Mirror Lake Ranch: Once in a Memory

by Kendra Plunkett-Witt

  Ed gathered me around nine. He had already ushered the boys off for the day. I changed out of what I worse to the barn, brushed my hair and swiped on some mascara. I thought I looked decent. Natural yet in New York I wouldn’t have stepped outside looking like this. Hell, James wouldn’t have even wanted to see me without my hair and makeup all done.

  “You look lovely,” Ed said as I met him on the porch. “Settling back into country life suits you.”

  I gave him a huge smith and a thank you. I was right, James was always a dick.

  Unlike his beloved nephew, Ed was a chatter. Telling me all about the places we passed on our drive in. Who lived where and tidbits on all the history.

  “Food or shopping first?” Ed asked as we passed the town welcome sign.

  “Shopping!” I exclaimed and Ed laughed a belly laugh.

  “Just like a woman.”

  There was only one decent clothing store in town – a small western wear and tack supply named Fi’s. Ed assured me it wasn’t overly high in price (not that I was concerned with money) and that it would have a wide enough selection to get me by. Especially since it was up in the air about how long I would be at Mirror Lake. Eventually I would have to at least pick a new home state and get in touch with a relator, but I was putting it off.

  Ed and I walked in and he introduced me to a woman with shoulder length, fading brown hair and dressed in jeans, boots and a Fi’s tee shirt. She was Fi, or rather, Fiona in the flesh.

  In no time at all I loaded my shopping basket and Ed down. Muck boots, three pairs of plain dark jeans, a quick pile of every cute t-shirt they had in my size, a few of the dressy plaid pearl snap long sleeve shirts, a western wear staple, and a couple in solid colors as well.

  I added three pairs of fancier designer Wrangler jeans, a couple nice pull overs and a Carhartt coat with matching bibs were added to the mix. I couldn’t decide on cowboy boots, opting for a plainer pair for around the ranch and a nicer pair of Toni Lammas in all their flash, just in case I ever ventured back into town.

  Fiona rushed about. It was my guess she didn’t get a lot of customers purchasing a whole wardrobe at a time. Especially since the boots were in the three digits a piece. At least shoe shopping was always expensive no matter the state.

  I was contemplating new rhinestone belts when the front door to the shop opened, the little bell overhead ringing out the announcement of a new customer. I looked up to see a very attractive blonde bustle in.

  I placed her at about twenty-three, her hair was silk and fell in long loose curls past her full enough chest. She sported jeans, boots and a tight fitting long sleeved blue button up.

  She greeted Fi and Ed before Ed introduced us. “Krystina, come here. You must meet Brittany Morris. Brittany, this is a dear old friend of the family’s Krystina…” Ed trailed off.

  “It’s DeLouch again,” I chuckled softly and offered her my hand. She shook it and politely and smiled kind of oddly at the awkward meeting. I was new, she was curious. “I’m recently divorced and hiding out at Mirror Lake until all the hub-bub calms down a bit.”

  “Gentry never mentioned he invited a woman to the ranch,” Brittany said looking a touch hurt.

  Ah, this must be the girlfriend.

  “Was more of Gloria’s idea. I haven’t seen Gentry in years. I’m in New York now days. Thought the ranch would be a good distraction until I decided what to do next. Gloria seemed to think the boys could kick my rear into gear.”

  “Krys is finely educated socialite come to refine us cowboys,” Ed told Brittany.

  “Nonsense Ed. You’re perfect and Gentry will never change.”

  “Well then,” Brittany looked a bit relieved. I wanted to put her at ease but at the same time had this bitchy urge to mark my territory. I territory I lost my stake in years ago.

  “Ed, be sure to bring Krys tonight. My family has its annual Halloween party at our ranch. Costumes are encouraged but I understand it’s last minute.”

  “I appreciate the invite,” I said as I handed Fiona the belt I had in my hand and she finished ringing me out. “I’ll see what I can find.”

  I glanced down at the credit card reader with a swipe and a sign before helping Ed gather my bags.

