Cowboy Rebel--Includes a bonus short story

by Carolyn Brown

  Rosemary touched Nikki on the shoulder. “You okay, kiddo?”

  “Fine, just hurts me to hear about a child who’s…well, you know,” she said honestly.

  “It’s the job, darlin’. We do our best, especially with the young ones. Now, let’s get to it. You ready for a double and then the weekend too?”

  Nikki nodded. “We’ll have Thursday and Friday to catch up on sleep. Or at least I will. You’ve got kids and a husband.”

  “I won’t bitch a single minute when I take my paycheck to the bank, though.” Rosemary smiled. “Let me know if Sue Ann starts crawlin’ the walls. I’ll bring the restraints.”

  Nikki picked up her tablet, took a deep breath, and eased between the curtains into the cubicle with Sue Ann. “Hello, I’m kind of surprised to see you here so soon, and it’s not even a weekend.”

  “It’s devils,” Sue Ann whispered. “I went to church Sunday after I was in here. I’ve got devils in me, and I took some pills to get rid of them.”

  “What did you take?” Nikki pulled up Sue Ann’s chart.

  “I don’t know. Whatever was in the cabinet. Top shelf.” She pointed to the ceiling. “That’s where we kept Mama’s pills.”

  “Sue Ann, your mama has been dead for ten years,” Nikki said.

  “Pills are still good, though, ain’t they? Mama was a churchgoin’ woman, so I figured her pills would get rid of the devils in my soul. Mama talks to me sometimes. I just have to be real quiet to hear her. She tells me to go to church and get right with the Lord,” Sue Ann said.

  Nikki stepped out of the cubicle and called the intern on duty. He was familiar with Sue Ann and told her to induce vomiting and call the psych ward. She went back into the cubicle with a dose of ipecac in her hand and thinking that compared to Sue Ann, her mother was the sanest person in the whole state of Texas.

  “This is going to get the devil out of your soul, but you have to drink it all,” she told Sue Ann. “Don’t sip it. Just throw it back like a tequila shot.”

  “You sure this will work? Don’t you need to do one of the STI things where you put jelly on my stomach?” Sue Ann asked.

  “No, Dr. Tillery said this is the very thing you need,” Nikki assured her.

  Sue Ann drew her eyebrows down into a solid line. “He’s that good-lookin’ new doctor, right? I like him. If Dr. Richards said to take it, then I’d throw it at the wall. I don’t like that man. He don’t believe I’m sick.”

  “Well, Dr. Tillery believes you. You take this to get rid of the devil and then we’re going to admit you. How many of your mama’s pills did you take?”

  “Three bottles. Mama said that if I took them all that the devils would be gone and I’d be with her in heaven,” Sue Ann whimpered.

  “Well, honey, we’re goin’ to get rid of those mean things for you. Just take this,” Nikki said.

  Ten minutes later, Sue Ann had brought up dozens of undigested pills and was on her way up to the psych ward, where hopefully she would get some much-needed help. Unless, of course, history repeated itself and she checked herself out and went right back to the Rusty Spur. There was a very real possibility that she would be right back in the same cubicle with another devil or alien in her body come Saturday night or next Sunday morning.

  Since they were short staffed, Nikki cleaned up the area and got it ready for the next patient. Then she slipped down the row and peeked into the room where the young boy was lying. His shaggy blond hair hung to his collar, and his eyes were sunken into his thin face. Frail hands held a computer game, but he finally dropped it and closed his eyes. She held her breath until his chest moved up and down a few times.

  Other than the hair color, he reminded her so much of Quint those last days. If only she’d been a bone marrow donor, he’d be alive and well today. Or if they could have found a match for him before it was too late.

  “We just got a call. Wreck out south of town and they’re sending them here for first evaluations,” Dr. Tillery said as he came out of his office. He peeked over Nikki’s shoulder. “I hate it when they’re kids.”

  “There’s no way to find a bone marrow donor?” she asked.

