The Long Moon

by Stephy Smith

  “I’m waiting on the wife to get here. She entered some bread and pies in the cooking contest. I was over there for a while until I got too full from all the good cooking.”

  “Carson helped with the kiddie rodeo.” She slid up against the edge of the vendors table.

  “Yep. Did a right nice job of it too. As always, you looked pretty darn good on the barrels. Congratulations. I know Carson is proud you won.” He hooked his thumbs in his belt loops.

  “Why is he so mad? He’s angry all the time.” She pushed her hair from her face.

  “You’d have to ask him, River. I don’t want in the middle of y’alls’ business. I imagine he’s fightin’ some demons he ain’t ready to face.” He ducked his head.

  “Point taken. Thanks, Will. See you around.” River grabbed a cold ice tea from the vendor and walked among the crowd again.

  An hour later, she made her way back to the rodeo arena. She sat on the hot cement bleachers built into the side of the hill. Concession stands stood at the ends. Her eyes narrowed against the sun despite the sunglasses and her cowboy hat. The sun penetrated her bare arms.

  “There you are. I have been searching for you.” Cassie twisted to the side and hugged her.

  “Wow! I mean, you look great. Didn’t know you were pregnant.” She patted Cassie’s stomach.

  “I’ve been pregnant so long I thought everyone knew.” Cassie winked. “I don’t think I’m ever gonna have this baby. Craig didn’t want me to come tonight. It’ll be his first time back in the arena.”

  “What’s he ride?” River took hold of her friends arm.

  “He don’t ride. He’s a clown.” Cassie sighed.

  “I see. Farley is back too. Do they work together?”

  “He is Farley. I heard Carson Long drew the Gentleman again. Keep your fingers crossed. Seems like when those two are in the arena at the same time, one of them gets hurt.” Cassie glanced at River. “I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve hauled the two of them home and nursed their wounds.”

  “You know Carson? I dated him in high school. He’s working for me now. Sorta. I’ve been having a few problems on my ranch he’s helping square away.”

  “Craig, uh, I mean, Farley is gonna help him with your problem. I don’t expect it will take too long to catch the culprit and his crew. Farley was a good detective.” Cassie twisted her hands in her lap.

  River could see her anguish. “I’ll be right back. Do you need anything while I’m gone?”

  Cassie shook her head and River jumped down the bleachers. Right in front of her was Carson and Farley. “If you’re looking for your wife, she’s up there.” She pointed to Cassie.

  “Thanks.” Farley climbed the stairs.

  “I’m gonna go get the pillows from my truck, wanna walk with me?” River tugged on Carson’s arm. He followed.

  “What’s up?”

  “I overheard Harvey will be here tonight. He’s gonna be by the bull’s pen. I think it was his cousin talking, and they’re planning on giving some kind of drug to some of the bulls. They want the riders to get hurt, so they will be seen helping. They plan to leave before the crowd notices they’re gone.” She glanced his way. “The one who burned down the barn is a slow-minded kid. He’s one of Harvey’s cousins. The one Harvey always took advantage of because of his disability. His name is David.”

  “Are you sure it was his cousin?”

  “Yep. I didn’t get to see his face, but I know the voice. I get calls from this one all the time making threats to me and Grandpa Alvin. They don’t even try to disguise themselves. I heard mention his name is Maury. When he calls, his words are strained. Kinda like someone is forcing him to make the threats.”

  “Good to know. I’ll tell Will and Logan to keep an eye out. Logan’s been back there most of the day. Farley… how do you know Cassie?” His eyes narrowed when he glanced her way.

  “We went to cheerleading camp together. I didn’t know she married Farley. All I knew was his name was Craig. We kinda keep in touch, but not that often. She’s a good woman. I enjoy being around her. She cheers me up, and she’s worried sick about him getting back into the arena again.”

  “Before Farley got hurt, they made quite a team. Moon should be here to watch Farley’s comeback. He’s going to be sore about missing it. Farley’s going to help us put Harvey and his cousins away for a while. If what you heard about the cousins is true, maybe they’ll get a reprieve for their part.”

