by Kelly, Amber
“I don’t mind at all. We’ll have fun, won’t we, Beau?” I ask.
“Yes!” he shouts.
“Go on upstairs and get ready. I’ll get him dressed,” I offer.
“Thank you. I owe you for this,” she says as she throws her arms around my neck.
I pull her in close. She feels good.
“I’ll hold you to that,” I say as I bury my nose in her hair.
“Come on.” Beau tugs me loose from her and leads me to his room.
Once I have him dressed, we get into my truck with Fritz in tow and head to town. After eating, we walk the block to the pet store where we get Fritz a nice, roomy aquarium, heating pad, some gravel, and a few plants along with a water mister for the tank. Mr. Belcher, the shop’s owner, gives us a few care instructions and sells us pellets for food as an alternative to crickets, which I’m sure will please Dallas.
We take everything back to my house and set it up. Fritz seems very happy to be out of his jar and immediately hides in the shade of the plants. I sure hope this frog doesn’t die in a day or two. Beau would be heartbroken.
“Myer, are you a superhero like Batman?” Beau asks the peculiar question while I make us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch.
I’m not much of a cook. I can make sausage gravy and scramble an egg, but that’s about it.
“Why do you ask?”
“Mommy called you and Uncle Payne when she was scared of bad guys last night,” he says as if the question made perfect sense.
“No. We’re not superheroes; we’re just regular men,” I tell him.
“Batman is a regular man. He just has a cool suit, and he’s strong and smart like you and Uncle Payne. Like I’m gonna be when I get big,” he schools me.
“So, you wanna be a superhero, huh?” I ask as I hand him his plate.
“Yep, I wanna be just like Batman!” he says as he throws his arm in the air like he’s about to take off in flight.
I bend over the counter and look him in the eye. “I think you already are a superhero. Look at those muscles,” I say as I point to his little bicep.
“I can’t be a superhero now. I’m just a little boy. But when I grow up, I’ll be big and strong, and then I can save Mommy and Nana from the bad guys,” he informs me, and I can see the serious determination on his face.
The incident last night must have really shaken him up.
“Tell you what. Until you get bigger, I’ll help protect Mommy and Nana,” I offer.
“You will?”
“I sure will. Anytime they need me or you need me, I’ll be there.”
“How will you know if we need help? Batman sees the Bat-Signal in the sky,” he asks.
I think for a moment.
“I guess we’re gonna need our own Bat-Signal,” I suggest.
His eyes light up. “Like what?” he asks.
I scratch my head, and my eyes dart around the cabin and land on the lucky horseshoe nailed above the door. “How about a horse instead of a bat?”
“How will you see it?”
“You text it to me. If you’re ever in trouble and need me, you text me a horse, and I’ll be there as fast as Batman.”
“I don’t have a phone, silly.” He giggles.
“Your momma does. My number is saved in her phone.” I pull my phone from my pocket and show him how to find the contacts list. “If you guys are scared or need me, you or your momma just press my name in her favorite’s list and message me like this the letter H. Do you know that letter?”
“Yes, Mrs. Perry taught us our ABCs.”
He points to the H on the keypad.
“There you have it. I get an H, and I’ll know what to do. You got it?”
“Got it!” he shouts. Then, he takes a big bite of his sandwich and grins, jelly covering his hands and mouth.
Man, I love this kid.
Dallas
We’re waiting by baggage claim when Sophie spots her friend.
“Oh my God. What is she wearing?” Sophie asks in horror.
I turn to see what she’s talking about, and it’s not hard to find. There stands a five-and-a-half-feet-tall blonde pixie in the most ridiculous outfit I have ever seen.
“You’re kidding me, right? That is what you consider the New York version of me?” I ask as I gape at the vision.
“Um, she isn’t usually quite this extra,” she mumbles as we both stare in disbelief.
