Champagne and Cowboys

by Donna Michaels

  “I heard tell my wife is here. I’ve come to take her back home.”

  Maverick grinned. “You have balls coming here. Need a horse?”

  Andy’s face turned a bright shade of red. “I don’t need any damn horse.”

  “Oh really? What about the other night when you tried to steal one of mine?”

  “Listen, mister, you get my wife right now.”

  “Or what? Tell you how this is going to play out. You are going to get your sorry ass off my property before I kick some sense into you then call the police.” He enjoyed watching Andy squirm like the worm he was.

  “Where is my wife?” He took a menacing step toward Maverick.

  “Well, I warned you.” Maverick strode down toward the front of the barn, and before he was even halfway, Andy turned and ran. The sound of the truck engine running as it drove away was satisfying. He was much smaller than he imagined, but monsters came in all sizes.

  Whether Anora wanted it or not, she wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

  In the far corner of the stall, Anora curled up on the scratchy hay trying to make herself smaller. Closing her eyes, she wished she could be invisible. Once Andy got his hands on her, and she was certain he would, he’d kill her this time. A savage beating wasn’t going to be enough for him. Her body shook as her heart beat wildly. Why didn’t she just go with him instead of letting Maverick fight her battle?

  His footsteps grew louder; she sat up and pulled herself together. If she had learned anything these last few years, it was never to show weakness or fear. There were plenty of times she couldn’t help it, but it was always best to act indifferent.

  “Anora? You okay?” The stall gate swung open and he entered the stall, his blue eyes full of questions.

  “Yes, of course. Thank you for what you did, but I know if I don’t return he’s going to do something I’ll regret. I should have come out when I heard his voice instead of hiding like a coward.”

  Maverick offered his hand and pulled her out of the hay. “You’re not a coward. Let’s go back to the house.”

  She followed him to the house, her mind whirling. She had to go back, it was either her or her family, and they probably already thought her dead. The last time she’d seen her mother was five years ago on TV begging for information about her missing daughter. At the time, it had given her hope of being rescued but now… Andy never allowed her to watch TV again.

  She was in the spot she’d been praying for, free from Andy, but she wasn’t really free. The chains had been removed, but it felt as though they were tighter than ever. Her family was in danger.

  “I’ll just call the sheriff.”

  She grabbed the back of his denim jacket and tugged on it. “No, please. I can’t have the police involved.”

  Maverick turned and stared at her with his piercing blue eyes. “No police? Why? Because he owns you?”

  Her face heated, but her stare didn’t waver. “Yes, and other things, things I can’t talk about. It was wrong of me to leave him, and now it’s time for me to admit my mistake and go back.”

  “Why don’t we go inside, and you can call and explain to him that you need a break from him and you’ll be working for me. It’ll give him time to cool off.” He continued to walk into the house, and she followed right behind.

  “I don’t know his number.”

  “His phone number? What’s your home number? You can call and leave him a message.” He led her to the living room and sat her down on a light blue velvet chair. The whole room was soft in color and texture with a white couch and two more blue velvet chairs. It didn’t fit him at all.

  He handed her the phone, and all she could do was stare at it. She’d longed for access to a phone since forever, and now she had one in her hands. The need to protect her parents and sister were greater than her need to protect herself. She shrugged. “I don’t know the number. We don’t have a phone in the house. Andy has his own phone; it’s always been that way.”

  His eyebrows shot up, and she knew he thought her from another planet. She was going to have to come up with better explanations.

  “Our phone got turned off. Andy needs his for work.”

  He took the phone from her. “Why do I get the feeling there is a whole lot you’re not telling me?”

  From his scowl, she could tell he wasn’t buying her whole story and she cringed while she idly stroked the velvet upholstery. The softness was such a sharp contrast to what she’d grown used to with Andy.

  Maverick knelt before her and took her work-worn hands. “I know it’s none of my business, but I can’t let you go back there. I fear for your safety but if you stay here, I can look out for you.”

