by Debra Holt
Jessie’s cheer had to be the loudest of all in the arena when the lineup was announced, and Grey’s Misty Day of the Four T Ranch was ranked first. Annie was cheering as loudly, only on the inside. Outwardly, she clapped and smiled in keeping with everyone else. When the auction began, the amounts of the bids were the next thing to surprise her. When Grey’s Misty Day went for an amount that rivaled her salary in a good year, she could only shake her head in amazement.
“That’s a fair amount.” Sal laughed, noting her look. “In the bigger auctions, it can be doubled.”
The jangle of spurs on concrete flooring signaled Truitt’s arrival at their side. Jessie jumped up and ran to him, giving him a high five before stepping in for a hug. Annie couldn’t help but smile at how Jessie had elevated the man on a pedestal far surpassing the latest pop star girls her age were crazy over at the moment.
“I knew he’d win! I knew it. I wish I could learn to show a horse in the auction like that.”
“Well, there are youngsters who do show the horses now and then, like Abel did right before me in the ring. He’s just turned twelve.”
“Do you think I could really learn to do that?”
“It would take a lot of riding and roping and learning to cut, but I think you just might have the makings of a first-class cowgirl who could handle the show ring.”
Jessie’s face was lit up like a Christmas tree. She looked at Annie and nodded her head. “That’s what I’m going to do. Truitt says I can do it and I know I can.”
All eyes seemed to be turned in Annie’s direction at that moment—especially a pair of sapphire ones, watching and waiting for her reaction. It wasn’t fair what he was doing.
“That is something to discuss later. For now, I think it’s time for some lunch.” Annie managed to avoid the tricky subject for the time being.
Their group picked up a few people as they left the building, and easily a dozen people headed toward the Mexican restaurant closest to the arena. Jessie’s new friend, Alicia, joined them and the pair raced ahead. Annie found her slower steps matched by a dusty pair of boots at her side, and she tried to still the instant racing of her pulse caused by Truitt’s appearance. The chaps had been shed and were slung over his shoulder and the spurs were in one hand as they walked. They hadn’t spoken but a handful of words since his return from his trip.
“Congratulations on the auction. That was really something to see.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m sorry if it seemed you were put on the spot about Jessie and what I said about her showing horses.”
“I know you didn’t do it on purpose. It was just a conversation. Jessie loves horses, and it figures she wants to be around them as much as she can.”
“She’s a natural at it. She took to the saddle with ease and I meant what I said to her. Of course, I know she probably won’t have many opportunities to ride in the city, but you can always bring her out to the ranch on a weekend and let her ride to her heart’s content. Pops and I could work with her on some basics of the show arena.”
His comments touched her and also saddened her. She wanted him to realize they had to leave eventually, and evidently, by his offer just then, he had decided to listen to her and had come to terms with that. Still, there was a tighter tug in her chest. “Thanks, I’ll remember that.”
“Enjoy your lunch. I have some things to do. I’ll see you all later at the rodeo and dance,” he called out to the group ahead of them. With a wave of his hand, he headed off in a different direction. Annie watched him go with a heavier heart. She wasn’t aware she had stopped walking until Sal spoke next to her, her arm linking through hers.
“We’ll see him tonight. He has some new breeding stock to check on buying for the ranch. It’s going to be a real occasion now, seeing as how Truitt hasn’t ventured anywhere near a dance in the last few years.” The woman gave Annie another of her shrewd looks. “Thank you, Annie. My nephew is among the land of the living once again. I want to shout that from the rooftops.” The words were spoken quietly enough but held a wealth of heartfelt emotion. Then the light mood came back as she tossed a look at the people ahead of them. “We best hurry or there won’t be any of Eva’s enchiladas left for us by the time that gang gets done.”
Annie immediately put a smile on her face and moved to join the woman holding the door wide for her.
The rodeo was a whole new experience. Annie sat in amazement and awe of the skills involved and the risks taken by the competitors. What was more amazing was watching the Tremaynes and their involvement. Tori had come over to their box and welcomed them. She was all business in the arena. Annie watched her work on the catwalks and behind the chutes, always moving and watching out for her animals. Her bulls were incredible, and not many cowboys were having luck lasting on their backs during the first round. The crowd cheered louder each time the chutes swung open.
“Look, Annie,” Jessie spoke up, pointing to the man working on the bronc in the second chute. “It’s Trey. He’s going to ride next. I hope he wins.”
Annie nodded. She had been scanning the arena for another familiar figure. There had been no sign of Truitt. She didn’t want to point out that fact, so she didn’t voice her question to the others. The announcer introduced Trey and the hometown crowd went crazy. With a quick nod, the chute flew open and out came a horse determined to send him flying off its back. Annie held her breath and didn’t realize she had until the loud buzzer sounded and Trey grabbed the waist of the pickup man who was there to get him off the bronc and back to the ground safely.
“I don’t know how you can sit so calmly while your nephew is in that arena on the back of an animal intent on launching him over the moon,” Annie said, leaning closer to Sal to be heard over the clapping and whistles of the crowd.