The girl spots us and dashes toward Sophie with her arms open wide. She drops her bags to the floor and lets out a high-pitched squeal as she wraps Sophie in a tight hug.
“Hey, Char. I’m so happy you’re finally here,” Sophie says as she backs up and gets a closer inspection of the girl’s outfit. “This is my friend Dallas.”
Charlotte turns to me and envelops me in her arms. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Dallas. Sophie talks about you all the time,” she greets.
“It’s nice to meet you too, but what’s with the getup?” I ask.
“What?” she says in confusion as she looks down at herself. “Jeff over at Western Spirit said it was the perfect bougie cowgirl attire.”
“I don’t think there is such a thing as bougie cowgirl,” Sophie softly breaks to her.
“You don’t like it? I think it’s awesome.”
She does a little turn. She is wearing jeans with rhinestone-embellished back pockets, a black velvet duster that comes to mid-thigh with leather fringe hanging from the arms, and a matching black velvet bedazzled cowgirl hat.
“You look like a rodeo clown,” Sophie says as she wrinkles her nose.
“Really? Is that a bad thing?” she asks with a frown.
“It’s not good. The word clown is your first clue,” Sophie answers.
“Damn, Jeff owes me. This outfit cost a fortune. He assured me that it would catch the eye of a cowboy,” she complains with a pout.
“It’ll catch their eye all right,” Sophie adds with a nod.
“Come on,” I offer as I loop my arm in hers and lead her toward the exit. “I’m sure I can find something for you in my closet that’s country and just trashy enough to say I’m on the prowl without saying I hope Woody and Buzz walk through the swinging saloon doors and buy me a drink.”
I hear Sophie’s laughter as she follows us out.
“We’ll have three mimosas to start,” I say as the waitress sets glasses of water in front of us.
We decided to stop in the city for brunch before heading back to Poplar Falls.
“Got it. I’ll get your drinks and give you a minute to look over the menu,” she says before heading to the bar.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Sophie says as she squeezes Charlotte, who is sitting next to her and across from me at our booth, which is close to the entry.
Charlotte accepts her hug and then looks her up and down. “You sound different, and you look different,” she observes.
“Different how?” Sophie asks in confusion.
“I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s like you’re glowing or something.” She shrugs.
“Maybe it’s all the fresh air and sunshine I’ve been getting,” Sophie offers with a smile.
“It’s all the sex,” I deadpan as I pick up the menu and peruse the selections.
Charlotte looks from me back to Sophie, wrinkles her forehead like she is assessing her, and then agrees, “You’re probably both right. She didn’t get either back home.”
The waitress returns with our mimosas just as two chatty figures enter the restaurant.
One stops and does a double take before speaking, “Dallas? Is that you?”
I look up to see Karen Wright. She and her husband were friends Travis and I used to spend quite a bit of time with when we lived here in Denver.
“Oh my God, it is you. I can’t believe it,” she squeals.
“Karen, hi,” I say as I stand and give her a quick hug.
“It’s so good to see you,” she coos. “I’ve mi
ssed you terribly.”
Funny, I haven’t heard a peep from her or any of our other so-called friends since I left.
“How have you been?” she asks with fake concern dripping from her words.
“Great,” I chirp as I lift my glass to my lips and bat my lashes at her.
“I’m so sorry about the house. Steve went to the auction when the government sold it off. We bid on a few of your nicer pieces of furniture, and I told him to offer the most he could to help you with your unfortunate situation,” she declares for the entire restaurant to hear.
“And what situation was that?” I ask.
“You know …” She covers her mouth and loudly whispers, “Restitution.”
I shake my head. “Not my situation, Karen. Never was.”
“Oh, I know it wasn’t. Travis was such a snake. I knew something was off with him all along. Intuition,” she says as she pats my shoulder, placating.
“Is that right?” I ask.
“Yes. And for him to leave you in the predicament he did? None of us could blame you for running off to take care of that …” she says in a fake whisper out of the side of her mouth.
