“You’ll learn that everything Aunt Nancy makes is divine. Now the cornbread,” he urged, watching her face closely. The expression she had given had shot straight down to the bottom of his stomach. He was anxious to see it again and was not disappointed.
“Oh my god, you are so right,” she said after swallowing her bite. She looked around the room. “Where is Nancy anyway?”
Trey shrugged but a worry tugged at the back of his brain. He hoped nothing had happened to Uncle Robert. “She left right after getting everything on the table. I don’t think my uncle has been feeling too good lately.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope it’s not serious.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. The Montgomerys are a strong stock.”
Carissa nodded and smiled. “I believe that.”
Chapter Ten
The next morning, Carissa sat up from sleep in a panic. She breathed deeply and squeezed her eyes tight waiting for the dream to drift away. It didn’t. It stayed with her as she put her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. It followed her into the bathroom where she splashed cold water on her face to try to shock it out.
It nipped at the back of her brain while she stretched and dressed. And it was demanding her attention by the time she had laced her tennis shoes. She sighed, sat back, and closed her eyes, picturing her sister’s panicked face when Uncle Charles opened the closet to find her huddled in the corner.
Audrey was at his side, pulling at his shirt. He reached for Carissa but Audrey leaned forward and bit his arm. He yelled out and threw back his hand, knocking Audrey to the floor. “Carissa, run!”
Carissa threw wide eyes at her sister as Uncle Charles turned back to Audrey who was struggling to stand back up. Meeting Audrey’s eyes, Carissa nodded and scrambled out of the closet and flung herself to the door but fumbled with the latch. Uncle Charles turned toward her, his breath fast and deep. “What the hell?” he said as Audrey jumped onto his back. Again, she yelled, “Carissa, run!”
Carissa finally unlatched the door and ran out, looking back over her shoulder—the last time she’d ever see Audrey alive. She took off down the stairs, running into her dad, who was swaying in his haze, trying to climb the stairs. “Christ, what the devil are you doing?” he slurred at her, reaching for her and only brushing her pajamas as she sped past.
The images and sounds finally began to fade, and Carissa opened her eyes again, tears spilling from them. She grabbed her blanket and rubbed them and then went back to the bathroom to wash her face again and compose herself.
Satisfied after examining her face in the mirror, she made her way to the dining hall for breakfast. She didn’t put on her jeans and cowboy boots this morning. As he had explained before, Trey was not available to work with her today. He hadn’t been able to make it to breakfast either. Her feeling of disappointment was not lost on Carissa. She again felt a rumbling of tension and asked herself if whatever was happening between her and Trey was wise.
After finishing a boiled egg and swallowing a tall glass of orange juice, Carissa walked into the kitchen. Aunt Nancy was at the sink washing up. Carissa grabbed a dry dish towel from the counter and went to help.
“Oh thank you, dear.” Aunt Nancy. “Just a few pans here that wouldn’t fit in the dishwasher.” She handed the frying pan she had been scrubbing to Carissa. “So I hear you’re going to be hanging close to me today.”
“Mmm. Hmmm,” Carissa said, rubbing the towel along the pan handle.
“Good,” she said. “Today is shopping day, so you will get a chance to explore Collinswood. It’ll be helpful for you to know exactly where we are and what other resources are available to you.”
Carissa nodded and handed the now-dry pan back to Nancy. “Oh, that sounds like fun.” She squeezed Nancy’s arm. “A girls’ day out!”
***
Later that afternoon, Trey was thinking about what all still needed to be done to the Beast as he drove back to the Easy R. Suddenly, his thoughts turned to Carissa and he felt a stirring in his lap. His blood heated up. It didn’t help that the summer heat had come on with a vengeance. He wiped his brow then raised a corner of his mouth, an idea suddenly forming.
***
Carissa was just stocking the cabinet with a few items she had bought in town when she heard a knock on her door. She had changed into a very comfortable pair of shorts and tank top because of the oppressing heat. Lists preoccupying her mind, she stopped her chore and went to the door. Her heart leapt when she opened it to find Trey.
