Come Hell or High Water

by Nancy M Bell

  Rolly. What did Rolly say when I talked to him at Coleman? Outriders…he needed outriders. He had a good outfit and was always in the top of the standings in the World Professional Chuckwagon Association. If she remembered right, the outriders got paid by the race and then usually a bonus if the outfit had a good meet. If I can pick up some rides for the other drivers if they’re short…It just might work. I’ve got Rolly’s number somewhere. I wonder if my phone has showed up? Gotta ask Cale. She drifted off into a fitful slumber before she found the energy to get up.

  A barking dog startled Michelle awake. She was only too glad to escape the dream where she waded through snow drifts that got progressively deeper the farther she went. “Storm?” A flailing arm connected with the bedside lamp which crashed to the floor. She lay for a moment attempting to gather her senses.

  “Michelle, are you okay?” Cale burst into the room and skidded to a stop. “What happened?”

  Just clumsy. I thought I heard Storm barking.” She wriggled into an upright position.

  “She was. Your brother’s here.”

  “Hey, Chelly.” George stuck his head in the door. “Should I throw my hat in first?” He grinned referring to Grampa’s habit of tossing his hat in the door first if he and Gramma were feuding. If the hat came flying back out he’d hightail it for the barn.

  “Come on in, you idiot.” She waved a hand and let it fall back to the quilt.

  “Look, I’m sorry—” they both spoke at once.

  “I’ll leave you two to work this out. Yell if you need anything.” Cale picked up the lamp and left the room.

  “I’ll go first,” George insisted. “Stacey tore a piece off me about how I behave when I come home. According to her, I’m insensitive and arrogant and a royal pain in the ass.”

  “She’s got that right.” Michelle broke in.

  “Let me finish. I should have realized how hard it was to take care of everything on your own, especially in the winter. And I should have talked to you before I invited a stranger to live in the house. I just didn’t think it would be a problem.”

  Michelle snorted but held her peace.

  “I know, I know. Stacey read me chapter and verse on that too. Anyway, can we bury the hatchet and start over?”

  “You want to bury that hatchet between my shoulder blades or my eyes?” Michelle succeeded in keeping a straight face.

  “Neither, for shit’s sake. I’m sorry I took you for granted and then acted like an ass every time I came home at the end of hitch.”

  “I’m tired of fighting too, Georgie. We’re all we have left that’s family. I’m sorry I over reacted about Stacey. But, damn it, I’m the one at the ranch twenty-four-seven and you just waltz in and announce I’m supposed to be thrilled about living with a complete stranger. Not to mention one who has a history with my fiancé.”

  “I said I’m sorry, Michelle. What more do you want from me?” He stalked around the room.

  “Sit down, you’re making me dizzy.” She patted the edge of the bed. “Look, the ranch is still half mine, but I’m happy living here with Cale, so if you and Stacey want to shack up over there it’s fine with me.”

  George perched on the side of the bed. “So, you’re not mad at me anymore? We’re buds again?”

  “Yeah, I guess.” She grinned at him.

  “Good. I hate it when you’re pissed at me.” He ruffled her hair, avoiding the bruise. “Now I can quit looking over my shoulder for whatever revenge you’re planning.”

  “Until next time anyway.” She blinked and rubbed her eyes.

  “Look, I’m gonna go. You’re tired and Cale’ll have my head if I tire you out. Stacey says she hopes you feel better soon.” George got up from the bed. “You take care okay? Call me if there’s anything I can do to help.”

  “Thanks, bro. For an ass-wipe you can be a good big bro at times.”

  “Thanks, I think.” He winked at her and disappeared into the hall.

  Storm and Crazy Puppy set up a roar when he got to the kitchen. Michelle laid back and smiled. Cale’s voice came clearly down the hall so the door must be open. “It’s a bit late for that, mutts. He’s already in. Settle down now.” The conversation faded when the hall door snicked shut.

  * * *

  “You did what?” Cale glowered at her over the breakfast table. Three weeks had passed since the accident and Michelle was feeling back to normal. Although she’d rather have avoided this confrontation.

