“Yep. Didn’t take the rustlers long to make the trip and pocket the money.”
“I’ll bet a steak dinner the name’s an alias,” Donovan said.
“That’s what we think,” Murdock agreed.
“So they’ve gotten away with it, and there’s nothing more you can do. Is that what you’re here to tell us?” Beau frowned.
“Not exactly. If you can show proof they are your cattle, you get them back.”
“And the innocent buyer is out the money.”
“He’ll work it out with the auction barn.”
Beau shook his head. “Not right. Not by a long shot.”
“So. Do you have the papers to prove they belong to you?”
“What about the brand? Isn’t that enough?”
“Nope.”
“Does this mean I have to go to Oklahoma?”
“Afraid so.”
Beau’s appetite left him. He didn’t want to leave the ranch. He didn’t want to be that far away in case they were struck again. If he were honest with himself, he didn’t want to be that far from Nell.
“How soon would I have to go?”
“Immediately, if you want your cattle back.”
Beau grabbed his coffee mug and took a sip. There was no way out. He’d have to make the trip.
“I’ll be gone a couple of days. Who’ll take my shift?”
“I’ll take your shift until you get back,” Donovan said.
Beau shook his head. “That’s too much. Switch the guys around. Maybe if you take your shift by yourself, the others can handle the rest.”
“I’m sorry to have to cause you all of this inconvenience, Mr. Chandler,” Murdock said. “But I’ll go with you. Make sure you have the paperwork to back up your claim or we’re wasting our time.”
Beau got up to pack a bag. “I’ll be ready in an hour.”
“I met your daughter yesterday at Molly’s,” Murdock said before Beau left the room.
Beau looked back at the young man sitting at his bar, eating his food. He was young and nice looking. Was he interested in Dani? His eyes narrowed. “Are you married?”
Ranger Murdock chuckled. “No, sir. Just wanted you to know I think your daughter is beautiful.”
“Yes, she is. And she cooks like a goddess.”
Murdock’s smile widened. “That’s good to know.”
Now why did he say that? Beau thought. He didn’t particularly want Dani dating anyone, much less a wandering Texas Ranger—someone who was home today and gone tomorrow.
But Nolan Murdock had that look in his eyes.
A look Beau was all too familiar with. He saw that same look in the mirror every day.
Chapter Fifteen
When Beau got to his room, he pulled out his cell and dialed.
Nell answered. For a moment, he let the sound of her voice whisper through him, comfort him. Amazing how just her voice could bolster his confidence and restore his well-being. “They may have found my cattle. I’m leaving for Oklahoma with the Special Agent to prove they’re mine.”
“That’s good news, Beau. I’m happy for you.”
“I’ll be glad to get my cattle back, but I need a favor and I hate to ask.”
“We’re neighbors, Beau. I’ll help any way I can.”
There was that neighbor thing again. Back in Washington, even the smallest courtesy had an agenda that demanded a payback. How did he ever think his life in D.C. was real? Okay, he’d buy the neighbor thing for now. Later, he had other plans. “Lela isn’t doing well. Can you check on her while I’m gone? I have to remind her to take her meds and eat regularly. Though she cooks every day for me, I’m not sure she’ll do the same for herself.”
“I’ll be happy to check on her, Beau. Don’t worry about a thing; just get home safe. And about that help you wanted? Dugan called earlier and gave me the name of a lady in town looking for work. I’ll give you her number when you get back.”
How would he ever have time to interview anyone?
“I hate to ask another favor, but would you have time to talk to her? Her main job will be to keep the house and help Lela in the kitchen. I’m not sure I can get Lela to give up everything.”
“I can talk to her. But the final decision will be yours.”
“If you think she’s all right, she’ll be all right with me.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
After they hung up, he felt better. Having Nell watch over Lela lifted a load off his shoulders. If she found the help they needed it would be even better.
