Cowboy at the Crossroads

by Linda Warren

  Later, Rose and Owen called to see when she was coming to Rockport, but she knew they were really asking about the accident. She told them she was okay and that she wasn’t sure when she’d make it to Rockport. Not before her birthday, which was in August. They didn’t try to dissuade her, and she was grateful for that. She understood that everyone genuinely cared about her well-being, that her family wanted her to be happy. And she finally was. She couldn’t wait to see Cord again.

  After talking to Ginger, she curled up on the sofa in the den, leafing through a medical journal. Nicki crawled up beside her.

  “You don’t feel good, Becca?” There was a note of anxiety in her voice, and Becca knew she was remembering her own mother and all the times Anette didn’t “feel good.”

  She kissed her cheek. “I feel great—and you know what?”

  “What?”

  “I think we need some chocolate. What do you think?”

  “Yeah. We need chocolate.”

  There was a bowl of candy kisses on the coffee table. Becca was sure they hadn’t been there yesterday. She reached over and grabbed a handful. She unwrapped one and handed it to Nicki, then popped one in her own mouth.

  “Mmm, mmm, that’s good.” She sighed.

  Nicki nodded. “Real good.” She stretched out her arms. “It’s gonna make your butt this big.”

  Becca made a face. “I sincerely hope not.”

  Nicki burst into giggles and Becca joined in. She loved this child so much. How was she ever going to leave? She gathered Nicki close and held her tight. A lot had happened in a short period of time, but she knew with overwhelming certainty that her heart would always be here with Cord and his little girl.

  CORD CAME THROUGH the kitchen door and stopped short. Blanche and Edie were sitting at the table drinking coffee. It was a sight that took a moment to get used to. There were no hurtful words flying around—just an amicable silence.

  Blanche glanced at him. “Cord, you should tell that kid of yours that some people don’t get up at the crack of dawn.”

  Cord suppressed a grin. Blanche wore a lavender negligée, her hair was mussed and her face devoid of makeup. In all his forty-two years, he’d rarely seen that. Blanche never left her room unless she was perfectly dressed, coiffed and made up.

  “And maybe you should be careful what you say to her. She was just excited about the makeup you mentioned.” He glanced around the room. “Where is Nicki?”

  “She’s in there bothering Becca, thank God,” Blanche groaned. “I don’t think my eyes are fully open yet.”

  “They’re not,” Edie remarked. “You look like you’ve been rode hard and put up wet, as Gus would say.”

  “You’re not exactly fresh as a daisy,” Blanche shot back.

  “It’s almost noon and this is as good as I get,” Edie added with a touch of humor.

  “Okay, ladies.” Cord held up both hands. “I need your help.”

  Blanche eyed him strangely. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it.”

  He told them about the Jeep.

  “Oh my God,” Blanche and Edie said in unison.

  “Are you sure?” Della asked.

  “Yeah, there’s not much doubt about it.”

  “I tried to warn her but she wouldn’t listen to me,” Blanche mumbled.

  Cord frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “This ranch is not a place for a city girl like Becca.”

  Cord decided to let it pass. He didn’t have time for that conversation and preferred not to hear Blanche’s opinions on the matter, anyway. He had to talk to Becca.

  “Could you occupy Nicki while I speak with Becca?”

  “Okay,” Edie said. “I’ll take her riding.”

  “That’s not a good idea. The sheriff’s still here and I don’t want to upset Nicki. It might remind her of Anette’s death.”

  “Oh my.” Edie put a hand to her mouth. “This is awful.”

  Blanche got to her feet. “Go get the kid, Edie, and bring her to my room. I’ll find some old makeup and paint her up like a clown.”

  Edie’s eyes narrowed. “I will not take orders from you.”

  “Don’t start,” Blanche warned.

  Cord intervened. “I’ll bring Nicki. And for God’s sake, get a grip. I don’t need this right now.”

  “I’m sorry, Cord,” Edie said immediately.

  “Yeah, whatever,” Blanche added disagreeably. “I’ll be in my room, and believe me, the kid knows where it is.”

  “I’ll send her along,” Cord said a moment before he headed for the den.

  Becca and Nicki were sitting on the sofa with their heads together. One blond, one dark. His heart melted as he watched them. Becca had brought so much into this house. She had reached Nicki when no one else could and she had touched him in a way that even now was hard to understand. He knew he’d never be the same. Whatever had happened in Becca’s past, she had a great capacity to love, to laugh and to share. Now he had to tell her that someone had sabotaged the Jeep—and possibly tried to kill her. How would he do this?

  With the truth. Becca would expect no less.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “DADDY,” NICKI SHOUTED, and scrambled off the sofa when she saw him. She ran into his waiting arms.

  “How’s my baby?”

  “Fine. Becca and me are eating chocolate. Want one?” She held a candy kiss in her hand.

  “No, thanks, but Blanche might. She’s looking for you.”

  Nicki frowned. “She was grouchy when I waked her.”

  “Well, she’s in a better mood now and she’s getting out some makeup.”

  “Oh boy.” Nicki wriggled from his arms. “I’m gonna get pretty.” She glanced back at Becca. “Wanna come?”

