“Appeal denied.”
“I appeal the denied appeal.”
“The appeal of the denied appeal is denied. In fact, everything you say between now and midnight is denied. Court dismissed.”
“Stewart doesn't take defeat well,” Develyn mused.
“He never loses,” Lily shrugged.
“If you three don't mind, I'd prefer to shrivel up and crawl into this hole-in-the-ground by myself.”
“I can hardly wait to get home and start horse shopping,” Lily said.
“What if you get bucked off and break a leg?” Stewart grumbled from under the napkin.
“Then you'll just have to carry Lily in your arms everywhere you go,” Develyn said.
He pulled off the napkin and winked at Lily. “I can live with that.”
“So can I,” Lily beamed.
Cooper's diesel engine growled in harmony with the rain-sprinkled blacktop as they rolled west on Highway 20.
“I didn't quite hear all of that,” Cooper said. “Too many years running heavy equipment without ear protection.”
“I'll scoot over, Mr. Tallon. But that's the most pitiful begging I've ever heard just to get me to sit next to you.”
“What did you say?”
“Hmmm, you are very sneaky for an old bachelor.”
“You've got to be sneaky to survive to be an old bachelor.”
“Well, Stewart's bachelor days are over.”
“I like him. He's a good guy in his own stuffy Indiana way.”
“Are you saying people from Indiana are stuffy?”
“If you, Lily, Delaney, and Stewart are representative of the Hoosier State, well, there must be lots of fine people back there.”
“Every state has its share of saints and jerks.”
“And some states have more than their share,” he laughed. “I reckon Jackson Hill's bachelor days are over too.”
“I can't tell whom I'm happier for, Casey or Lily.”
“This marriage thing is spreading like an epidemic.”
Cooper flipped on the windshield wipers, though there was barely enough rain to warrant it. The approaching headlights turned south. The yellow line on Highway 20 soared at them like a volley of arrows fired in unison with the thwap, thwap, thwap of the windshield wipers.
Develyn tugged at her diamond stud earrings. “The talk of marriage killed the conversation.”
“Sorry, Dev. Can I be honest and just blurt something out?”
“Of course.” Just don't crush me too much, Mr. Tallon.
“I would dearly love to pull this rig over to the side of the road, kiss you, and ask you to marry me. But I can't. There are too many doubts runnin' through my mind and heart.”
“Such as?”
“I don't know which are more important. I have no doubt that I love you. I reckon any fool can see that. But even if for some unexplainable reason you loved me, you have your life in Indiana; and I have my life here or somewhere. I'm not even sure. You've got to take care of your Delaney. You came off a tough deal in your marriage, and I don't have a clue if I even know how to love a woman the way she should be loved. I'm ten years older than you, and that bothers me a lot. Not that we'd be incompatible but that you'd be stuck nursemaidin' an old man. I wish, Dev, it was years ago we had met, when we were young and impetuous and had the future to share and learn together. Anyway, all of this is rather foolish talk for an old man who's not sure of how you feel. Man, I'm glad it's dark in here. This is the most personal conversation I've ever had with a lady.”
Develyn clutched his thick, strong arm. “Coop, if things were different, I'd have you pull over, and I'd kiss you and ask you to marry me.”
“You'd ask me?”
“Honey, this is the twenty-first century. But I'm confused about all those things too. I'm wired to teach school. I have a commitment to the kids of Crawfordsville, Indiana. My twenty-year-old daughter still needs me. I know the present seems so complicated, and the distant past simpler. In the right time at the right place, years ago, lots and lots of years ago…”
“I got to admit one more thing.”
“Do I get to find out more about Cooper Tallon?”
“No, you know all about my workaholic, boring history. But I have to admit that I'd have a nervous breakdown asking you to marry me, so to skip that part is a great relief.”
“You more scared of me saying yes or no?” she teased.
“Either.”
