by Stephy Smith
“I sure didn’t expect this kind of welcome from you, River.” His arms went around her slender waist. Then with one quick motion, he set her back from him.
“I didn’t expect to give you this kind of welcome. When I saw you, my feet hauled me to you. It just happened, and I couldn’t stop.” River ducked her head as the heat crept to her face. “Please, come in. We need to go over what’s happening on the ranch. I’m sure you know most of it.”
“The sooner we get this over with, the better off I’ll be.” His words engraved a notch in her heart.
“How is your ranch coming along? I didn’t get to ask yesterday.” River glanced at him. He seemed taller, broader, and more handsome. Of course, the last time she had seen him up close like this her eyes were blinded by hate and fury. An inner turmoil intruded in her thoughts as the vision of a worn and beaten man waltzed out of her life.
“Fine.” His deep voice sent chills racing to her toes. He motioned for her to lead the way to the office. Still the gentleman she remembered, he removed the hat as he entered.
River didn’t know how to respond to his evasive answers. Secrecy was one weapon he had used on her in their youthful relationship, especially when he was angry with her. After all these years, he still chose to use the same tactic. For them to move on she would need to leave the past in the past. Remove it from her mind.
Adrenaline pumped wild when she gazed at him. Even though she tried to bury her feelings for Carson, she couldn’t deny the love she still felt for him. Now, it appeared to be one-sided. He no longer held her love important, or he would’ve run to her, met her half way. It was obvious he had lost it somewhere along the road, as he stared wide-eyed at her quick advance.
She fought to control the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. Her shaky finger pointed to the chair, “I need to step out a minute. If you’ll have a seat, I’ll be right back.”
Years of being captain of the cheerleading squad had prepared her for the proper way to address clients. Her authoritative strength lay with the ranch hands, but none of her skills prepared her for mending the damaged heart of a broken cowboy. The cowboy, she herself broke and didn’t know how to fix. She let the tears roll down her cheeks, then gathered herself and went to the office to face off with Carson.
Entering the room, he sat in the recliner, relaxing on the fluffy back. His long, thick lashes rested on his cheeks. The cowboy hat he wore hung on his bent knee. River glanced at the afghan draped across the settee. Her breath caught in her lungs. He looked so peaceful and at home, she couldn’t bear the thought of disturbing him.
She removed the hat and glanced at the inside. There on the sweatband was the inscription she requested the day she bought it for his graduation present. Surprise that he’d even kept it, much less let it touch his head, sparked her inner strength. With gentle care, she covered his gorgeous body with the afghan.
She let her fingers drift across his cheek. Her head lowered to his, and she brushed her lips across his. The taste of his soft lips, minty and sweet just as she remembered from years past stirred emotions she had pushed to the back of her mind. As quietly as she entered, she turned to leave the room. He grabbed her wrist and stopped her progress to the door.
****
Moon cringed as the nurse walked in. “You here to hurt me again?”
The nurse waved her hand in the air. “That’s what I get paid for. To make your life as miserable as I can, so you’ll leave this room, and I won’t have to put up with your cantankerous old bones.”
Moon liked battling with the women who came, in his words to ‘theraporize’ him. “Aren’t ya gonna give me some of those pain killers before you twist me into a pretzel?”
“No, siree. We save those for the good patients.” Her laughter was light.
“First, ya tell me I’m cantankerous, and now you’re telling me I’m an ornery old cuss. I’d hate to hear what you call your husband.” He chuckled.
“I never married, Mr. Moon.”
“Why not? You’re pretty enough.”
“I was afraid I would end up with someone like you and be tormented to death by the time I reached forty.” She hid the giggle behind her hand.
“The way you tie me up all in knots, I may not live to see sixty five. Let’s get on with it sometime today. Quit wasting my time.”
“I bet you say that to all the nurses.” She batted her eyelids.
Chapter Three
Harvey Jamison sat in the motel waiting for his cousins to show. He glared through the window narrowing his eyes at every vehicle to pass by. He swiped his sweaty palms on his jeans.
“Come on, you morons. Where are you?” He stomped over to the chair sitting in the corner of the room and kicked it.
Heat rose to his face; he clenched his fist. The desire to punch someone in the face burned his restless persona. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand built into the headboard of the bed. Anticipation of setting his plans into motion consumed his plagued mentality.
Shaking with fury, he marched back and forth from the door to the bathroom at the opposite end of the small room. Occasionally he stopped to peer through the window. “Those imbeciles should have been here by now,” he uttered into the emptiness of the space.
He pushed the button to turn on the television. The delay for the set to warm up twisted his gut similar to the men he waited on. His anger took control of his soul at the delays and frayed his patience with each passing second.
Finally, the knock on the door he had been waiting for echoed. His two cousins, David and Maurice ambled in. He grabbed their arms and yanked them into the room, almost tossing them to the other side of it. Sticking his head out the wooden doorframe, he peeked out and then slammed it shut.
“I told y’all to be here fifteen minutes ago!” He reached up and slapped the back of each one’s head. “We have work to do. Now sit down and listen.” He shoved the two men down on the bed.
