Cowboy Brave

by Carolyn Brown

  “Then we’ll keep them separated. Benjy can entertain the guys and you can entertain the ladies with all that hair and makeup,” he said.

  “Sounds like an excellent plan to me,” Emily said.

  Justin hummed all the way from the house to the barn, where he found Benjy, Larry, and Otis talking about the morning chores, and a shot of jealousy hit him. Sure, Benjy always talked to Justin and didn’t flinch if he laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder every now and then. But the kid had just flat out taken to Otis like they were long-lost relatives.

  Ever think it’s because the old guy reminds him of his grandmother? A voice in his head asked. You’re also jealous of Cade because he has a baby on the way, and Levi because he’s found someone. What are you waiting for?

  If settling down was what he wanted, he realized suddenly, then it was time to get on with the program and do so. And this newfound feeling he had for Emily might mean that she was the right one to do it with—but if she wasn’t, then what? One of them might get hurt really badly. His mind was still chasing itself like a dog trying to catch its tail when he reached the barn.

  “Hey, Justin.” Benjy waved. “Otis and Larry are helping this morning. And then I’m goin’ to show them how to groom Little Bit. Did you know that Hopalong has made him a bed in the back of one of the stalls? Are we getting things ready in case a heifer has trouble calving?”

  Justin made his way back to the area where they were working. “That’s right. We like to keep things ready, and Levi mentioned Hopalong had showed up again. Was he happy to see you?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Benjy flashed one of his rare smiles. “We all got to pet him and now he’s sleepin’.”

  “Well, don’t work Otis and Larry too hard. Emily will shoot me if they get sick over this,” Justin said.

  “Never happen. Benjy here is a fine boss.” Otis chuckled. “He’s letting us pace ourselves.”

  “That’s good,” Justin said.

  Benjy pushed a full wheelbarrow outside to dump it. “Be right back, boys.”

  Otis leaned on a shovel. “That’s a good kid, there, and he loves this kind of work. He’s already a good hand, but with his smarts, he’ll be a fantastic one in a few years. He could probably work out in his head how many rolls of barbed wire you’d need.”

  Larry propped a heel on the lower board of a stall. “I ain’t never seen a kid that intelligent. He’s such a delight to be around.”

  “We think so too. I’m so glad that he’s made friends with y’all,” Justin said.

  “Hell, son, we’re glad he let us be friends with him.” Otis grinned.

  “Got to go.” Justin removed his cowboy hat, combed his hair back with his fingers, and resettled it on his head. “See y’all at the party.”

  “Lookin’ forward to it,” Larry said. “What’re you off to do today?”

  “Got a field to plow,” Justin answered.

  Beau followed Benjy from outside and stopped to let both Otis and Larry rub his ears before he headed toward the tractor. When Justin didn’t follow right then, he turned around and barked at him.

  “I think Beau wants to plow with you today,” Benjy said.

  “Looks like it.” Justin nodded.

  Justin opened the big green tractor door and jumped inside. Tail thumping against the leather seat and his paws on the dash, Beau was ready to go. Justin settled into his place and turned on the radio to his favorite country music station.

  Plowing a big field in a tractor while listening to country music was usually Justin’s definition of a good day. A month ago the only thing that would have been on his mind was whether or not he’d get lucky that night at the Rusty Spur. But all through the morning all he could think about was a party with seven elderly folks, a thirteen-year-old boy, and six adults. Pizza and Pictionary were on the agenda, and he couldn’t wait for time to pass so he could be in the middle of it all.

  At noon he turned the engine off, got out his sack lunch and thermos, and sat down on a fallen log under a big scrub oak tree. Beau rushed out to find the nearest bush and then chased two squirrels up a pecan tree. When the dog realized Justin was eating, he sat down at his side and put a paw on his leg.

  Justin pinched off a chunk of his sandwich, fed it to Beau, and then tipped up his coffee and let the dog have a sip of that. “I like Emily. There I said it. There’s just something about the way she is with those old folks, and the way she looks at Benjy, and now she’s got me thinkin’ about settling down. She’s got a good heart and damn it, Beau, she’s one sexy woman with all those curves.”

