Texas Fire

by Gerry Bartlett

  “We’re here.” He nodded and she saw they were sitting in front of a car lot.

  “You could have said so.” She jumped out of the car and snagged Lucky’s leash when he tried to take off. “Oh no, you don’t.” She led him to a bush and watched him take care of business. “How far to the first well?” Maybe she could take the truck later and come back to town. Do a little shopping of her own. She could claim she needed “feminine products.” That should kill Rowdy’s interest in coming along. She did have a little left on her gift card. Was it enough? She’d never bought a gun before.

  “Not far. We’re going to a ranch about twenty miles from here. At the Rocking S spread. We have orders to shut down three wells, then we’ll move on to another section of the ranch to turn the spigot on another five.” Rowdy waved at a man who’d walked out of a tin building on the car lot. “My company called about some rentals. CWC Industries?”

  “Sure. Got ’em out back. Did I hear you say you’re shutting down more wells?” The man spit on the ground. “On the Rocking S this time?”

  “Afraid so. Rowdy Baker.” Rowdy held out his hand, but the man ignored it. “It’s a job. Not my decision.”

  “Hell of a job.” The man shook his head. “Follow me. Rig’s out back.” He looked at Meg. “This for the two of you? And the dog?”

  “Yes.” Meg stepped up. “Is that a problem?”

  The man laughed. “Not for me. Just thinkin’ it’ll be tight. Of course, maybe you two won’t mind that.” He walked on, winding his way through dusty cars and trucks in the gravel lot to a tree-shaded yard behind his office. “This is all I had when I got the call. Heard you had a close encounter with a twister.”

  “Yes. We’re lucky to be alive.” Megan stopped in her tracks. “This is what you expect us to take?” The silver trailer was a throwback to the sixties. If it had been refurbished, it could have been cute in a retro way. Instead, it was dented, rusty, and way too small. “Tight squeeze is right. And, yes, we’ll mind. We’re coworkers, not a couple.”

  “She’s right. Surely you can find something else.” Rowdy struggled to open the door on the side of the trailer. It finally gave way with a screech. He peered inside. “I see only one workable bunk. What shape is the air conditioner in?”

  “Like I said, this is all I’ve got. AC works, from time to time. If you’re careful. Don’t turn on the microwave when you’re running it. The electrical is a little dicey. Got propane, of course, but the refrigerator ain’t worth a damn. I’d take an ice chest for your cold things. Put it in the back of the truck.” The man who hadn’t bothered to introduce himself held out keys. “Now, the truck runs good. AC is plenty cool and, as you can see, it’s a four-door. Room for the dog.”

  “I hope to hell you aren’t charging the company too much for this.” Rowdy stepped inside the trailer to look around. They heard a thump and a curse. He came out rubbing his head. “There’s no headroom and, Megan, I guess you’ll have to sleep on the floor.”

  “I don’t think so.” She climbed inside. The wood paneling was peeling. There was a fairly new microwave on the counter, but it wasn’t anchored. A sharp turn would probably send it flying. The matted shag carpeting was dirt-colored and smelled like dirty socks.

  She opened the door to what proved to be a tiny bathroom with a showerhead in the curved ceiling. The black stuck between the tiles might very well be toxic mold, and she knew for sure she wasn’t going in there without shower shoes. Rowdy wouldn’t be able to stand up straight in it. No sink in there. When she turned the spigot in the mini kitchen, rusty water sputtered out of a pipe that wobbled and almost came off in her hand.

  “It’s a disaster.” Back outside she took a deep breath of fresh air. “I think we’d do better sleeping in the truck.”

  “Sorry. Head on to San Antonio and they’d have a new outfit for ya. Of course, that would set back your timeline for shutting things down here.” The man smirked. “I coulda done the ordering myself, but it’s hard to feel the love for anything to do with CWC, which I know is just another name for Calhoun Petroleum.”

  “Now, listen here.” Megan put her hands on her hips. “Seems to me Calhoun has done a lot for this town. Courthouse looks cleaned up recently.”

