Midnight Wrangler

by Cat Johnson

  Chapter Six

  Summer, 2015 (Present Day)

  Bonnie drove up to her former home for the second time in less than a couple of hours, but this time, the paralyzing dread wasn’t riding her.

  Maybe that was because of the incredible smell of the barbecue takeout that filled the car’s interior. It was like an invisible yet physical hug surrounding her.

  It was called comfort food for a reason, she supposed. Even just the scent soothed her nerves. Of course, she could also be feeling different after coming face-to-face with Rohn. It hadn’t been as horrible as she feared. He’d been pleasant. Friendly. Maybe he didn’t hate her for leaving the way she had.

  The overwhelming guilt from the past was still there, but surprisingly she’d also felt pleasure at seeing the familiar face of her old boyfriend who seemed to only get better with age.

  The goofy smile of his youth had turned sexy and alluring. His hard football-player’s body had filled out a bit, making him look even more solid and strong. And those eyes—his steely gaze still had the power to captivate her.

  She sighed. Her moment of diversion was over. She opened the car door and grabbed the bag of food and her purse. Time to get back to reality.

  Inside the house seemed stifling. Mentally. Physically. The clutter made the walls feel too close even as the hot air pressed against her. She probably shouldn’t have turned off the A/C to open all the windows on a day this sweltering, but she couldn’t bear feeling so contained. So trapped.

  Maybe once some of this stuff was out of the house it would seem better. Once the heavy curtains were taken down and the rooms bare, she’d feel better.

  There was a lot of work ahead of her, but first, food.

  Rather than let the smothering atmosphere of the house ruin her meal, she carried the bag of takeout outside. There was still an old picnic table in the yard. She walked to it now and noticed the grass had been recently cut.

  Given the state of her father’s health, she had a feeling she had one more thing to thank Andrew for next time she saw him.

  That brought up another concern—future maintenance of the property until she sold, or rented, or did whatever she decided to do with the place.

  This gift from her father, this bequest, was not a welcome one.

  It was almost as if he knew it would be a burden on her. Then again, maybe she was being paranoid. Lack of food could do that to a person.

  Her blood sugar was probably too low at this point, after the long drive and nothing but an energy drink in her system for the last few hours on the road.

  It didn’t help her hunger that the food smelled good enough to make her mouth water, but she had chosen to drive all the way home before taking even one bite.

  That could be corrected pretty fast. She broke into the bag and saw they’d put both paper napkins and a plastic fork and knife in the bag. Good, because she’d been in such a hurry to get out the back door, she hadn’t thought to stop and grab those items from the kitchen.

  Opening the lid of the container, she got the first look at what she’d been smelling for long enough to have her stomach grumbling in protest.

  She’d ordered what Rohn had recommended—the combo plate. Scooping up a forkful of mac and cheese, she took her first taste.

  The flavor filling her mouth was like sunshine. Bonnie couldn’t help but smile. She had doubted it could be as good as Rohn had promised, but it was. She’d remember not to doubt him again.

  There was no need for the knife, since the smoked brisket was so tender it broke apart with the fork. She took a taste and one more time she was struck with an explosion of sensation. It was as if her senses had been dormant and just now had awoken.

  How could a takeout combo plate of barbecue accomplish all that? Though maybe it was more than the food. Maybe she had put herself into a state of hibernation—a method of self-preservation when she’d fled this place all those years ago. It took coming home to bring her back to life.

  She must have been hungrier than she’d thought because though the portion was generous and she had been sure she’d have to put the leftovers in the fridge, she finished every last bite. All that remained was a partial container of barbecue sauce.

  The problem was now that Bonnie was done with her food she had no more excuse to sit idle, aside from not wanting to go back inside the house.

  Rallying the motivation to force herself into motion, she hoisted her stiff body off the old wooden bench. She put the garbage into the takeout bag and carried it to the trash can.