“While we are ponderin' our complex lives, I'll just have to come up with a good answer that will put your mind at ease, providing the time is ever right for you to ask me to marry you.”
“Are you sayin' that when the Lord's timing is right, you aren't exactly opposed to the idea?”
“That's a good way of putting it. In the Lord's timing, I'm not exactly against the idea of getting married.”
Cooper laughed. “That makes me feel better, I think.”
“I suppose it doesn't sound like unbridled enthusiasm.”
He patted her knee. “We understand each other, Dev.”
She squeezed his arm. “Yes, we do, Mr. Tallon.”
He passed a slow-moving semitruck and pulled back into the westbound lane.
“So, Ms. Develyn Gail Upton Worrell, what do you reckon we should do now?”
“I think you should pull the truck over right now.”
“And ask you to marry me?”
“No, I think tonight we ought to just stick to the kissing part.”
Cooper Tallon bounced the truck to the right shoulder of the road, slammed on the brakes, and killed the engine.
Develyn poked her head through the rails of the corral fence. “He looks lonely.”
“Brownie is in there with twelve other horses. How can he be lonely?” her brother insisted.
“I don't care. He misses me. I can see it in his eyes.”
Dewayne grabbed up a rock and slung it out on the sage-covered prairie. “He's going to miss you a whole lot more. Daddy says we're leaving as soon as Mama comes back from Mrs. Tagley's.”
Develyn pulled her head back from the rail and stared toward the cabins. She shaded her eyes from the early morning sun. “I like Argenta, Dewa. Do you?”
“Not as much as Crawfordsville. I can't wait to play baseball. Some day I'm going to play second base for the St. Louis Cardinals.”
“Why don't you root for the Cleveland Indians, like Daddy does?”
“Because they never win, that's why. Come on, let's go.”
“I need to talk to Brownie alone.”
“You'd better hurry. Mama told you to say your good-byes last night.”
“Brownie and I are too good of friends to say good-bye only once.”
Develyn crawled between the rails and brushed her hand off on her khaki shorts. She noticed three orange Popsicle drops on her pink T-shirt. As she approached the remuda, the big brown one shuffled her way.
She rubbed the scar on his ear and walked him to the rail.
“Brownie, I want you to behave yourself this fall and winter. You eat right and get plenty of exercise. Don't stay out in the blizzards and get sick. And sometimes when you dream, dream of me, OK? Because I know I'll dream of you.
“Mother says I talk a lot, and maybe I do. But most times I talk about silly things so I won't have to talk about important things. You're my best friend in the whole world because you let me talk about important things. You are a very good listener. Mother says I'm not a good listener, but that's not true. I hear everything she tells me, even the part that doesn't make any sense.”
She laid her cheek against the gelding's nose.
“Being with you is so peaceful. I like you. I like me when I'm with you. I don't always like me, Brownie. Sometimes, like when I'm around the girls in my class like Gloria or Kathy or Diane, I don't like me at all.
“Now
I told you I'm coming back next summer. I'm going to talk Daddy into letting me stay for four weeks instead of two. And we will ride every day. I'll groom you and brush you and tie pretty ribbons in your tail.
“I was kidding about the ribbons. Dewayne says boy horses don't like ribbons. And I know you are a boy horse. Sort of.”
“Devy-girl,” Dewayne hollered, “Mama says hurry up.”
Develyn hugged the horse's nose. “I love you, Brownie.”
Dewayne grabbed her shoulder and shook it.
She clutched the horse tighter. “I love you very, very much.”
“I love you, too, Mom. Now wake up. It's Uncle Dewayne, and he only has a few minutes to talk.”
Develyn sat straight up in the dark, stuffy cabin. In the shadows Delaney shoved her cell phone at her. “You might want to step out on the porch where the reception is better.”
“Dewayne?”
“Your twin brother, remember?”
Develyn shuffled out to the soft westerly breeze on the moonlit, uncovered porch. “Dewa?”
