Develyn studied her last bite of ham. “Where did that come from?”
“It seems to me that Quint wants you to be his pretty goldfish. So I wondered if goldfish enjoy swimming around and around in a confined area havin’ ever’one stare at them.”
“Quint is not that bad,” Develyn said. “It’s just that I got caught up in a fantasy that I need to back away from. You know, this is really good ham, in a honey-burnt sort of way.”
“I think she’s changing the subject,” Casey said.
Develyn opened her mouth wide and waited.
Casey fed her the last bite of ham, still speared on the tip of her hunting knife.
“I’m here for the summer,” Develyn explained. “I go back home in a few weeks. I didn’t mean for everything to take on such a serious note.”
“That is good news. I’m about as nonserious an hombre as rides the Wyomin’ range.” Renny stood up. “Let’s pack up and get you to the hot springs.”
Develyn smiled. “Countess, is he saying we need a bath?”
Casey sniffed the air. “Yep, Devy-girl, some men are picky that way.”
When her cell phone rang, Develyn had to undo the seat belt to tug it out of her jeans. The voice on the other end was insistent.
“This is your conscience calling.”
“Hi, Lil! I was going to call you today.”
“Where are you?”
Develyn glanced around the cab of the pickup. “Where are we?”
“Twenty-three miles south of Thermopolis,” Renny replied.
“We’re …”
“Yes, I heard Mr. Burdett. Of course, I don’t have any idea where Themopopolis is.”
“Thermopolis,” Develyn corrected. “And that wasn’t Mr. Burdett.”
“Who are you with?”
“Renny and Casey. We’re going into town to get a bath.”
“Wait a minute. I get a phone call from Quint Burdett about how concerned he is about you, and now I find you going to a bath house with a different cowboy?”
“We’re going to the largest mineral hot springs in the world and sharing it with Boy Scouts from Tacoma and senior citizens from Sun City. What is this about Quint phoning you?”
“I was out on yard duty when my cell phone rang. I only tote it around hoping my wayward pal, Ms. Worrell, might call me. But it was Quint Burdett. He was worried about you and asked if I’d talked to you lately.”
“Wait a minute. Quint phoned you on your cell phone?”
“Yes.”
“But that’s an unlisted number.”
“I assumed he got it from you.”
“He most certainly did not. How did he know your number?”
“Honey, are you accusing me of something?”
Develyn leaned forward in the truck seat, in an attempt to gain privacy. “No, I’m accusing Quint Burdett of something. What did he want to know?”
“If you had a habit of running away from important decisions.”
“He asked you that?”
“I think that was the jist of it.”
“What did you tell him?”
“About Ms. Worrell, who decided in ten minutes to take off for the whole summer to follow a wisp of a little girl’s dream about Wyoming and recklessly spend the summer of her forty-fifth year chasing cowboys? I told him you were a quite responsible and sensible schoolteacher … most of the time.”
Develyn lowered her voice. “I am not chasing cowboys.”
“Hah!”
“Who was that?” Lily asked.
“Casey.”
“She knows I’m right.”
“You can’t believe anything she says. She also thinks she’s a French countess.”
“A princess?”
“A countess. It’s a long story. What else did Quint say? I’m getting ticked about this.”
“He seemed like a nice enough man. I think he’s sincerely worried about you. He reminds me a lot of …”
“My mother?”
“Funny you should mention that. Delaney said she tried to phone you last night. Your mother phoned from Austria. There’s been a slight accident.”
“What kind of an accident?”
“David, bless his heart, was on a chair in a hotel room in Vienna, trying to pin a blanket over the window so that …”
“So that Mother can sleep in the dark. Yes, she always makes him do that. What happened?”
“He fell off and broke his arm.”
“Oh, no. Poor David.”
“And so he was at the hospital overnight, and the tour group went on without them. They’ll have to stay a few more days and link up with the next group.”
“Is David alright?”
“I think he’s resting up.”
“I bet he is. A trip with my mother could wear out a battalion of Marines. How’s Delaney?”
“I think she’s feeling better. I haven’t seen her much in the past few days. Just trying to finish up summer school.”
“Has it been six weeks?”
“Almost. It seems like six years since I’ve seen you last.”
“Lily, why don’t you come out and see me?”
“Delaney and I have discussed flying out to Wyoming.”
“Really?”
“Yes, we wanted to be there for the wedding.”
“Wedding? There isn’t going to be any wedding.”
“Hah!”
“Was that Casey again?” Lily asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you in Mr. Slater’s pickup truck?”
“Yes. We left Casey’s rig and the horses at her friend’s place in Shoshoni. We’re riding to town with Renny.”
“Are you sitting in the middle?”
“Of course.”
“Hah!” Lily mimicked.
* * *
Develyn held out her hands to Casey. “Look at this.”
“The pathetic white color, or the wrinkly skin?”
“The shriveled skin, O bronze bombshell countess.”
“That’s not shriveled. Those four ladies from Arizona are shriveled.”
“They are all in their eighties.”
“But you are clean, that’s the important thing.”
