Rough Creek

by Kaki Warner

  Raney had been feeling sad for her sister a moment ago. Now she felt envious. She hadn’t realized how much she’d regretted not going to college until Dalton had talked about his two years at Texas Tech and Joss had referred to Raney’s missed chance when Daddy died. But how could she go to college and still manage the ranch and the AI program and the quarter horse expansion?

  She’d have to think about that. And decide if she really wanted to go to college and why. Was she just looking for an escape from all the responsibilities that seemed to grow heavier every year? But college was a big commitment, too, and a drain in time and energy. And what would she study?

  Here I go, she thought with a sigh. Overthinking again.

  * * *

  * * *

  Dalton called just after ten o’clock. Raney had already showered and was sitting in bed in her pj’s, trying to read when her phone buzzed. She couldn’t ignore it. Especially after she saw who it was. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to talk to him, either. Not after he’d run off without telling her. She answered anyway.

  “Hey,” she said.

  “You awake?”

  Did all of their phone conversations have to start with those words?

  “And before you answer,” he added before she spoke, “I can see your light is on, so don’t lie.”

  “You’re back?” She refrained from jumping up and looking out the window.

  “Sitting in my truck, wondering if you stayed up late just to kiss me good night.”

  “I didn’t know you were coming in tonight. Hicks said you might not get back until tomorrow. How are your folks and Timmy?”

  “All good. Timmy likes his group home. He’s reading better and has just started a handyman job. He’s already earned enough to open a bank account. Mom is happy to have a grocery store less than five minutes away and a church she can walk to. And Dad told me all about this newfangled cable TV thing that plays football games all day long, and has fishing shows, and even a program that explains how to make stuff. Did you know polar fleece is made from recycled plastic bottles? What are you doing?”

  “Reading.”

  “How’s Joss?”

  “Nothing new. She sees the doctor tomorrow. I thought you were avoiding me.”

  “I was.”

  “Why?”

  “You wanted us to go slow. The only way to keep from chasing you down as soon as your mother left was to go see mine.”

  “Do you think I should go to college?”

  “Not tonight. Tonight, I think you should come get in my truck so we can hook up like we should have back in high school.”

  “I didn’t know you in high school. And your truck has a console between the front seats and you’d never fit into the back. Besides, I’m not that kind of girl.” Or I wasn’t until I met you.

  “What are you wearing?”

  “Pj’s.”

  “Something frilly?”

  “Something like running shorts and a tank top.”

  “Want to take them off?”

  “In your truck?”

  “Wherever. We could go to the creek and skinny-dip.”

  “Just us and the mosquitoes and the snakes. Sounds fun.”

  “Then come to my room. You remember where it is, right? You can help me shower.”

  “I thought we were going to go slow.”

  “I’ll go slow. In fact, I’ll let you take all the time you need to scrub me down.”

  Raney laughed, loving his sense of humor. “I’ve already had my shower. But I’ll meet you in the kitchen with a beer. That should cool you down.”

  “Maybe you could practice your domestic skills and make a sandwich to go with it. You do know how to make a sandwich, don’t you?”

  “Bite me.”

  Ten minutes later, Raney was building a ham and cheese when Dalton walked barefoot into the kitchen, wearing jeans that barely clung to his narrow hips, a still-damp T-shirt plastered across all those muscles she admired, and a devilish grin on his unshaven face.

  Without a word, he walked over, pulled her into his arms and kissed her so thoroughly she didn’t realize they weren’t alone until she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and looked over to see her sister leaning against the doorjamb, arms crossed, watching them.

  She jumped back, startled. “Damn, Len. You freaked me out.”

  Dalton just grinned.

  “You knew she was there,” Raney accused him.

  “I might have heard her coming down the stairs. Hi, Len.”

  “Hi, Dalton. Hope you didn’t loosen any of my sister’s fillings with that kiss.” Len walked the rest of the way into the kitchen. “Is this a private party or can I have a snack, too?”

