by Beck, J. L.
“You heard me.”
“Ma, I ain’t going. You need to face it, like I am.”
Her mother put her hands on her ample hips. “Jimmy Southerly is takin’ ya.”
Brea’s mouth popped open.
“And close your mouth, that ain’t ladylike.” Her mother had a twinkle in her eye. “Although, ladies never have any fun.” She shook her head with a laugh. “You know him, he lives in Shulenburg and his prom isn’t until next week.”
“The pizza guy?”
“Yep and don’t worry, he wants to take ya!”
“And why would he do that?” Brea got beady-eyed as she looked over at the very frilly pink dress hanging by the mirror over her dresser.
Her mom shrugged. “Let’s just say, I’m gonna be eating pizza till the world ends.”
Brea didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry.
“We ain’t gonna talk no more about it.” Her mother’s hands on hips stance remained while she spoke. “Now, get your butt outta bed, cause we gots details to get through.”
Brea ended up going to the prom. Jimmy had been sweet and never looked away from her. She ended high school on a high note and she never did know how her Mama had accomplished such a feat. She was just so grateful that she didn’t want to know really.
Did it bother her that her mom had pulled strings or spent a fortune on pizza, just so she could be seen with a date at her high school prom? Nope, it never did, because she at least could hold her head up after that. Being a teen had been hard enough and at the time? She did care what people thought. She even dated Jimmy a time or two afterward and he kissed great. So, all in all, it’d been a good thing.
Brea raised her shoulders. The memory somehow encouraged her. She had gone all the way out to that ranch and she’d gotten Cole’s attention. More than that, she was in love with that sweet, troubled cowboy and she was gonna make it right, dammit. Her mom made miracles happen all of her life. Then, Brea had done the same with getting the man she dreamed of.
She lost her job in town, she’d lost her car and at the same time, she lost her fear. She became as big inside as she was out. She made it happen and she could do it again. She’d be dammed if she lost her chance with him because of a stupid misunderstanding. She was just a little worried because she wondered how many pizzas it was gonna take.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Prime Rib
It takes two to get one into trouble.
KANDA
Cattle range, fifteen milers outside of Flatonia, Saturday 7 a.m.
The herd looked pretty dammed good, Kanda Kincade thought as she rode the lead horse for the drive. The old saying applied to her life; if you’re not making dust, you’re eatin’ it. She smiled at the old cowboy motto as the cattle moved along at a good clip. Cattle drives weren’t done much anymore, but her mother insisted on keeping the old tradition. It wasn’t a long drive, just ten miles into Flatonia.
Kanda never complained. It was the only time she felt like she was actually free. Being a cowpuncher was in her blood, so a drive always made her happy.
Her brother, Cole, usually went on the drives, but he seemed preoccupied lately. She rolled her eyes. She didn’t know if it’d been the right thing to hire Brea Plush as the ranch’s cook. He’d finally gotten over his failed relationship with that dumbass fluff head housekeeper that Ma just had to hire. The last few days, he seemed happy though, so maybe it was for the best?
Happy? A foreign word to her. So, maybe satisfied was a better word for her? Her entire life was spent on the family ranch—the Triple K. Still, she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Her days were full and busy.
The fact that she worked with an all male crew never bothered her either. Not that there would be romantic thoughts of any kind involving one of them and her. Kanda almost laughed aloud. No, these cowboys never saw her as a woman or a hot babe, that’s for sure.
It didn’t really bother her, but sometimes, she wished she could just be someone else for a while. Maybe go on a date or two? Meet a man who didn’t know who she was and had nothing to do with the cattle business. Kanda shook her head. Not likely. She was a particular female and stayed on the ranch all the time with the exception of trips to Dallas and San Antonio.
Get a man and lasso a life for yourself! Her mom was always saying that. She would go on and on about Kanda never taking a fun trip or trying to make friends. Mable loved to rant about Kanda’s impossible list of requirements in a man.
