The next morning Bonnie woke and stretched under the silky high-count thread sheets of the massive mahogany bed. She’d been in the main Truehart mansion many times in the past, but this latest addition must have been constructed after she’d left town. The rambling Tuscan style two-story was classic Spanish stucco red tiled roofing. Several patios, fountains, and glorious and lush gardens accented every side of the home. In the distance, the rushing sounds of the river cut through Truehart land and partially separated them from the Carver cattle ranch.
She grabbed her robe and went to stand by the window that faced the beautiful hills. Below, an inviting pool sparkled with clear blue water. Nearby, a hot tub and chaise lounges scattered about. A hammock hung between two trees, and in it sat Jessica, slowly swinging her feet.
Bonnie tried to picture Jessica and Sean together, happily married, children on the way. Her stomach pitched and roiled in protest. This reaction was wrong in so many ways. She should want nothing but the best for Sean, not seethe with bitterness over how he’d dumped her. Dumped her, and then been engaged to someone else within a year. She didn’t want him. She didn’t want to want him.
Besides, she had no business dating anyone until she resolved what to do with her life. Until she decided where to go from here. She’d already wasted too much time on a dream that hadn’t quite worked out the way she’d wanted. But she refused to feel sorry for herself. She’d met with early success and been a working actress for years. Not many could say the same. Starring roles came along for some, but often with years between the next gig. It was almost as if one had to pay for the luck of a huge role by having a few lean years in between. Bonnie chose steady work instead of the occasional bright and shiny role of a lifetime.
She’d never had that role, and here in Stone Ridge, she’d take some time and consider why. Maybe it had been bad luck, pure and simple, or perhaps her own poor business decisions. But either way, an itch grew inside daily and told her she and Hollywood were finished. Whether or not she should be completely done with acting could be another story. The desire to perform had always been in her, from the time she’d earned the starring role in the first-grade play.
She’d continued with theater in high school and later entered rodeo queen contests. At nineteen, she’d been scouted by an agency and invited to New York City. But though Bonnie may have been a beautiful girl in Stone Ridge, in New York City and Hollywood she was simply another face in a sea of others.
“Looks aren’t everything, Skippy,” Sean had said to her more than once.
“You tell me I’m beautiful. Isn’t that why you love me? My looks?”
He’d been so angry he didn’t talk to her for a day.
When he finally stopped sulking, he’d come by her house holding a handful of freshly picked flowers.
“Listen, baby, you won’t find anyone who thinks you’re more beautiful than I do. But you weren’t Homecoming Queen for your looks. You won because you’re kind to everyone from the least popular kid at school to the most popular. That’s why, Bonnie.”
“But why do you love me?”
She adored him for so many reasons. Hard-working, he was good to his mother, a good son, brother and faithful boyfriend. It wasn’t his smoldering good looks which even as a teenager made hearts flutter. There weren’t many single women in Stone Ridge, but every girl his age wanted a chance with Sean.
“Yeah, I should have led with that,” he said sheepishly, taking her hand and brushing a kiss across her knuckles. “Sweetheart, to start with, I love your heart. How kind you are to everyone.”
Why hadn’t she believed him?
She would like to blame all those who’d focused on her looks from the time she was five:
Oh, my look at that gorgeous red hair! Gets it from her Mama.
Maybelle, put her in one of them modeling contests. Surely she’ll win.
Her skin is flawless!
Good Lord, I wish I could eat Beulah’s apple pie and still have her body. Bless her heart.
Other kids were “smart as a whip,” “good to their mama,” “next President of the USA,” or “a friend to everyone.”
Bonnie had tried to be all of those things, too. But looks had been her main talent in the long run. So she’d chosen a profession which valued and rewarded beauty.
And she’d never really believed she had much else to offer the world.
All on her. She was now almost twice the age she’d been when she met Sean Henderson for the first time. She’d spent over a decade away from him. Her aging skin was no longer flawless. Two years ago, she’d found her first gray hair. She’d put on a few pounds and wasn’t the thin girl he remembered with weight in all the right places. She now had a little extra padding…everywhere.
