Texas Reckless

by Gerry Bartlett

  “That’s okay. I can take it. Keep going.” He hissed again. “Distract me. Tell me about this ranch. Is it yours?”

  “Yep. It was my family’s ranch. My dad left it to my brothers, mother and me. They insisted on signing it over to me after he died. So I run it now. It used to be our vacation home but now it’s my permanent one.” She finished cleaning the left hand and started on the right. Why had she told him all of that? None of his business. But he kept listening and it had just spilled out.

  “Big responsibility.”

  “For a woman?” She looked at him suspiciously. Was he like the majority of men she met around here? The type who thought she needed someone to lean on, to take over for her?

  “I wouldn’t dare say that. I have a mama who taught me better. The way you rode up toting that gun? I’d say you can handle anything life throws at you.” He grinned at her.

  “You’d better believe it.” She didn’t want to like him, but she did. He had strong hands. He must play a sport or do some sort of workout that kept him in shape. She caught him staring at her. Time for her to ask the questions.

  “What are you doing in Texas? Your accent says you’re not from around here.”

  “And I try so hard to fit in.” He jerked when she began to dab on antibiotic ointment. It was messy, especially since she used it liberally. She planned to wrap his hands in bandages.

  “So where’s home?” She kept dabbing until both palms were covered. Then she reached for some gauze.

  “Boston. My sister moved to Austin for work last fall and I came to visit. She had some trouble, but when that finally got settled I decided to stay and see more of Texas. I’m a writer, doing research for my next book.” He seemed fascinated by the way she held his hand as she wound the gauze around and around then taped the thing together. “Neat job.”

  “Thanks. What do you write?” Sierra started on the other palm. When she looked up, she caught him staring, interested, at the way she dealt with his wounds. That explained things. He was taking mental notes. He’d seen her limping. How long would it take for him to ask the inevitable question? She knew what had happened but not why. If she did, she’d feel a lot better about settling for her life the way it was now—how she walked with what her dad had called a hitch in her giddyap.

  “Mysteries. Thrillers. I like to solve puzzles. Sometimes I find a little local story gets my juices flowing.” He grinned when Sierra dropped his hand. “You know what I mean. My creative juices.”

  “Sure. You drove through Muellerville, judging by the direction your car was facing when you landed in my driveway.” Sierra began gathering her supplies and stuffing them into the battered first aid tin. “Did that place look like a hotbed of mystery?”

  “You never know.” He stood when she got up to put the tin away in the pantry. “Tell me, Sierra MacKenzie, do you have any secrets? Any mysteries you’d like solved? I feel like I owe you. You did save my life today.”

  Sierra felt him close behind her. He was masculine, good looking and so sure of himself that she wanted to scare him again, just for the hell of it. Secrets? She had plenty. And, yes, there was a mystery here, and she almost wept at the offer on the table. Help. From an outsider who might actually see things she’d missed. No one had ever taken her suspicions seriously. An accident. Of course they all said it had been an accident that left her stumping around like Peg Leg Pete. But she’d never been satisfied with that answer. Never.

  She turned and faced him, startled that he was so close. In her space. He’d quit smiling, clearly feeling like he was onto something. So he had instincts. Good to know.

  “I have kids waiting for me in the barn. The phone is right there on the counter. Will’s Big State Chevy Dealership is your best bet, or call Triple A if that’s your preference. You can always check Information for those numbers. I’ll be back in an hour or you can find me out there. The barn is big and brown; you can’t miss it.”

  He just kept staring at her, so damned close. “About that mystery.”

  She forced a smile. “Take care of your car. Right now, I can’t let those kids down. They have enough problems without my disappointing them.” She took off like her tail was on fire. He was looking at her with such intensity, she couldn’t handle it. But she made herself stop at the back door and turn around.

  “Oh, Rhett, there’s a sewing kit next to the first aid tin in the pantry. You might want to use it while I’m gone.” She looked him up and down, stopping at his zipper. “Not a good day to go commando, bud.” With that she turned on her heel and headed out, biting back a grin. The look on his face!