  “I called Rolly and asked about outriding for him. He called earlier with the date for the testing.”

  “You’ve just up and decided you want to spend the summer outriding? It’s dangerous, Michelle. You know that, and besides there’s no female outriders that I know of.”

  “May Gorst did it, and she was good. One of the best.” Michelle protested. “Milly Hamilton and Clarice Guard did too, back in 1951. What about Kaila Mussel? She rides rough stock. You think I’m not tough enough, or good enough?”

  “Are you done?” Cale regarded her levelly. The only indication of his agitation was his fingers drumming on the table. “I have no doubt of your ability, or your craziness. I’m quite sure you could outride. My question is why would you want to?”

  “Spud’s treatment is expensive and Rain is too green to be able to win enough money…”

  “Are you sure this is about the money? Doc and I both have told you not to worry about the bills. We’ll take care of them and you can pay us back when you can if you insist on it. I think this is more about you proving to yourself you haven’t lost your nerve. A head injury is a serious thing.”

  “I didn’t hurt my head riding.”

  “I know that, Michelle. I’m just asking you to reconsider. I don’t want to spend the summer without you. We haven’t done any planning for the wedding yet, hell we haven’t even set a date.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair.

  “You been talking to Mary? She’s been on to me about setting a date too.”

  “No, this is coming from me. I love you and I don’t want you running all over the place with the chucks.”

  “I already promised Rolly I’d do it. I just have to pass the test. I’m going out to his place tomorrow to practice with his team. I really want to do this.” She set her chin in a stubborn line.

  “I can’t say I’m happy about it, but if you have your heart set on it there’s not much I can do. I gotta get to the clinic. I’ll see you tonight. Seriously, we need to sit down and figure out a date.”

  “Okay. I love you.” Michelle stroked Storm’s head and watched the truck’s rooster tail of dust flare over the gravel road when Cale dipped into the coulee and came up the other side.

  “He’s right, Storm. I do want to get married, I just don’t know when. What do you think? Maybe September? Maybe Christmas, or what about next spring?” The black dog tipped her head to the side and licked Michelle’s hand. “You’re no help.” She ruffled the dog’s fur and got up to clear the table.

  If she was honest with herself, the thought of outriding sent butterflies galloping through her gut. Maybe Cale was right, maybe she call Rolly and say she couldn’t do it. He’d understand. Grampa always said a Wilson paid their own way in life. If you got into a fix, you got your own self out again. And never, never take money from friends. The old man’s words echoed in her head. “Tell you what Storm. I’m gonna take the outrider test and if I don’t make it, well, that takes care of that doesn’t it? If I get through it, then I’ll do and do a few meets. If I really don’t like it I’ll just come home.”

  With that settled in her mind, Michelle tidied up the kitchen and went out to take care of the chores. She still had bouts of exhaustion, which she hid from Cale if she could, and only a tiny bit of a headache if she exerted herself too much. Doc Lewen said she was fine though and to get on with living her life. Which was just what she intended to do. The new cell phone in her hip pocket buzzed as crossed the yard to the barn. The old one never showed up, probably buried under a shi
tload of snow.

  “Hello?”

  “Are you out of your mind?” George’s voice roared in her ear. She winced and held the phone away.

  “What?”

  “Have you lost your mind, Michelle?”

  “I’m talkin’ to you, so maybe.”

  “Don’t be smart with me. You’re not going outriding, you hear me? I won’t let you.”

  “You won’t let me?” Anger simmered and made her voice deceptively quiet.

  “No, I won’t.” He sounded uncertain, as if he realized his mistake in the choice of words too late.

  “You aren’t the boss of me, big brother. I’ll do whatever I want, and if outriding is one of them, then that’s what I’m gonna do. Man, Cale didn’t waste any time calling you did he?”

  “Wasn’t Cale, don’t blame him for this one. Rolly called me this morning and mentioned it like I should already know about your harebrained idea.”

