Cowboy Summer

by Joanne Kennedy

  Joining the race would only encourage him, so Jess held Buster to a trot. When she topped the next rise, she was surprised to see the palomino had slowed and was staggering through the boulder field like a drunk.

  She urged Buster forward, heart pounding. Her dad’s horse pinned its ears as she grabbed its cheek strap, but she wasn’t worried about the horse. Her dad’s skin had an unhealthy sheen, with dark circles around his eyes standing out like bruises. As he slid from the saddle, Jess thought of Molly’s warnings again with a painful lurch of her heart.

  He goes off to God-knows-where on that horse, and anything could happen. Anything.

  “Hold on, Dad.”

  Sliding from her saddle, she did her best to slow his fall, but he poured from the horse’s back, boneless as a bucket of mud.

  She leaned him against Buster’s side and tried to hold him up, ignoring a twinge in her back when his knees buckled. He might have lost weight, but he was still a big man. The best she could do was prop him against a rock, where he slumped like a broken doll. Every breath he took sounded painful, as if torn from damaged lungs.

  “What is it, Dad? Your heart?”

  He didn’t answer, just closed his eyes.

  Dammit, she was so selfish. She’d upset him, talking that way about Molly. She’d had a moment of delight when the dad she knew and loved emerged from the hollow husk she’d found on the porch. But what if that husk was all she had?

  He gasped, fumbling at his collar, and she undid a button, but his fingers tangled with hers until she realized he was dragging out a leather thong he wore around his neck. An old coach’s whistle dangled from his fingers.

  “Blow.”

  She couldn’t see the sense in it, but she blew. The shrill shriek shocked the birds to silence, leaving only the grasshoppers clicking in the grass.

  But how could a whistle do any good? Molly was too far away to hear, and if she did, what would she do? The two of them couldn’t get Heck home. Of course, her stepmother might want to hold her husband as he drew his last breath. Jess wanted to slap herself for being so thoughtless.

  Squatting beside her father, she felt for his pulse. It was weak but beating, and his breath was ragged.

  A tear slid down her cheek and landed in the center of his palm; his fingers closed over it tightly, as if she’d dropped a diamond. At that, she lost the battle, leaning her forehead against the rock beside his shoulder and weeping.

  “You are the best, best father. I should have told you every day.” She took his hand. “Oh, Dad, I should have stayed. I love you. I love the ranch. Mom…” She realized she had nothing to say about the mother she barely knew. “Don’t leave me, okay? You’re all I have. I know that now.” She smothered a sob. “I’m sorry.”

  He squeezed her hand, so he was still with her. He was so strong, so stubborn.

  It had never occurred to her he might leave her one day.

  Chapter 11

  Amber Lynn posed in Cade’s bedroom doorway, offering the sleepy, smoky gaze that had doomed him into their disastrous marriage. Lobbed across crowded barrooms like casually tossed grenades, her sulky stares had pierced his loneliness when nothing else could, and when she’d encouraged him to stow his sorrow in her warm, willing body, he hadn’t cared who she was or what she wanted. They’d never talked or walked or done anything together besides drinking and dirtying the sheets, but he hadn’t cared. He’d just wanted to forget Jess Bailey. It hadn’t worked, and it wasn’t working now.

  He waved the phone. “Your dad said you’re getting married. Who’s the lucky guy?”

  “Don’t listen to Daddy. Listen to me. Look at me.” She minced into the bedroom with a lilting gait and stroked the sheets with one perfectly manicured hand before sitting down beside him. She was wearing a loose top with a wide V-neck that gaped to show all but the tips of her breasts. “It’s just you and me, cowboy. Right here, right now.”

  She was trotting out all her tricks, but he knew every move, and the only one he wanted to see was the one where she walked out the door.

  “Amber Lynn, I told you to go.”

  She pouted. “Don’t be mad. Daddy messed up my plan. He wasn’t supposed to call so soon.” She licked her lips, but the black eye seemed to change minute by minute like a Technicolor sunset, and she looked like a TV zombie, hungry for brains.

