Right Out of Nowhere

by Laurie Salzler

  Roni snatched the dummy off the bed and thrust it into Jeff’s arms. “Get out. Get the hell out of here and take your stupid scarecrow with you!”

  She gave him a final push and slammed the door before he could twirl around and say something else. Laughter reached her ears from the other side. She bent down and swiped up the hat that’d fallen off the dummy’s head and onto the floor. She plopped her entire weight onto the bed and dropped her head into her hands.

  “I am so screwed. I have to think of something or Jeff isn’t ever going to let me live this down.” She couldn’t believe Beth told him; she had to have known he’d tease her mercilessly. Roni had to come up with a plan to use against him. It would have to be something equally humiliating and embarrassing, but it was going to be difficult with just the two of them up here.

  Twenty minutes later, she opened the door, walked out, wearing fresh clothes, and forced a devilish smile off her lips.

  “Dinner ready?” She put on her best innocent face.

  “Oh crap. That didn’t take you long.” Jeff moved Puller off his lap and strode to the stove.

  “You forget, dear brother, that I am the queen of retaliation.” Despite her humiliation, she focused on appearing nonchalant. She was still pissed at him, and at herself for that matter, but refused to let him see it. She patted Puller on the head on the way by and sat at the table.

  Agatha-Trixie sat propped up in the chair next to her. “Maybe you should consider moving to Hollywood. You seem to be an expert with the dummies.”

  “Thanks, but no thanks. I have my work cut out for me here. Besides, who else would call you out front and center to keep you out of trouble? Although from the looks of it, I’m going to have to work harder.”

  “Don’t bother. It’ll never happen again, trust me.” Roni gazed at the food-laden plate he placed in front of her. She picked up her fork and dove into the goulash.

  Jeff dished out his own dinner and joined her at the table. “I’d venture to guess that if I ask any questions, your quest for revenge will be that much worse.”

  “I see you’ve been hit by the proverbial clue-by-four.” Roni wiped her plate clean with a slice of bread. “By the way, Betty Crocker, dinner hit the spot. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. While you were out—” Roni’s glare dared him to continue that sentence. “Whatever. Agatha-Trixie and I had some extra time on our hands.” Jeff got up, collected both plates, and took them to the sink. “How’d Beth seem?” His quick subject change didn’t surprise her. He’d been airheaded ever since Beth announced she was pregnant.

  “Big and uncomfortable. She looks great though. I know she’s looking forward to you being at the delivery.” She pushed her chair back and got up to stretch. “I think I’m going to take Sparky for a ride tomorrow. Chenoa could use some time off anyway.”

  “You’re a glutton for punishment.”

  “I’ve got to figure out what makes that horse tick. The only way I’m going to do that is by putting miles on his back.”

  Jeff turned and grinned at her. He held a dishrag in one hand and a plate in the other. Soap suds ran down his arms and collected at his elbows. “Just as long as you’re on his back and not flat on yours.”

  “No kidding.” Roni shoved a piece of wood on top of the glowing embers in the wood stove. “I’ve been thinking a lot about it, and I’ve almost convinced myself that it’s a trust issue with him.” She turned her back to the stove and took turns lifting one foot and then the other to warm them.

  “You could be right.” Jeff worked the pump to rinse a handful of silverware. “What are you going to do about it? We don’t have a round pen to work him in up here.”

  “I’m going to have to think about it for a while.” Working a loose horse in a pen helped him learn how to respond to voice and body language, but Roni didn’t know how Sparky would deal with a longe line.

  She went to the door and let Puller out. “Hurry up, buddy.” She glanced at the moonlit meadow. The horses’ backs gleamed bright from the light. Chenoa was lying down, contentedly eating the grass within reach of his mouth. The door had just clicked shut when she heard Puller scratching and reopened it. He made a bee-line to her bedroom without looking at either of them.

