Cowboy Justice

by Melissa Cutler

  Jenna skipped out the kitchen door and down the steps. “Oh, good. You’re here. Inside, quick. Plan’s right on schedule.”

  She took the top two pies and raced toward the house.

  Lisa fell in line with Vaughn, tugging Daisy with her. “What plan?”

  Vaughn mustered a casual shrug. “Cake tasting, I think.”

  “I’m still confused. How did you get roped into bringing pies to a cake tasting?” she asked.

  “Happy to help.” He evaded her attempt to look him in the eye, knowing all too well about women’s uncanny ability to read people’s faces, especially moms. At the base of the stairs, he stepped aside and swept his arm out, motioning for her, Daisy, and Chris to precede him up inside.

  Jenna stood in one corner of the sprawling kitchen, arranging cakes and pies on plates and platters, while Amy, Kellan, Ben, and another man Vaughn vaguely recognized as a local hovered around the television in the kitchen, debating an umpire’s call. They turned from the TV to exchange hugs and handshakes with Lisa, Chris, and the kids, while Vaughn skirted the crowd to deliver the rest of the pies to Jenna.

  “Is she here yet?” he whispered.

  “No. She’s been gone since before dawn, out on her horse, but I threatened to give her hell if she didn’t show up for the cake tasting, so we’ll see. I’ll give her a few more minutes, then text her that we have an emergency. That ought to bring her home fast.”

  Vaughn nodded. Someone slapped him on the back and he turned to see Kellan.

  His expression was jumpy, anxious even. “Hey. I didn’t expect to see you today.”

  “Change of plans. I got a ride with Chris and Lisa.” He cocked his head to the side. He was usually good about reading Kellan’s moods, but this one had him stumped. Was he worried about Rachel’s reaction to his surprise appearance? “Everything okay?”

  “Sure, yeah. Beer’s in a cooler in the dining room. I was about to get myself another one, so I’ll show you where they are.”

  He had the odd feeling Kellan was hustling him out of the kitchen on purpose, and eyed the semifamiliar man before pushing through the swinging door to the dining room, wondering why Kellan hadn’t introduced them. As opposed to Ben’s lanky, youthful frame, the other man was pushing forty and wearing a heavy flannel plaid shirt and a mustache. He stared his way until the door swung closed.

  The dining room was even larger than the kitchen and set up as a rustic country restaurant, with two long, weathered wood communal tables and bench seating. In one corner of the room, Matt Roenick sat playing Candyland with Jenna’s boy, Tommy. Daisy hovered over them, her six-year-old motor mouth rattling on about her favorite candies.

  “Hey, Vaughn,” Matt said. Vaughn crossed the room and shook his hand. They’d known each other as acquaintances through Kellan for a lot of years, and it threw Vaughn off to see him sitting with kids playing a kid game.

  Ten years ago, Sunday barbecues were all about football and steaks and a bunch of guys drinking beer. But now, Sundays were more about togetherness and family more than anything else. He liked the change. It felt right and good, like they were finally growing up and getting a clue as to what really mattered in life.

  “What changed your mind about today?” Kellan asked under his breath when Vaughn returned to the beer cooler along the wall.

  “I was promised cake.” He selected an amber lager from a brewery near Santa Fe and sloughed the ice from the bottle. Kellan handed him an opener. “Would Amy really have turned into a bridezilla if I hadn’t shown up today?”

  With a snort, Kellan snagged a beer. “No. Who fed you that line? Wait—don’t tell me. Only Jenna could make that sound believable.”

  “That she did.” Vaughn passed him the opener. “Who was the guy in the kitchen?”

  Kellan popped his beer open and took a swig. “That’s Ben Torrey. He’s a great guy. I think you’ve met him before. Used to work for me at Slipping Rock. Rachel getting shot and being out of commission was a wake-up call for Amy and Jenna. They got it straight in their heads how much Rachel does around here, so they surprised her by hiring a foreman. I hated to lose him, but his heart wasn’t in cattle ranching. He’s a farmer through and through, just like Rachel. He’s going to help her reestablish the alfalfa crop.”