The woman shook her head. “I learned a long time ago, you can either hide away from life or participate and hope for the best. I’d rather be here cheering them on in the life they have chosen than to miss a second of it otherwise. Life goes by too fast, so you have to grab hold or get left behind and then it’s too late.”
Annie sat back in her seat. The words were repeating in her brain. They were wise words from a woman who had lost much in her life. And she was determined to meet the day head-on and not live in fear of loss. There was a lesson there for Annie to study. But the next event was the final round of bull riding and she felt the excitement level of the arena double.
Her attention was caught and held when the announcer spoke Truitt’s name. Then Jessie was pointing and clapping. “It’s him! Doesn’t he look different, Annie?”
Annie followed her pointing and there was Truitt, in athletic gear, sneakers instead of boots, a battered hat with a large feather sticking out of his hatband, and jean cutoffs with a rugby-styled red shirt. Did he want to make certain the bull saw him? Was he insane? A spasm of fear gripped her heart as she sat forward on the edge of her seat.
It was Sal’s turn to lean toward her and whisper, “He’s good at what he does in the arena, Annie. Only one change today. He left off the makeup. He’s not hiding his scar any longer or his feelings. Maybe it’s your turn to do the same.”
Annie kept her gaze on the tall cowboy. Then the chute opened and a huge bull came bolting out, and instead of running for a fence like the rest of the cowboys in the arena, Truitt and the other bullfighter ran toward the massive animal, waving arms and staying as close to the rider as possible. Was he crazy? The rider didn’t make it to the buzzer. He went sailing over the back of the animal and the other bullfighter managed to help him up and over to the side railing. Truitt put himself in the line of sight of the animal and kept his attention until the other pair were safe. Then he cut to the left and made a leap onto the fencing just as the bull thundered past him, his horn missing Truitt by mere inches. Annie could only sit still as a statue, the scream frozen behind the lump in her throat that kept sound from coming forth. He was insane, totally insane.
She couldn
’t participate when Jessie and the others were on their feet, clapping and whistling. Instead, she excused herself and left for the ladies’ room. Let people think what they might. She needed air and a lot of it.
*
Annie came out of the ladies’ room a few minutes later, her face having had cold water applied, her makeup refreshed, and her heart rate back to a manageable beat. Then she stopped in her tracks. There stood the person responsible for sending her flying from the rodeo arena to begin with. At least he had the good graces to appear somewhat apologetic. He pushed away from the wall where he had been leaning, waiting for her.
“Have you taken up stalking now along with all your other hats that you wear?” Annie’s gaze did a quick lift to the hat with the long turkey feather in its band on his head and then fell back to meet his blue gaze.
“Jessie said you might be a bit upset with me. So I thought I best stand and take my medicine.”
“That has to be the most insane activity I have ever seen anyone…any adult…even think of doing. You have to be certifiable to do something like that. And I know I’ve heard that you are very good at it and all, but seriously? Everyone else runs away from a mad bull and you run toward it. Do you have a death wish?”
Annie paused because she realized something. The man was having serious problems trying to maintain an almost sheepish look, but there was just too much energy in the grins he was trying to stifle instead. “You find this funny?”
“No….no, not in the least…not like you think I might be grinning for,” he said, trying to explain but not getting anywhere quick enough. When she might have turned away and left him standing in the spot alone, his hand was quick and caught hold of hers and held her in place. The grin faded and a solemn blue gaze narrowed on hers. “It’s not funny. It’s made me hopeful. And don’t think I’m crazy or whatever. I’m sorry that it upset you watching me in my role as bullfighter. But at the same time, I’m glad that it might have shown me that you do care about me, Annie…maybe more than you try so hard to keep hidden along with all your other secrets. And that thought makes me smile and feel hopeful.”
Annie had no clue what to say after he spoke. His other hand came up and gently cupped her chin. “I would never take unnecessary chances. If I did end up hurt, then the cowboy might end up hurt because of me. And the other two bullfighters out there with me, we’re a team that watches each other’s backs whenever we’re out there. But I do know when to hang up the running shoes and that is fast approaching. I’m thinking it’s time I settle down on the ranch, maybe invest in a couple of nice rocking chairs to enjoy the sunset with some beautiful lady with green eyes sitting beside me.
“That’s what I’m thinking more and more about. Of course, I need that lady to be of the same mind. And seems she just might be able to consider that…if I keep working really hard on her.” Then Truitt slowly smiled that smile that tugged at her heart each time she saw it and kissed her. It wasn’t full of heat and passion, but it was full of something closely resembling love and caring and apology…and a lovely promise.
Chapter Twelve
“Do you think this hair ribbon makes me look like a little girl?” Jessie questioned, entering Annie’s bedroom later that evening. A pink and white length of satin ribbon was held in one hand and a hairbrush in the other.
“I think it’s just right for your outfit. We can pull your hair back, fasten it on top of your head and place the ribbon there. Or did you have something else in mind?” Annie asked, motioning for the girl to take a seat in front of her dressing table and its round mirror.
“What if someone wants to ask me to dance tonight? I don’t know how to dance like they do here. I don’t know how to dance at all.”
