Family Matters (The Travers Brothers Series): The Travers Brothers Series

by Rita Hestand

  Chapter Five

  A week had passed and nothing was happening between Emma and Clint. Oh they were polite as they could be, talkative, helpful, but nothing was going on between Clint and Emma. It was as if an "Off limits" sign was hung around her neck.

  It looked seriously as though Deke might have to lend a hand with nature. Clint just didn't know a good thing when he saw it.

  Jake had been riding fence most of the week so Deke didn't have to worry about him. But Deke had purposely let Clint slack off a little giving him time and opportunity to get to know Emma better.

  Clint hadn't taken the hint. Oh they'd had general conversations at dinner time. He'd helped her off and on with Sammie Jo. Yet Clint treated her as though she was the last person on his mind. Why? It made no sense to him. He'd gotten dumped good and proper only months ago, so now he was having nothing to do with women?

  Deke shook his head as he shod one of the horses in the barn. "Looks like I'm going to have to do something to wake those brothers of mine up."

  It was Saturday and very early. A light morning mist had made the barn humid. What Deke and every other rancher in the area needed was a good hard rain. Deke shucked his thoughts and dug into his work with a vengeance when Rusty clamored into the barn nosily.

  "Deke, I thought you'd be on your way to Sweetwater by now."

  "What for?" Deke questioned not even glancing up to see his brother's expression. He instinctively knew by the sound of his walk which brother ambled into the barn.

  "To fetch a gal for the dance, tonight."

  "I'd forgotten about that. I've had a few other things on my mind lately. I doubt I'll go, and if I do I'll probably just go stag. Besides, I've got too much work to do to run off to Sweetwater. With Too Bit coming down sick and some of the other ranchers having the same problems I'm not sure dancing is in order right now."

  "There'll always be problems here at the ranch, Deke. Lord knows you know that. Why don't you let your hair down and have some fun. I wouldn't miss the shindig. I'm takin' Jennifer."

  "Are you and Jennifer getting serious?" Deke held his breath for the answer and looked up at his younger brother. Jennifer would do nothing to settle Rusty down, in fact, they'd probably move to the city if she had anything to do with it, she loved to shop.

  "She's my girl, isn't she?"

  "Is she?" Deke continued with his work.

  "You don't like Jennifer much, do you, Deke?" Rusty's voice held a note of disappointment as he waited for his brother's answer.

  "It's not that." Deke didn't want Rusty thinking he didn't care for Jennifer, because some day they might get married. "She's just so young, immature. I mean if I was serious, I'd be looking for a girl with staying power, you know a ranch girl. And I'd be buying her a ring or something, because Jennifer is not the steady kind of girl."

  "And what do you know about girls? You haven't had a date since last year." Rusty seemed satisfied with his comeback. Never disrespectful, Rusty felt comfortable arguing with his big brother. Deke liked that. He admired honesty more than any quality in a person. And if the Travers boys were anything, they were honest. They could say anything to each other without getting mad. They were a close knit family and Deke wanted to keep it that way.

  "True. But I've been around the barn a few times kid, and don't you forget it. I'm telling you. If you want to keep a gal you've got to hog-tie her. Put a brand on her."

  "I don't see you hog-tying anyone. Besides, I'm too young to settle down yet."

  Deke ignored his young brother's reasoning. He needed their help. How could he make them see this without hurting them? The ranch was too big for him alone. "How old do you think you need to be?" Deke asked as he continued to file the shoe.

  "'Bout your age, I'd say," Rusty answered with a big smile on his face.

  "My age!" Deke shouted. He'd walked into that one. Shaking his head he asked innocently. "Don't you think that's a little too old?"

  "Nope, I think you're just about the right age for settling down with a good woman. So why don't you?"

  "Why don't I what?" Deke asked not paying too much attention to his brother any longer. It was obvious Rusty was just wasting time, talking nonsense and Deke had a lot of work to do, today. He wished for once Rusty and Clint would just do what needed to be done without him having to point it out to them every time. He wished they took more pride in the land, because it belonged to all of them. This was their real future, why couldn't they see it?