  “Too far along for that now. He’s an only child, and from what I read in his charts, it would’ve taken a miracle to find a match,” he said. “Better get ready for a rush. I understand there were six people hurt in the wreck, and I’m already going to ask you to work a double. You up for that?”

  “Sure thing,” she said.

  Nikki was so bone tired when she left the hospital the next morning around eight thirty that all she wanted was a shower and a bed for at least twelve hours. Then she remembered that she’d told the ladies she would come to Sunset right after lunch.

  “Oh well,” she muttered. “That’ll give me four hours of sleep.”

  She dragged her tired body up the steps and tried to wash away the smell of near death, blood, and tears in the shower. She forgot to turn off her phone when she fell facedown on her bed and wrapped the comforter around her. When she heard the ping, she glanced at it with bleary eyes. The text was from Patsy—she had forgotten that the Fab Five had promised to have dinner with Emily that day so they could see her new house. Could they postpone their time with Nikki until tomorrow? She sent a short message back that said: Sure thing. No problem.

  While her eyes were semiopen, she read another one from Emily inviting her to the dinner. She sent one to her: Double shift. Need sleep. Rain check.

  The last one was from Tag: Pick you up at eight on Thursday night. Have surprise for you.

  I’ll be ready, she replied.

  Then she set her alarm clock for six, turned off her phone, and closed her eyes. The last thing she saw as she drifted off to sleep was Tag tipping his black hat toward her the first time she met him out in Tulia, Texas.

  Chapter Nine

  The apartment was straightened up, and Nikki was ready fifteen minutes early that evening. At first she thought she’d meet Tag on the steps like last time, but he said he had a surprise. If it was something that needed to be brought inside the apartment, then that would be awkward. After all, she’d been in his cabin—even shared nachos with him at his kitchen table, and talked about everything and nothing for a while. Not inviting him into her place would be downright rude.

  She checked her reflection in the full-length mirror on the back of the bedroom door. She’d curled her hair, put on makeup, and chosen a brown-and-white-checkered sundress for the evening. Her brown cowboy boots matched it perfectly, but maybe she should have chosen sandals? Was she overdressed? Or worse, underdressed? Whatever, she didn’t have time to change now.

  After his comment about being on time, she expected him to knock on the door at exactly eight o’clock. She was not disappointed, but the knock still startled her. She scanned the living room one more time to be sure everything was tidy before she opened the door.

  Tag had a brown paper bag in his arms and a smile on his face. “You look gorgeous this evening. I’d thought we’d go for pizza, but since you’re so dressed up, maybe we’ll go somewhere nicer.”

  “Pizza sounds great.” She couldn’t keep her eyes off the bag. “I’m sorry. Please come in.”

  “Nice little place you got here.” His eyes scanned the living room before he set the sack on the kitchen table. He removed a big round clear glass bowl first and carried it to the kitchen sink. Bright colored rocks were the first thing he added to the bowl before he filled it about halfway with water.

  “I didn’t know what your favorite color was, so I got the multicolored package,” he said.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Fixin’ up your surprise.” He looked around again and set the bowl of water on an end table. Then he pulled out a small yellow container and set it beside the bowl.

  “What is that?” she asked.

  The last thing he brought out was a plastic bag with a goldfish in it. “This is your new pet. She can stay all by herself over the weekend
. You only have to clean up after her about once a week and feed her every day. Maybe a little extra on Friday since she’ll be all by herself all weekend. She told me that country music is her favorite, so you might want to leave the radio on while you’re gone so it don’t get lonesome.”

  For the first time in a very long while, Nikki was speechless.

  “If you don’t like it, I’ll take it to the cabin.” His eyes went to the floor, reminding her of her brother when their mother yelled at them about tracking dead leaves into the house or some other minor infraction that upset her perfect world.

  “I love it. I’ll tell her bedtime stories and let her listen to country music so she won’t get lonely. Thank you, Tag.” She took two steps forward and hugged him. “But how do you know it’s a girl?”

  He raised his head and his smile lit up the room. “It seemed like a good idea last night, but now it’s kind of silly, isn’t it? And it’s a girl because she’s so pretty.”

