Diamonds And Denim (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  “I’m a newcomer myself,” Mick volunteered.

  “I can give you twenty-five hundred.” The pawnbroker put the second earring next to the first on the black velvet.

  Mick looked at the sparkling stones. He and Simone had picked them out on a drizzly day in New York. How fitting he should be selling them on a drizzly day on the opposite coast to save a dog living in the middle of the country.

  “I’ll take it,” Mick said.

  He took the cash, thanked the pawnbroker, and walked back to the car, where Simone sat in the driver’s seat.

  “So, what did you get for them?” she asked.

  Mick repeated the experience with the pawnbroker.

  Simone was incredulous. “Twenty-five hundred? I thought you’d get at least three thousand.”

  “I was hoping for thirty-five hundred myself.”

  “Mick, if you’re having a hard time making rent, I can help you.”

  Mick put the money in his wallet. “It’s not for rent,” he said. “I’m making it, but thanks just the same. It’s kind of you to offer. And thanks for bringing me here. I didn’t want to ride the bus with these earrings.”

  “Sure thing. But why would you sell them?” she asked. “You’ve loved those earrings.”

  Mick looked out the rain-streaked passenger window while Simone pulled into traffic. Then he faced her. “I met a girl while I was in Montana.”

  Simone gave him an unbelieving look. “You never told me,” she whispered.

  “There wasn’t really anything to tell. I mean, she’s got a boyfriend.” A ping of sadness resonated within Mick, but he refused to give in to it.

  Mick watched as Simone visibly relaxed.

  “Anyway, she has this dog, and he got kicked by a cow. She needs money to save him.”

  Simone laughed as they came upon a red light. “That is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. You mean to tell me you’re selling your prized earrings for a dog? A dog that isn’t even yours?”

  Mick turned his gaze to the windshield and gave a small smile. “Yeah. That’s what I’m telling you, Simone.”

  Simone flicked on the wipers. “Sheesh, Mick. What happened to you?”

  He looked back at Simone as she pulled up in front of his apartment building. “I don’t know,” he said as a newfound peace stole into his soul “But I think I like it.” He stepped out of the car and bent down to face her. “Thanks again for the ride.”

  Simone shook her head. “Don’t mention it,” she said. Then she laughed again. “Maybe I’ll get a dog.”

  Mick shut the car door and waved as she pulled away. It would be the last time he would see Simone, and he hoped she would never get a dog.

  Chapter 28

  Willow awoke to a weak dawn filtering through her curtains. She reached down to give Pilot a caress on the head before remembering he was with Dr. Carson. Throwing back the covers, she looked down at his empty bed and immediately texted Dr. Carson, but she didn’t receive a reply.

  A remnant of last night’s distress gripped her like a vice, making it hard to breathe, but she reminded herself that Dr. Carson had promised to call if Pilot was in any danger.

  Hurrying, she pulled on some jeans, a flannel shirt, and her socks and boots, before zipping up her jacket. She met her dad outside. The bitter wind took her breath away and tugged at loose strands of hair. Gosh, it was cold for November.

  Rubbing her gloved hands, Willow helped her dad fill the back of flat-bed with hay before bumping the truck to the pasture where they fed the cows.

  After the last hay bale was tossed out of the truck, her dad stood and wiped his brow. “We may need more hay before this winter is over,” he said. “I’m going to see if I can find several more tons. If we wait too much longer, prices are going to skyrocket. It’s already going to be high.”

  Willow agreed. “Yeah, but I think we’re going to need it. This winter is looking hard.”

  “Let’s go feed those horses and hens, and then it’ll be about time to check on Pilot,” her father said as he and Willow hurried to the cab of the truck.

  Willow’s heart warmed over her dad’s concern for her dog. She hurriedly worked through her chores, and as she finished feeding the horses, a text came from Dr. Carson. It was all good news. Pilot had made it through the night and was on the mend.

  A smile came to Willow as sweet consolation filled her. Pilot was all right. He was going to live.

