Callum (Cowboy Tough Book 1)

by Vanessa Devereaux

  Dreamy eyed. That was hardly the way he’d ever describe himself.

  *****

  Olivia tossed and turned.

  “My husband didn’t do this.”

  She’d said the wrong thing. Why had she brought Mark into the discussion? She usually kept her injuries hidden and let them heal on their own, hiding inside until bruises faded and cuts sealed shut. Olivia had made one stupid mistake. She’d gone outside to bring the clothes in off the line while Mabel, their neighbor had been out in the back yard planting marigolds. She’d looked across the fence, taken one look at the state of Olivia’s face and insisted she take her to the ER. Olivia had tried to talk her out of it, but the old woman wouldn’t take no for an answer and had almost dragged her to the car. Olivia knew the minute she’d stepped inside that hospital, they’d start asking questions about how she’d sustained those sorts of injuries to her face and her fate, and probably Mark’s too, would be sealed.

  “I’m clumsy. I tripped over a rug in the kitchen and struck my head on the stove.” She’d rehearsed that line over and over again in the car as Mabel had driven to the ER. She was word perfect by the time the doctor interviewed her after they’d examined her and taken X-rays. She tried to tell them not to bother with those but like Mabel, they wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  “But what about the old injuries? Hasn’t your arm been broken a few times and both injuries look recent?” asked the doctor who’d also called in a social worker too.

  “Please, please, you have to believe me because my husband didn’t do any of this.”

  She tugged on the doctor’s’ arm hoping he’d understand and believe her.

  “It’s all right, Olivia, everything’s going to be okay. You were only dreaming.”

  Olivia opened her eyes to see Gwen, the night nurse, standing by the bed. It was her arm, Olivia had hold of and not the one she’d seen that day in the ER.

  “Would you like a drink of water?” Gwen asked her.

  Olivia nodded. She sat up while feeling perspiration creep down the nape of her neck and back. She hadn’t had a bad dream like this one for at least a few months. Maybe being back in the hospital had stirred up bad memories again. Perhaps the pain in her shoulder had reminded her of how bad things used to be.

  “Here you go sweetie.”

  She took the plastic cup from Gwen, her hands shaking as she lifted it to her lips and gulped it down. It was ice cold and did the trick of calming her. Less water now spilled out onto her hospital gown as her hand grew steady.

  “Feeling better?” asked Gwen.

  “Much, thank you. Was I calling out in my sleep? I’ve been known to do that?”

  “It’s okay you didn’t wake anyone. I happened to be walking by your room and if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have heard a thing.”

  Olivia took a deep breath. At least she hadn’t had any of her dreams while she’d been at the women’s shelter and disturbed anyone there.

  “Would you like me to leave the overhead light on?” asked Gwen.

  “Yes, maybe I’ll read for a bit.”

  “Looks like the doctor will be discharging you in a few days and you’ll be going home and then starting therapy at the rehab center.”

  That was good news because she hated hospitals but home? Right now she still didn’t have one.

  “Would you like me to get your magazines that are sitting over on the chair?” asked Gwen.

  “Yes, I haven’t had a chance to look at them yet.”

  Gwen carried them to her and set them down on the bed.

  “The handsome cowboy came in with these the other day didn’t he?”

  “Callum, yes.”

  “Is he your boyfriend?”

  He probably could be but I’m so broken.

  “No, he kindly rode with me in the ambulance and he’s a brother of one of the workers at the shelter.”

  “Sweetie my advice would be to grab him while you can because all the nurses were checking him out and I think one even slipped him her number.”

  Gwen left the room before Olivia could respond. She flipped through the magazine, thinking about what the nurse had just told her. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry yet again. Mark had ruined her life in so many ways. There was a kind and handsome cowboy hanging around and now she bore such scars that she could do is watch him ride off into the sunset with another woman.

  *****

  “Callum, honey we don’t even know this young woman,” said his mom.

  “Sloan can vouch for her,” said Callum. He took one of the brownies off the plate and immediately his mother slapped his hand. “Those are for the ladies at my book club meeting tonight.”

  “One less won’t hurt and back to our discussion. Sloan’s room in vacant now that she’s found an apartment close to the college.”

  “I know but this is a complete stranger we’re talking about.”

  “Who’s a stranger?” asked his dad, stepping inside and taking off his boots.

  “Your son wants us to give a room to the young woman from the shelter.”

  “It’s only for a short time until I get the house ready for her,” said Callum.

  His dad smiled. “Remember how he used to take in injured animals when he was a boy?”

  “And the horse you wanted to shoot but I said with a little TLC he’d be the strongest, fastest horse on the ranch,” said Callum. “Who was right about that?”

  “I guess we’ve raised our children so well that we should reward them for their good nature. I don’t see why we can’t help this young woman out for a while but as long as we both understand it’s just temporary because I had my heart set on making that room my art studio,” said his dad.

  Callum and his mom burst out laughing at the very same time.

  “And what’s so damn funny?” asked his dad, putting his hands on his hips.

  “The thought of you painting,” said Callum.

