“Hi, Mom. No, I’m fine. No, please don’t change your plans and fly back early. Beulah really shouldn’t have phoned you. You and daddy enjoy your cruise. I promise you, I’m fine. Yes. Uh-huh. I will. Love you. Okay, bye.” She hung up and looked to Lincoln. “My parents are on vacation, but they’ve already heard. And you didn’t have to come by. I’m doing fine.”
“I had to see that for myself. Any headaches? Nausea?”
“No,” she said, and somehow looked disappointed.
He hooked his thumb toward the front door. “I brought my sleeping bag. I’ll spend the night on the porch and look in on you every couple of hours during the night.”
Her eyes widened. “On the porch? You’re staying the…but Eve…”
“You don’t need Eve. This is my responsibility.”
She blew out a breath. “I don’t want to be your responsibility.”
“Well, too bad, because you are.”
“I don’t see it that way.” She crossed her arms. “I can take care of myself. If you want to be here, fine. Otherwise, please go.”
“Of course I want to be here.” He removed his Stetson and ran a hand through his hair.
How else could he alleviate his fears?
“Okay, then.” She picked up her landline phone and pressed some buttons. “Eve? I don’t need you tonight. Lincoln’s taking over concussion duty. Yep…that’s right…will do…okay, love you, bye.”
Knowing Eve, she’d be by later anyway just to have a chuckle about all this. Since she lived next door, she’d see him sleeping on the porch. A few wise cracks about sleeping on the job, she’d be satisfied and on her way.
He tossed his hat on the couch and took a seat. Might as well get comfortable until he could figure out a way to get her to the hospital.
“I’ll buy you dinner, too. You shouldn’t cook.”
“In my condition? You’re being ridiculous about this.” She shrugged. “But…dinner would be nice.”
“Though pretty soon you just might get dinner delivered. I didn’t know you were so popular.”
He didn’t know how he felt about that. Sadie was always a part of his life, just under his nose so to speak, but also on the fringes of his world. Until recently, he’d only had G-rated thoughts about her. Now they were swiftly moving into R-rated territory and he could see he was far from the only one who’d noticed her.
“Why would you know?” She sat beside him. “You spend so much time on the ranch and the rest of the time you’re gone on the circuit.”
“I come into town for a cold beer nearly three times a week.”
“Guess I don’t spend enough time at the Shady Grind to run into you there.”
“Listen, you should know. I’m not one of these guys chasing you. I’m here just like I would be for anyone I’d hurt.”
She blinked. “I should make sure I don’t feel special?”
“Something like that.”
“You’re pretty full of yourself, cowboy. Why would I care?”
“Shouldn’t. I wanted to put that out there.”
He tensed, feeling like a jackass. What happened to the smooth rodeo cowboy?
“What I mean is, I’m the kind of man who realizes there are single, beautiful women in other towns, too. Other states, even. No need to get desperate.”
Oh, Jesus. He may have winced.
She crossed her arms. “Thanks. Message received loud and clear. You’re not interested.”
He wasn’t sure if he still felt that way, but better that Sadie believe it. One thing remained: he didn’t want or need a serious relationship at this stage of life. Not with so much to still figure out about his future.
They were both quiet for a moment, but her thoughts were so loud he could almost hear them.
“I’m worried about you sleeping on the porch,” she finally said.
“Why? I’m a big guy. If a coyote comes around, I can take care of myself.”
“I know, but…someone is going to see you.”
“Like Eve?”
“She won’t care. But maybe one of our renters. They’re going to think I have a boyfriend that I kicked out of the house because…because maybe he was too drunk.”
He nodded. “I’ve slept under the stars before instead of driving home tanked.”
“Do you want people to think you’re passed out drunk on my porch?”
“They might think we fought over something else.” He leaned back and stretched his legs. “Maybe I caught you flirtin’ with some other dude.”
“Exactly! And they’re going to think I’m a floozy.”
“No one thinks you’re a floozy. Whatever that is.”
