Rachael decided it was best to pretend she hadn’t heard any of his private conversation with Taffy. “Hey, you!” she called loudly as she walked toward him. “What are you doing here?” Rachael did her best to sound chipper and excited to see him, although after seeing him with the other girl and the awful week with her father she felt neither chipper nor excited.
“Oh, hi,” he said, stroking Taffy between the ears. “Did you just get back?”
“Yes. About two minutes ago.”
“I didn’t know what time you would be home. JJ called me this morning. He’s out training some of his bird dogs over in Arcadia and won’t be back until after dark. He asked me to ride over and feed Taffy.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
Travis cocked his head. “Is something wrong?”
How does he know? “Rough week,” was all she could say.
“Since when is a little brother’s birthday rough?” Travis smiled.
Well, here goes…we agreed no secrets, right?
“Since your dad gets arrested, and you have to post bail.”
“Seriously? That bad?”
“Pretty much.” Rachael slumped onto a bale of hay. “It was awful.”
“I can’t imagine. How did you guys manage? I know all of your assets are frozen.”
“We borrowed $20,000 from Aunt Margaret, and I sold an antique tea and coffee service set for the rest.”
“The rest?”
“Over $30,000.”
“Wow! That must have been some set.”
“It was from my grandmother. An eight-piece sterling silver set, circa 1907. A Tiffany St. Dunstan design.”
His forehead wrinkled. “Who bought it?”
“A friend of my mom’s recommended an antique dealer in West Palm Beach she uses. His shop is called Leopold’s.”
She could see the concern in his eyes. “Come on,” he urged. “I brought my horse. Let’s take a ride. It’ll cheer you up.”
“Okay.”
Rachael mounted Coal, the American Quarter Horse, and Travis climbed in the saddle behind her. She hadn’t seen Coal since he’d foundered. The Debutante Ball hadn’t seemed like the right time to ask about it, in case it had turned out badly. “So Coal is all right?”
“Yes. Thanks to all of the walking and prompt veterinarian care his feet are undamaged.”
“That’s great. What about the other horses?”
“Everyone is in perfect health, thanks to a handful of good friends who cared enough to come and help. Thanks, Rachael. I know I was a real jerk that day, and I’m sorry for that.”
“Apology accepted.” Rachael thought back to that day. Travis had been so upset with her that he’d accused her of lacing his sandwich with arsenic. She still wasn’t sure why.
Travis set off at a fast lope across the pasture. When he said he had wanted to go for a ride, Rachael had anticipated a more leisurely pace. This certainly wasn’t what she would call leisurely. They rode up to Travis’s barn, where he jumped down and then lifted her down by her waist.
“I thought you said we were taking a ride?”
“I never said it was on a horse.”
“Oh. What kind of ride are we taking?”
“Muddin’.” He grinned.
“Mudding?” Rachael’s mouth gaped open.
“Well, are you coming with me, or are you going to stand around catching flies all day?” He smirked.
“Catching flies?” Confused, Rachael followed Travis to the front of the house, where there was a trailer hitched up to Travis’s truck. On that trailer was an enormous Jeep on huge tires. On the side the Jeep said Swamp Buggy.
“What is that?”
“That’s my buggy.”
“Where are we going mudding?”
“The Mudd Ranch.”
“Oh, naturally.” She rolled her eyes. “The mud ranch. I can’t wait.”
“Yep. The Mudd Ranch.”
Rachael and Travis drove what must have been forty miles or more to The Mudd Ranch. It was exactly that—a very large piece of property with mud and water holes everywhere. People were driving all sorts of vehicles from four-wheelers to monster trucks. Obviously this “mudding” was a very popular sport around here.
Travis parked his truck and backed the Swamp Buggy off of the trailer. “Load up.” He stared at Rachael, waiting for her to climb in.
But how? “Uh, I would if I thought I could. It’s so high off the ground.”
“Come on, city girl. I’ll help you.” Travis gave her a boost, and up she went. He climbed behind the wheel. “Buckle up.” He added a wink.
Okay, I’m getting nervous here.
About the time the Swamp Buggy hit the first mud hole Rachael noticed there weren’t any windows or doors. There wasn’t even a windshield—only a roll bar. They flew through the first mud hole, and mud splattered all over the buggy, but to Rachael’s amazement, she was still remarkably clean.
Next they went through what looked like a really muddy road. They slipped and slid all over the place.
I’m actually enjoying this! Rachael heard someone screaming and realized it was her. She hadn’t had this much fun ever!
The next mud hole dropped straight down and sent mud up over the hood. As they were coming up the other side, the tires couldn’t get any traction and spun out of control.
“Hold on!” Travis yelled.
Rachael held on for dear life, but she wasn’t scared. Exhilarated was more like it.
Finally they went through a series of turns and holes down another road, and that’s when they got stuck…not a little stuck, but a whole lot stuck. Mud slung everywhere at once. It was in her hair, her eyes, even her teeth.
Travis looked over at her and laughed. “Hey, they say mud is good for the complexion.”
“Are we driving home like this?” she sputtered.
