by Kim Redford
“I’ll pick it up later. I’m not about to litter my own ranch.” He started putting his clothes back together.
“Do we have to go back so soon?”
“It’s your call.” He knelt beside her, reached out, and stroked her hair. “But you reminded me how much we have to do before we can get married, so I’m raring to get going.”
She pressed a kiss to the palm of his hand. “You’re right. I’m just not sure where to start.”
“We start here.” He picked up her bra and let it dangle from his outstretched hand.
She chuckled as he helped her dress, lingering over straps, hooks, cups, until she felt like she was wearing him instead of the bra. When he got to her jeans, he wasn’t the least bit of help because he acted as if he’d just discovered the hot and wet folds between her thighs that required immediately investigation from his long strong fingers. Soon, she was writhing up against him, moaning as she clutched him harder, tighter with every stroke that sent her spiraling upward and outward, until she broke free into pure ecstasy, toes curling, back arching, breath catching, and called his name over and over with wild abandon.
By the time he finally tugged the T-shirt over her head, she was panting and trembling and ready to take it all off again.
“How long did you say you wanted to wait for our wedding?” he asked with a deep chuckle.
She gave him a mock glare. “That’s not fair. You make me weak and willing.”
He grinned at her with a predatory gaze. “Glad to know my intentions are working just right.”
“Too much right.” She tried to throw off the remains of her lust-filled lethargy to think straight, but she wasn’t sure if that was even possible with him looking at her with hungry eyes.
“If it helps, you’re not alone.” He suddenly sounded serious. “I could eat you up right now and come back for more.”
She covered her eyes and turned away from him. “If you keep looking at me like that, telling me things like that, I might never leave this rock.”
“We could honeymoon here. I’d go out for food and bedding.”
She chuckled, glancing at him before she looked toward the Wildcat Den. “I’m ready for a honeymoon with you, but I want it to be someplace with a soft bed and warm breezes.”
“Desert island?”
“Perfect.” She gave a big sigh and straightened her spine, forcing them to get down to business. “But before we get to that—”
“The wedding.”
“Wildcat Spring. Wildcat Den. And Graham Tanner.”
Shane groaned loud and long. “Will Tanner ever be out of our lives?”
“Not unless we make him.”
“What do you mean?”
“If he learns about the KWCB treasure trove through some misplaced word here or there before I have time to announce it, he’ll come after me hard and the Den harder.”
“True. We need to nail him before he learns about it.” Shane leaned toward her. “For that matter, you’d best not leave all those boxes scattered about three buildings. Anything could happen to them—fire, water, tornado, theft. I’m worried about them all the time.”
“I am, too, but I don’t know what else to do.”
He grasped her fingers and squeezed. “We need to make plans. We need to secure our future. We need to get rid of Tanner once and for all.”
“Agreed. I’ve got some ideas.”
“I do, too.” He pointed back toward his ranch house. “Let’s go back. We’ll get some food, get comfortable, and—”
“Get busy.”
Chapter 35
Today was the day Eden put her save-the-radio-station plan into action. She couldn’t wait any longer, since the first of May was only a few days away. Interest for their May Day Rodeo benefit had peaked, slots had filled, and seats had sold. Nobody could say promotion on KWCB didn’t work, particularly because the Den was bringing in more advertising revenue than ever, since she and Jack had started the May Day spots.
To get to this point, it’d been a lot of hard work before hours, during hours, and after hours by everyone, including Morning Glory and Hedy. Somehow or other, Jack, Ken, and Nathan had managed to get a basic platform for KWCB pulled together and online in time for her announcement. She’d always be grateful to them for their enormous help. Now, it was time to win all or go bust. She intended to win in a big Texas way.
They hadn’t let the cat out of the bag about the Quonset hut storage good-as-gold items, but that was about to change. Graham Tanner was going to learn a sharp lesson that folks in Wildcat Bluff County didn’t roll over just because a big dog went woof. When she revealed the ace she had up her sleeve, she figured he’d turn tail and run back to LA.
