Stetson's Storm

by Kathleen Ball

  Stetson’s Storm

  Lasso Springs Book Three

  Kathleen Ball

  Copyright © 2018 by Kathleen Ball

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  I dedicate Stetson’s Storm to all of my wonderful cousins, both in the United States and in Ireland. You have all been amazingly supportive and someday I hope to go to Ireland to meet a lot of you.

  Thank you to Stetson, my brother Mike’s dog for lending me his name.

  And as always, I dedicate my novel to my three guys, Bruce, Steven, and Colt because I love them.

  Contents

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  The End

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  Chapter One

  The bells above the diner door rang eerily in the still of the night. Storm startled then whirled around. It'd been quiet all night; the graveyard shift usually was. The money wasn't the greatest, but somehow she managed. Her eyes widened and her heart raced faster. It couldn't be, but it was. Stetson had returned.

  He noticed her but Storm saw no sign of recognition in his eyes. Maybe it was a good thing. She knew she looked drawn and tired. The circles under her eyes never seemed to disappear anymore, her hair no longer shone, and she was rail thin.

  His lack of recognition cut deep and the pain in her heart overwhelmed her. He didn't remember her, but she hadn't forgotten him for one day during his five-year absence.

  Grabbing the glass coffee pot, she quickly walked over to where he sat at the counter. "Coffee?"

  "Sure, honey," Stetson replied, looking over his shoulder at a group of new customers.

  Disappointment filled her being as she poured the hot liquid into his mug. "Anything else?"

  "Uh, no."

  Storm nodded, put the pot down, and walked into the kitchen to regroup. He unnerved her.

  "She's not the one for you." Storm heard one customer comment.

  "I'm not interested," Stetson's familiar voice responded.

  "Good thing. She's got a bit of a reputation." The busybody female's voice sounded sultry, as though she wanted Stetson for herself.

  Tears welled up in Storm's eyes waiting for his reply. All she heard was the ringing of the bells. She hoped she hadn't been stiffed again. Last time it had come out of her pocket. She walked back behind the counter. Stetson had left. He was always leaving.

  Storm had finally and firmly written him off, but her heart didn't agree. Thankfully, she had a strong mind. No man would ever play her for a fool again. Stetson had cost her everything, her home, her family. Most of the members of the town wouldn't talk to her.

  If it hadn't been for Nellie, Stetson's sister, she wouldn't have survived the last five years.

  She had to admit he looked damn good in his jeans, boots, and blue chambray shirt. Blue always brought out his striking, sky blue eyes. He had a few more lines on his face, his handsome, tanned, chiseled face. His thick blond hair curled out of control, and she had to stop herself from remembering how it felt to run her fingers through it.

  He'd filled out. He had a man's body now, with big shoulders and a slender waist. He probably had his share of women over the last five years. The thought crushed her. She'd been left to suffer and he'd gone on to fame.

  It still stung that Stetson never even said goodbye. He just up and left town one day while Storm had waited and waited to no avail. Finally, she had to tell her daddy she was pregnant.

  Mentally shaking herself, Storm grabbed the coffee pot and refilled the customers' mugs. Things were different now. She was different. She had a fine son that looked like them both since they both were blue eyed with blond hair. Scotty reminded her of Stetson.

  Her replacement was late again. Damn Bailey anyway! She knew that Storm had to get back home to her son, and each day she seemed to take delight in being late.

  Lasso Springs had been a fine town when Storm was growing up. It was rustic and small. Everyone seemed to know each other. There had always been a row of shacks at the edge of town. Rundown places with running water, barely. That was her home now.

  No one would hire her. She was no longer the right kind of person. Their archaic outlook filled her with fury. The community of Lasso Springs had turned their backs on her. The only job she could get was the graveyard shift at the diner. Making ends meet became almost impossible, but she did. She provided for Scotty and was proud she was a good mother.

  Looking at the clock again, Storm sighed. She knew she couldn't complain. Bailey was a spiteful young woman with a waspish tongue and Storm always got the feeling Bailey would love to get her fired.

  Storm heard laughter coming from the kitchen. Bailey finally showed up. It only took her another half hour to make her way to the front of the diner.

  Storm didn't wait for an apology that would never come. The cash drawer had been counted by Frank. Free to go, she brushed by Bailey, gathered her things, and left. It was a good walk home, but Storm couldn't afford a car. The dark clouds overhead looked ominous. Sure enough, it began to pour. Storm looked up into the heavens and asked, "Why me?" She knew the answer. She'd trusted and loved the wrong person.

  Sighing in relief, Stetson Scott made the turn onto the dirt road leading to the ranch. He was tired. The coffee at the diner helped a bit, but driving sixteen hours had taken its toll. Rubbing the back of his neck, he could feel the knots of tension.

  He had a lot to do before he'd be able to get any shuteye. He had to see to his horses in the trailer. They needed tending first. Then he'd deal with his sister.

