by Judy Duarte
Chapter Three
Before turning in last night, Tammy had explored the ranch house and discovered it wasn’t just spacious. It was enormous.
There were two matching wings, each with four bedrooms, two of which were masters with private baths. The other two were much smaller and shared a single guest bathroom down the hall. Apparently, the girls were staying in the main wing, along with Tex.
The household help, which included Tina Crandall, the housekeeper, and Barbara Eyler, the cook, lived in the south wing in the two large rooms. Since the guest bathroom in that second wing was having plumbing problems, the men had been assigned one of several cabins within walking distance of the house.
Either way, Tammy hadn’t cared where she slept...until she woke up this morning and learned that having to share a bathroom had become a real inconvenience.
Now, as she sat on the edge of the bed listening to the sound of water flowing through the pipes, she glanced again at the clock on the bureau. How much longer would she have to wait to use the shower?
Rather than twiddle her thumbs or pace the floor until the water hog finally decided to come out, she slipped into the clothes she’d been wearing yesterday and went to the kitchen, hoping she could get a cup of coffee—another of her morning habits that allowed her to start the day fresh and wide-awake.
As she crossed the living room, her bare feet padding across the hardwood floor, she savored the hearty aroma of bacon as it sizzled in a frying pan, as well as the welcome smell of fresh-brewed coffee. Her stomach growled in anticipation, so she picked up her pace.
When she entered the kitchen, she spotted Barbara standing at the counter, stirring batter in a large yellow mixing bowl.
“Good morning,” Tammy said. “Do you need any help?”
The short, heavyset woman turned and smiled. “Thanks for the offer, honey, but I’ve got it all under control.”
Back home on her father’s ranch, preparing meals was Tammy’s job. So it felt a little weird letting someone do all the work and serve her for a change.
“You’re up early,” Barbara said, as she set the batter aside.
Not really. The morning sun had already risen, so Tammy felt like a bit of a slug.
“I wanted to take a shower before coming into the main part of the house,” she said, “but someone beat me to it.”
And that someone was taking way too long—at least ten minutes and still going strong.
If Tammy were to ever lollygag in the bathroom, she’d get chewed out—if not left behind—so she’d learned how to take quick showers. But ten whole minutes?
How in blazes could anyone have gone to bed so dirty that they needed that much soap and water?
“By the way,” Barbara said, as she reached into the pantry for a bottle of oil, “your father stayed in one of the cabins last night, but he came through here about thirty minutes ago. It was good to see him again after all these years, but he didn’t stick around long enough to chat. He just grabbed a cup of coffee and went back outside again. He said he was checking things out.”
That’s what he’d said to Tammy yesterday, but she had a feeling it was more likely that he was avoiding the house and everyone in it. But Tammy didn’t see any reason to defend his actions, especially when he’d refused to let her in on any of the details of that family blowup.
“How about some coffee?” Barbara asked as she reached into the cupboard and pulled out a solid white mug.
“That sounds great. Thanks.”
“How do you take it? Black?”
“Cream and sugar, please.”
Barbara chuckled. “I’ll never understand why people insist upon ruining a perfectly good cup of java by watering it down or doctoring it up.”
The thought of doctoring anything, even a cup of coffee, made Tammy think about Mike Sanchez, her grandfather’s personal physician. There was so much she wanted to know about him, although she hated to come right out and ask. After all, she didn’t want anyone to know she was...
Well, she wasn’t sure what to call her curiosity and all those girlish emotions that swirled around it. She supposed she was smitten with him.
Who would have believed it?
Certainly not her father or her older brothers.
Tammy took a seat at the table and watched as Barbara prepared the coffee for her, feeling a bit like a bug on the underside of a log.
When Barbara handed her the coffee, Tammy thanked her, then took the mug, holding it with both hands and watching the steam curl up and over the rim.
Before the silence ate away at her, she asked, “How’s Tex doing this morning?”
“He slept well, or so he said.”
“That’s good to hear.” Tammy tried to think of an easy way to bring up Doc’s name and slide it right into the conversation, but she really couldn’t. So she’d have to work it in. “I was just wondering...I mean, I realize Tex is under a doctor’s care. In fact, I met the guy yesterday, but he seemed kind of...young. You know what I mean?”
“Yes, I know exactly what you mean.” Barbara stooped, opened a cupboard near the stove and pulled out a big cast-iron skillet. “But he came highly recommended from the hospital where he interned.”
“Do you think he’s...any good?” Tammy waited a beat before tossing out her only real question. “What do you know about him?”
“He’s definitely competent,” Barbara said, “if that’s what you’re talking about.”
No, that wasn’t what Tammy was getting at. She wanted to know more about the man behind the stethoscope. Where did he come from? What did he do for fun?
“For what it’s worth,” Barbara added, “Doc Reynolds wouldn’t have let anyone who didn’t know his stuff cover for him while he’s out getting treatment for his illness.”
Tammy continued to hold her mug with both hands, weighing her words, taking care not to be too obvious. “Is Dr. Sanchez from Buckshot Hills?”