“Maury, do you always have to wear those irritating spurs? I can’t stand to hear the jingle jangle of the blasted things.” Harvey waved his arms in the air. “No matter. We’re going out to see little Miss River. She’s gonna marry me one way or another.”
“What if she says no again?” David’s voice was low. He kept his head down and twirled his thumbs.
Harvey came within inches of David and raised his hand. David flinched and covered his head with his arms. Maury leaned to the side as Harvey’s fist connected with the side of David’s face.
“You feeble-minded cowards are gonna make sure she don’t say no. We’ll set her barn afire, then her precious grandpa’s farm. If that don’t work, we’ll kidnap her during the Fair. Let’s get going. We got to have that ranch. The shipment of cattle will be here next week, and we gotta put ‘em somewheres.” Harvey stood silent; he crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t just sit there. Get up and let’s get movin’, you imbeciles.”
David and Maury jumped from the edge of the bed they were sitting on and ran out the door.
****
David climbed in the backseat of his brother’s red pickup. He scooted behind Harvey before he spoke. “She’s going to say no. Just like all the other times. I hear she’s bringing in some hot shot to track us down.”
“You mean that low down Carson Long? He ain’t nothing but a brow-beaten slug. He ain’t got what it takes to catch a skunk in a trap.” Harvey’s laughter held an evil edge. Maury shivered at the harshness of Harvey’s words.
Maury didn’t care for his cousin. Nobody he knew did. He was nothing more than a bully with no redeeming qualities. There wasn’t a person in the panhandle who had any qualms about letting it be known. If it wasn’t for his simple-minded brother, he wouldn’t be in this mess. David didn’t know any better than to get mixed up with their evil cousin. Now they were in, and Harvey threatened bodily harm to the rest of his family if they didn’t do what he said.
Harvey underestimated the power Carson had around the town. They were goi
ng to get caught, and he was ready to face his punishment. David was the one whom he worried about. His mind had stopped growing after being thrown from the back of a pickup when he was fourteen. Some of their friends had met up with them to go coyote hunting. They were driving off-road when they hit the indentation in the earth. David was tossed into a good-sized rock which caused the damage. It was a wonder the poor kid hadn’t died.
None of it mattered now. He had to find a way to break connections with the demonic Harvey, even if it meant going to jail to save his brother.
He couldn’t count how many times he had stuck his neck out for David, and in retribution, Harvey paid some other lowlifes to jump, beat and hold him in a dark hole for days before they let him out.
Remembering the experience made Maury think of the tire tool in the floorboard of the pickup. He eyed the side of Harvey’s head and thought twice about using it to rid the town of the demented soul. He couldn’t risk taking the chance. If he were in prison for life, he wouldn’t be able to take care of David.
There were many times thoughts of homicide crossed his mind as the feeling of pure hatred for Harvey gnawed on his insides. He kept telling himself one day the fur was going to fly, and it wouldn’t be his or David’s.
****
Moon stood by himself. He grasped the metal walker they placed before him. His hip screamed in pain, but he didn’t let that slow him down. As soon as he was capable he was headed back to the ranch, and he didn’t give a second thought as to what Carol and Lydia had to say about it.
“One foot in front of the other; take it easy,” he whispered to himself as he took the first step, then the second. He made it to the door of his room and maneuvered the four-legged walking sticks in a half circle then started back to his bed.
“Mr. Moon!” He swore he left the floor when the nurse hollered at him.
“Don’t get your drawers in a pickle. I’m just practicing.” He finagled his way into the bed. Carol and Lydia stood in the doorway with their arms crossed over their chest and glaring through narrowed eyes.
“Hi, girls. What brings you two to visit me?”
“Dad, you need to follow the directions the doctors give you.” Carol’s tone turned haughty.
“And what directions would that be? To do as much on my own as I feel up to?”
“Now Dad, you know what Carol meant.” Lydia’s squeaky voice sent repulsion through his bones. Since she was a little girl, Carol had intimidated her until she couldn’t produce a normal sound in front of her sister.
“What have you two been up to?” He wanted to ask who they had been tormenting lately but held his tongue, and he decided it was him. They were his daughters, and he did love them. He just didn’t like the way they acted sometimes.
Chapter Four
Carson released his hold on River. His back was stiff from the weekend of bull riding. The afghan she carefully placed on him was hot and he tossed it aside. His heart flip-flopped at the memory of the heartwarming greeting from River.
The dream of her kiss and fruity aroma of her hair settled in his mind as a reality a few seconds ago when she leaned over him. He caught his breath as the warmth passed over his cheek. His arms ached to pull her back into his life. A life she had no desire to be a part of. She made it clear when she tossed him away. He jumped from the chair.
“River!” his voice caught in his throat. He walked to the door and peered down the hallway before he closed it. This isn’t a good way to start a job. If I were a gambling man, I’d bet she starts pouting in a couple of minutes.
Wrestling with what Harvey was doing to the family irked him . He needed the information about the harassment the brute doled out to this family. As soon as he could get the job done and start building his own ranch the better off he would be. Even though Gabe kept him informed about Grandpa Alvin’s ranch, he needed to hear River’s version of what was taking place on hers. If one didn’t provide a clue maybe the other one would.
