Stetson's Storm

by Kathleen Ball

  “Colt O’Malley needs you sometime today. Guess he had to rescue another horse last night. A mare. He said it’s the usual but needs you to come take a look.”

  Holden ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “I guess I thought since the town was so small there would be less animal abuse. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  Mindy Sue nodded, got up and went to the coffee pot on the counter. She poured a cup and handed it to Holden. “Times are tough. The price of hay has gone up and plenty of people are losing their ranches and farms.”

  Holden took a sip of the coffee. “Thank God for people like Colt. At least the horses have a place to go.”

  “Have you met Stone McCoy or Jonas Barnes?” He shook his head. “Well, you will soon enough. They take in the overload. If Colt doesn’t have room for a horse, Jonas and Stone jump in. It’s a shame that extra room is needed at all. Jonas takes the ones that look like they won’t make it. He likes to make their last days happy.”

  “He doesn’t—”

  Mindy Sue’s eyes grew wide. “No, he doesn’t put them down himself. That’s your job.”

  “As it should be. I’m going to head out there now.” He started to walk to the door and turned back around. “Do you know Summer Fitzgerald?”

  “Yes I do. She’s lived here all her life. There was some trouble and I heard she got kicked out of her apartment. Why?”

  “She’s working at my place.”

  Mindy Sue nodded. “Good. She’s in good hands then.” He opened his mouth to ask another question but Mindy Sue put her hand up in front of her. “Stop right there. The trouble was not her fault in my opinion and you know I hate gossip. Ask her yourself.”

  “Fair enough. Call if you need me.” He walked out the door. On the way to his pick-up he spotted Beverly Rain hurrying toward him and he wanted to run in the opposite direction. That woman never had anything pleasant to say.

  “Wait, Doctor. I have news for you.”

  Holden bit back a few curses. “Good morning, Mrs. Rain.”

  “Yes, well it’s Miss. If you are going to the O’Malley place you’d better know what you’re in for.”

  “What would that be?” He really didn’t have the patience for her today.

  She looked pleased with herself. “The horse was taken from Jacob Ash. He’s one mean son of a gun. Please be warned. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the new doctor.”

  “Have a good morning.” He bit back a smile. She did not like his dismissal at all, but the sour look on her face made his day. She opened her mouth and he walked away as fast as he could. Being friendly was one thing but gossip just plain hurt.

  He hopped into his truck and wondered how things were going at home. Hopefully Summer was getting accustomed to the house and his brothers. They could be a handful and he didn’t need her scared off the first day.

  Summer peered around the big house and wanted to scream. It looked as though a storm had come through. There wasn’t one empty, clean, spot in the whole place, with plates, cups, clothes, papers and mud spread throughout. No wonder Holden was so intent on having her stay.

  She glanced at Matt. “Pigs live better.”

  “Now, Miss Summer, that’s debatable with them living mostly outside and all.” His lips twitched as though he was trying to contain laughter.

  For a second she was tempted to wipe the grin off his face, but he was so darn cute. “Very funny. Now who usually cooks around here?”

  It took him so long to answer she thought he hadn’t heard her.

  “Which day?”

  Shaking her head she grinned. “I think I get the idea. No one cooks and no one cleans.”

  Matt shrugged his shoulders. “We do, when necessary.” He shifted from one foot to the other staring at the mud caked floor.

  She felt bad for him. Maybe he was really the shy type inside. “Go on to the horses and whatever else you men do. I will try my best to make a dent in this mess.”

  A smile swept his face as he glanced at her. “Start in the kitchen. I’m starved.” He was out the door before she could answer him.

  First, she’d have to clear a path to the kitchen. They hadn’t unpacked from the move, so there were boxes everywhere. Holden said he’d pay her double, but now that she thought about it, she still had no idea how much the original pay was. A lapse of judgment on her part. She really didn’t have anywhere to go, but if she didn’t like it here she could wait until she got just enough money to put gas in her car and run for it. That was the big appeal of being a bartender. You could find a job anywhere. Just not in Carlston, not anymore.

