She grabbed her purse and her denim jacket and scooted outside. She glanced over at the burro, asleep on his feet by the fence. “Uncle Henry, take care of the place.”
When she slid into the Jeep, a folded note waited on her center console.
Miss Dev, I lined up a couple of early appointments … (one with an architect and another with the doctor) … since neither usually is in the office on Saturdays, I jumped at the chance. I might not get home until later, and I didn’t want you traipsing off to rescue me. I know this isn’t much of an accolade coming from an old bachelor, but last night was the “date of my life” and you are a gracious lady for making it so. At times, it felt like we had known each other for years. Other times I felt like a foolish sixteen-year-old boy. Please excuse my lack of wisdom if I did or didn’t do the right thing at the right time. Coop.
A grin broke over Develyn’s face. She hummed along with the Eagles singing “Desperado” as she turned onto the gravel road west.
The trip to Burdett’s ranch was uneventful until she reached the Cedar Hills. The road turned from packed yellow dirt to slippery red mud. Even when she put it in four-wheel drive, she had to slow down to twenty-five miles per hour. The washes and gullies ran with water. She crept through each one of them. With her sunglasses low on her upturned nose, she aimed for the driest side of the roadway.
“OK, I should have listened to Lindsay and let her fly me to the ranch. But I had a reason for this, Lord. I need to be independent around Quint. I need to be able to get up and drive home if I want to. When I’m at the ranch, I feel my life is outside my control … all I can do is go along with things, or act snotty … and I don’t want to do either.”
No wonder Miss Emily was a pilot. She could get in the plane and fly off anytime she needed to. I don’t think I can do that. I can barely look out the observation platform at the Sears Tower. However, if a lady had to be stuck somewhere, the Burdett ranch is a good choice.
Maybe for a few months anyway.
Of course, if a lady was there with the one she was crazy in love with, it could be a permanent honeymoon. There is nothing wrong with …
The Jeep spun out and slipped to the side of the road.
“No, no, no … you can’t do that! This is a four-wheel- drive Jeep. I’ve seen those commercials on television. I could drive this baby up the side of a cliff if I wanted to!”
The road up the hill swung to the left, but Develyn’s right rear wheel was in the grade to the right, and all four tires threw mud. She took her foot off the accelerator and stared down at her cell phone.
Even if there is reception out here, I will not call. I do not want help. I have to learn to take care of myself. If I cannot get to that ranch house and back by myself, I have no business contemplating making it my home. I will not panic. I’m the queen of the rodeo, I’m a regular Wyoming cowboy girl … I can do this.
I can’t get out and push. Someone has to steer, so that’s out of the question.
I could wait a few days for the road to dry, then drive right out. But they would send the posse out after me. I am determined not to be rescued again.
It’s in four-wheel drive and won’t pull out of this rut. What are my alternatives?
Lord, I need a little wisdom here.
Eh, what if I see if I can back down the hill to where it is flat? Maybe I can get out of this rut and then make another run at the hill.
She put the rig in reverse and eased her foot on the accelerator.
“Yes!” The Jeep crept back down the incline. “Thanks Lord … I figured it out.”
At the bottom of the hill, she pulled back into the center of the muddy road and put the Jeep in the lowest gear. This time she hugged the left edge of the road and crept her way to the top.
“Yes! This will work fine if no one else is stupid enough to be driving this road and barrels in from the other direction. And, if I have four hours to reach the ranch.”
The open valleys and prairie between the hills was dry enough to cruise right along, but the tree-shaded inclines were all slick. So she repeated the precautions each time.
I wonder what this is like with snow and ice? You can’t fly a plane in snow and ice, can you? Do they hibernate? Do they go to Texas? Do they have a place on South Padre Island?
Develyn stared at her watch. They said arrive anytime between four and six … it will be closer to six … sixish, I suppose.
At 6:02 she spotted the headquarters. Ten minutes later she pulled into the yard. A horseback Cuban greeted her. She rolled down her window.
“Welcome back to the ranch, Miss Dev.”
“Hi, Cuban. You didn’t saddle up to come find me, did you?”
“The old man was gettin’ worried. I knew you’d make it.”
“Thank you for your confidence. It was worse than I thought.”
“Yes, ma’am, I can see that. You got more mud on your Jeep than a Nebraska homestead.”
“I was determined to drive. Us schoolteachers can be very stubborn.”
“Yeah, that’s what the ol’ man said.”
“He did?”
“More or less.”
“Is he upset with me?”
“More or less.”
“Thanks, Cuban. I’d better get to the big house. Will you and the other hands be joining us for supper?”
“Oh no, Miss Dev. This is a private deal tonight.”
Develyn parked the Jeep near the back door of the big house. Though the twilight sky was clear, the grass still glistened from the rain. The sanded parking area felt spongy as she stepped out. She stared at her Jeep.
That is the most disgusting filth I have ever seen. It’s like a moldy bacteria gone wild. This rig could be the main character in a remake of The Blob … but who would they get to take Steve McQueen’s place?
“Hi, Dev …”
When she glanced up, Lindsay Burdett stood at the top of the stairs. “Hi, Linds. Sorry I’m a little late.”
