Cowgirl Down (Redneck Debutante)

by Jenny Hammerle

  “For sure,” Misty added. “Are you staying the night?” She directed her question to Rachael.

  Staying the night? Are you kidding me? “Um, no.”

  “Bummer,” Honey said cheerfully. “We all brought our tents. We’re camping out—well, most of us, except for Justin and his closest friends, who always get the cabins. They are pretty nice.”

  A guy-girl campout? As in guys camping with girls? In separate cabins and tents or sharing them? Rachael had no idea. All she knew for certain was her parents would never go for it. They’d freak. And I wouldn’t trust some of these guys on any overnight trip, camping or otherwise!

  “I could always run you home,” Ty offered.

  Maybe not.

  “Thanks, but I got it covered,” Chad said swiftly. “I already promised Melinda and Justin I’d run Rachael home. She has to be home tonight, even though the rest of us are planning on staying.” Chad winked at Rachael.

  Is that an invitation? Totally gross. I think I’m feeling sick.

  “By midnight.” Rachael amended Chad’s statement. She didn’t want any confusion over the timeline. Tonight could mean anytime tonight. Midnight was much more specific.

  “That sucks,” Ty said. “Maybe next time you can stay and hang out a little longer.”

  “Maybe.” Or maybe not. Rachael didn’t want to sound rude, but if it meant spending an entire evening with Ty and Misty, her two least favorite people, she was definitely not interested.

  Rachael and Chad chatted their way around the campfire and then headed to the truck. On the way home they had an interesting conversation about hunting. Chad liked to hunt using a tree stand. It involved sitting in a tree stand for hours in one place, typically a game crossing or field where an animal was likely to pass. Rachael couldn’t imagine sitting still for that long. Talk about boring and inactive. But she smiled and nodded and asked a question or two.

  Yes, hunting in a tree stand may be something I avoid in the future.

  *

  Rachael jumped out of the vehicle as soon as they arrived at her house. She thanked Chad swiftly for the ride before he got any silly notions about walking her to the door. When it looked like he might actually get out to do that, she practically sprinted to the door, running inside and slamming it behind her. Phew. That was close.

  She didn’t want to send him any mixed signals. Chad was a nice enough guy, but after her bad break-up with Colten, well…. Maybe it’s a good thing Travis is away for the summer. She needed some space and time to think.

  A few hours later Rachael was still lying awake in bed, thinking about Travis and Colten—and her past, present, and future.

  I really like Travis, but if I dated him now, it might end catastrophically. Worse yet, it might be a rebound relationship. After Colten, trusting another person may be difficult. He betrayed me. I don’t know if I ever want to let a guy that close again.

  When Rachael rolled over, a single tear slipped down her cheek.

  *

  Over the weekend Melinda phoned a few times. Rachael made excuses about not being able to go out with her on Saturday and Sunday night. She didn’t want a repeat of the uncomfortable Misty experience, nor did she want another surprise double date with Chad.

  Then of course there was Ty. It wasn’t that she didn’t find Ty attractive, because she did. From the moment she’d first seen him last year on the river Rachael was instantly aware of how attractive he was. What fifteen-year-old girl doesn’t like a bad boy? And Ty was the ultimate bad boy.

  First of all, he was a womanizer with a bad reputation. He was hot, tan, and really cool. He surfed and skied—two things Rachael really enjoyed. While she had never surfed herself, she’d known a lot of fun guys who did. But skiing was something she loved—especially saltwater skiing. Ty even had a few tattoos, making him seem even more mysterious and dangerous.

  Yes. Ty is dangerous in a “that boy is trouble” sort of way.

  Shannah and Maysie had warned her to stay away from him, and Rachael had done exactly that.

  *

  By the middle of the next week, Rachael’s mother had returned from Palm Beach. Rachael was glad when she was home. Her brother, Michael, had needed some mothering in her absence and didn’t respond well to Rachael’s attempts. She’d tried on several occasions to talk him into going hiking or fishing with her, but he’d shown no interest. Upon her mother’s return, Michael still showed no interest in anything other than video games and being alone. What could Rachael do? She was beginning to feel hopeless.