  “No, sweetie, but you have a good time.”

  “’Kay.” She charged out the door to Blanche’s room.

  Cord sat beside Becca. He removed his hat and laid it on the sofa, then turned to look at her. His heart constricted at the sight of her bruised face. He gently touched it with the back of his hand. Who had done this to her? Through him swirled anger, which he had to control.

  She caught his hand and kissed each finger with slow thoroughness, and for a moment he forgot everything but her. “Becca,” he said huskily. “We have to talk.”

  Something in his voice alerted her. “What is it?”

  He linked his fingers with hers. “I had the Jeep pulled to the shed, and Smithy took a look at it.”

  “Did he find out what was wrong with the brakes?”

  Cord nodded but he didn’t say anything else.

  “Well?” she prompted.

  “Did you notice when the brakes got weak?” he asked.

  “They worked fine going down there, but when I started back they weren’t holding too well, and finally they didn’t hold at all.”

  “I see.”

  She watched him for a few seconds. “Cord, what are you trying not to tell me?”

  He looked directly into her eyes. “The nut holding the brake line was loosened and the brake fluid leaked out.”

  She blinked. “Loosened? What do you mean?”

  “Smithy checked the vehicle last week and everything was fine. Someone loosened the nut.”

  “On purpose?”

  “That’s what it looks like.”

  She took a moment to digest what he was saying, but it was all so unreal. “Who would do that?”

  “I don’t know. The sheriff’s talking to all the cowboys.”

  Her eyes widened. “The sheriff is here?”

  “Yes, I want to get to the bottom of this, but I don’t want you to worry. It wasn’t necessarily intended for you. Anyone could’ve been driving the Jeep—including me.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better,” she said shortly. “Oh, no! Could it have been that Joe Bates?”

  “Becca—”

  “It could have, couldn’t it?” she interrupted. “That’s why the sheriff’s here.”
>
  “Maybe,” he admitted. “We’re not sure. I…”

  She could see he was having difficulty with the words, so she slid her arms around him. “What is it?”

  “I just have this bad feeling,” he whispered into her hair, not even realizing he was pouring out his heart. “It’s the same feeling I had when I found Anette. I couldn’t find any answers then, but I knew something wasn’t right. Just like I know something’s not right now.”

  “You said anyone could’ve been driving the Jeep.”

  “I think it’s best if you go back to Houston.” The words slipped out before he could stop them. Becca’s safety mattered more than his need for her.

  She drew back. “You want me to leave?”

  He kissed her cold lips. “That’s the last thing I want, but we have to do whaterever will keep you safe.”

  “I feel safe with you.”

  “Becca, please—”

  “I’m not leaving,” she said in that stubborn voice he’d heard before.

  “Becca…”

  “No, I mean it. I’m not running away like a frightened animal. If someone doesn’t want me here, then they’ll have to tell me to my face.”

  “Why do you have to be so stubborn?”

  “That’s just me.”

  “I know,” he replied, shaking his head.

  “Besides, I’m not abandoning Nicki. She’s so much better, but I have to prepare her before I go.”

  Who’s going to prepare me?

  Nothing was said for a moment as Cord wrestled with his conscience. He wanted her out of harm’s way, but he didn’t have the strength to force her to go.

  “Cord, I’m not Anette,” she said calmly. “It takes a lot to scare me. I’ll admit I’m a little afraid, but not enough to run away and hide.”

  He didn’t say anything—just held her hand so tightly that it went numb.

  “I know you have a lot of unresolved issues and feelings about Anette.”

  “Yeah,” he admitted in a tortured voice.

  This was the right moment to mention something that was bothering her. “Why haven’t you done anything about Anette’s things? Nothing’s been touched since her death.”

  “I couldn’t stand to go in there,” he said brokenly.

  “It’s time,” she whispered. “Go through her things. Put her to rest for good. You said you didn’t have any answers about her death. Sorting through her belongings might give you the peace you need.”

  “This isn’t about Anette. This is about your safety,” he said in a frustrated voice.

  “You said you had the same bad feeling about both.”

  He took a long breath. “Yeah, and I wish I could make it go away.”

  “You have to start somewhere.”

  “I can’t go into that room.” His voice was so low that she barely heard him.

  “Yes, you can,” she insisted. “You want answers about Anette and I think that’s where you’ll find them.”

  He frowned.

  “Her whole life on this ranch is probably in that room. I’m sure you’ll discover that she loved you and Nicki. It’s time to recognize those feelings and put them behind you. It’s time to live again.” She kissed the corner of his mustache. “I want you to live again—with me.”

  “Becca.” He covered her mouth with his own. She opened hers and gave him everything he wanted and more—

  Della cleared her throat from the doorway, and they immediately drew apart. “The sheriff is in the kitchen.”

  “Be right there,” Cord said in a hoarse voice. He gazed into Becca’s darkened eyes. “You have a knack for getting me completely sidetracked.”

  “Nice, isn’t it?” She smiled provocatively.

  “I’m sure the sheriff wants to discuss the accident. Are you up to it?”

  “Yes.” She smoothed his mustache with her finger.

