“Hi, JJ.” She greeted him. He must have been working on a property nearby. He stood fully clad in his official game warden issued uniform. His truck parked in the driveway, lights flashing.
Travis pealed into the driveway racing up to park behind JJ’s truck. He jumped out and sprinted up to Rachael. If his stitches were still sore he wasn’t showing any signs of it today. He looked her up and down, his brow furrowed.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m all right, just scared me is all.”
“What happened, Miss Rachael?”
More sirens could be heard coming down the main highway that bordered her property. Two sheriff’s deputies flew up the driveway. They both climbed out and came up to join in the conversation.
“I was napping when I heard a raised voice at the front door. Luckily I didn’t go answer it. She was yelling and calling me names.”
“Did you recognize the voice?”
“Not at all.”
“What happened next?” The shorter deputy asked.
“I saw a man go past my bedroom window and walk around the back of the house. I didn’t think the backdoor was locked so I went into the bathroom and locked the door. I dialed Travis and hid in the tub.”
“Did they come in the house?”
“I know for sure the man did. I heard him in the house. He came in through the backdoor. I’d left it unlocked.”
“Okay. Don’t touch anything. We’re going to dust for prints- see if we can lift anything off of the back door.” The deputy advised.
“Okay.” Rachael nodded feeling a little confused.
“Are your parents at home?”
“No, my mom and aunt are at work.”
The deputies disappeared around the back of the house. Travis draped his arm around Rachael’s shoulders.
“You okay, baby?”
“Just shocked. Who would want to do such a thing? I didn’t even know them.”
“Did you get a good look at the car?”
“A small blue compact car. Some sort of older Honda.”
“That helps.” JJ wrote the description down. The taller deputy returned to stand beside him.
“What else do you remember,” he asked.
“The guy had tatted arms. Shoulder to fingertip.” Rachael thought for a moment. “He was kind of grungy.”
“Anything else?”
“That’s it.”
Mr. Baxter pulled up to the house and climbed out. Mrs. Baxter was with him. Both came over to hug Rachael. Mrs. Baxter held both of Rachael’s hands.
“I was just telling Mr. Baxter about Honey and your visit with her mother earlier today.”
Rachael nodded her head.
“What visit with her mother?” Travis clenched his jaw.
“Maysie, Shannah, and I ran into Honey with Misty and a friend at the store. Maysie was worried about Honey’s appearance and thought we should go talk to her mother.”
“Tell me you guys didn’t.” Travis’ face tensed.
“We did. I didn’t want Maysie to go alone. They’ve been friends a long time. She didn’t say anything bad. Just that she was concerned and all.” Rachael thought about the comments about Misty and the other girl having the same look. “Well, she did say that Misty and the other girl had the same ill and emaciated look to them.”
Travis rubbed his eyes and forehead with his right hand.
“Is there anything else, Miss Rachael?” JJ questioned.
“Her mother hadn’t realized Honey was still hanging around with Misty.”
“Thank you.” The deputy returned to the car.
“Going over there was stupid, Rachael.” Travis muttered.
“Travis.” His mother uttered. “They were concerned.”
“What Travis means to say Rachael is that Misty has been rumored to be running with a well-known meth ring.” Mr. Baxter worded his thoughts carefully. “They aren’t the kind of people you want to get involved with.”
“I was just being supportive.”
“We know, dear, and it’s always important to do the right thing. You girls did the right thing, but because of it you may have drawn some unwanted attention.” Mrs. Baxter patted her hand.
“It wasn’t the right thing.” Travis spat. “I hear a lot of things about certain people. Let it go in one ear and out the other. You can’t save them all and some of them don’t want to be saved.”
Travis was nearly yelling.
Rachael didn’t understand. Wasn’t it Travis who just a few short months ago told his parents about Misty himself?
The deputy walked back over and handed Rachael his card with some numbers written on it.
“Your case number is written along the top and my cell on the back. If you remember anything else let me know. We pulled some prints off the back door, but we may get nothing. They could just be your family’s fingerprints, but we’ll run them just in case.”
Rachael thanked the deputies. They both pulled away.
Shannah…
“Should we check on Shannah?”
“JJ called her on the way here. She’s fine. Her father turned the dogs loose ... literally. No one will go up to that house.”
“Let’s call your mom.” Mrs. Baxter walked Rachael inside.
Rachael dreaded making this call. Travis was right. They’d let their concern for Honey blind them to their own safety, but who’d have thought someone would come to her house looking for a fight? Or maybe worse.
When Rachael made no move to do so, Mrs. Baxter made the call for her. Mr. Baxter had a seat on the couch, while Travis walked out onto the back porch, hands on his hips looking out across the pasture.
Mr. Baxter nodded toward the porch and Rachael knew she would need to go out there- eventually.
She stepped down onto the stone floor of the back porch and took a seat in a nearby rocking chair.
“I’m sorry I called you guys stupid. That was wrong of me.” Travis said his back turned to her still.
“Apology accepted.” Rachael fumed. He was right. It was stupid, she wouldn’t deny it, but they’d done the right thing and in the end it had consequences.
