by Ciana Stone
"Oh, I guess my research was wrong. I was sure he bought land here."
"Well, yes, he did, he did. I forgot. But he bought it from Alice's father. Six hundred acres of land on the edge of the property too poor to grow cotton or support cattle."
"I stand corrected. So, what happened that he ended up with the whole thing, Mrs. Nellie Mae?"
Nellie Mae poured her tea and brought it to the table. Jo noticed with amusement that making coffee had been forgotten.
"Well," Nellie Mae took a sip from her tea. "Alice's mama died with a heart attack around the time their first boy was born, and two years later, her daddy feel ill. Got the cancer, I think. Poor thing just wasted away. Since Alice was an only child she got everything."
"So the ranch belongs to her?"
"Oh no. That was part of the divorce. She wanted to be gone – as far from Cotton Creek as she could get. So, she cut a deal with Jason. He got it all, but he also got the kids. She gets royalties off the oil and I think a share of the profits from the other businesses each year."
"Other businesses?"
"Well yes. The Weathers have a construction business. Bryson and Jayce run that. They're the third and fifth children I think. Bronson and Jasper, the second and fourth son run the oil business and the windmill farm. They leased that six hundred acres Jason bought from Alice's father to the windmill people.
"The oldest boy, Justice, or JD as most people call him runs the ranch with Jason."
"I didn't realize it was such a big family."
"Oh they've got a passel over there. Between Jason's boys and grandsons there's a good nine or ten of them. So, what interest does the CWL have in the Weathers?"
"It's just a human interest piece, I guess you could say. We did a few segments on Jason's family back in the Carolinas and wanted to follow up with a segment about him. He's the last in his generation left alive."
"I didn't know he had kin in the Carolinas. I thought he was from Florida."
"Oh, no, that's just where he met Alice."
"So he was ranching in Florida? Do they even have ranches there?"
"Yes, there are quite a few, but no I think he just worked for an operation running cattle."
"Well, you learn something every day and here I thought that’s where he came from. What part of the Carolinas?"
"The Charlotte area. The family still has a nice spread there."
"Well my my, and oh my goodness look at the time. I need to get my face on and get changed. We're having a meeting in under an hour and here I am looking a fright."
"I think you look very nice, Mrs. Nellie Mae. What kind of meeting are you attending?"
"Why the Red Hat Society, honey. I'm secretary of our chapter and I need to meet with our Treasurer, Netta Bloom before the meeting - and yes I know, Netta and Nellie Mae, N & N, kind of like the chocolate M & M, but sweet with a little sass we like to say. Anyway, I daren’t be late. Now, let me get you a key. Where did I put that? Oh yes."
Nellie Mae got up and crossed the kitchen to a big freestanding cupboard. She pulled out four keys, all on rings with big plastic pink stars dangling from each. "These are keys to the front door. I only have the four so you'll have to share. There aren't any locks on the bedroom doors, but you won't need those anyway. You just come and go as you please, but keep the noise down after eleven."
"Thank you and I will."
"Now, is there anything else I can get you before I go get ready?"
"Yes ma'am. Could you recommend a restaurant?"
"Well for breakfast Sweet's Sweets is to die for. Stella Sweet's bakery. She has the most divine baked goods ever. For lunch, there's the Willow Tree Cafe. It's just a block from the bakery. They're open for breakfast and lunch. Oh and there's Green's Steakhouse. Good beef for sure. There was a barbecue place but it got torn down by the tornado and they haven't finished rebuilding.
"If you're looking for one of those chain restaurants, your best bet is Midland or San Angelo, but that's quite a drive."
"I'm sure I can find something at the places you’ve recommended. Thank you."
"Sure sugar. Now you get all settled in and fill that little belly. I'll see you later."
"Don't you want me to pay you?"
"Oh no, we can settle that up later. Have to scoot now."
Jolene watched Nellie Mae hurry from the room and smiled. It had been a long time since she'd been in a place where people gave strangers a key to their house. Cotton Creek was starting to seem like a throwback to a bygone era. The quintessential small town where everyone knew everyone's name.