  Beau whimpered and looked up at the tractor.

  “You’re no help at all. You could at least wag your tail. I get more reaction out of you when a song that you like comes on the radio. Don’t you like her?”

  Beau’s tail thumped against the brittle grass one time.

  “Well, thank you for that tiny little vote of confidence,” Justin growled. “Let’s just get back to work.”

  Beau yipped.

  “I guess that means I have to figure out things for myself, right?”

  One more thump of the tail and Beau made two fast runs around the tractor. By the time Justin had shoved all of his trash back into the sack, the dog was waiting at the door. Beau hopped into the passenger seat, curled up with his paw over his nose, and went to sleep.

  His phone rang before he could even start the tractor back up. The ID said it was his mother, but he took a moment to get the engine going so he could turn on the A/C.

  “Hello, Mama,” Justin answered.

  “Where are you?” she asked, bluntly.

  “In the tractor, plowing up a field so we can get it replanted,” he answered.

  “Where’s Emily?”

  “I have no idea, but I’d guess that she’s at the bunkhouse getting things ready for the party tonight. You’re coming to it, aren’t you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Mama, what’s the matter with you? You’ve been acting strange ever since y’all got here,” he asked.

  “It’s Emily,” she said.

  “What about her?”

  “What do you know about her? What if she’s just a gold digger after part of this ranch?”

  “Good grief!” Justin raised his voice. “She hasn’t even agreed to go out with me yet, and besides she’s not that kind of person.”

  “She’s not for you, Justin. I didn’t feel like this with Retta or with Claire, but something isn’t right about Emily. They’ll be leaving tomorrow. I want you to stay away from her.”

  “Mama, you’ve never put up this kind of fuss about any of my girlfriends,” he said.

  “There’s something different in you. If she were a one-night stand I wouldn’t say a word, but with Levi and Cade both settling down, you’ve changed. Don’t deny it. I can see it, but Emily is not the one.”

  “What if she is?” Justin asked.

  “Trust me, she’s not,” Gloria said and the call ended.

  No good-bye or anything. She simply hung up.

  “Dammit!” Justin slapped the steering wheel.

  It was going to be a long afternoon. Then he remembered something that Claire’s little niece, Zaylie, had told him about time passing when they traveled. According to her, it was measured in songs. It took five songs to go from the ranch to the ice cream store in Bowie. But it took a whole bunch of songs to go from San Antonio, where she’d lived with her father, to Randlett, Oklahoma, where she stayed with her Aunt Claire when he was deployed.

  It was 12:20. That meant a lot of songs before he got the field plowed and could call it quits. One song after another played, but he wasn’t listening. One minute he was trying to make heads or tails out of the way he felt about Emily; the next he wondered what basis his mother had for what she’d said. Emily hadn’t been anything but nice to her.

  “I’m acting like a high school kid rather than a feller who’s almost thirty,” he muttered. “Emily probably isn’t goin’ to say yes when I
do ask her out. And if she does, Mama is going to pitch a hissy fit. Why can’t she just love Emily, like she did Retta and Claire?”

  The sun was settling down on the horizon when he finally finished the job and parked the tractor in front of the barn. He still hadn’t figured out a blessed thing, but at least the day was done, and he could go see Emily. Beau hopped out the minute the door opened and ran toward the house. Justin jogged along behind him and went straight to the bathroom. After a quick shower, he dressed in clean jeans and a shirt, pulled on a better pair of boots, and headed for the bunkhouse.

  He didn’t realize that he needed a coat until the north wind blew through his damp hair, but he didn’t go back to get one. He just picked up the speed and hurried toward his destination.

  The buzz of several conversations filled the room when he slipped inside. He searched the room, looking for Emily. Open pizza boxes covered the table, and the countertop was serving as a soft drink bar. Retta and Claire had their heads together. Mavis and the other elderly ladies were sitting around the table, talking about something that required a lot of hand movements.