  The big iron sign that read "Scott Ranch" hung at an awkward angle across the drive. Stetson was concerned. Granted, his father was dead, but he always took pride in the ranch. Driving further, the evidence of neglect showed even more. The fences had holes in them. The barn looked to be in disrepair, and the house needed a coat of paint.

  It seemed as though he'd been gone much longer than five years. Something was dreadfully wrong. The Scott ranch had always been one of the most prosperous in the county. Judging from its current condition, Stetson doubted that to be true anymore.

  The sun was making itself known in the big Texas sky. No matter where he went he always missed Texas. Getting out of the truck, he took a deep breath of the sweet air.

  The screen door flew open and Nellie came running out. She was a welcome sight. Her light brown hair trailed behind her as she ran to him. Nellie's smiles were always beaming. They could make a person feel as though the sun shined only for her.

  Stetson opened his arms, grabbed her up, and swung her around. Her laughter w
as a balm to his heart.

  "Looking good, Sis," he said, putting her down. "You’re as pretty as a newborn filly."

  "Always with the horse talk," she teased. "I'm glad you're home."

  Home, Stetson hadn't called any place home in years. He wasn't sure he wanted to call this ranch home again. "I got your letter and lit out."

  "I knew you'd come." Nellie's eyes filled with unshed tears.

  "It's been bad?"

  Nellie nodded and walked into his embrace. Stetson could feel her body rack with sobs. He wished he could feel something, anything about his father's passing. He just felt numb and it bothered him.

  "Why didn't you get in touch with me sooner? This place looks run down."

  "Papa wouldn't let me. He'd rather we starve than get help."

  "I'm sorry, Nellie." Stetson rubbed his hands up and down her back.

  Nellie pulled away and smiled at him. "You're here now, that's all that matters. The ranch is yours now, and I just know you can turn it around."

  Stetson frowned. "What do you mean? I figured I was cut out of the old man's will."

  "He left everything to you. I got nothing."

  "Oh, Nellie, I'm sorry. Listen, I have to take care of Rosie and Bandit, and then I'll be in. Have some coffee ready for me?"

  "Yes, I'll make it extra strong, just the way you like it."

  "Thanks."

  Stetson watched her walk away. What the hell happened around here? He hadn't planned to stay for long, but he couldn't leave Nellie with this mess. He'd get the ranch back into shape, sign it over to Nellie, and get the hell out.

  Damn his father anyway. It was his way or the highway, and Stetson chose the highway. He loved horses and planned to be a rancher someday after his rodeo days were over. His father couldn't accept it.

  He led Bandit into the barn, shocked to see so many empty stalls. Maybe if he had stayed. No, he couldn't think that way. His father left him no choice with his ultimatum: stop doing rodeo or leave. Stetson left and never looked back.

  Leading Rosie into the barn, he remembered better times with the stalls all filled with champion horses and ranch hands aplenty. Maybe his father had been sick these last few years.

  Stetson settled his horses and strode to the house. The screen door closed behind him with a loud bang. Some things were the same. The house appeared clean. Nellie had been doing a good job. Thankful the coffee was ready, he poured himself a cup.

  "Still drink it black?" Nellie asked from the doorway that led into the family room.

  "I'm still a cowboy aren't I?"

  Nellie laughed. "I forgot a cowboy drinks his coffee black and eats his steak raw."

  Stetson smiled. "We need to talk. What the hell went on around here? Where are the horses?"

  Nellie put her hands in her jean pockets and stared at the floor. "It was my entire fault," she whispered.

  "What does that mean?" Stamos asked, gently.

  "I refused to marry the man Papa picked out for me." She glanced up to his blue eyes, pleading for understanding. "I wanted to marry for love. I would have left, but I had nowhere to go. I stayed and kept house, but Papa wouldn't talk to me, only to criticize. So, you see, it's all my fault."

  "Is that why he left the ranch to me?"

  "You are the lesser of two evils."

  Stetson gave her a slight smile. "You could never be evil, honey. Who did he want you to marry?"

  "Pat McCrory."

  Stetson widened his eyes in surprise. "Storm's father?"

  Nellie nodded and stared at the floor again.

  "He wanted you to marry that old geezer? What was he thinking?"

  Nellie walked over to Stetson and put her hand on his arm. "He wanted to stop the revenge that Pat was extracting. The price for him to stop was me."

  Stetson put his coffee down and hugged Nellie. "It's not your fault. What the hell had McCrory's tail in a knot?"

  "You left Storm without saying goodbye and we didn't know how to reach you."

  "What does that have to do with anything?"

  "Stetson, she was pregnant with your son."

  Stetson stiffened and let go of Nellie. "What?" he asked in a harsh whisper.

  "McCrory figured you owed him, so he wanted me. He threw Storm out as soon as he found out. She works at the diner, graveyard shift."