With a smile, she got up and went out to her car to get her things. She was eager to explore the town and pay a visit to the cafe, get a feel for the town. Then tomorrow she'd drive out to the Weathered Rail Ranch and meet the family who should have been named Nash.
Chapter Five
"I'm going to finish talking with Stan and get him to email me the new research." Jolene got up from her seat on the couch in the sitting room where her crew was gathered. "I'll see you guys in the morning."
To a chorus of good-nights, she slid her phone into her pocket and headed for her room at the back of the house, talking with a one of her researchers in Memphis via her Blue-tooth ear set. They'd been discussing the Weathers family and how Jason had run away from North Carolina and changed his name.
She'd no more turned the corner when she ran right into Nellie Mae. The collision sent Nellie Mae stumbling backwards. Her feet, encased in pink bunny rabbit slippers, lost traction and she went skidding backwards.
"Hold on!" Jolene caught her before she fell. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were there. Did we wake you?"
"Oh no, no. I was – I was just coming down for a glass of milk. Helps me sleep you know."
"Oh, okay. Hold on, Stan." She kept a grip on Nellie Mae's arm. "You sure you're okay?"
"Oh fine, fine. Don't let me interrupt. I'll just get my milk and be out in two shakes."
"Okay. Good night, Mrs. Nellie Mae."
"Good night sugar."
She waited until she was in her room with the door closed before she resumed her conversation. "So, you're saying she was right? Weathers wife gave him the whole thing and just left?"
"Well, she didn't just give it to him. According to the divorce papers, she gets fifty percent of everything they make – oil, windmills, construction and ranch. They apparently only have a small oil operation and it doesn’t produce that much. Bottom line is it might look like they're sitting fat, but remember, there's the old man, his sons and their families all being supported on fifty percent of what they all bring in."
"Fifty percent of what? How much are we talking here?"
"Well, from what Dana dug up, the wife cleared close to four hundred thousand last year."
Jolene did the math. "Okay, so if that was half, then the rest of them, six men with families, living off about the same amount. That's…"
"Around sixty-six thousand a year, give or take. But remember, they're footing all the bills and expenses, so it could be lower than that."
"So, these aren't rich people."
"No. They might appear well off from the outside but with the ex-wife taking such a big chunk I doubt they're taking lavish vacations."
"Okay, thanks Stan. You will email me all that, right?"
"Already done."
"Thanks again. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
She put her phone down on the nightstand and picked up her travel bag. She'd grab a shower and call it a day. When she pulled the door open, she got a surprise. Nellie Mae literally fell into the room.
"Oh shit!" Jolene tried to catch her but didn't let go of the travel bag quick enough. With Nellie Mae falling, her arms flailing about as she slid on the hardwood floor with those damn pink bunny slippers, Jolene ended up getting tangled up with her and they both went down.
Lucky for Nellie Mae, Jolene ended up on the bottom. For a few minutes, it was a struggle. Nellie Mae floundered around on top of Jolen
e like a roly-poly, digging at the floor with the toes of her bedroom slippers seeking purchase. Her arms waved about and got tangled with Jolene's as Jolene tried to push her up.
By the time they were both on their feet, Nellie Mae's hair was a mess, sticking out like she'd been through a catfight. She was red faced and puffing.
"Are you okay?" Jolene asked.
"Yes, I just slipped."
"Well what were you doing in the hall?"
"I – I was just bringing down fresh towels."
"Oh. That was nice of you. I'm so sorry you fell."
"I – I think – I think my dang foot just slipped as I was going down the hall and I fell into the door as you were opening it."
"But you're okay, right?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Now you have a good night hon."
"I will. Thanks Mrs. Nellie Mae."
Jolene watched her waddle off and shook her head. She would have to be careful about opening doors and turning corners in Mrs. Nellie Mae's house, otherwise the poor old woman was going to end up in the hospital.
