Howdy, Ma'am

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “Didn’t my publicist contact you?”

  “No, I haven’t heard from anyone, not even you.”

  “I waited for you to make up your mind.”

  “It’s made up so now what do I do?” She tapped her fingernails against the phone.

  “We’ll talk about it at dinner.”

  She heard Caulder take a deep breath before he spoke again.

  “You sure this steak house will be okay for a classy lady like you?”

  “Sure.” Classy?

  “You’ve been there before, haven’t you?”

  “Well, sort of. I went once a while ago with friends, but it was so crowded we left.”

  “Hmm, the steak is worth the wait, ma’am. You’ll see.”

  She heard him take another deep breath. “You do eat meat, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do. Why would you think otherwise?”

  He chuckled. “I dunno. Must be my satirical stuff going on again.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll get used to it, but I’ll try.”

  “Well, Ms. Armano, I’ll see you in a couple days. Dress down for this place. It’s not fancy like you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He started laughing. “Jokin’!”

  “I know how to dress, thank you. See you there at 6:00 p.m.” She hung up without saying good-by. Would she be able to deal with him? “Good Lord.”

  Velia thought she heard Alice calling her so she opened the door. “Yes?”

  “Can you come down here for a minute?”

  When she got to the bottom of the stairs, Alice handed her the phone.

  “Hi, babe.”

  She almost dropped the phone. If she could see her own face, she’d know her skin paled. “Justin.” She whispered his name. It was like a bad taste in her mouth as it rolled off her tongue.

  “You sound surprised.”

  Alice started to walk away, but Velia grabbed her sweater sleeve.

  “Hey, will you be in court? I can’t wait to see you.”

  “I’ll be there. How did you get this number?”

  “I have my ways. You of all people should know that.”

  “Lonnie said you want to get on with your life.”

  “Oh, yeah, babe. True. I can’t wait to get on with my life. Me and Jessica fit together. Who would have known? I only wish you were still here.”

  “Jessica?”

  “Yeah, babe, Jessica, your best friend.”

  “Don’t call me here anymore. I can’t take calls.”

  “Fuck, are you in reform school?”

  When she hung up, she dropped to the chair beside the phone and took a quick look at Alice.

  “How did he find you?” asked Alice.

  Velia lowered her eyes. “Jessica. Jessica told him. I told her I lived in Tucson and, of course, the divorce is here. I don’t know how he got your number though. All I know is my best friend is now his girlfriend.”

  “Oh, dear, I’m so sorry.” Alice threw her hands to her face. “So sorry.”

  Edward walked in and sat down. “Better check with your father.”

  “I’ll go call him now.” She stopped at the first step. “I’m glad I’m leaving here. I don’t want Justin bothering you two. I’ll make sure he knows I’ll be on the road again.”

  “You be careful, Velia. Make sure you talk to your father about this.”

  “I will, Edward. Right now.”

  “Good.” He looked at her with concern in his eyes.

  “I’ll be okay, Edward.” She glanced at Alice. “Not to worry. I’ll be fine.”

  “Get a gun. Take some real shooting lessons and learn how to protect yourself.”

  “Thank you for your concern, but I don’t know if I could actually use it against someone. And what if they got it and used it against me?”

  “That’s why you take lessons. So they don’t get close enough to take it from you.”

  “Honestly, Edward, you’re scaring the girl.”

  “I’m not scared, just concerned about having a gun.”

  “I have one.” Alice nonchalantly mumbled as she sat down.

  “What?”

  Alice glanced at Edward. “We had an incident a few years ago. Edward and I were robbed at gunpoint right in our driveway. He grabbed my purse and knocked Edward down.” She smiled at her husband. “We both got guns afterward. We still shoot for practice every now and then.”

  “Hmm, I’ll think it over.” She started upstairs but turned toward Alice again. Alice with a gun? Who’d ever suspect her?