  No Emily anywhere.

  His mother waved from across the room and made her way over to loop her arm in his. “I’ve been waiting on you to arrive. Mavis is talking quilting with the ladies. Retta and Claire are finalizing nursery plans. Your father is over there with the men and Benjy, talking about that silly donkey. I’m the only one here that doesn’t fit into a group.”

  He scanned the room one more time and found Emily coming out of the bathroom. She was wearing a pretty blue dress that matched her eyes and skimmed her knees, and the sight of her took his breath away. Her hair lay in soft waves down to her shoulders, and he longed to bury his face in it like he had the night before in the tack room.

  “Emily is right there. You could talk to her,” he said.

  “I’d rather talk to you,” Gloria said.

  Justin looked over the top of his mother’s head and his gaze locked with Emily’s. There was definitely chemistry, and it felt right.

  “Hey, Justin is here now!” Patsy raised her voice. “Let’s eat and then play the game. I want Benjy on my team.”

  “Oh, no!” Otis argued. “We get Benjy.”

  Claire pushed her blond hair behind her ears and headed toward the table with the pizza. “I’m hungry so make way.”

  Retta picked up a paper plate and began to load it with slices. “I’m right behind you, Claire. I get double tonight because I’m eating for two.”

  “I’m your friendly bartender.” Justin began to fill red plastic cups with ice. “Y’all come on by here when you get your food, and I’ll fix you right up.”

  “You do the ice and I’ll pour,” Gloria said.

  Emily was the last in line and whispered, “Sweet tea is fine.”

  “Comin’ right up. I’ll join you. Mama, you can pour your own, right?”

  “Of course,” Gloria huffed.

  “Want a little Jack in that?” he whispered when they were away from his mother.

  “That might prove dangerous,” she said. “I’m already gettin’ daggers shot at me by your mama. Did I do something wrong?”

  “No, honey. Mama is just bein’ overprotective, but gettin’ back to the idea of something being dangerous. It could be a lot of fun.”

  “What could be fun?” Patsy asked.

  “She’s got hearing like a bat,” Emily said.

  “Watchin’ you ladies lose. We’ve got Benjy.” Justin quickly covered his comment.

  “And we’ve got Sarah,” Bess said. “She can draw real good.”

  “Yes, I can,” Sarah said, which set off an argument among the Fab Five.

  While they fussed about who was going to win the games, Justin brushed a strand of hair away from Emily’s face. “You sure do look pretty tonight. I want to kiss you so bad right now that it hurts. Think we could slip outside?”

  “If we did, your mama would probably shoot me. So we’d better stay right here.”

  Emily hadn’t had a man look at her the way Justin was in—she cocked her head to one side and tried to remember—in like ever.

  “Thank you. You clean up pretty good too,” she answered.

  “This has been a really great week. I hate to see it end.”

  When he lowered his deep voice into a whisper, it was even sexier than usual. And his bedroom eyes, with the thick dark lashes, drew her to him like a bee to a honey pot.

  “In spite of all their antics?” she asked.

  “I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about us, but it’s been fun having them here. I have to admit that I had my doubts about this type of thing, but it turned out really good. I’d let them come back in the fall or next spring if they want to,” he said.

  “No, thank you. I’ll develop heart failure if I try this again.” She smiled.

  “I’ll give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if you pass out,” he offered.

  His eyes roamed over her snug-fitting dress. Suddenly, the room was entirely too warm, and the thoughts of his lips on hers again filled her with even more heat. She took a long drink of the icy cold sweet tea in her hand, but it didn’t cool her down a bit.

  “First, I don’t pass out. And second, I’m not sure you’re strong enough to handle me if I did,” she said.

  “Oh, honey, you just give me a chance, and I’ll show you exactly what I can do for you.” He flirted with his eyes and body language as much as with his words.