He crammed a few essentials in a duffel bag and left the room. He couldn’t be gone long. He was needed here. Once more, he cursed the men who had taken his cattle and disrupted his life.
****
When Nellie put down the phone her hand trembled. Why did Beau Chandler have this affect on her? She wasn’t a teen and she’d gone through menopause years ago. It wasn’t like her to be jumpy or edgy around a man. Once she’d fallen in love with Duncan Callahan she’d never looked at another man.
But that one kiss in the pond had stirred up more than the hormones she’d thought dormant. Her old feelings of inadequacy had reared their ugly head at the same time. The fact that Beau thought her capable enough to hire someone to help out in his home proved she’d hidden her deficiencies well. Grabbing a cup of coffee, she went to the kitchen table. She needed to think.
Which was where Phyl found her.
“What’s wrong, Mom?”
Nellie looked up at her daughter-in-law, saw the concern. Her children were wonderful and each of them had married that special someone who would make them happy. Phyl was more than special. They had bonded the minute she walked into Nellie’s life and asked for a job. She was capable of running the ranch, her family, and the house. Nellie admired the young woman’s strength and confidence and had grown to love her even before her son did. She would never understand Nellie’s insecurities. “I’m fine.”
Phyl pulled up a chair. “No you’re not. I can tell something is worrying you.”
Nellie took a sip of cold coffee and shook her head. How could she tell anyone? She couldn’t.
Taking her hand, Phyl looked closely at Nellie. “Talk to me, Mom.”
“I’m thinking of moving to the homestead. It’s time—maybe past time that you, Donovan, and the kids have this place to yourselves.”
“You’re not serious.”
Nellie nodded. Maybe if she was by herself she could get over these crazy feelings about Beau. Maybe then, she would be so busy fixing up the place she wouldn’t have time to think about him. Besides, it was past time for Phyl to be the woman of the house.
Phyl stood. “I can’t believe you’re thinking such a thing. You can’t. I won’t let you.” She started to cry.
Nellie rose and pulled Phyl close. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I think of you as my mother. Why would you want to leave?”
“It’s not like I’m going very far,” Nellie forced herself to say through impending tears. The thought of leaving the home she’d created with Duncan made her heart spasm. But deep inside she knew it was the right thing.
Phyl shook her head against Nellie’s shoulder. “You don’t understand. This is your home. If you want, Donovan and I can move, maybe build our own house. I know having the kids underfoot all day must get tiresome. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.” She paused. “Yes. That’s what we’ll do. I’ll talk to Donovan about it.”
“You’ll do no such thing.” Nellie pulled away from Phyl to look into her eyes. “This is Donovan’s home. It was always meant to be his and now it’s yours, too. But I thought you’d like your own space—like to do things your own way.”
“You were wrong,” Phyl said, wiping her eyes. “The last thing I want is for you to leave us.”
“Okay then, subject closed.” Nellie let go of Phyl and moved away. “I have an errand in town, then I’m going to drop in at the Chandler’s. Beau says his stolen
cattle may be in Oklahoma. He’s on his way there now to verify they’re his. He asked me to keep an eye on Lela while he’s gone.”
“Is she doing poorly?”
“Must be. I’ll know more when I see her.”
Phyl followed Nellie to the door and put her arms around her in a hug. “I can’t make it around here without you.”
“Are you kidding? I don’t know anyone as organized as you.”
But when Nellie drove down the drive, instead of feeling better, she was confused by Phyl’s reaction. Phyl was one of the smartest women she knew. They had lived together in the same house for six years. Why had Phyl not caught on that her mother-in-law was hiding a bushel basket of deficiencies? It didn’t seem possible. Yet, Phyl wasn’t pretending. She honestly didn’t want Nellie to move.
Now that she’d brought it up, perhaps the family would get used to the idea. Not that she wanted to be away from the kids. They were precious to her. But more and more lately, she felt as if she were intruding. She’d catch that certain look between Donovan and Phyl. They’d duck their heads, make an excuse, and go to their room. If they were alone, they could talk, kiss, do whatever. They’d be freer with their emotions with her gone.
