Texas Dad (Fatherhood)

by Roz Denny Fox

  Zoey’s frown turned into a smile. “What would be perfect is if I could convince her to stay long enough for my dad to start liking her.”

  “You mean, like...fall in love with her?”

  Zoey nodded. “But how?”

  “Well...I’ll do a Google search on love and see if any ideas come up.”

  “Would you? My dad has our internet blocked. I can’t exactly tell him why I want to look up love.” She wrinkled her nose.

  “I’ll call and tell you what I find out, okay?”

  The girls high-fived and bumped elbows in their special signing-off code. Giggling, they changed the subject, talking instead about the party Brandy hoped her parents would let her have for her upcoming thirteenth birthday.

  * * *

  AS MACK STOOD by the window, he saw the girls chattering a mile a minute, and he was glad the Everses were such nice people. He counted himself lucky that Brandy and Zoey had gotten along like sisters from the day they met in third grade. Dan Evers sold tractors in town. His wife, Amanda, loved gardening. They’d moved to La Mesa and bought the old Thompson ranch so she could set up greenhouses. Several days a week she sold flowers and seasonal vegetables to local residents. Although Erma used to tend a large garden at Turkey Creek Ranch when Mack was a kid, she bought fresh produce from Amanda now. He knew she was slowing down.

  He heard louder voices and turned in time to see a technician pushing Erma, in a wheelchair, into the waiting room. Mack tossed his empty coffee cup in a nearby wastebasket and rushed up to her. “How do you feel? What’s the verdict?”

  A harried-looking doctor showed up before Erma could answer. He handed her a prescription. “The pills are for pain,” he said. Turning to Mack, he added, “She needs the pills for when the shot I administered wears off. I explained to Erma that her hip is badly swollen and bruised. I don’t see a fracture, but I’m sending the films to a radiologist in Lubbock. I should have an answer in two or three days. This is no simple injury, and there could be a chipped bone. Of necessity, due mostly to Erma’s age, I don’t want her bearing weight on that leg for four to six weeks. This is a loaner wheelchair. You’ll need to rent or purchase one and bring ours back as soon as possible.”

  “Mackenzie, I am so sorry,” Erma said even as she adjusted a blue ice pack she held to her right hip and thigh. “I told Benny last week about that loose step. In my rush to gather eggs this morning, I plumb forgot about it and caught my heel. It was my own dumb fault.”

  Mack patted her shoulder. Taking in everything the doctor and Erma said, he was trying to figure out how they’d care for Erma and handle her many chores while she was laid up. His phone rang as the doctor impressed on Erma the need not to skimp on the pain medicine. “Take two of these as soon as you get home, and two more before you go to bed. Then the same dose twice a day until we get answers from radiology.”

  Excusing himself, Mack went into the entry to take the call. Benny’s booming voice caused him to hold the phone away from his ear.

  “Boss, where are you? Someone we were just talking about a couple of months ago showed up. She says you know she’s here. It’s Jilly Walker.” The old ranch foreman whistled through his teeth—a wolf whistle that grated on Mack’s already frayed nerves.

  “Don’t let her get too cozy, Benny. Jill is only a temporary pain in my butt. I’m with Erma. The doc’s not sure if her hip is just bruised or fractured, too. But she’s gonna be laid up for at least a month. We have to swing by the pharmacy for her prescription, and to see if they sell wheelchairs. I’ll stop and see Leitha Davidson at the employment office. We need a housekeeper to fill Erma’s shoes for a while. I hope they can supply someone. By the way, can you fix up some type of ramp into the house? Erma says she tripped on a loose board on the back steps.”

  “Dang, she told me about that last week. It’s on my to-do list. But it came after hauling water to a thirsty herd, and bringing in cows with new calves.”

  “I’m not blaming you, Benny. This is our busiest season. The last thing any of us need is to have Erma down, to say nothing of Jill messing up my life again. She promises it’s for a day or two. Why she’s here is a long story. I’ll fill you in later.”

  “I might have a solution to one problem, boss. My cousin Sonja may be able to fill in for Erma. Sonja’s youngest daughter just got married and moved away, so she’s kind of blue. Hold off talking to Leitha until I call my cousin. She’d fit in here and I can vouch for her cooking.”