For now, she had already worked with Nathan to create the narrative they wanted to share with the world. She’d recorded voice-overs, taking advantage of the Texas angle of their story. He’d be shooting close-ups of the horses, the boots and spurs of riders, the leather fringe on Jack’s jacket, and other shots unique to KWCB. They’d also positioned stacks of old reel-to-reel boxes with crates of records in the Quonset hut’s entry, so they could let the enormity of their find speak for itself.
On the KWCB website and ready to be included in the video they’d be producing from today’s live stream, she had picturesque shots of the Quonset hut with its open doors and treasure trove inside and old photos of her grandparents, parents, and uncle standing in front of the Den with a younger Wildcat Jack. She also included glossy black-and-white photos of big-name acts that had come through the station. And last but not least, she showcased beautiful photographs of the Rocky T Ranch through the ages.
She took a deep, satisfied breath as she stood in front of the Wildcat Den “all dolled up,” as the old saying went, in the turquoise dress and boots that MG had loaned her. Nathan waited in front of her for the go-ahead, holding a camera for live streaming and wearing his usual jeans, T-shirt, and hoodie. With his black eyeglasses, he appeared smart, savvy, and sharp.
Wildcat Jack was dressed up in his suede fringe jacket, jeans, and cowboy boots and was waiting inside the station for her signal. Shane was at the barn with Ken, and both were “cowboyed up,” as Ken liked to say. Serena had driven over from Sure-Shot to make certain hair and makeup for everyone was in peak condition, despite protests from the guys. Cynthia was even standing by in LA to give a report on how it looked to her.
Now that the sun was at the correct angle in the sky, sending beautiful sunbeams down on her and KWCB, it was time to put everything on the line. She nodded at Nathan. He gave her a big grin before he used his fingers to count down five to one.
And then she was broadcasting live.
“Eden Rafferty here…coming to you from the heart of Wildcat Bluff County, Texas”—she turned and gestured toward the radio station—“and KWCB, the Wildcat Den, serving North Texas and Southern Oklahoma with ranch radio since 1946.”
She gave Nathan time to pan the buildings that they’d spruced up as best they could while keeping intact their historic and authentic character. She swallowed to moisten her throat, grateful for Morning Glory’s tonic.
“We’ve been having quite a time around here since I returned to my hometown and cowgirl roots. Some of you may have kept up with our news, while some of you are joining us for the first time today.” She remembered to smile as she swallowed to moisten her throat again.
“I’d like to give a shout-out to DJ Graham Tanner for bringing attention to our little corner of the world. And I’d like to thank all of you for coming to visit us here on the Rocky T Ranch…where we always have a hootin’ hollerin’ heck of a good time.” She finished those last words while Nathan panned to a long shot of the ranch’s three-slat, white fence and a dozen sleek chestnut horses grazing behind it.
“Ranch radio has a proud history in the United States, dating back to the 1920s.
Nowadays, you know it primarily as a music format, but here at KWCB, we’ve got it all…a ranch radio station on a working ranch.”
She wished she could see the comments coming in to know if she was putting everyone to sleep with an info dump or if they were actually interested in what she had to say. No way to know without input, so she plowed ahead with her memorized script.
“Gene Autry, a wonderful singing cowboy, makes me think of ranch radio. He was born in Texas and grew up just north of the Red River, roping, riding, and singing. He starred in many popular movies, but he also hosted Melody Ranch, a half-hour variety show based on his 1929 act that featured music and tall tales. He always told his listeners that his radio broadcasts were coming to them from his home at Melody Ranch in the San Fernando Mountains.”
She swallowed again to wet her dry throat, still smiling at Nathan as she moved further into her story.
“And so today, I’d like to say I’m broadcasting to you from my home at the Rocky T Ranch in beautiful North Texas, just south of the Red River.” She glanced at KWCB while Nathan panned to the radio station’s front door.
