Jesse's truck pulled up.
At the sight, a tingle began in her chest and ran all the way to her booted feet. She waved as she walked over to him. "Hey, cowboy. How are you doing this fine morning?"
"I'm great." He grinned and put his hands on his hips. "So, what's on your agenda for today, boss lady?"
"I'm heading over to find those other three cows, and I'll stop at Carter's in town. Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm good. Listen, you be careful over there. We still don't know what's going on. You call me if you find something that isn't right. Don't go after anything yourself. You know better, Lee."
"I got it. I got it," she grouched. Damn, he was bossy.
With Chowser riding shotgun and happy again, she made a quick stop by the house for an ice chest for the groceries, along with her cooler of water and saddlebags. She'd have to head to Carter's first, in case she got back after closing time. She also grabbed her gun and stuck it on her belt. Her rifle was always in the truck.
She pulled up in front of Carter’s behind a black SUV with darkly tinted windows. It sure looked like one of those rides from Theron's place. Entering the ancient, rusted-metal screen door, she surveyed the small store with its choppy isles running in different directions.
Geri, short for Geraldine, the overweight, elderly cashier who had worked there since Lee was in grade school, glanced up at her and smiled. "Well, Lee Granger. You're a sight for sore eyes. What can I help you with?"
"I need to pick up a few things. I'll be getting some lunch meat at the meat counter in a few minutes."
"Okay. Just let me know when you're ready." She put her head down again, reading her gossip magazine lying open on the check-out counter.
In the back of the store, Lee spied an attractive, grey haired woman who looked to be in her fifties, fingering the produce. She had a vaguely familiar face, and Lee assumed she must be from the compound.
This was a perfect opportunity to ask about the girl Lee had found in the arroyo. Grabbing a cart, she approached, looking at a few things on her way. Clearing her throat, she said, "Hi, I'm Lee Granger," and offered her hand.
The woman looked up, startled, with an expression on her face that Lee couldn't quite put her finger on. Hesitation? Anxiety? Something ... Lee continued to offer her hand as she explained, "I own the land surrounding Theron's place and couldn't help noticing the SUV outside. I assume you live there? Just thought I'd introduce myself and say hi to a neighbor."
The woman took Lee's proffered hand. "Rachel Parish," she said quietly. "Yes, I do live at the Universal Children of God church home. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Granger."
Lee nodded. "I think I've noticed you out in the garden. Rachel, I was up to see Theron recently, and he said the garden is really coming along this year and all because of you. There's nothing better at the table than fresh produce."
Rachel appeared much more comfortable and smiled. "Oh, the garden is doing marvelously. Everyone has worked so hard."
"Listen, Rachel, I want to ask you something. I had a rough experience a few days ago. My dog and I were looking for some lost cows and stumbled on the body of a girl in my pasture. We back trailed, and it sure seemed like she was coming from your compound. She had a large tattoo of angel's wings on her back, and what I think is a tattoo of The Lord is My Shepherd on her right shoulder. Does she sound familiar to you?"
Rachel immediately leaned back toward her grocery basket. "Oh, I wouldn't know anything about that. I'm sorry." She reversed and headed to the checkout stand.
Lee scribbled her name and phone number on a piece of paper from her pocket notebook and followed the woman. "Rachel, please, if you think of anything, or if you could ask around about this, would you give me a call? I need to identify this poor girl and return her to her family." Lee slipped the paper in Rachel's purse.
Without looking at Lee, Rachel nodded.
After leaving Carter's, Lee pulled onto Highway 380 toward 222. Out her window, huge old oak trees mixed with smaller, wispy mesquite passed by in their faded green pastures.
She needed to start scouting for the cows at the back of the pasture where the young bull usually kept his harem and crossed her fingers that her missing girls were back with him again. If not, she'd move south over by one of the ponds and see if they were holed up in the shade of the trees and then play it by ear from there if she had no luck.