  “That’s music to my ears, Benny. We’ll be home within the hour. Let Jill, uh, take her trial pictures, and send her on her way.” He ended the call and went back to fetch Erma.

  Because Mack didn’t really want to explain Jill’s presence to Erma in front of the girls, he hurriedly mentioned the untimely visit as he wheeled the housekeeper out.

  “Praise the Lord,” Erma said.

  “From my perspective it’s more like a curse,” Mack muttered as Erma’s excited response made his heart flutter.

  “What brought her back here?”

  “Zoey and Brandy got it into their heads to enter me in a lame magazine contest. They won. Worse luck, Jill is who the magazine sent to do a story and take pictures of me around the ranch.”

  “Mmm, seems like serendipity.” Erma shot Mack a broad smile over one shoulder.

  “You’re far too cheerful for a woman in your condition. I’ll chalk it up to the pain shot the doc says he gave you. But there’s one thing we all need to get straight. I am not the least bit happy to have Jill Walker land back in my life, even for a couple of days.”

  “Oh, I hear you, Mackenzie.” Erma closed her eyes and tucked her chin against her chest.

  Chapter Three

  As soon as Mack unlocked his pickup with the remote, Zoey hopped out and ran to hug Erma. That pleased Mack. Zoey really was a good kid, although he should probably still dole out some disciplinary action for sending embarrassing photos of him to a women’s magazine. He could take away a few of her privileges, he supposed, but he hated doing that to a lonely, only child. He knew what growing up alone was like.

  “Zoey, will you please open the front passenger door? Stuff this bed pillow Erma brought under her right hip. Be gentle, she’s in some pain.”

  “Is your hip broken?” Zoey asked Erma after her dad lifted the housekeeper into the truck. He folded the wheelchair and slid it under the canopy covering the pickup bed.

  “The doctor won’t know until a specialist in Lubbock reads my X-rays, Zoey. I sure hate causing your dad so much bother. He has better things to do than waste half a day taking caring of me. I made a dumb mistake, tripping over a board I’d already said was loose.”

  Mack boosted Zoey into the backseat, then rounded the pickup to the driver’s side. Then he said, “Come on, Erma. You’re family. Dad gave thanks every day that you happened to be looking for work when Mom’s cancer got bad.”

  “Such a long time ago. Twenty-five years,” Erma murmured as she leaned back against the headrest. “You were younger than Zoey when your mom died, Mackenzie. The years sure roll on by quickly, don’t they?”

  “I was eight,” Mack said softly as he pulled out of the parking lot.

  Brandy rustled around in the backseat. “Gosh, Mr. B., you didn’t grow up with a mom, either?”

  Mack frowned in the rearview mirror. He was surprised at the old sense of loss that arose, given how many years had passed. “Zoey and I are lucky Erma landed at the ranch equipped to mother us,” he told Brandy.

  Erma stirred. “It was me who got lucky, y’all. You may remember, Mackenzie, but I was engaged to be married. My fiancé, Johnny, went MIA in Vietnam. It was right near the end of that awful war. I didn’t have any real skills. Johnny’s family and mine were both dirt poor. I attempted a series of odd jobs but couldn’t live on what I got paid. Back then there weren’t many
good jobs available to rural farm kids. But I couldn’t bear to leave La Mesa in case the army found Johnny. Since I wasn’t his wife, they wouldn’t have tracked me down. Seems like yesterday, but it’s been forty years.” She passed a trembling, wrinkled hand over her eyes. “Shoot, it’s gotta be that danged shot making me lonesome. You kids don’t need to hear an old lady ramble on.”

  Mack squeezed Erma’s arm. “I’ve heard they’re still finding dog tags over there.”

  They drove in silence for a little while. “What’s MIA?” Zoey finally asked as Mack angled into a parking spot outside a chain pharmacy a ways out of town on Lubbock Highway.

  “The letters stand for missing in action, Zoey,” Mack said, preparing to climb out. “I’m going in to fill Erma’s prescription and see if they have any wheelchairs— I’m hoping this pharmacy carries medical equipment.”

  “What about the wheelchair you put in back?” Zoey jerked a thumb behind her.