  “Hell boys! Watch where you’re going!” Ed yelled as we walked towards the truck and damn near ran right into Ethan and Gentry.

  “Did you buy the whole store?” Ethan asked taking my load from me.

  “Only part of it. I need appropriate ranch attire. Apparently, I am still lacking my wardrobe for tonight though.”

  “Party at the Morris’?” Ethan asked.

  “Yes. I just got the invite. Are you going and most importantly are you guys dressing up?” I grinned ignoring all pained looks from Gentry.

  “I am not,” Ethan offered as Gentry wasn’t about to. “I have my daughter tonight. My ex and her sister are going to the party so I offered to stay over. I don’t get a lot of overnights in the bunkhouse.”

  “And I told you, you are welcome to stay with her at the big house. Gentry can go with the boys,” Ed scolded.

  “I know.”

  “What about you Gentry? Are you dressing up?” I dared to bring him into the conversation.

  “I’m going as a cowboy.”

  “How boring. You are already a cowboy do something different,” I complained.

  “Deal with it,” Gentry tossed my boxes of boots in the back seat of the truck.

  I rolled my eyes. “How about you, Ed?”

  “I’m going as Pa Kettle.”

  Gentry and Ethan both broke out laughing. Which was nice. Gentry had a laugh I imagined Ed having at his age. “Shut the hell up boys. It was Carla’s idea. She’s going as Ma and you little shits are all the obnoxious ass kids running ‘round.”

  Gentry and Ethan left us. Heading into Fi’s themselves to order some feed supplements. Ed and I were walking arm in arm towards the diner when we passed a thrift shop.

  I saw a slinky gold dress in the window and drug Ed in with me. It was perfect and it didn’t take long to put together the rest of what I needed. As I waked to the checkout I saw them bring in part of an old firefighter suit. My eyes lit up.

  “Don’t waste your time or money. He won’t wear it,” Ed warned before I said a thing.

  “Better scoop it up if you want it for the party tonight. Still a few folks looking,” the cashier told me and I toted it out with us.

  Chapter Ten

  Gentry

  I know you are excited about seeing your kid tonight but I wish you were going to the party,” I told Ethan as we headed back to the ranch.

  “You got Brandon and Boots there,” Ethan offered as options.

  “Brandon’s just a kid,” I started.

  “You act like we are ancient.”

  “I feel it.”

  “Well, then Boots.”

  “Don’t force it. Someone who is interest in Krys isn’t going to be helpful in trying to keep me in the direction to end things with Brittany.”

  “Is she the reason you are breaking up?” Ethan pried.

  “I don’t want Krys back. She just made me realize I don’t want to lead Brittany on and wake up one day and be James.”

  “Na man. Me and the boys Googled that shit. She did make some gossip columns and I don’t think you can be an ass the way of Doctor James Delore.”

  “Delore’s a dick.”

  “So you have met?”

  “That prick grew up with us. His daddy was a doctor in Saint Louis Barnes and Jewish. They lived in the better part of town. A year ahead of me in school. They both should of known exactly what they were getting when they got together.”

  “You should really tell me, or someone, what happened. She’s been here all of two days and you are a total crank ass.”

  “I’ll pass. I’m not a chick, I don’t need to talk feelings.”

  “I talked to you when Kelli and I split.”

  “That was different. Krys is just a mem
ory.”

  ***

  By five-thirty I was heading in the house to get ready for the party. Ed was already same as dressed and had informed me that Krys was upstairs and had already had her turn in our single bathroom.

  I had to admit, it was a small reprieve having to stalls to much today as Kyrs had done it all and fed the barned horses. After all – mucking out was no one’s favorite chore and the one that took the most nagging to be done. I doubted she would do it tomorrow, but still.

  I jumped in the shower and took note of the extra bottles on the shelf. Three of them. Shampoo, conditioner and body wash. I assumed when I got out that her tooth brush would have joined mine and Ed’s. Lord only knows what else would be lying around.