  “We can share my sandwich,” Dalton offered. “I only asked your sister to make me one so I could lure her out of her room to check her fillings.”

  Len laughed. “Horse trainer, security guard, and dental technician. Who would have guessed? How’s your family?”

  “Doing great. And loving Plainview. They probably should have made the move years ago.”

  “I’m glad.” When Raney started to get out more bread, Len shook her head. “Just some cheese and a glass of milk. My stomach is still bubbling from all that wine you made me drink.”

  As they carried their plates to the kitchen table, Raney thought again how seamlessly Dalton had settled into her family. Everyone seemed to accept him, ex-con and all. He was part of them now, and if things didn’t work between the two of them, they would all mourn the loss.

  While they ate, they chatted about Rosco’s progress, Grady, and what they thought Joss should name the baby. They were all worried about her, which dampened the mood until Len asked about the AI program.

  That set Dalton off on a hysterical rant about his horror at the application of low-voltage electrical pulses to get the bull primed and the use of an artificial vagina to collect the semen, and his profound relief that they had technicians to do all that as well as handle the impregnation of the cows. “No wonder Hicks didn’t want to do it,” he finished with a dramatic shudder.

  Raney hadn’t laughed so hard in a long time.

  “I can’t believe they used to call you Beanpole in high school,” Len said to him once she’d gotten her own laughter under control. “Look at you now.”

  “Joss likes me better, too. Can’t stop talking about my pants. I never realized the Whitcomb girls would be so interested in my weight.”

  “It’s not the weight or the pants,” Len said with a wink. “It’s the distribution.”

  “Want me to flex for you? Raney really likes it when I do that.”

  Ignoring him, Raney said to Len, “Speaking of high school, remember the first time they found a bra hanging over the goalpost bar the day after homecoming?”

  “I do. It caused quite a flap. We were sure it belonged to one of the girls on the cheer squad but no one owned up to it. Then the next year, there were half a dozen bras up there. Drove the coaches crazy. It became a tradition after that.”

  “Guess who started it.”

  Len glanced from Raney to Dalton. “Not you? Quiet, studious Beanpole? You didn’t even go to our high school.”

  “Probably why we weren’t recognized or caught.”

  “And guess whose bra it was,” Raney went on. “But you can’t tell. Dalton’s already in enough trouble with our esteemed deputy Langers.”

  “You don’t mean . . .”

  “It was his mother’s. Isn’t that a hoot?”

  Len looked at Dalton with an expression of appalled disbelief. “You were what, fourteen? Please tell me you didn’t get it directly from her . . . hand.”

  “God, no!” Dalton gave another shudder. “Buddy Anderson stole it off their clothesline. Then once we had it, we didn’t know what to do with it.�
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  And he was off again, sending Raney and Len into renewed laughter as he described in great detail the heist of the four-foot-long, cotton double E–cup bra—“big enough to serve as feed bags for a team of draft horses”—hanging next to a pair of huge cotton drawers they were afraid to touch—“we didn’t know they made women that big”—their desperate attempts to get their plunder to stay on the goalpost crossbar without sliding off, and their narrow escape over a back fence when a police cruiser drove by. “We had no idea we’d be starting a tradition.”

  “Did you ever do it again?” Len asked, still laughing.

  “Hell, no. Too scary. For months after, we expected the cops to show up at our doors with handcuffs.”

  “Was yours ever up there?” Raney asked her sister.

  “I’ll never tell. But I guess I should keep a closer eye on Jake and my bras, although I doubt the boys in his Catholic school would ever think of such a prank.”

  “Don’t kid yourself, Mom,” Dalton warned her. “All boys, no matter the age or school, spend most of their time thinking about bras and what goes into them. Or so I’ve heard.”

  “Uh-huh.” Len rose and carried her plate and glass to the sink. “Thanks for the snacks and the laughs. It’s been fun. But it’s almost midnight so I’m heading up.”