  Walking through the kitchen door, she realized it wasn’t as overwhelming being in the house as it had been before. Each time she walked in, it affected her a little less.

  By the time she finished and was ready to sell, she should be immune to the place and its memories.

  Bonnie moved down the hallway past what had been her parents’ room years ago. How many nights had she heard the battle raging inside that room during their years of marriage? All while she hid her head beneath the covers with nothing but her teddy bear for comfort, even when she was well into her teens.

  Her own room was just beyond. She couldn’t bring herself to start with it, either. Too many memories. She turned back around and headed back to the kitchen.

  The kitchen was the heart of the home, and she’d need it to be clean and serviceable while she stayed there. Most importantly, nothing bad had happened in the kitchen, probably because her mother served her father’s meals in the dining room. The kitchen was her and her mom’s domain and she was going to bring it back to the way it used to be.

  Summer, 1990

  “Mom.” Bonnie came through the back door, but her mother wasn’t in the kitchen.

  She made her way through the house and back toward the bedrooms. She heard raised voices. Her parents’ bedroom door was open, but she hesitated to go inside. It sounded as if her mother and father were fighting, but she couldn’t tell about what. The more she considered, the more she realized she didn’t want to know. She just wanted the argument to stop.

  “Mom.” She said it again to let them know she was there, hoping it would put an end to whatever their heated discussion had been about.

  Her mother came out into the hallway. “Yes, baby.”

  “I was wondering if I could go to the movies tonight. There’s a new show playing in town. I could take my bike. You wouldn’t have to drive me. It starts at seven so I wouldn’t be out too late.”

  “Sure you can go. With who?”

  “Um.” Bonnie knew it was a risk telling her mother about going with Rohn. What if her father objected? What if he fired Rohn for asking her out? He wouldn’t want to see her ever again after that.

  Her mind scrambled, but there was really only one thing to do. Lie. Only one person would be believable in this scenario. “I’m meeting Melody there.”

  “Oh, that’s nice. She’s a nice girl.”

  “Yeah, she is.” Poor Melody was nice, and now also Bonnie’s cover for her secret date with Rohn.

  Her father came out into the hallway. “What’s going on?”

  “Bonnie’s going to the movies in town tonight.” Her mother answered for her and Bonnie was happy to let her. When her father wore this expression, there was no way to make him happy.

  “Who with?”

  “Melody.” Bonnie took over answering the questions. She felt guilty enough about the lie. She didn’t want her mother to have to repeat it.

  Her father seemed to dismiss her evening plans after that, as he moved to the kitchen to glance out the back window. “That kid about done with that field yet?”

  “Um, almost. He’s got like two more passes.” Bonnie realized she probably shouldn’t know in such great detail what Rohn was doing. Even if the truth was she watched him every second she could. “At least that’s what it looked like the last time I walked past the window.”

  Jeez, she had to be more careful. The most amazing thing of her life had just happened. Rohn had actual
ly asked her out. She’d dreamed of this day and it had really happened. She wasn’t going to jeopardize it by having her father decide she shouldn’t be dating the hired help.

  Though she had a feeling her father wouldn’t like her dating anyone, no matter who it was. Yes, she’d turned eighteen last month, but he was the kind to remind her often enough that while she lived under his roof, she also lived under his rules. If he said she couldn’t see Rohn, then that would be it. She wouldn’t be able to go.

  Lying was the only option. She’d have to hide their relationship.

  Relationship.

  Even thinking that word seemed premature. She could only hope and dream that meeting him at the theater tonight would turn into a relationship.

  It could be nothing more than Rohn not wanting to be alone in the movies. Or maybe it was a group thing. He could be meeting his friends there and thought she might like to come along. She tried to remember the exact words he’d used to invite her and couldn’t. She’d been too shocked and excited to think at the time.

  She couldn’t think more about that right now. Her father was frowning, his focus on the view outside the window of the field Rohn was plowing. “I probably could have finished it myself in half the time.”