  *

  The following Saturday her cell phone rang. It was a number she didn’t recognize. She was standing in the kitchen sipping a cup of coffee when she answered.

  “Hey, Rachael, it’s Ty. I hope you don’t mind, but I got your number from Melinda.”

  Of course I mind. Don’t think I want you calling me! You’re not adding me to your list of girls. But she simply said, “What’s up?”

  “A group of us are going skiing today and thought you might be interested. Would you like to come?” he asked, sounding hopeful.

  “Skiing.” From the corner of her eye she saw Michael’s head whip around at the word.

  “Yep. Out in the bay. It’s a beautiful day, and it’s supposed to be smooth.”

  She hedged. “Well, I don’t know. My mother started a new job today, and I have to watch my little brother.” Rachael attempted to think of as many excuses as possible.

  “I can go with you!” Michael jumped up from where he had been sitting on the bar stool and raced over to Rachael. “Please!” he pleaded.

  Ty chuckled. “Sounds like you guys are in! We’d love to have the little guy along.”

  “Okay,” Rachael muttered.

  “Great. I’ll be over in an hour to pick you both up.”

  After Ty hung up, Rachael was already having second thoughts, but Michael seemed excited. Really excited. It was the first time she’d seen him interested in doing anything other than hiding in his game lounge and playing video games since their mother announced their father’s pending trial and its possible outcome.

  Maybe this will be a good thing.

  “Go get ready. Ty will be here in an hour,” Rachael instructed Michael. She went to grab her beach bag, sunscreen, two additional towels, and the twenty dollars her mother had given her that morning. Then she changed into her most conservative one piece and board shorts for skiing.

  Note to self: When going skiing with a known womanizer, wear the most unrevealing suit you have.

  In that instant she decided to invest in a tankini with a full-skirted bottom. Or, on second thought, maybe a wet suit would be a better choice.

  Rachael went out to the garage and got her aunt’s cooler. She packed a bag of ice from the freezer in the garage, several cans of soda, some bottled water, and four sandwiches. She finished just in time for the doorbell to ring.

  She opened the door, expecting Ty, but JJ was standing there instead.

  JJ had been a long-time family friend of both her mother and Aunt Margaret. While he took some getting used to with his tendency to walk around half naked most of the time, baring his beer gut and his plumber’s behind, as well as not wearing any shoes, he was a really nice guy. Most everyone who lived out here knew him and respected him.

  “Hi, JJ. Good to see you.”

  “Good to see ya too, darlin’. Where are you goin’ all spiffed up?” JJ eyed Rachael’s swimsuit and board shorts.

  “Michael and I are going skiing with a friend of ours, Ty.”

  “Ty. Hmm. He a friend of yours?” He arched one brow.

  “Yes. Just a friend.”

  So Ty’s reputation precedes him.

  Just then Ty walked up. “Morning, JJ. How are you?”

  “Fine, Ty. And you?” JJ said without a trace of his usual smile.

  “Good.” Ty eyed Rachael. “Hey, looking good as usual. Ready to go?”

  “Sure.” Rachael turned to call for Michael and found h
im standing right behind her.

  “Right here.” Michael beamed up at her.

  “Okay. Let’s go. JJ, did you want to leave a message for my aunt or mother before I go?”

  “No. That’s okay. But before ya go, please take this quarter.” JJ handed Rachael a quarter he had dug out of his pants’ pocket.

  “A quarter?” Rachael stared at the quarter JJ had placed in her palm.

  “Yes. If y’all need anything, just give ole’ JJ a call.” He pivoted to stare menacingly at Ty, then swiveled back to look Rachael in the eye. “I mean it. Anything at all. Call me.”

  Is Ty that bad? JJ seems really concerned about me going off with him…so much that he wants me to take a quarter for a call. She paused mid-thought. Are payphones even around anymore? I have a cell. Maybe I should have gotten JJ’s number.

  As they exited the house, Rachael noticed Ty’s convertible Porsche parked in the driveway.