She pointed. “I don’t cheat, Lincoln Carver. And I don’t want people to think that I do.”
He didn’t know how he’d found himself in this weird conversation about imaginary events. But he didn’t mind.
He crossed his arms behind his neck. “What’s your solution to this quagmire?”
“Beau might see you, too. I don’t know when he’ll be home.” She fiddled with a pillow and wouldn’t look at him. “I think you should sleep on my couch.”
Beau would prefer to see him on the porch, Lincoln guessed, though he might prefer not to see him anywhere near his sister’s house at all. That would be Beau’s problem, because by now he’d likely grown accustomed to the attention his little sister received.
“Deal.”
She perked up. “Great.”
“Now, what should we do for the next few hours? You need to stay awake.”
* * *
Sadie would not likely fall asleep, concussed or not, with Lincoln in her cabin all night. She had plenty of ideas of how to stay awake for hours, but Lincoln’s thoughts didn’t seem to follow hers. Oh, she’d noticed him lower his gaze to her legs, a moment she’d thoroughly enjoyed. He hadn’t seemed thrilled to see her get-well gifts, but not because he was jealous. Because he felt so responsible for what happened. And instead of flowers or candy, he’d brought her an ice pack and gum. So very practical of him.
Not waiting for her to answer how they should spend their time, he stood, grabbed an ice pack from the freezer, squatted in front of her, and placed it on her head.
“You have a bump forming. Means you haven’t been icing it enough.”
She held it in place and her fingers brushed against his before he lowered his hand. This time, he caught her staring and a tense moment passed between them.
There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, such as why he’d never dated anyone for long. Why, when even Jackson had been engaged, Lincoln never had been. Not even once, and he was thirty-two. Naturally, there were rumors. Some women called Lincoln a player who would never settle down. But if he did, you better believe it would be with an out-of-towner. He toured so much with the rodeo, he’d meet someone sooner or later, if not already, and bring her home to Stone Ridge. On the other hand, who knew? Maybe he had a girl in every state.
As long as he was clear and above board to women about his intentions, Sadie wouldn’t judge him. She’d been pursued but was still single. Maybe there was something wrong with her, or her standards were too high.
Her mother wondered all of this out loud. Frequently.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” Lincoln said.
The hair on her arms stood on end. Could he hear her thoughts? “S-sure.”
“Why haven’t you settled down with any of your many admirers?” He slid a gaze to all the flowers.
She lowered the ice pack. “I don’t know.”
“Maybe you just like being chased.” One corner of his mouth tipped in a half-smile.
“Or maybe I’ve just never been chased by the right man.”
He appeared to be considering this. Then, as if maybe she’d hit her head too hard, she remembered.
“I forgot something.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I promised Jimmy Ray’s mother I’d stop by today for a chat. She ne
eds moral support. Jimmy Ray is really acting out.”
Jimmy Ray was so much trouble that Sadie finally phoned his mother, Pamela Ann. Sadie was on a fishing expedition, true enough, wondering if something was going on at home. Never dreaming she’d guessed right.
She glanced at the digital clock on her oven. “School let out a couple of hours ago, and she’ll be expecting me.”
“Jimmy Ray will tell her you got hurt. She’ll understand.”
“But I’m fine and perfectly capable of dropping in on her. She’s lonely and having such a hard time. She kicked Derek out about a month ago.”
Lincoln pinched the bridge of his nose as if he realized he wouldn’t win. “I’ll drive you.”
She quickly changed back into a dress and her best boots, then, almost as an afterthought, grabbed the pie.
“I hate to come visit anyone empty-handed.”
She again accepted Lincoln’s hand to climb into his huge truck. She gave him directions, though he seemed to know the way. Then again, Derek would be about Lincoln’s age, so they’d know each other. Derek and Pamela Ann married young, just out of high school, and they now lived in a trailer on a parcel of land belonging to Pastor June. One night, Sadie listened to a broken-hearted Pamela Ann spill her guts. She’d suspected Derek had cheated on her with a woman from out of town. He’d been drinking since he lost his job. It all came to a head when Pamela Ann issued an ultimatum. Stop drinking, and get your shit together, or get out.