  “Somebody’s tired.” Jeff took his pipe and tobacco out of his shirt pocket. “I’m going out for a bit. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Roni yawned and followed Puller. “See you.” As soon as she heard the outside door close, she rushed into Jeff’s bedroom, short sheeted his bed, and as an afterthought, rubbed the bristles of his toothbrush over the bar of soap. Satisfied for the moment, she went to bed.

  SELENA AYALA UNPLUGGED the GPS from the truck’s power source as they made a right turn into the Selway Recreation Site Campground. She stored the cord at the bottom of her fanny pack and clicked the unit onto her belt.

  “We’re here,” the driver said.

  Selena thought his name was Charlie, but since they didn’t talk at all on the trip up, she wasn’t sure. She did know one thing; he wasn’t too keen on women and, in her opinion, horses either.

  Earlier, she’d watched him load her horse with more force than she thought necessary. The animal had been more than willing to step up into the trailer, but for unexplained reasons, the man apparently felt he needed to yell and jerk the gray’s head around.

  She didn’t dare say a word after he sent a warning glance her way. When he got into the truck, he slammed the door, turned the ignition, and accelerated down the ranch drive. She’d hoped the horse was sure-footed enough to survive his horrible driving.

  At any rate, she was ready to get away from this tobacco-chewing man who reeked of sour body odor and cow manure.

  She lifted the door handle. “If you want, you can stay in here. I’ll be just a minute unloading my packs and the horse.”

  Charlie grunted and said nothing more.

  Selena didn’t waste any time hopping into the truck bed. She threw the saddle, bridle, and saddlebags to the ground and made extra sure her tosses sent them well away from the tires. She wouldn’t put it past him to run over her supplies and crush everything.

  She strode to the back of the horse trailer, unlocked the door, and swung it open. The horse stood tied in the front. He turned his head, the little he could, and she could see the whites of his eyes, even in the dark enclosure.

  The smell of hot sweat and manure accosted her as she stepped up. The horse fidgeted nervously and rocked the trailer.

  “Settle down back there, ya damned mule!” Charlie yelled out the truck window.

  “It’s okay, big guy,” Selena cooed gently. “We’ll get you out of here and away from that idiot.” She tugged on the knotted lead rope and freed him. “Easy there.” She patted his dripping neck and let him have a moment to steady his feet.

  The horse took a deep breath and relaxed noticeably. He slowly lowered his head and sniffed the floor. Selena moved in front of him and, with quiet encouragement, backed him off the trailer.

  “Shut the door and don’t forget to lock it!” Charlie barked at her. The horse pinned his ears to his head.

  “It seems you don’t think too highly of him either, huh?” She pulled the door closed and latched it securely. “You’re all set.”

  The truck engine sprung to life and within seconds she was standing by herself in the middle of a dust cloud. “What an ass. Good riddance, that’s what I say.”

  Her boss, Mike Hart, had told her she could bunk in one of the cabins if her arrival was too late in the day to get started up the mountain to Base Camp. Even if it were earlier, it would take until tomorrow for her horse to recover from the torturous ride he’d been subjected to.

  She scanned the area and found a stabling area with a corral. “Perfect. Let’s get you settled in first.” The horse walked without resistance, albeit somewhat stiffly, and was soon grazing happily on the short spring grasses that had recently shot up.

  Satisfied her mount would be
fine, she set about moving her stuff to the cabin nearest the stable. All the cabins were left unlocked and were well cared for by the Forestry Service. She’d only have to let out her bedroll and make her dinner.

  Once the sun dipped below the mountains, darkness wasn’t far behind. Selena checked on the gray who was standing to the side with one hind leg resting on the toe of his hoof. His eyes were half-mast and his lower lip drooped.

  “That’s it. You rest, mister. We’ve got a hard couple days ahead of us.” She stood and looked at the stars until the cold drove her inside. Having nothing better to do, she got into her bedroll. Somewhere amidst thinking about her travel plan to the cabin and wondering what the summer would bring, she drifted off to dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Eight

  THREE DAYS PASSED. Roni and Jeff spent the idle time cleaning tack, gathering firewood, exercising the horses, and doing chores around the cabin. She knew Jeff was sitting on pins and needles, wondering if she had anything else up her sleeve. She figured she’d let him stew a little longer. Just thinking about it painted an evil grin on her face.