Dressing, she came downstairs and met the girls for breakfast. She found the Trueharts had lent them their cook, too. No one Bonnie recognized.
“Good morning.” Bonnie grabbed one of the cups from the coffee tray set out and poured from the French Press.
“Eggs Benedict.” Angela pointed to her plate. “Delicious. Someday I’ll have a cook. It’s scheduled for year three of the ten-year plan.”
“Mm, something to look forward to.” Bonnie mixed a little cream in her coffee.
“Sean’s family has a cook and housekeeper, too. Delores. But she practically helped raise the boys. She was Sean’s mother’s best friend.”
“Really? A live-in cook?” Angela said, sounding suitably impressed.
“Yeah, but she expects help with the dishes.”
“Not quite what I had in mind.” Angela pointed outside to where Jessica still sat on the hammock. “Someone is a little melancholy today.”
“Wonder why. I think she’s the front-runner, don’t you?”
“Absolutely. She reminds me of a younger version of you. Kind of a second try for Sean which might work this time. No offense.”
“None taken.”
“I overheard her talking on the phone last night. Poor thing. Today is some kind of sad anniversary.”
“Oh? We should do something to cheer her up.”
Lori entered the room with Elton and her usual blustery, hurricane-like presence.
“Hello! Hello! Morning one and all. Um, are we missing someone?” She went to the sliders and beckoned to Jessica who slowly walked to the house.
“Mornin’, y’all.” Tabitha sashayed in a moment later. “This is so exciting. Oh, look, coffee!”
“Are you kidding me right now,” Angela said under her breath as she shot a glare at Tabitha.
Tabitha wore what came down to Daisy Duke shorts, red western boots, and a red and white checkered blouse mostly for show and not much for coverage.
Bonnie glanced down at her mom-jean Wranglers, boots, and pearl button blue western shirt.
“Can she wear that?” Jessica pointed to Tabitha.
Lori gave the once-over. “Looks like flesh is um…mostly covered, so yeah.”
Jessica crossed her arms. “I thought this was a family show.”
Tabitha twirled. “What’s wrong with this? It’s my western look.”
“You look smashing, but you might want to reconsider when you hear all about today’s group date.” Lori laid an engraved card on the table, smiled, and turned. “And…cameras rolling!”
“Oh, what do we have here?” Angela, who should keep her day job, reached for the envelope and read out loud. “Ladies, I’d like to see if you can rope my heart. See you at the Wade Cruz Rodeo Clinic where I hope to give you a few riding lessons. The winner gets the first one-on-one date.”
Tabitha scrunched up her nose. “Clinic?”
“Wade Cruz is a former rodeo champ, and he teaches now,” Bonnie explained.
She talked to Mama once a week, after all.
“Gee, I hope your knees don’t get skinned,” Jessica muttered to Tabitha.
A few minutes later, the entire crew were headed out in the Hummer driven by Lenny to the Cruz ranch on the outskirts of Stone Ridge. She knew it well, since it abutted to the Henderson property, where she’d spent many days.
The air was crisp and clear, the smell of sweet peaches ripening in the air. Hill Country was gorgeous in Autumn and how she’d missed all the wide-open spaces. No sounds of freeway traffic in the distance, honking horns, or three car pileups. No smog. Just trees, hills, and…the familiar smell of manure.
That she hadn’t missed.
“That smell!” Lori waved her hand in front of her nose.
“That’ll be the scent of money.” Lenny insisted on leading them up to the corral, and he sauntered ahead of them.
“Hey, ladies,” came handsome Wade’s voice.
Wade Cruz and Daisy Carver stood just outside the corral, holding hands. Mama’s latest gossip had been filled with news of those two, officially engaged and working together on the rodeo clinic. They looked so happy.
“Bonnie Lee?” Daisy grabbed her in a bear hug. “Does Sean know you’re here? Does your mama know you’re here?”