“Yes, but I have no makeup. No eye shadow. No foundation. No mascara. I am almost too embarrassed to go get my nails done.”
“Are you too embarrassed to get a latte?”
“No,” Develyn grinned. “We’ll find one that has a drive-thru.”
“So, you don’t want anyone to see the real you?” Casey challenged.
“Heavens no.”
Casey dried off her waist-length, thick black hair with a fluffy white towel. “Maybe that’s been my problem. I’ve always let the guys see my natural beauty. Perhaps I need to deceive them a little.”
“I am not deceiving anyone,” Develyn snapped. “I’m just trying to look my best, that’s all.”
“Whatever. I guess it’s sort of addictive.” Casey tossed her towel into the wire basket in front of the locker. “You’ve been doing it so long, you can’t imagine otherwise.”
“Of course I can go without my makeup. I just choose not …”
“Do it.”
“What?”
“Let’s see Develyn Worrell go one week without a tiny bit of makeup.”
“Not even get our nails done?”
“Nope.”
“You are not talking lipstick, too, are you?”
“Of course I am.”
“But my lips are so weak,” Develyn whined.
“What’s your point? You and me are still going to ride every day, right?”
“Yes, but …”
“And you insisted that you aren’t chasing cowboys.”
“That’s right.”
“So, who is it you are trying to impress?
Uncle Henry? My Maria? Me? We love you just like you are.”
“Are you challenging me to a week without makeup?”
Casey folded her arms. “I’m daring you. And I’ll do the same.”
“You seldom use makeup anyway.”
“And your point is?”
“It should be an equal sacrifice. I know! I’ll go a week without makeup and you … have to wear your hair down.”
“A whole week?” Casey gasped.
“24/7. Of course, if you don’t want to, we can …”
“I’ll do it!”
“You will?”
“Yes. So, that’s settled.”
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into that.”
Casey stared at the locker room mirror and jammed on her cowboy hat. “I look like the queen of Mule Days with my hair down under my hat.” Casey tossed a sack over to Develyn.
“What’s this?”
“A couple of University of Wyoming T-shirts. I didn’t think we wanted to go out into beautiful downtown Thermopolis in our muddy T-shirts.”
“Thanks. Hey, we’ll look like twins.”
“In your dreams, Devy-girl.”
“You can’t fault a lowly maidservant for wanting to look like the countess.”
“How true. Come on, my dear.” Casey grabbed her arm. “I mustn’t keep the little people waiting.”
Renny Slater lounged against the front of his red Dodge pickup next to a tall, thin cowboy with short hair and brown skin.
“Oh, no!” Casey groaned, then spun around.
“What’s the matter?”
“See the guy talking to Renny?”
“Yes, who is it?”
“Jackson Hill.”
“Who’s that?”
“He’s the guy I wrote secret love notes to for two years.”
“What? You never told me about that. Did you two go out?”
“No. I never let him know they came from me.”
“Wow … when was this?”
“I was nineteen and he was twenty-one. We were doing all the Wilderness Circuit rodeos that year. I’d sneak a note in his gear bag during his ride.”
“You wrote a cowboy love notes?”
“I was immature.”
“It sounds very romantic.”
Casey shrugged. “He never wrote one back.”
“How would he know who to write it to?”
“He could have left one in his bag, you know, just in case I looked.”
“And he never knew it was you?”
“Nope.”
“Then what’s the big deal?” Develyn grabbed Casey’s arm and spun her around. “Come on.”
“But my hair is combed down.”
“I don’t get the connection.”
“He might not recognize me.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“I don’t know, Dev. What should I do?”
“What’s the worst thing that can happen?”
“I could scare him off by my looks.”
“Now you know exactly how I feel without makeup.” Develyn tugged Casey toward the red pickup.
“I hope he doesn’t remember me,” Casey murmured.
“He’s cute.”
“Yes, and you ought to see him with his … eh, never mind. He’s probably married by now.”
“How long since you’ve seen him?”
“Eight, maybe ten years.”
“Good grief, girl, what are you worried about? Come on, shoulders back, head up … strut a little.”
Both men glanced up.
Jackson Hill’s brown eyes widened. “Wow, Casey Cree-Ryder. You look great, darlin’. I haven’t seen you in forever.” He slapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug.
She rolled her eyes at Develyn and gave a sheepish hug in return. “Hi, Jackson, are you still ridin’ broncs?”
“No, I’ve been runnin’ a pack string up in Glacier Park. Just got a few days off. How about you? You chasin’ barrels on the circuit?”
“Not much. Training a few horses for rich girls, that’s all.”
Hill glanced over at Develyn. He tipped his black Resistol. “I don’t believe we’ve met, ma’am.”
“This is …” Casey blurted out.
“I’m her mother,” Develyn announced.
He blushed and stuck out his hand. “Glad to meet you, Mrs. Cree-Ryder. Sorry for the stare, you two don’t look anything alike.”
“I need my makeup,” Develyn said.
Renny Slater laughed. “She was teasin’ you, Jackson. This is Develyn Worrell. She’s a schoolteacher from Indiana and a friend of ours.”