“I’m glad you made it. You’d better hurry. Daddy has been worried about you.”
“I just hadn’t experienced that beautiful clay mud before. It looks like I’m taking five hundred pounds of it home with me.”
“I know. You get used to it. Sort of.”
Develyn followed Lindsay through the screened veranda and into the kitchen.
“I got to do all the cooking tonight. Go join Daddy in the dining room, and I’ll serve.”
“Thank you, Lindsay.”
The blonde twenty-five-year-old scooted over next to her. “Dev, listen … no matter what you and Daddy discuss or don’t discuss, I have to talk to you in private tonight. It is really important to me.”
Develyn noticed tears in Lindsay’s eyes.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Dev whispered.
“Later … OK?”
“I promise I will not leave the ranch without you and me having some time to talk in private.”
“Are you going to spend the night?”
“I don’t think I want to drive that muddy road in the dark.”
“It will be dry by morning if the wind blows.”
“We’ll talk later.”
* * *
The Burdett dining room table could seat twelve. Three antique hutches lined the interior wall, each crammed with dishes. Two places were set side by side near the door that led out to the front veranda. The door was open, and Develyn felt a cool breeze when she entered the room.
Quint Burdett greeted her. “Miss Dev, you look wonderful. You had me worried, of course, but we only worry about ones we love, I suppose.”
“Thanks for your concern, Quint. I wanted to test my ability to navigate these roads.”
His long-sleeve blue western shirt was buttoned at the collar, but he wore no tie. “You’ve caused me to do a lot of thinking this week. I’ve looked forward to tonight. I believe we have a lot to talk about.�
��
“I think you’re right.”
“But, first, you have to eat my gourmet meal!” Lindsay rolled an oak serving cart into the room.
* * *
The private meal and conversation stretched two hours.
The leather chairs on the front screened veranda felt soft as a featherbed as Develyn and Quint finished up the raspberry mousse. He reached across the wide arm of the brown leather chair. She took his hand.
“I wondered if you’d do that,” he said.
“Quint, you are a wonderful man. I am privileged to have your friendship.”
“But, something … ?”
“I don’t know how to say this.”
“Just blurt it out.”
“Try as I may to be otherwise, I don’t think I’m right for you.”
“Miss Dev, as I have told you, you are the second most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. You are an incredible lady, a charming lady, a fun lady … and if a man my age may be blunt … a very sexy lady.”
Develyn laughed. “That’s a first.”
“It’s true. I believed, and still believe, that you and I are quite compatible and could build a very good marriage.”
“But not a great marriage?” she probed.
“Probably not. I think you are right about that. It must be why you’ve shown caution this past week. I’ve been praying a lot about it. That part was good. I want to understand why I was so sure, and so anxious to pursue you.”
“Did the Lord answer you?”
His sigh was so long and so deep, Develyn bit her lip until it ended.
“Miss Emily holds me tight, Dev.” His voice started to crack. “And I don’t want her to let go.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what else to say.”
She squeezed his hand. “The love you two shared is inspiring. You’re right. No one could ever compete with Miss Emily. Quint, you have a lot of love to give. There are many women in this world who would be satisfied with the love you could give. They would cherish it, cling to it, and adore you for it.”
“But not you?”
“I need the Miss Emily kind of love myself this time.”
“I know. And you deserve that.”
“You know what I think, Quint? I don’t think you would be happy with yourself unless you gave the Miss Emily kind of love to me … or anyone else. You would always feel you weren’t doing enough, and yet you wouldn’t be able to do more.”
“That’s exactly the place that I came to.” He clutched her hand tight. His voice softened. “Your grace and love helped me learn that lesson. I could have gone out and ruined my life, and Lindsay’s life, and Miss Emily’s memory by doing something foolish. You are a gift of the Lord this summer to help me understand myself. It is a gift I neither deserved nor can ever repay.”
Develyn couldn’t hold back her own tears. “Will you promise me that you will be my good friend forever? I need you in my life, Quint Burdett. And I need to be reminded of your love of Miss Emily.”
“That’s a promise I know I can keep with all my heart. Even Miss Emily would approve of that. You would have liked her, Miss Dev, oh, you would have liked her.”
“I know I would have.”
“You will always be welcome to stay here at the ranch when you come to Wyoming. You have a permanent invitation to the yearly barbecue.”
She released his hand, but rubbed the top of it. “I certainly intend to come back, that’s for sure.”
“I know. I can see it in your eyes.”
“That’s what I hear, I’m hopelessly in love … with Wyoming.”
“You know, Miss Dev, I need to talk to you about something else. While I was fuming and praying and trying to figure things out this week, it dawned on me that part of the push to pursue you was for Lindsay’s sake. She doesn’t want to leave her daddy until he has someone to look after him.”
“That’s commendable.”
“But stifling. Look at the isolation back here. When Miss Emily was alive, they flew all over the country together— a play in New York, or a concert in L.A. They attended parties in Dallas, reunions in Austin. But since Miss Emily died, Linds seldom leaves. In the back of my mind, I had the notion that I needed to settle down, remarry, and turn her loose.”
