“Get on with it then. I go to bed early.”
Emma turned her wheelchair around and headed for the other room. They had been dismissed.
****
Beau sat in his comfortable lounge chair wondering about his children. He envied his daughter. She was having dinner with the woman he couldn’t seem to get out of his head. He wondered for the umpteenth time what kind of job Nellie had in mind for Dani. She wasn’t trained to do anything that he knew of. But then he didn’t really know his kids, and wished it were otherwise. It saddened him to know Dani probably wouldn’t tell him a thing about tonight. He’d have to find out from Lela.
Though they’d been home a couple of days, he didn’t know how his son was doing, either. Yes, he was up and ready on time. Evidently, he did as he was told and didn’t complain.
Beau had watched him from a distance. He worked hard, which in itself was a novelty. He’d never worked a day in his life unless you counted the job he’d been fired from in San Antonio.
If he were a betting man, Beau would bet the boy was sore from head to toe from the unaccustomed work. “Do him good.”
There was a bunkhouse rule that the men took turns cooking the night meal. What would Rey do then? Beau doubted the kid could boil water.
The back door slammed open, then shut.
Beau got up and walked to the kitchen to see who it could be, but stopped when he heard Rey’s voice and Lela’s excited one when she saw him.
It wasn’t right to eavesdrop, but Beau justified his actions by telling himself he wanted to learn all he could about his son. Pitiful, but true.
“How are you doing?” Lela asked.
“I’m tired, Lela. Ranching is hard work.”
“I know, honey. You’re not used to it.”
“I hurt all over. How long does it take to get used to this? Hell, Lela, I don’t even know how I ended up working for Dad. I’ve been on a horse all day. A horse? Can you believe it? Even my butt hurts.”
Lela laughed. “You’ll get used to it. Your dad did.”
“There’s a difference. He wanted to do this. I don’t. As soon as I earn enough money I’m leaving.”
Beau stood there as if rooted. He’d heard nothing he didn’t already know, but the knowing didn’t sit easy.
“I have a real problem, Lela, and no one can help me but you. You know the guys take turns cooking the evening meal. You also know I can’t cook. I don’t have a clue what to do. Tomorrow’s my turn.”
Lela clapped her hands. “Now that I can fix.”
Beau went back to his lounger, wishing Lela luck. Rey cooking a meal would be something to see.
Beau waited thirty minutes before he got up and went to the kitchen. This time he walked in. “Hey Rey! How’s it going? Are the guys treating you okay?”
Beau really wanted to know. If they gave him trouble because Rey was the boss’s son, he’d set them straight.
“Joe’s okay.”
“What about Gordon?”
Rey shrugged.
Beau figured that was all he’d get out of the kid.
Rey leaped to his feet, stuffed papers into his pocket. “It’s late. I’d better get back.”
“You don’t have to run off,” Beau said, wanting his son to stay—wanting to have a conversation without all the recriminations.
But it wasn’t to be.
Rey looked at the clock on the wall. “It’s getting late. As you told me that first day, I can’t be late for work.”
Rey kissed Lela on the cheek, waved goodbye, and was out the door before Beau could think of anything to say.
Served him right.
Chapter Seven
Dani had a job!
Beau would be more excited if the job entailed something other than playing companion to Emma Wells. Dani didn’t like taking orders. From what he’d gleaned from the town gossips, Emma had changed from a gatherer of news who laughed and talked with everyone in town, to a recluse who snapped at everyone in sight.
Every day he expected to see Dani back at the house, suitcase in hand. But it had been two weeks.
It was Saturday. Payday. He left the envelopes for the men’s pay in the mailbox on the door of the bunkhouse. He couldn’t help but wonder what Rey did with his. Was he saving every penny until he had enough to leave? Or did he blow it as he had his allowance?
Though his children were adults in age if not in demeanor, he had to admit he was encouraged by their actions the last couple of weeks, and wondered how long they would last in their newfound jobs.
