Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6)

by Bridges, Mitzi Pool

  Silence. Maybe he was re-thinking his rush to trust her opinion.

  “If it’s okay with her, why not now? Lela has needed someone for months. The sooner the better.”

  “Oh, my.” Beau was putting a lot of trust in her. A baseball size knot of fear lodged in her stomach. What if she was wrong about Helen?

  Another chuckle made Nellie’s blood heat up. “Too fast for you?”

  “A little. I’ll make it clear it’s a two-week trial. Then you can make a long-term decision.”

  “That sounds fair. Gotta go now.”

  “Be careful, Beau.”

  “You, too.”

  They hung up.

  Nellie waited until the shivers wore off before she walked back into the kitchen. Helen and Lela were still chatting away. “Can I speak to you, Lela?”

  Lela followed Nellie into the living area. “How do you like Helen?” It wasn’t going to be easy to get Lela to agree to this.

  “She seems nice.”

  “Helen needs work in the worst way. I talked to Beau, and he thought you could use some help around here since you haven’t felt yourself these last few weeks. Maybe you and Helen could help each other out.”

  Lela crossed her arms and frowned. Oh, boy! Here it comes.

  “I don’t need help.”

  “Just until you feel better. You’d be helping Helen, and it would make Beau feel better.”

  “If you put it like that...”

  They went back to the kitchen. “The job is yours, Helen.” Nellie took her aside and told her the conditions.

  Helen’s hand went to her mouth, and her eyes brimmed with tears. Helen hugged Nellie, then went over and asked Lela, “Will you show me where you keep your cleaning supplies? Tell me how you like things done and I can get started.”

  Lela led the way to the utility room.

  Nellie grabbed Helen’s arm. “Take the key. You’ll want to get here early every morning. If you get a chance, have a copy made for me. If not, don’t worry about it. You’ll be here to answer the door and keep an eye on Lela.”

  “I can’t thank you enough, Nellie. I’ll do the best I can. I promise.”

  Nellie spent a while watching the interaction between the two women. Satisfied they were getting along, she drove home. Although she wasn’t sure about getting so involved, she thought Helen would be good for Lela and do a good job for Beau.

  A small surge of pride slipped into her heart at the way Beau trusted her enough to hire Helen. Was it possible he saw something she didn’t even know about herself?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Beau took the phone call as he and Ranger Murdoch were heading down I-35 at five miles over the speed limit. He couldn’t wait to get home. “They what?” Beau yelled, barely able to believe what the sheriff was saying.

  After a short conversation, he said, “We’ll be there in less than an hour. Thanks for calling.”

  “What was that about?” Murdoch asked.

  Beau rubbed his face. “You won’t believe this, but Gordon called off patrol duty last night. Unbeknownst to Gordon, Rey went out anyway. Joe with him.” He turned to look at the ranger. “Rey saw the rustlers.”

  The pickup almost veered into the other lane. “You’re kidding.”

  “I can hardly believe it myself. Those kids put themselves in a helluva spot. I should have been there.”

  “Are they all right? What did Rey do? Did Dugan get there in time to catch them?”

  “I’m sure we’ll hear the story when we get back, but from what I understand, Rey shot a flare and scared them off. The rustlers didn’t get a single head. They high-tailed it out of there faster than Dugan could even think of getting there.”

  “Damn!” Murdock exploded. “It looks as if they’re not ready to quit.”

  They pulled up to the barn and walked over to the bunkhouse just in time to hear Gordon yelling. Signaling Murdoch to be quiet, Beau silently opened the bunkhouse door.

  “Get your ass out here!” Gordon stood in front of a bedroom door yelling his head off. “I ought to fire your ass right now. But Daddy wouldn’t like that, would he?”

  When Murdock started into the room, Beau put out a restraining arm. He wanted to hear this.

  Rey yanked the door open and glared at the man giving orders. “Don’t push it, Gordon.”

  “Or what?”