  “It’s on loan from the E.R. We can’t keep it for the four to six weeks the doctor said Erma needs to stay off that leg.”

  “That long?” Zoey gasped. “Who’ll take care of us?”

  Mack reached back to tap her nose. “Aren’t you ready to be our chief cook and bottle washer?”

  Her eyes went wide.

  “I’m teasing,” he said. “I talked to Benny earlier. He has a cousin who may be able to help us out. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.”

  “I will,” Erma said as Mack’s door slammed. Silence filled the cab for a time, and it was plain to see from the way Erma’s head fell forward that she was nodding off. Then Brandy whispered to Zoey, “How old do you suppose Benny’s cousin is?”

  Zoey shrugged. She kept her voice down, and said, “Benny’s seventy-two. I know because Erma baked him a cake for his birthday last month. There wasn’t room on the cake for so many candles, so Dad bought two in the shape of a seven and a two. Why?”

  “Duh, our plan to find your dad someone to date.”

  “Yeah, but maybe I should forget trying to find a new mom. I forgot how young my dad was when his mom died, and he turned out okay. Erma took care of him. Maybe I’m being selfish. Am I, Brandy?”

  “I don’t know, since I’ve got a mom, a dad and all my grandparents. And from what you say about your grandparents, you don’t talk to them, either.”

  “They’re so preachy! If I had to live with them like they wanted, I’d never mention getting my ears pierced or learning to wear makeup. They think TV and cell phones are sinful. I’m lucky Daddy’s lawyer fixed it so I only have to see them once or twice a year. And my dad goes with me.” She shuddered.

  The back gate of the pickup squeaked open. Peering out the rear window, the girls saw Mack slide a big box in beside the wheelchair. Then he slammed the tailgate shut and got into the cab with sufficient noise to jolt Erma awake.

  “Are we home?” she asked groggily.

  “No, sorry. I didn’t realize you were sleeping, Erma. Here’s your pain medication.” She didn’t reach out for the paper bag, so he asked, “Are you okay?”

  “I think I need to lie down. I can’t seem to keep my eyes open.”

  “We’ll be home soon. Well, in fifteen minutes or so, after we drop Brandy off.”

  “Can she come home with us? I thought J.J. might take our pictures. For fun.”

  Mack ground the key in the ignition. “Jill will be long gone by the time we get home, Zoey. Plus I told Mrs. Evers hours ago that I’d collect you girls from the library.” He passed his cell phone back. “Call your mom and apologize for how late we are, Brandy. Explain that the E.R. was superbusy.”

  Brandy took the phone. “I’m probably going to get my own cell for my birthday,” she said, sweeping her long hair back behind one ear as she waited for the number she’d punched in to connect. “Wait, I have to try again. I wish we had better cell service.”

  They were on the road by the time she got through and relayed Mack’s message, then passed back his phone. “Mom said thanks. She was picking tomatoes and lost track of time, anyway.”

  “Dad, can I get a phone for my thirteenth birthday? Some kids already have them.”

  “At twelve?”

  “Yes, and if I had one you wouldn’t have needed to bother Brandy’s mom to find out we were at the library. You could have called me.”

  “That, young lady, is something you should have settled with me before you left the house. Responsibility doesn’t start with owning a phone.”

  “Oh, brother,” Zoey drawled, flopping against her seat back.

  Mack pulled slowly down the Everses’ lane. He beeped his horn at Amanda Evers, who was in her produce stand talking with a customer. “Erma, those tomatoes look great. Want me to send Zoey to buy some?”

  Erma, who was dozing again, gave a start. She grabbed her hip and grimaced. “Darn, I’m afraid that pain shot is wearing off. Sorry, Mack, what about tomatoes? I, uh, thawed hamburger to make meat loaf. I sure hope I can stand long enough to fix supper.”

  Mack chewed his lip. “The doctor said to take two of those pills when you get home, and he wants you off your feet. The kitchen counter is too high for you to work from a wheelchair, even if you were in any shape to make supper tonight. Zoey and I can figure it out after I haul water to the herd.” Turning in his seat, he said, “Zoey, run and see if Brandy’s mom has some lettuce and sweet onion to go with those tomatoes so we can have a good salad. I hope Benny’s cousin can come ASAP.” Digging in his pocket, Mack handed Zoey a twenty-dollar bill.