  “Yep. Sandblasted last year. Jail, too. Good thing, since Saturday nights, the cells are full of them oil people so drunk they can’t drive. Or shouldn’t.” The man spit again and kicked a boot toward Lucky when he sniffed at him. “Don’t get me started on how the roughnecks treat our sweet little gals.” He scowled and looked toward the town square. “You expect us to be grateful to Calhoun? Not on your life. Oil ruined what was a nice little town before they came in here bringing strangers and big money. Now we got roads full of potholes, young’uns with ridiculous expectations, and a fancy courthouse that’ll soon be nothing but a reminder of how some people like to act the fool when they’ve finally got a few extra dollars to spend.”

  Megan didn’t know what to say to all that. Rowdy just strode back to their rental car to unload their bags. Obviously they were going to have to take this RV and truck and make the best of it. She shook her head, already thinking ahead. The Rocking S. She’d heard of it, unfortunately. She just hoped the owner wasn’t around. Because that could get awkward with a capital A. Well, she’d worry about that if and when she had to deal with him. She grabbed her duffel and helped Rowdy stick their stuff in the tin can they’d now have to call home. She hoped it was temporary. The car dealer announced that the rental car was to be turned in at his lot, so they were soon ready to roll.

  “We need to stock up on food again. But not much. Eating meals at night in town makes sense with the rig we’re stuck with now. Breakfast and lunch out at the site. I’ll buy us a big cooler and ice. Damn, but this is going to screw up our schedule. I usually work long hours, twelve-hour shifts. Can’t do that if we have to keep running into town for ice and such.” Rowdy started the truck, frowning at the sound the engine made. “Runs good? Doesn’t seem like it.”

  “Twelve-hour shifts?” Megan wondered if they got overtime for that. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “It’s how the roughnecks work, so I’ve always done the same.” He looked her over. “Maybe I’ll change my schedule this trip. If it sounds like you can’t handle it.”

  “Who’d want to? Seems like an eight-hour day is more reasonable. Blame me for shortening your precious schedule. I don’t care.” Megan couldn’t imagine spending half of every day doing a job she was sure to hate. She turned around to watch the trailer as they left the lot. It didn’t even roll along like it should. Bad springs? She was sure Rowdy was noticing as he frowned at the rearview mirror. “Seriously, the trailer he gave us is a joke. Maybe we can trade it in when we get to a bigger town. How far is San Antonio, anyway?” Megan had been there many times and knew the big city would have everything they’d need.

  “Too far to get sidetracked. We’ll have to make do with what we’ve got until all our work at this ranch is done.” Rowdy pulled into the parking lot of the local grocery store. “Grab what you want for breakfast and sandwich stuff for lunch.”

  “How long are we going to be here?” Megan trailed him into the store. Her stomach had settled down, and she was actually hungry now.

  “A couple of weeks if things go smoothly. We’ll see.” He turned to study her face. “You feel like eating lunch in town before we go out there? Think you can hold it down?”

  Megan tossed a couple of bags of chips into the basket. “Hope so.” She was eyeing the sodas when her phone rang. “Oh, we have cell phone service.” She dug it out of her purse and glanced at the caller ID. Her sister Cassidy. “Hello.”

  “Are you okay? I heard you were in a tornado!” Cass sounded a million miles away, and the call was full of static.

  “I’m fine except that a cactus bounced off my butt. I’m sitting very carefully.” She waited while Cass exclaimed. “No, really. Don’t worry about me. But the replacement RV they set up for us here i
n Nowhere, Texas, is horrible.” Megan smiled at Rowdy. “Way too small for the two of us, and ancient.”

  “I’m sorry. I was told that was all they had. The good news is that I arranged for you to have a satellite phone. Today. So you can get service anywhere. I can’t believe you were stuck in a storm with no way to call for help. That can’t happen again.”

  “Hey, thanks, sis. Does Rowdy get one, too?” Megan winked at him since he was obviously trying to eavesdrop.

  “Yes. It’s a safety thing. He should have always had one. Now that I’m in charge, some things will be changing. So hang in there with the RV. Trade it in when you get to San Antonio. You sure you’re all right? Maybe you should see a doctor.”

  “I’m fine. I just have a sore butt.” Megan walked a few feet away and turned the corner to face the milk aisle. “How are Mason and the wedding plans?”