He got out.
Sadie swallowed as Lincoln pulled up to a trailer on the outskirts of town on a large and empty field. She’d expected more of a mobile home, but this looked like a Winnebago you could just hook up to a truck and move.
“Pastor June lets them stay here on her land,” Sadie said. “Derek can’t seem to hold down a job.”
The afternoon was clear and bright, a wonderful September day, but Sadie made a mental note to make sure Pamela Ann would have enough heat this winter. The ladies of SORROW would help. The society had been founded during World War II when there were actually less men in Stone Ridge for a short amount of time. The women wanted to do something to help the war effort and they’d started by knitting baby blankets for expectant mothers.
The problem began when all the babies born that first year were boys. Pink blankets went unused. After the war, some of the more fortunate men returned, and nine months later there were more boys. And then later even more boys, with a lucky one or two girls born to amazed and grateful mothers. Encouraged and searching for another way to help, the founding members decided that they’d put together a primer: The Men of Stone Ridge. They were determined for word to get out about how lucky the women of Stone Ridge were, with such handsome and plentiful men to choose from. And somehow with false promises of handsome cowboys and romance, lure more women back to town.
A little peculiar, sure. But the ladies were also the first to organize fundraisers and gather supporters for those in need.
Pamela Ann opened the screen before they’d even reached the door. “I didn’t expect you. I heard about what happened. Oh, hello, Lincoln.”
“Hey, Pamela Ann.” He nodded.
“I brought you a pie.” Sadie stepped inside, Lincoln following close behind her. “Lincoln is just a little worried about me so he’s drivin’ me around for today.”
“Good idea. The way Jimmy Ray describes it, you were knocked out cold. But then, he exaggerates.”
“Not this time,” Lincoln said.
“Where is he?” Sadie asked.
Pamela Ann pointed to a little partition toward the back that divided the trailer. “He’s playing video games.”
She carried the pie and led them to a small table in the kitchen area. The windows were decorated with red and white gingham curtains and their surroundings were spotless and clean. Small but tidy. Sadie sat on one side of the booth and Pamela Ann on the other. Lincoln stood by for a few moments, but as they chatted, he eventually wandered over to Jimmy Ray.
“How are you?” Sadie asked.
“I think I should be asking you that question.”
“I’m fine, just a little bump on the head. I tripped. After Lincoln…lassoed me.”
“Jimmy Ray said the whole thing was his idea. I hoped he was kidding.”
“Don’t blame him. The grown-ups were in charge.”
Pamela Ann laughed. “Well, it sounds like the kids loved it.”
Sadie reached for Pamela Ann’s hand. “Have you thought about any way I can help you through this rough patch?”
“Just someone to listen helps. I have a job picking peaches this season. Thanks to you and the new school, Jimmy Ray can be in school while I work.”
“You homeschooled him until now, right?”
She nodded. “He likes math but struggles with reading.”
“Good to know. I can work with that. I’m testing the kids to see where they fall. Jimmy Ray seems very bright. He just has impulse control issues.”
“Always has, but they got worse after Derek left us.”
“The more I know about what’s going on at home, the more I can help. We just need to stay in touch and back each other up. When we work together, Jimmy Ray benefits.”
While she talked with Pamela Ann, Sadie stole glances in Lincoln’s direction. For the first few minutes, he stood hand in his pockets, quietly observing whatever Jimmy Ray was doing. But a few minutes into her talk with Pamela Ann, she glanced, and didn’t see him anymore.
Chapter 5
Jimmy Ray wasn’t playing Warcraft or any game which included explosives and blowing up imaginary enemies. He was playing Mario Brothers and looked up briefly to catch Lincoln watching him.
“You know this game?” Jimmy Ray asked.