  * * *

  Two days later Velia registered for a class to learn how to shoot, and the gun shop owner helped her with a gun choice. She chose a Smith and Wesson .380, not a big caliber, yet it had enough impact to take someone down, and the small size of the pistol would be easy to conceal. She decided to wait until the class before purchasing. She mentioned to the gun shop owner about traveling, and he reminded her to check because some states didn’t allow it. “What good will it do then?” As if that wasn’t enough, taking it on a plane would not be allowed. She noted one more question to ask Caulder. Why spend the money if she was on a plane every few days and couldn’t carry it anyway?

  On the way home, her father called. “I’ll be there on Tuesday. I don’t know how Justin got your phone number, but I have my people looking into it.”

  “I know how. Jessica must have told him I live here.” She hesitated, waiting for his reaction, but he said nothing. “I registered for a gun class… But I’m leery of having a gun.”

  “Get one and pay attention at the class. Learn how to use it. Get good at it. I’m proud of you, angelo mio.”

  She smiled inside when her father called her his angel in Italian. It made it all the more special when he spoke in his native tongue. It’s not like she had a fear of guns or anything. She grew up with them in the family, and her dad carried one in a shoulder holster. He actually lived right outside of Chicago in Indiana where it was legal. As a child, she always thought he had something wrong with his ribs when she felt it hard in his holster. “I’m looking forward to seeing you. I don’t like being so far away from home.” Before hanging up, she asked about her cousins.

  “The kids are staying there with their mother’s best friend. Maybe you can go back to Italy with your mother in the summer.”

  “I won’t be finished with my assignment in the summer, but I’ll see about going as soon as the circuit is over. Maybe you and mama can both go then.”

  “I’ll see you at the airport on Tuesday, angelo mio.”

  “Ti amo, papà .”

  “Love you, my darling Velia.”

  Chapter Six

  After shopping all day, Velia ran home and put on her tightest jeans, heeled boots, and white shirt with a light green jacket. She brushed her hair until it shone like an oil slick. Waves hung loose and sexy. She put on extra mascara, making her eyes sparkle. She swiped a heavy coat of lipstick across her full lips. Her olive skin darkened with the Arizona sun but looked bright when she finished her make-up. She twisted around to look at her derrière in the mirror. She smacked her butt with an open palm and said, “Pretty damn nice!”

  She drove to the restaurant and Caulder waited outside the door.

  “Howdy, ma’am. It’s a little crowded, but you don’t want to leave, do you?”

  Velia smiled when she saw him. “No, not at all. I’m ready for steak.”

  “Good. My kind of gal.”

  “Is that one of your jokes?”

  “No, ma’am. I meant it. I don’t want a chick that eats like a rabbit.”

  “Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I do eat salad with my steak.”

  He gently poked her in the ribs with his elbow. “Jokin’.”

  “How will I ever be able to deal with you when I don’t know when you’re teasing?”

  “I don’t tease like this when I’m on a bull. You’ll be photographing a lot of riding. Actually, you’ll be photographing me when I’m
on the bull for my own study. I need to watch myself so I can see what I’m doing right, or wrong. You do video I assume.”

  “I do it all.” Why did his eyes roam over her body, and his lips turn into a smile when she said those four words?

  Their table was ready. Velia noticed how other women smiled and flirted with Caulder. She had to smile because he seemed so naïve and didn’t appear to notice.

  “What are you smiling about?” Caulder sipped his beer.

  “A funny thought is all.”

  He sat his bottle down. “You look nice tonight, ma’am.”

  “Thank you, Caulder. You look pretty good yourself.”

  “You should see me dressed up. I look hot when I’m dressed up.”

  “Listen to you. I’d laugh and call you conceited, but I have a feeling you’re telling me another of your jokes. “

  A wide grin broke out on his handsome face. “See, I can’t fool you all the time.”

  “You remember those words. Maybe when you think I’m teasing, I’m not really teasing”

  “I guess I’ll never know with you then.” Caulder winked, his long eyelashes dropping over his sexy, blue eye.