  Michael whistled. “Nice car.”

  “Thanks. Parents got it for my sixteenth birthday earlier this year.”

  “That’s awesome. Rachael turns sixteen in three weeks.”

  She frowned at her little brother with a shut your yapper look. She didn’t want to give Ty any ideas about coming over for her birthday or buying her a present or anything like that.

  “Really. If that’s the case, I’ll have to throw her a party.” Ty grinned.

  Let’s redirect this conversation.

  “Where’s your boat?” Rachael asked, noticing the lack of boat.

  “We’re going to drop in at my house. It’s docked out back. I live on the Key.”

  “Oh.” Rachael recalled a year ago when she’d met Ty on the Peace River. She’d seen him the day before with Travis, when she’d unexpectedly ended up in the middle of a cattle drive on her first day in the area, but she hadn’t noticed Ty then. The following day, however, she couldn’t help but notice him. His hair was dark brown, almost black. Tattoos on both forearms appeared to be Celtic in design. On his chest was a wave with a surfboard.

  Obviously Ty’s not from a poor family, yet the first time I saw him he was working cows with the Baxters. Why? Then the next day he has a very nice ski boat. So he’s a cowboy/surfer/skier?

  “You live out on the Key?” Rachael asked.

  “Sure do.”

  “Then how do you go to school with us? That can’t possibly be in the same school zone.”

  “It’s not. My parents are divorced. My dad is remarried and lives out on the Key. I live with him most of the time. My mother is remarried and lives out in the country near you. On weekends I visit her. Let’s just say I like your school better than the one I’m zoned to attend. Since I live with both parents, I choose to attend East Manatee High School. It’s that simple.”

  “That’s got to suck. Your parents being divorced and all.”

  “Not really. It happened when I was small. I don’t remember it any differently. Besides, I get the best of both worlds. Cowboy redneck on the weekends and beach bum during the week. I can’t complain.”

  “No, I guess not.” Rachael smiled.

  Ty grew on Rachael. There was a lot more to him than she’d initially thought. Maybe he’s gotten a bad rap.

  When they got to Ty’s house, Rachael saw that Justin’s truck was parked outside.

  “Don’t worry. It’s just Justin and Melinda along with us today. No Chad,” he said with a cocky, knowing grin.

  “Oh. I like Chad. He’s nice.” Rachael hoped her face didn’t betray her.

  It’s not that I don’t like Chad. I just don’t want to date anyone…yet. At least anyone other than Travis Baxter.

  When Rachael, Michael, and Ty stepped inside, Melinda and Justin were watching TV on the sofa in the family room that overlooked the water. Ty’s house was massive, and the bay was beautiful. It made Rachael miss living in Palm Beach on the Island.

  “Ready?” Ty asked. Everyone nodded. “Okay, let’s load up.”

  An hour later they were skiing. It was another beautiful sunny Florida day, with not a cloud in the sky. The water in the bay was smooth and flat. Unlike the lakes, the bay wasn’t crowded. Today there were only a few jet skis. With the saltwater spray on her face, for a brief moment Rachael was transported to a simpler place and time, before the trouble with her father.

  It was a day very similar to this one, the summer before her freshman year of high school. Rachael, her parents, and Michael had gone out on her father’s boat to ski. Everyone was content. Would it ever be like that for them as a family again? I hope so.

  Michael’s laugh from somewhere nearby broke Rachael’s thought process. He was helping Ty steer the boat. Rachael watched them closely. It’s hard to think of Ty now as the womanizer everyone claims he is. He seems so kind and fun. He’s especially good with Michael.

  Rachael hadn’t been on skis since her last time skiing with Colten over a year ago. She knew she’d be a little rusty and was thankful they were skiing on saltwater and not fresh. Since saltwater was more dense, her skis wouldn’t settle as much, so it would be easier to stand. The downside was that it was slippery and could feel much faster to the skier.

  Surprisingly, Rachael had no trouble getting up at all. Even better, she was having fun. Ty seemed more interested in entertaining Michael than in her. Could Ty only be interested in being my friend? Should I be insulted by that? She chuckled to herself. The great lady killer. The BMOC. And he only wants to be my friend.