  “What about Cassie? She’s worried about Craig. Can’t you talk him out of this?” She tightened her grip on his arm.

  “She should be. I’ve been trying to get him to stay out of the arena. He says if I go in, he goes in.” River whirled him around and kissed him.

  “That’s for luck. You’re gonna need it, cowboy. I’ve tried to talk you out of the arena more times than I care to remember for the same reason—because I care.” The sting in her eyes blurred her vision. She ducked her head, continued to the pickup and pulled the pillows from the backseat.

  Stubborn men. Why can’t they just leave the animals alone? The Gentleman all ready came close to killing the two, and tonight they both insist on getting back in with the beast. She thought twice about getting her pistol from under the seat, in case she had to get the bull off them. A shudder ran down her spine as she thought of the effect it would have on Cassie if something happened to Farley again.

  How would she handle the situation? If she focused on Cassie, she could forget about her own problems. For some reason, Cassie couldn’t remedy her own pain and thoughts of Carson. Not tonight anyway. It could be the last time she would have the chance to kiss him, to hold him, and if he made it out of this alive, she would confess her love for him.

  Chapter Ten

  Carson gazed at Farley standing below the bucking shoot. Tension filled the air, and Carson read Farley’s fear. He cast his face toward heaven. For a split second, he considered withdrawing until he felt Farley’s hand on his.

  “Let’s do it.” Farley let out a loud breath as if reading his mind. Carson nodded his head. The way to get over your fears is to face them head on. If Farley was ready, so was he.

  The first leg went over the shoot then the second. He straddled the yellow-skinned bull. He took a deep breath and lowered himself to the enormous back of the beast. The Gentleman stood still for a few seconds then tried to twist from the small enclosure.

  Carson stood on the rails. His legs shaking as fast as his heart beat. A quiet fell over the crowd until the bull settled down once more. He glanced at the audience and rested his eyes on River and Cassie. Fear etched both faces. His heart pounded a little harder.

  Anxiety had to be eating Cassie. The last time Farley was this close to the Gentleman the bull came close to ending her husband’s life. River had no call to be concerned. She didn’t care one iota if he was stomped into the ground. He tried to dismiss the genuine concern written on her face. His eyes fell to the back of the bull and he lowered himself once more.

  He slipped his gloved hand under the rope. Farley pulled it tight. With his free hand, he pounded his fingers closed around the braided hemp rigging. “You hang on and watch his head.”

  Farley didn’t have to tell him how to ride. It was his way of wishing him good luck since they met. Carson caught Farley’s arm. “It’s not too late. I can walk away.”

  “Not this time, cowboy. We got to do this for us.” Farley jumped from the gate.

  Carson put the finishing touch on the wrap and nodded his head. Farley nodded back, pulled the gate rope and set the mad bull loose in the arena.

  Jump after jump, his body twisted in directions unknown to man. Muscles only a contortionist was aware of pulled like they were in some kind of medieval torture device. His sides ached as if the muscles had relented to the pulls and turned loose from their tendons. Cartilages popped and creaked as bones crunched together, dribbling his bouncing frame as if it were nothing more than a tennis ball. He gripped the rope while time s
uspended itself in a space humans weren’t allowed to cross into.

  His spurs raked the shoulders of the animal as his right hand poised in the air. His knees loosened their grip on the rolling skin of the bull. Slobber and snot slung across his face as the bull threw his head in anger. His hand tightened on the rope. Carson listened for the buzzer that never sounded. He was sure the timer had walked off the job with him tied to the back of the raunchy beast.

  He caught Farley out of the corner of his eye. The clown was dangerously close. Carson’s body bounced, and he lost his balance. He glanced back at the huge head coming toward his face, with all his strength he righted himself. The cheer of the crowd was no more than a low roar. He knew they were there, and he would give them a show.

  Gentleman never let up. The bull continued his fight to free himself from the rider. Twisting and turning, Carson held tight. Fire seemed to shoot from the bull’s eyes. Snorts escaped his angry mouth. His tail slapped across Carson’s back with the sting of a leather whip.