  “Leave it be, Gordon,” Joe said, coming out of the other bedroom. “While you were getting your beauty sleep Rey was keeping the rustlers from taking more cattle.”

  Gordon paled. “What?”

  “Yeah! Wait until the boss hears.” Joe laughed.

  All eyes turned toward Beau and the special ranger as they came into the room.

  Beau walked over to Rey. “Great job last night, Rey. Thanks.”

  “You heard?”

  “Dugan called and told me everything.”

  Beau turned to Gordon. “Pack your things. Last night proved you aren’t the right man for the job.”

  “You need me. Who’s going to run this place?” Gordon sputtered. “You? You don’t know a damn thing about ranching.”

  “I know enough to know an employee doesn’t disrespect his employer. You had your chance, Gordon. And you blew it.”

  Gordon glared at them, then left the room.

  They waited.

  In a few minutes, he was back, his duffel over his shoulder. “You’re going to regret this.”

  No one said a word as the door slammed shut behind him.

  “Tell me everything,” Agent Murdock said. “Every detail. Then I want you to show me where you found the rustlers.”

  It was hours later before he left.

  Finally, Beau wandered into the kitchen where he found the new woman, Helen, scrubbing the sink. He introduced himself. “Something smells wonderful.”

  “Thought I’d bake a pie.”

  “Apple?”

  Helen chuckled. “Yep. Found a bag of apples in the fridge, thought I’d do something with them before they went bad.”

  “I hear you’re doing a great job.”

  “Thanks. I’m trying.”

  “I’m concerned about Lela. Tell me what you think. The doctor tells me to make sure she eats right and takes her meds, I’m not sure that’s all she needs.”

  “She needs love. Everybody does. I think she has it. Your children come to see her regularly. You’re concerned about her.” She looked over at him. “You wouldn’t be if you didn’t care for her.”

  “You’re right. Thanks.”

  “Thank you. I like it here.”

  “Even with all the excitement over cattle rustlers and such?”

  She grinned. “Even with that.”

  “I’m glad.” Helen was right about love. Everyone needed it. Nell’s image popped into his head. He wanted to see her. “I’ll be out for a while. You have my cell number if you need me.”

  “Not a problem. I can stay as late as you like. No one is waiting for me at home. Lela insists we eat the evening meal together every night or she won’t touch her food. Just let me know if you want me to stay later than usual.”

  “I’ve heard you stay until around seven as it is. That’s a long day. I’ll make sure your pay reflects your hours.”

  Helen was smiling when he left the house and went to his pickup.

  The urge to see Nell was overwhelming. He had a plausible excuse. He had to thank her for bringing Helen into his home.

  As he drove into the Callahan drive though, he was as nervous as a kid on his first date. It would be a miracle if she were alone. There was always someone around, either Donovan, his wife Phyl, or the kids.

  Right now, he would satisfy himself with one of her smiles. Or was it her lips he wanted to see, or the soft cling of her shirt over the curve of her breast? He longed for the feel of her skin against his, to forget the world and revel in the feel of her. Just the thought made him hot all over.

  Though he wasn’t a kid anymore the feelings were as new and
exciting as when he was a young man.

  The dogs barked and ran to greet him as he pulled up next to the back door. Maybe he should get a dog. He’d ask Nell what she thought.

  He took off his Stetson and knocked. Waited. It wasn’t long before the door opened. Thank goodness it was Nell. When she saw him, she looked flustered.

  “Beau. What a nice surprise.”

  He wondered what she really thought. “Thought I’d drop by for a minute.”

  “Come in. Would you like a glass of iced tea? It’s hot today.”

  “Sounds good.”

  He felt awkward and didn’t know what to do with his hands.

  “Sit. I’ll only be a minute.”

  Sure enough, a minute later, she placed two glasses of iced tea on the kitchen table. “Tell me everything. Did you identify your cattle? Will you get them back? I heard about your near disaster. Thank goodness Rey was there to stop the rustlers before you had another loss.”

  “Much to my surprise, Rey is turning into quite a rancher. And yes, I’ll get the cattle back.”