  Good. It’s better this way. I’m not interested in him anyhow. I wish Travis would hurry up and get home.

  6

  A WEEK LATER RACHAEL WAS AT BAND CAMP with the other dancers. Maysie and Shannah had special excused absences and weren’t there. It wasn’t the same without them. But at least Rachael had Alex and Amber. Misty and Honey were there as well. Great! Gotta love these girls.

  Just what Rachael wanted—a few days with Misty. Yippee.

  While she was cordial to Misty, Rachael still couldn’t stand the girl. Thankfully, their time together was only four days, and she was glad to go into the dance season this year actually knowing the routines instead of having to learn them at an accelerated pace like last year.

  On the last night of band camp, Alex and Amber sat around talking boys. Alex had been dating Fred since last year. They had met at the Homecoming Dance, where Fred had come as Rachael’s “safe” date when Colten had bailed on her. In hindsight Rachael now knew Colten bailing on her was only the beginning of a long list of disappointments where he was concerned.

  Amber had been dating her boyfriend, Clay, for a long time too. So this year Rachael once again felt like the odd person out. The only difference was last year she at least had a boyfriend, even if he didn’t live in the same town.

  “So Maysie said you like Travis. Is that true?” Alex was asking when Rachael snapped back into reality.

  Okay, I need to have a talk with Maysie. She can’t go around saying that I like her brother until after we are dating.

  Rachael avoided the question. “When did she say that?”

  “Come on, everyone knows you like Travis. Just date him,” Amber teased.

  I guess it’s no longer a secret.

  “I wish it were that simple. The timing has never been right.” Rachael hoped her vague answer would suffice.

  “So she admits she does like him!” Alex laughed.

  “Yes, I like him. And now it seems like he’ll be gone forever. An entire summer!” I’m just going to put it all out there. If everyone knows, maybe he’ll wise up and ask me out.

  “He’ll be back before you know it. Besides, we heard you’ve been hanging out with Ty this summer. What’s that all about?” Amber wiggled both eyebrows.

  “He and I are just friends,” Rachael interjected. “He’s great with my little brother. Things have been tough for him. My father is in Palm Beach, and we don’t get to see him as often as we once did. We used to talk all the time. Now I’m lucky if I hear from him once each week.
Ty has been a good friend. He gets us out of the house. That’s all.”

  “If you say so. But watch yourself with that one. I don’t know him well personally,” Amber added, cutting her eyes at Alex.

  Alex chimed in, “Me, neither, but everything we’ve heard has not been good.”

  “Define not good,” Rachael demanded. While Ty was in no way her new guy BFF, she felt she should stick up for him as she would any other friend.

  Over the last week she’d grown to know Ty. Seeing him with her brother made her wonder what all of the bad rep stuff was about. There had to be something more to it, and she wanted to know what it was.

  “Ty likes to date a lot,” Alex explained.

  “Don’t most guys?” Rachael asked. “There has to be something more than that. Let’s have it.”

  “He dates girls and usually is only after one thing. Then he dumps them and leaves them depressed and broken-hearted,” Amber offered.

  “He did it to a friend of ours—Christine,” Alex added. “She has since moved away. You wouldn’t know her, but he worked a number on her.”

  “A real jerk, huh? I just don’t see it. I believe you and all. But he seems so nice.” Rachael shrugged.

  “That’s all part of his charm. The great deceiver,” Amber joked.

  “I wouldn’t go that far.” Alex laughed, then grew serious. “Be careful.”

  “Like I said, we’re just friends. Nothing more.”

  “That’s not what we’ve heard,” a voice called from the doorway.

  Rachael, Amber, and Alex turned to see Misty and Honey standing there. Their room was right across the hall.

  “Mind if we join you?” Misty asked.

  “Of course not! Come in, ladies!” Alex squealed.

  Misty sauntered into the room followed by Honey. They joined the other girls in a circle on the floor.

  “Let’s play a game,” Honey suggested.

  “Sure. But what?” Amber asked.