  Men. She wasn’t good with them. They always got the better of her. What had she been thinking even inviting him up to the house? She had a satellite phone and could have called Will on the spot for a tow for this handsome stranger. But, no, she’d pulled Rhett in and now she was thinking… Stupid. How could she possibly get answers after all these years? But she had to try. Because the questions just wouldn’t go away, damn it.

  Step one. Call someone who could help.

  Chapter Two

  Rhett stared after Sierra as the back door slammed. Really? She’d noticed that rip in his pants but had never said a word until her parting shot. He bet she did have a few secrets. The idea of prying them out of her made him smile.

  “You want to shuck those pants and let me sew them up? Or will you do it?” An amused voice behind him made him wheel around.

  The woman who stood in the kitchen doorway grinned like she couldn’t wait to see him bare assed. She was probably in her sixties, though her dark hair didn’t have a hint of gray. She picked up a wooden spoon as if she might use it on him if he made a run for it or at her. His mama had taught him early that one used right could hurt like hell. But the twinkle in her eyes made him stop. Oh, hell, he was flashing her.

  “Uh, excuse me?”

  “Did you really think Sierra would leave you alone in her house? A perfect stranger? I’m Rachel Devine, her housekeeper.” She laughed when he moved his hands protectively over his crotch. “Look at your hands! That girl does love her gauze. She called me from the barn and told me what happened to your car. Of course I heard what she just said, too.” Another husky laugh. “You’ll have a heck of a time stitching wrapped like that. Go on in the bathroom and hand out those pants. I’ll sew ’em up quick as a wink. You can pull on a towel if you feel like coming out and joining me for a cup of coffee.”

  “Thanks, Ms. Devine. Coffee sounds good after the morning I just had. I was wondering how I could even thread a needle with my hands mummified.” Rhett tried to wiggle his fingers. No luck. “I can sew a little. My mama believed men should be self-sufficient. Though I never did get the hang of making gravy.”

  “I think I’d like your mama. Call me Rachel; everyone does.” She pulled another tin box out of the pantry. “This won’t take but a minute. There’s a towel in the closet in there.”

  “Be right out.” In the bathroom, Rhett struggled to shuck his pants then pulled out the biggest towel he could find. The steaming cup of coffee was on the table when he came out with his pants under his arm. Rachel stitched while he found out that Sierra was teaching the kids out in the barn to ride because they had been referred by their teachers.

  “She’s an expert on what they call horse therapy. My own grandson is one of them kids. Breaks my heart that he needs something like that.” She bit off the thread and shook out his pants. “All done.”

  “That was quick. Thanks.” Rhett’s curiosity kept him pinned in his seat. “Horse therapy. How does that work?”

  “Beats me. Some of the kids need to calm down, like my Billy. That boy just can’t sit still in class. Drives his parents crazy, teachers too. Then there’s his temper. Flies off the handle at the drop of a hat. Working with horses seems to soothe him. Of course if you asked him, he’d say he only comes out here to see me. Wh
ich I’m fine with. His daddy and I don’t get along. Man can be an asshole. But my daughter loves him for some reason, has since right after high school.” She sighed and picked up her own coffee cup. “Other young’uns out there are too quiet. Some have a bad history. Sierra’s got a world of patience. She seems to know just how to handle them. I sure couldn’t do it.”

  “That’s a real talent.” Rhett sipped his coffee, wanting to hear more.

  Rachel leaned in. “It is. You should see her with them. Of course the horses are real gentle. Caring for them, riding them, seems to make the kids forget their cares.” Rachel pulled a tissue from her apron pocket. “Danged if I can figure out what Billy’s cares are or why he’s so angry all the time. He’s got everything a little boy could want. Except a daddy who knows how to hold his own temper. Could be Billy just takes after Will. Nothing we can do about that.”

  “I’m no expert on kids. Maybe the boy will find a different role model. Someone who can help him learn to control his temper. Like Sierra and this therapy she’s doing.” Rhett leaned back. “I was a handful when I was growing up. Had a sister and was out to prove I was all boy. Know what I mean?” Rhett saw her eyes fill. She was a sturdy-looking woman who seemed to have her act together. Obviously, though, her grandson was a big concern. It reminded him of how his own grandmother had fussed over him decades ago.