  “Need a refill?” Jeff said from the doorway.

  Roni raised her empty coffee mug over her head from the porch step where she’d been watching dawn’s colorful arrival. “Thanks.”

  “I can’t believe you can get up so damn early every day.” Jeff yawned at full volume. He took her mug and went back into the cabin. In a short time, he returned with hers and a full mug of his own. His hair pointed every-which-way, and his mustache, normally perfect, lay flat against his cheeks. Shadows circled his eyes, giving him a raccoon-like appearance.

  “You’re looking a little haggard this morning.”

  “I’m having a hard time sleeping the closer it gets to Beth having the baby. I’m a nervous wreck being away from her like this.” Jeff looked away from her but not before Roni caught the exhausted worry in his eyes.

  “You’re just nesting. But I get it. I think about her all the time too.” Roni leaned her head against the post and closed her eyes. The sun had risen over the tree line, and its bright rays warmed the meadow and the front of the cabin. “Why don’t you take it easy today? Take a ride down to the hot springs and have a soak.”

  Jeff looked at her suspiciously. “What’re you up to?”

  Roni stared at him. “What? I can’t suggest you take care of yourself? You’re not going be much help to Beth if you’re sick or get hurt because you’re too damned tired to pay attention to what you’re doing.”

  “I suppose you’re right. Maybe it would help me relax a little.” He swallowed the remainder of his coffee and got to his feet. “I’ll just pack a quick lunch and be on my way.”

  “Take the rifle with you.” Roni followed him into the cabin. “That’s where I first saw the cat.”

  “Right. I will.”

  Roni washed the few dishes they’d dirtied while Jeff got ready. He came out of his bedroom bare-chested and wearing a pair of jeans.

  She raised an eyebrow. “Half your blood will be drained out of you by the time you get there.”

  “Nah. It’s still too early for the bugs to be out. Besides, the last snowstorm set them back awhile.”

  “Don’t be surprised. I’ll have an IV set up to give you a transfusion when you get back.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’ll see you later.” Jeff pulled a freshly charged radio from its cradle and took the rifle from the wall. He grabbed his hat from the door peg and headed out.

  Roni walked out behind him and sat back down on the porch. Puller moved from his place in the sunbeam where he’d been sleeping and climbed onto her lap. A slight breeze ruffled her hair and cooled her sun-warmed face. She considered how to spend her day, since she’d have the place to herself for a while. It was too nice of a day to stay inside cleaning, and she didn’t feel like reading. She looked across the meadow to the grazing horses. A flash of gold in the sky alerted her to an eagle circling above. Taking that as a sign, she realized what she wanted to spend part of the day doing. She set Puller on the floor and got up.

  Jeff met her on his horse halfway to the pole barn. “What’re you up to?”

  “Did you bring an extra lariat up with you?”

  “Yep, it’s hanging on one of the packs.”

  “I’m going to do some ground work with Sparky today.”

  “Okay, have fun. I’ll be back later.” Jeff urged his horse forward.

  “Be careful,” Roni called to his back. Jeff raised his hand in reply before cantering off through the meadow and finally disappearing into the evergreens.

  Once she found the lariat, Roni walked back to the cabin and sat on the steps again. Within a matter of minutes, she’d fashioned a rope halter out of one end and coiled the remainder in her lap. Puller curled up on an old blanket and watched her with sleepy eyes. Roni pointed at him. “Don’t buy any encyclopedias while I’m gone.”

  She strolled out among the horses and spoke to each one in a quiet voice. They raised their heads and watched her. The smell of horse was strong as she stood among them; the still warm air trapped the scent like a tent. Chenoa watched for Roni’s signal for him to come to her. He nickered and then resumed grazing. Sparky, on the other hand, watched her approach with guarded curiosity. Although he wore hobbles, which restricted his ability to run or walk too far, he fidgeted and swished his tail in irritation. He alternately pinned his ears and then pricked them in her direction. Roni stopped her advance. She heard muffled squeaking and was surprised to realize the horse was grinding his teeth.

