by Kim Redford
She took a quick reading of the group, but nobody blinked an eye. She’d attended less formal board meetings. This was serious stuff, at least to Fernando lovers…and she supposed she was about to become one of them. She wrapped her fingers around Rowdy’s elbow, actually feeling a little glad of the support, although it totally belied her normal in-charge self. Everything about Wildcat Bluff County was beginning to make her feel uneasy, as if she was never going to be able to gain control over anything that occurred here.
Storm hurried ahead, barely containing her abundant energy, and knelt beside the dog, patting his head while his pink tongue lolled out of his mouth in a big grin that revealed his happiness.
Belle followed with Rowdy as her escort. When they neared the corrals, she caught the scent of fresh hay and fresh manure, both familiar—and somehow comforting—smells from growing-up days on her family’s sprawling ranch in East Texas. She stopped and glanced around the group with what she hoped was a pleasant smile on her lips.
“Good afternoon.” Sydney smiled in return. “Welcome to Steele Trap Ranch.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to be here.”
“Took you long enough.” Storm rose to her feet, keeping a hand on the dog’s head. “This is Tater, best cow dog in the county and Fernando’s friend.”
“Good to meet you,” Belle said formally. “Tater, that’s a lovely bandana.”
“Thought you’d like it.” Storm gestured toward the cowboy leaning against the corral. “This here’s Oscar Leathers.”
Oscar tipped his cowboy hat to reveal a bald head before he set the hat firmly back in place.
“He’s the best ranch foreman in the county…and he’s never lost a cow in his life.”
“For a fact…cattle get stolen,” Oscar said.
“But not lost.” Storm gave Belle a narrow-eyed look.
“In a storm, could be…or a downed fence,” Oscar said. “It happens.”
“But not to the love of Fernando’s life.” Storm threw a glare at Oscar.
“Risky business, I’d say.” Oscar looked directly at Belle with a grin.
She resisted a sigh and instead settled on holding Rowdy’s arm a little harder. She felt his muscles tense under her fingertips.
“Any news?” Sydney asked.
“Kemp is still on the hunt.” Belle glanced around the group. “I realize this is an unusual situation, but Daisy Sue will be found in due time.”
“That’s the thing,” Oscar said. “We need to know when Daisy Sue is due and get her safely back here for the big event.”
“I’m trying to get her home.” Belle might have been offended, or even surprised, at Oscar’s language, but she’d grown up on a ranch, so she knew exactly what he meant by those words.
“You’d better meet Fernando and explain yourself.” Storm motioned Belle over to the corral as the others stepped aside.
Belle caught her breath at the first glimpse of Fernando. He was huge…at least two thousand pounds of pure muscle with a short, sleek black coat. Handsome. And smart. He looked at her with big, dark eyes as if evaluating her backbone to get a job done right. In this case, the job was to bring Daisy Sue home. So far, she was failing miserably. And he knew it.
She let go of Rowdy’s arm and stepped close to the corral. She realized quite well that if Fernando had a mind to do it, he was strong enough to plow through any enclosure. He stayed where he was by his choice alone. She didn’t want to arouse his anger…not in any way.
Storm walked up. “Fernando, I’d like you to meet Belle Tarleton. Daisy Sue was living on her ranch.”
Fernando looked from Storm to Belle, cocking his massive head to one side as he considered her with thoughtful brown eyes.
“Daisy Sue was gone before I got here,” Belle said. “I’m doing my best to find her.” She realized she’d explained herself and her business to a lot of powerful people but never to a bull with a lonely heart. It gave her pause, making her consider what was more important—love or money?
Fernando lowered his head, rubbed at an itch on his leg with his jaw, and then looked toward Lulabelle & You Ranch.
“He watches your ranch all the time,” Storm said. “He’ll know when his love returns. Nobody will need to tell him.”
Belle felt bad about the situation. She was just discovering for herself the amazing power and importance of love between like-minded souls. She glanced at Rowdy and then back at Fernando. How had she come to be in this impossible position, not only in her personal life but in this family’s life as well? All she could do was blame it on love…the glue that held everything of importance together.
She had to put her own concerns aside and focus on Fernando. He was the reason she was here. Anybody who knew animals could tell he was really down and out. Now that she’d met him and seen his loneliness, more than ever she wanted to do something to fix his situation…and do it now. Yet her hands were still tied by the missing Daisy Sue.
“Craig and I came over to play music for Fernando,” Fern said. “It soothes him so much.”
“I heard music could do that with animals.” Belle looked a little more closely at Fern and Craig. She hadn’t thought about musicians at her party, but of course, a country band or even singers with guitars like the two standing before her would add a great deal to her event…if they were still available at this late date. Of course, it was just one more possibility to consider in a county overflowing with creative possibilities.
“Why don’t you play for Fernando?” Storm said. “He’s met Belle now, so he knows the truth for a fact. She doesn’t have Daisy Sue hidden somewhere…otherwise he could smell her.”
“It’s been a pleasure to meet you.” Belle focused on Fernando, hoping he’d sense her sincerity.