“I’m glad you cleared that up. I don’t feel so bad about staring.”
“Sorry to tease you, Jackson,” Develyn smiled. “I get ribbed so much out here, I’m starting to do it myself. Of course, I am old enough to be Casey’s mother.”
Jackson Hill pulled off his cowboy hat and held it in his hand. “But you age well, ma’am.”
“Thank you, cowboy.” Develyn glanced at Casey and mouthed the words, I need my makeup.
“Casey, I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen you with your hair down like that. It’s always been in a braid. How long have you been wearin’ it down?” Jackson asked.
“About ten minutes.”
“Well, I like it, that’s for sure.”
“Jackson, the three of us were heading out for an early supper. You are certainly invited,” Develyn offered.
“I already invited him,” Renny said, “but he turned me down. Of course, now that he knows I got me a pair of purdy ladies, he might change his mind.”
Jackson stared straight at Casey. “I surely wish I could. I promised my boss I’d evaluate a string of horses he wants to buy from an ol’ boy north of Riverton. I just stopped here to use the phone and line up the appointment. When I ran across Renny and he said Casey was around, naturally I wanted to stay and say howdy. But I need to head out, because I’m not sure how long it will take me to find this ranch.”
“Whose ranch?” Renny asked.
Hill pulled a scrap of paper from his shirt pocket. “Henry Starfoot. He’s on the Rez.”
“I don’t think I know his place,” Renny pondered.
“Casey knows where it’s at,” Develyn boomed.
“I do?” Casey gulped.
Develyn shoved her elbow in Casey’s ribs. “Starfoot … remember? The other night you were talkin’ about some girls that used to do well in the All-Indian rodeos and you mentioned a Starfoot girl.”
“But … but …”
“You said there were a thousand antelopes on that road back to their place. I’m sure it will come to you once you get down there,” Develyn insisted.
“It will?” Casey shot her a quick glare.
“So, why don’t you ride with Jackson down to see the horses, then he can give you a lift to Shoshoni to pick up the horses and Uncle Henry.”
“Your Uncle?” Jackson asked.
“No, her burro,” Casey murmured. “I still don’t …”
“Grab a burger on the way out of town. You two can get caught up on things,” Develyn insisted. “How long has it been since you’ve seen each other?” She looked straight at Jackson.
“About ten years, I reckon. I’d enjoy having you come along, Cree-Ryder. You can even bring your guns and knives if you want to.”
“Whoa …” Develyn replied, “there’s one confident cowboy.”
Casey had a panicked look in her eyes. “But I sort of promised you two that I would …”
Develyn slipped her arm into Slater’s. She rolled her eyes at the mustang breaker. “Renny, honey, I am trying my best to get us a little private time.”
Slater patted her hand. “I know, mama, it’s hard to push them out of the nest when they don’t want to go.”
“You trying to get rid of me?” Casey protested.
“I think they were hoping to be alone,” Jackson said.
“Have fun,” Develyn urged.
Casey marched right up to Develyn. “Boys, I need to talk to my mother alone for a minute.” She tugged Develyn across the parking lot, then lowered her voice. “What do you think you are doing?”
“Getting you a date with the cutest cowboy under forty that I have seen since I got here.”
“A date? Going to look at pack horses is a date?”
“In some parts of Wyoming, it’s tantamount to being engaged.”
“Do you want to be alone with Renny? Is that what this is about?”
“I want you to be alone with Jackson Hill. Renny and I will be fine. He’s a good friend.”
“I don’t know where that Starfoot ranch is, and you know it.”
“Fake it, Casey, and have fun.”
“But … but … what are we going to talk about? I mean, how should I be?”
“Talk about anything you like. Be yourself, Casey. Be that wonderful, beautiful countess that you are.”
“I can’t believe you are doing this to me.”
Develyn led her back to where the men stood next to the truck. “Sweetie, you are goin’ to thank me in the morning.”
“Is it all settled?” Renny asked.
“Almost,” Develyn said. “Jackson, are you married?”
“What?” He stared at Renny, then at Casey. “Is she teasing me again?”
Casey shook her head.
“Eh, no, ma’am. I’m not married.”
“Have you ever been married?”
“Develyn!” Renny cautioned.
Jackson shook his head. “No, ma’am, I ain’t never been married. However, I was engaged to Barbara Belton for two days one time.”
Renny howled. “Who wasn’t?”
“OK,” Develyn said. “One more thing, will you promise to see that she gets back to our cabin by midnight?”
“Do you mean midnight tonight or tomorrow night?” he grinned.
“I like this boy,” Develyn laughed. “Tonight.”
“I’m almost thirty-two, and I feel like a sixteen-year-old on prom night,” Jackson said. “Your mama is tough, Casey, darlin’.”
“Don’t get her riled … never underestimate the wrath of a fifth-grade teacher,” Casey said.
“No foolin’? My mama has taught fourth grade in Sheridan for thirty-five years.”
Stephen Bly's Horse Dreams Trilogy: Memories of a Dirt Road, the Mustang Breaker, Wish I'd Known You Tears Ago Page 31