River walked to the corner of her desk. “Did you have a nice nap?” Her eyes clear, bright and understanding.
Carson’s brow furrowed. “Are you feeling alright?” The woman who walked up was some kind of alien who possessed River’s body. She would never endure one of the cowhands to relax in her office without tossing them out. With it being him, he was surprised bullets hadn’t flown through the air to scare the fire from him.
“Yes. I’m just fine. How about yourself? Did you have a nice nap? I’m sorry I didn’t think about how stressed you must be after the vast changes you’re having to make. Especially since my sisters insisted on removing all of dad’s furniture from the house to make things rough on you.” River paused. “Would you like something to eat? You must be starved. I know they took all the food with them.”
Taken aback, he narrowed his eyes. Something was amiss with her majesty. Sooner or later, he would find out what had come over her. However, for now he would settle for the softer side of River. He shook his head, tossing the cobweb of confusion to the wayside.
“Yeah, and I wasn’t asleep, just relaxing my sore body from the last ride. Sorry about that. I’m ready to get down to business now. Eating can wait until I get home. I do have money of my own, and I went shopping for groceries, which I had in the bunkhouse. I’m not a charity case, so don’t treat me like one.” A silence fell in the room. Carson gazed at River. One of her succulent home cooked meals would be nice. Getting away from her would be better. “Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”
Carson waved his hand and half bowed to allow her to take her seat first. He stood beside the desk with his thumbs hooked in his belt loops. His eyes fixed on the sway of the pockets of the sexiest pair of blue jeans he’d ever seen moving side to side. The urge to reach out and administer a little squeeze to each cheek tickled the palms of his hands. He clinched the material holding his hands to himself a little tighter.
“Oh, definitely. I haven’t felt this good in years.” River plopped down in the chair behind her desk. She reached in the drawer and pulled out a folder of papers. “I need you to fill these out. You know, for taxes and all that fun stuff. I also provide health insurance and paid vacation at the end of the year if you want to stay on. I know how hard it is to build from scratch.”
Carson glanced around, his brows furrowed. “What have you done with the old River? I haven’t seen her since I arrived. Like I told you before, I do have money of my own to build up my ranch. I’m only helping because Gabe asked me to.”
“People change, Carson. I know you have, and in a good way. I hope you find I have too.”
He despised the way she welcomed him with smiles, laughter and tears of joy. He detested the way her hair smelled of apple blossoms in the spring. He loathed the way her soft skin rubbed against him, stirring up old flames. He hated the stars twinkling in her green eyes. He abhorred the way his helpless body ached to respond to everything about her.
Here he sat in front of her, unable to pull his eyes away and admiring her just like old times. Just like a kid addicted to their favorite cartoon hero. He tuned out everything around him and sensed this meeting would be hard. Just how much worse it could get, he didn’t know. The only thing he could do was hide his emotions and keep them secret from River.
“I have one question— why?” There was no way she would pull him back into her web. After all these years of denying her, now his body, mind, and heart betrayed him when she was near. Today he would buck up and fight for his freedom from her. He would clear his mind, so there would be no more night haunts toying with his mind. As soon as he made sure Harvey Jamison couldn’t enjoy what was rightfully his, he would be on his way.
“Why? The government says I have to have….” River slung her long brown braids back over her shoulders. She clicked the pen in her hand against the desk. Her slightest movements stirred the deepest reactions of his treasonous body.
“No, River. Why did you have Gabe call me? There are plenty other men you could’ve chosen.
Why me?” Confusion stormed his mind. Gray clouds hung over his head, threatening another perplexing Texas storm. His fury of being trapped by this woman rang deafening warning bells down in his gut. A nagging voice told him she wouldn’t confess or profess her love for him.
“He’s the only one who knew how to contact you. Dad sure wouldn’t give me your number. Besides, Gabe got the message to you. I would’ve called you myself.” Her bright smile melted him into a wild frenzy of boiling liquid. He fought the need to leap over the desk and pull her into his arms. It would only take one taste of her sweet, full lips to send him imploring her to start over again.
“I need more information than you’re giving me. There has to be a reason you wanted me back here, and I want to know what the reason is.” He reached for the papers then threw them back on the table in front of her.
“I’ve had trouble on the ranch. So has Grandpa Alvin over on his. Gabe has Grandpa’s under control, or mostly under control for a time. We don’t know when Harvey will strike, or if he will strike both ranches at the same time. He suggested I get you to take care of mine.” Tears filled her eyes.
What are you up to, Gabe? Here come the tears. Keep it together, Carson; don’t let her draw you in. Don’t let the black widow chew you up and leave you for dead. Mercy, how he hated to see her cry. Miss High and Mighty was always the strong one, never shedding a tear unless she willed it herself. This time the tears appeared to be genuine. How could that be?
“So, you had Gabe call me to do your dirty work for you? Just like old times, River? What happened to your number one man? He was all perfect when I left here.” He glared at her wide eyes. Anger ruled the roost over hurt. He scolded himself for hoping she couldn’t read the betrayal of his words.