  “You have years more experience than he does, honey.” Her mother stepped in to smooth things over. “He tries his best. He’s a real hard worker and he’s eager to learn. By the end of the summer he’ll be better at it, I’m sure.”

  “Yeah. I guess he’s working out all right. And for what little I’m paying him, I reckon I can’t complain. The other guy who came about the job wanted double what I’m paying this kid. I was surprised he settled for what I offered him.”

  That was interesting news to Bonnie. She dared to comment on it. “I guess he really wanted the job.”

  “Or he needed it bad enough. Who knows?” Her father sighed. “I’m gonna go work on that machine that needs fixing. Call me when dinner’s ready.”

  “I will.” Her mother stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to her father’s cheek. He didn’t even acknowledge the endearment before he turned to walk out the back door.

  Bonnie watched it all, happy the fight between them seemed to be over, but vowing she’d never marry a man who didn’t love her as strongly, as passionately, as she loved him.

  Her mind went back to what had been revealed in the kitchen just now. Rohn had taken the job for shitty pay. Why?

  Her heart sped at a crazy notion. Maybe because he’d wanted to be near her? Could it be?

  There had to be plenty of jobs available for a young, strong guy willing to work hard. In fact, a couple of Rohn’s friends were working for a landscaping company, getting paid to cut lawns. Rohn had said so himself. They worked early in the morning and then quit for the rest of the day, going fishing, or hanging out around town. All while he continued to labor until dinnertime on her father’s dusty land.

  Farming was a tough job. Harvesting the wheat. Plowing and planting the fields for next season. Not to mention Rohn had to put up with her father’s demands.

  But if he was here, doing this all to be near her . . . Bonnie nearly passed out at the thought. Deep down, she loved the idea, even if it might be just in her crazy imagination.

  And—oh my God—tonight they had a date. She needed to find something to wear. She headed for her bedroom.

  Six thirty couldn’t come fast enough.

  Chapter Seven

  Summer, 2015 (Present Day)

  The drive from town to the ranch was fairly short, but it was long enough for Rohn to replay his conversation with Bonnie at the barbecue place over in his head more than once.

  With the distraction occupying him so completely, he drove the familiar route on autopilot. He didn’t realize he’d made it all the way home until he was almost passing the mailbox at the end of his drive. He slowed in time to make the turn into his place.

  The tires crunched the gravel beneath them as he crept past the house, past the barn and onto the dirt path leading out to the field where he could see the guys working.

  After coming to a stop, he threw the transmission into reverse and backed the truck up to where the fresh holes were dug for the new fence line they were putting in. He’d gotten the lumber they needed, but the kids could unload it.

  Since he’d made the decision to purchase Janie’s hay harvest to help her out, he could take one of the fields he’d formerly reserved for that crop and turn it into grazing land. With more space available, he’d decided to expand his stock.

  His guys might be a pain in his ass some days, but he happened to have three hands working for him who knew their way around horses. Justin especially could saddle break a horse like nobody’s business. And Tyler was crazy enough he’d jump on the back of anything, including the wildest bronc.

  They’d discovered Rohn owned some good bucking stock, thanks to Tyler’s inability to say no to a challenge and willingness to ride anything, be it horse or bull.

  Tyler was working the closest to where Rohn had parked. He came ambling toward the truck, wiping the sweat out of his eyes with the hem of his T-shirt as he walked.

  It was a hot one today. The guys should be good and ready for a break and something cold to drink. The barbecue lunch he’d bought would be a welcome surprise. Rohn reached over and grabbed the takeout from the passenger seat.

  “Whatcha got there?” Tyler’s eyes widened when he saw the telltale paper bag Rohn held as he stepped away from the truck.

  “Just picked up a little lunch for myself from that barbecue place you like so much.” The bag was so full and heavy, Rohn had to use two hands to support the bottom of it. When Tyler’s brows drew low, forming a line above his eyes, Rohn could see the confusion and disappointment written in his expression. Smiling, he added, “I bought enough for you guys, too.”

