by Heidi Hormel
“Clover’s plan will be good for your business,” Danny said to his sister after strolling nonchalantly through the empty chamber.
“Possibly, although Jones isn’t happy about what Melvin’s doing.” Lavonda’s gaze didn’t stray from Danny’s face. “We’ll talk about your bull riding later, with Mama and Jessie.”
“There are artifacts on that property,” Jones said, his Scottish accent not out of place with the kilt. “I told him that we could add his ranch to our tour and give him a percentage of our revenue.”
“Can’t you still do that?” Danny asked.
“Not once Van Camp starts its work. They have plans for that property to be a huge gated community. You know Melvin’s property has some of the best views,” Lavonda said.
“I was at Melvin’s when Clover and Heyer, Clover’s father, were there. I didn’t know they wanted to put up gates, though.” Danny was proud he hadn’t stumbled over her name.
“We should talk with the state’s historic commission about Melvin’s. We should be able to get a stay on the sale,” Jones said, his Scottish burr more obvious.
Danny had stopped listening because what had happened hit him in the face. He’d lost. His plan was done. He owned property that had worth only to VCW and all of his savings were tied up in it. He needed to move on. Angel Crossing had decided what they wanted and it wasn’t him.
“Finally sunk in, huh?” Lavonda said, reaching out slowly to touch his arm. He jerked away.
“I’ve got a lot to do. I’ll have to see what Van Camp will give me for my properties. If they don’t pay well, I’ll be stuck. It’s time for me to come out of retirement anyway.”
“What? Wait. You’re really going to ride again?” Lavonda asked, her voice rising. Jones put a large hand on her shoulder. Danny’s gut fell. That was the kind of gesture a couple made for each other without thinking. The kind of gesture that could turn a bad situation into something tolerable.
“There’s not enough work here for me. I don’t think Rico Pueblo will want me for mayor. Anyway, I’m a cowboy...a bull rider.” Saying the words didn’t feel as right as he’d hoped. “Gotta get home and let the dogs out.” Danny made sure he sauntered from the building and strolled down the street. He was cool with what had happened. Sure. Initially it had been a slap in the face. Now that he thought on it, the whole situation was good. He’d never planned to settle in Angel Crossing. When he’d landed in the town, he was just waiting until his arm healed. So maybe it’d never heal entirely—that didn’t mean he needed to stop riding. Like Pepper’s mother, Faye, would say, this was the universe’s way of telling him that he needed to change his path. He just wished the universe hadn’t had to do its talking in front of the whole town.
* * *
THE FAMILY WHO said they’d take on Hulk met him in the Angel Crossing all-purpose lot. They had two children, one of whom had a cochlear implant to help him hear, so they thought a dog with a similar challenge would be a good choice. His sister Jessie had recommended them. The son had been in one of her therapeutic riding camps at Hope’s Ride. She’d vouched for him and his family. They’d met on a Friday afternoon as the vendors for Saturday’s farmers’ market started to mark out their stalls in the lot. Some would come in early tomorrow but many started their setup on Fridays. Not everyone was an early riser like Pepper, who helped organize the market.
The family got back in their dusty SUV, just as Pepper pulled up to supervise the vendors and, of course, Clover came racing toward him.
“Is he gone?” she asked.
He hadn’t seen her in the week since the council meeting. He’d been busy ramping up his training regime and discussing how to get back in the bull-riding game with AJ. He hadn’t talked about Clover, even when AJ had asked him about her. He’d only just prevented himself from decking the man when he’d suggested that Danny should apologize to Clover (even if Danny hadn’t done anything wrong), then beg her to take him back.
Clover stood with hands on hips in front of him, her soft mouth a hard line and her blue eyes flinty. “I asked you to let me know when you found a family for Hulk.”
“You told me that VCW only wanted to help Angel Crossing.”
“I know...in the long run...there’s always pain with change, but it will be worth it.”
“Worth it. Tearing down the town, destroying what everyone has been trying to save, chasing out all of the residents will be better?” Danny wasn’t worried that his voice was carrying to the vendors or to Pepper. It was all true and they should know that Clover and her company were not their savior.
“We’re making things better. There will be jobs.”
“What kind of jobs? And where will people live?”
“Danny,” Clover said in a reasonable tone that made his head explode.
“You think you know what’s best for us? You think because we live in a little town that’s struggling, we should be happy for anything you’re willing to offer us? We’re not. We have a great town, an amazing community. That counts for a hell of a lot more than money.”
“You talk a good game, but you’re not staying and you didn’t win the vote.”
“I may not be staying, but I’m not leaving the town worse off than when I came. You and your father can’t say the same thing.”
“I’m not going to argue with you about this. We already did that at the meeting.”
“Let’s talk about the meeting.” He stomped closer to her. He wanted to look her in the eye. “My hand and my arm were my business. Using them to win your case was low, even for a New York City diva. How would you like it if I aired the fact that your father has never thought you were competent enough to run any part of his business and that he came to Angel Crossing to clean up your ‘mess.’” He made sure everyone heard the last sentence.
“Danny, I know you’re upset but that gives you no right to treat me badly.”