  Vaughn took a hit of beer, annoyed that he still felt a stab of envy every time Rachel’s name was mentioned in conjunction with another man’s. Since when was he the irrationally possessive type? To prove he could overcome his burgeoning caveman mentality, he asked, “He and Rachel getting along good?”

  “Real well. He’s a great fit here. He’s moving into the main house this month until we can set him up in his own place on the property.”

  Well, goddamn. Now the guy was going to be living with her. He took another hit of beer, scowling. “Who’s the other guy in the kitchen? I didn’t recognize him. Does he work here now too?”

  Kellan rubbed a hand on his neck, looking uncomfortable. “That’s Howard Keibler. He works on Douglas’s son’s farm.”

  “What’s he doing here?” Vaughn asked.

  “Haven’t you heard?” Lisa asked, sidling in to nab her own beer. “Amy’s on a matchmaking warpath. It’s her new mission in life to have everyone romantically attached in time for the wedding.”

  Yikes. “Poor Jenna.”

  Lisa leaned in toward Vaughn. “Howard’s not here for Jenna. Amy thinks he’d be a great match for Rachel. And I agree.”

  Vaughn nearly choked. Why hadn’t Kellan warned him that Amy was setting Rachel up with some dweeb local farmer right under his nose? He swallowed hard and looked to his friend, who was suddenly mesmerized by one of the photographs on the wall. One of Rachel’s, no doubt. The fake-innocent look on his face made Vaughn want to punch him in the nose.

  He chugged half his beer down before he was calm enough to speak. Then he schooled his features as best he could. “Rachel okay with that?” he asked Lisa stupidly, hoping no one caught the shrill edge in his voice.

  Kellan finally dared to look at him. “Not sure. I didn’t know about it until his truck pulled into the yard a half hour ago. But I bet you twenty bucks Rachel doesn’t even show up today.”

  Was that his way of appeasing Vaughn? Nice try. “I’m not going to bet you that.”

  “I will,” Jenna said, strong arming her way into the conversation. She stuck her hand out at Kellan. “Twenty bucks says Rachel’s here by the time supper hits the table.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, Kellan shook her hand. “You’re on.”

  Vaughn had total faith that Jenna would make sure Rachel appeared, even though he had trouble believing they were still working together on the same plan, given that she hadn’t seen fit to give him a heads-up about this Keibler guy. What the hell kind of name was Howard Keibler anyway?

  “Get me in on this,” Lisa said. “I’ll double the bet that she not only shows up, but she agrees to a date with Howard before the night’s through. Rachel is way overdue for some fun in her life.”

  “What do you think, Vaughn?” Jenna asked. “Do you think Howard and Rachel would make a great match?” She had a goading look in her eyes, and he had half a mind to believe she was daring him into challenging Keibler to a duel over Rachel.

  And maybe he would, if Keibler lay a finger on her. His S&W was fully loaded in his shoulder holster. He rolled his shoulder blade and comforted himself with the feel of the heavy steel. “I’m not even going to touch that topic,” he muttered, grabbing a second beer.

  Too horrified to think straight, and still contemplating that duel, he plowed through the kitchen door to get a better look at the man all the women in the house seemed to think was a perfect match for the woman he loved.

  * * *

  For possibly the first time in her life, Rachel had no appetite for barbecued ribs, even though the smell drifting over the stable yard was divine. She stood in the stable, giving Growly Bear a final rubdown, grimacing in memory of the trucks and cars parked in
their driveway that indicated her house was full to the brim with people. After dropping the grooming supplies in the bucket, she led Growly to his stall, knowing there was nothing she could do to weasel out of attending the party.

  Amy, in her hapless quest to fix Rachel up on a date, had burst into her room the night before with new outfits from the Fashion Diva Outpost, Nancy Tobarro’s shop. Two wispy, flowery dresses and a belted red sweater with leggings ensemble she swore looked great with boots. Rachel had tried explaining that she didn’t want any man who wouldn’t accept her as she was, but what a fiasco that turned into because Amy’s response had been, “So, then you dowant a man. I knew it!”

  Amy’s eureka moment had led to one of their typical shouting matches, which ended with Rachel vowing to stay far away from the house until the barbecue was over and Amy shrieking about Rachel being unreasonable, like Amy hadn’t already won the lifetime achievement award for that particular personality trait.