  She let her hair tumble to one side, hiding the bruise. “Did Daddy tell you he’s going to give you a job at the bank? He thinks you’re terrific.” Running her finger down his chest, she parsed out words one button at a time in a breathy whisper. “And so. Do. I.”

  He grabbed her hand.

  “Knock it off, Amber Lynn.” He set her hand firmly on her lap and stood, but she rose with him, and he wound up jammed up against her, chest to breasts, hip to hip, groin to—well, right there. “Come on. You have way more to offer than—than this.”

  “Do I?”

  “Sure you do.”

  She pressed into him, the movement as hard and angry as her expression. “It’s all you ever wanted from me. All anyone ever wants.”

  “That’s because it’s all you offer.”

  She shoved him away. The backs of his knees hit the bed, and he crashed to the mattress with Amber Lynn clinging to him like a motherless spider monkey. For the second time in two days, he found himself lying under a woman through no fault of his own. But this time, it was the wrong woman. He rolled away, then looked back to see if she was all right.

  She was. The only hurt was in her eyes.

  “You wait.” She leapt to her feet. “I’m gonna tell Daddy to call in that loan. What do you think of that, cowboy?” She hissed the last word as if it was something to be ashamed of.

  “I think your daddy’s word’s worth more than that,” Cade said. “You always said he was a ‘man of honor,’ remember?” He waved the phone, showing her the email her dad had sent. “If he goes back on his promise, there isn’t a rancher in this town who’ll do business with him.”

  He watched Amber’s dignity deflate. Her shoulders slumped, and a tear welled from her wounded eye, streaking down her blue, bruised cheek.

  “I’m going to tell everyone you did this.” She pointed to her wounded eye. “They’ll see what you’re really like, and you’ll be broke and everyone will hate you.”

  “Folks know me,” he said. “And they know you, too. I’m not worried.”

  She burst into tears. “I was so s-s-sure you’d take me b-back.” She sniffed. “I mean, you were always so nice to me, no matter what I did. Nobody’s ever been that n-n-nice to me.” She pressed the flesh around her black eye with her fingers and winced. “He sure wasn’t. But you—I want you b-back. I made a m-mistake.”

  “Amber Lynn.” He clapped his hands on her shoulders and shook her gently. “You don’t want me. I’m never going to be rich, and you need—stuff.”

  Okay, so he wasn’t eloquent. But he spoke the truth.

  “Daddy gives me all the stuff I need,” she said. “I just need…” She glanced around the room. “I don’t know. Something’s m-missing.” She plopped herself down on the bed. “I just want to stay here.”

  “Why? You hate it here.”

  “But it’s—I don’t know, it’s nice.”

  She glanced dubiously around the room, which was done up in Middle American Thrift Shop, with mismatched dressers and a mangy braided rug. When he was alone, he never noticed the lingering odors of horse and dog that clung to his clothes and furniture, but right now, it was overwhelming.

  His ex looked up at him with wide, blinking eyes. Even with the bruise, she looked sweeter and more innocent than usual. That was never a good sign.

  “It’s just that he can’t find me here,” she said.

  Cade sighed. In her way, Amber Lynn was naïve, a poor little rich girl who had no idea how the big world worked. He coul
dn’t imagine the kind of monster who would hit her. She must have been so scared.

  He sighed. “Why can’t your dad take care of you?”

  “My dad has Mona. He doesn’t care about me anymore.” She shoved her lower lip out in a pout. “All that ‘my little girl’ stuff was just an act. He never really loved me. He just gave me money to shut me up.”

  Sadly, she was probably right. Her eyes filled, and he figured the waterworks were about to start, but to his surprise, she blinked a couple of times and took a deep breath.

  “But you know what? You don’t need to protect me. I can take care of myself. I just need a place to stay.” She fluttered her lashes, then wiped a hand across her face as if erasing the gesture. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to flirt. Just let me stay, and I promise I won’t try to seduce you.” She held up her fingers in a Star Trek Vulcan salute. “Scout’s honor.”

  He glanced wildly around the room for something that would save him. He tried to send a bat signal to Boogy, but for once, the dog failed to release one of the silent-but-deadly farts that used to send Amber Lynn screaming from the room.