  Velia took a sip of red wine. “I’ll stay on the ball and always pay close attention until I get to know you. Deal?”

  “Deal if you like, ma’am.”

  “Do you call every female ma’am?”

  “No, not all. There’s one woman in particular I even call Mom.”

  “Oh, my goodness. You do have a hard time answering a simple question, don’t you?”

  “Oh, hell, I’ll grow on ya. Give me a chance at least.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Velia smiled across the table. The small candle in the middle caused his appealing eyes to sparkle. His face was handsome with distinct cheekbones, square jaw, and perfect mouth with straight, white teeth. She wondered if the neatly trimmed brows came natural or he had them done. His hair was a dark brown, thick and straight as it got longer in the back. A lock or two fell into his eyes when he leaned forward. He often slid the long strands behind his ears. She kind of liked when he did.

  She saw innocence and shyness, but still something strong and sexy. His sexiness seemed natural and the strength had to come from hard work. There was so much she’d like to learn and know about him. She watched the hostess and female wait-staff examine his looks behind his back. She wondered if women at the shows did the same thing.

  Velia vowed to figure out this man and his personality, and how he fit into his world. If she did, she could capture it in her photos. Once she knew him, her photographs would be even better. She wanted to capture the real man, even the sexy part, but maybe she would keep some of those for herself.

  “Hello? Got your tongue wrapped up in a rope?”

  “Oh, no, I’m sorry.” Velia caught herself smiling while gazing into his eyes. “You caught me lost in my personal thoughts.”

  “I’d love to know what you were thinking with a smile so sensual on your face.”

  “Hmm, I give myself away too easily.” She dug into her salad when it arrived with her meal. “We’ll have to get to know each other better. I think you’ll like my photographs when we do.”

  “I hope to like them before we get to know each other because you’ll start right out on day one at the opening ceremony. It’ll be crazy and we’ll get through introductions and stats. People will be excited because the season is starting.”

  “Girls will be wishing to crawl all over you.”

  “Shucks, ma’am. They already want to. I can’t seem to shake it off. They want to get my attention any way they can. I’ve been flashed before getting on a bull. You have no idea.”

  “Should I be photographing those stunts as well?”

  “Sure, but keep those parts out of the public eye. I want some for myself.”

  “No problem. Now, what about some of the details? Where do I sleep, how long are we at one place. How much time will I have for photo editing?”

  “Whoa there. One step at a time. You’ll be sleeping in a four- or five-star hotel, always. We only get the best. Do you know how much money I make?”

  “No, and it’s none of my business.”

  “Doesn’t matter, they advertize it while I’m being introduced, or on the bull. Anytime they feel like it. It’s no secret. Next answer—we can be at one place from two days all the way to a week. The end of the season is the longest. World Championships end in Atlantic City. Can you handle Atlantic City?”

  “No problem.” She took a big sip of wine before smiling. She couldn’t help but smile when she looked at him.

  “You’ll have plenty of time for photo editing. You can edit when you wish. If you get behind and need extra editing time, let me know. I’m here for you. Besides, I have to work out nearly every day, so I have my obligations, too.”

  “I will need extra alone time. I need to be able to do my craft. My end product is great, and I do it by being alone and concentrating.”

  “If I become a bother, let me know.” He flashed a smile. “Yeah, like me and pumping iron. The end result is pretty near perfect.” Caulder laughed out loud.

  Velia rolled her eyes, although she would have to agree with his end product. “One thing you said. We’ll always be in four- or five-star hotels. What exactly do you mean by ‘we’?”

  “Hold on to your spurs there. I only mean ‘we’ as a whole. We always stay at nice places. The circuit means we.”

  “I see.”

  “Now, dig in to your steak. Enjoy the rest of the night.”

