Ranch at River’s End

by Brenda Mott

  He liked her almost as much as he liked Jenny, in spite of what Jenny had done.

  “Hey,” he said, palms going all sweaty.

  “The Sadie Hawkins dance is coming up,” Kelly said. “I was wondering if you’d go with me?”

  She bit her lip, and Chris wondered if she was as nervous as he felt right now.

  Say something cool.

  “I dunno. Maybe. I mean, yeah, sure. That’d be all right.”

  Her pretty face broke into a smile. “Cool. I’ll call you. Have you got a cell?”

  He shook his head. “I broke it,” he lied. “Fell out of my pocket when I was grinding some rails on my board.”

  “Oh, okay. You in the book?”

  “Um, I don’t think so. We just moved here.” Duh. “I mean, I don’t think they’ve printed our phone number yet or anything.”

  “So, can I have it?” She laughed, but she wasn’t laughing at him. The sound was soft and sweet, and he liked her already, though he barely knew her.

  “Sure, yeah.” Chris rattled off the number, and Kelly punched it into her cell phone.

  He wished he did have a phone. His mom had taken his away after all the trouble.

  “Right on,” Kelly said. “See you later.”

  She turned, her braid flipping over her shoulder, and walked away. She looked so hot in her low-rider jeans and the pink T-shirt that showed off her belly button. He couldn’t believe her folks let her have that little rhinestone piercing. He was pretty sure she was thirteen, like him. His mom had had a fit when he’d wanted to pierce his ear. She’d finally let him, but had put her foot down when he’d asked to do his lip and eyebrow.

  Couldn’t she understand he just wanted to fit in?

  Hard to believe Kelly Parker had asked him to the dance. And he’d been so lame when he’d answered.

  Oh, well. She didn’t seem to mind.

  The bell rang, and Christopher looked around the empty hallway. He pumped his fist in the air.

  Yes!

  He had a date, and that was all that mattered.

  DARCI LEANED AGAINST the bathroom sink, looking in the mirror as she applied a cluster of dark brown freckles to her cheek with an eyebrow pencil. She hadn’t counted on having to dress up when Shauna Roark roped her into chaperoning the Sadie Hawkins dance. She should’ve realized if the kids were dressing up…

  Minutes later, finished with her makeup and false eyelashes, she surveyed her reflection in the full-length mirror on her closet door. She’d managed to throw together a costume—a polka-dot blouse she’d found at the thrift store, her cowboy hat, and an old pair of cutoffs that were of a respectable length. Coupled with her cowboy boots, the outfit made a passable Sadie Hawkins getup.

  “You ready, Chris?”

  Darci turned and found him leaning in the doorway, dressed in his boots and some faded jeans and a flannel shirt she’d also gotten at the thrift store. She’d fashioned him a belt out of a piece of clothesline rope, and he’d borrowed a hat from Uncle Leon.

  “This is ridiculous.” He scowled down at his outfit.

  “You don’t have to go,” Darci teased. “You can always call Kelly and tell her you changed your mind.”

  “No way.” His scowl deepened. “Mom, do you have to take us to the dance? Can’t you at least drop us off a couple blocks from school and let us walk the rest of the way?”

  She hesitated, fighting the protective instinct that rose whenever she thought of the way Chris had been jumped by those boys. She looked at the scarring on his cheek, which Jordan had said would fade with time, and wanted to pull her son into a protective shell.

  “Sure, honey,” she said, fighting the urge. “That I can do.”

  His face broke into a smile, and Darci caught a glimpse of her son the way he used to be. Kelly Parker was obviously good for him, though Darci hated to admit her little boy was going on his first date.

  “Thanks, Mom. Now can we go?”

  She grabbed the hobo bag she’d thrown her lipstick and eyebrow pencil into for touch ups, made sure her car keys were there and headed outside with Chris.

  No sooner had she hit the driveway when Jordan’s black Ford Explorer came into view. She wanted to hide. But that was silly. She’d seen him at the hospital off and on this past week after the kiss they’d shared, though she’d managed to avoid more than a word or two of conversation. But he’d been corralled into chaperoning this dance along with her. There was no point in trying to avoid him tonight.