  She crawled out and ran to the stand with Brandy.

  Amanda Evers listened to the girls natter on about Erma’s accident as she bagged produce, took Zoey’s money and gave her change. “Honey, tell your dad to call me if he needs meals until he hires help. I’ll round up neighbors to bring casseroles you can pop in the oven. Or better yet, tell your dad Trudy Thorne can come and stay at your place. She stopped by a while ago and mentioned Erma’s fall. She wanted Mack to know she’d be happy to pinch-hit until Erma’s up and around.”

  The girls traded a dark expression that Brandy’s mom intercepted. “Girls, be nice. I realize some people think Trudy is pushy, but she probably has a lot to offer you and your dad, Zoey. Brandy tells me you’re feeling the loss of your mother a lot lately. And the teen years can be rough. Trudy spent her teens here in La Mesa.”

  “Yes’m,” Zoey said, although she pursed her lips. “I’d better go. Erma needs to get home and take her medicine.”

  Brandy walked back with Zoey. “Mom thinks everyone is nice.”

  “What if my dad likes Trudy? He called her neighborly.”

  “He called Erma family.”

  “Well, she kinda is. It’s just that Trudy acts all gushy with me when Dad’s around. When he leaves, she turns off all that sugar.”

  “You’ll have J.J. around for two days. If Trudy brings a casserole, pretend J.J.’s staying longer. Pretend your dad really likes her.”

  Zoey brightened. “Good idea. Thanks. I’ll call you later, Brandy. I’m excited that school’s only a half day on Monday and then we’re out till September.”

  Mack jumped out of the pickup and took the produce. “Honestly, Zoey, I told you Erma’s in pain and we need to hurry home.”

  “Sorry.” Zoey climbed unaided into the backseat.

  “I’ll take it as easy as I possibly can on the graveled section of our road, Erma. You seem like you’re in even more pain now than when I took you to the doctor.”

  “The nurse said I don’t have much padding over my old bones. She said to expect it to be bad for a week or two. I thought I was a tough old bird, but I hurt everywhere.”

  “I’m sure you tightened your muscles when you hit the cement. If it turns out you didn’t chip or break a bone, it’ll be pure luck.” Mack soon left the smooth
highway for a gravel track that led to the ranch. He slowed way down, but he could see tension building on Erma’s face. The last thing Mack expected when he entered his circular drive was a strange SUV parked at his house. Did that mean Jill was still here?

  Zoey squealed happily and unbuckled her seat belt before Mack had completely stopped. “J.J.’s at the corral with Benny, Trevor and Eldon.” Leaning into the front seat, Zoey pointed so her dad and Erma would look the right direction. “J.J. must like dogs. She’s petting Jiggs.”

  Indeed, his herd dog, a two-year-old border collie, sat at Jill’s feet, lapping up her attention. So did his foreman and wranglers. They were huddled around her, laughing and gesturing animatedly. A red haze of anger clouded Mack’s vision. It wasn’t until after he stepped out on his vehicle’s running board and bellowed, “Since when doesn’t time equal money on this ranch?” that he realized his irritation was due more to seeing Jill being lavished with attention from his wranglers than the fact his men were sloughing off work. He’d never been a hard-nosed boss.

  * * *

  HEARING THE BITE in Mack’s voice, J.J. quickly scooped up her camera bag and gave the dog a last pat. She jogged across a patch of dry grass to his truck. “It’s my fault the guys took a break,” she said, squinting into the sun as she faced Mack. “When I arrived Benny was waiting for your veterinarian—you had a laboring cow in distress. The vet asked Benny to call your wranglers to hold the cow while she and Benny pulled the calf. I wanted to make sure everything turned out okay, so I stuck around. The whole process was worrisome but thrilling, especially when they got him. Once everything was okay, I took some candid shots of the work that goes on at your ranch. The fact that one of your cowboys is a former army sergeant will be great in my article on your charity work. Oh, hey, is that Erma you’ve brought home?” J.J. lowered her voice as the woman in Mack’s truck struggled to open the passenger door. “How is she?”