  Emily’s heart was thumping around in her chest and she could feel her pulse in her ears. “You better go get some pizza because the game is going to start soon. I’ve got a five-dollar bill that says the girls win.”

  “If the boys win, you can keep your money and agree to go out with me.” He brushed past her on the way to the table.

  “If the girls win, you can just give me the five bucks.” The touch of his body against hers sent visuals to her mind that were definitely X-rated.

  “You’re breakin’ my heart,” he teased as he followed her across the room.

  “Yeah, right. You’ll be at the Rusty Spur next weekend, and I won’t even be a blip on your memory. Eat your pizza, and get ready to fork over a bill when we win this game.”

  “Will I be a blip on your memory?” He nudged her with a shoulder.

  “Of course you will, darlin’. You’re irresistible, remember?” she said.

  He laid a hand on his chest. “You’re a tough woman, Emily Baker.”

  “You just want to go out with me because I’m probably the only woman who’s ever refused you when you asked,” she told him.

  “Oh, darlin’, you give me way too much credit.” Justin chuckled.

  Gloria dragged a folding chair across the room, put it at the end of the two remaining chairs left, and sat down in the middle.

  Justin motioned for Emily to sit down in one, then he moved the other one over beside her. “There, now we can sit together.”

  Gloria’s smile was sarcastic instead of happy. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize that I was gettin’ between y’all.”

  “It’s okay,” Emily said. “I’m glad that we can sit together so I can get to know you better. We haven’t had much one-on-one time. Which side are you bettin’ on tonight?”

  “The boys, of course. Benjy is a crackerjack artist and so is Justin.” Gloria’s tone was icy.

  “So is Sarah. They sure have had a good time this week.”

  “And you? Did you have a good time too?” Gloria’s blue eyes, so much like Cade’s, bored into Emily’s.

  Emily didn’t blink. “Yes, I did. I used to spend a lot of time on my grandmother’s ranch when I was young and it has been fun to get to spend some time in the country. So thank y’all for a lovely week.”

  “I’m just glad that I’ve got family so that when I get old, they’ll be around to take care of me,” Gloria said.

  “That’s nice,” Emily said sweetly. There was no way she’d let Gloria get the best of
her.

  “And your family? Will you step up to take care of them when they’re old?”

  “Of course,” Emily said. “Family is precious.”

  The first game of Pictionary began, and Gloria didn’t have anything more to say. Emily let the other ladies take center stage in guessing what Benjy was drawing. The living/dining room was filled with laughter, and all she had to do was look at the Five’s expressions to see how much fun they were having. Maybe after a year, she’d be willing to bring them back to the ranch. It would give them something to look forward to.

  All of the ladies were dolled up and as comfortable in their skins as Emily was—or would be if it wasn’t so hot in the bunkhouse. Otis had changed into khaki pants and a button-down shirt instead of his usual jeans and T-shirts. Larry had even donned a pair of gray slacks with a bright red polo shirt. She hadn’t seen them so dressed up since the Christmas party.

  The boys won.

  Benjy high-fived Otis and Larry.

  Sarah poked Emily on the leg and whispered, “We let them win that last round to make Benjy happy.”

  “I had a bet riding on this.” Emily groaned.

  “Yep, and there was that too,” Patsy giggled.

  Justin lingered at the door after everyone else had left. “So what night next week is good for you? And I’ll need your address.”

  “I’ll have to check my calendar, cowboy,” Emily said. “And when I’ve got a free day, I’ll meet you somewhere for dinner.”

  “She lives out on Belcherville Road,” Patsy yelled.

  “White house with a detached garage and an apartment above it,” Sarah added.

  “The lady who owns the house drives an older model white Caddy, but she can’t park it in the garage because she’s a hoarder and it’s full. She’d like to move to the retirement center but she couldn’t bring all that crap with her.” Bess put in her two cents.

  “Thank you all for the clues. And I will call next week to check on that calendar of yours. See you in the morning at breakfast, and then we’ll be going to church together.” Justin grinned and then gave Emily a peck on the cheek as he left.