  “We’re great.” Her sister laughed. “Fantastic, actually. We’re thinking about a Christmas wedding, but every night feels like a honeymoon if you want to know the truth.” Big sigh.

  “You’re making me jealous.” Megan looked to make sure Rowdy couldn’t hear her. “I’m glad you’re so happy with Mason. Don’t let our business problems ruin things for you.”

  “I’m trying not to, but we’re so busy. I’m neck-deep in the financial mess here at Calhoun, and Mason’s got his own company to worry about. We’re trying to get everything worked out with the people our father defrauded without too big of a scandal hitting the news. Shannon and her lawyer friend, Billy Pagan, are doing damage control with the public relations department and working on the legal angle.”

  “Really? You’re calling Billy her ‘lawyer friend’?” Megan laughed. “Those two have quite a history and it didn’t end up with them as friends. I can’t imagine that they’re getting along now.”

  “So far they are. Only a few explosions that I know of.” Cass could be heard talking to someone in the background. “Shannon says hi. She’s here working with me in the office.”

  Megan felt a wave of homesickness. “Hi to both of you. I wish I was there, helping . . .”

  “Right. So, how are you and Rowdy doing?” Cass was back in business mode. No sign of any feelings for Rowdy in her voice.

  “We’re okay. He’s my boss and acting like it. He’s not exactly a fan of the Calhouns. No one is.”

  “That’s not good. Have you told Rowdy about his—”

  Megan heard the cart coming up behind her. “No! What would be the point if we don’t have exact figures for what’s owed? You don’t have them yet, do you?”

  “No. But we’re talking about offering each person our father defrauded a settlement. It’s cheaper than dealing with possible lawsuits. But we’ll still be out millions, Meg.” Cass’s regret was obvious, even over the phone. “Rowdy deserves to know. I know we agreed to wait, but if you want to go ahead . . .”

  “Sure. Eventually. When we have solid numbers. Not now, though. Got to go. I’m on the job, you know. Take care.” Megan could feel Rowdy’s eyes on her.

  “The mobile phone office where you’ll pick up your new phones is on the square facing the courthouse there. It’s supposedly the only one in town. And you take care. I’m sorry you’re stuck out there.” Cass ended the call.

  “So, that was Cassidy.” Rowdy stopped next to Megan as she slipped her phone back into her purse. “She okay?” He asked it nonchalantly, like he didn’t care about her answer.

  “She’s fine. Great. She’s arranged for us to get satellite phones, one for each of us. How about that?” Megan watched his face. Did he want to know whether Cass was still with Mason? Did he hope they’d broken it off?

  “Look, quit waiting for me to burst into tears or something. I’m not pining for your sister. I’m glad if she’s happy. I’m getting on with my own life.” He frowned down at her, his mouth firm. “She is still happy, isn’t she?”

  “Blissful. A Christmas wedding is in the works.” Megan laid her hand on his arm, but he shrugged it off. “Glad you’re handling it so well. Nothing worse than a whiny male, I always say. So, breakfast food. That cereal looks way too healthy for me. I’m going back for some Captain Crunch.” She was glad to see she’d almost made him smile.

  “Hey, thanks for the satellite phones. I’ve been asking for one for years.” He put a gallon of milk in the cart next to two boxes of cereal.

  “Well, there’s the power of being part of the family.” She winked and rounded the corner, after her favorite cereal. “When we leave here, we look for the cell phone office across from the courthouse.”

  “All right, then. Finish your shopping and let’s move.” He pushed the cart toward the front, grabbing a couple of loaves of bread, the healthy kind. Megan met him there, loaded down with cereal, white bread, and peach yogurt.

  “Not too much perishable stuff. We have to put it all in a cooler.” Rowdy grabbed a big one from by the door and told the cashier to charge them for a half-dozen bags of ice, too. Soon they were on their way again.

  Rowdy drove straight to the square and griped when he found it was impossible to park a truck pulling an RV in front of the cell phone store. He let Megan out and took off to hunt for a long stretch of curb away from the center of town. Megan pushed her way inside the small store that represented every cell phone carrier she’d ever heard of and some she hadn’t. A bored teenager in a cowboy hat lounged behind the counter, his boots on the wooden table next to him. When the bell tinkled above the door, he lifted the hat brim and studied her.

