Texas Fire

by Gerry Bartlett

  She laughed and leaned across to rub his knee. “How did you know?” She sighed. “Just wait till tonight. I want to christen that new trailer properly. From one end to the other.”

  “Woman, don’t talk to me like that while I’m driving.” He grabbed her hand when she started to slide it up his thigh. “Play with the radio, not with me, or you’ll get us both killed.”

  “Yes, sir.” She grinned and began to hit buttons, finally opening the glove compartment to check for a listing of channels. There was his gun and extra ammunition. “You think we’ll have this kind of trouble out there?”

  “You never know. I hope we won’t need the gun, but trouble is waiting for us. You should check your e-mail. Your sister is supposed to send you more information about that group of protesters at the well site determined to stir up the locals.” Rowdy glanced at her. “Put the gun away.”

  “I am.” She glanced at the radio listings and picked a station. “Tell me what you’ve learned about the problem we’ll be facing.”

  “A retired college professor, environmental studies, moved out west to enjoy the fresh air and open spaces when she quit teaching.” Rowdy studied his mirrors, then carefully changed lanes. “Just her luck that her new home is near a site where our company is doing some heavy-duty fracking now. Similar to what you saw at Sanders’s ranch.”

  “It was noisy with the generators running day and night. And every once in a while you could get a whiff of rotten eggs or something that smelled like raw sewage. Yeah. I wouldn’t want to live next door to that. Or to the flares and bright lights at night. So, why did she move there?” Megan settled back in a leather seat that felt like a comfortable easy chair.

  “I don’t have the whole story yet. But what you saw was a well-run site, Megan. With only one well seeing action, the rest were already complete and pumping. Imagine if there were several wells being drilled at a time.”

  “It would be deafening and it would reek.”

  “And you’d be able to hear and smell it from miles away.” Rowdy tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

  “You say she’s protesting now. What good will that do?” Megan also remembered how the roads were torn up by the heavy equipment and big trucks that were part of the process.

  “It’s bad publicity for the company. Shines a light on how we do things. If a site doesn’t dispose of its wastewater properly, it can cause local well water to be polluted. Then there’s that stench from the chemicals we use. The source of those smells you described. It can travel for miles. I’m guessing that the man running the site near this lady isn’t being careful or the smells wouldn’t be too strong. Last time I was out in that part of Texas, they hadn’t started drilling yet. The man in charge there is new to me.” Rowdy frowned. “This woman’s screaming to high heaven that we need to shut down. That we’re ruining the environment out there. Even found some lizard she’s saying we could cause to become extinct.”

  “Do you think she’s right?” Megan pulled out her smartphone. “What’s the name of this lizard?”

  He told her and she began a search. “You can look but we always do an environmental impact study before we ever dig the first well. There are several lizards indigenous to that area. She can cry about the thing but in our state, we aren’t worried about it.”

  “Seriously? You think she’s lying about a lizard to bolster her case to shut you down?”

  “It’s not me, Megan, it’s us. Calhoun is you and me. But mostly you, remember? No matter how you might feel personally about fracking, it’s your bread and butter. And the trouble your company is in will only get worse if you give in to this fringe group and begin shutting down because of the noise or the smell.” He hit a button on the steering wheel, and the channel on the radio changed. “Sports talk. Now, that’s cool.”

  Megan leaned back with a groan. If she had to listen to men discuss tailbacks and tight ends for hours, she might as well take a nap. She looked down at her phone. Yes, Rowdy was right. That lizard was ugly as sin and only its mother would love it, but it wasn’t endangered. She ran another search and found the latest news about fracking and the problems it could cause. Lots of negative articles and very few positives. She checked her e-mail next and found a long one from her sister Shannon with attached articles.

  She started to write a long e-mail back, then decided it would be easier just to call her sister.

  Shannon answered immediately. “Hey, sis, how goes the road trip? I heard a tornado almost got you. Are you okay?”

  Megan told her the story. She listened to her sister’s platitudes, then cut her off. “Save it. I just spent a great weekend in San Antonio at our favorite hotel. Cassidy even set me up with spa treatments. So I’m cool.” She glanced at Rowdy. “She’s really throwing money around. You know why?”

