Cowboy on My Mind

by R. C. Ryan

  He gave a curt nod of his head. “My deputy will take you and check your place completely before he leaves.” Virgil turned to Will. “I’ll drive you to your place, Reverend, and do the same there.”

  When Susan started to sniffle, he patted her shoulder. “I know you’re worried about your little girl. It’s only natural. But she’s in good hands, Susan. You and Hank need to keep the faith. And as always, if any of you think of something you may have forgotten, you be sure to let me or my deputy know.”

  He stood aside, allowing Rebecca and Ben to leave first.

  As they walked down the steps, Hank called, “Don’t come into work tomorrow, Rebecca. I want you to stay home and rest.”

  “I’m not…”

  “That’s an order.”

  She gritted her teeth and followed Ben to his car.

  When they were settled inside, Sheriff Kerr put a hand on Will’s shoulder and steered him toward his vehicle.

  Hank and Susan stood in the doorway, watching with matching frowns of concern as the two vehicles pulled away from the curb.

  Chapter Ten

  Ben watched Rebecca out of the corner of his eye as he drove in silence to her house.

  When they arrived, he put a hand on her arm. “Wait here. I need to check a few things before you go inside.”

  She offered no protest.

  He checked the front door and windows before walking around to the rear of the house and doing the same. Using his flashlight, he checked for footprints or indentations in the piles of leaves that had blown up against the house.

  Satisfied, he returned to the car and held out his hand for the key. “I’d like you to wait while I check inside.”

  At his words, she clutched her arms about herself as he walked inside and moved through the house, turning on all the lights.

  At last he came back. “All clear.”

  He took her hand and walked with her up the steps and into the house.

  She rubbed warmth into her arms. “Would you like some coffee?”

  “No. But if you’d like some, I’ll make it.”

  She nodded and followed him to the kitchen.

  He moved easily about, comfortable with the simple routine, and soon the kitchen was filled with the soothing fragrance of coffee.

  He poured two cups and handed one to her.

  “Thank you. And thank you for coming so soon.”

  “It’s my job.”

  “As Sheriff Kerr said, you’re good at it.”

  “I’m learning.” He drank. “You going to make it through the night?”

  She took her time sipping the hot coffee before giving a nod. “I’m determined to.”

  “One night with your folks wouldn’t be an admission of weakness.”

  She merely looked over at him.

  “Okay.” He grinned. “I saw the way your mother was falling apart.”

  “Not to mention my dad.”

  “They have a right to.”

  “I understand their fears. I’m terrified, too.” She hugged her arms to her chest. “Who’s doing this, Ben? What’s this about?”

  “I wish I knew. It’s all I think of, first thing in the morning, last thing at night. I can’t stand the thought of you being a target for a madman. You sure you can’t think of anyone holding a grudge against you?”

  She looked away. “I suppose we all make a few enemies in life.”

  “Enemies mad enough to fire off gunshots?”

  She set aside her coffee with a clatter. “No. I can’t think of anybody who would want to hurt me.”

  “How about someone who’d like to scare you?”

  She frowned. “I don’t understand…”

  “So far, three gunshots, and three misses. Someone has lousy aim. Or they’re trying to send a message.”

  Her eyes went wide before she sank down on a kitchen chair.

  Ben pulled his chair close beside hers. “Can you think of someone who’s mad enough to go to all this trouble just to frighten you, Rebecca?”

  “No.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  “You might want to think long and hard about it.” He picked up his cup. Drank. “I’m sure Virgil is having this same conversation with Will.”

  “So you both think this is a…scare tactic?”

  “It’s just one of many theories. Right now, we don’t even know which of you is the target. So far, both incidents have occurred when you and Will are together.”

  She clutched her hands in her lap. The fear in her eyes had him yearning to comfort her. “I wish I could stay here all night and keep watch. But I’m on duty until morning.”

  “I wish you could, too. But I understand that you have a job to do, Ben.”

  “I heard your father tell you to stay home tomorrow.”

