by Dawn McClure
“So, Big Mike is coming home tomorrow morning. How do you feel about it?” she asked, breaking the silence in the cab.
He'd talked to his mom earlier that afternoon. Apparently his dad was annoying the nurses with his constant irritability. He doubted the man had stayed in bed this long his entire life. “I'm just hoping he doesn't immediately try to overdo it. You know how he is.”
“Yeah. I certainly do. Not the easiest man to get along with. It wouldn’t surprise me if he gave you and your mom hell. I mean, you usually rest your bad moods on those closest to you.”
He cast her a sidelong glance. The way she’d said that seemed…weird. She grew quiet and looked out the window. He cleared his throat as they drew close to their destination. “You know, people are really getting excited about that Garner rodeo. Matt said something about there being talk about it on Facebook.”
He really needed to make an account. Everyone had one. Did Brandon? Was Misty still friends with him on Facebook? David shook his head to get rid of those dumb thoughts. Where had all that come from?
“Abby texted me something about it today. Said she might dust off the old saddle and do some barrel racing.”
Perfect. “Does that stir up any of your old competitiveness?” His leaving was the reason she'd stopped barrel racing. At least that's what Matt hinted at. The information had sat in his gut since. He didn't expect her to get hard into competition again, but like most who used to compete, it wasn't a stretch to join in the fun in the little events throughout the state. Especially when your own hometown was putting on a rodeo. Residents were kind of expected to bring your talent to the table.
She shrugged, dismissing the question completely, as he pulled into the Wagner Ranch. “What are we doing at John's?”
The truck ambled down the rough dirt driveway. Here goes nothing. “Well, Matt and I were talking earlier, and he said if the town decides to host a rodeo and call for some local talent, we’re going to sign up for the bull riding. Kinda like old times. Of course, we need to register with the South Dakota Rodeo Association, but that's no big deal.”
She gave him a look. He knew that look. “You're really considering it? I thought you said you shouldn't do that because you're needed more on the ranch? What if you got hurt?”
He'd have to hire another ranch hand. “I won't get hurt,” he said dismissively. “Besides, it's for a good cause. You know how this town is. Everyone's going to get involved.” Those who could compete would compete, and there would be others that took tickets, worked the concession stand and so on and so forth. Small towns could really come together when necessary. And considering the damage the tornado had caused, and those who couldn’t quite afford what insurance didn’t cover, this rodeo and the money it would bring in was necessary.
“You still haven't said what we're doing here,” she said, obviously not wanting to talk about the possibility of his getting on a bull or her signing up for the barrel racing event. Not a good sign for what he was about to drop.
As though it were second nature, and not new to them, he grabbed her small hand in his and squeezed. “Well, I know you sold your barrel racing horse when you left for college.” He smiled when her head whipped around. He almost lost his smile when he thought about her selling it for only a hundred bucks, but let it go. He deserved it. “I thought we'd check out Tracy's horse. She's heading to college this year, and she's put her barrel racing horse for sale.”
“David, we already talked about this.”
“Hey, she needs college money.” She didn't. Her parents were rolling in the dough, but he wanted to head off any arguments Misty might throw his way.
“I can't afford it.”
He squeezed her hand. “I don't think you've caught on yet.”
He didn’t know why getting her this horse was so important to him, it just was. Purchasing a horse wouldn’t sway her to come home more often.
“David, no. I'm leaving soon, and I haven't practiced in years.” She looked down at her free hand. “It's just not something that calls to me anymore.”
That was such bullshit, but he wasn't going to call her out on it. He parked the truck to the side of the barn and cut the engine. “The mare is trained, ready to go. If you like her, she's yours. Even if you don't enter the barrel racing event, I know how much you used to like practicing. Remember? I used to watch you.” When she started to speak, he leaned over and kissed her into silence. She tasted like cinnamon toothpaste. When he pulled away, he said, “Listen, I'm obviously not trying to buy you. I just...I just want to make you smile.”
God how he wanted to be the one to put a smile on her face. He also wanted to make up for all the wrong choices he'd made. All those missed years. All the times she'd probably cried after he'd gone. Hell, he'd cried too.
“Who would even take care of her? David, I understand why you want to do this, but I can't accept the offer. I'm sorry.”
“Please, just ride her. When was the last time you were even on a horse? I just... I don't like thinking I'm the reason you don't ride anymore.”
“David, I'm leaving soon. Horses take up a lot of time and money.”
He nodded. He’d caught that she hadn’t denied he was the reason for her reluctance when it came to riding. It made him want to buy her the horse whether she told him she wanted it or not. He knew she’d want it. “Just give her a run. That's all I'm asking. You let me worry about taking care of the horse while you're gone.” He wanted to get the horse for her. Wanted to see her round those barrels again with her face set in determination and her long, blonde hair flying out behind her.
“Okay. I'm not up to arguing this while John is standing there at the fence staring at us.”