“Hi, Devy-girl. Man, it's good to hear your voice. No one in the world is allowed to call me that but my little sis.”
“I'm only six minutes behind you. Remember that. Where are you?”
“I'm in Kuwait. Where are you?”
“Wyoming. I told you about coming out to Argenta, didn't I?”
“I can't believe you actually found it.”
“Are you OK?”
“What time is it there?”
“I don't know. The middle of the night. And you?”
“It's noon here. Hey, are Mom and David back from Austria?”
“Yes, but they went to Wisconsin to Aunt Harriet's. Uncle Leland had another stroke. Why do you ask?”
“Devy, I had a little accident.”
“You fell?”
“How did you know that?”
“You fell off a cliff?”
“No, our chopper was landing on the aircraft carrier, and it crashed about fifty feet into the deck.”
“Oh, no.”
“Tom Green was killed in the explosion. A couple of others were injured bad. I was lucky.”
“You didn't get hurt?”
“I busted both ankles, that's all.”
“That's all? It sounds horrible.”
“I'm on my way to Germany for surgery. I should be in the states by September. I'll be home by Christmas. I'm getting out, Devy.”
“Out of the Navy?”
“Twenty-five years of this is long enough. Hope I'm doin' the right thing, sis.”
“Dewa, you do what the Lord wants you to do. But your little sis is going to be thrilled to have big brother around.”
“Only six minutes older. Did you really dream about me falling?”
“Yes, several days ago, Dewayne. Twins are close. You know that.”
“My time's up with the satellite phone. Call Mom for me. I might not get back on until after the surgery.”
“I will. I love you, Dewa.”
“I love you, Devy-girl. Kiss the cowboys and be happy. You deserve it.”
Develyn sauntered to the edge of the deck and gazed into the Wyoming night. Uncle Henry waddled over to her.
“Hi, honey. You know what? The Lord blessed me with a great brother and a great dad—and if I will let my pride loose, a great mother too.”
Develyn and Lily loitered in the shadows of the cottonwoods and studied activity taking place next to the cabin.
“It looks like a circus is coming to town. That's a huge awning,” Lily said.
“Coop said the guys at Wyoming Tent and Awning rented that one for the same price as the smaller one. This size uses steel cable to tie it down instead of ropes. We might need it.”
“How many you expecting?”
“No more than a couple dozen, that's for sure.”
“You mean, you invited everyone in town?”
“Just about,” Dev laughed.
“That awning will hold a couple hundred. Shelley Nagle's daughter, Wenonah, set up an awning like that at Turkey Run for her wedding. Over three hundred attended, but not all were under the awning all at once.”
“Wenonah got married? You didn't tell me that. I should have sent a present.”
“We gave them a nice crystal serving bowl.”
“We did?”
Lily took her arm. “I put your name on it, and you owe me $36.75.”
“How nice of Ms. Worrell to remember one of her students.”
“I thought so.” Lily studied the yard. “That's quite a crew Coop has.”
“I'm glad Stewart can help out. Leon's been here since 6:00 a.m.”
“He does know the party is tonight, doesn't he?”
“Yes, he's a little hyped, which, for him, is quite normal.”
“Dee's pitching right in too.”
“She wants to keep busy so she won't worry about the doctor's appointment.”
“What time is Casey taking her over?”
“Right after they feed the road crew.”
“Do you want to take the Lincoln to town?” Lily asked.
“Oh, no, we need the space to bring home the supplies. Are you ready?”
Lily studied the clouds. “Do you have lightning storms every afternoon?”
“Most times there's little rain and plenty of thunder.”
“Is that plane circling around?” Lily asked.
Develyn spotted the silver and blue Cessna. “That's Quint's. Actually, it's Lindsay's plane, but I suppose he didn't want to leave it in Texas. Let's go over to the landing strip and see what he wants.”
“He probably wants Miss Dev.”