  Like a kid on Christmas morning when he found out there was one more present under the tree, Tyler grinned wide. “I’ll get Justin and Colt.”

  “You do that.” These kids were too easy to tease. Rohn chuckled to himself as Tyler spun on his boot heel.

  Tyler whistled to the others and yelled, “Hey! Take a break. Rohn got us barbecue.”

  At that information, the two cowboys dropped their tools to the ground, leaving them where they landed. They jogged toward Rohn as he shook his head. Just like a pack of puppies, these kids were. Whistle, shake the bag of food, and they’d come running.

  If he’d had kids back when he and Lila had first gotten married, they wouldn’t be all that much younger than these guys were now . . . if she’d been able to have kids.

  She’d miscarried three times, the last one well into her second trimester. That’s when Rohn put a stop to the emotional roller coaster they’d ridden for years and insisted they stop trying. He couldn’t stand seeing the overwhelming sadness every lost baby brought to their lives. Hated seeing the guarded hope colored by anxiety in Lila each time that pregnancy test came back positive and she lived with the fear she’d lose it.

  In spite of the doctor’s assurances, she always blamed herself, questioning if the laundry basket she’d lifted or the cold she’d come down with had done something to cause the miscarriage. Beating herself up that she should have taken better care of herself. Gotten more rest. Taken more vitamins. Stayed off her feet and in bed for nine months.

  The reality was, it simply wasn’t meant to be. Rohn accepted that, though it didn’t keep him from wondering what if?

  What if he’d had sons? Would they be like Tyler—hardworking and kindhearted but easily tempted to be wild and out of control? Or like Colton, more of a follower than a leader? Then there was Justin—all jokes and smiles on the outside, when on the inside Rohn could see the darkness he tried to hide ever since his brother had been killed in action.

  Then again he could have had a daughter. Good Lord, that was a frightening thought. Given what he knew about guys in this day and age, he wasn’t sure he’d have been able to handle
the stress of having a daughter to shield from the world and all its horrors.

  Thinking it over as they all walked into the house together, Rohn realized maybe he wasn’t missing out by not having kids of his own. He had his hands full already just with his three young hired hands.

  In the kitchen Rohn put the bag on the table. “Dig in. I’ll get the water.”

  By the time Rohn had reached into the freezer for ice to put in the water pitcher, the mad grab had begun. In the battle for food, Tyler was the quickest. He got to the bag first, grabbing the top takeout container for himself along with a plastic fork and napkin the girl had thrown into the bag.

  Rohn shook his head at the lack of manners in a boy he knew had been raised better by his mamma. “Tyler, you know you could have taken all the containers out instead of just claiming your own. There’s plenty for everyone.”

  Tyler sat in one of the kitchen chairs. “They can get it out themselves.”

  It was apparently every man for himself. The brisket didn’t stand a chance against three hungry hired hands.

  Justin grabbed his portion and sat. “No worries, Rohn. Ty’s looking a little scrawny lately. He needs the food.”

  Colton snorted out a laugh and sat on the opposite side of the table. “He’s got you there, Ty.”

  The joking around was all in good fun. Boys would be boys. They could all see Tyler was as solid as a brick wall, kind of how Rohn had been back in the day.

  “Well, we all can’t be Mr. Universe like Justin here. Pumping iron in the garage at night to get the blood moving because he’s got no girl to do that for him. And I’ll have you know, I don’t hear Janie complaining about my size . . . anywhere.”

  Still standing at the sink, Rohn let his lids drift closed and tried to block out the picture Tyler had put in his head. That was something Rohn didn’t need to imagine—Tyler naked or him getting busy with Rohn’s longtime friend and neighbor, Janie.

  He flipped off the faucet and turned to carry the pitcher of ice water he’d filled to the table. The boys were well into their lunch. He figured he’d better grab the glasses out of the cabinet quick before they tried to steal his food.