With thoughts of visiting the Weathered Rail Ranch entering her mind again, she headed for the shower. She needed to have a clear idea of the direction she wanted going to go with the piece for the show. Working in the information on why he’d left North Carolina could be delicate.
Everyone had their secrets and everyone deserved their privacy. The only problem was explaining his connection without revealing the reason he’d left home and changed his name. The accidental death of Donny Miller was the hook and she had no doubt that the network would want it included.
Jolene understood the desire for privacy and respected that. There were things about her life she didn't share and probably never would. She'd be livid if someone else told the world what she didn't want known. If Jason Weathers decided he didn’t want that information made public then she’d just have to figure a way to make the segment work.
At peace with the decision, she finished her shower, threw on a pair of loose boxer shorts and a T-shirt, and returned to her room. Five minutes after her head hit the pillow she was asleep.
*****
JD pulled up behind the feed store. There were two customers ahead of him at the loading dock so he parked out of the way and went inside. Frank Odel, the owner, was just handing a receipt to a customer. "Hey JD. I've got your order almost ready but running a little behind here today. Part time help called in sick."
"That's okay. I needed to make a stop at the bank anyway, and might as well grab lunch. Hour give you enough time?"
"That'd be great. Sorry for the inconvenience."
"No problem, Frank. I'll be back in an hour."
"Thanks JD."
"You bet."
Rather than drive the couple of blocks to the bank he opted to walk and left through the street-front entrance of the feed store. There were quite a few people in town today. The moment he stepped out onto the sidewalk he noticed two women headed his way. What surprised him was the way they moved to one side as he drew near.
He nodded and gave them a smile and a "Good day, ladies." The smiles they returned seemed strained. Maybe it was just his imagination. That had to be it, and yet he still couldn't stop himself from looking back at them. They were watching him, leaning in toward one another and chattering.
That was odd. He dismissed it and kept walking. A block later, he paused for a lady coming out of the pharmacy, Dianne Davis. Dianne owned a dress shop across the street. She was carrying a small bag in one hand and a cup of to-go coffee in the other with the Sweet's Sweets logo on it.
"Morning, Dianne."
She stopped dead in her tracks, looked at him, and then cut her eyes away as she spoke. "Mr. Weathers."
Mr. Weathers?
Dianne was a divorcee, he’d had dinner with a couple of times, but quickly realized she was shopping for husband number two and so he’d not asked her out again. As far as he knew, she hadn’t harbored any ill-will over it.
Then again, maybe she was just having a bad day. It happened to everyone. He kept walking and when he reached Stella Sweet's bakery shop saw Netta Bloom and Nellie Mae Baker. They'd just crossed the street and were stepping onto the sidewalk.
"Well, Justice Weathers, fancy seeing you here." Netta said.
"Just making a feed run. Errands. How are you Mrs. Bloom? Mrs. Baker?"
"A sight better than I imagine you are today."
"Pardon?"
"Well with the…" Netta stepped closer to whisper loudly. "… The business with that TV show and your family and all that awful mess."
What? To the best of JD's knowledge, no one in his family had discussed the television thing. As far as he knew, his father was still trying to decide whether to talk to the reporter at all.
"I— I'm not quite sure what you've heard Mrs. Bloom, but we don't have a mess."
"Oh of course not, of course not." Nellie Mae blurted and elbowed Netta. "Come on Netta, let the man go about his business."
"Oh yes, yes. Of course. You have a nice day, Mr. Weathers."
"And you.” What the holy hell was going on here? He pulled out his phone and called his father.
"Have you told anyone about that TV show thing?"
"Not except you boys."
"Any of them say anything?"
"Doubt it. Told them not to."
"Well someone talked about it. The gossip gals just stopped me on the street about it."
"Ah hell, them red hat ladies?"
"Yeah, the ringleaders."
Jason made a noise that summed up JD's mood at the moment. "Well hell, son. I don't know what to tell you."
"How about whether you've decided to do it?"