  “What can I do you for?” He had a slow drawl that matched the lazy way he looked her over from the top of her messy hair to her toes. His name tag declared him to be “Jason.”

  “I’m here to pick up a couple of satellite phones. For CWC Industries.” Megan figured they could be charged on Rowdy’s company credit card if they weren’t already paid for.

  “Can I see some ID?” He stood and pulled a pile of invoices from under the counter. “I got two names here. You need to match at least one of them.” He frowned. “You don’t look like a Rowdy Baker, but then you never know.” He leaned an elbow on the glass countertop. “ID?”

  “We can wait for my boss.” Why, oh why, hadn’t she thought of identification? It was one thing to put a fake name on her paperwork at Headquarters, but she sure didn’t have a driver’s license to match. Maybe her sister had remembered to stick with her phony name on this order. But she was so busy, it would be a miracle if she’d handled it herself and not passed the chore on to an assistant. “What’s the other name, Jason?” She leaned in, trying to soften up the guy. “I’m Megan. Bet one of the names on those invoices is mine.”

  “Yeah, it is. Megan Calhoun. If you’re claiming that’s your name, then I’m not giving you a damn thing without a look at your driver’s license.” He wasn’t smiling. “Never met a Calhoun before. If you’re her, then I’m damn disappointed. Figured you’d be dressed in diamonds or at least in something better than what looks like the shit my sister wears to wash out the horse trailer.”

  “What’s going on here?” Rowdy had pushed through the glass door and now stood behind Megan. “You got a problem, fella?”

  “I need to see some identification before I hand over these expensive phones.” Jason held out the invoices. “Company paid for them in advance. Surely you don’t expect me to just pass them over to the first person through the door. I expect you’ll say you’re Rowdy Baker. But you’ll have to hand over your driver’s license to prove it.”

  “Got it right here.” Rowdy pulled out his wallet, then dropped his Texas license on the counter. “Now, pass them both over. I’ll vouch for us. Megan works for me.”

  Jason made a big deal out of examining Rowdy’s license, then laid it back down. He shook his head. “She works for you? That’s a good one. A Calhoun. What’s she doing out here? Checking to see that you get all the wells shut down right and tight? Wouldn’t want an extra drop of precious oil escaping, now, would you? Might ha
ve to pay the folks here another dollar or two.” He slapped two fancy-looking phones on top of the papers. “Sign for these and get out of here. If my dad didn’t need the business, we wouldn’t be selling to a fucking Calhoun, and that’s a fact.”

  “Hey, you did sell to the company, so watch your language in front of the lady.” Rowdy suddenly had a grip on Jason’s shirtfront, his face inches from the clerk’s. Jason’s cowboy hat hit the floor. “There’s no need to be rude.”

  Megan waited while Jason stammered out an apology.

  “Rowdy’s right. You were happy enough to take our money, so watch it.” She picked up one of the phones. “Are these fully charged?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Jason suddenly found his manners. “Good for twenty-four hours before they have to be charged again.”

  “I want a car charger thrown in for free.” She grabbed the invoice, her eyes widening at the cost of the things. A cell tower of their own would have been cheaper.

  “Sure.” He glanced down to where Rowdy still held his shirt. When Rowdy let him go, he grabbed a car charger from a rack to his left and tossed it on the paperwork. “Phone numbers are on the invoices. You’re supposed to call your company and let them know the phones are active now. We were told to pass on those instructions to you.”

  “Oh, we will.” Megan studied his flushed face. “What do you have against the Calhouns, personally?”

  His eyes filled, and he seemed horrified that he had to clear his throat. “Daddy bet on that oil boom lasting. Bought the mineral rights to a piece of land with my college fund. Right before you people quit drilling new wells.” He leaned over and grabbed his hat. “But that’s our luck for you. Guess if it hadn’t been the Calhoun outfit, it would have been Texas Star or another of the big companies that come out here looking for oil.” He wiped his nose on his shirtsleeve. “I’ll get to college, one way or another. Just take me a little longer, that’s all.”