  Which was a good thing, since he was slowing down and pulling up at the foot of her driveway.

  JORDAN TURNED INTO DARCI’S drive on the spur of the moment. Since he already felt like a fool in the hillbilly getup he wore, he figured he might as well be an even bigger one and offer Darci and Christopher a ride to the dance. Why not? Darci and he were both chaperoning, and it seemed silly for them to take separate cars.

  Besides, he’d already set up the two rows of passenger seats. Michaela hadn’t wanted to go to the dance unless Jenny went with her, since neither girl had a date, and Mac had also invited her aunt Nina to ride with them. A couple more people hardly mattered.

  Not just any people, his inner voice reminded. This was the woman he’d kissed and her son, a boy who’d threatened his classmates. He was trying to see Christopher in a more objective light but it was hard. And he kept thinking of ways he could help. But it wasn’t his job, he reminded himself.

  So why did he keep feeling a need to reach out to the kid?

  Jordan rolled down his window, letting in the near-chilly evening air. “Hi, there. Want a ride? I’m going your way,” he added unnecessarily.

  Darci hesitated, car keys in hand. “Thanks, but—uh—Chris has a date.”

  Beside her Christopher squirmed, his body language making it plain he wasn’t thrilled with his mother’s revelation. Jordan managed a half smile at the boy, then focused on Darci.

  Simple cutoffs had never looked so good. And they weren’t even Daisy Duke-short. “You sure? I’d be happy to pick up your friend, too, Christopher. Might as well save your mom’s gas.”

  Christopher lifted a shoulder, but said nothing.

  “We’ve got plenty of room,” Jordan added.

  “Sure, thanks,” Darci said. “Come on, Chris.”

  Christopher slouched as he headed for the side door, and in the seat beside Jordan, Michaela shot him an exasperated look.

  “Dad,” she said, barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to ride with him.”

  “It’s just a short drive,” he said in a low voice. “It’s the neighborly thing to do.”

  Jordan got out and opened the passenger door directly behind his own seat, giving Darci a hand up. Chris had gone around to the other side. “Is this okay?” Jordan asked Darci, “or do you want to swap seats with Michaela?”

  “No, this is fine,” she said, sliding in and fastening her seat belt.

  Jordan tried not to let his gaze linger on her bare legs, but looking higher was just as problematic. The short-sleeved, polka dot blouse showed off her perfect cleavage.

  “I like your outfit,” she said.

  He started, worried she’d caught him staring. “Yours, too. But I feel ridiculous.” Jordan tugged at the brim of the straw cowboy hat he wore, then glanced down at his torn jeans—an old pair he normally wore to do yard work or fish in—and the red-and-white checkerboard shirt he’d found at a yard sale.

  “Makes two of us,” Darci said. But her blue eyes twinkled, and she looked anything but foolish.

  Jordan closed the truck door and climbed behind the wheel. “We’re picking up my sister, Nina, too, and Mac’s friend Jenny. You don’t mind?”

  “Of course not. The more the merrier.” She gave him directions to Kelly Parker’s house—the girl who was Chris’s date. Jordan had treated Kelly before. He supposed he’d treated more than half the kids in the county at one time or another, and a good share of the adult population, as well.

  A short time la
ter they arrived at the school with Nina, Jenny and Kelly. Christopher had wanted to get out with Kelly a few blocks earlier, but Darci had reprimanded him, telling him to not be rude. From the look Chris shot her, Jordan took it she’d broken a promise.

  Oh, well.

  It seemed strange to hear all four of the SUV’s doors close as everybody piled out. The sound somehow made Jordan feel comforted and sad at the same time.

  And it reminded him of his promise not to get too close to Darci.

  Are you watching us, Sandra? Are you glad the SUV isn’t empty tonight?

  Did she know that no one could ever replace her—that Darci was just a neighbor?

  A neighbor you kissed.

  “This should be fun,” Nina said as they neared the entrance to the gym. “Thanks for inviting me, Mac.”

  “You’re welcome, Aunt Nina.”

  Mac sounded a bit possessive. Was she truly upset that he’d chosen to share their family evening with Darci and Chris? But Jenny and Kelly were along, too, and Nina as an extra chaperone.