  He patted her hand. “Hey, my mama sent me to summer camp as a last resort when I was twelve. She was sure I’d end up arrested if I didn’t get away from the crowd I was running with.” He smiled. “I came back ready to take school seriously. The worst of my friends had found other pals and didn’t like my new attitude. I ended up going to college and am able to make a decent living doing something I love.”

  Rachel stared at him. “Summer camp. Will could afford it, one with horses, but he’d never consider it coming from me. I’ll put the idea to my girl, Billy’s mama, and see what she thinks about it.”

  “Worth a try. I fell in love with horses that summer. Maybe what Sierra is doing will be enough to show Billy his attitude needs adjusting. Like mine did.” Horse therapy. It sounded interesting. Might fit into a book…

  “That’s what I keep hoping. That he’ll outgrow whatever is bothering him.” She sniffed. “I don’t know why I’m spilling my guts to you, a stranger. You’re a good listener.”

  “So are you. I don’t tell just anyone about my wild youth.” Rhett was relieved when she got up to put that sewing kit away. A woman’s tears undid him every time.

  “Well, thanks for telling me about it. You give me hope. Where are you from? You talk more like a Yankee than a Texan.” She stared at him.

  “Boston. My sister moved to Austin and I came here to visit. Now I’m seeing the rest of Texas.” He got up. “I’d better see about the car.”

  “Texas is a big place. It’ll take you a while. And you’ll need a good car. A reliable one.” She picked up the house phone. “While you put on your pants, I’ll call the Chevy dealership for you. Will owns the place. He may not like me, but he’ll probably want to run this tow in himself. Sierra said you drive a Corvette, and Will does love Corvettes. There isn’t much call for them out here. They aren’t practical for ranch country.”

  “You’re probably right. Maybe I should think about that. The Corvette is a rental. Thanks, I’d appreciate the call. Tell him I’ll call the rental company myself and make sure it’s okay.” Rhett stood, careful to keep his towel in place. By the time he was dressed and in the kitchen again, Rachel was pulling things out of the refrigerator.

  “It’ll be a while. Saturday is a busy day at the dealership. I was right, Will wants to handle your car himself. You might as well stay for lunch. We roast hot dogs out by the pool for the kids before they leave. I don’t think Sierra will object if you join in.”

  “Sounds good. What if I go out to the barn and watch the therapy session?” Rhett was really curious.

  “Don’t get too close to the kids. Some of them are mighty skittish.” Rachel looked him over. “Mind your shoes. She keeps a clean barn, but you never know what you might step in close to the corrals.”

  “Right. When I left Austin this morning, I had no idea I’d end up on a working ranch or I would have worn boots and jeans.” Rhett took his empty cup to the sink. “Thanks for the coffee. See you at lunch.” Boots and jeans. He had the jeans but needed to buy boots while he was in Texas. It was on his list of things to do here. He headed for the barn. Big and brown. It was impossible to miss.

  * * * *

  Sierra had been afraid this would happen ever since they’d started work today. Billy had been in a mood, sullen and looking for a fight. Cindy had been happy and eager to get going. The other children were further along in their therapy, so after they’d worked with the horses for a while she could hand them off to the two men she had trained to help her. José and Brian had settled the kids on their mounts and walked their own horses alongside them toward the pond. It was at the end of one of their favorite trails, where they could watch the ducks. She had no trouble getting Cindy mounted and ready to ride.

  Then it was Billy’s turn. He knew his grandmother was working in the house. He clearly wanted to go inside and sit with her. First he’d fussed about his helmet, complaining that the chin strap was too tight. Now he refused to get on his horse.

  Sierra wasn’t going to put up with that. He liked to ride, but he was trying to take control of the situation. Was he still brooding over the fact that she’d picked Cindy to ride with her earlier instead of him? Sierra stayed calm, determined to be patient. She’d dealt with kids like Billy before.

  “Billy, you are wasting time when we could be on our way to see the ducks. I have corn in my saddlebags. Don’t you want to help feed them?”