He gave her another long, considering look and then turned his attention to the musicians.
“So far Fernando’s favorite number is ‘The Lonely Bull,’” Craig said.
“It was a big instrumental hit in the sixties by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.” Fern adjusted the strap of her guitar on her shoulder. “Let’s see if this will soothe him today after his meeting with you.”
“He’s disappointed,” Storm said. “He was hoping that somehow Belle would bring Daisy Sue back to him.”
“If I could, I’d do it this instant.” Belle stepped back from the fence, realizing that Rowdy had moved up beside her. She tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, feeling his warmth and strength as an antidote to the shifting sands around her.
Fern started out humming the original trumpet part of “The Lonely Bull,” and Craig added more depth to the number with his guitar.
Belle watched Fernando to gauge his reaction to the music. He lifted his head and looked at Fern with big, luminous eyes, and a peaceful calm radiated out from him. Belle could almost see a smile settle across his face.
Craig added his deeper voice to Fern’s soprano as they looped the song, adding their own variations to keep it going since the music obviously had a soothing effect on their own lonely bull.
As they played, Fernando stretched out his neck toward Storm. She slipped between the bars of the corral. He lowered his massive head and gently bumped her small chest until she wrapped her arms around his neck. He blew air out his nose in a deep sigh and laid his head on her shoulder for a hug.
Belle experienced such emotion at the sight that she grew teary. If you were open to it, love knew no bounds. She felt Rowdy’s rough palm cover her hand and press her fingers against his arm. She glanced up at him, saw tenderness in his gaze, and felt an answering response. She had no doubt everyone right there, right now felt the same outpouring of love.
And then her sentimentality ended as the sound of an approaching vehicle’s engine cut through the music. She glanced around and saw a big, dark-blue Buick headed up the lane toward them.
“
Oh my,” she said under her breath. “It’s the Buick Brigade.”
“I bet they planned this meeting down to the exact second,” Rowdy whispered in her ear.
She nodded in agreement because by now, she could well believe it.
Fern and Craig turned toward the sound, glanced at each other, and slowly finished their song until only silence hung in the air.
“Fernando knew they were coming.” Storm broke the silence. “He likes them.”
“He likes their cowboy cookies,” Sydney said.
“That, too.” Storm slipped out of the corral to stand beside her mother. “But he knows they always get the job done, no matter what.”
“That’s true. They do.” Sydney put an arm around Storm and drew her close.
Everyone stood quietly, almost at attention, as they waited…with only a snort from Fernando to indicate any type of impatience.
The Buick came to a sharp stop in a cloud of dust, and then all four doors popped open. Four women of ageless beauty stepped out. They wore elegant felt hats over short, silver hair, colorful sweaters, knee-length skirts, and low-heeled pumps. They focused sharp eyes on the group around Fernando.
“How is our lonely bull today?” Ada carried a plate of cookies in both hands as she led the group to the corral.
Fernando snorted again and edged closer to the railing.
“I’m glad you brought cookies.” Storm reached out and accepted the plate. “He’s had a disappointing afternoon.”
All four women looked directly at Belle, as if waiting for an explanation.
“Still no Daisy Sue,” Belle said. “I’m doing my best.”
“We know.” Louise gave her a warm smile.
“Things are taking an interesting turn.” Blondel walked over to Craig and looked him up and down.
“Can I do something to help? I mean, besides the music.” Craig smiled, but he appeared uneasy.
“How is Thorne Horse Ranch?” Doris moved over near him.
“Good. We’ve got the barn rebuilt…something like the new one they rebuilt here,” Craig said.
“Excellent.” Doris joined her friends.
“We needed it after the last one burned down.”
“Understandable.” Louise completed the group surrounding Craig.
“A fire can leave…” Doris said.
“Open wounds…” Blondel said.
“That in time…” Louise said.
“Must be healed,” Ada said.
Craig backed up a step, looking from one woman to the other. “Everything’s fine at the ranch. No wounds or anything else to heal.”
“Christmas is a time of healing and renewal,” Louise said.
“Trust me, everything’s fine.” Craig backed up another step.
“Perhaps you need to look a little farther afield,” Blondel said.
“Nope.” Craig attempted another smile.
Fern stepped forward, holding her guitar at her side. “You’re talking about that one-room schoolhouse, aren’t you?”
“You mean the memorial grove?” Craig asked.
All four of the Buick Brigade nodded in unison.
“We’ve been meaning to follow up on that mystery, but we haven’t had time,” Fern said. “Do you know something about it?”
“We know everything, dear, but not all stories are ours to tell.” Louise gave a little wink.
“Exactly,” Blondel said.
Ada turned toward Belle and pointed a long finger. “She has answers, too.”
Belle shook her head in the negative. “At this point, I have more questions than answers.”
“Oh yes.” Doris turned toward Craig. “We believe it’s time for you to give Belle and Rowdy the key to the schoolhouse. Let them take it from there.”
“The key?” Craig asked. “But why would they want it? That place is locked up tight.”
“We didn’t want to disturb it,” Fern said.