  The final moment of victory had come. Carson rode Gentleman until the buzzer sounded. He loosened his hold and landed on his feet. The bull whirled around and started towards Farley.

  In an instant, Carson ran in front of the bull letting out a war cry to frighten a banshee. “Go for the stronghold, Farley. I’m right behind you.”

  The two men raced for the fence. The soft dirt cramped Carson’s legs. His feet weighted, and he thought he would fall. Gentleman’s breath warmed his back. His lungs burned as he drew breath after breath.

  Farley’s steps grew longer as he shouted over his shoulder. The clown jumped to the third rung of the pipe fence and leapt over. Carson followed suit, hoping he didn’t miss the rung. When he hit the ground, he heard Gentleman’s head crash into the pipe. A loud snort and the bull turned toward the shoots, trotting arrogantly as if he had won a major war.

  Farley turned to Carson and pulled him into a bear hug. The two laughed and slapped each other on the back. They walked toward the bleachers to calm the women. Farley pointed to the tattoo of a longhorn on a man’s neck.

  “That’s Harvey. He’s headed for the bleachers.” Carson followed Farley on the chase after Harvey. His legs strained, but he couldn’t give up. He had to catch the rustler and put River’s mind at ease. Her ranch was all she had to support her. The cattle were the main source of her income. Even if he wanted, he could never provide her with the living she was accustomed to.

  Harvey cut up the stands toward River. She stood and started running for the entrance of the grounds. Harvey seemed to follow her voice as she taunted and ran to the parking lot. Farley was in front of Carson. Harvey gained on River.

  Carson’s breath labored. His heart pounded with exertion. Determination to reach River before Harvey, feasted on his brain. He rounded the corner and saw the two in a game of ring around the pickup. The whole crowd following stopped. An eerie silence fell before them. Carson shook his head.

  Round and round, River circled the pickup. The green and yellow water gun pumped furiously with every step she took. “You don’t want a shot of this Harvey! I promise it’s gonna hurt.”

  “I know I’m sweet, but I won’t melt, my love.” Harvey’s voice was malicious and sent shivers down Carson’s spine.

  “I’m warning you to back off. You best heed my words. I don’t want to make you cry in front of all these people,” River tossed back at him.

  Carson’s labored breathing matched Farley’s as they stood next to one another. “I wonder what she’s gonna do with that thing? We better be prepared to jump, when she squirts Harvey in the face, he is gonna pounce on her with fury.” Farley kept his voice low.

  “I’m feeling a tad froggy. Just got warmed up.” Carson nudged his friend. “Besides, I don’t think he’ll be moving too fast after she shoots him with her witches brew she keeps in that thing.”

  “Come on, honey. Give it to me,” Harvey taunted River. And she did.

  Harvey’s hands groped at his eyes. The screams coming from his mouth were hideous screeches resounding throughout the parking lot. He fell to his knees begging anyone to stop the burning.

  Carson drew in a deep breath and watched as River approached her fallen victim. One swift kick caused Harvey to scream like a girl; it also sent Farley into the spunky River. He grabbed her waist and pulled her fighting body away from Harvey. Carson grabbed one arm and Farley caught hold of the other.

  “What did you do to him?” Farley ground through a smile.

  “Jalapeno juice,” she blew on the end of her water gun. “Works every time.”

  The three stood quietly as the police arrested Harvey. It didn’t take long for his confession to sputter from his mouth. As long as the police promised protection from the crazy woman and her eye-burning concoction.

  “How did you find jalapeno…,” Farley halted when Carson threw his arms in the air and shook his head.

  “I wouldn’t go there if I were you! She’ll have you in the kitchen to demonstrate how she makes it, and then test it on you for strength of the product.”

  River whirled around to Carson, gun pointing at his face. Her crooked little smile set his insides burning with desire as the mischievous stars danced in her eyes. “This batch is good and wicked.” She lifted her brow. Tiny golden specks danced on a background of her green eyes.

  “Yep, yep it is.” Farley agreed with Carson.