  “And I’m serious about Anette’s room. It has to be done.”

  “I’ll think about it,” he conceded as he got to his feet and helped her up.

  Becca knew they had no future without resolving the past. And she desperately wanted a future with Cord. The intentional tampering with the brake line was something she had to face, too. She had an eerie feeling that this incident and Anette’s death were connected. How, she had no idea; it wasn’t a rational conclusion. But she sensed that the place to start was Anette’s room.

  THE DAY PASSED IN A BLUR. The sheriff questioned them all, but there wasn’t much anyone could tell him. Becca had seen no one suspicious around the Jeep and neither had Edie. The sheriff believed Joe Bates was probably the perpetrator. He didn’t feel any of the cowboys had reason to do such a thing. He intended to find Joe Bates and see what he was up to.

  Becca felt better, but she could see Cord was still suspicious. She knew his emotions were tied to Anette and she had to get him past that. She had to talk him into entering Anette’s room.

  Soon after the sheriff left, Nicki walked into the kitchen, and all Cord and Becca could do was stare. She had on a red dress of Blanche’s that came down to the floor and she tottered on high heels. Beads adorned her neck and arms, and long silver earrings dangled from her ears. Her face was heavily made up and a purple streak had been sprayed in her blond curls.

  She held out her arms. “Aren’t I pretty?”

  Cord couldn’t speak.

  “Yes, sweetie, very pretty,” Becca said in a whisper.

  Cord found his voice. “What’s that in your hair?”

  “Color. Ain’t it neat?”

  “No, I don’t like it,” Cord said before he could stop himself.

  Nicki’s bottom lip began to tremble.

  “What Daddy means is that it’s different,” Becca said. “Once he takes another look, I’m sure he’ll like it.” She gazed pointedly at Cord.

  “Yeah…yeah…” He spoke slowly, knowing what Becca wanted him to say, but the words were like sawdust in his mouth. He couldn’t see his little girl behind the glitz and glitter.

  Edie entered the kitchen and stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes on Nicki. “Oh my Lord.”

  “Look at me, Edie,” Nicki called.

  “Is it Halloween?” Edie whispered in Becca’s ear.

  “Nicki’s been playing dress-up with Blanche,” Becca explained.

  “Oh my Lord,” Edie said again.

  “My sentiments exactly,” Cord murmured.

  Blanche breezed in at that moment. “Well, sugarplum, did you dazzle everyone?”

  “I don’t think dazzle is the correct word,” Cord told her.

  “Daddy doesn’t like my hair,” Nicki informed Blanche.

  “Ah, your daddy’s a cowboy and they like simple things. But you and me, we’re movers and shakers.”

  “Yeah.” Nicki beamed, obviously glowing in her grandmother’s attention. “We move and shake. I’m gonna show Della.” Nicki stumbled for the den.

  “Have you no sense?” Edie hissed when Nicki left.

  Blanche stepped close to her. “You know, Edie, I could spruce you up, too, but it’s kinda hard making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”

  “And it’s hard to make a lady out of a harlot,” Edie shot back.

  “Time out,” Cord said loudly. “The main thing is that Nicki’s happy.” He paused, then added, “In the future, Blanche, try not to get so…overenthusiastic. I’d better find her before she breaks her neck in those heels.” Cord hurried out with Edie behind him.

  “How you feeling, sugar?” Blanche asked when they were alone.

  “Much better.”

  Blanche pulled out a chair and sat down. “I guess it helps that Cord’s so attentive.”

  Becca shook her head. “I’m not letting you goad me. But I’m proud of the interest you’ve taken in Nicki.”

  “Don’t read too much into it, sugar.”

  “Oh, but I do.”

  “Then, that’s your problem,” Blanche said. “If I were you, I’d get the hell outta here before anything else
happens.”

  “Is that another warning?”

  Blanche’s eyes met hers. “Take it any way you want, but that brake line was tampered with for a reason. It was intended for you or Cord. Either way, it’s not good. You’d be better off in Houston.”

  There was a tone in Blanche’s voice she hadn’t heard before. “Are you worried about me?”

  Blanche stood. “Sugar, I don’t worry about anyone except myself. You’re the worrying type, though, but you won’t have to worry about the kid. I’ll look out for her. Just go where it’s safe.” She disappeared out the door.

  Well, well, Becca thought. Did wonders never cease? Blanche was afraid of showing emotion. That was why she’d left so quickly, but she couldn’t hide her fear from Becca. Did Blanche know more than she was saying? Becca had a feeling she did. But what?

  CORD AND BECCA HAD TO WASH and rewash Nicki’s hair to get the purple out. After the second scrubbing, Nicki insisted she didn’t want “no more of that stuff.” Cord tiptoed out of the room a little later as Becca was reading Nicki a story. Nicki drifted off to sleep, but he still wasn’t back. Becca put the book away, glancing at the inscription. Again she felt that a woman who loved a child this much would not intentionally kill herself. It had to have been an accident. But tampering with the brake line wasn’t. God, why did she keep putting the two together? They’d happened so far apart and they weren’t related in any logical way. Then, why couldn’t she shake the ominous feeling?