  As she’d expected, the next morning while Rachel was on the trail, Jenna called her to run damage control. Vaughn wasn’t coming to the barbecue, she’d assured her, and then she’d threatened bodily harm if Rachel missed the cake tasting. So Rachel thought, what the heck. It’d be nice to enjoy a hot midday meal.

  Besides, she was grateful to Jenna for taking over as Amy’s wedding planner. All Rachel had to do for the various wedding-related activities was show up, so it would behoove her to do so, even if it meant making small talk with Amy’s and Kellan’s friends, and fielding any potential suitors Amy had rounded up.

  She freshened up at the wash bin, then gave Growly one last look. “Well, Growly. Wish me luck.”

  She popped an antacid and plastered a brittle smile on her face, then walked to the house.

  Amy was the only person in the kitchen. She smiled from where she was mixing ingredients in a huge green bowl. “Hi there. You’re right on time to eat. Food’s laid out buffet-style in the dining room, except for my signature pasta salad which I’m bringing out right now.”

  She hefted the bowl into her arms. It was overloaded with slimy-looking pasta.

  “Yum,” Rachel faked.

  She held the dining room door open for Amy and followed her in.

  Both tables were full of people, and the second Rachel walked in, all eyes snapped to her. Ducking her head to shield herself from their stares, she fought the urge to run back the way she’d come.

  “Woo-hoo,” Lisa Binderman called from somewhere to her right. “Twenty bucks to Jenna, Kellan. Pay up.”

  Rachel looked up, searching for Kellan. Her heart stopped beating.

  Vaughn.

  Dressed in a short-sleeve, button-down red shirt that brought out the darkness of his hair, he sat with his back to the wall in the left corner table, along with Kellan and Jenna. He kept his eyes on the television across the room, watching the baseball game and chowing down on ribs. Like he hadn’t noticed her. Or like Lisa hadn’t just hollered at the top of her lungs.

  The only indication that he hadn’t gone into a trancelike state of sports-viewing was when Kellan slid a twenty across the table to Jenna and he shifted his focus away from the TV to follow the movement of the money with his eyes.

  Amy reappeared at her side. “Rachel, I’m sure you remember Howard Keibler. I invited him to join us for supper.”

  Huh? She tore her gaze from Vaughn and scanned the room. Sure enough, Howard Keibler sat near the window, grinning at her like a salesman. Did Amy honestly think she’d be interested in a guy like Howard Keibler? Not only no, but hell, no.

  Then again, she couldn’t fault Amy for not knowing that Howard had a penchant for getting overly friendly with his hands when he’d had a bit too much to drink, and had copped a feel on Rachel more times than she cared to recall after cornering her at livestock auctions and the county fair. He’d also asked her out at least a half dozen times already, but seemed to be having a problem understanding the word no.

  Amy shoved a plateful of food into her hands. Good thing she did, because Rachel had been contemplating a plan to strangle her. Jenna too. What a little liar, telling her Vaughn wasn’t attending. And why was he here in the first place? She’d told him to stay away from her. Since when had he stopped respecting her wishes?

  Feeling the stares of the people in the room still on her, she looked at the plate of food and deliberated whether to ask to speak to her sisters in private to get her questions answered or make a break for it.

  Make a break for it. Definitely.

  She pivoted and had a hand on the door when Amy took hold of her shoulders. “Oh, no, you don’t. I saved you a seat next to Howard.”

  Sure enough, a single, empty seat waited for her between Howard and Mr. Dixon. She barely caught the groan before it escaped her throat as she contemplated the many unsavory things Howard might do with his hands under the table if she sat next to him.

  Harsh whispers and a tussle of movement near Jenna and Vaughn caught her eye. Kellan stood, clearing his throat. “Uh, actually, Amy, I was hoping Rachel could sit over here. I have some farm business I’ve been meaning to discuss with her and Ben.” He gestured to the seat directly across from Vaughn.

  Amy clucked in protest and shot Kellan a warning glare, but released her.

  Not too late to run, she reasoned. Then Jenna was behind her. She took a firm grip on Rachel’s elbow and whispered close to her ear. “It’s time for you to cowboy up and put on your big-girl panties.”

  Rachel scoffed and whispered, “I’m pretty sure cowboys don’t wear big-girl panties.”