  Raney rose. “I’m right behind you.”

  Len paused in the doorway, then turned and gave her sister a gentle smile. “Just so you know, Raney, I don’t care when, or if, you come upstairs. You’re both grown-ups.” Her gaze shifted to Dalton. “But if it makes you feel any better, I approve of your choice. Good night, kids.”

  Raney looked at Dalton, indecision and desire battling within her.

  He must have seen it. “That was sweet of Len to give us permission to do what we’ve already done. But it doesn’t change anything.”

  As he spoke, he rose, carried his plate to the sink, and dropped his empty beer bottle into the recycle bin. Then he leaned back against the counter, elbows bent behind him, his big hands gripping the edge of the granite in a pose that pulled the cloth of his wash-worn, too-small T-shirt tight across his amazing chest.

  Raney barely heard him as he added, “You wanted to go slow until the Futurity, so we’ll go slow. Think of it as a courtship. A really, really long, totally unnecessary, unbelievably frustrating courtship. Now give me a kiss good night and go to bed. I’ll clean up here since you went to all the trouble of smearing mayo on two slices of bread. Next time, maybe you could add mustard, too.”

  “Bite me,” she said, laughing.

  “Come over here so I can, pretty lady.”

  It was probably the longest kiss in history. And the least satisfying. But it pushed Raney another step closer to the magic words that she hadn’t yet been able to say to him.

  CHAPTER 21

  The next morning over breakfast, Raney and Len made shopping lists. Normally, Raney would have waited until the first of the month to replenish the ranch supplies. But not knowing when they’d have to go to Lubbock, or how long they’d be away, she decided to get it done a few days early.

  The first list was for groceries and miscellaneous items for both the main house and the workers’ quarters. Raney gave the housekeeping and grocery list to Maria. She usually made the bimonthly run to Guthrie, which was bigger than Rough Creek and had a larger selection of stores to fill the order.

  The grain and feed list she sent down to Glenn. He would fill it at the co-op out on the highway, or order what wasn’t available there.

  The last list was for personal supplies for the family, last-minute nursery items for when the baby came home, and a few things Len wanted Raney to get for her, since she didn’t want to go to Rough Creek until her eyes looked less clownish. It also included a stop at the dry cleaner’s and a haircut for Raney.

  A half hour later, Raney closed her notepad and sat back with a sigh. “Done.”

  Len studied her over the rim of her coffee cup. “I had no idea how much work running this place could be. I see you going over ledgers in the office, working ranch problems with Hicks, talking to the accountants and lawyers, dealing with the house, the workers’ quarters, the insemination program, and all the cattle and horses here on the ranch. But I rarely see you take time for yourself or friends. You’re amazing.”

  Raney shrugged, both embarrassed and pleased by the praise. “I like doing it.”

  “Aren’t you lonely?”

  An image of Bertie flitted across her mind but Raney pushed it aside. “Sometimes. Mostly I’m too tired to think about it.”

  “Dalton could help you.”

  “He is helping me. Both with training and taking over the AI program. He joked about it last night, but he’s doing a great job.”

  “He’s in love with you, you know.”

  Raney looked away. “Maybe.”

  “How do you feel about him?”

  Raney gave a brittle laugh. “Conflicted. After Trip—”

  “Dalton is nothing like Trip.”

  “I know. I’m just not sure I’m ready yet. Especially after what happened.”

  Len smiled. “You mean you’re not ready to trust again.”

  “That, too.” Hoping to end her sister’s interrogation, Raney slipped the notepad and pen into her purse, then rose from the table. “If you think of anything else you want me to get in town, text me.” She started for the door.

  “Raney,” her sister said.

  With reluctance, she stopped and turned back.

  “I like Dalton. I like the way you are when you’re with him. You seem happy. Confident. I wish you’d give him a chance.”

  “I will. I am. It just takes time.”

  “Don’t wait too long. Happiness doesn’t always last. Grab it while you can.”