  "Why don't you settle down?"

  "With who? Last time I looked you had to have a partner for that kind of stuff." He let go of the horse and rubbed the leg for a few minutes. "That ought to do you."

  "What about Thelma?"

  "Thelma who?"

  "Thelma, the gal you went out with over in Sweetwater last year."

  "Not on your life."

  Rusty laughed. "Why not?"

  "Because when I took Thelma home, I found out she had a husband. And I'm not in to dating married women or liars."

  "So you give up on all of them because of one?"

  "I think you should quit worrying about me, and start worrying about yourself little brother. I'm over-the-hill anyway." Deke grunted as he hoisted a saddle up on the stall railing. "Where's Clint?"

  "In the house, talkin' to Emma I think."

  "Go–" Deke stopped himself from saying good. He didn't want Rusty catching on to his plan. Rusty couldn't keep a secret. He certainly didn't need Rusty interrupting his plan; he was having enough trouble as it was. "Well when he comes out tell him I'll be out on the south pasture, we're castrating today. You boys get your gear and hustle your butts out there, pronto."

  Rusty nodded. "You know Deke, I've never said anything before about it, but you've done a great job with this place. Made some real improvements since dad turned it over to you, kept it out of red ink. That's saying something bro."

  "This place as you call it is our home, little brother. And in case you're in any doubt, it belongs to all of us. It's our ranch." Deke emphasized his point with a slight frown.

  "Yeah, I know. But just because we were born on a ranch don't mean we're necessarily cut out to be ranchers Deke. I mean, look at Clint. He's been doing fantastic in the rodeo circuit this past year. And I've even considered trying my hand at it. There's good money in it." Deke got the message loud and clear.

  Deke's head reared and he answered adamantly, "Have you ever seen a retired rodeo champ, Rusty?"

  "Well no, but–"

  "But nothing. Take a good look at one of them next time you run off to watch Clint ride. They are a bunch of busted up cowpokes that can hardly sit the saddle any more. And not a one of them over probably thirty-five. What kind of future is that?"

  "Yeah, I've heard all the stories, but Clint sorta has his heart in it, if you've paid any attention." Rusty hesitated to add.

  Deke sighed. "I have. That's why we've got to get his heart out of it, somehow."

  "How do you plan on doin' that, bro?" Rusty asked twisting his head.

  "I'm working on it. By the way, did either of you think to invite Emma to the dance?"

  Rusty scratched his chin, and picked up a piece of straw from the floor of the barn. His blue eyes evaded Deke's as he put the piece of straw to his lips. "I hadn't even thought about it. Maybe Clint will invite her."

  "Yeah, maybe so," Deke said with a shrug.

  All the way out to the south pasture Deke fretted over the possibility of Clint not thinking about it. What was wrong with those boys? Didn't they recognize quality when they saw it? Why weren't they beating down her door to ask her out? She knew how to cook, she knew how to clean, and she was fair at taking care of the kid. It was obvious how much she loved Sammie Jo, and she'd be a great mother if she ever quit worrying about other people so much.

  He was in the middle of the castrating process, two hours later when it hit him. He hadn't taken his mind off the problem all morning. He was edgy and biting everyone's head off and no one kne
w what was wrong with him. Deke had to get this plan into action so he could go back to ranching. There was no other way. Until he settled things, he wasn't going to get anything done.

  Emma might not have anything to wear, and she might refuse the offer in the first place. God, he hadn't thought twice about the way she might feel or think.

  He didn't give the possibility a chance to fester. He stomped over to the straw boss. "Take over Sandy, I'll be back later." Then he headed back to the house.

  All the way back, he tried to figure an angle to bring the dance up with Emma. Had Clint asked her out? Had she accepted? Maybe he'd run into Clint first and could ask him.

  How did a man tackle a conversation so personal about a woman's wardrobe? Well, since he knew nothing about such things he'd just come out in the open with it, and hope Emma wouldn't be insulted.

  Yeah, a direct approach would be best. He hoped.