“Yes to Sean. No to my mama. But she will soon, I’m sure.”
In fact, if Bonnie didn’t call her today, she’d probably find her mother witling a switch at her kitchen table. And Bonnie hadn’t had the switch to her since she was twelve.
The camera and crew set up. In no time at all, Wade took over describing what they’d learn today and bringing out the horse they’d be riding.
“This is Grace,” he said, leading a beautiful paint. “She’s a thorough bred and raced in the past, but she’s retired now.”
“She’s…big,” said Angela, chewing on her lower lip.
“And old.” Bonnie leaned in and whispered. “She looks docile to me. Don’t worry.”
“Thanks.” Angela smiled gratefully.
Daisy was busy demonstrating how they’d mount while Wade gathered equipment.
Suddenly in the distance, a horse’s hooves could be heard advancing. Kicking up dirt and dust, Sean was literally riding in on a white horse. While this was a nice touch, he didn’t need any help in the hero department. He looked every bit the handsome cowboy, as he dismounted his horse easily. He waved and ambled towards them, dressed in his jeans, dark shirt, and black Stetson.
“Lord have mercy,” said Tabitha, swirling her hand as if she’d touched a hot stove.
She then took off at a run toward Sean, closing the distance between them, literally launching herself into his arms. He had no choice but to catch her or risk her falling on the gravel stone path and ripping up her legs.
At least, that’s what Bonnie told herself as jealousy seethed inside on a low flame.
“Whoa,” he said with a grin. “Pretty excited, are you?”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
And why did it sound as if she were in the throes of orgasm?
Sean set her down, stepped a few paces away, and met the rest of the group. Bonnie gently pushed Jessica forward. The girl didn’t have enough confidence in herself, and with Tabitha around, for Sean to notice her she’d have to put herself out there.
Hey, Bonnie watched reality TV along with the rest of the country. She knew the drill.
“Hi, Sean,” Jessica said. “I’m so looking forward to this um, date.”
“Me, too,” Angela said. “I studied.”
“Oh, yeah? When’s the last time y’all were on a horse?” Sean tipped back on his heels.
“I was probably thirteen,” Tabitha piped up, having threaded her arm through Sean’s. “But it will all come back to me.”
“She’s goin’ to beat you at this if you don’t get on over on his other side,” Bonnie hissed to Jessica. “He has two arms.”
“Huh?” Jessica said.
“What about you, Jessica?” Sean asked.
“Oh, um, I don’t…I can’t remember.” She studied the ground and kicked a pebble with her boot.
“Same,” Angela said. “Been awhile. Can’t say I recall.”
Bonnie smiled. Was that a slight twang Angela had suddenly developed?
“I bet it’s been a while for you, as well, Skippy.” Sean didn’t even look at her but kept walking toward the corral, hands in the pockets of his jeans. He subtly shook Tabitha off. “I want to see if you remember anything at all.”
Great. He was ready to make an example of her.
Wade had the horse saddled. Nearby stood the golf cart with the cutout wood photo of a cow used to train in roping. Which meant…she’d be roping.
A skill she’d never mastered.
“You’re up, Bonnie. Let’s see how Miss Rodeo Queen three years runnin’ does.” Wade held Grace’s lead.
“Say what?” Angela whipped around to face Bonnie.
“It was fifteen years ago!” Bonnie said. “And you don’t have to be an expert to win Rodeo Queen. So what if I barrel raced a little when I was younger? My father was a rodeo star, and I couldn’t get out of it.”
Too late, Bonnie realized she’d said too much. Sean slid her a slow smile, one of his wicked ones.
The women gaped at her.
“What am I even doin’ here?” Jessica complained.
“Information I could have used,” Angela said with an edge to her tone.
“I was also Miss Rodeo Queen!” Tabitha squealed as she bounced, giving everyone a wide view of fleshy skin.
Of course she was Miss Rodeo Queen.
“You know what they say…there are some things you never forget,” Sean said, and then hooked his thumb at Bonnie. “Riding a horse is one of ‘em.”
