True-Blue Texas Cowboy

by Janalyn Knight

  Jesse grinned, looking pleased that she was happy with his gift.

  She leaned in and sniffed a rose, then asked, "What do you know about grilling steaks?"

  "I can hold my own. Why?"

  "I've got four T-bones I'd like to grill. How about we do it together? I made iced tea and I have wine. I'm sorry there was nothing open to buy you beer."

  "Well, I had two beers at the house and they're in a cooler in my truck. How about we save the beer and wine for after dinner and drink tea now?"

  Nodding, she said, "We're having a simple dinner. Microwave baked potatoes, corn, steaks and homemade bread."

  "I've died and gone to heaven. I haven't had home-made bread in years."

  She fixed them both a tall glass of iced sweet tea and made sure the tin foil she'd wrapped the bread in was tight and would keep it warm. They headed outside with the tray of steaks and the grilling fork.

  She explained her lack of briquettes. "Do you think the fire's ready? I hope it is. I'm getting hungry."

  Jesse put the wire grill on the pit. "It looks perfect to me. You did a great job preparing the coals. I haven't cooked over a real mesquite fire in a long time. We'll have some mighty fine eating tonight."

  Using the big fork, she placed the steaks over the coals.

  Jesse took the fork from her and closed the lid on the grill. "I'll do the honors from here, ma'am."

  She pulled two lawn chairs into the shade of the porch.

  They visited for a while, and Jesse got up to check the steaks. Turning them around, but not over, he covered them again and said, "My meeting went well this morning," and told her about the two properties. "You'll never guess where the 3109 place is."

  "Where?"

  "Right next door to yours. Just past it as you're coming from 209."

  "I heard old man Harper died. I'm sure you're talking about his place—it's a nice piece of land."

  "I'll look at a place down towards Knox City next Sunday, but it'd sure have to be something to beat this place."

  "Well, I'm real happy for you, Jesse. Will you run cattle? What are your plans?"

  He sat down again. "Well, my dream has always been to open a roping school. I'll put up an arena, raise cattle, and build a house. Most of the fence is new, so there won't be much in the way of that to be done. The place has been well taken care of, so I won't be starting from scratch. I really do like it."

  She laid her hand over his, looking him in the eyes. "Whenever you need to leave, you just let me know. I'll understand."

  Jesse squeezed her hand. "This whole process takes time. You know that. Whatever I decide, I'll be able to finish that pond, for sure." He took a long drink of iced tea. "Man, these last few days have been hot—no hint of a breeze. Surely, we're going to get some rain soon, don't you think?"

  Taking up the change of subject, she said, "I watched the weather a few nights ago, and the seven-day forecast didn't mention any rain. I don't know what we'll do if we don't get some soon. This is the worst I can remember it being this time of year."

  Jesse stood and checked the steaks again, turning them and returning to the table. When he went over again, he said, "I think we've got about five or six more minutes here. Do you want to wash this sheet off for me and bring it back out?"

  She took it inside, popping the potatoes in the microwave and turning on the corn first thing. Then she washed and dried the pan and took it back outside to Jesse.

  Setting the pan down, she stood next to him, enjoying their easy companionship.

  He put his arm around her, hugging her close. "How about I do a rain dance when I go home tonight—scare up some water for those ponds?"

  She leaned her head into his shoulder. "Cowboy, I'll take all the help I can get for this ranch. Rain dance away."

  In a couple of minutes, Jesse dished up the steaks and grinned. "Dinner is served."

  Once inside, she put her old Muddy Waters record on the turn table. Carrying potatoes on a hot pad, she dropped one on her plate and two on Jesse's.

  He asked where the bathroom was so he could wash up.

  She brought the food to the table and refilled their tea glasses.

  Jesse came back in the kitchen, and she pointed him to his place at the table. His sweet smile warmed her.

  He looked at the dinner before him. "This is wonderful, Lee. Let's say grace."

  She stared hard at him. "Go ahead, cowboy." She and God didn't see eye to eye over her loss of Megan and Wess's slow, painful death.