Sure, she certainly did have a set of requirements for this supposed man in her life. She herself was a large curvy woman, but she was in shape, because working a ranch was almost like an Olympian triathlon at times. So, a man for her? He would have to be a big guy himself. He would also have to stand up to her, because Kanda couldn’t stomach a sissy type guy.
Who cares anyway? Who wants some man bossin’ them around? She moved her horse past the turn as the Flatonia station came into view. The beef in her life wasn’t the kind you could date. Besides, who could beat a big ole meaty slice of choice prime rib? Kanda laughed aloud as she rode her horse. I ain’t met me a man yet that could compare to that experience. Wearing an amused smile, she rode past the herd and headed for the platform.
After another hour, she waited for all the heads to load. The drive had gone off without a hitch, which wasn’t a surprise as she’d done like thirty of them now. The real challenge woulda’ been goin’ the 100 miles across the range like her daddy done when he was alive. He was the old-fashioned type of cowboy. Mable always said that he rode hard and was easy to love. He was a big man, just like her twin brothers were; and between the two, it was Cole that was more like him.
Them days were over and the time of the cow punchin’ was almost lost to the modern world. This short drive was just about over. The herd was loading to the train and all she needed to do was check in at the train office. She looked toward the cattle ramp and then spotted someone beyond it. Was that the new cook? She jumped up on her horse and rode toward the general store.
Miss Plush looked rattled as she watched Kanda approach. “Hey, have you seen—?”
“No way!” Kanda got down from her horse. “Don’t tell me you lost a whole cowboy!”
The troubled looking girl seemed to swallow heavily and shrugged. “Yeah, I did.”
Kanda felt herself getting mad, but decided it wasn’t any of her business. “I haven’t seen him today.”
The girl looked like she might break out in tears at any minute, so Kanda’s feeling softened a bit. “It can’t be as bad as all that.”
Brea squared her shoulders. “It was great and then…”
Kanda tried to keep her smile pasted on. “I can’t see you as the type to two-time and I know Cole ain’t that type neither.”
Brea shook her head. “No, but I did mess it up.”
“So?”
The seemingly shy cook gave her a baffled stare.
“I mean…whatcha gonna do about it?”
“I need to go somewhere. I’m trying to think of a way to get him back.”
“You still gonna cook for the Triple?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s the only income I got right now.”
Kanda stared at her for a minute and was surprised she felt a soft spot for this girl. “Okay. It ain’t none of my business, but all I can say is—Cole is stubborn…very stubborn. If you want him back? Don’t give up. Stick to him.” Kanda smiled. “Think of it like he’s a runaway bull and you got his brand all hot and ready.”
Brea’s eyes grew wide.
At her expression, Kanda let out a huge laugh. “What I mean is you gotta go cowgirl on his ass. You might even have ta wrestle him down and tie him up.”
At the funny and outrageous euphemism and Kanda’s brash advice, Brea’s eyes got even larger in her face.
Kanda laughed even harder. “Yeah, it does sound kinky. What I really mean is meet him head-butt for head-butt…” Her voice trailed away as she realized she was getting involved and sh
e swore to herself she wouldn’t. Clearing her throat, she turned suddenly serious. “I guess I ain’t the right one to give out advice to the lovelorn. Anyway, how can I help ya?”
“I need a ride to Victoria.”
Kanda held back the question of why, on the grounds that she really didn’t want to know. “I can loan the trail truck to you?”
Brea looked shocked. “You can? I mean—you will?”
“Yep, I could. I want my baby brother happy. Mable thinks you’re the one who can do that.”
Brea seemed to tear up again.
“Now don’t go cryin’ and stuff. I don’t always agree with the old lady.” She gazed steadily at Miss Plush. “But this time, we finally see eye to eye on sumpthin’.” She fished the keys out of her pocket. “They just gassed it up and it should make it there and back.”
Looking relieved, Brea took the keys.
“Have it back by Sunday night, okay?”
Swiping at a tear, she nodded her head.