  “She uses it to stop the horses from cribbing on the wood post. You can tell she’s perfected the recipe and always keeps that gun under the seat of the pickup.” Carson glanced at Farley.

  “Please don’t give Cassie the recipe. I’ll be blinded for life as moody as she’s been lately.”

  “Did Logan go to the police department with the officers?” Carson quickly changed the subject. Cassie waddled up next to Farley and hugged him.

  “I assume that’s where he was going. He got in his truck and followed the police cars outta here.” Will peered around the parking lot. “I’m on my way down there now.”

  “Let us know what you find out when you talk to him, would ya’?” River patted Will on the back.

  Carson grabbed her arm and twirled her around. “What were you thinking? Why were you tempting Harvey to follow you? Have you lost your mind?” His voice was low.

  “I wanted to get him away from Cassie and the crowd. He had a desperate look on his face. I was afraid someone would be hurt.” He saw the tears spring to her eyes. Gently he pulled her to him.

  “What would you have done if he caught you? River, he could have put you in the hospital and me behind bars for the rest of my life for killing him.”

  “That’s the way I have felt for years, watching you climb on the back of a bull.” She swiped at the tear rolling down her cheek.

  Carson held her until she regained her composure. “Are you okay?”

  “Yep, as long as you’re beside me, I’ll always be all right.” She pushed away from his embrace.

  “How about we all meet at the café? My treat. Oh and Farley, you better bring Cassie. We have a lot of catching up to do.” River pulled Carson’s arm.

  ****

  Moon reclined on his bed. The fair was going on and he missed Sadie more during this time than any other time of the year. She had always entered her plum jelly or prickly pear jam in the contest. He half smiled as he reached for her portrait on his nightstand.

  “You are a vision of loveliness, Sadie.” He caressed the photo with his thumb, rubbing it across her cheek. “This place I’m in now isn’t so bad you know. The nurses here keep me company and make me do things I don’t want to do. Other than that, the food isn’t half bad. It’s edible anyway and keeps my stomach full. Don’t take it wrong. There never will be a better cook than you my love.

  “I don’t know what to do about River and Carson. They are both stubborn and refuse to look passed the past. I wish you were here to give them some sound advice. I’m just not good at this match making, mind twisting thing li
ke you were. You kept them girls in line and they respected you for it. When I say something it’s like the great pumpkin talking to a turkey.

  “Sadie, I can always sense you’re with me. I know you listen to me every night when I talk to you. Even at times when I ramble on, or flirt with the nurses and you stand over me through it all. I want to know, ah shucks, whatever made you chose a man like me to marry? I reckon I’m the luckiest fellow to ever walk this earth.

  “Missing out on a love of a lifetime would be a horrible, lonely life. Maybe that’s why I’m not lonely. I had the love of my life and I never regretted one minute of it. Well, Sadie, my dear, I think it is time I call it a night. The pain medicine they gave me a few minutes ago is draining the energy out of this old man. I’ll talk to you in the morning before the doctors come in and let you know how much more I look forward to seeing you again. Good-night,” He placed the wooden frame encasing the photo back on the stand and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

  Chapter Eleven

  The laughter floated in the air around the bench seat in the cafe. For the first time in a long while, Carson let his feelings overrun his heart. River’s soft hair caressed his shoulder as she leaned over holding her stomach. Brilliant stars danced in her eyes to the angelic rhythm of her voice. The apple blossom shampoo rose to his senses, and he drew in a deep breath, closed his eyes and let old times resume their reigning powers. Her soft skin tingled on his bare arms as she leaned into him. Oh, how he ached to hold her pressed against his chest, her heart beating against him with the magnitude of a thousand horse hooves beating on solid ground.

  Each one at the table had a light, airy attitude. The fiasco was over, and they could all return to their normal lives without interruption. Now that Harvey and his cousins were sitting behind bars, he noticed the relief in her eyes. He glanced at River in awe. It had been a long time overdue since he had seen her happy. Even from the distance, when he secretly watched her walking down the streets he could tell she was under tremendous pressure.