  But did Cade really want to chase her off? Amber Lynn was right. He’d used her, the same way other men had. The only difference was he’d married her, but that almost made it worse. He hadn’t done right by her.

  Maybe it was time to start.

  “You know what, Amber Lynn? I think you can take care of yourself. You don’t need to depend on anybody else.”

  “That’s what I said.” She tilted her chin, looking offended, but it was all an act. She really didn’t believe she could survive without a man. It was like her beauty had hijacked her brains, and she’d never learned to use them.

  “Can’t you stay at a hotel?” he asked.

  “I don’t have my purse, remember?”

  She’d probably left the purse behind on purpose—if she’d left it behind at all. For all he knew, she’d clocked herself in the eye with a two-by-four so she could get what she wanted out of him.

  The problem was, he couldn’t be sure. Nor could he be sure she’d have sense enough to run to her dad if he turned her away. So he had to let her stay. Women got killed for going back to their abusers, and he couldn’t let that happen.

  “One more night.” He held up a finger. “Just one. But then we need to fix this. You can’t keep relying on men to help you. Wouldn’t you rather take care of yourself? You’re more than smart enough to be successful on your own.”

  She turned those big eyes on him, blinking, all innocence, as if she couldn’t grasp the concept of independence.

  “We’re going to have a talk tomorrow. Find a way to make things better, okay?”

  “Okay.” She smiled, and it was like a cluster of dark clouds had been whisked from the face of the sun. That was how she got her way; a man just wanted the skies to clear.

  “Thank you, Cade. I’d kiss you, but I promised, so…”

  She blew him a kiss. Dutifully, he caught it and slapped it to his cheek. A ritual from their dating days, it almost made him smile. There’d been a time when he’d believed he might learn to love this woman, get over Jess, and move on. He’d figured if pretty, sexy Amber Lynn couldn’t do it, nobody could.

  Now he knew—nobody could. One look at Jess had brought joy whooshing back into his world. And that kiss—the thought of it gave him strength.

  But as Amber Lynn sashayed from the room, he realized Jess would have a fit if she found his ex here. She’d understand once he explained about the abuse, though. Wouldn’t she?

  “I have to get my stuff.”

  As Amber Lynn left the room, Boogy rose from the throw pillows he’d hauled into the corner. The parts that weren’t tattered were soaked with drool, and the dog’s carefree doggy grin showed he was proud of his work. Cade kept the local thrift stores in business, buying pillows for Boogy to destroy.

  “Don’t smile yet, bud. She’s coming back. And if you think she’ll be happy staying just one night, think again.” He gave the dog a speculative look. “You weren’t much help back there. I’m thinking you need a digestive aid. How ’bout some broccoli?”

  * * *

  As Amber Lynn left the room, Cade heard a shrill tweet.

  She glanced out the window. “What was that?”

  “A whistle.” Cade raced back to the kitchen and floundered through the crap on the counter. Bills, energy bars, paperwork—and finally, a bottle of pills. Shoving them in his pocket, he grabbed his fire department radio.

  It was a rare rancher who didn’t volunteer for one of Wyoming’s rural fire departments. The Wynott district consisted of Cade, three other able-bodied firemen, a couple of EMTs, and a rickety chief whose advanced age didn’t prevent him from making it to dang near every call.

  Paging dispatch, Cade relayed directions to the Bailey ranch. Remembering Heck’s vow to help the sickly looking calves in the north pasture, he gave the dispatcher a few landmarks to steer by. He didn’t have to tell them they’d need a helicopter; that was standard procedure. The nearest hospital was in Grigsby, over forty miles by road.

  Running for the barn, he slipped a bridle on Pride, grabbed a fistful of mane, and vaulted onto the horse’s back. He was halfway to the road before he dared to look over his shoulder.

  Amber Lynn was hauling a pink suitcase the size of a hippo across his lawn.

  Damn. How long was she planning to stay? And wait—no purse, but a suitcase in the trunk? What was the real story here?