  Thanks Rolly. “I didn’t think I needed to ask your permission. I wasn’t going to say anything to anyone other than Cale until I knew if I passed the testing committee.”

  “There’s that at least. Hopefully, they’ll see reason and fail your ass.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence, George.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that, Michelle. I just don’t want to see you scraped up off the track and carted off in an ambulance.”

  “I’m smart, Rolly has good horses. Nothing bad is gonna happen.”

  “It’s wagon racing, you know as well as me there’s no guarantees.”

  “Can you at least think positive for me?”

  “I’ll never understand females. Stacey is higher than a kite, thinks you should go for it and show those boys how it’s done. She’s even talking about asking you to give her riding lessons and teaching her to barrel race. Damndest thing I ever heard.”

  “You tell Stacey I’d be happy to give her a lesson or two. Just get her to give me a call.”

  “You’re really stuck on doing this, Michelle? I take it Cale isn’t too keen on you risking your neck?”

  “No, he’s less than enthusiastic. I really want to do this, George. And I’m gonna give it my best shot. Just because I whacked me head, I can’t spend the rest of my life worrying that I might hurt it again. I can’t worry about what might happen.”

  “Well, if you’re set on it, I won’t give you any more grief. But, I sure don’t have to like it.”

  The line went dead. Michelle held the phone out and stared at it for a moment before shaking her head and returning it to her pocket. Stacey was becoming more and more of an enigma. Who would have thought the blonde would be the one championing Michelle’s cause to her brother and Cale. Would wonders never cease?

  Chapter Twelve

  “I did it! I can’t believe I did it!” Michelle danced in circles with Stacey, laughing and almost crying at the same time.

  “I knew you’d make it.” Stacey crowed.

  “Way to go, girl!” Rolly jumped down from the wagon as one of the crew caught the leaders as he pulled them to a halt. Grabbing her around the waist the little cowboy swung her around until her feet left the ground. “This summer is gonna be great. I can’t wait to get goin’ down the road.”

  “Put me down, you idiot.” Michelle slapped him on the back until he set her back on the ground.

  The other members of the team offered their congratulations as well before dispersing to take care of the horses. Rolly led the way toward a stack of hay just inside the barn door. He retrieved the thermos of coffee and poured three cups. “To a very successful summer!” He raised his cup in a toast and touched Michelle and Stacey’s in turn.

  “Why did Michelle have to do two runs? One throwing that thing into the wagon and the other holding the horses?” Stacey asked. “When I read the rules she should only have had to do one or the other. Was it because she’s a girl and they wanted her to fail?”

  Rolly shook his head. “I don’t think that was why. Sometimes they make the guys do both. Especially if they don’t already know them because they’re part of a wagon family. The committee just didn’t know Michelle that well, even if her dad used to race. They wanted to make sure she could handle either position. It’s all about nobody getting hurt if we can help it.”

  “I suppose…” Stacey glanced at Michelle. She didn’t look like she quite believed the explanation.

  “Doesn’t matter, I got the okay.” Michelle grinned.

  “When do you have to start? Did Cale know your test was today?” Stacey frowned.

  “I told him. He didn’t seem too excited about it though,” Michelle replied.

  “Is that gonna be a problem? You coming with me?” Rolly looked concerned.

  She shook her head. “Nope. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t run barrels with the girls, I might as well run them with the boys.” She giggled.

  “Not exactly the same thing. You know I support you in this, but what if you get hurt?” Stacey worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

  “I’m not gonna get hurt,” Michelle protested. “George and I used to race ponies in the chariot races when we were kids. I think I’d have more of a chance getting hurt in the wild pony race or mutton busting than the chucks.”

  “You’re probably right.” Rolly laughed. He stuck out his hand and shook Michelle’s. “Welcome to the team. I gotta go help with the horses. I’ll be in touch about GP once I get things set. See ya, Chelly. Nice to meet you, Stacey.” The short cowboy hurried away.

  “I can see why they call him Rolly.” The blonde giggled, her eyes on his rolling gait. The man was definitely round and rolly polly.