“Oh, and don’t be cryin’ to Cole to get him to come back. That’s what that fluff head housekeeper did and it won’t work.”
Miss Plush raised her chin and she looked determined. “I wouldn’t try that, I don’t want him to feel sorry for me—I want him to love me.”
This time it was Kanda who blinked her eyes in surprise. “Well then, Miss Plush, get your equipment together and get ready to lasso ’em in!”
Now it was Brea who laughed. “Well, I never wrestled a cow, let alone a man.”
Kanda gazed at her and shook her head. “Sometimes animals and men are the same damn thing.”
Another stunned look passed across the cook’s face.
“Never mind.” She slapped her on the back and chuckled. “Just…be honest, be straight up with him.” She rolled her eyes. “There I go again, giving out sweetheart advice.” She got back up on her horse. “It’s not like I have one or anything to speak of.” She sighed and looked toward the train office.
“Well, you should!” Brea blurted out.
Startled, Kanda swung her gaze down. “What?”
“Well, just look at ya. You’re built! Buxom, tight , with those blue eyes and that dark hair?” She shook her head. “What guy wouldn’t want you?”
Kanda nearly let go of her reins. The shock of the girl’s words kind of threw her off her usual game. “You think so, uh?”
Brea nodded her head vigorously. “Dang right! You’re such a hot babe, you should be swattin’ ’em away!”
Kanda laughed and shook her head. “Nope. I guess the man for me sure as hell ain’t in Flatonia.” Or anywhere in the world where I would meet him. She smiled down at the cook. “Okay, can I ask where ya going…I mean, in case you get waylaid or sumpthin’?”
Miss Plush took a piece of paper from her pocket and wrote down the address. “I ain’t ever been to her ranch since she moved there, but this is where I’m headed.”
Kanda took it and tucked into her shirt pocket. “Okay then, see ya on Sunday.”
Nodding her head, Miss Plush smiled a little as she watched Kanda ride away.
Damn Cole and Jet. Always something up with those two. Living on the ranch was like being in a fucking insane soap opera, half the time lately. If they could just keep their dammed jeans buttoned, my life would be easier.
*~*~*~*
She’d ridden for a while over the Triple K acreage, toward the ranch and was feeling a bit strange now after the odd conversation with the new cook. Why didn’t she have a man? There were plenty of men around her, but they all worked for her and that didn’t make her none too attractive, probably.
Just being out here on the open land, life seemed so simple and uncomplicated. She remembered just then something her daddy used to say, Ride like there’s no tomorrow, because you never know if there’ll be one. That had been the best advice she’d ever been given and she tried to live by it.
Kanda sat up straighter in her saddle. What the hell is all this kinda thinkin’ all of the sudden anyway? I’ve never even thought about this stuff most days.
Maybe it was what her sassy old mom said just last night. ‘You ain’t getting any younger, Kan. Your brothers seem to have the right idea, getting mates and maybe gonna settle down.’
Kanda had answered the same as she always had. ‘There ain’t a man who is man enough to do the job!’
Her mom had made that sour face that Mable Kincade was famous for. ‘Oh, yeah? Well, one of these days, you’ll come face to face with him. I’m just hoping I’ll be alive to see it!’
Shaking her head in disgust, she’d gone to her room. Yeah, fat chance in hell. A man who could impress her? He didn’t exist.
Yeah, that was her mom’s statement to her, almost daily. ’Get yourself a man and a life.’ The thought of her mother and what she was up to just lately made her feel pretty pissed off as she rode wild and free across the large spans of land which would surely be all hers someday. You can own land and cows, but can you really own a heart? My heart is too locked up to even be reached.
With a huff, she let her reins loose and slowed her pace down as she looked out over the wonderful Texas countryside that greeted her every day when she got up in the morning. Her mom was at it again, and she seemed determined to change this land. Mable was getting’ more difficult by the day. They’d had a real bad argument at the breakfast table about it, just this morning.