  It’d been hazardous and time consuming moving boxes and making a clear path to the kitchen. It was not what she expected. The cabinets were polished maple, the stove and refrigerator were stainless steel. Summer chuckled and shook her head. She’d almost expected some kind of wood burning stove. It would be worth cleaning up here just to see what it all really looked like.

  Hearing footsteps, she turned. The youth before her appeared just old enough to start shaving. He was well toned, probably from working the ranch. She tilted her head to look into his eyes. “You must be Mark.”

  He nodded as a shy smile crossed his face. “Is it true? Are you going to cook?”

  Summer laughed. “If I can get this kitchen cleaned, that’s the plan.”

  “Oh boy!” The excitement on his face warmed her.

  “Mark, how old are you?”

  “I’m sixteen, Ma’am.” He stood a bit taller.

  “How old is everyone else? And you don’t have to call me Ma’am. Summer will do.”

  His smile was boyish and a bit lopsided. She liked him instantly. “Holden is twenty-six. Matt is eighteen, Luke is fourteen, and John is twelve.”

  “I see. I thought you all to be older.”

  “That’s because we work as hard as any man and we’re strong.” His pride was unmistakable.

  Summer nodded. “I believe you. Now I need to get back to the dishes, so you should get going unless you want to help.”

  His eyes widened in alarm. “No thank you, M—Summer. I have plenty to keep me busy.”

  He practically fled the house. They were just boys after all, except for Holden of course. Maybe she could do some good here.

  Long hours later, she finally glanced around the sparkling kitchen, proud of her hard work. The kitchen was absolutely beautiful. Everything from the floor to the faucets looked brand new, and during her deep clean she’d been lucky enough to find enough ingredients to make spaghetti and meatballs. Jarred sauce but it would have to do. There was even a biscuit mix she could use. Good thing she had a good teacher. The kitchen was her comfort zone. When she’d started as a bartender at The Carlston Bar and Grill, she didn’t know much but the owner Paul had patiently taught her to cook and make a damn good martini.

  Rest in peace Paul. A tear threatened to fall but she sucked it up.

  “Done is done,” her mother always said. There was no time to feel sorry for herself. She was still alive and able to kick where it counted.

  The door opened and Holden walked in. She had a great view of him from the kitchen. Her stomach clenched and a shiver went up her spine. He was one fine specimen of maleness and her boss. This attraction needed to stop immediately. There was no sense admiring her boss when her focus needed to be those boys. She dried her hands with a clean towel, apparently the only one in the house.

  “Wow.” Holden’s dark eyes reflected his appreciation. “You have been busy. This kitchen hasn’t been this clean since we moved in.” He made his way through the path she’d made in the great room. “I’m sorry the place is such a mess. I’m constantly on call and the boys…”

  Summer smiled. It was nice to be appreciated for a change. “It’s a beautiful kitchen. The Clarks owned this place, didn’t they?”

  Holden seemed caught up in admiring the kitchen. “Yes. I guess the father is in a home and the son wanted to sell. He upgraded the whole house,
but I would have taken it anyway. The land is prime.”

  “It is a beautiful view.”

  “Sure the view is great but I’m talking about ponds and streams and lush grass.” He had a faraway look in his eyes as he stepped toward her.

  His shoulders were wider than she thought and he was much taller. His hips were slim and his legs appeared solid under his Wranglers. She stepped away from him and walked to the other side of the kitchen, putting the large table between them. “You’re right by the way. Your brothers are really boys.”

  “That’s why I need someone. I can’t be everywhere and you can see what a disaster I’ve made of the house. Truthfully, my practice has three times the patients than I was told.”

  “You call the animals the patients? What about the humans?”

  “They are just the owners. Some should be hung out to dry.” Sighing loudly, he sat down and ran his fingers through his thick hair.

  “Bad day at the office?”