Develyn stuck out her tongue at Lily.
Develyn and Lily leaned against the Jeep as Quint Burdett strolled toward them.
“Oh, my,” Lily confided. “I had no idea he was so tall and so handsome.”
“Ruggedly distinguished, don't you think?”
Lily giggled. “I want to have his baby.”
“I can't believe you said that.”
“I didn't. It was a postmenopausal anomaly.”
“Howdy, Miss Dev, and this charming lady has to be Miss Lily.”
When he reached down to hug Lily, he plucked her off her feet. Her arms went around his neck.
“Mr. Burdett, we finally meet,” Lily gasped.
“Call me Quint.” He lowered her down and hugged Develyn. “Hi, darlin'.”
She hugged him back and kissed his clean-shaven cheek. “How was your flight?”
“Fine. Just can't figure out who would want to leave that fake note for the boys. I never leave headquarters unoccupied. Mom and Pop Gleason went to Billings to watch their grandson in a baseball tournament. I knew that, but having the crew take off, that troubles me. I can't wait to get up there.”
“You haven't been home yet?”
“I was just flying over Argenta to get to the ranch and noticed a big white awning or tent over at the cabins.”
“Only one cabin left,” she reported.
“Yes, that's what I heard. Anyway, when I saw the awning, I naturally assumed someone was having a wedding. And, well…”
“You needed to find out if your Miss Dev was getting married behind your back?” Lily asked.
“I suppose that was it.”
“It's a long story. It's just a barbecue I'm having, and Coop thought we needed a place that was out of the rain. I really hope you can come. Cuban, Tiny, and the boys are invited too.”
“Yes, well, if I can figure out what is going on, I will try to make it. I'd better get on up to the ranch.”
“Call me when you find out anything. I'm curious too.”
Quint had just turned to head back to the plane when Develyn spotted a white Ford truck bouncing down the gravel road into Argenta.
; “Quint, do you know a man name Hunter Burke?”
“He's the new assistant curator at the firearms museum in Cody.”
“I wasn't sure of his position.”
“I met him last month. He knows his Winchesters.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“He came out to the ranch last month and took some pictures of my One of One Thousand, Winchester 1873.”
“Why?”
“The museum is trying to locate, take pictures, and identify every one made. Why do you ask about him?”
“He just drove by on the road.”
“Dev thinks he's a crook,” Lily blurted out.
“Why on earth would you think that?”
“It's very subjective. And I'm not as sure now. I'd appreciate it if you'd check on the safety of your One of One Thousand before you phone me.”
“You don't think he'd…”
“Burke's hanging around the cub, and mama bear suspects everyone,” Lily added.
Develyn and Lily got back in the car and bounced over to the gravel road.
“I can't believe you turned Quint down. That might have been the dumbest move since Hugh Grant refused Julia Roberts in the movie Notting Hill.”
“Lily, there is more to life than money, good looks, and a charming personality.”
“Whatever it is, I can live without it,” Lil teased.
“Are you having second thoughts about dear Stewart?”
“No, I'm not. Quint's out of my league but not yours. Julia and Hugh got together at the end of the film. Maybe there is hope for you.”
They returned to Argenta with supplies and were still unloading when the dimpled cowboy with blond hair curling out from under his black hat walked straight up to Lily Martin, hugged her, and kissed her on the lips.
“I say,” Stewart Lawrence muttered as he stepped closer.
“If you aren't Lily Martin, I'm going to be in big trouble.”
“And if you aren't Renny Slater, we'll both be in big trouble.”
Develyn stepped between them. “I see you met my Lily?”
Slater stuck out his hand. “Stewart, no offense, I hope. Miss Lily and I have talked on the phone a number of times. I feel like an old family friend. I expect congratulations are in order.”
Stephen Bly's Horse Dreams Trilogy: Memories of a Dirt Road, the Mustang Breaker, Wish I'd Known You Tears Ago Page 68