Jack stood in the open doorway, then he stepped down, swaggering a bit as he walked toward her looking a lot like Willie Nelson.
“Please join me in welcoming DJ Wildcat Jack, who has been spinning tall tales as well as western swing for well over fifty years now.”
Jack stopped beside her and doffed his cowboy hat to Nathan. “I’m here to tell all you cowgirls and cowboys, whether you can tame a horse, shoe a horse, or ride a horse don’t make me no never mind…you’re all welcome at the Wildcat Den to sit and rest a spell from your cruising and perusing the airwaves.”
“Thank you, Wildcat Jack.” She smiled at him, glad as always that he was such a professional that nothing bothered him—or at least, if it did, he never showed it. “I couldn’t have said that better myself.”
“Well, look who’s here to help us welcome our guests today.” Jack took off his hat with a flourish and held it out toward the lane.
She felt a jolt of surprise when she realized he was going off script, but that was pretty much a Wildcat Jack trademark. He did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, however he wanted. And it always came out great. She trusted him enough to go along with his new scenario, so she kept a smile in place and waited for the kicker coming as she turned to look where he’d focused his attention.
Shane and Ken she’d expected to see at some point, but not Hedy, Morning Glory, Serena, and Craig all riding horses alongside Shane and Ken. They looked great, as in totally authentic, wearing colorful cowgirl and cowboy clothes and riding superior horses with silver-studded tack. And then she noticed Ken was on a horse, too. When had he learned ride? She had to wonder how many things they’d been keeping secret to surprise her. She was thrilled for Ken and even more thrilled with their terrific visual for the camera.
“Oh, yes,” she quickly ad-libbed, upping her enthusiasm to share with their viewers. “Here comes our ranch radio team to join us. I’m sure they’ve been out working cattle before coming to work at KWCB.” She almost couldn’t keep from chuckling at the unusual sight of six horse riders bearing down on them, appearing as if they were ready for a rodeo, not a day at the ranch, but it worked perfectly for the camera.
As the riders came closer, their mounts pulled at reins, swished tails, and eyed Nathan with his camera. The horses looked magnificent, drawing even more attention to the uniqueness of a working ranch radio with actual cowgirls and cowboys.
Wildcat Jack gave a big, white grin as he donned his hat with a flourish and pointed at each rider as he named them. “I’d like y’all to meet our Ranch Radio Rowdies—Kid Ken, Smilin’ Shane, Cactus Craig, Hussy Hedy, Magic MG, and Sure-Shot Serena.”
Eden felt her eyes widen in surprised delight as she watched each one of them lift a hat, give a big smile, and nod at the camera upon introduction. Wildcat Jack—showman that he was and always would be—had obviously thrown out her carefully scripted history of ranch radio in favor of a WWE show. And now that she saw what he’d created, she realized he was absolutely right to do it.
“And of course,” Wildcat Jack added, tipping his hat to her, “we’re all led by the royalty of ranch radio—Queen Eden.”
She couldn’t keep from chuckling and giving a quick curtsy to the camera at Jack’s clever moniker. He was leaving no stone unturned in putting a colorful spin on KWCB for the world stage.
“But around here,” Wildcat Jack continued as if she was well aware of all he was presenting live, “we like to call her Queenie.”
She gave Jack an exaggerated wink for the camera, to let their audience know they were getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their Wildcat Den Wild West World of ranch radio.
Finally, Wildcat Jack motioned toward the Quonset hut storage. “We all wanted to be here today to help share the big news Queen Eden is about to impart to you. Hang on to your hats because we’re talking about a time that dates all the way back to when KWCB turned on its transmitter and let its signal fly.”
She nodded in agreement, recognizing that Jack was getting back to their original script.
“Queenie, are you ready to share with the world what we discovered in your family’s KWCB storage unit?” Jack prompted her.
“Yes indeed, Wildcat Jack. I’m thrilled to share our surprise.” She turned toward the Quonset hut. “Please follow me over there.”
As if on cue, all the riders, except Hedy, leaped from their horses, ground tied them, and bunched up behind her.