  “Something like that. Colt had a mare named Yo-Yo he rescued. The poor thing’s ribs and spine were showing. She has severe rain rot, dental problems and overgrown feet. Not good at all.”

  “How the hell does that happen?”

  Holden gave her a sad smile. “Unfortunately it’s not an isolated case. Happening a lot more these days. Do you know Colt O’Malley?”

  “Sure, and his brother Caleb. Nice guys.”

  Holden nodded without taking his gaze off her. “Met him today, good man. I’m supposed to meet Stone McCoy and Jonas Barnes tomorrow. They handle rescues too.”

  “I went to school with Jonas. He’s a great guy. Stone moved here a few years ago. I don’t know too much about him except he’s a decent person and a good rancher. He asked me out on a date once.”

  “I take it you didn’t go?”

  “No, I’m leaving all the eligible bachelors for the rest of the women in town. I’m fine on my own.”

  His gaze grew piercing. “That explains it.”

  Her hands became sweaty and a lump formed in her throat. “Explains what?”

  “I was wondering why you’re single. You are, aren’t you?”

  Summer frowned. She didn’t like personal questions and she didn’t want him in the kitchen. “You do know that a woman doesn’t need to get married don’t you? We can support ourselves. Now I have to finish getting dinner ready.”

  Holden nodded and started to walk to the door. He stopped and stared at her. “Well?”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake. I’m single. No one would have me.” She instantly wished she could take her outburst back. His eyes widened as he looked her up and down, and his assessing embarrassed her. Of course she’d had boyfriends but she somehow always found the jerks. It wasn’t as though she was a raving beauty who attracted tons of guys.

  Holden started to march back toward her.

  “Get your brothers and tell them it’s time to eat.” She didn’t want any false compliments.

  He hesitated as though puzzled, but shrugged his shoulders and headed out the door.

  Holden tried not to laugh at his brothers. They’d never acted so polite and well-mannered before. All through dinner they said please and thank you and they complimented Summer’s cooking constantly. It was damn good he had to admit.

  He felt bad leaving to get the boys for dinner. Why would she say something as ridiculous as no one would have her? She was pretty enough and her figure was nice. If he was being honest it was better than nice. She seemed sane enough too. His face grew warm as he realized he’d been staring at her like some moon-eyed youngster. He glanced down at his plate instead. He didn’t need anyone getting ideas of becoming involved with him.

  “Right, Holden?” Luke kicked him under the table.

  “Ow. What is wrong with you?” He was immediately sorry for his outburst when he saw Luke’s frown. “Luke, what did you want?”

  Luke’s face turned red. He quickly glanced at Summer and just as quickly looked away. “I was just sayin’ that she’d be hard put to find a place to sleep tonight.”

  Holden leaned over and ruffled Luke’s hair. “You giving up your bed, bud?”

  An impish grin crossed Luke’s face. “Nah, I’m a boy, remember? I need my sleep. Now you being an old man and all…” Luke chuckled.

  Luke’s laugh was infectious and soon they were all laughing. Holden locked eyes with Summer. Her blue eyes were filled with mirth and it was nice to see her smile. “Guess I hadn’t thought this whole thing out. Summer, you can have my bed.”

  “No, no that’s okay,” she protested. “The couch is fine.”

  “No, the couch isn’t a good idea. I get calls all night to help animals. I don’t want to worry about disturbing your sleep.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  Holden pushed back from the table and stood. “Guys, help me get this couch cleared off. Been so long I’ve forgotten what color it is.”

  The boys each left the table and grabbed things off the couch. Everything from socks to harnesses was cluttering it. Holden laughed and held up a pocket watch. “I’ve been looking all over for this.”

  Matt stopped and nudged him. “How about your room? Is it decent for a lady?”

  Summer stepped toward them. “If you have clean sheets I can make the bed.”

  “Anyone know where the sheets are?” Holden asked hopefully. “Well, we’ll have to look in a couple boxes and find them.”

  Mark laughed. “A couple boxes?” He nodded toward the stacks of unpacked boxes, dark eyes full of humor.