  The gym was packed. Shauna greeted them from the table where she was taking tickets. “These double as raffle tickets,” she said, stamping their hands. “Thanks again for helping out, you two. And you, Nina.”

  “Glad to,” Jordan said, though he was anything but. While he was always willing to take part in Michaela’s activities, he sure didn’t relish the thought of sashaying round the gym floor in this getup. At least his cowboy boots felt familiar.

  “Well, have fun,” Shauna said, giving Darci a knowing wink.

  Jordan squirmed. He hadn’t thought about the fact that arriving with Darci and her son made it look like they’d come as a couple. Oh, brother. Just what the gossip mill needed.

  Bales of straw lined the gym’s perimeter, offering places to sit in addition to folding chairs. Balloons and crepe-paper decorations covered the walls and ceiling, and a refreshment table was set up at one end.

  “You want something to drink?” Jordan asked, desperate for something to do other than ask her to dance.

  “Sure,” Darci said.

  “Sis?”

  Nina shook her head. “I’ll get my own. I want to observe these kids. Pick their brains a little. It’ll help me with my practice.”

  Christopher had disappeared with Kelly the minute they’d entered the gym, and Michaela had wandered off with Jenny. “Be right back,” Jordan said to Darci. He went to the snack table and returned with two Cokes and two bags of cheese curls.

  “I love these things,” Darci said, closing her eyes in guilty pleasure. “Though I know I shouldn’t eat them.”

  “Yeah, ditto,” Jordan said. “Guess maybe we ought to call a meeting of the dance committee and suggest they serve yogurt cups and carrot sticks next year.”

  Darci chuckled, and Jordan enjoyed the way the sound made his blood tingle. “Somehow I doubt that would fly.”

  “Probably not. Guess we’d better patrol the dance floor.” Jordan made a gentlemanly bow to indicate Darci should go ahead of him, then proceeded to make his way around the gym. Other parents, as well as teachers, mingled with the kids, keeping an eye on everyone. From a raised stage, a DJ spun CDs, keeping the theme country and bluegrass.

  “Would you like to dance?” Jordan asked Darci, telling himself this was the perfect way to keep the evening light. He’d already determined their kiss had been a mistake, but there was no reason they couldn’t be friends.

  “Don’t mind if I do,” Darci said in good-spirited fun. She gave a little hippity-hop, pony step. “Yee-haw, cowboy. Let ’er rip.”

  The dance was a brisk Western swing, something Jordan hadn’t done in a long time. But he also hadn’t forgotten how, and though he felt awkward at first, he quickly found himself falling into step, twirling Darci around the gym’s polished floor. The janitor would have some scuff marks to buff out on Monday.

  The song ended, and before Jordan could swing Darci back toward the folding chairs, his sister, who’d been dancing with one of the male teachers, spoke in his ear. “Nothing doing, big bro. Take her on a slow one.” She gave him a wink, then grinned at Darci. “Don’t let him step on your toes, hon.”

  Darci laughed, and again Jordan fought the curl of nerves in his stomach. This might be a school dance, but he was far from a teenager, so no need to act like one. He cleared his throat and gave her a tip of his straw cowboy hat. “Ma’am,” he said formally.

  She held out her hand to him once more, and he took it, pulling her into an embrace that wasn’t too intimate, especially given the fact that kids danced all around them. He eyeballed the room until he’d located Michaela. She was sitting on the far side with Jenny, not dancing, even to the slow song. Suddenly Jordan felt bad for his daughter.

  She didn’t have a date, and with her cane, he knew she didn’t really want or expect to dance. She’d only come to be with Jenny and have a little fun with her buddy. He had a feeling Jenny had purposely not asked a boy to Sadie Hawkins just so Michaela wouldn’t feel left out.

  “Go on and dance with your daughter,” Darci said, following his gaze. “After all, I’d say she’s the prettiest girl in the room.” She flashed him a smile.

  He wasn’t entirely sure about that.

  “I don’t know if Mac would want to,” he said honestly. He remembered the way she used to dance on his feet when she was small. He’d held her little hands, high stepping so their feet lifted up off the ground in an exaggerated motion. She’d loved it, shrieking and giggling.

  Another one, Daddy!