“Yup, unless you want to strip down and drive in our underwear.” He wiggled an eyebrow at her, then added, “Nope, I didn’t think so. My truck will be fine—it has all leather interior. But thanks for the concern.”
Rachael was surprisingly happy, mud and all. She needed to cut loose like this more often. Whenever she was with Travis, things seemed so perfect, so right. When she was without Travis, her world seemed empty.
Why do things have to be so difficult? If he likes me, why doesn’t he just come out and say so?
It was a long, muddy ride home.
Back at Travis’s house, they literally hosed off outside. Mrs. Baxter loaned her a pair of shorts and a shirt and then suggested Maysie run Rachael home. Aunt Margaret had called when she had gone missing from the barn.
Great. There goes my chance of talking to Travis. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I find the words?
2
A WET, BEDRAGGLED RACHAEL, STILL WITH TRACES OF MUD, was riding in Maysie’s car.
“So,” Maysie asked, giving Rachael a sideways glance, “are you going home to Palm Beach for the entire summer break?”
“No. Just for a few days. We’re going to attempt a birthday celebration for Michael again. All of my friends in Palm Beach always travel this time of year, so no one will be home. After what happened on my last visit, I’m dreading going back. I’m so afraid it will happen again.”
Rachael had only a few days before she, Michael, and Aunt Margaret would return to West Palm to pick up her mother. Their previous visit had been so stressful for everyone that Rachael hoped this one would go a little more smoothly. Michael had been too upset by his father’s arrest to even open his birthday presents. Rachael and her aunt had bought everything necessary to bake another birthday cake and had plans to make this visit a happy one for all.
“You can’t think like that.” Maysie nudged Rachael. “You have to think positive. It will all work out in the end. Maybe you can spend a lot of time with Michael. He’s getting older now. It shouldn’t be complete torture!” She smirked at Rachael, then sobered. “Okay, maybe you can really focus on s
pending quality time with your dad. I’m sure he’d like to do things you enjoy, like going to the mall, seeing a movie. You know, girl stuff.”
“Maybe. I’ve never thought to ask him. I just feel as if I’m living two lives.” Rachael sighed. “Here in the country I ride horses and have a pet cow. Back home I’m a debutante whose father is facing huge jail time. I haven’t even seen most of my friends in months. I feel a little lost.”
This was the first time Rachael had admitted her feelings to anyone…or even herself. It felt good to open up about them and be fully honest with the girl she’d learned to trust.
“You don’t have to be two different people, Rachael. How about one really well-rounded person?” Maysie grinned. “Who, I’d like to point out, has a very interesting life.”
“When you put it that way, it almost sounds fun!” Rachael loved the way Maysie was able to see the positive in every situation.
As soon as she was home, Rachael jumped in the shower and washed away all remaining traces of the mud and grime.
*
A few days passed, and still there was no word from Travis.
So he takes me mudding, and we have this incredible time…then what? He just disappears again. Rachael couldn’t figure the cowboy out.
Once again she left JJ in charge of feeding Taffy and ole’ lonesome George during her absence.
Rachael, Michael, and Aunt Margaret headed toward West Palm Beach, arriving late in the afternoon. Rachael hoped this time would be an eventless experience.
*
It was only a week into her summer break, and Rachael was utterly bored in the place she used to love. Had living in Manatee County really changed her that much? She wondered. Her brother’s friend Wyatt and his family were still here for the summer. Her mother was enjoying spending time with Lonnie and her women’s club, so Rachael decided to take Maysie’s advice and hang out with dear old Dad.
Rachael walked into her father’s study. “Hey, Dad.”
He looked up from his newspaper.
“I was wondering if you wanted to hang out. Maybe go shopping or catch a movie?”
“Sure. Let’s do it.” He jumped up like he’d been struck by lightning. Rachael had never seen him move so fast. He actually seemed excited. Maybe this would be fun.
As they drove to the mall, he asked, “What are we shopping for? What’s the occasion?”
She shrugged. “Nothing in particular. Just shopping.”
“Don’t you have a dance coming up in the fall?”
“That’s a long ways off, Dad. I have to make it through the entire summer first.”
“There’s no time like the present. Let’s get some things now. It’ll be fun.”
Rachael felt a pang of worry. Did he want to do the Homecoming shopping now, in case he wasn’t around later? And how could they afford it anyway, with all of their bank accounts frozen? Not wanting to upset him, she tried to wipe any hint of anxiety and worry from her expression. Instead she said, “Sounds like a plan, Dad.”
*
They were standing in a small accessory boutique when her father held up a pair of dangling rhinestone earrings. “I really like these, honey. How are you going to wear your hair?”
“To Homecoming? In the fall? I have no idea if I’ll even have a date.”
“Try to think positive, dear.” He winked.
“Down and straight? What do you know about hair, Dad?” she asked doubtfully.
“Well, if you wear a simple stud or anything too small, like the pair of red heart earrings you are holding, it will get lost in all that hair. Take these earrings, for example. They are still elegant and refined even though they are much longer. The simple design on a single strand of rhinestones with one heart stone dangling at the bottom has certain sophistication to it. They say, ‘Look at me. I’m elegant, yet not flashy.’ ”
“Wow, Dad! You are better at this than I thought.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.” He grinned. “I have many hidden talents when it comes to selecting jewelry and other female accessories. Do you have a dress?”
