“You seem fairly certain that I’m going to need emergency services, Trey. Exactly what kinds of situations have occurred out here?”
“It’s not my intention to insult you but I wouldn’t be doing you any favors by not telling you, would I?”
Carissa nervously tossed her hair behind her shoulder. “I don’t suppose you would.”
Trey liked the sound of her voice. It wasn’t high-pitched or squeaky. She spoke clearly with a soft drawl that reminded him of someone. He couldn’t think who. “Let’s see. Ankle injuries from stepping off in a hole, snake bite, and dehydration. The heat can roll up fast and just sap the life out of you.”
“Snake bites? How often does that happen?”
Trey smiled. “Not that often. They generally don’t want to be seen. It mostly happens when folks don’t look before they use the facilities. If you know what I mean. I don’t mean to be crass, ma’am.”
She laughed. “Oh my goodness. That’s an important thing to know.”
“You most likely won’t see any around the bunkers. Too much activity going on. And as long as you stay close to the trail on the rides, you probably won’t see any out here either. Staying with the trail, they have plenty of room to get away. It’s only when they’re cornered or frightened, that you’ll have any trouble. They are more afraid of you than you are of them, I assure you. They’ll do whatever they need to do to keep away from you.”
She stretched her back feeling slightly stiff from the car ride earlier today and the ride on the quad. “How long is this trip across the canyon if you take horses?”
“Let’s see, who will be coming on these weekend trips?” Trey got off the vehicle to stretch his legs a minute. He could see that she needed a break. They’d been riding for about forty-five minutes already. Luckily, it was almost the end of the trail and then they would head back for dinner and call it a night.
“Mostly women and older children. No little children though. I think Clare is only making this available for kids age thirteen and up.”
“An experienced horseman—or horsewoman—could make the trip in three hours. Sounds like you could expect to spend five hours, one way, on a trip across the canyon. You could always just take them as far as Painted Rock. That would put you about a third of the way into the canyon.”
“Hmm … maybe. I’ll have to think about it.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“What is it?” She glanced at him hoping this wasn’t going to be a personal question.
“What do you hope to achieve with this project? I mean, what’s the benefit besides putting people in a different setting? I’m not hip on psychology so I’m honestly asking.”
“Different settings are a powerful thing, Trey, but besides that, it goes to trust. Most of what I do is help families rebuild broken trust between parents and children. In an abusive situation, some of that is lost, even after the victims escape the abuse. Children feel angry, usually at the parent who tries to help them. Parents have all kinds of anger for lots of reasons—guilt and shame too. Putting families out here where they have to work together for short periods of time can only help.”
“You don’t think that would make it worse? Putting them in a stressful situation? It’s nice out today but sometimes there’s a driving rain, thunderstorms, and a whole host of other unpredictable events. Is that good for them?”
“Well, we do have a standard for who qualifies. I’m not sure of the specific guidelines at the moment but these would be Class Two families, meaning they’ve been with us for more than ninety days. Clearly not everyone would be a good match for this activity.”
“I’m sure you know what you’re doing. Just asking, ma’am.”
“I don’t mind answering questions,” she said, but clearly she did, or at least Trey thought she did. “Are we almost to the other side now?”
“Just over that hill there, then we will head back for some grub. If you like, we can go a little faster on the way back. I think you’ve proven you can handle a quad—now let’s see what you can do with a horse.”
Great, just what I’ve been waiting for, she muttered to herself. How did she get stuck out here with a crabby cowboy? Too bad his personality didn’t match his good looks. They didn’t talk much after that but true to his prediction they made it right at dinner. She went to her room to freshen up before dinner wondering again if she’d made a huge mistake.
Chapter Five
Trey walked into the dining room expecting to get some flack about his new job but nobody said a word. As a matter of fact, the place was unusually quiet, but he did notice that most everyone had taken the time to comb their hair and wash the dirt off their faces. He tossed his hat on the rack and went to wash his hands in the kitchen. Aunt Nancy was taking some rolls out of the oven.