  She had officially moved in today.

  “Living with Krys was the dream,” I muttered as I rinsed soap from my body.

  I turned the shower off and wrapped a towel around my waist same as I always did before brushing my teeth, forgoing the shave and heading for my room.

  I figured Krys had to be in her room still doing her hair or whatever. Not that I cared what she seen on me. It hadn’t changed much.

  Krys wasn’t in her room though. She was in mine. And not spread naked on my bed as I had imagined just a few minutes ago as I pre-partied in the shower by myself.

  She was in a silky gold dress that shimmered on her every curve, strappy black heels and a feather in her hair, period jewelry and a cigarette holder. She was a flapper from the roaring twenties tonight.

  “Hoping the look comes back in a couple years?” I asked her.

  “I wouldn’t mind it,” she did a quick spin and tried to hide her blush when her eyes hit my body. “Anyways, I found you a costume as well,” she stepped back to revel an authentic firefighter get up.

  “No.”

  “Please,” she begged. “I bet Brittany would be thrilled.”

  All the more reason not to and then she flashed me the puppy dog eyes.

  ***

  “Please, please, please, please puleezeee….!” They begged.

  “No,” I answered and turned the TV back up. They were Disney Princess’ this, their sophomore year, pretty sure they were that when they were five too. Gloria was Ariel and Krys was Belle.

  “You’re already dressed to go with Krystina,” Gloria told me.

  “What?”

  “I think she’s calling you a beast,” Krys clarified.

  “I’ll show you Beast,” I grumbled where no one could hear as I stared Krys down.

  “Come on, whacha say?” Gloria tried again.

  “That I’m not going.”

  “But we really, really, really want to go Gentry and the party is out of town. They’re you’re friends from the football team,” Gloria clasped her hands together.

  “You’re buying my gas,” I conceded knowing that they weren’t going to shut up and let me watch TV in peace.

  “Fine,” Gloria accepted the offer and handed me a twenty that I am almost positive she got from Dad.

  “One more thing,” Krys butted in. “It’s costume mandatory.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “But I already took care of it,” she said and pulled out a Wal-Mart bag. Leave it to Krys to plan ahead and think of everything. I dreaded whatever she would pull out of it.

  “It’s all they had left,” she handed me a plastic fire fighter helmet, red suspenders and a plastic ax. “If you go shirtless it could work. It’s not to cold.”

  “Be lucky I am cool enough to pull this off,” I said taking them from her. And lucky that you’re you. That your pretty and that I would do damn near anything to see you smile and am very pleased you want to see me shirtless.

  ***

  “It’s family friendly the first half of the night I’m told, so there’s a dark blue t-shirt to go under the suspenders this time. The pants and jacket, but the jacket I won’t make you wear inside. I took and cut out all the heave insulation earlier.”

  “What made you do all of this?” I asked

  “I saw it. Made me remember,” she handed me the helmet and stepped carefully into my personal space. “It’s a nice memory from when all we were was friends still. Nothing more.”

  “Wasn’t that long before…”

  “It was supposed to be a painless memory,” she whispered and walked off.

  Chapter Eleven

  Krystina

  A painless memory? Who was I kidding? No memory of Gentry was painless. It was just a reminder that he – that we – were so far apart.

  It felt like forever, not just two days, since I came face to face with him at the airport. I told myself I needed was civility and quick as I could I would look for my new home. And now I felt lost not having Gentry as, at the very least, the friend he used to be. Knowing he was here, and knowing that I had at minimum of six days worth of ranch wear, meant I didn’t know how to drag myself away again.

  And now the fire fighter costume? Was I out of my ever-loving mind? I doubted he would wear it. Twenty-nine-year-old Gentry was a lot less go with the flow than sixteen-year-old Gentry. I was also trying really hard not to acknowledge him in nothing but a towel. Really, really hard.

  I picked up my gold clutch and faux fur shawl and looked around for Ed. I found a note on the refrigerator door.