Beau slid behind the wheel of his pickup and headed for town. He had a list a mile long from Lela, another from Gordon. There was no end to chores. This one was a break from the usual.
He slowed as he entered the city limits. Boys and girls from six to sixteen were everywhere; tossing basketballs into hoops hanging on garages, riding skateboards or bikes. School was out for the summer, and it was a gorgeous day to play in the sun. For a quick moment, he wished he’d been there for his kids when they were the age of those he saw now.
But it had taken him too long to see what was going on right under his nose.
Thankfully, they were both working. Gordon hadn’t complained about Rey any more than he did the kid, Joe. Beau hadn’t heard from Dani at all. He didn’t know if that was good news or bad. He didn’t dare speculate.
Finding a parking space, he decided to stop at Molly’s for a cup of coffee and one of her famous cinnamon rolls before he got started.
Looking around, he saw there were more people than usual out and about, probably because of the near perfect weather. His heart almost stopped when he saw Nell’s red hair glinting in the sun. In jeans and shirt, she looked as young as her daughter. Absorbed in the list in her hand, she didn’t see him.
He went to greet her. She hadn’t been out of his thoughts all this time, and seeing her now he knew why. He thought he might be a little bit infatuated. How could he not be? She was a calm, compassionate, and competent woman, pretty as a picture, and he liked her.
She was right next to him, still absorbed in her list. “Hi!”
Stopping suddenly, she put a hand over her heart. “Beau! You startled me.”
“Sorry.” He couldn’t keep from staring. Green eyes pulled him in. “Shopping, I see.”
Nell chuckled. “I am. What brings you into town?”
“Same thing. Two long lists, but first a cup of coffee and a roll at Molly’s. Why don’t you join me?”
She looked around, as if searching for an excuse to decline.
“It won’t take long, and you know Molly’s rolls always make one feel better. Maybe they’ll give us a boost to get through our lists faster.”
****
“Not likely. But who could refuse such an offer?” Especially since he looked so good this morning. His Stetson looked new, his boots had a shine, and his jeans were creased just so. Beau Chandler, in the short time he’d been here, already had the look of a Texas rancher.
He took her arm, and they went into the café. Every eye in the place watched as he escorted her to a booth in the back.
“You know the town likes nothing better than to have something to gossip about,” Nellie said as she slid into her seat.
“So I’ve heard.” He slid in next to her instead of taking the seat across. “Will having a cup of coffee with a neighbor start tongues wagging?”
Nellie moved over as close to the wall as she could. Beau was too close. She didn’t like it. “It could. Especially since you should be sitting over there.” She pointed to the bench across from them.
“I like it here.”
“Beau…”
Molly interrupted. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Nellie.”
“Do you know our neighbor, Beau Chandler?” Nellie asked.
“Sure do. He’s a Saturday regular.” She looked at them and smiled. “Do you need a menu?”
“Two cups of coffee and two of your famous rolls.”
“
Coming right up,” she said, but didn’t move. “See your daughter once in a while since she started working for Emma.”
“Really?”
“How is she doing?” Nellie asked. She’d called Emma for a report, but got little out of her.
“Seems okay. From what I see, she and Emma are quite a pair.”
“What do you mean?” Nellie asked.
Molly chuckled. “You’ll have to see them together to understand.”
She went to fill their order. With a limp in her step, she went slower than usual. Nellie realized for the first time that, like all of them, Molly was getting old.
“Wonder what she meant?” Beau said. “I’m concerned already. Does she mean they get along or not?”
Nellie shrugged. Beau needed to move. He took up his space and too much of hers. She felt her throat close. Since the kiss in the pond, she’d tried to put Beau out of her mind. Some days it worked, some not. Now, sitting beside her, he made her think of that kiss again.
Molly put a cup of coffee and a plate overflowing with a cinnamon roll in front of each of them. “It looks wonderful, Molly. As usual.” As Molly turned to leave, Nellie asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Slowing down, Nellie. I’m thinking it’s about time to retire.”