  Roni turned sideways to appear smaller and less threatening to him. Something was obviously stressing the horse. Was it possible that a past event in his life was causing all this anxiety? She sat down in the grass and watched him. He relaxed somewhat, but continued twitching his ears in annoyance. She remained on the ground, hesitant to make any move that would fuel his insecurity and fear.

  Beads of sweat formed on her brow and ran into her eyes, and she cursed herself for not grabbing her hat before she came out. A steady stream ran down between her shoulder blades and from under her breasts. “I can’t believe how warm it’s gotten. The flies will be out pestering you guys in no time.” Roni knew Sparky recognized her voice, and she hoped hearing it would help him calm down some.

  Knowing Jeff would be gone for a few more hours, Roni pulled the damp T-shirt over her head. She folded it into a makeshift pillow and lay back in the soft new grass. In her hurry to watch the morning sky emerge, she hadn’t bothered with a sports bra before donning her shirt. It was too hot anyway. The warm sun felt good on her exposed skin, and she closed her eyes, promising herself it would be for just a minute.

  A horse’s surprised snort and the sudden rush of hooves woke Roni instantly. She sat up, blinked her eyes, and tried to focus. But all she saw were sunspots. She shook her head and blinked some more. She tried rubbing them away. Puller barked from the cabin.

  “What’s going on with you guys? Goddammit, I can’t see.”

  “Put your hands over your eyes for a few minutes,” a woman’s quiet voice said from behind her. “Your eyes need time to adjust.”

  “What? Who the hell are you?” Confused, Roni blindly stood up. She wasn’t seeing anything but bright light. Despite blinking hard, she couldn’t get her eyes to focus on anything. Suddenly recalling she was naked from the waist up, she groped about for her shirt.

  “Here you go.” A hand wrapped itself around Roni’s wrist, and she felt the fabric of her shirt draped over her arm. She yanked the shirt over her head and tried once again to look where the voice was coming from. “Stand still for a second. I’m going to cover your eyes. Keep them closed.”

  Roni did as told. “You never answered me. Who are you?” She flinched as the woman wrapped something around her head that effectively blindfolded her.

  “My name’s Selena Ayala, and if my navigational skills are up to par, which they usually are, you’re Veronica Oatman, also known as Roni.”

  S
elena’s hands were gentle and steady as she adjusted the blindfold. Roni relaxed under her touch.

  “Let’s get you into the cabin so I can take a better look at your eyes. How long were you lying out here? You might have burnt your corneas.” Selena held Roni’s arm at the elbow and started to guide her.

  “I can manage thanks.” Roni pulled her arm free. “I’ve walked this area a thousand times in the dark. I’m sure I can find my way.” She ignored Selena’s questions and walked toward the cabin. After several steps, she realized she didn’t hear Selena and her horse behind her. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “It depends. Where are you going?”

  “To the cabin.” Roni rolled her eyes behind the blindfold. Realizing the futile gesture, she crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Well, perhaps you’d like to change direction.”

  “What are you talking about?” Roni barely waited for Selena’s answer before walking off.

  “You’re going the wrong way.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Roni said over her shoulder. “I know where I’m—” She suddenly stumbled, lost her balance, and went down in a heap. “Son of a—” She got to her feet, albeit a bit unsteadily, put her hands on her hips. “All right. I give. You can help me.”

  It was bad enough she couldn’t see Selena and she’d already made a fool of herself; she felt like shit too. She had some dehydration issues, given the dizziness, but she wasn’t going to let Selena know. She’d just drink some water when she got inside.

  Feet and hooves moved through the grass toward her. Selena again took her by the elbow and guided her in the opposite direction of where she’d been going.

  “You never answered me. How long were you out there?”

  “I don’t know. A little while I guess.”

  “I’m not going to lecture you, but you do know the ozone layer is thinner up here and that increases the chances of sun damage.”