  Left to get Carla. Gentry give Krys a ride, see you there.

  Well, shit. Maybe one of the other boys could be a bumper between us. I’m not sure how far the Morris’ palace was but I didn’t want to be alone with Gentry. It especially didn’t look good showing up with the hostess boyfriend.

  I heard boots on the stairs and turned to see a fire fighter come down. I squealed unintentionally and excitedly.

  “Be lucky I’m cool enough to pull this off,” he told me with a grin and glanced at the note.

  “Looks like you’re riding with me.”

  ***

  I had offered to get a ride with one of the hands but Gentry ushered me to his truck anyhow. I twiddled my thumbs and chewed on my lower lip.

  “You’re going to eat off all that expensive lip shit,” Gentry stated, glancing over at me.

  “Sorry, nervous thing,” I said by way of explanation.

  “I remember.”

  “Oh,” I dug in my clutch for my lip stick and checked my teeth in the rear view mirror.

  “What are you nervous about?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t had the habit in years. As it turns out very little made me nervous out East. I want to make a good impression here.”

  “You didn’t want to make one in New York?”

  “I found out fast there wasn’t anyone worth impressing really.”

  “And you think we are?”

  I smiled back at him and changed the conversation. “How long have you been with Brittany Morris?”

  “I’m not with her.”

  “Okay, how long have you been doing Brittany Morris?”

  Gentry gave me his signature sigh of exasperation and turned right off the highway. “Four or five month, on and off.”

  “She thinks it’s more.”

  “I know.”

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  “I don’t know Krystina. Why the hell do you care?” he yelled frustrated. He had yelled at me a lot in the last forty-eight hours so I didn’t even flinch.

  “Three reasons. Number one, she seems like a nice girl who God only knows why, likes you. She doesn’t need any unnecessary pain, no one does. Two, whether you believe me I do care about you and would love to see you happy someday.”

  Gentry parked the truck along a gravel driveway in front of a big stone house and a bigger stable all overly decorated. Rosethorn.

  I jumped out of the truck best I could in heels.

  “That’s only two,” he called over to me before I could slam the door.

  “Three, it appears, for the most part, that you have little desire to talk to me but seem to enjoy yelling. And I, stupidly, prefer yelling
over silence.”

  Gentry jumped out of the truck and put his fire helmet on then offered me his arm. “Shall we Ms. DeLouch?”

  “We shall,” I said taking it and pulling my shawl tight around me.

  “There, was that pleasant enough?”

  I half shoved him. “Gentry Edwin Hollis, you sir are an ass.”

  “But a heroic ass.”

  “I hate you,” I laughed.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gentry

  I’m not totally sure what made me put on the damn fire fighter suit, especially now that we walked arm and arm towards the party. What had sounded like a good idea at the house made me feel ridiculous now.

  Sure, majority of the men here would be dressed up in something or another. But this was my eleventh Halloween party at Rosethorn and I had never dressed up prior.

  I looked over at the bombshell on my arm. She smiled nervously at no one, just prep work. She wanted to fit in here. No one had yet to give any indication of how long she intended to stay at the ranch.

  Despite our current situation, my opinion of her hadn’t changed. I prefer her the hell away from me. But apparently I am just as weak as I was in high school. I had no resistance to Krystina.

  The party had been raging since five. The Morris’ always had plenty of candy and games for the towns kids. After nine o’clock at night it was a ‘kids at your own risk’ type of party. No one tried to get stupid but it was a lot of cocky ass cowboys on beer and whiskey. A crap shoot on if everyone would play nice or not.

  “So you can just leave me at the door or punch table, wherever,” Krys said as we were feet from the edge of the crowd.

  “I’ll help you find Ed or… someone,” I had almost said Boots but irrational jealously roared its head.

  “You don’t want Ms. Morris getting the wrong idea. I’m not sure I made a good impression.”

  “She will live. She has nothing to be jealous of.”

  “Girls get jealous of other women touching their men.”