  His sincere expression was her undoing, and he was right about her safety. She slowly withdrew her hands from his. Andy had her believing that all men were alike, and that clearly wasn’t the case. It had been so long since she’d been around other men, she believed him. “I can’t take your charity.”

  He smiled until his dimples showed. “I don’t allow anyone to live off my charity. I think we can find something for you to do around here.”

  “I don’t know how to ride a horse or drive. I really don’t know what good I would be.” She held her breath hoping he had a job for her.

  “I could use some help around the house—”

  “Oh, don’t you worry I’ll keep the house spotless, and I’m a fair cook.” She knew she resembled a hopeful puppy with her wide eyes staring at him.

  “I have a service that cleans the house. It’s just too damn big for one person, but I do need a cook. When Belle is away, I eat frozen dinners and whatever is in the fridge. I just don’t have the time.” He stood and walked to the front window, and she couldn’t help but admire his muscled thighs encased in his jeans.

  “So, if I stay here you won’t call the police?”

  He turned and studied her, and her faced heated at his perusal. “I didn’t say that. I just want you safe.”

  Did he just agree to not call the police or not? Her stomach dropped and she wished she could fly away, but that was not her reality. For now, she was probably safer with Maverick, but once Andy caught up with her, she might not survive. Andy and the devil were one in the same, and she had no doubt he’d come for her but if the police became involved, her family would die.

  “Anora?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry my mind was elsewhere.” She hated the wobble in her voice.

  “It’s fine, really. So, do you want the job?”

  No would have been the right answer, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. She didn’t deserve Maverick’s kindness, and she’d have to pay dearly for it later, but she nodded. “Yes.”

  “Good, I’m glad that’s settled. You know where the kitchen is, and I’m number one on the speed dial if you need me. I have a lot to do, so, I’ll see you for the evening meal.” He grabbed his hat and coat and gave her a long questioning look before he left.

  She quickly ran to the bathroom and was sick. Her nerves were frayed more than usual, and she wished she had a way to get out of town and as far away from Andy as possible. She rinsed her mouth and then promptly checked all the doors to be sure they were locked. She’d never feel safe again, it was a fact she’d lived with for years.

  Maverick rode Rumble over the terrain wishing he had more information about Anora and Andy. What woman in her right mind would believe her husband owned her? Sounded like Andy was a wife beater, but there was something else he couldn’t put his finger on. Something that wasn’t right.

  He sighed hoping to find out everything soon, but he couldn’t ask Anora. He didn’t want to upset her. He’d be surprised if she were still at his house when he returned. She had a need to get back to that monster, and he couldn’t figure out why.

  What did he know? If might be common in abused women. He had extra security put in after her husband tried to steal his horse. Hopefully between the cameras and alarms, she’d be safe.

  “Come on, Rumb
le. We have horses to move closer to home.” It always amazed him how Rumble knew what he was saying. The horse turned himself and started in the right direction.

  Soon he spotted Cooper and the rest of the hands moving a good amount of the horses toward the pasture nearest the house. It was growing colder than ever and snow storms loomed. The weather caught them by surprise with the snow coming so early. He turned up the collar of his coat and rode out to meet up with Cooper.

  Cooper nodded. “Hey, Maverick, we got a lot of them. Ben and Joe are behind us with more. I don’t think we’ll have too many stragglers, they know where the food will be.”

  “Good job, Cooper. We’ll be having a guest at the house for a while.”

  “The little Garrity gal? You do know her husband is the one who tried to take Rumble don’t you?”

  “I know the guy is dumber than dirt. No common sense from what I’ve seen. Do you know much about Anora or her husband?”

  Cooper’s saddle creaked as he sat back a bit and stared at the horizon. “Can’t say that I know much except he kept her locked in the house.”

  “Locked? As in she wasn’t free to leave?”

  Cooper shrugged. “That’s the rumor. Can’t say I rightly remember who I heard it from.”