“Oh just in time! Take these rolls out for me please. I’m coming right out with the pork chops. How did it go today? Everything okay so far?”
Trey knew his aunt well enough to know that she was fishing for information about what he thought about the nice-looking social worker. “Went fine but we haven’t started riding yet except on the quads. Wanted to show her the trail first, so she could see what she’s up against. Have you guys thought this through? I’m not second-guessing, I’m just asking. Do you think it’s a good idea to send someone out there on the trail with a bunch of women and children if they don’t know basic horsemanship?”
Carissa cleared her throat and shifted her feet before walking into the room. She didn’t have to prove herself to him—who the heck was he? Carissa determined right then and there that she would nail this challenge if she ended up breaking every bone in her body. How many times had she faced down naysayers in her life? She slapped a big smile on her face. “Is there anything I can help with?”
Nancy didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, indeed! You’ll learn not to volunteer around here because someone will put you to work. Trey, let her take the rolls, you grab this tray of pork chops, and I’ll get this hot pot of peas. We’ve got some hungry folks out here.”
Carissa stepped back and let Trey and Nancy walk out first. She couldn’t help but toss the red-faced cowboy a dirty look just to let him know she’d heard him; luckily for him, he didn’t glance her way. Carissa wore her big smile again while Nancy introduced her to the crew.
Nancy courteously introduced Carissa to a half-dozen cowboys; some were just kids, barely twenty she guessed. The truth was Carissa wasn’t much older than they were. She had just celebrated her twenty-seventh birthday with a discreet wine party thrown by her work friends. But as she tells the parents she works with, abused kids aren’t their actual age—you can multiply each year by three to five years. She qualified—she was an “old soul” too.
“Come sit by me, Carissa, and tell us all about Audrey House and why you’re here. I mean, I know, but I’m sure the fellas would enjoy hearing all about it. You might even get a few volunteers if you tried. You’ll be having your rides twice a month for the summer, right?”
The young woman smiled and slid a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She’d brushed the tangles out of it after the ride and pulled the brown mass back in a messy ponytail. Her naturally wavy hair always responded to humidity and it was high today. Unexpectedly, she felt a tad nervous talking to the gathering who watched her expectantly.
“That’s right. Twice a month is our goal if the fearless leader can stay on a horse.” Everyone chuckled except Trey who didn’t look at her at all. He drank his iced tea and fiddled with his silverware. “At Audrey House, we look for ways for families to heal after abuse. I believe, and so does my mentor, Clare, that being here at the Easy R is one way to accomplish that. Families will learn skills they don’t already have and we put them in situations that encourage them to work together. It’s exciting to be here with all of you. Thank you all, especially Trey who has the difficult task of teaching me to ride like a pro.” She smiled sincerely, putting what she heard to the side. She couldn’t
help it; she was a nice person and holding a grudge wasn’t healthy.
“Miss Carissa, I’d be happy to show you how to ride, rope, and hog tie if you’d like. It would be my pleasure!” She couldn’t remember his name, maybe Billy or Bobby.
“If I have a need to learn that, I’ll let you know. I promise.” Everyone laughed and began passing bowls and plates of food around. It was like a big family, a big unruly family, but the head of the table was empty and Trey noticed.
“Aunt Nancy? Where did Uncle Robert get to? He lose his way to the table?”
“No, he’s not going to make it tonight but he’ll be here for tomorrow’s dinner. You know he won’t miss that. I’m serving steaks. And I hope you like steak, Carissa?”
Scooping peas on to her plate she nodded her head. “I’m sure I would like anything you serve, Mrs. Montgomery.”