“No, he just moved here a few months ago—maybe four. He’s from someplace back east. Philadelphia, I think.”
Tammy took a lazy sip of coffee, relishing the sweet, creamy taste.
“Buckshot Hills is a far cry from the big city,” she said.
“That’s for sure.” Barbara poured a splash of vegetable oil into the skillet, then turned the flame on low.
“Does he have family out here?” Tammy hoped and prayed that he didn’t have a wife or a girlfriend.
“I don’t think so. But to be honest, I really don’t know much about him, other than Tex likes him, and he visits daily. He also seems to have a good bedside manner.”
The thought of Doc standing at the side of her bed sent Tammy’s thoughts hurtling in a dangerous direction. But before she could quiz the ranch cook any further, footsteps sounded in the doorway.
Tammy looked up to see Jenna entering the kitchen, fresh from the shower, her blond hair brushed in a soft, feminine style.
“Good morning,” Barbara said. “Can I get you some coffee, Jenna? Or maybe some OJ? It’s fresh-squeezed.”
“Orange juice sounds good. Thank you, Barbara.”
Tammy tried not to stare too hard at the willowy woman who was wearing jeans again today—a different pair, since they were a lighter shade of blue than the ones she’d had on yesterday.
“I know the Flying B is a cattle ranch,” Jenna said, “but I noticed quite a few horses in the corral near the barn. Who takes care of them?”
“Last I heard, Caleb Granger.” Barbara poured Jenna a glass of juice, then handed it to her. “Why?”
“No reason.”
Barbara returned her attention to the pancakes cooking in the skillet, as if she’d thought Jenna’s question had come out of the blue. But Tammy suspected there’d been a reason behind it and decided not t
o let it slip by the wayside.
“Do you like horses?” she asked her cousin.
“Yes, I do. In fact, I’m a certified riding instructor.”
“No kidding?” Tammy sat up straight. Maybe she had more in common with her cousin than she’d thought.
Well, at least they both shared a fondness for horses, ranches and blue jeans.
“Has anything more been said about that family meeting?” Jenna asked.
“Not that I know of.” Barbara used a spatula to remove several pancakes from the skillet. “I’m sure Tex will wait until everyone has arrived.”
“Did my father get here yet?” Jenna asked.
“I haven’t seen him.” Barbara dropped a dollop of batter onto the hot skillet. “How many hotcakes do you girls want?”
“If you don’t mind,” Jenna said, “I’d rather have one of those leftover blueberry muffins and take it with me.”
Take it with her?
“Where are you going?” Tammy asked her cousin.
“Just out for a walk. I’d like to see the ranch.”
So would Tammy. And she was tempted to ask Jenna if she wanted company, but she held back. Her cousin had been friendly last night. And she was being nice now.
Why push herself on the woman? Tammy had learned early on how badly something like that was likely to go, how awkward. Way back in high school she’d made the mistake of approaching a popular group of girls.
She could still hear their giggles and see their smirks.
“You know,” Tammy said, as she got to her feet, “I’d better take a shower now before your sister beats me to it.”
“Donna’s probably already showered and holed up in her room working,” Jenna said. “But you never know....”
Tammy nodded, then carried her mug to the sink, not wanting to take any chances.
“I’ll talk to you later,” she told her cousin. “Have a nice walk.”
“Thanks.”
As Barbara offered Jenna a plate of muffins, Tammy returned to her bedroom for a pair of clean jeans and a shirt. Then she took them into the bathroom, which was still a little damp and steamy. After locking the door, she turned on the spigot to the shower and waited for the water to heat. As she did so, she removed her clothes.
When she was as naked as a jaybird—and a lot more womanly than most folks would guess—she stepped under the nozzle and let the water jet over her from top to bottom, wetting her hair as it hung along her back.
For a moment, she relished the warmth of the spray. Then she turned slowly, planning to reach for a bar of soap. Instead, she spotted several plastic bottles sitting on the tiled shelf inside the shower stall.
She lifted each one and read the labels, noting shampoo, conditioner and body wash.
As the water continued to sluice over her, Tammy opened each lid, taking a whiff of the girly scent of flowers.
Not bad. In fact, it was kind of nice—and certainly not her usual smell. Tammy showered as often as the next person, but she always used the generic stuff.
Unable to help herself, she squeezed out a dab of shampoo, then applied it to her wet head, hoping her cousin wouldn’t mind.
As she rinsed the long, silky strands, she wondered if she ought to skip the rubber band and wear her long hair loose today.
Sure. Why not?
After she rinsed and dried off, she put on her clean clothes. Then she opened the bathroom door and allowed the dry air to chase away the steam.
Once she could see herself in the mirror again, she spotted a familiar yet very different woman staring back at her, her facial expression revealing how uneasy she felt at the unmasking.
But why wouldn’t she be? Tammy had never known her mama, so she’d grown up in a man’s world, making her way the best she could. And up until today—or rather, yesterday—she’d been happy with the strides she’d made.