  “Don’t worry about it. She was shocked at the salary our old chief financial officer was making. I think she’s using some of the money from the bonus he left behind when he quit.” Shannon sighed. “Our new sister is some kind of financial whiz kid. I try to stay out of her way. Numbers make my eyes cross.”

  “Okay. Good to know. Now, what’s with all the stuff you sent me about fracking? You really think I should go out there like I’m all for it? I’ve never been a fan.”

  “In a minute. Tell me about Rowdy. You two getting along?”

  “You could say that.” Megan noticed he’d turned down the radio. Of course he was eavesdropping. “He hasn’t fired me yet.”

  “Well, he sure let Cass know, before you even showed up, that he didn’t appreciate being stuck with one of ‘those Calhouns’.” Shannon laughed. “But I know you, little sister. He’s probably already in your bed. Right?”

  “I called you about the fracking.” Megan felt her cheeks burning. She didn’t dare look toward Rowdy. “Seriously. What am I supposed to do with these articles, Shan?”

  “So I’m right. Go, Megan. Anyway, study up. You and Rowdy are headed to a site where this woman is getting people stirred up against us. This was my idea, and Mason okayed it.”

  “I know about the protesters. Rowdy told me. We’re on the road right now.”

  “Good. We had to pull some strings. You know he technically works for one of our subsidiaries. This CWC Industries. Cass is doing something about that. His supervisor had other ideas about where he should go, but we ‘borrowed’ him for this.”

  “Oh, really. I hope Rowdy’s okay with that. That your idea, too?” Megan loved her sister but knew she had as little experience working in the business as she did.

  “We need you to be the face of Calhoun Petroleum out there. Calm down those people. Rowdy can make sure the drill site is doing what it should to protect the environment. Clean up some things if we’re at fault. Then you read all that stuff I sent you and be our advocate. It’ll impress this Wallace woman that a member of the family is handling her concerns personally. Isn’t that a brilliant idea?”

  “Well, aren’t you the PR princess?” Megan grinned. “Are you impressing Mason?”

  “I’m doing my damnedest. Too bad I’m having to work with . . . Never mind. Just do your thing and make this problem go away. You always could talk your way out of just about anything.”

  “Yes, except this year in the trenches.” Megan sighed.

  “Now, don’t get discouraged. At least you’re not here in the office, where it’s all doom and gloom.” Shannon had started whispering. “Cassidy’s got us scared shitless about money. Enjoy that fancy RV, because we may all end up living in it after this year is over. This company may go under, Meg!”

  “Don’t say that!” Megan bit her lip. “You’re right. I can do my thing, and you can do yours. Cassidy will work her magic with the numbers, and Ethan is probably reprogramming the computers there. If we all work together . . . Oh hell, what do I know? Love you, Shan.”

  “Crap. I’m sorry I said anything. Now I’ve got you really worried. Back at you, little sister. Take care. I’m glad that twiste
r didn’t get you. And you have fun with Rowdy. He looked like a good time to me.” Shannon ended the call.

  Megan turned to Rowdy. “Um, Shannon says you’re working for Calhoun now, not CWC Industries. I expect your old supervisor will let you know.”

  “Are you kidding me?” He jerked the steering wheel, then corrected. “How did that happen?”

  “They seem to think it’s best. Because you’re stuck with me. Makes it easier to coordinate.” She ran her hand down his arm. “I’m sorry. If it’s any comfort, I’ll make sure you don’t lose any benefits, vacation time, whatever. Maybe I can get a raise for you out of this.”

  He stared at the road ahead, his jaw tight.

  “Rowdy?” Megan played with her phone, realized he wasn’t in the mood to talk, and finally started reading Shannon’s e-mail again. Swell. She was supposed to be the spokeswoman who was going to convince everyone out there in that sad, polluted wasteland that Calhoun had done nothing wrong and everything right? Oh boy, was she the wrong person for the job. Because the more she read, the more Megan realized that she’d like to meet this professor and join her group of protesters. Too bad she was doomed to be on the other side.