  “Tag, it’s just about the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Does she have a name?” she asked.

  “You get to give her a name,” he said. “And you get to welcome her home by dumping her out into the fishbowl. And there’s a little booklet on how to clean the bowl in the bag too.”

  “I’ll have to think about it for a few days to come up with the right name. Can I open the bag and set her free now?” She backed away from him.

  “Yep, and then you can feed her. Look on the back of the can of fish food there to find out how much and how often,” Tag said. “And once she’s fed, we can go have our supper.”

  She picked up the can and read it, and then she opened the bag and set the goldfish free. Big bubble eyes stared at her through the side of the bowl, and then she made a couple of circles to check out the new housing. Nikki carefully pinched a little food between her finger and thumb and dropped it on top of the water. It floated for a few seconds and then began to sink. The fish gobbled down every sliver before it could hit the rocks.

  “Is she still hungry?” she asked.

  “The booklet says to just feed it twice a day, and the ideal thing is for it to eat all the food so that it doesn’t pollute the water.”

  “Did you ever have one of these?” She popped the lid back on the food can.

  “Nope. I thought about bringing you a turtle or maybe a lizard, but this seemed to be what would require the least upkeep. I’m glad you like it.”

  “I do. I really do,” Nikki said. “Thank you one more time.”

  He pulled her back into his arms. “Nikki, I’m not good at this, so bear with me.”

  “Now that’s a load of bull crap,” she giggled.

  “No, really, I’m not. I can sweet-talk someone I meet in a bar into bed in a heartbeat. I’m an expert at that, but anything more—well, I start to stutter and I’m all thumbs,” he said honestly. “I don’t know where this chemistry between us might lead, but I know for it to even take the first step outside this door, I have to be honest. So there it is.”

  He sounded sincere. There was definitely chemistry between them. But chemistry, vibes, sparks, electricity—whatever word was used for physical attraction—did not inspire trust, did it? She’d proven that when she’d given her heart to her last boyfriend, only to find out that he was married.

  One date doesn’t mean you’re going to marry the man. Quint’s voice was plain in her head.

  “Surely you’ve had at least one long-term relationship,” she said as she picked up her purse.

  Tag shook his head. “I’ve lived like I was dying since I was seventeen. That doesn’t leave room for anything except family.”

  “Didn’t you ever want something more permanent?” She bent down and put a fingertip on the fishbowl. “You hold the place down, Goldie, until I get home.”

  “Nope.” He opened the door for her and then waited on the porch while she locked it. “Truth is, I didn’t think I’d ever want one.”

  “And now?” She started down the stairs ahead of him.

  “Truthfully, I’m not sure what I want,” he answered.

  “Fair enough.” She nodded. “Whatever it is that we’re feelin’—let’s take it real slow. And now changing the subject because I’m hungry. There’s a Thursday night all-you-can-eat bar at the pizza place. Let’s go get our money’s worth.”

  The place was less than five minutes from her apartment. When they arrived, Tag escorted her inside with his hand on the small of her back. She was past being surprised at the electricity flowing through her body at his slightest touch. Like he’d said earlier, there was chemistry between them. To deny it would be lying.

  He paid the lady at the counter for two buffet dinners. She handed them each a plate, bowl, and glass and said, “Silverware is over by the soft drink machine. Help yourselves. Place is a little crowded, but I see a booth in the back corner.”

  “If you’ll take the plates and claim that table, I’ll be the bartender.” Tag handed her his plates and took her glass. “What’re you drinkin’ tonight, ma’am?”

  “I’m not picky as long as it’s diet,” she answered.

  She made her way to the back of the place, set the plates down, and slid into the booth to wait for him. Positioned just so she could see his every move, she got a full view of the way he filled out those jeans, and his swagger. Of course, nearly every woman in the place was watching him from the corner of their eyes as well.

  He carefully carried two full glasses plus the silverware and napkins to the table. She took her glass from him, set it down, and together they went to the buffet to fill their bowls with salad and load up their plates with pizza.