Blondel gave her a gentle smile. “Remember, it’s Christmastime, and presents come in different forms.”
“It’s best not to look gift horses in the mouth…not when there’s magic in the air,” Louise said.
“This Christmas,” Blondel said. “Belle Tarleton is Wildcat Bluff County’s gift horse.”
All four wise women turned to smile at Belle, bright eyes shining in the sunlight.
Chapter 24
Rowdy stood beside Belle as he watched the Buick Brigade disappear in a cloud of dust onto Wildcat Road. He was quiet, along with everybody else, because the four wise women usually left a stunned silence in their wake. This time was no different, except they appeared to be upping the ante this Christmas.
“Does anybody know what they were talking about?” Belle asked, glancing around the group. “It seems like it has something to do with me, but I can’t imagine why. I have a lot going on, and I don’t need anything else on my plate.”
“I’m not so sure it’s you, or at least not completely,” Craig said.
“I don’t know. Belle appears to be some sort of catalyst in their minds.” Fern adjusted her guitar.
“Nobody ever knows their ultimate goal till they tie up all the loose ends in a neat little bow for us.” Rowdy rubbed the side of his neck, feeling decidedly uneasy since Belle appeared to be their target.
“They’re bossy,” Storm said. “They think they can just go around telling folks what to do.”
“They usually get their way.” Sydney glanced at her daughter. “And they’re not the only bossy-pants around here.”
“Yeah. Somebody is getting her way ramrodding that new calendar. Do you really have to call it ‘Wet & Wild Cowboy Firefighters’?” Rowdy gave Sydney a hard look.
“Yes, I do. Hot bodies sell. Anyway, I just do what needs to be done,” Sydney said. “Wildcat Bluff Fire-Rescue needs the benefit to meet upcoming bills.”
“Daisy Sue comes first of all.” Storm put her hands on her hips and a frown on her face. “I’m not real wild about schoolhouses anyway. That kind of thing can get in the way of more important business.”
Rowdy chuckled along with everyone else.
“It’s not funny,” Storm said. “Fernando is important business.”
“Yes, he is, but there are a lot of other things going on at Christmas, too.” Sydney smiled at her daughter.
“Daisy Sue.” Storm leaned against Sydney. “You know, right?”
“We’ll get her home somehow,” Belle said.
“You bet we will.” Oscar patted Tater on the head. “If Kemp don’t get his act together, we’ll find that beauty of a cow ourselves.”
“Thanks,” Storm said.
“I guess you’d better hear our story about the one-room schoolhouse.” Craig lifted his cowboy hat, ran a hand through his hair in agitation, and then replaced the hat. “I wouldn’t get into it at all with so much else going on this time of year, but once the Buick Brigade set their minds on something, it’s usually easier to go along with them…at least a little bit of the way.”
“I don’t remember anybody mentioning a one-room schoolhouse around here,” Rowdy said.
“We stumbled onto it by accident last Labor Day.” Craig gave Fern a quick kiss on her cheek.
“That’s right.” Fern took up the story. “We were hoping another dance hall survived from the Wild West days, so we were driving around looking for one from a copy of this old map Morning Glory gave us.”
“I’ve never heard anything about this before now,” Sydney said. “Why have y’all been holding out on us? It sounds interesting.”
“Not to me.” Storm moved back over to the corral and held out her hand to Fernando.
“Well, it is, but it’s sad, too,” Fern said.
“Sad?” Belle asked.
“Yeah,” Craig said. “To back up, I�
�d bought this little piece of property, sight unseen, just because it bordered my horse ranch near Sure-Shot. We ended up there.”
“What did you find?” Belle asked.
“The schoolhouse, but—” Fern said.
“There’d been a fire,” Craig continued the story.
“Oh no.” Rowdy hated to hear that news because it probably didn’t have a good ending.
“The blaze didn’t burn down the building, but there was obvious smoke damage from the fireplace,” Craig said.
“And there were children inside because we found small hats.” Fern shook her head. “We hope they got out alive, but we don’t know who they were or what happened to them.”
“Far as we know the story about the fire didn’t survive down through our families or even in county lore,” Craig said.
“That’s odd,” Sydney said. “Something like that ought to have been important enough to record and remember.”
“I think it was on purpose,” Craig said.
“Right.” Fern clasped his hand. “The building is surrounded by a grove of trees like a memorial. It was pretty much impenetrable till Craig hacked through the undergrowth.”
“Do you mean it was hidden on purpose?” Belle asked.
“We think so,” Craig said. “It looked like they didn’t want anyone to disturb the tranquility of the place.”
“It’s a beautiful building.” Fern nodded at Belle and Sydney. “You’d like the Victorian architecture.”
“Maybe it should be left in peace,” Belle said.
“That’s what we’ve done until we could learn more about it,” Fern said.
“But nobody so far knows a thing,” Craig said.
“Sounds like the Buick Brigade might know something.” Rowdy had an uneasy feeling about the entire matter.
“Right,” Craig said. “And it also sounds like they want you and Belle to go see the place.”
“But why?” Belle asked. “What could we possibly have to do with it?”