“Take care of what?” I ask innocently as I look up at her.
“You know,” she says as she widens her eyes and rubs her stomach.
I start to see red, and Sophie can tell I am about to blow.
“Hi, I’m Dallas’s best friend, Sophie, and this is our friend Charlotte,” Sophie says as she reaches her hand out.
Karen takes it and gives her a quick shake. “Nice to meet you girls,” she says on a smile.
“What exactly do you mean, take care of that?” I ask over the exchange.
Her head snaps back to me. “You know, get rid of it. You did get rid of it, didn’t you?” She looks confused.
“Why would I get rid of a perfectly innocent baby?”
“Because of its genes, obviously. It was half Travis after all. Besides, who would want to raise a child all by themselves, much less one with a convict as a father?” she says on a nervous laugh. “Right?”
“Right,” I bite out.
“Uh-oh,” Sophie mutters under her breath.
“Well, Karen, I have met your mother and father, and they are lovely,” I say as her smile widens. “So, suffice to say, the catty-bitch gene you carry is not genetic. I guess there is hope for my sweet boy after all.”
Her smile falls, and she is puzzled by my honeyed tone for a moment until my words finally sink in. She starts to sputter and search for what I assume is an insincere apology when I wave her off.
“Run along; you’re ruining our pleasant brunch vibe.”
She huffs and then turns, scurrying off to her waiting friend.
“Shall we order? I’m starving,” I ask my friends.
Sophie’s hand reaches across the table and takes mine. I’m still slightly shaking with fury.
I look up, and her steady gaze hits me. I calm and squeeze her hand.
“Yes, let’s eat. Whew, that was intense. I thought you were going to get up and punch her in the face. I love Colorado already,” Charlotte says as she hands me my glass.
“You good?” Sophie asks.
“I’m fine. They can all go to hell, everyone in this town I ever considered a friend. Not once in the last six years did any of them pick up a phone and call to check on me or to see if the baby or I needed anything. They were all too concerned with their reputations and worried about what their husbands were up to. They had good reason to be. I bet half their men were either in business with Travis or a customer of his.”
Charlotte lifts her glass in a toast, and we follow suit.
“Screw ’em!”
We clink.
I look over as Karen and her friend exit the restaurant without getting a table. How dare they put any label on Beau. He’s not a mistake. He’s a blessing. He saved me. Gave me something to pick myself up and fight for. There’s not a trace of Travis Stovall in his kind little soul.
Dallas
After dropping Sophie and Charlotte back at Rustic Peak, I head to Myer’s cabin to relieve him.
I pull in, and he and Beau are down at the corral near the barn. Beau is sitting on the fence, and Myer is in the corral with a young light-brown horse. He has a rope in his hand, and he is walking the horse.
“Mommy,” Beau shouts as he spots me making my way down the hill, and Myer turns.
“Hey, baby,” I call as I approach.
“What are you two up to?” I ask as I scoop him up from the fence.
“Myer is gonna teach me how to ride a horse. He said we couldn’t ride today because we had to get your permission first, but if you say yes, we can ride Thumper!” he explains excitedly.
“Thumper?” I ask as I look to Myer.
“Yeah, he’s an older stallion we have. He’s very docile and easy to ride. A great horse to learn on,” he assures me.
“You think he’s old enough?” I ask as I look down at my boy in my arms. He looks so tiny.
“Pop had me on one as soon as I took my first steps. I think the younger he learns to ride, respect, and care for the animal, the better.”
“Please, Mommy. I will listen real good,” he begs. His big brown eyes are filled with excitement and hope.
As much as the thought of him on a horse scares me, I know that Myer would be a great teacher and take excellent care with him.
I give in. “Okay. I was thinking about starting him with lessons with Madeline. Let’s let him get a few classes in with her first to learn the basics, but you can take over after that, if you want.”