“You mean the way you let your daddy treat you. Please. You must like it or you would do something about it.”
“I am doing something about it. I’m walking away.”
“That’s right,” he yelled. “Run away. That’s what you do best. When the going gets tough, then Clover gets going.”
She turned and gave him a pitying look. What was that for? His phone pinged and he pulled it out. Hulk’s new family had sent a picture of the puppy kissing the little boy. “Hell and damnation,” he yelled, hurling his phone and hitting a car, dinging the door and shattering his phone.
“What bug crawled up your butt?” AJ asked as he strolled across the lot. “I see.”
“What do you see?”
“An ass.” AJ looked his friend up and down. “Feel better breaking your phone and putting a dent in Liddy’s car? You’ll owe her for that, by the way.”
“I don’t give a flying—”
“Don’t say it, boy,” Chief Rudy said. “I could hear you yelling over by Miss Faye’s booth.”
“Clover just left,” AJ said.
“I see.”
“If you girls think you know sh—” Danny said.
“No need for that,” said the chief, who never swore. “I want you to go apologize to Liddy and promise to pay for the damage. Then you need to go speak with Miss Faye—you’ve upset her. Then you need to go after Clover and apologize for whatever you’ve done wrong.”
“I have a daddy,” Danny said, beyond annoyed with the two men. “I don’t need you or AJ telling me what I should do. You don’t see what she’s done. She and Van Camp are going to ruin this town, and she lied about what they really have planned.”
“Clover isn’t the kind of woman to lie,” AJ said. “She always seemed straightforward to me. I mean even back in the day. She wasn’t snooty or anything. Didn’t wear falsies—”
“Shut up,” Danny said with a level of men
ace to let AJ know, friend or not, if he said another word, Danny would punch him.
“I’m not your daddy, right enough,” the chief started, “but I am the law around here and there’ll be no fighting, especially because you’re too stubborn and bull-stupid to know you love that gal.”
“Do not. It was just—” Danny stopped himself when he saw the chief’s frown.
“Everyone knows it. She loves you back. And everyone knows that, too.”
“Does everyone know,” Danny said, “that she lied, that she’s angling to be a bigwig at her daddy’s business and that her idea of a perfect life is a Manhattan penthouse and a closet full of fancy purses?”
“Danny dear,” Faye said, strolling up in a swirl of Stevie Nicks skirts and a cloud of patchouli. “It’s always rocky when a Taurus—that’s you—and a Leo get together. I told Rudy and Arthur John that before they came over. Did they explain?” she asked before going on without pause. “You need to help her with the next big decision in her life. You will be her protector by knocking all obstacles from her path and she’ll calm your hot blood.”
“Thank you?” Danny said, not sure what else he could answer, especially with the other two men staring at him.
“Oh, man,” AJ finally said, “you are in big trouble if Faye thinks she needs to help.”
“It’s not me, Arthur John,” she said to AJ. “It’s the stars. I just interpret.”
“Whatever any of you think, I am not in love with Clover.”
“Yes, you are,” Faye said, “and you loved Hulk. You’re sad he went away today.”
Danny’s chest caved in with the picture in his mind of the puppy in his new home, quickly followed by the hurt on Clover’s face as she left. He stared at Faye and she opened her arms. For a second, he wanted to lay his head on her shoulder and bawl like a baby. Except he was a big bad bull-riding cowboy. He didn’t need to do either. “I’ve got work to do,” he said lamely as he strode off with purpose. He certainly wasn’t running. He’d made sure of that by slowing his steps to a stroll. He might not be a “drowning his sorrows in a beer” sort of cowboy, but he might change that because so far nothing else was working.
* * *
“ANOTHER BEER, ANITA,” Danny said, drinking his lunch on Saturday since he wasn’t hungry.
“Here you go.”
He looked at the frosty mug of...root beer. “What the hell?”
“You’ve reached your limit, Mayor,” Anita said with the sternness of a mother, one of which he already had and that was plenty.
“Two beers?”
“Yep. Heard what happened yesterday.”
Great. Of course, the story had gotten around town. He never figured that the twins would turn down his business.
Anita went on. “And don’t think Lem at the store will sell you liquor. I already called him.”
“Tell Lavonda I don’t need her to interfere.”
“Didn’t hear a peep from your sister.”
Danny eyed Anita. Didn’t look like she was lying. He put down his money and left Jim’s. What was the point of being at the bar if he couldn’t drink? He’d just go home and take care of his needs there. Damn.
His sisters and his baby niece stood on the sidewalk in front of him. How had they done that? Were the women in this town crazy? Something in the water? Maybe that was Clover’s problem, too.
“We’re taking you to lunch,” Lavonda said, grabbing his arm.
“Your niece wants to have her lunch with Uncle Danny,” Jessie added from his other side, her daughter settled comfortably on her hip.
He allowed them to drag him to the diner. Jessie made him sit with Gertie and help feed her.
“Here’s your pie,” Marlena said, setting down a slice that was covered in whipped cream, looking like a gallon had been dumped on it. “Heard about yesterday. Thought you might need extra.”