  “You’ll be surprised what I can do when I put my mind to it.” His father also attempted to reach for a brownie but met with the same hand slap from his mom.

  “By the way, you both have to get new suits for the Nolan wedding. It’s coming up soon so both of you better go shopping in town this weekend.”

  “Do I really have to attend?” asked Callum.

  “Now I know we’ve not been on the best of terms with our neighbors but the least we could do is attend a wedding they’ve kindly invited us to,” said his mom.

  His father pulled a face behind his mom’s back. The two neighboring families had been bitter enemies for the last one hundred years, each accusing the other of stealing land, cattle, women, and a whole lot more.

  “The plus is you get to eat and drink while a Nolan foots the bill,” said his dad.

  His mother leaned up against the kitchen table. “He’ll probably think the same thing when our children get married and we have to return the favor of inviting the Nolans to the nuptials.”

  “Maybe they’ll all elope,” said his dad.

  Now didn’t that sound romantic.

  *****

  Olivia looked up when she heard someone tapping on the door to her hospital room. The nurse had told her someone from the rehab department would be stopping by to set up her first out-patient appointment so she expected it to be them, but she didn’t think she’d see Callum standing in the doorway. She tried to deny it, but her heart now skipped a beat when she set eyes upon him. Maybe it was because he’d held her hand when she’d been in some of the worst pain of her life. Well at least that was her explanation for the weird feeling inside her.

  “Hi, can I come in?” he asked.

  She wanted to say no, I’ve already told you, you’re wasting your time with me, but this time she didn’t have the heart to be so blunt.

  “Sure,” she said.

  He stepped into the room and immediately took off his cowboy hat. He had the most beautiful blue eyes she’d ever seen. They went through their usual ritual of u
ncomfortable silence before he spoke.

  “Sloan told me they’re releasing you from the hospital the day after tomorrow.”

  “That’s right.”

  “I know you’ll be needing a place to live and I may have the answer for you. Can I sit down?”

  “Yes, go ahead.”

  He sat and set his hat over his left knee.

  “I’m in the process of renovating my grandparent’s house which is close to my parent’s property and I was wondering if you’d like to rent it.”

  “I would but right now I don’t have a job to pay for it.”

  “That’s fine, you can pay me as soon as you find something.”

  That would be the answer to one of her problems but then would she be beholden to him in anyway? She never wanted to rely on a man either emotionally or financially ever again.

  “The down side is I probably won’t have it ready for another month or so but in the meantime my parents have offered you a room at their house, rent free while you recuperate and get back on your feet.”

  Olivia looked at him. This was a gift but was it too good to be true?

  “I couldn’t…”

  “Sure you could,” said Callum. “It’s all set up and I should warn you that my parents offend easily. You’ll love being with them, my mom’s the best cook and now that Sloan’s gone, she’ll love having some female company again.”

  Olivia opened her mouth knowing that she was about to say that she couldn’t take free room and board but this was kindness when she needed it most and how could anyone turn down such generosity.

  “I’ll pay them back for everything I eat once I get a job,” she said.

  “You don’t have to but if you want to then that’s fine too,” said Callum. “I probably won’t be able to drive you to their place when you’re released because my dad and I have to move some of the cattle to a new pasture, but Sloan said she’ll be here so don’t think about taking a cab or anything like that.”

  He stood and ran his fingers around the very edge of his hat.

  “I’m now off to the DIY store so I can get order a new window for the house. I’m happy to know you’ll be the first person to live in it.”

  “So it’s on the ranch…I mean the one where you work?” asked Olivia.

  “Yes, is there a problem with that?” Callum asked.

  Olivia shook her head but really wanted to nod. She’d fallen for one good looking guy before and she’d do her utmost not to be a fool twice in one life time.

  Chapter Five

  Sloan carried Olivia’s bag as they headed outside and toward the parking lot at the hospital. Olivia took a deep breath. She was so glad to be outside in the fresh air again. She’d often been a hostage in her previous house, too scared to go out in public until the bruises and cuts healed, and no questions were asked.

  “Are you doing anything this weekend?” Sloan asked her as they got into the car.

  “Who me, no, besides doing my rehab stuff and beginning to look for work.”

  “Would you like to come shopping with me? I have to find a dress for a wedding. My parent’s neighbor’s daughter is getting married. I’ve been trying to lose the baby weight and the one dress that still fits, everyone saw at the last wedding I attended.”

  Olivia knew how tough losing weight could be. Mark had chastised her constantly but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t always budge the pounds. Not that hers was baby weight but she could totally understand how Sloan felt.

  Maybe going shopping, looking around town would do her a world of good.

  “Sure, I’d like that.”

  Sloan started the ignition and they headed out of the parking lot and down the main road. Olivia knew the women’s shelter would be in sight soon and she didn’t want to even glance at it.

  “Your brother works on your parents’ ranch?” asked Olivia.

  “He sure does, and my other two brothers work there too from time to time but Callum’s the real rancher in the family. I think he’ll take over running it once Dad decides to hang up his hat.”

  Sloan glanced at Olivia as if she could read what was going through her head. “It’s okay, Olivia, one day the pain and hurt will be a distant memory and you’ll trust and love someone again.”