Beau gave Molly a quick look. “If you do, where will we get our weekly fix?”
Molly laughed. “I’ll give Nellie my recipe.” Then she moved away.
“Molly’s Diner has been here as long as I have,” Nellie said. “If she closes, I don’t know what the town will do.”
“I doubt it will be any time soon.”
“I hope you’re right.” She looked down at her plate. “Molly’s rolls are huge. I don’t think I can eat all of this.” Actually, she didn’t see how she could swallow a bite. Her throat wasn’t working as it should. She took a sip of coffee. “Molly makes the best coffee,” she said, trying not to sound as disturbed as she was.
“Dig in.”
Nellie couldn’t stand it another minute. She hadn’t had a chance yet to explain her actions that day when she went into the pond. At least then she’d be able to put it behind her and act normal around her neighbor again.
“Beau,” she said, her voice low.
“Yes?”
“I want to apologize for what happened that day at the pond. I don’t know what made me go into the water and act so foolish.”
He put his fork down and leaned closer. Nellie thought she would melt from the heat.
“You didn’t act foolish. I did. Now, don’t think another thing about it. We’re just a couple of senior citizens who took a few minutes to act like kids again.” He grinned. “Felt good, didn’t it?”
Nellie couldn’t stop the chuckle. “It did.” Then why did she feel so guilty? As if she’d done something wrong? As if she weren’t living up to the image she’d built?
His large hand took hers and held it for a minute. “We deserve a few minutes of fun, Nell. We may be seniors, but we’re still young. Especially you. You look too young to have grandchildren.”
Nellie pulled her hand from his before she turned into a puddle right in front of the whole town. “Are you Irish? That was a bit of blarney if I ever heard it.” She couldn’t help but laugh. Eyes turned their way again. They were going to be the talk of the town. She couldn’t have that. Wouldn’t have it. What would the family think?
“You’re not eating, Nell.”
“This is too much. I really have to go, Beau. My list is a long one.”
“So is mine. But being here with you has been my treat of the day.”
“Thank you, Beau. Now, if you’ll let me out, I’ll get on with my chores.”
Standing, he let her slide out. She turned to thank him. Before she realized what his intentions were, he picked up her hand and kissed the back of it, reminding her of older times when chivalry was alive and well. Pulling away, she almost ran from the diner.
Everyone would hear about this. Everyone. Even Donovan. Her face felt warm, her body more so. And her hand was on fire.
Would she ever learn?
Sunlight hit her eyes the moment she stepped outside, blinding her for a moment. She almost ran into Dani, who had pushed Emma’s wheelchair to the side of the diner and was helping her out. “Dani! How nice to see you. And Emma! Look at you. Are you walking now?”
“Not much,” Emma complained. “But this girl won’t leave me alone until I do my exercises. Now, she has me on a cane part of the day.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“She’s a stubborn old woman,” Dani said. “I told her if she didn’t do what she was supposed to, I’d quit making her favorite cookies.”
“I didn’t know you could cook,” Nellie said. Talk about surprises. This was turning into a day of big ones.
“Humph!” Emma frowned. “Girl can cook, all right. Too bad she isn’t a little nicer.”
By now, Emma was on her feet. Dani handed her a cane. “Okay. You wanted a cinnamon roll, let’s go.”
“You could’ve gotten it for me. I didn’t have to leave the house,” Emma whined.
“Not an option,” Dani said firmly. “You want it, you have to get it yourself.”
Dani held the door open. Emma, leaning heavily on her cane, glared at her as she limped past and into the diner.
“Wonderful job, Dani,” Nellie whispered.
“Believe me, Nellie, the woman is as exasperating as my dad.”
“He’s in the back booth. He’ll be glad to see you.”
“No!”
“Yes. Now go in and say hello.”
