Chief Cook and Bottle Washer

by Rita Hestand

  "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 Rusty's help, and Clint's help too. 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 nothing before about it, but you've done a great job with this place. Made some real improvements, 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 who can hardly set 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 knew 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 walked 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 hots. 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, cause 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, 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 planning 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, cause he promised to show her a real pig. And because of the older man Sammie Jo was showing signs of saying some real words. 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 a 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 . . . ."

  "I know, but the way that kid gets around the yard and barn, she's gonna need something to keep the mud off her." Deke chuckled.

  "You noticed?"

  "Couldn't help but notice, she was muddier than a pig with an itch the other day. Must have took you an hour to clean the tub after you bathed her."

  "It did. Okay you win. You're the boss." Emma laughed.

  "You have a nice laugh Emma, you should do it more often."

  Pink dotted her cheeks.

  "So, tell me, where's the baby's father? What was his name, Charlie."

  "His name was Joel, and I have no idea where he might be. He's a lot like Clint, he goes where the wind blows him. Charlie was our closest neighbor's son. My brother's best friend."

  "Oh yeah. That's right. The man who didn't want to be burdened with a kid."

  "That's right."

  "Too bad for him," he blurted, as he
braked too quickly from a passing car and skidded. An unfamiliar car sped past at high speed, forcing him to the edge of the road. Emma bumped her head on the dash, and Deke stopped the truck, pulling off the side of the highway.

  "Damned fool idiot. He should have looked where he was going." Deke declared as he reached over to check Emma. His heart was hammering so hard he couldn't think straight. "Are you all right?"

  His hand was on her arm, and he felt her pulse speed up, or was that his own? He wasn't sure, he didn't care. All he wanted was to be closer, suddenly. To touch her cheek, to what? Something about touching Emma sent a shock wave of reactions through him. Maybe it was the contrast of soft skin against calluses. He didn't know. Just then she looked up at him, with such wide eyed anticipation. He couldn't stop himself from tipping her chin up, and feather touching her lips with his own. And her lips were as sweet as he'd been imagining all day. He felt like a bear stealing honey from a bee-hive.

  "God, I thought you were hurt," he murmured against her cheek as he kissed her thoroughly on the lips again. So sweet.

  Emma felt soft and warm, and yielding and he wanted more of her than what the truck would allow. A lot more. But good sense prevailed when his arm knocked the horn and jolted him back to reality. He sighed heavily knowing the rest of the day and night would be painful to get through. He definitely needed to find himself a woman.

  What had he been thinking? Emma wasn't for him! God, he was blowing his own plans. It had to be the circumstance of riding in a enclosed truck with her, smelling that sweet smell of lilacs that was all her own, and the brushing of her hair against his arm. That and the fact that he hadn't been with a woman in a while. Nothing else made sense.

  That was one mistake he wasn't about to repeat. But what could he say to her? Hell, he wasn't sorry, he wanted to do it all over again. But maybe apologizing, would impress upon her that he wasn't interested in carrying it any further. Yet he didn't want to hurt her feelings. She had to know she wasn't for him. Best he set her straight right now.

  "I'm sorry Emma, I shouldn't have done that. I was way out of line."

  Emma pinked again, and he thought he saw a flash of anger in those warm brown eyes. "It won't happen again."