She felt as if she were leading a parade as they followed her to the hut, then spread out around her with Hedy as sentinel on her horse. She had to admit Jack had come up with a colorful visual to offset the plainness of the storage building. Now she was ready to get the truth on record before Graham found out and tried to take her heritage from her again. She’d already contacted an auction house in Dallas to help establish provenance of all the items. She took a deep breath, swallowed again, and smiled at Nathan.
“My grandparents established KWCB in 1946. My parents and uncle inherited it from them. And finally, the radio station came to me. As you might know, I hosted Sugar Talk, a nationally syndicated radio program for many years before I moved back home.”
“And we’re mighty glad she’s back.” Jack moved so he was centered in the lens beside her.
“Wildcat Jack has been an integral part of the Wildcat Den for over fifty years. I’d be lost without him.” She gave him a quick kiss on his cheek.
He gave a slightly embarrassed look at the camera. “Queenie knows just how to leave a man speechless.”
She chuckled as she gazed fondly at him before refocusing on the camera. “If you know Wildcat Jack at all, you know he’s never at a loss for words.”
He joined her laughter, as did the group around them.
“For many years, Wildcat Jack interviewed some of the greatest and most beloved country stars of our day,” Eden continued. “They answered his questions. They sang and played popular songs. And he recorded it all right over there in the KWCB studio.” She grabbed a drink from a bottle of water while Nathan panned back to the radio station.
“It was my pleasure,” Wildcat Jack said, sounding humble and sincere.
“And now it’s our pleasure to share the Wildcat Den Vault with listeners around the world.” She opened the hut’s door and gestured inside, where bright light illuminated the boxes and crates that stretched into the back of the building. “This is not only my heritage, but it’s your heritage, too. It’s our heritage.”
She firmly shut the door and turned back toward Nathan. “Trucks are waiting right now to be loaded with the contents of this Quonset hut. We will move all the items into a climate-controlled storage unit before we start the process of unboxing and cataloging all the items. We’ve already found an interview with Hank Williams that we’ll be pl
aying for you as soon as we get it digitized. We’ll share with you what we discover on an ongoing basis.”
“That’s right,” Wildcat Jack said, gesturing around the group. “Ranch Radio Rowdies will be on the job, never fear.”
“And I want to assure each and every one of you,” Eden added, “that I’ll be staying at KWCB to bring you the high level of radio programming you’ve come to expect from me over the years. I’ll be sharing music and interviews from the Wildcat Den Vault utilizing all media sources. And I’ll be bringing it to you from right here on the Rocky T Ranch.”
“Sounds to me like I’m gonna get updated and upgraded,” Wildcat Jack said, grinning at Nathan. “Better stick around to watch the show.”
“I’m so glad you could join us today,” Eden added, ready to wrap up the segment. “Please join us live for our May Day Rodeo in Wildcat Bluff.” She smiled at the camera as she signed off. “And come back to visit us real soon here at KWCB, the Wildcat Den…where we always have a hootin’ hollerin’ heck of a good time.”
She gave Nathan the signal to stop shooting and gave a big sigh of relief that her voice had held out and all had gone well. She glanced around the group, grinning at their success. “Thanks. Y’all are really colorful and look just perfect.”
Jack laughed out loud in delight. “Glad you like our antics. I thought we ought to liven up the show a bit, like the old days.”
“You thought right.” She started to lock the storage hut when she heard a loud motor as a vehicle raced up the lane toward the radio station.
A small gray sedan came to a stop almost on top of the group, spraying them with dust and debris. Graham Tanner jumped out. He stalked over to Eden, hair mussed, suit smudged, shoes scuffed. He looked as if he hadn’t been having an easy time in Wildcat Bluff County.
“I saw your show.” Graham gave a dismissive glance at the group around her. “What are you assembling here, a rodeo team? Real cute.”
She used just her fingers in a subtle signal for Nathan to start live streaming again while Graham was totally focused on her.