Her Lone Star Cowboy

by Debra Clopton

  “You couldn’t have made that trip tomorrow and come to church today? I wish you’d—”

  Jess cut him off once more. “I’m working here tomorrow with Gabi bagging up samples and shipping them overnight down to College Station to the lab.”

  “Do you want me to do that for you? I mean, if it’s bothering you to be around Gabi.”

  “Your plate is full enough. Besides, I’m no quitter. Just because I’m not planning on marrying Gabi Newberry doesn’t mean I can’t work with her.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me.” Luke chuckled then sauntered off toward the house.

  Jess watched him go, then headed for his horse. Why did everyone think they had it all figured out? He sure didn’t. And working with Gabi this coming week did not sound like a plan to him. It was just the way it had to be. The dead cattle were his, so he would be there by Gabi’s side till the solution was found. And when this was done, they’d go their separate ways. And that was a promise.

  * * *

  Gabi figured they’d had a good day. She and Jess had managed to make it through Monday without her having a breakdown, Jess passing out or hurting himself, or any other new mishap that seemed to happen to them when they were out in the field working together.

  She’d also kept her mouth shut. She’d learned her lesson on Saturday and had no urge today to tell Jess more of her entire sordid past. What had she been thinking?

  The man clearly was uncomfortable with her today. But so was she with him. Who wouldn’t be after airing their dirty laundry? Needless to say, with eggshells seemingly crunching beneath their boots, they’d stuck strictly to business, gathering up the varying plants and then placing them in the Ziploc bags.

  “It’s hard to believe that all those are samples of toxic plants.”

  Some of them were so tall they had to be folded over and placed in garbage bags. When they had them all boxed up on the first day, it was a good-sized box they were sending the lab.

  “And there’s more to go,” Gabi added, watching the delivery truck disappear down the lane from the office. Thankfully they’d been able to arrange for the truck to pick up the samples rather than them driving all the way to Ranger.

  With the plants done for the day and nothing else to concentrate on, Gabi was ready to get home and away from Jess. It had been a hard day. He’d said nothing about her confession to him. And though she’d expected her past to put a wall between them, she hadn’t expected that it would bother her so much when he ignored it.

  She should never have opened up to him. She’d promised herself on coming to Mule Hollow that she would start fresh. That she didn’t have to tell anyone about her past and she wasn’t going to. A clean slate. Wasn’t that what God had done for her? So why, oh why, had she suddenly spilled everything to Jess?

  Hurrying to her truck, she’d packed up her things in a matter of seconds and had her hand on the door ready to make her escape.

  “Thanks for all your hard work,” Jess said.

  She glanced over her shoulder. “You’re welcome. But it’s my job.” Her words came off sounding strained.

  “Right. Business.” His words came off sounding sarcastic.

  It irritated her that he repeated the word as if it was a shock that she was trying to stay professional. After all, he was the one who’d touched her. He was the one who had clammed up after she’d revealed her past to him.

  Her fault. Her fault. Her fault!

  Gabi was not blaming this on anyone else. She’d gotten too personal. And he obviously was uncomfortable with it. Or he just thought the worst of her.

  “See you later, Jess. I need to get back to work at the clinic. I’ll be back out tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Yeah, right, Gabi thought as she left. She’d be glad when the job was done.

  And that was the truth.

  * * *

  Jess was having a horrible week. It was the plain, hard truth.

  It didn’t feel right keeping Gabi at arm’s length. He didn’t understand why it felt so wrong, but it did.

  He’d had to work beside her all week, and keeping his mind off her and how pretty she looked in the morning light, the noonday light, the afternoon’s harsh hot light was impossible!

  She was driving him nuts.

  And more so since she was totally ignoring the fact that they’d shared intimate details of their past lives.

  Yes, he didn’t like her past. But she’d shared it with him. And he was pretty certain no one else in town knew all the details. Maybe not even her grandmother, Adela.