  “He threw her out into the cold and then came looking for her this morning. She was terrified, and when he left, she was even more so for not doing what he said.”

  “Wife beater?”

  “I’m afraid so, Cooper.” He pulled the brim of his hat down lower. “I’m going to head back and check on her. Thanks for taking care of things here.”

  “You got it, Boss.”

  Maverick couldn’t get the fear in her eyes out of his head. He shouldn’t have left her alone but honestly he didn’t know what to say, and it was too bad Belle already left. Maybe calling the police would be doing her a favor.

  Maverick quickly brushed Rumble down, glad the house appeared quiet. The whole situation was so far from anything he’d encountered. He avoided women if he could and they usually got the message except for his neighbor Joleen. It wasn’t as though they’d ever had a date. She was determined to rope him and drag him to the altar. Every time she dropped by, she brought him a home cooked meal, and at first he didn’t think anything of accepting the gifts, but she’d taken it as a sign he liked her.

  He shook his head. Nothing discouraged Joleen. Hopefully, she’ll hear he had another woman in his house and stay away. “I doubt even that will keep her away, right Rumble?”

  Rumbled nickered and he laughed. He hated when Belle was away, everything became too quiet but one day she’d have a husband and family of her own. He wasn’t sure what to say to Anora, and he hesitated before going to the house.

  The door was locked, and he stood in front of it trying to remember if the door had ever been locked before. Grumbling he knocked and waited and waited. Finally, he saw Anora peering out the front window at him. She opened the door and took a big step back as though she didn’t want to take the chance of him brushing up against her.

  “Are you all right?” He studied her and didn’t like how pale and shaky she was.

  “Yes, I’m fine.” She put a big smile on her face but her tone of voice was anything but happy.

  “I’m sorry if I frightened you. I don’t carry around my keys to the house, I don’t usually lock the door—”

  “It’s my fault and I’m sorry.”

  He hung his coat in the closet and hung his hat on the hat rack on the wall. “It’s fine, really. I want you to feel safe.”

  Her stare almost unnerved him, and he didn’t know what else to say. “Did you find everything you needed?”

  “You had a visitor. She left you dinner.”

  “Joleen was here? She acts more like a mother than a… a friend. Was she mean to you?”

  “She didn’t have time, I afraid. I took the casserole and closed the door in her face. I didn’t mean to make your friend mad. I just didn’t know what else to do.”

  The intense fear on her face invaded his heart, and he wasn’t sure how to handle her. “Don’t worry, she’ll be back. Nothing deters her from coming by. I’m just glad she didn’t upset you.”

  He gestured to her to follow him. “I want to talk to you.”

  Anora obediently followed him into his office and only sat down when he told her to sit. He grabbed the whiskey from the sideboard and splashed some in a glass. He turned and offered her the glass.

  “No, I don’t drink.”

  Maverick shrugged, sipped his whiskey then sat behind his desk. “Where did you grow up?”

  “Why?” Her voice squeaked.

  “I’m just trying to get to know you better.”

  She nodded and swallowed, hard. “I lived in Florida.”

  “It’s a nice state, big too.”

  “Yes, it is but we lived in a small town right outside of Orlando.”

  “Orlando is a nice area. Belle and I have been out that way a few times, Disney and all.”

  “Your parents took you to Disney? I’ve never been there.” Her eyes widened and she reminded him of a young kid.

  “You’d like it. It’s as magical as they say.”

  “I’d planned to go after graduation but…” The fear came back into her eyes. “The casserole will burn.”

  Nodding he smiled. “Go ahead, I’ll be right there.”

  She did as she was told, and he sat there gathering his thoughts. He’d call the sheriff in the morning and have him look into Andy and Anora Garrity. Maybe she had family he could get her back to. His best hope was Andy was wanted for a crime, and he’d be out of their hair until Anora was ready to tell him what in the world was going on.

  That night Anora curled up in her bed and tried to calm herself. All evening Maverick had given her speculative glances, and it made her uncomfortable. It’d been nice staying here, but it wasn’t where she belonged.