Lord, don’t let me fall and break my fool arm in front of all these good people.
“Remember, anyone not willing to participate in the challenge today is immediately disqualified and will be sent home today,” Lori said from behind the camera, rallying everyone.
Or terrifying them.
This is it. I could go home right now and be eliminated. Wait.
This is it!
How could the producers balk at having to give up the drama when one of their own rules came into play? She could give up right now and admit she couldn’t do this. Truthfully, she wanted to see her mother instead of participating in this slow torture of watching Sean, not being able to have Sean, but watching as the wrong woman wormed her way into his life. It should be Jessica, the schoolteacher.
Did she have to hang a sign around Jessica’s neck: Here, Sean. This is who you should choose. Not Miss Hotlanta. Please think with your brain.
She wanted to believe Sean was above falling for someone as bright and shiny as Tabitha, but she didn’t know him anymore. The only thing she did know about him (thanks to her mother) was that in the intervening years, after his broken engagement with someone from out of town, he’d never married. However, that didn’t mean he pined away for Bonnie. It only meant in a town like theirs, he might have missed out on single women his age. Because of her.
Bonnie felt the weight of all eyes on her as she bent and stepped into the corral. She walked slowly to Grace, thoughts of how to play this out hurling through her brain at Mach speed. This had always been her problem, too, when it came to acting: how should she play this out? Dial up the emotion slowly, or all at once? Her problem was she didn’t think fast enough on her feet.
Now, she stood next to Grace, who wasn’t the tallest horse she’d ever mounted but also not the smallest. Probably a good seventeen hands or so, she’d guess.
In heaven, Daddy was probably standing by waging a bet: I got ten dollars here says she don’t get on. I’m all in.
“I’m…uh, I don’t think I…”
“You’re disqualified if you don’t do this, Rodeo Queen,” Lori said loudly.
Both Daisy and Wade studied her expectantly, Daisy with a type of little sister hero-worship. When Bonnie turned to him, Sean openly stared. But given the passage of time between them she could no longer read him the way she used to. She had no idea what he wanted from her anymore. Stay? Go? Fall flat on her face for the world to see? What would satisfy him now?
Gee, Sean, I’m sorry I said no to living in a small town for the rest of my life and having you keep me barefoot and pregnant.
I apologize, good sir, for wanting more.
Then Sean cracked a smile. An incredulous smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Hands and one leg braced on the fence, he lowered his head, and shook it.
“I knew it.”
Was it disappointment or triumph laced in his voice?
“Knew what, Sean?” Bonnie skillfully hooked her foot in the stirrup and hauled herself into the saddle. She shot him a triumphant look. “That I could still kick ass?”
Okay, so she wasn’t seated the most gracefully she’d never been, and this all felt a bit awkward.
But…she remembered.
On top of the world. Horse and saddle. Wind. Earth. The simple things.
For the next few minutes, Wade took her through the paces and Bonnie had the horse gallop around the corral. The small amount of her long hair not covered by her hat whipped around in the breeze. A lock became attached to her lip gloss and she brushed it aside and kept going. The only sounds heard were those of hooves raking across the dry red dirt, her shallow ragged breaths, and the pounding of her heart mixing with the rough sound of the wind.
Then Wade drove the golf cart around a few times, and she tried her hand at roping. His instructions were good, but Bonnie failed every time. Whenever she rode a horse, they were one, but neither cared too much for cattle, fake or otherwise.
“Good effort!” Daisy clapped as Bonnie hopped off the horse.
“She’s a good girl.” Bonnie dismounted, then nuzzled Grace’s white forelock.
Bonnie turned away and before she’d made two steps, Grace nudged with her muzzle.
In Bonnie’s ass.
“Oof,” Bonnie said, jumping forward and brushing off her butt.
“That’s when you know a horse loves you.” Wade joked, leading Grace back a few steps.
But louder than horse’s hooves, louder than her ragged breaths, pumping heart, or motor of the golf cart were the peals of Sean’s laughter.