Cowgirl Strong

by Jenny Hammerle

  Cowgirl

  Strong

  Jenny Hammerle

  Cover design by Mya Chesser

  Copyright © 2014 by Jenny Hammerle. All rights reserved.

  Redneck Debutante is a registered trademark of Jenny Hammerle.

  Cover and interior design © 2014, Jenny Hammerle. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author. The only exception is brief quotations in professional reviews.

  Cowgirl Strong, Redneck Debutante #3 is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. All other characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination. The perspective, opinions, and worldview represented by this book are those of the author and are not intended to be a reflection or endorsement of anyone else’s views.

  ***

  For my grandmothers,

  Frances Decoteau and Cynthia Chesser,

  who helped mold me into the woman I am today.

  ***

  So faith, hope, love remain,

  these three;

  but the greatest of these is love.

  1 Corinthians, 13:13

  Chapter One

  The bells on the front door of the shop rang as another customer entered the Western store. It had been four weeks since Rachael and Travis had bumped into Amber and her mother- Rachael had thought of nothing else since.

  Scenes from a slumber party last year replayed through her mind over and over again. Rachael remembered all of her friends, their opinions about relationships, and the conversation that followed. For the most part, the conversation had been fun, lighthearted, and casual. That was until one shocking revelation made by Amber. Rachael still remembers feeling unsure about Amber’s announcement. She advised her to speak to her parents.

  Today, seated behind the register, labeling the newest earrings to arrive at the store, Rachael remembered all the things she could have said. Should have said. And now… wished she’d said. Travis could try to convince her it wasn’t her fault.

  But wasn’t some of the responsibility mine? My responsibility to warn her? My responsibility to protect her?

  “Excuse me, miss. Could you help me please?” An elderly woman with a sweet face stood on the other side of the counter from Rachael. “I’m shopping for a gift for my granddaughter. She’s around your age- and I think you might be better at selecting something she might like.”

  Rachael snapped herself out of her own thoughts, and stepped from around the counter to assist her. “I’d love to help you. Did you have anything particular in mind?”

  “Nothing specific, but I was considering a nice top with some matching earrings or a bracelet. She’s very feminine in her tastes.”

  “Sounds like something I could help you with.” Rachael walked over to the ladies section of the small store, and eyed the various t-shirts and dress shirts. If the girl was around her age, a fitted t-shirt would be something she would wear a lot more often than a Western, dress shirt. Rachael browsed the rack and found one in a pale purple with a large cross on the front and angel’s wings. The large script read ‘Forever Cowgirl.’

  Rachael loved this t-shirt when it first came in-stock two weeks earlier. If she’d had the money, she would’ve already bought it for herself, but since she hadn’t she would need to settle for the enjoyment of picking it out for others. Maybe this lady’s granddaughter would like the shirt as much as Rachael did.

  “What’s your granddaughter’s name?”

  “Misty.”

  Rachael’s head whirled around. She reconsidered the cross and angel’s wings adorning the front of the shirt.

  Could it be the same person? I hope not! If so, then this is definitely not the right shirt for her.

  “Misty- you say? I know a Misty that dances with me at school.” Rachael tried sounding nonchalant, hoping her face wouldn’t betray the deep feelings of animosity she had for this particular Misty.

  “Oh, my word! It must be my granddaughter. She goes to school at East Manatee High School.” The woman’s face conveyed her love for this child.

  Could we be talking about the same girl?

  Rachael pondered that thought for a moment.

  Everyone has a grandmother who loves them dearly- regardless of their shortcomings, flaws, and personality defects. Didn’t they?

  “Wow. What are the chances?” Rachael muttered but added a sweet, unconvincing smile.

  “I love the shirt, dear. I think it’s perfect and seeing as you already know her, I’m sure you’d agree!”

  “Most definitely.”

  Most definitely not! Angel’s wings…a cross!

  Is it a sin to lie to a dear, old Granny? What else can I say?

  No, on second thought, I think it’s a horrible choice for her. She is definitely no angel. I can’t imagine her in my shirt!

  Rachael scanned the store for something more appropriate for Misty. Something that would suit her perfectly. A few racks over she spied it. It was a pink t-shirt that said in bold letters across the front ‘The Cowgirl Way.’

  Hmm. If only that ‘W’ were an ‘L’- then it would be perfect.

  Be nice Rachael…her conscience warned.

  Rachael decided selecting an alternate shirt was out of the question and scanned the sizes for the fitted t-shirt…her shirt. She considered her own recent, newfound curviness. She knew it would need to be a medium, at least. She’d tried it on herself, it was snug around her small rib cage but allowed for her bust line up top. Rachael hated that she and Misty were similarly built now.

  She pulled a medium hanger from the rack and held it in her hand examining it more closely.

  “This should fit her nicely.” She announced, yet found the words were not easy to say, nearly choking her where they stuck in her throat.

  Rachael continued the torturous shopping experience of selecting matching earrings for Misty. She thought about asking what the special occasion was, but decided it was better not to ask. Her mother had always taught her if you really didn’t care, or were simply asking for the wrong reasons- you shouldn’t ask at all.