Annie gave her sister a shrewd look in the mirror as she drew the brush through the long strands. “This concern over your outfit and your hair and whether you can dance or not, wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain young man named Abel, would it?”
The color that rushed across Jessie’s cheeks answered for her first. “Oh, Annie! He’s just a boy. I only talked to him a couple of times at the festival.”
“He seems to be a very nice young man. He’s respectful and he works hard on his family’s ranch, or so Sal was telling me. Sounds like the girls around here might consider him quite a catch.”
“That’s silly,” Jessie responded, her attempt at being nonchalant about the whole thing not quite ringing true. “Besides, he doesn’t know I exist. He talked to Alicia today more than me. She lives here, and I don’t.” The tone of Jessie’s voice brought Annie’s gaze to rest on the face of the young girl. It was a face that wasn’t smiling any longer but was very solemn.
Placing the brush on the vanity top, Annie quickly finished off the hairdo, applying the ribbon and adjusting it into an attractive bow. The cream lace blouse and the cream-and-pink-swirl-colored skirt paired with the pink western boots of her earlier parade outfit made Jessie look like a beautiful young lady poised on the brink between pre-teen and teenage heartbreaker. She remembered those years and the angst that went with them. Annie placed her hands on Jessie’s young shoulders.
“Talk to me. Why so sad all of a sudden?”
Jessie’s eyes rose to meet hers in the mirror. Her bottom lip was caught and released in a nervous gesture. “Truth?”
“Of course. That’s how we’ve always been able to talk.”
Jessie took a breath and finally spoke what was on her mind. “I know you said we have to leave here soon. It’s just that it feels like home. This town and this house and all the people here. I haven’t felt that way in a real long time. I wish we could stay. I know that Truitt would protect us from anything that…”
Annie cut her off. “Jessie, it isn’t up to Truitt or Aunt Sal or anyone else to protect us. You know why we came this far and what our plans were. I know you’ve come to care for everyone here. I have, too. It’ll be hard to leave and say goodbye to them. But we need to be able to take care of our own problems. I need a job with a good income so that I can find an attorney who can help us and we can count upon. In a big city, we can blend in better. I know you’ve started to make friends here, but you’ll be able to make friends there, also. You have to trust me that I know what we need to do. We’ve come this far together. We’re very close. Can you understand that?”
There was a slight tremor to the bottom lip, but it soon stilled. A slight nod of the young head came next. “I understand. I just wish things could be different.”
Annie gave her a hug. “It’ll be better soon, I promise. Let’s just enjoy the time you have with your friends here and now. Besides, we’ll come back and visit after a while. San Antonio is not that far away.”
“Okay.” A small smile began to show again.
“You run ahead, and I’ll be right behind you.”
Annie hoped the smile she managed on her face looked far more positive than how she was feeling inside as she watched Jessie leave the room. Was she making the right decision? What if she took a chance and they stayed in Faris? Jessie could have her friends. She could even have access to horses to ride. Aunt Sal had mentioned she wanted to find a manager, someone who could handle The Gallery while she was away. She had plans to travel and to find more time to paint. Aunt Sal had put the plan on the table and left it at that. Annie knew she didn’t want to push her into anything. But she wanted her to know there was an option if she opened her mind to such possibilities. She was confused and afraid to make the wrong decision, so she put off making any decisions.
Jessie deserved to grow up in a community like Faris. To be able to go to school and make friends and have her first boyfriend and do all the things young girls her age took for granted each day. And Annie had a feeling that their mom would be on Jessie’s side.
The time had come for a decision. She couldn’t run from it any longer. The conversation with Jessie put things into perspective. It was time. Three months ago, she would have never imagined being in Texas, on a
ranch, and meeting such kindness from strangers. She knew what Jessie was feeling when she said she didn’t want to leave. Annie felt the same way. As much as she had fought it and guarded against it, or so she fooled herself into believing, she had succumbed to the feeling of belonging, of feeling safe for the first time in a long time.
More than that, she had given in to the feeling of longing. Longing to be able to acknowledge what her heart had finally admitted. It was a sudden awareness that settled around her, not with resounding fireworks and trumpeting fanfare, but with a great sense of amazing peace as she had watched Truitt Tremayne walk back to the arena after he had bestowed upon her such an amazing kiss along with such heartfelt words that would forever be carved into her heart. He had said he was hopeful. And she was surprised to find that same feeling spreading warmth throughout her body. It was a feeling that she hadn’t experienced before. But Truitt had breathed life into the possibility.
Truitt Tremayne had captured her heart with his quiet, strong yet gentle ways, his goodness and his ability to know her better than she knew herself at times. He was the haunted stranger who had rescued them during a storm. The patient teacher who had taken Jessie under a protective wing. The man who had brought her alive with his touch and his kisses and his caring. He had become her world. And it was one that was too fragile. Because she still kept her secrets. He wasn’t a man who deserved that. He had fought his demons of mind and spirit. Truitt had emerged to live again. What would he say to the fact that they had lied to him and his family since the moment he rescued them? Could he understand what she had done? What if he turned away from her?