Turning, Nellie left, wishing she’d stayed a little longer. Emma seemed to be taking orders from a girl more than three times younger than herself. Neither gave an inch. Now Nellie knew what Molly meant about them being quite a pair.
****
Beau wanted to follow Nell out. Ask for a date; anything to get her alone again. Instead he sat there like a lump, confused and uncertain. He’d never had this problem with women. He had a glib line they seemed to like. He enjoyed their company for a short time until another woman caught his eye. Now his thoughts were on one woman, different from the others—as different as his life was now from his previous one.
That was good. Wasn’t it?
He rubbed a hand over his face, inhaled the soft scent of lavender Nell left in her wake.
What were his intentions anyway? That would be the first question Donovan would ask if Beau ever gathered the courage to ask Nell for a date. Was he out to have a good time like he was with his previous lady friends? Nope. Was he serious? Big question. Or was he just being neighborly? The woman was attractive. Why not see each other and see where it went?
Taking the last bite of his roll, the last sip of coffee, he looked around the diner. Lots of customers. Nell was right. Where would everyone meet if Molly closed? He spotted his daughter as she led an older woman inside. The thought of Dani being a caretaker made his heart turn over. When he’d first learned what she planned to do, he’d been aghast. Dani didn’t have the will or the stamina. Nor did she have the know-how. But here she was, two weeks into the job and was still at it.
He had to give her credit for her stick-to-it-ness.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Dani.” He rose from his seat until the older woman was settled, then sat back down when Dani slid in beside her. “How are you?”
“Great.”
“This must be Emma Wells.”
“Sorry. Emma, this is my dad, Beau Chandler.”
Emma leaned closer to get a better look. “Don’t look a thing like him, except for the eyes.”
“She favors her mother.” Beau told her.
“Did her mother have a smart mouth?”
“Uh…”
“That’s okay, Dad. Emma enjoys being crabby.”
He sat back and eyed the two of them as they glared at each other.
Then laughed.
Dani turned on him, her mouth open and r
eady to pounce when Molly showed up. “It’s great to see you out and about, Emma,” she said as she removed Nell’s barely touched roll.
“That’s because this girl won’t do as she’s told.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing. You want to get back to your old self, don’t you?”
“Just bring me one of those rolls and a cup of coffee. I don’t need anybody else trying to get me to do things I hate doing,” Emma snapped.
Molly’s gaze swung to Dani. “How about you? What would you like?”
“A roll and a diet coke.”
Molly limped away to get their order. Beau thought she might be retiring a lot sooner than Nell thought.
He wanted to talk to Dani but couldn’t do it here. Emma glowered at everyone who came by to say hello. He could swear that was everyone in the place.
When Molly set their orders down, Emma spoke up. “Cancel my food deliveries until I call.”
“Are you sure?”
“Can’t anybody take orders without asking a dozen questions?”
“Excuse me, Emma.” Molly huffed. “I’ve been sending lunch to your house since you came home from the hospital. Don’t you think I just might want to know if you’re eating right?
She turned on her heel and limped back to the kitchen.
Emma and Dani had been here less than ten minutes, and Emma had snapped at everyone she’d spoken to. Beau almost felt sorry for Dani for putting up with the woman. Except it didn’t seem to bother her at all.
“I can cook better food than Molly’s blue-plate-special, and it will cost less,” Dani explained.
If that sentence wasn’t enough to knock his socks off, Beau didn’t know what was. “I had no idea you could cook.”
“What do you think I did all those years you were too busy to be around? I was with Lela.”
“I see,” Beau said lamely.
Emma hadn’t wasted a second. She was halfway through her roll and cup of coffee. Dani had barely touched hers. Maybe he should leave before Dani became more upset.
“Do you, Dad?” Dani sat back against the booth’s high back, gave him the evil eye.
No doubt about it, she hadn’t forgiven him. Neither had Rey.
“I wish I’d known. I’d love to eat a meal you put together.”
Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) Page 6