  “I don’t give a shit about those nasty ducks.” He kicked dirt at Sierra.

  “Language!” She took a breath. He had just missed her bad leg. If he hit her, all bets were off. “One more outburst like that and you won’t get lunch with the rest of us. Your grandma will be so disappointed if you have to stay in the barn, mucking out stalls, while the rest of us enjoy the pool and hot dogs.”

  “Come on, Billy. I’m ready to go.” Cindy spoke up, unusual for her.

  Sierra watched Billy’s face turn red. He swung a fist and hit Cindy’s foot in her stirrup, which made her horse shy away from him. Sierra was holding the reins, so the horse couldn’t bolt, but the sudden movement and the hit terrified the fragile child. Her scream pierced the air.

  “What’s going on?” Rhett ran into the barn just as Billy pulled back his arm to take another swing.

  “Billy, no!” Sierra put herself between the boy and Cindy.

  “Stop right there.” Rhett grabbed the boy with both hands, pulling him off his feet. “Who were you going to hit? A little girl? Miss Sierra? Or the horse?” He walked a kicking and screaming Billy back toward the barn door.

  “Let me go. Put me down, you bastard.” Billy kept kicking, trying to connect with Rhett’s shins with his boot heels while digging at the man’s arms with both hands. His hard helmet was doing a number on Rhett’s chest as he banged his head into it. That had to hurt.

  “Watch that potty mouth. Your grandmother would be so ashamed. I just met that nice lady. Bet she has a bar of soap up there with your name on it, Billy.” Rhett just held on, seemingly impervious to the beating he was taking. Gripping the struggling youngster had to hurt his bandaged hands. “Now calm down and I’ll set you on your feet. I won’t let you go, though, until I’m sure you’re not going to hit anyone else.” He looked at Sierra, who had a sobbing Cindy in her arms. “How’s the little girl?”

  “Upset. But she’ll be fine once we get to the duck pond, won’t you, Cindy?” Sierra brushed the girl’s fine blond hair back from her face.

  Cindy finally quit crying. “Maybe. Can we go now? Leave Billy here. He’s mean! I hate h
im!”

  “No, Billy needs to come with us. Don’t you, Billy?” Sierra gave the boy a hard look. “If you don’t, I will have to discontinue these visits, permanently. Is that what you want?” She saw him struggle against Rhett’s hold, his furious look finally disappearing in favor of a thoughtful one. She knew he looked forward to these Saturdays. His father worked every weekend and his mother? Well, Sally Ann spent more time shopping than mothering Billy. He did like to ride, she knew it. And to come here to see Rachel.

  “All right, I’ll get on the stupid horse. Let me go.” He quit trying to pry himself loose and raised his hands. “Please.”

  “Now that’s more like it. What if I ride with you? Is that allowed?” Rhett smiled at Sierra. “I may look like a city slicker, but I took riding lessons as a kid. I enjoyed it. Can I saddle a mount?” He looked around the barn. “I see some extra horses still in their stalls.”

  “What about your hands? Think you can handle the reins like that?” Sierra nodded at where she’d gone nuts with the gauze. Nerves. He’d been staring at her, checking her out while she’d worked on him.

  “I think so.” To her shock, he ripped off the tape and unwrapped his hands. He showed her his palms. “Look. No bleeding. I won’t claim they don’t hurt, but I’ll live.” He rolled up the gauze and stuck it in his pocket. “Might as well give it a shot.”

  “Tough guy, huh?”

  “You’d better believe it.” He winked. “Now, what do you think? Going to trust me on one of your horses to ride alongside this kid?”

  “All right. But don’t expect sympathy if you start bleeding again. Or more hand-holding.” Sierra gestured to one of her men who’d been standing by, watching the show. She’d talk to him about that later. He should have stepped in when Billy got physical instead of letting Rhett, a stranger, handle it.

  “Darrel, please saddle up Blanco for the gentleman. Cindy, let’s go into the bathroom and wash your face.” She led the girl to the washroom and helped her scrub the tears from her cheeks.