“Mario Brothers.”
“I’m surprised you know the franchise.”
Lincoln blinked and almost laughed. For a moment, Jimmy Ray sounded a lot older.
“The franchise? I grew up playin’ this game.”
A few minutes later, Sadie still spoke in hushed tones with Pamela Ann, and Lincoln had an ear worm from the annoying song.
“Wanna play?” Jimmy Ray offered him the controller.
“Why not?”
The women were talking quietly, and he had nothing to contribute to that conversation. Nothing they’d want to hear, anyway. In his mind, Pamela Ann should be grateful to be rid of Derek. In high school, he’d been a punk who knocked Pamela Ann up and then bragged about it.
He squatted in front of the small space with a monitor and started jumping rows. He managed to stay alive three seconds. “Let me try again.”
Losing to anything fueled his competitive spirit.
“My dad is really good at this game. He’s better than me, and I’m a lot better than you.”
“You are.”
“Maybe you just need to practice more.”
“That’s probably true.” Lincoln pushed buttons. “I don’t get much time to practice on the ranch.”
“Jimmy Ray, it’s time to put the game away and get washed up for dinner.”
Lincoln looked behind him to find both women smiling. Jimmy Ray took the controller from Lincoln and shut off the console. He’d been sitting here all this time, losing to a kid. Derek’s kid.
“Thank Mr. Lincoln for his time today,” Pamela Ann continued. “He’s a busy man and took time out of his schedule to come see your classroom.”
“Thank you for coming today, sir,” Jimmy Ray said and looked at all three adults earnestly. “It was my idea that he lasso Miss Sadie.”
“Not sure you should be proud of that,” Pamela Ann said, ruffling his hair, but smiling.
“None of this was your fault. I’m going to be fine. See?” She touched her head and smiled.
Jimmy Ray nodded. A few more niceties, Pamela Ann once again thanking her for the pie, and they were finally out the door.
“Is this something you do often?” Lincoln asked as he got them back on the road. “Seems a
bove and beyond.”
“I don’t think of it that way. Look, I believe teaching is a calling. I know it isn’t for every teacher, but it is for me. It’s more than a solid career. I’ve always wanted to make a difference in a child’s life.”
Ranching could also be a calling. There were no holidays, or paid vacations. No 401k. If you didn’t love the lifestyle, you could be assured to lead a horrible life.
He’d never thought of teaching as a calling, but Lincoln fondly remembered his fifth-grade teacher the same year that his mother left them. Mrs. Flynn was his refuge in a storm. From time to time, she’d remind Lincoln that as a kid himself, he shouldn’t feel so responsible for his younger brother and sister. He’d been half in love with her.
He could picture Sadie being that teacher for a kid someday. Maybe even Jimmy Ray. “How about an early dinner? Where do you want to go?”
“The Shady Grind?”
“Nah, I can do better than that. Why don’t I take you out of town to eat?”
“That’s really not necessary.”
“My pleasure.”
While waiting for her and playing mindless video games with Jimmy Ray, Lincoln hatched his plan. Like it or not, Sadie would get checked out at the hospital. First, he’d get a meal in her. Then, when they were a few miles away from the closest hospital, he’d drive her there. Any objections would be squashed by her gratitude for a nice dinner. He could dream, anyway.
Forty minutes later, he pulled into a steakhouse in Kerrville. He guided her into the restaurant, hand on the small of her back. When they were seated, he pulled Sadie’s chair out for her. Mostly because it would be unthinkable not to offer this basic function to a woman. Heck, he did the same for his sister and grandmother. It didn’t mean anything special.
They were not on a date.
“This isn’t a date.” He added after the waitress took drink orders.
“No, of course not,” Sadie said, perusing the menu.
“It’s just two friends going out for a meal together.”
She met his gaze. “Are we friends?”
“What do you mean? Of course we are. We practically all grew up together. You’re Eve’s best friend, who was engaged to Jackson.”
Lucky Cowboy Page 6