  She jumped when a paw hit her arm from between the seats. “Rowdy, Lucky needs a potty break, and I wouldn’t mind one, either. And a cold drink.” She looked around. Where had the city gone? They were already out in a desolate area where towns were few and far between. Rowdy was going a sensible seventy-five with smaller cars and trucks passing him like he was standing still.

  “Fine. Watch for signs. I think there’s one coming up in about fifty miles.” He frowned. “Damn it. The Texans have got to spend money on their offensive line this year.” Football. The talk show, of course.

  “Fifty miles, Lucky. I hope you can hold it.” Megan watched open land, brush, and wide-open spaces pass by. They’d been steadily climbing in altitude, and she sometimes saw mountains in the distance. She knew they were on a famous plateau—flat, of course.

  People who’d never been to Texas probably didn’t understand how vast the state was. She’d spent some time on the East Coast. It had amazed her that if you were driving in the northeast, you could cross several state lines in the time it took her to get from Houston to San Antonio.

  “I give up. Damn talk show hosts take calls from anyone, even idiots.” He punched a button and it was quiet in the cab.

  “Are you okay?” Megan had to ask. “About the change.”

  “That was your sister telling you all that?”

  “Yes.” Megan told him what Shannon had lined out for them to do in West Texas.

  “It’s probably for the best. You do the public relations, and I’ll handle the technical side. I really don’t like the idea of you crawling all over a rig anyway, if you want to know the truth.” He smiled at her. “If Mason MacKenzie thinks it’s all right for you to do this other stuff, then I’m glad. And Calhoun does have good benefits. Just make sure they follow through. Get my 401K where it needs to be.”

  “I’m sure Cassidy will handle that. Shannon says she’s setting the office on fire there. Impressing everyone with her financial wizardry.” Megan relaxed.

  “Doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Thank God I can quit pretending that I can learn everything about oil by following you around for a year.” Megan plugged her phone into the car charger and set it aside.

  “Hey, maybe you could. You’re smart enough. But it’s not safe or the right way to do it.” He pointed to her stomach. “Why don’t you tell me the story? About your tattoo.”

  “Really? Now?” Megan felt a flush crawl up her neck. “It’s not my proudest moment.”

  “Even better.” He grinned at her. “I have a tattoo, too, but you probably didn’t notice it.”

  “No. You must have it well hidden. Or maybe I was way too distracted last night and this morning.” She reached out and took his hand. Lucky hit her arm again. “Is someone jealous?”

  “That dog can be locked in the bathroom if he causes a problem when we touch each other.” Rowdy was still grinning as he pulled her thumb into his mouth. He gave it a gentle bite before he released it. “I’ll let you look for my tattoo tonight. Now, tell me the story. We just passed a sign that promises twenty miles to a clean restroom. Is that enough time for your tale?”

  “Okay. For the short version.” Megan sifted through her memory. How to tell it so she didn’t sound like one of those idiots Rowdy couldn’t stand? Oh well. “I was living in New York.”

  “The city?” He sounded appalled. “Why?”

  “I loved it. Attended a design school for a while.” Until it got too hard and her lack of creativity became obvious. “I went up there with a friend who had a real talent for it. Me? Not so much. So I dropped out and tried acting.” She laughed. “Trust me. Not my thing. I felt like a wooden puppet. Looked like one, too. So I quit that and just played for a while.” She let her hand drift to his thigh again. “I’m really good at playing.”

  “I can testify to that.” He covered her hand with his. “Lucky, stop it.” He pushed the dog’s paw back. “We’re going to have to cure him of that.”

  “Definitely.” Megan shoved the dog into the backseat and raised her voice. “Stay!” Lucky just looked at her, then put his head on his paws like he’d been kicked. “Oh, knock it off. Take a nap.”

  “The tattoo, Megan. You have ten more miles to finish the story.”

  “So, everyone was always making fun of my accent.” She poked out her lower lip. “Do you think I have an accent? Seriously? Sure, I say ‘y’all’ once in a while and ‘fixin’.’ What’s wrong with that? Compared to those folks from Boston, I speak easy-to-understand English. At least I pronounce my ‘r’s.”