David glanced out the window, saw John, and gave him a quick wave. He checked his watch. Yep, they were right on time. For so long the feeling in his chest had been constrictive and painful. Still was from time to time. What he felt there now was excitement and a deep sense of love for the woman sitting next to him. He wanted to feel that way more often. Wanted her to feel the same. He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “You won't regret it.”
From the look she gave him, he wondered if that were already the case.
Chapter 22
What the hell was David thinking?
Misty put the horse to the test as best she could as she tried to ignore John and David standing by the wood corral fence. No doubt the two could see that she was rusty, but everything was quickly coming back. She'd be a liar if she said being on the quarter horse wasn't one of the highlights of her week. Right up there with having sex with David and punching Caroline in the face.
She knew why David was doing this. He was trying to make up for something that hadn't entirely been his fault. No, he wasn't trying to buy her. He was trying to cash out on some of his guilt. It didn't sit right with her, but the mare was taking the turns around the barrels almost as good as her last barrel racing horse had. David would have to be blind not to see it.
But she was heading to Rapid, and she wasn't about to let him buy her a barrel racing horse. Especially one this good. It would be wasted on her.
Damn, but it felt good to be back in the saddle. When David had left, and she'd gone off to college, she hadn't even ridden when she'd come home to visit. It wasn't like she hadn't wanted to. She loved riding. Somehow, she'd associated riding with David, likely because he was usually right alongside her when she had ridden. Or when he’d cheered her on during her practices and events, just as she had during his events and his football games.
Everything was falling right back into place as though he'd never left. He and Matt were back to being each other's shadow, inasmuch as adulthood would allow. They'd all started hanging out again. Actually, this time around was even better, because now they were a couple. But there were still things he wouldn't open up to her about, like his father. The fact that he could open up to Caroline about it and not her sat like a brick in her gut. She understood why, to a degre
e, but she didn't know the full story. Didn't know what he and his dad fought about, other than David’s drinking back in their senior year. But Matt made it seem like their problems had popped up before his senior year, and the bad relationship had been the cause for his drinking—the drinking wasn’t the reason for the bad relationship.
She took a deep breath and decided to end her fake practice run.
Bringing the horse to a slow trot, she headed over to John and David. David looked as though he were holding his breath. She knew why, of course. He knew the horse was great, and he was waiting to see what she would say. Was the horse worth the price John had slapped on her?
Poor Tracy wasn't even here. Misty didn't know if that was because she couldn't bear to part with the horse, or if she was out partying and didn't give a rip. Most likely the former. Most riders couldn’t bear to part with their horses. Especially young girls. Tears most often ensued.
David was leaning against the fence, one ankle on top of the other, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked extremely relaxed, but she knew he was only putting on a show. He was tense, standing there waiting for her answer. Just as tense as he'd been when they'd gone to visit his dad in the hospital. Others might not be able to see it, but she could.
The two men stared at her. She cleared her throat while her heart thumped wildly in her chest. “She rides great. David and I will discuss it and call you soon.”
Which was a redneck’s way of politely declining the purchase without saying as much to your face.
She didn't look at David when she dismounted. She led the horse to the gate, her thoughts on speed. How was she going to have the courage to leave this place when she finally had everything she'd ever wanted? Was that another reason he wanted to buy her the horse—to make sure she came home as often as she could? Or did he think she'd stay in Garner and just toss away the bachelor's degree she'd busted her ass for?
“You know where to reach me. You looked good up there. Been practicing?” John asked.
She shook her head at John, feeling as though she'd kicked David where it counted. The memory of him buying her the first barrel racing horse came rushing back.
Her parents had allowed her and Matt to throw a barn dance in celebration of their fifteenth birthday, and David had come strolling through those double doors of the barn leading a quarter horse. Of course, at the time he'd said the owner had all but given it to him for what he’d paid. But Misty found out later that David paid much more for the horse than he'd let on—nearly eight thousand dollars—and he'd given it to her as a gift. He’d been nothing more than a boy at that age. A gift given with a big smile and a sweet heart.
The barrel racing horse she'd owned at the time was getting old, and she'd told David she was getting slower. That's why he'd bought her another one, and he’d given it to her with a shrug and said it was no big deal.
But it had been a big deal. Her own parents hadn’t given her a present of that magnitude.
And before she'd left for college, more in a fit because of David’s leaving, she sold that beautiful horse for a hundred bucks, just to get rid of her and the memories she dredged up.
He'd bought her last barrel racing horse, and he was trying to buy her another.
John took the mare, and Misty left with David, her hand securely in his. What Matt told her about Mike was weighing on her. She wanted to tell David she knew his leaving wasn't entirely his fault. Wanted to tell him she could even understand why he'd done it—not the part about not speaking to her or reaching out to her until months later—but all the rest. She wanted him to broach the subject. Wanted him to trust her enough to do so. Besides, she’d told Matt she wouldn’t say anything, so she couldn’t initiate the conversation.
He opened the passenger door for her, but before she climbed in, she turned to him and stood up on her tiptoes to kiss him. When she pulled back, she whispered, “I hope I didn't make you mad.”
“I knew you were going to say no.”