  He looked around. The house was quiet, but he dared not ask if she was alone.

  “I know how proud you are of him.”

  “I am.”

  “I hope he knows that. Sometimes we forget to tell our kids how we feel about them.”

  “I’m not sure a few words can make up for years of neglect.”

  “Maybe they won’t, but you don’t know how much those few words will mean. They could make all the difference in the world.”

  “How did you get so wise?”

  She gave a sardonic laugh. “Believe me, I’m not.”

  “I’d argue that point.”

  “So tell me how Helen is working out. I’ve stopped by a couple of times a day, and she seems to be doing her job with an efficiency I can’t help but admire. What do you think?”

  “I think you made a brilliant call. Lela likes her. From the smells coming from the kitchen when I left, she can cook.”

  “The house? I think it sparkles. What do you think?”

  He chuckled. “You really have been keeping an eye on things. How can I thank you?”

  “Neighbors being neighborly.”

  “Not enough.” He enjoyed being here with her—enjoyed looking at her. “How about I take you to dinner tomorrow night? I owe you at least that much…for your help.”

  Her hand went to her mouth. She was trying to think up an excuse.

  “It would be a thank-you dinner. Probably not as great as one Dani or you can cook, but I’d like to do something to let you know how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

  She started to open her mouth to say something. “Don’t give me any more of that neighborly stuff,” he interrupted boldly. “What you’ve done deserves something more than a couple of words.”

  The backdoor opened, and Phyl walked in with Susie.

  “There you are,” Nell said.

  Beau heard the naked relief in her voice and winced. Was he pushing too hard?

  Beau stood as Phyl crossed over to the table. She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Glad things turned out the way they did last night.”

  “So am I.”

  “Sit. Enjoy your tea. We went to town to do a little shopping, and had a mother—daughter lunch, didn’t we, Susie?”

  Susie looked at her mother, her eyes sleepy. “Run upstairs and take a nap. We’ll show Gran what we bought when you wake up.”

  Susie didn’t waste any time.

  “I stopped by to thank Nell for taking care of things while I was gone. But she won’t say yes to my dinner invitation. Even that isn’t enough thanks for all she’s done for me.”

  Phyl turned to Nell. “Why not? It would be nice to get out of the kitchen for an evening.”

  Smiling, Beau looked at Nell. Her eyes were wide and as green as grass. For a moment, he lost himself. When she was about to speak, he spoke up before she could refuse. “I’ll pick you up at five o’clock.”

  “That’s...early, isn’t it?”

  Her voice was choked. He ignored it. “Not if we’re going to San Antonio to eat Mexican food.”

  “Oh, my. What a treat,” Phyl said. “We’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  Beau left before Nell could forget her manners long enough to turn him down.

  He shouted and pumped the air as he drove home. “Yes!”

  ****

  What just happened? Nellie took her glass to the sink, her hands none too steady.

  She was going on a date? With Beau Chandler?

  “What’s the matter, Mom?” Phyl asked. “You look a little flushed.”

  Nellie put her hands to her face and went to sit down. “I’m fine. But I don’t think I should go to San Antonio with Beau.”

  “Why not? He’s a nice man.” She looked closer at Nellie’s flushed face. “Good-looking, too. In fact I think he might have a crush on you.”

  “Why do you think that?” The words came out strangled.

  Phyl pulled up a chair and sat next to Nellie. “I don’t know. The way he looks at you, maybe, and the way he calls you Nell instead of Nellie.”

  “It’s your imagination,” Nellie protested. But she did notice his voice softened when he said her name.

  “Uh huh. Then why are you so flustered? If this is just a neighborly gesture on his part why are you balking at going out to dinner?”

  “I don’t know.” She couldn’t explain herself to Phyl. The solitude of her room was what she needed. “I think...I’ll go up to my room, now.”

  Shutting the door to her room, she let the familiar warmth of the house wrap itself around her. She went to the bed and sat down. She was being irrational. Beau was just being nice. He was a nice man. Why wouldn’t he want to thank her? She was making more out of this than was necessary.