After riding Texas back in the far reaches of the huge pasture for nearly four hours, she'd found all but one cow, an older one from the original missing six. Lee would keep an eye out for her on her next few visits, but chances were that the cow was dead. It happened. The old girl had given Lee a lot of good calves in her time, and she would be missed.
Lee jogged Texas back to the truck. Chowser had his head down, panting and ready for the house. He'd done a great job helping her find the groups of cattle today, and he did love his work. What a lucky girl she was to have him.
When she got back to the ranch, she unsaddled Texas and squirted him off with the hose. Enjoying the sensation, he jerked the skin all over his back. With the bristle brush she scratched and scrubbed him and he loved that too. Grabbing a few flakes of hay, she walked him back to the corral, giving him his treat as she turned him out.
Chowser was eating hog crap at the edge of the pen and barking like hell, driving them crazy. He could always find the energy to chowse the poor things.
When she checked the three heifers, bald-face was down, and the stall showed signs she'd laid in several different places. She was swollen, but no hoof poked out. Mucous dripped from her vagina, so it wouldn't be long. As Lee watched the heifer’s abdomen, she had a contraction. Poor baby, this was a hard experience for first-time mommas. Lee would come back down in an hour or so and see how she was progressing.
The other two heifers were fine, so Lee headed up to the house, Nasty Mouth in tow.
Unloading the ice chest from the truck, she was met by cold, clean air in the mud room as she shoved her burden over by the freezer. She walked back out and retrieved her saddle bags.
Though she had more to do outside in a little while, she was overheated and headed back to shower.
She donned Wess's old t-shirt before returning to the kitchen. After her day in the sun, she deserved a glass of sweet moscato and a rest in the easy chair before she did anything else.
Wine in hand, she leaned the recliner back and closed her eyes as the cool air blew from the overhead vent over her bare legs.
How was the pond coming along? Had Jesse gotten as hot as she did today? Maybe she should call him. No, that was too weird ...
Later, she woke with a crick in her neck, and to the sound of Jesse's truck driving down to the barn. Dammit. She’d overslept.
She slipped her jeans and boots on and didn't bother with a bra since Wess's shirt was as big as a tent, then hurried out the door.
The first thing she did was walk over to check out the bald-faced heifer. Jesse had gotten there first. The cow looked tired, but proud as punch, with her little calf lying next to her.
Lee slapped him on the back. "All right! Another heifer calf. Good job, little momma!"
He grinned. "Another girl for Mad Dog."
"Hey, I'd like to repay the favor of dinner tomorrow, if you don't have other plans. I'll cook here, though. I don't think I can stand putting on a dress twice in one week."
Smiling, he said, "I'd like that, Lee. I have an appointment with a real estate agent late in the morning, but it won't take all day. What time were you thinking of?"
She considered for a minute. "How about six o'clock? Would that give you enough time?"
"Oh, sure. Can I bring anything?"
"Just yourself, cowboy. It won't be fancy, but the food will be home-cooked."
"Hey, that's my favorite."
She loaded up a bucket of cubes and started feeding. Jesse pitched in, and before she knew it, he was driving toward the cattle guard.
When she got back to the ho
use, she dropped her jeans in the washer and pulled out a pad and paper. Cooking dinner for someone else—well, let's just say she was out of the habit. She made a list wishing she'd had this brain storm when she was in Carter's earlier. They were closed tomorrow, too.
Now if she were a good hostess, she'd drive fifty-plus miles each way to Graham and buy the fresh items she lacked. Instead, she'd just make do. Jesse was back in Texas, now. He'd better learn to rough it.
Fixing a bologna sandwich, she sat at the table with her list, figuring out everything she had on hand, even deciding to make homemade bread. But no way was she getting out the good dishes. She didn't want this to get weird or anything. Then she headed out to the garage to find charcoal briquettes and starter. She found the starter but nothing else, and that meant heading out to the pasture for kindling and small firewood.
After forty-five minutes of searching under mesquite trees near the pond, she had a basket full of kindling and a load of small mesquite branches in the back of the Mule.