She nodded. The damned lump had formed in her throat again.
“I have another surprise, though. This one I think you'll take. Actually, it's already been delivered, so you really don't have a choice.”
“David...”
He smiled, looking a little sheepish. “Well, it's as much a gift for me as it is for you.” He leaned down and kissed her, then swatted her on the rear end. “Get in the truck. I'll show you.”
She climbed in, and he shut the door for her. She watched him walk around the front of the truck, his shoulders large and rounded in his T-shirt. Her fingers curled in anticipation. She had an idea of what this surprise could be. It was as much a gift to him as it was for her? It was probably a bed.
Well then, she was going to give him a surprise as well.
She kicked down the disappointment that lingered. He'd eventually open up to her. Hopefully before she left for Rapid, because that would tell her that they were on the right track where it came to their relationship.
If not, she didn't know where they stood.
David settled back against the pillows on the new bed while Misty checked Facebook on her cell. She was acting strange even as she was cuddled into his side. Distant, as if they hadn’t just spent the last hour as close as two people could be. He glanced out the bedroom window. The ancient curtains were open, and he could see a thunderstorm in the distance, lighting up the sky as it slowly rolled in. Lightning ripped across the dark western sky, making it feel like a bad omen was headed their way. He couldn't hear the thunder yet, but it was coming.
Misty snuggled closer to him. “Well, we broke that bed in right good.”
David still wasn't used to hearing Misty talk like that, so his laughter came bursting from him unexpectedly. His chest shook with it, bumping Misty's head as she lay there on him. Could life get any better? Yes, it could. If she suddenly looked up at him and told him she'd decided to stay. But that was as likely to happen as it was for the rain approaching to turn into Skittles. It’d be nice and sweet, but no more than a child’s fantasy. “Couldn't agree more.”
She set her phone down on the bed and scooted until she was lying on her side facing him, her head nestled in the crook of his shoulder. “The new sheets are a little scratchy. I'll take them back to the guesthouse and wash them.”
“Or I could have a washer and dryer delivered tomorrow. Problem solved.”
Her fingers were making lazy circles on the skin of his chest. She didn't respond for a while, and he had an idea her mind was working up to something he likely didn't want to hear.
“You know I'm leaving soon. No reason to park in long-term.”
People were easy to read when you knew them all their lives. “You're coming back,” he said with more confidence than he felt. Since those doubts in his mind were strangling him, he wanted to hear her say it. “You always wanted to live on the ranch. You'll be back before we know it. A teaching job will open up around here.”
He didn't want to think that she might meet someone in Rapid. She was gorgeous, smart, funny... Who wouldn't want to snatch her up?
The fingers on his chest stilled. “I signed a three-year contract with their school district. And Carl isn't going to quit Garner High anytime soon.”
Three years. At the time Brandon was going to be in Vermillion for the next three years, so she'd felt safe signing the contract. He bit his tongue. Kept those thoughts from spilling out of his mouth. Didn't want to think about it. “We'll figure something out.” He ran the palm of his hand down the length of her bare back, allowing the simple touch to ground him.
“There's nothing to figure out. Either you're coming with me, or we'll have to do long distance for who knows how long. Even after my three years are up there’s no guarantee I’ll find a job around here.”
He couldn't go with her to Rapid and they both knew it. “Maybe if my dad wasn't sick. He's got a lot of recuperating to do before he even thinks about working the ranch, which just leaves me and Tucker.” And even that
was a stretch. There should be more than two people working his dad’s spread. His mind was trying to light on anything that could keep them together, at least within normal driving distance. Not much was popping up.
He could hire out. He doubted his dad would be excited about that prospect, but if he could manage to find a couple of good hands, he could go to Rapid for three years.
He quickly shot that idea down. What would he do for a job there? He hadn't gone to college. He’d joined the Marine Corps as an infantryman right out of high school. Not to mention, bailing on his father when Big Mike needed him the most wasn't exactly securing the future he knew Misty had always wanted. If he bailed on his dad now, he doubted even his mother would forgive him for that.
He took a deep breath. She snuggled closer. They fit together perfectly, with her body molded to his and one of her legs slung over his thigh. He could easily support both of them at the ranch if she stayed in Garner. If he went to Rapid? Hell, there wasn't anything he could do out there besides being a hired hand himself. Sure, paired with her teaching job they'd likely get by, but what kind of a man would that make him if he just up and left his family like that?
It sure as hell wouldn't solidify his place on the ranch. Wouldn’t help his parents. Wouldn’t prove to Big Mike that he wasn’t the piece of shit he’d become in high school. It would prove to his dad that he really was immature and that he hadn’t learned a damn thing while in the Corps.
No. He couldn’t leave. Sometimes the hardest decision was the correct decision, and this happened to be just that.
If he couldn’t go to Rapid, she’d have to stay here if they wanted to stay together, but the only way to get her to move back to Garner would be if an Ag teaching position opened up. How likely was that, when Carl Johnson had been the Ag teacher for the past ten years or more?
“We'll figure it out.”
“You already said that,” she pointed out.