  She didn’t reply.

  “Tomorrow’s my day off. Why don’t I pick you up and take you home with me.”

  “I don’t think…”

  “It’ll be a nice change of pace. You can be lazy if you want, or we could ride up to one of the herds. How long has it been since you’ve been on a horse?”

  She managed a laugh. “Years. I never rode in college.”

  “There you go.” He could see her mulling.

  He stood. “I’m off work at seven. I’ll pick you up and we can be at my place in time for breakfast.”

  Her smile was slow in coming, but when it did, it softened all her features. “I’d love it.”

  “Good. So would I.” He picked up his hat. “See you in the morning. In the meantime, I’ll be driving by every chance I get.” He stared pointedly at her cell phone. “Call at the least sound.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll take you up on that.”

  He strode quickly out the door, calling, “Lock this behind me.”

  Once in the car he relaxed.

  He’d managed almost an hour alone with her and hadn’t once given in to the temptation to haul her into his arms and kiss her breathless.

  Ben left work at seven o’clock and was at Rebecca’s place by 7:10.

  He wasn’t doing this just to get her out of town and keep her safe, he told himself. He was convinced a day away from all this turmoil would be good for her.

  She opened the door and invited him inside.

  She was wearing skinny jeans and a T-shirt the same blue as her eyes. Ben tried not to stare.

  “There’s coffee if you’d like, Ben. I’m sure, after a night of work, you’ll want caffeine.”

  “Do you have a travel cup?”

  She nodded and filled two cups before picking up a denim jacket and stuffing her cell phone, wallet, and keys into one of the zippered pockets.

  Once they settled into Ben’s truck, she sat back, sipping her coffee, enjoying the sunny morning.

  When her cell phone rang, she studied the caller ID before answering. “’Morning, Dad.” She smiled. “I slept well. How about you and Mom?” She listened, then said, “Of course I was serious about paying rent. I want this to be a business deal. My business.” She fell silent before saying, “Really? That’s perfect. Yes, I can manage that much. Thanks, Dad. I’ll start cleaning up that spot first thing tomorrow.” Another silence before she said, “I’m afraid not. I’m with Ben Monroe. We’re driving out to his place for the day.”

  Ben could hear her father’s voice lifted in protest.

  Minutes later she hung up.

  Ben lowered the window and leaned an elbow in the breeze.

  She looked over. “You’re not going to ask, are you?”

  “Ask what?”

  She gave a quick laugh. “Aren’t you the cool one? I approached my father yesterday with a request to lease a little plot of land next to the building. You know. That little fenced area he currently uses as a dump.”

  Ben nodded. “I know the spot. What will you use it for?”

  “I haven’t quite figured it out yet. But I’ll know when I see just the right thing.”

  “Sounds mysterious.”

/>   Her smile grew. “That’s the problem. It’s still a mystery to me, too. But in a good way.”

  He closed a hand over hers. “If you’re excited about it, then I’m happy for you.”

  “Oh, Ben.” She glanced at their joined hands. “After all the drama, it feels so good to just leave it all behind and think about spending a day away. I’m so happy you invited me along. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I did it as much for myself as for you. It’s been too long, Becca.” He kept hold of her hand as he drove the interstate until he came to the gravel road leading to his family ranch.

  If this was any indication of the day ahead of them, he’d say it couldn’t get much better.

  “Whoa.” Sam strode into the kitchen, fresh from washing up after mucking stalls.

  Behind him, Finn lifted his face and breathed in the wonderful aroma of ham, eggs, and French toast. He looked around with interest. “Is this a holiday and nobody bothered to tell us?”

  Otis chuckled. “Ben called to say he’s bringing a guest for breakfast.”

  “A guest?” Sam nudged his brother. “With all this fancy food, let me guess. Is it the queen of England?”

  Finn chimed in. “If I get a choice, I choose someone hot. Emma Stone. Carrie Underwood.” He folded his hands in a prayerful pose. “Please, God. Let it be.”