"Yeah. I am. If I don't it'll make it look like we got something to hide."
"And if you do?"
"JD, you got to let go of that, boy. Wasn't your fault and you got to quit carrying it like a damn cross."
"Pop."
"Don't Pop me. Time you started listening."
"This isn't the time. Frank's backed up so it'll be an hour before I can get loaded. Headed for the bank now and then going to grab some lunch at the Willow Tree."
"Okay son. We'll talk later."
"Yep." JD ended the call and stuck the phone into his pocket. He made it to the bank without encountering anyone else. People in the bank either avoided looking at him or gave him curious looks but he tried to ignore it. He took care of what he needed to do, and then crossed the street, headed for the Willow Tree diner.
It was busier than normal, but as he checked the time, he realized it was getting close to noon. The tables were all filled. He spotted Cody Sweet at the counter, sitting with another dark-haired woman. Beside Cody's companion was a vacant seat. He made his way to the counter, delivering a greeting as he drew near.
"Hey, Cody."
She turned to look at him and smiled. "Hey, yourself. Pull up a stool and join us."
The smile on his face felt like a frozen death mask when the woman with Cody turned her head in his direction. It hit him like a punch to the gut. The smile on her face vanished and for the space of several seconds, they froze with gazes locked.
Visions of three years ago filled his mind and feelings returned to haunt him. He couldn't form a coherent thought for that length of time. This couldn't be happening.
"Jo?"
"Dylan?"
"What – what are you doing here?"
"My job brought me here."
"Your job?" What was it she did? She must have told him three years ago. Why couldn't he bring it to mind?
"Yeah. How are you, Dylan?"
JD didn't know how to answer that. He'd forgotten that he'd given her his middle name. He was still reeling from seeing her. She hadn't changed much. Still had that long dark hair that begged fingers to rake through it, those golden brown eyes that could darken with passion, and that tight lithe body that could mold to a man just right.
"I'm—I'm good. You?"
"Fine."
>
"Well, good. Good. It's good to see you Jo."
"And you."
He nodded, at a complete loss for more words, turned and walked out. When he reached the sidewalk, he looked back. She was watching him. There was a part of him that wanted to go back in, apologize for leaving her the way he had three years ago, reconnect with her.
But he couldn't do that. She was part of the reason he hadn't been there when the mother of his children killed herself. Had he not been in Jo's arms, he might have prevented that.
He knew it to be unreasonable, but he allowed anger to surface. Mostly at himself, but he let it spill over onto her. That anger gave him the strength he needed to turn away and head back to the feed store. He needed to get home. To work until his body was too tired to move and then drink until his mind was too numb to think.
He needed to forget he'd ever seen her.
Jolene watched in surprise as Dylan turned and walked out. What the hell? What was he doing here? She noticed several other people watching as well; people whose gaze turned next to her.
Cody was watching her, too. "Well, hey now. You friends with JD?"
"Pardon?" Jolene turned her attention to Cody.
"JD, Justice. Duh. The man who was just here?"
"Justice?" Her mind was in a whirl.
"Yeah, Justice Weathers."
"Justice Weathers?" This couldn't be happening. "Is he related to Jason Weathers?"
Cody laughed. "Damn girl, the dust getting to you? Jason's his father. I thought you knew him?"
"Oh, oh… I… uh… I…" Stringing word together wasn't possible at the moment. The man she'd known as Dylan was Justice Weathers, a member of the family she was here to film. What were the odds? And why did his face still wear an expression of pain and fear?
"Oh yeah, you definitely know him." Cody grinned and took a big bite of her burger.
Jolene didn't know what to say. She and Cody had just met. In fact, this was second time she had even talked with Cody. Their initial meeting was at the local bakery this morning, Sweet's Sweets, owned by Cody's mother.
They'd hit it off from the start. When she ran into Cody again on the sidewalk as she was walking to the diner, Cody suggested they have lunch together. It had been fun and interesting so far. Cody appeared to know everyone in Cotton Creek.