Back inside, she jacked her boots against the wall and sat down at the kitchen table for a last look at her list. She had everything under control now. Potatoes, fixings, corn, tea, homemade bread, T-bones, grill and fuel. Hanging her list on the fridge, she poured herself a glass of wine.
Her pulse picked up as she imagined Jesse in her home, across from her at the table, smiling at her with his intense brown eyes. Sighing, she took a sip of wine. This dinner was more than payback. She wanted him here, relaxing with her, telling his stories. Maybe it was time she accepted that she wanted him.
Letting go of Wess was not something she was prepared to do, however. Without children, she was the only one who could keep his memory alive. And she would do that. Without question. Her heart grew heavy as the lonely lowing of cattle came from the pond.
Was Jesse the kind of man who would understand about Wess? She didn't know him well enough to have that answer. She took another sip of wine and hoped.
JESSE SAT ON THE COOL front porch as a soft breeze rippled across his bare chest. He'd had dinner and a shower and was finally relaxing. He loved the evening sounds of katydids and the homey smells of the fresh-mown grass and the corral. God, how he'd miss this place. The appointment to see the ranches tomorrow made it real. Someday soon, he wouldn't come back here anymore.
His mind turned to the late afternoon at the barn with Lee. The fact that she felt comfortable enough to invite him to dinner excited him. The evening had to go well, needed to be another step toward her freedom from sadness and the bonds of her loss.
God, she'd been sexy in that t-shirt. It had probably been one of her husband's. Jesse was pretty sure she didn't have a bra on under it, either. He was a man after all and couldn't help but notice. It appeared she'd already showered and had dashed to the barn when he drove in. She wanted to check the heifer, but maybe she wanted to see him, too. She was sweet. He smiled. And so darned cute.
His chest expanded as his pulse picked up at the thought of dinner tomorrow, and he grinned. He might just dream about sexy Lee in her t-shirt tonight.
JESSE GOT UP EARLY Sunday morning, ate and fed the boys. Then he headed over to Graham to buy something special to bring to dinner. He still had a couple of beers in the fridge, so figured he'd take them along. Lee was a wine lady herself, so he didn't imagine she stocked any beer. He'd love to buy her a bottle of wine, but Wal-Mart in Graham didn't sell beer or wine and the liquor stores were closed on Sundays.
He got back in time to meet his agent in front of the bank in Woodbury.
She smiled and shook hands firmly. "I've got three properties I'd like to show you today, Mr. Kincaid. One is out toward Newcastle, one is on the way to Knox City and the last is over off 3109."
Jesse nodded and considered this for a moment. "I think I'd like to start with the place at Newcastle and then look at the one at 3109. After that, we'd better check the time. I need to be home by around three thirty. I've got an appointment later this afternoon. We can always head out to that Knox City place next Sunday, can't we?"
Nodding, she said, "No problem. Our schedule's entirely up to you. Why don't you ride with me?"
"Please, call me Jesse."
"Sure. And, I'm Ashlee."
She described the place in Newcastle on the drive over. As she showed him around it, the property was okay. It had good grass, and there were several wheat pastures. But he wanted his home spread to include more acreage. He shut the last gate, and they headed over to 3109.
Ashlee told him all about the property. It was much bigger, sported three ponds, and had mostly-new fencing. It was more expensive, but the elderly owner had just died and his kids were willing to do owner-financing with a sizeable down payment. Jesse liked it already.
They drove past Lee's place and, to his surprise, turned into the next pasture about a mile down the road. So, this place butted up against Lee's? Cool.
He admired the scenery as they followed pasture roads around the property. Tall oaks interspersed with lots of medium-sized mesquite and brush made it remarkably similar to Lee's. The grass was okay—it had been cared for and not overgrazed.
It didn't have a ranch house on it. He'd need to build his own, which was actually something he liked. The ponds were in good shape. The water level was fine for this time of year, which meant low, but not too low. The more they drove, the more impressed he was with it.
They headed back to the highway. "I like this place, Ashlee. I still want to see the Knox City place next week, but I do favor this property. I also have a large down payment if I decide to make an offer on it."