  Somehow he doubted that routine would fly these days.

  “It’s a slow one,” Darci reminded gently. “I’ll bet she can manage.”

  “Of course she can,” he snapped, then felt bad at Darci’s startled look. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little overprotective of her at times. But you’re right. Are you sure you don’t mind my cutting out on you?”

  “Don’t be silly.” She waved him away, and Jordan hurried over to his daughter’s side before the song ended.

  “Hey kiddo, wanna dance with your ol’ dad?”

  He’d thought she would refuse. Instead, a grin spread over her face, and she flashed a smile at him. “See, I told you,” she said to Jenny. She handed her cane off to her friend, and leaning on Jordan, followed his gentle lead out into the middle of the room.

  “Told her what?” Jordan asked as they danced.

  “Nothing.” Michaela shrugged. “Just that you weren’t really on a date with Darci Taylor.”

  So she’d been watching him.

  “Nope, not a date. Just a friendly dance.”

  “You didn’t finish it.”

  “That’s because I realized I’d rather dance with my daughter,” he said.

  She beamed at him. Then she sobered. “Dad, do we have to give them a ride home, too? I wanted Jenny to spend the night and she doesn’t like Chris either.”

  “That would be rude, Mac. You know that.”

  She made a tsk sound. “They can’t get a ride with someone else?”

  “Probably, but we brought them, so we’ll take them home, too. Okay?”

  “O-kay. So, can Jenny spend the night? Please? We want to go on the boat.”

  Last weekend she had decided at the last minute that she preferred to stay home. Kids.

  “Sure, why not.” The song ended.

  “Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.”

  “Ah, flattery.”

  He led her back to where Jenny waited, feeling relieved. He went back on shift tomorrow. Keeping busy with the girls tonight and tomorrow after work would keep him from thinking about how much he was enjoying Darci’s company.

  “Having fun?” Nina asked as she made her way over. She was dressed in patched jeans, a straw hillbilly hat, and a flannel shirt. “You know, it’s good to see you out and about. I was beginning to think you only knew your way to the hospital and back.”

  “Ha-ha. Yes, I’m having fun, little sister,” he said, putting her in a p
layful headlock. “And you’re one to talk. When was the last time you had a date?”

  “Men.” She waved a hand in dismissal. “Who needs them?”

  “Careful there.”

  “Hey, can I help it if my brother is the only exception to the rule? Find me a good-looking guy with half as many values as you have, and I just might ask him out to dinner.” She leaned in and elbowed him in the ribs. “Now, your date’s waiting. Go on and dance with her.”

  “She’s not my date. We’re co-chaperones.”

  “Okay. Whatever.” Nina grinned then, giving a little finger wave as she walked off to join some women she knew.

  Suddenly Jordan was in no mood to dance. He’d given Nina the wrong impression. Had he given the same impression to Darci? Not a smart move, especially after the kiss they’d shared.

  Maybe he shouldn’t have given her and Christopher a ride after all. He ignored the voice in his head that insisted his motives had been more than neighborly. Turning away from the chairs where Darci was sitting, Jordan walked over to visit with one of Mac’s teachers—a guy who enjoyed boating and fishing.

  He was soon lost in conversation and nearly forgot he was supposed to be keeping an eye on the kids. He excused himself and walked around the gym, making sure everyone was behaving, and that the unsupervised exits were locked up tight so no one was trying to go out in the parking lot and get into trouble.

  At the end of his round, he spotted Nina talking with Darci. He came up just in time to hear them discussing horseback riding.

  “Hey, big bro. Darci here tells me she gave you a coupon for a free riding lesson for Michaela. You gonna take her up on it?”

  His daughter had been bugging him about that.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “Jenny has horses. If Mac ever learns to ride, she can do it at Jenny’s.”

  That was his excuse. The truth was, he’d kissed Darci and liked it, and he was afraid to see her any more often than he had to.

  “Darci’s aunt is a professional riding instructor, and so’s Darci,” Nina continued. “They know what they’re doing. Plus Stella’s worked with handicapped children before.”

  “Mac’s not exactly handicapped, she’s just—” Just what? He refused to think of her as physically disabled. “She doesn’t need a professional.”