  Emma hung the living room rug on the clothesline and beat it with a broom to get the dust out. In her action her breast were outlined more decidedly than Deke cared to notice. He felt himself grow warm in all the wrong places, and for all the wrong reasons. Dammit, he had to stop reacting like a teenage boy with the hot's. This woman might someday be his sister-in-law.

  She stopped beating the rug when Deke rode up. Sweat trickled down her forehead.

  "Hi," she said shyly.

  "Hi, Emma. Where's Sammie Jo?" Maybe he did need to find himself a woman, because Emma was sure reminding him how long it had been since he'd been near one. Every move she made alerted him to his own body.

  "Asleep. She still likes a nap every day." Her eyes traveled him slowly.

  "Well, I guess Clint talked to you about the dance tonight, didn't he?" Deke asked hoping his brother hadn't forgotten.

  "He mentioned something about a dance." She went back to beating the rug.

  "Are you going?" Deke blurted out when she didn't respond with an answer.

  "Me?" She whipped about to face him. "I wasn't asked, and besides, I have a baby, remember. I don't do dances anymore."

  Damn, maybe Sammie Jo was the reason Clint hadn't asked. Maybe Clint didn't even see her as eligible. Built in baby-sitters didn't grow on trees. Still, there was dad. "I remember, but I'm sure Dad would enjoy watching her. They really get along well. Don't be shy about asking. I'm surprised he hasn't said something to you about it," Deke said watching her face. He hadn't realized it before, but he'd been thinking about that face all morning, and other things, like how she laughed, how she smiled, and about the night he'd caught her reading a fairy tale story to the baby. Something had hit deep inside him when he saw her cuddling that baby to her, her face shining with love.

  "That's very sweet of him, but I don't think I'll go."

  "Why not?" he blurted out then regretted it when he saw her face pale. "I mean it would give you a chance to meet a lot of people in the area."

  "I'm not much of a dancer. Charlie used to say I had two left feet." She hit the rug once more her voice going lower as though she might be ashamed of the fact. She had no party clothes, she couldn't dance, and she had a baby. How many reasons did he need to hear?

  "Who is this Charlie, you keep referring to?"

  "Oh, just a friend."

  She wasn't going. And if she didn't go, how would Clint ever see her as a real woman. If she dolled up, he'd notice, he'd have to. Clint wasn't blind, most of the time.

  "Sounds like a kinda important friend."

  "He was my boyfriend. My ex-boyfriend."

  "Sammie Jo's daddy?"

  "No. Charlie had nothing to do with Sammie Jo. That was the problem. He couldn't see me as a mother."

  "I see. So this Charlie, you still have feelings for him?"

  She looked away. "I thought I did."

  "Well, then would you go with me?" Deke found himself asking and wondering how he got himself into such deep waters. He knew it was a mistake, even before it was out of his mouth, but he couldn't recall his words.

  "You? Is that proper? I mean, you're my boss. I'm sure you must know dozens of girls to ask. Don't you have a girl, Deke?"

  "I'm askin' you. And it'd be more than proper. It would give you a chance to meet people around here. You're young Emma, you should get out more."

  Emma put her hand on her hip and leaned into it, staring at him with a frown. "And you are old, I suppose?" When he didn't answer she dropped the broom and sighed, "Thanks for asking, but–I don't have any party clothes."

  It took a lot to admit it, but that was the real reason she didn't want to go. She was embarrassed.

  "We'll make a run to Sweetwater, and you can get what you need. I've got to pick up some supplies, anyway." Deke turned away and started walking, so she wouldn't refuse.

  "B-but–"

  Good, he had her where he wanted her. He'd take her to town, find a nice dress shop and let her have whatever she wanted. She'd show that rodeo brother of his.

  He didn't need any supplies, and he knew it. But Emma didn't. He'd make it look real good. And his plan would work, tonight.

  First he needed to find his dad, though. He didn't go around inviting his father to baby-sit, but this was important, and if need be, he'd tell him all about his plan.

  Cal was talking to the vet, when Deke caught up to him.

  "So how's she lookin', doc?" He glanced from Too Bit to the two men in front of him.