“Back early?” she asked, a little flushed.
He shrugged. “Wanted to hurry back.” He reached out his hand. “It’s hotter than Hades out here. Let’s go for a swim.”
She let him take her hand and pull her out the door, but she protested, “I didn’t think to bring a bathing suit!”
He winked at her. “No one wears swimsuits out here!”
Her eyes widened in surprise. He laid his head back and guffawed. “I mean, we just wear our shorts. What you have on will do nicely. I already have towels. C’mon.”
A few minutes later, they were standing in a shaded area of a creek.
“The water is about four feet deep here,” Trey explained. “This is our swimming hole. You can see the rope we hung out just on the other side near that bank. Most summers of my childhood were spent in this very spot.” He draped the towels across a sturdy tree limb, grabbed her hand again, and waded into the water.
Carissa let him lead her out until the water was up to her breasts. The cold, spring-fed water was a delight and a perfect way to cool off. She let go of his hand and held her nose, bending her knees to drop down fully into the water. Trey was staring at her with an unreadable expression when she surfaced. She gave a playful grin and then splashed water at him. Before he could return the splash, she had turned away and was running in slow motion in the opposite direction. Trey followed and when he was just inches from her, he leaped forward, grabbing her waist and taking her under the water with him. They emerged with his arms wrapped tightly around her, and her arms around his shoulders. He peered over her shoulder to see the faint outline of the rose through her wet top. He looked into her eyes. “Can I see it?” She nodded and turned from him when he loosened his embrace. She pulled her hair to the side and started to reach for her tank top strap. His hand was already there, lightly tugging at the edges.
When her shoulder was bared, he traced the rose with his fingers as if reading braille. Carissa shivered though she felt a flame advance up her chest from her stomach. When his lips touched her shoulder, she let a groan slip. The sound caused him to pull her closer and his mouth trailed up her neck.
Doubts began to creep up her back. She couldn’t judge if this was moving way too fast, but she had a sense that she should slow it down. Just as she was about to turn to him, a high-pitched voice floated through the trees.
“Trey! Are you out there?”
Melody came into view and Carissa could see her scowl even from this distance.
With a smirk, Melody said, “Sorry to interrupt.”
“What do you want?” Trey asked in a low, husky voice.
“Chase is here.” Then she spun around and left Carissa to wonder about the darkness that had fallen over Trey’s face.
Chapter Eleven
“Trey, how are those fences looking?” Uncle Robert drank his iced tea and leaned back in his recliner. When Trey had returned to the ranch house, he had been asked to join his aunt and uncle—and his brother Chase—for a family dinner after Aunt Nancy had given Melody all the instructions to get dinner ready for the hands. He noted that Chase hadn’t changed much, just a little thinner.
“I’ll be going out to survey the perimeter Monday. If there are any breaks, I’ll have Coleman and a few other guys on them. He’ll get them fixed by mid-week.”
“Be sure that he does. He’s a good kid but he’s easily distracted. Remember, the golden rule of leadership.” The older man appeared pale but t
here wasn’t a thing wrong with his mind, his nephew observed.
“Inspect what you expect?”
“You got it!” Robert smiled at him, flicking his television off. Nancy arrived in the living room with two plates of steaming food for Trey and Chase. Trey’s favorite—pot roast, onions, and potatoes. Nobody made it like Aunt Nancy, and it was his second favorite meal of all time. His mother’s lasagna had won contests. He missed her desperately.
“So, what’s going on?” he asked his uncle.
Uncle Robert sighed. “Well no use beatin’ about the bush. I’m having surgery next week.”
“What do you mean, Uncle Robert? What kind of surgery?” Chase asked. Trey put the plate on the coffee table. His hunger had disappeared. He’d known what this family dinner had really been about but he hadn’t expected to hear about surgery.
“My ticker. I’ve got some blockages and they want to go in there and blow them out with some kind of jobberdo. I can’t remember what they call it. Doctor says I might have to have stints put in to keep the blood flowing but he won’t know until he gets in there. Isn’t that something?”