“Now stop that. It’s Aunt Nancy to you.” She smiled at Trey. “I feel like we’re family already. Who knows what will happen?” Carissa’s heart sank in her chest. That was embarrassing but not to Carissa alone. It seemed to embarrass Trey too. Carissa couldn’t blame him. It was wrong to do, but Aunt Nancy’s playfulness wasn’t done in bad spirit. She was a typical rancher’s wife; got no time for small talk, let’s get to the bottom line. That was who she was—good-hearted busybody.
“I don’t have any aunts or uncles. I like the idea of an extended family but unfortunately, I’m sort of an orphan now. I mean, my mom passed away several years ago, and I haven’t seen my dad in about fifteen years. Strange to think about being an orphan when you are grown but it is what it is.”
Nancy looked shocked. “Well my word, do you have any siblings?”
Carissa shook her head and cut into her pork chop with an oversized steak knife. “My sister died when I was twelve.”
Nancy paused. “Oh dear. It looks like I have really stepped in it. I am so sorry, Carissa.”
Carissa waved her hand to interrupt. “It’s completely okay. You didn’t know. And I have people in my life who are like family.” She noticed that Trey had stopped eating and was staring at her, but she kept her eyes on Nancy.
“Was she sick?” asked Nancy, reaching her hand to Carissa’s.
“No.” Carissa let Nancy take her hand as she looked down. “It’s a long story, but Audrey House is named after her.”
The room was silent. No one ever really knew what to say when she told them about her sister, so Carissa hurriedly changed the subject. “But let’s get back to what I’m here for. I can’t tell you how grateful we all are that you have offered your land and help this way. It will mean the world to the families there. And it means the world to us.”
Nancy nodded and poured a glass of iced tea. “Yes, yes. Well, we’re forever appreciative of the help you gave to Annette.” She handed the iced tea to Carissa and looked over at Trey, who was looking at his plate. “You know, Trey is an orphan too. I bet you two would have a lot to talk about. Tell me, Carissa”—she turned back to her—”is there anyone special in your life? A boyfriend, perhaps?” Trey grunted a little and stood up from the table with his plate. Carissa expected that he was just as embarrassed as she was.
“Well, I guess I do have Devon. He’s a gentleman I’ve been dating.”
Nancy’s eyes got wide. “Oh dear, I didn’t know you were involved with someone already. I’ll stop harassing you two now, but you two would have made quite the couple. I expect it’s for the best. He’s too handsome for his own good and you’re so sweet you’d make a man’s teeth hurt.”
Trey strode from the room. He didn’t like the conversation. He wasn’t looking for love and neither was Carissa. Just because they were working together for a short time didn’t mean that they should get together.
Trey walked to the main house and bounded up the wooden stairs. Uncle Robert’s truck was in the driveway so he had not gone anywhere. He opened the wood-and-glass front door without knocking. This was home for him. He’d been coming here all his life. Trey loved the split-brick floors, the refurbished windows, the solar panels on the roof that powered the house. He loved the massive leather furniture; the smell of clean leather filled the air. Now that was a perfume he loved!
He thought about calling out to Uncle Robert but something told him not to. He dusted his feet off on the foot scrubbing pad in the doorway and proceeded to walk upstairs until he heard the sound of snoring in the living room. Sure enough, there was Uncle Robert, passed out in his leather recliner wearing his shorts and T-shirt. Laying on his chest was his clipboard. Beside him on the table next to him was a bottle of water and a bottle of prescription medicine. Trey picked it up and read it while his uncle continued to snore. It was nitroglycerin tablets. Take one as needed.
The old man was sleeping but he’d have to wake him up to find out about this. Trey had no idea that his uncle had any medical problems, now to discover his heart was on the fritz? “Hey, what’s going on? You taking nitroglycerin tablets now? Uncle Robert?” His uncle snored away, and so Trey got up, removed his hat, and scratched his head. He couldn’t believe this. Uncle Robert wasn’t indisposed—he was sick. He knew what nitroglycerin could do because his father took it every day before he passed.
Trey tossed a nearby blanket on Uncle Robert and he didn’t move a muscle. He snored and slept. Trey started to walk out of the room and met Aunt Nancy in the doorway. “So you know now?”