  "She's fine. Just a bad lot of grain looks like, nearly everybody had some sick ones from it. Although I checked with the manufacturer the other day about this same thing and no one outside this area has had the least bit of trouble. It's an ingestion problem. So it's got to be the grain. Good thing we caught it early. It could have been a disaster. Although with this drought it might not be a bad idea to check your springs and creek beds."

  "Tainted?"

  "Could be."

  Deke nodded with an exasperated frown. "Let's hope not. So, you going to the barn dance, tonight, doc?" Deke asked glancing at his dad.

  "Probably not. I've got a couple of problems over at the River's Ranch. Be there most the night. I guess you boys will be there, though."

  "Wouldn't miss it," Deke replied with a grin.

  Cal seemed to study him as the doc moved towards his truck. After a short conversation, and the doc left, Cal came back to stand in front of Deke. "You plan on going to the dance?"

  "Y-yeah. I thought I'd take Emma, introduce her to the people in the area. She'll probably get a little tired of being surrounded by nothing but men. We don't want her wandering off because she's got no lady friends."

  "Good thinkin' son. I'm glad you asked her. Although I'm a little surprised Clint or Jake didn't ask her to go with them."

  "Yeah. When Clint overlooked the matter, I felt it my responsibility to take her. Her being new here. Jake's been too busy, and Clint still doesn't have his head on straight about women, I guess. Well listen dad, I've got to make a run into Sweetwater, and Emma needs a few things. Would you watch Sammie Jo for her?"

  Cal bent his head in a quick smile then glanced up at his son, putting his hand on his shoulder. "Be glad to. Ya'll go on, we'll be just fine. And I'll watch her tonight, too."

  "Don't you want to go to the dance?" Deke held his breath.

  "We might go," Cal said at last, letting out a little chuckle.

  "We?"

  "Yeah, me and Sammie Jo might go to the dance together. At least that way, I'll have an excuse not to dance with all the widows in the county."

  "I thought you kinda liked some of them. Especially Bertha."

  "Let's just say I like to keep them guessing."

  "I wouldn't wait too long, women tend to be a little on the fickle side, Dad."

  Deke nodded and went to pull the truck around front. Emma came out of the house with her purse on her shoulder and Cal took Sammie Jo out of her arms. Sammie Jo was eager to go with Cal, because he promised to show her a real pig. And because of the older man Sammie Jo was showing signs of saying some real w
ords. Pig was one of them.

  Funny, Deke smiled as he watched his father with the little tyke. Cal Travers hadn't lit a cigarette in a week. Emma and Sammie Jo fit in well with the Travers bunch.

  Emma got into the truck and hugged the door. Deke noticed she wore a newer pair of jeans and she had on a nice white blouse instead of a T-shirt. The blouse wasn't sexy like the T-shirt, but Deke was beginning to realize that the more a woman hid, the more curious a man seemed to get. He certainly was.

  Deke didn't say a word to her for a long while. But the bumps and ruts in the road threw Emma much closer and conversation seemed easier than the sudden electric silence.

  "Emma, I realize your finances are pretty low, and I don't want to embarrass you. So let me give you some money for a nice dress and we'll call it payday."

  "I couldn't do that."

  "Okay, then let me give this back to you. It's the money you threw at me the night you ran into me. I never spent it. My insurance took care of it."

  Emma hesitated, staring at the money. "I really shouldn't spend the money on me. Sammie Jo should come first. I need to buy a highchair, and I had planned on getting her some new shoes too." She looked directly at him. "Maybe I shouldn't go."

  "Trying to stand me up."

  "No, of course not."

  Deke cast her curious glance. "I feel the same way sometimes Emma. I know the ranch needs supplies more than I need anything, but sometimes you've got to be good to yourself. That way, you can be good to others. Do you know what I mean?"

  Emma was silent a moment, then looked at him. Her big eyes drew him in. "Yes, I think I understand. All right, just this once. I'll give in."

  "Once is all it will take. And don't worry about the shoes for Sammie Jo. I'll spring for that. She's walkin' pretty good right now, so I'd say she needs something sturdier than sandals. Somethin' like a pair of boots."

  "Boots?" Emma laughed, "But she's only . . . ."