Trey clasped his hands and frowned at his uncle. “That doesn’t sound too good. Did you have a heart attack?”
“I had a cardiac event—whatever the hell that is. Can’t say for sure whether I had a heart attack or not but my arteries are definitely clogged up. I’m going to have to play it cool for a while after the surgery—about six weeks but maybe longer. You fellas up for that?”
“Yes, sir, Uncle Robert. You can count on us,” promised Chase.
“Now look,”—he turned to Trey—”I want you to think like a leader. You can’t spend all your time riding the trail or looking for arrowheads. There are a dozen men on this ranch and although every single one is a good man, they don’t know how to run this place. You’ll have to stay on them and tell them where they need to go.”
“Sounds like I better eat my Wheaties each morning.” Trey tried to joke to lighten the serious mood. He didn’t want his uncle to worry unnecessarily. He knew how to set up buys, deliver cattle, and care for them. He’d never had to do it solo for six weeks but he felt like he was up for the challenge.
“Chase, you’ll be taking the small load to Acorn for me and I need you to drive that three hundred head to Millsville. You’ll be in charge of the whole operation.”
Trey rubbed his face with his rough hands and spoke as if Chase weren’t in the room. “I don’t need his help, Uncle Robert. I’ll have Coleman drive the load.”
“Whether you need it or not you’ve got it.” He turned to Chase again. “And you’re going to do what your bother asks you to, right?”
Chase nodded.
Again, to Trey, “You’re the boss—he knows that sure as he knows the sun will come up tomorrow. We need you both. This is a time for family, Trey. Time to put aside squabbles and it’s time to let things go.”
“If that’s what you want, that’s what I’ll do but I want to go on record as saying this is a bad idea.”
“Nevertheless, this is what I want.” Uncle Robert wasn’t joking. Not one bit.
Aunt Nancy stood next to Uncle Robert, a mug of coffee in her hand. “Tell them again, Robert. They need to know who’s doing what.” She turned to her nephews. “Your uncle will be flat on his back for a while, ’bout six weeks they say but we’re shooting for four, aren’t we?” She looked back lovingly at her husband and put her hand on his shoulder.
“Yes, we are.” He rubbed her hand and smiled at her. “First of all, don’t get any ideas about me dying. I’m going to be fine. Unlike my brother, they caught my problem before it got worse. It’s all going to work out. Like I said earlier, I need you, Chase, to move the small load. It’s only fifty miles and you’re getting five men to help you. But Trey will be the one to direct you. He’s been with me all these years, working right beside me. You’ve got to respect that, Chase.”
“Yes, Uncle Robert.” He half-glanced at Trey; hurt was in eyes but not for long. Chase wasn’t a young man who liked showing his vulnerability. Soon, he’d plastered a smirk on his face. That’s the brother I know, thought Trey.
“May I have a beer, Aunt Nancy?” asked Trey.
“Sure, bring me one back too.”
He walked into the kitchen and reached for two long necks, popped the tops on them, and looked for a glass for Aunt Nancy. “Where’s mine?” came a voice from behind him.
“Same place I found mine, Chase,” he said irritably and then turned to look Chase in the eyes. More quietly, he said, “I can’t believe you’d show your face here.”
His younger brother opened the refrigerator and reached for a bottle. “Haven’t you gotten over Jessie yet? That was more than fifteen years ago, brother.”
“This isn’t about Jessie and you know it! This is about you, cashing in on Dad’s dream and ditching me so you could blow your money on whatever it is that you blew your money on. What was that, Chase? Women? Toys? Drugs?”
“Screw you, man! You know I don’t do no damn drugs! I might drink but I’m not a drug head.”
“Whatever, Chase. And here you are right when I need you the least.”
“I didn’t ask to come here, dude. Damn, you are arrogant! This isn’t about you, Trey Lee, this is about Uncle Robert. Let’s just get through this next six weeks and then I’m outta here.”
“Fine with me. Let’s get it done.” Trey tipped up his bottle and drank the beer thirstily. This was not how he planned this evening would go.