They should be alone with their children. There were times when Mark or Susie would come to her with questions instead of their mother. It wasn’t right. The logic of the idea settled into Nellie’s mind. Besides, maybe it was time to have a little alone time herself.
She pulled into a parking space in front of Dugan’s office. His cruiser was parked in its usual spot. Getting out, she waved to Sadie Hicks, who was making a beeline for Molly’s.
Nellie frowned. Since Emma had been laid up, Sadie had become the biggest gossip in town. Sadie had been in Molly’s the day Beau kissed Nellie’s hand. I wonder what story she told everyone about that?
Shaking her head, Nellie realized she didn’t want to know. She opened the door that had Rainart County Sheriff spelled out in gold letters. Sybil, the dispatcher, picked up her phone and in seconds, Dugan was coming toward her.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
“Of course it is. Can’t I visit my son without him thinking something is wrong?”
Dugan grinned. “A little snippy today, I see.”
She looked into his smiling green eyes, so like her own. Her son was a good sheriff. He made her proud. “I came for that name and phone number.”
His brow wrinkled.
“You know, the woman who needs work.”
“Ah! You mean Helen Styles. You’ve seen her around. Used to work in Jane’s gift shop until Jane closed and left town. She’s been out of a job ever since.”
“I do remember her.” She was a nice, middle-aged woman, a widow with a daughter who was just out of college and working in San Antonio.
They wandered into Dugan’s office. He scrounged in his desk drawer until he found the piece of paper with her cell phone number.
“I’ll call her now to see if I can set up an interview.”
Dugan gave her a quizzical look.
“Beau is going to Oklahoma. But you probably know that. He asked me to talk to her for him,” Nellie explained.
“I see,” he said.
But Nellie could tell that Dugan didn’t see at all. Little wonder. She didn’t either.
“Can I use your phone?”
He waved her toward it. A couple of minutes later, she was on her way to Molly’s to meet Helen. Nellie couldn’t believe how excited Helen sounded at the prospect of work, and since she was at Carter’s, she could be there in minutes. The economy was in a shambles, but at the ranch, they somehow seemed insulated. Not that they weren’t affected. Everyone was. It was just that so much was going on all the time they didn’t have time to think about it. Others weren’t so fortunate.
Nellie stopped just inside the door of the diner. She’d promised Beau she’d do this and she would. When he got back, she’d give him her honest opinion and leave the rest up to him.
Sadie grinned at her from a back booth and waved. Nellie waved back. Spotting Helen, she went to join her.
“Nellie. It’s good to see you.”
“You, too,” Nellie said, slipping onto the bench across from her. Helen looked older than she had six months ago. More worried. Her dark hair held streaks of gray and she’d lost weight. Nellie remembered her as being busy and cheerful in the gift shop. Now there didn’t seem to be anything cheerful about her. “When I asked Dugan if he knew someone who would be interested in a job keeping house for a friend, your name came up.”
Helen leaned across the table and looked into Nellie’s eyes. “I can keep house. I can show you mine, if you like.”
“No need. I promised Beau Chandler I would interview the interested parties. He’s had the same woman looking out for him and his home for over twenty years, but she’s not feeling like herself. He wants someone to help with the house and possibly the cooking. Maybe keep an eye on Lela.”
Helen nodded. “I can do all that.”
“And more, I’m sure.” Nellie smiled.
“I know you’re wondering why I don’t move closer to my daughter and get a job in San Antonio.” She sighed. “But this is home. You’ve been here since you married. You wouldn’t want to move either. I like it here. Besides, kids don’t want us underfoot and in their way. It’s better if they have their independence.”
Helen’s words echoed Nellie’s thoughts. “Have you done housework for anyone else?”