  They all looked through boxes. Matt and Holden tackled the taller stacks while the others searched in the boxes they could reach, until Luke yelled, “Found them!”

  Holden took them and turned to hand them to Summer, except she wasn’t there. “Where’d she go?”

  “Your room?” Mark suggested.

  John shook his head. “We’d have heard a scream if she went in there. Holden is the biggest slob here.”

  Holden’s jaw dropped open. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means that you need to get up here and help me,” Summer called down.

  Matt immediately headed for the stairs. Holden caught up to him and put his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “My mess. I’ll take care of it.”

  Matt scowled at him and his gut clenched. He hoped that Matt didn’t have another crush on a woman too old for him. Shaking his head, he climbed the stairs vowing to keep an eye on that one.

  “He’s right you know.” Summer stripped the sheets off the bed.

  “Who?”

  “John. I almost did scream but I thought I’d save that for my second day on the job.”

  “I am not—” He stopped when he saw her grinning at him. “Alright I admit it. I’m not a neat freak.”

  “A neat freak? No, Holden, not even close.” She laughed and the sound lightened his heart a bit..

  “I’m sorry. I really didn’t plan very well.”

  “Holden, I’m surprised that you even have time for a job. I can tell you love your brothers. That makes up for a lot.”

  He glimpsed pain in her eyes and wondered about it. He had his own personal problems that he didn’t want to divulge, so he wouldn’t ask about hers. “I’ll help you make the bed.”

  She hesitated and he got the feeling she’d rather do it alone. “On second thought, why don’t I just carry the laundry downstairs? I’ll need to get a few things out of here for tomorrow and for tonight. My hours…well I sleep when I can.”

  “It’s fine,” Summer walked to the corner of the room furthest away from him, avoiding his gaze. In fact, she suddenly found the sheets fascinating and kept staring at them.

  Grabbing the laundry, he glanced at her. Nothing. One minute she was laughing and the next, well, he didn’t know what was going on.

  He carried his laundry downstairs and found his brothers all watching some murder mystery on TV. The quiet was welcome. He walked back to his room for the rest and Summer stood in the s
ame corner still staring at the sheets.

  “Is there something wrong with the sheets?”

  Her head popped up. “No. I was just waiting for you to get your things. I’m pretty tired.”

  “You’re sure you don’t want me to help make the bed?”

  “No. I mean thank you but I can handle it.” Grabbing the sheets, she finally began to make the bed.

  “Summer?”

  “Yes?”

  He wanted to ask about her sudden change, but thought better of it. “Good night.”

  “Good night.” She nodded and looked up, but not at him. She gazed just to the left of him.

  Before he had any more time to try to puzzle her out, his phone rang. A man in the next county had tried to load up two trailers full of horses to be sold as horse meat. There were already two vets on the scene but Colt asked if he could come too.

  “Damn, I have to go.”

  “You look worried.” Summer’s brow furrowed as she studied him.

  “I need to rescue some horses. Look I know this is your first night and all and the boys—”

  “We’ll be fine. You go, you’re needed and I’ll take care of the boys. Don’t worry, I can handle it.” Her voice exuded confidence.

  “Thanks.” Rushing around he grabbed clean clothes to take downstairs. Before he left he gave her a long look, nodded and then flew down the stairs.

  The boys barely glanced up when he explained he had an emergency to attend to. They were used to his schedule. They didn’t even say goodbye as he left. Shrugging his shoulders he wondered if it was a good thing that he wouldn’t be missed.

  Summer sat up in Holden’s bed and stretched her arms over her head. It had been a night of constant interrupted sleep. She’d heard Holden leave and she fell asleep only to be woken later by a cry from one of the boys. Rushing out of her room, she found John shouting out in his sleep. She woke him and held him for a few minutes until he told her he was too old for mollycoddling. Returning to her room, she checked the couch, and still no Holden. She went back to bed but sleep came hard. Finally, she heard Holden come in around two o’clock. After that she drifted off.