in her home area.

  “Thanks.” Shelby scooped up the small piece of cardboard and headed into the theatre. Instantly she was surrounded by friends and neighbors, all wanting to know more about Jordan’s time at the farm.

  “Hey, hey, let the lady through.” As she was trying to fend them off, an arm suddenly went around her shoulders and she looked up to see Andy Crowell standing beside her. “This isn’t a press conference. She came to see the show, just like the rest of us, so how about letting us through?”

  With mutters of disappointment, the crowd acquiesced.

  “Thanks, Andy.” Shelby started to move away, but he held her.

  “How about us watching the show together?” He looked down at her, a slow grin coming across his lips. “Look, I have popcorn.” He shoved forward the bucket he was carrying in his other arm. “I remember you couldn’t enjoy a movie without it when we were kids.”

  “Well…”

  “Look, Shelby, I made a king-sized mess of our relationship, and I’m sorry as hell. I’m not asking you to forgive me, but can’t we at least be friends? We were for a long time, and pretty darned good at it.”

  “Okay, sure, why not? You’re right. We were good at being friends. And we’re going to be neighbors for one very long time.”

  “Great.” He took her arm and guided her toward seats near the back of the theater. “I also remember you don’t like to be too close to the screen.” Once they were seated, he asked, “How’s Travis doing?”

  “Good. At least he sounds happy when he calls.”

  “I’m glad.” He moved the popcorn bucket into position between them. “Help yourself. And that new guy, your new hand, how’s that working out?”

  “Good, as well.” She took a handful and munched a few kernels. “Great with horses, likes his privacy at night to watch TV in the cabin. Not big on conversation, but I have my patients to provide that.”

  “You can talk to me anytime you want.” He looked over at her and she saw honesty and genuine concern in his brown eyes. Yes, Andy Crowell, we can and will be friends.

  “I know. And I’m glad we met up tonight. Glad we cleared the air and are back in our old, comfortable territory.”

  “Yeah, well, I can’t say I’m entirely happy about it, but now I know it’s what you want, I’ll do my damnedest to go along with the idea. You’re one special lady, Shelby Masters, and don’t you ever forget it.”

  Good lord, don’t let those be tears behind my eyes.

  “The movie’s starting.” She turned back to the screen just in time.

  Later, she had to admit that from the
first frame to the last, she’d sat mesmerized by Jordan’s performance. Whether he was riding (very well, she was delighted to observe), singing, or playing the all-out, good-old-boy cowboy, he was terrific. And from the reaction of the audience, she wasn’t the only one to feel that way.

  Feeling they knew him because of his summer spent in their area and even more so because of his personal appearance at her engagement party, they often hooted, whistled, and called out approval at the star on the screen.

  Only nearing the end, when Jordan was supposedly being seduced by the saloon girl played by Michelle Latton, did the sounds of approval turn to hoots of derision. To Shelby’s eye, the scene had been inserted late in editing, probably to appease the woman, and added little to an otherwise good story.

  “Ah, crap!” The hissed expression came from beside her as Michelle pulled Jordan’s head down to kiss him passionately, shining black hair swaying to her waist, a skintight red dress barely covering major areas. “Shel…”

  “It’s okay, Andy. It’s all make-believe, right?”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Feeling better, lad?” Joe Farrah turned from the television program flashing into the hotel room, lowered the volume, and looked up at Jordan.

  “Sure.” Wearing plaid pajama pants and a navy robe that hung open over his bare chest, he came on out of the bathroom. Barefooted, he crossed the room to slump into a chair beside the bus driver’s. “What are we watching?”

  “Tape of last night’s Toronto-Buffalo game. You got another choice?”

  “No, it’s fine.” Jordan sprawled back and closed his eyes. “But just once it would be nice to see a game as it’s happening.”

  “Still feeling rotten, right?”

  “Why do you say that?” He opened one eye to glance over at the bus driver.

  “Hell, lad, any game that included the Toronto Maple Leafs, even in rerun, used to have you on the edge of your seat. Now look at you.”

  “Okay, okay, so a hot shower and the pink stuff don’t always cut it. I’ll be fine after a bit of rest.”