  Zachariah exchanged a look with Roscoe and Otis. “In my day, I’d have probably prayed for Kim Novak. Now, that was one gorgeous woman.”

  Sam shook his head. “Never heard of her.”

  “Maybe you should look her up on the Internet to see what you’ve missed, Samuel.”

  Mac picked up a mug of coffee and merely grinned at the silly banter.

  When Ben’s truck drove up, his two brothers watched out the window as their bold, brash brother took Rebecca’s hand and helped her from the passenger side.

  “What do you know? Rebecca Henderson,” Sam muttered before turning to Finn. “You owe me ten, bro.”

  Otis looked over from the stove. “What was the bet?”

  “That big brother Ben would make a move on her as soon as he heard she wasn’t engaged to Willy Theisen.” He shook his head. “Let’s face it. They haven’t got a chance for a future. Not with her old man and the way he feels about us. But I swear Ben’s been stuck on her since the first time he saw her in town.”

  Everyone was grinning as Ben and Rebecca stepped into the kitchen.

  “Good timing, bro.” Sam slapped Ben on the back. “You made it just in time for breakfast, and too late to help with morning chores.”

  “I timed it that way.” Ben handled the introductions. “Rebecca, you know my dad and brothers.”

  There were smiles and greetings.

  “This is the rest of my family. Zachariah York, Roscoe Flute, and”—Ben turned toward the stove—“this morning’s cook, Otis Green.”

  Otis greeted her with a wide smile. “Morning, Miss Rebecca.”

  When they’d finished their greetings, they gathered around the table.

  Ben led her to a seat next to his. “Something smells good.”

  “A special breakfast for a special guest.” Otis began passing thick slices of Texas toast that had been soaked in a milk-and-egg mixture, fried until golden brown, sprinkled with cinnamon, and swimming in maple syrup.

  “And we’re grateful Otis considers you special.” Sam grinned at Rebecca. “We don’t usually get a breakfast like this.”

  “You don’t consider my scrambled eggs and bacon special enough?” Otis set the skillet in the sink.

  “Yeah. But this…” Sam spread his hands to indicate the meal. “Now this is a feast.”

  “You keep talking instead of eating,” Finn said over a mouthful of French toast, “you’ll be eating leftovers.”

  Everyone looked up at the sound of an engine.

  Peering out the window, Finn announced, “It’s Mary Pat. And something’s smoking under the hood of her van.”

  Mac was out the door before the others could react. After lifting the hood of her van and waiting for the smoke to drift away, they spoke quietly before he led her inside, where she was introduced to Rebecca.

  She hugged the young woman. “Hello, Rebecca. I remember you from school in Haller Creek.”

  Rebecca nodded. “You were our public health nurse. We always looked forward to having you come to talk to us about…things.”

  Sam and Finn picked up on her slight hesitation immediately.

  “Would that be secret girl things?” Sam grinned at his brother.

  Rebecca blushed. “Mostly girl things. And a few other things we couldn’t talk to our parents about.” She squeezed Mary Pat’s hand. “But we knew we could always talk to Miss Healy.”

  Roscoe indicated the van parked outside. “What was that noise we heard?”

  Mary Pat gave a shake of her head. “I haven’t a clue. I started out this morning as I always do, and suddenly I heard a clunk, and then the smell of burning rubber. I kept hoping I’d make it here before everything shut down.”

  “Or burned up.” Concern was written on Mac’s face. “Did you take time to eat this morning?”

  She shook her head. “No time.”

  Mac took her hand and led her to a seat at the table. “First we’ll eat. Then we’ll have a look at the car.”

  Mary Pat let out a sigh. “Oh, this all looks heavenly.”

  “Exactly what Finn and I were saying.” Sam helped himself to ham, eggs, and French toast. “Or should I say praying for?”

  “I believe you two were praying for some lovely ladies to grace our home.” Zachariah shared a smile with Mac. “Thank heaven for answered prayers.”

  After the platters had been passed, they joined hands and waited for Mary Pat to lead a prayer.