  “His name’s actually Roland, but yeah, Rolly does suit him.” Michelle smothered a grin.

  “Oops, glad I didn’t put my foot in it.” Stacey put a hand over her mouth, blue eyes sparkling with mirth above it.

  “Don’t worry about it. He’s heard it all about a thousand times over. It just rolls off his back like water off a duck.”

  “Aren’t you going to call Cale and tell him the good news?”

  “I’m not sure he’s going to think it’s good news. He’d rather I stuck around the ranch this summer and we haven’t set a wedding date yet.” Michelle scuffed the toe of her boot in the dust.

  “Do you have a date in mind?” Stacey’s expression brightened with excitement.

  “Not really. I guess maybe I’m a bit gun shy after Rob and all. I’m really glad you came with me today. I was pretty nervous, having another girl here helped a lot.”

  “I’m glad you asked me to come. I really hope we can be friends. And, now that you and your brother are talking again maybe we can do a family dinner once a month?”

  “Don’t expect that to last too long, me and George not feuding I mean.” Michelle laughed. “We’ve always been at each other’s throats since we were kids. But a family dinner would be nice.”

  “Good. I’ll start planning one. Maybe next Sunday before George goes back to the rig?”

  “Sure, just let me know. C’mon, let’s hit the road. If we get going we can stop at Pat’s and you can have your first riding lesson on Rain.”

  “Really? That would be awesome. I hate that ATV, it’ll be so much nicer checking the stock down in the coulee on horseback.”

  “Let’s go then. We’ll stop at Tim’s on the way out town and get a coffee.” Michelle slapped her hat on her thigh to knock the dust loose and strode toward the truck.

  “Do you ever go anywhere without a Tim’s?” Stacey followed on her heels.

  “Nope.” Michelle hopped in the cab and started the engine.

  “It must be genetic, George is addicted to the stuff too.” Stacey joined her in the truck.

  * * *

  “So you passed your outrider test?” Cale leaned back in his chair and watched her clear the dinner dishes.

  “Yeah. It was great and Stacey was awesome.” Michelle carried the dishes to the sink, stepping over Storm on the way.

>   “I’m glad you and Stacey are getting along. She’s really a nice person if you’d just give her a chance.”

  “I’m finding that out. I gave her a lesson on Rain before we came home. She actually did pretty good.”

  “You’re really set on this outrider thing? I’m worried about you, they don’t call it the Half a Mile of Hell for nothing. What about stuff around here and planning our wedding? Hell, we haven’t even agreed on a date yet.” He set his coffee mug on the table.

  “I promised Rolly I’d help out and yeah, I think it’ll be fun. I haven’t been around the rodeo for a while. I miss it.”

  “What about Rob, do you miss him too?” His voice was so quiet she had to listen closely to make out the words.

  “Idiot! I don’t miss that ass at all. The chucks run in the evenings, except at Strathmore this year. Rob will be long gone once the bulls are done.” She crossed the room and threw her arms around his neck from behind. “I love you.” She kissed his ear.

  “So long as you don’t forget that.” Cale pulled her around to sit on his lap. “Now what about humoring me and setting a date for this wedding of ours?”

  His lips captured hers and for a few minutes she forgot what they were talking about. “I don’t know. Do we have to pick a date right now? I can think of other things I’d rather do.”

  “Wench, don’t change the subject and try to distract me with your wiles.” He tightened his arms around her.

  “Okay, what about September?” She trailed kisses down his jaw.

  “If you’re gonna be gone all summer when are you planning to arrange things?”

  “Hmmm, Mary would help. But maybe you’re right, September isn’t that far away. What about near Christmas? Maybe after the CFR?”

  “Really, Christmas? Isn’t that around the time you and that cowboy were supposed to get married?” Cale leaned back and studied her face.

  “Yeah. I guess, I hadn’t thought about that. Okay, when then? You suggest a good time.” She frowned at him. Typical male to throw a monkey wrench into the works.