  The thought gnawed at him…. Gabi had trusted him enough with her difficult past.

  He didn’t want to ask more, but like a drunk in the living room, it lay there between them and could be ignored but not unseen.

  * * *

  “Are you all right?” Gabi asked Jess the next morning. They’d gathered plants from most of the pastures and only had a few places left to explore. Despite her determination to not think about him other than as a client, she was finding it impossible.

  Those deep aqua eyes of his had her thinking of lazy days by the beach—not so hard to imagine since they were sweltering in what was now being predicted would be the hottest summer drought in years for Texas.

  That heat was to blame for much of her insanity when they were together. At least that was another thing she tried to convince herself of.

  “Sure, I’m fine.”

  Gabi paused sealing the baggie with a sample of Conyza. Though this plant was known to kill livestock during drought, it was extremely unpalatable and only eaten when there was nothing else. She doubted very seriously that this was Jess’s problem. Besides that, one of the symptoms prior to death was cattle walking in circles. Since all of Jess’s cattle seemed to be walking fine, Gabi was only sending the sample off because she wasn’t taking any chances.

  “If you say so, but you seem distracted, and if you’re not careful with those shears, you’re going to chop off a finger or something.” They’d been tiptoeing around each other for days, but today seemed different. Or maybe she was just tired of them talking but not really talking. And she’d been thinking about how she’d wanted to try and help him. Foolish on her part.

  The disbelief in Jess’s expression, that she would even imply he might cut off his finger, was priceless.

  “I am not going to chop my finger off.”

  “Most people who do it didn’t plan on it beforehand.” She hiked a brow.

  His eyes narrowed. “Seriously, I am not one of them.”

  “That’s good since you’d pass out at the sight of your own blood and bleed to death before help could get here. So I guess if it should happen it’s a good thing I’m here.”

  “Seriously,” he said, and then laughed when she did.

  “So really, what’s the matter? Does it have to do with me?”

  He tucked his chin, then hit her with those beachcombing eyes. “It’s my mother.”

  “Your mother?”

  “I told you she disappeared when I was ten, and now she’s trying to get back into my life. She called again today.”

  They were standing at the back of the truck with the tailgate down, using it as a work station for getting the plants ready to ship. Gabi leaned her hip against it and gave him her full attention. “This is something new?”

  “Not really.”

  Suddenly it hit her. “She called you last week, didn’t she?”

  “Yup, how did you know?”

  “You looked similarly frustrated last week when I came to the office.”

  “Yeah, that’d be the day. Had her and you both to deal with.”

  The fact that he was able to tease her gave Gabi a thri
ll that she ignored. Instead she shot him a saucy look as she folded over a long bundle of horseweed and placed it inside a medium-size garbage bag.

  “She’s coming Saturday to the rodeo to watch Colt and wants to talk.”

  “Clearly you have a problem with this.”

  Jess paced back and forth by the tailgate. “I’m dealing with her coming back into my life, through Luke and Colt. They both somehow have been able to look past what she did and forgive her.”

  “But not you.”

  His eyes were as cold and sharp as the blue on the tip of an Alaskan iceberg. “Maybe it was my age. Luke was almost a man, Colt was too little to know what he was missing. I was ten.”

  Gabi’s heart ached anew for the little boy who’d been so hurt by his parents’ problems and ultimate betrayal. “You needed her very much at that age,” she said, simply.

  “And now she expects me to forgive her.”

  Gabi didn’t miss that he hadn’t acknowledged out loud that he’d needed his mother. “Maybe she’s changed.”

  “I’m thinking that’d be a correct assessment from her view of the situation. She can leave when she wants and come back when she wants. Isn’t that convenient?”

  Gabi didn’t know what to say. She studied him thoughtfully. “Forgiving isn’t always easy. I guess it probably isn’t ever easy. I’m no professional and not sure what my advice is worth, but I’d say do what you need to do.”