Trey followed her out the front door. He wanted to yell, to demand answers, but he was too keyed up. “Yeah, I know. How sick is he?”
“It’s a miracle that he’s lived this long. He’s had some problems recently, so many problems. He’d be so ashamed if he knew that you knew about him. Please for the love of God, don’t tell him anything. Let’s keep it quiet. Uncle Robert says we can’t afford to lose the hands and this is the biggest month we’ve ever had. He wants to keep going as long as he can.” Nancy didn’t cry; she was a hardy woman who didn’t show emotions in public. Trey was sure she cried, just not in front of everyone.
He sighed and squared his hat on his head. “Your secret is safe with me but please keep me informed. Y’all are the only family I got.”
“I know that. Thank you, son. I appreciate your discretion.”
He gave her a winsome smile and patted her shoulder. No sense in getting angry with her. She was only doing what Uncle Robert wanted. She sniffed but blinked away any feeling that might sneak to the surface. She said playfully, “You know, it’s too bad she’s dating someone. What a waste! I do like Carissa.”
Trey rolled his eyes and pinched her cheek playfully. “Stop that now. I’ve got to teach this girl how to ride.”
“Well you better do a good job. I think a crowd is planning to watch you do just that.”
He rolled his eyes again and walked out of the ranch house, forcing himself to focus on his lesson plans for tomorrow and that was teaching a petite, attractive brunette how to ride a horse.
***
Carissa was unpacking her suitcase when her phone rang—it was Devon. “Oh, speak of the devil.” Now that she’d desperately talked him up in front of a group of strangers, she felt obligated to keep up the charade, even if it was too her detriment.
“Hello, Devon.”
“Hello, Carissa. Did you get my message? I haven’t heard a thing.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you during your closed-door meetings. I know how important that is to you. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Why so cold? I told you I was sorry and I meant it. Let’s have some dinner, maybe catch a show. I hear that the new club over on Royale is opening tonight. Would you like to hit the red carpet with me?”
She paced some more, exasperated that Devon didn’t remember that she was out of town this weekend. How could she have gotten involved with someone who was so selfish and self-centered? “That would be great if I were in town but I’m not. Remember?” After a long pause on the phone she could tell he didn’t remember. “I am at Easy R Ranch lear
ning how to ride a horse before we bring the first two families up here in a few weeks.”
He laughed aloud. “You can’t ride? I can show you how. It’s like sex. Once you do it once, you never forget.” She rolled her eyes at his ridiculous metaphor. Sometimes his lack of American colloquialisms astonished her but what did she expect? He was Scandinavian born, right?
“I think you mean like riding a bike, not riding a horse.”
“What?”
“Never mind. It’s not important. This is where I shall be until next weekend, so you go ahead and have a good time.” Carissa was ready for this phone call to be over with. Here she was facing one of her biggest fears—horses—and Devon wanted to make it all about him. She had had enough of his narcissism. He was pretty to look at but just not worth the trouble. She didn’t know what she wanted in a guy but she was pretty sure he wasn’t it.
“No, I want to see you Carissa. I have an idea, why don’t I come to the Easy R and spend some time with you. I can help you with your riding, if you like.”
She felt panic rising in her stomach. “That’s not a good idea. This is a training week, not an excursion. I’ll call you when I get back, I promise, Devon.”
He sounded disappointed. “You sound as if you don’t want me there. Is there some reason why?”
“I really don’t have time to talk right now. I’m heading out to meet with my trainer; in fact, I’m late now,” she lied. “Everything is fine and I promise that I will give you a ring when I get back to Dallas, okay? There’s no need to drive out here.” Carissa purposefully smiled into the phone knowing that smiles carry through voices. She didn’t need a visit from Devon. She had enough to deal with right now.
“As you wish. Talk to you soon.”
Captivated By A Cowboy (Canton County Cowboys 3) Page 3