  Jesse smiled, bowed his head and said, "Lord, I thank You for this evening and coming into Lee's home and sharing this wonderful meal. Thank You for bringing this woman into my life and for the opportunities You put in my path. Please shower blessings on Lee. She so richly deserves them. And bless my momma. Ease her pain and make her days full of love. In Your Son's Name. Amen."

  Lee kept her head down. "That was beautiful, Jesse, and I appreciate that."

  He put a steak on her plate and one on his.

  Keeping her head down, Lee cut her potato open and added a hefty dollop of butter, then cheese and bacon bits.

  Jesse's simple, yet eloquent, prayer had touched her deeply. He spoke directly to his God, with sure faith of being heard. When was the last time she'd spoken to God like that? She either hated Him or doubted His presence at all. She sighed, listening to her Muddy Waters record wind down.

  Jesse served himself corn and asked, "Mind if I cut us some of that wonderful smelling bread?"

  She finally looked up at him. "Sure, go ahead."

  He grinned. "I cannot believe I'm eating warm homemade bread. This is better than dessert."

  "Well, that's good, cowboy, because we have no dessert."

  Jesse barked a laugh. "Girl, you're funny. What am I going to do with you?"

  "Make me a pond, that's what."

  "Sassy, sassy."

  Lee talked about the heifers and mentioned that one had been restless earlier in the day and should be checked. Then she told him that a few more over with Mad Dog were bagging up and needed to be brought over to the barn pasture in the next couple of days.

  After dinner, Jesse helped wash the dishes even though she told him no way in no uncertain terms. Hard-headed cowboy. But, rubbing elbows with him at the sink was fun and when she popped off to him one too many times, he rolled up the tea-towel and snapped her with it. Why do guys always have to do that? She had to laugh, though, after her butt quit hurting.

  Jesse hung his towel in the stove handle. "I'll go get my beer, if you want to pour yourself a glass of wine, Miss Lee."

  "Bossy, bossy."

  He grinned and walked outside to his truck.

  She poured her wine and headed to the living room, looking out at the evening and her flowers in the yard.

  Jesse came back in, and the fridge opened.

  He popped a top and came walking over to stand beside her. "You've got a green thumb."

  "Not really, I just water, prune here and there, fertilize once in a while and the Texas sun does the rest."

  "Well, the flowers are beautiful. I was impressed when I drove up that first day. It said a lot about you before I talked to you about the job."

  He rested his arm on her shoulders, and she leaned into him. Closing her eyes, she breathed in his clean, fine smell.

  Jesse kissed her forehead before releasing her. "So, come sit with me and tell me about Lee Granger."

  "Okay, you asked for it, cowboy. You'll be bored as hell."

  Jesse sat on the couch, and after putting on her Pilgrim CD, she turned on the lamp by the recliner and sat down beside him.

  He pulled her a bit closer.

  Chowser, who was also on the couch, grunted and moved over to the chair.

  Jesse nudged her shoulder, so she began, "Well, I was born and raised here in Bentwood. My parents still live here. I love them dearly and need to make more time for them. Cheri has been my best friend since first grade. She calls you tall, dark and handsome, by th
e way."

  He grinned.

  "After I graduated from high school, I went to Austin to college. Got my degree in Criminal Justice. Met my husband, John. We were State Troopers together. I got pregnant with Megan. Just before she was born, he was killed when he pulled over a drug dealer with a broken-out tail light."

  She took a sip of wine, then continued. "I decided to move home shortly after that, so my parents could help care for the baby. There was an opening at the sheriff's department, and I took it. Worked there until I eventually met Wess." A familiar pain swept through her chest.

  "I quit the sheriff's department after marrying Wess and worked the ranch with him. He was unable to have children, and we decided not to adopt—we had Megan. I told you about losing her. Wess died of cancer, and here I am. Like I said, boring. Now, I want to find out about you."

  Jesse said, "You're not boring. Anyway, I get to ask you questions. What made you want to go into law enforcement?"