  Velia watched him burrow into his medium rare T-bone. There was no way she could eat it like him, not with the juices soaking into everything else on the plate. She cut her own piece of steak and enjoyed every bite. Her salad dripped with oil and vinegar dressing, nothing like the homemade at her mother’s restaurant. If she didn’t start cooking for someone soon, she would forget how. All those luscious Italian meals gone to waste. She looked at Caulder. “Do you like Italian food?”

  “I guess. I eat spaghetti and meatballs. Anything with meat.”

  “A real meat and potatoes guy, eh?”

  “I like meat and I like potatoes.” He thought a minute. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

  Velia thought about her home cooked meals and how much she used to entertain in the early days of her marriage. “Would you like an authentic? I’m a great cook.”

  He gazed across the table straightaway into her eyes. It should have made her uncomfortable, but instead it caused warmth, stemming in the pit of her stomach and working over the rest of her body. She tensed when he reached over and slid a stubborn lock of hair behind her ear, his palm lingering against her cheek.

  Caulder picked up his beer and took a long swig. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that.”

  She reached to her cheek, the heat from his subtle touch still there. She glanced across the table at his hand wrapped tight around his beer bottle. Strong hands with a gentle touch. She swallowed hard and blinked back to reality. “It’s okay. The silly lock of hair always falls in my eyes.”

  “It’s sexy.” He stabbed another piece of meat and dunked it into A-1 Sauce.

  Velia subconsciously squinted. “Is it, now?”

  He stopped chewing. “About dinner—it’s been a long time since I ate a home-cooked meal. It’d be my pleasure to have dinner with you.”

  “How about Thursday of next week at around seven o’clock?”

  He put his napkin on the table and darted his glance sideways, the corner of his mouth following suit. He stared over the candlelight. “It’ll work. I’m not leaving town until Saturday, maybe longer.”

  “I’ll be happy to have you. I rent the upstairs in a home owned by an elderly couple. They won’t mind, and maybe they can join us for dessert. They’ll probably be watching Jeopardy.”

  “It will be a pleasure to meet them.”

  “Another thing you should know.” Velia took a sip of wine, getting up the cour
age, and wondering if she’d choke on the words. “I’m almost divorced. My court date is coming up soon. My husband—or I might as well call him ex—well, he’s not a very nice man. Somehow he got my phone number, which probably means he knows where I live.” She toyed with her fork as she pushed food around on her plate then glanced at Caulder. “I can’t wait to go on the tour with you, I mean the photographic tour.”

  “You’re going on a tour with me.” He reached over and touched her hand. “Is the husband a danger to you?”

  Velia glanced at his hand on hers. The second time he touched her this night. She peered into his eyes.

  Caulder moved his hand away. “In reality, ma’am, it is a tour with me.”

  “I know, but I justify it by calling it a photographic tour. I don’t know why. Maybe I feel guilty because I’m still married.”

  He touched her hand again. “But, at this point, it’s in name only.”

  “I know.”

  “Hopefully this tour will help get your life and emotions back in order.”

  “You sound like someone who’s been there.” As if he somehow sensed her emotions.

  “I have. Let’s leave it there for now.”

  “Sure.” Velia finished the last bite of food, and Caulder pushed the menu in front of her.

  “What are you having?”

  “Umm, I shouldn’t.” Velia smiled placidly.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, you should.”

  “No, seriously—”

  “Yeah, seriously.” He grinned. “Teasing you is so much fun.”

  Velia peered at his attractive features. “You’re not too bad when you’re not teasing.”

  “Thank you, I think.” He pulled the menu back.

  “Come on, you’ve talked me into it. Let’s order dessert.”

  “Somewhere else?”

  “Oooh, you convinced me and now you’re taking the offer away?”

  “I’d rather go somewhere else.”

  Velia grabbed the menu. She opened it, turned it over, opened it again but couldn’t find the dessert menu. When she glanced at Caulder, he had a smirk on his face. “Excuse me, miss.” She waved for the waitperson. “What do you have for dessert?”