But not now. Not when being a lady seemed more important than it ever had before—and far more important than trying to prove herself equal to the men in her family.
She stooped and opened the cupboard under the sink and found a handheld blow-dryer, which was still warm from use. She wondered if Jenna would mind if she borrowed it. But since Jenna had gone outside to explore the ranch, Tammy couldn’t very well ask her permission.
Again she gave in to temptation. Her brush was in her purse in the bedroom, so she used her hands to dry and style the soft curls. When she’d done the best she could, she looked over her work. She definitely saw an improvement. But would it be enough?
Maybe she ought to talk to Jenna as soon as she returned from her walk. If her cousin agreed to give her a few pointers about hair—and even clothes or makeup—Tammy would feel a lot more confident when Doc arrived.
And then maybe she’d snag his attention and put a few stars in his eyes, too.
* * *
It was almost eight o’clock in the morning when Mike left town and drove out to the Flying B. He hadn’t meant to visit Tex until late this afternoon, but he’d had second thoughts on his way back to the office yesterday and had decided to return earlier than he’d planned.
Tex hadn’t gone into any detail about the old family feud, but Dr. Reynolds had told Mike about the old man’s insistence upon making things right before he passed. And in Tex’s condition, the stress of meeting new family members during an emotional and trying time could end up being too much for him.
Mike wouldn’t allow himself to get personally involved with any of the Buckshot Hills residents. After all, he’d only be in town long enough to do his job and to pay his debt to his benefactor. Then he would fly home to Philadelphia, where he hoped the position with the Riverview Medical Group was still available.
But in spite of his determination to maintain a professional distance from the locals, Mike couldn’t help sympathizing with Tex Byrd. The man was dying—and he wouldn’t last much longer.
If Tex lived someplace else, in a bigger town or a city where hospice was readily available, Mike would have set it up the first day he’d looked over the old man’s chart.
Yet it wasn’t the rancher’s terminal diagnosis that caused Mike to feel for him. It was his resolve to set things right within his family before he died.
Had Tex called that meeting last night? If so, Mike wondered what had happened. How was Tex faring today? Was he in more pain? Was he distressed?
As Mike turned onto the county road and headed for the Flying B, he thought about the family members who’d gathered, as well as the stragglers who’d yet to arrive yesterday afternoon.
Were they eager to put an end to the feud? Or were they more interested in the old man’s will and the division of his assets?
It was hard to say. Sometimes death brought out the worst in people.
Engagement rings did that, too.
His thoughts shifted to Katrina Willis and the blowup they’d had before he’d left Philadelphia. So much for true love, he supposed. But it was probably for the best. They’d had different plans for the future.
Katrina had called him on his cell phone last night, telling him she’d had a change of heart and that she wanted to come out to see him in Texas, maybe even stay with him. But Mike wasn’t about to agree to something like that. Katrina would hate the small-town life, and he’d be miserable if he had to listen to her complaints for the next couple of weeks.
Hell, being in Buckshot Hills was difficult enough for him. Even in his wildest dreams he’d never expected to live in a place like this—albeit temporarily.
But he shook off the thoughts. Katrina was out of the picture. Mike only had himself and his mother to worry about now.
Unlike Tex Byrd, Mike’s mom didn’t have any real assets to divvy up. But that didn’t matter. She’d been a loving, supportive mother, and because of
that, Mike’s childhood had been happy.
He might have grown up poor and somewhat disadvantaged—at least, until she’d gone to work for George Ballard and their financial situation had improved—but once he’d seen the good life, first through George and then through Katrina and some of his college roommates, he was determined to create that lifestyle for himself, as well as for his mother, who’d worked her tail off to raise him on her own. She deserved to finally retire and do some of the things she’d only dreamed about in the past, and Mike would soon be able to provide them for her.
Well, that is, he’d provide them once he got out of Buckshot Hills.
Up ahead, he spotted Flying B Road and reached for his turn signal. He sure hoped his patient was holding up okay—and that the plans to set things right within the family hadn’t blown up in his face.
* * *
After Tammy had dried her hair, leaving it in a wild array of curls, she pondered the idea of going outside to look for Jenna. She’d gotten as far as the wraparound porch, but had chickened out and returned to the house.
As a teenager, she’d learned not to let the girls—or the boys, for that matter—know that she felt the least bit insecure about anything.
And something told her becoming an adult hadn’t changed things very much.
So instead, she went back into the living room and headed down the hall until she reached the entrance to Tex’s room. For the longest time, she stood at the door, her hand poised to knock, fear and pride holding her back.
Would she be out of line approaching him before he’d asked to see her?
Oh, what the heck. She rapped lightly a couple of times, then waited until an old man’s voice said, “Come in. It ain’t locked.”
Tammy turned the knob, then entered the large bedroom where a long, lanky man lay on the bed, his face craggy, his head of thick white hair propped up on several pillows.
“I...uh...” She bit down on her bottom lip, then pressed on. “I hope I’m not bothering you, sir. But I was eager to meet you, and I thought I’d introduce myself.”
“You must be Tammy, William’s daughter.”