  She was back to the booth first, and a movement out the window caught her attention. Four motorcycles had parked, and the guys were wearing no helmets. The sleeves were gone from their denim jackets, leaving ragged edges. Evidently it was to show off the matching tattoos on their upper arms. Crossed swords with some kind of insignia in the middle. One of them had a gold chain from his earlobes to a ring in his nose. The swooping chains looked like they were holding up his bulldog cheeks. Didn’t the fool know that in any fight someone could jerk on that and give him a world of pain?

  Tag slid into the booth next to her and shook his head. “Girl, I thought you said you were hungry?”

  “This is just the appetizer. I’ll go for the main course after this and then finish up with a plate of dessert pizza,” she said. “I might be small, but, honey, I love food.”

  “Well, damn it to hell,” Tag muttered.

  “You don’t like women who enjoy their food?” Nikki asked.

  “That damn wasn’t for you,” he whispered as the five bikers with dusty jeans headed straight for them.

  “Well, well, lookit what we’ve found, boys. Pretty little lady with an ugly old cowboy. Let’s whup his ass and show her what real men are.” The one with the chains leered at her.

  Nikki’s blood ran cold as she slowly unzipped the side pocket of her purse and brought out a pink .38 pistol. She aimed it right at Mr. Chain’s crotch and said, “Boys, I only got five shots, but I think I can take two of you out with one bullet so I don’t waste ammunition. Now get your sorry asses back out there on those ratty bikes and leave before you get hurt.”

  Tag held up a hand. “It’s okay. They’re teasing. What are you doin’ in Bowie, Texas, Billy Tom?”

  “You know these people?” Nikki slid the safety back on the pistol and slipped it inside her purse, but she kept her hand on it—just in case.

  Billy Tom slid into the booth and threw his big beefy arm around Tag’s shoulders. He grabbed the top piece of pepperoni pizza from Tag’s stack and took a bite. “We’re on our way over to Tyler to do that little business I talked to you about. Thought we’d stop in here for some food and maybe call you to get directions to your ranch. Maybe talk you into changing your mind about the deal I offered you.”

  One of the other bikers reached for a piece of Nikki’s pizza. She slapped his hand as
hard as she could. “I don’t share my food, and I’m not real good about sharing a date.”

  “Whoo-eee!” Billy Tom laughed with food in his mouth. “You done got yourself a piece of work there, Tag.”

  “She’s a helluva bodyguard.” Tag grinned. “Y’all best go on up to the counter and pay for your dinner. Sign over there says that sharin’ ain’t permitted.”

  “Bet she guards your body real good.” Billy Tom gave her another lewd look.

  She took her gun from her purse, again, and wondered if she could tangle those chains up in her fork. “What business are you talkin’ about?”

  “Just a little venture that we need Tag’s help with,” Billy Tom answered.

  “No, thank you,” Tag said. “I told you already, I’m done with that stuff. Now you’ve interrupted date night with me and my lady, and I’d appreciate it if you got on with your business and let us have a nice quiet meal.”

  “Sure thing, buddy, but remember, once a rebel, always a rebel. You can run but you can’t hide from what’s in your heart.” Billy Tom stood up, grabbed another piece of pizza, and walked out with his posse behind him. The three of them got on their motorcycles and just sat there for a full five minutes waiting until Billy Tom came around the corner of the building and gave them a thumbs-up. When he had mounted his motorcycle, he and the others made a big show of revving them up. Through the window, Billy Tom flipped Tag off before he popped a wheelie and roared out of town.

  “Guess they decided not to have pizza tonight.” Nikki picked up the shaker with red pepper in it and shook it over a slice of sausage.

  “I’m so, so sorry about that,” Tag said.

  “What’re they into?”

  “Who knows? It could be some get-rich-quick scheme or else some kind of crazy crap. How they stay out of jail is beyond me,” he said.

  “So that’s the Billy Tom you told me about. Somehow I didn’t picture him that big or that brazen,” she said.