  Rachael walked over to the display case and looked in it.

  “There’s a wide assortment of earrings here. Do you see anything you like, or think she might like?”

  “Oh, honey, I’m really out of my element here. Is there anything that jumps out at you?”

  Rachael knew what the answer to this question should be. There was a pair of beautiful silver feathers that hung from simple wires. The silver feathers were long and tapered. They would hang to her jawline and be easily visible, even when her hair was down. Rachael hated the thought of Misty wearing her earrings. The ones Rachael had picked out just for herself.

  Rachael scanned the case for other options. That’s when she saw them.

  Those are the ones…

  To the far right of the case there was a hideous pair of large dangling cowgirl hats. The earrings themselves could double as small soup bowls. They were gaudy, ostentatious, and hideous- when Rachael thought of these earrings, she thought of Misty, but knew in her heart she just couldn’t do it.

  She sighed. “The long ones that are shaped like feathers are my favorites, but there are several other equally beautiful options in the case.” Rachael suggested hopefully.

  “No, you’re right. They’re the first ones I noticed when we walked over here. I’ll take them and the matching necklace and bracelet, too.”

  Rachael’s heart hit the floor. She’d loved the earrings, but it was the matching feather pendant necklace and brac
elet which had been her favorites. The set was one which could be worn with jeans and a simple top- or a nice dress for that matter. The necklace was long, maybe twenty-six inches in length, made of a simple braided silver rope. The feather pendant exactly matched the feathers on the earrings. Now they would be Misty’s.

  Rachael unlocked the case and pulled the set out. She carefully walked over to the counter and set them on top.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go to the back and get some gift boxes for you.”

  Rachael walked to the back and selected three small jewelry boxes for the earrings, necklace, and bracelet. She located a shirt box, as well. After grabbing some tissue she returned to the register.

  “Do you gift wrap?” Misty’s grandmother smiled sweetly.

  “Of course we do, but I only have one paper to choose from.” Rachael motioned to the roll of wrapping paper on the long counter behind her, where a large spool of paper hung, decorated with cowboy boots of every type.

  “It’s perfect.”

  Rachael finished up the purchase in near silence. After it was totaled and paid for, she began the painful process of wrapping Misty’s gifts with care. When she finished, she eyed the array of bows she had in a large box on the back counter. There were bows in every color and size. She opted for a beautiful teal bow and matching ribbon that perfectly picked up the teal tones in the wrapping paper. She placed the wrapped boxes in bags and turned to hand it to Misty’s grandmother, forcing a grin.

  “Will there be anything else?”

  “No. Thank you for your help today! I couldn’t have done it without you- and to think you know my lovely granddaughter! I can’t wait to tell her how much you helped me.”

  “Anytime.” Rachael heard herself offering, but hoped and prayed this wouldn’t be a regular occurrence. “I hope she likes them.”

  “She will, dear.”

  Rachael walked over and reopened the jewelry case, in need of something to do with her hands. The belt buckles were dusty and would require some polishing. Rachael grabbed a polishing cloth made for silver jewelry and feverishly set to work cleaning each one.

  Why does Misty bother me so much?

  Rachael let the thought roll around in her head a little. The bells on the door tolled again. It was busy for a Tuesday afternoon in July. Rachael lifted her head and greeted the customer who had just walked into the store, not making eye contact.

  “Good afternoon. Welcome to Linda’s Ranch Wear.” Rachael turned and nearly dropped her polishing cloth when she saw Amber standing at the door.

  “Hi, Rachael.” Amber hesitated. “I hope it’s okay I stopped by.”

  “It’s more than okay. It’s fantastic!” Rachael went over and gave Amber a huge hug. A look of relief washed over Amber’s face.

  “I wanted to stop in and say hi. I couldn’t leave things the way they were the other day. I’m sorry I ran from you and Travis. I saw you guys- but I wasn’t ready to face anybody just yet.” Amber fiddled with the strap on her purse. “I’m sorry for lying to you at the beach that day as well. My mother had asked me not to speak about it to anyone. I wanted to tell you the truth then, but I couldn’t.”

  “There’s no need to explain anything, Amber. A true friend doesn’t need to ask questions. I’m here for you. That’s that.”

  “I’m so glad to hear it. At least I’ve got one friend left.” A single tear fell down Amber’s cheek.

  “I’m sure you have more friends than you realize.”

  “I’m not so sure anymore. I ran into Alex and her mother in the grocery store. Alex was kind to me, but I could tell her mother wasn’t at all happy about my current condition- she barely allowed us to talk. That’s the reason my mother pulled me out of EMHS and sent me to Christian school. She explained the situation and I was able to complete the semester at home. I can return in the fall after the baby comes. I’m due next month.”

  Rachael stood taking it all in. She set the polishing cloth down on the counter. Amber was going to be a mom and in a very short amount of time. She would be having a baby!

  What about Clay? Does he know? Rachael wanted to ask, but couldn’t bring herself to pry.

  “What are you having?”

  “A little boy.” Amber announced.