At least she knew the answer to this question. Without much money she would have to wear one she already had. Her choices were limited.
“I thought I would wear the red dress Mom and I bought for Valentine’s Day last year.” The one I wore with Colten. Rachael thought it was best to leave this last part unsaid.
“It still fits?”
“Yes, even better than last year.” She didn’t add out loud what she was thinking. Yeah, last year I was flat-chested and had to wear this thick padded bra just to hold the top up. This year I actually have something upstairs. Some details were better left out.
“Okay. So we’ve got a dress. Do we need some shoes?”
“Yes. I need something silver, maybe strappy.”
“Okay. Let’s go. High-heeled silver strappy shoes it is.”
They went to the closest department store, where she tried on every pair of shoes they could find in silver. Rachael had a narrow heel, and it was always difficult to fit closed-in shoes. She knew her best chance of finding a pair that fit well would be a pair with straps.
She tried on a pair with thick straps and platform heels.
“Too clunky,” her father said.
Next she tried on a pair with five-inch heels.
“Too high.”
“I kind of like them,” Rachael commented. “They make me look incredibly tall.”
“Humor me, please. Besides, they are a little too mature for you.”
Mature was her father’s polite way of saying, “They make you look like a lady of the evening.”
Next Rachael tried on a pair with rhinestones and clear plastic.
Her father just shook his head.
Now I truly look like one.
Next Rachael tried on a pair of very glitzy, silver heels. They had only two straps. One strap across the toes and one strap across the arch of the foot. The strap across the toes was made up of one-carat-sized rhinestones that formed a chain. The strap across the arch of the foot had one large rhinestone at the center that had to be about five carats in size. Next to it on either side were other rhinestones that tapered down in size until the smallest ones on either end.
“I love them!” Rachael exclaimed.
To her surprise, her father said, “They are absolutely perfect, honey. Very flashy, yet elegant. Your mother has always claimed that the shoes make the dress.”
Rachael flipped them over and about passed out when she saw the price tag. “Dad, these are too expensive. Let’s keep looking.”
“No, honey,” he insisted. “We’re going to buy them. I’ve been saving money from my night job for months. Let me buy them.”
“Are you sure?”
Her father leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Yes.”
*
A few hours later, Rachael was standing in front of the mirror in her bedroom admiring her new shoes. I look like a princess or maybe even a Barbie. The princess Barbie shoes. That’s what they look like. I wish I had my red dress here to try them with.
Rachael put on her new earrings. I’ll just pretend to have the dress.
She went to her closet and looked through the few things she had remaining there. A red bath robe was it. It will have to do.
She walked downstairs, where she bumped into Michael and his friend Wyatt.
“What are you supposed to be? Valentine’s Day Red Robe Barbie?”
“Ha, ha." Rachael stuck out her tongue and made a face at her brother. "If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
“I like the big purple hair bow. It really adds a classy touch.”
Rachael grabbed the two tennis balls from her brother’s hand and threw one at his chest.
“Hey, I said something nice,” Michael whined. “It was a compliment.”
He and Wyatt ran up the stairs before she could pelt either of them with the one remaining ball.
Boys.
Just then her mother arrived. “Hi, honey. Love the shoes and earrings, though the bathrobe is a little understated.”
“Funny, Mom. Did you have a good day?”
“Yes. Did your father take you shopping?”
“He did. We had an incredible time. Dad has a good eye for fashion! It was really surprising.”
“I bet there’s something else you don’t know about his extraordinary list of hidden talents.”
“What?”
“He’s great at doing hair—like French twists, buns, and even straightening and curling hair.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” Her mother smiled and walked up the stairs to her bedroom.
Dad is secretly every woman’s dream—a good shopper, hair stylist. I wonder if he does nails.
*
The next day Rachael and her father saw a movie and grabbed lunch.
The day after, they hit the jet skis with Michael.
By the end of their visit they were in a routine—coffee and doughnuts together in the morning, followed by whatever activity caught their fancy.
They had a small birthday party for Michael on their last day home. Rachael and her father redecorated the house just like before. Michael chose to open his biggest gift first. It was a large box and pretty heavy. This gift, like all of the others, was from their parents. When Michael opened it and cheered, Rachael asked, “What is that thing?”
“A game feeder!” he replied, as if she should know exactly what that was.
“A game feeder—as in to feed turkeys, deer, etc.?” Rachael was in shock. Her brother had fully made the transition to redneckism in a very short time.
“Yep. As in hunting. I’ve been going with Levi all the time. It’s a blast.”
“Mom, Dad, are you guys okay with this?” Rachael couldn’t believe they would encourage Michael in the direction of hunting.
“Sure,” her mother chimed in. “Your grandfather was an avid hunter. Mr. Baxter has even agreed to teach your brother hunter safety. Of course we haven’t agreed to buy him a rifle or anything. He just goes along with Levi.”
“For the joy of the kill!” Michael grinned.
“Ooh! Gross!” Rachael protested.
Cowgirl Down (Redneck Debutante) Page 2