  Amber Lynn was lying—that was the one thing he knew for sure. But right now, Heck was in trouble. He wouldn’t blow that whistle unless things were bad. Really bad.

  Bending low over the horse’s neck, Cade urged the animal on.

  * * *

  Lub dub, lub dub.

  Closing her eyes, Jess rested her head against her father’s chest and prayed to the rhythm of his heart.

  Let it beat harder, faster…

  Her prayers were answered when the palpitations picked up speed.

  Lubbity dub, lubbity dub, lubbity dub.

  Didn’t it just figure his heart would sound like a galloping horse?

  The beat grew louder, faster, then stumbled.

  No, wait. That really is a horse.

  She looked up to see a horseman cresting the hill. The animal wore no saddle; a rider’s body stretched low over its neck as it raced downhill in a flat-out, ground-eating lope. She’d seen a horse race at Crow Fair once, up in Montana, where the men and their mounts had melded into one perfect creature, all speed and strength of will. She’d only ever seen one other man ride like that.

  Buster neighed at the newcomer. Meanwhile, the palomino fretted and pranced, spooked by Heck Bailey’s hat, which had become a plaything for the breeze. Cartwheeling across the rocky plain, it struck a sagebrush and hung there, trembling.

  Running to catch it, Jess snatched it up and waved it frantically in the air. As Cade approached, she traded it for her own. It was big as a bucket and dirty to boot, but she didn’t care how she looked. She didn’t care about anything but her dad.

  Her dad and Cade, who was coming to save the day.

  Chapter 12

  Cade pushed off Pride’s neck, sat back on his seat bones, and tugged the reins. The horse slammed to a stop and shied, almost dumping him in the dirt. That was understandable, since Jess, wearing Heck’s huge hat, looked like an animated mushroom, while Heck, lying at her feet, looked—well, he didn’t look animated at all.

  Sliding to the ground, Cade dropped to his knees, whispering a prayer while he slipped his hand beneath the collar of Heck’s shirt. There was a pulse, but it was faint, and the rhythm seemed off. Maybe it was angina, maybe anxiety, maybe a combination of both.

  Fishing out the pills, he shook one into his hand. Heck opened his mouth like a baby bird, and Cade dropped the tablet on his tongue
.

  “What was that?” Jess asked.

  Heck’s eyes were bright, begging him not to tell, but Cade had kept his secrets long enough.

  “It’s nitroglycerine. Should help until Lifelift gets here.”

  Lifelift was a volunteer force of retired Black Hawk pilots from a nearby air force base. They’d bought an old weather copter from a Cheyenne TV station and retrofitted it with lifesaving equipment.

  “Nitro-what?” Jess asked. “What’s it for?”

  “Arrhythmia.”

  “Whatever that is.”

  “Irregular heartbeats.”

  The air began to throb as if the earth’s own heart was pounding all around them. Pride tossed his head and screamed as a helicopter rose over the hill like a giant insect, its unseeing eyes reflecting the landscape as it slanted its body and swept straight toward them, blades slapping the air.

  The Arabian sidled closer to Buster, tossing his head, but the palomino stood firm. Cade allowed himself a mental cheer; a month ago, that horse would have shied at an eggbeater.

  As the spinning blades flattened the grass in every direction, Cade grabbed the palomino’s bridle, along with Pride’s. Jess left her dad and helped move the animals to a circle of rocks a short distance away. Clapping their hands onto their hats, she and Cade raced back to Heck as the rotors slowed.

  Heck groaned. “Wave ’em off. I don’t need ’em. Just had to rest, that’s all.”

  He struggled to a sitting position and launched into a fit of coughing so violent, Jess fell to her knees by his side. With her help, he lay back down, looking paler than ever. Jess pushed his hair back and patted his cheek, but he swatted her away.

  “Aw, fussbudget. Leave me alone. Got somethin’ caught in my throat, that’s all.” He lifted his head to watch two EMTs leap from the back of the helicopter. “Don’t let ’em take me to the hospital. I hate that place.”

  He didn’t stop whining until one of the EMTs began pelting him with questions about his health.

  Cade tugged Jess away. “Let ’em do their job. They’ve got it under control.”