  Ben took Rebecca’s hand in his and glanced over to wink.

  Her cheeks were beet red as Mary Pat said, “Bless this lovely food and those of us assembled here, as we travel our many roads.”

  “And,” Sam added, “bless that heap of metal parked outside, that it can last another hundred thousand miles or so.”

  Everyone laughed as they dug into their breakfast.

  Mary Pat turned to Rebecca. “I heard about the shooting.”

  Rebecca stared hard at the table.

  “That was days ago,” Sam said.

  “I’m talking about last night’s shooting.”

  At Mary Pat’s words, the others fell silent.

  Seeing Rebecca’s high color, Ben quickly explained. “There was another shot fired last night. At the Henderson house, just as Rebecca and Will were leaving. No damage done, and the shooter got away under cover of darkness. Since she has the day off work, I suggested Rebecca spend the day here, away from all those wagging tongues in town.”

  “Good thinking, son.” Mac turned to Mary Pat, who artfully steered the conversation toward safer subjects, like her latest journeys.

  “I was heading over to visit with Lamar and Lloyd Platt when my engine started acting up. I always try to stop by whenever I’m nearby.”

  Zachariah nodded. “I know them. Father and son. Lamar must be close to ninety by now.”

  “Eighty-eight,” Mary Pat said. “And his son, Lloyd, is sixty-eight. Never married. Has lived with his father all his life.”

  “Sounds like us,” Sam said with a grin.

  Ben gave a mock shudder. “You, maybe. I can’t see any female putting up with you—”

  “When she could have me instead,” Finn put in quickly, adding to their laughter.

  The family took their time eating, while catching up on Mary Pat’s travels.

  Aware of the high color that touched Rebecca’s cheeks whenever she found herself the center of attention, Ben carefully avoided any more mention of the mysterious shootings in town.

  Even Sam and Finn, who loved to tease, backed off when they saw how protective their brother was.

  Roscoe was the first to push away from the table. “Well, let’s s
ee if you’re going to make that visit today to Lloyd Platt’s ranch.”

  Otis joined him as the two trudged out to inspect Mary Pat’s engine.

  “I know you’re eager to hear the verdict.” Mac caught Mary Pat’s hand and led her to follow.

  When the three brothers began clearing the table, Rebecca started to help.

  Ben put a hand on her shoulder. “We can handle this. It’s our job. The others cook, and we clean up. We’ve been doing it since we were kids.”

  “Then I’ll clean with you, since I didn’t cook breakfast. Fair’s fair.”

  Zachariah sat sipping his coffee. The mysteries of a car’s engine held no fascination for him. The interaction of these four, however, intrigued him. He couldn’t wait to see how Rebecca Henderson would fit in with this cast of characters.

  Sam, always ready with a wisecrack, started things off by pushing Ben out of the way. “Move it, bro. I know you have a weakness for pretty girls, but you’re crowding me.”

  Ben chuckled. “Careful, Becca. You might not want to get too close to Sam. He just spent the last couple of hours shoveling manure.”

  She turned to Sam. “I’ll bet your father told you it builds character.”

  “Yeah. That’s what all adults tell us when they want to get us to do the really stinky jobs.”

  She lightly touched his upper arm. “But it definitely builds muscle.”

  “Hear that?” Sam couldn’t help preening and flexing his biceps.

  “Don’t let it go to your head, bro.” Finn pushed Sam aside. “Rebecca, I shoveled manure, too.”

  “And it shows. You’re as buff as your brothers.”

  With a side glance at the other two, he picked up a dishtowel while pretending to pump iron.

  Rebecca filled the sink with hot water and liquid soap and began washing the dishes. “Congratulations, Finn. I heard you passed the bar on your first attempt. I have a friend in Bozeman who had to take it four times before passing.”

  Sam clapped a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Finn’s brilliant. And he had the best teacher in the world.”

  “Really? Who would that be?” Rebecca paused.

  “Zachariah.”