  “You must be very excited.” Rachael smiled.

  Something in Amber’s body language changed, and Rachael could see there was something else she wanted to share.

  “No, Rachael. I’m not. I’m giving the baby up for adoption.”

  Rachael wasn’t sure how to respond. She stepped toward Amber, nearly tripping over her own boots, and said the first thing that came to mind.

  “I’m sure this hasn’t been an easy decision.”

  “No, it hasn’t. My parents feel it’s for the best. I’m too young to be a mom- to really be a mom.”

  Rachael thought of Shannah and her mother. Her mother had given birth to her at fifteen. The stresses of being a young mother had been too much for her. She’d left Shannah with her father, only to resurface from time to time.

  Rachael felt like a fish out of water in this conversation. Amber seemed to have a way of doing that to her. She didn’t have the life experience necessary to offer the help Amber needed. Maybe Amber hadn’t come in search of help- maybe all that was needed of Rachael was to listen.

  “What about you? How do you feel about the adoption?”

  “I’m okay with it now. As okay as I am going to be with it. Getting pregnant and having a baby at seventeen wasn’t what I had planned.”

  “No, I realize that. I wanted to apologize for not giving you better advice last year when you told me you were considering a more intimate relationship with Clay. I should have been sterner.”

  Amber smiled and laughed, though her amusement was fleeting.

  “I don’t know that it would’ve helped. I had made my mind up. I chose to do what I did and now I can’t undo it. Not that I would. A baby is a blessing and mine will make someone very happy.”

  “You have a great outlook on things. Have the adoptive parents already been chosen?”

  “Yes. We found them through our church.”

  “That’s great news.” Rachael searched her mind for something more to say, but was at a loss for words.

  “I better get going. Don’t be a stranger,” she grinned. “Maybe we could do lunch next week.”

  “I’d love to.”

  Rachael resumed her dusting and polishing duties. Amber had looked so happy and sad at the same time. She was making a family’s dream come true, but would she be ending her own dream in the process?

  Rachael heard of many young mothers who gave their children up for adoption and knew it was a viable option. A good option. But was it the right option for Amber? It was times like these Rachael wished her father were out of prison and here, face-to-face, with her. This conversation was one of the most difficult ones Rachael had ever encountered. Part of her wanted to cry, part of her wanted to rejoice in Amber’s mature decision- which couldn’t have been an easy one, and finally ... a part of her was angry.

  Angry this had happened to Amber. Angry that any young girl should have to face such a decision. Where was Clay’s responsibility in all of this? Rachael was angry the burden was only Amber’s to carry. Rachael was angry Alex’s mother had made Amber feel unwelcome. Mostly- Rachael was angry her friend’s life would be forever changed over one decision. A decision she wouldn’t be able to take back or undo. One word, and one word alone, returned to her mind over and over again.

  Unfair…

  Why is life so unfair?

  Chapter Two

  Shannah was gone for the summer- as usual. She popped into Rachael’s mind early the next morning while Rachael was feeding Taffy and ole’ lonesome George.

  Shannah unknowingly had become Rachael’s sounding board and voice of reason over the past two years. Rachael credited Shannah with helping her to see the error of her ways where Travis had been concerned, and subsequ
ently guiding her to fix their broken relationship. Now, faced with Amber’s current situation, Rachael wished to speak with either Shannah or her father- but neither were around.

  “What are you doing?” Rachael heard the familiar voice from behind her.

  Rachael glanced at the pitchfork and rake leaning against the wall beside her. She was lying carelessly on a bale of hay topped with a saddle pad, her legs and feet extending to the concrete floor of the barn. Rachael hadn’t even realized she lay down. She was mentally exhausted from going over and over the Amber situation in her head last night. She realized she hadn’t rested well. She must look pretty bad.

  She jumped up and righted her disheveled hair as best she could. “Just resting.”

  A quick glance at Travis revealed he was in his best jeans paired with a Western shirt with the sleeves cuffed exposing his tanned forearms. His hair was spiked and he had on his favorite boots.

  “You look nice! What’s the occasion?” Rachael took in her own appearance- boxer shorts, loose t-shirt, and boots. Wild, out-of-control curly blonde hair. It was quite the look, even for her.

  “Your birthday.” He smiled quizzically

  “Holy crap! I forgot today was my birthday.”

  “I thought I’d take you to breakfast and shopping, unless of course you’d rather lay around her all day in your current state of mopey-ness.”

  “I wasn’t moping!”

  “That was certainly moping. I know moping and all of the various other moods of Rachael- and that girl, was moping.”

  “Okay. So you’re right. I was moping.”

  Travis pulled her to her feet. He smelled so good, like pine trees and aftershave. He gave her a sweet kiss, took her by the hand, and led her to the back porch.

  “I’ll make you a cup of coffee. Pull yourself together, and then you can tell me what brought on this most recent bout of the mopes.” Travis stood in the kitchen looking oh so hot, pouring her a cup of coffee. He turned and glanced over his shoulder. “It’s not PMS is it?”

  “Travis!” Rachael stomped off.