“Don’t get mad, Danny,” Lavonda said. “Everyone feels bad about the meeting. Then you had to give up Hulk and then Clover dumped on you. I never expected that from her. She came to the Back Room.”
Danny wasn’t certain how being a part of the Devil’s Food Diner’s Back Room Mafia gave Clover Angel Crossing street cred. Was there such a thing?
“When you’re done with that mountain of dessert—none of which you’re going to feed to my daughter—we’re going to the market,” Jessie said firmly as she sipped her coffee, eyeing both him and Gertie. The little girl gave back a similarly stubborn stare.
He focused on the dessert but couldn’t take a bite. He did not want to go back to the scene of the crime.
“Duncle,” Gertie said. “Eat.”
“I’m not hungry. Let’s go play in the street.”
“Danny,” Jessie said. “Don’t say things like that to her.”
He shrugged, picked up his niece and left the diner. His sisters could pay since they seemed to have some plan for him that he wouldn’t approve of. He knew the two of them and he’d seen the looks they’d shared.
He and Gertie gathered pretty rocks. Jessie deserved to carry them around in that suitcase she called a purse now. Nothing like the purses Clover coveted and used. Didn’t matter anymore. He’d get back in the saddle in more ways than one soon enough. First he’d ride in the charity event. Then he’d be back in the ring. After that, he’d have no problem finding a new woman to squire around.
“Before we go to the market,” Lavonda said, “I want to stop by your property.”
“Real subtle, sis. What do you and Jessie have planned?” he asked. His niece was perched on his shoulders, wearing his hat, which she had to push at to keep it from covering her face.
“Nothing. I just have an idea for that space but need to see it before I make a decision,” Lavonda insisted. Jessie wouldn’t look him in the eye.
“You shouldn’t fib. That’s not right, is it, Gertie?”
His niece babbled nonsense in agreement.
He didn’t say more but followed his sisters because now he was a little intrigued. He couldn’t imagine what they had cooked up at his property. Had they kidnapped Clover and were holding her hostage there? No. Even his overprotective sisters wouldn’t do that.
He saw a woman standing in front of the building. It wasn’t Clover or anyone else he recognized.
“Surprise,” Lavonda said. “This is Jolene. Nearly family. She’s Olympia’s sister, so by the transitive property she’s related, right?” She looked at Jessie, Olympia’s sister-in-law. “She’s moving to Arizona—and she needs a place to open her business.”
“Is that so?” Danny asked with sarcasm. He remembered Jolene from Olympia’s wedding, which he’d officiated. She rescued animals or something like that. He couldn’t imagine she was opening anything in Angel Crossing, which would soon be swanky Rico Pueblo. Way too soon for his sisters to be setting him up.
Jessie broke into the conversation. “It looks weird, we know, but really we hadn’t planned this. Jolene called this morning to tell Lavonda she’d be in town and was looking at rentals. Blame the real-estate people. They suggested your property.”
“Uh-huh,” Danny said, believing only about half of what Jessie had just said. “Let’s go say hello. She’s not married, right?”
“No idea,” Lavonda said quickly. “It’s not a setup.”
Danny kept his mouth shut as he put his niece on the ground and took back his hat. Today was as good a day as any to start his new life. Might be the beer and sugar talking, but it was a good idea. “Hello,” he said, reaching out his hand. “I’m Danny and I understand you’re looking to rent a place?”
“Jolene James,” she said, shaking his hand with strength. “Maybe. Depends on what you want to charge me.”
“Rent in Angel Crossing is reasonable. What kind of business are you considering?” He and
Jolene toured the property as she explained she wanted to open a pet store that also offered homeopathic remedies and rehoming services for pets and ranch animals. It sounded overly ambitious to him, but more power to her if that was what she wanted.
“Thanks again for the tour,” Jolene said. “It looks like it could work and the rent is very reasonable.”
“I do want to let you know that a developer is coming to town and has plans.”
“Heard about that. Rico Pueblo, right? It could work for me. Plus, it will be a while until that all gets done.”
“News travels fast,” Danny said.
“I heard there’s a farmers’ market here, too?”
“Yep,” Lavonda said. “It’ll be going on for another hour or so, if you want to stop by.”
“I think I will. Can you give me directions?” Jolene asked.
“Why don’t you come with us?” Jessie asked. Then Danny saw her nudge her daughter.
“Duncle, please.” Or at least that was what Danny assumed the babble meant.
He stared at his sister. Really low using her little girl to force Danny into going with them. How could they be playing matchmaker? He didn’t need their help. He was fine. What he and Clover had been doing was fun, but it wasn’t more than skin deep. Any feelings he’d had were about his plans, not about him and Clover. He’d finally convinced himself of that after the beers, the pie and the tour of his building.
He walked down the street with his niece once again on his shoulders and wearing his hat. He heard the women speaking behind him about the possibilities of the property, how to best train horses and why jeans gaped at the waist.
“Duncle,” Gertie said almost clearly.
“Yes, squirt?” She tried to lean down, almost falling to give him back his hat. He pushed her back in place and took the moist-around-the-brim hat. Then she started drumming her heels on his chest as she squealed long and loud.