  She showed her dad the screen of her phone.

  He grinned. “I missed that dog while doing chores. I’m glad he’s going to pull through. But what about this Mick who’s supposed to help pay for his treatment?”

  A niggling worry shook Willow. “What about him?”

  “Is he the real reason you broke it off with Curtis?”

  Willow shook her head. “No. I can understand why you would think that, but no. Curtis and I just aren’t compatible. All those things that bothered you were bothersome to me, too. Adding it all up, I think our life together would always be a fight. We value different things, Dad.”

  Her father nodded. “Still, what about Mick?”

  “Mick’s got a girlfriend with him in Seattle.”

  “And we’ve got his car here in Montana, and he’s sending you money to save Pilot. How are you working all that out?”

  Willow wasn’t sure if her dad was referring to the emotional cost of being in touch with a man who was already in a relationship, or the financial entanglements. She chose to speak to the issue around the money. “I thought we’d keep his Jag for free now. That would clear about six hundred dollars off the loan. And then, I’ll just pay him one hundred dollars a month—like he was paying us.”

  “Has he agreed to that?”

  Willow took a deep breath as the earlier niggling rose into anxiety from her belly. “Well, no. Actually, we didn’t discuss terms. But I think he’ll be okay with it.”

  “Do you know when he’s going to come pick up the car?”

  “I expect when the weather clears in the mountains; March or April at the soonest.”

  “I’ll leave the details to you. Pilot’s your pup,” her father said.

  Willow nodded. Then she changed the subject. “There is one thing I want to discuss with you, Dad. I’m going to ask Shorty to come back. I found out that he’s been hired by the Hanging J Ranch. I’m going to stop by this morning after I see Pilot. We both miss him, and he’s more than just a cook. He’s part of our family. I’ll never forget how he stood with you when the McPherson boys were trying to steal our cows, or how he’s made the trip to market with you every year. It helps me not to worry about you. I want him home.”

  “I think that’s a great idea, my girl,” her father said.

  An hour later, Willow was showered and dressed and walking into Dr. Carson’s office. Morgan met her with a smile. “I’m glad you got here when you did. Dr. Carson has been called to look at a cow, and he wanted to see you before he left.”

  She led Willow into an exam room, and a few minutes later, she and Dr. Carson appeared with Pilot on a gurney. His tail thumped against the stretcher as he raised his head to greet Willow. She rushed to his side, a flash flood of relief overwhelming her. Burying her nose in his fur, she wanted to hug him tight, but kept her affection to a soft caress for fear of hurting him. “Oh, Pilot. Look at you. You’re better today.” She turned to Dr. Carson as magnified gratitude tumbled out with her words. “Thank you for saving him.”

  “He’s going to be all right,” Dr. Carson said. “But he needs to be kept on crate rest for the next few days.”

  “I was going go the Hanging J after this. Can he ride in the truck?”

  “As long as he’s quietly settled, he’ll be fine. We’ll take him out on a gurney so he doesn’t have to jump in, and I suggest your dad gently carry him into the house when you get him home.”

  Willow agreed. “Will he … is he going …” A small cloud of doubt hung over her.

  Dr. Carson smiled. “He s
hould make a full recovery within the next three to five days. If he declines or doesn’t improve, bring him back immediately. Don’t wait. Even if it’s in the middle of the night, call the office, and the answering service will get in touch with me.”

  Willow took a deep breath as she relaxed for the first time since the accident. “Okay. Thank you so much.” She rushed Dr. Carson with a quick hug. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”

  Dr. Carson awkwardly returned Willow’s hug. “Well, I’ll have to think about saving more dogs. I rarely get this kind of attention after saving a crusty rancher’s cow.”

  Euphoria made Willow giggle, and she smiled. “Let me talk to Morgan about the bill. Then, can we take him out on the gurney?”

  Dr. Carson agreed and took Pilot into the back room.