“Where would she go? What would she do?”
“She’s been offered a position as assistant director of public relations for the University of Texas at Austin. It’s her major, and a great place to develop her career.”
“And find her man?” Develyn probed.
“Exactly. But I don’t know how to talk to her about it. She’s going to think I don’t want her around … or that she can’t take care of me … I’ve been waiting for her to make the break, but she seems so content to be here. I’m scared to death to mention anything.”
“You need to talk to her, Quint.”
“She really likes you, Miss Dev. Could you approach the subject for me? Give me a woman’s opinion. I’ve never had to be a single parent until the last couple of years. I surely miss a woman’s wisdom and guidance.”
“I’ll be happy to visit with her, but sooner or later it’s got to be father and daughter.”
“I know, Miss Dev … I know. I believe the Lord might have brought you out to Wyoming just to help the Burdett family.”
* * *
Develyn sat on the edge of the queen-size bed as Lindsay roamed her cavernous bedroom. Lindsay’s blonde hair curled halfway down her back.
“You and Daddy talked a long time.”
“Your father is a very easy person to talk to.”
“That’s what Mama always said, but a lot of people feel intimidated by him.”
“He can be a very dynamic, forceful man. I can see how that might happen.”
“How come you’re not intimidated?”
“I’m too naïve,” Develyn said. “By the time I realized who he was, we were already friends.”
“I didn’t listen in on you guys. Daddy said I was banished to the kitchen.”
“We had some private matters to discuss.”
“You turned him down when he asked you to marry him, didn’t you? I could see it in his eyes when he walked you to the door.”
“He didn’t ask me.”
“He didn’t? But he had Mama’s ring resized for you when he was up in Powell.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“He planned to take you out to a surprise supper in Cody and ask you to marry him.”
“I didn’t know that either. No wonder he was so insistent that I go to Powell with him.”
“I guess I always knew he would change his mind.”
“Linds, your father is a wonderful man. I believe your mother brought out the best in him like no other person on earth. I believe he will love her until the day he dies.”
“Yes, so will I. But I hope to get married. Why would you have turned him down, had he asked you?”
“Two reasons … the first is that I just couldn’t compete with Miss Emily. I would always be a disappointment and cause many regrets even though your dad would be gracious and loving. That would cause him to hold back, and that kind of reserve would disappoint me.”
Lindsay continued to prowl the room. “What’s the second reason?”
“I’m an Indiana schoolteacher … that’s my identity … my passion … my calling. This is the most beautiful ranch I have ever seen in my life, but it’s too isolated for year-round life. I would shrivel up and die back here. If your father loves me at all, and I believe he does, he loves the Indiana schoolteacher. When that part of me died, it would be difficult for him, and impossible for me.”
Lindsay stopped in front of her dresser mirror and studied her long blonde hair. She folded her arms across her chest and looked at Develyn’s reflection in the mirror. “You are right, of course. I guess I knew all of that too. But I hoped it wasn
’t true. I really like you, Dev. I wanted it to work so much.”
“Honey, that’s a wonderful compliment. You’re a talented and beautiful lady. I count it a privilege to be your friend. I will die if I’m not invited to your wedding.”
“My wedding? I don’t even have a boyfriend.”
“You heard me. Do I get an invitation?”
“No matter when or where?”
“I’ll be there.”
Lindsay grinned and scooted over to the bed. “You see? You are so sincere and caring, just like Mama. That’s why I wanted it to work. Can I be real honest?”
“I think I know what you’re going to say.”
“You do? Mama always knew what I was going to say. Daddy said the two of us could communicate all evening and never say a word. What am I going to say?”
“That you can’t live up to Miss Emily’s image, either. And you hoped I would marry your father and take care of him, so you could move someplace else and have a career.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Only tonight. Was I right?”
“It was supposed to be different. My brother was going to marry some ranch girl and move back here with Mama and Daddy, then I could go out and find my place in the world. When my brother died, that changed the plans. When Mama died, it changed everything. Now, it feels like I’m dying on the inside. Every girl in my high school class … every one has been married at least once. I don’t even have a boyfriend. I don’t have any girlfriends either. I have Daddy and the ranch … I love them both, but I’ve got other things to do in life. I got this offer …”
“Assistant public relations director at the University of Texas in Austin?”
“How did you know that?”
“Your father told me.”
“Why?” Lindsay quizzed.
“Because he thinks it’s a wonderful opportunity and wishes you’d take the job. He wants you to give it a try.”
“Daddy said that?”
“Yes, he did.”
“But what about him? Dev, he’s always had someone to take care of him.”
“Honey, he has to learn what kind of life the Lord has in store for him now. It’s a process. I think he and I have worked out some things. Now it’s time for you and him to learn. The Lord has an abundant life in store for your daddy, even after Miss Emily is gone and you are on your own. That’s what makes you, your daddy, and me so much alike. We’re searching to see what the rest of our lives should be like.”
Stephen Bly's Horse Dreams Trilogy: Memories of a Dirt Road, the Mustang Breaker, Wish I'd Known You Tears Ago Page 44