Someone knocked on the back door. Trey opened it, surprised to find Carissa standing there with a lopsided cake on a plate. “Hey, I hope I’m not disturbing you all. I tried to bake a cake for Aunt Nancy and Uncle Robert. It’s not too pretty, I know. Could I leave it here for them?” He looked down at Carissa who stood on the second step of the wooden porch. She was completely dry now and wearing a sleeveless red-and-white-checkered dress that showed off her sexy tan. On her feet were white boots and her hair was long and straight. Again he thought, she’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.
“Sure, come on in.” He took the cake and slid it on the counter.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Not at all, pretty lady. Who’s this, Trey? Where you been hiding her?” Chase walked around the island and smiled at her.
Carissa looked confused. “He’s not been hiding me anywhere. You must be Chase.” She extended her hand politely.
Chase accepted it and flashed a lopsided grin. He had light brown hair and green eyes. To top it all off, he had way too much confidence for someone who’d screwed up so much. “Well, I don’t know if I must be, but I am. How did you know that? You probably saw me ride at the PBR Championships last year?”
“What’s that?”
“Professional Bull Riding—surely you know that? Unless you’re not really a cowgirl? In that case, you’ll have to take those sexy white boots off.”
“Back off, Chase.”
Embarrassed, she stuttered, “I’m just … I guess I’ll go. Trey, will you tell Nancy I was here?”
Trey cut his brother angry eyes and said, “No need for that. Come on, I’ll walk you through.”
He whispered to her, “You look great.” Impetuously, he kissed her quickly. He wanted Chase to know that he was interested in Carissa. No more mistakes. He wasn’t repeating what happened with Jessie.
“Thanks.” Carissa followed him into the living room.
“Look who’s here! She brought a cake too. It looks horrible, but I’m sure it will taste delicious.”
Carissa scowled at him playfully. Nancy smiled and rose to her feet. “So happy you came by. Sorry I couldn’t be in the dining hall this evening. I trust Melody took care of you and didn’t act like a fool.”
“I didn’t see her at all. Two other ladies did the cooking and serving. They didn’t need my help so I figured I’d see if you need something.”
“Oh now, I know why you came here. Had t
o see this rascal, didn’t you? Hey, Robert, did you know these two are sweet on one another?”
“Is that true, Trey? She’s a mighty fine girl. I think she’d make a good cowgirl. She’s pretty but she looks like a strong girl—got to be strong to work at a ranch. Just like my Nancy.” Trey had never felt so embarrassed in his life, but he was encouraged that Carissa didn’t seem repulsed by the idea.
“Oh Lord, I’ve never been as pretty as Carissa, but thank you, sweetness.” She sat in his lap and kissed his cheek. “Hey where’s my beer?”
Trey handed her the glass and she hopped off Robert’s lap and sat in the chair next to him, holding his hand.
Chase walked in and the five of them talked for a little while. Out of respect for Uncle Robert, Trey didn’t bring up the surgery again. That was family business and he should keep it private.
They talked about the new owners at Cherokee and wondered if the rumors were true, that they were converting the cattle ranch into an emu spread. Eventually, they all gathered in the pool room off the den and shot pool for an hour. This was one thing that Carissa knew. She’d spent much of her teen years shooting pool instead of attending class. Now, thanks to her commitment to skipping school she was beating everyone, including Nancy who held some sort of trophy for playing pool. When she beat her, she jumped up and down and raised her hands in victory. “That was a great game, Nancy. Thank you!”
Chase hung back, watching the two ladies play. Trey and Robert sat at the corner table, watching them play but talking privately. Chase strolled up and said, “I get to play the winner.”
Trey saw her hesitate but he sat back and watched. She looked at her slender gold watch on her tanned arm. “Alright, but I only have time for a game of Eight-Ball. I’m not used to these early hours so I want to get to bed soon.”
“Sounds fair, you rack.”
Trey watched as Carissa racked the balls and broke them. The girl did know her way around the pool table. If he’d had a mind too, he could take her into town and watch her play for some money. She was that good, that’s for sure.
Captivated By A Cowboy (Canton County Cowboys 3) Page 7