  Dust stirred suddenly and the sound of a truck drew their attention. Instead of the overnight express truck coming as they’d both thought, it was Luke’s double cab truck approaching at a fast clip.

  “Hi, Gabi,” Luke said, the instant he came to a halt. “Everything going the way you want it?”

  She pushed away from the tailgate. “Great. We almost have everything tagged and mailed.”

  Luke gave her an easy grin that looked so much like Jess. They looked a lot alike, except where Jess’s eyes were so dazzling blue, Luke’s were a rich, coffee brown. “You’ve kept this one in shape, I guess?” He cocked his head toward Jess.

  “Trying to.”

  “Hey!” Jess exclaimed. “I’m working circles around you.”

  “Ha. In your dreams, Jesse James,” she teased, noticing how easy it was to fall back into an easy banter with Jess.

  “I’m no outlaw,” he said.

  “But you’re dangerous—” Gabi said it before she could stop herself. The man was dangerous, but only to her!

  “Glad you can hold your own,” Luke laughed, looking from Jess to her. “Gabi. Look, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to help.”

  “That’s okay,” she said, glad he moved the conversation forward. “Jess explained he was taking this on while you had to focus on the rodeos. We wouldn’t want to mess with the Mule Hollow Homecomings. My Gram and Esther Mae and Norma Sue have worked too hard on them.”

  Luke agreed. “That’s the truth. Look, I came by because Montana is coming home late tonight and wanted me to invite you to dinner tomorrow night while she’s in town. She’s really looking forward to meeting you, so I was hoping you’d be able to let us thank you proper for all the work you’ve been doing.”

  There was no way she could say no. “Sure, I’d love to come have dinner with you and Montana.”

  Luke’s eyes slid to Jess. “Montana expects you, too. She said for you to pick Gabi up. Think you can handle that, Jesse James?” he asked, grinning, his gaze openly teasing his brother.

  Jess caught Gabi’s eye and held. “I can handle it.”

  But could she? Gabi wondered, clearly hearing the challenge.

  The challenge lingered between them in the sweltering heat. Gabi focused on the positive side…. They’d made it through the week—surely they could make it through dinner.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I can handle it.” What an idiot. Jess was still thinking about those words after a quick shower and a ham sandwich. Shaking his head on that one, he headed out to the barn and pulled the tarp off his 1961 Chevy.

  He’d spent many an hour working on restoring this truck. Those hours had been good therapy when he had had things on his mind. Tonight was no different. “I can handle it, my foot,” he grunted thinking about Luke and Montana going matchmaker on him.

  Colt was expected to get home sometime the next day and Jess was looking forward to seeing his little brother. Putting his strength behind the wrench, Jess let his frustrations loosen what felt like a cemented connection. He’d not had any peace since Gabi had driven off today. The phone hanging at the barn entrance rang, breaking into his thoughts. Wiping his hands, Jess hurried to pick it up.

  “Hello,” he grunted.

  “What’s eat’n you?” Colt chuckled.

  “Nothing,” Jess lied, which only made Colt laugh more.

  “Don’t give me that. Sounds like woman trouble to me. What’s going on, Jess?”

  “You don’t want to know,” he said.

  “Yeah, I do. I might be even half way across Texas but I do want to know. Luke said you were interested in Adela’s granddaughter. I’m thinking that’s really pushing your luck with the matchmakers.”

  “Tell me about it. Namely your big brother and his new bride.”

  “No, say it ain’t so. Luke’s trying to fix you up?”

  Jess told him about the dinner the following night. Colt sighed.

  “You know he just wants the best for us.”

  Jess didn’t miss the weariness in Colt’s voice despite his interest in what he had to say. “You’re exhausted. Why don’t you curl up somewhere and take a nap before you finish the road trip home.”

  “Why don’t you not change the subject. Come on, spill. I’m gonna be home before midnight tomorrow night and I’m going to come in and wake you up for the details. I might be the youngest and the shortest but you know I can take you.”