Mable Kincade was a widowed woman and she’d made the ranch the success it was today. She’d operated it ever since her husband died and it was always understood that Kanda was being groomed to run it on her own someday.
This whole ideal was funny to all the ranch hands and locals, since Kanda had two strappin’ men for brothers. However, neither brother had ever shown an interest. Her brothers were identical twins. In looks only, though. While one partied the nights away and had no care for business, the other worked hard, but wanted his own ranch.
Mable just informed her this morning that she had an idea about how to expand the ranch, and keep the profits up. This was what caused the argument and what had Kanda’s stomach tied in knots right this minute.
A mineral plant! Mable was convinced about it; she wanted the Triple K to harvest the rich soil that was natural to Fayette County.
She couldn’t stand the thought of them digging holes in the land; of having trucks and ugly steel buildings all over the ranch.
Interrupting her troubled thoughts, she spotted a flurry of dust rolling across the valley and she was puzzled. Everybody knew this was Kincade land. Who in the hell would be stupid enough to trespass here?
She spurred her horse on and came up over the rise. Dust clouded her view. Talk about eatin’ someone’s dust! It looked to be some kind of vehicle heading out to Flat Rock. Somebody was 4 wheelin’ on her land? Well, whatever dumbass drove that vehicle was about to eat some Flatonia dirt when I catch up with ’em.
The dust cloud slowed down and she finally caught up with the vehicle. It was a Hummer. Who the hell would be driving that monstrosity—all the way out here? Probably some city man out to prove his Hummer was bigger and badder than anyone else’s. She envisioned flattening his tires and smashing some glass.
Finally, she came up closer and saw that the vehicle was parked, the driver’s door hung wide open with the engine still running. More perplexed than ever, she looked all around. No one in sight? Where in the hell—?
Her horse was spooked by something and it reared up. She’d dropped the reins while looking for the intruder and she slid backward from the horse, her body hitting the ground with a dust-clouded thump. The sky whirled above her, while her tailbone felt like cement had been rammed up her—
“Are you okay?”
She couldn’t focus as her entire body was still absorbing the ripples of pain from the fall. Then a face came into view.
His eyes were what she registered first. Blue. But not just the average pair of blue eyes. Electric blue was the description that came to her mind. Then, his
lips were next. Full and enticing—yes some nice, strong looking lips. His jaw came into sight and was well defined. Top all of it off with a pair of dark brows and dark raven hair and you had yourself the best-looking man she’d ever seen.
He smiled and stood above her.
Her baffled eyes took in long legs and thickly muscled thighs, encased in faded jeans. A trim waist was next on the visual journey, along with a black tee shirt that stretched tightly over a well-muscled chest. His arms were like banded steel and he had broad shoulders.
What the hell? I must be dreaming—I‘m looking at prime rib!
CHAPTER EIGHT
Roosters, Chicks and Feathers
BREA
She’s the kind of girl who climbed the ladder of success—wrong by wrong.
Highway 70 headed to Victoria, Texas
It took Brea a while to get used to the gears in the big truck. She knew she was pissing drivers off, because they kept honking at her and passing her by. Better to be noticed than ignored, right? Well, maybe not in this case. It’d been difficult enough to even steer this monster of a vehicle, let alone drive it fast.
She was now looking for a small sign-post somewhere just before the town of Victoria. Squinting and desperately trying to see the side of the road, she slowed the truck down. She spotted a sign painted in red of all colors.
Plush Ranch
There it is! She turned onto the road, amazed that it was paved too. How did her mama afford that? Most of these ranches had dirt roads. Why even the Triple K had mostly dirt until you got right up to the main house.
After about a half a mile, she had to slow down. It looked like there was something going on ahead. She pulled over and turned the truck off. What she saw didn’t make a whole lot of sense.
There were three men. One was working on the ground and the other two were on ladders. All three were working on an archway over the road and all three were shirtless. They were well muscled and even looked as if they’d been oiled up like they did on guys in a photo shoot.