  Stetson closed his eyes. It couldn't be. The waitress couldn't have been his Storm. Surely, he would have known. She had his son. His heart raced as his whole world turned upside down.

  Exhausted, Storm made herself a pot of coffee. Finding time to sleep had been an ongoing problem. By the time she got home from the diner, Scotty was up and ready to start his day.

  She couldn't afford to send him to preschool or any type of daycare. She'd been blessed that her next-door neighbor, Lottie Burns, watched him at night for free. Lottie had no family of her own, and it seemed she had adopted Storm and Scotty. Storm didn't know what she'd do without the older woman.

  "I think I'm going to the park today, Mommy," Scotty said, smiling up at her with hopeful eyes, Stetson's eyes.

  "We'll see." The other children weren't very kind to Scotty, and the mothers ignored her. Scotty didn't seem to notice, but Storm didn't like to expose him to their attitudes.

  Scotty frowned and shook his head. "That means no," he said with a heavy sigh.

  Storm bent down and picked him up. "Now why do you say that?"

  "We'll see is always a no."

  Storm smiled and ruffled his hair. "Well that hardly seems right. Let me get changed and then we'll go."

  "All right!" Scotty cheered, jumping out of her arms.

  They walked to the park, holding hands, much to Scotty's objection. He thought holding hands was for babies. The park was practically empty, and some of the burden on her shoulders lightened.

  Scotty raced to the slide and Storm sat on a nearby bench. It was nearly spring, Storm's favorite time of the year. The whole world seemed fresh and new with endless possibilities. Not for her, she conceded. She tried to hold on to hope and determination, that maybe someday but life had worn her down and she had to finally admit dreams weren’t reality.

  Storm's heart lurched when she spotted the male striding across the grass. She'd been expecting him, but she hoped somehow he wouldn't find out about Scotty.

  He looked so fine. Rodeo riding had made his arms bulge with strength. His eyes were the same bright blue as their son's. He wasn't smiling. In fact, he appeared downright angry. Storm felt intimidated, but she had to hold her ground.

  There was no smile, no greeting. Stetson sat next to her on the bench and watched Scotty go up the ladder and slide down. "So it's true," he finally commented.

  Storm didn't want to look at him. She didn't want him looking at her. She knew she looked like something the cat dragged in. She was no longer the bright-eyed teenager he knew. The last five years had taken a toll on her.

  "He's mine," Stetson sighed.

  "No, he's mine. No one else's, just mine," Storm retorted, still not looking at him.

  "Look, Storm--"

  "Save it for someone that wants to hear it. I waited and waited; now it's too late."

  Stetson ignored her as Scotty came running over full of energy.

  "Mommy, I'm all dirty."

  Storm laughed. "So what else is new, kiddo?"

  Scotty stole a look at Stetson, and then he stared. "You look like me!"

  Stetson chuckled. "You look like me too."

  Scotty turned to his mother. "He must be handsome, Mommy, just like me, right?"

  Storm shifted her gaze to Stetson. Their eyes locked. "Yes, Scotty, he is handsome. Scotty, this is Stetson Scott, an old friend."

  "Howdy," Scotty said.

  Storm watched as Stetson swallowed hard. She couldn't read the array of emotions that came across his face, but she could tell he was touched to meet his son.

  "Hey, my name is Scotty and your last name is Scott. You can change it to be like mine if ya want. T
hen we can both be Scotty."

  "You might be onto something, Scotty. It would be fun if we had the same name." He stared right at Storm with his right eyebrow raised.

  Storm had had enough. Her nerves began to frazzle. "Well, nice to see you again. Maybe we'll see each other in another five to ten years."

  Stetson gave her one of his knowing smiles that she hated. "Oh, I don't know, that might be too long to wait."

  "Can you come and visit us?" Scotty asked, jumping up and down.

  Stetson chuckled. "You can bet on it, Scotty."

  Storm stood up and grabbed Scotty's hand, leading him away.

  "Did you hear that, Mommy? He's going to visit!"

  "Yes I heard," Storm said, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders again.

  Chapter Two

  "How the hell did Storm end up in that decrepit shack? Good God, she's raising my son there? It looks as though a good strong wind would cause it to collapse," Stetson asked his sister as soon as he returned from town.

  Nellie winced. "You went by her place?"

  "Yes, damn it!" he yelled, pounding his fist on the kitchen table. The dishes rattled.

  "I'm sorry, Stetson." Nellie reached out to put her hand on top of his.

  "Sorry doesn't cut it." Stetson immediately regretted yelling at Nellie as she cringed away. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to take it out on you."

  "Papa wouldn't let me contact you. He was beyond mad when you left. He never expected that any of his wishes would be defied," Nellie explained with tears in her eyes. "I wasn't allowed to acknowledge Scotty. I did what I could for them. I left food and clothes on their front porch. I knew Storm wouldn't accept it if I rang the bell. She's got too much pride to accept help."