“No. I put an ad in the paper, but no one called. There aren’t that many jobs these days. Folks are cutting back on expenses.”
“You’re probably right.”
Molly put a cup of coffee down in front of Nellie. “Anything else?”
Nellie shook her head. “How are you, Molly?”
Molly’s face was normally wreathed in smiles, now it was pinched with pain. “Been better,” she said and limped away.
“She’s not doing well,” Helen whispered. “I hear she wants to retire.”
“Maybe it’s time, but what will the town do without this place?”
“Good question.”
They sipped their coffee in silence.
“I need this job, Nellie. I’ll do a good job. If need be, I can cook and I can certainly clean.”
“It’s not up to me. The decision is Mr. Chandler’s.”
Helen’s shoulders slumped.
Nellie reached over and patted her hand. “I’ll put in a good word.”
“I’ll do anything to keep from moving in with my daughter. I love her dearly, but she likes things her way. Every time I visit I manage to put things in the wrong place. Things like that.”
“Do you have a car?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going by the Chandler place when I leave here. Why don’t you follow me there? Beau isn’t home, but you can meet Lela and take a look at the house.”
Helen’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to.”
“Once you see the place, you’ll have a better idea of whether or not you want the job.”
Nellie paid the tab and they went to their cars.
When she pulled up to Beau’s back door, Helen was right behind her.
Lela opened the door, alert and smiling when she saw Nellie. “Mr. Beau said you’d be by. I have a key he said to give you. He told me you’d be in and out while he was gone.”
“I brought someone with me.”
Helen moved in to greet Lela. “My name’s Helen. And you’re Lela. I’ve heard about you.”
Lela chuckled. “Has Mr. Beau been talking behind my back?”
“No. Nellie and I were chatting. She said you’ve been with Mr. Chandler for a long time.” She looked around. “The kitchen is fantastic.”
“May I show her the rest of the house, Lela? It’s so lovely.”
“Do you mind doing it? I’m a bit stiff today.”
“We won’t be long.”
“Could I make you a cup of coffee?”
“Thanks, no. We just left Molly’s.”
They went through one room then another. Nellie balked at taking her into Beau’s room, only opening the door and letting her peek in.
“The house is huge,” Helen said. “Was it always this nice?”
“Beau did major remodeling when he bought the place.”
“He did a wonderful job.”
“What do you think?” Nellie asked when they were on their way back to the kitchen.
“I’d love to work here.”
“I didn’t realize myself how large the place is. I’m afraid this might be a full-time job.”
Helen’s face broke into a smile. “Couldn’t suit me better.”
The house phone rang as they stepped into the kitchen.
Lela answered. “It’s Mr. Beau,” she said, putting her hand over the mouthpiece.
“I’m okay. Ms. Nellie’s here right now with a friend.”
“I won’t forget. Don’t worry about me, just get home safe and sound.” She put the phone down by her side. “He wants to talk to you.” She handed Nellie the phone.
“Hi, Beau. Is everything all right?”
“Fine. Who’s your company?”
His deep voice sent a shiver up and down her spine.
Leaving Lela talking to Helen, she moved into the other room and dropped her voice. “I brought a woman by who is interested in the housekeeper job.”
“What do you think? Does she seem capable?”
Nellie didn’t want to get this involved in Beau’s personal affairs. But he needed help and he’d asked. “I think she would.”
“Do you know her?”
“I know of her. She worked in town at the gift shop until it closed. She really wants the job”
Beau chuckled. “You’re not letting that soft heart of yours get in the way, are you?”
“Goodness, I hope not. But if you’re worried, you could have a trial period, maybe a couple of weeks or so. Then you’d know.”
“An excellent idea. Leave it to you to think of something so simple.”
“Wait! Not so quick. You should interview her yourself.”
“I trust you. If you think she can do the job, hire her.”
Nellie was taken aback. What made him so sure of her judgment? This was too fast. “Okay…when do you want her to start?”
Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) Page 12