  Olivia had no answer for that. It was probably true but the thought of having a man hold her and kiss her, both excited and scared her at the same time.

  She turned to look out of the window and saw Sloan turning down a dirt road where double iron gates lay ahead with a Giant M carved in their center. Soon cattle and barns came into view and she realized this was the first time she’d been on a ranch. She hadn’t even set foot on a farm. She was a city girl through and through. A smell of what she guessed was some type of manure invaded the car and Olivia couldn’t help but put her hand over her nose.

  “Don’t worry you’ll get used to it. In a couple of weeks you won’t even smell it.”

  Sloan pulled up onto a driveway and parked the car in front of a house.

  “Here we are at Chateau Monroe,” said Sloan.

  *****

  Callum saw his sister’s car pulling into their parent’s driveway just as he was throwing away some of the old carpeting into the dumpster. He smiled when he saw Olivia getting out. Even from this distance she made his heart pick up a notch or two. He continued watching as Sloan carried Olivia’s bag and led her into their parent’s house.

  If Olivia loved his mom’s cooking as much as he did, she might never want to leave. However, once he finished fixing up this house, he hoped she’d consider this her home for as long as she wanted it. A place where she’d be both happy and safe.

  “Hey buddy, are you going to stand there and watch her or are you going to help me tear out these kitchen cabinets?”

  His brother’s voice made him jump. He hadn’t realized he’d been so deep in thought.

  “I’ll be right with you.”

  Callum pulled on his gloves and headed back into the house and walked into the kitchen where his brother had begun to tear out the old cabinets.

  “Can you believe I even found a jar of grandma’s homemade pickles and some jam she’d made in 1992 if the label’s correct,” said Shane.

  Callum took the jar from him and looked at his grandma’s shaky handwriting. She’d been close to a hundred when she’d passed. She’d outlived their grandpa by a decade. She’d been cooking and cleaning almost right up to the day she died. She was one tough cookie that was made for the Wild West.

  “You think these are still good?” asked Callum.

  “I don’t know but be my guest and go ahead and try them,” Shane said, while removing the first of the cabinet doors.

  Callum put the jar down and decided to remove the cabinets on the far side of the room. Not that he thought that’s where he should start working, but there was a window close by. Not just any window, but one that looked out over the property and toward their parent’s home.

  He recalled playing out there. Him, Shane, and Ryan throwing a football around. Their grandpa and dad joining them when they’d finished with the chores on the ranch. Best of all, he remembered them all heading into this house. To this kitchen to eat whatever cake their grandma had made that day. She also served it with cold milk courtesy of their own cows and it had been so cold that it gave you brain freeze.

  Callum smiled. He was suddenly in a reminiscing sort of mood. He wondered what Olivia’s background had been like. If she’d had a happy childhood, had parents and grandparents that loved her as much as their’s had.

  “Are you going to buy cabinets similar to these?” asked Shane.

  It was the second time in less than fifteen minutes that his brother’s voice had jarred him from his thoughts.

  “I’m on a tight budget for this project so I’ll probably look for whatever is the cheapest.”

  “How much are you going for rent on this place?”

  “Not much because Olivia doesn’t have a job at th
e moment.”

  “You’ll never be rich.”

  Callum shrugged. “Maybe I’ll make money on my next renovation.”

  “Maybe we should think about flipping houses,” said Shane.

  “Flipping houses in Kalispell Valley?” asked Callum. People tended to gravitate toward Helena and Bozeman but this was getting to be a hot spot with people with more money than sense.

  “We could give it try, and how about using refurbished materials,” Shane added.

  “Where are you getting all these ideas?” asked Callum.

  “I do own a TV.”

  “I thought it was only Sloan who watched all those makeover shows. I’m surprised she’s not already given mom and dad’s place a complete overhaul,” said Callum.

  “I’m sure she’s thinking about it. Do you think she’ll ever tell us who Kyle belongs to?”

  “She hasn’t up to this point so I think it might remain a family secret,” Callum said.

  “Do you think he resembles anyone from around here?”

  His brother was noisy and while who had fathered his nephew did intrigue him too, right now he was too busy thinking about Olivia’s arrival to worry about his sister’s business.

  “Can I leave you to continue with these cabinets while I go check on Olivia?”

  Shane smiled. He knew his brother well and he knew what that smile meant…I know exactly what you’re up to.

  “What?” Callum asked.

  “Nothing, go do what you have to.”

  *****

  Olivia didn’t know what to say. The house was large, the ranch sprawling, and Sloan’s old room where Olivia would be temporarily staying, was heaven after the room she’d been staying in at the women’s shelter, and then the hospital room. She only wished something like this could be hers forever.

  “You making yourself at home?”

  Olivia jumped when Sloan peeked around the door.

  “I am and your room is comfortable and pretty too,” Olivia said.

  “I still have a few things belonging to Kyle and me in the closet but I can move them if they’re in your way.”

  Olivia shook her head. She only had one pitiful case of belongings. All she’d taken with her when she’d quickly fled from her marriage and home.