  If only she could be the author of her own life, things would be so different. Andy was bound to carry out his threat of killing her family, and it was too unbearable to imagine. Why had she thought it funny when Andy slowed his truck down and talked to her as she walked home from school? Why hadn’t she run? Why hadn’t she seen him for the monster he is? It was a constant litany of questions and she never had an answer.

  “Wrong place, wrong time,” Andy had told her. The fault stood with her. Maybe if she’d been savvier instead of a shy country hick. Whenever she dared mention going back home, Andy told her that her parents thought her dead, and there had been plenty of times she’d wished she was dead.

  Most people were good and she’d forgotten kindness. Maverick overwhelmed her with kindness, and she wasn’t sure what to do with her feelings. It was easy enough to fall for your rescuer, but she felt in her heart, it was something more.

  Maybe she could walk to town and go to the sheriff’s office without Andy knowing. Maybe the sheriff could arrest him before he killed her family. Turning over she groaned. Too many maybes she couldn’t take a chance on.

  The whole time she was with Andy she prayed for a chance to escape, and now was her chance. She’d tell Maverick tomorrow, and it would break her heart to see him look at her as a used piece of trash.

  The next morning Anora woke when the sun was high and for a moment she panicked. She’d missed making breakfast for Maverick, but as she stretched her arms over her head, she knew he wouldn’t much care.

  She quickly showered and put on some of Belle’s clothes. Somehow it made her feel like a fraud, wearing clothes she’d never be able to afford. Hearing a knock on the door, she raced down the grand stairway and opened it.

  While thanking her lucky stars it wasn’t Andy, she silently cursed, it was Joleen with yet another casserole. Joleen had long brown hair that draped on her shoulders and sultry brown eyes. She more than filled out the shirt she wore. She had a bigger bottom the last time she delivered a casserole. Strange.

  “Hi, I’m Joleen, Maverick’s neigh
bor. I was wondering if we could have a little girl talk.”

  “Maverick really doesn’t like strangers in the house—”

  Joleen pushed right past her smiling a big old fake smile. “I’m not a stranger. Maverick and I are very close.”

  “Really? He never mentioned you to me.” She bit her lip to keep from smiling at Joleen’s expression of dismay.

  “Didn’t you give him the casserole I brought?”

  “Give? No, I mentioned it was in the fridge and, in fact, it’s still there.”

  Joleen’s eyes narrowed and her plastic smile turned ugly. “Listen, Anora, I’ve been taking care of Maverick for a long time now. You’re honing in where you’re not welcome.”

  It was a peculiar feeling knowing that no matter how mad Joleen got, Anora wasn’t going to have to pay for making her mad. It felt powerful, but she it wasn’t in her nature to be mean, well maybe a little mean.

  “Maverick asked me to stay indefinitely, and I’d call that being welcome.” She smiled.

  “Well, Maverick has taken in strays before so don’t get too comfortable.”

  “Let me open the door for you. I’m sure you have things to do like make another casserole.”

  Joleen pushed the dish into Anora’s hands, sputtering the entire time and marched out of the house.

  Anora watched her wondering how her bubble of a bottom was now flat.

  When Maverick came home for dinner, Anora served him the casserole Joleen brought by. She needed to tell him about Andy but didn’t know where to start.

  “Something on your mind?” Maverick asked from his spot across the table.

  “What?”

  “You look so pensive is all.”

  “What do you think of Joleen’s rear end?” She instantly clamped her hand over her mouth. The words just popped out.

  “What do I think? It’s nice I suppose. I haven’t given it much thought.” His brows furrowed as he began to laugh.

  “I’m trying to figure it out is all.”

  “Anora, what are you talking about?”

  “Well the other day when she was looking for you, her rear end was well rounded and filled her jeans and today her rear was as flat as can be. I don’t know why I noticed, but I did, and now I can’t stop wondering about it. How can it happen? I’ve had times I wish I could make mine flatter.” Her face heated.