  Raney sensed her sister might be talking about herself, as much as warning her about her hesitancy with Dalton. Were things that bad between her and Ryan?

  “Well, that’s my lecture for today,” Len said, rising from her chair with a self-conscious laugh. “Call Mama before you go.”

  “One lecture is all I need.”

  “I meant call to see if she has anything to add to the list. And to check on Joss.”

  “Right.” Raney pulled her cell phone from her purse, put it on speaker, and punched in Mama’s number. “Hi, Mama,” she said when her mother answered. “I’m running errands today. You want me to pick up anything?”

  “Brochures for another cruise.”

  “Seriously?”

  “No. But I am getting tired of doing nothing.”

  “How’s Joss?”

  “I’m a little concerned. She had a few pains overnight. I doubt they were contractions since they were very irregular and widely spaced, but I worry.”

  “When do you see the doctor again?” Len asked. She looked worried, too.

  “At one.”

  “Call us if she decides to admit Joss, or thinks she’s going into labor.”

  “I will. This is dragging on too long. I’d feel better if she were in the obstetrical unit being monitored.”

  “She’ll be fine, I’m sure.” But Len didn’t look sure. “Keep us posted.”

  After the call ended, Len asked if Raney had a bag packed. “This might happen soon. We should be prepared for an overnight stay. I’ll pack stuff for Mama, too.”

  Raney headed upstairs. She had just finished packing when her phone buzzed.

  “Hey,” Dalton said. “Hicks told me you were going into town. Mind if I go with you? Timmy’s birthday is coming up and I wanted to get him something.”

  “Sure. But I may have to go directly on to the hospital if Joss is admitted.”

  “Is she in labor?”

  “Maybe. We’re not sure.”

  “What about Len? Is she going to town, too?”
/>   “No. If Joss is admitted, she’ll drive her own car to Lubbock.”

  “Then we’ll take my truck,” he decided. “Meet me at the back gate.”

  * * *

  * * *

  A few minutes later, Raney tossed her bag into the backseat and climbed into Dalton’s dark blue truck.

  He glanced at the bag, then at Raney. “We eloping?”

  “You know me. I like being prepared.”

  “If we’re eloping, you won’t need all those clothes.”

  Raney gave him a look. One that told him they probably weren’t eloping. He loved her looks, whether they were scolding, smirking, or smoldering. He especially loved seeing that banked fire in her blue eyes when he ran his hands over her beautiful body.

  “You’re not working Rosco today?”

  He shifted into gear and headed toward the main gate. “Alejandro noticed a slight stiffness in his right shoulder, so we’re giving him the day off.”

  They drove in silence for a mile or two, then she said, “I’m glad you’re going with me. Maybe we could have lunch at the diner after I get my hair cut.”

  “Like a real date?”

  “More like a nice meal while you tell me what I could get for Timmy.”

  “You don’t need to get him anything. You already gave him a cat, remember? Which, incidentally, he named after you. Probably because she’s been indiscreet with a big, handsome tomcat who lives in the alley behind the group home.”

  “That hussy.”

  “You know cats. When an especially sexy tom comes by, they can’t seem to help themselves.”

  “So I’ve heard. What are you getting Timmy?”

  “A tool belt and some tools for his new handyman job.”

  “Maybe I could get him his own toolbox. I could get those stick-on letters and put his name on it.”

  Dalton smiled at her, warmed by her kindness toward his brother. Most folks treated Timmy with kid gloves or pretended they didn’t see him. “He’d like that.”

  Rough Creek was hopping, which meant almost a dozen cars and trucks were parked along Main Street. Dalton wondered how much longer all the mom-and-pop stores could hold out against the big-box warehouses that were slowly spreading along the highways out from Lubbock. He loved the small-town atmosphere of Rough Creek, and the fact that everyone knew most everyone else, and the churches were still the place to be on Sunday. He would hate to see it end.