  But he’d kissed her. And she’d liked it.

  In fact, she dreamed about it, kept re-living that moment.

  Did he?

  Was it mutual? Oh, dear!

  She couldn’t let it happen. When she met and fell for Duncan, they were so young. She’d done everything over the years to keep her husband from finding out how truly inept she was.

  There was no way she would fool Beau. He wasn’t a youngster, but a man of the world. A businessman turned Senator. Besides she was tired. She’d be sixty years old soon. Wasn’t that long enough to pretend she had all the answers?

  There was a soft knock on the door.

  Maybe if she didn’t answer, Phyl would go away. But Phyl wasn’t like that. The door opened softly. “Mom?”

  “I’m fine, Phyl. I just want to be alone.”

  Phyl ignored her and came to sit beside her instead. “What’s wrong? Did I say something to hurt you?”

  “Of course not. I just have misgivings.”

  “About Beau?”

  “About myself.” Oops. That came out unexpectedly.

  “Because he wants to take you out for a thank you dinner?”

  “Absurd, isn’t it?”

  Phyl turned Nellie’s face toward her. “You’re a beautiful woman, Nellie. I’ve often wondered why you never remarried after Duncan died. After living with you these past few years, I understand how much you love your family. But why haven’t you dated? There are several bachelors in the area who are attentive…who give you the eye when we go to church or have one of the community get-togethers. Yet, you never give them anything other than a neighborly smile. Why?”

  “I’ve never been interested. Not in that way.”

  “Then why are you so…frazzled now?”

  Nellie took a deep breath. “Because—well maybe I am attracted to him,” she said so softly Phyl leaned closer to hear.

  “Is that so horrible?”

  Nellie couldn’t keep tears from welling up as she nodded.

  Phyl put an arm across Nellie’s shoulders and squeezed. “You’re wrong. Is Beau the first guy who has turned you on since Duncan died? Of course he is. All these years,
your family has been everything. Well, he does turn you on, doesn’t he?”

  Nellie nodded again, mortified to be openly admitting to her lust. “I don’t want to be attracted to him.” How could she talk about this to anyone, much less Phyl? “My life is fine just as it is. Although I still think I should move to the homestead and let you kids have this house on your own. Besides, what would the family think if their mother started dating? It sounds obscene.”

  Phyl chuckled. “You don’t give your kids enough credit. They love you and want you to be happy. If another man makes you happy, don’t you think they would want that?”

  “No,” Nellie whispered. “I don’t. And I don’t want this to go anywhere with Beau.”

  “So that’s why you don’t want to go to dinner with him?”

  “I want to be a good neighbor…a friend. Nothing else. I don’t want you talking about this to anyone else either.”

  Phyl looked Nellie in the eye. “Sometimes, the right person comes into our lives, and we can’t help how we feel about them.”

  “Are you talking about you and Donovan?”

  Phyl chuckled. “Maybe. Donovan and I belong together. But we’re talking about you. Right now, you feel an attraction. You have to figure out whether to move forward or let the feeling fade away. You owe yourself the chance to find out.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  “Of course it’s up to you, but I wouldn’t pass up a dinner with a good-looking man because I was scared.”

  Maybe Phyl wouldn’t. But Nellie wasn’t Phyl, and she wasn’t sure about herself. Scared? Yes, she was scared. Terrified, actually.

  When Phyl left, Nellie stretched out on the bed. With a hand to her head, she wondered how she’d gone so many years with no one seeing the real Nellie.

  Beau Chandler could be the one person who would, because he just might get closer than anyone else had in a very long time.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Quiet night?” Dugan asked the next morning.

  They were seated in the sheriff’s office. Murdock, Dugan, and Beau. Beau was ready for action. “Rey probably scared the pants off them with that flare. Maybe they’ll leave us alone for a while.”

  “We can’t count on it,” Murdock reminded them. “Rustlers are a determined lot.”