  “Hey, I’m with you on that. I got razzed in the army for the same thing.” He laughed. “So, that’s why you got a tattoo? Did people call you Tex?”

  “Some of them did. But then I met this guy . . .”

  “Now, how did I know this would be about a man?” He hit the steering wheel. “If you tell me his name was Tex, I swear I’ll pull over and . . .”

  “No, you won’t. But it was. Texas Rafferty.” Megan sighed. “At the time it seemed like fate. Tex and Tex. His parents named him that because he was born here when they were stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen. Anyway, I was homesick and it seemed like he was meant to be mine, even though he didn’t know a thing about Texas. They’d lived all over the world, because his dad was career army. Tex was so darned cute and sweet, too.”

  “Megan, I have a feeling that if you got a tattoo with the name of every guy you ever had a crush on, you’d be covered in ink.” Rowdy slowed down the truck.

  “You’re probably right. I was very drunk the night I got my tattoo.”

  “I can believe that. You’d have had to be, because I bet it hurt like hell.” He was the one rubbing her thigh this time. “But it’s beautiful.”

  “I think so. And I do have vague memories of some screaming and a lot of tequila shots.” She grabbed his hand when it crept up toward her front pants zipper. “Don’t mess with me, Baker. I need a pit stop.” She laughed. “So, no more tattoos for me. But at least I’m not stuck with George or Fred Forever. Texas Rafferty is history, of course. Turned out he also loved a gal from that damn Boston whose ‘cah’ was a Mercedes convertible.” She leaned back, laughing. “Can’t regret the tat, because I do still love my home state.” She saw a busy truck stop coming into view. “Ah, relief is in sight.”

  Rowdy carefully steered them into the parking lot and found a spot near the grass. As soon as they were stopped, she grabbed Lucky’s leash and jumped out of the truck.

  “He’s really gotten the hang of that.” Rowdy stood by while she walked the dog over to the grass and a couple of bushes. Lucky immediately took care of business, then sniffed around for a minute or two before finishing up. “I think he’ll be all right if we leave the windows down a few inches and lock him in the truck.”

&
nbsp; “Yes, it’s cool today. A front must have blown in.” Megan handed Rowdy the leash. “Will you do it? I’m hitting the restroom.”

  “Fine. Go. But now I’m trying to figure out how I can talk you into getting my name on you somewhere.” He looked down at her, his gaze traveling a path that left her no doubt where he’d want it. “Think about it. Rowdy. It’s not only a name, it’s the way you like to play.” He stepped closer.

  She put her hand on his chest, too tempted to stretch up for a kiss. “You’re right about that. But I’m done with ink. The only way I’ll let a man lay claim to me now is with a ring on my finger.” And with a grin and a twitch of her hips, she headed into the large building across the lot.

  * * *

  Rowdy watched her go. A ring on her finger. He couldn’t believe the idea didn’t send him into panic mode like it should. One night of hotter-than-hot sex, and she was throwing out challenges like that? Didn’t mean a thing, of course. She was playing. And she was damn good at it. He put the dog into the truck, checked to make sure he’d be cool enough, then went inside himself. He wished he had a good story for her when she found his tattoo. But the two names on his wrist under the watch he always wore had been there since he’d come back alive and his buddies hadn’t. He’d promised himself he’d never forget them and he wouldn’t. It certainly wasn’t the fun and colorful tale Megan told.

  He used the facilities and bought a soda. He’d given up driving straight through without breaks like he did when he was alone. He had to admit, it was a pleasure to have company on these long trips. Or at least company like Megan. And to think he’d fought having a Calhoun with him. When he got out to the truck, Lucky greeted him with a bark and he took the dog out again, found a bowl in the trailer, and gave him a good, long drink of water, a treat, and another walk around the grass. Okay, he had to admit it, he was enjoying the company of the dog, too.

  “Lucky, we’re getting ourselves into a real situation here. You know it?” He saw Megan walking across the parking lot with a large soda and a bag of snack mix, his favorite kind. He’d only mentioned it once, in the big box store. But she’d remembered. She tossed it to him, then climbed in the truck when he opened the door.