  Willow walked to the front desk. “Morgan, I know you guys like to have payment at time of services, but I’ve got a check coming in from Seattle. It’s being sent out today. Can you please just wait a few days? I promise—”

  Morgan held up her hand and quietly whispered, “There are families that must pay us a deposit before we’ll even look at an animal. So we wouldn’t extend this service to very many. But we completely trust your family,” she said. “Just bring it in as soon as you get it. I know you’re good for it.”

  Willow breathed her thanks as Morgan rose to help Dr. Carson bring out Pilot. The dog was lying on the gurney and was easily transferred to the blankets Willow had placed on the seat of the truck. Once behind the steering wheel, Pilot inched his way toward Willow and laid his head on her thigh. Willow buried her fingers in his fur and whispered a grateful prayer before steering Clementine back onto the frozen roads toward the Hanging J.

  * * *

  Pulling into the slushy brown driveway of the Hanging J, Willow looked for the driest place to park. Turning off the engine, she slipped away from a sleeping Pilot and headed for the house, where she was greeted by the matron of the ranch without knocking.

  “Why, Willow, dear. It’s so good to see you,” Jess McKuen said as she reached for Willow.

  Willow returned the warm embrace. She loved hugging older women.

  “Come on in. I’ve got some tea steeping, and Shorty just made some scones.” A knowing look came to Jess. “You’re here to talk to Shorty, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Well, I won’t keep you, then. He’s around back in the kitchen. C’mon, I’ll show you.”

  Willow followed Jess around the corner of the house. She was glad the woman didn’t pester her with questions or babble about Curtis.

  Walking into the kitchen, Willow and Jess came upon Shorty slicing through a chicken. “I’m going to turn that into a nice chicken stew,” he said as he turned toward his visitors. His eyes sought Willow. “Hello, my girl,” he said. “I’m happy to see you.”

  “And I you, Shorty.”

  “Well,” Jess said. “I’ll leave the two of you.”

  Willow waited until Jess’s footsteps had retreated through the slushy snow before facing Shorty. “Why did you leave like that?” she asked; her naked sense of abandonment coming to the surface. “No notice. No discussion. You just up and left.” She was surprised by her own raw hurt.

  “Willow, honey, I knew if I were to say anything, you’d try to talk me out of it, and this was the best thing.”

  “How is this the best thing?” she asked. She went on without waiting for an answer. “I know you and Curtis don’t get along. But Shorty, I sent Curtis packing.”

  “Don’t leave Curtis over me, Willow. I’m not worth it.”

  “It’s not just about you. I realized that I loved Curtis for the past we shared, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we should be sharing a future. I love him, but we don’t love the same things.”

  Shorty took his time to reply. “I appreciate the wisdom of what you’re saying, but I didn’t leave because of Curtis.”

  “Then why?” Willow knew she sounded like a wounded four-year-old, but she couldn’t help it.

  “Because we all needed a change.”

  “I’ve had enough of change. You can come back now.” Willow couldn’t curb her own unreasonable demands. Shorty was a grown man, and he didn’t have to follow her bidding, even if he did love her like his own child.

  Shorty’s voice echoed patience. “I can’t come back. Don’t you see? It might be awkward between your father and I. The folks here at the Hanging J wouldn’t take it so well, and that might cause hard feelings. This may be a big valley, but it’s a small town.”

  Willow’s shoulders slumped. “I hadn’t thought of that.” She thought for a moment. “But I’m not sure I care. I’m getting tired of the folks of Sunrise Creek mapping out what’s best for me.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry I left the way I did. I probably should’ve handled that differently. I never wanted to see you hurt, but it’s done now, and I did it for all the right reasons.”

  “I don’t see it that way. If you didn’t leave for Curtis, how is this change the right thing?” She furrowed her brow and glared at Shorty. “And by the way, what am I going to do now that we don’t have you to cook for us? You know my limitations in the kitchen, Shorty.”

  “Hire your young cook from New York City,” Shorty offered gently.