He turned around and came to stand in front of her.
“I don’t think they’ll be back, but for now, you should lock the doors, front and back, as well as the gate.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
“I didn’t say you were. You’re used to it being safe around here and for now, it’s not.” He leaned down in front of her. “You aren’t dealing with rational people here. This circle has been known to employ some unique tactics. For now, I’d suggest putting Taffy and ole’ lonesome George out in the pasture with the less refined moo’s, as you like to say.”
“They’d kill my pets?”
“Poison them, maybe. I don’t think they will, but I’ve heard some pretty awful stuff.” He clasped her hands when it looked like she might cry. “No more trying to rescue Honey. You’ve done what y’all thought was right and make that it. Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“The fact that you never turn your back on a friend and always do the right thing. You love people in spite of their flaws and shortcomings. You’re intelligent and fun. These are the reasons I love you, the reasons you’ll make a wonderful life partner and wife someday. All of these things make you ... you. When I get scared for your safety, I don’t think clearly and say stupid things.”
“Let’s go let them out.” Rachael jumped up and led the way to the barn.
She went in and petted them both lovingly wrapping her arms around their necks. She went to the back gate and swung it open.
“Don’t think of this as goodbye. They’re going to like this new freedom.”
Rachael watched as both Taffy and ole’ lonesome George walked over to the gate and sniffed the air, winding the other cattle off in the distance.
“Go on. Be free.” Rachael held her head high, determined not to cry.
Ole’ lonesome George use
d to enjoy escaping to greener pastures all the time. He leisurely walked through the gate and immediately went in search of the sweet clover blooming nearby. Taffy stepped through the gate, jumped and bucked running down the fence line, enjoying her newfound space.
“Does that look like a sad cow to you?” Travis asked.
“Nope. You’re right. She looks happy!”
“She is happy. Maybe she’ll get bred.” He closed the gate and snapped the chain in place.
“Bred!!!” Rachael exclaimed. “She’s just a baby!”
“She’s over two years old, comin’ three. I’m just about to pull the bulls off these cows but there’s still a chance. Another two weeks.”
“Two weeks?”
“Yep. She’s cycling, Rach.” He held his hand out to her blank stare. “It’s the cow birds and the bees. Come on.”
“Oh.” A knowing look crossed her face. “No wonder she wouldn’t stand still for her pedicure last week. She had cow PMS.”
Travis shook his head. “You’re a mess. She’s a cow. She doesn’t get cow PMS.”
“How do you know? It’s possible. I’m going to research it.”
“Go ahead.” He shook his head again as he led the way back up to her house.
Her phone vibrated. She pulled it out of her pocket.
“Hi, Dad.” She answered.
“Hey, honey. Your mom just called me. Are you all right?”
“I am now. Travis and his family are here with me.”
“That makes me feel better. From now on everything must be locked and I don’t want you or Michael home alone. You’ll both need to spend the last two days of summer with friends.”
“We will. I can’t believe school starts on Monday.”
“Me neither. You’ll be a senior.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Try to enjoy it. Adulthood comes too quickly. You’re still a kid, try to remember that.”
“I won’t forget. I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too.”
“Put Travis on the phone.” Confused Rachael held the phone out to Travis.
“My dad wants to talk to you.”
Travis took the offered phone.
“Yes, sir. Yes, sir.” He just kept answering and nodding his head. “My thoughts exactly. Okay. Will do.”
He ended the call and handed the phone back to Rachael.
“What was that all about?”
“He asked me to bring over a few of our more aggressive male dogs.”
“Dogs?”
“For around the house.”
“Is that necessary?”
“After today, you have to ask?”
“So who is to say I won’t get bitten?”
“They like women. Maysie feeds the dogs, well, her and mama. They know me. We’ll introduce them to Michael. Your dad is right- that’s just what this yard needs is a few biting dogs.”
“Won’t someone else get bitten?”
“We’ll post a beware of dog sign on the gate.”
“I don’t know about this.”
“What yard out here doesn’t have biting dogs? Ours are loose now, especially after today.”
“Just seems so archaic.”
“My dad turned our male dogs loose every time I had a guy campout. He didn’t want any guys venturing up to the house to hang out with my sister and her cute friends. I’ll remember that for when we have a daughter.” He gently squeezed her hand. “It was an effective deterrent.”
Chapter Eleven
Monday morning rolled around sooner than anybody would’ve liked. For homeroom this year Rachael had Mr. Richardson. He was typically the remedial math teacher. While she’d never taken any of his classes, she’d heard a few less than positive things about the man.
Around campus he was pretty much known as a creep. He liked to sit all the pretty girls in the very front row, especially those who wore shorts and skirts. This morning was no exception to that rule. He allowed all of the students to file into class choosing a seat wherever each one chose. Then after the second bell he asked everyone to stand. One by one he pointed to the students and motioned for them to go to their new assigned seats, which he chose for them.
Having heard about his reputation and affinity for nice legs, Rachael had selected a pair of jeans to start her school year. As a result, she found herself safely seated in the third row. After hand selecting their seats, he handed around a clipboard and had them write their name on it.