  She sucked on her lower lip for a few seconds. "In the beginning, I wanted to help people. Later, after I started, I came across some major bad guys, and it became more about taking people like that off the street."

  "One more. If you had spare time right now, what would you do?"

  Gusting out a breath, she said, "I don't know. I don't have spare time, so it doesn't matter."

  "But, if you did, what would you do?"

  "Well, maybe go out to eat, see a movie, though, Lord knows, I don't know what movies are being made nowadays. I love to dance to Red Dirt Country music, but I haven't danced in a million years." She smiled. "Now it's my turn to ask questions."

  Jesse held up his hand. "On one condition."

  She narrowed her eyes. "Hey, no fair."

  "I'll answer your questions, but you have to dance with me while I talk."

  This was beautiful music to dance to, and she smothered a grin. "Okay, cowboy. You win."

  He reached down. "I'm taking my boots off. I don't want to tramp on those cute red toes."

  She took off her sandals as well.

  Jesse stood and pulled her to her feet. His dark eyes looked into hers, and they both smiled. He drew her into him and slowly danced to the clear area near the stereo and the door.

  He was so smooth and light on his feet, she almost floated across the floor.

  They danced in a circle to the languid music. My Father's Eyes came on, and Jesse held her closer still.

  She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes. The words swirled in her mind as Jesse's body moved against her with the slow rhythm of the song. She was safe and loved and all those things that she'd missed since Wess’s death. Old feelings swept through her, and she became lost in the music, in Jesse, and in her body's sensations.

  Jesse moved side to side when the song finished, dancing right into the next one. He laid his cheek against her, holding her as they danced slowly, moving with the gentle sway of the music. She'd forgotten she was supposed to ask questions, feeling the music and his body and her own.

  Jesse kissed her forehead as she lay surrendered against him.

  She opened her eyes, offering her lips.

  He stopped moving for a long moment, before putting his arms around her and pulling her close. Gazing into her eyes, he lowered his lips to hers and thoroughly kissed her.

  She felt stirrings she thought long dead, tingling inside and out.

  He pulled back and looked at her again, with a little smile.

  She reached up and cupped his face, pulling him down to her. This time she kissed him, remembering the ways her lips loved to move and how it felt to kiss a man. She put her other hand on his face and held him close as she kissed him again.

  In time, Jesse pulled back and smiled at her. With both arms around her waist, he began to sway to the music once more. "Miss Lee, I do like the way you kiss."

  She was too overwhelmed by her body to answer. She felt washed away—tumbled in a tide of emotions and swept out to sea. She'd lost herself, and she tucked her chin to her chest, looking down at her bare feet. Taking a deep breath, she fought to regain control. What had she been thinking?

  "Oh, no. No, you don't, missy. Look at me," Jesse tilted her chin up so she had to meet his gaze. "You're fine. In fact," he said as he kissed her again, "you're fabulous. Thank you, sweet Lee, for sharing yourself with me. Don't you go and make it something it's not, you hear me?"

  He stared at her until she finally nodded.

  She leaned into him, eyes closed, enjoying his body moving against hers, but holding a tight rein on her emotions.

  Jesse held her and danced until the music stopped.

  He turned off the lamp. The moon threw light and dark shadows across the floor. Taking her hand, he led her to the couch and sat down with his back against the arm, pulling her down with him. He put his arms around her and snuggled her up against his chest. "Now, I think you were going to ask me some questions."

  She drew her knees up near her breasts. "Well, Jesse, what were you like as a boy?"

  "I guess I was kind of serious. My dad counted on me a lot for help around the ranch after my brothers got older. But I had my mischievous side. My brothers were always playing pranks on me, so I had to pay them back without taking a pounding. I came up with some crazy schemes. I had a good home life. I look back on it and realize just how lucky I was. It'll be hard to let go of the ranch. I'm in the process of putting it up for sale right now."

  Squeezing his arm, she said, "I'm sorry, Jesse." In a moment, she asked, "So, if you had free time, what would you spend it on, cowboy?"