They agreed to meet at the same time and place the following Sunday.
LEE WOKE AND PUT ON the coffee, then wandered to the mud room door and let Chowser out to do his business. Recovered from yesterday's hard work, he was eager to go check the boundaries. That dog was a hoot.
Yawning, she grabbed her dinner list off the fridge before sitting down at the table and making a game plan for food prep and the evening to come. She'd play some of Muddy Water's tunes tonight and her Clapton Pilgrim CD. One of her favorite songs of his was My Father's Eyes, and it was featured on that album.
Speaking of which, she hadn't been to see her mom and dad in a while. She needed to call them. When Wess was alive, she used to call and visit regularly. But since his passing, she didn't find the time often enough.
After getting dressed, she opened the door and yelled, "Hey you butthead! Get over here! We've got work to do!"
Chowser came running from the side of the house, grinning and panting, and they headed down to the barn. Tomorrow or the next day, she'd have Jesse help her load up all but the newest moms and haul them to the 3109 place. They were strong and ready to be put out to graze.
One of the other two heifers they'd moved inside was looking a bit uncomfortable. Today might be her day. Lee would need to keep a close eye on her throughout the afternoon.
After feeding at the barn, she fed at all the local pastures, noticing that several more of Mad Dog's girls were bagging up. She'd have to run a few more over to the pen by the barn sometime next week.
She went home for lunch then snuggled back in the old recliner for a thirty-minute nap.
The ringing of her cell phone brought her out of a doze about twenty minutes later, and she limped to the bar to answer it on a leg that had fallen asleep, recognizing the number on the screen. "Hi Joe, any news for me?"
"I’ve got those background checks for you. Do you want me to e-mail them, or do you have somewhere that you want me to fax them?"
"Oh, thanks, man. No, e-mail would be best. I so appreciate this. What are those two bozos looking like? Can you give me a quick summary?"
"Well, let's just say I wouldn't want them in charge of my church coffers. And, that Rubek guy? If he's a preacher, I'm Jesus," he wisecracked.
"Yeah, I had a gut feeling something wasn't adding up over there. Listen, thanks again. You and Mary come see me some time, you hear?"
In the back corner of her closet, she found black slacks and a sleeveless white blouse with a sheer front panel above the bust. She discovered a pair of black sandals in a shoebox on the top shelf. That meant trimming and polishing her toenails. This dinner was becoming something more along the lines of torture.
Later, she sipped her wine, beginning to feel overwhelmed. It had been ages since she'd used nail polish. Leaning down, she inspected the damaged goods. Her toes were some ugly business. She chickened out on applying red polish to her hands—she wasn't going there. They got the clear polish.
Tiptoeing outside in her bra and panties, she started the fire for the steaks, then headed back in the house.
Sipping her wine, she set to work on dinner. Soon, it was time to add more small wood to the fire. There was a layer of coals now. She put the bread in to bake in the preheated oven and smiled. Things were coming along nicely.
Heading back to the bathroom, she finished getting ready. After adding a few more pieces of wood to the fire, she decided to let it burn down.
She poured herself a half glass of wine and seasoned the T-bones. The timer dinged, and she pulled the pans from the oven as the rich aroma of fresh baked bread filled the kitchen.
At ten minutes to six, Jesse's truck drove in, and her pulse raced in anticipation. She took a deep breath and rushed to open the door for him.
He walked up to the porch with an armload of flowers.
It was so unexpected, so romantic, it left her speechless for a moment. Then, all in a rush, she said, "Jesse, they're beautiful! Come in. Where in the world did you find them?"
Grinning, he said, "Well, after seeing your yard, I figured you were partial to flowers, so I drove over to Graham."
"They're gorgeous. Thank you. Would you hold them for me while I find a vase?" Grabbing one from the mud room closet, she filled it with water, arranging the blooms loosely in it. "I can't remember the last time I was given flowers."
True-Blue Texas Cowboy Page 7