“You’ll find a number on the corner of your desk corresponding to the numbers on the clipboard. Of course, that is assuming you can all count.”
Man’s a freak.
Everyone exchanged glances and began writing their names on the clipboard one by one. They passed it around the room. While Rachael was in the third row, she was still close enough to the front to see Mr. Richardson’s desk clearly. It was piled high with paperwork, towering stacks covering every inch of available space. He appeared to be someone who never threw anything away. She was sure his desk could be featured on some hoarding reality show. If it were that cluttered on day one, what would it look like by the end of the year?
He sat reading his paper. From where she sat it looked like the business section. Every few minutes he lifted his head, cleared his throat and uttered a terse, “No talking.” Then he’d return to reading. He sipped coffee from a mug that was white on the outside and black on the inside. Rachael studied it closely, not sure whether it was painted black on the inside or merely stained from years of not washing it.
His face was long and his eyes dark. He had a smattering of salt and pepper hair that could only be described as the classic comb-over. If Rachael were asked for an adjective to describe Mr. Richardson it would have to be weasel-like. While Rachael knew it wasn’t a kind comparison, he certainly looked like a weasel to her.
Class was almost over when a student arrived at the door. Whoever it was had to knock because of the new locked door safety initiative put into place in most public school districts. Mr. Richardson picked up the clipboard, perusing the names. He spied a girl in the front row and narrowed his eyes.
“Martha. Grab the door.” He commanded
Martha didn’t respond verbally, but quickly jumped to get the door. Her long, tanned legs were the apparent reason for her front row seat placement. She briskly walked over and opened the door to the classroom. Alex stood there carrying her backpack. She looked rushed and a little out of sorts. Rachael was just relieved to have someone she knew well in her homeroom class. She waved at her from across the room.
Mr. Richardson looked over at her. He made a quick assessment and looked down at the clipboard once more.
“Miss Jennings.” The girl in the last seat of the front row looked up pointing to her own chest. “Yes, you, please move to the third row in the available seat next to Miss Harte. New girl- you take Miss Jennings seat.”
Pervert.
Rachael shot Mr. Richardson a nasty look. A quick assessment of Alex’s mid-thigh length khaki shorts and cute pair of Tom’s no doubt had landed her in the viewing area. Alex walked over, pulled out her chair, and plopped down. Mr. Richardson motioned for her to come up and obtain the clipboard from his desk. Alex ran up to fetch it and scribbled her name next to her assigned seat. She handed it back to him.
He quickly had his nose buried in his paper again and read until the bell chimed signaling the end of the period a few minutes later.
Rachael walked over and helped Alex grab her stuff.
“How was your visit with Amber yesterday?”
“It never happened. Her mom had to reschedule us. She keeps pushing it back, day by day.”
“So she doesn’t want y’all coming around?”
“I guess not. Either that or Amber isn’t ready for company yet. That’s completely understandable considering all she’s been through.”
“Gotta be tough.”
“Gotta be.” Rachael thought she better warn Alex about Mr. Richard
son and his lecherous fascination with young girls with nice legs. “Real quick, watch out for Mr. Richardson. I hear he’s a creep. He sits all the girls with short skirts and nice calves in the front row.”
“I heard. I got my schedule just this morning. That’s why I was late. I was in the office changing drama to art. I took drama last year and while it was cool I don’t want another entire year of it.”
“I get that. Did you hear Misty and Honey quit the squad?” Rachael asked.
“I did. With Amber gone and the two of them, we’re down from six seniors to three.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way. It’s just Maysie, Shannah, and me, if I make it.”
“You’ll make it for sure now.” A mischievous grin played across her lips, “The juniors will take over.”
“I bet you will.” Rachael was almost to her next class in the main building. “I’ve got English next.”
Alex nodded, looking reluctant to walk away.
“What’s wrong?” Rachael prompted.
“That.” Alex looked over to where Fred stood talking with possibly the prettiest blonde Rachael had seen since starting school at EMHS.
“Who’s that?”
“Shh. Tell you more later.”
Fred and the blonde made a bee line for the two of them.
“Hi, Rachael. This is Elena, our exchange student.”
“Nice to meet you, Elena.” Rachael smiled. “Where are you from?”
“Sweden.” She answered just as the bell rang.
“Great to meet you. I’ve got to get to class, but I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
Rachael turned and opened the door to English. Inside Maysie waved at her from across the room. She’d saved her a seat. Rachael plopped down in the chair.
Mrs. Marsden passed out the syllabus and asked a guy in the front row to come up and read it to the class.
“Did you meet the Swede?” Maysie scribbled on the bottom of her syllabus. Rachael nodded, but never turned her attention from the front of the room deciding that getting into trouble for note passing on the first day might not be a good idea. Maysie took the hint and they didn’t speak about it further until after class.
Outside Travis waited for them in the hallway.
“What is his mom thinking?” Maysie protested as soon as they stepped foot in the hall.
Cowgirl Strong Page 11