  Willow looked down at the linoleum floor of the kitchen to cover her blush. It was as if Shorty had reached into her soul and revealed the very thing she had not even wanted to admit to herself. “He’s not my young cook,” she whispered as her blush deepened.

  “Maybe not now, but he will be very soon, I think.” Shorty placed his weathered hand on Willow’s sleeve. “And I’m always, and I do mean always, here for you, my girl. I’ve never had my own kids, but if I did, I couldn’t love them any more than I love you, and even this should prove it.” He paused. “I didn’t do this because of Curtis. I did this for you.”

  “What do you—”

  “I saw you with Mick that afternoon the two of you went for a ride on Michigan and Topper, the way you placed your arm through his and the way he looked at you. I saw a light in your face that I’ve never seen before. I saw you that evening behind the barn, looking up at the sky like you were calling your mother home, and I witnessed Mick respond with reverence and love. I want to give that a chance, Willow. Hire him, and see where it goes. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll come back. But give it a season or two.”

  Willow blinked.

  Shorty continued, “I’ve never had love like that, but I recognize it when I see it. Don’t throw that away, Willow. Give it the chance it deserves.”

  Willow hugged the old man as tears of understanding and joy came to her eyes. “I’ll always be your girl,” she said. “And maybe someday, we’ll cook for you.”

  Shorty beamed at her. “Make it someday soon, all right? I get tired of eating my own biscuits.”

  Willow covered her mouth and nodded as tears and laughter mingled together. She reached out to Shorty, who took her fingers in his weathered palm.

  “Now you go on, my girl, and fall in love.”

  Chapter 29

  Once Pilot was sleeping soundly on his bed, Willow walked back into the kitchen and gazed out the window. The clouds had decided to snow, and they piled up against the mountains thick and fast. It was lonely without Shorty’s presence, not to mention his cooking skills. Willow could get by with omelets and salad, but she didn’t enjoy cooking or have much time for it.

  Recalling Shorty’s words, she wondered if she should approach Mick with the offer of a job. Willow’s heart beat hard at even the idea of asking, and she felt exposed at the prospect. Her relationship with Curtis had shielded her from ever really having to face anyone else, but with Mick she had already revealed some tender pieces of her soul. Something Curtis hadn’t seen in years.

  Willow heard her father stomping snow from his boots on the porch, the sound breaking into her thoughts. Turning her attention from the sink
, Willow pulled out the eggs from the refrigerator to make her father an omelet.

  “How’s Pilot?” Her father asked as he came into the kitchen.

  “He’s sleeping now that you’ve brought him in and settled him,” Willow answered.

  Her father grinned. “I noticed that he still has that happy wag of a tail.”

  Willow smiled. “I know. I’m glad he’s home, and he’s going to be okay.”

  “Yeah, me too.” Her father sat down while Willow placed his lunch on the table. She took the chair next to him. “How did things go with Shorty?” Her dad asked as he began to eat.

  “Well, he’s not coming back,” Willow replied. “But he did make a suggestion for someone to take his place.”

  “Oh? Who would that be?”

  “He suggested I offer the job to Mick.”

  “Mick? Isn’t he working in Seattle?” Her dad’s eyebrows lowered.

  “Yes, but Shorty thinks he’s got the cooking chops to handle the ranch hands in the summer, and you and I during the rest of the year.”

  “And what do you think?”

  Hope danced around the edges of Willow’s thoughts. “I’d like to offer him the job. What’s the worst thing that can happen? He can say no.”

  “That isn’t the worst thing that could happen, Willow,” her father said.

  Willow was surprised. “What could be worse?”

  “He could say yes and then come to the conclusion that ranch life isn’t for him in the middle of the season.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” she conceded as worry edged out her wish. “So are you thinking it would be best to go with someone who’s tried and true?”

  Her father took a bite of egg and ham. “By the way, this omelet is good,” he said. “Thanks for lunch.”