“Yay!” Beau squeals and wiggles from my arms. “She said yes, Myer!” he informs him unnecessarily.
“I heard,” Myer answers as he grins over at my son.
“Come and get me,” Beau says as he raises his arms into the air.
I laugh. “Baby, you can’t start today. It’s getting late, and we have taken up enough of Myer’s day.”
“Nah, we had fun, didn’t we, little man?” Myer brushes off my statement.
“Yeah, we got a house for Fritz and ate PBJs,” Beau starts to prattle off their day as Myer exits the corral.
“It certainly sounds like you two had a big day,” I confirm. “But I have to get you home and packed because you and Uncle Payne are having a sleepover, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Yay!” He takes off running for Myer’s front door, all thoughts of riding a horse gone.
“Thank you for the offer. You sure you want to take it on? He will be all over you to take him riding every time he sees you,” I say as Myer falls into step beside me.
“I’m sure. I remember the excitement of my old man teaching me. I’ll get him fitted to a saddle and get it on order.”
I stop and look at him. “Can you wait until the end of the month? Madeline has saddles for kids at her place that he can use for now, but I can take a few extra shifts at Faye’s—” I start.
He interrupts me, “Dal, I got the saddle.”
“No, really. I can have it by—”
He stops me again. “I want to buy it. Not for you. For Beau. A gift to him from me. Your first saddle is a big deal. My granddaddy bought mine. I’ll never forget that day or the first time he put me in it,” he says, his voice full of nostalgia.
“I thought you learned to ride when you were a toddler?” I call him out.
“I did, but I didn’t get a saddle of my own until I was big enough to ride alone.”
“Oh,” I say, uneasy about letting him spend that kind of money on us.
He takes me by my shoulders. “Dallas, it’ll be an honor for me to teach him and an honor to get it for him. Please?”
I decide to give in because it probably would mean a lot to Beau.
“All right, but you just bought yourself a bunch of home-cooked meals at my table,” I agree.
“Sounds like a sweet deal for me,” he says as he follows me to the cabin.
Sophie and Charlotte meet us at
my house after supper. Beau answers the door.
“Well, aren’t you the handsomest little thing I have ever seen!” Charlotte declares.
Beau looks up at her and grins. “I’m not a thing. I’m a little boy.”
She reaches down and ruffles his hair as she agrees, “You sure are.”
He throws his arms around Sophie’s legs in a hug as she introduces them, “Beau, this is my friend from New York. Her name is Charlotte.”
“Hi, Miss Charlotte. Your hair looks like mine,” he says as he points up at her.
I look over to see that her platinum pixie cut with a bit of a pouf on top does indeed look like his.
“It sure does. Thank goodness you’re a knockout. I can live with that,” she says with a wink.
He giggles.
“You want to see Fritz?” he asks.
“Sure,” Charlotte answers, and he runs off toward his bedroom.
“You have to get your stuff together. Pop-Pop is going to be here to get you and take you to Uncle Payne’s soon,” I call after him.
Sophie and Charlotte walk on in and take a seat at my island.
“I love your place,” Charlotte remarks as she looks around. “It’s cool as shit. Did you build it this way, or was it actually used as a silo?”
“It used to be. We converted it a few years ago. My momma and I saw it done on some HGTV show not long after Beau was born. We needed a place of our own, and she didn’t want her first grandbaby too far away, so we wrangled my daddy and uncle into renovating this old grain silo that Daddy wasn’t using anymore. Took them forever to get it done, but that’s because they’re both perfectionists. We moved in right after Beau turned three years old. I pay them a small monthly rent to pay back all the cost.”
“It’s fantastic. Do you sleep up there?” she asks as she peers up at the loft.
“Yep.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I guess you don’t get much privacy, huh?”
“Haven’t needed much, but I think, as Beau gets older, it might become a little bit of an issue. I’ll figure it out when the time comes,” I admit just as he runs back into the room with his hands held together.