  “Oh, hush. You know what I mean.” And she strong-armed Rachel all the way to the table and sat her down, like she was no bigger than Tommy. “Besides, don’t judge. Maybe some cowboys do.”

  “Do what?” Kellan asked.

  Rachel looked across the table at him, at a total loss for words.

  “Hi,” Vaughn said.

  She looked his way. He wore a kind, if cautious smile, and the only thought in her brain was, had she remembered to reapply deodorant when she freshened up in the stable? As her panic mounted, she remembered that she had, but she wished she’d had the chance to shower or change clothes. “Hi,” she managed to croak out.

  “So, Kellan,” Vaughn said. “What’s the plan for you and Amy moving in together?”

  Kellan finished cleaning the rib he was working on. “Next week, she’s moving into my place. Our place, that is.”

  “Three months before your wedding? That’s awfully scandalous,” Vaughn said. His arm darted out and he pulled Rachel’s plate in his direction.

  Too stunned to protest, she watched it go, holding her fork.

  “You know me and Amy, we love to whip up a good scandal,” Kellan said, his eyes on Rachel’s plate too.

  Vaughn scraped her pasta onto his plate. “Good timing, with the inn closed for the summer and the restaurant only open on weekends.” He slid Rachel’s plate back in her direction.

  She couldn’t decide if she was spellbound that he’d saved her from the pasta or horrified that he’d done something as intimate as take food off her plate in front of everybody they knew.

  “That was the idea,” Kellan said.

  He looked like he maybe wanted to ask about the pasta, but Rachel was saved from explaining by Ben Torrey, who was sitting to her left. “Have you chosen a best man, yet?”

  Kellan nodded. “Vaughn and Chris and I already talked about it. They know I asked my brother, Jake, to be my best man.”

  Vaughn rolled his beer along the table. “But I get to plan your bachelor party, right?”

  “Not sure. Things are strained enough between me and Jake. I’m not going to step in it by making assumptions.”

  Amy, who’d been running around filling people’s plates with seconds, plopped onto the bench next to Kellan. “On the other hand, if you had multiple best men, then it won’t look as lopsided since I have both my sisters as maids of honor.”

  Rachel waved her hands. “You know
I’d be just as happy watching from the audience, right?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Amy said.

  “When am I ever ridiculous? I mean, honestly.”

  Amy released a deep, beleaguered sigh. “Well, Rach, you and I have another month or so to argue about it before you give in to my wishes. I want you and Jenna right up next to me when I say I do.”

  “What about me?” Kellan asked, nudging her with his elbow. “Sounds like it’s going to be crowded up there. Will there be room enough for me to stand next to you too?”

  Grinning like the fool in love that she was, Amy dobbed a smear of barbecue sauce on his nose.

  “When I get married,” Jenna said, “I want a big church wedding and a white dress, the whole bit. My bridesmaids in sky blue, white roses all over the church and in my bouquet. I can hardly wait.”

  Amy gave her a teasing smile. “All you need is the groom.” Her eyes flickered to Matt, who was deep in conversation with Tommy and Daisy across the room.

  Jenna’s gaze traveled to him too. “That’s proving to be the tricky part. What about you, Rachel? What kind of wedding would you want?”

  Rachel drilled her with her best warning look. Jenna’s eyes got as huge as lemons.

  Amy tapped a finger on her chin. “You’d elope, right? That’s my guess. You hate being the center of attention. Heck, you don’t want to be near the altar for my wedding.”

  Rachel pushed a rib bone around on the plate. “You both know good and well I’ve never once lazed around, daydreaming about my wedding day.”

  Jenna tapped her fingers on the table. “Oh, come on. We’re just having fun. What kind of wedding would you have if you found that special someone? Would you elope, like Amy thinks?”

  Rachel took a slow drink of iced tea and cleared her throat. Do not look at Vaughn. Answer the question so they’ll stop harassing you, and don’t look at Vaughn. Staring at her plate, she said, “Amy’s wrong. I wouldn’t elope. I’d get married right in the living room. By the fireplace. That’s where our parents got married. I’d want to carry on the tradition. Only close family and friends, not a big fuss. I might not even wear white, but just a simple country dress.”