  "Well, that's easy. I'd spend it on you—having fun with you and making you happy." Jesse tightened his arms around her, resting his head on the top of hers.

  She went cold, panicked, and then something burst inside her. Tears spurted from her eyes. A loud, embarrassing sob came out of her mouth. Covering her face, she hunched into a ball.

  Jesse sat up, and grabbed her to him. "What's the matter? You're okay, baby."

  He turned her toward him, pulling her against his chest and kissing her cheek as sobs escaped against her will. She didn't know why she cried. She was turned inside out and completely lost as Jesse kissed her, and whispered in her ear.

  Quieting and feeling like an idiot, she desperately needed a Kleenex.

  Right on cue, Jesse fished out his handkerchief and handed it to her.

  She wiped her eyes and blew her nose, hanging onto it. No way could she look at him. Shaking her head, she said, "This is so stupid. You must think I'm ridiculous."

  Jesse cradled her in his arms and said, "Baby, do you know why this happened?"

  She shook her head.

  "I think I do, honey," he said. "You're at a place where you're putting down something beloved and picking up something new. Your heart is tearing apart. You'll get through it. But you have to let yourself feel it and think about it. Don't push it aside. I'll be right here with you. You're not alone anymore." He bent down and kissed first one eye, and then the other. He stroked her hair, gently rubbed her, and kissed her forehead and cheek, telling her softly that she was all right, that everything was all right until, somehow, she believed it.

  Chapter Eight

  THE NEXT MORNING, JESSE glanced at Pamela as he dressed. "Well, old girl, sorry, but you've been beat out by the competition. I know some green eyes on a beautiful woman that have you aced." He smiled, and hooked his belt. Scrolling down his phone contacts to Lee's name, he punched it.

  It rang twice before he heard her hesitant, quiet voice. "Hello, Jesse? Everything okay?"

  "It sure is, Lee," he said. "I checked on that heifer, and she looked fine. I knew you'd be getting up about now, and I didn't want you worrying that pretty head over her. I wanted to be sure you're not worried about anything else, either. I meant everything I said. You're not alone anymore. I'm here for you."

  "Jesse, I'm so ..." she paused. "I'm sorry I fell apart on you, and I appreciate you being so kind to me. Thanks for everything.
"

  "Lee, I hate having this conversation on the phone, but I don't want you closing up on me, now that you're awake this morning. I care about you. Don't shut me out."

  "Oh, Jesse. You were wonderful last night. But I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what's right."

  He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Lee, I can't tell you what's right for you. You have to decide which direction you want your life to move in. I can only ask that you keep your mind and heart open. Please, don't close yourself away, for your sake, and for mine. Give us a chance. Give me a chance. I'll finish getting dressed and see you in a little while."

  "Bye, Jesse."

  LEE HUNG UP AND TOOK a slow breath. She'd awakened last night as Jesse eased himself to a sitting position. She was disoriented when she opened her eyes. Jesse brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her, calling her sleepyhead. He helped her stand, walked her into the bedroom and tucked her into bed, telling her he'd let Chowser out and in again. It was the last thing she remembered.

  She woke this morning feeling strange, like when somebody died or a friend was in a car accident—with that same sense of doom. Yet, nothing bad had happened. Jesse had been wonderful last night. So, why did she feel horrible? What in the hell was going on?

  Heading into the living room, she pulled the throw from the back of the couch and crawled into the scruffy old recliner. After pushing it all the way back, she laid on her side and covered up. Her eyes peeked out, looking through the window at her flowers. For once, her pretties failed to make her happy.

  She studied the bench under the tree, and a heavy weight settled in the pit of her stomach. She closed her eyes as her chest clenched around her heart. Covering her head with the blanket, tears welled from her eyes, running down her face. Turning into the back of the chair, she breathed in deeply, filling herself with the scent of a tired, hardworking man. Her sweet Wess still lingered there.

  She began to cry, really cry, curling her fists and slamming the chair and its precious scent, over and over again. Hunched in a ball, rocking and clasping her head in her arms, she howled, her wild cries echoing through the empty house.