  Jess knew Colt was grinning as he made the challenge. It was a lifelong good-natured rivalry. Truth was, with Colt’s strength, built from years of riding bulls and his speed, Jess wasn’t too sure who would win. “So you think,” he grunted.

  “Spit it out, Jess. I’m out of the loop as it is, so give me a break. Not to mention that I’m about to fall asleep at the wheel and need something to give me a boost.”

  “What’s to tell?”

  “Tell me about Gabi.”

  Jess didn’t like hearing how tired Colt was; it wasn’t the best way to travel. Jess raked his fingers through his hair. He needed to help Colt wake up and he needed to talk.

  “She’s fun. She’s funny. She knows her own mind and doesn’t mind voicing her opinion and I find that attractive.”

  “So what’s got you so bent out of shape?”

  How could Jess tell Colt the problem was that she loved the Lord with all her heart and she didn’t mind speaking up about it? For him that was uncomfortable. But there was more. “She’s had a problem with drinking, Colt.”

  “That doesn’t make her an alcoholic, Jess.” Colt zeroed in on Jess’s unspoken fear.

  “It’s close enough for me.”

  “So, you’re going to let the fact that she used to have a problem stop you from—”

  Jess’s grip tightened on the phone. “You and Luke sound like recordings of each other.”

  “That’s because we’re both concerned and want the best for you. Jess, Luke’s let go of the past and moved forward. I’m dealing with it better than you, and I was the kid. I was wet behind the ears when Mom left us. Eight years old—old enough to remember things, but I don’t. Not much. Except, Dad yelling at me when I broke a bottle of beer, or him wanting me to take a drink and Luke telling me not to ever drink. Luke fixing us peanut butter sandwiches. Luke picking me up when I fell off the fen
ce…and telling me that one day things would be better. And you, taking up for me at school when kids made fun of me for the holes in my shoes. Out of all of it, you and Luke are what I remember most.”

  Conversations like this made Jess’s heart go stone-cold. Luke had forgiven their mother for abandoning them because he was a man of honor who wanted to control how he looked at life and not let his circumstances dictate it. Colt, he was harder to peg.

  “Look, Colt, I’ve got to go. Are you awake now?”

  “Sure thing. Bright eyed and ready to meet this little gal that’s got you twisted into knots. I’ll be there before you can steer dog a calf.”

  Jess frowned into the phone. “You pull over if you get too tired or I’ll be steer doggin’ you when I see you. And me and Luke are only a phone call away.”

  “That’s not exactly true out there in Mule Hollow with the cell reception being so useless. But I’ll stop if I need to. I’m ready to get home for a little while. I’m wore out.”

  “You’ve done good though, Colt. Ranking third on the leader board is a great place to be right now. So come home and rest up like Montana is doing. Your body has got to be worn down.”

  “Yeah. That’s what I’m doing. I need the peace and rest at the ranch. I’ll see you in a blink, brother.”

  “Be safe, I’ll leave your lights on.”

  That got him a tired laugh as the line went dead. Tomorrow he’d be heading over to Colt’s place and turn all the lights on. When he busted through the trees that separated his little cabin from the world, Colt would see a shining beacon of welcome.

  Who was he kidding? Jess could gripe all he wanted but the truth was—he wanted to see Gabi. Was drawn to her. And Luke had given him another excuse to spend time with her.

  * * *

  “Here we are,” Jess said the following night as he pulled to a stop in front of Montana and Luke’s home.

  It was older but neat. Jess smiled usually when he drove into the yard—even though Montana was on the road most of the time, one of the first things she’d done after she and Luke got married was plant welcoming pink periwinkles in front of the hedges that surrounded the house. The place had brightened up after that. But the highlight of the front yard was the crape myrtle tree that stood taller than the house and was in full bloom. Jess liked the look of it. Gabi stopped and took a moment to admire it, too.